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How can the people of the world and especially we Americans sit back and watch what is happening?

We have two men, neither one of which for different reasons should be in the office they occupy, playing games that could result in destroying civilization.

How can the people who we have elected to represent us accept and in many cases defend the craziness that is coming from the White House?

The North Korean dictator is saying that Trumps provocations amount to a declaration of war. We cant control what the North Korean dictator says but certainly Trumps aides can get him to quit tweeting long enough to let things cool down.

Without saying it, we know we can destroy North Korea without the use of nuclear weapons but before it was over that action would result in the loss of many lives. All it would take is one instance to start both sides shooting at each other.

Is it any wonder that we have so many violent demonstrations in this country? The people believe thats the only way they can be heard.
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Join us in downtown Viroqua, Saturday, Sept. 30, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a bounty of gorgeous produce, local meat, baked goods, fresh flowers, artisan furniture and crafts and more. We are still seeking volunteers to assist with an informational study regarding the Farmers Market. The data from the study will be beneficial when applying for grants and will help us to develop a picture of who is shopping at the market, what they are purchasing and what kind of impact the market has on our local economy. For more information about assisting with this study, email cwalters@viroqua-wisconsin.com or call 637-2575

Power Hour, Oct. 2

Join the Viroqua Chamber Main Street and Peoples State Bank for Power Hour! What is this event exactly? Open to the public, one-hour long lunch hour sessions that benefit businesses. This month we are talking about data breaches, identity theft and ways to protect yourself. The session begins at noon and ends at 1 p.m. Learn about identity theft and best practices after the Equifax breach. We welcome speakers from multiple industries who will discuss cyber security, financial security and more. Free of charge. Bring your lunch and learn with us. For more information, call 637-2575

Viroqua SOUP, Oct. 4

Viroqua SOUP will be held at the American Legion Oct. 4 and 6 p.m. It is a micro-granting, crowdfunding event celebrating and supporting creative projects in Viroqua. For a suggested donation of $5, attendees receive soup, bread and a vote, and listen to four project pitches that can include anything from an art installation, to a community event, to an entrepreneurial startup, to a social cause. Each presenter has 4 minutes to share their idea and answer four questions from the audience. At the event, attendees eat, talk, share resources, enjoy music, and vote on the project they think will benefit the city the most. At the end of the night, the ballots are counted and the presenter with the most votes goes home with all of the money raised to carry out their project. The winner comes back to a future SOUP event to report his or her projects progress. Want an opportunity to pitch your creative idea? Interested in volunteering? Email nrschmidt@viroqua-wisconsin.com or call 608-637-2575 and well send you information.

Viroqua Wine Walk, Nov. 17

Viroquas first-ever Wine Walk will take place Nov. 17. Tickets go on sale Oct. 5 at 8 a.m. Tickets will be available online via our Facebook page or at the Viroqua Chamber Main Street Visitor Center, 201 N. Main St., in Viroqua. We expect to sell out, as this event includes 18 stops full of fun, great deals, demos, appetizers and giveaways! Get your holiday shopping off to a great start, grab a crew and join us! Tickets are $25 each. For more information, visit the Viroqua Chamber Main Street Facebook page or call 608-637-2575

First Thursday, Oct. 5

Two Driftless Area artists will share the spotlight at VIVA Gallerys First Thursday reception Oct. 5. Jack Honeywell, a stained-glass artist, and Scott Keith, a potter, have been honing their respective crafts for more than 40 years. That depth of experience and artistry adds up to an exceptional experience for gallery-goers.

Honeywell maintains his own workplace, Cedar Tree Studio, near Winona, Minnesota. He finds inspiration in the Driftless landscapes, in the people around him, and most often, from the many colors, textures, and varieties of glass itself. He studied advanced techniques at the Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle, Washington, and has worked for Hauser Art Glass in Winona.

Keith has been spinning mud for four decades, many of those years with Red Wing Pottery, where he was part of a small crew that kept alive the tradition of making salt-glazed stoneware. The iconic stoneware was the first style of pottery that Red Wing created on a large basis. He loves the malleable qualities of clay and the infinite possibilities it affords. Scotts Newton Valley Pottery studio is just outside of Viroqua.

Honeywells stained glass and Keiths clay sculpture and pottery, along with the diverse works of VIVAs 18 member artists, will be featured at VIVAs First Thursday reception from 5-7 p.m. and will be on display throughout the month. The gallery is located at 217 S. Main St. in Viroqua. For more information, contact the gallery at 608-637-6918 or info@vivagallery.net.

The reception will be followed by a 7 p.m. dinner at Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table. Email rootedspoon@gmail.com or call 608-632-2120 to make reservations. The Rooted Spoon cash bar will be open during the reception.

Viroqua City Wide Rummage Sales, Oct. 6-8

Find all of the best deals at the Viroqua City Wide Rummage Sales. Be sure to post some of your special deals and sale information on the Viroqua Chamber Main Street Facebook page for the event.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Oct. 3 in the Wisconsin gerrymandering case, Whitford v. Gill.

There are 12 plaintiffs in the Whitford case  12 Wisconsin citizens who chose to challenge the controversial voting districts adopted by the Legislature in 2011. And they won.

In November of last year, a majority decision by the U.S District Court for Wisconsins Western District found the discriminatory effect is not explained by the political geography of Wisconsin, nor is it justified by a legitimate state interest. Consequently, Act 43 [the 2011 redistricting plan] constitutes an unconstitutional political gerrymander.

Thanks to these 12 plaintiffs, court testimony revealed how the current redistricting process was manipulated for political advantage. Thanks to their case, we now know that the map boundaries were not drawn by our duly elected representatives, but by two legislative staffers and an outside consultant, paid for with taxpayer dollars.

We now know the extent to which highly sophisticated computer programs were used to achieve the maximum, predictable success of GOP representatives. We now know that each GOP legislator was shown his or her redrawn district, and had to sign a secrecy agreement not to disclose details until final approval by the full body.

Subsequent election results have shown the partisan misalignment of Wisconsins Assembly districts is among the worst in the nation. The entire country is awaiting the outcome of Whitford v. Gill, a landmark case with national implications. For that, we can thank 12 plaintiffs who are fighting for the constitutional rights of every Wisconsin voter.

Elizabeth Kruck, Genoa
Ethics board subpoenas DCI for investigation into Noem's state airplane use

The Government Accountability Board subpoenaed the DCI for a report relating to an investigation if Gov. Kristi Noem misused the state airplane.
The 2017-2018 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest has been announced and will be held in Westby Area High School according to Tom Sharratt, Youth Activities Coordinator for Westby VFW Post 8021.

The theme of this years competition is American History: Our Hope for the Future. Contestants are allowed great latitude in how they develop this theme. The contest is open to all students in grades 9 through 12. Entries are due no later than Nov. 1.

The first prize National winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship. Post 8021 will present ten prizes to winners in grades 9  11; prizes to 12th grade winners will receive awards to be announced in class from Coon Creek VFW Post 10532. Post 8021 awards are as follows: first place is $100 cash. Four other cash prizes include awards of $75, $50, $40 and $30. In addition, there will be five gift certificates at the Westby Kwik Stop awarded.

Home schooled students and youth groups such as Scouts, 4-H, FFA and church youth groups are encouraged to participate. The contest is also available to students at Cornerstone Christian Academy.

This is the 19th year the contest has been held in the Westby Area High School. In 2005, Abigail Knutson won first place at District and State competition and earned an all expense paid trip to Washington DC, plus an additional $1,000. At all levels of competition, she won a total of $3,200.

Each Post will advance their first place winner to the district competition, where the first place prize is $100. The state winner will receive $1,500. The national winner receives a $30,000. Total awards at the national level are total $152,000.

The following Westby Area High School teachers will be offering this competition, either as part of a required assignment or as an elective option: Brian Huebner, Andy Hulst, Mark Luebke and David Nelson. These teachers will have brochures with the contest details and rules. Youth group leaders, parents of home schooled students, or students can call Tom Sharratt 634-2118 or go online to www.vfw.org for more information.
Memories being what they are  fragile  one has to reach into the newspaper archive to reclaim the tempest mood, some 24 years ago, when the not-yet-ratified North American Free Trade Agreement had American voters storm tossed.

Would presidential hopeful Bill Clinton endorse the agreement, negotiated by President George Bush, despite the glaring absences in the Mexico-Canada-U.S. marriage?

Clinton was a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats globalist Kool-Aid drinker  skol!  but he was a pragmatist too and so, in October 1992, he came out in support of the deal, with a qualifier: negotiators would have to cut side agreements on labour and the environment. I see this as killing two birds with one stone, winning the support of Congress (Clinton became president in January 1993), while not messing with the core agreement.

Students of the free trade pact may recall that one of the loudest anti-NAFTA voices was Democratic House majority leader Dick Gephardt, who repeatedly and so eloquently argued that environmental controls, protection for workers and an international dispute resolution covering the right to strike and collective bargaining were essential.

Gephardt made a couple of trips to Tijuana to assess matters for himself. He returned with a first-hand understanding of buck-an-hour jobs and industrial waste flowing freely through the places where children play and cattle graze.

It took a year to work up the so-called environmental and labour protection provisions of NAFTA. Who among us can recall the council of Canadians  Doris Anderson, Farley Mowat, Pierre Berton and many more  who protested these side-bar deals, rightly pointing out that the labour provisions failed to even cover basic union rights? See: collective bargaining.

The final language of the labour provision had more weasely words than those mission statements so beloved by transnational corporations who very much like what they term nimble cost structures. The parties were committed to promote a few guiding principles governing broad areas of concern. Dialogue was encouraged.

Dick Gephardt voted against NAFTA, and that was a blow. So did House Majority Whip David E. Bonior of Michigan. "It will cost jobs, Bonior said. It will drive down our standard of living. It will lock in place a Mexican system that exploits its own people and denies them the most basic political and economic rights.

Still, the deal passed quite breezily.

And then a flood of manufacturing jobs rushed to low wage sites in Mexico. The workers there had rare hope of forming true, as opposed to sham or phantom, unions.

No wonder Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland felt compelled to acknowledge this week that, as she put it, There are reasons why Canadian workers might have some skepticism about trade agreements. She continued: Canadian workers have legitimate anxieties about the ways in which international trade can lead to a race to the bottom in labour standards.

As the third round of NAFTA talks continued in Ottawa on Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is calling the process very accelerated. U.S. chief negotiator John Melle said talks are moving at warp speed. (The Canadian Press)

She noted that she was quite optimistic about the chances of improving the labour chapter in the current NAFTA talks, which resume in Washington on Oct. 11.

If Ive got my timing right, Freelands comments arrived just about the time workers at Rexnord Corp.s bearings plant in Indianapolis exited their place of work for the last time. The company had announced months before that it would be transferring operations, and more than 300 jobs, to Monterrey. Local reports pegged the average wage at the Indianapolis plant at $25 (U.S.) an hour, adding that by moving south of the border the company aimed to realize $15.5 million in savings  or a wage reduction to $8 an hour.

Indianapolis, we remember, is home to the Carrier air conditioning/furnace company which announced the outsourcing of jobs to Mexico, which drew the ire of Donald Trump, which resulted in tax breaks and incentives being doled out to the company. In July, more than 300 workers were nevertheless let go, with another 300 due to exit before Christmas. The president appears to be vexed by this turn of events, no doubt wondering if he got his moneys worth.

How will Mexico engage on this in the next round?

Mexicos negotiators have some cover with the countrys newly enacted constitutional reform amending its labour justice system. That wont work for long. There cant be any patience any longer for denying core principles in the core agreement enshrining fundamental labour rights, rights that should have been enshrined a quarter century ago.

jenwells@thestar.ca

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ORLANDO, FLA.The American fast-food industry is built on two pillars: cheap hamburgers, and cheap labour.

As economists try to understand why wages have stagnated across the U.S. economy, they are examining the cheap labour part of the equation closely. A few have zeroed in on an obscure clause buried in many fast-food franchise agreements as a possible contributor to the problem.

Some of fast foods biggest names, including Burger King, Carls Jr., Pizza Hut and, until recently, McDonalds, prohibited franchisees from hiring workers away from one another, preventing, for example, one Pizza Hut from hiring employees from another.

The restrictions do not appear in a contract that employees sign, or even see. They are typically included in a paragraph buried in lengthy contracts that owners of fast-food outlets sign with corporate headquarters.

Yet the provisions can keep employees tied to one spot, unable to switch jobs or negotiate higher pay. A lack of worker mobility has long been viewed as contributing to wage stagnation because switching jobs is one of the most reliable ways to get a raise.

Defenders of the practice argue that the restaurants spend time and money training workers and want to protect their investment. But two lawsuits, filed this year against McDonalds and Carls Jr.s parent company, CKE Restaurants Holdings, contend that such no-hire rules violate antitrust and labour laws.

McDonalds said its policies did not violate any laws. The company recently removed the language from its contract, and declined to say whether the lawsuits had played a role in that decision. CKE declined to comment.

The no-hire rules affect more than 70,000 restaurants  or more than a quarter of the fast-food outlets in the United States  according to Alan B. Krueger, an economist at Princeton University and a chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Obama administration who examined agreements for 40 of the nations largest fast-food companies.

The provisions, he said, were ubiquitous among the companies and appeared to exist mainly to limit both competition and turnover, which can keep labour costs low.

The restrictions are different from what are known as noncompete agreements  clauses in employee contracts that keep an employee from jumping to a rival. Such agreements are typically described as a means of preventing employees from bringing trade secrets to a competitor.

I think its very hard to make the argument that non-competitive agreements are necessary for low-educated, low-wage workers because they have trade secrets, Krueger said. This practice does have the potential to restrict competition and significantly influence pay.

The fast-food industry has been one of the biggest sources of job growth since the recession. More than 4.3 million people in the U.S. are now dipping fryer baskets and flipping hamburgers, a 28-per-cent increase since 2010 that is almost double the increase in the overall labour market, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But the average fast-food worker takes home just $300 a week before taxes, about a third of what the average private-sector worker earns.

Other industries also forbid franchisees from hiring one anothers workers. The practice is more common when turnover rates are high, according to research by Krueger and Orley C. Ashenfelter, who is also a professor at Princeton and, like Krueger, a well-known labour economist. Health and fitness companies such as Curves or Anytime Fitness, and maintenance services such as Jiffy Lube have similar rules.

Representatives for Curves and Jiffy Lube did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Anytime Fitness said in an email that employees frequently move from one gym to another when professional growth opportunities arise and it has not created undue challenges or resentment among its franchisees.

Krueger and Ashenfelter examined 156 companies in 21 industries, selecting businesses with more than 500 franchise stores in the United States. More than half of the companies imposed some kind of restriction, according to their 2016 franchise disclosure documents, an annual financial filing.

The policies were most common in the fast-food industry: Of the 40 such companies covered in the report, 32 imposed some kind of hiring restriction, including Burger King, Dominos and Pizza Hut. Workers were often not allowed to take new positions without their bosses written permission. (Several of the companies surveyed restricted only hiring between franchisor and franchisee.)

Dominos declined to comment. Burger King and Pizza Hut did not respond to requests for comment.

The reports tally also included McDonalds, which for at least 30 years had prohibited franchisees from hiring one anothers workers. That changed in March, a spokesperson said, when the company informed the owners of its more than 11,000 franchise locations that it would no longer enforce the rule.

The rules have attracted more scrutiny as a result of the two suits challenging their legality.

The McDonalds spokesperson, Andrea Abate, said in an email, We are confident that the terms of our franchise agreements, past and present, are appropriate and legal.

McDonalds abandoned the rule a month after CKE was sued over its version of the provision. But several fast-food experts said the timing could be coincidental because restaurant companies often try to distance themselves from their franchisees to avoid joint liability if the franchisees are sued.

The suit against McDonalds was filed later on behalf of an employee who worked at a franchise in Apopka, Fla., during the time when the rule was in effect.

Andrew Puzder, the former CKE chief executive who was U.S. President Donald Trumps original pick for labour secretary, once told Congress that franchisees are not a division, subsidiary or alter ego of CKE, but are truly independent small businessmen and businesswoman.

The lawyers suing McDonalds and CKE are trying to use the distinction Puzder made against the companies, arguing that these separate companies within one brand are signing illegal anti-competitive agreements with one another. The lawyers in the CKE case have cited guidance issued by federal officials in October that indicated it was against the law to, among other things, refuse to solicit or hire other companies employees.

Theyre either going to have to say, We are separate from our franchisees, or Were one integrated entity,  said Michael Rubin, a lawyer for former McDonalds workers who are suing the company separately over accusations of wage violations.

An email sent to Puzder through his personal website was not answered. He withdrew as Trumps labour secretary nominee in March in the face of Democratic opposition to his positions on workforce issues, and after it emerged that he had employed a housekeeper who was not in the United States legally.

The suits against CKE and McDonalds, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and Illinois District Court, seek class-action status on behalf of tens of thousands of workers such as Leinani Deslandes, the plaintiff in the case against McDonalds. She worked at a McDonalds in Apopka from 2009 to 2016.

In a recent interview at a Panera Bread in Altamonte Springs, Fla., she described her employment experience at McDonalds and the reasons for the suit.

When her shift as a manager ran so late that she missed the last bus home, Deslandes said, she would walk the eight kilometres home thinking about the next days tasks  getting her children ready for school and helping her husband get off to work on time  and daydreaming about what she wanted for her own life: a smartphone that could play music as she walked or, better yet, a car.

She said she thought she was on track for a promotion and imagined that one day she might own her own franchise.

Somebody that could be doing your fries tomorrow, in 10 years, they could be running six or seven McDonalds, Deslandes said. Thats why I stayed so long.

She was promoted to department manager, she said, and the next step would have been for her to fly to Illinois to attend Hamburger University, where McDonalds runs its management-training programs. But the training was cancelled when she got pregnant, she said in her suit, and the promotion never came.

She was frustrated, she said, and tried to take a job at a different McDonalds, but was blocked because of the no-hiring rule. Thats what hurt the most, she said.

Abate, the McDonalds spokesperson, said the company disputed the accusations in the suit, but declined to answer specific questions about it.

Representatives for the franchisee of the outlet where Deslandes worked, Bam-B Enterprises, declined to comment on the details of her suit. Bam-B is not named as a defendant in the case.

Turnover rates are high in the industry, and maintaining a talented workforce requires investing in training and recruitment. Prohibiting franchisees from hiring one anothers workers protects that investment, said Stuart Hershman, a lawyer with the firm DLA Piper. He estimated that he had drafted hundreds of franchise agreements, many of which contained some kind of recruitment prohibition.

There has never been, ever, any intention, by drafting this type of provision, to restrict employee mobility, restrict wage competition, or suppress employee pay, Hershman said.

There is no good measure for how often workers are restricted from changing jobs, and some franchisees interviewed by the New York Times were not aware that their ability to hire was restricted. It is also difficult to gauge what effect the hiring rule has on wages. But the prevalence of no-hiring agreements in franchise contracts suggests that many employers do try to combine to restrict competition in the labour market, Krueger and Ashenfelter wrote.

It might help explain a recent puzzle in the U.S. job market, the two wrote in their report. Unemployment has reached a 16-year low and job openings are at an all-time high, yet wage growth has remained surprisingly sluggish.

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WASHINGTONFor 19 non-stop hours as Hurricane Irma lashed Florida, disc jockey Nio Fernandez broadcast updates in Spanish from the 92.5 Maxima radio studios in St. Petersburg, fielding updates from those trapped in their homes as wind and rain whipped through the area.

There was a sense of desperation in peoples voices, he said of callers to the station. They needed to know what was happening.

Fernandezs efforts made it possible for listeners who had lost power, cell or internet service  as many in the region had  to keep up with the storms progress using FM radio chips embedded in their smartphones.

Read more:

Trump, congressional Republicans clear way for more federal aid to Puerto Rico

Were running for out life: At Puerto Ricos main airport, a struggle to get off a devastated island

No one has shown up: Puerto Ricans outside capital in limbo as Maria aid lags

But not iPhone users. Though the phone includes the FM chip, Apple Inc. has chosen not to activate the feature, a move critics say could be putting lives in danger.

The issue has drawn fresh scrutiny following hurricanes that devastated Puerto Rico and parts of Texas and Florida. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida is leading calls for mobile-phone manufacturers to activate the FM radio chips embedded in nearly all smartphones. Those exhortations have been mainly directed at Apple, whose iPhone accounts for more than 40 per cent of the U.S. smartphone market.

Broadcasters are providing information on how to evacuate quickly, where floodwaters are raging, how to get out of harms way if theres a tornado or a hurricane, said Dennis Wharton, a spokesperson for the National Association of Broadcasters. The notion that Apple or anyone else would block this type of information is something that we find fairly troubling.

The group, which represents radio-station owners, has been lobbying the industry for several years to allow phone users access to the FM radio feature. Now, many of the major manufacturers  including Samsung Electronics Co., LG Electronics Inc. and Motorola Solutions Inc.  allow the use of the chip. Apple is the only major holdout, according to Wharton. Critics say Apple doesnt want to cannibalize its streaming service by giving iPhone owners access to free radio service over the airwaves. An Apple spokesperson said the company wouldnt comment on the matter.

While surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Irma, Nelson told WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, Fla., Theres got to be a way we can activate the chip. A spokesperson for the senator said he was considering writing phone manufacturers on the issue but hasnt called for a mandate.

The bottom line is consumers need critical information in times of emergency, Nelson said. If technologies, such as radio chips, exist that will help do that during times of emergencies then companies should be doing everything in their power to employ their use.

Broadcast radio is often the most durable form of communication during large-scale disasters when other infrastructure fails, said Jamie Barnett, the former public safety chief of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Allowing people to tune in through their phones would allow them to stay informed in drastic circumstances like those recently seen in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, said Barnett, a lawyer at Venable LLP in Washington.

In August 2013, the radio industry, in co-operation with Sprint, introduced the NextRadio app, which allowed users to listen to FM radio either through the chip embedded in their phones or by streaming stations over the internet. Last month, internet streaming through the app became available on Apple iOS, but the company didnt move to unlock FM chips in their phones.

The FM feature is included with the Qualcomm chips installed in virtually every smartphone on the market today, including the iPhone. However, not all device manufacturers choose to enable the function, according to a Qualcomm spokesperson.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai devoted several minutes of a speech at a February symposium in Washington to the benefits of activating FM radio chips in smartphones. He said that, as of last year, only 44 per cent of smartphones in the U.S. had their FM chips activated. In Mexico, that number is 80 per cent, Pai said.

It seems odd that every day we hear about a new smartphone app that lets you do something innovative, yet these modern-day mobile miracles dont enable a key function offered by a 1982 Sony Walkman, he said. At the same time, he has refused to call for a mandate requiring the chip be activated in the phones and has expressed doubt that the FCC would be able to issue or enforce one.

Pai renewed his calls for manufacturers to enable the chip during a recent trip to areas of southern Florida devastated by Hurricane Irma, telling a local TV station that the chips were valuable, especially when its an emergency.

CTIA, a trade association representing the wireless industry, opposes requirements that chips be turned on and said people can choose for themselves whether they want a phone with an activated FM chip.

The marketplace is working and consumers are in the best position to choose the devices that meet their needs, said Scott Bergmann, the CTIA vice-president for regulatory affairs, in a statement. We concur with FCC Chairman Pai that there is no legal or factual basis for a government mandate.

For his part, Fernandez said the ability to listen to radio broadcasts through the FM chip would be instrumental in a disaster. Because you just dont know what will happen.

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JUPITER, FLORIDAShe was working hard. By the time I got to the beach around midnight, the loggerhead turtle had dragged herself about 30 metres up from the water, dug down a metre or so with her flippers and dropped as many as 100 leathery eggs into the hole.

When I joined the dozen or so people in front of the hotel, the roughly 250-lb loggerhead had finished burying her eggs and was camouflaging the nest with sand, using her back flippers and then her front. Shed rest for a few minutes and then start moving sand again.

Surely, she wasnt expecting an audience.

For millions of years, female loggerheads have been laying eggs on the very Florida beaches where they hatched themselves. They lay as many as six clutches of eggs, one every couple of weeks and only get around to mating every few years.

This stretch of Florida beach from Jupiter to Boca Raton is one of the most nested by loggerheads anywhere in the world. In 2016, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in Juno Beach recorded more than 16,000 nests in about 15 kilometres  one every metre or so. Most Canadians miss the egg-dropping (followed by egg-hatching) frenzy because nesting season runs March to October, pretty much opposite to our escaping-winter season.

The turtle I see is making her nest near stacks of blue lounge chairs (the beach is cleared every night for the turtles). Her eggs laid and buried, she starts turning her body on the nest, slowly, like an hour hand on a big clock. When, finally, her head points to the ocean, she starts moving to the water.

The fan club follows, silently and mostly respecting the rules to keep a distance and keep phones (and light) away. A couple of guys are shining small red flashlights  turtles cant see red. (I do however, when one jerk takes a few pictures with his flash on). The turtle enters the surf, her eggs left on their own to hatch in a couple of months to try to beat their predators and the odds. Only an estimated one in 1,000 hatchlings makes it to adulthood.

We head back to the hotel, the guys with the red flashlights having chalked up yet another sighting while others, including this Canadian, thrilled to see their first turtle nest. After all, the loggerhead travelled thousands of kilometres to return to this very beach, where I had lounged around the afternoon reading a magazine and dozing in the sun.

While I just followed hotel signage to the sand, scientists think turtles are imprinted with the beachs magnetic field when they hatch.

They have their own built-in GPS, they dont need to stop and ask directions, says Randy Dwyer, one of the 350 volunteers at LMC. Hes briefing a group before leading a night walk along the beach, one of many offered by conservation groups in the area. Strict state rules insist the tours hit the beach only after the turtle starts laying her eggs. Thats when they go into a trance, Dwyer says. Like a turtle epidural, an eager turtle enthusiast jokes.

Conservation centres also host summer camps and other programs about Floridas three species of turtles  the giant leatherbacks, the smaller greens and most commonly, the loggerhead. They are all listed as endangered locally and threatened globally. Hotels and homes along the beach are required to turn off their lights because they may confuse mama coming up from the water and later, her hatchlings trying to find it.

While the guides tell you to keep your distance on the beach (and drop to one knee if another turtle approaches) you can get up close and personal with turtles in tanks at conservation centres. At LMC, a turtle called Gaston (at least until hes released) appears to be posing for me in a tank window.

A less happy site awaits visitors peering through the LMCs hospital window. A teenage loggerhead is dead on a stretcher, killed by a boat strike. But with growing awareness, more divers, boaters, anglers (locals and tourists) are taking better care of the turtles in the water and watching out for their nests on the beaches.

In the morning, I ran to my balcony to see my turtles nest in daylight. It took me a minute to place it because there were a dozen or so. As far as I could see, turtle tracks were leading up and back to the water. An ATV adds loops around the tracks, the driver hopping off to place wooden stakes near each nest.

Umbrellas, lounge chairs and people soon sit atop the masses of turtle eggs buried deep in the sand. As the day winds down, chairs are stacked, teenagers toss a Frisbee near the waves and somewhere out in the blue, turtles are waiting for the black night and their turn on the beach.

Jennifer Allford travelled as a guest of Discover The Palm Beaches, which did not review or approve this story.

When you go:

Get there: Fly to Fort Lauderdale in 3.5 hours and drive an hour north to Jupiter. Or fly into West Palm Beach in about five hours, with a stopover, and drive about 20 minutes.

Do your research: thepalmbeaches.com

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Canadian immigration officials have dragged their feet, relied upon flimsy evidence and provided no valid justification to hold a man they are trying to deport in maximum-security jail, the mans lawyer argued in court Thursday.

This is a gross violation of section 12 of the Charter, Jared Will, lawyer for immigration detainee Ebrahim Toure, told Superior Court Justice Alfred OMarra, referencing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protection against cruel and unusual treatment.

Toure, a failed refugee claimant originally from Gambia, has spent more than four and a half years in a maximum security jail because the government has been unable to deport him. He is arguing that his detention violates multiple sections of the charter and that he should be released.

Government lawyers accuse Toure  who, prior to December 2015, insisted he was from Guinea  of repeatedly thwarting their removal efforts and intentionally withholding information that would help them deport him. They allege that his name is actually Bakaba Touray and say his lack of co-operation is the primary obstacle in removing him from the country.

Toure, meanwhile, says he is willing to be deported and he has given immigration officials all the information he has. He says Bakaba is a nickname, that he has never had any legitimate identity documents and he is unable to convince Gambian authorities of his citizenship.

Read more:

Border agency used expired warrant to justify jailing immigration detainee, court hears

Caged by Canada: While Canada is celebrated as a safe haven for refugees, hundreds of unwanted immigrants like Ebrahim Toure languish indefinitely in jails across the country

Why is this man in prison?, judge asks government lawyer in immigration detention case

In his closing submissions on Thursday, Will said Toures detention is indefinite, arbitrary and grossly disproportionate to the purposes of deporting him. He emphasized that Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials have never specified what exactly they want Toure to do that would help them deport him and they have no idea when his theoretical deportation could possibly occur.

They cant even lay out a road map of how theyre going to get Mr. Toure deported and they cant even provide their best guess on a time frame.

Will referenced a Superior Court decision from April of this year, when Justice Ian Nordheimer ordered the release of seven-year immigration detainee Kashif Ali. In that case, the government similarly opposed release because it said Ali was not co-operating with his removal. Nordheimer did not agree with the governments allegation that Ali was unco-operative, but he stated in his decision that even if a detainee were being unco-operative, that would not give the government license to detain someone indefinitely.

Will also pointed to evidence from psychiatrist Donald Payne, who found that Toure has major problems with his mental health, including voices in his head, which he attributes to his detention.

Will said Dale Lewis, the CBSA investigator in Toures case, was not a credible witness, pointing to his equivocal and inconsistent testimony.

Will criticized Lewiss lack of record-keeping, said he was not diligent in following apparent leads in Toures case and that he had a penchant for embellishment.

He also said it was problematic that Lewis testified that he had no knowledge of Toures mental health or any issues surrounding it.

His job was to make judgment calls about Mr. Toures credibility.

Government lawyer Judy Michaely said Toures lack of co-operation was impeding removal efforts, but those efforts were not at an impasse. She pointed to ongoing negotiations with Gambian authorities about potentially setting up an interview with Toure.

If the applicant decides to co-operate with the CBSA, much more could be accomplished, Michaely said.

If Toure is released, she said, there is no doubt he would go underground, he would disappear and he would never be removed from Canada.

She denied that Toures detention was indefinite, saying its quite likely he could be deported in the near future.

Many things are possible in the near future, Will told OMarra when given an opportunity to rebut. But the question you have to ask yourself is, have they proven there is a reasonable prospect of removal within a reasonable time? Despite their confidence, theres no evidence of this.

OMarra will decide on Oct. 5 whether or not Toure should be released.

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REGINAPolice say no criminal charges will be laid after a man was physically removed from a Canadian Tire store in Regina this summer.

On July 26, Kamao Cappo, who is 53, was forced out of the store after he was accused of theft.

Cappo reported to police that hed been assaulted and that he was targeted because he is Indigenous.

Police say they consulted with Saskatchewan Justice, which recommended no charges be laid.

Cappos video of the altercation has been viewed more than 1 million times online and the employee lost his job over the incident.

He says hes stunned and saddened by the decision.

Its a really sad message for our people and our children, Cappo said Thursday.

Indigenous people experience this on a regular basis and they do not report it...they just accept it. I wanted to show them they could succeed, so this is devastating.

Cappo says he has yet to receive an official apology from Canadian Tire officials.

Read more:

Indigenous man live-streams altercation with Canadian Tire employee

Canadian Tire employee involved in altercation with customer no longer with company

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Medical professionals and body artists say the practice of tattooing the eyeball, which recently left an Ottawa woman facing the prospect of vision loss, is on the rise despite its many risks.

Ophthalmologists and tattoo studios decry the practice, saying its very difficult to engage in it safely.

Nonetheless, they say they hear of increasing demand for the extreme form of body modification which involves injecting ink into the whites of the eyes.

A 24-year-old alternative model says she has learned the hard way about the risks of the procedure.

Read more: Running out of skin, man tattoos his eyeballs

Catt Gallinger says she recently allowed someone to dye the white of her right eye purple, but has since developed major complications.

Gallinger has currently lost part of the vision in the swollen, misshapen eye and is facing the prospect of living with irreversible damage.

This is a very big toll on the mental health, she said in a telephone interview. At this point, every day is different. Some days I feel a bit better, other days I kind of want to give up.

Gallinger said she has long had an interest in body modification, and especially in tattooing the white of her eye, technically known as the sclera. But she said she took the plunge without doing adequate research on the procedure.

Had she done so, medical and tattoo professionals say she could have found a plethora of evidence discouraging the practice which has gained traction among body modification enthusiasts in recent years.

Ottawa-based ophthalmologist Dr. Setareh Ziai said she first heard of sclera tattoos as a rare phenomenon about a decade ago, but said she now learns of cases across Canada on a monthly basis.

Although ophthalmologists do occasionally use tattoo ink for medical purposes, such as to reduce glare or corneal scarring, she said the type of process Gallinger underwent bears little resemblance to those approved by the medical profession.

Ophthalmologists using ink inject it into the cornea in operating rooms using sterile equipment, Ziai said, adding most scleral tattoos are administered using an everyday syringe injecting the ink under the conjunctiva.

The area under the conjunctiva contains blood vessels, she said, meaning the ink can be carried throughout the eye and pose a greater risk to the organ. Immediate consequences of the injection can include blindness, while longer-term effects may include cataracts and severe infection, she said.

Most alarming of all, Ziai said, is the fact that researchers do not yet have a handle on the long-term impact of such a procedure.

Whats going to happen when these dyes migrate to different parts of the eyeball or different parts of the body? she asked. Are there risks related to cancer? Persistent inflammation? We have no idea. So even if you really like what you look like and the procedure went perfectly well, we dont know whats going to happen three, five, 10 years down the road.

Many tattoo artists are similarly leery of the practice, according to one Toronto studio owner.

David Glantz of Archive Tattoo Studio said he knows of very few that offer scleral tattoos despite the growing fascination with the procedure hes observed online.

He said insurance companies will not cover studios that provide scleral tattoos, adding that no licensed training is currently offered for the procedure.

No tattooer I know would offer it. Most of us have a conscience, would like to keep our jobs, and keep making cool tattoos in whatever style we choose to work in, Glantz said in an email. Thered be no point to any of us jeopardizing our careers for a wow, one or both of you are really daring or stupid, kind of story. Its not the kind of bragging most of us are in this trade for.

Gallinger said she hopes to see the practice become regulated and performed by highly qualified professionals.

I would never recommend anyone get it done until it becomes something that is a cosmetic procedure done by surgeons, she said. Im hoping that that will happen, because people are going to do this either way.

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One of the signal accomplishments of Justin Trudeaus government has been its delicate dance with the elephant south of the border.

It has worked well with different levels of government, business, labour leaders and influencers in the U.S., while ignoring the bluster from the top.

By keeping Donald Trump at bay, the Liberals have also benefited, looking more progressive in image rather than deed because of the inevitable comparisons with Washington.

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Canadas Bombardier, Boeing battle was brewing in spring Washington meeting

Boeing may have won a battle, but not the war, says Quebec premier of Bombardier battle

Bombardier tariffs create uncertainty across key Canadian industries

So far, so good. Until this week.

Bullies are going to bully. And the sledgehammer the Trump administration took to Bombardier was so far over the top that it demands a change of tone on bilateral relations from Trudeau and his key ministers.

The Liberals have shown patience, civility and a cool demeanour as softwood lumber came under attack from Washington, our dairy industry was threatened, as the president threatened to rip up NAFTA, decided to renegotiate after all and then bombastically threatened to kill the deal again while Canada, Mexico and the U.S. were at the table.

But a 220-per-cent duty on Bombardier jets is not mere rhetoric that can be ignored.

Most Canadians will not be seized by a fight between two overly-coddled aerospace companies. Neither Boeing nor Bombardier are easy to cuddle up to.

Both have been dining off government subsidies for years, a hallmark of the aerospace industry. Bombardier has received just short of $1.7 billion from Quebec and the federal government since Trudeau was elected in 2015. It received about $2 billion in the decade before the Liberals came to power and has been receiving government largesse since 1966.

Shortly after receiving $372.5 million from Ottawa, it hiked the pay of top executives by 50 per cent before backing down after a storm of criticism.

Boeing has received so much in government subsidies over the past two decades  estimated at $14 billion  that the Export-Import Bank of the United States is derisively known as the Bank of Boeing.

Even before he was inaugurated, Trump threatened to cancel Boeings contract to replace Air Force One because it was too expensive. So, Boeing complied, drastically cutting the price tag. It moved an assembly plant to South Carolina to avoid the inconvenience of pesky unions.

But this is beyond the aerospace industry.

By seeking almost three times what Boeing was seeking in duties over Bombardiers sale of CSeries jets to Delta, there is no doubt this is a political decision in the U.S.

And there can be no doubt from the responses by Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard that they see it as political as well.

Observers in the U.S. are left wondering about Trumps gambit.

Is he just trying to muscle allies out of the U.S. as part of his America First strategy? Is he trying to goad Canada into a trade war this country would be wise to avoid?

By launching this during NAFTA talks, is he signalling that he really doesnt want a trilateral deal?

If this is a typical Trumpian theatrical flourish, it could prove to be one expensive piece of theatre.

This latest announcement reflects the destabilizing nature of the president, Paul Frazer a Washington-based consultant and former Canadian diplomat told me.

People voted him as a disrupter, but he is more than that. That can be more dangerous, and he is having an impact on Canada-U. S. relations.

In the short term, the federal and Quebec governments should take their case to the states where more than 22,000 American jobs depend on building components for the Bombardier CSeries.

So far, Trudeau has saved his toughest talk for Boeing, saying his government will not do business with a company aiming to put our aerospace workers out of business.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, in a lovely understatement, called the U.S. administration unconventional.

But Freeland is in a tough spot. She is trying to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S.

Any Canadian response to this move will have to be surgical in nature, but the Liberals are going to have to start showing some muscle.

Its time for Trudeau and his government to take a sharper tone. Canadians want their prime ministers to be close, but not too close to American presidents. Its no longer clear most Canadians even want their government to be close to Trump.

Yes, this illustrates the need to maintain a disputes settlement mechanism in NAFTA. But this Trump bullying on trade also means we might have to start thinking about life without NAFTA.

Tim Harper writes on national affairs. tjharper77@gmail.com, Twitter: @nutgraf1

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MONTREALIsmael Habibs strong loyalty to the principles of Daesh, also known as ISIS, as well as the lack of evidence supporting his prospect for rehabilitation justified a nine-year prison term, a Quebec court judge said Friday.

Judge Serge Delisle sentenced Habib to nine years in prison for attempting to leave Canada to join Daesh and for giving false information to obtain a passport.

He cited the 29-year-old Habibs total adherence to the principals and goals of Daesh as a factor justifying a longer sentence.

This was not the utopian and thoughtless project of a teenager who was manipulated or carried away by an impulse, Delisle told the court.

It was rather with perfect knowledge of the objectives of the Islamic State and the methods used by this entity that the offender multiplied the steps to return to Syria and join the Islamic State.

Additionally, Delisle noted the court had not been presented with any evidence on Habibs prospects for rehabilitation, which he cited as another reason for the nine-year term.

Habib was given eight years for the terrorism offence and one year for the passport violation.

The time Habib has already spend in custody was subtracted from the sentence, leaving him with just over six-and-a-half years left to serve.

Habib will be eligible for parole after completing half the sentence.

His attorney had suggested six-and-a-half years minus the nearly 27 months Habib has served in pre-trial custody.

The accused was ensnared by an RCMP-led sting operation, in which he admitted to an undercover agent posing as a crime boss that he wanted to travel to Syria to join Daesh.

He was found guilty in June, making him the first adult in Canada to be convicted after going to trial on the charge of attempting to leave Canada to join Daesh.

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WINDSOR, ONT.A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for a Vatican diplomat accused of uploading child pornography to a social networking site while inside a church in Windsor, Ont., over the Christmas period last year.

Windsor police say they were alerted by the RCMP in February and launched an investigation, eventually getting judicial permission to access relevant internet records.

They say the alleged offences took place between Dec. 24 and 27 of last year.

Police say the 50-year-old suspect has since returned to his home in Italy, and also has ties to the United States as well as the Windsor area.

Carlo Capella is sought on charges of accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography.

Read more:

High-ranking Vatican priest recalled from U.S. amid child porn investigation

Pope Francis admits the church was a bit late on tackling sex abuse

The Vatican recalled Capella after the U.S. State Department notified it Aug. 21 of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images by one of its diplomats in Washington.

The Vatican  while not mentioning Capella by name  says its own prosecutor is investigating and seeking further information from the U.S.

At the time of the Sept. 15 announcement about Capellas recall, neither the Vatican nor the State Department made any mention of a Canadian angle to the case.

Capella was a high-ranking priest in the Vaticans diplomatic corps. He served on the Italy desk in the Vaticans secretariat of state and was part of the official delegation that negotiated a tax treaty with Italy before being posted to the U.S. Embassy last year.

A canon lawyer, Capella is listed online as having written a 2003 paper for the Pontifical Lateran University on priestly celibacy and the churchs criminal code.

The Diocese of London, Ont., confirmed that it helped investigators who had suspicions of possible violations of child pornography laws by using a computer address at a local church.

It declined further comment, citing a police request.

The diplomat recall was expected to lurk in the background of an international conference in Rome planned for next week at the Pontifical Gregorian University on protecting children from online sexual exploitation, pornography and abuse.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and Capellas boss, is set to deliver the keynote speech Tuesday on The Holy See and its commitment to combating sex abuse online.

Panellists at the conference, which was organized months ago, are to include top law enforcement and academic experts in the field of child protection and cybercrimes, with an entire morning devoted to Child Sexual Abuse Online: Who are the offenders?

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A woman ordered to pay nearly $24,000 to the man she accused of sexual assault has lost her appeal.

The womans lawyer, Jonathan Collings, questioned the Welland small claims court ruling, in part, because he accused the deputy judge of relying on sexual stereotypes.

Deputy Judge David Black found the woman was unreliable and that she falsely accused her ex-boyfriend as revenge for perceived infidelity. She was ordered to pay $23,842  a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from sexual assault survivor advocates who argued it will discourage victims from reporting to police. Collings had asked for the case to be dismissed.

However, Ontario Superior Court Justice James Ramsay dismissed the appeal, arguing the deputy judge was entitled to believe him over her and that the 2016 decision was not improper.

I agree that (to) resort to any gender related misconceptions would have been erroneous, but I do not think that the judge made any such resort, Ramsays written decision said.

The original ruling is based on the contradictions in her own statements, he said.

Collings declined to comment further, adding that hes not retained on the matter anymore and is unaware of any plans to appeal further.

The woman cannot be named because of a publication ban. The Spectator has chosen to also not name the man, who has declined to speak with The Spectator.

The man, who represented himself at the hearing Sept. 8, argued the case has been a nightmare. He was charged criminally, but that charge was withdrawn at the preliminary hearing.

Suzanne Mason, public education coordinator for the Niagara Sexual Assault Centre, attended part of the hearing and expressed shock at the decision.

That is very scary that you can go to police, have them believe you, have charges laid (and still be sued), she said.

The decision will have a chilling effect across Canada, where already only 5 per cent of victims report sexual assault, Mason said.

The alleged incident happened at his residence in March 2011 at the end of an on-again, off-again relationship. She found a stain on his bed, which she said was peach lipstick from another woman, and he said was peach jam. She alleged that he then raped her. He said the sex was consensual.

Blacks decision relied on texts and emails sent from the woman to the man following the incident that he ruled appear to indicate she felt positively about the encounter.

Later messages turned angry, with the woman accusing the man of cheating on her, before she went to police.

The deputy judge also relied on testimony from the womans doctor who examined her the next day and said she did not see bruising, despite the woman telling court she was sore all over.

Experts point to a strong body of evidence that shows victims of sexual assault often dont remember things clearly, dont always seem upset and, when the attacker is someone who is known to them, may try to smooth things over.

Lenore Lukasik-Foss, director of the Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton Area (SACHA), said the decision is part of a concerning trend toward victim blaming and relying on stereotypes.

There is always that worry around our judges not fully understanding the behaviour of survivors, she said. Its not uncommon for them to make breakfast the next morning or email later.

This case also feeds into the stereotype of the jilted girlfriend, she said. It plays into well-worn stereotypes of revenge-seeking women.

In truth, there are no more false reports of sexual assault than any other crime, Lukasik-Foss said. Its the justice system that is failing survivors.

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Toronto police Const. James Forcillo will not spend the night in jail before his appeal hearing next week, after his bail was extended at a hearing Thursday  72 hours before the suspended cop was due to surrender and be placed behind bars.

The move comes after his lawyers successfully argued to have the court consider allowing new evidence to be introduced as part of Forcillos appeal of his attempted murder conviction in the July 2013 shooting death of Sammy Yatim.

A hearing discussing that fresh evidence  which involves a recent study examining police officers response to stress  will now be part of Forcillos appeal. This new, second phase of the officers appeal is expected to occur early next year.

Its rare for evidence not heard at trial to be introduced during an appeal hearing, and it must meet a high bar in order to be considered, including that it must not have been available at the time of the initial trial.

At minimum, the fresh evidence must relate to an important issue at trial and could have affected the verdict, said Daniel Brown, criminal lawyer and a Toronto director with the Criminal Lawyers Association.

Brown, who isnt involved in the case, added that its also uncommon for someone appealing a conviction not to surrender back into custody before the appeal begins. However, the unique circumstances of the case  namely, that it will start next week but continue early next year  make Forcillos bail extension reasonable, he said.

James Forcillo leaves court after being found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter after firing two volleys of shots at knife-wielding 18-year-old Sammy Yatim in empty streetcar.

Forcillo was convicted of attempted murder in the death of 18-year-old Yatim, who died in a barrage of the officers bullets on July 27, 2013, after the teenager exposed himself and pulled a small knife on passengers on the Dundas St. W. streetcar.

The officer discharged his weapon in two distinct volleys separated by five-and-a-half seconds. Forcillo fired three times  during which the fatal shot was fired to the heart  then six more times as Yatim lay on the floor of the streetcar, paralyzed and dying.

In January 2016, a jury determined Forcillos first three shots were not a criminal act, but found the second volley was neither in self-defence nor justifiable, convicting him of attempted murder.

Six months later Justice Edward Then, the trial judge, handed down a six-year prison sentence, finding the second volley of shots was unnecessary and unreasonable and excessive from the outset. That same day, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders suspended Forcillo without pay.

The following day, after one night in jail, Forcillo was granted bail pending his appeal.

In a hearing beginning next week, Forcillos appeal lawyers Michael Lacy and Joseph Wilkinson will argue that Forcillo should be acquitted or a new trial should be ordered. They will also argue that the sentence handed down by Then was severe and that  if the conviction is upheld  the officer should serve a suspended sentence.

Following those arguments, expected to be heard at the Court of Appeal until Wednesday, the second part of the appeal on the issue of fresh evidence will take place some time in the new year.

The separation of the two parts of the hearing allowed the officers lawyers to argue his bail should be extended until the beginning of the second part, meaning he must surrender to the court by April 2, 2018 or the night before the second half of the appeal, whichever is earliest, states Forcillos new bail agreement.

In the circumstances, given that it is inevitable that the court will not be able to dispose of the appeal until the fresh evidence application had been resolved, (Forcillo) is requesting that he not be required to surrender into custody on the day prior to the hearing of the appeal, reads an affidavit prepared by an employee for Forcillos lawyers firm, Brauti Thorning Zibarras, filed earlier this week.

Given the circumstances of the appeal, the extension of Forcillos bail is perfunctory and not evidence of preferential treatment for a police officer, said criminal lawyer Reid Rusonik, who is not involved in the case. Bail is routinely extended if the accused follows the conditions and the defence is not deliberate delaying, he said.

The fresh evidence Forcillos lawyers are bringing forward includes a recent study of the physiological stress responses in members of Toronto polices Emergency Task Force.

According to a document on the new evidence filed in court, the study could be used to attack the testimony of now-retired Toronto Deputy Chief Mike Federico, who stated that training inoculates officers against the effects of stress.

Lacy and Wilkinson state in documents filed with the court that the new evidence assists in resolving the issue of the extent to which the training provided by the Toronto Police Service can mitigate the effects of stress (including perceptual distortions), which was contentious.

The proposed fresh evidence specifically addresses this point by measuring the officers who have received that training, Forcillos lawyers state in written arguments filed last month.

Documents filed in support of Forcillos bail extension also state that he and his wife, Irina, divorced in July. The new bail document still includes Forcillos ex-wife as a surety, but names her as Irina Ratushnyak:

She has subsequently taken her maiden name back. She and (Forcillo) remain on good terms and continue to live together and co-parent their two children, the affidavit says.

It states that Forcillo has complied with all his bail conditions with no issue. Those conditions include keeping the peace, being on good behaviour, remaining in Ontario and providing his passport to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ontarios police watchdog.

Forcillo must also remain in his residence at all times except under certain circumstances, including for medical emergencies, and have no contact with Yatims family, including his mother Sahar Bahadi, father Nabil Yatim and sister Sarah Yatim.

Forcillos appeal begins Monday.

Wendy Gillis can be reached at wgillis@thestar.ca

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A family dinner out ended in tragedy on Wednesday night when a 5-year-old girl and her mother were struck and killed by vehicles on Warden Ave. as they attempted to cross it afterwards.

The 34-year-old woman and her daughter died when they were struck just before 9:30 p.m. after eating at Silver Spoon restaurant.

The two were taken to hospital in critical condition, where they were later pronounced dead.

Police said it was a family of four that crossed Warden Ave. and Continental Pl. near Ellesmere Rd. The father and another child, 2, crossed the street safely while the mother and daughter were struck.

The two were first hit by a car that remained at the scene. The mother was then struck by a second vehicle in the southbound lane and the driver fled, said Toronto Police Const. Joe McDougall.

Local restaurateur Ronald Tyrell, whose restaurant is in the same plaza as Silver Spoon, said he could see the father pacing back and forth between the two bodies with his 2-year-old child.

I saw the guy walking with the kid, he said. He was walking back and forth seeming a bit confused.

Despite the two nearest streetlights being roughly a four-minute walk away, there was no crosswalk in the area where the family crossed.

I think its probably one of the most dangerous, if not the most dangerous road in Scarborough, said Tyrell, who has been operating My Fathers Place on Warden Ave. for six years. People who come to buy lunch here are always complaining about the danger.

Wednesdays incident was the third reported fatal incident in the area. According to police data, a pedestrian was killed over a kilometre away in 2007, while another suffered serious injuries in 2015.

Safe-street advocate Maureen Coyle said the area is a trouble spot, as drivers on wide suburban roads often treat them as they would highways instead of streets where people could be crossing.

This is not built with pedestrians in mind, at all, said Coyle, co-founder of pedestrian advocacy group Walk Toronto.

On Thursday afternoon, numerous pedestrians continued to run across the busy street filled with trucks and cars to catch buses on both sides of the road. Many seemed oblivious to the devastating scene that had unfolded on Wednesday night.

Julie Deng ran hurriedly across the road to get to the bus stop on the other side. She said she was shocked at how far the street lights were, adding that it was even stranger that there was no sign at least to tell vehicles to be cautious.

There are bus stops on either side, but no cross walk, it seems very dangerous, she said Thursday afternoon.

Seven months ago, a resident called the City of Toronto to complain about the intersection, said Toronto councillor Norm Kelly, who acknowledged that Warden Ave. is one of the busiest streets in Scarborough.

He said the resident called his office in February asking for a crosswalk. Kelly was told by the citys transportation staff that the spot wasnt a good fit for a crosswalk, so instead, he asked for a report to assess whether or not a traffic light might be necessary. Such reports usually take eight or nine months, he added.

Today, as a result of the tragedy, we contacted staff to see where that report was, he said. I think its going to be coming out shortly.

Kelly said accidents happen even when there are crosswalks and traffic lights, adding that he wants to wait until he sees the staff report before making any decisions, despite the emotions surrounding the incident.

Any solution has to be well-thought out and sensitive, he said. Its a young family. Its tragic, and its devastating.

Kelly said he isnt sure yet if the family lived in his ward, but that hes trying to get in touch with them.

The results of a pedestrian crossing protection study for Warden and Sylla Aves. should be available by mid-November, city spokesperson Bruce Hawkins said in an e-mail. The study is considering traffic lights, as the road is too wide with too many lanes for a crosswalk.

Twenty-five pedestrians and cyclists have been killed on Torontos roads so far this year. Last year, the total was 44, according to Toronto police spokesperson Clint Stibbe.

Police are still looking for the vehicle that fled the scene. It is described as a 2006 or 2011 black Honda Civic.

With files from May Warren, Metro

Correction - September 29, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated the total number of pedestrians and cyclists killed in 2016 and 2017.

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Hallelujah. Women in Saudi Arabia are going to drive. According to a new royal decree, the ultrareligious kingdom is ditching its long-standing ban on women drivers, granting Saudi women the right to get behind the wheel come June next year. But heres the really extraordinary bit: not only will Saudi women be able to hit the road next summer, they will be able to drive alone.

Of course there are still a great many things Saudi women cant do alone  or at all. Since the kingdoms announcement, many critics were quick to point out that despite its apparent change of heart on women behind the wheel, Saudi Arabia may remain only second to Margaret Atwoods dystopia, the Republic of Gilead (of The Handmaids Tale) in its unapologetic oppression of the female gender.

And theyre right. In Saudi Arabia, though a woman may soon be able to drive her familys Honda Civic off the dealership lot, she is still prohibited from doing the following without a say-so from a male guardian: opening a bank account, getting married, getting divorced, having elective surgery, applying for a passport. Women in the kingdom arent allowed to socialize freely with members of the opposite sex and this one wont surprise you: they must appear veiled in public at all times. All in all the Middle Eastern kingdom is a lousy place to be if youre a lady, brand new Honda Civic or not.

But the Honda Civic helps a lot. For proof we need only look to history. The car has always been a driving force in feminism not merely because it gives women freedom of movement but a place in which they can move and think at the same time absent interference from home and public life. In other words, under the new law Saudi women drivers will have access to a roving room of their own, or as historian Margaret Walsh put it in an essay about American womens increased bent for driving in the decades after the invention of the car, they will have access to the automobile as a type of second home.

This is no small thing. The right to be alone in a car isnt just a win for practicality (under the new policy Saudi women will no longer have to rely on a male guardian or a paid driver to get to the grocery store). Its psychologically liberating too because it affords women a type of privacy and solace previously only afforded to men. For anyone who believes that all a woman requires for peace and contentment is a hot bath in the evening, heres Walsh to disabuse you of that notion: As one farmwoman in the 1920s told an inspector from the United States Department of Agriculture who inquired why her family had bought a car rather than putting indoor plumbing into their home, You cant go to town in a bathtub.

You cant go sightseeing in a bathtub either. When women began driving in large numbers in the United States in the early 20th century, they didnt just whip over to the store to pick up some groceries. They went exploring. It is clear that many women sought and enjoyed the independence provided by the automobile and welcomed the opportunity to travel, writes Martin Wachs, an engineering and planning professor in an essay called The Automobile and Gender: An Historical Perspective.

Many books appeared presenting accounts of womens trips across country without men. For example, the first commercially successful book published by Emily Post, who later became a well-known authority on etiquette, was an account of her cross-country journey in an automobile.

In fact, despite male obsession with women-cant-drive jokes, it was a woman, not a man, who embarked on what is believed to be the first ever road trip. German engineer Karl Benz is widely credited with inventing the original motor car in the late 1800s, but it was his wife Bertha Benz who actually thought to take the thing for a good long spin. The story goes that one morning in 1888, without his knowledge or permission, Mrs. Benz drove her husbands car roughly 90 kilometres to visit her mother in another city. Not only was this the furthest anyone at the time had ever driven a car; Benzs surprise road trip changed the way many people saw the automobile. She proved the car was a tool, not a toy, writes Andrew Frankel in a story about Benz published in the Telegraph earlier this year.

Of course Saudi Arabia is a very different place than Europe or North America in the decades after the car was invented. Thanks to the countrys draconian male guardianship laws, its highly unlikely that come June, Saudi women will immediately take off with their husbands' convertibles and re-enact Thelma and Louise in the Arabian Desert. But the elimination of the driving ban is a major win for gender equality in the state because history shows us that when women take the wheel, all of us, men included, move forward.

Emma Teitel is a national affairs columnist.

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Former U.S. president Barack Obama visited Toronto on Friday to deliver a lunchtime speech about global citizenship. The event was hosted by Ottawa-based think-tank Canada2020.

The Obama event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was expected to attract about 3,000 people, with politicians at all levels attending.

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The Crown is pushing for the Supreme Court of Canada to hear the case of Christopher Husbands, the man accused of killing two men during a shooting in the Eaton Centre in 2012.

The second-degree murder convictions against Husbands were set aside in July by a unanimous three-judge panel of the Ontario Court of Appeal, which ordered a new trial after finding that the trial judge erred in the selection of the jury at Husbands trial.

Prosecutors are now seeking leave to appeal to Canadas top court.

Crown attorney Alexander Alvaro argued in a memorandum filed this week that the jury selection issue is of national importance, and that its particularly important to seek clarity given the Supreme Court ruling known as R v. Jordan, which set strict timelines to bring criminal cases to trial.

The present case took two months to prosecute, and a further four months passed between the verdict and sentencing, Alvaro wrote.

In the post-Jordan era, clarity and guidance are necessary from this honourable court to ensure that the procedure for selecting jurors accords with a proper understanding of the law, and to determine whether any error in this regard is so prejudicial to an accused that it warrants returning such lengthy matters for a new trial.

A lawyer with Husbands defence team, Stephanie DiGiuseppe, told the Star they will be responding to the Crowns application for leave.

It will still be several months before a panel of three Supreme Court judges decides whether the court will actually hear the case.

A significant consideration for the Supreme Court at this stage is whether the case involves a question of public importance, said criminal defence lawyer Daniel Brown, who was not involved in the case.

Statistics reveal that only 10 per cent of all appeal applications will be heard by the court. Given these low statistics and the narrow legal issues at play in the Husbands case, the Supreme Court is unlikely to hear this appeal.

Husbands was acquitted more than two years ago of first-degree murder but was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Nixon Nirmalendran, 22, and Ahmed Hassan, 24, during a shooting in the Eaton Centre food court that had shoppers fleeing in panic.

He was also found guilty of five counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 30 years.

The Husbands case was at least the second case that involved the same judge, now-retired Superior Court justice Eugene Ewaschuk, and a similar error in jury selection that led the Court of Appeal to order a new trial.

At issue is the centuries-old method used in Canadian courtrooms to select a jury when the Crown or defence makes a challenge for cause, which often means determining whether the jurors are able to judge the accused without bias.

Prior to 2008, the only way to do that was to select two names from the jury panel, who become known as the triers. They then listen to a prospective juror being asked whether they can decide the case without bias and then approve them to sit on the jury based on the response.

Once the two triers have found a prospective juror to be impartial, and as long as the Crown and defence take no issue with that person, he or she becomes a sworn member of the jury and takes the place of one of the two triers.

The process of questioning the next potential juror is repeated using the remaining trier and juror No. 1. Once approved, the second juror takes the place of the remaining trier. There are now two sworn members of the jury and the two original triers are dismissed.

Those two jurors decide on the impartiality of juror No. 3. After that person is selected, jurors No. 2 and No. 3 decide on juror No. 4, so on until 12 jurors are selected, hence the term rotating triers.

Parliament amended the Criminal Code in 2008 to allow for static triers  meaning the same two people pick the entire jury  but only if the defence asks for it.

Writing for a unanimous Court of Appeal panel in July, Justice David Watt said Husbands lawyers made it clear they wanted rotating triers, but Ewaschuk imposed static triers.

Expressly and repeatedly, counsel wanted rotating triers. Yet the trial judge forged ahead, despite the entreaties of defence counsel, without any inquiries of the trial Crown about her position and seemingly oblivious to the confining language of the enabling legislation, Watt wrote.

The Crown argued in its memorandum filed with the Supreme Court that Watts comment only told half the story  the accused also expressly and repeatedly wanted the exclusion of jurors.

According to the Crowns memorandum, Husbands lawyers had asked for rotating triers, but for unsworn jurors to be kept out of the room. The Crown argues that the Criminal Code makes clear that static triers are to be used if the jury panel is excluded.

The Crown argues that the Supreme Court must weigh in once and for all on the Parliaments 2008 amendment regarding static triers and when they can be used.

The jurisprudence that section has spawned in the Court of Appeal for Ontario and in lower courts has been, with great respect, conflicting, confused and somewhat tortured, Alvaro wrote.

Currently there is no similar debate in other provinces but that may simply be because Ontarios heavy work load of jury trials has given it a head start. For that reason, however, there is danger that the jurisprudence generated in Ontario will come to dominate the national landscape, in the absence of guidance from this honourable court.

With files from The Canadian Press

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The resurgence of the far right in Germanys election has horrified many Germans, and surprised many observers. In a country with Germanys modern history, it seems unavoidably fraught with danger. It is.

But, ultimately, it may be a watershed of a different kind.

By snapping Germany  and the rest of Europe  out of their complacency, the election result may be an opportunity. It will finally force the continents progressive forces either to confront Europes purveyors of hate and division directly, or succumb.

This election was thought to be a cakewalk for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Running for her fourth term in office, she was widely lauded as the unchallenged leader of Europes most powerful nation.

In spite of earlier fears, Europeans in recent elections seemed wary of the various right-wing populist parties that received a boost when Donald Trump was elected U.S. president last November. These parties, even though they increased their support over previous elections, still fell far short of power.

But in Germanys election, there was a surprise. Although Merkel was re-elected, her Christian Democratic alliance plunged to a historic low of 33-per-cent support, forcing her to seek a coalition with smaller parties.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said she wanted to "win back" those who voted for the nationalist Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which entered parliament for the 1st time after a campaign that centred on harsh criticism of Merkel. (The Associated Press)

But most headlines were dominated by Germanys extremist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Its leaders had pushed a xenophobic platform not unlike Trumps: denouncing immigrants, equating Islam with terrorism, blaming globalization and outsiders, and  while were at it  urging closer ties with Russia.

The party captured about 13 per cent of the vote, which means that more than 90 members of the party  several of whom are regarded as neo-Nazis  will enter the Bundestag, Germanys historic parliament. That will make it the countrys third-largest party.

It is revealing where the AfD picked up its support. The partys greatest gains came in what was formerly communist East Germany. Overall, the party averaged 22 per cent of the vote in the east, more than double what it received in the west.

Ironically, the virulently anti-immigrant party picked up the greatest support from those eastern regions of Germany where immigration is very low  in some cases virtually non-existent. That was a pattern evident in elections in France and the United Kingdom, as well as in the United States.

These voters, as well as being particularly vulnerable to fear-mongering about immigrants, also often come from economically depressed regions. In Germany, the AfD campaigned as a party of protest, arguing that mainstream parties were directing the benefits of economic progress to their supporters at the expense of other underdeveloped parts of the country.

Related to this, the other stunning outcome of this election was the demise of the centre-left Social Democratic party (SPD). Above all, this is the party that should have succeeded in tapping into the economic anxieties of Germans who have felt excluded from globalization.

But the SPD obtained only 21 per cent of the vote, its worst result since the Federal Republics birth in 1949. The partys dismal performance matches those of other progressive parties in Europe that have lost their traditional working class support. Their challenge now is to reverse that trend.

The challenge confronting Merkel is a more urgent one. She begins a fourth term as chancellor in a weakened position. Her political dominance in both Germany and the rest of Europe is in question. There is even some speculation now that another election  in early 2018  may be necessary.

Even more than before, the dark cloud of Trump looms over Europe. His chaotic presidency has been very disruptive to established political parties, and that is why the far right has been so hopeful.

Many observers thought that Merkel would emerge strengthened from the election, and that a budding partnership with Frances new president, Emmanuel Macron, would provide strong leadership of Europe.

But at least for the time being, Macron seems to be on his own. After the German election, Macron delivered a long and detailed outline of his vision for a revitalized Europe. It was overflowing with ideas and ambition.

But it may be months before we learn whether Merkel can get herself off the mat and back in position at Macrons side.

Tony Burman is former head of Al Jazeera English and CBC News. Reach him @TonyBurman or at tony.burman@gmail.com.

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NEW YORKA librarian at an award-winning Massachusetts school declined books donated by the first lady, suggesting she instead send them to students who are truly in need.

The White House selected a school from every state to receive 10 Dr. Seuss books in recognition of National Read a Book Day  among them a Cambridge public school where Liz Phipps Soeiro works as a librarian.

In an open letter to Melania Trump on the Horn Books Family Reading blog, Soeiro thanks the first lady for recognizing her school but then explains why her students do not need the donation.

My students have access to a school library with over 9,000 volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science, she wrote. Multiple studies show that schools with professionally staffed libraries improve student performance.

Soeiro continues on to point out how libraries across the country are being shuttered while schools in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit are suffering through expansion, privatization, and school choice with no interest in outcomes of children, their families, their teachers and their schools.

Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control? Soeiro wrote.

She urged Trump instead to send books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that may continue to be marginalized and maligned by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

The librarian also criticized the book selection in general, which included titles such as Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat and Oh, the Places Youll Go!

You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for childrens literature, Soeiro said. As first lady of the United States, you have an incredible platform with world-class resources at your fingertips.

First Lady Melania Trump read a Dr. Seuss book to a group of children at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in February in honour of National Read Across America Day. (The Associated Press)

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GUNDUM, BANGLADESHThe sudden arrival of half a million Rohingya Muslims has upended life in this humble village, which is now overshadowed by one of the largest concentrations of refugees in the world.

The villages rundown school and a smattering of rice paddies sit across the road from thousands of acres of bamboo huts covered by black tarp, a safe harbour for the refugees fleeing ethnic violence in Burma. That land was once a forest where villagers picked wild fruit.

Last Saturday, the midday tea-sipping crowd hung out on the benches in front of Munwara Begums provisions store here. In their discussion were echoes of a conversation happening around the world about the costs of compassion toward refugees. It was one filled with conflicting emotions.

The price of rice has doubled since they came. The price of rickshaws has doubled. Vegetables, soap, you name it, and the price has gone up, Begum said, counting her very real grievances on her fingers. Basic economics is at work here: When demand rises sharply and supply lags in catching up, prices rise.

And the Rohingya are rich! she said. They have nice phones, solar panels. The ones whove been here since 91 are in better shape than us!

Joshimuddin, an elementary school teacher who, like many here, goes by one name, chimed in.

Crime, too, he said. If a Rohingya beats someone or even murders them, they can just hide in the refugee camp. Then what are we supposed to do? They outnumber us.

Its not like I dont have sympathy  they had their own lives and now they have to stand in line for an hour just to use the toilet, he continued. But . . .

Begum completed his thought with an echo of the Burma state line she said shed heard somewhere or the other: Their boys attacked the military first. What did they expect to happen?

Eklash Mian, a sharecropper, was visibly uncomfortable. He put his arm around his young son, drew him close and said, They are poor. They are in trouble. Let them come. Well get by.

The recent arrivals are most certainly poor and in trouble. Many arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Others who had time to bring along livestock or family heirlooms sold them for a pittance to the boatmen who ferried them to safety across an estuary that separates their burning villages in Burma with Bangladesh. As aid organizations struggle to cope with the sheer scale of need, thousands of Rohingya line the main road here, begging for alms.

Read more:

UN Security Council speaks out against Burma as Rohingya refugee crisis worsens

Canadian aid workers describe chaos at Rohingya border camp

10 photos from Bangladesh camps, 10 stories of Rohingya desperation

Then again, Bangladesh is not exactly a beacon of prosperity. Nor is it a land of wide, open spaces.

Bangladesh has far and away the highest population density of any sizable nation  around 4,800 people per square kilometre pack the alluvial plain that spans most of the country. The average Bangladeshi earns less than $1,800 a year. National highways are often pothole-strewn two-lane roads.

The overcrowding, the poverty and the underdevelopment are amplified in the countrys far southeast, where the half-million new arrivals have joined hundreds of thousands who fled earlier waves of violence. The latest exodus out of Burma began Aug. 25, when a band of Rohingya militants attacked police posts in Rakhine state, prompting a violent military crackdown in Rohingya villages.

Returning to Burma anytime soon is simply not in the cards for the Rohingya. Despite living in Burma for generations, they are considered Bangladeshi interlopers, not citizens, and the question of whether Burma will ever grant return to those who have no paperwork is viewed with great doubt here.

But while locals may be reluctant with their sympathy, bigger players in Bangladesh are eyeing political opportunities in this time of crisis.

Speaking to Al Jazeera last week, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina brushed aside doubts that her impoverished country could handle the influx, and cast the well-being of the Rohingya as a national cause.

Bangladesh is not a rich country, it is true. We have 160 million people in a small geographical land, she said. But if we can feed 160 million people, another 500 or 700,000, we can do it. We can share our food. We are ready to do it. And our people are already doing it.

Across Bangladesh, streets and highways are lined with posters depicting Hasina wiping a tear off the cheek of a refugee child. They boldly declare: Sheikh Hasina is the mother of humanity, and, Where is humanity, there is Sheikh Hasina. The opposition parties have their own versions. A hotly contested national election is just one year away.

Where politicians hope some will see compassion, others are seeing a ploy to curry support from Bangladeshs religious right, which has come out strongly in favour of welcoming the refugees. Rohingya Muslims largely adhere to a conservative strain of Islam and speak a language similar to the dialect of Bengali prevalent in the countrys southeast. Bangladesh is 90 per cent Muslim.

Bangladesh offered land to shelter Rohingya. What if these people were Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jews but not Muslims? Shelter not for humanity but for votes! wrote Taslima Nasreen, one of Hasinas fiercest critics, who has lived in exile since 1994, when she was accused of defaming Islam.

The Islamist groups that hounded secularists like Nasreen out of the country are the same ones spearheading the local relief effort for Rohingya refugees. The camps are full of volunteer groups from religious schools and organizations, handing out food, clothes and cash.

One in particular, Hefazat-e-Islam, has staged increasingly large rallies in Bangladeshs two biggest cities, Dhaka and Chittagong. Tens of thousands have shown up. On Monday, Hefazat leader Junayed Babunagari issued a public statement saying the Rohingya were facing genocide and that if diplomacy fails to return them to their homes in Burma, Bangladesh should consider a military intervention.

Curiously, no religious or governmental organization is suggesting a path to citizenship for the Rohingya, who are expected to be here indefinitely. And government-imposed restrictions confine them to the camps near Gundum. Police checkpoints have turned back thousands seeking to move farther afield.

The prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that Muslims must help other Muslims, said Maulana Jameel Hossein, a teacher at a madrassa who was tossing used clothing at refugees who had gathered around his organizations truck. The Rohingya are being attacked for no other crime than being Muslim. Until they can go back home, they will be our guests.

Perhaps that was easy for Hossein to say. He lives in Brahmanbaria, 250 miles away from the camps that continue to grow by the day.

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WASHINGTONU.S. President Trump on Friday declared that Puerto Rico has been destroyed and said big decisions lie ahead about how much to spend on rebuilding the U.S. territory.

His ominous tweet drew immediate criticism from Democratic politicians who said Trump is applying a different standard to the island than he did to Texas and Florida when they were recently struck by hurricanes.

The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes, Trump said on Twitter, referring to Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma, which also took a heavy toll on the territory before reaching Florida. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!

Appearing on MSNBC shortly afterward, Democratic Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito, a native of Puerto Rico, said Trump was treating Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens.

There is a double standard of how Puerto Ricans are being treated, she said in response to his tweet, calling the Trump administrations response to the hurricane deplorable.

The lack of planning and preparation is literally costing lives, said Mark-Viverito, who was born in San Juan.

On Twitter on Friday, Trump also continued to tout his and his administrations response, relaying that Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello had said: The Administration and the President, every time weve spoken, theyve delivered.

During an interview later Friday morning on MSNBC, Rossello said he is grateful for the federal help, as well as assistance thats been provided by 17 states.

But, he added: The response still is not where it needs to be, certainly its not.

Trumps latest tweets came a day after two senior administration officials briefed reporters at the White House on progress being made. They noted the challenges of a storm that had wiped out the islands electrical grid and blocked many roads but ticked off signs of recovery, including the reopening of most hospitals.

The White House's Homeland Security Adviser, for the second time Thursday, defends the Trump administrations relief efforts in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. (The Associated Press)

On Twitter on Thursday night, Trump suggested the media wasnt giving his administration a fair shake, writing, Wish press would treat fairly.

Trump also noted his plans to visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Although Trump took no stance in his tweets on how much should be spent on Puerto Rico recovery, his reference to big decisions raised a question that has come with other major storm-damaged areas.

In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Republican then-House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert said in a newspaper interview that it made no sense to spend billions of dollars to rebuild a city seven feet under sea level.

It looks like a lot of that place could be bulldozed, he said.

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WASHINGTONClaryse Floress brother lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He texted her Thursday night about the long lines he still faces for water, gas, food.

On Friday, she heard President Donald Trump talk, again, about Puerto Ricos debts. And she heard him tell a crowd of businesspeople that Puerto Ricos government would have to help figure out how to pay the cost of the massive rebuilding effort.

She fumed.

I dont remember him discussing costs when he came to Texas or when he came to Florida, said Flores, 37, a New Jersey receptionist of Puerto Rican descent. Im not surprised. I followed the election, and I am from New York, so Ive known the name Trump for a very long time. But when people are suffering and dying, and thats my family, Im beyond offended.

Read more: Dammit, this is not a good news story: San Juan mayor slams Trump administrations sugar coating of Puerto Rico hurricane response

Trump earned broad public approval, polls show, for his enthusiastic response to Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Florida. But his response to the Hurricane Maria disaster in Puerto Rico has been markedly different, in both actions and words.

The disparity has been noted with intense dismay by many Puerto Ricans on the mainland. As they worry about their families and friends on the island, they have been forced to grapple with a series of apparent passive-aggressive slights from their president.

Some of them say Trumps response to Maria is another example of the bigotry they saw in a presidential campaign Trump began by calling Mexican immigrants rapists. And some say it is another example of a lingering colonial attitude in the federal governments approach to the island commonwealth the U.S. invaded in 1898.

It sickens me, said Angel Vazquez, 30, a graphic designer in Atlanta who moved from Puerto Rico as a child. Hes a racist president. He was elected because of the base that he was catering to. And hes just someone whos following through on exactly what he was going to say.

Its really hard to talk about bankruptcy and debt when people have no power, no water, no homes, and their entire lives have been devastated, said Julio Ricardo Varela, 48, a journalist from Puerto Rico who co-hosts the In the Thick political podcast.

Comments like those come across as not only incredibly short-sighted and insensitive, but it just confirms how the United States, as a country, views its colonial territory. Bringing up the debt just brings up old wounds. Yep, were a colony. You had to remind us, huh? The islands destroyed, but you had to remind us that we have no control over our destiny. Thank you.

Since the beginning of the Puerto Rico crisis, Trump has emphasized money matters he did not broach when addressing the crises in Texas and Florida.

It is instructive to compare his tweets, often the most authentic representation of his thoughts.

After Hurricane Harvey, he wrote: TEXAS: We are with you today, we are with you tomorrow, and we will be with you EVERY SINGLE DAY AFTER, to restore, recover and REBUILD!

In his first substantive tweets on the Hurricane Maria damage, conversely, he noted Puerto Ricos pre-existing infrastructure problems. And then he spoke of Puerto Ricos debt load of more than $70 billion.

Texas & Florida are doing great but Puerto Rico, which was already suffering from broken infrastructure & massive debt, is in deep trouble. Its (sic) old electrical grid, which was in terrible shape, was devastated. Much of the Island was destroyed, with billions of dollars owed to Wall Street and the banks which, sadly, must be dealt with. Food, water and medical are top priorities  and doing well. #FEMA, he wrote.

He suggested Friday that federal support for Puerto Ricos recovery would not be unconditional, writing: The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!

And then he said it again in a speech four hours later to the National Association of Manufacturers in Washington.

Ultimately, the government of Puerto Rico will have to work with us to determine how this massive rebuilding effort  it will end up being one of the biggest ever  will be funded and organized, and what we will do with the tremendous amount of existing debt already on the island, he said, appearing to deviate from his prepared text.

U.S. President Donald Trump defended his administration's response to Puerto Rico's hurricane destruction, saying the federal government is fully engaged but he said, "nothing's left," and they are "starting from scratch" to rebuild. (The Associated Press

He concluded: We will not rest, however, until the people of Puerto Rico are safe. These are great people. We want them to be safe, and sound, and secure, and we will be there every day until that happens.

Trumps repeated references to costs are not the only part of his administrations rhetoric that have raised the ire of Puerto Ricans. His relentless praise for his own performance, and that of the federal emergency agency, has infuriated Puerto Ricans who note that much of the island remained without drinkable water nine days after the storm made landfall.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that the federal government was invisible in some areas outside the capital. CBS reporter David Begnaud tweeted Friday: Desperate Puerto Ricans are using Clorox containers to fill work drinking water. As one woman said, I dont even have a bucket. 

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz reacted emotionally to the words of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke, who said Thursday that it is really a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths that have taken place in such a devastating hurricane.

Dammit, this is not a good news story. This is a people are dying story. Its a life-or-death story, she said on CNN.

When youre drinking from a creek, its not a good news story. When you dont have food for a baby, its not a good news story.

Some Puerto Ricans are less aghast at Trumps rhetoric than what they see as Trumps reluctance to take action. They noted that Trump immediately waived the Jones Act, an obscure protectionist law which limits shipping, after Harvey and Irma but not after Maria. Before Trump relented, he said he was hesitant because a lot of people that work in the shipping industry wanted him to hold off.

Trump has repeatedly cited praise for the response from Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello. Rossello, however, has also called for more aid, telling NBC on Friday that the effort is not where it needs to be.

Puerto Ricans do not get to vote in presidential or congressional elections. But the disaster could have significant political implications  and they could hurt Trump.

Puerto Ricans whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed could choose to join the large Puerto Rican community of Florida, potentially making that state more Democratic-leaning.

You either solve the problem in Puerto Rico, or the problem will show up in the other states in the mainland, Varela said.

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IRBIL, IRAQA central government imposed ban on international flights servicing airports in Iraqs Kurdish region went into effect Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. local time.

The flight ban has so far been the most significant escalation amid heightened tensions, largely marked by threats from Baghdad and neighbouring countries, following the controversial referendum on support for independence held by Iraqs Kurds Monday.

Hundreds of passengers lined up in the hours before an Iraqi government order that international airlines halt all flights in and out of the cities of Irbil and Sulaimaniyah in Kurdish territory kicks in Friday.

Airport officials speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations said the volume of passengers was higher than usual but no additional flights were added to accommodate people attempting to depart the region ahead of the ban.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi first warned of the ban the day after the referendum was held, demanding the Kurdish region hand their airports over to central government.

While Baghdad controls the airspace over the Kurdish region, immigration and security inside the airports are controlled by local Kurdish region officials and security forces.

Iraqs Transport Ministry ordered international airlines to halt service to Irbil, the Kurdish regional capital, and Sulaimaniyah, its second city. Regional airlines have said they will honour the flight ban.

Talar Saleh, the general director of Irbil International Airport, says Kurdish authorities have attempted to communicate with Baghdad to comply with the demand to hand the airport over to federal authorities.

Kurdish officials requested a meeting to get everybody together so we can discuss closely, face-to-face, whats required from the (Kurdish regions) airports, she said at a press conference held at the airport Friday. So far, up to this moment, there is no reply from Baghdad.

Many of the hundreds of people travelling Friday afternoon were foreigners ordered to leave the region by the companies they work for.

Of course we dont want to leave, said Joao Gabriel Villar, a Brazilian doctor working for a non-governmental organization that helps people displaced by the conflict with Daesh, also known as ISIS.

We had only just arrived, he said. We could have helped many more people if we stayed.

The non-binding referendum  in which the Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence from Iraq  was billed by Kurdish leaders as an exercise in self-determination. The idea of an independent state has been central to Kurdish politics for decades.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the flight ban was not intended to hold the Kurdish region captive, according to a statement released by his office Friday afternoon.

Central government control of air and land ports in the Kurdistan region is not meant to starve, besiege and prevent (the delivery of) supplies to the citizens in the region as alleged by some Kurdistan region officials, said the statement.

Also on Friday, Iraqs top Shiite cleric expressed opposition to the referendum.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called it an attempt to divide Iraq and take its northern part by setting up an independent state.

Al-Sistanis comments, read in the Shiite holy city of Karbala by cleric Ahmad al-Safi during Friday prayers, were the first by the top Shiite cleric since Mondays referendum.

Al-Sistani warned such unilateral steps toward dividing Iraq will lead to internal and external reactions that will have consequences on our dear Kurdish citizens and could have more dangerous repercussions.

Earlier on Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the launch of the second phase of the operation to retake the Daesh-held city of Hawija, 240 kilometres north of Baghdad.

Hawija is one of the last pockets of Daesh-held territory in Iraq. Iraqi forces are also fighting the extremists in the western province of Anbar where Daesh launched a counterattack against Iraqi forces holding the provincial capital of Ramadi Wednesday. The city had been declared fully liberated from the group in Feb. 2016.

Despite the threatened flight ban, anti-Daesh coalition military air operations from Irbil airport continue as normal, U.S.-led coalition spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon told reporters at the Pentagon on Thursday from his headquarters in Baghdad.

More broadly, Dillon said the fallout from the Kurdish referendum has diminished the militarys focus on fighting Daesh.

What Ill say now is that there is a lot of posturing and a lot of things that have been said about what could or may happen, he said. The focus, which used to be like a laser beam on (Daesh), is now not 100 per cent there. So there has been an effect on the overall mission to defeat (Daesh) in Iraq as a result of the referendum.

Asked whether it is just the Iraqi security forces that have lost focus, he said that Kurdish fighters battling alongside them, known as the peshmerga, and U.S. military planners and advisers also have lost some of their focus as a result of the referendum. The loss of focus, he said, is across the board. U.S. military planners have had to spend time to play out the what-ifs resulting from assessing the political and military implications of the referendum, he said.

Baghdad announced Thursday that Turkey  an indispensable trade partner to the region and once a key political ally  will now only deal with Iraqs central government on oil sales. That could deprive the Kurdish region of more than 80 per cent of its income.

Ankara had forged close ties to Iraqs Kurdish region but strongly opposes its moves toward independence, fearing it could inspire Turkeys own Kurdish minority. Turkey has threatened military action and economic sanctions against the region.

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BARCELONA, SPAINA parade of farmers tractors rolled into Barcelona on Friday in support for Catalonias independence vote as Catalan and Spanish authorities issued conflicting statements on whether the disputed referendum would even take place on Sunday.

The vehicles, many with Catalan flags, drove slowly into the city to the cheers of residents who stood by the side of the road.

The demand by Catalan separatists to hold an independence vote for the prosperous northeastern region of 7.5 million people has thrown Spain into a political and constitutional crisis.

Read more:

Catalans vow disputed independence vote will be peaceful

Tension escalates in Catalonia as Madrid tries to stop independence referendum

Students occupy Barcelona university in support of Catalan secession

Spains government calls the vote illegal, since it violates the constitution, and the countrys constitutional Court has ordered it suspended. Spanish authorities have been cracking down on efforts to organize the vote, detaining organizers and confiscating ballots and posters.

The disputed vote has even sparked a showdown over who police in Catalonia should report to, the regions ruling separatist politicians or the central government in Madrid.

European Union officials on Friday ruled out any mediation in the clash.

Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont and Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, in separate interviews with The Associated Press, had urged Europe to intervene to break the political deadlock over the vote.

But European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said Friday at an EU summit in Estonia that the dispute is a Spanish problem in which we can do little. Its a problem of respecting Spanish laws that Spaniards have to resolve.

Tajani says the EU is maintaining its support of Spains government because on a legal level, Madrid is right.

I think its important to talk on a political level after the vote, he added.

The EU has said that Catalonia will be ejected from the bloc if it declares independence and would need to apply to rejoin it in a lengthy process that any EU member can veto.

Spains cabinet spokesman said Friday there will no referendum on Sunday and warned Catalan officials that they would face consequences for pressing ahead with a vote that was suspended by the countrys constitutional Court.

The government has a constitutional mandate to enforce the laws maintaining civic order, Culture Minister Inigo Mendez de Vigo said Friday during a weekly press briefing. Nobody is above the laws and whoever violates them will face consequences.

Catalan officials, however, announced that more than 60 per cent of the 5.3 million eligible voters are expected to cast ballots Sunday despite the Spanish governments efforts to stop the referendum.

Separatist groups have been calling on parents to organize activities with students in schools this weekend in order to occupy the buildings so Spanish police cant show up to close them off before the vote.

Catalans will vote  even if somebody takes voting stations by assault and tries to avoid something as natural as placing a voting slip in a ballot, regional vice-president Oriol Junqueras told reporters.

Along with two other top Catalan officials, Junqueras displayed for the first time a prototype of the plastic ballot boxes planned for more than 2,300 voting stations.

Acting on a judges order, Spanish police and civil guard officers have been searching for the ballot boxes for weeks.

Catalan authorities say they will declare independence within 48 hours after announcing the votes results if the yes side wins. The Spanish government has fought the referendum with a myriad of legal actions, including seizing ballots and arresting regional officials.

The unprecedented crackdown has enraged many in Catalonia.

Jordi Marti drives a taxi in Barcelona plastered with stickers supporting the vote. The 63-year-old says the central government in Madrid has kept the prosperous northeastern region in a chokehold for too long.

And now we have said, Game over, he told the AP. Its over because we have been negotiating with the Spanish government for 40 years . . . and it hasnt been worthwhile.

With the tourist-popular Barcelona as its regional capital, Catalonia contributes a fifth of Spains 1.1 trillion economy ($1.62 trillion).

The vast majority of Catalans favour holding a referendum but they have long been almost evenly split over independence itself, with oscillations over the past few years depending on Spains current economic performance.

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WAUKESHA, WIS.The second of two Wisconsin girls charged with repeatedly stabbing a classmate to impress horror character Slender Man will plead guilty in a deal that will send her to a state mental hospital and bring an end a case that shocked people in part because the attackers were only 12.

The deal, announced in court Friday, means both girls will avoid prison time for the attack on Payton Leutner, who was also 12. Morgan Geyser, now 15, will be treated indefinitely at a mental hospital. Her co-defendant, Anissa Weier, faces at least three years in a mental hospital.

Its been a tragic experience for everyone, Geysers attorney, Donna Kuchler, said after a brief court hearing Friday. Our hearts go out to the victim and her family. And were very grateful that the district attorneys office gave this case the considering it deserves.

Read more: Verdict in Slender Man stabbing trial rejected by judge, jury to continue deliberations

Wisconsin girl in Slender Man stabbing case had broken mind, defence says

Weier and Geyser lured Payton Leutner, who was also 12, into the woods at a park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators. Leutner survived after she crawled out of the woods to a path where a passing bicyclist found her.

Both Weier and Geyser told detectives they felt they had to kill Leutner to become Slender Mans proxies, or servants, and protect their families from him.

Geyser had been scheduled to go on trial Oct. 16. The plea deal comes after a jury this month determined that Weier was mentally ill at the time of the attack on Leutner.

Geyser was at Fridays hearing but didnt speak. Afterward, the judge allowed her to spend three hours with her family before returning her to a mental hospital where she has been receiving treatment.

Leutners parents did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.

Geyser and Weier were charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a possible sentence of up to 65 years in prison. Weier pleaded guilty to a reduced charge last month, and a jury then determined the sentence.

Unlike Weier, Geyser will plead guilty to the original charge from prosecutors. But Geyser wont face a sentencing phase where attorneys would argue that she was mentally ill when the crime occurred and shouldnt face prison time.

Its just fair. It saves everybody a trial. It saves the victim, her family, Kuchler said.

The deal calls for doctors to evaluate Geyser and report to a judge to determine how long she should remain in a state mental hospital.

During a hearing in August, Weier said that she didnt want to harm Leutner and that the stabbing plot was Geysers idea. She said she participated because she was afraid of what would happen if she didnt.

I believed that if I didnt go through with it, Slender Man would come and attack and kill myself, my friends and my family. Those I cared about the most, she said.

Slender Man started with an online post in 2009, as a mysterious spectre whose image people edit into everyday scenes of children at play. He is typically depicted as a spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face. He was regarded by his devotees as alternately a sinister force and an avenging angel.

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There was always something dead about Hugh Hefner. With his actual expiry at age 91, the peculiar external man has finally matched up with his heartless core, his ethos of human packaging, his creation of a sexual dreamscape so ludicrous that it made generations of men miserable trying to recreate it.

Hefner ran an American nudie magazine. Thats it.

A master marketer in the wretched 1950s, he sold naked women  I am told that previously, women had only been naked beneath their clothes  as a package deal. Perfectly ordinary men were advised to become wealthy and rent a bachelor pad with a circular bed, hi-fi and a plaque on the front door that read If you dont swing, dont ring in Latin.

Read more:

Hugh Hefners Playboy mansion a surreal experience for Canadian who stayed six months

Hugh Hefner, Playboy founder, dead at 91

Then it got unusual. Hefner wore pyjamas all day with a satin-lapelled dressing gown and a sea captains white cap. He smoked a pipe. It was a statement, one supposes, but of what?

He kept at it, the only alteration as time passed that he wore flannel pyjamas on winter nights. The Playboy Playmates  always young, kittenish and huge-breasted  at his jarringly gabled mansion in Los Angeles wore flannel pyjamas as daywear.

For someone with only one outfit, he had a massive closet, with 70 pairs of pyjamas and dozens of robes, slippers and hats, along with a library of thousands of black-bound scrapbooks of his life, a record for posterity but again, of what?

Human beings have done the old in-out forever, obviously, but when Hefner was born in 1926, it was fraught, just as it is now, though in a different way. He saw sex, he had sex, as does everyone. But the experience affected him strangely and made the pursuit and containment of womens bodies into the primary force of his life.

He reminds me of another man who couldnt cope with women, the founder of Islamic extremism, Sayyid Qutb, who went the other way. As a young student from Egypt in the fall of 1949, Qutb visited Greeley, Colorado, going to a local church dance and watching men and women dancing together to Baby, Its Cold Outside. Its a date-rapey 1940s duet from a movie starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban.

Qutb was appalled by the depravity. He seemed to have something of a sexual-emotional collapse and the course of his life changed. He returned to Egypt, became a religious pest, was jailed, chatted with his fellow prisoners, inspired an early al-Qaeda and the rest is history.

Qutb was hanged in 1966. By then, back in the USA, Hefner was the coolest sexual cat.

Women of great beauty posed topless in Playboy, then nude, then hairless, splayed, stretched, coy, blatant, arch, damp, immobile, in costume with bunny tails, but always sexually available.

Time passed. False eyelashes were in style, then they werent, then they were again. Playmates put their clothes back on, they took them off again. Women were naked everywhere, then men were too, then they were filmed up close, then for free.

Now we live in the extremes. Thanks to a startup in Montreal, porn is free online and bulging at the edges. Simultaneously, geriatric American male politicians take their revenge on women and their bodies, passing laws regulating their Down Theres and basically doing a Qutb on them.

Male journalists call Hefner a visionary who helped start the sexual revolution, but this is an unreliable narration of a story with many different roots. Hefner certainly altered male expectations while forcing women to fit into them. It was a kind of tyranny for everyone, men thinking they were only as male as their women were obedient.

Women resist but they follow too, even now. Credulous brutal men still follow. Every man enraged by a woman who rejects him, every man who resents a womans economic success is following a pattern partly laid down by Hefner, who campaigned for female passivity.

Perfectly mediocre men were told to feel justified in expecting beautiful  and unattainable  women to desire them. The sexual revolution began when women began making their own rules.

Womens rights ruined Hefner, who in 1969 called it a highly irrational, emotional, kookie trend.

They were allies as far as I was concerned, he said of feminists in 2013. How could they miss the point? As ever, women are at fault. They never do get jokes.

It goes without saying that Playboy, now dying itself, was not about sex as such. It was about masturbation, which was once sinful and now a normal piece of silliness.

In his last years, Hefner was a male Miss Havisham, a silly Nosferatu draped in semen. But for decades, boys inhaled that magazine.

If it seems funny now, theres an aura of horror around it. What did Hefner, this mess of a lifestyle salesman, do to young minds? Donald Trump in his baggy suits is a Hefner figure with a huge gilded New York apartment and now an Oval Office man cave.

Until his death, on his weekly Manly Night with his elderly male friends, Hefner would sing a toast. Gentlemen, gentlemen, be of good cheer, for they are out there, and we are in here.Sound familiar?

After decades of financial larceny and acres of grabbed p---y, Trump is a Hefner, a joke figure, a relic. Americans breathed him in; he can only be surgically removed from their lungs.

Marilyn Monroe posed for Playboy in 1953. She died by her own hand in 1962, a prisoner of her own beauty and the industrialization of sex. Hefner will now be placed in a crypt next to hers that he bought decades ago, intruding on the privacy of the ravishing woman he helped destroy.

Even in death, he wont leave women alone.

hmallick@thestar.ca

In 2008, the founder of the Playboy empire sat down with The New York Times to talk about his influences, his well-publicized lifestyle and his labour of love.(The New York Times)

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Rob Ford Memorial Stadium proposal triggers gratitude, groans in Toronto, Sept. 28

As a lifelong resident of Etobicoke (not Ward 2), this has to be the worst idea Ive ever heard from city hall (and there have been a lot of stupid ideas). Rob Fords tenure as our mayor speaks for itself.

To honour him by putting his name on any publicly owned facility deserves the ridicule that its receiving. Years ago, I was the chair of the committee that chose the Volunteer of the Year in Etobicoke. Rest assured there are hundreds of unknown (to the public) citizens of Etobicoke who deserve to have their names emblazoned on a public facility for their many years of volunteer service to the community. Rob Ford is definitely not one of them.

Heres the test: Would we put his name on a stadium if he was still alive? I think not.

David Matoc, Toronto

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As of Aug. 21, BlackBerry Ltd. undefined was down 22% from where it traded on June 22, the day before the company posted mixed May quarter numbers that disappointed investors. The stock plummeted even though the quarterly numbers weren't half as bad as they first looked after factoring in accounting quirks and the loss of some one-time revenue recorded in the February quarter.

Shares have now recovered nearly all of those losses, as BlackBerry, which has been run by CEO John Chen since 2013, rose 13.4% on Thursday in response to a September quarter sales/EPS beat and decent guidance. But outside of some licensing deals and a moderate billings uptick, not a ton has changed for the company and its turnaround efforts since markets overreacted to the prior quarter's results in June.

BlackBerry reported adjusted August quarter (fiscal second quarter) revenue of $249 million (down 29% annually) and adjusted EPS of $0.05 (up from breakeven EPS a year ago). That beat consensus analyst estimates of $220 million and breakeven.

The company also guided for fiscal 2018 (ends in February 2018) revenue of $920 million to $950 million, above a $919.5 million consensus. And it guided for fiscal 2018 software and services revenue growth of 10% to 15%, more or less affirming a prior outlook. BlackBerry also reiterated guidance for positive full-year EPS and free cash flow (FCF), excluding hardware-related restructuring costs and an $815 million windfall related to an arbitration dispute with Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) - Get Free Report .

Enterprise software and services revenue, closely watched since the businesses covered by it are at the heart of BlackBerry's turnaround plan, was flat on an adjusted basis at $102 million, after having dropped by $5 million in the May quarter. But after backing out deferred revenue stemming from past acquisitions, it grew 11% to $93 million.

Perhaps more importantly, given how much of BlackBerry's enterprise business is now subscription-based and not recognized as revenue right away, Chen disclosed on the earnings call that BlackBerry's core unified endpoint management (UEM) business, which covers a number of products for managing and securing mobile devices, apps and content, saw 19% billings growth. That's better than the high-single digit growth seen in the May quarter.

Chen also forecast UEM billings will continue growing at a double-digit clip for the rest of fiscal 2018. He talked up UEM wins with the likes of UBS and Fifth Third Bank, as well as broader momentum in the federal vertical, where BlackBerry recorded 23 $100,000-plus deals and seven $500,000-plus deals. And BlackBerry's professional services revenue, which had much to do with the prior quarter's revenue miss due to the disappearance of one-time revenue related to an app-deployment deal, was said to be up 40% annually.

Giving the August quarter a big boost: "Licensing, IP and other" revenue, which among other things covers patent-licensing deals and software licensing revenue related to the use of BlackBerry software on third-party phones, jumped to $56 million from $16 million thanks to licensing deals with Ford Motor Co. (F) - Get Free Report , watch maker Timex and low-end phone vendor BLU. BlackBerry and Ford announced an automotive software alliance last October, and expanded it in March; BLU had previously been sued by BlackBerry for infringement. And in tandem with its report, BlackBerry announced a licensing deal with Chinese electronics manufacturer NTD that it says will involve developing the first phones to receive the "BlackBerry Secure" designation on account of their use of BlackBerry security software.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:

Editors' pick: Originally published Sept. 29.

Momentum wasn't as strong for the BlackBerry Technology Solutions (BTS) unit, which covers the popular QNX automotive OS as well as IoT and RF antenna tuning offerings: BTS revenue was flat annually at $38 million. In June, it was reported that Toyota Motor Co. would stop using QNX within its cars in favor of Linux (Tesla Inc. also prefers to have its infotainment systems run on Linux). On the flip side, BlackBerry is just a week removed from announcing that auto parts giant Delphi will make QNX part of the autonomous driving solution it's developing with Intel Corp. and plans to start rolling out in 2019.

Not surprisingly, with BlackBerry in the midst of exiting its phone business in favor of licensing deals, handheld devices revenue fell to just $16 million from $105 million a year ago. Likewise, service access fee (SAF) revenue, which is tied to a withering BlackBerry installed base, plunged to $37 million from $91 million.

On an annual basis, BlackBerry is still getting a boost from its aggressive cost-cutting efforts: R&D spend fell 29% to $70 million and sales, marketing and admin spend fell 20% to $110 million. But operating expenses were flat sequentially, and BlackBerry guided on its call for modest November quarter sequential growth due to higher sales/marketing investments.

As rivals such as Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) - Get Free Report , SAP SE (SAP) - Get Free Report and VMware Inc. (VMW) - Get Free Report would gladly vouch, BlackBerry's UEM offerings still face plenty of stiff competition. Microsoft has seen strong adoption for its aggressively-priced and frequently-bundled Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS), and VMware has reported continued momentum for its AirWatch enterprise mobility management (EMM) platform.

But BlackBerry, aided by its security/compliance strengths and the assets it obtained from its $425 million 2015 acquisition of EMM rival Good Technology, clearly has some momentum in verticals such as government and financial services. It also seems to be making headway in growing its professional services business with the help of its security expertise: Chen claimed BlackBerry's pipeline of cybersecurity consulting deals is growing "very nicely," and that a 7-figure deal was recently closed in the Middle East.

In either the enterprise mobility or automotive fields, BlackBerry isn't by any means a juggernaut mowing down big-name rivals. But thanks to some unique strengths and generally decent execution, the good news continues to outweigh the bad. Meanwhile, the company's software and patent-licensing momentum clearly looks a little better than it did at the beginning of the year.

And with BlackBerry still only valued at around four times its expected fiscal 2018 sales after backing out $1.9 billion in net cash, that should be more than enough for investors to continue giving a thumbs-up to Chen's efforts to turn around what was not too long ago a very troubled company.
Shares of Zogenix Inc. (ZGNX) - Get Free Report jumped 143.9% to $31.40 in morning trading on Friday, Sept. 29, after the Emeryville, Calif.-based firm said its first Phase 3 study of ZX008 in Dravet syndrome achieved its primary endpoint. Dravet syndrome is a form of epilepsy.

ZX008 also showed statistically significant improvements versus placebo in all key secondary measures, the company said.

"These results are truly exciting and demonstrate, in a large multicenter controlled trial, the impressive efficacy of low-dose fenfluramine for patients with Dravet syndrome," said Joseph Sullivan M.D., director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Center in UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco and principal investigator of Study 1 in the U.S., in a statement.

GW Pharmaceuticals plc's (GWPH) - Get Free Report American depository receipts were down 12.6% to $98.15 on the heels of the Zogenix announcement. London-based GW in March of last year announced positive results from a Phase 3 study of Epidiolex for the treatment of Dravet syndrome.

Among the other biotech stock movers was Prothena Corporation plc (PRTA) - Get Free Report . Shares were down 2.6% to $66 in the wake of word that the Dublin firm was not advancing PRX003 into mid-stage clinical development.

Prothena on Thursday unveiled the results of a Phase 1b multiple ascending dose study of PRX003 in patients with psoriasis. "While the primary objectives of the study were achieved, advancing PRX003 into mid-stage clinical development required a well-defined relationship between biological activity and meaningful clinical effects, and these prerequisites were not met," the company said.

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The U.S. government's National Flood Insurance Program has drawn down nearly $6 billion from a Treasury Department credit line and is now burning through its remaining cash, due to the surge in claims following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency program, known as NFIP, which provides almost all homeowner flood-insurance coverage in the U.S., notified Congress on Sept. 20 that it borrowed $5.83 billion from the Treasury, leaving the program with no further capacity on a $30.4 billion credit line.

"The balance of FEMA's remaining borrowing authority is now zero," an agency spokeswoman said in an e-mailed statement.

Roy Wright, a FEMA official who oversees the 49-year-old program, has warned that funds available to pay claims are likely to run out next month. Congress so far hasn't allocated any additional resources for the program, even though the House of Representatives attempted to pass legislation this week making it easier for private insurers to compete with the government program for flood policies.

The House adopted the provisions -- a lobbying prize long sought by big property insurers like Progressive Corp. (PGR) - Get Free Report -- on Thursday as part of a bill extending the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration beyond Sept. 30.

The bill then went to the Senate, where flood-prone Louisiana's two Republican senators, Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, introduced an amendment to strip out the insurance provisions from the FAA bill. The measure then went back to the House, where the amendment was accepted, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to sign it into law.

The NFIP has gone deep into debt in recent years, largely due to the government program's inability to charge premiums high enough to cover payouts that have swelled since 2005 as a string of hurricanes caused catastrophic losses. In 2012 Congress adopted a series of changes including higher premiums, only to have those increases halted just two years later amid a political backlash from affected homeowners.

In the statement, the FEMA spokeswoman said she could not comment on proposed legislation.

Congress and FEMA have never allowed a valid flood claim to go unpaid, according to the agency. In addition to its cash, FEMA has about $1 billion of reinsurance policies -- a type of wholesale backstop coverage -- to cover claims.

"We are collaborating with Congress so that every claim is paid in full," the spokeswoman said.

Some Democrats and Republicans from flood-hit areas have argued that private companies would cherry-pick the best policies -- those with the lowest risk -- and exacerbate the NFIP's losses.

During debate on the House floor on Wednesday, Garret Graves, a Republican congressman from Louisiana, said that the provisions to open the market to private insurers would accelerate the NFIP's descent into insolvency if not paired with broader changes to the government program.

"It is trying to artificially expedite the insolvency of the program," Graves said. "We are getting ready to have one of the greatest demands upon the National Flood Insurance Program for claims from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and yet we are diverting the revenue stream. Why in the world would you do that?"

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Oracle Corp. (ORCL) - Get Free Report is urging shareholders to vote against a proposal requesting that the company issue a gender pay gap report, arguing that it is already committed to pay equity for all of its employees.

The 12-member board of directors, which consists of three women, said it unanimously recommends voting against the proposal brought by Pax World Mutual Funds, according to a Thursday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"We make every effort to attract, invest in and develop the talents of employees who reflect the diversity of our customers and the communities in which we do business," Oracle said in the filing. "We are also committed to pay equity for all of our employees and ensuring that we do not discriminate on the basis of gender or any protected category in the full range of our compensation decisions."

According to the proposal, women make up 29% of Oracle's employees, but only 23% of its leadership positions. Oracle acknowledged that diversity and inclusion in the workforce start at the top, noting that 25% of the board is women. It also highlighted the Oracle Women's Leadership program, which works to develop, engage and empower current and future generations of Oracle women leaders.

"The board does not believe that this stockholder proposal would enhance Oracle's existing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace," Oracle wrote in the filing.

Still, a number of tech companies have begun issuing gender pay gap reports, including Apple Inc. (AAPL) - Get Free Report , Amazon Inc. (AMZN) - Get Free Report , Intel Corp. (INTC) - Get Free Report and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) - Get Free Report , to name a few.

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) - Get Free Report , one of Oracle's biggest competitors, began its pay parity analysis in the U.S. in 2016, finding a "healthy and equitable compensation system with only minor disparities," Shari Slate, Cisco's chief inclusion and collaboration officer, wrote in a blog post. The company made compensation adjustments representing less than 0.02% of its global payroll for a "very small number of employees," just over 1% globally, Slate said.

Furthermore, the Department of Labor filed a lawsuit on Jan. 18 against Oracle, alleging that the company has a "systemic practice of paying Caucasian male workers more than their counterparts in the same job title, which led to pay discrimination against female, African American and Asian employees." The case is still under review.

Notably, co-chief executive officer Safra Catz, 55, was the highest paid female CEO at the 100 largest U.S. companies, according to an April 2017 report by Equilar, which provides executive compensation benchmarking and tracking tools. Catz's total compensation for 2016 came in at $40,943,812, which is more than what Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.'s (HPE) - Get Free Report Meg Whitman, International Business Machines Corp.'s (IBM) - Get Free Report Virginia "Ginni" Rometty and Pepsico Inc.'s (PEP) - Get Free Report Indra Nooyi received individually, per Equilar.

For fiscal 2017, Katz and fellow Co-CEO Mark Hurd, 60, are slated to both earn a base salary of $950,000. Including stock and option awards and all other compensation, Catz is expected to make $40.7 million while Hurd will take home $40.8 million. (The extra $100,000 or so for Hurd is for security-related costs, the company said in the filing.)

Shareholders will get to vote on the pay equity report proposal at the company's annual meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m. PST.

Oracle shares were little changed, trading at around $48.24 on Friday.

Apple is a holding in the Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio, which is managed by Jim Cramer, founder of The Deal's parent, TheStreet.
NCI Building Systems, Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets metal products for the nonresidential construction industry in North America. It operates in four segments: Engineered Building Systems, Metal Components, Insulated Metal Panels, and Metal Coil Coating. The Engineered Building Systems segment offers engineered structural members and panels; and self-storage building systems under the Metallic, Mid-West Steel, A & S, All American, Mesco, Star, Ceco, Robertson, Garco, Heritage, and SteelBuilding.com brands to builders, general contractors, developers, and end users directly, as well as through private label companies. The Metal Components segment provides metal roof and wall systems, metal partitions, metal trims, doors, and other related accessories for use in new construction, and repair and retrofit applications; roll-up doors; and interior and exterior walk doors under the MBCI, American Building Components, Eco-ficient, Metal Depots, and Doors and Buildings Components brands to manufacturers, contractors, subcontractors, distributors, lumberyards, cooperative buying groups, and other customers. The Insulated Metal Panels segment offers insulated metal panels for architectural, commercial, industrial, and cold storage end-market applications under the Metl-Span and CENTRIA brands. The Metal Coil Coating segment engages in cleaning, treating, and painting flat-rolled metals in coil form, as well as in slitting and/or embossing the metal, before the metal is fabricated for use by industrial users. It also cleans, treats, and coats heavy and light gauge metal coils for use in construction products, heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters, lighting fixtures, ceiling grids, office furniture, appliances, and other products; and provides toll coating and painted metal package services under the Metal Coaters and Metal Prep brands. NCI Building Systems, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses, and K-12 institutions in the United States. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale, and Digital Student Solutions. The company sells and rents new and used print textbooks, digital textbooks, and publisher hosted digital courseware through physical and virtual bookstores, as well as directly to students through Textbooks.com. It also offers First Day and First Day Complete access programs; BNC OER+, a turnkey solution for colleges and universities, that offers digital content, such as videos, activities, and auto-graded practice assessments; and general merchandise, including collegiate and athletic apparel, school spirit products, lifestyle products, technology products, supplies, graduation products, and convenience items. In addition, the company sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks; and sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 350 college bookstores. Further, it offers direct-to-student subscription-based writing services; and bartleby, a direct-to-student subscription-based offering that includes textbook solutions, expert questions and answers, and writing and tutoring services. The company operates 805 physical college and university bookstores; 622 virtual bookstores; 8 True Spirit e-commerce websites; pop-up retail locations; 73 customized cafes and 11 stand-alone convenience stores; and a media channel for brands targeting the college demographic. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific West Palm Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Worldwide Investments (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific eCommerce Solutions LLC , Thermo Fisher Senior Canada Holdings LLC, Thermo Foundation Inc., Thermo Gamma-Metrics Holdings Pty Ltd., Thermo Gamma-Metrics LLC, Thermo Gamma-Metrics Pty Ltd, Thermo Holding European Operations LLC, Thermo Hypersil Ltd, Thermo Hypersil-Keystone LLC, Thermo Informatics Asia Pacific Pty Ltd., Thermo Instrument Controls de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Thermo Kevex X-Ray LLC, Thermo Keytek LLC, Thermo LabSystems Inc., Thermo LabSystems S.A., Thermo Life Science International Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Thermo Life Sciences AB, Thermo Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo MF Physics LLC, Thermo Measurement Ltd, Thermo Measuretech Canada Inc., Thermo Neslab LLC, Thermo Nicolet Limited, Thermo Onix Limited, Thermo Optek (Australia) Pty Ltd., Thermo Optek Limited, Thermo Optek S.A., Thermo Orion Inc., Thermo Portable Holdings LLC, Thermo Power Corporation, Thermo Process Instruments GP LLC, Thermo Process Instruments L.P., Thermo Projects Limited, Thermo Quest S.A., Thermo Radiometrie Limited, Thermo Ramsey Italia S.r.l., Thermo Ramsey LLC, Thermo Ramsey S.A., Thermo Re Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Pte Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Sdn Bhd, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., Thermo Scientific Services Inc., Thermo Securities Corporation, Thermo Sentron Canada Inc., Thermo Sentron Limited, Thermo Shandon Inc., Thermo Shandon Limited, Thermo Suomi Holding B.V., Thermo TLH (UK) Limited, Thermo TLH L.P., Thermo Trace Pty Ltd., Thermo-Fisher Biochemical Product (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V..

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Apple's iPhone lineup took a leap forward this year, adding new hardware capabilities such as wireless charging and, in the case of the iPhone X, a high-res OLED screen. At the same time, iOS 11 introduced new refinements to Apple's phones. But even though iPhones are the best that they've ever been, Android handsets still offer a far better combination of value and features than Apple's limited lineup.

Android takes off the training wheels and lets consumers choose from a swath of hardware and software, also giving access to key technologies, such as 3.5mm headphone jacks and USB-C ports that you won't find on the latest iPhones. You can also get an unlocked Android phone for far less than the cost of Apple's least expensive handset, the iPhone SE.

Here are 10 reasons Android beats the iPhone.

1. Better values

If you want an iPhone, you have eight choices: the $349 iPhone SE, the $449 iPhone 6s, the $549 iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 7, the $669 iPhone 7 Plus, the $699 iPhone 8, the $799 iPhone 8 Plus, and the $999 iPhone X. While the 4-inch iPhone SE may sound like a bargain in comparison to its big brothers, you can find a really great Android phone that sells for less than $349 and comes with a much bigger screen.

ZTE Blade Z Max

There are more than half a dozen good Android phones that cost less than $250. You can get a solid handset like the Moto G5 Plus  which has a 5.2-inch, 1080p display; a snappy Snapdragon 625 CPU; and a good 12-MP camera  for just $239. Available on MetroPCS, the $130 ZTE Blade Z Max has a 6-inch, full-HD display and lasts more than 11 hours on a charge.

2. 3.5mm headphone jacks

All phones since the iPhone 7 lack the 3.5mm audio jack that lets you connect a pair of standard headphones. If you want to listen to music on your Apple handset, you'll have to use a dongle, connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones or buy a wired set that uses the company's proprietary Lightning connector.

iPhone 7 (with headphone dongle)

REBUTTAL: 11 Reasons the iPhone Beats Android

However, most of the world's headphones  ranging from the $3 pair you get at Walgreens to the $300 set of Bose QuietComforts you got for your birthday  still use the 3.5mm connector. With the exception of the Moto Z and Google Pixel / Pixel 2, most Android phones still have this popular port, including all of the hottest handsets from Samsung, LG and OnePlus.

3. USB Type-C charging ports with fast charging

If you want to charge an iPhone or connect it to your computer for any reason, you'll need a cable with Apple's proprietary Lightning port. Unfortunately, other than iPhones and iPads, no devices charge over Lightning, so you can't share the same set of cables with your other gear. This is ironic, because Apple's MacBooks charge via USB-C.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Today, most new Android phones use a USB Type-C port for charging, which means that they can access an extremely broad universe of ports and peripherals, from universal chargers to docking stations. In addition, USB-C enables fast wired charging on most newer Android phones. With the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, charging fast with a wire means buying another 29-watt or higher power brick plus a USB-C-to-Lightning cable.

4. Customization, widgets and skins

Like a father in a 1950s sitcom, Apple thinks it knows what's best for you, no matter what you need or want, so it locks down the UI and offers fewer customizations than Google does. You're limited to a few select widgets. But with Android, you can choose from thousands of widgets that live on your home or lock screens and provide everything from music playback to weather and note taking.

Manufacturers such as Samsung and LG add custom "skins" on top of the core operating system, offering a unique look and feel. Better still, you can install your own launcher or add a custom theme, which makes your phone look and feel completely different  and uniquely yours.

5. Many more hardware options, including rugged phones

At one time, Google's marketing tagline for Android was "Be Together. Not the Same." That makes sense, because the platform appears on hundreds of different phone models around the world. You can get Android phones with giant screens, small screens, modular add-ons, QWERTY keyboards and replaceable batteries.

Moto Z2 Force and projector

It's nice to know that the latest iPhones are water-resistant, but if you're really worried about breaking your phone, there are some truly rugged handsets out there, like the Moto Z2 Force, which has a screen that's guaranteed not to crack for four years and an optional projector add-on. You can also consider the LG X venture, which is shock-resistant from up to 4 feet in the air. If you want the feeling of typing on real physical keys, look no further than the BlackBerry KeyOne.

6. A true, working file system

Want to copy files from your iPhone to your computer? You'll need to install iTunes and set up an account, and even then, you can move only media files, such as photos, back and forth. Plug an Android phone into your PC, on the other hand, and it instantly mounts as an external drive filled with folders you can drag and drop.

With iOS 11, iPhone users recently got the ability to browse through some of their data files using the new Files app. However, Files doesn't give you access to all the folders on your device like Android tools such as Astro File Manager and ES File Manager do. And the iOS 11 Files app still doesn't make your iPhone appear as an external drive when you connect it to your computer via USB.

7. A back button

Android's back button provides a really simple and helpful way to return to a previous screen no matter where you are. The button even works across apps. If you hit a link in Facebook and get transported to the Chrome browser, you can return to the social media app when you hit the back button.

On the iPhone, you can get contextual back buttons within apps or a back button that appears when you click a link that takes you from one app to another. However, there's no universal button that helps you step back.

8. Multiwindow support

If you're looking to multitask on your phone, you want an Android phone. The latest two versions of Google's mobile operating system, Android 7 Nougat and Android 8 Oreo, have a built-in multiwindow mode, allowing you to, for example, look at the company web page in one window while you reply to your boss's email in another. Even without the latest OS update, phones from LG and Samsung have this split-screen view built in. Apple has a split-screen view in iOS, but only for the company's tablets, not its phones.

9. Write with a stylus

While you can get an Apple Pencil for your iPad, if you want to scribble on your iPhone screen, you're pretty much out of luck (you can buy a capacitive stylus which is no better than your finger).



Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and S Pen

However, the Galaxy Note 8 comes with the extremely powerful S Pen, and the onboard software lets you use the stylus for drawing, writing instant messages and scribbling notes even when the phone's screen is off. LG also makes a number of stylus-enabled phones, including the G4 Stylus and the Stylo 3.

10. More login options

The iPhone 6, 7 and 8 all use Apple's Touch ID fingerprint recognition to let you log in with one touch, but they don't offer facial or retina recognition. The iPhone X offers facial recognition but no fingerprint or retina option. Android devices provide you with a wide range of authentication options. Samsung's recent Galaxy phones, for example, let you choose fingerprint, retina or facial recognition.

Credit: Tom's Guide/Shutterstock


Thousands of Macs around the world may be vulnerable to devastating firmware attacks that would be nearly impossible to detect or stop, researchers from Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Duo Security disclosed today (Sept. 29).

(Image credit: These Macs should probably upgrade to High Sierra. Credit: Peter Kotoff/Shutterstock)

Even worse, Duo's researchers believe the problem isn't limited to Macs, but that potentially millions of Windows and Linux PCs are vulnerable as well. Their users may never know.

The issue lies with the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI), the low-level operating system that has replaced the better-known BIOS system on most modern motherboards. (It's often called UEFI on PCs.) EFI boots a computer into a higher OS such as Windows, macOS or Linux. All Intel-based Macs use UEFI/EFI, as do all Windows PCs that shipped running Windows 8, 8.1 or 10.

"Users and admins are often blind to the fact that their system's EFI may continue to be vulnerable," said the Duo team in a blog posting. "The main issues we have discovered are generally relevant across all vendors tasked with securing EFI firmware and are not solely Apple."

Fortunately, most average users are not at risk from such attacks. But there are some Macs don't seem to be able to update their firmware, and any business or high-risk user of those specific models should consider junking them and buying new machines.

MORE: Best Mac Antivirus Software

Several EFI exploits have cropped up in the past few years, the best-known of which was the Thunderstrike attack on Macs in late 2014.

Because EFI lies at the very lowest level, regular system-protection software, such as antivirus software, often can't detect alterations to EFI. A hacked EFI would grant access to potentially all of a higher-level operating system's processes and let the hacker do anything on the machine.

Most users don't patch UEFI/EFI, leaving many systems open to known EFI attacks. Duo Security researchers Rich Smith and Pepijn Bruienne analyzed more than 73.000 Macs, presumably mostly in enterprise environments, and found that 4.2 percent were running EFI builds that were either outdated or made for other models.

(It's not that Macs are more susceptible to UEFI/EFI attacks. The Duo team chose to study Macs because, with a small number of variant hardware models, operating systems and EFI builds, the Mac data set was more manageable than the nearly infinite possible combinations of motherboards, manufacturers, architectures and UEFI builds you'd get with regular PCs.)

One Apple model, the late-2015 21-inch iMac, had a 43 percent incorrect-EFI rate, the Duo researchers found. Sixteen Mac models, mostly built before 2010, had never received EFI updates.

Anyone using those older models in business or high-risk environments, who face attack from highly motivated or sophisticated attacks, should junk those models and get newer Macs, the Duo researchers said.

However, regular home users needn't worry; EFI attacks take a lot of work to pull off, and most casual online criminals presumably won't bother.

Smith and Bruienne were scheduled to present their research at the Ekoparty hacking conference in Buenos Aires today. They've posted a 63-page research paper on the Duo website.

What Mac users can do

Alas, a tool the Duo duo created to let you check whether your Mac is running incorrect EFI was taken down earlier today after a bug was discovered. The tool should be available at this Github link sometime over the weekend.

You can also check the firmware-update page on Apple's website (opens in new tab), which shows you how to check your EFI model and provides manual updates and instructions for any Macs with out-of-date firmware.

Because Apple has been bundling EFI updates with OS X/macOS updates since OS X 10.11 El Capitan was released in late 2015, your best bet might be to update your Mac to the newest operating system that will run on your Mac.

"Even though OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) and 10.10 (Yosemite) still receive security updates from Apple," the Duo blog post said, "the EFI firmware updates they receive appear to be lagging behind or are absent entirely."

MORE: MacOS High Sierra Already Hacked: Here's What to Do

However, certain Macs are more vulnerable than others. As indicated above, the late-2015 21-inch iMac (iMac model 16,2 in Apple-speak) had a huge incorrect-EFI rate that the Duo team couldn't explain. (It could be that IT staffers just hadn't implemented OS updates.)

All of the late-2016 MacBook Pro line had incorrect rates of between 25 and 35 percent. Fortunately, all of those can be updated to the latest macOS, 10.13 High Sierra.

As for the 16 models that had never received an EFI update, that might be because none of the models in the sample set had been upgraded to El Capitan.

Whatever the reason, those "orphaned" models were:

iMacs (opens in new tab) manufactured through late 2009: iMac7,1; iMac8,1; iMac9,1; iMac10,1

MacBooks (opens in new tab) manufactured through late 2009: MacBook5,1; MacBook5,2

MacbookAirs (opens in new tab) manufactured through late 2009: MacBookAir2,1

MacBookPros (opens in new tab) manufactured through mid-2009: MacBookPro3,1; MacBookPro4,1; MacBookPro5,1; MacBookPro5,2; MacBookPro5,3; MacBookPro5,4

Mac Pros (opens in new tab) manufactured through mid-2012: MacPro3,1; MacPro4,1; MacPro5,1

Some of those models should be able to update to macOS 10.12 Sierra. For the rest, the Duo blog post advises that business users might want to throw out the machines, or at least take them off the company network.

Individuals who might be targets of nation-state attacks, such as political dissidents or journalists in repressive countries, should also avoid these machines. But ordinary home users needn't worry.

"If you're a home user with a Mac that falls into one of the above categories as their personal computing device, then the sky isn't falling for you," Smith and Bruienne write. "Attacks against EFI have so far been part of the toolkit used by sophisticated adversaries who have specific high-value targets in their sights."

"Most everyday home users fall well outside of this attack model," they added. "As far as we are aware, there are not any EFI exploits that are being used as part of commodity exploit kits, malware, or ransomware that has been detected in the wild."

What Windows and Linux users can do

This is not just a Mac problem. It's a problem all personal computers face. Unfortunately, it can be difficult and sometimes risky to update a motherboard's EFI on Windows PCs.

The first thing you'll need to do is find out who made your motherboard. You can simply open up a desktop's case to find this out. For laptops, check the PC maker's website for your model's detailed specifications.

Or you can open up a command-prompt window and type in "wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer,version,serialnumber". Write down the result.

You can find out additional information by typing "dxdiag" into the Start menu or Search field and hitting Enter. That should bring up the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, the first tab of which should display your computer's maker and model (but not motherboard maker and model) and BIOS/UEFI date of creation and version number. Write those down too.

Next, reboot your PC and watch the boot screens. There should be a key command indicated that lets you access the BIOS/UEFi menu  it's often Delete or F12. Press that button and enter the BIOS menu. (If Windows boots normally, try this again or follow our guide on how to access the BIOS menu from Windows 10.)

Check the BIOS version and see if an update option is available  some newer motherboards let you update the UEFI straight from the BIOS menu. If so, run the update, let it finish and then let the computer boot normally.

If that option is not available, then go to the website of the company that made your computer. (If you or someone else built the computer from scratch, go to the website of the company that made the motherboard.) Look for motherboard BIOS updates. You could also just Google your PC's make and model along with "motherboard bios update."

If you find that your PC's BIOS/UEFI is way out of date (as we did), then you should consider updating it. Read the instructions on the website carefully.

Some computer and motherboard makers provide handy downloadable Windows and/or Linux utilities that will do the heavy lifting and install the new UEFI during a reboot. If so, that's great. Run the utilities.

If you've got a older PC, though, you may have to download a file to your hard drive and then copy it to a USB drive. Reboot your PC, access the BIOS menu and see if there's an option to install an update from a USB drive. (If there's an option to back up the older BIOS to the drive before you begin the update process, do so.)

If your BIOS doesn't "see" the USB drive, you may have to create a bootable USB drive or CD. Google around for how to do that. Then copy the BIOS-update file to the USB drive and boot from that.
Today, in Lusaka: Zambias Minister of Finance, Felix Mutati, delivers the 2018 national budget

Yesterday, in Maseru: The first sitting of the Lesotho Coordinating Committee on Trade. The LCCT serves as an advisory body to the Government on trade and trade related policies, and function as a key facilitator for negotiations as well as implementation of trade agreements.

Earlier this week in Dakar: The first meeting of the steering committee and experts of the Continental High Speed Rail Network project. The first session was devoted to presentations on the experiences of Senegal, South Africa and Morocco, the latter two countries considered to be the most advanced in this field, which can inspire other countries on the continent.

Africas changing place in the global criminal economy (pdf, Global Initiative)

In patterns that are both old and new, Africa is becoming more enmeshed in a global web of illicit economic networks. Today, the continent is regularly featured in media reports on worldwide criminal markets and organised crime. Such coverage often focuses on what might be called organised corruption; the so-called migrant crisis enabled by human smuggling from North Africa and the Sahel; or the poaching of animal species, such as rhinos and elephants in Southern Africa; the growth of different types of financial fraud; or the illegal trade in commodities or drugs across the continent. Indeed, one of the marked features of Africas criminal economy is its diversity.

How do we analyse the recent growth of these illicit markets and the organised-crime networks associated with them in Africa? And how do we understand and measure their impact on indicators such as governance, economic development, poverty reduction, human security and quality of life? What impact do they have on Africas long-standing (and increasing) conflicts and on violence? And how can we do so in a way that is useful across the plethora of criminal challenges Africa now faces? [The author: Mark Shaw]

President Museveni, EU boss Jean-Claude Juncker discuss EPA (State House, Uganda)

President Yoweri Museveni has met the EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and presented a raft of concerns raised by EAC member states on the Economic Partnership Agreements. Leading a delegation of EAC trade ministers to the meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, President Museveni, who is also Chairperson of the EAC, noted that the bloc sought several clarifications before making a final decision on the EPA. On the team was Ugandas trade minister Amelia Kyambadde and her colleagues Adan Mohamad (Kenya), Prof Palamagamba Kabudi (Tanzania) and Alain Nyamitwe, the Burundian Minister for External Relations. Rwanda and South Sudan sent high-level government bureaucrats. Key among the concerns is the question of strategic industrial development, the denunciation process, development agenda, the rendezvous, joint declaration and domestic support.

UNCTAD toolbox helps governments ensure trade empowers women

The Trade and Gender Toolbox is the first attempt to provide a systematic framework to evaluate the impact of trade reforms on women and gender inequalities prior to implementation of those reforms. The methodology is applied to a specific trade agreement  the EPA between the EU and the EAC (pdf)  and is used to assess the likely impact of the EPA on the well-being and gender equality of women in Kenya, an EAC partner state, mainly through employment. The same methodology can be used to assess the gender impacts of any other trade agreement or trade reform in any other country. The toolbox methodology is used to estimate the impact of implementation of the EPA (and particularly the tariff reduction on European Union exports to Kenya) on Kenyas GDP and exports; on the countrys labour demand by sector; and on the Kenyan female labour force. The methodology is based on a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model. Specifically, it makes use of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) based on a static, multi-country, multi-sector CGE model.

According to the calculations, the impact of implementation of the EPA (as compared to the GSP scenario) is positive on Kenyan GDP, exports, and household income, but to a very small extent (0.02 per cent or less). Overall, the results of the estimation indicate a net welfare benefit, implying that the benefits for consumers (lower prices of imported goods) and producers (increased export opportunities) altogether outweigh the losses faced by import-competing producers, reduced employment, and diminished tariff revenues. Conversely, the results show an overall negative effect of the EPA, compared to the GSP scenario, on the employment of both skilled and unskilled labour. There are no significant differences between the expected variation in demand for skilled and unskilled labour across most sectors. However, in all sectors the expected impact on labour demand is small in magnitude, as the estimated variation is generally less than 1%. The most negatively affected labour force is in that of the chemical sector, where demand for skilled and unskilled labour is expected to decrease by 1.14 per cent and 0.54 per cent, respectively. Notable exceptions to the overall negative impact of the EPA on labour demand arise in the other crops, leather, and heavy manufacturing sectors, where demand for both skilled and unskilled labour is expected to increase.

A selection of Zimbabwe trade, business updates:

(i) Zim-SA trade deficit shrinks by 32% (NewsDay). The trade deficit between Zimbabwe and South Africa narrowed by 32% to $98 million in the first eight months of the year, after exports increased by 15%, latest trade data from the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency shows. Data gathered from ZimStat shows that Zimbabwe exported goods worth $1,4 billion to South Africa between January and August against imports of $1,5bn, giving a trade deficit of $98m. During the same period last year, the trade deficit between the two countries was $145m, with imports at $1,3bn against exports of $1,2bn.

(ii) Cross-border truck drivers threaten to shun Zim routes (NewsDay). Zimbabwe is likely to lose millions of dollars in potential revenue as cross-border truck drivers, particularly those in transit to other regional countries, have threatened to shun local routes in protest over the recently-introduced electronic cargo tracking system, which they say is too slow and costly. The drivers met on the South African side of the Beitbridge Border Post on Wednesday, where they resolved to shun Zimbabwean routes and use the longer, but stress-free Botswana route unless the government reviews the new law. At least 10 000 foreign-registered trucks pass through Zimbabwe en-route to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and parts of Mozambique.

(iii) New law against cash vending (The Herald). In an Extraordinary Gazette published yesterday, President Mugabe issued Statutory Instrument 122A of 2017  Exchange Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (No 5)  to deal with the widespread cash vending on the streets. This comes after Governments realisation that cash vending had become a catalytic agent to the price madness obtaining in the country. President Mugabe amended the Exchange Control Regulations of 1996, published in Statutory Instrument 109 of 1996, in particular section 2 of the principal regulations.

(iv) Reforms needed to ensure recovery (Zimbabwe Independent). Despite President Robert Mugabes meeting with the business sector at State House last week, the first time such an engagement has been held in a decade, doubts remain over the veteran leaders commitment to reforms demanded by business leaders. In a 17-page document, prepared at the meeting, captains of industry implored the government to embrace far-reaching reforms, among them improving the investment climate, fiscal sustainability and financial sector stability, state enterprise restructuring and stamping out corruption in both the public and private sectors. [Adopting the rand was a better economic option]

COMESA queries AkzoNobel on local firm purchase plans (Daily Monitor)

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Competition Commission has written to AkzoNobel Coatings asking them to respond to a notification of Sales, Manufacturing and Distribution Agreements with local paint manufacturers in Uganda. The Competition Commission faults the Dutch manufacturer for allegedly failing to notify it about their planned acquisition of a local paints manufacturer in the region. The 19 September letter, by Mr George K Lipimile, the director and chief executive officer Competition Commission, asked AkzoNobel to respond their position on the matter not later than Monday September25, 2017. [EAC urged to embrace arbitration in commercial dispute resolution]

Uganda: National Household Survey 2016/17 shows 3,4m more slip into poverty (Daily Monitor)

More Ugandans are slipping into poverty with the number of poor people increasing from 6.6 million in 2012/13 to 10 million in 2016/17, according to the Uganda National Household Survey 2016/17 report released yesterday by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. The above development translates into income poverty levels rising from 19.7% to 27%. At the sub-regional level, the survey cites the worst hit regions as Karamoja, with 61% of the people categorised as income poor, followed by Bukedi with 48% and Busoga with 42%. [Download: National Household Survey 2016/17]

Angolan Atlantic Ventures to construct Barro do Dande port

The Angolan Ministry of Finance is set to issue a $1.5bn sovereign guarantee to ensure the financing of the construction of the Barro do Dande port, located on the countrys northwest coast. The guarantee was published in Angolas official gazette under a presidential decree, and will grant the contract for the ports construction to a partnership of Atlantic Ventures and the management company of the port of Luanda.

Advancing Mozambiques green-blue economy agenda: EOI from AfDB

Under the national green-blue economy agenda and directly supporting the roll-out of the national Natural Capital Program - co-led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance with the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development - the scope of work includes two interlinked complementary objectives: (i) Update, expand, strengthen and finalize the components of the national Natural Capital Programs current draft Implementation Framework in consultation with all national stakeholders: (a) enabling environment policy reforms, (b) private sector interventions and (c) built infrastructure regional master plans alignment with resilient ecological infrastructure at national and provincial level; (ii) Design and develop Provincial Action Plans in consultation with all provincial actors in the Northern provinces of Niassa and Cabo Delgado to support the mobilization of funding and execution of the Natural Capital Program Implementation Framework.

WTO Public Forum: Role of trade key in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs put significant emphasis on the role that trade can play in promoting sustainable development. There are direct references to WTO activities in many of the SDGs, ranging from ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture to conserving marine resources and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Agricultures role in meeting the SDGs was the centre of discussion at a Public Forum session on 27 September organized by the Geneva Office of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group, the FAO and UNIDO. Speakers noted that several of the SDGs directly relate to agriculture and that modernizing agricultural production will be key to achieving this. WTO members have already agreed to eliminate export subsidies for agriculture, one of the SDG targets, at their 2015 Nairobi Ministerial Conference.

Todays Quick Links:

Global Economic Governance Africa programme papers: (i) Informing the approach of multilateral development banks to use of country systems; (ii) The New Development Bank as an advocate of country systems

Witney Schneidman, Moyombuya Ngubula: Post-AGOA - moving to a reciprocal US-Africa trade arrangement

ATAF Abuja conference updates: (i) Logan Wort: Building a prosperous future Africa from a solid base; (ii) FG calls for robust, effective tax regimes in Africa

Kenya tourist arrivals in 2017 to drop over political uncertainty

Tanzania: Over 50 multinationals bid for construction of Stieglers Gorge hydropower dam

Namibia: Metal fabrication takes centre stage
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Hi All

We just got back this past weekend from our 9 night Costa Rica vacation. I've relied so heavily on this forum over the last few months, that I wanted to give back by sharing our experience and some of the things we learned. This first part covers Heredia and La Fortuna

Our first stop was Toucan Rescue Ranch in Heredia. It was about 45 mins from the airport, so seemed like a good place to spend our first night. We stayed here primarily because of the breakfast with baby sloths, but I have to say, it wasnt as great as I was expecting, based on all the amazing reviews. I knew full well the the rental was not going to be something I was thrilled with but given the cost of the breakfast alone, staying made the most sense financially. The accommodations were okay, but I like things clean to the point of sterility, so it just wasnt really for me. But like I said, I knew that would be the case going in, so I dont fault them for that. What really disappointed me was the breakfast and subsequent tour. Our tour guide was nice, but his English left a lot to be desired, and I dont know how to explain the interaction with him other than to say it was just awkward. He kept making jokes that werent really funny and were kind of strange. Id blame it on cultural differences, but this wasnt an experience we had anywhere else. There was another couple on the tour, and I think they felt awkward also. The tour was just kind of boring and went on too long for the size of the ranch. The most disappointing part though was that there were volunteers all over the ranch taking care of the animals who spoke perfect English and seemed to have a lot more personal knowledge about the animals, who I believe could have given excellent tours.

Regarding the breakfast, it just really wasnt the up close and personal experience I was expecting. In fact, we actually got to get closer to sloths later in the tour. Overall, Im glad we made a stop at Toucan Rescue ranch, as it ended up being our only opportunity to see a lot of the animals up close (sloths especially, which are really hard to actually see when up in a tree), but if I had it to do over again, I would have opted for the tour only, not the breakfast and overnight.

After leaving Heredia, we were on our way to La Fortuna, to stay at the Royal Corin hotel. It was gorgeous and we loved the lavishness of it, at such a reasonable price point. They actually messed up our reservation slightly, so halfway through our stay, they upgraded us to a Master suite, the nicest room they had. We thoroughly enjoyed the hot springs and while there, also had a couples massage at the onsite spa, which was amazing.

Our first activity in La Fortuna was the La Fortuna waterfall. We got all geared up in our hiking gear and headed over, and I can tell you, once we arrived, we felt pretty silly! Hiking gear was definitely not needed. We were expecting wilderness but in fact, the walk down is mostly paved paths and hand rails. Most of the facility (not counting the amazing waterfall at the end) actually reminded me of something you would find at an American zoo. I did find some of the steps to be pretty terrifying though, as youre up pretty high and its very clear on some sets that there is nothing below you.

The waterfall itself was magnificent and awe inspiring. I had read on this forum that it is very cold to swim in, but for this mid-atlantic beach goer, I found the water temp to be very tolerable. It didnt make my legs tingle and go numb the way the atlantic ocean in Maryland has a way of doing!

Our next activity was the coffee and chocolate tour from Don Juan. It was nice to be able to combine both tours into one, as I love chocolate, but my husband is not the biggest fan, but loves coffee a lot. We found the tour fun and interesting (and yummy!). My favorite part was when they give you all the ingredients and you get to mix up a batch of chocolate which you can take with you. Although the weather was absolutely perfect when we went, this would be a great rainy day activity, as the entire tour is under covered walkways.

Next activity was the Safari float by Raft with Canoa Adventures. This was probably our favorite activity in La Fortuna. We rode down the river on an inflatable boat which we helped paddle. It was a pretty peaceful ride and we got to see a lot of different birds and some animals. Saw a lot of crocodiles too.

Per the suggestions from this forum, we went to Arenal Observatory Lodge to take advantage of their trails. This also had that zoo feel and not like a real wilderness experience. Most of the paths were paved or maintained in some way, which I guess makes sense for liabilities sake, but didnt exactly make it feel very authentic. Were used to just going out into the woods where we live and taking some dirt trail or even making our own, so walking on manicured paths was a bit disappointing. Definitely realize though that its not safe to just go off on our own into the wilderness of Costa Rica, so it may just be a compromise that needs to be made to stay safe. It was really hot and humid though that day and we werent seeing any animals, so we ended up leaving after not too long.

Our final activity in La Fortuna was a night tour at Ecocentro Danaus. We saw a lot of frogs and butterflies on this tour, but not a whole lot else. Something about walking through the jungle at night was really appealing in theory, but in actuality, it just wasnt what we were expecting. Maybe thats because we werent in the actual jungle but at a small nature preserve instead.

One thing we did while in the area, that wasnt an activity per se, but that we really enjoyed was going into La fortuna to hit some of the shops in the evening and grab dinner. From all of the warnings on the forum, I had been a bit afraid to be in the town after dark, but it ended up being a great experience that allowed us to get a little more immersed in the culture.
We are planning on taking a trip to Costa Rica for the first time. We had originally planned on staying around playa Hermosa Puntarenas because it seemed quiet and relaxing. However, we do not surf and the beach doesn't seem to be safe for swimming and body boarding especially with kids. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good place to visit that is quiet, not too far from SJO (preferably, less than 4 hours), has some waves. We don't like built up areas, and like to explore at our own pace.

Thanks!
Lots of ppl in S. Caribbean of CR speak English.

We do not really know Spanish, and we travelled to CR, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, etc a few times to each of the above,we managed fine. There are ppl who take advantage of tourists, for sure, -e.g., quoting higher than regular prices for stuff, etc., but this is not really what I would call anonimousity toward English speaking ppl.

I think we had TV once in 2 wks in our recent trip, if that...it is not important to us. I think I read an old post on this forum about a certain button to press on a remote the channels from Spanish to English, but we never tried. We certainly do not stay in fancy places, and even in basic sodas or when asking for help on the street, we found ppl ok, not particularly lovely, but reasonably helpful, and different, like evewhere else. They were sometimes using a combination of languages and gestures to give us directions or whatever. We found cashiers and owners of tiny small town stores kind of rude, but we did not worry about it too much, brushed it off as cultural difference, different idea of service...And why would you expect someone to be happy simply because you arrived to where they live? For a regular person, who is going about their normal life - work, shopping, chores, etc, a visitor is just some stupid tourist, so I think if you look at it from the others' point of you, it might change your perspective.
The 1st 2 weeks is problematic if you're trying to avoid crowds and overly touristy areas. I would suggest that you consider renting a car for the 1st 2 weeks so you can get farther off the beaten path. You might want to start with the Orosi or Turrialba valleys which are SE of San Jose for a few nights. Lots to see in this area and iff the beaten path. Might want to check out the Hotel Quelitales with some of the best food we've had in Costa Rica and it's own waterfall onsite.

Then I'd drive through Turrialba and Siquerres to La Pavona, the put in for boat trrips to Tortuguero. After 2-3 nights continue on to the Caribbean coast, although if you have a car you could just stay put in 1 location for 4-5 nights and drive between Cahuita and beaches south of Pueto Viejo. You can easily enjoy these areas without a car as well. See http://www.cahuitainfo.com and http://www.puertoviejosatellite.com for info on lodging options. Since you'll be there at such a busy time it makes more sense for you to explore what's available than for us to start naming favorites that are unlikely to have space at this late date.

At this point you should be past the busiest week and could head to Arenal and then Monteverde. If you want somehting a little differnt in the Arenal area check out Finca Luna Nueva or the treehouses roughly a 1/2 hour outside La Fortuna. If you want a honeymoon splurge at this point pick out 1 of the hotls with onsite hotsprings.

Now on to Pacific beaches but I would drop Samara and Manuel Antonio and instead stay in Montezuma or Santa Teresa. You can easily daytrip from one to the other and there are multiple beaches in this area to explore. Santa Teresa if you want a surfing beach. Montezuma if you want to play in the waves. Ylang Ylang is a great honeymoon spot outside town with no road access - you just stroll down the beach. Its expensive but the setting is gorgeous and rates include brakfast & dinner. For a more affordable option check out Amor del Mar, oceanfront but no beach. I would strongly recommen skipping Manuel Antonio on this itinerary as you will see plenty of wildlife on the Caribbean side and the Osa. MA is better for folks that only have a week or 10 days & want wildlife, beach & lots of activities all in 1 location. But as a result it's crowded and very expensive.

Then after beach time on the Nicoya peninsula head back to San Jose and fly to the Osa. It should be the highlight of your trip if you enjoy rainforests & wildlife. Drake Bay has access to 2 ranger stations inside Corcovado National Park as well as snorkeling at Cano Island. If you can figure out an overnight or 2 at Sirena Ranger Station (primitive conditions, private guide needed) you would see tons of wildlife, weather permitting. It would help to know your budget before suggesting options. We've stayed in the Honeymoon Cabin at Las Caletas at the top of the property and loved it but it was rustic. This small inn is outside town, accessible by boat and has a swimmable beach cove as well as great guides.
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- Jubilee Party Vice-Chairman David Murathe has claimed Kenya needs a dictator in the mold of Rwandan President Paul Kagame

- Murathe said a benevolent dictator would make Kenya prosper as its East African neighbours like Rwanda, Uganda and Ethiopia

- Murathe had previously claimed Uhuru will be ruthless, lethal and brutal in dealing with national issues in his second term

Kenya needs a dictatorial leadership and President Uhuru Kenyatta fits well to be one, Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe has said.

While appearing on live KTN News television debate on Friday, September 29, Murathe said that Kenya should be in league of Rwanda and Uganda.

His argument was that the Presidency had become so soft breeding avenues for criticism from everybody.

President Uhuru Kenyatta inspecting a guard of honour at Parliament buildings. Photo: PSCU

READ ALSO: Richest man in Kenya

To him, Rwanda under President Paul Kagame and Uganda under Yoweri Museveni are very stable because of a dictatorial leadership.

At the moment, Uganda politicians allied to Museveni are pushing for laws that strike out age limit for a president.

In Rwanda, Kagame was reelected recently for a third term after the Constitution was amended to allow him to run for president again.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame. Photo: CNN

What this country needs now is a benevolent dictator. People have been too soft so that things have gone rogue. That's why you find places like Rwanda are very stable, Uganda is too stable," he said.

Watch related video:

Just three months ago, Murathe had opened the lid on what kind of leadership Kenyatta would offer in his second and final term.

"I am very sorry for people if Uhuru gets re-elected. Because his agenda will be his legacy issues which will be anchored on law, order, discipline and the fight against corruption," Murathe said then.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni. Photo: BBC

Murathe told Kenyans that Kenyatta would not allow anyone to cross his path as he builds a legacy to be remembered of.

On Monday, the security detail of Opposition leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka were scaled down.

Interior Cabinet Secretary said it was of no use for them to have so many security officers yet Odinga and Kalonzo are only addressing press conferences in Nairobi.

Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe. Photo: Star

Kenyatta has also led his Jubilee Party politicians and supporters in vilifying judges of the Supreme Court who nullified his victory for a second term.

Jubilee is also seeking to change laws to make sure Kenyatta defeats Odinga in repeat presidential election set for October 26.

From drug trafficker to a mentor

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.
Russian FSB employees have detained in Crimea a Russian serviceman, Dmitry Dolgopolov, who previously served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and in 2014, after the occupation of Crimea, he crossed over to serve in the Russian army.

The spokesperson of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Vladyslav Selezniov, wrote this on his Facebook page on Friday.

"There's one more example of the sad prospects of Ukraine's traitors - Dima Dolgopolov. He served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces (a major, deputy head of the unit on work with personnel in the artillery division of the 406th detached coastal artillery group in Simferopol). In 2014, he betrayed his oath and started to serve for the occupiers, because they paid more money. Now he has been detained by the FSB. I doubt that Dima worked undercover in Crimea, because he is a specialist in 'immersion' in other spheres," he wrote.

According to him, Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, under which Dolgopolov was charged, envisages imprisonment for up to 20 years.

As reported, two Russian citizens, Anna Sukhonosova and Dmitry Dolgopolov, were detained in Russian-occupied Simferopol. They are charged with allegedly providing the Ukrainian special services with information on the activities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Such reports were made by the Russian media on September 29, with reference to the Russian Federal Security Service.

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Militants launched 16 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ATO area in Donbas over the past day. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

In Donetsk direction, illegal armed formations used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms to fire at Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk). The same weapons were used to launch attacks on Butovka coal mine (11.4km north-west of Donetsk).

The tensest situation was observed in Mariupol direction, where Ukrainian strongholds outside Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk) and Pavlopol (30 km northeast of Mariupol) came under enemy fire. Russian-backed militants also fired at ATO troops near Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk), using 82mm mortars. At about 20:00, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded as a result of fire confrontation with the use of anti-tank grenade launchers and heavy machine guns.

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Fire at ammunition depots in Ukrainian town of Kalynivka will in no way affect the decision of the United States to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons.

United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker said this in a commentary to the Voice of America.

"We are not aware about all the circumstances. Plenty of people are interested in explosions, but there is also a possibility of an accident. I think that the US will make decision on provision of weapons based on US goals in this matter," he said.

As reported, a fire broke out at the ammunition depots in Kalynivka, Vinnytsia region, on September 26, which subsequently led to artillery shells exploding. About 30,000 people were evacuated from the zone of possible danger.

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Development of the industry of Ukraine, in particular the machine-building industry, will help ensure the economic growth by not less than 5%.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said this while opening the All-Ukrainian Conference "Strategic Directions of the Development of Mechanical Engineering in Ukraine: from Regional Initiatives to National Industrial Policy" in Kharkiv, the Government portal reports.

"We are talking about a constant growth of the economy, and it requires the development of our own machine building, the introduction of innovations, and we must create additional opportunities to get the development of high quality," Groysman said.

He has stressed that now Ukraine has a unique chance to enter the world market with its product.

"The export of Ukraine is growing, the share of exports to the EU is growing, we are constantly working to expand the sales markets, and it is very important that our machine building complex becomes one of the leaders. And here we observe positive trends," the prime minister assured.

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American companies and investment funds take a lively interest in privatization of Ukraines state-owned enterprises in virtually all sectors of the economy. However, it is necessary to provide transparent and competitive conditions for the Americans to participate.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch said this in an interview with NV Ukrainian news site.

"There is much interest in Ukrainian privatization [on part of American companies and investment funds]. The main thing is that it should be open, transparent and competitive. Americans will be interested in participating in the auctions under these conditions," Yovanovitch said.

According to the ambassador, American companies are interested in almost all sectors of the economy, paying special attention to the Ukrainian agriculture and energy sectors.

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UN peacekeepers should have access to the entire problem area in Donbas, including Ukraine-Russia border.

Former US ambassador to the Russian Federation John Tefft said this in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper.

"We are convinced that the mandate of such a mission should be based on respect for the sovereignty of Ukraine and contribute to the goal of restoring its territorial integrity. UN peacekeeping forces should be given a broad mandate that would enable them to work on the entire territory affected by the conflict, including the possibility of international control over the Ukrainian side of Ukraine-Russia border," he said.

Tefft assured that the US would discuss this issue with the authorities of Ukraine and other countries, including Russia.

"Kurt Volker will meet with Vladislav Surkov in early October. We consider it important to try to reach understanding on the issue of the mandate of a possible peacekeeping mission. However, those criteria, which I mentioned, are very important and they will be crucial in making a decision, as we proceed from the premise that any such operation should first of all promote the implementation of Minsk agreements," he stressed.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has described the Babyn Yar massacre as a common tragedy for the Ukrainian and Jewish peoples and the deepest wound of the Holocaust.

"Babyn Yar is one of the deepest wounds caused by the Holocaust. This is our common tragedy, first and foremost, of the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples. The eternal memory to those innocently killed," the head of state wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.

The first massacre of the unarmed civilian population was conducted by military in the Nazi-occupied Kyiv on September 29-30, 1941. From September 29 to October 11, 1941, the SS forces killed almost all Jews residing in the city - over 50,000 men, women, and children. Almost 34,000 people were killed in the first two days. On October 1, 2, 8 and 11, they shot dead those who did not appear on orders - about 17,000 people.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his wife, Maryna Poroshenko, have honored the victims of the Babyn Yar massacre.

"I commemorated the Babyn Yar victims," the head of state wrote on Twitter on Friday.

At the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve the president and his wife laid flowers at the monument to Soviet citizens and prisoners of war soldiers and officers of the Soviet Army who were shot by the Nazis.

The flower-laying ceremony for the Babyn Yar victims was also attended by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko, government officials, people's deputies, and representatives of the clergy.

September 29 is the day of remembrance of the Babyn Yar victims - one of the most terrible symbols of the Holocaust.

The first massacre of the unarmed civilian population was conducted by military in the Nazi-occupied Kyiv on September 29-30, 1941. From September 29 to October 11, 1941, the SS forces killed almost all Jews residing in the city - over 50,000 men, women, and children. Almost 34,000 people were killed in the first two days. On October 1, 2, 8 and 11, they shot dead those who did not appear on orders - about 17,000 people.

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Brazil and Ukrainian city of Dnipro are launching a joint program to attract members of the Ukrainian diaspora in the South American country to visit Dnipropetrovsk and Ukraine as a whole.

This was reported by the press service of the Dnipro City Council.

"The number of ethnic Ukrainians in the Federal Republic of Brazil is quite substantial. They managed to preserve their culture and traditions, observe Ukrainian customs and all hang together. Therefore, I'm sure they should be interested in a special tourism program that includes a visit to the city of Dnipro, its region and Ukraine as a whole, their ethnic and historical homeland," Honorary Consul of Brazil to Dnipro Mr. Oleg Vasylenko.

Arrangements for a joint tourism program were reached at the Ukrainian-Brazilian Center during his meeting with the head of the tourism direction of the Dnipro Development Agency, Anna Koleda, and their partners, the University of Customs and Finance of Dnipro and a group of representatives of travel companies.

ish
Cambodias foreign ministry is not concerned by visa restrictions imposed on senior officials by the Trump administration, an official has said.

But economic sanctions, including any moves by Washington that could restrict garment imports from Cambodia, were worrying, said Ouch Borith, who is acting foreign minister while Prak Sokhon is in the United States for the 72nd U.N. General Assembly Session.

Giving a speech to high-ranking officials on Wednesday, Borith spoke of the rising tensions between Washington and Phnom Penh following the arrest of opposition leader Kem Sokha and the closure of U.S.-linked media outlets and a democracy promotion NGO.

Its fine to not allow officials to go to the U.S., he said. The only concern is the imposition of economic sanctions on Cambodia. The sanctions will definitely affect the export quotas to the U.S. We are only concerned about sanctions, not visa restrictions.

The government is finding new markets to replace the U.S. and E.U. in the event that the U.S. Government led by Mr. Donald Trump imposes economic sanctions on Cambodia, he said.

On September 13, Washington announced it was suspending visas for senior foreign ministry officials and their families in what was thought to be a response to Cambodia saying it would not accept deportees.

In response to the sanction, Cambodia said it would suspend a long-running program to recover the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in Americas war in Indochina.

Cambodia has stepped up anti-U.S. rhetoric following the arrest of Sokha, with experts warning that tensions will get worse before they get better.

Meas Ny, a social and political analyst, said that Cambodia would be unlikely to find replacement markets for its exports in the event of sanctions.

The Cambodian government should reconsider its foreign relationships, he said.

Cambodias garment industry is a key industry, employing more than 700,000 people and bringing in billions of dollars each year, with the largest foreign markets being the United States and the European Union, which gives Cambodia preferential trade tariffs.
An American woman and her Syrian family are suing the Trump administration for denying them visas to come to the U.S. after their applications were approved.

The Washington-based group Muslim Advocates and a Washington law firm are representing the family, whose names have not been made public.

The group is blaming President Donald Trump's travel ban against several Muslim-majority countries, including Syria.

"This family's life has been severely disrupted because of the chaotic and discriminatory Muslim ban," Muslim Advocates legal director Johnathan Smith said.

The American woman, who is a U.S. citizen, petitioned the government to bring her sister and her sister's husband and four children from Syria to the United States in 2004.

According to Muslim Advocates, the family's visas were finally approved this past February, just before the Trump travel ban took effect. They were told they could travel to Lebanon to collect their visas

The couple quit their jobs and took the children out of school, only to be told that the visa approvals had been canceled.

The family is now stuck in what Muslim Advocates calls administrative limbo.

No U.S. official has explained to the family why the approved visas were rescinded.

The group is not legally challenging the Trump travel ban; it's contesting the way it is being applied to the family.

"They should never have been turned away," Smith said. "They should be working and studying in the United States, not left to suffer in a war-torn country."

The travel ban expires next month, to be replaced by a series of new measures that still restrict immigration from North Korea and six Muslim-majority states  Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
The new U.S. strategy for the war in Afghanistan unveiled last month by President Donald Trump is already showing results insisted senior military officials who met with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in Afghanistan this week.

General John Nicholson, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, told reporters traveling with Mattis that Trumps conditions-based approach to the conflict has improved troop morale, stunted Taliban gains, and stunned insurgents.

Were seeing an effect amongst the Taliban leadership, Nicholson said. For years they thought we were leaving; now with the renewed commitment at Warsaw, (and) with the new U.S. policy, they realize were not leaving, so this has put them in disarray.

Stalemate for now

But speaking on background, U.S. officials were more restrained in their assessment about the 16-year-old battle.

We still put the conflict within the bounds of a stalemate, where neither side has the capability right now to have a decisive victory in the campaign, a U.S. military official acknowledged.

According to the latest U.S. assessment, 64 percent of the Afghan population lives in territory controlled or influenced by the Afghan government, with the rest either contested or under Taliban control.

But U.S. officials are hopeful that will change soon.

The coalition says it has halted Taliban advances, especially in provincial capitals and major population centers. And coalition forces are definitely on track to achieve Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis goal of having 80 percent of the population under government control by 2020, says a U.S. military official.

U.S. officials also point to what they say is the Afghan militarys increased capabilities. Next week the inaugural class of Afghan pilots will begin learning to fly the first of around 160 Black Hawk helicopters the U.S. is giving to Afghanistan as part of a new seven-year effort to modernize the countrys air force.

How to define success?

Afghan officials welcome the new U.S. approach, saying it provides more certainty and wont allow the Taliban to wait out timelines for troop withdrawal.

But the Trump administration hasnt laid out what metrics it will use to define success in Afghanistan. And many of the factors Trump has mentioned  crushing the terrorists or denying safe haven to militants, for example  are not easily measurable, leading some to worry about a perpetual war.

During Mattis visit to Kabul, he suggested coalition forces will regularly evaluate the more than 200 benchmarks that President Ghani has set in conjunction with Washington.

Who initiates the most fights with the enemy? How are we doing on selection of junior officers from NCO ranks? How are we doing on counter-corruption? All of this comes together in an integrated, whole of government, whole of coalition campaign, Mattis said.

And the ongoing evaluation will be transparent, he added. In other words, we will share all of our data, we will review it together and make adaptations as needed.

Two easily quantifiable factors are bombs and troops, and the U.S. is sending more of both to Afghanistan.

The U.S. last month dropped more bombs (503) on Afghanistan than any single month since 2012, according to military figures. Mattis recently announced the U.S. would send another 3,000 U.S. forces to Afghanistan, bringing the total number in the country to around 14,000.

The new U.S. plan also involves pressuring Pakistan to end its support for Afghan militant groups, and envisions India playing a bigger role in helping bring stability and prosperity.

Different enough?

But for all the ways that Trumps Afghanistan strategy allegedly differs from that of former President Barack Obama, many former Obama officials praised the policys continuity.

I was pleasantly surprised, said Shamila Chaudhary, who worked on Afghanistan policy in Obamas White House. I thought it was a very pro-establishment approach they took. They played it very safe.

Speaking on background, a U.S. military official acknowledged that under Trumps new plan the authorities to conduct the campaign are broadly the same as under the previous administration.

But U.S. officials are confident their new strategy is different enough to break the stalemate and will eventually force the Taliban to the negotiating table.

What isnt clear is how long it will take.

Ongoing violence

As Mattis arrived in the Afghan capital, the Taliban provided a grim reminder of the path ahead, sending a flurry of rockets toward the Kabul international airport. Though Mattis had departed the area hours earlier, the insurgents described the attack as an assassination attempt, drawing headlines that dominated news coverage of the secretarys visit.

Insurgents also killed at least 12 Afghan security forces in a suicide attack in Kandahar late Wednesday, hours before Mattis landed in the western city to meet with coalition officials.

Despite the setbacks, Mattis says he is confident of success.

War is principally a matter of will, he said, standing alongside President Ghani and NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg. And weve made clear we have the will to stand together.
At least 30 people were killed Friday when al-Shabab militants stormed an army base, Somali government officials said.

The militants attacked the base in the town of Barire, 47 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, with two suicide car bombs followed by fighters armed with heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and small arms.

Speaking on Somali government radio, General Shegow Ahmed, the commander in charge of the base, said 12 soldiers and at least 18 militants were killed as the sides exchanged fire.

Ahmed said dozens of heavily-armed militants sneaked into Barire by river in wooden boats, then deployed the two car bombs which he said were apparently prepared in the town ahead of the attack.

In a statement aired by Radio Andalus, al-Shabab's mouthpiece in Somalia, the group said its militants overran the base, killed 30 government soldiers and seized 11 vehicles, five of which were "battlewagons" -- pickup trucks with weapons mounted on the back.

General Ahmed denied the claims and said the Somali National Army remains in control of the base.

Another government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the gunbattle lasted about two hours.

Our troops briefly lost the base but we have managed to go back with force," the official said.

Heavy casualties



The deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region, Ali Nuur Mohamed, told VOA's Somali service that both sides sustained heavy casualties, but said he wasn't authorized to give exact numbers.

Fridays attack came hours before the commander of Turkey's armed forces, General Hulusi Akar, arrived in Mogadishu.

The Turkish army will open its largest foreign military base in Mogadishu on Saturday, in a ceremony expected to be attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More than 200 Turkish military personnel will be stationed at the base, training some 1,500 Somali troops at a time.

The training is a part of an international effort to strengthen the Somali National Army to a point where it can take over security responsibilities from African Union troops currently fighting al-Shabab. The African Union has said it wants to begin withdrawing troops from Somalia next year.

Al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab is attempting to overthrow the government and install a strict form of Islamic law throughout Somalia.
Catalonias secessionists, who are trying to organize an independence vote from Spain on Sunday, may be getting aid from Russia as part of the Kremlin's ongoing strategy to destabilize the European Union, according to European Union analysts.

Spains central government has deployed thousands of police to contain expected disorder. They have threatened local officials who support the referendum with stiff fines and jail. Spains constitutional court has declared the pending vote illegal.

Despite what some see as a heavy-handed response by Madrid, the United States and most EU governments have backed Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in his efforts to keep Spain united.

Russian state media have disseminated reports consistently favorable to Catalan independence in a move some analysts consider to be Moscows latest attempt to interfere in Western electoral processes.

The Kremlin has taken no public position on the referendum, calling it an internal" matter for Spain.

Russias use of hacked information and dissemination of fake news, however, has been detected in recent Western electoral events, including the 2016 U.S. elections, Britain's decision to leave the EU, or Brexit, and the just-concluded German elections.

It's not that Russia necessarily wants the independence of Catalonia. What its principally seeking is to foment divisions to gradually undermine Europes democracy and institutions, said Brett Schaffer, an analyst of the Alliance to Safeguard Democracy, a project supported by the German Marshall Fund, which monitors pro-Kremlin information networks.

The Russian social media outlet Voice of Europe (@V_of_Europe) has run such headlines as The EU refuses to intervene in Catalonia even as Spain violates basic human rights, calling Catalonias referendum a time bomb that threatens to destroy the EU.

The internationally broadcast Russian Television, or RT, alleged on September 20 that a state of siege has been imposed on Catalonia and dubbed cruise liners chartered to house additional police agents being deployed to the Catalonia as Ships of Repression.

The Russian digital newspaper Vzglyad borrowed a page from the Western medias treatment of uprisings against Soviet domination in Eastern Europe during the Cold War, with the September 20 headline Spain brutally suppresses the Catalan Spring.

Some editorials and Kremlin-sponsored academics took note of how the U.S. and EU neglected to recognize a Russian-sponsored Crimean referendum approving reunification with Russia and compared that with their current indifference toward the Catalan vote.

Catalan secessionist politician Enric Folch, who is international secretary of the Catalan Solidarity Party for Independence, has said on Russian media that a Catalan state would support Moscow in world forums and recognize the independence of territories of Abkhasia and South Ossetia, which separated from Georgia with Russian support.

Folch was a star participant at a Kremlin-sponsored conference of independence movements in Moscow last year.

David Alendete, an investigative reporter with the newspaper El Pais, said the conference was organized by a Russian lawyer who is defending Russian computer hackers arrested in Spain and is wanted by the FBI in connection with the hacking of Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential election campaign in the U.S.
The U.S. State Department has announced it is pulling all of its non-essential diplomatic personnel out of Cuba in response to "health attacks" on 21 American diplomats in Havana.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson released a statement Friday saying the United States is maintaining diplomatic relations with Cuba, but must put the health and safety of American diplomats first.

"Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel in order to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm," Tillerson said.

Attacks unexplained

The secretary noted the nature of the attacks on U.S. diplomats remains unexplained.

"The affected individualshave exhibited a range of physical symptoms, including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping," Tillerson said in the statement. "Investigators have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks."

President Donald Trump expressed outrage on Friday, while speaking to reporters on the White House South Lawn. "They did some bad things in Cuba," Trump said.

In a conference call Friday, two senior State Department officials said the U.S. is also issuing a warning advising Americans not to travel to Cuba, because some of the attacks on U.S. employees happened at hotels in Havana. Other attacks reportedly occurred at diplomatic residences.

The officials said until Cuba can guarantee the safety of Americans, the State Department has a travel warning in place.

Reporters on the call repeatedly inquired on the cause of the attacks, but the senior officials declined to comment, saying an investigation is ongoing.

Asked if a third country might be behind the attacks, the officials said they could neither confirm nor rule it out.State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters during a briefing Thursday the Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken the lead in the probe.

The decision to pull all non-essential American diplomatic personnel from Cuba comes two years after then-President Barack Obama restored full diplomatic relations with the island nation in 2015.

Obama was the first American president to travel to Havana in more than 50 years. U.S. airlines also resumed commercial flights to Cuba and tourism began to flourish.Earlier this year, President Donald Trump traveled to Little Havana in Miami to announce that he is reversing Obama's opening toCuba.

"I am canceling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba," Trump said in June. "It's hard to think of a policy that makes less sense than the prior administration's terrible and misguided deal with the Castro regime."

US Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury Department has not yet reinstated sanctions against Cuba. Not not much actually changed in U.S.-Cuban relations, until Friday's announcement of the travel warning and reduction of U.S. embassy staff.

Cuba says the decision is "hasty" and will affect bilateral ties.

Cuba had mounted a last-minutediplomatic push to try to avert any punitive action, saying Havana has no idea who is behind the attacks and offering to cooperate with the U.S. to investigate them.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez,requested and held an urgent meeting with Secretary Tillerson at the State Department on Tuesday to try to avoid any U.S. actions.

Experts are puzzled as to what sort ofdevice could have caused such an array of health symptoms without detection.Initial reports speculated about "sonic attacks" because some of the affected diplomats reported hearing loud noises.

The U.S. has thus far not blamed Cuba for carrying out the attacks, and has not announced any new expulsions of Cuban diplomats from the United States.

U.S. Republican Senator Marco Rubio said on Twitter that the U.S. decision was "shameful." He said it allows Cuba to keep as many of its diplomats in the United States as it wants.
Calls are mounting for Myanmar to resume access for aid groups in northern Rakhine state, more than a month after attacks by Rohingya Muslim insurgents prompted an army operation that sent nearly 500,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh.

While most Muslims living in northern Rakhine have fled across the border, an unknown number remain at home and under increasingly isolated conditions, with little access to regular food and health supplies as the lean part of the harvest season approaches.

"The situation in northern Rakhine state is really a humanitarian catastrophe in the making," said Pierre Peron, spokesman in Myanmar for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA.

United Nations staff and international nongovernmental organizations have had to relocate many of their staff members to other parts of the state and longstanding operations, such as malnutrition assistance and medical services, were dramatically scaled back.



"Since the violence broke out a month ago, all these life-saving important humanitarian activities have been suspended," Peron said. "So we really are calling at the moment for humanitarian access, unfettered access to these areas in order to meet the needs of what were communities that were already very much in need of humanitarian assistance and who are likely to be in even more dire need of life-saving aid."

Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said as part of a joint statement with other relief agencies on Thursday that "it is chilling to imagine the situation of those who might be left behind, unable to flee."

Egeland urged Myanmar's authorities to allow NGOs "full, free and unimpeded access to reach everyone in need everywhere in Rakhine."

Bias toward Rohingya



Aid is a sensitive issue in the western state.

Rakhine Buddhists believe international agencies are biased toward the Rohingya, and the government inflamed these tensions at the beginning of the conflict by publishing photos of World Food Program biscuits that were found in a raid on an insurgent training camp. Aid groups strenuously denied allegations they were somehow supporting the fighters.

Meanwhile, a Rohingya man named Hussein called VOA Burmese in Washington this morning. He said he is from Mi-chaung-zay village north of Maungdaw in northern Rakhine state. He said he was calling from a hideout near his village, and wanted to be anonymous as he is afraid of retaliation.

"I am from Mi-chaung-zay village. Buddhist Rakhines came to raid our village and looted our belongings, including cows. Even though we have informed concerned authorities, they did not take any action. We don't have food supplies anymore and no security for our safety. I would like to you to know that we have no food and [it is] not safe to live here. There were about 50 Buddhist Rakhines with catapults and knives who came to loot our village lately."

Attacks on aid workers

In a joint statement released by the Norwegian Refugee Council and signed by 19 humanitarian agencies, the organization pointed to increased pressure on local aid workers from members of their own communities.

"Threats, allegations, misinformation and public accusations against humanitarian staff have led to genuine fears amongst humanitarian workers, in particular national staff, and have contributed to an environment where targeted attacks on humanitarian staff have taken place," it said.

A local mob in the state capital Sittwe last week attacked a delivery of supplies with stones and Molotov cocktails, according to reports. No one was hurt, but the government arrested and charged nine people.

In its September 22 bulletin, OCHA pointed to parts of Rakhine state where Buddhist landlords and contractors were under pressure not to rent property to or work with aid groups.

Normal deliveries also slowed to other Rohingya camps in the central part of the state in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

The Myanmar government has tasked the Red Cross Movement with delivering aid in northern Rakhine, but groups fear the task is too large for one organization. The Norwegian Refugee Council's joint statement said agencies were "very concerned that this will not be sufficient to meet the enormous humanitarian needs across this region."

Cecilia Goin, a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yangon, said it's true that it cannot completely fill the vacuum left by the U.N. and other humanitarian organizations. But it is scaling up its response.

"It's very intense, the needs are huge, and we are trying to provide assistance to as many people as possible," she said.

The violence in northern Rakhine has also displaced tens of thousands of Buddhists into other parts of the state, while other ethnic minorities have been swept up in the fighting.

Earlier this week, the government said it found a mass grave of dozens of Hindus killed by ARSA fighters at the beginning of the conflict. Though relatives have corroborated some of the allegations, ARSA rejected them, saying it doesn't attack civilians.
In Turkeys largest city, Istanbul, cameras are being installed inside taxis in a move city authorities claim will provide security for both drivers and passengers. But with the ongoing crackdown over last years failed coup locking up more than 60,000 people and purging nearly 200,000 from their jobs, fears are growing that the measure is the latest effort to extend surveillance and control over the people.

An advertisement touts the benefits of Istanbuls Itaxi. New taxis will be fitted with GPS tracking to allow drivers to find the quickest and cheapest route, as well as equipment to pay by credit card - all measures, the advert assures, aimed at enhancing passengers' experiences.

The new taxis were announced to great fanfare. But the installation of a large digital camera in each vehicle, which authorities say will protect both drivers and passengers, is sparking controversy.

When you get in a taxi, the camera is clearly visible. What is unclear is whether it records sound as well as images, and where the images go. A driver VOA spoke to was more than happy with the device, although he admits he does not know who is watching.

" The new system is what is needed. I had an incident on Sunday night. I was attacked by a customer. If this system had been active, I would have been saved right away or the attacker wouldnt have dared to attack," the driver said. "There is a camera system and a panic button now."

Not everyone in Istanbul appears so convinced. Another person VOA talked to questioned the motives behind the initiative.

"Some bad guys are stealing money from the taxi drivers or taxi drivers sometimes do violence against the women in the cabs, things like that, I think," said the person who did not want to be identified. "If they do this for the real criminals then it's not a bad idea. But we have doubts about [whether] our government, or policemen are doing this about the real criminals or not. A witch hunt is happening in Turkey now. So if they are using [this] for things like that, then of course it's not a good idea to have things like that in the cabs."

Failed coup attempt



Nearly every week there are trials for people accused of being involved in last years failed coup. Currently over 60,000 people languish in jail on coup plotting charges. Last year, 4,000 were prosecuted for defaming the president. Under emergency powers introduced following the botched military takeover, sweeping new electronic surveillance has been introduced, according to law professor Yaman Akdeniz of Istanbuls Bilgi University. He has been studying the rise of surveillance culture, and warns concerns over the new taxis may be well-founded.

"Nowadays, something like this looks very suspicious because we have no idea where the data is transferred to or whether they have face recognition technology or voice recognition technology," Akdeniz said. " A lot of people are being investigated and prosecuted for allegedly defaming the president of Turkey. Because increasingly people are under surveillance and people don't know what sort of technology or what sort of things are deployed by the government to monitor the citizens and it will get worse."

There is a growing sense of concern seeping into Turkish society regarding surveillance. With the ongoing government crackdown and continuing prosecutions for insulting the president, any new innovation involving surveillance technology seems destined to be viewed with suspicion.
About 700 pro-independence protesters  mostly youths  are attacking government buildings and police stations at the Cameroonian border town of Ekok, and hoisting what they call the flag of their independent state of Ambazonia.

Elias Tambe, a leader of the separatists, says they no longer recognize Cameroon president Paul Biya as their leader.

"He is nobody and he will never mean anything to the Ambazonians," said Tambe, 27. "This is the border between Southern Cameroon and the Republic of Nigeria at the frontier Ekok. You can see the flags, you can see the flags, this is the border. Now they have closed the border, they don't want us to cross to Nigeria, but we are there. Biya must go."

Members of the group tried to cross over to the Nigeria border state of Enugu to inform authorities there that a new nation has been born, but were blocked by Nigeria immigration police.

The separatists promised to declare their independence on October 1, and have appointed Julius Ayuk Tabe, who is in exile, as their interim leader.

In response, Cameroon has deployed thousands of troops to the English-speaking northwest and southwest regions to stop all demonstrators. However, observers say the separatists may be relocating to smaller localities such as Ekok where the military is not yet present.

French-speaking Cameroonian Debong Ignatius says the presence of the military can exacerbate the crisis.

"Men in uniform and the police circled our neighborhoods, entered the various houses, insisting that people should bring out Ambazonina flags they were hiding," Debong said. "I do not think it is their duty to go harassing people at this precise moment because it can exacerbate the situation."

President Biya has told English-speaking ministers and senior state functionaries working in Yaounde to go home, in an effort to urge the population not to accept separatists' ideas.

Fame Ndongo, communication secretary of the ruling CPDM party, says party officials were dispatched to encourage supporters to rally on Saturday and Sunday as a sign of disapproval and condemnation of violence and anti-constitutional acts perpetrated by secessionist groups.

Schools have been closed in the English-speaking northwest and southwest since November, when lawyers and teachers called for a strike to stop what they believe is the overuse of the French language.

Leaders of the strike were arrested, but pressure groups have been calling for their immediate and unconditional release. Fifty-five of the 75 protesters were released, and charges against them were dropped.

While separatists are calling for complete independence, Biya has said he is not open to any negotiation on the matter and that Cameroon is one and indivisible.
In October, when China's Communist Party holds its once-every-five-years party congress and leadership reshuffle, many will be watching who Xi Jinping picks to fill top political positions.

But while the party congress is a time of high-stakes political drama for the party that single-handedly rules China, dont expect women to be given any prominent roles.



In fact, observers say it remains largely impossible for women to have the final say in Chinas political system, even though more and more Asian women in neighboring countries have been elected heads of state.



And the fact that women remain underrepresented in Chinas major policy-making bodies is yet another example of how gender equality in China is all talk, no action, they add.



Unfit to rule



The lack of trust in women in power is hard to uproot in China as the general public often refers to the bad examples set by the three most powerful women in Chinese history -- Empresses Wu Zetian and Dowager Cixi as well as Jiang Qing, wife to late Mao Zedong , said Chenni Xu, a member of Beijing Womens Network.



They'll just point to those three and be like, well, see what happens when women get in power, they drag the country down with them. It is just not encouraged, Xu said.



And people think that China has changed in equality just because women are in the workforce, but it is actually very unequal. In the home space, men aren't really invited into that space and people are still very much occupying traditional gender roles, she added.



Female workforce



When Mao Zedong was Chinas preeminent leader, he famously declared that Women hold up half the sky.



To this day, many remember the slogan.



But Xu noted Maos call was more about doubling the countrys workforce than gender equality.



Decades later, however, as women are filling more management positions in the private sector, Chinas Communist Party is largely a mens club.



Vice Premier Liu Yandong, 71, is one of a small handful at the top, but she is not a member of the top decision-making Politburo Standing Committee and is unlikely to move up in the upcoming reshuffle, analysts say.

Political underrepresentation persists



Women account for less than 30 percent of the Communist Party membership according to local media reports citing party statistics, and there will be about 540 female delegates among the 2,300 representatives who attend the 19th National Peoples Congress.



Analysts say righting that imbalance is important if the Communist Party wants to remain relevant, but with its focus on big projects such as the Belt and Road initiative, the gender gap is not high on the partys agenda.



The only achievement in the past couple of years is Chinas [first] national law against domestic violence. That says a lot about the governments emphasis on womens family role and a harmonious society. But it shows how little the government has done to address womens issues at home, said Yaya Chen of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.



Not on Xis agenda



On the contrary, President Xi has pledged $10 million to U.N. Women, helping other developing countries to close the gender gap by building 100 health projects for women and children.



The government talks about boosting womens political participation, but there havent been any concrete measures to support the initiatives, she added, calling on the government to guarantee 30 percent of political appointments for women.



Xu of the Beijing Womens Network agreed with the 30 percent quota, saying Chinese women should be empowered and the societys systemic barriers to treat women as secondary citizens must be removed.



Women's issues are like the canary in the coal mine. Once you have gender equality out there you can address every single kind of other progressive issues," such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, she said.



But she doubts that change will come easy, because Chinese society is still helping him (Xi Jinping) kind of preserve this traditional gender roles. So, nothing is going to happen because you (women) have your family, everyone telling you to go through the usual routes, marriage, child bearing, etc...



Change not easy



On the streets in Beijing, residents say social and cultural obstacles, as well as the big role that women bear at home, are to blame.



There are a lot of women in civil service positions at the local level, but it is difficult for them to work their way up to higher positions because they dont have as much time as men, a man named Li told VOA.



In China, the retirement age for women is 55, five years younger than what it is for men, and a key reason for that is so women can take care of the elderly and their grandchildren.

Some women VOA spoke to say they pay no attention to politics. Others say politics is just too dirty, tricky and chaotic  clear signs of decreasing political interest among Chinese women.



Women seem to be less interested in politics. These days, women are much more apolitical than they were before the 1980s, [years after] when Chairman Mao stressed that Women hold up half the sky, said a woman who identified herself as Ms. Su.



Some argue that womens interests are looked after, even though they may not hold as many top posts or be larger in number.



Others are like one woman who spoke with VOA anonymously, who said shes not interested in politics because it doesnt speak to her or offer her anything of real value or enrich her life.
Pakistan said that cross-border shooting by India late Friday left one soldier and two civilians dead in the disputed Kashmir region.

Three soldiers and two civilians were wounded, according to a Pakistani military statement.

The statement blamed Indian troops for initiating the fire and targeting the civilian population with heavy weapons in the Rakhchikri area near the Line of Control, which separates Pakistani and Indian portions of Kashmir.

Soldiers dispatched to help evacuate injured civilians then also came under attack from Indian troops, the Pakistan army said. Pakistani forces returned fire, targeting Indian army posts.

Such exchanges of gunfire are common in Kashmir, which has been the cause of two of three wars between the two nuclear powers since 1947, the year they gained independence from Britain.

The skirmishes have rendered ineffective a 2003 mutual cease-fire in the disputed territory.

Last week, six civilians were killed and 26 wounded when Indian forces opened fire from across the Kashmir frontier.

India and Pakistan both claim the divided Himalayan region in its entirety.
Suzan stood before Immigration Judge John M. Bryant, asking for more time in her deportation case, which was already more than a few years old.

The El Salvadoran transgender woman, who prefers not to be identified by her real name, came to the United States 20 years ago as a teenager, fleeing persecution. She was detained at the border.

Deportation proceedings never caught up with her  for a while, she was homeless and living on the streets  until about six years ago, when she was at a nightclub where a fight broke out. She was not charged, but police told her story to immigration officials.

"They were about to deport her. When [Suzan's] boyfriend called me and said, 'Look, we've got this situation,' " we filed a motion to reopen her case, Suzan's lawyer, Xavier Racine, told VOA.

Suzan has since married her American boyfriend and is asking for time to file for 212(h) waiver (a kind of pardon) on the ground that if she is deported to her home country, she faces a grave risk of death or persecution.

Bryant heard the update and gave Suzan a new court date. Her attorney has until February 2018 to file for the waiver.

Backlog

This was one of 233 cases scheduled Tuesday at the court in Arlington, Virginia, outside Washington.

In the hallway outside the courtrooms hang eight lists where respondents must search for their names to learn where their cases will be heard.

The courtrooms are plain  white painted walls, no windows, 10 wooden benches that can sit about 40 people total. No one is allowed to stand up; if there are no seats available, a respondent must wait outside.

The motions are fast-paced, each one settled in five to 10 minutes.

Because immigration cases are civil proceedings, undocumented immigrants who are facing deportation do not have a right to a rapid trial or a court-appointed lawyer. If immigrants cannot find pro bono representation, they are advised by the judges to hire a lawyer. Some pay for legal aid on retainer programs  paying a small amount monthly for cases that can last years.

In Arlington on Tuesday, judges were scheduling trial dates or status update hearings from 2018 to 2020.

The immigration data tracker TRAC reports the backlog in immigration cases has swelled to 632,000 nationally. In Arlington, the backlog is 36,099 cases.

Cost of delay

Dana Leigh Marks, president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, told VOA her organization has been critical of both former President Barack Obama's and President Donald Trump's immigration priorities. Under the Obama administration, the decision was made to shuffle dockets and prioritize families arriving from Central America, and unaccompanied minors in particular.

"We said, 'You are messing with what a judge does best: scheduling our cases and figuring out how to get cases ready for a hearing,' " Marks said.

The Trump administration has eliminated prosecutors' discretion to delay or dismiss cases that are considered low priority. In a January executive order, Trump directed that judges be sent to the U.S.-Mexico border to speed up deportation there. But the policy has not reduced the backlog.

"Our point was if you want to prioritize border courts, there's nothing wrong with that, [but] you need to hire more judges to do it. If you take from one place to serve another, then there's going to be a backlog somewhere, and that's what happened," Marks said.

Delays can have negative effects, Marks said. "What do you do if something happened to that person's life, or the evidence becomes stale [and] it has to be done again? Their attorney could retire or become ill or no longer be able to take cases, and they may have to get a new attorney."

According to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), there are 334 immigration judges in the United States. In August, EOIR swore in nine judges to fill positions in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Texas. Trump's fiscal 2018 budget called for hiring 75 more EOIR judges. But it takes two years to hire an immigration judge, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

Land of ZAR

Asylum-seekers from El Salvador, Guatemala, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, and Trinidad and Tobago were among those appearing Tuesday in Arlington Immigration Court.

Immigration lawyer Lysandra Pachuta was there to represent a 16-year-old. Federal law gives immigration officers primary jurisdiction over asylum claims filed by unaccompanied minors, because it is less intimidating for a child to sit down and tell his or her story to an officer in a small setting than to present a case in a courtroom.

"And because of that, you will see a lot of unaccompanied minors in court  who usually, through their lawyers, tell their judge, 'We are planning to pursue asylum. We would like a continuance to go to ZAR,' " Pachuta said, using an abbreviation for the Arlington Asylum Office.

Bryant called the office the "Land of ZAR" as a way to make children less apprehensive. He was firm with his rulings but polite with the youths, asking how they were doing in school, wishing them "the best in life" and saying he hoped they'd get the "sweet judge and not the sour one" in the Land of ZAR.

Senorita Verde

Bryant dedicated the last two hours of the day to minors who were having their first hearings that day.

"You received a notice to bring your child today.  If you have [that notice] look at the nine-digit number. You just need the last three.  When I call you, come out with your child," he said.

The clerk began to call cases. About six children, elementary and middle school ages, were in the room, some with parents, others with legal guardians and attorneys.

An 8-year-old in a green dress stood up and sat in the respondent's chair. She was with her mother and her younger brother, who was dressed in a suit for their initial immigration hearing.

"Senorita Verde, how are you today?" Bryant said.

The second-grader replied that she was fine.

Bryant got an update on the children's case, gave them a new court date and wished the two a great school year.

The family left the court. They'll be back again in 2018.
The International Committee of the Red Cross reports Yemen is in the grips of an unprecedented cholera outbreak. The Swiss humanitarian organization said the number of suspected cases in the impoverished, war-torn country could reach 900,000 by the end of the year.

This latest projection far exceeds the ICRCs worst case scenario in July, when it forecast 600,000 suspected cases of cholera by the end of 2017. To date, the ICRC estimates around 750,000 suspected cases throughout Yemen, including more than 2,100 deaths.

ICRC Yemen delegation head Alexandre Faite said he fears more records could be broken.

Nine-hundred-thousand  considering the figures I was given in the past, we could be to one million at the end of the year," he said. " I am told now that probably this is the worst health crisis of a preventable disease in modern times. So, I think, we have reached a new threshold in the Yemen conflict that really deserves to be underlined.

Faite said Yemens public services are collapsing and the health sector is struggling. He said the Red Cross is providing health care workers with food because they are receiving no salary.

He told VOA there does not appear to be any quick resolution to this crisis.

The situation from a humanitarian standpoint is a catastrophe," he stressed. "We have something, which is close to a million cases of suspected cholera, maybe by the end of the year. And, this ... is only a possible external illustration of something more serious. We could have an outbreak of something else.

Faite said he sees no political settlement to the war, which has claimed thousands of lives and injured many more. He said he fears an extension of the conflict will lead to many more, even worse problems.

A recent U.N. report said conflict, cholera and severe food shortages have made Yemen the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Chilling and dangerous is what womens rights activists and lawyers in India have called a Delhi High Court judgment that set aside the conviction of a Bollywood filmmaker for rape after the judge ruled that a feeble no could indicate willingness on the part of the victim.

They warn that by diluting the meaning of consent, the judgment in the high-profile case rolls back some of the hard-won gains made after the horrific 2012 gang rape of a 23-year-old student in New Delhi, which led India to tighten rape laws.



Mahmood Farooqui was sentenced to seven years imprisonment last year by a lower court on charges of raping an American postgraduate student of Indian origin when she visited his home in Delhi in 2015.



The woman had told the court that he forced himself on to her and ignored her no, but after a point she stopped resisting fearing she may be harmed.



Farooquis lawyers said there was no evidence that he was alone in his house with her and if at all such an incident took place, it was with her consent.



This week, Judge Ashutosh Kumar ruled in Farooquis favor saying that it was not clear if the incident happened or whether it took place without her consent.



Several observations in the 82-page judgment have raised angry questions and triggered heated television debates.



It says that in a case where the parties are well educated and known to each other it would be really difficult to decipher whether little or no resistance and a feeble no was actually a denial of consent.



The judge holds that "in an act of passion, actuated by libido, there could be myriad circumstances which can surround a consent and it may not necessarily always mean yes in case of yes or no in case of no."



What constitutes consent ?



Denouncing the judgment as a very dangerous one, Kavita Krishnan of the All India Progressive Womens Association, said it weakens the legal definition of consent that the womens movement has struggled hard to get. Lawyers point out that consent has to be unequivocal, voluntary and must not arise from fear.



Now he is saying that not only is an affirmative consent not required, but even if a woman has actually voiced no several times, even that is not good enough. I find this quite appalling, says Krishnan.



Women rights activists, who have long struggled with deeply-rooted patriarchal attitudes to sex, are also taking exception to the judgement for drawing a distinction between an educated and uneducated person, and those who are in a relationship. They say this would reinforce stereotypes that a rape was usually the womans fault and the onus of preventing assault lies on her.



Fears have also been expressed that the judgment will make it harder to win convictions for rape in a country where low conviction rates are already a cause for concern.



Take a woman who is very educated and very bright, take a woman who as in this case has spoken of kissing the accused before, only kissing, and take a woman like this who is then raped. I think it is chilling that this judgment could be cited as precedent for saying that no means yes, said Supreme Court lawyer Karuna Nundy, who advised on the reform of sexual assault laws.



More women coming forward



This is not the only order in a rape case that has caused furor. Last week, judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted bail to three law students found guilty of gang rape and blackmail of a fellow student while their appeal is heard.

The woman was blackmailed with her nude photographs by a student with whom she broke up after a month-long consensual relationship. He raped her and also forced her to have sex with his two friends.



The order said the victim had a promiscuous attitude and a voyeuristic mind," and that her "narrative does not throw up gut wrenching violence that normally precede or accompany such incidents."



The spotlight on sexual violence in recent years has prompted more women to come forward to report rape cases and fast track courts have been established to ensure speedier justice. Besides the Bollywood director, some other high profile personalities, including a prominent editor, have faced rape charges.



But women activists fear that there is an effort to read down the tougher laws in a country where many say that women who wear provocative clothes, drink or stay out late at night are actually providing consent.



There is an active effort to create a backlash, to say that these laws victimize men and that behavior that ought to be considered normal behavior on part of men is being criminalized by these laws. In other words, it is trying to normalize violence against women, said Kavita Krishnan.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Friday his planned flight ban into and out of the Kurdish region isnt meant to starve the Kurdish people.

On Friday at 6 p.m. local time, all international flights to the region are set to be cancelled  retaliation for the Kurdish independence referendum this week that passed with more than 92 percent of the vote.

Humanitarian workers say the flight cancellations could have a dire impact on the lives of the regions 1.6 million refugees and displaced people.

Abadi, though, in a written statement, said central government control of air and land ports in the Kurdistan region is not meant to starve, besiege and prevent [the delivery of] supplies to the citizens in the region as alleged by some Kurdistan region officials.

Calling the vote "unconstitutional," Iraq's parliament on Wednesday also asked Abadi to send troops to the oil-producing, Kurdish-held region of Kirkuk to take control of its lucrative oil fields.



It told the 34 countries that have diplomatic missions in Kurdistan to shut them down, and it urged Abadi to enforce a decision to fire Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim for holding the vote.

The parliament also called for the deployment of forces to areas that were under Iraqi government control before the fall of Mosul to Islamic State more than three years ago.



"We will enforce federal authority in the Kurdistan region, and we already have starting doing that," Abadi said.

The director of Irbil airport, Talar Saleh, said he was confused by the order from Baghdad to hand over the airport and unsure of how he should comply.

We didn't understand what it meant, she said. An airport isn't an item that can be handed over to someone.

She said authorities in Baghdad never responded to her requests for clarification.

Saleh said military, humanitarian and diplomatic flights will continue from the airport.
Afghan officials say a suicide blast outside a Shiite Muslim worship place in Kabul has killed at least six people and wounded 27 others.

Witnesses report the bomber was disguised as a sheepherder and tried to enter the crowded facility in the Qala-e Fatehullah area of the capital city when a police guard intercepted and shot at him. The attacker then detonated explosives strapped to his body just as worshipers were dispersing after offering prayers.



The death toll from the powerful blast reportedly is much higher than the official figure, and children also were victims.

President Ashraf Ghani has strongly condemned the bombing, saying such terrorist acts will fail to divide Afghans.

A Taliban spokesman denied the insurgent groups involvement, saying it has nothing to do with the bombing.

Local reports say Afghan security forces arrested a second suicide bomber near the site before he could detonate his vest.

Loyalists of Islamic State in Afghanistan have claimed responsibility for attacks on members of the minority Shiite community and their mosques.

Fridays attack came a month after a suicide bomber killed at least 20 people during prayers at another Shiite mosque in the Afghan capital.
As the last international flights to and from the Kurdistan Region in Iraq were grounded Friday, hundreds of protesters wielding colorful balloons and signs with messages like "compassion" and "love" gathered outside the airport.

Protesters say they are hoping Baghdad backs down on its decision to establish a no-fly zone over their region after a controversial independence vote passed by more than 92 percent.

"This doesn't just impact Kurdistan," said the protest's organizer, Rowand Hussien. "It impacts refugees, displaced families and all the forces fighting [Islamic State militants]."

The Iraqi government has called the referendum illegal, and has vowed to force the Kurdistan Region to remain united with the rest of the country. In recent days, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has received calls from leaders in France, Britain, Iran and Turkey expressing their support for Iraqi unity, according to his Twitter account.

"We will not compromise on Iraq's unity or sovereignty. Iraq is strong. Some wanted to weaken it. They have miscalculated," Abadi tweeted the day after the ballot.

Besides canceling international flights, Baghdad has ordered the Kurdistan Region to hand over land borders and oil revenues to federal authorities. In response, the Kurdish leadership has been defiant, calling for talks to negotiate the Kurdistan Region's transition into an independent country.

At the protest, students gathered quietly, saying they support their leaders' calls for dialogue but worry about the economic impact of isolation.

"This will impact Kurdish people," said Amir, a 24-year-old business administration graduate. "But to create a new country, we will have to be patient and suffer a little."

A new life

A few meters away from the protest, another crowd gathered dressed in gray, brown and black. They were waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to arrive on the last flights in from Turkey.

The body of Bangin Pirot, a journalist in his 30s, was among the dead. He died on a boat carrying more than 80 passengers attempting to get to Europe to apply for asylum. Pirot had a paralyzed leg, and he was seeking medical care.

"They just wanted a better life," said Sarkar, his cousin, as they waited.

The young people protesting nearby said their dreams were not so different from those of the returning dead.

Kurdistan is a region that shares a culture, language and history but it overlaps the borders of Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria. The referendum for independence was exclusively for Iraqi Kurdistan, already a semi-autonomous region.

Countries around the world objected to the referendum, especially Turkey, which faces an armed insurgency from Kurdish separatists at home. Turkey has threatened oil sanctions on the Kurdish Region, a move that could cripple its economy.

Other world powers, including the United States, have said the Kurdish independence movement in Iraq could destabilize the region and negatively impact the war with Islamic State militants.

But for the students at the airport, the century-old dream of Kurdish independence is more important than the potentially devastating consequences.

"We do not deserve this kind of ban," said Vian, 21, "We deserve a country. We deserve a home."



WATCH: Scenes from inside Irbil International Airport
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis returned to the U.S. Thursday, after stops in India, Afghanistan and Qatar intended to solidify relations with U.S. partners in the region.

Mattis said in a statement about his stop in Qatar: In the midst of its own challenges, Qatar and the U.S. maintain excellent military to military relations.

Mattis arrived at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, Thursday, days after Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani renewed a call for unconditional dialogue to end a crisis involving his country and four Arab states, during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates cut ties with Qatar in June over its close ties to Iran and its alleged support for extremists. Qatar has denied supporting extremism, saying the crisis is politically motivated.

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Qatars emir on the sidelines of the General Assembly last week, telling reporters he had a very strong feeling the dispute would be solved pretty quickly. Trump has offered to mediate the crisis.

Afghanistan

Earlier Thursday, Mattis and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, where they held a town hall with 250 U.S. and NATO military personnel on the Kandahar air base.

In Afghanistan, the secretary said in a statement, Stoltenberg and I reaffirmed the alliances commitment to support the Afghan government to end the conflict and force the Taliban to negotiate a political solution.

Next week, the first group of Afghan pilots at the base will begin training to fly Black Hawk helicopters.

The United States is donating about 160 refurbished Black Hawks to the Afghan military over the next seven years as part of a new Afghan air force modernization program. In seven years, U.S. officials hope to expand the Afghan air force to twice its current size and increase its personnel by 50 percent.

India

Mattis took steps to reinforce a quickly growing defense partnership with India on Tuesday, declaring the relationship has never been stronger.

During meetings with senior Indian officials, including Prime Minster Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mattis stressed that the U.S. and India are natural strategic partners who share common values and interests.
U.S. airstrikes have killed more Islamic State fighters in Libya  the second such attack in the North African nation in less than a week.

"In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord [GNA], U.S. forces conducted two precision airstrikes in Libya against ISIS militants on Tuesday, September 26, at approximately 2:50 p.m. local time, killing several ISIS militants," U.S. Africa Command, which overseas American military operations on the continent, announced Thursday in a statement.

The strike occurred approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Sirte, a former stronghold of the terror group, according to the statement.

Four days earlier, six U.S. precision strikes targeted a camp used to move Islamic State fighters in and out of the country, killing 17 militants and destroying three IS vehicles.

U.S. Africa Command said the camp, about 240 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of Sirte, also was used to plot attacks and stockpile weapons.
North Korean overseas workers are feeling the heat as countries are stepping up their efforts to implement U.N. sanctions against their motherland.

On Wednesday, the Polish foreign ministry told VOA's Korea Service that Poland does not intend to issue new work permits to North Korean workers to comply with the two latest U.N. Security Council resolutions. These measures were passed in response to the Kim Jong Un regime's long-range intercontinental ballistic missile launches and sixth nuclear test.

"The Ministry of the Family, Labour and Social Policy has sent out a communication to voivodship [provincial] offices asking them to withhold all decisions regarding applications for work permits concerning [North Korean] citizens," the foreign ministry said in an email to VOA, "until the process of transposition and development of a common position by European Union member states regarding the scope and method of implementing the resolution is completed."

Fewer North Koreans working in Poland

With not one work visa being issued to a North Korean national in 2016 and 2017, the number of North Koreans employed in Poland stood at about 400 as of January this year, a decline from 550 in July last year, according to the Polish government's estimates. In 2014, the Polish consul in Pyongyang issued 147 work visas, and in 2015, 129 such visas were issued.

The Polish foreign ministry said Poland, which is one of the European Union countries that hires many North Korean laborers, does not have any systemic measures in place that would prevent citizens of other countries, including North Koreans, from taking up work in the country, imposing a work ban would represent "an unequivocal demonstration of discrimination on the grounds of nationality."

"In this context, we welcomed Resolution 2371 of 5 August 2017 and 2375 of 11 September 2017, the first to refer to the employment of [North Korean] citizens abroad in so decisive terms," the ministry said.

Since North Korea has long been accused of using money paid to its overseas workers to finance its weapons programs, the two latest U.N. resolutions for the first time included restrictive measures on North Korean laborers abroad, first banning the hiring of additional North Korean workers, then barring the renewal of their work contracts when they expire.

Residency permits not renewed

Similar action was taken by Kuwaiti authorities, who have stopped issuing entry visas of any kind to North Korean nationals and forbidding them from transferring their residency permits from one company to another, according to the country's implementation report on U.N. Security Council resolution 2371 submitted to the council in late August.

"Expired residency permits are not renewed, and permit holders are requested to leave the country promptly once the permit has expired," reads the report.

Also taking heed of the Security Council resolutions on North Korea are Senegal and Qatar. Senegal suspended the issuance of entry and short-stay visas to North Korean workers. Qatar discontinued issuing the approvals of employment requests and the renewal of residence of workers.

Jenny Lee contributed to this report.
Friday, September 29, 2017

The Louisiana Supreme Court imposed a year and a day suspension for misconduct unrelated to the practice of law.

On December 28, 2013, respondent intentionally entered the home of S.S. and his wife, J.H., without authorization. During her sworn statement to the ODC, respondent acknowledged that she did not have express permission to enter the residence. Respondent was arrested and charged with unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, a felony. This charge was dropped as part of a plea bargain. On October 30, 2015, respondent pleaded guilty to stalking and to violation of a protective order, both misdemeanors.

And

In August 2014, respondent used J.H.s credit card number to make purchases on Amazon.com.

The charges and response

In February 2016, the ODC filed four counts of formal charges against respondent. Respondent answered the formal charges and generally denied the factual allegations as written. Respondent acknowledged that she did not have the express authority of J.H. to enter the residence, but stated that she had been given the implied authority to do so. Respondent added that J.H. provided her with the credit card at issue, gave her the authority to use the card at will, and never expressly revoked authorization to use the card. She indicated that the charges made to the card in August 2014 were accidental.

The findings

Respondent was hired by S.S. in the Orleans Parish Public Defenders Office in 2008. She subsequently became friends with his wife (J.H.) and would occasionally babysit the children and house-sit for the family. The friendship between respondent and J.H. developed over the years and became romantic.

In October 2013, J.H. decided to end the relationship and so communicated that to respondent via e-mail on October 28th. The next day, respondent repeatedly tried to communicate with J.H., without success. That evening, respondent e-mailed J.H. that she was coming over to her house to see if she was alright. J.H. e-mailed respondent back and told her not to come over. Under the influence of alcohol, respondent went to J.H.s home and while outside, cursed and called J.H.s name repeatedly. Respondent let herself inside via a magnetic key to the gate in the fence surrounding the home. She had been entrusted with this key due to the relationship and the services she performed for the family. Eventually, respondent let herself in the house through a door she knew was kept unlocked. She was subsequently ejected by S.S. The accounts of that ejection differ. Nonetheless, both respondent and S.S. called 911, and the police came.

Despite this incident, respondent continued to communicate with J.H. J.H. emailed her that the relationship between them was over and requested that she stop trying to communicate with her and get on with her life. In mid-November, respondent again attempted to communicate with J.H. via e-mail and was told in reply to stop. Respondent continued to e-mail J.H. and later confessed to having inadvertently used J.H.s credit card number on her Amazon account. Respondent apologized and promised to delete the card information from the account. However, several months later, she ordered some merchandise for herself using the same credit card number. Respondent claimed this was an accident.

In December 2013, J.H., S.S., and their children were visiting J.H.s family in New York. Respondent knew they would be out of town. On December 28th, respondent used the aforementioned key she had to the familys gate and gained access to the residence through a door she knew was unlocked. Respondent subsequently claimed she was there to leave $2,500 which she had owed to J.H. Respondent was met by Adonica Nelson, the fiancee of the familys house sitter. When confronted by Ms. Nelson, respondent pretended to be in the wrong house. A criminal complaint was filed after the family returned and was informed of the home intrusion. The couple then obtained stay-away orders directed at respondent.

In November 2014, J.H. discovered that three purchases totaling $96.65 were made on her credit card. J.H. learned that respondent had made them using the credit card number that respondent had promised to remove from her Amazon account. A criminal complaint was then filed against respondent.

The court rejected the findings of misconduct involving the alleged credit card misuse.

Justice Genovese dissented

I would reject the suspension of respondent for only one year and one day and would impose a two-year suspension as recommended by the hearing committee. Respondents criminal activity warrants a more severe sanction.

The New Orleans Advocate reported on the criminal case. (Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2017/09/the-louisiana-supreme-court-on-december-28-2013-respondent-intentionally-entered-the-home-of-ss-and-his-wife-jh-with.html
Ji Seong-ho escaped North Korea when he was 24 and "there were both North Korean and Chinese soldiers guarding the border, who would shoot people to death if caught."

Today, more than a decade later, he is a human rights activist, calling on the international community to keep pressuring North Korea to curtail its nuclear weapons ambitions and push for human rights.

Awarded the Oslo Freedom Forum prize in 2015, he's a law student in Dongguk University in Seoul, where he lives with his family, and is the president of Now Action & Unity for Human Rights, where he helps broadcast information into North Korea and facilitates the resettlement of defectors in South Korea.

Ji lost his left hand and foot in a accident and nearly drowned when he tried to escape North Korea with his brother, whom he urged to go on without him. He was later united with his brother in South Korea.

Recently, Ji was in New York for an Oslo Freedom Forum meeting not long after the U.N. Security Council adopted tough new economic sanctions against North Korea.

He told VOA Turkish that pressure from the international community "is causing market prices to fluctuate" in North Korea, "raising the food prices and impacting the lives of the people. I think Kim Jong Un will have a hard time dealing with it."

Ji pointed out that North Korea's state media "tell its people that the North is the strongest country in the world, but not that the U.S. could launch an airstrike to destroy North Korea.  I think many North Koreans make themselves aware of realities by secretly listening to [Voice of America and Radio Free Asia]." Although people are "more worried about the regime, I don't think they live in fear of war."

However, Ji said, the international community should "keep pressuring North Korea, which is continuing along [the nuclear path] without knowing what the consequences would be. Only pressure can show that Kim Jong Un is wrong."

Hunger drives escape

During the famine of the mid-1990s, when Ji was 14, he "was helping my parents make a living by stealing coal off trains and selling it in the market. I got dizzy once and I ended up falling off a moving train. It ran me over," he told VOA.

Ji crossed into China to find food. But on the way back, he was caught by North Korean guards, "who told me that because I am disabled I brought shame to North Korea and that someone with only one leg should stay home. That is when I lost my trust in the North Korean government."

"Because I was so hungry, I ate grass at one time without knowing that it can be toxic, and my entire body swelled up," Ji said. "Another time, I climbed a mountain and tried eating tree bark.

"At the time, my wish was to eat just a few ears of corn, not even a bowl of white rice. My biggest wish until I defected from North Korea was to cook an entire chicken and gorge on it," he added.

"A lot of my friends lived off food scraps they found in marketplaces," Ji said. "A bowl of noodles, for example, was very expensive, so people [who could afford it] would finish the entire bowl without leaving a single strand. Nonetheless, my friends would wait all day, hoping that they could find some leftovers."

Triggered by a series of natural disasters and the disintegration of its economic policies after the collapse of the Soviet bloc eliminated key support, North Korea's famine of 1995-98 may have killed as many as 3 million people, many of them urban residents unable to forage for sustenance. But as people starved, they "never cried out for help," Ji said, adding that then-leader Kim Jong Il "had spread a downright lie that we will live well soon.'"

As North Koreans realized the truth, Ji said, they "began to mistrust the regime and rely on themselves to produce food."

Pretending to smile

In 2006, Ji fled again. He crossed the Tumen River, which serves as the North Korea-China border, and endured a three-month, 10,000-kilometer journey through Laos, Myanmar and Thailand to reach South Korea.

He said he left behind a society where "people needed to smile and pretend that they are impressed" when official events took place, because "otherwise, they might die." If people laughed or sang during dark times for the government, "all the members of the family and even the future generations may face death," because people from the North Korean security agency were always watching, "and they sent people to political prison camps."

"The same goes for North Korean elections. I had to go out and vote because I would have died," Ji said, adding that "just like other North Koreans, I also was called to gather at places where I had to cry."

Ji, noting the omnipresent security apparatus and other strictures, called on the international community to pay more attention to human rights in North Korea.

"Although it appears that they pledge allegiance to [the Kim family], in their minds they wish eagerly for outside help so that change can take place in North Korea," he said. "I hope the international community can stand on the North Korean people's side."

Although Ji has been out of North Korea for over a decade, he said there have been changes, particularly the development of outdoor markets, allowed by the current regime, where people buy and sell basic items, such as food and clothes.

"For the people of North Korea, happiness derives from the satisfaction they get from eating and living well," he said. "Many people make ends meet by selling goods at markets, but as the regime's nuclear weapons and missile development is resulting in the rise in prices, I assume people are displeased about it."

Jenny Lee of VOA's Korean service contributed to this report.
Pakistans military chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, will undertake a crucial visit to Afghanistan on Sunday where his delegation is to discuss with Afghan counterparts ways to strengthen bilateral security cooperation and border management efforts.

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have been marred by mistrust and suspicion, with both sides routinely accusing each others security institutions of backing fugitive anti-state militants to plot terrorist attacks against the other.

While no official details of Bajwas expected engagements in Kabul have been announced, he is scheduled to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, a Pakistani official told VOA on condition of anonymity.

General Bajwa is expected to reiterate offers of training for Afghan soldiers and police personnel in Pakistani institutions and emphasize the need for the two countries to resolve differences by relying on bilateral mechanisms and dialogue.

The Afghan government and the United States allege Taliban insurgents use sanctuaries on Pakistani soil for launching attacks in Afghanistan.

Islamabad rejects the charges and insists no such activity is taking place on its side of the largely porous border because of sustained anti-terrorism operations Pakistani security forces have undertaken over the past few years.

Pakistani officials also cite building of a fence and new security outposts on the nearly 2,600-kilometer border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Chief military spokesman Major-General Asif Ghafoor said the fence will be in place within the next two years.

If Afghans are willing to build the fence and posts on their side, we are ready to do it for you so that only peaceful citizens can cross the border, he recently told a group of Afghan and Pakistani reporters.

Until a few years ago, he said, the border was free of observation posts, terrorists were roaming freely in both directions but today from our side 90 percent of the areas are difficult to infiltrate.

Kabul, however, opposes the fencing project because it traditionally disputes the demarcation established in 1896 under British rule.

Pakistan dismisses the objection and recognizes the boundary as an international frontier the country inherited after gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

Afghan officials maintain that Taliban insurgents are being harbored in major Pakistani cities, including Quetta and Peshawar and simply fencing the border will not address their concerns.

For their part, Pakistani authorities maintain that militants who have fled security operations have taken shelter in Afghanistan and plot attacks against the country with the help of the Afghan intelligence agency.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, at a public talk in New York earlier this week, recounted his countrys contributions to fighting terrorism and helping U.S.-backed efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. He criticized U.S. attempts to single out Pakistan for all the ills plaguing the war-ravage country.

The drug production in Afghanistan has gone up by 3,700 percent. Are we responsible? Daesh [Islamic State group] is there in three [Afghan] provinces, proven presence. Are we responsible for that? Forty percent of territory lost to the Taliban in the last 15 years. Are we responsible for that? The corruption, Afghan soldiers selling their weapons in open market to the Taliban. Are we responsible for that?
The Philippines has found funding for the biggest in a series of infrastructure upgrades planned on the islets it holds in the contested South China Sea, a move that will gently remind other countries, including China, of Manilas claims.

Money from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program will next year fund the paving of a 1,300-meter-long gravel and dirt runway on Thitu Island, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was quoted saying this month. Thitu anchors Manilas holdings in the Spratly archipelago, which is also disputed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The runway upgrade is expected to lead to repairs of barracks, water systems and other infrastructure on nine Spratly islets controlled by the Philippines per a pledge in April from the countrys president, Rodrigo Duterte. The 15-year Modernization Program hatched in 2012 has a budget of $2.56 million this year.

Manilas upgrades would serve as a reminder, yet one unlikely to outrage other countries, that it intends to hold on to its nine Spratly features.

Beijing, the most aggressive claimant in those 100-plus islands as well as the broader South China Sea around them, has befriended the Philippines over the past year but only after years of diplomatic hostility that some Filipinos fear could resurface.

I imagine theres a feeling that the time has come to consider other options, said Jonathan Spangler, director, South China Sea Think Tank in Taipei. I just think its more like a hedging thing, like making sure you dont go all the way in one direction.

After China parked research vessels over an ocean plateau off the Philippine Pacific coast, Duterte faced public pressure to resist Beijing again. In April he vowed to upgrade the Spratly holdings.

Two months ago, a Chinese vessel apparently planted its national flag on Sandy Cay, which lies in the Philippine-controlled part of the Spratly chain, touching off more concerns among Filipinos. Both countries prize the sea for its fisheries and fossil fuel reserves.

Ambitions for the Spratly Islands

The Philippines can help lock in its Spratly claims by showing human habitation and economic activity, Spangler noted. About 100 civilians, many connected to military activity, live on Thitu Island, the chains second largest natural land form at 37 hectares (91 acres). Some in the Philippines advocate opening it to tourism.

Lorenzana visited Thitu in April to check on the condition of the residents, according to a defense department statement.

The unpaved runway can only allow military aircraft, mostly for transport, limiting who can access the island, analysts say.

Plans to refurbish infrastructure in the Spratly Islands fits with a natural order of things that any country would do to improve defense, said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapores public policy school. The modernization budget must be spent, he added.

I wouldnt read too much in this. Clearly its defensive in nature, he said. Its a routine part of modernization.

The Philippine military ranks No. 50 in the world on a list of 133 countries tracked by the research database GlobalFirePower.com.

Mixed Sino-Philippine relations

Tighter relations with China also reduce the urgency of bulking up military facilities on the islets for defense or offense, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines.

Overall I dont think they will put anything in really big at this point, if you go by how the government is very friendly towards China, Batongbacal said.

After Manila won a World Court arbitration case against Beijing, which was told it lacked a legal basis for much of its South China Sea claims, Duterte offered to set aside maritime disputes that had festered since 2012. In October, China pledged $24 billion in aid and investment to the Philippines.

But Chinas stationing of research vessels off the Pacific coast over a feature called the Benham Rise, and the Sandy Cay flap, keep its friendship with the Philippines in check, other analysts say. China also controls Scarborough Shoal, a prime fishing spot that lies inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone west of Luzon Island. In many years it declares fishing moratoriums that encompass Philippine waters.

The Sandy Cay incident shows that China may be engaging in a coercive demonstration around Thitu in order to dissuade the Philippine authorities from carrying out long-planned repairs and extensive infrastructure upgrades, said Euan Graham, international security director with the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney.

Muted reactions

But China has officially kept quiet about the runway upgrade as well as other infrastructure plans on the Philippine-held islets. Those plans also marked a scaling back in April from Dutertes original idea of visiting Thitu himself and planting his national flag.

Taiwan and Vietnam sometimes issue protest statements when they sense threats to their Spratly claims but seldom follow up.

Depending on how the bilateral relationship goes, China might even let it go quietly, as long as Duterte remains to be China-friendly, said Yun Sun, East Asia Program senior associate at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington.
Russian police released opposition leader and would-be presidential candidate Alexei Navalny on Friday after several hours in detention.

Police charged Navalny with repeatedly organizing unauthorized rallies, an administrative offense punishable with a fine of up to a 300,000 rubles ($5,200) and compulsory work for up to 200 hours.

"We were finally presented with a charge and released, and the trial will be on October 2 at the Simonovsky Court of Moscow at 15:00 Moscow time," Navalny's lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, told Interfax.

Police had stopped Navalny early Friday as he was headed to a campaign rally in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, where at least one other rally leader was also detained  Navalny's campaign chief, Leonid Volkov.

"I'm in a police station now and they're going to accuse me of repeated violation of the procedure for holding a mass event," Navalny told VOA's Russian service reporter Danila Galperovich earlier Friday. "It means almost for sure they will arrest me after the court will hear my case. I don't know when."

Police in Nizhny Novgorod, about 260 miles (417 kilometers) east of Moscow, had cordoned off the campaign rally site hours before the event was to begin and removed a Navalny campaign tent.

Despite the police actions, hundreds of Navalny's supporters rallied Friday in the provincial city in protest. Images from social media showed protesters walking on a central street while loud music from an officially sanctioned concert blared nearby.

Call for reform

Navalny's detention came as the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights issued a memorandum saying Russian authorities should revise the country's freedom of assembly law, which, he says, has become more restrictive in recent years.

"As a result, the authorities have rejected a high number of requests to hold public assemblies," said Commissioner Nils Muiznieks in the published memorandum. "Over the past year, there have been many arrests of people participating in protests, even if they did not behave unlawfully, as well as a growing intolerance toward 'unauthorized' events involving small numbers of participants and even of single-person demonstrations.

"This runs counter to Russia's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and it weakens the guarantees contained in its own Constitution concerning the right to freedom of assembly," Muiznieks said.

Russia is one of 47 member countries in the Council of Europe, the continent's leading human rights organization, but routinely dismisses its criticism.

'Trend toward deterioration'

Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign team have been harassed and attacked numerous times by police and Kremlin supporters. In April, a man threw a chemical sanitizer in the Russian opposition leader's face, causing a chemical burn that required eye surgery and left him partially blind.

Navalny supporter Nikolai Lyaskin was reportedly attacked in Moscow this month with an iron pipe.

In an exclusive interview with VOA reporter Galperovich on September 26, Navalny expressed dismay at the repressive trend.

"We currently see a trend toward deterioration: At first it was fines, then administrative arrests, and now it is fabrication of criminal charges [and] house arrest," he said.

Navalny said the trend is reminiscent of how Soviet leader Josef Stalin's Great Purge began in 1937.

"The capabilities of propaganda are mostly exhausted: You turn on the TV, which from morning until night is talking about beautiful North Korea, awful Ukraine, 'gay' Europe, et cetera. It is already impossible there [on TV] to fan the flames higher. Therefore, they are using repression to take people off the streets, to intimidate them," Navalny said.

Challenging Putin

Navalny plans to challenge Vladimir Putin in Russia's March presidential election, though Putin has made no official announcement to run in a bid to continue his 17 years as leader.

The Russian opposition leader has been campaigning in cities across the country despite the central election commission declaring him ineligible because of a suspended prison sentence. Navalny's supporters and numerous independent analysts back up his view that the sentence was politically motivated.

The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers on September 21 demanded that Navalny be allowed to take part in the elections and that the fraud case against him and opposition politician Pyotr Ofitserov be re-examined.

In the interview Tuesday with Galperovich, Navalny expressed doubt that Russian authorities would act on the European ministers' demand.

"I do not think that international structures can affect that much; at least, we have not in recent years seen international structures somehow straightforwardly affecting the internal political situation in Russia," Navalny said.

But he said the resolution was satisfying nonetheless. "It is probably the best of all possible rulings we could hope for," he said. "It quite clearly and distinctly shows that, first of all, the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights was not implemented and, secondly, that there is a demand there for my admission to the elections."

The European Court of Human Rights had demanded Navalny's 2013 fraud case be retried because it violated the defendant's right to a fair trial. Russia's Supreme Court ordered a retrial in July that resulted in the same verdict and a suspended sentence.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained by police as he left his Moscow home Friday to attend a pre-election rally in a provincial town.

Russia holds a presidential election in March that incumbent Vladimir Putin is widely expected to contest. Navalny hopes to run despite Russias central election commission declaring him ineligible because of a suspended prison sentence that he says was politically motivated.

Navalny said on social media Friday that police had detained him in the lobby of his apartment block and told him they wanted to interview him at a police station.

The press service of Moscows interior ministry was cited by the TASS news agency as saying Navalny had been detained because of his repeated calls to take part in unsanctioned public events.

The authorities say opposition protests must be pre-approved by them, but Navalny has in the past said that the Russian constitution enshrines the right to freely hold such events.

On Friday, he denied the polices latest allegations, writing on social media Ive never done that.

Navalny had been scheduled to address a pre-election rally in the city of Nizhny Novgorod later Friday, part of a series of regional events he hoped would help him build support for his presidential run.
The Spanish government says there will be no Catalonia independence vote Sunday, even as the regional government continues preparations for the referendum.

Spanish Culture Minister Inigo Mendez de Vigo said Friday the independence vote violates Spanish law and the government will not accept the results of the referendum.

We are open to dialogue within the framework of the law. As you would understand nobody can ask us  to engage in dialogue outside the framework of the law. It's impossible, he said. No European political leader can even consider dealing with an issue that is not in [Spanish] government hands."

Catalan authorities say they will declare independence from Spain within 48 hours of the vote if residents there choose to secede. The Spanish government has fought the measure and has instructed police to confiscate all referendum materials, as well as prevent the use of public buildings as polling stations.

On Friday, Catalan farmers rode tractors through the streets of Barcelona, driving slowly and waving pro-independence flags and banners. The tractors eventually stopped, converging on the regional government building.

At the same time, European Union officials say they will not mediate the dispute between Spain and Catalonia, calling it a matter of Spanish law.

[It is] a Spanish problem in which we can do little. It's a problem of respecting Spanish laws that Spaniards have to resolve, said European Parliament President Antonio Tajani.

European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans called on Europeans to respect the constitution and rule of law in their countries. He said people in the EU need to organize themselves in accordance with the constitution of that member state.

That is the rule of law  you abide by the law and the constitution even if you don't like it, he said.

Catalan authorities previously had appealed to the EU for help, saying the Spanish government undermined their democratic values.
Nearly 300 species of fish, mussels and other sea critters hitchhiked across the Pacific Ocean on debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami, washing ashore alive in the United States, researchers reported Thursday.



It is the largest and longest marine migration ever documented, outside experts and the researchers said. The scientists and colleagues combed the beaches of Washington, Oregon, California, British Columbia, Alaska and Hawaii and tracked the species to their Japanese origins. Their arrival could be a problem if the critters take root, pushing out native species, the study authors said in Thursdays journal Science.



Its a bit of what we call ecological roulette, said lead author James Carlton, a marine sciences professor at Williams College, in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

It will be years before scientists know if the 289 Japanese species thrive in their new home and crowd out natives. The researchers roughly estimated that a million creatures traveled 4,800 miles (7,725 kilometers) across the Pacific Ocean to reach the West Coast, including hundreds of thousands of mussels.



Invasive species is a major problem worldwide with plants and animals thriving in areas where they dont naturally live. Marine invasions in the past have hurt native farmed shellfish, eroded the local ecosystem, caused economic losses and spread disease-carrying species, said Bella Galil, a marine biologist with the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History in Tel Aviv, Israel, who wasnt part of the study.

Jaw-dropping diversity

A magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of Japan triggered a tsunami March 11, 2011, that swept boats, docks, buoys and other man-made materials into the Pacific. The debris drifted east with an armada of living creatures, some that gave birth to new generations while at sea.



The diversity was somewhat jaw-dropping, Carlton said. Mollusks, sea anemones, corals, crabs, just a wide variety of species, really a cross-section of Japanese fauna.



The researchers collected and analyzed the debris that reached the West Coast and Hawaii over the last five years, with new pieces arriving Wednesday in Washington. The debris flowed across the North Pacific current, as other objects do from time to time, before it moved north with the Alaska current or south with the California current. Most hit Oregon and Washington.



Last year, a small boat from Japan reached Oregon with 20 good-sized fish inside, a kind of yellowtail jack native to the western Pacific, Carlton said. Some of the fish are still alive in an Oregon aquarium. Earlier, an entire fishing ship, the Sai sho-Maru, arrived intact with five of the same 6-inch fish swimming around inside.

Co-author Gregory Ruiz, a Smithsonian marine ecologist, is especially interested in a Japanese parasite in the gills of mussels. Elsewhere in the world, these parasites have taken root and hurt oyster and mussel harvests and they hadnt been seen before on the West Coast.

Much of debris is plastic



The researchers note another huge factor in this flotilla: plastics.



Decades ago, most of the debris would have been wood and that would have degraded over the long ocean trip, but now most of the debris  buoys, boats, crates and pallets  are made of plastic and that survives, Carlton said. And so the hitchhikers survive, too.



It was the plastic debris that allowed new species to survive far longer than we ever thought they would, Carlton said.



James Byers, a marine ecologist at the University of Georgia in Athens, who wasnt part of the study, praised the authors for their detective work. He said in an email that the migration was an odd mix of a natural trigger and human aspects because of the plastics.



The fact that communities of organisms survived out in the open ocean for long time periods (years in some cases) is amazing, he wrote.
Pakistan's Sindh province police on Thursday killed five suspected terrorists who had ties to al-Qaida and Islamic State terror groups in the southern port city of Karachi, according to provincial law enforcement officials.

Rao Anwaar, a senior provincial police official, told local media that the suspects were gunned down in a shootout with police who raided a compound believed to be housing terrorists near the Sachal neighborhood of Karachi.

"An important al-Qaida member, Amir Sharif, was killed in this shootout. The other four people killed were previously in Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, later switched to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan [TTP], and lately they have joined Islamic State," Rao Anwaar told local Pakistani media.

Attack plans

The suspects were allegedly planning to target the city during the current Islamic month of Muharram when Shi'ite Muslims commemorate the death anniversary of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the prophet of Islam on the 10th day of the month. Some extremists consider the annual ritual as blasphemous.

According to local law enforcement authorities, Amir Sharif was an engineer by profession and found evidence that he was an expert in drone technology.

Sharif reportedly improvised an explosive-laden vehicle that operates without a driver. Authorities believe he was likely going to use it to attack Shi'ite mourners on the day of Ashura. Two militants were also arrested during the raid on the compound in Karachi. Police recovered three suicide jackets, one rocket, hand grenades and other explosive materials.

Youth extremism

In recent months, militants have increasingly become active in Karachi, the financial hub of Pakistan.

Ansar al-Sharia is a new al-Qaida-inspired militant group that claims to act as a platform for militants who have grown disaffected with the Islamic State militant group in the country. The group has recently emerged in Karachi.

The country's security officials are worried that young, highly educated students are increasingly being enticed by extremism.

"Unfortunately, according to the names that have come up in the investigation, their [Ansar al-Sharia] kill team has three young men who have masters [degrees] in applied physics," Major General Mohammad Saeed, the head of Rangers paramilitary security force in Karachi, told local media recently.

Speaking to VOA, Sanaullah Abbasi, chief of Sindh's counterterrorism department, expressed concerns about this emerging trend.

"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."
A long-running effort to build one of the worlds largest telescopes on a mountain sacred to Native Hawaiians is moving forward after a key approval Thursday, reopening divisions over a project that promises revolutionary views into the heavens but has drawn impassioned protests over the impact to a spiritual place.

Hawaiis land board granted a construction permit for the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope atop the states tallest mountain, called Mauna Kea, but opponents likely would appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court. Protesters willing to be arrested were successful in blocking construction in the past.

For the Hawaiian people, I have a message: This is our time to rise as a people, said Kahookahi Kanuha, a protest leader. This is our time to take back all of the things that we know are ours. All the things that were illegally taken from us.

No construction soon

Telescope officials dont have any immediate construction plans and will consider its next steps, said Scott Ishikawa, a project spokesman. Officials previously have said they want to resume building in 2018.

In moving forward, we will listen respectfully to the community in order to realize the shared vision of Mauna Kea as a world center for Hawaiian culture, education and science, TMT International Observatory Board Chairman Henry Yang said in a statement.

Richard Ha, a Native Hawaiian farmer who supports the project, urged opponents to avoid confrontation.

The possibility of getting the best telescope in the world ... I dont feel is the right battle to fight, he said. It will hurt our own people.

While opponents say constructing the telescope will desecrate Mauna Kea, supporters tout the instruments ability to provide long-term educational and economic opportunities.

This was one of the most difficult decisions this board has ever made, state Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case said in a statement about the 5-2 decision.

Plans for the project date to 2009, when scientists selected Mauna Kea after a five-year around-the-world campaign to find the ideal site for what telescope officials said will likely revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

The project won a series of approvals from Hawaii, including a permit to build on conservation land in 2011. Protesters blocked attempts to start construction. Then in 2015, the state Supreme Court invalidated the permit, saying the boards approval process was flawed, and ordered the project to go through the steps again.

Protests from the beginning

Protests disrupted a groundbreaking in 2014 and intensified after that. Construction stopped in 2015 after 31 demonstrators were arrested for blocking the work.

A second attempt to restart construction a few months later ended with more arrests and crews retreating.

Mehana Kihoi said being arrested while praying on the mountain was one of the most traumatic experiences of her life. She started going there to help heal from domestic violence, Kihoi told the land board earlier this month.

For years, I carried grief and pain ... until I went to the mauna, she said, using the Hawaiian word for mountain.

Culture over money

Kanuha, a protest leader, dismissed the millions that telescope officials have paid toward educating youth on the Big Island in science, technology, engineering and math. So far, $3.5 million has been paid into the educational fund, even while the projects construction permit was invalid.

That money isnt the answer to improving the lives of Native Hawaiian youth, Kanuha said. Revitalization of language and culture through Hawaiian-focused education is whats important, he said.

A group of Native Hawaiian telescope supporters formed a group called Perpetuating Unique Educational Opportunities. Some members had been against the telescope in the past, said the groups attorney, Lincoln Ashida.

We believe that with increased opportunities for children, that results in stronger families, which in turn benefits our community, Ashida told the board.

A group of universities in California and Canada make up the telescope company, with partners from China, India and Japan. The instruments primary mirror would measure 98 feet (30 meters) in diameter. Compared with the largest existing visible-light telescope in the world, it would be three times as wide, with nine times more area.

Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, has been the first choice, telescope officials said, calling it the best location in the world for astronomy. Its summit provides a clear view of the sky for 300 days a year, with little air and light pollution. They selected an alternate site in Spains Canary Islands if the telescope couldnt be built in Hawaii.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarks Thursday on his second trip to China, seeking Beijing's cooperation on a "maximum pressure" campaign against North Korea's nuclear aggression amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

In a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong on Thursday, the top U.S. diplomat is seeking China's cooperation to curb North Korea's nuclear provocations and to pave the way for President Donald Trump's first visit to China in November.

WATCH: Tillerson Heads to China Amid North Korea Nuclear Escalation

"We'll continue our discussions on a number of other issues that are important, and certainly North Korea will be on the table for discussion," Tillerson said before the first round of U.S.-China Social and Cultural Dialogue that's aimed at promoting people-to-people ties.

The U.S. is conferring closely with Chinese officials on Beijing's commitment to curb imports of North Korean coal, iron, iron ore, lead and lead ore, and seafood.

If fully implemented, the ban on those items could substantially reduce North Korea's revenues this year. North Korea earned $1.5 billion from the export of these items to China in 2016, according to the State Department.

No. 1 trading partner

China is North Korea's No. 1 trading partner. Washington says bringing China on board is key to cutting off Pyongyang's ability to earn hard currency.

"We've been rolling out sanctions on various entities in China," acting Assistant Secretary of State for Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton told U.S. lawmakers Thursday.

"All of these designations target North Korean trade, North Korean entities, North Korean illicit proliferation," Thornton said, adding that those measures will reduce Pyongyang's ability to earn hard currency and increase pressure on the regime.

Trade and investment also are high on the agenda for Tillerson's visit to Beijing. It follows one by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who has said China needs to provide fair and reciprocal treatment for American companies.

"We're working with China to rebalance our trade and our lopsided relationship in that realm, and ensure that China provides fair treatment to U.S. companies in ways that create U.S. jobs," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Thursday.

Energy embargo unlikely

Experts say China is very unlikely to completely cut off energy supplies to North Korea, but Beijing appears ready to cut down oil supplies.

Atlantic Council senior fellow Robert Manning said China can do a number of things, including closing a border bridge or permitting 24/7 U.N. monitoring of traffic to and from the road.

"The U.S. has intelligence that Pyongyang is either importing or exporting nuclear and/or missile components or other sensitive items; Beijing can and should cooperate in intercepting them," Manning told VOA.

But Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Asia Program director Douglas Paal said China's influence over North Korea is limited.

"The North is very reluctant to take instructions from China. It will exploit whatever it can get from China, but it doesn't look for political guidance from China. So this is a problem we [the U.S.] and South Korea are going to have to handle directly with North Korea as we go forward," Paal told VOA.

Trump's tweets

North Korean intermediaries reportedly approached Paal to help to decipher President Trump's tweets.

"In January, the North Koreans had to see Trump's tweet, which was criticizing South Korea and talking about possible talks, meetings, and discussing issues with the North Korea leader. So they probably were looking for some clues of what this all means. Since then, of course, most of the tweets had turned very negative on North Korea," Paal said.

"They probably could use some help to understand what the real policy of the Trump administration is. So it's reasonable for them to be out asking," Paal added.
On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Were liberating the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, for the week ending September 30, 2017.

Last week featured a rare treat: a Hot Shot Debut single in the Top Five. We're happy to announce that this week, history repeats itself.

Number 5: Sam Smith "Too Good At Goodbyes"



It happens in fifth place, where Sam Smith re-surfaces.



Sam tallies his sixth Top 20  and his third Top Five  hit, Too Good At Goodbyes. Back home in the U.K., the news is even better, where it becomes Sams sixth number one. This is the opening single from his upcoming second album. Its been three years since he dropped In The Lonely Hour. Sam says he wants the album to update us on his love life which according to him is still terrible.

Number 4: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber "Despacito"



Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber arent suffering too terribly with Despacito: the former 16-week champ weakens a slot in fourth place.



Fans of Daddy Yankee are helping him aid victims of natural disasters. Last week, he went on social media to elicit donations for those devastated by Hurricane Maria in the Caribbean, and the massive earthquake in Mexico. Working with several charities, he collected donations of diapers, batteries, bottled water and other essentials. Daddy Yankee also joined forces with Feeding America, which will bring food donations to 78 municipalities in Puerto Rico.

Number 3: Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid "1-800-273-8255"



Logic bumps it up two slots to third place with 1-800-273-8255 featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid.

This is now the highest-charting single in Hot 100 history with a telephone number as its title. Back in 1982, the rock band Tommy Tutone peaked at number four with 867-5309/Jenny. Actually, no fewer than seven songs bearing phone number titles have made it into the Hot 100.

Number 2: Cardi B "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)"



Cardi B remains a strong contender at number two with Bodak Yellow (Money Moves).



Cardi recently said she was going to push back her album, originally slated for an October release. Posting on Twitter, rapper J Cole advised her not to pressure herself to release an albumjust keep dropping strong singles.

Number 1: Taylor Swift "Look What You Made Me Do"



Taylor Swift stays strong atop the Hot 100 for a third week with Look What You Made Me Do.

Did you know Taylor threw a Halloween party last year? Naturally, it drew top celebs: model Gigi Hadid was there along with Camila Cabello, who dressed as a Grandma Who Couldnt Find Her Cat Because She Sat On It.

Well find our way to number one next week and we hope youll join us.
U.S. billionaire innovator Elon Musk has unveiled plans for a new rocket that would allow passengers to travel from one continent to another in about 30 minutes.

At a presentation Friday in Adelaide, Australia, Musk showed a video of images of a rocket taking off in New York and landing in various places around the world, including Tokyo and Shanghai.

He said the New York-Shanghai trip could be done in 39 minutes, while a trip from Bangkok to Dubai would take 27 minutes and Tokyo to Delhi would be 30 minutes.

He added that the cost per seat should be about the same as full fare economy in an aircraft.

Musk noted there is no weather outside the Earth's atmosphere to interfere with travel times and said that once you are beyond the atmosphere, "it would be as smooth as silk, no turbulence, nothing."

"If we are building this thing to go to the moon and Mars, then why not go to other places on Earth as well?" Musk said.

Musk, who founded and runs the company SpaceX along with the electric luxury car company Tesla, has long been making plans for rockets to travel to Mars.

Musk said SpaceX plans its first trip to Mars in 2022, carrying only cargo with a key mission to find the best source of water on the Red Planet. That mission would be followed by the first manned mission in 2024. He said the company was aiming to start construction on the first spaceship in the next six to nine months.

Musk said space flights to enable people to travel from one continent to another could help to pay for future missions to Mars.
Backing employers over employees. Backing the state of Ohio over groups involved in voter registration. Backing a narrow reading of a sexual discrimination law over a broad one.



Those are just some of the legal about-faces President Donald Trumps administration is making at the Supreme Court and in lower courts.



The Trump administration has found itself in court defending a variety of new policies: the presidents travel ban, the phasing out of a program protecting young immigrants, and the revisiting of a policy that had allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the military.

But its also dealing with lawsuits that were in progress before the president took office, and asserting positions different from those of the Obama administration.

The Office of the Solicitor General, the Justice Department office that represents the federal government at the Supreme Court and determines what position it will take in federal appeals court cases, does some position switching every time the White House changes parties. But the office prizes its reputation as largely nonpartisan and switches positions with a great deal of trepidation, said Gregory Garre, who served as solicitor general under George W. Bush.



The offices currency and credibility before the court depends on it not being viewed as a political institution, Garre said. He said Supreme Court justices, and Chief Justice John Roberts in particular, have given the office a hard time in court about flipping positions.

Arbitration agreements

On Monday, the first day of its new term, the Supreme Court will hear its first case in which the Trump administration is reversing course from its predecessor. In one of the most important business cases of the term, the Obama administration backed employees in a dispute with their employers over arbitration agreements. Now, the Trump administration is backing employers.



A federal agency, the National Labor Relations Board, is being permitted to defend the original position, meaning that two government lawyers will argue against each other. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has said that the unusual lineup will be a first for me in the nearly 25 years Ive served on the court.



Voter rolls

The justices will soon consider a case in which the government now supports a method Ohio uses to remove people from voter rolls. When the case was being heard in a federal appeals court, the Obama administration argued that the method, which puts someone on the path to being removed from the rolls if they havent voted for two years, violates federal law.



Samuel Bagenstos, a University of Michigan law professor and former Justice Department official, called the switch in a longstanding position stunning because it reversed a view held for more than 20 years by Republican and Democratic administrations alike.



Lower court cases

While the highest-profile shifts in position may be those at the Supreme Court, the administration has also altered course in cases at lower-level courts. In cases about pollution-control rules put in place by the Obama administration, the Trump administration has asked for pauses in the litigation so the rules can be re-evaluated, said Pat Gallagher, the director of the Sierra Clubs environmental law program.



In a case out of Texas, the Obama administration had joined groups suing over a controversial voter ID law. The Trump administration, in contrast, has abandoned the argument that the state passed ID rules with discrimination in mind. It said changes signed by Texas governor should satisfy the courts.



The Trump administration has also aggressively shifted positions in cases involving gay rights, said Human Rights Campaign legal director Sarah Warbelow.

In a New York case involving a skydiving instructor who alleged he was fired after telling a customer he was gay, the Trump administrations Justice Department weighed in to argue that a federal law barring sex discrimination means discrimination based on gender and doesnt cover sexual orientation. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under President Barack Obama took the opposite view.

Wedding cake case

The Trump administration is also supporting a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple because of his religious beliefs, a case now before the Supreme Court.



Donald Verrilli, who served as solicitor general from 2011 to 2016, said the Obama administration either wouldnt have weighed in on the case or would have supported the couple. But Verrilli, who himself backed position switches when he was solicitor general, declined to discuss other about-faces by his former office.



Its a hard job. You know, youve got to make difficult judgments in that job, Verrilli said. Im sure theyre doing their best.
President Donald Trump is touting his administrations disaster response in Puerto Rico, even as officials in the U.S. territory warn that much more help will be needed to fend off mass hunger and disease on the hurricane-ravaged island.

Adding to his running series of Twitter posts on the subject, Trump noted that Puerto Ricos Governor Ricardo Rossello had praised Washingtons responsiveness to the islands needs.

But the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Ricos capital, hit back at stories about how well the relief efforts are going.

"This is a people are dying story. This is a life or death story," Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz told CNN.

Yulin Cruz was reacting to an earlier comment by acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke that the life-saving efforts of relief workers was a "good news story."

"Maybe from where shes standing its a good news story," Cruz said after hearing Dukes remarks. "Its irresponsible," she said, urging Duke to come to Puerto Rico to see for herself.

Duke is likely to visit the U.S. island territory to see the recovery effort next Tuesday, along with President Trump. They also will stop at the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were also hard-hit by Hurricane Maria.

As he began a speech Friday to the National Association of Manufacturers, Trump said he was sending thoughts and prayers to people of Puerto Rico.

"Weve never seen anything like this," he said, noting that Washington is sending 10,000 federal personnel, including 5,000 National Guard members.



"The recovery effort probably hasnt been seen for something like this," Trump said. "We want the people to be safe and sound, and we will be there every day until that happens."

Speaking at a hotel a few blocks from the White House, Trump mentioned that Puerto Ricos electrical grid and infrastructure had been in poor shape beforehand, saying, "were literally starting from scratch."



The president said Puerto Ricos government would have to work with Washington to determine how the cleanup will be funded and what to do with the tremendous amount of existing debt already on the island.

"Weve closely coordinated with territorial and local governments which unfortunately arent able to handle this catastrophe on their own," said the president.

A three-star general was named Thursday to head the relief effort, and a 1,000-bed hospital ship, the Comfort, was departing Friday from its home port in the U.S. state of Virginia to assist in the recovery. Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert said 44 of Puerto Ricos 69 hospitals have been restored to operation.

But critics say the response may prove to be a case of too little, too late.

Russel Honore, highly lauded for commanding the military response after another big storm, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, said the military deployments to Puerto Rico should have begun at least four days earlier.

Honore told National Public Radio that because of its distance from the mainland and the loss of its power grid, Puerto Rico "is a bigger and tougher mission than Katrina."

The head of the U.S. relief effort, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan, said Thursday it would be a long-term project. "Were bringing in more," Buchanan told CNN. "This is a very, very long duration."
U.S. President Donald Trump will embark on a trip to Asia in November with the goal of garnering global support against the North Korean threat, while attending regional summits and discussing trade, the White House announced Friday.

"The president's engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the statement said.

The trip will include the president's first visit to China, North Korea's closest ally and number one trade partner.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will pave the way for Trump's trip to China on his second trip to the country next week by seeking Beijings cooperation on a maximum pressure campaign against North Koreas nuclear aggression, amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. is conferring closely with Chinese officials on Beijings commitment to curbing imports of North Korean coal, iron, iron ore, lead and lead ore, and seafood.

If fully implemented, the ban on those items could substantially reduce North Korea's revenues this year, after earning $1.5 billion from the export of these items to China in 2016, according to the U.S. State Department.

Trump will attend the U.S.- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and the East Asia summit in the Philippines. His travels also will take him to Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia, the U.S.-ASEAN relationship is a "strategic partnership" and that ASEAN has "promoted prosperity and security" not only among member nations, but also throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The exchange of goods and services between the countries also will be a priority for Trump. The White House said the president will stress "the importance of fair and reciprocal economic ties with America's trade partners."

Trump's November 3-14 trip will include visits to South Korea, Japan and Hawaii.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday agreed to push for the creation of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's key northern province of Idlib to help end the civil war.

Erdogan said after talks in Ankara the pair agreed to "pursue more intensely" the implementation of a de-escalation zone in Idlib, which currently is under jihadist control.

The agreement is seen as a key step toward ending the civil war and ushering in the start of a peace process.

"All conditions are now created to stop the war in the Syria," Putin declared at the joint press conference.

Civilian deaths concern Erdogan

According to reports, Erdogan raised concerns with Putin over the numbers of civilians being killed by the Russian bombing in Syria. Ankara and Moscow back rival sides in the Syrian civil war. Relations were plunged into a deep freeze following the 2015 downing of a Russian bomber by a Turkish jets. However, relations have recovered since rapprochement efforts began last year.

But analysts warns these ties are not binding.

"There will be always be a limit as to how significant and how convergent that relationship can be," warned Sinan Ulgen, a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Institute in Brussels. "There is history, there are differences how the two countries look at regional developments. So there will always be a limit."

After several hours of talks over dinner, the two leaders underlined the importance of the deepening relationship between the two countries.

"The bilateral relations is getting stronger and stronger, and it's very pleasing to both parties. We hope they prove to be much better in the future," Erdogan said at the press conference, describing Putin as a "valuable friend."

"The meeting was a good opportunity to exchange ideas," Putin added. Both leaders described the talks as "fruitful."

Missile system discussed

Putin stressed the importance of increasing bilateral trade. Ankara's purchase of Russia's sophisticated S400 missile system reportedly featured prominently in talks. The deal has irked Ankara's NATO allies adding to fears over Turkey's possible drift toward Russia

The rising tensions over Iraqi Kurds' independence referendum vote also were featured in deliberations. Erdogan is taking a tough stance over the vote, fearing it could fuel secessionist demands among its own Kurdish minority.

No change on PKK

Moscow continues to resist Ankara's calls to designate as a terrorist group the Kurdish rebel group the PKK which is fighting the Turkish state. Moscow supports the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG in its fight against Islamic State, despite Ankara accusing the group of being linked to the PKK.

"Turkish policymakers are well aware of the ambiguities of the Russia position that is the case in Russia's relationship with the PKK. That has been the case of Russia's backing of the YPG. There is no romantic expectation with Russia. It's about hard politics," according to analyst Ulgen.

But with Ankara currently continuing to have strained ties with some of its traditional western partners, in particular Washington, Erdogan appears ready to continue deepening ties with Moscow, with the implicit message to its NATO partners that Turkey always has alternatives.
Twitter told the House and Senate intelligence committees Thursday that it had shut down more than 200 accounts after determining they were linked to Russia and sought to interfere in U.S. politics.

The closed-door sessions followed similar briefings earlier this month with Facebook, which has also agreed to provide lawmakers with 3,000 Russia-linked ads involving divisive social and political issues that were placed on its platform.

The committees are examining the spread of false news stories and whether anyone in the United States aided in targeting content to certain users. In the case of Twitter, that includes examining so-called bot accounts that are set up to quickly and automatically spread information.

"Of the roughly 450 accounts that Facebook recently shared as a part of their review, we concluded that 22 had corresponding accounts on Twitter. All of those identified accounts had already been or immediately were suspended from Twitter for breaking our rules," Twitter announced in a blog post Thursday afternoon. "In addition, from those accounts we found an additional 179 related or linked accounts, and took action on the ones we found in violation of our rules."

Twitter also said the Russian news site RT spent $274,100 in ads on its platform in 2016.

But despite the disclosures, ranking lawmakers said they were disappointed in Twitter's handling of the issues.

Democratic Representative Adam Schiff of California said, "Much of the information that Twitter used to identify Russian-linked accounts, however, was derived from Facebook's own analysis, and it is clear that Twitter has significant forensic work to do to understand the depth and breadth of Russian activity during the campaign."

Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said the company "showed an enormous lack of understanding ... about how serious this issue is, the threat it poses to democratic institutions."

The meetings with technology companies have so far been closed to the public, but both the House and Senate intelligence committees are planning to hold public hearings about the use of online tools in connection with efforts to influence the election.

The committees have invited Facebook, Twitter and Google's parent company, Alphabet, to appear, with the House panel planning to hold its hearing in October and the Senate committee in early November.

In a report earlier this year, U.S. intelligence agencies said it was their assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered an influence campaign aimed at the U.S. election in order to boost Donald Trump's chance of winning the presidency while hurting the campaign of Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.

Trump has expressed skepticism of the conclusion. In July, he said, "I think it could very well have been Russia, but I think it could well have been other countries, and I won't be specific."

The president, who has frequently criticized the media, on Wednesday used Twitter to suggest Facebook worked with television news companies and top U.S. newspapers to work against him during the election.

"Trump says Facebook is against him. Liberals say we helped Trump. Both sides are upset about ideas and content they don't like. That's what running a platform for all ideas looks like," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a response to Trump's tweet.

"After the election, I made a comment that I thought the idea misinformation on Facebook changed the outcome of the election was a crazy idea," Zuckerberg added. "Calling that crazy was dismissive and I regret it. This is too important an issue to be dismissive. But the data we have has always shown that our broader impact  from giving people a voice to enabling candidates to communicate directly to helping millions of people vote  played a far bigger role in this election."
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Thursday for swift action to halt the deteriorating situation in Myanmars northern Rakhine State, where a half million mostly Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighboring Bangladesh in the past month.

The situation has spiraled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency; a humanitarian and human rights nightmare, Guterres told an open meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

The council has privately discussed the situation three times in the past month, but Thursdays session was the first time since 2009 that it has publicly discussed Myanmar.

Guterres called for an end to the militarys operations; unhindered aid access; and the safe and voluntary return of refugees to their areas of origin.

There seems to be a deeply disturbing pattern to the violence and ensuing large movements of an ethnic group from their homes, Guterres said.

Guterres and his human rights commissioner have both expressed concerns that what is happening in Rakhine State is ethnic cleansing.

The secretary-general said the core problem is the prolonged statelessness of the Rohingya and its associated discrimination. The Muslims of Rakhine State should be granted nationality, Guterres said.

The Rohingya are one of many ethnic minorities in the Buddhist-majority nation. They are considered to be economic migrants from Bangladesh and have been denied citizenship, even though most can show that their families have been in the country for generations.

Dire situation in camps

The Red Crescent Society, which has mounted a $13 million appeal for the Rakhine refugee camps in Cox's Bazar in southern Bangladesh, warns the camps may be on the brink of a possible outbreak of disease.

"Our mobile clinics are treating more people, especially children, who are very sick from diarrheal diseases which are a direct result of the terrible sanitation conditions in the makeshift camps," said Mozharul Huq, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. "We are on the cusp of a serious health outbreak."

The Red Crescent says safe water, sanitation, hygiene promotion and medical care are "urgently needed" to prevent what would be a catastrophic development.

"In some camps, hundreds of people are sharing one toilet," said Martin Faller, deputy regional director for Asia Pacific for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. "The conditions for an outbreak of disease are all present - we have to act now ."

Violence erupted in Rakhine on August 25, after attacks by Rohingya militants on state security forces led to military reprisals.

U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley said the military response has been disproportionate and indiscriminate and has dwarfed the original rebel attacks in the scope of its violence. She called for a suspension of arms sales to the military until sufficient accountability measures are in place.

The military has been accused of the widespread burning of Rohingya villages, rape, killings, looting and the laying of landmines to prevent people returning to their homes.

We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority, Haley said, referring to Myanmar by its other name.

And it should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma, she said in an apparent reference to the countrys de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.



Suu Kyi criticism



Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has faced international criticism for remaining silent on the situation until last week.

Haley said the United States has provided $95 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar and Bangladesh, but acknowledged it would not be enough for the growing emergency.

As we speak, the situation on the ground is beginning to move toward stability, Chinas Deputy U.N. envoy Wu Haitao declared.

Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia discouraged excessive pressure on Myanmars authorities, which he said could only aggravate the situation. We need to be very careful when we wield such notions as genocide and ethnic cleansing, he added.

Most council members expressed their concern that the crisis could spill over into the region, causing broader instability and the potential radicalization of the disenfranchised. There was also broad consensus among members that the violence must stop, humanitarian agencies must be allowed in, and root causes of the conflict should be addressed.

Myanmars national security adviser, Thaung Tun, disputed that ethnic cleansing is taking place.

I wish to stress there is no ethnic cleansing and no genocide in Myanmar, he told council members. Ethnic cleansing and genocide are serious charges and they should not be used lightly.

He said the country is fighting terrorists, adding that no armed clashes or clearance operations have taken place since September 5th.

Despite claims otherwise, violence has not ceased in northern Rakhine State, neither has the exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh, that countrys U.N. ambassador Masud Bin Momen said. Only last night an additional 20,000 entered into Bangladesh, he noted.

The envoy said the situation is untenable and reiterated his prime ministers call for U.N. supervised safe zones inside Myanmar for the Rohingya.

Advisory commission

Myanmars National Security Adviser also noted that his government views the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission as a viable road map forward.

The Commission was chaired by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan and had six local and three international experts. Members traveled extensively in Rakhine State during the past year and submitted their final report to the national authorities on August 23.

The commissions recommendations include urging the government to provide full and unhindered humanitarian access; address the issue of citizenship, including reviewing the 1982 citizenship law; and guaranteeing freedom of movement for all people in Rakhine, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or citizenship status.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said that Kofi Annan has agreed to brief the council next month in an informal session.

Thursdays Security Council session follows two high-level meetings on the sidelines of last weeks gathering of leaders at the U.N. General Assembly. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) met at ministerial level to discuss the growing humanitarian crisis, and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson brought together his counterparts from several countries, including the United States. They called for an end to the military campaign.

The heads of U.N. agencies in Myanmar were due to visit Rakhine State on Thursday on a government-arranged trip, but it was postponed due to inclement weather conditions. The Myanmar National Security Adviser said the visit would go ahead on Monday. He also said the government has invited U.N. chief Guterres to visit the area.

Aid agencies have been unable to work in Rakhine since violence erupted last month, but they are working in Bangladesh, where the refugees are fleeing.

A boat carrying Rohingya refugees capsized there Thursday in the Bay of Bengal, killing at least nine children and five women.

The U.N. refugee agency said 27 women and children survived the accident, but it was not clear how many people were on the boat before it tipped over. The agency said there are unconfirmed reports that a second boat is missing.



Urgent action needed

The U.N. has appealed for $77 million to meet emergency needs of the refugees. It has received nearly half that amount, but will be calling for additional funds as the scale of the emergency has far surpassed initial projections.

On October 9, the U.N. Refugee agency, the humanitarian affairs office and the International Organization for Migration will convene a donors conference, the secretary-general said.

Myanmar has also reached out to the regional bloc ASEAN for humanitarian assistance.

Separately, a coalition of nearly 90 human rights groups called Thursday for the U.N. Security Council to consider measures including an arms embargo against Myanmars military and targeted financial sanctions against individuals responsible for crimes and serious abuses.

As more evidence emerges, it is clear that the atrocities committed by Myanmar state security forces amount to crimes against humanity, the coalition said. The United Nations and its member states need to take urgent action, their statement read.

If governments, U.N. officials and diplomats simply hold meetings and make speeches as atrocities continue in Myanmar, they bear the risk of failing to use every diplomatic tool at their disposal to stop the ethnic cleansing campaign and further crimes against humanity, the rights groups warned.
U.N. peacekeepers have deployed to a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after clashes between armed groups and the Congolese army.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO, said it sent troops to Uvira to protect civilians and deter any attack on the city, located near the Burundian border, on the northern end of Lake Tanganyika.

A reporter for VOA's French to Africa service said a militia known as the Mai Mai Yakutumba sent four motorboats filled with armed men over the lake to attack a bridge early Thursday.

The head of the Uvira district, Sephanie Milenge Matundanya, said army troops drove the militiamen out of the city and several villages they had occupied.

A local resident said U.N. helicopters were in the area but that the city was calm later in the day.

Eastern Congo has been wracked by violence for years as the government and various militias fight for control of rich mines that produce gold and coltan, a material used in mobile phones.

Tensions have run even higher due to the failure of the DRC's government to organize elections and President Joseph Kabila's refusal to leave office at the end of his term last December.

MONUSCO said it has sent its deputy force commander to oversee the situation around Uvira.

The head of MONUSCO, Maman Sidikou, said in a statement he "urged the armed groups to immediately cease this hostility, including all forms of violence against constituted authority and innocent civilians."
The government has fined U.S. tree-trimming company a record $95 million for knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants.

U.S. prosecutors said the fine against Philadelphia-based Asplundh Tree Expert Co. was the largest criminal penalty ever imposed in an immigration case.

Prosecutors said company managers deliberately looked the other way while supervisors knowingly hired thousands of undocumented workers between 2010 and 2014.

The prosecutors said this gave Asplundh a large workforce ready to take on emergency weather-related jobs across the country, putting its competitors at an unfair disadvantage.

A federal investigation into Asplundh was opened in 2015 and the company said it had since taken a number of steps to end "the practices of the past."

"We accept responsibility for the charges as outlined, and we apologize to our customers, associates and all other stakeholders," company Chairman Scott Asplundh said.
Dr. Constance Jean Connie Smith, 67, of Flagstaff, Ariz., formerly of Elm Creek, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, at her home in Flagstaff.

Cremation was chosen. There will be a visiting time with family held at the Education Center at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek one hour prior to the service.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek, with the Rev. Alex Borzych celebrating. Inurnment will be in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery at Elm Creek.

She was born July 1, 1950, in Kearney, to Ronald and Eileen (Buettner) Smith. She attended school in Elm Creek Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1968. She particularly enjoyed her participation in volleyball, softball, band, choir, and student government.

Connie received her bachelor of science degree in psychology from Kearney State College (KSC) in 1979, where she received the Outstanding Senior in Psychology Award. Her undergraduate mentor at KSC was Dr. Kenneth Nikels.

In 1980, Connie entered the Ph.D. program in Experimental Psychology at Texas Tech University where she specialized in Physiological Psychology and Neuroscience. She earned her doctorate degree in 1985 from Texas Tech University. The faculty in the Department of Psychology recognized her academic and research accomplishments by awarding her the departments Andreychuk Leadership Award and students in her classes honored her teaching efforts by awarding her the Psi Chi Teacher of the Year Award. Her doctoral mentor was Dr. Vernon J. Perez.

Upon completion of her Ph.D. she competed for and was awarded a National Institute of Health Post-doctoral Fellowship for two years, in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at the Health Sciences School of Medicine where she conducted research. For her research accomplishments, she was awarded a Young Investigator Travel award by the Endocrine Society. She was published in several professional journals. Her research was recognized nationally as representing a definitive body of knowledge.

Upon finishing her post-doctoral fellowship, Dr. Smith was hired as an Assistant Professor at the East Tennessee University Department of Psychology in Johnson City, Tenn. While there she also served as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology in the Quillen Disher College of Medicine, (1987-1989).

In 1989, she was hired as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Northern Arizona University in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. She was appointed to the rank of Full Professor in 1998. She conducted research in brain disorders, eating disorders, and depression. She directed Masters Theses, served on both Masters and Doctoral dissertation committees, and provided a great deal of University, College, Departmental, and Community service. Many of her students have gone on to enjoy success as MDs and Ph.Ds.

Dr. Smith received numerous awards while at NAU, but the most prestigious of all was being named a Fellow in 2013, one of only one hundred worldwide and the only one from Arizona in the field of Psychological Science. She retired from NAU after 27 years with the University. She was currently doing personal research in the area of Lyme Disease and how it affects the brain in an effort to find answers for a young great-niece afflicted with chronic Lyme Disease.

Connie is survived by her parents, Ronald and Eileen Smith of Elm Creek, her sisters and brothers, Barbara McClure (Mike Blythe) of Kellogg, Iowa, Martin (Denise) Smith of Lexington, Lynda (Gary) Burman of Sumner, Virginia (David) Klingelhoefer of Amherst, Susan (Jenelle) Priest and Jacquelyn Smith of Lincoln, Alan (Tonya) Smith of Eddyville and Laura (Ben) Martin of Elm Creek. She is also survived by much loved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister Rhonda and brother-in-law Jeff Maas, two sisters, Marcia and Gloria and a great nephew Lathan Smith in infancy, grandparents Edward and Ida Buettner, Mahlon and Nellie Smith, uncle Melvin Buettner, and her beloved furry companion, Nagi.

Memorials are suggested to UNK Psychology Department or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington, is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jon Huntsman as the new U.S. ambassador to Russia, filling a void at a critical tie in U.S.-Russian relations.

Huntsman is a former governor of the U.S. state of Utah who previously served as ambassador to Singapore and China.

The confirmation was unanimous and swift, with Democrats and Republicans joining in a rare consensus to support President Donald Trumps choice for the top U.S. diplomat in Moscow. The Washington Post quoted Democratic Senator Benjamin Cardin as saying Trump could not have made a better choice than Huntsman.

The new U.S. ambassador will arrive in Moscow as tensions remain high between the U.S. and Russia on issues that include allegations of Russian meddling in U.S. elections and interference in eastern Ukraine.

Trump has rejected allegations by political opponents that his campaign colluded with the Russians.

Huntsman testified this month before the Senate Foreign Relations committee and said there is, in his words, no question that Moscow interfered in last years presidential election.
U.S. officials said Friday that a military aircraft crashed in Syria, injuring two service members and damaging their Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

Officials said the injuries were not life-threatening after what was called a "hard landing." The service members have reportedly been released from medical care.

A source told CNN that the crash was not due to enemy activity. Another said the aircraft was not salvageable.

The U.S. military often uses Ospreys to move troops within Syria, where U.S. military advisers are working with the Syrian Democratic Forces to train them in combat against Islamic State militants.

Hospitals at risk

Also Friday, reports from doctors and medical aid groups say Syrian troops have renewed the bombing of hospitals, an act one human rights group calls "an egregious violation of the laws of war and a callous attempt to inflict suffering on civilians."

The statement from Physicians for Human Rights, which tracks attacks against medical facilities, said the latest set of attacks was the most intense since April and may amount to war crimes.

Brice de le Vingne of Doctors Without Borders said the attacks are taking place near Idlib. "It is demonstrably evident that hospitals are not safe from bombings in Idlib at the moment, and this is outrageous," he said.

The United Nations has deemed attacks against hospitals a systematic attempt by the Syrian government to target health care facilities.

IS drone experts dead

On Thursday, the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria said three of the terror group's drone experts were killed in Syria earlier this month.

U.S. Army Colonel Ryan Dillon, the spokesman for the counter-IS coalition, says Abu Muadh al-Tunisi was killed on September 12 and Sajid Farooq Babar was killed on September 13 by coalition airstrikes conducted near Mayadin, Syria, in the Middle Euphrates River Valley.

Speaking to reporters via videoconference from Baghdad, Dillon said the two Islamic State fighters "were responsible for manufacturing and modifying commercially produced drones."

Separately, on September 14, two airstrikes in Syria targeted IS drone developer Abu Salman near Mayadin and destroyed his research lab in Ashara, Syria.

Salman and "a terrorist associate" were killed while traveling in a vehicle from Mayadin to Ashara, according to Dillon.

"The removal of these three highly skilled ISIS officials disrupts and degrades ISIS's ability to modify and employ drone platforms as reconnaissance and direct-fire weapons on the battlefield," Dillon said, using an acronym for the terror group.
Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region in the Horn of Africa, has displaced thousands of ethnic Oromos, according to Negeri Lencho, Ethiopias information minister.

The forced relocations are the latest fallout of simmering conflict along the border between Ethiopias Oromia and Somali regions. Those tensions have boiled over in recent weeks, resulting in hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of displacements, Lencho told reporters at a press conference on Monday.

The conflicts are the latest in a series of clashes that have ebbed and flowed for over 25 years. Some of the root causes remain unchanged, but new dynamics, including increased militia activity in the region and escalating tensions, make solutions more elusive.

Close relations, longstanding tension

Oromia and Somali share Ethiopias longest interior border, a meandering line from Moyale in the south to Mulu in the east. Parts of the border follow the Ganale Doria River, but the regional boundary mostly stretches between the Oromia grasslands and Somali desert.

A common way of life has long connected Oromo and Somali people. The Oromia and Somali regions share language, religion and culture. In fact, some groups who speak the Oromo language identify as Somalis, and vice versa.

Despite these close relations, the two ethnic groups have experienced intermittent conflicts over resources, including land and water, over the past 25 years.

The tensions date back to the formation of Ethiopias unique brand of ethnic federalism. In 1991, politicians divided the countrys population  nearly 50 million people at the time  into nine regional states based, in large measure, on ethnicity.

Disagreements over exactly where the Oromia-Somali border should lie have resulted in several referenda, but full demarcation has never occurred, contributing to ongoing strains.

The border has great symbolic power: More than just an administrative boundary, its tied to identity  a political and ethnic differentiator between Ethiopias two largest regions.

Suspicions, accusations

Frictions along the border have been longstanding, but recent conflicts have taken a new, more ominous turn, experts on the region, including Human Rights Watch, say.

Exactly whos behind the recent killings and displacements isnt clear, however, even from within the country. Spokespeople from each regional government blame armed groups from the other side.

We here in Ethiopia are also confused. Its not easy to understand whats going on with this long border, said Fekadu Adugna, an assistant professor of social anthropology at Addis Ababa University.

Much of the confusion stems from the complex assortment of federal, regional, paramilitary and rebel groups engaged in armed conflict across Ethiopia. The Liyu police, a special police force based in Somali, have been accused of killing people in the Oromo ethnic group. But the Liyu have also fought the Ogaden National Liberation Front, a separatist faction that seeks self-rule for Somalis.

Limited access to the conflict zones makes it difficult to prove accusations of who is behind the current attacks.

A number of people have lost their lives, Adugna said. But, in many cases, the exact circumstances of their deaths remain unclear.

Ethiopias powerful federal government, rather than controlling the conflict, has only fanned the flames of the ethnic division, according to some observers.

Felix Horne, a researcher with Human Rights Watch focused on the Horn of Africa, said Ethiopians interviewed by HRW have long felt bullied by the federal government.

The vast majority tell us, Look, its always been this way. There is always arbitrary arrest, you know," said Horne. "Theres always abuse by police, but things have just gotten a little bit more intense in terms of the amount of arbitrary arrests.

Protests across Ethiopia roiled the country in 2016, resulting in a 10-month state of emergency and a concerted government crackdown that began last October.

The protests began when the government proposed expanding the boundaries of Addis Ababa, Ethiopias capital, into Oromia. Hundreds died as unrest swept across the Oromia and Amhara regions.

Horne said the state of emergency silenced protesters without addressing their true concerns about land rights, political representation and freedom of expression, setting the stage for the most recent violence.

What we found is that [the government] largely redefined the protesters grievances in terms that met their needs. They talked about corruption. They talked about the need for job creation; about improving good governance, he said. And these are all important things, obviously, but crucially these are not things that protesters routinely [were] raising on the streets.

The state of emergency did stop protests and associated violence, said Margaux Pinaud, a researcher on political violence in Africa with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a body that produces real-time data for disaggregated conflict analysis and mapping.

At the same time, however, militant activity increased across the country, she said, particularly in regions most affected by the protests, including Oromia.

The activity by ethnic militias in Ethiopia is the highest that its been since 1997, Pinauld added. And then activity by political militias, though usually its unidentified armed groups  but doing attacks against civilians or engaging in clashes with state forces  theyre also really, really high compared to the rest of the data that we look at.

Increases in militant activity could suggest an escalation of the peoples movement, she said. That movement has increasingly become an armed struggle over grievances with the federal government, which many Ethiopians say doesnt represent their interests.

Protesters previously committed to nonviolent resistance havent produced results, Horne said. Theres lots of discussions about different options, which is obviously really, really worrying, he added.

Border depoliticization, de-ethnicization

Professor Adugna said the root of the conflict lies in a volatile combination: the symbolic meaning given to the Oromia-Somali border, and its lack of an official demarcation.

The solution includes two parts, he said: Physically demarcate the border as soon as possible, and de-emphasize its significance.

For Adugna, that means focusing on the administrative functions of the border. The government should depoliticize the border, he said. They should de-ethnicize the border.

For this to work, he said people must be allowed to move freely from one side of the border to the other. Pastoral movement, in particular, should not be hindered since nomadic societies occupy both regions, particularly on the Somali side.

Equally important, Adugna said, people impacted by conflict, especially historically disenfranchised groups, should be consulted in the demarcation process. Those groups include the Oromo, who, despite being the countrys largest ethnic group, have enjoyed little political power under Ethiopias form of ethnic federalism. Religious leaders, not politicians, should guide the process, he said.

In the end, people want to live in peace, Adugna said. That in turn will enable a solution to the decades-old tensions that reached new heights in recent weeks.

Bring the people together, the elders, the religious leaders and so on without the interference of the politicians, Adugna said. People can tell you how to solve it, how to demarcate the border. ... When it is depoliticized, people can live in a friendly environment. The people do not want the conflict because they are the major losers.
White House officials say a federal force of 10,000 people, including 7,000 troops, are helping Puerto Rico dig out of the devastation left by Hurricane Maria.

The U.S. Navy ship Comfort, a 1,000-bed hospital ship based in the U.S. state of Virginia, is scheduled to depart the U.S. mainland for the island Friday. Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert said Puerto Rico has 44 operational hospitals out of a total of 69 facilities.

The Pentagon has appointed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan to lead all military hurricane response efforts in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.

WATCH: US Officials Say Damaged Infrastructure Slows Aid Distribution in Puerto Rico

Critics: Help too slow

Critics have accused the Trump administration of not responding more quickly to the disaster in the wake of the hurricane, which ravaged Puerto Rico on Sept. 17, taking out buildings, knocking out communications, and nearly destroying the islands aging power grid.

On Thursday, Bossert defended the eight-day period between the declaration of an emergency in Puerto Rico and the naming of a leader for recovery efforts.

It didnt require a three-star general eight days ago, he told reporters at a White House news briefing. Bossert also said some of the information he has heard on the news has been out of date.

The coverage in some cases is giving the appearance that we are not moving fast enough, he said.

Bigger, tougher than Katrina

Russel Honore, highly lauded for commanding the military response after another big storm, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, said the military deployments to Puerto Rico are at least four days too late.

Honore told National Public Radio that because of its distance from the mainland and the loss of its power grid, Puerto Rico is a bigger and tougher mission than Katrina.

Stung by the criticism, administration officials have emphasized the complexity of delivering aid to the storm-ravaged territory.

This is an insular island, a territory that stands some distance from the United States, Bossert, the Homeland Security adviser, said.

The constraints and limitations are different from a contiguous state here in the United States. We can position hundreds of trucks in Florida or Texas for restoration of line services. We cant do that in Puerto Rico.

Bossert also said, The president and I have absolute, 100 percent confidence in what Secretary [Elaine] Duke, [FEMA Director] Brock Long, and the men and women of Puerto Rico are doing. They are going to get through this.

On Thursday, Duke said the relief effort in Puerto Rico is under control and told White House reporters that Puerto Rico is really a good news story, in terms of our ability to reach people.

Ships, trucks needed

FEMA regional administrator John Rabin told reporters Thursday that the U.S. government has so far delivered 1.1 million liters of water and about 1 million meals to the island of 3.5 million.

But he added that ships, not planes, are needed to get more supplies to the island.

The only way we are going to get significant amounts of water and food is through ports and through barges and shipping, he said. You cant get enough through the aircraft.

He said officials are very focused on getting supplies from the ports to the distribution centers.

Army Brigadier General Richard Kim told reporters there are 4,400 Defense Department personnel in Puerto Rico, including Puerto Rican National Guard members.

Earlier Thursday, the Trump administration suspended a law that had been hampering delivery of desperately needed aid to hurricane victims, while House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Federal Emergency Management Agencys disaster relief account would receive an additional $6.7 billion boost within days.
On a sweltering day in July of last year, swarms of people streamed in near perfect unison from sleepy restaurants lining the road of Angk Ta Saom village to join in a funeral procession.

It wasnt from television that they knew the body of slain activist Kem Ley was about to arrive. Nearly all stations instituted a blackout of the monumental event.

The requiem was instead streamed live on Facebook by U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) and its team of more than 30 video journalists, along with citizen journalists, activist monks and others armed with little more than 3G connections.

Video and photos flooding Facebook that day showed of hundreds of thousands of people coming out to pay respects to a man they believed was assassinated by the government, signaling perhaps the clearest warning yet of the power of social media.

There was this resentment, this build up of frustration at the government and seeing a renowned public figure being assassinated like that just brought everything over, just boiled everything over, recalled Catherine V. Harry, a Cambodian journalist, writer and actor who has shot to stardom as a social media feminist activist.

I see some of my friends who had not talked to me about Kem Ley at all; they started posting stuff about how they were upset by that...they started to express that once they saw other people expressing that as well, they became more brave in doing that, she said.

Harry has experienced firsthand the power of Facebook video in a country where she says state control of TV confines programming to an antiquated, misogynistic and tightly restrictive value system.

A recent video of hers directly confronting the taboo surrounding women's virginity in Cambodian society has been watched almost 2 million times and set off a firestorm of debate online.

While many media outlets, including RFA, have since fallen to intimidation and other political pressure in a sustained government clampdown on independent voices, Facebook remains alive and healthy. RFA and Voice of America are overseen by the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors.



Many, including Harry, are wondering if social media platforms such as Facebook will soon be caught in the dragnet of the governments crackdown on non-government and civil society.

Online arms race

In barely five years, Facebook has gone from a platform ignored by the government to one of its key tools for communicating directly with its citizens.

It's a progression that Seva Gunitsky, an associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto, who studies the use of social media by autocratic and hybrid democratic states, has seen across the world.

Gunitsky notes that an initial period of euphoria over the democratic potential of social media gives way to the realization that authoritarian regimes also can use it. He also says beyond that, platforms like Facebook help regimes circumvent the often distorted information they are fed by local elites inflating their efficiency and hiding corruption through direct user feedback.

So its a way to call attention to local problems and to gain the short-term benefit of popularity from your citizens without necessarily having to take any huge reforms, he said.

In September 2016, Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a directive ordering all government ministers to create working groups to process and resolve Facebook complaints on a daily basis.

Hun Sen has become fond of making Facebook interventions himself and using it to announce decisions, such as the cancellation of a toll on one of the major national roads.

Kevin Doyle watched the birth of social media in Cambodia as editor-in-chief of the recently shuttered Cambodia Daily newspaper.

Hes now researching the subject at the University of Dublin in Ireland and said the Cambodian government has developed sophisticated nationwide programs.

Now Ive been talking to sources in Phnom Penh who described to me some of the tactics that the ruling party is using in terms of mobilizing support officially on Facebook - users who are actually working for the government and actually have titles as being part of the cyber units, he said.

Government tactics

Doyle said sources told him dozens of social media operatives in every province were operating dozens of accounts, each under a hierarchy administered at the provincial level.

Getting out messages, checking criticisms of the government, responding, you know, being very active - it being a whole new area of engagement rather than just the rapid reaction unit at the council of ministers - theyve got the cyber unit.

Huy Vannak is one of the most powerful people in Cambodian media. He is head of news at national broadcaster CTN, an undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Interior and president of the recently established, ruling party-backed Union of Journalist Federations of Cambodia.

He will not be drawn on specifics of the governments social media programs, but believes the space is dangerously prone to disinformation from members of the public untrained in the responsibilities of journalism.

You need to define who uses it. If the intellectual uses it, Im sure they use for the better way, better action; but, if the stupid people use it, then the result will become stupid, he said.

I dont see any moment that Cambodia will close Facebook. I dont see it; but, the important step that the Cambodian government needs to do, is to have a cyber law.



Shutting down critics

While that law remains on the drawing board, existing legal mechanisms have been used against people posting online.

Numerous opposition members and supporters have been jailed for Facebook postings, including former opposition leader Sam Rainsy and Senator Kim Sok Hour, who was charged over a post related to Cambodias border dispute with Vietnam.

Student Kong Raya was jailed for 18 months in 2016 for a Facebook post a court deemed treasonous, while earlier in September, police arrested a 20-year-old woman near the Thai border for an allegedly defamatory post.

Meanwhile, attacks on civil society and the press continue, with the NGO Equitable Cambodia now joining NDI, RFA, The Cambodia Daily, Mother Nature and more than 10 radio stations, which have been pushed into closure in the past month.

Doyle said that feeling they had struck an effective balance between their messaging and harsh sanctions against people who stepped out of line, the Cambodian government was unlikely to risk a backlash by attacking Facebook itself ahead of next years election.

For the popularity, I think it would be less unpopular for them to shut down the election than shut down Facebook, he said.
Two women accused of murdering the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are expected to plead not guilty when their trial begins Monday in Malaysia, according to an attorney representing one of the defendants.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam are accused of murdering Kim Jong Nam on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by smearing his face with a deadly nerve agent.

Huong's lawyer, Hysyam Teh, told Reuters the women "will maintain their innocence."

Aisyah and Huong have told their respective diplomats they were unwitting participants in the assassination, which U.S. and South Korean officials have said was planned by North Korean agents.

After a pretrial court proceeding in July, lawyers of the two women said their clients had been led to believe they were taking part in a reality television hoax when they assaulted Kim.

The defendants will face the death penalty if they are convicted.

Kim was the oldest son of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, whose other son, Kim Jong Un, assumed leadership of North Korea when their father died in 2001.
Two days of cracking, thundering falling rock at Yosemite National Park have left one man dead, two people injured, and even experienced climbers stunned by the spectacle.



A massive new hunk of granite broke off Thursday at the parks mountaineering mecca of El Capitan, injuring an elderly man and sending huge plumes of white dust.



There was so much smoke and debris, said climber Ryan Sheridan, who had just reached the top of El Capitan when the rock let loose below him. It filled the entire valley with smoke.



The slide came a day after a giant slab of granite plunged from the same formation, killing a British man on a hiking and climbing visit and injuring his wife.



It was in the same location of the previous rock fall, Sheridan told The Associated Press by cellphone from the mountain. A larger rock fall let loose, easily three times the size, Sheridan said.

Second rock fall, second injury

One person was injured and was flown to a hospital, park ranger and spokesman Scott Gediman said. There was no immediate word on the persons condition.



Officials did not identify the person, but an older man with cuts and scrapes on his face and head was being treated by paramedics after the slide.



Meanwhile, the man killed Wednesday was identified as Andrew Foster, 32, of Wales. The park didnt identify his wife, but said she remained hospitalized.



The park indicated that seven rock falls actually occurred during a four-hour period Wednesday on the southeast face of El Capitan. However, it was rare for such a collapse to kill anyone, longtime climbers said Thursday.

Park closes road



Yosemite said on its Twitter page that the park was closing a road on the north side of the park because of the rock fall. Officials advised visitors to use the southern access road.



The massive granite slab that fell Wednesday was seen as a rare event, but only because the rock fall turned deadly, longtime climbers said Thursday.



Rocks at the world-renowned parks climbing routes break loose and crash down about 80 times a year. The elite climbers who flock to the park using ropes and their fingertips to defy death as they scale sheer cliff faces know the risk but also know its rare to be hit and killed by the rocks.



Park officials say rock falls overall have killed 16 people since 1857 and injured more than 100.
Two Zimbabwean journalists were injured on Friday while covering a spontaneous public protest staged by members of Tajamuka Sesijikile Campaign in Harare.

Daily News journalists Mugove Tafirenyika and cameraman Brighton Goko told VOA Studio 7 that they were beaten up by the police who had running battles with protesters angered by the deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe.

Shops were looted in the protests and some people had to flee when Tajamuka Sesijikile Campaign members went on the rampage demanding the resignation of President Robert Mugabe and his government at a time when there is panic buying of goods in the country amid reports of looming crippling shortages.

In a related development, in an attempt to stop the crisis, on Thursday government gazette regulations making it illegal for anyone to trade in foreign currency, a business which the state partly blames for the current economic crisis in the country.

Anyone caught selling foreign currency faces a 10 year jail sentence.
Zimbabwes President Robert Mugabe is lashing out against businesses that he believes are defying his orders to reverse price hikes for basic commodities.



Mugabe is accusing those who defy his order of being "saboteurs" against his government, some of whom he said were from within his own ruling Zanu PF party. He promised to take corrective measures but some analysts are calling for the government to stabilize the economy, rather than blame businesses.

The past two weeks have seen a wave of panic buying as Zimbabweans react to reports on social media that shortages similar to those of 2008 are returning. The reports of price hikes prompted a strong response from Mugabe on his return this week from the U.N. General Assembly.

These are the issues that we do not understand, but we have the knowledge that there are saboteurs who would want things to go wrong so that people can revolt against the government in our absence. Anyway, I am back and I will look at [it]. I do not think these are shortages that can fail to be addressed in one day or two. Those shortages, we will examine them and find a solution," Mugabe said.

More than two days have passed and the price hikes are worsening, prompting sharp criticism from former finance minister and opposition leader Tendai Biti. He said structural economic reforms are what is needed.

[Mugabe] suffers from a reality distorted field. There is a structural crisis in the economy. We are not producing foreign currency, therefore [for] the little foreign currency the prices has shot up. The exchange rate between the bond note and the U.S. dollar I think it is 40 percent. The cost of money has shot up. So these retailers must increase their prices. These retailers particularly the fuel ones must refuse RTGS [Real Time Gross Settlement] and bond note payments as they are doing, because when they import from Dubai, Kuwait, they cannot [pay], they need foreign currency. So chickens have come home to roost, as I keep on saying, you can rig an election, but you cannot rig an economy, Biti said.

Four-tier price system

Last year Zimbabwe introduced bondnotes - surrogate currency that officially trades at on par with the U.S. dollar. But lately, businesses have been asking for more if customers pay with them. There is another price for paying using bank cards and another one when a customer makes a bank transfer.

Wednesday, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said the four-tier price system and price hikes would end soon, warning that authorities will arrest those who overcharge.

But economist Prosper Chitambara, of the Labor and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe, thinks other measures are necessary.

Definitely we are in a crisis of confidence. A number of companies are having to go to the black market or parallel market to source for foreign currency to buy critical inputs from outside the country. For me, the bond notes were never a solution. They were just probably a stop gap measure, but they have actually created more problems now, this parallel market I think is really the cause of the recent hike in prices that we have actually seen. The best solution is to involve everyone, to bring everyone on board. This idea of making threats or threatening to re-introduce price controls will actually not work, Chitambara said.

While fuel shortages have somewhat eased since the beginning of the week, cash shortages and price hikes have not shown any sign of waning.

The hikes prompted prominent pastor Evan Mawarire to call on Zimbabweans to protest, before he was arrested and accused of subversion. Zimbabwe's magistrates court had the charges dropped and he was released Tuesday.

But Zimbabwes economic problems seem to be far from easing.
News feed

Hanging their shingle: PwC, the accounting and consulting giant previously known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, is to launch a law firm in Washington. The trade journal American Lawyer said the firm will be called ILC Legal.

Stepping down: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield announced that Chet Burrell will retire as president and chief executive in mid-2018. The board of directors for the region's largest health insurer said they have launched a nationwide search for his replacement.

Selling off: The Annapolis Junction-based industrial technology conglomerate Colfax has sold its fluid-handling business in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $855 million. The sale to CIRCOR International of Burlington, Mass., is slated to close in the last three months of the year.

the buzz

Amazon is not making this decision by deciding which state they want for their second headquarters, they are specifically looking at competing metropolitan areas.

Rushern L. Baker III, Prince George's County executive and gubernatorial candidate, in a letter to the Baltimore Sun on why his Washington-area bid for a new Amazon.com headquarters is a necessary complement to a bid from Baltimore for its Port Covington site.

The Washington regions economic performance in 2016 (1.1%) ranked 11th among the 15 largest metropolitan areas and 203rd of all metros.

Stephen S. Fuller Institute, a George Mason University economic research organization.
Three days after Hurricane Maria clobbered Puerto Rico, the Crowley shipping company opened its San Juan terminal and switched on its computers. When the port opened at 8 a.m. the next day, the shipping firm delivered 500 containers of commercial goods. Three of its managers had to cut their way out of their homes to get there.

Four days later, those containers and others filled with goods for stores such as Home Depot and Walgreens have been languishing at the port. Retailers hobbled by broken distribution chains and damaged stores have opened only a few outlets, and customers have had to wait in long lines.

Its pretty ugly out there, said Jose Ayala, Crowleys vice president for Puerto Rico services. There is damage to the trucking infrastructure, to the distributors, to the supermarkets, to the roads. And then, if your infrastructure is not so damaged, and you can get a driver to the truck, there is no fuel to move the equipment.

U.S. responded to Haiti quake more forcefully than to Puerto Rico disaster

About 15 federal agencies, charitable groups and the Puerto Rican government are rushing to get goods shipped to the territory and to have them distributed.

Crowley is filling its ships with generators, food and water for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and it expects to deliver more than 1,000 containers on five barges in the coming days. It dispatched more than 200 on Thursday.

President Trump, under political pressure from critics who say his administration has lagged in providing aid to Puerto Rico, flipped his position on Thursday on the 1920 Jones Act and said he would waive the requirement that vessels traveling between U.S. ports be U.S. ships. However the waiver lasts only 10 days, according to a Bloomberg News report.

While many lawmakers from both parties said the Jones Act waiver would speed assistance for Puerto Rico and reduce costs, U.S. shipping executives  including Crowleys  and maritime unions warned that the bottleneck was on the island, not on the seas. Huge swaths of the population still lack fuel, water supplies and communication links.

John Rabin, acting administrator for FEMA Region II, said the agency has established 11 staging areas and delivered food and water to 78 municipalities. He said that 676 gasoline stations were open Thursday morning, although residents said that supplies ran out by early afternoon at many of the stations.

Today is going to be a very difficult and hard day, Rabin said. Hopefully today will be a little bit better than yesterday was. And hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better.

One of the most troublesome obstacles to relief efforts has been the electrical grid, crippled by fallen transmission and distribution lines. Though utilities belong to national groups that help coordinate out-of-state workers to help repair storm damage, so far the mainland utilities have sent crews only to help assess damage. Sue Kelly, president of the American Public Power Association, said Wednesday there was no point in sending repair crews who need food, water and shelter if they did not have the poles, wires and trucks needed.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Congress and Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello have been jockeying over who should take charge of the humanitarian response effort.

1 of 70 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Puerto Rico devastated in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria View Photos After the Category 4 hurricane slammed into Puerto Rico, many of the more than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in the territory were still without adequate food, water and fuel. Flights off the island were infrequent, communications were spotty and roads were clogged with debris. Caption After the Category 4 hurricane slammed into Puerto Rico, many of the more than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in the territory were still without adequate food, water and fuel. Flights off the island were infrequent, communications were spotty and roads were clogged with debris. Hector Retamal Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

Rossello asserted that he was fully in command even as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and other lawmakers on the mainland stepped up demands for the appointment of a federal official to oversee relief efforts.

Lets make this clear, this is an operation of the government of Puerto Rico, Rossello said. We set the priorities. . . . We are taking action, and there are results.

Yet the results are mixed, even by the governors own assessment.

Luis Munoz Marin Airport in San Juan has been able to handle a trickle of flights  about half a dozen a day  for several days; it was expecting nearly two dozen planes to land on Thursday. To relieve congestion, the Air Force opened airports in Ceiba and Aguadilla. Rossello described plans to reestablish a radar in El Yunque, the national rain forest, to augment operations at all the islands flight hubs.

[Puerto Rico's humanitarian crisis nowhere more obvious than at hospitals]

Ports are slowly reopening. FEMA said it would bring in about 3.2 million meals and 2.68 million liters of water, some by air and some by sea. Only 28 percent of the island now has some cellphone reception. About 86 bank branches are open, but many people still have no cash or access to checking accounts.

FEMA said it would use barges to ship 100 fuel distribution trucks with 275,000 gallons of diesel and 75,000 gallons of gasoline. The shipment is expected to arrive Sunday.

I wish we were in a better position but we are limited by the gravity of the situation, Rossello said. In Florida and Texas, where major hurricanes landed in the past two months, resources were brought in by road, but Puerto Rico is an island. We have to bring them through boats and airplanes.

Hence the fight over the Jones Act. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a longtime advocate of repealing the Jones Act restrictions, wrote to the Department of Homeland Security saying, I am very concerned by the Departments decision not to waive the Jones Act for current relief efforts in Puerto Rico, which is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis following Hurricane Maria.

Economists agree. In 2015, Anne Krueger, former chief economist of the World Bank, wrote that the Jones Act requires using very costly US-built ships and crews for all sea transport to and from the mainland.

Thomas B. Crowley, chief executive of the Crowley shipping firm, said this issue should appeal to Trump, who says he wants to protect American jobs.

If we cut some American jobs, replace them with foreign labor and save a few pennies on the delivered goods, then perhaps you could get the answer swayed to yes, but no one has ever made a factual case that this is true, Crowley said in an interview.

After the president announced the waiver, Crowley said in an email: We understand the waiver will be temporary. In the meantime, we hope people will take the time to learn what our American vessel crews, dock workers and truck drivers are doing 24/7 to bring help to Puerto Rico. Americans responding to Americans in need.
Carmen De Jesus uses a flashlight at the Moradas Las Teresas Elderly House in Carolina, Puerto Rico, where about 200 people are living without electricity.

Sept. 30, 2017 Carmen De Jesus uses a flashlight at the Moradas Las Teresas Elderly House in Carolina, Puerto Rico, where about 200 people are living without electricity. Carlos Barria/Reuters

After the Category 4 hurricane slammed into Puerto Rico, many of the more than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in the territory were still without adequate food, water and fuel. Flights off the island were infrequent, communications were spotty and roads were clogged with debris.

After the Category 4 hurricane slammed into Puerto Rico, many of the more than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in the territory were still without adequate food, water, electricity and fuel. Flights off the island were infrequent, communications were spotty and roads were clogged with debris.

After the Category 4 hurricane slammed into Puerto Rico, many of the more than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in the territory were still without adequate food, water, electricity and fuel. Flights off the island were infrequent, communications were spotty and roads were clogged with debris.

After an earthquake shattered Haitis capital on Jan. 12, 2010, the U.S. military mobilized as if it were going to war.

Before dawn the next morning, an Army unit was airborne, on its way to seize control of the main airport in Port-au-Prince. Within two days, the Pentagon had 8,000 American troops en route. Within two weeks, 33 U.S. military ships and 22,000 troops had arrived. More than 300 military helicopters buzzed overhead, delivering millions of pounds of food and water.

No two disasters are alike. Each delivers customized violence that cannot be fully anticipated. But as criticism of the federal governments initial response to the crisis in Puerto Rico continued to mount Thursday, the mission to Haiti  an island nation several hundred miles from the U.S. mainland  stands as an example of how quickly relief efforts can be mobilized.

By contrast, eight days after Hurricane Maria ripped across neighboring Puerto Rico, just 4,400 service members were participating in federal operations to assist the devastated island, an Army general told reporters Thursday. In addition, about 1,000 Coast Guard members were aiding the efforts. About 40 U.S. military helicopters were helping to deliver food and water to the 3.4 million residents of the U.S. territory, along with 10 Coast Guard helicopters.

Leaders of the humanitarian mission in Haiti said in interviews that they were dismayed by the relative lack of urgency and military muscle in the initial federal response to Puerto Ricos catastrophe.

President Trump signed a waiver on Sept. 28 that lifts shipping restrictions to hurricane-battered Puerto Rico. (Victoria Walker/The Washington Post)

I think its a fair ask why were not seeing a similar command and response, said retired Lt. Gen. P.K. Ken Keen, the three-star general who commanded the U.S. military effort in Haiti, where 200,000 people died by some estimates. The morning after, the president said we were going to respond in Port-au-Prince . . . robustly and immediately, and that gave the whole government clarity of purpose.

Rajiv J. Shah, who led the U.S. Agency for International Development during the Haiti response, said he, too, was struggling to understand the delays.

We were able to move more quickly in a foreign country, and with no warning because it was an earthquake, than a better-equipped agency was able to do in a domestic territory, he said.

[Trump lifts shipping restrictions for Puerto Rico]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has defended its efforts in Puerto Rico, saying it is coordinating a wide-ranging campaign to simultaneously deliver food, water and medicine and to restore power, clear pathways to hospitals and reopen mangled ports and airports.

Its a monumental task, one that FEMA says has been complicated immensely by a near-complete collapse of cellphone service on the island, as well as years of neglect to power lines and other utility systems.

FEMA and Defense Department officials have taken steps to beef up the response, announcing Thursday that they would elevate the military command structure on the ground in Puerto Rico, sending in a three-star Army general, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan.

[Meet the general coordinating military operations with FEMA in Puerto Rico]

Keen, who was named to lead the efforts in Haiti three days after the quake, pointed to a complicating factor: Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, not a foreign nation, and that makes a huge difference in the rules of engagement when disaster strikes.

In Haiti, the United States was able to deploy active military combat brigades, quickly install a military commander and militarize the airspace at the invitation of Haitian officials.

In Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, the nearly 140-year-old Posse Comitatus Act limits the role that active military personnel can play.

Also, Puerto Ricos aid requests, made under a mutual-assistance compact among the states and U.S. territories, helped shape the response. In recent days, as criticism of the effort has grown, administration officials have repeatedly said they are delivering what Puerto Rico has asked for.

Maj. Gen. James C. Witham, director of domestic operations for the National Guard Bureau, said that immediately after Marias landfall, Puerto Rico requested only communications equipment and fewer than 200 military police officers. By comparison, 17,567 guardsmen from 24 states were on duty in Florida a day after Hurricane Irma made landfall.

More than 400 guardsmen from other states had been in Puerto Rico, assigned to help with cleanup from Irma, before Maria. Most evacuated in advance of Maria, and Puerto Rico has made no request for them to return, officials said.

All but about a few hundred of the 2,000 guardsmen now in Puerto Rico are members of the territorys own Guard unit. The National Guard Bureau has drafted plans to send as many as 6,000 soldiers, but Puerto Rico has yet to request them, Witham said.

Essentially, everything Puerto Rico has asked for up to and including today weve tried to align with and lean as far forward as we can, Witham said.

What is clear is that, since Maria ravaged the island, there has been a disconnect between the level of aid requested or delivered and the needs of residents who are desperate for water, food and basic necessities of life.

At a hearing Wednesday, Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan (D-N.H.) read from an email in which a former Puerto Rico governor, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, warned that unless we see a dramatic increase in assistance and personnel reaching the island soon, many thousands could die.

We need the Army and the National Guard deployed throughout the island, now, today, Hassan said, reading from the letter. This cannot wait another day. Despite federal agencies coordinating in San Juan, there is very limited presence of military personnel assisting people in the streets and throughout our communities.

Elaine Duke, the acting head of the Department of Homeland Security, responded: The president, vice president and I talked with the governor yesterday. And that was about 1 oclock. And we  he had no unmet needs at that point.

John Rabin, a senior FEMA official in Puerto Rico, denied during a media teleconference Thursday that the federal government is waiting for requests from officials on the island.

We are in lockstep with those guys, but we also recognize that this is a disaster and we have our priorities, Rabin said. We are not in a waiting mode for anything.

Also Thursday, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello defended his governments response to the humanitarian crisis. He said the unprecedented destruction of the storm and logistical limitations have impeded the flow of resources to some of the islands communities.

Rossello walked into a daily briefing at the Puerto Rico convention center accompanied by a general or an admiral representing each branch of the U.S. military, displaying a united front a week after the hurricane walloped the island.

The governor emphasized that federal agencies are taking their direction from the territorial government.

Lets make this clear  this is an operation of the government of Puerto Rico, Rossello said. We set the priorities. . . . We are taking action, and there are results.

Rossello said the islands geographical challenges  everything must be brought in by boat or air  and the widespread communication failures have complicated relief efforts.

W. Craig Fugate, who was President Barack Obamas FEMA director for all eight years of his presidency, said that in a worst-case scenario, such as a tsunami, the federal government had long contemplated that Puerto Rico could be completely isolated, with its ports destroyed and all food and water needing to be airlifted onto the island or shuttled by Marine units that could land on beaches.

Fugate said FEMA did not have to wait for a signal from Puerto Rican authorities before activating more military assets.

Two U.S. defense officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive operation, said the inability to communicate readily with Puerto Rican officials immediately after the storm delayed the response. Another limiting factor, they said, was that FEMA officials did not have a full understanding of the devastation and the challenges until Director William Brock Long visited the island Monday. The next day, Long announced outside the White House that the military would deploy to Puerto Rico the 1,000-bed hospital ship USNS Comfort.

At least two other Navy ships, the USS Iwo Jima and the USS New York, responded to Hurricane Irma earlier in the month off the Florida Keys and could have been used to respond to Maria. Defense officials said they were instead sent back to Mayport, Fla., and remain in port there on prepare-to-deploy orders. They may yet be called upon to join the response.

On the day the quake rocked Haiti, one bit of happenstance may have sped the U.S. response. Keen happened to be on the island, at the residence of the U.S. ambassador. Keen watched dust rise across the countryside as buildings collapsed. A member of his staff was killed when the hotel where they were staying crumbled.

Keen relayed his firsthand account back to the head of the U.S. Southern Command, who was traveling in Washington. That night, Obama called USAIDs Shah and told him to spare no expense in responding. He said it was a chance for America to demonstrate our moral character, Shah recalled.

Air Force combat control teams were in the air the next morning. The airport, which became the islands lifeline, Keen said, was secure and operational by nightfall. Troops began arriving every couple of hours.

Keen began organizing officers to conduct assessments and distribute food. Three days after the quake, his unofficial role became official  he was named Joint Task Force commander, with USAID taking the lead in coordinating the broader government response. Time magazine would later call Keen the de facto king of Haiti.

Keen said for the seemingly slow start, the U.S. government can still correct course.

The real test of leadership, he said, is now what do we do about it now that its clear that Puerto Rico is going to need help for a long time.

Arelis R. Hernandez in San Juan and Joel Achenbach and Sandhya Somashekhar in Washington contributed to this report.


The spice-rubbed, barbecued pork ribs are adorned with pickled peppers and fried black-eyed peas at Succotash in Penn Quarter, the second installment of the Southern-inspired restaurant in the Washington area. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post)

Columnist

The good bones of the former Equitable Bank Building contribute to one of the most sumptuous new restaurant interiors in Washington. Design enthusiasts will no doubt applaud 9,500 square feet of gleaming dining rooms, multiple bars, free-floating mezzanine and seemingly endless ceiling.

Chowhounds should be cheering just as loudly. Here's why: Edward Lee, a "Top Chef" alum and cookbook author who helped put Louisville on the food map with his Southern-minded 610 Magnolia, is the brand behind the menu at Succotash, a spinoff of the same-named restaurant he rolled out two years ago at National Harbor.

[The Salt Line is an instant hit, with superb seafood and a view to match]

Better yet, Lee (45 going on 65, he jokes) has relocated with his family to Washington, where he expects to spend 25 days or so a month. Enough of his customers at National Harbor told him that theyd come more often if Succotash were closer to the District. More important, he says he didnt want to open a place in Washington just to say I had a D.C. restaurant. To be part of the citys growth, I had to make a commitment.



Spice-rubbed, smoked chicken wings with white barbecue sauce are available on the To Share menu. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post)

I'm consigned to visiting Succotash as often as I can. If that sounds like the milk punch talking, well, the libation has plenty of competition for my appetite. Any meal is better when it begins with some smoked chicken wings, dappled with white barbecue sauce and festooned with thin ribbons of celery, then fits in sassy pork ribs, flattered by finishes of stinging pickled peppers and mellow fried black-eyed peas. Sweet corn panna cotta is a lovely idea, dressed as the custard is with spoonbill caviar, nasturtium leaves and teasing chowchow, elements you want to fit on every spoonful for full effect. Just one problem: The panna cotta is so loose, it almost qualifies as a liquid.

[Chefs say a dishwasher can make or break a restaurant. So I signed up for a shift.]

Lunch at the bar to the side of the door finds me spearing into a circus of a Cobb salad, accessorized with intense bacon jam and clever corn bread croutons in addition to the expected avocado, egg, blue cheese and chicken. The last  "dirty" boneless thigh meat  leaves your lips burning, at least until some buttermilk dressing crosses them. Dinner, er, "supper," in the comfort of a leather booth beneath a chandelier might bring blue catfish fried to a golden crisp, enlivened with a mint-jalapeno aioli and garnished with sliced green grapes  cool punctuation. Here and there, the Brooklyn-born, Korean American chef inserts his heritage. An order of collard greens is bolstered not just with aged country ham but with kimchi. Credit for the heat in the dirty fried chicken goes to gochujang, or sweet-spicy red chile paste.



Multiple floors of New Orleans-inspired interior set the stage for the Southern cuisine. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post)

Knead Hospitality + Design inherited a raw, worn space with a leaking roof and crumbled moldings, and transformed it into a thing of beauty. Mexican mahogany trims the walls, mosaic tiles pave the floors and plaster rosettes grace the second of three levels of the historic building. "We wanted it to look new, but not too new," says Michael Reginbogin, co-founder of the firm. Hence the intentionally distressed columns supporting the mezzanine, which overlooks the ground-floor dining room.

[At the MGM National Harbor casino, a celebrity chefs restaurant falls flat]

A sense of largesse permeates the experience. With any dish that might involve fingers touching food, hot towels and a lemon wedge are set out. An order of hummingbird cake, served on a plate that looks like something from grandmas stash, is portioned as if everyone at the table is sharing the monumental wedge. It looks like the bow of the Titanic, cracked a companion. (The flavor is just as big.)

Good Southern cooking is underrepresented in Washington  or was, until the arrival of the $6 million Succotash in September. Let the eating of shrimp and grits, and bourbon milkshakes, begin.

915 F St. NW. 202-849-6933. succotashrestaurant.com. Dinner entrees, $17 to $48.

A previous version of this story mislabeled the name of Edward Lees Louisville restaurant.
STOCK IMAGE: Smiling teenage girl using tablet next to a window. The girl is wearing white headphones. (Getty Images/iStockPHOTO)

The acronym IoT has a new meaning  "Internet of Toys" and just like the old abbreviation, for Internet of Things, this one comes with urgent cybersecurity warnings. The FBI is cautioning that Internet-connected toys, also known as "smart toys," can be compromised by hackers. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center goes into extraordinary detail in its release, saying strangers can pinpoint your address, snag children's names and birth dates, download your son or daughter's photo and even listen in on your conversations and record your child's voice.

This is not just a heads up about potential child identity theft. The FBI has more serious concerns: The potential misuse of sensitive data such as GPS location information, visual identifiers from pictures or videos, and known interests to garner trust from a child could present exploitation risks, the release states. The FBI encourages consumers to consider cyber security prior to introducing smart, interactive, internet-connected toys into their homes . . .

So what types of toys should parents scrutinize? Here are several risk factors provided by the FBI and SecurityIntelligence.com. Be cautious if the toy:

 connects directly to the Internet via WiFi.

 connects via Bluetooth to a device which is, in turn, connected to the Internet .

 contains speakers.

 contains microphones.

 contains a recording device.

 contains cameras.

 contains wireless transmitters and receivers.

 has speech recognition capability.

 has GPS capability.

 connects to a mobile app.

 requests name, address, date of birth or other personal information when you register.

 stores your data internally.

 sends your data to the manufacturer and/or partners.

 has cloud connection capability.

 remains connected to the cloud even when its off.

 does not come with an End User License Agreement or EULA.

 The cloud storage provider is not identified in the EULA.

[Tech has taken the work out of couponing. Heres how to save big with little effort.]

The concern is more than theoretical. Several specific toys have already come under fire.

In February, Germany banned an Internet-connected doll called "My Friend Cayla" and advised parents who already own one to destroy it. Cayla, made by Genesis toys, contains an internal microphone that criminals could use to listen in on children  but that's not all. The Norwegian Consumer Council says strangers could also speak to children through Cayla and demonstrated how it could be done in a well-produced You Tube video.

Another controversy, also in February, involved "Cloud Pets," which are Internet-connected stuffed animals that allow parents and children to leave voice messages for each other. A security researcher discovered a couple million of those voice recordings in a poorly secured Internet database. And because manufacturer Spiral Toys did not require complex passwords, it was feasible for hackers to access the recordings. Spiral Toys chief executive Mark Meyers told NetworkWorld, "We looked at it and thought it was a very minimal issue."

Earlier, V-Tech acknowledged that close to 5 million of its customers' "Learning Lodge," "Kid Connect" and other accounts were hacked. Those accounts allowed children to download games or communicate with their parents on V-Tech devices. A hacker was able to access children's photos, names, dates of birth, addresses and chat histories. The Motherboard website shared portions of hacked family photos and a child's recording to demonstrate that the threat was real.

How available are Internet-connected toys? A quick Internet search revealed smart toy technology housed in dolls, stuffed animals, dinosaurs, unicorns, teddy bears, stationary bicycles, wrist bands, children's tablets  and more. That's why, in June, the Federal Trade Commission updated its guidance about COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, to include Internet-connected toys. Under COPPA, among other things, companies are supposed to ask parental permission before collecting personal information about children under age 13. Staffers in the office of Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) says he is planning to reintroduce a bill that would expand COPPA.

[16 ways to save money on kids activities.]

Meanwhile, the FBI suggests parents take several steps to protect their children from the potential dangers of Internet-connected toys:

1. Look for Internet-connected toys that are certified by an FTC-approved group that has verified they protect children's privacy.

2. Before buying a smart toy, do an online search to see if there have been negative reports or reviews.

3. Read the companys user agreement and privacy practices and make sure you are okay with them.

4. Pay particular attention to where your data is stored or sent, including third party services  and research their reputation.

5. Connect toys only to a secure WiFi access point.

6. If the toy uses Bluetooth, make sure it requires PINs or passwords when pairing with Internet-connected devices.

7. Make sure the toy uses encryption when transmitting data to the WiFi access point, the server or the cloud.

8. See if the toy can receive software updates and security patches and, if so, keep it updated to the most recent version.

9. Find out if the company will notify you if it suffers a data breach, discovers vulnerabilities in its toy or changes its disclosures.

10. Provide as little personal information as possible when setting up user accounts for the toy.

11. Choose strong, unique passwords when creating your account.

12. Pay attention to what your children are doing with the toy, either by monitoring them in person or using the parent portal, if there is one.

13. Turn the toy off when your children are not using it, especially if it contains cameras and/or microphones.

14. If you believe your child's toy has been compromised, file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center .

Or, if all this vigilance sounds overwhelming, you could always send your kids outside to play.
Dear Miss Manners: When my fiance and I got engaged, I told him that I did not need a ring. He insisted that he wanted to give me one, which I was fine with  I just didnt want him to feel obligated to buy me an expensive ring.

Ultimately, he was given a gorgeous ring from his grandmother to give to me as an engagement ring. I am so very in love with this ring, for both its beauty and its source.

Moreover, I am often told that it is very fitting to me. My fiance spent a lot of time looking at rings before his grandmother told him she had something he might be interested in, and not until he saw her ring did he think anything he had looked at fit me. In short, its perfect.

While not ostentatious or gaudy, the ring is larger than I ever would have dreamed, and frankly larger than he would have been able to afford. Because of this, there is a degree to which I am sometimes (especially among certain less-affluent friends) a little self-conscious of its size. Frequently, after receiving a compliment on the ring, I explain that it is an heirloom, thereby cutting anyone off from thinking about its cost to my fiance.

I remember learning in French class that when the French receive a compliment, they respond with some version of Oh, this old thing? Is my response to compliments on my ring rude in American culture? Is it just another way of bragging (if I am honest, I am quite proud)? Is it rude or disrespectful to my fiance?

America has appropriated many countries' practices to varying degrees of success (often for their monetary incentives), but Miss Manners has always disliked this particular one, although she hardly blames it solely on the French. She finds it not necessarily rude, but simply unbecoming. The supposed modesty in insulting the very thing that another has just complimented is misplaced. After all, are you not then insulting that person's taste for liking it?

Your response should simply be, Thank you. If the subject invites further inquiry  or a long pause in conversation  you may proceed and explain its charming origin, as long as this is done so anecdotally, not apologetically.

Dear Miss Manners: If I introduce myself to someone I believe I have not met, but they reply that we have met, what is the proper response?

Sometimes I apologize and say Im terrible with faces. Other times, I feign recognition. Still other times, I feign dim recognition, followed by a query about how we met, so that theyll fill me in and I wont be conversing blind. Whats right?

As you realize, all answers to this question are awkward. Therefore, Miss Manners advises turning it around and saying, "You're so kind to remember me.''

New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday through Saturday on washingtonpost.com/advice. You can send questions to Miss Manners at her website, missmanners.com.


(Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

This weeks best travel bargains around the globe.

Land

Plymouth Miami Beach, in the Art Deco District, is offering more than half off stays in October. Rooms start at $149 a night Sunday through Wednesday and $199 Thursday through Saturday. Add 13 percent tax. Rates typically start at $349. The deal coincides with the Miami Spice dining special: Nearly 200 restaurants are offering multi-course lunch or brunch for $23 and dinner for $39. Book at theplymouth.com with promo code PLY.

Wyndham Extra Holidays is offering savings of up to 20 percent at 16 ski resorts. The promotion applies to Wyndham vacation ownership resorts in 10 U.S. states, including Utah, Colorado and Vermont, and three Canadian provinces. For example, a one-bedroom suite at Utah's Wyndham Park City in mid-December is $159 a night (plus $16 taxes), a savings of $40. Stay Nov. 22-April 10; holiday blackouts apply. Book by Nov. 20 at extraholidays.com/promotion/wyndham-vacation-ski-resort-deals with promo code SKI.

Intrepid Travel is taking 40 percent off October departures of its Gorillas & Game Parks adventure in Africa. The 16-day trip in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda starts at $1,965 per person, down from $3,275, and includes 10 nights of camping, three nights in a dorm and two nights in a hotel; 44 meals; several game drives; a mountain-gorilla trek and permit in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park; and taxes. Depart Oct. 21 or Oct. 28. Info: 800-970-7299, intrepidtravel.com/us/uganda/gorillas-game-parks-104068.

Save 10 percent on a six-day package at Hacienda Puerta del Cielo Ecolodge & Spa, which sits on the rim of an ancient caldera in Nicaragua. The Green Season Special costs $2,125 for two people and includes five nights in a private casita; three daily meals; round-trip airport transfers; welcome cocktail and daily appetizer; two excursions, including a Colonial Granada and Isletas boat tour and a Masaya Volcano and artisan tour; two 50-minute massages; dinner with a bottle of wine; and taxes. Valid through Nov. 30. Info: 772-708-2865, haciendapuertadelcielo.com.

Sea

Victoria Cruises is offering two-for-one rates on the already discounted February departures of its Yangtze River cruises in China. The promo applies to the Three Gorges Highlights cruise, which spends four nights sailing from Yichang to Chongqing and three nights on the reverse itinerary. To receive the discount, you must purchase the shore excursion package, which is also two-for-one. Sale is valid on superior cabins only. The cruise starts at $470 per couple, including port charges, plus $90 for the excursion package. A luxury amenity package with enhanced dining privileges, WiFi and other perks is also two-for-one and costs $200 for two travelers. Instead of tips, each passenger pays a $25 service charge. Book by Nov. 30. Info: 800-348-8084, victoriacruises.com/about/specials.

Air

With Scandinavian Air, kids ages 2 to 11 can fly to Scandinavia and Finland for the price of taxes and fees. For example, round-trip air from Washington Dulles to Copenhagen costs $756 for one adult ($701) and one child ($55). An adult must accompany each child. Travel Nov. 1-May 31. Book by Thursday at flysas.com.

Package

Book a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Auckland on Air Tahiti Nui by Monday and receive a stopover in Tahiti with three free hotel nights at Le Meridien Tahiti, a value of at least $690. Stay Nov. 18-May 31; blackout dates apply. Round-trip air starts at $1,058. The promo also allows an Australia stopover for an additional $350. Priced separately, air from Washington to Los Angeles starts at about $240 round trip. Book by phone at 855-837-9669. Promo details: airtahitinui.com/us-en/tahiti-and-new-zealand.

Carol Sottili, Andrea Sachs

Prices were verified at press time Thursday, but deals sell out and availability is not guaranteed. Some restrictions may apply.
United Medical Center in Southeast D.C. announced Friday that it would not need to rely on tax subsidies as it ends its fiscal year. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

Southeast Washingtons troubled public hospital will end its fiscal year without need of a taxpayer subsidy but it is facing new financial problems after regulators shutdown of its nursery and delivery rooms, according to information presented Friday to the hospitals board of directors.

The presentation by Lilian Chukwuma, the hospitals chief financial officer, projected that the number of inpatient stays at United Medical Center would drop by more than 7 percent during the next fiscal year, with outpatient visits declining more than 5 percent.

The shrinking patient base, which Chukwuma attributed to the closing of the obstetrics ward and publicity around its medical lapses, will intensify pressure on hospital managers to somehow make up for the lost money.

The board meeting also raised questions about the future of the obstetrics ward, which District regulators closed on Aug. 7, citing dangerous medical errors that included failures to properly treat a woman with potentially fatal blood-pressure problems and to take basic steps to prevent a newborn from contracting HIV.

The hospitals budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which the board approved unanimously Friday, does not include any money for operating the obstetrics ward. Hospital officials say they have not decided when or even whether it will reopen, raising the possibility that two wards of the city  7 and 8  could be left permanently without a place for women to give birth.

Purchased by the city in 2010, UMC remains the only full-service hospital east of the Anacostia River. Since last year it has been run by Veritas of Washington, a consulting firm led by campaign donors to D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D). The District is paying Veritas a fee of $300,000 per month to stabilize the hospital's finances.

Budget figures released Friday show that the hospital, which has an annual budget of roughly $124 million, will narrowly end the fiscal year in the black, with an operating surplus of $409,000. But it has had to dip into its reserve funds to make ends meet.

D.C. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey S. DeWitt said UMC has about $6.4 million in cash on hand, compared to $9.3 million 30 days ago, an abrupt decline triggered in large part by a loss of federal Medicaid dollars that followed the obstetrics ward closure.

DeWitt said in an interview that the cash reserve, should it dip any lower, will enter a dangerous zone where sudden large expenses  such as an unexpected legal settlement or unexpected overtime or severance pay  could jeopardize its ability to make payroll.

It is now at the level where were monitoring it frequently, DeWitt said. I dont like it to get any lower than it is right now.

The 2018 budget is balanced but relies on ambitious plans to boost the hospitals revenue by $9 million through billing improvements, as well as cutting expenses in other areas. During the current fiscal year, the consultants running the hospital delivered only a fraction of the millions in new revenue they promised to create.

Hospital chief executive and Veritas employee Luis Hernandez said UMC has already started to improve its billing process and that he was confident the projected savings for the next fiscal year would be realized.

Some of those revenues we have been working on for a while, so its not just that everythings starting, Hernandez said. But were going to get more efficient in that area, and in particular in making sure that we collect everything that we provide for.
Actor and comedian Dave Chappelle holds up the Emmy he won for a monologue on Saturday Night Live while talking to students at his alma mater, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, in Northwest Washington. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

There are probably few doors in Washington that wouldnt be open to Dave Chappelle, but D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser presented him with a key to the city on Friday just in case.

In an afternoon ceremony at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, from which the 44-year-old Chappelle graduated in 1991, Bowser paid tribute to the comedian, actor and third-generation Washingtonian.

He is a man who has made, already in his young life, lasting contributions to our cultural heritage and to humanity, Bowser (D) said. Dave loves Washington, D.C., and we love him right back.

It was indeed a mutual love fest in the packed Duke Ellington Theatre, the shining multimedia jewel of the school that just reopened its Northwest Washington location following a $178 million remodeling. The students roared when Chappelle walked onstage to accept his award.

[Dave Chappelle hosts another VIP after-party in Washington]

But this was not showtime and the entertainer was not there to entertain. The first thing the stand-up comic did was pull up a stool and sit down. And for the next 15 minutes, Chappelle delivered something closer to a commencement address than a comedy routine: words of wisdom from a been-there-done-that success story.

When I look at you, I really do see myself, he said to the students who sat at rapt attention. I have kids your age and I tell them, Yo, you dont have to be awake all the time. But at least three or four times in your life, just pay attention. I tell my son, Look around this beautiful house. Everything in this house were enjoying is based on decisions I made when I was younger than you.

Right now, you guys are making your future. This is a very important time in your life.

[How a Dave Chappelle joke put #DCPublicSchools in the Twitter spotlight]

Chappelle told the students that while he never went to college, attending Duke Ellington left him wildly prepared for the hard work his career would require.

When we went to school from 8:30 to 5, Im not going to lie to you, I hated school, he said. I didnt understand what was happening, but years later when I had my own television show and I was working 16-hour days, it felt easy for me because I had school days longer than that. At least on the television show, I was the boss. Here I had to do what everybody told me to do.

He urged the students to recognize the hard work and dedication of their teachers, and to take a moment at some point in your life and thank them because we spend so many hours at this school, they are almost like surrogate parents to us.

And he noted how the vastly improved school building was an investment in the students that they should see as the citys belief in them.

When I walked in this building today, its clear to me that you guys, I hope you never take this for granted, he said. $170 million is a lot of money. Thats what they spent on you guys, on your future. And the money symbolizes a very rare opportunity to cultivate the talent that God gave you. And I hope that you take advantage of that.

[D.C.s vaunted high school for the arts reopens  $100 million over budget]

Chappelle didnt leave the stage before offering a gift of his own  the Emmy he won earlier this month for the monologue he delivered on Saturday Night Live days after the presidential election last November. The gift came with more sage advice.

This is a trophy, but it represents years of hard work, Chappelle said. In the course of a career, you go through so many things. You learn on the job. You embarrass yourself. You fall down. You get up. You try harder. I quit my show and people said Id never work again. I got up and tried harder. I still do my art almost every day. I still think about my art every day. I want you guys to have this just so you know that even though the odds are wildly against you, this can happen for you.

Following the ceremony, Chappelle, who has been in town for the past two weeks for a series of shows at the Warner Theatre, visited the schools spacious lobby where students had prepared a series of short performances, including a ballet, a jazz piece and a dramatic telling of Edgar Allan Poes Romance.

He looked very engaged, said Sky Stringer, a junior who took part in the Romance piece. I was relaxed because he seems like someone who can still relate.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz, one of Ellingtons founders, was also on hand and spoke about Chappelles involvement with the school as evidence of its mission.

We also teach our kids to be good citizens, to give back, to never forget where they came from, she said. It is what Ellington is in a way every day.
Richard Pyle, a journalist whose career with the Associated Press spanned the globe and a half-century of crises, wars, catastrophes and indelible moments in news reporting, died Sept. 28. He was 83.

His wife, actress-writer Brenda Smiley, said the cause was lung fibrosis and obstructive lung disease. The location was not reported.

Mr. Pyle covered the presidency of John F. Kennedy, the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon and the 2001 attack on the World Trade Centers twin towers. At 75, Mr. Pyle dashed to the shore of the Hudson River in Manhattan when Capt. Chesley B. Sullenbergers jetliner made its lifesaving splash-landing in 2009.

In the end, Mr. Pyle was proudest of his Vietnam War coverage during five critical years, the last half as chief of the APs Saigon bureau. He began in 1968, working alongside colleagues who included reporter Peter Arnett and photographers Horst Faas and Nick Ut, all of whom won Pulitzer Prizes.

The combat death in 1971 of AP photographer Henri Huet weighed on Mr. Pyle, by then bureau chief responsible for an entire staff. Huet and three other photographers were killed when a South Vietnamese army helicopter was shot down in a remote area of Laos. Their remains were beyond retrieval, but Mr. Pyle vowed to get there someday.



Richard Pyle, far right, in 1972 with AP Saigon bureau chiefs, from left, George Esper 1973-75), Malcolm Browne 1961-64), George McArthur 1968-69) and Edwin Q. White 1965-67). (AP)

More than 20 years later he received a call from the Pentagons missing-in-action search teams, seeking information, and by 1998 a team was headed to the crash site, accompanied by Mr. Pyle and former Saigon photo chief Faas. They later described the mission in a book, Lost Over Laos. Mr. Pyle also wrote of the experience for Vanity Fair. No identifiable remains were found, but recovered shards of bone were interred at the Newseum, the journalism museum in Washington.

After a final big Vietnam story  flying to Hanoi for release of the last American prisoners of war  Mr. Pyle plunged into a new assignment in Washington in 1973 and was among the first journalists to report on the resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew.

In the 1980s, first as Asia news editor in Tokyo and then as a roving Mideast correspondent, Mr. Pyle covered scores of headline stories, from revolution in the Philippines to war in Lebanon and the Iran-Iraq conflict.

Back in the United States in 1990, he joined the APs New York bureau. But the Pyle byline still ranged far afield: He reported on such New York stories as mob boss John Gottis 1992 trial and the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center as well as the 1991 Persian Gulf War and the 1999 conflict in Kosovo.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Mr. Pyle was born in Columbus, Ohio, and from age 8 lived in Michigan, first in Birmingham and then in Highland Park. In 1944, when he was 10 years old, he papered the walls of his suburban Detroit home with bulletins gleaned from the radio about the Normandy invasion during World War II.

After two years in the Army, Mr. Pyle graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit. He first worked on a suburban newspaper, then joined the APs Detroit bureau in 1960. In October 1962, he was covering Kennedy in Michigan when the president broke off his visit and flew back to Washington as the Cuban missile crisis unfolded.

Mr. Pyle was the author of the 1991 book "Schwarzkopf," on the 1991 Gulf War commander H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and co-author of "Breaking News: How the Associated Press Has Covered War, Peace, and Everything Else," a 2007 history of the AP. He retired in 2009.

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A Suitland woman was arrested for robbing a bank and attempting to rob three others during a string of incidents Thursday morning in Northeast and Northwest Washington, D.C. police officials said.

Third District police officers and FBI agents arrested Jessica Williams, 22, and authorities charged her with one count of bank robbery and three counts of attempted bank robbery.

The alleged spree began at 9:56 a.m. at a Bank of America branch in the 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE, where a suspect walked into the bank and waited in line. When it was her turn for service, she passed a note to a teller demanding money.

This is a robbery. I want hundreds, the note said, according to a D.C. police report.

The teller replied that the bank did not have hundreds, and the suspect retrieved the note and fled the bank without cash.

Two minutes later, police said the same suspect walked into the TD Bank in the same block of Rhode Island Avenue, but this time a teller gave the suspect cash when she demanded it with a written message.

Nearly an hour later at about 10:45 a.m., the suspect passed another demand note to a teller at the Citibank located in the 3200 block of 14th Street NW. The bank employee pressed a bank alarm and notified two bank officials. The suspect left without cash.

Just four minutes later, the final attempt occurred one block north at the Wells Fargo bank in the 3300 block of 14th Street NW, where the suspect demanded all $100 and $50 bills. The employee refused to comply and the suspect walked out.

At about the same time, officers were arriving at the Citibank for the earlier report and witnesses there spotted a woman getting into a black Toyota Camry and told police, Shes the one who tried to rob the bank, a police report said.

Officers took the woman into custody and authorities later charged her with four offenses.
WASHINGTON, DC - Police in riot gear contain a group of protesters at the corner of 12th and L Streets, NW, on Donald Trumps inaugration as president of the United States on Friday, January 20, 2017. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Civil liberties lawyers are trying to block federal investigators from searching the Facebook accounts of local activists connected to protests of President Trumps inauguration and for information the attorneys say would reveal the names of thousands of people who liked a political organizing page.

The search warrants, requested by prosecutors in Washington, are part of the governments investigation into demonstrations on Jan. 20 that injured police and damaged property in an area of downtown Washington.

In a court filing this week on behalf of three Facebook users, the American Civil Liberties Union said the warrants are too broad and would reveal private information about individuals unrelated to the investigation, in addition to the names of Facebook users who liked the public page of a group that helped plan the protests.

We are deeply concerned about the government engaging in a fishing expedition, said Scott Michelman, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU of the District of Columbia.

Of particular concern, Michelman said, is that the government search would disclose anti-administration dissident activities that would then be investigated by the very administration that they are protesting.

None of the three people in the ACLU filing has been charged by the U.S. attorney with Inauguration Day-related crimes in which more than 200 people were arrested and accused of rioting.

[Facebook says it shouldn't have to stay mum when government seeks user data]

The warrants for the social media searches were first issued in February for the Facebook profiles of activists Lacy MacAuley and Legba Carrefour, and for the Facebook page of DisruptJ20, the political organizing group that is moderated by Emmelia Talarico.

The page, now called Resist This, is public, but the warrant seeks the names of people who planned to attend organizing events and those who simply liked, followed, reacted to, commented on, or otherwise engaged with the Facebook page, according to the ACLU.

About 6,000 Facebook users liked the page during the three-month period the warrant covers.

The U.S. attorneys office for the District declined to comment on the motion to block the warrant.

Facebook does not object to the effort to stop the searches, according to court records filed Thursday in D.C. Superior Court. The company initially fought a judges order preventing Facebook from alerting its users to the search.

The legal wrangling over the gag order took place behind closed doors in sealed court documents. The fight became public after Facebook went to the D.C. Court of Appeals and was allowed to make some details public to seek legal support for its cause from other business and organizations.

[U.S. drops request bar Facebook from alerting users to searches over political communications]

Prosecutors in the District backed off their request to keep Facebook quiet on the eve of a hearing at the appeals court. That allowed the company to alert the three users  MacAuley, Carrefour, and Talarico  to the warrants.

This is part of a pattern of prosecutorial overreach in the repression of Inauguration Day protestors, Carrefour said in a statement. The warrant, he said, would strike a devastating blow to organizers working every day to make this city a better place.

The ACLU filing asks the court to get rid of the warrants outright or to appoint an independent special master to review the Facebook information requested and to turn over only data relevant to the criminal investigation.
A Southeast man was arrested by police Thursday on charges he fatally stabbed a 31-year-old woman inside a Southeast home on Wednesday morning, D.C. police said.

The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Larry Fearn, 35, on an arrest warrant that charged him with second-degree murder while armed in the killing of Paula Renee Coles, of Southeast D.C.

Police found Coles after they had been called to the 3000 block of 30th Street SE for the report of a domestic assault in progress about 9:48 a.m. Wednesday. Coles was unconscious and not breathing in the hallway with multiple stab wounds about her body, according to a police report.
A 29-year-old bank teller stole more than $185,000 from a homeless customer who tried to deposit a garbage bag full of cash at a Wells Fargo branch in Georgetown, according to court filings and attorneys in the case.

In a deal with prosecutors, Phelon Davis of District Heights, Md., pleaded guilty Thursday to one federal felony count of interstate transportation of stolen property, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The victim was unnamed in court filings but was described as a homeless street vendor and longtime Wells Fargo customer who had more than one account that had gone dormant because of a lack of activity.

Court filings did not identify the customer or say why a homeless person would have a large amount of cash in a bag when he showed up at the M Street NW branch where Davis worked. Outside the courtroom, Daviss attorney, Bruce Allen Johnson Jr., said he also did not know how the individual came to have the cache of cash. Thats the million-dollar question, Johnson said.

In plea papers, Davis acknowledged that the customer had thousands of dollars of cash that he wanted to deposit in October 2014, but he lacked identification. Davis told the customer where to get ID documents and a Social Security card, and also noted the customer had a surprisingly large balance with the bank, according to a signed, three-page statement of the crime.

On two consecutive days that October, Davis fraudulently opened a new account by forging the customers signature, set up an ATM card, personal identification number, email address and online logon that Davis controlled, and funded the account with $3,000 from one of the customers other accounts, according to the court filing.

Over the next two years, the filing disclosed, Davis transferred $177,400 between the customers accounts, withdrew $185,440, and transported at least $5,000 from automated teller machines in the District across state lines to his home in Maryland, the basis of the federal charge.

The customer did not receive mailed statements, use email or have access to a computer and so remained oblivious. The customer could see the balance of only one of the checking accounts at an ATM, Davis and prosecutors agreed.

Davis used the stolen money for the down payment on his home, to pay off personal debt, and to fund vacations in Aruba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Court documents did not say how Davis was caught. He was charged July 19.

As part of his plea, Davis agreed to pay back the stolen money, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi J. Kleinman said he would likely face a sentence of 18 to 30 months under federal guidelines. U.S. District Judge Emmett G. Sullivan of the District would be free to go higher or lower.

Did you, in fact, take money from an account as Mr. Kleinman described? U.S. Magistrate Robin M. Meriweather asked in the Thursday plea hearing.

Yes, maam, I did, said the soft-spoken Davis.

Daviss attorney, Johnson, said outside of court that he greatly regrets the decisions he made and is dedicated to doing everything he can to make it right, including restitution. He is putting everything aside to repay the money and do what he can to repair what hes done to his name, his reputation and to the victim.

A sentencing date has not been set.
Larry Fearn abused his infant son in July, pleaded guilty and went to jail. He got out late this month on probation with court orders to stay away from the child, the childs mother and their apartment in Southeast Washington.

D.C. police said he returned to all three Tuesday night.

By Wednesday morning, Paula Renee Coles, a 31-year-old Iraq War veteran, was dead in an apartment building hallway, stabbed in the head and body while holding the couples child, who was cut severely enough on one hand to require stitches.

The next day, police arrested Fearn, 35, and charged him with second-degree murder while armed.

Coless mother, Annquinette Coles, 56, said her daughter had a tumultuous relationship with Fearn and had been trying to move on. She said that her infant grandson and her daughters two other children, a young son and daughter, are now with protective services, and that family members hope to take them in.



Stabbing victim Paula Renee Coles, 31, was an Iraq War veteran. (N/A/Family photo)

Court records show that police were called to Paula Coless apartment in the 3000 block of 30th Street SE for a disturbance in December 2016. They were called again in early July, when they arrested Fearn and charged him with maltreating the infant, assaulting Coles and breaking an apartment door, a chair and a television.

Fearn pleaded guilty to simple assault and second-degree cruelty to children and was sentenced to 75 days in jail, followed by 18 months of supervised probation. He was freed in late September, and as a condition of his probation was ordered to stay away from Coles, their son and the block of 30th Street on which Coles lived.

[D.C. police arrest suspect in fatal stabbing of woman in Southeast]

But court documents filed Friday say Coles had allowed Fearn to stay in the apartment to assist [him] with adjusting from being released from jail.

The court documents say Coles and Fearn were together at the 30th Street apartment Tuesday night, and they argued. Coles called police and told officers about the court order barring Fearn from being near her and her residence. An arrest affidavit filed in court Friday said the officers were unable to locate evidence of such an order when they conducted an on scene record check. When officers arrived, Fearn had already left.

A police spokesman said officials are looking into whether those types of probation restrictions show up when officers conduct records searches in the field. Officers are typically looking for what are called civil protective orders, the most common type of restraining order. Probation orders are typically flagged when a more detailed records check is conducted after a person has been arrested.

Coles was killed the following day.

Annquinette Coles said she wants answers about why police apparently could not find or did not have access to the court-issued stay-away order.

On Friday, D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Sean Staples ordered Fearn held in jail until his next hearing on Oct. 20.

Prosecutor Lindsey Merikas noted in court that Coless call to police about an argument with Fearn came just hours before she was murdered.

Fearns public defender, Natalie Lawson, said the case was based on speculative allegations and circumstantial and weak evidence.

Annquinette Coles said her daughter graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in Upper Marlboro, Md., and had sung in the choir and participated in Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). Her mother said she joined the Army in 2004 and served through 2009, deploying to Iraq in logistics support.

Coles spent much of her time on guard duty, her mother said, but did fire her gun during a standoff, saw a fellow soldier die and was in a convoy that hit a roadside explosive. She saw and went through a whole lot, Annquinette Coles said. She said Paula returned with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and suffering from seizures. She was discharged on disability, returned to Maryland in 2013, then moved to the District, where she became involved with Fearn.

It turned into a relationship, the mother said, and the two had a child. In addition to the 11-month-old, Coles had a 5-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son.

Annquinette Coles said her daughter was trying to move on with her life. Referring to the suspect, the mother said, She knew she made a mistake trying to help this guy. But because of her good heart, she didnt make him leave like she should have.
Amir Hekmati, speaks to the media after he landed in Michigan on Jan. 21, 2016 after his release in Iran. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)

A U.S. judge Friday ordered the government of Iran to pay $63 million in damages to Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine who alleged Iranian captors tortured and held him prisoner for 4-1/2 years from 2011 to 2016.

Hekmati, 33, an Iranian-American from Michigan, was freed in January 2016 by Iran as part of a prisoner exchange along with Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, Christian minister Saeed Abedini, and another American, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari.

U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle of Washington granted a default judgment against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which as its custom did not respond to Hekmatis lawsuit in May 2016 for damages. The judgment was split 50-50 between punitive and compensatory damages for pain, suffering and economic loss.

No award ever could fully compensate Amir Hekmati for the cruel and inhuman treatment he endured over five years at the hands of his brutal Iranian captors, Hekmatis attorney, Scott D. Gilbert of Washington, said in a statement. But this brings Amir and his family another step closer to closure and ultimately, we all hope, to being able to move on with their lives. As for the Iranian government, this well documented opinion shines a spotlight on who they really are. And they will pay for that.

Hekmati, a dual U.S.-Iranian national born in the United States, worked in Iraq and Afghanistan as a cultural analyst and adviser for U.S. defense contractors and at the time of his arrest in August 2011 was making his first trip to Iran to visit relatives before starting graduate school at the University of Michigan.

[Marine veteran Amir Hekmati, imprisoned in Iran, is launching a hunger strike]

Hekmati said he was held in extreme solitary confinement, beaten, threatened, and deprived of food and sanitary conditions, consistent with its treatment of U.S.-Iranian citizens held under false pretenses. Hekmati said he was offered immediate release in exchange for making a false confession of espionage  in what he said he was told was an internal training video  that was used to support a death sentence that eventually was reduced to 10 years imprisonment.

Hekmati was the victim of torture for the purpose of eliciting a false confession, Huvelle wrote in a 34-page opinion. Irans conduct was truly horrific and it caused substantial and permanent harm. In addition, defendants conduct is part of a long-standing pattern and policy, making the need for deterrence clear, Huvelle wrote.

[U.S. prisoner in Iran receives pacemaker as Trump calls for Tehran to free him]

At least four other American citizens are imprisoned in Iran at this time, and President Trump on Sept. 21 called for their release. Hekmati was released in a prisoner swap when the Iran-U. S. nuclear deal took effect.

Collecting judgments from Iran has been a struggle for more than 1,000 Americans who have successfully sued under an exception for state-sponsored terrorism in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The act generally bars U.S. individuals from suing foreign governments. However, the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016 upheld the award of $2 billion in frozen Iranian funds to families of victims of those killed or injured in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.
Marie Mosby covers a sleeping child during afternoon nap time in her Arlington home where she operates a child-care business, March 19, 2012. (Dayna Smith/For The Post)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is asking Gov. Terry McAuliffe to reject a proposed requirement that all child-care providers who receive government subsidies  both in centers and at home day cares  should be able to speak, read and write in English.

The proposed change, which would expand an existing language requirement and would affect more than 3,000 providers serving about 34,000 children, is one of multiple changes geared toward improving safety and consistency in child-care settings. The requirement says that workers should have English skills sufficient to "understand the regulations and communicate with emergency service personnel, parents and children, the department and local department personnel."

Margaret Schultze, commissioner of the department of social services in Virginia, said English proficiency is a quality of care issue because it deals with the health and safety of the children we are caring for.

If a child is in distress, a provider may need to read instructions to properly administer a medication or be able to communicate with the folks that are responding to an emergency, she said. Schultze stressed that the proposed regulation, which was given preliminary approval in June by the State Board of Social Services, is still under review. After the regulations are approved by the governor, there will be a public comment period and a public hearing.

Officials in Fairfax say the English requirement would have an opposite effect on childrens safety by driving many immigrant day-care operators underground.

We spend a lot of time and effort in Fairfax County encouraging all day-care providers to be licensed. This will encourage day-care providers to not participate, said Supervisor Jeff C. McKay (D-Lee).

More broadly, he said, an English requirement would affect the affordability and availability of child care in Northern Virginia: Why do you want to limit the pool of people who can work in already stressful, difficult jobs with high turnover and low wages?

The Fairfax supervisors sent a letter to Gov. McAuliffe (D) this week asking him not to approve the English language requirement, or if it is adopted, to grant Fairfax County a waiver.

Virginia, along with other states, is updating its regulations to reflect new federal rules adopted in 2014 that govern the grant program that subsidizes child care for many low-income families.

The federal rules do not require English proficiency. The Fairfax boards letter to the governor notes that the federal regulations actually encourage states to support providers who are learning English and to respect and support childrens home language and culture.

Most states are moving to make their child-care programs more responsive to diverse families and to improve the skills of a linguistically diverse workforce, advocates say. Training for the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate, considered a baseline credential in the field, is offered in multiple languages.

What research shows us is that its the quality of interactions between a caregiver and a child that make a difference, not what language they are speaking, said Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, deputy chief of public policy and research at Child Care Aware of America.

Some advocates fear that an English proficiency requirement could alienate many of the low-income immigrant families that could benefit from the federally subsidized child-care program because there would be fewer operators that speak their languages and they might seek out unlicensed care providers instead.

Danny Avula, a physician and chairman of the Board of Social Services in Virginia, said that the revised regulations also must take the needs of immigrant communities into account and balance them with safety considerations.

There are obviously growing communities in Virginia that do not speak English. We need to figure out how to best support those communities, he said.

Just a handful of other states have rules that mention English proficiency at all, according to an analysis by Child Care Aware of America.

Oklahoma requires three credit hours of English composition for some child-care program directors, and Utah and Tennessee expect that at least one provider speak English whenever children are present in a child-care center. Tennessee also requires primary care providers in home day cares to read and write in English.

Nevadas rules say that child-care facilities must have as part of their curriculum a program of speaking and listening to English, but it also requires facilities to employ staff that can communicate with families who speak a language other than English.

In Virginia, an English-language requirement has long been in place for family day-care providers serving five or more children, which are licensed by the state. Schultze said expanding the language proficiency requirement is partly an effort to make the licensing standards more consistent across different types of child-care settings in the state.

Virginias proposed regulations for the federal program would expand the current language requirement to make it effective for any child-care provider that receives subsidies, including smaller home providers that are regulated locally. English proficiency would be verified during new annual state health and safety inspections.

Fairfax County, as well as Arlington and Alexandria, have their own systems for regulating small home day cares serving four or fewer children.

Anita Friedman, director of the department of human services for Arlington County, said the county does not require English proficiency for small home-care providers but it does conduct most of its business in English, and the county would potentially not extend a license to an operator with very limited English abilities due to safety concerns.

But, she said, by writing it into the code, you are drawing a firm line in the sand, and you get into the issue of how much English is enough. She said she would be sorry to lose a very good child-care provider whose English may be shaky.

[In Virginia, thousands of day-care providers receive no oversight]

Fairfax County does not have a language requirement and offers technical assistance to small in-home child-care providers in multiple languages so they can comply with all local, state and federal laws, according to the boards letter to the governor.

Our goal has been to bring providers into the regulatory system and support them in providing safe care, Anne-Marie Twohie, director at Fairfax Countys office for children, said in an interview.

She said that county-permitted home providers have health and safety visits twice a year, an annual visit from the fire department and professional development in multiple languages.

Its always been in the spirit of promoting safe, quality environments, she said.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush waves to the crowd prior to Thursday foursome matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 28, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Former president George W. Bush will headline two fundraisers in Virginia for for his one-time counselor-turned-GOP gubernatorial candidate, Ed Gillespie.

Bush will be the main atttaction at Oct. 16 events for Gillespie in Alexandria and Richmond, said Gillespie spokesman Dave Abrams.

A columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch first tweeted news of the fundraisers.

Bush tapped Gillespie, a longtime GOP operative, to lead the Republican National Committee between 2003 and 2005 and to serve as his White House counselor from July 2007 to the end of his term.

Bush previously attended a March fundraiser for Gillespie in Dallas. He has personally given $50,000 to Gillespies campaign.



Gubernatorial debate between Ed Gillespie, left, and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam in Washington , DC on September 19, 2017. (Bonnie Jo Mount/Washington Post)

Bush was the last Republican to carry Virginia in a presidential campaign, which has swung Democratic for the last three cycles.

The fundraisers come as Gillespie lags behind his Democratic opponent Ralph Northam in campaign cash. The latest filings show Northam had $5.6 million heading into September, to Gillespie's $2.6 million.

Northam, the lieutenant governor, is also getting fundraising lift from one of his party's all-stars: Hillary Clinton is headlining an Oct. 4 fundraiser for him in New York.

View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor.

Virginia does not place limits on campaign contributions, and is holding the nations only competitive gubernatorial race on Nov. 7.


Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring D) talks with Orlando Campos at a Latino festival. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

The Democratic and Republican candidates for Virginia attorney general are drawing record donations from partisan groups at either end of the political spectrum as they spar over issues from abortion to religious freedom to guns.

But prospective voters they encounter on the campaign trail seem all but unaware of the race.

At a recent Korean festival in Chantilly, Republican nominee John Adams  a strong conservative and President Trump supporter  had a pleasant exchange with Jennifer Kim, 57, a Fairfax County homemaker.

I think I can vote for him, I dont know him, I want to think about it, Kim said later. Im interested in schools and parks. Im not a Trump supporter  I usually vote Democratic.

The next day, at a Manassas Latino festival, incumbent Mark R. Herring (D) ran into Raffaele Ricciardelli, a recently naturalized U.S. citizen who admired the 2016 presidential run of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Im still looking and thinking, Ricciardelli said after speaking with Herring. I will compare the two people running. The most important issue is the health-care system . . . and I see a lack of infrastructure here, especially the train schedule in Manassas is ridiculous.



Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring D), center, talks with new U.S. citizen Raffaele Ricciardelli, left, who will vote in a U.S. election for the first time on Nov. 7. At right is Ricciardelli's wife, Claudio Calderon. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

The contest between Herring and Adams is the only attorney generals race in the nation this November. It is unfolding in a state that has seen pitched battles in recent years over same-sex marriage, gun rights, the status of undocumented immigrants and Trumps travel ban that targeted those from majority-Muslim countries.

Herring used his first term in office to champion liberal stances on those issues, suing the Trump administration over immigration issues and the travel ban, refusing to defend Virginias prohibition on same-sex marriage in 2014 and attempting  unsuccessfully  to bar people with out-of-state concealed-carry gun permits from carrying concealed weapons in Virginia.

Adams has challenged Herrings activism, accusing the Democrat of acting too politically while in office, the same criticism that Herring lobbed against his Republican predecessor four years ago.

Recent polls show Herring with a narrow but consistent lead over Adams, with many voters still undecided.

Both candidates are on track to top 2013's record-breaking amount of campaign contributions, and both have begun running negative television ads.

With their second and final debate scheduled for Oct. 20, analysts say the race is likely to be decided close to Election Day and will hinge, at least in part, on whom voters support at the top of the ticket.

These down-ticket races in gubernatorial election years tend to get very little voter attention, said Mark Rozell, dean of George Mason Universitys Schar School of Policy and Government. Whichever gubernatorial candidate wins, depending on the margin of victory, most likely carries the down-ticket candidates with him to office.



John Adams, top left, meets prospective voters on Sept. 23 at the 15th annual KORUS Festival in Chantilly. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

At the Korean festival, Adams made a beeline for police officers and anyone wearing military caps or T-shirts, reminding them of his past work as a federal prosecutor and Navy officer.

Herring saw several people at the Manassas event who said they remembered him from his days as a supervisor and state senator in neighboring Loudoun County.

But the candidates reach far more prospective voters through attack ads on television and online. One, from Adams, criticizes Herrings support of in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants.

Another, from Herring, blasts Adamss work defending corporate and bank clients accused of money laundering and fraud.

The National Rifle Association has weighed in with its own take on the race, giving Herring an "F" grade and Adams an "A."

The office of attorney general, the third-highest in state government, was once considered little more than a staging ground for a gubernatorial run. It has become both more partisan and more powerful in recent years, as the nations political landscape grew more fractious.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R), who served from 2010 to 2014, challenged the constitutionality of President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act, tightened enforcement of immigration law and prevented colleges from including sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policies.

As a candidate in 2013, Herring decried that activism and vowed to "take the politics out of the office."

But Bob Holsworth, a former Virginia Commonwealth University professor and longtime observer of state politics, says both Herring and Cuccinelli used their positions to aggressively promote their values.

The national associations of Republican and Democratic attorneys general, which in the past stayed out of races where there was an incumbent, have abandoned that posture.

The Republican group had given $1.15 million to Adams as of Sept. 28 and was his largest single donor.

The Democratic group has contributed over $1.5 million to Herring, again more than anyone else. Herring has raised $4.6 million and had $2.9 million on hand as of Aug. 31. Adams, in the same period, had raised $1.8 million and had $598,000 on hand.



Attorney General Mark R. Herring poses for photos with campaign workers at a Latino festival in Manassas. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Herring, 56, won office in 2013 by 165 votes out of about 207,000 cast.

Twelve days into his term, he refused to defend Virginias same-sex marriage ban and entered the case on behalf of the challengers. Their victory at the U.S. Supreme Court helped end similar bans across the country.

My decision was informed by our unique history on civil rights, Herring said, citing the commonwealths past stances  all eventually overturned by the high court  on school segregation, interracial marriage and gender discrimination at the Virginia Military Institute. We should not let injustices of the past be repeated again.

Adams, 43  a first-time candidate who is a partner at the Richmond-based law firm McGuire Woods, clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and served as associate White House counsel under President George W. Bush  said Herrings actions in the marriage case infuriated him.

He literally got on the other side of the case from his client, said the Republican, who cites his Baptist faith in explaining his personal opposition to same-sex marriage but says those beliefs would not affect his legal decisions as attorney general.

The ban, he said, was the law in Virginia. His job as attorney general was to defend that law.



John Adams, left, is the Republican candidate for state attorney general in Virginia. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Herring, whose actions as attorney general include protecting women's health clinics that offer abortions and addressing a backlog of untested rape kits, paints Adams as a "more extreme culture warrior" than Cuccinelli.

The Democrat called his opponent 100 percent anti-choice, citing Adamss work representing clients who objected to requirements that employers provide and pay for contraception for their employees.

Adams was the lawyer for 15 members of Congress in the Hobby Lobby case before the U.S. Supreme Court and for a number of law professors in a similar case by the Little Sisters of the Poor.

I was there to protect the religious liberties of Catholic nuns, Adams said in response to Herrings criticism. I have zero, zero, interest in limiting womens access to birth control.

The candidates also separate on the issue of gun rights. Herring supports uniform background checks and wants to limit individuals to buying one gun per month, a law that was in effect in Virginia for 20 years but repealed in 2012.

Adams said that people with criminal records or a history of mental illness should not be easily able to buy a gun, but he calls the one-gun-per-month rule an unconstitutional infringement on Second Amendment rights. At the same time, he said that if he is elected and the General Assembly were to pass such a law, he would defend it in court.

Herrings years in office have given him statewide exposure, as well as multiple headlines that could either endear him to voters or send them to support his opponent.

Adams, meanwhile, could benefit from what Holsworth described as a natural advantage for Republican attorney general candidates among voters who consider the GOP the party of law and order.

As a purple state in a nonpresidential year, however, the deciding factor will probably be which gubernatorial candidate motivates his base more effectively, analysts said, and whether voters are drawn to the polls by a desire to embrace or repudiate Trump.

So much depends on turnout, Holsworth said. Adams will run well in places that Republicans normally run well. But the big question is, will he face an overwhelmingly negative vote in Northern Virginia?
Surgeon Christopher Goring speaks in October 2016 to backers of an ultimately unsuccessful California ballot measure to lower drug prices. (Carlos Delgado/AP Images For Aids Healthcare Foundation)

Lawmakers in Maryland are daring to legislate where their federal counterparts have not: As of Sunday, the state will be able to sue drug companies over price spikes.

A new law, the first of its kind in the country, empowers the states attorney general to step in if the price of a generic or off-patent drug climbs 50 percent or more in a single year. The company must then justify the hike, and if the attorney general still finds the increase unwarranted, he or she can file suit in state court to have it reversed. Manufacturers also can face a fine of up to $10,000 for price gouging.

As Congress stalls on what many voters say is a top health concern  high pharmaceutical costs  a growing number of states are trying to tackle the issue themselves. Despite often-fierce industry opposition, Maryland, California, Nevada, New York and Vermont have passed legislation meant to undercut skyrocketing prices.

The state-level momentum raises the possibility that  as happened with hot-button issues such as same-sex marriage and smoke-free buildings  a patchwork of bills across the country could pave the way for more comprehensive national action.

There is a noticeable uptick among state legislatures and state governments in terms of what kind of role states can play in addressing the cost of prescription drugs and access, said Richard Cauchi, health program director at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Some states are tackling transparency, by requiring manufacturers to detail a drugs production and advertising costs when prices exceed certain thresholds. Others have aimed for caps on what drugmakers can charge Medicaid or state employee benefit programs, where officials often feel the price squeeze. Still others set ceilings on what consumers face in out-of-pocket costs.

[A look at how states are tackling skyrocketing drug prices]

A New York law on the books since spring allows officials to limit what the states Medicaid program will pay for drugs. If companies dont sufficiently discount a medication, a state review will assess whether the price is out of step with medical value.

Marylands measure goes further, treating price gouging as a civil offense and taking alleged violators to court. Many experts frame the law as a test case that could help define what powers states have and what limits they face in going up against the pharmaceutical industry.

Its a really innovative approach. States are looking at how to replicate it, and how to expand on it, said Ellen Albritton, a senior policy analyst at the liberal consumer-health lobby Families USA, which has consulted with states on such policies.

The generic-drug industry filed a lawsuit to block the statute from taking effect, arguing its unconstitutionally vague and an overreach of state powers. A federal court judge on Friday denied that request for an injunction.

The California legislature passed a bill this month that would require drugmakers to disclose when they are about to raise a price more than 16 percent over two years and to justify the hike. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) is expected to sign the measure into law.

Nevadas law is like Californias approach but limited to insulin prices, while Vermonts allows officials to scrutinize up to 15 drugs with rising prices for which the state spends significant health-care dollars.

Legislators have introduced similar bills in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Montana. In November, Ohio voters will decide on a ballot initiative that would restrict what the state pays for prescription drugs in its Medicaid program and other state health plans.

But states face a steep uphill climb in passing pricing legislation given the deep-pocketed pharmaceutical industry, which can finance strong opposition whether through lobbying, legal action or advertising campaigns.

Last fall, voters rejected a California initiative that would have capped what the state pays for drugs. Industry groups spent more than $100 million to defeat it, putting it among the state's all-time most expensive ballot fights. Ohio's measure is attracting similar heat, with drug companies outspending opponents about 5 to 1.

[Cancer drug prices are so high that doctors will test cutting doses]

States also face policy challenges and limits to their statutory authority, which is why several have focused their efforts on specific parts of the drug-pricing pipeline.

Critics see these tailored efforts as falling short or potentially opening other loopholes. Requiring companies to report prices past a certain threshold, for example, might encourage them to consistently set prices just below that level.

Marylands law is noteworthy because it includes a fine for drugmakers if price increases are deemed excessive  though a $10,000 fine is likely nominal for the billion-dollar industry, suggested Rachel Sachs, an associate law professor at Washington University, who researches drug regulations.

The law doesn't address a trickier policy question, however  a drug's initial price tag. And its focus on generics means branded drugs, such as Mylan's EpiPen or Kaleo's overdose-reversing Evzio, wouldn't be affected.

Yet theres a good reason for this, noted Jeremy Greene, a professor of medicine and the history of medicine at Johns Hopkins University who supports Marylands law.

Current interpretation of federal patent law suggests that issues related to the development and affordability of drugs under patent are a matter of federal, not state jurisdiction, he explained. The Maryland law was drafted narrowly to address a specific problem: the high cost of older, off-patent drugs that face little market competition.

Heres where the state of Maryland is trying to do something, Greene said.

Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit health newsroom whose stories appear in news outlets nationwide, is an editorially independent part of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
ILLINOIS

Governor signs bill on abortion coverage

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed legislation Thursday allowing state health insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortions, ending months of speculation after he reversed his stance on the issue in the spring.

The General Assembly, controlled by Democrats, approved the measure in May but delayed sending it to Rauner until Monday, in part because he has changed his mind about support of the plan.

As a candidate in 2014, Rauner said he would support expanding coverage for abortions. But in April he said he opposed the idea and said the state should focus on improving the economy.

The proposal would allow abortions funded by state employee health insurance and Medicaid. Democrats argue that all women should have the same access to abortion services. Republicans said that taxpayers should not be forced to fund a morally objectionable procedure, particularly during a state budget crisis.

The measure also removes language in Illinois law that states a desire to criminalize abortion if a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing the procedure is overturned. Democrats initially sold the bill as a means of keeping abortion legal if Roe v. Wade were dumped.

 Associated Press

HAWAII

Telescope project gets construction permit

Hawaiis land board on Thursday granted a construction permit for a giant telescope on a mountain that Native Hawaiians consider sacred, a project that has divided the state.

The $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope has pitted people who say the instrument will provide educational and economic opportunities against those who say it will desecrate the states tallest mountain, Mauna Kea.

Plans for what would be one of the worlds largest telescopes date to 2009, when scientists selected Mauna Kea after a five-year around-the-world campaign to find the ideal site for what telescope officials say will likely revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

The project won several approvals from Hawaii, including a permit to build on conservation land in 2011. Protesters blocked attempts to start construction. In 2015, the state Supreme Court invalidated the permit and ordered the project to go through the process all over again.

A group of universities in California and Canada make up the telescope company, along with partners from China, India and Japan. Its primary mirror would measure 30 meters in diameter and be made up of 492 segments. Compared with the largest existing visible-light telescope in the world, it would be three times as wide, with nine times more area.

 Associated Press

KANSAS

Police officers fatally shoot man in Topeka

Police fatally shot a man near a park in Kansass capital, Topeka, on Thursday, saying he had a handgun and struggled with officers.

Topeka police said the shooting occurred after officers responded to a report of a disturbance and shots being fired near the park Thursday morning and encountered the man, whom they described as a suspicious person. Officers fired at him as he attempted to flee.

While fleeing from officers, the individual reached for the pocket containing the firearm, causing the officers to fire their weapons, police Lt. Colleen Stuart said in a video statement. The individuals gun was recovered from the scene.

Police did not release the names or races of the officers involved or the man who was shot. They said the police department in Lawrence, 20 miles to the east, would investigate the shooting.

 Associated Press


Vieques, a small island off the east coast of the main island of Puerto Rico, was hit hard by Hurricane Maria. (Dennis M. Rivera Pichard/For The Washington Post)

This small island seven miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico has been without running water, power, gasoline or communications for more than a week, leaving its 9,000 residents teetering on the edge of crisis and clamoring for help.

The water sanitation plant has not run in four days because of a lack of fuel, threatening an island-wide sewage backup. The backup generator at the only hospital in Vieques was stolen; the remaining generator is almost out of fuel, and 18 dialysis patients cannot survive without consistent power to the hospital.

And Vieques cant easily receive supplies because of its location. One shipment of gas has arrived since the storm, and the municipality had limited access to it because residents who had been waiting in line for three days reportedly hijacked the pumps, according to a quasi-relief group and residents on the island.

The island  a community best-known for its decades-long fight against the U.S. Navy, which operated a bombing range here  is faring like many other remote Puerto Rico locales that have not yet received external help: People are struggling to maintain any sense of normalcy, and they have little confidence anyone is coming to save them.

[Island of Vieques remains isolated and silent since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico]

When asked at a news conference Thursday if reports of the hijacked gas station were true, and if local authorities had requested martial law to regain control of the island, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello said he had not heard about the situation but was sending help.

Before Hurricane Maria slammed the island, Vieques was verdant, a paradise retreat with pristine beaches, a large nature preserve, home to many U.S. mainland retirees.

The landscape now is almost unrecognizable. Trees were uprooted, and those still standing are bare and offer no shade. Homes were destroyed. People are getting desperate.



Jennifer Itskowitch uses a satellite phone from a rescuer to contact her family in New York. (Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo /For The Washington Post)

Lucky to get out

Five days after Maria hit Vieques, I started my day in the dark at 5 a.m. waiting in line for gas. Because there was no communication with the rest of the world, there was no way to know if it was actually coming.

Roughly 30 people were in front of me on line; one had been waiting for 11 hours the previous day and left her car there overnight so she wouldnt lose her spot. People had set up folding tables at the pumps to play dominoes while they waited. I left, because I heard it might be possible to get to Puerto Rico on a private plane for a very short stay in San Juan.

I was desperate to make a phone call, to tell my family  to tell anyone  that I was alive.

After a short trip to San Juan  an hour on the ground, and tearful calls to my parents, my brother, my editor  I learned at the last minute that a seat had opened up on a private aid flight to the mainland United States with ViequesLove, a group that had brought satellite phones and medical supplies to Vieques. It was the first intimation I had that someone, anyone, was trying to help us. I was relieved that no one had forgotten about us. But I was also desperate to leave.

[There was once a bridge here: A devastated Puerto Rico community deals with aftermath of Maria]

After stuffing some damp, dirty clothes in a bag, I grabbed my dog and returned to the airport. Within minutes we were airborne. We touched down in Florida about 10 oclock Monday night.

In the days since, I have been constantly responding to posts from people in the United States and across the globe asking if their loved ones on Vieques are okay. With no direct communication between Vieques and the rest of the world, I am one of very few people that can offer any information about the people still trapped there. But I dont know what has happened to them since I left.



The island of Vieques sustained significant damage during Hurricane Maria. (Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo/For The Washington Post)

Vieques is a U.S. territory, the people who live there U.S. citizens. They are currently without electricity, running water, gasoline and any connection to the rest of the world. Any news that circulates is hearsay, rumor. Every time a plane or helicopter flies over, people look up to see if its military, news or private. At the end of last week, a radar plane was circling the island. We were petrified that it was tracking a new storm; we had no way to know what, if anything, was coming for us next.

People have no access to credit cards, and whatever cash they withdrew before the storm is dwindling quickly. Vieques was without power for more than a week after Hurricane Irma, restaurants and businesses were closed, and many people havent been able to work or earn money since.

[After pleas for more help, Pentagon sends one-star general to lead Puerto Rico recovery]

One word I often use  lovingly  to describe Vieques is primitive. We have no traffic lights, horses roam free and streets are identified by landmarks and lawn ornaments rather than names.

We dont have shopping malls or food delivery or other such creature comforts, but we choose to live that way, and we love it.

The word primitive has taken on a new meaning, now. Its having to siphon rainwater from the roof to flush your toilet. Its carrying around a machete to cut through downed tree branches that obstruct your path. Its having no way to know what is going on elsewhere in the world, or even on the other side of the island. Its rationing drinking water. Its trying to fall asleep in a dark, hot room and hoping that if an intruder tries to break in, youll remember how to use the spear gun your friend lent you, since you cant call for help.

I was lucky, extremely lucky, to get out.

Amy Gordon is a freelance journalist who lives in Vieques.
JUST PAST 7 p.m. on May 29 in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, an independent journalist, Afgan Mukhtarli, called his wife from a cafe to say he was coming home. She asked him to buy bread, according to a friend of the journalist who was at the cafe. The friend departed, but Mr. Mukhtarli never made it home. A day later, his wife discovered he was in neighboring Azerbaijan, in jail. Fearing persecution as a journalist, Mr. Mukhtarli had fled Azerbaijan two years earlier. In a brazen example of a police state reaching beyond its borders, Azerbaijan apparently dragged him back.

Mr. Mukhtarli, an outspoken critic of the authoritarian Azeri president, Ilham Aliyev, had investigated corruption in Mr. Aliyev's defense ministry. At the time of his disappearance, he was investigating Mr. Aliyev's personal assets in Georgia; he had also contributed reports to Meydan TV, an independent digital media service reporting on Azerbaijan. Mr. Mukhtarli was questioned in the politically motivated prosecution of another reporter, Khadija Ismayilova, and he finally fled to Georgia in 2015.

According to accounts Mr. Mukhtarli gave his wife and lawyer, after leaving the cafe he was abducted near his home in Tbilisi, beaten, blindfolded, driven in three separate cars and brought to a border crossing with Azerbaijan, where 10,000 euros were stuffed in his pockets. On the Azeri side, he was charged with smuggling and illegal border crossing. Months later, he is still in detention in Baku.

The Mukhtarli affair has a certain stench. Mr. Aliyev easily took his strongman methods into the heart of another country, Georgia. The European Parliament passed a condemnation, but otherwise this kind of behavior has not drawn the sharp international censure it deserves. In a brief statement, the State Department said it was "disturbed by the reported abduction." Such timidity may confirm to Mr. Aliyev that the United States under President Trump doesn't really care when human rights and the rule of law are trampled abroad.

We know that dictators like to trade methods and tactics with each other: clamping shut overseas-based nongovernmental organizations, warning of "foreign agents" lurking around every tree, smothering free speech online. Mr. Aliyev may have been reading up on China's experience snatching dissidents across frontiers with impunity. Mr. Aliyev is so well practiced in the illiberal toolkit that for all we know, he may be teaching the dictatorship seminar himself these days. Sadly, the classes are full.

Another reason this affair stinks is the murky role of Georgia. Was a nation with European Union and democratic aspirations complicit in Azerbaijan's cross-border abduction? Georgia's authorities denied being involved and promised an investigation, but so far very little has been produced. Georgia ought to come clean as soon as possible about the abduction, and Azerbaijan must free Mr. Mukhtarli, the victim of an involuntary forced march across an international frontier. It would also be nice if more governments denounced Mr. Aliyev's nasty tricks. It might restrain tyrants' reach.
Columnist

It was a scene that could only have taken place in the globalized, interconnected, multicultural world that we now inhabit: Nigel Farage  a former British stockbroker, a Brexit campaigner, a wearer of pinstripe suits, a denizen of elite London eating establishments  appeared onstage this week in Fairhope, Ala., campaigning for former judge Roy Moore. He didn't argue that Moore, who was tossed off the Alabama Supreme Court for disregarding the law, would actually be good for the people of Alabama. He didn't have much to say about the Alabama economy or Alabama's particular problems. Instead, he called on Alabama voters to support Moore because "it's important for the whole global movement across the West that we have built up and we have fought for."

Sacrifice your own interests for those of the movement! Ignore local issues in the name of an international cause! If you had closed your eyes and silenced the country music playing in the background, it could have been a Marxist rally from yesteryear. Farage denounced big banks and multinational corporations. He condemned the enemy within  a turn of phrase used frequently and famously by Stalin himself  by which he meant the establishment Republicans, i.e., Americas elected legislators, who are said to be impeding the international revolution. In the face of these parasites and saboteurs, he called upon the global movement of anti-globalists to rejuvenate the movement and to make anti-globalism great again, just like it was back in the good old days of 2016.

It was a weird moment, not least because there aren't any "pro-globalists" to fight back. "Globalism" is a fiction invented by Stephen K. Bannon, Breitbart News and a host of Internet trolls, both amateur and professional, and promoted on social media. It's a phantasm that, like "Islam" (or, for that matter, the "international Jewish conspiracy"), makes a good enemy and helps unite people as different as Farage, Moore, the citizens of Fairhope and the people of Sunderland, at least in cyberspace. But "anti-globalism," otherwise known as nationalism, populism or sometimes fascism, is real. In fact, the movement I've also called the Populist International appears to be growing in both strength and stupidity.

Look, for example, at the reactions of the international anti-globalists to the better-than-expected 13 percent result for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, the German nationalist party, in last week's German parliamentary elections. For most Europeans, 13 percent support for a party whose co-founder wants to revive "pride" in Germany's Nazi past is at very least an unwelcome result. But not for Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's National Front  France being a country that knows a lot about the evil impact of German nationalism in the past: She congratulated "our AfD allies" for their "historic showing." Weirder still, voices congratulating the AfD were found on the nationalist right in Poland, a country utterly devastated by German nationalism in the past. Even in Britain, a country that has practically fetishized its role in the war against Nazi Germany, quite a few loud voices were found in support. Farage, for example, praised the AfD for its "historic achievement"; just before his trip to Alabama, he went to Germany to support one of its candidates, too.

Behind these public performances, the international anti-globalist movement, like its Marxist precursors, has some less visible propaganda arms. Just as the Comintern ran disinformation campaigns on behalf of the Soviet Union, the informal alt-right coalition now runs social media campaigns for the Populist International. In both the French and German election campaigns, the international alt-right posted, tweeted, memed and trolled its support for its candidates. Alongside their Russian comrades  it's not easy to distinguish "Russian" and "alt-right" trolls and bots, because they use the same kind of language  the global anti-globalists helped the AfD dominate German Twitter. Hard to say how much it matters, but in some elections, where a couple of percentage points can make an enormous difference, of course it could matter quite a lot.

The bigger question is when the penny will drop; that is, when will loud French or Polish nationalists begin to ask themselves whether equally loud German nationalism is actually good for their country, and when will the good people of Alabama start to wonder whether Farage and Bannon really have their interests at heart? The precedents arent good: The international Marxist movement lasted for more than a century, so we may have a while to wait.

Read more from Anne Applebaum's archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook.
Nasser Weddady is a Boston-based independent consultant working on terrorism, youth movements and countering radicalization.

The latest iteration of the Trump administration's travel ban came with a twist that baffled many Africa watchers: the inclusion of Chad, a country that has played a critical role in fighting Islamist terrorist groups in Africa, such as al-Qaeda and Nigeria's Boko Haram.

It is hard to overstate the degree to which Chad is no softy on terrorism. President Trumps travel ban for the country sends a chilling message to other nations: Even if you stand by the United States and the West  and spill blood to combat terrorists in the process  you still might end up on the presidents list of U.S. undesirables.

Few remember how hard-pressed France and the United States were in 2013 to find African nations willing and able to contribute effective combat troops to dislodge al-Qaeda affiliates from northern Mali. Yet despite the United States' well-justified skepticism of African military capabilities, Chadian troops ended up spearheading the offensive to liberate northern Mali from terrorist rule after France launched "Operation Serval" that January. Having earned a reputation for possessing some of the best desert-warfare troops in the world, Chad then sent troops to northern Nigeria, where they were often considered more capable than the Nigerian military.

And let's not forget that Chad houses a U.S. drone base as well as Special Operations forces critical to American security interests stretching from Somalia to Mauritania. Its capital city of N'Djamena also serves as the nerve center for France's "Operation Barkhane," a combat mission to help nations of the Sahel region secure their territories while building their own counterterrorism capabilities. The N'Djamena base allows France to launch surveillance missions and airstrikes in critical areas such as southern Libya, northern Niger and northern Mali, removing the need to deploy U.S. troops in the region.

Trump's decision becomes even more odd when you factor in his removal of Chad's neighbor, Sudan, from the ban. The Sudanese regime of Omar Hassan al-Bashir is known for committing genocide in Darfur, harboring Osama bin Laden and, until recently, cozying up to Iran. Sudan exports Islamist extremists to Libya and Iraq. It also allows extremists a breathing space despite pretending otherwise. Chad, by contrast, has produced far fewer extremists, and it has publicly denounced Salafi extremism and some Persian Gulf states for their troubling role in spreading extremism to the region in the past. Chad has also taken active measures to limit the impact of Salafi activism and literature in its territory.

Of course, Chad is not exactly a role model in democratic rule or peaceful transfer of power. Critics may argue that Chads hard-line stance on terrorism has been a ruse to buy Western silence on its democratic shortcomings. That may be true, but the fact remains that without Chadian assistance, Western nations such as the United States, France and Britain would have to send their own troops to combat terrorism.

Besides, the West has for decades sacrificed its principles for expediency, backing unsavory rulers preferring short-term security and geopolitical gains over long-term democratization. And in any case, the nature of the Chadian regime is a moot point in the Trump era. Democracy and human rights promotion have not been a priority for the Trump administration. Instead, its foreign policy has so far embraced autocrats and rejected America's tradition of standing for its core democratic principles.

Whatever one thinks of the war on terror and the vast moral gray zones involved in combating terrorism, it is impossible today to continue effectively combating the scourge of Islamist extremism without enlisting competent allies. Chad, a Muslim-majority nation, never shied away from fighting Islamist terrorism, despite its poverty. At a time when many nations have been either unwilling or unable to slay the beast, Trumps decision to shun one of the few countries that has risen to the challenge makes no sense.
Columnist

So the systematic confirmation of toxic GOP stereotypes continues. Nativism? Build that wall. Misogyny? Grab that . . . woman. Racial bias? Equivocate about white supremacists. Religious intolerance? Enter Roy Moore, likely to be the next senator from Alabama.

Moore's victory over a more mainstream candidate in Alabama's Senate primary has far-reaching political implications. It demonstrates that anti-establishment populism is still on an upswing among GOP primary voters (at least in the most conservative places). Even President Trump could not channel it to his favored candidate, incumbent Sen. Luther Strange. And this is likely to intimidate gutless Republicans everywhere.

But Moore represents a peculiar challenge to the GOP future. He holds to a particularly rigorous vision of a Christian America, ultimately ruled and legitimated by "biblical law." In his conception, the freedom of "religion" in the First Amendment is limited to the Christian (and presumably Jewish) version of the creator God. So the protections of the Constitution do not extend to, say, Buddhism and Islam. "Buddha didn't create us," explains Moore. "Muhammad didn't create us. It's the God of the Holy Scriptures."

The absurdity of this claim is just stunning. Moore is contending that when the First Amendment says, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, the document was actually intending to establish a religion. This indicates a type of zealotry willing to call night day and day night.

Moore's conception of the supreme law of the universe seems particularly focused on the sex lives of American citizens. Rather than motivating a passion for racial justice, or a mission of prison reform, or a fight against global poverty, Moore's law would punish homosexuality and defy the Supreme Court on same-sex marriage. His enthusiasm for imposing his conception of Christian law is only matched by his fear that sharia law is being imposed "in Illinois, Indiana  up there. I don't know."

Some of the arguments against Moores view of a Christian America are prudential. Over time  at least since Calvins Geneva and Cromwells England  Christians have learned that too close a relationship between church and state is highly damaging to both. Associating the reputation of the Christian gospel with the fortunes of any politician or movement is bound to dishonor sacred things. Associating the Christian gospel with the political priorities of Roy Moore would be foolishness compounded by heresy.

Disestablishment, pluralism and democracy are good for religious believers  and, not incidentally, for everyone else. "I am a democrat," said C.S. Lewis, "because I believe that no man or group of men is good enough to be trusted with uncontrolled power over others. And the higher the pretensions of such power, the more dangerous I think it both to the rulers and to the subjects. Hence theocracy is the worst of all governments. If we must have a tyrant, a robber baron is far better than an inquisitor. The baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity at some point may be sated; and since he dimly knows he is doing wrong he may possibly repent. But the inquisitor who mistakes his own cruelty and lust of power and fear for the voice of heaven will torment us infinitely because he torments us with the approval of his own conscience."

It is easy to imagine Moore sleeplessly considering American decadence, because his version of biblical law is ceaselessly violated. It is worth asking: What is his limiting principle in enforcing the voice of Heaven? The Ten Commandments set aside the Sabbath for rest. Should that be mandated? How about Old Testament recommendations of the death penalty for adulterers, apostates, blasphemers and incorrigible children? Why not enforce the Apostle Pauls admonition against foolish talk? But that would leave Moore speechless.

No, Moore is not really a theonomist. The boundaries of his worldview, it turns out, almost exactly coincide with those of the Breitbart agenda. Moores study of divine law has led him, in the end, to the shabby, third-rate gospel of Stephen K. Bannon.

The strongest objection to Moores hardness and harshness is theological. On the consistent evidence of Jesus ministry, what public attitude did he condemn the most? He stood against people who talked constantly of the law, who thought they were especially virtuous, who enjoyed scolding people, who judged others without tenderness and understanding. He was at constant war with the self-righteous and took the side of the social outcasts they condemned.

Now we see the return of the Pharisee.

Read more from Michael Gerson's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook .
Columnist

Last year, I proposed a handy rule of thumb for evaluating the economic proposals of politicians: The more growth they promise, the worse their plan probably is.

Why? Because the promise of bonkers growth usually means the politicians need that bonkers growth to paper over the ginormous deficits sure to follow  in the real world, under more realistic assumptions.

If you assume that the economy goes gangbusters and everyone gets a lot richer, then the tax base swells, spending on social-safety-net services falls, and hallelujah! That expensive thing you want no longer looks so expensive. Maybe its even free!

This rule of thumb was useful during the presidential campaign, when candidates promised that their infrastructure, health and tax proposals would "pay for themselves" through faster growth. It's relevant again with the "Big Six's" new tax "plan."

I put "plan" in scare-quotes here because it's not really a plan. At best it's an outline, offering barely more detail than the bullet points the Trump administration released in April. It doesn't even specify the thresholds for the individual income-tax rates it proposes. It also doesn't identify a single individual tax preference it would kill, despite claiming to simplify the code and close lots of "loopholes." Even the state and local tax deduction, which administration officials have talked about eliminating, isn't explicitly mentioned.

[Trumps tax plan is designed to help the little people]

The plans designers may not know what their proposal is, exactly, but they know it will turbocharge growth.

President Trump told a group of Democrats and Republicans on Tuesday that this tax framework could lead the economy to grow more than 6 percent a year, as my Post colleagues reported.

To give you a sense of how ridiculous that is, the Federal Reserve's median forecast for long-term growth is 1.8 percent, thanks in part to demographic challenges facing the country. (What matters is the long-term number, as growth rates can bounce around a lot quarter to quarter and over the course of the business cycle.) The Congressional Budget Office, in scoring Trump's budget this year, said it would add maybe a tenth of a percentage point to growth  bringing us to a whopping 1.9 percent.

Trump's own economic advisers have said they think the sum total of all his tax and regulatory policies would get us to "only" 3 percent growth, a number that has been mocked by more or less the entire economics community.

National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn is one of the administration officials who has been using that 3 percent benchmark, which he repeated on CNBC on Thursday while declaring that perhaps we might get even "substantially over 3 percent."

We think we can pay for the entire tax cut through growth over the cycle, he explained.

Uh-huh.

A Tax Policy Center estimate of the fuzzy April framework found that it would lower revenue between $3.5 trillion and $7.8 trillion over a decade, depending on which loopholes you assume get closed. Its numbers don't change much after accounting for economic growth effects.

A separate estimate of the more recent framework, released by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, put the cost at about $2.2 trillion.

Whatever the actual number is, we know its in the trillions. No realistic amount of growth is going to wipe that out.

In light of all these grand growth projections, I propose a corollary to my earlier rule.

Here it is: If you promise that your policy will pay for itself through faster economic growth, you must commit  in advance  to cutting the programs you love most if that growth doesnt materialize.

[Trumps tax miracle: Cowardice and dishonesty]

For Republicans, that means writing language into their tax bill lopping trillions off defense spending. Hey, if they truly believe their plan wont cost a dime, surely theres no risk to our national security.

Otherwise, the yawning deficits that would inevitably result from the Trump plan may turn into an excuse to decimate programs Republicans are already eyeing, such as Medicaid and food stamps. In fact, starve the beast Republicans may see this as a best-case scenario.

Kansas provides a cautionary tale here. The state passed sweeping tax cuts in 2012 on promises that they would unleash boundless economic growth. Instead, the state had below-average growth and huge budget shortfalls, which led to brutal cuts to services. School districts had to end the school year early because they literally ran out of money.

Eventually, after coming to terms with the failure of their supply-side experiment, the state partially reversed its disastrous tax cuts.

Which may be where the country ends up in a few years, if this Trump tax framework passes. But as Kansas proves, a lot of damage  including, in the federal case, bigger debt  can be done in the meantime.
Columnist

One simple rule for decoding foreign policy is that presidential trips often drive the agenda. So the fact that President Trump is planning to visit Beijing and other Asian capitals in just over a month may tell us more about whats ahead in that region than all the tweets, rumors and palace intrigue.

War with North Korea? Its a scary possibility, for sure. But a president who is preparing for a grand meeting in November with Chinese President Xi Jinping wont want to fly there through a cloud of nuclear fallout. Will Xi deliver on his promise to pressure Pyongyang beforehand? The trip plans make that more likely than some analysts think, given that Xi and Trump want a Mar-a-Lago 2.0 that celebrates joint efforts on regional issues.

And what about Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the gray man of Trump's foreign policy team and the subject of ceaseless rumors that he will be fired? Well, he was on his way to Beijing Thursday to prepare the way for the Trump visit. It's unlikely that the Sherpa will be thrown off the mountain before the president reaches the summit.

The hardest challenge in following this chaotic White House is separating actual policy from the House of Cards backbiting that surrounds the president. Trump seems to operate with what might be called an iron whim, becoming enraged about perceived slights and oversights, fulminating one moment and threatening retribution  but then turning to something entirely different.

These presidential cycles of favor and disfavor seem to change almost daily: Trump publicly insults Attorney General Jeff Sessions but continues to work with him. He rages at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and flirts with his Democratic rival, Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), and then a few weeks later discards bipartisanship and panders to his GOP base. Most recently, he was all in for Luther Strange in Alabamas Republican Senate primary until he wasnt.

At the center of this perpetual White House hurricane have been Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who in the administrations first weeks lashed themselves to each other and to the mast of policy. That alliance seems as steady as ever, even as the rumors fly that the president is about to throw Tillerson overboard in favor of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. That Cabinet shuffle may happen eventually, but its unlikely now, when Tillerson is stewarding the China trip and diplomatic strategy for North Korea.

The politics of travel helps explain another policy knot. Trump's first overseas destination was Saudi Arabia, and he loved the royal pomp that greeted him. He invested heavily in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a change agent  a Trumpian disrupter of the status quo in Saudi Arabia (who delivered "bigly" with this week's announcement that women will be able to drive).

When the Saudis and the United Arab Emirates decided to squeeze their troublesome neighbor Qatar, Trump instinctively sided with Riyadh. Tillerson initially peeved Trump by leaning the other way, arguing that this dispute should be mediated. But by this month, Trump seemed to have come around to Tillerson's viewpoint and was talking on the phone to King Salman and in person to Qatar's ruling Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani to say that it was time to resolve the dispute. An effort last week failed, but there will be another.

Trump still leans toward Riyadh, but he knows that Tillerson and Mattis have a united front on this issue, as on most others. The Tillerson-Mattis relationship remains the balance wheel of this administration. Trump may get angry, as after Tillerson's comment that the president spoke for only himself after the Charlottesville unrest. But it's said that Trump watched the video of Tillerson's remarks three times and decided he was "okay with them," though he may still be quietly grumbling.

Tillerson remains mystifyingly reluctant to use the communications tools that are an essential part of U.S. foreign policy. The latest example was the way he ceded control of refugee policy, a traditional State Department issue, to White House aide Stephen Miller, who set a cap of 45,000, the lowest in decades. Apparent (unfortunate) message: Tillerson didn't want another open dispute with the president.

In Trump world, were learning to watch what the president does more than just read his inflammatory tweets. That lesson applies to his itinerary. Watch where he goes, and some of the policy implications become clear. A president who is about to attack North Korea doesnt schedule a November trip to China.

Twitter: @IgnatiusPost

Read more from David Ignatius's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Lan Cao, a professor at Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law, is the author, most recently, of the novel  Lotus and the Storm .

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick say their multi-part PBS documentary about the Vietnam War, which concluded this past week, was intended to unpack a complex conflict and to embark upon the process of healing and reconciliation. The series has catapulted the Vietnam War back into the national consciousness. But despite thousands of books, articles and films about this moment in our history, there remain many deeply entrenched myths.

Myth No. 1

The Viet Cong was a scrappy guerrilla force.

"Vastly superior in tools and techniques, and militarily dominant over much of the world," historian Ronald Aronson described the hegemonic United States and the impudent rebels, "the Goliath sought to impose on David a peace favourable to his vision of the world." Recode recently compared the Viet Cong to Uber: "young, scrappy and hungry troops break rules and create new norms, shocking the enemy."

In reality, the Viet Cong, the pro-North force in South Vietnam, was armed by North Vietnam  which planned, controlled and directed Viet Cong campaigns in the South  the Soviet Union and China. According to the CIA, from 1954 to 1968, those communist nations provided the North with $3.2 billion in military and economic aid, mostly coming after 1964 as the war accelerated. Other sources suggest the number was more than double that figure.

The Viet Cong had powerful and modern AK-47s, a Soviet-made automatic rifle that was the equivalent of the M-16 used by American troops. Its fighters were also equipped with submachine guns, grenades, rocket launchers and an array of other weapons. By contrast, the U.S. military gave the South Vietnamese armed forces old World War II-era castoffs, such as M-1 rifles, until late in the war.

Myth No. 2

The refugees who came to the U.S. were Vietnams elite.

As the Immigration Policy Center's Alicia Campi has put it, the 130,000 Vietnamese who came to the United States at the end of the conflict "were generally high-skilled and well-educated" people. Sociologist Carl Bankston described this group as "the elite of South Vietnam."

Although the group that fled in 1975, referred to as the first wave, was more educated and middle-class, many who arrived through the U.S.-sponsored evacuation efforts were also people with close ties to the Americans in Vietnam whom Washington had promised to rescue. They were not necessarily "elite." These included ordinary soldiers of South Vietnam as well as people who had worked as clerks or secretaries in the U.S. Embassy.

The second wave of refugees who left Vietnam after 1975 numbered approximately 2 million. They came from rural areas and were often less educated. Most escaped on rickety wooden boats and became known as "boat people"; they deluged neighboring countries of "first asylum"  Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia  at a rate of 2,000 to 50,000 per month. More than 400,000 were admitted into the United States.

The third wave of refugees, during which an estimated 159,000 came to the United States beginning in 1989, were offspring of American fathers and Vietnamese mothers, as well as political prisoners and those who had been put in "reeducation camps."

Myth No. 3

American soldierswere mostly draftees.

Popular culture is rife with examples of poor and minority soldiers arriving in Vietnam via the draft and then dying. The idea runs through the heart of Robert Zemeckis's "Forrest Gump," Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried " and Michael Cimino's "The Deer Hunter," among other movies and books. Vietnam was "the most blatant class war since the Civil War," as James Fallows put it in his 1989 book, "More Like Us."

The facts show otherwise. Between 1964 and 1973, volunteers outnumbered enlisted troops by nearly four to one. Nor did the military rely primarily on disadvantaged citizens or African Americans. According to the Report of the President's Commission on an All-Volunteer Armed Force in February 1970, African Americans "constituted only 12.7 percent of nearly 1.7 million enlisted men serving voluntarily in 1969." A higher proportion of African Americans were drafted in the early years of the war, but they were not more likely to die in combat than other soldiers. Seventy-nine percent of troops had at least a high school education (compared with 63 percent of Korean War veterans and 45 percent of World War II veterans). And according to VFW Magazine, 50 percent were from middle-income backgrounds, and 88 percent were white (representing 86 percent of the deaths).

Myth No. 4

Enemy forces breached the U.S. Embassy in the Tet Offensive.

One of the most pivotal events of the Vietnam War was the attack by the Viet Cong on the U.S. Embassy in Saigon in 1968. Retired ambassador David F. Lambertson, who served as a political officer there, said in one account that "it was a shock to American and world opinion. The attack on the Embassy, the single most powerful symbol [of U.S. presence] signaled that something was badly wrong in Vietnam. The Tet Offensive broke the back of American public opinion." Early reports by the Associated Press said the Viet Cong had occupied the building. United Press International claimed that the fighters had taken over five floors.

In fact, communist forces had blasted a hole through an outer wall of the compound and hunkered down in a six-hour battle against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. The embassy was never occupied, and the Viet Cong attackers were killed. The Tet Offensive's other coordinated attacks by 60,000 enemy troops against South Vietnamese targets were repelled. Don Oberdorfer, writing for Smithsonian Magazine, observed that Tet was a military disaster for the North, yet it was "a battlefield defeat that ultimately yielded victory" for the enemy.

In part, that was because the erroneous reports about the embassy assault were searing and humiliating to Americans, and no subsequent military victories during Tet could dislodge the powerful notion that the war effort was doomed.

Myth No. 5

South Vietnamese soldiers were unwilling and unable to ght.

Some contend that the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), the South's army, was not up to the job. Andy Walpole, formerly of Liverpool John Moores University, wrote that "they were [unwilling] to engage in combat with their guerrilla counterparts and were more interested in surviving than winning." Harry F. Noyes, who served in Vietnam, complained about this widespread belief: "Everybody 'knows' they were incompetent, treacherous and cowardly."

But those who fought alongside the ARVN tell a different story. Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, adviser to the South Vietnamese Airborne Division, bemoaned that "the sacrifice and valor and commitment of the South Vietnamese Army largely disappeared from the American political and media consciousness." He wrote of the tenacious fighting spirit of those troops, particularly at the Battle of Dong Ha, where they were charged with supporting American Marine units. "In combat, the South Vietnamese refused to leave their own dead or wounded troopers on the field or abandon a weapon," he recalled .

South Vietnamese forces also fought off the surprise communist assaults on Saigon and elsewhere during the Tet Offensive of 1968. In August and September of that year, according to Gen. Creighton Abrams, commander of U.S. military operations from 1968 to 1972, "the ARVN killed more enemy than all other allied forces combined . . . [and] suffered more [killed in action], both actual and on the basis of the ratio of enemy to friendly killed in action," because it received less air and other tactical support than U.S. forces. In March 1972, during the Easter Offensive, South Vietnamese forces, with American air support, also prevailed against a conventional enemy invasion consisting of 20 divisions. And in April 1975, the 18th Division defending Xuan Loc "held off massive attacks by an entire North Vietnamese Army corps," according to one report. In the end, those soldiers had even more at stake than the Americans did.

Twitter: @lancaowrites

Five myths is a weekly feature challenging everything you think you know. You can check out previous myths, read more from Outlook or follow our updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Daryl Davis, 59, is a musician has sought out KKK members to talk to about race. He uses the robe and hood for talks he gives. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

Daryl Davis, author of Klan-Destine Relationships, and subject of the documentary Accidental Courtesy, is an award-winning musician, actor, lecturer and race relations expert.

One night in 1983, I found myself playing in a country band at a truck stop lounge. I was the only black person in the joint. Taking a break after the first set of music, I was headed to sit at a table with my bandmates when a white gentleman approached from behind and put his arm around my shoulders. I really enjoy yalls music, he said. I shook his hand and thanked him. This is the first time I ever heard a black man play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis, he continued.

I told him that Lewis was a friend of mine and that he had learned his style from watching and listening to black blues and boogie-woogie pianists. My new fan didnt buy it, but he did want to buy me a drink. While we sipped, he clinked my glass and said, This is the first time I ever sat down and had a drink with a black man.

Why? Im a member of the Ku Klux Klan, he said. I burst out laughing. Then he handed me his KKK membership card, and I recognized the Klans symbols. In that moment, I was overcome by a question: How could anybody hate me when they didnt even know me?

I was no stranger to racism. Having grown up a black person in the 60s and 70s, I knew that prejudice was common. But I had never understood why. Sitting in that lounge with my new friend, I decided to figure it out in the only way that made sense: By getting to know those who felt hostility toward black people without ever having known any.

[Im black. Robert E. Lee is my relative. Its time for his statues to come down.]

Several years later, I recruited that man, whose name was Frank James, to put me in contact with the grand dragon of the Maryland Klan. He tried to deter me, warning that the leader would kill me. But eventually, after I promised not to reveal how Id gotten the grand dragons contact information, James gave it to me. (I reveal it now, because James has since died.)

By then, I had decided to travel around the country and interview KKK leaders and members from various chapters and factions to get the answer to my question: How can you hate someone you've never met? I was planning to write a book detailing my interviews, experiences and encounters with these Ku Klux Klan members. (The book, "Klan-Destine Relationships," was published in 1998.)

I had my white secretary, who typically booked my band and assisted me with my music business, set up a meeting with the Maryland grand dragon, Roger Kelly, explaining that her boss was writing a book on the Klan and would like his input. Per my instructions, she did not reveal the color of my skin.

Kelly agreed to participate, and we secured a room at a Frederick, Md., motel, where my secretary filled an ice bucket with cans of soda so I could offer my guest a drink. Regardless of how and what he felt about me, if he entered my room after seeing the color of my skin, I was going to treat him with hospitality.

[Charlottesville has always been home to racism and racist violence.]

Punctual to the minute, there was a knock on the door. The grand nighthawk (the grand dragons bodyguard) entered first, and then the dragon himself. Hello, I began, Im Daryl Davis. I offered my palm, and Kelly shook my hand as he and the nighthawk introduced themselves. He sat in the chair I had set out, and the nighthawk stood at attention beside him.

We were both apprehensive of the other, and the interview started haltingly. We discussed what he had hoped to achieve by joining the Klan; what his thoughts were on blacks, Asians, Jews and Hispanics; and whether he thought it would ever be possible for different races to get along. A little while later, we heard an inexplicable crackling noise and we both tensed. The dragon and I stared each other in the eye, silently asking, What did you just do? The nighthawk reached for his gun. Nobody spoke. I barely breathed.

Seated atop the dresser, my secretary realized what had happened: The ice in the bucket had started to melt, causing the soda cans to shift. It happened again, and we all began laughing. From there, the interview went on without a hitch.

[Im a white foster parent seeing racism through my black and brown childrens eyes]

It was a perfect illustration that ignorance breeds fear and possibly violence. An unknown noise in an ice bucket couldve led to gunfire, had we not taken a moment to understand what we were encountering.

Even though Kelly had told me he knew that white people were superior to blacks, our dialogue continued over the years. He would visit me in my home, and I would eventually be a guest in his. We would share many meals together, even though he thought I was inferior. Within a couple of years, he rose to the rank of imperial wizard, the top national leadership position in the Klan.

Over the past 30 years, I have come to know hundreds of white supremacists, from KKK members, neo-Nazis and white nationalists to those who call themselves alt-right. Some were good people with wrong beliefs, and others were bad people hellbent on violence and the destruction of those who were non-Aryan.

There was Bob White, a grand dragon for Maryland who served four years in prison for conspiring to bomb a synagogue in Baltimore, where he had been a police officer. When he got out, he returned to the Klan and later went back to prison for three more years for assaulting two black men with a shotgun, evidently intent on murder. But after I reached out to him with a letter while he was in prison for the second time, Bob became a very good friend, renounced the Klan and attended my wedding.

Frank Ancona, who headed a Missouri Klan chapter, would also become a very close friend. When Ancona was killed this year (his wife and stepson have been charged with his murder), one of his Klan members, knowing how close we had been, called me and told me before notifying the police. I accepted the Klans invitation to participate in his funeral service.

[What do black Americans have to lose? Under Trump, plenty.]

Three weeks after this summers violent clash in Charlottesville, I was invited by the leaders of the Tennessee and Kentucky chapters of Anconas branch of the Klan to speak at their national Konvocation. I accepted, spoke and took audience questions after the lecture. Whether or not anyone there immediately changed their minds, we talked as people  and we all benefitted from that.

I am not so naive as to think everyone will change. There are certainly those who will go to their graves as hateful, violent racists. I never set out certain that I would convert anyone. I just wanted to have a conversation and ask, How can you hate me when you dont even know me? What Ive learned is that whether or not Ive changed minds, talking can still relieve tensions. Ive seen firsthand that when two enemies are talking, they are not fighting. They may be yelling and beating their fists on the table, but at least they are talking. Violence happens only when talking has stopped.

And sometimes, people do change. One day in 1999, after having been in the Ku Klux Klan for about 20 years, Kelly, who had risen from grand dragon to imperial wizard, called me, said he was leaving the Klan and apologized for having been a member. He told me he could no longer hate people. I had not turned out to be what he had always thought of black people. He went on to become one of my best friends, and today I own his robe and hood  one set of many in my collection of garments donated to me by apostate Klansmen and Klanswomen, which is always growing.

outlook@washpost.com

Read more from Outlook and follow our updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Mitch McConnell is trying to move on. Quickly.

After perhaps the most damaging few days of his political career, the Kentucky Republican and Senate majority leader is fully immersing himself in the GOP effort to cut taxes, brushing off jabs from President Trump and trying to make the case that he can shape the government through executive branch and judicial confirmations, according to associates, outside allies and lawmakers who have spoken to him.

But as a direct result of this week's failure again to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the crushing primary loss by his preferred Senate candidate in Alabama and the retirement announcement of Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), turning the page appears likely to open a new chapter that could be even more difficult than the last.

[Tuesday started as a bad day for Mitch McConnell. It only got worse.]

Some rank-and-file Republican senators have sidestepped questions about McConnells effectiveness as leader, acknowledging with their silence the political liability he has become in some corners of the party. Junior senators have taken aim at his influence over his leadership team  notably the three committee chairs who helped defeat the Obamacare repeal effort.

The GOP leader also is dealing with controversial GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore in Alabama  a fierce critic of McConnell  and a 2018 Senate map that looks less promising than ever. In addition, public and private attacks from Trump threaten to further diminish McConnells standing in and out of Washington.

For the mild-mannered Kentuckian, who has built his career on shrewd tactical maneuvers that have produced wins on the campaign trail and victories inside the Senate chamber, the losses are suddenly mounting, and even his friends acknowledge that the failures have hit McConnells image.

Mitch is sort of the symbol of our dysfunction, but its not about Mitch; its about all of us, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), leader of the recent failed ACA repeal effort, said Thursday. He said a new leader will not get better results. You can change the name, and nothings going to change until we get better results. If we can pass a tax cut and eventually repeal and replace Obamacare, all is well.

Now, McConnell is waging his most consequential effort yet for an achievement that would stem the tide.

I dont think Mitch McConnell likes to lose, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), one of his appointed counsels in the Senate. As for where he goes next, Capito referred to the title of McConnells memoir, The Long Game, and said, I dont need to say any more than that.

Allies said McConnell is diving headfirst into the tax effort, the next big legislative undertaking for the Republican Party. In addition to taxes, he told associates this week that he was also in the personnel business, according to one who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private talks. It was a reference to the Senates power to shape who staffs the government by confirming or rejecting an administrations appointees and judicial nominees.

[Alabama defeat leaves Trump weakened, isolated amid mounting challenges]

One McConnell friend described his mood this week as determined. The majority leader was not surprised by Republican Sen. Luther Stranges loss to Moore in Alabama, given the polling in the lead-up to Tuesdays election, said this person, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to recount private conversations.

When it came to a news report that Trump physically mocked him, McConnell is said not to have taken it personally, laughing it off instead. The McConnell friend summed up the leader's reaction this way: It's been said that imitation is the highest form of flattery.

My experience with him is he doesnt allow himself to get too high or too low about any set of circumstances because you tend not to learn anything if you are elated or depressed, said Josh Holmes, a former McConnell chief of staff who has spent time with his old boss in recent days.

In the Senate, some of McConnells colleagues have spoken about him cautiously, showing a hesitance to offer a direct appraisal of the job he is doing. Pressed on how effectively McConnell has been, several Republican senators dodged the topic.

Its hard herding cats. I dont envy him his task, okay? said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

Hes got his hands full, said Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

This is not about individuals; this is about our caucus, said Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.).

For many Republicans, it may be politically disadvantageous back home to praise McConnell. Moore just won his primary in part by constantly bashing McConnell, and Trump has criticized him publicly.

Still, McConnell is generally liked and respected by Republican senators. For the moment, there are no signs that his job is at risk.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who vented frustration about the very private and at times hurried strategy the leader deployed in trying to repeal the ACA, is not calling for a leadership shake-up.

Asked whether McConnells standing was shakier among his Senate Republican colleagues now, McCain replied: I honestly dont know. I know we elected him, and I know that hes an effective leader, and I support him.

Part of the reason for the continued support, some Republicans said, is absence of an obvious successor.

I dont think you are going to see any real discussion about this until there is a real alternative, said one Senate GOP aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly.

But the makeup of the Senate Republican conference could change in the not-too-distant future. Moore, a firebrand former judge, is not expected to cooperate with McConnell, should he win the special election for Attorney General Jeff Sessionss old seat in December. In the meantime, Moores tendency to stoke controversy on the campaign trail could become a headache for the majority leader.

Roy Moore is unique, Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) said, trying to put it diplomatically.

Moore is also allied with key figures from Trumps orbit, such as his former chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, who are trying to turn the Alabama victory into a broader blow against the GOP establishment in future races.

Corkers retirement decision, announced Tuesday, opened up a seat that is now at greater risk of falling into Democratic hands or being snatched up by another far-right candidate.

The tensions from the health-care push, meanwhile, are still raw. Some in McConnells inner circle have privately grumbled that Graham and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) were in over their heads and at times too optimistic about their last-ditch attempt to repeal the ACA before a key deadline, given the difficulty of winning over the Republicans who voted no on a July repeal bill that McConnell crafted.

After that first failed vote two months ago, Perdue noted in a closed-door meeting that there were no punishments meted out after McCain and Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) provided the decisive votes.

Perdue took that criticism public this week when he issued a carefully worded statement that, without naming those three colleagues, excoriated McConnell for not issuing some form of punishment. There is a complete lack of congressional leadership and no accountability to get results. From the get go, three Republican Senate Chairmen failed to support our efforts, Perdue said. Collins is head of the Special Committee on Aging, McCain the Armed Services Committee, and Murkowski the Energy Committee.

Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the third-ranking Republican senator, acknowledged that Perdues comments have prompted talk about whether gavels should be taken from recalcitrant committee chairmen or, as some junior senators have pushed for in each party, the chairmanship selection process should not rely so heavily on seniority. But Thune, whose job as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference calls for refereeing these disputes, said Perdues views remain in the minority.

Its been raised, so its created a conversation, obviously, but I just dont think the conference is in a place where they want to get into that in practice, Thune said.

Murkowski defended her right to vote in her states best interest. She never publicly stated her position on Cassidy-Graham before its failure, but on Wednesday she said she remained skeptical and that she preferred a bipartisan process from here on out.

She said that Perdues push to punish chairmen sparked a tough internal fight that reminded her, one of six children, of her family brawls.

He clearly was disappointed, and the fact that he was able to express himself in a meeting with all of us, and kind of get it off his chest, I think is healthy, Murkowski said. Id much rather have that just, kind of, open it all out  Im from a big family. And you know, if you hold it in, it doesnt do you any good.

Looming over everything for McConnell is the perpetual challenge of dealing with Trump, whose unpredictability has left the majority leaders team on edge.

In a Fox News Channel interview that aired this week, Trump expressed confidence in McConnell. But in the same interview, he once again railed against a key Senate rule requiring 60 votes to pass most legislation.

I think he has to get rid of the filibuster rule. I think its just a disaster for the Republican Party, said Trump.

McConnell has vowed to protect the provision.

Read more at PowerPost


The 2,942-square-foot five-bedroom, four-bathroom house at 4821 Upton St. NW in Washington is listing for $1.295 million. (By HomeVisit)

While theres no doubt that a lack of homes on the market means sellers continue to have the upper hand, there are signs of buyer fatigue and flattening prices in the District.

The housing market is slowing in nearly every metro area in the country, says Nela Richardson, chief economist of Redfin brokerage in Washington. Were just not seeing the usual fall market pickup at the end of August and in early September.

Affordability is the culprit in the District and other locations, Richardson says.

Theres a limit to what people can afford, and, at the same time, buyers are getting pickier, she says. Buyers want value for their money, and some of them are willing to wait until more homes are available.

While home prices in the city are still high, the pace of price increases has slowed.

In the District, the median sales price rose less than 1 percent between the first eight months of 2016 and the same period in 2017, says Jonathan Hill, vice president of customer engagement for the multiple-listing service Bright MLS (formerly MRIS) in Rockville, Md.

Weve been looking at low inventory and rising prices for so long, the market is just tired, Hill says.

[953-square-foot, two-bedroom condo in D.C.s Brightwood lists for $375,000]

The number of homes sold in the District rose by 8.3 percent year over year, and, in an indication of the continued tight market, the average number of days a property stayed on the market before going under contract declined by 10.5 percent.

By far, the majority of homes sold within one to 10 days, Hill says.



The 2,490-square-foot four-bedroom, four-bathroom rowhouse at 641 Gallatin St. NW in Washington is listing for $749,900. (By HomeVisit)

Fast-selling properties

Buyers can expect a continued shortage of homes, with just a 1.6-month supply at the end of August, Hill says. A balanced market has a five- to six-month supply of homes for sale.

[Stylish accents are the star of these constellation-themed condos in the District]

Sellers need to recognize that this is not the time to overprice their homes, despite the low inventory, says Donna Evers, broker/owner of Evers & Co. in Washington, which was recently sold to Long & Foster Real Estate.

Sellers who have been waiting for summer to end to put their homes on the market tend to overprice their homes in the fall, Evers says. This is particularly a problem for homes valued at $1.5 million or above. There are lots of expensive properties on the market, so sellers need to compete in that price range.

Hill says the price range with the most listings at the end of August for single-family houses and attached townhouses was $1 million to $2.5 million.

Sellers are sticking with their list prices and are reluctant to lower their prices even if it means they have to wait to sell their property, Richardson says. Its still a sellers market in the city, but its just not as strong as it was.

Richardson says the properties that sell fastest in the city are priced in the $500,000 to $750,000 range. She says more-affordable starter homes can be found in Woodridge and Deanwood, both neighborhoods with fast-paced sales.

"This summer, inventory was down two percent and sales were up 26 percent, which shows you that the bathtub just isn't being filled as fast as it's being drained," Richardson says.

However, she says anything priced above $1.8 million is mostly sitting on the market, particularly now that Trump administration officials have purchased their homes.

Price appreciation has been relatively flat in the city, Richardson says, so buyers are less fearful of being priced out of the market. She says fall buyers are less time-sensitive and will wait until they find something they value.

Buyers focus too much on the home price rather than looking at the monthly costs of a property, Evers says. There are a lot of loan programs out there that can be helpful to buyers, and with financing loosening a little, they may find they can afford a little more than thought.



The 775-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo at 2001 12th St. NW, Unit 314, in Washington is listing for $495,000. (By David Pipkin, Redfin)

New-construction options

While newly built housing in the city may begin to ease the inventory strain, most of it consists of upscale, higher-priced and yet small units that work best for wealthy professionals without any dependents, Richardson says.

The price per square foot for newly built city condos is nearly double the price per square foot for new houses outside the city, says Chris Masters, executive vice president of McWilliams Ballard in Washington.

Even though the price per square foot is high, some of the new condos in the city this fall are available within a broad range of prices, from the $300,000s to more than $3 million.

So many renters in this city are paying the equivalent of a mortgage, so as long as a project will be ready within six to eight months, before they have to renew their lease, theyre willing to buy, Masters says. Projects that are farther out than that are selling, too, but a little more slowly.

One exception, Masters says, is Chapman Stables, where a historic stable is being refurbished and expanded with a modern building. He says that project is interesting enough that people are willing to wait a year to move in after buying.

Chapman Stables, at 57 N St. NW in the Truxton Circle neighborhood, has more than 100 units priced from the $300,000s for a studio to more than $1 million for a three-bedroom unit.

Other new condos include Elysium Logan, a 32-unit building at 14th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW, with prices ranging from $550,000 for a one-bedroom unit to $3.4 million for a three-bedroom, two-level penthouse.

Kipling House, a Capitol Hill condo with 49 units at 900 11th St. SE, is designed for the first-time-buyer market, Masters says. Prices there range from the mid-$300,000s to the upper $700,000s.

Not far from Kipling House is Buchanan Park, a development of 32 townhouses and 41 condos in the former Buchanan School. The three- and four-bedroom townhouses range in price from $1.3 million to $1.5 million. The condos, developed by Ditto Residential, range from the low $400,000s to more than $1 million and have from 530 to 1,400 square feet.

Super-luxurious condos are selling now at two buildings in the West End. At 2501 M St. NW, the condos are priced from the mid-$700,000s to more than $3 million. At the Westlight at 1111 24th St. NW, the remaining condos are priced from $1.4 million to $4.4 million.

The Adele, at 1108 16th St. NW, has six "estate collection" condos that buyers can customize with the help of an architect and an interior designer, and seven "city collection" condos with private outdoor spaces and city views. The condos are priced from the $600,000s to more than $2 million.

Condo buyers this fall will have more options among smaller buildings around the city, too. Buyers looking for townhouses or single-family houses will face continued competition for the limited supply of homes.


Rohingya refugees walk across a field at dusk after crossing the border from Burma in Gundum, Bangladesh. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The sudden arrival of half a million Rohingya Muslims has upended life in this humble village, which is now overshadowed by one of the largest concentrations of refugees in the world.

The village's rundown school and a smattering of rice paddies sit across the road from thousands of acres of bamboo huts covered by black tarp, a safe harbor for the refugees fleeing ethnic violence in Burma. That land was once a forest where villagers picked wild fruit.

Last Saturday, the midday tea-sipping crowd hung out on the benches in front of Munwara Begums provisions store here. In their discussion were echoes of a conversation happening around the world about the costs of compassion toward refugees. It was one filled with conflicting emotions.

[One month on, a bleak new reality emerges for Rohingya refugees]

The price of rice has doubled since they came. The price of rickshaws has doubled. Vegetables, soap, you name it, and the price has gone up, said Begum, counting her very real grievances on her fingers. Basic economics is at work here: When demand rises sharply and supply lags in catching up, prices rise.

And the Rohingya are rich! she said. They have nice phones, solar panels. The ones whove been here since 91 are in better shape than us!

Joshimuddin, an elementary school teacher who like many here goes by one name, chimed in.

Crime, too, he said. If a Rohingya beats someone or even murders them, they can just hide in the refugee camp. Then what are we supposed to do? They outnumber us.

Its not like I dont have sympathy  they had their own lives and now they have to stand in line for an hour just to use the toilet, he continued. But . . .

Begum completed his thought with an echo of the Burmese state line she said she had heard: Their boys attacked the military first. What did they expect to happen?

Eklash Mian, a sharecropper, was visibly uncomfortable. He put his arm around his young son, drew him close and said, They are poor. They are in trouble. Let them come. Well get by.



Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are fleeing violence in their villages in Burma, where the military and Buddhist villagers are carrying out a violent crackdown. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The recent arrivals are most certainly poor and in trouble. Many arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Others who had time to bring livestock or family heirlooms sold them for a pittance to the boatmen who ferried them to safety across an estuary that separates their burning villages in Burma from Bangladesh. As aid organizations struggle to cope with the sheer scale of need, thousands of Rohingya line the main road here, begging for alms.

Then again, Bangladesh is not exactly a beacon of prosperity. Nor is it a land of wide open spaces.

[Rohingya refugees crossing into Bangladesh face another threat: Land mines]

Bangladesh has far and away the highest population density of any sizable nation  around 3,000 people per square mile pack the alluvial plain that spans most of the country. The average Bangladeshi earns less than $1,500 a year. National highways are often pothole-strewn two-lane roads.

The overcrowding, the poverty and the underdevelopment are amplified in the countrys far southeast, where the half-million new arrivals have joined hundreds of thousands who fled earlier waves of violence. The latest exodus out of Burma began Aug. 25, when a band of Rohingya militants attacked police posts in Rakhine state, prompting a violent military crackdown in Rohingya villages.

Returning to Burma, also known as Myanmar, anytime soon is simply not in the cards for the Rohingya. Despite living in Burma for generations, they are considered Bangladeshi interlopers, not citizens, and the question of whether Burma will ever grant return to those who have no paperwork is viewed with great doubt here.

Although locals may be reluctant with their sympathy, bigger players in Bangladesh are eyeing political opportunities in this time of crisis.

Speaking to Al Jazeera last week, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina brushed aside doubts that her impoverished country could handle the influx and cast the well-being of the Rohingya as a national cause.

"Bangladesh is not a rich country, it is true. We have 160 million people in a small geographical land," she said. "But if we can feed 160 million people, another 500 or 700,000, we can do it. We can share our food. We are ready to do it. And our people are already doing it."

[Blood flowed in the streets: Refugees from one Rohingya hamlet recount days of horror]

Across Bangladesh, streets and highways are lined with posters depicting Hasina wiping a tear off the cheek of a refugee child. They boldly declare: Sheikh Hasina is the mother of humanity, and Where is humanity, there is Sheikh Hasina. The opposition parties have their own versions. A hotly contested national election is just one year away.

Where politicians hope some will see compassion, others are seeing a ploy to curry support from Bangladeshs religious right, which has come out strongly in favor of welcoming the refugees. Rohingya Muslims largely adhere to a conservative strain of Islam and speak a language similar to the dialect of Bengali prevalent in the countrys southeast. Bangladesh is 90 percent Muslim.

"Bangladesh offered land to shelter Rohingya. What if these people were Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jews but not Muslims? Shelter not for humanity but for votes!" wrote Taslima Nasreen, one of Hasina's fiercest critics who has lived in exile since 1994, when she was accused of defaming Islam.

The Islamist groups that hounded secularists such as Nasreen out of the country are the same ones spearheading the local relief effort for Rohingya refugees. The camps are full of volunteer groups from religious schools and organizations, handing out food, clothes and cash.

One in particular, Hefazat-e-Islam, has staged increasingly large rallies in Bangladeshs two biggest cities, Dhaka and Chittagong. Tens of thousands have shown up. On Monday, Hefazat leader Junayed Babunagari issued a public statement saying the Rohingya were facing genocide and that if diplomacy fails to return them to their homes in Burma, Bangladesh should consider a military intervention.

Curiously, no religious or governmental organization is suggesting a path to citizenship for the Rohingya, who are expected to be here indefinitely. And government-imposed restrictions confine them to the camps near Gundum. Police checkpoints have turned back thousands seeking to move farther afield.

The prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that Muslims must help other Muslims, said Maulana Jameel Hossein, a teacher at a madrassa who was tossing used clothing at refugees who had gathered around his organizations truck. The Rohingya are being attacked for no other crime than being Muslim. Until they can go back home, they will be our guests.

Perhaps that was easy for Hossein to say. He lives in Brahmanbaria, 250 miles away from the camps that continue to grow by the day.

Mushfique Wadud contributed to this report.

Read more

Textbook example of ethnic cleansing: Rohingya flood Bangladesh as crisis worsens

The Rohingya exodus from Burma is arduous  and sometimes lethal

Rohingya militants in Burma: Terrorists or freedom fighters?

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Visitors walk across the Yalu River Broken Bridge, right, next to the Friendship Bridge connecting China and North Korea in Dandong in northeastern China's Liaoning province. (Emily Wang/AP)

The trucks still rumble across the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, and a nearby pipeline still pumps crude oil to keep the regime alive in Pyongyang.

But here in the Chinese city of Dandong, at the center of this countrys trade with North Korea, pain and frustration are mounting.

Sanctions approved by the U.N. Security Council to punish North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests and bring it to the negotiating table are starting to bite.

Personally, the sanctions are hurting me a tremendous amount, one Chinese trader said, explaining that almost 80 percent of the goods he used to move back and forth across the border  ranging from textiles to chemicals  are now forbidden.

Both Chinese and North Korean business executives have the same thought  whatever happens, let it happen quickly, he said, requesting anonymity to speak on a sensitive subject. If we have to have war, at least let it happen soon. We have to settle this quickly. Things cant go on like this.





Successive rounds of U.N. sanctions have cut off more than 90 percent of North Koreas publicly reported exports  including coal, iron ore, seafood and, most recently, textiles  and have restricted the regimes ability to earn foreign currency income by sending workers abroad.

China accounts for roughly 85 percent of North Koreas external trade and is seen by many as the key to forcing Pyongyang to at least freeze its nuclear and missile programs.

Along with Moscow, Beijing has balked at U.S. talk of a complete trade embargo. But foreign and Chinese experts said it has been implementing U.N. sanctions with unusual rigor and applying real pressure on provincial and local government officials in the border region.

The trader, of ethnic Korean descent, said he had not seen a worse climate in nearly two decades of doing business across the border. Nor had he seen the Chinese government so determined to impose its will  despite a lobbying effort from the local business community.

Customs checks have become more stringent at the border, traders said, causing delays in addition to making it harder to smuggle banned items.

In August, protests erupted near the northern end of the border, in the Chinese city of Hunchun, after Beijing moved to ban seafood imports from North Korea.

Lu Chao, a Korea expert at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, said Chinese cold-storage plants and seafood processing workshops across the border have fallen idle, while companies involved in textiles, coal and iron ore are also suffering. Travel agents sending Chinese tourists to North Korea have seen their revenue affected.

Sanctions bring a huge loss to Chinese traders, Lu said. Many companies doing border trade have gone bankrupt, and their owners run away, leaving people unemployed.

In Dandong, a city that sits at the mouth of the Yalu River at the southern end of the border and that accounts for roughly 70 percent of cross-border trade, small groups of North Korean business executives are still easy to spot walking the streets and in hotels and restaurants near the bridge. Their plain and somber clothing, of dark blues, grays and greens, is livened only by the obligatory badge carrying the faces of the ruling Kim dynasty.

But outside the customs depot on the edge of town  where trucks are loaded and inspected before rolling across the border  two packers said traffic was falling.

On Yijing Street, where North Korean traders head to place their orders, their Chinese counterparts told a similar story. One woman who sells clothes to North Korea  old-fashioned colors, nothing bright, garments suitable for a cold country, she explained  has seen sales cut in half this year.

China stopped buying their coal, and their money began to run out, she said.

Another woman said her business  sending textiles across the border for assembly and bringing them back as clothing for sale in China  was hurting badly, after Beijing banned the trade last week to comply with the latest U.N. resolution.

We dont dare send anything across the border now, she said, and were trying to get our stuff back from there as quickly as possible.

So far, though, sanctions have had a relatively modest effect on the overall trade numbers. In August, Chinas imports from North Korea fell a modest 1 percent from a year ago, while exports were down 6.2 percent. On a cumulative basis, total trade was actually up 7.5 percent in the first eight months of the year.

That may partly reflect North Koreas ability to adapt to sanctions, as well as stockpiling by the regime and an attempt by traders to move goods across the border before sanctions hit, experts said.

Chinese exports of corn, bananas and rice rose sharply, and there was even a shipment of 1.8 million tons of coal in August  six months after a ban was supposedly implemented.

Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng told reporters in Beijing that U.N. sanctions allowed a "cushioning" period after a ban is imposed, Reuters reported. Experts said China normally allowed shipments to go through if they had been agreed on before sanctions were announced.

But a bigger question perhaps is whether smugglers can bypass the sanctions.

In the seafood markets of Dandong, there are signs that they can  to some extent.

Water-filled tanks of crabs and clams dominate the offerings. With Chinese waters overfished, most would have come from North Korean waters in the Yellow Sea, one trader said. Another man, delivering crabs to the market from the back of his truck, complained that the ban had pushed up the price of the North Korean crustaceans by roughly 50 percent, which in turn had depressed demand.

The formal trade from North Korea has stopped, a third trader said, but there are still ways of getting it for people who are brave and willing to take the risk.

Fishing boats from Dandong used to cross to North Korea to pick up seafood, bringing it back to China to pass off as their own catch, bypassing customs.

Until recently, many did so openly during the day, but now the boats travel only at night, traders and fishermen said.

At the small but usually thriving Yicuomao port on a small channel of the Yalu River, scores of blue-painted wooden and steel fishing boats lay idle.

Some fishermen said they were losing money, but not everyone was.

If you have connections, you can still go out, said one fisherman, unhappy at the unfairness of the situation. On the surface, China is implementing sanctions, but it isnt really. If it really wanted to, it could just put a warship here to close off the estuary.

Experts said China cant be expected to completely shut down smuggling across the 880-mile border, any more than the United States can easily end illegal immigration from Mexico. But there are also reasons to doubt whether local officials are trying as hard as they might, said Christopher Green, senior adviser for the Korean Peninsula at the International Crisis Group.

While Chinese President Xi Jinping is reported to have disdain for his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong Un, relationships at provincial and municipal levels, especially in security services, have always been very good. A little leakage serves to defuse domestic tensions and maintain that cross-border network, Green says.

Within North Korea, the economy is almost designed to withstand sanctions. When times are tough, trade will be even more strictly cornered by the military and security apparatus. The ban on textiles, meanwhile, will have a disproportionate effect on women in North Korea who assemble garments.

The pain is felt at lower levels, Green said. That is not to say sanctions are bad, but invariably the effects flow downhill at the end of the day.

Near the village of Xingguang on the outskirts of Dandong, paramilitary troops and a fire company guard 10 large oil storage tanks, the start of an underground pipeline that supplies North Korea with the crude it needs to keep its military and industry running. It is a symbol of Beijings bottom line: keeping the Pyongyang regime alive.

North Korea has apparently been stockpiling fuel, experts said, one reason that civilian fuel prices there have risen significantly this year. It also means that the North could probably withstand a temporary cut in oil supplies.

But Beijing will never completely cut the regimes jugular vein, experts said. It fears that a cut in oil supplies could leave China facing a nightmare scenario: either a hostile and desperate nuclear-armed enemy or, if the regime collapsed, a refugee crisis followed by an American puppet state right on its border.

Why do we sanction? asked Lu at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences. We believe that wrongdoings deserve punishment, but punishment should not be seizing them by the throat and trying to choke them to death.

Luna Lin contributed to this report.

Read more

Ban on North Korean clothing exports will hurt women the most

China watches in frustration as North Korea crisis enters dangerous spiral

Trumps claim there were long gas lines in North Korea has residents puzzled

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
A fatal stampede at a train station in Mumbai left at least 22 people dead Friday, sparking a debate about India's creaking urban infrastructure.

Eyewitnesses described people being trampled under a panicked crowd on a pedestrian bridge at Elphinstone Road station, in a recently developed, upscale office area in south Mumbai. Some lost shoes and handbags, others emerged from the scrum with torn clothing, and many lay on the floor screaming for help. More than 30 people were reported injured.

Railways spokesman Anil Saxena said the stampede occurred when a strong rainstorm struck without warning. "A big crowd had gathered on the footbridge," he said. "They were waiting for the rain to stop. Some people slipped because of the wet stairs, and that's why a stampede-like incident happened."

Shyam Doijade, a 63-year-old retired man who helped injured people into ambulances after the incident, said: The bridge is not big enough for the public. Some people got stuck, one person's neck here, someone's head there, one foot here, another there. There is a grill near the stairs; people were stuck there, too.

Although stampedes are common in India, the incident has sparked an uproar about the risks facing Mumbai's commuters. Those who go to work on trains here leave their homes wearing a shroud, Doijade said, speaking metaphorically to imply that commuters are prepared for death.

An estimated 7 million commuters use the railways each day in Mumbai, India's largest city. Trains are often crammed with passengers, many hanging outside the cars. Mumbai's trains operate at 2.6 times their capacity, according to data website IndiaSpend. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 26,066 people died in 2015 in railway accidents across India.

On social media, many Indians called out the government for spending on prestige projects such as a shiny new bullet train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instead of focusing on basic infrastructure.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who rushed to Elphinstone after the stampede, was greeted by anti-government chants, according to the Hindu newspaper. He said the government has ordered a probe into the incident.

Modi tweeted: "My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured."

At the nearby King Edward Memorial Hospital, a small group started lining up to give blood to victims. Niharika Sharma, a 17-year-old volunteer at the hospital, described the scene as total chaos.



A stampede victim is carried on a stretcher at a hospital in Mumbai, Sept. 29, 2017. (Danish Siddiqui/Reuters)

There were lots of dead bodies and a lot of people injured, she said. There are so many people inside that we cannot accommodate them all. People are running here and there. There are no beds; people are just treating patients on chairs.

At Elphinstone Road station, Dhanashree Dagare, 38, said she began crying when she saw the chaos. If people had just waited a bit, if the station master had the presence of mind to stop the trains . . ., she said. We saw living people die.

Doshi reported from New Delhi.

Read more:

Officials say 22 dead, 32 hurt in stampede

2 months, 22 trains, 200 hours: photographs from Indias railways

35 die in India train derailment

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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A Syrian Kurdish woman takes a selfie in the city of Qamishli on Tuesday during a gathering in support of the independence referendum in Iraqs semiautonomous Kurdish region. (Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images)

The United States on Friday declared illegitimate Monday's Kurdish referendum on independence, as the Iraqi government imposed a ban on international flights to airports operated by the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraqi troops prepared to seize the semiautonomous region's border controls.

The United States does not recognize the . . . unilateral referendum, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Washingtons first substantive statement on the vote, in which nearly 93 percent of voters in the Kurdistan region approved declaring an autonomous state in northern Iraq.

The vote and the results lack legitimacy, Tillerson said, and we continue to support a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq. He urged both sides to reject the use of force and engage in dialogue, and to remain focused on the fight against the Islamic State, which he said was not over.

The flight ban was the first major step Baghdad has taken to express its outrage over the referendum. It has also threatened to close land borders between Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq and to send troops into the disputed, oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

Iraqi soldiers are massing on the Iranian and Turkish borders with the Kurdish region, preparing to take control of the crossings from Kurdish authorities, according to a senior Iraqi official familiar with the plan. The Iraqi army chief of staff traveled to both countries this week to coordinate the move, the official said, which could begin as early as Saturday. Turkey and Iran, which have their own restive Kurdish populations, opposed the referendum, as did the United States.



Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, center, arrives to vote in the independence referendum at a polling station near Irbil, capital of the semiautonomous Kurdish region, on Monday. (Ahmed Deeb/AFP/Getty Images)

[Kurdish independence referendum emerges as regional flash point]

The Iraqi military also temporarily closed a major road linking the Arab city of Mosul to the Kurdish city of Dahuk on Friday, cutting off a key route for basic goods between the two hubs.

Iraq's government has said that all measures to isolate the Kurdish region would be temporary and reversed if the Kurds annulled the results of the vote, which Iraq's Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional.

Kurdish officials have called the measures illegal and have pleaded for international support in confronting threats from Baghdad, Tehran and Ankara. But Tillersons sharp statement indicated that the United States, despite its strong alliance with the Kurds, would not offer any.

[Irans leaders opposed independence vote, but its Kurds celebrated]

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's tough reaction to the Kurdish ballot got a boost from the country's highest Shiite religious authority, the influential Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. In a sign of the growing anxiety in Iraq's power centers over the vote, Sistani's representative used his weekly Friday sermon to criticize the referendum as destabilizing, arguing that it invites international meddling in Iraq's affairs.

I call on the government to consider the Kurds constitutional rights in their measures, Sistanis representative said, sounding a conciliatory tone. At the same time, he rejected any challenge to Iraqs sovereignty and territorial integrity.

[Iraqi Kurdish leader: We deserve a country of our own]

DeYoung reported from Washington. El-Ghobashy reported from Cairo. Aaso Ameer Schwan contributed to this report from Irbil, Iraq.

Read more

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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The ACLU and other organizations sent a letter to U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang, asserting that President Trumps latest ban violates federal law. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

The ACLU and other advocacy groups announced Friday that they are planning to challenge the latest iteration of President Trumps travel ban in front of the same federal judge who blocked a previous version of the measure.

The organizations on Friday sent a letter to U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang, asserting that Trump's latest ban, like the old ones, violates federal law. They asked Chuang, a federal judge in Maryland, to schedule a conference so they can discuss filing an amended complaint as well as a bid to stop implementation of the directive.

President Trumps newest travel ban is still a Muslim ban at its core, and it certainly engages in discrimination based on national origin, which is unlawful, American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said in a statement, adding that the organization would see President Trump in court  again.

Justice Department spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement that the department would continue to vigorously defend the Presidents inherent authority to keep this country safe.

[Latest travel ban will probably affect tens of thousands, and it could short-circuit the court battle]

Trumps latest ban, which fully goes into effect Oct. 18, affects citizens of eight countries, but unlike the previous version, some face more complete blocks than others. It was inked after a lengthy process in which U.S. officials reviewed vetting procedures and sought information from countries around the world. Those that were either unwilling or unable to produce the data the United States wanted ended up on the banned list.

For Syria and North Korea, the president's proclamation blocks immigrants wanting to relocate to the United States and non-

immigrants wishing to visit in some capacity. For Iran, the proclamation blocks both immigrants and non-immigrants, although it exempts students and those participating in a cultural exchange.

The proclamation blocks people from Chad, Libya and Yemen from coming to the United States as immigrants or on business or tourist visas, and it blocks people from Somalia from coming as immigrants. It names Venezuela, but it only blocks certain government officials. Sudan, which was affected by the previous ban, has been removed from the list.

The Supreme Court had been scheduled to consider the previous iteration of Trump's travel ban, which was signed in March, on Oct. 10. But after the new restrictions were issued, the court removed that hearing from its calendar and asked for briefs on whether the case was moot.

Legal analysts have said those challenging the latest ban are likely to face an uphill battle. Chuang, however, was among the judges to block the previous measure.
The United States is yanking more than half its diplomatic personnel from the embassy in Havana and warning Americans not to visit Cuba, saying Friday it is for their own safety until investigators determine what caused a mysterious string of attacks that have harmed at least 21 Americans stationed there.

Senior State Department officials said U.S. diplomats have been targeted for specific attacks, a significant change from previous characterizations of what happened as simply incidents.

Though no one has been able to determine how at least 21 U.S. diplomats were targeted and injured over the past year, their conditions have created the biggest crisis in U.S.-Cuba relations since they were normalized by President Obama in mid-2015. Even without a perpetrator, a motive or a modus operandi identified yet, some suspect poisoned relations were the ultimate aim.

Ben Rhodes, Obamas deputy national security adviser who negotiated renewed ties with Cuba, tweeted, Goal of whoever is behind attacks seems to be sabotaging US-Cuba relations. Would be a shame if they succeed. Cuban people wld suffer most.

Josefina Vidal, the top Cuban official managing relations with the United States, issued a statement reiterating assurances that Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez gave Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday when he flew to Washington to explain measures Cuba has taken to protect U.S. diplomats and their families  steps Tillerson evidently found wanting.

We consider that the decision announced by the Department of State is hasty and that it will affect the bilateral relations, specifically, the cooperation in matters of mutual interest and the exchanges on different fields between both countries, Vidal said.

State Department officials have said Cuba has cooperated in facilitating an FBI investigation, and the Cuban government has denied having anything to do with the injuries. The State Department has shied away from pinning the blame on Havana. Among the possibilities being explored is that agents acting on behalf of a third country may be responsible.

President Trump weighed in Friday, telling reporters: Some very bad things happened in Cuba. They did some bad things. It was not clear whether by saying they, Trump was blaming Cuba. The White House did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarity on the presidents remarks.

Some of the diplomats were injured in at least one hotel in the Cuban capital, the Capri near the embassy. Employees temporarily deployed to the mission were staying there. The officials said they know of no other guests or hotel employees who reported symptoms from an attack, but concern that others might be hurt prompted them to issue a broader warning advising against travel to Cuba.

We have no reports that private U.S. citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens, said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a statement. The Department does not have definitive answers on the cause or source of the attacks and is unable to recommend a means to mitigate exposure.

[State Department reports new instance of diplomats harmed in Cuba]

Diplomats began complaining of a wide variety of maladies beginning late last year. New symptoms have continued to crop up, most recently in August. No Cuban employees of the embassy have reported having health problems, only Americans.



The compound of the United States embassy stands in Havana. (Desmond Boylan/AP)

Among their problems are hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, balance problems, visual difficulties, headaches, fatigue, cognitive issues and sleeping difficulties.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the embassy employees were subjected to some sort of sonic attack, among other theories. It is not clear why American diplomats and a handful of Canadian envoys and their families would be the only ones to report symptoms.

The Canadian Embassy in Washington said Ottawa is monitoring the situation and is investigating the cause. But it said there is no reason to believe more Canadians could be affected, and there are no plans to change travel advice or remove staff from Cuba.

The decision to draw down the embassy to skeletal levels does not signify any change in U.S.-Cuban relations, State Department officials insisted. Bilateral meetings will continue, but they will have to be in the United States because U.S. diplomats will not be allowed to go to Cuba. Only people involved in the investigation or critical to the embassy and national security will be granted permission to go.

But it is expected to drive a wedge between the countries, as the Trump administration works to reverse the rapprochement that occurred under President Obama, normalizing relations after nearly 50 years of enmity, by reimposing limits on American visitors and trade unless democratic reforms are made.

[Trump revises parts of Obamas Cuba policy]

Some who favor stronger U.S.-Cuban ties, contend poisoned relations were not just a byproduct, but a goal.

Whoever is doing this obviously is trying to disrupt the normalization process between the United States and Cuba, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D.-Vt) said in a statement Friday. Someone or some government is trying to reverse that process.

James Williams, the head of Engage Cuba, a coalition of business groups, urged redoubled efforts to solve the mystery. We must be careful that our response does not play into the hands of the perpetrators of these attacks, he added.

The American Foreign Service Association, the union that represents diplomats, earlier this week came out against withdrawing diplomats. Barbara Stephenson, president of the group, said diplomats commonly brave risks like illness, war and oppressive smog.

We decide were going to take risks because our presence matters, she said Friday. This is the nature of the work that we do.

The withdrawal order applies to all nonessential staff and their families. Only emergency personnel will stay. The skeletal staff is being kept to assist U.S. citizens in Cuba who have pressing issues, but more routine diplomatic and consular functions will likely be slowed.

With few staff, however, no visas will be processed at the embassy because there will not be enough people to do the work. That will hamper efforts by Cuban Americans to bring relatives to the United States.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has urged Tillerson to expel all Cuban diplomats from the United States, and on Friday bemoaned that none had been sent packing. He tweeted that it was Shameful that @StateDept withdraws most staff from @USEmbCuba but Castro can keep as many as he wants in U.S.

[Trumps Cuba policy tries to redefine good U.S. tourism]

The U.S. travel warning almost certainly will take a bigger bite out of Cubas burgeoning tourism industry. The Cuban government says more than 4 million visitors pumped almost $2 billion into the economy last year.

About 615,000 were Americans, a 34 percent increase in the first year after diplomatic relations were restored. That includes 330,000 Cuban Americans visiting relatives. The rest were Americans who fit into one of 12 categories the U.S. government considers legitimate for travel purposes, including educational reasons cited by many individual travelers.

Nick Miroff contributed to this report.
A man who opened fire in a Tennessee church on Sunday may have been motivated by a quest for revenge for an earlier shooting that targeted black churchgoers in Charleston, S.C., according to people familiar with the investigation.

Police said the suspect, Emanuel Kidega Samson, was wearing a mask when he entered Burnett Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, a small community outside Nashville, and began shooting. One parishioner was shot in the parking lot and died; six other people, including the minister, were wounded.

People close to the investigation said a note found in the gunmans car indicated he may have been seeking revenge for the 2015 shooting at Emanuel AME, a historically black church in Charleston. In that attack, avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine black worshipers at an evening Bible-study session. Roof was convicted and is awaiting execution.

[Wounded minister in Tennessee church shooting describes chaos]

The Justice Departments civil rights division and the FBI have opened a hate-crimes probe into the Tennessee attack. Samson is facing a state murder charge.

Investigators have not publicly identified a motive in the shooting, though they are also examining whether Samson had mental health problems that may have contributed to the violence, according to people familiar with the investigation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing case.

Further details about the suspects note, whose existence was first reported by the Associated Press, were not immediately available.

Samson, 25, came to the United States from Sudan as a child, and church members said he had previously attended services there.

Nashville police said Monday that no one in the church recalled the gunman saying anything during the attack. Police said Samsons rampage ended when a church usher grappled with him, resulting in the gunman being shot.

Steve Anderson, the Nashville police chief, said at the same briefing that Samson admitted to being at the church and firing his weapon there, but that was all the information the suspect had provided investigators at that time. It was unclear whether he had spoken with investigators since then.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/09/2017 (1873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Almost exactly six months after its friendly $3.9-billion takeover of MTS, Bell has quietly raised rates on just about everything but wireless service.

With the receipt of this months bills that are just arriving in mailboxes  and email inboxes  Bell MTS home phone, TV and internet subscribers are seeing modest increases in all three lines.

With little fanfare  Bell MTS did publish a notice on its website on June 30  and just a vague line on last months phone bill, the company indicated that the price of some home phone plans and features, Ultimate TV and equipment and high-speed internet plans will change as of September 2017.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Bell MTS exec Dan McKeen says the alternative  if we dont do increases and let the service get worse  would not have been a happy path.

Home phone charges are up $1.95 per month, TV charges are up $2.95 and internet is up $3.95. That puts the cost of a basic phone line at $36.95 per month, up from $35.15, and basic high-speed internet has risen from to $63.95 a month from $60.

For details on the price hikes, customers are told to see the website, which said: In order to maintain our quality of service and technological leadership our customers have come to expect, Bell MTS must adjust the cost we charge to the customer.

Calling features, TV packages, fibre-optic network and other services have also gone up in price.

Dan McKeen, Bell MTS senior executive in Western Canada, said such rate increases, which telcos across the country tend to implement on average at least once per year, are driven by additional cost inputs required to continue to operate increasingly well-used networks.

Telcos and cable companies across the country are faced with many of the same industry drivers, McKeen said. TV content costs are going up and there is exponential increase in internet usage. Its not specific to any one provider. They are industry issues.

Bell MTS wireless rates are unchanged. At the closing of Bells acquisition of MTS in mid-March, the company committed to leaving wireless rates unchanged for 12 months.

Consumer groups were outspoken about their concerns regarding rate increases during the regulatory deliberations prior to the closing of the Bell-MTS deal.

Gloria Desorcy, executive director of the Consumers Association of Canadas Manitoba division, said, One thing we were concerned about before the sale was that in provinces where there was even one less regional player, like is the case now in Manitoba, rates were a lot higher. That was certainly a concern.

Desorcy said the worry is that prices will go up and continue to go up.

In fact, there have been three price increases since February 2016 in various products offered by MTS and Bell MTS. McKeen noted that the latest increase was less than the one that occurred in January 2017.

We understand sometimes costs go up and that is reality across the country, not just here, Desorcy said. We did a survey before the sale and consumers were concerned about it. Is this the beginning of a trend? Its probably early days to say that yet.

McKeen said customer reaction to the price increases has been normal.

We know our customers expect us to provide them with a really high-quality service, he said. They want the content and they want the internet to work well. The internet is becoming an increasingly important part of their lives.

He added: The other path  if we dont do increases and let the service get worse  is not a happy path.

Meanwhile, Rogers, Bell MTSs main competitor in the wireless market, announced its putting up two new cell towers in the city. One new tower is going up in the growing Sage Creek neighbourhood and the other on top of a building at Main Street and Broadway.

Colin Bartlett, Rogers general manager business markets Midwest region, said Rogers wants its customers to know about the investments its making in Manitoba.

With the exciting new products we are offering, we need reliable coverage in these areas of the city, he said. Our customers want reliable service and our network is world-class. We are very happy with our position.

Rogers shares the LTE network in Manitoba with Bell MTS. The two companies both contributed to the $300-million cost of building that network a few years ago.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
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Average weekly earnings rebounded in July in Manitoba after two straight months of declines.

In its monthly Payroll Employment, Earnings and Hours report released on Thursday, Statistics Canada said average weekly earnings for payroll employees in the province climbed to $909.02 in July from $894.05 in June. Thats an increase of $14.97, or 1.7 per cent.

On a year-over-year basis, earnings in July were $23.23, or 2.6 per cent, higher than in July 2016, the agency added.

Average earnings in Manitoba had been falling at one of the fastest rates in the country in May and June, with year-over-year declines of 1.5 and 1.3 per cent respectively.

A Statistics Canada economist said last month that could be due to an increase in the number of lower-paying jobs.

Manitobas monthly increase of 1.7 per cent was far and away the largest among the provinces. The next biggest gain was Ontarios 0.6 per cent, while Canada posted a slight (0.1 per cent) decline in average earnings from June to July.

In terms of its provincial ranking, Manitoba still had the sixth-highest average earnings in July. Alberta continued to have the highest average earnings among the provinces, at $1,125.07 per week, while the Canadian average in July was $970.47.

Thursdays report also showed Manitoba gained another 2,900 payroll employees in July, boosting the total number in the province to 603,900. That was also 11,900 more than there were in July 2016.

 Murray McNeill
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The passing of Hugh Hefner leaves the future of the famed Playboy Mansion to a member of the business family that revived iconic consumer brands from the Hostess Twinkie to Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

J. Daren Metropoulos closed a US$100-million deal in August 2016 for the Los Angeles property and often X-rated adult playground where Hefner and Playboy Bunnies mingled with the rich and famous  and others who wanted to be.

The announcement of the sale, for half the listing price, confirmed that Hefner would be allowed to live the rest of his days in the mansion. Playboy Enterprises agreed to pay $1 million annually to lease the property, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Hefners death on Wednesday, at age 91, means the 34-year-old Metropoulos, who lives next door, may now realize his own dreams for the property.

Metropoulos declined to discuss specifics of the mansions future on Thursday, saying in a statement issued through spokeswoman Hannah Arnold that his thoughts were with the grieving family of an American icon.

Hugh Hefner was a visionary in business, a giant in media and an iconic figure of pop culture whose legacy will leave a lasting impact, Metropoulos said. I was fortunate to know him as a neighbour and friend and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.

However, Metropoulos dropped a potential hint at the time of the sale. He said then that he might eventually combine the mansion and its estate with the nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom adjoining home property. Records show he bought that property from Hefner and then-wife Kimberley Conrad Hefner for US$18 million in 2009.

I look forward to eventually rejoining the two estates and enjoying this beautiful property as my private residence for years to come, he said.

Representatives of Playboy Enterprises did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

An online listing for the Playboy Mansion property by Beverly Hills real estate firm Hilton & Hyland called it the crown jewel of L.A.s Platinum Triangle, located on five picturesque acres in the Holmby Hills area.

The nearly 20,000-square-foot mansion was designed by Arthur R. Kelly in 1927 for Arthur Letts Jr., son of the British businessman who founded the Broadway Department Store in the early years of the 20th century.

Playboy Enterprises acquired the home from Louis Statham, an engineer, inventor and chess aficionado, in 1971 for US$1.1 million, according to the real estate listing for the property.

During Hefners life, the listing said the mansion featured 12 bedrooms, 21 full or partial bathrooms and amenities that included a home theatre, a wine cellar, a separate game house and a free-form swimming pool with a large, cave-like grotto. The mansion is also one of the few Los Angeles private homes with its own zoo permit.

Hefner famously used the home to host costume parties and other gatherings. Some events featured celebrities ranging from comedian Milton Berle to film director Quentin Tarantino to Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.

The events tamed down from X to PG ratings in Hefners later years, when Metropoulos came to know him.

Metropoulos and older brother Evan are sons of C. Dean Metropoulos, a Greek immigrant and business turnaround specialist who partnered with Apollo Global Management to buy Hostess out of bankruptcy in 2013 for US$410 million.

Metropoulos & Co. also revived Pabst Brewing, selling the beer company in 2014 for an estimated US$750 million. Under Dean Metropouloss leadership, the company also bought, spiffed up and resold other famous brands ranging from Chef Boyardee, Bumble Bee Tuna and Perrier-Jouet champagne.

Business success has brought the family head an estimated fortune of US$2.4 billion, according to Forbes listings of the wealthiest Americans.

For his part, J. Daren Metropoulos served as co-owner of Hostess Brands and helped shape the comeback of the companys iconic snack cakes, according to the family companys website.

Metropoulos and his brother also served as co-CEOs of Pabst Brewing. Separately, he helped restructure the food conglomerate Pinnacle Foods. He gained earlier experience with iconic properties overseeing a spa-and-hotel remaking of the Castle on the Hudson, a Norman-style facility that overlooks the Hudson River in Tarrytown, N.Y., a northern suburb of New York City.

Metropoulos attended Babson College and the University of Connecticut before joining the family business. A family spokeswoman told the New York Times last year that he didnt graduate, but instead dropped out in his sophomore year to work with his father.

The report also included approving comments of Metropoulos from Andrew van der Vord, co-head of consumer retail investment banking at Royal Bank of Canada. He helped the family on the Pabst Brewing deal.

If there is anybody who can make Playboy more interesting, more relevant, its Daren, van der Vord said.

 USA Today
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A Winnipeg firefighter charged with sexually assaulting three females had been accused of domestic violence long before he began his career as a firefighter and martial arts instructor.

Manuel Vladimir Ruiz, 52, was charged last week with several sex and drug offences, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, forcible confinement, drug possession and providing liquor to a minor. Hes accused of sexually assaulting one youth and one woman, and of paying for sex with an underage girl.

The charges were laid more than 30 years after the first allegations of violence were filed in court against Ruiz.

From company website: Japanese Jiu Jitsu Instructor Sensei Manuel Ruiz has dedicated his life to Martial Arts. Although his focus has been in Jiu Jitsu he has broadened his scope of the understanding of Martial Arts through in-depth experience in numerous systems. He is a Firefighter with city of Winnipeg Fire Department where he has been since 1993 but has also managed to work in the protective services field for a number of years and provided training and guidance to many security companies around Manitoba and abroad.

In a divorce petition filed in 1985, when Ruiz was a university student, his wife said she wanted a divorce because Ruiz beat her regularly, sometimes as frequently as every couple of days, and treated her with physical and mental cruelty.

The beatings began less than three months into their marriage, she alleged, saying Ruiz would force her to wear long sleeves to hide bruises.

Court documents recount a beating Ruiz allegedly inflicted after New Years in 1985, saying his wife had a lump on her head and a bruise on her arm where Ruiz bit her.

Ruizs wife later dropped the divorce petition, and Ruiz joined the Winnipeg fire department and opened his own jiu-jitsu studio, offering self-defence classes and doing contract work in various Manitoba communities.

The couple separated in 2000 and their divorce was finalized in 2011.

By then, three other women had gone to court seeking protection from Ruiz with their own allegations of domestic violence. All three protection-order applications were denied, twice by magistrates and once by a justice of the peace, in 2001, 2006 and 2010.

Court documents dont explain why the magistrates and justice of the peace decided the women didnt need protection from Ruiz.

In 2001, a woman who had been one of Ruizs martial arts students said Ruiz threatened her, videotaped her without her knowledge and physically and emotionally, sexually beat me up while I had been a student, she wrote in her protection order application.

Another woman, who had previously dated Ruiz, alleged he broke down my back door after choking me unconscious, when she broke up with him more than a decade ago, while Ruiz was well into his career as a firefighter. She was about three months pregnant with their child at the time. Although she indicated police had been called to investigate, the Winnipeg Police Service could not confirm that Thursday.

She applied for a protection order after Ruizs 21-year-old girlfriend, Melissa Nelson, died while vacationing with him in Cuba in March 2006. The woman wrote in her protection-order application that she feared for her and her daughters safety and believed Ruiz was being investigated for the suspicious death, but Nelsons death was ruled an accident. Barbara Nelson, Melissas mother, has said her daughter met Ruiz when she was only 15.

A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada wrote in an emailed statement Thursday that Cuban authorities deemed Nelsons death an accident.

At the time of the event, Canadian consular officials in Varadero and Havana, Cuba, and in Ottawa, were in close contact with local authorities to gather additional information and have provided consular assistance to the family, as required, the email said, citing privacy concerns as a reason not to release more details.

Ruiz has worked for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service for about 25 years and has been removed from active duty. He does not have a criminal record and is presumed innocent of the charges against him.

A WPS spokeswoman said investigators are following up on tips that have come in about Ruiz. After the charges against him were announced earlier this week, police heard from concerned parents of martial arts students, possible victims and witnesses.

katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay
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Manitoba Hydro is consolidating its staff to reduce costs, moving between 500 and 600 employees from its former headquarters at 820 Taylor Ave. to the Manitoba Hydro Place office tower at 360 Portage Ave.

A smaller number of employees will also be moved from Taylor Avenue to other facilities around Winnipeg, the utility said in a statement issued Friday.

Bringing staff from 820 Taylor and 360 Portage together provides a number of benefits, including increased productivity with staff working in closer proximity to each other, as well as the avoidance of significant capital costs we would face with refurbishing 820 Taylor to maintain it as a viable long-term office building, Manitoba Hydro chief executive officer Kelvin Shepherd said.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES The utility has more room for workers downtown as a result of voluntary staff reductions that began last spring.

Manitoba Hydro will continue operating on Taylor Avenue, according to the press release, but the facility will be repurposed to function primarily as a technical operations facility.

The utility has more room for workers downtown as a result of voluntary staff reductions that began last spring. A total of 820 employees chose to part ways with the Crown corporation. The last of them will be gone by the end of January.

After the move is complete, Shepherd said, Manitoba Hydro Place will accommodate about 2,100 employees. The utility expects to save about $2.1 million a year due to the shuffle.
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When Jane Goodall met with a group of Winnipeg elementary students Thursday afternoon, she felt she may be speaking to the child who would someday carry on her legacy.

What we need is a whole raft full of Jane Goodalls, the 83-year-old scientist and animal-rights activist said. One isnt going to be enough. I want there to be thousands of Janes. Thats what we need to change the world.

The world-renowned researcher spoke with 25 students in the Winnipeg School Divisions Roots & Shoots program. Founded by Goodall in 1991, Roots & Shoots is a global organization dedicated to empowering young people to make positive environmental changes in their community and country.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Dr. Jane Goodall speaks at a workshop for school kids Thursday afternoon.

Although she travels 300 days a year doing environmental outreach work, Goodall is best known for her more than 55-year study of chimpanzees  which began in 1960, when, at 26, she travelled to Tanzania from her home in England.

As much as she considers instilling an environmentalist ethic in people at a young age to be important, meeting children in Roots & Shoots has the added bonus of motivating her to keep working after all these years.

It gives me the energy to carry on, knowing that it makes a difference. I know from experience it makes a difference because they write and tell me. It really does help inspire action and thats what its all about, Goodall said during an interview. As long as we carry on with business as usual, then for our children, and our childrens children, its going to be a very grim world. And thats why Im so passionate to grow Roots & Shoots.

After Goodall spoke to the children, the eager hands of young environmentalists shot up to ask her questions and share stories about projects.

The questions ranged from why she loves animals to what inspires her to whether or not she had a favourite chimpanzee during her time in Africa. (The answer to the last question: yes, the chimpanzee she named David Greybeard, the first one to warm up to her.)

When the teacher came to me and said that Im going to get to meet Jane Goodall, I was like No way, nine-year-old Trisha Olesco said with a smile. And also, when Dr. Jane Goodall came into the room, I had the same reaction.

Goodall is visiting Winnipeg not only to meet with students, but also to accept an honorary doctorate this afternoon at the University of Winnipeg. Tonight, she will speak at an event at the Burton Cummings Theatre.

She said the main thing she wants children in the Roots & Shoots program to know is the work they do is important.

I want them to feel they that they truly are making a difference and to know there are Roots & Shoots groups in a hundred countries, all feeling the way they do, all wanting to take action, all making a difference every day.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A select group of school children listen Dr. Jane Goodall speak at a workshop for school kids Thursday afternoon.

While she laments the loss of wilderness, forests and wetlands around the world, Goodall believes climate change can be countered with a societal change in perspective  which, she said, will take everyone from politicians to big business and ordinary people.

When asked if she misses her time spent in Africa studying chimpanzees, Goodall said: You know, (National) Geographic just made a new documentary out of footage that was discovered. More than any other documentary, its taken me right back when I watch it.

Back to the young woman I was, those chimpanzees I knew so well, that carefree life in the forest. Its very moving for me and without question those were the best days of my life. I carry the memory of those early days, she said.

I know I cant have them back again, but nothing can take away the memory.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca
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OTTAWA  Newspaper publishers are decrying the lack of government funding for newsgathering as Ottawa unveiled its plans for a stronger CBC and partnerships with Netflix and Facebook.

Our approach will not be to bail out industry models that are no longer viable, Heritage Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday in a speech outlining the Liberals plan for cultural industries, including journalism.

We start from the premise that this is a shared responsibility between government at all levels, the private sector and civil society, Joly said, but she didnt pledge federal money for the industry.

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Instead, she said the government will expand the scope of the Canada Periodical Fund, which subsidizes Canadian magazines and community newspapers. But she wouldnt say when, how, or whether it would add funding.

That funds director said last June the idea was under consideration. Bob Cox, publisher of the Free Press, said he was frustrated by the lack of new information.

She did acknowledge the problem and talk about possible approaches, without any concrete promises that would give us much immediate hope, Cox said.

She didnt really get to the idea that theres a role for the federal government to support journalism across the country.

As chairman of News Media Canada (NMC), Cox has spent a decade advocating for print organizations.

This summer, NMC added to a chorus of groups asking to boost the fund and include daily newspapers. That was endorsed in a report by Liberal and NDP MPs who studied the issue of local news. But Cox said Joly didnt promise new money for the fund.

If she opens it up to a bunch of new players, all you have is a whole bunch more players fighting over the same amount of money, he said.

Joly pushed back on suggestions she was focused on closing a deal with Netflix, which will fund shows produced in Canada, over dealing with a series of cuts to news reporting.

We think this is a proactive approach, because we know that we can modernize our programs and we can support this transition.

Joly said the CBC would get an updated mandate, hinting it would include a focus on Indigenous and minority communities. She announced that Facebook would fund a digital news incubator at Ryerson University, offering start-up funding and mentorship for experimental models in digital journalism.

Cox said that could lead to interesting new projects, but it doesnt address the crisis facing legacy publications that create the bulk of news content.

April Lindgren, academic director of the Ryerson Journalism Research Centre, said the government was likely trying to skirt two issues. The first elephant in the room is that Canadas largest newspaper owner, Postmedia, is controlled by a foreign hedge fund, which would likely absorb public funding.

The other was a February report on the decline of legacy media, The Shattered Mirror, which found that just 25 per cent of Canadians are comfortable with Ottawa supporting newsrooms.

Theres no silver bullet to solving the problems facing the news industry, Lindgren said, but she added Jolys comments about the periodical fund left many unanswered questions. For example, the fund is aimed at ethnic and subscription-based newspapers, so its unclear if it would fund websites that dont have subscriptions.

She was surprised Ottawa didnt announce tax breaks for non-profits, of the type that exist in Britain and the United States.

Those have led to programs such as Report For America, through which donors, newsrooms and foundations split the cost of having journalists cover city halls.

Lindgrens research has looked at news poverty, which found that a lack of media outlets outside Canadas major cities was leading to less coverage of elections and vital community issues, an issue tempered by communities with news start-ups.

Though shes not involved in the new Facebook project at Ryerson, she suspected it was the result of Ottawa threatening to tax the social media site if it didnt.

Winnipeg Free Press

Pierre-Elliott Levasseur, the publisher of La Presse newspaper, said he was dismayed at the lack of support for written media.

The Montreal paper will switch entirely to smartphones, tablets and the Internet news next year, but says it needs help to make a smooth transition  and soon.

The business model is broken and must be repaired. There is a concrete solution to this, but it requires significant investment.

NDP heritage critic Pierre Nantel said Ottawa needs to act faster to stem the flow of advertising revenue to large companies abroad, such as Facebook, because democracy only works with a functioning press.

We should not turn a blind eye, he said. Throughout Canada, people are worried.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
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OTTAWA  The federal Liberals say Manitoba should still be able to get its share of federal infrastructure funding, despite the province taking its time to get $300 million from two funding pots.

There are a number of projects that are currently underway that are currently being reviewed, Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi said Thursday. The sooner we can move forward on those projects, the better it is for them and the communities they represent.

Sohi said Manitobas Progressive Conservative government, led by Premier Brian Pallister, will likely reprioritize projects selected before it took power in April 2016.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi responds to a question in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

On Monday, the Free Press reported the province was leaving $300 million in federal funding allocated to it on the table because it can only be used for projects with provincial and municipal contributions.

The money is split among two sources: the New Building Canada Fund, introduced in 2014 by the former Conservative government, and the Investing in Canada Plan, unveiled by the Liberal government in 2015.

For the New Building Canada Fund, Ottawa, a province and a municipality each provide one-third of total project funding.

The Investing in Canada Plan provides 50 per cent federal funding for water, waste-water and transit projects, with the remaining money coming from either a province, a municipality or both.

Sohi said he has no plans to change the New Building funds Phase 1 deadline of March 2018, but provinces can change the construction time frame of the projects that have been approved.

Of that fund, Manitoba has received $212 million of its $467-million allocation, according to federal officials, leaving $245 million on the table with six months left to apply.

As for the Investing in Canada Plan, which requires projects to be completed by 2018, Manitoba has received $122 million of its $176-million total federal allocation.

A spokeswoman for provincial Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton said Manitoba plans to get its applications in by the New Buildings March deadline.

Several projects are currently under various stages of review to ensure they meet program criteria and eligibility, Caitlin MacGregor wrote Thursday. She said the province will soon decide on the Investing Phase 1 funds, too.

This week, the City of Winnipeg announced it was forced to withdraw applications for federal funding for eight projects worth $18 million because the Manitoba government wouldnt provide a contribution. The projects included a much-anticipated $12.5-million pedestrian-bike bridge over Pembina Highway near the University of Manitoba.

The city proceeded on its own with applications for federal funding for seven other projects, worth $35 million. If approved, the city will pay 50 per cent of total costs. Officials referenced uncertain provincial incremental funding as a main reason for abandoning eight other projects.

Liberal MP Dan Vandal, who represents St. Boniface, chairs the partys Manitoba caucus.

He said theyre watching the situation to make sure the province doesnt lose out on its share of funding.

I understand their desire to be fiscally prudent, but they need to understand there are severe infrastructure needs for cities, Vandal said, adding an ideological approach to budgeting could jeopardize projects.

Conservative MP Candice Bergen, who represents Portage-Lisgar, said past federal governments have navigated ideological divides.

She claimed the slow flow of money is because the Liberals havent assigned ministers and offices to deal with regional issues.

This is a direct result of a lack of leadership on behalf of the Liberals, said Bergen, who is close with the Manitoba premier. She said her former Conservative government helped provinces walk through complicated funding proposals.

Despite Pallister often clashing with Ottawa, Sohi said he had a very good dinner with his provincial counterpart last Thursday. We have a shared goal of growing our economy, creating jobs and building a stronger middle class, he said. Later, Sohi will negotiate bilateral infrastructure agreements with each province.

 with files from Dan Lett

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
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THE childrens drawings are startling, showing their time in Siberian work camps alongside the palm trees and camels of later destinations.

In Iraq, Danuta drew a truck arriving at the womens auxiliary camp. In Mexico, Eva drew a man playing a guitar under a palm tree. Genevieve sketched family members working in Siberia and her favourite tree in Uganda.

Photos by RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS As a young Polish girl during the Second World War, Genevieve Matkowska survived being deported to a work camp in Siberia.

The drawings are nearly 80 years old and part of an exhibit opening today at Ogniwo, Winnipegs Polish museum. The heartbreaking and hopeful pictures tell the story of more than one million Poles who were uprooted during the Second World War, sent to forced labour camps in Siberia, then scattered to refugee camps in the Middle East, India, Africa, Mexico and New Zealand.

Ive had enough travelling, said 89-year-old Genevieve Matkowska, whose artwork is featured in the exhibit. Shes one of more than 100 Polish exiles interviewed and recorded by Krystyna Szypowska, an Ogniwo volunteer who curated the exhibit of more than a dozen drawings and stories.

This particular story is not well-known among Polish people, Szypowska said. For her, its close to the heart. My mother is part of this. She was deported with her family and half of her family died in Siberia.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Canadian-born Szypowska wants the survivors to share their stories before theyre lost forever. When she scans obituary notices, she occasionally sees someone with a Polish name who travelled extensively during the war as a child  from Russia to the Middle East, she said. Her heart sinks at what is likely another lost story.

They werent tourists, Szypowska said. Most likely, they were Polish exiles, but their descendants didnt know their stories and cant understand the papers they left behind. Often, they dont understand the language and what the documents are and they get thrown out.

Shes recording survivors first-hand accounts of what happened to them and is setting up a website where they can be seen and heard. Most of their stories are told in Polish and none were hard to elicit, Szypowska said.

A lot of them want to talk because its been so hidden  they want the world to know.

Matkowska was 11 when she and her family were forced from their home by Soviet dictator Josef Stalins soldiers and packed into a train bound for work camps in Siberia. The winter day they became exiles is permanently carved in her memory.

It was Feb. 10, 1940, and -40 C, she said Thursday.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

They scrounged for food and barely survived in Siberia. One saving grace was having her best friend in Poland, Helena, there in the camp, too. However, the little girl contracted tuberculosis and didnt survive in Siberia. Matkowska visited her playmate until the end when Helena was sick in bed, burning with fever and soaked in sweat.

I was holding her hand and it was wet, she recalled. I lost her.

Matkowska and her family were in Siberia until August 1941, when they were put cattle cars heading south. We were in rags, by that time, she said.

None of the exiles could return home to Poland. Matkowskas family boarded an oil tanker in the Caspian Sea for Pahlavi, Iran, where they then boarded a train for a refugee camp in Tehran.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Oh my God, it was very hot and raining, Matkowska recalled. They gave us fruit  watermelon  all the time. Of the few months they stayed in Iran, she spent two months in hospital with typhoid, but the now-great-grandmother said she has good memories of the land she remembers as Persia.

It was lovely. They allowed us to visit palaces in Tehran People were very kind to us.

Their journey wasnt over, however. They were put on a train and taken to another seaport and travelled across the ocean to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. There they boarded another ship to Mombasa, Kenya, where Matkowksa and her family caught the train to Uganda.

She spent the next seven years in the Masindi camp that housed close to 5,000 Polish exiles.

The train trip across Africa was a feast for the eyes, she said. You could see all the animals  monkeys, lions, buffalo, giraffes, ostriches  there were a lot of them.

Her family spent nearly eight years in Uganda before being resettled in Canada. From the port at Halifax, they took the train to Yorkton, Sask. There she later met her husband, a fellow Pole who was in the Polish resistance during the war. They moved to Winnipeg, had two children and ran Peter Pan Drycleaners in St. James for 20 years.

Matkowska said its maddening to see the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War happening now and another generation of children forced into exile.

Why cant people live in peace, and trust and respect each other?

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Opinion

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It is disappointing to hear a federal cabinet minister say that your industry is no longer viable.

It is even more disappointing when you know that this is not true.

For the past several months, a broad coalition of publishers has been making the argument, publicly and privately, that news gathering is in serious trouble in Canada and needs federal government support to stabilize and help transition in the digital age.

ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS Heritage Minister Melanie Joly outlines the governments vision for cultural and creative industries in a digital world.

I have often spoken in favour of this idea, and it has made me the target of many critics. They will take comfort in the words of Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, who outlined the Liberal governments plans for cultural policy on Thursday.

She made support for local news part of her speech and said that reliable journalistic content is critical to our democracy. She said the independence of newsrooms must be preserved.

However, she added: Our approach will not be to bail out industry models that are no longer viable. Rather, we will focus our efforts on supporting innovation, experimentation and transition to digital.

In other words, there will be no direct support for news gathering done by newspapers and no actual promise of new federal money for the innovation that Joly favours. That amounts to ignoring a crisis that is real and urgent.

Joly appears to have ignored the main recommendation of the House of Commons heritage committee, which studied the problem of diminishing local news and said the Heritage Department should create a new funding model that would support Canadian journalistic content.

It appears the only support for newspapers will come from the Canada Periodical Fund, which is being revamped to better support innovation, business development, startups and export.

The fund currently provides a small amount of money  about $7 million a year  to subsidize the paid, printed copies of community newspapers. Newspapers are doing much of the experimentation, innovation and transition to digital that is going on in news gathering. But it does not appear much new funding will be directed to support this.

Jolys only concrete announcement regarding news was that Facebook will partner with Ryerson University to create a digital news incubator. This is the kind of project Facebook loves  demonstrating its concern for news gathering without putting any substantial amount of money into doing the sort of original journalism that gets shared endlessly on Facebook, generating ad dollars at little cost.

We have argued for the creation of a Canadian Journalism Fund, which would partially underwrite the cost of newsrooms and be open to any non-regulated provider of public-interest news.

That wont happen. Contrast this with what is happening to the Canadian Media Fund. The government is going to increase its $130 million annual contribution to this fund, which finances television and digital productions, to make up for money it is losing from industry because fewer Canadians are subscribing to TV cable and satellite services.

So the government will spend money to keep TV and digital production healthy, but not to keep news gathering across the country healthy.

One of the objections to government funding for news gathering is that it somehow threatens the independence of newsrooms.

This is a curious objection from the federal government, given that it already is the largest funder of newsrooms in the country, mainly because of a CBC subsidy of more than $1 billion a year. Does this mean CBC newsrooms are not independent of government?

Another objection is that federal money would simply be a bailout of the dying newspaper industry  rhetoric that Joly adopted in her speech.

Its true that some newspapers and newspaper companies will disappear due to market forces.

Its also true that others are adapting, developing new business models and facing the future head on. This is where timely, limited public funding is needed  to ensure this transition succeeds. Publishers would never have asked for government help in the past, but we did so because of the urgency of the problem.

During this transition, there needs to be a clear vision of what is at stake. Newspapers still employ the majority of journalists across Canada doing independent, fact-based news gathering. Newspapers still provide the most comprehensive coverage of virtually every community where they publish, in print and online.

Alternatives are developing, but to date there are none in Canada that do the job done primarily by newspapers  reaching broad audiences with comprehensive news and content gathered by good-sized newsrooms.

That capacity needs to be preserved for the sake of an informed public participating in a healthy democracy. Were dedicated to doing that, even if others think our industry is no longer viable.

Bob Cox is publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press and chairman of News Media Canada.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/09/2017 (1872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Writing about political parties in late-19th-century Canada, the great French political observer Andre Siegfried emphasized the special importance of party leaders in Canadian politics: it is of the first importance to the success of a party that it should be led by someone who inspires confidence, and whose mere name is a programme in itself, Siegfried observed. (Canadians) vote as much for the man who symbolizes the policy as for the policy itself.

He was writing about the Liberal and Conservative parties, which survive to this day (the Conservatives, albeit, having undergone a few alterations along the way). And while he was thinking of John A. Macdonald and Wilfrid Laurier, Siegfried might as well have been writing about Canadas other great party leaders: Borden, King, Diefenbaker, Trudeau Sr., Mulroney, Chretien and Harper.

Each of those leaders adapted their parties to their own priorities, concerns and even personalities. And by the time each of them departed, it had become difficult to distinguish the party from the leader.

NATHAN DENETTE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES NDP leadership hopeful Jagmeet Singh launches his campaign in Brampton, Ont., in May.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is currently in the process of remaking the Liberal party in the same way.

But what about the NDP?

The NDP is supposed to be different. Far from a party that adapts to the aspirations and concerns of its leaders, the NDP has traditionally been a consistently ideological, left-of-centre party.

But that began to change with the partys 2003 leadership race to replace former leader Alexa McDonough. The eventual winner of that race, Jack Layton, represented a shift in emphasis for the party. Layton was a Toronto city councillor who was known for riding his bicycle to city hall. As leader, he promised to emphasize urban issues and those affecting youth, particularly homelessness and affordable housing.

Layton and his allies set out to modernize and professionalize the NDP organization. And Layton himself developed a persona that increasingly resonated with Canadians. Throughout the 2000s, Layton consistently increased the NDPs seat share, until the 2011 election, when he led the NDP to second place behind Stephen Harpers Conservatives. For the first time in Canadian history, the NDP formed the Official Opposition in Parliament.

Some observers (myself included) thought we had witnessed a watershed moment in 2011, and that politics in Canada would thereafter be characterized by electoral conflict between the Conservatives and the NDP. But instead, Layton died of cancer after the election; his successor, the competent but prickly Tom Mulcair, was unable to build on Laytons success. In the 2015 election, the NDP fell back to its traditional third-place position.

This recent history is worth reflecting on because NDP voters seem to have learned from the experience of success under Layton that the choice of leader is a crucial one. And there appears to be a realization  if not an expectation  that the new leader will seek to reshape the party in his or her own image.

Media coverage of presumed front-runner Jagmeet Singh has been particularly pronounced in this respect. Singh was the first turbaned Sikh to be elected to the Ontario Provincial Parliament. His leadership would represent a triumph for diversity in Canadian federal politics.

Furthermore, Singh is young for a prospective party leader and, like Justin Trudeau, would bring glamour to the role. He is concerned with matters of style and is known for designing his own custom-tailored suits. And as with Trudeau, Singh enjoys a reputation for charisma despite his not being particularly charismatic on the stump.

All this has led commentators to think about what a Singh-led NDP would look like.

The consensus is that Singh might eat Trudeaus lunch among left-of-centre Canadians who were captivated by both Trudeaus many promises and his fluttering eyelashes in the last election campaign. The solution to a popular, attention-grabbing Liberal leader, according to many in the NDP, is a popular, attention-grabbing NDP leader.

But Singh would also give the NDP new appeal among ethnic minorities and immigrant voters. Much ink has been spilled about the electoral power of these constituencies, as well as the Conservative partys limited success in attracting support within them. Singh would likely attract new support among minorities and immigrants.

Relatedly, Singh could possibly give the NDP new credibility in Canadas suburbs. Born in Scarborough and a provincial representative from Brampton, Singh is very much a suburban politician. He would bring both confidence and authenticity to campaigning in these areas of Canada which are, increasingly, very important in determining federal election outcomes.

The importance and prominence of party leaders in Canadian politics gives leadership selection a special importance.

For perhaps the first time, NDP members may vote in their leadership contest with Siegfrieds words from a century ago ringing in their ears. And polls suggest that they are comfortable with a party focused on a charismatic leader who will take them to new places to find support.

Royce Koop is an associate professor and head of the department of political studies at the University of Manitoba.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/09/2017 (1872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It would be optimism verging on fantasy to suggest introducing Wi-Fi to Winnipeg buses will greatly grow ridership, and that empty seats will be filled by people persuaded to try transit because they can now video-chat with friends, stream Game of Thrones or download massive apps without worrying about exceeding their data plans.

The upcoming pilot project to provide free Wi-Fi on 12 Winnipeg buses in 2018 might be important to Mayor Brian Bowman, who promised the service during the election campaign.

But to bus passengers? Not so much.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Adding free Wi-Fi to city buses could have unexpected safety benefits.

A survey of 3,000 people in 17 U.S. cities, and three focus groups, asked transit users to rank a dozen possible improvements to transit service.

It concluded the two most important factors to passengers are service frequency and travel time.

The least important improvements are power outlets and Wi-Fi, according to the survey Whos On Board 2016: What Todays Riders Teach Us About Transit That Works, by an organization called TransitCenter.

Regardless, many cities including Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are experimenting with Wi-Fi on buses, and Winnipeg can learn from their experiences, both good and bad.

One danger is that public Wi-Fi is notoriously insecure, a relatively easy place for cybercriminals to capture the identity of users and personal information including passwords. That means, for example, public Wi-Fi is the wrong venue for shopping or banking.

Another risk is that Wi-Fi will increase the number of laptops and tablets aboard buses, making buses a fruitful orchard of digital devices thieves would consider ripe for picking. It happened to a Free Press colleague, Jen Zoratti, who was riding a city bus to work when a cad ripped her iPhone  which contained personal pictures that were invaluable to her  out of her hand and fled out the back door. She tracked the location of her phone using Apples Find My iPhone app, and she filed a report with police, but beyond warning her not to confront the thief because he might be violent, they offered little help. Police didnt get her phone back.

Despite the hazards of using tech devices in public, an advantage is that Wi-Fi could improve security on buses in a way some people might not anticipate.

Increased security could be a significant selling point in the city where transit driver Irvine Jubal Fraser was fatally stabbed on Feb. 14 after rousing a passenger who was asleep when the bus reached its final stop at the University of Manitoba.

His fellow drivers have since publicly recounted dangers they face in their workplace. They are often cursed at, threatened, spat on and even physically assaulted.

Transit bosses seem to have offered their drivers an understanding ear: Winnipeg Transit is recommending the city fund a pilot project to test protective Plexiglass shields to wrap around drivers, and funding for more security staff. The transit union wants a dedicated transit police force.

But another way to improve bus safety, a way that hasnt been discussed, is Wi-Fi.

The thing about Wi-Fi is that it can work both ways. It can let passengers use their tablets to reach outside of the bus and stream the latest Taylor Swift video, but it can also allow eyes into the bus.

Winnipeg Transit hasnt announced which Wi-Fi system it will test, but some systems let a transit official at headquarters monitor bus passengers in real time.

This is an important change. Buses in most cities have long had security cameras on board but, until they get Wi-Fi, video footage can only be downloaded after the vehicle has returned to the depot, far too late to quell confrontations.

Monitoring the action aboard a bus as it happens would let security officials spot problems and rush ahead to an upcoming stop, where they could board the bus and apprehend the troublesome passenger.

Some might object to being monitored live on camera, but I believe, in this case, the safety of drivers and passengers takes precedence over perceived privacy rights.

Let bus drivers focus on their driving, comforted that live-stream cameras will let security officials deal with security.

Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/09/2017 (1872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Water, waste, fingers and funds  that pretty much sums up the kind of week it has been down at Winnipegs city hall.

Water, as is usually the case here in the glacial lakebed, was everywhere. First came the revelation that the citys effort to recover from $6 million to $20 million linked to construction deficiencies and other problems at its water-treatment plant fell apart, allegedly because a lawyer responsible for the lawsuit missed a filing deadline and the case was adjourned.

Disappointing is how Mayor Brian Bowman described the botched legal case, as well as a glaring example that the citys administration must do a better job.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman

Inept wasnt mentioned, except probably by every taxpayer who read the story.

The mayor pointed an accusatory finger at chief administration officer Doug McNeil, who in turn quickly pointed his finger, presumably in the direction of the aforementioned lawyer, who is no longer in the citys employ.

It bears mentioning, however, that any properly functioning organization should have systems in place to track such deadlines and obligations to avoid the possibility of a single individuals oversight derailing a major legal undertaking.

Coincidentally, it was reported that the Ecofiscal Commission, a Toronto-based think tank, was asking hard questions about the City of Winnipegs rather unique practice of skimming millions of utility-bill dollars from the water and waste departments revenue stream to help cover the cost of building and maintaining roads.

The commissions chairman said the practice  employed by civic administration since 2011  is prohibited by provincial legislation in most other jurisdictions across the country. In Winnipeg, $180 million has been siphoned into general revenues and redirected into street projects.

The commission did offer praise for this citys strategies for calculating the water and waste departments infrastructure deficit and devising a plan to resolve it, but added that the revenue skim-off could diminish that creditworthy effort.

Can they divert 12 per cent and say the water infrastructure is perfectly good? Ecofiscal chairman Chris Ragan asked. If at the same time we have an infrastructure gap and were short of money (for water and waste), maybe diverting that 12 per cent isnt a good idea.

To recap, then: theres wasted opportunity in waters revenue-recovery litigation, and a watering down of wastes revenue stream.

And to top off the week of watery woes came news that one of Winnipegs most admirable common-sense programs for dealing with water in its fluffier frozen form might be in financial jeopardy.

The executive director of Take Pride Winnipeg revealed that the Snow Angels program, which pairs volunteer students with seniors who need sidewalks and driveways cleared during the winter months, might not continue because it lacks funding for the rest of the year.

In the context of $20-million botched lawsuits and $180-million revenue skim-offs, the Snow Angels programs $15,000 funding request seems positively quaint  particularly in light of the community services departments $2.1 million budget surplus. To his credit, Coun. Shawn Dobson proposed a motion this week to speed up the funding process.

The Snow Angel program has to be ready when it snows, not when the (civic) budget passes, Mr. Dobson said.

It was a rare display of common sense in a week when most of what happened probably left Winnipeggers thinking something other than snow is being shovelled at city hall.
On September 26, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) and Socialist Equality Party (SEP) hosted an event commemorating the Centenary of the Russian Revolution on the Northern Virginia Community Colleges (NOVA) Annandale campus. The meeting received a large turnout, with some 40 students and workers in attendance.

The meeting consisted of a lecture, delivered by David North on the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the October Revolution of 1917, followed by a lively Q&A session. Attendees showed great interest in the material presented, with many taking detailed notes. Attendees were young, almost all born after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and represented a cross-section of working class youth, containing those of all ethnic backgrounds, both native-born and immigrant.

In many ways, NOVA Annandale represents a snapshot of the major issues confronting working class youth. It is a commuter campus with a large working class student population desperately trying to secure a decent career to claw their way out of poverty. The schools surrounding region comprises the military-intelligence corridor surrounding the greater DC area. The campus itself is located a mere 11 miles away from the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency.

The military-intelligence apparatus exerts a strong influence on campuses like NOVA, seeking to funnel young people into its agencies. The fact that such a meeting could be held, let alone draw such a large and engaged audience of young students and workers in the very shadow of the Pentagon, demonstrates the growth of interest in socialism, despite the official anti-communist propaganda.

The October Revolution is the most complicated and contradictory historical experience of the 20th century, North explained. First of all, it was an event unprecedented in history. It awoke hopes and aspirations like no other event. And yet, it gave rise to a regime ultimately profoundly different from what those who made the revolution had aspired.

He noted that the Trotskyist movement waged a decades-long struggle against the betrayals made by the Stalinist bureaucracy and the political degeneration that took place within the USSR.

Nevertheless, he said, we defended the USSR to the extent that the Soviet Union still embodied a colossal political achievement of the struggles of the working class. Nothing could be understood about the workers movement, nothing could be understood about the struggles of the 20th century, without understanding the relationship of those struggles in the October Revolution out of which the Soviet Union emerged.

North placed the Russian Revolution in a broad historical and international context:

When speaking about history, and when speaking about the most unusual episodes of historyrevolutionsthe conventional yardsticks of political evaluation no longer apply. A revolution is not a one day event. Its not just something that happens and then moves on.

Whenever mankind faces enormous problems which lead people to believe that the way life is organized simply cannot continue, when the whole structure appears inadequatethat its very existence seems to be an insult to anyone who really thinks seriously about social problems; that is when revolutionary consciousness begins to emerge.

North differentiated the unique character of the social revolution in that it was a far more conscious historical process in which humankind actively intervened to alter its own affairs on a scientific basis.

Marxism, he said, explained the process of the development of social consciousness. In short, that material being is primary over consciousness, and that social being determines social consciousness."

Participants were very interested in gaining historical analysis of a broad number of questions. Some students asked about subjects such as the material origins of the Stalinist bureaucracy, the differentiation between Stalinism and Marxism, the program of the Fourth International, the significance of state planning, and many other issues. After the meeting, several students gave their thoughts to WSWS reporters concerning what they found to be the most significant or interesting aspects of the lecture and Q&A.

Andres, an engineering student at NOVA, showed great interest in the significance of October. I want to know more about the Russian Revolution, he said. Referring to the latter part of Norths lecture that addressed the disastrous impact of the dissolution of the USSR, Andres said, I learned a lot from the lecture. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, everything went berserk. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer, as the charts [in the lecture] showed.

The perspective of materialist philosophy also had deeply affected him. Consciousness is a reflection of your everyday life and not the other way around, he said. The lecturer really knows what he is talking about. I want to know more about revolution and getting rid of capitalism. He agreed with the perspective of class unity against national, racial, or ethnic division. Everybody is working class and socialism is for the unification of all people.

Lowell, also an engineering major, spoke on the depth of the current crisis. Capitalism is out of control. People are dying of poverty. Living in a capitalist country is like living in a casino: you can lose everything you have, be reduced to nothing. And the environment is also under attack under this system and politicians dont care, they just want more money.

He went on to discuss the gains made by the Russian Revolution despite the retrograde role played by the bureaucracy that developed in the Soviet Union. Even though Stalin was terrible, he said, the USSR had many great successes: mass industrialization, the spread of literacy and the Soviet space program.

Another NOVA student, Thomas, found the lecture intellectually enriching. I learned a lot of stuff that I didnt know before, he told reporters. He identified with the egalitarian spirit of October, noting the revolution was a great way of putting down the oppressive royalty in Russia.

He did not see the Russian Revolution as a distant historical event, but as something of contemporary relevance. I see a lot of problems in the US, he said. Socialist views against war could help. There are so many problems at home that could be solved if we werent spending so much money on war.

Nour, a political science major, said the speech was extraordinary.

The problem of class oppression is the basis of all of our problems in society, he said. We need to turn to socialism to get free education, free health care. Right now corporations control our fate. People dont have resources to develop themselves. They must choose to pay or die. It is immoral. We have to take control.
On September 17, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski swore in new cabinet ministers for his right-wing pro-business government. The former Wall Street banker and World Bank officerwith dual American-Peruvian citizenshipleads a crisis-ridden government isolated and obstructed by other right-wing political forces, most notably the fujimorista Fuerza Popular (FP), the right-wing party that controls the legislature with 71 congressmen.

The decision to remove and replace some ministries came in the aftermath of a powerful 71-day teachers strike. The strike was ignited by Kuczynskis broken promise of raising teachers wages in his first year in office, but it soon became a nationwide mobilization against the abysmal state of public education and in opposition to education reform that in the name of meritocracy would lead to the firing of teachers for failing performance tests.

The government showed utter indifference toward the demands of the striking teachers, slandering them as terrorists and extremists and repressing their protests when teachers streamed into the capital from all over the country. Exposing its own complete integration into the establishment, the SUTEP teachers union bureaucracy joined in the government slander of their own ranks, prompting teachers to rebel against them and denounce them as traitors.

In the end, SUTEP, along with its rival organizations inside the teachers movement, suspended the strike without achieving any gains. However, the governments image was badly damaged by its own incompetence in dealing with the strike. Most of Kuczynskis government is made up of operators from the corporate world with no experience in politics.

FP then sought to reap political gains from the strikes chaotic aftermath. During the strike, FP had, in an opportunistic fashion, presented itself as a mediator between the government and the strikers and cynically feigned support for their struggle. It announced that it would mount a congressional investigation of Minister of Education Marilu Martens over her incompetent role dealing with the strike. Eventually, it announced that it would present a motion to censure Martens, who was widely despised by teachers for her arrogant posture during negotiations.

The fujimoristas, of course, dont care about the wellbeing of teachers, or of any other section of the working class for that matter. The attempt to censure Martens aims to help and prop the government by getting rid of an unsustainable, despised figure while doing nothing to change its policies regarding education. Furthermore, FPs founder and former President Alberto Fujimorijailed for the last nine years for human rights violations and corruptionimposed the free-market measures that set into motion wholesale privatizations and the pauperization of the education sector.

The pseudo-left coalition Frente Amplio (FA) and its recent split-off, Nuevo Peru (NP), also voted for Martenss censure. Minister Martens has provoked a very angry response from teachers.  It is evident that this conflict has reached to a level that cannot be allowed and we ask for her removal, declared NP spokeswoman and congresswoman Marisa Glave.

The move to censure Martens sent the government into a crisis. During its first year, Kuczynskis cabinet lost two of its ministers due to the machinations and censure motions of the FP. Losing a third minister by another motion to censure by the fujimoristas would lead to the total loss of the governments credibility. According to the weekly journal Hildebrandt en sus trece, anonymous state sources warned that if FP brought down yet another minister, then [FP leader] Keiko Fujimori would become the de facto leader of the country, and the governments image would never recover.

Kuczynski on September 13 ordered Prime Minister Fernando Zavala to submit to Congress a confidence motion on behalf of the government to stand up against the fujimoristas. The following day, after a heated eight-hour debate in which congressmen traded insults and screams, the Peruvian Congress enacted a no-confidence vote. The fujimoristas and the Frente Amplio caucuses voted against the confidence measure along with other, smaller parties. Nuevo Peru, proving its conciliatory and non-obstructionist character, abstained from the vote, even though the partys leader and former presidential candidate Veronika Mendozawho has disappeared from the political scene without any explanationtweeted: Mr. Kuczynski, the confidence that you must gain comes from the people. Changes are necessary in your cabinet.

Over the following days, the government met with the opposition fujimorista and aprista delegations in order to implement cabinet changes more to their political liking. While the fujimoristas control Congress with their disproportionate number of congressmen, the APRA party, despite being a minuscule force in Congress, has strong support from the corporate class and international investors.

Despite the demands from FP for a complete cabinet shakeup, only changes were made, along with Zavalas withdrawal from his post as prime minister. Martenss successor as minister of education is Idel Vexler, who was deputy minister in APRA party President Alan Garcias second government (2006-2011), which had an even more confrontational relationship with the teachers and helped to enact an early version of the law teachers are currently fighting. He had voiced some opposition to the performance tests but eventually retracted and declared there is no halt to the education reform.

Minister of Health Patricia Garcia, who faced a parallel month-long strike by doctors and nurses, was replaced by former navy admiral Fernando DAlessio. The doctors union criticized the choice, since DAlessio is not a health professional and has never worked in the civilian state sector, adding that he was only selected for his closeness to APRA. The minister of economy, a post that had also been held by Prime Minister Zavalaleading to criticisms that he had too much power with the two cabinet seatswent to Deputy Minister Claudia Cooper, a longtime executive in Peruvian banking and finance.

The minister of justice was replaced by Enrique Mendoza, former president of the Supreme Court, who, according to some reports, had helped to terminate judicial investigations into some of the state crimes committed during the first government of Alan Garcia (1985-1990). Mendoza also gave affirmative comments regarding a possible presidential pardon for Alberto Fujimori, but these were later repudiated by the new prime minister, Mercedez Araoz.

Araoz is yet another figure close to APRA. In Alan Garcias second government, she was minister of commerce and tourism, leading the final negotiations to establish the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. During her tenure, the government ordered security forces to fire on protesters who were occupying the road in the town of Bagua, Amazonas, in protest over the concession of their lands to multinational corporations.

Araoz later claimed that the protesters actions were jeopardizing the FTA. The contemptuous attitude toward the rights of native and indigenous groups to their lands remains intact, with Energy and Mining Minister Cayetana Aljovin declaring that there wont be any prior consultation with native associations before turning over their lands to the multinationals for mineral extraction.

The Peruvian working class is currently ruled by direct representatives of big business and extreme reactionaries whose main mission is to continue their exploitation and looting of the countrys vast mineral resources. Whatever skirmishes and infighting occur in the corridors of power, it will always lead to an accord for sustaining bourgeois rule and the adoption of an even more right-wing capitalist program.
This week 25 refugees detained for years in an Australian-run camp on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea left for the US under what is essentially a cruel swap deal struck with the Obama administration last November. Another 29 detainees from a similar facility in Nauru are expected join them.

The refugees, heavily-vetted for months by US authorities, are drawn from the more than 2,000 men, women and children imprisoned indefinitely in the two remote Pacific island camps. They are being flown to be resettled in unknown US locations, with no guarantees of any permanent residency or basic civil rights, in return for unspecified numbers of refugees being flown to Australia from US camps in Central America.

On both sides of the Pacific, refugees who have fled oppression and persecution are being transported thousands of kilometres from the countries in which they sought asylum, and from the families and communities many wished to rejoin.

Much secrecy surrounds all the arrangements, including the vetting process applied by the US government. Interviewed on television, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: Its all subject to the United States very, very thorough vetting, their extreme vetting.

When US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials began the vetting interviews in May, Reuters reported that interviewees had to swear an oath to God to tell the truth before a gruelling six-hour interview. Refugees were asked in-depth questions about their family, friends and associates, as well as any interaction with Islamic State.

In a document given to refugees imprisoned on the islands, the DHS detailed a stringent medical check, including chest x-rays, to assess their public health significance. The document made no mention of where those refugees selected would be living or if they would be eligible for US citizenship.

Instead the document indicated they would be passed to a non-government resettlement agency which would provide minimal housing, medical and job seeker support for 30 to 60 days. While they would have the legal right to work, they were expected to seek employment and become fully self-sufficient as soon as possible.

With no guarantee of citizenship, these refugees could remain in a similar situation to those living in community detention in Australiaconstantly monitored by the government with the ongoing threat of deportation. Even if they were able to become US citizens, they would still be barred from living in Australia.

In 2013, the Greens-backed Australian Labor government enacted legislation to prevent all asylum seekers who arrived by boat from ever settling in Australia. The current Turnbull government attempted to extend this draconian legislation last November to block asylum seekers even entering the country. This legislation has yet to be put to the Senate.

No official information has been provided about how or where the refugees will be consigned in the US. Australian Immigration and Border Control Minister Peter Dutton maintained the wall of secrecy around all the governments anti-refugee measures. I repeat that we will not be providing running commentary on this matter, he said in a media release.

The arrangement was a quid pro quo, in which the Australian government would take an undisclosed number of refugees languishing in refugee camps in Costa Rica. The Obama administration set up these camps ostensibly as a humanitarian response to the increasing numbers of people fleeing gang-related violence in Central America. Their real purpose was to curb the influx of refugees in the US, by funnelling them into camps in which they could be heavily vetted by the DHS.

In line with his reactionary anti-immigrant policy, President Donald Trump branded the deal as stupid and disgusting in a leaked phone call with Turnbull in late January. Turnbull assured Trump he had no obligation to take a single refugee. Every individual is subject to your vetting, Turnbull said. You can decide to take them or to not take them after vetting. Turnbull also indicated that the vetting process would comply with the anti-Muslim ban that Trump had sought to impose via an executive order just days earlier.

Twenty five of those currently approved for transfer are reportedly from Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma. Somalia is on the Trump administrations latest travel ban list, making refugees from that country especially vulnerable in the US.

As of September 20, there were still 928 men detained on Manus Island and 1,135 detainees on Nauru, including 169 children. They face ongoing degrading conditions.

On Manus Island, the conditions are worsening. Earlier this year, the Turnbull government announced the closure of the detention centre by October 31. The PNG Supreme Court ruled last year ruled that the facility violated the countrys constitution, which bars deprivation of liberty without charge or trial. Hundreds of asylum seekers are being transferred, under the threat of police violence to less secure facilities, from where they can be easily left permanently in the impoverished country.

In Australia, both Labor and the Greens welcomed the swap deal. Labors immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann, expressed gratitude to the US for accepting the refugees. Greens immigration spokesman Nick McKim said: We wish the people heading to the United States the very best.

Both criticised the current Liberal-National government for turning Manus Island and Nauru into indefinite detention camps. But it was the last Greens-backed Labor government that reopened the camps in 2013, forced thousands of refugees into them and enacted legislation to prevent them ever settling in Australia.

Likewise, Ian Rintoul, a leader of the pseudo-left group Solidarity and the Refugee Action Coalition (RAC), said the resettlement news was good for those approved. He told reporters the refugees were very happy at the possibilities of having a safe life and rebuilding.

In reality, the Trump administration, like the Australian governments and governments around the world, is demonising refugees and seeking to make them scapegoats for deteriorating living conditions and growing social inequality.

The life of the handful of refugees being resettled in the US will be anything but safe and economically secure.
The WSWS article New Zealand rail union seeks to renew pay deal with private operator, published on August 7, has provoked an outraged response from Wayne Butson, general secretary of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU).

In a letter posted to the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) Facebook page Butson complained: Your article is being distributed and people will be reading it and getting quite the wrong impression of one of New Zealands most effective unions.

Butson desperately attempted to obscure the fact that the union has collaborated with Labour and National Party governments, councils and private companies, to cut staff, keep wages down and boost corporate profits. At the same time, he expressed deep hostility to strikes and the class struggle, defended the low wages paid to rail workers, and made clear the RMTUs support for the opposition Labour Party in the September 23 election.

Butsons statements provide an opportunity to clarify the anti-working class record of the RMTU and its predecessors. The union cannot, in any meaningful sense of the term, be described as a workers organisation. Like other trade unions in New Zealand and internationally, it is controlled by a privileged bureaucracy, which has for decades worked hand-in-hand with big business and the government to attack the social position of the working class.

The WSWS article explained important factsnot, as Butson asserts, untruths, rumour and suppositionabout the RMTUs role in recent attacks on workers:

When the Wellington Regional Council privatised its commuter rail services in 2016, the union echoed false statements that workers conditions would be protected under the private operator Transdev and Hyundai Rotem (THR).





In July 2016, the RMTU agreed to a meagre 2 percent pay increase for 391 members in Wellington, barely above the official inflation rate and well below the cost of living. This pro-company agreement was imposed through anti-democratic methods aimed at stifling any opposition or dissent.





The RMTU is now preparing another pro-company deal in Wellington. Butson defends his dismissal of members calls for a 15 percent wage increase and describes THRs low wages as reasonable. Most passenger operators work part-time and receive $17.62 an hour, only slightly above New Zealands official minimum wage of $15.75.

Unions collaboration with mass redundancies

The precarious and low-paid position of rail workers is the outcome of decades of betrayals.

Butson dismisses as risible the WSWS claim that the RMTU (and its predecessor unions) colluded with the government and the bosses to diminish the workforce. He states, The de-manning of rail was part of a much wider neo-liberal project that occurred on a number of fronts during the 1990s and can hardly be laid at the foot of the current leadership.

In fact, the major cutbacks began not in the 1990s but during the 1984-1990 Labour Party government, with which the unions fully collaborated. NZ Rail (NZR) was one of several public services, including forestry, transformed by Labour into State-Owned Enterprises, whose job was to generate profits and compete with private businesses. This was a first step towards full privatisation.

The Lange government deregulated the financial market and slashed taxes for the rich to remove all obstacles to private investment and profit-making. Throughout the world, New Zealand Labours program was hailed in the corporate press as a model for pro-market restructuring.

Labours attacks, which paralleled those of Thatcher in Britain, Reagan in the United States, and the right-wing Hawke-Keating Labor government in Australia, produced a huge increase in unemployment and social inequality. Tens of thousands of jobs were cut in rail, forestry, meat processing, the auto industry, the postal service and many other areas. Entire towns and working class suburbs were decimated, and have never recovered.

These were not simply neo-liberal policies imposed by treacherous individuals. By the 1980s, the unprecedented level of global economic integration and mobility of capital, made possible by advances in technology, had fundamentally transformed the role of the unions and social democratic parties in every country.

The globalisation of production destroyed the viability of all previous programs of limited reform, based on national economic regulation. When the ruling elites demanded the dismantling of subsidies, tariffs and other protections, so that businesses could attract new investment, boost their profits and remain globally competitive, the unions accepted their new role as enforcers of this agenda.

The record of the New Zealand rail unions is a case study of just how the union bureaucracy worked to suppress workers resistance to corporatisation, privatisation and job cuts.

In 1984, the unions actively promoted Labours election promise to Save Rail, which quickly turned out to be a complete fraud. From 1983 to 1990 under the Labour government, NZR shed about 13,000 jobs, i.e., 60 percent of its workforce. Today there are 3,400 people employed by KiwiRail, compared with 21,000 in 1982.

In an attempt to rewrite history, a 2013 pamphlet, endorsed by the RMTU, blames Labours Prime Minister David Lange, Finance Minister Roger Douglas and Railways Minister Richard Prebble. It states: The union opposed both the driving pace of change and the staff reductions on safety grounds. [1]

This is false. In fact, the rail unions agreed to major staff cuts in almost every area of NZR. Their approach was summed up in 1989 by National Union of Railway Workers (NUR) Wellington branch manager Kevin Addley, who said: We cant carry on with past staffing levels. We need now to see if each job is viable, and if it is not then we have to work to get the best possible severance deals. He added that NZR, unlike in the past when it was a public service, now needs to be profitable and the union has to take that into consideration. [2]

Rail workers tried to fight back. The Napier and Kawerau branches of the NUR held one-week strikes in March and June 1986, but they were isolated and defeated. The unions refused to call nationwide industrial action against the closure of regional lines and the introduction of two-person crews on freight trains.

Another union, the Locomotive Engineers Association (LEA), informed its members in April 1986: No longer can the system be expected to provide employment simply on the basis that this has been the traditional pattern. [3] In October 1988, LEA president O.H. Dunseath revealed that the union leadership had come under very strong and personal attacks on our integrity and leadership from local branch members who opposed the unions agreement with manning reductions. [4]

In May 1989, NZR CEO Kevin Hyde addressed a rail conference in London on how NZRs corporate restructuring could serve as a model for other countries. He stressed the importance of the unions collaboration, boasting: We have achieved the 55 per cent reduction in staff without major strife, and now have the acceptance, at least implicit, by the unions of the need to change.

Hyde noted that initially some within the corporation thought reducing crews to two workers would spark an uproar from unions and staff and a strike  [which] would effectively destroy the business. Instead, the unions took a refreshingly responsible attitude and not only accepted double-manning but agreed, in November 1987, to running many trains with just one crew member. [5]

Well aware that it relied on the union to suppress the opposition of workers, the Labour government joined in the praise. In August 1989, then-Railways Minister Stan Rodger said the staff reductions were a tribute to the attitude of the four rail unions, the NUR, LEA, Railway Officers Institute and the Railway Tradesman Association. [6]

Privatisation and renationalisation

The National Party, elected in 1990, slashed more jobs and sold off the corporatised NZR in 1993. It was initially bought by New Zealand investment bankers David Richwhite and Michael Fay, in partnership with US investors Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation and Berkshire Partners, for $328 million.

The NUR and the Combined Union of Railway Employees (CURE, an amalgamation of the other three unions, founded in 1991) did not wage a fight against the privatisation. Taking their lead from the Stalinist-led Council of Trade Unions, they mounted a token campaign for a petition to the government. At the same time, the unions urged workers to re-elect the Labour Party, the very party responsible for decimating jobs and preparing NZR for privatisation.

The privatised company, renamed Tranz Rail, ran down infrastructure and closed four more regional services. The Labour Party, elected in 1999, arranged the sale of the company to Toll Holdings in 2003, assisted by a $75.8 million government bailout.

In 2008, the Labour government bought back the rail network for $655 million, more than double the 1993 sale price, essentially to bail out Toll, which was losing money.

The return to state ownership, lauded by Butson, only led to further cost-cutting and redundancies, as part of the austerity agenda imposed after the 2008 financial crash. In 2012, 90 jobs were lost with the closure of the Hillside rail workshop in Dunedin, and 158 engineering jobs were scrapped. The union assisted by urging its members to take so-called  voluntary redundancy.

Butson now declares that Labour and its ally, the Greens, are pro-rail and if elected will see real gains for rail in NZ. He adds that the implication that [there] is something wrong with the RMTU donating money to the Labour and Green parties is absurd.

The claim that workers will benefit from a Labour-Green government is a lie. In Auckland and Wellington, councils controlled by former Labour and Green Party MPs are already working with Transdev to attack commuter rail workers (see: Job cuts planned for Auckland rail service).

Both parties have committed to budget responsibility rules, including a strict spending limit and paying down debt, which means deepening Nationals austerity measures. Along with the unions, the opposition parties have scapegoated immigrants who are among the most vulnerable sections of the working class, for low wages, unemployment and destruction of social services, for which governments Labour and National, are responsible.

Following the betrayals of the 1980s, tens of thousands of workers abandoned the Labour Party and the trade unions in disgust. NUR members voted in 1989 to disaffiliate from the Labour Party. In 1995, the newly formed RMTU (a merger of CURE, the NUR, and the Harbour Workers Union) surveyed its members and found that four out of five opposed affiliation with any political party. [7] Nevertheless, in 2006 delegates at the RMTUs annual conference voted to affiliate to Labour.

The RMTUs support for Labour must be taken as a warning that the union is preparing to assist the next government in imposing more attacks.

The RMTU opposes the class struggle

Butson became a union official in 1990, during the period of mass layoffs, and rose to become national secretary in 1999. He fully absorbed the union bureaucracys hostility to strikes and contempt for what he snidely calls the eternal class struggle.

He states: Unless were living through a revolution, industrial action is merely preparation for building organisations and getting back around the table, i.e. to negotiate with management. As history shows, the unions suppression of the class struggle means accepting mass redundancies and wage cuts, along with other attacks demanded by the bosses.

Butson writes: The legal rights around strike action are very limited in New Zealandmore so than anywhere in the OECDand are confined to health and safety related issues and when pursuing claims in collective bargaining. Far from challenging the anti-democratic industrial laws, the unions were instrumental in enacting them and invariably exploit them to intimidate workers who want to take industrial action.

The most draconian anti-strike legislation, the Employment Relations Act, was passed by the 19992008 Labour government and retained by the current National government, with only minor amendments. The law was based on a draft by the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and enshrined the role of the unions as enforcers of efficiency and productivity.

The unions complicity in suppressing industrial action is graphically demonstrated by the plunge in the number of strikes: from a high point of 487 in 1976 to just 13 in 2014, despite the deepening assault on jobs, wages and conditions. The Labour Party now wants to completely ban strikes during industry-wide wage negotiations, a policy supported by the CTU.

As their membership dues base has shrunk, the unions have responded with amalgamations and other methods to prop up their own privileged position. Butson and other RMTU officials derive significant additional income from administering superannuation and accident insurance funds.

New organisations and a new party are needed

We call on workers to draw fundamental political lessons from their bitter experiences with the Labour Party and the unions.

As the Marxist movement explained more than a century ago, the trade unions developed as organisations organically tied to the nation state and the profit system. They subordinated the working class to capitalism by extracting limited concessions for workers on the basis of protected and subsidised national industries. Globalisation has shattered these conditions.

There can be no return to the period of national regulation and reform under capitalism. The unions reactionary agenda cannot be reversed by replacing corrupt leaders or placing pressure on the bureaucracy. The RMTUs contempt for the class struggle is bound up with the historic transformation of the unions into the direct instruments of the ruling class in imposing attacks on jobs and living standards in the name of profits. The only demand of the union leaders is for their own positions to be protected.

Workers in every industry face the alternative of unending redundancies, wage cuts, privatisations and other attacks, or turning to a revolutionary socialist perspective.

As rail workers come into struggle to defend jobs and living conditions, they will inevitably come into conflict not only with KiwiRail, Transdev, the government and councils, but with the RMTU itself. To fight for their basic rights, workers will be compelled to organise independently of the unions and to politically break from all the established parties.

The Socialist Equality Group will provide workers seeking a way forward with every assistance in establishing independent rank-and-file workplace committees, controlled by the workers themselves.

In opposition to the nationalism and anti-immigrant chauvinism promoted by Labour and the unions to divide the working class, these committees will fight for New Zealand workers to base themselves on an internationalist strategy, linking their struggle with those of workers in Europe, Asia, Australia and the US who are facing the same attacks.

Above all, workers in every country need a new party, which seeks to unite them on the basis of a socialist and internationalist perspective. The SEG, in opposition to the unions and the entire political establishment, fights for a workers government and the complete reorganisation of society along socialist lines, in accordance with human need, not profit. The major corporations and banks must be expropriated and placed under the control of the working class. Services such as rail must also be publicly owned and democratically controlled. The billions of dollars made available can then be utilised to organise society on a planned and rational basis in the interests of the vast majority, including the rebuilding and expansion of rail infrastructure, provision of free public transport, and creation of many thousands of decent, well-paid jobs. We urge rail workers to contact us to discuss these issues.

Sources:

[1] Your Life for the Job by Hazel Armstrong, Trade Union History Project, 2013, page 12.

[2] Unionists view of Railways problems and prospects, Rails, March 1989, page 172.

[3] Editorial, New Zealand Locomotive Engineers Journal, April 1986, page 1.

[4] The Presidents Report, New Zealand Locomotive Engineers Journal, October 1988, page 2.

[5] Telling the world about the NZR experience by Kevin Hyde, Rails, July 1989, pages 263-269.

[6] Rails, October 1989, page 57.

[7] The Transport Worker, December 1995, page 9.

The authors also recommend:

No to war and social inequality! For world socialism! Statement of the Socialist Equality Group on the New Zealand election

[19 September 2017]

International Socialist Organisation glorifies deceased Council of Trade Unions leader

[16 November 2016]

A loyal servant of capitalism: New Zealand Order of Merit for trade union head

[12 January 1999]
US Defense Secretary James Mattis had two principal objectives in visiting South Asia this week: to oversee implementation of Trumps new, more aggressive Afghan war strategy and to press India to integrate itself even more fully into Washingtons military-strategic offensive against China.

In separate meetings with Mattis, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the countrys new defence minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, reaffirmed New Delhis readiness to serve as a veritable frontline state for American imperialism in its anti-China offensive.

Mattis and his Indian interlocutors discussed expanding Indo-US military-strategic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region and especially in the Indian Ocean, where they are already sharing intelligence on Chinese ship and submarine movements and where the US is eager for India to take on a bigger role in securing the shipping lanes that convey much of the oil and other resources that fuel Chinas economy. Mattis, Modi, and Sitharaman also discussed putting more energy into expanding weapons co-development and production.

At the talks conclusion, India once again parroted the US line on the South China Sea dispute, insinuating that China is a threat to freedom of navigation and over flight, when in reality it is Washington that is arrogating the right to station an armada off Chinas shores. And New Delhi joined the US in painting North Korea as a grave threat world to peace. This under conditions where the US has deliberately stoked the Korean conflict to place pressure on China, and Mattis has repeatedly joined Trump in making provocative and ominous threats to annihilate the people of North Korea.

But if the Indian-leg of Mattis trip went very much according to the Pentagons script and wishes, this was not true when the US Defence Secretary flew on to Afghanistan.

American imperialisms failure to establish a stable client regime in Afghanistan despite 16 years of brutal counter-insurgency war was highlighted by a bold attack the Taliban mounted on Kabul International Airport, shortly after Mattis landed there Wednesday.

The Taliban said it had expressly targeted Mattis, who as head of the Pentagons Central Command from 2011-13 was directly responsible for the conduct of the US war in Afghanistan

The Pentagon, for its part, has sought to downplay the significance of Wednesdays attack. It insists the defence secretary was never in danger and had left the airportwhich bristles with NATO personnel and is supposed to be one of the most secure and fortified places in Afghanistanbefore the Taliban launched its rocket-grenade assault.

Even US media reports have conceded that the attack, which forced the closure of the airport for most of the day, was a rude reminder of the embattled character of Afghanistans corrupt and widely despised pro-US government. The Taliban reportedly controls outright or has a major presence in at least 40 percent of the impoverished Central Asian country, higher than any time since the US invaded in 2001.

For several hours after the airport attack, gunfire could be heard as an elite Afghan military unit sought to hunt for the Taliban attackers, whom they claimed were holed up in buildings adjacent to the airport. Ultimately, US air strikes were called in, leading to civilian casualties, including the wounding of six members of a single family.

The Pentagon has sought to blame the civilian casualties on a malfunctioning missile, but local residents seethed with anger over the US militarys treatment of the Afghan people

US troops dropped bombs on a residential area, Mohammed Amin told Al-Jazeera. How can they say it was mistake? We understand one time, two times, but not forever! They kill us, civilians, and call it a mistake all the time.

Haji Rabbani, whose family members were injured by the US air strikes, told Agence France-Presse, They do not target the enemies in front of their eyesthey target our house and kill our people.

Recent UN reports have pointed to the major role that US air strikes have played in a surge in civilian Afghan war casualties.

While in Kabul, Mattis met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, as well as US military leaders, to discuss implementation of the new war strategy Trump announced in late August.

It calls for an open-ended, i.e. permanent, US occupation of Afghanistan; for the deployment of thousands more US and NATO troops beyond the current 11,000 American and 13,500 NATO forces; and for US commanders to be given a free hand in conducting air strikes and Special Forces operations, setting aside the limited restrictions placed on them due to mounting Afghan protests over civilian casualties and abuse.

At a press conference, Mattis denounced the Taliban as terrorists, while providing next to no details on what was discussed in his various meetings. I dont want to tell the enemy exactly what we are doing, said Mattis, adding that his objective is to always have a compelling battlefield advantage over anything the Taliban tries to mass against American and Afghan government forces.

A further key element in the new US strategy is to bully Pakistan into attacking any and all Taliban safe-havens in its Afghan borderlands.

This has included threats to slash or terminate payments to Pakistan for its logistical support of US-NATO forces in Afghanistan, to end all US arms sales, and to encourage India, Pakistans arch-rival, to play a greater role in Afghanistan. Some Trump aides have suggested the US renounce Pakistans status as a Major Non-NATO US ally and even more menacingly declare it a state-sponsor of terrorism.

Mattis did not include Pakistan on the itinerary of his South Asia trip, although Afghanistan was an important topic in his discussions with the Indian prime minister and defence minister. New Delhi announced its support for Trumps Afghan policy almost as soon as it was announced.

This is not only because the Modi government wants to ingratiate itself with Washington. India has its own ambitions to use an expanded economic and strategic presence in Afghanistan as a means of laying claim to a share of Central Asias energy resources. It also views any further souring of US-Pakistani relations as a boost to its own drive to bully and isolate Islamabad and compel it to acknowledge India as the regional hegemon.

The US threats have caused much anger and trepidation in Pakistani ruling circles. In the immediate aftermath of Trumps speech outlining his new Afghan war policy, several military and government spokesmen defiantly said that were Washington to ever act on its anti-Pakistan threats, Islamabad would respond by expanding its military-strategic partnership with China and turning toward Russia.

In recent weeks, however, this bravado has been replaced by somber warnings from within the establishment that Pakistan must persist in trying to prevent further deterioration of its relations with Washington, because it cannot afford to be deprived of US support in the event its fragile economy tanks.

Pakistan has provided pivotal logistical support to the US occupation of Afghanistan for the past 16 years and has razed much of its Federally Administered Tribal Areas to suppress Taliban allied groups. But fearful of Washingtons ever warmer strategic embrace of its arch-enemy India and anxious to ensure it has a say in any political settlement of the Afghan War, the Pakistani military has maintained covert ties with sections of the anti-US insurgency in Afghanistan, especially the Haqqani Network.

Speaking in New York on Tuesday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif pleaded for understanding from Washington. Asif pointed to how the US had used and discarded Pakistan in its proxy war with the Soviet Union, including enjoining Islamabad to organize and arm the mujahideen in Afghanistan. Dont blame us for the Haqqanis or the Hafiz Saeeds [leader of the LeT, an Islamist militia active in the anti-Indian insurgency in disputed Kashmir], implored Asif. These were people who were your darlings just 20 to 30 years back. They were being dined and wined in the White House and now you say go to hell Pakistanis because you are nurturing these people.

Asifs comment were self-serving, but he touched on a key truth. The US war on terror is a fraud. Washington has repeatedly used Islamist militia and terrorists as its proxies in regime-change wars, including currently in Syria.

US imperialism seized on the 9-11 eventswhose perpetrators were almost all Saudis, not Afghanis, and who had ties to Saudi intelligenceto invade Afghanistan, so as to establish a strategic beachhead in oil-rich Central Asia. Sixteen years on, it continues to view Afghanistan as an important strategic prize for which it is ready to shed blood and treasure because of Central Asian oil and Afghan mineral wealth. But even more importantly, because of Afghanistans proximity to many of its most important strategic rivalsRussia, China, and Iran.

Thus the slaughter in Afghanistan grinds on, with Trump now giving the Pentagon the green light to prosecute the war with even more ferocity and callous indifference to the Afghani people.
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Stephanie and Arynn went viral for their steamy photo shoot. (Facebook/Wolf & Rose Photography)

A plus-size  and reportedly pregnant  woman who went viral for a body-positive photo shoot with her fiance says the steamy session caused her to be fired from her job.

Stephanie and Arynn (who prefer to not have their last names used) are a newly engaged couple from Overton, Texas, and recently posed for a sweet photo shoot, which went viral for its celebration of body love.

Shot by Wolf & Rose Photography, the images show a topless Stephanie straddling Arynn, the couple standing knee-deep in water, and the two kissing passionately. A couple of weeks ago, the photos were posted to Wolf & Roses Facebook page, where they received 66,000 reactions and thousands of comments that called the couple beautiful and inspired others to feel comfortable in their own skin.

I honestly have never felt more attractive, Stephanie told HuffPost about the shoot. I was so nervous to see the final result. I didnt know what to expect. But when I saw the album, I was shocked. I look so in love and confident. Every person should be able to see themselves in that light. It is really eye-opening.

However, on Friday, Stephanie told BuzzFeed that her employer, Austin Bank Texas, expressed concern about the images  and went so far as to let her go.

They said I was topless, and it was inappropriate and were a family-oriented company, Stephanie told the publication, adding, There was no defending myself, they had made their decision. I gave over a year to a company that I worked really hard for and then to have them turn on me for doing something so positive, something that I was so proud of  to help myself as a woman  it was hurtful. People were pulling out their phones at work and showing the pictures and that was blamed on me.

Photo: Facebook/Wolf & Rose Photography

A bank representative told Yahoo Lifestyle that, per HR policy, it doesnt comment on personnel matters. However, the story has been gaining traction on Twitter, where one person wrote in part, Men get modeling contracts when their pics go viral

Story continues

Yahoo Lifestyle could not reach Stephanie and Arryn for comment, but Bria Terry of Wolf & Rose Photography tells Yahoo Lifestyle that Stephanie has already landed a new job. Its hard because Stephanie is 20 weeks pregnant and she isnt yet eligible for paid maternity leave or health insurance, she says.

Photo: Facebook/Wolf & Rose Photography

On Friday, Terry penned a Facebook post in support of the couple, which read, I completely understand that it is perfectly within the companys rights to terminate someone. Texas is an at will state, and legally her employer did nothing wrong, but I cannot help but wonder how a company who claims to uphold family values can morally terminate an otherwise model employee who is 20+ weeks pregnant with her first child. Their decision not only stripped her of her insurance which is without a doubt a major necessity while pregnant, but also her paid maternity leave.

Thank you BuzzFeed for sharing this story! I completely understand that it is perfectly within the company's rights to Posted by Wolf & Rose Photography on Friday, September 29, 2017

Stephanie doesnt regret doing the shoot, Terry tells Yahoo Lifestyle. She said if it helped even one person feel more confident, it was worth it.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
There are many places the first ladys book donations could go  but apparently Cambridgeport Elementary School is not one of them.

The librarian at an elementary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, recently turned down a shipment of Dr. Seuss books from Melania Trump, criticizing the first ladys choices as a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for childrens literature.

The books were sent as part of a White House effort to mark National Read a Book Day on Sept. 6. One school from each state was chosen to receive ten Dr. Seuss books along with a letter from the first lady that read: Getting an education is perhaps the most important and wondrous opportunity of your young lives, reports CBS Boston.

But Cambridgeport Elementary Schools librarian, Liz Phipps Soeiro, rejected the books  and explained why in an editorial for The Horn Books reading blog.

My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science. Multiple studies show that schools with professionally staffed libraries improve student performance, she wrote.

Phipps Soeiro also faulted the first ladys choice of books, which included The Cat in the Hat; One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish; The Foot Book; Green Eggs and Ham; and Oh, the Places Youll Go!, CBS Boston reported.

You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for childrens literature. As First Lady of the United States, you have an incredible platform with world-class resources at your fingertips, the librarian also wrote, adding. Another fact that many people are unaware of is that Dr. Seusss illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes. Open one of his books and youll see the racist mockery in his art.

Several parents who spoke to CBS Boston while picking up their children outside the elementary school on Wednesday voiced their support for the librarian.

Story continues

Thats the librarians prerogative and I support her decision, said parent Eric Munson.

But the Cambridge school district reportedly released a statement saying Phipps Soeiro was not authorized to accept or reject donated books on behalf of the school or school district.

We have counseled the employee on all relevant policies, including the policy against public resources being used for political purposes, the statement added.
The Sato Project, founded to rescue the strays of Dead Dog Beach, believes all the dogs washed away during the storm

Puerto Ricos Dead Dog Beach could take on an even darker meaning following Hurricane Maria.

Before the storm, the sandy stretch was infamous among animal rescue groups, who knew it as the spot where people went to abandon their abused and neglected pets.

Now, Christina Beckles, founder of the Sato Project, worries there are no dogs left to save.

On a recent rescue trip to the ravaged country, the New Yorker who started her non-profit to save and rehome the forgotten dogs of Puerto Rico, found no canines left on Dead Dog Beach, leading her to believe all of them washed away during Hurricane Maria.

Once the hugs and tears were over, the first thing we all wanted to do was go to the beach to look for our feral dogs, Beckles wrote in a Facebook post about the heartbreaking trip. Sadly, we did not find them and our hearts are heavy with the reality upon seeing the utter devastation at the beach  they did not survive.

This is just one of the mounting tragedies Puerto Rico is facing following the devastating storm.

Its a war zone, Beckles told the New York Post. There is no power or water. We are under curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Food is becoming scarce and people are getting desperate. Looting has already begun. The lines to get gas are seven to ten hours long  to receive $10 worth of gas.

The animal rescuer lost her own home on the island because of Hurricane Maria. On her most recent trip to Puerto Rico, Beckles found her home flooded with six feet of water contaminated with raw sewage.

We had to wade through thigh high black water to get to it. Everything we own is gone, she said.

It is the sense of community that is getting Beckles through. And while Dead Dog Beach is barren, Sato Project has still found there are animals that need help during this difficult time.

We have rescued three dogs since the hurricane  all dumped during the storm. One is heavily pregnant and was with a small puppy, Beckles said.

These dogs are scheduled to be transported off the island on Friday.
President Trump says his tax plan wont benefit him, but heres the truth

President Donald Trump made a bold claim as he unveiled his tax reform plan this week: He says he wont benefit from it.

Speaking at a rally in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Trump rolled out a nine-page tax plan that remains a work in progress. But some of the details included in the plan right now would likely help the Presidents bottom line.

Im doing the right thing and its not good for me, believe me, he said.

Of course, Trump was the first major-party presidential candidate since 1976 not to release his tax returns, so its hard to say exactly how hell be affected.

But based on tax returns which have become public and what we know of his finances, there are at least three key ways he could benefit.

What weve seen is just an outline, but its important to appreciate that while theres a lot of vagueness  especially about how middle class and working class will benefit theyre very specific about particular tax cuts theyd be doing for the wealthy and the ultra-wealthy, said Jacob Leibenluft, a senior advisor at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Theres a lot of hand-waving in the proposal that they might have an extra higher rate for the wealthy, but theres no indication on how theyll do that.

Heres how the tax plan would be good for Trump.

1. Trump wouldnt have to pay the alternative minimum tax

The alternative minimum tax, or AMT, which dates back to a tax bill passed in 1969, is a backup measure designed to ensure wealthy taxpayers dont end up paying too little.

Since upper-class Americans can take advantage of various deductions and loopholes in the tax code, the federal government requires them to complete a secondary tax form which looks at things like trusts and estates. If that amount is higher than the tax owed on the regular form, they have to pay the difference.

According to a leaked 2005 Triump tax return, the New York real estate mogul saw his tax bill go from $5.3 million to $36.5 million thanks to the alternative minimum tax. If it had not been in effect that year, he would have saved $31 million.

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Related article: This signed drawing by Donald Trump is going up for auction

2. Trumps family wouldnt have to pay the estate tax

The estate tax is levied when people inherit money from a loved one who has died  which is why conservative critics have often referred to it as the death tax. Under current law, the first $11 million of an estate is not taxed for a married couple, so it only applies to the wealthiest taxpayers.

The tax is calculated using a complicated formula, but at the upper end it can be as much as 40% on the inheritance over the exempt amount.

Estimates of Trumps net worth vary, with financial journalists pegging it at about $3 billion, while Trump himself claims it is more than $10 billion. But regardless, its clear that Trumps family would stand to gain if the estate tax were eliminated.

Related article: 50 Cent says Donald Trumps campaign offered him $500,000 to help appeal to Black voters

3. Trumps business would benefit from the treatment of pass-through corporations

When a small-business owner makes money, is that corporate or personal income? Thats a question the tax code attempts to address with its treatment of so-called pass-through corporations, where the corporate income passes through to the owner.

Though pass-through corporations are supposed to be mom-and-pop shops, they have become more popular among the wealthy in recent years as a way of categorizing their income under the lower personal income tax rate rather than the corporate tax rate. The Tax Policy Center calculated that about 85% of the net benefit of the change would go to the top 1% of earners.

Under the plan Trump unveiled, pass-through corporations would face a 25% tax, essentially reducing the rate by 14.6 percentage points.

The Trump Organization, the Presidents umbrella for his varied corporate interests, owns more than 500 pass-through business entities, all of which would see their tax rate go down.

This article originally appeared in Time.com
Designer Rick Owenss show at Paris Fashion Week went instantly viral online because it was instantly theatrical IRL.

Yet another wacky Paris Fashion Week show from Rick Owens. (Photo: Getty Images)

The looks he sent down the runway are a bit hard to describe  picture everything from wearable bed sheets (with built-in pillow) to structured geometric shapes that look straight out of an early Lady Gaga tour. In fact, the shredded, boxy costume-like structures on the runway looked a whole lot like SpongeBob SquarePants decided to drop in on Paris Fashion Week.

The models take to the catwalk. (Photo: Getty Images)

The avant-garde pieces left many speechless, but thankfully Twitter was not. People were not afraid to poke fun both at his collection and at the fact that Owens passed out ponchos to the shows attendees to protect them from a spraying water fountain on site.

Rick Owens new collection looks like when I used to try to make princess gowns by wrapping myself in my bedsheets as a kid, one user wrote. The best part of Rick Owens was the soundtrack of maniacal laughter as he ruined everyones blowouts with his spritzing fountain backdrop, tweeted Matthew Schneier of the New York Times. When you need to take your couch on the go, joked someone on Twitter.

Rick Owens SS18 speaking my language. pic.twitter.com/oeeaVL0oSu  Luke (@GodfreyYouth) September 28, 2017

Rick Owens new collection "bride on hen do gets TP'd" pic.twitter.com/cVk912Pmo9  Andy Black (@andyblackab) September 29, 2017

People had a lot of takes on the new Owens collection, and share those takes they did.

How kindergarteners feels after free play.  Matthew Brandt (@mattbrandt1125) September 28, 2017

Rick needs therapy  Under the Radar (@retail_recruit) September 28, 2017

When you need to take your couch on the go. That new Rick Owens got you covered. pic.twitter.com/7vvTrE6vh6  Coreyyyy. (@YoungCorey) September 28, 2017

Me reviewing Rick Owens pic.twitter.com/r9G7j3zdCR  Matthew Schneier (@MatthewSchneier) September 28, 2017

Rick Owens.The troll is strong with this one pic.twitter.com/e8gCmRQ5FJ  Tim White (@itstimwhite) September 28, 2017

Rick Owens has got the whole fashion world to wear black plastic ponchos/garbage bags for his show. Only #PFW pic.twitter.com/6mR3NlxxEz  Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) September 28, 2017

Of course, even those mocking him had to admit the shocking looks were still works of art.

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think art?  V. Facundo Pessio (@VFPessio) September 28, 2017

I love unconventional looks and reading people's reactions. Rick Owens is a genius. Can't wait to read the meaning behind this collection. https://t.co/TEfbT169BS  Luna  Denise (@LunaDenise) September 28, 2017

I know this should make me hate Rick Owens, but it only makes me love him more. https://t.co/OHgqsyKXCN  Fritzie Andrade (@JournalistFritz) September 28, 2017

With a SpongeBob SquarePants musical coming to Broadway this fall, might we suggest Rick Owens for costume designer. Between a splash zone and his square, shredded designs, it would take only some fabric dye to turn his SS18 vision into Bikini Bottom-worthy looks.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram , Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




A team of scientists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) announced Wednesday they successfully detected another gravitational wave  the fourth so far  after two black holes collided in space.

GW170814, named after the day it was detected, is a black hole collision that happened 2 billion years ago. The space-time ripples caused by the collision were also picked up by the Virgo detector in Pisa, Italy. The discovery by both LIGO and its European cousin  announced at the meeting of G7 science ministers in Turin, Italy  adds a new layer of information about gravitational waves.

The collision happened at a distance of over 1.8 billion light-years from the Milky Way. The two black holes involved were estimated to be roughly 31 and 25 times the mass of our sun. The spinning black hole that was created as a result is about 53 times the sun's mass. The shockwaves of the collision reached the LIGO observatory in Livingston, Louisiana, first. Eight milliseconds later, they lit up instruments at the LIGO observatory in Hanford, Washington. It reached Virgo 6 milliseconds later.

This marks the fourth confirmed detection of two black holes merging.

"It is tantalizing to see this new story of how black holes formed and evolved through history of the cosmos," Sheila Rowan of Glasgow University told BBC News. The available information on the subject was growing but the complete picture was not yet clear, she added.

Observations made by LIGO in September 2015 proved Einsteins century-old prediction about the interaction of gravitational waves and space. The multiple sets of data obtained  this time from the same wave  have helped scientists further detect the shape of the path the waves travel along by studying the polarization of gravitational waves. This was a second major prediction made in the theory of relativity and the different angle of alignment of the waves, in respect to Virgo, allowed for a unique view-point, leading to the confirmation.

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Virgo started operations on a scale parallel to LIGO on Aug. 1. It follows the model set by LIGO and the data it collects will prove crucial in zeroing in on the location, which is somewhere in the region centred around the Eridanus constellation.

The signal detected, though faint, was enough to ascertain because of the three points of detection. The team was able to detect the gravitational wave, and this will help focus efforts on the right region of space, leading to more constructive data.

These ripples are detected with lasers which are passed through miles-long tunnels. The laser beam undergoes interference when there are changes in the fabric of space-time of almost up to the width of a proton, according to a report by GeekWire.

"This is just the beginning of observations with the network enabled by Virgo and LIGO working together. With the next observing run planned for late 2018, we can expect such detections weekly or even more often, David Shoemaker, a physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and spokesperson for the LIGO collaboration said in a Guardian report.

The three detectors will together enable the team to be more precise about the origin of these waves. Studying these waves and understanding the interaction they have with different objects could prove to be an excellent tool to locate objects in the universe, the team said at a news conference on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.

The location of the gravitational wave discovered in August was pinpointed to a location 10 times more precise than the three previous recordings. The team said the fourth wave helped them prove an aspect of Einsteins theory of relativity which was not possible before.

Related Articles
PARIS (Reuters) - Some 700 French adults, one-third of them women, and about 500 children are in jihadi-held areas in Iraq and Syria, an official at the French president's office said on Friday, raising potential legal challenges over how to handle them. The presidency official said that half of the 500 children were born there, and in total about 2,000 French nationals or residents had gone to the two countries, of whom between 200 and 300 had been killed. France, like other European nations, is wrestling with how to deal with those returning from the conflict. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, said in August that 271 jihadi militants had gone back to France and were under investigation. Around 1,400 foreign wives and children of suspected Islamic State fighters are being held by Iraqi authorities in a camp after government forces expelled the jihadist group from one of its last remaining strongholds in Iraq. (Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Beirut (AFP) - The Islamic State group has killed at least 73 Syrian government troops and allied fighters in surprise attacks on their positions in a desert region, a monitor said on Friday.

The deaths came in Thursday attacks launched as the jihadist group faces a Russian-backed regime offensive against some of its last bastions.

The extremist group claimed the attacks against several positions south of the town of Sukhna in central Homs province, saying its fighters had killed dozens of regime troops.

The attacks come a day after IS released what it said was an audio recording of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the first in a year, in which he urged resistance.

Syrian troops pushed through the vast desert that separates the main cities of the west from the Euphrates Valley this summer and broke an IS siege of nearly three years on government enclaves in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor earlier this month.

Thursday's attacks targeted government forces around Deir Ezzor and on their supply lines through the Sukhna area from the west, the Observatory said.

"The first attacks were carried out against checkpoints manned by loyalist troops in Al-Shula," a village near Deir Ezzor, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

"IS then carried out a series of attacks against checkpoints along the length of the motorway from Al-Shula to south of Sukhna."

Syrian state media made no mention of the army's losses, but said its troops "confronted an attack by the terrorist Daesh group on the highway between Deir Ezzor and Palmyra, deep in the Badia desert."

State news agency SANA said the army had "inflicted heavy losses on the ranks of the terrorists", adding that units were "currently working to clear remaining Daesh terrorists from the area and secure the highway for traffic".

The Observatory said at least 45 IS fighters had been killed in the fighting.

The attacks by the jihadists came as they face multiple offensives against the last bastions of their self-proclaimed caliphate.

In addition to the Russian-backed government offensive, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters is battling the group, which is also under attack in neighbouring Iraq.
Update: The Air Force school announced in November that one of the victims of the racial slurs had written them as a hoax.

The superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy demanded tolerance Thursday in a passionate speech to his cadets  days after black students at the academys preparatory school found racial slurs written on message boards outside their rooms.

Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, who runs the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., told his cadets that they should be outraged, not only as an airman, but as a human being.

Earlier in the week, Go home with a racial epithet was written outside the dormitory rooms of five black cadet candidates at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, the Air Force Times reported.

While the incident didnt occur on his campus, Silveria nonetheless acknowledged, I would be naive, and we would all be naive, to think that everything is perfect here.

We would also be tone-deaf not to think about the backdrop of whats going on in our country  things like Charlottesville and Ferguson, the protests in the NFL, he added, noting the productive civil discourse that resulted from an organized discussion on campus about the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., in August.

Silveria also extolled the power that we come from all walks of life, that we come from all parts of this country, that we come from all races, we come from all backgrounds, gender, all makeups, all upbringing.

The power of that diversity comes together and makes us that much more powerful, he said.

As he wound down the speech, Silveria had straightforward advice for his audience, offering for his cadets to use their phones to record his closing message.

If you need it and you need my words, then you keep these words, he said. And you use them and you remember them and you share them and you talk about them: If you cant treat someone with dignity and respect, then get out.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Theres not a lot you can say about the new Blade Runner, except that its even better than the original, which is considered one of the greatest science-fiction films of all time.

What Ridley Scott built in the first movie, director Denis Villeneuve turns into another masterpiece. You can shuffle through whatever phrases youd like: tour de force, piece de resistance, the Ford Awakens.

Ill try to get a bit more specific, but everything from the first scene to the last is a spoiler. Theres even a little text on screen just setting up exposition that Id love to tell you about, but nah. If I said anything, Warner Bros. would own my life or something. Im not exactly sure.

The studio is so anxious about potential spoilers getting out that it made critics at the screening sign an NDA. From my experience, thats atypical. But I just signed my life away like it was an iTunes service agreement because who has time to read those? I have to jam to sick beats immediately. After the screening and the NDA, the publicist then followed up with a phone call to additionally tell me everything I couldnt talk about in interviews with the cast.

I got my call while at Cracker Barrel. They have breakfast all day, so they have me all day. I learned pretty quickly that when a heated game of checkers is going on behind you and the lemonades a-flowin, its pretty hard to hear there. Thankfully, I already knew what couldnt be discussed: Everything.

(Photo: Stephen Vaughan/Warner Bros)

Speaking with Harrison Ford and Jared Leto, they also couldnt really say much about the movie. The iTunes agreement mustve gotten to them, too. Though, their reactions were effusive.

Ford told me he was delighted over the film and would later tell Build Series host Ricky Camilleri its fucking awesome. Leto said the screenplay was absolutely mind-blowing.

It was an incredible script. I was so happy they were making another one regardless of if I was in it or not, said Leto.

The official synopsis tells us:

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Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge whats left of society into chaos. Ks discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

Thanks for nothin, Warner Bros. Thats barely even setting it up.

Though, after watching the movie, its clear why they want the secrecy. I wouldnt want to spoil it for anyone, anyway. A movie like this doesnt come along often. Its not Cracker Barrel breakfast.

What I can say is this new tale makes the original feel more like a prologue. Its necessary backstory  you know, being one of the best sci-fi films ever  but its still backstory, leading to what we get in 2049.

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(Photo: Courtesy of Alcon Entertainment)

The performances are excellent across the board. Gosling, Ford, Leto, Robin Wright and Ana de Arma are all brilliant, but perhaps the real star is Villeneuves dystopian Los Angeles.

The first Blade Runner was known for stunning visuals of a high-tech yet dilapidated future. 2049 carries on this idea with a mesmerizing color palette presented by Villeneuve and production designer Dennis Gassner. Flashy, futuristic advertisements beg for your attention, while the ominous lighting at Niander Wallaces (Leto) facilities sets a perfectly menacing tone for a practical reason. Wallace himself is visually impaired. Its not just dark to be cool.

(Photo: Stephen Vaughan)

As Avril Lavigne once said, Its more punk to tell people youre not punk than to sit there and say that you are punk.

Thats so punk.

At the core of the film is the same question raised in the first Blade Runner and at the center of the Philip K. Dick novel that inspired it: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? aka What does it mean to be human?

In the world of Blade Runner, replicants are retired not murdered, so youll be pondering that a lot.

Ford knows all about it. The humanity of his own character, Rick Deckard, has been open to interpretation and speculated on since the first film, which Ford says indicates the quality of the discourse.

If Leto had his way, that question would continue into the future.

For me, Blade Runner is Star Wars. Its that expansive. Its a universe I hope that they expand upon and tell more stories from, said Leto.

Roy Battys (Rutger Hauer) famous speech from the end of the original Blade Runner reminds us how some moments can be lost in time. Dont expect that to happen with 2049.

Blade Runner 2049 hits theaters Oct. 6.

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"Laura" (1944) - 100 Percent

"Obsessed" isn't just a Beyonce movie. It's also the theme here.

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Aliens love Reese's Pieces.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
The drama and conflict between Ariel Winter and her mother, Crystal Workman, continues.

In an interview with Inside Edition, Workman accused the "Modern Family" star of reigniting their feud because she enjoys the attention she gets from it. She also denied Winter's claims that she dressed the actress in an inappropriate manner.

"She continues to attack me. It's heartbreaking," Workman said. "I think she wants the headlines. I think she craves attention. If that means throwing your mother under the bus and hurting her and breaking her heart, she's going to do it."

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Winter shared that at the age of 7 she was already sexualized. Her mom would dress her in "the smallest miniskirts, sailor suits, low-cut things, the shortest dresses you've ever seen. People thought I was 24 when I was 12. If there was going to be a nude scene when I was that age, my mother would have a thousand percent said yes."

When Workman was asked about Winter's manner of dressing, which the latter attributed to her choices for her daughter when she was still a kid, Workman said it was "ridiculous." "She was lying," Winter's mom said.

Although Workman denied her daughter's claims, Winter's on-set teacher supported the actress' allegations. According to Sharon Sacks, Winter would sometimes arrive on set hungry and sleep deprived.

"I would order a couple lunches in my name so Ariel could eat one of them. I could tell she was hungry. Boiled chicken and cucumbers isn't going to do it for a growing kid," Sacks told THR. "Her mother kept her out late at night at these ridiculous parties. She was 12 and 13 years old and had to be on set at 6:30, 7."

In related news, back in June, Winter was rumored to be supporting her boyfriend, Levi Meaden, financially. The "Sofia the First" actress denied that she's bankrolling the love of her life. She added that Meaden does not need her money because he has a full career.

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"I have a BOYFRIEND and a PERSONAL ASSISTANT who are NOT the same person. I would NEVER pay my boyfriend ANY sort of allowance, nor would he EVER accept if I offered," Winter posted on Instagram. "He BUYS his own stuff whether its for me or for himself, and he more than pulls his weight for our life."

Ariel Winter

Photo: Getty Images/Mike Windle

Related Articles
Tensions between the United States and North Korea are now so high that war is a real possibility that Britain must prepare for, a respected defence think tank has warned.

Such a conflict would result in hundreds of thousands of casualties, severely disrupt the global economy, and have profound implications for the political and diplomatic landscape of East Asia, the report for the Royal United Services Institute said.

US bombers accompanied by fighter jets flew off the east coast of North Korea on September 23, in a show of force Credit: STEVEN SCHNEIDER/AFP PHOTO / US ARMY

This report is not saying that war is likely. But the probability of war is an uncomfortably real prospect, said Professor Malcolm Chalmers, who authored the report.

Tensions between North Korea and the US have escalated over the past year as Pyongyang pursues a nuclear weapons programme that it says is intended to achieve a "balance of power" with the US and deter an American-led regime change operation of the kind that toppled Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.

US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers would be at the forefront of an air attack on North Korea Credit: SGT. JOSHUA SMOOT/US AIR FORCE HANDOUT

A series of missile and nuclear tests this year have left US officials concerned that Pyongyang is closer than previously thought to developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting America.

Donald Trump, the US president, has threatened to use military force to halt Kim Jong-uns weapons programme.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the launch of a Hwasong-12 missile Credit: KCNA KCNA/Reuters

Other senior US officials have made clear that Washington would not accept a North Korean nuclear deterrent similar to that possessed by Russia or China and that all options, including military force, would be considered to prevent it.

On Thursday, China ordered all North Korean businesses and ventures operating on its territory to close within 120 days, after the United Nations imposed fresh sanctions against Pyongyang.

North Koreas nuclear progress - estimated yields per test

China is North Korea's main trading partner and North Korean firms operating there provide the country with a crucial source of foreign currency.

Adam Smith, a former staffer on Barack Obama's National Security Council, warned Thursday that the US had "reached the end of its diplomatic tether" and that this round of sanctions may be the last.

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"We can only hope, then, that the economic ramifications for North Korea of these sanctions will be sufficient enough to help avoid an otherwise globally destabilising conflict," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

Professor Chalmers said he believed a "deterrent relationship" between the US and North Korea remained the most likely outcome of the crisis, despite the rhetoric.

South Korean forces would almost certainly be drawn into the war on the US side if hostilities broke out Credit: Ahn Young-joon/AP

But he warned war could erupt as the result of a limited preemptive US attack aimed at disrupting Pyongyangs nuclear weapons programme, or a North Korean attack on South Korea, Japan, or the US.

Either scenario would likely escalate to a full scale war culminating in a US invasion of North Korea, accompanied by a massive cyber and air campaign to destroy and disrupt communications and command and control, the report says.

What analysts believe may be a North Korean Hwasong 12 missile was seen during a military parade in Pyongyang in April Credit: Wong Maye-E/AP

North Korea would likely launch a barrage of artillery and tactical missiles in the direction of Seoul, the South Korean capital, resulting in high civilian casualties.

Technologically superior US and South Korean forces would probably defeat North Korea's "million man" army in pitched battle, and North's generals would likely resort to partisan-style "asymmetric" tactics and possibly use nuclear weapons to counter that imbalance of power, the report says.

Members of the North Korea's People's Security Council take part an anti-U.S. rally on September 23 Credit: KCNA/Reuters

Professor Chalmers called on the British government to urge the US against considering a preventive first strike against North Korea and to consult with regional allies, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia, about how best to handle the crisis.

The warning came as North Korea escalated a war of words with the US by calling Donald Trump an "old lunatic." In a statement, North Koreas foreign ministry accused Mr Trump of "slander" and exploiting the memory of the dead after he said an American student who died after being held in North Korea for over a year had been tortured.

"Rocket man" Kim Jong Un and "old lunatic" Donald Trump have engaged in an acrimonious - and increasingly creative - exchange of insults and threats. Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP

Otto Warmbier, who was arrested and imprisoned for stealing a propaganda poster while visiting the North as a tourist in January 2016, died in June this year days after he was released from custody and sent home in a mysterious coma.

Warmbiers parents said in a television interview on Wednesday that their son was returned to the US blind, deaf, and that it looked like someone had taken a pair of pliers and rearranged his bottom teeth.

University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier died after more than a year in North Korean custody Credit: REUTERS/Kyodo/File Photo

Mr Trump tweeted afterwards: Otto was tortured beyond belief by North Korea.

North Korea has denied torturing Mr Warmbier and said it provided him with medical care.

"The fact that the old lunatic Trump and his riff-raff slandered the sacred dignity of our supreme leadership, using bogus data full of falsehood and fabrications, only serves to redouble the surging hatred of our army and people towards the U.S.," the ministry said in a statement issued by the KCNA news agency yesterday.

An Ohio coroner on Wednesday said her office was unable to determine what caused the brain damage that led to Warmbier's death, other than it stemmed from oxygen deprivation more than a year before his death.

"Could that have been torture at the time? We don't know," Dr Lakshmi Sammarco said.
British climber Andrew Foster who has been crushed to death by falling rocks at Yosemite National Park while hiking with his wife, who was also badly hurt.

A British climber has been crushed to death by falling rocks at Yosemite National Park while hiking with his wife as they celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

Andrew Foster, 32, died after more than 1,000 tonnes of rock fell from the face of the El Capitan monolith on Wednesday.

It emerged last night he died protecting his wife Lucy, 28, who remains in a critical condition.

She told her family that she is only alive because her husband saw the rock and jumped in to save her.

Gillian Stephens, Mr Fosters aunt, told The Times: She said: Andrew saved my life. He dived on top of me as soon as he could see what was going to happen. He saved my life. 

British climber Andrew Foster who has been crushed to death by falling rocks at Yosemite National Park while hiking with his wife, who was also badly hurt.

The pair, who live in Cardiff, had been living their "big dream" enjoying their love of climbing ahead of a year of travelling together.

They were at the end of a three-week trip to Yosemite National Park in California and had saved the most difficult climb until last.

They had been scouting out a route on the iconic rockface El Capitan when the "sheet" of granite fell on them.

British climber Andrew Foster, from Cardiff, who has been crushed to death by falling rocks at Yosemite National Park.

Rangers on the national park beauty spot said the granite, measuring 40 metres by 20 metres, fell from a height of 200 metres while the couple were below and buried them.

Experienced climber Mr Foster, originally from Cheltenham, was killed instantly but rescuers managed to reach his wife and she was airlifted to hospital where she is in a "critical" condition.

British climber Andrew Foster who has been crushed to death by falling rocks at Yosemite National Park while hiking with his wife, who was also badly hurt.

One witness, Mike Kane, tweeted that the collapse was "very loud", adding it was a "miracle more (were) not hurt".

Meanwhile, a second rockfall at the site on Thursday left one person injured who was airlifted to hospital.

The couple, who married in August last year, had climbed some of the most difficult rock faces in the UK but wanted to test themselves in the Yosemite National Park.

They told friends it was their "big dream" and described themselves as Yosemite virgins.

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They flew to the US on September 11 along with friends who were also experienced climbers.

The day before the tragedy Mr Foster was pictured in the national park looking exhausted and smiling at the camera.

His wife put a chilling caption underneath saying: "Yosemite has broken Andy."

Dust pours from El Capitan, where Andrew Foster was killed Credit: Jon Kameen/PA

The pair were hit by the falling boulders the next day as they planned the highlight of their holiday.

It was the first climbing fatality in the national park in 18 years.

They had been planning for their climb for months and were writing a detailed blog of their experiences and preparation for it.

Mr Foster had written: "Yosemite is an awesome place and for many climbers is one of the many places to go before you die. Big Walls often scare most UK climbers just due to the size but with the right attitude and a basic understanding of the skill then youre in with a good chance of bashing out a route that you will remember for the rest of your life."

The yellow outline shows the scale of the rock that fell from El Capitan Credit: NPS/PA

The couple, who met at Cardiff University, were also keen skiers and Mr Foster proposed while they were on a slope in the French Alps in March 2015.

On their blog they say: "We are a young married couple who enjoy nothing more than getting out and having adventures in the mountains together.

"We are not extreme athletes and describe ourselves simply as passionate weekend warriors.

A woman is carried into a helicopter after being rescued off El Capitan after the major rock fall Credit: Dakota Snider /AP

"We hope to inspire other people to get out and experience the natural world."

Mr Foster was a manager with outdoors equipment and clothing company Patagonia, colleagues described him as a "much loved" member of the team.

Alex Beasley, Country Manager, UK & Ireland, Patagonia said: "It is with much sadness that we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague Andrew Foster, who was killed in a tragic accident in Yosemite.

"Andrew was a sales representative working in our UK team and had been with the business for five years.

"He was a much-loved member of our team and a passionate climber, mountaineer and skier who loved being in the outdoors.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Lucy and their families. We offer them our deepest sympathies."

A second rock fall in two days hits Yosemite National Park Credit: Peter Zabrok/AP

Mrs Foster, from Market Drayton, Shropshire, also worked in the same industry and the pair spent all their spare time in the great outdoors.

The couple practiced for their trip to Yosemite by climbing cliffs in Cornwall and Pembrokeshire.

A massive cloud of thick dust spreads across Yosemite Valley after a new rock fall from El Capitan Credit: Tamara Goode/AP

Mrs Foster had told her friends they were both "Yosemite virgins" but were prepared for the trip and had bought expensive climbing gear.

Writing on Facebook, Mr Foster's friend Jess Spate said: "Rest in peace Andrew Foster. Always cheerful, never a mean word to say about anyone, up for anything, anytime.

"Never so much as a cross word even when he must have been as cold and tired as it's possible to be while still walking.

"There's nobody I'd rather climb a rapidly thawing frozen waterfall with at 2am on a work night.

"Nobody better to play hangman with at midnight in Cardiff City Hall, waiting to impersonate beautiful female ninjas. Nobody better to be topping out of a mountain route with when the weather turned.

"Those times will never be forgotten because they are part of who I am.

"I know that everyone who met Andy liked him because it was impossible not to.

"Everyone who climbed with him will remember his good humour and his unrivalled sense of adventure.

"Go hard my friend. May the skies always be clear for you and the thermometer stay below -5."

Mr Foster had worked for outdoor specialists Up and Under for five years and the firm was hoping he would return once the couple had completed their year long adventure.

"His passion for the outdoors, and mountains in particular, was enormous and infectious," the company said.

"Andy and Lucys intentions upon returning from Yosemite were, with the help of Andys father, to covert a van into a motorhome to enable them to explore the European Alps for the next twelve months

"It was then our hope that Andy would return to Up and Under in a part time consultative role, whilst he also chased other ambitions. Andy was highly respected, loved and his loss will be sorely felt by us all. Our thoughts are with Lucy and his family."

A spokesman for Cardiff University Students' Union said: "Andy and Lucy were both active and much loved members of Cardiff University Mountaineering Club (CUMC).

"Both took on leadership roles within the club, teaching beginners to climb and playing a key role in the fabric of the club over a number of years.

"Andy was a big character in the club. He was a seasoned climber who introduced many, many Cardiff students into the great sport of mountaineering.

"He always had an epic story to share, a new adventurous challenge ahead, and he never failed to make his friends laugh.

"He'll be truly missed by the generations of climbers he has influenced and encouraged.

"We would like to extend our condolences to Lucy and to Andy's family and friends. We're sending our best wishes to Lucy and hope that she is able to make good and speedy recovery."

The Foreign Office is liaising with their families following the tragedy which happened at 1pm on Wednesday.
On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the host was inspired by his interview with Nick Kroll the other night, taking Krolls idea of asking celebrities to tweet awkward pictures of themselves in puberty with the hashtag #PuertoRicoRelief to raise money for hurricane relief. But Colbert needed a dollar amount. So when he asked Kroll what amount he thought each photo was worth, Kroll picked an amount he wasnt expecting  $1,000. Jesus! said Colbert.

Colbert is using his Americone Dream Fund to throw down the pricey $1,000 per awkward photo, and celebrities jumped right in, including Sarah Silverman, Adam Richman, Kumail Nanjiani, and Aidy Bryant.

Aidy Bryant sent this one, said Colbert, showing off Bryants chubby-face school pic. I believe this was the yearbook where she was voted Most likely to become a thoughtful squirrel.

Celebrities continue to tweet their puberty pics with hashtags #PuberMe and #PuertoRicoRelief, and all the photos are certainly going towards a very worthy cause  but the more awkward, the better.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on CBS.

Check out Jim Parsons gushing over marriage and comparing it to being close to God:

Read more from Yahoo TV:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
The best lack all conviction

While the worst are full of passionate intensity

W.B. Yeats

For the GOP, especially its Trumpist wing, the moment is piled high with irony. The primary victory of Roy Moore in Alabama over the candidate for the U.S. Senate seat backed by President Trump suggests that that not even Trump himself can control the forces that he unleashed.

Moores win is an acid flashback to 2010, when GOP voters in Senate primaries nominated Christine I am not a witch ODonnell in Delaware and the unelectable Sharron Angle in Nevada, who announced a 2018 campaign in March. Republicans had hoped that they had exorcised those characters after that debacle. But years of stoking a sense of perpetual outrage has created a new political dynamic that has given us Roy Moore, a perfect stew of extremism, ignorance and intolerance.

Conservatives who pride themselves on their respect for the constitutional rule of law now find themselves embracing a former judge twice removed from the bench for flouting the law. Moore has suggested criminalizing homosexuality and banning Muslims from political office. The man who may soon be the newest member of the U.S. Senate has suggested that some communities in Illinois and Indiana are under Sharia law. (They arent.) Moore backs Trumps hardline on immigration, but seemed to know little about what and who the Dreamers were. The GOP nominee is an unrepentant birther and has suggested that the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 were Gods punishment for Americas sins, including legitimized sodomy. (Naturally, his candidacy was embraced by Sarah Palin as well as Steve Bannon.)

Do not confuse this with any sort of coherent ideology. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican for Kentucky, tried to diagnose the mindset of the Tea Party voters when he told the Washington Examiner, I thought they were voting for libertarian Republicans. Massie continued, But after some soul-searching, I realized when they voted for Rand and Ron [Paul] and me in these primaries, they werent voting for libertarian ideas. They were voting for the craziest son of a bitch in the race. And Donald Trump won best in class.

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For decades, conservatives have struggled with containing crackpottery, most notably William F. Buckleys famous excommunication of the John Birch Society in the 1960s. Responsible thought leaders have also pushed back against a variety of paranoid conspiracy theorists, including anti-Semites and the denizens of the fevered swamps who became known as the alt-right.

But in 2016, Trump first emboldened, then empowered those various paranoiacs who until then had only made cameo appearances on the national stage. Now they gleefully crashed the party, overturned the furniture and settled hierarchies as they raucously dismissed traditional gatekeepers. Those who were slow to join the bacchanal were denounced as sellouts and traitors or, perhaps worse, dismissed as elitists, as have George Will and the editors of the venerable National Review magazine. This breakneck transition required extraordinary nimbleness: Conservatives who had just five minutes earlier agreed that Russia posed a global threat, pivoted to embrace Vladimir Putin as an exemplar of white Christian civilization; Tea Party activists who had railed against deficit spending accepted calls for massive stimulus spending the party of free markets endorsed protectionism and an economic policy that seemed driven by personal fear and favor; constitutionalists watched silently as the rule of law was undermined and norms of public integrity were ignored.

Trump rode that wave, imagining that he could control it. In his boundless self-regard, he thought that the electorates giant middle finger was intended as a salute to his awesome powers of personal leadership. No wonder he is so angry with his defeat that he is actually deleting tweets that had supported Moores opponent, Luther Strange.

It turns out that many of the Trump voters who had said they wanted to burn it all down meant it, and they are taking to the task with great relish. The result, the punditocracy declares, will be a full-out civil war in GOP. But its actually worse, quite a bit worse.

While Trump continues to gratuitously stoke culture wars by attacking the NFL, the GOPs invertebrate dysfunction continues to be on full display. Even as Trump lashes out at his critics and pours kerosene on the nations racial divisions, feckless congressional leaders continue to try to appease him. (On Wednesday, Speaker Paul Ryan gushed to Sean Hannity that he is very happy with Trumps presidency and that he is giving us the kind of leadership to get this country back on the right track.) So far, no prominent Republican officeholder has refused to back Moores candidacy or been willing to point out its toxicity for the future of the GOP.

In the meantime, despite Trumps abortive and overhyped deal with Chuck and Nancy, Republicans seem to have given up on talking to voters outside of their own echo chamber. Instead, the party is locked in an endless feedback loop as it tries with diminishing success to placate its most bombastic voices. The most obvious consequence is their inability (so far) to legislate. But in the longer term, we are seeing the crack-up of one of the nations two major political parties.

The GOP was once the party of William F. Buckley Jr., Ronald Reagan and John McCain. Today, Donald Trump is the face of what the GOP has become. Roy Moore is the face of what it is becoming.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign minister on Thursday said that ties with Japan should not take two steps back for every step forward, after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a rare appearance at an anniversary event for the normalization of diplomatic relations. Speaking on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the resumption of ties between Beijing and Tokyo, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Japan's ambassador to China, Yutaka Yokoi, that he hoped for greater improvement in relations. "We hope that the Japanese government can pursue a more positive policy towards China... and not take one step back for each step forward, even two steps back for each step forward," Wang said, according to a statement released on the ministry website on Friday. Relations have been complicated for decades by the legacy of Japan's wartime aggression, as well as by a festering territorial dispute in the East China Sea. Abe on Thursday evening made an appearance at a Chinese embassy event in Tokyo that jointly celebrated the anniversary as well as China's Oct 1 National Day. Wang called the appearance "good news" and added: "We hope for more good news in China-Japan relations and not for bad news to follow shortly after good news." Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Abe also exchanged congratulatory messages on Friday, in which Li said that the two countries should "properly manage and control their contradictions and differences", China's official Xinhua news agency reported. Japan's cabinet on Thursday announced Oct. 22 as the date of a snap election where Abe, a conservative who returned to power in 2012, hopes a recent boost in voter support will help his Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition maintain a simple majority. It now holds a two-thirds super majority. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Nick Macfie)
For the second day in a row, rockfalls have occurred on El Capitan, a popular rock formation located in Yosemite National Park in California.

The national park confirmed the fall on Twitter on Thursday, telling visitors that the Northside Drive exiting the Yosemite Valley is closed due to the fall crossing the road.

SEE ALSO: Devastating photos show the wrath of largest wildfire in Los Angeles County history

Northside Drive exiting Yosemite Valley is closed due to a new rockfall off of El Capitan. Use Southside Drive to exit Yosemite Valley.  Yosemite National Pk (@YosemiteNPS) September 28, 2017

Climber Peter Zabrok shared a video through NBC from above the fall, which shows the dusty aftermath through the trees.

"Absolutely unbelievable. We are on the summit, we are all safe," a voice can be heard saying on the video.

Climber Ryan Sheridan also posted a photo to Instagram, which shows the rockfall in the area directly below where he was climbing.

Broke loose again, we just topped out. Ground shaking, rockfall crossed road A post shared by Ryan Sheridan (@ryansheridan) on Sep 28, 2017 at 3:23pm PDT

"Broke loose again, we just topped out," he wrote.

Sadly, the rockfall comes just after a series of seven hit the southeast face of El Capitan on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring another. It was not immediately clear if there were any injuries from the fall that occurred Thursday.

Sheridan tells the Associated Press that the rockfall on Thursday occurred in the same as the rockfalls on Wednesday.

Series of 7 rockfalls occurred on southeast face of El Capitan on Sept. 27, resulting in one fatality & one injury: https://t.co/G0JRYWE3z0. pic.twitter.com/n1dXLVftWN  Yosemite National Pk (@YosemiteNPS) September 28, 2017

However, according to the Yosemite Climbing Association, the fall on Thursday was "much larger" than the fall on Wednesday, Scott Budman with NBC News reports.

Story continues

Yosemite Climbing Association calls today's El Capitan rockfall "much larger" than Wednesday. Northside drive exit from Park is closed. pic.twitter.com/uK1VsZUiUe  scott budman (@scottbudman) September 28, 2017

Preliminary estimates report that the multiple falls on Wednesday resulted in 16,000 cubic feet of rock to cascade down from approximately 650 feet above the base of El Capitan.

Rockfalls are not particularly unusual for Yosemite, and the park even has a rockfall chart that shows falls documented from 1857 to 2011.

Image: national park service

"Rockfalls are a common occurrence in Yosemite Valley and the park records about 80 rockfalls per year; though many more rockfalls go unreported. The rockfall from El Capitan was similar in size and extent compared with other rockfalls throughout the park, though it is not typical that there were victims," the park service wrote on its website in reference to the rockfalls on Wednesday.
By Gabriel Stargardter MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Spending cuts and a failure by Mexico's president to upgrade an earthquake alert system hurt life-saving prevention programs and amplified recovery costs after two major temblors this month, current and former government officials said. Although President Enrique Pena Nieto is eager to show a prompt and competent response to the earthquakes, which killed more than 430 people, the budget of recovery agencies is threadbare due to cost-cutting by his administration. Pena Nieto, an unpopular centrist struggling to get a successor from his party or an ally elected president next July, on Wednesday acknowledged the problem, urging lawmakers to boost funding in the 2018 budget. "The reconstruction needs more resources," he said. The government has slashed disaster budgets by as much as 50 percent in recent years, part of a broader cost-cutting effort to make up for shortfalls caused by a drop in oil revenues, which finance about 20 percent of Mexico's federal budget. The 2017 budget alone reduced funding for Mexico's various disaster and civil protection efforts by 25 percent, from about 8.6 billion pesos ($475 million) in 2016 to 6.4 billion pesos. In a statement, Pena Nieto's office defended its performance and said cutbacks could not be attributed solely to the presidency. While the executive branch proposes the budget, the spending plan is ultimately approved by Congress. "Despite the budget restrictions, the civil protection system has strengthened in recent years," the president's office said in a statement. The cuts last year prompted lawmakers to warn in a report that "the state is relinquishing its responsibilities to its population, given inevitable and unknowable disaster risks." Now, after the two big quakes, and damage from hurricanes before that, Mexico is hard-pressed to find ways to rebuild. "The reconstruction fund has zero pesos," Luis Felipe Puente, the government's emergency services chief, said in an interview. The president's office said funding had not hindered the start of reconstruction, saying insurance and a disaster bond augmented federal coffers. For those who work in readiness efforts, however, the current problem is a clear example of what happens when governments skimp on prevention measures, from risk assessments to early warning systems for quakes, volcanic activity and other disasters. According to the United Nations, every dollar spent on preparedness saves about seven dollars in response. In 2014, Mexico's federal auditor chastised the government for spending more on reconstruction than on preparing for disasters. "We should be investing more in prevention," said Enrique Guevara, a former head of Mexico's National Center for Disaster Prevention, or CENAPRED. "Firstly because you save lives, and secondly you save money." "OLYMPIC SILENCE" At CENAPRED, founded in the wake of a massive 1985 quake that killed thousands, expenditure fell by 20 percent between 2012 and 2016, hurting the upkeep of a national risk atlas and lowering morale at the institution, according to a senior official there who requested anonymity to speak frankly. The government also slashed 2017 budgets for two government funds that finance disaster efforts, official data shows. This year's budget for FOPREDEN, a fund for the prevention of natural disasters, was cut by 50 percent. FONDEN, a larger fund for disaster relief, lost a quarter of its budget, according to the government spending plan. In addition to reducing funds for the federal government's own efforts, the president has turned down or ignored financing requests at another program officials said could help lower disaster tolls. Unlike the previous administration of former President Felipe Calderon, Pena Nieto has not invested in a widely praised earthquake alert system credited with saving lives since it was implemented in Mexico City in 1989. The system, the Center for Seismic Instrumentation and Registry, detects many quakes across the country, sounding a warning that gives the 20 million residents of greater Mexico City crucial time to evacuate buildings before some tremors arrive. Funded mostly by the city government, and currently operating on less than 30 million pesos per year, the system needs more monitors to detect even more temblors, like the 7.1 quake on Sept. 19. Better detection, the system's director said, could have given Mexico City residents up to 5 seconds more warning that day. As it happened, many locals said they heard the alarm only once the ground began shaking. But repeated requests to Pena Nieto and various federal agencies for additional funding in recent years were met with "Olympic silence," said Juan Manuel Espinosa, the director. In its statement, the president's office said the federal government had no obligation to fund the alarm system. It noted a shortfall in past financing for the system by the state of Oaxaca, which is a contractual partner with the Mexico City government in its financing. "NO MONEY FOR ANYTHING" For Pena Nieto and his Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, the cutbacks could create problems at the ballot box, especially among a Mexican electorate that is increasingly ready for change after years of corruption and drug violence. Although Pena Nieto cannot stand for reelection, the PRI ranks third in current projections for the July vote. Meanwhile, rivals like leftist frontrunner and former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are poised to take advantage of any missteps. "Whoever gets this wrong will feel the effects in the election," said Gustavo Mohar, a former Mexican intelligence official who now runs a strategic risk consultancy. For the recovery to succeed, the government must find additional sources of financing. Estimates of the cost range from about $2 billion, according to the government, to as much as $4 billion, a calculation by investment bank Nomura. Puente, the emergency services chief, said the finance ministry may receive funding from catastrophe bonds, issued by the World Bank in August, that could provide Mexico with up to $360 million in protection from certain quakes and storms. But aside from housing the homeless and rebuilding, the government must also ensure it spends disaster funds wisely and transparently - a notoriously tricky task, particularly for an administration that many Mexicans consider corrupt. In the hard-hit capital, where at least 206 people died, volunteers helping with recovery work this week said they distrust the government's ability to provide effective relief. "There is no money for anything," said Beatriz Navarrete, a 21-year-old medical student manning a donations tent. "If the government was really spending money, we wouldn't be here, begging for medicine." (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Additional reporting by Dan Trotta. Editing by Paulo Prada.)
President Donald Trump apparently deleted tweets showing he had supported a losing candidate: REUTERS

Donald Trump appears to have deleted tweets endorsing the establishment candidate Luther Strange in Alabamas senate run-off, who was convincingly beaten in Tuesday's vote.

Mr Strange lost by nine points to Roy Moore, a controversial former judge, in the race for the Republican nomination to Attorney General Jeff Sessions old seat.

On polling day Mr Trump exhorted voters to back Mr Strange, saying: He has proven to me that he will never let you down! #MAGA. He and his vice president Mike Pence had both made strong pushes in support of the former state prosecutor.

Following Mr Moores victorywidely seen as a blow to the Washington DC establishment that poured millions into opposing himthat and similar messages no longer exist on Twitter. Some older Trump tweets backing Mr Strange do remain live.

Mr Trump and Mr Pence, who had spoken in support of Mr Strange at an eve-of-election rally in Birmingham, have since congratulated Mr Moore on his victory.

Mr Pence chose not to delete his most recent pro-Strange tweet, which sits directly below the message of congratulations in his feed. He wrote: Congratulations Roy Moore! We are thrilled you ran on the #MAGA agenda & we are for you!

Mr Trump said: Congratulations to Roy Moore on his Republican Primary win in Alabama. Luther Strange started way back & ran a good race. Roy, WIN in Dec!

Vice President Mike Pence moved quickly to show support for Roy Moore, the candidate he did not back in Alabamas senate run-off (Twitter/The Independent)

Mr Moore, 70, was twice elected chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and twice removed from duty.

In 2003, he was ejected from office for disobeying a federal judges order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state courthouse lobby, in violation of the US Constitutions establishment clause that separates church and state.

Last year, he was permanently suspended after a disciplinary panel ruled he had urged probate judges to defy federal court decisions on gay marriage and deny wedding licences to same-sex couples, an accusation he denied.

After his victory he told supporters in Montgomery: We have to return the knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress.

Story continues

In defeat, Mr Strange admitted that were dealing with a political environment that Ive never had any experience with. Arrayed against him were campaigners including Mr Trumps former adviser, Steve Bannon, who saw the evangelical Mr Moore as the anti-establishment candidate.

The Breitbart co-founder had told a crowd the night before the vote: We did not come here to defy Donald Trump. We came here to praise and honour him.

We believe in America first, and conservatism because we oppose progressives and everything they stand for.

Voting for Mr Moore would show what you think of the elite who are running our country, he added.

Mr Moore will go on to face Democrat Doug Jones in a new vote in December.

Mr Jones is a former US attorney known for prosecuting the Klansmen who killed four girls in a 1963 church bombing.

Additional reporting by agencies
HHS Secretary Tom Price makes a statement on health care at The White House: Chris Kleponis - Pool/Getty Images

Donald Trump is considering firing Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, the administration official who spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on private flights.

"Im not happy with Tom, Mr Trump recently told reporters of his Cabinet pick. Im not happy and I let him know it.

Asked if he would fire Mr Price, the President responded: Well see.

The White House has distanced itself from Mr Price in recent days, after Politico reported that the Secretary had taken five separate private jet flights in a single week.

"We're looking into it," Mr Trump assured reporters last week. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders added that the flights were "not White House-approved travel".

Senior administration officials have separately complained that Mr Price was nowhere to be found during the Obamacare repeal effort.

Mr Price has taken 26 private flights since early May, totaling at least $400,000, according to Politico. The flights cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands more than the commercial flights that government officials usually take.

On Wednesday, Politico reported that Mr Prices taxpayer-funded jet trips were not solely used for government business. On one occasion, Mr Price took a private plane to a medical conference, and arrived a day and a half early. He and his wife own property in the area, and Mr Price has long attended the conference  even outside his White House role.

In another instance, Mr Price left a medical conference in Nashville to have lunch with his son, a musician who lives in the city. The conference itself was organised by a long-term friend.

Mr Price spent less than six hours in Nashville that day, but his flight cost more than $17,000. Multiple commercial flights to the location appear to have been available.

A Health and Human Services spokesperson said Mr Price uses private planes when commercial aircraft cannot reasonably accommodate travel requirements.

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Mr Price, however, has promised to suspend his private flights until the Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general completes his review.

Weve heard the criticism. Weve heard the concerns. We take that very seriously and have taken it to heart, Mr Price told Fox News.

He added: We welcome this review. We want to make certain that we have the full confidence of not just this administration, but the American people.
Someday, you could take a flying taxi from Dubai to a Martian city in the middle of the desert right here on Earth. In preparation for its plans to establish a settlement on the red planet, the United Arab Emirates has announced that it's building a 1.9 million square feet simulated Mars settlement. It will be called Mars Science City and will serve as home to interconnected domes housing various laboratories simulating the planet's terrain. The team building the structure plans to use advanced 3D printing techniques and heat and radiation insulation to mimic the harsh environment of our neighbor.

Scientists will use those labs to develop technologies that can provide future Martian colonies with food, water and energy. That way, settlers wouldn't have to spend years eating only potatoes in their new home. In addition to laboratories, the man-made city will house a museum showcasing humanity's greatest space achievements, which will boast 3D-printed walls made of sand from the country's desert. There will be areas meant to engage kids and ignite their interest in space, as well. Once the city's up, the UAE intends to conduct an experiment involving a group of people living within its confines for a year.

According to the Government of Dubai, which is heading the project, it will cost around $140 million to build the artificial city. UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said:

"The UAE seeks to establish international efforts to develop technologies that benefit humankind, and that establish the foundation of a better future for more generations to come. We also want to consolidate the passion for leadership in science in the UAE, contributing to improving life on earth and to developing innovative solutions to many of our global challenges."

The country hasn't revealed a timeline for the project yet, but we'd sure love to see Matt Damon grace the city's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
(WELLINGTON, New Zealand)  Vanuatu officials on Thursday ordered the complete evacuation of an island in the Pacific archipelago where a rumbling, belching volcano is threatening to blow.

Government spokesman Hilaire Bule said ministers decided they couldnt risk peoples lives and so ordered the compulsory evacuation of Ambae island, which is home to about 11,000 people.

Island resident Lilian Garae said she could see smoke coming out from the hills and hear regular booming noises from the Manaro volcano. She said she was waiting to hear when she might have to leave her home and where she might be sent.

Ambae is one of about 65 inhabited islands in the Pacific nation about one-quarter of the way from Australia to Hawaii.

Officials last weekend raised the activity measure of the volcano to Level 4, on a scale in which Level 5 represents a major eruption. On Monday officials declared an emergency and had been relocating people close to the volcano to other parts of the island.

New Zealands military flew over the volcano on Tuesday, and said huge columns of smoke, ash and volcanic rocks were billowing from the crater.

Some residents have already left the island voluntarily. For them, its a waiting game to see whether the volcano erupts or returns to normal activity thats not a threat. Officials say they have no real way of predicting what the volcano will do next and that evacuees will just have to wait it out.

Bule said the evacuation will be carried out by boat and continue through Oct. 6. He said residents will be moved onto nearby islands. Officials are setting up two sites on Pentecost Island, he said, where evacuees will be housed in government buildings or in temporary camp sites.

Dickinson Tevi, a spokesman for the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, said the relief agency has been shipping water and shelter equipment to Ambae island.

People are quite afraid with the sound of rumbling going on, he said. They are very uncertain and afraid.

Story continues

Bule said the government had allocated 200 million vatu ($1.9 million) toward the evacuation effort and was deploying 60 police officers to help people leave and to ensure there was no looting.

Weve prepared for cyclones by putting evacuation centers on the island but we are not ready for a volcanic eruption, Bule said. The government has to put a policy in place to cater for this in the future.

Vanuatu is home to about 280,000 people and is prone to natural disasters, with a half-dozen active volcanoes as well as regular cyclones and earthquakes. It sits on the Pacifics Ring of Fire, the arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanoes are common.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Former Illinois U.S. congressman Mel Reynolds was found guilty in federal court on Thursday for failing to file federal income tax returns, marking the latest legal trouble for the one-time Democratic Party rising star. Reynolds, 65, faced four counts of failing to file a federal return after not filing in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois. U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman gave the verdict after a bench trial in federal court in Chicago, prosecutors said. The ruling followed Reynolds' previous convictions for sexual assault, child pornography, bank fraud and misusing campaign funds. Reynolds, who represented himself during the trial, declined comment to Reuters. However, he told the Chicago Tribune he planned to appeal the verdict. "I disagree with the judge finding me guilty of a misdemeanor, and I'm going to be addressing all of the issues for a new trial in a motion that I'm filing early next week," Reynolds told the newspaper. Reynolds' sentencing will be scheduled later, prosecutors said. Each count comes with a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Reynolds received gross income exceeding the minimum amount required to file a tax return, prosecutors said. Prosecutors argued Reynolds collected $433,000 for consulting work he did in Africa during the four-year period he failed to file tax returns, the Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times said. But Reynolds said the money was not income, rather it was for travel and other expenses, and as such, it did not need to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service, the Tribune said. Reynolds, first elected to Congress in 1992, was indicted in 1994 for having a relationship with a 16-year-old campaign worker and was re-elected that year in his Chicago district without opposition. The case ended with a conviction on sexual assault and child pornography charges in 1995 and Reynolds resigned. Before his scheduled release from prison in 1997, Reynolds was convicted of bank fraud and misusing campaign funds and sentenced to serve additional time. He was released in 2001. Reynolds tried politics again but in 2013 lost a bid for the U.S. House of Representatives seat of Jesse Jackson Jr., who had resigned before pleading guilty to fraud charges. (Reporting by Suzannah Gonzales; Editing by Andrew Hay)
Almost exactly a year ago, Google unveiled a host of new products, a veritable "Made By Google" ecosystem, as the company called it. The most notable devices were the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones and Google Home smart speaker, but Google also launched the Daydream View VR headset, a mesh-WiFi system and a 4K-capable Chromecast.

It was easily the company's biggest push into Google-branded hardware. But one year later, the Pixel and Pixel XL have been lapped by new devices from Samsung, Apple and LG, among others. We're due for a refresh, and we'll almost certainly get that in San Francisco on Wednesday, October 4th, when the company hosts its next big product launch. New phones are basically a shoo-in, but there's a bunch of other hardware that Google will likely show off. Here's what to expect.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL

From left to right: Leaked images of the Google Home Mini, Pixel XL 2 and DayDream View. Image credit: Droid Life

Sure, the smartphone may be a commodity at this point, but it's still exciting to see what Google has cooked up to take on increasingly strong competition in the Android space. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have been leaked pretty extensively at this point (as happens with almost every major smartphone these days), so we largely know what to expect here.

VentureBeat believes that the smaller Pixel 2 will be made by HTC (don't forget that Google just bought HTC's phone division), just like both of last year's models. In a lot of ways, this phone is expected to be a minor physical upgrade over the original -- it'll keep the large top and bottom bezels, something that many flagship phones are moving away from. The screen will stay in the same 5-inch range. Like most other phones in its size class, the Pixel 2 won't feature a dual-camera setup.

That's not to say that the Pixel 2 won't offer some new features. It looks like HTC's "squeezable" frame (found in the U Ultra and U11) will show up in the Pixel 2. Additionally, it should include front-facing stereo speakers, but it may not have a headphone jack this time around.

Story continues

Image credit: Android Police

Considerably more interesting is the Pixel 2 XL, which is said to be made by LG. While last year's two Pixel phones were basically identical aside from screen size, Android Police reported that the Pixel 2 XL will have a number of new features and design flourishes that set it apart. Most notably, the XL 2 should have a nearly bezel-less, edge-to-edge screen, similar to Samsung's Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8, the LG V30 and the new iPhone X. Thanks to the lack of bezels, the XL 2 should be able to fit a 6-inch AMOLED panel into a frame that's about the same size as the original Pixel XL. That screen is expected to have a Quad HD, 1440p resolution, the same as last year's screen.

Just like the smaller Pixel 2, the Pixel 2 XL is expected to ditch the headphone jack in favor of a stereo-speaker array. And even though it's made by LG and not HTC, the XL 2 should also have a squeezable frame. As for the internals, both phones reportedly have Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of storage.

Pricing comes in about where you'd expect for flagship phones: the Pixel 2 is rumored to cost $649 for 64GB of storage or $749 for 128GB, while the XL 2 would go for $849 or $949. Thanks to its entirely new design and lack of bezels, the larger phone is pushing into the same expensive territory as the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone X.

Home Mini

Last year's voice-activated Google Home speaker represented the company's big push to bring the Google Assistant off phones and into people's houses. While it looks like the original isn't going anywhere, Google is also readying a smaller, cheaper sequel meant to compete with the Echo Dot. Droid Life says that the Home Mini will cost $49 and give you unfettered access to the Google Assistant; it just won't have the larger speaker found on the regular Home. As such, you're not going to want to play music through this device, but if you already own decent speakers the Home Mini might be worth looking at.

Home Max

While we've been hearing about the Home Mini for a while now, a report from 9to5Google suggests that Google will reveal yet another smart speaker next week. This larger device, reportedly dubbed the Home Max, is designed to better compete with Apple's forthcoming HomePod, along with Amazon's newly announced Echo and whatever voice-activated speakers Sonos is getting ready to unveil. Details on this new speaker are minimal right now, so it's a bit of a toss-up as to whether we'll actually see this next week or further down the line. But given how many speakers Amazon is now offering, diversifying the Google Home lineup isn't the worst idea.

Daydream View

Google's VR headset is also apparently in line for an update, according again to Droid Life, but it's unclear what'll be different here aside from some new color choices. It's rumored to cost $99 this time around, $20 more than the original. At the very least, it looks like Google is moving away from the cloth-like finish of the original for something more closely resembling nylon (though it's hard to say for sure without trying it out for ourselves). Whatever the case, we can count on this headset working with Google's new phones.

Pixelbook

Image credit: Droid Life

It's been a while since Google has had much to say about Chromebooks and Chrome OS. Last year's event skipped over the platform entirely, and Google has seen it fit to let partners like Samsung and ASUS show off their vision for Chromebooks. Google also hasn't dipped its toe into the ill-fated world of Android tablets in some time, either -- not since introducing the Pixel C two years ago. But it looks like Google may jump back into both categories with one product: the Pixelbook.

Droid Life believes that the Pixelbook will be a two-in-one laptop powered by Chrome OS that can fold back into tablet mode. It's essentially a successor to the two previous Chromebook Pixel laptops, but it'll have an entirely new hardware design compared to its successors. It'll also be the first to officially include stylus support -- in fact, Google will be selling its own "Pixelbook Pen" alongside it.

Because Chrome OS can now run Android apps, the Pixelbook will have access to the wealth of software in the Google Play Store (though, to be fair, most of those apps aren't optimized for larger screens). It'll still be a step up from your average Android tablet, though, as running the full desktop version of Chrome is significantly better than using its mobile counterpart.

As with Google's previous Pixel laptops, it appears the giant caveat will be price. Reports indicate this device will start at a steep $1,200 -- that's $200 more than the 2015 Pixel. That'll net you 128GB of storage, and Google is supposedly also selling versions with 256GB and 512GB at $1,400 and $1,750, respectively. While it wouldn't be surprising to see Google deliver new Chrome OS hardware, it would be pretty unusual to offer these storage options. Chrome OS has never been a platform dependent on large amounts of local storage -- as things are now, there'd be essentially no benefit to getting those higher-priced options.

Google Assistant headphones

The Google Assistant has been popping up in all manner of hardware lately, including headphones, so it's logical for Google to make its own pair. Some sleuthing by 9to5Google a few months back revealed some references to Google Assistant headphones inside the Google Android app. And with the new Pixel phones expected to drop the headphone jack, having a wireless solution would be an important part of Google's hardware ecosystem. Perhaps the strangest part of this rumor is that these headphones appear to be an over-the-head model rather than earbuds.

ARCore details

Late in August, Google announced ARCore, the company's answer to Apple's ARKit. It's a set of developer tools that'll make it easier to bring augmented reality apps to a huge variety of Android phones. Rather than use the more advanced but far less commonplace Tango hardware, ARCore will strive to bring AR to the masses. As this will be Google's first public event since announcing ARCore, it wouldn't surprise us if the company shows how it works with the new Pixel phones. We have our fingers crossed we'll be able to try it out for ourselves following Google's presentation -- but regardless of what Google announces next week, we'll be there bringing you the news live as it happens.

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The supercharged nail designs that CND creates are a major attraction at New York Fashion Week. This season, they collaborated with The Blonds, Libertine, and Jeremy Scott, brands known for their wild, energetic lines.

CND meets with designers months in advance to discuss the inspiration behind their runway collections and then customizes hundreds of manicures for the models, working up until minutes before the show. Each nail is transformed into a work of art. Using such embellishments as foiled three-dimensional holographic gems, plates of glass, copper and crystal micro beads, and Swarovski crystals, their artists put everything they have into each design.

At the Blonds Spring 2018 show, Teyana Taylor made a fabulous appearance on the catwalk. Teyanas nails were painted with holographic powder imported from China to resemble real python snakeskin. The manicure took approximately six hours, and the result was fierce.

Watch the video above for an exclusive look at what was arguably the most expensive manicure at Fashion Week.

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Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
The Nance family is sailing around the world in a 45-foot boat. (Photo: Aimee Nance)

In January 2015, the Nance family  Phil, Aimee, their 14-year-old daughter Jessica and their 12-year-old daughter Emma  set sail together to explore the world. In a span of almost three years, the family has given a new meaning to spending quality time together by sailing across a massive ocean, swimming with whales, hiking active volcanoes and more.

After dealing with 90-minute commutes to work and paying nannies to help raise their girls, Phil and Aimee decided to make a change. They now live with their daughters on a 1978 45-foot Dufour ketch sailboat called SV Terrapin (SV stands for sailing vessel, and a terrapin is a species of turtle).

We felt that we were missing out on watching our children grow up, Aimee told HuffPost. After mulling around various ideas, we decided sailing would give us the greatest opportunity to see most of the world on our limited budget.

Their boat is a 1978 45-foot Dufour ketch sailboat called SV Terrapin (SV stands for sailing vessel, and a terrapin is a species of turtle). (Photo: Aimee Nance)

In 2014, Aimee and Phil sold their house in San Diego, California, and everything in it. They then moved aboard their boat and remained in San Diego for seven months, practicing for their voyage ahead. Aimee had no experience with boats growing up and Phil only had experience with smaller sailboats. (Aimee suggests anyone considering their lifestyle to take American Sailing Association classes, and the couple also learned many skills from trial and error before any of their long excursions.)

At the beginning of 2015, the family headed south. For two years, Aimee, Phil, Jessica and Emma explored the Pacific coast of Mexico. This past spring, they sailed across the Pacific  a 24-day trip  and made their way to French Polynesia, continuing west to the Cook Islands and American Samoa. While traveling, they take breaks to swim, snorkel, explore the different countries and territories, meet fellow sailing groups and more. The family is currently in Tonga.

How long our visas permit us to stay and the weather windows between destinations dictate how long we can stay and enjoy a particular country, Aimee said. We definitely enjoy being at anchor in beautiful places more than we enjoy long ocean passages. We have been in Tonga now for about three weeks.

Story continues

Their next stop? Fiji. The family plans on staying there for six to seven months to wait out cyclone season.

Jessica (left) loves learning about the geography and cultures of the places to which she and her family sails. Emma (right) enjoys swimming, snorkeling and being in the water every day. (Photo: Aimee Nance)

While traveling the world, Emma and Jessica have their own cabins, an important feature for a teen and preteen, Aimee said. Emma especially loves snorkeling, kayaking and swimming on a daily basis, while Jessica enjoys exploring the geography of the places to which she and her family sails and learning about the various ecosystems and cultures.

Aimee and Phil, a high school teacher and scientist, have made their daughters education a priority within their unconventional living conditions.

It was very easy for us to find free textbooks, workbooks and other online materials in a PDF format that we could transfer onto a dedicated homeschool hard drive, Aimee said. From the hard drive we load each item as needed onto our daughters Kindles.

Aimee noted that their lifestyle has allowed the girls to sometimes learn more than they would in a classroom.

While touring pyramids near Mexico City our daughters acted as our tour guides and were responsible for explaining the significance of what we were exploring based on curriculum we had taught, she said. Science projects often come to life with our onboard microscope and access to rich ecosystems.

Phil and Aimee's daughters write in their journals every day about their sailing adventure. (Photo: Aimee Nance)

The family documents their travels on a blog called Sailing with Terrapin, on which they chronicle everything from what they spend to what they do after anchoring at different locations. To fund their travels, Aimee and Phil saved money for a year and a half and used the money they received from selling their house. About a year ago, they returned to the United States and worked for six months.

One misconception many people have about the idea of sailing for extended periods of time, according to Aimee, is that several years of experience are required. In the two years the family sailed near Mexico before crossing across the Pacific, Aimee and Phil faced significant learning opportunities by simply being on the boat and on the water. She said she has met more families out sailing than she ever expected.

For Aimee, though there are obstacles, the best part of her familys sailing adventure is that they are all together.

We have swum with whales, hiked to the top of active volcanoes, sailed across an ocean and experienced many different cultures, she said. Since our first day, our girls have written in their daily journals with the anticipation that twenty years from now well read from them and reminisce about our amazing experiences.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
You might think of radio as an archaic form of listening to music, but it's still one of the more effective ways to get information to people, especially when cell networks go down. Most smartphones already have an FM chip baked right into the chipset, but they tend to be inaccessible, especially in the US. Now FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is asking Apple to activate these FM chips already in iPhones. "Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted (activating the chips)," said Pai in a statement. "But I hope the company will reconsider its position, given the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria."

This isn't a new push by Pai to get FM enabled in smartphones, either. "In recent years, I have repeatedly called on the wireless industry to activate the FM chips that are already installed in almost all smartphones sold in the United States," he said. "And I've specifically pointed out the public safety benefits of doing so." In his first public speech as FCC chairman, Pai notes, he said that "you could make a case for activating chips on public safety grounds alone."

As The Verge notes, many companies, including Motorola, LG and Samsung (among others), have allowed for FM access in their smartphones. Many are on the list of supported devices provided by NextRadio, a smartphone app that provides FM broadcasts to smartphones. AT&T already asks manufacturers of Android phones to enable the FM systems, too. "I applaud those companies that have done the right thing by activating the FM chips in their phones," said Pai.

Update: Apple has responded to Pai's request with the statement below, claiming that its most recent models don't actually have FM capability which exec Phil Schiller also noted in a tweet. The company didn't mention older models, but according to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, he's heard that while they may contain an FM radio chip it isn't connected or available to be enabled by a software update.

Apple cares deeply about the safety of our users, especially during times of crisis and that's why we have engineered modern safety solutions into our products. Users can dial emergency services and access Medical ID card information directly from the Lock Screen, and we enable government emergency notifications, ranging from Weather Advisories to AMBER alerts. iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models do not have FM radio chips in them nor do they have antennas designed to support FM signals, so it is not possible to enable FM reception in these products.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello told CBS just two days ago that thousands of shipping containers with food, water and medicine are just sitting in the port of San Juan not being distributed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is disputing those claims.

On Friday morning, Deputy FEMA Administrator Daniel Kaniewski told CNN that the containers in the San Juan port likely hold retail goods and not hurricane relief supplies.

There are millions of meals and millions of liters of water that are on the island right now that are in the process of being distributed, Kaniewski said during a live interview. Now, weve seen video images of cargo containers sitting in the port. I can assure you that those are not FEMA containers. Those are retail goods that have probably been sitting there for days or weeks.

FEMA containers and commodities are going and have been received at regional distribution centers, Kaniewski continued. Those regional distribution centers then distribute it to the 78 municipalities that make up Puerto Rico.

The Washington Post similarly reported on Thursday that some of those containers sitting in port were filled with commercial goods for stores such as Home Depot and Walgreens. Jose Ayala, vice president for Puerto Rico services at the Crowley shipping company, told the paper that post-Hurricane Maria, there is damage to the trucking infrastructure that normally moves the goods from the port to supermarkets and stores.

FEMAs claims stand in stark contrast, however, with what CBS reported on Wednesday. The media outlet said that it had found 3,000 shipping containers sitting in the port with enough supplies to help half a million of the 3.5 million Puerto Ricans desperate for relief more than a week after Maria hit.

And CNN reported that Ayala estimated at least 10,000 containers of supplies  including food, water and medicine  were lingering at the docks.

Rossello said supplies in the port have not been distributed because there is no way to contact truck drivers to help deliver the aid. Many roads and highways remain blocked or damaged.

Story continues

The bus drivers are either caught in their houses [or] their buses have been destroyed, Rossello told CBS reporter David Begnaud. We have not reached communication so that they can know that weve released all of the red tapes.

On Thursday, the Pentagon appointed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan to lead recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. It had previously allocated 4,000 troops to the effort. By Friday morning, Buchanan told CNN that the number of troops and equipment was not enough and said he planned to bring in both Air Force, Navy, and Army medical capabilities in addition to aircraft, more helicopters.

Kaniewski also told CNN that two additional airports, one in Ceiba and the other in Aguadilla, had been opened up to facilitate relief efforts. He acknowledged that the process of distributing FEMA supplies and aid had been slow, but he expected it to improve in the coming days.

That process is working, albeit slow, and not really as fast as any of us would like. That said, we expect significant improvement in operations with additional power being on the ground both with the military and civilian side, Kaniewski said. And we look forward to distributing those commodities to those in need at a much greater pace in the days ahead.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
"The wealthy are not getting a tax cut under our plan." - Pres. Trump's top Economic Adviser Gary Cohn to @GStephanopoulos on new tax plan pic.twitter.com/QYv7kItcas  Good Morning America (@GMA) September 28, 2017

With a straight face on ABCs Good Morning America on Thursday, President Donald Trumps chief economic adviser Gary Cohn said that the administrations tax plan doesnt offer a tax cut to the wealthy.

But the plan unveiled by the Trump administration Wednesday clearly tells a different story. The rich  and also corporations, which are technically people according to the Supreme Court  are by far the biggest beneficiaries of the preliminary outline released by the White House.

Initially, Cohn tried to evade George Stephanopoulos questions on how the rich would benefit under Trumps tax plan, but finally at the close of the interview he just seemed to give in to the untruth.

Will the wealthy get a tax cut or not? Stephanopoulos pressed.

The wealthy are not getting a tax cut under our plan, said Cohn, who is the director of the National Economic Council and is leading the push for tax cuts. The former Goldman Sachs president was also in the running for Federal Reserve chair before he openly criticized the presidents equivocal remarks on white supremacy.

Though the Trump administrations plan is sketchy on key details  including information on a much-ballyhooed child care tax credit  as proposed thus far, the plan is a big fat kiss to the wealthy.

A stunning 80 percent of the so-called tax relief in Trumps plan would go to households in the top 1 percent income bracket, according to a rough analysis released Wednesday by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think tank.

The top 1 percent of income earners would get a $150,000 tax cut, on average, according to the center. But the real winners would be the tippy top income earners. Households making more than $3.8 million would see their tax bills drop by about $800,000 a year or 21 percent, the report found.

Story continues

Meantime, a married couple with one child making $48,000 a year would get a tax cut of... wait for it... $180.

Gary Cohn is straight-up lying -- the wealthy get the bulk of the tax cuts under this plan https://t.co/ZwEoR0jNtb pic.twitter.com/C6qf1Uigrq  Mark Gongloff (@markgongloff) September 28, 2017

In his interview with Stephanopoulos, Cohn refused to even say that all middle-class Americans would get a tax break under his plan  even as he claimed that the plan was good for working families.

I cant guarantee everything, Cohn said, noting that youll always find an exception to every rule.

He estimated that median-income households (those earning $55,000) would get a tax cut of between $650 - $1,000.

The plan doesnt include the kind of tax cuts that would guarantee real savings for working people  some of whom dont owe federal income taxes but pay the federal government through other mechanisms, the New York Times explained.

For example, cutting the payroll tax would essentially give millions of working people a raise. The Trump administration couldve also proposed increasing the earned income tax credit, which would put real money in low-income earners pockets.

Even without any analysis, its fairly clear how the plan would benefit the rich. First, the administration wants to lower that top individual income tax rate to 35 percent from 39.6 percent. While the plan does leave open the possibility that Congress could create an additional top rate, which Cohn noted, there are no further details on that at the moment.

Cohn argued on Good Morning America that because the plan gets rid of the standard deduction, those in the top bracket would still wind up paying more. But the claim is hard to parse, since the tax plan actually doubles the standard deduction.

Even more beneficial perhaps to the wealthy  and definitely to Trump himself  the plan would eliminate two taxes that only are paid by the rich. The estate tax, levied on just a few multimillionaire families when someone rich dies and the alternative minimum tax, which was created decades ago to ensure rich people pay their fair share of taxes.

Eliminating both these taxes would be a great deal, in particular, for President Trump.

In 2005, Trump was forced to fork over $31 million because of the alternative minimum tax. Its possible he may have paid it in other years, but we dont know because the president refuses to release his tax returns.

The estate tax is what rich heirs pay when they receive an inheritance greater than $5.5 million. So if Trump were to die, and the so-called death tax still existed, his heirs would have to give back 40 percent of his money. If Trump is worth $10 billion as he claims, that means $4 billion.

Getting rid of the estate tax then is a big multibillion-dollar payoff to Ivanka, Don Jr. and whoever else stands to inherit Trumps money.

His plan would also lower the corporate tax rate, which the administration claims will help create jobs.

Theres little evidence thats true.

Also on HuffPost

Mick Mulvaney

Mike Pence

Reince Priebus

Stephen Miller

Steve Bannon

Jared Kushner

Kellyanne Conway

Sean Spicer

Donald Trump

Vladimir Putin

Bonus: Sean Hannity

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
In many ways, Yom Kippur  the Jewish day of atonement that begins Friday evening  is a time to start anew. So it was an apt backdrop for one of the most sensational legends about an important turning point in the birth of a nation.

As the story goes, during the American Revolution, in either 1779 or 1781 depending on whom you ask, General George Washington (or a messenger sent by him) burst into a Yom Kippur service at Philadelphias first synagogue to beg for money to feed a starving, bankrupt Continental Army. One of the synagogues founders, Haym Salomon, interrupted the holiest service of the year to write him a check for hundreds of thousands of dollars, throwing in the contents of the collection box on top of that. Thats how he became known as the The Financier of the Revolution in childrens books, textbooks and the 1939 film The Sons of Liberty, starring Claude Rains as Haym Salomon.

Experts say that, while exact sequence of events almost certainly didnt happen, there are some kernels of truth in there.

The little thats known about Salomons early life leaves much to the imagination. Born in Poland around 1740, to Jewish parents who had fled religious persecution in Portugal, he may have immigrated to colonial America in the early 1770s, around the time of the first partition of Poland. He may have gotten involved with the war effort first as a merchant selling provisions to soldiers on the Canadian frontier, but when he moved to the British-occupied New York, he got kidnapped by Hessians, German mercenaries working for the British forces during the American Revolution. During this time, he remained loyal to the Patriots and reportedly spied for the Americans and helped prisoners to escape, according to historian Beth Wengers History Lessons: The Creation of American Jewish Heritage.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

Wenger writes that, despite very little documentation on Salomons early life, he did help finance the Revolution.

Story continues

The colonies had trouble raising money in the era before income tax, which is why they took out big loans from the French and the Dutch, a decision that would prove consequential as the young nation later came to terms with the need to repay those loans. Another source of funding for the Revolution came from Robert Morris, founder of the Bank of North America, who used his personal credit to fund troops through the Battle of Yorktown. Morris relied on public-spirited financiers like Salomon to subscribe to the bank, find purchasers for government bills of exchange, and lend their own money to the government, according to the National Park Service.

Overall, by the count of a think tank in his name, Salomon is thought to have contributed $650,000 (more than $9.4 billion in 2017 dollars) to the Revolutionary War effort. It wasnt easy for him to do. He died penniless in 1785, presumably because his loans to the cause had not been repaid yet.

His sacrifice would be recognized more than a century and a half later during another period when the nation was in crisis, as the Chicago Patriotic Foundation campaigned for the monument that can still be seen in the Windy City today, which features Salomon front and center, flanked by Washington and Morris. The dedication ceremony ended up taking place about a week after Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 15, 1941. The monument is a statement about American democracy in the face of intolerance at home and abroad in the 1930s and 1940s, Wenger writes. The monuments supporters, which included President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and many other leading politicians, considered the project an ideal public tribute at a time when racial and ethnic tensions were running high in the United States and when Europe was gripped by Nazism and World War.

Because of his sacrifice, Haym Salomon emerged as the first and perhaps most enduring heroic figure of American Jewery, according to Wenger. Accurately portrayed as a devout and practicing Jew, Salomon emerged as a model to inspire Jewish self-respect and loyalty, even as his patriotic contributions provided proof that Jews belonged in America, and were devoted to it, from the start.
WASHINGTON  The tax reform blueprint Republicans unveiled this week would upend U.S. housing policy if it becomes law.

Even though the plan maintains a special tax break for homeowners called the mortgage interest deduction, other provisions of the framework would basically make it useless for all but the richest homeowners.

This proposal will take away any tax benefit for owning homes for the vast majority of people who own homes, said Gregg Polsky, a tax expert at the University of Georgia.

Mortgage interest and property tax deductions cost the U.S. Treasury more than $100 billion a year in lost tax revenue, expenditures that are bigger in dollar terms than any other housing program. The federal government spends about $50 billion annually on housing assistance for people with low incomes, an amount that still leaves millions of people on waitlists for rental assistance. The mortgage interest deduction, meanwhile, overwhelmingly benefits homeowners with incomes above $100,000.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (Wis.) and other Republicans unveiled their tax reform plan this week. It could have a big effect on the mortgage interest deduction. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The National Association of Realtors, a powerful real estate lobbying group, commissioned a study earlier this year finding the proposal would increase taxes on middle- and upper-class homeowners and reduce incentives for homeownership, thereby shrinking home values by about 10 percent.

Plummeting home values are a poor housewarming gift for recent homebuyers and a tremendous blow to older Americans who depend on their home to provide a nest egg for retirement, NAR President William Brown said in a press release this week.

Lower housing prices can be bad for homeowners but good for renters, roughly a third of whom deal with unaffordable rents, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Most American households are owner-occupied, though ownership rates have declined from a high of 69 percent in 2004 to 63 percent today.

The Republican tax reform outline actually maintains the mortgage interest deduction, but other parts of the plan seriously undermine it.

Story continues

They really leave it in name only, Polsky said.

Current policy allows tax filers to choose whether they would like to reduce their taxable income by deducting the value of various expenses  which is known as itemizing  or would rather take a so-called standard deduction. For a married couple the standard deduction takes away $12,600 of their taxable income. The vast majority of filers go with the standard deduction because their expenses that would be itemized dont exceed $12,600.

The Republican plan would raise the family standard deduction to $24,000 while eliminating most itemized deductions, including ones for local taxes. Homeowners could still itemize their mortgage interest payments and charitable donations, but only about 5 percent would have itemized deductions that exceed the value of the $24,000 standard deduction, according to NAR.

The doubled standard deduction would not necessarily be a better deal for all middle-class families, however. The Republican plan also calls for eliminating the personal exemption, which allows taxpayers to deduct $4,050 per family member from their taxable income. Some families with multiple children would benefit less from the higher standard deduction than they currently do from being able to claim multiple personal exemptions.

In other words, the Republican tax plan could hike taxes on some middle-class families, a possibility one presidential adviser has acknowledged. And some Republicans in Congress are already chafing at repealing the deduction for state and local taxes. Its unlikely that the tax framework released this week can get through Congress without a lot of changes.

Liberal policy groups have advocated converting the mortgage interest deduction into a credit that more narrowly targets homeowners with lower incomes. Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said the Republican plan would only make the mortgage interest deduction even more regressive than it is today.

Also on HuffPost

Taking Security Seriously

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) talks with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) before the start of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing concerning the roles and responsibilities for defending the nation against cyberattacks, on Oct. 19, 2017.

With Liberty And Justice...

Members of Code Pink for Peace protest before the start of a hearing where U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Oct. 18, 2017. Committee members questioned Sessions about conversations he had with President Donald Trump about the firing of former FBI Director James Comey, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, the ongoing investigation about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and other subjects.

Whispers

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), right, speaks with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) before a confirmation hearing for Christopher Sharpley, nominee for inspector general of the CIA, on Oct. 17, 2017.

Not Throwing Away His Shot

Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the musical "Hamilton," makes his way to a meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies in the Rayburn Office Building during a round of meetings to urge federal funding for the arts and humanities on Sept. 13, 2017.

Medicare For All

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), center, speaks on health care as Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), left, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), right, listen during an event to introduce the Medicare for All Act on Sept. 13, 2017.

Bernie Bros

Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) pack his office on Sept. 8, 2017. Members of the "Draft Bernie for a People's Party" campaign delivered a petition with more than 50,000 signatures to urge the senator to start and lead a new political party.

McCain Appearance

Sen. John McCain, second from left, leaves the Capitol after his first appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. He arrived to cast a vote to help Republican senators narrowly pass the motion to proceed for the replacement of the Affordable Care Act on July 25, 2017.

A Narrow Win

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, center, speaks alongside Sens. John Barrasso, left, John Cornyn, right, and John Thune, rear, after the Senate narrowly passed the motion to proceed for the replacement of the Affordable Care Act on July 25, 2017.

Kushner Questioning

Jared Kushner, White House senior adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, arrives at the Capitol on July 25, 2017. Kushner was interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee in a closed-door meeting about contacts he had with Russia.

Hot Dogs On The Hill

Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) prepares a hot dog during the American Meat Institute's annual Hot Dog Lunch in the Rayburn Office Building courtyard on July 19, 2017.

And Their Veggie Counterparts

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) visits the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals veggie dog giveaway on July 19, 2017, countering a National Hot Dog Day event being held elsewhere on Capitol Hill.

Poised For Questions

Callista Gingrich, wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, waits for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on her nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican on July 18, 2017.

Speaking Up

Health care activists protest to stop the Republican health care bill at Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 17, 2017.

In The Fray

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) speaks to members of the media after announcing the revised version of the Senate Republican health care bill on Capitol Hill on July 13, 2017.

Anticipation

Christopher Wray is seated with his daughter Caroline, left, as he prepares to testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next FBI director on July 12, 2017.

Up In Arms

Health care activists protest to stop the Republican health care bill at Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 10, 2017.

Across A Table

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Capitol Hill on June 29, 2017.

Somber Day

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks about the recent attack on the Republican congressional baseball team during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on June 15, 2017.

Family Matters

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), right, and his sons, Jack, 10, and Brad, arrive in the basement of the Capitol after a shooting at the Republican baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 2017.

A Bipartisan Pause

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), right, coach of the Republican congressional baseball team, tells the story of the shooting that occurred during a baseball practice while he stands alongside Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), left, a coach of the Democratic congressional baseball team on June 14, 2017.

Hats On

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) reacts about the shooting he was present for at a Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, as he speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 14, 2017.

Public Testimony

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is sworn in to testify before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on June 13, 2017.

Comey's Big Day

Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Capitol Hill on June 8, 2017.

Conveying His Point

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats testifies at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his interactions with the Trump White House and on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act on June 7, 2017.

Selfie Time

Vice President Mike Pence takes a selfie with a tourist wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda on June 6, 2017. The vice president walked through the rotunda after attending the Senate Republican policy luncheon.

Budget Queries

Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney testifies before the House Budget Committee about President Donald Trump's fiscal 2018 budget proposal on Capitol Hill on May 24, 2017.

Flagged Down By Reporters

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, leaves a closed committee meeting on Capitol Hill on May 24, 2017. The committee is investigating possible Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election.

Shock And Awe

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hold a news conference on the release of the president's fiscal 2018 budget proposal on Capitol Hill on May 23, 2017.

Seeing Double

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) arrives in the Capitol for the Senate Democrats' policy lunch on May 16, 2017.

Honoring Officers

President Donald Trump speaks at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service on the West Lawn of the Capitol on May 15, 2017.

Whispers

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.), right, and ranking member Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) talk during a hearing with the heads of the U.S. intelligence agencies in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 11, 2017.

Skeptical

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates arrives to testify before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election on Capitol Hill on May 8, 2017.

Differing Opinions

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) gives a thumbs-up to protesters on the East Front of the Capitol after the House passed the Republicans' bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on May 4, 2017. The protesters support the ACA.

Real Talk

United States Naval Academy Midshipman 2nd Class Shiela Craine (left), a sexual assault survivor, testifies before the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel with (2nd from left to right) Ariana Bullard, Stephanie Gross and Annie Kendzior in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 2, 2017. Kendzior, a former midshipman, and Gross, a former cadet, were both raped twice during their time at the military academies. The academy superintendents were called to testify following the release of a survey last month by the Pentagon that said 12.2 percent of academy women and 1.7 percent of academy men reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact during the 2015-16 academic year.

In Support Of Immigrants

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), center, is joined by dozens of Democratic members of the House of Representatives to mark "Immigrant Rights Day" in the Capitol Visitor Center on May 1, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Democratic legislators called on Republicans and President Donald Trump to join their push for comprehensive immigration reform.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Grant Hill said he feels it's "great" that first lady Melania Trump has taken an interest in the opioid crisis in America and didn't rule out the possibility of working together.

The NBA legend has teamed up with Dr. Paul Sethi to combat opioid overprescribing and abuse for the Choices Matter campaign. The pair is working to promote non-opioid pain management options.

RELATED: Melania Trump at the Invictus Games



First lady Melania Trump has shown interest in the same cause, tweeting about the opioid epidemic last month and hosting a roundtable discussion with experts and affected individuals at the White House on Thursday.

When asked if they would be willing to team up with the White House to combat the opioid crisis, Dr. Sethi and Hill didn't rule out the option.

"I think anytime our leadership wants to help address a medical epidemic in our country, it's a good thing," Dr. Sethi told AOL News.

Hill agreed, adding that he thinks "it's important and a great thing when leadership" takes on an epidemic.

RELATED: Opioid and drug crisis in America



According to the CDC, over 60 percent of drug-related deaths in the U.S. involve an opioid. Ninety-one Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, and the number of deaths from prescription opioids has quadrupled since 1999.
Ankara (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the United States Thursday that Turkey could release a jailed American pastor if Washington handed over exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen who Ankara blames for last year's failed coup.

The US pastor, Andrew Brunson, has been held by Turkish authorities since October 2016 on charges of being a member of Gulen's group.

Ankara has repeatedly called for Gulen living in the US state of Pennsylvania to be extradited to Turkey to face charges of ordering the July 2016 attempted coup.

Gulen, who has been in self-imposed exile since 1999, strongly denies the accusations of involvement.

"They say 'give us the pastor'. You have a preacher (Gulen) there. Give him to us, and we will try (Brunson) and give him back," Erdogan said in a televised speech.

The evangelical pastor was initially detained with his wife, suspected of activities "against national security".

Norine Brunson was freed shortly after her detention, but her husband was charged with being a member of the Gulen movement in December.

They ran a Christian church in the Aegean city of Izmir.

This appears to be the first time that Erdogan has linked releasing Brunson to Ankara's demand to have Gulen extradited.

- 'Carefully consider' -

Erdogan hit back at criticism of the Turkish judicial system after some American officials urged Ankara not to mix the cases of Gulen and Brunson.

"What does that mean? That you have a judiciary, but we do not have a judiciary?" Erdogan asked with heavy irony.

"The person here (Brunson) is being tried. But the one over there with you (Gulen) is not being tried! He lives in a mansion in Pennsylvania!

"It is easier for you (the United States) to hand him over, you could give him right away," Erdogan added.

A decree in late August gave Erdogan the power to extradite foreigners in exchange for Turks under arrest or convicted abroad in "situations where it is necessary for national security or in the country's interests".

Story continues

Norine Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for over 20 years with her husband, met with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his visit to Ankara in March.

Last month, Tillerson said Brunson had been "wrongfully imprisoned" in Turkey.

Turkey had hoped for a resurgence in relations with its NATO ally when Donald Trump assumed the presidency.

But ties remain strained by a series of disputes, notably over the US support for a Syrian Kurdish militia Ankara deems to be a terror group.

In updated travel advice published on Thursday, the US State Department urged citizens to "carefully consider the need to travel to Turkey at this time."

Without mentioning the Brunson case, it said that under the state of emergency imposed after the coup bid "Turkish authorities have detained US citizens without granting access to lawyers or family members."

It warned that delays or denial of consular access to detained US citizens "have become more common" and the US mission has no access to arrested US-Turkish dual nationals.
The White House announced Friday that President Trump had accepted the resignation of beleaguered Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

Press secretary Sarah Sanders released a statement saying that Price had submitted his resignation earlier Friday and Trump had accepted it. She added that Don J. Wright of Virginia, deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, will take over as acting head of Health and Human Services, now the second Cabinet department without a permanent confirmed secretary, following John Kellys move from Homeland Security to White House chief of staff.

Price wrote in his resignation letter that he regretted that the recent events have created a distraction from these important objectives.

According to his bio at HHS, Wright began working there in 2007 as principal deputy assistant secretary for health. He is a physician with a medical degree from the University of Texas.

Politico reported earlier in September that Price had been chartering private planes for travel, breaking a precedent with previous Health and Human Services chiefs. Among the flights was a $25,000 trip from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia  a trip that takes 2.5 hours driving or 90 minutes via Amtrak  and an $18,000 visit to Nashville that included 90 minutes of work and a lengthy lunch with his son.

Price released a statement Thursday saying he would repay the treasury for the flights, but his department later told media outlets that he would pay just the prorated cost of his own seats  about $52,000  not the whole expense of the charters, which cost more than $400,000. (He was generally accompanied by aides and security personnel who flew with him.) Following his statement, Politico further reported that Price had spent an additional $500,000 of taxpayer funds using military planes while traveling with his wife in Europe and Asia.

As a congressman, Price consistently attacked what he called wasteful spending by Democrats, including criticizing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for flying over our country in a private jet. Twitter users have spent the past few days surfacing old tweets from Prices time as a legislator, in which he posed as a relentless guardian of the public purse.

Story continues

President Trump with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price in the Oval Office in March. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, file)

Reckless spending habits employed by Democrats in Washington are driving the debt, wrote then-Rep. Price in 2011. We need #spendingcutsnow.

If you cant budget, you cant govern, wrote Price in 2010.

Price has also been criticized for profiting off the trading of medical stock that his congressional votes directly influenced. Asked if Prices job was in jeopardy on Thursday, Sanders said, Well see what happens. The Associated Press reported earlier Friday that Trump had begun calling Price a distraction.

Price was appointed by Trump after more than a decade in Congress, where he represented Georgias Sixth District. He served as chair of the House Budget Committee from 2015 to 2017.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
The family of 14-year-old Liberty German is tempering its expectations after authorities announced a man arrested in Colorado this week may be linked to her February killing.

It would be wonderful if they called us and said, This is it,  Becky Patty, Libertys grandmother, tells PEOPLE. We could put this chapter behind us and move on to the next. But were just stuck in this limbo.

Patty continues, Theres a potential that this guy could be innocent of this crime.

She adds, I dont let my mind go there so much because its hard. Its hard to let your mind go there that this could be him.

In February, Liberty, who went by Libby, was found slain near a Delphi, Indiana, creek along with her best friend, Abigail Williams, after being reported missing a day earlier. No arrests have been made in the case.

Now, Indiana police have announced that a man who allegedly threatened people with a hatchet in Colorado may be linked to the killings.

Abigail Williams (left) and Liberty German

On Monday, 31-year-old Daniel Nations, a registered sex offender, was arrested after he allegedly threatened a group near a Colorado trail where a man was killed just two weeks earlier, according to Colorado officials.

Apparently there may be some similarities in some of the events that occurred out there, Carroll County, Indiana, Sheriff Tobe Leazenby tells PEOPLE.

The vehicle Nations was driving had expired Indiana license plates, but Leazanby says law enforcement officials are not jumping to conclusions.

 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.

Police released two photos of the suspect taken by Libby on her cellphone before she died, as well as a sketch of a man considered to be the main suspect in the killings. The photos appeared to show a white man dressed in light blue jeans and a blue jacket over a brown shirt.

UPDATE: Affidavit gives new information about Daniel Nations, but does not tie him to the Delphi murders | 93.1 WIBC https://t.co/sv7YBw68sF pic.twitter.com/By9t9PXKOw  93 WIBC Indianapolis (@93wibc) September 28, 2017

In the six-second clip, a mans voice can be heard saying down the hill. (The clip can be heard here.)

Story continues

 PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: 35 Real Cases That Inspired the Show Law & Order is on sale now.

Nations remains behind bars in Teller County Jail and is charged with weapons possession by a previous offender, with additional charges pending, according to officials. It is unclear at this time whether he has obtained an attorney or has entered a plea.

Police urge anyone with possible tips to contact authorities. Tips can be made anonymously by email or telephone. Anyone with information should email ABBYANDLIBBYTIP@CACOSHRF.COM or call 844-459-5786.
Many people rely on a fresh "cuppa Joe" to wake up in the morning. Lucky for you, today is International Coffee Day! Here's how you can get your coffee fix mostly for free.

Cinnabon will give you a free 12-ounce coffee to celebrate.

Dunkin Donuts offers customers a free medium hot coffee, but only if you buy one first.

Wawa offers a free cup of coffee, any size.

Peet's Coffee celebrates by giving you a free cup of coffee if you buy fresh beans for 25% off.

McDonald's celebrates with a small coffee for $2.

Krispy Kreme decided to go for a National Coffee Weekend instead, and offers each customer one free coffee of any size for three days in a row.

7Eleven also gives one free coffee a day through the weekend, but only for 7Rewards members.

Coffee Bean Las Vegas tweets that it offers all specialty drinks for only $1 today.

NO FREE COFFEE, BUT...

Starbucks will not be celebrating International Coffee Day by giving away free coffee, but will instead use its menu boards for to shed light on the role of coffee farmers, and bring awareness to the challenges they face, including coffee leaf rust and climate change.

On its website it explains why: "Instead of the traditional menu boards, participating Starbucks stores in the United States will showcase the good that comes from every cup of coffee through Sunday, October 1."

Burger King and Busy Bee have also decided to do something different this year, by donating 100 percent of every cup of coffee purchased September 29 to the Red Cross for Hurricane Maria relief.

Story continues

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By Maher Chmaytelli and Tulay Karadeniz ERBIL, Iraq/ANKARA (Reuters) - The last international flight left Erbil airport on Friday as the Baghdad government imposed an air ban on Iraqi Kurdistan in retaliation for an independence vote that has drawn widespread opposition from foreign powers. Iraq's Kurds overwhelmingly backed independence in Monday's referendum, defying neighbouring countries, which fear the vote could lead to renewed conflict in the region. Foreign airlines suspended flights to Erbil and Sulaimaniya in the autonomous region, obeying a notice from the government in Baghdad, which controls Iraqi air space. Erbil airport was busier than usual as passengers scrambled to catch the last flights out before the ban went into force at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Friday. Domestic flights are still allowed, so travellers are expected to travel to Kurdistan mostly via Baghdad's airport, which will come under strain from the extra traffic. Maintaining the travel curbs is likely to discourage visits by businessmen and Kurdish expatriates, and affect industries including hotels, financial services, transport and real estate. More than 400 Kurdish travel and tourism companies are directly affected by the flight ban and 7,000 jobs are at risk in the sector, Erbil-based Rudaw TV said. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), meanwhile, refused to hand over control of its border crossings to the Iraqi government, as demanded by Iraq, Iran and Turkey in retaliation for the independence referendum. CONTROL OF BORDERS The Iraqi Defence Ministry said it planned to take control of the borders "in coordination" with Iran and Turkey. The statement did not give more detail or indicate whether Iraqi forces were planning to move towards the external border posts controlled by the KRG from the Iranian and Turkish side. As the crisis unfolded, Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric intervened to oppose the secession of the Kurdistan region, adding to pressure on the Kurds in his first directly political sermon since early last year. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani asked the KRG to "return to the constitutional path" in pursuing self-determination for the Kurdish people, a representative said in a sermon on his behalf. "Any attempt to make secession an accomplished fact will lead to undesired consequences affecting Kurdish citizens," the sermon said. Turkey, which has already threatened economic sanctions and a military response to any security challenges posed by the referendum result in neighbouring northern Iraq, has maintained a drumbeat of opposition to the Kurdish vote. After talks in Ankara with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the referendum was illegitimate and Russia and Turkey agreed that the territorial integrity of Iraq must be preserved. Turkey and Russia have strong commercial ties with the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq. But the vote has alarmed Ankara as it battles a separatist insurgency from its own large Kurdish minority. OIL LIFELINE While Turkey has threatened to cut off the Kurds' oil export lifeline - a pipeline that runs through Turkish territory - it has so far mostly held back from specific action against Iraqi Kurdistan. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkey would target only those who had decided to hold the referendum, and would not make civilians pay the price for the vote. Iran banned the transportation of refined crude oil products by Iranian companies to and from Iraqi Kurdistan. But a World Bank official said Kurdistan would be able to resist an economic blockade. "It is self-sufficient in electricity and fuel supply as it has the oil and gas fields, the refineries and the power stations," the official said. "It has also the land and the water resources to sustain a basic subsistence, even if borders are shut completely." The autonomous region is the closest the Kurds have come to a state in modern times. But although it has flourished while the rest of Iraq was embroiled in civil war, it may struggle to maintain investment if it is blockaded economically. The United States, major European countries and nearby Turkey and Iran opposed the referendum as destabilising at a time when all sides are still fighting Islamic State. OFFERS TO HELP Both France and the United States said on Friday that Iraq's territorial integrity must be maintained, but urged Baghdad not to retaliate. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that "the vote and the results lack legitimacy" before going on to urge "calm and an end to vocal recriminations and threats of reciprocal actions". French President Emmanuel Macron said the two sides should remain united in their priority to defeat Islamic State and stabilise Iraq, and that any further escalation should be avoided. A source in Macron's office said Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi had accepted an invitation to come Paris on Oct. 5 for talks on the issue. The U.S. State Department said Washington was willing to facilitate talks if asked, and the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the United Nations had also offered its good offices. The Iraqi parliament urged the Baghdad government to send troops to take control of oilfields held by Kurdish forces. Baghdad also told foreign governments to close their diplomatic missions in the Kurdish capital Erbil. The Kurds consider Monday's referendum to be an historic step in the generations-old quest for a state of their own, while Iraq considers the vote unconstitutional. They say the referendum acknowledges their contribution in confronting Islamic State after it overwhelmed the Iraqi army. Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani has said the vote is not binding, but meant to provide a mandate for negotiations with Baghdad and neighbouring countries over peaceful secession from Iraq. Baghdad has rejected talks. The Kurds were left without a state of their own when the Ottoman Empire collapsed a century ago, and 30 million Kurds now live spread across Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran. (For a graphic showing Iraq's Kirkuk region click - http://tmsnrt.rs/2hsQaJi) (Additional reporting by Raya Jalabi; Writing by Giles Elgood, Editing by Peter Millership and Kevin Liffey)
The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) claimed the capture of two Russian soldiers in its last major Syrian stronghold on Thursday.

The radical Islamist group announced via its Amaq News Agency that it captured the Russian troops in the village of Ash Sholah, located in the countryside of the eastern Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor.

Russia denied the claim through a representative of its main base in Hmeymim, Syria, located in the countrys western province of Latakia, the heartland of loyalists to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

All servicemen of the Russian armed forces staying in the Syrian Arab Republic are safe and in a good condition and are performing the designated tasks, the unidentified spokesperson said, according to Russian news agency Tass.

There were no reports of incidents connected with capture or losses among servicemen of the Russian armed forces in the Deir ez-Zor governorate and other Syrian areas.

Russia is waging an offensive against ISIS in Deir ez-Zor province in support of Syrian government forces.

If confirmed, it would be the first time that a Russian soldier has been kidnapped by ISIS militants.

09_25_Russia_Soldiers

Dominique Derda/AFP/Getty

It comes after one of Russias top generals in Syria was killed in an attack by ISIS earlier this week, with Moscow blaming the U.S. for his death.

The Russian Defense Ministry said late Sunday that Lieutenant General Valery Asapov was at a command post of Syrian troops, assisting the Syrian commanders in the operation for the liberation of the city of Deir ez-Zor. Tass reported that Asapov was killed as a result of a mortar shelling by ISIS.

Russia faces an increased threat from radical Islamist groups at home. In August, Russian intelligence foiled a double suicide bomb plot in Moscow directed by ISIS, arresting four people suspected of plotting attacks on the citys metro system and on a shop.

Story continues

In April, a suicide bomber killed 15 people on a subway train in St. Petersburg. A previously unknown group, the Imam Shamil Battalion, which said it was linked to Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Russian security services believe that some 2,500 Russian nationals have joined the ranks of ISIS in Iraq and Syria since the beginning of 2015. Several militants from Russia and the Caucasus republics have reached senior positions in the militant group.

ISISs late Minister of War Abu Omar al-Shishani was a Georgian Chechen jihadi. The gunman who killed 39 people at an Istanbul nightclub on New Years Eve was a Kyrgyz national.

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He was a pioneer of the 60s sexual revolution, a champion of civil rights and free speech, and created one of the most popular magazines and brand that not only became a playground for Hollywoods biggest stars, but also changed publishing and pop culture forever.

So its fitting that in the wake of the news of Hugh Hefners death, everyone from celebrities to politicians to former Playboy cover models would take to social media to express their condolences and honor Hefners legacy.

There were those who admired him and enjoyed time at his infamous Playboy mansion, like former BFFs Kim Kardashian West and Paris Hilton  who spent much of Wednesday night sharing memories of Hefner via text.

RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! Im so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo, Kardashian West shared on Twitter. Paris & I are reminiscing about the Playboy parties at the mansion & how much we love Hef.

RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! Im so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo  Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) September 28, 2017

Paris & I are reminiscing about the Playboy parties at the mansion & how much we love Hef. Shes texts me the perfect Hef emojis ????????????????????????????????????????????  Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) September 28, 2017

RIP Hugh Hefner I went to so many of his parties at the Playboy mansion it was legendary you will never be forgotten  juicy j (@therealjuicyj) September 28, 2017

Visited the Playboy mansion twice. Once for Diablo Cody's 30th. Once on Halloween dressed as Bad Spidey. This will likely not make his obit.  edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 28, 2017

I met Hugh Hefner at the Playboy mansion. He was very nice to my mom. Don't ask. #RIPHef  Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) September 28, 2017

Playing bunny Janie on The Playboy Club will always be such a positive memory for me. I made some of my dearest friends. Met Hugh while screening the pilot episode at the Playboy mansion with my dad and he couldn't have been more lovely. RIP???????? A post shared by Jenna Dewan Tatum (@jennadewan) on Sep 27, 2017 at 10:44pm PDT

There were those who recognized the good he did in the world, like Rev. Jesse Jackson who praised Hefner for being a strong supporter of the civil rights movement.

Hugh Hefner was a GIANT in publishing, journalism, free speech & civil rights. He was a true original, and he was my friend, wrote Larry King. Rest well Hef.

Few did more for writers, inc myself, breaking boundaries and helping Lenny fight for his 1st Amend Rights, said Richard Lewis.

Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/oL3lKLZRQ5  Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 28, 2017

RIP to Hugh Hefner who I recently learned gave Dick Gregory the money to find the slain Civil Rights workers in 1964 https://t.co/uHmezW1JY6  David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) September 28, 2017

Hugh Hefner was a GIANT in publishing, journalism, free speech & civil rights. He was a true original, and he was my friend. Rest well Hef. pic.twitter.com/bJ1wxoK4gR  Larry King (@kingsthings) September 28, 2017

Weve lost a true explorer, a man who had a keen sense of the future. We learned a lot from you Mr. Hefner. #HughHefner  Norman Lear (@TheNormanLear) September 28, 2017

Hugh Hefners definition of obscenity:

Racism, war, bigotry, but sex itself, no. What a sad cold world this would be if we werent sexual beings...I mean, thats the heart of who we are.  bob saget (@bobsaget) September 28, 2017

If you were raised without a mom Hugh Hefner probably changed your life. Champion of great writing & freedom of speech & always kind to me.  Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) September 28, 2017

RIP HF. Few did more for writers, inc myself, breaking boundaries and helping Lenny fight for his 1st Amend Rights. pic.twitter.com/Vi4iDgYdCn  Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) September 28, 2017

There's only 2 players left me and Larry Flynt R.I.P Hugh Hefner  LUTHER R CAMPBELL (@unclelukereal1) September 28, 2017

And then, of course, there were the bunnies  the stars who became stars in the pages of Playboy, and the celebs who graced the cover of the magazine like Cindy Crawford and Jenny McCarthy.

RIP #Hef Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many peoples lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud, McCarthy tweeted along with a photo of her January 2005 Playboy cover.

RIP @hughhefner thank you for making me part of the Playboy family. Sending lots of love and prayers to @crystalhefner, said Heidi Montag.

RIP #Hef Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud. ????#PMOY 94 ?? pic.twitter.com/sF9ARYgEpw  Jenny McCarthy (@JennyMcCarthy) September 28, 2017

Hugh Hefner put me in Playboy & ignited my career. I am forever indebted, Hef. You will forever live on as an icon of epic proportions. #RIP  Donna D'Errico (@DonnaDErrico) September 28, 2017

So sad to hear about @hughhefner passing. I will forever be grateful to Hef and the whole @Playboy team for believing in me. #HughHefner pic.twitter.com/SigAch8EIC  Joanna Krupa (@joannakrupa) September 28, 2017

@hughhefner ..when I did playboy he spoke words to me that affected my direction. he was a man the room would stop for when he entered #rip  Aubrey O'Day (@AubreyODay) September 28, 2017

so proud to be apart of @hughhefner's legacy. loved working with him..what an honor! ???? pic.twitter.com/njfQXIzRPk  Aubrey O'Day (@AubreyODay) September 28, 2017

Rest In Peace my dear sweet @hughhefner Forever in my heart and forever grateful for changing my life. I love you. #RIPHef https://t.co/vDlwbrd1Gg  Miriam Gonzalez (@miriamlgonzalez) September 28, 2017

Rest In Peace Hef ?? I will forever be apart of the @Playboy family. Thank you for always being witty, kind and finding beauty in all women.  Kayla Rae Reid (@KaylaRaeReid) September 28, 2017

RIP @hughhefner ???? thank you for making me part of the Playboy family. Sending lots of love and prayers to @crystalhefner  Heidi Montag (@heidimontag) September 28, 2017

Remembering an American icon and a true pop culture trailblazer. Honored to be part of the @Playboy legacy alongside my friend @HerbRitts. Rest In Peace #HughHefner ?? A post shared by Cindy Crawford (@cindycrawford) on Sep 28, 2017 at 3:26am PDT

A rep for the Playboy Enterprises founder confirmed the tragic news in a statement to PEOPLE: Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine and built the company into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones.

Hefners son Cooper, who is also the Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises, also released a statement.

My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom. He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history. He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises, said Cooper.

RIP HUGH HEFNER  The Weeknd (@theweeknd) September 28, 2017

1st met him months B4 #SW opened-Expected stereotyped swinger/wildman not the kind-thoughtful loyal friend he always was to ML & me #RIPHef???? pic.twitter.com/r5Jbyg9TMH  Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) September 28, 2017

A great man, entrepreneur and innovator. Your legacy lives on. #Hef pic.twitter.com/36cRzlUPRw  Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) September 28, 2017

Its hard to believe @hughhefner passed. He had such an amazing life I thought he'd live forever! We was such a cool laid back guy. #RIPHef  Coco (@cocosworld) September 28, 2017

R.I.P. to the legend Hugh Hefner pic.twitter.com/0WopDrAH1h  D12 (@D12) September 28, 2017

One of the nicest men I've ever known. Godspeed, Hugh Hefner. pic.twitter.com/457cchqskO  Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) September 28, 2017

So sad to hear Hugh Hefner passed away. I was a guest at many of his parties and always admired what a class act he was. RIP Hef :(  Ian Ziering (@IanZiering) September 28, 2017

I had a number of great conversations and with Hugh Hefner. Was such an interesting man. True legend. What an end of an era!  Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) September 28, 2017

Rest in peace #HughHefner - he will forever be remembered as the Hollywood legend who lived life to the fullest.  Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) September 28, 2017

As per his wishes, Hugh Hefners body will be left in a fort in the woods for other kids to find & pass around.  Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 28, 2017

RIP to a legend Hugh Hefner. Was watching the Amazon documentary at the same time he passed. #RIPHef pic.twitter.com/EiVbxPLVJF  Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) September 28, 2017

THANK YOU HUGH HEFNER  billy eichner (@billyeichner) September 28, 2017

The end of an era ???? #RIPHef  Jenna Jameson (@jennajameson) September 28, 2017

Hefner quickly rose to fame after the first issue of mens magazine Playboy published in December 1953, which featured a nude Marilyn Monroe. The same year, Hefner launched media and lifestyle company Playboy Enterprises, Inc., on which he served as a board member until the time of his death.

Wow...just read the news. Rest In Peace Hugh Hefner. Your legacy and soul shall live on!  Charlie Puth (@charlieputh) September 28, 2017

RIP hef. You were always sweet to me on movie nights at the mansion. Love to you @crystalhefner xo #RIPHef  Courtney Stodden (@CourtneyStodden) September 28, 2017

You lived a Hugh life. Rest in peace. And thanks for STAR 80 https://t.co/xQtLIzPP1i  Eric Roberts (@EricRoberts) September 28, 2017

RIP Hugh Hefner the legend of all legends ????  I Love Makonnen (@iLoveMakonnen5D) September 28, 2017

RIP my friend. You changed the world. A post shared by ShannonLeeTweedSimmons (@shannonleetweedsimmons) on Sep 27, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

Goodnight Playboy. A post shared by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on Sep 27, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

RIP #HughHefner A post shared by Slash (@slash) on Sep 27, 2017 at 9:58pm PDT

RIP my friend. You changed the world. A post shared by ShannonLeeTweedSimmons (@shannonleetweedsimmons) on Sep 27, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

He is survived by his wife Crystal Harris and four children.
Kellyanne Conway just sold her polling company and got to keep all the funds, thanks to a conflict of interest loophole that let her avoid costly taxes because she belongs to the executive branch.

Before Conway became the first woman to run a successful presidential campaign and slid into her comfortable office in President Donald Trumps White House, she entered politics through the polling business. Over two decades ago, Conway started The Polling Company and Woman Trend, a unit within the company, that tracks social, cultural, financial, professional and health trends affecting women.

She owned her own GOP polling firm all the way through the presidential race, until Thursday, when CRC Public Relations bought The Polling Company/Woman Trend. Terms werent announced, but back in March, Conway estimated the value of her stake at somewhere between $1 million and $5 million.

Conway resigned from The Polling Company/Woman Trend after she accepted her position as counselor to Trumpsomething she had to do because it was a conflict of interest. Bloomberg reported in August that Conway had been taking steps to sell her consulting firm all summer and that she received permission to defer capital gains taxes, which turned out to be another positive impact of being part of the executive branch.

All executive branch employees can defer these kinds of taxes when they are required to sell their assets because of federal conflict of interest laws. Shell be required to invest the proceeds in Treasury bills or widely diversified mutual funds, in order to receive that deferral. So she won't pay any taxes based on any of the proceeds, which makes 2017 one of Conway's highest-earning years ever.

The fewer conflicts of interest people in the White House have, the better off the country will be, Scott Amey, general counsel for the nonpartisan Project on Government Oversight told USA Today. I support the move. I just think you have to question the timing of it and why this wasnt done earlier, he said.

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Virginia-based CRC Public Relations, the firm that bought Conways polling company, has worked with: Federalist Society; the Koch Brotherss political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity; Americans for Tax Reform; PhRMA; and other digital conservative advocacy groups as clients, so the move didnt come as a surprise to most.

The Polling Company is a natural fit for CRC," the firm's president, Greg Mueller, said in a statement. "It is an established brand with a strong reputation among conservatives, Republicans, public policy organizations, corporations and associations."

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Sheila Keen Warren has been arrested for the murder of Marlene Warren: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

US police have arrested a woman they believe dressed as a clown, shot dead the wife of a man she was having an affair with, and later married the man.

In the 27-years since the 1990 murder, no arrests had been made in connection with it until this week when police charged 54-year-old Sheila Keen Warren with first-degree murder.

According to the Palm Beach Post, the woman, known at the time as Sheila Keen, is alleged to have dressed up in an orange wig and white face paint and driven a white Chrysler convertible to the home of Marlene and Michael Warren in Wellington, Virginia.

Ms Warren, 40, answered the door, walking past her 21-year-old son, Joseph Aherns and his friends.

The clown then reportedly handed her red and white carnations and balloons.

Mr Aherns, who spoke about the killing of his mother with the Palm Beach Post in 2000, said he remembered her saying oh how pretty.

The clown then pulled out a gun, and shot Ms Warren in the face.

Mr Ahrens was in a cast during the incident due to an earlier car crash. But he told the paper he had made his way to his injured mother and shouted at the clown, prompting the shooter to turn round.

He said he couldnt remember what, if anything the clown had said, but remembered the clowns brown eyes.

He then called the emergency services, got the keys to his car and drove off in pursuit of the white Chrysler convertible, but was unable to find it.

At the time of the shooting, his stepfather, Mr Warren, was on the motorway heading to a casino in Miami.

Ms Warren died from her injuries two days later.

The white convertible Chrysler police believe Sheila Keen Warren used in the murder (Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office )

After the killing, police did find an abandoned white Chrysler convertible on Royal Palm Beach, but no DNA evidence, fingerprints, or a weapon were recovered. They also found orange fibres, possibly from the orange clown wig.

Detectives also linked the car back to Mr Warrens used car business through a stolen car report filed a month before the incident.

Investigators were also told at the time that Mr Warren had been having an affair with Ms Keen, who was 27-years-old at the time and worked at Mr Warrens car business. They both denied it.

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The pair later married in Las Vegas in 2002, 12 years after the shooting.

In addition, salespeople at a costume shop nearby identified Ms Keen as having bought a clown costume days before the shooting.

Salespeople at another shop where the shooter had bought balloons also described a woman who matched Ms Keens description.

Ms Warren had apparently told her family that she wanted to leave her husband, but was afraid he would kill her. The couples used car company and real-estate portfolio, worth over $1m at the time, were all in her name.

They were having problems, Bill Twing, Ms Warrens stepfather, told the Palm Beach Post in 2000. If she wouldve left him, it wouldve cost him dearly.

Despite the numerous connections between the shooter and Sheila Keen, no arrests were ever made in relation to the shooting.

Mr Warren did serve several years in prison following convictions for grand theft, racketeering and odometer tampering at his used car company.

The killing reportedly rocked the village of Wellington, in Washington County, Virginia, and left local children afraid of clowns, the Palm Beach Post said.
The havoc Hurricane Maria wreaked on the island of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, has put an obscure statute in the national spotlight: the Jones Act.

The White House announced Thursday that President Donald Trump was waiving the Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, just two days after he declined to do so.

This waiver will ensure that over the next ten days, all options are available to move and distribute goods to the people of Puerto Rico, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke said in a statement Thursday. It is intended to ensure we have enough fuel and commodities to support lifesaving efforts, respond to the storm, and restore critical services and critical infrastructure operations in the wake of these devastating storms.

Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, which hit the island on Sept. 20 and caused widespread power outages that wont be fully restored for months, massive flooding and left less than half of the islands residents without drinkable water. Aid and relief efforts, which have been transported by boat and aircrafts, have been slow-moving compared to those the helped Florida and Texas immediately following destructive hurricanes earlier this year.

Trump waived the Jones Act at the request of Puerto Ricos Governor Ricardo Rossello, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in a tweet Thursday. The decision came after pressure from other politicians like Arizona Sen. John McCain, who sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday urging the U.S. to waive the act. However, the waiver will only last 10 days, according to a release from Duke.

Rossello expressed his thanks for the waiver in a tweet Thursday morning.

What is the Jones Act?

Under the Jones Act, any ship carrying cargo and traveling between ports in the United States, or to the United States from a foreign country, has to be built in America and owned by an American. The Jones Act consequently increases the costs for foreign ships, or ships that dont fit these requirements, to make deliveries at ports like Puerto Rico. The Jones Act does not apply for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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By waiving the statute, Trump has effectively loosened the regulations, making it easier for ships carrying aid like food, water, medicine and other items after Hurricane Marie to dock in Puerto Rico.

When was the Jones Act passed?

The Jones Act was passed in 1920 following World War I, after German U-boats sunk thousands of ships and continued to pose a threat to the U.S. Decades later, these submarines are no longer a threat, and the Jones Act has received substantial criticism from politicians in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico as a hindrance of economic development for the island due to its high costs, as several studies have pointed out.

But supporters of the law have argued the Jones Act has not prevented more ships from providing aid during natural disasters, according to the Washington Post.

When was the Jones Act last lifted?

The act was waived twice earlier this month following Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, on Sep. 8 and 11, which lasted 7 days each. In those cases, ships were used to move gas north and to the East Coast as refineries in the south were shut down as a result of the storms.

The suspension of the law for 10 days is far lower than the one-year waiver requested by New York Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, who was born in Puerto Rico, and several other lawmakers to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke on Monday. The waiver will likely help Puerto Rico in the immediate after math, but perhaps not as much in longterm recovery.

Salim Furth, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation told The Atlantic the U.S. should waive the Jones Act for as long as Puerto Rico needs federal aid as it recovers. We need a long-term waiver, he said. If theyre using mainland taxpayer money, they should be able to use American goods.

 With reporting by Sarah Begley, Jennifer Calfas and Karl Vick
A Los Angeles police officer posted a "don't drink and drive" Instagram video hours before he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence over a fatal crash that killed three people.

Edgar Verduzco, 26, was speeding on the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in Whittier, southern California, when he struck the back of two cars, one of which was carrying three members of a family, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said, according to CBS Los Angeles.

The car carrying the family burst into flames and killed the three people inside. The victims have since been identified as Mario and Maribel Davila, a married couple, and their 19-year-old son Oscar Davila, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help with funeral costs.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Charlie Beck confirmed on Wednesday that Verduzco had been a member of the force for two years.

Read more: A California teen live-streamed a crash on Instagram that killed her sister

Hours before the crash, a video was posted to an Instagram account belonging to Verduzco. The 10-second video featured a cartoon avatar honking the horn of a car, which is captioned #dontdrinkanddrive. The video appears to be shot in a bar; a glass of beer is seen in the background, KTLA 5 reported.

The Instagram account has not been confirmed as belonging to Verduzco, but other photos and videos posted on the account suggest it is his: one post in July has Verduzcos name badge on display, KTLA 5 reported.

Verduzco was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and vehicular manslaughter and is being held on $100,000 bail, the The Washington Post reported. He suffered a broken nose in the incident.

Beck confirmed on Wednesday that the force had opened an administrative investigation into Verduzco and that he would be placed on unpaid leave after 30 days, in line with civil service employment law.

I cannot tell you how angry and disappointed I am that a Los Angeles police officer would disregard the law and cause an accident with such awful, awful consequences, said Beck in a press conference on Wednesday.

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Beck added that Verduzco had joined the LAPD from the U.S. Army, where he served for almost four years, including a stint in Afghanistan. He worked a desk, he was a very young police officer, not much time on the job, unremarkable, said Beck.

The GoFundMe page set up on behalf of the family described the Davila couple as members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Church in Riverside, California, and as community volunteers. Oscar Davila was described as a bright, light hearted, musically talented individual and a gentleman, hard worker, and a very happy person.

The page had raised more than $3,600 by Thursday morning.

Related Articles
If you were anywhere near Twitter during the 2016 election, you likely saw them. If you were in any way connected to politics, they saw you.

An angry sea of accounts that swarmed and attacked, amplifying some issues, drowning out others. Some were undoubtedly manned by real people. Many were not.

Those unmanned ones, particularly those controlled by virtual puppeteers in the Kremlin, are the subject of investigations in both the U.S. Senate and House. And on Thursday, after closed door meetings at the Capitol, Twitter pulled the curtain back just a tiny bit to reveal what its learned  and what its doing to limit the influence of fake accounts in the future.

The briefings by company officials  provided separately to staff members of the Senate and House intelligence committees  didnt exactly dazzle lawmakers, two of whom accused Twitter afterward of dropping the ball in probing the matter.

In a release, Twitters public policy team said the company has suspended 201 accounts it says were linked to the same actors that bought Facebook ads on behalf of Russia.

In a similar meeting with Capitol Hill staffers earlier this month, Facebook disclosed that its own internal investigation found evidence that Russian-linked agents purchased at least $100,000 worth of advertising on the site during the campaign. Facebook hasnt released any of the ads in question, but the company described them as divisive and focused on hot-button topics like immigration, race and gay rights.

The Twitter officials also said on Thursday that Russia Today (which goes by the moniker RT) spent at least $274,100 in 2016 promoting 1,823 tweets across several of its affiliate accounts that targeted the U.S. market. RT is partially funded by the Russian government and is regarded by US intelligence agencies as the Kremlins principal international propaganda outlet.

That in itself is no smoking gun  plenty of companies and other groups on Twitter pay to promote tweets. But it could certainly be an important piece in a much larger puzzle.

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Twitter also announced other measures intended to curb spam on the platform and prevent its trending topics from being gamed.

Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence panel, expressed dismay over what the Twitter officials had to offer the congressional investigators and, in his view, how little effort the company has expended in their pursuit.

The presentation that the Twitter team made to the Senate Intel staff today was deeply disappointing, Warner said. He called it inadequate on almost every level.

The notion that their work was basically derivative, based upon accounts that Facebook had identified, showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is, the threat it poses to democratic institutions, and again, begs many more questions than they [answer], he said.

Warner also posted his own tweet to emphasize his point:

Frankly I dont think they understand how serious this problem is. https://t.co/6oMox8856C  Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) September 28, 2017

Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, echoed Warners complaints.

While Schiff applauded Twitter for identifying and removing a handful of accounts linked to the Kremlin, he said the company has done little but piggyback off of Facebooks far more substantial work.

Much of the information that Twitter used to identify Russian-linked accounts ... was derived from Facebooks own analysis, Schiff said in a statement. It is clear that Twitter has significant forensic work to do to understand the depth and breadth of Russian activity during the campaign.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Lawyer Cristian Minor, who now counsels immigrants, became a U.S. citizen in 2015.

With immigrants living in a climate of fear under President Donald Trump, lawyers like Cristian Minor are stepping up to help undocumented families.

Minor volunteers at a Pittsburgh legal clinic run by local nonprofit Casa San Jose, where he provides free counsel to Latino immigrants. One of the most difficult matters he deals with is helping parents designate a guardian to care for their U.S.-born children in case the parents are detained or deported.

The fears of the community are that at any moment  when they go to work  they could be detained by ICE, Minor said, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Can you imagine that you live every day of your life and you dont know if youre going to come back and see your kids? I became a father recently  and I cannot imagine my life being away from my child.

Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies  including cracking down on undocumented immigrants and rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program  have generated great worry in immigrant communities. He has repeatedlyreferred to undocumented immigrants as criminals, while ICE is making headlines with its blunt enforcement efforts. In early February in Austin, Texas, ICE stopped undocumented immigrants in traffic, attempted to arrest them in their homes and patrolled around a grocery store. Later that month, school kids in the area told HuffPost that their parents were afraid to go food shopping or drop them off at school.

Casa San Jose started the legal clinic in November after Trumps election.

Minor is an immigrant himself. Arriving in the U.S. from Mexico eight years ago, he considers himself lucky to have come here with documents. He initially attended law school in Mexico, ultimately earned his law degree in the U.S. and today is a lawyer focused on oil and gas consulting, immigration and family law. Hes now a U.S. citizen and is married to a woman from Pennsylvania.

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Minor told HuffPost he wants to destroy the image of the immigrant as a criminal. Research has shown that immigrants  both documented and undocumented  are less likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens.

I can attest to the good faith of the immigrants who come here, he said. They dont come to steal jobs. They just come for a better life.

Casa San Jose community members celebrate a naturalization ceremony at the Heinz History Center this year.

Navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system can be a challenge, particularly if English is not your first language. Attorneys and law students from the University of Pittsburghs Immigration Law Clinic participate in Casa San Joses near-monthly event, helping usually more than a dozen people, the nonprofits executive director Julian Asenjo told HuffPost. The four-hour sessions are generally booked solid, he said.

With undocumented parents, Minor raises this question: If they are deported and choose not to take their U.S.-born children back to their home country  which the children may never have visited and whose language they may not speak  who will take care of the kids? He helps the parents to prepare a document that names their choice for their kids guardian.

But the documents are no guarantee. In Pennsylvania, Minor said, any final decision on guardianship is up to a judge, who must consider the best interest of the child. Even if the mother wants her sister to take care of her kid, for example, the judge could decide that the child is better off in foster care.

Minors clients are not alone: While custody rules vary by state, undocumented parents across the country have been developing plans for guardianship since Trump became president. Minor doesnt know of any instance yet in which a parent getting deported had to leave kids behind without another parent or legal guardian. But he and others are seeking to avoid that worst-case scenario.

The system of immigration is destroying these families, Minor said. They are people who came to this country fleeing situations of poverty, violence in their home countries.

Although President Barack Obama carried out a record number of deportations and was even dubbed the deporter-in-chief, Trumps policies have generated more fear because of their sweeping nature, Minor said.

Under Obama, there were clear priorities: People with criminal records or gang affiliation were at higher risk for deportation, while those with no criminal records or with U.S.-born children were lower on the list. Under Trump, however, most undocumented immigrants are at risk.

They come here, they work really hard to provide for their family, they pay taxes, they do everything right, they have not committed crimes, Minor said. Suddenly you have the risk that the father can be deported, or the mother, and the kids are probably going to end up in the foster care system. Its a very difficult thing.

A video of a 13-year-old girl crying over her father, who was detained as he was driving her to school, garnered widespread attention earlier this year.

Kids in the Casa San Jose community participate in an after-school program at Beechwood Elementary in 2015.

Besides guardianship, Minor has counseled undocumented individuals on a range of issues, from a domestic worker who was being abused by her employers to a woman whose partner was beating her. In both cases, the victim was afraid to turn to authorities for fear of being deported.

In an April survey, immigration attorneys and advocates reported that immigrants are increasingly reluctant to complain to authorities about domestic violence and sexual assault.

This is whats happening right now, what the Trump administrations rhetoric is creating: marginalization of immigrants, specifically Latinos, driving people underground for fear of deportation, Minor said. These policies create fear and empower individuals who use this rhetoric to oppress the immigrant populations here.

For people who want to support undocumented families, Minor suggests donating to or volunteering at a community center, like Casa San Jose. If you have language or legal skills, one of these groups might welcome your time.
A Massachusetts librarian is facing backlash for rejecting a book donation from the first lady.

Read: Melania Is All-Business in Calvin Klein Suit as She Attends President Trump's U.N. Speech

Melania Trump gave 50 schools in 50 states a packet of Dr. Seuss books with well wishes in the new school year.

Librarian Liz Soeiro of Cambridgeport Elementary School, however, said thanks but no thanks.

In a letter to the first lady on The Horn Book website, Soeiro explained that the school doesn't need the books.

Dr. Seuss' illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures and harmful stereotypes, she wrote.

Cambridge Public Schools says the librarian's editorial letter represented her opinions and was not an official statement on behalf of the school district.

The district says it has "counseled" Soeiro on its policies. It says her letter "was not a formal acceptance or rejection of donated books."

But some have taken issue with Soeiro's remarks, including one of the legendary author's surviving relatives.

Of all the people to pick, Dr. Seuss would not be the one I would go after with something like that, Ted Owens, the great-nephew of Dr. Seuss, told Inside Edition. "To say that a book like The Cat in the Hat is racist or that any of the Dr. Seuss books are racist is absurd. His books are about bringing people together. They are about that we are in this together. They are about the strength of the individual.

The first ladys office also fired back in a statement of its own.

"To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the first lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere," her office said.

Even Springfield's mayor issued a rebuke of the librarian.

"'One fish - two fish - red fish - blue fish' - I think her comments 'stink' and are ridiculous towards our beloved Dr. Seuss," Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a statement. "Her comments that this is 'racist propaganda' and that 'Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche and a tired and worn ambassador for children's literature' is 'political correctness' at its worst."

Story continues

Read: When Harry Met Melania: First Lady Holds Summit With Prince as She Attends Invictus Games

Meanwhile, Will & Grace returned to television after 11 years on NBC Thursday night. But the show drew ire from some viewers, who claimed the characters took a few too many potshots at President Trump and the first lady.

The first family was the subject of 18 jokes during the show, which many felt were too much.

"Trump bashing wayyyyyy too much. Changing channels. Disappointed," was one tweet.

Others found the episode hilarious, like Vanity Fair, which called the sitcom a "surprisingly welcome wistful return."

Watch: Social Media Erupts as Melania Trump is Seen Wearing High Heels for Trip to Flood-Ravaged Texas

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A Cambridge, Massachusetts, librarian is making headlines after declining a gift of Dr. Seuss books from first lady Melania Trump.

In celebration of National Read a Book Day on Sept. 6, Trump and the Department of Education chose a school in each state to receive 10 Dr. Seuss books based on school programs that have achieved high standards of excellence, recognized by State and National awards and Blue Ribbon Awards.

Cambridgeport School was one of those selected, but librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro decided to decline the offer.

In an open letter published on Horn Books website on Tuesday, Phipps Soeiro explained that her school is located city where yearly per-pupil spending ... is well over $20,000. The librarian suggested the books would be better off in underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

Melania Trump gives Dr. Seuss books to patients as she visits the Queen Fabiola Children's Hospital in Brussels in May. (Photo: AURORE BELOT via Getty Images)

[My] school doesnt have a NEED for these books, Phipps Soeiro wrote. She argued that Trumps access to Dr. Carla Hayden, the current Librarian of Congress, should have resulted in a less tired and worn selection of titles. Seuss books, she said, are also steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes. (Potentially racist themes in Seuss work are a widely discussed topic in childrens literature.)

Phipps Soeiro closed the note by thanking Trump for the recognition, and reminding her of the responsibility the first lady and President Donald Trump have to children across the country:

I am honored that you recognized my students and our school. I can think of no better gift for children than books; it was a wonderful gesture, if one that could have been better thought out. Books can be a powerful way to learn about and experience the world around us; they help build empathy and understanding ... You and your husband have a direct impact on these childrens lives. Please make time to learn about and value them. I hope you share these books with your family and with kids around the country. And I encourage you to reach out to your local librarian for more recommendations.

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Following the publication of the open letter, Phipps Soeiro faced backlash on social media for rejecting the gift, and her accounts are now private or deleted. A follow-up blog post from Horn Book argued that the librarians main point, the more-than-adequate funding of her school, had been largely overlooked.

Still, the White House pushed back, saying it was unfortunate the situation became divisive.

Mrs. Trump intends to use her platform as First Lady to help as many children as she can, the first ladys spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement sent to HuffPost on Friday. She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to children across the country is but one example. To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere.

The Cambridge school system told CBS Boston that Phipps Soeiro was not authorized to accept or reject the book donation.

But Roger Sutton, editor in chief of Horn Book, a Massachusetts-based childrens publisher, stands behind Phipps Soeiro. He told HuffPost in an email, The fact that I okayed this piece for publication is statement enough.

Also on HuffPost:

Latanya N. Jenkins, Reference Librarian for Government Information and African American Studies - Samuel L Paley Library

The greatest challenge we face today is the lack of a comprehensive way to make resources available. Libraries provide access to information, connecting people and the things theyre looking for. If my library shut down tomorrow there would be chaos.

Kyle K. Courtney, Copyright Advisor at Harvard University Library

Libraries are more important to our world than people realize. We are the 'holders of forever' ensuring access to our cultural heritage while providing the free access and flow of information to anyone in the world. All you have to do is ask.

Naomi Gonzales, Public Health Coordinator at National Network of Libraries of Medicine

To me, libraries will always be a place of discovery and empowerment. We help equip people with the knowledge they need to face their challenges, no matter how personal or epic."

Jessie Nachem, Librarian at the Wright Institute Oakland Public Library

Libraries are centers of discovery and a safe place to go where one is encouraged and supported in finding information that is empowering and transformative. That process is what inspires me to be a part of librarianship.

Leontine Synor, Trustee at East Cleveland Public Library

Libraries are resources for those who otherwise would not have access to information due to finances, educational achievement, and other barriers. Libraries also serve as a safe space for those who are met with circumstances beyond their control, and provides them a place to learn, interact, ask questions and locate resources.

Susan K .McClelland, Adult and Teen Services Librarian at Oak Park Public Library

Librarians are warrior princes and princesses wielding book love like words! We are ever vigilant, curious, intelligent, and kind. Libraries are the banners that we carry proudly into the fray! Forward, ever Forward!

Dolly Goyal, Library Director at Los Gatos Library

Theres a huge and growing barrier to technology facing a large portion of our population. Millions of people dont have direct access to technology or understand how to use it. Libraries provide free tools and e-literacy services with patience and compassion.

Taina Evans, Library Information Supervisor at Brooklyn Public Library

Librarians empower users in their pursuit of knowledge, learning, and in discovery and research across all disciplinary fields, transcending race, color, and creed. By far the most valuable institution available to the public for free. I love working here, empowering others.

Erik Toussaint, Library Program Coordinator at FOKAL (Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty)

Libraries are important for getting people to gather and share community values. Their openness to the world facilitates communication and knowledge. Many people cannot afford technology or access to the internet. We need the library to help with that. Without libraries there would be a radical decrease of academic performance, less connection among people of the community, no more space for expression or learning of new skills.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
What Were Following North Korea: China has ordered North Korean companies operating within its borders to close in its toughest move against the Kim regime since its weapons tests prompted the harshest-ever UN sanctions. Thus far, China has been slow to satisfy U.S. demands to put pressure on North Korea. As former CIA Director David Petraeus hypothesizes, China may be the real audience President Trump is thinking of when he makes threats to North Koreathough thats not to say such threats wont inflame Pyongyang and alarm Americans. Amid the escalating rhetoric, heres how to tell how close the U.S. really is to war with the North.
Police say a man found threatening people with a hatchet in Colorado may be linked to the mysterious killings of two girls who were found dead in Indiana earlier this year.

Authorities in El Paso County, Colorado, arrested 31-year-old Daniel Nations, a registered sex offender, on Monday after he allegedly threatened the group near a Colorado trail where a man was killed just two weeks earlier, ABC News reports.

Now, police are investigation a possible connection between Nations, of Indianapolis, and the February deaths of Liberty German, 14, and 13-year-old Abigail Williams.

We are aware of the arrest of the person in Colorado and are investigating to see if he could be a suspect in the Delphi double murder investigation, Indiana State Police said in a statement, according to WLS-TV. Nations was found to be driving a vehicle with expired Indiana license plates, CBS reports.

Liberty and Abigail were found dead on Feb. 14, a day after they disappeared while hiking near Delphi, Indiana.

I cant imagine why [they were killed], Libertys grandfather, Mike Patty, previously told PEOPLE, through tears. I just dont know  my mind is really mush right now.

In the wake of the discovery, police released two photos and later a sketch of a man considered to be the main suspect in the killings. The photos appeared to show a white man dressed in light blue jeans and a blue jacket over a brown shirt.

Daniel Nations

In the six-second clip, a mans voice can be heard saying down the hill. (The clip can be heard here.)

According to ABC, Nations was booked into the Teller County Jail and is charged with weapons possession by a previous offender, with additional charges pending, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney.
By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The man killed on Wednesday when part of the El Capitan granite monolith in California's Yosemite National Park collapsed onto a hiking trial was a British climber whose wife was badly hurt in the incident, a park spokesman said. The couple was found by a search and rescue team at the base of El Capitan after some 1,300 tons of rock broke off from the monumental granite formation and plunged onto a popular hiking trail, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said in a written statement on Thursday. "The victims, a couple visiting from Great Britain, were in the park to rock climb but were not climbing at the time of the initial rock fall," Gediman said. "The male was found deceased and the female was flown out of the park with serious injuries." The couple was not identified while the U.S. National Park Service worked with the British consulate to notify family members. Gediman said two other people were initially believed missing but were later accounted for by search and rescue teams. Wednesday's incident actually comprised seven rock falls, Gediman said, involving a sheet of granite estimated at 130 feet (40 meters) tall, 65 feet wide and three to 10 feet thick about 650 feet up El Capitan. Gediman said the slide was not an unusual occurrence in Yosemite, which sees about 80 rock falls a year, but most do not cause injuries or deaths. Sixteen people have been killed and 100 others injured in rock falls since park records began in 1857. The last fatality was in June 1999, when climber Peter Terbush was killed below Glacier Point. El Capitan, one of Yosemite's best-known landmarks, is considered a world-class challenge for rock climbers. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
Roy Moore is about as odious a candidate as Democrats can imagine. As chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, he refused to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring marriage equality the law of the land. He said Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) shouldnt be allowed to serve in Congress because he is Muslim. And just the other day, he referred to Native Americans and Asian Americans as reds and yellows.

But theres a significant share of the Alabama electorate that likes him. On Tuesday, he won the Republican Partys nomination for a special election in December to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, who left to become attorney general.

The Republican establishment  including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)  threw its support behind Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.), who had been appointed to fill Sessions seat temporarily. GOP senators are now left to imagine having Moore as their colleague and to wonder whether other conservative fringe figures will be more emboldened to challenge them in next years primary contests.

Democrats, meanwhile, have started to pay more attention to Doug Jones, their partys nominee in the race. Theyre wondering whether they might have a shot at the Senate seat. The Jones campaign said its fundraising has surged since Moore won Tuesday night.

Last week, we had a record week of fundraising, and this week already ... weve already easily surpassed that  almost doubled it, Jones spokesman Sebastian Kitchen said.

Jones, in many ways, is about as good a candidate as Democrats could get in Alabama right now.

Former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones prosecuted Ku Klux Klan members for the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo: Brian Schoenhals/Getty Images)

As a U.S. attorney in 2002, Jones was the lead prosecutor in the case against two of the men responsible for bombing the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sept. 15, 1963. The heinous act killed four African-American girls during church services. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. called it one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity.

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Civil rights are a central part of Jones campaign. He recently wrote an op-ed for HuffPost about history repeating itself with the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

You can put it in different terms, but everyone wants to be treated fairly, he told HuffPost on Wednesday. We certainly dont see that equality or fairness on the other side. It is going to be a big part of my campaign. I made a promise to myself and my wife and all of those people who supported me in the primary  were not going to move away from that. Its very important to me.

Jones said its also important to give people a reason to vote for him, not just against Moore. Hes going to stress what he called kitchen table issues like education, jobs and health care. On the last issue, he opposes repealing the Affordable Care Act but isnt quite ready yet to embrace Sen. Bernie Sanders Medicare for All push.

Im just not there yet, Jones said, adding, I tend to favor a public option to stabilize the market some.

So far, Jones has received little backing from national Democrats, but theres debate about whether he should and will receive a significant investment. Former Vice President Joe Biden will be campaigning for him next month, and civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) has endorsed him. On Wednesday afternoon, the End Citizens United PAC announced it was endorsing him too.

The hesitation from party officials is that Alabama is a red state where Democrats dont tend to fare too well, so spending heavily there might not be a great idea ahead of the 2018 elections  when Democrats have 25 Senate seats to defend against Republicans eight.

For now, many Democrats seem to be watching and trying to assess several factors: Would national help actually benefit Jones? Where is Moore vulnerable? How much are national Republicans going to back Moore? Is there a way to build a coalition to support Jones?

Democratic senators told HuffPost on Wednesday that theyd like to see their party give more support to Jones. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) knows Jones personally and brought him up during the weekly caucus luncheon, telling his colleagues, Take a good look, hes a good person.

We generally try and help candidates who are legitimate, who are working for Democratic Party values, the values of this country, and who have a chance to win, and yes, he fits in all those categories, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

I think we all should be investing energy into a seat that we can win, added Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Im sure youll see a lot of Democrats individually as well as the DSCC [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] investing in that race.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said its closely monitoring the contest and has been in touch with the Jones campaign to provide strategic advice. It hasnt dropped any money on the race, although its chairman, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), donated $5,000 to Jones through his leadership PAC.

The Democratic National Committee said it has sent out two fundraising emails for Jones, gave the campaign its voter file data and dispatched staffers to help Jones with his communications and digital efforts.

The liberal blog Daily Kos is evaluating the race in light of Moores win and will make a decision on whether to endorse Jones in the coming weeks, according to political editor Carolyn Fiddler.

The Human Rights Campaign  which is very familiar with Moore for his anti-LGBTQ actions over the years  said it plans on making the Alabama race a high priority with a significant campaign.

Jones said hes not going to shy away from national help, but hes not going to run toward it either.

What were doing is running an Alabama campaign. I am focused on these issues. That is going to draw, I believe, a lot of interesting support from around the country. ... Well see where help comes, if it comes at all, said Jones, who noted that hes had Republicans and independents reach out to him to get involved in the campaign.

The Democratic candidate has worked hard to avoid making the Senate race a referendum on Trump  a wise decision, perhaps, in a state where the president remains relatively popular. Trump endorsed Strange, convinced by advisers that the sitting senator would be a more reliable ally, but said before Tuesdays election that he may have made a mistake. Many of Trumps backers, after all, supported Moore. And after Moores win, the president deleted some of his old tweets boosting Strange.

Instead, Jones said he will focus on how polarizing Moore is and point out that his opponent has twice been removed from office for ignoring the rule of law.

Its one thing to just talk about issues, Jones said, and its another to actually have a record of getting things done, as opposed to simply following a personal agenda.

Igor Bobic contributed to this report.

Want more updates from Amanda Terkel? Sign up for her newsletter, Piping Hot Truth, here.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Canberra (AFP) - They are nicknamed "pills with four legs" -- highly-trained dogs helping ex-Australian military veterans overcome the mental scars of war.

Australia's servicemen and women have in recent times been posted to danger zones in Iraq, East Timor, and Afghanistan -- the nation's longest-running military conflict.

With some undertaking multiple tours of duty, psychologists are concerned traditional treatment such as counselling do not sufficiently address the trauma of combat.

"I lost my home, my marriage," Ken Lloyd, an experienced former special forces commando who has battled severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), told AFP.

"Thankfully I am still in contact with my sons, thankfully I'm better," he added.

The Afghan veteran found he was able to better understand PTSD symptoms, such as anxiety and anger, when he began training his pet labrador Jaeger to help him with tasks.

Understanding the psychology behind training the dog, gave him an insight into his own behaviour.

"I was able to rationalise... why I had become hyper-vigilant, what triggers were there for aggression," Lloyd said.

"I then started to think, well, maybe I can do this for others," he added.

- Suicide risks -

A parliamentary report in August noted that "for modern veterans, it is likely that suicide and self-harm will cause more deaths and injuries for their contemporaries than overseas operational service".

Suicide rates for ex-servicemen were particularly acute, according to 2001-15 data compiled by the government's Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

They were twice as high as those serving full-time or in the reserves at 26 suicide deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 11 and 12 respectively.

Ex-servicemen were also about 14 percent more likely to kill themselves than men in the general population.

PTSD is the top reported condition for Iraq veterans and second-most reported for those who served in Afghanistan, according to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

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Former personnel are more vulnerable as they tend to show signs of PTSD when they leave the forces -- a time when support services are at the lowest, said traumatic stress specialist Zachary Steel.

"The symptoms of PTSD are actually the symptoms that you need to be combat-effective, it's only when these fail to shut down when you return home that we realise that an injury has occurred," he said.

"They remain engaged in a mortal threat response which isn't appropriate to civilian life and actually it becomes extraordinarily debilitating over time," he explained.

- 'He's my wingman' -

Steel has been working with Lloyd and Integra Service Dogs Australia programme co-founder Ben Johnson to collect more research about the effectiveness of therapies such as "canine guardians".

One of the programme's goals is to pair veterans with the animals cheaply -- an assistance dog might usually cost up to Aus$50,000 (US$40,000) -- so they can help carry out everyday tasks made difficult by PTSD, such as being in public places.

For Lloyd's scheme costs are low because guide dog associations and Australia's border force donate animals that are highly trained but are no longer eligible for work, sometimes due to injury.

Struggling ex-soldiers often become isolated as encountering people can trigger their symptoms, but being with the dogs helps act as a buffer between them and society, allowing them to feel better about venturing outside or interacting with others, Steel said.

Another aim is to get the men and women to directly teach the animals.

The training is done through group sessions so the ex-personnel can build up friendship and a support network with people experiencing similar issues.

"It helps with your self-esteem, your PTSD, your depression, your anxiety," participant Ashley Smith, who served in Timor as a military policeman, said.

"He's (labrador named Leroy) my shadow, he's my wingman, he's everything... This programme is a life-changing thing for me."

Another Timor veteran Shane van Beurden said his dog Kalu stops him from having a "meltdown in front of the children".

"He helps me with PTSD if I am having a bit of anxiety or something at home," he said.

"And me and him can go for a run and I can address whatever issues I might be having, just me and my dog, you know."

Lloyd hopes to expand the programme -- launched in Canberra in February -- nationwide with the help of volunteers training other veterans and dogs.

But he is already buoyed by the anecdotal success of the trial.

"These guys you see when they're broken and the ladies as well, they're shattered," he said.

"To see them smile, to enjoy something and reduce their medication and the effects of their medication, to support their therapy... is fantastic."
(Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it reached an agreement with the U.S. Marine Corps to bring water systems at Camp Pendleton near San Diego up to code after the remains of small animals were found in the drinking water. The agreement came three months after inspectors also found that the water treatment plant that serves 55,000 people on the base was not regularly inspected, tested and maintained, and that operators and supervisors were not qualified, the EPA said in a statement. Inspections of the base's two water systems in June found "several significant deficiencies", including small animal remains in three water reservoirs, that the treatment plant was periodically shut down, and cracks in the foundation and inadequate seals, the EPA said. "Public water systems must meet all state and federal requirements to provide safe drinking water to their customers," Alexis Strauss, the EPAs Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest, said in a statement. "Our priority is to ensure the base achieves compliance promptly, to serve those who live and work at Camp Pendleton." Inspectors found decomposed rats on a reservoir gate, a desiccated frog on a reservoir ladder and a rodent carcass floating in treated water, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Marine Corps officials removed the animal remains and cleaned, refilled and tested the reservoirs for coliform bacteria and chlorine, used as a disinfectant, after the inspection. Officials will conduct additional testing to "ensure the water in the reservoirs is safe to drink," the EPA said. "Simply put, the water is and has been safe to drink. Camp Pendleton is committed to providing safe and compliant drinking water. This is a duty and responsibility that we take very seriously," base spokesman Carl Redding said in a statement emailed to the newspaper. The agreement requires the Marines to inform customers of ongoing compliance issues, test for coliform bacteria and clean all water reservoirs within 180 days. If the water tests positive for coliform, the Marines must issue a public notice and provide affected customers the choice to receive an alternative source of drinking water, the EPA said. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Paul Tait)
Melania Trump has fired back at the librarian who rejected a collection of books from the first lady and called some of the titles racist.

A spokeswoman for Ms Trump labelled the librarians response unfortunate and said Ms Trump wanted to help as many children as she can.

She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to children across the country is but one example, said Stephanie Grisham, director of communications for the first lady's office, in a statement to Fox News.

Ms Grisham continued: To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere.

Earlier this month, Ms Trump sent out collections of 10 Dr Seuss books to one school in each state to celebrate National Read a Book Day.

The White House said it worked with the Department of Education to identify schools with programmes that have achieved high standards of excellence.

The selected school in Massachusetts was Cambridgeport Elementary School in Cambridge, which sits just outside of Boston and is home to two prestigious and world-renowned universities, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

In a blogpost, the school's librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro said her school did not need the books, which included famous titles such as The Cat in the Hat.

I work in a district that has plenty of resources, which contributes directly to excellence, Ms Soeiro wrote. My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science.

Instead, Ms Soeiro wrote, the White House should focus more on providing support to schools that are underfunded and continue to be marginalised by the policies of US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

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Ms Soeiro also took issue with the books themselves.

Another fact that many people are unaware of is that Dr Seusss illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes, Ms Soeiro wrote, giving the examples of If I Ran a Zoo as well as And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street.

The librarian attached a list of 10 other books she hoped would offer a window into the lives of the many children affected by the policies of [Donald Trump's] administration.

Even though Ms Soeiro was upset by Ms Trumps donation, former first lady Michelle Obama read Dr Seuss books to children several times during her husband Barack Obama's administration, without controversy.

According to CBS Boston, Cambridge Public Schools said in a statement that Ms Soeiro was not authorised to accept or reject donated books on behalf of the school or school district and counselled her on a policy against using public resources for political purposes.
First lady Melania Trump slammed on Friday the Massachusetts elementary school librarian who rejected her donation of children's books.

Melania Trump's director of communications Stephanie Grisham said the librarian's response was "unfortunate," according to FOX News.

"She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to children across the country is but one example," she told the outlet. "To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere."

The White House selected a school from every state to receive ten Dr. Seuss books in recognition of National Read a Book Day  among them, was the Cambridge public school where Liz Phipps Soeiro works as a librarian.

Soeriro responded to the donation in an open letter, saying the Trumps should donate the books to students who are truly in need and suggesting they send the books to "underfunded and underprivileged communities that may continue to be marginalized and maligned by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos."

The librarian also criticized the first lady's selection of books.

You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for childrens literature, Soeiro said. As first lady of the United States, you have an incredible platform with world-class resources at your fingertips.

RELATED: Melania Trump visits sick children in France


A school librarian has kicked the First Lady out.

Just like Sam from Green Eggs and Ham before her, Boston school librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro took one look at the Dr. Seuss books Melania Trump donated to her school, and decided she would not like them here or there.

The First Ladys office declared on Sept. 6 that Trump would donate Dr. Seuss books to schools across America that had been recognized for education excellence to celebrate National Read a Book day. Cambridgeport Elementary School was on the list, but the book slinger in charge there took issue with the gesture for two reasons  she didnt need free books, and they werent right.

As Liz Phipps Soeiro put it in a a blog post, there were schools that needed books and hers wasnt one of them:

School libraries around the country are being shuttered, Soeiro wrote. Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control? Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos?

There was more. Soeiro also wrote she found Dr. Seuss a bit of a cliche, writing the late authors illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.

She then drove home her point recommending stories she said illustrate the Trump Administrations impact on children like Mamas Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation, and Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Familys Fight for Desegregation instead of The Cat in the Hat and Oh the Places You Will Go.

She even issued a plea for the First Lady and the President. You and your husband have a direct impact on these childrens lives. Please make time to learn about and value them, Soeiro wrote.

In response, The First Ladys office said that the librarians decision was unfortunate:

Mrs. Trump intends to use her platform as First Lady to help as many children as she can. She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to schools across the country is but one example, her spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail to Fortune. Turning the gesture of sending young school children books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere.
The leader of Catalonia accused the European Union on Wednesday of turning its back on the Spanish region in its conflict with the central government over a disputed independence vote planned for Sunday that Spanish authorities have vowed to prevent.

They are very brave when they talk about other countries where they have no competencies, but where are they when we citizens need them? Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said of EU officials four days before the secession referendum. Is Europes solution to Catalans to turn its back?

Puigdemont also told The Associated Press he intends to make the divisive matter of Catalonias independence into a European affair rather than just a domestic issue.

If the yes wins, I will make an appeal for the European community to become involved, because we will have won our right to be heard, something that hasnt happened until now because the European Commission has always turned a deaf ear [to Catalonia], the 54-year- old separatist leader said.

Sundays vote, Puigdemont said, will allow Europe to hear the voice of Catalonia in a very loud and strong way.

No country, within or outside the European Union, has openly expressed support for the Oct. 1 referendum that Spains conservative government sees as illegal. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he thought it would be foolish for Catalans to break away from Spain.

Whoever doesnt want to hear our voice needs to see a political otolaryngologist, Puigdemont said, using the formal term for an ear, nose and throat specialist.

He added that if European Commission president Jean Claude-Juncker cannot grasp the determination in Catalonia, then its because this [European] project is in bad hands.

Spains Constitutional Court, which has previously ruled that only central authorities can call such a vote and that all Spanish nationals should vote on sovereignty matters, has suspended the referendum.

The pro-independence regional government has so far ignored court rulings and vowed to go ahead with the vote. Officials of the executive and legislative branches are under investigation and a heavy police presence has been assembled in the northeastern region as the day for Catalans to cast ballots nears.

Madrid has launched an unprecedented crackdown to stop the referendum, including seizing paper ballots, removing referendum propaganda and ordering schools to be sealed off so they cant be used as voting stations.

Puigdemont told AP he thinks the effort to suppress the vote is boosting support for it in a way that European institutions wont be able to ignore.

Today we are closer to a massive [turnout for the] referendum than we were one month ago, he said, describing the crackdown measures as apocalyptic.

On Wednesday, Spains National Court said it planned to investigate possible sedition charges for demonstrators who took part in a massive protest last week against a police crackdown on preparations for the vote.

Looking at this landscape, somebody could think that we are hoarding weapons of mass destruction in Catalonia, a nuclear arsenal or a world-class drug stash, Puigdemont said. But in fact, we are just trying to hold a referendum.

He said that people in Catalonia that saw the referendum with indifference or hostility have now seen the curtailing of freedoms as an offense to their democratic convictions.

Regional leaders have said that if the yes side wins, they would be ready to declare Catalonias independence two days later regardless of voter turnout. But Puigdemont on Wednesday acknowledged that significant participation is needed to portray the vote as representative.

He refused to disclose what percentage of the 5.5 million Catalan voters his government needs to declare the vote valid, but cited previous referendums in Spain, including the 2005 vote to pass the European Constitution that had a turnout of 42 percent.

Nobody raised concerns about the participation level in order to legitimate the results, so I hope there are also no concerns in this case, Puigdemont said.

Catalonia is one of Spains 17 autonomous regions. Its capital is the dynamic Mediterranean port city of Barcelona, a perennial favorite for tourists.

With a population of 7.5 million inhabitants, its own cultural traditions and language, Catalonia contributes a fifth of the Spains 1.1 trillion-euro economy (USD1.32 trillion).

The vast majority of Catalans favor holding a referendum, but they have long been almost evenly split over independence itself.

Separatist sentiment peaked at the height of the 2008 financial crisis, with many Catalans feeling they could do better on their own, but with the national and regional economies thriving again, polls indicate support for secession is on the wane.

The regions first attempts to hold a non-binding referendum in 2014 were blocked by Spains Constitutional Court. The Catalan government went ahead and staged the unofficial poll. About 2.3 million Catalans  less than half of those eligible  voted, with 80 percent favoring independence. Aritz Parra, Barcelona, AP
By Chris Kenning

(Reuters) - A Detroit mother must vaccinate her 9-year-old son by next week under a judge's order or she could go to jail, according to media reports.

Rebecca Bredow, a mother of two, told WXYZ-TV on Wednesday that she had one week to get her son vaccinated under an Oakland County judge's order as part of legal fight with her ex-husband.

"I would rather sit behind bars for standing up for what I believe in, than giving into something I strongly don't believe in," she told the station. "God forbid he were to be injured by one of the vaccines. Then what? That's what scares me."

Bredow and her ex-husband, James Horne, separated in 2008 and have joint legal custody, according to ABC-TV. She says he wants their son to receive all of his vaccinations but she is opposed.

State law requires each student in public and private schools to possess a certificate of immunization. The American Academy of Pediatrics website stresses the importance and safety of vaccines on its website.

Michigan, however, also allows parents to get a vaccination waiver for medical, religious or philosophical issues, according to the website M-live. It was unclear whether Bredow has sought a waiver, and her attorney could not immediately be reached.

Benton Richardson, a lawyer for Horne - told ABC-TV that a court sided with Horne in November of 2016, ordering Bredow to vaccinate her son. Horne's name was listed as James in court records but ABC reported his name as Jason.

"It is our position that this case is not truly about vaccinations," Richardson said. "It is a case about Ms. Bredow refusing to comport with any number of the court's orders and actively seeking to frustrate Mr. Horne's joint legal custody rights."

(Reporting by Chris Kenning; Editing by Dan Grebler)
Adelaide (Australia) (AFP) - Setting up a permanent village on the moon is the first step towards exploring Mars, the European Space Agency said Thursday as plans to reach and colonise the Red Planet gathered pace.

At an annual gathering of 4,000 global space experts in Adelaide, the ESA said the Moon was the "right place to be" as humans expand economic activities beyond low-Earth orbit, even while Mars remained the "ultimate destination".

"We have been living in low-Earth orbit for the last 17 years on board a space station and we are on our journey to Mars for the first human mission," ESA's Piero Messina told AFP at the congress.

"In between, we believe that there is an opportunity to create a permanent... sustainable presence on the surface of the Moon."

Reaching and colonising Mars has been viewed by private and public interests as the next stage in exploring the final frontier, and has been a key part of this year's International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide.

Messina said the more immediate goal was to have a permanent presence on the Moon, even if it was just a robot, by the end of the next decade.

"There are a series of missions planned to the moon over the next 10 years, and all these missions will create a movement, a momentum, and will create a wealth of data that will enable building the village," he added.

"I think it's the right time now to start discussing, start planning for something which is as inspiring as the space station but on a truly global, international-cooperation basis."

The space agency has been touting the permanent lunar colony as a replacement for the orbiting International Space Station, which is due to be decommissioned in 2024.

Also on the cards is a NASA-led project to build the first lunar space station as part of a programme called the Deep Space Gateway.

The Russian space agency Roscosmos and NASA Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement to work on the station, building the systems needed to organise scientific missions in lunar orbit and to the surface of the Moon.

The congress in the southern Australian city is set to conclude on Friday with new details from Lockheed Martin on its Mars Base Camp, the defence giant's plans to send humans to the planet by 2028.

SpaceX's Elon Musk on Friday will also outline a new design for an interplanetary transport system to take humans to the Red Planet.
The stampede happened on a footbridge as passengers, who had been taking shelter from heavy rain, tried to leave the station at the same time

A rush-hour stampede at a railway station in Mumbai has left at least 22 people dead and dozens more injured.

Indian police said it was triggered by a rumour that a pedestrian bridge was collapsing, sparking chaos as passengers surged forwards to flee.

When falling concrete hit a bridge railing, people in the crowd thought the bridge would collapse and surged to escape, Mumbai police official Gansham Patel said.

A railway spokesman said the stampede happened on the footbridge that had been particularly busy as passengers, who had been taking shelter from heavy rain, tried to leave the station at the same time.

.@RailMinIndia@WesternRly this is parel / elphinston bridge. We heard People died due to stampede ? Good returns of my tax! @narendramodipic.twitter.com/Yj0tySttCo  Chirag Joshi (@chiragmjoshi) September 29, 2017

The incident at the suburban Elphinstone station, which connects two of the west-coast city's major local lines, came amid overcrowding and heavy rain.

Junior Railway Minister Manoj Sinha said at least 22 people were killed and more than 30 others injured when panicked pedestrians pushed forwards to the end of the overcrowded bridge, with some people falling underfoot and being trampled.

"Two of the injured are in serious condition," said Deepak Sawant, the health minister of the western state of Maharashtra surrounding Mumbai.

Tragic news from #Mumbai. 22 people killed in a deadly stampede at Elphinstone railway station foot over bridge. 27 injured. Many critical. pic.twitter.com/xMohQ2zBfQ  Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 29, 2017

Police had said the stampede came amid a rumor that the bridge was collapsing after some chunks of concrete had fallen.

Story continues

One of the injured passengers, Akash Koteja, said a "cloudburst" had caught commuters off guard.

"Trains were rolling in and some people wanted to get out of the station, but others were not making way," he said. "When a few tried, it led to a stampede."

Manish Mishra, a witness who helped some of the injured, said the situation was worsened as police and emergency officials did not respond immediately or enforce crowd control measures.

Stampede at Mumbai's #elphinstone railway station 15 dead,over 25 injured.AAM admi ke zindagi ki kisi ko parwah nahi hai.Prayers#pmoindiapic.twitter.com/OtbRmeIbgo  vijitashwa Mishra (@VijitashwaMisra) September 29, 2017

Politician Shaina Nana Chudasama, of the governing Bhartiya Janata party, said people had been huddling under the canopy covering the bridge to escape heavy rains, making the deadly tragedy worse.

Tanaji Pawar, a spokesman for Mumbai's disaster management unit, warned that the death toll "is likely to go up".

Those injured have been taken to hospital as an investigation was launched on Friday morning.

The suburban Elphinstone railway station in Mumbai. File picture Credit: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP

Deadly stampedes are common during Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with few safety or crowd control measures.

The stampede happened at Elphinstone station in Mumbai
In its new term beginning October 2, the Supreme Court will consider many pressing questions. Can a baker refuse to make a cake for a gay wedding? Can states redraw districts to help a political party? And, does Justice Neil Gorsuch talk too much?

Gorsuch has proven himself to be a forceful and dynamic presence on the bench, a jurist who cements the Courts conservative tilt, infuriates liberalsnot least because of the circumstances by which he got thereand breaks custom with his uncommon assertiveness. Considering Gorsuch in his robes is to grapple with what legacy President Trump will leave on the highest court, and he is inciting unusually strong reactions from both Republicans who love what they see, and Democrats who hate it.

It didnt take long for the newest member to make his presence known on the Court. Gorsuch, a conservative judge nominated by President Trump and confirmed in April, had been sitting in his first oral argument last spring for just 10 minutes before he asked his first question. Over the next hour, he asked 21 more, posing more questions at his first oral argument than any of his eight colleagues did at theirs. He blew past Justice Sonia Sotomayors previous record of 15 questions at her first oral argument, according to Adam Feldman, who runs a blog tracking Supreme Court data.

Thats rare for a freshman justice. By the Courts unwritten rules, new members are often seen more they are heard. I think he has ruffled some feathers on the Court, Garrett Epps, a professor at University of Baltimore School of Law, says of the newest justice.

In his first month, Gorsuch wrote as many separate opinions as Justice Elena Kagan, the last justice to join the Court, wrote in her first two terms. In one, a 7-2 decision about statutory interpretation in which he and Justice Clarence Thomas were the only dissenters, Gorsuchs pointed writing style was on full display. If a statute needs repair, theres a constitutionally prescribed way to do it, he chided. Its called legislation.

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In a religious liberty case, Gorsuch took on conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion. In his concurrence, which argues for a broader reading of religious liberty, Gorsuch wrote that, respectfully, [he] harbor[s] doubts about an aspect of the chiefs opinion.

He has not been shy, says John Malcolm, vice president for the Institute for Constitutional Government at the conservative Heritage Foundation. Sometimes you might expect a new justice to sit back for a while before wading in on significant issues, certainly in writing dissents and concurrences, Malcolm adds. But [Gorsuch] has shown none of that. Hes acting as if hes been sitting on the high court for years.

Gorsuch is drawing criticism off the bench as well. Some court-watchers on the Left have complained about his appearances outside the stately halls of the Supreme Court. In September, the justice appeared with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at an event in Kentucky, McConnells home state. The following week, Gorsuch gave a speech at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., the symbolic focal point of the presidents business entanglements. Progressive activists held a protest outside the hotel during his remarks.

Justices often give speeches to liberal or conservative groups, but Democrats are upset by the optics of Gorsuchs recent appearances. Generally, Supreme Court justices, whether appointed by Democrats or Republicans, do their best to avoid any outward support for an administration, says Nan Aron, president of liberal judicial advocacy group Alliance for Justice, who argues Gorsuch has erased any possibility that he is anything other than a partisan.

The vastly different reviews on the new justice from conservative and liberal groups are evidence of the nasty political battle that led to him taking the seat in the first place. Gorsuch, who spent a decade as a judge on the Tenth Circuit in Colorado, occupies a spot on the court that sat vacant for more than a year after Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016. President Barack Obama nominated moderate liberal Judge Merrick Garland to fill the seat. But instead of confirming a nominee during Obamas final year in office, congressional Republicans refused to consider the nomination, stalling the process until Trump was inaugurated, and then quickly confirming Gorsuch over cries from Democrats.

He takes the seat under a cloud for a lot of people, says Epps. Not because they personally dislike him, but because of the circumstances under which he got it.

At just 50 years old, Gorsuch looks poised to cement a conservative majority on the Court for a generation. More immediately, hell affect the outcome of many of the significant cases the Court will hear this term.

Gorsuch, whose judicial philosophy revolves around interpreting the text of the law as written, has already signaled that hes sympathetic to religious liberty claims, which could put him on the side of the baker who refused to make a cake for a gay wedding in the case Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. And he recently was a deciding vote blocking a Texas courts ruling that new districts drawn by the state legislature had to be redone, which may provide a clue to his thinking on the partisan gerrymandering case Gill v. Whitford, which will be argued before the court on Oct 3.

So far, Gorsuch has proven to be most in the mold of Justice Thomas, agreeing with the conservative stalwart in each of the 15 cases he heard last term. That plants Gorsuch firmly to the right of his old boss, swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy, for whom he clerked in the 1990s. Gorsuch has sided with Kennedy 73% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight.

But while he has made a bold entrance to his new job, Gorsuchs style on the bench may simply make him a natural heir to the voluble jurist he replaced. From the get-go, Justice Scalia changed the tenor of the court dramatically because he was such an avid questionasker, says Carrie Severino, chief counsel and policy director of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network. I know that some justices viewed that a little askance, like wheres this little upstart coming from?

That doesnt make [Gorsuch] unique, she continues. I think thats always how the old guard reacts.
North Korea called U.S. President Donald Trump an old lunatic on Thursday for suggesting the authoritarian regime had tortured an American student who died earlier this year.

The barb was the latest in the war of words between Trump and North Korea as Pyongyang accused Trump of exploiting the death of Otto Warmbier.

"The fact that the old lunatic Trump and his riff-raff slandered the sacred dignity of our supreme leadership using bogus data full of falsehood and fabrications, only serves to redouble the surging hatred of our army and people towards the US and their will to retaliate thousand-fold," read the statement from the foreign ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Trump and his clique, for their anti-DPRK propaganda, are again exploiting the death of Otto Warmbier," the ministry added.

The 22-year-old Warmbier returned to the U.S. in June after serving 17 months of a 15-year sentence, but he died less than a week later. The North claimed Warmbier had fallen into a coma and contracted botulism after he was convicted of subversion for attempting to steal a North Korean propaganda sign.

Pyongyang appeared to take umbrage with Trumps tweet Tuesday when he referenced an interview with Warmbiers parents on Fox & Friends and said the former University of Virginia student was tortured beyond belief by North Korea.

Warmbiers parents, Fred and Cindy, stated the North should be listed as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Earlier, Trump called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a madman and Rocket Man.

The latest insults exchanged between the U.S. and North Korea have paled in comparison to the recent threats of war by both sides. Trump said last week the U.S. could destroy the North should it attack the U.S. or its allies during his first speech before the U.N. General Assemblyand again called Kim Rocket Man.

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Wondering why Trump continued to insult him, Kim later responded with a rare television address Friday and called Trump a dotard, remarks that were followed by Pyongyangs foreign minister, Ri Yong Ho, before the U.N. the next day.

Through such a prolonged and arduous struggle, now we are finally only a few steps away from the final gate of completion of the state nuclear force, Ri said.

He added that Trumps use of Rocket Man made a strike on the U.S. mainland by North rockets inevitable. He claimed Trump had essentially declared war on the North, and that it could shoot down U.S. military planes even if they were in international airspace.

Related Articles
A war between North Korea and the US is now a real possibility, and would likely result in thousands of people being killed or injured, a respected defence think tank has warned.

War between the two countries would likely involve a full scale invasion of North Korea, and combat would be neither surgical nor short, the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) said in a report.

In the event of an attack by either country, the UK would only have a few hours at most to decide how to respond, it adds.

The disturbing analysis, written by Rusi director general Malcolm Chalmers, says a war could be triggered by either Washington or Pyongyang, but it warns there is a growing risk action could be taken by Donald Trump to resolve the issue sooner rather than later.

War is now a real possibility, the report states. With North Korea making rapid progress in its missile and nuclear programmes, time is not on diplomacy's side.

The warning comes after North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho claimed the US President's threat that Kim Jong-uns regime won't be around much longer amounted to a declaration of war and said Pyongyang had the right to take countermeasures.

North Korea has moved military aircraft to its east coast and begun boosting defences in the wake of the statement.

Pyongyang also threatened to shoot down American bombers flying near the Korean peninsula even when they are not inside the airspace border of our country.

The hostile rhetoric between the two countries has reached new heights as the two leaders have increasingly traded threats and personal insults.

Mr Trump last week dismissed the claim of a declaration of war, but warned if the US was forced to defend itself it would have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea, a country of 26 million people.

Mr Trump has repeatedly described Mr Kim as rocket man.

In response, Mr Kim issued an unprecedented personal statement in which he pledged to tame the mentally deranged US dotard with fire.

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The Rusi report sets out a number of ways a war could be started.

It says these could include a pre-emptive strike by Pyongyang if it believed the US was planning a surprise attack.

Washington could be provoked into an assault if North Korean test missiles were fired into the ocean near California or Guam, an American territory, it said.

An outbreak of war would be likely to involve an early large-scale US-led air and cyber offensive, the report said.

This scenario would likely provoke retaliation by Pyongyang against South Korea - where around 8,000 Britons live.

American bases in the region would also be a target, and Mr Kims regime would probably use conventional, chemical or possibly nuclear weapons.

That would mean a full-scale invasion of North Korea would be highly likely, the report said.

Though Pyongyang is known to have developed its nuclear technology faster than previously thought, even without the use of nuclear weapons, the casualties would likely reach into the hundreds of thousands, the report says.

A war would also have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

Should the US launch a preventive strike on North Korea without South Korea's agreement, it would send a signal that Washington was willing to sacrifice Seoul to protect New York.

The report calls on the UK government to continue work to intensify international sanctions on North Korea and to support efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

The UK government must also urge the US to rule out preventative strikes and begin preparations for a range of military scenarios, the report says.

However, it adds the UK should not give the US unconditional support should Washington launch a surprise attack on North Korea, and said London must listen to South Korea and Japan.

The report states: The UK government would have, at most, only a few hours to make clear how it stood on what would be one of the most momentous strategic shocks of the post-Cold War era.

Its decision would have as profound an impact on the UK's international standing, and on its domestic politics, as the fateful decision to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with the US in the run up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
America's chances of going to war with North Korea are the highest they've been since the end of the Korean War, retired Navy Admiral James Stavridis, the former supreme allied commander of NATO, said this week.

I think theres a 10 percent chance the wheels really come off and we have a full-on war on the Korean Peninsula, which would include nuclear use. Thats well over double what it was three months ago," Stavridis said during a panel at the University of Pennsylvanias Perry World House, moderated by Yochi Dreazen of Vox.

The chances of a less catastrophic conflictwithout the involvement of nukesare ever higher, at around 20 to 30 percent, according to the former NATO commander, who is now the dean of the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Stavridis said such a conflict would likely arise from the North Koreans attempting to shoot down a U.S. aircraft, or succeeding. We respond, maybe taking out a bunch of Korean ships in [their] harbor, he said. But somehow we manage to contain it and dont escalate to that full-blown war.

Even if the U.S. and North Korea didnt enter a full-scale conflict, Stavridis believes such a scenario would lead to 500,000 to a million deaths. And I think thats a conservative estimate, he added.

Michele Flournoy, who also spoke at Tuesdays panel, linked the rising odds of a North Korea-U.S. conflict to President Donald Trumps provocations.

My worry is that all of this heated rhetoric has really charged the environment so that its much more likely now that one side or the other will misread what was intended as a show of commitment or a show of force. It could be the basis of a miscalculation that actually starts a war that wasnt intended at that moment, said Flournoy. A former undersecretary of defense for policy under President Barack Obama, she now runs a think tank called the Center for a New American Security.

Stavridis and Flournoy said both countries need to make an effort to tone things down if conflict is to be avoided. That is easier said than done, however, since North Korea seems unwilling to put the brakes on its nuclear program, meaning Trump will likely continue to say and tweet incendiary statements about the reclusive nation and its leader, Kim Jong Un.

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The key to solving this dilemma could be China, North Koreas largest trading partner, said Flournoy. If Beijing can get North Korea to recognize the situation is escalating to an unsustainable point and continue pressuring it from an economic standpoint, North Korea might be convinced to discontinue or at least curtail its development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. But Stavridis warned that the chances of North Korea bending on this issue are very slim.

This does not necessarily mean war is inevitable, but it suggests the recent heightened tensions between the U.S. and North Korea will not dissipate at any point in the near future.

Related Articles
The United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston took in more than 5 feet of water in some areas during Hurricane Harvey. (Photo: Robert Levy)

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement that falls on Friday this year, is one of the holiest days on the Jewish religious calendar. Its meant to be a time set aside for prayer, repentance and spiritual renewal.

For one Jewish synagogue in Houston, Yom Kippur will be a day filled with reflections on the past and particularly focused questions about the future.

The United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston sits just a few hundred yards from Brays Bayou, which flooded by several feet as Hurricane Harvey dropped record rainfall on the city in late August.

The modern Orthodox congregation has weathered its fair share of storms  the synagogues complex has flooded three times in just the last three years. But nothing prepared Rabbi Barry Gelman for the destruction that touched nearly every corner of his synagogue this time.

The main sanctuary in southwest Houston was flooded after the storm. (Photo: Robert Levy)

The building took in 4 to 5 feet of water, Gelman told HuffPost. All the rooms were affected, including the main sanctuary, classrooms and the rabbis office. Prayer books and Bibles had fallen off shelves and were soaked. Chairs were toppled. The Torah scrolls had been taken out of the building before the storm hit, but water had crept close to the ark where the scrolls are typically kept  missing it by inches.

It was very sad to walk through, Gelman told HuffPost about the first time he saw the synagogue after the hurricane. Primarily because it came with the realization that well likely never see the synagogue in its full beauty like that [again]. We have to figure out what to do next.

Harvey made landfall near Texas Gulf Coast on Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, eventually dropping 40 to 65 inches of rain in parts of southeast Texas. The storm claimed the lives of at least 50 people across eight counties and caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses and places of worship.

Harvey was worse than previous storms, Gelman said, because so many congregants homes were affected. Many members live near the synagogue, so they can walk to services on Sabbath. At least a third of its 320 families homes took in water. Many families, including Gelmans, had to find temporary lodging in hotels or apartments.

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Weve been focusing ever since the flood on being positive and first helping people through the initial stages of this, which is very complicated, he said. You walk into your home and see 1 or 2 or 5 feet of water, and stuff is ruined. Its paralyzing and demoralizing.

Books toppled and were soaked in floodwater at the synagogue. Donations are helping to replace some of the damaged items. (Photo: Robert Levy)

Because the hurricane hit just a few weeks before the start of the busy High Holidays, synagogue leaders needed to scramble to figure out how to prepare the building for Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 20.

Thankfully, they had help. Gelman said that his congregation received both financial and physical donations from volunteers and wellwishers from around the country. Neighboring congregations donated chairs. Publishing companies and other synagogues donated prayer books. Youth groups pitched in and Gelmans rabbinical colleagues from other states flew in to help for a few days.

Some people even showed up at the rabbis house.

There was a guy in my house cutting out wet bookshelves and sheetrock from Hawaii. I didnt know him. He just called me and said, Do you need help? Ill be at your house in 10 minutes, the rabbi told HuffPost. A wonderful group of Mormons helped me get wet furniture and other items out of my house right after the flood.

UOS received donations from around the country to help with immediate needs and rebuilding efforts. (Photo: Robert Levy)

As Rosh Hashanah drew near, Gelman said he was focusing on telling his congregants not to succumb to quick solutions and to be thoughtful about what the future holds.

UOS was able to clear the water out of a social hall in its complex that was slightly more elevated than its main sanctuary. On Rosh Hashanah, the congregation met there to observe the holiday.

It was very emotional, Gelman said. It was wonderful to be able to be all together, but there are so many members of our congregation who are still affected.

As Yom Kippur approached, he said that UOS will have to think deeply about the congregations next steps. They are holding services in the social hall for now, but the future remains unclear, Gelman said.

The big question mark that we have is whats next for our community and our synagogue, as this neighborhood has a tendency to flood. What are we going to do to avoid that in the future?

In the meantime, hes trying to focus on the good.

People have responded with great strength and great resilience, and our community, which is very united and very tight, was able to provide wonderful support for the members whose houses were flooded, Gelman said. To me thats a testament to the strength of a faith community, and a community bound by thousands of years of tradition and common history.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Also on HuffPost

A volunteer from Texas A&M University helps to clean up flood damage in the house of an alumnus in Houston on Sept. 2.

Artemio Tamez and Franco Tamez sit in front of Franco's house on Sept. 2 after spending the day cleaning it out after torrential rains in the wake of Hurricane Harvey caused widespread flooding throughout the Houston area.

Children pick through toys in a trash pile on Sept. 2.

Patrice Laporte looks to see how much water is in his house on Sept. 1.

A man disposes of drywall while salvaging through belongings from his home on Sept. 2.

Axa Alvarez (holding coat) and her family sort through clothes on on Sept. 2 as they clean out their house, which had been inundated with water.

Jay Jackson adds to the pile of trash from Harvey flood damage.

A man tears out damaged parts of a home.

Church volunteers work in a damaged home.

Nancy McBride collects items from her flooded kitchen as she returns to her home on Sept. 1 after the record-breaking rainfall in Houston.

Church volunteers work help clear out a damaged home.

A man adds to a pile of trash.

Ernesto Ramirez pauses as he cleans out his house.

Damaged furniture, carpets and flooring are piled at a curbside on Sept. 2.

The Sam Houston Parkway was still completely covered with Harvey floodwaters as of Sept. 1.

Carl Ellis talks to his daughter stuck in Canada, while standing in front of her house surrounded by Harvey floodwaters on Aug. 31.

Giant mounds of trash from flood-damaged homes line a sidewalk on Sept. 2.

A girl sits amid giant piles of trash on Sept. 2.

Pete Schroeter surveys his flooded garage on Aug. 31 for the first time after his house was flooded.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Otto Warmbiers death was caused by lack of oxygen and blood to the brain, according to a coroners report released Wednesday. The report also had some information that ran counter to his parents account of his injuries.

Warmbier was a University of Virginia student who was detained in North Korea and was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in 2016 for allegedly stealing a poster from a hotel in Pyongyang. Warmbier was visiting North Korea en route to study abroad in China.

He was medically evacuated to the U.S. in June and died six days later at the age of 22.

The coroner said that the death was caused by an unknown injury that had happened to Warmbier more than a year before his death. The coroner performed an external examination and not a full autopsy at the request of his parents.

We dont know what happened to him and thats the bottom line, said the coroner, Dr. Lakshmi Kode Sammarco.

The manner of death is listed as undetermined. Sammarco also said that the student had no clear signs of torture, something that his parents and President Donald Trump insisted on.

Great interview on @foxandfriends with the parents of Otto Warmbier: 1994 - 2017. Otto was tortured beyond belief by North Korea, tweeted Trump after Warmbiers parents gave their first television interview on Fox Tuesday.

By the time the young student arrived back in the U.S. he had been in a coma for over a year. His medical team at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said he suffered an extensive loss of brain tissue that mirrored the injuries of cardiopulmonary arrest. Warmbier was in a state of unresponsive wakefulness before he died.

They destroyed him, said his mother Cindy Warmbier on Fox. I almost passed out but I got it together, and I rode in the ambulance with him, 'cause I did not want him to be alone anymore. He'd been alone for way too long. And we stayed with him and loved him as best as we could.

Otto Wambiers father, Fred Wemabier described his sons bottom teeth looking like they had been rearranged by a set of pliers, but the coroner refutes that.

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The teeth are natural and in good repair, read the report.

Sammarco also addressed the issue in a press conference Wednesday, saying the parents statement was a surprise.

I felt very comfortable that there wasn't any evidence of trauma [to the teeth or jawbone], said Sammarco.

Another discrepancy between the accounts revolved around scars.

How do you get a scar that covers the entire top of your foot? Cindy Warmbier asked. [The coroner] said it had to be an open wound for months and months and months.

The report described a large scar on Otto Warmbiers foot and a group of smaller scars but does include a description of a wound being open for months.

North Korea claimed that Otto Warmbier had gotten a case of botulism and entered the coma after being given a sleeping pill. North Korea also claims that they did not torture Otto Warmbier and that they were in fact, the victims.

Related Articles
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has died after the shortest papal reign in history.

Pope John Paul, the surprise candidate elected just 33 days ago, died of a heart attack while reading in bed.

The body of the smiling pope, who charmed crowds with his easy manner, is lying in state in the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, and a growing throng of mourners are gathering to file past it.

The churchs cardinals must now return to Rome to elect a new pope in the secret Sistine Chapel ballot.

Cardinal Albini Luciano was chosen to be Pope on 26 August after one of the shortest voting periods in the Vaticans history.

Despite his brief reign, the Italian son of a socialist stonemason had become very popular with Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

US President Jimmy Carter said Pope John Paul had captured the imagination of his Church and the world during his few weeks in office.

Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool Derek Warlock, who was in Rome when he heard the news on the radio, said there was a feeling of great grief for someone people had come to love so much.

I dont think anyone could believe it  they kept repeating it over and over again  and Rome has been in great shock for the greater part of the day, he told the BBC.

The Church of England Archbishop of Canterbury, Donald Coggan, said he hoped the conclave of cardinals would choose a similar man to replace John Paul.

There was so much about his character that appealed to many of us, he said.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Two weeks later the conclave elected the first Polish pope  Karol Wojtyla, who took the name John Paul II.

A whiff of conspiracy hung over the Vatican, and some Catholic groups called for a full investigation into the circumstances of John Paul Is death.

They believed the liberal, working-class pope was poisoned in a plot by the Papal Sees traditionalist wing.

But no post-mortem was carried out and an investigation was not held.

Allegations of an assassination re-surfaced 20 years later from Cardinal Aloisio Lorscheider  one of the dead Popes closest allies  but the accusations never became generally accepted.
Mystery surrounds the death of Otto Warmbier after a coroner said his body showed few signs of torture.

The 22-year-old American university student was released by North Korea after reportedly going into a coma shortly after he was sentenced to 15 years hard labour in March 2016. He later died in a US hospital after suffering a serious brain injury.

Speaking to Fox and Friends, Mr Warmbiers father accused the secretive state of torture. It looked like someone had taken a pair of pliers and rearranged his bottom teeth, Fred Warmbier said.

But Lakshmi Sammarco, a medical examiner in Mr Warmbiers home state of Ohio, said although the student had died from a lack of oxygen and blood to the brain, she could not explain what had caused the condition.

We dont know what happened to him, and this is the bottom line, Ms Sammarco said in a press conference to respond to the parents claims.

For someone who has been bedridden for more than a year, his body was in excellent condition, she added.

Responding to the claims about Mr Warmbiers teeth, Ms Sammarco said she was surprised at the parents statement. "I felt very comfortable that there wasn't any evidence of trauma, she said.

While a few small scars could be explained by medical procedures, she admitted there was one that remained unexplained.

@sammarcocoroner says she found no evidence of "healing fractures or healed fractures." @Enquirer pic.twitter.com/Yg6TAUaKFj  Monroe Trombly (@MonroeTrombly) September 27, 2017

The coroners statement also acted as a rebuttal to Donald Trump, who took to Twitter to praise the parents great interview on Fox and Friends. Otto was tortured beyond belief, he added.

Story continues

Speaking of the moment they were renunited with their son, Cindy Warmbier said: "We thought he was in a coma, but you couldn't call it a coma. What we pictured, because we're optimists, was that Otto would be asleep and maybe in a medically-induced coma. And then when our doctors here would work with him and he'd get the best care and love, that he would come out of it."

Her husband continued: "We were in a waiting room with the medical team as the plane arrived. They went on the plane, five minutes or so later they came down and they said it was time for our family to go to the plane.

"When we got halfway up the steps, we heard this howling, involuntary, inhuman sound. We weren't really certain what it was. We climbed to the top of the steps and we looked in, and Otto was on the stretcher ... He was jerking violently, making these inhuman sounds.

"Otto had a shaved head, he had a feeding tube coming out of his nose, he was staring blankly into space. He was blind, he was deaf. As we looked at him and tried to comfort him it looked like someone had taken a pair of pliers and rearranged his bottom teeth."

Branding the North Korean regime as terrorists, Mr Warmbier said: "They kidnapped Otto, they tortured him, they intentionally injured him. They are not victims, they're terrorists."

Mr Warmbier was convicted during a show trial after allegedly attempting to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel.

North Korea described itself as the biggest victim in the case, adding in a statement after his death: "Although we had no reason at all to show mercy to such a criminal of the enemy state, we provided him with medical treatments and care with all sincerity on a humanitarian basis until his return to the US... considering that his health got worse."
PureWow

King Charles is taking on yet another important role that was previously held by his late father, Prince Philip. This week, the royal family released a brand-new portrait of the monarch, as he officially takes on the role of Park Ranger of Windsor Great Park. In the photograph, His Majesty is standing next to a giant oak tree in an open field while the sun shines brightly. King Charles looks like a whole new man in the pic and is dressed in a camel-colored suit and holding a cane in his hand. Vi
Will the real Prince Harry please stand up?

The royal's lookalike has been making headlines this week at the Invictus Games -- and it's Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's photographer!

It all started when Trudeau and his photographer, Adam Scotti, were leaving a hotel earlier this week. Fans mistook Scotti's red hair, scruff and similar build for Harry and they went absolutely nuts! The prime minister continued to egg the fans on by pointing to his photographer as Scotti continued wave and pretend to be the prince.

Watch the hilarious incident below:



And if you have any doubts about their similarities in appearance, just take a look at this photo of them together from last year's Invictus Games:



I don't ever ask for a photo, but the PM took my camera and insisted on taking a photo of two #gingers#cdnpolipic.twitter.com/NrVWOlyZgI  Adam Scotti  (@AdamScotti) May 2, 2016

Who's who?!

The royal has been making headlines this week during the Invictus Games in Toronto.

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All eyes were on Harry and girlfriend Meghan Markle as they made their first joint public appearance as a couple.

The prince also left the internet totally confused with his cryptic hand gesture while taking photos with FLOTUS Melania Trump during their meeting last weekend. While neither Harry nor the Kensington Palace has commented on the incident, body language experts revealed that his gesture has nothing to do with the devil.

The best Harry moment this week, however, was when a toddler was caught on camera stealing popcorn from him while watching an Invictus Games match. Photos of the royal finally realizing what the little kid was doing is totally priceless. More on that in the video above.
(Photo: Lionsgate)

Over the course of his 32-year career, Richard Linklater has become the doyen of sensitive movies about boys, men and boys becoming men. If Boyhood is his magnum opus, its because Dazed and Confused, Waking Life, School of Rock, Bad News Bears, Bernie and the splendid Before trilogy had already broached that films themes about growing up while time marches forward. Linklaters gift as a storyteller lies in his ability to simultaneously needle and adore the teen horndogs and middle-aged bunglers who populate his work. He is, above all, a humanist.

That Linklater charisma is amiss in his new movie, Last Flag Flying, which premiered Thursday at the ongoing New York Film Festival. This road-trip drama remains as down-to-earth as anything the director has done, but its almost jarring how gray and lethargic it is from beginning to end. If Linklater werent an accomplished auteur, Id be inclined to say this isnt the film he set out to make.

Its a shame, too, because the mismatched cast has potential. Last Flag Flying, based on Darryl Ponicsans novel of the same name, opens with Steve Carell ambling into a near-empty Virginia dive bar. The year is 2003. Carell plays Doc, a downtrodden Vietnam vet there to reunite with the joints owner, Sal (Bryan Cranston), an old military buddy whos become a foul-mouthed, scruffy souse. Sal barely recognizes Doc  times weathering effect is a Linklater signature  but soon theyre paying a visit to another former chum, Mueller (Laurence Fishburne), a reformed preacher once known as a libidinous renegade. Here are three friends, bonded by the monstrosity of war, faced with the comprehension that the chapters of their lives have slipped past them. They arent the same people anymore.

(Photo: Lionsgate)

That alone would be a bittersweet premise, but Last Flag goes for a double whammy: Doc lost his wife to breast cancer earlier that year, and now his son has died in the Iraq War. Lonely and dazed, Doc asks Sal and Mueller to travel with him to retrieve the body and bury his only child. Despite how much the men have changed during their 30 years apart, they are the only ones who will understand what its like to grapple with combat casualties firsthand.

Much of Last Flag is a travelogue, which means it belongs to a genre whose DNA encompasses a cocktail of antics and self-discovery. Linklater aims for both, but the staid results shortchange the sweet nuance that should exist between such highs and lows. Each of the three characters has fixed traits, presented upfront and hammered home again and again. A hardened alcoholic squabbling with a sober reverend can only sustain so much intrigue, but Last Flag stretches that design across two sluggish hours. Of course these men will land at some form of mutual appreciation once its all over, which is why its dull to see characters so defined by a few narrow adjectives (Sal: bitter, buzzed; Mueller: righteous, dismissive; Doc: despondent, wistful).

Even more disappointing, Last Flag more or less wastes the aching probe at its core. A Marine colonel (Yul Vazquez) tells Doc that his son died with heroic and necessary poise, but a young compatriot (J. Quinton Johnson) later informs the men that the death was far less dignified than advertised. With that, a depressing realization: The military to which Doc devoted two years of his life took his baby boy and lied to him about how it happened. That notion of an untrustworthy government gives Last Flag a timely hook, despite on-the-nose banter about how wild it is that cellphones exist and Eminem is white. The operating paradox  honest service within dishonest conditions  is spoiled by unrelenting drowsiness. Theres a lot of open road in this movie, but it never feels like its going very far.

Altogether, Last Flag Flying doesnt live up to its ideas. Carell, who has flexed his dramatic muscles to fascinating results over the past few years, stands out as a quiet ball of rage, while Cranston hams it up and Fishburne seems nonchalant about the whole thing. Together, theyre an unremarkable trio. Again, thats odd for a Linklater film; his previous project, last years breezy Everybody Wants Some!!, thrived on the chemistry of its ensemble. Carell, Cranston and Fishburne nail the less sitcom-ish levity that recurs throughout the movie, but they cant vibe with the melancholy tone and stylistic tedium that surrounds them. As a result, Last Flag Flying operates at half-mast.

Last Flag Flying opens in theaters Nov. 3.

Also on HuffPost

"It" (Sept. 8)

Directed by Andy Muschietti  Written by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga and Gary Dauberman



Starring Jaeden Lieberher, Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis and Nicholas Hamilton



In 1990, the popular miniseries "It" -- based on Stephen King's behemoth of a novel -- dampened clowns' reputations forever. No, really: Professional clowns detest "It" for giving them a bad rap. Which is understandable, considering Pennywise is a shape-shifting, murderous demon. The original "It" doesn't hold up; by today's standards, it's plodding and tame. So we're all in on this much-hyped reboot, the second feature from the director of the supernatural terror "Mama." Long live the Losers Club.



Watch the trailer.

"mother!" (Sept. 15)

Written by Darren Aronofsky  Directed by Darren Aronofsky



Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ed Harris, Kristen Wiig, Domhnall Gleeson and Jovan Adepo



Darren Aronofsky has kept "mother!" shrouded in secrecy. Until its trailer debuted last month, no one knew what the movie was about -- and it's still not totally clear, aside from Jennifer Lawrence not wanting to entertain the mysterious houseguests her husband invites to their country home. The posters mimic "Rosemary's Baby," signaling a glorious physiological thriller in peak Aronofsky form. We'll take more where "Black Swan" and "Requiem for a Dream" came from any day.



Watch the trailer.

"Woodshock" (Sept. 22)

Written by Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy  Directed by Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy



Starring Kirsten Dunst, Pilou Asbk, Joe Cole and Steph DuVall



Kate and Laura Mulleavy are better known as Rodarte, the outre fashion label they launched in 2005. Now, the sisters have directed their first movie, a trippy trance in which Kirsten Dunst -- the first actress ever to wear the Mulleavys' clothes -- plays a redwood townie grieving her mother's death and rendezvousing with a potent marijuana strain. "Woodshock" is an impressionistic enchanted-forest reverie about the "psychology of destruction," according to the directors.



Watch the trailer.

"Battle of the Sexes" (Sept. 22)

Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris  Written by Simon Beaufoy



Starring Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Bill Pullman, Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming, Natalie Morales and Elisabeth Shue



What to expect: In 1973, tennis champs Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs competed in an all-star match dubbed the "Battle of the Sexes." In 2017, the directors of "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Ruby Sparks" will serve us a dramatization of King and Riggs's famous contest, sprinkled with their breezy comedic bent. It marks Emma Stone's first movie since winning the Oscar and becoming Hollywood's highest-paid actress, as well as Steve Carell's latest chance to showcase his dedication to portraying well-known figures with distinctive gaits (see also: "Foxcatcher," "The Big Short").



Watch the trailer.

"Blade Runner 2049" (Oct. 6)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve  Written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green



Starring Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Mackenzie Davis, Robin Wright, Barkhad Abdi, Ana de Armas and Dave Bautista



What to expect: Ridley Scott considered making a sequel to his dystopian sci-fi classic for years, but directing duties landed in the hands of Denis Villeneuve ("Arrival," "Prisoners"). By a Hollywood miracle, the non-nostalgic Harrison Ford agreed to reprise his role as android huntsman Rick Deckard, joining Ryan Gosling as an LAPD agent who discovers a humanity-threatening secret in the year 2049. Villeneuve is a master of tone, and he's collaborated again with ace cinematographer Roger Deakins, a 13-time Oscar nominee who's shot the Coen brothers' films, "Skyfall" and "The Shawshank Redemption."



Watch the trailer.

"The Florida Project" (Oct. 6)

Directed by Sean Baker  Written by Sean Baker and Chris Bergoch



Starring Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Kimberly Prince, Bria Vinaite, Caleb Landry Jones and Macon Blair



What to expect: Sean Baker shot his previous movie, 2015's stormy "Tangerine," on iPhones. He used proper cameras to make "The Florida Project," but both share certain DNA. They star unknowns as low-income vagabonds enduring seedy surroundings and forging realities that most of society would condemn. A frivolous single mother living in an Orlando motel finds unrefined ways to provide for her 6-year-old daughter, who spends her summer days making mischief. It starts as a whimsical treat and ends as a devastating ballad. "Florida" has the added benefit of Willem Dafoe, who is radiant as the motel's stern but compassionate manager.



Watch the trailer.

"Marshall" (Oct. 13)

Directed by Reginald Hudlin  Written by Michael Koskoff and Jacob Koskoff



Starring Chadwick Boseman, Sterling K. Brown, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, James Cromwell, Dan Stevens, Jussie Smollett, Sophia Bush and Rozonda Thomas



What to expect: Before suiting up to play Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman nailed a one-two biopic punch. First came "42," about Jackie Robinson, and then "Get On Up," centered on James Brown. In "Marshall," Boseman stars as future Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, defending a chauffeur whose wealthy white employer accuses him of sexual assault.



Watch the trailer.

"Goodbye Christopher Robin" (Oct. 13)

Directed by Simon Curtis  Written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Simon Vaughan



Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Kelly Macdonald, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Alex Lawther and Will Tilston



What to expect: After returning from World War I, a hardened A.A Milne crafted the story that would become "Winnie-the-Pooh," finding inspiration in his son Christopher Robin's stuffed animals. "My Week with Marilyn" director Simon Curtis has brought the Hundred Acre Wood's origins to life through a sentimental yarn about a reluctant father bonding with his son. Milne seems like the perfect part for Domhnall Gleeson, who's enjoyed a stellar streak since his breakthrough roles in "Never Let Me Go" and "Harry Potter."



Watch the trailer.

"BPM (Beats Per Minute)" (Oct. 20)

Directed by Robin Campillo  Written by Robin Campillo and Philippe Mangeotand



Starring Nahuel Perez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois, Adele Haenel and Antoine Reinartz



What to expect: A smattering of movies have detailed America's response to the AIDS crisis, but "BPM (Beats Per Minute)" shows that France's reflex wasn't any warmer. One of this year's Cannes Film Festival prizewinners, "BPM" treats the epidemic like an invisible war that reached global proportions. Robin Campillo told a complicated queer romance in "Eastern Boys," and now he's helmed a sobering portrait about activism and unity.



Watch the trailer.

"Wonderstruck" (Oct. 20)

Directed by Todd Haynes  Written by Brian Selznick



Starring Oakes Fegley, Millicent Simmonds, Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams and Tom Noonan



What to expect: Split across parallel storylines in 1927 and 1977, "Wonderstruck" follows two kids -- one deaf, one orphaned -- as they escape to New York City in search of a better world. After "Velvet Goldmine," "Far From Heaven" and "Carol," every Todd Haynes movie should be an event. This one is based on a novel by Brian Selznick, who wrote the book that inspired "Hugo."



Watch the trailer.

"The Killing of a Sacred Deer" (Oct. 27)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos  Written by Efthymis Filippou and Yorgos Lanthimos



Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan, Raffey Cassidy, Alicia Silverstone and Bill Camp



What to expect: With "Dogtooth" and "The Lobster," director Yorgos Lanthimos became contemporary cinema's sharpest satirist. His dark comedies turn society on its head, and "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" looks to be Lanthimos' most horrific outing yet. He reunites with Colin Farrell, whose family is coming apart after the arrival of a mysterious boy seeking revenge. Even more exciting: Nicole Kidman's hot streak continues, following standout turns in "Big Little Lies, " "The Beguiled" and "Top of the Lake."



Watch the trailer.

"Suburbicon" (Oct. 27)

Directed by George Clooney  Written by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen



Starring Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac and Noah Jupe



What to expect: For his sixth directorial endeavor, George Clooney dusted off an unproduced Coen brothers script from the '80s about a father in 1959 who lashes out after his home is invaded. Turns out there's a lot of violence lurking in picture-perfect suburbia. Clooney has been a longtime Coens pal, ever since he starred in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Now he gets to add his own flair to their small-town satire. That flair includes Julianne Moore crushing pills with a rolling pin like the best '50s housewife.



Watch the trailer.

"Last Flag Flying" (Nov. 3)

Directed by Richard Linklater  Written by Richard Linklater and Darryl Ponicsan



Starring Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Yul Vazquez and Cicely Tyson



What to expect: It's easy to raise an eyebrow at yet another male buddy movie, but not when Richard Linklater is at the helm. Between "Dazed and Confused," "School of Rock," "Boyhood" and "Everybody Wats Some!!," Linklater has become the father of thoughtful, nuanced stories about men. Here, he's working off a novel by Darryl Ponicsan about three Marine pals who travel to cross-country when one's son is killed in combat.



Watch the trailer.

"Lady Bird" (Nov. 10)

Directed by Greta Gerwig  Written by Greta Gerwig



Starring Saoirse Ronan, Lucas Hedges, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Timothee Chalamet and Beanie Feldstein



What to expect: Greta Gerwig co-directed 2008's little-seen "Nights and Weekends" with Joe Swanberg, but "Lady Bird" marks her solo directorial debut. The coming-of-age story fits keenly into her wheelhouse. Saoirse Ronan plays a bellicose California teenager who can't wait to leave home for college. We're going to assume she's a sarcastic, fast-talking wisecracker in the vein of "Frances Ha" and "Mistress America." Greta knows her game!



No trailer available.

"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" (Nov. 10)

Directed by Martin McDonagh  Written by Martin McDonagh



Starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Peter Dinklage, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes and Caleb Landry Jones



What to expect: All hail Frances McDormand, who appears on screen far too seldom. Here she gets the whole shebang, playing the lead in the latest joint from "In Bruges" and "Seven Psychopaths" director Martin McDonagh. The trailer has her hurling expletives as a mother protesting the lack of arrests in her daughter's murder investigation. Feisty Frances is the best Frances.



Watch the trailer.

"Murder on the Orient Express" (Nov. 10)

Directed by Kenneth Branagh  Written by Michael Green



Starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kenneth Branagh, Daisy Ridley, Willem Dafoe, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Olivia Colman, Leslie Odom Jr., Derek Jacobi and Lucy Boynton



What to expect: It's hard to believe Hollywood hasn't adapted more of Agatha Christie's 66 mystery novels. Leave it to Kenneth Branagh to bring one of his fellow Brit's most famous stories to America. (The last time "Murder on the Orient Express" appeared on the big screen was in a 1974 British production starring Lauren Bacall and Albert Finney.) The cast aboard this titular train crossing Europe is a who's who of potential executioners. Bring on the showdown.



Watch the trailer.

"Coco" (Nov. 22)

Directed by Lee Unkrich  Written by Adrian Molina



Starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Jaime Camil, Renee Victor and Edward James Olmos



What to expect: Pixar's most recent non-sequel, "The Good Dinosaur," was a rare misfire, which puts a heap of pressure on this fantasy based around the Mexican holiday known as the Day of the Dead. Lee Unkrich has directed some of the studio's highlights, including "Finding Nemo" and "Toy Story 3," so he's well-equipped to steer this story about ambition and the afterlife. "Coco" follows young Miguel, who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician despite his family's objections. Miguel is inadvertently transported to the Land of the Dead, where he tracks down his ancestors with the help of his cute pup.



Watch the trailer.



"Call Me By Your Name" (Nov. 24)

Directed by Luca Guadagnino  Written by James Ivory



Starring Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg and Amira Casar



What to expect: Expect peaches. If you've read Andre Aciman's beautiful 2007 novel, you know what that means. If not, know that you're in for one of the year's best movies. A sun-kissed sonnet set during a fateful Italian summer, "Call Me By Your Name" is about first love, handsomely captured by "I Am Love" and "A Bigger Splash" maestro Luca Guadagnino. Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet's will-they-won't-they chemistry ripples across the screen in this sensual tour de force, which could become a heavy hitter during Oscar season.



Watch the trailer.

"The Disaster Artist" (Dec. 1)

Directed by James Franco  Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber



Starring James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Jacki Weaver, Ari Graynor, Josh Hutcherson, Hannibal Buress, Alison Brie, Sharon Stone, Melanie Griffith and June Diane Raphael



What to expect: After "The Disaster Artist" won raves at South by Southwest in March, A24 slotted its release at the height of the Oscar derby. Fans of the god-awful cult classic "The Room" will be thrilled to know that James Franco is portraying the movie's not-so-illustrious director, Tommy Wiseau, in a comedic biopic about its making. Franco reportedly maintained Wiseau's thick accent behind the camera, too, because Franco's gotta Franco. We don't mind.



Watch the trailer.

"Polaroid" (Dec. 1)

Directed by Lars Klevberg  Written by Blair Butler



Starring Kathryn Prescott, Katie Stevens, Tyler Young, Samantha Logan and Madelaine Petsch



What to expect: The horror genre has had its way with the internet, but "Polaroid" makes a villain out of an old-school piece of technology. A teen loner discovers the snapshots she takes result in death for the photos' subjects. It's to Polaroid cameras what "The Ring" was to VCRs.



Watch the trailer.

"The Shape of Water" (Dec. 8)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro  Written by Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor



Starring Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones and Lauren Lee Smith



What to expect: It's a Guillermo del Toro spectacle; you know what to expect. Initial reviews out of the Venice Film Festival herald "The Shape of Water" as a sterling horror show with a touching romance at its core. Sally Hawkins plays a mute woman who discovers a government experiment that leads her toward a surprisingly sentimental relationship with a mutant creature. Del Toro went for a bigger-is-better motif in his previous two projects, "Pacific Rim" and "Crimson Peak," whereas "Water" seems more intimate and reserved. Good luck stifling your excitement until December.



Watch the trailer.

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (Dec. 15)

Directed by Rian Johnson  Written by Rian Johnson



Starring John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro and Kelly Marie Tran



What to expect: Don't think you'd survive this list without a blockbuster. As Rian Johnson takes the reins from J.J. Abrams, we'll finally learn Rey's lineage and see Laura Dern join the galaxy. Alas, we must also bid farewell to the late Carrie Fisher, who is expected to get a grand goodbye in the second edition of the franchise's current trilogy. As for that critter you see next to Chewbacca in the above photo? That's something called a Porg, the newest charmer to join the "Star Wars" universe. We'll take four, please.



Watch the trailer.

"Downsizing" (Dec. 22)

Directed by Alexander Payne  Written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor



Starring Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, Jason Sudeikis, Udo Kier, Laura Dern, Margo Martindale, Niecy Nash, Rolf Lassgard and Neil Patrick Harris



What to expect: Imagine an adult, politicized version of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." In the latest satire from "Election" and "The Descendants" director Alexander Payne, scientists are shrinking humans to combat overpopulation and environmental issues. It's an absurdist premise that will no doubt find biting resonance in a year that's seen fierce debates about who has the right to occupy space in this country.



Watch the trailer.

"The Greatest Showman" (Dec. 27)

Directed by Michael Gracey  Written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon



Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Paul Sparks and Diahann Carroll



What to expect: "The Greatest Showman" was slated to open last Christmas, but 20th Century Fox pushed it back, avoiding competing with another little musical called "La La Land." Finally, we'll see Hugh Jackman resume the song-and-dance routine that has served him well since starring in Broadway's "The Boy from Oz." Jackman plays circus pioneer P.T. Barnum in this original musical, which feels like a syrupy cousin to "Moulin Rouge!"



Watch the trailer.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
An artists conception from Boeing shows its Deep Space Gateway. (Boeing Illustration)

The space station band is getting back together again: Russia and NASA today signed a joint statement voicing support for a Deep Space Gateway in lunar orbit thats designed to serve as a jumping-off point for beyond-Earth exploration.

To be fair, thats what they once said about the International Space Station as well. But NASA envisions the gateway as taking advantage of other technologies more suited to deep-space exploration, including its Orion capsule and heavy-lift Space Launch System.

The current plan calls for the Earth-orbiting space station to wind down in the 2020s, at the same time that the SLS is delivering the first components of the Deep Space Gateway to a region between Earth and the moon known as cislunar space.

NASA is working on concept studies for the DSG space station with six commercial partners in its NextSTEP-2 program  Bigelow Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital ATK, Sierra Nevada Corp. and Nanoracks.

While the deep space gateway is still in concept formulation, NASA is pleased to see growing international interest in moving into cislunar space as the next step for advancing human space exploration, Robert Lightfoot, NASAs acting administrator, said in a news release. Statements such as this one signed with Roscosmos show the gateway concept as an enabler to the kind of exploration architecture that is affordable and sustainable.

The joint statement was signed by representatives of NASA and Roscosmos, Russias space agency, at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia.

Russias Tass news service quoted Russian space chief Igor Komarov as saying that his country may provide as many as three of the Deep Space Gateways modules  and that other countries in the so-called BRICS economic group, including China and India, could take part in the project.

Current law bars NASA from bilateral space cooperation with China.

Story continues

The Deep Space Gateway and its role in the push onward to Mars has been one of the big topics at this years IAC meeting. Lockheed Martin and SpaceX founder Elon Musk are due to update their proposals for sending crews to Mars in the 2020s on the conferences final day.

24 hrs to @LockheedMartin rollout of our Mars lander at @iafastro #IAC2017. Live worldwide webcast Thursday 4 pm MT https://t.co/RbtxyiLPie pic.twitter.com/gZJlzf35iy  Rob Chambers (@MarsBaseCamper) September 27, 2017

Details of the Lockheed Martin Mars lander concept: pic.twitter.com/ouQiL0TKSf  California Sky (@CaliforniaSky) September 26, 2017

Headed to Adelaide soon to describe new BFR planetary colonizer design in detail @IAC2017. This should be worth seeing. Design feels right.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 27, 2017

Prev ideas for paying ~$10B dev cost incl. Kickstarter & collecting underpants, which turned out to be um less lucrative than expected  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 27, 2017

More from GeekWire:
By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and David Brunnstrom MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russian and North Korean officials will meet in Moscow on Friday to discuss the North Korea crisis, a move welcomed by the United States, which has been locked in am increasingly heated war of words with Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Oleg Burmistrov, Russia's ambassador-at-large, would meet Choe Son-hui, director-general of the North American department of North Korea's foreign ministry. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declined to give details, but said her ministry would issue a statement after the meeting. The United States welcomed the planned meeting, with U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert saying: "I can't see that as a bad thing." "Diplomacy is our preferred approach," Nauert told a regular briefing. "If Russia can be successful in getting North Korea to move in a better direction, we would certainly welcome that." Privately, however, U.S. officials have played down the likely effect of the Russian effort. Recent days have seen exchanges of heated rhetoric and threats between U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and North Korea over the latter's bid to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States. Nauert said Friday's talks would follow a visit to Moscow by the U.S. special envoy for North Korea, Joseph Yun, about two weeks ago. Attending the U.N. General Assembly in New York last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pushed a proposal by Moscow and Beijing for a dual suspension of North Korean weapons tests and the U.S.-South Korean military drills to kick-start negotiations. He suggested then that a neutral European country could mediate. Washington has said its joint military drills are essential to guard against North Korea and that Pyongyang must show it is serious about giving up its nuclear weapons before any return to talks. North Korea, for its part, says it needs to develop its weapons to defend itself against what it sees as U.S. aggression. Last week, Lavrov said North Korea and the United States should tone down their bellicose rhetoric, calling the exchange of threats between the two "quite bad, unacceptable." (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in MOSCOW and David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON; Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing by Andrew Osborn and James Dalgleish)
irst Lady Melania Trump reads a book during the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll: AFP/Getty Images

An elementary school librarian in Massachusetts has said she will reject a collection of books from First Lady Melania Trump.

Earlier this month, Ms Trump sent out collections of 10 Dr Seuss books to one school in each state to celebrate National Read a Book Day.

The White House said it worked with the Department of Education to identify schools with programs that have achieved high standards of excellence.

But in a blogpost, Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro said her school did not need the books, which included famous titles such as The Cat in the Hat.

I work in a district that has plenty of resources, which contributes directly to excellence, she wrote. My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science.

Instead, Ms Soeiro wrote, the White House should focus more on providing support to schools that are underfunded.

Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos? she said.

Cambridge, where Ms Soeiros school is located, sits just outside of Boston and is home to two prestigious and world-renowned universities, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

Ms Soeiro also took issue with the books themselves.

Another fact that many people are unaware of is that Dr Seusss illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes, Ms Soeiro wrote, giving the examples of If I Ran a Zoo as well as And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street.

The librarian attached a list of 10 other books she hoped would offer a window into the lives of the many children affected by the policies of [Donald Trump's] administration.

According to CBS Boston, Cambridge Public Schools said in a statement that Ms Soeiro was not authorised to accept or reject donated books on behalf of the school or school district and counseled her on a policy against using public resources for political purposes.
A librarian at an elementary school in Cambridge, Masschusetts said she is rejecting books given to the institution by first lady Melania Trump.

As part of national Read a Book Day, the first lady sent a number of Dr Seuss titles to schools across the nation, selecting one school from each state to receive the books.

Liz Phipps Soeiro, the school librarian for Cambridgeport Elementary School, announced in an open letter to Trump that she would not be accepting the gift because her school was not in need of the additional books, also telling the first lady that "Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche."

I work in a district that has plenty of resources, which contributes directly to 'excellence.' Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an amazing city with robust social programming, a responsive city government, free all-day kindergarten, and well-paid teachers, Phipps Soeiro wrote on The Horn Book's Family Reading blog.

My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science. Many schools around the state and country cant compete, she added.

Meanwhile, school libraries around the country are being shuttered. Cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit are suffering through expansion, privatization, and school 'choice' with no interest in outcomes of children, their families, their teachers, and their schools. Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control? Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos? the librarian asked, in a post that has garnered attention from multiple media outlets.

"You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for children's literature," she added. "Another fact that many people are unaware of is that Dr. Seuss's illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes."

Story continues

Her school is not standing behind its librarian's position, saying Phipps Soeiro did not speak on behalf of Cambridgeport Elementary School.

The employee was not authorized to accept or reject donated books on behalf of the school or school district," a statement from the school to CBS said.

"We have counseled the employee on all relevant policies, including the policy against public resources being used for political purposes," the statement added.

Before signing off in her letter, the librarian thanked Melania for the books and said it was a wonderful gesture, if one that could have been better thought out.

She added: Books can be a powerful way to learn about and experience the world around us; they help build empathy and understanding. In return, Im attaching a list of ten books (its the librarian in me) that I hope will offer you a window into the lives of the many children affected by the policies of your husbands administration. You and your husband have a direct impact on these childrens lives. Please make time to learn about and value them.

Related Articles
The abnormally small heads seen among children infected with Zika virus have haunted all those living in regions where mosquitoes carry the pathogen, including the United States. It turns out that just one genetic change in a viral protein could cause the defectyet another piece of evidence of just how easy it could be for a virus to transform from mild to a serious global concern.

A group of Chinese researchers identified one particular mutation in the virus most associated with microcephaly, the birth defect associated with last years outbreak.

The breakthrough could be crucial for future outbreaks. Although concerns over Zika have diminished since last year, the problem has not disappeared. With so many areas of the U.S. now covered in stagnant floodwaters, questions linger about what impact recent storms could have on the transmission of the virus.

[Zika] will come back at some point, Dr. Michael Diamond, an infectious diseases specialist at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (but who was not involved in the research), tells Newsweek. I cant tell you when, but it will come back at some point. And if it comes back, are we going to be in the same place that we were last timewith nothingor are we going to continue to study it, understanding it might come back worse than it is now?

The new finding is a first step toward knowing how and why the Zika virus causes birth defectsand which forms of the virus might be particularly dangerous.

The research was published in Science on Thursday.

01_27_Zika_01

Mario Tama/Getty

The genetic abnormality alters the course of the disease. This specific mutation can indeed make the virus more aggressive, Alysson Muotri, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego who has also studied the Zika virus in animal models but was not involved in the new paper.

Story continues

Microcephaly was not always a common birth defect seen in children affected by Zika. The problem may simply have gone unnoticed during earlier outbreaks because fewer infected women were pregnant. But as the epidemic changedexpanding in Brazil, most notablythe problem became more noticeable, says Diamond.

Researchers, including Cheng-Feng Qin, a virologist at the Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology and an author of the paper, also wondered if the virus had mutated, becoming more virulent and damaging to the developing human brain.

To test this theory, Qin took nearly 100 newborn mice, separated them into four groups, and injected one of four different strains of the virus into their brain. One of the strains was associated with an outbreak that happened in 2010; three strains were isolated during the outbreak from 2015 to 2016. He also tested the virus on human brain stem cells.

For developing mice infected with one particular strain, called VEN/2016, their brain became far smaller than the brain of mice infected with other strains. The brain of mice infected was still smaller if it was infected with a virus created to carry just the one mutation found in that version of the virusa substitution of one amino acid, serine, for another, asparaginein a protein called prM.

Mexico Zika Virus South America

Reuters/Daniel Becerril/Files

But though the results were strong, the method used left many researchers with questions.

Injecting the virus straight into mices brain meant that the virus didnt go through the usual path it would take to affect a developing fetus. In most cases, a mosquito bites a pregnant woman, then the virus spreads through her body and crosses the placenta to reach the fetus.

Inside the brain, it works. The question is, Does it work outside the brain? said Jean Pierre Schatzmann Peron, an immunologist at the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil. Since the mutated protein identified in this study is found on the surface of the virus, it could have an impact on the likelihood of the virus making it through that path. Perhaps the human immune system would detect the modified protein on the surface of the virus and kill it, for example.

And why would this mutation make the virus work better or differently, he asked. What does it change? There are a lot of other questions that have to be answered after this.

Qin and the Chinese team are working on some answers. Theyre currently studying factors that interact with the mutated protein.

But ideally, Diamond noted, scientists would use similar experiments with monkeys or chimpanzees, allowing the virus with this mutation to infect the animals from mosquitos and watching how it affected fetal development. That experiment needs to be done, he said.

A more aggressive Zika virus could also be exacerbated by other issues that make an infant more susceptible to microcephaly. This [mutation] can change the biology of the virus, but it doesnt fully explain whats going on, says Muotri. Environmental factors, genetic background of the person, previous exposure to other viruses or vaccines could all play a role. Its not only about the viral genetics, says Muotri. There are probably other factors that play a role.

08_30_Zika_Abortion_01

Ricardo Moraes/reuters

In the U.S., 100 children infected with Zika have been born with microcephaly. Children with this birth defect may have seizures, hearing loss, difficulty seeing or moving, and may not learn to sit, stand or walk at the same rate as other children. They may also have intellectual disabilities.

Though the mosquito that spreads Zika can be found throughout the southern United Statesand even as far north as New Jersey and Northern Californiait hasnt been widespread in the United States. About 5,500 cases of Zika were reported in the U.S. outside of territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands since the beginning of 2015. Only 225 of those cases were due to mosquito bites that happened in those states; most were residents who were likely traveling when they were infected.

But as Diamond points out, the virus could re-emerge anytime, and we need to be prepared.

Related Articles
The ranking Democrat of the Senate judiciary committee and its Republican chairman have reached a deal to subpoena former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort in order to make him attend a public hearing.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) told CNN Wednesday the she and Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have agreed to terms regarding Manafort as part of the committees investigation into Russias alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election and possibly the FBI during both the Trump and Obama administrations.

A Feinstein spokesperson told CNN that the subpoena agreement is in principle and that details are still being hammered out. Grassley also confirmed the deal to the outlet and said that specific details are being finalized.

Manaforts office did not immediately respond to TIMEs request for comment.

Manafort has tried to avoid appearing at a public hearing on the matter in recent months, cutting a deal with investigators in July in exchange for documents and a closed-door, transcribed interview with the committee. President Donald Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., took the same deal.

But Grassley has apparently grown frustrated with Manafort since then, according to CNN, because his lawyers have not cooperated with the committees request.

If successfully arranged, the hearing will almost certainly discuss a June 2016 meeting in which Manafort, Trump Jr. and senior adviser to the President and son-in-law Jared Kushner spoke with Russians who claimed to have incriminating information about Hillary Clintons campaign.

Manafort has also been under the scrutiny of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who as part of his own Russia probe last month had FBI agents raid Manaforts home in the middle of the night with him and his wife sleeping inside.
The University of Macaus (UM) Faculty of Arts and Humanities signed a cooperation agreement with University of Portos (UP) Faculty of Arts regarding the exchange of undergraduate students. The agreement was signed in Portugal by Rui Martins, vice rector (research) of UM and two representatives of UMs rector. The ceremony was witnessed by Alexis Tam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. According to the agreement, the two universities will enter a formal stage of promoting student exchange.

Eligible students are those recommended by their respective universities, including third- and fourth-year undergraduate students from the eligible faculties in these universities.

So far, UM has signed collaboration agreements on student exchange with six Portuguese-speaking universities, including the University of Evora, the University of Minho, the University of Coimbra, and the University of Porto (all of which are in Portugal), the Federal University of Minas Gerais (in Brazil), and the Universidade Politecnica (in Mozambique).
Investigators who've been searching for the killer of two Indiana teens brutally murdered while hiking may have a lead all the way in Colorado.

Police in El Paso County arrested a man there Monday after he allegedly threatened several people with a hatchet near a mountain trail where a man is believed to have been murdered two weeks ago, WLS reports.

Read: Two Beloved High School Students Found Murdered Behind Supermarket

The possible suspect is a registered sex offender named Daniel Nations. Inside Edition has learned the 31-year-old was previously living in Indianapolis, some 70 miles from where 14-year-old Liberty "Libby" German and her best friend, Abigail Williams, were slain in February.

Abby, 13, and Libby, 14, were found dead on Valentine's Day, one day after they were reported missing by family members.

Chilling evidence was later found by authorities on Libby's phone. A grainy image and haunting audio of a man saying "down the hill" were recorded moments before they were killed.

A source familiar with the investigation described the full recording as "the stuff of nightmares."

Read: Police Release Sketch of Suspect, 5 Months After Murder of Indiana Teens

Months later, a sketch was released by Indiana and federal authorities of a suspect wanted in connection with the slayings.

Indiana State Police said they have had over 1,000 reports of people who look like the sketch and they are looking into the situation in Colorado.

Watch: Cops Search Property Where Bodies of Teen Indiana Hikers Were Found

Related Articles:
Many reasons have been offered up for Donald Trumps shocking ascent to the Oval Office. A list of the leading causes would likely include globalization, white resentment, working-class revolt, anti-immigrant nativism, reality TV and social media. Yet ironically, the most obvious aspect of Trumps personal biography and pubic image has been mostly disregarded when explaining his victory: To most of the 62 million men and women who voted for him, Donald Trump has always been, first and foremost, a billionaire businessman.

Since the early twentieth century, Americans have come to value social progress and personal well-being in units of money. Progress became priced. As this happened, making money became the standard measure for valuing not only our assets and investments but our environment, our nation and even ourselves. American prosperity is now often gauged in dollars and cents; net worth has become almost synonymous with self-worth.

This pricing of progress played an important role in Trumps election. Behind all the bluster and bravado, Trump often ran on a platform that presented America as a business investment. Unlike all those incompetent politicians and bureaucrats in Washington, the pitch went, Trump was a deal-making billionaire capitalist that would run the government like he ran his real-estate portfolio. As Americans have been bombarded for decades by economic indicators that taught them that their societys top priority was its bottom line, this was a relatively easy sell for Trump, a gifted salesman.

Since the election, as Trumps presidency quickly floundered amidst Russian scandals and discriminatory policies, he has leaned on the pricing of progress even more. For an alleged anti-elitist populist who supposedly despises statistical facts and expert knowledge, Trump sure does tweet a lot of Bloomberg-console data on corporate profits, manufacturing indices or business confidence. His most recurrent tweet involves citing the stock market and how the continuous rise of corporate wealth undoubtedly reflects the equally improved state of the American people. Since November 8th, Election Day, Trump tweeted out in typical fashion on July 3rd, the Stock Market has posted $3.2 trillion in Gains and consumer confidence is at a 15 year high. Jobs! In his first address to the U.N. General Assembly, he quickly brought up that the stock market is at an all-time high, a record.

For Trump, clinging to economic indicators such as the Dow makes perfect sense. While a significant majority of Americans do not approve of the 45th President, the stock market surely does. On the day after the election, when many assumed the economy would crater, the Dow jumped 257 points after being flat for months. As Trumps almost weekly tweets make sure to remind us, it has been rising ever since. Referred to as the Trump Bump, the Dow has climbed almost 4,000 points since that fateful Tuesday in November, a staggeringly quick 22% increase. Most other mainstream economic indicators have also fared well under Trump, as Gross Domestic Product estimates were revised sharply higher in the second quarter of 2017, matching the highest growth rate since early 2015.

But there is danger in valuing American society solely through the eyes of a profit-seeking investor. On June 1st, Trump announced that he was withdrawing from the Paris climate accord designed to slow global warming and, hopefully, save the planet. The backlash was immediate and widespread as citizens of the world condemned Trumps decision. That day, the Dow went up 136 points. As the ocean floor continues to rise at an alarming rate due to man-made global warming, it appears that the leading economic indicators might just go up along with it. I am not sure if this is what adherents of GDP growth had in mind when they coined the term a rising tide lifts all boats.

The Trump Bump should not come as a surprise. As the Paris accord withdrawal suggests, if one measures success only in terms of corporate gains, financial returns or even GDP, many of Trumps troubling policy proposals begin to look pretty good, be it his tax cuts for the rich, cancellation of health insurance for the sick and elderly, deregulation of the finance and energy sectors, privatization of American infrastructure or disregard for Big Pharmas price-gouging.

Unlike us humans, the market is essentially a sociopath. It cares little for issues of social justice so long as they do not disrupt income flows. The moral controversies surrounding Russia, Trumpcare, immigration or white supremacy that have easily turned Trump into perhaps the least popular president of all time are mostly made invisible if one only measures the world in units of money. Add to this the fact that, according to 2012 calculations from Berkeley economist Gabriel Zucman, over 40% of the stock market is owned by the top 1% of wealthy Americans, and it is clear why the Dow and the Donald have become bosom buddies.

There is, however, a silver lining to this story: Hopefully, the widening schism between Trumps approval ratings and leading economic indicators will serve as a wake-up call for the American people. Until the late nineteenth century, most Americans rejected the pricing of progress. They preferred valuation techniques that better reflected their values. For much of that century, the leading metrics were moral statistics which, while far from perfect, measured the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the American people. It is time we did the same, turning our attention towards indicators that measure loneliness and community, mass incarceration and drug addiction, urban poverty and class mobility, mental stress and job security, human dignity and social inequality, racial justice and gender equality, environmental protection and global sustainability.
By Julie Steenhuysen CHICAGO (Reuters) - A single genetic change that occurred in 2013 may explain how Zika acquired the ability to attack fetal nerve cells, causing a severe birth defect in babies whose mothers were infected while pregnant, Chinese and U.S. researchers reported on Thursday. Scientists have posited many theories about why Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that had been linked with only mild symptoms since its discovery in 1947, could suddenly be associated with thousands of cases of the birth defect known as microcephaly, as it was in Brazil in 2015. That outbreak prompted the World Health Organization to declare Zika a public health emergency in 2016, and set off a scientific quest to determine whether Zika could cause microcephaly, a condition marked by small head size. Several teams have already traced the virus circulating in Brazil and elsewhere in South America to a strain of Zika that had been quietly circulating in Southeast Asia for decades. In the new study, published in Science, Ling Yuan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and colleagues compared genetic changes in samples of the South American virus with one isolated in 2010 in Cambodia. They created seven sample viruses, each with a single genetic difference from the Cambodian strain, and tested these in brains of fetal mice. Although the viruses caused some degree of damage in all, those infected with a virus that carried a single mutation in a structural protein called prM developed severe microcephaly. That strain also proved more lethal to fetal brain cells. The team estimates the genetic change occurred in May 2013, just before a French Polynesian outbreak of Zika in which the first cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological disorder, were noted. "Our findings offer an explanation for the unexpected causal link of Zika to microcephaly, and will help understand how Zika evolved from an innocuous mosquito-borne virus to a congenital pathogen with global impact," Yuan and colleagues wrote. One study author, Dr. Pei-Yong Shi of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, said other mutations also fueled the explosive epidemic, including one he and others reported on in May in the journal Nature that enhanced Zika's ability to infect Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which carry the virus. Last November, WHO pronounced Zika no longer an international emergency, but stressed that the virus, found in at least 60 countries, will keep spreading where mosquitoes that carry Zika are present. (Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; editing by Susan Thomas)
Madrid (AFP) - Spain has freed a journalist whose arrest provoked widespread condemnation from human rights organisations, announcing Friday that he would not be extradited to Turkey as requested by Ankara.

Turkish-Swedish journalist Hamza Yalcin was arrested on August 3 at Barcelona's El Prat airport on a warrant issued by Turkey, which accuses him of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and having links to an unspecified "terror group".

Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said Friday the government had decided not to pursue the extradition process.

"The Passive Extradition Act and the Convention on the Status of Refugees stipulates that extradition cannot be granted when the person has been granted refugee status," Mendez de Vigo said.

"The Swedish authorities have twice granted asylum to Yalcin, who had refugee status until obtaining Swedish nationality in 2016."

A judge freed Yalcin on Thursday.

Yalcin's release comes as alarm grows over press freedom in Turkey, with dozens of journalists detained and foreign reporters also caught up in a crackdown under the state of emergency imposed after last year's coup attempt.

According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency, Yalcin, who writes for Odak, a left-wing online magazine critical of the government, should be tried for insulting Erdogan and making "propaganda" for a "terrorist group".

Turkey ranks 155 on Reporters Without Borders' latest press freedom index, below Belarus and the Democratic Republic of Congo, after dropping four places from its 2016 ranking.
Barcelona (AFP) - Spain is on tenterhooks as the crisis between Catalan separatist leaders and the central government reaches fever-pitch ahead of an independence referendum banned by Madrid on Sunday.

The showdown is one of Spain's biggest political crises since the end of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco four decades ago and it has Catalonia deeply divided.

So how did the situation get so out of hand?

Catalan separatists called the referendum on September 6 despite a ban by Spain's Constitutional Court and with little debate allowed in the regional parliament.

Since then, web closures, detentions and the seizure of millions of ballots don't appear to have dampened the enthusiasm of the separatists in this wealthy northeastern region which is home to 16 percent of Spain's population.

When the organisers have been fined thousands of euros, activists have raised funds.

Ballot papers seized? They have called on people to print more.

And when internet sites promoting the referendum are blocked, others re-open.

Determined to block the illegal vote, the state has deployed thousands of police to Catalonia, some of them housed in ferries in the ports of Barcelona and Tarragona.

One of the boats is decorated with giant Looney Tunes cartoon characters, including Tweety.

Cue the hashtag #FreeTweety, which has become a worldwide trending topic on Twitter, the little yellow bird becoming an emblem of Catalans who want to vote.

- Catexit -

But the potential independence of Catalonia, roughly the size of Belgium and contributing 19 percent of Spain's economy, is no laughing matter.

The consequences are hard to predict, leading to comparisons with Britain's decision to quit the European Union, which was made at a referendum in June 2016.

"It's like the Brexit, just as stupid," says Beatriz Migens, a 43-year-old from the southern city of Seville, on the high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona where she spends two days a week for work.

Story continues

In Madrid, Rodrigo Marrero, a lawyer from the Canary Islands who works in the Spanish capital, says: "If Catalonia left, it would be like losing a limb."

"Everyone I know is dismayed, we talk of nothing else."

For his part Ferran Mascarell, who represents the Catalan executive in Madrid, says there has long been resentment among Catalans who feel that Madrid holds them in contempt.

But the impact of Spain's economic crisis, followed by the Constitutional Court's partial cancellation in 2010 of a statute giving Catalonia greater autonomy, turned this into outright anger, he adds.

"It's the result of a revolt of the middle-class against the state, which isn't doing its job right."

But those who oppose independence, particularly the Ciudadanos party, believe it is about more than that.

They claim that some politicians have used the struggle for independence as a way to divert attention from corruption cases in Catalonia and mismanagement of the region.

- 'We will vote' -

Catalonia has its own language and culture but out of its 7.5 million inhabitants, more than half come from elsewhere, such as those whose parents or grandparents migrated from other parts of Spain.

And on the subject of independence, Catalonia is divided almost down the middle... even within families.

But more than 70 percent of Catalans want to settle the matter once and for all in a legal referendum, according to opinion polls.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, though, refuses. He has repeatedly said any such referendum would contravene the very Constitution that Catalans overwhelmingly ratified in 1978.

He is also reluctant to open a Pandora's box in a fragile decentralised Spain where regions have differing levels of autonomy.

Still, after managing to emerge from a damaging economic crisis and put a stop to attacks by Basque separatist group ETA, Spain's image has taken a hit.

For weeks, the state, its judges and police forces have pulled out the stops to stop the Catalan vote.

Protests have broken out in Barcelona and other Catalan cities -- all peaceful except that several police vans were damaged.

Firefighters, dockers, farmers and school children have shown their determination with slogans like "Votarem" (Catalan for "we will vote") or "love democracy."

Madrid has however emphasised that even if Catalans manage to vote en masse on Sunday, it will not be a referendum with any semblance of legitimacy.

There is no electoral census, the board set up to oversee the vote has been dissolved, and parties against independence have called on their followers to boycott Sunday's vote.
Republicans released their framework for tax reform Wednesday, combining corporate tax cuts with simplification of individual rates and deductions. The stakes couldnt be higher for the GOP, with at least hundreds of billions of stock market wealth at stake, not to mention the partys reputation. Republicans and President Trump have almost no legislative accomplishments to show for their first eight months in office, and are laying their hopes now on tax reform to finally come up with a substantive win. But the broadly outlined plan leaves a lot of details to be finalized by congressional committees, including what deductions stay and go, and the specific income break-downs for the streamlined tax brackets. It makes it difficult, if not impossible, to gauge the benefit or cost on individual taxpayers, though the budget impact is likely to be significant.

Tuesdays victory by challenger Roy Moore in the Alabama Republican Senate primary runoff is a warning to establishment Republicans, who again found themselves defeated by a populist candidate. Trump, who backed incumbent Luther Strange, may have lost, but Trumpism won  and the president and his team were quick to embrace Moore Tuesday. But Moore has a long and colorful history of inflammatory statements and actions that could blow back on the GOP, while his victory is emboldening other would-be Republican primary challengers. Expect more GOP lawmakers to be looking toward the exits as a result.

The GOPs Obamacare plans are dead  for now. Muellers investigation moves to the White House. And Trump keeps on the NFL.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

The Republican Fight to Repeal Obamacare Is Dead as a Doornail. For Now

Its future is uncertain [TIME]

Roy Moores Victory in Alabama Is Bad News for the Establishment GOP

TIMEs Maya Rhodan on the warning to the mainstream GOP

Special Counsel Interviews With White House Staff Could Start Later This Week

A new phase of the investigation [CNN]

Story continues

Trump Backs Off Vow That Private Sector Should Help Pay for Infrastructure Package

What had seemed to be an opportunity for bipartisan moves to the back-burner [Washington Post]

Prices Private-Jet Travels Included Visits With Colleagues, Lunch With Son

The HHS secretary sometimes combined official travel and meetings with friends and family [Politico]

Politics NewsletterSign up to receive the days top political stories View Sample

Sound Off

Bannon and Breitbart are no longer just the most hated names inside the Beltway. Now, they are also the most feared.  Breitbart News after Roy Moores win

Congratulations Roy Moore! We are thrilled you ran on the #MAGA agenda & we are for you!  Vice President Mike Pence embracing the controversial candidate he campaigned against 24 hours before

Bits and Bites

Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker Will Not Seek Reelection in 2018 [Associated Press]

After Alabama, GOP anti-establishment wing declares all-out war in 2018 [Washington Post]

President Trump Deleted Tweets About Luther Strange. Now Hes Talking Up Roy Moore Instead [TIME]

Regrets? In Alabama Senate race, Trump had a few [Politico]

IRS shares information with special counsel in Russia probe [CNN]

President Trump: My NFL Attacks Didnt Distract Me From Helping Puerto Rico [TIME]

Colleges Are an Echo Chamber of Political Correctness. Read Jeff Sessions Speech on Campus Free Speech [TIME]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Sexism Was a Major Factor in 2016 Election [TIME]

Heres What a Top General Thinks Is the Next Big Threat to the U.S. [TIME]

Trump defends NFL stance at GOP donor dinner [Politico]

EPA spending almost $25,000 to install a secure phone booth for Scott Pruitt [Washington Post]
Survivalist Joseph Badame is making the best of a bad situation.

The 74-year-old architect was devastated when M&T Bank recently began foreclosure on the Medford, New Jersey, home that he and his late wife Phyliss had spent more than four decades turning into a 8,500-square-foot prepper compound.

But instead of throwing away the dozens of barrels theyd packed with supplies so that up to 100 of their friends and relatives could survive a possible economic meltdown and the end of society, Badame is sending the stock to Puerto Rico to aid victims of Hurricane Maria.

Phyliss and I prepared all this for one group of people and it turns out its going to help another group of people, said Badame, whose wife died from cancer in 2013. Thats wonderful, he told NJ.com.

The idea to donate the supplies emerged after Badame decided to sell most of his belongings in anticipation of his eviction.

During his estate sale over the weekend, Badame met the owners of a food truck who were raising money to help relatives on Puerto Rico whod been left homeless in the aftermath of the devastating storm.

Badame donated $100 to Anthony and Victoria Barbers fund and told them they could have all 70-plus barrels, each weighing 300 pounds and filled with medical supplies and enough dried food to keep 84 people well fed for up to four months  if they could get it off the property themselves.

I saw everything that my family would need or eat, said Victoria Barber, who has since arranged for the first shipment to be flown to Puerto Rico on Monday. This is a divine intervention that we are able to have all this food, and not just have the food, but have the means to get it there.

Honestly, I was overwhelmed with joy, Barber told HuffPost. This was life-saving for my family. The amount of supplies is amazing. I get choked up just thinking about it because it will allow us to not help my family, but an entire community.

Volunteers are now helping the trio remove the barrels from Badames home before the bank completes the foreclosure process. And in a further heartwarming development, Badame is temporarily living in an RV on the Barbers land. Anthony Barber is now describing him as family.

Story continues

Hes awesome, Barber told WTXF. You dont meet people like that around here.

Related Coverage

Here's How You Can Help People In Puerto Rico

For Puerto Rico, The Time Is Now

Celebrities Share Mortifying Puberty Snaps To Raise Money For Puerto Rico

Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
(NEW YORK)  A high school student who hadnt been getting along with two classmates suddenly attacked them with a switchblade during history class Wednesday, killing one boy and gravely wounding another, police said.

Fifteen to 20 students witnessed the attack. After leaving the classroom, 18-year-old Abel Cedeno handed the bloodied knife to a school counselor he met in the hall, then went to an assistant principals office and quietly waited for authorities to arrive, police said.

The dead student, identified as Matthew McCree, 15, was stabbed in the chest. A 16-year-old was stabbed in the chest and side and was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

Cedeno was arrested on charges of murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, attempted manslaughter, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Information on his lawyer wasnt immediately available.

The stabbing happened about 15 minutes into third period at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation, a middle and high school in the Bronx that shares a building with an elementary school.

Students described tense moments huddled in closets and in classrooms while the school was locked down, wondering what was happening.

The guidance counselor couldnt even keep herself calm, said eighth-grader Abbie Mincey. The counselor told them: Ive never seen so much blood in my life.

It was the first homicide inside a New York City school since 1993, when a 15-year-old student stabbed a classmate to death at a junior high school in Manhattan. That killing came during a stretch that saw four students killed in public schools in 12 months  violence that prompted schools to start installing metal detectors.

Authorities were looking into whether Cedeno had been bullied, but it appeared his dispute with the victims had been going on for about two weeks, Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said. They had been tossing paper at one another shortly before the stabbing, authorities said.

Story continues

Angry parents, some in tears, gathered outside the school demanding they be allowed to pick up their children. Parents said they were forced to wait for hours in fear.

Im very upset. No one wants to send a child to school to be in danger, said Rosalyn Valoy, who picked up her fourth-grade daughter about four hours after the stabbing.

Denise Jackson, the mother of a high school freshman, said she was terrified.

She hasnt been here for a month yet. I dont know if I want to keep her here, she said. I just dont know.

The school, attended by about 1,100 students, is not one of the roughly 75 schools in New Yorks million-student system that requires children to pass through metal detectors.

City officials and parents have debated for years whether the school system should be installing more metal detectors or taking them away because of the stigma of attending a school deemed unsafe enough to require a weapons check.

Deadly violence inside city school buildings is rare, though there has been violence outside, on school property. In 2014, a fight between two 14-year-old boys ended with one stabbed to death outside a Bronx school.

Chief Joanne Jaffe, head of the police departments community affairs unit, said officers would do random security sweeps of all schools for the time being.

Giselle Estevez, the mother of 9- and 13-year-old girls, said shed seen violence at the school before and this latest attack was the final straw. She plans to pull her daughters out of school.

There is too much fighting, too many older boys, she said in Spanish. Look at my child, she is small, 9 years, and the other 13.  And theyre crying, wondering what is going on, and the school didnt even call me.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina said they were saddened by the attack and understood the fear parents would have. They planned to visit the school on Thursday to meet with staff.

All of us are feeling this tragedy very personally, said de Blasio, a Democrat.
By Pracha Hariraksapitak and Aukkarapon Niyomyat BANGKOK (Reuters) - The leader of Thailand's military junta said on Thursday that Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister he ousted three years ago, was in Dubai, where she fled last month to avoid being jailed over a rice subsidy scheme that lost billions of dollars. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief who led the coup, said Thailand would pursue Yingluck through diplomatic channels and police cooperation using Interpol. His remarks came a day after the country's top court found Yingluck guilty of criminal negligence and sentenced her in absentia to five years in prison. "She is in Dubai," Prayuth told reporters, adding that the foreign ministry had been tracking Yingluck's movements. "The police will now have to proceed and coordinate with the Foreign Ministry and Interpol." Thaksin's Puea Thai Party did not comment to Reuters on Prayuth's disclosure. But a source in the United Arab Emirates said Yingluck left Dubai for London on Sept. 11, without giving further details. The Supreme Court delayed giving its judgment last month after Yingluck failed to show in court and police discovered she had slipped out of the country. The Thai authorities had not disclosed Yingluck's whereabouts before, though senior party members had told Reuters she had gone to Dubai where her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a 2008 jail sentence for graft, has a home. On Thursday, asked by Reuters whether Yingluck had left Dubai for London, Thai deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul declined to comment. Photographs posted on the photo-sharing app Instagram by one of Thaksin's daughters show Thaksin in London since Sept. 15. None of the photos feature Yingluck. For more than a decade, Thai politics has been dominated by the power struggle between the Shinawatras and Thailand's establishment, which includes the armed forces and urban middle class. The Shinawatras remain popular with rural and poor voters, and the rice subsidy scheme had helped Yingluck shore up her support base to get elected in 2011. Throughout her trial, Yingluck said she was innocent and not responsible for the day-to-day running of the scheme, arguing that she was a victim of political persecution. The ruling junta has promised to hold an election in 2018, though changes to the constitution have ensured the military holds on to some role governing the country. Thai police on Thursday raided Yingluck's home in eastern Bangkok, armed with a search warrant. Around a dozen police from the forensics unit entered the large compound carrying gloves and metal boxes, to be met by a lawyer for Yingluck and one of her bodyguards. (Reporting by Pracha Hariraksapitak; Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Aukkarapon Niyomyat, Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK, Sami Aboudi in DUBAI; Writing by Panu Wongcha-um and Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Clarence Fernandez)
Tony Ferguson, pictured, exchanged gay slurs in Spanish with Fabricio Werdum. (AP)

Tony Ferguson and Fabricio Werdum are both fighting at UFC 216 next week, but not against each other. However, you couldnt tell at a UFC media lunch in Los Angeles when the two engaged in a heated war of words.

Ferguson, who will face Kevin Lee for the interim UFC lightweight title, was interrupted by Werdum, who will face Derrick Lewis, while answering a question from a reporter.

Hold on, Im talking, brother, Ferguson said to Werdum, who seemingly was answering a separate question by a different reporter. Werdum took exception to Fergusons words and fired back in Portuguese with a number of expletives. Werdum used the word maricon, a common gay slur in Spanish, several times and eventually stood up to challenge Ferguson. Before things got too out of hand, UFC PR stepped in to separate the two fighters.

Have fun fighting on my undercard, Ferguson said to Werdum, who was escorted away from the table.

Obviously, Im getting to some people, Ferguson continued. Which is good. I told you all, theyre not going to like me when I get to this spot. And I said it.

With Werdum out of view, Ferguson gestured to the Brazilian heavyweight with one last volley in Spanish.

Este maricon.

Afterward, Werdum took to social media to apologize for the rampant use of the gay slur.

Maricon is common word in the Spanish culture and I do not mean to offend anyone in the LBG community and if I did I'm apologetic #heeyy  Fabricio Werdum (@FabricioWerdum) September 29, 2017

It is not known if either will face disciplinary action for the slurs.
With the support of the Public Security Police Force (PSP), the Health Bureau (SSM) initiated a systematic investigation on Tuesday into medical clinics operating without a permit, or performing medical practices for which they are not legally certificated, the SSM informed in a statement.

On Tuesday, the bureau inspected medical clinics operating in a commercial building in central Macau and detected several instances of malpractice as a result. The investigation was triggered following a complaint that medical clinics in this building were supplying a large quantity of illegal medicine as well as equipment for liposuction services. The complaint also disclosed that several staff at the clinic did not possess the required certification to provide the services offered.

During the investigation, inspectors found that the J Medical Center clinic located at Edificio Comercial Rodrigues on Avenida da Praia Grande was guilty of multiple infractions, including being an unlicensed premise in one instance, and in another, operating a medical clinic before the outcome of a licensing application had been granted.

Inspectors also found evidence in support of the complaint that the venue was operating illegally, including the presence of used syringes, empty medication bottles, and several medicines obtained through illegal importation. In addition, inspectors found tools and clinical utilities for liposuction surgery as well as medical files related to such procedures. These materials were immediately sealed by the Health Bureau inspectors for further investigation.

The SSM also placed a warning at the door of the unlicensed venue warning of the ban to provide any medical services.

According to the SSM, the clinics activities are likey to breach Law 7/2003 (Foreign Trade Law) and Decree-Law number 84/90/M regarding medical procedures of health professionals.

Additionally, operating a medical clinic without a license and providing medicine to the public without authority is likely to breach Decree-Law number 58/90/M.

According to the Bureau, the J Medical Center, formerly known as Dr. J Clinic, had previously breached advertising standards between 2013 and 2016 by promoting slimness and beauty in relation to medical liposuction surgery. It received a fine for this infraction. RM
Tottenham Hotspurs training facility and the surrounding area were evacuated Friday afternoon after the discovery of what was suspected to be an unexploded World War II-era bomb.

Police eventually determined that the object was merely a piece of metal, but not before bomb disposal specialists had been summoned to Tottenhams Enfield training ground to deal with what was thought to be an ordnance.

Its unclear if any Spurs players were present at the time, but the entire training center, as well as some nearby homes, were evacuated. Police cordoned off the area and closed surrounding roads. A fire brigade arrived.

The following since-deleted photo appears to show various first responders and emergency vehicles outside the facility.

(@MPSEnfieldHW on Twitter, via the Evening Standard)

Local police released a short statement: Police in Enfield were called at approximately 15:06hrs on Friday, 29 September to Bullmoor Lane, EN1 after a suspected WWII ordnance was uncovered in the Tottenham Hotspur training ground.

Cordons and road closures have been in place while specialist officers attend and assess the device.

About an hour and a half later, the device was found to be innocuous.

A Tottenham spokesperson also addressed the false alarm: An unidentified piece of metal was unearthed on the Training Centre site earlier this afternoon and, as a precaution, the Metropolitan Police cordoned off the surrounding area. The incident was cleared shortly after as the object was found to hold no danger.

A tweet from Tottenhams official Twitter account pictured players departing for Saturdays game at Huddersfield, with no mention of the evacuation:

This type of suspected bomb discovery is more common in England than youd think. Thousands of bombs were dropped on the U.K. during the Second World War, with London hit particularly hard. There is no way to know how many ordnances are below the ground more than 72 years later.

That explains Fridays scare. Fortunately it was just a scare, and nothing more.
Washington (AFP) - Former Alabama chief justice Roy Moore's victory over President Donald Trump's preferred candidate in Tuesday's Senate Republican runoff sent shock waves through Washington, warning the party that conservative fury will remain a disruptive force in US politics.

The Bible-quoting, gun-toting, controversy-courting Moore is now the clear frontrunner against a Democratic candidate in the general election in December to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, now the attorney general.

Moore beat Luther Strange, the incumbent senator who was appointed to the seat early this year, by about 10 percentage points, a sign that Trump's substantial popularity with his restless political base may not be transferrable to other political figures.

Perhaps sensing that, Trump quickly swung behind the winner, calling him to offer congratulations.

And several of Trump's past pro-Strange posts disappeared from Twitter.

"Sounds like a really great guy who ran a fantastic race. He will help to #MAGA!" Trump tweeted Wednesday, referring to his "Make America Great Again" slogan.

The result, though, is an embarrassing setback for Trump that highlights the deep divisions within his party and raises questions about its future direction as the GOP heads toward mid-term elections in 2018.

It also signals that many in the grassroots conservative movement that helped propel Trump to the White House are still fighting against the party leadership during a turbulent period in which Republicans have struggled to deliver on key campaign promises like health care reform.

Although stressing that he remained a Trump supporter, Moore hailed his win as a "conservative victory" for his Deep South state of Alabama.

"We have to return the knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress," he said in his victory speech, repeating his call for an increased religious presence in American public life.

Story continues

"From that faith we will not be moved," he added. "We've been moved, but we can move back. God can still bring us back."

Moore, 70, is among the most controversial political figures on the national stage. Often wearing a cowboy hat and prone to riding his horse Sassy to polling stations, he is opinionated, unconcerned about whom he may offend and keen to upend the elite system that rules the US capital.

Months after Trump himself acknowledged that former president Barack Obama was born in the United States, Moore was still questioning the Democrat's presidential eligibility, telling a conservative conference last December that "my personal belief is that he wasn't" a natural-born citizen.

In a 2002 legal brief he branded homosexuality an "inherent evil."

Moore was twice suspended from the Alabama Supreme Court, first for defying an injunction to remove a 10 Commandments stone monument from the Alabama Judicial Building, and then for refusing orders to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

His defiance made him a local hero and that anti-establishment streak was on display Monday during a campaign rally when Moore, eager to refute accusations that he is soft on gun rights, pulled a pistol from his pocket and brandished it before the crowd.

- 'Mistake' -

Moore's candidacy caught the eye of Steve Bannon, Trump's anti-globalist former chief strategist. Soon he was on the Moore bandwagon, breaking with his former boss and bashing Washington's elites, alleging that they think Alabama voters are nothing but "a pack of morons."

At Moore's victory rally, Bannon bounded on stage to proclaim a "revolution" had begun, one that would reach "state after state after state, people that follow the model of judge Moore, that do not need to raise money from the elites, from the crony capitalists, from the fat cats in Washington, DC, New York City, Silicon Valley."

Trump had been hoping a victory for 64-year-old Strange could secure him another Senate loyalist who would back his agenda.

But Trump's conservative base has signaled for months that it is not beholden to Republican leaders in Washington, and they could even break with the president in the Alabama race.

Trump hedged his bets last Friday, suggesting in a campaign appearance in Alabama that he "might have made a mistake" in endorsing Strange over Moore.

"If his opponent wins, I'm going to be here campaigning like hell for him" in the general election, Trump said.
Donald Trump Jr. has hit out at a newspaper article that mentioned he flew economy class on a commercial airline, questioning why that would surprise people.

The eldest son of President Donald Trump, a billionaire real estate mogul, shared a link to a New York Times article on social media that also mentioned he was traveling without Secret Service protection.

Quoting from the article on Wednesday evening, Trump Jr. wrote, It surprised me that he had traveled on a commercial flight economy class, no less... Why is this hard to believe?

It surprised me that he had traveled on a commercial flight economy class, no less... Why is this hard to believe? https://t.co/IZITTmySaZ  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 28, 2017

Trips taken by the first family this year have led to steep taxpayer-funded costs for Secret Service protection, which was eschewed by Trump Jr. on his recent hunting trip to Canada. In fact, Trump Jr. went further earlier in the month, opting to go without any Secret Service protection, after it emerged he wanted more privacy than was offered with the Secret Service detail.

But the cost to the Secret Service of covering the presidents extended family has spiraled, with Eric Trump racking up more than $100,000 in taxpayer funding for hotel rooms alone during his trip to Uruguay, with additional funds spent on flights for members of the Secret Service protecting him.

And Trump Jr., who said people should not be surprised that he flew on a commercial airline, racked up more than $16,000 in hotel costs in Dubai along with brother Eric. Trump Jr.s Erics and sister Tiffany Trumps hotel costs in Vancouver amounted to $53,155.

The president exceeded former President Barack Obamas $12.1 million in annual travel costs with trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first 100 days in office.

Story continues

The comments by Trump Jr. about flying on a commercial airline also come after it has emerged that Health and Human Service Secretary Tom Price has used private jets on a number of occasions since May at a cost to taxpayers of $300,000.

Related Articles
President Donald Trump on Friday said "there's never been anything like" the devastation in Puerto Rico, which is facing a humanitarian crisis in the wake of Hurricane Maria sweeping through the Caribbean island last week.

"There's nothing left. It's been wiped out," Trump said in a speech to the National Association of Manufacturers.

The president opened his speech on tax reform with his comments on the federal government's relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

"I'd like to begin by sending our thoughts and prayers to the people of Puerto Rico, who have been struck by storms of historic and catastrophic severity," Trump said. "We've undertaken a massive federal mobilization to assist Puerto Rico."

The president said 10,000 emergency responders and other personnel had been sent to the island. Emphasizing the difficulty of the task of rebuilding devastated areas, Trump noted that the US territory is "an island surrounded by water."

"The response and recovery effort probably has never been seen for something like this," Trump said. "This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water."

He added that Puerto Rico would have to rebuild its infrastructure.

"The electrical grid and other infrastructure were already in very, very poor shape, they were at their life's end prior to the hurricanes, and now virtually everything has been wiped out," Trump said. "We're literally starting from scratch."

Trump said the federal government would work with Puerto Rico to figure out how to fund the rebuilding effort and "what we will do with the tremendous amount of existing debt already on the island."

Trump has been criticized for appearing to be less attentive to Puerto Rico than he was to Texas and Florida after hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The president's first public response to Hurricane Maria came five days after the storm hit, in a series of tweets in which he focused on the island's weak infrastructure and economy.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: Trump touts the 1986 US tax reform law as 'something special'  here's footage of him calling it a 'disaster' in 1991



More From Business Insider
(Photo: Carlos Barria / Reuters)

WASHINGTON  His name was uttered just once, as the eighth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation rattled off the names of his seven predecessors. But former bureau chief James Comey loomed large over the swearing-in of new FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday, as employees and alumni gathered in the courtyard of the FBI building to formally welcome the boss replacing the man the president fired.

President Donald Trump unceremoniously fired Comey in May, about two months after the former FBI chief confirmed that the bureau was investigating ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, and a few days after Comey said the idea he swayed the election made him mildly nauseous. The official reason for Comeys firing was that Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had made a recommendation to get rid of Comey based on his public disclosures about the Hillary Clinton investigation. But Trump revealed in interviews that he was going to fire Comey no matter what Rosenstein and Sessions recommended and said he was thinking about the Russia probe when he made the decision.

The White House claimed that FBI agents had lost faith in Comeys leadership, but the former acting head of the FBI said that wasnt true. And surveys of FBI employees released last month in response to a public records request shows agents consistently gave Comey high marks. Moreover, Comey said during congressional testimony that the White House lied and defamed him and the FBI by saying the bureau was in chaos and that agents had lost faith in his leadership.

Former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates arrives for the ceremony at FBI headquarters on Sept. 28, 2017. (Photo: Carlos Barria / Reuters)

So Thursdays event for Wray was a bit of an awkward affair. The audience was greeted by Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who previously came under criticism from Trump on Twitter because his wifes political campaign received donations from a group affiliated with an ally of Clinton. Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who was fired by Trump a few days into his presidency for refusing to defend the travel ban, was in the crowd. So was Rosenstein, who wrote the letter used as the official excuse to get rid of Comey.

But Comey wasnt present, nor was former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who was appointed by Rosenstein to oversee the special counsel investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. The circumstances of Comeys firing are now part of that wide-ranging special counsel investigation.

Wray was nominated in June and confirmed on Aug. 1 after saying all the right things at his confirmation hearing, promising senators to keep the bureau independent and saying he would quit before breaking the law for the president. Former colleagues say Wray is cut from the same cloth as Comey.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein visits before the installation of FBI Director Christopher Wray. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)

Wrays speech made little reference to the circumstances that placed him in the position of the head of what he called the finest law enforcement and national security agency in the world.

Instead, he focused on the challenges that the bureau will face in a fast and changing world. He said terrorist threats were becoming more agile, and more challenging to detect, and that U.S. economic secrets and values were being targeted by foreign entities.

FBI employees and guests look on during the ceremony. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)

So we know that were going to have to up our game and adapt through innovation with new ideas, new strategies, and especially new technologies, Wray said. Were going to embrace those changes. Were going to evolve to stay one step ahead, just as the bureau has done so many times before.

Also speaking was Sessions, who previously recommended that Wrays predecessor be fired and who himself came under blistering criticism from the president and reportedly even offered up his resignation. The attorney general said that Wray is a patriot who was committed to the rule of law and that Wray had no hidden agenda. Sessions speech made only a passing reference to the turmoil inside the bureau in recently months after Comeys departure.

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FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during his swearing-in. (Photo: SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)

In the days to come, Chris, theyll be many controversies. There seem to be a lot of them these days, Sessions said. Its the nature of the job, I suppose. But Im sure that the American people will see their confidence in you and your leadership and the FBI grow steadily.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
By Robin Respaut and Dave Graham SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - The Pentagon named a senior general to command military relief operations in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico on Thursday and the Trump administration sent a Cabinet emissary to the island as U.S. lawmakers called for a more robust response to the crisis. The U.S. territory of 3.4 million people struggled through a ninth day with virtually no electricity, patchy communications and shortages of fuel, clean water and other essentials in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the most powerful storm to hit the island in nearly 90 years. The storm struck on Sept. 20 with lethal, roof-ripping force and torrential rains that caused widespread flooding and heavily damaged homes, roads and other infrastructure. The storm killed more than 30 people across the Caribbean, including at least 16 in Puerto Rico. Governor Ricardo Rossello has called the island's devastation unprecedented. The U.S. military, which has poured thousands of troops into the relief effort, named Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan on Thursday to oversee its response on the island. Buchanan, Army chief for the military's U.S. Northern Command, was expected to arrive in Puerto Rico later on Thursday. He will be the Pentagon's main liaison with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. government's lead agency on the island, and focus on aid distribution, the Pentagon said in a statement. FEMA has already placed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in charge of rebuilding the island's crippled power grid, which has posed one of the island's biggest challenges after the storm. In yet another move raising the administration's profile in the crisis, acting U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke, whose department includes FEMA, will visit Puerto Rico on Friday with other senior government officials to meet the governor, Puerto Rican authorities and federal relief workers, her office announced. President Donald Trump again praised the government's performance, saying on Twitter FEMA and other first responders were "doing a GREAT job," but he complained about media coverage, adding: "Wish press would treat fairly!" U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, like Trump a Republican, had earlier called for the appointment of a single authority to oversee all hurricane relief efforts, and said the Defense Department should mostly be in charge. DISASTER BECOMING "MAN-MADE" Democratic U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said the crisis was shifting from a natural disaster to a man-made one. The government's response had been "shamefully slow and undersized and should be vastly upgraded and increased," he told the Senate. Blumenthal called for as many as 50,000 troops to better coordinate logistics and the delivery of aid and basic necessities. Even as FEMA and the U.S. military have stepped up relief efforts, many residents in Puerto Rico voiced frustration at the pace of relief efforts. "It's chaos, total chaos," said Radamez Montanez, a building administrator from Carolina, east of capital city San Juan, who has been without water and electricity at home since Hurricane Irma grazed the island two weeks before Maria. In one sign of the prevailing sense of desperation, thousands lined up at San Juan harbor on Thursday to board a cruise ship bound for Florida in what was believed to be the largest mass evacuation since Maria struck the island. The humanitarian mission, offered free of charge, was arranged between Royal Caribbean International and Puerto Rican authorities on a largely ad-hoc, first-come basis that sought to give some priority to those facing special hardships. Defending the relief effort, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said 10,000 federal relief workers had arrived in Puerto Rico, including troops, and that 44 of the island's 69 hospitals were now operational. "The full weight of the United States government is engaged to ensure that food, water, healthcare and other life-saving resources are making it to the people in need," Sanders told reporters. Army Brigadier General Richard Kim told reporters that the total military force on the island, including the Puerto Rico National Guard, numbered about 4,400 troops. SHIPPING RESTRICTION LIFTED The Trump administration earlier lifted restrictions known as the Jones Act for 10 days on foreign shipping from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico. While that measure might help speed cargo shipments, Puerto Rico is struggling to move supplies around the island once they arrive. The U.S. government has temporarily lifted the Jones Act following severe storms in the past, but critics had charged the government was slow to do this for Puerto Rico. Overall, the island is likely to need far more than $30 billion in long-term aid from the U.S. government for disaster relief and rebuilding efforts following Maria, a senior Republican congressional aide said on Thursday. The immediate relief effort was still badly hampered by the damage to infrastructure. Clearing cargo deliveries at the San Juan port remained slow, and several newly arrived tankers were waiting for a chance to unload their fuel, according to Thomson Reuters shipping data. "Really our biggest challenge has been the logistical assets to try to get some of the food and some of the water to different areas of Puerto Rico," Governor Rossello told MSNBC on Thursday. He has staunchly defended the Trump administration for its relief response, which Trump noted in one of his Thursday night Twitter posts. The military has delivered fuel to nine hospitals and helped establish more than 100 distribution centers for food and water on the island, the Pentagon said on Thursday. Brock Long, the FEMA administrator, told CNN he was dissatisfied with the federal response to Maria, saying operations had been hindered by damage to the island's air traffic control system, airports and seaports. FEMA said full air traffic control services had been restored to the main international airport in San Juan, allowing for more than a dozen commercial flights a day, although that figure represented a fraction of the airport's normal business. The island has also seen the gradual reopening of hundreds of gasoline stations during the past few days, while a number of supermarket chains were also returning to business, FEMA officials said. (Reporting by Robin Respaut and Dave Graham in SAN JUAN, and Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey in WASHINGTON; Additional reporting by Makini Brice, Roberta Rampton, Richard Cowan, David Shepardson and Idrees Ali in WASHINGTON, and David Gaffen and Scott DiSavino in NEW YORK; Writing by Frances Kerry and Steve Gorman; Editing by Howard Goller, Lisa Shumaker and Paul Tait)
The State Department ordered all non-emergency personnel at the U.S. embassy in Havana and their family members to depart Cuba after mysterious ongoing attacks that have severely injured at least 21 people, senior officials said Friday.

The State Department also announced a new travel warning for U.S. citizens to Cuba. Some of the attacks have occurred in hotels, The Associated Press reported.

The evacuation of diplomatic personnel leaves only emergency staff at the American embassy in Havana and suspends embassy operations until the Cuban government can assure the safety of U.S. citizens, officials said. Short-term travel to the island will be limited to officials working on the investigation, and there will be no official diplomatic meetings in Cuba until further notice.

Some embassy personnel have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and damage to the central nervous system. Others report hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, visual complaints, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping.

Ongoing investigations have failed to identify who or what is behind what Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called health attacks, according to senior government officials. Some officials have speculated some kind of sonic attack was directed at the homes of embassy personnel beginning late last year, according to reports.

Tillerson met Tuesday in Washington with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez to express profound concern for the safety and security of diplomatic personnel in Havana, a spokeswoman said. Cuba has been leading its own investigation into the embassy ailments, but has no leads, Rodriguez said.

The decision to reduce our diplomatic presence in Havana was made to ensure the safety of our personnel, Tillerson said in a statement. We maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and our work in Cuba continues to be guided by the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.

Story continues

Tillerson and President Donald Trump have spoken against the U.S. rapprochement with Cuba, threatening to undermine the new relationship initiated by former President Barack Obama in 2014 with new travel restrictions and aid cutbacks.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
(Strong language in paragraph 16 may be offensive to some readers.) By Arshad Mohammed and Sarah Marsh WASHINGTON/HAVANA (Reuters) - The United States on Friday cut its diplomatic presence in Cuba by more than half and warned U.S. citizens not to visit because of mysterious "attacks" that have caused hearing loss, dizziness and fatigue in U.S. embassy personnel. The U.S. embassy in Havana will halt regular visa operations for Cubans seeking to visit the United States and offer only emergency services to U.S. citizens, steps that may further erode the U.S.-Cuban rapprochement begun by former President Barack Obama. The partial evacuation, while depicted as a safety measure, sends a message of U.S. displeasure over Cubas handling of the matter and delivers another blow to Obama's policies of engagement with Cold War foe Cuba. The Communist Party-run Cuban government was already dealing with several delicate matters - the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, a steep decline in aid from important socialist ally Venezuela and political transition as President Raul Castro steps down next year. Cuba's Foreign Ministry chief for U.S. Affairs Josefina Vidal said: "We consider the decision announced today by the U.S. government through the State Department is hasty and will affect bilateral relations." Vidal, in a briefing on state-run television, said Cuba was still keen to cooperate with U.S. authorities to clarify what happened. Officials in President Donald Trump's administration stressed the United States was maintaining diplomatic ties with Cuba. Twenty-one U.S. embassy employees in Cuba have been injured and reported symptoms such as hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping, the State Department said. "Until the government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel in order to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement. The Cuban government has denied any role and is investigating. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been looking into the incidents, a U.S. law enforcement official said, but so far has not determined the cause. A senior State Department official said neither the U.S. nor Cuban governments had been able to identify who was responsible but stressed that "the government of Cuba is responsible for taking all appropriate steps to prevent attacks on our diplomatic personnel in Cuba." In a travel warning, the State Department bluntly said "because our personnel's safety is at risk, and we are unable to identify the source of the attacks, we believe U.S. citizens may also be at risk and warn them not to travel to Cuba." A State Department official said most visa processing had been suspended in Havana. "Cuban applicants for nonimmigrant visas may apply at another U.S. embassy or consulate overseas." The State Department said the attacks on U.S. embassy personnel had occurred at "U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens." No tourists are known to have been injured in the attacks. Canada said it has no plans to change its travel advice for Cuba or to remove any Canadian staff from its embassy there, though some staff have experienced some unusual symptoms, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Friday. Diana Rodriguez, 52, who sells handicrafts in Old Havana, said she had a visa appointment in October so she could visit family who live in Florida. "I won't ever go there now," she said furiously. "This is a really strong blow that affects regular Cubans on the street. It's just unheard of. What is going on with this man? Neither Bush nor his father were such sons of bitches." PRETEXT? Trump in June vowed to partially roll back the detente with Cuba agreed by his Democratic predecessor, Obama, and called the Cuban government "corrupt and destabilising" in his address to the United Nations General Assembly this month. Engage Cuba, a Washingon-based lobbying group, said the decision was "puzzling" given that American travellers had not been targeted. It said halting the visa process in Cuba and discouraging Americans from going there "will divide families and harm Cuba's burgeoning private sector, civil society groups and efforts to improve human rights on the island." "I havent felt in danger at all. The people are very friendly, its a very safe culture ... I dont feel threatened at all here, I think its a really safe place to be," American visitor Joey Branch said. U.S. lawmakers took positions on the issue that appeared to reflect their wider perspective on engagement with Havana. Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat who favours normalization, suggested the attacks may be an attempt to undermine this. "Whoever is doing this obviously is trying to disrupt the normalization process between the United States and Cuba. Someone or some government is trying to reverse that process," Leahy said in a statement. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican and frequent critic of the Cuban government, called for harsher measures. "Until those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, the U.S. should immediately expel an equal number of Cuban operatives, downgrade the U.S. embassy in Havana to an interests section, and consider re-listing Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism," Rubio said in a statement. American Tour Operators in Cuba, which counts more than 50 U.S. companies, criticized the travel warning. "The motivation for the U.S. government to issue todays Travel Warning for Cuba is difficult to understand given that the facts and circumstances of these mysterious incidents have never posed a tangible threat to American visitors in Cuba." American Airlines and United Airlines , both of whom have applied for additional flights to Havana, said the travel warning would not affect their current operations to Cuba. JetBlue Airways said it would waive change and cancellation fees for Cuba flights booked on or before Sept. 29. Airbnb spokesman Nick Papas said its operations in Cuba would continue. Cuba reported four million arrivals last year, of which 285,000 were Americans. (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed in Washington and Sarah Marsh in Havana; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Yeganeh Torbati and Mark Hosenball in Washington, Alana Wise in New York, Marc Frank and Nelson Acosta in Havana and Andrea Hopkins in Ottawa; Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by James Dalgleish and Grant McCool)
Kiev (AFP) - A Kiev court has frozen four rail assets of billionaire Igor Kolomoyskiy in a long-running corruption case that led to the state's eventual takeover of Ukraine's largest private bank.

The decision rekindled an off-and-on battle against a powerful tycoon whom Forbes magazine ranked in 2016 as Ukraine's second-richest man thanks to assets worth $1.3 billion.

It also returned to the forefront the future of Ukraine's ailing banking sector and the question over the commitment of the pro-Western government of President Petro Poroshenko to tackling outsized graft.

Kiev's Pecherskiy Court issued a ruling Thursday whose copy was obtained by AFP saying it was taking over the rail assets of four mining enterprises put up as collateral by Kolomoyskiy in 2014 to help raise rescue loans for his PrivatBank lender.

The systemic private bank's bankruptcy would have wiped out the savings of a third of the population and effectively paralysed the financial system of the former Soviet state.

The finance ministry said in February that more than 60 percent of all retail payments were being channelled through PrivatBank.

The economy was already nosediving in 2014 -- the year Kiev ousted a Kremlin-backed government in a pro-EU revolution that saw Russia respond by annexing Crimea and allegedly stoking a war in Ukraine's east that has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

The Kiev court ruling said PrivatBank received 19 billion hryvnias in emergency credits over the course of 2014. The Ukrainian currency's value fluctuated wildly that year but the figure is worth nearly $2 billion.

The court added that the money was "acquired" by Kolomoyskiy and his business partners through illegal schemes that saw none of the funding actually go into stabilising PrivatBank.

The bank was found guilty of issuing multiple loans of between $18 million and $73 million to offshore companies ultimately owned through complex schemes by Kolomoyskiy and his partner Gennadiy Bogolyubov.

Story continues

The nearly $2 billion were part of a $5.6-billion (4.7-billion-euro) hole that PrivatBank piled up before being taken over by the Central Bank of Ukraine in December 2016.

Former central bank chief Valeria Gontareva said at the time that 97 percent of PrivatBank's loans had been issued by Kolomoyskiy to his business partners who might either have not paid them back or had done so on preferential conditions.

The same Kiev court has already seized from Kolomoyskiy's empire a Kiev building that is being leased by one of Ukraine's most popular TV stations as well as a drinks manufacturer in the city of Dnipro and a Boeing jet.

Kolomoyskiy complained in December of being a "victim of the arbitrary rule of the central bank".

But he also promised to restructure his bad loan portfolio by July of this year in order to reduce the strain PrivatBank's takeover put on the state budget.

Kolomoyskiy failed to meet that obligation and thus saw a part of his holdings impounded by the Pecherskiy Court.
An Indian Catholic priest returned to India yesterday after being freed from 18 months of captivity by unknown kidnappers in Yemen.

The Rev. Tom Uzhunnalil arrived in the Indian capital and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, Uzhunnalil thanked people who helped in his rescue.

Uzhunnalil had been working as a chaplain at a retirement home for more than four years in the southern Yemeni city of Aden when he was kidnapped during an attack by unknown gunmen in March 2016. The attack left 16 dead, including four nuns.

Indian officials earlier this month announced the priests rescue but gave no details.

The process leading to his release was also unclear, but the Vatican thanked the sultan of Oman and Uzhunnalil thanked leaders in India.

The priest said after his rescue that he didnt know his kidnappers identities or affiliations and that he was not physically harmed during his detention. After his release he was flown to Rome for a required rest and recuperation period in Vatican City, Indias foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Uzhunnalil comes from Ramapuram in the southern Indian state of Kerala. AP
When recent film-school graduate Peter Brosnan learned that the set of Cecil B. DeMilles 1923 epic The Ten Commandments was buried in the sand dunes of central California, he thought his next documentary would be a slam dunk. He and his friends decided to hire an archaeologist, unearth DeMilles life-size replica of an ancient Egyptian city, and interview locals who had worked on the silent film, creating a unique portrait of Hollywoods formative years. This was in 1982. On Oct. 3, 2017, Brosnans long-gestating documentary, The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille, will be released on digital and VOD. Why did it him take more than 30 years to make this film? That is half the story of the documentary, which is basically the movie that Brosnan originally envisioned, interwoven with three and a half decades of thwarted attempts to excavate DeMilles giant sphinxes and Art Deco statuary from the sands of Guadalupe, Calif.

By 1990, really, all of our work had been done on this, Brosnan tells Yahoo Movies. We had interviewed a lot of people who worked with DeMille; we had gotten the initial archaeological work done on the site; we recruited a fantastic archaeologist. And then, if youve seen the movie, you know that the whole thing fell apart.

The holdup was the dig itself, which required three things: a team of archaeologists, funding, and the permission of Santa Barbara County. As soon as Brosnan required one, it seemed, another would fall through. The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille chronicles the maddening number of times that the dig almost got underway, only to be sabotaged by some eleventh-hour piece of red tape. Over time, Brosnans original collaborators fell by the wayside, and the director moved on to a career in the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, where he still works today. The footage hed shot in the 1980s sat in a box in his garage behind the Halloween decorations, and might have remained there if not for one thing: the media.

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I think every time there was a slow news day somebody would think, Hey, you know those crazy Californians digging up an old movie set? Lets do a story on that! says Brosnan. Every time a news outlet ran a story about the faux-Egyptian ruins buried in California, a wave of interest would follow, and Brosnan would make yet another attempt at excavation, only to see everything fall through. Its enough to make a viewer wonder: Was he ever tempted to sneak onto the dunes late at night and save these treasures before someone else got there first?

There have, at times, been parties going out there and just digging willy-nilly, damaging a lot of stuff, stealing a lot of stuff, Brosnan acknowledges. We would not do that because we realized that archaeology really was necessary to do this properly. The statuary is very, very fragile, and once its removed from the sand, it needs to be properly treated and properly cared for; otherwise its going to turn to dust in a very short time.

Fortunately for film lovers and historians alike, that law-abiding tenacity was rewarded. In 2014, a dig finally commenced. Archaeologists unearthed the head of a Ten Commandments sphinx, and Brosnan was there to capture the moment on film. That sphinx is now preserved at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center along with other artifacts from the site, including a makeup can and a cough syrup bottle (likely used to carry alcohol during Prohibition) left behind by the Ten Commandments cast and crew.

But the real treasures to be found in The Lost City of DeMille are the interviews. When they began the project, Brosnan and his original collaborators spoke with as many people as they could find who were around for the filming of the original Ten Commandments. Most were children at the time, who either acted as extras, accompanied their parents to work, or gawked from the sidelines. One particularly delightful story comes from a man who sneaked onto the set with his friends and tasted the Red Sea, which DeMille re-created using gelatin.

(Some more salacious bits of Hollywood lore didnt make the cut. Brosnan shares a blind-item story about a drunk studio executive being fished out of the pool by stars at a raucous cast party  quite a contrast to the biblical spirit of the film.) As the years went on, Brosnan was approached by people who worked on DeMilles 1956 remake of The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston, so he filmed their recollections too. The result is a vital snapshot of the film industrys extravagant and experimental beginnings, as well as a timely reminder that Hollywood has always loved remaking its own greatest hits.

As for the set buried in the dunes, theres still more to uncover; DeMilles film featured 20 sphinxes, each weighing 4 tons, along with towering statues of pharaohs and 100-foot bas reliefs of horse-drawn chariots. Since the completion of Brosnans film, archaeologists have recovered the entire body of one sphinx, which is in the restoration process, and have plans for future digs. While its a little heartbreaking to watch The Lost City of DeMille and see just how much damage the relics sustained between the 1980s and today, Brosnan says he doesnt dwell on that. Its sad that so much has been lost, says the director, but there is still enough there, I think, to fill several museums.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
(SALT LAKE CITY)  The University of Utah plans to ramp up security Wednesday night for conservative speaker Ben Shapiro, putting into action the lessons it learned from a visit to the University of California, Berkeley, earlier this month for his appearance that drew a huge police presence to ward off violent protests.

Though Utah doesnt have a history of free speech protests and violence like Berkeley, a liberal bastion and the birthplace of the American free speech movement, officials at Utahs flagship college didnt want to take any chances amid a climate of heightened political tensions.

The University of Utah leans more liberal than the rest of the conservative state, much like Salt Lake City, where its located. The city has had some unrest during protests in recent years against police shootings and white extremism as well as at a Donald Trump campaign rally.

The University of Utah aims to strike a delicate balance to protect protesters and people attending a speech by former Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro, while trying to avoid a police state atmosphere, school spokesman Chris Nelson said.

Theres no concern about peaceful protest, in fact we embrace and support it, Nelson said. What were preparing for is any violence, any type of clashes.

The university will prohibit protesters from wearing face masks and use barriers to separate them from those attending Shapiros talk, Nelson said.

All 40 University of Utah police officers were expected to be on campus, as well as an unspecified number of officers from other departments. Some classes near the speech will be moved.

Nelson said he didnt immediately know how much the university had spent on preparations, which are similar to those UC Berkeley has taken.

The California school spent $600,000 on security during Shapiros Sept. 14 speech, which prompted largely peaceful protests. The city and campus have become flashpoints for the countrys political divisions, drawing extremist groups from the left and right and producing violence at four demonstrations since February.

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It has led authorities to come up with new strategies to balance free speech rights with the need to control rowdy and sometimes dangerous crowds.

Shapiro, editor-in-chief of the Daily Wire, uses his web-based talk show and online columns to support President Donald Trumps policies and criticize the self-righteous media.

Nearly 400 free tickets for his speech in Utah went quickly Saturday after students waited in long lines, said student Dillon Clark of the Young Americans for Freedom organization. Clark said his group invited Shapiro to promote conservative views in what can be a liberal-leaning campus environment.

Clark said he expects Shapiro to talk about freedom of speech and critique left-leaning political tactics.

Students held a sit-in at the university presidents office earlier this month, urging the event to be canceled. Protesters said in a letter to the Salt Lake Tribune that they planned to shut down the speech, saying Shapiros positions on transgender people, LGBT rights and conversion therapy could hurt vulnerable people.

The Utah event comes a day after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions decried what he sees as political correctness run amok on college campuses during an invitation-only crowd at Georgetown Universitys law school.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Utah sent Sessions remarks to reporters at the direction of the Department of Justice public affairs office.

The American university was once the center of academic freedom, a place of robust debate, a forum for the competition of ideas, Sessions said. But it is transforming into an echo chamber of political correctness and homogenous thought, a shelter for fragile egos.
Washington (AFP) - The United States said Friday it is withdrawing more than half the personnel from its embassy in Cuba in response to mysterious attacks that have sickened diplomatic staffers, in a new blow to fragile relations between the former Cold War foes.

In announcing the move, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington would maintain relations with Havana -- which were only fully restored in 2015, and which have deteriorated since President Donald Trump took office in January.

"Cuba has told us it will continue to investigate these attacks and we will continue to cooperate with them in this effort," Tillerson said in a statement.

"We maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and our work in Cuba continues to be guided by the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States."

The attacks of an unknown nature have targeted at least 21 US embassy staff in Havana over the past few months, Tillerson said.

Those affected have exhibited physical symptoms including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping, he added.

"The health, safety, and well-being of our embassy community is our greatest concern. We will continue to aggressively investigate these attacks until the matter is resolved," Tillerson said.

Routine visa operations will be suspended indefinitely in response to the attacks, a senior State Department official said.

Cuba reacted by calling the US move hasty, and said it would affect bilateral relations.

Still, Cuba wants to work with the United States to resolve this case, said the head of North American affairs at Cuba's foreign ministry, Josefina Vidal, quoted on state television.

"The Cuban government has no responsibility in this case and strictly respects its obligations under the Vienna Convention" governing the protection of diplomats as well as their families, she added.

- 'No definitive answer' -

Story continues

US officials had previously told reporters they believed some kind of inaudible sound weapon was used on American staff either inside or outside their residences in Havana.

Canadians in Cuba have also been impacted, with a source close to that country's embassy telling AFP that more than five families were affected, including several children.

US suspicions were first aroused in late 2016, but Washington waited until August 2017 to announce that several of its embassy employees had fallen victim to mystery health problems.

Questions linger over whether they are the result of targeted attacks, sabotage, or an accident.

Washington has not accused Cuba of being behind the incidents, but has repeatedly warned that Havana is responsible for the safety of foreign envoys on its soil.

The US expelled two Cuban diplomats in May and Tillerson has raised the possibility of closing the American mission in Cuba altogether over the issue.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said last week the country has found no evidence to support US claims that diplomats were harmed due to attacks.

It is unclear who would have carried out such an attack, and for what ends.

Numerous observers doubt that Cuba would have risked antagonizing its neighbors at the end of 2016 -- when relations between the former Cold War enemies were thawing, before they deteriorated under Trump.

Likewise with Canada, the biggest source of big-spending tourists to Cuba. According to Canadian diplomats, Ottawa does not suspect senior Cuban officials of involvement.

- Accidental? -

Rumors are rife on both sides of the Florida Strait, including of a plot by rogue Cuban agents aiming to derail rapprochement with Washington.

Others suspect a third country with the same aims, such as Russia or North Korea.

The most common hypothesis is that the health issues may be purely accidental, an unfortunate consequence of defective and outdated listening systems -- a theory reinforced by Cuba's reputation for having "big ears."

Several experts undermine that view however, saying eavesdropping systems are typically receptors, and not emitters, of signals. And, according to US media, investigators have turned up nothing suspicious in meticulous searches of the victims' residences.

Senator Marco Rubio, a son of Cuban immigrants and outspoken critic of the Havana government, said that until those responsible for the attacks are found, the United States should expel from Washington the same number of Cuban diplomats as Americans it is pulling from Havana.

Washington should also consider putting Cuba back on a terror blacklist, Rubio said.
This live event has ended.

President Trump spoke to the National Association of Manufacturers on Friday.

The president commented on relief efforts for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island and also talked about the GOP's new tax reform framework.

The event began at 11:25 a.m.
By Gina Cherelus

(Reuters) - One of two Wisconsin girls who said they stabbed a classmate to satisfy the fictitious horror character Slenderman agreed on Friday to plead guilty to avoid prison time, court documents showed.

Morgan Geyser's official plea hearing is scheduled for Oct. 5 after an agreement was reached on the charge of attempted first-degree homicide, the documents showed.

Geyser, 15, will not be held criminally liable and instead remain at the state mental hospital where she has been getting treatment for about two years, according to Donna Kuchler, an attorney for Geyser.

The court plans to order further mental health evaluations.

"The results of those evaluations will help determine her placement," Kuchler said in an email. "She has made incredible strides and is being properly medicated."

The Waukesha County Circuit Courts jury on Sept. 15 found the other suspect, Anissa Weier, 15, was mentally ill during the May 2014 stabbing and was not responsible for her actions. Weier was sent to a state mental hospital, where she can seek a conditional release in July 2020, local media reported.

Geyser and Weier were charged with attempted first-degree homicide for the attack after a sleepover with their classmate in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. All three girls were 12 at the time.

Weier and Geyser lured the victim into the woods and stabbed her 19 times with a kitchen knife to impress Slenderman, a tall, thin, creepy fictional bogeyman they insisted was real, according to a criminal complaint.

The character originated in 2009 as a meme, or a virally transmitted cultural symbol, in an online forum.

The victim survived the attack.

(Reporting by Gina Cherelus in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)
The accident happened when 1,300 tonnes of rock fell from the El Capitan rock formation in the park: AFP/Getty Images

A British climber has died in Yosemite National Park after a rock fall on a hiking trail.

Parts of the El Capitan granite monolith collapsed while the man and his wife, who was badly injured in the accident, were hiking the trail on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for the Californian park said.

The couple were found by a search and rescue team after 1,300 tonnes of the rock from the formation and plunged on the popular trail.

In a written statement released on Thursday, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said: The victims, a couple visiting from Great Britain, were in the park to rock climb but were not climbing at the time of the initial rock fall.

The male was found deceased and the female was flown out of the park with serious injuries.

The couple have not been identified by the park but the US National Park Service said it is working with the British Consulate to notify family members.

Mr Gediman said two other people were initially believed to be missing but were later accounted for by search and rescue teams.

Around 30 climbers were on El Capitan when the slab crashed down from the popular East Buttress climbing route, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Yosemite climber sent us this photo. He says a piece of granite the size of an apartment building came crashing down the Waterfall Route. pic.twitter.com/agFA0YjVPc  Christina Fan (@ChristinaABC30) September 27, 2017

Amazing shots of the rockslide at El Capitan in Yosemite Nat. Park. The photographer said it sounded like a huge explosion. pic.twitter.com/3yzQ4XS5jt  Bailey Miller (@BaileyPMiller) September 28, 2017

Most rockfalls occur during periods of heavy rain, snowmelt or cold temperatures and geologists monitor conditions around rock walls and hillsides for movement.

Story continues

Granite is a very porous rock so its size is affected by its exposure to water and temperature.

In a study published last year, geologists found the granite cliffs are "breathing" due to the conditions around them and the iconic domes and arches etched into their surface are constantly moving.

Photos posted on social media show plumes of dust filling the canyon in the wake of the crash and witnesses say it "sounded like a huge explosion".

Wednesdays incident comprised seven rock falls spread over a four hour period, he said, involving a sheet of granite estimated at 130 feet (40 metres) tall, 65 feet wide and three to 10 feet thick about 650 feet up El Capitan  the size of a 13-storey building.

Mr Gediman said the slide was not an unusual occurrence in Yosemite, which sees about 80 rock falls a year, but most do not cause injuries or deaths.

Sixteen people have been killed and 100 others injured in rock falls since park records began in 1857. The last fatality was in June 1999, when climber Peter Terbush was killed below Glacier Point.

El Capitan, one of Yosemites best-known landmarks, is considered a world-class challenge for rock climbers.

Additional reporting by Reuters
Hundreds of passengers waited to board flights out of the Kurdish region at Irbil International Airport yesterday after Baghdad threatened to ban flights following an independence referendum held by Iraqs Kurds earlier this week.

Most international carriers who fly to and from airports in the Kurdish region announced they would halt flights beginning Friday night in line with the ban. Also yesterday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Turkey has agreed to deal only with Baghdad on oil exports from the self-ruled Kurdish region.

At Irbils airport, many of the passengers were foreigners who said they were traveling to avoid possibly being stuck once the flight ban goes into effect Friday.

Murat Mutlar, a Turkish citizen, said the company he works for in Irbil ordered him to leave before Friday and as of Thursday he didnt know if hell return.

It depends on the situation here. If they make again all flights open [] we will come back again and continue our work, he said.

Iraqs Transport Ministry ordered international airlines to halt service to Irbil, the Kurdish regional capital, and Sulaimaniyah, its second city, beginning Friday evening.

State carrier Qatar Airways was just the latest airline to announce all flights to and from the Kurdish region would be canceled starting Saturday. Lebanons Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir and Royal Jordanian announced Wednesday that flights would be suspended beginning Friday evening.

Low-cost carrier FlyDubai said it is halting flights from Saturday. And Sharjah-based Air Arabia said it will temporarily suspend its flights from Saturday in line with the order it received from the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority.

In a statement issued late Wednesday following a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, al- Abadi said his Turkish counter-part Binali Yildirim stressed his government would support all measures taken in response to the Kurdish independence referendum.

In defiance of Baghdad, the self-ruled Kurdish region has been unilaterally exporting crude oil produced in their region and contested areas through Turkey.

Turkey had forged close ties to Iraqs Kurdish region, but is strongly opposed to its moves toward independence. It has threatened military action and economic sanctions against the landlocked region.

The Kurdish referendum on support for independence from Iraq passed with more than 92 percent of voters approving the move, the Kurdish regions election commission told a news conference on Wednesday. Turnout was over 72 percent, it said. Bram Janssen, Irbil, AP
A human rights group is accusing Russia and the Syrian government of mounting the worst attack on hospitals in Syria since April.

The New York-based Physicians for Human Rights says it believes either Russian or Syrian government jets were behind a string of airstrikes on three hospitals in the rebel-held Idlib province in northern Syria on Sept. 19.

It says two of the hospitals were struck again days later.

PHR and other watchdogs say the Syrian government has intentionally targeted medical workers and facilities throughout the six-year-old civil war. The organization has documented attacks on 323 medical facilities since the start of the war. The vast majority were committed by Russian or Syrian government forces.

Attacks on Idlib hospitals ebbed after Russia brokered a "de-escalation" agreement in that brought some measure of calm to the northwest earlier this year. But airstrikes have flared again since rebels and al-Qaida-linked militants stormed government-held areas in the neighboring Hama province last week.
Theres something frustrating in the predictable reactions to Tuesday mornings terror attack in Har Adar . Once again, we heard clichesthe same clichesrepeated both by the Left and by the Right. The two camps' representatives, almost all of them, are fixated on an out-of-date division. Both the Left and the Right have failed, and this serious attack is only making them sink deeper into their own quagmire.

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The Left wants a renewal of the peace process. Has the peace process ever prevented terror attacks? Are the people who carry out terror attacks pacifists who are trying to advance peace in somewhat violent ways? After all, there were deadly terror attacks in the years and days in which the peace process prospered and blossomed. After all, the major wave of terrorism, the second intifada, arrived after Israel crossed the Rubicon and accepted, for the first time, both a Palestinian state and a division of Jerusalem. It was a wasted effort.

Security forces in Har Adar. Between a renewal of the peace process and a proper Zionist response, both the Left and the Right are sinking deeper into their own mud (Photo: AP)

The Right wants a proper Zionist response. In other words, more outposts called new neighborhoods. Since when does mixing populations solve problems? Where exactly has it worked? And when did the PLOs old dream, to create one big binational state, become a Zionist vision? Thats exactly what the "Palestinian Rejectionist Front" wants. Its what BDS activists want. So its now the Rights job to fulfill it? Does the response to terrorism have to be a fulfillment of the terror perpetrators vision?

Admittedly, there has been terrorism and there will be terrorismwith or without peace. Because terrorism exists both in places ruled by Sharia laws and in Germany, England and France, which do not maintain roadblocks or an occupation. And terrorism has its own logic, which isnt directly connected to what Israel does or doesnt do.

We must also remember and remind people that Israel actually accomplished the task of minimizing terrorism. The second intifada terrorism was defeated. And while it isnt over yet, the wave of knifing attacks has calmed down. And there have been and will be, on both sides of the Green Line, individual attacks that are not affiliated with any organization.

But one thing is clear: The more we mix hostile populations, like outpost residents and Hamas supporters, the higher the level of violence is going to be. Whoever wants more terrorism should approve more outposts next to more and more villages. Separation doesnt eliminate terrorism, it only reduces its level. But there is no partner today for separating through an agreement. And even if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offers the Clinton Parameters to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas tomorrow morningand its a shame he isnt doing sowe already know Abbas will say no.

So only one plan remains, a plan that many good people from the undogmatic Right and the undogmatic Left have been focusing on in recent years: Separation with continued control. This plan has been initiated and suggested by many former defense officials. Its known as the commanders plan. On the one hand, the Palestinians would receive much more autonomy, much more self-government, while on the other hand, Israel would continue its control both on the Jordanian line and in every crucial security point.

There is no magic solution to the problem of terrorism and to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But there is a way that will save us from one binational state and put us back on the path to a Jewish state. This path doesnt have the utopian glitter cliche lovers are trying to sell us. But it does offer a modest hope for a bit more sanity and normalcy.
Israel's security forces were on high alert Friday ahead of Yom Kippurthe Jewish holiday of atonement and repentance.

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Following the attack this week in Har Adar and fearing further hostilities, the IDF will maintain increased presence in the West Bank, with a general blockade imposed on the territories and on the Gaza Strip until 12:01am Sunday.

Exceptions will be made for humanitarian, medical and other outstanding cases, pending the approval of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

Jews praying at the Western Wall on Yom Kippur (Photo: Reuters)

In addition, Palestinian workers will not be allowed to enter Israeli communities in the West Bank for as long as the closure is in effect.

Police forces will be deployed throughout the country to ensure the safety of the general public during this holy day.

Security forces in Jerusalem (Photo: Ofer Meir)

Among other things, there will be increased patrols, with an emphasis on seam areas between Jewish and Arab neighborhoods, as well as increased police and Border Police activity near the holy places and crowded plazas.

The police will also reinforce the patrols at various population centers to maintain public order and provide an immediate and available response to any security or criminal situation.

Photo: Ofer Meir

Israel Police and Border Police reinforcements and volunteers have been deployed throughout Jerusalem since Thursday afternoon and will remain throughout Yom Kippur to maintain public order and secure the thousands of Jews expected to reach the Western Wall plaza to pray.

Prior to the holiday, the police set up checkpoints on the main roads to prevent the movement of vehicles from east Jerusalem neighborhoods to the west of the city.

Yom Kippur 2017 fast times

Police and Border Police will be stationed near the checkpoints to prevent their removal and will be deployed in the area to prevent stone throwing and other disturbances.
Do you want to know the phenomenon of boosting property value? Here are some factors that can cause a home's value to appreciate or depreciate in Pakistan.
A surge of popularity for a freshly minted opposition party in Japan is making Prime Minister Shinzo Abes decision to call a snap election look riskier than initially thought.

Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament yesterday, setting the stage for an Oct. 22 vote.

The Party of Hope, launched earlier this week by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, may not dethrone Abes ruling Liberal Democratic Party but analysts say it could put a dent in the LDPs majority. A major setback could derail Abes presumed hope to extend his rule for three more years at a party leadership meeting next year.

Minutes after the lower house dissolution, Abe made a fiery speech to party members. He said he is seeking a public mandate on his tough diplomatic and defense policies to deal with escalating threats from North Korea, and that party members would have to relay his message to win voter support during the campaign.

This election is about how we protect Japan, the peoples lives and peaceful daily life, Abe said. The election is about the future of our children.

Abes decision to dissolve parliament is widely seen as an attempt to reconsolidate his hold on power within the LDP, after a series of scandals and missteps earlier this year. A big enough victory could help ensure his re-election as party leader in September 2018.

The move is not without risks, but analysts say the timing may be better now than later. The Democratic Party, the largest opposition group, is in disarray, and the sudden election gives the Party of Hope little time to organize candidates and a campaign strategy.

Media polls, though, show the new party off to a respectable start, though still trailing the LDP.

Jeff Kingston, a professor at Temple Universitys Japan Campus in Tokyo, called Koikes new party a game changer.

I think it is really bad news for Abe, he said. She doesnt actually have to win, but she has to inflict a bloody nose on Abe [] If her party does better than expected, expect the long knives to come out in the LDP, and Abe could be ushered to the exit.

Koike, at a news conference, denied speculation that she might run for parliament herself. I will stay in the city and put my energy to lead Tokyos preparations ahead of the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics, she said.

Still, a relatively good showing by her party could allow it to influence Abe on policies such as constitutional change, an issue both politicians have an interest in, said Stephen Nagy, a professor at International Christian University in Tokyo.

Working in Abes favor, he said, are the LDPs nationwide electoral organization and his handling of North Korea, which has sent two missiles over Japan in recent tests. Another missile test would likely put him in the limelight further, casting a shadow on the Party of Hopes policy credentials, Nagy said.

The Democratic Party, whose predecessor party held power in 2009-2012, is splintering, and many members have defected to Koikes party. Party leader Seiji Maehara said the Democrats would do whatever it takes to bring down the Abe government.

Lower house members all stood up and chanted banzai three times in a dissolution ritual, then rushed out of the assembly hall. The other chamber, the less-powerful upper house, will not be up for election but remain closed until parliament is reconvened after the vote. Mari Yamaguchi & Ken Moritsugu, Tokyo, AP
As a lifetime Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and No. 2 to J. Edgar Hoover, Mark Felt was not exactly an ordinary man, but he was, it seems, a highly unlikely candidate to topple a presidency. Felt was the man behind Deep Throat, the Watergate whistleblower who led Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein to the explosive truth behind that break-in. He lived only as a shadowy mystery in the popular imagination until he gave up his long-held secret in 2005, a few years before he died. By then what he represented had already transcended anything an actual human could live up to.

Its not a surprise then that the fictionalized telling of his story in Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House  is a little underwhelming. The mundanities of the truth could hardly be as sexy as decades of intrigue and mythology enshrined in history and the enduring greatness of All the Presidents Men. But director Peter Landesman (Concussion) and star Liam Neeson nonetheless manage to weave together a fairly compelling (if disputed ) tick-tock of how it all went down from Felts purview.

And it all started with a slight. Were introduced to Felt in his ordinary suburban home, getting ready for another day of work at the Bureau. Hes a tall and soft-

spoken man who hides the dirty secrets of the country, and his organization, behind a stoic poker face. A few characters at the outset tell him (read: us) how loyal and reliable and competent he is  a golden retriever for whomever is in power. When J. Edgar Hoover dies, Felt is passed over for that top position in favor of Nixon favorite L. Patrick Gray (Marton Csokas)  a mighty snub that sows the seed of discontentment in Felt.

A little over a month after Hoovers death is when those five men are arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarter in the Watergate complex. The peculiar facts of the case raise eyebrows at the FBI, but then the White House starts attempting to interfere with what should be an independent inquiry. So Felt takes it upon himself go another route  to the press.

As Felt, Neeson is understated and convincing despite his tendency to drift in and out of his native Irish accent. Hes also dealing with more than just executive office corruption. On the home front, his grown daughter has been missing for a year, which has put a strain on him and his wife, Audrey (Diane Lane). While its understandable why Landesman has included this background, it also feels very tacked on and insufficiently explored to have much of an impact. At the very least, it could have been cut for length.

The film is at its best when it is dealing with the central story, which can also at times feel like a bit of a repetitive slog. Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer

Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House, a Sony Pictures Classics release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for some language. Running time: 103 minutes.
A tree branch saved a maintenance mechanic from the collapsing building where a dozen co-workers died when last weeks earthquake rocked central Mexico. A slap across the face startled a dazed father back to his senses, spurring him to carry his critically injured daughter to safety. Neighbors, co-workers and passers-by pulled people from the jaws of death, while taxis, private cars and even buses rushed them to hospitals.

Amid the endless tragedies from the magnitude 7.1 quake that killed more than 300 people, there were incredible stories of survival.

Conrad Vazquez Martinez, a 67-year-old mechanic, was on the roof of the four-story laboratory building where he worked in Mexico Citys Roma Norte neighborhood when the quake hit at midday Sept. 19.

I wanted to run to get to people, but the building was collapsing behind me, Vazquez Martinez said Wednesday as he lay in a bed at the Magdalena de las Salinas hospital, recovering from a broken hip and leg. I ran and ran, and with one jump I grabbed a branch that grew close to the building.

Another employee and I had once talked about that branch. We said, If theres ever a problem here, well jump out here, he remembered. Unfortunately it was old, and it broke.

But Vazquez Martinez never let go of the branch, and it proved a life saver. He fell through the lower branch and onto the sidewalk in front of a neighboring building, breaking his hip and leg. And then a second miracle: A metal balcony grill fell over him, partly shielding him from the direct impact of rubble that tumbled over him.

The tree branch, which he still gripped in one hand, poked out of the debris to give him a trickle of air.

The metal grate had a screen, so the chunks of concrete didnt fall directly on me, he said. When everything stopped falling, I tried to stretch myself out, but the concrete chunks felt heavier and heavier, they were pressing me, heavier all the time.

His face, mouth and nose full of rubble, Vazquez Martinez noticed that a jug of water he had on the roof had fallen nearby. God is so great, that even water was provided.

He called and whistled, and eventually co-workers found him and dug him out.

Losing my co-workers was what most hurts, he said. My hope was to get out and save people, but I couldnt, I failed.

But I did one thing. I closed the valve on the gas tank, Vazquez Martinez added, recalling his actions in the first moments when the earthquake started. It was bomb there, he said of the big heating gas tank on the roof. It may have saved the whole neighborhood.

Dr. Fryda Medina, director of the hospital where he is being treated, said that on the day of the quake, patients were delivered by volunteers in private cars and taxis. Two patients were brought aboard buses. The staff, and even retirees, all volunteered to work through the night and following days, when over 300 injured from the earthquake were brought in. Only one died, she said.

It was in those moments that one feels the spirit we have in Mexico, the solidarity, Medina said at the hospital, which is operated by Mexicos Social Security Institute.

There were other incredible escapes from death. American photojournalist Wesley Bocxe and his wife, Elizabeth, made it to the roof of their 10-story apartment building when the quake started. His wife was killed when the floors underneath pancaked into a pile of rubble, but Bocxe somehow survived the plunge, though he was seriously injured.

Local media quoted one woman who said that she and two relatives took refuge in the bathroom of their upper floor apartment, and the room  apparently constructed more sturdily than the rest of the building  plunged intact to near street level. They were able to escape with the help of neighbors. Mark Stevenson, Mexico City, AP
Giant pandas Cai Tao and Hu Chun arrived yesterday to fanfare in Indonesia where a new palace like home that cost millions of dollars has been built for them.

The male and female pair landed at Jakartas international airport from Chengdu and will be quarantined at Taman Safari zoo outside the capital for about a month before the public can visit.

The zoo hopes the 7-year- olds will mate and add to the giant panda population. Its built a special enclosure and facilities that cost about 60 billion rupiah (USD4.5 million), Taman Safari President Tony Sumampouw told The Associated Press.

There are less than 1,900 giant pandas in their only wild habitats in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu.

China gifted friendly nations with its national mascot in what was known as panda diplomacy for decades.

Countries now pay to be loaned pandas but they remain a potent symbol of Chinese soft power at a time when Beijing is seeking Southeast Asia cooperation for its ambitions plans to create a modern-day Silk Road that enhances its economic and political clout.

Zoo spokesman Yulius Suprihardo said the living quarters for Cai Tao, the male, and Hu Chun, the female, resemble a three-tier temple.

Its on a hill surrounded by about 5,000 square meters of land and equipped with an elevator, sleeping area, medical facilities and indoor and outdoor play areas.

He said after the quarantine period a soft launch for public viewing could be held by late October or early November.

During this time we can only see the adorable pandas from images, videos or television. In the near future, Indonesian people can see panda directly, Suprihardo said. And we hope they can breed here, thats part of our goal. AP
6. WHY PROPERTY PRICES ARE IN HKD

It is a common misconception that the reason property prices are HKD is to take advantage of the 3% difference in the currency exchange rate.

The real reason that prices are in HKD instead of the Macau Pataca (MOP) is that the MOP is not freely exchangeable, and is only valid in Macau.

As property transactions often involve overseas investment, it was vital to operate in an exchangeable currency so that money could be both remitted and sent overseas to facilitate transactions.

7. WHO CAN DECIDE ON THE RENTAL AMOUNT

The amount of rent paid on a property is a matter between the landlord and the tenant only; there are no restrictions from the government.

Whilst there have been discussions on rent control, the government has resisted the temptation to get involved in setting increment limits or limiting rents because it makes sense to avoid interfering in the market.

Furthermore, imposing artificial rent control measures could cause the opposite effect on the market and actually lead to an increase in rents if owners remove their property from the stock of available properties.

Of course it is a good idea to do a price comparison with rents before entering into a contractual agreement.

8. YOU CAN REPAY YOUR PROPERTY LOAN EARLY

If you have a mortgage loan with the bank, you can repay the loan early in its entirety or just partially.

This is an advantage if you want to reduce your monthly repayments to the bank and have an excess of cash through savings or a special bonus.

Be aware that the bank usually charge an early repayment penalty if you repay the whole amount within the first three years of the loan, and you can usually negotiate this fee with the bank.

9. PAYING RENTS LATE CAN BE VARY COSTLY

Rental payments that are overdue can quickly become a major issue in accordance with Macau Law

If a rental payment is nine days or more overdue, the landlord has the right to charge the tenant a further 50% of the monthly rental amount.

If a payment remains due after 30 days, the amount increases to 100% of the monthly rental.

In other words, if your rent is $10,000 and you are nine days late, the landlord may charge $15,000 instead. After 30 days that would be $20,000 and this amount is capped.

This is especially important for tenants who are under the impression that they can use the last two months security deposit for rent.

The security deposit may not be used as rent, and thus as soon as the first payment is missed and more than 30 days overdue, the security deposit is effectively wiped out.

10. THE MINIMUM RENTAL CONTRACT TERM

There has been a lot of social network discussions on the minimum contractual term, and a lot of confusion on the subject.

According to the Macau Government Website on Tenancy, there is a maximum period of 30 years that a rental agreement can run, but there is no minimum period.

If there is no time frame stipulated on an agreement, the government deems the agreement to be valid for one year.

However, under Section 1038 of Macau Civil Code, the Landlord does not have right to terminate a tenancy agreement for residential purposes within two years from the starting date of the lease term unless it agreed by both parties.

Simply put, it means that if you have an agreement that is two years or longer, the landlord cannot terminate the agreement prior to the end of the initial two-year period.

From February 2018 the two year term will change to three years in a revision of the law designed to further stabilize the rental market.

Juliet Risdon is a Director of JML Property and a property investor.

Having been established in 1994, JML Property offers investment property & homes. It specializes in managing properties for owners and investors, and providing attractive and comfortable homes for tenants.

www.JMLProperty.com

info@JMLProperty.com
Vanuatu officials yesterday ordered the complete evacuation of an island in the Pacific archipelago where a rumbling, belching volcano is threatening to blow.

Boats were soon to begin ferrying residents off Ambae island, which is home to about 11,000 people, in a process expected to take about a week. The Manaro volcano has been increasingly active for a week or more, raising fears of a major eruption.

Government spokesman Hilaire Bule said ministers decided they couldnt risk peoples lives and so ordered the compulsory evacuation. Previously, people had been evacuated to other areas on the island itself.

Ambae resident Lilian Garae said she could see smoke coming out from the hills and hear regular booming noises from the volcano. She said she was waiting to hear when she might have to leave her home and where she might be sent.

Ambae is about 400 square kilometers, making it a little larger than the city of Detroit. It is one of about 65 inhabited islands in the Pacific nation about one-quarter of the way from Australia to Hawaii.

The activity measure of the volcano was raised last weekend to Level 4, on a scale in which Level 5 represents a major eruption, and an emergency was declared Monday.

New Zealands military flew a plane over the volcano on Tuesday, and said huge columns of smoke, ash and volcanic rocks were billowing from the crater.

Some residents have left the island voluntarily. For them, its a waiting game to see whether the volcano erupts or returns to normal activity thats not a threat. Officials say they have no real way of predicting what the volcano will do next and that evacuees will just have to wait it out.

Bule said the evacuation will be carried out by boat and continue through Oct. 6. He said residents will be moved onto nearby islands. Officials are setting up two sites on Pentecost Island, he said, where evacuees will be housed in government buildings or in temporary camp sites.

Ambae island has long been volcanically active. A previous eruption in 2005 forced about 3,300 people to temporarily leave their homes and relocate elsewhere on the island, but didnt lead to an evacuation of the island itself.

Dickinson Tevi, a spokesman for the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, said the relief agency has been shipping water and shelter equipment to Ambae island.

People are quite afraid with the sound of rumbling going on, he said. They are very uncertain and afraid.

Bule said the government had allocated 200 million vatu (USD1.9 million) toward the evacuation effort and was deploying 60 police officers to help people leave and to ensure there was no looting.

Weve prepared for cyclones by putting evacuation centers on the island but we are not ready for a volcanic eruption, Bule said. The government has to put a policy in place to cater for this in the future. Nick Perry, Wellington, AP
Wynn Macau launched its newest platform Wynn Local SME Network this week, which facilitates the use of online business matching services and the use of procurement mobile application ChoicePro.

The mobile application allows micro-enterprises, Made in Macao and young entrepreneurs to register as a vendor of Wynn, and be aware of the products and services the gaming operator is currently seeking.

Through this system, local SMEs can receive news on business matching sessions organized by different companies, along with details and invitations for business meetings and exhibitions.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Linda Chen, president and executive director of Wynn Resorts Macau, said that the network aims to effectively link different sectors to construct a network for local micro-enterprises and SMEs.

The executive added that it is the first time that Wynn Macau has operated an accessible technology platform to accommodate its vendors.

Wynn Macau leveraged the online business matching service platform of the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) to conduct registrations for the business matching session  with over 80 percent of attendees having used the platform before.

In the future, everybody can get a lot more information in a timely manner and also expand their platform on what products [vendors are] looking for, and [see products] available by other vendors, Chen told the press.

Chen added that local enterprises can also take advantage of the platform to communicate with other companies to further expand their business.

We dont want to just purchase from the locals but we want them to expand their business so we provided a platform [with] opportunities not just within Wynn but within Macau so they can further expand their opportunities and products, the executive said.

The president concluded that Wynn aims to continually collaborate with local artists to turn their products to commercial merchandise.

Wynn Macau is also looking at expanding the app to other gaming operators and large enterprises in future, making it accessible for local SMEs, to create an even wider network.

Through ChoicePro, companies can centralize the exchange of procurement information, complementing local suppliers databases.

Alan Hong, the creative director of a local SME Village Macau, noted that its partnership with Wynn has contributed growth to the business.

The gaming operator partnered with the local SME to offer discounts for its 10,000-plus employees, encouraging them to experience a getaway in Village Macau.

The initiative also aims to foster the popularity of local artists and micro-enterprises, working closely with Village Macau to design programs that involve charitable causes.

The gaming operator has again partnered with the Macao Chamber of Commerce to organize the Wynn Local SME Procurement Partnership Program 2017  Business Matching Session for Micro Enterprises, Made in Macao and Young Entrepreneurs events.

At the business matching session, Wynn arranged for supervisors from its procurement department to meet with all local SME representatives.
BURLEY  A school bus with a driver and aid on board rolled at 400 S. Idaho 27 on Friday, according to the Cassia County School District.

No students were on the bus.

Debbie Critchfield, spokeswoman for the district, said the bus does not belong to the Cassia County School District but was a bus transporting migrant students.

The bus was headed south to Oakley, she said, and the car was traveling east and ran the stop sign.

Critchfield said the driver and aid on the bus are safe, but occupants in the car were taken by air ambulance.

The 2011 bus was registered to Community Council of Idaho.

The driver of the 1999 Nissan 4-door car was extricated and flown to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello

Horak said two people were taken by ambulance to Cassia Regional Hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and names have not been released.

The Cassia County Sheriffs Office, Burley Fire Department, West Cassia Quick Response Unit and Mini-Cassia Search and Rescue Extrication along with ambulances responded to the scene, Horak said.
When I talk with pundits about next years governors race, I hear a lot of opinions about Boise developer Tommy Ahlquists chances. Most of them are negative.

The old sages say hell never gain enough name recognition to win  that his polling numbers are low  that he does not have enough government experience  that he really is a Democrat running as a Republican. Blah, Blah, Blah.

But Ahlquist has two wild cards on his side  charisma and plenty of money. Ahlquist is in this to win, and hes a hard-driving guy who usually gets what he wants.

Ahlquist, who last week launched his tour of 44 counties in 44 days in Meridian, showed plenty of charm in his address to the crowd. Granted, some of it was staged. Supporters were told that the event would be filmed and were asked to cheer enthusiastically. But as Ahlquist started hitting more home runs than Yankee slugger Aaron Judge, the crowd reaction became genuine.

On March 1st, we announced our run and the career politicians and political insiders laughed. They made it very clear that they did not think we had a chance, Ahlquist said. But we knew better. We believed that our state was ready for new ideas and a fresh approach.

As he was speaking, I started imagining Bill Clintons voice to Ahlquists words  and this is not a slap to Ahlquist. As a reporter in Arkansas during the late 70s and early 80s, I had occasion to cover Clinton during two runs for governor (1978 and 1982). Ahlquists speech practically was a mirror image of what Clinton talked about back in the day  short on specifics, but long on personal appeal.

No Republican in Idaho, including Ahlquist, would want to be compared to Bill Clinton in any way. But in this case, its a compliment. Few people in the history of American politics were a match for Clinton in his ability to rally a crowd to his side. During Clintons years as governor, he ran as a conservative  knowing that Arkansans never would go for a liberal blueprint for the state.

Too often in life, and especially in politics, we jump right into the HOW  so let me start with the WHY, Ahlquist told the Meridian crowd. Why? Because we have incredible families in this great state. Why? Because Idaho is built on values and heritage of hard work, and we deserve a governor who works as hard as we do. Why? Because Idaho families deserve to be put first.

He masterfully weaved in stories about an Idaho entrepreneur being held back by government mandates and a fourth-generation dairyman from the Magic Valley who is tired of skyrocketing health insurance costs.

We need a governor that comes from the real world and knows what its like to sign the front of a paycheck, not just the back of a paycheck, he said. No more last, or near the bottom, in high school graduation. No more being OK with 1,350 homeless students in the Nampa school district. No more being near the bottom in the country in median wage. No more losing our kids to other states because they cannot find good paying jobs right here in Idaho.  Some say it cant be done. But we must, and we will.

On education, he says, I promise you that when I am governor, every single day I will focus on education from dawn until dusk and we will not stop until we lead the nation in education, he said.

Much of Ahlquists rhetoric doesnt seem to fit with the conservative blueprint hes touting  it was more like something stolen from Barack Obama. But from a crowd standpoint, a speech that has high ambitions generally gets a better reaction than one that promotes gloom and doom, and saying no to everything.

Together, we will build an even better Idaho  an Idaho that doesnt accept mediocrity  an Idaho where families prosper and businesses thrive an Idaho with new ideas and a fresh approach, he says. Together  we must and together we will, Ahlquist said.

Im not sure about this, but I thought I heard someone in the audience saying, Yes, we can.
The Emirati aviation group announced Thursday that Tony Douglas who heads equipment procurement and training department of the British defenses forces will be from January its new Chief Executive Officer to sustain grow.

Douglas is taking over from Ray Gammell who has been the groups interim boss since May.

The British citizen is well known in the gulf country where he previously oversaw both Abu Dhabi Airports and Abu Dhabi Ports.

Douglas displays a rich experience in the aviation domain after working with airport operator BAA, as managing director of Heathrow Terminal 5 project and as CEO of Heathrow Airports.

His appointment comes at the time government-run group is shaken by losses, with 2016 losses put at $1.87 billion.

He is expected to expand and implement a wide range of strategic initiatives to position Etihad for sustained success, the company said in a statement.

The Etihad aviation group current operates a fleet of 120 aircrafts, serving 112 destinations.

The airways lost one its pilots Wednesday after the captain of cargo flight EY 927 passed away in midair from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam. The aircraft landed in Kuwait for a medical team to attend to the pilot but he was pronounced dead.
All foreign airlines operating at the Kurdistan capital Erbil airport will stop running flights as of Friday at the request of the Iraqi government which has decided to clampdown on the Kurdish controversial referendum with a landslide Yes eager for a breakaway from Iraq.

All foreign flights will stop at 6:00 local time (15 GMT) according to airport director, Talar Faiq Salih.

The decision has caused movements of a sea of foreigners to the airport who fear to be stranded in the autonomous territory whose visa is not recognized by the Iraqi government.

Turkish airlines, Egypt air, Middle East airlines including other regional airlines have already announced suspension of all their flights to Iraqi Kurdistan.

Millions of Iraqi Kurds were called to a referendum Monday to decide whether to break away from Baghdad or to remain part of Iraq. Over 92 per cent voted Yes.

The referendum has been deemed illegal by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in addition to Turkey and Iran who have also opposed the move.

Salih told the AFP that Baghdad also demanded surrender of airports in the autonomous territory.
Yusuf Al-Qaradawi is a political opponent and has been a Qatari citizen since the 1970s therefore Qatar will not extradite him, Qatari foreign minister, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani indicated Thursday.

Al-Qaradawi, a born Egyptian national, is wanted by Cairo over his bonds with outlawed Muslim Brotherhood party.

After the coup on President Morsi, Abdelfettah al-Sisi has vowed to crackdown the organization which he claimed is more dangerous than the Islamic State group.

Like Egypt, the Arab League in 2014 blacklisted the organization as terrorist group.

The North African country and its Gulf allies namely Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have since June 4 severed ties with Qatar that they accuse of supporting terrorism and harboring members of the group.

Qatar categorically denied the charges. Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani argued that classification of the group by other countries as terrorist group does not correspond to International criteria.

The Qatari official also noted that the tiny Gulf country is a safe-haven for political opponents like Al-Qaradawi and not for Muslim Brotherhood.

Qatar supported and still supports Egyptian people, Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stressed adding that despite the crisis Doha did not withdraw its investment (around $20 billion) because they serve the Egyptian people and contribute to creating more job opportunities and to the growth of the Egyptian economy.
Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
The classic coming-of-age tale finds a new landscape and protagonist in "The Sun at Midnight." The wilderness it chooses to send its young First Nations star is the scenic tundra and mountains north of the Arctic Circle.

We can tell immediately that Lia, fond of both colorful fashion (pink hair, pink clothes, pink "princess" eyeshade) and colorful music (electronic pop), isn't going to take well to rural Canada. The Gwich'in 16-year-old, still mourning her mother's death, is sent to stay with her grandmother for a few months while her father works at the mine.

Lia's unwillingly dispatched by plane to Fort McPherson, a tiny community in the Northwest Territories above the Arctic Circle, where daylight lingers through the night.

In her first feature, Kristen Carthew, a former Canadian journalist, brought her small crew to the Arctic, a beautiful landscape with its own quality of light, that's more often home to documentary filmmakers than features.

Her rural adjustment failing, Lia steals a boat on the river in hopes of making it back to a city. Her escape quickly founders and she's rescued by Alfred, a solitary hunter older than her dad who happens to be on a purposeful journey of his own.

Jacobs, a Mohawk actress from Quebec, won a national award for her role in 2013's "Rhymes for Young Ghouls." Here, she has the difficult task of making a mourning teenager sympathetic and compelling as she eases from grumpiness toward openness and connection. Some touches are light, such as the subtlety of a city kid hiking very awkwardly in tundra in silver shoes. Others are more visibly demanding: crying, puking, fighting off an assault.

Alfred is portrayed by Duane Howard, a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. In "The Revenant," Howard was cast as Elk Dog, the chief of the Arikara pursuing Leonardo DiCaprio and his band of fur trappers. In "Sun," he acts a tough-love father figure on Lia's first excursion into both the wilderness, teaching her bits of Gwich'in culture along the way. Some of this tour is mournful  he's concerned about the future of the climate-change ravaged herds and what it means for his culture.

Yet some of Alfred's backcountry advice is delivered with dead-pan amusement. Lia, frightened, spies a raven overhead. Don't ravens mean death? she asks. "Ravens mean ravens," he replies. He also provides instructional information about moss usage.

Howard does excellent work as a reticent, lonesome adult on his own mission of redemption. As far as commitment to a scene goes, delivering lines about death and loss in close-up while a very large mosquito lands directly on your face surely deserves some sort of award at a Canadian or Alaskan film festival.

Pushed further into the mountains, the two develop a rapport. Lia softens toward the landscape after initially seeming indifferent. Alfred alludes to a distant relationship with his city-dwelling children, and seems glad to have someone interested in his skill-set.

In some scenes, accompanied by ambient music, Lia balances an oar on her hand in the tundra she's grown to appreciate, forming a recurring motif. Carthew makes full use of the expansive backdrop of the Northern Territories.

In the third act, the roles of savior and saved are reversed when Alfred is injured by a bear several days' removed from cell reception or motorized vehicles.

The arcs of coming-of-age tales are well-worn, but we return to them for good reason. "The Sun at Midnight" is a reminder of how fresh the form is in the right hands.
The Missoula Symphony Orchestra is opening its season with a wide-screen grandeur.

The movie-themed "Starstruck" program is built around English composer Gustav Holst's epic "The Planets." The opening section, "Mars, Bringer of War," is widely seen as the inspiration for a section of John Williams's score for "Star Wars," the imposing "Imperial March" theme.

Holst's suite cycles through all of the planets in our solar system except for Earth. (No Pluto, either.)

Holst's writing, however, is "astrological, not astronomical," said Darko Butorac, the symphony's artistic director. The composer imagined moods for each body: Venus, "the bringer of peace," is as serene as "Mars" was threatening. Mercury, "the winged messenger," intimates a feeling of flight. "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity," has an air of levity, while often sounding as massive as "Mars."

The way he wrote music to express character traits "almost became a future blueprint for Hollywood scores," Butorac said. Williams was inspired by it, and Hans Zimmer was accused of cribbing from it for "Gladiator."

To conjure all these different personalities, Holst reached into the many different tonal colors as he could find.

In the 1910s when Holst was writing "The Planets," Butorac said "composers were really experimenting with what sounds an orchestra can make, what sounds can people pull off."

"The Planets," for instance, calls for double the number of woodwinds, more than half as many brass players, two harps, organ, celesta, and a large percussion section. In all, the symphony will use 95 musicians for the work. The power of opening section is "like a beast awakening," Butorac said.

"The Planets" is more often used to close a symphony's season, he said. Instead, it will signal the beginning of an ambitious year for the orchestra. In the past several years, they've added large-scale pieces from the symphonic repertoire to their calendar. Last season's closer was Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring." In October, the symphony and chorale are taking the challenge of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and in April, Gustav Mahler's sprawling Symphony No. 2.

***

The movie theme is threaded through the other pieces this weekend, with two other selections that reflect the Golden Age of Hollywood, Butorac said.

The concert opens with American composer Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975). To indicate the range of his career, he wrote the music for Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane" in 1941, while his final score was saxophone-laden music for Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" in 1976.

He's most famous for his long association with Alfred Hitchcock. The MSO has chosen a suite culled from his sometimes sinister and often sweeping score for the director's 1958 thriller, "Vertigo."

As you'd expect from the creator of the immortal "Psycho" motif, Herrmann uses stabbing, dissonant gestures to generate a sense of unease and disorientation that mirrors the onscreen action. Elsewhere, he conjures a contrasting sense of grandeur and mystery.

Butorac said Herrmann was a master of heightening the qualities of a film  in this case, obsession.

His "Vertigo" score "created this intense energy that almost spins around its axis in a very obsessive manner," Butorac said.

After the Herrmann suite, the symphony will be joined by guest soloist Mayuko Kamio, a Japanese violin virtuoso who studied at Juilliard School.

Kamio won the 2007 International Tchaikovsky Competition, has played with orchestras around the world, and her albums have been released on Sony Classical. Kamio performs on a loaned instrument with a heavy pedigree: a 1727 Stradivarius that belonged to Joseph Joachim, the great violinist from the 1800s.

Here in Missoula, she'll take the spotlight on Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto in D Major.

Korngold (1897-1957), a Jewish composer who was born in Austria-Hungary, traveled frequently to work in the United States. After Nazism spread into Austria, he moved permanently to the U.S. in 1938.

He's credited with pioneering the use of the symphony in film. His work for "Anthony Adverse" (1936) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938) won Oscars.

The famous violinist Jascha Heifetz brought his Violin Concerto piece to fame and it has stayed in the repertoire since, Butorac said. While it sits firmly in the classical tradition, Korngold does quote his movie music. When you listen to it, you can hear ideas that set standards for what film scores should sound like, Butorac said. For instance, Korngold's use of celesta, a keyboard instrument with a "silvery, twinkly" sound resembles the scores to the Harry Potter films some 75 years later.

"Several times in the piece, both soft ones and loud ones, you can see how John Williams was inspired by this," he said.
Montana must decide if it will invest in the next generation or abandon them in the category of superfluous spending.

The University of Montana spent the past five years cutting award-winning professors, journals, programs and classes. In this context, the legislature responded by spurring an additional 10 percent cut.

The Montana University System operates from two major funding sources: state dollars and tuition. In 1988, state dollars paid for 76 percent of the budget. Today the state pays for 38 percent and students pay for 72 percent.

This makes students the highest-taxed Montanans, many of them paying 150 percent or more of their income to the university system. A university operates like a road with a toll; except everyone in the state decided they didnt want to pay for roads anymore so the toll became $150. Everyone agrees that would be exorbitant and prohibitive. Why dont we have the same attitude towards education?

Thomas Jefferson repeatedly wrote that the only way to keep a republic functioning properly was through public education. He said, "There are two subjects, indeed, which I shall claim a right to further as long as I breathe, one was public education. He understood education as a public good, and a prerequisite to the well-being of liberty. Montana has lost its grasp on the public good, on making an investment in the next generation.

Universities provide spaces for the next generation to formulate ideas, challenge themselves, and think critically about the future. If it costs $7,500 per year to attend school, critical thought becomes a secondary consideration to a lucrative career and debt payments. We must allow future generations the freedom to inquire, debate and develop themselves at universities, rather than limiting the purpose of higher education to finding a career.

As we starve our universities of funding we effectively privatize higher education from the inside out. In order for the university to function, it needs to offer majors that will provide monetary returns: business, finance and so on. If universities seek those monetary returns for programs, private interest becomes central to the university's ability to stay funded. The diminishing public interests running our universities, just as Jefferson understood, threatens democracy itself. Private interests already dominate our government through lobbyists, campaign finance and tax loopholes. We cannot let private interest take over our universities  it threatens our already teetering liberty.

The Montana Legislature must raise revenues and invest in higher education and critical inquiry. The Legislature failed us, and Commissioner of Higher Education Clay Christian and the Board of Regents failed us by actively participating in the privatization of curriculum. A glance at Montanas tax structure reveals obvious solutions: anyone who earns over $17,400 in this state pays the same tax rate of 7 percent. If you make $320,000, like the president of UM, you are left with $297,600; whereas if you are a student you pay $7,000 a year, and are likely left with little or nothing.

This tax system attacks those trying to better themselves through education. Most of the legislators carrying out this assault never paid these same premiums; U.S. Sen. Steve Daines paid $820 in tuition in 1988. Montana once invested in higher education, but our politicians brutally attacked the university system.

Jefferson fought for public education, because he understood that creating barriers to education impedes social progress. Our legislators create barriers every year to education, for no other reason than giving $500,000 incomes a break from their massive 7 percent tax burden.

Demand an end to this anti-liberty campaign championed by a legislature hell-bent on depriving the youth and empowering the wealthy.
The Butte Chamber of Commerces annual dinner and award ceremony Thursday night broke a record as more than 520 economic-development advocates, county officials, and business leaders gathered in the Butte Civic Center to honor those who have made strides this year in the business community.

Stephanie Sorini, executive director for the chamber, said attendance was up by over 100 this year and attributed the increase to a growing excitement about the Mining City.

I think people are feeling that vibe in our community that good things are about to happen, said Sorini by phone before the big event.

Sorini said developments that she believes have contributed to the positive feelings include recent renovations of Uptown buildings, ongoing cultural activities, and visual signs of economic development on Harrison Avenue and other thoroughfares in Butte.

Plus, she said, participating in the chamber dinner is a great way to network, rub shoulders, and be part of a community.

Several awards were handed out Thursday night, including the Harold McGrath Award for a person or organization that enhances the quality of life in Butte; the Mike Venner Spirit of Butte Award, which is intended for those who exemplify a love for life, family, and community; and the Marko Lucich Spirit of Service Award, an award that honors those who demonstrate a commitment to serving others and the community of Butte.

Bentley Construction (Bob and Midge Bentley) won the Harold McGrath Award.

In her nomination letter, Pam Rudolph said the company has not only constructed many buildings on Montana Techs campus but has also been involved with the chamber and demonstrated dedication to the Gloria Dei Lutheran church, Rotary International, the Masons and Shriners, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization International.

Referring to Bob and Midge Bentley, she said: This family not only owns a long-time construction business that has made its impact on our community, but they personally, quietly, and consistently contribute to Butte, to Montana, and to humanity.

The Spirit of Butte Award went to Matt Boyle, Original Festival organizer and new director for the St. Patricks Day and Fourth of July parades.

The Butte America Foundation, the nonprofit that operates Buttes indie low-power radio station KBMF-LP, announced in January that it would be taking over as the organizing body behind the parades and named Boyle as parade director. Butte Community Celebrations Inc. had previously organized the parades, but the nonprofit dissolved last fall due to a lack of volunteers among other factors.

Maria Pochervina, director of Buttes Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Boyle helped lead the effort to take over the parades  and thats part of the reason why she nominated him for the award.

Pochervina told the Standard by phone that she knew Mike Venner personally and got to see first-hand his enthusiasm for Butte.

So much of what I see in Matt is what I saw in Mike, said Pochervina, who described Boyle as a great ambassador for the community.

Also recognized Thursday night was Mike Thatcher, CEO of Community Counseling and Correctional Service Inc., who won the Spirit of Service Award.

Paul Babb nominated Thatcher for the award.

Simply put, Mike is a true Butte guy, Babb writes in his letter. He and his team's efforts have been instrumental in the success of many community and individual projects and fundraisers  What I admire most about Mikes efforts is that they typically fly under the radar screen. His contributions are not for recognition, but are a product of his calling to serve others, and his love of his community.

Also honored Thursday night were Pam and Mike Rudolph, owners of Rudolph's Furniture.

Recently the couple announced that they will be closing the Uptown furniture store at 65 E. Park St., marking the end of three generations of family ownership and nearly 100 years of operations.

Chris Ackerman read a history of the family and the store in Butte, including of the store's founder, Kalman Rudolph, who he said walked from Russia through Siberia and Manchuria to catch a voyage which would take him to a mining town called Butte.

Ackerman continued:

The Rudolph Family couldn't possibly be able to begin to thank Southwest Montana, Montana as a whole, and the international furniture industry for all of the opportunities, blessings, and friendships which have been given to them over the past century.
A man pleaded not guilty in Butte district court Thursday to multiple drug charges, including criminal possession with intent to distribute.

Judge Kurt Krueger accepted the pleas and ordered Stephen Sneeringer, 42, to remain jailed with bond set at $75,000.

Prosecutors say Sneeringer was caught on July 20 with 23 grams of suspected black-tar heroin, a small bag of suspected meth, several syringes, several hundred small plastic bags, and $234 in cash.

He was charged with felony counts of criminal possession with intent to distribute, possession of dangerous drugs, and use or possession of property subject to forfeiture. Added up, the charges carry a maximum sentence of 35 years with fines up to $50,000 for each count.

He also is charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest, which carries a maximum six months in jail and $500 fine.

UPCOMING MENTAL EVALUATION

A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Wendie Engles, 37, who was in the courtroom but must undergo a mental evaluation to first determine if she understands the nature of her assault with a weapon charge.

According to prosecutors, Engles threatened people with a knife and a broken piece of mirror in and outside of the Corner Bar at 501. S. Montana St. on Aug 17. Those threatened included the bars owners and customers. She remains in jail with bond set at $6,000.

DEFERRED SENTENCE TO DRUG CHARGES

Krueger accepted a plea agreement and gave a two-year deferred sentence to Justina Guida, 32, for allegedly having a bag with meth residue and a hydrocodone pain pill in September 2016.

She was charged with two counts of felony possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor counts of theft and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Her attorney, Catherine Rickett, said her client had no prior felony convictions and the current charges were for non-violent crimes. She said Guida has sought substance-abuse treatment.

She recognizes she needs to make some significant changes in her life, she told Krueger.

BENCH WARRANT FOR NO-SHOW

Krueger planned to issue a bench warrant for John Cynar, 28, who failed to appear for arraignment on a felony charge of possessing dangerous drugs and misdemeanor counts of assault, theft, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Prosecutors say Cynar stole items from the Walmart in Butte on separate occasions in June and threw a Frosty at an employee inside Wendys, hitting her in the chest with the ice cream. Police say when they located him, he had a plastic bag with suspected meth residue.

Cynar was free on his own recognizance but is likely to face bail if arrested on the bench warrant.
Hunting restrictions to be implemented at Big Sheep Creek Road by Dell

DILLON -- Beginning on Saturday, Nov. 4, all state land in Sections 15, 16, and 21, Township 13 South, Range 9 West will be restricted to hunting with shotgun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment only.

This area encompasses both sides of the Big Sheep Creek Road from Interstate 15 approximately one and a half miles west. Because this restriction is implemented to address a safety concern, the restriction will be permanent.

The Dillon Unit Office of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will be placing the permanent weapons restriction on state school trust lands between Interstate 15 and the mouth of Big Sheep Creek Canyon, just south of Dell. Recent hunting seasons have seen elk congregate in this area during late November, prompting dangerous situations as hunters attempted to harvest elk while other hunters and nearby landowners feared for their safety.

The restriction will be enforced by FWP Wardens working in the area, and violations may result in penalties of up to $1,000 per day. Maps of the restricted area are available at the Dillon Unit of the DNRC. Questions about the closure should be directed to Tim Egan, DNRC Dillon Unit Manager, at 406-683-6305.

Art auction planned at Trinity Center

Butte AIDS Support Services will be hosting a benefit art auction at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Trinity Center, 969 N. Main St.

Over 50 pieces of original artwork, many by Montana/Native American artists, can be bid on in the silent and live auction.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and the live auction starts at 6. Hors doeuvres will be served.

Proceeds go to servicing the needs of HIV/AIDS clients in the Butte area.
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MUSCATINE  It took an extra month of negotiating, but installation of services is about to begin in Muscatine Power and Water's Fiber to the Home Project. The Board of Water, Electric, and Communications Trustees Tuesday evening awarded a contract to MP Nexlevel of Maple Lake, Minnesota, for Fiber to the Home premise installations at multiple dwelling units and large commercial facilities.

The board delayed awarding a contract at its August meeting because only two bids had been received for the project, estimated at $879,709. The low bid of $1,181,129 came from MP Nexlevel. "Our folks met with the low bidder and tried to get a better cost," General Manager Sal LoBianco told the board Tuesday evening. The negotiated contract amount is $960,785.

The Board Tuesday evening also set an Oct. 31 public hearing for initiation of proceedings for the Communications Utility to borrow up to $12 million for the Fiber to the Home Project.

On a related note, Bianco reported the general contractor for the Fiber to the Home Project, Atlantic Engineering Group of Braselton, Georgia, has been very responsive to customer issues. "They implemented some quality control measures with their contractors that seem to be working," said LoBianco.

LoBianco also reported recent water quality issues were related to water main breaks and sewer work associated with the Mississippi Drive Corridor Project.

Financial Report

All three utilities at Muscatine Power and Water continue to outperform the budget for 2017.

The Electric Utility was budgeted to be $2,877,993 in the red through August, but the actual deficit was $264,174. Profit of $607,012 was budgeted for August, but actual profit of $698,887 was posted. LoBianco said revenues were $310,000 below budget while expenses were $373,335 below budget, closing August with $51 million on hand and no debt.

Loss of $97,964 was budgeted for the Water Utility through August, but instead profit of $32,906 was posted. For August, profit of $39,645 was budgeted, but the actual profit was $12,244. LoBianco said revenues were $13,000 above budget and expenses were $38,800 above budget for a closing cash balance of $9.3 million and debt of $14.9 million.

The 2017 budget through August called for the Communications Utility to show profit of $964,308, but the actual profit was $1,568,498. For August, profit of $136,478 was budgeted, but actual profit of $189,015 was posted. LoBianco reported revenues were $13,000 above budget while expenses were $38,800 above budget for a closing cash balance of $6.2 million and debt of $9,044,000.

In other business

The board ratified payment of August expenditures and transactions totaling $13,506,196.

The board accepted as complete the Lee Street Water Main Replacement and Howard, Jackson, and Smith Water Main Replacement Projects at a final cost of $331,276. The contractor was McClintock Trucking and Excavating of Colona, Illinois.
MUSCATINE  Thursday afternoon brought some good news for Muscatine Mayor Diana Broderson. The Iowa Supreme Court denied the city's appeal, and her case will now return to district court.

Broderson, who was ousted by the Muscatine City Council in May and then almost immediately reinstated by a judge, has been fighting her removal from office in Muscatine County District Court. So far, the crux of the case has been the release of closed session meetings, allegedly held by the city council to plan for litigation against the mayor.

Lawyers for the mayor requested transcripts of seven closed session meetings, some of which Broderson attended, as well as some that excluded the mayor. The city provided the judge with five of the tapes, which he reviewed and determined should be used as evidence, because they show if the council held animus toward the mayor.

After City Administrator Gregg Mandsager asked the judge to keep the tapes confidential because they could damage his reputation as a city employee, Judge Mark Cleve issued a protective order, prohibiting the transcripts from being released to the public.

Despite the judge issuing the protective order, Muscatine filed an appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court, asking the court to reverse the district court ruling and keep the closed session tapes out of the removal case.

Thursday, Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins denied the city of Muscatine's appeal and immediately lifted a stay on court proceedings. Now, the city is required, once again, to send Broderson the transcripts.

"We are very pleased, and we know that with the elections on the horizon, it was important that we get to a resolution of this as quickly as possible," Broderson said in an interview.

While attorney for Muscatine, Amy Reasner, argued the closed meetings should be kept confidential under attorney-client privilege, lawyers for the mayor countered by saying the city was attempting to stall court proceedings past the Nov. 7 election, in which Broderson is running for re-election.

The mayor's lawyers, William Sueppel and Catherine Gerlach, argued the city council was attempting to make the court ruling "moot" by pushing the final decision past Broderson's first term.

"Additionally, the city's [appeal] is a method to avoid having any findings of fact by a District Court judge made regarding any wrongdoing through the removal process by City Council members who may be up for re-election this fall," the attorneys wrote.

Broderson said she is pleased her case will now return to district court, and expects to receive the transcripts of the closed meetings as soon as possible. Next, the district court judge will determine whether the city council's removal of the mayor was constitutional, or if it was, as Broderson argues, a violation of her right to due process.
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 []
C. Mondavi & Family, the parent company behind wine brands such as Charles Krug, Divining Rod and Purple Heart Wines, named Jeff Richardson as the groups chief operating officer (COO).

Richardson has been a member of the C. Mondavi & Family team for nine years, where he advanced from his position as the director of production to a more recent role as vice president of operations.

"The Cloverdale native has spearheaded an impressive amount of growth for the business throughout his time at C. Mondavi & Family," said a news release. "In fact, production capabilities for the company have nearly doubled during his tenure."

Richardson was also the leader of an extensive renovation project of the Charles Krug tasting room.

Jeff has been a leader in every sense of the word in building our infrastructure, both for our Napa estate at Charles Krug and the entire business, noted Peter Mondavi Jr., co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery.

Weve been able to see what Jeff brings to the table for almost a decade now, and we're impressed by his abilities day after day, added Marc Mondavi, Charles Krugs other co-proprietor.

Richardsons new appointment comes following the more recent hires of Judd Wallenbrock as CEO, Mark Koppen as vice president of marketing and David Brown as senior vice president of sales.
Tanir Ami, the CEO of OLE Health for the past seven years, is leaving her job, but shes not going far.

Effective Nov. 13, Ami will become the new part-time CEO of the organizations fundraising arm, the OLE Health Foundation. Until now, Ami has been CEO of both organizations.

Alicia Hardy, deputy CEO at OLE Health, will be acting CEO until a new leader is named.

This was the right decision for me at this time said Ami, a Berkeley resident who cited her commitment to better work-life balance as part of the decision.

Ami still has three children, from ages 8 to 17, including a senior in high school.

She summarized her experience as CEO of the organization.

Over the past seven years Ive had the honor of working alongside some of the most committed and talented individuals who all had the same goal in mind: to create space where everyone in the community can receive high-quality affordable care, and so much more, said Ami.

The Napa County community is a model for how people can come together and accomplish amazing things, she said.

Tanirs vision for this organization over the past seven years has changed this community, said Rick Jones, chair of the board of directors at OLE Health.

Under her leadership, we have not only expanded the quality and scope of our practice, we have also dramatically increased access to families in-need across Napa and Solano Counties. Her efforts to develop new partnerships and facilities for our patients have positioned OLE as a leader in community health across this state.

During Amis tenure, the nonprofit health care organization grew significantly. When she first came on board in January 2011, resources were few and far between, Ami said. We had no reserves, she said. In fact, negative reserves. Now we have about $11 million in the bank.

Under her leadership, OLE Healths annual budget went from $12 million to almost $30 million. Staff grew from 100 to about 260.

The number of patients served rose from 19,000 a year in 2011 to 35,000 a year in 2016.

A major campaign was successfully launched to build a new health care complex in South Napa.

We re-envisioned the organization and created a shared vision of team-based care and really being a provider of choice for our patients, she said.

That doesnt mean the hard work is over.

The current presidential administration and attempts to repeal health care reform is one of the biggest challenges OLE Health faces, she said.

To live in fear that we may lose access to health care coverage and the organization would lose a significant portion of its revenuethats really hard, said Ami. To plan for the unknown is not an easy thing to do.

Moving forward, Ami said her focus with the OLE Health Foundation will be to ensure the successful launch of OLEs South Napa Campus.

The new campus construction is on track, she said. In fact, Were days ahead of schedule.

Its going to be great, said Ami. We are so excited to be able to expand into new service lines when we get in there. Its going to be the realization of our vision of ourselves.

Ami will also work on an initiative to expand access for Upvalley residents by working with St. Helena Hospital to incorporate Calistogas Vermeil House into OLEs practice.

Hardy said after working closely with Ami that it is hard to imagine that partnership changing, but Im comforted knowing that as the CEO of the foundation she will still be able to collaborate very closely.

My number one goal is to just be present and create a sense of stability and support for our staff as we manage this transition, said Hardy.

Hardy said she plans to throw her hat into the ring for the CEO job. Id be honored to lead an organization like Ole, she said.
Members of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Helena spent part of Sept. 18 preparing a meal of lasagna, salad and dessert for a special group of bike riders.

Twenty cyclists started a six-day fundraising ride at Westminster Woods in Occidental that morning and rode 64.1 miles, climbing 3,374 feet before arriving in St. Helena about 3 p.m. The Fourth Annual Pedal for Protein, Northern California ride, started and ended at Westminster Woods with some 30 riders joining the fundraising ride on Sept. 22-23.

What were doing this week is a six-day bike ride to raise funds and we donate every dollar raised to food banks up and down the coast, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, said Patty Sanders, hunger action advocate and ride director for The Hunger Task Force of the Presbytery of the Redwoods. In the rides first three years, the amount raised has been just under $100,000, Sanders said.

Our rider registration fee pays for all our overhead and we stay in churches like this. They feed us and take care of us and it doesnt cost us anything, she said.

On the first day, the group took the Franz Valley School Road cutoff and Sanders said it was a beautiful road, although she added there was some climbing. Ive never ridden that road before, she added.

We got in a little before 3. We stopped at a couple of different ice cream shops and supported the local economy, Sanders added, It was a little treat for us.

Sanders said the oldest six-day rider is 78, the youngest is 32, but most are between 60 and 69. She added six of the riders are between 70 and 79 and said the first day she rode with the 78-year-old cyclist. She rode 32 miles today and took a SAG (vehicle ride) for the second half, which is pretty awesome. I rode with her, Sanders said.

Two couple are riding tandems, including Bill and Nancy Morgan. Bill is the routemaster for the ride, who designs the routes to be safe, to get the riders on bike trails whenever he can and keeps them on roads where less traffic is expected than normal.

Depending on the route for the last two days, the cyclists rode some 260 to 290 miles and climbed between 13,300 feet to 14,175 feet in the six days.

Sanders said she had been training for the ride with a friend and was riding three times a week, between 30 and 40 miles each ride and had done some 50-mile rides as well. The first day, though, at 64 miles was challenging, because of the hill on Franz Valley School Road.

Bill Morgan has ridden and mapped the route for the fundraising ride all four years. They give me the beginning and where we need to go, he said. The deal is we need to spend each night at a Presbyterian church. I have the starting and ending point of the days and its my job to fill the in-between, he said.

The Morgans, both in their mid-60s, have ridden bikes for all the time theyve been married, including a 9,000-mile bike ride throughout the United States in 1980. After that, though, they took off 20 years to raise kids before climbing back onto their tandem bike. Nancy said its nice riding on a tandem, because they start and end the ride together, see the same things and talk together during the ride.

For a couple, a tandems a nice way to go, Bill said.

Looking over the six-day route, including going from St. Helena to Vallejo on the second day, Bill said there were not a lot of hills in the six days this year. I think our biggest fear was heat and we got lucky with the weather, he said. Today was a beautiful day and it sounds like this week is going to be good.

After arriving in St. Helena in the afternoon, half of the cyclists stayed in local motels, while the other half stayed as guests of the people in the church. The first couple of years, we did sleep in churches, Bill said, But it wasnt a lot of fun. Somebody would be a loud snorer and wed be in the fellowship hall sleeping on the floor and youd go, I dont need to do that again.

Nancy added the home stays as guests are wonderful, because of the hospitality, and meeting new people.

Pastor Jonathan Eastman, who welcomed the group to his church, said he especially wanted to thank Eric Chesky and Stephanie Iacobacci at Health Spa Napa Valley. They were really gracious in opening up the spa to several of the riders, who were able to shower, use the facilities, just relax and enjoy it, Eastman said. We appreciate it.

Bill said he likes riding with a group, although its a bit of a struggle to keep 20 people together, all going to the same place. Its always a good thing when they show up at the end of the day, he said.

The reward after the ride is when the organizers take checks to local food banks. We took a $9,500 check to the Redwood Empire Food Bank last year, Bill said. Overall, the group raised $40,000 in 2016 and checks were written to different food banks all over the North Bay. This years goal was $45,000. I think were going to do that, Bill said, Its pretty easy to raise money for the food pantries. They are visible and everyone is aware of the need.
Of the hundreds of wineries in California, startups, recent acquisitions of older established projects, and properties with major stories to tell get the most publicity.

So when a winery comes across your radar screen that has been in business for 36 years making excellent wine, does little to artificially hype itself, and seeks no visibility, the story doesnt automatically write itself.

I have been tasting the wines of White Oak Vineyards in Alexander Valley for decades, enjoying them for the most part, and recently remembered that this project began more than 40 years ago when an Alaskan building contractor and fisherman decided to swap seafood for lessons on how to make wine.

Bill Myers was still relatively young when he bought a 17-acre site off Highway 128 between Healdsburg and Geyserville and began making a small amount of wine.

With talented winemaker Mary Ann Graf as his guru, Myers began making and selling chardonnay at a small tasting room off the Healdsburg square and founded the winery a few miles north in 1981.

Myers and some silent partners realized that making different wines is best done using fruit from regions in which they grew best. So he set off to purchase vineyards in different locales.

Today, White Oak is as much a silent seller of grapes from nearly 700 acres of vineyards as it is a winery.

Of nearly 280 acres planted in the Russian River Valley, the majority is chardonnay and pinot noir. There are also vineyards in the Napa Valley (306 acres) for red wine grapes and a smaller parcel where the winery is located in Alexander Valley.

The project has long been locally well-regarded, but didnt gain much visible recognition until 1998, when Myers used construction skills to erect a stunning Mediterranean-style winery building that houses a startlingly beautiful tasting room.

But as has been his low-key style, Myers property was never really promoted. His nearest neighbors are far more visible  Jackson Familys handsome Stonestreet project and Napa Valleys Silver Oak, whose large, sprawling Alexander Valley home is yet to open.

Another reason White Oak isnt as visible as it might be is that roughly half of its production is dedicated to one wine  a chardonnay that is widely sold around the country. Most other items in the line have more limited distribution; some are available only at the winery.

Visibility of White Oak might increase over the next few years because Myers has brought on board Darryl Miller, a long-time wine marketing expert who has a phenomenal palate and who works closely with winemaker Bill Parker, providing a sounding board during the winemaking process.

Miller is widely traveled and a great brand ambassador.

The widely available chardonnay (the 2015 has just been released for $26) is made in a style Miller calls full tilt  100 percent malolactic fermentation, noticeable oak aging, and a richness normally found only in wines that cost a lot more.

Parker formerly worked at Matanzas Creek winery in Santa Rosa, where he helped to craft a style that emphasized excellent acidity, and this wine displays that characteristic beautifully.

Also in the White Oak lineup is a 2013 pinot noir (Russian River Valley, $35) that has lovely Burgundian aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, and rhubarb.

Probably the best wine in the line is a merlot blend (42 percent) that also uses 37 percent cabernet sauvignon and 21 percent cab franc. It is called Alexander Reserve and is a striking wine partly because it is from the 2008 vintage (!) and is still for sale for only $48. Any other winery would charge twice that for a wine this mature.

The wonderful aroma has classic merlot elements, such as black cherry, tea, and olive, and it reminds me of great merlots from southern Tuscany!

Wine of the Week: 2016 White Oak Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley ($17): Half of this wine uses the exotic Musque Clone of Sauvignon Blanc, so its aroma has a trace of the spice that clone provides. The wine is dramatically scented, has no oak, and has a tropical fruit component that is delightful.
Story Highlights 22% of Catalans are confident in government vs. 30% in rest of Spain

Catalans rate economy significantly higher than rest of country

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Spain's efforts to prevent Catalans from voting in a referendum on independence Sunday are likely driving a further wedge between the rest of the country and residents of the autonomous region, who lacked faith in Spain's leadership to begin with. Few Spaniards express confidence in their nation's leadership, but this trust is particularly low among Catalans. Only about one in five in Catalonia express confidence in their national government and approve of their nation's leadership, compared with about three in 10 Spaniards living in all other parts of the country.

Catalans Less Confident in Spain's National Leadership Catalonia Rest of Spain % % Approve of country's leadership 20 29 Confident in national government 22 30 Gallup World Poll, 2016-2017

While Spain is deploying thousands of police to the region to try to block the vote, if the vote proceeds this weekend, it will be the second time in three years that Catalans have voted on self-rule. Catalonia has enjoyed considerable autonomy since the 1975 death of Gen. Francisco Franco, whose 36-year rule forcefully suppressed Catalan culture and language. However, in 2012, during Spain's banking crisis, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy rejected a request from Catalonia's regional government for a more favorable fiscal agreement. This action, among other economic and cultural concerns, stoked separatist fires that triggered a November 2014 vote on Catalan independence -- an informal, nonbinding referendum in which 80% of the region's electorate voted yes.

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Economic Views in Catalonia Differ Widely From the Rest of Spain

Economics played a major role in the last referendum, and it is likely top-of-mind in this one as well. An economic powerhouse that generates one-fifth of Spain's gross domestic product, Catalonia's leaders continue to complain that the region gives more to Madrid than it receives -- further driving a desire for sovereignty. Given the robust economic activity in the region, it may be easy to see why Catalans are more positive than other Spaniards regarding the direction of their local economies. Half of residents of Catalonia (50%) reported economic conditions are getting better in their local area, markedly more optimistic than the 42% in other regions of Spain.

Catalans More Optimistic About Local Economic Prospects Catalonia Rest of Spain % % Getting better 50 42 Same 21 27 Getting worse 29 30 Gallup World Poll, 2016-2017

Implications

Catalans say the referendum is legally binding and the national government says it's unconstitutional. Rajoy has strongly opposed Catalan independence and is relying on the courts to stop it. This could be problematic for Catalans who already express less confidence in the judicial system in Spain (36% of Catalans vs. 43% of Spaniards express confidence). Whatever the outcome, there is little doubt that this vote will have widespread legal and political consequences in Madrid throughout the coming months.
- U.S. demands for prosecution of Burma military personnel for violence against Rohingya.



- Calls made by U.S. Ambassador at the U.N. Security Council.



- The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has condemned the Myanmar Military for their actions so far that have led to the massive outflux of refugees into Bangladesh and other nearby countries.



Since the recent wave of attacks against the Rohingya Muslims began in August, over 500,000 refugees have fled to seek refuge in an already overstretched Bangladesh.



"The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed," she told the UN Security Council, which held its first public meeting on Myanmar since 2009, though it failed to arrive at a resolution.



The U.S. ambassador went further to call for action against Myanmar in the wake of these renewed attacks against Rohingya Muslims.



"We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens."



In what appeared to be a rebuke to the country's Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Haley said of the Rohingya crisis, "it should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma".




21:12

US President Donald Trump today attacked a Puerto Rican mayor over her "poor leadership ability" after she criticised the pace of relief efforts in

the wake of devastating Hurricane Maria.





Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of the territory's capital city San Juan, has repeatedly called on federal authorities to do more to get vital supplies to residents, many of whom are still without power and running water since the storm delivered a body-blow to the island earlier this month.





Trump lashed out in a series of morning tweets, while also suggesting that Puerto Ricans "want everything to be done for them" and had left the bulk of relief work to federal first responders and the military.





"The Mayor of San Juan, who was very complimentary only a few days ago, has now been told by the Democrats that you must be nasty to Trump," he wrote.





"Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help.





"They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort. 10,000 Federal workers now on Island doing a fantastic job."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 00:12:58|Editor: yan

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KIEV, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) will launch a regular flight from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev to the city of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, local media reported on Thursday.

According to the Center for Transport Strategies, the new route will open in the summer of 2018, serving three flights per week.

The route will be the second direct air link connecting China and Ukraine. In April 2015, UIA launched its first non-stop flight from Kiev to Beijing.

The UIA airline, which flies from its hub Boryspil International Airport in Kiev, currently operates over 1,100 domestic and international flights per week, with non-stop services from Ukraine to 38 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 00:13:00|Editor: yan

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JUBA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Thursday pledged to enhance vaccination and strengthen animal health regulations to curb the spread of rabies among the ballooning population of stray dogs.

James Janga Duku, Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, said mass displacement of people coupled by the ongoing economic crisis in the war-torn country has forced many families to abandon their pets, resulting in a big colony of strays and a rise in rabies cases.

Speaking at an event to mark the World Rabies Day, Duku said the East African country has seen an increase in reported cases since the country started recording suspected rabies cases in 2007.

"The current economic situation has made human beings compete for the same food with dogs and dogs become sacrificed, and as a result they go and roam in the streets," he said.

The minister said the government "shall decide what to do" with these stray dogs that he said have become a menace to the public.

"We are going to conduct proper surveillance and monitoring among the dogs whether they are astray or domestic. We need to move with a nationwide vaccination program outbreak of rabies among the dogs," Duku said.

Duke further said his ministry has teamed up with partners such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and several local and international aid agencies to enhance awareness among communities on dog healthcare and public health risks associated with dogs.

Ghada James Killa, President of the South Sudan Veterinary Association, said they have recorded five deaths related to rabies this year alone, adding that the cases could be even higher as many communities in rural areas do not seek medical attention after being attacked by animals.

"Dogs have become a threat in our communities because they move in groups and they attack children and women. So we must increase our research to combat the outbreak of rabies in the country," Killa said.

Martin Barasa, country director of the animal health charity Veterinary Sans Frontiers (VSF), said though there are no statistics on the population of dogs in South Sudan, they have received overwhelming requests from communities and health workers demanding response and development of strategies to reduce the growing number of uncontrolled dog population.

"There is a huge problem emerging in the country especially in camps for displaced people that dogs population have increased, they are very aggressive and biting people especially children and women. So we need to develop a strategy to tackle this emerging threat," Barasa said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is a viral disease mostly transmitted to humans through bites, scratches or other contact with saliva of an infected animal such as dogs.

It is estimated that rabies accounted for over 17,000 deaths in 2015, with 90 percent of fatalities in Africa and Asia.

If it goes untreated in unvaccinated humans, it becomes fatal after neurological signs and symptoms have developed, but treatment after exposure is highly successful in preventing the disease.

Nimaya Mogga, FAO Livestock Officer in South Sudan, said initial assessments have shown that many people in South Sudan do not know what rabies is or live in remote locations without adequate and well-equipped health facilities to deal with dog bites.

He said FAO would support the government of South Sudan to strengthen its capacity to minimize the risk of transmission of rabies in human populations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 01:18:29|Editor: ying

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Al-Siddiq Al-Sour, head of the investigation bureau in the Libyan Attorney General's office, speaks during a press conference in Tripoli, Libya, Sept. 28, 2017. Initial investigations revealed that Islamic State (IS) is responsible for a large number of terror operations in Libya, many of which were unknown before, Libya's chief investigator said Thursday. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)

Tripoli, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Initial investigations revealed that Islamic State (IS) is responsible for a large number of terror operations in Libya, many of which were unknown before, Libya's chief investigator said Thursday.

Al-Siddiq Al-Sour, head of the investigation bureau in the Libyan Attorney General's office, told a news conference in Tripoli that this was the result of preliminary investigations into IS leaders and members arrested in Libya.

"Those responsible for the operations were unknown the past few years, including the assassination and kidnapping of judges, military officers, journalists, religious figures, as well as attacks on foreign missions, oil fields, and security and military checkpoints by car bomb or suicide attacks." Al-Sour said.

Investigations also revealed that IS is responsible for the assassination of the former Attorney General, a member of the former National General Congress, and a number of security directors in different Libyan cities, Al-Sour said.

"We have received new information about those responsible for the slaughter of christian Egyptians in Sirte and the location where they were buried." Al-Sour said, pointing out that DNA tests will be carried out at the burial site.

IS affiliates in Libya claimed responsibility for many suicide bombings and killings of foreigners in Libya over the past few years, including slaughtering 21 Christian Egyptian workers in Sirte in February 2015.

The operation angered the Egyptian government, which launched air strikes the following day at IS sites and camps in the city of Derna in eastern Libya.

There are 827 internal arrest warrants for IS member suspects and 50 international arrest warrants for IS leaders, many of whom are Libyans, Al-Sour said.

On the probe into the May terror attack in Manchester, the United Kingdom, Al-Sour told Xinhua that the father of the suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, has been released for not being involved in the attack, but the investigation continues with his brother Hashim Abedi.

Libyan security forces later in May arrested Hashim and his father Ramadan Abedi after the Manchester attack, in which Salman Abedi, a British national of Libyan origin, attacked a concert hall, killing 22 people and injuring 59 others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 03:49:11|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Italian Foreign Minister stressed his country`s support to Libya`s border security and countering illegal immigration and human trafficking, during his visit in Tripoli on Thursday.

Libya's UN-backed prime minister, Fayez Serraj, met today with Italian Foreign Minister, Angelino Alfano, in the capital Tripoli. According to the prime minister's media office, the two officials also discussed other issues of mutual concern, such as solving the current political crisis in Libya.

"Cooperation between Italy and Libya is positive, not only on the issue of the management of migration flows. It will, in fact, contribute to gradually reinstating complete security conditions that will lead to social and economic development and the growth of your country," Alfano told Serraj during the meeting.

Dozens of Libyan navy and coast guards members arrived in Italy recently to attend a training program to enhance the Libyan security against immigrant smuggling across the Mediterranean. The UN Support Mission in Libya said the program will continue until November.

Libya is a transit country for thousands of migrants to reach southern shores of Italy via the Mediterranean Sea, given the insecurity and chaos in the north African nation.

The meeting takes place a few days after a UN-sponsored meeting of political factions representatives in Tunis to introduce amendments to the current political agreement, the first step of a road map proposed by Salame to end the country's political stalemate.

Alfano reiterated Italy's commitment to support efforts of the Special UN Representative to Libya, Ghassan Salame, and promoting dialogue between Libyan parties.

"Italy does not foresee any military solutions to the Libyan crisis. On the contrary, the anniversary of the signing of the Skhirat Agreement two years ago represents an opportunity to renew the collective commitment to a shared solution," Alfano told Serraj.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 03:54:13|Editor: yan

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LAGOS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ayodele Fayose, the governor of southwest Nigeria's Ekiti State, formally declared his ambition Thursday to contest in the presidential election in 2019 on the former ruling party's platform.

Fayose is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, the governor told his audience that he is the only one who could defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in a free and fair election following his political history, claiming that he had never lost any political battle.

He also pledged to ensure that corruption would be fought justly under his administration if he emerged president.

"Our economy will be revived and returned to the path of progress that it was before we had the misfortune of having clueless people in power," he added.

He promised diversification of the country's economy as well as a federal government that would relate with all Nigerians on equity.

"You are guaranteed government that will not relate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation and percentage of votes," he said.

"It will be on equity and justice as citizens of one nation, one people, and one destiny," the governor told his supporters.

Nigeria's electoral body had in February fixed Feb. 16, 2019 for Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Governorship, State Assembly and Federal Capital Territory Area Councils polls will be held on March 2 of same year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 03:59:16|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for action from the Security Council to end the tragedy in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

"The reality on the ground demands action -- swift action -- to protect people, alleviate suffering, prevent further instability, address the roots of the situation and forge, at long last, a durable solution," he told the Security Council.

"I call on the Security Council to stand united and support our efforts to urgently end this tragedy," he said, when briefing the 15-member council on the situation in Rakhine.

Guterres said the crisis has steadily deteriorated since the Aug. 25 attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on the Myanmar security forces. "Since then, the situation has spiraled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare," he said.

At least 500,000 civilians have fled their homes and sought safety in neighboring Bangladesh. Although the total number of those displaced is unknown, it is estimated that 94 percent of them are Rohingyas, a mostly Muslim ethnic minority living in the largely Buddhist nation of Myanmar.

He called on the Myanmar authorities to take three immediate steps: to end the military operations; to allow unfettered access for humanitarian support; and to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin.

It is the first open meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Rakhine since Aug. 25. It came after Guterres, the former head of the UN refugee agency, wrote an official letter on Sept. 2 to the Security Council to express his concern, the first such communication between a secretary-general and the council in 28 years.

The Myanmar ambassador to the United Nations, Hau Do Suan, on Monday denied ethnic cleansing in Rakhine, saying Rohingya rebels conscripted Muslim men and intimidated women and children to flee into neighboring Bangladesh to call attention to their cause.

"Let me be clear: there is no ethnic cleansing; there is no genocide," the envoy spoke at the end of the annual UN General Assembly General Debate, exercising his right of reply.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 04:09:17|Editor: yan

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BAGHDAD, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) militant group on Thursday released a new audio record said to be for its top leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who vowed to continue fighting and call on his followers to stand firm despite the loss of Mosul.

The 46-minute-long audio, which its date of recording was not clear, al-Baghdadi called on Sunni Muslims to rise and fight against the Shiite, Crusaders and apostates.

"We are continuing fighting in the Jihad (holy war) fields, the killings and wounds will not stop us," al-Baghdadi said in the audio record.

The Jihadists who fought for almost a year in Mosul did not give up fighting "only on their skulls and bodies," al-Baghdadi added.

Although the authenticity of the audio record cannot be immediately verified, the record sound much like al-Baghdadi's sound in the previous released tapes, including his sound in his only one appearance in public in Mosul 2014.

The release of the audio record, if confirmed, would be a clear response to earlier reports that said al-Baghdadi was killed.

In June, Russian officials said there was a "high probability" that al-Baghdadi has died in a Russian airstrike on the outskirts of the Syrian city of Raqqa, the capital of the extremist group, but U.S. reports later said al-Baghdadi still alive.

In the past few months, the terrorist IS group suffered a number of setbacks in Iraq and Syria and the group lost much of the areas they seized earlier in 2014, including Iraq's second largest city of Mosul.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 04:14:19|Editor: yan

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BUJUMBURA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Burundi has reiterated its rejection of cooperation with United Nations experts on human rights violations if their mandate is renewed by the UN Human Rights Council, the country's human rights minister said here Thursday.

"As members of the UN Human Rights Council are sitting in Geneva, Switzerland until tomorrow when they are expected to issue a resolution on Burundi, the government will not again accept to cooperate with foreigners. The renewal of their mandate will not change anything as the result will be the same again," said Burundian Human Rights Minister Martin Nivyabandi in a press conference.

According to him, the rejection of the renewal of a one-year mandate of UN experts to investigate "crimes against humanity" in Burundi is grounded on the suggestion by the European Union (EU) that the extension of the mandate is in violation of rules.

"We are not against people, but we are against principles. The UN Human Rights Council is mandated to promote human rights, but it is not mandated to appoint an inquiry commission that will report to the UN Security Council and that will in return request the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch investigations as it is the case for Burundi," said Nivyabandi.

Three UN investigators, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, earlier this month issued a report whereby they urged the ICC to open a case "as soon as possible" against the Burundian government on alleged crimes against humanity committed since 2015.

The investigators had collected views from Burundian refugees living in neighboring countries and in Europe, but were denied access to the Burundian territory due to a previous "biased and wrong" report, according to the Burundian government.

Burundi plunged into a crisis since April 2015 when Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third term bid and which he won in July 2015. His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 04:14:20|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A former elementary school teacher's aide in eastern U.S. state of Maryland was sentenced to 100 years in jail on Thursday for filming sexual acts with children.

According to court documents, Deonte Carraway, aged 24, coerced and persuaded children aged from 9 to 13, to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce videos from October 11, 2015 through February 1, 2016.

Images produced during those times include Carraway engaging in sexual activity with victims, as well as the victims engaging in sexually explicit conduct at his direction, according to local media reports.

Parents of some of the victims broke down in court as Carraway apologized and told the parents, "I wish I could go back and stop myself from doing it."

"I hope that this sentence ensures that you, Mr. Carraway, will never have the opportunity to harm other children again," Prince George's County Judge Beverly Woodard said.

Carraway was indicted on 270 counts of sex abuse and related charges in Prince George's County last year. In January, Carraway pleaded guilty to 15 counts of child sex crimes in federal court.
File Photo: A Rohingya refugee woman holds her child at a temporary shelter in East Aceh, Indonesia, May 21, 2015. (Xinhua/Junaidi)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for action from the Security Council to end the tragedy in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

"The reality on the ground demands action -- swift action -- to protect people, alleviate suffering, prevent further instability, address the roots of the situation and forge, at long last, a durable solution," he told the Security Council.

"I call on the Security Council to stand united and support our efforts to urgently end this tragedy," he said, when briefing the 15-member council on the situation in Rakhine.

Guterres said the crisis has steadily deteriorated since the Aug. 25 attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on the Myanmar security forces. "Since then, the situation has spiraled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare," he said.

At least 500,000 civilians have fled their homes and sought safety in neighboring Bangladesh. Although the total number of those displaced is unknown, it is estimated that 94 percent of them are Rohingyas, a mostly Muslim ethnic minority living in the largely Buddhist nation of Myanmar.

He called on the Myanmar authorities to take three immediate steps: to end the military operations; to allow unfettered access for humanitarian support; and to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin.

It is the first open meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Rakhine since Aug. 25. It came after Guterres, the former head of the UN refugee agency, wrote an official letter on Sept. 2 to the Security Council to express his concern, the first such communication between a secretary-general and the council in 28 years.

The Myanmar ambassador to the United Nations, Hau Do Suan, on Monday denied ethnic cleansing in Rakhine, saying Rohingya rebels conscripted Muslim men and intimidated women and children to flee into neighboring Bangladesh to call attention to their cause.

"Let me be clear: there is no ethnic cleansing; there is no genocide," the envoy spoke at the end of the annual UN General Assembly General Debate, exercising his right of reply.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 04:19:21|Editor: yan

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SANAA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A fighter jet of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemeni Shiite Houthi rebels mistakenly hit a market in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah Thursday evening, killing four civilians including two children, a Yemeni government source told Xinhua.

Fourteen others were critically wounded in the airstrike that hit Khadhadh market in the district of Bakil al-Meer, the source said on condition of anonymity.

It is the latest in a series of airstrikes targeting civilians in the war-torn Arab country.

On Sept. 19, a family of nine members were killed in an airstrike launched by the Saudi-led coalition on a house in Hajjah.

On Sept. 6, a coalition airstrike targeted a house in Alsadah village, also in Hajjah, killing six family members.

On Sept. 3, two women and a child were killed and six others wounded when an airstrike hit a family's home in Washahah district in Hajjah.

Located near the southern border of Saudi Arabia, Hajjah has been the scene of almost daily ground battles between rebels and the government troops backed by warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition since 2015.

In March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict to back the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against Iranian-backed Houthis, who invaded the capital Sanaa and seized most of the country's northern provinces.

More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war with over 3 million others displaced, according to UN agencies.

The country has also been hit by a deadly cholera epidemic and is on the brink of mass famine.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 04:19:22|Editor: yan

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military announced Thursday that a two-day closure will be imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip starting at midnight ahead of the Jewish holiday of the Day of Atonement.

The closure will begin at 12:01 am (21:01 pm GMT,) ahead of the holiday that starts on Friday evening. The closure is expected to last until Saturday at midnight, "depending on a situational assessment," a military spokesperson said in a statement.

As part of the closure, all of the checkpoints in the West Bank and Gaza will be closed and Palestinians will not be allowed to exit or enter the territory, "except for humanitarian cases," the statement read.

The closure will not be imposed on Israeli settlers in the West Bank settlements.

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur by its Hebrew name, is a day of fast and asking for God's forgiveness.

Israel routinely seals off the occupied Palestinian territories on major Jewish holidays.

In the area of Beit Surik -- a village northwest of Jerusalem that one of its residents perpetrated a shooting attack killing three Israeli security forces on Tuesday -- a closure was imposed almost immediately after the attack.

According to B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, some 40,000 Palestinian in nine villages, have been under closure since the attack. B'Tselem denounced the move as a collective punishment, saying in a statement that the "military's actions included raids on villages and homes, damaging property in some cases, scores of arrests, as well as movement restrictions."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 04:29:26|Editor: yan

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LONDON, Sept.28 (Xinhua) -- One of London's top tourist attractions has been given a new name, to stop people seeing double.

The retired warship HMS Belfast sits in the River Thames, close to Tower Bridge, attracting thousands of visitors a year as part of the Imperial War Museum collection.

HMS Belfast was launched just before the outbreak of World War II and became one of the most famous ships of the 20th century. Today she survives as a floating museum.

A year ahead of her 80th birthday, the warship has now been given a new name, HMS Belfast 38, commemorating the year she entered service.

It follows the naming in Belfast on Wednesday of one of the Royal Navy's 21st century frigates, as HMS Belfast.

The second to be named in a brand new fleet of eight cutting-edge, anti-submarine warfare frigates, HMS Belfast will provide advanced protection for Britain's nuclear deterrent and the two Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Defense Secretary Michael Fallon revealed the name at the Belfast shipyard of Harland and Wolff, where her namesake was built for the Royal Navy's in 1938.

Fallon said: "I'm hugely proud that the second name announced of our new Type 26 frigates will be HMS Belfast. She and her sister ships will form the backbone of our Navy well into the 2060s. It's apt to name this ship at the famous site which built the very first HMS Belfast."

The new HMS Belfast is set to enter service in the mid-2020s and, along with her fellow Type 26 frigates.
File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during joint statements with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (not in the picture) at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, June 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Several months ago, U.S. Republicans thought they made it. They not only clinched the White House in a victory that shocked the world, but also took control of both houses of Congress.

Most thought they would be on easy street, and could pass a slew of legislations, but the last few months have proved them wrong.

Deep divisions with his own party have prevented President Donald Trump from passing any major bills, even after eight months on the job. While Democrats are united in their opposition to Trump, Republicans are split among several factions.

While analysts say the animosity is likely to continue, the question is whether those divisions will stunt Trump's presidency for the next four years.

Trump's split with his own party picked up steam this week, fueled by a spat between the president and a leading GOP senator. Tensions began to simmer when Senator John McCain, who was the Republican nominee for the 2008 U.S. presidential election, refused to back Trump's healthcare legislation, which would have repealed and replaced the previous administration's healthcare overhaul known as Obamacare.

That caused the legislation to derail, and sent the president into a flurry of angry tweets aimed at McCain. Trump also said in a radio interview that McCain's actions were a "slap in the face" to the GOP.

Trump in recent weeks has become so frustrated with his own party that he extended an olive branch to Democrats, reaching a deal that extended emergency relief to flood-ravaged Texas, after Hurricane Harvey took a major toll. Ninety Republicans objected the deal.

The president was elected in November by supporters who are fed up with the status quo. Millions of Americans, especially those in rural areas, remain unemployed or underemployed. Supporters elected the president to pass legislations that would boost the economy and put Americans back to work after a recession that is ongoing in many rural areas.

Some analysts warn that supporters will start to lose hope in Trump's ability to boost the economy and put the nation back on track which they elected him to do. The ongoing failure to pass legislations could put Trump's presidency in the slow lane.

Analysts say that could impact the 2018 congressional elections, and even result in the GOP losing control of Congress. If that happens, Trump would have a hard time passing anything at all after 2018.

Trump's hope is in passing tax reform legislation, as that is something on which both parties can agree. Much of the middle class says it is getting killed by unfair taxes. Passing tax reform would keep Trump in his supporters' good graces. But if he fails, it will spell trouble for the party, and ultimately the White House.

Republican strategist Ford O'Connell told Xinhua that the spats between Trump and the GOP "could very well continue, but it's easier for Trump to get tax reform through than it is with Obamacare."

Indeed, tax reform is an issue that both parties want to pass, albeit in varied forms.

"Trump is unpredictable. He may start cutting deals with Democrats to fire up the folks in Washington, but he knows he needs to get some sort of tax reform through before the Midterms," O'Connell said, referring to the 2018 congressional elections.
A Rohingya Muslim refugee holds her baby in the Kutupalong refugee camp in the Bangladesh's Ukhia district on September 28, 2017. Representatives of UN agencies will be permitted to visit Rakhinestate in Myanmar on September 28 for the first time since the start of a massive exodus of minority Rohingya Muslims. The United Nations has been demanding access since its humanitarian organizations were forced to pull out of Rakhine when Myanmar's military launched operations against Rohingya rebels in late August, causing hundreds of thousands to flee into neighboring Bangladesh. (AFP PHOTO/FRED DUFOUR)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Thursday called for patience with the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

"The question of Rakhine State is rooted in a nexus of complex historical, ethnic and religious factors. Many of the differences and antagonisms have been building up over a long time. There is no quick fix," Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.

China condemns the recent violent attacks in Rakhine State and supports Myanmar's effort to keep its domestic situation stable, he said. "We sincerely hope that order will prevail again as soon as possible so that no more harm will come to the innocent civilians, and so that social stability, unity among ethnic groups and economic development in Myanmar will be sustained."

He asked the international community to view the difficulties and challenges confronting the Myanmar government "through objective optics," exercise patience, and provide support and help.

"A viable solution will be one that goes in tandem with the reconciliation process in Myanmar," said Wu.

China has taken note of a series of measures taken by the Myanmar government to ease tension in Rakhine and restore stability. The measures are conducive to a search for a long-term solution to the issue, he said.

"As we speak, the situation on the ground is beginning to move toward stability. All parties should work constructively to help reinforce this momentum, de-escalate the situation and alleviate the humanitarian condition step by step," said Wu.

China is ready to work with all parties concerned to contribute to the restoration of order and the return of peace and stability in Rakhine State, he said.

China commends Bangladesh's efforts to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground and welcomes the Myanmar government's cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international bodies in humanitarian operations, said Wu.

The international community should encourage dialogue and communication between Myanmar and Bangladesh so that they can properly address the mass exodus of Muslim populations seeking refuge in Bangladesh and find a once-and-for-all solution, he said.

China, as a friendly neighbor both to Myanmar and Bangladesh, has been actively engaging with both countries to influence them positively and encourage them to address the issue through dialogue and consultation, he said.

China has provided and will continue to provide assistance to accommodate the displaced people, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 07:30:11|Editor: liuxin

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HARARE, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe government has enacted legislation to curb selling of cash by unlicensed dealers, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said in a statement to the parliament on Thursday.

The illegal practice has become rampant in the past few months as cash shortages in banks continue in the country.

Chinamasa said President Robert Mugabe enacted the Exchange Control Regulations on Thursday.

"These regulations will empower the police to arrest anyone trading in currency without a license as it is an offence," Chinamasa said.

Because the banks have no sufficient cash for depositors, U.S. dollar notes and bond notes are available on the parallel market but the U.S. dollar is trading at a higher value than bond notes.

The regulations empower the court to impose a fine not exceeding the value of the currency and a sentence of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, the finance minister added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 08:10:15|Editor: liuxin

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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Six suspected terrorists were killed in an encounter during a raid at the suspects' hideout, police in the Pakistani port city of Karachi said Thursday.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rao Anwar said police along with intelligence officials conducted the raid on a tip-off about the presence of the terrorists in Sachal area of Karachi, the capital of the country's southern Sindh province.

"All six of the terrorists were killed in retaliatory firing after they opened fire on the raiding team," Anwar said.

Those killed belonged to the banned terror outfits Al-Qaida and IS, he said, adding that they were planning a terrorist activity during Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, which commenced in the country on Sept. 22.

One of the killed terrorists was an engineer and expert in drone technology and has made several improvised explosive devices which were used in various attacks.

"They were under our surveillance for the past few days, but police have to conduct the operation on an emergency basis as they could have moved soon," the senior cop said.

Police also claimed to have recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition, six rocket grenades and explosives from their hideouts.

Security measures have been beefed up across the country to avoid any untoward incidents during the holy month of Muharram.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 09:35:32|Editor: liuxin

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CANBERRA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Australia's government has hit back at claims that the country should buy "off-the-shelf" submarines, saying doing so would be "dangerous."

Australia's Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne staunchly defended the government's 39 billion U.S. dollar Future Submarine (FSM) Program after an independent report called for the purchase of six off-the-shelf vessels to bridge the gap between the current Collins-class fleet and the new ships.

The report, which was released by Insight Economics on Wednesday, largely criticized the FSM project, saying delays in building the complex new submarines could leave Australia without submarines for up to 20 years.

It recommended purchasing six submarines from France which could be constructed in short order to bridge the gap.

Pyne on Friday responded to the report, saying there were no off-the-shelf submarine options that suited Australia's needs.

"This is an erroneous and dangerous argument which flies in the face of official advice given to the government by experts in this field," Pyne wrote in a regular newspaper column on Friday.

He said that the report contained "some spectacular errors and oversights, most importantly when it comes to our submarine capability in the transition from the Collins-class submarines to the future submarines."

"The most pressing error is the claim that there will be a capability gap in our submarine fleet between the end of the Collins-class and the delivery of the future submarines.

"It's remarkable the report's authors failed to realize this issue was addressed more than 1.5 years ago when the government announced through the defence white paper in March 2016 that it would invest in an upgrade of the Collins-class submarines."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 10:05:40|Editor: Yang Yi

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ADELAIDE, Australia, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Australia has launched a 7.81 million U.S. dollar satellite program that will conduct audio and visual surveillance for the Australian Defence Force.

The Federal government announced on Friday that it gave the money to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra space team to conduct the project.

Christopher Pyne, Australia's defence industry minister, said the satellite investment represents the first project in the government's plan to invest more than 7.5 billion U.S. dollars into space-related technology in the next decade.

"Partnerships such as this are an integral element of our Defence Force," Pyne said in a media release on Friday.

"The expansion of space research and development into a regional academic institution provides defence with an opportunity to build, sustain and create momentum to develop our space professionals."

Russell Boyce, head of space at UNSW, said at the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, the satellites would provide assistance to military spy planes as well as help detect asylum seeker boats headed for Australia.

"It's got an onboard capability to listen to objects on the surface of the earth, in particular we are interested in ships, so it's assisting the defence force in maritime surveillance," Boyce said.

Work on the first satellite, which weighs only four kilograms, has begun with it to be launched early in 2018.

Two more satellites, both twice the size of the first, are expected to be completed in 2019.

UNSW has partnered with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to complete the project.

Australia does not have the ability to launch its own satellites so once completed, the UNSW devices will be transported to the United States where they will be launched.

Boyce said that a number of organizations were working hard to develop a local ability to send satellites to space.

"We are yet to see how many or which of those might be successful, but there are some very credible people and approaches being taken," he said.

"If we can do that, that's going to be of enormous benefit for both commercial opportunities and also for defence and national security."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 10:10:42|Editor: Yang Yi

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YANGON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar Interfaith Friendship and Unity Group (MIFUG) has denounced the recent acts of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in the northern Rakhine state, saying that no religion would ever allow such terrorist attacks.

"We deeply assume that their actions are not concerned with religion," said a statement of the MIFUG which was quoted by the Myanmar News Agency as reporting on Friday.

Responding to the recent national speech by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the MIFUG expressed its support for the government's efforts to bring about national reconciliation and peace.

The MIFUG also expressed great sorrow for those innocent people killed by terrorists and great sadness of all the displaced people.

Meanwhile, Myanmar government's Implementing Committee is implementing the recommendations of the final report on Rakhine of the Advisory Commission led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan with the hope of bringing speedy improvement to the situation of the state within the shortest time frame.

Besides the national verification process, the Myanmar authorities are also implementing rehabilitation, resettlement and long-term development programs not only for Muslims but also for Rakhines, Mro, Daing-net and Mramagyi as well as the Hindu minority who fled their villages due to extremist terrorists' attacks as part of the refugee repatriation process.

The ARSA launched fresh attacks on police outposts in Rakhine on Aug. 25, resulting in the displacing of residents in a number of areas in Maungtaw district and the border areas with Bangladesh.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 10:15:44|Editor: An

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that it is extremely important to strengthen people-to-people exchange with China.

Trump made the remarks when meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong in the White House.

China and the United States held their first social and people-to-people dialogue on Thursday in Washington D.C., which was co-chaired by Liu and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 10:20:46|Editor: Yang Yi

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 101 people in Los Angeles for immigration violations in a nationwide crackdown targeting the so-called "sanctuary cities," ABC 7 news channel reported Thursday.

The report said the operation coded "Operation Safe City" concluded Wednesday in which nearly 500 people were arrested across the country over the last few days.

The ICE was quoted by the report as saying that the crackdown focused on cities and regions where "ICE deportation officers are denied access to jails and prisons to interview suspected immigration violators or jurisdictions where ICE detainers are not honored."

Besides Los Angeles, raids were also made in San Francisco and San Jose of California, and other states, such as Illinois, Colorado, New York, Oregon and Massachusetts.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has tightened up crackdown on illegal immigration since Donald Trump was sworn in as president in January. But the move was hindered by "sanctuary cities."

The DOJ then threatened to cut federal funds to these cities, but this initiative was challenged by many "sanctuary cities," among which Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago have filed lawsuits against the DOJ.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 10:35:50|Editor: liuxin

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MANILA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank (WB) have approved the funding to improve flood management in select drainage areas in the Metro Manila, a WB statement said on Friday.

The Philippine capital with 12.8 million people is prone to flooding particularly during the typhoon season from June to October. It's a recurring problem that causes inundation of roads, exacerbates traffic congestion and destroys the lives, infrastructure and livelihood of people, especially the poor.

Under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project, the statement said 36 existing pumping stations will be modernized, 20 new ones will be constructed, and supporting infrastructure along critical waterways will be improved in the cities of Manila, Pasay, Taguig, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Valenzuela, Quezon City, and Caloocan.

Many of Metro Manila's existing pumping stations were built in the 1970s and become inefficient and underperforming.

"With this project the government is taking an important step in the implementation of the Metro Manila Flood Management Master Plan designed to safely control floods in the national capital region and surrounding areas," said Philippine Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.

Villar said the master plan will take 25 years to implement "but this phase of modernizing Metro Manila's pumping station will ensure that 7 million residents will be less vulnerable to floods."

Solid waste clogs waterways and entries to pumping stations, affecting the operation and maintenance of the pumps. The project will improve management of solid waste within the villages near the drainage systems served by the pumping stations.

It will also support the government's resettlement of informal settlers that are located on the waterways, the statement said.

The project will cost 500 million U.S. dollars, of which 207.6 million dollars will come from the WB. AIIB will provide another 207.6 million dollars separately while the Philippine government will provide the remaining 84.79 million dollars, the statement said.

"The floods disrupt business and commercial activities, causing unnecessary economic costs. Investing in sustainable infrastructure is a key priority for AIIB and we feel the project is a great fit for our investment in the Philippines," said Supee Teravaninthorn, AIIB director general for investment operations.

The statement said the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metro Manila Development Authority will implement the project in close coordination with local governments and key shelter agencies.

Slated to start this year, the statement said the project is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 10:50:52|Editor: liuxin

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YANGON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar nationals have started to enjoy visa exemption for visiting India which has been effective since Monday, the local Voice Daily reported Friday quoting a Bodh Gaya pilgrimage working committee.

The visa exemption was notified by the Indian Embassy to Myanmar to the committee and the notifications were distributed to all pilgrimage agencies, said the committee's vice chairman U Khin Maung Myint.

The exemption came after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Myanmar earlier this month during which India offered to give Myanmar nationals gratis visa in all categories except e-visa.

According to statistics in 2016, about 30,000 Myanmar nationals visited India's pilgrimage sites especially Bodh Gaya which is a religious site and a place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 11:56:07|Editor: ZD

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CANBERRA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian middle-income earners have been hit hardest by stagnating wage growth, a government report has found.

The first study of its kind in Australia, released by Treasurer Scott Morrison on Thursday night, found that the decade-long wage growth slump is a nationwide problem affecting every sector.

Wage increases in the last five years have happened at half the rate they did in the preceding decade when cost of living is factored in, the report found.

Fewer than 10 percent of Australian workers have experienced wage growth of more than 4 percent, down from 40 percent in 2,000.

"While the recent jobs growth has been great for those 800,000 Australians and their families, for 11.5 million other Australian workers it has been a long time since most of them have had a decent pay rise," Morrison told the Business Council of Australia in a speech on Thursday night.

"As we know, wages grew by a subdued 1.9 percent through the year to the June quarter 2017 - the slowest annual growth in at least 20 years."

Workers with a university education were among the hardest hit with their wages experiencing slower growth than those with no post-school qualifications.

"This is not a problem affecting one or two states in isolation, nor is it centred on certain industries or pay grades -- it affects those on awards, collective agreements or individual agreements alike, and ... those in regional areas as much as those in cities," Morrison said.

"The bills jammed under their fridge magnets at home, in particular the ones you can't avoid like power, rent, rates or the mortgage, are not going anywhere."

The report, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier in 2017 suggested that wage growth was picking up after a 20-year slump but Morrison warned that the outlook remained bleak for most workers.

It found that wages in capital cities are 20 percent better than in rural areas but the cost of living compensated for that difference.

"The facts also debunk the populist theory that soft wages growth has been contributing to growing income inequality. It is in fact the opposite," Morrison said.

"As I have said on numerous occasions, unlike many other advanced economies, our tax and welfare system has protected Australians against rising inequality since the Global Financial Crisis."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 12:11:11|Editor: Jiaxin

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TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Friday morning as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar inhibited buying and saw exporters retreat which weighed on the broader market.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged 58.07 points, or 0.29 percent lower, from Thursday to 20,305.04.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 5.41 points, or 0.32 percent, to 1,670.76.

Mining, marine transportation, and electric power and gas-linked stocks comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 12:55:20|Editor: liuxin

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MEXICO CITY, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. negotiators are likely to table more aggressive proposals in the future concerning North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations, despite progress made in the third round of the trilateral talks, the Mexican business sector warned Thursday.

Canada, the United States and Mexico concluded the four-day third round of NAFTA renegotiation on Wednesday in Ottawa, Canada and later made a joint statement.

Negotiators from the three countries made progress in several areas through the consolidation of text proposals, narrowing gaps and agreeing to elements of the negotiated text, said the statement.

"Meaningful advancements were made in the areas of telecommunications, competition policy, digital trade, good regulatory practices, and customs and trade facilitation," said the joint statement.

The third round of talks also saw advances in areas including the development of small and medium enterprises.

However, the statement made no mention of some of tough issues facing the negotiators, including rules of origin and Chapter 19 for dispute resolution.

Mexico's main business association, Coparmex, said in a statement that the aggressive proposals of the United States reflected the stance of President Donald Trump.

Coparmex is part of the group of advisors of the Mexican government during the NAFTA talks. In its statement, the association recognizes the importance of NAFTA for Mexico's economic stability and development, while supporting its modernization.

"This implies that all sides are ready to make certain concessions, but ... not ... to the detriment of an economic sector, if they establish trade barriers or imply a direct impairment of regional competitiveness," said Coparmex President Gustavo de Hoyos.

Holding the same view, Mexican Finance Secretary Jose Meade said Wednesday in an interview with Mexican mess media Televisa that further tensions might well lie ahead after the third round of renegotiation of the commercial agreement.

"It is natural ... as the rounds (of talks) advance, tensions and difficulties begin to appear," said Meade.

He vowed that the Mexican government would continue working to secure NAFTA as a mechanism for further regional integration that benefits all three countries.

"We have time, (though) there will certainly be subjects that generate tensions," added Meade.

He also pointed out that as the United States has maintained its positions in the talks, Mexico as well as Canada also remained firm in its intention.

The United States, Canada and Mexico wrapped up the first round of NAFTA in August. At the end the first round, a joint statement from the three parties indicated negotiations may be increasingly tense and difficult over the coming few months.

The fourth round of talks is scheduled for Oct. 11-15 in Washington.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 13:40:27|Editor: Mengjie

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U.S. President Donald Trump (L) meets with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong at the White House in Washington D.C. Sept. 28, 2017. It is extremely important to strengthen people-to-people exchange with China, Donald Trump said during the meeting.(Xinhua/White House)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong in the White House on Thursday, with the two sides pledging to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

Liu said with joint efforts, the first China-U.S. social and people-to-people dialogue which was held on Thursday in Washington D.C. achieved sound results. The dialogue was co-chaired by Liu and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Liu expressed the hope that the two sides will seriously implement he consensuses reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump, promote cooperation in such fields as education, science and technology, culture, health, sports, environmental protection and local administration, and make full use of the unique role of people-to-people exchanges, so as to constantly reinforce the social and public support for China-U.S. relations.

Beijing welcomes Trump's state visit to China later this year at Xi's invitation, and is willing to work with Washington to prepare for it and make it a historic success, Liu said.

For his part, Trump said he is looking forward to his upcoming state visit to China and meeting with Xi again. He believed the visit would be a success.

It is extremely important to strengthen people-to-people exchanges with China, he said, expressing the hope that the two sides will further expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 14:00:31|Editor: liuxin

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A series of rockfalls occurred in American Yosemite National Park in two days, killing one British tourist and forcing the authorities to close the Northside drive exiting Yosemite Valley, the National Park Service (NPS) announced Thursday afternoon.

The first "sheet" of rock, which fell and killed the Briton on Wednesday, was estimated to be 130 feet (40 meters) tall and 65 feet (20 meters) wide, the press release from Yossemite NPS said.

According to the press release, since the initial one fell, eight rockfalls occurred until Thursday from the Southeast face of El Capitan, which is a granite monolith extending about 3,000 feet (914 meters) from base to summit along its tallest face and is one of the world's favorite challenges for rock climbers.

Yosemite National Park rangers and the search and rescue team entered the area after the incident, looking for people at the base of the rockfalls. Two people were found, one dead and the other seriously injured, whose names were not released.

Photos posted on social media by witnesses showed a plume of dust billowing from the rock formation after the fatal crash.

Peter Zabrok, 58, a climber making his 58th El Capitan climbs, said in a Facebook video: "I've never seen anything like that."

In total, officials estimated that about 1,300 tons of rocks fell from El Capitan on Wednesday.

Connie Tran, a female reporter who witnessed the latest rock fell on Thursday afternoon, tweeted: "Another rock fall near El Capitan in Yosemite. My photographer and I witnessed the whole ordeal, it was so loud, thunderous."

Rockfalls are a common occurrence in Yosemite Valley and the park records about 80 rockfalls per year, There have now been 16 fatalities and more than 100 injuries from rockfalls since park records began in 1857, the NPS reported.

Even though the Northside route was closed, Yosemite National Park remains open and visitor services are not affected by the rockfalls.

Yosemite is a national park located in Northern California, covering an area of more than 3,000 km and reaching across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. On average, about 4 million people visit the national park each year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 14:10:33|Editor: An

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by Xinhua writers Liu Xin, Kong Xiangxin

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The north-south axis of China's ancient capital has been extended and revitalized.

On Sept. 29, Beijing authorities unveiled a general plan for the development of the central axis, called the Zhongzhouxian, from 2016 to 2035. It aims to protect the city's history and culture.

The plan said the Zhongzhouxian is both historical and developing, and preservation work should be coordinated with upgrades.

First created in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the original Zhongzhouxian was 3.7 kilometers. The Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties extended the length to 7.8 kilometers from Yongdingmen in the south to the Drum and Bell Towers in the north.

Chinese architect Liang Sicheng, a pioneer of heritage preservation, described the Zhongzhouxian as possibly the world's longest and greatest north-south central axis.

"The unique beauty of Beijing's design is due to the Zhongzhouxian," declared Liang.

The axis was extended again in 2003 as the city prepared for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The general plan states that the current Zhongzhouxian extension stretches to the Yanshan Mountain Range to the north and Beijing's new international airport in the south.

The Olympic Green is considered one of the most important areas along the Zhongzhouxian extension.

Zhao Jin, operations director of Beijing Inno-Olympic Group Co., Ltd., which is leading the Olympic Green property management, says the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall and the National Art Museum of China will be built along the Zhongzhouxian extension.

"Together with the Bird's Nest, Water Cube, and China National Convention Center, the north extension is expected to be a national hub for culture, sports, technology and finance," he said.

The Olympic Green received a total of 410 million people, including tourists and visitors, from 2008 to 2016, according to Zhao.

The extension is not separated from the original axis. On a clear day, from the top of Yangshan Mountain in Olympic Park, it is possible to see 8 km south to Jingshan, the highest point on the original Zhongzhouxian.

The Zhongzhouxian, situated at the city's center, separates the districts of Dongcheng and Xicheng.

"It is like the backbone of Beijing's urban spacial structure," said Beijing historian Li Jianping.

Along it are the historic buildings of Qianmen, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, and the Drum and Bell Towers.

Political monuments such as Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Monument to the People's Heroes and Tian'anmen Square line up along the axis.

"This reflects the Chinese idea of 'center worship,'" said Li.

The symmetry is maintained along the Zhongzhouxian. The Great Hall of the People and Beijing Zhongshan Park are on the west side, while the National Museum of China and Beijing Working People's Cultural Palace are on the east.

Beijing Zhongshan Park used to be the Hall of Worshipping the Altar of Land and Grain, which was built in 1425. The Beijing Working People's Cultural Palace was the royal ancestral temple before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

In 1949, a founding ceremony was held in Tian'anmen Square, transforming it into a place for the people rather than royalty.

The construction of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube on each side of the Zhongzhouxian north extension reflects the symmetry found along older parts of the axis.

"Beijing has been built according to a 'checker-board' planning system since the Yuan Dynasty," explained Wang Shiren of the city's history and culture preservation committee. "Meanwhile, many capitals of other countries had 'divergent' structures influenced by the Renaissance."

The Beijing Municipal government officially kicked off a campaign in 2011 to place main historic sites along the city's central north-south axis on the world cultural heritage list.

Wang says the Zhongzhouxian used to have 42 historic sites, and 36 of them have been preserved or rebuilt.

But there have also been criticisms of excessive renovation along the axis. Its original south end at Yongdingmen Tower was rebuilt in 2004.

Feng Feifei, director of the Urban Design Department of Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design, said the city went through different historical periods in which different things were valued.

"The urban functions also differed," she said.

For this reason, a number of historical influences are visible along the axis, including the culture of old Beijing on the section between Yongdingmen and Qianmen, the culture of New China between Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and Tian'anmen, and the imperial culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties from Duanmen to Jingshan Park, Li Jianping said.

The city aims to make progress in becoming a top international capital over the next five years, according to the city's new development goals unveiled in June.

The capital is striving to improve as the country's political, cultural, international and innovation center.

"A long history means a rich cultural heritage," Feng said. Enditem (Ji Xiang and Zhang Lili contributed to the story.)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 14:15:35|Editor: An

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SYDNEY, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automotive manufacturer Great Wall has secured an offtake agreement with Western Australian mining company Pilbara Minerals Limited to sure up lithium supply for their electric car range.

The 28 million dollar (21.95 million U.S. dollars) deal signed on Thursday evening means the car giant will take a 3.5 percent stake in the company and provide around 50 million dollars in debt funding.

Currently, the Pilgangoora operation has a capacity of around 2 million tonnes of lithium per year, but the new deal should see the figure lift to in excess of 5 million tonnes.

"This is great news for the company," CMC Market's chief market strategist Michael McCarthy told Xinhua on Friday.

"This investment will help underpin the development of what has been a very underutilized asset for them, previously their focus has been on tantalum."

"At the moment their share price has spiked 11.5 percent to 0.62 cents per share, so clearly the market is viewing this as a positive for the company."

McCarthy expects the resource industry down under will see more of these kinds of agreements as international manufacturers look to deal more directly with material suppliers.

"Now it's becoming clearer just how big this story could be, people are realizing they have to invest in what is happening in the raw material supply chain," managing director of Pilbara Minerals Ken Brinsden told local media.

"If you take a look across the lithium world, two things are becoming clearer to the industry as a whole."

"Firstly, on the supply side, the raw materials are not coming online as quickly as many had assumed and secondly, the demand growth is much bigger than people had previously assumed."

Producing over 1 million cars per year, Great Wall are looking to developing 500,000 electric hybrid cars in the next five years as China looks to transition away from petroleum fueled vehicles.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 14:15:37|Editor: liuxin

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MUMBAI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and over 20 others injured in a stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station on Friday, local media reported.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 14:25:41|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. Sept. 28, 2017. The first China-U.S. Social and People-to-People Dialogue was held on Thursday in Washington. The event was co-chaired by Liu Yandong and Rex Tillerson. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States will further promote two-way overseas study and enhance bilateral exchanges among educational institutions and scholars, according to a joint statement released in Washington on Thursday.

The new moves are intended to increase mutual understanding and promote bilateral people-to-people exchanges, said the statement released after the first China-U.S. social and people-to-people dialogue was held here on Thursday.

According to the action plan of the dialogue, the two sides will adopt a "double 100,000" two-way overseas study plan, which will allow China to send 100,000 government-sponsored people to study in the United States and permit 100,000 U.S. students to study in China in the following four years.

Besides, China will provide 10,000 scholarships in the coming four years to encourage excellent U.S. students to study in China on a short-term basis, according to the plan.

The United States will continue to implement the Fulbright scholarship program, a U.S. flagship academic exchange program.

The action plan also mentioned that the China-U.S. Youth Innovation Center will be set up in the two countries to boost youth exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, which will also hold dialogues between Chinese and U.S. universities and think tanks to further increase intellectual communication.

"I hope young people in both China and the United States would be the main driver of innovation development and the vanguards of bilateral cultural exchanges, injecting positive energy into the two countries' ties," said Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong while addressing a sideline event of the dialogue in New York on Monday.

Liu co-chaired the first China-U.S social and people-to-people dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The dialogue is one of the four high-level dialogues established during the Mar-a-Lago meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, in the southeastern U.S. state of Florida in April.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 15:10:57|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has attached great importance to the protection of the right to health of special groups such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled, according to a white paper released Friday.

The white paper, "Development of China's Public Health as an Essential Element of Human Rights," was issued by the State Council Information Office, introducing facts about the development of public health.

China has constantly improved health programs, and provided diversified and targeted health services to meet the special needs of various groups in a non-discriminatory and equal manner, it said.

The maternal and child health care service system has been continuously improved, and in 2016, the Chinese government invested 2.9 billion yuan (436.7 million U.S. dollars) to support the construction of 247 city- and county-level maternal and child health care institutions, the document said.

According to the white paper, children's health has improved remarkably. In 2016, infant mortality was 7.5 per thousand and that of children under five was 10.2 per thousand, both meeting the targets set in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Program for the Development of Chinese Children (2011-2020) ahead of schedule.

The gap between China and developed countries is rapidly narrowing. In 2016, for children under five, the underweight and growth retardation rates, and anemia prevalence decreased to 1.49 percent, 1.15 percent and 4.79 percent, respectively -- all meeting the targets set in the Program for the Development of Chinese Children (2011-2020) ahead of schedule.

The health care service system for the elderly has improved. By the end of 2015, there were 453 rehabilitation hospitals, 168 nursing homes and 65 nursing stations around China, up by 69.0 percent, 242.9 percent and 16.1 percent, respectively from 2010, the document said.

Disability prevention and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities have also improved. From 2012 to 2016, 15.26 million people with disabilities received basic rehabilitation services nationwide, it said.
Martyn Goodacre/Getty ImagesA new documentary about the life of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott will arrive this fall. The film is called Dimevision, Vol. 2: Roll with It or Get Rolled Over, and will be released November 24.

Dimevision, Vol. 2 follows the previously released Dimevision Vol. 1, which debuted in 2006. The new film will be accompanied by a CD featuring five unreleased Dimebag demos.

Known for his work in Pantera and Damageplan, Abbott was shot and killed onstage during a concert in Columbus, Ohio in December 2004.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 15:10:59|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. Sept. 28, 2017. The first China-U.S. Social and People-to-People Dialogue was held on Thursday in Washington. The event was co-chaired by Liu Yandong and Rex Tillerson. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States on Thursday pledged to boost cultural exchanges in a bid to enhance people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The pledge was made at the first China-U.S. Social and People-to-People Dialogue held on Thursday in Washington. The event was co-chaired by visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The Chinese and U.S. governments have made great efforts in promoting cultural exchanges between the two peoples, including performances and visual arts events, advocating preservation of cultural relics, as well as supporting cultural cooperation between organizations and scholars, according to a joint statement issued after the dialogue.

China and the United States are committed to supporting the establishment of long-term communication and cooperation between the cultural organizations of the two countries, said the statement.

China and the United States will help promote bilateral cooperation between public cultural industries, as well as exchange visits among high-level cultural groups.

The statement also mentioned that exchanges and cooperation at local levels are one of the most active and robust areas in China-U.S. relations, which indicates that the commonalities between the two countries far outweigh their differences.

To promote people-to-people exchange at local levels between the world's two largest economies will bring benefits to both peoples, it added.

Such local-level exchanges cover a wide range of areas, including education, science and technology, environmental protection, as well as culture and healthcare, according to the statement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 15:21:01|Editor: ying

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JAKARTA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Defense ministries of Indonesia and Fiji on Friday reached an agreement on defense cooperation, bringing the bilateral ties to a higher strategic level, an Indonesian minister said here.

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and his counterpart from Fiji Ratu Inoke Kubuabola witnessed the signing of the agreement at the Indonesian defense ministry after their meeting.

"This shows the advancement of defense ties of the two nations heading to a more-strategic level," said Ryamizard after the signing.

The cooperation included exchanges of military intelligence, collaboration on weapon industry, shifting of defense technology and others, he said.

On the same occasion, Fiji's defense minister said his country considers Indonesia as a partner particularly in relation with the security in the Pacific region.

Indonesia has long faced insurgency of Free Papua Movement known as OPM in Papua province of easternmost of the country. The rebels have sought to have an independent state of Papua.

The rebels have targeted companies' workers, civilians, and soldiers in conducting their mission.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 15:36:07|Editor: ying

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HOUSTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III on Thursday proposed a carbon tax as the most efficient way of reducing emissions.

Addressing the first Global Energy Transitions Summit, co-hosted by the Baker Institute's Center for Energy Studies and Baker Botts LLP, a law firm, at Rice University, Texas in the United States, the former state secretary said the carbon tax proposal represents a good faith effort to move beyond debate over current climate policies.

He advocated carbon tax as an insurance policy to deal with the potential risks of climate change.

According to research published in the American journal Climate Policy in August, researchers at the North Carolina State University argued that despite the Trump administration's large-scale rollback of environmental policies and the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, U.S. emissions are likely to remain relatively flat over the next few years.

This is because market forces are likely to bolster the expansion of clean energy and other emissions-cutting efforts, particularly in the electricity sector, against changes in federal policy, the researchers said.

However, the Mid-Century Strategy, released at the end of former President Barack Obama's final term, aimed to bring U.S. emissions down to 80 percent below their 2005 levels by the year 2050.

The plan was meant to build upon the nation's pledge under the Paris climate accord, a short-term target of cutting U.S. emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent below the 2005 level by the year 2025.

The one-day Global Energy Transitions Summit held in Houston featured over a dozen prominent speakers from the oil, gas and power industries, including CEOs and other corporate leaders, along with industry experts in finance, investment and law, covering topics from oil, gas to electricity, renewables and technology.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 15:46:09|Editor: ying

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MANILA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has lashed out at a group of mostly European countries over their renewed criticism of its human rights record, telling them to respect Manila's domestic processes, a government statement said on Friday.

"We take grave exception to the sweeping and politicized statement delivered by Iceland on behalf of a group of States," said the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva in a strongly-worded response during the general debate at the 36th Session of the Human Rights Council this week.

The joint statement delivered by Iceland and 38 other countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, expressed concern about what they said were the "thousands of killings" and the alleged climate of impunity associated with the Philippine government's ongoing campaign against illegal drugs.

In Washington, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano lamented the criticism, saying this was based "on biased and questionable information," adding it failed to appreciate Manila's willingness to work with the international community on human rights issues.

"It is very unfortunate that instead of engaging us constructively, some western countries would rather criticize and impose conditions as if they can do a better job than the Philippine government in protecting the Filipino people," Cayetano, who is in the U.S. for an official visit, said.

Cayetano took exception to the insistence of several countries that Manila allow U.N. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard to investigate the reported cases of extra-judicial killings and other alleged human rights abuses in the Philippines.

"We have repeatedly expressed our readiness to allow experts from the international community to look into the human rights situation in the country on the condition that they are fair and independent," Cayetano said.

He said independent experts can help guarantee a credible outcome of any investigation that would be conducted, unlike Callamard who he said had already prejudged the Philippine government as guilty of committing human rights violations.

In Geneva, Philippine Permanent Representative Evan Garcia said the states that signed the statement also failed to take into consideration the commitment Manila made during the adoption in Geneva last Friday of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on the Philippines.

Garcia said the Philippines had actually committed to implementing recommendations from other countries that Manila only initially noted, after the completion of the necessary legislative and other domestic processes.

"It is very regrettable that some still do not grasp the full import of the deadly connections between illegal narcotics and terrorism, and of the threat that narco-politics poses to our national security and the very fabric of our society," Garcia said.

"It is ironic that many of these States joining the statement are the very same States that are the sources of arms, bombs, machines and mercenaries that maim, kill and massacre thousands of people all over the world, not only during their colonial past, but even up to today," she pointed out.

Despite the criticism, Almojuela said the Philippines will continue to engage in genuine and constructive dialogue on the remaining concerns and challenges in the field of human rights.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:01:18|Editor: ying

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SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korea planned to regain its wartime operational control from the United States within a five-year term of President Moon Jae-in, a lawmaker of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party said Friday based on documents submitted by the defense ministry.

According to Rep. Kim Hack-yong of the Liberty Korea Party, the Moon government set up a "three-stage roadmap" to recover its wartime command of South Korean forces from Washington by early 2020s.

It was at least three to four years faster than the planned transfer under the previous Park Geun-hye administration.

South Korea handed over its operational command to the U.S. forces after the three-year Korean War broke out in 1950. The country won back its peacetime operational control in 1994.

Under the three-stage roadmap, the Moon government will first build up its own defense capability by the end of next year under the current platform of South Korea-U.S. allied forces.

The second-stage was scheduled to kick off in 2019 to stage the joint South Korea-U.S. annual war games commanded by the South Korean military.

The third stage had yet to be decided upon, according the lawmaker who said the operational control transfer should be pushed for cautiously.

President Moon said in his speech Thursday to celebrate the 69th anniversary of Armed Forces Day that he aimed to regain the wartime operational control early from the United States.

To strengthen its standalone defense capability, Moon said the military should make all-out efforts to rapidly build a so-called "three-axis" defense platform, including the Kill Chain, the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), mostly for responding to possible attacks from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:06:20|Editor: Mengjie

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HAVANA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Cuba on Thursday hosted a ceremony to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on Sunday.

Chinese ambassador to Cuba Chen Xi said China has achieved a considerable success for its people since 1949.

"We have achieved a stable and consecutive development of the national economy in all areas and we have greatly improved the living standards of all our people," said the ambassador.

In front of some 400 guests, Chen said that in the past year, China successfully met world challenges and made new progress.

"During the first half of the year the economy registered a 6.9-percent growth while the high-tech sector and emerging industries have made significant contributions to the development of the country," he said.

In the international arena, the ambassador said, China remains a builder of world peace and an advocate of global development.

"We advocate fostering a community of shared destiny, we propose the construction of new international relations characterized by cooperation and mutual benefit and we persist in the equality of all countries, regardless of their size, power and level of development," he said.

Regarding bilateral relations whose 57th anniversary was commemorated on Thursday, Chen said that during these years, political and economic ties between the two countries have been strengthening ever more.

"In recent years, under the attention of President Xi Jinping and President Raul Castro, political trust between China and Cuba has intensified and exchanges and cooperation have deepened in all areas," he said.

The Chinese ambassador also expressed the sympathy of the Chinese government and people after the devastating Hurricane Irma devastated the island two weeks ago.

"The Chinese government decided to offer a package of humanitarian aid to those affected by the hurricane," he said.

The reception was attended by Secretary General of the Cuban Workers' Union and member of the Communist Party Political Bureau Ulises Guilarte, Minister of Energy and Mines Alfredo Lopez, and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelino Medina, among other government officials.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:31:29|Editor: Mengjie

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PHNOM PENH, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The China-Cambodia relations are at the all-time high thanks to frequent exchanges of visits by leaders of the two countries, a Cambodian top academician said on Friday.

"The current ties between Cambodia and China have reached the highest-ever in our history," Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, the kingdom's highest academic institution, said during a forum on Sino-Cambodian relations.

He said the two countries had enjoyed all-round cooperation, particularly in politics, economy, trade, investment, culture and tourism.

Sok Touch attributed the best ties to the frequent exchanges of high level visits between the two countries and their mutual support for issues related to each side's core interests.

"Looking toward to the future, the (Cambodia-China) relationship will be better, and I believe that Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen will continue to further deepen this relationship for mutual benefit," he said.

China is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Cambodia. By the end of 2016, Chinese direct investment in Cambodia totaled 11.2 billion U.S. dollars. On the trade side, the two-way trade volume reached 4.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2016 and was expected to hit 5 billion U.S. dollars in 2017.

On the tourism front, China is the largest source of tourists to the Southeast Asian nation, with 830,000 Chinese holidaymakers traveling to Cambodia last year and the number is expected to reach 1 million this year.

China and Cambodia established diplomatic ties in 1958.

Speaking at the forum, Academician Sorn Samnang, an advisor to the Cambodian government, said "mutual trust, respect, and support" had elevated the Sino-Cambodian relations to a "new high."

He added that the close ties between the two countries had importantly contributed to ensuring peace, stability and development in Cambodia and in the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:36:32|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's plan to increase the use of bioethanol gasoline will not have a significant impact on the grain market, and it would be "unrealistic" for the country to import large amounts of corn, a Chinese official said Friday.

Ethanol fuel, known as E10, is ordinary gasoline with 10 percent ethanol added and believed to cut carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions. "The government plan to increase ethanol fuel production is for consuming corn stocks," said Han Jun, director of the central agricultural work leading team office, at a press conference.

Years of support for corn farmers has left China with a substantial stockpile. In 2016, China's corn output stood at around 220 million tonnes, while stocks amounted to 230 million tonnes.

According to government estimates, China's stockpile will suffice in the short term, he said, achieving a supply-demand balance in the corn market in three to five years.

Earlier this month, China said it wanted nationwide use of bioethanol gasoline by 2020, and aimed to have an advanced liquid biofuel system and demonstration facility in operation by then, capable of producing 50,000 tonnes of cellulosic ethanol a year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:36:33|Editor: Mengjie

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KUNMING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the past decade, you needed an ID card to book flight tickets, reserve hotel rooms and open bank accounts, but now people no longer need such documents to prove their identities: their faces alone are enough.

Ms Wu had just arrived at a hotel in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, when she realized she had left her ID card at home. Initially, she thought she would have to go through the hassle of having to go back home to fetch it or apply for a temporary ID certificate at a nearby police station. Instead, she just stood in front of a machine that took her photo, which immediately brought up her personal information on the hotel's computer screen after matching her on police database. It took less than 10 seconds.

"I used to see this in the movies, now it is a reality," Wu said.

In Kunming's Xishan district, a facial recognition system with over 95 percent accuracy will be applied at all hotels in the next two months. The same technology has been implemented in Shenzhen, as well as Jinan, capital of Shandong Province in east China.

"The photos captured are not kept in a local cache but sent to match with police databases in real time, so the system has high security," said Zong Zhengyong, operator of the system at a hotel.

Advanced technology is changing human life at an unprecedented pace. In the 1950s, the birth of credit cards started to replace cash. Later the Internet opened a new information era. Today, the shared economy and mobile payments have become an indispensable part of daily life.

Not only hotels, but banks, food delivery services and even public toilets are taking advantage of facial scanning.

At three Agricultural Bank of China's (ABC) branches in Jinan, a quick scan of the face allows the account holder to withdraw 3,000 yuan (457 U.S. dollars) each time.

China Merchants Bank and the Construction Bank of China have also introduced similar technology.

"All you have to do is to press the facial recognition button, scan your face, enter your phone or ID number, and your transaction amount and password," said Zhang Baojing, a bank manager at ABC.

Beijing's Temple of Heaven has used it in toilets to deter toilet paper theft. And traffic police in many Chinese cities are using facial scanners to catch jaywalkers.

A report on global artificial intelligence by investment company Sequoia Capital and ZhenFund, a Beijing-based seeding company, showed that about 15,000 patents have been made public in computer vision, 55 percent are from China.

China's Forward-looking Industry Institute says that the facial recognition market in China surpassed 1 billion yuan (about 150 million U.S. dollars) in 2016, and is expected to hit 5.1 billion yuan by 2021.

SenseTime, a Chinese startup focusing on facial recognition and AI deep learning, raised 410 million U.S. dollars in July. It is the largest private financing round ever closed by an AI startup.

"Facial recognition has a bright future for wide application," said Cai Jian, professor at Guanghua School of Management, Peking University. "The technology can be used to greatly lift efficiency and lower the cost of security technology."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:36:34|Editor: ying

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ADELAIDE, Australia, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) unveiled its plans to put humans on Mars as early as 2024 in Australia on Friday.

Speaking on the final day of the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Adelaide, South Australia, SpaceX founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk provided further details of the company's plan to put humans on Mars.

Musk, who also serves as the CEO of automotive company Tesla, said SpaceX was aiming for cargo missions to the "red planet" in 2022 and crew with cargo by 2024.

He said that missions to Mars would be launched every two years from 2022 onwards with colonization and terraforming to begin as soon as the first humans arrive in order to make it "a really nice place to be."

"It's about believing in the future, and thinking that the future will be better than the past," Musk said.

SpaceX also announced its new BFR rocket on Friday.

"I can't emphasize enough how profound this is, and how important this is," Musk told the congress as the keynote speaker on the final day.

The new BFR has the highest capacity payload of any rocket ever built, meaning it has the lowest launch cost, due to its status as a fully reusable rocket while also being the most powerful.

"It's really crazy that we build these sophisticated rockets and then crash them every time we fire," Musk said.

He said that the new BFR could carry a 40-carriage spaceship to Mars with two or three people occupying each carriage.

The rocket is capable of flying from Earth to the Moon and back without refuelling, making creating a base on the Moon, dubbed Moon Base Alpha, achievable in near future.

SpaceX intends for the new, scaled-down BFR to replace its other flagship rockets, the Dragon, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy.

Musk said the BFR could even be used for international flights on Earth, promising to cut most long-distance Earth flights to just half an hour.

He said the rocket could travel from New York City to Shanghai in 37 minutes at a maximum speed of 18,000 miles (28,968 km) per hour.

"Most of what people would consider long-distance trips would be completed in less than half an hour," Musk said.

"If we're building this thing to go to the Moon and Mars, then why not go to other places on Earth as well?"

But he said that other applications for the BFR were stepping-stones for the project's main purpose of taking settlers to Mars.

Funding for BFR development will come from SpaceX's satellite and International Space Station (ISS) revenue.

SpaceX's announcement came hours after U.S. defense, security and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin revealed new technology that would see it land on Mars in partnership with NASA by 2030.

SpaceX estimated this year that a permanent, self-sustaining colony on Mars was 50 to 100 years away.

Friday's press conference took place on the ninth anniversary of SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket becoming the first privately-developed liquid fuel rocket to enter Earth's orbit.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:51:43|Editor: ying

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TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Head of the newly-formed Party of Hope, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and opposition Democratic Party President Seiji Maehara held talks Friday on the details of Democrat candidates running on the Party of Hope's ticket in the upcoming lower house election.

On Thursday, Maehara gained his party's approval to effectively disband and allow its members to run with Koike's party in the Oct. 22 election.

The pair discussed the reality of the merger and their intentions to unite to better take on the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Sources close to the matter said that Maehara suggested that his party will field no candidates in the election and allow its members to run on the Party of Hope's ticket.

Koike, for her part, said she has received a list of potential candidates from the Democratic Party who wish to run with the Party of Hope, but said she does not intend to take them all on.

"I want to narrow the list down from various standpoints, like how well they can fit in with our policies," Koike was quoted as saying.

Maehara had hoped that all the members would be allowed to run for the new party, but said that he understood the reality of the situation.

Goshi Hosono, a former Democratic Party member, said that new candidates joining the party to run in the election should share a "realistic" stance on national security issues, among others.

The two party leaders agreed that Party of Hope member Masaru Wakasa, a former lower house member, and former foreign minister Koichiro Gemba, a Democrat, will be responsible for selecting members from the effectively disbanded Democratic Party.

Koike again said that she had no intention of stepping down as Tokyo governor to join the lower house election, despite ongoing rumors to the contrary.

"I won't run. I've been saying this since before," said Koike.

Maehara, in a press briefing after his talks with Koike, said that the pair had focused on expediting arrangements for the two parties to cooperate ahead of the election and how to oust the administration of Abe.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 16:56:46|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China expects more good news on relations with Japan in the future, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks when he met with Japanese ambassador to China Yokoi Yutaka.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties.

According to Wang, China-Japan relations have overcome a number of difficulties as well as made significant progress.

"To further develop bilateral ties is the responsibility of both sides," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony marking China's upcoming National Day at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

China hopes that the Japanese government can have a more positive policy towards China, and do more to promote bilateral cooperation, to achieve good interaction between the two sides, rather than taking one step forward and then one or even two steps back, Wang said.

Yutaka said Abe's attendance at the ceremony showed Japan's willingness to improve ties with China.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty. He said that Japan is willing to make joint efforts with China to further strengthen the momentum to improve bilateral ties.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin and shake hands at the presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, on Sept. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Turkish Presidential Office)

ANKARA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that both Turkey and Russia uphold the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria.

"One should prevent the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) from making worse mistakes after the referendum," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to the recent independence referendum held by the KRG.

"The referendum is not legitimate for neither the Iraqi constitution nor the international law," Erdogan said.

"We need to protect the Iraqi central government in order to assist them in safeguarding the country's sovereignty," he added.

The Turkish president also accused the Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani of acting for his "short term individual interests."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin and shake hands at the presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, on Sept. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Turkish Presidential Office)

Putin, for his part, referred to a Russian Foreign Ministry's statement which expressed respect for the national aspirations of the Kurds but stressed the territorial integrity of Iraq.

The two leaders held a three-hour meeting late Thursday at the presidential compound in Ankara, where they discussed topics related to the bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, especially the Syrian and Iraqi issues.

The Turkey-Russia ties have grown closer recently as Ankara's relations with the United States and Europe are strained because of differences on human rights amid the West's criticism of Erdogan's crackdown on dissidents following last year's failed coup.

Despite being a NATO member, Turkey signed a deal recently with Russia to buy the S-400 air-defense systems, a move that has upset the U.S. and other NATO allies.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 17:01:50|Editor: Liangyu

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TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike will likely appoint a female senior public officer as a new vice governor, which would mark the first time a woman has held the post in 22 years, local media quoted sources as saying Friday.

The potential appointment comes amid speculation that Koike herself may run in the upcoming general election.

Earlier this week Koike launched her "Kibou no To" (Party of Hope) party and agreed to field candidates from the effectively disbanded main opposition Democratic Party.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday dissolved the lower house of parliament for a general election to be held on Oct. 22.

Under the envisioned personnel shuffle, Junko Inokuma, the female director general of the bureau of accounting, and Akira Hasegawa, head of the governor's office for policy planning, will be promoted to vice governors and will replace three of four incumbents, sources close to the matter said.

Koike, herself the first female leader of Japan's capital city, in making the appointments, is seemingly reflecting her push to empower women in society, observers here said.

The proposal will be sent to the metropolitan assembly next Thursday.

Koike is a seasoned politician having served as a lower house member between 1993 and 2016 before she resigned to run in the gubernatorial election, which she won.

She previously held the defense minister portfolio in the Cabinet of Abe, but resigned in August 2007 after just 54 days in office.

Her newly-formed Party of Hope in collaboration with the Democratic Party is aimed at toppling the administration of Abe, Seiji Maehara, head of the Democrats said Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 17:21:57|Editor: Liangyu

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ULAN BATOR, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga has congratulated his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the occasion of China's upcoming 68th National Day.

"Cooperation between China and Mongolia has been developed and expanded in all fields in recent years, within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership," Battulga said.

He thanked Xi for his long-term support for promoting pragmatic cooperation, as well as the equal and mutually beneficial development of the two countries' friendly relations in various fields.

Xi's state visit to Mongolia in 2014 fully indicates that the China-Mongolia relationship is highly valued by the Chinese government, Battulga said.

The development of mutually beneficial cooperation fully meets the interests of the two peoples and the requirements for promoting cooperation in the region, he added.

"The free assistance and concessional loans from the Chinese government have substantively helped and supported Mongolia's national development and construction," Battulga said.

He said he is looking forward to working together with Xi to boost the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, based on mutual respect for each other's core interests.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 17:32:01|Editor: Liangyu

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MOGADISHU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab on early Friday stormed a Somali military base some 50 km southwest of the capital, a government official said.

The militants launched two massive bomb attacks at the Barire military base before making entry, and they claimed to have killed 17 soldiers in the attack.

A government official who asked to be anonymous as he is not authorized to speak on the matter told Xinhua that the attackers ambushed the base in the early hours of Friday.

"Two huge blasts could be heard from the military base in the early hours of Friday. We don't have any further information about casualties," the official said.

Residents told Xinhua that the explosions were massive and they caused panic in the area.

"We were shaken while asleep by two huge explosions from the side of the military base. We later knew there was an attack on the base but we have no any other information," a local resident named Mohamed Deeq told Xinhua.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 17:42:04|Editor: Liangyu

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WASHINGTON/HOUSTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Addressing an audience of several hundred in Washington D.C. on Thursday, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said she had high expectations for young people in China and the United States to promote bilateral ties in the future.

LIFE-CHANGING CHANCE

"I hope to have a future career in public diplomacy to increase mutual understanding between the United States and all other countries, and China is especially important because it plays such a big part on the global stage," said Hannah Radner, a graduate student of George Washington University.

Radner was among hundreds of Chinese and U.S. youths gathering in Washington D.C. on Thursday for a conversation with Liu, who co-chaired the first China-U.S. Social and People-to-People Dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson early in the day.

For those like Radner, Liu's message was clear: Young people have always been in the vanguard of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the United States.

"It's my hope that young people will set a global vision, embrace the world and always look forward," said Liu.

Despite differences between China and the United States, the two sides agree that a constructive relationship between the largest developing and developed country benefits the world at large.

In her speech, Liu quoted the famous American postwar sinologist, John King Fairbank, who said 45 years ago that "from 1950 to 1971 Washington sent more men to the moon than to China."

Fairbank's remarks now seem incredible to most people, as cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have already become common.

Since China adopted its reform and opening-up policy nearly 40 years ago, the number of Chinese students studying in the United States has increased from 52 a year at the very beginning to 175,000 last year.

Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Education Department, more than 14,000 American students study in China each year.

"I hope that an increasing number of American students will have this opportunity to get to know fellow students and experience China's beauty and culture," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said at the same event.

"U.S.-China cooperation is grounded in mutual respect and shared interests. Education and workforce development are signature issue areas that have benefited from a successful history of U.S.-China dialogue. We look forward to expanding that history," she added.

For Mycal Ford, a young African-American professional who studied in China from 2010 to 2014, the exposure to Chinese culture was life-changing.

"The idea of China was very foreign to me," Ford said. "I actually had no working knowledge of China."

However, Ford seized the "phenomenal chance" and went to China.

Ford told the audience on Thursday at George Washington University that he was privileged to contribute to the promotion of cultural exchanges between China and the United States.

RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUTHS

In the future, youths in China and the United States will bear the responsibility of promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.

"Now, the baton of history has passed to you. I am confident that with unremitting efforts, the China-U.S. relationship will usher in a better future," the Chinese vice premier said.

The life-changing story of Ford was by no means an exception. According to Sean W. Zhang, president of the Ameson Education and Cultural Exchange Foundation, most American students in his foundation's one-year overseas study program said their understanding of China was completely changed after their trip to China.

"They especially praised the Chinese people for being very friendly and the development of China was not what they had heard about," Zhang told Xinhua.

"Those outstanding American students selected by us to study in China represent the future of the United States, and some might even become elites of the U.S. society, such as policy-makers," said Zhang. "Years later, if they get information about China that is different from what they experienced when they were young, they may be able to question their information and make reflection."

Jon R. Taylor, a political science professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, said Chinese and U.S. leaders are creating a sense of continuity in bilateral relations and expanding that continuity into different cultural programs and educational opportunities.

"The robustness, the depth of understanding, is incredibly increased by having these exchanges," he said, adding "understanding each other is better than not understanding who and what we are and where we are coming from."

"To me, if you're going to understand not just China, not just China-U.S. relations but to understand the world that they're going to live in the 21st century, you need to be able to understand China among other places. And to be in China three months, six months or a year, is incredibly important," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 17:42:04|Editor: Liangyu

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KABUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- As many as 56 militants were killed and 15 others wounded amidst series of Afghan security forces' operations in several provinces within the past 24 hours, Defense Ministry said Friday.

Up to 22 mop-up operations coordinated with six air-strikes have been launched in Nangarhar, Kapisa, Ghazni, Paktika, Paktia, Herat, Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Badghis, Helmand and Faryab provinces, the ministry said in a statement.

It said the Afghan army also conducted 116 flights over the period to support ground forces and deliver supplies for them.

Afghan ministry of defense usually reports militants' casualties in government forces onslaughts and air-operation in different restive parts of the country, with the armed opposition yet to confirm or make a comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 17:52:06|Editor: Liangyu

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KABUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least one civilian was killed and three others wounded after an explosion ripped through a road in Qala-e-Fathullah neighborhood in Afghan capital of Kabul on Friday, witnesses said.

"The blast happened at around 01:45 p.m. local time in 7th street of Qala-e-Fathullah when Friday praying was underway in nearby mosque. The explosion caused a big bang and sent a thick black smoke to rise above the scene," witness Mohammad Aman told Xinhua.

A suicide bombing was suspected, he said.

Government troops cordoned off the area shortly after the blast, keeping people from gathering at the site for fears that there might be a second blast, Aman added.

Further details about the incident are still forthcoming amid the absence of any official statement.

The attack occurred as Afghan mourners were observing Ashura rituals during the holy Muslim month of Muharram.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:07:17|Editor: Liangyu

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JUBA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to assist South Sudan in its quest to achieve long-lasting peace, prosperity and sustainable development, the Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan He Xiangdong said on Thursday evening.

Speaking during an event to celebrate the 68th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China, He described relations between the two countries as cordial and beneficial to both governments and people.

The envoy said it is China's hope that the attempts led by the East African regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to revive the stalled 2015 peace and the national dialogue initiated by President Salva Kiir will yield substantial results and bring peace back to South Sudan.

He added that achieving peace in the war-torn country requires all parties to engage in peaceful dialogue in the spirit of understanding and compromise.

"China will always be a sincere and reliable partner of South Sudan in its peace and development process," He said.

The Chinese envoy revealed that Beijing has provided a large quantity of humanitarian materials to South Sudan including 8,800 tonnes of rice, 2,400 tonnes of sorghum and 380,000 doses of anti-malaria drugs.

He noted that about 1,500 officials, scholars, technicians and young South Sudanese students attended training and scholarship programs in China in the past year.

The envoy said the two countries are implementing a number of development projects, including a 33-million-U.S.-dollar grant from the Chinese government that would enable South Sudan to expand and modernize its health infrastructure in Juba Teaching Hospital and Rumbek Hospital.

On his part, Stephen Dhieu Dau, South Sudan's Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said South Sudan is grateful for the role China is playing in peacekeeping operations, infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance and provision of medical services for the people of South Sudan.

He said the government of South Sudan, recognizing the importance of viable relations with Beijing, seeks to strengthen ties with China.

"We particularly value our economic cooperation characterized by substantial investment by many Chinese companies in the oil sector which to date remains the live line for the government and the people of South Sudan. China remains the only country that sends medical supplies and officers to our needy people," Dhieu said

"The people and the government of South Sudan look forward to strengthening the relationship between the people and the government of the People's Republic of China and our country," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:17:26|Editor: Mengjie

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HONG KONG, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cheng Chung-tai, a member of the Legislative Council of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was found guilty of desecrating the national and regional flags on Friday.

The Eastern Magistrates' court in Hong Kong convicted Cheng of the charge and ordered him to pay a fine of 5,000 HK dollars (about 641.02 U.S. dollars).

On Oct. 19, 2016, Cheng flipped the national and regional flags in the Legislative Council chamber and was subsequently charged with desecrating the national and regional flags.

The court ruled that Cheng's acts amounted to desecration and added that Cheng must have known he had damaged the dignity of the flags by putting them upside down.

Desecrating the national and regional flags is an offence in Hong Kong, which carries a maximum penalty of a 50,000-HK-dollar fine and three years in prison. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 7.8 HK dollars)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:17:27|Editor: Liangyu

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by H.L Bentley

In the corridor of an otherwise anonymous government building in southwest China is an imposing LED display. In the center, huge red figures count down the number of days until China will be free from poverty.

Taijiang County nestles in the green hills of Miao-Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Qiandongnan in Guizhou Province. Ninety-eight percent of the 168,000 people who live in the county identify as Miao, the sixth most numerous of China's 56 ethnic groups. With 26,100 people below the poverty line of 2,952 yuan (445 U.S. dollars) of income per year, the whole county is classed as "poverty stricken."

More than 2,000 km away from Beijing, the leaders of Taijiang County must implement the decisions made by the central apparatus. One of those directives is to eliminate poverty by 2020.

"Taijiang is rich in culture but poor economically," said Zhao Kaiming, deputy Party secretary of Taijiang.

Zhao is one of a team sent by Beijing to improve governance and aid poverty relief. At the end of 2016, almost 800,000 experienced Party officials had been dispatched to such under-developed areas. The task they face is a daunting one.

Over the past 30 years, over 700 million Chinese have found a way out of poverty. Industrialization, opening up and reform have changed people's fortunes drastically, but the 2020 deadline is less than three years away and around 40 million people, three percent of the population, remain below the line by the end of 2016.

President Xi Jinping has declared that "not a single family living in poverty is to be left behind on our path to combating poverty," and this is where Party officials, like Zhao, step in. They must work for and with local communities on measures that suit local conditions.

The Miao lived in relative isolation in several provinces in China for thousands of years, and continue many of the customs and traditions of their forefathers. Silverwork and embroidery are fundamental necessities of Miao life from birth through marriage and even onto death. The Party team must walk a fine line, improving the lives of the locals while maintaining, and supporting, their defining cultural traits.

"Poverty alleviation is about more than data. If it comes at the expense of the people's culture, we lose more than we gain," Zhao explained.

Incredibly, the 2020 poverty alleviation goal can date back to over 2,000 years ago when Confucius advocated "Xiaokang," a moderately prosperous society. Put simply, this means elimination of poverty, universal access to healthcare and education, and the rejuvenation of Chinese culture.

China is fiercely protective of the diversity of its culture, so officials like Zhao are determined to find ways of using cultural resources to end poverty. In this case, that means apprenticeships, infrastructure and financial support.

ANCIENT SKILLS IN A MODERN MARKETPLACE

Wu Shuigen comes from a long line of silversmiths, and works out of a tiny studio attached to his house in the village of Gangdanglue in Taijiang. Like so many people across the country, he has watched countless friends and neighbors leave his village in search of better paid jobs.

"Those older people who remain are using their traditional skills, trying to build the village into a tourist attraction. If we are successful, perhaps the young people can find a reason to return," he said.

Wu is playing his part by training the next generation of silversmiths. He has had more than a dozen apprentices over the years, including his own daughter. He also teaches at a local university, which welcomes students of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. One student, Pan Shixue, is a master silversmith himself, and has two apprentices at his studio in Maliao. He signed up for the course because he wants to modernize his designs to suit the tastes of the online-shopping generation.

Only people like Wu and Pan will keep tradition alive. High standards set their products apart from mass produced items and subsequently, they must look farther afield to sell their wares, exactly what the Internet enables them to do.

In March, a central government plan on revitalizing traditional crafts underscored that going forward cultural practices, like silverwork and embroidery, will create more jobs, and the incomes of practitioners will increased.

Gu Lanhua, village secretary of Meixiang, one of Guizhou's poorest and home to just 685 people, is an embroiderer. Any Miao girl deft enough to thread a needle is taught how to sew, and they are as fluent in the symbols and colors they stitch, as any spoken language.

In 2013 the local government in Guizhou launched a project to teach people how to make money from their craft. Gu joined the program in 2015 and set up a cooperative in Meixiang that has since then trained more than 800 people from neighboring villages.

Her authority on embroidery, coupled with her business acumen, has helped Meixiang cooperative secure international contracts, generating annual sales of more than one million yuan.

MONEY, POWER, DESTINY

With money comes empowerment. As the earning power of women has risen, so too has the respect they are given within the family and wider community.

For hundreds of years, Zhao explained, the Miao have been marginalized. "This is perhaps the first time that the Miao have been in control of their own destiny."

Every day, the giant red poverty countdown in Taijiang county government office clicks closer to zero. Time is running out, yet the work is far from over.

Strong policy can overcome almost any challenge. It is achievement in the face of adversity. It is crafting a way out of poverty.
Source:Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:52:21|Editor: Yamei

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Following is the full text of a white paper on public health released Friday by the State Council Information Office.

Development of China's Public Health as an Essential Element of Human Rights

The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China

September 2017

First Edition 2017

Contents

Preface

I. Ensuring People's Right to Health Based on China's Conditions

II. Continuous Improvement of Health Environment and Conditions

III. Public Health Service Capability Improving Steadily

IV. Great Improvement in the Quality of Medical and Health Services

V. Improvement of the National Medical Security System

VI. Significant Improvement in the Health of Special Groups

VII. Active Participation in Global Health Governance and International Medical Assistance

Conclusion

Major Indicators for the Healthy China Program

Preface

Health is a precondition for the survival of humanity and the development of human society. The right to health is a basic human right rich in connotations. It is the guarantee for a life with dignity. Everyone is entitled to the highest standard of health, equally available and accessible

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have always focused on the people's needs while seeking the development of the nation. Putting the people first, the Party and the government work to fulfill the people's aspiration for a better life, and strive to enhance the people's well-being and all-round development. China has always put the people's health at the top of its policy agenda, working hard to improve the people's health and fitness, and making universal health and fitness a primary goal of development. With years of strenuous effort, marked progress has been achieved in making the Chinese people healthier - China is no longer the "sick man of East Asia." China has made continued improvement in boosting the overall strength of its public health and medical services, and in enhancing the physical fitness and health conditions of its people. China has been hailed as a "role model for developing countries" by the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognition of its achievements.

Prosperity for all is impossible without health for all. Health for all is a solemn promise to the people by the CPC and the Chinese government. Since the Party's 18th National Congress in November 2012, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core, China has given top priority to improving the people's health, incorporating the development philosophy of innovation, coordination, green development, opening up and shared benefits into the promotion and protection of the people's right to health. Focusing on promoting healthy lifestyles, improving health services, enhancing medical security, building a healthy environment and developing the health industry, China is striving to enhance public health and fitness, providing full-life-cycle medical and health services to its people. With improvement in the Chinese people's right to health, China's human rights have also seen profound progress.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:32:30|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government Friday published a white paper on public health, stressing that health is a precondition for the survival of humanity and the development of human society.

The white paper, released by the State Council Information Office, introduced facts about the development of public health as an essential element of human rights in China.

The right to health is a basic human right rich in connotations. It is the guarantee for a life with dignity, according to the white paper.

Everyone is entitled to the highest standard of health, equally available and accessible, it said.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have always focused on the people's needs while seeking the development of the nation, it said.

Putting the people first, the Party and the government work to fulfill the people's aspiration for a better life, and strive to enhance the people's well-being and all-round development. China has always put the people's health at the top of its policy agenda, working hard to improve the people's health and fitness, and making universal health and fitness a primary goal of development.

With years of strenuous effort, China has made continued improvement in boosting the overall strength of its public health and medical services, and in enhancing the physical fitness and health conditions of its people. China has been hailed as a "role model for developing countries" by the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognition of its achievements.

Prosperity for all is impossible without health for all. Health for all is a solemn promise to the people by the CPC and the Chinese government, the white paper said.

Since the Party's 18th National Congress in November 2012, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core, China has given top priority to improving the people's health, incorporating the development philosophy of innovation, coordination, green development, opening up and shared benefits into the promotion and protection of the people's right to health, it said.

Focusing on promoting healthy lifestyles, improving health services, enhancing medical security, building a healthy environment and developing the health industry, China is striving to enhance public health and fitness, providing full-life-cycle medical and health services to its people. With improvement in the Chinese people's right to health, China's human rights have also seen profound progress.

The average life expectancy of the Chinese rose to 76.5 years in 2016 from 67.9 years in 1981, it said.

Maternal mortality dropped from 88.9 per 100,000 persons in 1990 to 19.9 per 100,000 persons in 2016; and infant mortality declined from 34.7 per 1,000 in 1981 to 7.5 per 1,000 in 2016, figures from the document showed.

In addition, drinking water safety issues in China's rural areas have been basically solved. From 2006 to 2010, the investment in safe drinking water projects in rural areas reached 105.3 billion yuan (15.87 billion U.S. dollars), providing safe drinking water to 212 million rural residents in 190,000 administrative villages, according to the document.

The coverage of basic public health services in China has been further expanded and the scope of beneficiaries has expanded steadily.

The government has extended free vaccinations from children only to adults and expanded basic public health services to 12 categories that span a person's life circle, including citizens' health archives and management, it said.

The maternal and child health care service system has been continuously improved, and in 2016, the Chinese government invested 2.9 billion yuan (436.7 million U.S. dollars) to support the construction of 247 city- and county-level maternal and child health care institutions, the document said.

China has actively participated in global health governance and international medical assistance while providing medical aid to other countries, and promptly conducts global emergency responses.

It earnestly implements international health conventions and shoulders its international humanitarian responsibilities, the white paper said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:42:36|Editor: ying

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MOGADISHU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The African Union envoy in Somalia on Friday condemned the Thursday evening terror attack on a market in Mogadishu suburb that left at least seven people dead and over ten others injured.

Francisco Caetano Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, also lauded efforts by the Somalia security forces in dismantling terror cells in the Horn of Africa nation.

"It is unfortunate that Al-Shabaab continues to kill and maim the very people it claims to defend," Madeira said in a statement.

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) exploded at Hamarweyne market. No group has yet to claim responsibility for the attack but Al-Shabaab is often behind such deadly assaults targeting government and African Union mission (AMISOM) bases.

The AU envoy pledged AMISOM's continued support to the government in the war against violent extremism and terrorism.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:47:39|Editor: ying

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NAIROBI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to roll out an investor education campaign to boost the country's national savings rates, the capital markets regulator said on Friday.

Capital Market Authority (CMA) CEO Paul Muthaura told a media briefing in Nairobi that the campaign will target investors, potential issuers of securities as well as market intermediaries.

"Our aim is to ensure that capital markets become a tool of increasing Kenya's national savings rate from the current level of 17 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) to the desired level of 30 percent," Muthaura said during a meeting on the preparations to participate in the World Investor Week.

Kenya plans to join the rest of the world in celebrating the World Investor Week from Oct. 2 to 8 as one of the key initiatives of its investor education and public awareness strategy.

Muthaura said that investor education is critical as it also addresses the issue of financial exclusion and can be the best defense against market volatility and fraud.

He noted that financial literacy will also help to break the current cycle of consumerism that results in low savings rate.

The CEO remarked that the capital markets are the best source of long-term finance required to fund infrastructure projects.

The CMA also plans to introduce regulatory framework that will encourage the development of products that target low-income savers.

"We hope to tap into innovative technologies such as mobile platforms in order to increase mobilization of savings by the capital markets," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:47:39|Editor: ying

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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people were injured when a blast went off outside a private hospital in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar on Friday afternoon, local Urdu TV channel Dunya reported.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 18:52:41|Editor: ying

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MADRID, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Civil Guards have confiscated around 100 ballot boxes, along with 2.5 million voting papers and 4 million envelopes which were supposedly to be used in the Catalan independence referendum scheduled for Sunday.

The referendum has been declared illegal by the Spanish Constitutional Court which has given instructions to police to confiscate all material designated for this purpose.

The discovery took place in the town of Igualada late on Thursday night with the locality's Mayor, Marc Castells, confirming the seizure.

However, Castells informed the media that the ballot boxes that were seized were not to be used in the independence vote, but for a possible vote for a new president of FC Barcelona, which was cancelled after the failure of a censure motion against current Barca President Josep Maria Bartomeu around a month ago.

Just before midnight the Association of Civil Guards tweeted that two people had thrown "an incendiary device" against the wall of the Civil Guard barracks in Igualada.

The "incendiary device," which caused no injuries or damage to the building, was later found to be a bundle of clothes.

Thursday's seizure means that since Sept. 20 police and Civil Guards have seized over million ballot papers and 1.5 million posters promoting the referendum.

Meanwhile uncertainty still exists in the Catalan region over whether the Catalan Regional Police (Mossos d'Esquadra) should follow the instructions of the Catalan Prosecutor's Office and seal off public buildings designated to be used as polling stations.

The Mossos have been ordered to lock and seal off the buildings, such as schools, when they finish classes on Friday night. But they have indicated that they may not do this if they consider that it could cause a greater disruption of public order than it is meant to prevent.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:17:49|Editor: ying

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KABUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least one civilian was killed and six others wounded after an explosion ripped through a road in Qala-e-Fathullah neighborhood in Afghan capital of Kabul on Friday, witnesses said.

"The blast happened very close to Zaynabia Mosque at around 01:45 p.m. local time when people were leaving the building. The explosion caused a big bang and sent a thick gray smoke to rise," witness Mohammad Aman told Xinhua.

The injured where shifted to hospital with some of them suffering from deep wounds, Ismahil Kawosi, spokesman of Public Health Ministry, told local media.

The blast also damaged several cars and shops.

A police officer told Xinhua near the site that "the initial investigation found that three terrorists were involved in the attack. They disguised as shepherd and they were carrying sheep."

"The assailants did not heed police warning. One attacker detonated his suicide jacket before police shoot on them, killing himself and one of his comrades. One assailant was in police custody now," he noted.

The attack occurred as Afghan mourners were observing Ashura rituals during the holy Muslim month of Muharram.

No group has claimed responsibility but Islamic State (IS) militants mostly claim attacks on Shiite Muslim.

The security forces were on high alert to provide security during Ashura. However, two police officers and a civilian were killed and 16 people injured after a bomb attack struck a police van in Chendawal locality of Kabul on Thursday night.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:17:51|Editor: ying

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BERLIN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A continuation of the "Grand Coalition" between the German Social Democrats (SPD), and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/ Christian Social Union (CSU) would still be possible if Chancellor Angela Merkel were to step down, the departing SPD parliamentary faction leader Thomas Oppermann said on Friday.

Speaking during an appearance on the public broadcaster "ZDF", Oppermann said that while the SPD intended to return to opposition benches, Merkel's withdrawal from her long-standing role would create a "new situation."

Nevertheless, the senior SPD politician shared the widely-held view in Germany that a "Jamaica" coalition, a term describing a coalition among the CDU, CSU, Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens (Gruene) in line with their respective symbolic color, was the most likely constellation to govern the country next.

But SPD leader said his party would re-assess the situation if talks to form a new government failed.

"Our place is in the opposition," Oppermann emphasized, noting that the previous government had been "brutally" punished by voters. The SPD recorded its worst electoral outcome (20.5 percent) in German post-war history on Sunday.

Questioned about ceding his role as SPD parliamentary faction leader to former Labor Minister Andrea Nahles, Oppermann said that the office of opposition leader was "not tailored" to him.

Speaking to the newspaper "Focus" on Friday, Chancellor Angela Merkel's secretary Peter Altmaier (CDU), who is reportedly to replace Wolfgang Schaeuble as interim finance minister, warned that coalition negotiations could drag on until after Christmas.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:17:52|Editor: ying

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BERLIN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Peter Altmaier (CDU), current chief of staff to Chancellor Angela Merkel, will temporarily assume the post of German finance minister following Wolfgang Schaeuble's departure, the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported Friday.

Merkel had recently succeeded in convincing the 75-year-old Schaeuble to become president of the newly-elected federal parliament (Bundestag), according to the newspaper.

The exit of the veteran CDU politician, who is also Germany's longest-serving parliamentary delegate, was widely seen as Merkel's bargaining chip in the imminent coalition negotiations to offer the highly-desired post of finance minister to other parties.

A so-called "Jamaica" coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens (Gruene) is considered to be Germany's most likely next governing constellation.

After slumping to a historical low (20.5 percent) in Sunday's elections, the German Social Democrats (SPD) have announced their return to the opposition benches.

Schaeuble's assuming the post of parliament president was largely welcomed, as his experience will be an asset in managing the first German post-war parliament to host a right-wing populist party in the form of the newly-elected Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Schaeuble is scheduled to be officially nominated as president of the parliament on Oct. 17 when the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction holds its next meeting.
Source:Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:28:01|Editor: Mengjie

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Photo taken on Sept. 29, 2017 shows giant panda cubs at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province. A total of 10 cubs born in the base in 2017 met the public here Friday. (Xinhua/Xue Yubin)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:27:54|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Beijing on Friday released the full text of a general city plan for 2016 to 2035, setting the goal of becoming a "world-class harmonious and livable city."

The 60,000-character document consists of eight chapters on the city's strategic positioning, spatial distribution, historical protection, overall development of urban and rural areas, and regional collaboration.

The plan, submitted by the Community Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing municipal government, was approved by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Wednesday.

The two major objectives of the new plan are to remove non-capital functions and solve "big city diseases."

To realize the first goal, the document said the city should seize the opportunity of coordinated development in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei regions and optimize the capital's positioning as a national center of politics, culture, international exchanges, and scientific and technological innovation.

To address the urban diseases, the document said the size of the resident population should be brought below 23 million. Land for construction should be reduced to about 2,860 square km by 2020 and to 2,760 square km by 2035.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:32:55|Editor: ying

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MANILA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine military said on Friday that they found up to 15 bodies of Islamist extremists, firearms and unexploded explosives while clearing up a key neighborhood captured from the pro-Islamic State (IS) Maute militants in the southern city of Marawi.

The area includes the Bato mosque, a key stronghold of the Maute fighters that laid siege to the city on May 23.

The bodies were found while clearing the buildings around the Bato mosque block that extremists used as hideouts or base, according to Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, chief of the military's Western Mindanao Command.

"We have significantly cleared the whole block of Bato mosque and the different chambers wherein the bodies of the Maute members have been found," Galvez told a press conference in Marawi.

The ongoing fierce battle to recapture the city has resulted in the killings of 736 militants and 153 government security forces, according to Col. Romeo Brawner, the deputy commander of the military's Joint Task Force Ranao.

On a news conference in Marawi, Brawner also said that on the 130th day of the war the military has recovered a total of 709 high-powered firearms and 80 low-powered firearms.

He said the troops that conducted the mopping-up operation in and around the Bato mosque block also recovered at least six full sacks of coins and "assorted metal objects" that they suspect the terrorists use as shrapnel in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

"There have been instances in the past that our troops have been hit by cops," Brawner said.

Aside from the sacks of coins, Brawner said the troops also recovered 82 high-powered firearms, 62 unexploded ordnance and 20 IEDs from 36 buildings around the mosque during Thursday's clearing up operations.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte voiced hope on Thursday that troops would be able to "resolve" the conflict by the end of the month. Duterte echoed the statement of his defense secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, who said on Wednesday that the Marawi conflict may end this weekend.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:42:58|Editor: Mengjie

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By Xinhua writers Liu Wei and Luan Xiang

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- One of the world' s oldest mammal species is facing the threat of extinction, but just one small word might save it.

Just say "No" to eating, using and purchasing pangolin products, film star Jackie Chan urges people in WildAid' s latest campaign video.

The action hero known appeared all over China since last month, calling for an end to the consuming, hunting and trafficking of the endangered species.

Reflecting on the consumption of shark fin, bear bile or tiger bones based on antiquated superstitions and lamenting the disastrous consequences, the star urged the public to be aware that the toothless, timid animals are in dire need of help and protection.

In the video, he tries to teach the pangolins some martial art moves, only to find that all they know is to curl up in a ball, making themselves vulnerable to poaching.

"The pangolins cannot defend themselves. It is up to us to take action to save them," Chan says.

Jointly produced by WildAid, the Nature Conservancy and China' s Wildlife Protection Association, the video is being broadcast at home and abroad via China Xinhua News Network Corporation(CNC).

Chan hopes more people, especially children, could learn about these helpless animals and join the team to save them. "When I was a young boy, I practiced kung fu and got injured often. I was told then that using medicine made of tiger bones would cure me. Only when I grew up did I realize that it was all a lie," Chan says in the video.

"We should tell our children not to eat, use or buy pangolin products from an early age," he says. "Hopefully, future generations can still have the chance to coexist with pangolins."

The "Wildlife Protection Ambassador" told Xinhua his next movie will focus on fighting wildlife trafficking and he will almost certainly include pangolin protection in the story.

IS IT TOO LATE?

Pangolins represent 70 million years of unique evolution.

These quiet, solitary night creatures feed on ants and termites. Their bodies are covered by an armor of large, keratin scales, which, according to old wives' tales in Asia, can help new mothers produce breast milk or alleviate asthma, and their meat is consumed as a delicacy.

Although research proves pangolin scales are no different to human nails in composition and their meat is unsafe as it comes without quarantine, these animals have been slaughtered to near extinction in Asia and Africa, and their natural habitats have been gravely reduced by deforestation.

One pangolin produces a litter of one to three offspring, which are raised for about two years. With such a low breeding rate - in drastic contrast to the enormous quantities seized in international smuggling - they are now listed as one of the world' s most trafficked mammals by the World Wildlife Fund.

It is estimated that 100,000 pangolins are captured every year in Africa and Asia. As a result, all eight species of pangolin feature on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature' s red list of animals threatened with extinction.

Four Asian species are classified as critically endangered and endangered, while the four African species are also classified as vulnerable.

According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the number of pangolins in China has fallen by 90 percent over the past 21 years.

It is estimated that China might have significantly fewer pangolins than giant pandas.

In the past decade, over 1 million pangolins were illegally trafficked worldwide, the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group estimates.

In 2016, the 17th CITES Congress adopted a proposal that all eight pangolin species be elevated from Appendix II to Appendix I, banning all international trade of pangolins and their products.

China has placed the pangolins under second degree national protection and first degree national protection might be imminent.

On December 27, 2016, customs officials in Shanghai seized 3.1 tonnes of pangolin scales, equivalent to up to 7,000 dead pangolins. Earlier this year, Hong Kong customs seized 7.2 tonnes of suspected pangolin scale products, suggesting 10,000 animals.

A WIDER AIM

"A pangolin of about 3kg can protect about 250 acres of forest from termite damage," says Zhao Peng, director of the Nature Conservatory' s China Program. "To protect this endangered wildlife species is to protect the natural ecosystem." .

The protection of the wild fauna and flora constitutes a prominent part of China' s development strategy, says Li Qingwen, secretary-general of the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Since 2000, the association under the Ministry of Forestry has supported or conducted a series of scientific investigations into the pangolins' status, poaching and trafficking, providing solid foundation for government legislation and law enforcement.

The battle against wildlife poaching and smuggling has made some gratifying results, notes Peter Knights, founder and executive director of WildAid.

Since 1995, WildAid has been working with Jackie Chan to raise awareness of endangered species worldwide. Under the slogan "When the buying stops, the killing can too," it has gained international support.

In the past three years, shark fin consumption has plummeted, with China' s total shark fin imports falling by 81 percent, says Knights.

A total ban on ivory processing and sales in China will be effective from the end of the year, an initiative that has been widely praised by the international community, he says.

With more stringent legislation and law enforcement, the ivory smuggled into China last year fell by 80 percent, while in Kenya and other African countries, ivory prices on the black market fell more than 60 percent, leading to a 75-percent drop in elephant poaching.

Similarly, underground prices for rhinoceros horn are about a third of what they once were.

"This is the result of the joint efforts made by the Chinese government agencies and their partners, and we hope that such joint efforts will have the same effect in protecting the pangolins," he says.

"We are very grateful to China' s General Administration of Customs for its great contribution in combating the illegal trade of pangolins and other wild species."

He calls on all countries to strengthen legislation and to fight pangolin poaching and consumption with stronger law enforcement at international level.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:48:00|Editor: Mengjie

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HANOI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- In front of a monument with the inscription in red ink "Chinese martyrs are immortal," a group of around 30 people bowed their heads in silence here on Friday afternoon.

Dressed in black and white, the representatives from the Chinese embassy in Vietnam, Chinese enterprises, students and media, led by the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong, stepped upward in sequence to offer incenses in a memorial ceremony to mark the Chinese Martyrs' Day which falls on Sept. 30.

Here in the cemetery in Gia Lam District, some 15 km from the downtown of Hanoi, rest in peace 49 Chinese martyrs, who were military advisors of Vietnam in anti-France war, members of logistic Detachment 1, and Red River Bridge engineers.

In the shade of mango and litchi trees, the 49 graves staying in rows are all built with black granite.

Nguyen Xuan Canh, 54, a Vietnamese veteran who has served as a custodian at the cemetery for over seven years, told Xinhua that working here helped him find peace.

Canh leads a group of 15 people, all in their 40s or more, starting a day at 7:30 a.m. with sweeping and weeding the graves. Some of them are responsible for securing the cemetery.

"We try to keep the cemetery as clean as possible, all year around," Canh said, adding that regular upgrades are conducted each three to four months and a large-scale upgrade happens each three to four years to ensure the cemetery is in good condition.

Besides Chinese delegations who usually visit on occasions like Chinese Martyrs' Day and Qingming Festival, Vietnamese citizens usually come by, offering incenses and fresh flowers on the 1st and 15th day of a lunar month or on lunar holidays, said Canh.

"We also receive Vietnamese veterans who knew the Chinese martyrs during wars. When the veterans got too old, they had their sons or daughters came here to pay tribute to the Chinese comrades," Canh said.

To him, peace is "not only the quiet environment, but also the peace inside. I am happy that I can do something, on behalf of Vietnamese people, to show respect to the heroes that gave our country a helping hand," Canh said, with his eyes looking far beyond the graves.

According to the Chinese embassy in Vietnam, in the latter part of the 20th century, especially in the war against the United States invasion in the 1960s, upon the request of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people, more than 320,000 Chinese troops joined Vietnam's army in defending the country's independence and territory.

Between 1951 and 1976, 1,446 Chinese people were martyred in Vietnam.

Following the "on-site arrangements" principles consented by China and Vietnam, those martyrs were buried in 40 cemeteries in 22 provinces and cities in northern and central regions of Vietnam, according to the Chinese Embassy to Vietnam.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:53:02|Editor: Mengjie

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ATHENS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The international police organization's meeting in Beijing has promoted cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of member countries and enhanced global security, the Greek police said Friday.

The 86th General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), held from Tuesday to Friday, was attended by participants from 158 countries and regions.

The national police service of Greece told Xinhua in a statement that the meeting provided an opportunity for members to discuss law enforcement and explore ways for Interpol to play a more important role in global security.

Cooperation between Greece and China within the Interpol framework, it added, was at a "very satisfactory level." "We hope that in the following years this cooperation will be developed even more," it said.

Established in 1923, the 192-member Interpol is the world's largest intergovernmental organization facilitating international police cooperation. To crack down on crime, it has created a database of wanted persons, travel documents, vehicles and works of art as well as databases for fingerprints, DNA profiles and cyber crime.

It has also established a secure communication system to provide safe and direct communication between the member countries and the General Secretariat in Lyon, France,and fast information exchange.

Its work focuses primarily on public safety and battling terrorism, providing information and technical support in cases related to organized crimes, drug-related crimes, weapons smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, child pornography, cyber crime and corruption.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:53:03|Editor: Mengjie

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VIENNA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's envoys on Thursday praised relations between China and Austria, as well as the role Vienna is playing in the global governance.

At the reception celebrating the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Li Xiaosi the China's Ambassador to Austria said currently the Sino-Austrian relations are developing smoothly. Since the year, more than 10 leaders from China's central and local governments and parliament have paid visits to Austria. And the Austrian leaders, including former president of Austria Heinz Fischer, also visited China.

According to the estimates by China, from January to July of the year, trade volume between China and Austria reached 4.53 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 7.8 percent year-on-year.

And not long ago, the China-Austria Business Cooperation Fair was held in south China's Guangdong province, with more than 40 Austrian enterprises, associations and organizations seeking cooperative opportunities along with some 120 Chinese enterprises.

The ambassador also mentioned active and fruitful exchanges in culture, education and tourism in addition to trade.

The ambassador said that the Communist Party of China will hold its 19th National Congress on Oct. 18, which will give a clear guidance on China's efforts to build a well-off society in all-round way and deepen the socialist modernization.

China's Ambassador to UN and other international organizations in Vienna, Shi Zhongjun, said being one of the center stages of multilateral diplomacy, Vienna plays a key role in global governance.

With the world undergoing changes, the multilateral diplomacy here is becoming more active and deepened, said the ambassador.

He said China will continuously and actively play its role in Vienna multilateral affairs and the Permanent Mission is ready to strengthen consultation and cooperation with UNOV, the Vienna-based international organizations and permanent missions of member states, to promote the multilateral agenda and enlarge common interests.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:53:03|Editor: Yamei

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang (Photo source: fmprc.gov.cn)

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China commended the commitment made by the United States on resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday, calling on Washington to convert its resolve to concrete action.

Lu Kang made the remarks in response to U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton's statement at a congressional hearing Thursday.

"We are not seeking regime change or collapse. We do not seek an accelerated reunification of Korea, nor an excuse to garrison troops north of the Armistice Agreement's Military Demarcation Line," Thorton said, adding that the United States has "no desire to inflict harm on the long-suffering" people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

She said that the purpose of putting pressure on the DPRK was to bring it back to negotiations on denuclearization.

"We have noticed that relevant parties released positive signals recently on peacefully resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue via dialogue. We encourage these moves," Lu said.

"China is affirmative of the commitment and hopes the United States can convert it into concrete actions," he said, calling on the DPRK to exert joint efforts.

"We expect all relevant parties can show their sincerity to pave way for peaceful talks," Lu said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:53:04|Editor: ying

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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people were injured when a blast went off in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar on Friday afternoon, local Urdu TV channel Dunya reported.

According to the reports, the blast took place at about 3:05 p.m. local time outside a private hospital in Shinwari area of Peshawar, the capital city of the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, leaving 20 people injured.

Fifteen of the injured people were discharged after being provided with first aid on the spot while five others were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital of the city, where two of them are said to be in critical condition, said hospital sources.

A police official said that owner of the hospital and his son were also among the injured.

Some media reports said it was a remote-controlled explosion, however, police and bomb disposal have not confirmed the nature of the blast yet.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for investigation. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast yet.

Earlier in the day, law enforcement agencies seized explosives, detonators and six bombs during a search operation in Yasinabad area of the city, and also arrested two alleged terrorists.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:58:06|Editor: ying

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ALGIERS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Coast Guard had arrested 2,630 illegal Algerian migrants who attempted to reach Europe since the beginning of this year, TSA website reported on Friday.

The number of illegal migrants detained has increased quarter by quarter, with 592 for the first quarter and 795 for the second and 1,243 for the third, TSA quoted a statement from Defense Ministry released on Thursday as saying.

Coast Guard arrested them in boats at several Algerian ports planning to leave for the west and north coast of Mediterranean, including France, Italy and Spain.

The figures provided by the Algerian authorities were only a small fraction of the total number of illegal migrants and a larger number of them had managed to sneak overseas, said an anonymous social analyst.

The source said the increasing number is in parallel with the economic crisis in the North African country and the subsequent social stress.

Algeria has signed cooperation agreements with some European states in order to reduce illegal immigration. The arrested migrants will face imprisonment and financial penalty from Algerian authorities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 19:58:07|Editor: ying

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BERLIN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A former senior manager at Volkswagen has been arrested in Germany in connection with the emissions scandal, Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported Friday.

Wolfgang Hatz, former head of research and development at Volkswagen luxury brand Porsche, was taken into custody on Thursday following investigations by Munich state prosecutors.

Hatz was suspended from his role in the wake of revelations surrounding emissions cheating practices at Volkswagen, and subsequently left the company.

Prior to his last position at Porsche, he was responsible for powertrain development at the Audi and Volkswagen brands. At the time of his departure, Porsche said he had assisted with internal investigations and left the firm voluntarily. There was no indication of Hatz's complicity in illicit practices.

The former manager is the second automotive industry representative to be taken into police custody in Germany after an engineer from Audi's motor development unit was arrested in July. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed an extradition request for the Audi engineer, who has since been fired and is now trying to sue his former employer.

State prosecutors further confirmed on Thursday that investigators had conducted searches in two unspecified locations and widened the number of suspects under scrutiny.

Former or acting Audi board members are not being investigated, a spokesperson said. However, the Munich public prosecution office is still assessing whether penalties can be imposed on board members for failing to assume their supervisory duties.

Audi faces hefty fines should it be found guilty of misconduct.

Audi's mother corporation Volkswagen revealed on Friday that the firm would have to put aside a further 2.5 billion euros (2.95 billion U.S. dollars) to deal with the fallout of the "dieselgate" scandal, with the total anticipated cost rising to 25.1 billion euros.

Retro-fitting and re-call operations of affected diesel vehicles with two-liter motor types in the United States were proving "considerably lengthier and technically more complicated" than previously approved. As a consequence, Volkswagen is expecting high profit losses in the third quarter of 2017.

Volkswagen stocks fell by as much as 4 percent on Friday as traders reacted to the news. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollars)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 20:03:10|Editor: ying

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ABUJA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- About 450,000 children risk acute malnutrition in Nigeria's northeast region plagued by terror group Boko Haram's eight-year violence, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Friday.

UNICEF deputy director Justin Forsythe, who is on a three-day visit to the northeastern city of Maiduguri, told reporters there that among the 1 million children displaced by the violence, 450,000 under the age of five were expected to suffer from acute malnutrition.

Moreover, an estimated 3 million children were forced out of schools by the Boko Haram violence.

Forsythe said if continued, the violence may push the humanitarian crisis further.

"Children in the northeast are living through so much horror," he said.

The UNICEF official had visited Maiduguri, capital of the northeastern state of Borno and epicenter of Boko Haram's violence, to canvass for more support for children in the region.

According to data by the UN agency, over 2,295 teachers have been killed and 19,000 displaced since 2009 when the violence started.

"Almost 1,400 schools have been destroyed with majority unable to open because of extreme damage or because they are in areas that remain unsafe," Forsythe said.

In addition to devastating malnutrition, violence and the recent outbreak of cholera in Maiduguri, attacks on schools could create "a lost generation of children" which may affect their future and that of Nigeria, he noted.

He said UNICEF has enrolled about 750,000 children in school this year, adding that it established over 350 temporary learning spaces and is distributing 94,000 packs of learning materials to help children get an education.

He said the life-saving program introduced by the UN agency to support children in the region was underfunded with a 40-percent gap, calling on more international donor agencies to step up support.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 20:18:17|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China said Friday that it will advance bilateral ties and synergize development strategies with Mongolia.

The upbeat tone echoed Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga's congratulations to his counterpart Xi Jinping on the 68th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, which falls on Sunday.

"We have received congratulations from many world leaders, including President Battulga, and we thank them for that," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing.

"China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors, and China has always attached importance to bilateral relations," Lu said.

China will work with Mongolia to increase mutual trust while respecting each other's core interests and major concerns, synergizing development strategies, and pushing forward practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, Lu said.

President Battulga said he looks forward to the continuous development of bilateral relations, expressing appreciation for China's assistance in Mongolia's development, according to Lu.
File photo shows Somali security forces gather at a police station in Afgoye town, Somalia, Oct. 19, 2016. At least 11 people were killed and unknown number injured in an attack by Al-Shabaab militants in Afgoye, 30km south of the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

MOGADISHU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's security forces on Friday killed 18 Al-Shabaab militants who had earlier attacked a military base in Barire in southern part of the Horn of Africa nation.

The Somalia National Army (SNA) commander in the region Shegow Ahmed said six government soldiers including a senior commander were killed in the attack after a suicide bomber rammed explosive-laden vehicle in the military base.

"Al-Shabaab militants attacked our base from three directions, east, south and north and we resisted and heavy fighting broke out which lasted several hours, we killed 18 Al-Shabaab militants on the spot," Ahmed said.

"Then they attacked us with car bomb bombs. We lost six men and six others injured," Ahmed added.

The militants who claimed to have killed 17 soldiers said they overran the military camp and took away several technical vehicles, a claim denied by Ahmed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 21:03:29|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Finding a lost child in a city of 10 million people could take the human eye forever, but AI technology can do things in just two seconds.

During Spring Festival this year, 3-year-old Xuanxuan was abducted by a stranger in the city of Shenzhen in south China. Without the help of AI, Xuanxuan may never have seen his parents again.

A local police station equipped with AI system used facial recognition technology to recognize the suspect after a two-second search of live video captured on thousands of security cameras.Police officers quickly identified the suspect, captured her on a train and retrieved the lost boy.

Recognizing images each containing millions of pixels used to be mission impossible for machines. But with the advancement of AI, scientists have developed systems capable of learning. Fed enough data these systems can learn to identify images such as faces and vehicles. The more they learn, the smarter they become.

Peng Ran, chief marketing officer of IntelliFusion, a company behind the technology which aided Xuanxuan's rescue, said the impact of AI on public security was game-changing.

"The error rate of AI-powered facial recognition has been narrowed to a level lower than humans," Peng said. "It works with astonishing precision and efficiency, plus it never gets tired."

AI has made Shenzhen safer. In Longgang, Shenzhen's first district to embrace AI in public security, the crime rate is plummeting. In the first half of 2017, theft and robbery cases in the district dropped by more than half, and AI helped solve 67 percent of such crimes.

Wang Li, a 21-year-old hotel waitress in Shenzhen, usually asks her boyfriend to escort her when she goes home late at night. But she said she does not do it out of safety concerns but to test her lover's devotion.

"The city is perfectly safe," Wang said. "I've never been robbed, let alone assaulted."

Behind Shenzhen's success in bringing down crime is China's rapid advancement in AI technology. The State Council issued guidelines on developing AI in July, aiming to make AI a key economic driving force by 2020, and become a global AI innovation center by 2030.

In a recent report, investment bank Goldman Sachs said China had emerged as a major global contender in using AI to drive economic progress, and was fast catching up with the United States in AI.

Consulting Group iResearch predicts China's AI market will reach 9.1 billion U.S. dollars by 2020, with an annual growth rate of 50 percent.

Attracted by the lucrative market, tech companies are diving head first into the battlefield. At the 2017 China Intelligent Equipment and Robot Expo held September 22-24 in Guangzhou, exhibitors showcased AI products designed for security purposes,including smart locks, patrol robots and robot firefighters.

Gosuncn, an AI company based in Guangzhou, exhibited robots designed to defuse bombs, prevent fire, control crowds and spot crime.

Zhou Ke, marketing manager of the company, said their robots were well received by security companies, shopping malls and warehouses, because they could relieve humans from tedious and dangerous tasks.

"They are reliable, tireless and very smart," Zhou said.

AI may be smart, but plenty of people believe humans ultimately outsmart machines.Technology geeks claim that AI security measures can be fooled, and say they can bypass facial recognition with photos to access bank accounts.

Peng agrees that AI can be tricked, but not with people standing behind it. To counter criminal tricks, such as covering their faces, IntelliFusion is training its system to recognize clothes, body shape and even posture.

The company's AI system is also learning how people's faces change with age. Given enough training, it will be able to recognize people's faces based on their childhood pictures. Peng hopes this technology will help parents who lost their children many years ago.

Peng believes it could be ultimate solution to fighting human trafficking - a thorny problem that worries millions of parents across the nation.

"With the help of AI, no child will be lost in the future," Peng said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 21:08:31|Editor: ying

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MOSCOW, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said Friday that it has detained two Russians in Crimea on suspicion of spying for Ukraine.

The suspects, a man and a woman, collected and transmitted confidential information about the Russian Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian special services, an FSB statement said.

The FSB has launched criminal proceedings against them and an investigation is underway. If found guilty of treason, they face imprisonment for up to 20 years.

The autonomous republic of Crimea, formerly part of Ukraine, was absorbed into Russia in March 2014 following a local referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Kiev and its allies.

Since then, the FSB has published several reports on the detention of suspected Ukrainian spies or saboteurs in Crimea, but Ukraine has consistently denied such acts.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 21:08:33|Editor: ying

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HARARE, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Illegal money changers disappeared from the streets on Friday after Zimbabwe passed a law to jail offenders for up to 10 years.

The government on Thursday gazetted a Statutory Instrument that allows for the arrest and prosecution of illegal currency dealers and authorizes the police to seize the cash being transacted.

Harare's streets, especially around Eastgate Mall in the central business district and a cross-border bus terminal to the east, had become hotspots for illegal foreign currency dealers who have partly been blamed for the economic hardships the country faces, particularly the cash crisis.

While banks have been short of cash, including the surrogate bond notes, illegal cash vendors have been making brisk business in the streets selling the U.S. dollar at a premium.

However, there was general calm in the trade zone Friday as the vendors went underground, leaving their makeshift tables and chairs unattended on the pavements.

A traffic marshal at Eastgate Mall said they were scared of being imprisoned, while a worker in one of the nearby shops said "they are still around".

"They are simply going to use cell phones to communicate with their clients and will just stop flashing the money in public," she said.

The new regulations also impose several other penalties including the freezing of funds, if the illegal deals are conducted through banks, while the courts may impose fines three times the value of the currency confiscated.

Prior to the new regulations, the Banking Act only allowed the central bank to impose penalties on offenders.
Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Qin Jian (R) and Nurto Mohamed Addow, Bondhere Orphanage School manager stand next to a vehicle donated by China during a donation ceremony in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia Sept. 23, 2017. China on Saturday made donations worth 36,500 U.S. dollars to an orphanage school in Bodhere district of Mogadishu, officials said. The donations included beds, chairs, foods, computers, office supplies and other equipments. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

NAIROBI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will strongly support the Horn of Africa nation's peace and reconstruction process as part of the bilateral pact between the two countries, said Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Qian Jian.

Qian said Beijing had made positive contribution to Somalia in various fields including economic and social development to assist the country in acquiring political stability.

"The Chinese government has built over 80 infrastructural projects like hospitals, stadiums and roads to ease the burden of the Somali people. We have dispatched a medical team of more than 400 members in 13 batches to the country since 1991," the envoy said in Nairobi during celebrations to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Qin Jian speaks during the hand-over ceremony of rice assistance from China, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Aug. 1, 2017. The World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday held a hand-over ceremony in Mogadishu to welcome the arrival of more than 2,800 tonnes of rice assistance into the drought-hit country from China. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)

Qian told the guests, among whom were top government officials and diplomats, that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party, China had over the last 68 years achieved what it would take other countries centuries to attain.

In 2016, China's gross domestic product (GDP) hit about 11 trillion U.S. dollars and per capita GDP stood at 8,000 dollars, he said, noting that China is the second largest economy in the world.

Speaker of the House of People, Mohamed Osman Jawari, congratulated the Chinese government on the occasion and shared his country's best wishes to the Far East nation.

"Relations between Somalia and China commenced in 1960 after we attained independence, and ever since we signed our first official trade agreement in 1963, the Somali people have been beneficiaries of Chinese benevolence in the areas of maternal and child care as well as other infrastructural largess," Jawari said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 21:28:40|Editor: ying

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Berlin, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The number of unemployed Germans has fallen to the lowest level in 26 years, official data released Friday by the Federal Labor Office show.

According to the figures, 2.45 million individuals were currently registered as unemployed which marked a historical low last seen in 1991.

The labor market continued to enjoy a "very positive" development, Federal Labor Office director Detlef Scheele said in a statement.

Scheele noted that most new job creation came from parts of the economy which were relatively resilient to cyclical up- and downswings such as social- and health services, but also the more volatile trade, transport and logistics sectors.

There was an unusually high seasonal fall in the unemployment numbers after the summer holidays, with 96,000 more Germans in work in September than August.

The official unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent in September. It was thus lower by 0.2 percentage points or 159,000 individuals compared with the same month last year.

The Federal Labor Office expects unemployment to fall again in 2018, albeit more slowly as growing numbers of refugees completed their German language courses and officially registered themselves as jobless.

Scheele further voiced optimism that the positive trend would endure. The situation was "remarkably good" looking forward. However, he called on the next German government to show more initiative in reintegrating people who involuntarily found themselves in long-term unemployment.

Despite the positive headline figures, Left party (Linke) politician Sabine Zimmerman accused the departing government of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) of leaving behind a dysfunctional labor market with "millions of people who have to live in precarious conditions."
A Russian diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar sails upon its arrival afer taking part in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Crimea, August 9, 2017. (REUTERS PHOTO)

MOSCOW, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said Friday that it has detained two Russians in Crimea on suspicion of spying for Ukraine.

The suspects, a man and a woman, collected and transmitted confidential information about the Russian Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian special services, an FSB statement said.

The FSB has launched criminal proceedings against them and an investigation is underway. If found guilty of treason, they face imprisonment for up to 20 years.

The autonomous republic of Crimea, formerly part of Ukraine, was absorbed into Russia in March 2014 following a local referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Kiev and its allies.

Since then, the FSB has published several reports on the detention of suspected Ukrainian spies or saboteurs in Crimea, but Ukraine has consistently denied such acts.
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Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 21:58:49|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Beijing Friday released the full text of a general city plan for 2016 to 2035, setting the goal of becoming a "world-class harmonious and livable city."

The 60,000-character document consists of eight chapters on the city's strategic positioning, spatial distribution, historical protection, overall development of urban and rural areas, and regional collaboration.

The plan, submitted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing municipal government, was approved by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council Wednesday.

The two major objectives for the plan are to remove non-capital functions and solve "big city diseases."

To realize the first goal, the document said the city should seize the opportunity of coordinated development in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei regions and optimize the capital's positioning as a national center of politics, culture, international exchanges, and scientific and technological innovation.

To address the urban diseases, the document said the residential population should be brought below 23 million. Land for construction should be reduced to about 2,860 square km by 2020 and to 2,760 square km by 2035.

The plan also specifies the targets for smog control, with PM 2.5 density intended to decrease from the current levels of 80.6 micrograms to 56 micrograms per cubic meter of air by 2020, and air quality ultimately improved by 2035.

To realize the targets, the plan says Beijing will ban coal-firing furnaces by 2020, and forbid coal use by 2035.

New energy and renewable energy will account for over 8 percent of total energy consumption by 2020 and 20 percent by 2035. The current share of new energy and renewable energy consumption is 6.6 percent.

The city's green area will grow from 41.6 percent to 44 percent by 2020, and no lower than 45 percent by 2035.

Objectives are also set in aspects of water sources, soil pollution control and garbage processing, according to the plan.

Qian Yi, an environmentalist with Tsinghua University, said the plan has demonstrated the guideline of the 18th CPC National Congress in strengthening ecological construction.

"By integrating ecological development into China's political, economical, cultural and social construction, I believe Beijing will become a city of great ecology, and lead the country to be built into a 'beautiful China'," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 22:03:51|Editor: ying

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GENEVA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A number of countries expressed concern during the three-week UN Human Rights Council session which closed here Friday about what they called a world-wide rise in racism and related intolerance.

Calling for compliance with and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), the speakers said the declaration was the international community's best bulwark against racism, and the only means to combat it at a global level.

Russia cited the recent demonstrations in Charlottesville, United States, and mentioned the worsening situation in the European Union (EU) with the phobia of migrants.

Venezuela, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, reaffirmed the importance of the DDPA and its outcome document, which it said represented a cornerstone in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

It added that various types of racism and other negative stereotypes on the basis of religion or belief continued to increase the world over, and that states should adopt effective measures to combat this.

On behalf of the African group, Tunisia raised concern at the resurgent manifestations of racism.

Brazil remained deeply concerned that the issue continued to manifest in the form of inequality and disadvantage towards people of African descent.

For China, the DDPA was a "milestone document" of the international community in its fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

In some countries, China said, racism was still very serious, with neo-Nazi forces on the rise.

"Some media disseminated hate speech, causing increased confrontation among different ethnic groups," said China, adding that refugees and migrants were also marginalized in social life, and police violence could be seen against ethnic minorities.
Hungarian police officers stand guard as illegal migrants get on buses after entering Hungary at the border with Serbia near Roszke, Hungary, on Sept. 14, 2015. (Xinhua/Attila Volgyi)

BUDAPEST, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Just three weeks after having lost a legal battle against the European Union's (EU) migrant relocation scheme at the European Court of Justice, Hungary said no to the next similar plan of the EU here on Thursday.

"The relocation system of the EU has failed," Janos Lazar, Hungarian Minister of Prime Minister's office told reporters. "By September 26, out of the 98,255 migrants concerned by the compulsory relocation plan, only 29,144 have been adopted within the European Union, which means that the institutional system of common migration is doomed to failure."

Lazar spoke about the so-called compulsory quota system of relocation of migrants, the deadline of which was Sept. 26.

Hungary and Slovakia had launched a legal case at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the scheme adopted in 2015, but have lost their case. On Sept. 6, the ECJ dismissed the legal action launched by Slovakia and Hungary against the compulsory relocation scheme of migrants, in order to lift some of the burden from fellow EU members Italy and Greece, who were hit the strongest by the influx of migrants seeking a better life in the EU.

This time, the last scheme of Brussels is not compulsory, but voluntary, and concerns some 50,000 refugees.

"It is obvious that this also concerns the new Brussels system, this time based on volunteering, to relocate 50,000 people. It is incomprehensible why Brussels is trying to continue in this direction?" Lazar wondered.

"The defense of borders must remain within the authority of nation-states, hence Hungary is not going to participate in the common migration policy and of course will not take anyone under this regime," he underlined.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 22:18:56|Editor: ying

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NAIROBI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Scientists on Friday called on Eastern and Southern African countries to consider funding spatial science uptake at universities to create awareness on climate change and extreme weather events.

Shuaib Lwasa from Uganda's Makarere University's Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences said in Nairobi that spatial science is capable of informing governments of problems such as outbreaks of diseases.

"The government should reconsider supporting spatial science alongside health and agriculture in an effort to solving problems and improving the living standards of the citizens," Lwasa said at the international conference on spatial science in Nairobi.

Lwasa also noted that spatial science is capable of adding substantial number of new jobs to the economy.

Galcano Mulaku from the Department of Geospatial and Space Technology at the University of Nairobi (UoN) warned that universities in the region may become irrelevant if they fail to link their research activities with the communities.

He told university heads to ensure that their colleges offer courses that meet the needs of communities since developing countries are not taking cutting-edge sciences.

"Let's collaborate with other partners to help us equip and fund our institutions to offer better training needs for the younger generation," he added.

Delegates at the conference called for an increased awareness of the technologies at policy level and also for identification of gaps that hinder institutions to utilize the products and services.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (C), accompanied by New York University (NYU) President Andrew Hamilton (1st L), visits the production presentation during the China-U.S. Young Maker Summit in NYU, New York, the United States, on Sept. 25, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States on Thursday vowed to push for renewal of their wide-ranging ties in scientific and technological cooperation, as part of efforts to advance social and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The agreement was reflected in an action plan of the first China-U.S. Social and People-to-People Dialogue, co-chaired here by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The scientific and technological cooperation between the two partners dated back to 1979 when they signed the China-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (S&T Agreement), under which the two countries have since reached nearly 50 inter-agency agreements and jointly supported thousands of cooperative programs.

The cooperation in terms of science and technology have benefited researchers and governmental agencies of both countries as they have been able to share with each other research data, resources, equipment and expertise of their own.

The action plan said China and the United States are committed to concertedly pushing forward the renewal of the S&T Agreement, while strengthening joint scientific research, exploiting ways for province-state cooperation on technological innovation, and promoting dialogue and cooperation between scientific and technological personnel of both countries.

Besides, the two countries, added the action plan, will conduct exchange and dialogue in terms of cooperation mechanism and policy between scientific and technological agencies, encourage businesses of both sides to cooperate in areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, and move forward cooperation between technology-driven think tanks.

China and the United States held their first Social and People-to-People Dialogue on Thursday in Washington D.C. It is one of the four high-level dialogue mechanisms established during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 22:44:04|Editor: yan

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GENEVA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency UNHCR said here Friday that the latest estimate of the number of Rohingya who have arrived in neighbouring Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar has crossed the half-million mark, at 501,000 as of Thursday.

UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic told a press briefing here Friday that UNHCR this week started distributing plastic sheeting and essential relief items to refugees at the entry points to refugee settlements in Bangladesh.

He added that based on recent surveys on both sides of the border, UNHCR nutrition experts estimate that almost one in five of the new arrivals are suffering from acute malnutrition.

"UNHCR is working with partner Action Against Hunger to provide warm meals there," Mahecic said, adding that many private donors had also conducted ad hoc food distributions in the camps.

The Rohingya, a primarily Muslim ethnic minority, are denied citizenship under a 1982 Myanmar citizenship law. The Myanmar government recognizes them as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh.

A crackdown by Myanmar's army, launched in response to attacks by Rohingya militants on Aug. 25, has pushed vast numbers of refugees from the stateless Muslim minority across the border with Bangladesh. The violence has created a humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 22:44:05|Editor: yan

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Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. Sept. 28, 2017. The first China-U.S. Social and People-to-People Dialogue was held on Thursday in Washington. The event was co-chaired by Liu Yandong and Rex Tillerson. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese and U.S. officials wrapped up the First China-U.S. Social, People-to-People Dialogue here Thursday with substantial outcomes.

The one-day dialogue, co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, is one of the four high-level talks agreed upon during the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, in April.

Liu said under the new circumstances, strengthening people-to-people exchanges is vital to the sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

The two sides should implement the consensus reached by the leaders, raising people-to-people exchanges and cooperation to a new level so as to lay a firm social foundation for the development of bilateral relations, she added.

The first round of the China-U.S. Social and People-to-People Dialogue concluded with a joint statement and more than 130 outcomes, including an action plan.

Both countries pledged to boost cultural exchanges to enhance people-to-people ties.

The joint statement said both are committed to supporting the establishment of long-term communication and cooperation between their cultural organizations.

China and the United States will help promote bilateral cooperation between public cultural industries, as well as exchange visits among high-level cultural groups.

The statement said exchanges and cooperation at local levels are one of the most active and robust areas in China-U.S. relations, indicating that the commonalities between the two far outweigh their differences.

Local-level exchanges cover a wide range of areas, including education, science and technology, environmental protection, as well as culture and healthcare.

Both countries also agreed to team up to beef up health care and safety in their respective countries and the world at large.

Both will take into account the proposals of the Belt and Road Initiative to deepen cooperation for safety, progress and innovation in health matters and commit themselves to building a community of shared destiny where health matters are concerned.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, comprises the overland Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which are reviving and expanding ancient silk trade routes for greater connectivity and trade between Asia, Europe and Africa.

China and the U.S. have agreed to launch cooperative programs to prevent and control such major communicable diseases as AIDS, promote exchanges and dialogue between health personnel at various levels, and boost health research on such non-infectious diseases as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as well as cancer.

They also agreed to help establish a public health system in African countries in the post-Ebola era, deepening their cooperation to train health personnel in Africa and strengthening the continent's ability to prevent and control diseases. The two countries will jointly carry out public health programs, including vaccinations against hepatitis B for newborns in Sierra Leone.

China and the United States will also promote two-way overseas study and enhance bilateral exchanges among educational institutions and scholars.

They will adopt a "double 100,000" two-way overseas study plan, which will allow China to send 100,000 government-sponsored people to study in the United States and permit 100,000 U.S. students to study in China in the next four years.

Besides, China will provide 10,000 scholarships in the coming four years to encourage excellent U.S. students to study in China on a short-term basis.

The United States will continue to implement the Fulbright scholarship program, a U.S. flagship academic exchange program.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 23:04:13|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for a profound understanding of Marxism and vigorous promotion of the sinicization of Marxism.

Xi made the remarks Friday afternoon at a group study session attended by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

He said that Marxism has shown great strength and vitality as a truth, and still serves an irreplaceable role in helping people understanding and transforming the world, as well as promoting social progress.

Xi stressed that though times are changing and society is developing, the basic tenets of Marxism remain true.

"If we deviate from or abandon Marxism, our Party would lose its soul and direction," Xi said. "On the fundamental issue of upholding the guiding role of Marxism, we must maintain unswerving resolve, never wavering at any time or under any circumstances."

China has experienced profound changes since the founding of the People's Republic of China especially after China's reform and opening up.

Therefore, the Chinese people are more qualified and capable of revealing the historical experience and rules of development existent in the process, and making original contributions to the development of Marxism, according to Xi.

Xi said the CPC should better integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with the reality of contemporary China and learn from the achievements of other civilizations to create and develop Marxism.

Xi also asked Party members to study contemporary capitalism, its essence and patterns.

The CPC must continuously develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, continuously enhance China's comprehensive national strength and fully demonstrate the advantages of China's socialist system, said Xi.

Recalling the CPC's history, Xi noted that the use of scientific theories is of key importance to the Party's success and called for continued efforts in applying the latest development of sinicized Marxism.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 23:04:14|Editor: yan

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URUMQI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A new China-Europe rail-sea cargo transport route was launched Friday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The first train carrying Chinese goods left Urumqi Friday, bound for the Port of Riga in Latvia, via Kazakhstan and Russia. The goods will then be transported to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, by sea.

The new rail-sea route will shorten the distance by more than 1,000 kilometers and cut the transportation time from more than 20 days to just 14 days, said Liu Changlin, general manager of an international logistics company in Xinjiang.

The new route was launched under cooperation between China and Kazakhstan to further reduce logistics costs.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 23:04:15|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A 2,000-km quantum communication line was opened between Beijing and Shanghai on Friday.

The line is the world's first trunk line for secure quantum telecommunications. Known as the Jing-Hu, or Beijing-Shanghai, Trunk Line, it connects Beijing, Jinan, Hefei and Shanghai.

The line is connected to the world's first quantum satellite, which was launched by China in August last year, through a station in Beijing. The satellite is nicknamed "Micius," after a fifth century B.C. Chinese philosopher and scientist who has been credited as the first person to conduct optical experiments.

Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), talked with staff in Hefei, Jinan, Shanghai and the Urumqi ground station on Friday afternoon.

He also had a video call with Austrian quantum physicist Anton Zeilinger, through the satellite.

Zeilinger expressed congratulations on the achievements by Chinese scientists in the field of quantum communication.

Quantum communications have ultra-high security. It is impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through them.

Chinese businesses, including the Bank of Communications, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Alibaba have used the network.

"The tests today for long-distance and multi-station communication show that our network is stable, compatible and good for practical use," said Pan Jianwei, lead scientist of the line.

"In the future, quantum communication will be applied in fields of finance, political affairs and national defense. We will build a whole industry chain and eventually build a truly secure quantum internet," said Pan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 23:09:19|Editor: yan

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ISTANBUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on Friday that all flights from Turkey to Erbil and Suleymaniyah in the Iraqi Kurdish region are set to be halted indefinitely as of 18:00 local time.

"We will not travel to Suleymaniyah and Erbil in accordance with the decision taken by the civil aviation authority of the Iraq central government," the premier said in Canakkale in northwestern Turkey.

"Our measures are not limited to this," he added, vowing to take more step by step in response to the vote on independence by the Iraqi Kurdish region on Monday despite vehement opposition from Turkey and other countries.

He offered to send private planes to pick up Turkish citizens stranded in the two cities in the Iraqi Kurdish region.

Ankara has threatened economic sanctions and a military response to punish the Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq for pressing ahead with the referendum, in which 92.73 percent of the voters voiced support for the independence bid.

Turkey responded on Tuesday by barring the Iraq Kurdish region's representative from returning on top of suspending three Iraqi Kurdish TV channels.

As a country with a large Kurdish population, Turkey fears that the move by Iraqi Kurds may fuel separatism at home, as Ankara has been fighting against a Kurdish insurgency for more than 30 years.

Iran and other regional countries have come up with their own countermeasures against the Iraqi Kurdish region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 23:44:29|Editor: yan

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LANZHOU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A major railway line connecting Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, with the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing was put into operation on Friday.

At 8:38 a.m., the K4515 train departed from Chongqing heading to Lanzhou. Some 31 minutes later, the K4518 train left Lanzhou for Chongqing.

It took nine years to build the Lanzhou-Chongqing railway line, which has a total length of 886 kilometers.

Trains on the line, which runs through Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, stop at 15 stations.

Travel time between Lanzhou and Chongqing is expected to be cut from 20 hours to around 12 hours, with trains taking just 11 hours to travel between Lanzhou and Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.

The railway line runs through some of the most complex mountainous terrain conditions, said Zhen Bingguo from China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group.

The first international cargo train also left Lanzhou Friday, traveling via the new railway line then continuing to arrive at south China's Guangxi Qinzhou Free Trade Port, from which the cargo will be sent to Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.

A total of 30 cargo trains will make the journey between the two cities during the initial operation stage, carrying 60 million tonnes of goods each year. The travel time for cargo trains will be cut from 2.5 days to just one day.

The first domestic cargo train traveled from Chongqing to Lanzhou on Friday carrying 290 vehicles produced in Chongqing.

Chongqing is the largest car production base in China and the railway will save about 300 yuan (45 U.S. dollars) per car transported to Lanzhou, said Kong Xiangning, general manager of Chongqing Zhongji Automobile Logistics Company.

The Lanzhou-Chongqing railway line runs through 13 national-level and four provincial-level poverty-stricken counties and will play a crucial role in the development of these regions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 23:49:33|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The 86th International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) General Assembly has voted to admit the State of Palestine and the Solomon Islands as new member countries, according to a press release Friday.

The General Assembly ended in Beijing Friday with good results after the four-day meeting, the release said.

Participants discussed plans regarding fighting global security threats and terrorism, exchanged experience on cyber crime and new types of crime.

The conference approved a position paper on global security and resolutions including the criteria for new countries applying for membership and the term of the Interpol Secretary General. Delegates also elected new members to the organization's executive committee.

Chinese State Councilor and Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun attended the closing ceremony of the conference, and expressed China's willingness for closer, more pragmatic and efficient cooperation with Interpol.

China handed the Interpol flag to the United Arab Emirates, who will host the 87th Interpol General Assembly in Dubai in November 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-29 23:59:38|Editor: ying

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Abdul Rahman (C), Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance, and Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Yang Jian (R) cut a cake at a reception celebrating the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei, on Sept. 29, 2017. China and Brunei are committed to further expanding and deepening their bilateral relations in various fields, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Yang Jian said at the reception on Friday. (Xinhua/Jeffrey Wong)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China and Brunei are committed to further expanding and deepening their bilateral relations in various fields, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Yang Jian said here on Friday.

The Chinese ambassador made the remarks at a reception marking the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on Sunday.

"The friendship between China and Brunei is very old and also full of new energy," Yang said, noting that the two countries have established strategic cooperative ties.

With the care of the leaders of the two countries and the joint efforts of the two peoples, Yang said, the cooperation between China and Brunei will achieve more outstanding results.

The reception was attended by Abdul Rahman, Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance; Mohd Tawih, commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; foreign diplomats and representatives of Chinese companies in Brunei.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 00:09:45|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Friday ordered more than half of the staff at the U.S. embassy in Havana to leave and warned against travels to Cuba, following mysterious "incidents" that caused health problems for American diplomats, U.S. media reported.

The U.S. embassy in Havana will continue to operate with a reduced staff. It will stop processing visas indefinitely, according to U.S. media reports.

The move came after U.S. authorities confirmed last month that at least 21 Americans working at the embassy in Havana had suffered physical debilitations.

No details of the injuries have been released, but media reports said the affected Americans incurred severe hearing loss and at least one victim suffered some "brain damage".

The move will deal a blow to the delicate ties between the U.S. and Cuba. The former Cold War rivals resumed their diplomatic relations in July 2015 after more than five decades of hostility.

U.S. President Donald Trump in July announced new restrictions on U.S. leisure travel to Cuba and U.S. business with Cuban military, in a move to cancel what he called his predecessor Barack Obama's "one-sided deal" with Cuba.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez to discuss the incidents. It was the highest-level diplomatic contact between the two countries since Trump became U.S. president in January.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said the two top diplomats had a "firm and frank" discussion of U.S. concerns for its employees.

"The secretary conveyed the gravity of the situation and underscored the Cuban authorities' obligations to protect embassy staff and their families under the Vienna Convention," she said.

The United States expelled two Cuban diplomats in late May over the incidents. Cuba said it was investigating the incidents.

"Cuba has never, nor would it ever, allow the Cuban territory to be used for any action against accredited diplomatic agents or their families," the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 00:19:48|Editor: yan

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TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Nissan Motor Co. said on Friday that it has suspended the selling of some 60,000 new cars due to problematic safety inspection process.

The automaker said it would redo the safety inspections of the cars because their safety inspections were conducted by uncertified personnel.

Some 21 models manufactured in six factories in Japan were involved in the selling suspension, including the Note, Cube, CT-R, March, Skyline, and Leaf electric car, among others.

The issue was first brought into light following an on-site inspection by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on Sept. 18, said local reports.

It was found that Nissan had "assistant inspectors," instead of certified regular inspectors, do the safety check before the cars leave the factories.

The ministry has directed Nissan to redo the inspections and asked other automakers to review their operations and watch out for similar problems.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 00:24:50|Editor: yan

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ANKARA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Ankara on Thursday focused on a strategic nuclear joint project, according to a local expert.

Issues around the Russia-financed Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and the planned Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey were on top of the agenda during Erdogan's talks with Putin, Aydin Sezer, head of the Turkish-Russian Research Center, told Xinhua.

"We expect to build and launch Unit One of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant within a shorter timeframe," Putin said at a press conference Thursday after his meeting with Erdogan.

"The Turkish side has not taken required steps in terms of financial and approval issues for a 22.5-billion-U.S.-dollar project after seven years. The Russian side is very much concerned about this. They have brought nearly 3 billion dollars of direct investment to Turkey for the project in 2015," said Sezer.

Turkey's atomic energy authority has not given building permits for the Akkuyu project since March when Russians applied to the authority, he explained.

Turkey has been slow to grant almost all the necessary permissions for the power plant, the expert added.

Turkey's financial responsibility for the project is another major concern for Russia, especially after the majority shareholder Rosatom, a state atomic energy corporation in Russia, signed a deal with the Turkish Cengiz-Kolin-Kalyon consortium in June to sell its 49 percent stake to the latter, which amounts to nearly 9.5 billion dollars. The final investor agreement will be signed by the end of the year.

However, Russia suddenly demanded an audit for the credibility of the Turkish companies in early September.

Putin likely discussed the financing capabilities of these companies with Erdogan, Sezer said.

The Akkuyu nuclear station, near Turkey's southern Mediterranean coast of Mersin, is to be built in cooperation with Rosatom under a contract signed in 2010. The station will have four 1,200-megawatt Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER) units with the first expected to come online in 2023.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 01:05:00|Editor: yan

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THE HAGUE, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Amsterdam-based mapping firm HERE Technologies told Xinhua on Friday that U.S. authorities' disapproval of Chinese investors' bid to buy a minority of its stake is "disappointing" and HERE will pursue commercial collaborations with its Chinese partners.

"While it is of course disappointing not to be able to welcome Tencent and NavInfo as shareholders, we are nonetheless excited to be pursuing our commercial collaborations with these two leading companies. China is one of the most exciting markets in the world and we look forward to serving Chinese customers in the years ahead," said HERE spokesman James Etheridge.

Earlier this week, HERE announced that Chinese digital map provider NavInfo, Chinese Internet provider Tencent and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC are no longer pursuing a transaction previously announced in last December.

Under that deal, the three Asian investors would jointly acquire a 10-percent stake from HERE's indirect shareholders -- AUDI AG, BMW Group and Daimler AG.

"The decision follows a regulatory review process during which the parties determined there was no practicable path to receiving the necessary approval for the transaction to proceed," said HERE in its press release.

CFIUS, or the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, withheld approval of the deal after a two-phase review that lasted five months, according to NavInfo.

"We of course respect the regulatory review process," said Etheridge. CFIUS is a multi-agency panel authorized to review national security implications of acquisitions of any U.S. business by a foreign person. Its "black box" reviews are confidential and the reasons supporting any approval or disapproval are not released.

HERE develops detailed three-dimensional maps for location-based services and self-driving vehicles. It has more than 200 offices in over 55 countries and regions, including 24 in the United States.

In January 2016, CFIUS blocked the Dutch company Philips'plan to sell its lighting businesses to Asian buyers. Philips has divisions based in California. Philips CEO Frans van Houten said he was "very disappointed about this outcome as this was a very good deal" for both Philips and the buyers.

Earlier in September, U.S. President Donald Trump blocked a Chinese firm from buying an American chipmaker. China's Ministry of Commerce commented that conducting security checks on foreign investments in sensitive sectors is a nation's legitimate right, but it should not be used as a tool for protectionism.

When the deal with Chinese buyers was blocked, HERE announced that it still has the intention to welcome new investors beyond Audi, BMW, Daimler, Intel and Pioneer in the future.

"We do anticipate bringing in other investors in the coming months. It remains the intention for Audi, BMW and Daimler to reduce their combined holding from about 84 percent to below 50 percent in the long-term," Etheridge told Xinhua.

The spokesman also confirmed that HERE keeps expanding into China. "Our joint venture with NavInfo is operational, which means we can start integrating China mapping coverage into our products and services," he said.

"For example, with China map coverage, our HERE Auto SDK product will become even more useful for global automakers who are selling their cars in China. We are working together with NavInfo to enable a robust digital mapping infrastructure for autonomous cars."

China internet giant Tencent is exploring the use of mapping and location platform services from HERE in its own products and services both in China and internationally. "With Tencent, our exploration work continues," said Etheridge.
By Ru Ge

How do two countries which (on the surface) are so different in terms of society and culture, find common ground? How can they exchange ideas and values in a constructive way? These are exactly the questions posed at a high-level seminar between China and Denmark entitled "Play, Creativity and Social Values," which took place at Tsinghua University on September 24, 2017.

It was attended by world-renowned scholars, high-ranking officials and successful entrepreneurs from both countries. On the recommendation of my tutor, Prof. Zhang Xihua, I attended the seminar on behalf of the Center of Denmark Studies at Beijing International Studies University.

I was given the opportunity because I had just finished a half-year-program as an exchange student in Copenhagen University, and have published a dozen articles on life in Denmark in international news outlets.

I was thrilled to see Crown Prince Frederik at the seminar, where he launched the TULLL Fellowship together with Prof. Yang Bin, Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University, and John Goodwin, CEO of the LEGO Foundation. He also granted scholarships to academically gifted students.

In addition to this, I was also very honored to listen to a presentation by Prof. Christian Byrge from University of Aalborg, a specialist in creativity research. In his opinion, the ability to be creative can be cultivated by deliberate practice. To demonstrate his opinion, he showed three pictures to the audience. In the first picture, a car is covered by a few pieces of cardboard, and it is impossible to see through the windows what is inside. In the second picture, a woman is cutting onions on a cutting board in a subway car and the passengers close to her look very offended and cover their nose. In the third picture, an iron box with the word "life jackets" on the front is kept closed by a huge lock.

"These three pictures don't make sense at the first glance but if we consider them carefully there are some reasonable justifications for the pictures," Byrge said. He asked us to use the shortest possible time to come up with as many explanations of each picture as we could.

According to Byrge, this sort of exercise is really helpful to improve the flexibility of the mind and improve creativity. I really connected with this mindset, because in my understanding, if one often tries to think out of the box and contrives new ideas, one will gradually become more flexible and creative.

So when faced with various challenging situations, one will definitively react more quickly and calmly with constructive solutions from different angles. So one should not be pessimistic about one's lack of creativity or innovation, because all of these can be acquired by deliberate practice and hard work.

Prof. Byrge's presentation was very enlightening and inspiring, and I learned a lot from his speech. He also gave us more faith in innovation and development here in China by showing us a bar chart that depicts the rapid improvement of Chinese industry's creativity.

Following Prof. Byrge's presentation was the speech of Bo Stjerne Thomsen, the head of the LEGO Foundation. He asked us to take out a few pieces of small LEGO bricks which were sealed in a plastic bag assigned to each audience member before the seminar started. Then he gave us 40 seconds to assemble these pieces and make a toy duck. I was surprised to see that after 40 seconds, the LEGO duck each person made was very different from others' versions, although the same six pieces of bricks were given as raw materials. The different ducks that were made illustrated a crucial point. Given the same raw materials and the same amount of time, different people will still come up with a different end product.

After the seminar ended, I spoke to Anette Aarestrup, an official with the Danish Embassy in Beijing.

She says that collaboration between China and Denmark is not only crucial, but also provides an opportunity for the peoples of each country to learn from each other.

"I think it's extremely important that we strengthen collaboration within education and research. Take me as an example. I came here when I was 23 years old studying Chinese. China has always been part of me, through all these years. So not only for academic achievement but also for forming personality and understanding between our respective cultures, it is extremely important to have these exchanges. Of course we can learn from each other. Today the topic has been how to introduce more creativity. There are surely a lot of things that we can develop together," Aarestrup said.

Aarestrup asked me if I would go back to Denmark. I said that I would, to seek a job after I graduate.

In that shared moment, the real potential of China-Denmark exchanges was made clear to both of us. There are undeniable cultural differences, but by sharing our experiences and learning form each other, we can bridge those divides and bring our peoples closer together.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 02:25:23|Editor: yan

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NAIROBI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Land degradation is to blame for food insecurity in Eastern Africa region, a Kenyan scientist said on Friday.

Eunice Wangui, a senior Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technician at the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), African think tank on space science, said a study being done using satellite data reveals that unsustainable human activities are driving land degradation.

"Demands on land for economic development and pressures from increasing population are leading to unprecedented land use change that in turn leads to food insecurity," she told delegates attending a space science conference in Nairobi.

Wangui said that RCMRD did a land degradation assessment in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Somali, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan Eritrea, Rwanda and Burundi, and found that Ethiopia, Kenya and Burundi are badly affected.

She called for land reclamation strategies in the three countries and the region in general, especially within the wetland areas that are badly affected by human encroachment.

"This problem is to blame for a loss in land productivity with impacts on livelihoods and the economy," Wangui added.

She disclosed that RCMRD has shared the maps generated with various relevant government agencies in the Eastern Africa region to enable them to make evidence-based decisions related to national and regional ecosystem planning.

The RCMRD findings that have been generated since the study started in 2013 are currently helping support policy review and harmonization on land development in the region.

The region that has a population of 230 million people has been facing food insecurity and drought occasionally.

Unsustainable human activities that take place in already fragile areas and that are aggravated by natural disturbances such as drought or flooding lead to land degradation and thereafter desertification.

"We need to enhance the use of earth observation data for improved decision making on sustainable natural resource management," she noted.

The Eastern Africa region's economic mainstay is agriculture, both livestock and crop production, which provides the basis for food supplies and export earnings, as well as employment for over 80 percent of the population.

The agricultural sector (in its broadest sense) has a significant contribution to make to the economic development of the region, generating nearly 70 percent of export earnings.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 02:40:27|Editor: yan

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TIRANA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Some three months after Albania's general elections of June 25, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) released Friday its final report with recommendations which were welcomed by Albania's central elections body (CEC).

Speaking at a press conference, head of elections body Klement Zguri said: "The OSCE report states CEC managed to deliver its tasks and praises our transparency."

Zguri said the report was not an award for any of the political players in Albania, considering it a guideline for future elections.

"The CEC will seriously consider any feedback as a priority of its agenda, in order to analyze the problems faced during the electoral process and to draft a package of proposals to find efficient solutions," he said.

In the OSCE report, vote buying, campaign financing and media coverage were identified as the main election problems.

Meanwhile, establishment of a task force following the May 18 agreement between Edi Rama and Lulzim Basha was positively seen by observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The ODIHR mission prepared 23 recommendations, mostly related to the electoral reform currently being discussed by political parties here.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 03:30:43|Editor: yan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania on Friday awarded a 1.92 billion U.S. dollars contract to a Turkish firm to construct a 336-kilometer standard gauge railway (SGR) line from Morogoro to Makutupora in the east African nation's political capital Dodoma.

State-run Reli Assets Holding Company Ltd (RAHCO) that oversees the construction of the SGR said the Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi Insaat VE Sanayi As was the appointed contractor on the project and will design and construct the high-speed electric railway line.

Yapi Merkezi, a privately-owned Turkish contracting company, specializes in rail engineering, design, manufacture and construction.

"Fifteen contractors bought bid documents, but after careful assessment of the bids, Yapi Merkezi met both the technical and financial requirements," RAHCO said in a statement.

"The new railway line will have a capacity of transporting 17 million tonnes of cargo each year, with a 35 tonne axle load capacity. It will be used by electric trains moving at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour," added the statement.

Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Istanbul, Yapi Merkezi has also recently won similar big rail construction deals in Ethiopia.

The Tanzanian government wants the new standard gauge railway to replace the existing narrow gauge railway line built some 112 years ago.

In February this year, the same Yapi Merkezi company was awarded by the government a deal worth 1.22 billion dollars in joint venture with a Portuguese company to build a 300-kilometer SGR line from the port of Dar es Salaam to Morogoro.

The government did not immediately say how it would pay for the cost of building the Morogoro-Makutupora line, but it previously announced that it was constructing the railway section from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro using its own funds.

Speaking at a signing ceremony for the Morogoro-Makutopora rail deal, RAHCO's acting managing director, Masanja Kadogosa, said the line would be built within 36 months.

"The project will involve construction of 336 kilometers of the main railway line, 86km of an interchange rail, eight passenger stations and six cargo stations," he said

Makame Mbarawa, the Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, ordered the Turkish firm to speed up construction work.

"We have asked the contractor to shorten the duration of the construction period as much as possible," he said.

RAHCO said it would also award three additional tenders over the coming months to successful bidders for the construction of close to 700 kilometers of railway.

Tanzania plans to profit from its long coastline and upgrade its rickety railways and roads to serve the growing economies in the land-locked heart of Africa.

In total, the government expects to spend 14.2 billion U.S. dollars over the next five years to build a 2,561 kilometers standard gauge railway network connecting the country's main Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam to eastern and southern Africa's hinterland.

The Dar es Salaam port is a key regional transport hub for the landlocked nations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda.
Photo provided to Xinhua.

LONDON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- In what has been described Friday as a world first, a farm field in Britain has been planted and harvested completely by autonomous vehicles and drones without any farmhands in sight.

The hands-free crop farming was delivered in joint project by Harper Adams University in Shropshire and Yorkshire-based Precision Decisions, in an initiative partly-funded by the government agency, Innovate UK.

The renowned agricultural university and Precision Decisions announced Friday the successful completion of "Hands Free Hectare", a project to plant, tend and harvest a crop using only autonomous vehicles and drones.

A spokesman for Innovate UK said: "Using this method returned a yield of 4.5 tonnes of spring barley, against a predicted yield of 5 tonnes. It demonstrates that an entire crop can be grown from start to finish without people ever needing to go into the field to directly work the land. The team believes it's the first in the world to farm a crop in this way. They now plan to replicate the trial with a winter crop."

A number of machines were used in the trial. A lightweight Iseki tractor did the spraying, drilling and rolling. The harvest was then completed with a Sampo combine harvester.

Field work to support decision-making was also done autonomously. Drones with multi-spectral and RGB color sensors were used to take aerial images of the field, while a smaller Scout vehicle was used to video at crop level and physically take samples.

These were sent back to the agronomist to analyze and assess what chemicals to apply and where, and when the crop was ready for harvest.

Smaller machines were specifically chosen to limit the impact on the soil, improve precision and plant health.

Innovate said this supports the thinking that in future, farmers will manage fleets of smaller, autonomous vehicles. These will go out and work in the fields, allowing the farmer to use their time more effectively.

The whole project cost less than 268,000 U.S. dollars, funded by Precision Decisions and Innovate UK.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 05:36:30|Editor: yan

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HAVANA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cuba said on Friday that the U.S. decision to withdraw up to 60 percent of its diplomatic personnel in Cuba is a "hasty decision" that will affect bilateral relations between the former Cold War enemies.

Josefina Vidal, director general of U.S. affairs at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, made the remarks in a short statement to Cuban state television.

She said that Cuba has "no responsibility" over the alleged "sonic attacks" on U.S. diplomats which caused physical symptoms to 21 Americans serving in Havana.

"Cuba rigorously complies the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations regarding the physical integrity of diplomatic personnel and their family members and has nothing to do with these incidents," she said.

The U.S. State Department earlier Friday ordered more than half of its Havana embassy personnel to leave the country in response to mysterious attacks harming the health of U.S. diplomats.

Washington also issued a travel warning, telling Americans not to visit the country because some attacks occurred in hotels.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington would maintain diplomatic ties with Cuba and the two countries would continue to cooperate in investigating the attacks.

However, Washington's move deals a major blow to already delicate relations between the two Cold War foes after U.S. President Donald Trump partially reversed the historic rapprochement with the island started by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

At a meeting in Washington this week, Tillerson reminded Bruno Rodriguez, Cuba's foreign minister, of the country's obligation under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomats and their families.

Rodriguez said after the meeting that Cuba had an "impeccable record" when it came to the Vienna Convention and urged the United States not to make "hasty decisions" based on inconclusive evidence.

Cuba's foreign minister also said the incidents shouldn't be made into a "political issue" and reiterated the importance of continuing the active cooperation with U.S. authorities to clarify the alleged attacks.

Cuba and the United States resumed diplomatic relations in 2015 after more than 50 years of enmity, although the White House still imposes economic sanctions against Havana.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 05:51:36|Editor: ZD

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Leaders pose for group photo during the Tallinn Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, Sept. 29, 2017. Organized by the Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the president of the European Council and the European Commission, the Tallinn Digital Summit kicked off on Friday. (Xinhua/Sergei Stepanov)

by Yin Xia, Shuai Rong, Guo Chunju

TALLINN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, said on Friday that Europe must use the opportunities created by huge advances in digital technology.

Tusk made the remarks at the Tallinn Digital Summit which was held on Friday by the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), in cooperation with the President of the European Council and the European Commission.

All 28 EU heads of state or government, except Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, gathered here to discuss the future for Europe, focusing mainly on trust, security, e-government, industry, society and the economy.

Strengthen cooperation

On several occasions of the summit, EU leaders expressed the need to step up cooperation in various digital areas to keep Europe ahead of the technological curve.

Tusk said just before the summit that the member states of the European Union (EU) need to stay united.

British Prime Minister Theresa May also stressed the need to cooperate in digital areas upon her arrival for the summit. She told reporters, "This is a very timely summit, because increasingly, we see hostile cyber activities are threatening our democratic institutions, our financial systems and our public sectors."

Thus, the UK and its European partners need to step up the level of cooperation to develop and increase the collective cyber security in Europe, she added.

In a joint press conference held with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas and Tusk after the summit, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said, "This summit of Tallinn is an important step forward. We have to decide and to act quickly."

Specifically, Ratas said that the EU needs cross border digital public services and needs to safeguard European cyber security as a whole.

Embrace digital revolutions

The digital revolution is increasingly gaining momentum. According to official figures, by 2020, there will be nearly 4.1 billion internet users worldwide and 26.3 billion networked devices, while digital technologies are expected to add 1.36 trillion U.S. dollars to the global economy by 2020.

Tusk said, "We need to actively shape our future and manage the risks posed by the digital revolution to our societies and democracies."

At the same time, two thirds Europeans think new digital technologies have a positive impact on society, economy and people's lives.

Ratas said, "We all agree that the digital revolution is here to stay and that the digital developments are transforming every aspect of our lives and our societies."

To this end, the Digital Single Market (DSM) strategy was adopted in May, 2015 and has been identified by the Commission as one of its 10 political priorities.

"We have to ensure that all member states are fully committed to completing DSM by the end of 2018," the Estonian prime minister emphasised.

According to official estimates, implementing this strategy could contribute 415 billion euros (490 billion U.S. dollars) per year to Europe's economy, create jobs and modernise public services.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-30 06:26:45|Editor: yan

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by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkey continues to rattle sabers after the independence referendum in neighboring Iraq's Kurdistan, but its response could be limited because of its strong economic links with the Kurdish region.

Iraq and Turkey held an unprecedented joint military drill on their border on Monday, just ahead of the controversial referendum. The exercises, involving tanks and armored vehicles, continued on Friday.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on Friday that all flights from Turkey to Erbil, capital city of the Kurdish region in northern Iraq, and Sulaymaniyah would be suspended indefinitely from Friday.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a notice barring representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from returning to Turkey.

In defiance of the warnings from the Iraqi central government, as well as Turkey, Iran, and even the United States, the semi-autonomous Kurdish region held a referendum for independence on Monday.

As expected, the final results showed the overwhelming majority of voters, or 92.73 percent, support the independence of the Kurdish region from Iraq.

Turkey strongly opposes the referendum, fearing that this would encourage its 14 million Kurds to seek autonomy in addition to the ongoing Kurdish insurgency inside the country.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to close the Habur border gate and block Kurdish authorities from exporting oil to Turkey, a very lucrative business for both Ankara and the Kurdish region.

"Northern Iraq is playing with fire," Erdogan said on Thursday, lashing out at the Kurdish leadership for insisting on holding the referendum.

He also threatened to take punitive measures against the Kurdish region in Iraq.

Good relations with Turkey is key to the economy of the landlocked Kurdistan region, which exports oil through a pipeline connecting the region with Turkey.

In the first half of 2017, trade volume between Turkey and Kurdistan reached 5 billion U.S. dollars, mainly via the Habur border gate, a 20 percent increase year-on-year.

In his remarks to the Turkish press on Thursday, Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani conceded that Turkey's sanctions would harrow the economic situation of the Kurdish people in Iraq.

"There will be problems. It will definitely have a (negative) impact," he told Daily Sabah.

During the last decade, Turkish companies have been helping the Kurdish government build some of its infrastructure, including an airport in Erbil.

According to the Turkish Economy Ministry, some 1,300 Turkish companies operate within the Kurdish region, while the region's debts to Turkish firms have amounted to 1.8 billion dollars.

"Turkey is obviously angry that (Kurdish President Masoud) Barzani has not listened to warnings not to organize the referendum, but now it's done and a secession is not for tomorrow, so Ankara will return gradually to a more rational and realistic attitude," a western diplomat who asked to remain anonymous, told Xinhua.

Turkey has vast interests in the Kurdish region and needs also its help to combat the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Kurdish separatist forces in Turkey, he said.

"We would expect Turkey to continue to affirm it's opposition to the independence vote publicly, but on the other hand, not to take decisions that would harm its own interests," the diplomat said.

However, imposing economic sanctions remains the best option for Turkey to respond to the controversial vote by isolating the Kurdish region, local experts said.

"How does the KRG think that it will survive without its main income which is oil exports (from Turkey to the west)," said Can Acun, a researcher at the Foundation for Political Economic and Social Research, a pro-government think-tank based in Ankara.

He concluded that Turkey could eventually sacrifice its interests in KRG to prevent the establishment of a Kurdish state that would engulf the region in conflict and trigger a domino effect.

Some Turkish analysts predicted that Turkey can go further to intervene militarily to safeguard the rights of the Turkmen minority living in Kirkuk, one of the contentious cities located in northern Iraq.

"As President Erdogan is pursuing a nationalist agenda to build support in the run-up to the 2019 (presidential) elections, he may decide to intervene on behalf of the Turkmens in a nationalist campaign should the future of Kirkuk under the KRG come into question," Soner Cagaptay, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Xinhua.

As the largest stateless community in the Middle East, there are about 35 million ethnic Kurds living in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria.

In Turkey, which hosts the majority of Kurds, the PKK has been engaged in an armed campaign for autonomy since 1984, which has led to more than 40,000 deaths.
Credit: Scarlet PageWilliam Patrick Corgan, better known as Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, has released a new song from his forthcoming solo album, Ogilala. The track is called "The Spaniards," and it's available for download now via digital platforms.

"The Spaniards" is accompanied by a video that features clips from Pillbox, a silent film co-directed by Corgan. You can watch the video now on YouTube.

Ogilala, which features the previously released single "Aeronaut," will be released October 13. Corgan will preview material from the album during a performance in Berlin this weekend, which you can stream live Sunday, October 1 at 8 p.m. ET via Arte.tv.

Corgan will kick off a North American tour in support of Ogilala October 14 in Brooklyn, New York.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed as unnecessary the call for true federalism and devolution of power.

To him, there is nothing like true federalism because the governors already have the powers.

The former president who has been travelling to promote his new book, Making Africa Work, told his interviewers: I dont believe in true federalism. What is true federalism?

On the governors and the call for devolution of power, he said: Why are they not accountable? What powers do they not have?

They have power. In fact, state governors are more powerful than the president. Thats the truth. If anybody tells you they want devolution or true federalism, he doesnt know what he is talking about.

A broad range of current and former lawmakers, civil society groups and millions of Nigerians would beg to differ. So too would the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which Obasanjo backed in 2015, at least in its manifesto, which pledged to amend our constitution with a view to devolving powers.

But Obasanjo said: The fact (that) anybody talks about it doesnt mean its right.

Obasanjos new book describes itself as a guide to improving Africas capacity for economic growth and job creation. Co-written with Greg Mills, Jeffrey Herbst and Dickie Davis, it provides a detailed overview of various political and economic challenges facing the continent. It warns of a growing youth bulge, and provides dozens of recommendations on how to encourage the private sector, diversify the economy and deliver forward-thinking leadership.

On the Buhari administration, Obasanjo said: Buhari has made some announcements. He has tried to keep on going in the area of agribusiness, but not enough. It is not yet enough to prepare the ground for uninhibited growth of the economy, which we need.

Is Buhari doing enough about it? he asks at one point of youth unemployment. I dont believe he is. Can he do enough about it? Of course he can.

Obasanjos vague and uncommitted answers contrast with the book he just co-wrote, which packs a handful of statistics into virtually every paragraph and offers dozens of recommendations. But the former president does eventually hone in on one specific: Nigerias frustrated young people.

The median age of Nigerias population is under 18, and the youth demographic continues to swell. There arent enough jobs for them, and if Obasanjo were back in office, his priority would be education. Youth empowerment, skill acquisition and youth employment  education must be able to do that, he insists. If you do that, the ticking bomb of possible youth explosion out of restiveness and anger will subside.

Obasanjo attributed young peoples frustration to many of Nigerias problems today, including the ongoing agitation in the Southeast.

The former president maintained that secession is not the solution.

All youth in Nigeria have legitimate reasons to feel frustrated and angry, Obasanjo added.
Jigawa State government has rejected the calls for the creation of additional states in Nigeria.

The state made its stand at the North West Zonal Public Hearing on True Federalism, held at the Coronation Hall, Kano State Government House.

It said push for the creation of additional states made no sense when most of the existing states were not viable.

Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadiri Fanini, who represented the governor supported the idea of independent candidacy in the political process and state police.

He said, it was well known that most state governments were providing huge support to the police in the area of equipment and logistics.

Jigawa also made a strong case for the devolution of the functions of the Federal Government in the area of agriculture, education, road construction and health while asking for increased allocation to states and local governments.
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The Spanish group Planeta, one of the worlds leaders in publishing and higher education, has decided to open in Rabat, Moroccos capital city, two schools for students wishing to be trained in the fields of business and tourism.

The announcement was made Thursday by the groups chairman Jose Manuel Garcia. The two schools, to open doors in 2018, are first of their kind by Grup Planeta in the African continent.

The Spanish group also intends to enroll in its global project foreign students with 50 pc of the seats devoted to applicants from Africa and the Arab world.

Spanish ambassador to Morocco Ricardo Diez-Hochleitner Rodriguez stressed the importance of this project in enhancing further Moroccan-Spanish relations and congratulated Planeta group for its choice of the North African kingdom, offering huge business opportunities in a wide variety of sectors.

The Planeta group say that its graduates will be recognized by the Moroccan State and Overseas. Based in Barcelona, this Spanish family owned group operates in Spain, Portugal, France and Latin America.

It was founded in 1949 by Jose Lara Hernandez. Planeta owns over 70 publishing houses worldwide. It publishes the newspaper La Razon. Besides publishing, the group operates in the areas of collectibles, training, direct marketing, distance learning, and audiovisual media.

Planeta is continuing to expand, with an emphasis on reading groups, international partnerships, and digital, with the creation of e-book distribution platform Libranda.

It is present in 25 countries, with more than 100 imprints and a catalogue of 15,000 titles. After purchasing Editis, the second largest publishing group of France, Planeta acquired a 50 percent stake in Spains largest reading community, Circulo de lectores, from Bertelsmanns Direct group. Circulo de lectores is the worlds second-largest reading group, with one million subscribers and revenues of 120 million EUR.

Besides book publishing, the group has shares in Grupo AtresMedia (former Grupo Antena 3), which includes the television channels Antena 3, Neox, Nova and Nitro, and radio stations Onda Cero, Europa FM and Onda Melodia.
US military command for Africa AFRICOM said Thursday it conducted several strikes against the Islamic State (IS) fighters near the city of Sirte following last week Friday sorties.

The new airstrikes according to the command took place Tuesday with the coordination of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

The Tuesday airstrike destroyed IS positions, 160 km South-east of Sirte. The air campaign killed many fighters, the command said without elaborating on the number.

Friday airstrikes killed 17 IS combatants and destroyed three vehicles.

Libyan officials have said IS is regrouping near Sirte after losing the city to the GNA-forces in December after several months of fierce fighting supported in the air by AFRICOM.

The terror group, the countrys officials note, has grown bolder in recent weeks, setting up temporary checkpoints, attacking local forces and taking over village mosques.

IS entered the North African country in 2014 with the help of rivalries between Libyan factions vying for power.

Friday and Tuesday sorties are the first US air campaign under the Trump administration. Last US airstrikes date back to January under President Barack Obama who admitted that Libyan debacle was his greatest mistake.

Libyans backed by the NATO in 2011 removed Colonel Muammar Gaddafi from power. Since then the country has descended into chaos. Insecurity and lawlessness have become the order of the day with by two administrations; the GNA and the Beida-based government not recognized by the international community haggling over the control of the oil-rich country.
A man removes the mud left by the flooding after the rains related to the passage of Hurricane Maria, in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, on September 22, 2017. Photo: Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images

Veronica Ramos, a kindergarten teacher, lives with her son, her partner, and her partners mother in hard-hit Toa Baja, a municipality on the islands northern coast ravaged by floods, including from a nearby reservoir, after government officials opened the gates of La Plata Lake Dam. Hurricane Maria spared her home the worst, though many of her neighbors were not as lucky. Now she worries about supplies and gas and the governments response. I cant believe there are going to be any normal days soon, she told Daily Intelligencer, via a sometimes spotty phone connection. We are far from normal.

The windows were howling like they were going to detach from the walls. We had to mop the second floor because water came in. We lost power at maybe 10 p.m. Tuesday. But we knew that the worst part was still coming. We just heard wind. It sounded like a motorcycle.

Our house was in good shape after the hurricane; we didnt lose so many things. Outside, some trees were torn out. The fence that we have with another building  it just took out the fence. The palm trees were down. The wires were down. We didnt have electricity or running water.

But we had to go to sleep because we were really tired; we didnt sleep well the night before. About ten minutes after I fell asleep, the neighbor called. He was scared because when we got downstairs the water was coming inside of the house. Its not a place that usually floods  it never floods. Theres people whove been living here for about 40 years and theyve never gotten water that way.

In about one hour, the water was about at my hips in the street. In the house, it got about a foot and a half, two feet depending on the place you were standing. We were scared because we have an elderly person in a wheelchair. We didnt know what to do, and no one from the municipality, no one notified us that this was going to flood. We didnt know if they were going to rescue us. The only way out was maybe walking, and we were scared because the water was going up and up. I called 911, but it didnt function because we lost all communication. We couldnt communicate with anyone. We just put everything upstairs, everything that we could save.

Our section wasnt evacuated. There were other places in Toa Baja that were. They were evacuating people in Levittown where the water was really high. It just covered some houses.

A man rides his bicycle through a damaged road in Toa Alta, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017, following the passage of Hurricane Maria. Photo: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images

But we were lucky. Neighbors, people that I love, they just lost everything. They were taking out their beds. Just  everything.

Now the problem is theres no gas. Within about two miles from us there are about six gas stations. Theyre working one day. Then for two days they dont. One day they have gas again. You can be in a line for six hours to get gas. One gas station has a store, they were selling things one morning, and then in the past three days they didnt have anything. Its empty. Theres nothing you can buy. Were just living with what we had. The cans, we left them for the next week, so we can have meat.

But its a little bit confusing because the government is saying, There is gas. We have plenty. But we cant see it. We cant get out of the house in the car because you cant waste the gas you have. I have to go to the ATM because I dont have cash and everything is functioning with cash. We have to go and get some cash so we can buy maybe a car generator.

We have to go to the ATM, and Im a little bit concerned. People are telling stories about robberies. Theres a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and you cant be in the streets. But things are getting worse with the security. People are taking out the gas from the cars. And theres no police to deal with the curfew. We cant see the police. We dont know where they are.

The first day, the second day after the storm we saw some military, they were going to Ingenio, a neighborhood in Toa Baja that was badly flooded. We havent seen them since, maybe in another town that were more damaged. But I cant say because I havent seen them.

The mayor told people on the radio this morning that on Saturday FEMA workers were going to help people in Toa Baja. But he cant tell where that help will be. Maybe tomorrow  you have to keep listening to the radio to know where. But by the way, we dont have gas! So its like, Okay, come somewhere. How, if I dont have gas? We cant go to the gas station every day to see if its open. The government says, Were going to help. This is the way. How can I get there? I cant get there! I think that the government  Governor Ricardo Rossello  is trying to tell people everythings okay, but he doesnt have any clue of how hes going to respond to everyone.

Radio is working. It was the one signal that was working the next day after the hurricane. Now we have more stations. Its delivering the messages from the governor. So we can see his perspective  but maybe not the best one. The first thing that we really knew of what happened was through my sister who lives in Jersey. She saw on the internet. We relied on her to tell us.

A man bulldozes furniture and debris following Hurricane Maria on a street in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, on September 25, 2017. Photo: Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images

I think maybe on Monday or Tuesday we received the first cell signal. Its uncertain. We have it now. We wont have it in eight hours maybe. I have to charge it with my car. I communicate with my family, then I turn it off so I can save the charge.

We have running water most days. One day yes, the other no. Still, its a miracle. A lot of people we know dont have it, so they come to our house to fill up cans. But theres another really big problem: the garbage. They havent taken it away. Everything is stinky, flies are all over there. Some stores just put out their meat in the trash can and you can see the blood coming out of them. You can see the dead animals. Its horrible. The mayor from Toa Baja says theyre working with the trash since Monday. But Monday is the day they come to my house to pick up my trash. Todays Thursday. In other words, theyre going to be late. Were scared because thats a health problem thats coming to us.

I dont care that much about the electricity coming because we know its very hard. But we are concerned about the food supplies. We cant find supplies. The government wants to get to normality in the workplace, but if we dont have gas, if we dont have food, how can we get to normal? Maybe I can deal with it because its not that hard for us because were in the city, but I think that people in towns that are in the middle of the island are worse off than us.

Im a kindergarten schoolteacher. Our school is okay, but about 65 refugees who lost everything are living there. Their houses just  they disappeared. I think that were going to lose the semester. I dont know  I cant see us working in more than a month. I cant believe there are going to be any normal days soon. We are far from normal.

Family members collect belongings after hurricane-force winds destroyed their house in Toa Baja, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017, following the passage of Hurricane Maria. Photo: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images

We are helping each other. The first days were easier to help because we have things. Now, we dont have too much to share. I think its natural for humans to help each other in a catastrophe. Its romantic to say, Oh, people help each other in Puerto Rico. But Im sorry, Im not that romantic. We need help. We need people to work. We need electricity again. We can help each other in the community, okay. But we need the government to work.

Anything that happens in the United States mainland  theres a fast response. We are second-class citizens. We are, we really are. I cant tell you anything else, thats it. Thats the truth. We are a colony, we are not treated equal. We have to beg  to beg the United States to help us when we are part of them. You are a part of us, you have to help us. We are a part of you.

We are abandoned here, waiting here. Its a problem of the [Puerto Rican] government because it tries to do things, but then they say, Oh, but we have to wait for the government of the United States. We cant do it alone. We cant do it alone. But its  its like weird. Puerto Rico wants to do it by ourselves, but we know we cant. The government of the United States has to move faster. They have to be here faster, not about a week later. Because we are American citizens. We are not second-class. But we feel it.

This has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Photo: Lambert/Getty Images

Yesterday, Republican leaders unveiled the preliminary version of their tax-cut plan. Today, the Tax Policy Center, the most credible analytical source, published its study of the plan. And the findings are not good.

The first and largest problem for the Republicans is that their plan overwhelmingly benefits a tiny number of extremely affluent people. In 2018, 53 percent of the benefit of the tax cut would go to the highest-earning one percent of taxpayers. In 2027, when more provisions would be fully phased in, the proportion would rise to nearly 80 percent.

A tax cut that mostly benefits the richest one percent is not going to be popular. Looked at a slightly different way, the richest people in the country would get a huge increase in their living standard  an 8-to-10 percent raise in after-tax income. Almost everybody else would enjoy a negligible increase on the order of one percent of their income.

And thats not counting the costs of the spending cuts that would have to eventually offset the lower revenue.

Secondarily, the plan also has a total-cost problem. Republicans negotiated a budget agreement allowing for $1.5 trillion in lost revenue over the next decade. Thats a hefty-sized tax cut, but not hefty enough to accommodate all the tax reductions Republicans want. The plan would lose $2.4 trillion over the next decade, TPC calculates.

In theory, that is not an intractable problem, if the GOP can come up with some ways to raise more revenue. The trouble is, their plan already imposes more pain on more constituencies than their slender majorities can probably bear. The largest single revenue-raising element of their plan, raising $1.4 trillion over a decade, is an elimination of the federal tax deduction for state and local taxes  a provision of special importance to residents of states that have income taxes. Eliminating that deduction would create big tax increases for upper-middle-class filers in those states.

Republicans in Congress representing those states are already in an uproar over that provision. Yesterday, National Economic Council director Gary Cohn backed way off the proposal, conceding it was not a red line for the administration. But while eliminating that provision would mitigate the raising taxes on the middle class problem, it would exacerbate their revenue problem. If they lose the $1.4 trillion this provision would buy them, they need to find it somewhere else, and theyre already short.

The easiest way to solve the problems is not to give rich people a big tax cut. But since giving rich people a big tax cut is the motivation for the entire exercise  indeed, the entire reason many Establishment Republicans have put up with Trumps grossness  theyre going to absorb a lot of political pain in order to make it happen.
Priced out. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned from President Trumps cabinet amid controversy over his use of chartered jets that cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Earlier in the day, President Trump had hinted that he might fire Price on Friday night, telling reporters that Price was a good man but that he didnt like the optics of his flights, and was not happy about them.

Price will be replaced, for now, by little-known Don J. Wright, currently the deputy assistant Health secretary. Axios reports that possible permanent replacements include Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Seema Verma, Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb, and former Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal.

In his resignation letter to the president, Price wrote that he would step down in order for you to move forward without further disruption. And in a departing note to staff, Price wrote that the honor of leading the incredible folks at HHS is one I shall never forget.

Prices expensive habit was first revealed by Politico. The outlet reported that he had flown at least 24 times on private chartered jets to cities around the country and abroad, even when commercial flights were available for a fraction of the price. The sum of the flights costs exceeded $400,000. Prices predecessors at Health and Human Services, Sylvia Mathews Burwell and Kathleen Sebelius, flew commercial during their time in government.

The reports on Price opened the door to headlines about other Trump officials pricey travels, including Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. On Friday night, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney released a memo clarifying that agency heads should not use chartered aircraft except with specific justification.

Price offered on Thursday to reimburse taxpayers for about $52,000, which covered the cost of his seats on the flights, though not his staffs. But Trump had grown weary of the distraction Price was causing, and was already disappointed in him for his inability to help Obamacare repeal come to fruition.

Before he ran Health and Human Services, Price was a Georgia congressman who made his name as a fierce critic of the Affordable Care Act. (He also once advocated against congressional use of private jets.) As a cabinet member, he continued his crusade against the law, actively undermining it at every turn and propagating one mistruth after another about Republican efforts to repeal it.

During his years in Congress, Price also traded stocks of health-care companies that he helped regulate, leading to accusations of insider trading. Nonetheless, every Senate Republican voted to confirm him to President Trumps cabinet.
If youre like us, youve probably wondered what famous people add to their carts. Not the JAR brooch and Louis XV chair, but the hand sanitizerand the electric toothbrush. We asked Logan Browning of Netflixs Dear White People what she cant live without, and we got her answers, from the sweater shaver to the personal blender.

Jao Brand Not Just for Hands Sanitizer $10 Ive been working for this industry since I was 15, and every makeup artist Ive known whos worth my time uses Jao Refresher on their hands and their brushes. Its like an all-encompassing sanitizer that smells way better than alcoholy Purell. [Editors note: Aidy Bryant loves this sanitizer, too.] I dont feel obnoxious on the plane if Im spraying it on my hands before eating a sandwich. Its like a eucalyptus-lavender kind of thing. I just went on a trip to the U.K. because I was studying Shakespeare over the summer, and when we would go out anywhere, I would say, Hands! and spray everyones hands like a mom. $10 at Anthropologie Buy

NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender $70 So Ive had a Vitamix forever that Ive never really used. I wanted to make smoothies with it, but the NutriBullet is just so much easier to leave on the counter because its so compact and easy to just take on the go. I use it for convenience almost every day for my smoothies. $70 at Amazon Buy $70 at Amazon Buy

Eminence Organic Skincare Eight Greens Phyto Hot Masque $54 now 39% off $33 Multiple facialists recommended this to me  its a face mask that stimulates blood flow in your face. Your face turns all red and gets really hot, but apparently that means its regenerating new, fresh cells. Ive found that it really helps with the texture of my skin and that the phyto greens help with hyperpigmentation, too. I do have to say, you dont want to put it on before going somewhere important. You put it on at night when youre home for the evening, because it will literally make your face red. Its got some kind of chili in it that makes your face start tingling. I definitely mistook what a facialist told me about how it would make my skin glow for a date once. $33 at Amazon Buy $54 at Dermstore Buy

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water $17 There are a million brands of micellar water, but the Bioderma was recommended to me by a makeup artist, and it really cleans your face when youre not able to wash it on the spot. Even if youre out of the country and being a tourist all day without any makeup on, its a great thing to have to refresh your skin. They make smaller versions you can pop in your bag too. $17 at Amazon Buy $21 at Target Buy

Le Labo Santal 33 Hand and Body Lotion $68 Disclaimer about this lotion: I love the fragrance and texture of Le Labos Santal 33, but I dont actually buy it. My mom travels for a living, and she taught me to stock up on travel-size moisturizers when I go to my favorite hotels. I have a few favorite boutique hotels in New York (Edition and Refinery) that mix their own fragrances with Le Labo, which is how I first was introduced to the brand. $68 at Nordstrom Buy

Lean 1 Protein Powder $50 now 20% off $40 For the past two weeks, I have started every morning with a protein shake. I used to think people were crazy who said they had smoothies for breakfast, but now that Im in the swing of it, I am terrified Ill upset my day if I do anything else. I mix bananas, spinach, frozen berries, chia seeds, almond milk, and Lean 1 Vanilla Protein in my NutriBullet. Ive tasted a lot of protein powders, but Lean 1 is my favorite. I always come back to it. $40 at Amazon Buy $40 at Amazon Buy

Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey $41 Almost everything I have comes from being on set. I was on a set once where I was getting really sick, and youre just not allowed to get sick  the show must go on  and this hairstylist took some manuka honey out of her drawer and gave me a spoonful of it down my throat. [Beauty guru Linda Rodin loves this brand, too.] Apparently it has antibacterial properties, and you can even put it on your face as a mask or on a wound. Its a little bit, I wouldnt say granular, but its definitely not as smooth as regular honey. You still have to have your regular honey because this is some expensive-ass honey. $41 at Amazon Buy $41 at Amazon Buy

Denman Cushion Brush with Nylon Bristles $24 I have curly hair, and the Denman is the only way I can manage to detangle my hair because of the grip I can get on it. It goes through so easily without breaking. Its become my go-to brush. I have probably bought seven of them at this point. I was coming home from Atlanta where my mom lives once, and I left it in the drawer, and she said, Ill ship it to you. I said, I already bought a new one. I learned about it from being a curly-haired queen and watching YouTube videos on curly hair. $24 at Amazon Buy $24 at Amazon Buy

DevaCurl One Condition No-Poo Decadence 32oz DUO $92 for 2 This line of curly-hair products is probably the 20th Ive used. Ive tried everything on the market in the past decade because Ive found that everyones curly hair takes to product differently. Ive learned over time that if you find a product that works for you, use every product in that line because theyre meant to work with each other. There was a time I mixed Ouidad with Shea Moisture and a bunch of others, but now, I just use DevaCurl. A lot of curly-hair products with shea butter will coat your hair so real moisture doesnt get to the follicle. DevaCurl isnt like that  I can style my hair still and its not crunchy and still manageable. $92 for 2 at Amazon Buy $92 for 2 at Amazon Buy

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The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the favorite shopping items of Lena Dunham, Olivia Wilde, Carole Radziwill, Plum Sykes, John Cameron Mitchell, Aubrey Plaza, and Linda Rodin. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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Ugandas mineral wealth is enough to lift the country from the jaws of poverty to prosperity if well-exploited, say industry experts.



Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP) chairman Elly Karuhanga told reporters in Kampala this week that minerals were the countrys hope for prosperity as long as Ugandans tapped the available opportunities.



We can develop quickly using minerals alone, said Karuhanga while announcing the sixth Mineral Wealth conference slated for October 4 to 5.



Themed Minerals knocking on the door for the economic transformation of Uganda, the two-day conference will seek to entice both the nationals and international masses to take interest in minerals and exploit them.



Ugandas oil and gas sector in the next few years will be raking more than $12bn into the economy for the pipeline, refinery, and airfield in Kabaale. There is a wish that a lot of Ugandans offer a service to the big oil players so that much of this money could stay here.

Karuhanga said recent moves by government demonstrate that it wants the minerals sector to perform. From the scrapping of exploration taxes to revamping the directorate of Geological Survey and Mines and introducing new regulations to streamline the sector, more investors are looking to an environment devoid of much uncertainty.

Karuhanga, for instance, confirmed that 1,000 international investors and enthusiasts are expected to attend the sixth annual mineral wealth conference at the Kampala Serena hotel.

The biggest hurdle in the mining sector is lack of awareness of what the minerals can do, said Karuhanga.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has partnered with the European Union to support Ugandas mineral sector, mainly the low-value minerals, dimension stones, semi-precious stones and industrial minerals majorly focusing on the artisanal players.

We are investing 13.1 million euros in Ugandas mineral wealth for the next three years, said UNDPs Wilson Kwamya, adding that a baseline survey to map the sector with the intention of identifying and profiling the minerals is already underway and will be completed by December.

Industry players are hopeful that the new policy to certify minerals for export will stamp out smuggling while efforts to refine minerals such as the gold refinery will go a long way in strengthening the value chains.
The Pearl Guide Uganda, a local tourism marketing firm, started the Uganda Travel Month last year.

Last week, the firm launched the events second edition at Prunes restaurant in Kololo. The edition will be on for the entire October. Philip Kalibwani, one of the proprietors of the firm, said one key aspect of this edition is ensuring that Ugandans tell stories about their own country.

Everyone sees things differently, and we want whoever takes part to give the country their version. Uganda Travel Month provides that opportunity, he said.

Aerial view of River Nile

The month also offers Ugandans an opportunity to tour and experience different local tourist attractions across the country through the four-week circuit at discounted fees.

This years edition will start in Jinja on September 30. The group will then head to Lake Bunyonyi during the independence weekend, and later to Queen Elizabeth national park in Kasese.

On October 21, it will end at Murchison Falls. The touring groups will indulge in different fun activities like water rafting, zip-lining and game drives, among others. All this is powered by Nile Special beer and Total Excellium.

Therefore, pack your bags and get ready to travel Uganda.



feupal@observer.ug
In his own words, Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura announced yesterday that he played the lead role in planning Wednesday afternoons invasion of Parliament by a joint security team drawn from sister agencies.

While meeting locals at Katabi landing site in Entebbe yesterday after launching the Police week, Gen Kayihura admitted he enlisted the assistance of other security agencies in evicting opposition MPs suspended by Speaker of Parliament on Wednesday.

Im the one who planned all this [parliament raid]. Those people you saw in plain clothes were a joint team. I requested sister security agencies to support me. Police did its work professionally and were focused on the work that took them there, Gen Kayihura told journalists.

Kale Kayihura at parliament

Kayihuras revelation comes on the back of reports that troops from the militarys Special Forces Command (SFC) reportedly took part in storming parliament, which saw opposition MPs ferociously attacked, bundled out of the chamber and dumped in police outposts around Kampala.

Well-informed security sources told The Observer that elements from the unit, which guards President Museveni and his family, were involved in the plot to snatch the legislators. The plan was reportedly hatched last week after days of monitoring.

Kayihura; Col Don Nabaasa, the commanding officer of SFC, and others reportedly worked out the operational details, according to sources.

We wanted to make sure that they do not usurp the power of the speaker by causing mayhem in the House. You know she is the top principal of the institution. These MPs were bound to cause mayhem at whatever cost, the sources said.

Officially, the elite army unit, however, denies any involvement in the raid.

The SFC spokesman, Captain Jimmy Omara, told The Observer by telephone yesterday that: We did not and we dont intend to deploy our officers there.

As SFC, our principle is to protect Principal Number One [President]. He is not in Uganda currently; so, there is no need to deploy. But I cannot speak for Parliament; so, please contact them, Capt Omara said.

Shell-shocked by what is being described as the final desecration of a symbol of Ugandas struggles with democracy, victims of the attack yesterday said they remain unbowed in the face of the brutality -- which left some of them with broken limbs or hospitalised.

After two days of brawling inside the chambers, they said they will continue opposing Igara West MP, Raphael Magezis amendment to Article 102(b of the constitution to lift presidential age limits.

Ugandas history of dark politics came full circle with the military assault, almost repeating similar constitutional machinations in 1966/67 by former president Apollo Milton Obote to entrench himself in power. Dr Obote had Parliament surrounded by the military as he forced through his pigeon-hole constitution.

Police boss Kale Kayihura says what happened yesterday at Parliament, he planned it, he sought for help from sister security agencies pic.twitter.com/XtOrevyMGi  The Observer (@observerug) September 28, 2017

Gen Kayihura had been spotted at Parliament days ago, telling journalists that the heavy security cordon was to ensure the safety of MPs because protestors allegedly planned to march on the building. He visited again on Wednesday at about half past midday.

The police chief spent his time at parliament surveying the emplacement of regular, riot and counter-terror police, military police and unnamed plain-clothes personnel.

About 40 of the suspected SFC soldiers entered and fanned out all over Parliament on Wednesday, trooping in from the neighbouring Office of the President. They sauntered through a corridor in the Conference hall and took position in the main lobby and public gallery. Among them was the officer identified as Col Nabaasa.

It is part of this group that burst into the parliamentary chamber and indiscriminately targeted opposition MPs, including those who were not listed for suspension by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. Sources said they had information that the MPs planned to sneak matchboxes and gasoline inside the chambers.

They were planning to light their suit coats and other cloths once their demands were not met. How do you expect us to sit back and watch this nonsense, the sources said.

Can you imagine that some MPs within the opposition leaked their plans to us? That is why we decided to deploy heavily to counter their sinister plans, the source said.

By press time, The Observer was not able to independently corroborate this claim. At least four MPs were injured and admitted to different hospitals.

There was this one MP called Zaake Francis (Mityana Municipality), who seriously injured some of our officers. If some of us had not intervened, I dont know what would have happened to him, the source said. Zaake was admitted in Lubaga hospital.

Yesterday, Chris Obore, parliaments director for communication and public affairs, said the House cannot account for the individuals, other than police, who stormed the chamber.

The Sergeant-At-Arms became powerless and it purely became a police matter. What happened thereafter was the police conducting the eviction. How the plain-clothes officers came in, we cannot tell for sure who they were because even those plain-clothes people were commanded by a lady wearing police uniform. As to whether they solicited further reinforcement or not, I am not aware, Obore said.
A day after their violent eviction from Parliament, at least 13 of the 22 evicted opposition MPs spent much of yesterday at the Kibuli-based Criminal Investigation and Intelligence department [CIID] recording statements.

At the end of the day, all were charged with inciting violence, which attracts a three-year jail term.

The MPs charged include Nothan Nandala-Mafabi, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda (Kira municipality), Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka municipality), Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala), Sam Lyomoki (Workers), Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West), Theodore Ssekikubo (Lyemiyaga), Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Kyaddondo East) and Monicah Amoding (Kumi Woman).

L-R: Leader of opposition Winnie Kiiza, Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Muhammad Nsereko visit Francis Zaake in Lubaga hospital who sustained injuries during Wednesdays chaos in parliament

Speaking to journalists after the day-long interrogation, the MPs wondered why police summoned without building a strong case against them first.

The MPs said their interrogators asked nothing serious of them. They said for much of the time they spent at CIID, the commanding officer kept speaking to high ups on phone. They said the officer seemed to be eagerly searching for answers.

They asked us nothing new; there was no grilling at all. All this is aimed at intimidating and wasting our time, Kyagulanyi said.

Ssekikubo said police wont stop their push to defeat the anti-age limit bill. He said they will continue to resist the presidential age-limit amendment much as Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga allowed its main promoter Raphael Magyezi to table his motion seeking to introduce the bill on Wednesday.

We are not bothered with what happened in parliament; we shall continue from where we stopped, Ssekikubo said.

Ssemujju wondered why police summoned them at all yet it didnt know what to do with them.

These people act before they think; they called us here but now they dont know what to do with us Ssemujju said.

You call us here and put us in a classroom with seven police commissioners who are just chatting with us. These acts make me confident and energized to continue fighting this man [president Museveni], Medard Sseggona (Busiro East) said.

Opposition chief whip Ssemujju Nganda (C) with other summoned mps address media at CIID offices

Wilfred Niwagaba, the shadow attorney general, wondered why security agents refused to return his phone, Ipad, car and reading glasses. He said most MPs who were arrested got back their confiscated properties. Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West), said policemen took him to his house at around 2am.

After I was arrested, I was taken to Kireka but after midnight I and six of my colleagues were driven around several places even after I told them my home is in Maganjo, Tinkasiimire said.

The outspoken MP also accused his captors of stealing his money. I had a Shs 1 million bundle of 10,000 notes in my pocket but as I was being arrested, those SFC people removed Shs 420,000. Why should President Museveni waste money bribing MPs instead of paying his soldiers? Tinkasiimire said.

Vincent Ssekate, the spokesperson for CIID, said any MP who was arrested, released on bond and didnt show up at Kibuli yesterday risks being arrested.

We didnt summon them, but they had just come to extend their police bond. Those who have not appeared, our teams are working on arrest warrants because when you are given bond and you dont appear, they will look for you Ssekate said.

After the interrogations, MPs led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kiiza, visited Kampala hospital where three of their colleagues, Angelina Osegge, Franc Akello and Lucy Aciro are hospitalised. They also visited Lubaga hospital where Mityana municipality MP Francis Zaake Butebi is recovering.

Kiiza also announced yesterday the opposition would not attend any parliamentary sessions until their suspended colleagues return to the House. All the 25 MPs were suspended for three sittings. That means they may be back in Parliament late next Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at parliament and Hotel Africana, Kiiza said they would boycott all three parliamentary sessions and committee business.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga suspended the 25 MPs accusing them of disrupting Tuesdays parliamentary plenary session during which NRM MPs tried but failed to introduce the controversial anti-age limit motion. Kadaga accused the MPs of breaching rule 74 of the parliamentary rules of procedure by conducting themselves in a manner unbecoming of legislators.

The rule requires all members to enter and leave the House with dignity. It prohibits them from crossing the floor of Parliament or moving around unnecessarily. The same rule requires other MPs to be silent and not make unnecessary interruptions while an MP is speaking.

No opposition member attended yesterdays plenary session.



namuloki16@gmail.com

bakerbatte@observer.ug
Today, the gospel of prosperity has filled our airwaves and pulpits. Preachers promise their followers blessings of cars, wealth, husbands and jobs.

These sermons usually go like this: If you sow seed, God will bless you. If you give God one million shillings, God will bless you tenfold. Some preachers have gone ahead to offer special prayers for those who give big offertories.

People are now pursuing wealth instead of the kingdom of God. The preachers have used it as an opportunity to profiteer and swindle the flock.

But what does the Bible say about prosperity?

First, the Bible instructs Christians not to seek and run after earthly wealth like the pagans do. Matthew 6:31-33 says: So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

When Christians run from one prosperity preacher to another, they are no different from non-believers. When preachers make themselves the distributors of material blessings, in exchange for money, they play the same role Satan played when he attempted to give Jesus earthly kingdoms.

As earthly wealth became the central focus of ministry, the servants of God began to execute their agenda. Matters of the heavenly kingdom became peripheral; philosophy and money became the sermons.

This was the origin of deception we now witness in church. The Bible warns us in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 and 1 Timothy 6:5 that men will not put up with sound doctrine and when we see things like the love of money in church, we should know we are in the last days and the Messiahs second coming is imminent.

Any preacher who wants his followers to prosper must preach repentance and turning away from sin. Above all, the most important blessing from God is eternity.

Little wonder that Revelations 19:9 says blessed are those who are invited into eternity with God through the wedding supper of the lamb. There are no blessings in the wealth of this world.



Yona Okoth Gongo,

yonahokoth@gmail.com.



Have we failed to reason?



I get it that the police is trying to do their best to maintain law and order with the current tension in the country. But that doesnt mean they should abuse human rights by throwing civilians under benches of their trucks.

It seems everyone has failed to reason. It is unacceptable for MPs to fight in the House and start throwing chairs.



Jackie N. Mayega,

Kampala



letters@observer.ug
This weeks events in Parliament are sad and bad for democracy and the image of our country.

For two days, the House could not proceed with business without resorting to chaos and circus. First on Tuesday, opposition MPs were worried about their safety after they discovered that a minister had entered the parliamentary chambers with a gun.

This was brought to the attention of the speaker and the members requested that the House be suspended for some time to allow the Seargent at Arms to retrieve the firearm. The speaker did not grant that request.

Some members then decided to take charge and physically check Hon Ronald Kibuule to ascertain whether he had a gun.

This led to chaos which included some members throwing chairs at one another. Later, calm returned to the House and the speaker ordered the Sergeant at Arms to check all members. They checked but the gun could not be found.

The following day, Wednesday, prior to the afternoon sitting, a group of plainclothes men entered parliamentary premises. When the speaker entered the chambers, she announced her decision to suspend 25 members for three sittings.

This is because they had been involved in disorderly behaviour the previous day. The members protested and the speaker suspended the House for 30 minutes. The plainclothes men then stormed chambers, exchanged blows with several MPs and forcefully ejected the suspended members.

The ejected members were locked up at different police stations. MPs were about to debate the tabling of a motion by Raphael Magyezi to amend article 102(b) of the Constitution which limits the age at which one can be a president at a maximum of 75 years and minimum of 35. A number of MPs were opposed to this motion.

All these events are regrettable but the MPs need to debate in a free atmosphere without fear of being attacked, threatened with violence or intimidation.

Kibuules act of smuggling a firearm into the chambers must be condemned. Firearms are prohibited in the House. All parliamentary users should obey the rules governing the use of firearms.

The speaker owes a duty of care to all members. Failure to ensure safety of MPs is a serious breach on the part of the speaker.

Therefore, security officers at parliament should ensure that all MPs and ministers obey the safety rules and dont walk into the chambers with guns or other dangerous items.
Dear Hon Sarah Opendi, on September 15, 2017, while visiting Naguru hospital on a secret mission to establish responsiveness of medical staff to their patients, you disguised your true identity under the full-face veil, a renowned Muslim dress code.

In this effort, the media has captured you berating medical staffers for unscrupulously getting money from Ugandans whom they are meant to serve free of charge.

I write not to credit you for your fight against corruption (supposing this has been well done by your seniors), but to condemn your rather uninformed abuse of a Muslim dress code.

You might have meant no harm, but I need to bring it to your attention that your decision was ill-informed, and is dangerous to Muslim women. There are two reasons for this:

First, we are in an era where Muslims passionate about their religion are perceived as radicals, terrorists and extremists, and their visible expressions of faith  the veil, hijab, or the long beard for males  have been targeted for Islamophobic profiling and attack.

Your decisions to dress in a Muslim attire on such a controversial mission was misinformed as it perpetuates stereotypes about Muslim women.

Using the Islamic dress code to do undercover work puts the state of our wives, daughters and sisters who dress in this fashion in a position where they will be viewed as women on a secret mission!

Medical practitioners in all public hospitals are likely to become suspicious of them, which might bring discrimination against them. Just a day after your patriotic act, Muslim women started receiving the heat.

They were turned away from facilities as a way of getting back at you! Did you foresee this?

Since part of your script involved attempting to bribe the medical practitioners, you brought unto Muslim women the rather unfortunate perception that they give out bribes. This gives a bad impression to Islam.

Madam Minister, you should have known that the full-face veil is a garb of religious devotion, not a costume for secret missions. The full-face veil, or simply the veil, seeks to liberate Muslim women from the abuses of society (ogles, touches, unwanted vibes, and general machismo ignorance) by keeping them private in the public sphere.

This veil is protection: Allah has instructed, O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused (Quran 33: 59).

Indeed, the veil fosters our womens respect as they are respectfully addressed as Hajjat even when they have not gone to Mecca.

I just do not understand why you didnt interest yourself in other fashions such as tight jeans or trousers, wigs, caps or anything else. These would have been good enough than pick on a dress code which mobilizes strong religious sensibilities.

Dear Minister, I bet even if you had gone without any masquerade, those staffers would not have recognized you  because you actually rarely visit them!

My second reason lies in the general condition of the medical industry in Uganda. It has been well documented that the most poorly-paid medical professionals in the region are in Uganda. Media reports have often reported about the absence of drugs in hospitals and the poor conditions of work.

This perhaps explains the endless sit-down strikes across the country, and the poor services rendered.

Contrapuntally, politicians are always in the news for abuse of office. Billions of shillings have often disappeared under their watch, culturing a practice of impunity and abuse.

In fact, in addition to politicians mega salaries, it is difficult to explain their motivation for corruption, yet the corruption of the underpaid medical persons could be explained as an effort to make ends meet.

In fact, at the risk of appearing to condone corruption of medical doctors, it is these small bills  as you saw them scattered in their drawers that patients quietly hand over to medics that motivate service. In other words, putting a stop to this form of corruption hurts the medical industry.



The author is the spokesperson of the Tabliq community in Uganda.
Tourists love to ask if they can "park the car in Harvard Yard"  or rather, "pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd." This question illustrates the stereotypical Boston accent, whose origins date back to the 17th century. Beantown's famous dialect is a melting pot, bearing the influence of Quakers, Puritans and Algonquin Indians alike.

By far, the Boston accent's best-known quirk is a tendency to drop the "R" sound. This is exchanged for an "ah," turning beer into beeah. Until recently, historians attributed the custom to good old Anglophilia. Supposedly, Massachusetts colonists were trying to emulate the high-brow norms of England's elite, who always made a point to ditch their R's. However, this explanation might have it backward.

Advertisement

The dropped "R" habit first showed up in southeastern England, where it wasn't originally seen as prestigious. In 2012, linguist Richard Bailey used phonetically written records to show that the trend later became popular in pre-Revolutionary Boston. And yet, according to his research, Britain's well-off wouldn't embrace the practice until the mid-1800s. So, in other words, it's possible that English socialites were copying Beantown and not vice-versa.

Oh, and for what it's worth, Harvard Yard has very strict parking policies, so you might want to leave your vehicle elsewhere. Just saying.
Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier

"When you shake a veteran's hand today, look them in the eye and give them a heartfelt thank you," said USAF Ret. Col. Jen Fullmer, parade grand marshal, who spoke at the event.
FORT EDWARD  A Lake Luzerne man who burglarized an antiques store in Fort Ann last year has been sentenced to up to 4 years in state prison.

Stephen P. Barrant, 40, pleaded guilty to felony burglary for a break-in at an unspecified business in West Fort Ann in April 2016.

He was arrested earlier this year after DNA recovered from blood found at the business matched him, and stolen items were later recovered from property he was linked to in Hadley.

Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan imposed a 1-1/3 to 4-year prison term, which is to be served after he completes a 1- to 3-year prison term for his role in a string of home burglaries in Saratoga County.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
The Quad-Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau unveiled a new visitor center Thursday at Davenport's RiverCenter just in time to greet scores of city leaders from across Iowa who are downtown for a conference.

As attendees of the Iowa League of Cities 2017 Annual Conference milled around the events facility, Quad-City tourism leaders and city officials snipped the ceremonial ribbon on the new Visitor Center at RiverCenter South. The refurbished RiverCenter staff office  now a modern information center and storefront  replaces the bureau's previous Union Station visitor center on Davenport's riverfront.

"We're really where the visitors are now," Joe Taylor, the bureau's president and CEO, told a crowd of tourism advocates, elected leaders and Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce staff and ambassadors.

Located off the atrium at the southernmost entrance, he said the visitor center will be available for RiverCenter events, which bring approximately 300,000 people annually.

"It's a natural fit," said Rick Palmer, executive director of the city-owned RiverCenter, who worked with Taylor and city staff to find a suitable location and forge the agreement. With the city seeking to re-develop its riverfront and find the best use for Union Station, this partnership was a "mutual collaboration," he said.

"We are in the heart of downtown and now the CVB is in the heart of downtown," Palmer said. "It makes a lot of sense. The foot traffic isn't at Union Station, it's downtown."

Deanna Jensen-Valliere, the bureau's board president, said the RiverCenter location and downtown hotels such as Hotel Blackhawk and The Current Iowa will help drive more conferences and meetings to downtown Davenport. A destination assessment, conducted 10 years ago, had identified bringing additional business to the RiverCenter as one of the region's needs, she said.

According to Taylor, the bureau moved into Union Station in 1995 and occupied space on both floors. When the bureau relocated its Moline offices from the former train depot to Bass Street Landing in 2008, it consolidated to the first floor of Union Station.

Taylor credited the new center's funding, including a remodel, to the city of Davenport, Bettendorf and Scott County as a result of proceeds from the sale of the former Mississippi Valley Welcome Center in 2012. He said it is the second of three new visitor centers the proceeds have helped fund. The others include one at Quad-City International Airport and one to be built at The Q train station in downtown Moline.

"It's a much better lease situation. It's a smaller square footage, but smaller costs," Taylor said, adding that the city is providing the space for free for the first few years. After which, the bureau will pay a nominal lease.

Hours of the new center will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. But Taylor said they will adjust as traffic warrants. It will be staffed by the bureau's "experienced specialists," or part-time visitor counselors.

Hand-picked to sign in as the center's inaugural guest was Coralville Mayor John Lundell, who is being installed as the Iowa League of Cities new president. "It's the right audience to be matched up with," he said of the new locale.

"This is a great opportunity for the CVB," he added. "In our community, the CVB is a huge player in economic development. It brings many visitors into the community and helps spur the economy."
Theres a little bit of Jason Bourne in American Made.

This fast-paced biopic was helmed by Doug Liman, the director behind The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow, another wonderful Tom Cruise movie. The central figure in American Made is real person: Barry Seal.

The story is not only a biopic of Seal, but its also a little about the history that led up to the Iran/Contra scandal. Drug cartels, the CIAs involvement in the struggle against communism and drug/weapons smuggling are all part of this bizarre story that audiences wouldnt believe if it werent based on real events (although this does not pretend to be a history lesson).

Its an action movie thats also a star vehicle for Cruise, who makes his character utterly likeable regardless of which side(s) hes on at any moment.

The tale begins in 1978, with Seal flying 707s for TWA. Hes carrying some questionable cargo on some of his flights, and this comes to the attention of a CIA agent who goes by the name Schafer (Domhnall Gleeson, Ex Machina.)

Schafer, or whoever he is, then asks Seal to do some aerial photography in Central America. Seal takes the lucrative but dangerous assignment, and starts lying to his wife Lucy (Sarah Wright, The House Bunny) about continuing his career with TWA.

Soon, Seal begins to deliver packages to General Noriega. Eventually, some drug dealers (including the notorious Pablo Escobar) ask him to deliver shipments of cocaine when he comes back to the United States. Thats lucrative, too: They pay him $2,000 per kilogram.

The CIA then asks Seal to deliver guns to the Contras. Meanwhile, Seal is trying to launder and hide so much money that he simply has no more room for it.

Cruise is in great form here. Hes a delight to see as the ever-charming, ever-scheming pilot who always seems one step of ahead of everyone else. Watch while he sits, under arrest, smiling from ear to ear while he awaits the news that he can walk away.

Much of the film is lighthearted, despite its themes of violence, pending death and drug smuggling. Along with the rest of the audience, I laughed out loud several times.

Also, the flying sequences are great fun (one pilot, asleep at the controls, is awakened in a clever way). Anyone who has seen many movies will hearken back to Top Gun, which Cruise was filming about the same time some of the 1980s events unfold.

Liman makes the complex carryings-on understandable. And Cruise and the rest of the ensemble make it highly entertaining.
A Davenport man was arrested Thursday night after police say he possessed a gun while in the parking lot of Davenport West High School.

Todd Michael White, 41, last known address in the 3800 block of West Central Park Avenue, faces one count of carrying weapons on school grounds, a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

He was booked into the Scott County Jail at 10:08 p.m. Thursday and was released a little more than an hour later after paying $5,000 through a bail bond company. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Oct. 19.

Davenport police responded about 8:35 p.m. Thursday to West High School, 3505 W. Locust St., for a disturbance.

Officers learned that a man had displayed a gun and left in a Mercury SUV, according to an arrest affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint.

According to the affidavit, White was involved in a verbal altercation in the high school parking lot. During the argument, he removed his shirt, revealing a silver handgun in his waistband, according to the complaint.

White appeared to be intoxicated and had red, blood-shot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and unsteady gait and had an odor of alcohol that became stronger as he spoke, according to the affidavit.

He admitted to being present on school grounds while in possession of a 9mm Jimenez Arms handgun.

Although White has a valid concealed carry permit through Scott County, Iowa law prohibits firearms on school property.

The Iowa Department of Education says on its website that the only exceptions for having a firearm on school property is if the person is a peace officer, member of the armed forces or National Guard or correctional officer who is carrying the weapon in connection with his or her duties; the weapon is unloaded and inside a closed and fastened container; or the school has specifically authorized the person to bring the weapon onto school grounds for the purposes of conducting an instructional program regarding firearms.
Before Leland Morrison became superintendent of schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport, he spent 35 years in public education.

Now, he's adding a new duty to his professional life: A place on the Nonpublic School Advisory Committee of the Iowa Department of Education.

Morrison applied for the committee job, and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the appointment a month ago. He joins the five-member panel that advises the state on issues from the perspective of non-public schools.

Morrison clearly knows a lot about public schools in Iowa. He was educated in public schools, colleges and universities, starting in Sigourney, Iowa.

"I have an interest in both public and private schools. I have always felt, a community's strength is a community with educational choices," he said, noting he serves now on committees in the Davenport Community School District, including the at-risk and drop-out prevention boards.

That said, Morrison advocates for private schools, keeping in mind the 32,000 Iowa students who are not part of the public school system.

Although private school education is a hot topic in the United States since the 2016 presidential election, Morrison said the Catholic schools in the Davenport Diocese are accredited and plan to stay that way.

For example, while private schools are not required to give the Iowa Assessment tests, Morrison said that's not going to end for area students.

"Our parents demand that testing," he said.

Although the tests can be costly, Morrison sees part of his job as reminding the governor about the needs of private schools.

The advisory committee deals with a wide range of topics, including the "Every Student Succeeds Act" approved Sept. 18 in Iowa and sent to federal education officials, David Tilly said.

Tilly, deputy director of the Iowa Department of Education, co-directs the advisory group. Specific tasks for the committee are set out in the Iowa Code and include teacher certification and school standards, Tilly said, noting the state started adding advisory committees in 2001.

The positions are unpaid and are not subject to approval by the Iowa Senate. The group meets quarterly, and Morrison's first session is Oct. 9 in Des Moines.

The committee represents both faith-based and secular private schools, Tilly said.

"While they are for their schools, they do a good job of thinking broadly about what other schools in the state need," Tilly said. "This is a very enlightening, thoughtful group of people who always give good advice to the department."

Tilly knows Morrison and said he is looking forward to working with the Davenport resident.

Morrison, who oversees 5,000 students, said the Catholic schools are thriving. He takes part in the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, especially in curriculum meetings that emphasize science and social studies.

Curriculum can be expensive, he said, noting that's very true of STEM, or the science, technology, engineering and math, programming. However, the schools all work on budgets, supplemented by grants and "generous benefactors," Morrison said.

In addition, the state seeks out the school system's people for service from time-to-time. As an example, John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Davenport is a partner with the state Education Department in piloting tools and processes for the state's multi-tiered systems of support, Principal Chad Steimle said.

Today's parents want choice in their schools, and Morrison is happy to be advocating for all private schools in Iowa.

"We want to keep moving forward," he said.
Three months ago, Bryan and Shannon Agnitsch got married.

The Preston, Iowa, couple has talked about starting a family. But that's been delayed. Bryan, who is a specialist in the Iowa National Guard, is being deployed overseas.

The couple has known for some time that he'll be leaving, but the deployment is for about a year, and that's hard to come to grips with.

"I cried all night," Shannon, 19, said Friday morning, as she waited for the beginning of the National Guard's send-off ceremony for the 248th Aviation Support Battalion in Davenport. "We've never really been apart yet; that's what's hard."

Friday's send-off was one of four across the state as the Iowa National Guard mobilizes 390 soldiers. It's Iowa's largest mobilization in seven years. The soldiers are based in four cities, including Davenport, where hundreds turned out Friday morning for a send-off for 75 soldiers.

Guard officials say no specific location has been released, but it will be to the Middle East.

Agnitsch, inspired by his father who served 25 years in the Guard, including deployments to Afghanistan, said he joined because he grew up around it and wanted to "do something good." But the idea of being away from his new wife is still "kind of rough," he said.

Those sentiments were in ample supply Friday, as tears often flowed among families and friends.

This kind of sacrifice, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in brief remarks, isn't widely shared among Americans. Relatively few people serve in the military.

"We are so grateful for your commitment to defending freedom," she said.

As the members of the Guard unit proceeded into the large hangar where the ceremony was held, the crowd let out sustained applause. The ceremony itself lasted only about a half hour. But afterward, family mingled, took photos, hugged and made the most of their time together.

Col. Greg Hapgood, a spokesman for the Guard, said the soldiers would be leaving in the next few days. Before going overseas, they will first go to training at Fort Hood, Texas, for about eight to 10 weeks.

Kellen Korf, a private who recently got engaged, is on his first deployment. He confessed to some nervousness Friday.

"I'm so used to being home. I haven't traveled much," he said.

But at the same time, he said, he's excited at the chance to see a different part of the world. His family, including his fiance, Cat Nguyen, joined him at the ceremony.

Britton Faldarano of Muscatine was sending off her husband. They've been married about a year. The past week, she said, has been filled with practical details such as packing and figuring out things around the house, including where keys are located. When her husband first went off to training, a seven-month stint, she said it was harder than it is now.

Still, she adds, in a week, "I'm going to be a mess." Faldarano said she has family to help, and she intends to cope by staying busy with painting and refinishing furniture. "I've got a lot of projects going on."
 Here's the afternoon forecast from the National Weather Service. It will be sunny with a high near 70 degrees and an overnight low of around 42 degrees.

CrimeStoppers: Do you know the driver of this van?

 In four of the eight games Iowa has played against Michigan State since Mark Dantonio arrived in East Lansing, neither team has scored 20 points.

That may provide a hint of things to come in the final Hawkeye 10@10 warm-up for Saturdays 3 p.m. game at Spartan Stadium.

That and more are part of todays Hawkeye 10@10, your daily dose of Iowa news and notes. Read more.

 You're probably familiar with the movie Home Alone, that Christmas classic where a family heads to Europe and forgets their youngest son, who is left behind to fend for himself.

Here's a different take on that storyline: Police say they've arrested a suburban Des Moines mom who left her four children home alone so she could take a trip to Europe.
A good Friday to all. Sunny and nice. Repeat. Repeat, again. There you have the forecast through the weekend. But for those looking for more, here are the weather details from the National Weather Service.

1. A beautiful seasonable weekend

Today will be sunny with a high near 70 degrees and a low around 42 degrees.

Saturday will be sunny with a high near 70 degrees and a low around 49 degrees.

Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high near 73 degrees and a low around 57 degrees.

2. Closures today, Sunday on Government Bridge

The U.S. Army Garrison at the Rock Island Arsenal will be performing work on the Government Bridge and the adjacent roadway today and Sunday.

From 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., today, bridge inspection will require the bridge to be closed to all vehicular traffic.

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, the Rock Island Access Control Point to the Rock Island Arsenal and Beck Avenue will be fully closed for inspection of the railroad bridges over the Rock Island Arsenal entrance roadway. The Davenport Access Control Point to the Rock Island Arsenal will be open during this closure.

3. Franklin School students still waiting for direction

Students of a Moline elementary school damaged by fire will have to wait a few more days to find out when  and where  they will be back in the classroom.

Moline-Coal Valley board members met Thursday night in a special session to approve preliminary actions to help the district move forward after Franklin Elementary School sustained smoke and fire damage on Sunday.

Superintendent Lanty McGuire said after the meeting he hopes to have another session at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wilson Middle School, 1301 48th St., to provide students and their families more details on what the plans are for the following week.

McGuire said the district has options for a temporary location for a school, but one has not been selected. Read more.

4. Lincoln, Waverly reopen in west Davenport

The city of Davenport reports that Lincoln Avenue and Waverly Road is now open to traffic. The streets reopened around 10 p.m., Thursday, after being closed for weeks for road, curb and sidewalk repairs and resurfacing.

Finish work such as sidewalks, raising other manholes and valve boxes will be completed in the coming week. Intermittent lane reductions should be expected during this time. All finish work should be completed by Oct. 7.

5. Police enter home in standoff to find occupant dead

Davenport police were sent to a home in the 2300 block of West 3rd Street at 5:13 p.m. Thursday when someone heard a gunshot from within the home.

Davenport police Major Jeff Bladel said officers were sent to the home to perform a welfare check on the occupant of the home in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Police secured the perimeter of the home and tried to talk the occupant of the home out.

About 7 p.m., members of Davenports Emergency Services Team entered the home and found the occupant inside the front door of the residence. The person was deceased, Bladel said.

Davenports detective bureau is conducting a follow-up investigation.

6. Man sentenced in dog-fighting case
Shirley Hampton of Davenport has been selected as the Hamilton Relay Deaf Community Leader Award recipient for the state of Iowa.

Hampton is an influential icon within Iowas deaf community while always emphasizing her passion regarding advocacy for the importance of qualified interpreting services.

She is a member of the Iowa Association of the Deaf, Dual Party Relay Council Member, Deaf Services Commission of Iowa and Iowa Deaf Senior Citizens.

She is also a member of Iowa State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and strives to increase the number of American Sign Language interpreters throughout the state.

Hampton is also the chairperson for a special committee that works on Iowa Sign Language Interpreter Licensing laws. Through her involvement with the Iowa State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and her leadership role in the Iowa Association of the Deaf, she works to provide equal access in hospitals.

In addition to her volunteer work, she has been an ASL instructor at Scott Community College and a certified deaf student mentor at schools in the area.
Wanting more influence in the presidential nominating process, California this week approved a plan to move its 2020 primary election to early March.

Whether the more prominent role for the nations most populous state impacts how presidential candidates campaign in Iowa remains to be seen.

California Gov. Jerry Brown this week signed legislation that set the states next presidential primary election for March 3, 2020.

That would place Californias primary on the first Super Tuesday, along with seven other states, following only Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Party officials and state lawmakers in California sought a more relevant role in choosing the president.

Candidates will not be able to ignore the largest, most diverse state in the nation as they seek our countrys highest office, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said in the Los Angeles Times.

With Californias massive delegate haul looming after the early voting states, could that alter how candidates participate in Iowa and its first-in-the-nation caucuses?

Opinions vary.

Dennis Goldford, a political science professor at Drake University and co-author of The Iowa Precinct Caucuses: The Making of a Media Event, said Californias move actually makes Iowa and the other early states even more important.

If candidates want a shot at Californias big prize, they first will have to perform well in Iowa, Goldford said.

When states move their own primary or caucus closer to Iowas, that increases the impact of the Iowa caucuses even more because a candidate that does poorly doesnt have as much time to recover, Goldford said. Anybody moving forward, closer to Iowa, makes Iowa even more important. Which is sort of counterintuitive, but they just have not realized that over the years.

Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, agrees.

I actually think that an argument can be made that it makes Iowa even more important. Now you have to get past Iowa to get to California, Kaufmann said. I think it puts more emphasis on the carve-out states.

While that could be true, Californias looming presence seems likely to take at least some of the candidates focus off Iowa in the lead-up to the caucuses, said Tim Hagle, a political science professor at the University of Iowa.

With such a big delegate haul to be won on Super Tuesday, candidates will devote at least some of their early resources --- staffing, campaigning and advertising --- to California, which likely will mean less of those things in Iowa, Hagle said.

Because California is such a big state, its going to require candidates to come up with a stronger organization and a lot more money a lot faster. And because California is such a big prize, regardless of the party ... theyre going to have to spend more time there, which means less time in smaller states like Iowa and New Hampshire, Hagle said.

One national political scientist thinks the impact to Iowa and other early voting states will be minimal.

Josh Putnam, who specializes in campaigns and elections and writes the political blog Frontloading HQ, said Super Tuesday was already a big deal without California, and that the states addition to the lineup will not change much.

That date was going to demand great fundraising and organization with or without California being there. I don't think that takes much of the luster off Iowa or any of the other carve-out states, Putnam wrote in an emailed response to questions about Californias impact on Iowa. But I also don't know that it makes Iowa any more important than it was in a similar position in 2016. Iowa will still be first and that will continue to carry the benefits that it usually does.

Putnam said it appears likely there will be enough candidates in 2020 that there will be plenty of campaign visits to the first-in-the-nation state, regardless of Californias position. And he said skipping the early states to focus on Super Tuesday states will not be a viable strategy.

(Candidates) will be (in Iowa) traipsing around in the January and February snows and they will be there throughout the invisible primary, Putnam said. Candidates have to organize for the first contest if they want to play in the second and subsequent ones.

Put me in the minimal effects column at this time.
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WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) is currently seeking college students to serve as spring interns in his office in Washington, D.C., as well as in his offices in Aberdeen, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls.

Interns in Thunes state offices will participate in constituent service and state outreach activities, while students in the Washington, D.C., office will have the opportunity to witness the legislative process, give Capitol building tours, and attend Senate votes and hearings. Both in-state and Washington, D.C., internships will allow students to work closely with constituents, hone their research and writing skills, and learn a multitude of valuable office skills.

The opportunity to intern in a Senate office is one of the best ways to learn how our federal government works, said Thune. Interns in my office will experience the inner workings of a Senate office firsthand, while improving their legislative knowledge and communication skills. I encourage all college students to consider applying for this rewarding experience.

Thune is chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and the Senate Committee on Finance.

College students who are interested in interning in Senator Thunes Washington, D.C., office should submit a resume and cover letter by October 31, 2017, to:

Senator John Thune

Attn: Angela Merkle

511 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

By email to: angela_merkle@thune.senate.gov

Or by fax to: 202-228-5429

College students who are interested in interning in Senator Thunes Sioux Falls, Rapid City, or Aberdeen offices should submit a resume and cover letter by October 31, 2017, to:

Senator John Thune

Attn: Robin Long

5015 South Bur Oak

Sioux Falls, SD 57108

By email to: robin_long@thune.senate.gov

For more information, please call 202-224-2321.
Four embattled beer stores in Whiteclay must remain closed following a Nebraska Supreme Court decision Friday, seen as a resounding victory for opponents of alcohol sales in the northwest Nebraska reservation border town.

The ruling all but eliminates any hope the beer store owners had of reopening  at least in the near future.

The stores, which were forced to close in April, had for decades served millions of cans of beer each year to residents of South Dakotas nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol is banned.

Wow. Outstanding. Outstanding. Wow. Tremendous, said anti-Whiteclay beer activist John Maisch as a reporter read him the court's conclusion.

The justices did not weigh in on the issues of rampant alcoholism on Pine Ridge or lawlessness in Whiteclay itself. Instead, they determined that a fatal legal flaw had doomed the beer store owners' appeal of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission's April decision to deny their liquor licenses.

"Our decision today does not address the merits of the parties respective positions, but rests solely on jurisdictional grounds," Justice John Wright wrote in a 17-page opinion.

The court agreed with Dave Domina, the attorney for Sheridan County residents opposed to the stores, who argued that the stores hadn't correctly appealed to the court because they hadn't included his clients in the case.

Because they didn't, a Lincoln judge's order reversing the Liquor Commission's decision was void, Wright said.

Andrew Sndyer, attorney for the beer stores, did not immediately return phone messages Friday.

Todays Nebraska Supreme Court decision means that the shame of Whiteclay is over," said Domina. "It also means huge rocks have been removed from the road to recovery for many of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation and the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Bryan Brewer, a formal tribal president who has opposed Whiteclay beer sales, thanked the Supreme Court and the people of Nebraska.

"The Lakota people, we've never won anything. This is a major victory for us  kind of our first big win," Brewer said. "We are very pleased up here.

"We're very happy with their decision, and hopefully we can start the healing process for our people, especially our children."

It is unclear whether the beer stores will make another legal bid to reopen.

They could seek a rehearing by the Nebraska Supreme Court, or ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision. The stores could also challenge the state through an entirely new lawsuit, possibly in federal court.

Another option would be to apply for new liquor licenses, then go to court once more if the licenses aren't granted.

Bob Batt, the Liquor Commission chairman, said there's "zero" chance the commission will allow beer sales to resume in Whiteclay anytime soon, short of a reversal by the courts.

He called Friday's decision a victory for due process and the rule of law.

"God Bless America," he said. "Weve brought some closure to this."

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, whose office represented the Liquor Commission in the appeal, complimented two lawyers on his staff, Solicitor General Jim Smith and Assistant Attorney General Milissa Johnson-Wiles, for their work in the case.

"Todays decision affords an opportunity to write a hopeful chapter in the story of Whiteclay," Peterson said in a news release.

A task force led by two state senators, Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln and Tom Brewer of Gordon, has already begun drawing up plans for new business development and human services in Whiteclay. The task force is visiting the area this weekend for a series of meetings.

"Streets once plagued with public intoxication, vagrancy, assaults, rape, and unsolved murder are now peaceful," Sen. Brewer said Friday. "The drain on Sheridan County emergency services and law enforcement is a fraction of what it once was. The healing of a town once called 'The Skid Row of the Plains' has started."
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE | The United States Declaration of Independences preamble starts with We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal These words have been trusted, followed and defended to some peoples last breath. They define the basic view of the United States: equality for all.

Not only abiding by the preamble, but also the core values of the Air Force, has helped the 28th Bomb Wing Equal Opportunity office earn recognition at the Air Force and major command level.

The team was recently presented the 2016 Col. L. Joseph Brown award by Col. Bradley Cochran, the vice commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, during the wing standup meeting, Sept. 14. This is the fourth consecutive time the EO office has received the award, and the fifth time overall.

The award, which is named after a large contributor to EO, is for exceptional performance by an equal opportunity office in three different categories: mission accomplishment and innovation, leadership and management, and customer focus.

Its more than just an award to us, said Tech. Sgt. Janay Stokes, the noncommissioned officer in charge of EO assigned to the 28th BW. Our overall goal is to ensure that everybody is homogenous when working together. We want to make sure everybody can go to work and be able to do their job without any type of barriers.

Equal opportunity is not only an Air Force career, it is a nationwide mentality that small businesses, corporations and other ventures follow.

Equal opportunity is a process that individuals, not only in this office, detect and eliminate different barriers that lead to unlawful discrimination, said Donald Bell, the director of EO assigned to the 28th BW. It means that you are attempting to create an environment where individuals are judged simply on merit, individual fitness, and their capabilities.

With this award, the Ellsworth team is recognized for exhibiting the career fields creed: one team, one fight.

What Col. L Joseph Brown wanted to see was people not only taking the skills and knowledge they get from their [training] and use it at their installation, but primarily taking the same skills and experience and use [them] outside the installation, Bell said.

He went on to explain that the Ellsworth office excels at community engagement and relationships. They have given classes and courses to county correctional facilities, sheriff departments and schools. All of these things were not expected of their career, but their office went the extra mile to provide training for the community.

The service members with EO have cross-trained into the career field. This requires them to not only go through technical training, but also have the capacity to step outside of their own views.

I honestly believe since being here I have not only grown to be a better EO advisor but also to be a better Airman, Stokes said.

Stokes went on to say EO focuses on building communication and understanding others as individuals and as a collective. She said the first place to build these skills is inside ones own office.

The preamble of the Declaration of Independences first sentence ends with that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. With four consecutive awards, the 28th Bomb Wing Equal Opportunity office enforces these words and truly showcases the best that the military has.
PIERRE | Two South Dakota agricultural operators won approval for beginning-farmer financing Thursday from the state's Value Added Finance Authority.

The six authority members on the teleconference agreed to a $250,000 bond for Harold Jr. and Madeline Fluit of Canton and a $306,850 bond for Quinton Dorhout of rural Hawarden, Iowa.

Both operations are for purchases of 2,400-head hog nurseries. The Fluits are paying $450,000, while Dorhout is paying $850,000. Local banks agreed to the financial packages, according to Terri LaBrie, the authoritys executive director.

Dan Taylor from Premier Bank of Rock Valley, Iowa, represented the Fluits, who presented their vision for the project last month to the authority.

Banker Lance Steuck of Hawarden spoke for Dorhout. It would be really good to step into that for him, Steuck said.

There werent any other citizens who commented on either project during public hearings Thursday.

The Legislature created the Value Added Finance Authority in 1986 at the suggestion of then-Gov. Bill Janklow, as South Dakota struggled through its worst agricultural times since the 1930s.

Lawmakers adopted eight findings that described the then-current conditions, which can be viewed online at bit.ly/2wZ0Few.

From fiscal 1996 through the June 30 end of fiscal 2017, the beginning farmer program issued 344 bond packages. The five in fiscal 2017 went to Jeffrey and Tara Cole of Hudson, Matt and Ashley Peterson of Sisseton, Kaleb Freeman of Britton, Adam Krause of Clear Lake and Brent and Lyndy Krause of Brookings.

Its good to get the young people and keep them in the state and get them involved in the economy, said Bob Hull of Sisseton, the authoritys chairman.
BISMARCK, N.D. | The Native American official who has been the face and voice of the fight against the Dakota Access oil pipeline has been voted out of office.

Unofficial results from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe's general election Wednesday showed that Dave Archambault received only 37 percent of about 1,700 votes cast. His opponent, longtime tribal councilman and wildlife official Mike Faith, received 63 percent, according to the totals released Thursday.

Archambault conceded defeat in a statement.

"I will continue to advocate for the issues facing our community and look forward to exploring new opportunities," he said. "I wish the new administration the best and look forward to a smooth transition, ensuring that we do not lose the powerful momentum we have at Standing Rock."

The tribe opposed the $3.8 billion pipeline built by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners over fears it would harm cultural sites and the tribe's Missouri River water supply  claims rejected by ETP. Protests failed to stop the pipeline, and it began moving North Dakota oil through South Dakota and Iowa to a distribution point in Illinois on June 1. The Standing Rock and three other Sioux tribes are still fighting the pipeline in federal court.

A protest camp on federal land just north of the reservation and near the area where the pipeline skirted tribal land drew hundreds and sometimes thousands of pipeline opponents, some of whom clashed with police. There were 761 arrests between August and February.

Archambault earlier this year called for the large camp and other smaller camps in the area to disband before the spring flooding season, upsetting some tribal members.

Activist Chase Iron Eyes, who is a Standing Rock member, clashed with Archambault over whether the large-scale on-the-ground protests should continue. But he said that even though he and Archambault disagreed about tactics, they shared the same goal and that Archambault "represented us well" overall.

However, Iron Eyes said fresh voices in tribal leadership might bolster efforts to repair relations with county, state and federal officials that became strained during the protests.

The Rev. John Floberg, who has been an Episcopal minister on the reservation for 26 years, said he doesn't think Archambault's handling of the protests was a big factor in his defeat.

"A lot of times when Standing Rock has an election, it isn't about getting rid of someone that's not doing a good job, it's about looking to what the gifts (strengths) are of the candidates," he said, adding that Faith has long been a respected leader on the reservation.

Faith, 64, said he's not sure how big an issue the pipeline protest was in the campaign. The reservation has numerous other problems that need addressing, from a poor economy to poor health care, he said.

Faith, who used to manage the tribe's buffalo herd and work as a ranger in its wildlife department, has been on the Tribal Council for a total of 18 years. He said he personally opposes the pipeline but thinks the large-scale protest took focus away from other issues, including health care, education, elderly needs, suicide problems, illegal drugs and a poor economy.

"We kind of neglected our own" by taking the lead on the pipeline protest, he said. "We did what we had to do, but we didn't realize we were going to hurt our economy that much."

The state shut down the highway near the protest camp for months. The highway also was the main route for patrons of the tribe's casino, its main source of revenue.

"People want to see how we can fix ourselves," Faith said. "We have to look at not depending on the casino so much. We have to look at enticing companies to come down here."

Faith said he respects what Archambault did, and Archambault said he wishes the new administration well and looks forward to a smooth transition.

"I did the best I could for my tribe, and that's what we must ask of our leaders," Archambault said.
Habitat for Humanity of Ravalli County has a new executive director and volunteer coordinator, is expanding hours on their ReSale Center, and is completing its ninth home build in the Bitterroot Valley.

Executive Director Jordan Silva said the vision is for diversity of partners, re-sales, builds, and for a bigger impact in the community. He came on board a month ago and is steering the organization's vision to the Habitat International vision.

The vision was always and still is building homes but also a bit more diversified, Silva said. Were starting a new program where we repair homes and do community development. Were not just here to build homes but to connect with the community and other nonprofits.

Habitat for Humanity was founded in Georgia in 1976 and in Ravalli County more than two decades later. The foundation belief is every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

The nine Ravalli County homes are in Corvallis, Stevensville, Darby and Hamilton.

This is the first year weve completed two in one year, Silva said. Were expanding that vision. Wed like to get to three homes a year, but it takes a lot of ground work to get up to that level.

The nonprofit organization operates on the principle of putting Gods love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Silvas background is in ministry and the military.

I served in the military and now have been in the valley seven years, he said. We chose the Bitterroot Valley because we visited it and just love it. Its a place we want to spend time in so here we are.

Silva said Habitat for Humanity will be spending more time in the community with the goal of diversifying the age of its volunteers.

A lot of people think of the Jimmy Carter kind of generation because thats the poster child of building homes, he said. We love our senior community and they are valuable, but there are a lot of other faces we need to connect with.

"We havent been in the community as an organization for a while and we want to be in the community and give back to the community first.

Silva said Habitat for Humanity is expanding beyond building homes to home repair.

We want to help those cant or dont have the means to fix things on their own  were bringing aid and assistance, he said. Well be doing home repairs like building handicapped accessible ramps, fixing roofs or leaking drains.

He said the organization is also expanding the hours of their ReSale Center beginning Oct. 17.

We are expanding our hours so our community has a better chance of connecting with the Habitat mission and using the resources we have, he said. The ReSale Center is there to fund the projects of Habitat for Humanity, provide a lower-cost way for people to remodel or repair their homes and do projects. And it is a way to keep stuff out of the landfill, and we want more people to be involved in that.

The ReSale Center will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, at 131 Old Corvallis Rd., near the fairgrounds in Hamilton.

New Volunteer Coordinator Liz Gibney shares the vision of diversity and brings 20 years of nonprofit experience.

I know the nonprofit world and have done lots of volunteer recruitment, training and maintaining, Gibney said.

Habitat for Humanity in Hamilton currently has 50 volunteers.

My job is to coordinate to increase the number of volunteers and explain jobs we have, she said. Most people think when they volunteer for Habitat they are going to go out and do a build, but there are so many other opportunities.

Volunteers also can work in the resale store, serve on a committee, provide food to the builders, and more.

Silva and Gibney are meeting with area high schools, churches, businesses and the Bitterroot College. Their next home will be built in the spring.

Its a rebuilding and rebranding time for us, Gibney said. Its exciting and fun.

Habitat for Humanity relies on donations of time, labor and finances.

This July, Habitat for Humanity benefited from a fundraising barbecue hosted by EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley.

With the barbecue and raffle we were able to bring in $7,365, Silva said. With the EXIT Realty match, that number becomes $14,730 that goes to our local builds in Stevensville and Darby.

Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors Vice-President Max Coleman said that in 22 years, EXIT Realty Corporation has pledged more than $3.5 million to Habitat International.

Habitat for Humanity is our charity of choice, Coleman said. All 30 of my agents and every one of my franchises all work with Habitat. Now Exit is matching dollar for dollar locally. Were in the business of helping people get into homes and this is the only way some people can get into homes.

Coleman said Silva and Gibmey are doing an incredible job.

Theyve injected new energy and were excited about what is going on, he said.

Habitat for Humanity will have a booth at Apple Day, Oct. 7, to increase the communitys awareness of their organization, increase their volunteers and connect with the community.

They will have little yellow construction hats for the kids and youth-friendly projects.

Were trying to do things with the kids that will bring a tie to the store and the builds, Gibmey said. There are crafty things you can buy at the ReSale store. We took ceramic tiles from the store and kids will be encouraged to make a handprint.

Silva said the Hamilton High School Honor Society will give them a hand at Apple Day.

Were changing the demographic in a good way  were broadening the scope of what you can do when involved in Habitat for Humanity, he said. The ultimate goal of Humanity is build homes and make connections. We are doing that and it is exciting.
The Montana Board of Regents will hold a teleconference next week to discuss finalists for president of the University of Montana, a higher education official said Wednesday.

The meeting and board discussion next week  possibly Tuesday  represent a change in the process anticipated for the hire.

Initially, Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian planned to talk with Montana Board of Regents individually this week after hearing recommendations from the search committee. The committee met Wednesday.

Fran Albrecht, chair of the regents and one of two regents on the search committee, said the board has been engaged through the process, and members want the chance to deliberate as a group. She said the search elicited a significant amount of feedback, and the regents believe it's time for a candid discussion about the recommendations.

"There was just consensus among the board members that we felt it would be most productive for us to get together as a group to talk through it," Albrecht said.

Regent Casey Lozar is also on the search committee, which is made up of faculty, staff, students, regents and community members.

***

Wednesday, roughly 20 search committee members met for two hours to discuss which of the four finalists they would consider acceptable as head of UM, said Kevin McRae, spokesman for the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

Commissioner Christian is leading the search. McRae, deputy commissioner of communications, said the advisory committee recommended multiple candidates advance.

However, he declined to specify how many of the four the committee deemed acceptable or whether the group objected to any candidates, citing legal expectations of privacy.

McRae is not on the search committee but relayed information after a conversation with the commissioner. He anticipates the teleconference will take place Tuesday but said the Commissioner's Office will issue advanced notice of the meeting.

He said the commissioner will discuss in an open session the status of the search, and it will close the meeting to talk about individual candidates.

***

The four finalists for president visited UM earlier this month and talked with different campus groups. Each spent roughly a day and a half at UM, and agendas included public forums of an hour and a quarter.

Campus and community members who closely watched the forums told the Missoulian they generally saw strengths in Andy Feinstein of San Jose State University, Seth Bodnar of General Electric, and Chuck Ambrose of the University of Central Missouri; they were not impressed with Mirta Martin of the Kirchner Bank and formerly Fort Hays State University.

Mary-Ann Bowman, chair of the Faculty Senate, said Wednesday she trusts the members of the search committee, but she would like more information at this stage of the search. The chair said she would like to know the finalists the committee supported for advancement.

"In order to support transparency in the process, it would be good to know which candidates the committee has sent forward to the Board of Regents and the commissioner," Bowman said.

***

After the meeting next week, the board could direct the commissioner to extend an offer to a candidate, McRae said. He said regents could also decide to solicit more information and bring a candidate or multiple candidates back to Montana for another visit.

Chair Albrecht said she did not believe the meeting next week would represent a delay that would diminish interest in the job from the finalists. She said the regents will be expeditious and respectful to honor the magnitude of the decision and the candidates.

Input from the public has been passionate and thoughtful in many cases, she said, and she encouraged people who still want to offer feedback to reach out to the regents' via email addresses posted on their website.

"It's been impressive," Albrecht said of the comments. "And I know that my fellow regents as well as the committee members are grateful for the amount of feedback, and we're also grateful that there's been such input from a variety of stakeholders."
Montana State Universitys fall enrollment grew for the 10th straight year according to statistics released Thursday by the university.

The figures for MSU come the day after the University of Montana released a report showing a projected dip in total student population but 2 percent uptick in freshman enrollment. UM officials said the small bump in the incoming class represents a sign of stabilization, although the overall drop is part of a 24.2 percent decline in UM enrollment since 2011.

MSU's fall report sends a message to the students of Montana that Montana State helps fulfill their higher education goals, MSU news director Mike Becker said Thursday.

Montana State has set enrollment records in 13 of the last 15 years. After completing a new dormitory in 2016 that filled instantly, MSU is designing another student housing complex to help accommodate the consistently rising enrollment, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

MSUs fall enrollment rose to 16,703 students compared to the University of Montana's 11,865  the first time since 1996 UM's enrollment has dipped below 12,000.

MSU's enrollment includes 10,251 students from Montana, the highest number of Montana students MSU has ever had enrolled at one time. MSU also saw a 10 percent jump in enrollment of American Indian and Alaska Native students. The University of Montana reported a 4.3 percent increase in Native American students for the fall semester.

Montana State's growth coincides with a challenging time for the University of Montana. In addition to years of falling enrollment, UM is in the midst of choosing a new president to guide the university in the coming years.

UM reported Wednesday that while its freshman fall enrollment grew by 2 percent and graduate student numbers shot up by 10 percent, it saw an overall drop in students of 4.5 percent.

Because the state of Montana anticipates a budget shortfall this year, the Montana University System anticipates every institution will be affected by the state's financial challenges.
TULLY, N.Y. - When Georgia Stormes and her late husband Norm Goldstein saw the house at 4215 Deer Haven Court in Tully, it reminded her of an Andrew Wyeth painting.

"It looked like this lonely house sitting alone on top of a hill," she remembered.

The house was built in 1989 on what was once a farmer's field. But what struck the couple, who both "loved the outdoors and had an appreciation for the outdoors," were the stunning views from the top of the hill.

Most beautiful is to the west where one can see Otisco Lake and the rolling hills behind it.

The views have given Stormes a refreshing philosophy on Central New York's often gloomy weather.

"There are so many gray days, but they are never just overcast," she thinks. "On this hill, the sky has so many more different shades and textures."

"I have traveled to Italy, Costa Rica and New Zealand," Stormes mentions, "and I still think home is the most beautiful place."

"It calms your soul and is a very welcoming, romantic house," she said.

The "lonely" home and the barren field is built to take advantage of the views, and the property has been shaped by Stormes and her husband to enhance them.

The back patio runs the full length of the back of the house and is, as Stormes says, the spot "to sit and eat during the summer. And the front porch, which faces east, is the place to be "in the morning drinking your coffee."

Built on almost three acres of property, the couple shortly after moving in decided that it was too much to mow and they wanted to give the property a more "natural look."

A professional landscaper, Don Peters, was consulted and together they created a plan which added trees, shrubs and perennial wildflowers.

Using plants and trees native to the area the landscaping, especially the groves of oak trees, Stormes says, "frames the natural views."

"They look like they have always been there," she says.

She cannot give an answer when she is asked what is her favorite aspect of the house.

"In the summer, it's the porch. In the winter, it's the living room with the wood-burning fireplace," she says.

The Vermont cast-iron fireplace has an eye-catching feature. The mantle dates to the 19th century and Stormes found it in a Skaneateles antiques shop. She thought it might be a perfect fit to the fireplace they were having installed.

She feels the time is right to downsize, and looks back fondly at what she helped create there.

"I've seen the land mature and watched a neighborhood with nice people be created," she said.

An open house is scheduled for Sunday, October 1 from 1 to 4 p.m.

THE DETAILS

Address: 4215 Deer Haven Court, Tully, N.Y. 13159

Price: $299,900

Size: 2,057 square feet

Acreage: 2.76 acres

Monthly Mortgage: $1,111 (based on this week's national average rate of 3.75 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.)

Total taxes: $7,059 (Based on assessed value of $208,515)

Built: 1989

School District: Tully

Kitchen: The eat-in kitchen comes with modern appliances and plenty of counter and cupboard space. The floors have been replaced with Italian ceramic. Windows face onto the back patio.

Bedrooms: The master bedroom is very large and is joined to the master bathroom by glass doors. The owner describes it as "open and airy," with its tall cathedral ceiling. It is one of three bedrooms in the house.

Bathrooms: Stormes says the master bathroom is everyone's favorite. The deep soaking tub is next to three large windows which face the valley to the west. It is one of three bathrooms in the house.

Living areas: The standout feature inside the house is the living room's Vermont Cast Iron catalytic Combustion wood stove, which is extremely energy-efficient. An antique mantle frames it perfectly. The living room is joined to the glassed-in back porch. The home also has a den/study, great room and first-floor laundry.

Outdoors: The home is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The almost three acres have been lovingly landscaped in a way that enhances the natural views from the hilltop setting. Enjoy surroundings from a three-season glassed-in back porch, a full length back patio and front porch. Otisco Lake is just five minutes down the hill for canoeing and kayaking. Beak and Skiff and Song Mountain are two other nearby attractions.

Agent: Margaret Karim

John Arquette Properties

Address: 104 Salt Springs Road, Fayetteville, N.Y. 13066

Phone: (315) 345-1018

Email: mkarim@gmail.com

To nominate a listing for House of the Week, send an email to home@syracuse.com.
Once again, the abusive acts and the crimes committed by the Polisario against the population sequestered in the Tindouf camps are denounced by human rights watchdogs, while the separatist movement, backed by Algeria, continues to impose its control on these camps with impunity.

The Moroccan League for Citizenship and Human Rights (LMCDH) slammed on Tuesday the serious and systematic violations of human rights committed by the Polisario in the camps of Tindouf without any prosecution or punishment.

The legal and human rights situation is very serious in the Tindouf camps, wherein the economic, social and cultural rights of the population are violated, said chairman of LMCDH, Driss Sedraoui.

At a press conference held to shed light on the complaint lodged by the NGO against Algeria at the African Court of Human Rights for the Human rights violations in the Tindouf camps, Driss Sedraoui said recourse to the African Court aims at exposing the human rights violations committed in the Tindouf camps and holding accountable those responsible for these crimes.

The complaint was filed against the Algerian State, which hosts the Tindouf camps where the Polisario continues to perpetrate its crimes under the pretext that it defends the independence of the Sahara provinces in southern Morocco.

This complaint, deposited at the courts clerks office, decries the various abuses endured by the Saharawi population in Tindouf. These abuses include civil and political rights restrictions, abductions, enforced disappearances and restrictions of freedom of expression, press, travel 

The LMCDH chairman cited in this regard several cases which violate the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
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Tuesdays stabbing of a police officer at San Francisco International Airport could have been a lot worse, as the officers injuries were minor enough that he was released from the hospital that same day. (The alleged assailant, however, still faces attempted murder of a peace officer charges.) But the incident sheds light on the discomforting trend of Bay Area homeless people crashing at SFO each evening, since the suspect in the stabbing has been described by sources as a transient hanging around the airport. ABC 7 reports that both the SFPD and SFO are considering new methods of addressing the growing number of homeless people using the airport as a place to sleep and spend the night.

The police officer in question has asked that his name not be released, but we do know that hes 49 years old has been with the department for 23 years. He is very relieved that no members of the public were hurt and that he was able to overcome this violent attack, SFPD airport bureau deputy chief Denise Schmitt said in a statement to the Chronicle. He is thankful for the quick action of bystanders and especially the other airport employees who jumped in to assist him once he got the suspect on the ground. He and his family appreciate all the supportive messages they have received.

The officer was stabbed multiple times when responding to a complaint about a suspicious person in Terminal One. That suspicious person was reportedly 64-year-old Dooris Johnston, a homeless man who remains held without bail at a correctional facility in Redwood City. On average, we see about a dozen homeless people per day at the airport that we're making contact with," SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel told ABC 7, noting that many arrive on the 1 a.m. final BART train of the evening looking for a warm, quiet place to sleep.

SFPD has been making efforts to discourage this behavior. "We do meet the last BART train in and there's very little reason to be at the airport unless you're a ticketed passenger," SFPD deputy chief Denise Schmitt told ABC 7. Officers reportedly offer SAMTrans tokens, free bus rides to San Francisco, or referrals to mental health organizations.

But the recent stabbing indicates they may not be doing enough. To that end, SFO and SFPD are considering a joint effort to add full-time advocates at the airport to redirect and offer resources to people seeking shelter and hope to have that program in place by the end of the year.

Related: No, San Francisco Does Not Spend $36,000 Per Year On Every Homeless Person


As this week sees the much awaited publication of a brand new, previously undiscovered Mark Twain children's story, one scholar at UC Berkeley is talking about the day he found evidence linking it to the legendary, prolific writer.

Robert Hirst, professor at UC Berkeley and General Editor and archivist of the Mark Twain Project, described to ABC 7 the discovery of a small note in the margin of an unfinished Twain manuscript. The note read, "Karoo hostess ain't she -- Susie." Given that Susie is the name of one of Twain's daughters, Hirst believes this to be proof that the funny handwritten manuscript, titled "Oleomargarine," can be directly linked to the author. Further, Hirst believes that "Oleomargarine" was one of Twain's many unwritten bedtime stories demanded constantly by his two daughters.

The unfinished manuscript was originally unearthed in the UC Berkeley archive by scholar John Bird in 2011, as he explained to the New York Times earlier this year. It was just 16 pages long, and it was only that tiny note that provided a connection to the bedtime stories Twain talked about making up in his autobiography, but never actually wrote down.

Hirst believes it was chance that he happened upon the note. He said, "A lot of people look through this and didn't tumble to that. And I've transcribed it  and I didn't tumble to that."

The manuscript might have remained unfinished if not for the efforts of author Philip Stead, who worked to complete the story. Along with his illustrator wife Erin Stead, he was able to create The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine, which hit bookstores earlier this week. In a chat with NPR, Philip Stead said, "It was never entirely clear to us if there was never an ending, or if Twain just never got around to writing it down. That said, we had to make a book, so we had to provide an ending to the story."

The book tells the story of a young boy named Johnny who eats some magical seeds and discovers he's then able to talk to animals. In addition to a few changes to the animal characters, Stead also made Johnny, the main character, a young black boy. NPR asked him about that particular decision, to which Stead replied, "Three years ago, when we began the project, it wasn't a political decision. The character of Johnny was based in part on a real boy that we know. That said, I think it's very unfortunate that if we had chosen a white character as the main character, I'm not sure that we'd be answering these questions."

Of course, Twain may take issue with the book for another reason completely, as Hirst pointed out to ABC 7. Hirst said, "We have plenty of evidence that he did not like people tinkering with his stuff."

Related: Inventor of Dothraki Language Teaching A 'Game of Thrones' Class At UC Berkeley
A person died while in police custody, Oakland Police have announced, saying that the loss of life happened following the use of a Taser.

If that sounds confoundingly vague, you're not wrong: Oakland police are releasing few details on the case, saying via press release that the death happened at 2:26 p.m. Thursday on the 4100 block of Foothill Boulevard, in Fruitvale.

Characterizing the incident as "an in custody death involving an electronic control weapon (TASER - intermediate force option)," the Oakland Police Department says that "the Alameda County Coroners Bureau will determine the cause of death."

The OPD declined to provide any identifying details on the deceased, saying only that "additional information will be provided at a later time."

The death will be investigated by OPD's Homicide Section and Internal Affairs Division, they say, with the Alameda County District Attorneys Office is conducting an independent and parallel investigation.

Even with these mere fragments of information, this news is sure to galvanize both sides of the current debate on arming San Francisco police officers with Tasers. According to Mission Local, that "debate will continue on Oct. 2 at SFPD headquarters, where a working group, comprising several local organizations, will work on crafting the Taser policy that the Police Commission will later vote on."
Twitter recently suspended two dozen accounts and investigated many more for their links to Russian interests which may have influenced the 2016 presidential election. Unfortunately, as the Associated Press reports, that wasn't enough for Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, who believes Twitter isn't taking their investigation seriously enough, saying that he was "deeply disappointed" in the suspensions.

This of course follows on Facebook's involvement with the same investigation, and they, themselves, have gone on to detail what they're doing to comply. Twitter, on the other hand, has stayed mostly mum until now, aside from agreeing to cooperate earlier this year. This fact did not escape Senator Warner, who, according to CNet, said, "The presentation that the Twitter team made to the Senate Intel staff today was deeply disappointing. The notion that their work was basically derivative, based upon accounts that Facebook had identified, showed [an] enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is, the threat it poses to democratic institutions, and again begs many more questions than they offered."

In Twitter's blog post regarding their findings, they do indeed describe working off of Facebook's findings. They write, "Of the roughly 450 accounts that Facebook recently shared as a part of their review, we concluded that 22 had corresponding accounts on Twitter. All of those identified accounts had already been or immediately were suspended from Twitter for breaking our rules, most for violating our prohibitions against spam." To be fair, they do take it one degree further, digging into "an additional 179 related or linked accounts, and took action on the ones we found in violation of our rules." But beyond that, Twitter only wrote that they will "continue to investigate these issues, and will take action on anything that violates our Terms of Service." They are also very careful to mention that none of the accounts in question were registered as advertisers with Twitter.

Arguably, the company's inability to provide more details on the 22 Russian accounts may not be because of a lack of effort. By the platform's very nature, people aren't asked to share too much of their personal information. This is especially apparent when comparing it with Facebook, which asks loads of questions upon creating an account, and guards against one person having multiple accounts.

California Representative Adam Schiff understands this difference. According to KQED, Rep. Schiff thought the presentation from Twitter was "good but preliminary." He went on to say, "I think there are challenges to Twitter in its forensic investigation because Twitter users dont provide the same background information that Facebook users do. At the same time I dont think weve more than scratched the surface in terms of our understanding of how the Russians may have used that platform."

Related: Twitter Says Trump's North Korea Threat Tweet Is 'Newsworthy,' Not A Violation
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), leading European importers of Vietnamese shrimp were the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium, with growth of 46.5 percent, 47.8 percent and 34.1 percent, respectively.



Currently, the major competitors of Vietnam in the EU market are India and Ecuador. While India is reducing shrimp exports to the EU, Ecuador and Vietnam are paying greater attention to the market.



Particularly, the free trade agreement between Ecuador and the EU, which took effect from January 1, 2017, has offered Ecuador the preferential tax rate of zero percent from 3.6 percent earlier, enhancing the competitiveness of the countrys shrimp.



VASEP experts held that along with making full use of the Vietnam-EU FTA that is expected to become effective in 2018 Vietnamese firms should also meet requirements of the EU in quarantine, packing, and labeling.



At the same time, domestic enterprises should also improve their capacity and product quality, while building plans to cope with challenges in the market. They are also advised to pay more attention to labeling and quarantine.



Currently, the EU currently consumes about 30 percent of shrimp in the world, with about 6-8 billion USD per year. The markets shrimp imports increased to 6.7 billion USD in 2016 from 5.6 billion USD in 2007.

Vietnamplus
This website is intended for U.S. visitors only.
Screenings

Free blood pressure screenings, 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays at Countryside Senior Living, front lobby. No appointment necessary.

Programs/Self-Help Groups

Al-Anon Information Center, call 712-255-6724.

Al-Anon and Alateen, meetings locally. For times, dates and locations of area meetings, call 712-255-6724.

Alcoholics Anonymous, beginners information, call 712-252-1333.

Arc of Woodbury County, serving the mentally challenged, 5:15 p.m. meeting, second Monday of the month at Mid-Step Services, 4303 Stone Ave. For families and interested persons.

Child Care Resource and Referral, provides resources, education and advocacy for children, parents, and child care providers. Assists in child care needs. For more information, call 712-277-1180.

Co-Dependence Anonymous, 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at First Lutheran Church, Fireside Room.

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CODA), 10 a.m. Saturdays at Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St.

Compassionate Friends, 7 p.m. fourth Wednesday of each month (third Thursday in November and second Sunday December) in Mercy Medical Center's Leiter Room. For families who have lost children. Contact Nancy Webb 712-212-4032 or Don Mulder 712-541-5512.

Clinics

Siouxland District Health immunization clinics, call for appointment, 712-279-6119 or 1-800-587-3005.

Information

Family and Addictive Illness series, for more information, call 234-2300.

Iowa Fathers, 6 to 8 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month at Hope Lutheran Church, Education Building, 218 W. 18th St., South Sioux City, Neb. Support group to help single, divorcing and divorced parents residing in the state of Iowa.

Mercy Pathways Outpatient Program, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, on the third floor, Mercy's Central Medical Building, 801 Fifth St., Suite 360. Provides hope, help, opportunity to connect through group therapy for individuals experiencing personal, relationship, psychiatric issues. For more information, call 712-279-5991.

Narcotics Anonymous, meetings daily, various times, dates and locations. For more information, call 712-279-0733.

Overeaters Anonymous, 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3700 Indian Hills Drive; 6 p.m. Tuesdays at St. John's Lutheran Church, 402 Lane Ave., Storm Lake; 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Church of the Nazarene, 226 N. Main St., Viborg, S.D.; 5:30 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at Newman Center, 320 E. Cherry St., Vermillion, S.D.; 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St. A 12-step recovery program for people who have problems with food and weight. No fees.

St. Lukes Outpatient Behavioral Health Program, 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on fifth floor of St. Luke's, located at 2720 Stone Park Blvd. Offers several levels of outpatient care including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and group therapy. This program provides support and integrated treatment to individuals experiencing personal or relationship issues as a result of their mental illness. For more information and admission criteria, call 712-279-3906.

Sobriety By Faith, 8:30 a.m. Saturdays at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1421 Geneva St. For more information, call James Mothershead at 712-577-9715.

The Link-Recovery and Freedom, 1603 Glen Ellen Road; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday workshop, and Christian 12-step meeting 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. For all ages. Call Dee at 389-7432.

Tarahouse Meditation Center, 8 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 6:30 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, all at 3112 Rebecca St. Three easy 10-minute sessions in small group; beginners welcome. For more information, call 490-6410.

Blood pressure and blood sugar screening, 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in the lobby at Westwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Free to public.

Support Groups

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Hawkeye Club basement, 420 Jones St. For more information, call 277-5935.

Celebrate Recovery, Bible-based 12-step recovery group. Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive. Childcare provided. 712-490-3343. All welcome.

PFLAG of Siouxland, (Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays), 7 p.m., fourth Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November. St. Mark ELCA Church, 5200 Glenn Ave., in the upstairs meeting area. 712-258-3116.

Singles widowed and divorced, all ages, 4 p.m., Sundays. McDonald's at Sixth Street and Lewis Boulevard. 712-252-2675.

GriefShare, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814.

H.E.L.P. Ministries, spiritual NA support group, "Sunday on Saturday" service 6-8 p.m every Saturday at 513 Main St., Sioux City. Donald, 712-574-1744.

HIV/AIDS Support Group, meets weekly. For more information, call Darla or Teri at Siouxland Community Health Center, 712-252-2477 or 888-371-1965.

Hospice of Siouxland, seeking volunteers. For more information, call 712-233-4144 and ask for a volunteer coordinator.

La Leche League of Siouxland, breastfeeding support group meets every third Thursday at 11 a.m. at Morningside Lutheran Church. Children are welcome. For more information, call Mary at 712-546-7280 or Jacquie at 712-255-2998.

Living Each Day Cancer Support Group, 7-8 p.m. second Thursday of the month, Floyd Valley Hospital, Conference Center Room 2, Le Mars, Iowa. Open to all cancer patients, cancer survivors and family members. No charge. Pre-register by calling 712-546-3441 or 800-642-6074, ext. 441.

Mom and Baby Support Group, 10-11 a.m. last Monday of the month at the Orange City (Iowa) Hospital, lower level. For new moms and babies. 712-737-5260.

Tri-State Sober Project, 12-step meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Friendship Community Church, 305 Sergeant Square Drive, Sergeant Bluff. 6-7 p.m., Thursdays, Transitional Services of Iowa, 1221 Pierce St., Sioux City.

Doug's Donors Support Group, information for organ donors and recipients, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fridays, 5:15-6:30 p.m. second Thursdays of the month at Mercy Cafeteria Woodbury Room. 712-277-1050.

Divorce Care, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814.

NAMI Siouxland, (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Support Group meets 6:30 p.m., second Tuesday of the month at Friendship House, 1101 Court St. For individuals and family members dealing with mental illness. 712-255-4209.

Orphan Sunday, 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday at Sunnybrook Community Church loft, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive.

Post Polio Support Group, 11 a.m. first Thursday of the month at Perkins Restaurant by Menards. 712-490-8213.

Relationship Support Group, 7 p.m. Fridays at Marketplace Mall. For more information, call 239-3129.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Individual and Support Groups. For more information, call CSADV in Sioux City at 712-258-7233; Plymouth County at 712-546-6764; Monona County at 712-423-3443. Advocacy and support available 24 hours a day at 1-800-982-7233. All services free of charge and confidential.

Sickle Cell Disease Support Group, 11 a.m. third Saturday of each month at St. Luke's Hospital, meeting room 1. For patients, their family and any concerned member. Call La'Keshia Rainey at 712-203-2019 for more information.

Single and Parenting, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814.

Sioux City Association of the Deaf, 7 p.m. third Saturday of the month at Morningside Church of Christ, 5015 Garretson Ave. Regular meeting, September-May; no meeting, June, July, August and December.

Siouxland Autism Support Group, second Thursday of the month at Northwest Area Education Agency, 1520 Morningside Ave. For more information, call Julie Case at 712-490-8939.

Siouxland Epilepsy Support Group, 5 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at Prestwick Apartment Clubhouse, 4230 Hickory Lane. For anyone diagnosed with seizures or epilepsy and family or friends. For more information, call Steve at 274-6927.

Siouxland IC support group, meets quarterly in Sioux City. For patients struggling with interstital cystitis. For more information, call Jacque Dundas 316-641-9766.

Siouxland Informational Group for the Blind, 2-5 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at Northern Hills Retirement Community, 4002 Teton Trace. For more information, call 712-266-8926 or 258-8151.

Grief support group, 5:30-7:30 p.m., beginning Oct. 5 for 13 weeks (may join at any time), Crescent Park United Methodist Church, 2826 Myrtle St., Sioux City. Scott, 712-899-6315.

Siouxland Ostomy Association, 2 p.m. first Sunday of each month (except September, which will be second Sunday; and no meetings June, July, August), in Room 300 at Mercy Medical Center, 801 Fifth St. For more information, call Dick Lindblom at 251-2453.

Siouxland Parkinson Disease Support Group, 1 p.m. fourth Monday of the month at Siouxland Center for Active Generations, 313 Cook St. For more information, call Sally Reinert at 402-987-3516.

South Sioux City Weight Support Group, 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at St. Paul United Methodist Church, South Sioux City. For more information, call 494-1401 or 494-2133.

Disabilities Resource Center of Siouxland, 520 Nebraska St., Suite 101: Women's Support Group, 1:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month; LGBT Support Group, 1:30 p.m. first Friday of the month; Adult ADHD, 6 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; Advocacy Group, 1:30 p.m. third Tuesday of the month. For more information, call 712-255-1065.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, group meetings various times, days and locations in Siouxland. For information on the chapter in your area, call 1-800-932-TOPS.

Voice Disorder Support Group, meets as needed at Mercy Medical Center, Buena Vista Room. 712-279-2686.

Women's Peer Support Group, in Wayne and South Sioux City, Neb., for those who have experienced domestic abuse. For more information, call the Wayne office at 402-375-4633 or 1-800-440-4633; in South Sioux City, call 402-494-7592. Help and support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services free and confidential.

Woodbury County D.M.D.A., noon-2 p.m. first Saturday of the month at Country Friendship Acres, 4501 West St.; 7-8 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at 515 Court St. in the Community Room; 7-8 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at 441 W. Third St. in the Community Room; 7-8 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at 409 W. Third St. in the Community Room. Support group for people with disabilities and mental disorders.

Natural Mamas in Siouxland, 1 p.m., third Tuesday of each month in the Garretson room of the Morningside Public Library. All ages of children are welcome to come with moms. For sharing natural living tips, recipes, natural remedies and health, homemaking, mothering, etc. For more information, call 402-913-0038 or visit their Facebook page.

A Step Beyond support group, 3:30 p.m. second Tuesday of the month, except for August, November and December when it meets at 5:30 p.m. (no meeting in January) at the Christy-Smith Resource Center, 1819 Morningside Ave. For more information, call 712-276-7319.

Divorce care, 5 p.m., Sundays. Fireside room, Morningside Lutheran Church, 700 South Martha St.

Gamblers Anonymous meetings, 4 p.m. Thursdays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Morningside Presbyterian Church, 4327 Morningside Ave.; 7 p.m. Tuesdays, St. John Lutheran Church; 7 p.m. Sundays, Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St.. 712-277-2901.

Art therapy support group, 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. Registration required, call 252-9387.

After Breast Cancer Support Group, 5:30 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. For more information, call Brenda, 252-9370.

After Prostate Cancer Support Group, 5:15 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. For more information, call 252-9426.

Alzheimer's Association, Big Sioux Chapter Support Group, 2 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; 4 p.m. third Tuesday of the month (under age 65) at 201 Pierce St., Suite 110 (Famous Dave's building); and 6 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the Barnes and Noble Cafe. For more information, call Emily Lord at 712-279-5802.

Christy-Smith Funeral Homes of Sioux City, extensive grief library at the Morningside location. Open to the public during weekday hours. For more information, call 276-7319.

Chronic Pain/Chronic Illness Support Group, 7:30 p.m. fourth Wednesday of the month in the lower level of the Orange City Hospital. For more information, call 712-737-5260.

Connections Area Agency on Aging, and Mercy Medical Centers Older Adult Services Welcome to Medicare, 1:30-4 p.m., the first Friday of every month at Connections Area Agency on Aging, 2301 Pierce St. To pre-register, or for more information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 712-279-6900.
SIOUX CITY | Riverside Park is going to be a lot more old-timey this weekend. The 15th annual Kingdom of Riverssance, a Renaissance fair, begins bright and early at 10 a.m. Saturday.

2017 is the "Year of the Pirates" in the Kingdom of Riverssance, which will thus be crawling with pirates and their ilk.

Other attractions will include music, comedy, dancing, minstrels, professional full-armor jousting, encampments of gypsies and fairies -- and of course the obligatory turkey leg vendors.

Riverssance organizer Phil Claeys said in most years the festival sees about 6,000 or 7,000 attendees -- and the more, the merrier.

"I always wait for that year when all the people that have talked about, 'Gosh, I don't know why we haven't come,' I'm always hoping this is the year they come, because I think the thing merits 20,000 people coming to it," he said. "I'd like more Sioux Cityans to experience that, because we should all be really proud of it."

Stary Olsa

If there is such a thing as a headliner act at Riverssance this year, it is Belarusian musical group "Stary Olsa."

The band originates from Minsk, the capital city of Belarus. The group's founding member, Zmicier Sasnouski gave his first public performance, playing old-time instruments with a few friends, in September 1999.

In an email, Alies Cumakou, Stary Olsa's vocalist and a player of the gusli, cister, shawms and rebec instruments, said Sasnouski was joined by Cumakou and Illia Kublicki, who plays the lute and cisters, in 2002.

The other band members, including Maryja Saryj on the flutes and shawms, and Aliaksiej Vojciech and Siarhiej Tapceuski, both on drums and percussion, came along later.

What about that name -- Stary Olsa? What does it mean?

"Zmicier was searching for a fitting old word, that would represent ancient, historic Belarus," Cumakou said in the email. "Their first name was actually Ruyevit (an ancient Belarusian mythological character), but it was too hard to pronounce in modern Belarusian."

A fan talked with Sasnouski about the ancient names of rivers in Belarus. Later, after driving near the Olsa River, a name came to Sasnouski -- Stary Olsa, or "Old Olsa (River)" in English.

"(Belorussian) people hear that name and they understand on a fundamental level that this will be truly ancient music," Cumakou said.

The centuries-old music played by the band isn't any more popular or common in Belarus than in the United States, Cumakou said -- but the people connect with the sounds in a deep way.

"We think people feel it in their genes, even if they don't really know the music straight up," he said. "It calls to their ancestry and their archetype memories."

After centuries of Russian occupation and the gradual destruction of the cultural heritage of Belarus, the Belarusian people have somewhat lost contact with history. So the band tries to bring the musical history of Belarus to life for people.

"Recently there have been quite a few bands reviving this cultural music, but most of them are using modern-day instruments--there's no soul in that!" Cumakou said.

Some of their music comes courtesy of historians, who bring the group old musical pieces and ask them to re-create the sounds. The band, he said, has "enough material for 10 bands."

"This includes the music of street minstrels and fancy castle ballrooms, of religion and of taverns, the ballads that bards sang of heroes and battles, and the dances that everyday people enjoyed at parties," Cumakou said.

Much of the band's performances are closer to home, in Europe. There, people take Renaissance fairs seriously.

"You're not allowed to use modern devices--in fact, if it's a 13th century festival and you dress like the 15th century, you might be asked to leave," Cumakou said. "So our presentationis extremely accurate, in our costumes, instruments, music."

The band's first tour of the U.S. began a short year ago.

"We had a Kickstarter campaign to fund our 'Medieval Classic Rock' album and that turned out to be so successful, we had enough money to launch an American tour," Cumakou said. "This is our third trip to the U.S. and we already have plans for at least two trips in 2018."

They've done well for themselves stateside -- the band played SXSW in Austin in March, though Cumakou said their biggest gig so far has been the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Playing at Riverssance is the band's first gig in Iowa to Cumakou's recollection.
SUTHERLAND, Iowa | A northwest Iowa man is accused of defrauding a bank of more than $64,600 after a crop sale in March.

Court documents allege Streit sold 20,308 bushels of corn to Ken's Feed Store in Sutherland for $64,624.77 in late March. The affidavit said Streit with the intent to defraud the Security State Bank of Sutherland -- the secured party -- deposited the money into his personal checking account in Harlan, Iowa, rather than paying his debt to the bank.
WASHINGTON -- In Alabama's Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, Steve Bannon defeated Donald Trump. The state's GOP voters showed how sharply divided their party is. And right-wing insurgents were given a license to challenge Republican incumbents all over the country in 2018.

Judge Roy Moore's victory over Senator Luther Strange was a sign of just how extreme Republican rank-and-filers have become. Moore, who believes biblical law should override the Constitution, beat Strange 55 percent to 45 percent. Contrast that with the 2006 gubernatorial primary in which then-Gov. Bob Riley trounced Moore by a margin of 2-to-1.

Moore is now 70 years old and was twice suspended as the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court for refusing to obey laws he saw were at odds with his religious beliefs. Normally all this would be career ending. But that was before the Age of Trump. "What Donald Trump has done," said Republican pollster Whit Ayres, "is embolden the Roy Moores of the world."

The most remarkable aspect of the Moore-Strange confrontation is how it became a test of wills between Trump and Bannon, the avatar of nationalist conservatism ousted last month as the president's chief strategist.

Encouraged by the Republican leadership in Washington, Trump endorsed Strange, the 6'9" establishmentarian appointed to the seat in February. He dubbed him "Big Luther." (Trump was so embarrassed by his chosen big guy's big defeat that he deleted earlier pro-Strange tweets.)

Bannon saw the Alabama contest as an occasion for teaching his former boss a lesson. Trump seems to think that his support base is so loyal to him that it will follow him anywhere. Bannon would beg to differ. He threw his all behind Moore's candidacy to show that Trump's movement is attached even more to a rebellious right-wing ideology than it is to the president himself.

Bannon got exactly what he wanted. "Ironically, given who Trump supported, what got Moore nominated is what got Trump nominated," said Anna Greenberg, a Democratic pollster. "What's going on is bigger than Trump, and he is just a vehicle."

The good news for Bannon is very bad news for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who put millions of dollars behind the campaign to defeat Moore. Strange's defeat came on the same day that McConnell was forced to back off his latest effort to repeal Obamacare. Taken together, the two events showed how the GOP is fractured several ways at once. Even as the party's far right threatens to run rampant in future primaries, its more pragmatic wing in the Senate refused to rally behind a health care bill destined to be deeply unpopular and rushed forward in a way that violated the norms of responsible legislating.

Moore's triumph, in the meantime, presents Democrats with opportunities--and a hard choice.

The judge's views can only be called wacky -- or worse. Among other things, he has said that parts of America are under Muslim Shariah law; suggested that the 9/11 attacks happened because the country had forsaken God's "word and trust"; said of Russia's president Vladimir Putin: "Maybe he's more akin to me than I know"; and likened homosexuality to bestiality.

Democrats will relish asking Republican candidates everywhere to take a stand on Moore's catalog of zaniness. But they will also have to decide how big a push to make on behalf of Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney who is their nominee for the December special election.

Jones has the potential to be a strong candidate, but some Democratic strategists have counseled against committing substantial resources to a state where successes for their party have been scarce. Advocates of a major undertaking on behalf of Jones see this as precisely why taking on Moore would be worth the gamble. Jones could do in Alabama this year what Republican Scott Brown did in a 2010 special election in Massachusetts: demonstrate the dominant party's vulnerability going into the midterm elections by capturing a Senate seat far inside opposition territory. A Jones win would also cut the Republicans' already tough-to-manage Senate majority to a bare 51 seats.

And whatever happens in December, Bannon himself is determined to make the job of Congress' current GOP leadership as difficult as possible. At an election eve Moore rally, Bannon called out McConnell and Karl Rove, President George W. Bush's top political adviser, by name.

"Your day of reckoning is coming," Bannon declared.

It's a statement that also applies to Trump. The message from Alabama is clear; he and his party have unleashed forces they cannot control.
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
The office of the St. Mary's County Treasurer reminds citizens of the Real Estate Tax deadline for payment of their property taxes.Because the state mandated due date of September 30 falls on the weekend when the Treasurer's Office is closed, the county treasurer has extended the due date to Monday, October 2, 2017. Walk-in payments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on October 2 Citizens should be prepared for a longer waiting period when coming to the Treasurer's office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on September 29 and October 2 All payments received at the Treasurer's Office with a postmarked date on or before October 2 will be honored without penalty or interest. Citizens may continue to make payments online until midnight on October 2 without penalty or interest.Convenience fees associated with online payments are as follows: eCheck or ACH: $1.80 per transaction Debit Card: 2.50% or $2 minimum MasterCard: 2.50% or $2 minimum Visa: 2.50% or $2 minimumThe current late fee schedule for Real Estate tax accounts in St. Mary's County is 4% for penalty and interest (with 1% added for each month of delinquency).Citizens wanting to review the work of county government during the past fiscal year can view the 2017 St. Mary's State of the County Video Report.The video highlights ongoing and completed projects and activities, from July 2016 to present. Highlights include an overview of the FY18 county budget and updates on construction projects."The goal of the video is to provide information in the style of a new documentary with a quick pace," said Tony Jones, St. Mary's County Public Information Officer and video anchor. "We feel this was accomplished and citizens will see for themselves all of the important work ongoing in the county."The video took two months to produce and is the fifth such video report produced by the St. Mary's County Public Information Office.The 2017 State of the County Video Report is available online at youtu.be/hYpStObKIAY . The video will also be featured on SMCG TV 95 as part of the re-airing of the September 26 commissioner business meeting on Friday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 1 at noon.The accompanying State of the County Executive Summary can be viewed at www.stmarysmd.com/docs/2017SOCExecutiveReport.pdf The Commissioners of St. Mary's County will hold a joint meeting with members of the St. Mary's County Legislative Delegation on Tuesday, December 5 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the commissioners meeting room inside the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown.The purpose of the meeting is to consider requests by the Commissioners of St. Mary's County, as well as proposals from organizations and citizens for the enactment of legislation during the 2018 session of the General Assembly of Maryland.The form to submit a legislative proposal can be found online at www.co.saint-marys.md.us/countyattorney/ The deadline for proposals to be considered at the December 5 meeting is October 11. Proponents will be provided an opportunity to be heard at the joint meeting.Proposals can be submitted to:COMMISSIONERS OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY41770 BALDRIDGE STREETP.O. BOX 653LEONARDTOWN, MD 20650csmc@stmarysmd.comANDDEBORAH C. REY, DELEGATEDISTRICT 29B, ST. MARY'S COUNTY323 HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING6 BLADEN STREETANNAPOLIS, MD 21401deborah.rey@house.state.md.usThe Commissioners of St. Mary's County invite citizens to their next Public Forum on Tuesday, October 17 where they will have an opportunity to speak about any topic of their choosing.NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Commissioners of St. Mary's County will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday Oct 3, 2017 at 11:15 am in the Chesapeake Building located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown, Maryland to consider adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.Citizens are encouraged to attend and participate in the public hearing.Note that as a result of the evidence and comments made at the public hearing, amendments may be made to the proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.Written comments, questions and suggestions may be submitted on or before Oct 10, 2017 to: Commissioners of St. Mary's County, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650.Copies of the proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan Update are available in the Emergency Services & Technology Office, 23090 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and on our webpage.Any reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities should be requested by contacting the St. Mary's County Public Information Officer at (301) 475-4200, *1342.COMMISSIONERS OF ST. MARY'S COUNTYBy: Robert Kelly, CIOSt. Mary's County Health Department (SMCHD) is working closely with local healthcare facilities to monitor and respond to possible scabies exposure. St. Mary's Nursing Center and Chesapeake Shores skilled nursing facility identified scabies in a small number of residents. Appropriate environmental measures and treatment protocols were initiated to prevent further exposure. MedStar St. Mary's Hospital provided treatment to a patient with scabies and has addressed potential staff exposures.Those potentially exposed have been contacted by the involved facilities or the health department and are receiving appropriate care. Protocols have been put in place to prevent any additional exposure at these facilities. SMCHD will continue to monitor this issue in the community.Scabies is a common condition found worldwide and can spread easily under group living conditions. While scabies does not generally present a serious health risk, it may cause stress or discomfort for anyone dealing with this condition. Prompt medical evaluation and treatment is important.Additional information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding scabies is available at www.cdc.gov/scabies.
WASHINGTON

(Sept. 28, 2017)The U.S. Department of Defense today announced the following contract awards that pertain to local Navy activities., is being awardedfor modification P00002 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0042). This modification provides for the procurement of Configuration D retrofit components required to complete engineering change proposals 6381, 6344, and 6346 for F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G aircraft, to include general purpose processor 3 kits, 5th and 6th channel kits, and waveform generator kits for the Navy and the government of Australia. Work will be performed in Forest, Mississippi (53 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (36 percent); and El Segundo, California (11 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2020. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $84,219,586 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($68,284,291; 81 percent); and the government of Australia ($15,935,294; 19 percent), under the Foreign Military Sales program. The, is the contracting activity., was awardedmodification P00006 to a previously awarded firm-price-incentive contract (N00019-17-C-0003). This modification provides for the procurement of the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G structural repair manual. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (62 percent); El Segundo, California (32 percent); and Fort Walton Beach, Florida (6 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2021. Fiscal 2015 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $68,535,986 are being obligated at time of award, $63,966,920 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity. Awarded on Sept. 27, 2017, is being awardedfor cost-plus-fixed-fee task order 0512 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0026) for Phase II of the Defensive Electronic Countermeasures Suite Upgrade for the CH-53K. This task order includes non-recurring engineering support to design, test and integrate the AN/AAQ-24 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Systems Processor Replacement with the Advanced Threat Warning Missile Warning Sensors, the AN/APR-39D(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver System, the AN/ALE-47(V) Countermeasures Dispensing System with the Power PC Processor Upgrade and the Avionics Management System for use on the CH-53K. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois (97.5 percent); Stratford, Connecticut (1 percent); West Palm Beach, Florida (1 percent); and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (0.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2021. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $25,036,119, will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded anmodification under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N40080-11-D-3020) to exercise option two for base operations support at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River. The work to be performed provides for all management supervision, labor hours, training, equipment and supplies necessary to perform base operating services to include but not limited to providing janitorial services, grounds maintenance services, base support vehicles and equipment, street sweeping/snow removal services, and pest control services. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $70,919,732. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and work is expected to be completed September 2018. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 Navy working capital contract funds in the amount of $10,848,793 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfirm-fixed-price delivery order N0001917F0251 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-17-G-0001) for the procurement of six ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems, related support equipment, training, site activation, technical services, and data for the government of Iraq under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Baghdad, Iraq (67 percent); Bingen, Washington (30 percent); and Hood River, Oregon (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2018. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $7,758,625 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.
A plane carrying resources to Puerto Rico took off Friday morning from a Miami airfield. Loaded with generators, the cargo plane was chartered by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

AHF, the worlds largest organization serving people living with HIV/AIDS, owns a clinic in San Juan, the Puerto Rican capital city.

Having been in constant, but challenging communication with our staff in Puerto Rico, as well as continually monitoring the situation since Hurricane Irma initially hit the island, I was very aware of how frustratingly slow the response by relief organizations has been, while the needs of the people continue to rise, said Michael Kahane, AHF Southern Bureau Chief in a news release.

On Friday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump called the aftermath on the island a catastrophic crisis.

Weve never seen anything like this, Trump said in a speech in Washington, adding we are literally starting from scratch. Trump is scheduled to visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, AHF launched its relief efforts at dawn from Op-Locka Airport. The organization chartered a cargo plane and loaded 50 generators intended to power health care facilities in Puerto Rico. AHF, Kahane said, is collaborating with the San Juan Mayors office to assist health departments and hospitals on the island.

Hurricane Irma hit Puerto Rico in early September followed by Hurricane Maria last week.

Its disheartening to know that weeks have passed since these hurricanes devastated Puerto Rico and basic resources have still not been provided to a community that is in such dire need, Kahane said.

Brock Long, spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), called the situation in Puerto Rico a complex event.

Were not satisfied until its stable, Long told MSNBC in a Friday morning interview with the cable television network.

Long said port capacity is increasing and dismissed what he called misinformation circulated by some journalists.

FEMA does not charge for ice, food and commodities, Long said.

Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine said the aid is not getting to Puerto Rico fast enough.

The speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack, Levine told MSNBC.

Health statistics for Puerto Rico are hard to find. The Central Intelligence Agencys World Factbook has no available data on HIV/AIDS cases in Puerto Rico. In 2010, Puerto Rico was in the top 10 of U.S. states and territories in number of HIV/AIDS cases, reports AIDS United.

Clinic Address:

AIDS Healthcare Foundation-Puerto Rico HCC

Carr. 848 Km. 0.7 Bo. Saint Just

Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico 00978
C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) or "K2" NASA

NASAs Hubble Space Telescope has photographed the farthest active inbound comet ever seen, at a whopping distance of 1.5 billion miles from the Sun (beyond Saturns orbit).

Slightly warmed by the remote Sun, it has already begun to develop an 80,000-mile-wide fuzzy cloud of dust, called a coma, enveloping a tiny, solid nucleus of frozen gas and dust. These observations represent the earliest signs of activity ever seen from a comet entering the solar systems planetary zone for the first time.

The comet, called C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) or K2, has been travelling for millions of years from its home in the frigid outer reaches of the solar system, where the temperature is about minus 440 degrees Fahrenheit. The comets orbit indicates that it came from the Oort Cloud, a spherical region almost a light-year in diameter and thought to contain hundreds of billions of comets. Comets are the icy leftovers from the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago and therefore pristine in icy composition.

K2 is so far from the Sun and so cold, we know for sure that the activity  all the fuzzy stuff making it look like a comet  is not produced, as in other comets, by the evaporation of water ice, said lead researcher David Jewitt of the University of California, Los Angeles. Instead, we think the activity is due to the sublimation [a solid changing directly into a gas] of super-volatiles as K2 makes its maiden entry into the solar systems planetary zone. Thats why its special. This comet is so far away and so incredibly cold that water ice there is frozen like a rock.

Based on the Hubble observations of K2s coma, Jewitt suggests that sunlight is heating frozen volatile gases  such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide  that coat the comets frigid surface. These icy volatiles lift off from the comet and release dust, forming the coma. Past studies of the composition of comets near the Sun have revealed the same mixture of volatile ices.

I think these volatiles are spread all through K2, and in the beginning billions of years ago, they were probably all through every comet presently in the Oort Cloud, Jewitt said. But the volatiles on the surface are the ones that absorb the heat from the Sun, so, in a sense, the comet is shedding its outer skin. Most comets are discovered much closer to the Sun, near Jupiters orbit, so by the time we see them, these surface volatiles have already been baked off. Thats why I think K2 is the most primitive comet weve seen.

K2 was discovered in May 2017 by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) in Hawaii, a survey project of NASAs Near-Earth Object Observations Program. Jewitt used Hubbles Wide Field Camera 3 at the end of June to take a closer look at the icy visitor.

Hubbles sharp eye revealed the extent of the coma and also helped Jewitt estimate the size of the nucleus  less than 12 miles across  though the tenuous coma is 10 Earth diameters across.

This vast coma must have formed when the comet was even farther away from the Sun. Digging through archival images, Jewitts team uncovered views of K2 and its fuzzy coma taken in 2013 by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) in Hawaii. But the object was then so faint that no one noticed it.

We think the comet has been continuously active for at least four years, Jewitt said. In the CFHT data, K2 had a coma already at 2 billion miles from the Sun, when it was between the orbits of Uranus and Neptune. It was already active, and I think it has been continuously active coming in. As it approaches the Sun, its getting warmer and warmer, and the activity is ramping up.

But, curiously, the Hubble images do not show a tail flowing from K2, which is a signature of comets. The absence of such a feature indicates that particles lifting off the comet are too large for radiation pressure from the Sun to sweep them back into a tail.

Astronomers will have plenty of time to conduct detailed studies of K2. For the next five years, the comet will continue its journey into the inner solar system before it reaches its closest approach to the Sun in 2022 just beyond Mars orbit. We will be able to monitor for the first time the developing activity of a comet falling in from the Oort Cloud over an extraordinary range of distances, Jewitt said. It should become more and more active as it nears the Sun and presumably will form a tail.

Jewitt said that NASAs James Webb Space Telescope, an infrared observatory scheduled to launch in 2018, could measure the heat from the nucleus, which would give astronomers a more accurate estimate of its size.

Reference: A Comet Active Beyond the Crystallization Zone, David Jewitt et al., 2017 Oct. 1, Astrophysical Journal Letters [https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/aa88b4].

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., in Washington, D.C.

Larger image
The six Expedition 53 crew members gather together in the Destiny laboratory module for a group portrait. From left are astronauts Joe Acaba, Paolo Nespoli and Mark Vande Hei, Commander Randy Bresnik and cosmonauts Sergey Ryazanskiy and Alexander Misurkin. Credit: NASA. NASA

Sensors are being installed today in the International Space Station to detect neutron radiation. The crew is also setting up a botany study, conducting human research and getting ready for next weeks spacewalk.

Cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy handed over a set of radiation sensors to NASA astronaut Joe Acaba today. Acaba then installed the sensors in the stations U.S. segment to measure only the neutron radiation levels the orbital lab is exposed to. The data from the Radi-N2 study will help scientists understand the exposure risk to crew members and develop advanced protective measures.

Acaba also continued installing hardware for the Veggie-3 experiment to get the station ready for a new crop of lettuce and cabbage. Flight Engineer Mark Vande Hei strapped himself into the stations exercise bike for the VO2max experiment that observes physical exertion during a space mission.

A pair of spacewalkers took a look at the procedures they will use Oct. 5 to replace a latching end effector at the tip of the Canadarm2. Vande Hei will join Commander Randy Bresnik for that spacewalk and a second planned for Oct. 10. Acaba will join Bresnik for a third spacewalk set for Oct. 18.

On-Orbit Status Report

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutron (RaDI-N): After retrieving the RaDI-N hardware from the Russian crewmembers, a USOS crewmember deployed eight Space Bubble Detectors around the ISS for the Radi-N experiment. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) RaDI-N investigation will be conducted by measuring neutron radiation levels while onboard the ISS. RaDI-N uses bubble detectors as neutron monitors which have been designed to only detect neutrons and ignore all other radiation.

At Home in Space Questionnaire and Photo: The crew completed an At Home in Space questionnaire and took photos to document ISS culture. This Canadian Space Agency experiment assesses culture, values, and psychosocial adaptation of astronauts to a space environment shared by multinational crews on long-duration missions. It is hypothesized that astronauts develop a shared space culture that is an adaptive strategy for handling cultural differences and they deal with the isolated confined environment of the spacecraft by creating a home in space. At Home in Space uses a questionnaire to investigate individual and culturally related differences, family functioning, values, coping with stress, and post-experience growth.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Camera Robot: The Crew setup and activated the JEM Camera Robot before assisting ground teams with the 4th flight checkout activity. This device is a free-flying camera robot that provides real time video downlink and photographs. It is expected to reduce the crew time requirements to support video recording of activities, especially at the blind spot of existing JEM internal cameras.

Veggie-01 Installation: The crew assembled the veggie hardware before installing it into the EXPRESS Rack, and conducting checkout activities. The Vegetable Production System (Veggie) is a deployable plant growth unit capable of producing salad-type crops to provide the crew with a palatable, nutritious, and safe source of fresh food and a tool to support relaxation and recreation. The Veggie facility provides lighting and nutrient delivery, but utilizes the cabin environment for temperature control and as a source of carbon dioxide to promote growth.

Human Research Program (HRP) Collections (Biochemical Profile, Repository): A 51S crewmember completed the Flight Day (FD) 60 urine sample collection that began yesterday in support of the Biochemical Profile and Repository experiments. The samples were placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI).

The Biochemical Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples are obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body.

Repository is a storage bank used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. This repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions.

Marrow: Today a 51S crewmember conducted breath and ambient air sample collections for the Marrow investigation, which looks at the effect of microgravity on bone marrow. It is believed that microgravity, like long-duration bed rest on Earth, has a negative effect on the bone marrow and the blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow.

Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) preparations: Today the crew reviewed EVA procedures, conducted a conference with EVA specialists on the ground to review procedures, prepared the Contingency Water Container (CWC) and configured EVA tools in preparation for the upcoming trio of EVAs in October. The goals of the EVAs include Remove and Replace (R&R) of a Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Latching End Effector (LEE), lubrication of the LEEs, and R&R of two external cameras.

ISS Reboost  Today ground teams commanded an ISS reboost using the Aft Progress (67P) thrusters. This reboost set up the proper conditions for a 2-Orbit rendezvous profile for the 68 Progress arrival on 10/12/17. This maneuver was the first of three burns to set up the proper conditions for the 51S landing (12/14/17) and the 53S launch and docking (12/17/17). The second burn is expected to occur on 11/02/17 and the third is expected to occur on 11/22/17.

Todays Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Marrow Breath And Ambient Air Sample Collection  Subject

HRF Generic Urine Collection Male  Subject

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations

Regeneration of Micropurification Unit (???) ?2 Cartridge (start

Handover of Increment 53 Crew

TIMER. Experiment setup and initiation of video recording

ALGOMETRIYA. Pressure and Thermal Algometry preparation and measurement session. Tagup with specialists as necessary

MOTOCARD. Photography of Diasled S/N 03 holster and ??-015 unit

MOTOKARD. Execution experiment

In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygeine Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace

Monitoring closure of shutters on SM windows 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 (Note 8)

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Social Media Event

Health Maintenance System (HMS)  ESA Nutritional Assessment

MOTOCARD. Photography of the Experiment Ops

At Home In Space Culture Photo

On-Orbit Hearing Assessment (O-OHA) with EarQ Software Setup and Test

Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Power Up

At Home In Space Questionnaire

CALCIUM. Experiment Session 5

VEGGIE-01 Hardware On-Board Training

VEGGIE-01 Installation

TIMER. Experiment Ops Video Termination and Cleanup

Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Subject

PAO hardware setup. Audi/Video check with Glavny (Ku + S-band)

TV conference with Channel One correspondent (Ku + S-band

TV conference with Participants of the International Youth Forum Nations Dialogue in Bulgaria (Ku + S-band)

ALGOMETRIYA. Strain Measurements Mode

Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position

Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Partial Stow

USOS Window Shutter Close

INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review

Filling (separation) of ??? (???) for Elektron or ???-??

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Conference

??? maintenance

Extra Vehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Compatible Water Container Iodine (CWC-I) Degas

XF305 Camcorder Setup

T61p USB Camera Setup for JEM Camera Robot Checkout

JEM Camera Robot Activation

Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config LAB Setup

JEM Camera Robot Flight Checkout Part 4 Support

MATRYOSHKA-R. Prep and Initialization of Bubble-Dosimeter Detectors

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD)  Lab

Space Headaches  Weekly Questionnaire

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons Hardware Handover

MATRYOSHKA-R. Handover of BUBBLE-dosimeter detectors to USOS

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons

MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE-dosimeter initialization and deployment for exposure

IMS Update

JEM Camera Robot Deactivation

T61p USB Camera Closeout

EarthKAM. Node2 Lens Configuration

Equipment Lock (E-LK) Preparation

iPad Air 2 Install Part 1

Regeneration Micropurification Unit (???) ?2 Absorption Cartridge (end)

ALGOMETRIYA. Conducting measurements in tenso- and thermo-algometry mode. Closeout Ops

Completed Task List Activities

Cupola Window Questions

ISS HAM Cable Locate and Inspect

COL1O3_AFT Hardware Relocate

KTO replace

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Reboost

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Thursday, 09/28: Max CEVIS, Crew Handover, EVA Preps, Meteor, SLAMMD

Friday, 09/29: EVA Preps, Finemotor, LMM AFC config, PMM Hygiene Curtain Install

Saturday, 09/30: EarthKAM Shut Down, Crew Off Duty

QUICK ISS Status  Environmental Control Group:

Component  Status

Elektron  On

Vozdukh  Manual

[???] 1  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV1)  Off

[???] 2  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV2)  On

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab  Standby

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3  Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab  Idle

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3  Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)  Process

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)  Process

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab  Full up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3  Off
Mars Base Camp is Lockheed Martins vision for sending humans to Mars in about a decade. The Mars surface lander called the Mars Accent Descent Vehicle (MADV) is a single-stage system that uses Orion systems as the command deck. It could allow astronauts to explore the surface for two weeks at a time before returning back to the Mars Base Camp in orbit around Mars.Credit: Lockheed Martin. NASA

Not to be overshadowed by SpaceX, Lockheed Martin released plans today at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia for its own Mars Base Camp.

Heres the press release:

Today, at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Adelaide, Australia, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) experts are revealing new details of its Mars Base Camp concept including how it aligns with NASAs lunar Deep Space Gateway and a Mars surface lander.

Mars Base Camp is a vision of how to send humans to Mars in about a decade. Its a sound, safe and compelling mission architecture centered around an orbital outpost where scientist-astronauts can perform unprecedented, real-time scientific exploration of the Red Planet.

Sending humans to Mars has always been a part of science fiction, but today we have the capability to make it a reality, said Lisa Callahan, vice president and general manager of Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin. Partnered with NASA, our vision leverages hardware currently in development and production. Were proud to have Orion powered-on and completing testing in preparation for its Exploration Mission-1 flight and eventually its journey to Mars.

Mars Base Camp is aligned with NASAs recently-announced lunar Deep Space Gateway approach for developing and testing systems, including Orion, in cis-lunar space before using them to go to Mars. The Gateway allows astronauts to live and work in orbit around the Moon for months at a time while gaining experience with extended operations far from Earth.

On the Gateway, they can perform lunar science and test out systems and operations such as habitats, airlocks, solar electric propulsion, surface telerobotics and even landers. Mars Base Camp would ultimately be built up at the Deep Space Gateway, away from Earths gravity, before being deployed to Mars.

Mars Base Camps first mission is intended to be an orbiting mission around the Red Planet. Following this, the architecture allows for a surface lander. The concept is designed to be a reusable, single-stage lander capable of descending to the surface from Mars orbit. Each surface mission could last two weeks with up to four astronauts, and then return to the orbiting Mars Base Camp where it would be refueled and readied for another mission.

A webcast (live or replay) of the Mars Base Camp presentation from IAC can be viewed on the Australia Science Channel web site: https://www.australiascience.tv/live-from-the-68th-iac-lockheed-martins-mission-to-mars/

 More information about Mars Base Camp: https://lockheedmartin.com/marsbasecamp

 Video about Mars Base Camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLpZUMfIJX0

 Images of Mars Base Camp: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/albums/72157689489028895
Weve all heard of Kona coffee; real coffee nerds know the quality Hawaiian-grown coffee action is happening closer to Kau, home to folks like Rustys Hawaiian. But on the Big Island of Hawaii, theres another local product thats got island residents and visitors excited, and thats beer. Big brands like Kona Brewing Company have an international following, but theres killer little indie breweries all over Hawaii, and on a recent trip to Hiloon the rainy side of Big IslandI helped myself to a tasty beer or three from Big Island Brewhaus, just up the road in Waimea.

Thats where founder and brewmaster Thomas Kerns is brewing up a bevy of different beers, some you might expecttheres a coconut cream ale, and an easy-drinking session beer perfect for the beachand some you can only find here on the Island, like the Jabba Da Sour, a sour beer brewed with local jaboticaba fruit (it tastes like sweet grape juice), or the Big Mac Nut Brown, a brown ale brewed using local macadamia nuts, then aged in Makers Mark whiskey barrels.

But happily enoughand crucial for our purposes hereI was able to score a nice 22-ounce bottle of Big Island Brewhaus White Mountain Coffee Porter, a collaboration with White Mountain Coffee on the Hamakua Coast. Its a cool, smooth take on the coffee porter style, with creamy notes of coconut and a long, complex finish. Perfect for a rainy Hilo sunset.

To learn more, I chatted with Thomas Kerns of Big Island Brewhaus, who spoke with me digitally from the Big Island.
So were pretty much blown away with the outpouring of support from folx all over the country today, uniting to help activate coffee and the wider beverage community as a source of charitable giving. Its the inaugural Night of 1000 Pours tonightsearch for an event in a community near youand we just want to take a moment today to say thank you to everyone participating, and to highlight some of the leaders who have stepped up big in their communities.

First and foremost, our colleagues in New York City have been working over the last few days to raise funds for disaster relief, with a special focus on Puerto Rico. More than 30 cafes around the city have been serving signature drinks over the last few days to help raise funds, and there is a huge event happening tonight in Manhattan at the Counter Culture Coffee Training Center (376 Broome St). A huge thank you to all the participating cafesJoe NYC, Everyman Espresso, Chalait, Underline Coffee, Tobys Estate, Variety, Gimme!, and Gregorysand to the event organizers Sam Penix, Eric Grimm, and Dandy Anderson. Thanks also to Lin Manuel Miranda and Debra Messing for retweeting info about these events (no, really, it happened).

Speaking of Counter Culture, we have been just astonished by their organizing work and donation of time and resources to support 1000 Pours over the last few weeks. CCC are hosting or sponsoring events across the USA tonight, including events in Asheville, Atlanta, Boston, the Bay Area, Charleston, Chicago, Durham, Los Angeles, the aforementioned NYC event, Miami, Philly, Seattle, and Washington DC. Thank you to all of the folks hosting events nationwide, and to the team at Counter Culture HQ in Durham (especially Jennifer Hoverstad and Brian Ludviksen) for helping support these events.

We also want to shout out some of the folks helping raise funds today in the form of donating a portion of their sales proceeds, or hosting online specials. Onyx Coffee is donating 100% of online profits today to the Houston Food Bank. Thats rad, and if you were uh, you know, in the mood to buy some coffee (who isnt?) make your first click Onyx to support the Night of 1000 Pours. La Marzoccos truly great La Marzocco Cafe in Seattle are donating all of their proceeds today to Direct Relief, and Portlands Either/Or cafe will donate a portion of sales proceeds today to the Transgender Legal Defense Education Fund.

Speaking of Portland and Seattle, these are pretty good places to help support the Night of 1000 Pours throughout the day. In Seattle? You can support by drinking delicious Olympia Coffee Roasting Company coffee at the La Marzocco Cafe, then check out a party at Sound & Fog in West Seattle (raising funds for TLDEF). Cap off your evening with a very special menu of Mezcal cocktails at Liberty Bar, with funds going to support Mezcal Unions relief work in Oaxaca. Or perhaps you live in Portland? Either/Or is the spot for day drinks today, and then tonight please join us tonight at 6pm at Foxy Coffee for a charity natural wine bar pop-up hosted by our sister site Sprudge Wine, along with a rowdy throwdown, funky DJs, and surprises galore.

Theres more stuffthe wonderful Fleet Coffee x Department of Brewology collab happening in Austin, the excellent multi-charity fundraiser from Colorados Ozo Coffeebut you can read about all of this, and much more, at the official Night of 1000 Pours website. As a last shout out let us thank the team at Oatly USA (especially Bryan Hasho and Sadie Renee), who contacted us when the first round of 1000 Pours events were announced and have generously stepped up to support events tonight in New York and Portland.

Thank you all. Lets make tonight one to remember, and then heck, move right on to support the incredible #CoffeeAyudo fundraisers in Chicago for Puerto Rico and Mexico relief and Equator Coffees IWCA fundraisers this Sunday. If this is what coffee looks like in 2017charitable, involved, partying for a causewe are so here for it.

THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US AT SPRUDGE MEDIA NETWORK!

nightof1000pours.com
Wu Zhiqiang (left), deputy director of the Xinhua News Agency's Africa bureau, and Yang Yunpeng, the director of Enjoy Culture & Media of the Changjiang Media and Publishing Co, attend a signing ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo / XINHUA

The step-by-step construction of Kenya's $3.8 billion Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), filmed by a Chinese-owned media company, will be published in book form.

The book version of the three-episode film, documented by Xinhua News Agency, will be published by Enjoy Culture & Media Co Ltd in three languages following a deal signed on Thursday between representatives of the two Chinese companies. The event was held at the Nairobi Terminus of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR.

The book, which will be published in Chinese, English and French editions, will be largely based on the 90-minute eponymous documentary, My Railroad, My Story, which provides behind-the-scene stories from the perspective of ordinary Chinese and Kenyan builders of the SGR, the largest infrastructure project since Kenya's independence in 1963.

Wu Zhiqiang, deputy director-general of Xinhua Africa, hailed the book deal with Enjoy Culture as a good start for the two sides' cooperation in offering all-media services and strengthening strategic transformation and upgrade.

Yang Yunpeng, director of Enjoy Culture & Media, which launched its Kenya presence in July 2016, said the book will be released in early 2018. Yang pledged to work with Xinhua in producing more media products to enhance understanding between China and Kenya in particular and Africa in general.

The firm is a subsidiary of Changjiang Publishing & Media, headquartered in Wuhan, capital city of central Hubei province.

Yao Ming, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya; David Muswii, deputy director of the Kenya National Library Service; and Chinese and Kenyan media representatives based in Nairobi also attended the event.

Yang Yi, one of the Xinhua documentary's directors, praised the professionalism and dedication of Chinese and Kenyan colleagues.

"Just like the SGR, My Railway, My Story is also a work of cooperation between Chinese and Kenyans," Yang said, adding that the book would further enhance the documentary's impact.

Peterson Gitonga, a duty manager at Nairobi Terminus, also spoke at the ceremony.

"The Standard Gauge Railway has transformed Kenya in the right direction, which has been accepted by many of its citizens," he said. "This will remain to be beneficial to the people and the generations to come."

"For sure the Standard Gauge Railway will remain to be my railway, my story," Gitonga added.

The film took the Xinhua team and its partners more than two years to conduct field interviews and post production.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn
British academia has been redeemed from the scourge of antisemitism thanks to the intervention of a plucky little ambassador from the Middle East's much-oppressed nuclear-armed apartheid Righteous State. In a calculated insult to the true meaning of the Holocaust, a Jewish Holocaust survivor was due to give a talk at Manchester University, comparing Israeli ethnic cleansing to Nazi security measures. A disaster of Corbynite proportions was averted only when the plucky little ambassador and his civil affairs attache visited the university's superbly-titled Head of Student Experience and made him a clarification he couldn't refuse. Appropriate action was taken, and the absurd comparison of vicious racist oppression with virtuous racist oppression was duly removed; though undoubtedly further vigilance will be required to prevent other Jewish Holocaust survivors falling prey to the scourge of autobiographical misinterpretation.
Zika virus mutated around 2013, leading to birth defects

AFP, Miami :

Zika has been around for decades but only recently began to cause birth defects due to a single mutation the mosquito- borne virus likely acquired in 2013, researchers said Thursday.

The report in the US journal Science explains for the first time how this once relatively harmless virus transformed into a global health threat. The mutation in one of its structural proteins, called pRM, is believed to have arisen prior to the 2013 outbreak in French Polynesia, said the Science report.

That change in the pathogen's protective coat made the virus more likely to kill developing brain cells in mice and people compared to older versions of the virus, experiments showed.

The change, known as S139N, which involved the replacement of a serine amino acid with an arginine amino acid, was one of "numerous changes" the Zika virus acquired throughout its genome between 2010 and 2016, said the report.

Zika was first discovered in a monkey in Uganda in 1947. In people, it was known to cause a rash and mild illness that soon passed.

But in 2015, Brazil-the nation hardest hit by the outbreak-reported its first cases of babies born with unusually small heads.
Britain `unconditionally` committed to EU security: May

Britain\'s Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bank of England\'s independence in the City of London.

AFP, Tapa (Estonia) :

Britain is "unconditionally committed" to European security despite Brexit, Prime Minister Theresa May told British troops stationed with NATO in Estonia on Friday, as EU leaders met to discuss the future of the bloc.

Visiting troops with French President Emmanuel Macron, May reiterated Britain's position that security cooperation is not up for debate in London's tense divorce negotiations with the European Union as she seeks to improve the mood and unlock the next stage of talks.

She and Macron visited NATO forces posted just 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the Russian border as part of a mission to reassure Baltic states the alliance will protect them from any Kremlin aggression. "While we are leaving the EU, as I have said many times, we are not leaving Europe," May told forces at the Tapa base in northern Estonia.

"The UK is unconditionally committed to maintaining European security and we will continue to offer aid and assistance to EU member states which are the victims of armed aggression, terrorism and natural or man-made disasters."

NATO has deployed four battle groups-around 4,000 troops-to Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland in recent years in response to growing Russian assertiveness in the region, particularly after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

The alliance has had around 800 British and 300 French soldiers posted at the Tapa base since the spring.

Macron told French troops their presence was proof that NATO was committed to protecting its members in the face of a mounting threat from Russia.

The two leaders were in Estonia for a summit of EU leaders in Tallinn where the future of the bloc without Britain was set to be the key topic on the agenda.

TAPA, Estonia (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May urged the European Union on Friday to respond in kind to proposals she set out in Italy last week that sought to unlock Brexit talks, saying forming a new partnership was in the bloc's interest as well.

Speaking to Reuters in Estonia after meeting British troops, May said she believed the speech in Florence a week ago had given new momentum to the troubled divorce negotiations and had seen signs to suggest it had broken the deadlock. But she did not say whether she thought it was enough to move the talks on to a discussion of the future relationship by an October summit after EU negotiators said again this week that not enough progress had been made.

"A week ago I gave a speech in Florence which set out how we have made good progress so far, I thought we could make further progress and moving on to looking at the future deep and special relationship and partnership that we want to build with the European Union when the UK has left the EU," she said.

"I made that speech to give momentum to the talks and I think we have seen that being shown in the talks that have taken place this week and further progress has been made."

Following the latest round of talks this week, the EU's top negotiator said May's speech had created a "new dynamic", but more progress was needed to move to the next phase of discussions.

May, weakened by a June election when she lost her Conservative Party's majority, hopes to use the informal summit in Estonia to talk to EU leaders about Brexit, and to underline Britain's role in European security to try to win goodwill.
News In Brief

Sylhet AL celebrates PM's birthday

Sylhet Correspondent

Sylhet City unit Awami League (AL) and its front organisations today celebrated the 71st birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a befitting manner. To mark the day, Sylhet city AL organised a milad and doa mahfil at Shah Jalal Dargha mosque in the city. Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, City AL President Badar uddin Ahmed Kamran,Sylhet District AL Secretary Shofikur Rahman Chawdhury,Vice President Asfak Ahmed, Abdul Khalike,Nijam Uddin, Bijit Chawdhury among others, were present. They prayed for long life of Sheikh Hasina, who is continuing her relentless efforts to bring smiles on the faces of country's people by eradicating hunger, poverty and illiteracy. Special prayers were offered at all places of worships, including mosques, temple and monasteries, seeking her long life and sound health as well as continued peace and progress of the nation.

Bonsai exhibition begins in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI: A four-day Bonsai exhibition began here aimed at making the Bonsai culture popular among common people. Rajshahi Bonsai Society (RBS) arranged the fair on Monibazar premises in the city with the support of Home Stone Limited. Zila Parishad Chairman Muhammad Ali Sarker yesterday inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest with RBS President Syed Mahfuz-E Towheed in the chair. Pro Afrauzzaman Khan Chowdhury of Department of Finance and Banking of Rajshahi University was present there as special guest. During his welcome address, RBS General Secretary Sarwar Morshed illustrated the various aspects of Bonsai culture and its positive impact on the society. Terming the Bonsai practice as an art of precision, Muhammad Ali Sarker said it can play a vital role in reducing social crimes. Highlighting the various other aspects of Bonsai culture he said the country could earn a lot of foreign currency through the export of quality Bonsai to the developed countries. Some 60 Bonsai-lovers are participating in the exhibition with 255 Bonsai of 46 species. The exhibition will remain open for the visitors from 10 am to 8 pm till Sunday, reports BSS.

Prime accused in M'singh teenage murder held

KISHOREGANJ: Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in a drive at Shombupara in Bhairab upazila on Friday arrested the main accused in the case over the killing a teenage boy over theft charge in Mymensingh on September 25. The arrestee was identified as hatchery owner Akkas Ali. Major Sheikh Nazmul Arefin Parag, commanding officer of Rab-14, said at a press briefing that a team of Rab arrested Akkas from the area early in the morning. Sagor Miah, son of Shipon Miah, was beaten to death tying him to an electric pole for his alleged involvement in stealing a water pump from Akkas's hatchery at Char Sreerampur village in Gauripur upazila of Mymensingh district. Later, Shipon Miah filed a case accusing 12 people, including Akkas, with Gouripur Police Station, reports UNB.
Authorities to restrict explosions in Ctg DC Hill

Chittagong Bureau :

Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain asked authorities concern to restrict the use of the scenic DC Hill park for staging cultural events or commercial explosions for environmental and social reasons. He disclosed it while taking part in cleaning drive of DC Hill on early morning of Saturday .

The Minister reside in Nandankanon area , nearby of DC Hill and used to walk in the early morning around DC hill every day while stay in Chittagong.


293 motor cycles seized during raid

Chittagong Bureau :

Chittagong district police recovered a total of 293 stolen and non registered motor cycles in a two hour- long storm raid in Chittagong district area on Wednesday. Police filed 214 cases in this connection.

Sources said, police conducted a storm raid to nab the motor cycle thieves by setting up 54 check posts in Chittagong. The two hour- long raid from 10 am to 12 pm was led by Additional SP's Rezaul Masud and A K M Emran Bhuiyan. The police team seized a total of 293 stolen and non registered motor cycles during the raid.

Rezaul Masud said under the supervision of SP Nur -e- Alam Mina, raids were conducted setting up check posts on Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway and Dhaka-Chittagong highway.

The Chittagong district police is conducting special raids to restore the law and order situation during Durga Puja and holy Ashura. Police has seized a total of 293 stolen and non-registered motor cycles.
Bangladesh Orthaonity Samity organised a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club on Friday protesting killing of Muslims in Myanmar.
Speakers for building reading habits in students

BSS, Dhaka :

Speakers at an opinion exchanging meeting on Thursday urged for building reading habits in students for making them worthy citizen of the country.

Chapainawabganj district administration arranged the meeting at the conference room of the deputy commissioner of Chapainawabganj with the association of Chapainawabganj Government Public Library.

The opinion exchange was held between the Feasibility Study Project Committee of the countrywide mobile library and the local elites.

It was held with the deputy commissioner of Chapainawabganj Mahmudul Hasan in the chair while it was attended by Director General of the Public Library Department Ashish Kumar Sarker as chief guest and the deputy chief of the ministry of the cultural affairs Md. Abdur Rakib as special guest.

Among others, principal of Nawabganj Government College Professor AKM Manjur Reza, additional deputy commissioner (General) Ershad Hossain Khan, cultural secretary of Chapainawabganj Sadharan Pathagar Golam Faruk Mithun and others spoke on the occasion.
Not leaving anyone behind, one book at a time

UNB, Dhaka :

More than half of the third gender population experience violence, discrimination and abandonment or sexual assault and abuse at an early age in their natural families.

This was informed on Thursday at a panel discussion following a launch of a photo-book "Leaving no one behind: Hijra Lives in Bangladesh", at the BICC in the city.

Members of the third gender community, widely known as Hijras, face extreme discrimination in health, housing, education, employment, immigration, law, and any bureaucracy that is unable to place them into male or female gender categories. Most of them have very few employment opportunities. Many are forced to confine themselves to earn a living from performing at ceremonies, begging or engaging in sex work. Violence against Hijras is often brutal.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) jointly presented a coffee-table-style photo-book that takes us into everyday life of third gender persons across Bangladesh. And while going through pages of this book gives us an insight of where and how Hijras live, it also shows us the hardships of their lives - inability to find decent employment, uneasy access to healthcare and education, poor housing opportunities and constant discrimination. Jhunjhuni from Dhaka, one of the third gender representatives, was quoted in the book: "We were born in our mother's womb just like you. Then, is being a Hijra our crime?". While it is encouraging that the Government of Bangladesh legally recognised Hijra as the third gender, which is a basic condition to mainstream this community in all aspects of the society, and has created opportunities for Hijras to get government employment, there are still pending issues and long way to go. "This book will go a long way in raising awareness and bring up on wider agenda the issues that third gender people are facing. Responsibility of the National Human Rights Commission is to ensure human rights are respected for all, regardless of their gender. NHRC and UNDP will continue taking initiatives in this direction," said Nazrul Islam, full time member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

"If Bangladesh were to do this successfully, it would be another first achievement for this country under SDGs. The essence of SDGs is to leave no one behind," said Sudipto Mukerjee, UNDP Bangladesh Country Director.

A group of five student researchers and student photographers, collaborated with about 40 third gender persons and gathered their life stories, quotes and photographs. Based on the findings of the research, the content of the book has been designed using a life-cycle approach highlighting Hijra's early years, present time and future hopes and aspirations.
Uganda's parliament off-air as brawl breaks out between lawmakers

Ugandan lawmakers brawl in the Parliament in Kampala.

NZ Herald :

This week, as lawmakers debated one of the country's most important bills, Uganda's parliament turned into an ultimate fighting ring.

Parliamentarians hurled chairs at each other and swung microphone stands like swords. Men were torn from the room by their blazers and women by their dresses. Some people wailed and cried.

That fight exposed the bitter rift between lawmakers who support President Yoweri Museveni's efforts to extend his rule and those who oppose it. Museveni, 73, has been president for 31 years.

Uganda's constitution says no one older than 75 can run for president, which would effectively prevent Museveni from running for reelection in 2021. Some parliamentarians want to introduce a bill that would change that law, allowing the president to extend his rule.

That bill has led to protests in Uganda and, on Tuesday, the parliamentary fistfight. The damage was still being assessed Thursday, when Uganda's New Vision newspaper ran the headline, "Age limit fight leaves Parliament chambers in ruins."

Museveni is among a growing group of African leaders - in Zimbabwe, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo and other countries - who are trying to stay in power by changing or defying their countries' laws.



On Wednesday, in response to the violence in parliament, Museveni's government took its efforts one step further by announcing that it would ban live broadcasts of events "inciting the public," including parliamentary debate.

Uganda's Communications Commission said in a letter to broadcast media outlets that they should cease airing events that are "stirring up hatred, promoting a culture of violence."

In interviews and on Twitter, Ugandan officials clarified that they were referring at least in part to the airing of the parliamentary hearings on efforts to extend Museveni's rule.

"Violent Scenes& fights offend minimum broadcasting standards," tweeted Frank K. Tumwebaze, the minister of information and communication technology.

"If you looked at those images coming from parliament and you're a child, I don't think those were the most decent pictures," Godfrey Mutabazi, the executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission, told NBS Television.

In previous days, the police have issued memos banning protests of the constitutional amendment that would drop presidential age limits. Last week, police raided the office of Johannesburg-based ActionAid International, an NGO which has been critical of Museveni's efforts to extend his rule.

Robert Ssempala, the national coordinator for Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, told Reuters that cracking down on live broadcasts was intended to "shut out Ugandans and keep them in the dark on the age limit debate."

The bill is expected to pass because Museveni's party and other supporting lawmakers make up more than two-thirds of the parliament. Those supporters say the bill is not specifically about extending Museveni's rule, but rather ending discrimination against older politicians.

Museveni won the 2016 election with 60 percent of the vote, but analysts say it is difficult to gauge his true level of support in the country, where security forces frequently intimidate or imprison the political opposition.
1m Easy-Bikes in country

No state policy in this regard: Batteries charging 450MW electricity every day: Green activists term it environment-friendly

Staff Reporter :

Currently, there are about one million electric vehicles, locally known as "Easy-Bikes", that are transporting 2.5 crore passengers in both townships and rural areas across the country every day, a study report revealed this at a seminar in the city on Thursday.

It said though the growth of Easy-Bikes' market is expanding rapidly, there is no policy in this regard with a view to controlling the vehicles' movement and providing standard license.

According to the study report, private entrepreneurs are importing and assembling the vehicles in the country and consuming around 450MW electricity for charging batteries daily.

Lack of state level policy and fixed charging stations, vested groups are involved in illegal electricity trading. As a result, the government has been losing a huge revenue each year.

The volume of Easy-Bikes' market is about 17,500 crore which includes 5,000 crore battery requirement every year, the study report said.

The Asia Foundation and Rahimafrooz Solar have pursued the study titled, "Promoting Standard and Energy Efficiency of Mass Transport Electric Vehicles to SDG Goals" which is presented by advocate Md. Mahboob Murshed in the seminar.

Supreme Court's lawyer Md. Mahboob Murshed and Lecturer of Department of Development Studies of Dhaka University Ebney Ayaj Rana jointly conduct the study paper.

BUET Professor Ijaj Hossain, Head of access to Rahimafrooz Quazi Ahmed Faquque and Deputy Director of BSTI Md. Sajjadul Bari, among others, spoke in the seminar.

The study suggested that combustion of fossil fuel in the transportation sector results in

increasing emission of greenhouse gases. But the locally assembled Easy-Bikes have shown potentials of immense opportunity in conserving environment, use of green energy, generate huge employment, developing local automobile industry and a revolution in the mass transportation system in Bangladesh.

The Easy-Bike gave enormous financial, social and environmental opportunities in the aspect of over populous Bangladesh. Despite huge potentiality, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is unable to register Easy-Bikes as motor vehicles, provide licence, route permits and fitness certificate for them for some procedural and mechanical short comings, the study find.

On a stopgap arrangement, Easy-Bikes are now plying on roads with parking number given from City Corporation and even from Union Parishad.

The study explored the current status of Easy-Bike as an environmental-friendly transportation system in Bangladesh, especially in rural areas. It also stressed for regularizing Easy-Bikes by removing mechanical and legal short comings to make them as a means of efficient mass transportation system in Bangladesh.

It also revealed regional and international experiences of introducing electric vehicles as a public transportation system.


Aid groups seek free access to Rakhine State

Staff Reporter :

International aid groups in Myanmar have urged the government to allow free access to Rakhine state, where an army offensive has sent more than 500,000 Rohingya people fleeing to Bangladesh.

But hundreds of thousands remain there cut off from food, shelter and medical care, they said.

Rohingyas are still leaving Myanmar, more than a month after reported attacks on security posts near the border by insurgents, triggering fierce Myanmar military retaliation.

Aid groups said on Thursday the Myanmar

government has stopped international aid groups and UN agencies from carrying out most of their work in the north of Rakhine state, citing insecurity since the August 25 insurgent attacks.

In a joint statement, aid groups said they were: "increasingly concerned about severe restrictions on humanitarian access and impediments to the delivery of critically needed humanitarian assistance throughout Rakhine State."

"We urge the government and authorities of Myanmar to ensure that all people in need in Rakhine State have full, free and unimpeded access to life-saving humanitarian assistance."

The government has put the Myanmar Red Cross in charge of aid to the state, with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross. But the groups said they feared insufficient aid was getting through.

Relations between the government and aid agencies had been difficult for months, with some officials accusing the groups of helping the insurgents.

Aid groups dismissed the accusations, which they said had inflamed anger toward them among Buddhists in the communally divided state, and called for an end to "misinformation and unfounded accusations".

Rights groups have accused the army of trying to push Rohingya Muslims out of Myanmar, and of committing crimes against humanity. They have called for sanctions, in particular an arms embargo.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the violence against Rohingya Muslims in the northern part of Rakhine could spread to central Rakhine, where 250,000 more people were at risk of displacement.

Guterres told the UN Security Council during its first public meeting on Myanmar in eight years, that the violence had spiraled into the "world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."
US senators urge Trump admin to act on Rohingyas

Staff Reporter :

A group of the US senators urged the Trump administration on Thursday to use the "full weight" of its influence to help resolve the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

They said it in a letter to the President Donald Trump, report agencies.

The letter signed by four Republican and 17 Democratic members of the 100-seat Senate also called on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green to provide more humanitarian aid.

"Despite international condemnation, the Myanmar authorities incredibly continue to deny the atrocities," said the letter. It also notes that current U.S. law, including the Global

Magnitsky Act, allows Trump to impose sanctions on people responsible for gross violations of human rights.

The Myanmar authorities came under intensifying pressure on Thursday over the Rohingya refugee crisis, with the United Nations secretary general calling it a "human rights nightmare" that has driven more than a half a million civilians into Bangladesh in the past month.

The remarks by the secretary general, Antonio Guterres, came at a United Nations Security Council meeting devoted to the crisis, which has escalated into what he described as "the world's fastest developing refugee emergency."

The American ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R. Haley, demanded that Myanmar's authorities should punish those in the military who have killed and abused members of the Rohingya.

Haley also called for a halt to the shipment of foreign arms to Myanmar's security forces.
UNSC finally loses patience with Myanmar

CNN, United Nations :

In the past four weeks over half a million Rohingya Muslims have been forced to flee Myanmar to escape an orchestrated campaign of violence described by the UN as "ethnic cleansing."

But it wasn't until Thursday that the UN Security Council held its first public meeting on the situation in more than eight years.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council that the current outbreak of violence has "spiraled into the world's fastest-developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

"We've received bone-chilling accounts from those who fled, mainly women, children and the elderly," he said.

At least 500,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar since violence intensified in late August, bringing with them stories of widespread destruction and murder in their home province.

Their forced migration constitutes the quickest exodus from a single country since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Rohingya Muslims are considered to be among the world's most persecuted people. The predominantly Buddhist Myanmar considers them Bangladeshi, but Bangladesh says they're Burmese. As a result, they're effectively stateless.

On August 25, Rohingya militants killed 12 security officers in coordinated attacks on border posts, according to Myanmar's state media. In response, the military intensified "clearance operations" against "terrorists," driving thousands of people from their homes.

The security council meeting came as 15 Rohingya, including nine children, drowned after their boat sunk while trying to escape Myanmar to Bangladesh across the Bay of Bengal.

US ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council Thursday Myanmar's actions in Rakhine State appeared to be ethnic cleansing, an allegation UN human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein first made weeks ago.

The government of Myanmar has repeatedly denied this, claiming security forces are carrying out counter attacks against "brutal acts of terrorism."

In a statement, the country's foreign ministry claimed that security forces are taking "full measures to avoid collateral damage and the harming of innocent civilians."

Visiting Myanmar National Security Advisor U Thaung Tun blamed terrorism, not religious persecution, for the unfolding crisis. He said there is "no ethnic cleansing or genocide" in Myanmar, adding that those charges should not be lobbed lightly.

Despite the harsh words no formal action was taken after the session. Ambassadors said they felt that the 15-member council sent a strong message to Myanmar.

Time for words has passed: Haley

During Thursday's meeting, Ambassador Haley said the time for "well meaning words in the Council have passed."

She said that action must be considered against "Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses stoking hatred among fellow citizens," and urged countries that now sell weapons to Myanmar to suspend their deliveries until the military provides accountability.

Haley called for the Myanmar military to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing," she said.

Before the meeting, Amnesty International called for an arms embargo on Myanmar. The group says Myanmar has torched entire villages inside Rakhine State and fired on people trying to flee.

Myanmar issued an invitation to the UN Secretary-General to come visit the country in the "near future." The UN said that it's studying the offer.

The Myanmar envoy also said diplomats accompanied by media will visit northern Rakhine state on Monday.

The UN does not have its own army, and it has gotten nowhere with pleas for diplomacy. A UN team set to tour Rakhine state on Thursday found its trip cancelled -- due to the weather, according to Myanmar.

End the military operations: Guterres

The UN Secretary-General proposed three things for the Myanmar government to do.

"First, end the military operations," Guterres said. "Second, allow unfettered access for humanitarian support. And third, to ensure the safe voluntary and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin."

Japan's UN Ambassador Koro Bessho strongly condemned the attacks on civilians and said his nation was deeply disturbed at reports of killings.

Myanmar's special envoy told the Council the country realizes the humanitarian situation needs to be addressed. He said thousands fled because of fear due to terrorism, and that Myanmar is cooperating with the Red Cross.

The UN Secretary-General warned that "we should not be surprised if decades of discrimination and double standards in treatment of the Rohingya create an opening for radicalization."

China, a neighbor of Myanmar and Bangladesh where hundreds of thousands have fled, said "there is no quick fix" to the conflict.

Diplomats say they want a political dialogue to start. The Council plans to hear from former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who chaired a commission on Myanmar packed with recommendations, next week.

Swedish UN Ambassador Olof Skoog said the Annan report "provides the way forward," as he urged the Myanmar government to take responsibility to bring an end to the conflict once and for all."




Visit Russia, China, India over Rohinga issue, BNP urges PM again

UNB, Dhaka :

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir once again urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Russia, China and India to pursue them to play a positive role in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

"China, Russia and India have taken position in favour of Myanmar. We've long been asking the Prime Minister to visit those countries to convince them saying that Rohingya problem has become a critical and humanitarian crisis for us. She should now visit those countries," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, "We call upon the global leaders to come forward without buying further time to force Myanmar to stop genocide and take back its citizens."

Zia Sangskritik Sangstha arranged the programme at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, marking its 25th founding anniversary.

Fakhrul, who recently visited Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, could not hold back tears while narrating the sufferings the refugees have been going through there.

"Their sufferings are unimaginable. There is no roof on their heads. I've seen a mother covering her newborn baby with a small piece of plastic to save it from rain."

He said though Myanmar is trying to eliminate an ethnic group, Bangladesh government is not raising its strong voice against it. "The government is yet to accuse Myanmar of carrying out genocide. It also still didn't condemn the brutal activities of Myanmar."

The BNP leader also criticised China and Russia for not playing their due role in resolving the Rohingya problem. "We're living in a world where there is no value of humanity. Power and economic interests are now greater than humanity. What is the reason behind supporting Myanmar by the countries like China and Russia?

He also questioned why India which has good reputation for protecting democracy and human rights stood beside Myanmar. "They're sending relief. It's like to rob Peter, to pay Paul."

Fakhrul urged the influential countries to take steps for stopping genocide against Rohingyas and force Myanmar to take back its citizens.

He also urged the government to recognise those entered Bangladesh from Myanmar in the face of persecution as refugees and intensify its diplomatic efforts to repatriate them ensuring their dignity and citizenship.

The BNP leader said though common people, foreign countries and agencies are providing relief for the Rohingyas, the government and the ruling party has no relief efforts for them.

He renewed his party's call for forging a national unity to face the Rohingya crisis.








Over 60 Rohingyas feared drowned

Staff Reporter :

The death toll in Rohingya trawler capsize incident in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar rose to 60 after eight more bodies were recovered from Inani beach of the Bay on Friday.

The police and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) sources said the death toll may rise further.

Officer-in-Charge of Ukhia Police Station Kai Kislo said on Friday that locals rescued 27 Rohingya people from the sea while several others managed to swim ashore from the sea. Nine of them were given treatment in local hospital.

A trawler carrying Rohingyas fleeing from Myanmar capsized in the Bay near Inani beach in Cox's Bazar. At least 10 children and five women died in the capsize that took place around 5pm on Thursday.

The trawler overturned in the rough sea just yards from the shore after hitting some submerged object, survivors and witnesses said.

It was raining hard when the boat was trying to anchor at Patuartek of Ukhiya around 5:00pm amid strong wind and high tide.

One survivor told the media that the boat was carrying about 90 people, many of them women and children.

Coastguards said the craft was too small to carry a large convoy of men.

The number of Rohingyas crossing the border into Bangladesh to flee violence in the Rakhine State of Myanmar since August 25 has exceeded five lakh on Thursday as the influx continued.

The UN termed Myanmar Army's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims a 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing.'
Myanmar team to visit Dhaka within a week to talk Rohingya issue

Staff Reporter :

A delegation of Myanmar government led by Minister of State Counsellor Office U Kyaw Tint Swe is going to Bangladesh within the week to discuss the repatriation of Rohingya refugees who fled Rakhine State following an upsurge of violence there.

"We don't know exactly the date. But they will go within next day or two," Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, told The Myanmar Times on Thursday.

He said among the prioritized plans in the recommendations for the Rakhine state of the Advisory Commission and the

Maungdaw Investigation Commission, was carrying out the repatriation of thousands of Muslim refugees as fast as possible based on the 1993 Myanmar-Bangladesh agreement.

According to the 1993 Joint Statement between Myanmar and Bangladesh, Myanmar agreed to take measures to halt the outflow of refugees to Bangladesh, and to accept, after scrutiny, all 'those carrying Myanmar identity cards', 'those able to present other documents issued by relevant Myanmar authorities' and 'all those able to furnish evidence of their residence in Myanmar' and 'all those willing to return to Myanmar'.

"We will repatriate all of refugees whose identity we can verify based on the 1993 agreement," said Dr Win Myat Aye adding the repatriation would begin after an agreement is reached during the discussion between two countries.

According to the Implementing Committee for Recommendations of Rakhine State, it has designated two places to receive the refugees, the Taungpyoletwea and Ngakhuya villages.

The Committee said the refugees who would be repatriated from land route will be received at Taungpyoletwea village and those passing through the rivers will able to be received at Ngakhuya village.

The Implementing Committee for Recommendations of Rakhine State held its 3rd meeting on Wednesday and estimated to spend K2 billion for repatriation process and the planned resettlement of the refugees at Dar gyizar village, about 20 km from Maungdaw township.

"There are many things to negotiate with regards to security situation before repatriation," said committee chairman Dr Win Myat Aye.

The United Nations on Thursday said the number of Rohingya Muslims that have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh since August has topped 500,000.
US for prosecution of Myanmar army leaders

Suspend weapons supplies: Ethnic cleansing shames Suu Kyi Govt

Special Correspondent :

The United States has said, action must be taken against Myanmar's military leaders whose operations have forced 500,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee into Bangladesh.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, accused Myanmar's authorities on Thursday of carrying out "a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority".

"The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed," she told the UN Security Council, which held its first public meeting on Myanmar since 2009, though it failed to arrive at a resolution.

Haley's comments came when more than 50 Rohingya refugees were missing on Friday after their boat capsized in driving wind, rain, and high seas, report agencies.

The UN's International Organisation for Migration said about 130 people were believed to have been on board. Bangladesh police said there were 27 survivors, 19 dead, and more than 50 missing.

Using the country's former name Burma, Haley said, "We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens."

It was the first time the United States had called for punishment of Myanmar's military leaders, but she stopped short of threatening to re-impose US sanctions that were suspended under the Obama administration.

Buddhist-majority Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and has denounced human rights abuses.

Its military launched a sweeping military offensive in response to be reported attacks on the security forces by Rohingya insurgents in Rakhine state on August 25.

Haley said Myanmar's military must immediately remove and prosecute those accused of abuses. She said, it also must allow unhindered humanitarian access for UN agencies and other relief organisations, and "commit to welcoming all who have been displaced to return to their original homes".

In what appeared to be a rebuke to the country's Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Haley said of the Rohingya crisis, "It should put shame on senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma".


Russia, China support Suu Kyi govt ignoring torture, killing

United Nations Security Council meets on Myanmar\'s Rohingya crisis on Thursday at U.N. headquarters.

AP, United Nations :

The U.N. Security Council's first open meeting on Myanmar in eight years highlighted the body's deep divisions: China and Russia supported the Southeast Asian country's government while the U.S., Britain and France demanded an end to ethnic cleansing of its Rohingya Muslim minority.

With the number of Rohingyas fleeing to Bangladesh since Aug. 25 now topping 500,000, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the U.N.'s most powerful body on Thursday to take strong action. He also called on Myanmar's authorities to immediately halt military operations, allow "unfettered access" for humanitarian aid, and ensure that all those who fled can return home.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley, using Myanmar's former name of Burma, told council members: "We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority." "The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed," she said. "We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens."

Haley urged all countries to suspend the supply of weapons to the country's military until its members are held accountable for the "brutal assault" on the Rohingyas.

The U.S., Britain and France were joined by many council members in demanding an immediate end to the violence and a strong council response. A global coalition of 88 civil society and human rights organizations urged the Security Council to step up pressure on Myanmar's authorities "by seriously considering options such as an arms embargo against the military and targeted financial sanctions against individuals responsible or crimes and serious abuses." But the prospect of a strong response from the council appeared unlikely after both China and Russia supported the government's approach to tackling the crisis.

China's deputy U.N. ambassador, whose country has close ties to Myanmar, urged the international community "to view the

difficulties and challenges confronting the government of Myanmar through objective optics, exercise patience, and provide support and help." Wu Haitao stressed that "many of the differences and antagonisms" in Rakhine state have been building up over a long time and "there is no quick fix."

"As we speak, the situation on the ground is beginning to move toward stability," Wu said. "All parties should work constructively to help reinforce this momentum, de-escalate the situation and alleviate the humanitarian conditions step-by-step." Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned that "excessive pressure" on Myanmar's government "could only aggravate the situation in the country and around it."

There is no alternative to resolving "the longstanding and complicated crisis" in Rakhine through political means and a dialogue among representatives of all nationalities and faiths," he said. "We need to stop any kind of violence from any side and the rhetoric which fuels it." The Russian ambassador and the U.N. secretary-general both warned that the Rohingya crisis could spread. Guterres said "the failure to address this systematic violence could result in a spillover into central Rakhine, where an additional 250,000 Muslims could potentially face displacement." He also warned that the humanitarian crisis is a breeding ground for radicalization, criminals and traffickers. And he said the broader crisis "has generated multiple implications for neighboring states and the larger region, including the risk of inter-communal strife."

Nebenzia said "terrorists and extremists ... are already trying to put down roots in Southeast Asia" and "we cannot allow further radicalization in the region." The council meeting also exposed tensions between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Myanmar's national security adviser blamed the crisis in Rakhine state on terrorism and declared that "there is no ethnic cleansing and no genocide in Myanmar."

U Thaung Tun said security operations ended Sept. 5 and the vast majority of those who fled to Bangladesh did so because "fear was instilled in the heart by the terrorists."

More than 50 percent of villages in Rakhine state are intact and people are living in peace with their neighbors, he said. He announced that diplomats, accompanied by the media, will be visiting northern Rakhine on Monday. And he said Guterres has been invited to visit Myanmar.

"It is imperative that the international community join hands with us to ensure that democracy takes firm root," U Thaung Tun said. "The Security Council must refrain from taking measures that exacerbate rather than alleviate the situation in Rakhine state. It can and must do no less."

But Bangladesh's U.N. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen told the council the violence in Rakhine hasn't stopped despite government claims. He said Rohingyas described rape being used as a weapon to scare families to leave, and reported villages being burned, and people being looted and abused.

"These atrocities attest that the Myanmar government is using arson to de-populate northern Rakhine and take over ownership of lands," he said. Bin Momen said the Security Council should also take into account that reportedly more than two divisions of Myanmar's armed forces were deployed near the Bangladesh border in the first week of August with heavy armaments and artillery.

With the arrival of over 500,000 Rohingyas since Aug. 25, he said Bangladesh is now hosting over 900,000 members of "this most persecuted minority in the world."

Bin Momen called this situation untenable and reiterated an appeal to the U.N. to create "safe zones" inside Myanmar. The Security Council over the years has discussed Myanmar behind closed doors, including three recent closed meetings. The last open meeting in 2009 was attended by then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Chief warns of `humanitarian nightmare`

BBC Online :

Violence in Myanmar has spiralled into the "the world's fastest-developing refugee emergency" and a "humanitarian nightmare", the UN chief has warned.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Myanmar to end its military operation, which has sparked the exodus of over

500,000 Rohingya since August. He also demanded "unfettered access" to the region to deliver humanitarian aid. Earlier, at least 14 Rohingya, all women and children, drowned after their boat capsized off Bangladesh's coast. Survivors say the boat overturned after apparently hitting a submerged object near the coastal city of Cox's Bazar. In the past 48 hours, about 2,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh by boat, fleeing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

In Thursday's briefing to the UN Security Council, Mr Guterres said: "The situation has spiralled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

"We have received bone-chilling accounts from those who fled - mainly women, children and the elderly.

"These testimonials point to excessive violence and serious violations of human rights, including indiscriminate firing of weapons, the use of landmines against civilians and sexual violence."

Mr Guterres also warned that "the failure to address the systematic violence could result in a spill over into central Rakhine where an additional 250,000 Muslims could potentially face displacement".

UN aid personnel were forced to leave Rakhine when the military began a crackdown on Rohingya militants behind attacks on security personnel in August.

Fleeing Rohingya - the majority of whom are Muslim - accuse Myanmar's military, backed by Buddhist mobs, of trying to drive them out with a campaign of beatings, killings and village burnings.

Images and reports from journalists confirm many villages have been razed.

But the military say they are targeting only militants.
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CARBONDALE  The Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve will soon be home to one of the regions only nature trails suitable for wheelchair or walker use.

Local land conservation group Green Earth has been awarded a $102,000 grant under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program to upgrade one of the trails at the site to ADA-friendly standards.

In addition, the funds will allow the nonprofit to make improvements to trail surfaces, install a new pedestrian bridge and expand the parking lot, which is located on Chautauqua Street on the west side of Carbondale.

Although there is one handicapped-accessible trail in Giant City State Park, trails that accommodate people with limited mobility are generally few and far between, said Green Earth Director Stephanie Eichholz.

The close proximity of Prairie Living Senior Community and the Center for Independent Living inspired Green Earth to make the improvements.

My father is a resident at Prairie Living, and he belonged to a walking club, and they felt really restricted. Theres just a circular drive over there, and they would have loved to have access to this, Eichholz said.

The David Kenney Trail, located on the west side of Little Crab Orchard Creek, will be upgraded to meet the U.S. Forest Service guidelines for ADA-friendly standards. The trail will be widened to five feet to accommodate wheelchairs, and it will have a hard-packed, smooth surface with ramped elevation changes.

Carbondale is known as a very ADA-friendly town  so we decided it would be wonderful to become a part of that and really allow access to people to come out and enjoy nature, Eichholz said.

The project will also connect the westernmost David Kenney Trail to the Maurice Webb Trail and Woodland Spur Trail with a pedestrian bridge over Little Crab Orchard Creek. The nature preserves sole parking lot is located by the Maurice Webb Trail, and the trailhead for the David Kenney Trail can only be accessed by walking along Chautauqua Street, where cars go by at high speeds.

Green Earth also plans to improve trail surfaces, as the area frequently becomes waterlogged.

Its very flat here and also the soils are hydric. They have more clay particulates, so they dont drain very well. Often its standing water until it evaporates, Eichholz said.

The Chautauqua Bottoms site was once grazing pasture. After purchasing the parcel in 2004, Green Earth began restoring it to hardwood bottomlands, a type of wetland that favors bald cypress, oak and green ash trees  anything that can stand having its feet wet, Eichholz said.

Founded in 1974, Green Earth owns and maintains six natural areas in Carbondale. When the trails were first established, they werent particularly well built, according to Eichholz.

I even read it in one of the old trail guides that said, The trails you see here today are really expanded deer trails. And thats when it all kind of clicked for me  oh, there was no thought put into the placement of these trails, they just ran with what they had. And there is a full science behind trail-building. You want sustainable trails, Eichholz said.

The haphazard placement led to erosion problems and standing water. Since the 2009 derecho, which wiped out a number of the groups trails, Green Earth has made an effort to build more sustainable trails.

The IDNR grant will fund 80 percent of the Chautauqua Bottoms project. Green Earth will have to raise the remaining 20 percent, or $25,500.

The project will be completed by December 2018, and work on the trails will begin in the next few weeks, Eichholz said.
MURPHYSBORO  Murphysboro's mayor is working on a proposal to entice property owners with businesses and homes just outside the city limits to voluntarily annex their properties into the city.

Mayor Will Stephens hopes to see the city benefit from tax sales revenue from these businesses and add services to these businesses. Businesses that the mayor cited during Tuesday night's council meeting were North 14th Street businesses Pat's BBQ & Catering at 1673 Illinois 13 Business Highway and One Hot Cookie, which recently relocated to 1290 Illinois 13 Business Highway.

Stephens said he is still developing the proposal, which would involve a graduated tax-abatement approach and cover other concerns, such as infrastructure needs and insurance benefits from the city's fire protection rating.

"If somebody would voluntarily annex in, the city portion of their property tax increase would be abated for five years  they wouldn't see that increase for five years  the second five years they would see a 50 percent increase and then after that they would be to a full levy," Stephens told those at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

The mayor said he has not approached the county formally with proposal.

"When we talk about the adjustments in what the state is reimbursing, trying to get that extra sales tax revenue from a place like Pat's (BBQ & Catering) and One Hot Cookie  and others that are right there on the border  could offset our losses, and so it's something I'm really going to try to push hard on soon," he said.

In July, One Hot Cookie owner Sarah Lavender-Brashear asked the city for and received inclusion of her business in the countys Enterprise Zone  which is managed by Murphysboro, Carbondale and Jackson County. She has planned millions of dollars worth of construction over the next few years, including a $2 million bed-and-breakfast.

Stephens expects to present a more formal proposal at a future city council meeting.
"Tracy and I can't thank the people of Southern Illinois enough for their support and their prayers. Our victory tonight sends a powerful message to out-of-touch politicians everywhere that we're unified and unyielding in the fight for our conservative values. Joe Biden's going to be held accountable for destroying the economy, ignoring the border crisis, and taking us from America First to America Last in two years flat. But none of this would be possible without the trust of voters from across our vast 12th District. Serving you is truly the honor of a lifetime."
Regional Medical Center trustees are in the process of interviewing the final three candidates for the chief executive officers position.

Trustees scheduled three closed-door meetings on consecutive days this week to discuss the CEO search.

Search firm Wiff/Kieffer received about 89 applications for the job and sent the hospital about 11, RMC board Chairman Melvin Seabrooks said.

"We are very pleased with the process," Seabrooks said. "I think the search committee feels that we have some candidates that are qualified to fill the position."

After this weeks interviews, more interviews will be done according to the process and requirements of Witt/Kieffer, Seabrooks said. The board does not expect to select a final candidate until the end of the year.

"There are a lot of things that have to transpire, Seabrooks said.

The T&D has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to find out the names of the finalists.

RMC CEO Tom Dandridge was removed by a divided board at the end of January after 24 years leading the hospital.

Trustees in May hired Illinois-based Witt/Kieffer to help with the search for a new CEO.

In other matters during Tuesdays RMC board meeting:

 RMC Finance Committee Chairman Matt Stokes noted the hospital's fiscal year ends this month.

"I feel like we are in good shape to finish the year up," Stokes said.

Year-to-date, the hospital is about $672,000 in the black.

The hospital system, including the primary care practices, is about $955,653 in the red for the year to date. The greatest loss is coming from the primary care practices of $1.7 million.

Last year at this time, the hospital system was $1.3 million in the black.

 Trustees unanimously approved $1.8 million in capital spending for the month, including ten anesthesia machines totaling $753,516.

Year-to-date, the hospital has spent $9.3 million on capital items. As the fiscal year comes to an end, the hospital will have about $520,000 in its capital budget that remains unspent.

 Trustee Gladys Arends, chair of the hospital's Edisto Regional Health Services board, noted volumes were up in seven of the hospital's eight primary care practices for the month of August. She said there were also 266 wellness visits to the practices for the month with over 500 visits expected in September.

 Trustees unanimously gave a confirmation vote for the construction of an $8.63 million, 20,500-square-foot freestanding emergency department. It will be located on 10 acres of land adjacent to Highway 70 between Denmark and Barnwell.

Ground was broken on the facility in August. Construction is projected to take a year.

Trustees agreed to sign a resolution for the receipt of a $100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant toward the purchase of equipment, including an ultrasound machine, for the new emergency department.

* Trustees agreed to remove former RMC Vice President Brenda Williams' name as a signee of hospital and Edisto Regional Health Services bank accounts. Williams retired Aug. 1.
COLUMBIA  One of the co-owners of a defunct nuclear construction project in South Carolina misled its investors, lying to them about the venture's progress and artificially driving up stock prices, according to the latest lawsuit filed after the scuttling of the multibillion-dollar endeavor.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court late Wednesday, accuses SCANA and some of its chief executives of artificially inflating stock prices by "issuing false and misleading statements to investors" about the status of a now-scuttled nuclear reactor project at V.C. Summer, despite knowing the endeavor was struggling.

SCANA subsidiary South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. and state-owned utility Santee Cooper halted the construction of two new nuclear reactors this summer after chief contractor Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy. Both utilities have faced intense scrutiny since the nearly $10 billion failure, which both state and federal authorities are investigating. State lawmakers also are probing the collapse.

A SCANA spokesman didn't immediately return an email seeking comment on the suit, which joins at least half a dozen others already pending. One, filed by John Crangle of ethics watchdog group Common Cause, demands that SCANA executives return $21 million in bonuses they received as they watched over the reactor construction.

The new lawsuit filed by a SCANA investor seeks class-action status on behalf of anyone who acquired SCANA stock between January 2016, when the company issued a news release touting milestones of the project, and earlier this month. During that time span, according to the lawsuit, the company became aware of  yet kept from the public  a 2015 audit by the Bechtel engineering firm that found serious flaws with the venture, including low morale, high turnover and the lack of a master construction schedule.

Despite the report's criticism, the lawsuit alleges, SCANA CEO Kevin Marsh and other executives told shareholders the company "continued to move forward and make substantial progress" on the reactors. Over the coming months, despite assuring investors and analysts the project was essentially on schedule, company executives privately expressed frustration, with Marsh writing to an executive at Toshiba, Westinghouse's parent company, that he felt SCANA had "been the victim of financial malfeasance " by the companies.

As shareholders began to become aware of the project's struggles, the suit notes, SCANA's stock fell from just over $70 a share in February of this year to about $55 at the end of last week.

The losses suffered by investors because of SCANA executives' "prior misrepresentations and fraudulent omissions" fall under federal securities laws, attorneys wrote.

The lawsuit comes as both SCANA and Santee Cooper and South Carolina's governor move toward trying to recoup some losses from the project. On Wednesday, the boards of both utilities approved the sale of their $2.2 billion, five-year settlement with Toshiba so that they can recover 92 percent of the cash immediately.

Ratepayers have already paid more than $2 billion in interest fees on the project's debt, money the companies have said won't be refunded. SCE&G wants to recover billions more from customers to pay off the debt, though lawmakers want to stop that.

Gov. Henry McMaster this week told The Associated Press that he's still pushing to revive the abandoned reactors  and if he can't, he wants consumers to get their money back.

The Office of Regulatory Staff  the state agency that represents the public interest in utility cases  wants state regulators to force SCE&G to stop billing customers for the failure.

SCE&G wants the request dismissed. Eliminating that 18 percent of customers' bills would reduce the company's revenues by more than $445 million annually, according to SCANA Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Addison.

Just the filing of the request alone made the company's stock drop significantly, Addison said.

The Public Service Commission voted Thursday to appoint a special officer to arrange a hearing on the request  essentially sending the arguments to regulatory court. Objections to the commission's eventual decision could be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
Editors note: This article was submitted for publication in last weeks issue.





She was no thief in the night. Every Dominican knew she was heading his/her way, and they were well aware that the country would be at her mercy. Some prayed, some busied themselves in efforts to make ready for the onslaught.





And so, it was, in the middle of the night of Monday, September 18, 2017, into the early hours of Tuesday morning, September 19, 2017, the eye of Hurricane Maria smashed into the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, with winds of up to 160 miles per hour.





Dominica had, only two weeks ago, escaped the wrath of Hurricane Irma, and had even sent cash and in-kind donations to more northerly islands which had been devastated.

Now it was Dominicas turn.





Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit posted on his Facebook page, "My roof is gone. I am at the complete mercy of the hurricane. House is flooding.





Continuing before all communications broke down, the Prime Minister posted as he became aware of the extent of the onslaught, "we have lost all what money can buy and replace. My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.





"So far, the winds have swept away the roofs of almost every person I have spoken to or otherwise made contact with. The roof to my own official residence was among the first to go and this apparently triggered an avalanche of torn away roofs in the city and the countryside.

"Come tomorrow morning, we will hit the road, as soon as the all clear is given, in search of the injured and those trapped in the rubble.





"I am honestly not preoccupied with physical damage at this time, because it is devastating...indeed, mind-boggling. My focus now is in rescuing the trapped and securing medical assistance for the injured.

"We will need help, my friends, we will need help of all kinds.

As recovery work continues, the Prime Minister officially declared a state of emergency and a curfew from 4pm to 8am.





As she left Dominica, Hurricane Maria headed for the nearby French territory of Guadeloupe where, reports indicate, she was also responsible for one death.

She continued on her merry way, occasioning hurricane warnings for St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques.




Students of the All Saints Medical University, Dominica, will continue their studies at the St. Vincent campus of the University.

Displaced students attending the All Saints Medical University, Dominica, were expected to arrive here Wednesday following the passage of Hurricane Maria which damaged the institutions Roseau campus.





According to Luis de Shong, Principal Assistant Registrar at the All Saints campus here, approximately 400 students were expected to be ferried into St Vincent from St Lucia.





He explained that following the passage of Hurricane Maria, the building that housed the campus in Roseau, Dominica was damaged and the students displaced.





The medical institution is comprised primarily of students from the United States, Canada, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and the region.





However, the governments of the United States, India and Canada had given its nationals the option of taking some time off, or continuing their education.

For those opting to continue, de Shong explained that 250 were ferried to St Lucia last Sunday, and the remaining were ferried in on Tuesday.





And so, by Wednesday, with the exception of those who were airlifted into St Vincent, all others were scheduled to arrive by boat at Port Kingstown.





"We are making arrangements to get housing, de Shong said during a telephone interview on Tuesday.

Housing was not expected to be an issue, he said, with a number of persons having already stepped forward offering accommodation.





He added that there was an existing list of possible accommodation and it was only a matter of expanding.

As far as how long the students would remain in St. Vincent, de Shong said that would depend on the length of time that it took for the physical structure in Dominica to be repaired.

Similarly, word coming from the St James Medical School indicated that 55 students from their sister campus in Anguilla, which was also devastated during the passage of Hurricane Maria, had already arrived in the country.





Information coming from the school indicated that accommodation was not an issue.

The length of stay for the St. James students was not yet determined, but in the short term, the students were expected to complete one semester  equivalent to four months. (DD)




SOP Ruth Jacobs, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has promised an intensification of the Police Forces crime fighting measure in response to the recent spate of violent crimes here.

The Royal SVG Police Force is expected to intensify its crime fighting measures, following a recent upsurge in murders and other violent crimes here.





Word of this has come from Superintendent of Police Ruth Jacobs, Head of both the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Anti-trafficking in Persons Unit.





Acknowledging that the recent spate of murders is of great concern to the police as well as to the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sop Jacobs told THE VINCENTIAN on Monday, "As a result, we are making every effort to ensure that all the systems we have in place are up and running. We are intensifying our strategies, our intelligence, our patrols and our tools of detection, to ensure that we have the situation under control.





SOP Jacobs, recognizing that crime is a social issue and therefroe the police cannot "fight it alone, appealed for all hands to come on deck.





"We are calling the churches to continue to pray for the nation, we are asking members of different communities to protect your communities and not to be a perpetrator of crime to your own community, she implored, adding a call to community groups and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)to join with the police to hold discussions, and help persons to deal with matters in a better way.





"We are willing to work hand in hand with different organizations in the communities to sensitize persons and educate them as to how to resolve conflicts and the causes of conflicts, said Jacobs.

So far for the year, police have recorded 31 homicides, with the latest victim being Vermont resident Wendell Grindy ONeil, who was shot in broad day light just outside the Leeward Bus Terminal.





SOP Jacobs said that presently they have not considered the death of Andrew Roberts as a homicide, but assured that as soon as investigations are concluded in the matter, they will make a pronouncement.





Roberts was shot and killed by Dale Lyttle, around 11 p.m. last Friday in Casson Hill, during a hijacking attempt of Lyttles car.
Police moved quickly to cordon off the area where Wendel ONeil and two others were shot. Below: Wendel Grindy ONeil was shot in the clear view of many persons.

A Vermont man was shot and killed in Kingstown in broad daylight last Tuesday, September 26.





Thirty-four-year-old Wendel ONeil, better known as Grindy, was shot and killed around 1:00pm, while hanging out at a vendors stall on the sea wall, just outside the Leeward Bus Terminal.

His girlfriend - Jihan Browne of Chauncey  who was in his company, was also shot.





Eyewitnesses told THE VINCENTIAN that a masked man alighted a vehicle and started "spraying bullet, in the direction of ONeal.





Persons within the vicinity of the scene of the shooting scampered for safety, with some even jumping into the sea, one eyewitness said.
The principal, staff and students of St. Josephs Convent Marriaqua and Kingstown, express profound sadness at the destruction and loss of life suffered by Dominica, which was hit by category 5 hurricane - Maria.





As educational institutions, we recognize the sterling contributions made to the development of our schools and, by extension, the development of the educational landscape of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by nationals of Dominica.





We especially remember at this time, the contributions of Dominicans, Sister Patricia Ann Douglas of blessed memory, who served faithfully as principal of St. Josephs Convent Marriaqua for 25 years; Sister Sylvia Toulon, former Principal of St. Josephs Convent Marriaqua also of blessed memory; and Sister Martha Sebastien, a past student of St. Josephs Convent Marriaqua who now serves as the Deputy Principal at St. Josephs Convent Kingstown.





It is against this backdrop that we, as schools, see it necessary to assist in whatever way we can with the relief effort for our sister island Dominica. Towards this end, we appeal to persons who have benefited, in any way, from our schools, to make monetary contributions which will go towards the purchasing of relief supplies to be sent to Dominica.

These contributions can be made to the offices of St Josephs Convent Kingstown and St Josephs Convent Marriaqua.





It is now our turn to give back to a country that has given so much to us. Past students of both convent schools are especially invited to contribute and to do so generously. (Submitted by SJCM)




The New Democratic Party (NDP) is alarmed by the most recent spate of homicides in the country. It was reported that on Friday September 22, 2017 that two men were killed in separate incidents and the following day, a woman was killed by gunshot.





On September 24th, the Ottley Hall resident who was shot on September 21st succumb to his wounds. These tragic deaths bring the number of homicides in the country to an alarming 29 so far this year, only 10 short of the new homicide record of 39 that was set last year!





Commenting on the matter, Leader of the Opposition and President of the NDP, Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday, said:





"This weekend was a rather unsettling one for me. I cannot accept a situation in which this country becomes a place that has three and more homicides in one weekend. I thought of the families of those involved, and it saddened me because every death brings pain and loss to family members and friends of those killed. The ULP administration continues to stifle the development of our country, as they have failed in providing proper governance with respect to the escalating crime situation in the country. As a people, we have to think about addressing crime and violence by dealing with root causes. We must create jobs for our youths and provide proper training and working conditions for our police. We must go into the communities and implement social and economic programs to better the lives of our people. This, and more, the NDP under my leadership will do. However, the only way we will succeed is to do it together as one people. We must come together!

The New Democratic Party urges anyone with information that might assist the police in their investigations to provide it to the police. We call on the police to redouble their efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.





Lavern King, Public Relations Officer/NDP
The Seventh-day Adventist Church affirms the dignity and worth of each human being, and decries all forms of crime, violence, gang warfare or manifestation of tribalism that denigrate men and women .





We are alarmed at the relative ease with which guns are available in our communities and are often used to commit the most heinous crimes. They illegally show up in homes, on the streets or at public places, and are used to terrorize, maim or destroy lives. No civilized society can remain indifferent to such violent behavior or tolerate such acts of terrorism. To condone this "new normal is to perpetuate the evil and put ourselves and families at risk of living in fear, under siege or becoming victims of crimes.





Guns are made to kill people. They have no legitimate recreational use. Guns of themselves cannot kill. It is people who use them as instruments of destruction and weapons of death. The problem lies therefore with the users, who outside of the "will and purpose of God are left to follow their depraved minds and carnal passions. The Church strongly condemns all forms of crimes and violence, and encourages all offenders or would-be perpetrators to draw back the curtains, look at your life, consider how valuable you are in the eyes of Christ and refrain from sliding down the slippery slope of "no return.





Christ came into the world to save lives, not to destroy them (Luke 9:56). When Peter drew his weapon, Jesus said to him: "Put your sword back in its place. All who take the sword will die by the sword (Matthew 26:52 TEV). Jesus did not engage in violence as He modeled for us humanitys values, lifestyle and conduct. We therefore call upon everyone to halt the spate of assault and stop the spike of criminality in our country. We urge all to return to God and to civility, respect the sanctity of life and dignity of humanity, while we pursue peace and live in community with one another. Evil cannot be effectively met with evil, but must be overcome with good.





To all families who are mourning the loss of loved ones, we offer our prayers, sympathy and condolences, while we urge you to look to our compassionate Father who understands your grief, knows your sorrow, feels your pain and can meet your need.





Pastor Dermoth Baptiste

President, Seventh-day Adventist Church,

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Mission
WINFRESH, the largest exporter of agricultural produce from the Windward Islands, has quickly responded to the plight of the people of hurricane-hit Dominica.





Working in collaboration with the Dominica High Commission, the Companys UK operation at Stansted in the United Kingdom, this week, loaded four forty-foot containers bearing relief supplies for Dominica. These were handled with great haste, by WINFRESH UK staff working overtime, to ensure that they were ready for the first vessel sailing from the UK, post-Hurricane Maria. This was generously facilitated by the GEEST LINE, an associated shipping company of WINFRESH, which also provided a freight-free service.





This follows an initiative launched in the UK, spearheaded by WINFRESH CEO, Mr Bernard Cornibert, working in collaboration with the acting High Commissioner for Dominica in London, Ms Janet Charles. A mass appeal was launched within 48hrs of the hurricane, resulting in an overwhelming response from the Dominican diaspora community in the UK, other Caribbean nationals and the British public.





Mr Cornibert said "I would like to thank all of those who contributed to the relief efforts of our friends and families in Dominica. This initial shipment is part of a continuing commitment of WINFRESH and GEEST LINE to the Dominica relief effort, with further initiatives being launched. GEEST LINE has graciously agreed not only to provide freight-free shipping of these containers, but stands ready to provide similar support for subsequent weekly shipments to Dominica.





Mr. Cornibert continued, "Our WINFRESH subsidiaries across the Caribbean have also been making contributions. Our premium water company in Saint Lucia, SUNFRESH, has shipped this week two containers of supplies including the companys H2O bottled water. Our staff have also contributed on a personal level with colleagues from VINCYFRESH and WINFRESH (WI) giving to a relief fund for Dominica.

The WINFRESH response underscores its continued commitment to the recovery of the Windward Islands that have been hit by hurricanes. In October 2015, WINFRESH and GEEST LINE made a joint donation of EC$ 1 million to Dominica, following the destruction by Tropical Storm Erica. (Submitted by WINFRESH)
By Azernews





By Laman Ismayilova

The 7th Beijing International Art Biennale, entitled "Silk Road and world civilization", displays works by Azerbaijani artists.

A total of 601 works of 567 artists from 102 countries are put on display. They comprise 411 works from foreign countries (including the special exhibitions) and 190 works from China, covering contemporary paintings, sculptures, installations, images and other multimedia works.

The works by Azerbaijani carpet maker Adil Shikhaliyev and sculptor Samir Samadov are among the exhibits, Azertac reported.

Azerbaijani ambassador to China Akram Zeynalli attended the opening ceremony of the biennale held at the China National Art Museum and viewed Azerbaijani artists` works.

Adil Shikhaliyev's work on a carpet is called "Silk Way" and sculptor Samir Samadov's work made of metal and polyester is called "In the wake of the Sun". The monument depicts camel and Chinese dragon motifs.

The exhibition, organized by China's Literature and Art Circles, China's Art Workers Association and the Beijing Municipality, will last until October 15.

The exhibition serves as an international platform for artists of the world to show their talents and is attended by hundreds of media representatives, members of the organizing committee and art figures.

This year coincides with the 15th anniversary of its founding, and the exhibition will be the first in the world to attract 100 participating countries, showing that its international reputation, influence and attractiveness are increasing, and also adding overwhelming splendor to Beijing, an ancient cultural capital, with features of modern international metropolis.








For the first time, businesspeople from Kenya teamed up as a delegation to participate in the 8th China (Linyi) International Trade and Logistics Fair, held between Sept 22 and 25 in Linyi, Shandong province.

Liu Zongguo (left), deputy team leader and committee member of Kenya Shandong Chamber of Commerce, helps to introduce Kenya made products to visitors. [China Daily]

"We benefited a lot from the fair and purchased building materials worth 800,000 yuan ($121,000; 103,000 euros; 90,450). We also signed several letters of intent for the procurement of other products, worth of 2.05 million yuan," says Liu Zongguo, deputy team leader and committee member of Kenya Shandong Chamber of Commerce.

Led by Zhuo Wu, chairman of Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Kenya delegation consisted of 27 professional buyers and four exhibitors.

"It is the first time that Kenya businessmen participated in the fair as a delegation. Some attended the previous one last year and found great business opportunities, which aroused enthusiasm for a second trip," Zhuo says.

Harshit Ramesh Shah, a member of the delegation and director of Kenya Elite Offset Ltd, says: "The fair was excellent and it was well organized, with great hospitality. We will definitely come again next year."

Professional buyers attended from 62 countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, Pakistan, Mexico and the United States. The 4-day event recorded 143,800 visits. Professional buyers signed deals worth 1.63 billion yuan.

Zhang Shuping, mayor of Linyi, says the participation of more than 1,000 overseas professional buyers has helped upgrade the internationalization of the fair.

A total of nine events, including the 4th China (Linyi) World Wood-based Boards Conference, the 16th National Symposium on Wood-based Boards Industry Development and the 2017 China (Linyi) Summit Forum on Building Ceramic Development, were held during the fair.

"Market operation was given full play at the fair," says Zhang, adding that the government only provides guidance.

The success of Linyi lies in its convenient trade and logistics facilities. The city has now 134 professional wholesale markets, covering an area of about 14.5 million square meters, with 65,000 proprietors and more than 200,000 employees, dealing with all kinds of commodities, such as clothes, toys, hardware, building materials, machinery, labor protection products, and so on.

Last year, Linyi held 109 exhibitions with a combined exhibition area of 1.274 million sq m, attracting 22,867 exhibitors and 1.56 million visitors and reaping a trading volume of 16.3 billion yuan.

There are 128 professional wholesale markets in Linyi Trade City. A total of 49,000 businessmen and 233,000 employees work at 62,000 stores and booths.

In line with the Belt and Road Initiative, Linyi has sped up its overseas expansion. In recent years, the logistics cooperation park for Sino-Europe commercial trade in Hungary and Linyi Commercial Trade Centers in Germany and Pakistan were put into operation. The Kenya Linyi Commercial Trade Center, or KLCTC, will be the fourth to be constructed.
By Trend

Iranian police killed two criminals following an armed clash in the southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan, authorities said.



The clash occurred in the early hours of Friday in Iranshahr city, local media outlets reported.



According to the reports, the two criminals had undermined security in the region through taking hostages.



The officials seized four AK-14 rifles and ammunition, following the clash.
By Azernews





By Amina Nazarli

Starting this year Azerbaijan's education system has moved to a new assessment method regarding the results of the nine-year education of students at secondary schools.

The newly-developed national assessment method stipulates testing of knowledge through open-ended questions along with test exams.

This March-April, 115,000 students have already participated in this examination, which differed from the previously used test system.

To further improve the system and ensure experience exchange, the State Examination Center of Azerbaijan invited expert mission from Slovenia within the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX) instrument of the European Union

The e-marking system used by the SEC for assessment of the exam tasks requiring written answers and essays were reviewed by the senior experts of the National Examination Center of Slovenia (NECS) and the experience of Slovenia in this field was learned.

During the four-day assessment period, the SEC staff made presentations on the activity of the SEC, e-marking system used during the exams, preparation of the assessment materials, preparation of the assessment criteria for the written answers, development and performance appraisal of the markers, appeal process related to the results and content of the exam, publishing, scanning and delivering the written materials to the markers, analyzing the exam results, efficiency of the tests and assessment criteria (including essay) during the mass exams and had discussions with the Slovenian experts. Experts shared the experience of Slovenia and other EU countries in comparison.

In Baku, the foreign experts also met with the Chair of the Board of Directors of the SEC, Maleyka Abbaszade. The parties had discussions over the education system novelties and underlined the benefits of the cooperation within the TAIEX instrument.

Speaking at the press conference summarizing the results of the experience exchange program on September 28, the expert mission highly assessed the national e-marking system.



This system is good, since one student does not depend on the opinion of one marker. In this case objectivity will be much higher, said Andrejka Slavec Gornik, the head of the Examinations Department of the NECS.

In accordance with the new system (e-marking system), specially selected markers (teachers) check the work of students. To ensure fairness answers of each student will be checked by two teachers from different regions of the country. But despite this the novelty causes some doubts whether presence of human factor appropriate for the transparency of the marking process.

Chairman of the SEC Maleyka Abbaszade said that the introduction of new type of assignments is related with the transition to the curriculum system nine years ago in the education system of the country and application of new standards.

Thats why, exams will also be conducted on new tasks, based on the new system, she added.

Over the past 20 years, only test questions were used in the exams. In the last 10 years we started to include 1-2 open-ended questions in each subject block. This year the figure was five. The number of such questions will be even more in the new exams to be held in 2019.

Talking about it Gornik told Azernews that subjective factor is unavoidable in e-marking.

Subjective factor should be present when you use open-ended questions. You cannot avoid that, but as I understood you arrange two markers to mark each questions. So I believe you will not lose so much objectivity. But sometimes you must risk a lot of objectivity to get more validity of the test, she said.



Assessing the e-marking system, Head of the IT Department of the NECS, Matjaz Urank said: We exchanged experience this week with the colleges from the State Examination Center. I got a lot of useful information. I have some insight in your e-marking system.

Urank further informed that Slovenia has a little bit different experience.



You have developed your own softer. We have high release commercial softer from other company. But we have to consider this system to our needs. Because this softer is used by many different examination bodies. Of course it has a lot of different functionality that could be useful for our center and for other centers. But of course your softer was developed exactly to your needs. So it is tailor to your demands and it does exactly what you want the softer to do. So, currently if you are satisfied with that, it looks like you are, I do not see much additional functionality. For example for quality we also use double marking but not in all questions. We did not exactly test the system. But from what we have seen it looks like it suits your needs very well, he said.
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A capital shortfall of billions of dollars in the shipping sector, this year alone, as European banks scale back ship financing operations will be discussed at the upcoming Seatrade Offshore Marine & Workboats Middle East (SOMWME) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.



The event runs at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from September 25 to 27.



According to reports verified by Reuters, the substantial decline in finance from European banks, compounded by a lack of shipping finance provisions from regional banks, has caused liquidity in the shipping industry to tighten, forcing marine operators to seek alternative finance in order to continue operations.



The discussion will be tackled during the SOMWME Finance Update, in a session titled Taking stock - how to make the most of your company assets, which concludes the first day of the conference programme.



The session will analyse the viable financial options and trends shaping the offshore marine and workboat industries. The panel features renowned industry experts such as David Manuel, senior marine specialist - Petrodata, IHS Markit; Knut Mathiassen, managing partner, NorthCape DMCC; Bora Bariman, head of Energy & Marine, Corporate & Institutional Banking Group, National Bank of Fujairah and Tien Tai, partner, HFW.



Calling for the Middle East shipping industry to urgently reassess how it secures liquidity, Tien Tai commented: The traditional European banks with ship finance desks are no longer lending the historic amounts they once did and this is compounded by a number of European banks retreating from the ship finance sector altogether.



In the Middle East, we see some new lenders coming into the shipping industry but this does not replace the capital shortfall left by the exiting banks. There has been an ascendancy of alternative capital providers in the last 18 months, offering liquidity at a higher pricing, although these are more suited to one or two ship projects and not a substantial refinancing.



The industry has weathered many storms since the global credit crunch impacted operations in 2009; however, there is hope on the horizon.



Islamic finance is widely regarded as a positive means by which to generate equity and maintain health in the sector, although growth is hampered currently by muted enthusiasm from major local banks to operate active shipping desks.



Recognising that liquidity was tightening, earlier this year Dubai Maritime City Authority was examining the possibility of creating a $1 billion shipping fund to support the emirates maritime sector during this time. According to ship valuation company VesselsValue, the UAEs shipping fleet is estimated to be worth up to $10 billion.



Tai added: In terms of what it takes to get financing these days, you really have to be a top tier owner with a strong credit rating  but not everyone is a strong owner. The owners in the Middle East dominate the small and mid-tier space and it is these owners feeling the squeeze in the decline of traditional ship finance.



The companies we see receiving finance from banks all demonstrate a strong track record of previous borrowing, contributions from owner and shareholder equity, and a transparent structure and a young fleet.



Emma Howell, group marketing manager, Seatrade Portfolio, commented: The finance update is always an essential element of every SOMWME event we organise and the 2017 version will no doubt contribute vital insight to a very timely conversation. The issues that face the global industry are amplified in this region by the fast pace of growth and the economic importance of shipping and trade.



The ability for the regional banking industry to identify and react to the gap in the market will be vital to the health and agility of the sector in future as countries across the region realise their developmental ambitions.



New to the exhibition floor this year will be Drone Zone in partnership with ABS and Drone Pro. With three live demonstrations shown daily, this exciting Zone will showcase new tools such as wearable technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles / drones, and remotely operated vehicles.



These live demonstrations reflect the growing use of advanced inspection technologies across the shipping and offshore sectors as the increasing complexity of assets and operations shifts how classification services are delivered, added Howell.



ABS, which is bringing the presentations to SOMWME with Drone Pro, is currently conducting field studies to evaluate how the current capabilities of wearable technology, particularly eyewear, are best applied to enhance asset-inspection practices.



The pilot programs, which include a range of vessel and offshore asset types, are focused on improving the efficiency of class operations, streamlining the capture and visual display of information and creating a more collaborative environment for remote interaction.



Seatrade Offshore Marine & Workboats is the largest workboat and offshore marine event outside of the US, attracting more than 200 offshore marine and workboat companies.  TradeArabia News Service
Arbys, the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world, this week opened its first new restaurant in Kuwait.



The restaurant is owned and operated by Al-Kharafi Global for General Trading & Contracting Company (Kharafi Global). In 2016, Arbys Restaurant Group and Kharafi Global announced a development agreement for Kharafi Global to open at least 25 new Arbys restaurants in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.



Were proud to be working with Kharafi Global to bring the Arbys brand to Kuwait, said Paul Brown, chief executive officer of Arbys Restaurant Group. Theyre a team of proven operators who know how to develop strong-performing restaurants throughout the Middle East.



The first restaurant is located in Jabriya. Two additional restaurants are expected to open in Abu Al-Hasaniya and Al Kout Mall later this year.



The success of our brand in the US has generated a great deal of excitement abroad, added Brown. Well continue to work with growth-focused franchisees in order to bring Arbys to more locations in the Middle East and select global markets.



The new restaurant in Kuwait is one of the 126 franchised Arby's restaurants located outside the US. Arbys also has franchised restaurants in Canada, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, and Turkey.



Through the end of 2016, the Arbys global system has achieved six consecutive years of same-store sales growth. Since 2013, the brands global system sales have grown 20 percent to $3.7 billion. - TradeArabia News Service


Medical personnel did not initially suspect life threatening injuries for Jaime Olivas, the coal miner who died after an accident at Jim Bridger mine Thursday, because he was awake and talking to coworkers.

Olivas was moving equipment when struck by a slab of coal that came lose from the wall at the underground mine, according to company representatives. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. Coworkers performed first aid on site.

Olivas died in the companys ambulance on the way to the hospital in Rock Springs.

A spokesman for the company explained that the companys medical personnel did not call in a helicopter after the injury because air transport can occasionally take longer.

Based on our experience, transport by ambulance compared with helicopter is about the same duration, said Dave Eskelsen in an email. There was not suspicion by the medical response team of life-threatening injury. He was conscious and speaking as they brought him out of the mine.

The mines medical team are all state-certified Emergency Medical Technicians and Emergency Medical Responders, he said.

Olivas family was notified yesterday.

An autopsy will be done Monday to determine exact cause of death. The Sweetwater County Coroner said Olivas was covered with large chunks of coal.

The Wyoming State Mine Inspector was on site Friday.

This is the second death in recent years at Bridger. In 2014, a miner died on the surface portion of the mine.

Bridger is the only underground coal mine operating in Wyoming and employs about 300 people. The mine provides fuel for coal-fired units at the nearby Jim Bridger Power Plant and is partially owned by PacifiCorp, the parent company of Rocky Mountain Power.

Bridger lies about 35 miles outside Rock Springs and was first brought into operation in the mid-70s.

According to federal rankings, Wyoming was second in the nation for workplace fatality rates from traumatic injuries in 2015. The state is regularly cited as one of the most dangerous places to work.

However, Wyoming has a higher percentage of the workforce employed in high risk industries, from agriculture to mining, that impacts those numbers, explained Meredith Towle, state occupational epidemiologist.

Wyomings surface mines are generally safer for workers than the underground coal mines in the eastern U.S.

West Virginia has lost nearly 130 miners since 2004. Wyoming has lost seven.

Two Wyoming coal miners died in 2013 and two in 2014. One committed suicide at a mine. The other three miners were involved in heavy machinery accidents.

Rocky Mountain Powers CEO Cindy Crane offered condolences to Olivas family Thursday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jaimes family right now, Crane said. A tragedy like this affects every one of us here most deeply.
Friday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m,. 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 328-1/2 E. A, closed; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 10 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 6 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8:30 p.m., 302 E. 2nd St., Methodist Church. Web site: www.urmrna.org.

Overeaters Anonymous: 10 a.m., 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott. Info: Candace, 359-6225; Rebekah, 320-6779.

Al-Anon Family: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200, 12-24 Club, all ages welcome. Info: 377-7260 or 258-1444.

International Addictions Program: 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1800 S. Conwell. Info: 266-5417.

LGTBQ AA/NA: 7 p.m., A 12-Step AA/NA Recovery Group for gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and questioning persons meets at the United Church of Christ, located at the corner of 15th and Melrose. Info: 259-5026.

Model railroader clubhouse open

The Central Wyoming Model Railroad Association, 1356 N. Center St., is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, 7 to about 10 p.m. on Fridays, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Other days and times can be arranged when requested. These hours and days will prevail until after Thanksgiving.

There are three layouts with operable trains and some are even noisy. Remember that many can be operated with a mobile device. Bring cameras.

For further information, contact Nathan at 258-7869, Harry at 235-4950 or Homer at 266-6439. Admission is free. We work on equipment and demonstrate tricks to get things to run.

Celebrate Recovery every Friday

Celebrate Recovery meets at 5:30 p.m. every Friday at Highland Park Community Church, just south of Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital on East Second Street. A family meal starts the evening, followed by praise and worship. At 7 p.m. theres either a lesson from Celebrate Recoverys planned curriculum or a testimony by a person who has found recovery through Christ. Then, people go to gender-specific small groups until 8:30 p.m. when dessert and fellowship conclude the evening. Child care is available at no cost. For more information, contact Chris at 265-4073.

Stage III opens with award-winning drama

Stage III Community Theatre opens its 2017-18 season with Paul Zindels Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. The show focuses on Tillie, a bright young student, and Beatrice, her bitter and verbally abusive mother. Like the marigolds she studies in her science fair project, Tillie herself is proof that beauty can bloom in adverse circumstances.

Performances are Sept. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2 pm. Advance tickets are available at the Cadillac Cowgirl and online at stageiiitheatre.org, or at the door starting one hour before each performance at Stage III, 904 North Center Street in Casper. Produced with support from the Wyoming Arts Council, made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State Legislature.
Nearly 1,000 youth will be on the University of Wyoming campus on Saturday for the annual Campus Pass event, a day full of activity designed to give prospective students a taste of campus life.

Among them will be more than 300 members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Wyoming, and more than 40 from the Central Wyoming sites in Glenrock, Casper and Buffalo.

The concerted effort to get Boys & Girls Club members from throughout the state to Laramie is part of an expanded commitment and partnership between the university and the states clubs, which provide positive reinforcement to youth in kindergarten through age 18.

I am proud to announce this morning that UW pledges to extend our commitment to Wyomings Boys & Girls Club members through dedicated scholarship support, Laurie Nichols, UW president, announced in Casper last week. Starting in the upcoming year, well offer a competitive scholarship for up to three club members to receive full tuition and fees at UW based on their academic merit and financial need.

In addition to the Boys & Girls Club members, another 200 students from throughout the region are expected at the Saturday event, as well as another 500 students and parents from around the country.

During the event, students will have a presentation about admissions, the opportunity to tour campus and the residence halls, and lunch, said Amy Fenolia, associate director of admissions at the University of Wyoming.

The event begins at 9 a.m., at Prexys Pasture. High school students will be given information on admissions and scholarships, while younger students will be given age-appropriate presentations.

Tours will be given around the campus and residence halls. At 11:45 a.m., participants will be at the Rochelle Gateway Center to see the UW Cowboy Walk and eat lunch before heading to the Pregame Zone in the Indoor Practice Facility and then attending the Wyoming-Texas State game at 2 p.m., in War Memorial Stadium.

It gives them the flavor of what it means to be part of a campus community and what it means to be a Poke, said Shauna VanderLinden, marketing and communications specialist for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming.

In addition to the increased scholarships and Campus Pass one-day event, Nichols said the university is instituting the Wy Not Me Project, a collaboration that will use UW student mentors in an ongoing role to instill the belief and confidence that a University of Wyoming education is possible for Boys & Girls Clubs members in Wyoming.
At least three families whose homes or property were destroyed in the Cole Creek Fire filed counterclaims against the city of Casper, alleging it is liable for the 2015 blaze.

The three claims, which are effectively lawsuits against the city, were filed in response to the citys request that a Natrona County District Court judge make a ruling on whether the city is liable for the fire that began Oct. 10, 2015, in the municipal landfill. The fire eventually escaped the landfill, and over the next few days, it burned about 10,000 acres of rural Evansville, destroyed 14 homes and killed livestock and pets.

Each of the three counterclaims  filed between November 2016 and April 2017  seeks compensation for damaged property. One asks for at least $100,000, another for $68,661 and the third for an unspecified amount. None of the attorneys for the families returned calls for comment.

In a claim filed on behalf of a family whose trailer was destroyed and land was scorched, attorney Leif Distad wrote that the Cole Creek Fire and the resulting damages were proximately caused by the negligent acts and omissions of public employees of the City of Casper, acting within the scope of their official duties.

In his responses to the claims, the citys former attorney for the matter, Craig Silva, broadly denied the allegations or stated that there was not enough information to admit or deny them. In one response, he stated that the cause of the fire is disputed. Casper City Manager Carter Napier declined to comment on behalf of the city because he said he knew little about the case, which was filed before he took his current position this summer.

State fire inspectors concluded that sparks from a grinder ignited a nearby slash pile. Landfill workers attempted to extinguish the fire, first with water and then by stomping on it. The employees pushed the debris back into the woodchip pile after believing they had extinguished it. They were wrong, however, and the still-smoldering debris lit the wood on fire. The next day, the fire spread from the landfill during high winds.

The report determined the fire was an accident, but did not address whether any of the employees acted negligently. A fire investigator with the states Fire Prevention Department previously told the Star-Tribune: Obviously, there was a little bit of negligence there.

The suits are separate from the individuals claims filed with the citys insurer, the Wyoming Association of Risk Management. The deadline to file those claims is Oct. 11, the two-year anniversary of the fire spreading from the landfill.

So far, victims have filed 48 claims related to the Cole Creek Fire, said Joe Constantino, the associations executive director. The total dollar amount of the claims was not readily available, he said.

After that deadline passes, the court decision regarding the citys liability will move forward, said Sheridan attorney Jay Gilbertz, who took over the case from Silva and is now representing the city. He declined to comment further on the counterclaims because he would not have time to review the case in time for the Star-Tribunes deadline.

If Judge Catherine Wilking rules that the city is liable, she will also decide how to distribute the payments, which are capped at a total of $500,000 under the states Governmental Claims Act. The original document asking for the courts decision named about two dozen households affected by the fire, but the city filed an amended version in March that included a total of 40 households and businesses.

Silva succinctly explained the issue in his original court filing:

In aggregate, the claims exceed $500,000 and are believed to be in the millions of dollars. Equally, the City of Casper is obligated to pay out claims on the $500,000 if liability is determined. How to determine who gets what amount and whether the claim is legitimate presents herculean problems where the claims are significant and the fund is finite.
HELENA, Mont.  Montana Democrats are trying to marshal public support for a special session to address the budget shortfall while Republicans argue state government needs to live within its means.

The governor's budget director is recommending cutting $229 million in general fund spending over the next two years to balance the state's budget, which is coming up short due to a costly fire season and lower revenues than expected. Some of the proposed cuts will lead to corresponding reductions in federal money.

Gov. Steve Bullock told editorial boards at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and the Flathead Beacon last week that without a way to generate new revenue, the cuts are going to hurt vulnerable residents.

"My job is to manage the budget in good times and in bad," Bullock said. "But I didn't sign up to hurt people, which is what these cuts are going to do unless we work together and figure something out."

Bullock said that he needs Republicans to agree to consider raising revenue before it makes sense to call the Legislature into a special session.

The governor asked lawmakers to increase state taxes on tobacco, wine and medical marijuana, increase the bed tax and create a new tax bracket for those with taxable incomes above $500,000 a year. The Republican majority rejected those suggestions during the 2017 session.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed their views in guest opinions in state newspapers.

Democratic Rep. Jenny Eck of Helena decried potential "overwhelming" cuts to Medicaid rates that would "devastate" rural hospitals, nursing homes and services provided to the elderly and disabled children. She said cuts to the state hospital and the prison system and closing the Billings crime lab are short-sighted and reduced funding for the Montana University System could lead to another tuition hike.

Other recommendations include holding vacant positions open, mandatory furloughs, eliminating some jobs, reducing payments on outside contracts, cutting travel and training, reducing grants and some scholarships, closing some small satellite offices and delaying computer and other equipment replacement.

Eck charged that Republican lawmakers are protecting tax breaks for out-of-state corporations and multi-millionaires at the expense of Montana's working families.

"What's become painfully clear in the past few weeks is that when Republican legislators crow about not raising taxes, they are actually just punting," Eck wrote "They leave it to local schools and local governments to increase your property taxes. They increase your daughter's college tuition. They force you to pay more for you mother's home health care or your son's autism therapy. They cut salaries for the state prison's security guards and make it harder for child protection workers to do their jobs."

Democratic Rep. Kelly McCarthy of Billings suggests some temporary tax increases that would be eliminated after a budget stabilization fund created by the 2017 Legislature is adequately funded.

Republican Sen. Llew Jones of Conrad, chairman of the Senate Finance and Claims Committee, wrote that "tightening the government's purse strings is the place to begin."

Jones said Bullock "needs to select cuts that have the lowest impact possible on current government employees. In these tough times, he needs to be fiscally prudent and make the difficult decisions expected of a leader. I will not support permanent tax increases during these down times."

The governor has the authority to approve a 10 percent cut in state general fund spending. Democratic Sen. Dick Barrett of Missoula has noted that nearly all of that is needed to meet the projected shortfall, leaving no room for the governor to pick and choose.

Republican Sen. Duane Ankney of Colstrip, also on the Revenue committee, said that the governor could make some cuts while waiting for more information on the state's revenue. As projections progress, a special session may be needed, he said.

"I'd be perfectly clear that there isn't a need at this time for a special session," Ankney said.

The Legislative Fiscal Division is releasing its analysis of Budget Director Dan Villa's recommended cuts on Friday. The Legislative Finance Committee will take up the issue next week and make its recommendations.
An elderly woman was displaced from her home in Mills after a fire early Friday.

The Mills Fire Department arrived at her home at 1 a.m. and found smoke coming from the roof and attic area, according to a release from the department. The woman and her dogs were not injured and were evacuated. Firefighters found the fire burning in the homes walls and attic.

The house sustained minor smoke damage and damage from where drywall was removed to extinguish the fire. The home is uninhabitable until repairs can be made and utilities restored. The woman is receiving help from the Natrona County Burn Fund and the American Red Cross.

Smoke detectors in her home were not working. The womans dogs woke her and alerted her to the fire. She called 911 and said she could smell smoke but couldnt find the source.

The fires cause has not been determined.

The Mills Fire Department reminds residents to make sure all smoke and gas detectors are in working order and batteries are changed on a regular basis.
CHEYENNE  Wyoming lawmakers could consider a bill in 2018 some hope would protect internet users personal information and web browsing history. But not everyone is convinced it is the correct way to ensure consumer privacy.

The Wyoming Legislatures Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee considered proposals during its Lander meetings Sept. 18-19 related to consumer protections.

Ultimately, the committee decided it would not sponsor a proposal known as the Wyoming Internet Privacy Act, meant to regulate internet service providers, or ISPs, and limit what they can do with data they have about users.

The notion was conceived following Congress April decision to nullify rules submitted to the Federal Communications Commission, which advocates said were meant to protect the privacy of customers of broadband and other telecommunication services from unknowingly having their data sold.

Developed during President Barack Obamas administration, many in both chambers of Congress, including Wyomings three Republican delegates, voted to rescind the rules before they went into effect, arguing they inhibited internet service providers growth and competition. The rules, it was argued, gave an unfair advantage to companies such as Google and Facebook, which are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and are allowed to sell and share user data.

Even though the rules never went into effect, it created a little bit of a panic about peoples personal information, browsing history and those types of things, said Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, the committees co-chairman.

The proposal calls for Wyoming statute to essentially reflect what would have been in the federal regulations, Zwonitzer said.

Rep. Tyler Lindholm, R-Sundance, brought the proposal to the committee after several constituents contacted him with concerns about their privacy, he said.

I happen to 100 percent agree (with my constituents concerned about internet privacy), Lindholm said. The more I dug into this, the more I thought, This is kind of a big deal.

But many people testified during the committee meetings that they did not agree with that point of view, Zwonitzer said. Those representing ISPs argued they do not sell anyones private information, putting the blame on edge providers such as Facebook, Google and Amazon for profiting from consumer data.

Lindholm said he wasnt particularly concerned about smaller, locally based ISPs, such as Wyoming.com operating out of Riverton. Instead, hes worried about larger providers.

I really think these Wyoming ISPs are being honest, Lindholm said. Their big revenue earner is not going to be selling ads or anything like that. The big concern is the larger ISPs.

What the FCC requires right now is that these companies have a business plan in place and give it to the FCC that says, This is how we do things. As long as they dont break their trade practice, theyre good. But all they have to do is change their business plan, turn in a fresh copy to the FCC and, boom, they can sell data.  All I want is informed consent.

Committee member Rep. James Byrd, D-Cheyenne, said he also did not agree with regulating ISPs at the state level, calling the idea ludicrous. Regulations already in place through the FCC and FTC should remain in place, Byrd said. Beyond that, however, he said states and the federal government should stay out of regulating the internet.

The only thing were going to do is create problems by turning over the internet to corporate control, and the end result is charging everyone for everything, Byrd said. The regulations will create the apparatus (for corporations) to charge for every internet service across the board. Wed give them carte blanche to put fences around everything.

A Wyoming.com executive also disagreed with Lindholms approach. Mitch Benson, Wyoming.com president, said in a statement Monday that Lindholms intention to protect consumers is admirable, (but) completely misses the actual entities that pose these privacy threats to Wyoming residents.

ISPs are not the entities that pose these threats, as ISPs provide bandwidth, and bandwidth is, in essence, a conduit to the internet, Benson said. Edge providers are the entities that pose these privacy threats to Wyomings residents.  A simple question to ask is how many ISPs have had data breaches versus how many edge providers have had data breaches over the last few years, let alone 2017?

With many speculating Congress could address internet privacy rules in coming months, Lindholm said the general feeling among the ISPs hes communicated with is to wait until that happens. But for him, its difficult to know what to expect from Washington, D.C., in codifying what he sees as critical privacy protections.

The hard part for me is the federal government has changed its mind on how privacy is going to be handled over the last five years, Lindholm said. Congress is lacking any kind of willpower to get anything of merit done lately. Thats why Im more in favor of privacy matters being statutory.

Though the committee chose to not sponsor the bill, Lindholm said he is about 90 percent sure hell bring it for the Wyoming Legislatures 2018 budget session.
A worker at Bridger underground mine in southwest Wyoming died Thursday after a slab of coal fell on him.

Jaime Olivas was moving mining equipment at about 4 p.m. when the slab came loose and struck him, according to an announcement from Bridger Coal Company and Rocky Mountain Power officials.

Co-workers provided first-aid to Olivas, a mining equipment operator, and he was conscious and talking when he was brought from the mine, according to the announcement. However, he died while being taken by ambulance to a Rock Springs hospital.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jaimes family right now, Rocky Mountain Power CEO Cindy Crane said in a statement. The safety of our employees is our most important emphasis each day. A tragedy like this affects every one of us here most deeply.

The company said it was cooperating with the Wyoming State Mine Inspectors Office and the Mine Safety and Health Administration to determine what happened.

The mine is located about 35 miles northeast of Rock Springs.
Local businessman Fletcher McCusker has founded a new venture-capital fund designed to support University of Arizona technology startups.

UA Venture Capital LLC was founded by McCusker, CEO of Sinfonia Health Care, who is a principal of the fund along with Sinfonia chief financial officer Michael Deitch and Larry Hecker, a corporate attorney long involved in local economic-development efforts.

UA Venture Capital will consider investing in UA science, technology, services and intellectual property originating from faculty, students, alumni and affiliates.

The fund is headquartered in the historic Ronstadt House at 607 N. Sixth Ave., just blocks away from downtown and the university.

McCusker said the biggest problem for Tucson-based startups has been growth capital.

He noted that he had to continually seek outside funding for Sinfonia, which he founded in 2013, and for Providence Service Corp., a home-based health-care company he founded in 1997 and left in 2012.

McCusker already has been involved with a UA startup.

SinfoniaRx was created in November 2013, when Sinfonia HealthCare acquired a medication-management program known as the Medication Management Center, developed by employees of the UA College of Pharmacy.

In September, SinfoniaRx was acquired for an undisclosed sum by a Philadelphia-area company specializing in medication management.

Ultimately, SinfoniaRx was funded entirely by Tucsonans and we believe that model, combined with institutional investment, can support a number of startup ventures, McCusker said in a news release.

McCusker said UA Venture Capital is in the process of raising money from accredited investors for its first fund, which should by fully funded by mid-October.

He declined to discuss the size of the fund or its expected investments, citing regulatory restrictions while investments for the first fund are solicited.

Arizona ranked 20th among the states, up from 26th in 2015, for the value of venture-capital deals in the state in 2016 at $220.5 million, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers and CB Insights 2016 MoneyTree report.
"Icons in Transformation," an art exhibit with more than 100 pieces, will spend the rest of the year at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave.

The exhibit's artist Ludmila Pawlowska used icons as inspiration for her work. This collection contains 14 classical, traditional, Russian icons, Pawlowska said.

"I hope all of us will be transformed by the power of art and the message," said Pawlowska, who lives in Sweden. "It's about self searching and self knowledge and finding your own way. That's why art is so significant and important."

She will be at the opening gala and reception 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 at the church.

The exhibit will close Jan. 7, 2018.
Former Arizona Wildcats running back Orlando Bradford pleaded guilty to two felony counts of aggravated assault in a domestic violence case Friday morning, more than a year after his arrest on domestic violence-related charges.

He was taken into custody immediately after the Pima County Superior Court hearing.

Bradford was arrested last September after two women came forward to say that he'd assaulted them on more than one occasion, according to Arizona Daily Star archives.

He was subsequently charged with 10 felonies and five misdemeanors.

He now faces between two and seven-and-a-half years in prison. He also faces fines up to $150,000 and restitution of up to $50,000 for each of the two victims.

His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Bradford's girlfriend at the time came forward to police last year after the pair argued about her reluctance to eat a Wendy's Frosty that hed bought her, according to a Tucson Police Departments incident report.

Later, the couple fought. Bradford pushed her onto the bed and began choking her, the report says.

The woman told police that Bradford let go of her neck, locked the bedroom door and took his shirt off before punching her in the ribs.

The day after the first arrest, a second woman came forward to say that she was also in a relationship with Bradford and he abused her multiple times between January and September.

Bradford entered the 2016 season as the Wildcats presumptive backup running back.
Two former Tucson law-enforcement officers are facing the loss of their state certification and a third ex-detective will be barred from police work when hes released from prison.

The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board voted last week to initiate proceedings against former Tucson Police Capt. Decio Hopffer and former Pima County sheriffs Deputy Kenneth Kimpel, said board spokeswoman Sandy Sierra.

The board also voted to accept a consent agreement with former Pima County sheriffs Detective David Tarnow, Sierra said.

Without a valid peace officer certification, a person is barred from working in law enforcement in the state.

Kenneth Kimpel

Kimpel was fired from the Sheriffs Department in April after he tested positive for cocaine on a random drug test and a follow-up test performed a week later, according to AZPOST documents obtained through a public records request.

The second hair test came back March 30, and during the subsequent investigation Kimpel provided a variety of answers as to how cocaine could have gotten into his system, the documents show.

During his first interview, Kimpel said there was no reason he would have cocaine in his system and if he thought he was going to test positive, he would have shaved his entire body before the second test so he wouldnt be able to provide a hair sample, according to the documents.

Kimpel told investigators he previously had handled drugs without gloves as a jail detective, but there was no documentation of Kimpel dealing with cocaine evidence in 2016 or 2017, the documents show.

Kimpel offered alternate explanations for the positive tests, saying that on March 21  four days after the first failed drug test  he went to a concert and left his beer unattended. Kimpel also said he frequented a bar where the bartender calls him detective, and that someone may have put something into his food or drink, according to the documents.

Finally, Kimpel also offered an explanation saying he was at the theater around Jan. 1 and had been taking hits off the e-cigarette of an unknown woman, the documents show.

Decio Hopffer

Hopffer, then a Tucson police captain, resigned in lieu of termination in April after an internal investigation found he rear-ended another vehicle and left the scene of the crash, AZPOST documents show.

On March 27, Hopffer was on duty, driving his unmarked department vehicle on Tucsons south side when he rear-ended a car that was stopped in front of him, the documents show.

The driver got out of her car and noticed there was damage, but when Hopffer approached, he told her there was no damage to her vehicle. The woman requested they pull out of the road and exchange information, to which Hopffer agreed, according to the documents.

Instead, Hopffer got back into his car and sped away. The woman followed him and was able to get a license plate number, after which she called the police. The woman provided police with the license number and a description of Hopffer, and police contacted him for an interview.

When criminal investigators spoke to Hopffer, he said he was stopped at a light behind several vehicles when his phone rang and he looked at his watch. He inadvertently took his foot off the brake and rolled into the vehicle in front of him, the documents show.

Hopffer said that while he got out of his car to assess the damage, the other driver didnt, but waved her hand to indicate they were going to pull forward, the documents show.

The woman proceeded to turn left through a light that Hopffer couldnt make, and he said he lost her in traffic and was unable to find her vehicle despite circling the area, according to the documents.

Hopffer said he couldnt have been driving more than 1 mph when he hit the womans car and hed be shocked if there was any damage to her vehicle. He didnt report the accident, since there was no damage to his car and he couldnt find the woman, the documents show.

Surveillance cameras verified the womans story that she attempted to find Hopffer, but cameras along Hopffers reported route did not correspond to his story, according to the documents.

When investigators checked Hopffers car, they noticed damage that matched damage to the womans vehicle, and a lieutenant believed there was probable cause to arrest Hopffer on charges of hit-and-run, the documents show.

In subsequent interviews with TPDs office of professional standards, Hopffer did not change his story and investigators found there was ample proof that (Hopffer) lied in the investigation, according to the documents.

The criminal case against Hopffer was presented to the Pima County Attorneys Office, which declined to file charges. Hopffer was given a criminal citation for leaving the scene of a crime. Hopffer submitted his retirement to TPD days later.

David Tarnow

Tarnow was arrested in January 2016 after a criminal investigation revealed he was stealing and selling items from the departments evidence inventory at local pawn shops, according to Arizona Daily Star archives.

He was charged with three felony counts of trafficking in stolen property, two counts of fraud and one count each of theft and extortion, Pima County Superior Court records show.

In May, Tarnow pleaded guilty to theft of property and fraudulent schemes and artifice, admitting to the court that he stole property from 2013 to 2015.

He was sentenced in June to 4 years in prison, followed by five years probation, court records show.
A federal jury heard closing arguments Thursday in the trial of two Border Patrol agents accused of stealing $100,000 of gun parts from the agency.

Agent Jesus Manuel Franco, a former firearms instructor at the Willcox Station, and Agent Edgardo Jose Munoz Cruz are accused of conspiring to steal scopes, gun barrels and other equipment that Franco mailed in late 2014 and January 2015 from the agencys armory in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, to Munoz at the Willcox Station.

The alleged conspiracy was discovered when a box with a gun barrel poking out arrived at the Willcox Station. Dozens of boxes of gun parts were found later in Munozs garage in Vail, according to U.S. District Court documents.

Defense attorney Sean Chapman, representing Franco, told the jury his clients actions were not in dispute. What it turns on are what Mr. Francos intentions were, he said.

Franco was trying to help his fellow agents during a gun shortage at the Willcox Station, Chapman told the jury.

Federal prosecutor Jane Westby said that explanation was manufactured after the agents arrests. She pointed to texts between Franco and Munoz in which they discussed mailing the gun parts as making out like a ... bandit.

Chapman said the prosecution misrepresents those texts. Rather than conspiring, the agents were joking and using lingo in a private conversation.

Defense attorney Michael Bloom said Munoz blundered into a nightmare when he agreed to take the boxes to his house, but Munoz fully cooperated with investigators.

Bloom said the prosecutions case needs a smoking gun and Chapman said there was no evidence the agents tried to sell the gun parts.

Westby countered there would be no record of trying to sell the items because investigators seized them before the agents had a chance to sell them.

A federal grand jury indicted the agents 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.

The 12-person jury is scheduled to begin deliberating Friday, Sept. 29.
A new, U.S.-Mexico agreement provides more Colorado River water to both countries, will require both countries to share inevitable river shortages and offers more certainty as to how much river water will be available for both countries.

Thats how negotiators, federal officials and Arizona water officials see the upshot of the pact that was signed this week at a Santa Fe, New Mexico, ceremony following years of negotiations. The agreement, known as Minute 323, is aimed at establishing ground rules for managing the river for the two countries through 2026. It succeeds an earlier, somewhat less far-reaching agreement, known as Minute 319, that expires this year.

The new agreement also calls for a major cooperative water-saving effort in which the U.S. government and three Lower Colorado River Basin states, including Arizona, agree to invest $31.5 million in lining irrigation canals and improving the efficiency of other agricultural water infrastructure in Mexico.

In return, Mexico will deliver the 220,000-acre-feet of water saved through those conservation measures to Arizona and other Lower Basin states to the Colorado River Delta for environmental restoration and to the river system as a whole to help stabilize the declining Lake Mead.

Besides offering certainty and continued environmental restoration, Most important, it offers a binational, water scarcity contingency plan, said Chuck Cullom, Colorado River program manager for the 336-mile-long Central Arizona Project canal system.

The binational plan will kick in when and if Arizona, California and Nevada finally settle on their own plans to reduce water deliveries from the river to stave off future, catastrophic shortages.

Overall, the agreement can be seen as a binational climate adaptation effort, although the phrase climate change doesnt appear in it. Its aimed at helping preserve river flows and Lake Mead at a time of drought and climate change.

Lake Mead has dropped significantly since it was last full in 1999, and average annual river flows were cut by 19.3 percent from 2000 to 2014, a major study found this year. The river ran strong this year, but authorities have warned this largesse cant be expected to last forever.

Perhaps even more importantly, many observers say, is that Mexico and the U.S. reached an agreement amid the tension that has dominated their relationship since President Trump took office. He ran on a platform of cracking down on undocumented Mexican immigration and building a border wall costing up to $21 billion.

Minute 323 is the result of many rounds of technical discussions involving a broad group of stakeholders from both countries. This agreement puts us on a path of cooperation rather than conflict as we work with Mexico to address the Colorado River Basins many challenges, said Edward Drusina, a U.S. commissioner for the International Boundary and Water Commission, in a news release.

While there had been considerable concern that negotiations would suffer, in my view there have been no changes, said Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

I went back to meet with administration officials in Washington in February and explained the importance of Minute 323 to the seven river basin states, he said. I came out of that meeting feeling very confident that we had the support of those high-level officials of the Department of the Interior.

Specifically, the new agreement says:

There will be a one-shot allotment of 109,000 acre-feet of river water to the CAP, Southern Californias giant Metropolitan Water District, the Imperial Irrigation District in that states Imperial Valley and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. The entities will equally split the water from savings realized by the Mexican conservation projects.

Under the drought contingency plans, the Lower Basin states and Mexico will both shave up to 16.7 percent of their river deliveries during shortages, depending on the scale of the shortages.

During times of surplus flow  if they occur again  Mexico could take anywhere from 40,000 to 200,000 acre-feet of river water above and beyond the 1.5 million the country is already guaranteed each year under a 1944 treaty. An acre-foot will serve about two homes for a year across the Southwest and more homes in Tucson, whose per-person water use is much lower than the regional average.

The two countries will set aside 210,000 acre-feet of water over nine years for environmental restoration work in the Colorado River Delta.

The 27,000 acre-feet that would go to CAP will come after the Mexican conservation projects kick in, CAPs Cullom said

When folks in the CAP system need the water, we can release it to them. I dont know when, he said. If the drought contingency plan is implemented, it can be used in normal years or in a shortage year.

For the much longer term, perhaps the most tantalizing part of the agreement for some water users is a commitment for the countries to set up a group to immediately start preparing for a detailed study of a desalination plant.

The plant could be on the Pacific Coast, along the Gulf of California off the Sonoran coast or near the New River in Baja California.

For the study to begin, money would have to be raised for it.

I cant tell you when that study will occur, but we know there is a strong interest in this by the Arizona-Mexico Commission in this work, said Sally Spener, the U.S. secretary of the international water commission, a binational governmental organization. Thats why the scope of work is going to be done.

CAPs Cullom said hes optimistic that the study could start as soon as six months from now.

Its an opportunity to increase water supply to benefit both countries. We recognize it will take a very long time to develop, but the time to start that work is now, Cullom said.

But all parties to the agreement are also aware that the plant, besides offering new water for existing and future users, will likely be controversial due to a high cost, significant energy use and potential environmental impacts.
Asian coffee markets remained subdued this week due to low supplies at the end the crop season in Vietnam and the harvest period in Indonesia, traders said on Thursday.

In line with a drop in London prices, domestic coffee prices in Vietnam's Daklak province fell to 42,000-43,000 dong ($1.85-$1.89) per kg from 44,000-44,500 dong last week, discouraging farmers to sell beans, traders said.

London ICE January futures fell 2.23 percent on Wednesday to $1,931 a tonne, in their sharpest fall in three weeks.

Exporters in Vietnam hardly clinched any deal as they offered the 5 percent black and broken grade 2 robusta on par with the January contract, while importers sought a discount of $30-$40 amid low demand.

Meanwhile, local farmers also refused to lower their prices amid a thin stockpile at the end of the 2016/2017 crop season after unfavourable weather at end-2016 hurt output.

Vietnam's coffee exports volume in the 2016/2017 crop year as of August was 1.4 billion tonnes, down 13 percent from the same period last year, but exports value during the same period rose 9 percent to $3.16 billion as prices were higher this year, customs data showed.

The coffee crop season in Vietnam starts in October and ends in September of the following year.

In Indonesia, prices of the grade 4 defect 80 robusta beans in the province of Lampung stood at a premium of $10 to the November contract, unchanged from last week.

A trader in Lampung, Indonesia's main coffee growing area, said trade remained light as sellers ran out of beans.
Saigontourist inaugurated a fleet of five brand new high-speed canoes on Thursday as it launched seven new river tourism routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas.

Each canoe is capable of carrying 20 passengers at maximum speeds of 50kph, Saigontourist said at the launch ceremony at the citys Tan Cang tourism area.

The high-speed boats will bring tourists from Tan Cang to Cu Chi, Binh Duong, Can Gio and District 9 at a costs ranging from VND750,000 (US$33) to VND2.14 million ($94) per adult, and VND560,000 ($25) to VND1.61 million ($70) per child.

Photo: Saigontourist

While these destinations are not new to river tourism, Saigontourist says several new features on their tour routes will attract new visitors.

One attraction featured on a Saigontourist canoe tour along the Tan Cang  Cu Chi route is a stop in Binh Duong to tour an orchard and ancient house. The former Bach Dang  Cu Chi river tour doesnt stop in Binh Duong.

Similarly, the route to Can Gio will not stop at the Dan Xay ecotourism area, a common feature in other tour packages. Instead, tourists will be taken to Can Thanh, the center of the outlying district, where they can enjoy the local market lifestyle.

Ho Chi Minh City has long been trying to boost its river tourism. Several routes have been launched but all have ceased since the shutdown of Bach Dang wharf in District 1.

In the first nine months of this year, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 4.2 million international passengers, up 16 percent from the same period last year, according to a report by the municipal administration.

The seven newly launched river routes include: Tan Cang - Binh Duong - Ben Dinh; Tan Cang - Binh Duong - Koi Hai Thanh tourism area; Tan Cang - Can Thanh (Can Gio); Tan Cang - Thanh Da Peninsula (Binh Thanh); Tan Cang - Ben Dinh (Cu Chi); Tan Cang - Long Phuoc (District 9) and Tan Cang - Vam Sat.

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Check out news you should not miss on Tuoi Tre News today, September 29

Society

-- A barge carrying 1,300 tons of clinker en route to Ho Chi Minh City sank on Cho Gao canal in the southern province of Tien Giang on Thursday morning after colliding with another barge, causing congestion at the spot until the early the following day.

-- The central province of Quang Nam has suffered more than 50 deforestation cases in local protection forests from 2011  2017, according to the provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

-- The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong has recently detected 11 metric tons of chemicals-soaked durian that were ready to be sold at a local business, which sells up to 15 metric tons of the artificially ripened fruits a day.

-- Vietnams authorities have discovered 42 cases of transporting smuggled and counterfeit goods by air and rail during the first nine months of this year.

-- Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper's Uoc mo cua Thuy (Thuy's dream) charity program on Thursday kicked off its seven-day initiative called Moon of Love to give away more than 1,200 gifts for child cancer patients in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, in celebrating the Mid-Autumn festival which falls on October 4.

-- The Central Highlands city of Da Lat and the neighboring region have seen 73 cases in which pine trees were poisoned by herbicide since the beginning of this year. Sixty cases were fined, four of them have been prosecuted and the remaining is under investigation.

Business

-- Vietnamese cardboard paper manufacturing enterprises has seen a recent sharp increase demand from China, causing packaging manufacturers in Vietnam troubles due to the lack of materials.

Lifestyle

-- Starting from October, all media products produced by press agencies in Vietnam must warn their child readers if they include inappropriate information for children, according to a recent regulation by the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information.

-- State-owned travel company Saigontourist on Thursday introduced five new canoes and seven new travel routes to several spots in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring Binh Duong province.

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The leader of Ho Chi Minh Citys sidewalk clearing campaign sparked anger from Ca Mau authorities when it referred to a district in the southernmost province as a place without law.

While Doan Ngoc Hai, deputy chairman of District 1 and captain of the controversial sidewalk clearance campaign, insisted the comment wasnt meant seriously, the District 1 Party committee offered an apology on Thursday to Ca Mau authorities and others who felt insulted by the deputy chairmans word.

On September 21, Hai led his team in a crackdown on Vo Van Kiet Street where he found several illegally parked cars. During a conversation with one of the drivers, Hai said that as District 1 residents, we must know and respect the law; otherwise, we may as well be living in U Minh forest.

U Minh is a vast forest in Vietnams Mekong Delta, known for its rich plant and animal biodiversity. The forest is divided into the Upper U Minh in Kien Giang Province and Lower U Minh in Ca Mau.

While Hai only mentioned U Minh forest in his controversial statement, Ca Mau authorities interpreted the comment as insult to the local people.

Explanation demanded

On September 25, the education and propaganda committee under the Ca Mau Party Committee took issue directly with Doan Ngoc Hai through a formal dispatch requesting a statement on the shocking comment.

The dispatch reiterated his statement, citing a report by news website saostar.vn, and claimed that it had sparked resentment from Ca Mau and U Minh residents. [We] demand that [you] confirm whether or not [you] made the statement in your conversation with the offending driver and issue [an] immediate response, the education and propaganda committee said in the document.

Huynh Thanh Hai, secretary of the District 1 Party Committee, confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday that he has submitted a letter of apology to the Ca Mau education and propaganda committee, the Party Committee of U Minh, and the Ca Mau administration.

The Party Committee is the leading organ of the Communist Party of Vietnam in each of the countrys provinces and cities. There are also district-level Party Committees.

As the leading organ of District 1, [we] extend our sincere apologies to our [Ca Mau] comrades; especially those of U Minh District, which has established a fellowship with District 1, the apology letter reads.

The District 1 Party Committee verified Hais statement, but added that it was just a slip of the tongue.

The statement stemmed neither from Hais personal thoughts nor the beliefs of the District 1 people and authorities. We did not mean to make any comparison or underestimation of your locality, the committee said.

Doan Ngoc Hai (center) during a crackdown

Many Tuoi Tre readers have commented that Hais statement most likely wasnt meant to insult Ca Mau or the U Minh people, as it appears to have been a simile and should have been interpreted figuratively.

Others say there would have been no problem if Hai hadnt mentioned location and had simply said if we do not respect the law, we should move to live in the forest.

On Thursday, Hai, who previously told reporters that the District 1 administration has yet to receive the dispatch, issued an official letter, responding to the dispatch from Ca Mau authorities.

He said his statement should be put into its right context, adding that he will not comment to any out of context citation or interpretation of his words.

Not a single word of my statement or its connotation is meant to refer to the beloved people in U Minh in particular, and Ca Mau people in general, he wrote in the letter.

Hai also asserted in the letter that he always loves his compatriots in 63 cities and provinces across the country, from the northernmost area of Lung Cu to the southernmost Ca Mau.

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Authorities in Dak Nong Province, located in Vietnams Central Highlands, have discovered a local facility soaking over ten metric tons of durians in chemicals.

Tran Mau Dung, chief inspector of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed on Thursday that a durian business in Phu Xuan Village, Dak Nia Commune, Gia Nghia Town, was caught violating regulations on food safety.

Among the 18 metric tons of durian found at a venue owned by Bui Phu Ton, 11 metric tons were being soaked in chemicals as a preparatory measure for distribution to local markets.

Ten unlabeled chemical containers and 23 kilograms of vat yellow, a substance often used in dyeing but banned from food processing, were found and confiscated by officers.

Several plastic barrels holding a yellowish liquid with an unpleasant odor were also discovered at the facility.

In an initial statement, Ton admitted that the business had been operating for over a month and had been using three types of chemicals to improve the color and appearance of their durians.

The facility sells an average of ten to 15 metric tons of durian on a daily basis, the owner added.

Earlier this month, a durian wholesaler in Kon Tum Province, also located in the Central Highlands, was caught soaking fruit in a ripening agent.

Tran Thi Tuyet, owner of the facility, confessed that durians soaked in the chemical ripen in about two days, saving time and money while increasing the fruit's market value.

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A U.S. woman was killed Thursday after her motorbike was rear-ended by a tipper truck in southern Vietnams Dong Nai Province.

Esther Alesix, 35, was riding her motorbike on Vo Nguyen Giap Street in Dong Nais Bien Hoa City on Thursday afternoon, heading from National Route 51 to National Route 1.

Shortly after exiting the Vo Nguyen Giap roundabout, Alesix was hit from behind by a tipper truck moving in the same direction. She died on the spot.

Alesixs body lay in the trucks lane following the accident while the tipper trucked was parked 50 meters away.

The truck driver had already fled the scene by the time police arrived.

Alesix was travelling with her boyfriend  35-year-old Christopher William Benz  on two separate motorbikes at the time of the accident.

Benz did not immediately realize his girlfriend had been caught in the accident. He returned to the scene after continuing ahead for a short distance.

The tipper truck involved in the accident. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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Screentime is producing a new documentary series Making Child Prodigies for ABC, thanks to production investment from Screen Australia, ABC Arts and Create NSW .

The series will follow a group of extraordinarily gifted children from around Australia and pose the question  what does it take to become a child prodigy?

While prodigies are rare, every parent can relate to wanting an environment within which their child can excel  but for parents of prodigies, there are a unique set of challenges, said Jennifer Collins, Head of Non-Fiction, Screentime. Introducing six extraordinary children, the series will shed a light on what it really takes to help a talented child fulfill their potential.

We were attracted to this project for not only providing fascinating insights into that timeless curiosity  the wunderkind  but also because it asks important questions about the pressure on children to be exceptional, said Liz Stevens, Senior Manager of Documentary at Screen Australia.

We are confident this experienced team will deliver an entertaining and thought-provoking series for ABC Arts.

Linda Brusasco, Acting Head of Arts at ABC TV, said: By exploring how exceptional creative talent is identified and nurtured in gifted children, Making Child Prodigies gives ABC TV a unique opportunity to broaden our arts offering in prime-time. At a time when society seems increasingly interested in measuring talent, we are pleased to contribute to an important national conversation for families across Australia.

The 6 part series has recently commenced filming, and will air on ABC in 2018.

From an eight-year-old pianist enrolled at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York, to a 10-year-old abstract expressionist painter who exhibits her work internationally, this series will explore what family conditions lend themselves to achieving a childs maximum potential, and whether their talent is innate or learned.

Filming in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Rockhampton, Port Macquarie and New York, this six-part observational documentary series will provide an intimate and candid look at the day-to-day lives of six children and their families, lifting the lid on the elite worlds of dance, sport, music, academia and fine art.

Series producer Jeff Siberry (Todd Sampsons Life on the Line, Body Hack, Redesign My Brain) will take the lead creative role, with Helen Barrow as field director and Niamh Linnie as producer. Screentime Head of Non-Fiction Jennifer Collins will serve as executive producer, and the series will be written by Jeff Siberry and Anita Brown.

Production Credits: Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC and Create NSW. Produced by Jeff Siberry and Niamh Linnie. Executive Produced by Jennifer Collins. Directed by Jeff Siberry and Helen Barrow. Written by Anita Brown and Jeff Siberry. Jo Chichester is Commissioning Editor for ABC.
In next weeks Catalyst Professor Emma Johnston, Dean of Science at UNSW, asks the question Can We Save the Reef?

Ok, thats hardly a new question, so I guess its up to the show to provide some new answers

Off Australias northeast coast lies a wonder of the world; a living structure so big it can be seen from space. Its more intricate and complex than any city, and so diverse it hosts a third of all fish species in Australia.

This is the Great Barrier Reef; 2,600km of coral reefs, lagoons, islands, and deep channels  a living fortress that meets the relentless power of the sea head-on, and protects Australias coast. A name recognized by most, but understood by only a handful of intrepid people. The Great Barrier Reef as we know it  8,000 years old and home to over 2,000 marine species  is dying in our lifetime.

Can We Save the Reef? is the epic story of Australian and international scientists who are racing to understand our greatest natural wonder, and employing bold new science in an attempt to save it. Professor Emma Johnston is a passionate diver, leading marine biologist, and board member of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Its part of her mission as a scientist, and an Australian, to protect our Reef. Both hard-hitting and hopeful, Professor Johnston shows us how no two are the same and how other reef systems, like the one in Hawaii, are proving to be valuable testing grounds for what can be done at home in Australian waters to help ours survive.

Working with Australian scientist Dr Madeleine van Oppen, Dr Ruth Gates in Hawaii is identifying and testing coral species with the greatest resilience. Part of their joint work is to breed coral under warmer, more acidic, future-ocean conditions. Here in Australia, at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Dr Madeleine van Oppen is pioneering ways to breed hardier Great Barrier Reef corals and, to breed more resilient algae (their symbionts and food source) to co-exist with and keep more coral alive.

Host Professor Johnston explores when and how science should intervene to put hardy new coral species on the Reef, and whether the pitfalls of new genetics could do more harm than good. But this is not a story about coral alone. To understand how to save a reef, one must understand the Great Barrier Reef itself. How and why did it form and thrive? What actually is the Great Barrier Reef? What other threats are affecting it, and how do we best safeguard it? Professor Johnston reveals a phenomenally complex ecosystem, and how the solutions to save ours, may also help save reefs worldwide.

Biography: Professor Emma Johnston is an award-winning marine ecologist and Dean of Science at UNSW Sydney. She is a leading authority in marine ecology and a former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UNSW. Emma has previously appeared on a science special of Q&A and ABCs One Plus One.

Production Credits: ABC Head of Factual: Steve Bibb, Executive Producer: Aidan Laverty

Director/Writer: Adam Geiger, Producer: Colette Beaudry. Can We Save the Reef? is a Sealight Pictures Production, produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, with principal funding from Screen Australia.

Tuesday 3 October, 8.30pm on ABC
Mondays Four Corners report is Digging into Adani a look into the dubious dealings of Indias corporate colossus, which plans to build Australias biggest mine site.

When Four Corners travelled to India to investigate the activities of the giant Adani group, they soon discovered the power of the company. While attempting to film and gather information about Adanis operations, the Four Corners team had their cameras shut down, their footage deleted and were questioned for hours by police. The team were left in no doubt that their investigations into the Indian company triggered the police action.

For months, Four Corners has been digging into the business practices of the Adani Group. This is the corporate colossus that plans to build Australias biggest mine site.

I do know about Adani and that means thousands of jobs for regional Queenslanders  Annastacia Palaszczuk, Qld Premier

The polarising debate around the proposed mine site in Queenslands Galilee Basin is often pitted as a simplistic jobs versus greenies argument. But there are influential figures in India who warn that Australians need to know much more about the Adani Group.

You know, the Australian politicians are obviously not properly briefed by their offices. Former senior energy official

On Monday Four Corners examines the troubled corporate history of the Adani group in India revealing the findings of government investigations into financial and environment crimes.

The report found not accidental violations, the report found deliberate violations, wilful violations. Former Government Minister

The program analyses the Adani Groups opaque financial operations and investigates the ramifications for their Australian operations.

What this tells you is that here is a business group that will not stop at anything to maximise its profits. Economist

This investigation examines whether, in the rush to secure jobs and shore up the mining industry, Australian politicians have failed to properly scrutinise the company thats now hoping to receive a taxpayer funded loan of up to $1 billion for its project.

I think the Australian Government ought to do environmental due diligence, which it seems not to have done. It certainly has to do financial due diligence. Both due diligences are required, both for the financial side and from the environmental side. Indian politician

Monday 2nd October at 8.30pm on ABC.
Colour Theory returns to NITV with four new episodes exploring urban graffiti, providing an artistic outlet for a new generation of Indigenous Australians.

Presumably this refers to commissioned public art spaces, although it isnt specified in the press release.

NITV Channel Manager, Tanya Orman said: NITV is proud to present the fourth season of Colour Theory and is excited to introduce talented up and coming Indigenous artists from around Australia to our community. This series not only showcases amazing, contemporary, Indigenous artwork but presents content that is fresh, edgy and innovative.

Director Dena Curtis said: Colour Theory provides an insight into the evolution of Aboriginal art and cultural expression, and in this series, we uncover the similarities between traditional Aboriginal art practise and graffiti.

Graffiti offers a platform for these artists to celebrate their culture, language and stories in a public forum and in a place that cant be ignored.

In season four, Colour Theory: Underground, acclaimed contemporary artist and host Tony Albert, travels across Australia, from Adelaide to Melbourne, to the Gold Coast and Brisbane, to meet with four Indigenous graffiti artists and explore how country and culture inspire their contemporary art, documenting their creative processes from inception through to production and exhibition.

With each half hour episode, Albert introduces us to a new artist: Narisha Nish Cash, Libby Harward, Kingsley Budda Hampton and Warraba Weatherall. Each artist shares their story, their creative journey and artistic influences, revealing some of the universal challenges faced by Aboriginal youth today, including deaths in custody and substance abuse. Ultimately, we see how each artist  and their distinctive style  confronts and overcomes adversity through their art.

Colour Theory: Underground is an NITV and No Coincidence Media production, directed by Dena Curtis, produced by Mitchell Stanley and curated by Hetti Perkins, developed with the assistance of Screen Australias Indigenous Department and Create NSW.

Tuesday 3 October at 8pm on NITV.
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on Thursday opened its graduate and post-graduate programmes to Army personnel through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed between Vice-Chancellor, Prof Talat Ahmad and Lt. Gen. Ashwani Kumar, Adjutant General, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army).

Support TwoCircles



The army personnel can now register at the universitys Centre for Distance and Open Learning to complete their higher education under the aegis of Taleem-e-Taraqqi.

With this Mou, JMI has acquired the unique distinction of being the only university in the country where personnel of all three forces can enrol themselves to pursue a degree of their choice. JMI had signed similar MoUs with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy in the past. These MoUs have enabled sailors and airmen to enrol themselves in the university. As many as 12,000 personnel have already been registered so far.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Talat Ahmad said that the arrangement will help Army personnel complete their higher education and improve their career prospects. It will be JMIs way towards contributing to nation-building.

Reminding the gathering about JMIs rich nationalist past and its role in the freedom struggle, Prof Ahmad said, there is a collective realization that our forces sacrifice a lot for us and so it is our duty to ensure a better future for them through higher education.

Prof Ahmad said that it is a matter of pride and privilege for the university to be able to serve all the three forces.

Let. Gen. Kumar said that JMI is a university that was founded on principles of nationalism and has produced great luminaries and visionaries. JMI, he said, has excelled in giving value-based education which brings out the fundamental traits of character necessary for a healthy, prosperous and a happy society.

Lt. Gen. Ashwani Kumar said given that personnel join the Army at a very young age and retire early, often in their 30s, it is imperative that they are provided with opportunities to complete their education, enabling them to find job opportunities outside the uniform.

Appreciating JMIs efforts to uphold national pride and patriotism, he said that the MoU has been signed on the auspicious occasion of Ashtami which augurs well for the coming together of the two great institutions.
Help India!

New Delhi, (IANS): India on Friday said its focus is on providing humanitarian assistance to displaced Rohingyas under Operation Insaniyat.

On reports of discovering mass graves of Rohingya Hindus, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: We have seen press reports about these graves and have also seen the statement issued by State Councillors office.

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We condemn terrorism in all forms. We emphasise that there is no justification for any kind of terrorism which targets civilians in this conflict.

We hope authorities will be able to bring perpetrators of the crime to justice and that families of victims would be provided all possible assistance and normalcy would be restored, he added.

Raveesh Kumar said that India had so far sent three sorties of relief material to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, and the two countries were in close touch to resolve the situation arising out of arrival of displaced persons there.

We are committed to assisting Bangladesh and extending our full support in handling the issue, he added.
Help India!

By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net

The protest of female students at the Banaras Hindu University is nowhere close to reaching its aims of ensuring a more safe campus, but the University administration and the district administration are far more interested in blaming each other for the incidents of September 23.

Support TwoCircles



In his report submitted to the Chief Minister, Varanasis commissioner Nitin Ramesh Gokarna put all the blame over the BHU VC Prof GC Tripathi, saying he did not handle the situation well which led to violence on September 23.

But looking at the facts and after talking with the witnesses of the case, it becomes evident that the administration at Varanasi was equally responsible for what happened in the University.

As police resorted to lathi-charge in the night of September 23, official version put the action as it was the universitys proctorial board which lathi-charged first.

But as one student Rajkumar Singh told TwoCircles.net, It is correct that first it was universitys proctorial board which charged at the students on the night of 23 September, but one must know that Universitys proctorial board does not have such manpower and resources to handle such a crowd of students.

According to the eye-witnesses of the first wave of lathicharge, soon the forces resorted to use tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper bombs and aerial firing of live bullets. This is an allegation which does not fit on the universitys weak and inadequate security setup, which is clearly not equipped with such weapons.

Also, it must be pointed out that during the second wave of lathi-charge which started at the universitys main gate, there was no Universitys security official present. Contrary to the administrations stance, Varanasis DM and SSP according to eyewitnesses accompanied the PAC men inside the university to charge at more of the students.

Female students of Mahila Mahavidyalaya have already accused district administration for beating and abusing girls by entering into the girls hostels.

One BHU student said, DM and Commissioner are putting BHU on target as they were not involved in this. They worked in close nexus but now are busy blaming each other.

The current blame game is a big change from the previous years, when both the University and district administration worked with each other even on controversial issues.

One example of their proximities surfaced in 2016, when a male student of Hindi department was raped in 2016 a few meters away from the VC lodge. As the universitys chief proctor turned down his request for complaint, citys police did the same. It was only after the intervention of the media that an FIR was registered and the victim received medical examination. However, since this was done more than a week after the incident, a number of evidences had gone missing. Moreover, the police was not arresting the accused under Universitys influence, and did so only after constant media pressure.

The recent protests and the outrage among students got too big for both the district administration and the University to handle. Abhishek Srivastava, a journalist and a BHU alumni, said that the recent issues had clearly created fissures between the two bodies. Earlier, It was hard to differentiate the University with the Varanasis administration. They always worked closely. But this VC ruined that equation.

Recently, BHU VC Tripathi had tried to put the blame over the SDM of Rajatalab of Varanasi, Isha Duhan, of being influenced by JNUs ideology and fuelling the girls to endorse the protest. When VC resorted to this blame game, it was obvious for city administration to put the blame back over to the VC which they did successfully, added Srivastava.

There is one more factor which may be crucial in defining the rift between these two bodies. As the BHU VC, who is already in target of ABVPs Thakur wing, is being blamed for what happened inside the campus, the students may start to believe more on the Universitys administration. One local journalist told TwoCircles.net, If VC is put on the centre of everything, then it is a good situation for the BJP. Students will believe more in the government.

The issue erupted when PM Modi was in Banaras, so someone had to take a blame. Since the BJP-led administration cannot be blamed, it must be dumped on BHU administration, tells Sunil Yadav, alumni and social activist based in Varanasi. If district administration would have taken the blame, it would have smeared the image of BJP even more.

During the peaceful protest march carried out on September 24, Varanasis District Magistrate (DM) Yogeshwar Ram Mishra agreed to all the demands of the girl students which were actually made to the BHUs administration. One student of the university said, DM wanted us to believe that he can resolve our issue, which university cannot.

As the DM has agreed to the demands, it creates a perception that district administration can help the universitys students better than its own administration. This is a point which may cause confusion and deviation among students. If only DM had to agree to our demands, why did he use violence against us before, can he answer that? asked a student.

Adding one more chapter to the blame game, UPs chief minister Yogi Adityanath said yesterday that intelligence input was provided to BHU VC a night before the protest, which started next morning. But according to our sources, the input  which was based on social media  was provided around 2 AM on September 22, which gave little time to the University to do much to counter the protests. However, the Universitys idleness in dealing with protest and students issues is also one of the crucial factors which sparked the protest.

Several BHU students were detained yesterday in Delhi while they were going to meet prime ministers secretary to handout a memorandum. And here BHU has appointed a new proctor Royna Singh, as the first female proctor of the University. But the question still remains unanswered that was it VC who did everything or is he just being a scapegoat after the bond breakage between the administration and the University?
North Korea faces international isolation more than ever. This is not an understatement, as the United Nations resolutions from September 12th marked a historical moment in the history of North Korea - Chinese state relations. The Independent reported that the government in Beijing has ordered North Korea companies in China to close as of early January.

The action is a move to close the ties with the only international actor who seems to be acting as a rebel against the storm. Often considered the biggest ally of the regime led by Kim Jong-Un, China had to respond to international pressures as the successful nuclear test run by the Pyongyang leader has generated tensions and fear of a disastrous nuclear war.

Economic shock

North Korea's companies with offices in Beijing will have to close from January 2018 but this is not the only bad news for Kim Jong-Un. On Saturday, it was announced that China will cut down supplies of energy, reducing the amount of gas and refined petroleum products shipped to North Korea. This can have a devastating effect on the Kim regime, as the authoritarian leader based his economy and the investment in nuclear weapons on the economic help from China. In addition, Chinese companies with offices in North Korea will be closed as a matter of reciprocity, writes the Independent.

It seems that the last ally which Kim Jong Un could have benefited from is shifting towards cooperation with Donald Trump and the United Nations. Growing pressure from the international actors generated this wave of radicalism from Beijing. We can witness a massive change in terms of Asian geopolitics as North Korea seems isolated in their quest for a state of nuclear warfare.

Trump effect

It seems that Donald Trump can be a controversial president, but his actions with regard to North Korea have caused this shock decision taken by the Beijing government. Last week, the leader of the White House informed countries that they can cooperate with the United States or North Korea in terms of business. But working together with both is out of the question according to Trump.

China acted as such when they took the first step in this embargo process. The most important Chinese banks declined North Koreans who desire to open new bank accounts. The President of United States has a powerful impact on the actions of the Beijing government and his intentions are clear: to develop stronger strategic partnerships and to stop the development of the north korean nuclear programme.
The Tories want Theresa May gone. YouGov recently conducted a poll for The Times in order to determine who the Conservatives want to replace her as the leader of their party. They voted 23% for Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, 19% for Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, 17% for abortion-bashing Jacob Rees-Mogg, 11% for Brexit Secretary David Davis, and just 6% for Home Secretary Amber Rudd. Imagine this as a season of The Bachelor  wouldnt that be fun?

Less than one third of Tories expect May to lead the party through 2022

May has pledged that she will run in the next General Election, although she doesnt have enough backing from her party to actually do that.

Theres less than one third of the Conservative Party members who want her to stick around as the partys leader until 2022, and around 40% of them are hoping that shell quit her position right after the Brexit button is pushed in 2019.

Also, the poll seems to indicate that theres a division on the Brexit matter among the Conservative Party amid the wider division that its caused among the entire country. This is shown through the Brexit views of the politicians who the people who voted in the poll want to be the party leader. Johnson was supported by 10% of Remain-voting party members, while Davidson was backed by 14% of their Leave voters.
After Donald Trump attacked Arizona Senator John McCain during an interview on an Alabama conservative radio station, his supporters were quick to cheer on the president. In response, one host on MSNBC wasted no time sounding off.

"Morning Joe" on Trump

It's no secret that Donald Trump and John McCain don't see to eye. The feud between the two dates back to the early days of the 2016 presidential election when the former host of "The Apprentice" came under fire for claiming McCain wasn't a war hero because he was captured during the Vietnam War and made into a POW.

"He's not a war hero," Trump said, before later explaining, "I like people who weren't captured." Trump ripped into the senator several times during the election due to McCain's lack of support, which has continued in the nine months that he's been president. The latest rift comes in the form of McCain announcing he will vote "No" on the GOP bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, which was co-sponsored by fellow Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy. In response to the news, Trump went on a conservative radio station in Alabama on Monday and trashed the senator before taking to Twitter with an additional attack, leading to the issue being front and center on the September 26 edition of "Morning Joe" on MSNBC.

During the Tuesday morning edition of "Morning Joe," co-host Joe Scarborough made sure to hit back against Donald Trump for calling out John McCain, who recently announced he is suffering from brain cancer, while ripping into the president's supporters. "You have a man who is dying and you are using him for political punch lines on talk radio, and also audiences in Alabama?" Scarborough wondered.

Joe Scarborough went on to tell those who continue to support Donald Trump and bash John McCain to "keep your mouth shut." "Show a little respect, show a little dignitary, show a little class," the MSNBC host added.

"Who raised these people?" Scarborough rhetorically asked, before adding, "Who have they become that they would boo a man who is fighting for his very life." Scarborough then pointed out McCain's military history, bringing up his time as POW in Vietnam where he refused to be released until the rest of his men joined him.

Trump trolls McCain with Twitter video reminding him of all the times he called for "repeal and replace" https://t.co/UKvFEfbair pic.twitter.com/epev6Tv9eO  Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 26, 2017

Trump vs Joe

This isn't the first time that "Morning Joe" has called out Donald Trump, as the hosts on the program have become one of the leading voices in opposition to the commander in chief.

Once friendly with the billionaire real estate mogul, that relationship has turned sour, peaking when the president went on a fiery Twitter rant earlier this year against Scarborough and co-host, and fiance, Mika Brzezinski.

Next up

As John McCain fights in his battle against cancer, Donald Trump doesn't seem to let that impact his decision to attack the veteran senator from Arizona. Despite the support that the president has gotten from is core base on almost every issue, the majority of the American people are not standing by his side, with Trump sitting on an approval rating that has dropped to just 35 percent in the one of the most recently released polls on the issue.
In the latest chapter of the feud between the United States and North Korea, Donald Trump decided to lash out on social media. Following critical remarks from the Prime Minister of North Korea to the United Nations, Trump once again mocked Kim Jong-un and threatened potential war between the two countries.

Trump on Twitter

Over the last week, the tensions between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un have only gotten worse. Things started to kick into high gear just last week when Trump used social media to troll the leader of North Korea, labeling Kim "Rocket Man" for his increased use of launching test missiles in the region.

Trump received backlash over his choice of words, with many critics in the media and in Washington expressing concern that he was being too reckless. Despite this, Trump insulted Kim in front of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, bringing back the "Rocket Man" nickname, while threatening to "destroy" the country. In a statement just days later, Kim fired back, referring to Trump as "mentally deranged" and a "dotard." On Saturday at the United Nations, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho accused the former host of "The Apprentice" of being on a "suicide mission," while promising that an attack on the United States was now "inevitable." As seen on his Twitter account just before midnight on September 23, Trump went back to his insults.

Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017

Taking to Twitter later Saturday night, Donald Trump responded to the speech given by Ri Yong Ho, while making sure to mock Kim Jong-un in the process and threaten to wipe North Korea off the map.

"Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N.," Trump pointed out.

North Korean Foreign Minister: Trump is on a Suicide Mission, Strike on US Now Inevitablehttps://t.co/YEfDSOuJ7U pic.twitter.com/pB97S9yhuW  Mediaite (@Mediaite) September 23, 2017

Donald Trump then warned against the rival nation that if they continue with their threats, they might soon regret it.

"If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!" the president concluded, now poking fun at Kim's height.

Twitter reacts

Within minutes of his post on Twitter, critics of the president wasted no time expressing their thoughts. "This is SICK. Trump is threatening to wipe out over 25 million people via Twitter. He needs to be removed from office," one tweet read.

Don't give me that "oh, we're going to surgically take out the leadership!" How many times has THAT worked? (Hint: not many.)  Pe Resists (@4everNeverTrump) September 24, 2017

So proud of his Little Rocket Man nickname. He should be ashamed for provoking a potential nuclear war from his cell phone.  Adam Best (@adamcbest) September 24, 2017

"Trump's ego is so big that all he is thinking about is which dictator, or wannabe one in his case, looks tougher.

Not human casualties," Adam Best tweeted, before adding in a follow up post, "So proud of his Little Rocket Man nickname. He should be ashamed for provoking a potential nuclear war from his cell phone." "If I wanted to get a clown Halloween costume, I'd go to the "presidential" section," another post noted on Twitter.

This is SICK. Trump is threatening to wipe out over 25 million people via Twitter. He needs to be removed from office.  50 States of Blue (@50StatesOfBlue) September 24, 2017

If I wanted to get a clown Halloween costume, I'd go to the "presidential" section  Christian Giroux (@chris_girouxAZ) September 24, 2017

Right! I was about to tweet that  Naeemah  (@Oooohhhh_NaNa) September 24, 2017

"Its insanity.

I say it and I say it again, Donald Trump Is a C," actor Tommy Campbell tweeted. "Dude. You're talking about killing 25 million people enslaved by a megalomaniacal dictator. WTF is wrong with you?" another Twitter user wondered. As Trump continues with his war of words with the leader of North Korea, many around the world wonder if the feud will escalate into something much more serious than just name calling.
Almost two weeks after Hurricane Maria ripped through Puerto Rico, President Donald Trump will be making his way to the island to asses the damage. After using Twitter to promote his upcoming trip, critics of the president took time to lash out.

Trump on Puerto Rico

In recent weeks, multiple hurricanes have touched down in various parts of the United States, causing damage that could take years for the impacted areas to overcome. The first major storm to strike this past summer was Hurricane Harvey, which hit the state of Texas, with the city of Houston being hurt worst of all.

Just weeks later and Hurricane Irma moved through Cuba and landed in the southern part of Florida, which caused massive damage all the way up the Sun Shine State. Following those storms, it was Hurricane Maria that made landfall in Puerto Rico. With winds over 100 mph, the storm left thousands without water or electric, resulting in dozens of deaths. Donald Trump was slow to respond to the news, with many Americans not happy with how the president handled the aftermath of the storm. With the commander in chief planning a trip to the island next week, he was quick to highlight the issue during a series of tweets on September 28.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello just stated: "The Administration and the President, every time we've spoken, they've delivered......  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2017

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, Donald Trump spoke about the current situation on the ground in Puerto Rico, as well as when the people can expect him to arrive.

"Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello just stated: 'The Administration and the President, every time we've spoken, they've delivered,'" Trump tweeted out. "The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes," the president continued, before adding, "Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!"

...The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2017

Not stopping there, Donald Trump then gave a shout out to FEMA before confirming his trip to the island.

"Thank you to FEMA, our great Military & all First Responders who are working so hard,against terrible odds,in Puerto Rico," Trump posted, while adding, "See you Tuesday!"

Thank you to FEMA, our great Military & all First Responders who are working so hard,against terrible odds,in Puerto Rico. See you Tuesday!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2017

Twitter reacts

Not long after Donald Trump sent out his tweets on the hurricane in Puerto Rico, those who oppose the president wasted no time in responding.

"Why the heck has it taken you so long to finally decide to make your way to Puerto Rico next week. Is it because you owe them so much money?" one tweet wondered.

You are neglecting American citizens. People need to receive the supplies that are sitting in shipping containers untouched.  Anne Hamilton (@AnneHamilton01) September 29, 2017

You know, Putin, the man who loves watching home videos of you in hotels.  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) September 29, 2017

FEMA and the first responders are doing a heck of a lot without many resources from you  Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) September 29, 2017

"I'm sure Putin's number is on speed dial, you know, on that burner phone you have under your mattress!" another Twitter user wrote.

"You are neglecting American citizens. People need to receive the supplies that are sitting in shipping containers untouched," an additional tweet read.

You are the worse. the only president under which @CarnivalCruise and @RoyalCaribbean respond faster to a hurricane than our White House.  ALTImmigration (@ALT_uscis) September 29, 2017

I feel the people of Puerto Rico probably could care less if you go. The only reason you are going is to save face and no other reason.  Julianna (@MzJuJu58) September 29, 2017

"I feel the people of (PR) probably could care less if you go. The only reason you are going is to save face and no other reason," yet another tweet added. "You are the worse. the only president under which @CarnivalCruise and @RoyalCaribbean respond faster to a hurricane than our White House," another tweet read. As the backlash poured in, it became clear that many Americans were not pleased with how Donald Trump has handled the disaster in Puerto Rico.
Plans to withdraw US Embassy staff based in Havana, Cuba are set to be announced, in a move that will see family members and the majority of diplomats brought back to the US for re-assignment.

According to CBS News, two sources confirmed that plans were underway, to see only essential personnel left behind. This is in response to attacks on American diplomats and embassy staff that have baffled authorities.

The sources revealed that an internal memo has already been sent to Secretary of state Rex Tillerson, recommending a major withdrawal of embassy staff, which will leave only a small staff to look after operations at the embassy.

US diplomat's safety

The action comes after a meeting between Tillerson and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parilla early this week, failed to find a solution to the health attacks.

The memo pointed out, that although Cuba was cooperating in allowing US investigators to find the origin of the attacks, Minister Parilla did not give any assurances the Cuban government was doing enough to protect US diplomats while in Cuba.

The Minister also did not provide Tillerson with any action the Cuban government had taken in the wake of the attacks. Instead, the Minister had a readout that denied the attacks were actually taking place.

Official denial

In the readout, the Cuban government stated that it had never perpetrated any attacks on foreign diplomats or allowed third parties to use its country to launch any attacks.

The readout went further to state that so far, no evidence had been found by the Cuban government, to establish the source of the health disorders the American diplomats had reported about.

While the FBI investigation continues, State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nuart, told CBS News that Tillerson was still reviewing the available options at his disposal on the best way to protect US diplomats and embassy staff in Cuba.

Health attacks

Towards the end of 2016, embassy staff, diplomats, and their families began to experience mysterious symptoms that included nausea, hearing loss, loss of balance and severe headaches.

The attacks were directed at the homes of US embassy staff, which are provided by the Cuban government. So far, the State Department has confirmed a total of 21 medical cases among its staff, with the latest case reported in August.

Since the FBI took over the investigations, there has been no word from the agency, on its preliminary findings.
Sean Lowe of "The Bachelor" has been in Texas helping with relief efforts from Hurricane Harvey. Sean actually lives in Texas, so it makes sense that he would be involved. ET shared that Sean is dealing had to deal with a few really difficult things during this time. Sean lives in Dallas but headed down to Houston to help with efforts.

What has Sean been doing in Houston?

Sean Lowe actually asked if anyone had a small boat that he could take down there to help out with the relief efforts. Sean actually almost got to Houston, but he was 45 minutes away when he ended up running into four feet of water and had to stop at a gas station for the night.

Sean admits that when he thinks about Houston it is the main downtown area, but the Houston area is so much bigger than that and there are miles covered in water. He also said that his wife Catherine was worried about him going clear down there to help.

Sean details who he is working with and more

Sean is actually working with firefighters in the area during his relief efforts. Sean says that there are a lot of heartbreaking stories about mothers and babies and also elderly people that are stuck in their attics hoping someone will come and save them. There is water even eight foot high and he said it is hard to even describe what you are seeing.

Sean Lowe went on to describe helping a man who was going into cardiac arrest.

This is something that he will never forget. They took him out of a canoe and then into their boat. Sean wasn't sure if the man survived, but said he would be really surprised if he did. Sean says that he was holding a dead man and it took three of them to get the man from his canoe to their boat. He explained that CPR was done on the guy for about 15-20 minutes.

Some people have been giving Lowe a hard time about sharing that he went down there to help out, but he wants everyone to realize that they can help. If you can't go down there, donations can really help for people that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Sean was just doing his part by heading down there to help out.

Ryan Sutter of "The Bachelorette" also went down to help with relief efforts.

Ryan is a firefighter in Vail, Colorado and is married to Trista Sutter. She was the very first "Bachelorette."

Are you happy to hear that Sean Lowe went down to Texas to help with the relief efforts? Do you feel like more celebrities should be heading that way? Sound off in the comments section below, and don't miss new episodes of "Bachelor in Paradise" when they air on Monday nights on ABC. Sean is one of the couples that did find love on reality television and it worked for him. He is now married to Catherine and they have one son together.
Young Dolph was standing outside the Hollywood and Highland shopping center when an armed man opened fire and shot him multiple times. The rapper, whose real name is Adolph Thornton, Jr., was taken to the hospital to receive immediate medical attention after he sustained several gunshot wounds.

Fortunately, his injuries appeared to be non-life threatening, according to a TMZ report. The publication also named Yo Gotti as one of the persons of interest for the Hollywood shooting. It further stated that the two rappers, who were staying in the same hotel, had a disagreement shortly before the incident took place.

Rapper shot outside a shopping mall in Hollywood

Several sources also claimed that Yo Gotti was involved in the shooting incident. At 1:12 pm on Sept. 26 we received a call of shots fired at the Loews Hollywood Hotel on Hollywood and Highland," an affiliate of LAPD said. "The call was for 1 male victim, 20, and when officers arrived they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound."

It also confirmed that the person of interest is a black male who rode a gold Cadillac SUV to escape the crime scene. The affiliate stated that one suspect is currently under their custody over the Hollywood shooting. The LAPD source also narrated what happened before Young Dolph was shot.

It said that the victim had an argument with three men, with two of them black, which eventually escalated to a physical altercation.

Young Dolph even fell to the ground before one of the suspects pulled the trigger against him.

The source further stated that the injured rapper was able to stand up and called for help from a local business near him. The two suspects allegedly ran from the hotel, while the other one jumped into the gold Cadillac Escalade.

Young Dolph attacked by co-rapper Blac Youngsta early this year

According to reports, this is not the first time Young Dolph was attacked by armed men. Back in February, his car was reportedly shot over 100 times that led to the arrest of Blac Youngsta who turned himself in after a warrant of arrest was issued for the shooting.

The Memphis rapper surrendered with two other men responsible for the attack against the co-rapper who luckily survived the shooting. Young Dolph later explained that he has spent $300,000 to armor his SUV before the attack took place.

After the recent shooting incident, the "100 Shots" artist is now in stable condition and currently recovering from his injuries.
Vice Premier Liu Yandong (left center) stands with Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner, the senior White House adviser, at the Chinese embassy in Washington on Wednesday. YIN BOGU / XINHUA

Beijing will work with the United States to ensure US President Donald Trump's first state visit to China is successful, visiting Vice-Premier Liu Yandong said in Washington on Wednesday.

Addressing a reception at the Chinese embassy to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Liu also said the two sides should conscientiously implement the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Trump, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, respect each other's core interests and major concerns and manage and control differences so as to ensure the relationship makes steady headway.

The gathering of about 800 US and Chinese representatives on Thursday also marked the first China-US Social and People-to-People Dialogue, co-chaired by Liu and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the president, attended.

At the reception, Liu also met Susan Thornton, the acting US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. "Let's run the social and people-to-people dialogue well," Liu said.

Thornton agreed. "I think the vice-premier is very excited about the dialogue. She was so happy about it," Thornton told China Daily.

Speaking at the China-US Innovation-Driven Development Forum at the Brookings Institution on Wednesday morning in Washington, Liu said ramping up cooperation in science and technological innovation between China and the US is in line with the interests of both countries and beneficial to the rest of the world.

She said China welcomes talent from the United States and other countries to start businesses and engage in innovation in China.

The vice-premier recalled that the first China-US intergovernmental agreement signed in 1979 during China's reform architect Deng Xiao-ping's historic visit to the US was an agreement on cooperation in science and technology.

In the 38 years since China and the US forged formal diplomatic relations, the two sides have been engaged in technological innovation cooperation in various areas and on multiple levels, which has continuously produced landmark outcomes and yielded "fruitful results" in terms of grooming scientists.

"Strengthening cooperation in technological innovation between the world's largest developed and largest developing economies is a strategy and trend that conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries," Liu said at the opening of the Brookings forum.

Such cooperation also will be of tremendous significance in helping pull the global economy out of the recession and guiding the world's innovation and development, she said.

In an address to the Conference on China-US Collaborations on Medical and Health in Washington on Wednesday, Liu said improved healthcare is crucial to achieving "the Chinese Dream".

"The Chinese government has put the people's health in a strategic priority position. Our country is moving at a faster pace to build a healthy China. We spent less than 10 years building the world's largest basic health insurance network, which covers a 1.3 billion population," Liu said.

"In the future, we look forward to working with the international community and to contribute more 'Chinese wisdom' to the human health field," Liu said.
Li Junpei, a doctoral graduate of the highly regarded University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui province, has had significant achievements in the past year, after he met with President Xi Jinping at his alma mater in April 2016.

"Xi has been a great teacher and mentor. His handshake was warm and powerful, and his smiles were radiant. He emphasized that Chinese college students should have cultural confidence, and become people who are earnest and dependable," Li said.

Li majored in chemistry and, in 2015, founded a company that specializes in healthy and environmentally friendly new materials products, aided by the nurturing atmosphere for entrepreneurship at the university. In the past year, he obtained financing of over 30 million yuan ($4.5 million) from investors.

"I have applied for more than 40 patents. Our company has set up a factory in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, and launched some antibacterial and deodorizing products. The outlets of renowned hot pot chain Haidilao and a number of supermarkets and hospitals in Anhui province are using our products," he said.

On April 26, 2016, Xi made a trip to Li's university, where he visited the Institute of Advanced Technology and some key labs, and he also talked with students at the school library.

Xi said as a university dedicated to advanced science and high-tech research, USTC has made great efforts in recent years in pushing forward scientific innovation. He told students they should have ideals, pursuits, responsibilities, achievements and good qualities and become well cultured.

"We should be confident in our universities in China. Besides confidence in the path, the theories and the system we take, we should have a fundamental confidence, that is cultural confidence," Xi said.

"Our education should not look down on itself. Most of the students fostered in China are excellent. China is transforming itself into a country with a large amount of talent. We are confident in building top universities and fostering top talent worldwide."

Xu Wu, secretary of the Party committee at USTC, said the university would speed up the building of a top global university, carry forward independent innovation, and foster more innovative talent.

"The visit of President Xi has been a significant inspiration and motivation to us. His kind words and great image have impressed a large number of students. It made us convinced that teaching by precept and example is the core of education," he said.

Xi visited on a rainy, cool day, and after visiting the library, he didn't shy away from walking in the rain, shaking hands and bidding farewell to nearly 500 students.

"The rain wet his clothes and shoes, but he didn't care about it and said goodbye to us. We all felt quite warm and excited, and we sang the school song together spontaneously," said Wu Maoqian, a third-year doctoral student.

Wu, a model student, spoke with Xi twice in the past five years, once last year and in 2011, when he was an undergraduate. He said Xi has encouraged his career pursuit.
The online retailer is adopting strong measures to unearth vendors of fake items, as Guo Ying and Zhao Wanwei report for Xinhua China Features.

Members of a secret team working for the e-commerce giant Alibaba have the task of pretending to be online consumers who test-buy items from the billion-plus products on the company's platforms.

The team members spot-check about 100,000 products, spending approximately 100 million yuan ($15 million) a year on average.

"The spot-checks are not random. They are guided by big data from our platforms," said Qin Seng, the team leader. Using product ratings, consumer disputes and other information, the team builds a model to identify suspected counterfeit goods and the shops that sell them.

The whole process is videoed to retain the evidence. The sample purchases are sent to copyright holders or authoritative quality inspection agencies. If identified as fake, the products are removed from the platform and the vendors face closure of their online shops. If the products are identified as genuine, they are stored as Alibaba assets.

Alibaba's Storehouse of Counterfeit Evidence is a 300-square-meter warehouse in the company's Xixi Park complex, in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province. Counterfeit goods can be stored there as legal evidence for more than three years.

The spot-checks illustrate the breadth of China's battle against counterfeits in the internet era.

Chai Haitao, deputy director of the Office of the National Leading Group of the Fight against IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting, said the rapid development of China's internet economy means infringements and counterfeits are seen constantly.

"We need to strengthen cross-sector, cross-regional and cross-border cooperation to combat counterfeits. We also need to mobilize enterprises, industry organizations and the public," Chai said.

Alibaba's Anti-Counterfeiting Special Task Force, formed last year, actively works with local law enforcement agencies, according to Qin.

"After we clean up online shops selling counterfeits, the counterfeiters usually change their identities and places of dispatch, using more covert means to continue selling online," he said.

The team uses big data to identify counterfeits and the vendors, affiliated dealers and factories suspected of selling and producing fake items. They pass evidence to the public security authorities, and a number of other law-enforcement agencies, including those for commerce and industry, quality inspection, and food and drugs.

At the same time, the team members also nvestigate evidence in the field.

Team members face many risks in their offline probes.

"Most counterfeiting dens are hidden and well-organized. For example, we encountered a village producing counterfeits. The villagers had installed cameras everywhere and when they saw outsiders entering, they became more vigilant and even threatened us," Qin recalled.

Alibaba's cooperation with local authorities to locate sources of counterfeit goods has proved effective. The company has partnerships with public security bureaus in 13 provinces. Last year, Alibaba submitted 1,184 leads to law-enforcement agencies, which helped public security bureaus arrest 880 suspects and assisted in the closure of 1,419 counterfeit manufacturing locations. In all, the operations seized merchandise worth more than 3 billion yuan.

In August, with evidence from Alibaba, police in Loudi, Hunan province, broke up a ring that produced and sold counterfeit weight-loss drugs.

With a sales network in more than 20 provinces, the ring's total trade exceeded 100 million yuan.

In the eyes of Sun Jungong, Alibaba's vice-president, spot-checks and data-driven proactive monitoring protect the platform's good shopping environment, while cooperation with law-enforcement agencies is part of effective collaborative governance.

"We hope to take advantage of Alibaba's big data and strong data-mining capabilities. By expanding offline cooperation, we aim to tackle this issue at its source," Sun said.

Wang Xin, a professor at Peking University's Law School, said the rapid development of China's e-commerce platforms and the emergence of new online shopping models have provided a growing number of sales channels for fake goods.

He noted that China has made great efforts in recent years to stamp out infringements of intellectual property rights by strengthening laws and setting up specialist IPR courts.

However, he conceded that the penalties for counterfeit producers and vendors are not an effective deterrent because many producers of counterfeit goods only receive suspended sentences or fines.

He suggested that repeat offenders should be banned from the credit market.

Alibaba's analysis has also established that some online consumers are happy to purchase counterfeits knowingly.

Sun said raising awareness among consumers is essential in the battle against fakes.

"Everyone can do their bit to stop counterfeit goods. If society reaches a consensus, as with drink-driving, we are more likely to tackle this problem effectively," he said.
Vice-Premier Liu Yandong is greeted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during a working breakfast at the State Department on Thursday in Washington. ANDREW HARNIK / AP

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong told US President Donald Trump on Thursday that Beijing is ready to work with Washington to make his first state visit to China a "successful, historic" one.

During their meeting at the White House, Liu also conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings to President Trump, who in return asked Liu to send his greetings to Xi.

Trump said he is very much looking forward to his China trip and meeting with President Xi again.

The two presidents have met twice this year, in Mar-a-Lago in Florida in April and in Hamburg, Germany during the G20 summit in July.

Trump said he believes the visit would be a great success, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has left for Beijing to prepare for Trump's visit later on the day. It will be Tillerson's second trip to China as secretary of state.

Liu also told Trump that the first US-China Social and Cultural Dialogue has yielded positive results, thanks to the concerted efforts of the two sides.

The dialogue, one of four cabinet-level dialogues agreed to by Trump and Xi at their Florida meeting, was co-chaired by Liu and Tillerson on Thursday and focused on the theme of "living together for the next 50 years based on mutual understanding".

Liu said she hoped the two sides will implement the consensus of the presidents by giving full display to the role of cultural exchange in building stronger social and public support for the development of Sino-US relations.

Trump also stressed the importance of US-China social and cultural exchange, saying that he hoped the two sides would expand exchange and cooperation in various areas, according to the press release.

Heather Nauert, spokeswoman for the US State Department, said the inaugural US-China Social and Cultural Dialogue was "terrific".

"That dialogue focused on advancing cooperation in seven areas: education, social development, science and technology, health, subnational, arts and culture, and environment and conservation," she said.

The two sides committed to safeguarding global health security and support for educational exchanges, particularly the US-China Fulbright Program, she said.

At the dialogue on Thursday, the vice-premier said that for the US-China exchanges to move steadily over time, they should lay a solid foundation for Sino-US relations by considering the development of the bilateral relationship in the next 50 years.

The two sides also should respect each other's development path and social system as well as each other's sovereignty, security and benefits, Liu said. They should also complement each other, increase common ground and reduce differences.

Both governments also should set up platforms and policy support to facilitate public participation in the exchanges.

Tillerson said at the dialogue that great achievements have been made in the social and cultural exchanges between the two countries in recent years.

He said the US is ready to expand exchange and cooperation in various social and cultural areas, which is of great importance to the bilateral relationship, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry.

The two sides issued a joint declaration after the first dialogue and the First China-US Social and Cultural Dialogue Action Plan, which details at least 130 projects for the two sides to implement.

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
Congressman Ro Khanna (right) presents the Congressional Record to California Assemblyman Kansen Chu (left), grandnephew of General Sun Li-jen, and Chu's wife Daisy (center) on Thursday on Capitol Hill. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Chinese war hero and US ally Sun Li-jen, known as "the ever-victorious general" for his feats fighting the Japanese in Burma in World War II, has been recognized for the first time on the floor of the US Congress.

Congressman Ro Khanna, representing California's 17th District, honored General Sun on Thursday. He encouraged Congress to remember Sun's contributions and legacy and their importance to people of Chinese and Chinese-American ancestry.

Sun was a friend of American generals MacArthur and Eisenhower. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, a US military award for extraordinarily meritorious conduct, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in recognition of his victory in the Battle of Yenangyaung, Burma, in 1942.

With unanimous consent, the report recommending Sun for the Legion of Merit and a letter from the Virginia Military Institute, his alma mater, were entered into the US Congressional Record.

"Under most trying conditions General Sun displayed high qualities of leadership. The First Burma Division of the British Force at Yenangyaung was extricated by the attack of the 38th Division and saved from annihilation. General Sun held his unit together at all times during the retreat and brought it ready for combat to India. His example of courage and leadership reflect great credit on Allied Arms," the US War Department wrote in the report.

Khanna said Sun's life demonstrated that China was an indispensible ally of the US in World War II along with Britain and Russia. It's also the first time that China's role as an ally in World War II has been recognized on the House floor, he said.

"The history needs to be told, how China was an ally of the United States," Khanna told China Daily on the phone. "Many Americans don't know this history. They know Britain and Russia were allies, but they forget millions of Chinese were sacrificed in fighting the Imperial Japanese Army.

"I think once we make this known, it will help form a basis for friendship between the United States and China, and building a better world," he said.

Born in Anhui province in 1900, Sun graduated from Purdue University in 1924 with a degree in civil engineering. Believing he could be more useful as a soldier than as an engineer, he went on to attend the Virginia Military Institute.

When he returned to China, he advanced to the rank of colonel. In one of the earliest battles of World War II, he led troops in defense of Shanghai and was wounded while leading his own men to safety. After recovering from his injuries, he established a military training camp in southern China. The men at the camp were trained in both Eastern and Western military strategy.

Sun was later sent to Burma. During the Battle of Yenangyaung, he led a Chinese regiment through difficult terrain to relieve 7,000 British forces trapped by the Japanese. For his valor, he received the Commander of the British Empire medal.

During this battle, Sun was also given command of a small group of soldiers from the British Second Royal Tanks, making him the first Chinese officer ever to command British troops.

What people of today can also learn from Sun is that he valued diversity. "He found greater strength as a leader by combining Eastern and Western ideas. He led soldiers with different ethnicities and religions. His accomplishments demonstrate that we are better when we embrace diversity," said Khanna.

Descendants of Sun were also in attendance on Capitol Hill on Thursday, including his daughter Sun Tai-ping and a grandnephew, California Assemblyman Kansen Chu.

"The textbooks in the US have paid less attention to the Asian theaters, such as the CBI (China-Burma-India) Theater during World War II," said Chu. "I hope the congressional recognition of General Sun can help remind people both in the US and China of the friendship that existed between the Americans and the Chinese as their countries joined forces during the war."

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com
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HA NOI  The Ministry of Finance has turned down proposals by the Vietnam Cassava Association (VCA) for preferential policies similar to those for rice and sugar to ensure its sustainable development.

For example, the association proposed halving the 10 per cent value added tax imposed on cassava, arguing that 80 per cent of the products are exported and contribute to the countrys export revenue.

In addition, the association asked for high tariffs to be imposed on fresh cassave root exports to prevent them from being sold through the border gates to China, in order to ensure the supply of raw material for local processing factories.

The association sought the reduction of import tax on fresh cassava roots from Laos and Cambodia to Viet Nam to satisfy the countrys processing demand.

The VCA also asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to work with Chinas Ministry of Agriculture so that the latter would allow the export of cassava pulp from Viet Nam to the Chinese market, as it did with Laos and Cambodia.

However, most of the proposals have been rejected.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said amending value added tax rates on cassava starch and processed products from cassava fall under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly. It also said the proposal was inconsistent with the VAT reform policy.

Regarding the proposal on the application of high tax rates to fresh cassava roots export, the ministry said the export tax rate stipulated under Decree 122 is currently zero per cent.

However, the ministry has predicted that global demand for dry chips for E10 gasoline will continue rising, thus the exports should be encouraged.

Futhermore, cassava is an industrial plant that helps alleviate farmers poverty, especially those in remote areas, contributing to political stability and national defence by creating jobs and income. The farmers will suffer the most from the export tax hike, the MoF argued.

Regarding the proposal to reduce the import tax on fresh cassava roots, the MoF said the current import tax of 3 per cent is suitable to protect Vietnamese cassava growers.

According to the association, with an area of about 550,000ha and a capacity of 10 million tonnes per year, the cassava planting industry attracts over 50,000 labourers working in industrial plants and processing facilities, and 1.2 million farmers.

Each hectare of cassava yields profit of about VN11.6 million (US$515.5), slightly lower than that of rice (VN14 million per ha per year).

Viet Nams export value of cassava and its products ranks second, behind Thailand, averaging $1-1.35 billion per year.

In 2016 alone, the export volume of cassava and products made from cassava reached 3.9 million tonnes, valued at $1.08 billion, ranking fifth among Viet Nams key export crops.  VNS
HA NOI  Thanh Cong Group has officially signed a new joint venture with South Koreas Hyundai Group to manufacture and distribute commercial vehicles in Viet Nam.

With the launch of the joint venture, which is named Hyundai Thanh Cong Commercial Vehicle (HTCV), Thanh Cong Group has become the only company in Viet Nam to manufacture, assemble and distribute all models of Hyundai cars.

Ik Tae Kim, CEO of HTCV, said with this co-operation, Hyundai and Thanh Cong were working together to create a unified brand name" Hyundai" in Viet Nam.

According to Kim, setting up the new joint venture in the field of commercial vehicles is part of Hyundai Motors expansion strategy in the global market. The Southeast Asia region has always been considered an important market for future growth as other regional markets show signs of saturation.

Before the new deal, the production and distribution of commercial vehicles under the Hyundai brand were carried out by different units, creating variance in the market. The HTCV joint venture was founded to create uniform quality for customers in Viet Nam.

Chairman of Thanh Cong Group, who is also Chairman of HTCV joint venture, Nguyen Anh Tuan said that the Hyundai commercial vehicle manufacturing and assembling plant would be located in a large-scale automobile manufacturing complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

The first phase of manufacturing in the plant will be carried out in an area of 25 hectares, with an estimated production capacity of about 12,000 passenger cars and buses and about 30,000 trucks per year.

With available potential, experience, investment and technology transfer of Hyundai Group, our products will not only ensure the design and global quality but also competitive price, said Tuan.

Hyundai Group will transfer its most modern machinery and equipment to HTCV to help it meet the demand of the global exports.

Thanh Cong Group now has three joint ventures with Hyundai Group, including joint ventures in the fields of elevators and passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles.  VNS
HA NOI  Some 3,000 businesses will participate in Online Friday 2017, the years largest e-commerce event scheduled for today.

The event, organised annually by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will be on a bigger scale than last year in terms of participants and products. The ministry said the event will feature hundreds of thousands of promotional items with total expected sales of more than VN1 trillion (US$44 million).

Customers will have an opportunity to experience the offline model at the BigOFF event planned for Friday at the Vincom Mall on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street in Ha Noi.

This year, people can buy promotional products and services through direct sales and discount vouchers. Customers can search for products on the website www.store.onlinefriday.vn, and also download promotion codes from there.

Some 999 items have obtained a guarantee label to ensure quality and prices in comparison with those on the market.

Well-known brands such as Nguyen Kim, MediaMart, Sunhouse and Adayroi, as well as Giovanni, Sendo and Leflair Viet Nam are expected to participate in the event.

Last year, the total sales by 30 large companies at Online Friday 2016, held on December 2, reached VN664 billion ($28 million), tripling the sales of the previous year.

Over 3,000 companies offered discounts on 360,000 products and services.

Over 50,000 shoppers joined the activities hosted by 20 firms at the BigOff event.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will submit a draft decree to ease the entry of businesses into the gas trading market.

The ministry on Wednesday said it has completed its assessment of the draft after collecting opinions from ministries and relevant agencies and would submit it to the Government in the next few days.

This move follows the ministrys largest single reduction of business procedures in history  it abolished 675 business and investment procedures, equivalent to 55.5 per cent of the total conditions.

Accordingly, the draft proposes removing those business conditions that wholesale gas traders must satisfy as prescribed under Decree No 19, including number of gas tanks, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and bottles under their ownership and business scale.

Also, gas importers and exporters will be relieved from certain stringent conditions, such as having a storehouse with total capacity of gas tanks of at least 3,000cu.m for LPG, 60,000cu.m for LNG and 200,000cu.m for compressed natural gas (CNG); or having LPG cylinders of total capacity of at least 3.93 million litres.

Gas importers, exporters and distributors will no longer be required to own LPG bottle-filling stations and gas-filling stations for vehicles and gas stations, the draft says.

Under Decree No 19, gas traders must set up their own distribution systems, which may create obstacles for them during operation.

The draft proposes removing this condition, allowing enterprises to decide whether to set up their own distribution systems based on size and capacity.

It added several safety requirements for gas-storing facilities, including gas tanks, gas storehouses, gas pipelines and gas filling and supply stations, as well as bottled LPG retail stores, LPG bottle manufacturing and repair establishments.

The draft, therefore, focuses on regulations to ensure safety, health and rights of consumers, and is the foundation for State management agencies for post-checks.

The ministry has prepared the draft decree to fix shortcomings in the current decree, which is believed to have caused difficulties for businesses.

The current decree was promulgated on March 22, 2016, replacing Decree No 107/2009/N-CP on November 26, 2009, on gas trading to facilitate gas companies.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams benchmark VN-Index on the HCM Stock Exchange recounded Thursday, but slowed at the end of the session as investors increased selling to make profits.

The index inched up 0.13 per cent to close at 804.82 points, narrowing its gain from the intraday high of 810.35 points. The benchmark index bounced back from a three-session loss of 0.4 per cent.

More than 192.6 million shares were traded on the southern bourse, worth VN3.86 trillion (US$171.7 million), up 22.4 per cent in volume and 14 per cent in value compared to Wednesday.

The improvement of the major stock market was attributed to strong gains of Sacombank (STB), brewers Sabeco (SAB) and Habeco (BHN), and energy stocks.

STB gained 2.9 per cent after the HCM City-based bank announced it had signed a deal with the Vietnam Asset Management Company to offload VN1 trillion worth of bad debts in 2017.

Sacombank shares have gained as much as 9.1 per cent since the beginning of this trading week after its chairman registered to purchase 18 million shares on the stock market.

Brewers SAB and BHN also performed well. SAB jumped 4.4 per cent and BHN hit its daily trading limit of 7 per cent. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Finances Corporate Finance Agency proposed the States capital in the two beverage producers be handed over from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the State Capital Investment Corporation by September 30.

In the energy sector, PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services (PVD) saw its share prices edged up 0.7 per cent after crude prices bounced back in the Asia trading session. Brent crude gained 0.7 per cent to trade at $58.32 a barrel, recovering from a two-day decline of 1.9 per cent.

According to Bao Viet Securities (BVSC), the VN-Index was mainly boosted by some large-cap stocks while the general trading condition remained negative with rising investor selling and weak market demand.

Investors were mostly cautious with the current trading conditions and worried about the domination of the large-cap stocks over the markets gain, which could lead to a market slump if those blue chips fail to make further gains, BVSC said in its report.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index fell 0.08 per cent to end at 107.43 points. More than 63.4 million shares were traded on the northern bourse, worth VN803 billion.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam held a working session with Dutch company Jan Zandbergen and some partners exporting livestock products to the European Union.

During the meeting in Ha Noi on Thursday, the Dutch companys representative said the EUs 500 million people market has high demand for chicken meat and it currently imports the meat mainly from Brazil, Thailand and Ukraine.

In 2017, the EU had demand for 950,000 tonnes of chicken meat, 85 per cent of which is chicken breast. Jan Zandbergen plans to import 85,000 tonnes of poultry, pork and beef worth 400 million euros.

Jan Zandbergens representative advised Viet Nam to export processed chicken meat to the EU, as when the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement takes effect, tax will be cut to zero per cent and Vietnamese chicken meat will not be subject to any EU quota.

However, he stressed that Vietnamese firms should meet all quarantine-related requirements, especially food safety regulations, origin and disease tracking rules.

Pham Van ong, head of the Department of Animal Health, said Viet Nam has issued the Animal Health Law and 13 legal documents in the field, and the country has full capacity to satisfy all requirements of choosy markets, including Japan.

ong proposed that Jan Zandbergen consider investing in building a processing facility meeting EU standards in Viet Nam.

Deputy Minister Tam said Viet Nam has shipped the first batch of chicken breast to Japan after adhering to all the strict requirements on food safety.

He hoped that Viet Nam would export chicken meat to the EU and other difficult markets soon.  VNS
HCM CITY  Viet Nam is likely to reach US$70 billion of bilateral trade with South Korea by 2020, an official said at a seminar on export promotion to South Korea held on Friday in HCM City.

Le An Hai, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Asia-Pacific Market Department, said bilateral trade between the two countries had soared 87-fold, from $500 million in 1992, to $43.4 billion last year.

Last year, South Korea was the third largest trade partner (after Hong Kong and mainland China) and the fourth largest export market for Viet Nam, according to the General Department of Customs.

South Korea is the largest foreign-direct investment (FDI) investor among 120 countries and territories with FDI projects in Viet Nam, according to figures from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

There are 6,130 FDI projects from South Korea in Viet Nam, with total registered capital of $54 billion, according to the ministry.

In addition, the free trade agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea (VKFTA), which took effect in 2015, reduced more than 90 per cent of tariffs in a bid to increase Vietnamese exports to the country, according to Hai.

The FTA has created new export opportunities for more than 500 Vietnamese products, especially agro-forestry and aquatic products such as shrimp, crab and fish.

Tropical fruit, garments and textiles, and wood and mechanical products will also benefit from the relaxation of tariffs, he said.

Speaking at the seminar, Heo Songmoo, counselor for food & drug safety affairs at the South Korean Embassy, said the Korean market has a population of more than 50 million and high food consumption. Food trade between Viet Nam and South Korea reached $12 million in 2015.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Songmoo said food safety should match the countrys high standard of imports, which is equivalent to standards required in the United States and Japan.

Improving marketing tools as well as packaging (attractive, with sufficient information about the product) should be a top priority for Vietnamese exporters in order to compete with Thailand and others, he told Viet Nam News.

Meanwhile, Yoon Byung Soo, product strategy director at Lotte Viet Nam Shopping Join-Stock Company, said Korean customers preferred healthy, high-quality products.

Viet Nam should diversify its products and pay more attention to product appearance and packaging as Korean consumers are willing to pay more for those features, he said.

Nguyen Minh Phuong, a representative from CJ Freshway Viet Nam, said that Korean standards were very high, particularly for agricultural products, creating a tough barrier for Vietnamese exporters.

South Korea exports to Viet Nam are mostly machinery and equipment, computers, electronics and parts, raw materials for textile and garments, footwear, iron, steel and chemicals.

Viet Nam exports mainly textile and garments, telephones and parts, seafood, wood and wooden products, and footwear to South Korea.

South Korea has an area one-third the size of Viet Nam, but the countrys population is 51.44 million. Due to inadequate food supply from domestic producers, South Korea depends heavily on imports of agricultural products.

Viet Nam, one of South Koreas most important trade partners, has great potential to become a strategic exporter of agricultural products to Korea, Phuong said.  VNS
LONG AN  Visitors to the Mekong Delta province of Long An should head for a park in uc Hoa District to admire miniatures of some of the worlds wonders.

These include the Eiffel Tower in France, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Tower Bridge in London, and the Taj Mahal in India.

The 1ha park attracts a huge number of local youths, photographers and especially those who havent been on trips to foreign countries.

Built earlier this year the park is a popular among visitors from HCM City and neighbouring provinces during weekends.  VNS
By Phuong Ha

As the mid-autumn festival approaches, a festive atmosphere prevails throughout Hao Village in the northern province of Hung Yen.

Wandering through the village, located roughly 60km from Ha Noi, visitors can catch sight of villagers making traditional toys like drums, colourful paper masks and star-shaped lampsbeloved features of every Vietnamese childhood. For generations, the villagers have specialized in these crafts, playing a critical role in mid-autumn celebrations across the country.

It is unknown when the village first began to specialize in producing traditional toys. The peak of craft production came at the end of the 1980s, when nearly all villagers took up the trade and the village was thronged with merchants who came from all over Viet Nam to purchase toys just before the festival.

As the country has developed and become more globally integrated, however, more and more imported toysboth eye-catching and cheaper than handcraftshave appeared, particularly from China. The traditional toys of Hao Village, and the livelihoods that rely on them, are under threat.

As a consequence, many households have quit the traditional work to seek better jobs and more stable income. Only several families still pursued their ancestors trade.

The products of the village, however, still hold their own attractiveness, thanks to their simplicity and close association with peoples childhood memories. As there have been much doubt casted on the quality of imported toys in recent years, Hao Villages traditional toys have regained some popularity, and locals have been happy to satisfy demand by returning to their traditional trade.

Our traditional toys have been gained popularity among consumers, particularly the children, in the last two years, local artisan Vu Thi La said. We have to work very hard to meet the high demand both from the north to the south.

Nations drumbeat: The toy drums are painted with red paint and left for drying.  Photos tienphong.vn

A meticulous process

At present, there are about 20 households producing traditional toys. Besides toy drums, which have been the main product of the village, the villagers have produced star lamps and paper masks, all made with simple and natural materials like bamboo or paper.

Vu Huy Tu, another artisan in the village, said the most important materials to make a toy drum are lime wood and buffalo skin. The wood is cut into pieces and lathed to create the body of the drum while the buffalo skin is scraped thin before being dried.

The process of making a drum is sophisticated, demanding meticulousness from each worker.

The final step, which is also the hardest one, is stretching the buffalo skin over the drum surface.

If the skin is stretched too tight, the drum cannot produce the proper sound. If it is loose, the drum will be broken down easily, La said, adding that this is why the worker must constantly test the elasticity of the drum surface.

Another favourite product of Hao Village is the masks made from paper board or pasteboard, depicting childrens favourite characters from Vietnamese folktales. Based on cement moulds, the artisans give the discarded papers a second life with their skilful hands by turning them into soulful and eye-catching toys.

During the peak production period, each household could make over 6,000 products. Prices of each range from VN10-50,000 (US$0,4-2,2) depending on size. On normal days, the income of each household is just enough to make ends meet, so every villager longs for the festivals where their products take centre stage.

Celebration of culture: The masks are painting with vivid colours, depicting childrens favourite folktale characters.

And if the visitors wish, the villagers will willingly instruct them on how to make a drum or a mask on their own.

Another surprise to every visitor is the lovely children of the village. Born and raised in the hundreds-year-old craft community, they seem to have inherited remarkable skill from their parents. Not only can they take over the housework, they can also help their parents with creating the traditional toys that will bring joy to other children.

As the trend of travelling to the craft villages to learn about the traditional cultural values is on the rise, Hao Village has become a tourist destination, particularly for families with children. The wide open area around which the villages houses cluster has become a playground for many children to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of their parents childhood.

After visiting Hao Village, almost every person holds in their hands a colourful drum or a mask. It is certain that the fresh smell of paint still lingering on the toys will entice the visitor to return.

Even facing severe competition with foreign toys, the villagers strongly believe that their traditional products will always have a special place in Vietnamese childrens hearts. As villager La said: Traditional trade will never fall into oblivion.  VNS
HA NOI  For the first time, most collections of the Viet Nam Fashion Week (VFW) Spring-Summer 2018 are designed with traditional fabrics such as silk, tussore, grass cloth, cotton and linen.

The fashion week will be held at Viet Nam Televisions studio S14 in Ha Noi from September 29 to October 2.

Designer Minh Hanh, founder of the VFW, said its time to honour traditional fabric.

Designers and models have brought Vietnamese fashion to the world, but we dont have the complete glory if we keep using materials imported from foreign countries, Hanh said. I have an ambition to introduce to the world market a design that is made in Viet Nam from A to Z.

A design by Huu Lala with strong colours.  Photo courtesy of orgniser

The fashion week will introduce the latest spring and summer collections of 19 Vietnamese, Spanish and Italian designers during three Ready To Wear nights and one Haute Couture night. The designs showcase creativity as well as wearability.

The natural materials they use are not only a symbol of national pride, but also both practical and desirable, Hanh said.

Natural materials such as tussore and silk are crowned because of their high adaptability and environmental friendliness, she said. With the aim of developing the natural material and expanding the textile weaving villages, designers have been exploring and coordinating with artisans and producers to create natural materials, which are suitable to the requirements of the fashion market.

The first Ready to wear show will introduce the collections of designer Tea Gelashvili from Italy and domestic designers, including Ngoc Han, Phuong Thanh, Duy Nguyen and Hung Viet.

A design by Minh Hanh. She will present a collection using grass cloth.  Photo courtesy of orgniser

The other shows will feature collections by designers Cao Minh Tien, Diego Cortizas of Chula brand, Cong Huan, Cao Duy, Quang Huy, Ha Duy and Minh Hanh.

Among them, designer Tea Gelashvili, who attended the famous fashion design school Domus Academy, will introduce the hidden beauty of Italy through the delicate details of the costumes in his unique collection.

Hanh is a pioneer in designing with grass cloth from Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai Province. Shes known for many collections that include brocades. Audience will see her latest work at this spring-summer fashion week.

Designer Thanh Thuy uses silk from different regions of the country.  Photo courtesy of orgniser

Young designer Nhi Hoang has also discovered her own artistic voice by designing with silk from Nha Xa Village, the northern province of Ha Nam.

In my collection, I use the hand-woven technique in which threads are woven across each other, allowing me to mix the colours, said Nhi.

The designers will showcase outfits for women, men and children during the event.  VNS
ao Quang Vinh, director general of the Institute of Labour Science and Social Affairs, tells the Lao ong (Labour) Newspaper that voluntary unemployment is not something Viet Nam has to worry about.

If an employee is suddenly transferred by the employer to do a job that is not to his or her liking and decides to quit, would it be case of voluntary unemployment?

Many people misunderstand this as voluntary unemployment. If an employee quits after she or he is forced to do something that is not within her or his area of expertise, or working conditions become unbearable for some other reason, it is a case of that individual becoming unemployed.

Do such cases happen mostly with skilled workers?

It can happen to any group of workers, but in real life, it does occur usually with skilled workers who think it will be fairly easy for them to find another job.

What do you think about the problem of voluntary unemployment in our country at present?

I would say that the percentage of voluntary unemployment in our country at present is very small. The unemployment rate itself is not too high. Within the ASEAN bloc, we have the fourth-lowest unemployment rate after Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Our unemployment rate is even lower than that of Indonesia, the Philippines or Malaysia, at a time when it has climbed to as high as 20 per cent in many European nations.

So voluntary unemployment is not something we have to worry about? Is there a chance it will become a problem in the future, in the context of Viet Nam deepening its regional and international integration, and when more jobs are created?

As I said earlier, voluntary unemployment in our country is not high, but job availability is. This is a positive sign for any voluntarily unemployed people to find jobs.

I dont think it will become a problem. When employment opportunities are wide open, voluntarily unemployed people will have more choices to choose from.

Whether or not voluntary unemployment increases depends on two main factors: employment opportunities and the match or mismatch between supply and demand. Good information about the labour market is very important for job seekers. It will help them select work and working conditions that suit their capacity and preferences.

Quite a few university graduates are apparently deciding to work as Grab or Uber drivers instead of looking for other jobs. Can you comment?

It is true that quite a few university graduates are not able to find the good jobs theyd expected. Thats why some chose to become taxi or motorbike drivers. Many even put their university diplomas in the trunk and look for jobs in factories or enterprises as workers. But this does not just happen here, it happens in many other countries as well.

As we know, universities train and provide basic knowledge on subjects so that students can deeper into the field of their choice later on. In other words, learning is a lifelong process. Universities just provide a foundation that students can build upon in choosing and advancing their careers.

What if the number of voluntarily unemployed people does increase? Will it create undue pressure on the unemployment insurance fund?

Workers pay into the unemployment fund when they are employed. When they are unemployed, they are entitled to receive unemployment insurance, of course. Were now living in a market economy, so living on the dole is natural. I think that Viet Nam Social Insurance should review its services and ask if the job they have done has earned them the peoples confidence.

What would you tell those university graduates that are working as Grab or Uber drivers?

I think it is a matter of concern. In our society, many parents still think that their children must go to universities after completing their high school. But we all know that we are now facing a redundancy of engineers and a shortage of workers. There is an imbalance between supply and demand for certain types of jobs.

So, if any university graduate thinks that he or she is good at being a Grab or Uber driver, theres nothing wrong with their decision. Whats more important is that the job they are doing is appreciated by the market and the society.  VNS
Vu Thu Ha

Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton once said.

Her words ring particularly true in Asia, where stereotypes and cultural norms continue to prevent millions of women from fulfilling their real potential.

This week, as representatives from 21 Asia-Pacific economies gather for the APEC 2017 Women and the Economy Forum in Viet Nams Thua Thien - Hue Province, it is a opportune time to look more closely at status-quo and some long-standing challenges to closing the gender gap.

First, some compelling figures. Despite the much acclaimed economic and social progress of the past few decades, there are just two countries on this vast continent  the Philippines and Laos  that have made it to the top 50 of 144 countries ranked in the Global Gender Gap Report 2016.

It is no surprise, then, that an ILO report, World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends for women 2017, shows East and South Asia as the only two regions in the world seeing a reduction in the percentage of working women over the past decade. The situation is particularly worrisome in South Asia, where less than one-third of the female population are active in the labour market, 51 percentage points less than the rate for males.

The picture for the whole of Asia is not much brighter, according to the Asia Development Bank. Although most working-age women in Asia wish to work, they are on average 70 per cent less likely than men to take part in the labour force. The region as a whole loses an estimated $40 billion each year as a result of gender gaps in employment and education.

Even when women are able to find work, they are more likely than men to be vulnerably employed, with low wages and without social protection. In 2016, the percentage of women trapped in vulnerable employment was 78 per cent in South and Southwest Asia and 60 per cent in Southeast Asia.

Vu Thu Ha

As in most other regions in the world, the gender-based pay gap is another problem. According to ADB, a woman in Asia on average is paid 23 per cent less than her male counterpart. An OECD report in 2015 found the situation was even worse in the regional economic powerhouses of South Korea and Japan  the two countries with the worst paid female employers among 35 OECD countries, with the difference being 36.6 per cent and 26.6 per cent respectively.

Several factors that have constrained women from securing an equal footing with their male counterparts in the labour market, like gender discrimination, low education, burden of unpaid care work, and limited access to finance resources, were identified a long time ago.

The failure to remove these constraints is rooted in the entrenchment of social stereotypes and cultural norms in Asian countries, where male chauvinism is dominant and women are regarded as inferior.

In many Asian societies, including Viet Nam, girls are still told that whoever they want to become, they should first be good at housework, and fulfill their role by instinct as a family caretaker. On the other hand, boys are groomed for big work and be the familys breadwinner.

Worse still, many women in these societies believe that males sharing the responsibility of housework signal their failure as a woman.

In Viet Nam, we have a saying that is in complete harmony with the Confucian principle of women being completely subjugated to men in the family: As a woman, what makes you stand higher than other women is your husband.

Many Vietnamese parents still dont believe that girls need to climb high up the education ladder, because the higher they study, the more difficult it would be to find a husband.

Gender stereotypes also limit career choices for women all over the world. Men are often associated with jobs deemed more important and requiring more skills, like scientists, astronauts, policemen or engineers, whereas women are considered more suitable for softer jobs like receptionists, secretaries and so on.

As a result, many women end up carrying a huge burden of unpaid care work, downplaying their capability and not daring to dream big. They lose opportunities for higher education, quality jobs, and deeper social engagement. The perception of womens capability is also affected. An ADB study, Women in the workforce, an unmet potential in Asia and the Pacific, found that women were perceived to have lower working skills than men.

It is evident, then, that efforts to get more women into the mainstream economy should start with challenging and dismantling deeply ingrained stereotypes.

Concrete steps should be taken early, at home, in schools, and in communities so that boys learn to appreciate, even look up to women, and understand that care-giving and housework are natural tasks for both men and women. Girls should be taught to treasure themselves, to cherish and chase dreams bigger than traditional roles as wives and mothers.

These are fundamental changes that might take some time, but they are indispensable.

Measures with immediate impacts should be implemented as well. Greater investment in public services should lead to quality childcare and care for the elderly. Policies on parenting should boost mens role in childbirth and childcare, providing badly needed relief to over-burdened women.

Much has been said about the importance of public-private empowerment initiatives. The private sector can certainly play a major role in improving womens access to financial support, technology and business advice, given that a large proportion of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region are led by women.

For example, just last week in Viet Nam, Facebook partnered with governmental agencies to launch a project supporting women entrepreneurs with investment, technology development, training and capacity building. This is a model that should be promoted.

Despite the obstacles, Asia does not lack role models of successful women in all fields and initiatives, especially those that effect far-reaching changes with positive national and international impacts. The legendary political figure that led the delegation of southern Communist forces at the Paris Peace Conference held to end the Vietnam War was a woman, Madam Nguyen Thi Binh. Japanese Professor Masayo Takahashi this year performed the worlds first induced pluripotent stem cell-derived transplant into humans, revitalising hopes of a new way of treatment for diseased and damaged organs. Manasi Pradhan is leading a nationwide movement to end violence against Indian women.

In business, which is the focus of the ongoing APEC forum, Asia has some sterling role models too. Hong Kongs Zhou Qunfei is the richest self-made woman in the world, according to Forbes. Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has become Southeast Asians first self-made woman billionaire and one of the countrys two billionaires.

Chinese business tycoon Jack Ma once said women were the secret sauce behind his companys success. We should recognise that they are the secret sauce for success of families around the world, and therefore, of all nations. And they should be given their dues, in the form of equality in the workplace, and equal access to opportunities to advance their lot.  VNS

*This is a series of columns on global affairs written by top editors and columnists from members of the Asia News Network and published in newspapers and websites across the region.
President Tran ai Quang (R) receives outgoing Bulgarian Ambassador to Viet Nam Ebgueni Stefanov Stoytchev in Ha Noi on September 28.  VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sang

HA NOI  Viet Nam is willing to serve as a bridge supporting Bulgaria and the EU in enhancing relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states.

President Tran ai Quang made the statement at a reception for outgoing Bulgarian Ambassador to Viet Nam Ebgueni Stefanov Stoytchev in Ha Noi on September 28.

He recognised the ambassadors active and effective contributions to promoting bilateral co-operation in various fields such as politics, external affairs, economy, trade, security, defence and local collaboration along with the two countries close coordination at multilateral forums and international organisations.

As Bulgaria took over the rotational presidency of the EU Council in January 2018, President Quang proposed the country support Viet Nam in bolstering partnership with the EU and soon signing and ratifying the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

He urged the two countries to soon conduct the 24th meeting of the inter-governmental committee on economic, trade and scientific co-operation with the implementation of practical and specific projects with a view to increasing two-way trade.

Viet Nam and Bulgaria should encourage co-operation among training facilities and increase the number of annual scholarships, he suggested.

He thanked Bulgaria for backing Viet Nams bid to become a member of the UNESCO Executive Council in the 2015-19 period and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2016-18, as well as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-21.

Bulgaria will back relations between the EU and Viet Nam and believes that the EVFTA will create more economic and trade co-operation opportunities for both sides once ratified, said Ambassador Stoytchev.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minhs visit to Bulgaria, he said, adding that a wide range of activities have been carried out across his country to celebrate this event, including a photo exhibition on the life and revolutionary career of the President.  VNS
The Police Investigation Security Agency of the central province of Nghe Ans Police on Wednesday arrested Nguyen Viet Dung for allegedly conducting propaganda against the State. Photo tuoitre.vn

NGHE AN  The Police Investigation Security Agency of the central province of Nghe Ans Police on Wednesday arrested Nguyen Viet Dung for allegedly conducting propaganda against the State.

Dung, born in 1986, resides in Hau Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District, Nghe An Province.

He was arrested for allegedly conducting propaganda against the State of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam according to Article 88 of the countrys Penal Code.

Local police said the arrest was conducted in accordance with regulations of the Criminal Procedure Code of Viet Nam.

They have been completing procedures to launch criminal proceedings against Dung and ordered a temporary detention to serve the investigation, prosecution, and trial.  VNS
The Peoples Court of the southern province of An Giang on September 28 opened the first hearing into a case that involves 51 defendants, 34 of whom were customs officials in the province. Photo dantri.com.vn

AN GIANG  The Peoples Court of the southern province of An Giang on September 28 opened the first hearing into a case that involves 51 defendants, 34 of whom were customs officials in the province.

Le Thi Chi, 38, from An Phu District, and 17 accomplices are accused of swindling to appropriate assets and trading receipts, while the 34 former customs officials were charged for abusing position and power when performing their duties.

According to the indictment, from May 2011 to March 2013, Chi and 10 accomplices used the names of three companies that she had established to illegally buy value-added tax (VAT) receipts from other domestic enterprises, pretending they were making export products. They then offered bribes to customs official and border guards at An Giang Provinces Khanh Binh Border Gate to certify their documents proving the products were exported to two Cambodian enterprises.

All activities were aimed to make use of the State policy to refund VAT for export products. By this, they managed to appropriate nearly VN42 billion (US$1.84 million) in tax refunds from the State budget.

Seven defendants are charged with selling more than 2,300 VAT receipts which were either fake or contained incorrect information to help Chi and her accomplices complete VAT refund applications. The total amount of money claimed in these receipts amounted to nearly VN444 billion ($19.5 million).

The 34 former customs officials of Khanh Binh Border Gate Customs Branch are accused of abusing their position, for their own benefit, in certifying the product export documents from Chis companies despite knowing they were fraudulent.

The indictment also found that the crimes were systematically organised, committed many times and caused serious consequences.

The trial is expected to last for one month.  VNS
Health deputy minister Le Quang Cuong delivers speech at a meeting with the municipal Department of Health reported on September 28.  Photo MoH

A NANG  a Nang has completed preparation for medical services at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit to be hosted in the central city in early November, the municipal Department of Health reported on September 28.

In a meeting with the health deputy minister Le Quang Cuong, a Nang health departments deputy director Nguyen Tan Hai said the city already issued a comprehensive plan on medical preparation for APEC 2017.

Accordingly, 23 emergency paramedics will be available for the event, of which 17 will be stationed at the 17 hotels where the delegations will stay, another two each for the business and the media centre, while the APEC staff and flight crews will also have medics available for them.

The citys health department also plans to station nine medical teams at a Nang C Hospital, a Nang Hospital and seven district health centres in case of emergencies.

Regarding food safety, the citys Food Hygiene and Safety Division will constantly carry out food and drinks inspections throughout the city to ensure food quality during the APEC Summit, Hai said.

So far the food safety division completed food inspections at 16 out of 17 hotels hosting summit guests.  VNS
Almost half of all HIV patients in Viet Nam get treatment allowing them to enjoy a longer and productive life and take care of their families.  Photo Thanh Hang

HCM CITY  Viet Nam needs to sustain its strong political commitment and increase spending on HIV prevention and treatment to maintain its hard-gained achievements and to fast track its HIV response towards ending AIDS by 2030, according to UNAIDS country director Marie-Odile Emond.

Almost half of all HIV patients in Viet Nam get treatment allowing them to enjoy a longer and productive life and take care of their families, she told a conference on policies for HIV/AIDS prevention held in HCM City yesterday.

This means that more than half of people with HIV who very much need treatment do not get it.

With still around 11,000 new HIV infections and 8,000 AIDS-related deaths every year, Viet Nam continues to face a major public health threat, she said.

Though every new HIV infection is preventable, especially mother-to-child transmission, every year a few hundred Vietnamese infants are born with HIV.

Young peoples knowledge of HIV remains limited, and thus the younger generation, whom Viet Nams future relies on, is still much at risk of HIV and progress could be reversed, she warned.

The HIV epidemic and response are uneven across the country and, evidence shows, have become more serious in certain areas and among some key populations, she said.

This complex dynamic requires continued determination and a well-adapted response, she said.

Investing in the HIV response will not only ensure that no one is left behind and at risk without access to HIV information and services, but will also enable more people living with HIV to be part of the national solutions towards ending AIDS.

Viet Nam would be able to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, she said.

Though we will continue to support Viet Nam to mobilise external support, in the context of fast reduction of donor funding for HIV due to Viet Nams strong economic development and with a view to further ensure the sustainability of the HIV response, HIV should be integrated in the national and provincial socio-economic development plans.

Nguyen Hoang Long, head of the Viet Nam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control, said in the first six months of this year 4,541 new HIV infections had been detected, raising the total number in the country to 209,591.

Of them, 56 per cent are getting the anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy, he said.

The total number of AIDS patients is 90,190.

Nine provinces and cities are yet to complete a project on allocating finance for HIV/AIDS prevention, he said.

It is expected that health insurance would cover ARV drugs from 2019, and the ratio of people with HIV/AIDS who have insurance increased from 64 per cent last February to 76 per cent in June, he said.

In 34 provinces more than 80 per cent have insurance, he added.  VNS
Dogs have been seen wandering without a leash and muzzle in Ha Nois public places, while city authorities have not taken any measures to fine dog owners, blaming a shortage of equipment and human resources.  Photo vov.vn

HA NOI  Its nearly two weeks since a Government decree increasing fines on those who let their dogs run wild took effect. However, violations are still common.

Dogs have been seen wandering without a leash and muzzle in Ha Nois public places, while city authorities have not taken any measures to fine dog owners, blaming a shortage of equipment and human resources.

Under Decree No 90, which took effect on September 15, dog owners who allows their pets to be in public places without muzzles will be fined between VN600,000 (US$27.2) and VN800,000 ($36.3).

Dogs that run wild will be collected by local authorities, and will be destroyed after 72 hours if the owner fails to pay a fine to retrieve the animal.

The decree also stipulates that dog owners must pay compensation to victims if their dog attacks anyone, affects traffic or causes traffic accidents, it said.

However, violations have not decreased. In Thong Nhat and Thanh Cong parks, residents still let their dogs run loose.

Many dogs have been seen without muzzles or leashes around Hoan Kiem Lake, while its common to see unattended dogs near West Lake.

A woman known only as Huong said she usually took her dog to West Lake for a walk when she had free time. She always kept the dog on a leash, and thought it was safe enough.

My dog is tame and has never attacked people, she said firmly. Moreover, Ive got the leash to lead him, he cant get loose.

Huong said she heard about the regulation, but had not seen any violators fined so far.

Kim Oanh, a resident in Hoan Kiem District said that dogs owners should think about the safety of others and the dog.

Every dogs owner has their own reason for their violation. But most of the excuses are unreasonable and selfish, she said.

If they really care about their dog, they will follow the regulation instead of complaining or ignoring it. Wearing a leash or muzzle is a way of protecting their dog, not harming them, she added.

Oanh said authorities should boost patrols and fine violators to encourage dog owners to obey the law.

Meanwhile, city authorities and local authorities havent strictly enforced the decree.

oan Hong Phong, deputy head of Ha Nois Veterinary Sub-department said the regulations were simply a revision of the amount of the fine.

The previous regulations fined owners between VN100,000 ($4.39)-300,000 ($13).

Phong affirmed to local press that the sub-department was not required to establish dog warden teams to do the job, saying it came under local authorities responsibilities.

He said the sub-department would not send officers to look for stray dogs, despite the regulation stipulating that this task was under the veterinary departments management.

On stray dogs being culled after 72 hours, Phong said the regulation only really applied to sick animals that were not reclaimed by their owners. Other animals would be moved to animal rescue organizations.

Local authorities, however, said that they were not ready to conduct the regulation. An officer of Thanh Xuan Districts Khuong inh Ward said that they had not received any guidelines, equipment, transportation or an area to keep stray dogs.

The wards had only disseminated the regulation to local residents, he said.

Giang Hong Thanh, a lawyer of the Ha Noi Lawyer Association, said he had seen many cases of dog attacks harming peoples health and property.

He said that the regulation was necessary, saying that local residents should co-operate to strengthen supervision and report violations to agencies.

HCM City

In HCM City, the situation is totally different. The municipal Department of Veterinary, together with local authorities have patrolled roads in 14 districts in the city to seize wild dogs, despite obstructions by residents.

In the first nine months of this year, the department caught 58 dogs. Of the figure, 40 were reclaimed by their owners.

Duong Thanh a, head of the departments dog warden team said that a four-person team arrest dogs without leashes or muzzles on weekdays.

The team had to be accompanied by local police to conduct the job to defuse arguments with local residents.

Dogs are kept at a facility at 252 Ly Chinh Thang Street in District 3 to wait to be retrieved by their owners. Owners must pay fines before getting their pets back, he said.

Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments Department of Veterinary showed that more than 70 people died of rabies and nearly 400,000 people were attacked by dogs and forced to get treatment annually on average in Viet Nam, causing losses of about VN 800 billion ($35.2 million) each year.

Last year, more than 411,000 people were attacked by dogs. Of that, 91 died, an increase of 13 people compared to the previous year.

In the first three months of this year, as many as 12 people were killed by rabies.  VNS
GIA LAI  The Government Inspectorate of Viet Nam has detected violations related to the project to convert 50,000ha of substandard forest area into rubber farms in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai.

From 2008 to 2012, chairman of the province Peoples Committee Pham The Dung approved the project to convert 50,000ha of substandard forest area into rubber farms. As many as 16 companies were allocated forest land to grow rubber on a total area of 35,000ha.

During the period 2010-2011, the province Peoples Committee rented nearly 5,000ha for companies to grow rubber, which did not follow land use plans toward 2012 that were prepared earlier.

The committee also allowed project investors to exploit resources in the so-called poor forests before they grew rubber. This resulted in over 1.5 million cu.m of timber getting felled.

From 2010 to 2012, the province sold nearly 500,000 cu.m. of timber without conducting auctions, which was against regulations on States asset auctions, also causing losses to the State budget.

Moreover, the committee divided land into slots with areas of less than 1,000ha each so that they did not require approval from the National Assembly.

The National Assembly requires that all forest-related projects with area of 1,000ha and more have to be reviewed by the legislative body.

After approving the forest transformation projects, Gia Lai Province Peoples Committee said the project would help create jobs and be a source of income for people of ethnic groups living in the forest areas. However, few people of ethnic origin got jobs under the project.

Moreover, project investors failed to realise their commitments on assisting to improve local infrastructure.

The public, therefore, is very concerned about the violations that have left a negative impact on socio-economic development and environment of the province.

According to reports by the Voice of Viet Nam (VOV) radio, the locals have asked for further investigation to identify responsibilities of individuals and agencies involved, including the province Peoples Committee and its chairman Pham The Dung.  VNS
CAN THO  The best way to improve the quality of university education in Viet Nam is to provide students with practical experience through collaboration with employers, an education ministry official told university representatives in the southern city of Can Tho on September 28.

Ha Huu Phuc, director of the representative office of the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in HCM City, mentioned a training model entitled Enterprise in School allowing students to participate in work sessions at enterprises during their degree studies.

The programme will provide students with opportunities to turn theories into practice and become employeable right after graduation, instead of having to undertake internships, he said.

Although identified by MoET a long time ago, such a direction for education reform has only been implemented at a limited number of universities, he added.

Not only will it help boost universities credibility in terms of training quality, the model will also provide graduates with more job opportunities and reduce staff training costs for employers, he said.

The model yielded positive results after being implemented at Nam Can Tho University in the 2016-17 school year, said university head Professor Vo Tong Xuan. Our students got to undertake apprenticeships in professional environments during their freshman year, he said.

It helped sharpen their soft skills and provided them with hours of practical training that requires high accuracy, especially for medical, law and technology students.

For public technology universities that are unable to equip themselves with state-of-the-art facilities, the model is a primary solution to help students keep up with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), said Dr Duong Thai Cong, principal of the Can Tho University of Technology.

Since our students will go to work for them after graduation, the employers we collaborate with will take as much responsibility as we do in providing them with modern equipment and an effective practice environment, he said. It takes the pressure off the school and allows us to open more training programmes.

Higher education accreditation was also discussed at the meeting. It is an effective tool that has helped several countries, including Viet Nam, to maintain their education quality standards and constantly improve their teaching and learning quality, said director Ha Huu Phuc.

Of five universities in the city, Can Tho University has made its way into a number of regional and international rankings. The remaining ones have registered to be evaluated in the 2017-18 school year.  VNS
HA NOI  Some 30 per cent of patients at the National Childrens Hospital (NCH) suffer from drug-resistant bacteria stemming from improper use of antibiotics.

Doctors are warning parents against buying medicines for their children without doctors prescription. Besides living environment or antibiotic residues in food, dosing without consulting a doctor is the main reason for drug resistance.

NCH examines about 4,000 patients and treats 1,700 inpatients a day. Among them are 300 children using medical ventilators and oxygen concentrators, and 70 to 80 patients with catheters. Most of the inpatients were transferred from provincial facilities with these medical devices, increasing the high risk of hospital-acquired infection.

Hospital-acquired infections are getting worse, according to Tran Minh ien, vice director of NCH. Many patients transferred to our hospital have antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, we have to identify cases of hospital-acquired infection to offer suitable treatment regimens, said ien.

Antimicrobial resistance causes difficulties in treatment. Doctors and microbiologists have collaborated to manage antibiotics used in treatment to control the consequences of antimicrobial resistance.

Dosing with responsibility

Infection control and proper antibiotics usage are key factors to prevent hospital-acquired infection, according to ien.

Doctors need to practice good screening and isolation. Medical staff and patient relatives, additionally, have to obey the procedure of sanitising to prevent infection, he said. In addition, doctors should be aware of proper antibiotics usage. Every six months, the hospital issues microbial reports for doctors to develop decent medical regimens.

Bacteria generally develop gradual resistance to a drug over a ten to 30-year period, but the misuse and overuse of antibiotics shortens this process.

Parents and doctors are advised not use an tibiotics for every cold and cough, and only when patients suffer from infections - and even then, a modest dose. They should stop taking antibiotics longer than necessary or ending the course too early.

Overuse of antibiotics can allow bacteria to change in some way that either protects them from the action of the drug or neutralises the drug. On other hand, stopping using antibiotics too soon may create favorable conditions for bacteria to revive and become resistant from drugs.

Antimicrobial resistance causes about 700,000 deaths per year globally, according to a report by the World Health Organisation. Ten million people will die annually by 2050 if the problem is not curbed.

In August 2017, Viet Nam adopted a National Action Plan to tackle the overuse of antimicrobials in livestock and fisheries in an effort to control antimicrobial resistance.  VNS
Panelists at Hue APEC forum discuss the involvement of women in the digital world to develop their business.  VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

THUA THIEN-HUE  Asian-Pacific economies should do their best to dismantle barriers preventing women entrepreneurs from owning businesses so that by 2030 half of the enterprises are owned by women, vice president ang Thi Ngoc Thinh said on September 28.

She spoke at the opening ceremony of a dialogue sponsored by the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum entitled Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy.

Both men and women working in public and private sectors should understand the capability and power of businesswomen, and do more to help them contribute to the national economy and society, Thinh said.

Each economy should build up institutions and laws on gender equality to promote womens empowerment. Enterprises should also map out strategy and policies on how to encourage the involvement of women in finance, economy and society, she said.

One in four

Thinh said although Vietnamese women account for 48 per cent of the workforce and 25 per cent of entrepreneur owners and managers, 1.2 million working-age women, constituting 2.3 per cent of the countrys labour force, were unemployed in 2016.

She expressed her hope that representatives at the event would propose optimal solutions on womens empowerment among APEC member economies, and said the recommendations would be proposed at the APEC Summit in a Nang on November 6-11.

Speaking at the ceremony, UN Assistant Secretary-General Lakshmi Puri said: This APEC Public-Private Dialogue provides us with an ideal platform to strategise on how to best contribute to unlocking women power in the worlds most dynamic and consolidated member economies that the APEC represents.

Empowering women means enabling them to work equally in all the productive sectors - agriculture, manufacturing, services and technology sectors; in value and supply chains; in trade and investment networks; in finance - not only micro finance; and in entrepreneurship at the local, national, regional and global level, she said.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vu Tien Loc, said one in four business people in Viet Nam are women, and predicted that businesswomen would be the saviours of the world economy in the future.

Small and medium businesses owned by women operate throughout Viet Nam. Female managers of these enterprises had a great contribution to the growth in remote and poverty-stricken areas, Loc added.

Steps women are advised to follow to start a business.  VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Facebook communities

Women are also encouraged to get more involved in cyber activities to develop their business and improve their economic situation, APEC representatives said at a panel discussion highlighting the role of women in a digital world.

The panelists said digital businesses are growing fast around the world. There are 65 million small- and medium-sized enterprises on Facebook, alone.

According to Dr Michael DiGregorio, Viet Nam Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, women have been hampered by housework from learning to use internet communications technology for their work.

Vietnamese women customarily bear a dual burden of childcare and domestic work that limits their business opportunities, he said, pointing out that Viet Nam has 31 per cent of registered businesses owned by women but a majority are small scale.

The panelists said other barriers preventing women from starting a business include lack of experience and financial insecurity. Some women lack confidence and do not feel quite ready to open their own business.

The panelists encouraged women to make use of support and advice from experienced entrepreneurs when they start a business.

Louise Williams from US-APEC Technical Assistance to Advance Regional Integration said women should rely on three types of resources: a business network, private sector initiatives and government services. Williams also suggested five priority areas on which women should focus: capital and assets, access to markets, capacity and skills, leadership and agency, innovation and technology.

The panelists also encouraged women to make use of free digital platforms, like Facebook, to create their own community where they can share experience and support each other. Those communities should be connected with others in different countries to help gain broader knowledge in each business sector.  VNS
ONG NAI  The body of a boy who was washed down a flooded sewer in southern ong Nai Province on Wednesday night was found on Thursday evening.

Nguyen Tan Truong, 11, was washed away, on the way back home from school. He fell down an open sewer while he was bending down to pick up his sandal. He was washed down the sewer to Ong Huong spring and then to the ong Nai river.

Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Thien Tan Commune, Thai Ma Thanh, said his body was discovered at the ong Nai river section near Tan Uyen boat station in Tan Uyen commune, around 7km from where he went missing.

Relevant authorities and his family confirmed the body was of Truong.

Uncovered manholes have become a threat to pedestrians in Viet Nam. Many streets are found unpaved, with manhole covers removed for construction projects with no fences or warning signs.This is not the first life that an uncovered manhole has claimed in Viet Nam.

Last October, an eight-year-old boy from southern Binh Duong Provinces Di An Town was swept into a manhole on Street No. 4, following prolonged heavy rainfall that flooded the provinces streets, according to witnesses. His body was discovered two days later, 3km from where he went missing.

In the same month, a man died after falling down a manhole while rushing towards a bus on Kinh Duong Vuong Street, HCM City, Binh Tan District. The manhole he fell into was open as the cover had been removed for a road reconstruction project.

In 2014, two boys died after they fell down manholes in Binh Duong Province.  VNS
THAI BINH  Though Thai Binh is not yet a well-known beach destination on Viet Nnams tourism map, the northern province boasts of fantastic islets, which are arousing the interest of many local and foreign visitors and those with a passion for the sea.

Con en (Black Islet), Con Thu (Thu Islet), and Con Vanh (Vanh Islet) are among the most impressive and beckon travellers longing for a tranquil place with lovely landscapes where they can also beat the scorching summer heat.

At day break and dusk, the picturesque islets take on a shimmering beauty, making them even more charming in the eyes of visitors.  VNS
PANAMA CITY  The United States has started destroying a stock of old, World War II-era chemical weapons it left in Panama decades ago, the foreign ministry said.

The operation started in mid-September to destroy the chemical munitions located on San Jose island off Panamas southern coast, the ministrys director for legal affairs, Farah Urrutia, said on late Wednesday.

US specialists were working with Panamanian counterparts to carry out the task, she added.

The project is supported by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The eight bombs being disposed of were uncovered on the island in 2002 during an OPCW inspection.

US tests of mustard gas, phosgene and other chemical weapons for possible use in WWII and the Vietnam War were alleged to have been carried out on the island. The United States maintained military bases in Panama from the time it completed the Panama Canal in 1914 until its withdrawal in 1999.

The United States and Panama had discussed for years what to do with the weapons. The clean-up was initially scheduled for 2013 but never carried out because the Americans failed to set aside money for the procedure.

Urrutia said the OPCW had submitted a preliminary report confirming the destruction of four of the eight bombs. She added that no indications of health hazards from the munitions had been detected among people on the island or in the environment.

Juan Mendez, a former foreign ministry official who had been involved in the OPCWs 2002 inspection, told AFP he had recently visited San Jose island and seen a large US military contingent at work there, including explosives experts, with six helicopters and a large supply ship. It was a huge team, he said.

Carlos Guevara Mann, a professor in international relations, said that, under international law, the United States has an obligation to destroy chemical weapons it abandoned.

Panamanian advocacy groups say the United States abandoned a lot of ordnance in Panama.

Some estimates say that more than 10 hectares of land along the canal are littered with unexploded conventional bombs.  AFP
TALLINN  German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday hailed French President Emmanuel Macrons new vision for Europe as EU leaders held a frank debate on reforming the bloc.

The leaders met in the Estonian capital Tallinn two days after Macron used a major speech to call on his counterparts to recommit themselves to a European project hurt by Brexit, the rise of populism and the migrant crisis.

Merkel, a European veteran who emerged with a weakened mandate from German elections at the weekend, said before meeting the 39-year-old Macron that EU leaders should move quickly on reform based on his plans.

There is a wide agreement between France and Germany when it comes to the proposals, although we must work on the details, Merkel told reporters before EU leaders sat down for dinner to discuss the raft of reforms proposed by Macron.

With media in Tallinn kept at bay on Thursday night, the European leaders were given a rare opportunity for a frank and informal discussion, without any agenda, according to EU President Donald Tusk.

The young French president introduced his ideas at the three-hour dinner at the Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn, a former summer palace for the Russian Tsars that is now a national museum.

The leaders discussed the ideas -- over courses of flank steak, salmon and rabbit liver  in a very constructive and positive atmosphere, an EU source said.

Based on the discussion, Tusk, who coordinates EU summit meetings, will consult with his colleagues in the coming two weeks and propose how to take the work forward, the EU source added.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was also present for the summit, and was set to meet Merkel for a bilateral discussion on Friday as well as a visit to a NATO military base with Macron. Brexit negotiations, however, were not on the official menu.

The dinner discussion on the EUs future will be followed on Friday with talks on digital issues, a priority for tiny Estonia, which holds the blocs six-month rotating presidency.

Avoid mirages

Macrons proposals for a post-Brexit shake-up of Europe include a finance minister, budget and parliament for the 19-member eurozone, as well as an EU-wide rapid reaction force to work with national armies.

Also at the dinner was European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who set out his own vision for a more deeply integrated European project in his annual State of the Union speech earlier this month.

A French presidency official said reform of the eurozone would be the biggest challenge and that Macrons reforms could take until 2024 to reach completion.

He also said that initial feedback from leaders had been very positive, though cracks began to emerge ahead of the dinner.

European horizons drawn. Important to avoid mirages in the desert on the way, said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in a first open critique of Macrons ambition.

Macrons speech came days after Merkel won a fourth term in a vote that nevertheless saw historic inroads by Germanys hard-right.

Merkel, who is now seeking new allies to rebuild a ruling coalition in Germany, said Macrons reform push would certainly influence negotiations to form a new government.

While her comments show the decades-old Franco-German axis at the heart of the EU is alive and well, Europe is now watching closely to see whether Macron starts to take the mantle of most influential leader from Merkel.

Brexit off the menu

Macron also included a new type of tax on technology giants like Facebook and Apple -- based on how much value they create in a country rather than their profits -- a controversial proposal that the leaders will discuss on Friday.

Estonia bills itself as being at the avant-garde of the digital revolution and originally called the talks to help bring the rest of the bloc up to speed.

May meets her EU counterparts as British and EU officials closed a fourth round of negotiations in Brussels.

British negotiator David Davis said there had been decisive steps forward on a divorce agreement, but EU counterpart Michel Barnier said it would still take weeks or months before they could unlock important talks on a future trade deal, a big demand by London.

The EU 27 are due to formally discuss Brexit at their next Brussels summit in late October.  AFP
WATERLOO  Shiloh Baptist Church recently welcomed a new pastor to their pulpit, the Rev. John Harrell.

Harrell is a graduate of the Baptist College of Florida. He has served as pastor at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Blakley, Ga., and was an associate pastor at New Hope Baptist Church in Zephyrhills.

WATERLOO  First Presbyterian Church will host a series of presentations this fall on current health care issues faced by aging populations.

The sessions will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 24, with a different topic featured each night.

The programs will be in Calvin Hall at the church, 505 Franklin St. The public is welcome to attend at no cost.

The program schedule includes:

Tuesday  Caregiving and Families.

Oct. 10  How Do I Pay for Care?

Oct. 17  Transitioning to Facilities.

Oct. 24  Elder Abuse.

Questions may be directed to the church office, 233-6145.

WATERLOO  Shine Publications will release the first single from God Can, the sophomore project of gospel recording artist Reatha Phillips at 6 p.m. Saturday.

There will be a listening party event featuring a mini concert from the artist as well as refreshments and a CD signing at the Law Theatre of the Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial St.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with a reception in the artists honor.

There is a $10 cover charge, which includes a copy of the CD.

WATERLOO  The Church Women United of the Waterloo area will host a forum meeting at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 6 at the YWCA.

The speaker will be a representative from the Cedar Valley Food Bank. There also will be information for the upcoming World Community Day Celebration on Nov. 3.

This is an ecumenical meeting, and everyone is welcome.
GRUNDY CENTER --- A Wisconsin man has pleaded guilty to charges that he attempted to meet a teen in Grundy County for sex in May.

Carson Tyler Sibley, 26, of LaCrosse, pleaded to one count of enticement of a minor Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

He faces 10 years to life in prison, and a sentencing date hasnt been set.

Sibley is a sex offender with prior convictions for promoting child abuse in Hawaii in 2013 in connection with a child pornography investigation, according to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. He remains in the Linn County Jail pending sentencing.

Sibley was arrested in June on a state charge of enticing a minor after he allegedly traveled to Grundy County on May 29 to meet a boy under age 16. A federal grand jury later returned a six-count indictment charging Sibley with sexual exploitation of a child, commission of an offense involving a minor as a sex offender, enticement and travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Court records allege that between April and June, attempted to persuade the victim to engage in sexual conduct of the purpose of filming or photographing it.
DES MOINES  Sending a text message while driving can get you pulled over under a new Iowa law.

A couple of months in, some Iowa law enforcement officials say the new law has been a useful tool in attempting to change drivers behavior  in other words, to get drivers to stop texting while driving.

But even more law enforcement officials say the new law still is not strong enough; they say whats needed to truly make roads safer is an outright ban on using your hands to operate your phone while driving.

I support a more robust hand-held ban, said Waterloo Police Chief Dan Trelka.

A lone police officer trying to operate a squad car and observe a violation, as the law currently stands, creates a distracting scenario itself.

We havent issued a lot (of citations) because when people see a squad car, theyre going to stop unless you have someone thats really not paying attention, Cedar Falls Public Safety Director Jeff Olson said. In my personal car, you see them texting a lot. If they see a squad car, they put it down. Its like when you see a squad car, you look at your speedometer.

However, Olson said he wouldnt go so far as to support a total hand-held ban. Using the phone as a navigation device, thats helpful, more than using a map which may take a motorists eyes off the road. The problem with talking on the phone is the dialing aspect. If youre hands free, thats really nice. Then, he added theres some people who cant do two things at once and should just focus on driving.

On July 1, a new state law gave Iowa law enforcement a new way to combat drivers who compose text messages while behind the wheel.

Before the new law, law enforcement could not stop drivers primarily for suspected texting while driving; they needed another reason to make the stop, and only then could they cite the driver for texting if that also was an issue.

Under the new law, law enforcement can stop drivers just for suspecting texting while driving.

I think its a good start, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals said. For compliance sake, we need to do a lot more education and try to ween everybody off their phone while theyre driving.

Distracted driving was a factor in 1,230 vehicle crashes and 11 traffic deaths in Iowa in 2016, according to state Department of Transportation data.

Nationally, distracted driving claimed 3,477 lives in 2015, according to federal transportation department figures.

Mobile phone use is at an all-time high in the U.S.: 95 percent of Americans had one in 2016, up from 65 percent in 2004, according to the Pew Research Center. And in a 2011 federal study, a third of drivers admitted they read or sent text messages in the previous month.

With cellphone use and texting more common, most states have taken steps to address texting while driving. Texting while driving is against the law in 47 states, and hand-held use of mobile phones is illegal in 14 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Of the 47 states that ban texting while driving, 43 consider it a primary offense, something for which an officer can stop a vehicle. Iowas new law moved the state into that category.

I just think this is a good first step to educate people. And everybody can do a better job of not touching their phone while were driving, Pals said. Were all using our phones too much.

In July and August, the first two months under the new state law, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Office made 19 traffic contacts, or stops, for using an electronic device while driving. Nine were issued citations, and 10 were given warnings, Pals said.

But some law enforcement agencies still find the new law difficult to enforce and think it remains too weak.

Tony Wingert, with the Woodbury County Sheriffs Office, said the office has not yet issued a single texting-while-driving citation. He said that on rural roads it is more difficult to catch a driver in the act of texting.

Only three texting-while-driving citations were issued by the Linn County Sheriffs Department in July and August, according to Sheriff Brian Gardner.

Gardner is among the law enforcement officials who think the new state law is a good step but does not go far enough.

Many law enforcement officials say it is difficult to cite a driver for texting while driving because the state law still allows some hand-held phone use, including to make calls or use navigation programs.

The problem that I have with the new law, although it does obviously give us primary authority to stop someone purely for a texting violation, the problem I think that we as law enforcement officers are going to have is to be able to convince a judge or a jury that in our view the person was texting as opposed to one of the allowable manipulations of the keypad, Gardner said. I much would have preferred a hands-free driving bill where youre not allowed to manipulate the phone in your hand, you do it all through Bluetooth (hands-free, wireless technology) or through your vehicle.

Yes, we did make gains in allowing this to be a primary offense, but it still has some enforcement concerns.

Gardner said the best way to enhance public safety is to reduce the number of distractions for drivers, and one way to move toward that goal is to ban all hand-held phone use while driving.

I think thats the point we need to get to, he said. Stop the distractions that exist while were operating our vehicles. Its the distractions that lead to the accidents that we have, some fatal accidents that weve had. So I would much prefer, as would many other law enforcement professionals, would prefer to get those phones, get those items out of drivers hands and allow them to concentrate more on the task at hand, that being driving safely.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department also would support a hands-free law, according to Greg Buelow, the citys safety communications coordinator.

Cedar Rapids police issued 12 citations for using an electronic communication device while driving in July and August, Buelow said.

While the new texting and driving legislation is an important step in the right direction, it is still can be challenging for an officer to discern whether or not someone is dialing the phone or using GPS functions on their phone, which is still allowed. As long as there is an exception to the law, it does create some challenges, Buelow said in an email. Anything that causes a driver to not pay attention to the most important function at hand when operating a motor vehicle  which is the safe operation of the vehicle  can lead to issues.

Iowa Sen. Tim Kapucian, who leads the Iowa Senates transportation committee, said he supports a more robust hand-held ban and he thinks state lawmakers will continue to debate such proposals. He was less sure that there are enough votes in support of a hand-held ban to pass it in the Iowa Legislature.

I think that we will continue to explore that possibility (of passing a hand-held ban), and I think thats the best way to handle it, Kapucian said. Whether theres the wherewithal in the Legislature to pass that, I dont know at this time if theres enough votes to get that through. ...

(Texting while driving) is a problem. Whether (a hand-held ban) happens or not I dont know, but I think personally thats the way Id like to see it go.

Courier City Editor Pat Kinney contributed to this article.
Event benefits

local food bank

WATERLOO  The fourth annual International Food Tasting Event will be 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct 15 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Waterloo.

The event, which is organized by local volunteers and open to the public, features a variety of activities and offers the opportunity to support the Northeast Iowa Food Bank BackPack Program.

The public is invited to come sample delicious cuisines from around the world. The event also provides ethnic activities and shopping. All proceeds will be donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank BackPack Program, which provides bags of healthy meals and snacks to children each week through food banks nationwide, including locally at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. It has helped feed thousands of children in the Cedar Valley.

Tickets are available at the door.

UNI makes WSJ

list for first time

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa  The University of Northern Iowa has been named to the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings 2018. This marks the first time UNI has made the list.

The rankings constitute a comparative assessment of more than 1,000 U.S. universities and colleges that are designed to give students and their families the information they need to choose where to study.

Rankings are based on resources, engagement, outputs and environment. UNI ranked particularly high in the engagement pillar  No. 33 out of 1,054 institutions nationally.

In addition to being named to the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings 2018, UNI also is No. 2 among top Midwest public universities according to U.S. News & World Report, ranks in the top third of all U.S. institutions in Money Magazines 2017 Best College for Your Money and is consistently named to the Presidents Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

For the full College Rankings 2018 list, go to graphics.wsj.com/image-grid/college-rankings-2018/.

UNI alliance

seeks proposals

CEDAR FALLS  The University of Northern Iowa Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is accepting proposals for potential community project partnerships in the Cedar Valley.

Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Oct. 13.

The UNI Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is a program in the Division of Leisure, Youth and Human Services that helps students earn a national certificate in nonprofit management. About 15 students per year earn the certification.

Send proposals and questions to Trevor Schmitt at (515) 991-4251 or schmitak@uni.edu. For more information and the Request for Proposal form, go to uni-nonprofit.org/community/.
Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Sep. 28, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 28, 2017 | 04:18 PM | PADUCAH, KY

The City of Paducah will not be changing a recently passed resolution that prohibits groups flying the Confederate flag from participating in the city's annual Veterans Day parade, at least for now.



The resolution, which was passed in May, makes the U.S. flag the only acceptable flag to be flown in the parade. Local resident Steven Harned spoke out against the resolution at Tuesday's City Commission meeting.



"We have to know and remember who we are. By removing these images, we feel that is it an attack on and destroying our heritage. It is demeaning, defiling and degrading of Americans who gave their lives doing what they thought was right," Harned said.



Mayor Brandi Harless said the decision to bar other flags from participation in the parade was not made lightly. "We did not take this lightly. I know that you probably think we did, because it seemed like it came and went so fast, but we did talk to our city attorney. We've had this conversation a lot, I have at least. I think some of these commissioners have as well." She said.



Commissioner Sarah Holland said she has been contacted by many veterans who do not want the Confederate flag flying in the parade. "We want to find space to honor all veterans, and I heard from a lot of veterans who do not want to see certain symbols in the Veterans Day parade."



Holland added that it is difficult to balance the rights of one veteran group against those of another when those groups disagree.



The Paducah Parade Committee was set to hear an appeal on the resolution from the Sons of Confederate Veterans on August 8, but that hearing was cancelled. There are reportedly no immediate plans to revisit the issue anytime in the near future.
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Several posts this last few days have upset a few nasty attacks from the USA. It is always nice to hit the nail on the head and upset the apple cart. That is what it is all about

This article got slaughtered by web attacks

The automated bot systems targeted in like a dart to a bulls eye. They brought WtR down many times. Wanting to stop people from thinking about statues! Oh My, Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

* * * * *

Then yesterday, I brought up so old wounds. Ukraine has disliked Windows to Russia since I reported several times from hotel rooms about what was going on in the country. They came after WtR, Boza, Svetochka and I with a few choice hate and death comments. They want me to, Hang like a dog, until dead! 

See what I mean about not traveling to Ukraine again?

I decided that today, since I am getting ready to leave for a week or so, I have other things to do, than post upsetting thinkings

So I will leave the two most hated posts right now still on the frontal edge of the website

Additional info: I am noticing site after site being attacked on the web. 99% of what is happening is and are sites that disagree with the Western Empire view point. I have talked about this for years on WtR and now after what seems to have been WtR used a test site, Many sites are being stifled time and time again

The link below is from the past that I posted. Ukraine I had found out later was using a test software by America to block sites, just like China does. Looks like soon and sooner than we want. The USA will be blocking anything that is considered not true in their eyes. It is happening even by Russia and soon the net will be sock monkey haven for all good people 

You have been warned and warned and warned. I started warning about this back in 2010. That was when the first signs for me, of blocking WtR appeared outside of US jurisdiction

Have a nice day

WtR
Sep 29, 2017 | By Tess

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, a state-owned research and technology company, has adopted a new plasma technology for producing metal 3D printing materials. The new equipment is enabling VTT to accelerate and streamline its industrial production and product development processes.

The new plasma system was recently installed as part of VTTs pilot environment for the production of metal powders destined for 3D printing use. According to VTT, the technology will enable pilot-scale demonstration across the entire production chain, from powder to product.

The new piece of equipment, which utilizes plasma technology, has been installed at VTTs facility in Tampere, a city in the south of Finland. The technology will be used not only to transform metals into 3D printing powders, but also to change and modify the properties of said powders, optimizing them for additive manufacturing.

That is, plasma treatments can be used to alter the final properties of a raw material. VTT is therefore aiming to increase the flowability of metal powders to better suit 3D printers. The process reportedly has important applications in developing and processing metal-ceramic composites, which are growing in popularity in industrial 3D printing.

With the adoption of the plasma metal powder processing technology, VTT joins only a few other facilities in Europe that currently use the technology. Unlike the existing systems in use, which are mostly used for research purposes, VTT says its equipment will be made available for both academic and industry applications.

"We offer an easy way to bring ideas and research results much closer to industrial exploitation, said Tomi Lindroos, research team leader at VTT. Our pilot environment, which is based on the one-stop principle, will markedly accelerate the achievement of results. We facilitate the entire production chain, from raw material to the testing of the finished component, thereby avoiding interruptions in companies' own production processes.

VTT adds that its plasma technology will allow it to develop and offer new material compositions for metal 3D printing, which will surely appeal to the energy sector, machine and equipment manufacturers, and research and academic institutions.

Finlands VTT research center also recently announced the development of 3D printing materials for wound care applications. These materials, which integrate cellulose nanofibrils, are designed to be used in combination with printed electronics to provide up-to-date, next-generation healthcare.

The developers of these innovative materials say they could be used to create bandages that communicate wirelessly with doctors, giving them real-time updates about the patients wound condition.

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

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Sep 29, 2017 | By Tess

A team from the Aachen-based Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has developed a novel process for micro-welding battery cells and power electronics. The technology, which uses microjoining and can be used in combination with 3D printing, is known as Laser-Based Tape-Automated Bonding, or LaserTAB.

According to Fraunhofer ILT, it has successfully combined robotics, laser scanning technology with new optics, and a process monitoring system to create an innovative lightweight robot (LBR) and an intelligent industrial work assistant (iiwa) designed to be used in close collaboration with humans. Notably, LaserTAB is reportedly the first sensitive robot to be manufactured in series.

The LaserTAB system, which can be used to microjoin battery cells, consists of a robotic arm mounted with a relay-optic and a spacer unit. The spacer enables the robot to feel when it touches the welding point, initiating the welding process. This means that extra parts such as complex clamps, which would normally be used to keep a position in place, are no longer necessary.

The spacer also ensures that the welding point is also a constant distance from the optic lens (maintaining the focal length), which allows for more precise microjoining and micro-welding, resulting in a higher-quality output.

According to Fraunhofer ILT, the LaserTAB microjoining system has a number of applications and benefits. As the group says, All possible applications point to the advantages of the new robot-assisted process, in which the user guides the robot directly to the point of use. It saves the previous, elaborate search of the focus position and the cumbersome positioning of the laser.

Fraunhofer ILT will be presenting and demonstrating its new micro-welding process this November at the productronica trade fair in Munich. There, visitors will be able to see the German team use a combination of 3D printing and the LaserTAB robot to microjoin and weld prismatic, round, and pouch cells for battery technology.

More specifically, the Fraunhofer ILT team will be demonstrating how a copper contact element can be connected to a round cell via LaserTAB. The copper connector, for its part, will be 3D printed using the organizations own Selective Laser Melting (SLM) additive manufacturing process (also known as Laser Beam Melting or Laser Powder-Bed Fusion (L-PBF).

Fraunhofer ILT will be present at the productronica trade show from November 14 to 17, demonstrating its new additive manufacturing combo process at booth B2.317. Interested parties can learn more about the innovative LaserTAB process there.

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

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Sep 29, 2017 | By Julia

The Dutch Navy has embarked on a new mission of the virtual variety: 3D scanning its entire fleet. The ambitious undertaking has arisen at the behest of Marinebedrijf Koninklijke Marine, the Dutch contractor in charge of maintaining the Royal Netherlands Navy vessels.

That maintenance includes everything from replacing damaged hull parts to executing necessary modifications for weapons systems and engines. For the staff of Marinebedrijf Koninklijke Marine, such heavy-duty maintenance is all in a days work, but difficulties can arise when dealing with ancient vessels for which no drawings or CAD files exist.

In the past, maintenance personnel would be faced with painstakingly designing these out-of-use parts through traditional imaging and tooling techniques. Its an exhaustive process that can take days, sometimes weeks.



Looking to speed up their work, the Marinebedrijf Koninklijke Marine recently turned to Artec 3D, a Luxembourg-based company that produces 3D scanners specifically designed for digitizing objects with tricky geometry and complex textures. For this project, Artecs structured light scanners Eva and Space Spider were deemed the best fit.

These specialized handheld scanners function by projecting light in a grid pattern onto a real-world object, allowing the scanners to capture the distortion from multiple angles, then calculate the distance between specific points on the object via triangulation. Using these coordinates, a 3D digital model can then be rendered.

According to Marinebedrijf Koninklijke Marine staff, Artecs scanners have been a godsend. Using 3D scanning has saved us up to weeks of workolder processes were very intensive requiring multiple types of measuring tools and then replicating the drawing into a CAD programme, says Ben Jansen, CNC coordinator at Marinebedrijf Koninklijke Marine.

Now, even when there is no 3D data or drawings of a part, were able to use an Artec 3D scanner to create a 3D image of the object, and the scan is used to reverse engineer the object. That part is then replicated using 3D printing techniques, 3-5 axis milling, or 3D welding.

In most cases, Jansen explains, ship parts are reverse engineered or newly created. This is especially the case in older navy vessels where the suppliers of the components no longer exist.

The Artec Eva has a capture speed of 16 frames per second, and is geared towards scanning medium-sized objects. It can simultaneously capture and process up to two million points per second with 0.1mm accuracy. The Artec Space Spider, on the other hand, is better suited to scanning smaller objects with intricate details. It can process up to one million points per second, and renders extremely high-resolution images up to 0.1mm.

Between the two devices, the Dutch Navys entire fleet can be accurately scanned in a fraction of the time it would take traditional methods.

As for Artec, the Luxembourg 3D scanning company is confident that its product line has the potential to revolutionize military maintenance. If you need to add anything to a military ship or planesuch as new seating or cupboardsthe fastest and most accurate way to get the measurements would be to scan the areas, says Andrei Vakulenko, chief business development officer at Artec 3D.

Quality control and inspection is another popular area, as parts such as propellers can be 3D scanned and checked regularly for quality assurance. 3D scanning can also play an important role in technical support, building new equipment, quality control, and crash testing, Vakulenko says.



With the Royal Netherlands Navy project under its belt, Artec is now looking ahead to a bright future. Ideally, that will include 3D scanning and 3D printing for military support on the move.

When 3D printing takes off fully we expect that all large ships will have 3D scanners and 3D printers on board so that parts can be 3D scanned and then 3D printed on the spot, Vakulenko says. At the moment, quite a few small parts can be 3D printed in durable plastic and used with great success, but the real breakthrough will come when 3D printers can achieve the same level of quality in metal.

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Sep 29, 2017 | By David

Heres another 3D printing news roundup, in case anything passed you by recently. The latest developments include a new resin 3D printer, a 3D printed jewellery collection, and much more besides.

1. Airwolf 3D offers new 3D printer Trade-In program

3D printer manufacture Airwolf 3D has launched a new service that is geared towards helping its existing customers to get the most out of 3D printing, without having to break the bank. The 3D printer Trade-In program will enable an older, more basic 3D printer to be part-traded for a newer model, the AXIOM. This means that customers will stay up-to-date without having to continually reinvest as the technology matures.

High-performance engineering materials such as polycarbonate are now just as easy to print with as PLA filament is, provided customers have the right 3D printer. The AXIOM, released back in 2014, was the first commercial desktop machine compatible with polycarbonate. This progress happened a lot faster than many could have predicted, which is partly what is inspiring Airwolf 3Ds new scheme. It will be particularly helpful for schools, many of which tried to save money by incorporating lower-cost 3D printers into their classrooms before learning that their printer was not robust enough for more advanced educational use, such as for robotics programs, STEM competitions, and other engineering design projects

We're hearing this feedback over and over again," said Airwolf 3D Co-Founder/CTO Erick Wolf. "Customers are coming to us because they want the advanced functionality of our 3D printers -- namely the ability to easily print 'difficult' materials like high-temperature polycarbonate and polypropylene or flexible materials like TPE and TPU. The problem is they'd like to buy our printers, but feel stuck with another brand of printer that just doesn't cut it when it comes to more demanding applications. The 3D Printer Trade-In Program is our way of investing in a long-term relationship with these customers by helping them add a high-performance 3D printer to their workflow immediately."

2. Affordable Minifab resin 3D printer project crowdfunded on Kickstarter

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched for a new resin 3D printer that should be significantly more affordable than other similar items on the market. The Minifab was developed by a San Jose-based startup of the same name, and it offers excellent print quality as well as a proprietary range of resins. These were developed with professionals, and they cover different levels of strength from high-strength to soft. The Minifab cures with 405nm light, which is a wavelength that makes it compatible with many other third party resins.

The cheapest price that the 3D printer is available for is $499. This pledge will get you a Minifab as well as 500ml of the basic, black resin. So far $4,460 of the $60,000 goal has been raised, and there are 43 days left of the campaign.

3. Kickstarter campaign launched for 'Encode Ring' 3D printed from a waveform

A one-of-a-kind new wearable product has recently been launched on Kickstarter. Its Encode Ring, a 3D printed ring, whose shape is a reproduction of the waveform of a customers voice. This innovative 3D printing project could work equally well as a novelty item or a personalized gift for a friend or loved one. It would be a unique way to propose to a partner, and even a recording of a dogs voice can be used.

The start-up developed a proprietary system that can take any voice recording and automatically transform it into a 3D model, with the exact same shape as the original waveform. This 3D design is then sent to be 3D printed, using the Selective Laser Sintering technique. This is used as a mold for the ring, which can be ordered in Rhodium, 14K Gold, 10K Pink Gold plate, 18K yellow gold, platinum, or Black plate.

Rhodium is the cheapest material, with a pledge of 10, 000 Yen and upwards getting you a Rhodium ring. The Platinum is available for a pledge of 129, 600 Yen or more. So far 40, 000 yen has been pledged of the 200, 000 goal, with 14 days to go.

4. Cooksongold and Boltenstern announced 3D printed jewellery collaboration

Cooksongold and Boltenstern are collaborating on a new 3D printed jewellery collection, to be 3D printed directly in precious metal. The pieces will be produced with an EOS Precious M080 3D printer, which is specifically designed for direct 3D printing of precious metal. Cooksongold will be bringing the 3D printing metal expertise, realizing Boltensterns innovative 3D designs.

'Jewellery is architecture in its smallest form. It is only by thinking in multiple dimensions that we can create pieces that are incredibly complex, yet desirably simple.' states Marie Boltenstern, Head of Design at BOLTENSTERN. ''The Embrace collection embodies precious materials embracing colourful joy. The key element of the collection is a gemstone, woven into a fine structure of precious metal. The fragile cage protects the inner beauty of the tender and unique gemstone. For me as a designer, Embrace reflects the modern woman with her shining inner strength.

Boltenstern has a background in architecture with a particular focus on computational design. She is capable of building algorithms and generating unique 3D shapes, which should lead to jewellery collections of never-before-seen complexity.

5. University of Sheffield contributes to new 3D printing center in Oman

A cutting-edge engineering research facility is to be established soon in Oman, and the project has received some major support from the University of Sheffield, UK. A team from the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) have spent the past two years working with colleagues from Sohar University in Oman, aiming to set up advanced manufacturing in the new facility.

The facility is due to open in 2018, and it will be the countrys first to combine advanced machining, specialist assembly, material development, optimised design, rapid prototyping and engineering testing. The focus will be on the strategic development of the supply chains of the aluminium, steel, composites and polymer industries.

Phase one of the project is going to be focused on advanced manufacturing to support industrial innovations, along with manufacturing tools that willl support small and medium-sized enterprises. Following this, phase two will involve private sector investments and create a new industrial hub in the region. The facility is hoping that foreign direct investment from major global manufacturers will be forthcoming, supporting the Designed and Made in Oman brand.

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I.AM.Magic wrote at 10/2/2017 9:00:12 AM:No links for all the stories ? :(




Within the sleek nighttime film-noirish background of Washingtons castles of privilege and power, it keeps a tight focus on the tormented conscience of Felt. The most thrilling parts are carried off subtly when the intricate game Throat sets in motion against those who want to use him begins to become apparent. Hes like Kevin Spaceys House of Cards character, but using all that subtle finesse not on behalf of his own power drive but for something more abstract that he believes in with his flesh and blood: the rule of law.

Of course, its more complicated than that, and the movie doesnt shy from giving us a Felt with a somewhat tarnished past in the service of J. Edgar Hoovers often lawless secret police force. (Felt was eventually convicted for using unconstitutional methods to track down the radical Weather Underground bombers.)

And there is a domestic subplot that seems almost too pat, a neglected wife (the always worthy Diane Lane, 52), a daughter lost to the 60s. It wants to serve as a counterpoint somehow, but its a bit blurred. Like reality.

Felt is no white knight. Nobody in history is. But I take issue with those who try to disparage his role. I was there. I spent a year in Washington, D.C., covering the Watergate and impeachment hearings. I stood 30 feet from Richard Nixon as he gave his final, teary farewell speech and coptered off to exile. And there is no denying that the impetus Felt gave Woodward, Bernstein and the Post (along with crusty old Judge John Sirica, who could see through the White House cover-up lies) did indeed in large measure keep the pressure on the White House until it collapsed  like a house of cards.
Both play widowed characters who live in neighboring homes in romantically picturesque Colorado, and neither can sleep alone. He's as sad as an Edward Hopper painting, hunched over microwaved macaroni in a big chair like a cage. Yet when she proposes that they sleep together  platonically, of course!  he asks if he can think it over. The affair grows slowly, like ice crystals ramifying on a Colorado window. There's some social satire of small-town gossips led by Bruce Dern, who makes nasty wisecracks about the couple. But the vibe is less like the satire of Dern's 2013 film Nebraska and more like Redford's earnest, heartfelt Ordinary People, which won him an Oscar for best director in 1981 on his first try (plus best picture and two other wins).

Kerry Brown/Netflix

There's still a hint of the couple's old Barefoot roles. When she says, "Tell me something about yourself," she's teasing, like her 1967 character who pretended to be a call girl to make her staid husband blush in an elevator full of suddenly disapproving glances. But she isn't kidding about demanding intimacy, and the stories they tell each other of tragic marriages, infidelity, soul-seared children and broken dreams are both sentimental and realistic.

Flowers & Gifts Proflowers 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items View Details See All Benefits See more Flowers & Gifts offers > {"hideCategory":false,"useAlternateLanguage":false,"headlineIconAltText":"","listItems":[{"categoryTitle":"Flowers \u0026 Gifts","categoryUrl":"/benefits-discounts/?category\u003dshoppingandgroceries-flowersandgifts","categoryDeeplinkParam":"shoppingandgroceries-flowersandgifts","isLimitedTimeOffer":false,"offerJson":{"offer_id":"","offer_title":"25% Off Flowers, Plants \u0026 Gifts","offer_short_title":"","offer_short_description":"25% off sitewide and 30% off select items","featured_offer":"","last_updated_by":"","offer_description":"\u003cp\u003eAs an AARP member, you automatically save 25% sitewide or you can save 30% on select items with promo code AARP30. 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Judy Greer has a genius scene as Redford's emotionally scarred but live-wire daughter, and Matthias Schoenaerts balances the film's sweetness as Fonda's bitter, hard-drinking divorced son. There's something in Fonda's performance that's horrifically remote, perhaps informed by her actual painful relationship with her father, Henry Fonda. Schoenaerts' character gave up a painting career (as did both the young Redford and Fonda) for a bad marriage he now realizes was mostly his fault.

In "Our Souls at Night," Jane Fonda plays Addie Moore and Robert Redford plays Louis Waters. Kerry Brown/Netflix

So when at long last  after one of Fonda's friends asks what the heck she's waiting for  they do decide to do something other than talk, it means something. Not every acting duo could pull off the morning-after scene, a car drive where everything important is conveyed by body language, but Redford and Fonda have 50 years of practice. Fonda is even better in this film than on TV's Grace and Frankie, where pro-grownup joshing about sexuality is more risque and silly. It's wonderful to see Redford compress himself into a rickety guy of few or no words, blossoming under Fonda's love and making her convincingly bloom, too. There are no surprises in the story, but when he bonds with her young grandson (promising Iain Armitage from Big Little Lies and Young Sheldon), it's not typical Hollywood jive emotion.

Redford and Fonda have made better movies, and director Batra's 2013 breakthrough, The Lunchbox, is a better romance. But if you want to catch two actors at the peak of their powers, what are you waiting for?
In 1989, Thirtysomething also broke ground with an episode, Strangers, that for the first time showed two gay men in bed together after having sex. That reportedly cost ABC $500,000 in canceled advertising, but it helped pave the way for shows such as Will & Grace to depict LGBT characters sexuality more realistically. The series even dared to kill off one of its main characters, college professor Gary Shepherd (Peter Horton), in a surprise twist mimicked by shows that followed.

The series focus on young adults and their relationship tensions led to awkward moments on the set, because cast members Ken Olin, who played advertising executive Michael Steadman, and his real-life wife, Patricia Wettig, were married to other characters in the show. It was like, wow, this is weird having to go to work, and theres this pretend intimacy going on all the time, Olin, now 63 and an executive producer of the series This Is Us, recently told Variety.
CAA International (CAAi) the State-to-State technical cooperation arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation (KDGCA).





Above: (left to right) Ben Alcott, UK CAA International Director; Chris Grayling MP, UK Secretary of State for Transport; Yousit

Al-Fozan, DGCA Director General; Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah, DGCA Chairman of the Board and President of Civil Aviation.



Witnessed by the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, this signing supports future collaboration between CAAi and the DGCA, to help strengthen Kuwaits aviation oversight capability through training and the provision of regulatory tools, to become a leading aviation regulator in the Middle East.



Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said: This new agreement is fantastic news for the UK and Kuwait and demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting higher standards of aviation safety. We remain committed to supporting Kuwait become a leading aviation regulator in the Middle East and boost safety levels in accordance with international standards.





This MoU builds on the success of previous collaborations between CAAi and the Kuwait DGCA. In 2013, CAAi were appointed to review Kuwaits aviation regulations and provide recommendations to update Kuwaits regulatory framework in accordance with the international standards of ICAO and harmonised with EASA.



Ben Alcott, International Director for the CAA International Group said, We are delighted to be in a position to continue working with the Kuwait DGCA. With the Kuwait air transport market expected to see some of the highest growth rates in the Middle East over the next few years, the UK CAA remains fully committed to supporting the Kuwait DGCA, promoting the highest standards in aviation oversight and regulation."


More than 60 Rohingya refugees are feared dead after a boat carrying them from Myanmar capsized, leaving distraught relatives to hold burials on Friday in Bangladesh camps that the Red Cross says are tipping into a health crisis.

Half a million Rohingya have crushed into camps in Bangladesh in just over a month, fleeing a Myanmar army campaign and communal violence that the UN describes as ethnic cleansing.

They have poured over on foot or crossed the Naf river, which bisects the two countries in overcrowded boats.

One of them capsized in rough waters on Thursday agonisingly close to the shore. The bodies of 23 people have been retrieved from the water so far but the death toll is expected to surge to around 60.

Forty are missing and presumed drowned, IOM spokesman Joel Millman told reporters in Geneva.

In distressing scenes, refugees on Friday held funerals for loved ones  among them children  who had left to seek sanctuary from violence that has cut through their homeland in Rakhine state.

A woman carried a small white bundle to a grave for a Muslim burial, while male relatives wept at a school building where bodies had been laid out. My wife and two boys survived, but I lost my three daughters, Shona Miah, 32, told AFP.
Navratri is when Bengal and its Durga Puja come to mind. This year too when Bengal was all enthused about the Durga Puja, the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee imposed a dictatorial one-sided rule taking the excuse of Muharram. This year too she did not lose the opportunity of appeasement of the minorities. To enable the minorities to have their Muharram processions, the Chief Minister banned the immersion of the Durga idols from the evening of Dussehra and through all the next Day. The Court opining on the PIL about this ban has pulled up the Bengal Government. They said the Government should have shown the same attitude to both the functions and allowed both the communities to observe their functions together. Last year too, the court had made the same observations, but the State has continued to maintain the same attitude. This act is a direct contempt of the court. Tolerant, intellectual activists will not be able to see this open contempt of the judiciary. Because, the Hindu festivals have always been the target of this dictator. The Hindus might feel a little emotional that at least the Judiciary has remembered that all religions have to be dealt with equity. But it must be said that the contempt shown to one pillar of democracy is a sign of degeneration of democracy.

Rahul Patekar

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
At least 21 people were killed and several injured in a rush hour stampede on a foot overbridge (FOB) linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations in Mumbai this morning, police said.

The tragedy took place amid rain in the city around 10.40 am when the FOB was heavily crowded, a police official said.

Police at least 21 people have been killed in a stampede at a railway station in the west-coast Indian city of Mumbai.

City police officer Rajaram Patel says another 20 people were injured when panicked pedestrians pushed forward to the end of an overcrowded bridge, with some people falling underfoot and being trampled.

11:45 a.m.

Police say a stampede at a Mumbai local train station has seriously injured at least 20 people amid heavy rains in the morning rush hours.

Police said the stampede was triggered by a rumor that a pedestrian overpass collapsed after concrete chunks fell. Chaos prevailed as people surged forward to leave the bridge.

Paramedics have taken the injured to a hospital, the police control room said.

Fifteen people were brought dead to the KEM Hospital in Parel, the official said.

Those injured were taken to various hospitals, he said.

Officials of the railway, police and fire brigade rushed to the site to carry out rescue operations.

12:50 p.m.

#NDRF team reaches the site of #MumbaiStampede; 22 people have lost their lives so far. 27 injured #Elphinstone pic.twitter.com/9bE1os6wa6  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

This is a developing story, more details awaiting.

Source: Agencies
The Bombay High Court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) why it had not challenged the trial court orders discharging senior IPS officials in the alleged fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati.

While hearing a revision application filed by Sohrabuddins brother Rubabuddin Sheikh, challenging the trial court orders of discharge, Justice Revati Mohite-Dere said the CBI should be equally aggrieved with the trial courts order.

She hence, asked the probe agency whether it was planning to challenge the trial court orders of August 2016, and August 2017 discharging IPS officers Rajkumar Pandiyan, D G Vanzara, and Dinesh M N.

Justice Mohite-Dere also gave oral instructions to the CBI counsel to refrain from framing of charges against any accused persons in the case until October 12, the next date of hearing in the High Court.

Rubabuddin Sheikh has filed separate petitions challenging the discharge of the above three officers from the case.

His counsel Gautam Tiwari also told the court today, that citing the orders of discharge of the above three officials, several other accused persons too were securing discharge on the grounds of parity.

The Special CBI court in Mumbai that is hearing the case after the Supreme Court ordered for the trial in the fake encounter case to be transferred out of Gujarat, had discharged the above three officials on the ground that the CBI had failed to get prior sanction or the special permission to prosecute them and hence, they could not be prosecuted.

Of the 38 people accused in the case, 15 have been discharged by the special court. 14 of the 15 people discharged are IPS officers.

The CBI has only challenged the discharge of one of these 14 officers  N K Amin, one of the key accused in the case.

Justice Mohite-Dere however, questioned whether the lack of such sanction alone could be adequate reason to warrant an accused persons discharge from the case.

She also dismissed the CBIs argument that it had challenged the discharge of two Rajasthan police sub-inspectors Himanshu Singh and Shyam Singh Charan.

You are opposing the discharge of sub-inspectors and constables. But, what about the IPS officers? Can the sole ground of lack of sanction be reason for discharge? All the IPS officers accused in the case have been discharged, only one has been challenged. The law is the same for all applicants. And you (CBI) must be as aggrieved as the applicant (Rubabuddin) with the discharge orders, Justice Mohite-Dere said.

Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kausar Bi were allegedly abducted by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad from Hyderabad on their way to Sangli in Maharashtra.

Sheikh was killed in an alleged fake encounter near Gandhinagar in November 2005, after which his wife disappeared.

Prajapati, an aide of Sheikh and an eyewitness to the encounter, was allegedly killed by police in Chapri village in Gujarats Banaskantha district in December 2006.

Vanzara, who was heading the ATS at the time, was charged by the CBI for having conspired with the other accused officials to kill Sheikh and the other victims and pass the incident off as an encounter.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 46F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 46F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
KLM Cargo is bringing works by Dutch masters back home to Amsterdam for a short time, after an absence of 300 years. The Netherlands flag carrier flew a number of works from St Petersburg, including Rembrandts Young Woman with Earrings for the Dutch Masters from the Hermitage. Treasures of the Tsars exhibition at the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam on the morning of 29 September, via Schiphol airport.

The pictures were transported in special, custom-made crates.

The show, from 7 October to 27 May 2018, includes 63 works by 50 Dutch masters of the Golden Age, including six paintings by Rembrandt. Most have not been exhibited in the Netherlands since they were purchased by the tsars.

The museums director, Cathelijne Broers, said: Its a complex operation transporting so many works by Dutch Masters. In the past, the works were usually transported by ship after purchase, but now they will be coming by road and air, which involves all sorts of regulations and security. KLM has a great deal of experience in this regard.

KLM Cargo executive vice president, Marcel de Nooijer, added: We are proud that KLM Cargo has been entrusted with the transportation of these works, ensuring that they will be temporarily on show in the Netherlands after more than 300 years.

In the past, KLM Cargo has transported works such as Johannes Vermeers Milkmaid and Damien Hirsts Shark  which weighs 5,000 kilos.

In 2016, it brought the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex from the US to the Netherlands, and in April 2017, transported two pandas from China to the Netherlands.

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Qatar Airways has bought a 49% share on AQA Holding, the new parent company of Meridiana fly, Italys second largest carrier. Alisarda has retained its 51% share in the carrier.

The Middle East carrier said the move would strengthen its presence in Italy where it currently flies from Doha to Rome, Venice, Pisa and Milan 42 times per week.

Meridianas fleet consists of Boeing 737s, 767s and MD-82s. It offers bellyhold capacity on its flights, hubbed on Milan Malpensa Airport with sales handled by World Cargo Solutions.

Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker said the partnership will help increase Meridianas competitiveness in the European market. We look forward to working together to reinforce its position to provide even more connectivity to Italy and other European destinations, as well as those in the US and beyond.

Former SITA chief executive Francesco Violante has been appointed chairman of Meridiana and a new chief executive will be appointed later.

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September 28, 2017

CAIRO  A murder that led Italy to recall its ambassador to Egypt last year remains unsolved, but the countries are once again engaging in diplomatic relations by restoring ambassador positions and promising to cooperate on a continuing investigation of the death.

Egypt refused, and still refuses, to admit that members of its police force were involved in the torture and murder of Italian doctoral student Giulio Regeni, despite overwhelming indications that they were. His brutalized body was found Feb. 3, 2016, in a ditch outside Cairo. Italy rejected the results of Egypt's investigation and disproved multiple scenarios the government put forward to assign blame elsewhere. Eventually, Egypt admitted that Regini had been under surveillance before he disappeared Jan. 25.

Rome recalled its ambassador in April 2016. As for Egypt's ambassador to Rome at the time, he remained there until retiring in June 2016. Egypt named his replacement, Hisham Badr, but the Italian Foreign Ministry postponed Badr's official appointment until Rome returned its ambassador to Cairo this month. Rome has assigned Ambassador Giampaolo Cantini to Cairo and accepted Badr, indicating improved relations after more than a year of Italy's icy contempt.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano expressed their desire during a Sept. 14 meeting in London to develop political, economic, military and security relations. After the meeting, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the two countries seek to counter illicit migration and fight terrorism. They also plan to cooperate in the energy sector, with production to begin soon at the offshore natural gas site Zohr field in the Mediterranean, under the supervision of Italian oil company Eni.

Shoukry confirmed during the meeting Cairos readiness to remove any obstacles facing Italian investments in Egypt and his wish for Italian tourism to return to Egypt.

Analysts told Al-Monitor that Egypt and Italy have come to terms with Regenis death and are seeking to cement their relations.

A former Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Gulf affairs, Ahmed al-Quesni, told Al-Monitor by phone, The two countries have overcome the Regeni crisis and learned that it is important to protect their interests and maintain diplomatic and economic cooperation in the coming phase, especially as the crisis froze cooperation for a while.

Quesni added, Relations between Italy and Egypt are historical, and there are large investments between them. Italy is Egypts second [largest] trade partner after the US. Moreover, Eni Co. is handling the extraction of petroleum from Zohr field in the Mediterranean. Their relations are important, and Regenis death was not expected to shake them that bad. But it took a while to understand Egypts stance and for the two countries to realize how to negotiate and solve their pending problems through active and open diplomacy.

He also said, Economic and trade relations between the two countries might improve in the future, and Egypt might be able to export its production to Italy and benefit from the decline of the Egyptian currency against foreign currencies.

Trade volume between Egypt and Italy rose 30% to 1.3 billion euros ($1.53 billion at today's exchange rate) in the first quarter of 2017, according to a June 29 statement by Egyptian Minister of Trade Tarek Kabil.

Improved relations with Italy are also expected to boost tourism for Egypt. Alaa el-Ghamry, a board member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, told Al-Ahram newspaper that the Italian ambassador's return will also ease tensions between the countries and help rectify Egypt's image abroad.

The nongovernmental Italian Tourism Association had decided in April 2016 to suspend its flights and stop all its activities with Egypt. The deputy head of the government's Egyptian Tourism Authority, Ahmed Hamdi, refused to tell Al-Monitor how much Egypt's tourism sector was affected by the Regeni case and claimed there were special security considerations to take into account. He said the return of Romes ambassador to Cairo will boost the influx of tourists, which has started to pick up recently.

Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics said in its 2015 annual booklet that Italy ranked No. 6 among countries whose citizens visit Egypt the most.

Tareq Fahmy, a political science professor at the University of Cairo, said the return of diplomatic representation between Egypt and Italy represents a new page.

He told Al-Monitor, Egypt and Italy have common interests that necessitate quick cooperation, especially regarding the Libyan [civil war] crisis. Italy wants to cooperate with Egypt on this level to protect its national security and also wants to address illegal migration that is harming Italy with the massive influx of migrants through the Mediterranean Sea. Italy and Egypt are also aiming to improve their economic relations.

Fahmy said Pope Francis visit to Cairo in April "set the stage for improved relations." The pope met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and discussed Regenis death, but the pope didn't reveal any details.

"Egypts judiciary and legal bodies also cooperated by presenting reports and evidence that investigation authorities in Italy had asked for, said Fahmy. He said Italy hasn't closed the Regeni case, but both countries want to improve relations while the investigations continue.

Fahmy concluded, The two countries have put their interests above the dispute in Regenis affair.
September 29, 2017

Days before the meeting this week between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, the press in both countries was busy discussing the potential issues on the agenda: Syria, the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum, Turkeys purchase of Russias S-400 defense system and  last, but very important to Turkey  Russias embargo on Turkish tomatoes.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov only added to the speculation by saying the day before the meeting that the visit had solely pragmatic goals.

On Sept. 28, Putin arrived in Ankara for his second visit to Turkey since the two countries began normalizing relations last year after Turkish forces downed a Russian jet in November 2015. From the airport, Putin headed to a working dinner with Erdogan that lasted almost two hours. Afterward, the talks continued in an expanded format. Putin was accompanied by a delegation including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, special envoy on Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, Gazprom Chairman Alexey Miller and Alexey Likhachev, the director general of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp.

A glance at the list of participants gives a sense of why the Russians came to Ankara.

The key issues discussed were the Syrian civil war and the aftermath of the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum, both of great importance for the two countries. For Turkey, with its significant Kurdish population and decades of attacks by the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party, the referendum is certainly a sore point. During a press conference that day, Erdogan called the vote illegitimate and said authorities in northern Iraq made a big mistake. No one has a right to throw our region into the fire, he added.

Since the Russians have been more ambiguous on the issue, Erdogan was likely keen to hear the Russian leaders opinion. However, its still not clear how much Putin revealed.

Erdogan said at the joint press conference, We have discussed regional issues including Iraq and Syria. We both agree on [maintaining] the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria.

For Russia, the Syrian settlement is more of a priority at the moment. In January, Moscow initiated negotiations in Astana, Kazakhstan, to find a peaceful solution to the protracted Syrian civil war. Remarkably, the Astana process has not only made some progress in the Syrian conflict, but also brought together Iran and Turkey, which have totally different positions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

In May, the Syrian cease-fire guarantors  Russia, Iran and Turkey  signed a memorandum to set up four de-escalation zones in Syria. During his recent visit, Putin said Moscow and Ankara will deepen coordination on ending the six-year conflict.

The de facto conditions for ending the fratricidal war in Syria, the final destruction of terrorists and Syrians return to a normal life have been created, Russias leader stated. Erdogan said Turkey and Russia had confirmed their determination to maintain joint will and close cooperation to find a political solution in Syria.

In addition to the regional agenda, the two parties addressed bilateral economic ties. They both said they are satisfied with this years boost in bilateral trade.

While last year we observed a drop of 32%, over the course of seven months of this year the increase amounts to 31.5%. So we restored the losses and in the remaining time of this year will have a surplus, Putin said.

At the press conference, Russian and Turkish leaders predictably mentioned the importance of two major projects  the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. Putin noted, We have scrutinized details of [these two] strategic projects." He added that Moscow hopes Turkeys first nuclear reactor, which Russia helped build, will be launched within a short time frame.

One sensitive issue that has plagued the countries bilateral trade since Jan. 1, 2016  the Russian import ban on Turkish tomatoes  has apparently been fixed as well. The ban was part of the anti-Turkish sanctions Moscow imposed following the jet crisis, and thus far hadnt been part of the normalization process by which most of the sanctions were lifted.

The limitation on tomatoes is being removed, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci told reporters after the talks. We have confirmation from the Russian head of state, but we will wait until we make the first shipment to be sure.

Earlier in September, Moscow had said it might resume tomato imports from Turkey in small amounts during the winter season, when local producers are unable to fully cover Russias domestic needs. Both Putin and Erdogan also agreed to continue lifting trade and investment barriers to their respective businesses.

The two leaders did not mention what was expected to be one of the most important issues on the bilateral agenda: delivery of the S-400 missile defense system. Earlier this month, Erdogan announced that Turkey had signed a deal to buy the S-400s, despite the criticism and concerns of some of Turkey's NATO allies. He said that a deposit had been already paid. Though neither leader mentioned the deal this time, Russias state news agency Tass reported Sept. 28 that delivery of the systems could begin in two years.

The Russian media paid a lot of attention to the Putin-Erdogan meeting. State-run Rossiya 24 even prepared a special documentary about the modern history of Russian-Turkish relations, emphasizing their strategic nature and focusing on the positive aspects. The movie, aired shortly after the Putin-Erdogan press conference was broadcast live, showed the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, mentioned the great contribution of Turkish business (especially construction companies) to Russias economy and interviewed happy Turkish expats who consider Russia their homeland. Controversial topics such as Syria and the Russian stance on the Kurdish issue were omitted.

At the same time, the Russians paid special attention to Turkeys relations with other players, namely NATO, the United States and Germany. Two weeks before Putins visit to Ankara, a panel of experts on the current state of bilateral relations was convened by Istanbul-based TRT World and the Moscow-based Center for Modern Turkish Studies. The message of the event was that amid US and European Union sanctions against Russia and the anti-Turkish stances of some Western countries, Turkey and Russia are getting closer and are likely to continue deepening their cooperation.

One of the speakers was Dmitry Savelyev, who coordinates the Russian-Turkish Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Russian parliament. During the discussion, he said Russia views Turkey as a key partner in the East.

While Americans ignore Turkey, we respect the Turkish position, Savelyev said. He also said Turkey is very welcome to join the Eurasian Economic Union  an alternative to Ankaras withered hope of attaining EU membership.
September 28, 2017

Hope for Irans long-overdue accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) appears to have disappeared. The July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed between Tehran and six world powers, has done little to bring about a consensus within the organization to proceed with Irans membership bid. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, the Iranian government has little to show in terms of practical action to realize its stated aim of liberalizing the economy.

The WTOs consensus rules are such that a single opposing, influential member can be enough to reject a countrys accession bid. Iran first applied for membership in the important world body 21 years ago, but its repeated efforts to accede to the organization have long been stalled by the United States.

It was only in 2005  when Washington decided to use its influence as an incentive for Iran to stay in its then-collapsing nuclear talks with European states  that the countrys accession bid made any progress, and the WTO accepted it as an observer member. A similar opening was expected in the aftermath of the landmark nuclear deal that was signed in 2015. However, this opening was apparently closed with the election and coming into office of Donald Trump as president of the United States.

Iran has not hidden its deflated hopes of joining the world body. Last month, the countrys deputy minister of industry, mine and trade, Mojtaba Khosrotaj, said joining the WTO is no longer a priority for Tehran. This showed the Iranian governments clear shift away from its optimistic tone in the aftermath of the signing of the nuclear deal.

Trumps aggressive stances against Iran more broadly, and especially against the nuclear deal, are well-known. His posture is in line with some members of the US Congress, who wrote a letter last year to the US trade representative that lobbied against the Islamic Republics accession to the WTO. The legislators said Iranian WTO membership could remove Washington 's ability to impose further sanctions on the Iranian economy.

Meanwhile, a WTO working group tasked with examining Irans foreign trade regime continues to await a chairman. The group has not been able to meet since 2005, directly due to the politically motivated veto of Irans political adversaries. But even if the working group did meet, Irans trade regime would not have much to offer to the WTO, particularly as it does not specify a reliable road map for turning the state-dominated Iranian economy into a free and competitive one.

Al-Monitor discussed the current situation with Mohammed Mehdi Behkish, the secretary of the Tehran office of the International Chamber of Commerce. He said, Iran has submitted its foreign trade regime to the WTO. In fact, the government has submitted it quite a few times. Yet in Behkishs telling, this will in reality not make much of a difference under the present circumstances. The trade regime will not yield any result if the country does not make a final decision regarding the liberalization of the economy, he said, adding, The government should specify under what process it will undertake the liberalization.

He said that despite the government's rhetoric favoring policies that promote a free market, deregulation, transparency and broader economic reform, the decisions made in the past four years indicate that the administration of President Hassan Rouhani has done little to realize those objectives. Rouhani speaks about creating competitiveness in the economy, but in practice we see no sign that this is going to happen, Behkish, a well-known economist who advocates free trade, said. A few steps have been taken, but perhaps they have been too small and lacked strategy. There should be a process and the process should be clear.

The forces and interests that have been pushing against the government's seeming desire for economic liberalization have been strong. And the president has clearly been too moderate to resist these pressures, failing to sufficiently push back and engage in a radical change in policies. As previously explained in Al-Monitor, Iran has gigantic economic entities run by actors outside the purview of what one would call traditional government or private sectors  the quasi-state sector. If genuine economic liberalization is to take place, the full extent of the oftentimes shady operations of these entities should be made known to the public; transparency would reduce opportunities for corruption and personal gain.

But the additional twist in this saga is that quasi-state economic giants are not the only beneficiaries  and lobbyists  of the opaqueness of the Iranian economy. Even the private sector has been pressuring policymakers to preserve the muddied status quo. Private sector players have been actively working against a reduction in regulations and a lowering of tariffs. This, according to Behkish, is demonstrated in the governments inability to efficiently implement preferential trade agreements.

For instance, ever since Iran started to implement a preferential trade agreement with Turkey in early 2015, the agreement has faced criticism from domestic industry. Similar concerns, Behkish told Al-Monitor, have challenged Irans plans to clinch regional trade deals, including with the Economic Cooperation Organization, of which it is a founding member. As such, absent tangible action to open up the Iranian economy in a serious manner, WTO membership will remain a mirage for Iran  even under Rouhani.
September 29, 2017

ANKARA, Turkey  After Iraqi Kurds voted for independence Sept. 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to starve them into submission by cutting the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline and closing the border. He even threatened to send troops into Iraqi Kurdistan. But by the end of the week, all Turkey appeared to have done was to stop Turkish airliners from flying to northern Iraq.

Some journalists who went to the presidential palace for Erdogans meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin the evening of Sept. 28 planned to ask the Turkish leader about the difference between his threats and delivery. They were disappointed. Erdogan did not take any questions. He closed the press conference as soon as he and Putin completed their statements about the talks.

Yet there were hints of what drives the two leaders and their differences.

Erdogan stressed that he and Putin agreed on the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, meaning no Kurdish secession in either state. He said the Iraqi Kurds had to be prevented from making further grave mistakes after the Sept. 25 referendum, in which almost 93% voted in favor of independence, with the turnout at 72%.

It is important that the international community sides with Iraqs territorial integrity and political unity, Erdogan said. This seemed to be a departure from his stance four days before. As the Iraqi Kurds went to the polls, Erdogan had spoken as if the world did not count, suggesting that Turkey would act alone. We have the tap, Erdogan said, referring to Turkeys control of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline. If we turn it off, lets see what northern Iraq will do with its oil. Through which channel will their oil flow?

Iraqi Kurdistan shares borders with Syria, Iran and Turkey, all of which opposed the referendum, along with the central government in Baghdad.

More ominously, Erdogan had said Sept. 25 that it was not for nothing that the Turkish army was performing military drills along the border with Iraqi Kurdistan. If necessary, we will do what we did in Syria, Erdogan said, referring to Turkish military operations in Syria.

In his statement to the press, Putin withheld any comment on Erdogans threats against the Iraqi Kurds, while praising the Turkish leader for agreeing to deploy troops to create de-escalation zones in Syria, particularly the new zone in Idlib province.

"I consider these agreements our common, extremely important success," Putin said. "We are creating conditions for the refugees' return and  what is of principal importance  for stepping up the search for a long-term political settlement in Geneva."

On Iraq, Putin said his position had been expressed by the Russian Foreign Ministry the day before. The statement expressed commitment to the territorial integrity of Iraq but added, Moscow respects the national aspirations of the Kurds  a phrase Erdogan would find utterly unpalatable.

The ministry went on to say, We believe that all disputes that may exist between the Iraqi federal government and the government of the autonomous Kurdish Region can and should be solved through constructive and respectful dialogue, with a view to devising a mutually acceptable formula of coexistence within a single Iraqi state.

The statement is careful to uphold Iraqi unity, but it also recognizes the value of Kurdish national aspirations and constructive and respectful dialogue. This seems to leave open the possibility that should such dialogue lead to a mutually agreed secession, Russia would recognize a Kurdish state.

Erdogan would not accept a Kurdish state, however it is achieved. This week he said the Iraqi Kurds are incapable of becoming independent: They dont have an idea on how to be a state. They think that they are a state just by saying it. This cant and wont happen.

But as Peter Galbraith, a former US ambassador and champion of the Kurdish cause, said earlier this year, once the Iraqi Kurds have voted for independence, The US and others will adjust to that reality. No fewer than 27 countries have emerged through secession since 1991, Galbraith said.

At press time, the only sanctions that Turkey had imposed on the Iraqi Kurds were halting flights by Turkish airliners, private and state-owned, to Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, telling the representative of Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani he would not be allowed to return to his post in Ankara, banning the Iraqi Kurdish TV channel Rudaw from Turkish airwaves and ending Turkish military training for the Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga force.

What has caused Erdogan to refrain from shutting the oil pipeline and the border?

On the pipeline, the answer is Russia, according to Eugene Kogan, a defense and security expert based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Russia has invested $4 billion in Iraqi Kurdistans oil and natural gas industries in the past 12 months, surpassing the United States to become the biggest foreign investor in northern Iraq. The state oil corporation, Rosneft, plans to ship large quantities of crude from Turkeys Ceyhan terminal to Germany, where it will be refined and sold to Europeans. Any tightening of the valves on the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline would impede that trade.

Erdogan has to listen very carefully to what Putin is telling him, Kogan told Al-Monitor. Russias purchase of Kurdish oil is exactly what holds Erdogan back from closing the pipeline.

Erdogan is constrained also by Turkeys own economics. The country is recovering from a near recession. Turkey sold $7.6 billion worth of food, consumer goods, construction materials and other goods to Iraq last year, according to the Turkish Statistics Institute. Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said this week that nonoil trade with Iraqi Kurdistan was worth $2.5 billion.

If Turkey closes the border, Not only would the Kurds lose, but Turkey would also lose, Turkish political scientist Dogu Ergil told Al-Monitor. The loss of trade would hit Turkish manufacturers and particularly Turkish Kurdish companies that specialize in selling goods across the border. One-third of Turkish Kurds tend to vote for Erdogans Justice and Development Party in elections.

Erdogans apparent failure to deliver on his threats makes him look weak internationally, as a leader whose bark is much worse than his bite.

But Ergil argues that Erdogan's harsh rhetoric appeals to his voters. He is portraying himself as tough, Ergil said; Erdogan's threats against the Iraqi Kurds were not actually intended for the world, but for internal consumption.
The Rev. Becca Stevens, an Episcopal priest who founded Magdalene ministry for women and Thistle Farms in Nashville, rescues prostitutes and puts them to work making scented lotions and soaps.

In 2000, she started Thistle Farms in Nashville, an outgrowth of her ministry, the Magdalene residential community, that rescues women and offers them rehabilitation and a job. There are five homes that house 70 women, Stevens said.

The women work at Thistle Farms, a company that manufactures and sells bath and body products, oils, lotions, soaps, candles. "This is a company run by women survivors," Stevens said.

"People realize, 'I can buy this soap and help save a woman's life.'"

Thistle Farms also runs a cafe.

"We're growing, we're thriving," Stevens said. "Amazing women are coming in."

The bad news is that sex trafficking continues to thrive.

"The fans of exploitation have been flamed through the internet," Stevens said.

The good news is that more people than ever are joining the effort to fight it.

"The biggest change I've seen is people willing to have compassion and engage the problem," Stevens said. "The thing that has changed most radically is the conversation and awareness. These are not new issues. There are more people willing to help."

Stevens will be in Birmingham on Sunday, Oct. 1, to preach at St. Mary's on-the-Highland's Episcopal Church at 11 a.m.

"I love that I get to come to Birmingham and meet people who want to be part of the solution," she said. "This is about organizing and gathering folks."

She will also speak at a luncheon at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 2, the Episcopal Church Women Fall Fundraiser benefitting St. Mary's GED Program. Tickets are $40 and include boxed lunches from Brick and Tin.

"I'm going to talk about thinking big, and then doing small acts," Stevens said. "These small acts build up to something big. We don't have to be overwhelmed."

Stevens said there are 40 sister organizations across the country that work with hers, with their own independent boards of directors, employing 1,800 women who are survivors of sex trafficking.

As many as 85 percent of prison inmates experienced some time of abuse as children, Stevens said. "The roots of all of it are child trauma," Stevens said. "There are reasons that women are vulnerable to the violence of trafficking."

This week she was in Arizona speaking to women inmates.

"They knew each other when they were minors," Stevens said. "There's a big operation trafficking minors."

Prostitution and the drug trade are intertwined, she said. "Many of them got addicted," she said.

"It's a hard, hard road," she said.

The key to helping victims of sex trafficking is to think of them as victims first, not criminals, Stevens said.

"I ask people to think about this: if your action is walking the streets and selling drugs, what were their choices?" she said. "No one ever got to the streets by themselves. It's a lot of failed systems. They're victims before they're criminals. We can have an impact. There is hope."

People have responded to the call for more help to reach victims of sex trafficking, Stevens said. "The language continues to be more compassionate," she said. "When we as a community help turn that brokenness into compassion, that's a force to be reckoned with. They just need a lot of love and resources."
A 21-year-old from Huntsville is seeking youthful offender status in a manslaughter case related to the DUI crash death of another man.

Jacob Anderson Kirby has been indicted on a manslaughter charge in the 2016 death of Jason Matthew Pressnell,court records show. Pressnell died at age 21 in a crash on Old Highway 431 near Self Road in New Hope. He was a passenger in Kirby's car when it left the highway, hit a driveway culvert and flipped Aug. 20, 2016. Pressnell was thrown through the car's sunroof and pronounced dead at the scene, according to a state trooper crash report.

This diagram is included in a state trooper report of the crash.

Kirby's 2004 Acura was traveling an estimated 60 mph when it left the highway, according to the crash report. The posted speed limit was 45 mph. Kirby, who was 20 at the time, is accused of being under the influence of alcohol, a Madison County indictment alleges. The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. when they were traveling north toward Huntsville. Kirby and a second passenger also were injured.

Madison County Assistant District Attorney Shauna Barnett said prosecutors waited to present the case to a grand jury until blood test results were released by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

"Most of our traffic homicide cases, we handle this way," Barnett told AL.com. "We wait until we have toxicology and any other evidence back -- that way we don't jump to charges or overreach before we get the charge."

An indictment is issued when a grand jury determines prosecutors have enough evidence to send a case to trial. Kirby was indicted in July. He was booked into the Madison County Jail in August and released on $10,000 bail.

If Madison County Circuit Judge Allison Austin grants Kirby youthful offender status, he will face no more than 3 years of punishment. If he is put on trial as an adult, Kirby faces up to 20 years in prison.

Any defendant who is under 21 at the time of an alleged crime can apply for youthful offender status. Courts typically consider things like criminal history, mental state, age, childhood experiences, seriousness of offense and role in the alleged crimes, when using their broad discretion to determine who is granted youthful offender status.

"We believe he is a good candidate for youthful offender status, given the facts as the state claims," said Kirby's attorney Marcus Helstowski. "He does not belong in jail."

Judge Austin will consider Kirby's request at a hearing Oct. 26 at 9 a.m.
"A sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach because we had lost the landing," Apollo 13 Fred Haise said in Huntsville, Ala. Thursday. Haise was describing the moment he realized his crew's mission to the moon had been ended by an explosion on their spacecraft.

Haise and fellow astronauts James Lovell and John Swigert were 200,000 miles from Earth heading for the moon in April of 1970 when an oxygen tank exploded on board their combined command module and lunar lander. The command module's normal supply of water, light and electricity was gone. "Houston, we've had a problem," Swigert told Mission Control in a famous line from America's space history.

Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise Live at #NASAMarshall We're live with a true American hero, retired NASA astronaut Fred Haise! Haise was a member of Apollo 13. He is visiting #NASAMarshall today for Safety Week, and today's theme is "Learning." Earlier today Haise spoke with #NASAMarshall team members about his experiences in space and embracing all the ways in which we absorb and apply the personal and professional lessons we learn. Join us for this Facebook Live, and ask any questions you have for Haise in the comments below! Posted by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center on Thursday, September 28, 2017

Speaking on video to NASA historian Brian Odom at the Marshall Space Flight Center Thursday, Haise described what happened next. He also talked about what it's like to ride a Saturn V off the launch pad and what it will take to get to Mars. The video has already been watched 80,000 times.

"The best thing was we got back," Haise said of the mission that was also rated a success by NASA for all the lessons learned about survival in space. Read the NASA account of the mission here.

Haise was at Marshall for an internal Safety Week meeting with NASA and contractor employees.

(Updated Sept. 28 at 6:40 to correct the date of the mission)
Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery

The Alabama State University Board of Trustees today approved a contract offer for university President-elect Quinton Ross.

Ross would be paid $300,000 a year under the contract, which is for three years, officials said.

Ross was not at the meeting and has not yet signed the contract.

Board Chairwoman Alfreda Warner Green declined to release a copy of the contract, saying she would have to check with the board's attorney because the contract was not yet final since it had not been signed by Ross.

Ross, who has represented a Montgomery district in the state Senate since 2002, would have to resign from the Senate to accept the position.

Three weeks ago, the board voted 12-2 to hire Ross, who holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the university. The board chose Ross over three other finalists.

Ross is a former high school principal in Montgomery and former director of adult education at Trenholm State Community College. Since 2015, he has been a manager and consultant for postsecondary education for the Alabama Education Association.

Ross would replace Gwendolyn Boyd. The board fired Boyd in December after almost three years on the job for "failure to maintain the confidence of the board." Leon Wilson has served as interim president since.

Today, the board voted 9-2 to approve the Ross contract. Board members Robert Barnett and Joe Whitt voted no.

Whitt, who voted against hiring Ross three weeks ago, said today he supported Ross but disapproved of the contract approval process.

The board had previously passed a resolution saying it would take five days to review a contract before voting on it. Board members did not have five days to review what they approved today.

"We are about to do something that is not responsible," Whitt said.

Board member Brenda Brown Hunter disputed Whitt's assertion. Hunter said she had received the proposed contract in time to ask specific questions about it and receive answers so that she was ready to vote today.

Board Chairwoman Green acknowledged that the board did not stick to the five-day resolution but said the circumstances required some flexibility.

"In our view this university needs to have a president come on board to take care of some things that need to be taken care of to move the university forward," Green said. "The continuance of a delay to that process will hamper the university or could hamper the university."

Green said she had high expectations for a Ross presidency.

"I do think it's going to be a really fresh start for the university," Green said. "I think he has some connections and some experience that some of our previous presidents haven't had, some networking opportunities with the Legislature. And just his overall quality of how to get things done."

Ross would become Alabama State's 15th president in what is the 150th anniversary of university.

Nine freed slaves founded Lincoln Normal School, the predecessor of ASU, in Marion in 1867.
The Alabama Supreme Court today reversed decisions by two lower courts that had granted claims of sovereign immunity by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and its related businesses.

In a third case, the court affirmed the dismissal of a lawuit filed by a man who claimed he was wrongly denied a $1.4 million payout on an electronic bingo machine at the Poarch Creek casino in Montgomery.

In each opinion, the state Supreme Court referenced U.S. Supreme Court decisions on tribal immunity and explained how limitations on that immunity affected the three cases.

Two of the cases involved alcohol-related traffic accidents. The court ruled against the Poarch Creeks in both.

"We are disappointed in the Alabama Supreme Court's decision in both of these cases not to follow federal precedent, and we are weighing our options at this time," Sharon Delmar, public relations tribal liaison for the Poarch Band, said in an email.

The Supreme Court reversed a decision by the Elmore County Circuit, which had ruled in favor of the Poarch Creeks and their Wind Creek Casino in Wetumpka in a lawsuit filed by Casey Marie Wilkes and Alexander Jack Russell.

On Jan. 1, 2015, Wilkes and Russell were injured in a traffic accident on Alabama 14 in Elmore County. A Wind Creek pickup truck driven by Wind Creek employee Barbie Spraggins, crossed the median and struck their vehicle, driven by Wilkes, head-on.

A test showed Spraggins had a blood-alcohol content of 0.293 percent, more than three times the legal limit, almost two hours after the wreck. During her employment with the casino, Spraggins had been referred to a counseling program for help with an alcohol problem, according to the lawsuit. Spraggins was fired after the wreck.

Wilkes and Russell sued Spraggins, the Poarch Creek tribe and the casino, alleging negligence and wantonness. In June 2016, the Elmore County Circuit Court granted the tribal defendants' request for a summary judgement because of sovereign immunity.

The Supreme Court, in a 7-0 decision today, reversed that ruling, finding that sovereign immunity did not apply under the circumstances, and sent the case back to the lower court for further consideration. The court opinion noted that Wilkes and Russell were simply traveling on a public road and had not chosen to engage in a transaction with the Poarch Creeks.

The ruling was 7-0. Justices Greg Shaw and Kelli Wise recused.

The Supreme Court also reversed a decision by the Escambia County Circuit Court, which had dismissed part of a lawsuit filed by the mother of a man who died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident in a police chase on a county road on tribal land.

The man, Benjamin Harrison, was the passenger in a vehicle driven by Roil Hadley. The lawsuit by Harrison's mother, Amada Harrison, claims that the Wind Creek casino in Atmore "negligently and wantonly" served Hadley alcohol even though he was already intoxicated.

The accident happened in March 2013. Two months later, Amada Harrison sued the Poarch Creek tribe, the casino and two Poarch Creek police officers. In October 2013, the Escambia County Circuit Court granted the tribe's request to dismiss the claims against it and its related businesses because of sovereign immunity. The court did not dismiss the claims against the two police officers, which were put on hold.

In an 8-0 decision released today, the Supreme Court reversed the Escambia County court's decision that the tribe was immune from the claim that the casino "negligently and wantonly" served alcohol to the driver. The Supreme Court ordered the lower court to reconsider whether it had jurisdiction to decide Amada Harrison's claims.

The decision was 8-0. Shaw recused.

The court upheld the decision of a Montgomery County judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Jerry Rape in 2011. Rape claimed he was wrongly denied his winnings when he won $1.4 million on an "electronic bingo" machine at the tribe's Montgomery casino in 2010.

The Poarch Creeks asked that the case be dismissed because of sovereign immunity, and the Montgomery Court granted that request. Rape appealed the decision. In a 7-0 decision today, the state Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal, finding that because of the "unique circumstances of the case" there was "no analytical path to an award of relief" for Rape.

"We are pleased that the Court affirmed the ruling in favor of the Tribe," Delmar said.

This story was corrected at 2:27 p.m. to change an inaccurate description of the court's reasoning for affirming the dismissal of the Rape case. Updated at 5:00 p.m. to add statements from the Poarch Band. This story was corrected on Oct. 6 to correct the year in which Jerry Rape filed suit. It was also edited to clarify that the pickup truck driven by Barbie Spraggins in the Wilkes-Russell case was owned by Wind Creek casino.


At a lunch Thursday afternoon, a Birmingham LGBTQ fund distributed a total of $20,000 in grants to six area organizations.

The fund, which is dubbed LGBTQ Fund and was launched three years ago at the behest of donors to The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, is aimed at supporting programs that help and support the area LGBTQ community.

The foundation gave the groups oversized checks to help them pay for efforts ranging from creating kits to help homeless LGBTQ youth to scholarships for area kids to attend an summer leadership camp for LGBTQ folks.

The Thursday event comes as the fund nears its initial goal of raising a $250,000 endowment, and looks ahead to its new "stretch" goal of raising $500,000.

"All the data, particularly in the South, shows that we have high suicide rates, and high rates of rejection from the home and mental health issues among the LGBTQ population - it's disproportionate," Christopher Nanni, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said. "So the motivating factor was to focus on these people who are most marginalized."

The groups, which each received a grant from the foundation of between $2,700 and $4,300 Thursday, are AIDS Alabama, Alabama Safe Schools Coalition, Birmingham AIDS Outreach, Transgender Advocate Knowledgeable Empowering, the UAB Department of Pediatrics' pediatric endocrinology division, and YWCA Alabama.

The fund has grown more than four-fold since its launch, enabling it to have a wide impact in a short amount of time, according to Genie Taylor, chairwoman of the fund's advisory board.

"What really drives this fund is knowing that we have so many really strong members of the LGBTQ community, but there is so much need," she said. "We believe that our community, Birmingham, needs the strengths and skills of all us and needs to be ... a place where businesses feel comfortable relocating, where families feel comfortable no matter who they are."

Nanni said that grants the fund doled out in past years are doing a lot to help LGBTQ people throughout the Birmingham region.

"I've gotten to visit some of the grantees and the kids who are impacted by it. It's amazing what a little amount of money can do," "A lot of it is just about acceptance and connectedness; that's the power of what a lot of these organizations are doing."
Salem, Occupied West Bank  Muhammads sheep have been eating each others wool out of frustration and misery.

Their pasture is just across the road and beyond the hills of al-Jabal al-Kbir (The Big Mountain), but since their owner is Palestinian, they cannot go anywhere near it. Instead, they spend much of their day cooped up in a pen. They can roam in the near vicinity, but the thorns and thistles here are no substitute for the grass fields across the road.

They want to be outside grazing in the pasture; theyre used to going out every day, Muhammad, a 40-year-old shepherd who spoke under a pseudonym for fear of reprisal, said sorrowfully.

His sheep are suffering, but there is not much that he can do for them.

READ MORE: Can Israel transfer its Palestinian population?

Over the decades, the settlement of Elon Moreh has swallowed thousands of dunums of pasture from the neighbouring villages of Salem, Azmut and Deir al-Hatab, located about 10km east of Nablus. Ninety percent of Muhammads land is located across the road, which is accessible only to soldiers and settlers.

Most of the time, he said, a local settler prevents Palestinians from going anywhere near their lands. Years ago, the settler established an illegal outpost on their land, where he herds hundreds of his own sheep. Sometimes he shoots at Palestinians with a machine gun; other times he calls upon soldiers to intervene, Muhammad told Al Jazeera.

Even the sheep know when its time to run away, he said. Hes so crazy. As soon as we see him, we head back. He patrols with his car, too, so were always trying to find a place to go where his car cant reach.

Eight years ago, Muhammads cousin and his herd of sheep were killed after being struck by an Israeli bus while attempting to cross the road.

Despite such risks, Muhammad still crosses the road from time to time out of necessity. But he has not attempted the crossing since May, knowing that if he loses any of his remaining sheep, he will not be able to feed his family.

The shepherds feel besieged. Wherever they turn, there are barriers. When they try to take their sheep north, the soldiers stop them, as there is a military camp nearby, Muhammad said.

He leads the way down a winding dirt path to show the road that physically separates Palestinian shepherds from their farmland and natural water resources. It was built in 1996 to connect the settlements of Elon Moreh and Itmar. A barrier has been erected on the path, blocking Palestinians from accessing it.

Muhammad stops hundreds of metres from the barrier; the road is barely visible in the distance. Asked if it is possible to get closer, he hesitates: We better not. They might arrest us.

Across fields of olive trees, an Israeli watchtower overlooks the entire landscape from atop a hill.

Muhammads family have been shepherding for generations. As a child, he and his siblings walked more than an hour after school each Thursday to the Jordan Valley, where they would help their parents herd a flock of 400 sheep for the weekend. For the children, it was like vacation, he said.

Today, working as a shepherd in the village of Salem is much more dangerous. The 400 sheep that belonged to Muhammads father have dwindled to about 60, and they barely have enough to eat. With nowhere to graze, Muhammad spends a huge sum of money to feed them seeds in their pen, taking loans that he will never be able to pay off.

We dont live a normal life. Our guard is always up; were always under pressure, Muhammad said. We cant even eat normally; there is no stability in our lives because of the settlers and the soldiers.

According to a 2016 report by BTselem, since 1967, Israel has used various measures to dispossess Palestinians from their land and transfer it to settlers. The illegal Elon Moreh settlement was first established in 1980 on 128 hectares of village land. Two years later, a nature reserve was declared on some of the remaining land, and five years later, the nature reserve became state land.

The Palestinian villagers were further separated from their land by bureaucratic means. In September 1995, after Oslo II, most of their land that was already built up was designated as Area B, while their farmland and pastures were labelled Area C, under full Israeli control. Using the lands for any purpose, including grazing, requires Israeli approval, which is almost always withheld.

In practice, each and every restriction Israel has imposed on the residents of Azmut, Deir al-Hatab and Salem has enabled settlers to encroach on these lands and increase the land under settler control, BTselem stated in its report.

The separation Israel has created between the Palestinian residents and their farmland and pasture land allows settlers to build houses, establish outposts, dig pathways, plant crops and groves, graze flocks, and take over natural water sources on that land.

Asked why Palestinians are not allowed to cross the road to get to their pasture land, a spokesperson for the Israeli army told Al Jazeera that there is a passage to cross the route, and its open daily for shepherds to go through, but did not clarify where this passage is located.

Over the years, Israel has confiscated more than 200,000 hectares of land from Palestinians and built settlements. Sometimes lands are declared closed military zones; other times, the land is confiscated by force. Many Palestinians who once relied on farming and shepherding now live in poverty, their local economy destroyed.

Id like to go back to a time when we could go out, stay overnight and safely come back. It was like vacation to go out herding the sheep. I would love to visit my land and take care of it. Its my life; I dont know how to do anything else except to be a shepherd, Muhammad said.

Now, we feel miserable and stressed all the time. The Israelis took our best land. Theres a sorrow in my heart because I cant reach the lands I used to go to with my father.
With only 37 survivors remaining, young Koreans are adding their voices to the protests over Japans WWII sex slavery.

Seoul, South Korea  When I was 15 years old, two men kidnapped me on the street, says 90-year-old Oksun Lee, speaking through a translator. It was 1942, the height of World War II and Japanese encroachment in the South Pacific, and Lee was living in the South Korean port city of Busan. She had been unofficially adopted by family acquaintances  because her parents could not afford to feed her.

The bulky men came from behind, caught my wrist and took me away, Lee recalls. I resisted, but they gagged my mouth and told me to shut up.

Along with six other girls, all under 16 years of age, she travelled for two weeks on trains, buses and on foot until she arrived at a military camp in Yanji, China, which was under Japanese rule in 1942.

At first, my job there was to clean weeds, sweep the yard, and do other kinds of tasks during the day, Lee says.

Suddenly, one day, soldiers came in and raped us like animals in front of their colleagues. They raped us all together in one room. At that time, all I wanted was to die, she recalls through a translator over Skype.

What followed was five years of sexual enslavement at the hands of the Japanese military.

Whenever I disobeyed, not listening to them or not receiving soldiers for sex, I was beaten. The owners of the establishments we were living in brought military police to punish us. When the police beat us up, nobody could stop them. They hit us with their leather belts everywhere.

Lee had to deny her South Korean heritage. I was beaten vigorously just for talking about my hometown once, she says.

Oksun is one of an estimated nearly 200,000 women kidnapped from Korea, China, and the Philippines, commonly referred to as comfort women, and forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. Lee was raped, beaten and periodically starved.

She also lost her ability to bear children after being infected with syphilis during her enslavement. I went to a military hospital. After two months of treatments, I did not get better, Lee recalls.

Then, they told me to cover my face, take off my pants, and squat over a bowl of steaming mercury. Though I was able to get rid of syphilis after a while, I was no longer able to give birth because of it. For Lee, this is still the most tragic thing that had happened until now. I was so angry that I lost any opportunity to have a baby because of the Japanese.

Speaking out for women

Throughout her life, Lee was so ashamed of the abuse she suffered that she never told anyone about it. She began speaking out about her enslavement only in 1996, when she moved back to South Korea after having lived in China and Japan for 50 years. She was encouraged by discussions of the abuse by former comfort women in the early 1990s and the opening of the House of Sharing in 1992, the first nursing home for elderly former comfort women.

I had a strong feeling that I should start talking about what happened to me, she says. When her husband died, she says, she finally found the courage to overcome the shame and speak out more about the abuse she had suffered.

She is now one of the 37 remaining Korean survivors, and is still fighting for justice, believing that the 2015 Tokyo-Seoul agreement, the $8.3m in reparations and the formal apology from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is not justice.

This issue, seen as entirely unresolved by the South Korean government, has created a huge political rift between South Korea and Japan, one that underpins an ongoing tension between the two countries. In August, it was reported that in a recent phone call South Korean President Moon Jae-in told Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the Korean public sentiment shows the people do not accept the [Tokyo-Seoul] deal.

The remaining survivors want more than an apology from Japan for the years they spent as sex slaves.

In July 2017 a poll by Japanese think-tank, Genron, found that 75 percent of South Koreans dont believe that the 2015 agreement offered a fair resolution or settled the comfort women dispute.

For a younger generation of South Koreans, stories like Oksuns are well known, but they feel the political aspect overshadows a more basic issue  that of womens rights. We all know about comfort women, says 20-year-old Seoul-based University student Judith, who has withheld her surname.

Every Wednesday, Judith protests outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul alongside some of the surviving comfort women. She is part of a growing countrywide feminist momentum, with a new generation of women and men taking the unresolved comfort women issue into their own hands and fighting for justice  not just for the sake of the remaining 37 survivors, but for South Koreas women in general.

For the last few months, more and more young women have been joining the weekly demonstration, says Judith. I think for us, its about solidarity with womens issues and our rights as women in the future. Not just the [comfort women] dispute. The issue is talked about a lot in politics, but myself and my friends feel that it is becoming over politicised, and were forgetting how the lack of a resolution is an attack on feminism, not just the comfort women that are still alive.





A personal impact

Theres a surprising lack of research into the impact that the comfort women dispute has had on young women, says Alison* a 42-year-old professor at the University of Seoul, who specialises in psychology.

Theres a general feeling among women that the discussions of this issue as a political one, not a personal one, [that it] says to women: your rights arent important.. If this issue fails to reach a resolution, I believe it will negatively impact the psyche of young Korean women for generations to come.

Over the last year, diverse efforts to draw attention to the unresolved issue of comfort women have surfaced across Seoul.

On August 16, 2017, for instance, bus company Dong-A Transit commissioned young South Korean artist Jin Joo Chae to install comfort women statues across public buses in Seoul. They quickly went viral online, resonating widely with people around the world who believe the comfort women issue remains unresolved. In a press statement, Rim Jin-wook, head of the company, said the buses were designed to remind South Koreans of the suffering the women went through.

Toronto-based film director Tiffany Hsiung has also worked to draw attention to the issue through her film The Apology (2016). The lack of resolution of this issue is directly affecting women who are sexually abused now in South Korea, she says. The Apology sheds light on the lives of comfort women.

I was surprised that no exhaustive documentary or public account-taking had taken place of these womens stories. But what drove me just as much as recording their stories, was the fact that women largely dont report sexual abuse in South Korea, and I believe there is a link between that fact and the unresolved comfort women issue or grandmas as I call them. Hsiung believes the lack of justice for the women has set a precedent.

It tells women that its normal for sexual abuse to go unchallenged. If you dont reconcile with the past, it repeats itself, Hsiung says.

There are no official statistics on the number of rape cases reported in South Korea, and current legislation does not give women complete protection in all cases of rape. For instance, although courts have ruled that spousal rape is illegal, there is no actual legislation that says so.

Sex slaves

We dont like the term comfort women, one member of the South Korean feminist online group Megalia told Al Jazeera. These women were sex slaves, and they should be called that.

The power of online activism like Megalias is key to this new wave of feminist protest. Revolutions can start on Facebook, said the Megalia member, who asked to remain anonymous.

In one of their most effective campaigns, they took on the Korean edition of Maxim magazine in September 2015, which had run a cover showing actor Byeong-ok Kim next to a car with a womans bare, tied up legs sticking out of the boot. Through their widely shared social media campaign, Megalia argued that the image played into rape culture. The magazine then received so many complaints that Maxim issued a formal apology.

Megalia is a prominent voice of feminism in South Korea. We need to talk about what happens when a human rights abuse against women is systematically ignored, the representative said.

Megalia wants a new consensus, formed through the national media, and a re-recording in textbooks, on how the enslaved women were treated. The women behind Megalia have a militant approach. People describe us as feminazis, and we are fine with that, they say.

The wider context is that womens rights are in a critical state in South Korea. Im very interested in the shame and stigma associated with reporting rape, says Alison. I think this is one of the most important tasks of feminism in South Korea.

In 2016, the World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report ranked South Korea as 116 out of 144 countries in gender equality. The situation in Korea is completely different to the UK or the US, feminism and womens rights just arent popular conversation topics, Megalia said.

For Oksun, there is no debate on this issue; she simply wants an apology from the Japanese government. I do not have many days left to live; I just want to stay in my hometown feeling happy, which I dreamed of for a half of my life, I hope this wish comes true.

*Alison asked that her surname be withheld.
It would be disingenuous to say that there isnt any suffering in Chicago. As I write this, there have been more than 2,000 victims of gun violence so far this year, including 385 who died. But I find it incredibly difficult not to cringe when politicians and media pundits speak only about the violence in Chicago. There is so much more to the city  my hometown  that gets overlooked.

Chi-Town is a beautifully diverse place with a population almost evenly split between black, white and Latino Americans. Granted, most of these ethnic groups live in different neighbourhoods separated by geography. Greektown, the south sides Chinatown, South Asians on Devon Street, Pilsens Mexican Americans, and the Polish Triangle are just a handful of the vibrant communities in Chicago  famously known as a city of neighbourhoods  that all contribute to the rich cultural mosaic of this city. But listening to the politicians rhetoric would lead anyone whos never been to this city to believe its the most dangerous place in the US.

Yes, violent crime is a persistent reality in some Chicago neighbourhoods. The double-digit weekend death tolls and shooting sprees are a constant reminder of the need to keep the citys violence and its survivors in plain sight. But this isnt true in all of them. Crime has been increasing in many of the citys south and west sides impoverished communities, which are predominantly black and Latino. But much of the citys wealthier north side and loop, which are predominantly white, are safer than theyve been in decades.

And this contrast exposes a big part of many of Chicagos problems. This sort of violence doesnt appear out of thin air. Its a response to a long history of systemic deprivation. This deprivation, where people lack basic resources like jobs and decent public schools, was born out of decades of public policy designed to impoverish black communities. As a result, Chicagos legacy of segregation is probably more ingrained than in any other city in the country. Its left the city divided, and massively unequal.

So we begin Part 1 of this series by unpacking the roots of segregation  housing. All forms of segregation in society begin with where a person lives, and the effects have been devastating for so many communities.

This segregation matters because policies, practices, and attitudes make resources accessible to some while creating barriers for others  from housing, to healthcare, schools, jobs, and a stable local economy. These divisions create some prosperous neighbourhoods, and others blighted and isolated. Violence is a symptom of these blighted and isolated communities. You cant divorce the crime problem from the problem of deep concentrations of poverty.

I think about this issue a lot. I was born in Chicago and spent the first few years in Albany Park, on the northwest side of the city. Growing up, the colour lines of Chicago were made clear when wed go downtown on the El train. Each stop represented a different ethnic community. The furthest Id ever been was to 35th St on the crowded Red Line train, to go to a Sox game. It wasnt until college that I ventured even further south on the Red Line to visit a friend off the Ashland/63rd stop and finally understood how divided Chi-town really was.

That was in 2000. Fast forward to 2017, when I went back to Chicago with my fellow producers, Maggie, Omar and Michael, and very little has changed.

Some of the most obvious wear and tear of these neighbourhoods has been on Chicagos public schools. More than 60 years after the historic ruling of Brown vs Board of Education, segregation in Chicago public schools is still far from being eliminated. One might assume that if neighbourhoods are still segregated, schools will obviously reflect the same patterns. And how can schools fix what segregation started? Well, it requires imagination and hard work by school officials and politicians. Otherwise, segregation remains the status quo in cities like Chicago.

In Part 2 of this series, we explore what segregation looks like in Chicago public schools.

Chicago may not be the most segregated city in the country any more, but its still in the top five. And recently proposed solutions to combat the surging violence range from increasing the number of police on the streets to even sending in the National Guard. But not everyone thinks that more police is the answer. For many, the answers are in the communities that are impacted the most.

In Part 3, we spent a day with JaMal Green, an activist on Chicagos south side who has a unique vision to help improve the conditions of his hometown.
When right-wing Jewish organisations in the United States and Israel embrace white nationalists and neo-Nazis  and support an American president who makes open appeals to them  they reveal the inherent flaws in their argument that the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinians is anti-Semitic. Even worse, these hardliners may have more in common ideologically with white nationalists than they care to admit.





Sebastian Gorka, a real-life Nazi and Islamophobe who until recently worked in the Trump White House, was the keynote speaker at a counterterrorism conference near Tel Aviv, speaking alongside Israeli cabinet ministers such as Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman. As The Forward reported, Gorka has been accused of having ties to Vitezi Rend, an anti-Semitic Hungarian political party whose leader reportedly handed over hundreds of thousands of Jews to the Nazis in the Second World War.

Yair Netanyahu, the Israeli prime ministers son, found common cause with neo-Nazis and white supremacists when he posted on Facebook a meme laden with anti-Semitic imagery including George Soros, a reptile and a sinister Illuminati figure. Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke retweeted the meme, and the post drew praise from the neo-Nazi site Daily Stormer, calling Yair Netanyahu a total bro and posting an article entitled, Netanyahus Son Posts Awesome Meme Blaming the Jews for Bringing Down his Jew Father. Following the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, Yair Netanyahu equated the white supremacists and neo-Nazis with the anti-fascist protesters, and said he was far more concerned with the far-left thugs of Antifa and BLM who hate my country (and America too in my view) just as much and are getting stronger and stronger and becoming super dominant in American universities and public life.

READ MORE: Inside the alt-right  Genocidal behind closed doors

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has invited Breitbart chief and former Trump adviser Stephen Bannon to speak at its November 12 gala in New York. The White House overthrow of Bannon  who has been accused of making anti-Semitic statements  was hailed by mainstream Jewish-American organisations such as the Anti-Defamation League, the Reform movement and J Street.

Described as the oldest pro-Israel organisation in the US, ZOA has in recent years engaged in anti-Muslim extremism, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Supportive of expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, ZOA was the first Jewish group to meet with President Trump. ZOA has associated with anti-Muslim extremists such as Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy, and actor Jon Voight, who said Obama founded ISIL and would cause a civil war, and black people would vote for Trump if they can be educated.

Defining pro-Israel as pro-occupation and anti-Arab, stalwart defenders of the Israeli occupation provide an opening to whitesplain and rehabilitate neo-Nazis as friends of Israel and unjustly paint BDS as the real anti-Semites. by

Morton Klein, ZOA president, has said that everyone knows that blacks are, on average, are better dancers than other people, that Jews are better businessmen, and most people know that Asians are smarter on average than other people in America. Writing an op-ed recently in Breitbart, Klein, who like Trump, supports the profiling of Muslims, said Creating a truly peaceful Palestinian Arab State living in peace with the Jewish State is thus an impossible-to-achieve deal, adding, It would only strengthen the ability of the Palestinians to promote their terrorist goals of murdering Jews and destroying the Jewish State.

Casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, the organisations top funder, is also one of Trumps largest campaign donors, and a supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Adelson has raised millions of dollars to combat BDS on US campuses, with defamatory posters calling Students for Justice in Palestine Jew haters. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, BDS is a Palestinian-led global movement to bring an end to the Israeli occupation, on the grounds that Palestinian Arabs deserve freedom, justice and equality, and are entitled to their fundamental human rights.

The BDS movement, which reflects Americas proud legacy of civil rights boycotts, is designed to apply economic pressure on the Israeli government and end its colonial settlements on Palestinian land, and a military-enforced apartheid system. BDS enjoys support from progressive Jewish groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace. JVP also boycotts the Adelson-funded Birthright Israel programme, which sends young Jews on free 10-day trips to Israel to strengthen their cultural identity, while Palestinians are not allowed to return to their own homes. Other Jewish human rights organisations, which oppose the occupation in earnest and uphold Palestinian rights, either do not support BDS or refuse to take a stand on the issue.

Conservative pro-Israel lobby groups such as AIPAC, however, have sought to criminalise BDS in Congress, while ZOA has characterised the movement as anti-American and anti-Semitic. Jewish organisations ranging from the ADL and the American Jewish Committee to Truah and J Street have criticised a law passed in the Knesset banning entry to any foreigner who supports the boycott of Israel and its settlements.

READ MORE: What is the alt-right and what does it stand for?

Meanwhile, ZOAs Klein insists that both Gorka and Bannon are lovers and defenders of Israel and the Jewish people who fight against radical Islamic terrorism. Klein also insists the neither the alt-right nor Breitbart include racists or neo-Nazis, and Bannon is a victim of a campaign by far-left groups and the media to defame friends of Israel.

Yet, ZOA chooses to target liberal, progressive and antiracist voices and paint them as anti-Semites and anti-Israel, at a time when white American reactionaries brand as racist those who bring attention to the continuing prevalence of racism in society. The organisation labelled British musician and Pink Floyd founding member Roger Waters an unabashed anti-Semitic bigot for supporting BDS, while the Simon Wiesenthal Center called Waters an open hater of Jews.





Klein accused MSNBC host Joy Reid of displaying hostility towards Israel after she tweeted a joke about Gorkas alleged Nazi ties. Alan Dershowitz, who spoke at last years ZOA gala, has defended Bannon against anti-Semitism charges but has accused Black Lives Matter of anti-Semitism. The Movement for Black Lives platform accuses Israel of genocide against the Palestinians and supports BDS based on Israeli policies such as 50 discriminatory laws against Palestinians, the Israeli detention of Palestinian children as young as 4 years old without due process, the bulldozing of Palestinian homes to make way for illegal Israeli settlements, a US-funded apartheid wall and military checkpoints. ZOA opposed a Black Lives Matter week in the predominantly black and brown Philadelphia public schools over fears the curriculum would contain anti-Semitic material.

It is problematic that certified white supremacists would be received with open arms by some Jews and Israelis, as BDS is branded as anti-Semitic, even criminalised for employing free speech to bring about positive social change and an end to the racism and human rights violations in Israel and Palestine. The pro-Israel right lacks integrity in this regard, and this is just as problematic as any Jewish support for the Trump administration, which recently reversed DACA, a programme that protects young immigrants who entered the United States illegally as minors. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who could hardly contain his glee while announcing the reversal of this programme was inspired by the US Immigration Act of 1924, which was promoted by white supremacists and eugenicists and was designed to keep Jews, Italians and other so-called morally defective immigrants primarily from Eastern and Southern Europe out of the country. In a 2015 Breitbart radio interview with Bannon, Sessions said the 1924 law was good for America.

OPINION: No, Antifa is not the moral equivalent of neo-Nazis

Pro-Israeli hardliners finding common cause with white is a defining moment for Zionism. A system of first-class citizenship for Israeli Jews, second- or third-class citizenship for Israeli citizens of Arab descent and colonial subjugation for people living in the open-air prisons of the Palestinian Bantustans is not democracy. Rather, that is racism. The white supremacist leader Richard Spencer believes white nationalism  including an ethnostate designed exclusively for whites  and Zionism  a Jewish homeland  have much in common. This came to light when Texas A&M Hillel Rabbi Matt Rosenberg approached Spencer during an on-campus event. You come here with a message of radical exclusion. My tradition teaches a message of radical inclusion, as embodied by Torah, said Rosenberg. Would you sit down and study Torah with me and learn love?

Do you really want radical inclusion into the State of Israel? Spencer replied as Rosenberg remained silent. Jews exist precisely because you did not assimilate to the gentiles  I respect that about you. I want my people to have that same sense of themselves.

The toxicity of American racism in todays climate  of white supremacists against Muslims and Arabs, Jews, Latinos, blacks and other racial, ethnic and religious groups  should not be under-emphasised. When a synagogue in St. Louis provided refuge to protesters who demonstrated against the recent acquittal of a white police officer in the murder of a black man, a hashtag urging police to #GasTheSynagogue trended on Twitter. This, as hate crimes are on the rise in the age of Trump.

Defining pro-Israel as pro-occupation and anti-Arab, stalwart defenders of the Israeli occupation provide an opening to whitesplain and rehabilitate neo-Nazis as friends of Israel and unjustly paint BDS as the real anti-Semites. Their embrace of Nazis and the continued oppression of Palestinians is indefensible and represents their moral blind spot.

David A Love is a Philadelphia-based freelance journalist and commentator, and adjunct instructor at the Rutgers University School of Communication and Information.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The UN Human Rights Council has agreed to send war crimes investigators to Yemen to examine alleged human rights violations, in a last-minute compromise between some Western states and Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia.





The council on Friday mandated Zeid Raad Al Hussein, the UN rights chief, to send a group of eminent experts to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been bombing Houthi rebels since March 2015.

The compromise was reached after Saudi Arabia and other Arab states presented an amended draft resolution that was adopted by consensus without a vote, including by Yemens delegation.

The investigation will give the strongest international component yet to an examination of abuses by all warring parties in a country that the UN says faces the worlds greatest humanitarian disaster.

READ MORE: Yemen cholera outbreak could hit one million by 2018

Launching the probe marks a victory for a group of European countries and Canada which pushed hard for an international inquiry fully independent of the Yemeni national investigation, which the Saudis support.

The Saudi-led coalition has been accused of bombing schools, markets, hospitals and other civilian targets in support of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Houthi rebels, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, have also been accused of major violations, which the UN team will also probe.

Al Jazeeras Rosiland Jordan, reporting from the UN headquarters in New York, said the group of experts will head to Yemen as soon as possible and will be expected to gather their evidence and present it to the Human Rights Council a year from now.

READ MORE: Saudi coalition kills hundreds of Yemenis in 2017: UN

Saudi Arabia had for the past two years succeeded in blocking the rights chiefs call for an international investigation.

In a letter leaked to several media outlets this week, the kingdom threatened economic and diplomatic retaliation against council members who would vote in favour of the EU/Canadian proposal.

The Saudi envoy to the council, Abdulaziz Alwasil, ended up endorsing Fridays resolution, which was slightly softer than previous EU proposals.

An earlier Dutch/Canadian draft had asked for a Commission of Inquiry (COI) in Yemen, the UNs highest level investigation, but that call was removed from the adopted version.

Countries with significant and lucrative ties to Saudi Arabia, including the US, Britain and France, were reported to be seeking a compromise between the EU and Arab camps, which were deadlocked through the week on a resolution.

The war in Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people, according to the UN.

More than 17 million Yemenis are now facing dire food shortages, and a nationwide cholera epidemic has killed more than 2,100 people since April.
Close to three million children in need of education as threat from armed group in northeast persists, says UNICEF.

More than half of all schools in the northeastern state of Borno, Nigeria, are closed with millions of children unable to start classes this year because of the ongoing threat of Boko Haram, according to the United Nations childrens agency.

Almost 1,400 schools have been destroyed in Borno during the armed groups eight-year rebellion, and more than 57 percent of schools are unable to open because of damage or being in areas that remain unsafe, UNICEF said in a statement on Friday.

An estimated three million children are now in need of emergency education support, it said. Nearly 100 children have also been used as human bombs, so far this year.

Children in northeast Nigeria are living through so much horror, said Justin Forsyth, deputy director of UNICEF, at the end of a three-day visit to Maiduguri, the epicentre of the crisis in the northeast.

In addition to devastating malnutrition, violence, and an outbreak of cholera, the attacks on schools is in danger of creating a lost generation of children, threatening their and the countrys future, he added.

READ MORE: UNICEF: Boko Haram use of child bombers soars

UNICEF said Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates to Western education is forbidden, is believed to have killed more than 2,200 teachers since 2009.





Three years ago, the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by the armed group in Chibok in northeastern Nigeria sparked global outrage.

Forsyth said nearly one million children had been forced from their homes by the crisis with 450,000 children under the age of five expected to suffer from severe malnutrition this year.

Rights activists say women and children have suffered the most as a result of the violence.

The conflict has reached to a stage that these insurgents are diverting attention by using children, Hafsat Muhammed, a Nigerian rights activist and journalist, told Al Jazeera last month.

READ MORE: One million forced from school by Boko Haram war

The UN estimates that 20,000 people have been killed and at least 1.7 million displaced since Boko Haram launched its armed campaign in northeast Nigeria eight years ago.

The violence has also spread to neighbouring countries, leading to the closure of more than 2,000 schools in Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, according to a 2015 UNICEF report.
Hundreds of farmers have driven tractors through Barcelona in a show of force ahead of Sundays secession vote. They are backing Catalonias bid to break away from Spain.

Hundreds of farmers have driven tractors through Barcelona in a show of force ahead of Sundays secession vote.

They are backing Catalonias bid to break away from Spain.

Meanwhile, neighbourhood groups are planning civil disobedience campaigns to resist efforts by the Spanish government to shut down the referendum.

Al Jazeeras Karl Penhaul reports from Barcelona.
Regional government officials defiant over Sundays disputed vote as Madrid remains staunchly opposed to the poll.

Leaders in Catalonia say they are determined to go ahead with a vote on independence that Madrid calls illegal and which has thrust Spain into its most dramatic political crisis for decades.





The central government in Madrid, which has sent thousands of police reinforcements to the northeastern region to prevent people from voting on Sunday, meanwhile insisted on Friday the referendum would not happen.

Raul Romeva, Catalonias foreign affairs chief, maintained that it is impossible to stop the poll, which he insisted is not illegal.

It should concern everyone  why the repressive response by the [Spanish] state is going this far, Romeva told Al Jazeera from Barcelona, Catalonias capital.

He called on the Spanish government to allow Catalan voters to solve the situation by democracy.

If you have followed all the demonstrations taking place in Catalonia  youll see that its in the DNA of the Catalan way to behave that [we] are always peaceful, Romeva said.

Courts have ordered police to cordon off schools scheduled to be used as ballot stations.

In a bid to keep them open, parents have called for a mass school sleepover this weekend, with tents and sleeping bags, free paella and cinema. Organisers said 60,000 had already registered to participate.

READ MORE: Catalan leader accuses Spain of totalitarian actions

Al Jazeeras John Hendren, reporting from Barcelona, said both sides have been preparing for confrontation over the looming vote.

Clearly, many of the polling stations will be shut down [by Spanish authorities], he said. The government of Catalonia has said  it will declare itself an independent republic if they get the votes.

Pacifist independence movement

Separatists have called on people to turn out at the polling stations in a mass statement of peaceful resistance, even if they are prevented from voting.

I dont believe there will be anyone who will use violence or who will want to provoke violence that will tarnish the irreproachable image of the Catalan independence movement as pacifist, said Catalan President Carles Puigdemont.

Madrid, which claims the authority of a constitution that declares the country to be indivisible, remained staunchly opposed to the vote.

I insist that there will be no referendum on October 1, Mendez de Vigo, central government spokesman, told a news conference following the weekly cabinet meeting, reiterating that the vote was illegal.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Catalonia referendum

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest Madrids campaign to suppress the vote. Police have confiscated thousands of voting slips and courts have fined and threatened to arrest regional officials.

In a sign that large crowds are again expected on the streets on Sunday, department store chain El Corte Ingles said it would shut three stores in central Barcelona. The central government said airspace above the city would be partly restricted.

Lines of tractors draped in the red-and-yellow striped Catalan flag left provincial towns on Friday, planning to converge on Barcelona in a sign of support for the referendum.

Puigdemont called on the police not to act in a political way when carrying out their duties on Sunday.

I would like them to use the same standards that the Catalan regional police use. Not political standards, not on political orders, but policing and professional standards, he said.
Cuba says it has found no evidence to support US claims that several American diplomats were harmed in health attacks.

The United States is withdrawing 60 percent of its diplomatic staff and all family members from its embassy in Cuba after 21 diplomats suffered mysterious health attacks in recent months, US officials said.

Washington is investigating the cause of the unexplained attacks and has not yet identified the responsible party, but officials on Friday stressed the Cuban government was accountable for protecting foreign diplomats on its territory.

The Cuban government has denied any role and has also launched an investigation. Last week, Havana said it found no evidence to support US claims that several American diplomats were harmed in what US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called surreptitious health attacks.

READ MORE: US considers embassy closure in Cuba over incidents

Until the government of Cuba can ensure the safety of US government personnel in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel so as to minimize the number of US government personnel at risk of exposure, a US official told reporters on Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the decision.

In response, Cubas government criticised the US decision as hasty and warned the move would affect ties.

We consider the decision announced by the US government today, through the State Department, to be hasty, and it will affect bilateral relations, said Josefina Vidal, head of North American affairs at Cubas foreign ministry.





Bizarre international mystery

The US diplomats experienced unexplained health problems from attacks that occurred as recently as August, including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping, officials said.

The union that represents US diplomats has said the attacks have resulted in mild traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss.

Though officials initially suspected some futuristic sonic attack, the picture has grown muddier. The FBI and other agencies that searched homes and hotels where incidents occurred found no devices. And clues about the circumstances of the incidents seem to make any explanation scientifically implausible.

READ MORE: US expels Cuban diplomats over medical incidents

Al Jazeeras Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington, DC, described the case as a bizarre international mystery.

The US is taking these steps and you might ask, Do they have some evidence? Was Cuba involved? Well, the answer is no, she said.

Senior US State Department officials say the investigation is ongoing and that they still have absolutely no idea what harmed their diplomats.





They say they are taking this step because they want to reduce the risk to American diplomats, they say that this isnt meant to punish Cuba  [but] a precautionary step.

Travel warning

The US embassy will continue to remain open to fulfil basic diplomatic functions and provide emergency services, but routine visa processing will be suspended, according to US officials.

Washington would no longer send official delegations to Cuba or conduct bilateral meetings in Cuba, but would hold any talks in the US.

The US is also issuing a travel warning, telling all US citizens to avoid travel to Cuba. Because some of the attacks occurred at a hotel, the US government was unable to guarantee the safety of US travellers, even though only diplomatic staff have been targeted thus far, the officials said.

Later on Friday, Canada said it has no plans to change its travel advice for Cuba or to remove any of its diplomats from its embassy there, though some staff had experienced some unusual symptoms in March 2017, including earaches, dizziness and headaches.

READ MORE: Castro blames Trump for setback in US-Cuba relations

Tillerson met his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, in Washington on Tuesday amid heightened tensions over the unexplained attacks.

Barack Obama, the former US president, reopened diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years and the embassy resumed operations in 2015.

US President Donald Trump has taken steps to roll back some of Obamas reforms towards Cuba but has maintained the embassy in Havana.

Trump has said his administration would not lift sanctions on Cuba until it makes fundamental reforms and threatened to take further action against Venezuela, a recent target of US sanctions, if Cuba did not change course.
Airlines ordered by Baghdad to stop flying into Kurdish airports as part of backlash against the regions referendum.

A ban on international flights into Iraqs Kurdish region has gone into effect after the central government in Baghdad retaliated against a vote for secession that has also drawn opposition from neighbouring countries.

Iraqs Kurds overwhelmingly backed a split from Baghdad in a referendum on Monday, defying foreign powers which fear the vote could lead to regional instability.

The ban came into force at 6pm (15:00 GMT) on Friday. Foreign airlines suspended flights to the regions Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, obeying a notice from the government in Baghdad, which controls Iraqi airspace.

READ MORE: Iraqi forces plan takeover of Kurdish regions borders

Domestic flights are still allowed, so travellers are expected to travel to the Kurdish region mostly via Baghdads airport, which will come under strain from the extra traffic.

Erbil airport was busier than usual on Friday as passengers scrambled to catch the last flights out.

Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Erbil International Airport, said: We saw many people throughout the day leaving ahead of schedule simply because they were afraid to be blocked here and not be able to return to their homes, or because they did not want to go through Baghdad to catch an international flight.

Talar Saleh, director of Erbils airport, described the alternative for passengers to fly through Baghdads airport as difficult.

First of all, Baghdad doesnt have transit flights, she told Al Jazeera, warning that the airport in the Iraqi capital will not be able to deal with growing numbers due to its size.





They cannot cope with the increased number of passengers. There are also many people who are actually banned by Baghdad to go  [there]  so thats not possible, Saleh added.

The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Friday that demands for the handover of the Iraqi Kurdish regions air and land outlets were designed to regulating the movement of people and goods, and preventing smuggling.

The central governments control over these facilities are not aimed at starving the territorys people as some Kurdistan official claim, Abadis office added in a statement.

But Al Jazeeras Abdel-Hamid said that people in the region had a different view.

Many point to this exact move to say that this is exactly why the Kurdish authorities should go ahead with the  secession proceedings, she said.

Dozens of the Kurdish regions people Friday gathered outside the Erbil airport in protest against the ban. Some demonstrators waved the territorys flag.

Effects of ban

Maintaining the travel curbs is likely to discourage visits by businessmen and Kurdish expatriates and affect a host of industries, including hotels, financial services, transport and real estate.

More than 400 Kurdish travel and tourism companies are directly affected by the flight ban and 7,000 are jobs at risk in the sector, Erbil-based Rudaw TV said.

Turkey, which has already threatened economic sanctions and a military response to any security challenges posed by the referendum result in neighbouring northern Iraq, has maintained a drumbeat of opposition to the Kurdish vote.

READ MORE: Haider al-Abadi vows to use law to control Kurds

After talks in Ankara with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the referendum was illegitimate.

He added that Russia and Turkey agreed that the territorial integrity of Iraq must be preserved.





The two countries have strong commercial ties with the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq. But the vote has alarmed Ankara as it battles a separatist rebellion from its own large Kurdish minority.

While Turkey has threatened to cut off the Kurds oil export lifeline  a pipeline that runs through Turkish territory  Ankara has so far mostly held back from specific action against Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), meanwhile, refused to hand over control of its border crossings to the Iraqi government, as demanded by Iraq, Iran and Turkey in retaliation for the independence referendum.

Al Jazeeras Andrew Simmons, reporting from Turkeys border with Iraq as the flight ban went into effect, said the Habur border gate was the only way into Iraqs Kurdish region.

This is the only means by which Turks can get across the border into Kurdistan Iraq, he said, adding that dozens of flights a week between the two areas had been completely halted.

The question now is will this the only land route from Turkey be closed? President Erdogan is considering it, however, its a big deal if it happens because it will cut off the line life for Iraqi Kurds in terms of food, construction materials, medicines and a whole series of things, Simmons said.

Furthermore, it will also damage the Turkish economy.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Ankara would target only those who decided to hold the referendum since Ankara would not make civilians living in northern Iraq pay the price for the vote.

Iran banned the transport of refined crude oil products by Iranian companies to and from the Iraqi Kurdish region.

The autonomous Kurdish region would, however, be able to resist an economic blockade, a World Bank official told Reuters news agency.

It is self-sufficient in electricity and fuel supply as it has the oil and gas fields, the refineries and the power stations, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It has also the land and the water resources to sustain a basic subsistence even if borders are shut completely.

Right to vote

The Kurds consider Mondays referendum to be an historic step in the generations-old quest for a state of their own, while Iraq considers the vote unconstitutional.

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani has said the vote is not binding, but meant to provide a mandate for negotiations with Baghdad and neighbouring countries over the peaceful secession of the region from Iraq. Baghdad has rejected talks.

The Kurds were left without a state of their own when the Ottoman Empire collapsed a century ago. Around 30 million live in Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran.

The Kurds say the referendum acknowledges their contribution in confronting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group after it overwhelmed the Iraqi army.
Decision to shut down flights comes amid tensions over an overwhelming Yes vote in an independence referendum.

An Iraqi government order that international airlines halt all flights in and out of the cities of Erbil and Sulaimaniya in the region administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is set to kick in on Friday.

The decision to shut down the flights comes amid tensions over an overwhelming Yes vote in an independence referendum held this week in Iraqs Kurdish region and disputed territories.

Iraqs Transport Ministry ordered international airlines to halt service to Erbil, the capital of the KRG, and Sulaimaniya, its second city. Regional airlines have said they will honour the flight ban.

The non-binding referendum  in which the Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence from Iraq  was billed by Kurdish leaders as an exercise in self-determination. The idea of an independent state has been central to Kurdish politics for decades.

READ MORE: Turkey raises oil threat after Iraqi Kurds referendum

All international flights to and from Iraqs Kurdish region were set to end at 6pm (15:00 GMT).

Almost all foreign airlines suspended flights to the airports of Erbil and Sulaimaniya in compliance with the notice from the government in Baghdad, which has control over the countrys airspace.





Lufthansa and Austrian were the only carriers to have kept at least one flight still scheduled after the deadline. But a spokesman for Lufthansa Group said on Friday it was checking whether it would have to cancel flights.

Domestic flights are still permitted to and from the KRG, so travellers are expected to get there mostly by transiting via Baghdads airport, which will come under strain from the extra traffic.

Kurdish airports handle 40-50 percent of Iraqs total international traffic, Taher Abdallah, Sulaimaniya airports director-general, told reporters on Wednesday.

Despite the threatened flight ban, anti-ISIL coalition military air operations from Erbil airport continue as normal, US-led coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told reporters at the Pentagon on Thursday from his headquarters in Baghdad.

More broadly, Dillon said the fallout from the Kurdish referendum had diminished the focus on fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group.

What Ill say now is that there is a lot of posturing and a lot of things that have been said about what could or may happen, he said. The focus, which used to be like a laser beam on [ISIL], is now not 100 percent there.

READ MORE: Haider al-Abadi vows to use law to control Kurds

Dillon said Peshmerga and US military planners and advisers also had lost some of their focus as a result of the referendum. US military planners have had to spend the time to play out the what-ifs that arise from the political and military implications, he said.

Baghdad announced on Thursday that Turkey  an indispensable trade partner to the region and once a key political ally  will now only deal with Iraqs central government on oil sales. This could deprive the Kurdish region of more than 80 percent of its income.

Ankara had forged close ties to Iraqs Kurdish region but strongly opposes its moves towards independence, fearing it could inspire Turkeys Kurdish minority.
With help of Iran and Turkey, Iraqs defence ministry says the government will take control of Kurdish regional borders.

Iraq plans to take control of the borders of its autonomous Kurdish region in coordination with Iran and Turkey, the Iraqi defence ministry has said.





Published on Friday, the ministrys statement did not give more detail or indicate specifically whether Iraqi forces were planning to move towards the external border posts controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from the Iranian and Turkish side.

The move to seize the border posts is a response to a Kurdish referendum on Monday that produced a vote in favour of secession from Iraq.

Following the vote, Iraq, Iran and Turkey demanded that the KRG relinquish control over its external border crossings with Turkey, Iran and Syria.

Backed by Ankara and Tehran, the Iraqi government has demanded that the Kurdish leadership cancel the result of the referendum or face the prospect of sanctions, international isolation and possibly a military intervention.

The KRG refused to relinquish control of its border crossings, Erbil-based TV Rudaw said on Friday, citing a Kurdish official.

The Iraqi defence ministry said the implementation of central government decisions to take over management of all the border posts and airports was going as planned in coordination with the relevant authorities and neighbouring countries, and there is no delay in the procedures.

OPINION: Iraqi Kurdistan plays the independence game

Iraqs state television said an Iraqi military delegation had visited the Kurdish regions border from the Iranian side. An Iraqi force is also deployed on the Turkish side of the border as part of joint drills with the Turkish army.

International flight embargo

Earlier on Friday, a ban imposed by Iraqs central government on international flights to its Kurdish region went into effect after the KRG rejected a demand to hand over control of its international airports in Erbil and Sulaimaniyah.

The ban came into force at 6pm (15:00 GMT) on Friday. Foreign airlines suspended flights to the regions Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, obeying a notice from the government in Baghdad, which controls Iraqi airspace.

Domestic flights are still allowed, so travellers are expected to travel to the Kurdish region mostly via Baghdads airport, which will come under strain from the extra traffic.

READ MORE: Turkey raises oil threat after Iraqi Kurds referendum

Erbil airport was busier than usual on Friday as passengers scrambled to catch the last flights out.

Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Erbil International Airport, said: We saw many people throughout the day leaving ahead of schedule simply because they were afraid to be blocked here and not be able to return to their homes, or because they did not want to go through Baghdad to catch an international flight.

Maintaining the travel curbs is likely to discourage visits by businessmen and Kurdish expatriates and affect a host of industries, including hotels, financial services, transport and real estate.

More than 400 Kurdish travel and tourism companies are directly affected by the flight ban and 7,000 are jobs at risk in the sector, Rudaw TV said.
State media cite Russian authorities as saying Navalny was held for urging supporters to attend unauthorised rallies.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a staunch Kremlin critic, has been detained in advance of a rally in a major city.

Navalny on Friday posted a video on his Instagram account of what he said were officers outside his home in the capital, Moscow, asking him to come to a police station. He tweeted from the station later, saying he had not been told why he had been detained.





Navalny had planned to travel to the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russias fifth-biggest city, where he was to lead a rally later in the day.

The rally had been due to start at 6pm (15:00 GMT) but Moscow police said Navalny was detained over multiple calls to participate in an unauthorised public event.

The head of Navalnys campaign, Leonid Volkov, was detained in Nizhny Novgorod.

The Tass news agency on Friday quoted police as saying that Navalny was detained because of his calls for unsanctioned rallies, which is punishable by up to 30 days in jail.

Navalny, however, insisted the event was authorised.

This is, of course, a new level. Now they are detaining me for an attempt to take part in a sanctioned meeting, Navalny said on Twitter.

He urged his supporters to assemble anyway and also linked his detention with another rally scheduled in Russias second city of Saint Petersburg, the hometown of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on October 7.

Previous detentions

Navalny, an anti-corruption crusader, has said he wants to stand for president next March, but the electoral authorities have said he is not eligible to stand for office because he is currently serving a five-year suspended sentence for embezzlement.

Putin, who has led Russia since 1999, is widely expected to seek and win another six-year Kremlin term. The campaign has yet to officially open.

OPINION: Youth vs Putin  2:0

After Navalny declared his bid, he was hit by a wave of legal obstacles and attacks and even had to travel to Spain for eye surgery after one assault left him almost blind in one eye.

Navalny has been briefly imprisoned before. He was detained prior to arriving at his last two rallies in Moscow on March 26 and June 12, both of which were not authorised by the city.

He served sentences of 15 days and 25 days for organising unauthorised protests.
Palestinian officials criticise David Friedman who said Israel is occupying only two percent of the West Bank.

The US ambassador in Tel Aviv has angered Palestinians with a comment downplaying Israels 50-year occupation of the West Bank, the second such spat in a month.

In a video interview with Israeli news site Walla broadcast in full on Friday, ambassador David Friedman said the Jewish state is only occupying two percent of the West Bank.

The statement brought an angry response from Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary-General Saeb Erekat.

Israel is internationally recognised as the occupying power over 100 percent of Palestine, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem, Erekat said.

READ MORE: Netanyahu on settlements  Were here to stay, forever

He said Friedmans latest comment was not only false and misleading but contradicts international law, United Nations resolutions, and also the historical US position.

It is not the first time that Mr David Friedman has exploited his position as US ambassador to advocate and validate the Israeli governments policies of occupation and annexation, Erekat added.

Before becoming ambassador, Friedman was the president of American Friends of Bet El Institutions, an organisation that supports the settlement of the same name that is built on Ramallah lands.

Early in September, Friedman caused a stir when in an interview with the Jerusalem Post he referred to the alleged occupation.





Nabil Shaath, an aide to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said Friedmans comments are very bad news for the future of any American attempt to make peace in the Middle East.

Friedman is in absolute ignorance of facts of law and of the position of the United States, Shaath added.

The US State Department was quick to distance itself from its envoy.

His comments  should not be read as a way to prejudge the outcome of any negotiation that the US would have with Israel and the Palestinians, spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters in Washington on Thursday.

It should not be read as a change in US policy.

Israel occupied the West Bank in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.

READ MORE: Drowning in the waste of Israeli settlers

More than 600,000 Israelis now live in settlements in the territory that are regarded as illegal by most of the international community.

US President Donald Trump is seeking to restart frozen peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Friedman said the president remained committed to a peace agreement but had not set any formal timeframe.

I would expect [a deal] within months, he said. But were not going to limit ourselves to any hard deadline. Were trying to get it done right, not done fast.
As Trump officials praise Hurricane Maria aid work, rural residents say theyre without fresh water and food.

The US government has declared that its relief efforts in Puerto Rico were succeeding, but people on the hurricane-devastated island said help was scarce and many residents were desperate for fresh water, food and electricity.

The complaints came eight days after Hurricane Maria slammed into the US territory of 3.4 million people, destroying much of the islands infrastructure.

The federal response has been a disaster, said legislator Jose Enrique Melendez, a member of Governor Ricardo Rossellos New Progressive Party. Its been really slow.

READ MORE: Puerto Rico dam failure prompts mass evacuation

He said US officials had focused more on making a good impression on members of the media gathered in the capital San Juans convention centre than bringing aid to rural Puerto Rico.





There are people literally just modelling their uniforms, Melendez said. People are suffering outside.

President Donald Trump cleared the way for more supplies to reach Puerto Rico by issuing a 10-day waiver of federal restrictions on foreign ships delivering cargo to the island.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Federal Emergency Management Agencys disaster relief account would get a $6.7bn boost by the end of the week.

Presidential spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said 10,000 government workers, including more than 7,000 soldiers, were helping Puerto Rico recover.

WATCH: Devastated scenes after Hurricane Maria

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke declared the relief effort is under control.

It is really a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people, she told reporters in the White House driveway on Thursday.

However, outside San Juan, people said the comments from US officialdom were far from the truth.

I have not seen any federal help around here, said Javier San Miguel, a 51-year-old accountant.

In the town of San Lorenzo, residents are collecting spring water to drink and taking turns cooking food for each other because they are running low on basic supplies.

In the nearby fishing town of Catano, authorities said they would open a distribution point over the weekend to hand out food and water.

We need food, said Maritza Gonzalez, a 49-year-old government worker.
US ambassadors comments to UN Security Council come as more than 50 Rohingya are missing after their boat capsized.

The United States says action must be taken against Myanmars military leaders whose operations have forced 500,000 Rohingya, a majority-Muslim ethnic group, to flee into Bangladesh.





Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, accused Myanmars authorities on Thursday of carrying out a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority.

The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed, she told the UN Security Council, which held its first public meeting on Myanmar since 2009, though it failed to arrive at a resolution.

Haleys comments came as more than 50 Rohingya refugees were missing on Friday after their boat capsized in driving wind, rain, and high seas.

The UNs International Organisation for Migration said about 130 people were believed to have been on board. Bangladesh police said there were 27 survivors, 19 dead, and more than 50 missing.

READ MORE: UN chief calls for urgent end to Rohingya nightmare

Using the countrys former name, Burma, Haley said, We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens.

It was the first time the United States had called for punishment of Myanmars military leaders, but she stopped short of threatening to re-impose US sanctions that were suspended under the Obama administration.





Buddhist-majority Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and has denounced human rights abuses.

Its military launched a sweeping military offensive in response to coordinated attacks on the security forces by Rohingya rebels in Rakhine state on August 25.



Haley said Myanmars military must immediately remove and prosecute those accused of abuses. She said it also must allow unhindered humanitarian access for UN agencies and other relief organisations, and commit to welcoming all who have been displaced to return to their original homes.

In what appeared to be a rebuke to the countrys Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Haley said of the Rohingya crisis, it should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma.

Myanmar, however, received strong support from close ally China as well as Russia.

The international community must be aware of the difficulties faced by the Burmese government, be patient and provide its assistance, Chinese envoy Wu Haitao said.

Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia shifted the blame towards Rohingya fighters for burning villages. We must be very careful when we talk about ethnic cleansing and genocide, he said.

Nebenzia warned excessive pressure on Myanmars government over the violence could only aggravate the situation in the country and around it.

READ MORE: Scores of Rohingya feared drowned after boat capsizes

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council the violence had spiralled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare.

He previously called the Rohingya crisis ethnic cleansing but did not repeat those words on Thursday. Instead, he referred to a deeply disturbing pattern of violence leading to large movements of an ethnic group.

Myanmars national security adviser said the crisis in Rakhine state is due to terrorism and is not based on religion, and he urged the Security Council not to take measures that exacerbate the situation. There is no ethnic cleansing and no genocide in Myanmar, U Thaung Tun said.

Diplomats accompanied by the media will visit northern Rakhine on Monday, U Thaung Tun said.
Suicide car bombers, gunmen attack Barire military outpost outside Mogadishu in a brazen assault by the armed group.

Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia attacked a military base outside the capital Mogadishu with car bombs and gunfire on Friday, killing at least eight soldiers before looting the outpost.

There was heavy fighting this morning, said Mohamed Haji Ali, a Somali military commander, confirming the attack to local media without providing details of casualties.

Residents said the attack left bodies of government soldiers scattered on the ground while al-Shabab fighters looted the base, stealing vehicles and weapons.





There were dead bodies around the military camp, and I counted about eight of them from the Somali military, but it could be more than that, said Abdulahi Muktar.

Another resident described hearing two large blasts followed by heavy gunfire.

This attack was very sophisticated, with the militants raiding the base from three directions. There were two huge blasts presumably suicide bombs, said Mohamed Malim.

Abdiasis Abu Musab, al-Shababs military operations spokesman, claimed responsibility for the brazen assault.

After morning prayer today, two mujahideen rammed into Barire military base with suicide car bombs. We killed 17 soldiers and took seven technical vehicles, he told Reuters news agency, referring to pick-up trucks mounted with machine guns.

The other soldiers ran helter-skelter into the woods. We now control the base and the village, said Musab.

Barire is 50km southwest of Mogadishu.

READ MORE: Al-Shabab attacks Somalia army base

Al-Shabab aims to topple the government in Mogadishu and impose its strict interpretation of Islam in the country.

Somalia has been at war since 1991 when clan-based warlords overthrew dictator Siad Barre and then turned on each other.

The al-Qaeda-linked group was driven out of the capital in 2011, but still carries out frequent attacks on security and government targets, as well as civilians. It also targets African Union peacekeeping troops.

Ali Nur  deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region, where Barire is located  confirmed the fighting but gave no more details on how many soldiers were killed.

Other residents in Barire also confirmed the attack.

First we heard two huge blasts at the base, and then heavy exchange of gunfire followed. Now it looks like the fighting died down, said Ali Farah from Barire village.

Fridays attack is the latest in violence-plagued Somalia. On Thursday, a car bomb blast near a popular market in Mogadishu killed at least seven people.

No group claimed responsibility, but the area has previously suffered attacks by al-Shabab.

Two weeks ago the armed group struck an army base at a border town with Kenya. Three weeks ago al-Shabab hit the southern port city of Kismayu, killing at least 43 people in both incidents.
Suicide attacker posing as shepherd detonates explosives close to Hussainia mosque in Afghanistans capital, police say.

At least five civilians were killed on Friday when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a Shia mosque in Afghanistans capital, Kabul, according to officials.

As many as 19 others were wounded in the attack close to Hussainia mosque that came two days before Ashura, the holiest holiday in the Shia religious calendar.

Police official Sadiq Muradi said police confronted the suicide bomber as he came through a checkpoint near the holy site, calling for him to stop. It was then when the attacker ignited his explosives, blowing himself up.

READ MORE: Anger in Kabul after US air raid wounds civilians

The bomber was grazing a herd of sheep and before reaching his target he detonated himself 140 metres from Hussainia mosque, General Salim Almas, Kabuls criminal investigative director, told AFP news agency.

Najibullah Danish, interior ministry spokesman, said that all victims were civilians.

Kabuls Emergency Hospital tweeted that it had received 19 wounded, including four children.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group claimed responsibility for the attack in a communique, the SITE monitoring group said.

Earlier, the Taliban had been quick to distance themselves from the bombing.

Todays Kabul attack has nothing to do with us. After a thorough investigation, we found out that we had no operation in Kabul, and this attack is not linked to us, Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said.

READ MORE: Quetta  Gunmen kill Hazara Shia Muslim family members

There had been fears fighters would attack as Shia Muslims prepare to commemorate Ashura.

The holiday falls on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

The faithful gather to beat their chests and hit their backs with chains until they bleed in commemoration of Husseins death.

But in recent years the sacred day has been marred by deadly violence.

In 2011, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the middle of a crowd of worshippers at the main Shia shrine in Kabul on Ashura, killing 80 people, including women and children.

Afghan officials blamed the bombing  the first major sectarian attack on a key religious day in Afghanistan  on Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

Last October, gunmen entered the Karte Sakhi shrine near Kabul University and killed 18 people gathering to mark Ashura, an attack claimed by the ISIL group.

The following day at least 14 Shia were killed in a bombing at a mosque in northern Afghanistan. A few weeks later Baqui-ul-Ulom mosque in Kabul was targeted when a massive suicide blast claimed by ISIL killed dozens of worshippers.
Most oil that flows through a pipeline from Iraq to Turkey comes from Kurdish sources and a cut-off would damaging.

Turkey has threatened potentially crippling restrictions on oil trading with Iraqi Kurds after they backed independence from Baghdad in a referendum that has alarmed Ankara as it faces a separatist insurgency from its Kurdish minority.

Most oil that flows through a pipeline from Iraq to Turkey comes from Kurdish sources, and stopping that would severely damage the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), which relies on sales of crude for almost all its hard currency revenues.

Iraqs Kurds endorsed secession by nine to one in a vote on Monday that has angered Turkey, the central government in Baghdad, and other regional and world powers who fear the referendum could lead to renewed conflict in the region.

READ MORE: Iraqi PM Abadi  We will impose our authority all over Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis office said on Thursday he had been told by Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in a call that Turkey would break with past practice and deal only with the Baghdad government over oil exports from Iraq.





So far the pipeline is operating normally despite Turkish threats to impose economic sanctions on the Kurdish autonomous region in Iraq. Turkish officials, however, have ramped up pressure on the Kurds.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin the Kurdish government made a big mistake by holding the referendum and must be prevented from bigger mistakes.

He said Turkey and Russia agreed the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria must be preserved.

Yildirim said separately that Turkey would respond harshly to any security threat on its border after the referendum, although that was not its first choice.

Yildirim also said he agreed with al-Abadi to coordinate economic and trade relations with the central government in Baghdad. He said Turkey, Iran, and Iraq might meet to discuss the referendum.

Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdag said Turkish armed forces would stop training Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces, who protected oil fields from capture by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group.

With the regions largest Kurdish population, Turkey has been battling a three-decade insurgency in its largely Kurdish southeast and fears the referendum will inflame separatist tensions at home.

The United Nations offered on Thursday to help solve the problem between the KRG and Baghdad, the Iraqi foreign ministry said following a meeting between Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari and Jan Kubis, the top UN envoy in Iraq.

The United States was willing, if asked, to help facilitate talks to try to ease tensions between the two sides, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.
Yemen has endured 750,000 suspected cases of cholera, with at least 2,119 dying since the start of the year.

The humanitarian situation in Yemen is a catastrophe, and cholera cases could hit a million by the end of the year, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned.





Warring parties in Yemen  including the Western-backed Saudi-led coalition  are all using disproportionate force, leading to very excessive civilian casualties, Alexandre Faite, the head of the Red Cross delegation in Yemen, said on Friday.

The ICRC said there are currently 750,000 suspected cases of cholera, with 2,119 deaths.

We could be to one million (cases) by the end of the year, Faite told a news briefing in Geneva.

The situation has really evolved in a very dramatic way and I think that its nothing short of a catastrophe.

Civil war in Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people since it began in March 2015.

Control of the country is split between the Houthi rebels, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. Opposed to the rebels are a Saudi-led coalition.

With the main port of Hodeidah damaged, the Red Cross brings medical aid, including insulin, into Yemen with occasional cargo planes to Sanaa. Other goods come by land convoys from Jordan and Oman and by ship from Jordan, Oman and Dubai.

A ship from Karachi with 500 tonnes of rice is now due on October 7 in Hodeidah, the first ICRC shipment there since early February.

Faite called on all sides to open Sanaa airport to commercial flights for essential aid supplies and to make progress towards allowing the ICRC to visit prisoners of war.

READ MORE: Corbyn slams Saudi war in Yemen, Israeli oppression

I dont think political settlement is coming soon and Im very worried that the extension of the conflict would lead to more problems, Faite said.

This is why humanitarian aid, access to essential goods should be there, he said. There is a bottleneck.

Although the death rate for cholera victims has dropped to less than 0.3 percent, Faite said Yemens health sector is really on its knees in Yemen  the health staff is on its knees as well because they are not paid.

For the first time, the ICRC is now providing health workers with food parcels, he said.

In terms of access to even water, electricity  there isnt a power grid in the main cities in Yemen. Without the ICRC and other organisations fixing (pumping stations) there wouldnt be any running water in Sanaa, he said.

The UN has warned that fighting in Yemen has pushed the country to the brink of famine, with 80 percent of the countrys children desperately in need of aid, posing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.
Iraq orders international airlines to stop flying into its Kurdish region following a referendum vote on secession.

The government of Iraq is suspending all international flights to and from Erbil in its northern autonomous Kurdish region.

Its a punitive measure after people in the area took part in a secession vote on Monday that Baghdad and other governments, including Turkey, have strongly opposed.

Almost 93 percent voted for the referendum.

But Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis administration calls it unconstitutional. Its also demanding full control of the regions oil revenue and border crossings.

So, can Iraqs central government stop a possible Kurdish state?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie

Guests:

Ahmed Rushdi  Director at House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation

Dlawer Ala-Aldeen  President of the Middle East Research Institute

Kamran Matin  Senior lecturer specialising in Kurdish studies at the University of Sussex
Dr Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning journalist and author and is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. Hill is known for his work addressing the intersections of race, justice, politics and culture. His latest best-selling book is We Still Here: Pandemics, Policing, Protest and Possibility which follows on the success of Nobody: Casualties of Americas War on the Vulnerable from Flint to Ferguson. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the US National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
We speak to economist Arthur Laffer about President Trumps plans for tax cuts, and we debate democracy in Rwanda.

In this weeks UpFront, we speak with Arthur Laffer, father of supply-side economics and former economic adviser to both US presidents Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan, about Trumps revolutionary tax plan.

In the Reality Check, we examine waste and the real cost of the never-ending US war against the Taliban.

And in the Arena, we debate whether Rwanda is on a path to dictatorship under President Paul Kagame in light of his third election victory and constitutional amendments that would allow him to potentially stay in power until 2034.

Laffer: Tax cuts will make everyone a millionaire

In a speech on Wednesday, US President Trump outlined the principles of a tax plan that would amount to the most sweeping changes to the US tax code in decades.

The plan would cut taxes for the rich and businesses, although Trump insisted that his tax plan would primarily help the working class, who would reap the benefits from the resulting economic growth.

This idea  that tax cuts for the wealthy fuel growth  was popularised by conservative economist Arthur Laffer. The Laffer Curve goes so far as to suggest that tax cuts can actually increase a governments revenues. Laffers curve and his advocacy of tax cuts have been the driving philosophy of Republican tax policy for decades.

But a 2012 survey of 40 top economists found that most of the profession disagrees with Laffer  and historically tax cuts and hikes havent closely correlated with economic expansion and recession.

Laffer has advised President Trump on his tax policies and said his plan would be phenomenal for the US and the world.

For this weeks headliner, we speak with Laffer about whether Trumps plan will make the US economy grow, or simply widen the gap between the rich and the poor.

How big a mess is the war in Afghanistan?

Trump has proposed devoting more troops and more money to the war in Afghanistan, doubling down on the 16-year-long conflict.

In this weeks Reality Check, we assess the state of Afghanistan after one trillion dollars spent and more than 30,000 lives lost.

Is Rwanda becoming a dictatorship?

Rwandan President Paul Kagame receives frequent praise for leading the country through an extended period of relative peace and prosperity after the countrys brutal genocide in 1994.

The country has also experienced huge economic growth and much development, especially in Kigali. But Kagames August re-election with 99 percent of the vote, the changes to the Constitution allowing him to potentially keep in power until 2034 and accusations of repression have raised alarm that Rwanda may be sliding into dictatorship.

In recent years, international human rights groups and even allies like the US have alleged harassment, abuse and arrest of Kagames political opponents.

So, is Rwanda under Kagame a peaceful, democratic miracle or is it becoming a dictatorship?

In this weeks arena, we debate this with David Himbara, a former adviser to Paul Kagame and now a critic, who is also author of Kagames Killing Fields, and Gatete Nyiringabo, a senior fellow at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research, who also runs the popular blog and news site Gatete Views.

Follow UpFront on Twitter @AJUpFront and Facebook.
Three people were arrested Wednesday after an officer found 51 fraudulent credit cards inside their car, Gainesville Police said.

Jael Diaz Morejon, 34, of Miami; Sergio Rodriguez Sanfiel, 30, of Colorado; and Grettea Dominguez Mendez, 23, of Tampa were pulled over on Interstate 75 at about 2:36 p.m. for a tinted windows infraction, according to an arrest report.

The officer noticed two large bundles of cash in rubber bands on the front passengers floorboard and in the center console area. While the officer was writing a warning, Rodriguez Sanfiel, who was driving the car, spontaneously told the officer he could search his car, according to the report.

The officer found a credit card re-encoder, gas pump keys, ledgers, a laptop, USB cables, fraudulent credit cards and large amounts of cash, according to the report.

Dominguez Mendez told police the equipment was hers, according to the report. She said she used the laptop for fraud and the money found by police was acquired from fraudulent credit card use, according to the report.

Dominguez Mendez was arrested on charges of trafficking in counterfeit credit cards, fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of a scanning device to defraud. Rodriguez Sanfiel and Diaz Morejon were arrested on a charge of possessing counterfeit credit cards.

The three remain in the Alachua County Jail, as of press time, in lieu of a combined bond of $1,800,000.

@catie_wegman

mwegman@alligator.org

Diaz

Dominguez

Rodriguez

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Dreamers united will never be defeated, echoed around UFs campus as students marched in support of those who benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Onlookers stopped in their tracks to catch a glimpse of the march, which went from the Plaza of the Americas to the Reitz Union early Thursday afternoon.

Robert Lemus, the president of the Hispanic Student Association, said he helped organize the rally as a support system for those affected by President Donald Trumps decision to revoke DACA, a program that gives undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children legal protection.

The amount of people out there that came out to support and chant for undocumented students really gave me a warm feeling, because it shows that compassion and understanding still exist, Lemus said.

UF Chispas and Students Taking Action Against Racism also co-organized the rally.

This is bringing everyone together so that we could show support to the students who might not even come out to this event because they feel that theyre going to be targeted, Lemus said.

All eyes were on Giancarlo Tejeda, a 20-year-old undocumented student, as he stood in front of the crowd to read a poem.

At 3 years old, Tejeda and his family came to the U.S. from Colombia on a visa and ended up overstaying.

Tejeda said DACA is part of the reason why he could come to UF. He felt it was his obligation to support UFs other DACA students.

I have to speak out for those who dont have a voice, this population that feels that they have to resort themselves to living in shadows; in fear of prosecution, the UF biomedical engineering junior said.

As the DACA supporters marched together, two protesters stood to the sides and shouted, Its not personal, its policy, and, Build the wall, throughout the rally.

Kevin Lemos, a 20-year-old UF computer science sophomore, said he is the son of two immigrant parents who both came to the U.S. and gained their citizenship through legal means.

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His mother is from Brazil, and his father is from Peru.

Lemos, who was one of the counter-protesters, spoke with students who approached him. He said the U.S. is the greatest country in the world because of liberty and security, and undocumented immigration threatens security.

People who violate the law in immigration not only violate the security of the country, theyre also putting an unnecessary burden on the citizens of the country, Lemos said.

Tejeda said he was infuriated when he first saw the counter-protesters.

I realized later that it was good that they were there because the poem that I presented later on was addressed to them, to that population of people, he said.

@christina_m18

cmorales@alligator.org

Protesters chant, Dreamers united will never be defeated, on their way to the Reitz Union to stand in solidarity to show support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program students.

Counter-protesters Kevin Lemos, a 20-year-old UF computer science sophomore, and Philip Smith, a 19-year-old UF exploratory engineering sophomore, hold two signs that read, "Build the Wall" and "Now Boarding I.C.E. Airlines" respectively. "Our (border) security should be our top priority," Smith said.

Bailey Triggs, an 18-year-old UF political science freshman; Alex Zawadzki, a 19-year-old UF political science sophomore; and Marian Vargas, a 20-year-old UF political science and economics junior, gather in a circle with other protesters as they make signs on the Plaza of the Americas. I stand with people, not for them, Triggs said.
After anxiously awaiting the results from the U.S. Senate, Emily Welch was relieved to discover the Graham-Cassidy bill would not go to a vote.

Tuesday afternoon, the healthcare bill, which attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, was pulled from a vote by majority leader Mitch McConnell, according to Politico. Any new attempts to pass healthcare reform will come after the Sept. 30 deadline.

Welch, a UF medical student and president of the UF American Medical Association medical student section, said the bill would have had an affect on her career, had it gone through.

Its a significant part of our future, and how were going to be able to practice, the 23-year-old said. This would have been a huge blow to public health measures that have been going on sort of in the background for some time since the ACA passed. It was a serious weight off my shoulders.

The bill aimed to distribute federal money to the states in the form of block grants, which would be distributed to residents via the state government, Welch said. The language of the bill would have allowed state governments, not doctors, to decide what is or is not a preexisting condition, she said.

She said when the states decide instead of doctors, they can deny certain preexisting conditions.

Diana Halloran, a UF medical student, was concerned that the Congressional Budget Office did not release an estimate of the effects on the healthcare industry the bill would have had. The office said on its website it would take weeks to provide such figures. The bill would have gone to a vote in the next 4 days.

They didnt even wait for a CBO score, Halloran, 24, said. Thats really important, you know it will let you know how many people could potentially become uninsured immediately, and over a long period of time.

The bill was opposed by several professional medical organizations, including the AMA, which stated in a press release that the bill would destabilize health insurance markets, and decrease access to affordable coverage and care.

Its just really scary to me that so many people can lose access to health care, said Dorreen Danesh, a UF medical student.

While some students opposed the bill because of its lack of provisions, others like Brian Reddy, a 20-year-old UF political science junior, hope for a total repeal of the ACA.

I think its morally wrong for government to be in the business of healthcare, he said in an interview before the bill was pulled from a vote.

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Reddy, a member of the UF College Republicans, said government has no place in the healthcare marketplace, and individuals must be responsible for acquiring their own health insurance.

Even though the bill was pulled, Reddy said he is hopeful that the legislature will be able to pass something that repeals the ACA more effectively.

Do I think that thats going to happen between now and the midterm elections? No, he said.

Despite the fact Reddy did not like the initial bill, he said its death does not necessarily come as a relief. Hes hoping for a successful bill in the future.

If it had passed, it would have been steps in the right direction, he said. I would just go with the word optimistic.
Gainesville Police assistant Chief Terry Pierce will be the subject of a third-party investigation amid allegations of unprofessional behavior, GPD confirmed Wednesday.

The agency received a complaint filed against Pierce, and GPD Chief Tony Jones intends to use a third party to look into the allegations, wrote GPD spokesperson Officer Ben Tobias in an email.

He is in contact with different parties and agencies to determine the most appropriate party to conduct this investigation, Tobias said.

Tobias would not comment further and said all items related to an internal investigation are confidential upon completion, citing Florida law.

Last Wednesday, Alena Lawson, the chief investigator with the Eighth Judicial Circuit public defenders office, sent an email to Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, claiming to have knowledge on incidents that expose Pierces behavior.

Lawson, a retired GPD lieutenant and president of the local chapter of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, or NOBLE, told Poe she had been contacted by several officers who recounted recent incidents.

According to the email obtained by the Alligator, Pierce made threats to officers recently and left the room slamming the door. On a separate occasion, Pierce made inappropriate comments to a female supervisor, Lawson said.

No one, regardless of rank should behave this way and certainly not a member of the command staff that makes decisions about Officers (sic) careers, Lawson wrote to Poe.

In the email, Lawson then said NOBLE requests an independent, external investigation.

Within hours, Poe responded to Lawson saying he is aware of the situation but would defer to Chief Jones on how to handle the situation.

I trust Chief Jones to do whatever is in the best interest of the department and the residents it serves, Poe wrote to Lawson in his email.

Lawson declined to comment, and Poe declined to comment further than what he wrote in the email, citing that he doesnt want the City Commission interfering with the agencys internal investigation.

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Johncarlo Cerna wants to help computer science students succeed during their first year at UF.

Cerna, a UF computer science engineering sophomore, said he restarted a mentorship program called First Time Programmers to equip computer science engineering students with resources during their first year at college.

The club will hold its first meeting Friday at 5 p.m. in the Computer Science and Engineering buildings Fishbowl, he said.

Cerna said as a freshman, the engineering advising center paired him with a chemical engineer upperclassman who was unable to help Cerna navigate computer science classes.

Freshmen need a lifeline, not only about classes but about the software world as a whole, the 19-year-old said.

Freshmen may not know how to use their resources, said Michael Smith, a UF computer science engineering junior.

The university provides tutoring and office hours, the 20-year-old said. Though I had all of these resources, I did not utilize them enough as an inexperienced freshman.

Cerna recruited mentors from the UF chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery and spoke to freshman classes to encourage students to apply.

The program currently has 25 mentors. After receiving more than 70 applications for mentees, 30 mentees were picked to be part of the program.

Mentors were selected for their experience at software companies, Cerna said.

Throughout the semester, the pairs will work on setting goals, internship applications, how to study and resumes, Cerna said. We want to help freshmen achieve their goals.

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American medical care and its financing have been transformed over the last century. Up until about 1920, American medical care in was quite primitive. It is quite possible that before then, it would have been healthier for the average person to not visit a doctor. But then several factors coalesced. There were new pharmaceuticals, widespread acceptance of the germ theory, improved anesthesia and surgical techniques, vaccination, and standardization of medical education. People began to gain confidence that if you were admitted to a hospital that you might actually go back home instead of dying, as was the previous experience. Although these new advances look inexpensive to us, the cost was onerous for its time. People dreaded the cost of hospitalization.

Although it was the heyday of the Progressive Era, Americans had no stomach for nationalized health care. Free enterprise filled the void. Some hospitals in Texas began offering a group of teachers a small monthly fee to cover the cost of possible hospitalization. This was a true insurance plan much like car insurance. It covered only the cost of the hospital. You paid for all of your routine medical bills as they happened. This eventually became Blue Cross and it spurred the growth of other iterations on this theme.

It was not long before national policy and politics got involved, just like that unwanted relative that visits and never goes home. During World War II there was a shortage of workers to manufacture war materiel. To attract workers, they were offered healthcare benefits, and this became standard. At the same time, the businesses were allowed to write off these costs from their corporate taxes. By the early 1960s almost 70% of American laborers had health insurance. This did not cover the poor and the elderly, so Washington gave us Medicaid and Medicare. These programs were mandated to cover some or all of medical care expenses. Gone were the days where you paid for everything except the hospital.

But now we are seeing the progeny of the law of unintended consequences. Private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are all third party payers. The whole system was flush with lots of money and medical services bloomed. Patients became indifferent to the cost of services, because, after all, someone else was paying for it. A sense of entitlement also ensued. The feeling was that if I am paying for this insurance, then I demand the premium (expensive) coverage. Patients no longer shopped around for more economical care. There was no longer any pressure from consumers to control costs. Price competition was gone. There have been many impotent attempts to control costs with HMOs, hospital utilization committees and pre-approval, to little effect.

And even if patients still demanded cheaper fees by shopping around, the costs would still go up. Every high-tech improvement in medical care comes with an almost exponential rise in cost. Every new CT scanner is over one million dollars. Robotic surgery equipment is around two million. Cancer drugs are often hundreds of thousands of dollars. And there are many fees I find hard to justify. For instance, at our local hospital, it costs over $20,000 just for the privilege of being wheeled into the OR. That is just the cost of using the room. It makes me sound old, but I remember when you could have open heart surgery, stay in the hospital for more than one week, and have a total bill of around $20,000.

And let us not forget that with all of this money flowing that the predators and scavengers are just outside the camp. The costs of defensive medicine are real. Just ask any high-risk specialist or emergency room doctor. It is hard to leave the ER with a bill of less than $1000. Tort reform is sorely needed.

And then came President Obama to save the day with the Affordable Care Act. That is one of the most incredible misnomers of all time. With an increase in mandated coverage, insurance for middle America has skyrocketed, with horrendous copay costs. Insurance companies are being driven out of the marketplace. Recent comments from the allies of Bernie Sanders sound like this was the intent all along. They have said that Obamacare was just the first step toward a single payer systemsocialized medicine. They needed to bankrupt the medical insurance companies because they are too wealthy and strong. In the transition, the American public would be inured to these high costs and would welcome the federal government with open arms. After all, we already have Medicare and Medicaid.

We still could go down the road too often traveled, to collectivism known as socialized medicine. Of course, the sanitized name is single payer. Its proponents claim the moral superiority. After all, they are providing the greatest good for the most people. Everyone will be equal. What a Utopia!

I know the left hates her, but Ayn Rand, who lived under communism in Russia before coming to America, had this to say in 1946: The greatest good for the greatest number is one of the most vicious slogans ever foisted on humanity. The slogan has no concrete specific meaning. There is no way to interpret it benevolently, but a great many ways it can be used to justify the most vicious actions. She gives examples. Nazi Germany decided that the greatest good would be killing the Jews. They were after all, the majority and could define the greatest good. The Chinese Great Cultural Revolution killed off over 100 million people for the greater good.

Many will protest that those are extremes of collectivism and that it is unfair to use these examples. We are far too civilized for that and we are talking about collectivizing medicine, not the whole society. But in socialized medicine, the government owns you. Sooner or later you are of no concern for the greater good.

I pray for wisdom in Washington, but there seems to be a dearth of it. I am beginning to think that the greatest good will be to replace many of our politicians with real conservatives.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) carried out a nationwide sweep of sanctuary cities, arresting nearly 450 illegal aliens with additional criminal charges or known gang affiliation without the help of local authorities.

Fox News:

Illegal immigrants with criminal charges or known gang-affiliations were targeted, the release said, noting that recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program were not. In Philadelphia, 107 illegal immigrants were arrested, while 101 were arrested in Los Angeles and 45 people were arrested in New York. The release noted that 18 of the 498 people arrested were gang members or have gang affiliations. A Mexican illegal immigrant in Los Angeles who was arrested is a member of the Colonia Chiques gang, a group dubbed one of the "largest and deadliest gangs" in southern California's Ventura County by the FBI. That immigrant, who was found with a handgun, allegedly rammed a number of law enforcement vehicles in an attempt to escape from authorities. Sanctuary cities  or cities that don't cooperate with federal immigration policy  have become a heated topic as the Trump administration has pushed for a stronger crackdown on illegal immigration. Even though ICE has said arrests of illegal immigrants are up 43 percent since this time last year, deportation numbers are down, according to The Washington Post.

This is taking the war directly to the enemy, as the acting director of ICE explained.

"Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honor detainers or allow us access to jails and prisons are shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement and creating a magnet for illegal immigration," said ICE Acting Director Tom Homan in a statement announcing the arrests. "As a result, ICE is forced to dedicate more resources to conduct at-large arrests in these communities."

According to the ICE press release, more than 300 of the illegals who were detained had criminal convictions:

All told, more than 300 of those arrested had criminal convictions, according to figures released by ICE. Nearly 90 of those people had been convicted of drunk driving, the most common offense. In a press release, ICE highlighted the most serious criminals caught. It described the arrest of a Colonia Chiques gang member in Los Angeles as part of the raid, saying he "rammed multiple law enforcement vehicles in an effort to evade arrest" and was found with a loaded handgun. Talia Inlender, a senior staff attorney at Public Counsel, which advocates for immigrants, criticized the focus on sanctuary cities. "It's clearly a political move that is not actually geared toward public safety," she said.

Getting a couple of hundred drunk drivers off the roads doesn't contribute to public safety? Guess again.

It is unfathomable that cities would resist getting illegal aliens committing additional crimes off the streets. How can they possibly defend their position or criticize ICE? It shows just how warped the thinking of sanctuary city politicians has become, where they defend gang-bangers against the lawful federal authority trying to remove them from the country.
Illinois governor Bruce Rauner, a "moderate" (read: liberal) Republican who's virtually indistinguishable from a liberal Democrat, has broken a promise he made to Illinois pro-lifers last April, when he stated that he'd veto a bill that forces taxpayers to pay for certain abortions.

From Prairie State Wire:

In signing the bill, Rauner will become America's first governor to initiate taxpayer funding of abortions. Today, Medicaid recipients can receive abortions in cases of rape, incest, health and life of the mother. The measure expands that. It means Illinoisans on Medicaid as well as state employees will receive free abortions for any reason, up until the last day of their pregnancy.

During his campaign, Rauner ran as a "pro-choice" candidate but said he would "have no social agenda" if elected.

That wasn't a good sign of things to come.

He was kind enough (ahem) to phone the left-leaning Cardinal Blase Cupich, who, to his credit, told Rauner, "I reminded him of the promise and also my statement earlier thanking him for that. He did break his word. He broke his word to the people, especially those who have continued to speak on behalf of the vulnerable child in the womb."

That apparently doesn't bother the uber-wealthy governor very much. Perhaps he thinks that since he's not embroiled in some scandal that could lead to time in prison  like four previous Illinois governors  he's really a pretty good guy.

He ultimately did what's best for Illinois, you see.

Right.

The cynical side of me wonders: do the liberals have some dirt on Rauner (maybe a little blackmail is involved here)? Is he terribly misguided? Or is he just plain rotten?
A judge hearing the case of a police officer injured during a riot in Baton Rouge instigated by Black Lives Matter ruled that the group cannot be sued because it is a "social movement" and not an "entity."

CNN:

Black Lives Matter is not an entity, but a social movement, Louisiana Middle District Judge Brian A. Jackson wrote. "Therefore, all claims against 'Black Lives Matter' must be dismissed because social movements lack the capacity to be sued."

The suing Baton Rouge police officer, who remained unnamed in the lawsuit, said he was hit by concrete or rock-like objects while responding to a demonstration led by DeRay Mckesson for Black Lives Matter and had "several serious injuries," according to court documents.

Protests, vigils and memorials sprang up nationwide after the shooting of Sterling by police outside a Baton Rouge convenience store. In a graphic cellphone video that was widely shared on social media, police officers can be seen on top of the African-American man before shots were fired.

The injured officer said Mckesson and Black Lives Matter were liable for his injuries because they were negligent and should have known the protests would turn to riots and become violent.

Mckesson was exercising his constitutional right to demonstrate, the judge ruled, and he cannot be held liable for the conduct of other protesters.

"All of this highlights the need for deep, deep changes in the city of Baton Rouge." Mckesson told CNN. "It is not a new tactic that people try to use the courts to silence activists and organizers. I am happy that the judge dismissed the lawsuit and understood I had no part in the officer's injuries."

A second lawsuit, filed on behalf of another anonymous police officer who was injured in a July 17, 2016, shooting that killed three Baton Rouge officers, lists Mckesson, Black Lives Matter and others as defendants. That case is before the same judge.

Federal prosecutors said earlier this year that there isn't enough evidence to charge the two officers involved in Sterling's death.
A culture of hatred has overtaken our urban educated classes to the point where public rudeness to a first lady's kind gesture is considered an opportunity for virtue-signaling. A public school librarian in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the Trump ticket came in fourth place with 6.2% of the vote, blogged a public rejection of a gift to her library from the first lady.

Liz Phipps Soeiro posted a blog with this 980-word open letter from the self-described "elementary school librarian in the Cambridge, MA, Public Schools ... [and] advocate for inclusive libraries and active in her community to create spaces that are welcoming to all students." It may be fair to characterize her as a member of the elite in her profession:



From Library Journal's "2017 Movers and Shakers - Educators."

The entire self-congratulatory exercise is worth a read to see the agenda of the left so explicitly on display in a public official. Follow the link if you have the stomach. But allow me to note the snide introduction that only slightly delays the launch into overt virtue-signaling.

Thank you for the ten Dr. Seuss titles that you sent my school library in recognition of this year's National Read a Book Day. (Sent second-day air, no less! That must have been expensive.)

The letter (she features it) looks beautiful and impressive.

Thirty-five words later, barely 3.5 percent of the letter's word count, she begins to pat at herself and her school and her community on the back.

I'm proud that you recognized my school as something special. It truly is.

After 151 words of virtue-signaling, she then informs the first lady and the world: "[W]e will not be keeping the titles for our collection. I'd like to respectfully offer my explanation."

Hilariously, the next sentence begins, "My school and my library are indeed award-winning." I am not making this up. Self-obsession on display.

Then another 362 words of virtue-signaling, this time more political, but also bragging about all the taxpayer-funded resources at her command.

Then, right near the end, she gets to her point with an epic rebuke of the last few generations of parents and children:

You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for children's literature.

Dr. Seuss, Theodore Geisel by name, was quite a leftist, but he was part of the old culture that must be totally rejected because of the inevitable issue of race and identity.

Another fact that many people are unaware of is that Dr. Seuss's illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.

No consideration of the book an example of what mommies and daddies used to read. Into the memory hole with it.

Her close just drips with condescension, in a final display of virtue, assigning a reading list and a recommendation that the first lady get professional help, because, you see, the indoctrination hasn't worked out well yet.

it was a wonderful gesture, if one that could have been better thought out. Books can be a powerful way to learn about and experience the world around us; they help build empathy and understanding. In return, I'm attaching a list of ten books (it's the librarian in me) that I hope will offer you a window into the lives of the many children affected by the policies of your husband's administration. You and your husband have a direct impact on these children's lives. Please make time to learn about and value them. I hope you share these books with your family and with kids around the country. And I encourage you to reach out to your local librarian for more recommendations.

I nominate this blog post for the Virtue-Signaling Hall of Fame, a website that someone should create.
Many years ago, The Beatles released a couple of soundtrack L.P.'s for the movie A Hard Day's Night. The U.S. version included George Martin's instrumental version of "This Boy." It was called "Ringo's theme."

A few weeks ago, Hillary Clinton wrote What Happened, her explanation of why she lost the election that all the experts thought that she'd win.

Michelle Obama now has given us "Michelle's theme" of what happened. She is blaming the women who voted for Trump:

"Any woman who voted against Hillary Clinton voted against their own voice," she said. Mrs. Obama, who has stayed largely out of the political fray since leaving the White House, made the remark at a Boston conference. She reflected on the 2016 election as an example of staying true to her "authentic self". "Quite frankly, we saw this in this election. As far as I'm concerned, any woman who voted against Hillary Clinton voted against their own voice," Mrs. Obama said on Wednesday during a question-and-answer session at Inbound, a marketing and sales conference in Boston.

My first reaction: "Ain't she sweet," another Beatles song!

Mrs. Obama is the latest Democrat who is lying to her audience about what happened in 2016, refusing to explain how 1,000 Democrats lost their seats during her husband's tenure.

Mrs. Obama did really well during the White House years. Her daughters attended an expensive school while her husband was standing with the teacher union rather than the black children of Washington, D.C.

The Obamas are now set for making post-presidency fortunes and probably enjoying all those tax cuts they criticized during the campaigns.

So the What Happened series moves on. I wonder who will write the next episode.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
(ANSA) - Rome, September 27 - The far-right extraparliamentary CasaPound group is to stage a torchlit march in Rome Friday to demand the closure of a Rome mosque outside which an Italian kissing couple were attacked by a Mali man last Sunday. "We want the immediate closure of the illegal mosque in Via San Vito after this umpteenth episode of intolerance," CasaPound said, adding that the road was "the most degraded one in the Esquilino district" which is home to many immigrants.

The Malian was released earlier Wednesday after receiving a five-month suspended sentence for the attack.

The 24-year-old Mali national was arrested Sunday night for allegedly attacking a couple who were walking hand-in-hand and kissing near the Islamic centre. The man reportedly told them "you can't kiss in front of the mosque" before pushing the young woman and punching and kicking the young man. The assailant also allegedly attacked police who came to the scene. A Carabiniere was slightly hurt.


Kosovo: EU, VISA liberalisation is near Mogherini said the new government is well placed to move forward

(ANSAmed) - BRUXELLES, 29 SET - EU VISA liberalisation for Kosovo's citizens is getting closer and closer and it is a priority on both Brussels' and Pristina's agendas. EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli met in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday. They discussed the EU integration agenda of Kosovo, focusing on visa liberalisation and the EU facilitated Dialogue.



"With the new Pristina's government in office, Kosovo is well placed to move forward on fulfilling the only two remaining conditions for visa liberalisation, notably to ratify the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro and to sustain the track record on the fight against organised crime and corruption", Federica Mogherini said.



The meeting with Pacolli was "good", Hahn wrote on his Twitter account, cheering the country up to "use momentum". (ANSAmed).




- CAIRO - ISIS in Libya is reorganizing on the outskirts of Sirte, on the gulf by the same name, under the name ''army of the desert'', the head of investigations at the Libyan prosecutor-general's office, Siddiq al-Sour, was quoted as saying by the BBC's website.



The report is one of many released by the magistrate and based on statements made by Islamic State militants questioned by investigators. Al-Sour explained the settlement of ISIS in Libya with the financial support that the ''Libyan government'' granted in the past to militants of the now-dissolved Ansar Al Sharia and Al Qaida. The funding then allegedly changed hands from Ansar to ISIS.



ISIS Libyan militants took control of Sirte in May 2015. It was subsequently retaken by Libyan forces between August and December 2016. (ANSAmed)
- ROME - Russian President Vladimir Putin has defined progress on a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis as a ''common success'' of Moscow and Ankara after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Rt reports.



Putin added that the accords ''have created the de facto conditions'' to end the bloodshed in Syria.



Rt also reported that Erdogan praised the Syrian peace process, declaring he was ''happy'' for progress made in talks in Astana, adding that the negotiations ''strengthen peace''.



The Turkish leader added that the guarantors of the Astana process, including Turkey and Russia, should now ''focus more on measures to build confidence''. Moscow and Ankara - he stressed - are ''engaged in a peaceful solution of the Syrian crisis''.






ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean

(ANSAmed) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 29 - These are some of the main events scheduled for today in the Euro-Mediterranean area.



MAZARA DEL VALLO - Expo of clusters of the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East (until October 1).



TURIN - EU, G7 ministerial meeting on labour (until the 30th).



BRUSSELS - EU, visit of Isa Pacollu, foreign minister of Kosovo (ANSAmed).




Catalonia calls on 5.3 mln to vote, Madrid vows to stop it 'Peaceful' referendum promised on Sunday

(ANSAmed) - MADRID, SEPTEMBER 29 - Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said after a weekly Cabinet meeting that ''there will not be any referendum in Catalonia'' on Sunday. Madrid has sent 10,000 police to the autonomous community of Catalonia to prevent voting from taking place. The Catalan government under President Carles Puigdemont will have to ''answer before justice'' for its ''serious institutional disloyalty''. ''We are in the presence of a constitutional disobedience process,'' the government spokesman said, ''against a consolidated and prestigious European democracy, as Spain is, in the middle of the 21st century.'' The Spanish government agency for data protection has threatened to impose 600,000 euros in fines on those forming voting stations for the Catalan independence referendum on Sunday, which has been declared ''illegal'' by Spain. The fines could be imposed to ''fraudulent use'', the Spanish agency said, of the data of 5.3 million Catalan voters. The referendum will be held despite the central government ban on it, Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras said on Friday.



Some 5.3 million Catalan citizens, he said, are called upon to vote and 2,315 electoral colleges with 6,249 voting stations will be set up. On Sunday, ''peaceful'' voting will be held from 8 AM until 8 PM despite Madrid's ban, Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull said in a press conference to present the voting. ''Neither the government nor the citizens of Catalonia are doing anything wrong,'' Vice President Oriol Junqueras said.



(ANSAmed).




Gentiloni calls for more ambitious EU, Italy to mediate Rome pushing for webtax, 'onward with enhanced cooperation'

(By Denis Greenan). (ANSAmed) - Tallinn, September 29 - Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni on Friday called for a "more ambitious" EU, especially on migrants and jobs, and said Italy would mediate with other leading members to achieve that goal.



He said Rome was pushing for a webtax, and stressed the importance of moving "onward with enhanced cooperation".



Gentiloni said that "we are concerned that the EU ambition should be above all in the management of security, in migratory issues and investments in Africa." He also stressed the importance of a "greater integration on the economic level with a relaunch of expansive growth policies." These issues will be discussed over the coming months, he said, and the debate may not at times be "easy". He said "we're not interested in models but in relaunching expansive policies". Gentiloni said on his arrival at the Digital Summit in Tallinn that "I hope that the government which will be set up in Germany will contribute to the drive necessary for growth and employment policies." He said the level of collaboration with Chancellor Angela Merkel "has always been positive".



Gentiloni said ahead of the Tallinn summit that the EU's response to current issues "must be ambitious". He said "today is the time for the various European policies to give themselves a switch-up in ambition". "I'm convinced we can arrive at steps forward," he said.



Individual EU countries "not only can but must work in coordination with each other in enhanced cooperation" on a Web tax in the absence of an agreement among all the EU members, Gentiloni said. This is the "sense of the document" that Italy, France, Germany and Spain "agreed in Paris at the end of August", he said.



Gentiloni said on Catalonia Friday that "it is clear that we as countries of the EU respect the laws of every country in our home and in other people's homes without interfering in their internal dynamics but referring to current laws". Catalonia is seeking EU mediation on its banned independence referendum.



Italy's role is to unite and "keep together" the proposed EU reforms of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron, Gentiloni said. "We must foster the convergence" of the proposals "animated by (the pair's) European ambitions", he said.



The Tallinn summithas focused on "the single European market, access for all, cybersecurity, balanced taxation, and rules for artificial intelligence," tweeted Gentiloni.




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FOR the last few months Ive been doing a series on musicians and their interest in literature and writers for the Los Angeles Review of Books. So far, all of these have been strong interviews with artists I love about figures I share an ardor for. In some cases, the conversations have taken me down intellectual alleyways I did not expect to go, which is even better. Each interview has been quite different from the last.

Patti Smith is by all measures a major, deeply influential musician going back to the mid-70s: She was a kind of godmother to the New York punk movement. Shes drawn acclaim for her memoir Just Kids and other writing, as well as her advocacy of French poetry.

Smith now has a slim, strange new book called Devotion on Yale University Press, which blends a meditation on creativity with a fable-like piece of fiction. (This blog is inspired, of course, by my own book on YUP, Culture Crash, so I probably dont have to underline how proud it makes me to be labelmates not just with Greil Marcus and Terry Eagleton but the great Ms. Smith.)

The interview with Smith, which took place a few hours after she walked in from a trip to Mexico City (for what I take it was a memorial event for Sam Shepard) was wide-ranging and, at least for me a lot of fun. For reasons of length I had to leave out a few lines, such as her fondness for Powells Books in Portland, her love of the early Camus novel, A Happy Death, or the difference between John and Paul. (Beatles, not Bible.) But the review busted out its word length  hat-tip to my editor Boris Dralyuk for the space  because of our shared love of her work.

Here, then, is my All the Poets interview with the great Patti Smith.
Soha, 38, and Kunal got engaged in July 2014 in Paris and tied the knot in Mumbai on January 25, 2015.

Mumbai: Actors Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu today welcomed their first child, a baby girl.

Kemmu took to Twitter to share the news with his fans and followers.

"We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day. Thank you for the love and blessings," the 34-year-old actor wrote.

We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day Thank you for the love&blessings  kunal kemmu (@kunalkemmu) September 29, 2017

Soha, 38, and Kunal got engaged in July 2014 in Paris and tied the knot in Mumbai on January 25, 2015.

Soha announced her pregnancy in April 2017.

On the work front, Soha was last seen in the film 31st October. Kunal will be seen next in Golmaal Again scheduled to release on Diwali.
Jayant said his difference of opinion with his father was a 'very serious discussion' and that it should not be seen 'in a personal way'.

Jayant Sinha defended the government's economic policies on Thursday in what many saw as an attempt by the government to have Yashwant Sinha cornered by his own son. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: Union minister Jayant Sinha on Thursday denied he wrote a newspaper article disputing his father and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha's contentions on the state of India's economy at anybody's bidding, insisting it was "absolutely out of my own conscience".

Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, said his difference of opinion with his father was a "very serious discussion" and that it should not be seen "in a personal way". "It was absolutely my own conscience... I reject any such charge that I was asked to write the article. I wanted to write the article," Jayant Sinha told a television channel a day after his father criticised Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the economic "mess" in the country.

"It is a very serious discussion about the future of the economy and it should not be seen in a personal way," Jayant Sinha said, adding the economy is shifting gears, and that it has slowed down a little bit so it can accelerate further.

Read: Yashwant Sinha's son defends Centre, says GST, note ban game-changers for India

Jayant Sinha defended the government's economic policies on Thursday in what many saw as an attempt by the government to have Yashwant Sinha cornered by his own son.

"The discussion we are having through newspapers and television is a discussion I have been having with my father for many weeks and months... He asks difficult and tough questions as he should as somebody who knows the economy well," Jayant Sinha said.

Yashwant Sinha, who was finance minister in the first NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had earlier on Thursday said a response to his article should have come from the minister concerned or a spokesperson of the government.

Read: Note ban a 'disaster', says BJP's Yashwant Sinha; Cong calls for reality check

Referring to his son's defence of the government, seen as a counter to his criticism of the centre's handling of the economy, Yashwant Sinha sought to know why his son was shifted from the finance ministry "if he was so competent" to address the concerns raised by him.

Yashwant Sinha said both he and his son were doing their "dharma".
Piyush Goyal said, 'Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot overbridge.'

Goyal said he has ordered a high-level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Mumbai: Railways minister Piyush Goyal condemned the Elphinstone Road stampede incident and said that a high-level enquiry has been ordered into the incident which left at least 22 dead.

Goyal said, "Have ordered a high-level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways."

The minister said, "Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot overbridge."

After arriving at Mumbai Airport Goyal said, "My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured persons."
The reaction came after Pak foreign min suggested he received the proposal to swap Jadhav for a terrorist during his meeting with an NSA.

Kulbhushan Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistan's Field General Court Martial on charges of his alleged 'involvement in espionage and sabotage activities' against Pakistan. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: India on Friday cited Afghanistan National Security Advisor's (NSA) statement rejecting Pakistan's claim that it had received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist, to assert that it was another addition to Islamabad's "imaginary lies".

The reaction came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif suggested that he received the proposal to swap Jadhav with the terrorist, lodged in an Afghan jail, during his meeting with an NSA.

However, Khwaja did not identify the NSA or the terrorist who was to be swapped.

Contradicting Asif's claim, the office of the Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar issued a statement saying there was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen during his meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister on September 21 in New York.

Asif had told a gathering at the Asia Society in New York on September 26 that Pakistan received a proposal to swap Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan.

Reacting strongly, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the statement by the office of the Afghan NSA suggested that the claim by Asif was one more addition to the long list of "imaginary lies" by Pakistani establishment.

The statement by Atmar's office said the two sides, during the meeting, had detailed discussions on variety of issues including bilateral cooperation.

"The two sides also discussed sanctuaries in Pakistan and exchange of the top five Taliban leaders detained in Pakistan. There was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen," it said, adding Atmar was hopeful that the record of the meetings are reported accurately and facts are not "misconstrued".

The MEA spokesperson also referred to Pakistan's use of a "fake picture" in the United Nations General Assembly recently, adding the Pakistan Foreign Minister's claim was another lie.

"If you have gone through the press release (issued by Afghan NSA's office), it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies as stories which have been created by Pakistani establishment," said Kumar.

Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistan's Field General Court Martial on charges of his alleged "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against Pakistan.

In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the International Court of Justice had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav. The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the gruesome Peshawar school attack in 2014 in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.
The ambassador made the suggestion at celebrations in the Capital, ahead of the Chinese National Day on Oct. 1.

New Delhi: Chinese ambassador Luo Zhaohui on Friday said that India and China should turn a new chapter in ties and dance together, an obvious reference to the tumultuous Doklam episode when both sides had a military face-off in Bhutanese territory. The ambassador made the suggestion at celebrations in the Capital, ahead of the Chinese National Day on Oct. 1.

The conciliatory remark came on a day when home minister Rajnath Singh visited the China border, the first by a minister after the recent resolution of the stand-off in Doklam, and said there has been a perceptional difference of the border between the two neighbours and expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved with time.

The border issue will be resolved once we have structural dialogue (with China). What we need is a positive approach (to the issue), the home minister said while visiting a forward ITBP post in Uttarakhand located at an altitude of 14,311 feet.

Earlier, the Chinese envoy said that the two sides should dance together, a clear pitch for renewed Sino-Indian ties after the Doklam episode.

China covets Doklam and calls it Dong Lang while both India and Bhutan regard Doklam as Bhutanese territory. Both Indian and Chinese forces had recently agreed to pull back from Doklam after a more than two month long face-off that was triggered by Chinese attempts to build a road in the disputed territory.

Significantly, despite India preferring Japanese technology for its bullet train project from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, the Chinese envoy reminded the audience about major Chinese achievements such as the high-speed train that runs between Beijing and Shanghai.

China had offered India its bullet train technology but tensions between the two Asian giants seem to have led New Delhi to embrace the Japanese technology instead.
The incident took place at the Oxford English High School located in Mumbai's Ghatkopar.

The teacher identified as Shyam Bahadur Vishwakarma had hit the student named Suhail Ansari on the head, where he had already had an injury. (Photo: Representational/File)

Mumbai: The police have arrested a teacher, who mercilessly thrashed a 16-year-old student for not having an Aadhaar identification card.

The incident took place at the Oxford English High School located in Mumbai's Ghatkopar.

The teacher identified as Shyam Bahadur Vishwakarma had hit the student named Suhail Ansari on the head, where he had already had an injury. Due to this, presently, the student is admitted in the nearby Sion hospital.

After listening to the entire incident, the victim's parents reached the school, whereas the concerned teacher denied the reports of beating up the student.

However, the CCTV footage revealed the truth. In the video, the teacher is seen beating Suhail with a stick.

On the basis of parents' complaint, a case was filed at the Ghatkopar Police Station under sections 323, 324 and 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the teacher.

Further investigation is underway.
Mr Shahs visit to Amethi will take place on the eve of the partys state executive meeting, proposed to be held in Kanpur on October 11 and 12.

Lucknow: BJP president Amit Shah will visit Amethi on October 10 to mobilise cadre for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and return fire on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis recent attacks on the saffron party during his Gujarat visit, party sources said.

The decision to visit Amethi, the constituency of Mr Gandhi, apparently comes after the latter held a series of meetings in Gujarat ahead of the Assembly elections later this year.

Rahul Gandhi is attacking the BJP in Gujarat and Mr Shah will return the fire in Amethi, which remains neglected even after having been a VIP constituency for several decades. If the Congress is targeting us in the home state of PM Narendra Modi and Mr Shah, we will also target the Congress in its bastion, said a BJP functionary.

Mr Shahs visit to Amethi will take place on the eve of the partys state executive meeting, proposed to be held in Kanpur on October 11 and 12. Mr Shah will interact with party workers during his Amethi visit and may even address a public function.

We are not going to let go of Amethi. Smriti Irani, who had contested from here in 2014, has been visiting Amethi frequently, and she interacts with the local people on a regular basis. She, in all probability, will be contesting again from Amethi, and this time, she is sure to defeat the Congress vice-president who has been taking the constituency and its people for granted, the BJP functionary said.

The BJPs game plan, apparently, is to pin down the Gandhis in their bastions  Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli and Rahul Gandhi in Amethi  so that they are unable to campaign as vigorously as they want in other parts of the country for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP is in no mood to adhere to political niceties, which include giving space to top political leaders in their own constituencies. BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak, however, downplayed the importance of Mr Shahs visit to Amethi.

He said, The BJP has always involved itself in the politics of issues. Amethi is lacking in development and is one of the most backward regions in the state. As a political party, we are well within our rights to raise such issues, and there is nothing personal in it.

Sources also said that the BJP was preparing to showcase the lack of development in Amethi and Rae Bareli in the Gujarat elections to drive home the point that the Gandhi family has not even ensured the development of their own constituencies.
Part of ancient ritual Manene, clans visit tombs of dead family members, clean remains and replenish coffins with personal belongings.

Family members shed tears for their dead as the coffin is carried in a chaotic funeral procession to the burial site. (Photo: AP)

Toraja: Yosefina Tumanan, a resident of the remote Toraja region of Indonesias island of Sulawesi, was thrilled to see her sister-in-law.

You look so beautiful! Tumanan told the skeletal remains of her relative who has been dead for six years.

The scene is part of an ancient Torajan ritual known as Manene, in which clans visit the tombs of deceased family members, clean their remains and replenish the coffins with personal belongings.

Even though shes not here physically, we still have a connection, Tumanan told Reuters as several families gathered at Lokomata, a massive boulder in a misty, rice-terraced valley that houses the remains of dozens of people.

Its a chance for the whole family to visit and express our love, she said, adding that the ritual was like a family reunion every few years.

The people of Tana Toraja, or the land of Toraja, are mostly Christian, but adhere to old traditions whose roots trace back to animistic beliefs.

This is common in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country of 250 million people that is also home to minority groups which espouse Hinduism, Buddhism, and traditional beliefs.

Unlike some other cultures, death is barely a parting for those in Toraja.

The deceased are mummified and housed in ornate, colourful coffins and spend several months or even years in their own homes before receiving a funeral and burial.

Relatives talk to the deceased, offer them food and drink, and involve them in family gatherings, as if they are still alive.

Once sufficient family members can attend and money is available to pay for sacrificial buffaloes and pigs, a funeral ceremony, known as Rambu Solo, is held, with the whole village usually invited to a feast celebrating communal ties.

Family members shed tears for their dead as the coffin is carried in a chaotic funeral procession to the burial site.

The coffins - painted in bright reds and ochres - are stuffed with clothes and personal effects and placed in narrow tombs carved into monolithic rocks that pepper the mountainous region.

The boulders can be as high as a three-storey building and each tomb can take between three to six months to carve.

Keeping the tradition alive for future generations is an important responsibility, said Renolt Patrian, a 21-year-old studying to be a mining engineer.

When I have a job and earn money, I will not give up the tradition, he said after visiting his great-grandmother who died last month in the family home.
Talking to reporters, Mr Gahlot said that at the meeting with the DMRC chief, he examined all files related to the fare hike.

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party government on Thursday directed the Delhi Metro to put on hold an impending fare hike till the transport department completes its inquiry to ascertain whether the view of the city administration was considered while taking the decision.

Terming the fare hike as anti-people, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal directed transport minister Kailash Gahlot to find a solution within a week to prevent its implementation. The direction came after Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh met Mr Gahlot over the fare hike, which will come into effect from October.

This would be the second hike in metro fares this year. The fares were last revised in May. From October, ticket prices will go up by a maximum of `10.

In his order, the transport minister said the proposed hike in metro fares was likely to affect a large number of commuters in Delhi and that the government was completely against any such move.

It is not clear as to whether the stand of the Delhi government was considered by the Fare Fixation Committee. The government is in the process of examining the entire matter. In the meanwhile, the Delhi Metro is directed to put on hold any further hike till the Delhi government completes its inquiry and forms an opinion on this subject, Mr Gahlot said in an order. When asked, the DMRC declined to comment on the issue.

Talking to reporters, Mr Gahlot said that at the meeting with the DMRC chief, he examined all files related to the fare hike. The minister said there were five members each from the Centre and the Delhi government in the Board of Metro and that the chief secretary has been given a copy of the order.

Hours after CM Kejriwal directed Mr Gehlot to look into the matter, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari too urged the DMRC management to review its decision for fare hike.
The officer said that on the day of the incident, the accused's wife had gone to the farm while he was at home with his daughter.

The man was arrested on the basis of the complaint, lodged by a woman who lives nearby and who witnessed the killing and raised an alarm. (Photo: Representational/File)

Pune: A father allegedly slit his five-year-old daughter's throat with a sharp weapon in Indapur tehsil of Pune district. The incident took place on Wednesday, they said.

Police said that the man, a resident of Nimgaon Ketaki in Indapur tehsil, got annoyed with his daughter, who was asking him to take her to her mother, who was working in the nearby farm.

"In a fit of anger, the accused, who is also an alcoholic, dragged her outside the house and slit her throat using a sharp weapon," said a police officer with Indapur police station.

He said the man was arrested on the basis of the complaint, lodged by a woman who lives nearby and who witnessed the killing and raised an alarm. He added the man and his wife work as labourers in the area.

"He is addicted to alcohol due to which the couple used to fight regularly. He often asked for money from his wife for liquor, but she used to refuse," he added.

The officer said that on the day of the incident, the accused's wife had gone to the farm while he was at home with his daughter.

"The accused wanted to have liquor and he called up his wife for money, however, she refused and at the same time, his daughter started crying and insisted her father to take her to her mother.

"The accused, who was already angry, got annoyed after his daughter started crying and in a fit of rage, he dragged her 150 meters from her house and slit her throat," said the officer.

While the accused was dragging his daughter into the nearby farm, she was crying. "Hearing the cries, the woman, who was nearby, rushed to the farm only to see that the man was slitting his daughter's throat with a sharp weapon.

"The woman raised an alarm and with the help of other neighbours, he was caught and handed to police," said the officer.
Lakdawala stays at Gordon Apartment in Nagpada, where Haseena Parkar stayed.

Mumbai: The Thane Crime Branch on Friday summoned a close aide of Iqbal Kaskar, brother of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim for questioning in the extortion cases registered last week.

The police said that Pankaj Gangar, the fourth accused arrested in the extortion cases, allegedly gave a statement to them accepting payments made by him to the Dawood Ibrahim gang.

Gangar, a matka (gambling) operator, has told the police in his statement that he was paying the gang Rs 15 lakh per month and was funding for the arms for their hit men.

The latest detained aide was identified as Aslam Lakdawala, who is stated to be a partner of Kaskar in some business activities since he was released from jail in 2007. We summoned him for questioning based on the inputs we have received. We have not arrested him. We are gathering information on Lakdawala's past criminal record, said an officer of Thane crime branch.

Lakdawala is suspected to be a front in the business of construction and redevelopment that Kaskar handled on behalf of the D-gang in Mumbai and surrounding areas. Lakdawala stays at Gordon Apartment in Nagpada, where Haseena Parkar stayed. He was close to Kaskar and the Parkar family. We want to know what brought him so close to Kaskar and what would they discuss during their meetings, said a Thane crime branch officer.

After Kaskar was extradited to India in 2003, Lakdawala helped Kaskar to find properties in Mumbai that needed development or redevelopment. Police said that Lakdawala is into construction and redevelopment of old properties. There are no documents to suggest on paper association or partnership between Kaskar and Lakdawala however they had been together since years.
The prize of $20,000 (17,750 Euros) will formally be presented on November 5 in the western Norwegian town of Bergen.

Srinagar: Two Kashmiri activists have won Norways Rafto Prize for human rights for their long-term struggle against violence and violations of the peoples rights in the restive State.

The awardees are Parveena Ahangar, the chairperson of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), and lawyer Parvez Imroz who heads Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS).

A statement issued by the Rafto Foundation said, "Parveena Ahangar and Imroz Parvez have long been at the forefront of the struggle against arbitrary abuses of power in a region of India that has borne the brunt of escalating violence, militarisation and international tension."

Ahangar has been struggling with other members of the APDP to trace thousands of victims of involuntary disappearance during the nearly three-decade old turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir.

Her own son Javaid Ahangar is among them. He was allegedly picked up by the security forces from their home in Srinagars Batamallo area in 1990 when he was only 17. Parvez has been active as a human rights activist and lawyer for many years now and has survived an assassination bid.

Ahangar while reacting to her being chosen for Rafto Prize said, The outside world has felt our pain and recognized our effort aimed at seeking return of our dear ones.

She also said that if those who disappeared after their reported arrest by security forces are dead we must be told about it.

The Rafto Foundation said, "Their long campaign to expose human rights violations, promote dialogue and seek peaceful solutions to the intractable conflict in Kashmir has inspired new generations across communities.

The prize of $20,000 (17,750 Euros) will formally be presented on November 5 in the western Norwegian town of Bergen.

Rafto Prize is named after the late Norwegian human rights activist Thorolf Rafto and four past winners of the prize (Aung San Suu Kyi, Jose Ramos-Horta, Kim Dae-Jung and Shirin Ebadi) went on to win to Nobel Peace Prize, whose laureate for 2017 will be announced on October 6.
5G is expected to generate about eight times more data traffic than an average 4G connection.

The solution comes in two variants FlashFWD 864F ribbon cable with six tubes and FlashFWD 1152F ribbon cable with eight tubes.

Sterlite Tech has launched a high-speed 5G ready network solution named FlashFWD at India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2017, being held in New Delhi, India.

Globally, as data consumption continues to grow exponentially, there is a need for new, dense networks that enable extremely high data speeds and low response times. 5G is expected to generate about eight times more data traffic than an average 4G connection, with 15 per cent global population expected to have 5G subscriptions by 2021-22. In India too, applications such as Aadhar-based e-payments, e-authentication and e-commerce are growing manifold, transforming the everyday living of citizens. Enabling these emerging demand trends, Sterlite Tech has launched its 5G ready network solution FlashFWD which has the high fibre density in a compact cable package possible.

The solution comes in two variants FlashFWD 864F ribbon cable with six tubes and FlashFWD 1152F ribbon cable with eight tubes.

This cable category, with over 50 times the capacity of the typical cable deployed in India, is NABL certified and complies with the latest global standards of IEC.60794 series, ANSI/ICEA S-87-640, Telcordia GR-20, ITU-T Recommendations, and is CPR approved for LSZH versions.
Samsung is surprisingly bestowing its two-year old tablet with last years Android Nougat update.

Its not very often that you get to hear about an old Samsung device getting a the latest Android update. But guess what, an old Samsung tablet tastes last years Android Nougat while the world of Android is expecting to taste Android Oreo. It is unbelievable but true.

The Galaxy Tab A 9.7-inch is a mid-range tablet launched in 2015 with Android Lollipop. The tablet got the Marshmallow update last year, which was expected to be the last major software upgrade for the tablet. However, Geekbench spotted the tablet running Android 7.1.1 Nougat and some users have already started receiving the update in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland and Spain.

Android Nougat brings the multi-window functionality to the Tab A, which will surely enable an enhanced tablet experience. Other noticeable features include background update (only if it gets anymore) and a power-saving Doze mode.

(source)
US Senator Mark Warner said Twitter officials had not answered many questions about Russian use of the platform.

Twitter said it had identified and removed 22 accounts directly linked to about 500 fake Facebook pages or profiles tied to Russia and that it unearthed an additional 179 accounts that were otherwise related. (Photo: File/Representational)

Washington: Twitter said on Thursday it had suspended about 200 Russian-linked accounts as it probes online efforts to meddle with the 2016 US election, but an influential Democratic senator slammed its steps as insufficient.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, summoned Twitter officials to testify behind closed doors on Thursday as part of broad investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election. Facebook faced a similar grilling earlier this month.

Lawmakers in both parties suspect social networks may have played a big role in Moscows attempts to spread propaganda, sow political discord in the United States and help elect President Donald Trump. Moscow denies any such activity, and Trump has denied any collusion.

Twitter also briefed the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee on Thursday.

Warner said Twitter officials had not answered many questions about Russian use of the platform and that it was still subject to foreign manipulation.

The companys presentation to the Intelligence Committee showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is, Warner said. He took particular umbrage at what he said was Twitters decision to largely confine its review to accounts linked to fake profiles already spotted by Facebook.

Twitter said it had identified and removed 22 accounts directly linked to about 500 fake Facebook pages or profiles tied to Russia and that it unearthed an additional 179 accounts that were otherwise related.

Twitter declined to comment when asked about Warners comments.

In addition to the private testimony by its officials, the company published a public blog post Thursday with its most detailed discussion to date of the steps it was taking to combat propaganda.

Warner in remarks to reporters called Twitters statements deeply disappointing and inadequate on almost every level.

The comments signaled that the congressional investigations into Russias use of social media platforms would not ease up. Twitter, Facebook and other Internet companies including Alphabet Incs Google are facing a steady stream of criticism as more information emerges about manipulation of their platforms during the 2016 election campaign.

Users, lawmakers and technology analysts have long criticized Twitter as too lax in policing fake or abusive accounts. Unlike Facebook, Twitter allows both anonymous accounts and automated accounts, or bots, making it far more difficult to police the service.

On Thursday, researchers at Oxford University published a study concluding that Twitter bots disseminated misinformation and propaganda at a higher rate in US battleground states than in noncompetitive states during a 10-day period around Election Day in November.

San Francisco-based Twitter said Russian media outlet Russia Today, which is close to the Kremlin, had spent $274,100 on Twitter advertisements and promoted 1,823 tweets potentially aimed at the US market.

Those ad buys alone topped the $100,000 that Facebook this month linked to a Russian propaganda operation during the 2016 election cycle, a revelation that prompted calls from some Democrats for new disclosure rules for online political ads.

Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, was more tempered in his assessment of Twitters briefing, saying in a statement that the firm expressed a desire to work cooperatively with investigators and conduct additional analyses.

LOW-QUALITY TWEETS

Twitter announced new measures to toughen restrictions on suspect spammers, for example by reducing the time that suspicious accounts stay visible during company investigations.

To thwart abuse via applications interacting with Twitter, the company said it had suspended 117,000 apps since June that had been responsible for 1.5 billion low-quality tweets this year.

Twitter said it wanted to strengthen disclosure rules on political advertising, as Facebook has just done.

Warner is leading efforts to introduce legislation requiring internet platforms to reveal who is purchasing online political ads, which would bring them in line with rules governing ads on radio or television.

He told reporters on Thursday he did not have a Republican co-sponsor for a draft measure he was circulating he was confident there would be bipartisan interest.
Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafess Zakaria also accused India of playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan.

The picture used by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN was reported by a number of media outlets as that of Rawia Abu Joma'a, a 17-year-old girl injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza city in 2014. (Photo: Twitter)

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday dodged a question on the recent photograph gaffe by its top diplomat in the UN General Assembly, saying the incident cannot be used to deny an "indisputable fact" that Indian security forces were using pellet guns in Kashmir.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, held up a photograph of an injured Gaza girl whose face was peppered with alleged pellets and portrayed it as a Kashmiri pellet gun victim.

Read: Pak envoy goofs up at UN, shows Palestinian as victim of Kashmir unrest

Asked about his reaction to the gaffe, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafess Zakaria side-stepped the question at the weekly briefing here and instead blamed Indian security forces for blinding Kashmiris.

"India cannot deny around 80 Kashmiris completely blinded deliberately by its forces and blinding of over 200 innocent Kashmiris in one eye," he claimed.

"India cannot deny injuring thousands of Kashmiris using pellet guns... It is an indisputable fact," Zakaria claimed.

He also accused India of playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan and under the garb of development assistance using the country's soil to carry out subversive activities inside Pakistan.

"We have evidence to this effect, which was shared with the US, the Secretary General of the UN and also with the Afghan authorities," Zakaria said.
Rumours have abounded about Baghdadi's own health and movements, but his whereabouts remain unclear.

It was not clear when the message, released by the IS-affiliated Al-Furqan media group, was recorded. (Photo: PTI/File)

Beirut: The Islamic State group released an audio recording on Thursday of what it said was its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi calling on members under pressure in Syria and Iraq to "resist" their enemies.

"The leaders of the Islamic State and its soldiers have realised that the path to... victory is to be patient and resist the infidels whatever their alliances," said the person heard in the recording.

It was not clear when the message, released by the IS-affiliated Al-Furqan media group, was recorded.

In it, the apparent IS leader lashed out at "infidel nations headed by America, Russia and Iran" who, along with their allies, have inflicted losses on the jihadists during separate anti-IS offensives against IS in Syria and Iraq.

Thursday's was the first audio message said to be of Baghdadi since November 2016, when he spoke in a defiant tone in urging his supporters to defend the city of Mosul against a massive operation by Iraqi forces.

That recording, also released by Al-Furqan, was a rare sign of life from Baghdadi.

In July, Moscow said it was struggling to confirm if Baghdadi was dead or alive, a month after reporting his possible demise in an air strike near the IS stronghold of Raqa in Syria.

Rumours have abounded about Baghdadi's own health and movements, but his whereabouts remain unclear.

Shortly after the jihadists swept across swathes of Iraq in June 2014, Baghdadi appeared before thousands of faithful at Mosul's Great mosque of Al-Nuri to urge Muslims around the world to join his "caliphate" straddling Syria and Iraq.

The jihadists have since lost vast territory in both countries, including in Syria to Russia-backed regime troops and a US-supported Kurdish-Arab alliance.

But his group has claimed its members were behind deadly attacks carried out worldwide, including in Paris, London and Barcelona.
by Melani Manel Perera

Mangala Samaraweera chairs the Finance Department. On 26 September, 31 refugees fleeing from Myanmar were attacked by Buddhist monks in a UN camp on the outskirts of Colombo. In the past, the island welcomed other refugees. Muslim: "We have never asked to establish the Rohingya here. There are still so many victims of the civil war waiting for a home. "

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The assault by a crowd of Buddhist monks against Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar who had sheltered in an UN camp is "shameful" says Sri Lankan Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. He condemns the attack by monks on September 26th on 31 guests of the UNHCR's camp in Mount Lavinia, a suburb of the capital. "A s Buddhist - he says  I condemn this act of violence, even more so because I am proud of the fact that Buddhism is a religion of nonviolence and compassion."

After the assault, the UNHCR was forced to relocate the refugees to a safe place. The minister reports that the fugitives were rescued a few months ago from a dinghy boat in front of the Sri Lankan coast and saved by the Navy. Samaraweera reports that the rescue is not the first of this type. In March 2008, other refugees were discovered and accommodated on the island until 2012, when they were relocated to the United States. And again in 2013, the Navy retrieved another 170 Rohingya exiles from two boats that had sunk. They were also entrusted to the care of the UNHCR and later resettled in the US and Canada.

The politician argues that "all the righteous people of this country and especially Buddhists must condemn the action of the monks. I ask the police to take serious action against these criminals who commit crimes against innocent refugees. "

Other Buddhist citizens opposed to the radicals attack on them. Speaking to AsiaNews Sirimewan Indrarathna, 58, resident on the outskirts of Piliyandala, claims to have been "sorry to see the monks and other young people calling themselves of 'singalian blood' waving flags with the lion's symbol. These people act as if they did not have religion or humanity. " He continues by saying that "these well-known personalities spread the discourse of hatred rather than cultivating the true values of Buddhism. The principles of Buddhism state that faithful must take care of others, especially those who need our help and protection. "

According to Malarjothy, a Tamil woman living in Wellawatta, "the real question is why the Maha Sanga (chief priests) remain silent in the face of these petty incidents that are causing serious harm to Sri Lankan Buddhism. There are many faithful and honest monks, but these racists destroy the good image of religion. Buddhism brings together crushed lives, spreads love and respect. "

Pradeep Laksiri, a Catholic activist in Negombo, states that "human life is worth more than anything. All religions teach respect for every life. It is shameful that these radicals attack the refugees and spread fear. " Muslim Aadhil Ali Sabry adds that "you should not look at these stories with the lens of racism. They are human beings. It is not the first time that refugees reach our country. The victims were in a UN camp waiting for a destination. " He reiterates that Sri Lankan Muslims "have never asked the authorities to allow refugees to remain in the island when many victims of the 30-year civil war have not yet returned to their homes ".
Vuong Van Tha used a loudspeaker to slam the governments "mistakes and crimes". After he was taken into custody on 18 May 2017, his family heard nothing for three months. He had been released in 2016 after a three-year sentence for "abusing democratic freedoms". The authorities limit the activities of religious groups.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/RFA)  Vietnamese authorities have held Vuong Van Tha, a member of an unsanctioned sect of Hoa Hao Buddhism, in solitary confinement since his arrest in May, this according to the Interfaith Council of Vietnam, a group that promotes religious freedom in the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Council noted that Thas detention violates the countrys constitution. It said that police had taken the hermit into custody on 18 May along with his son and two of his cousins after laying siege to the familys home in southern Vietnams An Giang province.

The family was not notified of the whereabouts of Tha and his three relatives until receiving an announcement more than three months later, informing them that they had been detained at Bang Lang Prison, in An Giangs Long Xuyen district.

Prior to his arrest in May, Tha had used a loudspeaker to speak out against what he called the mistakes and crimes of Vietnams government.

He was released from prison in August 2016 after serving a three-year sentence for abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens.
There are 2 million over ninety years of age in the country. 27.7% of the population is over 65. The "unconnected" society forced to ask "enormous questions" about the future. Experiences at the Listening Center. Anxiety for the future. The fate of the ashes of the deceased without a family.

Tokyo (AsiaNews) - The number of ultra-ninety year olds in Japan has exceeded 2 million. Japanese newspapers are emphasizing this record number, but for Fr. Marco Villa, Pime's missionary in Koshigaya (north of Tokyo), the real worrying news is "knowing that 27.7% of the population is over 65, retirement age here in Japan, and that 8.5% of population is over 80 ". An aging population that "raises enormous questions for the whole society", afflicted by the loss of family ties and the drama of solitude.

"The lengthening of life and the decline in the productive population," says the missionary, "forces us to wonder whether" younger generations will still be able to sustain, with their payments, the pensions of those between 20 and 30 years old on reaching the age of 65 "; who will take care of the physical and mental health of the elderly person, when already nursing staff or those specialized in geriatric care are insufficient "; and "with 30% of Alzheimer's current 90-year-olds, [if] will be able to have specialist assistance in the future for the most frequent senile disorders of that age group."

The aging of the population "confirms a trend begun in the last decade: Japanese society is becoming a society without ties. The bond with the place of origin, with the family, with the reality where one lives, is becoming less and less a reality. And this loss inevitably accompanies the drama of solitude, and not only of the elderly. "

Fr. Villa has been working for years in the Koshigaya Listening Center, "which aims at solidarity between people and welcomes especially those who want to be in company, listen to and eat with someone."

Recently, two experiences struck the missionary.

Mr. Nojiri attended the Center for less than a year, with his "87 years of age and the many memories ", accompanied by growing and severe episodes of short-term memory loss. For example, he did not remember whether he had eaten or not, or "the road from his home to the Center". These signs of Alzheimer's disease alarmed the wife he lived with for 40 years after the death of his first wife, mother of his daughters. "She too was elderly and had a disabled younger brother, so she decided to abandon her husband to return to her maternal home. Cases of elderly people who have difficulty taking care of the elderly are not uncommon, but Mr. Nojiri's situation moved us because he was the most fragile part of the family and suddenly he found himself living alone, without assistance. The daughters - who have never had a good relationship with his second wife and do not live near their father's home - have at least taken the case of the father to the welfare of the citizen who has been careful to send staff to prepare food at Nojiri's home and who provided assistance in a day-care center for two days a week. The rest of the time was all to be occupied and so every Thursday Nojiri came to the Center to spend 5-6 hours in company. [For the Center] assisting Mr. Nojiri - who wanted to sing, repeated the same thing continuously, and often offended people for nothing - meant giving him much time to the detriment of other people. After a few months, his daughters moved their father to a hospice 80 miles from his home, "in a totally unknown environment and without the company of his beloved dog. Perhaps it was not possible to do better, but perhaps this person deserved more attention and love. "

"Mr. Horiguchi,, is 79 years old. He left home when she was 15, to come to Tokyo to work. A couple of years before his mother had died and he did not get one well with his fathers new wife. He left his father's house cutting all ties ... and nor did he build any. In Tokyo he worked at the fish market and then at some restaurant or hotel, but he never found the right person to marry and make a family. He was repeatedly hospitalized (hospital charges are 30% at the patient's expense), he has no savings and is alone. At his age and in a bad state of mind he began to think - anxiously - of his death and the tomb to guard his ashes, which in normal cases are cared for by a family member, but Horiguchi has no family. "

Horiguchi turned to the municipality: "Nowadays, in addition to the Registry, to the separate collection of waste and the many things entrusted to communal services, in every city there is an office for people who do not have either a tomb or grave, or anyone who can provide for cremation or take the ashes of the deceased once cremated. Horiguchi has thus decided to sign a contract with the funeral agency that the municipality has submitted to him. It is a service that the city council offers to the less well-off, to those who have no more than 180,000 yen monthly [about 1,350 euros]. The city council guarantees that the ashes of a deceased never disappears, and if no one claims it with a degree of kinship it is brought to a common resting place, Horiguchi does not want to be forgotten in a common grave. But to avail of the service, he will have to find a way to make 250,000 yen (almost 1,900 euros), a figure far lower than normal funeral expenses, but his desire is exactly that: at least dead, he can rest in peace. "
Chinas National Day (1st October) and Mid-Autumn Festival (4 October) fall next week. More than 60 per cent of Chinese plan a holiday. Beijing is the most sought-after destination with 587,000 flights booked. Tourism revenues are expected to top US$ 88 billion.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies)  More than 700 million people will go on vacation during Chinas upcoming Super Golden Week, which combines the National Day (1st October) and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday (4 October), this according to recently released figures from the China Tourism Academy.

More than 60 per cent of mainland Chinese plan to travel during the upcoming week-long holiday, compared with 50 per cent last year. Six out of ten October holiday tourists plan to stay in China.

Tourism revenue during this long holiday is expected to reach 590 billion yuan (US$ 88.86 billion), up 12.2 per cent year-on-year.

The top three mainland destinations are expected to be Beijing and the southern provinces of Yunnan and Hainan.

Chinas capital topped the list for the third year in a row, as 587,000 flights to Beijing have been booked as of Sunday. This year, Haikou, capital of Hainan, has experienced the greatest annual increase in bookings  35 per cent.

By contrast, the growth of international tourism by Chinese residents has plateaued around 5 per cent over the past year.

In 2016, 122 million Chinese travelled abroad, especially to Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia.

For this October holiday, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan are the top overseas destinations.
In a meeting with the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation, Francis stressed the contribution that individual peoples and cultures make to the journey of the People of God and to the complex interviewing of interpersonal relationships that allow people to experience the deep unity and humanity of the Community of believers.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis today received the participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation. The pontiff told them that at a time of a new culture, fruit of technology, the Church must urgently renew its efforts of evangelisation and continuously announce mercy. He also told them to preserve especially the fruits of the Jubilee of Mercy.

This Holy Year was a moment of grace that the entire Church lived with great faith and intense spirituality. We cannot permit, therefore, that so much enthusiasm be diluted or forgotten. The People of God has strongly felt the gift of mercy and lived the Jubilee, rediscovering in particular the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as a special place for experiencing Gods goodness and tenderness, and His forgiveness that knows no bounds. The Church thus has the great responsibility of continuing tirelessly to be an instrument of mercy. In this way, it can easily be ensured that the welcome of the Gospel is perceived and lived as an event of salvation and may bring full and definitive meaning to personal and social life.

The announcement of mercy, which is made concrete and visible in the lifestyle of believers, lived in the light of the many works of mercy, belongs intrinsically to every evangeliser, who has discovered first-hand the call of the apostolate, precisely by virtue of the mercy reserved to him.

With respect to evangelisation, Francis said that It is necessary to discover ever more that it by nature belongs to the People of God. In this regard, I would like to underline two aspects.

The first is the contribution that the individual peoples and the respective cultures offer to the journey of the People of God. From every people towards which we go there emerges a wealth that the Church is called to recognise and value to bring to fulfilment the unity of all the human race of which it is a sign and sacrament (cf. Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 1). This unity is not constituted according to the flesh, but in the Spirit (ibid.), which guides our steps. The richness that comes to the Church from the many good traditions that the individual peoples possess is valuable to give life to the action of grace that opens the heart to welcoming the announcement of the Gospel. They are authentic gifts that express the infinite variety of the creative action of the Father, and which merge in the unity of the Church to increase the necessary communion so as to be a seed of salvation, prelude of universal peace and concrete locus of dialogue.

Being an evangelising people (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 111) brings awareness  and it is the second aspect  of an appeal that transcends each individual personal willingness, to be inserted in a complex interweaving of personal relationships (ibid., 113), which enables the experience of the profound unity and humanity of the community of believers. And this applies in a particular way in a period such as ours, in which we are forced to face a new culture, the fruit of technology that, while it fascinates us for the conquests it offers, it makes equally evident the lack of a true interpersonal relationship and interest in the other. Few realities such as the Church can claim to have a knowledge of the people able to valorise that cultural, moral and religious heritage that constitutes the identity of entire generations. It is important, therefore, that we know how to penetrate into the heart of our people, to discover that sense of God and His love that offers the confidence and hope to look ahead with serenity, despite the grave difficulties and poverty that many are forced to live due to the greed of the few. If we are still able to look in depth, we will rediscover the genuine desire for God that makes restless the heart of many people who have fallen, despite themselves, into the chasm of indifference, that prevents them from savouring life and building their future serenely. The joy of evangelisation can reach them and restore to them the strength for conversion.
Bishop Hinder invokes a day of thanksgiving for the Feast of Guardian Angels for the "unexpected" release of the Indian Salesian. He was "specially protected" for the duration of his abduction. Those who can not participate in the masses "will pray in their homes". Now it is necessary to keep "a low profile".

Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews) - Throughout his kidnapping, "the faithful participated in the Mass and prayers" for the release of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, the Indian Salesian abducted in Yemen in March 2016. That's why, after his release on September 12, "we think it's right to devote a day to thanksgiving" that embraces the entire territory, says Msgr. Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of southern Arabia (UAE, Oman and Yemen), presenting the "Day of Thanksgiving" organized by the Vicariate to celebrate the priest's "unexpected" release after more than 18 months.

"One way to thank not just the NGOs and the governments they have contributed - adds the prelate - but above all God who has watched over and protected him."

The Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer will be held on October 2, in conjunction with the Feast of Guardian Angels and will involve all the parish churches with worship, prayer and adoration. Those unable to participate in the masses "because it is still a day of work", underlined Msgr. Hinder, "will hold moments of prayer in their homes." "I chose the day dedicated to our guardian angel - he adds  because Fr. Tom was specially protected in a very difficult situation. "

Fr. Tom was abducted on March 4, 2016 in the nursing home belonging to Mother Teresas order in Aden. Four nuns and 12 others were killed In the attack, attributed to al Qaeda affiliates. Fr Tom, 57, was born in Ramapuram, near Pala (Kottayam, Kerala), into a deeply Catholic family. His uncle Mathew, who died in 2015, also Salesian, is the founder of the mission in Yemen.

At the time of his abduction Fr. Tom had been in Yemen for four years. The mediator role played by Omman was decisive in his release, who received in the following hours the praise and thanks of the Holy See. And just in the Vatican two days after the release Fr. Tom was able to meet and embrace Pope Francis.

Emphasizing once more the "mediation" role of Omman in the release of Fr. Tom, thanks to his "relatively neutral" position among the various "groups and trends within the Muslim world", Msgr. Hinder speaks of a "liberation that was a relief for everyone". "The kidnappers - continued the prelate - took care of him, giving him the medicines needed for diabetes. This shows they did not intend to kill him, though they were still ready to do anything. "

The priest, he adds, "always felt himself to be in the hands of God and was not afraid. I am convinced that it was his deep faith that helped him, a faith that may have impressed his own kidnappers, that we can not rule out. He is a really balanced man."

For the apostolic vicar, Christians from all over the region "will participate in the celebrations, so many will do it privately. In these months many faithful revealed they were fasting and saying prayers made with the special intention of asking for his release. " We are all relieved, concludes the prelate, who calls, however, to maintain "a low profile" as it is "in the nature and mind of the same Fr. Tom "because this" is the most effective way to carry out our mission in this land. "(DS)
Heathrow Airport. Photo via Adambro/Wikimedia

Londons Heathrow Airport has signed a deal with CarTrawler, an online global car rental platform.

CarTrawler will offer Heathrow.com customers access to rental vehicles from 2,300 suppliers across the world. The airlines online users can now select their pick-up and drop-off point from 44,613 locations worldwide, according to CarTrawler.

We are delighted to be offering our world class technology to Heathrows growing online customer base, said Aileen OMahony, CarTrawlers chief commercial officer. Providing support to the customers of Europes busiest airport is very exciting. Our team are looking forward to working closely with the Heathrow team to optimise the audience and improve conversion.

We are delighted to enter into this relationship with the leading B2B travel technology provider, said Paul Buckley, Heathrows business lead for xommercial passenger services. Working together with CarTrawler to offer a wide variety of car rental solutions to our online visitors will greatly improve the travel options for our passengers at Heathrow and worldwide.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
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Beaumont-born painter Richard Stout's upcoming show at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas was curated by the writers of the newly released book of the same name, "Sense of Home."

"I didn't title the book or the show," Stout said. "It was titled by the writers, but I think it's appropriate. My work is, and has always been, very strongly autobiographical and specifically deals with personal matters and ideals."

The show will include works from various stages of Stout's career, which has spanned decades.

"The earliest paintings in the show would be coming from when I was in my very early twenties and still a student at the Art Institute of Chicago," said Stout, 83.Stout described his formal schooling as a "Bauhaus" education, referencing the famous and short-lived German art school, even though he studied in America after its closure.

'Sense of Home: The Art of Richard Stout' When: Opening reception 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday. On display through Dec. 3.

Where: The Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main St., Beaumont

Cost: Free

Info: www.amset.org See More Collapse

"I had several teachers who had been at Bauhaus. They immigrated to America when Hitler came into power - a number of them immigrated to Chicago. A Bauhaus education is a modern education - it had to do with form. That is to say, it had to do with working two-dimensionally, on two-dimensional surfaces," he said.

Stout's art is often referred to as abstract expressionism, but he said he draws much from real life.

"I have always worked from nature - directly from nature - from the time I was a child, and I still do. Say, going out to a park or other site, setting up an easel and doing a painting - I still do it," he said.

Nature is not the only place Stout finds inspiration. He said that life events and tragedies affect his work profoundly.

"There are certain points - every life has turning points," he said. "Mine occurred in the early 1980s when my wife became very sick and then subsequently died. That was a major turning point. Another was when my mother moved from Beaumont to Houston in the mid-90s and then died. Those turning points affect my work."

Stout said he cherishes the encouragement he received from the Beaumont arts community.

"I received a superb education in Beaumont through the city schools," he said. "I had wonderful teachers and was very much encouraged by the, then, Beaumont Art Museum and its directors, and the men and women of the Art League of Beaumont.

"I had very good support. David Cargill, a sculptor from Beaumont, is a friend of mine from childhood. I posed for one of his first commissions when I was 16, so we go way back."

"I have a great support system, first in Beaumont, now in Houston. I moved to Houston in 1957 when I was 23, and within three years I had bought a house - where I still live today - and my son and his young family live in my house. It's just a few blocks from the Museum of Fine Arts in the lower part of Montrose. It's a good life."

Even though Stout did not select the paintings in the show, he feels they are a good representation of his career.

"I believe that when you do a cooperative venture such as this, when you're the subject of a study, you should let the people who are doing the study call the shots," Stout said.

"I think the writers did a wonderful job choosing paintings. If I was calling the shots, the show might not have been as interesting."

Stout asks that attendees view his work with a sense of exploration. He said that paintings that look unrealistic have real inspirations that they were built upon, and people should look for them.

"It's like when you see things off in the distance that you aren't sure what they are, but you can imagine what they might be. You get there and find they're really quite different - maybe not as interesting, or more interesting - so you keep your eyes open for that," Stout said.

Haley Bruyn is a freelance writer.
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More than a year after former Jefferson County District Judge Layne Walker was accused of misusing office equipment and employees, a felony charge of abuse of official capacity against him was dropped this week.

According to a May 2016 grand jury indictment, Walker was accused of using a government computer, printer and four government employees for personal gain between Oct. 18, 2005, and Jan. 6, 2014.

Josh Schaffer, who was appointed by Criminal District Judge John Stevens as special prosecutor in the case, dropped the charge on Monday, Walker said.

"The charge should have never been brought about in the first place," said Walker, 53. "It is not illegal to have a staff member, while on break, type a letter for you on a computer that did not belong to Jefferson County."

Describing the case as a "political witch hunt," Walker said he is happy that his family will have some peace after two years of "pure misery."

"I want to have my name restored," Walker said, adding that he would like an investigation launched into how Jefferson County officials handled his case.

"This was illegal, wrong and shouldn't have happened to me," said Walker, who served as Jefferson County's 252nd District judge from 2003 until he resigned in 2014 to take a job in the private sector.

The grand jury was originally tasked with focusing on an incident that happened in Walker's courtroom on May 28, 2013, according to previous Enterprise reporting.

A process server was arrested that day for trying to serve a letter to Walker while he was presiding in court.

Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham, then a district judge, signed a warrant to allow detectives to view a pen camera worn by the process server, which captured the incident.

When Wortham was elected district attorney in 2015, he requested a special prosecutor be appointed to present cases to a grand jury when he might have a conflict as a potential witness.

Stevens appointed Schaffer, who received the Walker case file from Wortham.

In June 2016, Wortham claimed the case had been mishandled, writing in a legal brief that Schaffer overstepped when he allowed Walker to be indicted on a felony charge of abuse of official capacity.

Schaffer was only supposed to prosecute obstruction or retaliation allegations, according to the brief filed by Wortham on June 27, 2016.

Wortham declined to comment this week on the outcome of the Walker case.

Stevens said on Thursday he trusts Schaffer's decision to drop the charge against Walker.

"I know Josh Schaffer to be a good and fair man," Stevens said. "I know his decision was made with a high comprehension of the law and an exhibition of righteous fairness that I've always known him to have."

Schaffer could not be reached for comment.

In addition to the Walker case, Schaffer led the prosecution in tampering cases against two sheriff's deputies who were indicted on the same day as Walker.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in July upheld two lower courts' decisions to drop the criminal charges against Sgt. Chad Kolander and Chief Deputy Timothy Smith.

The two deputies were accused of making and using a false probable cause affidavit for a search warrant in June 2013, according to their indictment. The indictment said the false affidavit was linked to the incident involving the process server in Walker's courtroom.

MGstalter@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/morgGstalt
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The National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday that a record 64.58 inches of rain fell during Hurricane Harvey in Nederland near Beaumont during the storms five-day onslaught.

The citys record rainfall is the heaviest rainfall ever logged in the U.S. during a tropical storm, breaking Hawaii's 1950 record of 52 inches. The record was captured near Jack Brooks Regional Airport.

Nederland is in Jefferson County  a county east of Houston where four people died, more than 74,000 homes were impacted and at least $73 million in damages to public property occurred.

Now Playing: Flyover of Bevil Oaks in Beaumont area, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017 Video: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Just a little more than a month since Harvey made landfall, weather officials now have a clearer picture of the storms massive force and how it impacted areas to the east. Meteorologists needed weeks to determine just which area in Houston got the most rain.

In the days after the storm, officials believed that 51.8 inches, logged by a gauge near Cedar Bayou just inside east Harris County, would be the new record. It would have broken the contiguous U.S. record for rainfall during a tropical storm.

Officials later discovered the reading was riddled with errors after realizing the storm flooded and broke the gauge.

Since then, weather officials confirmed at least seven sites with more than 51 inches.

The record would then go to Friendswood which recorded 56 inches before being snatched away by Nederland, followed by Groves with 63 inches.

Data is still being analyzed but Scott Overpeck, a NWS forecaster, said the record will probably stay in Nederland.

As the assessment of Harvey's impact continues, rainfall totals will be critical in determining how much rain soaked the region during the storm's peak.

Weather and local officials plan to analyze rain data from the storm to uncover any information that might be useful to prepare for future threats.

"The flooding Harvey caused from the rainfall was a historic event," Overpeck told the Houston Chronicle. "For that reason alone, we need to make sure we get the rainfall amounts correct and understand how much rain actually fell."



Secondly, he said, getting the amounts of rainfall right in any one particular location will help with future storms.

"This then leads to better flood warnings since we know what the impacts are going to be," he said.
Belfast City Airport has said it will work to ensure a strike by baggage handlers does not cause passenger disruption.

The pledge came after members of Unite the union who work for Swissport - which provides baggage handling services for the airport - voted to take industrial action.

Unite, which represents around 100 workers at the airport, claimed the move was related to management dismissal of a union representative.

George Brash, a regional officer for the union, said: "This is a clear vote in favour of strike action - 60% of our membership in the airport voted for strike action in a secret ballot conducted over the past weeks.

"This ballot was taken across all our members in the airport and we would anticipate that the strength of the vote would have been even stronger if we had taken it among the baggage handlers alone."

Mr Brash also insisted workers were "determined to defend the Unite the union representative who was dismissed by management".

"The members, Unite in Northern Ireland and our UK-wide National Negotiating Committee are unequivocal in our support for this member," he said. "The actions of Swissport management are indefensible."

A spokesperson for Belfast City Airport said: "We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the relevant partners to ensure no disruption for passengers."

Swissport was contacted for comment but did not respond.

The news comes as Belfast employees of outsourcing group Capita prepare to stage a six-day strike in a row over pension changes.

Members of the Unite union will walk out of work from October 5 after voting heavily in favour of industrial action.

The union said the action was being taken over plans to close the current defined benefit pension scheme and transfer staff to a defined contribution scheme. Dominic Hook, Unite national officer condemned the proposed switch.

He said: "The disgraceful plans by Capita to slash the deferred pay that staff will get in retirement is utterly unacceptable.

"Capita's pension proposals will have far-reaching consequences for the retirement of many Unite members."
Co Tyrone meat firm Dunbia has completed a deal with Irish firm Dawn Meats as part of a new venture.

Dawn Meats has agreed a strategic partnership with Dungannon firm Dunbia to establish a majority owned joint venture in the United Kingdom comprising the UK operations of both organisations.

The partnership and acquisition agreement announced in May 2017, and has been completed, with all relevant regulatory clearances approved.

The UK businesses now trade as Dunbia and are managed by former Dunbia chief executive Jim Dobson, and Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne as executive chairman.

The partnership also includes a reband and a new logo.

Niall Browne said: "We are very pleased to have successfully concluded this process and can now look to deliver the benefits that we believe this transaction will bring for our customers, staff and suppliers.

Our focus will continue to be on quality and sustainability across three leading national businesses: Dawn Meats in Ireland, Dunbia in the UK and Elivia in France.

And Jim Dobson, chief executive of Dunbia, said:

I am excited today to be introducing a fresh look for the new Dunbia business in the UK. The partnership will ensure that we can grow as a leading supplier in the UK market and deliver long-term solutions for our customers and a strong relationship with our farmer suppliers.
Enjoy the unusual camaraderie of world-class musicians who make up one of the best organ trios of the past decade.

The trio of guitarist Peter Bernstein, organist Larry Goldings, and drummer Bill Stewart is an unusual camaraderie of world-class players who make up what The New York Times described as "one of the best organ trios of the past decade." All members of the "Young Lions" jazz movement of the 1990's, they are now, all firmly established jazz stars who have been performing and recording together for 25 years and have recorded nine albums and two DVDs together. In a review of their 2014 release, Ramshackle Serenade, Downbeat Magazine said, "The whole album subtly subverts organ-trio cliches, offering not chicken-shack party stomps but instead some hip after-hours atmospherics...4 stars." Best known in the jazz realm, Larry Goldings has, over the years, been high in demand as a sideman in the funk, pop, and electronic music worlds. He has been closely associated with artists like Michael Brecker, Jim Hall, Maceo Parker, Madeleine Peyroux, Pat Metheny, and James Taylor and in 2007, along with Jack DeJohnette and John Scofield, received a Grammy nomination for their album, Trio Beyond - Saudades. Peter Bernstein has been an integral part of the jazz scene since 1989 and has worked with everyone from Jimmy Cobb, Lou Donaldson, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Sonny Rollins, and Dr. Lonnie Smith to Brad Mehldau, Diana Krall, and Joshua Redman. His recognizable guitar voice graces over a hundred recordings and he has recorded six highly regarded albums as a leader. Bill Stewart made his name as the rhythmic force behind guitarist John Scofield's band, collaborating with him for five years (1990-1995). Now one of the most sought-after jazz drummers in the world, his playing bears the influence of melodic and hard-swinging drummers like Max Roach, Roy Haynes, and Jack DeJohnette, but he has created a voice that is very much his own and which is already influencing a younger generation of drummers.
A US technology firm is cutting jobs and could shut down one of its engineering offices in Belfast with the loss of dozens of jobs, it has emerged.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise has had a 3PAR engineering office in Belfast for the last five years.

It first set up shop in 2012, as a new 'Global Centre of Software Engineering Excellence'.

But now the firm is understood to be shutting down its 3PAR team in Belfast.

The Belfast-based research and development teams are developing cloud-based software for HPE's 3PAR storage system.

At the time of its launch, the firm said that "enhanced capacity at our new office facility, coupled with ever-growing demand for HP's services in Northern Ireland, will also enable us to support further job creation".

It's understood staff in the Belfast office were told about the cuts this week.

It's believed the number of workers at the base here has reduced during the course of this year.

A spokesman for HPE told the Belfast Telegraph: "These changes are part of a company-wide strategy to give HPE the needed workforce to be a more nimble customer and partner-centric company.

"This change will not cause any disruption to HPE's customer support and we remain fully committed to 3PAR."

According to website The Register, a spokesman for the company confirmed the engineering office was to be closed.

Last week, the Belfast Telegraph revealed a childcare business is due to close with the loss of almost 50 jobs.

Keys Group, which is based in south Belfast, is a Northern Ireland company which provides services for childcare, based primarily elsewhere in the UK, and outside the province. But it's understood that following a takeover by new owners, private equity firm G Square, its Belfast base will be shut as early as February.
A transatlantic trade row threatening thousands of Bombardier jobs in Belfast could backfire for Boeing as Prime Minister Theresa May hints at a boycott of the US plane maker, an expert has said.

Boeing's complaint against Bombardier could now result in a massive 220% tariff on its Belfast-made C Series planes being sold to the US.

Mrs May says the Government will continue to work to protect more than 4,000 employees at Bombardier's plants here, who face an uncertain future after a ruling by the Trump administration's Department of Commerce.

While talk of a trade war between the UK and US has been down-played by Mrs May, in remarks that could be seen as a veiled rebuke of the US stance, the Prime Minister warned of "creeping protectionism" around the world.

Up to 1,000 Bombardier staff in Northern Ireland work on the wings and fuselage of the C Series passenger planes.

Mark O'Connell, chief executive of Belfast-based international trade experts, OCO Global, said: "There is a bigger picture here.

"This dispute could potentially backfire on Boeing's strategy in the UK. Boeing is in the process of building a production facility in Sheffield to manufacture high-tech components for some of its next generation aircraft.

"The UK government does not discriminate between companies and does not want to become embroiled in a trade war between the US and Canada.

"Indeed, many US firms take advantage of the attractive cost base and incentives available in the EU which regulates applications for state aid across the whole bloc, unlike the US which does not regulate across the entire states.

"Belfast remains a competitive location for manufacturing and that will persist and even improve in a post-Brexit environment. Global corporations like Bombardier will continue to expand in locations that are competitive."

Owen Reidy, Irish Congress of Trade Unions assistant general secretary, urged stronger action from the UK government."

He reiterated calls for the UK government to "immediately review all contracts with Boeing".
People out at the King's Hall for Oktoberfest. Saturday 15th October 2016. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX

If it's good enough for the Germans, it's good enough for Belfast - Oktoberfest returns to the city for 2017.

So if spending a night celebrating all things Bavarian sounds like your kind of thing, here's everything you need to know about Oktoberfest Belfast.

When is Oktoberfest Belfast happening?

This is the beauty of Oktoberfest - it lasts all month.

This year's event will be held over four weekends, including:

Friday, 29 September & Saturday, 30 September

Friday, October 6 & Saturday, October 7

Friday, October 13 & Saturday, October 14

Friday, October 20 & Saturday, October 21

Where does Oktoberfest Belfast take place?

The event will return to the King's Hall on the Lisburn Road, as it has been since 2013.

What time will it all kick off?

Doors open from 5pm on Friday.

Will there be German beer available?

That's ridiculous question, of course there will be German beer. In fact, organisers have been keeping everyone updated on the beer's journey to Belfast on their social media pages all week.

Latest update: The beer is here.

Will there be food?

What's a party without food? German-inspired treats will also be available served by friendly staff in traditional Bavarian costume.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Oktoberfest at King's Hall. 2nd October 2015 by Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX People out at the King's Hall for Oktoberfest. Saturday 1st October 2016. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX People out at the King's Hall for Oktoberfest. Saturday 1st October 2016. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX People out at the King's Hall for Oktoberfest. Saturday 1st October 2016. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX People out at the King's Hall for Oktoberfest. Saturday 1st October 2016. 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What is Oktoberfest all about?

It's all in celebration of the Munich Oktoberfest, which has been running since 1810 and now hosts six million people year on year that come together to celebrate everything German.

How did it all begin?

Oktoberfest started as a wedding feast.

The first festival was held to honour the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in 1810.
Liam Neeson has thrown his support behind the joint Belfast and Derry City and Strabane European Capital of Culture bid for 2023.

The Ballymena actor said in a video voicing his support: "I'm backing the Belfast and Derry bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023 - you better believe it."

The clip was tweeted from the official WeAre2023 account on Friday.

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A joint bid by both cities to secure the title was launched back in July by the Lord Mayor of Belfast Nuala McAllister and Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Maoliosa McHugh.

The European Capital of Culture has run since 1985, and - despite last year's Brexit vote - will go to a UK-based city in 2023, with Bristol, Dundee, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Truro and Nottingham also in the competition.

The winning city will be announced in 2018.

Derry previously held the title of UK Capital of Culture in 2013.
The Addams Family runs at the Grand Opera House from Tuesday, October 3

Everyone's favourite spooky household will be showcased at the Grand Opera House this week when The Addams Family come to Belfast.

The live stage show is currently touring the UK and will be performing at the city centre venue from Tuesday, October 3 - Saturday, October 7.

This musical comedy has been winning rave reviews and boasts a stellar cast of TV and theatre stars.

So who will be appearing on stage in Belfast next week?

Samantha Womack

Playing: Morticia Addams

Best known for playing Ronnie Mitchell in BBC soap EastEnders, Samantha has also played Tanya Dawson for three series of the hit comedy Mount Pleasant and starred in 90s sitcom Game On.

She can also be seen reprising her role as Michelle Unwin alongside Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, and Halle Berry in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Les Dennis

Playing: Uncle Fester

Les Denniss career has spanned over 45 years, and he has most recently been on screen as Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street.

His TV career includes Russ Abbots Madhouse and The Laughter Show, and he famously hosted primetime Saturday night game show Family Fortunes for 15 years.

As an actor on stage Les has starred in musicals such as Me & My Girl, Chicago, Monty Pythons Spamalot and Hairspray.

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Playing: Wednesday Addams

On stage Carrie has performed in Les Miserables, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mary Poppins and she has also established a huge online presence with over 398,000 followers on Twitter, 422,000 on Instagram and over 631,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel ItsWayPastMyBedTime.

In 2015, Carrie released her first book All I Know Now: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully and her second book, On the Other Side, was released in July 2016.

Cameron Blakely

Playing: Gomez Addams

Cameron is no stranger to the stage having appeared in productions of Into The Woods, Oliver!, Fiddler On The Roof, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, and Les Miserables to name a few.

His film and television credits include Splitting Heirs, Julie and the Cadillacs, and Galavant.

Valda Aviks

Playing: Grandma Addams

Valda has appeared in Doctor Who, as well as Little Britain and her extensive theatre credits include Funny Girl, Sweeney Todd, The Full Monty, Mary Poppins, Sweeney Todd, and The Witches of Eastwick.

Grant McIntyre

Playing: Pugsley Addams

Having trained at the Arts Educational Schools in London, Grant has appeared in We Are Here at The National Theatre, as well as productions of Bugsy Malone, Screwface, and The Famished Land.
Holywood restaurant Noble has been awarded a prestigious honour from the Michelin Guide UK.

The well-known and often sought after restaurant guide tweeted the news on Friday, announcing: "Easy decision awarding a Bib Gourmand for the small but perfectly formed [Noble] in Northern Ireland"

While Michelin is well-known for its star system, a Bib Gourmand indicates the inspectors favourite establishments which "offer high-quality products and services and good value for the money".

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This is the second time this year Noble has been given a nod from Michelin.

In June, the guide tweeted Noble's glazed chocolate delice dessert was "the best 6.50 Ive spent this year."

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The restaurant opened in 2016 and has gone on to become one of the must visit locations on the Northern Ireland food scene.

It is the creation of chef Pearson Morris and manager Saul McConnell who previously worked under the direction of Belfast top chef Michael Deane.
European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, and British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis address a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. The EU and Britain concluded a fourth round of Brexit negotiations on Thursday. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

The European Parliament is to call for Northern Ireland to stay in the single market and customs union in order to protect the integrity of the EUs borders.

MEPs have concluded it is the best solution to the problem of ensuring there is no border in Ireland. The move has the support of all major political groups.

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It would mean continued free movement on the island of Ireland, with customs checks instead taking place at ports on the Irish sea for visitors travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The resolution, set to be voted on hours before Theresa Mays make-or-break Tory conference speech, rubbishes Britains existing proposals on the issue and is set to enrage DUP MPs propping up Ms Mays Government.

Only yesterday the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier said not enough progress had been made on Europes key objectives  the financial settlement, EU citizens and Ireland  for the discussions to move on to the future trade deal the UK wants.

Both the UK and EU believe there should be no hardening of the border with the Republic, which is currently not policed  but disagree on how to do this while Ireland remains inside the EUs borders and the UK leaves them.

The Independent understands that European Parliament chiefs believe shifting border posts to Irish sea ports is the optimal solution. One source said the EUs physical border had to be somewhere and could not just have a gaping hole in it.

The resolution rubbishes Britains proposals for an infrastructureless NI border based on spot checks and says that the UK plan for a lack of physical infrastructure presumes that the United Kingdom stays in the internal market and customs union or that Northern Ireland stays in some form in the internal market and customs union.

The PM has ruled out keeping the UK as a whole in the customs union or single market.

At a press conference in Brussels today the European Commissions chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the resolution was important, mentioning it alongside next months European Council meeting as one of the hurdles the UK would have to clear before it could progress to the next stage of talks.

Expand Close European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, and British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis leave after a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. AP Photo/Olivier Matthys AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, and British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis leave after a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. AP Photo/Olivier Matthys

The wide-ranging resolution, which covers the whole Brexit process so far, says the European Parliament believes that it is the responsibility of the UK Government to provide a unique, effective and workable solution that prevents a hardening of the border, ensures full compliance with the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, is in line with European Union law and fully ensures the integrity of the internal market and customs union.

The European Parliament is not involved in day-to-day negotiations with the UK but has a final veto on the ultimate Brexit deal which is agreed. The bodys Brexit steering group also meets regularly with Mr Barnier.

The plan, which was published on Thursday, is almost certain to pass the parliament: it was signed by Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliaments Brexit coordinator and chair of the liberal group; Manfred Weber, chair of the conservative group; Gianni Pittella, chair of the socialist group; Gabi Zimmer, chair of the left group; and Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller, the co-chairs of the green group. It is also backed by Danuta Hubner, chair of the Parliaments committee on constitutional affairs.

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Chief negotiator Mr Barnier today said Britain has not made sufficient progress in Brexit talks for trade or transition discussions to begin  despite Theresa Mays Florence speech having created a new dynamic in negotiations.

Speaking at the end of the latest round, Mr Barnier told reporters in Brussels that clarity had been reached on a number of issues  but warned that the EU-imposed starting line to move to trade talks could still be months away.

The EU has consistently said it would not discuss the UKs future relationship with the EU, which includes trade and transition periods, until sufficient progress has been made on what it calls separation issues.

Other than the Northern Ireland border, the EU wants to settle the rights of EU citizens living in Britain, and how much Britain will pay to cover its liabilities when it leaves the EU  before talks move on to their next phase and a transition deal or trade arrangements can be discussed.

A British Government spokesperson said: "We recognise and respect the vital role the European Parliament will play in this process. However, this is a draft document and was issued before negotiations this week were completed. Therefore it does not take into account the further progress made this week.

"We and the EU have committed to protecting the Belfast Agreement and the Common Travel Area and agree that we will not accept any physical infrastructure at the border.

"We recognise that the solutions to the unique circumstances in Northern Ireland must respect the integrity of the EU single market and customs union. But they must also respect the integrity of the United Kingdom."
David Lyness appears at Lisburn Court, charged with the murder of Anita Downey in of Lurgan, Co Armagh.

A Northern Ireland man is to stand trial later this year accused of murdering his fiancee in the family home in Co Armagh.

David Lyness (51), of Toberhewny Hall, Lurgan, appeared at Belfast Crown on Friday to be arraigned on a single count of murdering Anita Downey on January 20 this year.

Members of Ms Downey's family were in the public gallery for the proceedings.

When the murder charge was put to Lyness, who was dressed in a grey top and trousers, he replied "not guilty''.

Defence barrister Andrew Moriarty told judge Mr Justice Colton that he expected the trial would take up to two weeks.

He said that the defence would be calling a number of "professional expert witnesses'' who would be giving evidence by way of video link.

Mr Moriarty also told the court that his instructing solicitors had been in contact by telephone with Dr Marie Cassidy, who is the State Pathologist for the Republic of Ireland, and "the briefs are going out to her today''.

Mr Justice Colton listed the trial to start at Belfast Crown Court on December 4, 2017. The case will be mentioned again on October 27 to update the court on the progress of expert reports.

Lyness was remanded back into custody to Maghaberry prison to await his trial.

No details were given in court surrounding the murder charge but in April during an unsuccessful bail application at Craigavon Magistrates' Court, it was alleged Lyness had slit his 51-year-old fiancee's throat.

A detective constable told the court how Lyness son made a 999 call, saying his father had slit his girlfriends throat.

He had ran from the home because his father had threatened him, said the detective.

The officer explained to the district judge that the caller also told the operator the couple had been arguing and that his father had pointed the knife at himself and said he was going to kill himself.

The detective added that when officers arrived at Lyness house in Lurgan, Ms Downey was lying in a pool of blood on the floor with an open wound to her neck.

When interviewed Lyness claimed the inflicting of the wound was an accident.
Belfast City Council is set to appoint a new senior officer to "think beyond physical resilience".

In the first post of its kind in Northern Ireland, the council is seeking a "Commissioner for Resilience".

The job description says the successful applicant for the two year fixed term post, which has a salary of 82,954, will be the "chief architect of a robust, inclusive and action-orientated resilience strategy".

The new role comes after Belfast was chosen to become one of 100 cities in the world to join the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities programme.

It comes with a $160m (119m) funding pot and challenges cities to "think beyond physical resilience to encompass the whole range of economic, social and environmental factors that are often at play in the urban context".

Belfast is one of just five cities across the UK and the only city in Ireland to be selected.

In a tone similar to the BBC drama W1A - which parodies management-speak - the council's job ad goes on to say the successful applicant will "co-ordinate across silos and sectors to ensure the successful implementation of the projects and programmes that emerge from the strategy development process".

The new job ad comes just a couple of months after the council advertised for a "big picture thinker" with a salary of more than 104,000. The closing date was September 25. No one has yet been appointed, a council spokesman confirmed yesterday.

HR Consultant Linzi Conway described the term resilience as one that is common in training workshops across the business sector.

"This job role to my mind would be really looking at how the city would recover from difficulty," she said.

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"If difficulty was to happen, how would Belfast as a city recover, how would it spring back into shape and have that durability."

Ms Conway cited a potential cyber attack as the sort of issue that a Commissioner for Resilience would prepare for, including planning in advance to have channels put in place to get the city back up and running.

She emphasised that the successful candidate would need to be well connected and a great communicator to bring organisations together, that they would need to create plans and, more importantly, be able to implement them.

But Chloe Westley at the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "When times are tough and councils are finding necessary savings to continue providing basic services, this sky-high salary will certainly raise eyebrows. Residents will rightly ask whether the council needs to recruit a new member of senior staff at such a high cost."

The salary for the new Commissioner for Resilience will be paid through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.
The PSNI said George Hamilton was an invited guest and made no financial contribution at the North Antrim event

The DUP has insisted a gala dinner it hosted that counted the chief constable among its guests was not a fundraiser.

Sinn Fein had questioned George Hamilton's attendance at the North Antrim constituency dinner in Ballymena on Thursday night.

Responding to reports the dinner hosted by MP Ian Paisley was a fundraiser, the republican party expressed concern about a potential conflict of interest for the region's police chief.

The DUP has now moved to deny the event was held to boost the party coffers.

A party spokesman said: "Ian Paisley hosts an annual MP's Constituency Dinner. The event was attended by civic and political figures from across the community.

"It was not a DUP fundraising dinner."

Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove also attended the function in Ballymena.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "The chief constable was invited to last night's Annual North Antrim Constituency Dinner by the MP Ian Paisley and accepted the invitation as his guest.

"The chief constable made no financial contribution to, or at, the event and did not purchase a ticket as he was there as an invited guest of the MP.

"The chief constable and senior team are invited to attend a range of events hosted by elected representatives and are happy to consider opportunities for engagement at that level from any and all political parties."

Mr Hamilton sat at a table with Mr Gove and a number of senior business figures from across a range of organisations in Northern Ireland.

A PSNI source said at no time did the chief constable think the event was a fundraiser.
A public inquiry into the Bloody Sunday killings heard evidence that Official IRA members fired shots at soldiers in Derry

Two former members of the Official IRA could face prosecution for their alleged role in the events of Bloody Sunday.

Prosecutors are already examining files of evidence against 18 ex-British soldiers who were on the streets of Londonderry in 1972 when the Parachute Regiment shot and fatally wounded 14 civil rights demonstrators.

A public inquiry into the killings heard evidence that Official IRA members fired shots at soldiers in Derry during the day.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has now sent a file on one former Official IRA member to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for consideration and is preparing a file on another ex-member.

Those will be considered along with the files on the 18 ex-Paras. A decision on whether any of them will face prosecution is expected within six months.

The PPS has written to the families of those killed to inform them of the development.

In 1969 the IRA spilt into the Official IRA and Provisional IRA.

While the Provisional movement went on to wage an intensive armed campaign throughout the Troubles, the Officials did not engage in violence on the same scale.

Thirteen people were shot dead by soldiers on Bloody Sunday. A 14th died four months later in hospital.

A murder investigation was launched in 2012.

It was initiated after the government-commissioned inquiry, undertaken by Lord Saville, found none of the victims was posing a threat to soldiers when they were shot.

Following the publication of the Saville report in 2010, then prime minister David Cameron apologised for the Army's actions, branding them "unjustified and unjustifiable".

A PPS spokesman said: "We have provided regular updates to all of the families in relation to the Bloody Sunday case, with the most recent contact last week.

"Over the course of last year, the PSNI has provided around 35 lever arch files of material, with further material anticipated.

"Our focus currently is completing our analysis of the police investigation files and on the identification of all significant legal issues and their resolution.

"We have consistently made it clear that the prosecution task in this case is considerable but we are making steady progress.

"We can confirm that one further suspect has been added to the case recently with a further report expected.

"However, it is not anticipated this will materially affect our timescale for decision-making."
Loyalist supporters leaving Belfast Laganside court house after a man was charged over the murder of Geordie Gilmore. Sept 29, 2017

More than 5 million has been spent policing a paramilitary feud which has claimed two lives, a court heard today.

As a third man was remanded in custody charged with the murder of high-profile loyalist George Gilmore, detectives said the deadly dispute has now spread beyond Carrickfergus in Co Antrim.

Robert Darren McMaw appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court over his alleged role in the assassination.

The 32-year-old, of Starbog Road in Kilwaughter, near Larne, also faces further counts of attempting to murder two of Gilmore's friends and possessing a self-loading pistol and seven rounds of ammunition in connection with the same attack.

His 29-year-old brother Samuel David McMaw, of the same address, and Brian McLean, 35, from The Birches in Carrickfergus, have already been charged with the same offences.

Gilmore, 44, died after being hit by bullets fired at his car on the Woodburn housing estate in broad daylight in March this year.

He had been lured into a trap by his alleged murderers who goaded him into a chase, detectives claim.

The attack was part of a year-long dispute between Gilmore's grouping and the UDA's south east Antrim unit.

As a number of associates packed the public gallery, Darren McMaw spoke only to confirm he understood the charges against him, nodding his head and replying: "Yes."

Opposing his application for bail, a detective inspector told the court the feud in Carrickfergus has reached other parts of Greater Belfast.

Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close George Gilmore, 44, a prominent loyalist who was been shot dead as part of a suspected paramilitary feud. George "Geordie" Gilmore Image supplied by A Gordon from the FB page of George Jnr's FB page (18 March 2017) George Gilmore / Facebook

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Whatsapp George Gilmore, 44, a prominent loyalist who was been shot dead as part of a suspected paramilitary feud.

Referring to the attacks on both Gilmore and the fatal shooting of Colin Horner at a supermarket car park in Bangor in May, he said: "It has resulted now in the death of two men and multiple attacks on other individuals and property.

"The cost to the Police Service is in excess of 5m to police this."

Gilmore was gunned down as he returned with others from attending court in support of friends accused of trying to kill a pub doorman at the Royal Oak bar in the town two days previously.

His son, George Junior, was travelling in convoy in a second vehicle.

At a previous hearing prosecutors claimed Samuel David McMaw was seen to crouch down in an alleyway, attempt to pull a balaclava over his face and brandish a gun.

As Gilmore tried to speed off up to eight shots were fired from a 9mm pistol.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Funeral of murdered loyalist Geordie Gilmore in Carrickfergus. Image: Pacemaker A 34-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of prominent loyalist George Gilmore / Facebook

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Whatsapp Funeral of murdered loyalist Geordie Gilmore in Carrickfergus. Image: Pacemaker

One bullet went through the windscreen, striking the loyalist in the back of the head.

His car continued on, mounting a pavement before crashing into a wall.

Another bullet was fired into a nearby house, heightening police concerns that the attack was indiscriminate.

In court today the detective claimed there would be a risk of witness intimidation if Darren McMaw was released from custody.

"There is a number of people involved in a relatively close area within Carrickfergus, they know there names and where they live," he added.

Richard McConkey, defending, argued that Darren McMaw was first arrested and questioned back in April, making no attempt to interfere with the investigation following his initial release.

But despite stressing his client could live at an address outside the town, bail was denied.

Deputy District Judge Joe Rice said: "Given the background of a very real feud in Carrickfergus and police inquiries still ongoing, there's a risk of further offences and indeed witness intimidation."

He remanded McMaw in custody to appear again by video-link in four weeks time.
The brother of an RUC man murdered as he served customers at a south Belfast ice cream parlour has demanded PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton apologise after it emerged a gun used in the attack was being used for training by German police.

George Larmour has also called for Mr Hamilton to demand that the German authorities investigate it's decision to remove the gun from evidential storage and in doing so destroying potential DNA evidence that may have been on it.

It can also be revealed that the same Browning 9mm that became a training accessory in Germany was the weapon snatched from Corporal Derek Woods before he was killed along with Corporal David Howes by a mob in west Belfast on March 19, 1988.

Mr Larmour has described the revelation as an "insult to the memory of those it was used to kill and their family members".

The gun was also used by the IRA to murder UDR Lance Corporal Roy Butler in the Park Shopping Centre in August 1988 before being taken to mainland Europe.

He told the Belfast Telegraph that the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) had previously told him that they could not find the gun, and that it was only after his nephew Gavin discovered it was in Germany that it was brought back to Northern Ireland for forensic testing earlier this year.

George's brother John (42) was shot dead by the IRA on October 11, 1988 as he served ice cream at Barnam's World of Ice Cream on the Lisburn Road.

Constable Larmour from Ballyclare, Co Antrim had been looking after the shop for a week while his brother was on holiday.

No one has ever been convicted for the murder.

The Browning, along with the Ruger, used in the attack were recovered by police in Germany in 1990.

Writing an open letter to Mr Hamilton in today's Belfast Telegraph, Mr Larmour reveals that after his nephew located the Browning the HET told him that the weapon was of "little evidential value because someone within the German Police Authority made the decision that this murder weapon should be taken out of secure evidential storage and used to train new German Police Officers how to dismantle and reassemble a Browning".

He writes on: "You will be aware that I had already asked the HET many years ago to bring the Browning back to Belfast for forensic testing. The HET refused to do so because they felt that all possible potential evidence had been destroyed when so many German Police Officer recruits were allowed to use the weapon as a training aid."

Mr Larmour said he was informed this week by the PSNI's Legacy Investigations Branch that the Browning has now been examined following it's recovery from the German police, but that all the tests had proven negative and therefore no new evidential opportunities were identified.

He told the Belfast Telegraph that he wrote to former PSNI Chief Inspector Matt Baggott several times but received no response, and therefore this time he was writing an open letter to his successor Mr Hamilton in the hope it will prompt an answer.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Ian Harrison from Legacy Investigation Branch, said: "A forensic review was conducted in this case which included the examination of a firearm recovered.

"No evidential opportunities have been identified in respect of the firearm. We have been liaising with the Larmour family and have updated them accordingly to the review carried out. The Police Service of Northern Ireland remain committed to ensuring any new credible evidential opportunities are pursued appropriately."
The soldier is due to give evidence as part of the inquest into the death of Kathleen Thompson

A soldier may be unable to travel to Northern Ireland to participate in an inquest into a Troubles shooting due to a potential threat against him, a coroner's court has been told.

The soldier, known only as Soldier D, is due to give evidence as part of the inquest into the death of Kathleen Thompson.

The 47-year-old mother of six died during an army raid on her home in Londonderry in 1971.

A preliminary hearing of the inquest has been told that a threat assessment has been carried out regarding Soldier D's ability to travel to Northern Ireland from Great Britain, where he lives.

A lawyer for the coroner's office told the court: "The threat assessment is that if he stays in Great Britain while giving evidence the threat is low and if he comes to Northern Ireland it is moderate."

Representing Ms Thompson's next of kin, barrister Fiona Doherty told the court her clients would consider Soldier D remaining in Great Britain and giving evidence by video link instead.

However, she said she has previously found inquests which have used video link footage have encountered "technology failures".

Ms Doherty said: "My experience of remote evidence is not good but I will certainly consider it."

She said she would discuss the matter with her clients and inform the court of their position on using video link by Tuesday.

The court was also told that an engineer is due to carry out an inspection of the property in which Ms Thompson died, to be submitted to the inquest.

A forensic photographer has been engaged to submit a report as part of the inquiries.

The next preliminary hearing is due to take place on October 17.
George Gilmore, 44, a prominent loyalist who was been shot dead as part of a suspected paramilitary feud.

An ongoing loyalist paramilitary feud in Northern Ireland that has claimed the lives of two men this year has cost more than 5 million to police, a court has heard.

The resourcing bill for policing the dispute between factions of the South East Antrim Ulster Defence Association (UDA) was revealed as a 32-year-old man was remanded in custody charged with the murder of one of the feud victims - loyalist George Gilmore.

Robert McMaw appeared in the dock of Belfast Magistrates' Court amid a tight security presence.

His brother - Samuel McMaw - has already been charged with the same crime.

Mr Gilmore, 44, was shot in the neck as he sat in his car in the Pinewood Avenue area of Carrickfergus. He died the following day in hospital.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective told district judge Joe Rice: "This is a recent but ongoing loyalist feud involving various factions of the South East Antrim UDA in the Carrickfergus and greater Belfast areas."

The officer added: "It has cost in excess of 5 million to police this matter."

The accused, from Starbog Road in Kilwaughter on the outskirts of Larne, is charged with the murder of Mr Gilmore and the attempted murder of two other men - Steven Boyd and Kelvin Graham - on the same day, March 13.

He faces a further count of possessing a firearm and ammunition - namely a self loading handgun and seven 9mm bullets - with intent to endanger life.

District judge Rice refused his bail application. "Bail is refused on this occasion given the background of a very real feud in the Carrickfergus area," he said.

"Police inquiries are ongoing and there is a risk of further offending and witness intimidation. The court does not feel you are a suitable candidate for bail on this occasion."

Father of one McMaw, dressed in a grey jumper, spoke only once during the short hearing to confirm he understood the charges.

He waved at supporters in the public gallery before being led away to the cells.

Two men have already been charged with Mr Gilmore's murder. McMaw's brother Samuel David McMaw, 29, also of Starbog Road, and Brian Roy McClean, 35, of the Birches in Carrickfergus, face the same four counts.

Two months after his death, Mr Gilmore's friend and fellow loyalist Colin Horner, 35, was shot dead in a supermarket car park in Bangor, a crime also linked to the UDA feud.
A leading charity is calling for a new cancer strategy to be implemented in Northern Ireland within a year, after a major report warned that breast cancer care here "is stalling".

Breast Cancer Now has called for urgent action after its landmark 'Good Enough? Breast cancer in the UK' report noted a "worrying plateau in progress".

The report reveals that the urgent referral waiting time target to see a breast cancer specialist here has been missed for the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, the uptake for breast screening declined by 2.6% between 2010/11 and 2012/13, falling to 73.9%.

Local patients are also experiencing delays in routinely accessing some of the best new cancer drugs which are available on the NHS in other parts of the UK.

Breast cancer rates in Northern Ireland continue to rise, with 1,456 women diagnosed in 2015 - almost twice that of 2006.

Although the five-year survival rate is increasing, over 280 women here are still losing their lives to the disease every year.

The 'ministerial expectation' in Northern Ireland is that 100% of patients will be seen by a specialist within two weeks of an urgent referral for suspected breast cancer. But between January 2016 and March 2017, performance swung from a low of 63.9% in June to a high of 99.4% in October.

Moreover, while the target for patients beginning treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat is 98%, this was met in only one month in the past year.

Breast Cancer Now says there is a need for a clear plan to routinely meet the two-week target for women to be seen by a specialist following an urgent referral.

The group also wants a review of how guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is implemented, to ensure that treatments recommended for NHS use elsewhere in the UK are made routinely available more quickly here.

Drugs such as Kadcyla, which can give women living with incurable secondary breast cancer an extra six months with their loved ones, are already routinely available in England, Scotland and Wales.

Northern Ireland's Health and Social Care Board can make Kadcyla available in individual cases here via Individual Funding Requests. While 98% of applications are approved, campaigners say that process delays access to the drugs for patients.

Bangor mum-of-two Melanie Kennedy (40) was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer in 2014. Her first request for Kadcyla was rejected, but, following the approval of the drug for routine use in the NHS in England, she was able to access it for free for the first time.

Melanie, who initially had to resort to crowdfunding to fund her Kadcyla, described Northern Ireland's cancer care system as "broken".

She was first diagnosed with HER2+ primary breast cancer in January 2013, when she was 35 years old and pregnant.

"A year later, I was told my breast cancer had spread to my liver. By the time the fourth chemotherapy drug I'd taken had stopped working, I felt like I was running out of options," she said.

"My oncologist put in an Individual Funding Request for Kadcyla. It was rejected because I wasn't considered 'exceptional' enough. With nowhere left to turn, I began campaigning for system change. However, continued political instability meant each time I took a step forward, I took three steps back.

"I was left with no choice but to crowdfund for Kadcyla - and amazingly I managed to raise my target in two days.

"Those with the power to fix it should remember that every time a drug stops working and a patient is denied their next best option, they feel like they're being diagnosed all over again."

Breast Cancer Now chief, Baroness Delyth Morgan, added: "Our vision is that, by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live and live well. But if we are to make this a reality in NI, we need a new and ambitious strategy, supported by adequate funding, that can ensure research progress reaches patients as quickly as possible."

The number of women in Northern Ireland who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015
A man caring for his disabled mother allegedly stole her bank card to get cash for cocaine, the High Court has heard yesterday.

A man caring for his disabled mother allegedly stole her bank card to get cash for cocaine, the High Court has heard yesterday.

Stephen Henry is accused of taking the card from their home in Comber, Co Down.

The 23-year-old faces charges of possessing Class A drugs, theft and fraud by false representation.

Refusing his bid to be released on bail to live at the family address, Lord Justice Gillen said: "It's really an impossible application."

Police were called to the home at Upper Crescent on September 1. Prosecution counsel claimed: "He (Henry) took his mother's bank card to obtain money from a cash machine, and used the money to buy cocaine."

Although the alleged victim has withdrawn her statement of complaint, it was contended that there have been previous incidents.

The judge held there was too great a risk of re-offending to allow a return home.

He said: "This really is a hopeless case. I couldn't possibly grant this man bail."
An inquest into the fatal shooting by police of a 23-year-old man in Co Down 11 years ago, has heard the officer responsible was previously accused of assaulting and threatening to kill his partner with a poker.

Steven Colwell died on April 16, 2006, at a police checkpoint in Ballynahinch. He was in a silver BMW and tried to drive off when an officer approached.

After getting stuck in traffic he was shot twice. The officer responsible, identified only as Officer O, said the car had been driving straight for him.

An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found his actions had been "critically flawed," but this was rejected by the Police Federation of Northern Ireland.

As part of evidence relating to the credibility of Officer O's character, the inquest yesterday heard statements about a 20-year-old domestic violence complaint against him from a former partner, named as Miss Z.

He denied the claims at the time, saying Miss Z had been "paralytically drunk" and hurt herself falling on furniture.

The complaint was withdrawn shortly afterwards, and Officer O was not disciplined.

Miss Z's 1997 statement was read out to court yesterday, detailing a brutal assault against her, which Officer O strenuously denied.

Having lived with Officer O for nine years at that point, Miss Z told police that after coming home from a night out on August 31, 1997, her former partner accused her of "sleeping around" and "forcibly" threw her out of the house, taking her purse to stop her getting a taxi to her mother's house.

After being let back inside, Miss Z claimed Officer O said: "I was always talking about domestic violence but he would show me what domestic violence really was."

She said he punched her repeatedly in the face and abdomen before banging a fire poker on a coffee table, threatening to break her knees and beat her to death.

"He then told me that after he'd killed me he was going to blow his brains out."

A medical report from the time confirmed Miss Z had complained of severe abdominal pain after being beaten by her boyfriend and had bruising on her left arm and shoulder. Officer O was charged with threats to kill and actual bodily harm, denying both, as well as claims he planned to commit suicide.

He said Miss Z was so drunk she fell into furniture but admitted pushing her on to a settee when she tried to kick and scratch him. During the police interview, he called Miss Z "malicious" and claimed she had told him she would "make problems for me with the police".

When shown a picture of Miss Z with two black eyes, he maintained: "I didn't do this."

Miss Z later withdrew her complaint in March 1998, saying she had come to the decision of her own free will. Officer O was not subject to any police disciplinary procedures.

When questioned again by police about the alleged assault in November 2006, months after the death of Steven Colwell, Miss Z added that Officer O had pointed his gun at her head and she was surprised this wasn't included in the original report.

She said that he had been "obsessed with his gun", and would point it at her pet dog and threaten to shoot it. Officer O again denied these claims.

Police were called to a separate incident in 2005, whereby Officer O allegedly threatened the son of a second partner.

This complaint was also withdrawn shortly afterwards.

Interviewed by the PSNI for misconduct purposes, Officer O did not face disciplinary procedures, but was told his conduct "was not that expected of a PSNI officer". The inquest continues.
A defiant Sinn Fein mayor last night told councillors in Londonderry that he "makes no apologies" for visiting a jailed republican in Maghaberry Prison wearing his chain of office.

Derry City and Strabane mayor Maoliosa McHugh told his critics: "Get used to it."

Mr McHugh was speaking after a motion was brought before the council by former DUP mayor Hilary McClintock, calling on him to apologise after being pictured outside Maghaberry two weeks ago wearing his chain while visiting former IRA man Tony Taylor.

Mr Taylor was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 1994, and again jailed for three years in 2011. However, he had his licence revoked in March last year and was returned to prison.

Campaigners have long called for the Derry man's release, stating there is no evidence of any wrongdoing.

Mrs McClintock said that there are serious concerns within the unionist community regarding the neutrality of the office of mayor in the wake of the jail visit, and urged him to apologise.

Her motion stated that the role of the mayor to represent everyone "has been severely compromised by the ongoing politicisation of the role by Mayor McHugh, wearing the chain of office on several occasions whilst promoting his own party politics to the detriment of good relations". It also called on him to apologise.

Mrs McClintock said that the mayor's move "deeply hurt" the unionist community.

"Serious questions are being asked in this council area as to your ability to continue to fulfil your role", she told him in the chamber.

"I would ask you, do you acknowledge the hurt you have caused to sizeable numbers of residents in this council area and that you reaffirm today that party politics and the mayor's role are not to be confused, so as not to jeopardise further the carrying out of your duties in a sensitive and apolitical manner, representing all citizens in this council area. What I am asking of you today is equality, respect and integrity."

However, Mr McHugh refused to apologise and said that it was a "human rights issue" that he was "proud" to stand on.

"Tony Taylor is a resident of our community, of this city," he said. "He is incarcerated at this present time effectively without trial. It is internment.

"A prisoner is the weakest person in our society and as mayor, I took great pride in standing in basic rights of that prisoner as I would do for you, Alderman McClintock, or any other person in here or in the community who find themselves incarcerated under similar circumstances.

"I will stand with the most deprived. Not only to make totally aware of his incarceration but that his family, his wife, his son with special needs, are effectively incarcerated as well. I make no apologies whatsoever for raising what is a human rights issue."

He told Mrs McClintock that she should "get used to it as I won't shirk away from that responsibility".

The motion fell after a majority of councillors voted against it.
Royal Irish Fusilier Edward Graham, whose grave will be rededicated by his twin sons

The grave of a British soldier killed in Italy in the Second World War will be rededicated by his twin sons, who unknown to him were born just 22 days before his death.

Edward and Sydney Graham (74) have spent a lifetime wondering what happened to their Royal Irish Fusilier father Edward, who was married to a woman from Northern Ireland before he was killed in Sicily in 1943.

The regiment had been dispatched to North Africa and then on to Italy, but during the advance through Sicily, near the small town of Maletto, he was killed on August 13 fighting a German ambush.

His body was initially buried at the roadside, but when it was later moved his identity was lost and he was given an unnamed gravestone.

But years of research and work by son Edward eventually paid off when he discovered his father, from Chopwell, Co Durham, had been buried in Catania War Cemetery.

"It's been decades of searching, researching records, battling bureaucracy, but it'll give me a sense of closure and satisfaction that my father is there and resting in a beautiful place with his colleagues who also gave the ultimate sacrifice," he said.

"That is comforting but my great sadness is my mother never knew where he was, that would have been nice, but it wasn't to be.

"He was on active service and communication being what it was, he didn't know he was the father of twin boys.

"My brother and I were born just 22 days before he was killed.

"And indeed my mother didn't know what his fate was for almost two years.

"He was posted missing, which was changed to missing presumed killed, but his actual fate she didn't know for definite for almost two years.

"It's very sad he didn't know he had two sons, but that was the time he was living in."

The service, which has been organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, will take place in Catania on October 4, and Mr Graham will be given a new headstone.

Edward, from Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: "Up until the commemoration cards were released we didn't have any documentary evidence to tell us what had happened.

"We knew from the war diaries the engagement on the advance from Maletto was where the fatalities had occurred.

"We had an idea who the fatalities were, but until we got the evidence we didn't know what happened.

"We then found out via the cards that the casualties had been taken from where they had fallen and taken to Catania war cemetery."
Ryanair says flight cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters

Ryanair has r esponded to threats of legal action from the aviation regulator by emailing customers affected by flight cancellations to clarify their rights.

The airline told passengers they can receive a refund or be transferred on to other flights or travel by trains, buses or car hire.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which on Thursday accused the Dublin-based carrier of "not complying with the law" over its handling of the fiasco, claimed the airline had "capitulated" after enforcement action was launched.

It had accused Ryanair of not telling passengers that under EU261 rules they were entitled to be re-routed by another carrier.

Ryanair's offer to passengers features several conditions, including assessing the cost of flights on other airlines "on a case by case basis" before bookings are made.

Alex Neill, a managing director at consumer group Which?, said passengers face a "potential minefield" to reach their destination, describing the process as "convoluted".

She added: "I t still smacks of a lingering reluctance to do the right thing."

An extra 18,000 flights for the winter season were cancelled by Ryanair on Wednesday - a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

Several popular routes used by UK travellers were hit, such as Stansted to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gatwick to Belfast, Newcastle to Faro, and Glasgow to Las Palmas.

It adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which was already coming under heavy fire after cancelling up to 50 flights a day earlier this month.

Passengers have expressed their frustration with the airline, with many left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights and accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

Ryanair said the cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters and insisted the latest reduction in its schedule will "eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations".

CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: " Our job is to protect passengers' rights and ensure that all airlines operating in the UK are fully compliant with important consumer laws.

"Where we find that an airline is systematically flouting these rules, we will not hesitate to take action to minimise the harm and detriment caused to passengers, as we have done with Ryanair in recent days.

"It appears that Ryanair has now capitulated."

Kenny Jacobs, Ryanair's chief marketing officer, said: "We apologise again sincerely for the disruption and inconvenience our rostering failure has caused some of our customers.

"We have taken on extra customer service staff and are moving now to process and expedite all EU261 claims from affected customers.

"We are committed to processing all such claims within 21 days of receipt and hope to have all such claims settled before the end of October."
The issue was one of more than 20 reports on financial waste in the public service

Almost four million euro of taxpayers' money was spent by justice chiefs on a building that was never used.

The offices on Wolfe Tone Street in central Dublin were supposed to have been used for a community-based project funded by the Probation Service.

But a dispute over planning rules for the property forced the Department of Justice to leave it lying empty for several years after more than one million euro was paid for a fit-out and another one million euro in rent.

The taxpayer had to foot the bill for another 1.8 million euro paid to settle a potentially protracted and costly courtroom battle over the lease.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, the state's spending watchdog, disclosed that his office had examined the spend in its 2011 report.

In his annual report for last year the C&AG said: "Significant efforts had been made to find an alternative use for the property but to no avail.

"As part of the settlement, the lease on this premises has now been terminated and no further costs will be incurred in relation to this property."

The C&AG said issues about the office's suitability for the Probation Service only came to light after the lease was signed when it emerged there was no planning permission.

The subsequent lawsuit was settled last year.

The issue was one of more than 20 reports on financial waste in the public service.

The C&AG's report examined the over-payment of between 100 and 120 million euro in welfare benefits from 2013 to 2016.

It said about half of it in 2013 was linked to fraud but by last year that had come down to 37%, about 41 million euro.

The report also said there were 16,225 fraudulent social welfare over-payments in 2016 and 1,305 of them were worth more than 5,000 euro.

It also showed that 222 cases were considered by the Department of Social Protection's Central Prosecution Unit for criminal proceedings.

In its examination of the corporation tax regime - much-maligned internationally - the C&AG found 13 of the top 100 companies with the highest taxable income had an effective rate of less than 1% in 2015.

It said these companies had either used a double taxation relief to offset Irish corporation tax or R&D tax credit, or of both systems, to reduce their bills.

Elsewhere, the C&AG looked back on a property deal linked to the Garda training college in Templemore dating back to the tail end of the property boom.

It said the State paid almost two million euro more for farmland to expand the college than the guide price when the purchase was first advised.

Dromard farm, including a Georgian-period home, outhouses and woods on 252 acres about 6km from the centre was first up for auction in May 2005 valued at 2.5 million euro.

A private sale went through instead of it going under the hammer and 18 months later the Office of Public Works paid 4.3 million euro when it came back on the market.

At the time property consultants had said it was worth 5.45 million euro.

Also at Templemore, the C&AG noted that the Garda College Sportsfield Company Limited, which was run by senior managers in Templemore, leased out a 37-acre nine-hole course next to the college to a local club for 12,600 euro a year.

The Garda is owed 88,000 euro in backdated rent for the land, the report said.

A report into grants paid to health agencies raised concern over the non-compliance with public sector pay policies.

The report also found governance issues arising from non-compliance with procurement rules and regulations and the absence of internal audit functions.
More than 3,000 children are now homeless - a record figure, according to the latest data.

More than 3,000 children are now homeless - a record figure, according to the latest data.

Official numbers on families forced into emergency accommodation like B&Bs, hotels and hubs showed there were 3,048 youngsters and teenagers with no home to go to at the end of August.

The children's charity Barnardos said the impacts are devastating.

June Tinsley, head of advocacy at the charity, said it had been hoped, naively, that the 3,000 level would be seen a ceiling.

"The experience of being homeless - of living in emergency accommodation, is hugely detrimental to a child's well-being," she said.

"Parents that we work with are reporting high levels of anxiety in their children as they try to cope with a life of uncertainty.

"These experiences and memories will stick with these children forever. Every day in homelessness is a day too long for a child."

The official figures - released by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Go ver nment - showed a total of 8,270 people were homeless including 5,222 adults. The report also showed 1,442 families were homeless.

There was a slight drop in the number of homeless children in Dublin.

The Peter McVerry Trust warned that oversight of landlords and insecure tenancies were a major cause of rising numbers of homeless.

The most recent figures released by the Department of Housing show that 8,270 people were registered as living in emergency and temporary accommodation during the last week of August 2017.

Since the beginning of 2017, there's been a net increase of 140 people becoming homeless each month. These figures point to a 23% projected rise in homelessness for 2017.

Chief executive Pat Doyle said the agency was s eeing an increasing number of people becoming homeless after living in the private rental sector.

'We need to see continued action from Government to deal with the rising cost of rents and housing," Mr Doyle said.

"Peter McVerry Trust, and other charities in the sector, are facing an extremely challenging situation to provide enough emergency accommodation, and we therefore recognise the immense challenge that exists in providing an adequate level of housing solutions."

Focus Ireland welcomed the reductions secured in Dublin, with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive helping to support 47 families into a secure home in August.

The charity's advocacy director Mike Allen said: "T he fact that the number of families homeless nationwide has hit a record total shows the crisis is also spreading more around the country, and shows the nightmare of homelessness is still very much a reality for a rising number of families and children."

The Budget will be announced on World Homeless Day.
Ryanair has responded to threats of legal action from the aviation regulator by emailing customers affected by flight cancellations to clarify their rights.

The airline told passengers they can receive a refund or be transferred on to other flights or travel by trains, buses or car hire.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which on Thursday accused the Dublin-based carrier of not complying with the law over its handling of the fiasco, claimed the airline had capitulated after enforcement action was launched.

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It had accused Ryanair of not telling passengers that under EU261 rules they were entitled to be re-routed by another carrier.

Ryanairs offer to passengers features several conditions, including assessing the cost of flights on other airlines on a case by case basis before bookings are made.

Alex Neill, a managing director at consumer group Which?, said passengers face a potential minefield to reach their destination, describing the process as convoluted.

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She added: It still smacks of a lingering reluctance to do the right thing.

An extra 18,000 flights for the winter season were cancelled by Ryanair on Wednesday  a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

Several popular routes used by UK travellers were hit, such as Stansted to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gatwick to Belfast, Newcastle to Faro, and Glasgow to Las Palmas.

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It adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which was already coming under heavy fire after cancelling up to 50 flights a day earlier this month.

Passengers have expressed their frustration with the airline, with many left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights and accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

Ryanair said the cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters and insisted the latest reduction in its schedule will eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations.

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CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: Our job is to protect passengers rights and ensure that all airlines operating in the UK are fully compliant with important consumer laws.

Where we find that an airline is systematically flouting these rules, we will not hesitate to take action to minimise the harm and detriment caused to passengers, as we have done with Ryanair in recent days.

It appears that Ryanair has now capitulated.

Kenny Jacobs, Ryanairs chief marketing officer, said: We apologise again sincerely for the disruption and inconvenience our rostering failure has caused some of our customers.

We have taken on extra customer service staff and are moving now to process and expedite all EU261 claims from affected customers.

We are committed to processing all such claims within 21 days of receipt and hope to have all such claims settled before the end of October.
Ryanair has been ordered by the UK's aviation regulator to sort out compensation for hundreds of thousands of travellers hit by mass flight cancellations by 5pm today.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) instructed the budget airline to tell passengers they are entitled to be re-routed by another carrier and explain how that will work.

Ryanair must also publicly state it will reimburse expenses for affected customers, according to a letter from the CAA.

In addition, the Dublin-based carrier must commit to helping passengers who chose an unsuitable option as a result of being misled.

It comes after the regulator accused the airline of "not complying with the law" over its handling of the fiasco.

CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said he was "furious" after Ryanair cancelled an extra 18,000 flights for the winter season on Wednesday - a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

"They are not making it clear to people their entitlement", Mr Haines told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"If they follow through on what they are saying, then they would be breaking the law." A Ryanair spokesman said: "We will be meeting with the CAA and will comply fully with whatever requirements they ask us to."

The latest round of cancellations includes several popular routes used by UK travellers, such as Gatwick to Belfast, Stansted to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Newcastle to Faro and Glasgow to Las Palmas.

It adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which was already coming under heavy fire after cancelling up to 50 flights a day earlier this month.

Ryanair says the cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters.

Passengers have expressed their frustration with the airline, with many left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights and accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

A Ryanair internal memo allegedly instructed call centre staff to offer flights with other carriers - provided the price "does not exceed three times the value of the original Ryanair fare".

The document, unearthed by ITV news, was criticised by consumer group Which?.

Managing director Alex Neill said: "Ryanair appears to be plucking figures out of thin air as there is no legal basis for the arbitrary figure they've set.

"The law says passengers must be rerouted and there's no specified limit on cost."
Henry Bolton has been elected the new leader of Ukip (Philip Toscano/PA)

Ukips new leader Henry Bolton has said the party has avoided becoming the UK Nazi Party with his election at the expense of a candidate who described Islam as evil.

The little-known candidate beat the two front-runners in the contest  controversial Sharia Watch director Anne Marie Waters and London Assembly member Peter Whittle  to win with 3,874 votes.

His shock victory avoided a potential split of the party, with a number of MEPs reportedly threatening to quit if Ms Waters won, and appeared to bring back on board Ukip big-hitters Nigel Farage and millionaire donor Arron Banks.

The former Army officer told the partys conference in Torquay: Brexit is our core task, however, it is not the end of the line and signalled a softening of Ukips message on Islam.

Asked whether Ukip had avoided becoming the UK Nazi Party, referring to comments he made in the campaign, Mr Bolton told a press conference: Absolutely, yes.

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He went on: Absolutely, I think the party has today voted for a leader who has been very open about what he feels is the way forward, and thats myself of course.

Shortly after his victory was announced, Mr Farage took to Twitter to declare himself delighted, describing Mr Bolton as a man of real substance.

Insurance tycoon Mr Banks signalled he may begin backing Ukip again, which would be seen as a major coup for the new leader.

Mr Banks tweeted: This is great news & Im sure both myself and Nigel will want to re-engage with the party!

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Mr Bolton denied he was a caretaker for Mr Farage and said he would be speaking to the former leader in the coming days about what role he could play in the party.

He said he was not aware of the ex-leader playing a role in his election behind the scenes.

Discussing how he could replace Ukips talisman, Mr Bolton said: The personality thing  Im not Nigel, none of us are Nigel, none of you are Nigel, Nigel is Nigel and Im not going to try and fill his boots, I have my own style, I have my own personality and I think you will see that emerge.

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He added: When Im standing up on the platform then Im quite firm in my approach, but, actually, get me, like Nigel, in the bar with a beer and I like a laugh and a joke, and Im just as convivial as he is, I think.

Mr Bolton said he would be very happy to have a conversation with Mr Banks about returning to the fold as long as he supports the partys direction under his leadership.

On policy, Mr Bolton stressed Islam was more dominating than Christianity but said he would ditch Ukips general election integration agenda, which focused almost entirely on Muslims, declaring: We need to look at the integration of all immigrant communities in this country.

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He said as a former police officer there was an issue with face coverings but said focusing purely on banning the burka would not solve a security problem.

Islam is of concern, the nature of Islam and the practices of the religion are such that they tend to have a more dominating effect in a community where theres a large Muslim population than the Christian community, he said.

He added: I absolutely abhor the rhetoric that says we are at war with Islam. My platform is a broad one for delivering for the British people across the place, it is not focused on Islam.

Expand Close Henry Bolton won with 3,874 votes (Ben Birchall/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Henry Bolton won with 3,874 votes (Ben Birchall/PA)

Mr Bolton did, however, signal he could be the latest in a long line of Ukip leaders to act as a scourge of liberals.

Commenting on the transgender debate, he said: I think we are getting a bit far when we are encouraging children in some cases to question their own sexuality, I think that is certainly going too far.

Mr Bolton said he would be having a conversation with Ms Waters, who appeared in the press room shortly before the announcement of the leadership result, before deciding her future in the party.

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One of my main tasks now is going to be to unite the party and move forward, he said.

Speaking to members from the conference floor, Mr Bolton said: I do not see myself now as simply being your leader, I see myself as serving this party. You are the party, not me, and this party needs to serve its country.

There is no greater calling than that and I would call on all of you, whether you voted for me or not, to rally around the party, to be united.
Even without rescuing anyone from the rubble after Mexico's big earthquake, a Labrador retriever named Frida has gained an international social media following.

At least 344 people died in the September 19 earthquake, including 205 in Mexico City. For days, rescuers who tunnelled into huge mounds of debris and selfless volunteers who threw themselves into work around the city were lauded for their efforts. But no individual captured the hearts of Mexicans and those watching the efforts from afar like Frida.

Clad in goggles and neoprene booties, Frida with nose to the ground and clambering over crumbled buildings became a symbol of hope.

"In social terms, this dog functioned like a transitional object because maybe she didn't help us in anything real or concrete - meaning she didn't rescue anyone - but she let us feel like there was hope and that there were things that could help us," said Fatima Laborda, a psychoanalyst and director of Casa Grana, a psychological assistance and research organisation.

Ms Laborda said that in traumatic situations, whether war or natural disaster, people tend to seek refuge in something real or symbolic as they try to regain confidence and a feeling of safety. A rescuer literally removing rocks to free you is one way to feel helped, but someone can also "feel supported by merely seeing people in the street, because that way I feel the solidarity of everyone else and that is symbolic and also can give me psychological relief".

The earthquake that shook Mexico City and nearby states was not even Frida's first in September. She was dispatched to Juchitan, a town in Oaxaca state that sustained much damage in the magnitude 8.1 quake that struck southern Mexico on September 7.

Over the course of a six-year career, Frida - eight years old, 65 pounds and trending internet topic - found 53 bodies and helped rescue 12 people alive. She has worked quake disasters abroad as well, including in 2010 in Haiti and 2016 in Ecuador.

But she did not reach celebrity status until Mexico's most recent disaster when the Mexican navy - Frida's employer - released a video of her at work on its Twitter account.

Frida's star rose just as another symbol of hope dissipated. For two days eyes were glued to search efforts at a collapsed school where including 19 children and seven adults died. Word spread that a girl named Frida Sofia was trapped in the rubble. But ultimately, the navy announced that she had never existed.

That left Frida the rescue dog.

Actor Chris Evans, of Captain America fame, retweeted a video of Frida at work, adding: "What did we do to deserve dogs?"

Groups of women who knit offered designs inspired by Frida on Facebook, with the earnings going to earthquake relief efforts.

No one resists Frida's charms, including her two handlers. One of them, Emmanuel Hernandez, a marine corporal, said Frida was identified early on for having qualities of a good search dog: docility, a good instinct for hunting and strong sense of smell.

Mr Hernandez tamped down rumours that Frida's retirement might come soon. She remains capable and ready to work, he said.

In the future, she could transition into more of a mentoring role rather than search leader, he added. Two young Belgian malinois worked with her in Juchitan.

Whenever her retirement does come, she will be put up for adoption to navy personnel.

"If someone asks me if I would want to take Frida, I would say yes," Mr Hernandez said. "But we will have Frida for a long time yet."

AP
The ex-Soviet Central Asian nation of Tajikistan has imposed limits on how citizens can act at funerals, including bans on black clothes and loud wailing.

Although Tajikistan is overwhelmingly Muslim, President Emomali Rakhmon's government has often taken measures against behaviour commonly associated with fundamentalist Islam.

Police reportedly have forcibly shaved off the beards of tens of thousands of men and the country bans anyone under 40 from undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

A pamphlet distributed by the government's committee on religious affairs this month says hired mourners cannot be used and those grieving must not tear their hair or scratch their faces, according to Tajik and Russian news agencies.

Tajikistan was devastated by a five-year civil war with Islamist-inspired rebel forces, which ended in 1997.

AP
Police in Russia have detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny ahead of a rally in a major city.

Mr Navalny posted a video on his Instagram account of what he said were officers outside his home asking him to come to a police station.

He tweeted from the station later, saying he had not been told why he had been detained.

Mr Navalny had planned to travel to the city of Nizhny Novgorod where he was to lead a rally later on Friday.

After he announced his presidential bid last year, Mr Navalny, a top Kremlin foe and arguably Russia's most popular opposition politician, inspired a grassroots campaign in Russian regions to support his nomination.

The Tass news agency on Friday quoted police as saying Mr Navalny was detained because of his calls for unsanctioned rallies.

The rally in Nizhny Novgorod, however, had received City Hall approval.

Mr Navalny's associates, in the meantime, reported that police seized their equipment, which was already installed at a city square ahead of the rally.

"The Kremlin views my meetings with voters as a huge threat and even an insult," Mr Navalny tweeted.

"They were saying for so long that opposition has no support in the regions, and it now pains them to even look at our rallies."

He recorded and posted online a video from the police station, calling on his supporters in Nizhny Novgorod to come to the rally even if he does not make it there.

The Kremlin has dismissed Mr Navalny, who has faced repeated jailings and criminal cases, as an urbanite out of touch with people living in Russia's 11 time zones where President Vladimir Putin draws his support from.

That began to change earlier this year when Mr Navalny opened campaign offices in 80 cities and towns, most of which had not seen a political life for decades, attracting thousands of supporters.

AP
More than 60 people are either confirmed dead or presumed dead following the shipwreck of a boat carrying Rohingya Muslims fleeing from violence in Burma to Bangladesh, the UN migration agency said.

The figure came as the UN Security Council had its first open meeting on Burma for eight years amid clear divisions among its members.

Spokesman Joel Millman of the International Organisation for Migration told reporters in Geneva that 23 deaths have been confirmed after eight more bodies were found overnight following an initial count of 15.

Based on interviews that IOM has conducted with survivors, Mr Millman said: "We believe 40 are missing and presumed drowned" on the vessel, which was thought to have been carrying about 80 people.

He said he did not have information immediately about whether it was the worst death toll at sea since the exodus of Rohingya began on August 25 amid violence targeting them in Burma.

More than 500,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since then.

The "very tragic" accident involved a vessel that had been at sea for two days with no food and had faced choppy seas, Mr Millman said.

The UN Security Council's first open meeting on Burma for eight years highlighted deep divisions, with China and Russia supporting the Southeast Asian country's government and the US, Britain and France demanding an end to "ethnic cleansing" of its Rohingya minority.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for strong action, urging Burma's authorities to immediately halt military operations, allow "unfettered access" for humanitarian aid, and ensure all those who fled can return home.

US ambassador Nikki Haley told council members in New York: "We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority.

"The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed," she said.

"We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens."

Ms Haley urged all countries to suspend the supply of weapons to the country's military until its members are held accountable for the "brutal assault" on the Rohingyas.

The US, Britain and France were joined by many council members in demanding an immediate end to the violence and a strong response.

A global coalition of 88 civil society and human rights organisations urged the Security Council to step up pressure on Burma's authorities "by seriously considering options such as an arms embargo against the military and targeted financial sanctions against individuals responsible or crimes and serious abuses".

China and Russia supported the Burmese government's approach to tackling the crisis.

China's deputy UN ambassador, whose country has close ties to Burma, urged the international community "to view the difficulties and challenges confronting the government of Burma through objective optics, exercise patience, and provide support and help".

Wu Haitao stressed "many of the differences and antagonisms" in Rakhine state have been building up over a long time and "there is no quick fix".

"As we speak, the situation on the ground is beginning to move toward stability," he said.

"All parties should work constructively to help reinforce this momentum, de-escalate the situation and alleviate the humanitarian conditions step by step."

Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, warned "excessive pressure" on Burma's government "could only aggravate the situation in the country and around it".

There is no alternative to resolving "the longstanding and complicated crisis" in Rakhine through political means and a dialogue among representatives of all nationalities and faiths," he said.

"We need to stop any kind of violence from any side and the rhetoric which fuels it."

AP
David went through some harrowing experiences before he became the king. The interim between his anointing over Israel and actually being seated on the throne were marked by years of turmoil, danger, and exile. He lived a wilderness experience that most of us cannot fathom, that of pain and rejection and fear.

King David was considered by God as a man after His own heart. If you find yourself in a wilderness situation, if life has been unfair, if circumstances arent what you want them to be, if you have no control of the outcome, you can take your cues from David and learn to respond as he did in times of danger and pain.

In Psalm 63 David lays out some specific responses to the injustice he was facing; each are takeaways for us in challenging circumstances.

My soul thirsts for You, my whole body longs for You. ~David

Davids longing could have been for justice, it could have been for a warm bed, an old friend, a quiet afternoon with his sheep, or many other trifles of normal life. In spite of the fact that he lived in a cave, fleeing from Saul who wanted to kill him, his primary desire was God. Why wasnt he focused on the injustice? Because he ultimately knew that if he had the presence of God in his life, that God would take upon Himself all of Davids challenges and one by one bring them to a conclusion.

You satisfy me more than the richest feast. ~David

David had enjoyed some rich feasts in the palace. As one of King Sauls bodyguards, he was given the rights and privileges of the elite in the palace. His best friend Jonathan was the kings son, so he had no doubt enjoyed the finery and delicacies of royalty. Yet, when he was eating who-knows-what in a cave, he found the presence of the Lord so much more satisfying than those long-forgotten banquets in the palace.

I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on you through the night. ~David

Most of us, when in crisis, lie awake at night, but instead of thinking about the unfailing love of God, we think about our failures, our troubles, our fears. Not David. He thought about his God  His love and power to save.

I cling to You Your strong right hand holds me securely. ~David

In times of duress, we often run to people to rescue us, but David knew that mans help, while encouraging, could not ultimately rescue him from the power of those who wanted him dead. When we are hit with circumstances beyond our control, instead of running to people for comfort and help, we first run to God. We lift up our hands to His strong hand and hold tightly to Him as we wait for deliverance.

But the king will rejoice in God. ~David

David wasnt acting as king yet; in fact, he was a fugitive, running for his life. Yet, he didnt see himself as a victim. He saw himself for who he was in Gods eyes: royalty. We can do likewise; we can believe that we are who God says we are.

When you are facing injustice, you can choose to see yourself as a victim or a victor, a whiner or a winner. Lets become people of Gods own heart and pray Psalm 63 in our times of trial:

O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you;

my whole body longs for you

in this parched and weary land

where there is no water.

I have seen you in your sanctuary

and gazed upon your power and glory.

Your unfailing love is better than life itself;

how I praise you!



Amen.

Photo credit: Foter.com
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, addresses the U.N. Security Council about the Rohingya refugee crisis stemming from an outbreak of violence in Myanmars Rakhine state, Sept. 28, 2017.

The past months influx of a half-million refugees into southeastern Bangladesh from Myanmar represents the worlds fastest-developing refugee emergency, the U.N.s secretary-general told a Security Council session where the United States openly accused Naypyidaws military forces of targeting Rohingya Muslims through ethnic cleansing.

A spirited debate unfolded among ambassadors from the U.S., China and other world powers after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to act to contain the crisis.

Guterres called on Myanmar authorities to stop a military crackdown in Rakhine state, which has led to more than 500,000 people seeking shelter in neighboring Bangladesh since Aug. 25, amid reports of mass atrocities being committed by Burmese soldiers and Buddhist militia.

The situation has spiraled into the worlds fastest-developing refugee emergency and a humanitarian and human rights nightmare, Guterres said as he briefed an open session of the 15-member Security Council on Thursday afternoon.

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was blunt when her turn came to speak.

We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority. And it should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma, Haley said, referring to Myanmar by its other name.

This was the first time that a top U.S. official had described the crackdown in Rakhine as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmars military launched it after an insurgent group known as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) carried out multiple attacks on police outposts in Rakhine on Aug. 25.

The military and militia have been widely blamed for allegedly targeting Rohingya civilians in atrocities, such as the burning of Rohingya villages, as well as the raping and killing of women and girls from the Muslim minority.

Myanmars government has rejected those allegations, saying ARSA was behind the violence and that its fighters had also massacred members of the Hindu minority in Rakhine.

The Burmese government claims it is battling terrorists. If this is true, let them allow media and humanitarian access to back up their claim. If terrorists are the problem, let the military explain how killing children and forcing families from their homes will make Burma any safer, Haley said.

[W]hat has taken place is a brutal assault that doesnt advance justice in Burma; it puts it further out of reach. The governments response has undermined Burmas security, stability, and its fragile democratic transition, the American envoy added.

Meanwhile in southeastern Cox Bazar district, the epicenter of the humanitarian crisis on the Bangladeshi side of the border, 23 refugees were confirmed dead after their boat capsized in rough waters in the Bay of Bengal as they tried to cross over to Bangladesh on Thursday, the International Organization of Migration (IOM) said Friday.

Out of the 80 people on board, 17 passengers were rescued but 40 others were missing, according to a news release from the IOM, the U.N.s international migration agency.

China, Russia weigh in

In recent days human rights groups had pressed the U.N. Security Council to vote to impose sanctions on Myanmar over the situation in Rakhine, but its 15 members took no such punitive action on Thursday.

The criticism leveled by Ambassador Haley against Myanmar contrasted sharply with statements made by the envoys from China and Russia, two other permanent council members that can veto any of its resolutions.

Ambassador Wu Haitao, Chinas deputy permanent representative at the U.N., said Beijing condemned the recent violent attacks in Myanmars Rakhine state and supported Myanmars effort to keep its domestic situation stable.

It behooves the international community to view the difficulties and challenges confronting the government of Myanmar through objective optics, he said.

Russias ambassador to the U.N. voiced his governments concern about the violence in Rakhine, but said ARSA insurgents were first and foremost responsible for provoking it. He said Russia had obtained information showing that rebels were involved in killing civilians.

We resolutely condemn their armed attempts aimed at undermining the efforts to stabilize the situation in the Rakhine state, Russian envoy Vassily A. Nebenzia told the Security Council, according to a televised recording.

Excessive pressure on Naypyidaw could only aggravate tensions in Rakhine, he said, adding that the parties involved and outside players should show restraint and be objective in their assessment of the situation.

We need to be very careful when we wield notions such as genocide and ethnic cleansing, Nebenzia said.

An untenable situation: Bangladesh envoy

Myanmar National Security Adviser U Thaung Tun also spoke at the councils session in New York. He defended his government from the criticism from other countries, denying that ethnic cleansing or genocide was happening in Rakhine.

He accused ARSA of spreading rumors that government forces were committing atrocities against civilians. This was all malicious and unsubstantiated chatter, he said, adding that Myanmars government was committed to a sustainable solution that would lead to peace, stability, development and the return of displaced communities to their homes.

It would be a sad commentary of our times if we allowed emotions to cloud our view and assert that what is happening in Rakhine is ethnic cleansing without first undertaking a legal review and making a judicial determination, U Thaung Tun said, according to a transcript.

Bangladeshs envoy to the U.N. spoke last.

The massive new influx of refugees from Myanmar had pushed the number of Rohingya and others sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh to more than 900,000 people, including refugees who had fled from earlier cycles of violence in Rakhine, Ambassador Masud Bin Momen said.

This is an untenable situation, to say the least, he said.

He lashed out at the Myanmar government for refusing to identify the Rohingya people by their name and lumping them together as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

This has to stop, Momen said.

He also told the council that Myanmar was testing Bangladeshs patience along the border between the two countries, but Dhaka continued to show the utmost restraint.

He cited cases in which Myanmar helicopters and drones had breached Bangladeshi airspace at least 19 times. He also alleged that Myanmars forces had laid land-mines along the border. Two divisions of the Myanmar armed forces had also deployed in areas near the frontier, Momen said.

The view from Bangladesh

In Bangladesh on Friday, government officials expressed disappointment about Thursdays Security Council meeting.

We are really frustrated by the Russian position. They did not recognize the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Rohingya by the Myanmar military in Rakhine. The Russian statement will encourage the military and the vigilante Buddhists to accelerate ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rakhine, a spokesman for the Bangladeshs foreign ministry, who declined to be identified, told BenarNews.

The official said the ministry wasnt expecting the Russians, who maintain bilateral military ties with Bangladesh and are building a nuclear power plant in the country, to surprise them as their U.N. ambassador did through his statement on Rakhine.

In Coxs Bazar on Friday, Rohingya refugees expressed mixed feelings about the councils meeting.

The Rohingya have been very frustrated. We expected something tough from the UN Security Council., Abdul Motlob, a leader at the Leda refugee camp, told BenarNews.

So, the [Security Council] cannot take any resolution. But the holding of a discussion at the UN Security Council is a positive development, he said.

Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka and Abdur Rahman in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh contributed to this report.
Myanmar Hindus mourn the loss of family members who were killed and dumped in mass graves near Yebaw Kya village, Maungdaw township, in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, Sept. 27, 2017.

Citing poor weather conditions, Myanmar officials on Thursday cancelled a trip for nearly 50 foreign diplomats and United Nations officials to northern Rakhine state, the focal point of strife that has left hundreds dead and forced a half-million Rohingya Muslims to flee the country.

A notice on the Ministry of Informations website said the trip had been postponed to Oct. 2. Heavy rain in the capital Sittwe made it impossible for helicopters to land at the airport, officials said.

The state government had planned to take the diplomats and U.N. personnel to several places in Maungdaw township, including the village where mass graves of dozens of slain Hindus were found earlier this week.

The trips postponement came as U.N. chief Antonio Guterres briefed the U.N. Security Council about the violence in Myanmar.

He condemned what he called the humanitarian nightmare for the Rohingya and demanded that the government end military operations, open humanitarian access to the region, and grant Rohingya refugees citizenship, according to news wire reports.

On Thursday, nearly 90 rights groups and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) issued a statement calling on the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly to take immediate steps to address the human rights abuses and humanitarian catastrophe experienced by the Rohingya.

They also want the U.N. to adopt a resolution to address the crisis and consider an arms embargo against the military and sanctions against the perpetrators of the violence.

As more evidence emerges, it is clear that the atrocities committed by Myanmar state security forces amount to crimes against humanity, the coalition of NGOs said. The United Nations and its member states need to take urgent action.

The Associated Press meanwhile published excerpts of a letter from 21 U.S. Senators to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson criticizing Myanmars response to Aug. 25 militant attacks as extraordinarily disproportionate.

The senators urged the Trump administration to hold perpetrators of atrocities in Myanmars Rakhine state accountable under U.S. law that allows the president to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, and other gross violations of human rights in any foreign country, the AP reported from Washington on Thursday.

Reporters taken to mass graves

Meanwhile, the Myanmar military permitted journalists from select domestic and international news organizations, including BenarNews sister entity RFA, to tour areas of Maungdaw township where the remains of Hindus have been unearthed from four pits.

Two army helicopters transported the reporters to Maungdaws Yebaw Kya village area where mass graves were found by security forces on Sept. 24 and 25.

I want you to see the reality, Major General Aung Ye Win, director of the militarys public relations, told reporters. We have checked everything systematically. I want you to know that there is no ethnic cleansing in our country.

In this region, the Bengali population number several hundreds of thousands and other ethnics and non-Muslims represent a small minority, he said, using a derogatory name for the Rohingya who are considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied Myanmar citizenship.

We brought you here to see for yourselves who is killing whom, he said.

Local Hindus and the Myanmar government said earlier this week that Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants detained nearly 100 people from several Hindu villages in Kha Maung Seik village tract on Aug. 25, killed most of them, and dumped their corpses in four mass graves.

On Wednesday, the Myanmar army raised the number of bodies uncovered from mass graves to 52 and reported that 192 others were still missing.

The killings occurred the same day that ARSA militants launched deadly attacks on police outposts and an army base, prompting a counteroffensive by the Myanmar army in Rohingya areas of northern Rakhine.

Muslim militants forced some of the young Hindu women they captured to convert to Islam, the government said, citing testimony from Ni Maul, a Hindu social worker and local community leader.

Laid out on the grass

The decomposed bodies of the slain Hindus were laid out on the grass, some with silver necklaces still around their necks, while relatives of the victims cried nearby.

Terrorists killed the men from the hostages they had brought along and dumped the bodies here, Colonel Okkar Ko from Myanmars border police told the journalists.

The women and girls were taken to a hut we just saw over there a while ago, he said. We learned from local religious leaders here that seven or eight of the women who were [forced to] convert to Islam were spared and were taken across the border. The remaining women were killed and dumped into the pits which we saw earlier.

The women who were taken away later contacted local Hindu leaders to tell them what had happened and where the graves of those killed were located.

Those who were taken to Bangladesh called local leaders to inform them that they were staying at the Kutupalong refugee camp, Hindu community leaders told reporters.

During the violence, more than 120 Hindus who lived in Yebaw Kya village in the Khamaungzeik village tract were seized and massacred, they said.

One Hindu woman said that her husband was killed on his way home from another village the day of the massacre.

My husband was a barber and went to Kyainchaung village that day, she told RFA. On his way back he was killed by the terrorists. His body hasnt been found.

On Wednesday, ARSA issued a statement on Twitter saying it categorically denies that any of its members or combatants perpetrated murder,  violence or forcible recruitment in the Maungdaw villages that were home to Hindus.

Bangladesh, which has accused Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya and called on it to resolve the refugee crisis, is struggling to accommodate the influx of new refugees in existing camps in the countrys southeast where another 400,000 Rohingya already live.

Rohingya from northern Rakhine are still leaving the area, but not all of them are making it to Bangladesh.

At least 14 people, including 10 children, drowned on Thursday when a boat carrying Rohingya fleeing northern Rakhine capsized yards off the coast of Bangladesh after hitting a submergedo object, according to reports.

On Wednesday, a Myanmar government minister said the country would build two repatriation camps for Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh and take them back according to an agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh in 1993.

The government will spend more than 20 billion kyats (U.S. 14.5 million) on the project and prioritize work on the nationality verification process  the countrys long-stalled citizenship verification process for the stateless Rohingya.

On Thursday, Thein Swe, minister of labor, immigration and population, told reporters in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw that the government would send forms to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to complete and return to begin the process.

Those who want to come back must produce documents for verification, he said. When we get back these forms, we will check the data we have to make sure they really were formerly from our country.

Once the ministry confirms the citizenship eligibility of Rohingya applicants, it will issue nationality verification cards that they need to apply for Myanmar citizenship in accordance with countrys 1982 Citizenship Law, Thein Swe said.
An alleged drug dealer is captured by policemen after a drug buy-bust operation on a slum area in Manila, Sept. 28, 2017.

The Philippines on Friday rejected expressions of concern raised by 39 nations led by the United States about the countrys bloody war on drugs, insisting that accusations of extrajudicial killings were hearsay unless proven in court.

The Philippine governments reaction came after the mostly Western nations, including Britain, Canada and Australia, issued a statement in Geneva expressing serious concern over thousands of victims slain in President Rodrigo Dutertes brutal anti-drugs campaign.

According to the national police, more than 12,800 homicide cases, including over 3,000 people killed by police in anti-drug operations, have been recorded since Duterte came to office in June last year.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, in a statement, said that the 39 countries have refused to understand certain aspects of the governments rights efforts and that no culture of impunity was present in the Philippines.

The truth is, our justice system does not tolerate any state-sponsored extrajudicial killings, Abella said.

All these accusations of extrajudicial killings and circumventing police procedures should be proven in a competent court and, if found meritorious, should result in appropriate sanctions against the perpetrators, he said. Failing these, such claims are mere hearsay.

While Manila welcomed help from other countries over the situation, it would, however, never accept dictation on how we are managing our own internal domestic processes, he said.

Serious concerns

Abella gave his reaction after the United States and 38 other U.N. members issued a statement on Thursday at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that the human rights situation in the Philippines continues to be of serious concern.

We remain concerned about the thousands of killings and climate of impunity associated with the war on drugs, the statement said.

We urge the government of the Philippines to take all necessary measures to bring these killings to an end and cooperate with the international community to pursue appropriate investigations into these incidents, in keeping with universal principles of democratic accountability and the rule of law, it said.

It cited intimidations against human rights defenders, including journalists, who are investigating the killings, but did not elaborate. It also called on the government to allow the U.N.s special rapporteur on extrajudicial and summary killings be allowed to investigate in the Philippines without preconditions or limitations.

Since assuming power last year, the 72-year-old Duterte had launched a heavy-handed campaign against drugs.

He had vowed to turn Manila Bay into a dumping ground for dead pushers and addicts, and his public speeches had captivated an electorate demanding change in one of Asias most corrupt and crime-riddled societies.

And he has done just that.

A year into his six year term, the figures are staggering, compared to more than 3,000 activists killed during the two-decade authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos that was ended by a people power revolt in 1986.

A survey released Wednesday by the respected Social Weather Stations indicated that a majority of Filipinos were not convinced of the official police accounts in the drug-related killings, with about 54 percent of people polled expressing doubts that those killed had violently resisted arrest, as police claimed.

The recent brutal deaths of three teenagers at the hands of the police have also served to galvanize opposition to Dutertes drug war, which rights monitors argue has victimized innocent civilians, including children.

Duterte has repeatedly shown during televised news conferences a list of 150 judges, politicians as well as police and military personnel he has accused of being involved in drugs.

Three mayors in that list have been violently gunned down.
Smoke billows from buildings in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, as fighting between government troops and Islamic State-linked militants continue, Sept. 16, 2017.

Philippine troops have killed five top Islamic State-linked militants in Marawi, including Abdullah Maute, but Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute are still holed up with the remaining combatants in the southern city, officials said Friday.

Abdullah and his lesser-known brothers Madhi and Utto were killed together with two foreign fighters during recent clashes in Marawi, according to Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, the regional military chief. Galvez did not identify the foreigners.

Galvez made the announcement four days after voicing optimism that the Marawi gun battles would be over in 10 days or two weeks.

Abdullah and his brother Omarkhayam were the leaders of the Maute gang, a ragtag band of militants who backed Abu Sayyaf chief Isnilon Hapilon  the acknowledged commander of the IS in the region  when his forces took over Marawi city on May 23.

Our report was that Abdullah, Madhi and Utto were killed along with two foreigners, Galvez told reporters. This is judgment day for them. Our troops are now pushing hard. I believe some of the Maute members are very desperate.

It was not clear whether the five militant leaders were among 16 cadavers recovered by soldiers Thursday from the rubble of Marawis frontline.

Galvez said police had collected DNA samples from each of those cadavers to ascertain their identities. He would not say what his basis was for announcing the Maute deaths.

The military had erroneously reported in June that Omarkhayam Maute had died, only to retract that statement.

Hapilon, who is on Washingtons list of most-wanted terrorists, was believed still in command of the remaining militants, estimated by officials to number between to 45 and 80, along with several foreign fighters, in the battle zone.

"So our initial findings, Omar and Hapilon were the two defending the positions," Galvez said Friday.

Close to ending?

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said the fighting was close to ending. On Thursday, troops intercepted a small number of militants who were believed to be trying to reinforce the Marawi militants through the porous borders of Lake Lanao.

Fighting was still raging in that area, and there were fears the fighting could spill over to other Muslim areas in the south, officials said.

With the latest development on the ground, Galvez expressed hope that the military would soon recover a substantial portion of the 10 hectares (24.7 acres) still controlled by the militants.

In the next three days, we believe that we will have substantial results because for the past two weeks, we have a major breakthrough in terms of enemy killed and recovered firearms, Galvez said.

At least 736 enemy fighters, 153 government forces and 47 civilians had been killed in fighting during the past four months, the presidential palace said Friday.

More than 1,700 civilians trapped in the fighting or taken hostage had been rescued, and a cache of unexploded homemade bombs and more than 700 firearms had also been recovered from slain militants, officials said.

Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of the militarys task force in the area, said ground troops had also seized six sacks of coins used by Maute militants as components for their homemade bombs.

They are using it as shrapnel. There are instances our troops were hit by coins, Brawner said, adding that the coins were part of currencies looted by the gunmen from local banks.

Toll on evacuees

The fighting has emptied Marawi of its more than 200,000 residents, with thousands now sheltering with relatives and in packed evacuation camps.

Supplies have not yet run dry, and donations keep coming in. But officials said health and sanitary conditions were fast deteriorating.

Health officials said that at least 56 evacuees had died of various illnesses in the camps, nine of them infants born in the squalor.

Dr. Alinader Minalao, the provincial health administrator, said that based on their records, many of those who had died perished from complications related to pneumonia, severe dehydration and heart diseases.

Richel V. Umel contributed to this report.
Thailands government will not negotiate with southern insurgents who use violence to press it into accepting their demands, the chief Thai negotiator in peace talks with Deep South rebels said Friday.



Gen. Aksara Kerdpol was reacting to a BBC Thai news report that quoted a Barisan Revolusi Nasional insurgent as saying that BRN would keep such pressure up to force Bangkok to agree to its terms.



There are many extreme groups. We wont talk with these kinds of groups that create violence to pressure the government to accept their terms and conditions, Aksara told BenarNews in a phone interview.



For more than two years, Aksara has headed the Thai military governments delegation in a series of talks in Kuala Lumpur with various rebel groups represented by a panel known as MARA Patani, and that have been facilitated by Malaysia.



Solving Deep South problems needs the comprehensive implementation of strategy, operations and tactics. The peace talks are the nations strategy, Aksara said. The idea is to denounce terrorism by using peaceful solutions via peace talks.



BRN, the most powerful of the rebel groups in Thailands troubled southern border region, is represented on the panel, but a hardline faction has repeatedly denounced the current peace efforts. Among other things, it has demanded that BRN deal directly with the government in peace talks.



On Friday, BBC Newss Thai-language service published a report in which it interviewed a man named Yusuf, who said he was with the information department of Barisan Revolusi Nasional. Yusuf said BRN would keep fighting Thai security forces in the heavily militarized Deep South while aiming for a negotiated peace.



BRN will continue with military operations until the Thai government opens up for both sides to jointly solve the conflict. The military operations are not the goal, but they are a way to achieve the goal, Yusuf told the BBC.



Security officials believe that hardcore BRN rebels have been behind violence that has gone on in the predominantly Muslim and Malay-speaking Deep South, in the shape of bombings and shootings, despite the two-year-old peace talks with MARA Patani.



BRN is not known for claiming responsibility for such attacks, including a roadside bombing that killed four Thai soldiers and injured six others in Pattani province on Sept. 22.



On Friday, two volunteers belonging to a local defense task force in Pattanis Mae Lan district were injured in a motorcycle bomb attack, officials said.



In other developments in the far south on Friday, 700 marines came ashore in Narathiwat, another province in the Deep South, as they were deployed to replace troops that rotated out of the region last year, the military said.



Almost 7,000 people have been killed in violence related to the southern insurgency since the decades-old conflict re-ignited in 2004.

Thai marines disembark from an amphibious craft in Narathiwat as part of a redeployment program from central Thailands Chonburi province, Sept. 29, 2017. [Matahari Ismail/BenarNews]
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For Immediate Release, September 29, 2017 Contact: Lori Ann Burd, (971) 717-6405, laburd@biologicaldiversity.org Court: EPA Must Reveal Information on Pesticides' Harms to Endangered Species Agency Rebuked for Withholding Documents on Enlist Duo's Threats to Whooping Cranes, Other Imperiled Wildlife WASHINGTON Responding to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, a federal judge has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency failed to justify withholding more than 140 documents on the harm to protected wildlife from the highly toxic pesticide Enlist Duo. The case involved the EPAs controversial decision to approve use of Enlist Duo in 16 states even though the agency found the herbicide likely puts dozens of endangered and threatened species at risk. Thursdays ruling indicated the EPA must be much more forthcoming in revealing the science that underpins its decisions on pesticides harms to endangered plants and animals. Calling the EPAs reasons for withholding the documents on Enlist Duo jumbled and disorganized, the judge wrote that the agency inspired little confidence that it has adequately kept track of each withheld document or fully considered, let alone explained, the basis for withholdings. When the EPA claims a dangerous pesticide is safe, the agency needs to make its reasoning clear to the public, said Lori Ann Burd, environmental health director at the Center. Weve got a right to know how the EPA concludes that highly toxic concoctions like Enlist Duo are safe for people and wildlife when research shows otherwise. Enlist Duos maker, Dow Chemical, pushed the EPA to approve the pesticide to combat the superweed epidemic fueled by overuse of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. During research on Enlist Duo, a Center scientist discovered that Dow's patent applications regarding the pesticides two components  2,4-D and glyphosate  showed synergy, or heightened toxicity, between the two ingredients in 99 out of 99 experimental conditions. Yet after reviewing four Enlist Duo studies provided by Dow to the EPA the agency concluded there is no synergy between glyphosate and 2,4-D. When the Center requested but failed to receive records of the EPAs analysis, it was forced to sue the agency for failing to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. In her ruling Judge Beryl Howell of the District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the agency to better justify why it is shielding the documents from public view or turn over the documents to the Center and the public within 30 days. The judge rebuked the EPA for withholding what appear to be scientific, factual records as privileged and for failing to provide documents revealing the agencys communications with industry and states. The EPA has now expanded approval of Enlist Duos use to 34 states.
For Immediate Release, September 29, 2017 Contact: Jenny Loda, (510) 844-7100 x 336, jloda@biologicaldiversity.org Study: Frogs in Pet Trade Carry Deadly Salamander Disease, Threatening Wild Populations WASHINGTON The journal Amphibia-Reptilia has published a study documenting a new pet-trade frog pathway for a deadly salamander fungus to enter the United States. Previously only found on salamanders, the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) was discovered by the studys authors on small-webbed fire belly toads recently imported in Germany. Bsal is a highly virulent pathogen from Asia that has already nearly wiped out wild fire salamanders in the Netherlands and Belgium. In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and Save the Frogs, in January 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service put a rule in place restricting imports of 201 species of salamanders for the pet trade. This restriction was designed to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease across the United States. Bsal is not currently known to be present in North America, in part thanks to those 2016 restrictions. This study shows that every new shipment of amphibians into the United States could introduce this deadly disease, said Jenny Loda, a Center biologist and attorney dedicated to protecting rare amphibians and reptiles. We just can't take that risk. The Fish and Wildlife Service has to act fast to expand import restrictions on amphibians and keep this disease from infecting our wild salamanders. Although small-webbed toads are a relatively rare species in the wildlife trade, this finding is of great concern because their close relative, the oriental fire-bellied toad, is traded in huge numbers. More than 3.5 million oriental fire-bellied toads were imported into the United States between 2001 and 2009. A 2014 study revealed that Bsal is lethal to salamanders in the United States. Scientists and conservation groups called on the Fish and Wildlife Service to take swift action to suspend salamander imports to prevent the spread of this disease. Since then Bsal has spread to Germany, and Bsal infections were discovered in three species of European salamanders imported to the United Kingdom. The introduction of devastating animal diseases, like the pathogens that have wiped out millions of bats in the eastern U.S. and frog populations across the country, has become frighteningly common, Loda said. This new study confirms that there are a multitude of carriers that can spread this deadly pathogen throughout the world. Bsal is a relative of the better-known killer chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), one of the major drivers of amphibian declines and extinctions throughout the world. Bd has contributed to declines of numerous species in the United States and is a primary factor in the rapid decline of mountain yellow-legged frog populations. Bsal is especially lethal to newts, including the eastern newt, a widespread species found across 33 states. The disease also poses a severe threat to rare populations of salamanders, especially since a third of the nations salamanders are already at risk of extinction from threats like habitat loss and climate change. Bsal infections could extirpate remaining populations of the striped newt, a rare species that has been a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection since 2011.
ACCRA, Ghana - With 37% of the value of all payments now made digitally, Ghana is on course to be a leader in the region, with great potential to expand economic opportunities for businesses.

At an event bringing together key government and business players, Ghanas Ministry of Finance and the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance released a report documenting the countrys progress in creating an economy where everyone can pay and get paid digitally, instead of with cash.

The results show the country has made significant gains, including almost 100% of government payments to people and payments within the government now processed digitally. The findings also reveal there are opportunities for providing more choice to customers.

This move is already translating into direct benefits to people, particularly women, support for small businesses and cost savings for the government. The data also predicts that if the government continues to make progress, savings could reach over GHS 250 million (nearly $60 million) each year, which may result in more than GHS 1 billion ($230 million) by 2020.

The future really is digitisation and how we can leverage on it for the benefit of our citizens. This is why digitising initiatives such as our flagship conditional cash transfer program Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is a key milestone, said Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance of the Republic of Ghana.

We recognise that there is still more work to do to transition most of the country away from cash. Yet with great potential for cost savings and opportunities to increase transparency and accountability, we cannot afford not to, the Minister added.

The report provides key insights on the status of digital payments in Ghana and tangible recommendations on how to successfully move forward. In particular, three priorities emerged to help the government and citizens achieve the most benefits:

Investing in infrastructure for digital public utility payments : 80% of the population uses public essential services such as water and electricity, but only 20% of the population has access to digital technology such as smart meters. By investing in smart distribution infrastructure that digitise end-to-end delivery and payment, it will increase efficiencies and ease of use for citizens  ultimately increasing adoption.

: 80% of the population uses public essential services such as water and electricity, but only 20% of the population has access to digital technology such as smart meters. By investing in smart distribution infrastructure that digitise end-to-end delivery and payment, it will increase efficiencies and ease of use for citizens  ultimately increasing adoption. Digitising payment of government fees and fines : With 97% of fees and fines currently paid in cash, the Ghanaian government could gain enormous cost savings if they commit to using digital payments exclusively and mandate all government agencies to use a central payment system.

: With 97% of fees and fines currently paid in cash, the Ghanaian government could gain enormous cost savings if they commit to using digital payments exclusively and mandate all government agencies to use a central payment system. Encouraging digital payments in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) value chain to support digitisation of small retailers and customers: For FMCG companies operating in Ghana, 96% of distributor payments and 59% of vendor and employee payments in volume are made in checks. However, 99.9% of individual payments for consumption goods by volume are still completed in cash, as individuals continue to purchase essential consumer goods, including food, in the informal economy with small retailers. This indicates the tremendous potential impact any shift to digital payments in this value chain can have on the overall ecosystem. By transitioning away from cash, small business owners can avoid storing large amounts of cash, drive customers adoption and boost access to formal saving and loan products which can expand their economic potential. This will especially improve the lives of women, who represent many of the small retailers in the FMCG sector.

We want to congratulate the Government of Ghana for its leadership in building the foundation for an economy less dependent on cash. Under this leadership, the country is making considerable strides to improve transparency, accelerate opportunities for economic growth and empower women by bringing them into the formal financial system, said Dr Ruth Goodwin-Groen, managing director of the Better Than Cash Alliance.

Ghana is at a tipping point in its shift to digital payments. We at the Better Than Cash Alliance look forward to continued work with our colleagues across the digital ecosystem in government, companies and international organisations to continue this great progress.

Read the full Ghana Diagnostic report here, with recommendations on how to accelerate Ghanas journey towards building an inclusive digital payments ecosystem.
When Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and medical doctor, Sheri Fink, starts describing the life-and-death events that unfolded at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina in 2005, my matric set book Lord of the Flies by William Golding immediately sprung to mind.

Five Days at Memorial. Photo: Sheri Fink, author of. Photo: sherifink.net

Goldings haunting imagery of how a group of marooned schoolboys rapidly descended into a primitive survival-of-the-fittest mentality wasnt unlike Finks narrative about human frailty and decision making in the face of a medico-ethical crisis in her book, Five days at Memorial.

The blurb on Finks website reads: After Katrina struck and the floodwaters rose, the power failed, and the heat climbed, exhausted caregivers chose to designate certain patients last for rescue. Months later, several health professionals faced criminal allegations that they deliberately injected numerous patients with drugs to hasten their deaths.

How do we ration care?

What do you do when nothing works?" Fink asked the Hospital Association of South Africa (Hasa) conference in her keynote address. "Individuals who are well prepared can make a difference. However, she pointed out, after the hurricane, the infrastructure failed. At Memorial, the generators were in the basement, so when the water rose, they no longer worked. In addition, none of the hospital management were around, so there was a lack of leadership and there was not really an emergency plan to speak of to cope with a disaster the magnitude of Katrina.

So, we come to the R word  rationing. How do we ration care? Emergencies are a laboratory for medical ethics.

Creative thinking can help to solve a rationing crisis. Its important to be flexible, she says.

The spectre of euthanasia

Memorial had the highest number of deaths out of an estimated 215 bodies found in nursing homes and hospitals in New Orleans post Katrina. Toxicology tests on the 45 bodies recovered from the hospital revealed that 41 of them had morphine and the fast-acting sedative midazolam (Versed) in their blood, which wouldnt have been uncommon for some of these patients.

Although high-bed trucks and flat-bottomed boats brought in from the Louisiana bayous rescued many of the patients, the last-ditch option for some was landing helicopters on a rusted, dilapidated helipad on the roof of an adjoining building. So, the staff came up a triage system whereby the last group to be evacuated would include those who had a "do not resuscitate" order on their medical charts. Naturally, this included individuals, whose chances of survival without medical intervention were low. But there were also a number who werent in a life-threatening situation.

One of the dead was Emmett Everett, a paraplegic who weighed more than 170kg, who was in a unit on the seventh floor of Memorial leased to LifeCare Hospital, which provides long-term acute care for severely ill patients, aiming to improve their health to the point that they no longer need hospital care. Everett was awaiting surgery for a chronic bowel obstruction. On the morning of the evacuation, he was alert and ate breakfast. Yet, he was among those who didnt make it.

The fallout

After the evacuation the question of whether the medical staff had euthanased some of these patients started emerging. Especially when an internist at Memorial, Bryant King told the media that he believed that "the discussion of euthanasia (among medical staff) was more than talk". And LifeCare told the state attorney general's office that nine of their patients might "have been given lethal doses of medicines by a Memorial doctor and nurses.

The outcome of the allegations, was that Dr Anna Pou, the doctor in charge of the evacuation, and two nurses were arrested and charged for the murder of four patients. However, the grand jury eventually declined to prosecute them.

Did the doctors and nurses at Memorial have the right to make the decisions about patients' fates that they did? Finks book peels back the layers, revealing that medical ethics are not so cut and dried, especially when armchair judging the actions of extremely stressed and fatigued healthcare providers in a dire situation for which they had no prior experience or training. The story is much more complex than can be explained in this short piece, so read Fink's original investigative report on the Memorial evacuation here.
Digital marketing has changed the face of how companies used to operate and advertise. With new technology flooding the market every minute, digital marketing is also reinventing itself to suit the needs of the times. South Africa is the largest developing market for digital marketing these days owing to the hotbed of brands flocking to the beautiful and diverse nation which is fast becoming one of the business hubs of the world.

With the rapid growth of the digital marketing market, it is estimated that the future holds some amazing plan for this nation.

Reaching out to a higher population

The South African nation has huge and ambitious plans chalked up to install under-sea cables for faster and cheaper internet. Although these plans have been delayed for quite some time due to unavoidable situations, there has been a steady growth in the bandwidth capacity in South Africa. It has indeed grown leaps and bounds, sometimes even doubling, since the year 2011, which holds a very promising chance for digital marketers. Even though legal issues and regulations have often hindered the deployment of broadband, it has indeed not stopped the growth of digital marketing in the country. Thus, digital marketing is soon set to become a primary way of advertising as it will have a higher reach than any other means.

Emergence of video marketing

Over the years the number of internet users has steadily increased across the length and breadth of South Africa, which has prompted the government to facilitate a faster growth in better and cheaper internet connections so that everyone can get access to it. The government in fact sees internet access as critical and essential amenity which every citizen should have access to. As it is working on better means to provide internet to every citizen, it can be safely assumed that data costs will continue to fall over the years as the demand for data will steadily increase. This will lead to a greater demand for GIF and video advertisements.

Increase in marketing for smartphones

Smartphone penetration has been growing rapidly over the past few years. With the falling prices of smartphones with high end features, affordable data plans and high-speed Internet, majority of the urban South African population has taken up smartphones as a preferred means of surfing the Internet, shopping, browsing etc. This gives rise to the need for better and more advertisements which are targeted towards mobile users. It is speculated that more and more companies will gradually move towards creating ads for mobile users. There will be a rise of digital marketing campaigns which do not require a big screen like that of a PC or a laptop to be viewed properly. Its aspect ratio will be more suited to a mobile screen. It is also expected that companies will launch special coupons for mobile users as well to encourage more and more people to shift to mobile platforms.

Environmental consciousness

With the alarming rate of deforestation, global warming and rise of water level, it can be safely assumed that people will start being more and more conscious about the environment, prompting companies to keep up pace, in order to maintain their position and sales. Therefore, more and more marketing world be aimed at the corporate social responsibility of saving the environment, leading to a growth of digital ads over paper and billboards.

With the advance of technology and better wealth distribution it is speculated that South Africa will continue to grow as a pulsating market for digital marketing.




Technology will always play a role, but it is an enabler, rather than an end goal, which is where a lot of brand experiences and events trip up. As event professionals, we need to think holistically about the value tech can add not only to an event and the delegate experience but the wider business. Today's world is looking for connectivity more than ever. Technology isn't there to showcase itself, it's there to enhance customer experiences and should be approached with a human-first mindset.

For example, motion, voice, image and emotion recognition technology are exciting technologies to watch because they are an extension of our natural behaviour. It is early days, but more brands will start to experiment with this tech to understand its future role; how it enhances brand experiences and how can we leverage what people are already doing to create better experiences. These interfaces can be combined to create more relevant experiences for individuals and can be harnessed to make things easier, faster, more efficient and ultimately more compelling.

Events and experiential campaigns will seamlessly blend physical and digital

Virtual reality (VR) is currently at the peak of inflated expectations and a trough of disappointment. If used correctly, VR can be a powerful learning and experience tool. We recently used VR very successfully to create ocean experiences at the Transnet Peoples Port Festival, but it can be applied to a myriad of industries, experiences and events. When used correctly, VR seamlessly blends the physical and the digital and will be the future of campaigns and events.

That said, the thing that will continue to define brilliant events remains great strategy, creative ideas and execution. Creativity is at the forefront - and while new channels or technologies enable new ways to disseminate those ideas, they should never get in the way of the ideas themselves.

Data gathering tech

Events are held to achieve various business objectives. But they should also be an opportunity to gather data.

For example, want to receive statistics on the number of people moving around, how long they spend within a space and how frequently they return.

Actionable data is possible via Cvents data capture system. Event data can be instantly integrated with CRM and marketing automation systems for sales and marketing teams to use in communications. The data-based technology allows event organisers to capture rich data about attendees at every stage of an event's lifecycle; the data is then stored to build a complete profile of an attendee. The technology includes:

online registration which features questions for guests and aims to gather information on what they want from the event and what they're interested in

onsite check-in and session scanning, which tracks guests' movements and notes which content they saw

mobile apps, which can gather attendees' interests and actions

lead capture, aimed at exhibitors to record details of conversations, giving you a chance to find out who was the most engaged at an event.

If it doesnt exist, create it, a UK event company created Tillemetry to measure anything from consumer sentiment to campaign recall, as well as calculating repeat purchase likelihood and promotional effectiveness. Where technology can go, is only limited by your imagination and what you want to achieve.

So, at your next event consider your technology: does it enhance the event, it is customer-centric, and does it better the business beyond the event?
WASHINGTON - Economic losses from severe storms, hurricanes, floods, drought and wildfires are projected to reach at least $360bn a year in the next decade in America, about half of annual US growth, according to a report.

Since some kinds of severe weather can be made worse or more frequent by climate change, action is needed to move the United States away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy, says the report by the Universal Ecological Fund, a non-governmental group based in Washington.

"Burning fossil fuels comes at a giant price tag which the US economy cannot afford and cannot sustain," said co-author Robert Watson, former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the leading scientific body on climate change.

The report looked at two kinds of costs -- economic losses caused by extreme weather events influenced by human-induced climate change, and health costs due to air pollution exposure caused by fossil fuel energy production.

Currently, these costs total about $240bn for 2017 -- not including disasters in August and September, including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, it found.

"These annual average economic losses and health costs equal about forty percent of the current growth of the US economy," said the report, entitled "The Economic Case for Climate Action in the United States."

"In the next decade, these economic losses and health costs are projected to reach at least $360 billion annually, equal to an estimated 55 percent of the US growth," it added.

"These escalating costs are due to the continued use of fossil fuels triggering the climate to continue to change."

The study authors describe the report as a "partial assessment of the economic losses and costs of human-induced climate change and fossil fuel use on the United States economy," using government data.

Its figures do not include climate-related economic losses in the agricultural sector, or costs associated with heat stress on humans, it said.

"We can expect extreme weather events and economic losses and costs associated with them to continue increasing unless we make dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions," said co-author James McCarthy, professor of oceanography at Harvard University.

The report found that 80 percent of the energy produced and used in the United States comes from fossil fuels.

McCarthy said President Donald Trump's administration's aim to "maximise the use of America's fossil fuels " - coal, oil and natural gas - as well as to cut energy industry regulations... is taking us in the opposite direction."
South Africa will need to review its land reform policy, with an eye to boosting productive land use among the rural poor, if it is to push back rising poverty levels.

The countrys poverty levels have increased sharply over the past five years with an additional 3-million people now classified as living in absolute poverty. This means about 34-million people from a population of 55-million lack basic necessities like housing, transport, food, heating and proper clothing.

Much of the commentary on these sad statistics has emphasised the poor performance of urban job creation efforts and the countrys education system. Little has been said about the role of rural development or land reform.

This is a major omission given that about 35% of South Africas population live in rural areas. They are among the worst affected by the rising poverty levels.

Large tracts of land lie fallow in the countrys rural areas, particularly in former homelands (surrogate states created by the apartheid government). They were fully integrated into South Africa in 1994 bringing with them large amounts of land under traditional authorities.

Research by the Human Sciences Research Council suggests that poverty levels can be pushed back significantly if policies are put in place that focus on food security and creating viable pathways to prosperity for the rural poor. This would be particularly true if land reform helped people develop the means of producing food, generating value and employing people.

The problem

Researchers investigating the land needs of marginal communities, such as farm workers and rural households in the former homelands, have uncovered a considerable desire for opportunities on the land.

But they found that municipalities, government departments and banks were offering relatively little assistance to poorer would-be farmers seeking to improve their land and its value.

In the former homelands in particular, many families reportedly felt opportunities existed literally on their doorsteps but they lacked the means and support to grasp them. A common response among young people to the absence of such opportunities is to pick up and leave for the cities.

The need to rekindle rural development in South Africa is widely recognised even within the government. The country has lots of policies that speak to the ideal of lifting the rural poor out of poverty. Some policies are just not followed while others have proven to be inappropriate.

A fundamental problem underpinning successive rural development initiatives has been the split between the two main strands of government land reform policy: land restitution and land redistribution.

Land restitution was largely conceived as a means of addressing the colonial legacy of land dispossession. For its part, land redistribution was mainly designed to create a new class of black commercial farmers who would inherit existing white commercial farms.

Neither has been successfully implemented. Land restitution has been painfully slow, while land redistribution has been criticised for becoming increasingly elitist.

To advance land redistribution the government put in place a land acquisition strategy that acted as an enabler for entrepreneurs who wanted to get into large-scale, commercial agriculture. Once again the poor were left at the margins.

In the early years of democracy, the African National Congress adopted a do no harm approach in relation to land tenure in the former homelands. The reasoning was that this land served as a bulwark against poverty.

But that policy appears to have shifted to focus on bolstering the power of local chiefs to oversee land use. The ruling party is leveraging the clout of the chiefs to secure rural constituency support during elections.

A sharp historical irony is that the present government is arguably reproducing patterns of land ownership that were originally justified by the colonial ideology.

What must be done

A range of different models could be adopted in different localities. Recently theres been a significant rise in the establishment of informal land markets.

This indicates that disregarded rural land has substantial value. But this value is being undermined by a lack of appropriate titling opportunities and land management systems.

What is required is a single and inclusive land reform programme. It must view all land as economically valuable and aim to maximise its potential without undermining peoples social and cultural rights and expressions of identity and belonging. Such a programme should recognise that unused land can be used to address poverty and stimulate growth if it is incorporated into rural value chains.

And to make farming easier and more worthwhile new mechanisms and arrangements must be designed to release productive land currently locked up in customary practices. Although individualist freeholding is an inadequate and often wildly inappropriate alternative to present tenure practices, chiefs and communities should be held accountable if they appear unable to improve their land.
The 2017 Tusk Conservation Awards will be held in Cape Town on 4 October, recognising conservationists who share a passion for African wildlife and the protection of its delicate ecosystems.

Held in partnership with Investec Asset Management, CEO Hendrik du Toit emphasises that time is running out for Africas wildlife, and that now is the time to act. We live in unprecedented times. Over the last 40 years, the worlds wildlife population has decreased by more than half and some of the planets most iconic species, many of which count on the continent of Africa as their home, are on the brink of extinction. The destruction has reached levels never seen before in history. Now is the time to act if we are to reverse this.

2017 finalists

The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa

Brighton Kumchedwa  for his expansive body of work within Malawis Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and his commitment to conserving the wildlife of Malawi, now Southern Africas major illegal wildlife trade route.

 for his expansive body of work within Malawis Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and his commitment to conserving the wildlife of Malawi, now Southern Africas major illegal wildlife trade route. Nachamada Geoffrey  for his inspirational work leading one of Africas most effective anti-poaching teams in Nigerias Yankari Game Reserve.

 for his inspirational work leading one of Africas most effective anti-poaching teams in Nigerias Yankari Game Reserve. Serah Munguti  for her work in Kenyas biologically rich Tana River Delta, where both the delicate ecosystem and the communities that depend on it, once faced a serious threat in the form of a land-grab for agricultural development.

The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award

Solomon Chidunuka  for his almost three decades of dedication in the field, rising through the ranks of the Zambian Wildlife Authority to the position of senior wildlife warden. He has gained and retained the respect of colleagues, tourism operators, communities, NGOs and government through his career, and is now considered the foremost warden in Zambia.

 for his almost three decades of dedication in the field, rising through the ranks of the Zambian Wildlife Authority to the position of senior wildlife warden. He has gained and retained the respect of colleagues, tourism operators, communities, NGOs and government through his career, and is now considered the foremost warden in Zambia. Lucky Ndlovu  for his leadership of a dedicated anti-poaching team in South Africas Kruger national Park since 2014, leading to the arrest of 66 poachers and the recovery of 38 rifles.

The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa

The lifetime achievement award recognises outstanding dedication and exceptional contributions to conservation in Africa. Every year, the identity of the winner is kept secret until the awards ceremony.

Held yearly since 2013 with the support of HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, the Tusk Conservation Awards has honoured some of Africas most notable conservationists, including Zimbabwes Clive Stockil and Kenyas Richard Bonham. In 2016, Sir David Attenborough was recognised with a special award for his lifetime contribution to the natural world.

Members of the public are invited to watch the live broadcast of the #TuskAwards ceremony on the Tusk Facebook page, and to make use of the hashtag #ForAllTheyDo on social media. For more info, go to www.tuskawards.com.
Former South African Revenue Service (Sars) officials implicated in KPMG's report on the so-called rogue Sars unit met the international auditing firm and called on the company to withdraw the report in its entirety.

Two weeks ago, KPMG announced it was withdrawing the findings and recommendations made in the 2015 report.

Former Sarsdeputy commissioner Ivan Pillay, former strategic planning and risk head Peter Richter, Pillay's former special adviser Yolisa Pikie and former Sars spokesman Adrian Lackay said they were standing by their conviction that KPMG had caused "immense harm".

The meeting was requested by KPMG and led by the new CE, Nhlamu Dlomu.

Former SarsARS group executive Johann van Loggerenberg did not attend the meeting. His lawyer, Brett Murison, said his client would release a statement in due course.

Tuesday's meeting followed one held with former finance minister Pravin Gordhan and former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas last week in a bid to defuse the crisis around KPMG's South African operations. Gordhan was removed from his post partly as a result of KPMG's report on Sars, and a number of his former revenue service colleagues were dismissed because of it.

On Friday, KPMG International chairman John Veihmeyer and chairman-elect Bill Thomas announced an independent investigation into work performed by KPMG SA in respect of the Gupta family and the SARS report.

Dlomu confirmed the meeting with the former officials, saying KPMG wanted to listen to their concern about the SARS report. "They told me loud and clear that the report caused suffering to them, other SARS employees and their families," she said.

"I understand their pain and apologised for the part that KPMG played."

KPMG expected that the terms of reference for the independent investigation would be broad enough to address their concerns, she said.

Like Gordhan, the four former officials said KPMG should make a full and frank disclosure about its past conduct and institute credible initiatives to "make right the harm" that was caused to individuals, public institutions, the country and the economy.

"In our view, the 'findings' of the KPMG 'forensic report' to SARS became the basis for the aborted criminal prosecution of the former finance minister, Mr Pravin Gordhan, the former Sars deputy commissioner, Mr Ivan Pillay, and others," they said in a statement following the meeting with KPMG.
Rural crime statistics and challenges in rural safety were put into perspective at the first ever International Rural Crime Conference held in Centurion in September this year. Addressing delegates, Theo de Jager, president of the World Farmers' Organisation said that it is essential that we discuss these issues as it impacts the profitability and sustainability of agricultural sectors across the globe.

Nuno Miguel da Costa Pacheco Fonseca via 123RF

He added that it is important to approach policymakers with clear statistics, challenges and solutions to influence policy and see results. According to De Jager, there is a close relation between crime rates and poverty rates, and inequality and instability in a country. We need to have a long-term and a short-term focus in dealing with this challenge and farmers play a key role in both. In the long term, it is crucial to solving the root of the problem first. We know that the agricultural sector can play a crucial role in combatting poverty, inequality and instability.

Roleplayers from the agricultural sector were joined by representatives from the South African Police Services. Brigadier Maggie Govender, discussing South Africas current approach to combating rural crime said: We will be empowered, as the police, by the knowledge shared here today and we hope to leave as one body against rural crime.

Criminal intent

An important message shared by several speakers is that crime analysis shows that farm attacks are generally not politically motivated, but simply motivated by criminal intent.

Local speakers were joined by international speakers from the United States of America, Australia and Kenya. Rural crime is a serious risk to food producers around the world, historically has always been, but increasing in the severity of impact, said Dr Joseph Donnermeyer, a rural criminology expert from the Ohio State University in the United States. He emphasised the fact that farms are often easy targets for crime and that security and protection of expensive assets are often lacking.

After listening to the international speakers and the rural crime challenges, Willie Clack, senior lecturer at the Unisa School for Criminal Justice and Chairperson of the National Livestock Theft Prevention Forum said that it was interesting to see that the challenges faced are, although there are some differences, very similar. One aspect in which the South African rural crime challenge differs from that of other countries, is that rural crime incidences are generally extremely violent, a trend that is not as severe in other countries.

Elaine Barclay of the University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia shared The Top Ten Challenges for Rural Crime Prevention:

 It is a serious and urgent problem

 It is a very diverse problem

 There are competing rights to land use

 It is under-reported

 It is difficult to police

 It is difficult to prosecute

 It is difficult to prevent

 Informal social control plays a major role

 There are gaps in the current way it is combated

 The public is under-informed about it.

Kenyan solution

Adding to this, Dr Emmanuel Bunei of Moi University in Kenya shared four reasons why it is challenging to eradicate stock theft in his country. This includes a lack of evidence, police incapacity and inadequate response, dealing with sophisticated criminals and corruption, and lack of political will in dealing with the problem. He suggested several actions that can be taken to short-circuit these challenges and make an impact in combating stock theft in, as an example, Kenya.

This includes taking livestock identification very seriously; removing constraints in the criminal justice system; investing in research and technology that could help in fighting stock theft and other rural crime; putting an effort into tightening security checks at our slaughterhouse; livestock movement and promoting an integrated approach to combatting stock theft.

During his presentation, Clack focused on statistical myths around violent rural crime in South Africa. He emphasised that, although he does not deny the severe problem of farm attacks, stock theft and other rural crimes, he believes that the number of murders on farms and smallholdings in South Africa is lower than the number of murders in the general population. According to Clack, the number is more realistically around 20 per 100,000 people and not as high as most statistics suggest. The generally accepted statistic of murder in the general public is 34 out of every 100,000 people. Clack says it is very complicated to realistically determine statistics as the true occupancy of farms and smallholdings is often not known.

Changed attitudes and values

Prof Rudolph Zinn, professor of Policing and Forensic Investigation at the College of Law, School of Criminal Justice at Unisa, focused on the often extremely violent nature of rural crime in South Africa. Analysis shows that contact crime or contact related crime is disproportionate to other crime types and represents about 40% of all serious crime reported to SAPS annually.

He emphasised that rural crime displays unique characteristics and therefore requires a unique approach to combat. Intelligence-led interventions based on these unique characteristics per geographical area and per crime must be the basis of the approach. He reiterated De Jagers focus on both short-term and long-term prevention. In the short term, we must focus on our layers of security. We must be vigilant, get involved in community initiatives, make sure everything is done in accordance law and prevent frustrated vigilante reactions. In the long term, we must address the root causes of crime and get involved in outreach programmes that will help change attitudes and values.  Marike Brits, AgriOrbit
BSI Steel, an AltX-listed processor and distributor of steel products into sub-Saharan Africa, is reviewing the viability of servicing the market in KwaZulu-Natal through its Pietermaritzburg warehouse and offices.

The group, which is feeling the ructions in SA's broader steel industry, said there was a possibility of relocating the firm's administration function to the BSI Kliprivier office in Gauteng.

But it also said "this restructure is a decisive and progressive move to ensure that BSI remains a competitive distributor in the market". The tone of this statement makes any possible move sound like a done deal.

"It is expected that this restructure will result in an efficient, highly cost-effective distribution platform, geared to meet service and price expectations going forward," the company said on Wednesday, 27 September.

BSI said due to decreasing margins over the years, it had been "forced to utilise the lowest cost platform to meet market prices. As a consequence, the company has been supplying a significant and growing portion of steel to KZN [KwaZulu-Natal] customers directly from Kliprivier, which has made the Pietermaritzburg warehouse increasingly redundant". The group described the financial year to March 2017 as "challenging".

"We experienced many unforeseen events. The decision was taken to close the roofing and tubing processing lines. Certain roofing lines remain specifically to complement the product mix for the Namibian market," it said at the time.

The group said steel markets had changed substantially in recent years.

BSI said in a recent trading update that headline earnings per share for the six-month period ending September 2017 were expected to be at least 40% lower than the previous corresponding period.

"We are entering into a consultation phase with our staff to explore options on how to preserve jobs in [Pietermaritzburg].

"The outcome of this process will dictate if we retain a KZN footprint or not. In the interim, it is our intention to continue and improve the quality of direct delivery from Kliprivier," it said.

Prospects for the local steel industry have been dire. With a market capitalisation of R209m, the market pays relatively little attention to BSI Steel.

Marique Kruger, economist at industry body the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa, said last week the Reserve Bank's decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.75% and the prime rate at 10.25% would stimulate domestic demand and sustain the recent increase in GDP growth.

She said SA's producer price index (PPI) for intermediate manufactured goods had shown a decreasing trend throughout 2017, averaging 3.4% during the second quarter, down from 6.8% in the first quarter.

"This leaves very little room for manufacturers to pass cost increases into the market," Kruger said.

"With roughly 90% of the products in the metals and engineering sector being of an intermediate nature, the declining PPI figures are a cause for concern," she said.

BSI's share price closed unchanged at 29c.

Source: Business Day
The inaugural Africa Architecture Awards was held on Thursday, 28 September, at the newly launched Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town. Over 300 projects from 32 African countries were entered into the awards.

The gala awards ceremony was the culmination of a two-year awards programme that was initiated and supported by Saint-Gobain, with the goal of stimulating conversations about African architecture on a global level. A steering panel headed by Professor Lesley Lokko guided the awards with strategic input from Ambassador Phill Mashabane, advisor Zahira Asmal, and patron Sir David Adjaye, one of the world's most influential voices in architecture.

According to Adjaye: The Africa Architecture Awards are very critical. Now is the time to promote excellence and best practice on the continent. The Africa Architecture Awards are particularly important because this is the moment that a lot is happening on the continent in terms of development, in terms of the architecture thats being produced.

The initial shortlist of 21 projects was chosen by the master jury and announced earlier in 2017. Chaired by Dr Mark Olweny, the jury comprised leading African architects and academics including: Anna Abengowe (Nigeria), Guillaume Koffi (Ivory Coast), Professor Edgar Pieterse (South Africa), Patti Anahory (Cape Verde), Tanzeem Razak (South Africa), and Phill Mashabane (South Africa).

2017 winners

The master jury then re-convened for two days prior to the awards ceremony to evaluate the 21 shortlisted projects and decided on the most deserving entries across four categories. The final category winners, each of whom received a specially designed bronze trophy, were decided as follows:

Critical Dialogue: Forum de Arquitectura - by CEICA, Angola

Forum de Arquitectura - by CEICA, Angola Speculative: The Territory In-between, Cape Verde - by Guineas Aissata Balde, Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg

The Territory In-between, Cape Verde - by Guineas Aissata Balde, Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg Emerging Voices: The Exchange Consulate: Trading Passports for Hyper-Performative Economic Enclaves, South Africa - by Nigerian student Ogundare Olawale Israel of the Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg

The Exchange Consulate: Trading Passports for Hyper-Performative Economic Enclaves, South Africa - by Nigerian student Ogundare Olawale Israel of the Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg Built: Umkhumbane Museum, South Africa - by Choromanski Architects, South Africa

Umkhumbane Museum, South Africa - by Choromanski Architects, South Africa Grand Prix: Umkhumbane Museum, South Africa by Choromanski Architects

The Grand Prix winner received both a bespoke trophy and the cash prize of $10,000.

In addition to the projects highlighted by the master jury, the awards programme ran a public participation component earlier in 2017, where members of the public could vote for their favourite project. The Peoples Choice Award had over a million viewers and votes across a range of projects stretching from kiosks to urban regeneration schemes. The winning project received a Certificate of Excellence at the ceremony and this went to James Cubitt Architects Lagos for the speculative project titled Bank Head Office in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to economic expert, Dr Roelof Botha, the largely untapped drone industry is expected to create 33,000 jobs this year alone. In addition, the total economic output generated by the same industry equates to an anticipated turnover of more than R2bn. This research formed part of Botha's Economic Impact Assessment of the South African Drone Industry.

It is clear after comparing 2015 data to the latest economic impact assessment that the domestic drone industry is expanding exponentially, Botha says.

Training is first priority

But Sean Reitz, CEO of United Drone Holdings (UDH) says there are multiple career paths to consider once qualified as a drone pilot, but training is priority one and the fundamental step to ensure the right calibre of drone pilots are produced.

We would like to grow the 33,000 figure year-on-year. But very little can be done and achieved without the proper training and an enabling regulatory environment. Potential drone pilots need to commit to seeing their training through from RPL to advanced applications in order to succeed and make a positive contribution to the industry and in-turn grow employment levels in this country, Reitz says.

UDH recently launched its RPAS flagship training academy, accredited by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and designed to suit all skill levels. The academy is based at the Eagles Creek Aviation Estate in Gauteng.

Courses

The drone training academy offers both night and weekend classes, as well as one-on-one slots specifically aimed at students with full-time jobs and little to no time to study during the day; but who are interested in pursuing a career as a drone pilot.

Standard courses include six-days of theory and six-days of practical training and flying ranges from 5-20 hours. It takes two to four weeks for beginners to complete a remote pilot license (RPL), and one week for skilled aviators.

We committed to producing the very best and highly skilled drone pilots, and obtaining an RPL is that crucial first step to a lucrative career and bright future, he says.

To accommodate the rapidly expanding industry, Reitz says UDH has recently opened its Durban base and plans to launch one in Cape Town towards the end of 2017.

Endless potential exists in this industry and career paths vary from emergency response and firefighting support to aerial surveillance and even cinematography. Its our responsibility to develop future drone pilots, grow the industry and create the jobs we so desperately need, Reitz says.
After a public outcry, which included a social media campaign under the hashtag #datamustfall, South Africa's competition regulators, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and now the Competition Commission have announced investigations aimed at bringing the costs of data down.

Burton Phillips

In July 2017, ICASA announced its probe into priority markets in the electronic communications sector, which it says forms part of various initiatives aimed at addressing the high costs of communication in South Africa. ICASA's investigation will start by looking into the relevant wholesale and retail markets in order to determine which of these markets or sub-markets should be prioritised for possible regulation in terms of the Electronic Communications Act, 36 of 2005 (ECA). The ECA allows ICASA to prescribe conditions to be imposed on licensees in markets where competition is ineffective and where such licencees have significant market power, in order to remedy the competitive short comings in a market.

Competition Commission inquiry

In August 2017, the Commission, who has concurrent jurisdiction with ICASA in respect of competition in the telecommunications market, published the terms of reference for its market inquiry into the state of competition in the data services market, which commenced on 18 September 2017. The purpose of the market inquiry is to identify the elements of the data value chain which contributes to the high costs of data and to make recommendations that would result in lower prices. The Commission will consider, amongst others elements, the strategic behaviour of large fixed and mobile incumbents, the costs and profits of fixed and mobile operators, infrastructure investments made by operators, the allocation of spectrum and the impact of the current regulatory regime. The Commission will also benchmark the costs of data services in South Africa against pricing in other countries.

Structural issues

It is well known that South Africa's data costs are amongst the highest, with prices in some instances more than 130% more expensive than its BRICS peers. In any market experiencing high prices, consumers generally point to the service providers. However, while any potentially problematic conduct on the part of service providers will be considered by the inquiry, there appears to be structural features of the South African data services market which play a significant role in the high costs of data. Some operators have publically stated their support for an inquiry and already implemented measures to promote efficiency and ultimately reduce data costs. However, one of the biggest structural challenges remains the availability of spectrum to operators. The lack of spectrum allocation means that operators have to roll out more base stations and infrastructure at a significant cost, which ultimately consumers have to pay for. ICASA has recognised that spectrum allocation is key to bringing data costs down and improving competition in the sector. According to statements made by ICASA, adequate spectrum in other African countries has resulted in significantly lower data costs compared to South Africa.

There appears to be considerable debate between government and ICASA on how best to deal with the spectrum issue. The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has called for an open access network approach which would result in all spectrum being pooled and assigned to an open access network. This contrasts with ICASA's proposal for auctioning spectrum to operators. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that the spectrum issue must be resolved if there is to be any victory in the war against high data costs.

Other factors

Apart from the spectrum issue which is likely to receive a lot of attention during the inquiries by ICASA and the Commission, the inquiries will hopefully reveal the extent to which other factors such as the practices and strategies of operators, input costs, margins, the structure of the market and barriers to entry affect the costs of data.

The Commission will call on all firms directly or indirectly involved in the data services value chain as well as consumers and consumer groups to provide information and participate in the process. On conclusion of the Commission's inquiry, which is due to be finalised in August 2018, it will make recommendations to government on how to improve competition in the market and make South Africa a low-data-costs economy.

End game

These recommendations may relate to new or amended policy, legislation or regulations. It will also make recommendations to ICASA on the impact of the regulatory framework and any amendments required, which may include recommendations around spectrum allocation and other structural impediments. The Commission also has the power to initiate complaints on the basis of information obtained during the inquiry which may result in firms having to defend its practices before the Tribunal or face administrative penalties.

Data will be even more important in future as consumer and business demand increases. Therefore, the costs of #datamustfall in order to stimulate growth in the economy and to allow for wider broadband penetration throughout the country, particularly in rural areas. The success of the inquiry will require all stakeholders to get involved by making submissions, sharing insights, market research and best practices, attending public hearings and extensively engaging in the process in order for the Commission to make robust and practical recommendations which will ultimately bring costs down while allowing operators to remain efficient and profitable. It would appear less of a war, but more of a peaceful settlement is required for data to fall.
Former talk show host Redi Tlhabi's book, Khwezi: The Remarkable Story of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, an account of the life of President Jacob Zuma's rape accuser, has been an instant hit.

"It is one of the top-selling books on our shelves," said Exclusive Books GM of marketing Ben Williams.

A staff member at Jonathan Ball publishers, who asked not to be named because she is not authorised to speak to the media, also confirmed the book is doing well on the shelves: "It's number one in the Nielsen bestsellers list."

Radio talk show host and author Eusebius McKaiser, who interviewed Tlhabi at the book's official launch in Johannesburg on Wednesday, said: "Redi Tlhabi, in less than two weeks, has had two print runs. The publishers are on the third print run already of more than 10,000 copies."

All proceeds of the sales of Khwezi will go to Kuzwayo's family.

Tlhabi said she wrote the book because "we need to start reflecting on power relations in our society, whether from gender, the economy and whatever".

Kuzwayo, who was HIV-positive, accused Zuma of raping her at his home in Johannesburg in 2005.

Zuma denied this, saying the sex was consensual and he was found not guilty in 2006.

Kuzwayo went into exile following the trial because there were threats against her. She returned to South Africa last year soon before she died.

Tlhabi said Zuma was given so many moments in court to acknowledge - even as he maintained his innocence - that it was not the right thing to do and there had been an abuse of power.

"If we cared, not about the outcome of the case, if we cared about our moral DNA as a nation, if we cared about what we represent, what we stand for, such a flawed person would not have been our president. It is a reflection of us," Tlhabi said.
Matriculants from poor backgrounds could know sooner in future - even before they write their final exams - if they will receive funding for their university studies.

This is one of the priorities of Steven Zwane, the new CEO of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

Zwane began his new job on 1 September and has committed to making changes to how NSFAS operates and the relationship it has with students and universities.

NSFAS made headlines this month when a company contracted to the organisation mistakenly paid a student R14-million.

Zwane said he wanted to improve the image of the organisation in society.

"I would like to earn back the trust. I would love to see first-time applicants know their results of whether they are successful or not before they write their exams. I would love to do that.

"This would inspire that person to do well - that is real-time feedback," he said.

Zwane worked as a chief operating officer at Absa for retail business, business banking and insurance.

He was also a beneficiary of NSFAS.

He studied for his first degree, a BSc in Computer Science, at the University of Zululand, and said he paid back the money in the first three years of his working life.

The NSFAS debt book stands at about R18-billion and the collection rate has dropped from about R800-million a year to R200-million after the National Credit Act stopped NSFAS from obtaining garnishee orders.

NSFAS has taken its debt book to independent firms who are recovering some of the outstanding money. They have already collected about R300-million.

Zwane said he would be adding more capacity to the recovery division to bring more efficiency.

"We live in a country where people feel that they must get things. This entitlement culture is so prevalent in all sorts of things.

"For example, this girl who received R14million from the state, why did she have to spend money that was not hers?"

Source: The Times
Table Mountain Cableway Managing Director Wahida Parker says: It is no longer an option for businesses to be ignorant of their economic, social and environmental responsibility." This as South African celebrates Tourism Month under the theme of sustainability.

Image Supplied

As custodians of Table Mountain, we need to protect and preserve the attractions natural and cultural heritage whilst minimising our environmental footprint and maximising the positive social effect that we have. It is through our various responsible tourism initiatives that we are able to do this.

In its endeavours to protect the unique environment in which it operates, the Cableway focuses on three pillars of responsible tourism  environmental, social and economic:

Support local

By eliminating a need to utilise imported goods and by sourcing locally, especially from SMEs, more than 95% of their retail products, the Cableway is able to remain supportive of the local communities and suppliers, with the aim of growing and developing relationships towards successful, long-term and mutually beneficial relationships. Some of the Cableways local suppliers include Rootz Creations, Recycled in Africa, Yvettie Munava, The Bean People and Synergy Frontiers.

Water wise

In a drought-stricken Western Cape, water saving is more important than ever. Over the years of operation, the Cableway has remained water-wise which has seen the implementation of a variety of water saving initiatives including:

 A unique toilet and waste water removal system that makes use of waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets, which utilise recycled hand-basin water for flushing

 The use of compostable cups, lids, cutlery and straws at all food and beverage outlets

 The installation of water-efficient push taps in all bathrooms

 The placement of the production kitchen at the Lower Station to reduce grey water

Reduce, re-use, recycle

The Cableway recycles more than 50% of all waste. Following the mantra reduce, re-use, recycle, the Cableways waste strategy is to reduce the amount of waste produced so that there is less waste to recycle and less waste sent to landfill.

Carbon neutral

The Cableway offsets its carbon dioxide emissions by investing in the Kuyasa Housing Project, a low-carbon initiative in Khayelitsha, which installs solar water heaters, ceilings and compact fluorescent energy efficient light bulbs in houses in the area.
This week Mercedes-Benz released a design sketch of the forthcoming Sprinter model. Billed to be one of the most technologically advanced vans yet before it finally arrives on the European market in the first half of 2018 (SA will get it in the first quarter of 2019), much expectation hangs over the new model.

The design sketch of the model further indicates that one of the most eagerly anticipated models in the van sector will also set new standards in terms of appearance. With its new look, the Sprinter is said to again shift the boundaries of its segment. The vehicle presents itself consistently in the design language of Mercedes-Benz and embodies the opposite of this philosophy: emotion and intelligence.

New features

Some of its new features will include the comprehensive introduction of driving assistance systems and connectivity services in combination with new telematics, which the company says will bring a leap forward in efficiency for vehicle and fleet management. The new model can also be more precisely adapted to individual transport and sector requirements thanks to a considerably extended range of variants. With this combination, the new Sprinter is said to have a unique proposition as an overall system solution in the van market

"We want to do more than just build the best vehicles," says Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. "We want to offer the most suitable mobility solution for every sector and for every transport assignment. And that is precisely our focus with the upcoming Sprinter generation as an overall system solution. The new edition of our iconic van possesses the classical attributes of reliability, safety and cost-effectiveness."

Mornhinweg says the US is one of the world's fastest-growing van markets. After Germany, it is the second-largest individual sales market for the large van. With the new Sprinter plant in North Charleston, under construction, the business unit will in future be able to meet the demand from North American customers even more economically with vehicles "made in the US", and significantly reduce delivery times in that market.

The Sprinter vans for the US market have so far been produced in Germany. However, because of high import tariffs, they have been partially dismantled in a time-consuming process and reassembled at the North Charleston plant.

For the company, the introduction of the new Sprinter is more than the presentation of a new model.

The Sprinter fully reflects the future initiative Advance, which was presented in Stuttgart in 2016 and where Motor News was in attendance.

Megatrends

It aims at megatrends such as digitalisation and urbanisation. The accompanying realignment of the company is driving the transformation from purely a vehicle manufacturer to a provider of complex, comprehensive mobility solutions. The first new model to represent this further development is the new Sprinter, says the company.

While the sketches appear even closer to the Future Van concept, more information about the model will be provided in the near future. We expect the model to be slightly toned down from the concept.

However, the biggest news is how the model's new technology will bring further efficiencies to the segment.

Source: Business Day
Katishi Masemola, general secretary of the Food and Allied Workers' Union, is hoping his members will bag an 18% stake in Coca-Cola Beverage South Africa (CCBSA), the largest Coca-Cola bottler in SA.

 Rabia Elif Aksoy  123RF.com

29 September 2017

The stake, which would be worth several hundred millions of rand, would have to be vendor-financed.

Share programme

Masemola told the Competition Tribunal on Wednesday in Pretoria that employees of CCBSA should get this stake as part of the employee share ownership programme that is to be set up in terms of the conditions attached to approval of The Coca-Cola Company's (TCCC's) acquisition of Anheuser Busch Inbev's (formerly SABMiller's) 57% stake in CCBA.

CCBA was established in 2016 following a drawn-out merger process initiated in 2014. Its bottling operations cover SA, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and Comoros. The South African bottling operation (CCBSA) is the largest.

On Wednesday the tribunal conditionally approved the 3.4bn transaction, which was prompted by Anheuser Busch Inbev's acquisition of SABMiller in October 2016.

The deal increases TCCC's holding in CCBA, which is the tenth-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the world, from 11% to 68%.

The Gutsche Family Investments, a private entity, holds the remaining 31.7%.

Masemola told Business Day that while the merging parties agreed to employees being allocated shares "they couldn't agree to the quantum".

BEE partner

The Gutsche Family and TCCC indicated that the quantum could only be determined once they had decided who their black economic empowerment partner would be.

They did not give any indication of who their partner might be but have said they were talking to several parties.

In addition to talking to potential black economic empowerment parties interested in a stake in the South African bottling operation, TCCC has said it is engaging with other South African and international parties interested in acquiring a controlling interest in CCBA.

Earlier this year TCCC said it acknowledged the government's preference for promoting a South African controlling interest in companies deriving most of their revenue and profit from the domestic market and that it would "seriously consider South African parties". In June, in a bid to minimise delays before the tribunal, TCCC undertook to increase its black economic empowerment equity stake in CCBSA to 30% by no later than 2021.

Share stakes

CCBSA, which had previously committed to a 20% black economic empowerment equity stake, said the 30% holding would include "an appropriate level of worker/ employee ownership".

The employee share ownership programme stake had to be independent of the black economic empowerment holding, Masemola said. Anything less than 10% would be unacceptable to employees, he added.

Masemola also hoped that the benefits to employees would be better than those offered by South African Breweries' Zanzele scheme.

About "75% of dividends were used to repay the debt and 25% went to participants of the scheme, we would like to see much more than 25% from CCBSA dividends," he said.

While this week's decision by the tribunal brings an end to three years of engagement with the competition authorities, it might only be temporary relief for TCCC.

CCBA and TCCC could be back before the competition authorities if a controlling stake is sold to another party.

Source: Business Day
Cape Town came out in spirit to celebrate Heritage Day, with more social posts about Heritage Day than the Johannesburg and Durban regions. Considering that Johannesburg has a higher population density than Cape Town (12,272,238 Gauteng population vs 5,822,769 Western Cape, according to Census 2011 Data), this is particularly interesting and shows that Capetownian's are an active, social bunch.

Livia Lupini

Most popular locations in Cape Town where people were celebrating include; Greater Cape Town, Durbanville, Clifton, Tygerberg Nature Reserve, V&A Waterfront and Stellenbosch.

Posterscope South Africa has access to various location-data tools, one of which is our social listening tool. Through this tool we are able to track conversations with specific hashtags or category of hashtags from public accounts that are geo-tagged, on both Instagram and Twitter social platforms. The data from public, geo-tagged accounts represents about 5% of the total audience on Instagram and Twitter for our market.

We decided to use our social listening tool to find out where consumers were celebrating Heritage Day this year, 24-25 September 2017. We analysed the data from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Kwa-Zulu Natal for every public, geo-tagged hashtag referencing heritageday and braaiday.

Analysing the data here are the most popular hashtags for the top three main metros;

Cape Town - #heritageday 422 posts | #braaiday 134 posts

Johannesburg - #heritageday 493 posts | #braaiday 62 posts

Durban - #heritageday 103 posts | #braaiday 6 posts

Cape Town had the most number of posts for Heritage Day for combined hashtags between 24-25 September 2017 and the below shows Where consumers where speaking about Heritage Day.

Location data answers the Where questions.

The most important starting point for any location-data strategy is to ask ourselves, what is the Where questions that we are trying to answer. We can then use various data sets in combination to find the best solution.

We need to start with what consumer behaviour we are trying to identify, and where this behaviour takes place. For example, if we would like to find out where consumers with an active lifestyle like to go, we can use keywords relating to this category of consumers, as well as conversations that take place around known active lifestyle hotspots (e.g. Running clubs, or gyms) to identify trends and guide OOH targeting through location data.
Cape Town will host the third annual Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) from 5-6 October at the Century City Conference Centre. The event, themed 'Equity, impact and inclusive growth towards Agenda 2030 and a sustainable African future', aims to ignite fundamental changes in Africa's socioeconomic landscape.

It is naive to think that we can transform Africa leaving the women behind, says Irene Ochem, AWIEF founder and director. You cannot ignore over 50% of the population of a continent and hope to harness and exploit its full potential. It is imperative that we overturn traditional mindsets and customs to promote inclusivity in business and industry, tapping into the immense untapped resources offered by women. We need to turn women from being job-seekers into job creators, becoming entrepreneurs and businesswomen.

Interactive, panel discussion model

The AWIEF conference programme will cover from education to innovation and technology, from e-commerce to agriculture and food security, and from infrastructure to finance, procurement and the creative economy, which embraces such sectors as fashion and design. Ochem explains that the programme has been designed mainly on an interactive, panel discussion model, so that the expertise and creativity of participants can be given maximum free rein.

Confirmed ministers and dignitaries participating in the event include: Esperance Nyirasafari, minister of Gender and Family Promotion of Rwanda; Jean A. N. Kalilani, minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare of Malawi; Nyasha Chikwinya, minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development of Zimbabwe; Elizabeth Thabethe, deputy minister, Department of Tourism of South Africa; Patricia De Lille, executive mayor of Cape Town; Cecilia Julin, ambassador of Sweden to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria; Trine Skymoen, ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria  Republic of South Africa and Botswana, Madagascar and Namibia; Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Leah Tutu of Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation; Mathabo Gail Makenete, deputy governor, Central Bank of Lesotho, and Vanessa Moungar, director, Gender, Women and Civil Society of the African Development Bank, Cote dIvoire.

For more information, go to www.awieforum.com.
In 2015 Maxime Eon created BiltongBoard.com to link local lovers of biltong with the plethora of small producers whose quality products were going unnoticed. Two years - and over 100 biltong recipes - later, the full range of prime product will soon be available offline at a stylish dedicated Biltong Board bar set to open in the Cape Town CBD.

Maxime Eon

A serial entrepreneur, French-born Eon narrowed his focus on South Africas favourite snack after stumbling upon the reality that a few large manufacturers were controlling the industry, and the biltong they were supplying to generic retail stores and supermarkets was often overpriced and of an inferior quality.

One Sunday afternoon I went to a market and tasted biltong from a farmer. It was delicious and I didnt understand why biltong of that quality wasnt available on a larger scale. When I did my research, I discovered that the industry was owned by a few market players  so while you may find three brands of biltong on the shelf, theyre probably owned by the same company.

The big players, Eon says, are so rooted in the market that its nearly impossible for small producers to gain a foothold. Many of these farmers also lack the business sense and resources to go up against the big guys, which makes it hard for biltong lovers to gain access to quality product.

Biltong Board was born to bridge this gap. Launched as a subscription box service, it offered a selection of organic, MSG-free, ethically-sourced biltong from over 70 producers nationwide. Customers could sign up for one, three or six months and get a curated selection of biltong based on a menu that changed on a monthly basis delivered regularly to their door.

The allure of subscription models

The subscription service drew considerable interest, but Eon says the model was a barrier to entry due to the upfront cost involved. People were not necessarily prepared to order a full box at a time.

I think subscription models are appealing to entrepreneurs because theyre a good way to test the market due to startup costs and the risks involved being low. It enabled us to build great exposure for our brand.

That said, I do believe the subscription business model is oversold. In South Africa, we play in a very niche market; subscriptions are often a luxury so you have to target customers that are willing to pay more than what they would in the store and that are keen to buy into the convenience of it. Therefore, I would recommend thinking twice. Subscription remains our biggest ambassador but is not at all our biggest source of income.

Biltong Board 2.0

This realisation led to a relaunch of the website. This time the focus was less on the subscription element, and instead offered customers the freedom to order product according to their preference and budget. It also boasted a new payments system using debit orders to avoid customers having to pay upfront.

Especially exciting was the introduction of a new biltong range developed by Eon and supplier-turned-business-partner Sarel Van der Walt. The new selection comprised over 30 types of biltong, including game like gemsbok and eland, and gourmet varieties like beef fillet and waygu beef.

We both knew that the industry is a lot bigger than we expected, but its also conservative. Our idea was to come up with new recipes that move away from what has been done for the last hundred years and offer something fresh and modern.

Testing the offline market

Despite Biltong Boards online success, Eon says he knew that buying biltong online was not for everybody.

Online is fantastic, especially for reach, but it can be impersonal. People dont necessarily want to interact with a computer to buy biltong especially when theyre used to shopping for it at a butcher or market. Also, we are in South Africa where people are not all computer or internet savvy and they think twice before leaving credit card details online.

Eon and Van der Walt realised that for Biltong Board to become what they had planned for it, the company needed to have an offline brand presence as well. They took it to key markets in Cape Town to gain direct customer feedback.

Essentially, we were extending what Biltong Board is about online  strong customer experience, strong service and quality product  and testing it in the offline market.

The positive response gained from the experience gave Eon the confidence for his next venture  a physical store.

A modern Cape Town biltong bar

The physical iteration of Biltong Board will appear in the form of a modern, sidewalk eatery and bar that will showcase the companys extensive variety of biltong alongside a range of local craft beers and wines.

Image credit: Whaam Concepts

The store will open close to November and will be located in the heart of the Cape Town city centre on the corner of Bloem and Loop Street. The owners aim to differentiate the offering by establishing the store in an urban area, while traditional biltong sales are done in farmstalls and supermarkets.

Theres no denying the tourism potential of the venture, but Eon insists he doesnt want it to be seen as just a tourist spot. After work people will be able to visit and have some biltong nibbles paired with a glass of wine or beer, he says of his vision.

No cost is being spared when it comes to the shopfittings, which will see the inclusion of brass, concrete, French oak tables and a fully activated biltong display. According to Eon, he wants the space to make customers say wow.

Its going to be a statement shop. A full-on customer-focused experience. We are spending a lot of resources on it because we want to show people that we are refreshing the image of biltong.

Image credit: Whaam Concepts

Eon believes Biltong Board is ushering in a state of flux in the biltong business.

The industry is very focused on the actual product. I often compare the biltong industry to the coffee industry ten years ago. There used to be one major coffee franchise in South Africa, but then smaller brands emerged, like Deluxe and Truth, and they understood that coffee was more than a product, it was a routine. They understood the importance of the experience to the customer. We want to be to the biltong industry what some of these guys have been to the coffee industry. It's all about providing a unique experience.

Hungry for more? Shop Biltong Board online and connect with the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
NEW YORK, US: Rent-a-room giant Airbnb is now in the restaurant reservation business, hoping to provide customers with a memorable meal before they drift off in their home away from home.

The travel accommodation startup that launched in 2008 has teamed up with Resy, which will be a minority shareholder in the new venture, to offer table reservations at 700 restaurants in 16 US cities.

"They make world class restaurant software, and we don't necessarily want to go in that business," Airbnb executive Joe Zadeh said. "We don't want to put every single restaurant on our platform. We just want to put the ones that travellers should go to," he explained.

Asked about the deal's financial details, Zadeh did not elaborate.

But Airbnb "is building a travel platform.

"We always want to be seen as a force for good in the community," he said, adding: "We have the opportunity to fill seats when they need business."

Source: AFP
The two sons of the legendary Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan perform live.

Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, the two sons of the legendary Sarod Maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, have performed around the world and worked on numerous projects with their father (including numerous New Mexico performances). Representing the 7th generation in an unbroken chain of the Senia Bangash School, they have now emerged as esteemed artists in their own right, who are moving forward in the music world on their own exciting journeys. Amaan Ali Bangash began performing publicly at the age of eight and made his debut abroad in 1986 at the Festival of India in Moscow. He has since released solo CDs, appeared on numerous recordings with his father and brother, (e.g. Sarod for Harmony, Live at Carnegie Hall) and has been a regular performer at Palais Beaux-Arts in Brussels, ESPLANADE in Singapore, Chicago Symphony Center, Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center, among other venues. He has composed music for film (American Daylight), collaborated with many diverse artists and also co-authored two books with his brother, including Abba-God's Greatest Gift To Us, about their father's life, and 50 Maestros 50 Recordings. Considered one of the finest young Sarod players today, Amaan has been described as "having tuneful precision and bold, resonant strokes which speak to the importance of tradition and continuity in Indian Classical Music." Ayaan Ali Khan, the younger of the brothers, has also been performing since his solo debut at the age of eight. With a confidence, clarity, consistency and technical mastery, he has, over the years, carved out a special niche for himself, his approach, vision and versatility making him something of an icon for the youth in the music industry. His contribution in making the Sarod a cross-over instrument in a variety of genres has projected him as an artist of high repute and like his brother, he has performed at Palais Beaux-Arts in Brussels, ESPLANADE in Singapore, Chicago Symphony Center, Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center. Ayaan has released more than seven recordings and has collaborated with a variety of artists, including guitarist Derek Trucks of the Allman Brother's band, as well as composing music for film. He also ventured into electronica music with the release of his CD, Reincarnation, which remained on the charts for over thirteen weeks.


An internet imagery.

BEIJING (PTI): China has announced commissioning its first radar-evading J-20 stealth fighter jets into military service, giving its air force an edge in the region.



The flight tests of J-20 jets are being conducted as scheduled, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence Col Wu Qian told a media briefing here on Thursday.



The Chengdu J-20 is China's fourth-generation medium and long-range fighter jet. It made its maiden flight in 2011 and was first shown to the public at the 11th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, in November last year.



Wu did not provide more details.



The stealth fighter jet's introduction could add a new dimension in the India-China air force balance.



The twin-engine fighter, built by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, is a single seat stealth fighter. It is unknown how many J-20 fighter jets have entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).



Pakistan has already expressed its interest in acquiring it.



The US Air Force operates the F-22 Raptor which is the fifth generation stealth air superiority fighter.



In 2014, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission described the J-20 as "more advanced than any other fighter currently deployed by Asia Pacific countries."


PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
The trial of three former Tesco executives in the UK over their alleged role in a 326m accounting scandal at the supermarket is due to start.

Carl Rogberg, 50, Chris Bush, 51, and John Scouler, 49, are charged with fraud by abuse of position and false accounting between February and September 2014.
Ryanair has until 5pm today to sort out compensation for hundreds of thousands of travellers hit by mass flight cancellations or face possible action by the UK's aviation regulator.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) instructed the budget airline to tell passengers they are entitled to be re-routed by another carrier and explain how that will work.

Ryanair must also publicly state it will reimburse expenses for affected customers, according to a letter from the CAA.

In addition, the Dublin-based carrier must commit to helping passengers who chose an unsuitable option as a result of being misled.

It comes after the regulator accused the airline of "not complying with the law" over its handling of the fiasco.

CAA chief executive A ndrew Haines said he was "furious" after Ryanair cancelled an extra 18,000 flights for the winter season on Wednesday - a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

" They are not making it clear to people their entitlement," Mr Haines told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"If they follow through on what they are saying, then they would be breaking the law."

A Ryanair internal memo allegedly instructed call centre staff to offer flights with other carriers - provided the price "does not exceed three times the value of the original Ryanair fare".

The document, unearthed by ITV News, was criticised by consumer group Which?.

Managing director Alex Neill said: "Ryanair appears to be plucking figures out of thin air as there is no legal basis for the arbitrary figure they've set.

"The law says passengers must be rerouted and there's no specified limit on cost. This yet again highlights the importance of the action which the Civil Aviation Authority has started.

"It must force Ryanair to immediately change its behaviour and comply with the law."

A Ryanair spokesman said: "We will be meeting with the CAA and will comply fully with whatever requirements they ask us to."

The latest round of cancellations includes 22 flights into and out of Dublin Airport each week between November and March as well as several popular routes used by British travellers.

It adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which was already coming under heavy fire after cancelling up to 50 flights a day earlier this month.

Ryanair says the cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters.

Passengers have expressed their frustration with the airline, with many left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights and accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

Mr Haines said airline passengers are " well-protected by the law".

He went on: "They are entitled to compensation and if there is a cancellation, they are entitled to be re-routed by other airlines.

"The chief executive of Ryanair (Michael O'Leary) has gone on record and said he is not going to do that. He then issued a clarification.

"But yesterday when they announced 18,000 further cancellations, they failed to follow through on that.

"We are furious they are not complying with the law and they are not giving customers what they are entitled to."

The regulator asked for a meeting with the airline as part of a consultation that will last at least seven days and could take legal action for breaching consumer protection laws.

It says Ryanair has falsely claimed it did not have to re-route passengers on other airlines, particularly when there are no other services available.

The CAA also accused the airline of stopping short of providing details on its obligations to refund additional expenses incurred by passengers as a result of cancellations including for meals, hotels and transfer costs.

It enforces consumer rights for passengers on UK flights under the Enterprise Act, meaning it could take Ryanair to court, where it would face being fined.

However, it has no powers to stop the airline from operating in the UK on the grounds of how it treats passengers.

Ryanair's operating licence is handled by the Irish Aviation Authority.

The airline said the latest reduction in its schedule will ''eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations".
The Health Minister has said he does not want a 'spat' with a bishop over the HPV vaccine.

He has warned people not to take medical advice from people without the proper qualifications.
An ongoing loyalist paramilitary feud in the North that has claimed the lives of two men this year has cost more than 5million (5.7million) to police, a court has heard.

The resourcing bill for policing the dispute between factions of the South East Antrim Ulster Defence Association (UDA) was revealed as a 32-year-old man was remanded in custody charged with the murder of one of the feud victims - loyalist George Gilmore.

Robert McMaw appeared in the dock of Belfast Magistrates' Court amid a tight security presence.

His brother - Samuel McMaw - has already been charged with the same crime.

Mr Gilmore, 44, was shot in the neck as he sat in his car in the Pinewood Avenue area of Carrickfergus. He died the following day in hospital.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective told district judge Joe Rice: "This is a recent but ongoing loyalist feud involving various factions of the South East Antrim UDA in the Carrickfergus and greater Belfast areas."

The officer added: "It has cost in excess of 5million to police this matter."

The accused, from Starbog Road in Kilwaughter on the outskirts of Larne, is charged with the murder of Mr Gilmore and the attempted murder of two other men - Steven Boyd and Kelvin Graham - on the same day, March 13.

He faces a further count of possessing a firearm and ammunition - namely a self loading handgun and seven 9mm bullets - with intent to endanger life.

District judge Rice refused his bail application. "Bail is refused on this occasion given the background of a very real feud in the Carrickfergus area," he said.

"Police inquiries are ongoing and there is a risk of further offending and witness intimidation. The court does not feel you are a suitable candidate for bail on this occasion."

Father of one McMaw, dressed in a grey jumper, spoke only once during the short hearing to confirm he understood the charges.

He waved at supporters in the public gallery before being led away to the cells.

Two men have already been charged with Mr Gilmore's murder. McMaw's brother Samuel David McMaw, 29, also of Starbog Road, and Brian Roy McClean, 35, of the Birches in Carrickfergus, face the same four counts.

Two months after his death, Mr Gilmore's friend and fellow loyalist Colin Horner, 35, was shot dead in a supermarket car park in Bangor, a crime also linked to the UDA feud.
Update 2.39pm: Ryanair issued an updated statement in response to the CAA's comments, saying: "We're preparing our response which they'll receive before 5pm."

Original story: Ryanair has been accused by the British aviation regulator of failing to respond to its request to discuss how it is treating passengers whose flights have been cancelled.

The UKs Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has told the Dublin-based carrier it has until 5pm on Friday to sort out compensation arrangements for hundreds of thousands of affected travellers or face possible action.

On Wednesday, the CAA published a letter inviting Ryanair to attend a meeting or take part in a conference call to explain how it will stop breaching consumer law by not fully informing passengers of their rights.

The regulator issued a statement today which said: "As part of our enforcement action we have requested a meeting with Ryanair to discuss our ongoing concerns around passenger rights.

"As yet we have received no response to this request, nor has Ryanair proposed any other meetings, whether in person or via telephone."

Speaking before the CAA published its latest statement, a Ryanair spokesman said: "We will be meeting with the CAA and will comply fully with whatever requirements they ask us to."

The CAA has instructed the budget airline to tell passengers they are entitled to be re-routed by another carrier, and explain how that will work.

Ryanair must also publicly state it will reimburse expenses for affected customers, according to the CAA.

In addition, Ryanair must commit to helping passengers who chose an unsuitable option as a result of being misled.

It comes after the regulator accused the airline of "not complying with the law" over its handling of the fiasco.

CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said he was "furious" after Ryanair cancelled an extra 18,000 flights for the winter season on Wednesday - a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

A Ryanair internal memo allegedly instructed call centre staff to offer flights with other carriers - provided the price "does not exceed three times the value of the original Ryanair fare".

The document, unearthed by ITV News, was criticised by consumer group Which?

Managing director Alex Neill said: "Ryanair appears to be plucking figures out of thin air as there is no legal basis for the arbitrary figure they've set.

"The law says passengers must be rerouted and there's no specified limit on cost. This yet again highlights the importance of the action which the Civil Aviation Authority has started.

"It must force Ryanair to immediately change its behaviour and comply with the law."

The latest round of cancellations adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which was already coming under heavy fire after cancelling up to 50 flights a day earlier this month.

Passengers have expressed their frustration with the airline, with many left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights and accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

Ryanair said the cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters.

The CAA enforces consumer rights for passengers on UK flights, meaning it could take Ryanair to court, where the airline would face being fined.

However, it has no powers to stop the airline from operating in the UK on the grounds of how it treats passengers as Ryanair's operating licence is handled by the Irish Aviation Authority.

The airline said the latest reduction in its schedule will "eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations".
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is in Estonia at a Digital Summit looking at cyber security.

Mr Varadkar attended a dinner with EU leaders, including European Council President Donald Tusk last night, where they discussed issues including security and migration.
Update 4.22pm: Ryanair has announced that the company has fully responded to requirements imposed by the Irish Commission for Aviation Regulation and the UK Civil Aviation Authority to clarify customer entitlements in the wake of "deeply regretted" cancellations.

In a statement released today, Ryanair said representatives met with CAR to ensure that customers are fully aware of their rights and entitlements, including full refunds, or re-accommodation onto other Ryanair flights or other comparable transport options with reimbursement of reasonable out of pocket expenses.

Ryanair has issued an email to all affected customers detailing their rights and a press release outlining how and when they will be re-accommodated.

Their FAQ has also been updated.

Customers can avail of a refund from Ryanair for a disrupted flight or can be moved to the next available Ryanair flight on the same route, or from a suitable alternative airport.

The customer can also be re-accommodated on Ryanair's agreed disruption partner airlines: Easyjet, Jet2, Vueling, Cityjet, Aer Lingus, Norwegian or Eurowings airlines.

Alternative transport may also be used on a case by case basis.

Ryanairs Kenny Jacobs said:

We apologise again sincerely for the disruption and inconvenience our rostering failure has caused some of our customers. Over the past week we have refunded/reaccommodated over 97% of the customers affected by the 18th September cancellations.

This week (by close of business on Sun, 1st Oct), we will have reaccommodated/refunded over 90% of the 400,000 customers who were notified of schedule changes (on flights between November 2017 and March 2018) on Wed 27th.

In addition, every single affected customer has received a travel voucher for a 40 one way flight (80 return) for travel in October to March.

We have restored the reliability and punctuality of our flight operations. Over the past 7 days we have operated over 15,000 flights with over 96% of our first wave morning departures operating on time, or with zero flight cancellations.

We have taken on extra customer service staff and are moving now to process and expedite all EU261 claims from affected customers. We are committed to processing all such claims within 21 days of receipt and hope to have all such claims settled before the end of October.

Earlier: The Taoiseach has said he expects Ryanair to ensure that passengers' rights are protected.

The airline has until 5pm to sort out compensation for thousands of passengers whos flights have been cancelled.

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has accused Ryanair of not giving people the right advice on what they're entitled to.

Leo Varadkar said our Commission for Aviation Regulation would have to step in if Ryanair doesn't do its job properly.

"People's and passenger's rights need to be protected," he said.

"If anyone has had a flight cancelled - any airline, in this case Ryanair, needs to provide them with an alternative way of getting where they need to go.

"I'd absolutely expect the airlines to do that and if they don't do that I'd expect the Commission for Aviation Regulation to make sure they do," he said.
After what feels like an eternity, our favourite Cork chat show host is finally back on our screens and weve never been happier.

And while Tubs chats to former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on RTE One, Norton has an array of A-list celebs.

Both Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling will be dropping by to chat about their new movie, Blade Runner 2049.

Margot Robbie and Reese Witherspoon will also be taking up space on the famous red couch.

Robbie will be chatting about her new movie, Goodbye Christopher Robin, in which she plays Daphne de Selincourt, wife of Winnie-the-Pooh creator A. A. Milne.

Witherspoon will talking all things rom-com with her new movie, Home Again.

To top it all off, 80s girl group Bananarama will take to the stage with their hit, Cruel Summer.
South Korea and Japan are among the destinations for President Donald Trump when he makes a five-nation trip to the Asia Pacific region in November.

The visit comes amid heightened tension in the region over North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.
The childrens novel El Diario de Noelia/Noelias Diary written by the School of Educations Dr Bernardita Munoz-Chereau, has got an honourable mention, Colibri medal 2017, from IBBY-Chile, the Chilean section of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People).

The jury highlighted the valuable contribution that this book is making to children's literature. Noelias Diary, a ground-braking work of fiction that had to overcome initial censorship, represents the Chilean dictatorship for a young audience in a context where this dark chapter of the countrys history has had an elusive presence.

Noelias Diary was recently launched in Santiago (see press release) and in London (see press release).

The book will be included in the 2017 international catalogues award, which will enhance the possibilities for future translations and publications of the book in an international context.

Building on her experience as a childrens books author and researcher, Bernardita also hosted a Childrens literature and its role in learning about conflict and peace seminar with Dr Julia Paulson (School of Education).

The seminar nurtured and enhanced the visibility of a new niche of interdisciplinary research that is emerging at the SoE around childrens literature and its role when learning about conflict and peace. In the current context  where the record levels of people are forced to flee their homes, the refugee crisis and the threat recent polarisation and terror attacks pose  the experience of writing Noelias Diary enabled Bernardita to share some reflections on the role that childrens literature can play when tacking these issues in the educational setting.

Many congratulations to Bernardita on you recent successes!
How you can help Give A Christmas to Lower Bucks families in need
A 24-year-old man is facing a slew of felony charges for illegal straw purchase of 21 guns at gun stores, almost exclusively in Bucks County. Leonard Truesdale was arraigned on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, on 21 counts each of making false statements on firearm purchase forms, criminal conspiracy to make false statements on firearm purchase forms and selling or transferring...
Campus News

Cuban film, culture focus of global film series

The Companion, a 2016 film by Pavel Giroud, focuses on the treatment of HIV-positive patients in 198Os Cuba. It will be screened on Oct. 14.

By SUE WUETCHER

Cuban film and culture will be the theme of this years riverrun Global Film Series, being held Oct. 12-14 at the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo State.

The series aims to create a dialogue between the local community and institutions of higher education through screenings of films that provide a better understanding of our globalized, networked world. Free admission was made possible this year by riverrun, an educational organization providing cultural programming to the Western New York community, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

The series is produced by riverrun with support from the BPAC, and the UB Department of English, the departments Juxtapositions lecture series and the James Agee Chair in American Culture, SUNY Distinguished Professor Bruce Jackson.

The keynote speaker will be Ann Marie Stock, professor of Hispanic studies and vice provost for academic and faculty affairs at the College of William & Mary. Stocks talk, Cameras in Cuba: Reflections on Revolutionary Cinema, will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 12.

After her lecture, Stock will lead a discussion of the award-winning Memories of Underdevelopment (Memorias del Subdesarrollo, 1968), which will be screened at 7:15 p.m. Directed by Tomas Gutierrez Alea and based on a novel by Edmundo Desnoes, the film tells the story of a writer who chooses to stay in Cuba after the Bay of Pigs invasion while his wife and family escape to Miami. This version of the film was recently restored by Martin Scorseses World Cinema Foundation at the Cineteca di Bolgona, Italy.

One of the leading scholars of Latin American and Cuban cinema, Stock has made some 60 trips to Cuba over nearly 30 years. She has authored and edited numerous publications, including Framing Latin American Cinema: Contemporary Critical Perspectives (1997), On Location in Cuba: Street Filmmaking during Times of Transition (2009) and World Film Locations: Havana (2014).

Stock also consults with foundations, cultural organizations, government agencies and academic institutions seeking to develop partnerships with their Cuban counterparts.

With the ongoing changes in U.S.-Cuba relations following Fidel Castros passing, and the release of her most recent work (World Film Locations: Havana), Professor Stock promises to deliver a lecture that will allow us the opportunity to reflect on the nature of global transformations today, says Tanya Shilina-Conte, assistant professor of film and media studies in the UB Department of English and curator of the Global Film Series.

Local film experts and community leaders will introduce films during the series, among them UBs Bruce Jackson and Dalia Antonia Muller, associate professor of Latin American and Caribbean history and associate dean of undergraduate education; Fredonia State College professor Alberto Rey, Canisius College professor Richard Reitsma; and Christopher Schobert, a film critic for The Buffalo News and writer for Buffalo Spree.

Jorge Guitart, UB professor of Spanish, and Cuban-born poet and educator Olga Karman will give readings of Cuban poetry beginning at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 following a happy hour with Cuban music provided by Wendell Rivera. Cuban-inspired cuisine will be available at the Burchfield Cafe during all three days of the festival.

Among other film offerings on Oct 13 and 14 are Treasure Island (1969) by the first Cuban female director Sara Gomez; Tania Libre (2017) by Lynn Hershman-Leeson, a film about the famous Cuban artist and activist Tania Bruguera; and I am Cuba (1964) by Mikhail Kalatozov, which will be screened in memory of Yevgeny Yevtushenko (1933-2017), an internationally renowned poet who visited UB in 2012 and co-wrote this film.

The lineup also includes The Project of the Century (2015) by Carlos Quintela, a film about an abandoned Cuban-USSR nuclear project; The Companion (2016) by Pavel Giroud, which focuses on the treatment of HIV-positive patients in 198Os Cuba; and a selection of shorts on Old Cuba/New Cuba, which features films across several genres, from animation to drama to documentary, some of which played this year at the Sundance Film Festival. This latter section will be dedicated to the memory of Julio Garcia Espinosa (1926-2016), one of the key figures of Cuban cinema.

The full schedule of events is available on the film series website.
Staff at Grant UK have raised over 350 for local childrens charity Julias House with a raffle held in September.

At the beginning of the year, Grant UK selected Julias House as its chosen charity so 2017 has been filled with lots of fundraising activities. So far this year, Grant UK staff have raised money through bake sales, specialty lunches and a wear red day in early July. In early September, a raffle was held with two enticing prizes up for grabs; a bottle of champagne, and a spa pass for two.

In total, this raffle has raised 355, which Grant UK will present to Julias House to help support this charitys excellent work helping seriously ill children in Wiltshire and Dorset.

Julias House has recently opened its new hospice in Devizes, which is the first of its kind in the county, delivering much needed support for local children and their families.

More fundraising activities are in the diary for the remainder of the year, with a spooky fancy-dress planned for Halloween next month.
The CITB has one last chance to fundamentally reform and start facilitating quality training en masse among the construction industrys smaller firms, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The FMB has today announced its qualified support for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as part of the consensus process, submitting its official letter to the CITBs Chief Executive Sarah Beale.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: FMB members are divided regarding the future of CITB  some want to see it continue and others want to see it abolished but all agree that it is not currently working for the industrys smaller firms. Yes, the FMB has decided to give its support for the continuation of the levy but we do not want this support to be interpreted as support for the status quo.

"The CITB is broken and we must all pitch in to ensure we fix it. The stakes couldnt be higher because unless we get this right, the construction skills crisis will continue to worsen and the Government will be unable to meet its ambitious house building and infrastructure objectives.

Crucial to the future success of the CITB is a review of its governance structure. It is shocking that the CITB Board contains only one representative from an SME construction firm. Furthermore, this individual is a Human Resources professional rather than someone with an SME contractor background. Given that SME firms make up 98% of the construction industry and train two-thirds of all apprentices, the FMB wants to see this reflected at Board level with at least half of its members being SME contractor representatives. If we get the governance structure right, the CITB will automatically start to better reflect the needs of small construction firms.

"In a recent survey of FMB members, 61% said that the CITB would become more effective if it ensured the majority of representatives on the CITB Board were from small or micro construction firms. It is the FMBs understanding that a recommendation to increase SME representation on the CITB Board will also be reflected in the Governments ITB Review which is expected to be published in October 2017.

The need for reform doesnt end with the CITBs governance  we also need to see a simplification of the grant scheme. Too few SME levy payers are claiming back CITB grants and this is because the process is too complicated and bureaucratic. The CITB needs to make all of its processes as simple and straightforward as possible.

"Unlike larger firms, most SMEs cannot afford to employ people who dedicate their time to drafting CITB grant applications in order to ensure their firm maximises all opportunities to claim back grants. If we want SMEs to train more apprentices and upskill their workforce, all forms of CITB grant funding pots need to be as easy to access as the new CITB Flexible Fund.
With the recruitment industry worth more to the economy than ever before (according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), 35.1 billion in 2016, the Hertfordshire based Courtney Smith Group celebrate their 14th year in business this month.

Founded in 2003 by Tony Smith and Dan Boyce, the company has gone from strength to strength with its unique ability to recruit sales and management personnel for the UK building industry.

Last month they announced the acquisition of the database from CD Construction Sales Division, which will only add strength to its portfolio of candidates and vacancies within the building sector.

Dan Boyce, Sales Director, said: The Courtney Smith Group does not only recruit Area Sales Managers candidates in roles, but with the added division of Courtney Smith Executive we are also able to recruit candidates in Sales Directors, National & Regional Sales Manager positions. We are delighted to have acquired the database and records of the CD Construction Sales Division and we welcome candidates who are looking for their next challenge within the building sector, to get in touch with us to discuss their goals with us.

Tony Smith, Managing Director, said: Through this niche market approach to construction recruitment, we have been able to build strong relationships with many companies within the UK building industry, enabling us to find the perfect candidates for a specific businesses. We are delighted that we have reached our 14th year in business and can only go from strength to strength in this very busy recruitment sector.
How international students in South Jersey celebrate the holidays

South Jersey's international students share how they cope when they can't make it home for the holidays by finding new ways to celebrate the season.
A long-running shop in Burnham-On-Seas town centre closed down after 27 years of business on Saturday (September 30th).

A closing sale had been underway at S&A Linens since June, when we first reported that the High Street store was closing.

Owner Steve Scott told Burnham-On-Sea.com: The sale exceeded all expectations, taking twice as much as expected.

It is with regret that I have decided to close our last remaining S&A Linens shop. Over the past 27 years it has served us well, and I hope, it has been an asset to our town.

On Burnhams success we also ran S&A Linen shops in Taunton, Minehead, Wells, Wellington and Clevedon  all of which have now closed.

Unfortunately for us, the linen trade has been subject to a level of competition not experienced before.

When I opened S&A Linens 27 years ago the main competition was from small family owned shops, similar to ourselves, such as Sharps of Bridgwater, Taunton, Weston and Exeter, Browns of Weston and Hoopers of Bridgwater  all of which have now closed.

It is a testament to Burnham, and our staff, that this linen shop has been one of the last, if not the last, of its type to survive in Somerset.

He added: Larger shops selling linens 27 years ago tended to be hidden within third floor home sections of department stores, overpriced with little to offer.

Supermarkets, as today, offered a very limited selection of linens.

Nowadays, we have the likes of Dunelm, John Lewis, Next and The Range with massive out-of-town stores displaying their offerings in bright, well lit modern surroundings. Because of their size, customers tend to think they are cheap. They do offer good value, but in many cases no better than we have. They just do it better.

We do not believe B&M have affected our business, other than the fact that they do not bring the right customer for us into town. The Internet has affected us, but not as much as you may think.

The reason we have decided to close is simply the lack of our type of customer since Morrisons closed.

Our High Street is still bustling with people, day visitors and holiday makers fill our town, but the locals doing their weekly shop have had to go out of our High Street.

Please dont simply use the Town Council or Sedgemoor as scapegoats. Besides that, isnt it right that they have allowed people what they really want, rather than protect traders such as ourselves?

Steve continued: Times have changed, most people seem to prefer out-of-town shopping. It has been national policy to allow, or even encourage, this to happen.

We all moan about our town centres dying, but how many of us, including myself, would wish to go back to the limited choice available before supermarkets, the size of present day Tescos and Asda appeared?

Now the same thing is happening to our trade. Please dont think Burnham has failed as a town. We are lucky, many towns have suffered much more than ours. We are a holiday destination, lets make the most of it.

Nationally, shopping habits have changed, I as a trader, and we as a town, must adapt. I hope that some other business will thrive in our premises, a business offering what todays society wants from a High Street.

On the other hand, our furniture shop, Scotts Furnishings in Victoria Street, has just had its best ever year and is going from strength to strength.

We are not affected by the internet to any great extent as people like to see, touch and try their new bed, sofa, carpet etc.

Because of the size of our shop we can offer a massive choice, comparable to many out of town stores. Yet, we still offer the service you only get from a local family owned shop. For instance, we deliver and take away your unwanted old item of furniture or bed, you are replacing, without charge. And we offer a price-match guarantee against any shop or internet site offering exactly the same item and service.

Although we are closing S&A Linens, new ranges of nets and ready-made curtains will soon be available in the carpet and flooring section at Scotts Furnishings. Right up to the day S&A Linens close, you can still order curtains as you will be able to collect them from Scotts or we can deliver them.

Finally, and most importantly, we would like to say a very sincere thank you to all of our customers (friends in many cases) and our wonderful staff for their custom and loyalty over the years.

We do not want to close S&A Linens, but accept it is no good banging your head against the wall as times, they are a changing. We hope to see you at Scotts Furnishings for many years to come.

A spokesman from Burnham Chamber of Trade said: S&A Linens has been a welcome part of the Burnham business community for over 25 years and it is sad that the shop is to close.

However, footfall in this part of the High Street is up substantially compared with this time last year and so it is hoped that this unit might not be vacant for long. Burnham continues to have fewer vacant units in its town centre than the south west and national averages.

May 2017 had 7.2% higher footfall than May 2016, which represents around 13,500 more people movements in the Town Centre. The Chamber of Trade has various initiatives underway to promote the town centre.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has barred drug maker Abbott from withdrawing its Xience Alpine coronary stent from the market. The government move comes following its directive to to maintain an uninterrupted supply of stents.
UK-based carmaker MG (Morris Garages) Motor on Friday announced the inauguration of its first manufacturing facility in India with a minimum investment of Rs 2,000 crore. The company would operate from the Halol plant in Gujarat, overtaken from General Motors (GM) recently.
Telecom regulator Trai on Friday said that there is no need for urgent relief to Idea and Bharti Airtel, claiming that the decision to slash IUC rate from 14 paise to 6 paise will not have immediate impact on companies.
The Telecom Commission (TC) has approved an increase in the timeframe for deferred spectrum payments to 16 years, as well as a change in calculation of interest for delayed payments.
Home-grown auto major Tata Motors could soon become the biggest manufacturer of electric cars as the company on Friday won a government-administered tender to sell 10,000 electric variants of the Tigor, its sedan car.
, the world's largest steelmaker, will invest $1 billion in Mexico over the next three years, in part to boost its North American trade operations, the company said on Thursday.

Mexico is a key production platform for the company. During the first half of 2017 AreclorMittal produced nearly $12 billion of steel in North America while shipping about $11 billion from the three-country region linked by the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which is currently being renegotiated.

"I am delighted to announce a $1 billion investment in Mexico over the next three years so we can meet Mexican demand for steel products, which is growing rapidly," the company's chairman and chief executive, Lakshmi Mittal, said at an event in southern Chiapas state attended by President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The event launched the government's new special economic zones in southern Mexico, the country's poorest region, in a bid to attract infrastructure investment.

Indian steel magnate Mittal said that "starting immediately" will modernize assets at the Pacific coast port of Lazaro Cardenas, one of Mexico's busiest commercial hubs, as well as "downstream operations" aimed at meeting Mexican consumer demand.

Lazaro Cardenas is home to ArcelorMittal's primary steelmaking operations in Mexico.

The investment covers construction of a new hot strip mill, which upon completion in about three years will allow production of 2.5 million tonnes of flat rolled steel.

"Coils from the new hot strip mill will be supplied to domestic, non-auto, general industry customers," the company said in a statement.

The spending will also boost ArcelorMittal's Mexican mining operations and will "support ArcelorMittal's NAFTA operations by providing high-quality semi-finished steel slabs," the company added.

There was no further detail on how the investment will boost trade within the NAFTA block, and the company's press office did not immediately return an after-hours call for comment.

operates six facilities at three ports in Mexico.

ArcelorMittal currently produces about 4 million tonnes per year, but after the investment is completed, annual production is seen growing by about a third to reach 5.3 million tonnes.

In addition to flat rolled steel, the company expects to produce about 1.8 million tonnes of long steel and 1 million tonnes of semi-finished slaps, according to the statement.

In 2007, ArcelorMittal bought a $1.4 billion steel plant at Lazaro Cardenas, alongside another plant it already owned at the port.

Separately on Thursday, Mexican steelmaker Ternium announced plans to build new facilities in Mexico and Colombia.

Ternium's Mexican plans include a new hot rolling mill with an investment of $1.1 billion. The facility's annual production capacity will be 3.7 million tonnes and it is scheduled to be operational by the second half of 2020, Ternium said in a statement.

The plant will produce products for the auto sector as well as other industries including construction, energy and home appliances.
In a Dussehra-eve tragedy, at least 22 commuters were killed in a stampede on a narrow railway foot overbridge connecting the Parel-Elphinstone Road stations of Western Railway here on Friday morning, officials said.
At least 22 people have been killed and 30 injured in a stampede on foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations in Mumbai, according to ANI.



The cause of the stampede was being probed. Emergency relief and medical teams were rushed to the station.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said it will launch a protest campaign if Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) remained adamant on increasing the Metro fare.

Party leader Gopal Rai said that keeping in mind the issue of pollution in Delhi, the DMRC should drop the idea of fare hike and added that an AAP delegation would meet DMRC chief Mangu Singh on Monday.

The Delhi government had on Thursday told the DMRC to hold the impending fare hike until the government completes an enquiry into the proposed increase.

"But it has come in today's newspapers that from October 10 the fares will be increased," Rai said.

He said if people gave up Metro and started using private vehicles, the pollution levels in the city would further rise.

Rai said that if implemented, this would be the second fare hike in a year and added that Metro ridership had decreased since the fare hike in May.

In May, the minimum fare went up from Rs 8 to Rs 10 and the maximum from Rs 30 to Rs 50. DMRC has said the fares will now go up by a minimum of Rs 10.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal branded the proposed hike as "anti-people".

The DMRC was formed in 1995 with equal equity participation of the central government and the government of Capital Territory of Delhi. After beginning its operations in 2002, the Delhi Metro now covers 218 km with 164 stations. The network is set to expand further.

(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.)
Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Friday thanked India for its "generous contributions" in reconstructing the war-torn nation and slammed Pakistan for its role in destabilizing the country.

However, he added, Afghanistan would continue to extend hands of friendship to all its neighbours including Pakistan.

Delivering the 24th Sapru House Lecture here, Abdullah, who is on a visit to India to enhance ties between the two countries, said terror was a threat to all nations and that a stable Afghanistan would benefit all countries in the region.

He said Afghanistan faced some "serious challenge" when it came to its relations with Pakistan.

"The fact that there are groups based in Pakistan which are threatening the security of Afghanistan and (they) continue to receive support and continue to embark upon destabilizing activities and acts of terror in Afghanistan. That is a very serious challenge for us and for the whole region," Abdullah said.

Referring to Pakistan, he added that there were some "very clear lessons in the past when some of the terrorist groups created for other purposes turned against those who created them and started to pose a threat and continue to do so.

"Our message is very clear: Afghanistan's civility and prosperity are in the interest of the region. Afghanistan has no bad intention towards any neighbouring country.

"We have extended and will continue to extend hands of friendship to all its neighbours and countries of the region. And we expect reciprocation," Abdullah said, adding his country would continue the dialogue process with neighbours to address common challenges.

He said countries needed to decide that "terrorism would not be used as a tool for foreign policy".

Referring to India, the Afghan leader said its contributions had made a difference to lives of millions of Afghan people.

"Relations between Afghanistan and India, which are founded in the bonds of history and culture of both nations, have been strengthened in the past 16 years with your generous contributions that made a difference to lives of millions of people," he said.

Abdullah added that India's support in many fields including education, infrastructure and security had "contributed in its own way in stabilization of our country and pursuit of our democratic aspirations and also betterment of lives of our people".

He said while he was supposed to arrive in India a day earlier, his visit was delayed "because of the terrorist attack on Kabul International Airport".

"But I was determined to come. Terrorist attacks may have caused us some delay but they could not stop us."

He said while on one side there were aspirations and efforts of millions to create a stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, on the other there were efforts of a "tiny minority" to destroy lives of people through acts of terror.

"But our wisdom says that human dignity will prevail and acts of terror would be condemned to fail."

He said "terror is terror" and that there should be no differentiation when it comes to terror: "good and bad terrorist groups".

Abdullah said Afghanistan can play its "rightful" role as a bridge between South Asia and Central Asia.

"We are working together - India and Iran have taken lead - towards operationalisation of Chabahar. We hope, as India has annouced, it would contribute further, that one year target of full operationalisation of Chabahar would be met."

He said India, Iran, Afghanistan and other countries would benefit from this.

"We will witness the first act of operationalisation by receiving shipments of wheat through Chabahar in a few days time. But further work would continue," Abdullah added.

Iran's Chabahar port lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India's western coast, bypassing Pakistan. Once operationalised, India can bypass Pakistan to transport goods to Afghanistan.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address students of the Harvard University on a visit to the US next month, the varsity said on Friday. Jaitley is scheduled to attend annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington in October.
The sector commanders of Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers today held a flag meeting, first in six months, in the Suchetgarh sector here in the aftermath of the recent cross-border skirmishes.

A spokesperson for the BSF said both sides agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity along the international border.

"The meeting was held in a cordial and positive atmosphere and both sides agreed to expedite the implementation of the decisions taken in an earlier meeting," he said.

However, he said, the Indian officers made it clear to their Pakistani counterparts that any provocative action would be met by equal or stronger responses.

The 105-minute meeting was held on the request of Pakistan Rangers, the spokesperson told PTI.

It was the first Sector Commander-level meeting between the two forces since cross-border clashes escalated two months ago, he said.

The BSF delegation, comprising 17 officers, was led by P S Dhiman, BSF DIG, Jammu Sector. The Sector Commander of Chenab Rangers, Sialkot Punjab, Brig Amjad Hussain, headed the Pakistan delegation of 14 officers, including three Wing Commanders.

The last Sector Commander-level meet between the two forces was held on March 9 2017.

In the meeting today, the spokesman said, the BSF strongly objected to the brutal murder of two BSF soldiers  constables Brijendra Bahadur and K K Appa Rao  who were performing their duties along the border.

"The BSF also protested the unprovoked cross-border firing and shelling on a number of Indian border villages leading to the death of a woman in Arnia sector on September 4," he said, adding that infiltration attempts at night were also discussed.

"The Pakistan Rangers assured to take measures to maintain peace at border with a request that the BSF should also exercise restraint to ensure minimum loss of civilian lives on the Pakistani side," the spokesperson said.

He said the two sides decided to re-energise instant communication between the field commanders to resolve petty matters.

(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.)
China has stepped up security on its border with India, North Korea, and Myanmar ahead of the key Communist Party Congress next month.

The once-in-a-five-year meet is China's most important political event. The authorities would not like to risk any event which disrupts the meeting where Chinese President Xi Jinping will get a second five-year term.

China's border police will maintain the highest security on the country's frontiers with North Korea, India and Myanmar as the Communist Party gear up for its all-important Congress, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning said in a report.

"(We will) stick to the highest standards, strictest requirements and strongest measures to ensure absolute border security for the party's 19th Congress," the report quoted an official statement as saying.

China has a long-running border dispute with India. The two countries have 3,488 km of de facto boundary, most of which is disputed.

Beijing and New Delhi last month ended an over two-month military stand-off in the Sikkim section along the Sino-India border.

China's northeast borders reclusive North Korea. The North Korean nuclear crisis has worried the world, especially its ally China.

Beijing fears an influx of refugees in case of a war between the United States and the North Korea.

China would not also want Myanmar's Rohingyas to cross over into Chinese border.

"The border forces under the People's Armed Police became the latest government agency to make a show of support for President Xi Jinping, saying officers would focus on the frontiers to ensure stability for the five-yearly gathering," the newspaper said.

They would also tighten monitoring of coastal areas and ramp up counter-terrorism work, the police were quoted as saying in a statement.

Security personnel has been out in force across the country to make sure the highly choreographed gathering is not disturbed by social unrest.
A stampede on the stairwell of a narrow footbridge, linking two railways stations, in Mumbai on Friday left at least 22 persons dead and more than 30 injured, officials said. Eight women and a young boy were amongst those killed, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said, adding that five of the injured were critical.
On a day when Railways Minister Piyush Goyal was supposed to inaugurate 100 new services to reduce the rush at peak traffic time in Mumbai's commuter rail network, the system saw one of its worst mishaps, claiming 22 lives so far.



Statistics reveal that at least six to eight people lose their lives on a daily basis in Mumbai's city and suburban rail network, of diverse causes. According to a report issued late last year by the Union comptroller and auditor general (CAG), from January 2010 to December 2014, of 33,445 deaths in suburban rail sections, 52.7 per cent or 17,638 were in the Mumbai section alone. This comes to almost 12 deaths per day in those five years.



According to media reports, about eight people were killed on a daily basis on Mumbai's tracks in 2016  the official figure is 3,202 dead and 3,363 injured. On 2015, it was 3,304 dead and 3,349 injured. It has been less this year  till August, 1,590 people lost their lives. The major reasons for deaths are trespassing on the tracks and falling from running trains.



On Friday's mishap, an enquiry by the chief safety officer of Indian Railways has been ordered.



Mumbai city and suburban trains are also operating at a big loss, from Rs 12 crore in 2005-06 to a little above Rs 1,500 crore in 2015-16. To reduce congestion in the network, Goyal was to launch 100 new trains, taking the number in the network to 3,083. The event was cancelled.




Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address students of the prestigious Harvard University on a visit to the US next month, the varsity said on Friday.

Jaitley is scheduled to travel to the US in October to attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington.

He is also scheduled to visit New York and Boston to interact with the business community and think-tanks.

At Harvard on October 12, the finance minister would deliver the 'Mahindra Lecture' in honour of the late Harish C Mahindra, a distinguished alumnus of Harvard College and a visionary leader of business and industry in India, the South Asia Institute of Harvard University said in its latest newsletter.

A day earlier in Boston, Jaitley will be hosted by the US India Strategic Partnership Forum along with Infrastructure Investment Fund, and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, for a roundtable with the industry.

Jaitley's trip to the US has not been officially announced yet.

While in Washington, in addition to addressing the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank, Jaitley is likely to participate in several bilateral and multilateral meetings.
of NHAI will help in creating employment of estimated 500 million man-days in the next four years, the road and highways ministry said on Friday.

"The ongoing and targeted projects of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would generate estimated employment of approximately 500 million man-days over the next four years on a seasonal basis," the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said in a statement.

NHAI is aiming to construct approximately 50,000 km highway over the next four years.

"This would be averaging to nearly 125 million man-days yearly from 2018-2022. Of this, about 10 million will be professional man-days, 35 million skilled labour man-days and 80 million semi-skilled and un-skilled man days," the statement added.

Seasonal employment opportunities would open up as the execution of highways projects would desire professionals which are qualified as well as skilled and semi-skilled workforce.

NHAI has embarked upon an elaborate exercise for skill development in a bid to cater to the requirement of professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workforce.

NHAI held a meeting with the officers of Ministry of skill Development and Entrepreneurship for charting out a layout in order to skill professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers.

At present, 282 projects of NHAI having a length of about 20,000 km are under implementation stage.

There is a target to award and complete around 220 highways projects--having length of about 31,000 km---under National Highways Development Project (NHD) and Bharat Mala scheme over the next three to four years.

(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.)
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In a bid to showcase the success of demonetisation, CBDT chairman Sushil Chandra has asked tax officials to come down heavily on those who are unable to explain their cash deposits.



In a video conference, CBDT chairman Sushil Chandra recently asked senior officials of the tax department to target and impose tax on Rs 3 lakh crore deposits, reported Economic Times. According to persons who attended the meeting, this estimated amount is equal to the unexplained cash parked with banks after was announced.
After touching a record high, the foreign exchange reserves declined marginally by $262.3 million to $402.246 billion in the week to September 22, due to fall in foreign currency assets, the RBI data showed.

In the previous week, the reserves had touched a life time high of $402.509 billion after rising by $1.782 billion.

The foreign currency assets (FCA), a major component of the overall reserves, decreased by $259.3 million to $377.751 billion, the data showed.

Expressed in US dollar terms, the FCAs include effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro, the pound and the yen held in the reserves.

Gold reserves remained unchanged at $20.691 billion. The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declined by $1.2 million to $1.512 billion.

The country's reserve position with the IMF declined by $1.8 million to $2.291 billion, the apex bank said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) says work has begun for an "early warning system" regarding .

The term is used to refer to a company without active business operations or much of assets. This by itself isn't illegitimate but they could be used as a manoeuvre for financial operations of a suspect or illegitimate nature.

Currently, there is no way to check systemically, an official said. Chartered accountants (CAs) do come out with qualified accounts of such companies but these come in a random way on the ministry's MCA21 portal. Qualified accounts refer to bits of information about which CAs have doubts or disagreement with the audited entity's management.

After the hoped-for early warning system comes, qualified accounts would be flagged on the ministry's portal, helping it and other regulators to check on such entities. "We are yet to work out the nitty gritty of this system but are on the job," another official said.

He said this would do away with the current system of random inspections to identify such companies. The portal will have filings by CAs in such a way that regulators will be alerted, he said.

Earlier, minister of state for corporate affairs P P Chaudhary had said the government would try to use the information technology tool of artificial intelligence in this regard.

CAs told Business Standard that an early warning system by itself wouldn't change things by much. There should also be stringent norms to make auditors more independent. One of them said it is a company's promoters who appoint the auditor, which means the latter does not retain the independence to openly report facts. So, a CA's appointment would need to move away from promoters.

The ministry had recently issued rules to limit the number of subsidiaries a company may have  no more than two layers. This will apply prospectively but existing companies have to disclose details of their entire list of subsidiaries to the registrar of companies within 150 days. Banks and insurance companies are excluded from this rule.

With no limit on the number of subsidiaries, regulators found it difficult to track illicit transactions.
will invest Rs 600 crore this fiscal to expand operations, including starting CNG and piped cooking gas retailing in three cities of Haryana.

IGL, the sole supplier of CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas (PNG) to households in the national capital and adjoining cities of Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad, is "all set to expand its footprints in Haryana through setting up city gas distribution (CGD) networks", a company statement said.

The firm won CGD licence for Karnal district in Haryana recently, IGL Chairman S Ramesh told shareholders during his AGM speech, according to the statement.

The company has already started supply of gas in Rewari and secured permission from the Haryana government to lay down the CGD network in parts of Gurugram, formerly known as Gurgaon.

"IGL has drawn out plans to expand its area of operations by investing Rs 600 crore in 2017-18," he said.

The government's push for cleaner fuel is expected to see more CNG-run vehicles on the street.

After the successful pilot project for CNG-based two- wheelers, Ramesh said, the company is looking to start commercial implementation soon.

IGL, he added, is looking to consolidate its presence in existing locations as well as scale up to new geographical areas -- both by bidding for licences and acquiring stake in existing CGD companies.

The company added 81 new CNG stations in 2016-17 to take the total to 421, which helped the company enhance its total installed compression capacity to 71 lakh kg per day.

According to Ramesh, a record 1,05,000 new domestic PNG customers were added by IGL in 2016-17.

The company achieved growth of 8 per cent in industrial gas supply and 6 per cent in the commercial sector in spite of stiff competition from alternative fuels like furnace oil and diesel whose prices had come down due to weakness in crude.

In line with the vision of the government to undertake expansion of PNG in mission mode, IGL is chalking out aggressive plans to offer a number of PNG domestic connections by increasing its penetration in existing areas and entering newer areas of Delhi and adjoining cities through various promotional campaigns.

On the customer-centric approach adopted by IGL, Ramesh said the company is making efforts to upgrade its services by leveraging information technology in all its customer operations.

The redressal system has been further strengthened and is monitored through the CRM system, which has resulted in a significant reduction of customer complaints.

The shareholders approved a final dividend of 50 per cent in the AGM, in addition to 35 per cent interim dividend already declared and paid as recommended by the board, the statement added.
On the intervening night of September 29 in 2016, the Indian Army conducted a in Pakistan. The operation that went on for over five hours not only dealt a blow to terrorists planning attacks in India, it also avenged the Uri attack where 19 Army personnel were killed. This writer explains what India has, and has not achieved over the last one year.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. They do not reflect the view/s of Business Standard.
The Delhi Government on Thursday told the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) to hold an impending fare hike till it completes an enquiry on the proposed increase.

"Delhi Metro is directed to put on hold any further hike till Delhi government completes its enquiry and forms an opinion on this subject," Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said.

Delhi Metro fares are set to increase by a minimum of Rs 10 from next month.

"The proposed fare hike by Delhi Metro is likely to adversely affect the interests of a large number of commuters in Delhi," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said. "Delhi Government is completely against any hike in Metro fares."

The minister said it was not clear whether the Delhi government's stand was considered by the fare fixation committee of Delhi Metro.

He said a meeting took place between the Delhi government and DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh.

The minister's directive came after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Gahlot to find a way to stop the "anti-people" Metro fare hike within a week.

"Metro fare hike is anti-people move. Have ordered ... Gahlot to find a solution to stop fare hike," Kejriwal tweeted.

The minister then sought "all relevant records of (the) uncalled fare hike".

Delhi Metro fares are set to increase for a second time this year from October 1.

The last increase was in May when the minimum fare went up from Rs 8 to Rs 10 and the maximum from Rs 30 to Rs 50.

Delhi Metro fares rose following the recommendations of the fourth Fare Fixation Committee.

DMRC was formed in 1995 with equal equity participation of the central government and the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. After beginning its operations in 2002, Delhi Metro now covers 218 km with 164 stations. The network is set to expand further.
India wants to forge partnership with America's food processing sector to bring the best practices of the world into its food value chain which processes only 10 per cent of the huge raw material base, Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said.

Badal, the food processing industries minister, is leading a visiting Indian delegation which met officials from companies across the food value chain in Chicago and Washington DC.

The visit came ahead of the mega 'World Food India' trade show in New Delhi later this year.

"World Food provides a platform to companies which are looking at expanding their footprints outside their country to tap newer markets," Badal said.

India is looking at partnering with those companies to upgrade Indian systems and technologies and bring the best practices of the world into the food value chain, she said.

She said the trip has helped in sensitising people and across the food chain about the 'World Food India' and the opportunities that India offers.

Food processing industry, she observed, can play a vital role in doubling farmer's income and reduce the food wastage which in turn will ensure more food for the growing population.

"We have a huge raw material base, but we processed only 10 per cent, she said.

Badal said to control wastage, there was a need to increase processing levels.

And to increase processing levels there is need to create the infrastructure, she said.

"I want to bring in the best technology and the best of the know-how for the creation of that infrastructure," she said.

India has a $600 billion retail sector, of which 70 per cent is food retail. This is set to triple by 2020.

Badal said she is visiting the US to tell food processors, machine manufacturers, technology suppliers and refrigeration companies to come to India if they expand their footprint and increase their business.

"This is the area where we are investing. Bring your technology to India if you need to expand so that my people can pick up your technology and your machinery," she said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
While the current and former finance ministers engage in a verbal slugfest over the state of the Indian economy, two undeniable facts stare us in the face: First, of the alarming slowdown in the economy, which economists and experts have attributed to the witless demonetisation last year and the mismanaged roll-out of the goods and services tax this year; and, the consequent lack of new jobs. According to a report by Go Yamada, senior staff writer at Nikkei Asian Review, about 200 million Indians aged between six and 14 are in mandatory education and 100 million of them will enter the job market by 2025. The nations low rate of job creation is not just a missed opportunity, but a cause for concern as well, he writes (Make in India stumbles on jobless growth, May 31, 2017).
Staff Selection Commission has declared the result of Recruitment of Sub Inspectors in Delhi Police, CAPFs and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in CISF Examination, 2017 (Paper-I) and also uploaded it on the website of the Commission. In order to ensure greater transparency in the Examination system and in the interest of the candidates, the Commission has uploaded the Final Answer Keys along with Question Paper(s) on the website of the Commission. (Direct link for viewing the answers) Candidates may take a print out of their respective Question Paper(s) along with Final Answer Keys. Keep in mind that this facility will be available for the candidates up to 05.00PM of 24.10.2017



The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) had shared the details of candidates qualified in Paper I for appearing in PET/PST Paper II for the post of Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police, CAPFs and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in September 2017. The Commission conducted Computer based Examination for recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police, CAPFs and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in CISF Examination, 2017(Paper-I) from 01.07.2017 to 07.07.2017. Representations received from the candidates regarding Answer Keys were carefully examined. Modified Answer Keys, wherever required, were used for evaluation.
Celebrating Science for New India Dr. Harshvardhan Addresses a Curtain-Raiser Press Conference on IISF 2017

Science is for the masses and it needs to communicate with people and identify and solve the problems, said the Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Science and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harshvardhan, today, while addressing the media in the Curtain-Raiser Press Conference to the India International Science Festival(IISF), 2017 to be held from 13-16 October, 2017 in Chennai.

The Minister apprised the media about the events organized during the upcoming IISF-2017. The Minister informed that CSIR has more than 250 new technologies in pipeline which they have readied to solve public problems. He said that IISF 2017 is striving to be the Worlds largest science festival with the motive of Science for the masses.

The series of India International Science Festivals (IISF) is an integral part of Indias long term vision in developing and widening the spectrum of scientific temper in India and abroad.

The Minister also informed about the series of events to be held during IISF 2017 which include:

Science and Technology Ministers conclave

S&T Partnership for Addressing Societal Challenges on a bilateral and multilateral level.

The focus will be on capacity building through mechanisms such as fellowships, internships, training, data sharing, joint projects and technology transfer.

Co-develop and deploy affordable and innovative technologies that provide solution to societal problems will also be a common agenda for the Conclave.

Participants: S&T Ministers of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal & Portugal

Sensitizing Students and Youth to Flagship Programs of Government SYPOG

Young scientists across the country (state and central universities, R&D labs) will be made aware of the important flagship programmes of the Government of India such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Swastha Bharat, Digital India, Make in India, Bio-diversity etc.

Science Village

Parliament to Panchayat : Students and teachers to be nominated by Honble Members of Parliament from their adopted villages under Pradhan Manthri Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna.

: Students and teachers to be nominated by Honble Members of Parliament from their adopted villages under Pradhan Manthri Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna. Mass representation of Rural India: Cultural integration, social interaction and exchange of scientific knowledge through science activities; experiencing Unity in Diversity;

Women Scientist & Entrepreneurs Conclave

As a unique programme of IISF 2017, a Women Scientist & Entrepreneurs Conclave titled Game Changers Driving Science for New India is being organized to promote science and entrepreneurship among the young women.

Industry (MSMEs) Academia Interaction

Representatives from industry and scholars from academic background will have a good opportunity to discuss the changing trends on management principles, scientific advancement and technological assimilation in Industry and economy. The interaction meet also aims at Industry  Academic Institutional tie ups on research and development and improve efficiency in production and manufacturing.

Grassroots Innovators Summit

National Innovation Foundation (NIF) will showcase about 100 innovative technologies from all states of the country.

Aims to strengthen the grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge.

Start-Up Summit

Start-up Contest - 2017 is framed under the Start-up Summit event to scout, award and support best start-ups happening in academic institutions across the country.

National Science Teachers Workshop with special focus on North East:

To orient the teachers on novel Teaching Methodologies in Science; upgrade and refine level of teaching; knowledge dissemination through innovative practices; showcase the innovative teaching-learning practices in Science Education

Science Film Festival  Science Fiction Focus

Films on science focusing on science fiction from India and 9 foreign countries (South Korea, France, Germany, Sweden, UK, Australia, Norway, Italy and USA) will be screened.

Round Table Meet On Mass Communication

Science communicators, science journalists, social media and electronic and print media communicators dealing with science and passionate science students will be invited to discuss the various aspects of mass communication .

Mega Science, Technology & Industry Expo

It will showcase the remarkable Contribution of India in the World of Science & Technology. The expo would highlight the Govt. Missions.

Various Theme Pavilions will highlight the achievements of Indian Space, Defence, Advanced Technologies, Rural Development, Energy, Agriculture, Healthcare, Industry/Trade, EDP/MSME, Environment/ Climate Change, Ocean, Bio Sciences/ Biotechnology, Women Empowerment, Education, Urban Development, Tourism/ Culture, and soon, serving in the main domain of Societal growth.

Guinness Book of World Records

Conduct the Largest Biology Lesson involving a group of 1000 school students.

The event will include a short power-point presentation about Cell Biology. It will be followed by a demonstration of the process of isolation of DNA from papaya fruits.

Ideas for Bharat Nirman

Three socially relevant challenges faced by the society across the nation have been posed before the general public for deriving the most feasible solutions.

Special Session on Deep Ocean Research
Under the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva" (SHS) campaign, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has installed Sanitary Napkin Vending and Disposal machines in the three ladies washrooms (Ground floor, 1st floor & 2nd floor) of DoPT area of North Block. This is as per the action plan of the Department for the ongoing SHS initiated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. .

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Smt. K. Kipgen, Joint Secretary and Smt. G. Jayanthi, Joint Secretary, DoPT inaugurated the Napkin Vending Machine and Napkin Disposal Machine respectively at the first floor of ladies washroom. Smt. Manjula Juneja, Under Secretary, DoPT and a large number of women employees were present on this occasion. All the three vending machines are having the feature of putting a five rupee coin/different denominations for getting a napkin which will be operated on no profit and no loss" basis. Besides, the disposal machines are having the feature to dispose of the used napkins in an environment friendly manner. Such machines would also be installed very soon in two other buildings of this Department i.e. Lok Nayak Bhawan and old JNU Campus. .

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The women employees present on this occasion thanked the Department for taking a good step which concerns the health and hygiene of a women employee which is a part of Swachhata. They also hope that the other Departments of Govt. of India will follow the same. .

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People have right to know how decision-making happens at the highest level and what national security entails: Vice President Releases book Securing India: The Modi Way'

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Indian people have the right to know how decision-making happens at the highest level and what national security entails. He was addressing the gathering after releasing the book Securing India: The Modi Way' authored by Shri Nitin Gokhale, here today. The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The Vice President said that the book provides the most intimate and sweeping account yet of the NDA Governments approach to national security and foreign policy initiatives. He further said that drawing on internal memos, as yet classified information, meeting notes and hundreds of hours of interviews with key players in the national security team, Shri Gokhale brings alive inside stories of decision-making at the highest levels in the government.

The Vice President said that the book details hitherto unknown aspects of the planning and execution of the surgical strikes, revamping of New Delhi's policy towards China and Pakistan, India's renewed global policy focus on Middle East, Prime Minister Modi's attempt to leverage the Indian diaspora worldwide, besides focusing on some small but far-reaching steps taken to secure India in every possible way - on land, space, cyber and maritime domains.

The Vice President said that the issue of terrorism is at the fore front of governments foreign policy world over. He further said that terrorism has no religion; its a threat to humanity and it should be curbed and we must be humane and sensitive in our approach while interacting with others. If there is tension there cant be attention towards development, this should bear the basic principle, he added.

The Vice President said that in democracy violence has no place and bullet cannot bring change where as ballot can. The policy of government should be zero tolerance towards terrorism and corruption both will eat away the vitals of our system, he added.

Following is the text of Vice Presidents address :

I am pleased to release the book Securing India: The Modi Way', written by senior journalist, Shri Nitin Gokhale.

Normally, matters relating to defence and security aspects are kept shrouded in a veil of secrecy and not put in public domain by most nations the world over. Understandably, in most cases utmost precautions are taken not to make public important decisions and their processes in order to protect security and national interests.

No doubt, legitimate security concerns could be the reason for maintaining complete secrecy in such matters. However, a balanced view has to be taken on the extent to which such information could be made available to the public as complete lack of transparency would give scope to corruption.

In this background, the book by Shri Gokhale provides the most intimate and sweeping account yet of the NDA Governments approach to national security and foreign policy initiatives.

Drawing on internal memos, as yet classified information, meeting notes and hundreds of hours of interviews with key players in the national security team, Shri Gokhale brings alive inside stories of decision-making at the highest levels in the government.

Painstakingly researched, the book details hitherto unknown aspects of the planning and execution of the surgical strikes, revamping of New Delhi's policy towards China and Pakistan, India's renewed global policy focus on Middle East, Prime Minister Modi's attempt to leverage the Indian diaspora worldwide, besides focusing on some small but far-reaching steps taken to secure India in every possible way --on land, space, cyber and maritime domains.

The book provides an authentic account of the Modi government' decision making process on vital issues. This is by no means an analytical document.

In fact, it is mostly factual and narrated from the point of view of those involved. In that respect, some might view this book as an incomplete account. Its a start nevertheless. Till then, read the book for what it is: a journalistic record of some of the bold and unconventional decisions taken by the Modi government since 2014.

There is no denying the fact that this book has gained immensely by the trust reposed in the author by people in very sensitive appointments. For the first time, people holding sensitive positions have spoken on record about some major incidents like the Pathankot Operation, the two surgical strikes - one in Myanmar and one in PoK - and the standoff at Doklam.

The book contains interviews with Former Defence Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar, the National Security Adviser, Shri Ajit Doval, current and former Army Chiefs, Special Forces officers and men, NSG commandos and IAF personnel.

By writing this book, Shri Gokhale has brought the complicated subject of national security to the common citizen. Indian people have the right to know how decision-making happens at the highest level and what national security entails. This book provides rare insight into that process. I commend the author for accomplishing this task in a short time and bringing to light some of the unknown aspects of governance.

I am a happy that issue of terrorism is at the fore front of governments foreign policy world over.

Terrorism has no religion; its a threat to humanity. It should be curbed and we must be humane and sensitive in our approach while interacting with others but at the same time we must be firm in assuring and maintaining Indians unity, integrity and internal security.

If there is tension there cant be attention towards development, this should bear the basic principle. We have to secure our borders and also assure the internal security so that the government and the administration can focus on development.

In democracy violence has no place. Bullet cannot bring change where as ballot can. This has been witnessed world over. The policy of government should be zero tolerance towards terrorism and corruption both will eat away the vitals of our system.

Jai Hind.
It has become almost routine in recent months: An elite prep school announces the result of an outside investigation revealing how faculty members sexually abused their students, while administrators did little, if anything, to protect the children in their care.
The death toll from a boat which capsized off Bangladesh carrying is set to pass 60, the UN migration agency said today.

"Twenty-three people have been confirmed dead ... 40 are missing and presumed drowned," Organization for Migration (IOM) spokesperson Joel Millman told reporters in Geneva, referring to the accident.

"The total fatality toll is in the range of 60," he added, updating a previous toll of 19.

Survivors from the accident told IOM staff that the boat was carrying about 80 people, including 50 children, who were believed to be fleeing violence from Myanmar's northern Rakhine state.

"Survivors described being at sea all night, having no food," Millman said.

The drowning tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly accidents as desperate refugees surge into Bangladesh, where they are penned into ramshackle tent cities amid dire shortages of nearly all forms of aid.

Witnesses and survivors previously said that the overturned vessel was just metres from the coast in rough waters, after it was lashed by torrential rain and high winds.

"The Bay of Bengal has been a notorious killing zone for many years," Millman added, highlighting the dangers facing Rohingya migrants seeking safety via the sea.

He added that the "captain" of the vessel, who is a suspected trafficker, is missing and presumed dead, but not included in IOM's death toll, which counts only the migrants.

(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.)
Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson on Friday said it is in advance talks with some leading telecom operators in India over 5G technology and expect to sign MoU with them within six months.

"We are in advance stages of discussion with some of the Indian telecom operators and expect to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with them in six months," Country Manager Nitin Bansal told reporters here.

He said India has witnessed a massive surge in data traffic over the past 12-18 months and the trend is expected to continue.

The government has also formed a high-level forum to guide the country to start 5G service by 2020, a technology that will deliver the wireless broadband speed of about 10,000 mbps in urban areas and 1,000 mbps in rural belts.

Ericsson Head of Strategy, Business Area Networks, Christian Hedelin said the early deployment of 5G is expected to take place during Olympics in South Korea, fixed wireless network in North America.

"Large-scale field trials will happen in China in next 12-18 months," Hedelin said.

Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha has said that India will be among those few countries that will be in a position to launch 5G services by 2020.

As per the Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2017, data usage levels are expected to increase from the current 4GB per smartphone per month to about 11 GB per smartphone per month in 2022.

"World over, we are seeing demand for reduction in cost per gigabit and deployment of massive Internet of things solution. Besides these, in India we are seeing demand for these as well as massive MIMO technology where spectrum efficiency can be enhanced by 4-6 times," Hedelin said.

He said limiting factor for 5G deployment is a development of device ecosystem and suitable device are expected to be available by the end of 2019.

"From that stage to get to large-scale, affordable device segment will take another year or so. But I think, we don't push the technology for technology sake. There is a still lot left that 4G network can do. The industry should not stress," Hedelin said.

Ericsson has signed 5G collaboration agreements with over 30 operators, 20 industry partners and 45 universities and institutes around the world, including IIT Delhi.
In the 2004 comedy film Team America , Kim Jong-uns father, Kim Jong-il, is illustrative of a popular view of that both feeds and is fed by the perception that the Kim regime is irrational, crazy and evil.

This caricature is a poor foundation on which to build a policy.
As news broke today that Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy, had died aged 91, many were quick to point to the complicated legacy of both the magazine and the man behind it. Now popularly associated with his bevy of young lovers and infamous parties at the Playboy mansion, it would be easy to dismiss Hefner as merely an enduring barrier to the fight for gender equality. Yet to do so would to overlook the significant cultural impact of both Hefner and Playboy, particularly during the 1950s under the shroud of Cold War anxieties.
Iran may abandon the nuclear deal it reached with six major powers if the United States decides to withdraw from it, Iranian foreign minister told Qatars al Jazeera TV in New York.
The Islamic State issued on Thursday what appears to be the first recording in nearly a year of its reclusive leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a move that seems intended to silence rumors of his death and to galvanize his pummeled troops.
Ryanairs announcement that it is cancelling 18,000 flights between November and March has understandably evoked the ire of the 400,000 customers affected. And, hot on the heels of news that it was cancelling up to 50 flights a day from mid-September to the end of October, it is facing a PR nightmare and trouble with regulators.
S&P Global Ratings, which cut China's sovereign credit rating earlier this month, said in a report on Friday that the country's debt growth will slow over the next five years, though it will remain at levels that could cause financial stress.

The ratings agency downgraded China by one notch on Sept. 21 to A+ from AA-, citing mounting economic and financial risks from a prolonged period of strong credit growth.

China's debt could rise 77 per cent to 302 trillion yuan ($45 trillion) over 2017-2021, though the pace of growth is slowing, S&P said in a report titled "China's Credit Growth: A Slowing But Still Aggressive Rhino".

"Our base-case projection is that China's average credit growth will drop a third to 12 per cent annually for 2017-2021," said S&P analyst Terry Chan.

"Despite this slowdown, the rate is still above our projection for nominal gross domestic product, implying that the system's high credit risks could still incrementally increase. Therein lies the danger."

S&P said after the downgrade that China's attempts so far this year to reduce risks from its rapid build-up in debt were not working as quickly as expected.

But it said in its latest report that efforts to curb the surging leverage of state-owned enterprises and local government financing entities should start to bear fruit.

The country's economic planner said on Monday that China will focus on lowering leverage ratios among state-owned firms and winding down of "zombie firms" to reduce leverage ratios and control debt risks.

S&P, in a separate report published on Friday, said China's ambitions to tackle high corporate debt have had only tentative results so far, most likely due to a lack of specific targets and time-frames on debt reduction.

Other analysts say more comprehensive structural reforms are needed. Much of the corporate debt in China is held by state firms, which are often bloated and less efficient than private companies and have easier access to ample cheap credit.

The Monetary Fund warned this year that China's credit growth was on a "dangerous trajectory" and called for "decisive action".
Facing declining markets in Western countries, multinational food companies are targeting Africa, Asia, and Latin America as new consumers of packaged foods, in a move that may worsen the global epidemic of chronic illness related to diabetes. Governments are striking back at obesity risk factors, including unhealthy foods. Singapore, which might have as many as one million residents with diabetes by 2050, now requires soda producers to reduce sugar content. Obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases have now become a silent long-term challenge that will cost governments in healthcare liabilities and lost productivity.
The United States has ordered 60 percent of its staff to leave the American Embassy in Havana because of "specific attacks" on diplomats and will warn American tourists that some attacks have occurred in Cuban hotels, the Associated Press reported on Friday, citing unidentified senior officials.

The embassy will stop processing visas and will issue a new travel warning on Friday saying that some attacks occurred in Cuban hotels and US tourists could be exposed if they travel to Cuba, the officials told AP.
The Department of Homeland Security will soon begin collecting data from all immigrants entering the United States, part of what agency officials call an effort to more effectively screen those coming to the country but privacy advocates see as an unnecessary intrusion that would do little to protect national security.
The US will "watch" Pakistan's choices on President Donald Trump's new Afghan and South Asia strategy to combat terrorism in its tracks, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said.

At the same time, Mattis also lauded India's commitment towards the development in Afghanistan.

Trump, while announcing the new strategy for Afghanistan, had accused Pakistan of harbouring "agents of chaos" and providing safe havens to militant groups waging an insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul.

Pakistan has opposed Trump's Afghan and South Asia policy, saying it ignored the country's sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

But, Mattis during a visit to Kabul said the new strategy was "not exclusive of someone".

It is inclusive for all responsible states that want to stop terrorism in its tracks and defend the innocent, he said.

Mattis, who was in India before arriving in Kabul, said the South Asia strategy announced by the president in August was an opportunity for Pakistan.

"I agree 100 per cent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign," Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghan, according to a Pentagon transcript.

Mattis said that the United States would "watch" Islamabad's choices.

Ghani echoed Mattis' views.

This is primarily because for the first time, the United States seeks to hold Pakistan accountable for its support to terrorist groups and organisation.

Trump's also policy seeks greater developmental role for India in this war-torn country.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with both Mattis and Ghani, saying that this is a regional approach, which includes both Pakistan and India.

Both of them have to be included in a mutual approach.

He urged all countries in the region to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Mattis said India has been "very, very generous" in its development assistance to Afghanistan.

India is committed to doing even more to help the people of Afghanistan, he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The governments decision to disqualify over 100,000 individuals from taking up directorship at listed companies is likely to disturb the functioning of boards and hurt business sentiment, according to legal experts.
hit 52-week high of Rs 94.50, up 15% on BSE after the company said it has won a case against Pan Asia Industries, for recovery of outstanding dues of Rs 5.50 crore plus interest.
With the festive season, gold demand is slowly returning. However, customers now prefer barter deals, to avoid giving their identity details for jewellery buying above Rs 50,000  required since last month under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) provisions.
Ajay Tyagi, chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Friday took stock of operations at Gift City, Indias first international financial service centre (IFSC) set up at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The meeting held at Gift City was attended by senior officials of stock exchanges, clearing corporations and of the facility itself.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan should not provide sanctuaries to terrorist organisations.

Stoltenberg, who paid an unannounced visit to Kabul with U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis on Wednesday, in an interview to TOLOnews, said, "I have seen that several allies are concerned about sanctuaries for terrorists in Pakistan and neighbours should not host terrorist organisations; they should not provide sanctuaries."

He said the Taliban would never win on the battlefields and that "the main purpose of NATO's support to Afghan forces and the Afghan Government is to reach a political solution - for instability in Afghanistan."

"The Taliban; they have to understand that they will never win on the battlefield. We are ready to stay for a long whole but they will be able to reach a good political solution around the negotiating table," he added.

The NATO chief said the new U.S. strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia has the support of many allies of the organisation.

"There is broad support among the allies for the new (U.S.) strategy because we have all decided to increase the troop levels; not to go back to combat operations but to do more train, assist and advice for the Afghan security forces," he added.

He said they have started focussing on three areas: "more training of special operation forces, more help to develop the Afghan Air Force and also more help to build schools and education to improve command and control."

The NATO secretary general further termed corruption as a big concern for the achievements of the Afghan security forces and the Kabul government, however, adding that they have seen efforts by the government in this respect.

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Andhra Pradesh Information Technology (IT) Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday urged the Centre to chalk out a solution to combat the fatal Blue Whale Challenge.

Lokesh said the infamous challenge might jeopardize future of the youth of nation.

Lokesh today held a review meeting with IT department officials at the state secretariat and discussed setting up of Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security Operation Center.

"The cyber crimes are increasing worldwide. As many as 12 persons per second are getting affected by these crimes. Cyber attacks on government data through ransom ware are rampant. Andhra Pradesh Government is ahead in IT usage, thus prone to such attacks," he said.

Lokesh further said that in order to secure the data of the government and general public, Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security Operation Center should be set up with software security and data security as prime focal points.

"Proper study should be done and the center should be setup as soon as possible. While designing Cyber security policy, guidance and advice of police department be taken in order to tackle and control cyber crimes," Lokesh asserted.

He suggested that the center should be able to assess such threats beforehand and prevent them.

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In a major blow to Manchester City ahead of their trip to Chelsea, defender Benjamin Mendy has suffered a serious knee injury that leaves his chances of returning this season in doubt.

The French player sustained the injury during the first half of City's 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace in their Premier League clash at home.

Confirming the news of Mendy's injury, the club said that has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and that he would now undergo knee surgery.

"Manchester City FC can confirm that Benjamin Mendy has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. After initial tests in Manchester at the start of the week, Benjamin travelled to Barcelona to see a specialist doctor, where further examinations of the knee today confirmed the extent of the injury," goal.com quoted City as saying.

"Benjamin will undergo surgery [Friday] in Barcelona, and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery. Mancity.com will bring you regular updates regarding his rehabilitation." the club added.

Meanwhile, Mendy took to his Twitter account to reflect on his injury.

He wrote, "Bad news guys. I will be joining Injury FC on loan for a couple months with ruptured ACL but will be back soon and stronger hopefully."

It should be noted that City are currently standing at the top in Premier League table, having won eight out of nine games in all competitions.

Mendy had featured in five of those victories before being forced off the field after playing just 29 minutes against Palace.

City will lock horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that his government is trying to give a new identity to the state and maintained that six months after coming to power, change and progress is visible.

"The BJP has completed six months in Uttar Pradesh. Six months is not a long time for a government, but still the path and intentions of the government are now clear," he told ANI in an exclusive interview.

"With development and reliability, we have always moved forward. The government has started a new brand of politics in the state. We have tried to give a new identity to Uttar Pradesh which was earlier known for crimes, jungle raj, dynasty politics, casteism, and corruption," he added.

On the law and order front, anti-romeo squad was formed to keep a vigil to check incidents of harassing.

Adityanath's anti-romeo squad was a major hit among locals, who think that the step will surely take down criminals targeting women.

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered strict implementation of liquor ban at religious places of Vrindavan in Mathura, Ayodhya in Faizabad, Chitrakoot Naimisharanya in Sitapur, Deva Shareef in Barabanki and Devband in Saharanpur districts.

Yogi Adityanath had said that any negligence in this regard will be taken up seriously and officials responsible for it will be punished.

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Beijing, under United Nations sanctions imposed over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes, has ordered North Korean-owned businesses in China to close by January, cutting foreign revenue for them.

China's commerce ministry said on Thursday that companies, including joint ventures with Chinese firms, have 120 days to close from the date the U.N. resolution was adopted on September 11.

The sanctions, however, spare entities involved in non-commercial activities or public utility infrastructure projects that do not generate profits.

The latest round of sanctions approved by the U.N. Security Council bans member countries from operating joint ventures with North Korea.

China has long been considered North Korea's main trading partner, and also it diplomatic protector, but went along with the latest penalties out of growing frustration with the government of leader Kim Jong-un.

China, which provides the bulk of North Korea's energy supplies, announced on Saturday that it would cut off gas and limit shipments of refined petroleum products, effective January 1.

The United States had pressed China to use its economic leverage to force North Korea into giving up its nuclear ambitions.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit Beijing this weekend for talks with China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

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The Congress on Friday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as synonyms of economic mismanagement.

Speaking to ANI here, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "The truth is people are tired of Modinomics and Jaitleynomics, because they have wrecked India's economy. Now the economic mismanagement has become synonymous with Prime Minister Modi and Jaitley."

Reacting to the Finance Minister's remarks today on BJP veteran Yashwant Sinha, Surjewala said that the former's statements were marked with disdain, arrogance and 'jumlas.'

"What the Finance Minister said today was merely, arrogantly mocking at his predecessor Yaswant Sinha, who is the senior party leader of the BJP," he said.

Taking on Jaitley over the present economic crisis, the Congress leader said, "He did not utter a single word about jobs, about GDP growth that is reducing from 9 to 5.7 percent, about falling exports, about falling investments, credit growth, about revenue being collected from petro taxes."

"The entire country hopes that the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister would provide a meaningful way out of the economic crisis and economic downturn that is hurting India's economy on account of their mismanagement and complete dejection of economy," he added.

Meanwhile, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken expressed happiness over Yashwant Sinha's remark over state of economy.

A day after Sinha castigated Finance Minister Jaitley of making a mess of the Indian economy; the latter on Thursday defended the government policies and said he does not have the luxury of being a former finance minister.

Taking a dig at the former finance minister, Jaitley at a book release programme said, "I must confess that I do not have the luxury as yet of being a former finance minister nor do I have the luxury of being a former finance minister who has turned a columnist. Therefore, I can conveniently forget a policy paralysis, four billion reserve left in 1991 and I can switch over and change a narrative. Speaking on persons and then bypassing the issues is something which is very easily done."

Backing the demonetisation move, Jaitley said that the government intended to expose the black money market and track down those operating in it.

"Demonetisation was not synonymous with confiscation of money. We gave an opportunity to people to come clean about their accounts held abroad. The prime minister had a very strong agenda on creating a new normal as far as the shadow economy in India was concerned," he said.

Jaitley further said that he is being criticised for bringing out reforms too quickly.

"I am being criticised for doing incremental changes. Post the GST, the biggest criticism was that why I implemented it so quickly after demonetisation," he said.

Jaitley also took the occasion to downplay remarks that the economy is on a downward spiral and said, "The Direct tax figures are 15.7 per cent over and above last year's figure, so this so-called slowdown visualised by some, hasn't even impacted.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday started its initial investigation against Dera Sacha Sauda under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation.

ED has started the investigation on the directions issued by Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday.

According to ED sources, the amount spent on Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's films will be probed.

It will also investigate the foreign funding received by the Dera chief.

In its probe, the ED is likely to question the self proclaimed godman, who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was convicted in two rape cases.

Also, Dera's Charted Accountant and Honeypreet Insan, the adopted daughter of Ram Rahim will be questioned.

Earlier in the day, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower Ramchandra was arrested by Haryana Police on the charges of instigating violence in Panchkula post conviction of Ram Rahim by special CBI court.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed sadness over the Mumbai Stampede incident, assuring that strict action will be taken against the culprits.

Fadnavis, who visited KEM hospital, to meet the injured people in the incident told media, "The incident that happened here, whole Maharashtra and the country is deeply saddened due to this incident. A total of 22 people died in this, about 39 people are admitted in the hospital, where in one person is in critical condition. However, the situation of others injured is better now and they are out of danger. The railway ministry has ordered for the investigation. There will be a strict investigation in this and there will be action against the culprits."

He apprised that the railway ministry has started an audit of foot overbridges (FOBs) at stations so that similar incident is not repeated in the future.

The Chief Minister further gave assurance to the railway ministry that the state government and local administration will do everything needed.

Earlier, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal assured that all the suburban stations in Mumbai will be inspected within a week.

Goyal said, "Employees of Mumbai Railways have accepted my request to not celebrate Dussehra in the wake of the Mumbai Stampede incident. In the next seven days, all suburban stations will be inspected to identify vulnerable issues; we will speed up work on foot-over bridge (FOB)."

The Western Railways stated a clarification that there was no structural damage in the FOB (foot over bridge) which can be attributed to the stampede.

The Western Railways, in a statement, asserted that there was overcrowding at the foot over bridge due to heavy rains and people panicked on rumours of foot over bridge collapsing.

Earlier yeseterday, 22 people were killed and over 39 seriously got injured in a rush-hour stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station's foot over bridge.

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At least one person died and six others were injured in an explosion that occurred at the seventh street of Qala-e-Fathullah area in Kabul.

The injured were taken to a state-owned hospital in the city, Tolo News quoted Ismail Kawoosi, spokesman for Ministry of Public Health as saying.

Many casualties are feared. The eyewitnesses said that the attacker apparently had sheep and wanted to take them close to a mosque in the area.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. More details are awaited.

A day ago about 30 rockets were fired at Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul and both Taliban and ISIS claimed to take the responsibility for the attack. Taliban said that their target was visiting U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis.

On August 25, one suicide bomber blew himself up outside Imam Zaman Mosque in Qala-e-Najarha area in Afghanistan capital of Kabul 's PD11 killing 25 people and wounding dozens.

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Farewell ceremony of Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Sulkhan Singh was organised in Lucknow today.

Sulkhan Singh, a 1980-batch IPS officer, is set to retire by month-end.

Earlier on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh government had sent a proposal to the Central Government for the extension of Singh's tenure by three months.

However, speculation was rife that Sulkhan Singh's tenure will not be extended.

A high-level panel takes the decision on appointment of the new DGP on the chief minister's recommendation.

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In reaction to the unilateral vote on independence held on Monday, a flight ban on Iraq's Kurdistan, imposed by the government in Baghdad, has gone into effect at the autonomous region's airports.

The ban began at 6 p.m. (local time) at the airports of Kurdistan's capital Erbil and its second city of Sulaimaniya, according to the Alsumaria News.

Iraq gave Kurdistan until Friday evening to hand over control of its airports or face a flight ban.

Iraqi Kurds had earlier voted overwhelmingly in favour of declaring independence from Iraq in a historic referendum.

According to official results announced by the Kurdish electoral commission on Wednesday, more than 92 per cent of the roughly 3 million people who cast valid ballots on Monday voted "yes" to independence.

The poll took place despite vehement opposition from the Iraqi government, which described it as unconstitutional and authorised use of force against Iraqi Kurdistan.

The Kurdistan Regional Government says the "referendum will give a mandate for talks to secede from Iraq, although Baghdad has already ruled out such talks."

Numbering 30 million, Kurds make up a sizable minority in a number of Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey.

The Kurds have never had a nation of their own, despite nearly a century of Kurdish nationalist movements in various countries.

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Former Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Friday said that it was very bold decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve 2015, 2016 surgical strikes in Myanmar and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) respectively.

Talking to reporters here, General (retd.) Suhag said, "Both strikes were very successful, without any casualties to our ppl. It was bold decision of Prime Minister Modi to approve surgical strikes."

He said the surgical strikes acted as a deterrent and upped India's image nationally and internationally.

"The impact of such strikes is deterrence and in last one year we have not had any major incident. With these surgical strikes, pride as well as image of the nation, nationally & internationally, has gone up manifold," former Army Chief said.

Indian Army on June 10, 2015 conducted surgical strikes against Naga terrorist camps along the Indo-Myanmar international border, and destroyed two Militant camps one each of Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) (NSCN-K) and Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup (KYKL).

India retaliated as on June 4, 2015, NSCN-K ambushed an Indian Army convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district of Manipur and killed 18 Army jawans.

The second surgical strike was India's response to the 2016 Uri attack. On September 18, 2016, four Pakistani terrorists had attacked the Indian army at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, and killed 19 soldiers.

On September 29, 2016, Indian Army conducted surgical strike across Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and destroyed terrorist launch pads and killed many terrorists.

General (retd.) Suhag was the Army Chief when the Army conducted these two surgical strikes.

On Wednesday, Indian Army once again targeted Naga insurgent group NSCN-K along India-Myanmar border after an Indian Army's column was attacked by unidentified insurgents while they were operating along Indo-Myanmar border.

"Heavy casualties reportedly inflicted on NSCN(K) cadre. No casualties suffered by Indian Security Forces," Eastern Command of Indian Army tweeted.

The "firefight" started at around 4.45 a.m. and lasted for a couple of hours. Confirming the report, the Eastern Command of the Indian Army said none of its personnel were hurt in the operation, contradicting reports that had suggested otherwise.

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Thailand's former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who has been sentenced to five years in prison, has reportedly sought political asylum in the United Kingdom, CNN reported.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday that Yingluck was hiding in Dubai, where her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, another former Thai prime minister, lives in exile.

But a source in her Pheu Thai Party revealed that Yingluck left Dubai for London two weeks ago, CNN reported.

The UK's Home Office, which deals with asylum applications, told CNN it does not comment on individual cases.

Thailand's Supreme Court convicted Yingluck on Wednesday of dereliction of duty over a controversial rice subsidy programme and sentenced her to five years in prison. The scheme cost the country billions of dollars.

Having already fled the country, Yingluck was not present for the verdict and sentencing.

Yingluck, whose elected government was overthrown in 2014 by the army generals in a military coup, had been barred from leaving Thailand without court approval since 2015, when her trial started.

Yingluck had denied allegations relating to a mishandled and costly rice subsidy scheme.

Her bail of 30 million baht ($900,000), posted when the trial began more than two years ago, has been confiscated.

Yingluck became Thailand's first female prime minister in 2011 but after the 2014 coup, she was impeached by Thailand's military-appointed National Legislative Assembly. The ruling barred her from political office for five years.

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Indian origin Vatican priest, Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was rescued from the ISIS captivity, has arrived in Bengaluru on Friday morning.

Father Tom thanked the almighty for his rescue from Yemen.

"I thank God almighty. I thank everybody in the name of Jesus," Father Tom told the media here.

Yesterday, Father Tom returned to New Delhi, and informed that his captors did not harm him physically.

While addressing a press conference in the capital, father Tom had said, "God has a mission for all of us and my mission is to be present for the old and the dying. I have prayed for those who kept me (captive). They gave me food and didn't harm me physically. Initially they asked who'll help me out from this situation- the government or Church? After some time they stopped asking me."

Father Tom also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Father Uzhunnalil was rescued on September 12.

He was reportedly kidnapped on March 4, 2016 by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Yemen, when they attacked a retirement home in Aden run by the Missionaries of Charity, killing sixteen people, including four nuns.

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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday informed that Infant Mortality Rate, IMR in India has declined by three points, from 37 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016, compared to two points decline last year.

According to Sample Registration System, SRS bulletin, India has also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time come down to below 25 million.

India has registered 90000 fewer infant deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015. The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down from 930000 (9.3 Lakhs) in 2015 to 840000 (8.4 lakhs) in 2016.

According to the SRS Bulletin the gender gap in India for child survival is reducing steadily. The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced.

The results signify that the strategic approach of the government has started yielding dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off.

Among the Empowered Action Group (EAG) States and Assam, all States except Uttarakhand have reported decline in IMR in comparison to 2015.

The decline is reported as 4 points in Bihar, 3 points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Rajasthan.

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The leader of the main opposition party in Japan has announced it would not field any candidates in next month's snap election.

Instead, Seiji Maehara, the leader of the Democratic Party, urged members to run as candidates for a new party called Kibo no to (Party of Hope) which was launched only the day before by popular Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike.

The move is being seen as a bid to form a united political ?front in attempts to topple Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in snap elections set for October 22.

Following the announcement, Abe criticised what Japanese media has called a de-facto merger between the main opposition and the new Kibo no To party.

On Monday, Abe had officially confirmed snap elections next month.

The PM appeared to be capitalising on a recent surge in popularity following a strong stance against North Korea firing ballistic missiles over Japan.

This was followed by Koike's announcement of the dynamic new Kibo no To party, which pledged to "transform the political landscape by balancing bold reform with a conservative ethos."

Abe dissolved the parliament on Thursday and confirmed the date for the election, thereafter.

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White House senior advisor and United States President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, in his closed interview with the staff of the Senate intelligence committee, did not share the information about the existence of his personal email account, which he had used for official business.

The CNN has also learned that "the chair and vice chair of the committee were so unhappy that they learned about the existence of his personal email account via news reports that they wrote him a letter via his attorney, on Thursday instructed him to double-check that he has turned over every relevant document to the committee including those from his 'personal email account' described to the news media, as well as all other email accounts, messaging apps, or similar 'communications channels, or that may contain information relevant to our inquiry.'"

The issue is said to likely to become more serious if there emerge any emails or communications related to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election that Kushner has not turned over, and whether he did so with the sole purpose of concealing information from the committee.

"It is perfectly normal that the committees would want to make sure that they received all pertinent records. We did review this account at the time and there were no responsive or relevant documents there. The committee was so informed when documents were produced and there is no issue here," the CNN quoted Kushner's attorney, Abbe Lowell, as saying.

Earlier this week, the prankster, pretending to be Kushner, wrote to his real attorney, Lowell, about the (fictitious) adult content of emails he had shared with the White House officials.

He asked his lawyer what to do with pictures "featuring adult content" he said he had received. The lawyer responded: "Don't delete. Don't send to anyone. Let's chat in a bit."

The CNN reports that, earlier on Thursday, "when Lowell attempted to forward the very real letter from the very legitimate Senate intelligence committee leaders, his email auto-fill supplied the address of the very fake Kushner account run by the prankster."

The email was inadvertently forwarded to the prankster's address.

In a statement to the CNN, the prankster explained: "The original prank's intention was to meet hypocrisy and cronyism with levity and a soupcon of embarrassment, instead of giving into the well worn grooves of anger and frustration. There's a dash of modern-day surrealism creeping in at times, and this is evolving the more friends I make in the US."

Kushner has earlier also been criticised for initially not disclosing more than 100 contacts with foreign leaders including those from Russia, as well as ownership of a multimillion dollar tech company with links to Goldman Sachs and businessmen Peter Thiel and George Soros.

The Washington Post also reported that three times this summer, Kushner had filed updates to his national security questionnaire because of missing information.

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A defence expert on Friday said the need of the hour is that Kashmiri people should help the security forces in eliminating the menace of militancy.

The statement comes amid the reports that the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was behind the brutal killing of Border Security Force (BSF) constable Mohammad Ramzan Parray.

Speaking to ANI here, Major General (retired) P.K. Sehgal said, "It is time that Kashmiri people do realise that these militants are absolutely and completely no friends of them. The Kashmiri people can be eyes and ears of the security forces and can give all the information of the militants in a timely manner so that all of them are eliminated."

Sehgal further stated that these militants continue to survive in Kashmir, because the separatists continue to provide them with all possible support to carry their plans forward.

"These militants only want to kill them and create chaos and they continue to survive in Kashmir, because the separatists continue to provide them with logistics support and give them all information and early inputs about the movements of the security forces," he added.

Earlier in the day, North Kashmir Inspector General Nitish Kumar confirmed that there were three to four terrorists, who first attacked BSF jawan Parray with knife and then fired indiscriminately at him.

"Around 9 o'clock, Jawan Ramzan Parray, who was on a leave in his hometown was attacked by three to four terrorists. First, they attacked him with knife and then fired indiscriminately. Prima facie we know that Lashkar-e-Taiba's Mohammed Bhai and his aides were behind the attack," he added.

He said that other family members, his father two brothers and an aunt were all lynched. And, all of them are in the hospital now.

Unarmed Jawan Parray was shot dead by terrorists on Wednesday evening.

The 31-year-old BSF constable was deployed with the border-guarding force's 73rd battalion and had come home to the Bandipora district on leave.

Expressing solidarity with his family, the BSF, India tweeted: "Prahari Pariwar stands by the family of one of our member Constable Md Ramzan who was cowardly killed by terrorists today. He was on leave.

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The Men in Black back coming back next summer and how!

Sony Pictures has fast tracked a spinoff of its billion-dollar alien franchise, Men in Black, which has set a release date of May 17, 2019, reports the Deadline.

The untitled film script will be written by Matt Holloway and Art Marcum, the duo who penned 'Iron Man' and 'Transformers: The Last Knight.'

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are expected not to reprise their roles as the two secretive agents, who supervise extraterrestrial life forms who live on Earth and hide their existence from ordinary humans.

The new spin off is said to focus on a new set of agents and characters.

The new 'MiB' is being produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald and will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg.

The director's name is not revealed yet.

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Expressing grief over the stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the situation is being continuously monitored.

Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and said that Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is in Mumbai and is taking stock of the situation and ensuring all the assistance.

"My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. Piyush Goyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance," he said in a series of tweet.

In similar sentiments, President Ram Nath Kovind also took to Twitter to pay his condolence.

"Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured," President Kovind said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his condolences over the tragedy and announced 5 lakh ex gratia for the next of the kins of deceased, stating that all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by Government of Maharashtra.

"Saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone railway station, foot over bridge," Fadnavis wrote on Twitter.

He also spoke to the Chief Secretary and Mumbai Commissioner of Police and "asked them to reach hospital to monitor and ensure that everyone gets all the help."

He further said that enquiry will be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action will be taken.

Meanwhile, Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has reached the site of stampede.

At least 22 people were killed in a stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station. The stampede took place on foot-over bridge, linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations.

Initial reports suggest that more than 33 people are injured. BMC's disaster management unit said "required agencies have been mobilised."

Elphinstone station is usually crowded during the peak hours as it caters to office-goers in the Lower Parel area. The station, on the Western Line of the Mumbai suburban rail network, also connects to Parel station on the Central line.

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The police have arrested a teacher, who mercilessly thrashed a 16-year-old student for not having an Aadhar identification card.

The incident took place at the Oxford English High School located in Mumbai's Ghatkopar.

The teacher identified as Shyam Bahadur Vishwakarma had hit the student named Suhail Ansari on the head, where he had already had an injury. Due to this, presently, the student is admitted in the nearby Sion hospital.

After listening to the entire incident, the victim's parents reached the school, whereas the concerned teacher denied the reports of beating up the student.

However, the CCTV footage revealed the truth. In the video, the teacher is seen beating Suhail with a stick.

On the basis of parents' complaint, a case was filed at the Ghatkopar Police Station under sections 323, 324 and 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the teacher.

Further investigation is underway.

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The violence against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar appears to be a classic case of "ecpoite thinking cleansing", the United States envoy to the UN said, on Thursday.

"We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority," Nikki Haley, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, told the Security Council, during its first open meeting on Myanmar in eight years.

Haley said the Naypyidaw government must allow the media and the humanitarian access to the Rakhine state, the home to the Rohingyas.

The ongoing violence "should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open democratic Burma", Haley said, using Myanmar's former name.

Haley also urged all countries to suspend arms sales to Myanmar and the prosecution of military members involved in the bloodshed.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "more than 5,00,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since August.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq called it "the largest mass refugee movement in the region in decades".

Since August 25, approximately 4,80,000 Rohingya have crossed from Myanmar's western state of Rakhine into Bangladesh, according to the U.N.

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Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sought Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's support through controversial real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, to deal with the challenges he and his party are facing after his ouster.

Sharif's meeting with Riaz at the former's Jati Umra residence lasted for about two hours. The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif .

The meeting indicate that some back channel efforts are under way to secure some 'relief' for the Sharif family, but a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz insider said that Sharif wanted the PPP to cooperate with the PML-N in and outside parliament, the Dawn reported.

"The Sharif brothers' meeting with Malik Riaz is important in the current political situation. The former prime minister direly needs PPP support to deal withn the prevailing crisis," a source said, adding that Sharif trusted Riaz for delivering his message to Zardari to "fully cooperate" with him primarily to strengthen the democratic set-up.

Riaz came close to them by extending financial assistance to Hamza, son of Shahbaz Sharif, who was here to look after the family businesses. However, since the Sharifs returned to the country in 2007, Riaz could not enjoy cordial relations with them due to his closeness with Zardari.

Riaz's close circle is of the view that in the past he tried to broker a deal between the establishment and Sharif.

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Pakistan Army on Friday announced a major reshuffle of three senior generals, including former director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, Lt General Asim Bajwa, who has been posted as corps commander southern command (Quetta).

The high-level transfers were announced after General John W. Nicholson, the top United States commander in Afghanistan, claimed that the U.S. was aware of Afghan Taliban leadership's presence in Peshawar and Quetta, adding that the military would continue to put pressure on Taliban sanctuaries inside and outside Afghanistan.

Lt Gen Asim Bajwa replaced Lt Gen Aamer Riaz, the Dawn newspaper quoted a statement issued by the ISPR, the army's media wing.

Lt Gen Riaz has been appointed Corps Commander Lahore, while Lt Gen Sadiq Ali, who currently holds the position, has been posted as inspector general of the Arms Branch at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, ISPR said.

Lt Gen Ali will replace Lt Gen Asim Bajwa, who was posted as the inspector general of the Arms Branch by Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Lt Gen Asim Bajwa remained the public face of the military for nearly four-and-a-half years, and was the first three-star general to hold the position.

He was succeeded as DG ISPR by Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the current ISPR chief, in Dec 2016.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in his first address as the commander-in-chief, called for greater troop deployment in Afghanistan while lambasting Pakistan for offering safe havens to "agents of chaos".

The reshuffle in Pakistan army took place almost 10 months after army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa relocated 10 top commanders in December 2016, the Express Tribune reported.

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Residents of Falakun village of Neelum Valley in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest demonstration against the Pakistan Army and its intelligence agencies by blocking a road in the area.

Shouting slogans like 'jine ka haq do' (Give us the right to live) and demanding information about the whereabouts of people who have been made to disappear at the hands of the Pakistan Army, the protesters claimed that local youth are being abducted and tortured up by the latter.

They further claimed that the Pakistan Army has been employing pressure tactics on the local youth to cross into the Indian territory and indulge in acts of spying for them.

"Pakistan's intelligence agency officials offer to pay Rs.500 to Rs. 3,000 to the locals and force them to do spying. We are not traitors. Despite having the army's presence in the area, we have never engaged in an anti-army campaign. We want justice."

The villagers also blamed the Pakistan Army for grabbing their lands in spite of showing proof of registration of property.

A villager, who joined the protest, questioned, "Where would we go and with whom should we meet? I have receipts of my registry, which I want to show to the media and the people of the Neelum Valley. I have made all attempts to raise my voice, but no one is there to listen."

People living in the border areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are facing a tough existence, as the army continues to exploit them as proxies against India. Youngsters who ignore these requests are abducted, tortured and killed.

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Farmers in Punjab on Friday as mark of protest blocked Amritsar- Delhi railway route at Manawala near Amritsar demanding their loans to be waived off.

Earlier on June 21, farmers in Ludhiana staged a protest on Highway (NH-1) demanding a loan waiver.

On June 19, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had announced a total waiver of entire crop loans up to Rs. 2 lakh for small and marginal farmers up to five acres, and a flat Rs. 2 lakh relief for all other marginal farmers, irrespective of their loan amount.

Making the announcements during his speech in the Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said the move would benefit a total of 10.25 lakh farmers, including 8.75 lakh farmers up to 5 acres.

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Richard Linklater's upcoming movie 'Last Flag Flying' is about Vietnam War veterans who reunite to bury Carell's character's son, a soldier who died in Iraq.

When asked how relevant he finds the movie in today's Trump era, the director said, "That's interesting. I don't know if it's any different. Any president, particularly of our country, is in a really, really powerful spot to influence such things. So if Hillary [Clinton] were there, it would be the same thing, as we know, she hasn't always been a pacifist on these issues. There's always saber rattling going on."

"This is an ageless, timeless tale about how wars affect people. It probably forever falls into the, I don't know what category of war movie it is, hopefully cautionary. Maybe you should just always remember the human toll, not just the big-picture, win-lose element," added Linklater.

The director also revealed a story of them shooting on the election night that they expected to be a party, but then turned out exactly opposite.

"We shot last year in the fall; we were in Pittsburgh shooting the scene with Cicely Tyson on election night. She's a big Hillary supporter and had to vote absentee. We expected that night to be a party; Ted Hope from Amazon was in town with us. As the night went on, we just said, "Well, we got to get up early in the morning, so. The next day we shot the scene with the five coffins covered in American flags, and we just had to laugh and say, "We feel like that's us in there," noted Linklater.

The 'Boyhood' helmer also shared that he does not believe in shooting combat, blood and guts or any of the heroism of typical war movies.

He added, "But I was interested in the characters. They echo a lot about Vietnam and Iraq and the long-term effects of war: how it bonds people for life, how it tears people apart and kills people."

'Last Flag Flying' which stars Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell and Laurence Fishburne in pivotal roles is slated to release on November 3 in US.

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In a veiled attack at Pakistan, Chief Executive of Afghanistan Dr Abdullah Adbullah said that Afghanistan has never differentiated between good and bad terrorists and that his country is facing tremendous challenges, including terrorism but "those who are supporting terrorism should not take pride in that."

"Some countries think Daesh or ISIS is the main threat and terrorism is terrorism but as far as Afghanistan is concerned we have not made differences between terrorist groups and termed them as good and bad,for us terror is terror ," Dr Abdullah said referring indirectly to Pakistan which has been on record in differentiating between good and bad Taliban.

Delivering a lecture on Regional Peace-Building in New Delhi, Dr Abdullah said, terror groups are threatening the security of Afghanistan and it is a big challenge for the whole region.

He said, Afghanistan wants friendly relations with all nations in the region. He said, the relationship between Afghanistan and India has further strengthened in the last 16 yrs and it has made a difference to lives of millions of Afghans. He said, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan is in the interest of the region.In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Dr. Abdullah said terrorism should not be used as an instrument of foreign policy.

Reiterating that there is an opportunity for Pakistan to come together for the stability of the region "Afghanistan is not a threat to its neighbours and will not be as a threat to the neighbourhood .We have extended hands of friendship to all neighbouring countries and certainly we have expected the countries to reciprocate," Dr. Abdullah added.

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, which denies of providing safe-havens to terror groups, the Afghanistan CEO said, ''There are groups which are threatening security of Afghanistan. It's a big challenge for the whole region,it is become evident because the challenges have been identified and different ways and methods are being employed to deal with but denial is another problem as it leads to exaggeration of the problems and thereby deepening of the challenges."

"Afghanistan welcomes the recognition of the rightful role of India as a global player but at the same time in this region it plays a very imminent economic force,it provides an opportunity for all those who are fighting against the stability of the region ,who think that they could come back by force there is a message in it ," Dr. Abdullah said.

"There is a real opportunity, to make all players in this region make the right choices forces of evil in darkness cannot prevail forever but at the same time they can create impediments hurdles hindrances, these are the realities."

The minister further said,''Sacrifices our ppl are making and support we receive from International community and friendly nations like India enabled us to pursue our goals. In our relations with Pakistan we have some serious challenges

Dr.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday hit out at the Opposition for criticising the state's loan waiver to the farmers and said those who worsened the condition of farmers are mocking about it.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also talked about various issues including, Centre's economic policy, Ram Temple issue and the controversial Gorakhpur BRD Hospital tragedy.

Blaming the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for the farmers' miserable condition, Adityantah said, "Those who have worsened the condition of farmers are mocking our government's farm loan waiver. The loan amounting to Rs.10000 to Rs. 1 lakh of more than 12,56,000 farmers is waived off. The Congress, SP and BSP are equally responsible for the poor condition of the farmers."

Talking about the Ram Mandir issue, the Chief Minister said the matter is sentimental but the court is the ultimate decision maker.

"Construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is attached with the sentiment of people but the matter is sub-judice. We must wait for the verdict. However, we can't overlook the significance of Ayodhya. Crore of Hindus consider Ayodhya as a symbol of belief," he added.

Talking about the law and order condition in the state, he stressed the maintaining rule of law is state government's priority and added that previous government criminalised the politics for their own benefit.

"Unfortunately, the previous government for its political benefit criminalised the politics and gave entry to some criminals in the politics. The crime was an industry for Samajwadi Party and BSP. They could not succeed in establishing industries so they did industrialization of crime. Rule of law in the state is our priority. Nobody is allowed to take law in his or her hand. If you abduct anyone or open fire at the police then the police will also counter-attack," he added.

The Chief Minister also discussed the economic policy of India and said the steps taken by the Centre to improve the economic condition of the country are hailed by the entire nation.

"The whole nation appreciated the steps taken by the Centre to improve the economic condition of the country. We have witnessed swiftness in the economy of India. India is the fastest growing economy today," he said.

He further said that introduction of demonetisation was a courageous step for the economy and an attack on corruption and black marketing.

"In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership is great and that is why the demonetisation was implemented successfully. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) can be implemented only by an effective leadership. GST is a boon for states like Uttar Pradesh. Its results will be positive and in the interest in the coming days," he added.

Talking about the Gorakhpur BRD Hospital tragedy in which over 70 infants were died because of encephalitis, the Chief Minister said the deaths cannot be overlooked.

Aditynath, however, slammed the Opposition for creating a hue and cry over it and asked them to introspect.

"The deaths cannot be overlooked. We have taken a strict action against it. We won't tolerate negligence from people who are at a responsible position. Can you tell the name of the single hospital where the death of patient didn't happen? The doctors can make efforts at this level, the government can provide facilities," he said.

"When we compare the death records of the year 2015 and 2017, we can find that death records are less in the current year. The Opposition does not have any topic to discuss. The Congress BSP and SP should introspect the steps they took when they were in power," he added.
Twitter has informed the United States Congress that it found and took an action against as many as 200 accounts, after they were determined to be linked to Russia and sought to interfere in the American politics.

"Of the roughly 450 accounts that Facebook recently shared as a part of their review, we concluded that 22 had corresponding accounts on Twitter. All of those identified accounts had already been or immediately were suspended from Twitter for breaking our rules," Twitter announced in a blog post on Thursday.

"In addition, from those accounts, we found an additional 179 related or linked accounts, and took action on the ones we found in violation of our rules," the post added.

Earlier in the day, the social media company met with the Senate and House intelligence committees, amid the ongoing congressional investigations into Russia's efforts to interfere with the 2016 presidential campaign, including through social media.

The above-mentioned information was also shared in the meeting.

Some of the tweets from these accounts promoted anti-Hillary Clinton stories, the CNN reports.

Twitter shut down Russian-linked accounts only based upon work Facebook had already done to identify the users, according to the CNN.

Twitter has not made details about the accounts public.

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At least five terrorists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group were killed in an airstrike carried out by the United States forces in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on Wednesday.

The airstrike was carried out in the Haska Mina district, The Khaama Press quoted the provincial government media office as saying.

Meanwhile, the Afghan security forces have arrested two ISIS terrorists during an operation in Chaparhar district.

However, the ISIS has not commented on the incident so far.

Earlier this week, at least eight terrorists of the ISIS group's offshoot, ISIS Khorsan were killed in an airstrike by the U.S. forces in the province.

The air strikes were carried out by the US forces on Monday night in which several weapons, ammunition, and explosives belonging to the terror group were also destroyed, the statement further said.

An anti-ISIS as well as anti-Taliban operations are underway to eliminate the presence of ISIS affiliates in Nangarhar province and the U.S. forces are providing airstrikes support to the Afghan forces during the operations.

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The United States and more specifically the Trump Administration must continue to lean on Pakistan to rid itself of its Jihadi instruments if it wants to ensure stability in South Asia, feels an academic expert on the region.

In an article written for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Ashley J. Tellis, has said that the United States must avoid becoming an accessory to Rawalpindi's (Pakistan Army headquarters) strategy of what he terms "extortionary engagement".

"Washington must resist, for both political and moral reasons, any complicity with the Pakistan Army's quest for dividends through blackmail. This is now essential because of the risks posed to regional stability, the U.S. and allied homelands, and ultimately, the viability of Pakistan itself," Tellis says.

He warns that the absence of such concerted action by Washington; will result in any talks for peace and stability between Pakistan and India not being "worth a damn".

Tellis further goes on to say that global calls for bilateral engagement are actually counter-productive because "they embolden Pakistan to persist in a fruitless strategy of coercion".

Tellis describes this routine international call for India and Pakistan to engage in a dialogue as misguided.

In his view, the discord between India and Pakistan is rooted in long-standing ideological, territorial, and power-political antagonisms fueled by the Pakistan Army's desire to subvert and prevent India's ascendency as a great power and to exact revenge for past Indian military victories, besides its aspirations to be treated on par with India despite huge differences in capabilities, achievements, and prospects.

Tellis, who holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in international security and American foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent, further opines that the Pakistan Army's other ambition is to preserve its dominance in domestic politics.

"(The) Pakistan Army feels emboldened by international calls for bilateral engagement, believing that its strategy of nuclear coercion successfully invites foreign pressure on India to make concessions on territory and other issues thus far out of reach," Tellis says.

He describes India as being a country and a government that is content with the status quo vis-a-viz Pakistan, but at the same time, faced with the pressing strategic challenge of countering the rise of China.

"India sees Pakistan's antagonism and its support for terrorism as distractions that consume resources otherwise better spent on fueling its ascent on the stage. In contrast, Pakistan aims to revise the status quo. It sees India as an existential threat to its survival and perceives itself to be India's genuine peer competitor," says Tellis.

Broadly, he says that the Pakistan Army's aim is to protect the "ideology of Pakistan" to sustain the perilous notion of retaining "a permanent Muslim resistance toward a "Hindu India."

He believes that India has clear geopolitical, economic, and military superiority, which prevents Pakistan from revising the status quo by force.

"The path to peace depends largely on Pakistan's willingness to accept its current strategic circumstances," Tellis says.

From an international perspective, Tellis suggests that the United States and others in the international community should recognize that in the current environment, continued dialogue will not extinguish entrenched grievances that drive the Pakistan Army's passionate animosity toward India.

Washington and others will need to be subtle in convincing both Pakistan and India to work towards a peace settlement between them, and on the other continue to press the Pakistan Army to cease support to Jihadi terrorism in and against India.

He describes this demand of the international community for a dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad as a "tired shibboleth that crops up repeatedly" in the belief that it can end Pakistan's long campaign of cross-border terrorism against India.

"Not surprisingly then, the clamor for dialogue often reaches a crescendo in the aftermath of a significant Pakistani terrorist attack in India," Tellis claims.

He concludes by saying, "U.S. intercession in their (India and Pakistan's) bilateral dispute.. could not only be futile, but also counter-productive to the cause of peace because it encourages Rawalpindi to persist in waging a sub-conventional war against India in the hope that Washington decisively intervenes to finally produce outcomes favorable to Pakistan."

Washington's approach, he says, must be subtle and focused on pressing Rawalpindi to end state-sponsored terrorism targeted against India.

Lasting peace between the two South Asian rivals will not be possible without a structural change and an alteration of the strategic culture within Pakistan.

Creating "balanced" incentives for each nation to maintain bilateral diplomatic engagement is difficult, because India's clear geopolitical, economic, and military superiority implies that it does not have to offer radical compromises to procure harmony

Should the United States inject itself into the India-Pakistan stalemate, it will lose on three counts: (1): It will have been suckered by Pakistan into intervening on behalf of a weaker state that seeks to avoid accepting the realities that could lead to resolving at least some of the disputes with India; second, by incurring Indian displeasure (2) It will have lost India as a strategic partner on matters far more important to the United States outside of South Asia; and third, for all these inconveniences (3) It will have made resolving the disputes between India and Pakistan even harder than they are already because there is nothing Washington can give to New Delhi to surrender its upper hand or to Rawalpindi to accept a graceful submission.

The best course of action for the United States is to stay out of the India-Pakistan contention altogether, leaving it up to both states to reach any agreements that can based on their relative powers.

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Bharat Heavy Electricals rose 1.81% to Rs 84.40 at 13:54 IST on BSE after ratings agency Ind-Ra revised its outlook on the company to stable from negative.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 208.15 points, or 0.67% to 31,490.63.

On the BSE, 8.29 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 8.40 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 84.80 and a low of Rs 83.20 so far during the day.

Rating agency Ind-Ra revised Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel)'s outlook to stable from negative while affirming the rating for bank facilities at IND AA+.

Fund-based working capital limits was rated as IND AA+/Stable/ IND A1+. Non-fund based working capital limits were rated IND AA+/Stable/ IND A1+.

Bhel's net profit rose 3.9% to Rs 80.82 crore on 2.4% decline in net sales to Rs 5380.60 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.

Bhel is an integrated power plant equipment manufacturer and one of the largest engineering and manufacturing companies of its kind in India engaged in the design, engineering, manufacture, construction, testing, commissioning and servicing of a wide range of products and services for core sectors of the economy. The Government of India holds 63.06% stake in Bhel (as per the shareholding pattern as on 30 June 2017).

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Dishman Carbogen Amcis hit an upper circuit limit of 5% at Rs 337.60 at 9:41 IST on BSE, extending Thursday's rally triggered by the US health regulator clearing the company's Switzerland unit.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 148.46 points or 0.47% at 31,430.94.

On the BSE, 14,000 shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 1.28 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 337.60 and a low of Rs 328.40 so far during the day.

Shares of Dishman Carbogen Amcis have rallied 10.23% in two trading sessions to its ruling market price, from its close of Rs 306.25 on 27 September 2017 after the company during trading hours yesterday, 28 September 2017 said its Switzerland unit received zero observations from the US health regulator. The stock had surged 5% to settle at Rs 321.55 yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Dishman Carbogen Amcis said that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Carbogen Amcis AG's manufacturing site in Bubendorf, Switzerland, has successfully completed a routine US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) inspection. The inspection was concluded without any major or critical observations or Form 483's, thus confirming that no concerns were discovered during the inspection.

On a consolidated basis, Dishman Carbogen Amcis' net profit fell 57% to Rs 13.02 crore on 7.4% decline in net sales to Rs 336.99 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.

Dishman Carbogen Amcis operates as an outsourcing partner for the pharmaceutical industry.

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India has registered a significant decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). According to the just released SRS bulletin, IMR of India has declined by three points (8% decline), from 37 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016, compared to two points decline last year. Not only this, India also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time come down to below 25 million. India has registered 90000 fewer infant deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015.

The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down from 930000 (9.3 Lakhs) in 2015 to 840000 (8.4 lakhs) in 2016.

According to the SRS Bulletin the gender gap in India for child survival is reducing steadily. The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced to <10%, giving a major boost to the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme of the Government.

The results signify that the strategic approach of the Ministry has started yielding dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off. Among the EAG States and Assam, all States except Uttarakhand have reported decline in IMR in comparison to 2015. The decline is reported as 4 points in Bihar, 3 points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Rajasthan.

These remarkable achievements in merely one year is also the result of a countrywide efforts to increase the health service coverage through various initiatives of the Government that includes strengthening of service delivery; quality assurance; RMNCH+A; human resources, community processes; information and knowledge; drugs and diagnostics, and supply chain management, etc.

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Key benchmark indices provisionally settled with small to minuscule gains after witnessing reversal of course in late trade. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rose 1.24 points at 31,283.72, as per the provisional closing figures. The Nifty 50 index gained 19.65 points or 0.2% at 9,788.60, as per the provisional closing figures. Firmness in global stocks supported gains on the domestic bourses. Sentiments were positive after the government stuck to its budgeted market borrowing for the fiscal year 2018, easing concerns New Delhi would widen its fiscal deficit target.

The Sensex gained 241.39 points or 0.77% at the day's high of 31,523.87 in mid-afternoon trade, its highest level since 27 September 2017. The index fell 38.77 points or 0.12% at the day's low of 31,243.71 in late trade. The Nifty gained 85.05 points or 0.87% at the day's high of 9,854 in mid-afternoon trade, its highest level since 27 September 2017. The index gained 6.40 points or 0.06% at the day's low of 9,775.35 in early trade.

Market opened with a positive bias and extended gains in early trade on firm Asian counterparts. Stocks hovered in positive terrain till mid-morning trade. Indices extended gains in early afternoon trade as buying momentum picked up pace. Indices hovered with modest gains in afternoon trade and advanced further in mid-afternoon trade. Bout of volatility was witnessed in late trade as market reversed course and pared almost entire gains.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index provisionally rose 0.83%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index provisionally gained 1.09%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The breadth, indicating health of the market was strong. On BSE, 1,621 shares rose and 901 shares fell. A total of 175 shares were unchanged.

The market will remain closed on Monday, 2 October 2017, on account of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti.

Realty stocks rose for the second straight day on bargain hunting. DLF (up 1.98%), D B Realty (up 0.85%), Sobha (up 0.61%), Indiabulls Real Estate (up 7.17%), Unitech (up 4.39%), NBCC (up 1%), Godrej Properties (up 1.19%), Housing Development & Infrastructure (HDIL) (up 1.34%), and Oberoi Realty (up 3.24%) edged higher.

Lupin rose 0.8% after the company announced that it has received final approval for its Doxycycline Hyclate Tablets USP, 75 mg and 150 mg from the US drug regulator to market a generic version of Aqua Pharmaceuticals, LLC's Acticlate Tablets, 75 mg and 150 mg. The announcement was made at the fag end of the session today, 29 September 2017.

Overseas, most European and Asian stocks edged higher as investors focus on data releases and monitor US plans to overhaul the tax system.

German jobless claims declined more sharply than expected in September as the unemployment rate fell to a record low, the Federal Employment Agency said. Jobless claims fell by 23,000 in September from August, the labor agency said. The figures are adjusted for seasonal swings. Germany's adjusted jobless rate fell to 5.6% in September, the lowest rate since the beginning of the data series in January 1992.

Meanwhile, French consumer spending was weaker than expected in August over the summer, statistics showed, indicating that the eurozone's second-largest economy may be losing the momentum it built in the first half of the year. Consumer spending in the eurozone's second-largest economy fell 0.3% on month, national statistic agency Insee said.

Japanese industrial production rose in August, government data showed. Industrial output increased 2.1% on month, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Japanese consumer prices rose for an eighth straight month and at a faster pace in August. The core consumer price index in August rose 0.7% from a year earlier, compared with a 0.5% increase in July.

US stock benchmarks posted slight gains yesterday, 28 September 2017, as the Trump administration's tax-overhaul proposal continued to fuel some buying appetite for equities.

The latest economic data painted a mixed picture of the economy. Jobless claims rose by 12,000 in the latest week, although this spike was tied to Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, which devastated Florida and parts of Texas. Separately, a read on second-quarter economic growth was raised to 3.1% from 3%.

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Infosys announced that Mediterranean Bank, one of the leading Maltese banks, has gone live on the Finacle Lending Module. The bank has replaced its existing lending solution with Finacle to provide a unified, consistent platform for its corporate customers. Infosys Finacle is the industry-leading universal banking solution from EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

NTPC said it will start commercial operations of 500 MW unit at Feroze Gandhi Uchahar Thermal Power Station from 30 September 2017. With this, the commercial capacity of NTPC would become 43392 MW and that of NTPC Group would become 50608 MW. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Loveable Lingerie said its board will consider share buyback proposal on 6 October 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Titan Company announced that its operational performance in second quarter was close to expectation. The July-September quarter is normally a comparably weaker quarter every year due to the lack of festivals and certain inauspicious periods. This year we had the disruption due to the introduction of the GST regime as well. Having said that, the market share gain in the jewellery business continued unabated despite some slowdown in the month of July as a consequence of the advancement of sales that we saw in the second half of June (in anticipation of GST). Overall growth at the company level has been close to our expectations with good performances by the Watches and Eyewear divisions as well, it said. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Godrej Properties announced that it has entered into a joint venture with Royale Builders and Developers to develop a 13 acres land parcel on Bellary Road (NH-7) in North Bangalore. Godrej Properties plans to develop a modern residential group housing project of approximately 1 square meters (1.34 million square feet). The Bellary road micro-market has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets of Bangalore with a lot of infrastructure developments and real estate projects coming up in the area. The site is in close proximity to Bangalore International Airport, Aerospace SEZ and IT & Hardware Park, Devanahalli. It offers good connectivity to the key commercial and industrial catchment areas of Devanahalli, Hebbal and Yeshwantpur. This will be GPL's fifteenth project in Bangalore. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

HCC said Lavasa lenders will invoke strategic debt restructuring (SDR). The SDR process will involve lowering of debt burden by converting a part of lenders loans into equity, along with the implementation of the proposed business plan and infusion of fresh capital by a financial or strategic investor to implement the project and help protect the value of the asset within the timelines prescribed by RBI in its notification. The lenders took note of the fact that due to delay in implementation of earlier joint lenders forum approved structure, the project remained stalled for 2 years and an additional interest of around Rs 1200 crore was accumulated, and hence release of working capital for the project needs to be resolved on priority. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Shreyas Shipping said it signed two memorandum of agreement (MOA) for acquisition of one multipurpose vessel of about 650 teus and one container vessel of 4200 teus respectively. The delivery of both the vessels are expected by mid October 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

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Lovable Lingerie rose 12.13% to Rs 252.40 at 9:20 IST on BSE after the company said its board will consider share buyback proposal on 6 October 2017.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 108.87 points, or 0.35% to 31,391.35.

On the BSE, 48,000 shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 8,358 shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 258 and a low of Rs 240 so far during the day.

Net profit of Lovable Lingerie declined 47.37% to Rs 6.21 crore on 10% decline in net sales to Rs 60.54 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.

Lovable Lingerie is one of India's leading women's innerwear manufacturers.

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Key benchmark indices extended gains and hit fresh intraday in mid-afternoon trade as firmness in global stocks perked up sentiment. At 14:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rose 218.72 points or 0.7% at 31,501.20. The Nifty 50 index gained 77.15 points or 0.79% at 9,846.10. Sentiments were also improved after the government stuck to its budgeted market borrowing for the fiscal year 2018, easing concerns New Delhi would widen its fiscal deficit target.

The Sensex gained 241.39 points or 0.77% at the day's high of 31,523.87 in mid-afternoon trade, its highest level since 27 September 2017. The index gained 76.50 points or 0.24% at the day's low of 31,358.98 in early trade. The Nifty gained 85.05 points or 0.87% at the day's high of 9,854 in mid-afternoon trade, its highest level since 27 September 2017. The index gained 26.95 points or 0.27% at the day's low of 9,795.90 in early trade.

Market opened with a positive bias and extended gains in early trade on firm Asian counterparts. Stocks hovered in positive terrain till mid-morning trade. Indices extended gains in early afternoon trade as buying momentum picked up pace. Indices hovered with modest gains in afternoon trade and advanced further in mid-afternoon trade.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 1.53%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 1.59%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The broad market depicted strength. There were more than two gainers for every loser on BSE. 1,790 shares rose and 649 shares fell. A total of 137 shares were unchanged.

Pharma stocks gained for the second day in a row. Aurobindo Pharma (up 3.31%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 0.47%), Cipla (up 1.63%), Lupin (up 0.9%), Wockhardt (up 2.27%), Divi's Laboratories (up 0.38%), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (up 0.85%) and Cadila Healthcare (up 2.24%) gained.

Bharat Heavy Electricals rose 2.05% after ratings agency Ind-Ra revised its outlook on the company to stable from negative while affirming the rating for bank facilities at IND AA+. Fund-based working capital limits was rated as IND AA+/Stable/ IND A1+. Non-fund based working capital limits were rated IND AA+/Stable/ IND A1+. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Shares of power generation and power distribution companies gained. Torrent Power (up 1.72%), NHPC (up 0.37%), Tata Power Company (up 0.51%), Adani Power (up 1.53%), Reliance Infrastructure (up 0.74%) and Reliance Power (up 0.36%) gained. Power Grid Corporation of India fell 0.57%.

NTPC gained 0.97% after the company said it will start commercial operations of 500 megawatts (MW) unit at Feroze Gandhi Uchahar Thermal Power Station from 30 September 2017. With this, the commercial capacity of NTPC would become 43392 MW and that of NTPC Group would become 50608 MW. The announcement was made afteer market hours yesterday, 28 September 2017.

Shares of psu coal miner Coal India gained 1.18%.

Overseas, most European and Asian stocks edged higher as investors focus on data releases and monitor US plans to overhaul the tax system.

German jobless claims declined more sharply than expected in September as the unemployment rate fell to a record low, the Federal Employment Agency said. Jobless claims fell by 23,000 in September from August, the labor agency said. The figures are adjusted for seasonal swings. Germany's adjusted jobless rate fell to 5.6% in September, the lowest rate since the beginning of the data series in January 1992.

Meanwhile, French consumer spending was weaker than expected in August over the summer, statistics showed, indicating that the eurozone's second-largest economy may be losing the momentum it built in the first half of the year. Consumer spending in the eurozone's second-largest economy fell 0.3% on month, national statistic agency Insee said.

Japanese industrial production rose in August, government data showed. Industrial output increased 2.1% on month, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Japanese consumer prices rose for an eighth straight month and at a faster pace in August. The core consumer price index in August rose 0.7% from a year earlier, compared with a 0.5% increase in July.

US stock benchmarks posted slight gains yesterday, 28 September 2017, as the Trump administration's tax-overhaul proposal continued to fuel some buying appetite for equities.

The latest economic data painted a mixed picture of the economy. Jobless claims rose by 12,000 in the latest week, although this spike was tied to Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, which devastated Florida and parts of Texas. Separately, a read on second-quarter economic growth was raised to 3.1% from 3%.

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At least one civilian was killed and three others were wounded in an explosion near a mosque in the Afghan capital on Friday, witnesses said.

The blast happened at 1.45 p.m. in Qala-e-Fathullah neighbourhood when the Friday prayers were underway in a nearby mosque, witness Mohammad Aman told Xinhua news agency.

The explosion caused a big bang and sent a thick black smoke to rise above the scene. A suicide bombing was suspected, the witness said.

Troops cordoned off the area after the blast, keeping people from gathering at the site for fears that there might be a second blast.

--IANS

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About 60 people are believed to have died when a boat carrying Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Myanmar capsized off Bangladesh, the UN said on Friday.

The boat capsized in the Bay of Bengal close to Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district late on Thursday. A UN spokesman said 23 people were now confirmed dead and 40 more were "missing and presumed drowned", BBC reported.

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) spokesman Joel Millman, some survivors said the boat was carrying about 80 people.

"Survivors described being at sea all night, having no food," he said. Several children were among the dead.

Dozens of Rohingya have already died trying to cross into Bangladesh amid a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Violence erupted in Rakhine on August 25 when Rohingya militants attacked security posts, triggering a military crackdown.

More than half a million Rohingya -- a Muslim minority who are denied citizenship in Myanmar -- have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since then.

Those who have fled accuse Myanmar's military, backed by Buddhist mobs, of using a brutal campaign of killings and burning of villages to try to drive them out.

The Myanmar authorities, however, say the August violence in Rakhine state was instigated by Rohingya militants and deny UN accusations of "ethnic cleansing".

On Thursday, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley called on the countries currently providing weapons to Myanmar's government to stop doing so until "sufficient accountability measures" were in place.

"Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing," she said.

She also accused Mynamar of ethnic cleansing. "We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority."

Her comments came after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the General Assembly that violence in Myanmar had spiralled into "a humanitarian and human rights nightmare".

"In Myanmar, the situation has spiralled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency and a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

He said that the Myanmar military should immediately stop its operations, allow humanitarian aid to reach the affected people and allow the Rohingya Muslims to return home.

--IANS

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Slamming Pakistan, Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Friday said there were terrorist groups receiving support in Pakistan which were a threat not only to his country but the whole region.

He said that Afghanistan faced some "serious challenges" when it came to its relations with Pakistan.

"The fact that there are groups based in Pakistan which are threatening the security of Afghanistan and (they) continue to receive support and continue to embark upon destabilizing activities and acts of terror in Afghanistan. That is a very serious challenge for us and for the whole region," he said while delivering the 24th Sapru House Lecture here.

However, he added, Afghanistan would continue to extend hands of friendship to all its neighbours including Pakistan.

The Afghan leader also thanked India for its "generous contributions" in reconstructing the war-torn nation.

Abdullah, who is on a visit to India to enhance ties between the two countries, said terror was a threat to all nations and that a stable Afghanistan would benefit all countries in the region.

Referring to Pakistan, he added that there were some "very clear lessons in the past when some of the terrorist groups created for other purposes turned against those who created them and started to pose a threat and continue to do so."

"Our message is very clear: Afghanistan's civility and prosperity is in the interest of the region. Afghanistan has no bad intention towards any neighbouring country.

"We have extended and will continue to extend hands of friendship to all its neighbours and countries of the region. And we expect reciprocation," Abdullah said, adding his country would continue the dialogue process with neighbours to address common challenges.

He said countries needed to decide that " would not be used as a tool for foreign policy".

Referring to India, the Afghan leader said its contributions had made a difference to lives of millions of Afghan people.

"Relations between Afghanistan and India, which are founded in the bonds of history and culture of both nations, have been strengthened in the past 16 years with your generous contributions that made a difference to lives of millions of people," he said.

Abdullah added that India's support in many fields including education, infrastructure and security had "contributed in its own way in stabilization of our country and pursuit of our democratic aspirations and also betterment of lives of our people".

He said while he was supposed to arrive in India a day earlier, his visit was delayed "because of the terrorist attack on Kabul International Airport".

"But I was determined to come. Terrorist attacks may have caused us some delay but they could not stop us."

He said while on one side there were aspirations and efforts of millions to create a stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, on the other there were efforts of a "tiny minority" to destroy lives of people through acts of terror.

"But our wisdom says that human dignity will prevail and acts of terror would be condemned to fail."

He said "terror is terror" and that there should be no differentiation when it comes to terror: "good and bad terrorist groups".

Abdullah said Afghanistan can play its "rightful" role as a bridge between South Asia and Central Asia.

"We are working together - India and Iran have taken lead - towards operationalisation of Chabahar. We hope, as India has annouced, it would contribute further, that one year target of full operationalisation of Chabahar would be met."

He said India, Iran, Afghanistan and other countries would benefit from this.

"We will witness the first act of operationalisation by receiving shipments of wheat through Chabahar in a few days time. But further work would continue," Abdullah added.

Iran's Chabahar port lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India's western coast, bypassing Pakistan. Once operationalised, India can bypass Pakistan to transport goods to Afghanistan.

--IANS

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The Election Commission's deadline to the warring factions of Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK party for the submission of documents in support of their claim for the "two leaves" belectoral symbol ended on Friday.

According to a leader in the ruling faction led by Chief Minister K.Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, additional documents have been filed with the poll panel.

It also remains to be seen how the Election Commission decides on the ruling faction amending the party byelaws by resolutions passed at the General Council meeting to abolish the post of General Secretary and also take away the rights of primary members to elect the General Secretary, a party leader not wanting to be quoted told IANS.

The Election Commission on October 6 will hear the competing claims of the two factions in AIADMK to the party's frozen poll symbol.

The poll body had earlier informed the warring parties - E.Madhusudanan, V.K.Sasikala, O.Panneerselvam and T.T.V. Dinakaran - of the date of next hearing citing the September 15 order of Madras High Court's Madurai Bench asking the poll panel to dispose of the case relating to the symbol before October 31.

The poll body had told the warring parties to submit any fresh submissions latest by September 29.

"lf any individual affidavits of support are being filed, such affidavits should be confined to the members of the Legislative wing (Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly) and the apex level representative bodies in the organisational wing of the Party, i.e. the General Council and Central Executive committee," the Election Commission said in its notice.

"You are also directed to submit the list of General council Members and Central Executive Committee Members of the party as on December 5, 2016," it said, adding that copies of the lists should also be served on the other group.

As per AIADMK constitution, the party General Secretary is elected directly by the primary members. The party has around 1.5 crore members.

As per the amendment to the party rules passed at the General Council meeting held recently, nobody will be elected or nominated to the post of General Secretary, which was held by party supremo and late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

The General Council also introduced a rule whereby the party's Coordinator and Joint Coordinator would be elected by the General Council and they would hold the post for five years.

As per the amended rule, a primary member who had the power to elect the topmost leader of the party can now elect only the local level office bearers.

Meanwhile it is learnt former parliamentarian K.C.Palaniswamy is being persuaded by the ruling faction to withdraw his petition filed with Election Commission, challenging the election of the jailed V.K. Sasikala as the party General Secretary.

He had petitioned the Election Commission to declare election of Sasikala as General Secretary as void citing the party rule that only primary members can vote and elect a person to that post and not the party's General Council.

Contacted by IANS, Palaniswamy declined to comment.

Sasikala was elected to the top party post last December at the General Council meeting after Jayalalithaa's death.

Subsequently she was elected as AIADMK's leader of the legislature party resulting in the resignation of Panneerselvam as Chief Minister and his revolt.

However Sasikala was jailed in a corruption case as per apex court orders and Palaniswami was elected as the Chief Minister.

Initially there were to factions in AIADMK one led by Sasikala and her nephew Dinakaran and the other by Panneerselvam. Later the number of factions became three with Palaniswami leading one sidelining Sasikala-Dinakaran combine.

Sometime back Panneerselvam and Palaniswami factions joined hands and the former became Deputy Chief Minister and the Coordinator of AIADMK. Palaniswami became the Joint Coordinator - the two new posts created at the General Council meeting.

--IANS

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Terming the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government as "corrupt to the core", Union Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons on Friday promised to provide a corruption-free government in the state if his BJP is voted to power.

"We are into the election mode in Meghalaya and our simple objective is to come to power. We want to come to power for simple reason for us, power has been instrument for bringing happiness to the ordinary citizen.

"We are not here for power for the sake of power. We want to bring happiness to the last person out there. We will bring to the table to the people of Meghalaya a corruption-free government and we will ensure that," Alphons told journalists on his maiden visit to Meghalaya.

He also voiced concern on the lack of basic infrastructure in Shillong.

"Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful places on earth... look at the incredible potential the state has if we just promote tourism.. imagine the millions of job it can create. But look at the way things are, no infrastructure so nobody comes here.

"These are the basic things that the government will create if we come to power. We will do big things in tourism. We will do big things to create jobs for the local people," he said.

Seeking to allaying the fears that BJP is anti-minority, he said: "We will ensure opportunities for every community. Before (Narendra) Modi came to power in 2014, there was such huge propaganda saying if the BJP comes to power, churches will be burnt, Christians will be beaten up and mosques will be demolished all across the country.

"It is complete false propaganda. I am aware of what is happening in the country, not one church anywhere in this country has been destroyed, burnt down or even damaged under the Modi government."

--IANS

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived here on Friday on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir during which she will visit the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield.

The minister, who took charge earlier this month, will also visit forward posts on the Line of Control (LoC) along the Pakistani-administered Kashmir and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China in the Ladakh region.

Besides visiting Siachen, located at an altitude 5,400 metres above sea level, she will also review the security situation in the Kashmir Valley with Army commanders.

Her discussions will focus on military operations that have led to the deaths of several militants in recent months.

As Defence Minister, this is Sitharaman's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

The minister was received at the Old Airfield by the Northern Army Commander and the Chinar Corps Commander.

--IANS

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Criticising the railways for "criminal negligence" resulting in the death of at least 22 persons in a foot overbridge stampede in Mumbai, the Congress on Friday advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "change the railways face and not ministers".

"We would like to tell the Prime Minister that you can't placate the public by just changing railway ministers. If you have to change anything, change the railways' face," Congress Spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said.

"This is a huge dereliction of duty by the Prime Minister," she added.

After a series of rail accidents, Modi shifted Suresh Prabhu out of the Railway Ministry in a Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month and elevated Piyush Goyal as the new Railway Minister.

Dev said while the railways had hiked the cost of platform ticket from Rs 10 to Rs 20 in view of a festival rush, it had not cared to take measures to increase passenger safety.

At least 22 commuters were killed and much more injured in a stampede on a narrow railway foot overbridge connecting the Parel-Elphinstone Road stations of Western Railway in Mumbai on Friday morning. The death count is feared to go up.

"Time and again, the commuters have complained about the safety of this foot overbridge. Even the Central Railway in 2015 had accepted that this heritage bridge linking Parel and Elphinstone Road stations was 'structurally weak' and had decided to direct the footfall to the other bridge that connects Dadar to Parel by extending it to the eastern end of Parel as a temporary measure," Dev said.

"But due to slow progress of work and criminal negligence of the railway authorities, no concrete action was taken," she added.

The Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and asked the government to raise the compensation amount to "at least Rs 50 lakh" from Rs 5 lakh announced by the government.

"There is 1.42 lakh vacant posts in the railway safety department. The next of kin of railway accident victims should be given those jobs so that their kitchens keep running," Dev said.
Fear, grief and anxiety has gripped South Africans amid news that seven men suspected of cannibalism appeared in a South African court on Thursday.

Angry residents gathered outside the courthouse in the rural town of Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal province, as the case was adjourned until October 12.

"I can confirm that the seven accused of cannibalism appeared in court on Thursday. However, investigations are going on," Xinhua quoted Natasha Ramkisson, a police spokesperson from KwaZulu Natal.

It is the state's case that the accused, all in their 30s, are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of human parts, Ramkisson said. One of the accused is believed to be a traditional healer.

"It's hard to believe the news. How can a normal human being eat another person? The world is coming to an end," Thembakadzi Nwenya, a university of Witwatersrand student said.

Professor Gerard Labuschagne, clinical psychologist and former Head of the SAPS' specialised Investigative Psychology Section, said people who eat human flesh usually have mental health problems.

"In my experience, it usually has nothing to do with muti (medicine) rituals, as is often believed," he added.

On August 18, one of the daring suspects approached a police station while carrying a bag containing a human leg and a hand, and confessed to the police officer, he was "tired of eating human flesh."

After his confession, the police escorted him to his house where more body parts were found.

--IANS

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The United States, the latest entrant in the league of oil exporters, is a natural partner to India in terms of transforming the country's economy and meeting the needs of the people through technology, an US government official said here on Friday.

The first shipment of crude oil from the US will be arriving in India -- the world's third-largest oil importer -- on Monday, October 2. The capacity of this shipment will be around two million barrels, according to the official who declined to be named.

The official said although the Middle East will always be the preferred destination for India for its energy needs because of lesser distance and shipping costs, the US had huge potential in terms of technology innovations.

"The energy markets are going to be transformed pretty radically in the next five-to-10 years or so. Oil and gas will continue to play a role. To the extent that it is economically viable, the US will play a role. But it is not going to be major," the official told reporters at an informal interaction.

Talking about the upcoming first shipment, he said: "Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum have committed to buy multiple shipments. In case of Indian Oil, they will get around eight shipments through next March."

"What the industry folks have told me is that it's all a matter of cost and so long as the price differential to buy crude is in the range of $2 a barrel, it is fine for them," he added.

The official pointed out that the US entering into the global markets as an exporter will bring down the cost for consumers across the globe.

"With India (coming on board), we hope it helps in terms of energy access and energy security. So, that is an opportunity for India to diversify its sources of crude both geographically and who they are buying from."

He further said: "The ports in the US are not built for exporting because for the last several decades the US has been a net importer of oil. There are construction efforts going on to expand the ports, to allow very large crude containers... and we believe that will eventually bring down the shipping cost to about 50 cents per barrel, which will further bring down the cost for the US to markets like India."

--IANS

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India will host the 14th India-EU Summit on October 6 which will be attended by European Council President Donald Franciszek Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, it was announced on Friday.

Tusk and Juncker, who will visit India from October 5 to 7, will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini, said a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

"The 14th India-EU Summit aims to deepen the India-EU strategic partnership and advance collaboration in priority areas for India's growth and development," it said, adding that an

India-EU Business Event will also be organised on October 6 on the sidelines of the Summit with Juncker as the keynote speaker.

"EU is India's largest regional trading partner with bilateral trade in goods standing at $88 billion in 2016. It is also the largest destination for Indian exports and a key source of the investment and cutting edge technologies," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told the media.

The 13th India-EU Summit was held in Brussels on March 30, 2016.

--IANS

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European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday said any progress in the Brexit negotiations in the coming month would require a miracle, despite an acknowledgement by senior EU officials earlier that British leader Theresa Mays speech in Florence last week had been "full of concessions".

"At the end of October, we will not have sufficient progress", Juncker said in Tallinn, Estonia, at a summit of EU leaders.

"I'm saying that there will be no sufficient progress from now until October unless miracles would happen," he was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Juncker's tone was pessimistic, in contrast to some EU leaders, as he told reporters there had not been enough movement by the British on its financial settlement, citizens' rights and the Irish border.

Brussels has long demanded sufficient progress on those issues before it fulfils Britain's wish to move on to talks about trade. Britain hopes to get the go-ahead on future trade talks when EU leaders meet again next month.

On Thursday, EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier hailed a "new dynamic" to the negotiations in the wake of May's Florence speech, but suggested that talks could remain in a stalemate for months unless the UK agreed to honour all its financial commitments.

May made pledges on the divorce bill and citizens' rights in Florence. Speaking in Talinn on Friday, she repeated her hope that the speech would give the talks momentum, which she hoped would be reciprocated in Brussels, the report said.

A Downing Street spokesman said May had reiterated that aspiration to German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a face to face meeting on the margins of the summit.

The spokesman said Merkel had welcomed the Florence speech and that the two leaders had agreed on the need to settle the issue of citizens' rights "at the earliest opportunity".

Christian Kern, the Austrian chancellor, said he was pleased May had made clear to fellow leaders during a dinner in Tallinn on Thursday night that she was "not leaving Europe but the EU and is willing to cooperate".

The next round of Brexit talks is due to be held in Brussels in the week starting October 9.

--IANS

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After remaining missing for 20 years, a resident of Maharashtra returned home on Friday, thanks to the troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) guarding the international border in Jammu and .

A police statement said in winter capital Jammu: "Hari Chand Yadav Rao Mahare, son of Yadav Rao Mahare of Chichala, Nagpur district in Maharashtra, returned to his family today (Friday) after 20 years."

The 50-year old Hari Chand was apprehended by the BSF near a ditch-cum-bund along the international border near village Allah in Arnia sector, Jammu, on Saturday.

"He was handed over to Arnia Police Station by the BSF. His family members were contacted and informed about him. On September 26, his son Ranjeet Hari Chand Mahare and brother Shiv Charan Mahare reached Jammu and met him.

"Today he reached his native village at Maharashtra and reunited with his family members on the auspicious occasion of Mahanavami and Dussehra.", the statement read.

--IANS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended his condolences over the death of 22 commuters who were killed in a stampede on a footover bridge connecting the Parel-Elphinstone Road stations of Western Railway here.

"My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured," Modi tweeted.

He assured that the situation was being monitored continuously and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was in the city taking stock of the situation.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde to enquire about the tragedy and offered all possible central assistance to the state government.

"The state government will give a compensation of Rs.500,000 to the families of the dead and full free treatment to all the injured. We have also ordered a probe into the circumstances leading to the massive tragedy," Tawde told mediapersons.

Meanwhile, Goyal who took charge earlier this month, reached Mumbai to launch scores of new suburban train services for Western Railway and Central Railway as well as the Harbour Line.

Following the incident, Goyal cancelled his inauguration plans.

The Railway Board has already announced its own inquiry into the tragedy.

Tawde said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is currently on a tour of South Korea and Singapore, has been apprised of the incident.

The victims comprised 18 males and four females while 23 men and nine women were injured and undergoing treatment, according to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corp (BMC) Disaster Control.

--IANS

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Rabat, Sep 29 (IANS/MAP) The second edition of the WOMAAF International Festival of World Music and Arts has been kicked off in the Moroccan city of Tangier.

The event began on Thursday evening at the Ahmed Boukmakh Cultural Centre in Tangier and several Moroccan and foreign artists, intellectuals and academicians were participating in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the festival's founding president, Dintchen Coucke Elise, stressed this edition "puts Senegal at the forefront" and gives a large place to artists of 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Morocco.

He said the event highlighted the deep relations between Senegal and the Kingdom, which have long shared an exceptional tradition of tolerance, openness and hospitality.

"The cultural symbiosis between Senegal in particular and Africa as a whole can find here in Tangier a dimension like no other," said Elise.

Birane Niang, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture and Communication of Senegal, said that the event was "an opportunity to reveal the cultural influence of the continent and to give the various participating countries the opportunity to express their artistic talent".

The festival will end on Saturday.

--IANS/MAP

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Hours after a stampede left 22 commuters dead and 39 others injured, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday ordered a slew of initiatives to beef up commuters' safety and security on the Mumbai suburban network, officials said.

Holding a series of meetings with high-ranking officials of Western Railway and Central Railway, he ordered setting up of multi-disciplinary teams to visit and inspect all suburban stations and identify areas of concern.

The teams would identify critical locations prone to similar situations and draw up suitable action plans to tackle them.

Ongoing works on foot overbridges at various stations would be completed on a war-footing and additional FOBs would be immediately planned out at other stations where passenger traffic is high.

Goyal also directed the railways to draw up plans for all suburban stations to upgrade their electronic surveillance by installing CCTVs in a time-bound manner.

The WR and CR will be required to resolve within one week all their pending issues with other agencies concerned like the Maharashtra government, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, City and Industrial Development Corporation, etc.

Goyal also said that any concessions required to accommodate space constraints at railway platforms would be sorted out immediately.

There are around 135 stations on the entire suburban network, comprising WR, CR and the Harbour Line, spread across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts, catering to over 8 million suburban commuters daily.

The distances covered are upto 123 km on the WR from its starting point, Churchgate and more than 70 kms on the CR in different directions from the starting point, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

The two networks share one common railway station, Dadar which is considered the busiest and most congested on the entire suburban network.

The minister's directions came in the wake of a stampede which killed 22 commuters, including eight women, at the WR's Elphinstone Road station bridge connecting with Parel on the CR, around 10.20 am at the morning peak hour rush of office-bound commuters.

Late this evening, the WR announced that then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had cleared the proposal to construct a new FOB costing Rs 6.75 crore, running parallel to the existing bridge which was the site of the tragedy today and tender documents were readied this month.

Earlier on Friday, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale had said that he had demanded widening of the (existing) bridge in a letter to Prabhu in April 2015, but it was rejected citing paucity of funds and operational constraints.

--IANS

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Twenty-two commuters were killed here on Friday when a horrific stampede broke out on a narrow railway foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel stations when hundreds took shelter there to escape pounding rains, officials said.

At least 39 others were injured, some critically, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Disaster Control said after the morning peak hour tragedy struck on the suburban network - the veritable lifeline of the country's commercial capital.

Many among the eight million plus daily railway commuters, numbed by the unprecedented tragedy, besides politicians, slammed the proposed Bullet Train and demanded that funds meant for it should be diverted to improve commuter safety on the existing network.

Just what caused the stampede was not clear but in no time people desperately trying to get out of the British-era bridge collapsed over one another, many instantly crushed to death. The dead included 14 men and eight women.

The site resembled a war zone with hundreds of wailing commuters, many of them trapped between the footsteps on the stairs and on the gaps in the handle bars and railings. Some even dangled precariously from the bridge while local trains zoomed below.

By the time it was all over, there was a large scattered heap of bloodstained slippers and shoes, handbags or briefcases, tiffin boxes and water bottles, spectacles, crushed mobiles and broken jewellery, pieces of torn clothes and other belongings of the commuters.

Dazed survivors claimed the panic run followed rumours of a short-circuit -- later found to be untrue. Railway officials blamed overcrowding on the bridge due to the downpour as hundreds gathered to take shelter and more kept pouring in.

The first to respond to the disaster were taxi drivers and motorists who rushed the injured and the barely living to the KEM Hospital in Parel in cabs and even two-wheelers.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal - who reached Mumbai on Friday to inaugurate new train services - announced a high-level probe into the tragedy.

When Goyal and Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde reached the hospital to meet the injured, they faced demonstrations and sloganeering by thousands of angry commuters and Shiv Sainiks demanding accountability for the deaths.

The hospital appealed for blood donations. Thousands of Mumbaikars responded. Within hours, all the hospital's requirements were met.

The Elphinstone Road station is part of Western Railway and the Parel station belongs to Central Railway. The overbridge linked the two networks.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief.

"My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured," Modi tweeted.

The incident provided fuel to BJP ally Shiv Sena and the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party to attack the proposed Rs 1.08 lakh crore Bullet Train project.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut termed the deaths "a public massacre" and demanded criminal proceedings against the Railway Minister and top railway officials on charges of "culpable homicide not amounting to murder".

Another Sena MP, Rahul Shewale, said he wrote to then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in April 2015 demanding that the foot overbridge - the scene of the stampede - should be widened but it was rejected on grounds of paucity of funds and operational constraints.

The central and Maharashtra governments announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to families of the dead besides compensation and free medical treatment to the injured.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is abroad, announced a separate probe into the incident and compensation for the victims, most of who were identified by late evening.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan demanded a judicial probe and stringent action against the guilty.

NCP senior leader Jitendra Awhad said the government had promised to fund a Rs 46,000 crore project to overhaul Mumbai's suburban railway network. It was mum on the long-pending suburban elevated rail corridor and instead was focussing on an expensive Bullet Train.

Congress and NCP leaders also demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Goyal, who took charge this month.

The festival-eve calamity sparked off angry reactions on social media, with many questioning lapses vis-a-vis safety and security of commuters even as mega-projects like Bullet Trains are announced.

Many Mumbaikars said they had abandoned plans to go on weekend outings or shopping for Dussehra on Saturday.

Appeals came up on the social media to cancel or curtail Friday night's final Navratri celebrations as a mark of respect to the stampede victims.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
North Korea on Friday accused the US of exploiting the death of Otto Warmbier, the American student who was held prisoner in Pyongyang for over a year.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman accused Washington of lying about the case, after forensics results, released on September 28, failed to clarify the causes of the 22-year-old Warmbier's death or confirm whether he was tortured in North Korea, a hypothesis defended by his family and the White House, reports Efe news.

"The fact that the US even employs a dead man for its conspiracy campaign aimed at the international community to increase pressure on North Korea shows the viciousness of its hostility towards us.

"The American doctors, who performed the medical examination on Warmbier last June in our country, and even others who did so after his return to the US, recognized exactly that there was no 'torture' in this case," the spokesman added.

Pyongyang stresses that Warmbier "was a criminal who was sentenced to reform through labour on March 16, 2016" under the North Korean law for committing "hostile acts" directed by Washington.

However, the North Korean authorities provided "sincere medical care" to the student because of his failing health, released him and allowed him to return to his country "on humanitarian grounds," the text added.

North Korea claimed that the manipulation of Warmbier's case is another provocation by "the old lunatic Trump and his riff-raff" who "slandered the sacred dignity of our supreme leadership, using bogus data full of falsehood and fabrications," and warned that this only serves to "redouble the surging hatred of our army and people towards the US and their will to retaliate thousand-fold."

The US coroner's report did not clarify the causes of Warmbier's death from lack of oxygen and blood in the brain, following an external examination of the body, as the parents did not want a complete autopsy.

Warmbier was arrested in North Korea in January 2016 while visiting the country as a tourist and was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for attempting to steal a political propaganda poster from a hotel in Pyongyang.

He had been in a coma for more than a year when he was released in June 2017, and a week later he died in his home country.

Pyongyang claimed Warmbier had contracted botulism and was given a sleeping pill, but he did not wake up again.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India on Friday termed as an "imaginary lie and story" Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif's claim that an offer was received to swap Indian prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist behind the Army Public School attack in Peshawar in 2014.

"You have already seen a press release issued by the Afghan National Security Adviser's office. If you have gone through the press release, it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies and stories created by the Pakistani establishment," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a weekly media briefing here.

"You have seen what happened at the UN General Assembly -- how a fake picture was shown to be from India but it turned out to be from another country. So, another lie has been added to the series of lies," the MEA Spokesperson said.

Kumar said he would normally not comment on a purported conversation between two personalities but was making an exception in this case.

Asif had claimed that an offer was received to swap Jadhav for a terrorist behind the Peshawar Army Public School attack in 2014, who, he (Asif) asserted, was now in Afghanistan's custody.

"The terrorist who killed children in APS (Army Public School) is in Aghan custody. The NSA told me we can exchange that terrorist with a terrorist we have, which is Kulbushan Jadhav," Asif said on Tuesday.

Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for allegedly spying for India.

New Delhi has denied that Jadhav was working for Indian intelligence and has appealed to the International Court of Justice to stop his execution.

Asif, who was answering questions after a speech at the Asia Society in New York on Tuesday, did not specify which NSA he was referring to and did not expand the initials. From that vague reference, it was not clear if Pakistan's National Security Adviser had conveyed the offer or if it was made by an entity or individual in another country sharing the initials NSA.

Asif also did not identify the terrorist in Afghanistan's custody.

Answering another query, Kumar said India has time and again asked Pakistan to not allow terrorists to operate from its soil and to dismantle terror infrastructure on its territory.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Ram Nath Kovind would visit Djibouti and Ethiopia in Africa from October 3 to 6 as his maiden overseas visit after assuming office.

He would first visit Djibouti on October 3 and would leave for Ethiopia on October 4, it was announced on Friday.

"On the invitation of Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, President Ram Nath Kovind is undertaking a state visit to Djibouti on October 3 and 4. It will be first country the President will visit after assuming office," Ashok Malik, Press Secretary to the President, told reporters.

It would also be a first visit by an Indian head of state or government to Djibouti as the previous highest level visitor from India was a Minister of State, Malik said.

During the visit, Kovind would be received by his counterpart and will have official talks with him.

"He is also expected to be received by Djibouti Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed," Malik said.

During the visit, an agreement on institutionalising foreign office consultations is expected to be signed apart from agreements related to accelerated and greater economic cooperation between the two countries, he added.

"The President would also address the small Indian community consisting of a few hundred people."

Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary for East and Southern Africa, said that Kovind would visit Ethiopia from October 4 to 6, which would be the first visit by an Indian President to Ethiopia after almost 45 years. Last such visit was by then President V.V. Giri was in 1972.

"Africa is chosen as first overseas destination of President's visit and that reflects importance given to African continent by the current government," Malhotra said.

She added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that Africa is priority for India's economic and foreign policy and hence 16 VVIP visits have been made to the continent in the last three years and there is no country in the continent not visited in last three years by an Indian minister.

"Ethiopia as one of the fastest growing non-oil producing economies in Africa offers immense opportunities for India and Indian businesses," she said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Real Madrid confirmed that 24-year-old French central defender Rafael Varene has extended his contract with the club by two years until the end of June 2022.

Varene becomes the latest in a long line of Madrid players Isco, Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Marcos Llorente to tie their long term futures with the club. The news came on Wednesday, just three days after Llorente signed a new long-term contract, reports Xinhua news agency.

Varene was signed from French club Lens in the summer of 2011 and has made over 100 league appearances for Madrid. His new contract comes three years after he agreed to a six-year deal to keep him at the club until June 2020.

He made his full international debut in 2013 and is also a fixture in the French national side.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Jammu and Police on Friday announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for helping nab the persons behind braid chopping incidents in the Valley.

Special Investigating Teams (SITs) have been set up in every district of the Valley and told to remain vigilant and act swiftly when such incidents come to light, police said.

"Helpline numbers have been set up in every district so that people promptly call on these numbers to give credible information about braid chopping incidents," a police officer said.

Initially reported from Kulgam district, similar incidents have also come from other districts of the Valley during the last fortnight.

During these mysterious incidents, women who became victims of the attack said they lost consciousness temporarily. When they recovered, they found their hair had been cut.

This has caused panic among the general public while rumourmongers are having a field day spreading false news about such incidents in different places.

On Thursday, huge commotion gripped Rampora area in Ganderbal district where dozens of persons gathered after a minor girl alleged her braid had been chopped.

Police on Friday said the girl had been examined by doctors who certified that she had not been a victim of braid chopping.

Locals in south areas have also accused the security forces for shielding alleged perpetrators of such incidents which people allege are done to scare the masses.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Australian university study published on Friday found a number of errors in the way the age of sharks and rays have been measured, and which actually live 18 years longer than previously estimated.

James Cook University researcher Alastair Harry conducted a study on 53 sharks and rays after which it was discovered that a bull shark can live up to the age of 40, twice as long as had been estimated earlier, reports Efe news.

A majority of the scientists usually measure sharks' age by counting the rings in their vertebrae injecting them with a fluorescent marker or by measuring carbon accumulated in the animals from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the 1950s.

The expert explained that errors in the age calculation appeared to have occurred owing to the growth rings ceasing to form or becoming unreliable beyond a certain size or age.

"Across the cases I studied age was underestimated by an average of 18 years and up to 34 years in one instance. From the amount of evidence we now have it looks like the problem is systemic," the researcher said.

Age calculation for these animals, which often end up trapped in fishermen's nets, is important for the management of marine resources.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a blistering attack on its ally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena on Friday termed the stampede in which 22 railway commuters were killed as a "public massacre".

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told the media: "The stampede on the foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road railway station is a apublic massacre of the people by the government."

He slammed the BJP for the much-touted Bullet Train project and said commuters' safety and security must be accorded top priority.

Other Sena leaders demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, a Mumbaikar who took over his new post this month, and sought the scrapping of the Bullet Train project.

Hundreds of Shiv Sena activists shouted slogans against Goyal and Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde near the KEM Hospital when the two leaders reached there.

Goyal arrived in Mumbai on Friday afternoon to launch a slew of new suburban train services as a Dussehra-eve bonanza but cancelled all his engagements after the tragedy.

In one of the worst tragedies on the Mumbai suburban network, 22 commuters were killed and another 32 were hurt in a massive stampede on a narrow connecting foot overbridge between Elphinstone Road and Parel railway stations.

The calamity sparked off angry reactions on social media, with many questioning lapses vis-a-vis safety and security of commuters even as mega-projects like Bullet Trains are announced.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SpaceX on Friday unveiled its plans to put humans on Mars as early as 2024.

Speaking on the final day of the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) here, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk made the announcement of the plans, reports Xinhua news agency.

Musk, who also serves as the CEO of automotive company Tesla, said SpaceX was aiming for cargo missions to the Red Planet in 2022 and crew with cargo by 2024.

He said that missions to Mars would be launched every two years from 2022 onwards with colonisation and terraforming to begin as soon as the first humans arrive in order to make it "a really nice place to be".

"It's about believing in the future, and thinking that the future will be better than the past," Musk said.

SpaceX also announced its new BFR rocket on Friday.

"I can't emphasise enough how profound this is, and how important this is," Musk told the Congress as the keynote speaker on the final day.

The new BFR has the highest capacity payload of any rocket ever built, meaning it has the lowest launch cost, due to its status as a fully reusable rocket while also being the most powerful.

"It's really crazy that we build these sophisticated rockets and then crash them every time we fire," Musk said.

He said that the new BFR could carry a 40-carriage spaceship to Mars with two or three people occupying each carriage.

The rocket is capable of flying from Earth to the Moon and back without refuelling, making creating a base on the Moon, dubbed Moon Base Alpha, achievable in near future.

SpaceX intends for the new, scaled-down BFR to replace its other flagship rockets, the Dragon, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy.

Musk said the BFR could even be used for international flights on Earth, promising to cut most long-distance Earth flights to just half an hour.

He said the rocket could travel from New York City to Shanghai in 37 minutes at a maximum speed of 18,000 miles (28,968 km) per hour.

Funding for BFR development will come from SpaceX's satellite and International Space Station (ISS) revenue.

SpaceX's announcement came hours after Lockheed Martin revealed new technology that would see it land on Mars in partnership with NASA by 2030.

SpaceX estimated this year that a permanent, self-sustaining colony on Mars was 50 to 100 years away.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Swiss authorities said on Friday that a Libyan Muslim preacher accused of spreading hate speech at a mosque in the city of Biel has officially had his right to asylum revoked.

The Federal Administrative Court in St. Gallen said the decision is final and preacher Abu Ramadan, who stirred controversy with his speeches, cannot appeal the decision, Swiss media reported.

The ruling of the court confirmed an earlier decision by the State Secretariat for Migration on Ramadan's asylum status, Xinhua reported.

In a strange twist, however, the 64-year-old Libyan national, could be allowed to keep his residence permit and stay in Switzerland, if the cantonal authorities in Bern allow him to do so, the Swiss national broadcaster reported.

Ramadan currently lives in Nidau, canton Bern and is the holder of a Libyan passport.

He obtained asylum in Switzerland in 1998 and was able to regularly draw social security benefits for the past 13 years.

Since 2013 he has made around a dozen visits to Libya, and his last earlier this year lasted more than a month.

The Swiss court argued that Ramadan had made the journeys to his homeland in the knowledge that a recognized refugee must not return to his or her country of origin, as this is a violation of refugee status.

Ramadan who preached at the Ar'Rahman mosque in Biel, at the foothills of the Jura mountains, was allegedly have called for the destruction of Jews, Christians, Russians and Shia Muslims.

He denied, however, that he was an imam at the mosque, and refuted that he had engaged in hate speech, arguing that his words had been inaccurately translated from Arabic.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Bader Eddin Muhammad Adib Hassoun and Jammu and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday discussed ways and means to end the cult of violence in Muslim countries, an official statement said.

Currently visiting the Valley, the Syrian Grand Mufti called on the Chief Minister here, it said.

"The two leaders discussed several issues confronting the Muslim world and the need to weed out the cult of violence from the Muslim society. They also underscored the need for inculcating values of peace, tolerance and coexistence among the younger generation.

"The two leaders exchanged ideas on education, social system, history and welfare of the Muslim world and the need for an effective inter faith communication to spread the message of Islam," the statement said.

Mehbooba Mufti informed the visiting dignitary of various socio-developmental initiatives undertaken by her government in the State including the education and empowerment of women and invited him to visit the state again for exhaustive sessions with the local Islamic scholars and academicians, it added.

"The Grand Mufti informed the Chief Minister that he was happy to meet her and know about her views on the subjects discussed," the statement said, adding he termed her a "role model for the Muslim world".

Noting Syrian women would take an inspiration from her personality, he also extended an invitation to her to visit Syria.

The visit of the Syrian Grand Mufti has been coordinated by Indian Council of Cultural Relations, and he was accompanied by Syrian Ambassador to India Riad Abbas, Advisor in Syrian Embassy, Nazen Nasri and other officials of Syrian Embassy besides ICCR Regional Director Balwant Thakur, the statement said.

--IANS

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The US Federal Reserve said on Friday that it had fined global banking giant HSBC Holdings $175 million for its unsafe and unsound foreign exchange trading business.

According to a statement of Fed, the HSBC had deficiencies in its oversight and internal controls of its forex traders, reports Xinhua.

"The firm failed to detect and address its traders misusing confidential customer information, as well as using electronic chatrooms to communicate with competitors about their trading positions," said the Fed in the statement.

The Fed has been strengthening supervision over banks' forex trading in recent years. It has given out penalties to big banks, such as Deutsche Bank, and Barclays.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US on Friday ordered the withdrawal of all non-essential personnel assigned to its embassy in Cuba's capital, as well as all family members, an action taken after at least 21 American diplomats showed symptoms of apparent sonic attacks, the secretary of state said.

The measure, which applies to more than half of embassy staff, is aimed at reducing the number of US personnel at risk of being exposed to the attacks, Rex Tillerson said in a statement on the State Department's Web site, Efe reports.

The staff reduction will be in effect until Cuba can guarantee the safety of US personnel on the island, he added.

"Over the past several months, 21 US Embassy employees have suffered a variety of injuries from attacks of an unknown nature. The affected individuals have exhibited a range of physical symptoms, including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping," the statement read.

Tillerson did not blame Cuba's government for the attacks, saying that investigators "have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks."

The State Department also has issued a travel warning advising American citizens to avoid travel to Cuba.

"We have no reports that private US citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in US diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by US citizens," the statement said.

In conjunction with the staff reductions, the US also has indefinitely stopped issuing visas to Cubans from its embassy in Havana and halted all non-emergency services.

The Cuban government, for its part, said it was conducting an investigation but that at the moment there was no evidence supporting allegations of sonic attacks targeting Americans on the island.

The decision comes amid a cooling of diplomatic relations since the January inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has undone some of the liberalization that took place under predecessor Barack Obama and vowed to make closer ties with the island contingent on free elections and respect for human rights.

But Tillerson noted in his statement that the US maintains diplomatic relations with Havana, adding that "Cuba has told us it will continue to investigate these attacks and we will continue to cooperate with them in this effort."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 210-feet tall, eco-friendly effigy of demon-king Ravan, weighing 40 quintals, will be burnt on the occasion of Dussehra in Barara town, around 25 km from Ambala Cantt.

Barara Ram Leela Club, which has erected the towering effigy has been doing this since 1987 -- starting with a 20- feet tall effigy and increasing the height every year since.

"Effigies made by us have made it to the Limca Book of World Records on five different occasions," the club's chairperson Tejender Chauhan said today.

However, the height of the effigy was not increased this year due to the increase in production cost.

"The making cost has increased to around 18 per cent following the imposition of GST on raw materials used in it," said Chauhan.

"We spent Rs 25 lakh on this one," he said.

The sword held by the latest 'Ravan' is around 50-feet long and eco-friendly fire crackers have been used to make it safe from the environmental point of view.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 22 persons were killed and over 30 injured in a rush hour stampede on a narrow foot overbridge (FOB) linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations during heavy rain today morning, officials said.

The tragedy took place around 10.40 am when the FOB, used by lakhs of people to commute to the commercial area with high-end corporate and media offices, was heavily crowded, a police official said.

Images of people trapped on the stairs and the narrow decades-old bridge did the rounds of social media. Videos from those on the platform watching helplessly as the tragedy unfolded, with some attempting to make a perilous escape by climbing over the railing, were also circulated.

As condolences came in from President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials started looking into the reasons for the tragedy.

"The FOB of Elphinstone station was overcrowded and due to rain it got slippery too. This caused panic and resulted in the stampede," said Atul Shrivastav, inspector general of the Railway Protection Force.

"Due to sudden rain, people waited at the station. When the rain stopped, there was chaos as people rushed out," added railways spokesperson Anil Saxena.

Police also suspect that a short-circuit with a loud sound near the FOB led to panic and people started running, resulting in the stampede.

Eight women and a young boy were amongst those killed, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) disaster management cell chief Mahesh Narvekar said, adding that five of the injured were critical.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, who reached Mumbai this morning, cancelled his programme to inaugurate 100 additional suburban services in Mumbai and announced a high-level inquiry.

"Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance," Modi said in a tweet.

Goyal announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.

The Maharashtra government also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those killed.

According to the BMC's disaster control room, 22 people were brought dead to the KEM Hospital in Parel.

The injured persons were taken to various hospitals, an official said.

Officials of the railway, police and fire brigade rushed to the site to carry out rescue operation



"... it seems that during heavy rain, unexpected crowd (of passengers) gathered on the north foot overbridge that connects Elphinstone Road and Parel stations," WR's Chief Public Relations Officer Ravinder Bhakar said.

"Though security personnel were deployed to regulate the crowd on the staircases of the platform, excessive crowd led to the unfortunate incident," he added.

According to Bhakar, it was technically not a "rail- related" incident, but the victims would be compensated according to rules of the railways.

Soon after the stampede, an accident relief medical equipment train rushed to the spot and medical assistance was provided to the victims, a railway official said.

"Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways," the railways minister tweeted.

"I feel sad for these families and such a thing happening in my Mumbai is matter of grave concern. We are committed to avoid any recurrence of any such incidents," he told reporters.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is in Singapore for an investor interaction, added in a tweet that an inquiry would be conducted by the Maharashtra government and the Ministry of Railways and necessary strict action would be taken.

The medical expenses of the injured would be borne by the state government, he added.

WR's General Manager A K Gupta visited the KEM Hospital and spoke to some of the injured persons.

The Mumbai police has issued an appeal to donate blood.

"A -ve, B -ve and AB -ve blood is required in KEM hospital for those injured in #Elphinstone stampede. Please contact the blood bank at KEM," the Mumbai police tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Birmingham-based Muslim 'Imam', on trial to be extradited to Spain where he is wanted on terrorism charges, has told a UK court that he is an "anti- terrorist preacher".

Tarik Chadlioui, accused of being a recruiter for the Islamic State (ISIS) through extremist videos, was one of six people arrested across Europe in June as part of a Spanish investigation into support for the terrorist group.

Spanish authorities allege Chadlioui made three videos for extremist forces in Syria, during two visits to Mallorca in 2014 and 2015.

The 43-year-old faces a charge of collaboration with, or membership of, an armed group for which the maximum sentence is 20 years' imprisonment.

"He has uploaded thousands of videos to YouTube. This is what he does, he is an anti-terrorist preacher," Malcolm Hawkes, Chadlioui's barrister, told Westminster Magistrates' Court in London yesterday.

Chadlioui, a Belgian national of Middle Eastern origin, moved to the Sparkhill area of Birmingham in 2015, where he lives with his family comprising eight children.

He is fighting against his extradition on the grounds that it will be "a clear interference with his right to a family life".

Spanish authorities believe he is behind the radicalisation of one of the Paris attack terrorists - Omar Mostefai - who killed 89 music fans at the Bataclan theatre in November, 2015, before blowing himself up.

He has also been linked with Anjem Choudary, a radical Muslim cleric currently in a UK jail for supporting ISIS.

Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot adjourned her ruling on the extradition case till Tuesday, until which time Chadlioui has been remanded in custody.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today took a dig at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, saying his recent visit to temples in Gujarat makes it clear that the BJP would win the coming Assembly polls.

Gandhi, during his three-day visit to Gujarat earlier this week, went to some temples, kicking off a debate.

"Wherever Rahul Gandhi goes, the Congress faces defeat at the hustings ...After his visit to Gujarat, it has become clear that the BJP is going to win the coming Assembly elections there," Adityanath told newspersons here.

"His (Gandhi's) visits to temples will make no difference.. He is a bad omen for the Congress," the chief minister said.

Gujarat is slated to have Assembly polls by this year- end.

Asked whether he will campaign for the BJP in Gujarat, Adityanath said he will go by whatever he is told by the party.

Adityanath was speaking to journalists after performing 'kanya pujan' (paying obeisance to girl child) in the Gorakhnath temple.

On the issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said people want its construction but the matter is sub-judice and "we must wait for the verdict."



To a question on Rohingyas, he said they are intruders and not refugees.

He claimed that there is evidence to show that Rohingyas have links with terrorists.

"It is very sad and condemnable that some people are expressing sympathy and concern for them,," the chief minister said.

He said in Myanmar, many innocent Hindus were killed brutally.

Claiming that his government had fulfilled its promise by waiving loans of farmers, Adityanath said opponents were indulging in false propaganda that the waiver is to the tune of Rs 10 and Rs 20.

"Some farmers had cleared their loans and if a single rupee had been left pending in their names, it has been cleared by the government," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Mandy Moore enjoyed playing the role of Rebecca Pearson in "This Is Us" during different stages of her life.

The actor hopes that she would age as gracefully as her character in the hit TV drama, reported Pop Sugar.

"I loved it. I thought it was unbelievable, the job that they did because it feels like me, if maybe, just a glimpse into the future if I took care of myself well.

"Clearly, Rebecca is very hydrated and takes impeccable care of her skin, because I think she looks very good for her age! I loved it," she said.

Moore said playing the character of Rebecca gave her a chance to look into the future.

"Ageing doesn't scare me at all. I'm embracing all of that and everything that comes along with it. I loved looking at myself in the mirror and thinking, 'If this is any indication of what I'm going to look like when I'm 66, I'll take it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP's national spokesperson Sambit Patra was today appointed as non-official director on the board of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Ltd.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment to the post for a period of three years, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.

Other BJP leaders too have been appointed to the board of central public sector undertakings.

BJP leader Syed Zafar Islam was appointed as non- official independent director of Air India in May.

Islam, a former investment banker, joined the BJP on April 5, 2014.

Shazia Ilmi, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, was appointed as independent director in Engineers India Ltd (EIL) in January. At present, she is the vice-president of the BJP Delhi unit.

The saffron party's member from Gujarat, Asifa Khan, had also been made non-official independent director of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).

Existing norms by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandate companies to have at least 50 per cent of directors as non-executive or independent directors with at least one woman director.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Till the time the deadly Elphinstone Road railway station stampede snuffed out her life today, 24- year-old Hiloni Dedhia embodied the soaring aspirations of a millennial working in a setting with imposing glass facade towers that spawn a thousand dreams.

The steel-and-glass towers that dot central Mumbai's skyline, drawing in lakhs of people every day, also explain the tragedy that struck the megapolis, extinguishing at least 22 lives on a narrow foot overbridge linking Parel and Elphinstone Road stations.

Far from the massive rush of people, the cotton mills in this pocket gave Mumbai its identity--Manchester of the East-- where people worked at their own pace in textile mills, with chimneys billowing smoke and sirens blaring, indicating change of shifts.

After the 1980s, the mills began giving way to skyscrapers as the restless Maximum City's dreams grew bigger in the quest of affluence.

Dedhia worked in the corporate relations department of Axis Bank, and was on her way to work from home in the northeastern suburb of Ghatkopar when she got caught in the stampede, her uncle told PTI outside hospital morgue.

Axis Bank's corporate headquarters is housed in the Bombay Dyeing Compound, walking distance from Elphinstone Road railway station, where the offices of airline GoAir, media firm Republic TV and the country's first Hard Rock Cafe are also located.

The nearby Century Mills Compound houses Idea Cellular and the Playboy Caf. There are many such 'mill compounds' here.

The textile strike a decade before Dedhia's birth broke the back of mills, leading to their demise. But the land turned into a goldmine, located as it were in the heart of the city.

The landscape began to change rapidly in 2005 when the first mill land was cleared for commercial development.

Mill owners switched to sectors like pharma, aviation, realty, while a few sold out to real estate companies. The developers bought transfer of development rights by buying FSI from the open market, and erected huge skyscrapers.

According to property consultant JLL, the tiny locality has a 'Grade A' built-up office space of 13.5 million sq ft today, up from 2.96 million in 2005.

If one goes by the thumb rule of 100 sq ft per person, the area could be home to 1.35 lakh working people, JLL research head Ashutosh Limaye told PTI.

And many more glass-and-steel towers are coming up, making it one of the most busy construction sites in Mumbai.

The upcoming towers in the vicinity include the country's first Trump Tower, and the 101-storey World Tower, which would be the country's tallest.

But the infrastructure remains caught up in a time warp.

"The mills were never so high and had a lot of open space. The number of people employed also was much lower than today. There were also duty shifts, which ensured less crowding at any time of the day," a septuagenarian local says.

"There is a war-like situation every day here on the foot overbridge during the morning and evening rush hour. People have to fight a war to take the stairs to come out or enter the station," said Arun Tiwari, who is the regional head of a marketing company.

Another passenger, Satish Paul, said, "People have increased but not the infrastructure."



The old and rickety infrastructure today looked bursting at seams as people toppled over each other, getting crushed and smothered in the process.

After her dream died young, Dedhia's aunt and uncle waited patiently at the KEM Hospital, clutching her grey-coloured handbag, for the statutory postmortem to get over and receive her body.

Less than two kilometres away, the surging crowds at the two railway stations continued to muscle their way to platforms and into crammed trains, the trauma of the tragedy just fitfully crossing their mind.

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Captain Dinesh Chandimal hit a fighting century to lead Sri lanka to 322-5 on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi today.

Chandimal was unbeaten on 109 at lunch and with him Dilruwan Perera was four not out after Sri Lanka resumed from their overnight score of 227-4.

Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella, who made a career-best 83, frustrated Pakistan's pace-cum-spin attack on an unresponsive Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.

Their stand of 134 was only broken in the 22nd over of the day when Dickwella played on to fast bowler Hasan Ali, spurning a good chance to post his maiden hundred.

Dickwella hit nine boundaries and a six during his rapid, 117-ball knock.

Chandimal reached his ninth Test century -- his first in four Tests as captain, and first against Pakistan -- by driving fast bowler Mohammad Amir through the covers for his 11th boundary.

It took him 383 minutes to reach the three-figure mark, ably lifting Sri Lanka from 61-3 when he came on to bat on Thursday.

Paceman Hasan and Shah have two wickets apiece.

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Chimpanzees can use tools spontaneously to solve a task, without needing to watch others first, according to a study.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham, UK, and University of Tubingen in Germany looked for the spontaneous re-occurrence of a tool-use behaviour practiced in wild chimpanzees where sticks are used to scoop algae from the top of water surfaces.

Chimpanzees at Twycross Zoo in the UK were provided with a container of water with pieces of floating food.

The tested chimpanzees successfully used the sticks, and moreover, spontaneously showed the same underlying action pattern (a scooping action of the stick) as their wild cousins do.

The results, published in the journal PeerJ, challenge the accepted belief that chimpanzees need to learn from each other how to use tools, and instead suggest that some forms of tool-use are instead within their pre-existing behavioural repertoire.

"The commonly held belief is that chimpanzee behaviour is cultural, much like how human culture has been passed between groups," said researcher Elisa Bandini.

"But if that was the case, the same behaviours should never re-occur in naive subjects. Nobody, for example, could accurately reinvent extinct languages on the spot," said Bandini.

Due to the close genetic ties between humans and chimpanzees, it is likely that naive individuals also spontaneously invented some forms of early human material culture, researchers said.

"Given these results, the long-held assumption that apes must observe one another in order to show these behaviours may have been due to an illusion of cultural transmission - created by the apes arriving at the same behaviour independently," researcher Claudio Tennie added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China has stepped up security on its borders with India, North Korea and Myanmar as the ruling Communist Party (CPC) gears up to hold a key national congress next month during which President Xi Jinping is expected to get an endorsement for a second five-year term.

China's border police forces under the Peoples Armed Police became the latest government agency to make a show of support for President Xi, saying officers would focus on the frontiers to ensure stability for the five-yearly gathering, the South China Morning Post reported.

They would also tighten monitoring of coastal areas and ramp up counterterrorism work, the police said in a statement.

"(We will) stick to the highest standards, strictest requirements and strongest measures to ensure absolute border security for the partys 19th national congress," the statement said.

Conspicuously absent from the statement was the restive province of Xinjiang which shared borders with Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan.

Reports from Xinjiang said police erected body scanners at the roadcheck posts to prevent any violent attacks by the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM).

Xinjiang, the home of Uygur Muslims, is restive over the settlements of Hans.

Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst and Asian security expert at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the border forces were trying to promote their role as guardians against what Beijing saw as potential threats.

"Leading into the party congress, they want to seem to be successful, increasing their political strength and being proactive in dealing with these security situations," Davis said.

Zhang Baohui, a Chinese politics specialist at Lingnan University, said that although the offshore conflicts were unlikely to pose any real danger to the congress, the police must declare their determination to stamp out risk.

"They all have to do something to show theyre doing their best for the 19th national congress," Zhang said. "Its a way to show loyalty."



The congress, starting on October 18, is expected to see Xi named the partys general secretary for a second term and a dozen officials named to key positions.

Security personnel have been out in force across the country to make sure the highly-choreographed gathering is not disturbed by social unrest. But the build-up comes amid ethnic clashes in Myanmar and the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula.

South Korea expects more provocative acts by North Korea next month to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean communist party.

In a meeting with South Korea President Moon Jae-in yesterday, national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said he expected Pyongyang to act around October 10 and 18, but gave no details.

"Ties between India and China have also been tested by a border row in the Himalayas," the Post report said.

At a security drill by armed police and firefighters on Saturday, Bayanqolu, party chief of Jilin, which borders North Korea, ordered the province to strengthen "frontline border control" in the run-up to the congress



"(We must) firmly prevent major incidents that will harm political security and border stability," he said. "(We will) take action to show absolute loyalty, pure loyalty to the party (leadership) and general secretary Xi Jinping.

On the China-Myanmar border, authorities in Mangshi, Yunnan province, said they would "build a steel wall" of border security.

Border personnel in Tibet also held a rally on Monday, pledging security and stability during the party congress.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior IPS officer has been given clean chit by a high-level inquiry committee, formed following reports of his alleged role in the arrest and subsequent release of an accused in Nabha prison break case.

The Uttar Pradesh government had ordered a high-level inquiry on September 20 following reports in a section of media that Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Ghyanshyampura was detained and subsequently released at the behest of this IPS officer.

"The inquiry, headed by the ADG-rank officer, has found that false and misleading allegations were levelled against the IPS officer through the media," a state home department spokesman said today.

The motive of these allegations seems to hinder the probe by the Special Task Force against the organised gangs of criminals, and action will be taken against those found responsible for it, he added.

In a sensational jailbreak, a group of armed men stormed Nabha jail in Punjab's Patiala district in police uniforms and managed to free six prisoners - Harminder Singh Mintoo and Kashmir Singh, both terrorists, and gangsters Dhothian, Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Neeta Deol - on November 27 last year.

Gurpreet Singh was reportedly hiding at different places in Uttar Pradesh, including at Lucknow and Shahjahanpur.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had arrested three persons, Sandeep Tiwari alias Pintu, Amandeep Singh and Harjinder Singh, on September 15 from the state capital here.

The trio had reportedly struck a deal with the IPS officer in question for Rs 45 lakh to free Gurpreet, official sources said.

As the controversy erupted, the Special Task Force (STF) had issued a clarification stating that the said media reports were "misleading".

"The statements of people and officials concerned were recorded during the course of investigation and a team also visited Punjab to meet and record statements of officials and accused persons," the spokesman said, adding that none of them said that they were either in touch with the IG STF nor was it found they they had talked to the said official.

Ghanshyampura has not yet been arrested and none among those questioned admitted having paid any bribe to the IG STF, the spokesman said.

The ATS had arrested three persons Sandeep Tiwari alias Pintu, Amandeep Singh and Harjinder Singh are said to the aide of Singh on September 15 from the state capital.

The three had reportedly struck an alleged deal for Rs 45 lakh with the IPS officer to free Singh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Attacking the ruling Congress government in Meghalaya, Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam today alleged the Mukul Sangma government is "corrupt" and is "not able" to pay salaries to the employees.

"The present government is corrupt to the core. You employ people yet you cant even pay salary. Is there any government in the world which doesnt pay salaries?" the Union Tourism Minister said in an interaction with the media.

"You (the present government) have stolen peoples money you have not been able to pay salaries. Now what else do I need to explain...," he said.

Alphons wondered as to why the state government employees are yet to get the fifth pay commission benefits when the Central government employees are already enjoying the 7th pay commission benefits.

"This is completely unacceptable it is a violation of human rights and human beings to get your pay for the work you do," he said.

The Union Minister said, "I think Meghalaya must have a BJP government."



"We want people of Meghalaya... vote for us and we shall proof that your faith is with the right people," he said, adding, "We want to do big things for Meghalaya."



On lack of infrastructure that slows down tourism, Alphons said, "These are the basic things that the government will create if we (BJP) come to power. We will do big things in tourism. We will do big things to create jobs for the local people."



"One big thing our government wants to do when we come to power is to provide the big opportunity to the young people to be trained professionally, to get jobs and of course very fundamental to our core believe is to create an honest government," he said.

The Union Minister who is also the election in charge of Meghalaya said he will be meeting Christian leaders later today too.

"I will be meeting the Arch Bishop of Shillong today and a pastor of Presbyterian Church. In the future I will call all the community leaders of the state of Meghalaya. We want to share dream of PM and we need to take all the community along," he said.

He, however, denied that he was appointed to appease the Christian communities in the Country.

"I am not here to appease anybody... and the government is not trying to appease anybody. I have reached here doing a few things in my life," he said.

"I guess the prime minister was looking for what people can bring on the table and make governance better that was one of the objectives of bringing me here," he defended.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi government today ordered a probe into the alleged renting out of classrooms at night by a security guard at an MCD school in East Delhi and asked authorities to conduct inspections in all schools.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has asked Chief Secretary M M Kutty to get the probe done through Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The directive comes following a raid at the school in East Delhi's Kalyanpuri area by Sisodia last night during which he found that the school guard had been renting out classrooms at night and two people were found staying at the school illegally and cooking food.

Sisodia has also asked the Directorate of Education (DoE) to conduct inspections in all schools and get police verification done of all security guards to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

"The classrooms, where kids come to study in the morning, are used at night by renters to cook food, and stored fretsaw, hammer, and other tools in a cupboard. Playing with the safety of kids by the schools, will not be tolerated at any cost," Sisodia told reporters.

"I have asked Chief Secretary to get the issue probed. This is a very serious matter. Food was being cooked there. What if a student opens the cupboard and gets access to spices or knives? Nobody knew that this was happening in the school is not possible," he said.

Sisodia, who is also Delhi's Education Minister said, "I have information that the same is happening in few other schools as well".

According to the police, following the late night raid three people were detained.

"The security guard and his two friends who were staying with him were detained and questioned by the police. There was no legal action made out against the trio and they were let off," a senior police official said.

"The guard has been working for 10 years at the school and had called his two friends for living with him since he felt scared alone here. He claimed that his friends had only been staying for the last couple of months," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will inaugurate the memorial in honour of legendary Tamil thespian Sivaji Ganesan on October one coinciding with his birth anniversary, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said today.

Earlier the government had announced that Information and Publicity Minister 'Kadambur' C Raju would inaugurate the memorial following which the Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Samooga Nala Peravai, a social welfare body run by the actor's fans, said it should be done by the chief minister.

Palaniswami not declaring open the memorial would mean disrespecting the late actor, it had said.

In a statement here, Palansiwami said though he desired to inaugurate the memorial following a request made by the actor's family, he would not be able to do so as he would be out of town to take part in other functions that he had already agreed to attend.

He said he had issued orders that the memorial would be inaugurated on October one coinciding with the actor's birth anniversary.

"Though I was eager to inaugurate the memorial on my own, I will not be able do so as I will be out of town to take part in other functions that I have already accepted. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will inaugurate the memorial on October one..," Palaniswami said.

Fisheries minister D Jayakumar will preside over the function along with the Information and Publicity minister, he said.

The 28,300 sq ft memorial has been built by the Public Works Department at a cost of Rs 2.80 crore at Adyar here in the Dravidian style of architecture.

In 2015, then chief minister Jayalalithaa had announced in the Assembly that a memorial will be built honouring Sivaji Ganesan, who ruled the Tamil film world since 1950s.

A winner of the coveted Dada Saheb Phalke award, Ganesan had acted in over 300 films most of which were big hits. He passed away on July 21, 2001.

A bronze statue of the actor, removed from Kamarajar Salai abutting the Marina Beach here following a court directive, will be unveiled at the memorial on October 1.

Palaniswami said he always had special regard for the thespian. "There cannot be any second opinion that there is no one to match his acting skills, which are praised the world over," the chief minister said.

Palaniswami also referred to Jayalalithaa praising the actor in the Assembly.

The chief minister said he had issued orders to the Information and Public Welfare departments, to jointly take up the preparatory works for the inauguration of the memorial.

Meanwhile, Sivaji Ganesan's second son and actor, Prabhu, thanked Palaniswami for making arrangements for conducting the inauguration of the memorial.

"Prabhu thanked the chief minister over telephone for making the announcement on the inauguration," an official release said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindus in Nagaland are celebrating Durga Puja with religious fervour and fanfare while worshippers are thronging the pandals to offer prayers to the goddess.

Magnificently decorated puja pandals have been erected -- especially in Kohima and Dimapur -- the two districts having sizeable population of Hindus from the rest of India.

Several cultural programmes are also being held in the puja pandals surrounded by stalls selling sweets and other savouries.

The Gorkha Public Panchayat, Kohima, organised the festivities at Chandmari ground, while observing the "great sacrificial day" or Mahabali, today.

On the occasion, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya extended puja and dussehra greetings to the people of the state.

"The festival signifies virtue to fight against all evils and the triumph of righteousness over evil," said the governor in his message.

The festival embodies the power ethical and moral value systems that are embedded in our culture and tradition, he said



It is the foundation for peace, prosperity and amity in the society, the governor said while expressing hope that Durga Puja and Dussehra will "inspire all to follow the path of virtue and usher in place and happiness".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It's official now. In future Lok Sabha and assembly elections, paper trail machines will be used at all polling stations, the Election Commission has said.

In a letter to chief electoral officers of states written earlier this week, the poll panel said that henceforth, VVPAT (voter-verifiable paper audit trail) or paper trail machines will be used at polling stations in all future elections where polls are held using EVMs.

In March, the then chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi had told political parties in a meeting that VVPAT machines will be used in all future elections. But now formal directions have been issued.

The poll panel had ordered for 67,000 additional paper trail units in 2015, out of which 33,500 have been supplied, according to the law ministry.

The EC is about to get another 30,000 VVPAT machines for Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh polls due later this year.

For the EC to allow the use of VVPATs in all polling stations in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it needs 16,15,000 more such machines.

Several parties have been pressing for the use of these machines to dispel doubts about EVM tampering. Sixteen parties had recently petitioned the EC to revert to paper ballot system for greater transparency. The BSP, the AAP and the Congress had attacked the EC on the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home. It has only been used on trial basis in some places.

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Former Army chief Dalbir Singh today lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a "very bold decision" of approving surgical strikes in Myanmar and Pakistan in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

One of the aims of the surgical strikes was "deterrence", Singh said, and the goal was achieved after the 2016 operation.

Singh, who was the Army chief when both the strikes were carried out, added that there has not been any major incident in Jammu and Kashmir after the daring operation.

"In June 2015, we conducted surgical strikes in Myanmar, and again in September 2016, we conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan. Both strikes were very successful without any loss of life...no casualty to our people.

"It was a very bold decision of our prime minister to approve the surgical strikes. So, the credit firstly goes to our prime minister. The credit also goes to my subordinates, my able commanders and brave soldiers who executed these surgical strikes," Singh told reporters.

The 2015 strike in Myanmar was carried out by the Army following the killing of 20 soldiers by Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction (NSNC-K) in Manipur. The 2016 strike was carried out on the intervening night of September 28-29 in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after an attack on an Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that had killed 19 soldiers.

"We are grateful to the prime minister for reposing faith and confidence in the Indian Army and the armed forces. And we lived up to the expectations of the nation," he said.

Singh said after the Army conducted surgical strikes in Myanmar, he had decided that the forces will retaliate in a similar way if there was any such attack in future.

"What we did in Myanmar...it was decided that if any such major incident (like the killing of soldiers in Manipur) takes place in future, I did not have any doubt that we had to undertake such an exercise. We started a lot of preparations after the Myanmar strike. And we got a lot of time in training to ensure success," Singh said.

When asked whether he believes that India could have a policy against terrorists hiding at all locations where the armed forces can go, Singh said it is a political decision which the government has to take.

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An Iraqi ban on international flights into and out of Iraqi Kurdistan took effect today in retaliation for an independence referendum that has angered Baghdad.

The central government ordered the indefinite halt to all foreign flights to and from the autonomous region in northern Iraq from 6:00 pm local time, after Iraqi Kurds this week overwhelmingly voted for independence.

"The halt on international flights is now officially into effect," Mawloud Bawa Murad, the Kurdish regional government's transport minister, told AFP at Arbil airport, where he was visiting staff.

The director of Arbil airport, Talar Faiq Salih, earlier said humanitarian, military and diplomatic flights have been excluded from the ban.

The Kurds have condemned the flight suspension as "collective punishment".

But Iraq's prime minister had said it was rather a legal measure that would be reversed if the transport authority was transferred to Baghdad in line with the Iraqi constitution.

Earlier today, foreigners scrambled to leave Iraqi Kurdistan from its two airports at Arbil and Sulaimaniyah before the flight ban took effect.

Iraqi Kurdistan is home to a large international community, most of whom enter on a visa issued by the regional authorities that is not recognised elsewhere in Iraq.

Tensions have escalated between Arbil and Baghdad since Iraqi Kurds on Monday voted for the independence of their oil-rich region in a non-binding referendum.

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Following are the top foreign stories at 2100 hours:



FGN11 STAMPEDE-LD FADNAVIS



Singapore: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promises to take strict action against those responsible for the tragic stampede in Mumbai that claimed at least 22 lives and announces an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh for the next of the kins of the deceased.

FGN19 CHINA-XI



Beijing: China's ruling Communist Party elects 2,287 delegates for next month's key Congress, which is widely expected to endorse a second five-year term for President Xi Jinping and appoint a new set of officials backed by him. From K J M Varma



FGN5 US-PAK-LD MATTIS



Washington: The US will "watch" Pakistan's choices on President Donald Trump's new Afghan and South Asia strategy to combat terrorism in its tracks, says Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. By Lalit K Jha



FGN21 MYANMAR-LD CAPSIZE-TOLL



Geneva: The UN migration agency says today that more than 60 people are either confirmed dead or missing and presumed dead following the shipwreck of a boat carrying Rohingya Muslims who were fleeing from violence in Myanmar to Bangladesh. (AP)



FGN20 AFGHAN-2NDLD BLAST



Kabul: Up to six people have been killed in a suicide bombing attack outside a Shiite mosque in Kabul today, police says, as Muslims prepare to commemorate a key Islamic event. (AFP)



FGN2 TRUMP-2NDLD MERKEL



Washington: US President Donald Trump calls German Chancellor Angela Merkel to congratulate her on election victory and discusses how to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions and 'malign' activities in the Middle East. By Lalit K Jha



FGN14 BREXIT-LD MAY



Tallinn (Estonia): European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker says it would take "miracles" for Brexit divorce talks to make enough progress by the end of October to move on to trade negotiations.

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In a veiled attack on Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Congress today alleged the ruling BJP was trying to "intimidate" its own MLAs against "revolting" by filing criminal cases against Congress leaders.

"The criminal cases filed against Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar and former chief minister Digambar Kamat--both from Congress--are meant to send a signal to the BJP MLAs that if they try to revolt they will also meet a similar fate," AICC secretary Girish Chodankar alleged.

The Crime Branch is currently investigating Kavlekar for his alleged links with matka gambling and Kamat in connection with an illegal mining scam. Kavlekar was also booked in a disproportionate assets case.

"Several BJP legislators are not happy with the current government. They are sent message through these cases that if they revolt, they will also meet a similar fate," he alleged.

"He is indirectly threatening his legislators. First Kamat and now Chodankar, both the legislators are targeted using the police machinery," Chodankar said without taking any name.

He alleged that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was ready to "compromise to any extent" to ensure that he remains in power.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Haryana government has set a target to achieve grade-level competency for at least 80 per cent students by the end of December 2018, an official spokesman said.

The government will also provide employment opportunities to more than two lakh youths in the state in coming two years.

This was revealed in a review meeting of 'Saksham Haryana', an initiative of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, education minister and skill development and industrial training minister, chaired by the chief minister here today.

It was also decided in the meeting that the private companies who would engage more than five per cent apprentice would be recognised or facilitated by the government, an official spokesman said.

These private companies would be called as 'Saksham Saathi' of the government.

It was also informed that the state government, under 'Saksham Rozgar Portal', would facilitate all youths in getting employment opportunities in government and private sector as well as for apprenticeship programmes, he said.

Besides, assistance would also be provided for self- employment. As many as 11 initiatives have been defined for all sectors, so that more than two lakh youths could get employment in coming two years.

The state government would also assist the youths in placement, carrier counselling, training and job-mapping through technological support, he said.

The entire information would be available on 'Saksham Rozgar Portal', which will be launched very soon.

It was informed that under 'Saksham Haryana', the existing system of school education would be streamlined and strengthened, he said.

"All facilities of the departments concerned would be made online. The best practices of other states have been adopted. The state government would also do something new in the state so that other states can learn. New technology would be brought on pilot basis in School Education Department," he said.

The assessment for achievement of 80 per cent grade-level competency would be carried out by a third party, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court has sought the Air Force and Navy's stand on a PIL challenging their alleged "arbitrary" and "discriminatory" recruitment practice of reserving the right to raise the cut-off marks for below officer rank posts after receiving applications.

The plea claimed that unlike the Army, the two forces are discriminating in recruitment of personnel below officer rank (PBOR) by evolving a short listing criteria even before the written examination, which takes away the chances of eligible candidates to participate in the selection process.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Centre, chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff, presidents of central airmen selection board and directorate of manpower planning and recruitment, seeking their response on the petition in six weeks.

The court listed the matter for December 15.

The plea, filed by Rajasthan resident Onkar Choudhary, alleged that the Air Force and Navy are adopting an "irrrational" selection procedure and comapred to the one followed by the Army.

The petition, filed through advocate Ankur Chibber, sought quashing of advertisements dated July 22 and April 5 by the Navy and Air Force respectively, to the extent that they reserved the right for short-listing candidates by increasing the cut-off marks obtained in class 12 after receiving their applications for recruitment as PBOR.

It also sought a direction to the two forces to consider all eligible candidates by issuing them admit cards for the selection procedure.

"In the advertisement, the Air Force and the Navy also prescribe the minimum eligibility criteria based on age and education qualification.

"However, in contrast to the procedure followed by the Army, the Air Force and the Navy specify in their advertisement that they reserve the right for resorting to short listing criteria based on percentage of marks scored in 10+2 and that the qualifying cut-off percentage of a particular state may be increased if more number of application with higher percentage are received," the petition said.

If the plea is allowed, it would benefit a large number of citizens who aspire to join the armed forces, it said.

The plea said the "arbitrary actions" can lead to absurd consequences where candidates with a lower class 12th percentage may not be allowed to participate in the POBR exam conducted by the Navy and the Air Force but would be able to successfully clear the NDA examination, for recruitment as officers.

"The act by the Air Force and Navy is irrational and does not have a rational nexus with the objective of recruitment," it claimed.

It said that for enrolment of PBOR in the Army, the applicants, who fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria as specified in advertisement, are issued an admit card for participating in the written examination.

It added that there is no provision in the Army to disallow an eligible candidate from participating in the selection process if he has fulfilled the minimum eligibility qualification.

The Army after going through the recruitment process resorts to the short listing based on the written examination and other criteria, it said.

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FMCG major HUL today said it has decided to divest 50 per cent stake in joint venture Kimberly-Clark Lever Pvt Ltd (KCLL) to its partner Kimberly- Clark Cooperation(KCC).

KCLL, which is into baby and feminine care business through its brand Huggies and Kotex, is a 22-year old 50:50 joint venture between Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) and US- based KCC.

The company has signed an agreement for divestment of its 50 per cent shareholding in KCLL, in favour of KCC, HUL said in a BSE filing.

Accordingly, KCLL would cease to be a joint venture of HUL.

The company said the decision to divest its stake in the partnership is part of the company's objective to focus on its core business.

It however said the company would work with KCC to ensure smooth transition for the business.

HUL and KCC had a partnership for over two decades and built a foundation for the baby and child care and feminine care business in India under the brand Huggies and Kotex, respectively.

HUL had formed the JV with KCC in 1995.

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A five-day festival embracing diverse streams from cinema to cuisine opens in the city next week.

The annual festival of the India International Centre here, which kickstarts on October 7, will include food from Israel, Bharatanatyam from the south, contemporary art of India, archives from Russia and cinema from Italy.

The festival, which concludes on October 11, will open with a new ensemble in Bharatanatyam, titled 'Where the Streets are Fragrant with Sandal Paste', on traditional processions in South India.

"Through this piece, we want to touch upon the idea of critical appraisal of the art form as a method of keeping it alive. We are looking at how patronage affected dance, from divine patronage to temporal patronage -- from gods to kings," said American-born Indian Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Justin McCarthy.

Another piece showcases the life of Devadasis, while the third part of the dance-drama will focus on the river Yamuna.

"The Yamuna that we see today in the city is tragic. I am trying to draw this contrast between the ideal vision we have of the river and the reality," he said.

To mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Russia, the festival will present an exhibition, 'The Russian State and India-Imperial Encounters to Contemporary Collaboration". Curated by Dr Hari Vasudevan, the show includes archival photographs, maps, illustrations, paintings and engravings.

The work of contemporary arts will be on display, with a show called 'Carrying Roots Around'. Curated by Manish Pushkale and presented by the Raza Foundation, it will feature the works of artists such as Ganesh Haloi, Atul Dodiya, Jaishree Chakraborty and Jagannath Panda, among others.

For history and theatre lovers, a play to mark the centenary of the Champaran Satyagraha -- "Mohan se Mahatama" -- will be staged, encompassing the journey of Mahatama Gandhi from Mohandas Karmachand to the Mahatama.

"Champaran in another way introduced Gandhi to India and India to Independence," director Sayeed Alam said.

The festival will also pay tribute to classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar through her senior-most student Nandini Bedekar. A concert of Western classical Music by the Cermona Quartet, a well-known string quartet from Italy, and folk dances and music from Cambodia will also be presented.

IIC president N N Vohra will release the IIC Quarterly magazine that includes articles on language and literature with a special section on the Champaran Satyagraha.

Cinema enthusiasts will get to watch ten award winning films from Italy covering the period 1950-2014, while "A Cinematic Journey Through cities" will include classics from Britian, China, France, Germany and India.

The food section will include specially curated meals by city-based chefs along with Germany-based culinary master Alex Moser. The Embassy of Israel will offer a taste from their kitchen - 'Ha Mitbach.

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Effectively combating terrorism was one of the major focus areas during the talks Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah had with Indian leaders as both sides emphasised the need to dismantle terror safe havens in the region.

Abdullah, who arrived here yesterday, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during which a wide-range of issues were discussed.

"India and Afghanistan condemned the continuing acts of terror and violence in Afghanistan, including the recent attack at the Kabul airport which had delayed the arrival of Dr Abdullah to India," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He said both sides asserted that terror safe havens and sanctuaries need to be dismantled.

Kumar said both sides positively assessed the recent developments in bilateral relations, including the outcomes of the recently concluded meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council on September 11, which was co-chaired by the foreign ministers of the two countries.

India had already announced that it will implement 116 development projects in Afghanistan.

"The New Development Partnership was described as paving the way for the new generation partnership in development cooperation between the two countries," Kumar said.

In the talks, the Indian leadership reiterated New Delhi's support for all efforts to build a stable, secure, peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, he said.

A Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation on police training and development was signed and formally exchanged at the meeting between the Chief Executive and the Prime Minister.

"This has created an enabling framework for training and capacity building of Afghan National Police personnel in various fields in addition to India's ongoing assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces," said Kumar.

He said trade and economic cooperation was also the focus of discussions and that better connectivity was emphasised upon by both the sides



"In this context, both sides expressed determination to strengthen the Air Freight Corridor and also welcomed the steps being taken to operationalise the Chahbahar port, including the forthcoming supply of wheat to Afghanistan from October 2017," he said.

Kumar said Afghanistan was invited to participate in the International Solar Alliance Summit Meeting being held in India in December 2017.

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India and the European Union will hold their 14th summit talks on October 6 during which both sides are expected to discuss a host of key issues including ways to remove hurdles for the long-pending free trade agreement.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MAE) said the president of the European Council, Donald Franciszek Tusk, and the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, will be here on a working visit from October 5-7 for the summit.

President Tusk and President Juncker will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

"The 14th India-EU Summit aims to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and advance collaboration in priority areas for India's growth and development," said Kumar.

The EU is India's largest regional trading partner with bilateral trade in goods at USD 88 billion in 2016.

The EU is also the largest destination for Indian exports and a key source of investment and technologies.

India received around USD 83 billions of foreign direct investment from Europe during 2000-17 which constituted approximately 24 per cent of the total FDI inflows into the country during the period, said Kumar.

India and the EU have been strategic partners since 2004. The 13th India-EU Summit was held in Brussels on March 30 last year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

The summit last year had failed to make any headway on resumption of long stalled negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Launched in June 2007, the negotiations for the proposed EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) have witnessed many hurdles with both sides having major differences on crucial issues like intellectual property rights, duty cut in automobile and spirits.

The issue is likely to figure during the upcoming summit talks.

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The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency today launched a new Green Masala Bond on the London Stock Exchange's new International Securities Market to raise funds to finance renewable energy projects across India.

The five-year dated bond raised approximately USD 300 million (Rs 19.5 billion), with a coupon of 7.125 per cent, and became the first Green Masala Bond to be listed on the International Securities Market (ISM).

"Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is fully committed to helping achieve Indian Government's vision of 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022. The Green Masala Bond is a significant milestone for IREDA in this regard, as we embark on the next phase of renewable and sustainable energy led expansion," said Kuljit Singh Popli, Chairman and Managing Directorof IREDA, at a special market opening ceremony at the London Stock Exchange.

Popli described the listing as a step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to the Paris agreement on Climate Change.

"The overwhelming response to the issue is a testament to the confidence of global investors in IREDA and the Indian renewable sector in general," he said.

IREDA, a state-owned non-banking financial institution, has a remit to promote, develop and extend financial assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency conservation projects in India.

The company provides financing for hydro, wind and solar energy projects, new and emerging technologies and for bio energy sectors.

"The IREDA Green Masala Bond illustrates government of India's commitment towards fostering the renewable and sustainable energy sector. Renewable energy will increasingly become the dominant force in energy generation, as we strive for 'Electricity for All' and achieve our mandate of 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022," said Anand Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Advancements in technology and a drop in the price of solar and wind energy have set India on the course to not only achieve its renewables target, but exceed it, he noted.

The new green bond is certified by Climate Bonds Initiative, an international, investor-focused not-for-profit, which helps build robust and transparent assurance frameworks around green bond investment.

It marks the fourth green bond by an Indian issuer to be issued on London Stock Exchange.

Axis Bank and NTPC joined in 2016, raising respectively USD 500 million and USD 300 million equivalent.

In June this year, the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) raised USD 450 million.

London Stock Exchange claims to be the largest Masala Bond centre globally, with 42 bonds listed in total with an equivalent value of over USD 6 billion.

"There is an indisputable shift in momentum in green and sustainable financing across the world and London Stock Exchange Group is proud to be spearheading the growing global green and sustainable financing movement, developing innovative products and services in partnership with our customers," said Xavier Rolet, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group.

"The London Stock Exchange is the largest, and greenest, in Europe and has helped position Britain as a world-leader in green finance," said Jo Johnson, UK Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.

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A high-level Indian delegation is visiting the US to forge partnership with America's food processing sector to bring the best practices of the world into India's food value chain.

Led by Union Food Processing IndustriesMinister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Indian delegation met officials from companies across the food value chain in Chicago and Washington DC.

The visit came ahead of the mega 'World Food India' trade show in New Delhi later this year.

"World Food provides a platform to companies which are looking at expanding their footprints outside their country to tap newer markets," Badal said.

India is looking at partnering with those companies to upgrade Indian systems and technologies and bring the best practices of the world into the food value chain, she said.

She said the trip has helped in sensitising people and across the food chain about the 'World Food India' and the opportunities that India offers.

Food processing industry, she observed, can play a vital role in doubling farmer's income and reduce the food wastage which in turn will ensure more food for the growing population.

"We have a huge raw material base, but we processed only 10 per cent, she said.

Badal said to control wastage, there was a need to increase processing levels.

And to increase processing levels there is need to create the infrastructure, she said.

"I want to bring in the best technology and the best of the know-how for the creation of that infrastructure," she said.

India has a USD 600 billion retail sector, of which 70 per cent is food retail. This is set to triple by 2020.

Badal said she is visiting the US to tell food processors, machine manufacturers, technology suppliers and refrigeration companies to come to India if they expand their footprint and increase their business.

"This is the area where we are investing. Bring your technology to India if you need to expand so that my people can pick up your technology and your machinery," she said.

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Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister Choudhary Lal Singh has issued strict instructions against dumping of muck in forest areas and water bodies along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway where four-laning work is underway, an official spokesperson said.

Singh yesterday asked field officers to ask contractor companies to strictly adhere to the terms and conditions, saying "no violation will be tolerated in this regard", the spokesman said.

"Keep a close check against dumping of muck in forest land, water bodies and other areas that may disturb the ecosystem," the minister said.

He was inspecting the four-laning work on the highway, the only all-weather surface link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country.

The minister expressed serious concern over the "lackadaisical attitude" of officers in following his directions regarding fencing of forest area, demarcation of forest land and upkeep of natural resources, the spokesman said.

Singh exhorted the officers to restore degraded forest areas along the national highway and also directed them to keep close vigil on "illegal activities" in forest area, he said.

The forest minister also chaired a high-level meeting of officers of the department and laid foundation stone of Forest Hut at Patnitop, the spokesman added.

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Ram Nath Kovind will visit Djibouti and Ethiopia from October 3 on his maiden trip abroad as president during which a number of agreements, including one on economic cooperation, are expected to be signed.

During his four-day visit to the two African nations, the president is expected to sign agreements on institutionalisation of foreign office consultation and greater economic cooperation with Ethiopia, said Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Press Secretary to the President Ashok Malik said Djibouti is an important Indian Ocean partner country with whom India's bilateral trade stands at USD 284 million in 2016-17.

"The president is looking forward to the visit. He recognises that the Africa and Indian ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit," Malik told reporters here.

Malhotra said this will be the first visit by an Indian president to Ethiopia after 45 years. The last visit was by President V V Giri in 1972.

She said there will be a business event and an interaction with the Indian community there.

"The first visit by the president to Africa shows the importance of the Africa for the current government. The Prime Minister had declared that Africa is a priority for Indian foreign and economic policies," she said.

India's bilateral trade with Ethiopia in 2016 was nearly USD 1 billion. The country is among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia with an approved investment of 4 billion dollars.

Malik said India has extended a line of credit of USD 49 million to Djibouti, mainly for constructing a cement plant. It is a strategically located country just off the Gulf of Aden.

Asked whether India will sign any pact with Ethiopia on import of pulses, Malhotra said India imports pulses from four African countries -- Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and Ethiopia.

"This year we had a bumper crops so I think our import from Africa including Myanmar, Australia and Canada will also come down drastically. We are not contemplating signing any agreement as far as pulses is concerned," she said.

Asked about China establishing a military base in Djibouti, Malik said India's relations with the nation stands on its own footing which goes back to many years.

"India is not a stranger to this country, economically or politically. What other countries do is entirely the business of these countries. We don't need to comment on that. As far as defence agreement with Djibouti is concerned, there is nothing scheduled yet," he said.

In both the countries the president will interact with the members of the Indian community.

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The Maharashtra government and Singapore's Changi airport will collaborate for a greenfield airport development project in Pune, Chief Minister Davendra Fadnavis said here today.

Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADC) and Singapore's Changi Airport International Pte Ltd (CAI) will explore the setting up of Special Purpose Vehicles and further investments in airport projects.

"I have offered the partnership of Maharashtra government in the new airport at Pune and passenger and cargo airport at Nagpur," Fadnavis told reporters after he called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Fadnavis also called on Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and met Trade and Industry Minister S Iswaran.

Fadnavis said the MADC and CAI will collaborate for a greenfield airport development at Pune.

The two companies will also work on upgrading Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at Nagpur into regional logistics and cargo hub.

Fadnavis and his delegation has also held discussions with a number of Singapore businesses, including Surbana Juorng for the masterplans for Pune and Nagpur.

Fadnavis met Liew Mun Leong, chairman of both the CAI and Surbana Jurong, the master planner of Amaravati capital city of Andhra Pradesh.

The Maharashtra government has also called on Surbana Jurong to participate with in planning the development of the two cities, he said.

Both countries have agreed to set up working group on these projects to be co-chair by Fadnavis and Minister Iswaran.

Fadnavis, who arrived here yesterday from a business trip to Seoul, have invited Singapore investors to participate in the large range of business opportunities in Maharashtra state.

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A six-year-old boy was killed by a man on suspicion of peeping into his bathroom when his wife was bathing in southeast Delhi, police said today.

The boy had gone missing from a slum in Okhla Phase II on September 27, a senior police officer said.

Rohit (19) allegedly killed the boy on Wednesday, Romil Baaniya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast), said.

The accused hid the body in a box bed. He later stuffed it in a sack, which was found near the boy's house this morning. Some locals informed police on noticing the strong stench.

On finding "Rukmani" written on the sack, a shopkeeper in the area told police that Rukmani's son Rohit had purchased flour from him in that bag, Baaniya said.

The accused lived a few meters away from the boy's home.

Rohit went into hiding and switched off his phone, police said.

He was arrested today.

During questioning, Rohit told police the boy would peep into his bathroom and pass lewd remarks at his wife.

He told police that the boy's father had also abused him once in front of his wife.

Asked if he sexually assaulted the boy, Rohit replied in the negative, police said.

Police are awaiting the post-mortem report, said the DCP.

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The Congress today dubbed the Mumbai station stampede as a "man-made disaster" and demanded a judicial probe by a sitting judge while asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to the people of the city.

The main opposition party also accused the railways of "criminal negligence" which led to a "manslaughter".

As Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad condoled the deaths, the party asked the PM to give "real solutions" to the Railway Ministry instead of just changing ministers.

Piyush Goyal recently took over as railway minister after Suresh Prabhu resigned following a string of accidents.

The party also sought enhanced compensation of Rs 50 lakh and a railway job to the next of kin of the deceased.

A compensation of Rs 10 lakh was announced-- Rs 5 lakh from Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and Rs 5 lakh from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Sonia Gandhi said such "man-made" disasters could have been avoided by proper planning and concern for safety.

In a statement, she expressed hope that a proper inquiry would be conducted to fix responsibility for the tragedy in which 22 people were killed.

She also wished an early recovery to the injured.

"Terming the tragedy as a man-made disaster, Sonia Gandhi said that such accidents could have been avoided had there been proper planning and concern for safety," said a statement issued by the Congress.

Rahul also expressed pain over the accident. "Deeply pained to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone station. My thoughts with the families of the victims," he tweeted.

Sonia asked party workers to help in providing assistance to the bereaved families, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said the tragedy has shaken the conscience of the nation as it exposes the lacunae in the rail safety infrastructure.

Angry Mumbaikars are questioning BJP Government's "incapability" to provide additional railway infrastructure to the city, she said.

The Congress leader said while Goyal is on a 'name- changing', 'ribbon-cutting' spree, people are anguished and demanding answers.

"It is almost a criminal negligence leading to manslaughter," she said, adding that a person had tweeted sometime ago about the state of the overbridge but the Railways did not take any action.

Dev accused the prime minister of a "huge dereliction of duty" by not according top priority to Railway safety.

"We demand an impartial judicial enquiry by a sitting judge in the entire accident," she said.

"The Prime Minister should apologise to the people of Mumbai for absolutely no infrastructure development in the city in the last 3 years," she said.

"PM Modi should give real solutions to the Railway Ministry rather than changing rail ministers."



Dev also said there should be a safety audit of all foot overbridges, platforms and overhead bridges of the entire Mumbai Suburban Railway System and the report should be presented in the Parliament.

The recommendations of the Bibek Debroy and Anil Kakodkar Committee on Railway Safety be implemented, she said.

The Modi Government, she alleged, has "misplaced" priorities. Instead of spending money on bullet trains, it is high time this money is spent on improving basic infrastructure, she said.

"You are a complete failure on good governance and at the cost of repeating I will tell the Prime Minister whether he will now remove Goyal," she asked.

She also raised the issue of the merger of Railway budget with general budget and said the BJP government is diminishing the status of railways and endangering lives of common people.

She said 259 passengers were killed, 973 injured in 29 major rail accidents since the Modi government assumed office.

India has led the world in rail accidents by recording the maximum number of causalities and accidents in 2016, she said.

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Amid reports of bodies of Hindus being found in mass graves in Myanmar, India today hoped that the country will bring to justice those involved in the crime.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said as per the statement of the office of Myanmar's state counsellor, all the bodies found in these graves are of Hindus.

Stating that India has seen the press reports about these graves and looked at the official statement by the Myanmarese government, Kumar said the country condemns terrorism in all forms.

"We emphasise that there is no justification to any act of terrorism which targets civilians in this conflict. We hope authorities will be able to bring to justice perpetrators of the crime.

"We hope the families of the victims will be provided all possible assistance so as to instill a sense of security and return of normalcy," he said.

As per reports, these mass graves were found in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

"We have conveyed our concerns about the affected people to Myanmar. The affected families should be given appropriate compensation," said Kumar.

He also said that India and Bangladesh are in "close touch" over the Rohingiya issue.

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British Prime Minister Theresa May said today there had been "very good progress" on the rights of EU expatriates in Brexit divorce talks this week.

"That has been part of the negotiations that we've had. Very good progress has been made," May said as she arrived at a European Union summit in Tallinn.

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Union minister Ramdas Athawale today demanded a judicial probe into the Mumbai stampede in which 22 people died and more than 30 injured.

The tragedy took place around 10.40 am on the stairwell of a narrow overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations.

"A judicial inquiry should be initiated into the incident as there are reports that rumours were being spread," the Minister of State for Social Justice said.

He demanded that "maximum possible" compensation be given to kin of the deceased.

The state government and Railway Ministry each have announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for kin of the victims of the stampede.

Responding to a query, Athawale backed carving out separate Vidarbha out of Maharashtra.

"The Central government should seriously think about the demand for creating separate Vidarbha state. There is no harm in having two Marathi-speaking states," the Dalit leader said.

Athawale said his party, the RPI (A), is organising a convention for separate Vidarbha in Nagpur on November 1.

"We will invite leaders of all the political parties, including the BJP which are supporting the cause of separate Vidarbha, at the convention," he said.

Responding to a query on the Shiv Sena's threats to pull out of the BJP-led state government, Athawale said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party should not break the alliance.

"However, even if the Sena walks out of the NDA, the government won't collapse as we have 130 MLAs and need support of 15 more," he said.

Athawale said MLAs don't want mid-term polls now.

"However, we are ready to face snap polls as people are in favour of the BJP government. RPI(A) will always support the NDA government. The Devendra Fadnavis government will complete its five-year term," the minister said.

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A double-murder accused allegedly escaped from the court premises here before the judgement in his case was to be pronounced, officals said today.

The incident took place yesterday when the accused identified as Abdul Hassan fled from outside the court.

Additional District Sessions judge Arvind Rai has asked the police to produce the accused before the court on October 6.

A non-bailable warrant has been issued against Abdul along with a court order to initiate attachment proceedings, the judge said.

Abdul was charge-sheeted for the alleged murder of two persons whose bodies were found in a truck on Delhi-Dehradun National Highway on December 17, 2013.

The other accused in the murder case was a juvenile.

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Saif Ali Khan, who got embroiled in a much publicised debate after he chanted "nepotism rocks" at an awards function, says he may have benefited from his lineage but is "totally against nepotism".

The actor, who had to apologise to Kangana Ranaut for his remarks at the IIFA function in July, says nepotism is "horrible" specially if it results in pushing forward the undeserving person.

In an interview with PTI, Saif says, "Nepotism is a horrible thing. I am totally against nepotism. I have benefited from it for sure. Definitely, we have more opportunities than people who are not connected to movies.

"But how long can one survives depends on talent and hard work. There are so many people like Shah Rukh Khan who have survived without any conjunctions. For one star kid succeeding there are fifty star kids which are failing."



Saif, who is the son of yesteryear actor Sharmila Tagore, is looking forward to the acting debut of his daughter Sara Ali Khan. He says nepotism by virtue is negative and such topics need to be highlighted at times.

Saif, however, hopes his daughter Sara, who is making her debut with Abhishek Kapoor's "Kedarnath", will be able to deal with the pressure of this debate.

"Good things outweigh negative things. And I feel there are a lot of good things around to motivate Sara. It is a high paying, high pressure great job. But it has got a darker side as well. It is ok, that's part of the profession and she will understand that.

"She will have to deal with a lot of things. It is not like an academic subject where you are giving a presentation. It is like you are offering your soul for interpretation. She has to be open to criticism. I have faced a lot and have been open to it," he says.

Saif will next seen in "Chef" directed by Raja Krishna Menon. The movie will release on October 6.

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Microplastics have been found in the stomachs of fish across Japan and South East Asian countries, but there is no scientific data available on such prevalence in the Indian waters, says a researcher.

Therefore, to find out if microplastics are also present in the Indian waters, Japan's Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) earlier this week entered into a research collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) here.

"Each time we eat fish, we may eat plastic. Our studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics in the stomachs of fish and it could go into the body of a human being who consumes it (fish)," Prof Hideshige Takada, the head of the laboratory of organic geochemistry at TUAT, told PTI.

Takada's team conducted a research in which it found microplastics in the stomachs of fish in the Tokyo Bay. Microplastics were found in nearly 80 per cent of the fish samples, he said.

A similar study conducted by another scientist of the USA in Indonesia also confirmed microplastics were present in the bodies of fish around the region, he claimed, adding a similar result was reported from China too.

"In India, there is no scientific data available on this phenomenon. So we are collaborating with the NIO to study all the aspects of microplastics, including its accumulation in sediments," the researcher said.

The Goa-based NIO is one of the constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The microplastic particles generally come from waste such as plastic bags, bottle caps and containers broken down by waves and ultraviolet rays, and also from microbeads widely used in cosmetics and toothpastes.

They absorb hazardous chemicals and could become concentrated in birds and fish who mistakenly eat it.

Takada said the microplastics discharged in the rivers find way into the ocean and that is how they are found even in sediments.

"They are washed into the ocean and there due to ultra violate radiation, the plastics get fragmented into small pieces," he said.

Such fragmentation occurs continuously converting plastic into microplastic, which finally goes down to the bottom (of the water body). The microplastics get accumulated in sediments and cause pollution, he said.

He said the TUAT's research has also revealed that the amount of microplastics in sediments is on the rise and it is much more than in water.

Microplastics are dangerous for plants and animals as they contain chemicals which are added during manufacturing stage to enhance durability of plastic items, he said.

"The (plastic) industry uses many chemicals and some of them are harmful to biota. Some such chemicals are still present in microplastics. The plastics used in electric products have flame retardants, which are harmful for the nature," he said.

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There was no fanfare on the first anniversary of the surgical strikes by Army on terror launchpads across the LoC in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) with the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps putting out a solitary tweet to celebrate the unprecedented military action.

"We are proud of the valour & indomitable spirits of surgical strike heroes," Chinar Corps Commander, Lt General J S Sandhu, tweeted.

The official handle of the Chinar Corps also put up a verse, and its translation, from Jnanpith awardee, poet R S Dhinkar, which read: "In reality, the gleam of modesty lies in one's power and capability! Only peace talk of the one is reputable Who is capable of victory!"



Defence officials here have not linked Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir with the surgical strike anniversary but her presence on this day in the valley is not seen as a mere coincidence.

The Army carried out surgical strikes this day last year on seven terror launch pads across the LoC inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK, 11 days after militant attack on Uri army base that left 19 soldiers dead and several others injured.

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Pakistan's premier investigation agency today challenged the verdict of an anti-terrorism court in the murder case of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, arguing that the two convicted policemen as well as the five men acquitted of all charges deserve capital punishment.

On August 31, an anti-terrorism court sentenced two senior police officers to 17 years in jail in the Bhutto murder case, nearly 10 years after her assassination.

The court also declared Pakistan's former dictator Pervez Musharraf a fugitive and ordered seizure of his property.

The court also acquitted five Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan suspects Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Rashid Ahmed and Aitzaz Shah.

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the anti-terrorism court's (ATC) decision.

The decision to declare five suspects innocent had invited criticism from various quarters, including the family of Bhutto.

Bhutto, the Pakistan Peoples Party chief and a two-time prime minister, was killed along with more than 20 people in a gun and bomb attack in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh during an election campaign rally on December 27, 2007. She was 54.

According to court officials, the FIA filed two petitions with the Rawalpindi bench of LHC. The first one argues that former city police officer Saud Aziz and former superintendent of police Khurrum Shahzad were not punished under the terrorism charges and the FIA demanded capital punishment for them.

The FIA in its second petition asked the court to overturn the acquittal of the five accused who confessed their involvement in the murder and sentence them to death.

The LHC accepted the petition, setting a date for the hearing of the case on October 2.

Officials said that Assistant Attorney General Faisa Mahmood Raja will be representing the FIA in the court.

Earlier, Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, also challenged the ATC verdict when he filed three petitions in LHC's Rawalpindi bench earlier this month.

He sought death penalty for Musharraf and the two senior police officers. He also demanded conviction of five accused who were set free.

Zardari's appeals will be heard by Justice Tariq Abbasi and Justice Habibullah Amir on November 27.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a fierce critic of the United States, is now singing Washington's praises for helping him fight pro-Islamic State group militants.

"There are so many factors involved. But I'd rather be friendly to them now," Duterte told residents of the central town of Balangiga during a visit, according to an official transcript released today.

Islamic militants waving the black IS flag occupied the southern city of Marawi on May 23, and have fought off a US- backed military assault for more than four months.

The US deployed a P-3 Orion spy plane and provided other intelligence inputs to Philippine forces trying to retake the city in fighting which has left more than 900 people dead.

"I would not say that they were our saviours, but they are our allies and they helped us. And even today, they have provided the crucial equipment to our soldiers in Marawi to fight the terrorists," Duterte said yesterday.

"So without their help also, we would be having a hard time," he said. "So we thank you."



Duterte marked the start of his six-year term last year with foul-mouthed rants against the US as he steered his country away from the decades-old alliance while chasing trade and investment from Washington's rival Beijing.

During a visit to China last October Duterte announced his "separation from the United States," stating he was realigning with China and Russia instead.

Duterte explained that at the time, he was angry at then US president Barack Obama for criticising his centrepiece war on drugs, which has since seen at least 3,850 suspects shot dead by the police and thousands more killed by suspected vigilantes and others.

He had also denounced the US government over its bloody colonisation of the Philippines in the 1900s.

"But these are all water under the bridge," Duterte said, citing the US alliance against Japan's occupation army during World War II.

Manila won independence in 1945 after the war, with the two countries also signing a mutual defence treaty in 1951.

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The police today seized around 500 bullets from a septic tank at Jeypore town in Koraput district, a senior police officer said.

Some labourers engaged in cleaning the septic tank, found the bullets inside a container and informed police about it after which they were seized.

"The bullets belong to British era as 'Made in London' and Made in Winster' are engraved on the bullets," said Prabhat Prabhat Kumar Pradhan, Additional SP of Jeypore.

Police suspect that these ammunition might be from the huge cache of bullets stolen from Jeypore Palace about 30 years ago.

The septic tank belongs to the District Industries Centre (DIC) office at Jeypore.

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Commerce and Industry Minister has made a case for a global financial architecture to facilitate flow of funds among nations.

"What is important is to create a financial architecture, which facilitates flow of capital from one country to another. The architecture will facilitate savings, which leads to investments, which leads to growth, which will facilitate further expansion," the minister said.

He said this while inaugurating the three-day India-US Symposium on 'Building the Financial System of the 21st Century: An Agenda for India and the US' here yesterday.

Citing that there were innumerable examples of financial integration fostering growth, Prabhu said post-2008 economic crisis, people started asking about how well the economic and financial regulatory model works, and whether such crisis would happen again in the future.

He said there were lot of benefits to be derived from financial integration and "we must have open markets to understand how economies can benefit each other from this".

Prabhu also said he would soon visit Washington DC to meet the US Commerce Secretary and the trade representatives in the US to hold discussions on trade and commerce related issues.
Russia said today it had detained two of its citizens including a member of the armed forces who allegedly passed Ukraine military secrets on the Black Sea naval fleet based in Moscow-annexed Crimea.

The FSB security service said in a statement that it had detained a man who was serving as a conscript in the Russian armed forces in Crimea and a woman.

It said the pair "had been gathering and passing to the Ukrainian special services information that is a state secret about the activities of the units and divisions of the Black Sea naval fleet" based in Crimea.

The FSB said it had opened a criminal case into treason, which is punishable by a maximum jail term of 20 years.

Russia regularly announces it has foiled attempts to undermine its rule in Crimea, annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move condemned internationally.

In August, the FSB said it had captured an alleged Ukrainian agent who was planning acts of sabotage including blowing up power lines.

Ukrainian film director and scriptwriter Oleg Sentsov was sentenced in 2015 to 20 years in a Russian prison colony on terrorism charges over arson attacks in Crimea.

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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said he was detained by police today as he left his home in Moscow, hours before he was to hold a banned rally.

"They have detained me in my building's entrance hall. They are taking me somewhere 'to give explanations,'" Navalny said on Twitter.

Navalny has declared his intention to stand for president in next March's polls, but the electoral authorities have said he is not eligible because he is serving a suspended sentence for fraud.

The 41-year-old anti-corruption campaigner and fearless Kremlin critic was leaving to get a train to the provincial city of Nizhny Novgorod to hold a rally at 6 pm today.

The Nizhny Novgorod authorities said they have refused him permission to hold the event but his supporters have vowed to go ahead anyway.

A Moscow police spokesman told Interfax agency that "Navalny was detained over multiple calls to participate in an unauthorised public event."



Navalny later wrote on Twitter that he had been taken to a police station but had not been told the reason for his detention.

"I am sitting in a police station. They don't say why I was detained or what they have against me," Navalny wrote.

He linked his detention to the planned rally, saying "The Kremlin sees my meetings with the electorate as a huge threat and even an insult -- after no one goes to their rallies without being paid."



"They've said for a long time that the opposition has no support in the regions and now it hurts them to see our rallies."



He is gathering supporters at cities across Russia, with recent rallies in the far Eastern cities of Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

Navalny had been detained before he even arrived at his last two rallies in Moscow on March 26 and June 12, both of which were not authorised by the authorities.

He served sentences of 15 days and 25 days in police cells for organising unauthorised protests.

President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to run in and win the March vote.

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Lucie Safarova, the women's doubles world number one, said she was pulling out of the China Open in Beijing starting tomorrow because of a wrist injury.

The 30-year-old Czech, ranked 29th in singles, has already skipped the ongoing Wuhan Open.

"I'm sad to announce I won't be coming to Beijing for the China Open this year," Safarova said on Instagram.

"My wrist injury still doesn't allow me to come back on court."



Together with Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Safarova won at both Wuhan and Beijing last year.

Following Mattek-Sands' serious knee injury at Wimbledon, Safarova climbed to the doubles number one post, replacing her American partner.

But she will lose that honour to former world singles number one Martina Hingis on Monday because of the loss of points from China.

Safarova reached the US Open semi-finals with her compatriot Barbora Strycova earlier in September.

The last tournament she played was Quebec City two weeks ago, where she reached the singles semi-finals as the top seed.

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here and discussed the security situationin the state.

An official spokesman said the meeting lastedan hour.

Sitharaman was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat.

"The governor andSitharaman discussed several important inter-related issues concerning effective management of internal and external security, particularly in the context of increasing infiltration attempts, the ongoing anti-terrorist operations, and sustained terrorist attacks on security forces personnel in the Valley," the spokesman said.

At the meeting, the governor stressed the urgent need for enlargement of the Border Roads Organisation and strengthening of its resources for ensuring the maintenance of vital road networks and strategic connectivities in J&K, particularly in the Ladakh region.

The governor also sought Sitharaman'sintervention for the return of certain pockets of land to the state government which were no longer required for military purposes.

Sitharaman also met Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftihere this evening.

The two leaders discussed several issues related to the prevailing situation in the state.

Mehbooba sought the intervention of the defence minister for the return of certain pockets of land in the state which are no longer required for operational purposes by the Army and about which consensus has already been arrived between state government and the Defence Ministry.

Mehbooba also raised the issue of speeding up work on some important roads in the state being constructed by the BRO.

She also pitched for the construction of tunnels at the Razdan pass onthe Bandipore-Gurez road and the Sadhna pass on the Kupwara-Tanghdar road.

The chief ministeralso proposed opening areas such as Battalik, Siachin base for tourist activities.

Sitharaman assured Mehbooba to look into the issues raised by her in a time-bound manner, the spokesman said.

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Six people have been arrested after a Delhi-based woman alleged she was raped by 23 men on the outskirts of Bikaner, the police said today.

According to the officers at the Jain Narayan Vyas Police Station, the 28-year-old woman lodged a complaint on September 27 alleging that she was raped by 23 men after being abducted from Bikaner-Jaipur highway, where she had gone to check on a plot she owns.

"The woman originally hails from Kerala and lives in Delhi with her husband. She often visits Bikaner to trade in bangles and claimed to have bought a plot there two years ago," SP Bikaner Swai Singh Godara told PTI.

Two of the six men arrested have divulged crucial details in the case, the SP claimed.

"Two men, during their interrogation, said that they had offered to drop her to the city and a deal, involving a middleman, was fixed at Rs 2500. Apart from the middleman, the names of eight accused have surfaced in the case," Godara said.

The six accused were identified as Bhanwar Lal (27), Subhash Lal (27), Manoj Ram (23), Raju Ram (20), Madan Lal (22) and Jugal Kishore (24) of Bikaner district, he said.

DSP Sadar Rajendra Singh, said, "Those arrested will be produced before the court today."



A few more arrests are likely in the case, he added.

According to the FIR, the woman was waiting for transport near Khatu Shyam Temple on the Jaipur road at 2.30 pm when Subhash and Raju Ram allegedly dragged her into an SUV.

She claimed that the two men drove her around for several hours and repeatedly raped her in the vehicle. Later, they called in six others who also assaulted her, the woman said.

She was then taken to a government power sub-station in Palana village where more men allegedly assaulted her, the FIR stated.

Two men dropped her around 4 am the next day at the same spot from where she was picked up a day earlier, the FIR added.

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Actors Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu today welcomed their first child, a baby girl.

Kemmu took to Twitter to share the with his fans and followers.

"We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day. Thank you for the love and blessings," the 34-year-old actor wrote.

Soha, 38, and Kunal got engaged in July 2014 in Paris and tied the knot in Mumbai on January 25, 2015.

Soha announced her pregnancy in April 2017.

On the work front, Soha was last seen in the film "31st October". Kunal will be seen next in "Golmaal Again" scheduled to release on Diwali.

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Congress President Sonia Gandhi today condoled the deaths that took place in a stampede in Mumbai and said such "man-made" disasters could have been avoided by proper planning and concern for safety.

In a statement, she hoped that a proper inquiry would be conducted to fix responsibility and accountability for the tragedy in which 22 people were killed.

Wishing an early recovery to the injured, Gandhi conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

"Terming the tragedy as a man-made disaster and expressing concern over rail safety, Gandhi said that such accidents could have been avoided, had there been proper planning and concern for safety," said a statement issued by the Congress.

Congress Vice President Rahul also expressed pain over the stampede deaths.

"Deeply pained to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone station. My thoughts with the families of the victims," he tweeted.

Sonia Gandhi hoped that railway authorities and local administration would be undertaking the relief operations expeditiously besides providing medical help to the injured.

She also asked the regional and Pradesh Congress Committee and Congress workers to contribute in providing assistance to the families of the bereaved, the statement said.

At least 22 people were killed and over 30 injured in a rush hour stampede on a narrow foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations during heavy rain today morning.

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The recently announced South Asia strategy by President Donald Trump is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in "counter terrorism campaign," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said, as he praised India's commitment towards the development of Afghanistan.

The South Asia strategy is "not exclusive of someone", Mattis said in response to a question.

It is inclusive for all responsible states that want to stop terrorism in its tracks and defend the innocent, he said.

As such, Mattis said, he sees the South Asia strategy announced by Trump in August an opportunity.

"I agree 100 per cent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign," Mattis told reporters at a joint conference in Kabul, according to a Pentagon transcript.

In what could come as a disappointment for Pakistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani echoed Mattis, as the latter travelled to Kabul directly from New Delhi, without going to Islamabad.

Pakistan, so far has resisted Trump's Afghan and South Asia policy.

This is primarily because for the first time, the United States seek to hold Pakistan accountable for its support to terrorist groups and organization.

And much to the inconvenience of Pakistan, Trump's policy seeks greater developmental role for India in this war-torn country.

"The reaction for the (Pak) government and the public at large was of utter disappointment, though not shocking.It was not unexpected but it was it was unpleasant," Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif told a New York audience this week.

"We don't see any military rule or any strategic role of India in Afghanistan," the top Pakistani diplomat said.

So far, Pakistan appears to be resisting from implementing Trump's Afghan and South Asia Policy.

Mattis told reporters in Kabul that the United States "will watch" Islamabad's choices.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with both Mattis and Ghani saying that this is a regional approach, which includes both Pakistan and India.

Both of them have to be included in a mutual approach.

He urged all countries in the region to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Mattis said India has been "very, very generous" in its development assistance to Afghanistan.

India is committed to doing even more to help the people of Afghanistan, he said.

"Certainly, that cannot be seen as contrary to another nation's interest to help people who are working their way out of many, many difficult years since the Soviet invasion," the US defense secretary underscored.

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The ruling BJP's ally Shiv Sena today dubbed the stampede on a foot overbridge at Elphinstone railway station a "massacre", while opposition parties also hit out at the Central and Maharashtra governments over the tragedy.

The non-BJP parties said instead of pursuing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet bullet train project, the Centre should focus on improving safety of passengers and amenities at stations.

"This incident is a public massacre for which the government and railways are responsible. We have time and again demanded that the old and dilapidated foot overbridges be redeveloped but no action has been taken yet," Sena MP Sanjay Raut told PTI.

"While the government has no time to rectify the shortcomings in the present rail system, it wants to bring in bullet trains," he added.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit is part of the BJP-led governments both at the Centre and in Maharashtra, but has been bitterly critical of them on a variety of issues.

Terming the loss of lives in the stampede as unfortunate, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan demanded a judicial probe into the incident.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil of the Congress said he had written to the railway ministry last year seeking a meeting of public representatives with the railway minister to solve the issue of overcrowding at stations in Mumbai.

"This incident should be treated as a case of murder. An FIR under IPC section 302 (murder) should be lodged against railway officials," the senior Congress leader said.

"Had the administration worked towards providing basic facilities to commuters, instead of renaming the railway station (Elphinstone) as Prabhadevi, so many lives would not have been lost," Vikhe-Patil added.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said the government, instead of bringing in bullet trains at this stage, should focus on developing stations and improving passenger safety.

"The Maharashtra government will give Rs 5,000 crore for the bullet train project. Instead, this money should be immediately provided for the development of railway stations in Mumbai," the NCP leader said.

Sena MP Arvind Sawant said instead of focusing on the high-speed rail project, the government should work towards providing basic infrastructure at stations and put in place a mechanism to control crowd.

The Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai South said he has raised the issue of local commuters' plight from time to time in Parliament. "I have repeatedly requested railway officials to look into the issue, but nothing has happened till now."



"Suresh Prabhu, as railway minister, had announced elevated railway tracks. Where are they?" he asked.

The Shiv Sena MP said several foot overbridges are in poor shape, but nothing is being done to improve their condition.

Sawant also visited the KEM Hospital, where the victims of the stampede were taken.

At least 22 people were killed and several injured in a rush hour stampede on a foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations here this morning.

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A woman and a minor girl were killed and 17 others injured when a portion of the parapet of a house collapsed on them in Nizamabad district of Telangana today, the police said.

The incident occurred in Alur village at around 6.30 pm when a large number of people had gathered near a temple to watch various programmes organised on the eve of Dussehra festival, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Armoor sub-division) Shiva Kumar told PTI.

"Due to crowd, a group of people went atop a nearby house to watch the programmes when a portion of the parapet of the house collapsed on the people standing on the ground, apparently due to heavy weight, resulting in the death of two and injuries to 17 others," the officer said.

The deceased are identified as Yashoda (23) and Harika (7), he said, adding that the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. Further investigation is on.

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A quarter of a million people are expected to descend on the Thai capital for an elaborate cremation ceremony planned for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej next month, a junta leader said today.

The kingdom has been prepping for the event since Bhumibol died at the age of 88 in October, triggering an outpouring of grief in a nation where the charismatic leader commanded a cult-like following.

Royal artists have been working around the clock to erect an enormous funeral pyre outside Bangkok's Grand palace, complete with towering spires and covered in sculptures of mythical beasts.

Spanning four days from October 25-29, the cremation event will be a spectacular and costly affair infused with Buddhist ceremonies, cultural performances and arcane palace rituals that will send Bhumibol's spirit off to the afterlife.

"We expect around 250,000 people to attend this royal ceremony," deputy junta leader Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters today, adding that replicas of the funeral pyre would be set up around Bangkok to help absorb the crowds.

Some 70,000 security officers will be deployed to keep the peace, he added.

Since the monarch's death, tens of thousands of black- clad mourners have been queueing daily to visit the throne hall where Bhumibol's body is lying in state.

In total, more than 11 million Thais from around the country have paid their respects before the body over the past year, according to palace figures.

Bhumibol's successor, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is expected to hold his coronation after the cremation but no date has been set.

He has yet to attain his father's widespread popularity and has made moves to consolidate control over the palace bureaucracy and reduce government oversight.

Like his father, the new king is shielded from scrutiny by a draconian defamation law that punishes any perceived criticism of the royal family with up to 15 years in jail per offence.

Prosecutions have surged since the ultra-royalist junta grabbed power in 2014.

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A male tiger cub was found dead in the Dhamokhar Range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh today.

A leopard is suspected to have killed the cub, which was about two years old, said BTR's joint director Rishi Mishra.

"Our team was patrolling on elephant-back today to keep an eye on the movement of T-43 tigress in Dhamokhar Range when they spotted a leopard holding a tiger cub between its teeth. When the team started following the leopard, it ran away leaving the dead cub behind," Mishra said.

There were injuries on its neck and mouth. It is suspected that the leopard killed it, he added.

On September 25, a two-year-old female tiger cub was found dead in a well at village Milli in the BTR.

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US President Donald Trump will make his maiden visit to Asia in November with stops in five countries -- Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, the White House announced today.

During his trip from November 3 to 14, Trump will participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral and cultural engagements.

Trump will attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, demonstrating his continued commitment to the alliances and partnerships of the US in the region, the White House said.

Trump will discuss the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region to America's prosperity and security, it said.

Among other things, he will also emphasise the importance of fair and reciprocal economic ties with US' trade partners.

"The president's engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula," the White House said in a statement.

Trumps maiden Asia trip comes amidst increased tension in the Korean Peninsula and South China Sea.

After being sworn in as the US President in January, Trump has hosted several top Asian leaders at the White House or his summer home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

He also met many of them on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York early this month or in Europe on the margins of G-20 and G-7 summits this summer.

While he has not described his Asia policy as "Asia Pacific Rebalance" as was the case with his predecessor Barack Obama, the Trump administration has made special effort to strengthen its relationship with Asian countries.

In June, Trump hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.

He hosted the Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a- Lago residence in the early part of his presidency and met the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Trump Towers in New York as the president-elect.

On October 2, Trump will welcome Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand to the White House.

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A Turkish soldier was killed and three others wounded today in an attack by Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, the Turkish armed forces said.

The army's statement did not specify where it happened or whether it was within the area of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The incident occurred just days after Iraqi Kurdistan voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence in a non- binding referendum bitterly opposed by Turkey.

The military pointed the finger at the "separatist terrorist organisation" -- its term for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Turkey has maintained a military presence around Bashiqa outside the city of Mosul much to the annoyance of Baghdad. Bashiqa is not within the area controlled by the KRG.

Although Turkish troops have no ground presence inside the KRG, they regularly conduct air raids against PKK militants who have rear bases in the Qandil mountain area.

The PKK has waged an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984 and is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, Washington and Brussels.

The Turkish military earlier said it struck the Avasin- Basyan and Qandil regions, destroying weapon stores and killing three in PKK camps who were preparing attacks.

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The US said today it will withdraw about 60 per cent of its personnel from the embassy in Cuba in response to mysterious health attacks on more than 20 American diplomats in Havana.

The decision taken by the State Department comes amid specific health attacks on 21 US diplomats in Havana, leaving them with dizziness, concussions, hearing loss and other symptoms.

"Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our Embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel in order to minimise the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.

He said the US will continue to maintain its diplomatic ties with Cuba.

As a result of the sizeable reduction in its embassy personnel, the US will stop issuing visas in Cuba indefinitely. It would also stop official delegation travel to the country, a senior State Department official told reporters during a conference call.

The cause of the mysterious health attack, which were for the first time reported in August, is still being investigated.

According to some media reports, the attacks were caused through a sonic device. The State Department is yet to find such a device.

The officials have not ruled out the possibility of a third-country behind the attack on its diplomats.

Supporting the decision, Senator Patrick Leahy said the health and safety of US diplomats and their families was the overriding concern for America.

It remains "a mystery" what is causing this and who is behind it, he said.

"Whoever is doing this obviously is trying to disrupt the normalisation process between the United States and Cuba. Someone or some government is trying to reverse that process," Leahy said.

Soon after Leahy's remarks, the State Department warned US citizens not to travel to Cuba.

Noting that over the past several months, numerous employees at the US Embassy in Havana had been targeted, the State Department said these employees have suffered significant injuries as a consequence of these attacks.

Tillerson said the affected individuals have exhibited a range of physical symptoms, including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty in sleeping.

Investigators have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks.

Early this week, Tillerson had met his Cuban counterpart Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla in Washington. Cuba has denied of having any role in such mysterious attacks and is providing all support to the FBI which is investigating the matter.

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The government of Punjab today signed an MoU with spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's 'Isha Foundation' to increase the green cover of the state.

Vasudev was in the city to address a public event as his 'Rally for Rivers' initiative reached Chandigarh today.

The spiritual leader hailed the MoU as a significant step to save the rivers in the leading agrarian state.

Cautioning about the fast depleting rivers, Vasudev said sustainable development was the only way forward for India.

"We have come to a point where we have to think of sustainability, otherwise both our development and our survival will be threatened," the Sadhguru said.

"These are not alarmist-activist talk; there is proper science to it. I am not a scientist nor an environmentalist, but I have a keen sense of seeing things (noticing how rivers are slowly drying up)," he said.

The "Rally for Rivers" campaign hit the road after it was flagged off by Union environment minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on September 3 from Coimbatore.

The campaign, after covering 16 states and 23 events in major cities and traversing over 8,000 km will culminate in Delhi on October 2 with the submission of a draft policy for conservation of rivers. One of the recommendations is to create a kilometre-wide tree-cover on riversides.

"We are working towards a policy so that nation remains focused on a sustainable way of managing this," the Sadguru said.

Punjab governor V P Singh Badnore, Haryana governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki, Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar, and Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher were among those who attended the event.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The White House has launched an internal probe of the use of private email for official business by senior aides to President Donald Trump, a media report said today.

The administration is scouring the White House server for emails to and from private email accounts of these aides, Politico said, quoting four people familiar with the probe, outlet Politico reported.

At least five current and former White House officials used private email to conduct government business: Trump's son in law and adviser Jared Kushner, daughter Ivanka, economic adviser Gary Cohn, former strategic adviser Steve Bannon and former chief of staff Reince Priebus, it said.

Politico said the probe began this week after it reported private email use by Kushner.

The internal probe could take weeks or even months, it said.

Trump's White House legal staff is reviewing the accounts to see if any of the messages sent relate to the Russia probes being carried out by two congressional panels and special counsel Robert Mueller, Politico quoted one of its sources as saying.

As a candidate, Trump routinely attacked his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state, telling supporters "she has to go to jail" over the affair.

Politico reported Monday that Kushner used a personal account to send messages to senior White House officials and outside advisers about media coverage, planning events, and other issues.

There is no suggestion the emails contained highly sensitive information or were classified, it added, but they could fall foul of the Presidential Records Act, which requires all documents related to the president's personal and political activities to be archived.

Kushner's numerous responsibilities within the Trump administration include trying to broker peace in the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

In addition to the email controversy, Kushner is facing scrutiny over the Trump campaign's alleged collusion with Russia to interfere in the 2016 US election, which is the subject of the probes in Congress and by Mueller.

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By Allison Lampert

- Bombardier Inc has finalized a deal to sell up to 50 Q400 planes to India's SpiceJet valued at $1.7 billion by list prices, its largest single order to date for the turboprop plane, the Canadian company said on Friday.

The deal for 25 turboprops and another 25 options gives a needed boost to the company's Q400 program, following recent lackluster demand, sending shares up 3 percent on Friday.

The company has had a challenging week. On Tuesday, the U.S. imposed preliminary anti-subsidy duties that would effectively block Bombardier jet sales in a key market if upheld.

The stock fell 14 percent on Wednesday on prospects for growth in its core units, putting it under pressure to find new markets for its jets and a potential new train partner.

For turboprops, the Canadian plane-and-train maker is trailing its European rival and market leader ATR, which controls about 75 percent of the market and is co-owned by Airbus SE and Leonardo SpA . Brazilian rival Embraer SA also said this month it would consider returning to the prop market.

The SpiceJet sale was announced as an initial letter of intent in June, and is Bombardier's first order for a 90-seat version of the aircraft, up from the current largest model which has been configured with 86 seats.

Plane makers are being asked to pack more seats into aircraft to lower costs per seat and a 90-seat Q400 would be especially attractive for regions such as the Asia-Pacific, a turboprop industry source who does not work for Bombardier said.

"This is a big deal for them," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the media. "I don't think a 90-seater is for every market, but there's certainly a market for it."

Passengers in North America typically want more space when they travel and the Q400 is configured with up to 78 seats for that market.

Separately on Friday, the World Trade Organization opened an expected dispute settlement panel to rule on Brazil's complaint that Canada hurt its commercial jet industry by subsidizing the CSeries, the Brazilian foreign ministry said.

Canada has previously contested Brazil's complaint in the WTO trade case which could drag on for years.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and Yashaswini Swamynathan in Bengaluru; editing by Patrick Graham and Susan Thomas)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oil edged higher on Friday as tensions around Iraqi Kurdistan threatened the region's crude supplies, helping Brent prices to their strongest third-quarter performance since 2004.

Global benchmark was up 1 cent at $57.42 a barrel at 1122 GMT, notching up a third-quarter gain of around 20 percent.

The contract had reached its highest in more than two years earlier in the week, resulting in a fifth consecutive weekly gain. This performance is Brent's longest weekly bull run since June 2016.

U.S. crude traded flat at $51.56 a barrel, on track for its strongest third quarter in 10 years and its longest streak of weekly gains since January.

"Oil prices remain firm with the backdrop of tensions between Iraq/Turkey/Iran and Kurdistan still threatening to halt up to 600,000 barrels per day of production from the semi-autonomous region," said Jamie Campbell, head of natural resources at Panmure Gordon.

Iraq's Kurds endorsed secession by nine to one in a referendum on Monday that has angered Turkey, the central government in Baghdad, and other powers, who fear the vote could lead to renewed conflict in the oil-rich region.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called the vote illegitimate and has threatened to break with past practice and deal only with the Baghdad government over oil exports from Iraq.

"No rapid solution to the crisis can be expected, which should continue to lend support to the oil price," analysts at Commerzbank wrote.

Most oil that flows through a pipeline from Iraq to Turkey comes from Kurdish sources and a cut-off would severely damage the Kurdish Regional Government, which relies on sales of crude for almost all its hard currency revenues.

So far, oil flows through the pipeline have been normal.

Oil price gains have also been supported this month by an anticipated renewed demand from U.S. refiners that were resuming operations after shutdowns due to Hurricane Harvey.

Even more bullish views have already started to appear in the oil options market that has seen a spike in activity at $100 a barrel, indicating some oil bulls are betting the price could trade around that level by this time next year.

However, Middle Eastern oil producers are concerned the recent price rise will incentivise more U.S. shale production and push prices lower again.
By Elizabeth Piper and Julia Fioretti

TALLINN (Reuters) - Only "miracles" can move Brexit talks far enough to fulfil Britain's hopes of launching discussions next month on its future ties with the European Union, the head of the European Commission said on Friday.

Prime Minister Theresa May had been hoping to use an informal EU meeting in the Estonian capital Tallinn to harness what she describes as renewed goodwill over Brexit to push the talks beyond the terms of the divorce, now just 18 months away.

Britain had aimed to make a breakthrough at a summit in Brussels on Oct. 19-20. Two years have been set aside for the Brexit talks and Britain risks crashing out of the 28-state bloc on March 29, 2019, without a deal on future trade terms.

But Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the EU executive and long a bogeyman for some in Britain's eurosceptic press, said the first stage of talks on the rights of expatriates, the UK border with EU member Ireland and the financial settlement when Britain leaves had not gone far enough.

"By the end of October, we will not have sufficient progress," Juncker told reporters in Tallinn, a day after his chief negotiator ended the last round of Brexit talks.

"At the end of this week, I am saying that there will be no sufficient progress from now until October unless miracles will happen."

His words were echoed by other leaders. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said both sides would need "a small miracle" to make the required progress before the summit. Irish leader Leo Varadkar said it was "still very evident that there's more work to be done".

Their views will be a blow for May, who wants to move quickly on to discussion of the future trade relationship and a transitional arrangement - part of the deal Britain says is needed before any kind of financial settlement can be agreed.

In Tallinn, May sidestepped questions over whether she was confident of the October deadline.

NEW TONE

After three months of talks, which have become bogged down in a spat over the divorce bill, the British prime minister tried to reset the tone with a speech a week ago in Florence.

She had hoped to speak directly to EU leaders and reassure them that Britain was not picking unnecessary fights, going so far as to make concessions on the future role of the European Court of Justice and on the Brexit bill.

"I made that speech to give momentum to the talks and I think we have seen that being shown in the talks that have taken place this week, and further progress has been made," May said early on Friday.

Pressing her case, she met German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the Tallinn summit and repeated her pledge for Britain to be "the strongest friend and partner to the EU" after Brexit, her spokeswoman said.

Merkel said there had been progress, but that there was also a lot of work to do before October. "Altogether it was a very constructive talk," Merkel told a conference at the end of the summit. "I think that the Florence speech helped to bring a new dynamic into the negotiation process."

May also held talks with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, who is concerned about the 800,000 Poles living in Britain. Both agreed on "the importance of reaching an early settlement on citizens' rights", May's spokeswoman said.

But a Spanish government official was blunt. "We don't negotiate with speeches, we negotiate with documents on the table," he said, describing the two sides as "nowhere near" agreement on the Northern Ireland border and the divorce bill.

On citizens' rights, considered by London one of the easier issues to settle, the official said Britain and the EU were getting close, but progress was "not sufficient yet".

In a morning visit to Estonia's Tapa military base, where 800 British troops are deployed as part of NATO's efforts to defend against a newly assertive Russia, May said Britain was "unconditionally committed" to protecting Europe after Brexit.

By focusing on defence, May wants to show that Britain has something to offer its European neighbours. She will say she is ready to share British expertise -- including through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) -- to help EU nations build up their own cybersecurity capability.

That, she hopes, could bolster her argument on the Brexit talks, and coax the EU into making concessions.

(Additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Andreas Rinke; Editing by Andrew Roche and Kevin Liffey)

(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.)
TORONTO (Reuters) - Royal Bank of Canada's chief executive, Dave McKay, said on Thursday that artificial intelligence (AI) is helping the bank reduce credit card fraud, and he said the bank expects to use blockchain technology in its loyalty programs next year.

McKay said in a Newsmaker interview with Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler that the bank is spending over C$10 million ($8.04 million) a year on artificial intelligence.

(Reporting by Matt Scuffham; Editing by Leslie Adler)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Reliance Industries is offering to buy back from customers of its Jio telecoms unit Apple Inc's latest iPhone models after a year's usage for 70 percent of their price, a move that may boost Jio's data sales and help the U.S. firm expand in India.

Cupertino, California-based Apple is keen to sell more iPhones in India, one of the world's biggest smartphone markets, as growth flags in its home market and China, but the high cost of its handsets has kept the aspirational smartphone out of the reach of hundreds of millions of Indians.

At an event on Friday to showcase Jio's launch of Apple's latest iPhones in India, Akash Ambani, the son of India's richest man and Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, said the buyback offer would be available on all three latest models - the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X.

The offer will be available to Jio customers who buy the iPhone and subscribe to its 799 rupees ($12.22) monthly package for 12 months.

This is the first time an Indian telecoms operator is offering such a hefty cashback.

The move could help boost Apple's market share in India from a meagre 3 percent, while Reliance Jio could win the loyalties of high-spending Apple fans.

Apple is in talks with New Delhi to make its phones in India and earlier this year started assembling its low-cost SE model in the country.

Reliance is already eyeing roughly 500 million customers who use basic, low-cost phones through its $23 4G phone that blurs the line between a smartphone and a traditional feature phone.

The company, which has disrupted India's price-sensitive telecoms market, is eyeing between 250-300 million customers in the next two years, a source told previously.

($1 = 65.3650 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal and Aditi Shah; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump met with former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh to discuss potentially being nominated as Fed chairman, a source familiar with the meeting said on Friday.

The White House would not confirm the topic of the conversation, saying only that the president met on Monday with Warsh at the White House.

Trump is considering a variety of choices to replace current Fed Chair Janet Yellen, whose term on the Fed expires on Jan. 31.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The U.N. health body said there was a conflict of interest in a tobacco firm funding such research - drawing a sharp rebuke from the Foundation's head who said his work was independent.

Philip Morris International said this month it wanted to help set up a body called the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World and planned to give it about $80 million a year for 12 years to keep it running.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on the WHO's statement.

The U.N. body said on Thursday there were already proven techniques to tackle smoking - including tobacco taxes, graphic warning labels and advertising bans - which the tobacco industry had opposed in the past.

"WHO will not partner with the Foundation. Governments should not partner with the Foundation and the public health community should follow this lead," it said.

The foundation's founder and president-designate, Derek Yach, a former senior official at the WHO, said more collaboration, not less, was needed to win the war on smoking.

"I am deeply disappointed, therefore, by WHO's complete mischaracterisation of the nature, structure and intent of the Foundation in its recent statements - and especially by its admonition to others not to work together."

He said the foundation was a non-profit organisation with strict rules to insulate it from the influence of the tobacco industry, and its research agenda would be subject to peer review.

(Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Toby Chopra and Andrew Heavens)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If youve ever searched online for a new dentist or other health professional, youre certain to find websites with positive testimonials. Then there are the impressive before and after photos.
In what could be the biggest tragedy at a Mumbai railway station in recent years, 22 commuters today lost their lives in a stampede that happened on the foot-over-bridge connecting two railway stations. The incident happened at around 10:30 am during the peak rush hour on the foot-over-bridge connecting Parel railway station, that falls in the central line, with the Elphinstone railway station, which is on the western railway line.

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale had written to former Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in April 2015 demanding to increase the width of the foot-over bridge where the stampede took place., India Today reported. Former Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu had cited cash crunch.

"Agreeing to all requests is not always possible due to paucity of finances, operational constraints," Prabhu had said in response to Shewale.

Railways, however, has clarified on the allegations by Shiv Sena MPs, saying that that the project was sanctioned in 2016 and the tender work is underway.

Two Shiv Sena Members of Parliament, in separate letters had warned the Railway Minister that the Parel-Elphinstone bridge was incapable of handling passenger traffic.

05:30 pm: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has ordered safety audit of all bridges.

03:00 pm: Commuters shout slogans against Railways Minister Piyush Goyal at KEM hospital. Around 5 commuters who were injured are critical.

02:00 pm: Maharashtra government announces Rs 5 lakh compensation for the deceased. "All the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by Government of Maharashtra. Enquiry will be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action will be taken," Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said.

01:30 pm: The stampede happened when it was raining outside. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that 22 people have died and more than 35 have been injured. The injured have been shifted to KEM hospital. According to some eyewitness accounts, the old foot over bridge was narrow and commuters who used that bridge said this was a disaster waiting to happen.

01:00 pm: A high level enquiry headed by the chief safety officer of Western Railways has been ordered. We will soon know the reason for this tragedy, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said. Railways has cancelled the launch of 100 new Suburban Rail Services in Mumbai area. Rail Minister Piyush Goyal was scheduled to flag off 60 new suburban train services in Mumbai.

12:45 pm: Parel, which has become a corporate and commercial hub, witnesses huge office-going crowds during the peak rush hour. The commuters had earlier complained to the authorities regarding the narrow foot over bridge.

12:15 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation and ensuring all assistance, PM Modi tweeted.

Meanwhile, MoS Railways Manoj Sinha told India Today that a probe has been ordered and the government is mulling ex-gratia for the relatives of deceased and injured. Sinha, however, said that this incident should not be linked to Railways.

Taking a dig at BJP, Shiv Sena has said that BJP-led central government must see to basic facilities. Sena had earlier said that bullet train is not a common man's dream.

022-24136051

022-24107020

022-24131419

Churchgate: 022-22039840

Mumbai Central: 022-23051665

EPR: 022-24301614
In a bid to make train journey more safer, Indian Railways is working with the Indian Space Research Organisation or Isro to devise safety mechanisms. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal recently met Isro chairman AS Kiran Kumar to talk about space technology for safety in railways. The Minister informed about the develoment while speaking at India Mobile Congress 2017 summit on Thursday.

Speaking on the discussion, the minister said: "Safety is very pressing and urgent need. The discussion which we had was very eye-opening in some sense for me but also very exciting in terms of possibilities that open for engaging with space technologies that Isro has developed."

Piyush Goyal's statements have come in the backdrop of rail derailments that happened in recent past. Most of the rail derailments happened during Suresh Prabhu's tenure who was recently shifted to commerce ministry.

In two major recent train derailments, 137 people lost their lives. Last year in November, Indore-Patna Express derailed in Kanpur that claimed 115 lives and this year in August, Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in which 22 people had died. After these accidents, the government came under massive pressure to fix the railway tracks and ensure public safety.

Piyush Goyal said that Indian Railways has been an early adopter of computers which could have been also expanded for various operational processes like safety.

"Way back in 1960s, railways started using computers in a small way and by 1985 you had passenger reservations system all computerised. I remember banking started using computers in 1990s. It was quite an interesting fact for me that in late 1960s railways started using computers. I am delighted about that but I do wish we had expanded those frontiers much to bring technology for safety," the Minister said.

Goyal also said that modern technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are going to change how the world works.

"I have asked RailTel to look at a programme to connect thousands of railway stations with wi-fi. We can actually provide the villages around railway stations with wi-fi connectivity and get rural India also connected with new age technology. Let's give them (the) same kind of opportunity that our children in cities are enjoying," Goyal said.

The Railways Minister said that round the clock access of connectivity and electricity is dream of billions of Indians and the government is making efforts to achieve it.



(With inputs from PTI)
After challenging Reliance Jio with recharge plan and offers, Airtel is going to announce a cheap 4G smartphone to counter the buzz creatd by JioPhonem, reportedly in the initial days of October. Latest reports have indicated that Airtel is planning to price this affordable 4G smartphone around Rs 2,000.

Earlier reports by The Economic Times have first disclosed that Airtel might bring a cheap 4G smartphone with voice and data benefits to compete against JioPhone. Reliance Jio had launched JioPhone on July 21 this year at the 40th AGM of Reliance Industries. Reliance Jio is charging only Rs 1,500 as refundable security charge for JioPhone which will be the first ever 4G VoLTE-enabled feature phone.

According to ET reports, Airtel is in talks with smartphone manufacturers to build a 4G smartphone under Rs 2,500, with a bigger screen, better camera and better battery performance. Moreover, Airtel will not finance the manufacturing of this affordable 4G smartphone, like Reliance Industries did with JioPhone. This responsibility will be borne by the manufacturer. Airtel will only provide the voice call and data benefits, as well as allow users to download applications from Google Play store.

Nothing concrete has been said about the technical specifications of this rumoured phone by Airtel, yet. The phone could come with 4-inch screen, along with primary and selfie cameras, 1GB RAM, VoLTE calling, and a battery powerful enough to bear the burden from the power-draining 4G networks, said a report by India Today Tech. The report further said that the Airtel 4G phone could reach its customers by the end of this year after being announced in October.
The Bear River Land Conservancy is hosting two events coming up. On October 4th, they are asking for volunteers to help take down a fence and then on October 14th theyre seeking volunteers to put a fence back up in about the same area.

On KVNUs For the People program on Wednesday, Trevor Irish, director of community outreach for the conservancy, explained how this involves protecting land in Cache Valley.

This fence that is being taken down is an electric fence and its being used to keep some of our neighboring cattle off of some grounds in Trenton. Its on a piece of the Bear River thats called the Bear River Bottoms Morton section. Its about 500 acres owned by PacificCorp and it basically protects the riparian area, the area from the bottom of the hills out across the flood plain, across the river and then across the other side up to the bottom of the hills again.

This section weve got probably about 3,000 feet of fence line that we are going to be taking down and then putting up another fence pretty much just two or 300 yards away. What this will do is really help us protect the natural assets of the ground a little bit better: the habitat, the wetland vegetation and the wetlands themselves, Irish said.

The electric fence will be replaced with a barbed wire fence that requires less management. Irish said they are working with the landowner and its a great example of how the land conservancy, the only non-profit land trust in Northern Utah, is focused on working with land owners and agriculture in order to achieve mutual beneficial means.

Any who would like to get involved or get more information can do so at <a href=http://www.BearRiverLandConservancy.org target=_blank>BearRiverLandConservancy.org</a>.
The Hong Kong section of the 140-kilometer Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link was 94.3% complete as of June 30, a new report says. Above, two trains for the new route are seen in Hong Kong on Aug. 2. Photo: Visual China

Progress on the Hong Kong section of its planned link to the mainlands high-speed rail system was ahead of schedule during the second quarter of 2017, according to a document released by the Hong Kong government.

The Hong Kong section of the 140-kilometer (87-mile) Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link was 94.3% complete as of June 30, a report by the citys Legislative Council said. The city had previously planned to complete 88.9% of the project by that date.

The rail link, which will cut trips between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland to under 15 minutes, is expected to begin running in the third quarter of 2018.

Most major construction work on the rail link has progressed faster than expected, the report said, with the exception of work on the West Kowloon Terminus, the planned city-center station. Parts of the station, including its external wall and entrance building, still require continual and close monitoring, the report said.

All nine high-speed trains ordered by the special administrative regions MTR Corp. Ltd. and built by CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co. Ltd. have arrived in Hong Kong from the northern Chinese seaside city of Qingdao, the report added. This means Hong Kong is now connected with the 20,000-kilometer national high-speed rail network, it said.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam unveiled the specially designed trains in July. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, when complete, will be able to take passengers from West Kowloon to the Shenzhen Futian station in 14 minutes, and the Guangzhou South station in 48 minutes.

At the moment, it takes over 30 minutes to travel by MTR trains from Hong Kongs Kowloon Tong station  much farther north than the planned West Kowloon Terminus  to the citys border with Shenzhen.

The 26-kilometer Hong Kong section of the high-speed railway is part of a wider push to integrate the Pearl River Delta area. A co-location plan, announced by the Hong Kong government on July 25, will combine mainland and Hong Kong immigration checkpoints into a single facility in the West Kowloon Terminus.

Additionally, a three-lane bridge between Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai, north of Macau in Guangdong province, is slated to open in 2020. In late August, the Hong Kong Airport Authority announced that it will build a 360-meter bridge from Hong Kong International Airport to a customs post on the cross-border bridge, the South China Morning Post reported.

Contact reporter Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com)
Cameroun, Inquietudes du MRC: La grave crise des deux Regions Anglophones et lattitude politique du President BIYA: La question de la vacance du pouvoir au sommet de lEtat. :: CAMEROON

Depuis octobre 2016, les deux Regions anglophones du Cameroun sont entrees dans une profonde crise politique, qui a depuis vire au drame avec de la torture, des traitements inhumains et degradants, des arrestations massives ne respectant pas toujours les procedures judiciaires en vigueur dans notre pays, et meme des cas allegues de disparition.

De fait, ces deux Regions sont installees dans une situation detat durgence, voire dexception, avec tout ce que cela comporte de derives pour les droits humains, et de desorganisation pour la vie sociale et economique.

La situation generale dans cette partie de notre pays est tellement troublee que malgre les multiples annonces de rentree scolaire faites de maniere propagandiste tout au long de lannee derniere sur les ondes de la radio et de la television publiques, ainsi que dans les colonnes du journal gouvernemental Cameroon Tribune, ces deux Regions ont connu une quasi annee blanche.

Lannee scolaire 2017-2018 ne sannonce guere mieux. En effet, les evenements spectaculaires du vendredi 22 septembre 2017 qui ont vu les populations des deux Regions braver limpressionnant service de securite mis en place par le gouvernement pour exprimer leur volonte de voir enfin setablir, sous les auspices de l'Etat, un dialogue national sur la question anglophone, font peser de lourds nuages sur cette nouvelle rentree scolaire. Les explosions dans les Regions du Nord Ouest et du Littoral, actes de violence inedits dans notre pays, en rajoutent a la tension deja elevee et a l'inquietude des populations.

Nous n'avons cesse de dire que la secession n'est pas une option. Le MRC sera de tous les combats contre la secession et nous saisissons cette occasion pour condamner, avec la derniere energie, toute tentative de partition du Cameroun, notre cher pays, dessine et faconne par une histoire que nous devons assumer collectivement, tout en ayant la lucidite de corriger les eventuelles erreurs et injustices qui ont pu etre commises. Mais, c'est desormais une evidence de dire que le Gouvernement a montre son incapacite ou son manque de volonte de gerer cette crise dans un souci de construction nationale et de preservation de l'unite de notre pays. Tenez ! Sans que lon comprenne bien la logique poursuivie, le Gouvernement a choisi la curieuse option de porter en dehors du pays une crise dont la solution etait et reste a sa portee, pour peu que le President de la Republique daigne prendre la mesure de la gravite de la situation et simpliquer personnellement dans sa gestion, au lieu de laisser des faucons et des securocrates, sans aucune legitimite politique, se substituer a lui.

Les graves evenements du 22 septembre dernier, qui ont donne au monde entier lampleur de la crise et du probleme anglophone dont certains ont, contre toute evidence, tente de nier lexistence, se sont deroules alors que le President de la Republique prenait part, a New York, a la 72eme session de l'Assemblee generale des Nations Unies.

La gravite de la situation dans les deux Regions concernees commandait que le President de la Republique ne fasse pas le deplacement de New York ou il na meme pas evoque le sujet, mais aille plutot a la rencontre des ses compatriotes en colere. Il a prefere le voyage de New York, contre toute logique politique. Par ce deplacement inopportun, il a marque, une fois de plus, son desinteret pour les preoccupations politiques de ses compatriotes.. Son attitude renseigne a suffisance sur son sens de l'Etat et sa conception de la devolution du pouvoir. En effet, dans un systeme democratique, un elu politique ne saurait afficher du mepris et de larrogance face aux electeurs, sauf a considerer quil tient son pouvoir de mecanismes capables de saffranchir de lexpression de la volonte du peuple souverain.

Passe encore qu'il se soit rendu a New York contre toute logique ! Tout dirigeant responsable aurait immediatement interrompu son sejour a l'etranger pour revenir prendre personnellement en main la gestion de la crise. En effet, face a l'evolution perilleuse de la situation, le President de la Republique aurait du marquer le coup en rentrant au Cameroun toutes affaires cessantes, afin d'assumer ses responsabilites constitutionnelles. Malheureusement, il est officiellement porte disparu depuis son discours tenu devant une enceinte de lONU vide.

Evoquant les conflits qui perdurent dans le monde, il a declare a la tribune des Nations Unies:  [ils] engendrent douleurs et souffrances Que de morts Que de refugies et personnes deplacees Que denfants errant sans toit et a lavenir incertain, voire brise() mobilisons-nous, redonnons, dans nos politiques, dans notre comportement et dans nos actions, priorite a lEtre Humain. () Accordons nos actes a nos paroles. Ce faisant, nous offrirons a nos populations des conditions dune vie decente Priorite a lEtre Humain ! . Il a conclu :  Aujourdhui nous sommes tous, je dirais,  mendiants de la paix . Et ces menaces persistantes nous interpellent tous au plus haut niveau. . Ces propos aux accents humanistes prononces par le President BIYA laissaient penser que dans le cadre de la gestion de la crise anglophone, il ferait oublier sa sortie guerriere du 31 decembre 2016 et lindifference politique quil a jusquici affichee.

Or, durant son sejour a New York - dont on ignore s'il se poursuit toujours - il na ni cherche a engager, meme de maniere informelle, des echanges avec les compatriotes anglophones de la diaspora, ni tendu la main a ceux qui ont ete contraints, depuis le debut de la crise en 2016, a lexil par la repression.

Le pays est orphelin de son President au moment ou il a le plus besoin de lui. Le peuple est devenu  mendiant de la paix  et de lattention du Chef de l'Etat, plus porte a disserter sur la pauvrete et les souffrances a travers le monde qua sinvestir veritablement dans la recherche volontariste de solutions a la grave crise anglophone qui secoue la Nation. Combien de morts et de destructions faut-il pour que le President de la Republique, qui concentre entre ses mains tous les pouvoirs au sein de l'Etat, se ressaisisse et s'acquitte enfin des missions pour lesquels il a sollicite, une enieme fois, les suffrages des Camerounais en 2011? Attend-il la partition du Cameroun pour agir? Mais agir a faire quoi quand la maison-Cameroun aura vole en eclat? Il sera trop tard !

La situation du pays est si incandescente que le President de lAssemble Nationale, jusque-la peu disert sur la question, sest senti oblige de convoquer, le 26 septembre 2017, en urgence, le Bureau de lAssemblee Nationale elargi aux deputes portes paroles des partis politiques non representes au Bureau de lauguste Chambre, ainsi que les elus RDPC des regions du Nord- Ouest et du Sud-Ouest, pour evoquer  la situation qui prevaut actuellement au Cameroun, suite a la crise dite  Anglophone  . De meme, le Senat jusqu'ici inaudible a juge utile de reunir en urgence son Bureau le 27 septembre sur le meme sujet. Que le tres conservateur et ultra partisan President de lAssemblee Nationale - habituellement peu dispose a associer des deputes autres que ceux de son parti, le RDPC, et ceux des partis-clients de celui-ci aux decisions de la Chambre quil preside - ait decide de prendre de l'initiative est a la fois eloquent sur le degre de gravite de la situation et revelateur d'un vide au sommet de l'Etat.

De fait, la tenue de cette reunion dite du "Bureau elargi de l'Assemblee nationale" sur la crise anglophone, met crument en lumiere l'absence du President de la Republique. Au regard de la situation dans les deux Regions Anglophones du pays depuis bientot un an, mais surtout de la menace que font planer les extremistes secessionnistes a la date du 1er octobre 2017, cette absence, mise en evidence par le President de lAssemblee Nationale, confirme la defaillance du President de la Republique, Chef de lEtat.

Le Titre II de la loi constitutionnelle du 18 janvier 1996, modifiee en mars 2008, dispose en son article 6 (4) : En cas de vacance de la Presidence de la Republique pour cause de deces, de demission ou dempechement definitif constate par le Conseil Constitutionnel, le scrutin pour lelection du nouveau President de la Republique doit imperativement avoir lieu vingt (20) jours au moins et cent vingt (120) jours au plus apres louverture de la vacance..

Pour des raisons qui lui sont propres, le President de la Republique na jamais voulu mettre en application ni les dispositions de la Constitution de 1996 creant les Regions dans notre pays, ni celles creant le Conseil Constitutionnel. Ceci est devenu, au bout vingt et un (21) ans, une faute politique grave. Neanmoins, il revient a la Cour Supreme, siegeant comme Conseil Constitutionnel, de constater juridiquement la vacance de la Presidence de la Republique.

Nous n'avons cesse de relever avec regret que le President de la Republique n'a jamais juge utile de se rendre dans la Region de lExtreme-Nord ou les terroristes de la secte Boko Haram tuent de paisibles populations et des soldats depuis mai 2014, pour porter aux populations meurtries la compassion et le reconfort de la Nation, ni dans la Region de lEst ou les rebelles centrafricains multiplient des incursions meurtrieres.. Nous nous devons de constater maintenant que l'absence prolongee du President de la Republique au moment ou la Nation court un danger reel est un fait politique et juridique objectif justifiant des interrogations sur la vacance du pouvoir au sommet de lEtat.

Si devant cette menace serieuse que constitue la situation politique, sociale et securitaire, particulierement preoccupante dans les Regions du Nord Ouest et du Sud-Ouest, le President de la Republique n'etait pas de retour au Cameroun avant le 1er octobre prochain, s'ouvrirait en effet, la voie a une possible constatation de la vacance du pouvoir par la Cour supreme statuant comme Conseil constitutionnel.

Dans aucun pays au monde lon ne peut comprendre quun President de la Republique, pour quelque raison que ce soit, disparaisse sans informer la Nation, alors que la situation politique, sociale et securitaire est, non seulement deletere, mais sannonce explosive. L'agenda du President de la Republique est inconnu du peuple depuis la fin de son allocution au Nations Unies le vendredi 23 septembre 2017. Sauf si la Cour supreme-Conseil constitutionnel a ete dument informee des raisons et de la duree de cette absence presidentielle, elle doit exercer les attributions que la Constitution du pays lui donne en pareille circonstance.

Car, lheure est grave. Cest notre existence en tant que Nation qui est dangereusement menacee en son unite et son integrite territoriale! Je lance un appel patriotique a tous les Camerounais, Anglophones et Francophones, a se mobiliser comme une seul Homme, pour barrer la voie a la partition de notre pays. Le leurre de la secession conduira a plus de morts, de larmes et de souffrances. Les forces de defense et de securite, dont la presence massive dans les deux Regions n'a cesse de se renforcer, doivent faire preuve de discernement dans l'accomplissement de leur mission et ne jamais perdre de vue que leur mission premiere est la protection de la population. Dans le meme temps, devant l'inaction du Chef de l'Executif, je lance un appel solennel au Parlement national, elu de la Nation et representant du peuple camerounais, pour qu'au-dela des reunions bureaucratiques sans lendemain, ses deux Chambres prennent une initiative politique consequente consistant en une mission politique parlementaire de paix dans les deux Regions anglophones et le creation immediate d'un cadre parlementaire de dialogue pour trouver une solution adequate a la crise qui perdure. Il y a urgence !

Vive le Cameroun uni, fraternel, riche de sa diversite anglophone et francophone !



Le President National du MRC

Maurice KAMTO

Yaounde le 28 septembre 2017.



The crisis in the two Anglophone Regions and the political high-handedness of President BIYA: the question of vacancy at the helm of the State.

The two (2) Anglophone regions of Cameroon have been, since October 2016, in a deep political crisis, that has turned into a tragedy recording some lost of human lives, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, mass arrests, which does not always respect judicial procedures in force in our country not forgetting alleged cases of disappearances.

In reality, these two regions are presently in a near state of emergency, or better still in a state of exception, compounded with all sorts of human rights abuses, and the disorganization of the social and economic life of the citizens in these two regions.

The general situation in these two regions is so disturbing that despite the many announcements and calls of back-to-school, as a propaganda made all of last year, on the public media (radio and television) as well as in the government newspaper (Cameroon Tribune), these two Regions saw on the contrary a blank school year (a ghost academic year).

The 2017-2018 academic year is not likely to be any better. Indeed, the spectacular events of Thursday 22 September 2017, as the populations of the two Regions braved the impressive presence of security forces, put in place by the government did not scare them, to express their will to finally establish, under the auspices of the Government, a national dialogue on the Anglophone problem, as a means to threaten the new school year 2017/2018. Bomb blasts in the North West and Littoral Regions increased the already high tension and public anxiety.

We of CRM have kept saying and continue to say that, secession is not an option and we seize this opportunity to condemn with the utmost energy, any attempt to divide Cameroon, our dear fatherland, which is drawn and shaped by a history that we must assume collectively, by correcting errors and injustice that may have been committed. But it is now obvious that the Government has demonstrated its inability or unwillingness to deal with this crisis of national construction and the preservation of the unity of our country. Wait a moment! Without a clear understanding of the logic pursued, Government took an odd option to resolve the crisis out of the country, whereas the solution was and remains within its reach to solve but failed to do so. The President of the Republic did accept that the situation is serious, then he should personally handle it, instead of letting some over-zealous persons without any political legitimacy, to replace him in the settlement of the crisis.

These serious events of 22 September 2017, showed to the wide-world the magnitude of the crisis and of the Anglophone problems, which some government officials tried obviously to deny, took place while the President of the Republic was in New York, for the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The depth of the situation in the South West and North West Regions should have led the President of the Republic not to travel to New York, where he had not even mentioned the issue concerning the Anglophone crisis, but rather to go and meet his compatriots in anger.



He went there against any political logic. His untimely travel confirmed, once more, his neglect for the political preoccupations of his compatriots. His attitude gives sufficient information about his sense of the state and his understanding of the devolution of power. Indeed, a politician cannot display, in a democratic system, contempt and arrogance vis-a-vis voters, except to consider that he holds his power from mechanisms capable of freeing himself from the expression of the will of the sovereign people..

Let us even accept that he had to go to New York! Any serious leader would have immediately interrupted his New York visit and come back to personally handle the crisis. Indeed, faced with the gravity of the situation, the President of the Republic should have fled back to Cameroon in order to assume his constitutional responsibilities. Unfortunately, he is officially missing since his speech in an empty UN hall.

Talking of conflicts at the United Nations tribune, he said: "sounded out pain and suffering ... How many deaths ... How many refugees and displaced persons ... How many homeless children with an uncertain future, or even broken ... (...) let us mobilize, let us give back, in our policies, our behaviour and our actions, priority to the Human Being. (...) Let us take action. In doing so, we will offer our people conditions for a decent life ... Priority to the Human Being! ". He concluded: "Today we are all, I would say," beggars of peace ". And these persistent threats challenge us all at the highest level. ". These remarks with humanist accents pronounced by President BIYA suggested that in the context of the anglophone crisis, he would forget his confrontational speech of 31 December 2016 and the political indifference he has so far displayed.

During his stay in New York, which we do not know whether it is going on, he had not sought to engage, even informally and privately, in discussions with Anglophone compatriots of the diaspora, nor did he reach out to those who were forced into exile through repressive forces since the beginning of the crisis in 2016.

The country is orphaned by its President at the moment when it citizens need him the most. The people have become "beggars of peace" and in the interest of the Head of State, who is more likely to talk about poverty and suffering around the world than to truly involve himself in a voluntary approach in looking for solutions to the ravaging Anglophone crisis that is shaking the nation today. How many deaths and material damage is needed for the President of the Republic, who holds all powers of the State, to rise up and finally fulfill the missions for which he has asked for several times, Cameroonians' votes in 2011? Is he waiting for the partition of Cameroon to take action? Taking action to do what when the house-Cameroon would have completely burned out? It will be too late!

The situation in the country is so precarious that the President of the National Assembly, who until then had little to say on the matter, felt obliged to call on the Bureau of the National Assembly on 26 September 2017 including member of parliament spokespersons of political parties not represented in the Bureau of the august assembly and CPDM members of parliaments from the North-West and South-West regions to talk of "the situation which currently prevails in Cameroon, following the so-called Anglophone crisis ". The fact that the highly conservative and ultra-partisan Speaker of the National Assembly - usually reluctant to include MPs other than those of his party, the CPDM and of its associated parties to the decisions of the House he chairs - decided to take the initiative to reveal the vacancy at the helm of the state; that he has decided - and it has been extremely unusual under the New Deal Regime - to invite all bureau members, including those from parties not represented on the Bureau of the Assembly, to this, the Tuesday 26 September meeting, spelt out how serious the situation is in Cameroon.

The holding of this so-called "Expanded Bureau of the National Assembly" meeting on the Anglophone crisis clearly highlights the absence of the President of the Republic. Given that the situation in the two Anglophone Regions of the country have dragged on for almost a year now, and threats posed by the secessionist extremists to begin as of 1 October 2017, this absence highlighted by the President of the National Assembly confirms the failure of the President of the Republic, Head of State.

Article 6 (4) of Title II of the Constitutional Law of 18 January 1996, as amended in March 2008, provides: "Where the office of President of the Republic becomes vacant as a result of death, resignation or permanent incapacity duly ascertained by the Constitutional Council, the polls for the election of the new President of the Republic must be held not less than twenty (20) days and not more than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the office becomes vacant  For reasons of his own, the President of the Republic has never accepted to implement either the provisions of the 1996 Constitution creating Regions in our country nor those creating the Constitutional Council. This has been observed for the past twenty-one (21) years, which is a serious political fault. Nevertheless, it is up to the Supreme Court, sitting in as Constitutional Council, to legally ascertain the vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic.

We have not stopped to mention with regret that the President of the Republic has never considered it necessary to visit the Far North region where terrorists of the Boko Haram sect have killed peaceful populations and soldiers since May 2014, to bring to the bruised population, the compassion and solace of the Nation, and in the Eastern Region where Central African rebels multiply murderous incursions. We must now note that the prolonged absence of the President of the Republic at a moment when the Nation is in real danger is an objective political and legal fact justifying consideration of the vacancy of power at the top of the State.

If, in view of the serious threat posed by the political, social and security situation, which is of particular concern in the North-West and South-West Regions, if the President of the Republic does not returned to Cameroon before 1st October,2017, it would open the way to a possible examination of the vacancy of power by the Supreme Court ruling as the Constitutional Council.

In no country in the world can it be accepted that a President of the Republic, for whatever reason, disappears without informing the Nation, while the political, social and security situation is not only very condusive but it is also explosive. The agenda of the President of the Republic is unknown to the people since the end of his speech at the United Nations on Friday, 23 September 2017. Unless the Supreme Court sitting in as the Constitutional Council has been duly informed of the reasons and duration of this presidential absence, it must exercise the powers which the Constitution of the country gives to this highest jurisdiction of our land conferred it in such circumstances.

The situation is critical. Our existence as a nation is threatened in its unity and territorial integrity! I launch a patriotic appeal on all Cameroonians, Anglophones and Francophones, to get up like one man to stop any partition of our country. The illusion of secession will cause more deaths, more tears and more sufferings. Defense and security forces, whose presence in the two regions has been increasing, should exercise good judgment in carrying out their duty without forgetting that their first mission is to protect people. At the same time, taking into account the inertia of the head of state, I solemnly ask members of our parliament, elected representatives of the Cameroonian people, to take a political initiative being a parliamentary political peace mission in the two Anglophone regions and to immediately put in place a parliamentary framework for dialogue in order to find the right solution to this lasting crisis, beyond bureaucratic and useless meetings. This is urgent.

Long Live a Cameroon united, brotherly and rich of its Anglophone and francophone diversity!

Because, the situation is precarious, it is our existence as a nation that is dangerously threatened including its unity and territorial integrity!

The CRM National President

Maurice KAMTO

Yaounde, 28th September 2017

www.mrcparty.org
Some Bamenda Youths Parading WIth Coffin of Comrades Killed During Strike. Wilson MUSA

The events in Cameroon for the past ten months have kept everyone busy in one way or the other to propose lasting solutions to the problem the Southern Cameroonians face after having joined La Republique du Cameroon in 1961. Its in this same vein that I also contribute my ideas to the possible solutions. Read below.

HOW DO WE GET PEACE AND UNITY IN CAMEROON? DIALOGUE TO RECONCILE WITH THE PAST AND A MOVE TOWARDS UNITY

I have heard and read at several forums the call for DIALOGUE. It is a good thing no doubt! I would like to quote the Prime Minister, the head of government, Violence is not the solution. If the strike continues it will be difficult for the children to do their exams. A constructive dialogue will be the source of peace and social justice in the country

The PMs words, in themselves, are just what we need to bring to fruition in order to obtain desirable solutions for a better and united Cameroon.



However, I want to draw the attention of everyone who is reading this that it was since 2014 through 2015 that the Common Law Lawyers have been manifesting their grievances and requesting dialogue accordingly. They were given no ear by the supercilious government headed by the Honourable Prime Minister under the eyes of His Excellency Paul Biya. We could have avoided the violence we are seeing now at that time. (Anyways, it is not too late)



Since 1972, when the federal constitution was violated, the Southern Cameroonians have not ceased from manifesting their objection. Where was dialogue? Rather, every time Southern Cameroonians stand up for their constitutional rights, they are seen as enemies of the state. But who is the real enemy?



Dissatisfied for over 45 years, the Southern Cameroonians remained patient still hoping that someday the government will give an ear. 45 years of government aloofness. 45 years of government subjugation. 45 years of marginalization. 45 years of annexation. 45 years of calling for dialogue to redress the issue to no avail. It is almost clocking half a century and I think enough is enough. The southern Cameroonians at least have the moral obligation to stage a protest.

Lawyers were roughly beaten in a peaceful march. Students molested, maimed and raped. Where was dialogue? Instead of dialogue, Mr. BIYAs government initiated the employment of force against southern Cameroonians. Instead of looking into the problem tabled by the people of the English-speaking regions of Cameroon, Mr. Philemon Yangs government brings in the Presidents political party to counter-march. What dialogue are we talking about?



Why the diversions when it is easy to tell the men in uniform to discontinue with the violence while we head on with a level-headed dialogue? What dialogue when armed military men are penetrating the homes of civilians and causing havoc, abridging civil liberties of Southern Cameroonians?



It doesnt suffice for the PM to stand and ask children to go back to school. Begin by asking why the children are out of school in the first place. That is where dialogue begins. Those children will not go back to school if a long-lasting solution is not given to the problems of the Southern Cameroonians. Constructive dialogue is not by sending military men to terrorize and tyrannize people into accepting falsehood of the so-called one and indivisible Cameroon.

How do we get peace and justice when for over 45 years the government has been indifferent to the problems of those born on the other side of the Mungo River? How do we get peace and justice when even the constitution adopted in 1996, in response to the same Anglophone pressure, is a decoration in government offices and whose effectiveness is only conspicuously seen in the extension of the president Biyas term limit and the placing of sweeping political power on the president? How do we get peace and justice when there is evident employment of armed compulsion against disarmed victims? How do we get peace and justice when morality and civil rights are being annihilated by the infernal machine called the government forces? How do we get peace and justice when the government switches from the protector to the peoples deadliest enemy?



How do we get peace and justice when policemen have been vested with the right to the wielding of violence against victims deprived of their rights and moral obligations?

A proper government is permitted to use police force to retaliate against criminals and military force against enemies of the state. A proper government is not permitted to initiate force (plus use military force) against its citizens. Any government who initiates force against its own citizens is dictatorial. So then, what DEMOCRACY are we talking about in Cameroon?

The southern Cameroonians do not have an army and neither do they want to engage in a violent conflict with the government. It does no good and breeds only violence, instability and hardships. I believe the government is at the best position to initiate peace by calling off the violence and by sending the men in uniform back into their camps.

What the southern Cameroonians need is not war, is not to be suppressed, tortured, browbeaten, ill-treated. They will continue in their moral obligation to protest until a lasting solution is met to the problem because that is exactly what they need. These people have rights that they will not surrender to the government. The government can beat them, shoot and kill them. But their rights will not be taken away. By rights, I also include their educational and legal systems.

Recall that it was the Southern Cameroonians who in 1961 after attaining independence, just like la republic in 1960, decided to join la Republic. It was not vice versa. They chose to give their freedom to a federal united government that will guarantee their Anglo-Saxon education, Common Law judiciary, and the right to happiness. I am not sure any Southern Cameroonian is ready to give up these. That is why they are protesting. And we all know that according to the Declaration of Independence, the people have no choice but to replace a government that isnt protecting their rights, That explains why the southern Cameroonians are already thinking of federation or secession. There is no need pushing them to the wall. It is up to Mr. BIYAs government to make peace.

I raise up my own voice in this special time of advent, like John the Baptist, to alert the government that the Cameroonians on the other side of River Mungo cannot be compelled to unity by armed coercion; And even if the southern Cameroonians are compelled, forced and their rights violated, they will lie low but the price will be costly: there will be no durable peace in this Cameroon we so dearly love.

Unity, justice and peace can be attained only through a constructive dialogue that will provide real solutions to the peoples existential problem. And as it has been suggested, there is a necessity to go back to the roots of the problem and reconcile with the errors of the past in order to build a true, united and peaceful Cameroon. Coercing and strong-arming unity in the Cameroons now will only lead to far more social disorder than allowing prosperous diversity.

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.

God bless Cameroon

KUNGABA FONGOH Leonel

Coorndiator United For Sustainable Development Goals

National President Cameroon Active Youth Association (CAYA)

Vice National Coordinator Socialist Youth SDF

Global Youth Ambassador (A World At School)

HeForShe Champion ( UN Women)

Vice Chair Africa at Global Youth Anti Corruption Network
| BY Ricki Green |

As part of National Inclusion Week, Creative Equals has launched the new Creative & Media Equality Standard in the UK and Australia. This is a real game-changer for the industry and has so far highlighted why some groups progress, whilst others dont.

Says Ali Hanan (left), CEO and founder of Creative Equals: By unpacking this, creativity can begin to see who were inviting to the table  and how diverse talents can achieve their full potential within our businesses.

While the marketing and communications industry have focused on putting standards in place for creative work with the Unstereotype Alliance (launched at Cannes Lions 2017) and with the new Advertising Standards Association on gender, this is the first standard to show just how to unstereotype teams  and the onlystandard that goes beyond gender to include every aspect of diversity.

Says Hanan: What the Creative Equality Standard builds is an actionable road map for change.

To gain these insights, the Standard has two views across workplace culture, people and equality. One looks at a companys HR policies, practices and behaviours, whilst the other asks staff for their experiences (across gender, BAME, age, LGBTQ, ability, neurodiversity and wellness diversity) and compares and contrasts the data points.

The Standard deep-dives into everything from how briefs are written, to who gets to work on them  and also looks at the output. By understanding the end-to-end process, the data shows how bias influences systems, and consequently, who may be more likely to succeed within the system.

Says Hanan: By understanding what goes on for different groups, we can easily identify simple actionable steps to create more equality on the creative shop floor. We hear that most companies understand why theyd like to change, but now how  the standard gives them an understanding of where theyre at and the actions they can take

Here are seven emerging trends so far:

 Fathers in leadership roles are the most likely group to suffer from stress and burn out

 Most companies dont have a system for vetting briefs and work through a diversity lens, leaving creative work at the potential risk of missing the mark

 75% of job ads skew as being extremely masculine as the majority of companies have yet to put a system in place for writing inclusive job ads

 Maternal retention rates after two years run at just a quarter of those going off on maternity leave

 Men and women are put on gender stereotypical brands, with men working across most brands, but women mainly on the beauty, food, retail and travel brands so stereotypes are played out on the creative shop floor (before the work even gets made)

 Most briefs are not looked over to be gender neutral, so while the Advertising Standards Associations legislation  coming out later this year  will have an impact on the work, creative companies need to understand how their process can lead to stereotypical briefs

 BAME creatives are the group most likely to strongly disagree their company is committed to diversity or have visible role models within an organisation. While their sample pool is limited, Creative Equals believes only 8% of creatives come from a BAME background.

Says Hanan: Diversity and inclusion starts with the data. This understanding is gold dust and shows companies immediate quick wins and longer team actions. The fact is that implementing change wont happen overnight  change is incremental: sometimes tiny details can make a huge difference. For example, changing seating plans so feedback and informal mentoring and sponsorship happens on the shop floor is low-cost, but high impact. Ultimately, the Standard provides a company with a detailed set of tangible measures, from the top to the bottom, year-on-year. With this knowledge, we can start to creative diverse and inclusive cultures from the inside out and we can remove blocks for certain groups, foster diverse and inclusive workplaces and truly unlock the potential of creativity.

Says Richard Robinson, managing partner of Oystercatchers: The Creative and Media Equality Standard is a diversity and inclusion rating, review and road map for companies. Finally, there is a credible and hard-working solution for companies to harness the power of diverse talent and their benefits to businesses.
| BY Ricki Green |

Rosie Stone copywriter at Loud and Tristan Viney, creative director at Eardrum have won Gold in the Cyber category of the Young Spikes competition.

Says Stone and Viney: Our hands are still shaking. Were so stoked that 23-hours straight of solid work payed off. And, of course, seriously grateful to News Corp Australia for having had the opportunity to come to Singapore to represent Australia.

The pair were tasked with giving Thai millennials a way to show their support that every child in Thailand, regardless of where they come from, has the right to an education.
| BY Ricki Green |

Rosie Stone (left) copywriter at Loud and Tristan Viney (left), creative director at Eardrum are competing in the Cyber category of the Young Spikes competition. Here, the pair report for Campaign Brief.

The Never Ending Day 1

I know that as a relatively young contributor Im supposed to write something funny yet insightful yet still funny but Im very sleepy and my brain is mushy. Here goes/doing my best/pls be kind.

10:30am: Jayanta Jenkins, the Global Group Creative Director of Twitter, talking about How do brands create culture not advertising? His advice was to chase authenticity rather than cool. I feel this is a lifestyle choice that might come a little easier for Jay as he looked 1000 times cooler than all attendees combined  Google to confirm.

11:30am: BBDOs Danny Searle on building ideas. Danny highlighted the need for acts, not ads. As much as we might think what we do is amazing, in reality the general population kind of hate us. Acts (like Fearless Girl for example) arent seen as ads so people are more likely to like it and get involved.

12:30pm: Lydia Lee, Chief Strategist at Weber Shandwick, on how China is transforming global communication. By far the most interesting (admittedly only) talk Ive been to regarding the Chinese market. She discussed how, in such a regimented society, freedom comes in the form of consumer choice. The ability to choose coupled with the democratization of shopping through online stores has led to a consumer boom and if you want to be a part of that boom you have to understand China and the Chinese.

1:00pm: A misguided noodle order. Sad.

2:00pm: Young Spikes digital briefing. In a nutshell: How do we get Thai millennials to show they support migrant childrens right to an education in Thailand?, followed by 24 hours of answering this question.
| BY Ricki Green |

Sarah Muscat (left), freelance creative and Marina Vasilieva (right), junior art director at McCann Sydney are a team competing in the Print category of the Young Spikes Competition. Here, the pair report for Campaign Brief.

Originally, I thought this article would be rubbing in the fact that youre at work, re-writing that headline for the 17th time, while Im in Singapore drinking cocktails. But instead of cocktails, the only drinks consumed have been coffee, Redbull and a bit of pre-workout thrown in for good measure.

Marina and I have spent the past two days entirely consumed by our Young Spikes brief. Despite entering the print category in Australia, the associated category here is integrated. Which really means social media.

The brief was a tough one with an even tougher budget of $0. Plus, we did this fun thing where we decided to completely change our idea at 1am. From that point onwards we shifted back and forth between this idea is great and this idea is garbage you know the drill.
| BY Lynchy |

Uber Singapore has launched a film created by BBH Singapore that takes you on a journey to a places that hold both special memories and future potential for Singapore and its residents.

The rider brand film Where Is More Than Just A Place brings to life two intertwining stories  a mother trying to encourage her son to fulfil a childhood passion and a retired lieutenant general reuniting with his old comrades  the latter being inspired by the real  life story of a Singapore hero, Albel Singh.

Gillman Barracks is the place that brings the two stories together and holds a deeper meaning for the past and future of the films protagonists.

This is the first in a series of campaigns that will explore Singapore and the special meanings places hold  and to inspire everyone to discover the city with Uber.

Gaston Soto, Creative Director, BBH Singapore said, The film gave us room to tell an emotional story and explore the different meanings brought to a place by different people. This is so acutely felt in Singapore, where places are constantly evolving and every street, lane and corner may hold a different memory or signify a new opportunity across generations.

Stacy Sy, Marketing Manager Uber Singapore said, We appreciate that every location on the map has a unique meaning in each riders life. Wherever they go, there is a reason that prompts them to go there beyond just a physical location. We hope that this film will resonate across Singapore and assure riders that wherever they want to go, Uber will get them there..

Credits 

ECD: Joakim Borgstrom

Creative Directors: Omar Sotomayor & Gaston Soto

Art Director: Ronald Bunaidi

Copywriter: KC Hong

Business Director: David Webster

Account Director: Rebecca Levy

Account Manager: Victoria Fernandez

Producer: Wendi Chong

Production house: Stink Shanghai

Director: Tom Green

DOP: Beniot Soler

Colourist: MPC

Offline: James Norris

Online: Kraftwr5kz

Music Composition: Mad Planet

Audio Mixing: Fuse Singapore

Client 

Marketing Manager: Stacy Sy
Sure it's no modern beach house filled with everything that opens and shuts like those proliferating behind sand dunes up and down the east coast; it's a simple 1950s weatherboard cottage. And that's its appeal. The kitchen is basic but does the job, the shower is a barely more than a dribble, but it's hot, the decor is a hotchpotch of coastal knick-knacks, but hey, it's attractive enough. There is a television but usually we forget it's there, preferring instead to rummage our way through the stash of board games or plan the next day's adventures.
"The book answers the question, or at least our best guess as far as what happened to Chris, how did he get so big to begin with, and answers all of the questions along the way that kids have asked me, like 'why did he lose his wool?' or 'how did he protect himself from the feral dogs and foxes?'," she said
For starters, there's a table featuring gorgeous products and manned by a professional photographer to help you learn how to flat lay like a pro. (For those not up with the lingo, flat laying is where you place a series of beautiful objects together on a pretty surface and shoot from the top down. Big on Instagram.)
The brawl is yet another incident of bikie related violence in the capital, after the southside has been been caught of the grip of shootings and firebombing between rival gangs.
To be fair to the players, there have been any number of reports over the years on dealing with deficiencies in Australian science, and problems in creating, and maintaining, an innovation culture. No doubt some of what was said in these was taken as read, and was probably broadly true, with announcements made following such recommendations likely to do good. Where the preparation fell short, however, was in specifying what, how and why particular measures were intended to achieve, how we would know whether they were in fact being achieved, and what mechanisms were in place to be sure that all was on track.
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 ...
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Subaru just dusted off a nameplate they havent used in a while: the Rex. This time though, its not being attached to a sub-compact mini or...
California Air Resources Board chairman Mary Nichols recently revealed Governor Jerry Brown was considering banning vehicles with internal combustion engines and it appears at least one lawmaker will attempt to make it happen.



According to The Sacramento Bee, California State Assemblyman Phil Ting will introduce a bill which would ban the sale of new vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel engines after 2040. Little is known about the bill itself but it will reportedly be introduced in January when the Legislature returns to session.

In an interview with the publication, Ting said The market is moving this way and at some point you need to set a goal and put a line in the sand. He added California is used to being first but theyre catching up in particular field as several countries  including France and the United Kingdom  have already announced plans to phase out conventional engines.

California is the largest automotive market in the United States as residents buy over two million vehicles annually. However, zero-emissions vehicles only account for a tiny fraction of that number as they made up less than five percent of all vehicle sold during the first half of this year.

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will start settlement talks next month triggered by customer lawsuits over the automakers excess diesel emissions, Autoews reports.



The U.S. Justice Department sued the automaker in May for allegedly using illegal software that hid the excess emissions of almost 104,000 diesel vehicles.

Speaking in court, settlement master Ken Feinberg said that auto supplier Robert Bosch GmbH will also be involved in the October 12 settlement talks.

Fiat Chrysler believes it will be able to fix the diesel emissions of 2014-2016 vehicles by using the updated software from its 2017 models. According to Justice Department lawyer Leigh Rende, both the federal government and the state of California are nearing an agreement on a testing plan to see if this proposed fix will prove effective.

PHOTO GALLERY
Ford has announced two safety campaigns and a compliance recall in North America, which focus on select F-Series vehicles.



The first one covers 77 units of the F-650 and F-750, as these contain castellated nuts at the tie rods, which could have been torque below the minimum specification.

In the affected vehicles, the castellated nuts and cotter pins for the tie rod on the front axle may not have been torqued to the minimum torque specification, says Ford. This may cause the tie rod to become loose in the steer axle and disconnect from the steering system which may cause the driver to lose the ability to steer the passenger side wheel at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

No accidents or injuries have been associated with this condition, which covers the vehicles made at the Escobedo Assembly plant, from March 4, to April 27, 2015.

Another recall was announced for the 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCab, which could be missing rivets in the roof structure, in models that are not equipped with a moonroof. These vehicles structural integrity may have been reduced as a result, thus increasing the risk of injury in the event of a rollover.

Again, the manufacturer is not aware of any accidents or injuries connected to this problem that affects 42 units of the F-150 Raptor, made at Dearborn, between June 8 and August 21, 2017.

Finally, 624 units of the F-150 and Super Duty vehicles, from the 2017MY, made at Dearborn, Kansas, Kentucky, and Ohio, are part of a safety compliance recall. Ford says that they may have insufficient weld penetration on the seatbelt buckle attachment bracket on the front passenger manual seats, and as a result, these cannot properly restrain occupants in the event of an accident.

No reports of accidents or injuries have been received, associated with this issue.

In all three cases, owners will be contacted the Michigan-based automaker, informing them of the recall, and advising them to schedule a meeting with an authorized dealer. Subsequently, technicians will take care of the faulty bits free of charge.

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: Contributed Cheese...It's a Natural takes place in Armstrong Nov. 4.

If you have a love of cheddar or a passion for brie, Armstrong's annual celebration of all things cheese returns in November.

The 'Cheese...It's a Natural' event takes place at the Centennial Hall on Nov. 4. Tickets are now on sale.

Last year, over 600 people attended to nibble on cheeses, taste some spirits and find out which restaurant had won the local grilled cheese competition.

The 2017 grilled cheese competition has been planned for the months leading up to Nov. 4th, with you the public being the judges, said Patti Noonan, executive director of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce. "The ballots will be available at participating restaurants, starting Oct. 6th.

Participating restaurants include The Brown Derby Cafe, JJs Pizza Plus, Armstrong Hotel and Station Diner.

Other restaurants wishing to participate should contact contest organizer, Patti Ferguson at 250-546-8707.

Tickets for the Nov. 4, 'Cheese...It's a Natural' celebration are $25.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door. The event opens at Centennial Hall at 6 p.m.

A free daytime event also takes place at the hall on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Photo: Darren Handschuh A crash has occurred between a car and a motorcycle along East Vernon Road.

RCMP are clearing the scene of an accident between a car and a motorcycle at East Vernon Road and Briggs Road Thursday afternoon.

The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. with police, ambulance and BX/Swan Lake firefighters attending the scene.

The motorbike driver was taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital but there was no word on the extent of his injuries.

Castanet will update when more details become available.
Photo: Contributed Traffic is backed up on the William R. Bennett bridge due to a crash.

A collision on the William R. Bennett Bridge has backed up traffic in the eastbound direction during Thursday's rush hour.

The crash occurred Thursday afternoon and has quickly backed eastbound traffic to Hudson Road in West Kelowna.

Vehicles are getting past the crash scene, but the bridge is reduced to a single lane.

Tow trucks are currently on scene, working to remove the vehicles involved.

The nature of the crash and the condition of those involved is unknown at this time.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Toronto has topped the list of major global cities most at risk of a housing bubble, with Vancouver ranking fourth, according to a new report by UBS Group AB.

It's the first time Toronto has cracked the annual rankings compiled for the UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index, in which other "bubble risk" cities include Stockholm, Munich, Sydney, London, Hong Kong and Amsterdam.

The Swiss-based global financial services company said that the bubble risk in all of these cities has spiked over the last five years as house prices have climbed by almost 50 per cent on average since 2011.

However, "bubble risk seems greatest in Toronto, where it has increased significantly in the last year," it noted.

Notably, prices rose more than 10 per cent in the last year alone in Toronto, Munich, Amsterdam, Sydney and Hong Kong.

"Annual price-increase rates of 10 per cent correspond to a doubling of house prices every seven years, which is not sustainable," the UBS report said.

"Nevertheless, the fear of missing out on further appreciation predominates among home buyers."

In Canada a large part of the negative impact of higher purchase prices on affordability has been cushioned by low mortgage rates.

An overly loose monetary policy for too long, in addition to buoyant foreign demand which governments in B.C. and Ontario have tried to cool with the introduction of 15 a per cent foreign buyers tax, have also played a role in unmooring housing markets from economic fundamentals in Canada, UBS said.
Photo: Contributed

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.

Fire information officer Ryan Turcot says they expected an increase in fire activity this afternoon due to higher temperatures and winds.

However, due to the extremely rugged and steep terrain where the fire is burning, crews are in a modified response.

That means crews are hanging back and monitoring the fire rather than actively attacking it. Turcot said the fire is still burning well away from any structures, mostly up the mountain.

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.

The wildfire burning west of Cawston above the Similkameen River has grown considerably in the last few hours.

Strong winds have pushed the flames down the slope 200-300 feet today, estimated a nearby resident.

As well as going up, and the wind is shifting Im watching the trees candle now, she said late Friday afternoon. I sure hope that there is some water in those clouds."

Another resident said he suspects the fire has grown tenfold in the last two hours.

The fire is burning on the east slope of K Mountain and is currently well away from structures. Around lunchtime Friday, the B.C. Wildfire Service said they had a team of three building guard at the base of the fire.

The BCWS could not be immediately reached for comment Friday afternoon.

ORIGINAL 2 p.m.

Three firefighters with the B.C. Wildfire Service are tending to a three hectare blaze west of Cawston.

Fire information officer Justine Hunse said Friday afternoon the crew is working to establish a guard along the base of the fire, as it burns slowly up the east slope of K Mountain above the Similkameen River.

The firefighters did a number of small hand ignitions Thursday, but no large back burning is taking place.

The fire has been difficult to attack due to the rugged and steep terrain it is burning on. As a result, smoke will continue to be visible from surrounding communities for the next few days.

Hunse added that crews are now mopping up the Fairview Rd. fire, which sparked on Tuesday and burnt 30 hectares.
Photo: Contributed A City of Vernon worker erases the word 'Queer' that someone spray painted on the city's rainbow crosswalk.

City crews were on hand Friday afternoon at Vernon's downtown rainbow crosswalk after someone defaced the multi-coloured symbol of inclusion and tolerance.

It is not known exactly when someone spray painted the word 'Queer' on the cross walk, but by 2 p.m., the offensive act of vandalism had been erased.

Several people expressed their disappointment in the act of intolerance.

This is Canada! We should be fighting against hate and for inclusiveness more then ever now because of what is happening in the States. Let's try to be better people than some of our neighbours, Okay? said one post on social media.

Another post asked, What are we teaching our children?

The crosswalk was installed on 30 Avenue, between 33rd and 34th streets, last May.

Coldstream has also installed a similar crosswalk at Kal Beach.

Rainbow crosswalks have become a simple, economical, physical way for Canadian cities to express support for diverse, inclusive communities, Dustyn Baulkham, president of the Okanagan Pride Society, said when the crosswalk was installed.
Photo: Mighty Quail Trail 100K

A small group of ultra-distance trail runners will leave Skaha Lake Park Saturday morning on a 104 kilometre run to the Penticton Yacht Club.

The Mighty Quail Trail 100K will aim to showcase what its website calls some of the finest single track trails in the Okanagan Valley.

The race is capped at 50 participants, with only very experienced trail runners being advised to take part.

A series of aid stations will break up the race route, which will take runners up through the Skaha Bluffs, east to the top of Ellis Canyon, down Campbell Mountain and onto the Naramata Bench.

It wont be easy, but for those fearless enough to take it on, the rewards will be huge, the race's website reads. Expect sweeping valley and mountain views with massive elevation gain and loss on a variety of trail surfaces from buff to boulders.

The Mighty Quail is a non-profit event put on by the Covey Race Crew, with all proceeds going to Penticton Search and Rescue.
Madison Erhardt

UPDATE: 4:05 p.m.

Emergency crews responded to a small grass fire on Campbell Road in West Kelowna, just after 3 p.m.

"We responded quickly. We had three fire apparatus that attended. We found a relatively small fire that we were able to put out. The fire burned in the grass and extended into a couple trees," said Fire Chief Jason Brolund.

"There was no wind today and the conditions have improved slightly, so the fire didn't spread," he added.

The fire was about 20 feet by 20 feet in size.

The cause is under investigation.

UPDATE: 3:22 p.m

West Kelowna fire crews appear to have a small grass/brush fire well in hand.

Smoke has noticeably diminished, and no open flame is visible.

ORIGINAL: 3:12 p.m.

Fire crews are responding to a small grass fire on the Westside, near the west end of the W.R. Bennett Bridge.

A Ministry of Highways webcam on the bridge shows a small plume of smoke said to be coming from the area near Campbell Road and Campbell Place, which is right on the border between Westbank First Nation land and West Kelowna.

Castanet has a reporter headed to the scene.

It's not yet known what may have caused the fire.

Send your news, photos and video to [email protected]
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Wacker Chemie AG is expanding its existing production plants for polymer binders in South Korea. The Munich-based chemical company plans to build a new spray dryer for dispersible polymer powders at its Ulsan site. The dryer will have a total capacity of 80,000 metric tons per year. WACKER also plans to build a further reactor for dispersions based on vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE). Its dispersions will be used in the spray dryer for the production of dispersible polymer powders. Thanks to the new reactor, Ulsans VAE dispersion capacity will more than double. Ulsans plant complex, which covers the entire product chain from VAE dispersions to dispersible polymer powders, will be one of the largest of its kind worldwide. Capital expenditures of around 60 million are budgeted for the capacity increase and for expanding local infrastructure. Scheduled to start before the end of the year, construction work is expected to be finished by Q1 2019.

Our investment in expanding our polymer-binder production facilities in Ulsan is a key step in our global growth strategy, said Rudolf Staudigl, CEO of Wacker Chemie AG. The additional capacity will strengthen our market position the worlds leading manufacturer of dispersions and dispersible polymer powders, and will help us meet our Asian customers continuously rising demand over the long term, he emphasized.
The logo of Boeing is seen on Boeing's Government Operations office in Arlington, Va. Boeing successfully pushed for a huge tariff on Canadian competitor Bombardier. (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images)

Chicago-based Boeing won a major victory against a foreign competitor earlier this week when the Commerce Department signaled its intent to impose a 219 percent tariff on Canadian-made jetliners, claiming aircraft maker Bombardier has been unfairly propped up by the Canadian government.

But critics of the decision say Boeing itself benefits from its own form of government support, which includes federal contracts and tax breaks from state governments in the United States - a reflection of how American corporations are also dependent on government policies, contracts, decisions and in some cases direct financial inducements in their attempts to remain internationally competitive.

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"The truth is anybody who's in aerospace receives some type of subsidy, and certainly Boeing is no exception to that," said Darryl Jenkins, chairman of the American Aviation Institute, an independent think tank focusing on the commercial aviation industry.

A large percentage of Boeing's business comes from defense contracts, of which the U.S. military is easily its largest customer.

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The company's Arlington, Va.-based defense, space and security business reported close to $7 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter. The Pentagon's 2017 budget called for buying seven more Apache helicopters, 12 F-18 Super Hornets and for V-22 Ospreys from the company.

Many of these contracts also cover research and development expenses that can nurture new products, such as a $499 million deal to help the Air Force develop future air vehicles.

In some cases, the company gets tax breaks from state governments hoping to lure high-paying engineering jobs, such as an $8.7 billion tax break the company received from the state of Washington in exchange for setting up jobs there. Others argue that the U.S. Export-Import Bank indirectly facilitates Boeing's sales abroad, because the bank's loans effectively allow foreign airliners to purchase Boeing-made jets at a discount.

At the heart of the Commerce Department's proposed tariff is Bombardier's C series CS100 commercial jet, which seats about 100. Last year, Bombardier agreed to sell 75 commercial jetliners to Delta Air Lines in a multibillion-dollar deal.

Boeing's objection to the deal mystified some. Boeing was not a competitor in Bombardier's bid for Delta's business last year and does not make a similar plane.

Some saw it as a political move.

"The less savory aspect of this is it's a great chance for Boeing to find common ground with Donald Trump to please the economic nationalist wing of his base," said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with Teal Group, a firm that provides aerospace and defense analysis.

A week before Tuesday's decision, Bombardier released a sharply worded statement titled "Boeing's hypocrisy," linking to a Seattle Times article that detailed how Boeing has sold the 787 Dreamliner at a loss for years, in the hope that it eventually will make up the difference in future sales.

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"It is pure hypocrisy for Boeing to say that the C Series launch pricing is a 'violation of global trade law' when Boeing does the same for its new aircraft," Bombardier said in its statement.

Boeing rejected the comparison.

"It is simply inappropriate to equate the billions in subsidies Bombardier and companies like Airbus have received with state-level investment incentives and export credit agencies like the Export-Import Bank, to which Boeing's customers currently do not have access," the company said Tuesday.

Officials at the Commerce Department described the duty as an effort to level the playing field.

"The U.S. values its relationships with Canada, but even our closest allies must play by the rules," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement. "The subsidization of goods by foreign governments is something that the Trump Administration takes very seriously, and we will continue to evaluate and verify the accuracy of this preliminary determination."

The size of the tariffs raised eyebrows. Such a large tariff is exceedingly rare for a multimillion-dollar item like a jet plane. If the U.S. government follows through with the tariff, it would more than triple the price for customers inside the United States, costs that would be passed through to the supplier.

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"I've never seen one this big on this expensive of a product," said Jenkins, the AAI chairman. "The tariff makes the price completely unreasonable."

The attention-getting size of the tariff could be a bargaining chip to win trade concessions as the government moves through the process of finalizing the duty. The Commerce Department did not specify what subsidies Bombardier received that it considered improper, only citing support from the governments of Canada, Britain and the provincial government of Quebec in calculating its decision.

The alleged subsidies could include hundreds of millions of dollars in loans Bombardier has received from the Canadian government over its C series aircraft for years, most recently a $372.5 million interest-free loan announced in February 2017. Last year the company received a $1 billion investment from the Quebec provincial government related to the C series plane.

British and Canadian leaders have said the dispute would damage Boeing's chances to win defense contracts with their respective governments.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sounded the alarm last week, saying his government might cancel a previous proposal to buy Boeing F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.

News of the tariff sparked dismay in Britain, where Prime Minister Theresa May is under pressure to maintain the country's economic advantage as it prepares to divorce itself from the European Union as part of the Brexit process.

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Bombardier employs about 4,000 people in Belfast, many of whom work on the CS100.

May's office tweeted that it was "bitterly disappointed" by the Tuesday evening ruling.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday in Belfast, British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said he would not cancel an existing deal to buy eight spy planes and 50 Apache helicopters from Boeing, but said the slight would hurt Boeing in future competitions, Reuters reported Wednesday.

"This is not the behavior we expect from Boeing and it could indeed jeopardize our future relationship with them," Fallon said in a Wednesday news conference.

Still others are worried that Bombardier will become an example to other foreign firms thinking of setting up shop in the United States, adding a tinge of uncertainty to the broader U.S. business climate.

"Any resurgence of 'made in America' is going to depend on our ability to attract foreign firms to set up shop here," said Nancy McLernon, president and chief executive of the Organization for International Investment, a nonprofit group that advocates for open markets.
Cook County Land Bank Authority Executive Director Rob Rose and Commissioner BridgetGainer, chairwoman of the land bank, at a South Shore bungalow thats up for sale. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

A vacant brick bungalow on South Luella Avenue in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood requires some work  in fact, quite a bit of work.

The orange kitchen, despite having a coveted island, needs updated appliances, new cabinetry and flooring. The toilet in the main floor bathroom is broken and the peach carpet smells of cats.

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But for a prospective homebuyer looking for a house with good bones, the home has potential.

It's just one of the 30 to 40 homes the Cook County Land Bank Authority is putting up for sale as part of a new program designed to promote homeownership by selling vacant, dilapidated, tax-delinquent homes directly to homeowners.

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Until August, the land bank sold the properties it acquired only to developers that would rehab them and sell them at market rates.

But several of the land bank's properties were more in need of cosmetic changes than complete rehabs. Rehabbers weren't as interested in less-blighted properties because the projects would not produce the desired returns.

Enter the land bank's new program designed to attract prospective owner-occupants with fixer-upper dreams.

"Most of the properties (offered to homebuyers) need cosmetic work, not a full gutting," said Rob Rose, the land bank's executive director. "These houses are great for a homeowner to come in, make that investment and build equity  because we're selling to you below market."

The homes range from $50,000 to $170,000. The South Luella Avenue bungalow is listed for $103,000. Six of the homes have sold since late September.

"What we love is getting the folks in the community to be the homeowners in those neighborhoods," said Courtney Jones, president of the Dearborn Realtist Board, a trade association for black real estate professionals that supports the initiative to bring people back in to the neighborhood. "That allows the equity to stay with these people of color who've grown up in those areas."

The land bank aims to make a long-term impact on neighborhoods hit hard by the housing crisis by filling abandoned homes with homeowners, not just renters, said Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, D-Chicago, chairwoman of the land bank.

Elisha Sanders, left, acquisition specialist for the Cook County Land Bank Authority, and Bridget Gainer, the land bank's founder and chairwoman show a South Shore bungalow Wednesday. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

The initiative is also meant to boost homeownership among African-Americans, who are lagging behind whites in owning homes.

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Only 38.9 percent of African-Americans owned home in the Chicago area in 2015, compared with 74 percent of whites, according to a report from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Before the housing crash, almost half of African-Americans in the Chicago area owned homes.

Most of the homes in the land bank's program are in Avalon Park, Roseland and South Shore. Some suburban properties are also available.

The land bank brought in corporate lenders offering purchase rehabilitation loans and is building a list of contractors to share with homebuyers.

"The main problem with these (vacant) buildings was man-made," Gainer said. "Either it's stuck in court, or the buyer couldn't get credit. The houses are still desirable, people wanted to live there  so there needed to be a solution to unstick it."

Since its founding in 2013, the land bank has identified 13 city neighborhoods and 13 west and south suburbs where it sees potential, and has been acquiring vacant homes to sell. The Chicago neighborhoods are Auburn Gresham, Austin, Chatham, Chicago Lawn, East Garfield Park, Gage Park, Grand Boulevard, Great Grand Crossing, Humboldt Park, South Shore, Washington Heights, Washington Park and Woodlawn. It is working to expand to more neighborhoods.

As of the end of August, the land bank had acquired 538 properties. Of those, 346 homes have been sold to developers and 167 have been rehabbed.

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crshropshire@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @corilyns
Rik Mallin sands paint outside his home in Villa Park on Sept. 11, 2017. The Mallins plan to sell their home and leave Illinois, citing rising taxes. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Even after watching Hurricane Irma wreak havoc on Florida, Rik Mallin is sticking to his plan.

Mallin is fixing up his Villa Park home so that he can sell it, move to the Florida Panhandle and escape Illinois' rising taxes.

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"I'm getting out," said Mallin, 67. "It's not just the property taxes on my home; it's all of them." He figures his taxes in Florida, where there is no personal income tax, will be about a quarter of what he's paying now.

Mallin's not the only one leaving the state. In 2016, Illinois lost 37,508 people, putting the state's population at its lowest level in nearly a decade, according to U.S. census data. It was the third consecutive year the state lost more residents than any other state. The state's population count for 2017 won't be released until December.

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Some of those who are leaving Illinois say they're frustrated with their tax burden and the state's financial situation. After going more than two years without a budget, Illinois lawmakers passed a spending plan over the summer, one that involved a 32 percent income tax hike for residents. The state is still digging itself out of the financial disarray that accumulated during the budget impasse. A Forbes listing of the best and worst states for taxes in 2016, before the tax hike, ranked Illinois 46th, signifying a heavier tax burden.

But demographers aren't ready to chalk the outmigration up to tax pressures entirely.

Brookings Institution demographer William Frey said that when people move, it's usually for employment, and not necessarily because of taxes. Most of the people moving are in their 20s and 30s, are establishing themselves in careers, and are relocating for job opportunities.

"When you have more people moving out than in, it means the employment is somewhere else," Frey said.

Regardless of whether or not they are the primary factor behind relocations, high tax rates still affect the housing market by cutting into the amount of money residents have to spend.

Lance Ramella, president of Housing Trends, a Chicago-based housing market consultant, said weak growth in the Chicago economy, unresolved government fiscal issues and high taxes are all tied together, and are resulting in a "stagnant" housing market.

"Entry-level buyers shop based on what they can afford monthly," Ramella said.

Ultimately, if those shopping for homes can't afford the mortgage payments plus taxes, they'll settle for lower-priced residences. They may even skip buying a home altogether if there aren't enough affordable homes on the market. This could cause a deterioration in housing prices, he said.

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Housing construction already is being affected, he said. With construction costs high and demand muted, only 7,511 single-family homes were built in the Chicago metro area during the 12 months ending with July.

Before the recession, 40,000 new homes were being constructed each year. Normal demand is closer to 15,000 to 20,000 new homes a year, Ramella said.

"We really need stability in our government, and I don't know how that's going to happen," he said.

Ramella contrasted most of the Chicago metro area with Lake County, Ind., which has experienced heavy housing growth that Ramella attributes to a flight from Illinois taxes. Housing construction in northwest Indiana increased 18 percent this year over last, and in 2016 the number was up 19 percent over 2015. Meanwhile, Cook County is down 6 percent this year over last, and home construction in many other Illinois counties is flat, he said. DuPage County experienced an upturn of 5.9 percent this year.

Sheila Tracy, a Chicago optician, said the recent income tax hike as well as the sweetened beverage tax implemented by Cook County in August both seem like desperate governmental attempts to deal with unresolved financial problems.

"It was the last straw," said Tracy, who plans to relocate away from the state once she retires in three years. "They say the soda tax is about my health, but they aren't fooling people."

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Cook County's commissioners are expected to vote on repealing the sweetened beverage tax Oct. 10, though it's unclear at this point if there are enough votes to overturn the measure.

Even though it's difficult to determine how much of an impact tax concerns are having on real estate, the weakness in the local housing market is clear, said Geoff Smith, executive director of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University. Home prices in many major metropolitan areas have recovered and hit new highs since the 2008 housing crash, but in the Chicago area only a few suburbs and select city neighborhoods have rebounded, he said.

According to CoreLogic, a global property information firm, the Chicago area is one of the U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of homeowners underwater with their mortgages, meaning they owe more than their homes are worth. During the second quarter of this year, 10.8 percent of residences in the Chicago metro area were underwater, compared with 13.5 percent during the second quarter of 2016, according to CoreLogic.

The day after the Illinois legislature voted to raise the individual income tax rate from 3.75 to 4.95 percent, Northfield-based financial planner Ellen Rogin said she started getting phone calls from clients who are residents of Chicago with second homes in Florida.

The clients, according to Rogin, were saying "I'm worried about Illinois. Should I be moving to Florida?"

Rogin said anyone considering a move has to look at lifestyle, not just taxes.

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Chicago certified public accountant Debbie Lessin said that when people consider a move for tax reasons in retirement, they may be missing a crucial element of Illinois' tax system.

Illinois doesn't tax retirement income from Social Security, pensions and IRAs, an advantageous provision for retirees living in the state, she said.

BMO Private Bank Chief Investment Officer Jack Ablin is among those with residences in both Chicago and Florida. The seriousness of Illinois' budget and tax issues became clear to him, he said, when he tried to sell his Highland Park home a couple of years ago. The house was on the market for a year and priced right, he said, but potential buyers kept raising concerns about property taxes.

After struggling to sell the home, he challenged the assessment and was able to substantially lower the taxes. A few months ago, he found a buyer for the home, but the offer was contingent on seeing documentation of the assessment and the lower taxes.

"Taxes are rising so much it's crowding out the value of homes," Ablin said. "In many respects a person could argue that housing is cheap in Chicago, and in many respects it is cheap. But it is cheap for a reason."

Ablin, who works in both Florida and Chicago, said he ultimately decided to make Florida his primary residence. He rents an apartment in downtown Chicago that he uses when in the city on business.

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Whole Foods Market still plans to open one of its cheaper, smaller-format 365 stores in suburban Evergreen Park next year. (Patrick T. Fallon / Bloomberg)

Whole Foods Market will indeed open one of its cheaper, smaller-format 365 stores in suburban Evergreen Park next year and is not abandoning the concept under its new Amazon ownership, the company said Friday.

The 30,000-square-foot store, announced early last year, was originally scheduled to open in November. But with Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods came uncertainty on whether the company would stay committed to the 365 model, which has lower profit margins but could draw shoppers on a tighter budget. The Evergreen Park location would be the first 365 store in the Chicago area.

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Michael Bashaw, Whole Foods' Midwest region president, said Friday that Whole Foods and Amazon executives decided Thursday to move forward with the 365 store in the redeveloped Evergreen Plaza mall and use the concept for all small-format locations going forward.

"We're still going to do 365 stores. The reality is they're not a big deal. They represent a tiny portion of our business and are therefore a flyspeck of Amazon's business," Bashaw said.

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But the two companies had to wait until after the merger, which closed Aug. 28, to discuss the matter because of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules that limit what can be discussed during the acquisition process, Bashaw said.

"It's sort of like a new marriage where you don't totally know what the other person is like," Bashaw said.

Currently, there are only six 365 stores open in the company's 460-plus network of locations, according to the company website. There are 16 more locations in the pipeline, according to the list on the website, which as of Friday made no mention of the Evergreen Park location.

The company is learning from the 365 openings and making adjustments to product assortment and store design as needed, Bashaw said. Compared with a typical Whole Foods store, 365 stores have fewer employees, lower prices and not as many "bells and whistles," he said.

"There could come a time when we will go faster (on opening 365 locations) but we're still tweaking the model," Bashaw said.

It's still not clear when the Evergreen Park store will open. Construction on the interior of the store likely will begin in a couple of weeks, Bashaw said, but there's no projected opening date yet.

Earlier this summer, Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton said he didn't know whether Whole Foods would open a 365 store or a traditional Whole Foods in the mall.

On Friday, Sexton said he was happy and relieved to find out it would be the former.

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"This is exactly what were looking for," Sexton said. "Their name is golden. It adds a lot to the mix."

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Twitter @GregTrotterTrib

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Equifax Inc.'s interim chief executive publicly apologized for the credit reporting company's poor response to concerns about a massive data breach, and  facing ongoing public pressure  he offered some additional remedies to consumers.

"I want to express my sincere and total apology," Paulino do Rego Barros Jr., who was named interim CEO after Richard Smith abruptly stepped down as chief executive Tuesday, wrote in an op-ed published Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal.

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After being hacked, Equifax "compounded the problem with insufficient support for consumers," Do Rego Barros acknowledged.

"Our website did not function as it should have, and our call center couldn't manage the volume of calls we received," Do Rego Barros wrote. "We will make this site right or we will build another one from scratch.  The same goes for the call centers."

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Do Rego Barros announced that by Jan. 31, Equifax would offer a new service allowing people the option of locking and unlocking access to their Equifax credit files at will. The service would be offered free of charge for life, he said.

Equifax also extended until Jan. 31 the sign-up period for free credit freezes and for TrustedID Premier, a credit monitoring service it is offering free of charge to U.S. consumers.

Credit freezes and locks are similar  both limit access to a person's credit report. But a freeze is a bit more formal in that people are assigned a PIN they use to verify their identity when they want to lift the freeze, said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com.

Equifax also said freezes, which were created in the early 2000s, are subject to regulation by each state.

The more modern credit locks use usernames, passwords and one-time passcodes to authenticate a person's identity, Equifax said.

On Sept. 15, a dozen Democratic senators  including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts  introduced a bill that would require Equifax and the nation's two other major credit reporting firms to allow people to freeze and unfreeze their credit file free of charge indefinitely, among other requirements.

McBride said Equifax's new voluntary offerings have "everything to do" with this legislation, as well as with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's scrutiny of the three credit reporting firms.

In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray said that regulators would be embedded at Equifax and the other two credit reporting firms  TransUnion and Experian  and that it was "not enough to have enforcement come after the fact."

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Equifax revealed the data breach Sept. 7, several weeks after the hacking was discovered in late July. The breach exposed Social Security numbers, birthdates and other private data for as many as 143 million people.

The delay in notifying the public about the breach, and Equifax's bungled handling of potential fixes for consumers who used its website or call center, led to harsh criticism from consumers and lawmakers and prompted several investigations by state and federal authorities.

The company's stock price has tumbled as it scrambled to control the damage, including backtracking on initially making consumers give up their right to sue if they wanted free credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

Adding to Equifax's troubles was the revelation that three executives sold thousands of shares of company stock in the days after the breach was discovered in July  long before the public was informed and the stock price nosedived. Equifax has said the executives were unaware of the breach when they sold the shares.

U.S. House and Senate committees are scheduled to hold hearings next week on the breach and Equifax's reaction to it. Warren, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, said she wants both Smith and Do Rego Barros, among others, to testify about what happened.

Numerous civil suits have been filed over the breach, including by San Francisco and Massachusetts. Chicago filed suit Thursday, alleging Equifax violated the city's consumer fraud ordinance and state laws by doing a poor job of protecting sensitive data and by waiting too long to alert the public.

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Married couple Tomer Yogev and Monika Black run a business consulting firm together and own two properties in Chicago: a three-flat in Bucktown and a condo in Bronzeville. (Kamil Krzaczynski and Nneka McGuire / Chicago Tribune) (Nneka McGuire / Chicago Tribune)

Tomer Yogev is a kind, friendly guy. Those were the traits that nearly tanked him as a newbie landlord.

When it came to his tenants, "it wasn't so much that they were taking advantage, but there wasn't clarity," said Yogev. The 39-year-old landlord and his wife, Monika Black, run a business consulting firm and own two properties in Chicago: a three-flat in Bucktown and a condo in Bronzeville.

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"'Tomer is cool with it, Tomer is always cool with it,'" he said, imitating what he believes his tenants might've felt. But, Yogev said sadly, "Sometimes, I wasn't cool with it."

Especially, he added, when his tenants thought their move-out day was flexible, or their security deposit could be used as their last month's rent.

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"If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile," Yogev said.

Being a landlord is much more than simply purchasing a property, popping an ad on Craigslist, renting it out and reeling in the cash, said Timmi Ryerson, a landlord and CEO of Smart Property Systems in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Just like a prospective business owner, you should consider all aspects of being a landlord, from choosing the ideal location to making sure you have the requisite stamina and personality, before you set up shop.

First, you need to do your homework.

If landlords-to-be had a required reading list, the federal Fair Housing Act, lead-based paint regulations and state landlord-tenant laws would fall squarely at the top.

"Landlords should take time to get familiar with the law, including both their legal obligations and their rights," said Ron Leshnower, Long Island, N.Y.-based attorney and author of "Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals." "Many people become landlords without realizing how many different federal, state and local laws apply to rental properties."

These laws cover record retention rules, occupancy requirements, lead paint disclosure, accessibility and more  and the consequences of noncompliance can be costly, Ryerson said.

Once you understand federal and local rules, you may be ready to start your search for the ideal investment property. This search differs from the sort you would undertake for a single-family home.

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One option: Auctions. Foreclosed homes up for auction can be found online or advertised in local papers. While the reduced prices may be tantalizing, there are caveats. For instance, foreclosures are sold as is, and there's rarely an opportunity to inspect the property's interior before purchase. Scouring public land records, however, can reveal details including the owner's name and purchase date. And a look at the home's exterior might offer some clues about its condition.

When a home doesn't sell in a foreclosure auction, the bank assumes ownership. These bank-owned homes, also called real estate owned properties, are another potential pool for those seeking an investment property. Some bank websites list their REOs; real estate agents can also help you track down these properties, as many are posted on the multiple listing service. Some REOs can sell for up to 65 percent off market value, Ryerson said.

Homes bought at auction and REOs, she said, often "need significant rehab before they are tenantable, so that is an important consideration for an unexperienced landlord."

Finally, for sale by owner properties  which allow the buyer and seller to bypass a real estate agent's commission  can be found via social media or FSBO websites.

"I recommend a mix of all of the above to anyone starting the search to add investment properties to their portfolio," Ryerson said.

Married couple Tomer Yogev, left, and Monika Black run a business consulting firm together and own two properties in Chicago: a three-flat in Bucktown and a condo in Bronzeville. (Kamil Krzaczynski / Chicago Tribune)

Chad Bermingham, 49, a commercial real estate agent and landlord in Chicago, said he has very specific criteria when it comes to choosing the perfect rental property. He owns a three-flat in West Rogers Park.

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He looks for a place close to his home and public transportation, and near a hardware store. (Bermingham has happily built a robust network of plumbers, contractors and others by approaching people at the local hardware store.)

"Also, I want a building that doesn't need too much work or a large financial investment in order to rent it," Bermingham said. "I want to get the most for my money in terms of size of the building, layout and condition of apartments, size of yard and parking."

Once you've chosen a property and taken the requisite steps  conducted an in-depth investigation of landlord-tenant laws, arranged an inspection of the property, nabbed a mortgage lender  decide if you're going to manage the property yourself, or if you want to hire a property manager.

A property manager will typically take about 5 percent of your monthly rental income, but this point person will deal with all issues relating to tenant lock-outs, unit repairs, rent collection and finding new renters (though some property managers also charge a month's rent for this service).

Then, it's time to find tenants.

"You need to be honest about your expectations to get the right tenant," Yogev said.

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He and his wife live on the top of their three-flat, which was purchased in 2006, and rent the lower two apartments. He always tells prospective renters that he's seeking quiet neighbors.

Look inward too. Make sure you've got the right temperament to be a landlord to those tenants, Bermingham said.

When he first became a landlord 11 years ago , Bermingham said, he was a people-pleaser, quick to respond to every tenant request, no matter how insignificant.

"I've had complaints like a crack in the sidewalk," he said. "That was a small thing that didn't need to be taken care of right away."

His biggest lesson learned: not to sweat the small stuff. And to be outgoing  but not overly so.

"I don't want to be close friends with my tenants," he said, "because that doesn't really work well either."

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That's because some tenants may take advantage if a landlord is too agreeable, dishing up excuses as to why the rent is late, why the car was parked illegally or how the wall got dented, said Cynthia McKay, a Denver-based psychotherapist.

"The landlord will require strength when dealing with tenants," McKay said. "The landlord must present a strong front and inflexible rules."

Santiago Delboy, a Chicago-based psychotherapist, emphasized the necessity of striking "a balance between being flexible and firm, depending on the circumstances" because "landlords whose boundaries are too rigid are likely to negatively impact their tenants' satisfaction and likelihood of renewing their lease."

After all, he noted, "While this is a business relationship, emotional intelligence is very important and can turn tenants from enemies to allies."

Organization is another key trait that landlords should possess.

"From a tenant-facing perspective," Delboy said, organization "allows landlords to be more efficient dealing with tenants' issues and complaints, set expectations clearly and be consistent with these expectations. From a back-office perspective, it allows landlords to be more efficient running different parts of the business that require attention to detail, such as bookkeeping or maintenance."

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From there, Yogev said, it's "trial by fire."

Danielle Braff is a freelance writer.

ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

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A prolific architect who left a lasting imprint on Chicago and Highland Park will honored on a wall display at Highland Park's downtown Metra station.

The pictorial plaque pays tribute to William W. Boyington, the Chicago Water Tower architect who served as mayor of Highland Park in the mid-1870s, not long after the city was incorporated.

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The plaque will be unveiled at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Metra station on the 1700 block of St. Johns Avenue. The Highland Park Historical Society nominated Boyington for its Highland Park Local Legends program. Both the nomination and display were approved last spring by the city council.

The plaque notes that Boyington's best-known work is the Gothic-style Chicago Water Tower, one of the few structures in the path of the Great Fire of 1871 to survive. The tower became an iconic symbol of the city's resurgence, the plaque says.

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The plaque also highlights Boyington's contributions as Highland Park's mayor from 1875 to 1877. He promoted a Laurel Avenue underpass beneath the railroad tracks, water distribution improvements and better fire protection.

"Boyington was this architect who came to Chicago from New England in 1853 and got busy designing these buildings in Chicago  the Crosby Opera House, the Sherman House Hotel  before the fire," said Jeffrey Stern, an historical society board member who led the nomination effort.

"After the fire, he comes out here to Highland Park," Stern said. The year after his arrival, he was elected mayor. "Can you imagine? In the 1870s he even thought of the idea of an underpass to avoid all the traffic when trains are in the station or passing through."

Stern said the train station seemed a fitting place to honor Boyington because of his involvement with the region's railroad system. He designed the Chicago & North Western Railway Terminal along the Chicago River where the Merchandise Mart now stands. The terminal was in use from 1881 to 1911, the plaque states.

After the Great Fire, Boyington also designed a predecessor to the current Chicago Board of Trade building. At 320 feet, the Boyington-designed building was Chicago's tallest structure when it was completed in 1885 and the first commercial building with electric lighting, the plaque notes.

Two Highland Park homes designed by Boyington remain prominent to this day. One is the Sylvester Millard log house that dates to 1893. The other is a Queen Anne-style home at Sheridan and Moraine roads designed for insurance executive Palmer Montgomery.

Boyington's commercial design work in Highland Park included the now-demolished Gray Electric Company plant for inventor Elisha Gray. The building stood at St. Johns Avenue and Beech Street in the heart of what is now a residential neighborhood.

Stern noted that Boyington even played a role in completing the State Capitol building in Springfield that is acknowledged in a state brochure.

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"For years it wasn't finished. They wouldn't appropriate the money, strangely enough," Stern said. "In the 1880s, they picked William Boyington to finish the job. He didn't design it, but he oversaw the completion of the State Capitol in 1885."

Boyington died in 1898 and was laid to rest at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, where he had designed an entrance in the same Gothic style used for the Chicago Water Tower.

Highland Park archivist Nancy Webster said funding for the commemorative plaque has been provided by Boyington's descendants.

The City of Highland Park and the Highland Park Historical Society created the Local Legends program in 2011 to recognize the lives and contributions of extraordinary individuals.

Julius Rosenwald, a Sears executive and philanthropist, was the first Local Legend to be honored. Rosenwald and his wife Augusta kept a summer estate in the Ravinia Park area that would later become Rosewood Park and Rosewood Beach.

Architects John Van Bergen and Robert Seyfarth were honored in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Boyington is the fourth person to be honored.

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A Lake County police officer charged with rape had got his disciplinary proceedings delayed until 2018 on Thursday.

The Lake County Sheriff's Police Merit Board agreed to put disciplinary proceedings against Officer Nicholas Medrano, 34, of Crown Point, on hold for 90 days, as he's currently on duty in the armed services until Oct. 16. Medrano was indicted by a grand jury in June on charges of rape, attempted rape, criminal confinement and sexual battery, according to court documents.

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Medrano was put on leave without pay by the Sheriff's Department.

Attorney Christopher Cooper, who is representing Medrano, appealed to the board based on a federal statute.

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"The board doesn't have a choice on this," Cooper said.

Federal law requires that the 90-day stay is given for men and women serving in the armed services, Cooper said. Cooper said Medrano cannot leave his duties to participate in the preparation of his defense.

A motion filed by the Sheriff's Department initially contested the stay, according to Cooper.

"That motion is not favorable to the men and women who serve our country," Cooper said.

Attorney John Bushemi, who represents the Sheriff's Department, said if Medrano could show that he met the proper criteria to qualify for the stay under the federal statute, he would not object.

John Kopack, a Sheriff's Department attorney, said Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. supports veterans and those who serve the United States and would not object to granting the stay under the federal law.

Medrano's attorneys also sought to delay disciplinary proceedings until his criminal trial is resolved, but the board took that request under advisement.

"An indefinite stay is to nobody's benefit," Kopack said.

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Attorney Ben Murphy, who is also representing Medrano, said the officer would not be able to take the stand in his own defense before the merit board if that hearing is set before his criminal trial. Medrano's trial is tentatively set to start Dec. 18, according to Murphy.

"I don't think it would be an undue burden," Murphy said.

Bushemi said the length of stay for criminal proceedings to end could last years, and it's in the interests of the Sheriff's Department and Lake County taxpayers to have the disciplinary proceedings resolved. Bushemi said taxpayers are now paying for a position where no one is doing any work.

Murphy said without Medrano's testimony, the board would primarily make its decision based on the testimony of the victim in the criminal case.

"Officer Medrano needs to have an opportunity to testify on his behalf," Murphy said.

Bushemi said the motion from Medrano's attorneys said denying the request would violate his civil rights and would result in a lawsuit.

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"You should not be intimidated by such a threat," Bushemi said.

clyons@post-trib.com

Twitter @craigalyons
Tiki cocktails are having their moment, again. In Chicago, it's thanks to star bartender Paul McGee, who founded Three Dots and a Dash downtown, before leaving to find his own Lost Lake up in the land between Avondale and Logan Square.

Both bars are known for their carefully made drinks with showpiece glassware and elaborate garnishes. But for the full-on Tiki experience, you'll want to go to Tiki Terrace. The Hawaiian-inspired restaurant, hidden improbably within a suburban strip mall, hosts the last remaining Tiki dinners-and-a-show anywhere in Chicagoland, with experiences so fully immersive, you may believe Des Plaines has a tropical beach.

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Legendary Tiki bar Hala Kahiki in River Grove does hold occasional hula shows, as does the classic bar and Chinese restaurant Chef Shangri-la in North Riverside, but Tiki Terrace is different. It continues a disappearing tradition, with four live shows each week, including Wednesdays, when I was able to snag a seat at the bar during a recent sold-out night.

"Tiki Terrace is an island getaway where you can experience Hawaii without the cost of airfare," said owner Phil Zuziak. It's a practiced description but apropos, with O'Hare International Airport a 10-minute drive away. "We have a dinner theater environment where people can experience Hawaii through sights, sounds and tastes."

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"We host multiple dance groups, or halau, to perform here, but we have our own house dancers as well," said Zuziak. "A halau, that's just a dance family. In Hawaii your halau would be more than just who you practice or learn dances with. It's a family with a teacher that has blood from Hawaii that passes down what they've learned, the ancient art of hula, to the students. It's more of a family than just students who get dropped off and learn dances."

Zuziak performs himself, with family.

"I have a pretty extensive background in Polynesian dance and drum," he said, "I started about 13 years ago with Samoan fire knife dancing, or Siva Afi, the fire knife dance. I can't tell you how many times I went to Hawaii to compete, thus Tiki Terrace is here, just to represent our love for Polynesian culture."

"When my brother and I went to compete in Hawaii, we were the first ones from the Midwest, so they just referred to us as the guys from cold country," he added laughing.

Tiki Terrace was founded in April 2003 by brothers Scott, Jim and Phil Zuziak, at their first location in Prospect Heights. They moved to the current location in 2008.

"My brothers and I built everything here," continued Phil Zuziak. "All the Tikis were handcarved. When we first moved in the place, it was really cold. None of the utilities were even turned on. We spent about four months in the wintertime building the place out. Seven days a week, 14 to 16 hours a day. A lot of work and a lot of love went into the place."

An alluring, subtle scent inside is especially intoxicating.

"What you smell when you first walk in is lahala thatching," said Zuziak. "That's dried-out palms from Hawaii that are weaved together. Often times they're used as a mat. We have a lot of lahala thatching that lines our walls and a lot of bamboo."

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The thatching is why there's no fire dancing during the stage shows  that and the fire code. But there is food, as well as classic Tiki cocktails.

"The favorite dish is the coconut chicken," said Zuziak. "It's chicken breast marinated in coconut milk and cilantro, then we use Japanese panko breadcrumbs, coconut flakes and flour. My sister, Kelly Chapek, is responsible for a lot of the unique items on the menu. She came up with that recipe about 13 years ago."

The chicken is pounded thin, fried and served with a drizzle of plum sauce.

"In Hawaii, it's super traditional that you'll get everything with two scoops of rice and mac salad," added Zuziak. "Mac salad isn't as popular in the Midwest as the Asian-style coleslaw. People love that because it's vinaigrette-based not mayonnaise-based, where it's creamy, and it's a little bit sweeter. Then we top it with an Asian noodle that's a nice salty bite."

"Here we have rib cook-offs, and in Hawaii, they have mac salad competitions," he said laughing.

And of course, there are Tiki cocktails, including two mai tais.

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"I think people have an expectation of a mai tai being sweeter and fruity. When you trace the history, there's a lot of controversy over whether it was Don the Beachcomber or Trader Vic that invented this drink. But both have similar aspects that we stuck with, and we call that the original mai tai. It's basically a mixture of rum, lime, bitters, and then of course it's topped with Myers's dark rum. There's more of a bite to that one. It's really strong."

"Then we have our Tiki Mai Tai, which we're really proud of. It's won the best in the suburbs award a few years back. It's a little bit sweeter. We use pineapple and orange juices, orange curacao, orgeat and dark rum."

On that recent luau dinner-show night, Zuziak had to run. A party of 80 seniors was arriving to pack the house. A few other reserved tables were filled with hip, Hawaiian-shirt-wearing young couples. One table was filled with a multigenerational, multiracial family celebrating a young boy's birthday.

Zuziak may not be able to perform his fire knife dance inside Tiki Terrace, but he cooked that night and even blended a few pina coladas.

Tiki Terrace; 1591 Lee St., Des Plaines; 847-795-8454; www.thetikiterrace.com

lchu@chicagotribune.com

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It's too bad that wine did not have the mainstream popularity in the 1980s that it has today, because some metal band could have cleaned up with a name like Phylloxera.

Can you imagine that word, stylized in a jagged font and splayed across both heads of a double-bass-drum set? No umlauts needed. It looks cool, it sounds cool (pronounced "fil-LOX-er-uh") and it contains an "x," the most important letter in any metal band's name, even surpassing the awesomeness that replacing an "s" with a "z" provides. Heavy metal, death metal, hair metal  anyone in leotards, leather or eyeliner could have scored big with that name.

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We'll never know if Phylloxera would have succeeded as a metal band, but it's been horrible for the wine industry. Perhaps that is yet another reason it would have made for a great band name  because of the havoc it has wreaked on the livelihood of so many people.

In reality, phylloxera is no joke (neither is Anthrax, or even Poison, for that matter). It's one of those words you come across on your wine journey, and although it does not really have anything to do with your enjoyment of wine and food, it doesn't hurt to know generally what it's all about. It's one of those topics that can lead down many interesting side streets and alleyways of discovery.

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Though it kind of sounds like a disease (at least to me it does), phylloxera is actually an insect, a type of plant lice about 1/30th of an inch long. To put that in nonmath terms for all of you English majors out there, it's really tiny. But massive power lies within the itty-bitty yellow body of the phylloxera bug: In the mid- to late-1800s, the root-attacking louse came close to wiping wine clear off the face of the earth.

In France alone, it is estimated that more than 6 million acres of vineyards were destroyed. Phylloxera infestation wiped out colossal swaths of vineyard acreage in other countries across Europe too. The little menace did not stop there; its destruction spread beyond Europe, to Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and even California. Only a few places in the wine world were spared: Argentina, Chile, some parts of Australia, a region in Portugal called Colares, and a few Mediterranean islands, among some other select locales.

And here comes the irony. In the ultimate example of "ugly American" travel, these bugs  impatient, rude and born in the USA  started their European destruction tour after catching a ride on native American vines bound for the continent in the 1860s. Obviously agricultural importing and exporting procedures were much more lax back then, and the exchange of plants for experimentation was not an uncommon practice. But what's that old saying? A few bad apples can spoil the bunch? All it took were a few bugs (OK, maybe more than a few) to rattle the wine industry to the point of potential collapse.

Phylloxera is a silent and stealth killer, destroying grapevines by attacking their roots. The American Vitis labrusca vines and roots, on which the insects stowed away across the Atlantic, were naturally immune to the pest. Once the bugs latched onto the roots of the European Vitis vinifera vines, the damage began. Are you wondering, then, how the same bugs were able to decimate California vineyards in the 1870s, only a handful of years after ripping through France?

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The answer brings even more irony. Early California winemakers shunned native American vines in favor of Vitis vinifera from Europe, which are known for producing many of the world's finest wine grape varieties. Of course, the bugs had a field day when they reached Northern California and got a whiff of the Old World vines.

The solution, in France, California and elsewhere in the world, was to pull up the European roots and plant American roots, grafting the European (vinifera) vines onto them. Not to put too fine of a point on it, but to fix an "American" problem, European winemakers had to dig up their ancient vineyards and replant them with American roots. In California, winemakers had to do the same, grafting Old World vines onto native rootstock.

The devastating pest was finally under control, wine had been saved and there was much bacchanalian rejoicing for close to 100 years. And then in 1983 it happened again  this time in California when a new strain of phylloxera, biotype B, attacked a popular rootstock (dubbed AxR1) that had been planted widely there in prior decades. Scientists had been certain that the roots, would be phylloxera-resistant, but one of the parent vines was vinifera.

The infestation spread into Oregon and Washington, and accordingly, waves of heartbreak and enormous expense followed. Remember that if you are a winemaker and you rip up your vineyards and replant them, it can take several years before the vines are producing grapes mature enough for winemaking. There is no instant reset button in a vineyard or winery.

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Today the majority of the world's vineyards grow on American rootstock, all because of a costly error made a century-and-a-half ago. From the lowliest jug wine vineyards to the most-revered plots of land in France, there are American roots in the soil. The irony is enough to make your head spin, even if you haven't been a headbanger since the '80s. And there's still time to start that band, by the way.

food@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @pour_man

[ 'Where do I start learning about wine?' Our columnist has the answer  ]

[ Put down that wine cork: Why sniffing gets you nowhere  ]






Fox News' Sandra Smith used to split her time between New York and Chicago, where her husband, John Conolly, worked.

Now they live in New York with their two young children, but Smith's commute is still not enviable. The 37-year-old Wheaton native says she will likely leave her home at about 4 a.m. when she begins her new job Monday as co-anchor of "America's Newsroom" with Bill Hemmer.

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"It's going to be a long day and early mornings, but I am up for it and honored to do it," Smith told the Tribune by phone.

Smith, who attended Louisiana State University and worked as a stock analyst in Chicago before eventually joining Fox Business Network as a reporter in 2007, will continue to serve as co-anchor of Fox's "Outnumbered" while adding "America's Newsroom" to her plate. Smith lauded "America's Newsroom" as a "place where you can begin your day, and it really does a great job combining news, opinion of our guests and expert analysis."

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Network representatives announced Smith's move as part of a shake-up to its daytime schedule that includes the promotion of two other female Fox News co-hosts, Harris Faulkner and Dana Perino. The announcement comes as Fox News faces a spate of harassment and discrimination allegations.

"I think Fox News Channel is amazing at looking at individual backgrounds and experiences and expertise and putting people and their talents where they will have the biggest impact, and I think this case is no different," Smith said. "My experience at Fox News Channel has been a wonderful one. It's been a wonderful place to work, it's a wonderful place for women, it's a wonderful place for men, it's a wonderful place if you have a family. It is like a family here and we do support each other. It's very much a team atmosphere."

"America's Newsroom" airs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays, while "Outnumbered" airs from 11 a.m. to noon weekdays.

tswartz@tribpub.com

@tracyswartz

[ RELATED: Going the distance, with careers in 2 cities  ]

[ How Kathy Hart fared as a guest co-host on 'Good Day Chicago'  ]

[ Ex-Libertyville resident shows off magic book collection on 'Strange Inheritance'  ]







Watch the latest movie trailers.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Russia has the nuclear energy technology required to develop the Arctic and to ensure Russia's leadership in the region, according to Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the Kurchatov Research Institute.

Speaking at the Nuclear Icebreaker Fleet and Arctic Exploration conference at the Kurchatov Institute, Kovalchuk noted that low-power nuclear energy generators are best suited for use in the Arctic due to the Arctic's low population density, lack of transport infrastructure and relatively low energy consumption at individual facilities. He reiterated that the use of traditional energy-saving methods creates the serious risk of environmental pollution in the Arctic. Therefore, nuclear technology should be used for reliable, efficient and environmentally safe energy generation in the Arctic.

"These low-power nuclear plants are based on direct energy conversion, that is heat into electricity, as well as the shipbuilding technology that we have mastered  they are our advantage with absolutely no competition," Kovalchuk said as quoted by RIA Novosti.

As an example, Kovalchuk referred to an earlier project developed at the Kurchatov Institute of an unattended self-regulating low-power nuclear thermoelectric station. It is also possible to develop underwater robot-based facilities for the Arctic that are also powered by direct conversion of heat from nuclear sources.

Another alternative for supplying energy to the Arctic will be a floating nuclear thermal power plant which is currently under construction and will become operational in Chukotka in late 2019, Kovalchuk said.
A rendering of the Ghafari Comiskey Commons, on display in the Between States exhibit at the Chicago Architecture Foundation. The Chicago Architecture Biennial features satellite exhibit sites. (Ghafari Associates )

Eero There's a new wrinkle to this year's edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial: Six satellite exhibits, spread around the city, that are smaller in scale, easier to grasp and more focused on Chicago than the main version of the big contemporary design show.

Well, that's true for five of the six. One, at the Hyde Park Art Center, isn't ready yet.

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Considered individually, the completed satellite shows and two related downtown exhibits  one at the Expo 72 gallery, the other at the Chicago Architecture Foundation  vary widely in quality. Some succeed at fleshing out the biennial's aspirational title, "Make New History." Other simply revisit old histories.

Taken as a group, however, the shows can be considered a success. They should raise architectural awareness in the city's neighborhoods and plant the seeds of an exhibition culture that, in the future, could flower with new ideas.

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Here are capsule reviews:

'Chicago River Edge Ideas Lab'

Expo 72, 72 E. Randolph St.

Across Randolph from the biennial's main exhibition site at the Chicago Cultural Center, which features works by more than 140 designers from over 20 countries, this smart little show features conceptual proposals from nine firms that were asked to devise plans for three barren sites along the Chicago River's South Branch.

The sites  the blank-walled back of the Civic Opera Building, the vehicle-dominated meeting of the river with Congress Parkway, and a stretch of undeveloped riverfront north of Chinatown  are relics of an age that saw the river as a sewer. Credit the show's organizers, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development and the nonprofit Metropolitan Planning Council, for seeking something better.

The best plans come from two firms. New York's James Corner Field Operations proposes a series of creative tweaks, including one that would turn the back of the Civic Opera Building into a waterfront amphitheater. Chicago's Studio Gang takes a more ambitious approach, suggesting decked parks and raised pathways over Congress Parkway to knit together the fragmented open spaces around the roadway.

The exhibit  by Chicago's Ross Barney Architects, a co-designer of the downtown Riverwalk and one of the firms taking part in the show  shows it is possible to achieve an evocative display on a budget. Through Jan. 7.

'Between States'

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Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave.

"Between States" covers important ground but looks stale. It's based on the same premise as the foundation's 2016 exhibit, "50 Designers, 50 Ideas, 50 Wards" which asked 50 Chicago-based designers to come up with fresh concepts for the city's 50 wards. The format, which displays the concepts on rectangular boards that hang from from a circular metal frame, is also unchanged. So are the curators, Chicago architects Martin Felsen and Sarah Dunn.

But if the packaging isn't impressive, the substance is, particularly the designs that seek to transform existing conditions rather than wiping the slate clean.

Vinci Hamp Architects suggests turning vacant single-story strip malls into market-rate housing or day care centers. Ghafari Associates teams with Okrent Kisiel Associates on a plan that would convert the bleak expanse of parking lots around Guaranteed Rate Field into a vibrant mix of uses, including an iconic high-rise tower and low-rise housing. What "Between States" lacks in novelty, it makes up in useful visions that, like those in the river edge lab, could make new history. Through Jan. 7.

'Placemaking & Landmarks: The Creation of Mexican Space in La Dieciocho (Pilsen)'

National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.

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A welcome departure from a typical architecture show of renderings, models and photographs, this engaging exhibit tells the compelling story of how Chicago's Mexican-American community made the area around 18th Street (the "La Dieciocho" of the show's title) its own after being forced out of the Near West Side for the Eisenhower Expressway and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Curator Cesareo Moreno has assembled a cache of black-and-white archival photographs to reveal how Mexican-Americans layered their identity onto existing churches, stores and schools.

The colorful murals that adorn the walls of buildings in Pilsen form the most visible part of that story. Equally dazzling is a fabulous image from the museum's permanent collection  Mexican artist Joel Rendon's woodcut print imagining the city's skyline on the chest and stomach of an ancient Meso-American sculpture. Through April 29.

'Chicago: A Southern Exposure'

Du Sable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place

Small but skillfully exhibited, this show of color photographs by the museum's vice president, Lee Bey, makes a case that will surprise much of the general public, though not seasoned architecture buffs: The much-maligned South Side is home to a trove of architectural gems.

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Bey, a former Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic, brings a knowing eye to his subjects, which range from Eero Saarinen's University of Chicago Law School to Ernest Grunsfeld Jr.'s Rosenwald Apartments. One shot in particular, of the sloping, Jetsons-era roof of Pride Cleaners at 558 E. 79th St., captures the South Side's mix of grit and aspiration. The curator was Clinee Hedspeth.

Also be sure to see the museum's adjacent Roundhouse, a long-vacant 1881 stable by Daniel Burnham and John Root. Its spectacular interior is framed in metal and wood. Through Oct. 29, The Roundhouse is hosting "Singing Stones," an art exhibit curated by Palais de Tokyo. Through Feb. 16.

'Elevation'

Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.

This show complements the DuSable's exhibition, spotlighting the wealth of architecture in the Far South Side's Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods as well as the glacial formations that shaped their hilly topography. (One of the area's Metra stations still goes by the name "91st St.-Beverly Hills.")

Organized by architect James Gorski, the exhibit calls attention to the area's proud catalog of homes, which span the aesthetic spectrum from Italianate to Tudor Revival to mid-century Modern. Beverly has a particularly strong cluster of Prairie School homes by such figures as Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin.

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Unfortunately, the display resembles a high school science fair. Color photos by Rebecca Healy are overwhelmed by the center's high-ceilinged Simmerling Gallery. Black-and-white photos by Mati Maldre fare better in an adjacent hallway. The show works best as an invitation to explore Beverly and Morgan Park, and to contemplate their future. Through Jan. 7.

'The Humboldt Park Stables: A Transition Into the Future'

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St.

Straightforwardly informative rather than soaringly imaginative, this show relies on illustrated, wall-mounted timelines to chart the history of the Puerto Rican museum's home, the Humboldt Park Stables, a fanciful mix of Queen Anne and old German country house design. It also examines the surrounding neighborhood.

Curator Bianca Ortiz Declet successfully charts how successive waves of immigrants  Germans, Scandinavians, Italians, Poles, Eastern European Jews and Puerto Ricans  have left their imprint on the neighborhood, most recently in the Division Street gateways that re-create the Puerto Rican flag in webs of steel.

Among the immigrants was Denmark's Jens Jensen, who would become the father of the Prairie School of landscape architecture. An accompanying exhibit, "Humboldt Park: Jens Jensen's Living Laboratory," smartly summarizes Jensen's design innovations in Humboldt Park and takes us into his book-lined office in the stables building. Through Jan 7.

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'Angela Ferreira: Zip Zap and Zumbi'

DePaul Art Museum, 935 W. Fullerton Ave.

First, let's decode the title: The "zip" and "zap" refer to the Zip Zap Circus School, an unrealized 1990s project that architect Pancho Guedes designed for Cape Town, South Afrida. "Zumbi" alludes to Zumbi dos Palmares, the revered leader of an escaped slave community in 17th century Brazil.

Mozambique-born architect Angela Ferreira and curator Julie Rodrigues Widholm draw together these diverse strands in a small but haunting show that constructs a part of the school  a semicircular tent of wood and canvas. The handsomely simple structure is mounted on wheels, inspired by a movable architectural model that Ludwig Mies van der Rohe had built for a never-realized Dutch villa design.

An adjoining gallery displays projected images of a Portuguese slave market that's surrounded by scaffolding and seen through a delicate wood screen built according to traditional African and Brazilian techniques. The double-layered enclosure evokes the confinement of slavery. Through Dec. 10.

'Materials Decoded: An exploratory project by Architects-in-Residence with Amanda Williams'

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Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave.

Chicago visual artist Amanda Williams is best known for the culturally-charged paint colors, like Currency Exchange yellow, that she rolled onto soon-to-be-demolished South Side houses. She's also part of the exhibition design team for the Obama Presidential Center.

In light of her sparkling resume, it's a disappointment that this exhibit, which originally promised to explore ways that salvaged materials could maintain a historical legacy, now consists of a long gray corridor wall. The only things punctuating that wall are a title block and a flat-screen TV that flashes information about Williams and her collaborators on the project, Ryan Gann and Karl Ochmanek.

Allison Peters Quinn, the center's director of exhibitions, explained that the show was supposed to be based on a class that Williams planned to teach at the Illinois Institute of Technology, but not enough students signed up for the class to be held. Material will start appearing on the walls in October and the show should be complete by November, she said. That's the way it goes with the experimental projects of a biennial. Through Jan. 7.

bkamin@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @BlairKamin

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Watch the latest movie trailers.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Latinx students gathered in the same place where, more than 40 years ago, students fought for the inclusion of Latin American and Latino Studies to the UIC curriculum. (Jacqueline Serrato)

Chicago  Students of Mexican and Latin American descent from the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) gathered today to urge for more representation at the faculty and administrative level in the same place where, more than 40 years ago, students fought for the inclusion of Latin American Studies to the UIC curriculum.

In front of the Jane Addams School of Social Work, students were frustrated by the "fruitless attempts" to dialogue with Dean Creasie Finney Hairston. A petition circulated on campus several months ago calling for the creation of a Latinx Task Force that would be accountable and sensitive to Latinx and immigrant students and their experience.

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Hairston met with the group last week to talk about the university's overall efforts to diversify, but students walked out of the meeting when she did not specifically support the task force, they said.

In 1973, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans pushed for Latino inclusion on-campus. (Carlos Flores)

UIC, considered a Hispanic Serving Institution, has rolled out a plan to boost enrollment by 4,800 students in the next five years as an effort to attract more Illinoisans and underrepresented minorities. Currently, roughly a quarter of the UIC student body is Latino or Hispanic, with only a handful of Latinx faculty members.

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"Our faculty, as well as our student body, are racially and ethnically diverse and share a demonstrated commitment to the colleges mission and the values and ethics of social work. However, the recent departure of tenured Latino and African American faculty to accept leadership and research positions presents the college with both a challenge and an opportunity to ensure that our faculty will continue to reflect racial and ethnic diversity," Dean Hairston said in a statement.

Still, students say they feel underrepresented by the leadership and targeted by the current political climate.

In 2013, a poster at the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) was vandalized with the words "f--in illegals". Last year, students of various backgrounds, orientations, and religions joined forces to oppose the visit of then-candidate for president Donald Trump to the UIC Pavilion.

"We've seen, historically, that this collective movement has been the only way that we have gotten anything in this institution," said PhD student Judith Rocha.

UIC Professor Otto Pikaza and several students, including lauded activist Rudy Lozano (profile, second from left), who participated in the sit-in at University Hall, a threshold event in the founding of Latin American and Latino Studies. (Carlos Flores)

In 1973, a group of Mexican-Americans and Puerto Ricans protested the displacement of Mexican households by the construction of the university, and despite many arrests, continued to push for Latino inclusion on-campus. The pressure led to the founding of the LCC and the Latin American and Latino Studies Program.

Now, student protesters want to see senior-level Latinx faculty conducting research on relevant issues that could be applied in actual Latina/o communities. The Latinx Task Force would expand the curriculum and actively engage in concrete efforts of racial, social and economic justice.

Moving forward, students say they will continue the legacy of compassion and justice set by Jane Addams, the "mother" of social work after whom the college was named, and they will take their case to the Provost and Chancellor of the university and seek to build coalitions with other student groups whose voices feel excluded.

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Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner holds a press conference in Chicago on Sept. 28, 2017 to announce he has signed a bill that expands abortion coverage for women on Medicaid and state insurance. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of abortion rights, you must admit that Gov. Bruce Rauner was courageous.

In signing the controversial bill Thursday expanding taxpayer-subsidized abortions for low-income women, the moderate Republican governor angered conservatives across the state all the way up to Cardinal Blase Cupich.

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But in refusing to veto the bill as he had promised, Rauner also did something else. He showed us what could happen when a politician refuses to allow politics to dictate his decisions. That's something we don't often see in Springfield  or Washington, for that matter.

Rauner deserves our respect for that.

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Under the new law, low-income women will receive expanded Medicaid coverage for abortions. Coverage is no longer limited to abortions that are the result of rape, incest or threats to the mother's health or life. It also applies to women covered through state employee insurance.

The bill reignited a longstanding national debate over whether taxpayers should have to foot the bill for abortions, even though they may be morally opposed to them.

Clearly, this wasn't an easy decision for the governor, who has not yet said whether he will seek a second term. As he battled with his own moderate ideology that gives women the right to choose, he was besieged by many in his party who insisted that siding with Democrats on this issue would render him a one-term as governor.

So he made promises, even to the cardinal, that he ultimately could not keep.

Republicans stood behind Rauner in the 2014 election, though they knew he supported a woman's right to choose. In a debate during the primary, Rauner said, "It's a decision that should be made by a woman with her physician, her family or minister, not by government."

Perhaps no one expected his position ever to be tested. And even if it were, why would anyone think Rauner would be any different than most politicians who toe the party line regardless of what it is?

But this week, Rauner was forced to choose what kind of man he wanted to be. Would he cave to the pressure of outsiders to veto the bill, conceding the moral battle going on inside his own head? Or would he risk everything to do what he believed was right?

In the end, his values won out over politics.

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"I also believe that no woman should be forced to make a different decision than another woman would make purely based on her income," Rauner said. "I believe that a woman living with limited financial means should not be put in the position where she has to choose something different than a woman of higher income would be able to choose."

I am sorry that the governor had to break his word to Cupich. But standing up for one's values is something the cardinal, more than anyone, should understand.

During his time in Chicago, Cupich has become a trumpet for social justice. He has beckoned all of us, even non-Catholics, to be a voice for the underserved, the neglected and the forgotten.

He has reminded us time and time again that we are our brother's keeper, and that our values are among our most important assets as human beings.

The argument over the Illinois bill should not have focused on the moral integrity of abortion laws. Rather, it should solely have been whether poor women should have the same access to health care as wealthier women. This makes it very much an issue of social justice.

The bill raised questions about economic inequities that could force a woman to raise a child she cannot afford or that she, for whatever reason, is unable to care for. It forces a woman who realizes she is unsuited to be a mother to bring a child into the world against her will.

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These are not factors women fortunate enough to have private insurance or other financial resources have to consider. For them, abortion is solely a personal choice  as it should be.

The debate over abortion rights will never end. There will never come a time when Illinoisans, much less all Americans, will agree on whether a woman has the right to choose if she wants to carry a child to term. We'll just have to live with that hovering over us.

Cupich is a wise man, though. While he morally opposes abortion, he must also know that laws are not written only to benefit a certain class of people.

As of now, Roe v. Wade is the law of the land. The Illinois bill was not the appropriate vehicle to challenge that.

Cupich once said that everyone must become involved in the political process.

"If we don't like it, we can change it," he said. "So let's not sit back; let's get involved, get to know the issues and take action."

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That's good advice for all of us. Meanwhile, we cannot fault Rauner for signing an Illinois law that was an injustice.

dglanton@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @dahleeng
State Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, disavows Gov. Bruce Rauner after he signed a bill expanding taxpayer-subsidized abortions for women covered by Medicaid and state employee insurance. Later he said, The Rauner experiment is over. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Is Gov. Bruce Rauner political burnt toast after he signed a controversial bill expanding taxpayer-funded abortion?

Here's the thing about burnt toast: Toast can't spend millions of other people's money.

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Toast doesn't care if it is called out publicly as a liar and a betrayer by members of its own party and by the Roman Catholic cardinal of Chicago, for first promising to veto the abortion bill and then reversing course.

Toast has no feelings, no skin with which to blush, no tears to weep over the estimated 12,000 lives a year that Illinois Right to Life says will be taken in abortions funded by taxpayers as a result of the governor's surprise move.

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Toast is indifferent to money. But politicians are not.

Politicians need other people's money to spend, even if they are supremely wealthy, as is Rauner. And so, the political question for the governor is this:

What if his friends with big money, like billionaire Ken Griffin, determine Rauner is now a lost cause and pull the plug?

What if Griffin taps him on the shoulder and tells him he's cutting him off  after giving him more than $33 million since 2013?

Griffin, the wealthiest man in the state, has solid ideas about how governments are spending Chicago and Illinois into oblivion.

And he isn't about throwing his own money down the drain.

So if he taps Rauner on the shoulder, it's done. I'm sure Rauner is waiting for it.

I wouldn't even be surprised if Rauner just pulled the plug on himself  even before a primary challenge comes  and rode away on his Harley.

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Some Republicans are already trying to save what's left of the GOP by finding other conservative candidates to run against Rauner. Among the names being mentioned: state Rep. Jeanne Ives, of Wheaton, a conservative and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mentioned as a running mate is outgoing state Sen. Kyle McCarter, of downstate Lebanon.

Others are in the mix. Still, these are political questions and there's more to this than maneuvering.

We're talking about abortion, the taking of human life, and a governor's decision to involve taxpayers in the monstrosity.

I know there are many who are pro-abortion rights. After all, Illinois is a blue state. But I am a Christian  a Greek Orthodox Christian, if Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin is interested, since he seems worried about Orthodox views. And as such, I'm a member of a tiny, almost extinct minority in American newsrooms: I'm pro-life.

But I'm not running for governor. Bruce Rauner is running for governor.

"The Rauner experiment is over," state Rep. Peter Breen, a Republican from Lombard, told me after Rauner signed the bill. "He lied to us, he lied to the people, he even lied to Cardinal Cupich. And now, as far as re-election, I don't think he has a chance. It's done."

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Breen is not alone. From the moment Rauner with his long sad expression said he would sign the bill, Republicans were calling him out for betrayal and saying they could not support his re-election.

One is state Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon.

"Several months ago he (Rauner) promised over 23 legislators he would veto the bill," Bivins said in a statement. "Today he said he has to stand by what he believes is the right thing to do. Today I will also stand on what I believe is the right thing to do. I will not support this governor for re-election."

And after Rauner's news conference, Cupich tweeted  yes, tweeted  a response by the Catholic Conference of Illinois.

It marked the governor as an oath breaker and said he had committed a "grave moral error."

"We are deeply disturbed that Governor Rauner has broken his word and firm public promise to veto HB 40," the statement read, adding that the bill would "now force Illinois taxpayers to pay for the taking of human life, in this case of a defenseless child in the womb."

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Later, Cupich told the Tribune that he had spoken to Rauner and reminded him of his promise to veto the bill.

"He did break his word," Cupich told Tribune reporter Manya Brachear Pashman. "He broke his word to the people, especially those who have continued to speak on behalf of the vulnerable child in the womb."

Think of it. The cardinal calling Rauner out. I don't see how he survives it.

But perhaps Rauner thinks he can.

Sad-faced, surrounded by pro-abortion rights advocates who praised him, Rauner kept saying that he loves Illinois, that he ran for office to fight the state's decline and crush the corruption that strangles it.

But right now it's his political future that's being strangled, and he's doing it with his own two hands.

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He was asked if he relied on his wife, Diana Rauner, for direction on this issue. Both of the Rauners support abortion rights. The governor said he made his decision based on what was best for Illinois.

"Certainly I talk to the first lady, every day, on many topics. She's my best friend. But I have met with legislators of both sides of this issue.  The views on both sides are deeply held.  I've tried to make a decision that I believe is best."

And what about a primary challenge?

"Politics are politics," Rauner said.

And toast is toast. Once it burns, it's really no good to anyone. Just like a politician's word.

Listen to John Kass and Jeff Carlin on "The Chicago Way" podcast at http://wgnradio.com/category/wgn-plus/thechicagoway/.

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jskass@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @John_Kass
Jason Van Dyke, represented by Daniel Herbert, left, attends a hearing on the Laquan McDonald shooting case on July 19, 2017, at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building in Chicago. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

Cook County special prosecutors asked a judge Thursday to consider removing the attorney for the Chicago police officer charged in Laquan McDonald's killing, arguing he created a serious conflict of interest by representing five other officers who were also at the shooting scene.

But Judge Vincent Gaughan ruled that attorney Daniel Herbert can continue to represent Officer Jason Van Dyke, saying he found no conflict since Herbert doesn't represent the other officers now.

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Van Dyke became the first Chicago police officer in more than 30 years to be charged with murder in an on-duty fatality after video showed him shoot McDonald 16 times as the black teen walked away from police with a knife in his hand. The video, released by court order on the same day in November 2015 that Van Dyke was charged, sparked massive protests and calls for reforming the Police Department.

In arguing that a conflict existed for Herbert, Marilyn Hite Ross, one of the special prosecutors, said all five officers were at the October 2014 shooting scene and that prosecutors as a result were likely to call each as a witness at trial. Herbert represented each of the officers for their interviews by police oversight investigators a day after the shooting, she said.

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Hite Ross asked Gaughan to consider Van Dyke's right to "undivided loyalty of counsel" and cautioned against an "appearance of impropriety" if jurors were to discover Herbert had previously represented several state's witnesses.

"Mr. Herbert represented the majority of the state's key witnesses," she told the judge.

Four of the five officers were called to testify Thursday before Gaughan made his ruling. Two of them  Joseph Walsh, Van Dyke's partner the night of the shooting, and Thomas Gaffney, one of the first officers at the scene  were criminally charged this summer on charges they tried to cover up Van Dyke's actions by falsely claiming McDonald lunged with a knife at police. Both testified under a grant of immunity, meaning their testimony Thursday could not be used against them in their criminal case.

Also testifying Thursday were Officers Joseph McElligott, Gaffney's partner that night, and Daphne Sebastian, who came under fire in a city inspector general's report for telling police she saw McDonald wave a knife and advance on Van Dyke before the shooting. The fifth officer, Janet Mondragon, who was Sebastian's partner that night but unavailable to attend Thursday's court hearing, was also criticized by the inspector general for similar reasons.

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All four officers testified that they had waived their attorney-client privilege in the matter, bolstering defense attorneys' assertion that no conflict of interest would exist.

Steven "Randy" Rueckert, another Van Dyke attorney, noted that Herbert represented the five officers long before Van Dyke was criminally charged in McDonald's death.

"That representation occurred before Mr. Van Dyke was even a defendant, so I don't know how in the world that could affect his ability to represent Mr. Van Dyke here," he said.

Rueckert also said he would handle the questioning of any witnesses who were formerly represented by Herbert in order to avoid any potential conflict.

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Herbert, himself a former Chicago police officer, frequently represents police officers. He is also both a former Cook County prosecutor and in-house attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing Chicago's rank-and-file police officers.

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @crepeau






A few hours before placing his signature on a controversial bill expanding taxpayer-funded abortion coverage on Thursday, Gov. Bruce Rauner made a courtesy call to Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich.

The archbishop reminded him that he was disappointed not only by the policy decision, but also by the governor's choice to break his promise. Last spring, Rauner had assured opponents of abortion rights that he would veto the measure.

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"I reminded him of the promise and also my statement earlier thanking him for that," Cupich told the Tribune on Thursday evening. "He did break his word. He broke his word to the people, especially those who have continued to speak on behalf of the vulnerable child in the womb."

The governor, at a news conference Thursday, discussed his change of position.

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"I tried in the spring, and I've tried for months as this bill was debated and ultimately passed, to find common ground with both sides of this issue," Rauner said. "We were unable to do that. The passions run too deep."

The cardinal's frustration comes soon after a period of cooperation.

Less than a month ago, he and Rauner successfully negotiated a tax credit provision for private schools that provides $75 million annually for student aid over five years.

Starting next year, private school donors, individuals or businesses can get a 75-cent credit against state income taxes for every dollar they contribute to help pay for the tuition of poor students, up to $1 million annually. The measure was pushed through over stiff opposition from labor leaders, including the teachers union.

But on Thursday, there was no such agreement between the cardinal and governor. Cupich acknowledges that Rauner supports abortion rights. Still, the decision came as a blow because the governor had said he would not weigh in on polarizing social issues.

"It's a disappointing day," Cupich said. "It saddens me a lot. That's the way it is, though. You just have to accept reality."

The Catholic Conference of Illinois, the church's lobbying arm in Springfield, opposed the bill not only because it provides funding, but also because it, according to Cupich, "codified in law that abortion on demand is legal, which this does in terms of the trigger."

"That's why we were so encouraged by his blanket statement and promise that he would veto the bill," Cupich said. "He wasn't going to cherry-pick this at all.

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"What we're talking about is a really divisive issue," Cupich said. "Even though he's pro-choice, he felt as though there were significant reason to veto this bill given what we have in this state."

But Cupich said that on Thursday, there was little room for argument with the governor.

"He was fairly matter-of-fact in saying what decision he came to," Cupich said. "I expressed my disappointment. I think that's about it."

When asked whether he warned the governor not to make promises he can't keep, Cupich said he didn't have to.

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Cupich said he would not make this disagreement personal and looks forward to future negotiations with the governor and legislators in Springfield.

"My role here is to try to work in other ways in which we can improve the lives of people here in the state," Cupich said.

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He emphasized the need for continued communication.

"I've never felt a good tactic is to close the door on discussion," Cupich said. "You always have to keep at it and not take anything for granted and try to engage people in the real reasons that are important.  We have principled arguments, and we're going to continue to speak in a public forum about those because we think that's truly what's going to motivate us."

Chicago Tribune's Kim Geiger contributed.

mbrachear@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @tribseeker
A man barricaded himself inside a Lawndale home after fatally shooting another man on the front porch early Friday, according to Chicago police.



He surrendered to police about an hour and a half later and was taken into custody, police said. Charges were pending.



The West Side standoff began with a call of a person shot in the 2200 block of South Kildare Avenue just after 2:40 a.m., police said. Officers found a 34-year-old man unresponsive on the porch. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:28 a.m., authorities said.



A witness told police that a man shot the 34-year-old after the two got into an argument. The shooter then barricaded himself inside the home, police said.



SWAT teams responded, and the suspect turned himself in.



Anthony Brooks, 50, said he came to the scene on behalf of the suspect's family, who lives in Florida. He was told it was a domestic shooting.



The suspect is in his 60s and is a veteran who struggled with drug addiction, Brooks said. "He was going down," Brooks said. "It's very unfortunate. I hope he gets some help."
Surveillance video that filmed the license plate number of a getaway car helped lead authorities to the triggerman in a fatal shooting last September in the Washington Park neighborhood, prosecutors said.

Deshawn Garrett, 20, was charged with first-degree murder and was ordered held without bail Thursday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

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In court, prosecutors offered no details on what led to the attack of 25-year-old Eric Banks, who was shot nearly a dozen times in the first block of East 57th Street on Sept. 21, 2016.

Police said Banks and a witness were walking on a sidewalk that afternoon when suddenly a tan Buick pulled up next to them and Garrett, a rear seat passenger, opened fire, prosecutor said.

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Banks suffered gunshot wounds to the right ribs, left ribs, three to the back, one in the right leg and one in the back of the head, prosecutors said.

Banks tried to run away but collapsed on the ground. As he lay there, Garrett continued to fire his gun at "close range," Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Santini told Judge David Navarro in court Thursday.

Eleven shell casings were found at the scene.

Banks was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital a short time later, and Garrett and the witness got back into the Buick and sped away. Police were able to spot its license plate from video surveillance of the scene and learned it has been sold and the title transferred before the slaying to the person who drove Garrett, of the 1400 block of East 66th Place, to and from the scene of the fatal shooting, prosecutors said.

Witnesses identified Garrett, who has pending, unrelated cases for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and armed robbery, as the gunman.
On September 28, the Senate of the U.S. State of Michigan overwhelmingly voted to adopt Resolution No. 99 recognizing Artsakh. The draft resolution was introduced by Michigan State Senator David Knezek.

September 29, 2017, 14:43 U.S. State of Michigan Adopted a Resolution on the Recognition of Artsakh

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 29, ARTSAKHPRESS: Following is an unofficial translation of the resolution.

Resolution

A resolution to urge the President and Congress of the United States to recognize the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, to establish economic and cultural ties with the nation, and to support the peace and stability in South Caucasus.

Whereas, The region of Artsakh is located in the South Caucasus and has historically been Armenian territory. The region is populated by an overwhelming majority of Armenians; and

Whereas, Despite its historical and cultural ties to Armenia, in 1921, Joseph Stalin arbitrarily severed Artsakh from Armenia, and in violation of the national, territorial, and human rights of the Armenian people, the severed region of Artsakh was placed under the administration of Soviet Azerbaijani; and

Whereas, For decades, the Armenian peoples peaceful demonstrations for national independence, for individual freedom, and in opposition to the Soviet Azerbaijani repression and discrimination were met with acts of violent repression by Soviet Azerbaijani forces who refused to allow the self-determination of the people of Artsakh. Soviet Azerbaijani's bloody response resulted in the deaths of ethnic Armenians in Sumgait (February 1988), Kirovabad (February 1988), and Baku (January 1990) and the forced deportation of more than 350,000 Armenians from Azerbaijani. In the aftermath of the Sumgait tragedy, the United States Senate unanimously passed Amendment 2690 to the Fiscal Year 1989 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R. 4782), concerning the Karabakh conflict and called on the Soviet government to "respect the legitimate aspirations of the Armenian people" and noted that "dozens of Armenians have been killed and injured during the recent unrests"; and

Whereas, The people of Artsakh overwhelmingly voted to support independence. On December 10, 1991, despite continued violence against the people of Artsakh, a popular referendum proclaiming an independent republic took place during the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Under the watchful eye of more than 50 international observers, and in full compliance with international standards for a free and fair election, more than 80 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot, and the measure passed with 98 percent in favor. On January 6, 1992, the democratically-elected Parliament of Artsakh adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; and

Whereas, Despite a cease-fire agreement between the Republic of Artsakh, Azerbaijani, and Armenia that ended years of intense fighting, the security and sovereignty of Artsakh continue to be threatened by regional tension and hostile acts. The Armenians of Artsakh remain resolute in their efforts to exercise the right to self-determination and live free from violence and repression, and by recognizing the government of Artsakh, the international community can help put to rest this century-old conflict; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the President and Congress of the United States to recognize a free and independent Republic of Artsakh; and be it further

Resolved, That we memorialize the United States government to strengthen and solidify our country's economic and cultural relationship with the Artsakh Republic and its citizens and continue to promote the humanitarian and economic rehabilitation of the region; and be it further

Resolved, That we support the Republic of Artsakhs continued efforts within the international community to reach a lasting solution to the existing regional problems and establish peace and stability in the strategically important region of South Caucasus; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
A school hallway is filled with chairs, globes, books and desks as classrooms are prepped for the first day of school on Aug. 19, 2014. (Chuck Berman / Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers and officials have in recent years eliminated some key requirements would-be teachers needed to get licensed, allowing applicants to bypass some coursework and exams before heading straight to the classroom, a Tribune analysis has found.

The Illinois State Board of Education says the changes will streamline the licensing process and do not sacrifice the state's high standards. And some administrators say it will be easier to fill some jobs in areas short on teachers, particularly downstate.

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But advocates for tough licensing standards say eliminating coursework and testing requirements, among other changes, may not ensure educators have the credentials necessary to teach in the classroom or work in staff positions in public schools.

"What's interesting is that when there is a shortage in, say, nursing, no one thinks of taking away a requirement," said Phillip Rogers, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification.

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"For some reason it is always fair game to make adjustments in the licensing and certification of teachers," Rogers said.

Educator licensing is supposed to be about kids, Rogers added, but "a lot of time, in licensure and certification issues  when people get to tinkering with them  it's for the adults, not the kids."

A number of lawmakers have been involved in revamping licensing laws since 2011, when Illinois overhauled the way educators are credentialed. And licensing experts say it isn't unusual for lawmakers to make changes to the law to assist a group of educators or even one educator.

A teaching credential in Illinois usually involves three main requirements: earning a bachelor's degree, completing a teacher preparation program and passing several key exams. A substitute teacher license has different requirements.

The Tribune reviewed more than 20 educator licensing bills that became law since 2011, as well as changes tracked by teacher unions and regional education officials involved in licensing matters. Several dozen revisions in those laws relate to both initial licensing as well as license renewals, and affect school districts statewide.

Among other licensing changes, the Tribune found:

Beginning in September 2015, all candidates in Illinois teacher preparation programs had to complete an exam related to how well they can lead a classroom. In January 2017, new language allowed applicants to get what's called a "provisional" in-state license and teach even if they failed the exam. The license would be valid for one fiscal year. To be eligible, an applicant would need to hold a bachelor's degree and pass other licensing exams, among other requirements.

Illinois has made it easier for out-of-state teachers to get licenses here. For example, out-of-state teachers used to have to take tests in specific teaching fields to get licensed in Illinois, even if they had taken those types of tests back home. As of January, those Illinois exams are no longer required for out-of-state teachers.

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Hours of coursework required for a license have been wiped out in several areas. Certain career and technical educators no longer need at least 20 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution in order to renew their licenses. And certain applicants with out-of-state licenses no longer need at least 15 semester hours in a field of study to get an initial Illinois license.

Would-be teachers used to have to pass a basic skills test in reading, writing and math before being admitted to a teacher training program in college. But a change in 2014 now allows students to take teacher prep courses even if they keep flunking the test. They ultimately have to pass but not until well into senior year.

Substitute teachers seeking to renew their sub licenses after five years will not need to take a basic skills test, according to a law that took effect in January. The change comes at a time when some areas have experienced shortages in substitute teachers, particularly downstate. Subs still must hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

"Our members are experiencing licensure whiplash," said Illinois Federation of Teachers spokeswoman Aviva Bowen. The union provided the Tribune a list of 27 laws that revamped the original licensing legislation and each law usually spawned numerous revisions. The federation supported five of the laws, opposed three and remained neutral on all the others, signaling that other education groups were initiating and pushing the changes  not the union.

Many of the licensing changes enacted this year are tied to concerns about teacher shortages, a complex and controversial issue around the country because the public school teacher workforce has been growing.

The number of public school teachers rose to an estimated 3.83 million in 2015-16, according to new federal data released last month, an increase of 13 percent over the number of public school teachers in 2011-12.

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"So nationally it appears that the teacher workforce is increasing, which is hard to square with all the reports on teacher shortages," said Hannah Putnam, director of research at the National Council on Teacher Quality.

"It is true that there are shortages in some locations and in some subjects, but that is not new," Putnam said. "A few other states are lowering their standards for teachers in response to reported shortages."

The Illinois State Board of Education showed an oversupply of teachers in all main subject areas, according to a 2014 analysis, the most recent available.

But the state board reported teacher shortages to the U.S. Department of Education in more than 50 different subject areas for 2017-18  more shortage areas than any other year since 1990-91, according to USDE records. The high numbers are unusual because in recent years, Illinois has reported shortages in just a few areas, mostly in special education and bilingual education.

This year, the shortages stem from so-called "unfilled positions," defined in the past by the state board as positions budgeted for the school year but not filled because of a lack of qualified applicants. In that analysis, even one unfilled position in one subject constitutes a teacher shortage area.

Overall, ISBE reported 1,006 unfilled positions statewide for 2017-18, less than 1 percent of total teaching positions. In some years in the past, ISBE reports have shown unfilled positions of more than 2,000.

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"There is certainly a shortage in certain subject and geographic areas. For example, there is a lack of educators to teach AP science courses downstate," Bowen, of the teachers federation, said. "But, ISBE's own data ... doesn't indicate the problem is as severe as they communicated to the General Assembly when pushing for a legislative change."

ISBE said it relied on methodology that it considered accurate.

The data show a decline in substitute teachers as well, to about 14,600 in 2015-16 from more than 24,000 in 2013-14.

Educators attribute the decline to a variety of reasons, from subs becoming full-time teachers to pay issues and geography  downstate districts have more trouble securing subtitutes compared with the Chicago region.

Whether all those reasons mean that subs shouldn't have to take a basic skills test to renew their licenses remains a matter of debate in education circles.

In the Chicago area, top-performing Stevenson High School in Lake County has been able to hire subs without much of a challenge, according to spokesman Jim Conrey, and the school almost exclusively hires substitutes with regular teaching licenses  meaning those who would have already passed the basic skills test. "So from our perspective, the change in state law (on subs) hasn't had an impact," Conrey said.

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In Milford Area Public Schools District 124, a downstate district about 100 miles south of downtown Chicago, Superintendent Dale Hastings said finding subs is difficult in rural parts of the state. When it comes to the basic skills test, Hastings distinguishes between a short-term sub and a substitute who has to take over a classroom for several months.

The one-day sub wouldn't necessarily need a basic skills test, according to Hastings.

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"What I need for a sub is to keep the kids organized," Hastings said. "Keep them safe, keep them calm ... make sure you get the work out and in."

However, Rogers, the certification association executive director, said the reality is that the one-day sub often turns into a multiple-day sub.

"You end up with a sub who hasn't taken a basic skills test and who may be in the classroom for a long time. That cheats the kids," Rogers said. "Having someone in the classroom who hasn't passed a basic skills tests is not helping kids."

State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Shorewood, chair of the Senate Education Committee and a former Will County regional superintendent of education, said she has supported various licensing changes.

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"A lot of these changes are just kind of an evolution of the changing climate of education as a whole and what makes a quality teacher and kind of stepping away from the old framework," she said.

"There have definitely been a number of changes in the last few years," said Nicole Wills, a lobbyist for the Illinois Education Association. "Sometimes I think we just need to have a moratorium so that we can actually see what we've been implementing and what we're doing well."

drado@chicagotribune.com
Morgan Geyser is brought into court by a sheriff's deputy in 2015 during her arraignment in Waukesha, Wis. (Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

WAUKESHA, Wis.  The second of two Wisconsin girls charged with repeatedly stabbing a classmate to impress horror character Slender Man will plead guilty in a deal that will send her to a state mental hospital and bring an end a case that shocked people in part because the attackers were only 12.

The deal, announced in court Friday, means both girls will avoid prison time for the attack on Payton Leutner, who was also 12. Morgan Geyser, now 15, will be treated indefinitely at a mental hospital. Her co-defendant, Anissa Weier, faces at least three years in a mental hospital.

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"It's been a tragic experience for everyone," Geyser's attorney, Donna Kuchler, said after a brief court hearing Friday. "Our hearts go out to the victim and her family. And we're very grateful that the district attorney's office gave this case the considering it deserves."

Weier and Geyser lured Payton Leutner, who was also 12, into the woods at a park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators. Leutner survived after she crawled out of the woods to a path where a passing bicyclist found her.

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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 him.

Geyser had been scheduled to go on trial Oct. 16. The plea deal comes after a jury this month determined that Weier was mentally ill at the time of the attack on Leutner.

Geyser was at Friday's hearing but didn't speak. Afterward, the judge allowed her to spend three hours with her family before returning her to a mental hospital where she has been receiving treatment.

The Leutner family issued a statement saying they had no comment about Friday's hearing but will issue a statement at a plea hearing Thursday when Geyser's deal will be formalized.

Geyser and Weier were charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a possible sentence of up to 65 years in prison. Weier pleaded guilty to a reduced charge last month, and a jury then determined the sentence.

Unlike Weier, Geyser will plead guilty to the original charge from prosecutors. But Geyser won't face a sentencing phase where attorneys would argue that she was mentally ill when the crime occurred and shouldn't face prison time.

"It's just fair. It saves everybody a trial. It saves the victim, her family," Kuchler said.

The deal calls for doctors to evaluate Geyser and report to a judge to determine how long she should remain in a state mental hospital.

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During a hearing in August, Weier said that she didn't want to harm Leutner and that the stabbing plot was Geyser's idea. She said she participated because she was afraid of what would happen if she didn't.

"I believed that if I didn't go through with it, Slender Man would come and attack and kill myself, my friends and my family. Those I cared about the most," she said.

Slender Man started with an online post in 2009, as a mysterious specter whose image people edit into everyday scenes of children at play. He is typically depicted as a spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face. He was regarded by his devotees as alternately a sinister force and an avenging angel.
President Donald Trump speaks about tax reform to the National Association of Manufacturers at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 29, 2017. (Pool / Getty Images)

President Donald Trump said Friday that the centerpiece of his plan to help American businesses and workers "thrive, compete and grow" is a "giant, beautiful, massive, the biggest ever in our country, tax cut."

Trump and congressional Republicans unveiled the broad outlines of the tax plan earlier this week.

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"My administration is working every day to lift the burden on companies and workers so you can thrive, compete and grow," Trump said in a speech to the National Association of Manufacturers. He said the tax cut plan was a core element.

The nearly $6 trillion tax-cut plan sketched out this week by Trump and other officials would deeply reduce taxes for corporations, simplify tax brackets and nearly double the standard deduction used by most tax filers. But many details remain to be fleshed out.

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In the remarks, Trump also highlighted a provision of the plan that would allow businesses for the next five years to write off the full cost of new equipment in the year it's purchased. Trump said that alone will encourage companies to invest and create jobs.

Under the broader proposal, corporations would see their top tax rate cut from 35 percent to 20 percent. Seven personal tax brackets would be reduced to three: 12 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent. But the information released didn't include the income levels applied to the rates, making it difficult to know how a typical family's tax bill may be affected.

Trump said a 20 percent corporate tax rate will be the lowest top marginal income tax rate for small- and medium-sized businesses in more than 80 years. "It will be rocket fuel for our economy," he said.

The Republican tax plan also recommends a surcharge for the very wealthy. The standard deduction would nearly double to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for families, basically increasing the amount of personal income that would not be taxed. Deductions for mortgage interest and charitable giving would remain, but the plan seeks to end most other itemized deductions.

In the address, Trump also reviewed policy changes since he took office in January that are intended to improve the business climate, including lifting restrictions on energy production, reversing environmental rules and rolling back regulations.

He also highlighted economic gains of the past eight months.

Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the association, said Trump is a leader "who has made manufacturing the engine of our country."

Trump wants to sign tax legislation into law by the end of the year.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the county and state would join him in an "all hands on deck approach" to try to lure Amazon's second headquarters, which could eventually bring 50,000 workers and $5 billion in investments. (John Byrne/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Rahm Emanuel promised an "all hands on deck approach" to recruiting Amazon. He got it. More than 600 local leaders joined Emanuel's committee to persuade the Seattle-based digital retailer to locate its planned second headquarters in Chicago.

Who's all-in to woo Amazon HQ2? Name a Chicago-area bigwig and he or she is probably on the list: CEOs, law firm partners, college presidents, pastors, other movers-shakers. It's impressive. The co-chairs are Oscar Munoz of United Airlines, former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Jim Reynolds of Loop Capital and Miles White of Abbott. We hope every committee member finds a way to talk up Chicago to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and his team.

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Gov. Bruce Rauner is participating, but two members of the committee could have more sway than anyone in determining whether Amazon takes Chicago's bid seriously: House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. It's good to see bankers and tech entrepreneurs boost Chicago, but the hands Emanuel really needs on deck, with bailing buckets, belong to Madigan and Cullerton. The two Democrats have the power to work with colleagues to repair Illinois' fiscal hemorrhaging and make the state more friendly to business.

Illinois has $130 billion or more in unfunded state pension liabilities. It has the worst credit rating of any state. Its budget is way out of whack: State finance officials told us Thursday that, despite the 32-percent income tax rate hike Madigan and Cullerton orchestrated, the current budget legislators imposed has a $1.7 billion hole  plus that overhang of billions in unpaid bills. Illinois' debt disaster, created during Madigan and Cullerton's combined 86 years in Springfield, is a long-term crisis for taxpayers and a short-term marketing debacle for Emanuel.

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Every employer making an investment decision wants to minimize future risks. Amazon couldn't be clearer in its request for proposals: "A stable and business-friendly environment and tax structure will be high-priority considerations," the company says. Unless Madigan and Cullerton commit to working with the Republican governor to show rapid progress in healing Illinois finances, Amazon could cross Chicago off its list early in the process.

What a loss that would be for a metropolis that offers Amazon so much. Amazon envisions a massive office development that could employ 50,000 people. It seeks a big site in a bustling city with a deep pool of tech talent and a global airport. The company will want tax incentives, too, from governments that can afford them. The initial application deadline for cities is Oct. 19.

Dozens of places across the country will vie for the project. We've perused reports from Dallas, Pittsburgh, Greensboro, N.C., Baltimore and elsewhere. For most of what Amazon seeks, we'd put Chicago near the top of the list and arguably best in the all-around: for its educated workforce, central location, transportation infrastructure and quality of life. Amazon will hire an army of tech workers, and young professionals love Chicago. The potential sites, including the former A. Finkl & Sons steel plant site on the North Side and the old Post Office near the South Loop, are exciting. But only if Amazon isn't scared away by Illinois and the threat of ever more taxation.

We don't know what assurances would placate Amazon. But Madigan and Cullerton should agree with Rauner that if they want to win the location sweepstakes, they share urgent responsibilities. They have to move Illinois toward solid ground financially and create employer-friendly reforms in areas such as property taxes, workers' compensation and public pensions. That would help Rahm Emanuel bring Amazon to Chicago.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
I read the piece from Colleen M. Flood and Allan Rock touting the merits of Canada's single-payer health care system. In Detroit, where I have practiced medicine for 30 years, it is not at all unusual to see an ambulance with the words "Essex-Leamington Health Care Authority," i.e. an EMS rig from Windsor, Ontario, or beyond, with sirens blaring and lights flashing making its way to one of the downtown mega-hospitals in the Motor City.

What this means is that the province of Ontario, and by extension the Canadian government, has deemed it more cost-effective to send its more critical patients to the U.S. for emergent medical care rather than building its own infrastructure to accommodate its own patients. This often leads to significant delays in receiving timely interventions, which we Americans take for granted are reflected by poor outcome data, should one take the time to study the matter.

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The single-payer model is fine for providing basic needs and elective services, but when one's life is in the balance, there is no better place to have life-saving interventions readily available than the good old inefficient, duplicative and expensive U.S. health care system.

 Dr. Jeffrey McErlean, Farmington Hills, Mich.
Coffee is an everyday staplenay, a necessitybut tea is a beverage made for rest and relaxation. You may typically brew a pot at home, but there are ways to get a little fancier as you enjoy the hot coffee alternative.

These tea shops and afternoon tea spots around Chicago are perfect places for curling up with a book, a laptop or a few friends and sipping on a warm cuppa.

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Maison De Castelnau

3352 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. 872-806-2606

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This little slice of Paris offers up teas, coffees, hot chocolates and pastries to distract you from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Owner Miriam "strives to bring a sense of authenticity" to everything she serves up. No reservations are needed unless you're bringing a family of five or more. Reservations: maisondecastelnau.com

Pavilion

330 N. Wabash Ave. 312-923-7710

Nestled inside the Langham Hotel on the Chicago River, Pavilion hosts daily afternoon teas in the style of the original Langham Hotel in London. Tea time at Pavilion is inspired by "Alice in Wonderland" and includes sandwiches, pastries and live music. $65 per person, $30 for children. Reservations: langhamhotels.com

The Allis

113-125 N. Green St. 312-521-8000

Soho House's restaurant en place offers afternoon tea every day from 2:30 to 5 p.m. For $34 per person, each guest will be served finger sandwiches, a scone, cakes and tea. For an additional $9, a glass of rose prosecco will also be served. Reservations: theallis.com.

Serenitea Cafe and Boutique

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1046 Pleasant St. Oak Park, Ill. 708-660-9670

This Oak Park staple harks back to the prime of tea rooms in the 1920s and 1930s. For $28 per person, guests will be treated to fingers foods, scones and desserts, as well as your very own pot of tea. For $32, guests can be treated to vegan and gluten-free treats. Reserve your spot 24 hours in advance at sereniteaoakpark.com.

Band of Bohemia

4710 N. Ravenswood Ave. 773-271-4710

This Ravenswood gems serves up Spirit teas, including the Thyolo Peony from Southeast Africa, the Gui Fei from Taiwan and the Yamashiro No Kaori Sencha from Japan. Reservations: bandofbohemia.com

Cafe Integral

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19 E. Ohio St. 312-940-3699

Nestled inside River North's Freehand Hotel is Cafe Integral, a coffee shop with a sitting area featuring what might be the comfiest couches in all of Chicago. Grab a cuppa and head to the darkened lounge area to relax for an hour or five. For more: cafeintegral.com

Palm Court at the Drake

140 E. Walton Place 312-787-2200

The Drake is an iconic piece of Chicago history, having hosted Princess Diana, the Empress of Japan and Queen Elizabeth over its many years along Lake Shore Drive. Full tea service is booked for every half hour from 1 to 5 p.m. and guests will be treated to finger sandwiches, scones and their choice of 17 select teas. $45 per person, $22 for children. Reservations: opentable.com

Lockwood at Palmer House

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17 E. Monroe St. 312-917-3404

Head to the historic Palmer House for an afternoon tea from 2 to 4 p.m. daily. For $45, guests will be treated to Harney & Sons teas and a mix of sandwiches, scones and sweets. For an additional $10, you can add on a glass or champagne or a mimosa. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. To book: lockwoodrestaurant.com

Plein Air

5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. 773-966-7531

Known for its coffee, Plein Air is a staple for exhausted University of Chicago students, but this French-inspired cafe is a perfect spot to enjoy a cup of tea regardless of whether you're still stressing out over thesis papers and exams. Plein Air also serves up warm comfort food to enjoy alongside your sipping. For more: pleinaircafe.co

The Lobby at the Peninsula

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108 E. Superior St. 312-337-2888

Afternoon tea at the Peninsula is an elegant affair, with seatings at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. Guests will sample a selection of seasonal tea flavors and small bites. $65 for adults, $39 for children. Reservations: chicago.peninsula.com

The Commons Club at Virgin Hotels

203 N. Wabash St. 312-940-4400

Forget the stuffy afternoon teas you think you know. Head to Virgin Hotels for a boozy afternoon with their Upside Down Tea Party, alongside sips from Rare Tea Cellar. Gin-infused sips will be on offer, as well as sweet and savory bites to boot. For more: virginhotels.com

The Lobby Lounge at the Waldorf Astoria

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11 E. Walton St. 312-646-1300

Channel your inner Gossip Girl with this afternoon tea at the Waldorf Astoria. For $55 per person, you'll be treated to sandwiches, quiches, desserts, scones and a collection of loose leaf teas from Rare Tea Cellar. Champagne will also be on hand for an additional cost. Reservations: opentable.com

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

Russian Tea Time

77 E. Adams St. 312-229-0490

This cozy restaurant in the Loop offers daily afternoon teas from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. as well as a selection of house blends for purchase to take home with you. Afternoon tea service includes a pot of tea, savory sandwiches, cookies, scones and strudels. $29.95 per person. Reservations: russianteatime.com

Celtic Knot

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626 Church St. Evanston, Ill. 847-864-1679

Take the Purple Line up to Evanston for Moira's Afternoon Tea at the Celtic Knot. Tea is served every afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. and includes sandwiches, scones, fresh fruit, tarts and desserts alongside your selection of tea. $19 per person, $12 for children. Reservations: celticknotpub.com

@shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com

[ Still thirsty? More of RedEye's bar coverage  ]
A program at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library (pictured) intended to inform undocumented residents about their rights was canceled this week after officials received phone threats. (Karen Ann Cullotta / Pioneer Press )

A program at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library intended to inform undocumented residents about their rights was canceled this week after officials received phone threats, including some callers who suggested that ICE agents might be present at the event.

The immigration rights program, titled "Know Your Rights," was scheduled to include a presentation from the Community Activism Law Alliance at 7 p.m. Monday.

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But library officials canceled the program after receiving several threatening phone calls, including one caller who suggested he would request agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to show up and arrest participants at the event, said Mary Hastings, spokeswoman for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

The same caller, who identified himself as an Arlington Heights resident and taxpayer, also threatened to sue the library, and called for the executive director and programming department to be fired, Hastings said. Library officials withheld the man's name, but said he provided it when he called.

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Another caller, who refused to disclose her name, said she would show up at the program with like-minded neighbors to protest the event, if the library didn't cancel it, adding how the protest would be "very bad news for the library," Hastings said.

"Our top priority is to ensure the safety of attendees at our programs," library officials said in a written statement that was published on the library's website Thursday. "Given the direct and implied threats being made, we did not feel we could adequately ensure that safety, so we made the difficult decision to cancel the program for that reason."

Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said he was saddened to hear that the "Know Your Rights" program was canceled because of threats.

"Of all the places, a library should be a safe haven," Yohnka said. "The notion that ICE agents could be there shows the kind of ugliness unleashed in this country by forces who blame refugees and immigrants for all of the ills."

Hastings said library management made the decision to cancel the program on Sept. 21, including recently departed executive director Jason Kuhl who made "firm in his communication that the only reason the workshop was canceled was because of the safety issue to participants, customers and staff," she said.

Kuhl resigned suddenly Monday, but library officials have said the program's cancellation was unrelated to his departure, which, they said, was for "personal reasons."

Hastings said library board members also called a special meeting Monday to reaffirm the library's "Vision and Values Statement," which includes a commitment to "cultivate an inclusive atmosphere, celebrate our diversity, and create an environment for the open exchange of differing ideas and points of view."

kcullotta@tribpub.com

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Christopher Whetstone was convicted of first-degree murder in the Jan. 13, 2014, shooting death of Rachel Taylor. (Kane County Sheriff's Office)

An Aurora man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for killing his girlfriend.

Kane County Judge John A. Barsanti Thursday issued the sentence on Christopher M. Whetstone, 49, of the 500 block of Charles Street in Aurora.

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A Kane County jury on March 27 convicted Whetstone of first-degree murder in the Jan. 13, 2014, shooting death of 22-year-old Rachel Taylor of Aurora. In addition, the jury found that Whetstone personally fired the gun that led to Taylor's death, according to a press release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence during the 11-day trial that on the evening of Jan. 13, 2014, Taylor had driven to Whetstone's home to let him see the two children they had together. As they were outside in the 500 block of Charles Street, they began to argue over a cell phone, according to the release.

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At about 8:25 p.m., Whetstone shot Taylor in the chest, with her then yelling "He shot me, he shot me," according to the release. Taylor ran away from Whetstone, and Whetstone followed and shot her twice more in the abdomen, prosecutors said.

Whetstone then ran away. He was arrested by Aurora police about 10 minutes later a few blocks from the scene, according to the release.

Whetstone said, "You got me, you got me," and then asked for a cigarette, saying it was the last one he would smoke for a while, according to the release.

Taylor was taken to Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, where she was pronounced dead about an hour later.

The sentence is 35 years for the murder plus an additional mandatory 25 years because Whetstone personally fired the gun that killed Taylor.

According to Illinois law, Whetstone must serve the full sentence, according to the release.

Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said that "instead of giving in to Rachel Taylor's wishes to end their relationship, Mr. Whetstone violently ended her life, shooting her while they were in her vehicle, and then chasing her down and shooting her two more times.

"Not to be overlooked in this horrific tragedy is the fact that, because of his inability to control his anger, their two children will grow up without their parents," he said in the release.
The agreement followed the end of a bitter civil war that is thought to have claimed as many as 20,000 lives. Under the deal, an autonomous parliament was set up in Bougainville in 2005, and given the power and responsibility to guide the province towards a vote on possible independence by June of 2020 at the latest.

The referendum is the final act of the Bougainville Peace Agreement which was signed amid much fanfare in Arawa on Bougainville in 2001.

Earlier this week Mr O'Neill told parliament that the referendum may not go ahead.

WELLINGTON - The president of Bougainville, John Momis, says Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter ONeill is ill-informed and misleading in his statements on the region's independence referendum.

To avoid a clash with its own election schedule, Bougainville decided on a date for the vote of 15 June 2019.

This week, in response to a parliamentary question, Mr O'Neill said the vote would not happen if certain conditions laid out in the peace agreement were not met. These include the establishment of the rule of law, a proper government structure on Bougainville and disposal of illegal weapons.

"It's a long way off so I don't want Papua New Guinea and Bougainvilleans to think it's an easy path, just that tomorrow we will wake up and we'll go and have a referendum, Mr ONeill told parliament.

It may be such that it'll be not possible. So we need to work between now and then, to work harder in making sure that we attend to the issues that are clearly defined in the peace agreement."

PNG's minister of Bougainville affairs, Father Simon Dumarinu, himself a Bougainvillean and a new MP, defended the prime minister, saying he had issued Bougainvilleans a challenge to ensure they are ready for the referendum.

"For me, it's a challenge, Fr Dumarina said. It's a challenge to the Bougainvilleans, the government on the ground and the people together. It's a challenge to them from the prime minister in regards to this question."

Fr Dumarinu says both governments need to work together to meet the timeline. But the president of Bougainville, Dr John Momis, is furious at the prime minister's claims. He says Mr O'Neill's comments are dangerous and misleading.

"Weapons disposal, fiscal self-reliance, good governance - all these things - are not conditions, Dr Momis said. They are considerations that we need to take into account in determining the date for the referendum. That's all.

The referendum is inevitable. It's been decided. We will have a referendum."

Dr Momis says if Mr O'Neill acted on his comments, it would be a breach of the peace agreement. He says Bougainville and the PNG national government are equal partners in the implementation of the agreement.

But he says development has been held back by Port Moresby deliberately withholding funding that it is constitutionally obligated to send to the province.

Dr Momis says ultimately it will be the international community through the United Nations that will determine whether both sides have fulfilled their obligations under the peace agreement.
U.S. Rep. John Katko urged his congressional colleagues to support the reauthorization of a key program that provides health insurance to millions of children.

The Children's Health Insurance Program is due to expire Saturday. Congress has yet to reach an agreement to renew the program, which offers health insurance coverage to children from low- and middle-income families that earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid.

"Vulnerable children in communities across our country  including Syracuse, where a resounding 50 percent of our children are born into poverty  rely on this program for access to health care," Katko said in a statement.

More than 8.9 million children are covered by the program. CHIP is mostly funded by federal block grants to states. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the federal share of the program was $9.6 billion in the 2015 fiscal year.

New York has enough funding to maintain its children's health insurance program through the end of 2017, Katko, R-Camillus, said. But extending the program will ensure that CHIP has the long-term funding it needs.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to advance legislation next week that would renew the health insurance program.

"There is longstanding, bipartisan support in Congress for CHIP and I urge my colleagues to prioritize its reauthorization so that health care coverage remains uninterrupted and states have the certainty they need to plan for the long term," Katko said. "I am hopeful that it will move quickly through Congress so that we can eliminate any uncertainty associated with the future of this critical program."

CHIP was first created in 1997 during the Clinton administration. It was last renewed in 2015 when Congress passed and then-President Barack Obama signed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act.
State Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, will hold office hours in Wheaton on Tuesdays and Saturdays October through December. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune )

Leaf-raking assistance for seniors

Naperville seniors needing help raking leaves can call upon local Boy Scout troops to perform the work for free.

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The city of Naperville's Senior Task Force has partnered with local troops to offer the service for seniors who may have mobility issues or other impairments that make raking leaves difficult.

Interested seniors can make an appointment with the Senior Help Desk at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center by calling 630-848-3613 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. starting Monday, Oct. 2.

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Work by the Boy Scouts will coincide with the city's annual bulk curbside leaf collection dates in October and November.

The scouts will provide rakes, but seniors must provide their own bags if they want their leaves bagged rather than raked into the street for bulk collection.

Rep. Ives holding mobile office hours

State Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, will hold mobile office hours on select Tuesdays and Saturdays from October to December at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St.

Her district includes all or portions of Naperville, Wheaton, Winfield, Warrenville, West Chicago, Carol Stream, and Lisle.

Tuesday office hours will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 3, 17 and 31 Nov. 14 and 28, and Dec. 12.

Saturday office hours will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 14, Nov. 4 and Dec. 9.

No appointment is necessary.

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Coffee with a Cop this Wednesday

Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall and his senior staff will have coffee with residents for National Coffee with a Cop Day from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Naperville McDonald's, 1298 S. Naper Blvd.

The event is an informal way for residents to discuss community issues, and no presentation will be given. Residents who attend will receive a free cup of coffee from McDonald's.

The police department hosts several "Chat with the Chief" events each year throughout the city to connect with residents.

DuPage holding senior health fair

A free senior health fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the DuPage County Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.

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More than 50 health and safety providers and state agency representatives will be on hand to talk about such issues as transportation, assisted living options, utility savings and internet safety.

Seniors also can receive free oral cancer and blood pressure screenings. Free flu shots will be available for seniors with Medicare Part B.

A "Rules of the Road" class will be offered at 10 a.m.

Youth and Family Volunteer Fair

The annual Youth and Family Volunteer Fair to help families and students find volunteer opportunities in the community will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.

More than 35 organizations that need youth volunteers will be participating in this year's fair so students can find services that match their interests or work with their schedules.

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The fair can also help faith groups, scout troops and other youth organizations choose service projects.

Rainbow trout fishing season coming

Three DuPage County Forest Preserve lakes will close for fishing on Oct. 1 to prepare for the upcoming rainbow trout fishing season.

Silver Lake in Warrenville, Pickerel Lake in Wayne and Grove Lake in Wood Dale will be closed by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County between Oct. 1 and 20 so they can be stocked with trout. ( DuPage County Forest Preserve District )

The lakes  Silver Lake at Blackwell in Warrenville, Pickerel Lake at Pratt's Wayne Woods in Wayne and Grove Lake at Wood Dale Grove in Wood Dale  will be restocked with fish and will reopen Saturday, Oct. 21.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will stock Silver Lake with 2,500 to 3,200 pounds of rainbow trout. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will stock Pickerel Lake with 2,000 pounds of trout and Grove Lake with 500 pounds of trout.

The creel limit for rainbow trout is five trout per day with no length limit.

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Ramp closure set

The ramp connecting Ogden Avenue to eastbound Interstate 88 in Lisle will close for two weeks starting Oct. 16 for ramp reconstruction work.

Electronic message and other construction signs will alert drivers to the closures and detours.

The detour will direct traffic from Ogden Avenue to travel northbound on Authority Drive to Warrenville Road, where traffic will be directed west to the Route 53 interchange and onto eastbound I-88.
Neuqua Valley High School is abuzz with after-school activities Thursday, the same day U.S. Department of Education named the Naperville school a National Blue Ribbon honoree. (Suzanne Baker/Naperville Sun )

A Naperville high school is one of just 292 public schools in America named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education.

Neuqua Valley joins eight public and seven private schools in Illinois to be recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School. Only three high schools in the state earned the distinction; the other two were Lemont High School and Central Catholic High School in Bloomington.

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"National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said to the honorees in a video message released Thursday.

"You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools, and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff," DeVos said.

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To be considered for the honor, a school must rank among the top in the state for assessments and graduation rates. Subgroups in the school must rank high as well.

Principal Bob McBride said the achievement "crystallizes the efforts of everyone" involved. Among those deserving praise are the staff, who strive to help students achieve to their potential; students, who come to school excited about learning; and parents, who send their kids to school motivated, are concerned about what happens at school, and "are constantly cheering us on," McBride said.

When preparing for the application, he said he asked teachers and staff brainstorm about all the programs and resources available to students.

"It was an incredibly long list of things we're doing every day," he said.

McBride's comments were echoed by Indian Prairie School District 204 Superintendent Karen Sullivan. "This award represents the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the support of our parents," Sullivan said in a statement.

Neuqua Valley is the first Indian Prairie high school and the sixth District 204 school to earn National Blue Ribbon recognition. May Watts Elementary, White Eagle Elementary, Fry Elementary, Crone Middle School and Gregory Middle School, all of which are in Naperville, have been recognized in the past.

Other Naperville schools previously honored by the education department include Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and Naperville District 203's Highlands Elementary and Meadow Glen Elementary.

Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has bestowed the award on more than 8,500 public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on a school's overall academic performance or progress closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

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In the application, McBride wrote the school believes in fostering a climate that "encourages learning and personal growth. We value a commitment to excellence, active involvement and positive relationships between one another."

"The people, not bricks and mortar, earned Neuqua Valley's accomplishments. Our school's founding staff members opened a high school committed to a humanistic approach and individual compassion. Putting students first has been and continues to be the core DNA of our school," McBride wrote in the application.

Representatives from Neuqua Valley will join other honorees at a November awards ceremony at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C.

subaker@tribpub.com

Twitter @SBakerSun1
Indiana State Police said a shooting Thursday began with a controlled drug purchase and traffic stop at 22nd Plaza in Gary. (Becky Jacobs / Post-Tribune)

A 33-year-old man is dead and two police officers and a civilian were injured after a controlled drug buy Thursday afternoon in Gary led to a chase and shooting, police said.

Indiana State Police officers were still at the two crime scenes at 6 p.m. One scene was located at 22nd Place and Morton Street and the other was at 22nd Plaza where 22nd Place curves.

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The scene near Morton Street became emotional an hour and a half earlier when family members arrived.

"My brother," a man wailed, pacing up and down the street as others tried to calm him.

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State police identified the suspect killed in the incident as Ned Brooks, 33, of Gary.

Just before 1:50 p.m., a federal multi-agency task force conducted a controlled narcotics purchase in the 4100 block of 22nd Plaza, according to a release from state police. With their emergency lights on, officers performed a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Brooks during the transaction, police said.

"The suspect proceeded to ram several unmarked police cars in an attempt to elude officers," the release states.

Brooks attempted to flee in his vehicle, hitting a man and an officer who were both standing outside, and a second officer sitting in an unmarked police car was also struck and injured, according to the release.

"The suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle while shooting at the officers. Officers returned fire at the suspect," state police said.

Brooks got out of his vehicle on 22nd Place, and "he continued to shoot while fleeing on foot," police said.

Officers then "converged on the area" and located Brooks in the backyard of a house in the 4200 block of West 22nd Place.

"As the officers approached the rear of the residence, the suspect was found to be deceased," police said.

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Indiana State Police responded to a shooting Thursday in Gary in which a suspect died and three others were injured. The man was found dead behind a house on 22nd Place near Morton Street, police said. (Becky Jacobs / Post-Tribune)

A preliminary investigation indicates that "officers returned fire and struck the suspect as he fled the scene of the felony traffic stop" and that the suspect also "suffered what appears to be a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," police said.

"The cause and manner of death will be determined at an autopsy which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30," police said.

The man hit by Brooks' car was taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake in Gary before being airlifted to Christ Medical Center "with critical injuries," according to police.

The two officers were taken to a hospital in Chicago with injuries that were not life-threatening to the lower body, police said.

About 30 people stood near the scene at 22nd Place and Morton Street around 4:30 p.m. when family members of the man who died arrived. One woman pointed to a white car parked on the berm on the south side of 22nd Place saying that was her relative's car.

Two women began to cry, one dropping to her knees on the sidewalk while the other leaned against a chain-link fence, as others tried to comfort them.

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The coroner's van parked in the driveway of the house on 22nd Place where police said they found Brooks dead in the backyard. The van left the scene at about 5 p.m. as Chief Deputy Coroner Scott Sefton talked to people at the scene.

Officers also taped off a house on 22nd Plaza, located about a block away, where police said the controlled buy took place. A blue SUV was parked in the street with its front doors open, and a black car was parked on the berm on the south side of 22nd Plaza with the front passenger door open.

Officers involved in the incident are from Indiana State Police, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Porter County Sheriff's Department, according to state police.

Officers found multiple weapons near the suspect and his vehicle, a release said. One woman at the scene who said she lived nearby said she heard dozens of shots during the shooting.

State police continue to investigate, and "the investigation is in its preliminary stages," according to a release.

rejacobs@post-trib.com

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Students at Purdue University Northwest walk outside of the student union/library. (Suzanne Tennant / Post-Tribune )

Rimeca Morris planned to head to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis after her graduation from Wirt-Emerson High School in Gary, but a camp experience this summer at Purdue University Northwest changed her mind.

She fell in love with the campus, grew close to professors and earned A's  a big confidence booster.

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"The campus is small, I love the professors, everyone is real family-like," said Morris, 19, a communications major who enrolled this fall at the Hammond campus.

Ramica Morris, 19, changed course and enrolled at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond after a positive summer camp experience. ( Suzanne Tennant / Suzanne Tennant/Post-Tribune )

The majority of students  like Morris  still come from Northwest Indiana. But faced with a projected drop in the number of high school graduates statewide in coming years, university officials are looking at strategies to boost retention and out-of-state students, said Carmen Panlilio, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs.

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Dual-credit decline

Enrollment at Purdue Northwest's Hammond and Westville campuses has fallen to 12,071 from 15,286 in 2016. The number of students on the Hammond campus fell to 7,630 from 9,194 last year.

The drop is primarily due to a loss of 2,283 dual-credit students on both campuses, a roughly 50 percent decline in one year, Panlilio said. These students take classes that earn both high school and college credit.

In 2015, the Higher Learning Commission, the federal government's accrediting agency, announced all dual-credit instructors of academic subjects  mostly K-12 teachers  would be required to have a master's degree or a master's and at least 18 credit hours in a subject specialty.

In December, Indiana was given until 2022 for teachers to meet that requirement. But colleges offering dual-credit courses have to set interim benchmarks on how they will make progress on that goal, Panlilio said.

Earlier this year, Purdue Northwest faculty voted for instructors to meet the commission's requirements by 2019.

In the meantime, a shortage of instructors meeting those qualifications has meant a decline in dual-credit offerings, Panlilio said.

"We have a large percentage of our dual-credit teachers that don't have those credentials," she said.

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Fighting trend

Carmen Panlilio, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs at Purdue University Northwest, directs efforts to combat declining numbers. ( Suzanne Tennant / Suzanne Tennant/Post-Tribune )

Purdue Northwest also lost 932 traditional college students  484 online and 448 on-campus  between Hammond and Westville since last year, Panlilio said. Of the on-campus loss, 110 were from Hammond and she said her office is looking into why.

The National Center for Education Statistics projects Indiana schools will see a decline of 3.6 percent in the number of high school graduates from 2009-10 to 2023-24. To combat that, Purdue Northwest is looking to Illinois, where tuition has risen, and elsewhere to draw students.

The school has made an effort to increase the ratio of full-time students, adding amenities such as on-campus housing. Nearly 80 percent of undergraduate students on both campuses are now full-time, according to university figures.

Nationally, though, undergraduate enrollment at degree-granting higher education institutions declined by 6 percent between 2010 and 2015, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

At Purdue Northwest, freshman enrollment declined to 1,125 from 1,301 last year. But by focusing on retention, a school record number of 68.2 percent of freshmen returned as sophomores.

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In a statement, Chancellor Thomas Keon lauded the school's tighter admission standards and strong freshman academic scores.

"Our student population has been changing tremendously over the past several years. The increased academic standards we are setting for our institution is apparent through the quality of our student body," he said.

"This year's freshman class is a fantastic example of this with the students having an average ACT score of 22 and an average high school grade point average of 3.23."

According to school records, PNW drew these numbers of degree-seeking students this year from the region: Hammond, 1,224; Crown Point, 638; Valparaiso, 632; LaPorte, 399; Munster, 382; Highland, 358; Schererville, 318; Portage, 305; Dyer, 297; Michigan City, 286; Chicago, 260; Gary, 248; Chesterton, 244; Hobart, 227; Merrillville, 226; Griffith, 211; East Chicago, 197; St. John, 189; Lowell, 169; Cedar Lake, 162; and Whiting, 109.

Its students are 59.8 percent white, 19.8 percent Hispanic, 10 percent African-American, 2.9 percent biracial or multiracial, 1.8 percent Asian, 0.2 percent American Indian/Alaskan, and 1 percent unknown, according to a news release.

mcolias@post-trib.com

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Officials with the city of Evanston have filed a lawsuit against the neighboring village of Skokie over an impasse in negotiating new wholesale water rates, according to the complaint filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court.

Skokie has been buying its water from Evanston for 73 years, according to the lawsuit, but the two municipalities have not been able to reach an agreement over a new contract despite negotiating for months.

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"Evanston and Skokie are unable to mutually agree on a reasonable rate to pay Evanston for water," the lawsuit reads. "Unfortunately, Evanston now has no choice but to seek a declaratory judgment."

Evanston officials said in a news release  issued after filing the lawsuit electronically Tuesday morning  that the city sold water wholesale to Skokie at "reasonable rates."

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"As compared to other communities...the rate charged by Evanston to Skokie is in many cases much less than that paid by other water customers in comparable communities," according to the release.

Skokie officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Evanston wants Skokie to pay $2.06 per 1,000 gallons of the Lake Michigan water it treats and supplies to Skokie, according to the lawsuit.

But Skokie wants to pay "somewhere in the vicinity of 70 cents per 1,000 gallons" which Evanton states in the lawsuit is "far below a fair and reasonable rate."

The two towns previously had long-term agreements for Evanston to supply the water. The latest contract, which started in 1997 and went for 20 years, expired Dec. 31, 2016, the lawsuit states.

"Beginning in 2012, knowing that the water contract would expire at the end of 2016, Evanston met with Skokie numerous times and provided hundreds of pages of information in order to negotiate a mutually agreeable new water supply contract," Evanston's suit reads.

Evanston officials state in the lawsuit that upon the expiration, the towns agreed that Skokie would pay an interim rate of $1.0797 per 1,000 gallons.

Skokie officials previously said that the rate was a 2 percent hike over what the village had been paying.

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The agreement on the interim rate expired Sept. 30.

There has been no rate contract since then. And Skokie also refused to extend the interim agreement while negotiations continue, according to the lawsuit.

"Also, under Illinois law, Evanston cannot terminate water supply service to Skokie unless...Skokie first secures alternative water supply from another source," the lawsuit reads. "Evanston cannot sit back and let the inequitably low rate exist for an indeterminate amount of time."

The Evanston City Council approved a new water rate ordinance  $2.06 per 1,000 gallons effective Oct. 1  a day before the lawsuit was filed.

At that rate, Skokie would have lower rates than most nearby towns, based on information provided in the suit.

Only Glenview ($1.78 per 1,000 gallons), which gets its water from Wilmette; Northfield ($1.69 per 1,000 gallons), which gets its water from Winnetka, which gets its water from Evanston, show lower rates, according to the lawsuit.

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In addition to Skokie, Evanston supplies water to Arlington Heights, Palatine, Wheeling, Buffalo Grove and Des Plaines, the lawsuit states. Niles and Morton Grove are scheduled to become Evanston customers at the end of 2018, at a rate of 78 cents per 1,000 gallons. Lincolnwood is also expected to become an Evanston water customer within the next two years.

Skokie "bears a heavy burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that Evanston's water rate ordinance is invalid," the suit states. "This is a burden Skokie has not and cannot meet."

Evanston in the next years will have to replace an older reservoir at a cost of $20 million, city officials said.

"This necessary capital expansion and improvement fully justifies the rate payable by Skokie, as the rate captures fair and pro-rata shares of costs allocated amongst all wholesale water customers," the lawsuit states. "Skokie wants to underplay, and unfairly shift those infrastructure costs to others."
All votes in the CO-3 election won't be counted until the end of this week

Adam Frisch attending new member orientation in D.C., with the official outcome of the race between him and Boebert unclear
This column is written through my lens as a graduate of St. Alphonsus in 1965 and Mount Carmel in 1969, as a Catholic worker since 1971, a professional forest engineer, and a 30-year resident of Niles.

The column will be guided by the words of:

Pope Francis: We have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

John Howard Griffin, author of "Black Like Me": To call for a little more justice, or a moderately gradual sort of justice, is to call for no justice. That is a simple truth. As we condone injustice by a small but powerful group, we condone the destruction of all social stability, all real peace, all trust in mans good intentions toward his fellow man.

Muhammad Ali: Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.

And civil rights icon Ruby Sales: When (Martin Luther) King talked about the mountaintop, he was talking about a higher level of consciousness. He was talking about a movement where we harmonized the 'I' with the 'we' and the 'we' with the 'I.' This goes beyond the question of race. What is it that public theology can say to the white person in Massachusetts whos heroin-addicted because they feel that their lives have no meaning, because of the trickle-down impact of whiteness in the world today? Theres nothing wrong with being European American. Its almost like white people dont believe that other white people are worthy of being redeemed. And I dont quite understand that. It must be more sexy to deal with black folk than it is to deal with white folk if youre a white person. As a black person, I want a theology that gives hope and meaning to people who are struggling to have meaning in a world where they no longer are as essential as they once were.

A 2011 baseline data report of the racial composition of Auburn stated:

1. Auburn was less segregated by race in 2010 than in 1980, and less segregated than the United States.

2. The composition of Auburn is 92-percent white and 8 percent minority.

3. Levels of educational attainment are lower for all racial groups in Auburn than in Cayuga County.

4. Within Auburn, whites have a median household income two times greater than that of minority groups.

5. Poverty rates are higher in Auburn than in Cayuga County and in the nation.

6. In Auburn, African-Americans and people of two or more races have the highest poverty rates, and whites the lowest poverty rates.

7. Among residents of Auburn, minorities have lower rates of unemployment than whites.

8. Within Auburn, 72 percent of white families own a house compared to 33 percent of African-American families.

With the array of federal social justice laws and agencies established during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, the poverty rate in Cayuga County decreased by 7 percent between 1960 and 1970.

During the subsequent 46 years between 1970 and 2016, the poverty rate in Cayuga County has increased by 1 percent.
After several months of dialogue, the Auburn Police Department and Auburn Police Local 195 said conditions are improving at Cayuga Centers.

In May, Auburn Police Chief Shawn Butler raised concerns about Cayuga Centers and its residential treatment program for at-risk youth following the death of one of its residents, 17-year-old Destani Williams. Williams died at a hospital in Dunkirk after she was reported missing from Cayuga Centers' Auburn campus.

Then, in July, an Auburn police officer fractured an elbow and sustained several cuts to his elbows and knees while arresting a 16-year-old resident. It was the second time an officer was injured in a case related to Cayuga Centers this year.

That incident sparked a letter from the city police officers union, which expressed its own concerns with the agency.

But now, Chief Butler and Local 195 President Joe Villano said they have seen positive change at Cayuga Centers.

Since Aug. 1, Butler said officers have responded to Cayuga Centers' Franklin Street, Osborne Street and Hamilton Avenue campuses six times. That is a significant decrease in police activity, as officers had responded to over 200 calls from January to August  an average of 30 calls per month.

"The calls for service have definitely declined drastically, so we are cautiously optimistic that some institutional changes have been made," Butler said. "We definitely do feel the burden has been lifted somewhat."

Villano agreed, noting that he met with Cayuga Centers President and CEO Edward Hayes last week to discuss the progress the agency has made.

"The steps they are taking are very positive, so I believe we're going in the right direction," Villano said. "The stuff (Hayes) has implemented in the last two months has been pretty impressive, and it's shown because in August the call volume was significantly low compared to April, May, June and July. Hopefully it stays that way."

According to Hayes, Cayuga Centers has "slowed intake" in its residential program, which is currently less than half occupied. The agency has also incorporated more training for staff, including behavioral therapy for floor workers.

"Since April we have been consciously working on program improvement," he said. "We could see that it was a challenging year ... and we realized we had to upgrade our approaches. ... We are admitting residents slowly and appropriately and we're not rushing for full occupancy. That's our choice.

"I think we're making steady progress," Hayes added. "We're seeing our staff do very well and our residents are doing very well at this point."

But despite the recent decrease in police activity, Butler said the department will still require two officers to respond to any calls at Cayuga Centers out of "an abundance of caution."

"It makes our guys feel a little more secure," he said. "Until we see a change that has lasted more than a couple months, we'll keep that (policy) in place. ... Time is going to be the real test, but hopefully we're on the right path."
After two primaries and a spring and summer filled with court battles about redistricting and voting laws, Election Day has arrived in New Yor
Market for e-cigarettes grows as tobacco regulations tighten

China accounts for 45 percent of all cigarettes consumed globally. The statistic appears to be one that officials are interested in curbing: the government raised taxes on cigarettes from five to 11 percent in 2015, further banned foreign investment in the tobacco industry in 2016, and following a number of citywide bans, a countrywide ban on smoking indoors will take effect later this year.

Many industry observers expected these reforms to encourage the use tobacco cessation products, such as e-cigarettes (commonly referred to as vaporizers or vapes). Indeed, a pharmacist in China invented e-cigarettes in 2003, while an estimated 90 percent of the worlds e-cigarettes are made in the southern city of Shenzhen. The vast majority of these e-cigarettes are exported abroad, but the domestic market for e-cigarettes is now growing.

Industry observers quoted in the media note that distributors in northern regions of China have developed the most well-established e-cigarette markets, but that markets have grown in tier one cities across the country as more accessible brick and mortar shops have setup. These developments have led to a major growth in e-cigarette sales in the country since late 2016.

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Foreign companies feel welcome in Shenyang

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (European Chamber) made headlines last week after its most recent survey found that its members suffered from promise fatigue. According to the survey, many of the groups members felt that Chinese officials over-promised and under-delivered with respect to market-oriented reforms designed to increase foreign investment.

However, the survey did contain some bright-spots for foreign investors eyeing the Chinese market. Representatives of foreign firms that responded to the survey said they felt more welcome in the northern city of Shenyang  the capital of Liaoning province  than many other areas of the country.

The chairman of the Shenyang chapter of the European Chamber, Harald Kumpfert, explained to Agence France-Presse, the local government offers many benefits, such as easing company registration, providing discounts for factory and office space, and giving family members three-year visas. These incentives undoubtedly help foreign firms in Chinas competitive market.

The surveys findings will be welcomed by the many observers that have been debating how to revitalize Chinas struggling Northeast. A decline in investment and economic slowdown  combined with an aging population that sees most of its young professionals migrate  has inspired a renewed focus on incentive schemes designed to attract and retain foreign investors.

RELATED: Investing in Chinas Free Trade Zones

Chongqing investments pave way for inland consumer market

The western city of Chongqing has recently attracted at least US$10bn in investment. The citys economy has grown more than 10 percent annually in recent years  10.9 percent in 2014, 11 percent in 2015, and 10.7 percent in 2017. Officials project this growth trajectory to continue, particularly after Chen Miner, who has been tipped as a potential successor to President Xi Jinping, became the citys Communist Party secretary earlier this year.

The US$10bn in investment for Chongqing has come from a wide-range of companies, with manufacturers grabbing the headlines. Investments from Germany-based chemical maker BASF, South Korea-based chipmaker SK Hynix, Switzerland-based ABB, and US-based Ford motor company have all announced plans for Chongqing, while South Korea-based Hyundai Motor and Taiwan-based retailer Shin Kong Mitsukoshi are reported to be considering Chongqing-focused investments.

Each of these companies sent representatives to the citys International Economic Advisory Council last weekend. Public officials invited the representatives to discuss how the public sector could develop the citys within the Yangtze River Delta economic region and the larger One Belt, One Road initiative. Both initiatives are long-term government goals, which are expected to transform the economy of Chongqing and other inland cities along key international trade routes.

Many manufacturers move inland to cities like Chongqing to obtain lower costs, and take advantage of government incentives. Rising minimum wages and real estate costs has caused increased operating expenses for many manufacturers in developed regions, while these regions have also rolled back incentive schemes. As more large employers shift inland for cost savings, consumer markets in these regions should develop significantly  a rise in demand that F&B companies have already raced to meet.



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A book will be published on a Xinhua-produced documentary, which made enormous success by telling the stories of ordinary Kenyan and Chinese builders of Kenya's landmark railway.

Xinhua News Agency and Enjoy Culture & Media Co., Ltd. signed an agreement in Kenya on Thursday on the publication of "My Railway, My Story," which is based on the documentary depicting the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

Representatives of Xinhua's Africa Regional Bureau and Enjoy, a subsidiary of Changjiang Publishing & Media, headquartered in China's Wuhan, inked the document at the Nairobi Terminus of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR.

The book, which will appear in Chinese, English, and French editions, will be largely based on the 90-minute eponymous documentary, which tells behind-the-scene stories from the perspective of ordinary Chinese and Kenyan builders of the SGR, the largest infrastructure project since Kenya's independence.

A flagship project of China-Kenyan cooperation, the 480-km line has been providing daily passenger services between the Kenyan capital and the port city of Mombasa since its inauguration on June 1.

The making of the three-episode documentary took the Xinhua team and its partners more than two years for field interviewing and post production, with raw footage totaling over 200 hours.

The first two episodes of the documentary, "Bridges" and "Stations," were first screened on Kenya's major public broadcaster KBC, attracting an estimated 30 million viewers in five days after debut in late May, according to KBC statistics.

The third episode of the documentary, "Roads," came out after the inauguration of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR.

The documentary, initially in English and later rendered into Chinese, French, and Swahili, has since also appeared on TV stations of China, Nigeria and Zambia, and was made available online and on social media platforms.

Wu Zhiqiang, deputy director-general of Xinhua Africa, hailed the book deal as a good start for the two sides' cooperation in offering all-media services and strengthening strategic transformation and upgrade.

Yang Yunpeng, director of Enjoy Culture & Media, which launched its Kenya presence in July 2016, said the book will be released in early 2018, pledging to work with Xinhua in putting out more media products to enhance the understanding between China and Kenya in particular and Africa in general.

Yao Ming, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, David Muswii, deputy director of Kenya National Library Service, and Chinese and Kenyan media representatives based in Nairobi also attended the event.

Yang Yi, one of the Xinhua documentary's directors, said the book would further enhance the documentary's impact.

"Just like the SGR, 'My Railway, My Story' is also a work of cooperation between Chinese and Kenyans," Yang said.

Peterson Gitonga, a duty manager at Nairobi Terminus, at the ceremony hailed the long-term benefits of the railway.

"The Standard Gauge Railway has transformed Kenya in the right direction that has been accepted by many of its citizens," he said.

"For sure the Standard Gauge Railway will remain to be my railway, my story," Gitonga added.
As the first U.S.-China social and people-to-people dialogue kicks off on Thursday in Washington D.C., Walt Disney Studios did its own bit by hosting a cross-cultural dialogue of its own.

As the first U.S.-China social and people-to-people dialogue kicks off on Thursday in Washington D.C., Walt Disney Studios did its own bit by hosting a cross-cultural dialogue of its own.

The five-day, intensive Disney-China Animation Exchange Program, supported by China Film Bureau, was tailored to suit the needs of an elite cadre of Chinese animation filmmakers.

Celebrating its third year, the program, which concluded Wednesday, was a high-level exchange of ideas and practices between filmmakers of Walt Disney Animation Studios and the leading animation filmmakers from China.

"Walt Disney Animation Studios is deeply honored to open our doors and share our learnings and best practices with China's local creative industry. These exchanges have been inspiring to all of us involved," said Andrew Millstein, President of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

"It's an opportunity to exchange ideas and share our approaches to filmmaking, production, marketing, distribution and our underlying concept of how to create a healthy and vibrant studio," Millstein told Xinhua.

Shujie Li, Founder of Chengdu L Square Culture Communication Co and one of the 14 program participants from China, said "It's great for Chinese and American filmmakers to exchange ideas face-to-face and to deepen our understanding and friendship with each other so we can carry out more exchanges and cooperation in the future."

The exchange program was the brainchild of John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and the creative force behind Disney's global winning streak.

During a publicity tour through China for "Big Hero 6," Lasseter was repeatedly asked whether Disney would open a facility in China to help take Chinese animation to the next level.

Lasseter decided to institute the Exchange Program in cooperation with China's Film Bureau in order to share Disney's secrets of success with Chinese animators so they could create their own successful studios.

An indication of the level of respect Disney accorded this unique Chinese exchange program is that the seminar speakers included such top-ranking creative and executive powerhouses as John Lasseter; Pixar co-founder and President of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, Ed Catmull; President of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Andrew Millstein, Head of Production, Ann Le Cam, and Academy Award-winning producer, Roy Conli, as well as other top producers and writers/directors.

Andrew Millstein and Ann Le Cam, speaking on Studio Leadership, welcomed the Chinese participants. "It's an honor to host our friends from China. This exchange helps us strengthen relationships and share in a way that elevates the animation industry as a whole."

"It's exciting to closely observe Disney studios. It makes us ponder the gap between Chinese animation studios and Disney, the world's leading animation studio. Not only in facilities and hardware, but also in ideas and creativity," said Zhigang Yang of Shanghai Pic-moment Film Corporation.

Ann Le Cam told Xinhua that, "Our winning formula is simple: everyone under one roof, open communication, and freedom to innovate."

Millstein agreed, "We invest a lot of time, effort and money into our talented people to enable them to put their highest potential on the screen. You have to support the artists' visions and give them the tools they need to create great stories."

The legendary Lasseter conducted a masterclass on Risk Taking and Innovation and riveted the participants with an in-depth overview of his and the studio's creative process, with a sprinkling of career advice and personal anecdotes.

"Trust your instincts, your taste, and experience when making creative decisions," he advised.

Lasseter outlined his simple recipe for making successful films, "I look for three things in a great project, 1) a compelling, unpredictable story; 2) appealing and memorable characters; and 3) a unique world or setting."

He encouraged his visitors to keep technology and artistic creativity in balance. "Art challenges tech and tech inspires art. It's a collaborative Yin & Yang."

Academy Award-winning producer Roy Conli premiered his team's latest effort, "Olaf's Frozen Adventure," a short film based on Disney's runaway hit "Frozen" and its characters.

"When you have a success like 'Frozen', keeping it alive with new material is a good thing. This short is meant to be a gift to the audience," he said.

The 20-minute film is indeed "a good thing" -- a charming, musical tale about the true meaning of family, friendship and tradition, delivered with Disney's incomparable mixture of humor, heart and a hit soundtrack.

"I'm proud of Disney for making original content. There are a few franchises that feed our theme parks and merchandizing outlets, but original content is our primary mission."

Conli also produced the award-winning "Born In China" wildlife documentary. When asked if he would like to work again in China, he said, "I fell in love with China - Shanghai is an amazing city and Chengdu is so beautiful. I would love to work there again - especially with director Lu Chuan."

Ed Catmull, who co-founded Pixar with Lasseter before joining Disney, discussed Disney's international bent. "At Disney, we feel we have a responsibility to tell stories that work around the world. That means we need strong relationships with people from different parts of the world, like you, who think differently than we do."

Regarding Disney's project preferences, he said, "We encourage our creative teams to set stories in other cultures," like their South Pacific Islander tale "Moana," or their soon-to-be-released Mexico-based story "Coco."

He cautioned, "We use extensive research, local elders, anthropologists to capture the real culture without prejudice or stereotyping. We all have stories to tell. And if we can help others tell better stories, we're all better off."

Linlin Shang, General Manager of Fantawild Animation Inc., responded, "We should learn from Disney how to tell a story. It's essential for Chinese filmmakers to learn how to tell the China story well, so we can share it with the world."

Bo Chen, Vice President of Shanghai Animation Film Studio, told Xinhua that he gained greatly from this program, especially Disney's ideas on how to make excellent movies and their spirit of innovation.

"I'm eager to share my experience with my colleagues in China. I'm sure the cooperation between Sino-U.S. animation filmmakers will contribute to closer bonds between Chinese and American people," he said.

"When we learn from each other, great things happen," Catmull said.
The State Council, China's cabinet, on Thursday decided to expand a reform to cut business red tape.

The reform, being tested in Shanghai Pudong New Area, separates business operation permits from business licenses and streamlines approval for new businesses.

A total of 10 free trade zones across the country, including those in Tianjin, Chongqing, Liaoning and Zhejiang, will now implement the reform , according to the State Council.

The reform will put emphasis on eliminating administrative "permits" but increase supervision and information sharing, the State Council said.

Over the past five years, China created a better business environment for both domestic and overseas companies. Through simpler approval process, lower corporate fees and technology-based services, the government is transforming its functions to let the market play a larger role in the economy.

Latest data showed that in the first eight months of this year, 16,000 new companies were registered every day on average, compared with only 6,900 more than three years ago, when business registration reforms were initiated.
The toilet seats produced by a domestic company in China's Southwestern Guizhou province have become popular in Europe and US.

On online shopping platform Amazon.com, a Topseat toilet seat was selling from $35 to $70. The buyers did not hold themselves back while praising the products in the reviews. Some commented the toilet seat was durable and well detailed. Some others said that none of the toilet seats they purchased were this good.

Even a US talk-show set eyes on this Made-in-China brand and introduced one of the best-selling Topseat toilet seats to its audience as one of the high-tech gizmos for home.

NBC's Today Show compared a traditional toilet seat both adults and children use to a Topseat toilet seat with the same function. The Topseat won the "contest" with ease due to its novelty and convenience.

According to Guizhou local media, the sale volume has reached as many as 10,000 per month.

Topseat toilet seats are produced by a low-profile local company in Guizhou's Anshun, a sanitary ware producer founded in 2012. The data from the official website of Guizhou government shows that, at present, the company produces 1.2 million sets of toilets seat annually which are all for export. Out of the annual output, 80 percent are exported to Germany and Switzerland and 20 percent to other countries including US, France, UK and South Africa.

Guizhou City News reported that Topseat's market share in US is about 2 percent and about 80 percent in Germany. According to Wu Chengdong, the chairman of Topseat Company, Topseat's share in EU and US market is much more than that of other Asian countries.

The popularity of Topseat comes from good reasons.

The raw material Topseat uses to produce wooden toilet seats is from the bamboo forests in Guizhou's Chishui. The bamboo material is eco-friendly, which is a feature that European consumers attach much importance.

"People in European countries are very much concerned about the climate change. We use recycled material, so they prefer to buy our products," Wu said.

With the sales rising, Topseat is striving to develop more kinds of natural materials. Wu said they will make toilet seat with rice straw that is more eco-friendly in the future.

Besides being eco-friendly, Topseat's another key is the spirit of innovation.

Topseat has more than 5,000 pattern designs, with various images on the toilet seats. There are even designs with relief sculptures and 3D effects. The customized design patterns are well-received in European markets and a German customer said that German people are very open to new things and the visitors to his home are impressed by the beautiful design.

However, the Americans who focus more on practicability are not fond of beautiful designs. Therefore, Topseat changes its productive strategy and invests more energy to improve products' functions.

The toilet seat for both adult and children favored by Today Show is just an example. Topseat innovatively uses magnet to fasten the big circle and the small circle, which is more convenient to use. This toilet seat earned Topseat a net profit of 30 million yuan ($4.5 million) once it went on the market.

Topseat has set up branch and sale office in US and more than 200,000 sets of Topseat products are bought by US families annually.

Despite the success at the moment, the company is prepared to tap more international market with more innovative ideas and products.
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The Moroccan city of Marrakech launched on Thursday electrical busses from China in a bid to improve transportation service and reduce pollution.

The buses will ensure the transportation of over 45,000 people a day.

After this step, Marrakech, which hosted the UN Climate Summit last year, has become the first Moroccan city to use these environment-friendly buses.

The use of these buses was scheduled in November 2016 to coincide with the holding of the UN summit, but the City Council decided to delay it for multiple reasons, among which the need to conduct further studies and train drivers.

Chinese bus manufacturer Yangtse signed with Moroccan companies an agreement for the establishment of a plant to produce electric buses for Moroccan and European markets.
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A sophisticated atmosphere observation system known as APSOS arrived in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region Thursday.

APSOS, or Atmosphere Profiling Synthetic Observation System, is the world's first ground-based facility for profiling atmospheric variables and multiple constituents in the neutral atmosphere, according to Pan Weilin, a researcher with the Institute of Atmosphere Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

It is capable of monitoring the atmospheric composition such as temperature, wind, ozone and carbon dioxide levels through remote sensing, said Pan.

The system was debugged in east China's Anhui Province by Huainan Atmospheric Physics Institute and was transported to Yangbajain International Cosmic Ray Observatory in Tibet for extended atmospheric observation.

The system will be operational in October after testing.

The program was launched in 2012 with an investment of 93 million yuan (14 million U.S. dollars) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
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China's transportation network is preparing for an expected travel rush during the upcoming eight-day combined National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period.

Long lines of vehicles slow traffic at the toll gate of the Beijing-Tianjin-Macao Expressway. [Photo/China Daily]

From Thursday, railways nationwide will begin to receive around 130 million passengers during an 11-day period as Chinese visit tourist destinations or return to their hometown, according to the China Railway Corporation (CR).

The number of railway passengers is expected to peak on Sunday with 16 million tickets having already been sold, according to data released by CR.

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Oct. 4 this year, coinciding with the week-long National Day holiday, which adds an extra day to make eight days off work, starting Sunday.

From Oct. 1 to 8, around 710 million tourist trips will be made across China, according to predictions by China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

Tourist attractions should manage traffic and entrance flows to receive visitors within their capacity, the CNTA said in a circular Thursday.

The CNTA also demanded local travel agencies pay close attention to safety conditions at tourist attractions and are prepared for emergencies.

The National Day holiday, which runs from Oct. 1 to 7, is one of China's two "Golden Weeks," during which passenger flow, tourism revenue and retail sales usually surge.
A grand ceremony was held to mark the 2,568th anniversary of the birth of Confucius in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, on Sept.28.

Quzhou, a city in Zhejiang Province in southeastern China, holds a grand memorial ceremony to mark the 2,568th anniversary of the birth of Confucius on Sept. 28, 2017. The ceremony includes tributes and recitals. Born in 551 B.C., the great philosopher and educator provided concepts that are considered a principle philosophy in China for more than 2,000 years, and are also admired internationally. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Under the theme of "Happiness in the Family, Harmony with the Neighbors," the ceremony received visitors from home and abroad at the Southern Confucius Ancestral Temple, one of the two temples in China belonging to direct decendents of Confucius.

The annual memorial ceremony held in Quzhou has been selected as a China Intangible Cultural Heriatage since 2011, and it calls on people to commemorate Confucius in the contemporary China.

"The Chinese people have since ancient times attached great importance to family. For over 800 years, Quzhou has carried on this traditon from age to age," Kong Xingkai, director of the management committee of Quzhou Southern Confucius Ancestral Temple and the 75th generation in the lineal descent of Confucius, said in his speech.

Kong also spoke about the expanded influence of Confucianism. "The thoughts and values created by Confucius still carry a profound impact on Chinese people's way of life today and are closely related to the contemporary development. Therefore we should call on more people to participate in these cultural activities."

Since 2012, Quzhou has put in a couple years of dedicated efforts to build its cultural industry park in a bid to carry on Confucinism teachings and lead the local economic transformation and advancement.

As the only state-level cultural industry trial park in Zhejiang Province, Quzhou has built many cultural establishments aimed at carrying forward Chinese traditional culture by teaching visitors about Confucianism and allowing them to experience the cultures of Ming and Qing dynasties.
German sitting Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) is applauded after the preliminary exit poll at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party's headquarters in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 24, 2017. [Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan]

The German elections held on September 24 returned Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Party (CDU/CSU) to power as expected, but with only 32.9 percent of the vote, down 8.6 percent on 2013. It was a somewhat Pyrrhic victory.

The coalition partner since 2013, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), won 20.5 percent of the vote, down 5.2 percent. In fact, these parties that incarnate postwar German political stability, suffered their worst showing since 1949.

An even bigger shock was the advance of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigrant, ultra-nationalist, anti-Muslim party polling 12.6 percent of the vote, compared to 4.7 percent in its first appearance in 2013. This is the first time since 1945 that a far-right party will enter the German parliament (Bundestag).

The other victor on the day was the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP), who won 10.7 percent, up 4.8 percent. Meanwhile the Left Party scored 9.2 percent and the Greens 8.9 percent, both marginal gains.

These results revive two age-old questions that haunt Germany. If the vote affects German stability, how will this affect the world? And can Europe survive such a major political shift?

Since World War II, German capitalism has weathered much turbulence, stress and strain, yet its political system seemed to have mastered the art of reproducing stability. German politics rests on a robust and diverse manufacturing economy.

However, it is 50 percent dependent on exports, half of which go to other member states of the European Union. This explains Chancellor Merkel constant championing the EU, and her advocacy of "internationalism," which many hail a sane alternative to Donald Trump's "America first" agenda.

Germany's rightward shift poses problems for France's new President Emanuel Macron. His enthusiasm for Europe won over the French electorate earlier this year, but he needs the new German government to sign up to his mission of political and economic reform; otherwise, he becomes the "emperor with no clothes."

Merkel's own ruling party is composed of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). However, the leader of the latter, Horst Seehofer, is opposed to Merkel's open-door asylum policies and wants the alliance to outface the right to halt the hemorrhage of voters to the AfD.

A likely new coalition partner is the Free Democratic Party. However, it is opposed to Macron and Merkel's ambition to ameliorate some of the economic hardship in southern Europe. For example, at present, the European Central Bank is helping contain the Italian debt crisis.

Should that policy change, it could rapidly escalate into a European and world crisis. So, unless Merkel can convince her coalition partners, otherwise, Macron's plans for EU reform will be dead in the water. Therefore, the German election result brings fresh doubts to the EU's future.

It is true that the AfD is a splintered party. Indeed, Frauke Petry, its joint chair, resigned the day after the election and now will sit in parliament as an independent. Also, the AfD does not have any established party apparatus, and many of its voters cast their vote as a protest against the establishment parties.

However, sometimes context is everything. Stability in Germany is not simply an aspiration, it is the primary state objective. Everything is designed to avoid the turmoil of 1918-1945, when Germany's political and economic crisis led to Adolf Hitler and a war, costing tens of millions of lives and devastating the continent.

Immigration has taken center stage with the arrival of two million refugees over the past two years. Now, the anti-immigrant AfD is the third-largest party in the Bundestag.

It is the same phenomena that developed in France (National Front), the U.K. (UKIP), and Italy (La Liga), representing a breakdown of the European status quo. Nationalism resonates with sections of the poor, with unorganized workers, small business owners, and the self-employed. It offers a sense of identity for them to cling to, and a channel to vent frustration at their own powerlessness.

The AfD's vote increased most dramatically in Eastern Germany -- where refugee placement is relatively low. Here, many people fear refugees, and associate them with "Islamic terrorism." This compounds their sense of alienation from the "political class," a sentiment that has festered ever since German Unification in 1990.

Over the last 20 years, the SPD and CDU introduced labor reforms that drove a sizeable part of the workforce into low wages and temporary contracts. About a quarter of the workforce earn less than two-thirds of the median wage.

Fear of unemployment and the threat of businesses relocating pressured German workers to accept meager wage increases while profits soared. Real wages fell, and are now below the level of 1999. Meanwhile, GDP per capita has risen nearly 30 percent.

If the SPD were to shift to the left and enter agreements on programs and policies with the Left Party; this could reassert the workers' interests and would result in a welcome shift in the balance of power between the classes.

The German capitalist model created what is probably the most successful economy in the world, but that has been undermined by the 2008 financial crisis.

Germany is the most populous state in the EU and its economic powerhouse, accounting for over 20 percent of GDP. Manufacturing accounts for 23 percent of the German economy and employs 19 percent of its workforce, nearly twice the proportion in the United States or the United Kingdom.

Now it's beginning to struggle both politically and economically, and that's a worry.

Heiko Khoo is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/heikokhoo.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn
China Aviation Daily | Sep. 29, 2017

Sichuan Airlines, an all-Airbus-fleet airline based in Chengdu, has selected Airbus Flight Hour Services (FHS) and Airbus Real Time Health Monitoring Service (AiRTHM) to provide components and predictive maintenance support securing the highest service level and operations for its new fleet of four A350 XWBs. Sichuan Airlines is to operate the A350 XWBs in the coming months on its international routes including Chengdu to the USA.

This long-term FHS-Components and AiRTHM agreement provides an extensive scope of A350 line replaceable units (LRUs) and APU, guaranteed spare parts availability through Pool access service and on-site stock at customer main base, as well as component reliability management and maintenance. In addition, AiRTHM brings a proactive maintenance mode to A350 operations.

In its highly competitive and fast growing market, Sichuan Airlines selected Airbus' tailored FHS and AiRTHM services for the smooth entry-into-service of its fleet of A350 XWB widebody aircraft.

Sichuan Airlines was the launch customer for Airbus FHS in China with its Airbus A330 fleet in place since 2009. This latest selection by Sichuan Airlines re-affirms airlines confidence in Airbus' FHS value and expertise to secure operations already demonstrated in the current FHS-components agreement covering Sichuan Airlines' A330 fleet.

"We are very pleased that Sichuan Airlines, a long-time customer of Airbus, has entrusted its A350 component support and AiRTHM to Airbus," said Philippe Mhun, Head of Customer Services at Airbus. "Our A350 FHS customers enjoy a best in class operational performance above industry averages, which explains Airbus' FHS leadership position in the region. This significant endorsement by Sichuan Airlines further reinforces Airbus' position in the services market in China, and recognizes our unique capability as an aircraft manufacturer."

To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 848 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 45 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever. With 287 firm orders for the A350 from carriers in Asia-Pacific, the region represents over a third of total sales for the type.

With this latest agreement, Airbus FHS has now been selected to cover more than 400 aircraft, ranging from the A320, A330, A380 to the A350 XWB.

Airbus, through "Services by Airbus", offers end-to-end fleet lifecycle solutions for all its customers. The portfolio ranges from standalone services, to the most complete integrated solutions, including Flight Hour & Tailored Support packages, upgrades, training, e-solutions, engineering & maintenance, flight operations Air Traffic Management, and material management services. Together these enhance aircraft competitiveness by continuously adapting to customers' evolving needs. With more than 40 years of experience in the aircraft industry and a worldwide network of more than 2,500 professionals, customers benefit from the unique expertise and capabilities from Airbus and its affiliated family companies.

Contributed by Airbus
People enter a taxpayer service hall in Beijing, Dec 13, 2010. [Photo/IC]

Taxes collected from enterprises will be cut further amid a pilot reform that has replaced the business tax with a value-added tax, Premier Li Keqiang said.

The tax policy should be fine-tuned to ensure taxes are reduced for all piloted industries, Li told a meeting he presided over on Wednesday. The scale and procedures for deductible taxes also must be improved, he said.

In addition, the premier said, the process should be streamlined for taxpayers by introducing information technologies. Further, there should be a crackdown on illegal actions such as tax evasion, Li said.

The existing regulation on the business tax, revised by the State Council in 2008, should be terminated, as the value-added tax has replaced the business tax, he said.

Eight speakers, including Shanghai's mayor and Henan and Sichuan's governors, reported on the reform outcomes and contributed their suggestions, along with the heads of financial, construction and manufacturing enterprises and economists from universities.

The pilot reform was initiated in 2012 and expanded in May 2016 to cover the four remaining sectors: construction, real estate, finance and services. So far, enterprises have saved 1.7 trillion yuan ($255 billion) in taxes under the change.

The speakers said the reform, as the most vital tax-reduction policy for the government, has helped expand the tax base and employment, promote standardized management of the industries involved and further economic restructuring and innovations. In addition, new industries and business models are booming.

Liang Wengen, founder and chairman of the construction machinery maker Sany Group, said the reform has created long-term benefits for the economy.

Taking his company as an example, costs for transportation and technical transfers now can be deducted in the VAT regime.

In response, Li called to prioritize the tax structure by merging some of the ongoing VAT rates6 percent, 11 percent and 17 percentand to reduce the VAT for manufacturers. Starting on July 1, the previous 13 percent VAT was discontinued.

More importantly, institutional costs should be reduced by cutting taxes and fees collected from enterprises to cultivate a business environment in which innovation, industrial upgrading and fair competition are encouraged and promoted, Li said.

Liu Yi, a professor of economics at Peking University, said the value-added tax has played an important role in improving connections between the secondary and third-tier industries, promoting industrial upgrading and the service sector. "Traditional small and medium-sized enterprises are becoming more competitive as our surveys found," she said.
Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. [Photo/China Daily]

China welcomes foreign enterprises to take part in the country's mixed-ownership reform, top officials said on Thursday, as the latest batch of State-owned enterprises to implement the reforms is set to be announced.

Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the nation's top economic regulator, said: "We welcome companies of all ownership types, as well as foreign companies, to participate in China's SOEs mixed-ownership reform."

But he also expressed the wish that the United States could offer a level playing field to Chinese SOEs.

"We hope the United States opens (its market) to Chinese SOEs, and has a complete, accurate and objective knowledge of China."

So far, the first two batches of SOEs, totaling 19, are implementing mixed-ownership reforms. They covered key areas such as power, oil and gas, railway, civil aviation, and the military industry.

"We are currently conducting research on the third batch of mixed-ownership reform pilots, which is expected to be issued soon," said Peng Huagang, deputy secretary-general of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the country's top SOE regulator.

Xiao said the reform has achieved good results, but more time is required for further progress to be made.

Apart from the mixed-ownership reform, restructuring plans were also implemented to set up industry giants while reducing the total number of SOEs.

Since 2013, 34 central SOEs have been restructured, including a merger of two of China's top bullet train makers and between two major steel makers. The overhaul reduced the number of central SOEs to 98 from 117.

But neither scale nor quantity were "primary goals", Xiao underscored. "Technology and market development motivate the restructuring of centrally administrated SOEs. These are the standards we are following."

Therefore the number of central SOEs may decline or increase, according to Xiao. To meet market demand, "new groups may be set up", he said.

When asked about the possibility of the merger of two subsidiaries of China State Shipbuilding Corp, a primary contractor for China's naval force, Xiao said: "All might happen," without elaborating. CSSC Holdings Ltd and CSSC Offshore and Marine Engineering Co Ltd halted stock trading on Wednesday, after parent company CSSC announced it was preparing a major asset reorganization.

Calls to deleverage have been a major element of government policy meetings.

The current debt risk level of central SOEs is "reasonable, appropriate and controllable", Xiao reiterated, pointing to the declining average debt-to-asset ratio, which dropped to 66.5 percent by the end of August, 0.2 percentage points lower than at the beginning of this year.

To further lower SOEs' debt levels, one of the actionable steps is to regulate the scale of investment, according to Xiao. "We need to strictly control the investment plans of SOEs whose debt ratio is rising," he said.

Sang Baichuan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said the key of reforming SOEs is to differentiate their services in the public interest from business for commercial gain, so that SOEs cannot use providing public services as an excuse for big losses.
By Zhou Mo in Beijing and Evelyn Yu in Hong Kong | China Daily | Updated: 2017-09-29 08:09

ZhongAn Online Property and Casualty Insurance Co Ltd Chairman Ou Yaping (left) and Chief Executive Officer Chen Jin attend the debut of the company at the Hong Kong Exchanges. [Photo/Agencies]

ZhongAn Online Property and Casualty Insurance Co Ltd saw its share price surge 15.6 percent to open at HK$69($8.83) on its first day of trading.

The mainland's first internet-only insurer captured the imagination of investors who have high expectations of the emerging "new economy" sector.

ZhongAn went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's main board on Thursday after 199 million shares were offered at HK$59.7 per share.

"ZhongAn is a young company and still has a long way to go," said Chen Jin, CEO of ZhongAn. "The listing means a new starting point for the company."

The firm is 13.8 percent owned by Jack Ma's Ant Financial, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, 10.4 percent by Tencent Holdings Ltd, whose CEO is Pony Ma, and 10 percent by Ping An Insurance Group Co, whose chairman is Ma Mingzhe.

SoftBank Group Corp, a cornerstone investor, holds almost 5 percent.

"Today, technology and internet are changing the world in a profound way," Chen said. "As the first fintech (or financial technology) company to list in Hong Kong, ZhongAn will give more confidence to other players in this ecology."

Li Xiaojia, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd, was excited to see the company listed in Hong Kong.

But he stressed the city should make efforts to improve its market structure to entice more firms from the "new economy" sector.

Still, Linus Yip Sheungchi, chief strategist of First Shanghai Securities, was not surprised that ZhongAn made such an outstanding debut.

Technically, the firm does not fit squarely into the "new economy" sector.

"But the market is willing to give it a high valuation as an internet company due to the celebrity effect brought by the lineup of star-studded shareholders such as Pony Ma and Jack Ma," he said.

"ZhongAn's stock price is very high now," Yip added. "Whether the price can be supported really depends on future earnings of the company and how it can make a difference through the synergy of its star shareholders to outperform traditional insurers."

Founded in 2013, the Shanghai-based company has sold 7.2 billion insurance policies by the end of last year.

On Thursday, ZhongAn shares jumped 9.21 percent to close at HK$65.2.

Bloomberg contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at sally@chinadailyhk.com
A man pours Italian wine at the Third China International Consumer Products Exhibition in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Most Chinese consumers are less familiar with Italian wines than they are with other foreign rivals such as wines from France and Australia, which entered the China market earlier.

But as Italy pushes ahead with promotions of its wines, it may not be long before Chinese consumers list the exotic Italian wines.

This kind of wine takes leading market shares in some mature Western markets, among their favorite drinks during get-togethers or in bars.

The Beijing-based China Wine Platform Group, an agent of premium imported wines, has been cooperating with wine brands from France, Spain, New Zealand, the United States, Argentina and Chile. It signed an exclusive cooperation agreement recently with Italy's Sartori chateau, which was founded in 1898.

Ettore Sequi, the Italian ambassador to China, said the country has some 400 different qualities of grapes, and some 800 different kinds of wines. He is bullish on the growth potential of Italian wines in China.

"Italy is the first producer and exporter of wines in the world. In many markets, such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Italy takes a leading position in export in terms of quantity and volume," he said.

"Italian wines combine top quality with very affordable prices, which makes it excellent value for money."

With a growing middle-class, China has increasing numbers of consumers who are pursuing high-quality lifestyles, and the consumption of imported wines has become more widespread in China, where drinking wines has not been a tradition.

In the first half of 2017, China imported a total of 0.34 billion liters of wines, increasing 12.66 percent year-on-year. Of that total, China imported 0.25 billion liters of bottled wines, jumping 13.93 percent year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

During the period, France, Australia and Chile stood out as the top three importing countries of origin. Italian wines have performed outstandingly, as China imported 14.96 million liters of Italian wine, growing 17 percent over the previous period. Those imported Italian wines were worth $67.37 million, adding 18.28 percent year-on-year.

In the first six months of 2017, Italian wines accounted for 5.9 percent of the market share in China among imported wines, higher than the 5.1 percent in the same period last year, according to Customs.

Li Zhishuo, president of China Wine Platform Group, said the imported wine market in China has been growing solidly, and it will be an inevitable consumer trend to choose Italian wines.

"Now it's the best time to add Italian wines into our product category. I believe that Italian wines will soon become our core competence, with its diversity and richness. I expect that in the next few years, more agents of imported wines in China will cooperate with well-known chateaus in Italy."
BEIJING  Despite lingering global economic fragility, China's centrally-administered State-owned enterprises (SOEs) have seen strong growth in the past five years.

Official data showed that the total assets of China's central SOEs reached 50.5 trillion yuan (about $7.62 trillion) by the end of 2016, an 80 percent jump from the end of 2011.

Behind the robust growth was years of non-stop reforms since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, which served as a strong boost for their efficiency and vitality.

"Looking back over the past five years, China has completed the top-level design of the SOE reform, making it more systematic, comprehensive and coordinated," Xiao Yaqing, chairperson of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), said at a press conference Thursday.

Restructuring underway

The central government has been actively restructuring its SOEs in a bid to improve their efficiency and competitiveness, with the number of central SOEs falling to 98 from 117 five years ago.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, 34 central SOEs have been restructured, including a merger between two of China's top bullet train makers and another between two major steel producers.

Meanwhile, two new firms, Aero Engine Corporation of China and China Tower, were established to meet industrial development needs. "Technology and market development is the strongest drive for the central SEO restructuring," said Xiao, describing the restructuring efforts in the past five years as "unprecedented."

The mergers and reorganizations have helped the SOEs lift their global competitiveness by optimizing allocation of industrial resources, and up to 48 centrally-owned SOEs made it into the Fortune Global 500 rankings this year, according to Huang Danhua, vice-chairperson of the SASAC.

Besides creating industrial giants, the restructuring offered a boost to their technological innovation capabilities and at the same time reduced management and production costs, according to Huang.

At a cabinet meeting Wednesday, authorities reiterated the need to further advance the restructuring of the central SOEs, especially in equipment manufacturing, electricity, communications and chemical industries.

Debt risks under control

The SOEs, especially the centrally-administered ones, have played a vital role in China's ongoing supply-side structural reform by leading the excess capacity cuts and keeping their debt ratio under control.

From January to August this year, the central SOEs have beaten government-set targets by reducing 16.14 million metric tons of steel capacity and 55.1 million tons of coal capacity.

These companies have also trimmed 88.5 billion yuan of annual losses by dealing with "zombie companies" and loss-making enterprises.

Meanwhile, debt risks at the central SOEs are under control as the companies maintained a steady debt ratio over the past five years, data from the SASAC showed.

By the end of August, the average debt-to-asset ratio of central SOEs dropped to 66.5 percent, 0.2 percentage points lower than the beginning of this year, according to Xiao.

"The debt risk level at central SOEs is reasonable, appropriate and totally controllable," he said.

Mixed-ownership reform

The mixed-ownership reform, which diversifies the ownership structure of SOEs, has started to take off in recent years as their monopolies in many sectors shut out smaller firms and caused low efficiency and poor service.

So far, up to 68.9 percent of central SOEs at all levels have been involved in the mixed-ownership reforms, while 47 percent of local SOEs were involved, according to SASAC data.

In key sectors like electricity, telecommunications, aviation and military industries, 19 enterprises were chosen to start such reforms, according to Peng Huagang, deputy secretary-general of SASAC.

In August, China Unicom, one of the country's telecom giants, announced plans to bring in private investment mainly by issuing shares for companies including China Life and Tencent, marking the top-level mixed-ownership reform at state firms.

Peng revealed that the authorities are reviewing plans for other SOEs to go through such reforms.

"The SOE reform is a open process, which aims to attract partners in all types of ownerships," said Xiao.

China also welcomes the participation of foreign enterprises in the process, if they are interested, he said.

"With reforms going deeper, the SOEs will take on new looks and make new achievements," he said.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN  After announcing expansion of service into Beijing, capital of China two weeks ago, Brunei is ready to provide more flight connections to Chinese cities and more travel packages to Chinese tourists.

Awang Wardi Bin Hj Mohammad Ali, acting permanent secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, said Thursday that Brunei welcomes more visitors from China and other countries with more convenience and attractions provided.

"We are very glad to have our Chinese friends around. Our tourism department is looking at several more packages for not only the Chinese but also for other markets," he told Xinhua on the sidelines of a press conference of Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), the sultanate's national airline.

"Besides improving our standards and quality of the our products, we are also looking to expand more tourism activities in Brunei, including river cruise in several locations. With these new activities and packages, we believe it will help to invite more tourists to our country," he added.

According to Karam Chand, RB's CEO, the flag carrier is considering opening more flights to Chinese cities.

"China market is so big and sophisticated, so we need to take different strategies to save the market, including more scheduled flights and chartered flights," he said.

"When you look at the trade, the growing bilateral relations and the movement of people, the potential for tourism, investment, all these things are there between Brunei and China," he said.
SHANGHAI  Shanghai released a new catalog Thursday for emerging industries, creating business licenses in artificial intelligence, big data and wearable equipment.

More than 200 emerging sectors have been included in the classification catalog of business scope and name descriptions, said Zhong Min, deputy chief of Shanghai administration for industry and commerce.

China revised its national economic industry classification in 2011, and has not updated it since.

Big data, wearable equipment, new energy vehicles, technology transfer services, and other new sectors are not included in the classification and are not allowed to enter company names or their business scope during license applications. Therefore, companies engaged in emerging industries are unable to apply for business license in their specific fields.

To encourage new businesses of the emerging sectors, Shanghai will update the industry classification catalog every two years, according to Zhong.

Huang Ou, deputy director of Shanghai commission of economy and information technology, growth of emerging industries contributed to over 30 percent of Shanghai economy, mainly in advanced manufacturing, science and finance, and information services.
BEIJING  China's Ministry of Commerce has reassured overseas businesses that they will always receive equal treatment in the Chinese market.

MOC spokesperson Gao Feng said there would be no discrimination in Chinese industrial policies, at a press conference Thursday.

"The State Council has highlighted equality for both domestic and foreign-funded businesses," he said.

A State Council document in January highlighted that all businesses participating in "Made in China 2025," the country's manufacturing improvement plan, would receive equal treatment.

"China's industrial policies are aimed at guiding and stimulating industries...and will not distort the market," Gao said.

The remarks came one day after US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross criticized China's subsidies on the production of robots and electric cars.

The Chinese government has announced a timetable to withdraw subsidies step by step and promised to reduce restrictions for foreign investment to access the manufacturing of new energy vehicles (NEVs).

"The opening up in NEV sector has remained persistent," Gao said.

Gao also reiterated the government's determination to protect intellectual property rights (IPRs).

"IPR protection is crucial to China's innovation-driven development," he said.
BEIJING  China's transportation network is preparing for an expected travel rush during the upcoming eight-day combined National Day and Mid Autumn Festival holiday period.

From Thursday, railways nationwide will begin to receive around 130 million passengers during an 11-day period as Chinese visit tourist destinations or return to their hometown, according to the China Railway Corporation (CR).

The number of railway passengers is expected to increase by 10 percent year-on-year, peaking on Sunday with 16 million tickets having already been sold, according to data released by CR.

The Mid Autumn Festival falls on Oct 4 this year, coinciding with the week-long National Day holiday, which adds an extra day to make eight days off work, starting Sunday.

From Oct 1 to 8, around 710 million tourist trips will be made across China, according to predictions by China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

Tourist attractions should manage traffic and entrance flows to receive visitors within their capacity, the CNTA said in a circular Thursday.

The CNTA also demanded local travel agencies pay close attention to safety conditions at tourist attractions and be prepared for emergencies.

The National Day holiday, which runs from Oct 1 to 7, is one of China's two "Golden Weeks," during which passenger flow, tourism revenue and retail sales usually surge.
Trade union leaders in the United Kingdom have welcomed possible Chinese interest in a Canadian passenger jetthe Bombardier C Serieswith thousands of jobs at an aviation factory in Belfast possibly depending on such a deal.

Parts of the aircraft are made in Northern Ireland before planes are assembled in Quebec, Canada. But that production was threatened when United States aviation company Boeing objected to Bombardier's sale of 75 aircraft to Delta Airlines.

Boeing argued that Bombardier received unfair state aid from the governments of Canada, Quebec, and the UK. This week, the US Department of Commerce agreed with Boeing and made a preliminary decision to impose import duties of 219 percent on imports of the jets.

The UK and Canada have both said they will fight the US decision but Bombardier has been looking for new business in China as well.

Marc Meloche, head of structured finance at Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, said on Tuesday that the company hopes to sell aircraft in China.

"Bombardier is talking to all three big Chinese airlines, as well as many regional players and startups," Meloche told Reuters. "All are very interested in the Bombardier C Series."

Meloche said he was optimistic that deals could possibly be announced during the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to China later this year.

Bombardier said the new import duties imposed by the US were absurd and divorced from reality and would triple the price of any C Series sold in the United States, taking it to $61 million.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said the move was clearly aimed at eliminating Bombardier's aircraft from the US market.

US carrier Delta is Bombardier's largest client and was responsible for 75 of the total number of 360 orders placed for C Series aircraft since the CS300 and CS100 models entered service last year.

Bombardier employs 4,500 people in Northern Ireland, making it the largest private-sector employer.

"The C Series program is critical to the long-term future of our Northern Ireland operations," a Bombardier spokeswoman said.

Owen Reidy, assistant general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said the effect of job losses numbering in the thousands would be devastating for the economy, and that orders from China and elsewhere could provide a lifeline to Bombardier in Belfast.

Davy Thompson, branch officer for Bombardier at trade union Unite, said he was "very encouraged" by the news that Bombardier was closing in on deals in China.

UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the moves by Boeing and the US could jeopardize Boeing's chances of securing future defense contracts with Britain.

The dispute between the US and the UK comes as Britain prepares to leave the European Union. While the UK may not be in a position to secure EU support for its position in the dispute, the government of Ireland might be in a better position. It could argue for EU intervention by saying that economic stability is vital for the whole island of Ireland, not just Northern Ireland.
The Chinese company behind the acquisition of a British aircraft seat manufacturer plans to keep the business in the United Kingdom.

Zhejiang Science and Technology Investment Co bought Acro Aircraft Seating in a deal worth 55 million pounds ($73 million).

Acro, founded in 2007, supplies Airbus and has provided more than 85,000 seats to airlines across Europe and the United States.

The deal "will accelerate Acro's access to the Chinese market", the company said.

Based in Crawley, West Sussex, Acro has a current turnover of around 30 million pounds ($40.3 million), while sales have risen by 20 percent over the last two years.

Zhejiang Science and Technology Investment Co, is the parent company of Chinese automotive seat maker Zhejiang Tiancheng Controls.

Chris Brady, Acro's chief executive, said the salewhich is subject to regulatory approvalis "a significant opportunity and vote of confidence in us and our mission''.

The company had not been actively seeking a buyer, Brady said, adding that the deal opens up huge potential to reach the Chinese market, which is of major strategic advantage.

Acro sees the potential for major growth in China, where both Boeing and Airbus have established final assembly lines, said Alan McInnes, the company's senior vice-president for sales.

"It is a significant growth area for predominantly single aisle aircraft, albeit Airbus has a twin-aisle final assembly line in Tianjin," McInnes told aviation website RGN.

McInnes emphasized that the seatmaker's headquarter will remain near London Gatwick.

"It has a number of advantages, including proximity to the Airbus final assembly line in Europe, and we also have a very strong engineering and R&D function there," he said.

While Chinese airlines have tended to purchase locally produced products, McInnes said Acro has put together "a dream team of an established seat brand with a production facility that will be established in China, with proven designs and a proven product strategy".

"That's what will give us access to the Chinese market," he said.
Children enjoy playing with motorized vehicles as their parents shop at Toys "R" Us in Alexandria, Virginia. The toy retailer is expanding its presence in China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Leading US toy retailer Toys 'R' Us Inc's joint venture in China will open 10 new stores in the country during the upcoming National Day holiday, which starts on Oct 1.

The 10 stores, in Chongqing municipality, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Changchun, Harbin, Suzhou, Xi'an, Changsha and Chengdu will bring the total number of stores of the toy retailer to 150.

Managing director of Toys 'R' Us China Roy Sammartino, said their China retail business continues to perform well and believe the current business model is well accepted by the local consumers. Sammartino said they will focus on tier one, two to three cities and will invest in the Chinese market through their online and offline platforms.

The retailer's US operations are undergoing financial restructuring, but its Asia unit remains unaffected, said the company. Toys 'R' Us Inc filed for bankruptcy protection on September 18, after it was loaded with debt in a buyout more than a decade ago.

Operations outside the US and Canada, including about 255 licensed stores and joint venture partnerships in Asia, which are separate entities, are not part of the bankruptcy proceedings, Toys 'R' Us said.

Toys 'R' Us (Asia) Ltd is a joint venture 85 percent owned by Toys 'R' Us Inc and 15 percent by Fung Retailing Ltd. Andre Javes, president of Toys 'R' Us Asia Ltd, said the company is open for business and continues to serve its customers.
Chinese city residents are welcoming a new urban management system to redefine their identity as the owners of the city.

The system, with a design based on the internet of things, mass data and most importantly the involvement of citizens, was wheeled out by an R&D center co-established by the China Center for Urban Development, Huawei Technologies Co and iSoftStone Information Technology (Group) Co at an achievements exhibition for the last five years.

Aimed at handling problems in the blind corners of the city, the system, which will serve as a bridge between urban citizens and municipal management units, can help the government make swift and effective plans by better utilizing the monitoring system and the internet of things.

With the app already available on the mobile app stores, urban residents living in the covered cities can upload photos of the management flaws, such as illegal parking and emergencies, through the app. The system will then give the best order by analyzing factors like location and traffic conditions to related government units.

"The plan varies from city to city but the core of all plans is the same, which is the involvement of the citizens," said Li Tie, head of the China Center for Urban Development at the National Development and Reform Commission. "We drew the plans in accordance with the present infrastructure conditions of the cities in China, and some cities are ready to apply the system in the coming years."

According to the center, the system is now at the end of its test stage and ready to be put into practice.

Opening in Beijing on Monday, the achievements exhibition of the last five years presents many of the successes achieved in various fields in the last half-decade to welcome the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
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BEIJING - Ethanol fuel, known as E10, is ordinary gasoline with 10 percent ethanol added, and is believed to cut carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions.

"The government plan to increase ethanol fuel production was for consuming corn stocks," said Han Jun, director of the central agricultural work leading team office, at a press conference.

Years of support for corn farmers has left China with a substantial stockpile. In 2016, China's corn output stood at around 220 million tons, while stocks amounted to 230 million tons.

According to government estimates, China's stockpile will suffice to meet demand in the short term, Han said, achieving a supply-demand balance in the corn market in three to five years.

For China, the basic principle of developing biofuel is not to pose threat to food security, he stressed.

China launched corn-to-ethanol pilot programs in 2004 as part of efforts to cut emissions and advance new energy, and it is the world's third-largest bioethanol producer, using nearly 2.6 million tons a year.

Earlier this month, China said it wanted nationwide use of bioethanol gasoline by 2020, and aimed to have an advanced liquid biofuel system and demonstration facility in operation by then, capable of producing 50,000 tons of cellulosic ethanol a year.

To reduce corn stocks, China said it would reduce its corn planting area by around 670,000 hectares and switch to other crops in 2017.
Intellectual property law in China has always complied with international standards since it began, and the progress of jurisprudence will provide a healthier environment for both domestic and foreign business, said a senior official Friday.

The Office of National Leading Group for Combating Intellectual Property Rights Infringement and Counterfeiting released a document on Sept 28, chronicling the progress made thus far, including recent negotiation on geographic indications with Europe.

"The promotion of IPR started in China later than many countries, with only 30 years' history, but it has achieved fruitful results," said Chai Haitao, deputy head of the office. "China has always valued IPR highly, and will apply the same regulations to both domestic and foreign business."

"China has been talking to member countries in BRICS as well as 20 economies from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation on IPR," said Chen Fuli, deputy director-general of the department of treaty and law at the Ministry of Commerce. "China has always been active in conversation with other countries, covering a wide range of topics."

Based on the recently released action plan on IPR for foreign investment, the Chinese government will intensify inspections of IPR violations, especially in the foreign sector, in the next four months.

Gao Feng, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, said such action is not only a practical measurement echoing the State Council's call for stimulating foreign investment, but also part of China's ceaseless work on IPR.

"To clean up IPR violations is following up on Chinese IPR protection in order to create a fair market environment," Gao said. "It is never a decision to deal only with certain countries responding to the investigation they filed."
Qingdao, Hangzhou and Xiamen ranked top in smart city governance, according to a report released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the China Center for Urban Development on Sept 22.

The report evaluated 293 provincial and prefectural level cities based on five key indicators, including the locals' conception of smartness, smart management and smart services.

The results showed that around 52 percent of the cities scored between 40-50, offering room for further improvement.

Let's take a look at the 10 cities.

No 10 Wuxi
China unveiled a new regulation on Thursday requiring most automakers to sell a minimum number of new energy vehicles annually from 2019, as part of the country's broader effort to curb carbon emissions by reducing the use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

The new policy from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology requires that sales of NEVs should reach a threshold equivalent to 10 percent of their total in 2019 and 12 percent in 2020.

The regulation applies to car makers that produce or import more than 30,000 conventional vehicles annually, which is lower than the 50,000 threshold mentioned in a policy draft and includes more vehicle companies in the evaluation system.

If car companies fail to achieve such quotas, they will either have to buy credits from other automakers or face a fine, the ministry said, adding that the measures will be effective from April 1, 2018.

Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, said China is stepping up efforts to promote the development of NEVs in the world's largest automobile market.

"Compared with the draft regulation, the new policy removed an 8 percent quota target for 2018, giving companies more time to expand their production capacity," Cui said.

As one of the world's largest NEV markets, about 53,000 new energy cars were sold in China in August, up 73 percent year-on-year, data from the CPCA show.

The ministry said earlier this month it was working on a timetable to phase out fossil-fuel powered vehicles, though it did not specify details.

Zhang Zhiyong, founder and CEO of Wenfeng Automobile Consultancy, said electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are giving Chinese companies new opportunities compared with conventional cars powered by combustion engines.

"China lags behind Western countries in the fossil car era. But we can prevail in the electric car era by tapping into our big market demand and new technologies," Zhang said.

BYD Co, a major Chinese car maker, sold 46,855 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the first seven months of this year. Beijing Electric Vehicle, the EV division of State-owned BAIC Motor, followed with 36,084 units.

Contact the writers at masi@chinadaily.com.cn
JD's unmanned small-sized vehicle is pictured on June 18, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

JD.com Inc, China's second-largest e-commerce player, on Thursday announced partnerships with Chinese auto makers SAIC Maxus and Dongfeng Motor Corporation to conduct research on the country's first automatic vans.

The e-commerce giant has jointly developed two models of automatic light electric vans with SAIC Maxus and Dongfeng respectively, for the delivery of goods from JD's distribution centers to delivery stations, JD said in a statement.

SAIC Maxus' electric van can sense obstacles 150 meters away and plan its route leveraging its radar system, sensors and positioning system. To date the van has conducted successful tests of automatic route planning, overtaking, obstacle avoidance and self-parking functions, according to JD.

The partners will carry out all-round cooperation to promote the development of automatic vehicles and related technologies, and improve the construction of an intelligent logistics system.

Automatic vans are the latest addition to JD's automated vehicle family. The company is increasingly betting on its intelligent logistics operations to differentiate itself from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

JD began developing its automatic delivery vehicles last year, aiming to employ unmanned delivery vehicles to conduct bulk deliveries to office buildings and residential areas in cities to enhance delivery efficiency.

Last year, it successfully used drones to deliver online purchases to rural shoppers in Jiangsu province. Moreover, robots and driverless cars for deliveries were used during the June 18 shopping festival this year.

Wang Zhenhui, CEO of JD Logistics, said: "Working with partners, we will continue to enhance our smart logistics and push the bounds of our traditional logistics solutions."

"The automatic vans used for delivering goods are still in the phase of R&D, and we still need a long time to see its large-scale commercial application as the automatic vehicles must undergo multiple tests and obtain a license before they are introduced on roads," said Lu Zhenwang, CEO of Shanghai-based Wanqing Consultancy.

Lu said JD has taken the lead in the domestic intelligent logistics sector and has invested hugely in related intelligent equipment, such as unmanned sorting and handling equipment, drones and driverless deliveries.

"Of course, the application of automatic vans could enhance the efficiency of delivery and reduce costs," he said.

JD currently operates China's largest nationwide delivery network and is able to provide same-or next-day delivery to a population of over a billion. Its logistics innovation lab is also researching other advanced automation technologies such as automated warehouses to enhance the user experience.
Major e-commerce companies are increasingly looking toward robots and artificial intelligence to manage warehouses and customer orders, and China and the United Kingdom are playing key roles in the robot revolution.

Earlier this year, viral videos of robots whizzing around Alibaba-owned warehouses in China made the rounds on social media. The robots were designed by Chinese start-up Geek+ to bring goods to workers, saving them from trawling up and down kilometers of racking to complete orders.

China has been the world's major buyer of industrial robots since 2013, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

In 2009, the global market for industrial robots extended to 60,000 units. That figure ballooned to 294,000 units in 2016, when China alone ordered 87,000 units.

The IFR forecasts that, by 2020, more than 1.7 million new industrial robots will be installed in factories worldwide.

Joe Gemma, president of the IFR, said: "China is by far the biggest robot market in the world regarding annual sales and regarding the operational stock. It is the fastest-growing market worldwide. There has never been such a dynamic rise in such a short period of time in any other market."

In the UK, robots began bringing goods to workers in Amazon's warehouses in Dunstable and Doncaster last year. And British online supermarket Ocado has developed some of the world's most sophisticated machine-led warehouses for grocery goods.

Ocado does not have bricks-and-mortar shops. Instead, it takes grocery orders online and delivers produce from a network of distribution centers.

At Ocado's warehouse in Andover, Hampshire, a hive of stout robots the size of washing machines selects goods for online shoppers, assembling a 50-item order in minutes.

The robots communicate with each other as they move across a grid of grocery crates, like rooks along a chess board.

Ocado is in discussion with supermarkets in China and elsewhere that are interested in purchasing its hardware and software, which is collectively known as the Ocado Smart Platform.

Paul Clarke, chief technology officer at Ocado Technology, said: "The platform has been designed from day one to offer large bricks-and-mortar retailers around the world a shortcut to moving online. We've been talking to grocery retailers around the world in almost every continent. In that mix, China certainly features."

E-commerce sales are set to grow by 23 percent this year, and, for the first time, will account for one-tenth of total retail sales worldwide, according to US market research company eMarketer. Last year, almost half of all global online retail sales took place in China.

Clarke said Ocado will also look to deliver the platform to a wide range of companies because the technology is not limited to grocery orders.

Ocado's main warehouse in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, reveals the timeline of the company's technological evolution.

In the oldest section of the warehouse, a computer program indicates to employees which goods are needed for an order. Pickers then select items manually. In a newer section, a vast network of conveyer belts and cranes controlled by an algorithm delivers goods directly to workers who sort them into bags.

The Ocado Smart Platform in Andover, Hampshire, is the latest iteration of the company's move toward full automation, though humans pickers are still needed to put the finishing touches to orders.

At Ocado's robotics lab in Hatfield, engineers are working on robotic hands that are capable of handling delicate goods without damaging them.

The company is also testing driverless grocery delivery vehicles, in partnership with UK-based tech company Oxbotica.
XI'AN -- Li Yongqin, 50, lives in a dormitory, eats in a public canteen, attends classes and does homework every day.

Li is not a regular college student, but one of 42 Communist Party of China (CPC) officials who just finished a two-week Party training session at the China Executive Leadership Academy in Yan'an (CELAY).

Starting in 2005, the academy in the city of Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province aims to give "Party spirit education" to CPC officials so that they stay disciplined and serve the public with passion.

Yan'an is the heartland of the early CPC revolutionary activities. The Party spent 13 years fighting and living in Yan'an from 1935 to 1948, creating the "Yan'an Spirit," which emphasizes several qualities, including sticking to the right political direction, liberating thoughts, seeking the truth, self-reliance and serving the people wholeheartedly.

Li, deputy secretary of the CPC Committee of Yunnan Agricultural University, says the training reminds him of his old school days.

"I joined the CPC in 1987, but when I made the admission oath at the academy I still felt very excited," Li said.

Li believes that that the training session has given him a deeper understanding of the Yan'an Spirit.

Such CPC training occurs almost every day at CELAY, which has trained about 77,000 Party officials, most of them at the city and provincial levels, with more than 1,550 training sessions held since it opened.

The officials play a significant role in China's cadre system, but in recent years officials at county level have also been included as part of the country's attempts to pay more attention to its grassroots members.

Training CPC officials in China has been a tradition for many years, and in the 1930s and 1940s Yan'an had more than 20 such schools.

"During the preliminary phase of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, tens of thousands of patriotic young people went to Yan'an to fight for the country, and many training schools were established to train them," said a CELAY staff. "The schools turned out a lot of cadres for future victories."

Training sessions at CELAY can be serious as well as interesting. Officials are often organized in groups on famous sites of early CPC events, with the settings recreated to evoke the early years, using props such as broken stools and desks.

"Listening to the teachers tell stories about the past, in places where the stories actually happened, was quite an experience," said Ge Jinwen, vice president of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, who attended the training with Li Yongqin. "It felt like we were communicating with the historic figures in person."

One of the major reasons that CELAY was built in Yan'an was that it has a lot of CPC history, which can better educate officials, according to Li Guoxi, CELAY deputy standing dean.

So far, 84 on-spot teaching sites have been created at former CPC sites in Yan'an.

According to CELAY, more than 20 percent of learning materials at the academy are on such areas as Party Constitution, Party discipline and strengthening governance. Discussions about hot topics such as the Belt and Road Initiative are also held.

"The Yan'an Spirit inspired the CPC to fight in past difficulties, and it will continue to inspire CPC officials in the modern era," said a class member from a state bureau.
BEIJING - More than a year after China piloted its first national park in the Sanjiangyuan area of Qinghai province, authorities have devised a scheme aimed at putting more of the country's areas of outstanding natural beauty under protection.

The plan on a national park system released Tuesday demands the strictest protection for parks and placed them within "red line" zones, a key government strategy putting designated areas under mandatory protection.

By 2020, China aims to set up a batch of national parks and form a unified management system, according to the plan. The system will be improved with added management efficiency by 2030.

Similar to hundreds of national parks worldwide, the primary purpose for China to set aside such land is to protect a fragile ecosystem, which has been under constant attack from human activities.

"National parks are the essence of many nature reserves and the precious treasure of countries," said Zhu Chunquan, country representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature China office.

Aiming mainly to protect China's large natural ecosystems, the national parks will be set up in specific land, marine and ocean areas to achieve a combination of ecological protection and sustainable development, the plan said.

Development and construction that could hurt the ecosystem will be prohibited in the national parks, and practices such as illegal mining, discharging pollutants or poaching will be punished.

The plan said residents in the core regions of the national parks would be gradually relocated.

The design came as China piloted 10 national parks across the country last year, some protecting endangered species, others dedicated to preserving historic sites like the Great Wall or for the sake of the natural environment.

In March, China announced its plan to build a Giant Panda National Park spanning three provinces to help the endangered animals mingle and strengthen their gene pool, which will bring together pandas isolated on six mountains in Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan.

The park will cover 27,134 square kilometers, three times the area of America's Yellowstone National Park.

As parks usually stretch across different regions, management can be tricky with jurisdiction becoming blurred.

Su Yang, researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council, made the point that the current management system should be improved to remove restrictions incurred by different authorities.

To resolve possible problems, Tuesday's plan proposed setting up a unified national department to manage affairs of the national parks and build a multi-layer financing mechanism.

Meanwhile, under the prerequisite of efficient protection, the national parks will offer educational and leisure opportunities for the public.

China's environmental protection lags far behind its economic status, and decades of breakneck growth have left parts of the country saddled with problems such as smog, and contaminated waterways and soil.
In his new home, Liu Fuyou stands in front of a photo showing President Xi Jinping talking with him during the June tour, Sept 22, 2017. [Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

September 22 was a big day for villagers in Zhaojiawa, a remote impoverished village in Kelan county of North China's Shanxi province. Their dream of leading a new life finally came true when the whole village relocated to Guanghuiyuan New Village, a resettlement site in the county.

The seed of villagers' hope was actually planted three months ago when President Xi Jinping made an inspection tour in Shanxi.

Despite the back-breaking road all the way from the provincial capital, President Xi visited the village on June 21, where he approved the local government's idea of improving the villagers' livelihood through relocation after examining all the details about the village and resettlement.

The measure was in synch with Xi's war against poverty, which he termed "targeted poverty alleviation", i.e. ensuring that right measures are taken at the right time in the right way in accordance with the situation.

On September 22, the last six households moved into the new village, including the three families Xi called upon during the visit. That meant all the 115 villagers of 54 households were ready to start a new life in their new home.

"We don't have to fire the stove to get heat in winter and the tap water is just a knob away. Our good days have finally come," Liu Fuyou shared his excitement with Shanxi Evening News. Liu was one of the villagers who were visited by Xi.

Liu never thought he would live in an apartment building.

Regardless of how hard the nut is to crack, it is the CPC's solemn promise to lead poor people and impoverished regions to a comprehensive, well-off society, Xi has said many times.

Xi's visit boosted the villagers' confidence for a better future.

The new resettlement site takes up over 115 acres and can accommodate 20,000 people.

"The day we moved in was specially selected. We ate fried pastry before moving as is the local custom," said Wang Sannyu, who also met with Xi in June.

From the design of the apartments to interiors, all were the idea of the staff member of the people's congress of the county who stayed in the village. Even the bedding is new and things in the new home are more than those she got during her wedding, Wang told Shanxi Evening News.
A child with autism interacts with robots at Harbin Children's Hospital, as part of an innovative approach to treatment. [Zhou Huiying/China Daily]

A hospital in Northeast China is using robots and artificial intelligence to help treat children with autism.

Since its opening in mid-September, the E-Medical Artificial Intelligent Cognitive Rehabilitation Center at Harbin Children's Hospital in Heilongjiang province has received about 30 children with autism who will undergo advanced treatment assistance through one of its 10 robots.

Each robotall take the name RoBoHoNis about 33 centimeters tall and looks like a friendly cartoon character. With a childlike voice, it can sing, talk and carry on a simple conversation as it engages young patients. Doctors at the center believe the robots will perform an important role in encouraging the children to speak. Results will be evaluated in three to six months.

"My son repeats himself and has great difficulty communicating with others," a mother surnamed Zhang said of her autistic 6-year-old son, who began a training program at the hospital a year ago.

"I found he liked the robot very much, although he didn't talk with it," she said. "I hope he'll experience some positive changes with the help of robots."

The center is said to be the first in the country to use robots to help treat children with autism.

Autism is a neural disorder that causes difficulties in social interaction and communication. Sufferers usually have restricted, repetitive behavior patterns.

The genetic disorder affects about 1 percent of the world's population. In China, more than 10 million people have autism. Of those, more than 2 million are under age 14, according to a report on the development of autism rehabilitation techniques.

"We are in urgent need of ways to treat autism," Yang Guangxue, director of the Autism Research Center at East China Normal University, said during a forum on autism at the hospital.

"It is estimated that the number of children with autism will continue to increase in the next few years."

Li Huaining, deputy director of the hospital, said the number of afflicted children has been increasing. "Now, every month, we receive about 70 children for treatment and rehabilitation."

To meet the increasing demand, the RoBoHoN robots were developed by Harbin Children's Hospital and Harbin E-Medical Technology Co to assist doctors and parents.

They fulfill important tasks at home, such as tracking a child's health, providing reminders to take medicines, providing comfort for lonely children and sending medical data to doctors.

Further, parents have access to long-distance medical consultations through the robot. Taking a robot home costs about 20 yuan ($3) per day.

According to the company, the technology used in the robots will be widely applied in sectors such as online medical treatment in the future.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation received the Natural Resource Award from Arizona Parks and Recreation Association for Rogers Lake Recreation improvements. Since 2011, CCPR has been incorporating recreation improvements at Rogers Lake County Natural Area while celebrating sustainability with residents and visitors.

Enhancements to the natural area were intended to engage the visitors and designed sustainably by using repurposed materials. The award acknowledges the hard work, ingenuity and dedication that CCPR staff has made.

Im proud of our Parks and Recreation team for the work that they do and congratulate them on their award and recognition from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association, said Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Liz Archuleta. Striving for a healthy, close-knit community, while taking steps to improve the environment is something that we take great pride in at Coconino County.

The awarded sustainable features completed by CCPR staff in the natural area in 2016 and 2017 include:

A watchable wildlife viewing platform that overlooks the lake.

A 6-mile trail system and two trailheads with parking at the county natural area.

Other environmentally friendly improvements CCPR has made to the natural area include:

A ramada structure built from recycled lumber that diverts rainwater to a water feeder for birds, bats and small mammals.

Two trailheads and parking lots made from milled asphalt that came from a Highway 89A alignment project near Fort Tuthill County Park.

Trail surface made from repurposed, engineered crushed stone originating from a renovation project from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.

Visit the improved county natural area for some watchable wildlife opportunities during the fall season.
Poor performers will be barred from adding new flights, routes

China's aviation regulator has barred six airlines and two airports from adding new regular flights, chartered flights or destinations after they failed to meet punctuality targets.

Hunnu Air (Mongolia), Ariana Afghan Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines, Somon Air (Tajikistan) and Air Algerie have been told they may not apply to add services until Dec 31. Air Manas (Kyrgyzstan) received a three-month suspension that ends on Nov 30.

Another 12 domestic and international airlines, including Hebei Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Jetstar Japan, have also received warnings, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which announced the penalties on Wednesday.

Beijing Capital International Airport, the nation's busiest hub, failed punctuality assessments for five consecutive months, from April to August, and has been barred from adding flights or routes until March 31.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport, another major hub, failed assessments from February to May and then again in July and August, and has been barred until Dec 31.

Both airports can apply for international time slots only to replace existing domestic flights during the suspension, the CAAC said.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport also received a warning for failing an assessment in August.

The penalties are based on a guideline released in December for assessing and improving flight punctuality. The CAAC has issued notices about penalties eight times since then.

According to the guideline, airports and airlines that operate in the country face suspension or warning for appearing at the bottom of the punctuality rankings.

After a monthly assessment, airlines that are directly responsible for 8 percent or more of their own delays and cancellationsas opposed to bad weather, for exampleand rank in the bottom three for overall punctuality, will be barred from adding new flights for three months.

Those with an arrival punctuality rate lower than 60 percent and which rank in the bottom three for overall punctuality will receive a warning.

An airport will be warned if its departure punctuality is less than 75 percent and it ranks in the bottom three for punctuality. If that happens for two consecutive assessments, they will get a three-month suspension, and for six consecutive assessments will get a six-month suspension.

Penalties should become more strict if an airport or airline's punctuality rate remains low, according to the guideline.
Researchers harvest seawater rice in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Thursday.[Photo by Zhang Wei/China Daily]

New variety said to have potential for providing food to hundreds of millions

The country's first seawater rice fields in Qingdao, Shandong province, were harvested on Thursday.

Of the four types of seawater rice harvested, the one with the highest yield reached 9.3 metric tons per hectare, much higher than expected, experts said.

The other three types yielded 8.2 tons, 7.4 tons and 6.6 tons per hectare, according to a report by a group of agricultural experts who measured the harvest.

"The planting of rice in seawater has seen its first success, and the planting area will be expanded next year," said Yuan Longpingwho has been dubbed "the father of hybrid rice". Yuan led the research.

The rice was grown in two fields that were planted in April.

Seawater rice, or salt-alkali-tolerant rice, is designed to grow in tidal flats and saline-alkaline land and can survive after being immersed in seawater.

Yuan and his team set up a research center in Qingdao to develop seawater rice last year.

He said the seawater rice is vital to China's food security. The world has 950 million hectares of land that is saline and alkaline, with Asia accounting for about one-third of the total. China has 100 million hectares of saline-alkaline soil.

Growing rice is the first choice to improve the quality of such soil, Yuan said.

"If 50 percent of the world's rice paddies grew hybrids, rice production would increase by another 150 million tons, and 400 to 500 million more people could be fed," Yuan said.

Yuan's team plans to develop a type of seawater rice that can be planted in 6.67 million hectares of saline-alkaline land around China, which they estimate could boost the country's rice harvest by about 20 percent.

"Sea rice grown on saline-alkaline land has more mineral content than ordinary rice because seawater contains high levels of microelements," said Yang Hongyan, who works at Qingdao's seawater rice research and development center.

"In addition, sea rice grows in a wild environment, is not contaminated by heavy metals and isn't subject to plant diseases or insect pests," Yang said.
Pretty Girls is designed for girls attending primary schools in Shanghai. [Photo/China Daily]

Following the publication of a gender-based textbook for primary school boys last year, Shanghai has introduced an version for girls.

Like its predecessor, Little Boys, the new book, Pretty Girls, was published by Shanghai Educational Publishing House.

As the first textbook designed for primary school girls in grades 4 and 5 in China, it aims to inform children about gender identity and self-protection, according to Zhang Zhijun, the editor at the publishing house who has seen the two books through to completion.

The book, which combines photos and colorful illustrations, includes six chapters on gender awareness, true beauty, self-protection, interpersonal skills, personality cultivation and future development.

Zhang said the book's contents take into account various practices and experiences of numerous teachers who specialize in primary school education and psychology.

"Compared with previous books focusing only on mental health, the new one is more comprehensive and gives suggestions from the perspective of girls," Zhang said.

In the first section, for instance, the book embraces information on what is true beauty.

"Girls are informed to wash their faces carefully and to dress themselves appropriately, which could show respect to others," she said. "Also, and more important, the book tells them to do more exercises to keep a healthy body and read books to improve their minds."

The book allows teachers to arrange gender-specific lectures more effectively, according to Xu Jing, headmaster of Zhabei No 1 Central Primary School in Jing'an district, one of the country's model schools for sex education.

One of the book's main editors, Xu told thepaper.cn that while male and female students can attend classes together on topics such as social manners, it would be more convenient to offer lectures for girls only on gender-specific topics such as physical hygiene and girl-girl friendships.

Shanghai has been committed to sex education for nearly seven years, and is now playing a leading role nationally in providing distinctive materials for students of different sexes.

At the end of last year, Little Boys, the first textbook focusing on the mental health of primary-school-age boys, was published.

While it has received positive feedbacks from parents, students and education professionals, it sparked debate as critics argued that certain qualities, such as perseverance and independence, should not be regarded as solely male attributes.

As the gender gap gradually narrows, women in China are more highly educated and influential than ever, though they continue to face challenges in the job market and at home.

"We hope to teach girls to live with dignity, confidence, self-respect and power," Zhang said, adding that the book is available in bookstores now.

"We also welcome schools, parents and children in other cities to use it," Zhang said.

Cao Chen in Shanghai contributed to this story.
The 63 liaison officers from Chinese police forces sent to the nation's embassies and consulates in 31 countries have played a key role in handling an increasing number of cases abroad involving Chinese people, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

The officers have worked with local police, assisting in 5,000 transnational cases and helping repatriate 1,349 fugitives over the past five years. They have significantly boosted international law enforcement cooperation in fighting crime and hunting fugitives. More importantly, their presence has helped better protect the interests of Chinese people who live or travel abroad, the ministry said.

"Little do people know that many Chinese fugitives listed on Interpol's red notices turned themselves in because of the work of police liaison officers," said Yu Yang, an officer with the ministry's department of police liaison officers. Yu spoke with China Daily this week on the sidelines of the ongoing 86th Interpol General Assembly in Beijing.

Red notices issued by Interpol are requests to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending repatriation. The Interpol General Assembly opened on Tuesday, with participants of the four-day annual meeting discussing ways to increase cooperation on returning fugitives who are the subject of a red notice.

Police liaison officers were first dispatched to the Chinese embassy in the United States in 1998. The number of officers in the country has increased to three because of the growing need for coordination, Yu said. The officers meet with US law enforcement officers regularly to discuss issues regarding Chinese fugitives.

Zhang Kan, who speaks fluent Spanish, became a police liaison officer in the Chinese embassy in Argentina in 2015. "The police liaison officers are both police officers and diplomats," Zhang, 33, said. Like most of the liaisons, his term is four years.

With more Chinese people traveling and living aboard, emergencies involving them in foreign countries have increased significantly. By closely working with local police and having a better understanding of the different countries' legal systems, the liaisons can help ensure such cases are handled more effectively and the rights of Chinese people are protected, Zhang said.

With Zhang's assistance, Argentine police in June 2016 busted a criminal gang with Chinese members that hired others to carry out assassinations.

"Although we have no right to become involved in the actual missions, we can help Argentine police translate evidence in Chinese into Spanish and provide valuable suggestions as a fellow police officer," Zhang said.

On Jan 7, 2015, a family member of an overseas Chinese businessman surnamed Yu called Zhu Ronghui, a police liaison officer at the Chinese embassy in Russia, and told him that Yu had been kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 15 million yuan ($2.26 million).

Zhu immediately contacted local police investigators he knew and asked them to make their best efforts to rescue Yu.

He closely followed Russian police progress while telling police in China to track down the kidnappers' accomplices in Fujian province. On Jan 13 of that year, Russian police located Yu and launched a rescue mission. As soon as the four kidnappers in Russia were caught, Zhu contacted Fujian police and told them it was safe to arrest the two suspects in China.

"I hope Chinese people in foreign countries will feel safer and better protected knowing we are there," Zhang said.
Audiences in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were treated to performances this week marking the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, with shows by troupes including the China National Peking Opera Company and the National Ballet of China.

The onstage extravaganza, coinciding with this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, featured traditional and contemporary elements of both art forms.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the China National Peking Opera Company performed traditional pieces at the Grand Theater of the Hong Kong Cultural Center including Stabbing Bajie and Fan Jin Passed the Provincial Civil Service Examination, as well as the newly arranged Madame Anguo, a tribute to Liang Hongyu, a heroic female general during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Zhang Jianguo, the lead actor, reprised his performances in Fan Jin and Madame Anguo, as the China National Peking Opera Company added new dynamism to the imagery of the nation's historical legacy.

On Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, about 40 dancers from the National Ballet of China will perform an excerpt from Act II of La Sylphide at the Grand Theater of the Hong Kong Cultural Center and then showcase its interpretation of the contemporary Song of Life.

Ode to Yimeng Mountain has been part of the ballet's repertoire for decades. Xu Gang, ballet master for the national troupe, revised the piece into an original, three-movement ballet, Love for Yimeng.

"I set out to achieve a fusion between Chinese and Western dance styles, highlighting the connections between the two," Xu said.

The ballet tells the story of the women of Yimeng Mountain in Shandong province who helped wounded soldiers during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Although the geographical and psychological distance between Yimeng villagers and the Hong Kong audience is considerable, the choreographer and the dancers were able to make the story resonate with art lovers.

"I feel touched and even get goose bumps every time I rehearse the piece," said Lu Na, the principal dancer who performed the lead role of Ming Deying.

The ballet's Hong Kong premiere will be a highlight after a five-month tour of cities on the Chinese mainland.

The performances by the China National Peking Opera Company and the National Ballet of China mark the 18th time the Ministry of Culture and Hong Kong-based China Cultural City Limited have worked together to produce large-scale cultural events during traditional Chinese holidays.

The author is a freelancer based in Hong Kong.
The growing ability of Alibaba's artificial intelligence system to recognize Chinese characters allied with its improved image-recognition technology mean fewer counterfeit goods are appearing on Taobao, a company official said.

Every day, about 50 million items are uploaded for sale on Taobao, the e-commerce giant's online shopping portal, but the number of items blocked on suspicion of being counterfeit is even higher, according to Zheng Junfang, Alibaba's chief platform governance officer, speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday.

"Part of the reason is that some individuals keep trying to upload such items and attempt to get through the screening process, but our AI technology provides a strong protective barrier," she said.

When products are released on the platform, those deemed to be copycats or fake - based on information such as names, detailed descriptions and price - are immediately blocked.

"For example, in one type of online knockoff the names of several famous brands are included in the title, which makes it obvious that the product is problematic. That means our system won't let it go through," said Qian Lei, senior director of Alibaba's platform governance department.

Notable features of products, such as all-cottons, silks and lowsugar goods, are selling points that can influence consumers' decisions, Qian said. Therefore, industry standards have been introduced to the AI system to determine whether the products are legitimate or fake.

"For example, some retailers may write slogans or labels that indicate the goods are counterfeit, such as 'LYU' for LV bags," he said.

In Pinyin, the system of romanization that converts Chinese characters into English, "LV" is rendered "LYU", and the use of the three letters on products alerts Alibaba's system to the possibility that the goods may be fake.

In such cases, the system automatically stops the description from being uploaded.

Qian added that individuals with poor credit records are blocked when they apply to open a store on Taobao.

People with a history of selling fake products on the platform are prohibited from re-entering the online marketplace, but some individuals borrow ID cards to register as a "new" store manager.

"Now, we ask everyone who applies to start a business on the platform to take a real-time photo. Then our AI system compares it via biometric techniques to ensure that the face shown matches the portrait on the ID card," he said.
Guo Mingyi donates books to volunteers in Wuhu, Anhui province, April 27, 2015. [Photo/VCG]

Editor's note: In the lead up to the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress, which begins Oct 18, chinadaily.com.cn is focusing on delegates to the congress.

In Liaoning, where Lei Feng is buried, 59-year-old worker Guo Mingyi has made a name for himself by helping those in need.

Guo initiated a plan to help 146 poor households in Jianchang county of Liaoning province improve their housing conditions.

156 volunteer groups named after Guo donated 3.57 million yuan ($535,152) to help others realize their dreams of living in new houses.

"Although targeted poverty alleviation is not my job, I have to do my part. As long as it is for the work of the Party," Guo said.

The volunteer group, named for Guo, has grown from a few dozen people when it was set up in 2009 to a network with more than 700 branches and a total of 1.7 million people.

Not only a delegate to the 18th and 19th CPC National Congress, Guo is also an alternate member of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. In 2013, he was named part-time vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.

No matter how Guo's status changed, what has remained constant is he always love khaki uniforms the best.

"I have been busier as a delegate in the past five years," Guo said, while filing documents recording his efforts to resolve people's problems.

Guo began his inspection work every day at 5 am, two hours early, at an Ansteel Group mine in Anshan, Liaoning province, before being elected as a delegate to the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. Even in that role, he insisted on arriving at the office at 5, for a two-hour study of political theory.

Despite his fame, Guo has remained humble. "You should not do things in my name," he said, making some ground rules with his friends and relatives. "You are responsible to yourselves."

His spirit of generosity and service extends to his personal life. Guo never made feasts, not even when his daughter married or had children.

He has also donated his televisions on three occasions, and even a house.

Guo found there were two houses under his name after the eight-point code to cut bureaucracy and maintain close ties with the people was issued in December of 2012. He gave one to the poverty-stricken Chen Yuhong in 2013.

There is only one year before Guo will retire at the age of 60, but he will continue to donate blood.

Although professionals suggest 55 is the limit for blood donation, Guo said he will cherish the chance to give more after retirement, because now he has less time to do so.

In advance the 19th congress, Guo was asked to come to Beijing on Sept 26 to give a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People. The speech's theme was apt: combining the Chinese Dream with one's own personal dreams.

Guo was honored as a man of great ethics and awarded the title "Contemporary Lei Feng" by central authorities for selflessly helping the needy.
A screenshot of Princess Agents with Russian subtitle.

Chinese TV dramas are increasingly popular in Russia. The glamorous ancient costumes, kung fu choreography and splendid music  all these elements have attracted more Russians to Chinese shows.

You might be curious how these Russian fans overcome the language barrier and cultural differences to watch Chinese TV dramas. This is the work of Russian subtitle teams.

Many subtitle teams take it upon themselves to translate Chinese TV dramas on vk.com, the biggest social network website in Russia. Subtitle teams also provide the latest information about Chinese TV dramas for Russian fans.

Thanks to their efforts, Russian enthusiasts can satisfy cravings for their favorite Chinese TV dramas almost as quickly as the latest episode is uploaded in China.

Compared with other genres, Russian audiences prefer historical dramas, said Anna, a member of the subtitle team "Asian Dragon." She said her team mainly translates Chinese historical dramas. The 21-year-old is from Ivanovo, a city in western Russia.

"Asian Dragon" was established two years ago, and has garnered over 7,000 followers. It has translated over 500 episodes of Chinese TV dramas, including the big hits Legend of Miyue, Ode To Joy, Princess Agents and others.

"The bright colors and gorgeous costumes can help Russian audiences better understand the ancient Chinese culture," said Anna, a student at the Russian State University for The Humanities who has studied Chinese for many years.

Recently, the subtitled drama Princess Agents has gained popularity on vk.com, helping the subtitle team garner 1,000 new followers.

Out of a passion for Chinese TV dramas, all members in the subtitle team volunteer to translate the Chinese TV drama in their spare time.

"It is less difficult than you'd expect to run the subtitle team, because all our members love this work. It's our interest rather than profit that drives us to translate Chinese TV dramas," said Anna.

Anna said that Chinese TV drama has replaced South Korean TV dramas to become a new trend in Russia. Due to the shows, more and more Russians are developing interest in China and Chinese culture.


The Long March 2C carrier rocket blasts off at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province on Sept 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China used a Long March 2C carrier rocket on Friday to lift three satellites, indicating the nation has resumed its space launches after a major failure in July.

The rocket blasted off in the afternoon at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, successfully placing three Yaogan 30-1 satellites into orbit, according to a news release from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the major contractor of the country's space programs.

Developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the satellites will be used to carry out technological experiments on electromagnetic environments, the release said.

The success of Friday's launch has shown the company's efforts to rectify problems and improve its rockets' quality have achieved their goals and will bring confidence to its workers, the company noted.

This was the 251st flight of the Long March rocket family and the first in nearly three months since July 2, when the second mission of China's newest and strongest rocket, Long March 5, failed due to malfunctions.

The failure has affected the country's space programs, as it has had to postpone several key missions. One such mission was the Chang'e 5 lunar expedition, set to send a rover to take samples from the moon's surface and bring them back to the Earth.

China's mightiest and most technologically advanced launch vehicle, the Long March 5 has a liftoff weight of 869 metric tons, a maximum payload of 25 tons to low-Earth orbit and a max payload of 14 tons to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Long March 5's payload capacity is about 2.5 times bigger than any other Chinese rocket.

The rocket's first flight was carried out in November at the Wenchang center. Chinese scientists wish to use the rocket to send large probes to the moon, Mars as well as Jupiter. They also plan to use it to transport parts for a manned space station that will start construction around 2019.
President Xi urges strong efforts to ensure theories keep up with times

Relentless efforts should be made to adapt Marxism to China, to the era and to the public, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said on Friday.

Xi made the remark at the 43rd group study session of the members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The study session was held ahead of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, which will convene in Beijing on Oct 18. The congress is held every five years.

Jiang Hui, a senior researcher at the Institute of Information Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, gave a lecture at the group study and offered his opinions.

Xi said that as a party upholding Marxism, the CPC should make sure its theories keep up with the times.

Drifting away from or betraying Marxism will lead to the Party's losing its soul and direction as it moves forward, Xi added.

Marxism is unsurpassed in achieving great heights and having a huge influence, he said.

One of the keys to the Party's success in conquering hard times and scoring new glories is boosting the building of the Party with thoughts and theories, Xi said.

The Party should better use Marxism to observe, interpret and play a leading role in the era, he added.

Since China has undergone remarkable changes following its reform and opening-up, Chinese are most qualified and capable of unveiling the lessons and natural laws behind such changes and of making original contributions to the development of Marxism, Xi said.

Party members should be self-conscious about and confident in the theory, focus on what they do, listen to what the people think, respond to actual needs and fully sum up the practices of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

Additionally, the Party should continue improving its capabilities in analyzing and tackling issues by using Marxism, and continue strengthening its capabilities in addressing major challenges, risks, resistance and contradictions, he said.

The Party's officials, particularly those in senior ranks, should fully study the classics of Marxism, as well as the Party theories of Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, The Thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, as well as new ideas, thoughts and strategies regarding governance by the CPC Central Committee, Xi said.

Sun Zhengcai expelled

The former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPC, Sun Zhengcai, has been expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office for "serious discipline violations".

A meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee reviewed and approved a report on the investigation of Sun and made the decision on Friday.

According to evidence found by the authorities and tips from the public, the CPC Central Committee decided to remove Sun from his position as Chongqing Party chief on July 14.


WASHINGTON  Sex-trafficking in Indian Country is a significant problem, with tribal women and children suffering at higher rates than the general population, a panel of experts and activists told a Senate committee Wednesday.

Witnesses told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that tribes experience risk factors that can lead to victimization more often than other groups and that tribal women and children are targeted by traffickers for their exotic beauty.

All too often they are kidnapped, sold and transported to remote places like Asia and the Middle East, said Cindy McCain, co-chair of the Arizona Governors Human Trafficking Council, in her prepared testimony.

You may be asking yourself, what happens to these girls? she said. Sadly, they are treated as disposable. They disappear at the hands of these despicable traffickers.

But witnesses said tribes themselves may not have the authority to prosecute the crimes and the federal agencies with jurisdiction do not communicate well and do not collect data that would help define the problem.

The federal government could be doing more now to help Native victims who are slipping through the cracks, said Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico.

The hearing addressed Government Accountability Office reports from March and July that cited problems with tracking and prosecuting trafficking of Native Americans and with assisting those who are victimized.

The reports said the problems spanned a number of agencies, including the departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Interior  specifically the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The GAO found major variances between numbers of human-trafficking cases in the general population and the number among tribes, but it also said these figures likely do not represent the total number of human trafficking-related cases in Indian Country.

There is a significant lack of data about tribal human-trafficking, which the GAO blamed on underreporting of cases by the agencies, as well as lack of reporting by the victims themselves.

Of the four federal agencies that handle human-trafficking cases, only one records the race or ethnicity of the victim, the GAO said. It noted, for example, that the FBI only collects information that is necessary for an investigation, and race or Native American status does not fit in that category.

This is one of the major reasons that the total number of federal human trafficking investigations and prosecutions that involved Native American victims is unknown, the GAO said.

Law enforcement agencies reported other factors that could result in more trafficking than is being reported. Some said that victims hesitate to come forward because of fear, distrust of law enforcement, trauma, drug addiction or being underaged, while others pointed to the presence of casinos on tribal lands, which may be used as a venue for sex trafficking.

I witnessed with my own eyes six little girls lined up against a wall in a casino outside of Phoenix on display for customers, McCain said. When she called hotel security, she said, they were not sure what to do with the girls.

I have found that Native Americans are largely overlooked as victims, she said.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, worried about the lack of punishment for traffickers  a problem that Nicole Matthews of the Minnesota Indian Womens Sexual Assault Coalition attributed in part of the lack of tribal jurisdiction. Too often, she said, women are trafficked on tribal lands to non-tribal buyers.

We need increased accountability for buyers and sellers and increased safety for American Indian and Alaska Native victims of sex trafficking, said Matthews, a member of the Ojibwe tribe. Nearly all of the women (she interviewed) spoke of women they knew who had been taken by pimps and traffickers, and never heard from again.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, agreed that because a lot of the customers are not Indian, its important to give tribal law enforcement more authority to prosecute offenders, including those who are not tribal members.

Both the GAO and panel members like McCain say additional training and funding, as well as more extensive reporting of the cases, is the best place to start addressing the problems.

After the hearing, McCain said that miscommunication between federal agencies and Indian Country about trafficking is pretty much standard. But she hasnt lost hope quite yet.

We just have to work together and have better communication amongst the people working on this issue, she said.
US President Donald Trump greets Vice-Premier Liu Yandong at the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong told US President Donald Trump on Thursday that Beijing is ready to work with Washington to make his first state visit to China a "successful, historic" one.

During their meeting at the White House, Liu also conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings to Trump, who in return asked Liu to send his greetings to Xi.

The White House announced early on Friday that Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines from Nov 3 to 14.

Trump will also attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam.

Trump said he is very much looking forward to his China trip and to meeting again with President Xi.

The two presidents have met twice this year, at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in April and in Hamburg, Germany, during the G20 summit in July.

Trump said he believes the visit will be a great success, according to a news release from China's Foreign Ministry.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson left for Beijing later on Thursday to prepare for Trump's visit. It will be Tillerson's second trip to China as secretary of state.

Liu also told Trump that the first China-US Social and Cultural Dialogue has yielded positive results, thanks to the concerted efforts of the two sides.

The dialogue, one of four Cabinet-level dialogues agreed to by Trump and Xi at their Florida meeting, was co-chaired by Liu and Tillerson on Thursday and focused on the theme of "living together for the next 50 years based on mutual understanding".

Liu said she hoped the two sides will implement the consensus of the presidents by giving full display to the role of cultural exchange in building stronger social and public support for the development of Sino-US relations.

Trump also stressed the importance of US-China social and cultural exchange, saying that he hoped the two sides would expand exchange and cooperation in various areas, according to the news release.

Heather Nauert, spokeswoman for the US State Department, said the inaugural China-US Social and Cultural Dialogue was "terrific".

"That dialogue focused on advancing cooperation in seven areas: education, social development, science and technology, health, subnational, arts and culture, and environment and conservation," she said.

At the dialogue on Thursday, the vice-premier said that for the China-US exchanges to move steadily forward over time, they should lay a solid foundation for Sino-US relations by considering the development of the bilateral relationship over the next 50 years.

The two sides should also respect each other's development path and social system as well as each other's sovereignty, security and benefits, Liu said.

Tillerson said the US is ready to expand exchange and cooperation in various social and cultural areas, which he said is of great importance to the bilateral relationship, according to the release from the Foreign Ministry.

The two sides issued a joint declaration after the first dialogue and the First China-US Social and Cultural Dialogue Action Plan, which details at least 130 projects for the two sides to implement.
Fifty foreign experts from 21 countries have received this year's Friendship AwardChina's highest honor granted to a foreignerfor their contribution to the nation's development.

Vice-Premier Ma Kai conferred medals on the winners at an award ceremony on Friday in Beijing. He said that since late 2012, 3.35 million foreign experts have come to work in China, and they have played an active role in building a more modern China.

Ma said China will adopt more open and effective policies to attract foreign talent, support foreign experts to participate in China's scientific research and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. More rigorous efforts will be made to lure talent that China urgently needs, he added.

The award was launched in 1991, and so far 1,549 foreigners working in China have received the medal, according to the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

Among this year's winners, some work in remote areas, some have taken part in major engineering projects and some work in the education and medical fields.

The youngest winner is 38-year-old Egyptian reporter Hosam Farouk Mohamed, and the oldest is 88-year-old Oleg Favorsky of Russia, who excels at aircraft engine theory and design.

Mary Gardner Gates, a 75-year-old US art history expert who found out that she won this year's prize about six weeks ago, said the award is "a great honor".

"I was happy," she said. "I go to Dunhuang (Gansu province) maybe two or three times a year. It gives me chances to look into Chinese history, culture and art. I think it helps to deepen Americans' understanding of China."

Eckehard Scharfschwerdt, 54, a medical expert from Germany, worked for 15 years in the poverty-stricken areas in Southwest China's Yunnan province as a doctor and helped train local medical workers before he returned to his motherland last year.

"It certainly is a huge encouragement to all my co-workers in Yunnan and Sichuan (provinces). But I also feel this award belongs to all my local friends in Yunnan. Without them, our family would never have stayed that long," he said.

To attract more foreign talent to China and to facilitate their working and living in the country, China has adopted a more open and inclusive policy for foreign experts in recent years. The application process for Chinese permanent residence permits, or "green cards", has been streamlined, and talented foreign workers are encouraged to apply for national research programs.




Staff attend the opening ceremony of the Jing-Hu, or Beijing-Shanghai, Trunk Line, at University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, East China's Anhui province, Sept 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China launched a 2,000-kilometer quantum fiber link connecting Beijing and Shanghai on Friday, allowing unhackable communication between the cities.

This is the world's longest and most sophisticated quantum link, and it will serve as the backbone connecting quantum networks in four cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Jinan in Shandong province and Hefei in Anhui province, said Pan Jianwei, China's leading quantum physicist.

During the link's launch in Beijing, Bai Chunli, the president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, made video phone calls using the quantum link with scientists and government officials in Jinan, Hefei and Shanghai, congratulating them for their hard work.

Using Micius, the world's first quantum communication satellite, which was launched by China last year, Bai also made the world's first intercontinental quantum video call with Anton Zelinger, the president of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, on Friday.

Micius has been integrated into the Beijing-Shanghai link, creating the world's first space-to-ground integrated quantum network capable of sending messages via landlines and from space, Bai said.

Zelinger said, "This begins a new era of international quantum communication.




China says conflict on Korean Peninsula will have no winner

NEW YORK - The United States has not declared war on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the White House said on Monday, in response to remarks from the DPRK's top diplomat.

"Last weekend, Trump claimed that our leadership wouldn't be around much longer. He declared war on our country," Ri Yong-ho, the DPRK's foreign minister, said in New York.

"The whole world should clearly remember it was the US who first declared war on our country," Ri added, referring to Trump's tweet on Saturday.

In response, the White House denied that the US had declared war on Pyongyang. "We have not declared war on North Korea and frankly the suggestion of that is absurd," White House spokeswomen Sarah Sanders said.

"Our goal is still the same. We continue to seek the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," she said.

The DPRK minister also said that the DPRK reserved the right to take countermeasures, including shooting down US bombers even if they are not in its air space.

"Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to take countermeasures, including the right to shoot down US strategic bombers even when they are not inside the airspace border of our country," Ri said.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday that there have been many threats of military activities on the peninsula recently, and hoped that politicians in Washington and Pyongyang will realize that resorting to military means will never be a viable way out.

"We hope they will realize that verbal abuse alone will only increase the risk of conflicts and reduce the room for policy maneuver," he said. "A war on the Korean Peninsula will have no winner."

Lu also said that China disapproved of the escalation of the war of words between the US and the DPRK.

Trump's threats

On Saturday, US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers and F-15C Eagle fighter escorts flew in international airspace over waters east of the DPRK, the Pentagon said.

Trump also talked tough on the DPRK. In his first speech at the UN General Assembly on Sept 19, Trump threatened that the US "will have no choice but to totally destroy" the country unless Pyongyang refrains from its nuclear tests and missile launches.

Two days later, Trump signed a new order to ramp up sanctions on the DPRK.

In response, the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un vowed to retaliate, saying Trump "will face results beyond his expectation".

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in New Delhi on Tuesday that diplomatic efforts to tackle the crisis are continuing, Reuters reported.

Xinhua - China Daily

(China Daily 09/27/2017 page12)
JAKARTA - A giant panda pair from China arrived in Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday on a 10-year joint research lease, making Indonesia one of the 16 countries and regions to host and help breed the endangered bear species.

The 7-year-olds landed at Jakarta's international airport from Chengdu.

Cai Tao, a male bear weighing 127 kilograms and female bear Hu Chun, weighing 120 kg, will be transferred to a 4,800-square-meter panda park at Taman Safari zoo, located 75 kilometers south of Jakarta and 1,700 meters above sea level to ensure that the pandas are at a similar altitude to their hometown.

The pandas will be available for public viewing a month later after the quarantine period.

Panda mania hit the vast archipelago when the arrival date of the couple was announced last week as Indonesians will see the cuddly animal near home rather than taking a long trip abroad.

Putri Rosmalia, a journalist from Indonesia's Media Indonesia newspaper, said she has been expecting the pandas for years and planned to write more stories about them.

She said she hoped the pandas enjoyed their stay in the country and "have baby pandas soon".

The furry ambassadors, regarded by Chinese as national treasures, are adored worldwide as envoys for friendship.

There are less than 1,900 pandas in their only wild habitats in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu.

Xinhua

(China Daily 09/29/2017 page12)
Asia Performing Arts Collaboration Forum during the 15th Asia Arts Festival kicked off in Ningbo on Sept 24, 2017.

Performing artists and scholars from different countries and regions, including South Korea and Malaysia, attended the forum. Deputy director of the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture Lyu Yuzhong also attended the forum and delivered a speech.

The theme of the forum is "Performing Arts in Asia, Cooperation and Win-win". The forum aims to utilize Asia Arts Festival to build a new channel for exchanging information, integrating resources and expanding cooperation.

Guests of the forum are from organizations of performing arts, culture and art foundations and cultural organizations such as famous art festivals and the influential theaters. Their influence and appeal would further expand cultural exchange.

Representatives from related cultural organizations including Chairman of China Association of Performing Arts Zhu Kening shared their insights on international exchange and cooperation of performing arts. As consumption of performing arts has increased in recent years, they also discussed the prospect of further cooperation and development of performing arts in Asia.

During the forum, China Association of Performing Arts proposed to build the "Cooperation Alliance of Asian Performing Arts". Representatives from countries and regions including Chinese mainland, South Korea, Malaysia and China's Hong Kong signed the framework agreement on "Cooperation Alliance of Asian Performing Arts".

The alliance will work under the principle of "openness, equality, sharing, mutual cooperation and win-win". It is committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation among Asian countries, so that to improve the overall level of Asian performing arts.

The alliance will also make joint efforts with Asian countries to promote Asian culture and arts and enhance international popularity and influence of Asian performing arts. Online platform will also be established to support regular contact, wider cooperation and sustainable development.

Yang Yiying contributed to this story.
Zhao Lei's work 56 Ethnic Groups United As One Family. [Photo provided by photoint.net]

An exhibition showcasing the life of different ethnic groups in China was held recently at the Beijing Cultural Palace of Nationalities.

The exhibit was held to mark the upcoming National Day and 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, which will convene on Oct 18 in Beijing.

The photos on display were selected from more than 7,000 works from across China, and photographer Zhao Lei's work 56 Ethnic Groups United As One Family fully expresses the theme.
The Golden Week holiday is extended to eight days this year, as China is ushering in two celebrations from Oct 1-8: the National Day holiday and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

For anyone who is looking forward to a rich, refreshing break, here is a list of some of the best exhibitions, shows and things to do around town.

[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Exhibitions:

Qin and Han dynasties relics

The exhibition The Civilizations of Qin and Han celebrates the glory of those two dynasties (221 BC-AD 220) in terms of politics, economics, arts and culture. More than 300 artifacts from 30 museums and institutions across the country are on show through Nov 30.

Learn more here.

If you go:

9 am -5 pm through Nov 30. Closed on Mondays. National Museum of China, 16 East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng district. 010-6511-6188.

Ticket: Free
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Beijing Design Week is allowing visitors this year to explore exhibitions and events in the city's Dashilar area through interactive experiences by applying advanced technology such as virtual reality. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Dashilar, one of the capital's old quarters, became part of Beijing Design Week in 2011. And, as usual, it is using the latest technology to give visitors a unique experience. China Daily reports.

Take out your phone, scan the QR code, and as you carry your phone camera into the hutong, information about exhibitions and events linked to the Beijing Design Week being held in the Dashilar Design Community pop up.

Push the button on your screen, and you can use the "time machine" to wander in the alleys of Dashilar area.

The Beijing Design Week has been an annual event since 2009, while Dashilar, one of the city's most historic quarters, joined as a partner focusing on arts, design and lifestyle in 2011.

This year's theme for the Dashilar Design Community is Design Enriched Dashilar, and it is on through Oct 5.

Maps can be thrown away this year as the interactive visitor guide programs are teaching visitors about the history, present and future of Dashilar.

The three-dimensional live-action navigation program designed by OppenFuture Technologies is being used by the Dashilar Design Community for the first year.

Technologies such as 3D-tracking, computer vision and 3-D reconstruction were used to build this program that combines mixed reality and augmented reality.

"The Dashilar hutong area can get confusing for visitors as there are more than 100 events going on in the area at the same time. So we want to use this program to help them easily find where they want to go," says Jia Meng, the co-founder and chief operating officer of OppenFuture Technologies.
Ahram Online. This is a great feature. To view the rest of the article, see Exploring Cairo: Beit El-Umma offers glimpses of Saad Zaghloul's life

Ahram Online tours Saad Zaghloul's official residence, now a museum, in downtown Cairo

A huge statue for Saad Zaghloul placed at the entrance of the museum (Photo: Ayman Hafez)

Beit El-Umma, or The House of the People, was built as a residence for the nationalist leader and founder of the Wafd party, Saad Zaghloul (1857-1927).

Zaghlouls exile sparked the events that led to the Egyptian revolution of 1919.

Ahram Online takes a tour of his home, which has been turned into a museum that narrates a very important era in Egypt`s history.

The museum is located near downtown, beside Qasr El-Aini Street, close to Saad Zaghloul metro station.

A large statue of Zaghloul stands beside a small green area at the entrance to the museum.

The first hall, named the Small Salon, where Mrs Safia Zaghloul received her guests, is furnished with expensive carpets and furniture. The wall is adorned with family photos of Moustafa Fahmy Pasha  Zaghloul's father-in-law  Safia, and her mother.

The Grand Salon is dedicated to Saad Zaghlouls guests, especially political figures and key members of the Wafd party.

The Grand Salon leads into the grand hall, which witnessed the meetings of different delegations from the Egyptian people. The room contains small statues, and newspapers and magazines that were read by Zaghloul.

The dining room, also located on the ground floor, is adorned with wooden furniture Zaghloul bought from France, comprising 12 seats, a tea car, and an old radio.

The winter study had a special appeal for Zaghloul, according to his memoirs.

The room includes a desk with a mirror to reveal any potential danger coming from the back window, and three statues of Zaghloul.

The second floor in the museum represents family life.

The first room is Safia Zaghlouls dressing room, it was obvious that most of her dresses were in black as she wore it for 19 years.
MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY

Editor's note: From Oct 1, airlines will have the right to decide for themselves whether passengers can use personal electronic devices during flights. Two experts share their views on whether the airlines will or will not lift the ban with China Daily's Zhang Zhouxiang:

Ban will not be lifted immediately

Many have expressed concerns that lifting the ban might compromise flight safety. That worry is completely unnecessary because safety is the top concern for all airlines.

And it is inaccurate to say the CAAC is lifting the ban on personal electronic devices because that is not the case, rather it has delegated the decision-making power to airlines, who will have to decide whether to allow passengers to use electronic devices such as cellphones on board their flights. More than a week after the CAAC announced airlines were to be granted the power to lift the ban, no airline has yet come forward and announced it will do so.

China's ban on the use of electronic devices during flights is very strict compared with other countries. When China introduced the ban on using electronic devices during flights in 1999, this was the norm worldwide. Then in 2013, the United States and the European Union allowed passengers to use electronic devices on flights if they were in so-called flight mode and unable to send or receive communication signals. Singapore and Canada followed suit one year later.

Having considered the fact that no accident had been confirmed to have been caused by personal electronic devices, China's civil aviation authorities have made the decision to let airlines decide whether or not passengers can use electronic devices during flights. But even after the regulation comes into effect on Oct 1, it will be a long process for the airlines to decide to change the current situation. Therefore, we cannot expect to be using electronic devices on flights any time soon.

Diao Weimin, a visiting professor at the International Aviation Law Institute, DePaul University
Every year, the Paris-based OECD publishes its Foreign Direct Investment Regulatory Restrictiveness Index, which measures statutory barriers against foreign investment in over 60 countries and regions. Every year, the European Union comes out as the world's most open economy.

Is this going to change? In his State of the Union address last week, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker seemed to herald a change in the EU's trade policy when he said "we are not naive free traders" and "today we are proposing a new EU framework for investment screening. If a foreign, state-owned, company wants to purchase a European harbor, part of our energy infrastructure or a defense technology firm, this should only happen in transparency, with scrutiny and debate".

In parallel, the commission submitted a draft law to the EU legislators that would set up a framework for screening foreign direct investments into the EU.

This proposal nevertheless mainly repeats World Trade Organization language and merely confirms the right of the Member States to continue their national scrutiny procedures, subject only to a new transparency requirement, entailing the information of the European Commission and of the other Member States.

The commission however announces that it will carry out an in-depth analysis of foreign direct investment flows into the EU, focusing on strategic sectors (such as energy, space, and transport) and assets (key technologies, critical infrastructure, sensitive data) by the end of 2018.

In its reflection paper on Harnessing Globalisation, released on May 10, the commission questioned the capacity of the current regulatory framework to address concerns about foreign investors' strategic acquisitions of European companies with key technologies. One can therefore expect that by the end of 2018, the commission will propose new procedures to scrutinize foreign direct investment.

That being said, there is currently no qualified majority in the Council of the European Union (one of the co-legislators) for introducing new restrictions on foreign direct investments.

However, in 2019 everything will change. With the departure of the United Kingdom, a staunch defender of free trade, the balance of power in the European Council will shift to the benefit of France which is pushing for more trade defenses.

For this reason, EU companies, and in particular capital-thirsty startups in strategic industries, could suffer because, until the final EU framework is known in early 2019, the uncertainty will constitute a disincentive for potential foreign investors to consider them as potential partners. While investors will factor in known regulatory restrictions into their business plans and decision-making, balancing costs and opportunities; the one thing they dislike is uncertainty. As a consequence, the risk is real that the commission's initiative will make it more difficult for EU companies operating in strategic sectors to attract foreign funding. Thus, the EU's trade initiative could boomerang and harm itself.

Although the commission does not mention a specific country, it is understood that the screening of FDI it proposed is mainly aimed at Chinese State-owned companies or Chinese companies which benefit from significant State subsidies. So the Chinese government itself may also see the initiative as an unfriendly move and an expression of distrust in its policies. If, in 2019, the commission comes up with specific proposals following its investigation, the Chinese authorities could adopt retaliation measures, targeting European investments in China.

Is the risk worth taking? Would the commission not do better by focusing on finalizing of the China-EU Investment Agreement?

The proposed trade initiative is playing with fire. It is an intellectual game, because, one cannot presume that a company jointly controlled by a foreign government would necessarily seek to interfere with the EU's policies.

For the time being, no new trade instruments are proposed, but nonetheless the initiative risks backfiring and harming EU companies during the period of uncertainty until the commission's inquiry reaches its conclusions and it announces its eventual proposals for follow up measures. Even then, it is doubtful that FDI screening is capable of delivering the political objectives the EU desires in terms of security in key industries, and it will harm EU-China relations.

The author is president of ChinaEU.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson holds a press briefing during the UN General Assembly in New York, US, Sept 20, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be in Beijing this weekend to prepare for President Donald Trump's visit to China and to discuss issues ranging from denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to trade and investment.

The trip comes two weeks after his meeting with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi in Washington. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross also visited Beijing early this week, while Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong is in United States this week to co-chair with Tillerson the inaugural China-US Social and People-to-People Dialogue.

Such frequent high-level contacts are a good way for the two nations, which have different cultures, political systems and are at different development stages, to improve mutual understanding and trust, expand cooperation and manage differences.

Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis, are regarded as key "adults" in the Trump administration, where Trump's loose talk often triggers controversy and confusion in US and around the world.

When Trump tweeted in June that "While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried," it was Mattis and Tillerson who came out to soften the tone. "We (China and US) reaffirmed our commitment to implement in full all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. For example, we both agree that our companies should not do business with any UN-designated North Korean entities," Tillerson said.

Speculation has been rife in Washington in the past two months that the top US diplomat might resign after his reported frustration with Trump on conflicting messages, policy issues and his power in staffing the State Department.

The rift seemed apparent a month ago when Tillerson said that "the president speaks for himself" while responding to questions about Trump's words that "many sides" were to blame when white supremacists and anti-racism protesters clashed on Aug 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

State Department spokesman R. C. Hammond dismissed the speculation, telling Politico that the idea of leaving early has "never crossed" Tillerson's mind.

If he was to, his speculated successor Nikki Haley, now US ambassador to the United Nations, looks less diplomatic and much more hawkish. For example, Haley said at the UN early this month that Democratic People's Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong-un is "begging for war". She used undiplomatic language to describe China's proposal for "dual suspensions" to the DPRK to freeze its nuclear activity while the US and the Republic of Korea freeze their annual joint military drills, saying "the idea that some have suggested a so-called freeze for freeze is insulting."

It would be wise for Trump to keep Tillerson. His departure, if it really happens, will deal a heavy blow to the Trump administration whose credibility depends a lot on its "adult" guidance. Tillerson is an essential one.

Tillerson is also good for US-China relations. During his first trip to China in March, he said that the US-China relationship is "a very positive relationship built on no confrontation, no conflict, mutual respect, and always searching for win-win solutions," echoing a proposal made by China in 2012 to build a new type of major country relationship between the two countries.

While Tillerson has no longer mentioned such words following criticism back in the US, the thinking reflected in his March words is critically important for the rising power and the established power to maintain good relations.

With his pragmatic style, Tillerson will find that the two largest economies could cooperate a lot more in dealing with regional and global challenges if they follow the principle he touched on in March, even if he no longer says it publicly for fear of backlash at home.

The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson holds a press briefing during the UN General Assembly in New York, US, Sept 20, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Symbolism matters on diplomatic occasions, and it will during the planned visit of US President Donald Trump to China later this year. Plenty of thought is no doubt being devoted to it, and plenty of endeavors will be underway to make sure his visit is successful, even fruitful.

However, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's ongoing trip to Beijing must be anything but symbolic.

Rather than being a routine show of mutual goodwill to set the stage for Trump's visit, the guest and his hosts must avail themselves of their meetings to engage in candid communication to straighten at least one thing outwhat each can expect from the other to ensure the situation on the Korean Peninsula does not deteriorate and spiral out of control.

Of course trade is important. It may actually be the foremost topic addressed during the meetings, particularly as fear of a potential trade war looms large on both sides of the Pacific. Mutual assurances are indispensable for averting that scenario.

But as long as both parties make room for some give-and-take on trade issues, Tillerson's talks will be of more immediate portent if they can take some of the heat out of the peninsula's inflammable nuclear crisis.

Both Trump and Democratic People's Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong-un appear jumpy these days. And the rest of the world seems to have grown increasingly blase about this of late, even as the two leaders exchange vows of mutual destruction, few seem ready to believe their words should be taken seriously.

Perhaps; but that does not mean nothing will happen. The escalating exchanges of threats and insults pose an ever growing risk and they increase the chances of a costly miscalculation. That Pyongyang just took Trump's most recent threat to eliminate it as "declaration of war" may well show its existential concerns: It is unlikely it will make good on its threat to shoot down US bombers flying in international airspace, unless they threaten its survival.

Reason dictates that despite all the saber-rattling and verbal abuse, every party is well aware that war has to be avoided as the costs would be too great to bear.

The latest UN sanctions need time to begin to bite. On Thursday, China announced it has ordered DPRK enterprises operating on its soil to close within 120 days.

But to ensure that the worst-case outcome does not materialize, while further coordinating their stances on the implementation of the UN sanctions to make sure they work, Beijing and Washington also need to discuss what else they can do to resolve the peninsula crisis peacefully.
Two children look at red and yellow chrysanthemums at a park in Changchun, capital city of Jilin province, on Oct 2. [Photo by Zhang Nan/Xinhua]

At a time when the managers of scenic spots are bracing for swarms of tourists from across the country during the National Day "Golden Week" holiday, it has been revealed that some businesses in popular scenic spots have been charging tourists exorbitant prices for goods they peddle in a deceptive way.

According to a Xinhua News Agency report, some stores in Zhangjiajie, a tourist attraction in Hunan province, recently tried to sell what they claimed were health products to tourists with the help of promotion campaigns featuring some self-proclaimed "instructors" and "masters". These promoters of the products not only overstated the benefits of the products in aiding sleep and the treatment of diseases, they went so far as to promote their efficacy in driving away bad luck.

As National Day approaches, such fraud targeted at tourists, if not strictly cracked down on, will encourage similar malpractices aimed at tourists at other times. That most tourists at scenic spots are onetime customers emboldens the sellers in their activities and they have no worries about the consequences of tourists making complaints about them.

According to statistics, the Spring Festival and National Day holidays are the two golden weeks for such frauds and malpractices targeted at tourists. A report from the National Tourism Administration indicates that the tourism authorities handled 359 complaints nationwide during last year's National Day holiday.

The tourism authorities in Sanya, Hainan province, have set an example for other regions this year by publishing a document that encourages whistle-blowing about malpractices targeting tourists and offering whistle-blowers rewards of up to 150,000 yuan ($22,530).

It is necessary for the local tourism authorities to set up a rapid response mechanism to tackle frauds and malpractices prior to and during the Golden Week holidays. Preparatory supervision and covert investigations are needed and any wrongdoers should be severely punished.
Editor's note: China has made many achievements in protecting human rights over the last five years. Five experts share their views with China Daily. Excerpts below:

Shot in the arm from economic development

China's human rights protection has seen significant improvements thanks to its booming economy in the past three decades. China's economic development has been a shot in the arm for its people's well-being, with scores of jobs created and the average wage raised. Yet the focus on economic growth has not just improved people's livelihoods; it has also laid the foundation for better protection of human rights.

Empowered by sustainable economic growth, China has made notable progress in securing the right to life of the impoverished population and the right to work of the working-age population, while improving people's living conditions.

As a drafter and signatory to the UN Charter and a staunch advocate of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, China had joined 26 human rights treaties as of last year and kept frequent exchanges, both academic or grassroots, with the rest of the world on human rights. It is expected to contribute more to human rights protection as a responsible major power.

Zhu Jiping, a human rights researcher at Northwest University of Political Science and Law

Women's rights better protected by law

China has stepped up its efforts to achieve the comprehensive development of women's rights by releasing the National Human Rights Action Plan (2016-20) and enhancing the legal protection of women's rights.

To better protect the rights of women, laws have been passed over the past five years to make it the responsibility of employers to prevent and curb sexual harassment against female employees, and to impose harsher punishments on those trafficking women and children, and those who resort to domestic violence.

Chinese women's political participation, too, has expanded.

More than 23 percent of the deputies attending the first session of the 12th National People's Congress, the top legislature, in 2013 were women, an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared with the last congress. And women's health has improved greatly with the average life expectancy increasing to 79.4 years.

Female workers have become common, as nearly 43 percent of Chinese employees, 25 percent of Chinese entrepreneurs, and 55 percent of those running internet tech startups are women.

The education gap between men and women is also narrowing.

The primary school enrollment increased to 99.8 percent in 2014, and female students account for about 52.4 percent of China's undergraduates and 49.7 percent of its postgraduate students.

Zhang Xiaoling, a professor at the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

More participation in governance

The people-oriented approach of the Communist Party of China is not only about people's economic well-being, but also safeguarding their right to development and other human rights. Under the guidance of the CPC's central leadership, governments at all levels have managed to minimize the harm inflicted on Chinese citizens by natural disasters including earthquakes and typhoons. The targeted poverty-alleviation program has also picked up speed over the years, as has the anti-graft campaign, boosting the efforts to secure the basic human rights of Chinese people.

Chinese citizens are offered wider access to social governance and political affairs, in particular, democratic elections, democratic management and democratic supervision. Their legislative participation has also improved at all levels. The enactment and amendment of the General Provisions of the Civil Law, for example, have solicited opinions from all walks of life.

On the judicial front, a number of miscarriages of justice have been rectified and institutional reforms launched to rule out power-money exchanges. As the country continues to streamline administration, delegate power to lower levels of government and cut red tape, more people will be able to enjoy the dividends of the comprehensive reforms.

Liu Jie, director of the Center for Human Rights Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences

Action plan to help people with disabilities

For years, people with disabilities were considered among the weakest and poorest members of society, a burden on their families and the society. Things started to change in 1988, when the China Disabled Persons' Federation was founded. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-15), around 9.5 million people with disabilities received subsidies.

An action plan on assisting impoverished disabled residents, enacted this year, aims to strike a balance between subsidizing the disabled and targeted poverty alleviation. Other new approaches are taking shape. Citizens with physical impairments now have more choices regarding jobs, including local government jobs. They are also encouraged to resort to internet technologies to start their own businesses.

Caretakers of people with disabilities have been urged to provide more professional service to their customers, who are under the protection of more than 60 laws. The introduction of private capital might make a difference in this regard.

China, among the first countries that ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is expected to make more contributions to the global cause of protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

Zhang Wanhong, a law professor at Wuhan University

Targeted efforts to support subsistence

China's success in lifting more than 700 million people out of poverty by the end of 2015, along with its ambition to eradicate poverty by 2020, shows that targeted poverty alleviation is an effective means of upholding the right to life of the impoverished population. Its poverty alleviation mechanism, in essence, is about improving the impoverished population's capability to be responsible for their own livelihoods.

Instead of providing subsidies, the government's poverty alleviation efforts are now aimed at improving the capability of impoverished residents to support themselves. The widely accepted indicators of poverty, such as income and consumption, do not tell the whole story.

The assessment of multiple indicators, including assets, health, education background and living conditions, has efficiently identified those unqualified for government support. That allows local governments to ensure the assistance programs and aid, from work guidance to subsidies, end up in the right hands. This revised approach, if carried through, can also stop people slipping back into poverty.

Meng Qingtao, a researcher on human rights studies at Southwest University of Political Science and Law
On Tuesday, China released an overall plan on national parks to protect the country's natural beauty, demanding the strictest protection for its national parks. It also aims to build a unified management system by 2020 and to significantly enhance its efficiency by 2030.

The plan came a year after China piloted 10 national parks across the country, some of which are designed to protect endangered species while others are dedicated to preserving important heritage such as the Great Wall or local ecological systems. To avoid such parks from becoming amusement parks or tourist resorts due to profitability-driven administration, their management will be in the hands of the central government.

In other words, activities that risk compromising the ecosystem in a national park will be prohibited, and practices including unauthorized mining, discharging pollutants or poaching will be punished.

A streamlined management mechanism is called for to keep at bay overlapped management and lax supervision since national parks could span the jurisdiction of different cities even provinces.
CITIC Press Group will set up a joint venture in Japan to create a Sino-Japanese cultural exchange platform together with Culture Convenience Club(hereinafter referred to as "CCC"), which operates Japan's largest DVD and CD rental chain. This marks China CITIC Group and the Japanese company's first joint venture in Japan.

Cheng Yonghua, the Chinese ambassador to Japan and Pu Jian, deputy general manager of CITIC Group, as well as Muneaki Masuda, CCC chairman, all attended the signing ceremony.

"35 years ago, the CITIC Group successfully issued Samurai bonds in Japan for the first time. CITIC has maintained a good relationship with the Japanese business community for many years, has examples of successful cooperation in many areas today. CITIC, in full cooperation with Japan, has the largest number of bookstores and publishing houses. CCC is a well known enterprise in Japan, and spearheads vital initiatives in the field of cultural and creative content. We look forward to our new joint venture under genuine cooperation. We will undoubtedly work together to create a high-quality cultural platform and achieve a mutually beneficial win for us both," Pu Jian, deputy general manager of the CITIC Group, said in his speech.

Pu Jian, deputy general manager of the CITIC Group,gives a speech during the agreement signing ceremony held in Tokyo, Japan on Sept 27. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Masuda chairman recalled Tsutaya bookstore's business development in the last 34 years. Today, the CCC Group advocates vital business philosophy and a good performance with the help of big data systems.

Muneaki Masuda, CCC chairman, gives a speech during the agreement signing ceremony held in Tokyo, Japan on Sept 27. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In his speech, he also expressed hope that the next step will help aid in close cooperation with CITIC, with both sides understanding the charm of culture from each other and ultimately allowing for a resonation between two peoples as they begin to build a bridge of friendship between Japan and China.

Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Chinese ambassador to Japan, further emphasized in his speech that, "The CCC Group, CITIC Publishing and Japan will have co-founded 'CITIC Publishing Co. Japan." This collaboration is the epitome of our cultural love for Japan. I look forward to this collaboration and I hope that this will be able to serve as a model for the exchange of cultural industries between the two countries, through the exchange and sharing of information resources, and the deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples for years to come. "

The cooperation with Japan, CCC, and the CITIC Publishing Group will allow for greater access to quality books published. The value of resources will be greater, and will allow for the joint development of book copyright resources, and double the Japan market IP operations. In addition, the two sides will be in an exchange of culture and creative production development and design. These in-depth exchanges between China and Japan will occur in the field of culture and art as well. Exchange will occur at all levels, allowing for the greater promotion of Chinese culture to the world.
I first set foot in China, Shanghai to be exact, in late 2003. It was two years after China joined the WTO  and there is always a two-year transition  so Western multinationals and business students were beginning to understand China's importance. When I look back on that period, the present and the future, one word comes to mind: "innovation". That best describes the pace of change in China. It has not slowed and, if anything, China will see things change at an even faster pace in the next decade.

When I travelled with a Chinese contact from Shanghai to Nanjing in 2003, it took me 4 and a half hours on a K train. By the time I was living in Nanjing, in 2008, it took me two hours on a D train. In the current decade, the same trip took a bit over 1 hour on a G train running at 300 kilometers per hour. This kind of progress has not stopped  as of September, the G trains are running at 350 kph, reducing the journey to a little under 1 hour. Staggeringly, there is the possibility for a new style of high-speed train that could make the journey from Shanghai to Beijing possible in 30 minutes!

The author at an AI fair. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Living again in Shanghai for the second period of my time in China, I hear it is known as "the city of Innovation" and in earlier times "the city of experiment". It is, in my view, the most exciting city in China, if not the world, to live in. Back in 2003, standing on the historic Bund and gazing across to Pudong, there was a fantastic view of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and its neighbor, the Jin Mao Tower. Gazing at that snapshot of the economic miracle of China, I just knew I wanted to come back to live in Shanghai. I did not expect that by 2010 these towers would be dwarfed by the new Shanghai World Financial Centre Tower, nor that by 2015 the Shanghai Tower  second tallest building in the world  would be looking down on its brothers.

Economic and infrastructure development happens so fast. Back in 2003, I had a 90-minute taxi ride to get from downtown "Old Shanghai" out to university campuses in deepest Pudong, with no metro stations to be seen in these neighbourhoods. In 2017 there are 14 lines, with more planned, and those outer areas are easily reachable by the subway system. Add to that the amazing super-capacitator buses, showcased at Shanghai's 2010 World Expo and now in service on several routes  buses running on electric power, recharged at bus stops by a connector high above, safely out of reach of passengers and avoiding the need for street trolley cables.

I had the opportunity to visit Hefei in nearby Anhui Province last year as a guest of the city government, and learned it is designated as a pilot city for national innovation. I saw amazing robotics applications that could revolutionize our lives and take the drudgery out of many tasks, and equally stunning developments in biosciences that could tackle key diseases and improve health management.

Returning to Shanghai and the pace of change, it is known as the "fast city"  perhaps exemplified by the 431 kph Maglev train that can whisk those arriving at Pudong Airport into the centre of town in 7 minutes. New shopping malls are developed and opened so quickly, and infrastructure work continues on a 24-hour cycle, improving roads and other amenities.

The author in Shanghai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

When I get a chance to return to my native London, it seems almost lethargic by comparison. There is a famous saying, "He who is tired of London, is tired of life." It should be updated to read "He who is tired of London should go to Shanghai." There one will see energy, optimism, creativity and glimpse what the future will look like in the economic capital of what will surely soon be the world's largest economy. In Shanghai, like much of China, the only constant is change. The "Chinese Dream" is thus made of this.
China is known around the world for manufacturing and production of goods. The phrase 'Made in China' has become synonymous with China's rise as an economic powerhouse in the world.

When I first moved to China in 2002 I was a 23-year-old fresh graduate who had studied and lived in Europe and wanted a bit more adventure out of life than my hometown in Canada offered. I had the good fortune of studying under a professor who advised me to teach in China for a year, and test the waters in what he said would become the most important country of the 21st century.

Well, that was 2002, and now in 2017 I am no longer 23, but a man of 38 who is happily married in Beijing to a beautiful Chinese wife with two gorgeous children. My road in China has not been easy, with myself being pushed to the limits mentally, emotionally, psychologically and at times even physically - but have I arrived today as a man. No longer the young 20-something looking for adventure, I can say I am a man who holds his head high, has achieved his dream job and pretty much wouldnt trade his life for anyone in the world (well, maybe Brad Pittor Roger Federer). As the National Holiday approaches, I would like to share some of the highs and woes that I have experienced during my 12 years in the Middle Kingdom and what Man-Made in China means to me.

Any language, let alone Chinese, is not an easy skill to master.. I remember coming to China with my professor's words in mind to "take everything with a grain of rice, be respectful, courteous, and learn the language". My goal right from the start was to become as fluent as I could be. In the Canadian tradition of one of our greatest exports 'Da Shan' (aka Mark Rosewell), I took the Chinese name 'Da Hai' as a tribute to him. I wanted to be just like Da Shan. Looking back now, in reality, we can never be like anyone else, we can only become ourselves.

I remember my first tiny dorm in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, was filled with Chinese characters and phrases from the floor to the ceiling, trying to master as many phrases as I could on a weekly basis. After the first year I was confident enough to taxis, go to restaurants and even travel by myself. Fifteen years later, I still dont have the pronunciation or fluency of Da Shan, but have become fluent enough to carry on a conversation in almost any part of this great country.

As a teacher, employment can also be a precarious measure, and finding the right job has not been easy. I have worked in private language institutes, public schools, and now perhaps the most prestigious private international school in Beijing, if not the country. My advice to new teachers in China is to learn your craft, bring a lot of energy to every class and get your students thinking and talking about their learning as much as possible. Chinese students can be shy but diligent; as a foreign educator you are not their just to entertain them and show them movies, but to engage them as much as possible with the language and break the mold of rote learning and test-taking. Master your craft, keep a positive attitude, and opportunities will arise that you never thought were possible. I have taught at schools in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, small towns in Hebei, the Hunan countryside and beyond. Represent yourself and your country well and the results will resonate with your students. As an educator in China, you really are contributing something positive to the world and bringing not only language into their lives, but people from different cultures closer together.

Here, I must talk about family  and while I could go on and on about the different nuances of Chinese and Western families, I would just like to say that I never dreamed I would have such a beautiful family. My wife is truly incredible and one of the genuinely kindest, smartest and inside-out beautiful people I have ever met. We got married in 2007 and will celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary this October. Through our love for each other, we now have two gorgeous boys aged 5 and 2. Our 5-year-old is completely bilingual in English and Chinese and is as (if not more) humorous and intelligent as his father. He always shows respect to other children and has a keen interest in learning. Our 2-year-old is quite special. We learned early in the pregnancy that he would be born with a cleft lip and cleft palate  the same defect I was born with  and has been a light and joy of our lives ever since he arrived.

I would just like to say a word about cleft lip and cleft palate to our readers. It is one of the most common birth defects that a child can have, but is just that  a minor defect at birth. It is easily repairable and not a cause for concern later in development and certainly no reason to consider aborting the baby. I have lived a full and adventurous life and have no reason to expect my son not to be able to as well. While we could have easily flown back to Canada to have it repaired, we stayed in China and trusted the Chinese doctors who ended up doing a wonderful job.

To those foreigners reading this I would like to wish you all the success and fulfillment living in China has given me. Be wise and mindful during your time here. Chinese are a proud nation and they should be respected at all times  remember you are a guest in their country. Stay positive, and don't be cynical. The cultural differences are vast, but part of your job here is to bridge them and bring the world a bit closer together. Travel as much as you can  the natural beauty in China can be other-worldly breathtaking and the history and culture is like nothing else you will see anywhere. A wise man once said, "fortune favors the brave"  you have made a brave choice to move here. Enjoy your adventure, enjoy your life and learn not just about the country, but who you are as a person in this world. I still have much to learn, but have today become a man through persistence, hard-work, patience and understanding. China is here to stay friends, push on through the hard times, enjoy the good times, and you yourself can become 'Man-Made'.
Egypt Today, by Yasmine Hassan

CAIRO  28 September 2017: Capitalizing on the growing power of social media, an inspirational Facebook page, Women of Egypt (WOE), has been empowering Egyptian women and reshaping their future perspectives, one post at a time.

Over 2000 women of all ages and professions have been featured on the page since early 2016. The only selection criterion is that they are Egyptians; and each of them is a source of enormous inspiration, challenging all societal and western misconceptions, breaking the taboos and writing their own success stories.

We interviewed Alexandra Kinias, the face and mastermind behind Women of Egypt, who has embarked on a mission to change western misconceptions about Egyptian women, highlight the achievements of pioneering women throughout Egyptian history and empower all girls to pursue their wildest dreams.



Born and raised in Egypt, Kinias graduated as a mechanical engineer from Alexandria University. She later went on to pursue her passion for writing and advocacy as she moved to America. All of her work has since addressed women issues, in her books, short stories and even movies.



A dedicated women rights advocate, Kinias first started WOE Facebook page as a tribute to pioneering Egyptian women, who led the Egyptian suffragette movement with the turn of the twentieth century, she tells Egypt Today.



It saddened me to see not only how the leaders of this movement were marginalized and some even perished from history books, but also how their efforts and the rights they fought for were reversed and how the Egyptian womens movement that gained momentum in the fifties and sixties in Egypt not only came to a halt, but started moving backwards.



What was even more staggering was how these pioneer women became just names to the young generation, who meant nothing to them. Such women are idolized all over the world and became role models. In Egypt, it seemed there were organized efforts to drop them and their achievements out of history, Kinias states.



WOE also carries on another mission, to address the Wests misconceptions about Egyptian women, Kianis says.



Unfortunately, many in the west put all the women in the Middle East in the same basket. With this misunderstanding, they perceive Egyptian women through the same lens as other women in the region, which is totally false. Women in Egypt, and going back to more than 7000 years enjoyed more rights and freedoms that any of their peers in neighboring lands. The suffragette movement in the region started in Egypt. The fact that they encountered some challenges in the last few decades, doesnt mean, with all due respect to women elsewhere in the middle east, that their status is comparable with them.



These two issues were always in the back of my mind. I wanted to start a page to address them. The swearing in of the 89 female parliament members in January 2016, the largest number of female presentation ever in the Egyptian Parliament, was the omen to put WOE in action.



Women of Egypt features inspirational public figures and success stories of young entrepreneurs, as well as stories from women whom are absolutely inspiring, but no one knows about them, Kinias says.



Due to various social and political changes in Egypt the last few decades, women have lost some of their rights, and their status had reached a point of stagnation. WOE initiative advocates and empowers women by featuring their stories  We are giving a voice to women to share their success stories with the world, to motivate, empower and inspire others to follow suit.



Less than two years since it was first launched, WOE has already become an active and renowned actor in the field of women empowerment.



The page became a source to several renowned television programs, newspapers and magazines, Kinias says proudly.



Major women organizations like UN Women, UNESCO, and other local and international organizations and programs also reach out to WOE as a source, to make announcements or to share their news and programs on the page. These global organizations approach us because they believe in our mission and message, and they view us as a reputable and informative source, not to mention that we have a huge audience, which is defiantly an asset, she states.



Listing few of the many accomplishments of WOE, Kinias recalls that they helped furniture designer Shosha Kamal, whose Pharaonic inspired sofa won first place in the International Product Design Awards for the year 2016 in London, adding that UN Women requested WOEs assistance to announce their need for volunteers for the Wikipedia Writing Workshops they organized - to develop and edit Wikipedia articles about women - .



We read comments from fathers wishing for their daughters to become pilots or Olympic champions  A school teacher asked permission to print the material for her class to teach her students about the amazing women who fought and are fighting for womens rights, Kinias says.



For Kinias, all the women featured on the page and the affiliated website are impressive models. Egyptian women are smart, hard-working, innovative, feisty, they are fighting very hard to break the social and cultural taboos, she affirms.



There is Esraa El Bably who was born with hearing impairment, yet she grew up to become a successful dentist. After we published her story, BBC featured her.

We interviewed Ghada Wali after she was selected on the Forbes List 30 under 30 Europe  Arts 2017, making her the first Egyptian to ever be included on the European list, Amany Khalil, the Ironwoman, the art teacher in Samanoud who founded an art center to teach kids how to draw and craft.



One of the impressive stories I would like to share is of Manal Abdel Hamid, an author from Upper Egypt who published 11 books, the first two without the knowledge of her family. Manal is still fighting her conservative society that believes that writing for women is an indecent profession.







WOE started as a Facebook page but it has now developed into an initiative, including two online publications, one in English and one in Arabic. It also published two e-books and offered them for free to the WOE page followers: Pearls of the Nile, offered in March 2017, in celebration of Womens International Day, and Pearls of the Nile  The Pioneers, which was given away during the months of June and July to celebrate Huda Sharawys 136th birthday.



WOE is not affiliated with any organization or campaign. Its a personal initiative with an objective to motivate women to stand up and fight for their rights, Kinias says.



Its a message for women to be strong and confident, to dream big and to break whatever taboos holding them back. The future of Egypt lies in the hands of women. We want them to be happy, to walk in harassment free streets, to enjoy a work environment with no gender discrimination. We want little girls to dream of becoming the president or an astronaut or a war correspondent or whatever their hearts desire, with no one telling them they cant because they are girls.



WOE has recently started a writing internship, to help aspiring writers to develop and improve their writing skills, by writing about womens issues, Kinias reveals.



We want to engage as many people as we can to become advocates for womens rights, give them a voice and a platform to express themselves. We have writers as young as 17 years old. Our next step is to call on male writers to join. We need men on board who support and advocate womens rights and equality.
Travelers are expected to make 130 million trips by rail and 13 million by air during the National Day holiday travel rush, railway and civil aviation regulators said on Thursday.

It will be the year's longest public holiday - eight days - as the Mid-Autumn Festival happens to coincide with the National Day holiday this year, starting on Sunday.

The travel rush actually began on Thursday.

The railway system nationally will see an increase of 10 percent over last year, China Railway Corp said. The passenger peak is expected to be on Sunday, when 16 million trips will be made. On Thursday, the railway network was expected to see 7.5 million trips.

According to the Ministry of Transport, 560 million trips are expected to be made by road and 15.9 million by water.

More than 13 million trips are expected to be made by air, an increase of 14 percent, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The number of daily flights is nearly 14,800.

Peaks are expected before, during and after the holiday - from Friday to Oct 9.

China's busiest airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, is expected to see 3.95 million trips during the rush, the airport said.

Its passenger peak will fall on Saturday.
China has ordered companies and joint ventures from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to shut down within 120 days as it applies UN sanctions imposed following Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce said on Thursday.

Overseas Chinese joint ventures launched with DPRK firms or individuals should also be closed according to the sanctions from the United Nations, which did not give a deadline in a joint statement on its website.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Sept 12 imposing new sanctions on Pyongyang, including limiting its oil imports, banning its textile exports and restricting overseas firms from hiring DPRK citizens.

Shi Yongming, a researcher at the China Institute of International Relations, said what China is doing is just implementing the UN resolution and Pyongyang should be ready for it.

"Sanctions are by no means the ultimate goal," he said.

The implementation of the sanctions is to make Pyongyang understand that the goal is always to bring the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue back to the negotiation table, Shi added.

Lu Kang, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said at a daily news briefing on Thursday that "the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is related to regional peace and stability as well as vital interests of all parties concerned. Breaking the deadlock requires all relevant parties to show their sincerity."

He said that both sanctions and talks are requirements of UN Security Council resolutions, and that it is not in accord with the spirit of UN resolutions to uphold one at the expense of the other.

Zhou Jin and Xinhua contributed to this story.
Abe joins gala by Chinese embassy Japanese leader is first in 15 years to personally mark PRC founding, normalization of relations

In a rare move, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe showed up and said "good evening" in Chinese at the Chinese embassy's gala marking the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Thursday in Tokyo.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua (left) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Thursday. TENG XUE/CHINA DAILY

Abe told a full house of nearly 2,000 people that he will work hard to make the trilateral summit meeting for leaders of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea possible in Japan this year to improve his country's relations with Beijing.

Thursday's event also was for observing the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan on Friday.

Abe, the first Japanese prime minister to attend such a ceremony in 15 years, was accompanied by other Japanese officials and politicians, such as Foreign Minister Taro Kono and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's secretary-general, Toshihiro Nikai.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua said China attaches great importance to its relationship with Japan, persistently appealing to push the ties forward on the basis of four political documents and the consensus on improving the ties.

The four documents include the China-Japan Joint Statement signed in 1972, the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1978, the China-Japan Joint Declaration of 1998 and a joint statement on advancing strategic and mutually beneficial relations in a comprehensive way that was signed in 2008.

He said the two countries need to carefully maintain the political foundation for their relations. The China-Japan relationship is improving, though many complicated and sensitive issues remain, he said.

The two countries should take concrete actions to implement the consensus that they are partners that do not pose a threat to each other. They need to try to build political and strategic trust.

Japanese Education Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said he took Abe's presence at the event as a positive signal for bilateral ties.

Gao Hong, a Japan expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, agreed that Abe's willingness to participate sent a good message. "As Abe dissolved the Lower House of Japan's parliament on Thursday to call a snap election in October, he wants to build good relations with Japan's neighbors," the scholar said. "Abe may use the positive diplomatic approach to help his election campaign."

In May, the Abe administration said Japan is willing to cooperate with China on President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative and other business projects, which China has welcomed, Gao said.

Michio Ito, general manager of the China Business Office of Takenaka Corp, was glad that the Japanese prime minister came to the Chinese embassy's celebration, which he believed would help improve ties.
Britain's Brexit Secretary David Davis (L) and European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier attend a press conference at the end of the fourth round of Brexit talks at the EU Commission in Brussels, Belgium, Sept 28, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

BRUSSELS -- The latest round of Brexit talks tried to work towards achieving concrete progress. Britain's Brexit Secretary David Davis told reporters here on Thursday that "considerable progress has been made in issues that matter."

The talks, the fourth round so far, came on the heels of British Prime Minister Theresa May's high-profile speech in the Italian city of Florence spelling out Britain's plans to leave the EU.

In her speech last week, May proposed a two-year transition period after Britain left the EU in March 2019. She also pledged that Britain would pay its "fair share" into the EU budget -- a hint that London would budge on the touchy issue of the Brexit "divorce bill."

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Britain agreed to honor the withdrawal agreement, which "gives the assurance to EU citizens that they will be able to invoke their rights, as defined by the withdrawal agreement, before UK courts."

"We agreed to guarantee -- for the citizens concerned -- that the UK will apply EU law concepts in a manner that is consistent with EU law after Brexit," he stated.

However, that seemed to be the extent of progress achieved.

The two sides failed to agree over the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which Barnier called a "stumbling block" for the EU.

In her speech, May promised to quit the EU single market and seek a free trade agreement with the EU. She also pledged to restrict access to Britain for EU citizens and end the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in Britain. The 12-point blueprint was dubbed a "hard Brexit."

But May's Brexit plan has long been dubbed as "cherry-picking" in Brussels and Strasbourg, where the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in Britain is taken as "indispensable."

Davis said both sides should be more imaginative on the issue.

"The United Kingdom thinks that in some cases we must go beyond the strict requirements of current EU law in order to protect citizens. For example, we have offered the European Union guaranteed rights of return for settled EU citizens in the UK, in return for onward movement rights for our UK nationals who currently live within the EU27," he said.
An Irish education official said recently that Chinese will be added to the list of languages covered under the country's national exams by 2020 and it will be included as a subject in the college entrance exam in 2022, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor, Ireland's minister of higher education, said the list is based on a program launched in 2014, a short 100-hour course on Chinese language and culture. The education minister made the announcement at a joint conference of Confucius Institutes of Ireland and Britain.

O'Connor said the Irish government is fully aware of the importance of creating the opportunity to learn Chinese for its students, especially against the backdrop of economic globalization and deepening China-Ireland trade ties.

An increasing number of Irish people have become interested in learning Chinese, and the number of Irish students coming to study in China is also expanding, O'Connor said, adding that educational cooperation between the two countries is growing well.
Vice-Premier Liu Yandong told US President Donald Trump on Thursday that Beijing is ready to work with Washington to make his first state visit to China a "successful, historic" one.

During their meeting at the White House, Liu also conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings to President Trump, who in return asked Liu to send his greetings to Xi.

Trump said he is very much looking forward to his China trip and meeting with President Xi again.

The two presidents have met twice this year, in Mar-a-Lago in Florida in April and in Hamburg, Germany during the G20 summit in July.

Trump said he believes the visit would be a great success, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has left for Beijing to prepare for Trump's visit later on the day. It will be Tillerson's second trip to China as secretary of state.

Liu also told Trump that the first US-China Social and Cultural Dialogue has yielded positive results, thanks to the concerted efforts of the two sides.

The dialogue, one of four cabinet-level dialogues agreed to by Trump and Xi at their Florida meeting, was co-chaired by Liu and Tillerson on Thursday and focused on the theme of "living together for the next 50 years based on mutual understanding".

Liu said she hoped the two sides will implement the consensus of the presidents by giving full display to the role of cultural exchange in building stronger social and public support for the development of Sino-US relations.

Trump also stressed the importance of US-China social and cultural exchange, saying that he hoped the two sides would expand exchange and cooperation in various areas, according to the press release.

Heather Nauert, spokeswoman for the US State Department, said the inaugural US-China Social and Cultural Dialogue was "terrific".

"That dialogue focused on advancing cooperation in seven areas: education, social development, science and technology, health, subnational, arts and culture, and environment and conservation," she said.

The two sides committed to safeguarding global health security and support for educational exchanges, particularly the US-China Fulbright Program, she said.

At the dialogue on Thursday, the vice-premier said that for the US-China exchanges to move steadily over time, they should lay a solid foundation for Sino-US relations by considering the development of the bilateral relationship in the next 50 years.

The two sides also should respect each other's development path and social system as well as each other's sovereignty, security and benefits, Liu said. They should also complement each other, increase common ground and reduce differences.

Both governments also should set up platforms and policy support to facilitate public participation in the exchanges.

Tillerson said at the dialogue that great achievements have been made in the social and cultural exchanges between the two countries in recent years.

He said the US is ready to expand exchange and cooperation in various social and cultural areas, which is of great importance to the bilateral relationship, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry.

The two sides issued a joint declaration after the first dialogue and the First China-US Social and Cultural Dialogue Action Plan, which details at least 130 projects for the two sides to implement.

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
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Call 281-422-8302 or email sunnews@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun.

Happy Birthday Wishes
Some weeks ago I woke up to Twitter going crazy. I opened the video that was getting so much attention, and there was my friend and former colleague, now president of Evergreen State College in Washington State, facing an assault by a wildly angry group of students. You could hear some of the exchange: F*** you, George. You talk so f***ing much. Just shut up, George. These comments were directed at the president of the university! It made my heart sick, and not only for my friend. Here was yet another signal that something is deeply broken on our campuses.

The university is one of the great institutions in the history of Western civilization. And yet it feels like something is slipping away. Watching this video and witnessing so many other scenes like it, I feel the aching need for our nation to regroup on where our universities are headed. We need to get back to a bedrock question: What exactly is the university for? These scenes cry out for a wholly revised vision for higher education in our day.

The moment is ripe, then, for a book like Restoring the Soul of the University: Unifying Christian Higher Education in A Fragmented Age. The authors are three professors, Perry L. Glanzer, Nathan F. Alleman, and Todd C. Ream (the first two from Baylor University, the third from Taylor University). As I pondered this stimulating book, I began to glimpse the outlines of a renewed vision for the future of the broken university. This book is sweeping in concept, grounded in historical research, utterly relevant to contemporary concerns. The focus is ultimately on the Christian university. And the animating question can be put like this: What if the unifying center of the university, its soul, were reclaimed by a winsome faith in Jesus Christ? There is plenty of warning here for the Christian university, with all of its success, not to become complacent. But there is even a suggestion that the secular university might benefit as it examines the consequences of hollowing out its own soul.

Loss of Unity

The authors have an ambitious goal: to mine the rich history of the Christian university, going all the way back to the 12th century, in order to propose an overarching narrative that will address the fracturing of our fragmented age. They tap into a rich tradition of reflection on the purpose of the Christian university, emanating from thinkers like John Henry Newman, Alasdair MacIntyre, Mark Schwehn, Mark Noll, George Marsden, Stanley Hauerwas, Jaroslav Pelikan, Arthur Holmes, Duane Litfin, and many others. Restoring the Soul of the University draws on this heritage. But it also steps forward with fresh energy about how we might move beyond our own moment of fragmentation.

The book begins with the likes of Hugh of St. Victor, who in the 12th century was master of the School of St. Victor. The authors lift up this surprising resource as one key historical touchpoint for shaping the soul of the university. Hugh believed his students were created in Gods image, a foundational presupposition. He believed, then, that the curriculum should seek to restore that image, through instruction, meditation, prayer, performance, and contemplation. These were the practices, of course, of the medieval monastery. The authors say Hugh wanted to combine the best of the monastery with the best of contemporary learning to transform the world. Instead of deconstructing truth, a popular practice of our own day, Hugh believed the academy should build up the truth, so that its students might discover joy instead of emptiness or cynicism. In this fascinating story of Hugh of St. Victor, we find a reminder of how the Christian university began with a strong and compelling unified purpose.

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Our authors trace this unity of purpose, identity, and belief throughout most of the Middle Ages. When the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris were founded, Christian theologywhich the authors define broadly as the worship, love, and study of Godwas seen as the animating center that gathered learning into a unified whole. But over time, even through the flowering of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment, cracks in that unity began to appear.

Theology was dethroned from its perch as queen of the sciences and ultimately pushed to the back rooms of the house of learning. But what would hold the university together in its absence? Was its purpose to serve the nation by forming thoughtful citizens? To further scientific discovery? To reclaim the classics as the centerpiece of education? As the fragmenting began, the search was on for a new unifying purpose.

In the end, the modern university settled for what Clark Kerr, president of the University of California in the early 1960s, called the multiversity. During those tumultuous years, Kerr famously concluded that there was not much one could (or should) do to counteract the complex forces that had splintered the university. As the authors make clear, the consequences of this splintering have permeated every corner of university life: the role of the professor, the shape of the curriculum, the dynamics of student life, the impact of big athletics, and the explosion in the ranks of administrators. The multiversity ultimately hollowed out the soul of the university that once enjoyed unity of purpose. When the soul of the university becomes frayed or altogether absent, the whole learning enterprise begins falling to pieces.

A New Flourishing

Fortunately, the books goal is not merely to tell a story of fragmentation and collapse, thereby feeding doomsday fears. Ultimately, Glanzer, Alleman, and Ream articulate a vibrant future for the Christian university. They recognize that, when talking about the crisis of higher education, we are often referring to some sort of moral or spiritual core of the university becoming lost. And this is where the Christian university steps into the picture as a viable alternative.

From the beginning, the authors set out to explore what it means for the soul of the university to be saved. In order to restore that soul, leaders and faculty must locate and vigorously promote a central identity. Remarkable things happen, for example, when a university can gather together in vibrant worship. The threads of unity stretch out into the whole fabric of the community when Scripture is read, studied, and meditated upon corporately. Unity is restored when professors begin from a center of belief and move outward toward their disciplines. Distant or warring factions within the university find healing when the gospel of reconciliation, love, and kindness generates a deep commitment to grace-filled community. These are the kinds of core assumptions that every administrator, every faculty member, every student-life coordinator, every coach, and every board member must know and articulate.

When an entity loses its core identity, the authors contend throughout this book, fragmentation abounds and the negative implications of a split personality then become a possibility. To shape the work of a radically new kind of university, one needs an overarching identity and story with a substantive vision of the good, the true, and the beautiful that allows one to prioritize multiple, competing purposes. And heres the thing: Leadersmeaning presidents, faculty, staff, and student leadersneed to trumpet this core identity at every opportunity. If Jesus Christ is the transforming center of the university, they need to say it over and over: on campus, downtown, in class, in the residence halls. To establish a core identity, everyone needs to know the story and tell the story. Leaders should be among the most vocal storytellers.

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This book does not look back with false nostalgia for some imagined golden age. We know the task ahead will not be easy. Its tempting to rest on the laurels and current health of so many Christian colleges and universities, but there are strong headwinds now blowing in our faces. Beyond threats to religious freedom, the inadequacies of our economic models, and different forms of political, social, and cultural opposition, we must resist complacency about the pervasive power of the model of the secular university.

The multiversity with a fragmented soul, the authors claim, has now become the norm and even the model that all universities in a liberal democracy are expected to follow. Should this shape the character of the Christian university? Well, what if we can reverse the pattern of influence? What if the Christian university, by living out its Christ-centered identity, can help its secular partners see why having (and cultivating) a distinct soul is so vital to the mission of higher education? If Christians wish to reorient and redirect the broader trend, they need to think in whole new ways about how to envision, create, and structure universities and the academic vocation of a university with a soul. All of this is precisely the work ahead for those of us who love and serve the Christian academy.

I share the passion of professors Glanzer, Alleman, and Ream for breathing new life into the institutions of modern higher education. I share, especially, their deep conviction that the Christian university is the most attractive path toward recovering a unity of purpose for higher education. As this book demonstrates so ably, the deep and nourishing roots of the Christian university wait to be tapped in fresh ways in order to restore a vibrant university with purpose. The promise of the Christian story has always been to offer up a vision of human flourishing for our broken world. May that vision shine with splendor from the halls of learning at the Christian college and university.

Philip W. Eaton is president emeritus of Seattle Pacific University. He is the author of Engaging the Culture, Changing the World: The Christian University in a Post-Christian World (IVP Academic) and a forthcoming book, Sing Us a Song of Joy: Saying What We Believe in an Age of Unbelief (Wipf & Stock).
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.
My favorite coffee shop for the past nine months rivaled any Seattle has to offer. The barista would describe tasting notes from the latest batch of beans (roasted a few days earlier in the rear of the shop) as he measured coffee grounds on a scale and meticulously brewed them with a shiny La Marzocco machine. Taylor Swift albums played in the background as I sipped my cappuccino or cortado and typed field notes on my laptop.

My favorite coffee shop was not in the US, though. It was in Kigali, Rwandaa tiny, landlocked country in East Africa known internally as the land of a thousand hills. Externally, however, its known as the site of a genocide where 800,000 members of the Tutsi ethnic groupnearly 1/12 of the countrys populationwere murdered over 100 days in 1994.

If youre an evangelical Christian, you likely know Rwanda as a mission trip destination: a poor developing country that you visit expecting to go without toilet paper, running water, and internet for a few weeks while you dig a well or work at a vision clinic in a rural community. You might leave the country with no idea that my favorite coffee shop existed. And you might think of Rwanda simply as a country full of poverty-stricken people who lack basic needs.

If you did, you wouldnt be alone. For most of my life, I thought more or less the same thing about many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and around the global Southeven after I traveled to Niger, Zambia, and Uganda for short trips, mostly aimed at visiting humanitarian projects. That was before I spent most of this past year living in Rwanda and traveling around the region conducting research for my dissertation.

At an intellectual level, I ...

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International Worship Leaders and Broadway Stars Partner for 'ANGELS,' the Musical Album Contact: Heidi McDow, 972-267-1111, heidi@alarryross.com



NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- An announcement almost a decade in the making, "ANGELS," an original studio cast recording with music arrangements by veteran worship leaders and performances by a star-studded Broadway cast, will release October 27 from Broadway Records.



Featuring music arrangements by Darlene Zschech's personal music director & former C3 Global Music Director, David Holmes, and international worship artist and educator, Rev. Dr. Daniel Thornton. The album is a faith-filled musical adventure featuring songs from the forthcoming Broadway-style musical, "ANGELS."



"For generations to come, Sera, the angel of light, will become the name on every child's lips, when they place their Christmas angel on top of the tree," said Thornton. "Creating the music was so exciting. It's powerful, funny, deeply moving, and carries the eternal message of hope and love."



"Making the music for the album was an exciting venture," said Holmes. "It was very fulfilling going on a journey with the characters, creating sounds and arrangements that reflect the great themes of the story. The final sound is one of new beginnings, with an underlying message of enduring hope, love and friendship."



Produced by Mark Kang and Marcus Cheong, who also co-wrote the musical with Ken Lai, "ANGELS" is the epic story about the ancient war between the angels and Lucifer's demons. This timeless tale of hope versus despair, angels versus demons, is told through the eyes of Sera, the Angel of Light. Though she is gifted with the power to control light, she aspires to a more heroic role. Facing the opposition of Lucifer and the chaos he has created, Sera must find the courage to rise in victory over him and fulfill her true purpose.



"It is more than just an entertaining album," said Kang. "We believe listeners will feel the presence of God as they follow the angel Sera through this epic journey of good vs. evil and experience the hope that is found in living with faith."



The release of "ANGELS" has been in the making for more than a decade. In 2008, the musical was weeks away from making its debut in Shreveport, Louisiana, when the stock market collapsed, affecting funding. Eventually, the producers had to make the painful decision to put "ANGELS" indefinitely on hold. Ironically, the weekend that "ANGELS" was originally scheduled to open in Shreveport, Hurricane Gustave came ashore, causing major flooding and disaster to the area.



"I believe God's grace was working even in the midst of great loss and devastating storms," said Cheong. "We are so grateful to be given this second chance to share the story and music of 'ANGELS' with everyone. This album gives a message of hope and God's promise that we are never alone and that all things work together for His good. We believe it is something so many people need to hear right now."



The cast of "ANGELS" featured on the studio cast recording includes two-time Tony Award-nominee Laura Osnes as 'Sera,' Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli as 'Lucifer,' Tony Award-nominee Josh Young as 'Tyriel,' Alan H. Green as 'Gabriel,' Alexandra Zorn as 'Rebekah/Vixen,' Stephen Cerf as 'Michael/Moore/Joab,' Kevin T. Collins as 'Stratus/Dasher/Titus/Reuben,' Elizabeth Ann Berg as 'Bethany,' and Stefanie Clouse as 'Sofiel.' Additional vocalists on the album include Jane Leslie Anderson, Hugh Wilson, Nicky Kurta, Tim Moxey, Gabrielle Lee, Mark Friedlander, Hannah J. Peterson, James Tehero, Daniel Thornton and Mikaela Thornton.



The album was recorded at Downtown Music Studios and Smash Studios in New York; The Grove Studios in Somersby, Australia; and Ramrod Studios and 301 Studios in Sydney, Australia.



The band for "ANGELS" includes Mitch Farmer (drums/percussion), Ben Whincop (bass), Jeff Camilleri (bass) and Charmaine Ford (keys). David Holmes served as the music director, with Tauesa Tofa serving as music co-director and Jane Lesley Anderson serving as assistant music director. The assistant director was Breanna Hickson. Orchestral arrangements are by Daniel Thornton, and the original vocal arrangements are by Linda Wood.



Producers will celebrate the release of "ANGELS" with special events in New York on Oct. 25 and in Sydney, Australia, Cheong's hometown, on Nov. at 28.



The album will be released on Friday, October 27, 2017 and will be available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and other major music retailers. The album is now available for pre-order at BroadwayRecords.com and Amazon.



For more information about "ANGELS," please visit www.seraangels.com.



Broadway Records (Van Dean, President) is one of the preeminent theatrical record labels to produce original cast albums for major Broadway and Off-Broadway shows including the Grammy and Tony Award-winning The Color Purple (2015 revival), the Grammy nominated Matilda The Musical and Fiddler on the Roof (2015 revival), Allegiance and Disaster! among others.



Recent releases include Anastasia, Bandstand, Groundhog Day, The Lightning Thief, The Visit, Doctor Zhivago, Side Show (2014 revival), Bonnie & Clyde, Big Fish and NBC's television events, The Wiz Live! and Peter Pan Live!. The label's critically acclaimed "Live at Feinstein's/54 Below" series features top Broadway stars including Patti LuPone, Aaron Tveit, Annaleigh Ashford, Norbert Leo Butz, Sierra Boggess, Laura Benanti, Laura Osnes, Emily Skinner & Alice Ripley, Frank Wildhorn and Friends, Micky Dolenz and many others. Most recently, Broadway Records launched the Broadway for Orlando initiative (in partnership with creators Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley) as a response to the Pulse nightclub mass shooting. The all-star benefit single, "What the World Needs Now is Love" has been downloaded more than 65k times and raised over $100k to date and counting. Additionally, the song reached No. 1 on the iTunes song chart in its first week of release and broke into the Billboard Top 100 with no commercial radio play. To learn more, visit BroadwayRecords.com.



GET SOCIAL WITH BROADWAY RECORDS:

Facebook: /BwayRecords Twitter/Instagram: @bwayrecords



NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about "ANGELS," please visit www.seraangels.com. To arrange an interview with Cheong or any of the available cast, please contact Heidi McDow at 972.267.1111, heidi@alarryross.com.



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FRC Submits Joint Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear School Bathroom Case, Protect Privacy

Contact: J.P. Duffy, 866-FRC-NEWS, 866-372-6397

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- This week Family Research Council (FRC), along with a coalition of twenty other family policy organizations, submitted a joint amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 v. Whitaker asking the nation's highest court to hear the case and rule that current law allows schools to make distinctions based on biological sex for purposes of deciding who will use private school facilities.

FRC's Travis Weber, an attorney who assisted in filing the brief, commented:

"Our entire framework of the rule of law is based on the idea that law has an objective meaning. If the words of a statute are one day declared to mean something else than what they have for over 50 years, our entire system suffers, and Americans will further doubt the credibility of the courts and will become even more disenfranchised. In order for the notion that the people have a voice through Congress to mean anything, courts must honor what those people say through their representatives. We hope this Court respects the peoples' wish that when Title IX says it prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, it means 'sex' and nothing more."

The amicus brief argues in part:

"The Seventh Circuit ruling poses ominous threats to individual liberty, rights to privacy, and representative democracy generally.

"The circuit court hijacks a theory of sex stereotyping used for employment cases and applies it to force school children to sacrifice their privacy by sharing bathroom with members of the opposite biological sex. The ruling defies the explicit statutory language of Title IX and its implementing regulations, as applied in public schools.

"The result is an incoherent mandate demanding that schools violate the regulations in order to comply with the statute as interpreted--or rather redrafted--by the Seventh Circuit. Schools are already caught in the clutches of a Catch-22 where they increasingly face litigation, whether from a disgruntled student unable to use the restroom of the opposite sex, as in the recent G. G. v. Gloucester County School Board, or by other students whose privacy has been compromised.

"Moreover, public education is a matter entrusted primarily to the state and local elected representatives closest to the people and most responsive to their concerns. This ruling deprives individuals of the liberty to participate in a matter of vital importance in the public schools that educate their children. Public school students, subject to compulsory education laws, are compelled to sacrifice their liberty and reasonable expectation of privacy on a daily basis.

"This Court should grant the Petition in order to make clear that when Title IX and its implementing regulation say 'sex,' they mean biological sex--notwithstanding lower court arguments to the contrary."
Australia Asks for International Prayer for October Month of Prayer and Fasting to Protect Marriage Contact: James Condon, 61 478 301 468; Ps Peter Walker, 61 472 512 040; David Rowsome, 61 438 967 116; Warwick Marsh, 61 418 225 212 UNANDERRA, Australia, Sept. 29, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Australia is in the middle of a government mandated postal survey to decide the future of marriage between a man and a woman. The polls are predicting a defeat for those who believe in the biblical definition of marriage. Australian Christians are asking for prayer from all over the world for a "miracle for marriage" in Australia. The ballots must be posted back by the end of October. The Catholic Church has called for a month of 'Prayer and Fasting for Marriage and Families' through the month of October 2017. See the Catholic Promo Video Here . The broad Australian church is also supporting this historic call for prayer and fasting. James Condon, a Commissioner with the Salvation Army, and the head of Strategic Church Relations for the National Day of Prayer & Fasting said, "Support for this historic initiative by the Catholic Church is gathering momentum. Key Aboriginal Christian leaders are also supporting this call for prayer and fasting to protect marriage from redefinition. In fact, three Indigenous leaders will feature in the digital devotions that will be released daily, during the month of October. Marriage between a man and a woman is sacred in Indigenous culture." For more information regarding the Indigenous perspective on the sacredness of marriage go to: www.ulurubarkpetition.com Ps Peter Walker, an Indigenous leader from the Uluru Bark Petition said , "I congratulate the Catholic Church, together with all these leaders, for showing leadership and taking the initiative to launch a call for a Month of Prayer and Fasting for Marriage and Families . In our indigenous culture, which has continued for thousands of years, marriage and family are paramount. Marriage is between one man and one woman." Promo Video Here. "For this period of prayer and fasting we ask that you only fast as you are able. See ourTo inspire you in your prayers the team at the Canberra Declaration, in collaboration with Christian leaders from all over Australia, will provide Warwick Marsh, spokesman for the Canberra Declaration and a coordinator of the National Day of Prayer & Fasting said, a daily email devotion . The National Day of Prayer & Fasting is also going to help get the word out. To get the free daily devotional delivered to your inbox throughout the month of October click here . Marsh continued, "We also invite those in other countries to join with us, if they are able, on our National Zoom Prayer Conference Call three times a day . The hourly sessions will occur at 7AM, 1PM and 8PM Eastern Australian Daylight time. (NSW Time) These video prayer calls will go daily for the full 31 days of October. To register and get log in details for the Zoom conference call go to www.prayercall.com.au AUSTRALIAN TIME PACIFIC TIME USA MOUNTAIN TIME USA CENTRAL TIME USA EASTERN TIME USA 7 AM 1PM 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM 1 PM 7 PM 8 PM 9 PM 10 PM 8 PM 2 AM 3 AM 4 AM 5 AM approach these issues with great humility as marriage has been greatly damaged under our watch . Collectively, we as nation must ask God for forgiveness for our failure and truly repent. At the same time, we need to pray for God's grace to be shown to marriages and families in distress. The good news is that we all gain great hope from the scriptural promise found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, quot;If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." David Rowsome, prayer coordinator and co-writer for the Canberra Declaration said, "We as believers must. Collectively, we as nation must ask God for forgiveness for our failure and truly repent. At the same time, we need to pray for God's grace to be shown to marriages and families in distress. The good news is that we all gain great hope from the scriptural promise found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, quot;If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." For more please information contact:

James Condon, 61 478 301 468 Ps Peter Walker, 61 472 512 040 David Rowsome, 61 438 967 116 Warwick Marsh, 61 418 225 212

www.canberradeclaration.org.au Canberra Declaration National Day of Prayer & Fasting www.nationaldayofprayer.com.au

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Robert Zimmerman, the 79-year-old man accused of running over a Houston police officer earlier this week, is barred from drinking and has a 9 p.m. curfew while free on bail, a judge ruled Friday.

Zimmerman is charged with intoxicated assault on a public servant, accused of crashing into Nestor Garcia at 2 a.m. Wednesday while the rookie Houston police officer worked a routine traffic stop on Interstate 69 near Greenbriar.

Zimmerman, a longtime Houston real estate agent, appeared before state District Judge Jan Krocker in a blue button-down shirt and khaki pants. He had trouble hearing the judge and spoke softly when he said he would not be driving anytime soon because his car has been impounded as evidence.

READ ALSO: Man accused of running over officer passed breathalyzer

He also said he planned to hire a lawyer and did not expect to have an attorney appointed to his case.

During the brief hearing, Krocker set standard bond conditions, including prohibiting alcohol and drugs. She also set a curfew. Although judges sometimes prohibit driving in similar cases, Krocker said Zimmerman can drive as long as it has an ignition interlock device, which keeps drunk drivers from being able to start the car.

He also has to get an in-home device that monitors him to keep him from drinking alcohol. She also ordered random drug tests and advised him to inform officials what medication he is taking. He said he was taking heart medication.

READ ALSO: Houston police officer critically injured after traffic stop on US 59

The case centers on whether Zimmerman was legally intoxicated on some kinds of drug, not whether he was drunk on alcohol because he apparently passed a breathalyzer test. The results of the drug test have not been completed, prosecutors said Friday.

Zimmerman allegedly crashed into the police officer at 50 to 60 mph, dragging the officer along the highway before coming to a stop, said Sean Teare, the vehicular crimes unit chief with the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Garcia is recovering in the intensive care unit with head trauma, a pelvic fracture, and kidney and liver damage. Police arrested Zimmerman at the scene.

The elderly man, who police said has no criminal record in Harris County, told officers he'd had a 24-ounce beer with dinner around 5 p.m.  more than nine hours before the wreck, according to court records.
Hurricane Harvey is expected to fill more hotel rooms in the Houston area than Hurricane Katrina did in 2005, when as many as a quarter-million New Orleanians sought shelter here.

Displaced homeowners, first responders, insurance adjusters and other contractors are expected to book more than 2 million room nights at Houston-area hotels through the first quarter of 2018 due to Harvey, commercial real estate firm CBRE reported Thursday.

That would surpass the 1.8 million additional hotel room nights sold in the aftermath of Katrina and the 1 million additional room nights sold in the wake of Hurricane Ike in 2008, the CBRE survey showed.

Already, 439,642 hotel room nights were recorded between Aug. 27 and Sept. 16, according to STR, a Tennessee-based hotel data firm that tracks nearly 86,000 hotel rooms in the Houston area.

More Information Hotel bump Additional room nights sold in the Houston area following three storms: Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,810,683 Hurricane Ike (2008): 1,064,950 Hurricane Harvey (projected): 2,059,124 Source: CBRE Hotels See More Collapse

"A lot of people were displaced during Katrina," said Randy McCaslin, managing director of CBRE Hotels. "The difference with Harvey is, they're Houstonians. They're going to be around until their homes are rebuilt. Unfortunately, that's going to take a long time."

Before the storm, Houston had the weakest hotel market among 25 major metros nationally. Its average occupancy rate was 62 percent, down 10 percentage points from its energy boom peak in 2014, according to STR.

Occupancy rates hit or exceeded 90 percent five times between Sept. 1 and 16, the STR numbers show. Daily occupancy was consistently above 80 percent.

"This is very strong occupancy performance," said Jan Freitag, senior vice president of lodging insights for STR. "The demand spike is in the same range as a Super Bowl, the Olympics or South by Southwest."

Hotel room prices also have risen in Harvey's wake. Before the storm, rates averaged about $106 per night. Post-Harvey, the average peaked at $125 on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13, according to STR. Gov. Greg Abbott waived the hotel occupancy tax between Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 after the storm to make lodging more affordable.

Some hotels decided to offer discounts for Harvey victims. On Aug. 25, for example, Hotel Derek in the Galleria area began offering a $99 "evacuation rate." The average room rate in the 312-unit boutique hotel is about $160 a night.

More than 200 Harvey evacuees and 50 staff members stayed at Hotel Derek, said Stephanie Summerall, area director of sales and marketing.

"We had an influx of cancellations from meeting-related clients because of the perception that Houston sustained a lot of damage," she said. "But that was replaced by evacuees and first responders who came into the city to help. On the whole, there was definitely a lift in the month of September."

Hotel Derek's average occupancy rate jumped to 87.3 percent in September from 64.2 percent a year earlier.

Ed Wolff was one of the hundreds of Houstonians who took Hotel Derek up on its evacuation-rate offer. The Meyerland Realtor and his family were staying at his mother's home in Tanglewood, where they thought they would be safe and dry. But when that house took on 3 feet of water, the entire family had to be evacuated by boat.

When Wolff reached higher ground, he quickly realized the only safe housing option available was a hotel.

"Apartment complexes weren't even open at the time," Wolff said. "You could lease online, but you couldn't get in that night."

Wolff and his family booked three rooms for 10 nights while they looked for apartments.

Demand for hotel rooms typically remains elevated for six to nine months after a hurricane, CBRE's McCaslin told 350 hotel industry professionals Thursday at a Houston Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston luncheon.

Harvey's hotel bump will likely continue as long as insurance companies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are footing the bill for many. After Katrina devastated New Orleans, FEMA paid evacuees' hotel costs for up to a year, and Freitag said hotel demand dropped off afterward.

It's unclear how long FEMA will pay for rooms in Houston, but McCaslin expects it to be at least six months.

"It all depends on FEMA, how many hotel rooms they are paying for and for how long," Freitag said. "This could be prolonged or fairly short-lived."

NOTE: This story has been updated with the correct name of STR, the hotel data firm.
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Investigators found a man dead inside a trash can the day after a suspicious fire broke out at a home in East Montgomery County.

The man has been identified as Jason Gilbert, 37.

Montgomery County Sheriff's detectives are working closely with the Fire Marshal's Office and Patton Village Police Department to investigate the homicide and believe the home fire was intentionally set to cover up the crime. Detectives were called to the fire scene early Wednesday after firefighters found a blood-soaked mattress, according to MCSO.

The fire was reported in Wednesday's early morning hours on South Lakeview Drive in Patton Village but was quickly put under control within by firefighters with the East Montgomery County Fire Department. Investigators with the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office learned that residents Aaron Phillips and Gilbert were living in the home and were last seen hours before the fire.

Hours after detectives pleaded on social media for help finding Phillips and Gilbert on Thursday, they found Gilbert's body inside a residential-sized trash can in an abandoned lot across the street.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at 936-760-5800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867).
A slew of restaurants have closed this year, with at least three more establishments calling it quits in the last few months.

Among those is Little Bigs, 4621 Montrose, which shut down due to rent hikes, owner Bryan Caswell said, citing a rent hike as the culprit. Caswell and his wife, Jennifer, told CultureMap they are currently scouting a new address for their slider-and-shakes concept.

COOL OFF: Cloud 10 Creamery now open in the Heights, Sweet Cup Gelato arriving in the neighborhood soon

"We'll be paring back the menu a bit. It's lost its original vision as serving sliders, fries, shakes, and booze," Jennifer Caswell told that outlet. "We're really focusing on areas like the Heights that are a (place where) people eat in the neighborhood and they want to see their friends at the restaurants."

Now Playing: A slew of restaurants have closed this year, with at least three more establishments calling it quits in the last few months. Video: Houston Chronicle

The couple just debuted upscale restaurant Oxbow 7 at Le Meridien downtown. They're also working on repairing their Midtown establishment REEF, which is temporarily closed due to Harvey damage.

MIDTOWN ARRIVAL: Houston bar Momo Food + Wine debuts next week in Midtown

Over in River Oaks, Local Pour at 1952 W. Gray is being replaced by a luxury high-rise. The restaurant's Woodlands location will remain open.

"In preparation for the changes that are coming to The River Oaks Shopping Center, we have decided to close our doors to this great location," the restaurant shared on its Facebook page. "We would like to say 'Thank You' to all of our great customers and we hope to see y'all soon! Please stay tuned to our website for the NEW Local Pour location."

COMING SOON: Houston's most anticipated bar & restaurant openings, fall/winter 2017

Nearby, in Spring Branch, 15-year-old bar DRINK Houston is shutting down. "Since reopening after the hurricane, our sales have decreased significantly and we have not been able to catch up from our losses," the group said in a statement.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article said Pappy's Cafe is closing. It is not. It will be relocating but is still open for business until the new location is ready.
A Florida suspect wanted for murder was arrested at a hurricane shelter in Houston, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced on Thursday.

Julian Williams, 36, of Florida was arrested for murder, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the sheriff's office said.
A robber is in the hospital after his accomplice shot him in southeast Houston early Friday.

Around 2:45 a.m., the robbers approached two people sitting inside of a car in front of one of their homes on Easton near Berkeley, said Robert Montalvo with the Houston Police Department's major assaults unit.
Initial counts of fall enrollment at Texas Southern University topped 10,500 students this semester, which administrators attribute to a stronger recruiting effort in school districts with large enrollment by racial minorities. Last fall, enrollment was about 8,900.

Hundreds more first-time freshmen enrolled this fall than last, the university said in a press release. Previously enrolled students were 2 percent more likely to stay at TSU, whose six-year graduation rate for full-time students is well lower than the national average.

Universities need to keep enrollment up for two key reasons. First, Texas' higher education formula is largely tied to student enrollment.

Second, tuition is another revenue stream that allows universities to bolster academics and student services, like mental health counseling and academic advising, which help students stay on track to graduate.

Last fall, President Austin Lane -- who was starting his first semester at the university's helm -- said he wanted to increase enrollment to 15,000 students by 2020 after years of enrollment decline.

He pledged to form deeper relationships with Houston public schools and local community colleges, including Lone Star College where he previously worked.

TSU says that strategy paid off. In a press release, it said it focused recruitment in large urban areas of the state -- Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Beaumont and Port Arthur -- and used alumni to encourage students to stay enrolled and persist toward their degrees.

The university's Dallas alumni chapter held a send-off event for new students, and Lane in May posted for a photo with incoming freshmen from a Dallas high school, welcoming them to the university.

"We are taking a holistic approach to support students from the moment they step on campus right through graduation," Lane said in a statement.

Lindsay Ellis writes about higher education for the Chronicle. You can follow her on Twitter and send her tips at lindsay.ellis@chron.com.
Today marks the 45th anniversary of an "eye of the storm" moment during the Vietnam War.

For the first time in roughly seven years of fighting, the weekly report of U.S. casualties delivered on Sept. 28, 1972, showed no American fatalities in the Vietnam War. The good news represented the steady withdrawal of U.S. troops that began in 1969, known as Nixon's "Vietnamization" strategy.
CenterPoint Properties

CenterPoint Properties has provided the Houston Food Bank use of a facility for storage and packing to help it meet a surge in demand after Hurricane Harvey.

The 137,368-square-foot warehouse, at 8786 Wallisville Road, will be available for the next six months, according to the company. The Houston Food Bank's pro bono Realtor connected the organization with the space, which is about a mile from its headquarters.
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Need some help planning your week?

We've gathered a list of activities going on in Houston Sept. 28 to Oct. 5 for residents of all ages.

The Houston Rockets are back on the court. In their first preseason game, they'll be playing against the Shanghai Sharks on Thursday, Oct. 5, 7:30 pm at Toyota Center.

MUST SEE: How Rockets players spent their time in the offseason

More Information Things to do in Houston this week See More Collapse

Just a heads up. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw will be stopping by the Toyota Center. They are performing in Houston on Friday, Oct. 6 on their Soul2Soul World Tour.

Performances from Rick Springfield, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paramore, and more can be seen at various venues around town.

A few festivals will be going on this weekend. The HTX International Fest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30. Be sure to wear attire representing your culture.

CHECK THIS: Which movies to watch this weekend, Sept. 29

The 38th Annual Chicano Festival and the Houston Biker Fest will be great events to put on your calendar as well.

Houston Restaurant Weeks is in its final days. Be sure to visit your favorite restaurants before the annual fundraising event ends Saturday, Sept. 30.

Check out the gallery above for a list of activities and things to do in Houston for kids, young and old.
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While Bill Frisell doesn't quite have the cultural muscle of Bruce Springsteen, he's still a top-tier jazz guitarist with an international reach. And like Springsteen, who last week released a live album with proceeds going to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, Frisell has made a live album available through his website with all proceeds going to Mayor Sylvester Turner's Hurricane Harvey Release Fund. The new album can be purchased here.

The prolific Frisell never really found a record label that could keep up with his output. So he's taken to releasing live recordings on his site. "Hurricane Harvey Relief" is the 22nd in the series, drawing tracks from other releases in his download series. The tracks are pulled from live recordings made between 2003 and 2006, with Frisell leading trio, quartet, quintet and sextet configurations.
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Buttercup couldn't contain herself as she bounded out of NRG Arena into the arms of Harley Perryman.

The 5-year-old pit-bull mix with a golden coat and sweet disposition nearly knocked over the stocky 26-year-old car detailer from Fifth Ward.

Her sloppy kisses were a welcome treat for Perryman, who lost his "best friend" during Hurricane Harvey nearly a month ago. She vanished into the rainy night after Perryman let her outside for a bathroom break.

Some 300 dogs and 100 cats are housed at NRG's Pet Reunion Pavilion, which serves as a hub where families can search for their lost pets. It's also a collaborative effort among the Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society, Harris County Public Health's animal shelter and Houston PetSet.

Only 27 owners have been reunited with their animals since the pavilion opened earlier this month. Organizers are hoping for many more reunions.

Hannah Stember, public relations manager for Best Friends, said the group has taken extra steps to locate owners, including distributing bilingual binders with photos of each dog to community centers and churches in areas that flooded.

"We are trying all methods and all ways to get the word out about these pets," she said. "We did this after Hurricane Katrina. It was the same situation, but we are a no-kill organization. Once they are in our care, they have a home."

The animals, which were either rescued, left by their owners or found during Hurricane Harvey, will be at the pavilion for 30 days, then they will be moved into foster homes or put up for adoption. Houston PetSet is gearing up to transport pets that haven't been reunited to other cities where they can be adopted.

Monica and Jim Keener of Copperfield found their dogs Mulligan and Rumple at the pavilion. They had escaped from their backyard right after the storm. Although they were picked up by rescuers, no one knew they were a pair. Ironically, the dogs were put in kennels next to each other at NRG.

Nhi Tran, a native of Vietnam who moved to Houston five years ago, found her dog, Lucke, at NRG. She had only had him a few months before the traumatizing hurricane.

"I just wanted him in my arms again," said a weeping Tran as she cradled the puppy in her arms.

Stemper said that a handful of owners who were reached opted to surrender their pets. They were not in a position to care for them.

"There are so many reasons why an owner can't take their pet back. You never know the circumstance. We just want to get the ones with owners out there reunited," she said.

"These pets are safe here. Now, they have second chance at life."

Last week, the pavilion had an outbreak of canine distemper, a highly contagious, but treatable, virus that is common in emergency rescue shelter environments. There have been 69 confirmed cases, and some other animals have symptoms.

Currently, they have 182 "green" dogs, meaning dogs with no clinical signs of distemper. To prevent further contamination, afflicted dogs have been separated into treatment areas, and health protocols are being used to prevent cross-contamination.

Veterinarians are working at the pavilion around the clock to examine every pet and treat those that need special care.

"Besides the physical trauma, the emotional trauma can be just as devastating," said Dr. Jonathan Cooper, board member of Houston PetSet and a veterinarian at Westbury Animal Hospital.

"They are frightened and have separation anxiety. They can have behaviors similar to people when they lose a home or loved one."

Best Friends is now looking for foster homes to take in some of the pets who have exceeded their 30-day stay. The group is committed to staying in Houston until all the pets find homes, Stember said.

Since the pavilion opened, Stember has heard many dramatic stories of owners losing their pets in floodwaters. One owner, she said, was rescued by boat with her dog. The dog got spooked and leaped back into the water and swam away.

Perryman had frantically searched animal shelters looking for Buttercup - with no luck. Then his mother located the dog online. He thought it was too good to be true.

How did she get her name? "She's sweet like candy," Perryman said. He and his wife, April Alva, have four children. Buttercup is like on of his kids.

On the ride home from NRG Arena, Buttercup had a welcome-home treat, pizza.

She ate the whole thing.

NRG PET REUNION PAVILION

Location: 1 NRG Park in Exhibit Hall D, the Pet Reunion Pavilion is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except the Sundays of home Texans games.

Details: Staff are on hand to help people find their pets. If you are looking for a pet, please bring a photo of the pet or veterinarian/adoption records for identification purposes. Redeeming pets is free of cost. If people have lost their homes and can't take their pet with them at this time, Best Friends Animal Society will make every effort to help them find a solution.

If you are interested in fostering a pet, click here. To see all of the pets at the Pet Reunion Pavilion, click here.
Click through the slideshow above to see where to get your coffee fix right now in Houston...

There also seems to be a day for every food and beverage under the sun. There's pizza day, cheeseburger day, even tequila day, which hurts more the next day.
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On Sept. 18, Congressman Michael McCaul, R-Texas was joined by the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a Black Hawk helicopter ride across Cypress Creek, the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and Buffalo Bayou to gain a better understanding of the flooding problems facing the Houston area and the need to fix them.

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., chairs the committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and McCaul said the committee is looking at an infrastructure funding bill that could come out of Congress later this year or early next. McCaul would like to see that bill include funding for the flood relief in the Houston area, including a possible Cypress Creek reservoir type structure.

A proposed levee with an estimated cost of $320 million is part of a study by the Costello firm, that was hired by the city of Katy after 2016 Tax Day flooding.The levee that was proposed in the 1940s no longer will work, said an aide to McCaul, so the congressman is working with locals on what is the best plan going forward  a reservoir type structure.

McCaul brought Speaker of the House Paul Ryan down to Texas on Sept. 21 and spoke of leading a delegation with Shuster in a few weeks to Houston to continue to keep the focus on Texas and on ideas to reduce flooding. "I'm working with Shuster pretty closely," McCaul added.

Referring to Cypress Creek, McCaul said, "I'm very focused on how to get federal funding as soon as possible." He noted three floods in the last two years downstream of Cypress Creek.

And officials are taking another look at the Addicks and Barker dams and what more might need to take place. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to release water from the two reservoirs Aug. 28 because their water level had climbed too quickly due to Hurricane Harvey.

"The controlled spills caused a lot of damage and anxiety," said McCaul.

A $72 million overhaul to the dams, which are more than 70 years old, began in April 2016 before Tax Day flooding delayed work.

The infrastructure bill could involve private/public partnerships.

In September 2014, The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Panel on Public-Private Partnerships released its final report and recommendations on how to balance the needs of the public and private sector when financing the nation's infrastructure. In part, it mentioned changes to federal programs to more easily allow partnerships by states and localities.

On Sept. 18, McCaul said he and Shuster also met with John Sharp, Texas A&M University chancellor, who was named by Gov. Greg Abbott to head the Governor's Commission to Rebuild Texas following Hurricane Harvey. Sharp's list includes "Focus on the needs that will have the greatest impact locally and regionally."

McCaul said he shared with Sharp a copy of a 1940s map by the Civil Engineer Corps launched to build infrastructure that shows the Barker and Addicks reservoirs as well as a levee for Cypress Creek and described the situation as it's on the ground.

"Actually it's one of the issues - infrastructure - that could be a truly bipartisan bill to come out of Congress," said McCaul. The president is supportive, he added. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump talked of a multi-million package to rebuild the nation's infrastructure.

McCaul also has been working on more immediate disaster relief to help Houston-area residents.

In early September, Congress approved $15.25 billion in relief funding for victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Congress is working on another supplemental funding bill that probably will be acted on next month, he said.

On Sept. 14, the House passed H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act of 2018. The bill provides $44.3 billion, $1.9 billion above FY17, to protect the homeland, secure the border, and provide necessary funds to respond to disasters. It includes $7.3 billion for FEMA's disaster relief account for FY18 and $2.7 billion for FEMA grant programs, such as the State Homeland Security Grant Program, Urban Area Security Initiative, and firefighter assistance grants

McCaul said the disaster relief would keep FEMA solvent through the hurricane season and called block grants key to rebuilding people's houses and lives.
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Three Texas universities are changing the world with their work.

The University of Texas System, Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University recently landed on Reuters' annual ranking of the most innovative colleges in the world.

Rice came in at No. 92. Reuters praised the Houston university for its advancements in medicine as well as energy storage. Contributing to its rank on the list was that fact that Rice University filed a total 154 patents between 2010 and 2015.

MIX-UP: Google shows Rice University photo as profile picture of the University of Houston

Now Playing: University of Texas President Gregory Fenves says that nearly 66% of undergrad students earn their degrees in four years or less. Video: Fox7

At number 44 was Baylor College of Medicine, praised for its biotech and pharmaceutical patents .

The University of Texas System ranked even higher on the list at No. 9.

"Over the past five years, UT says researchers from its 14 institutions have produced more than 120,000 publications," wrote Reuters, highlighting the UT System's Stampede2, the most powerful supercomputer at any U.S. college.

At the UT System's eight public universities and six health institutions, a total of 974 patents were filed between 2010 and 2015.

SPACE CITY: 'Hidden Figures' author to visit University of Houston

Taking the top five spots, in order, are: Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania and KU Leuven in Belgium.

Above: See where Texas schools rank on Forbes' list of top colleges.
Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, stating reasons why it should overturn a lower court ruling that blocked Texas' sanctuary cities laws from taking effect in September, his office announced late Thursday.

Paxton said the sanctuary cities bill, which the legislature enacted in May, is lawful and does not violate constitutional rights. Senate Bill 4 calls for Texas law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws.
Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner on Friday asked the City Council to settle a voting rights lawsuit that led to national portrayals of the Houston suburb as an example of efforts to suppress Latino voting rights.

The proposed settlement with Latino residents who sued the city in 2014 over a new City Council district system calls for the city to pay $900,000 for the plaintiffs' legal fees and $197,341 for court costs. The item will be on Tuesday's City Council agenda.

"While I strongly believe that the city did not violate the Voting Rights Act or adopt a discriminatory election system," Wagner said in a statement, "I think it's in the best interest of the city to get this suit behind us."

READ ALSO: Pasadena voters choose new mayor in heated election

C. Robert Health, who represented the city a protracted battle in federal court, agreed that if the council votes for the settlement, it's in the city's best interest. However, he argued in court and he still believes that the city did not intentionally discriminate against Latino voters, even though Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal determined it did.

"We felt we had a good case and we had not discriminated," he said. "The system operated in such a way that I don't think it produced or diminished Hispanic representation."

Patricia Gonzales, one of a handful of voters who filed the lawsuit through the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund prompted by drastic infrastructure inequities across the city, said she was thrilled to hear the news. But she was not surprised.

"We knew this was a winning fight. We prayed on it and we fought on it and we knew it was the right thing to do," said Gonzalez, a part time phone operator recently formed a community advocacy group on the structurally faltering north side of town.

"We can't be bullied anymore," she said.

Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler, who testified in the lawsuit and was a vocal advocate for removing what he saw as power grab by longtime Mayor Johnny Isbell, said he's relieved the city is putting an end to fighting the ruling.

"There was kind of an underbelly in Pasadena of this power network and good old boy system that wanted to keep Pasadena run by this group," he said. "The lawsuit changed that. It really put the power back in the hands of the voters and the citizens of Pasadena."

He said based on conversations among city council members he's confident the majority will approve the settlement.

Approval of the settlement would end the city's appeal of Rosenthal's January ruling that the new council system intentionally diluted Latino voting strength. Voters approved the new system, which added two at-large council positions and removed two district seats, in a 2013 charter change election initiated by the former mayor.

Rosenthal ordered the city to use the previous system of eight district positions in the city elections last May. The city has paid more than $2 million to attorneys for the trial and appeal.

Wagner, a former Houston police officer who had served one term on the City Council, won election to replace the term-limited Isbell, who had led the city off and on for decades. Statements by candidates during the city election campaign, and by council members since then, have shown little appetite for continuing the appeal of the case.

The lawsuit "has been extremely divisive and focused our attention on issues of the past," Wagner said in his statement. "It is time to devote our full attention to the future and to ensuring that Pasadena's future is one in which all parts of the city are united."
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking about 12 people to serve on a Trapping Advisory Committee to provide input on the agencys trapping and furbearer management.

The committee will advise FWP in reviewing the science and management of trapping, predicting and anticipating public sentiment and public communication efforts concerning trapping and furbearer management.

The committee will not consider whether or not there will be trapping in Montana, FWP said in a news release.

"This advisory committee needs to be diverse and ideally will include people from across the state and contain a broad cross-section of views, experiences and interests, including wildlife, livestock, scientific, recreation, economic and local governments," the news release says.

It is important that we get people who represent all of the diverse viewpoints on trapping in Montana, but at the same time, people who can work well with others., says John Vore, FWPs game management bureau chief. We are looking for problem solvers, not people with an agenda.

FWP staff will participate in but not formally sit on the committee. Meetings will be facilitated and be advertised and open to the public with opportunity for public comment.

To apply to be on the Trapping Advisory Committee, follow this link, http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/trapping/advisoryCommittee.html.

Application deadline is Oct. 20, and the FWP director will select panelists by Nov. 1. The first meeting will be Dec. 12-13 at FWPs Helena Montana Wild. Subsequent meeting dates and places will be arranged at the close of each meeting, but meetings will be held in various cities across the state.

The committee will have its recommendations for FWP by April 30. Interested individuals should be willing to travel for up to five one to two-day meetings in 2017-2018.

For more information contact Vore at 444-3940.
For anyone interested in chasing upland birds or waterfowl but arent sure where to start, the Caspar Star-Tribune tracked down expert bird hunters to offer some advice.

Find habitat

As a general rule, look for ducks on rivers and stock ponds and geese in agricultural areas.

Shallow water is generally best for ducks. Diving ducks feed in about 4 feet of water, and puddle ducks feed in 18 inches.

Find chukars in the high badlands country of the Big Horn Basin. The quail-sized birds like to live in dry, rocky areas with scattered sagebrush and grasses.

Their cousin, the Hungarian partridge, could be almost anywhere but is most often in lower, creek bottom areas.

Put in time

Bird hunting in Wyoming, especially on public land, isnt for the impatient hunter. It requires the willingness to walk miles or sit and wait for hours.

Scan water until you find an area you like, then be ready to wait for ducks to come to you.

For upland game birds, hunting mostly involves walking. A lot of walking.

Check regs

Seasons vary depending on the location or bird species, even closing for short periods in between open seasons. Anyone hunting needs a game bird license and conservation stamp. Duck hunters need a federal duck stamp, and someone hunting migratory birds needs a free Harvest Information Permit, also called HIP.

Types of ammunition will also vary. Duck hunting requires steel shot, for example, but most upland game bird areas still allow lead shot.

Also be aware that certain days in some areas with planted pheasants are open only to youth hunts. If you are hunting with someone under 18, those can be good way for an inexperienced hunter to find birds and success.

Invest in decoys

If you want success in duck hunting, you should buy some decoys. A dozen would probably be enough to begin.

Calls can also be a good option if you know how to use them.

You can also try a chukar call. It wont draw them to you, like a duck or goose call, but it can help locate them in the field.

Ask for help

The best, and often quickest, way to figure out bird hunting is to ask for help. Find a friend who hunts and see if you can go along or ask for some pointers for local hot spots.

Budding hunters can also call a local Game and Fish office or outdoor store for advice.

For more information on species, regulations and permits, go to wgfd.wyo.gov.
FARGO, N.D.  A woman accused along with her boyfriend of conspiring to kill a Fargo woman and taking her infant pleaded not guilty Thursday during a brief court appearance attended by the victim's friends and family members.

Brooke Crews, 38, of Fargo, showed no emotion while responding to questions from East Central District Judge Frank Racek on whether she understood the proceedings. Her attorney, Steven Mottinger, entered not-guilty pleas on her behalf on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and giving false information to officers.

Crews' boyfriend, William Hoehn, 32, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the same charges. They were neighbors of 22-year-old Savanna Greywind, who was eight months pregnant when she disappeared last month. Her newborn was found with Crews in the couple's apartment days after Greywind disappeared. Greywind's body was found in the Red River a few days later.

Greywind's mother, Noberta, slumped in her seat and wept when Crews was led into the courtroom in orange jail clothing and bound at the wrist and ankles.

Police have not released further details since Crews and Hoehn were charged, and Cass County prosecutor Birch Burdick did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Mottinger said outside the courtroom that he advised Crews not to talk to authorities.

"She has the absolute right not to make any statements to anybody, and that is her choice at the present time," the lawyer said.

The charging document in the case says Crews told police she arranged to have Greywind come to her apartment on Aug. 19 and told her how to induce labor. Crews alleged that Greywind came back two days later to give her the newborn baby.

Hoehn told police a different story, according to the documents. He said he came home Aug. 19 to find Crews cleaning up blood in their bathroom. Hoehn said Crews presented him with an infant baby girl and said: "This is our baby. This is our family."

Racek moved the next hearing from Nov. 29 to Jan. 3 to discuss evidence in the case after Mottinger told the judge he is still waiting to receive material from Burdick's office.

Mottinger said afterward that there are "an awful lot of reports" from numerous law enforcement agencies.

"Obviously we would like to have a chance to thoroughly review that before we make any long-term decisions in terms of how we're going to proceed," he said.
Montana State University Billings officials were optimistic about enrollment figures on Thursday, bolstered by Billings' two-year college.

A release from the university said that 4,401 students are enrolled this fall at both MSUB's main campus and at City College. That's up 35 students from last fall.

The figures are hopeful when taken as a whole, but the MSUB main campus has 133 fewer students than it did last fall. Shannon Wilcox, university director of communications, said that the overall number of full-time equivalent students were down as well.

We were off projection 2 (percent) to 2.6 percent less than anticipated," Wilcox said.

That means the equivalent of 87 fewer full-time students at MSUB and City College combined, according to figures from Wilcox.

FTEs are used for university budgeting and takes into account the credit loads of part-time students.

Most gains came at City College, which saw a bump of 170 students since the fall of 2016.

The overall student count reflects university officials' hopes that enrollment would stabilize in 2017 and 2018 after a long-term downward trend.

"The fall headcount numbers are a step in the right direction," said MSUB Provost Robert Hoar in a press release. "It shows that more students are choosing MSUB.

"We are also encouraged by improvements in student retention, which has been a focus for our faculty and staff. Our student success initiatives are progressing. These are the indicators that we want to see trending up."

Thursday marked the 15th day of enrollment, when universities lock in fall numbers.

FTE numbers will come into play in the near future as the university system deals with state budget cuts. Thursday's press release did not include the FTE count.

At MSUB, it's often said that the traditional student is non-traditional. That means that a higher-than-average number of students at MSUB aren't people who enter college straight out of high school. Many attend part-time while working or raising a family.

The characteristics of part-time students can affect the final FTE figure in different ways. For example, City College gained two students from last fall to spring but lost about 136 FTE over the same period, according to university system data.

It depends on how many credits each part-time student takes.

More of the students this year attend part time, according to MSUB's release. That includes 100 more dual-credit students through the High School Connections program.

In its release, MSUB also touted its Native American enrollment, which is up by 10 percent. Resident undergrad enrollment continued to grow as well, and the most Yellowstone County students in three years are attending, according to MSUB.
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An unhappy traveler is suing Royal Caribbean for refusing to call off a Galveston cruise even as Hurricane Harvey battered southeast Texas.

Instead of allowing would-be vacationers to reschedule in light of the category 4 storm, a federal lawsuit alleges, the cruise line forced families to choose between traveling into the path of the hurricane for an Aug. 27 ship departure or forfeiting all the money shelled out for the pricey trip.

The suit filed Thursday in Florida's Southern District offers a class action claim on behalf of Canadian traveler Nikki McIntosh and all similarly situated passengers who booked Aug. 27 trips on the Miami-based cruise line's Liberty of the Seas.

Now Playing: The cruise line's CEO, Arnold Donald, discusses the impact storms are having on areas where it operates. He explains why he doesn't expect a lasting impact on the cruise industry. Video: Cheddar TV

The court filing paints a dire picture of the week's events, with claims of toddlers wading through flood waters as their stranded families searched for food after they were "strong-armed" into coming to Galveston when the cruise line "repeatedly" told passengers they would lose the entire cost of the trip if they cancelled.

"What Royal Caribbean did to these passengers is simply shocking," attorney Michael Winkleman said in a statement. "They knowingly placed families with small children directly in the path of one of the worst storms to hit the U.S. in centuries."

Royal Caribbean declined to comment.

PORT CLOSED: 20,000 stuck at sea in cruise ships as Galveston hunkers down for Hurricane Harvey

The day before Harvey made landfall, Royal Caribbean issued an online notice that the Sunday cruise was still set to leave port as scheduled, according to the suit.

The following day, as the storm struck the Lone Star State, airlines started cancelling flights and officials shuttered the Port of Galveston.

The port closure trapped Liberty of the Seas and three Carnival Cruise ships at sea, stranding more than 20,000 passengers set to disembark in Galveston. But still, Royal Caribbean told incoming travelers to expect an on-time departure that Sunday, plaintiffs charge.

And while Carnival announced the rerouting of its ships to other ports, Royal Caribbean "sailed straight ahead," the suit alleges. On the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 26, according to legal filings, the cruise line's chief meteorologist tweeted: "Weather looking favorable tonight and tomorrow."

A few hours later, the cruise line again told passengers the Sunday trip was still scheduled to set sail as planned.

"By this time, catastrophic flooding had already begun," the suit says. "Hundreds of flights were cancelled, and highways were flooded, impassable and deadly. Yet RCCL was still attempting to find a way to make the scheduled sailing."

Late Saturday night, the cruise line pushed its Sunday departure back to Monday, as the port's continued closure would prevent the ship from docking.

"At or around this time, was the last chance that these passengers likely could have escaped being trapped in Hurricane Harvey's flood waters," the lawyers write, "but RCCL did its best to convince these passengers to stay directly in harm's way."

On Sunday, Aug. 27 - the day of the worst flooding in Galveston County - the cruise line finally emailed passengers offering the ability to cancel for a full refund and future discount. A few hours later, they called off the cruise altogether.

But by then, scores of passengers had already flocked to the Galveston area.

"Had the cruise been cancelled a day or two earlier, just like Carnival did, then these passengers would not have been trapped in the path of Hurricane Harvey and subjected to 5-6 days of terror, hardship and inconvenience in a place foreign to them," the suit alleges.

After a flight from her home in Canada, Nikki McIntosh found herself stuck in storm-battered southeast Texas with her husband and two children, ages 3 and 6.

"We ended up being trapped in Houston at our own expense for six days," she said in a statement. "We were surrounded by flood waters, our hotel leaking very badly. Food shortages were a massive concern."

McIntosh and her family shelled out $4,500 for a week of stress that was "completely unavoidable," she said, accusing the company of "holding our hard-earned money hostage."

The suit charges the company with negligence for everything from refusing to cancel sooner to failing to monitor the weather better. The plaintiffs have suffered emotional distress with symptoms ranging from nausea to nightmares, the filings allege.

"The conduct of RCCL as alleged above is so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized community," lawyers write.

The filing doesn't include the specific amount of a monetary demand other than to say it should cover lost wages, emotional anguish and physical pain and suffering, among other things.
Angelina County Jail

A Lufkin kindergarten teacher is behind bars after pleading guilty to seven counts of sexual assault of a child and improper relationship with a student.

Heather Robertson was sentenced to 10 years in prison after having sex with several high school students, according to and article on CBS News. She'll also have to register as a sex offender.
As with all national heroes, reporter Brandi Smith achieved one of America's highest honors: A sit-down interview with Ellen DeGeneres.

Houstonians will likely forever remember KHOU-TV's Smith after she helped rescue a truck driver on live television during Hurricane Harvey.
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AUSTIN - A trio of attorneys tasked with building a case against Attorney General Ken Paxton haven't been paid in 18 months - and they persuaded the state's highest criminal court there could be a problem with that.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals this week agreed to look into whether three special prosecutors in Paxton's criminal trial should be paid $205,000 in back pay despite a ruling by a lower court that found another judge busted a local cap on how much money the attorneys can make.

If the high court agrees, it could hamper or kill the criminal case against Paxton, an embattled Republican attorney general facing a trifecta of felony securities fraud and registration charges that have overshadowed his first term as the state's top lawyer.

Legal experts say there's much more at risk for Texas' criminal justice system: whether qualified lawyers will be willing to take time-consuming appointments as special prosecutors or defense attorneys in complicated cases for little pay.

"We're really talking here about trying to make sure justice is done," said Geary Reamey a criminal law professor at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio. "The way to best ensure that justice is done is to have lawyers on both sides who are equally resourced, equally experienced, equally capable."

At issue is whether lower level judges can pay the special prosecutors more than locally approved caps allow.

Three special prosecutors were assigned to Paxton's case after Greg Willis, Collin County's district attorney and a friend of Paxton's, recused himself from the case. Houston attorneys Brian Wice, Kent Schaffer and Nicole DeBorde were later appointed as special prosecutors in the case.

Collin County Local Administrative Judge Scott Becker agreed to pay the new appointees $300 an hour, tapping a rule that gives him discretion to set higher fees in special cases.

Question of discretion

Paxton's allies challenged their pay in court, arguing taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for hefty attorneys' fees that exceed the county's caps. They argue the judge busted a Collin County limits of $1,000 for first degree felony pleas, $500 for third-degree pleas, $1,000 for pretrial work and $500 for each one-half day of trial.

The Dallas-based 5th Court of Appeals agreed last month, saying judges lack discretion to set higher fee schedules. The court voided an order for the payment, which dates back to January 2016.

On an appeal by Wice, one of Paxton's three special prosecutors, the Court of Criminal Appeals decided Monday night it was interested in the case and stayed further proceedings while it weighs the issue. The court, which is essentially the supreme court for criminal cases, is now soliciting responses from the 5th Court of Appeals and other interested parties for the next month.

"Left unchecked, the court of appeals' decision divesting trial judges of the discretion to control their dockets will have a chilling effect on their ability to appoint competent advocates willing to take on the most complex criminal cases," Wice said in a petition for a writ of mandamus against the Fifth Court of Appeals, adding attorneys willing to take on complex prosecutions against public officials will have to do so "on shoe-string budgets."

In his filing, he said two-thirds of all Texas counties - 168 out of 254 - passed rules that allow judges discretion to set a higher pay in special circumstances.

Precedent may be set

Most of the members of the high court were prosecutors at some point, said Reamy, who used to practice law in the Dallas area, and have some understanding of the time and expertise it takes to be a special prosecutor in a case like Paxton's. He said the members are likely interested what this case might do in the administration of criminal justice.

"It's going to be extremely hard in the future to find people who are willing to be special prosecutors and that doesn't serve the interests of justice in Texas at all," he said. He said the Dallas court's decision could undermine confidence the courts are trying to instill in the public that the criminal system generally works the way it's supposed to without favoritism to the powerful or the wealthy.

Paxton, who maintains his innocence, has employed a team of lawyers to defend him against the criminal charges and civil charges that were thrown out earlier this year. He has raised more than half of $1 million for his legal defense since 2015. Last year, he raised nearly $218,000 to pay his lawyers, spokesman and others building his defense strategy. In 2015, Paxton raised $329,000.

Paxton's spokesman and legal defense team declined to comment for this story, citing a gag order on the criminal case.

Should the court let the 5th Court of Appeals' decision stand, the three attorneys would not be paid for the last 18 months working on the Paxton case.

Asked for comment on this story, including whether the attorneys would work for free, Wice declined to comment.

The Collin County Commissioner's Court is also mulling whether to claw back some of the money it paid the special prosecutors late last year.

If that's the case, it won't be worth it for high-quality lawyers to take on appointments to complicated cases, said Quinton "Dwight" McDonald, an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University.

A high quality attorney shouldn't have to think about whether they will have to battle county commissioners or unhappy defense attorneys in separate lawsuits to ensure they're paid what they were promised, said McDonald who spent more than two decades practicing criminal law. That, in turn, could lead to fewer seasoned attorneys taking on appointments and weaken the judicial system.

"If you set that precedent, trust me, that does come up again," he said. "If you're not getting the best representation that you can on both sides, then this system does not work the way our forefathers wanted it to work."

The State Bar of Texas and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, which represent lawyers across the state, declined to comment for this story.

Trial set for December

The case's accession to the state's highest criminal court is the latest twist in Paxton's criminal case which is now more than two years in the making and will likely delay it further. The court has reset his trial date twice and he is now scheduled to go to face trial in December.

Paxton is accused of securities fraud persuading people in his investment group to invest in Servergy, a North Texas tech company, without disclosing he would make a commission from the sales.

He sold $840,000 in investments in the company and was paid 100,0000 shares of stock worth $1 each. The transactions took place while Paxton was a member of the House of Representatives and are not entwined with his public service.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission launched similar charges against the attorney general in federal civil court. A federal court judge tossed out those charges in March.

Conservative groups and publications have come to Paxton's aid in recent weeks, offering up editorials calling the case against him dubious, a waste of taxpayer money and a political witch hunt.
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A Texas woman serving 15 years in prison for stabbing another woman 21 times in March 2016 may be back on the streets again.

Pearl Moen, 20, is serving time for attempted murder and is up for parole this November, reports news station KXAN-TV.

Attempted murder is not considered a "3G offense," usually very violent crime involving a weapon. Murder is considered a 3G but attempted murder isn't, the news station reports.

UNBELIEVABLE: Video shows man, woman shooting guns from a moving car in Houston

Travis County Assistant District Attorney Joe Frederick told KXAN that prosecutors thought attempted murder was considered a 3G offense. In addition to the attempted murder charge, Moen was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is considered a 3G offense. That charge was waived by prosecutors.

The Austin American-Statesman reports detectives found what they believe was Moen's diary, in which she allegedly talks about the stabbing.

"I stabbed an innocent woman to death earlier today - technically yesterday since it's 1 a.m.," Moen reportedly wrote. "It was absolutely fantastic. Murder gives me a high unlike any other. How do I even go about describing it. The whole thing was unreal. I'm so proud of myself."

The victim survived the attack.

Moen allegedly admits to being a "homicidal psychopath" and having a "deep hatred towards people right now."

FUNNY: Bay City police Facebook shows cops can have a sense of humor too

The victim told KXAN-TV that she fears Moen will attack someone else if she gets out. The victim is urging people to write a letter to the parole board hearing her case.

The news station has an online link instructing people how to contact the parole board.
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An off-duty police officer crashed his pickup truck into a sinkhole Friday morning on the Southeast Side.

The officer drove into the sinkhole, which was caused by a water main break, around 6:30 a.m. in South Side Lions Park near Pecan Valley Drive.

RELATED: K-9 unit tracks down suspect who fled far West Side crash that caused life-threatening injuries

A police sergeant at the scene said the officer was on his way home at the time he plunged into the sinkhole.

He was not injured in the crash, though police suspect the truck is totaled.

Now Playing: An off-duty police officer crashed his pickup truck into a sinkhole Friday morning, Sept. 29, on the Southeast Side. Video: San Antonio Express-News

SAWS officials were working in the area Thursday evening searching for the water main break. Police discovered its location Friday morning while responding to the sinkhole crash.

They couldnt find it last night, but SAPD, well find it for you, Sgt. Marshall Campbell joked.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns
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Take a quick look at Jose Felinzo Carrion's Facebook profile, and it's evident he misses his dead brother, Ethan, a 16-year-old boy who was fatally shot last month.

"#RIPBRO" is the caption on a photo of him and another man looking down on Ethan's open casket at a funeral service, and on Sept. 25, he wrote a heartfelt post describing the pain of losing his brother.

"I'm lost as f**k out here, bro," he writes. "Wish you didn't have to leave me so young. I always told you it had to be me before you and the rest, bro. Now look, karnal, I'm going crazy."

RELATED: Teen found shot to death in East Side street was mourning mother, trying to earn GED

Carrion is also a suspect in the killing.

Now Playing: S.A. ranked first out of 15 largest U.S. cities in 2016. Video: San Antonio Express-News

Police arrested Carrion, 18, on Wednesday on a charge of murder in connection with his brother's death. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail the same day, where he remains on a $100,000 bond.

According to San Antonio police, Carrion shot his brother with a 20-gauge shotgun sometime around 12:45 p.m. on August 26 at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of South Hamilton Street. When responding officers arrived to the scene, they found Ethan Carrion lying unresponsive in the living room with a shotgun wound to his chest, officials said.

Paramedics pronounced him dead at 1:03 p.m.

The weapon used to kill Ethan was not found at the apartment, but bits of a shotgun shell were, along with blood traces on the stairway banister, police said.

The boys' mother told police that she was in the living room with Ethan moments before he was shot. She said she saw him get up from the couch, go to the apartment's back door and then heard the door slam, officials said.

RELATED: Police look for motives, mother looks for answers after 8 shootings claim 10 victims on East Side

She claims she didn't hear a gunshot, but then discovered Ethan had been shot right after leaving the living room, according to an arrest affidavit.

While police searched the apartment for evidence, two men, one of whom was Carrion, were detained at an unknown location. Police found blood on Carrion, which he claimed belonged to his brother, officials said.

Under further questioning at a police station, Carrion told police his brother accidentally shot himself while "playing" with the shotgun as he walked down the apartment's staircase, authorities said. He reportedly claimed Ethan dropped the gun, and it fired a shell into his chest at point blank range.

Detectives asked him where the shotgun was, and Carrion first told them he handed it to someone who happened to be walking by at the time of the shooting, then changed his story, saying he threw it in a dumpster near the apartment, according to the affidavit. Police didn't find a shotgun in any nearby dumpsters.

Carrion's girlfriend was brought into the interview room with him. While the two sat in the interview room, police allegedly recorded Carrion telling her that he was going to prison for the shooting and that "he had hidden the shotgun in the bed of a pickup truck."

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's office later told police the estimated distance from the shotgun to Ethan's gunshot wound was more than 4 feet, contradicting Carrion's claim, the affidavit says.

On Sept. 15, forensic scientists returned a gunshot residue testing kit taken from Carrion after his detention. The test found a "maximum quantity" of gunshot residue on Carrion.

RELATED: Authorities identify man who jumped off Loop 1604 ramp onto U.S. 281

Meanwhile, those close to Ethan were mourning his loss on Facebook. The mother of his child, who will not be identified in this story as she is believed to be a juvenile, has posted about his death almost every day since the killing.

"I never thought I would lose my baby forever," she wrote the day after his killing. "I never thought he'd be gone for this long. I feel like I'm in a dream I just wanna wake up from. Why'd you have to go, babe. Just come back."

Carrion, too, continued to remember his brother over Facebook.

"Feel stupid lost out here walking streets, bro," he wrote on Sept. 18. "Just wishing you was here."

Days after Carrion's mournful posts, however, police obtained a warrant for his arrest and booked him into jail. If convicted, he faces up to 99 years in prison.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
Despite President Donald Trump's promises to deport up to 3 million criminal immigrants, his administration has removed fewer people this fiscal year than during the same period last year, about 211,000 through early September, federal statistics show.

That's by far the lowest number of people deported in at least a decade.

The 12 percent drop has occurred even as the number of migrants Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested since Trump took office in January jumped by 43 percent to some 97,500 compared to the same time frame in 2016.

The end of fiscal-year statistics speak to the challenges the administration faces in removing large amounts of migrants from the interior of the country, where federal agents have far more constraints on how they can deport immigrants in the country illegally than at the borders, increasing the strain on an already-overwhelmed immigration court system.

FEAR OF ICE: Immigrant flood victims make do on their own

With a record backlog of more than 600,000 cases, it can take at least two years before a migrant appears in court and is ordered deported. Texas has the second-highest backlog in the nation, and cases have an average wait time of 829 days.

By contrast, immigration agents can, and do, deport most migrants apprehended within two weeks of arrival and 100 miles of the border through an administrative process known as expedited removal, which sidesteps the courts.

They can also simply return Mexicans and Canadians across the border, known as voluntary departure, without going through the time-consuming formal deportation process.

About two-thirds of the agency's removals involved immigrants arrested as they were trying to come in.

But the number of people trying to cross the U.S. border with Mexico plummeted significantly after Trump took office, falling by nearly half to almost 23,600 in February.

As the administration threatened to separate women and children at the border, and word of harsh enforcement spread, those numbers dropped further still to 15,800 in April, the lowest monthly figure recorded in at least 17 years.

Apprehensions have since steadily risen again to nearly 31,000 in August, according to Customs and Border Protection statistics.

But the number is still among the lowest in the past five years.

In fact, despite the blustering rhetoric about increasing enforcement at the border, sneaking across it is harder than ever before, according to a Department of Homeland Security report released this month. It estimated that as many as 85 percent of illegal border crossings are unsuccessful, up from 70 percent a decade ago.

Sarah Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for ICE, acknowledged that the record decline in apprehensions at the border had an impact on the overall number of deportations. But she noted that removals from elsewhere in the country increased by a third to nearly 52,200 between January and September when compared to the same period last year.

Of those who were arrested, but not yet deported, more than 70 percent are convicted criminals, she said, reflecting the "continued prioritization of enforcement resources on aliens who pose a threat to national security, public safety, and border security."

The agency's own statistics, however, show that by far the greatest increase came in the number of arrests of immigrants without criminal records, which almost tripled to about 28,000 since January when compared to the same period in 2016.

Rodriguez said that about 60 percent of those faced, but have not yet been convicted of criminal charges, though she didn't specify what kind.

The greatest number of non-criminal immigrants in the country were arrested in Atlanta, more than 2,500 between January and June, according to the most recent figures released. In that same time frame, the most with criminal records, about 7,000, were arrested in Dallas, followed by 5,900 in Houston.

The rise in arrests for immigrants without criminal records comes as agents have praised Trump for unshackling them and allowing them to deport anyone they find here illegally, rather than focusing on recently-arrived migrants and those with serious criminal histories as President Barack Obama ordered them to in 2014.

Obama did that after being labeled deporter-in-chief for removing a record 410,000 immigrants in 2012, but as hopes of comprehensive immigration reform fell apart in Congress he sought to protect immigrants who have been here a long time and prioritize criminals.

Under the Trump administration, every immigrant is again a focus for removal.

TRUMP VISITS HOUSTON: Immigrants protest

John Sandweg, ICE's former acting director under the Obama administration, said the record deportation low this year, as agents have been ordered to deport everyone, shows that the strategy is a failure.

Even under Obama's targeted enforcement approach, Sandweg said the agency was able to easily apprehend about half a million immigrants who fit into its priorities from the interior of the country each year. But the system only had the capacity to deport around 150,000 of them.

"ICE has always had the ability to arrest far more people than they could possibly remove," Sandweg said. "What we really need is more immigration courts and immigration judges."

The drop in deportations also underlines the need for comprehensive immigration reform for some of the 11 million immigrants here illegally, he said.

"When we have a guy who is the most committed to having unfettered enforcement and he can't make a dent in the population, and in fact comes in under what we were doing with a far more targeted approach, that demonstrates the futility of trying to enforce your way out of the problem," Sandweg said.

The Trump administration faces far more obstacles in deporting large swaths of migrants than the Obama administration, said Randy Capps, director of research for U.S. Programs at the Migration Policy Institute, a think tank in Washington D.C.

Around 70 percent of immigrants detained by ICE are found after they are booked into local jails and their finger prints match with a Homeland Security database. ICE then asks the agencies to hold the migrants once they are eligible for release so it can pick them up.

But in the last few years several federal courts, though none in Texas, have ruled doing so violates the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable seizure.

Populous states, including California and Illinois, and about 260 counties and 30 cities stopped complying with the government's detainer requests, saying it is not within their authority and opens them up to lawsuits.

"This is a major barrier to increasing the scope of the enforcement system," Capps said.

The administration has tried to push back on so-called sanctuary cities, threatening to cut their federal funding. This week ICE arrested almost 500 immigrants from cities across the country that don't honor ICE requests, though none in Texas.

Gov. Greg Abbott has also pushed legislators to approve Senate Bill 4 to force local jurisdictions to comply with the detainers  though all, except Travis County in Austin, already do. A federal judge halted the law's implementation, but an appellate panel this week agreed that it can go into effect while the case is heard. As a result, Travis County announced it would honor the detainers once more.

Part of the strategy is signalling to migrants that they will suffer consequences for living here illegally, said Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a Washington group advocating for reducing immigration.

"No one has seriously suggested that we can deport every person in the country illegally," Mehlman said. "The key is to take other steps to convince people, a) not to come, and b) if you are here, there's no reason to stick around."
Three people were taken to the hospital on Thursday evening after an apparent wrong-way driver crashed into another car in East Billings.

Montana Highway Patrol had been pursuing a car near MetraPark, but stopped when the car turned onto Fourth Avenue North going the wrong way. Two passengers were in the car as well as the driver.

The car collided head-on with another car driven by a teenage girl southbound on North 13th Street at its intersection with Fourth Avenue North.

Billings Police Department Sgt. Clyde Reid didn't know the extent of her injuries. He said the girl "was conscious and talking to us."

The crash occurred around 7:40 p.m. and as of 8:15 p.m. police were still searching for the wrong-way driver, who they suspected had run from the crash.

"As far as we know he went north," Reid said.

Police would consider releasing the suspect's name later Thursday night should they need the public's help in locating him, Reid said.

He described the suspected driver as a white male in his late teens or early 20s and "reportedly wearing a red sweatshirt and shorts of some type." Based on air bag deployment and blood in the suspect vehicle, Reid said the man likely had a wound on his face.

The male passenger inside the suspect vehicle initially walked away from the crash but then returned to the scene, Reid said. Injuries to the male and female inside the suspect vehicle appeared to be mostly cuts and bruises, according to Reid. Some drug paraphernalia was found in the suspect car, Reid said.

The crash left the suspect vehicle about 15 yards west of the girl's car. Both cars were in the north lane of Fourth Avenue North and facing east. Both cars had extensive frontal damage.

MHP Trooper Tyler DiGiovanna said he had attempted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle near the Dick Johnston Bridge for driving with an expired license plate and running a red light. The vehicle did not stop and continued at a high rate of speed, DiGiovanna said. DiGiovanna said he stopped pursuing when the suspect turned the wrong way onto Fourth Avenue North.

Traffic had been reduced to two lanes, and debris was scattered across Fourth Avenue while law enforcement and emergency responders worked.

Billings Police Department, MHP, Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office and Billings Fire Department all responded to the wreck.
AUSTIN -- Public schools are sure to be at the center of one GOP primary battle developing in the Houston area.

On Thursday, Kristin Tassin, a two-term president of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees announced she will run for the state Senate, challenging State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston.

"I just feel that the state senate is not getting the job done for our families," Tassin said Thursday.

Public school funding and property taxes are two key areas she said she is going to be putting a spotlight on.

Tassin, of Missouri City, gained a level of political notoriety last year, when she penned an open letter to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, challenging him on several public school issues.

"Contrary to what you may believe, not all of us who represent Texas public schools (not the buildings, but the actual children who attend) are liberals or "educrats," as you referred to us in your speech to the Texas Public Policy Foundation on Jan. 11," Tassin wrote. "Most of us are parents, many with conservative views and values, who ran for the school board or got involved in our school districts in order to improve education and make a difference for the children in our communities and across the state of Texas."

Tassin would be taking on Huffman, who represents the 17th District, which includes parts of Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties. Huffman was first elected to the Senate in 2008. Huffman announced in the summer that she would run again in 2018 for re-election.
AUSTIN -- Although much of Texas' legal and political class applauded President Donald Trump's nomination of the state's popular Supreme Court Justice and former solicitor general to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday, leaders in the Latino community have mixed feelings.

"We're concerned that it represents a continuation of Donald Trump's refusal to acknowledge or incorporate Latinos in the important institutions of our country," said Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, known as MALDEF.

Supreme Court Justice Don Willett is white and former Texas solicitor general James Ho is a naturalized Taiwanese immigrant. Their nominations were announced Thursday. The 5th Circuit, which covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, represents one of the most significant populations of Latinos in the country, said Saenz.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is now handling an initial appeal to SB 4, an anti-sanctuary cities law in Texas that gives law enforcement permission to ask for proof of a person's legal status. The court allowed parts of the law -- which has touched off tension throughout the Latino community and sparked protests -- to go into effect while the case makes its way through the lower court.

Rep. Rafael Anchia, a Dallas Democrat and opponent of SB 4, said he was pleased with Ho's nomination. He said he's followed Ho's private practice as an attorney in Dallas, and said he finds Ho "fair and knowledgeable" on immigration issues.

"He understands the underpinnings of immigration law very, very well and I think has been a forceful advocate for a fair and inclusive immigration system," said Anchia, who chairs the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

"Of course, I think these comments will probably hurt his chances [of confirmation]," he laughed.

Andrea Zelinski covers politics and education for the Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com.
The chances of Texas landing Amazon's second North American headquarters is being damaged because of the continued debate over bathroom bills in Austin, a top leader in the Texas House said.

In a commentary published in the Austin-American Statesman, State Rep. Byron Cook, a Republican from Corsicana, said Amazon's detailed wishlist includes looking for a state that does not have discriminatory policies. And he notes that Amazon was among the businesses that came out against the Legislature's proposed bathroom bills, which critics say were discriminatory legislation.

Cook said Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick need to end their push for the legislation if Texas has any shot of winning the facility that promised to create 50,000 jobs.

"So will Amazon seriously consider any of the Texas cities competing for Amazon's second headquarters?" Cook writes. "Probably not, unless Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick take the bathroom bill off the table for future legislative sessions."

In both the regular session and then in the special session over the summer, the Texas Senate passed bills that would have required people to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender listed on the birth certificate. That would have prevented people who are transgender from using the bathrooms that they better identify with.

But the bills did not pass in the House.

Patrick, a Houston Republican, has shown no signs of backing down on the legislation. When the special session ended in August without the bill getting through the House, he used a press conference to hammer House leaders for the bill's demise.

Supporters of the bathroom bills have singled out Cook, who is the chairman of the House State Affairs Committee. They accuse Cook's committee of blocking the bill from being heard in the committee and keeping it from a vote of the full Texas House.

Cook's critics have targeted him for a GOP primary challenge again. Already Thomas McNutt, whom Cook defeated in a primary 2016, has announced he will try again to knock off Cook.
CHICAGO - We all harbor little hurts in life, ones that never go away no matter how long ago they happened.

One of mine is that I didn't get to participate in my high school graduation ceremony.

Instead of walking across the stage of my college-prep school - a prestigious school I had dreamed of attending since I was in first grade - getting cheered on by family and friends, I sat with the band. I cried as we played "Pomp and Circumstance" for my classmates who commenced into their bright futures.

It wasn't bad grades or discipline issues - I was a good student. It was just an administrative blunder.

There had been a scheduling mix-up and I ended up taking the second half of chemistry without having completed the first half. So in June, after all my friends had begun their summer of pre-freshman-at-college fun, I sat in a stifling hot classroom making up that half-credit that had gotten lost in the shuffle.

Now: Is it possible that my adviser didn't think of me as college-going material and wasn't on top of my credits? Sure, it's possible.

My mom did 100 percent of the legwork and research necessary to get me in to college - she was the one who helped me write applications, send transcripts and basically everything a college guidance counselor is supposed to do - and my actual counselor never even broached these topics with me. It seems feasible that as someone with no family track record of attending college, I just wasn't a priority for anyone in the guidance office.

Though I am very proud of the education I received at a state land-grant school - and super glad I ended up there since it's where I met my husband - it boggles the mind to imagine where life might have taken me had I been treated like other students who were expected to not only graduate on time, but go to the top-flight universities my majority-white peers had been encouraged to apply to.

I tell this story not because I felt victimized, but to illustrate just how outsized of an impact high school guidance counselors have on students' future school and career trajectories.

With such high stakes, it's only right that these post-secondary gatekeepers reflect upon their power and potential biases as they do a job that literally puts students' lives in their hands.

This is exactly what happened at the National Association for College Admission Counseling's national conference earlier this month when keynote speaker Shaun Harper told the mostly white high-school guidance counselors and college admissions officers that their race has the potential to color their work.

According to a write-up in the trade journal Inside Higher Ed, Harper, the director of the University of Southern California's Race and Equity Center, excoriated counselors for a plethora of life-changing professional sins. These include counselors not investing the same amount of time and energy in helping students of color apply to college as they do with white students, "undermatching" minority students by encouraging them to apply to less selective universities or even dissuading students of color from reaching for elite schools by telling them they aren't smart enough.

The conversation was continued at a conference panel discussion on race titled "Counseling While White." One participant, April Crabtree, an assistant vice provost of undergraduate admissions at the University of San Francisco, noted that nearly 80 percent of professors are white and even more administrators are. (A 2012 survey by the College Board found that 78 percent of high school counselors are white.) Crabtree told the crowd: "If you're blind to whiteness in your personal life, you will not be aware of this in your professional lives."

At best, these blind spots leave the adults who play a major role in the lives of minority and first-generation college students at a disadvantage. At worst, it keeps them from seeing potential scholars where they might otherwise perceive kids who aren't going very far in life.

But it doesn't take heroic exertions to shake this inability to understand minority students' special needs - it just takes effort.

At minimum, there are several works of fiction (including "Make Your Home Among Strangers" by Jennine Capo Crucet) and documentaries (like "First Generation") that can open doors to the appreciation that a short quarterly appointment with unfamiliar students simply can't match.

Esther Cepeda's email address is estherjcepeda@washpost.com.
Colstrip Units 3 and 4 are not going to be shut down by 2027.

The two units were originally scheduled to be depreciated out at the end of 2045 and now have been scheduled to be depreciated out at the end of 2027. This is strictly an accounting procedure and does not mean the units will be closed. If a farmer purchases a tractor and plans on depreciating it over seven years and then, through his accountant, changes it to five years, this does not mean the tractor is junk. The power plants will continue to operate as long they are profitable.

Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Center and Sierra Club have an agenda, and that is to shut down the coal, oil, and gas industries in the state of Montana. They have already ruined the timber industry and will eventually be attacking agriculture. Montana has been and probably will always be an agriculture and natural resource state. While keeping our environment clean is important, it does us little good if nobody can live here because we have no jobs.

Currently we are facing large budget problems due to a lack of income. The governors office is recommending $229.3 million in cuts to the general fund. The majority of the budget cuts will come from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Department of Corrections, and the states university and K-12 education system (Billings Gazette Sept. 20). These cuts will hurt our children and senior citizens, as well as public safety. The state will shift the cost of housing prisoners to the counties. This will either increase your taxes or decrease other services the counties provide to its citizens.

Natural resource tax collections have decreased from $328.5 million in FY 2013 to $194.1 million in FY 2016. This is a reduction of $134.3 million, according to the Montana Department of Revenue 2016 biennial report. This is just the reduction in resource taxes. It does not count the reduction in income tax that employees who have left the state would have paid. These natural resource jobs do not pay minimum wages. They are high paying jobs and that money circulates several times throughout the State.

Hedges, MEIC, Sierra Club, and the other environmental groups are trying to stop all natural resource production in the name of saving the environment. The fires in 2017 burned 1.5 million acres. We have been told that an average fire year in Montana burns about 250,000 acres. The CO2 from the fires is comparable to 25 years from the four power plants at Colstrip. It would take 150 years for Colstrip to match the CO2 from this years fires. Wildfires put out over 1,000 pounds of PM10 (respirable size particulates) per acre. Colstrip 1-4 emit 255 tons per year of PM10. The fires put out 750,000 tons in 2017. This equates to 2,941 years of Colstrip 1-4. (Source North Elkhorns Environmental Assessment, Helena National Forest, & Montana Department of Environmental Quality).

Where were the environmentalists during the fire season? If they are so concerned about the well-being of Montana and Montanans, maybe they should donate the money to help out the state.
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
Montanans have some of the best protections against payday and other abusive loans in the country, and we fought hard to get there. In 2010, we voted not to let lenders charge more than 36 percent interest; we decided to push predatory loans out of our state. Montanans have saved an estimated $37 million per year from leaving our pocketbooks and our state with this victory.

Other states arent always so lucky. Payday loans continue to ensnare their communities in cycles of debt with false promises of fast cash. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been reining in these loans when they break the law and is planning to release further protections for borrowers of these loans, which are designed to catch people in a debt trap.

Payday lending lobbyists have been in Washington pushing other federal agencies, like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, to loosen guidelines that prevent banks from offering payday loans. If these guidelines were loosened, banks like Wells Fargo (the largest bank to previously offer these types of loans) would be able to help payday lenders disregard our Montana laws, and the Consumer Bureau would provide Montanans our only defense against predatory loans. I hope that the FDIC and OCC don't allow payday lenders to partner with banks to break our state's laws.

Gianforte's vote

Perhaps even worse, in early September, a majority in the U.S. House chose to side with Americas legalized loan sharks. Rep. Greg Gianforte joined others in voting in favor of a special carve-out in the appropriations bill that would prevent the Consumer Bureau from enforcing the law and responding to the complaints of consumers. If someone offered an illegal payday loan in Montana, Gianforte has now said, the Consumer Bureau shouldnt be able to do anything about it. This is in direct conflict with the way that Montanans feel about payday loans. He ought to be applauding the bureau for working so diligently to see that consumers are protected from fraudulent financial products. Next time, we hope Gianforte will choose to better represent Montana values and the letter of the law.

Having strong federal protections in place will protect Americans from this plague of predatory loans. Fortunately, the Consumer Bureau is set to release a rule on payday and car title loans by early October. We hope that the protections issued by the Consumer Bureau are strong and, as in the proposal released last year, affirm that state interest-rate caps are the best protection for borrowers. Its critical that the CFPB be allowed to put those protections in place, and to continue its success reining in abuses by payday lenders (not to mention Equifax and Wells Fargo) when they break the law.

Tester's military bill

Sen. Jon Tester has been working hard to ensure that Montana veterans and service members continue to be protected. In June, he cosponsored a bill from Sen. Jack Reed that enhances the Consumer Bureaus ability to better protect service members and families from scams. While Tester and the Consumer Bureau continue to stick up for Montanans, lets put a stop to the efforts of predatory lenders to get a free hand to break the law.
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Copiii cu nevoi speciale din Stefan Voda au conditii de reabilitare mai bune, datorita UE si Fundatiei Soros Moldova
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio -- An Akron man is charged with murder in his ex-girlfriend's stabbing death at a Cuyahoga Falls apartment.

Marcus A. Coker, 35, is already in custody on charges related to a police chase and SWAT standoff that happened Sept. 22 in Akron, police said in a news release.

Coker is scheduled for arraignment Monday on the murder charge in Akron Municipal Court.

Coker is accused of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Ashley Williams, who was found dead Saturday at an apartment on Howe Avenue near Continental Drive. Williams was last seen the previous evening, when she told a friend that she planned to meet Coker.

Akron police officers arrested Coker hours after Williams went to meet him. He led officers on a high-speed chase that ended with a crash into a parked car on Arnold Avenue near Eastland Avenue, police said.

The chase began when the officers saw a white 2013 Volkswagen Jetta driving recklessly. The Jetta is registered to Williams, the police report says.

Coker, 35, refused to get out of the car after the crash, and the officers saw him moving around in the Jetta, police said. An officer fired a single shot into the car, police said.

A SWAT team removed Coker from the car after an hour-long standoff.

Coker suffered a head injury in the crash, and a minor graze wound from the officer's gunshot, police said..

The officer who fired the shot has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident remains under investigation.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
AKRON, Ohio -- The Cleveland Clinic Akron General Visiting Nurse Service will host its eighth annual "Joyful Tastes of Life" event to raise funds for end-of-life hospice care and supportive services on Thursday, Oct. 19.

The event will be held at St. George's Family Center, located at 3204 Ridgewood Rd. in Akron, from 6-9 p.m.

The casual evening is open to the public and includes seasonal food from area restaurants, as well as local wine and craft beer.

The fundraiser also includes a silent auction, raffle and live music by Patrick Munford. WQMX's Sue Wilson and WONE's Tim Daugherty will emcee the event.

All proceeds will go to Akron General Visiting Nurse Service. The "Joyful Tastes of Life" fundraiser has raised more than $400,000 over the past seven years.

Food for the event will be provided by:

Aladdin's Eatery

Bombay Grill

TLC Catering

Old Carolina Barbeque Company

Tiffany's Bakery

Dewey's Pizza

Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant

Casa del Ranchero

Brio Coastal Bar & Kitchen

D'Agnese's Trattoria and Cafe

Bradley's Catering

Local breweries and wineries featured at the fundraiser include:

Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyards

BrewDog

The Winery at Wolf Creek

R. Shea Brewing

Nauti Vine Winery

Mucky Duck Brewing Co.

Hoppin' Frog Brewery

Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Canton Brewing Co.

Troutman Vineyards and Winery

Esber Beverage Co.

Event tickets are $60 each. Raffle tickets are $10 or six for $50. Only 1,500 raffle tickets will be sold.

Raffle prizes include a $1,700 vacation package for two to New York City, which includes roundtrip airfare and three nights at a four-star Manhattan hotel, $500 cash for the second-place winner and an Apple iPad for the third-place winner.

The silent auction will include prizes like a one-night stay at The Lodge at Geneva-On-the-Lake, a hand-crafted guitar, a bat signed by Andre "Thunder" Thornton and more.

All tickets are available at akrongeneral.org/joy or by calling the Akron General Foundation at 330-344-6888.

Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com's Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
AKRON, Ohio - A Summit Metro Parks ranger was placed on paid administrative leave following a Wednesday altercation with a senior couple, officials said.

The park ranger pursued the couple's car from a Goodyear Heights Metro Park entrance to a house on Darrow Road in Akron. He arrested them after an altercation, Summit Metro Parks Executive Director Lisa King said in a statement.

The couple told Fox 8 that they honked their horn at the park ranger before he followed them. The park ranger threw a man on the ground and kicked a woman, the couple told the TV station.

The man and woman were charged with resisting arrest, obstructing official business, aggravated menacing and failure to comply, but King requested those charges be dropped, she said in the statement.

The park ranger's name has not been released.

King reached out to the couple to hear their perspective on the incident.

"We take this matter very seriously," she said in the statement. "Our rangers are commissioned peace officers who enforce the park district's rules, regulations and other applicable laws to protect resources, keep visitors safe and maintain good order."

Summit Metro Parks has asked the Akron Police Department to conduct a review of the arrest, King said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Khrys Shefton, director of real estate development at Famicos Foundation, admits she welled up as she watched contractors installing drywall this summer in the former Medical Associates Building in Glenville.

"At certain times, in certain moments, everything kind of hits you at once," she said Tuesday in an interview.

The renovation of the medical building as an apartment building, scheduled for completion this weekend, is a milestone for Glenville.

Built in 1962, the building, at 1464 East 105th St., was designed in the modernist style by Robert P. Madison, Ohio's first black registered architect.

It was the city's first professional building for black doctors, and the first black-owned commercial building in Ohio, according to India Pierce Lee, senior vice president of the Cleveland Foundation.

Now it's embarking on a new life after a $2.8 million renovation designed by City Architecture that includes the adjacent former Winnie's Nursery.

A new life

On Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., Famicos and the FRONT International Cleveland Triennial will host a rededication and ribbon cutting for the medical building, renamed The Madison in honor of its 94-year-old architect.

The Madison and the adjacent former nursery, now known as the FRONT Porch, are being reborn as what Famicos calls the PNC Glenville Arts Campus. PNC Bank loaned $1.1 million to the project as its principal backer.

The Madison will serve over the next year as home to a residency program for a dozen national and international artists participating in the inaugural FRONT Triennial next summer, a project led by cultural entrepreneur Fred Bidwell.

Six Cleveland artists, to be named Wednesday at the ribbon cutting, will also participate in the residency, collaborating with some of the visiting artists and engaging local residents in projects within the community.

Exhibit and event space

The FRONT Porch, a one-story building designed by Arthur Saunders, Ohio's second black registered architect according to Madison, will host exhibits, lectures, parties and community events associated with FRONT.

After FRONT ends in a year, The Madison will offer for rent 12 one-bedroom apartments on three floors, averaging 870 square feet, at roughly $1,100 a month, Shefton said.

The FRONT Porch could host ongoing community arts programs, perhaps operated in collaboration with University Circle Institutions, she said.

Overall, the arts campus is a key element in the future of a neighborhood striving to reclaim its former glory as one of the city's most desirable districts and one of its proudest African-American communities.

The arts campus dovetails, Shefton said, with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's recently announced Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, aimed at boosting poor and low-income minority communities, primarily on the city's East Side.

Part of a bigger picture

It also aligns with the new city's new Thrive 105-93 vision for improving two important north-south corridors on the city's East Side.

"It's exciting to see this project actually happen," Bidwell said of the arts campus. "We're helping to empower Famicos to improve two properties in a pretty strategic neighborhood, and it's just so cool that one of them is historically important," he added, referring to The Madison.

The Cleveland Foundation is also engaged in the project, having donated $350,000 toward the arts campus renovations, plus another $390,000 to FRONT.

Of that amount, $150,000 will support the Glenville residency starting in September for six international and six national artists from around the U.S.

The overseas artists are participating under the foundation's 2018 Creative Fusion program.

"This isn't one investment, this is holistically looking at multiple investments in neighborhood transformation and community engagement so this all comes together," said Lillian Kuri, the Cleveland foundation's vice president for strategic grantmaking, arts and urban design initiatives.

Kuri also called the Glenville project a new outcome of the foundation's work over the past decade in connecting the economic growth of University Circle, the city's medical, educational and cultural hub, to surrounding neighborhoods.

Saving history

Shefton, who oversaw the arts campus renovation, sees all of that and more in the project.

"We've saved a piece of history," she said. "Bob Madison and the nine original doctors who financed this building were pioneers beyond their time."

Shefton said Famicos, which acts as the nonprofit community development corporation for Glenville, is in discussions with local entrepreneurs who might open a coffee house or cafe on the ground floor of The Madison during FRONT.

And she hopes such ventures could jumpstart a revival of locally based commercial activity along East 105th Street, once one of the city's busiest corridors.

"How do you rebuild that infrastructure that was once here? She asked. "This project could be a step in that direction."

Madison, who plans to attend Wednesday's ceremony, is thrilled that the medical building he designed during the Civil Rights era has a new mission.

"I never realized I'd get to be this old, but as I look back now, wow, what a life," he said. "I've been through some stuff."

He called the medical building "the second building I'd ever designed for a major client, and it was the first time I'd ever done a building over two floors."

He too admitted to feeling some emotion when he visited the renovation in progress.

"I've been by four or five times and you know what?" he said. "I like it."
Solid, unbiased research presents facts as they are, not as they were expected or preferred to be.

Studies supported by taxpayer money should adhere to the highest standards of intellectual honesty. Yet when a University of Montana study of U.S. wildlife management law revealed findings that the U.S. Forest Service leadership didnt expect  or like  the agency tried to stifle publication.

The Forest Service told researchers at UMs Bolle Center for People and Forests to take the report draft off the centers website five days after it was posted in June. Dean Tom DeLuca of the UM Frank College of Forestry and Conservation declined to take the report down. The Forest Service objected to the title Fish and Wildlife Management on Federal Lands: Debunking State Supremacy.

As The Missoulians Rob Chaney reported Sunday, three weeks later, the Forest Service terminated a two-year contract with the Bolle Center and its director, Martin Nie, citing the reports provocative title as a reason.

The contract had called for an authoritative review of the policy-legal issues related to wildlife management on federal lands. Thats what Nies team delivered  in 126 meticulously researched pages of statutory and case law.

That research indicated the federal government has authority to manage wildlife on federal public lands. Nie said the report suggested a co-trusteeship that balances state wildlife management goals with federal obligations to conserve fish and wildlife in the public trust.

This sad saga of another federal attempt to manipulate information about Americas public lands and wildlife played out this past summer. It was shared last week with UM students after they started asking Nie about the study, which commenced in 2015.

The Bolle Center, founded at the University of Montana in 1994, describes its work as supporting interdisciplinary education, participatory research, and community outreach to foster resilient and sustainable livelihoods, communities and forests in the U.S. intermountain west and internationally.

It has a long history of working with the U.S. Forest Service. But something has gone awry. Sure looks like orders from Washington were sent to censor taxpayer-funded research.

We hope that the Forest Service reaction to this report doesnt interfere with the longstanding positive relationship between UM and the agency. The researchers were right to speak up for academic freedom and against censorship. Research that is expected to confirm preconceived ideas is much less reliable that inquiry open to discovering and honestly analyzing all the data.

To learn more about this research controversy, read Forest Service contests analysis on Page C1 in the Sunday, Sept. 24 Billings Gazette or online at billingsgazette.com with this Gazette opinion.
Aggravated robbery, Smith Road: Police are still hoping to identify and arrest three armed robbers who stole an undisclosed amount of cash at about 9:45 a.m. Sept. 19 from Best Reward Credit Union, 5681 Smith.

Two of the robbers, wearing masks, hats and gloves, entered the credit union while the third waited outside in a white Chrysler. The robbers inside pointed handguns at the tellers, told them to step back, jumped over the counter and grabbed money from the cash drawers. They ran out the door and drove away.

No one was hurt. The men were described as black and in their late teens or early 20's. Police didn't say how much money was stolen.

Theft, Edgehurst Drive: A loaded Smith & Wesson handgun was stolen between 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 and 8:20 a.m. Sept. 18 from an unlocked car parked in a driveway.

Disorderly conduct, Settlement Acre: An intoxicated Brook Park man, 26, was arrested at about 12:50 a.m. Sept. 16 after causing a disturbance in a residential driveway.

The man was yelling and swearing at a family member. When police arrived, he overturned a garbage can in the driveway.

Grand theft auto, Brookpark Road: A 1998 Dodge Stratus was stolen between 5-11:30 p.m. Sept. 16 from outside Bob Evans restaurant, 13050 Brookpark. The victim was a Bob Evans employee. The car had been locked.

Drunkenness, Snow Road: A Warren, Michigan man, 25, was arrested at about midnight Sept. 20 after police found him passed out in a parking lot outside Solid Gold Lounge, 15005 Snow.

The man was drunk. He smiled at police but said nothing.

Theft, Paulding Boulevard: Copper pipes and a refrigerator were reported stolen Sept. 15 from a vacant rental home on Paulding. Electrical components were damaged. Someone broke into the home but police didn't say how.

Attempted burglary, Paulding Boulevard: Someone tried to break into a second house, this one occupied, on Paulding. It was reported at about 8 a.m. Sept. 11. Two window screens and a door frame were damaged in the attempt.

Theft, Holland Road: Someone stole $600 in cash, a gold necklace and a gold ring from a man's bedroom nightstand in a house. The victim said it happened between Sept. 2-12.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit the crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "American Made" is essentially the Iran-Contra scandal story as seen through the eyes of former TWA pilot-turned-CIA operative Barry Seal, played by Tom Cruise.

The movie has the comedic tone of the 2013 David O. Russell film "American Hustle," about the FBI-driven Abscam sting of the early 1980s.

Cruise is charming and slightly goofy as Seal, who quits TWA after being recruited by Agent Schafer (Domhnall Gleeson) to do air-to-ground surveillance for the CIA of communist insurgents in Central America.

When Seal requests more money for his work, his handler tells him, "You'll figure it out." Which is basically code for making money on the side any way he wants, with impunity.

This leads Seal to start moving cocaine for the Medellin cartel in Colombia.

The CIA moves Seal from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to tiny Mena, Arkansas, where he is given his own remote landing field and airplane hangar. The CIA is now getting busy in Nicaragua backing the Contras against the communist-leaning Sandinista government.

At their new home in Mena, the bags of money are piling up so fast that Seal and his wife, Lucy, the mother of his three kids (played hilariously by Sarah Wright), don't know where to put it all. New banks are moving to Mena just to accommodate Seal's cash.

Trouble arrives in the person of Lucy's hillbilly little brother JB, played by Caleb Landry Jones. He's an idiot who becomes flashy and indiscriminate with the Seals' money. It's not long before he winds up in jail, and things begin to unravel.

The movie begins as an upbeat, crazy lark with Seal pushing the envelope in the air, smuggling coke for the Medellin cartel and weapons for the CIA. He's also pushing his luck on the ground with his ever-multiplying newfound fortune.

About halfway through the movie, the story starts to run out of gas, leaving us wondering what all this crazy business will add up to. Students of recent history, however, know where it's going, and it eventually involves President Ronald Reagan and Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North.

This is Tom Cruise's movie all the way, and he does an admirable job of keeping the whole thing afloat, drama-wise. Unfortunately, Gary Spinelli's script becomes too unwieldy for even a superstar like Cruise to carry the load all by himself.

"American Made" gets an A for effort, but a C for execution. Let's call it a B- overall.

REVIEW

American Made

Who: With Tom Cruise, Sarah Wright, Domhnall Gleeson, Caleb Landry Jones, Jesse Plemons and Alejandro Edda. Directed by Doug Liman.

Rated: R.

Running time: 115 minutes.

When: Opens Friday.

Where: Area theaters.

Grade: B-
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the predawn darkness on a steamy mid-September morning, hours before the downtown sidewalks bustle with commuters, a dozen people carrying butterfly nets gather on East 6th Street beside the Drury Plaza Hotel.

They discuss their game plan as the chip calls of migrating thrush and warblers serenade them overhead. Unfortunately, many of these songbirds will not survive the overnight flight they have made across Lake Erie.

But Tim Jasinski, a member of the wildlife staff at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village, and his band of bird-rescue volunteers are there to help the hundreds of migrants that venture into the deadly downtown canyons of skyscrapers receive a second-chance at completing their journey to Central and South America.

BIRDS FALL LIKE RAIN

Shortly after 5 a.m., the Lights Out Cleveland volunteers split into three groups and head off in different directions downtown in search of birds stunned or killed in mid-flight collisions. The volunteers identify the birds, log the data into a notebook and place them into paper bags to be tended to later that morning at the nature center.

Jasinski sets a brisk pace, typically logging more than 20,000 steps a day on his rounds. His record high is 36,000 steps, or about 19 miles, which he set this past spring.

For about four hours every morning, from mid-August to November, Jasinski and his volunteers can be found scouring the sidewalks near Public Square.

The first bird he finds is a Lincoln's sparrow that likely was hatched on the Alaskan tundra and flew thousands of miles across North America to the north side of the Cleveland Convention Center, where it died. The building is almost entirely encased in glass, which reflects the trees and sky from across Lakeside Avenue.

The birds, which migrate at night navigating by starlight, have problems discerning the sky from the reflection, and sometimes fly unaware into the glass at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Some are only stunned, but an estimated 60 percent suffer fatal brain injuries.

The activity heightens for Jasinski and colleagues Kaity Ross and Stan Searles as they continue their trek along the dark urban corridors. They pick up another Lincoln's sparrow and a mourning warbler, both dead.

At the Global Center for Health Innovation, Jasinski runs ahead. He has spotted movement on the sidewalk and pounces, netting a tiny warbler, a common yellowthroat, that has just struck the glass wall.

"Our first live one of the day!" he announces at 6:05 a.m. "He didn't hit it real hard. I think he'll be OK."

There is a flurry of action as the group approaches Key Tower. Ross nets a live mourning warbler, Searles snags another yellowthroat, and Jasinski bags an American redstart and two magnolia warblers.

Then they hit a roadblock. A construction fence has been erected along the south side of the tower, and they can clearly see at least five birds on the sidewalk beside the building. A security guard ignores their pleas for access.

But good fortune comes their way. A construction worker on a cigarette break says, "Sure," he'll lend a hand, and proceeds to pick up a live redstart and a Wilson's warbler, as well as dead Nashville and blackpoll warblers. A black-and-white warbler escapes under its own power.

Jasinski spends much of the morning forging goodwill relationships with building cleanup crews. He asks the janitors to save the dead birds rather than toss them into the trash, and urges them to call his cell phone if they encounter any live, stunned birds.

By 9 a.m., the Lights Out Cleveland volunteers have recovered 42 birds: 24 alive, 18 dead.

"This was just one day," Jasinski said. "If we hadn't been there people would have stepped on them, or a gull would have eaten them, or a janitor would have swept them up with the trash."

That ratio isn't always so good, though. This past Monday, the crew caught nine live songbirds, but collected 27 dead ones.

To date during the fall migration, Lights Out Cleveland has recovered 440 birds, about half of which were alive.

BIRD RELEASE BRINGS JOY

Later each morning during the migration, Jasinski takes the live birds to the Nature and Science Center, where he administers a small dose of anti-flammatory medication, which helps to ease the pain and the swelling of a collision, he said.

"At first they're crazy, flying wildly around the cage," Jasinski said. "They're hungry, they're scared, they've flown hundreds of miles overnight, so they panic. Then they see the bugs. They eat and take a nap."

Ideally, the volunteers will release the recovered birds that same day or the following day to resume their migratory journey south, far from the dangerous habitat of downtown Cleveland.

Soon, Jasinski's volunteers will have reinforcements: Harvey Webster, director of wildlife resources at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, has enlisted the assistance of the ambassadors from the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. The ambassadors are employed to assist stranded motorists, provide directions to visitors and help keep the streets and sidewalks clean. Now they also will help collect dead songbirds in freezer bags for research, and call Jasinski whenever they spot live birds, Webster said.

Webster also is working with the Lights Out Cleveland group to negotiate agreements with downtown building owners to douse their lights at night during the spring and fall migrations. Later, he hopes to convince them to install ultraviolet film on their glass that is visible to migrating birds, but not to people.

"We need to get the word out," Jasinski said. "Birds, lights and glass don't mix."

In North America, Toronto's Fatal Light Awareness Program and Chicago's Bird Collision Monitors program are leading the way to preventing bird deaths from building collision and rescuing injured birds.

Ornithologists estimate that the Toronto skyline accounts for about 1 million bird deaths a year. A new study found that up to 1 billion birds die from window strikes every year in the U.S. alone, killing about 10 percent of the entire U.S. bird population -- the leading cause of bird deaths in North America.

Chicago's Bird Collision Monitors educated the business community on the dangers of lighting and glass, and in 2004 the city became the first in the U.S. to have its skyline go dark during migration. Since then, the city has reduced window strikes by 80 percent per year.

Even with those measures, the Bird Collision volunteers collect up to 6,000 birds per year, up to half of which are alive and taken to wildlife rehabilitation centers.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on Wednesday affirmed the matchup between Frank Jackson and Zack Reed for November's mayoral race and formally set the lineup for City Council elections.

The board formally certified the results of the Sept. 12 primary election. Jackson, seeking a fourth 4-year term as mayor, captured nearly 39 percent in a field of nine candidates. Reed, a councilman from Ward 2, won just under 22 percent.

All 17 seats on City Council are up for election, with incumbents seeking re-election in 15 wards. All 17 council seats are contested.

The deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 7 election is Oct. 10. Early in-person voting at the elections board's offices begins Oct. 11.
KENT, Ohio -- A Portage County grand jury says a Kent mother should face involuntary manslaughter and other charges in the death of her 3-month-old daughter.

Samantha Knisley, 22, is also charged with reckless homicide and endangering children in the Sept. 13 death of her daughter Isabella, according to Portage County Common Pleas Court records. Police said the child died after her mother laid on top of her.

Knisley's bond was set at $1 million Friday. If she's released from jail, she is required to attend weekly substance abuse testing and to report to the court's adult probation department daily. She is also not allowed to live with young children.

Police were called to Knisley's Walter Street home to investigate a report of an unconscious child that was not breathing. Knisley told police that she laid down with her daughter about 6 p.m. and that when she woke up, her daughter was not breathing, Kent police Lt. Michael Lewis said.

Paramedics took the infant to University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Police believe this was a preventable act on her part, Lewis said. He couldn't say if it was intentional, but did say it was reckless and careless.

Court records do not say when she will appear again in court.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- A woman has been accused of staging her own abduction in the basement of her home and then posting photos and videos on social media, reports say.

The claims of Thelma Williams, 38, of Lemon Township, resulted in her being jailed on a charge of filing a false report, a fifth-degree felony, WXIX Channel 19 reports.

The Butler County Sheriff's Department tells the Journal-News that Williams told investigators that a masked man broke into her home on Wednesday morning. She said the man tied her to a pole in her basement and cut off her clothing.

She told investigators the suspect used her cell phone to take photos and video and then posted it to her Facebook account, WLWT Channel 5 reports.

Another person saw the video and photos and called 911, reports say.

Investigators quickly found inconsistencies in Williams' story, Sheriff Richard Jones said.

"It appears she took the videos herself. We can actually see her waiting for it to come on so she can get her serious face on," Jones told reporters.

Officials say Williams tied herself up and gagged herself with underwear.

Authorities also found a security tape from a local McDonald's that showed Williams in the restaurant at a time when she claimed she was tied up, according to WCPO Channel 9.

"She admitted she made it up," Sheriff's Lt. Ed Tanner tells WCPO. "She said she had been going through some personal issues and needed help."

Williams is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Middletown Municipal Court.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Prosecutors in Franklin County have a charged a teen with conspiracy to commit murder, saying he was planning a mass shooting at his high school.

John Leonard Staley III, 17, had mapped out Hilliard Davidson High School, was researching weapons and how to acquire them, and was trying to recruit other students into his plot, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien tells 10tv.com.

While cleveland.com does not usually identify juvenile offenders, Staley is being charged as an adult.

Staley used his school-issued iPad, as well as his own cell phone and computer to conduct the research, WCMH Channel 4 reports.

Another student overheard Staley discussing his plot on a school bus and reported it to authorities, O'Brien said. He was arrested in October 2016.

Staley is scheduled to be arraigned in Franklin County Common Pleas Court next week.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Romanian man who fled his country in 2012 after being convicted of sexually assaulting a child was arrested Friday in Cleveland, officials said.

U.S. Marshals arrested Franco Nero, 58, at a home in the 10900 block of Bellaire Avenue, near where he was living. He was in Cleveland working as a laborer under the table, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said.

Nero in 2012 was convicted and sentenced to serve three years and six months in prison by a Romanian court. He left the country immediately following the sentencing hearing, according to the U.S. Marshals.

He first went to California before arriving in Ohio.

He will remain jailed until he is extradited back to Romania to serve his sentence.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
NOVA Center for the Performing Arts is producing a very important childrens opera called Brundibar. Peformances begin Saturday and Sunday and continue Oct. 6-8 and 13-15.

Brundibar was written 70 years ago for a competition which was canceled due to German occupation.

Eventually Jewish children performed Brundibar at Terezin concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.

After recent civil unrest and political discord, I pushed our board into producing Brundibar. I felt NOVA could raise the level of awareness, even in Billings, the city that founded Not in Our Town.

At NOVA we don't expect any Neo-Nazi protestors at the opening or during the run of Brundibar, but we do expect the cast of 25 kids to raise the level of awareness of our audience in the same subtle ways the children who were originally in the show did many decades ago.

Director Janie Sutton contacted other theater companies in different parts of the world about their productions of Brundibar. A South African company had a brilliant idea how to honor the original children who portrayed their character. We don't want the audience to know ahead of time, so you will need to attend.

Many of the children were transported to death camps but there were some survivors who as adults have attended performances of Brundibar. Unfortunately we do not know of any living actors  survivors that could attend our show, but we know their spirits will be with us.

Tickets are available at NOVA Center for the Performing Arts, 2317 Montana Ave., Billings, phone 406-591-9535, online at novabillings.org.

Lucinda Butler

Rimrock Opera Foundation

Billings
FARGO  The family of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind has hired a high-profile California attorney as its legal counsel and to deal with media requests.

The announcement that Gloria Allred had been retained was made on the Facebook page of the LaFontaine-Greywind family. Allred later confirmed that she had been retained but declined to comment.

The Facebook posting stated: "Any requests for appearances, interviews, statements, etc., should now be coordinated through Ms. Allred's office. Please continue to respect the family's privacy."

Among clients Allred has represented are at least 28 women who have accused Bill Cosby of sexual misconduct.

She also represents three women who have accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct, which Trump has denied.

In 1995, Allred represented Nicole Brown Simpson's family during the trial of O.J. Simpson for murder.

Allred also represented actress Hunter Tylo after producer Aaron Spelling fired Tylo from the television show "Melrose Place" because she was pregnant. A jury awarded Tylo $4.8 million.
After nearly eight decades off the numismatic market, an 1861 Confederate half dollar that is part of the Eric P. Newman Collection is headed to auction. News of the coins return to the market in November made waves in the digital world, making it the top post on Coin World this week.

Its that time of the week again, as we catch up on what happened in the numismatic world this week.

Coin World is looking back at its five most-read stories of the week.

Click the links to read the stories. Here they are, in reverse order:

5. Symbolism on display in designs reviewed at latest CCAC meeting: Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee members expressed delight Sept. 19 at symbolic designs among proposals for the 2019 America the Beautiful quarter dollars.

4. One of the prettiest mid-century coins ever just realized $9,000: The 1945-S Walking Liberty half dollar saw a relatively high mintage of more than 10 million coins, but in very top grades it is a condition rarity in the series.

3. Numismatic community voices skepticism over 1894-S dime article: Numismatists mainly agree that a purported 1894-S Barber dime reported as a new discovery Sept. 17 in the Rapid City Journal in South Dakota is a reproduction.

2. Authorized purchasers buy 15,000 American Eagle palladium bullion coins: Authorized purchasers placed orders Sept. 25 with the Mint for 15,000 American Eagle 1-ounce palladium bullion coins, the first U.S. coin struck in the metal.

1. Original 1861 Confederate half dollar off market for eight decades to appear at auction for first time: The Eric P. Newman example from the four original 1861 Confederate half dollars will be auctioned in November.

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Instead of the intended copper-nickel clad planchet, this Proof 1968-S Washington quarter dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint on a 90 percent silver blank.

Two different eagle reverse dies were used to strike the two-tailed Washington quarter dollar in the 1960s at the San Francisco Mint.

The Washington quarter dollar struck with two reverse dies reported by an error coin dealer has been authenticated and graded by Professional Coin Grading Service. The grading service has also certified a Proof 1968-S Washington quarter struck in 90 percent silver instead of the intended copper-nickel clad composition.

Both U.S. coin errors struck at the San Francisco Mint in the 1960s were submitted to the grading service by error coin dealer Fred Weinberg of Fred Weinberg & Co. in Encino, Calif. The coins came from different sources.

U.S. Mint welcomes a fourth metal to the American Eagle bullion program. Also in this weeks print issue of Coin World, we teach our readers about what a weak-fatty gold coin is and why you dont want one in your collection.

PCGS graded the two-tailed quarter dollar mule Mint State 62, while the 1968-S coin is graded and encapsulated Proof 64.

The two-tailed Washington quarter dollar is only the third known such error struck with two Eagle reverse dies. Weinberg purchased the coin from a collector during the Sept. 7 to 9 Long Beach Expo in Long Beach, California.

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The coin is struck with normal die alignment on the intended copper-nickel clad planchet composed of outer layers of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel bonded to a core of pure copper.

The coins weight is 5.6 grams, slightly lighter than the 5.67-gram standard.

Production of the two-tailed Washington quarter dollar is believed to have been executed at the San Francisco Mint between 1965 and 1967.

Wrong composition error

The Proof 1968-S Washington quarter dollar is struck on a silver planchet composed of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper used from 1932 through 1964 for the Washington quarter dollar. A date freeze in place, intended to help the Mint overcome a national coinage shortage, permitted production of 1964 Washington quarter dollars into 1965.

Concurrent with the date freeze was a switch to a new composition for the coin. The copper-nickel clad composition was introduced in 1965 on the Roosevelt dime and Washington quarter dollar pursuant to provisions of the Coinage Act of 1965.

The copper-nickel clad composition wasnt introduced on the Kennedy half dollar until 1971.

The wrong planchet error weighs 6.3 grams, slightly heavier than the 6.25-gram standard.

Similar errors

It was not until relatively recently that genuine errors bearing two reverse designs were authenticated.

Discovery of the first two-tailed quarter dollar was reported by Coin World on the cover of the July 3, 2001, issue. Bob Wiborg from Goldn Coins Jewelry in La Habra, California, purchased the mule along with several hundred other error coins in a May 2001 sale by the California State controllers office featuring unclaimed property from bank safe-deposit boxes. The error coins Wiborg purchased had been seized by the Secret Service, then returned to the state of California to be sold as unclaimed property.

Weinberg, on Wiborgs behalf, brokered the two-tailed coins $80,000 sale to New Mexico collector Tommy Bolack, who owns 12 of the 16 publicly known Washington quarter dollar/Sacagawea dollar double-denomination mules.

Bolacks two-tailed quarter dollar exhibits perfect coin turn alignment.

The second two-tailed quarter dollar, also pedigreed to the California unclaimed property sale, was submitted to NGC late in 2001 by Abbots Coinex Corp. of Birmingham, Michigan, on behalf of an unnamed client. The coin is reported to have come from another safe-deposit box whose contents were unclaimed by the same individual whose safe-deposit box yielded the first two-tailed quarter dollar.

The second two-tailed quarter dollar exhibits medal turn die alignment, meaning the tops of both sides back each other, which is 180 degrees out of rotation from normal coin die alignment.

Weinberg said he bought the two-tailed Roosevelt dime from error specialist Lonesome John Devine on Nov. 1, 2001. Devine had owned the coin since 1973 after purchasing it from a collector along with other major San Francisco Mint errors.

Weinberg submitted the dime to PCGS, which graded the coin MS-64. Weinberg said he sold the coin in 2002, bought it back from the same party six months ago, and sold it to another party who placed the unique piece with a serious collector of error coins.
The Burleigh County Commission approved their 2018 budget Thursday, with a "substantial" 9.24 reduction in their mill levy from the previous year.

"The main reason for that (reduction) is the 2017 Legislature eliminated our taxing authority for social services," said finance director Clyde Thompson. "In 2016, we levied 11.35 mills for Burleigh County Social Services, which generated over $5 million. We no longer have that taxing authority."

The board approved a mill levy of 34.92, compared to 44.16 last year.

Countywide, a mill is worth $500,700 in 2017, compared to $471,000 last year, which is an increase of 6 percent.

"For the most part, the values of residential homes located within the city of Bismarck remain very similar to what they did in 2016," said Thompson. "The value of a home went up about .06 percent."

"The state Legislature eliminated the property tax relief program this last session, that was a 12 percent buydown," he said. "That not only affects Burleigh County, but all of the taxing districts that reside within Burleigh County. That's going to cause pretty much everyone's taxes to go up."

"When you take the 12 percent buydown that the state eliminated, your taxes, in the total of all four entities together, are going to go up about 9 to 10 percent," said Chairman Jerry Woodcox. "We really can't control the fact that the state took that 12 percent away. Our mill levy went down."

The budget includes the hiring of one additional attorney and one legal assistant for the county state's attorney's office.

Thats due to increased case load," said Woodcox. "Our case load per lawyer is way over what the recommended amount is.

According to Burleigh County State's Attorney Richard Riha, the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice recommends one prosecutor for every 6,000 in population. Based on that figure, the county should have 15 full-time prosecutors, compared to the current 12.

The budget also includes 11 new hires to work at the new Burleigh County Detention Center, bringing their staff member total to 92. Three of the 11 new hires will begin employment Jan. 1, 2018.

The county sheriff department's budget for revenue went up substantially, primarily due to the construction of the new detention center, housing of the inmates, as well as Morton County paying their share of the expense," said Thompson.

"I think we've done a very job of keeping our budget as low as we possible can," Woodcox said.
Alison Smith's motto as the founder of a local animal rescue is to "go where the most need is."

Smith is the founder of Kitty City, a cat sanctuary and rescue for hard-to-place, injured and disabled cats located south of Mandan.

Recently, she took in a kitten from Arizona without back legs. This spring, she brought in several kittens infected with the feline herpes virus and ended up needing their eyes removed. Now, in response to the recent hurricanes, Smith has taken in 30 cats from shelters in Texas and Louisiana in order to make room for other pets from Hurricane Harvey-ravaged communities.

"I don't think a lot of people in North Dakota have taken cats; a lot have taken dogs," said Smith, referencing other organizations that have rescued displaced dogs from Texas, including Bismarck and Grand Forks. "So, we're trying to be the cat people on this end and help with what we can in our state."

Smith started Kitty City in July 2016, and, since then, she has taken in more than 200 cats. She said she receives calls daily for eight to 10 cats needing a place to stay.

"We started (Kitty City) because we were just getting calls every day, and we realized there was just such a need," she said.

Additionally, Smith is the founder of Triple H Miniature Horse Rescue, which has been around for more than a decade. Triple H is dedicated to rescue efforts for miniature equine. But Smith has taken in more than horses and cats.

"We've taken in goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits; you name it, we've had it here," she said. "Over time, they do find a home."

Smith said she had planned to drive to the South to pick up the shelter cats from Texas and Louisiana when she learned of pilots flying airplanes around the nation, relocating pets from hurricane-impacted areas.

The Humane Society of the United States is coordinating rescue efforts to fly animals out of Hurricane-Harvey impacted areas in Texas, as well as Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands, devastated by Hurricane Irma, and now Puerto Rico, hit by Hurricane Maria.

She stood by waiting for a flight, which kept getting rerouted and delayed, when finally she just decided they would drive down there. Earlier this month, her husband, Steve Smith, drove to Kansas City, Mo., to pick up the cats.

Eleven of the 30 cats are currently sick, she said. All of the sick ones have tapeworms and are on medication. This week she got them all spayed or neutered and up-to-date on their shots.

"It's a labor of love, I'll tell you," she said, noting that each cat costs $200 to $300 to get fixed and receive their shots.

Kitty City gets some donations, but, importantly, it has five to 10 long-time volunteers that visit the rescue operation daily to clean feeding and litter rooms, as well as check on the cats. She and her husband also check on the cats each day, too.

"If we're not getting help financial-wise, it's nice to have help with volunteers and so forth," she said.

She and her husband are also in the process of building a winter habitat for the cats. They recently bought a modular home, which they are renovating with cat trees and window ledges. Soon, they'll have rugs and beds for the cats to sleep on.

Smith said she hopes more people will pay more attention to the many cats  in addition to dogs  in the country needing fur-ever homes.

"Maybe this will stir some awareness, because people aren't aware that cats also need help," she said.

Smith's collecting donations through a T-shirt fundraiser, which features a T-shirt with an outline of the state of Texas and says, "Mission Pawsible." There's also a "Paws and Sip" fundraiser at the Theo Art School on Oct. 24 and another fundraiser at Station West in Mandan on Nov. 18. Donations can be made on the Triple H website at www.hhhmhr.org.
Renowned actor Wilford Brimley will narrate the story of the heroes of Iwo Jima in conjunction with the performance of "Quiet Heroes," a composition by Chris Brubeck, during a concert given by the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21.

Everett invites attendees to share this especially personal concert with her: Wilford Brimley is not only a celebrated actor, he is married to my namesake, my mom's best childhood friend," said BMSO conductor Beverly Everett. "They are like family and I treasure the opportunity to collaborate on this amazing piece with him. This is a concert not to be missed."

The Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra continues the celebration of Everetts 10th anniversary season, In Musical Terms, with a concert that takes her off the podium. Transpositions features Everett trading places with concertmaster Everaldo Martinez.

"For me, this concert celebrates the magical ways music weaves our lives together," Everett said. "I am so blessed to know and work with Everaldo Martinez. He is an exceptional musician and person and enriches my life in many ways. I am honored to get to feature him as both soloist and conductor on this concert.

Martinez conducts Everett in an organ solo, and Everett conducts Martinez in a piece from St. Saens.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Belle Mehus auditorium in downtown Bismarck. A pre-concert talk with Everett starts at 7 p.m. in the upstairs conductors room. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 701-258-8345, by visiting the BMSO office at 215 N. Sixth St. in Bismarck or online at Bismarckmandansymphony.org.
FARGO  Leah Juelke, a Fargo South High School language arts instructor who helped her students tell their immigrant stories to the world, has been named North Dakotas Teacher of the Year for 2018.

The award was announced by Gov. Doug Burgum and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler in a ceremony Thursday in the schools gymnasium.

Im kind of still in disbelief. This is amazing, Juelke said immediately after the ceremony. I am truly honored.

Juelke said its important for people to learn about different cultures.

Id like to encourage people to be open-minded, and to know that diversity is a wonderful thing, she said. By being educated more about other cultures, it just opens a lot of doors. And getting to know our neighbors is very important.

Juelke has taught at Fargo South since 2013 and was named the Fargo School Districts 2017 Teacher of the Year in March.

She is a 2001 graduate of South High and a North Dakota State University alumna.

Every teacher in North Dakota can create a love of lifelong learning, and encourage the kind of courageous curiosity that will help our students succeed in a 21st century economy, Burgum said. It is with tremendous gratitude that we thank Leah for her role inspiring students to learn more about themselves - and the world around them.

Juelkes varied international teaching experiences show her openness to diverse perspectives, and a willingness to learn more about the world of her students, Baesler said.

Mrs. Jeulke is genuine. Her students sense that. They understand that. They respect that, Baesler said. And Mrs. Juelkes willingness to go the extra mile is essential in helping her students to learn.

Juelke was one of five finalists for the award. The other finalists were Heather Jane Tomlin-Rohr, a kindergarten teacher at Louis LAmour Elementary School in Jamestown; Sandra Evenson, a sixth-grade science teacher at Cheney Middle School in West Fargo; Thomas Klapp, a science teacher at Northern Cass High School in Hunter; and Lynae Holmen, who teaches special needs, and deaf and hard-of-hearing students at Longfellow Elementary in Minot.

Juelke considered a career in education after joining the Minnesota Army National Guard as a medic during her second year at college. She originally intended to complete a nursing degree, but her Guard unit was deployed overseas, leaving her back home and responsible for training new recruits. Juelke said she found the role fulfilling and realized she was making a difference. At that point, I decided to change my major from nursing to teaching.

Juelkes resume includes working as a long-term substitute Spanish instructor with the Moorhead School District, teaching three years at a private school in Ecuador, teaching for a year at a school in Taiwan, and teaching for a year at a middle school in Colorado. She also volunteered at a rural school in Costa Rica. And shes trained teachers in Tanzania on a method for teaching English to non-native speakers more effectively.

Three years ago, Juelke began a writing project called Journey to America for her immigrant students at South to help them strengthen their ability to write English, and to assist the students teachers and peers to better understand their backgrounds and cultures.

The students wrote about growing up in refugee camps, hiding under beds while their villages burned, and having family members killed in wars. Anthologies of the Fargo students Journey to America stories have been published.

That project led to 31 South students stories being included in a new book, Green Card Youth Voices: Immigration Stories From A Fargo High School, published by Green Card Voices, a Minneapolis nonprofit.

Juelke earned a masters degree in education from North Dakota State University in 2012. She was a medical specialist and training instructor in the Army National Guard from 2003 to 2008.
North Dakota lawmakers took another step toward taking Gov. Doug Burgum to court over vetoes he issued a few months ago.

Legislative Management, a powerful interim committee, voted 12-4 Thursday to proceed with litigation, a move that some lawmakers said was an effort to clarify the roles of the legislative and executive branches of state government.

"I think we'd be doing a disservice to the people of North Dakota if we leave things unclear, if we leave things unsettled," said Rep. Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson.

In a statement, Burgum, a first-term Republican, said the lawsuit isn't a "prudent use of taxpayer dollars" but his office will "respond accordingly to any legal action that attempts to infringe on executive branch authority."

The vote came after lawmakers met for about an hour behind closed doors to discuss legal strategy. The committees chairman, Grand Forks Republican Sen. Ray Holmberg, said it was the first time in modern history that legislators convened an executive session, a move that two lawmakers resisted.

The vote does leave some unanswered questions, including what specific vetoes will be addressed in the lawsuit. Holmberg said it could be months before the Legislature asks the state Supreme Court to take up the case.

But the decision provided clarity in at least one respect. We are going to sue, Holmberg said.

In June, Legislative Management initiated the rare but not unprecedented legal battle by voting to move forward with a lawsuit. That came after Burgum vetoed parts of several spending bills after the Legislature adjourned in late April.

In his Thursday statement, Burgum said the vetoes were intended to protect executive branch authority, preserve the separation of powers and prevent spending of scarce state resources without full legislative review.

But in an opinion requested by the House and Senate majority leaders, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Burgum overstepped his authority in some cases. Although the state constitution allows the governor to veto items in a budget bill and let other parts become law, Stenehjem said Burgum struck conditions or restrictions on spending without removing the appropriation itself.

In one instance, Burgum vetoed three words from a bill preventing Dickinson State University from discontinuing any portion of its nursing program.

If we believe its OK for the governor to selectively delete words and change intent of language, thats a precedent for the future, House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, said.

Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, argued against litigation, although he called the vetoes petty.

I think were really on thin ice whether were going to win this, he said.

John Bjornson, legal division director at Legislative Council, said Wednesday they consulted outside attorneys but havent retained one on a long-term basis. Randall Bakke and Shawn Grinolds of the Bismarck law firm Bakke Grinolds Wiederholt met behind closed doors with lawmakers to discuss strategy, along with Legislative Council staff.

It was fairly clear that if we were going to go forward, we would need outside counsel to do the appellate work, Bjornson said. None of us are experienced in arguing before the Supreme Court.

Legislative Council Director Jim Smith said the preliminary legal work will cost about $2,000 plus at least $32,000 going forward. He said budget savings will likely cover the bill.

House Minority Leader Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks, said the legal rift between the Legislature and governor is not on the minds of his constituents, but he called the lawsuit an appropriate and necessary step.

The day may come where a partial veto could change the actions of the Legislature and directly affect the lives of people back home, he said. If we dont establish clarity today, the costs and implications could be so much greater down the road.
FARGO  Brooke Lynn Crews, one of two suspects charged in connection with the killing of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind and the abduction of her baby, was arraigned in court on Thursday, and her attorney entered not guilty pleas on her behalf.

Crews, 38, and her live-in boyfriend, William Henry Hoehn, 32, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and providing false information to police. They are each being held at Cass County Jail on $2 million bail.

Hoehn was set to appear in Cass County District Court on Oct. 4, but has waived his right to appear and entered not guilty pleas, so that court appearance has been cancelled.

At Crews' court hearing Thursday before Judge Frank Racek, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing. In such a hearing, the prosecution must demonstrate to the judge that there is probable cause to charge the defendant.

Crews was led into the courtroom shortly before the 1:30 p.m. start of her arraignment. She wore an orange jail shirt and pants, and orange slip-on sandals. She was bound at the wrist and ankles.

She looked straight ahead and to the left, where TV screens were mounted on the wall. She was unemotional, answering only yes and no when asked questions by the judge.

Judge Racek read the charges to her and then summarized the maximum penalty for each charge. He asked whether she understood the charges and penalties. She replied yes. He asked whether she understood what a preliminary hearing would be. She said yes. He asked whether she waived her right to a preliminary hearing. She said, yes.

When the judge asked Crews how she pleaded to the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, her attorney, Steven Mottinger, said Crews elected not to enter a plea to any of the charges, but he asked the court to enter not guilty pleas on all counts.

A dozen friends and relatives of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind crowded two rows of the gallery in the courtroom. LaFontaine-Greywinds mother, Norberta, was there, along with Savannas sister, Kayla. Her father, Joe Greywind, was not in attendance, nor was Ashton Matheny, her boyfriend and father of her daughter, Haisley Jo.

Norberta LaFontaine-Greywind was visibly shaken after Crews was brought into the courtroom, crying and wiping her eyes with a tissue. A woman sitting to her left comforted her, putting her arm around her, and rubbing her back continually. After regaining her composure, Norberta looked at her feet.

Mottinger asked Judge Racek for a delay in the dispositional conference, the next scheduled court proceeding for Crews. It was originally scheduled for Nov. 29. Judge Racek agreed, rescheduling the conference for 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3.

Mottinger said after the hearing that he requested the delay because We have not yet received the balance of the states discovery material. However, Assistant States Attorney Leah Jo Viste, the lead prosecutor on the case, said that all materials her office has received so far have been provided to the defense.

Both Mottinger and Viste acknowledged that the U.S. attorney in Fargo is still reviewing the case, which suggests that it could still be prosecuted federally. The U.S. attorneys office declined to comment on Thursday. The case would only be eligible for the death penalty if its prosecuted by the U.S. government.

Mottinger said that if the case goes to trial, he would likely seek a change of venue to move the trial out of Cass County. A judge can order a change of venue if it would be difficult to obtain an impartial jury in the county where the alleged crime occurred.

Asked after the arraignment if it was possible any other charges would be made against the suspects, Viste said, Anything is possible. Questioned about whether anyone other than the two suspects could have been involved, she said, I dont foresee any charges forthcoming at this point in time.

Crews was arrested on Aug. 24 in the apartment she shared with Hoehn, upstairs from the apartment where the LaFontaine-Greywind family lived. Police said she was found in possession of a newborn baby girl, alive and healthy, that DNA tests later proved belonged to LaFontaine-Greywind and her boyfriend, Matheny. Hoehn was arrested later the same day at his place of employment.

LaFontaine-Greywind, 22, a member of the Spirit Lake tribe who worked as a certified nursing assistant in Fargo, disappeared on Aug. 19 while eight months pregnant after going upstairs in her apartment building to help Crews with a sewing project. Her body was found eight days later in the Red River. Police said her death was caused by homicidal violence.

According to court documents, Crews told police that she had taken advantage of LaFontaine-Greywind to obtain her child. Crews said she taught LaFontaine-Greywind on the Saturday she disappeared how to self-induce childbirth. Crews claimed LaFontaine-Greywind then left her apartment, but returned at 3:30 a.m. two days later and gave Crews an infant child.

Hoehns story about what happened was very different. He told police that he came home from work on that Saturday and found Crews cleaning up blood in their bathroom. He said Crews presented him with an infant, saying This is our baby. This is our family, according to court documents.

Hoehn told police that he removed garbage bags containing bloody towels and his own bloody shoes from the apartment, and disposed of them in a dumpster at an unknown apartment building in West Fargo, court documents stated.

Defense attorney Mottinger said after Thursdays arraignment that he has a good relationship with Crews. We get along well, he said. I dont anticipate any problems.
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INGLESIDE, Ontario  The weather forecast looks great for the upcoming Stephanie Grady Memorial Run and Family BBQ which will be held Saturday, September 30th, 2017 starting with the 10km run at 10am at the Stephanie Grady Educational Pavilion at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Ingleside.

This will be the 3rdannual event to support local causes planned by the Grady and Doyle Families, and will be held on the weekend marking Stephanies birthday. Last years event drew 200 participants and raised $2,870.42 for Camp Erin Eastern Ontario with an additional $950 collected in donations to support the Getting on Board Project at Upper Canada Migratory Sanctuary.

Friends, family and community members are welcome to lace up their sneakers and register for a 10K run, 5K run or 2K walk/run on the picturesque bike path between the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Ingleside entrance of the Long Sault Parkway. All competitors will receive a t-shirt, a running bib and a medal at the finish line. Stephanie had a passion for running and we welcome runners of all levels to join us to cherish Stephanies memory and to help us raise money for Camp Erin Eastern Ontario which provide children with grief support. Following the races, a BBQ will be held near the Stephanie Grady Educational Pavilion at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Any donations for the BBQ are completely optional and will be going towards supporting the Getting on Board project of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary. In order to register for the run, visit runningroom.com Race ID # 14324 or by registering at the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary beginning at 8:30am the morning of the run.

Stephanies sister, Crystal Doyle, is hoping this years event will be as successful as the 2016 edition.

I am excited by the community response to this race. This is a wonderful event where you can have fun with a family stroll or get out for a run knowing that you are raising money for two wonderful charities, she said.
Next week's ballot offers some intrigue for North Dakotans  from late congressional entries by independent candidates to term limits and marijuana legalization. Voters will decide whether to endorse changing the state constitution to limit the terms of the governor and state legislators. Another citizen-led initiative also will put the question of marijuana legalization before voters, who rejected the idea four years ago. Ninety-eight of the Legislatures 141 seats are on the ballot. All but one Democrat is up for reelection this year. Contests for secretary of state, attorney general and other state offices Also will appear on the ballot.
MINOT -- A 27-year-old high risk registered sex offender, transgender and former student at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch near Minot has been charged with a Class A misdemeanor for allegedly trying to visit former teachers at the ranch.

Brynner Phoenix Rennecke, Minot, who is also informally known as Riley Lilian Grace Byerly, is charged with unlawful presence of a sexual offender near schools. The offense carries a maximum sentence of 360 days in prison and up to $3,000 in fines.

Rennecke is listed as a male on the North Dakota Sex Offenders Registry but female pronouns and the female given name are used in the probable cause affidavit filed with the court. Rennecke is currently transitioning from male to female, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court.

Rennecke made an initial appearance on the charge in district court in Minot on Thursday before Judge Doug Mattson. Mattson set bond at $7,500 cash or corporate surety and ordered Rennecke to have no contact with anyone under age 18 or with the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.

Ward County Assistant State's Attorney Christopher Nelson said Rennecke could be a danger to the community.

Rennecke plans to apply for a court-appointed lawyer and has no job.

Rennecke petitioned for a legal name change to Riley Byerly in district court in Stutsman County in July 2015, but a judge denied the petition. There is a presumption under state law that a convicted felon should not be allowed to change his name unless he has proven that it will not defraud or mislead the public or compromise public safety. At the time of the petition, Rennecke was committed to the state hospital in Jamestown as a sexually dangerous individual.

According to court documents on the sex offender charge, Rennecke arrived at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch campus near Minot at 3 p.m. on Aug. 30. The school principal called police to report her concern about Rennecke being on the campus and around minor students. Rennecke arrived on the campus with two other people and wanted to visit Rennecke's old teachers. Rennecke told police they should have called ahead before making their visit.

Registered sex offenders are not allowed on a school campus.

All of Rennecke's sex offenses occurred in Morton County Juvenile Court when Rennecke was a young teenager. According to the online sex offenders registry, Rennecke admitted responsibility in January 2006, at age 15, to fondling a 13-year-old girl against the girl's wishes and of trying to have sex with a 10-year-old girl on two different occasions. In treatment, Rennecke later admitted to molesting five young children between 2003 and 2005, some in a day care setting. At the time of the offenses, Rennecke was younger than 15. No sex offense convictions are listed on Rennecke's record once Rennecke became an adult.

Rennecke was interviewed in 2014 for an article on sex offenders who had been civilly committed to the state hospital in Jamestown. According to the story, Rennecke had been in the program since 2008, worked in the woodworking shop at the state hospital and was serious about the treatment program and learning the skills needed to be successful.
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"But this is advanced technology! The pilots don't need to look for adversaries with their primitive eyeballs!" Bullshit. You've seen the movies; it's not like the lack of windows was supplemented with some kind of advanced radar system. Pilots on both sides are always desperately whipping their heads around to catch a glimmer of enemy ships through the glass.

Lucasfilm



Snapped necks from whiplash is the number-one killer of Rebel pilots.

Darth Vader himself seemed completely surprised when Han Solo showed up behind him and shot him in the ass at the end of A New Hope (and he flew a TIE Advanced!). All of this is because George Lucas choreographed space battles to mimic WWII movies, which are from an era when dogfighting meant flying close enough to pepper the enemy with 50-caliber rounds until a wing fell off. But look at the visibility pilots had in the 1940s:

U.S. Air Force

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"Use your full range of vision, Luke."

That guy can see everything! Notice how the pilot is positioned so that he can even look down on both sides, since the enemy could be below him at any moment? Compare that to the Rebels' Y-Wing canopies, which not only lack that feature, but also block off what's above the ship, which is about half of all things that will ever be when you're in outer space.

Lucasfilm



"Gold Leader, I can't see if I'm above you or below you. What's your uh ... altitude? Space height? Gold Leader, I'm going to hold my breath and stick my head out the window."

The x-wing lets you see what's in front and above you, but there's no way to check your six, because someone put a blooping robot and gigantic engines in the way. A-Wings, B-Wings, Jedi Starfighters -- you can't see behind yourself in any of them. Try to imagine driving a U-Haul through space with no side mirrors, and also there are lasers everywhere trying to kill you. Good luck!

Lucasfilm

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"R2, turn your head around. Is anyone behind us? 'Bloop?' Hold on, let me turn on the bloop translator. Loading. Loading. Yes? Someone's there!? Shit!"
Security News

Sources: Fortinet Channel Chief Sykora Out, Security Vendor Appoints Former Proofpoint Exec Bove To Lead Partner Sales

Sarah Kuranda

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Fortinet Vice President of Americas Channels and Enhanced Technologies Joe Sykora has left the security vendor, multiple sources confirmed to CRN.

Jon Bove has replaced Sykora, sources said. Bove most recently served as senior director of North American channels at Proofpoint. However, before joining Proofpoint Bove served as regional vice president of U.S. channels for Fortinet.

Sources said Sykora's last day with Fortinet was Thursday and that Fortinet planned to announce the move Monday.

[Related: The Firewall Evolution: Fortinet CEO Says Security Vendor Prepping For The Fourth Generation Of Firewall Market]

Fortinet confirmed Sykora's departure and Bove's appointment to CRN.

"We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Bove as Vice President of North America Channels. Jon will focus on deepening and extending our partner strategy as well as accelerating new opportunities with our channel partners. Jon has extensive industry experience in security and channel sales and previously spent six years at Fortinet where he served as regional vice president of U.S. Channels. Jon replaces Joe Sykora who is departing Fortinet. We thank Joe for his contributions to Fortinet and wish him well in his future endeavors," a Fortinet spokesperson wrote in an email to CRN.

Fortinet said Bove started with the company Friday.

Sykora did not respond to direct calls for comment from CRN. A Proofpoint spokesperson would not confirm Boves departure in an email to CRN.

"We do not comment on executive departures; however, we remain committed to our aggressive channel strategy, dedicated to building opportunities with our strategic partners, and ensuring organizations are protected from todays sophisticated cyberattacks, the spokesperson said.

Sykora has been with Fortinet since 2010, holding a variety of marketing and channel sales leadership roles at the security vendor. In his most recent role, he was responsible for management of all of the company's channels  including both inside sales teams, distribution teams and reseller engagements -- and enhanced technologies groups. He helped oversee multiple acquisition integrations at the companies, as well as an expanding base of technology alliances and partnerships.

Sykora's tenure at Fortinet saw the security vendor's channel sales grow 40 percent to 50 percent year over year, compared with 20 percent to 25 percent growth under his predecessor, according to Sykora's LinkedIn profile.

Partners said they were sad to see Sykora go. However, they also said they think Bove will bring a "new take" to the role.

One partner, who did not know about the change but knew Bove from his previous time at Fortinet, cheered the move, saying he thinks Bove's time away from Fortinet will bring some outside perspective to the role. That experience, combined with his many years at Fortinet, will allow him to ramp up quickly, the partner said.

"I think it will be good," the partner said. "I like John a lot. I think it will be good for Fortinet."

Another Fortinet partner, who also did not know about the change, said he was thrilled to see Bove back at Fortinet, calling him a "smart individual" who "knows the partner community well."

"Jon's a great guy. I was sad when he left  he was very entrenched in the partner community.  He knows Fortinet well and he's highly thought of by the Fortinet partners," the executive said.
HARTFORD  Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz on Friday planned to call for a special session of the House of Representatives as soon as Tuesday.

But whether he is limited to dealing with an issue over federal reimbursements for state hospitals  or he can call a quick vote that could kill an attempt to override Gov. Dannel P. Malloys veto of a Republican-based budget  might be up for legal interpretation.

Weve asked members to check their availability and hold a number of dates for potential House sessions in the coming weeks, Aresimowicz said in a statement. When ready, we need to act quickly on the hospital and federal funds issue, there has to be a session to consider the governors veto, and in the absence of an override we need to come to a final budget agreement that will become law.

Republicans say the earliest a veto-override could occur is Tuesday, Oct. 10, in accordance with the state Constitution.

Article III of the Constitution says in part: If any bill passed by any regular or special session or any appropriation item ... has been disapproved by the governor prior to its adjournment, and has not been reconsidered by the assembly, or is so disapproved after such adjournment, the secretary of the state shall reconvene the general assembly on the second Monday after Malloys veto.

That would mean Oct. 10, Tuesday, following the Columbus Day holiday, according to Republicans, who are trying to build momentum over the next week in attempt to win the 101 votes in the House and 24 in the Senate needed to override.

But since the special session was not adjourned, does that mean Aresimowicz could call for the override vote before the 10th?

It was too soon to tell late Friday afternoon. The next bipartisan leadership meeting with Malloy has been scheduled for late Monday afternoon.

The budget bill passed the Senate 21-15, with three Democrats and 77-73 in the House, with five Democrats. At this point, with opposition from Aresimowicz and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, an override seems unlikely.

Kelly Donnelly, Malloys spokesman, said Friday that the governor appreciates the speakers attention to organizing the House for potential votes.

As the Governor stated in his veto message, the urgency to work together cannot be overstated, Donnelly said. The GOP-backed budget is unbalanced, unsustainable and unwise  making it one that deserved to be vetoed and one that should not garner enough votes for that veto to be overridden. We remain committed to working with leaders of all four caucuses to arrive at a fair, balanced, and responsible biennial budget that moves the state forward in the right direction.

Capitol budget staff has been in days of negotiations with the Connecticut Hospital Association over $70 million in federal reimbursement to state hospitals. Malloy wants to link the reimbursement to a pending lawsuit the hospitals filed over the state tax on them. The CHA has been reluctant to agree to a settlement.

Earlier this week a vote on Thursday or Friday seemed possible, but the negotiations with the CHA prompted lawmakers to back away, for now.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
Opening arguments began Thursday morning in the trial of a man accused of ordering the death of a 24-year-old at a Grand Forks truck stop in 2016 as part of a meth trafficking conspiracy.

Modesto Alfredo Torrez, 35, is accused of being the ringleader of a conspiracy that trafficked large amounts of meth in the Red River Valley and calling for the death of Austin Forsman, who was murdered at the Flying J truck stop in Grand Forks on March 11, 2016.

Torrez originally entered a plea agreement with federal prosecutors admitting to charges of murder in the furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy, conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance and death caused by use of a firearm during a crime of violence. But court records show that in June, he changed his mind and opted for a jury trial.

Jury selection was completed Tuesday, according to the clerks office in the U.S. District Court in Fargo and opening arguments began Thursday.

Torrez has also been charged with obstruction of justice. In 2009, he was convicted in federal court of trafficking meth in the region and was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of supervised release.

He is one of 13 charged in a superseding indictment by prosecutors for trafficking bulk meth throughout the region and the only member of the group to opt for a jury trial. Most have entered plea agreements and some have been sentenced.

Krystal Lynn Feist pleaded guilty on Feb. 27 to murdering Forsman with a shotgun and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 31, according to court records.

In June, Lorie Ortiz, 42, of Crookston, Minn., pleaded guilty to destroying cell phones with evidence related to Forsmans murder. She will be sentenced Nov. 27.

Three other men, Christopher Ryan Ringsrud-Knowles, 34, of Arvilla; Daniel Rodriguez Jr., 26, of Crookston; and Aaron Lee Morado, 27, of Grand Forks, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson for their roles in the conspiracy in May.

Ringsrud-Knowles pleaded guilty to breaking down the shotgun used in Forsmans killing and throwing it in a river. He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for evidence tampering.

Rodriguez and Morado were labeled street-level distributors in the ring, and both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substance charges. Rodriguez was sentenced to seven years in prison. Morado was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years.

Four others indicted in the group -- Vaughn Michael Scott, Christopher Alan Anderson, Andrew Robert Wiley and Andrew Neil Hills -- pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances charges. The men were sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson. Scott was sentenced to six years in prison. Anderson received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence. Wiley was sentenced to six years. Hills will spend eight years in prison.

Darla Kay Jerome was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for her role in the conspiracy, and Walter Joseph Ganyo has been sentenced to seven years.
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HARTFORD  As Connecticut scrambles to find new revenue to plug deficits and resolve an ongoing budget stalemate, neighboring states are bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars a year from highway tolls.

An Office of Legislative Research report issued this month shows that Massachusetts garnered $395 million from tolls last year, while New York State pocketed $708 million and Maine took in $133 million.

A provision tucked into the most recent state budget crafted by the General Assemblys majority Democrats, and supported by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, contains a pathway to highway tolls through a new Connecticut Transportation Finance Authority.

The authority is specifically empowered to implement statewide highway tolling  which some believe could bring in as much as $900 million a year  as well as oversee a variety of highway improvement and upgrade projects.

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said Democratic leaders stand by the transportation authority.

Im not a big fan of tolls, but I endorse the transportation authority, Duff said. Transportation has been neglected for too long. This allows us to focus on it and take the politics out.

Republicans are adamantly opposed to tolls and the transportation authority, saying its a way to go around the General Assembly, which has consistently rejected bills authorizing highway tolls.

More Information Here is the revenue neighboring states generate from highway and other tolls: Source: state Office of Legislative Research Toll Revenue in Nearby States State Revenue (millions) Year Maine $ 133.8 Calendar year 2016 Massachusetts 395.0 FY 2016 New Hampshire 130.7 FY 2016 New Jersey 1,570.7 Calendar year 2016 New York 708.3 Calendar year 2016 Pennsylvania 1,030.1 FY ending May 31, 2016 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 1,865.5 Calendar year 2016 Rhode Island 20.4 FY 2016 See More Collapse

Its a way to circumvent the legislative process without having to go to us, said state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton. I am utterly opposed.

The transportation authority  and the possibility of tolls it represents  went down in flames nearly two weeks ago when eight Democrats defected and endorsed a Republican spending plan. The GOP budget, however, was vetoed Thursday by Malloy.

Democratic leaders are expected to push for the transportation authority during negotiations with Republicans and Malloy over a compromise budget.

Big money

The report by OLR, a non-partisan research office that answers questions from legislators, adds fuel to the argument that tolls are a reliable way to pour money into state coffers.

The New England states  except Vermont  installed highways tolls years ago, along with neighboring states. Many of those systems have been upgraded to electronic tolling, which scans cars as they pass underneath, eliminating booths that back up traffic and can cause accidents.

For example, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey brought in $1.9 billion in toll revenue last year; Pennsylvania $1 billion; New Jersey $1.6 billion; and Rhode Island $20 million, the OLR report shows.

Revenue projections for statewide tolling in Connecticut vary, with some estimates placing the take at $900 million a year. A study commissioned by the state ranged from a high of $62 billion over 25 years to $5 billion if only $2 border tolls were established.

Chris Collibee, a spokesman for Malloy, said a new revenue source is needed if the state is to improve its vital transportation system, noting gas tax revenue continues to fall as cars become more fuel efficient and electric vehicles become more popular.

Our businesses depend on our roads to get their employees to work and their goods to market, Collibee said. If we are going to preserve and grow those jobs, we must consider a wide range of transportation funding options.

Malloy, who in the past wavered over tolls and never fully endorsed the revenue source, supported the Democratic budget before it was defeated.

Authorize tolling

The Connecticut Transportation Finance Authority would operate under an appointed board of directors, which would hire an executive director and other staff, according to the legislation.

The broad mission is to oversee transportation highway projects and make recommendations to the board, including implementing tolls.

The authority may authorize the use of electronic tolling systems along limited access highways to accomplish its purpose and set the specific geographic area to be tolled along such limited access highways, the legislation notes.

The authority would operate the toll system, hire vendors and sign agreements with the federal government. A public hearing would be required before tolls were put before the board for a vote.

Boucher said the last thing Connecticut needs is tolls, and pointed out that residents of the other states dont pay many of the taxes imposed on state residents. She cited the real estate conveyance and gift taxes as examples, and the inability of Connecticut residents to take deductions on their state income tax.

Think about all of that when you spout off about the millions they collect in tolls, Boucher said. We would be paying all the taxes we now pay and adding a layer of taxation. Their budget also includes other new taxes, such as on cell phones.

Duff countered that the Republican budget relies on borrowing to fund needed transportation improvements. He also dismissed complaints that the transportation authority takes the decision out of the hands of lawmakers.

We are a part time Legislature, Duff said. You need a body to be proactive when necessary. But its not about the potential for tolls. The gas tax is waning and things are changing rapidly.

Duff noted 40 percent of the cars on state highways come from out of state and said if tolls were implemented the gas tax would be reduced, or another method would be found to lessen the impact on state residents.
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A school funding case spanning more than 11 years made its second appearance in the state Supreme Court in Hartford on Thursday.

Oral arguments before Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers and six other justices focused largely on whether Connecticut is spending enough money to provide adequate education as the state constitution requires, and if not, on how far can the court go to intercede.

A lower court last year did not find fault with the overall level of state funding on education but called its distribution unconstitutional. The state Superior Court judge gave the state 180 days to improve the system in a number of areas, including establishing graduation standards and creating a separate funding stream for special education.

The court could take a year or more to decide the case.

In a session that lasted nearly 21/2 hours Thursday, Associate Attorney General Joseph Rubin, representing the state, told justices the trial court got it half right. He urged the high court to remand the case to the lower court for dismissal.

Rubin argued Connecticut schools are adequately funded by any reasonable standard. The state helps its neediest districts with hundreds of millions of dollars, he said.

Overall, by any legal standard that could apply the funding is rational, Rubin said, adding it is not the courts job to pull out education policies one by one and tell state it can do a better job.

As he did during the state Superior Court trial, Rubin said no direct correlation has been drawn between spending and student achievement.

Justice Richard Palmer, citing the high percentage of students in Bridgeport and other urban districts who do not graduate ready for college, asked Rubin if the court should ignore these disturbing statistics.

Question of rationality

Rubin agreed the numbers were troubling, but said it is up to the Legislature to fix that problem. Rogers asked Rubin if he was equating adequate funding with rationality?

Rationality is a standard set by the trial court, Rubin said.

The chief justice said while the lower court judge ruled funding was minimally adequate, the judge cited examples of districts in which that appears not to have been the case.

Attorney Joseph Moodhe, representing the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, argued state Superior Court Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher did all but deem the funding system inadequate.

What the court was saying was that funding is not rational, Moodhe said. He said the state needs to come up with a system in which funding gets to the district that need it most.

Moodhe said Bridgeport has too few teachers. As a result, class sizes swell, making them too large for quality education.

Districts have to make choices when there is not enough funding, he said.

Asked about the states duties in relation to poverty, Moodhe said schools have an obligation to educate all children, with sensitivity to their backgrounds.

(But) where should the funding go ... and who am I to say, as opposed to (the) Legislature? Rogers asked Moode. How can we get into those determinations and, frankly, do a good job?

Still no state budget

The case was brought by a broad group of school districts, parents and advocacy groups in 2005. Bridgeport and Danbury were two of the districts used as examples of what the group sees as victims of an unfair state funding system.

The plight of Bridgeport, in particular, was brought up on a number of times Thursday, as both sides were questioned by the justices. The financial situation in Bridgeport is such that aides have been pulled from kindergarten classrooms and teaching vacancies beyond December to be filled by substitutes to save money.

Thursdays arguments were waged across the street from the state Capitol, where Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed a Republican budget on Thursday. The state is without a budget in a fiscal year that will be one-quarter finished this weekend.

Moodhe said he hopes the budget crisis has no impact on the school-funding case. Education, he said, is a right that should not be dependent on economics.

Our position is that the poorer districts do not have enough resources, Moodhe said. Legislators, he added, should be told to do their jobs.

On the steps of the courthouse after the hearing, Moodhe said he thought it went well. Hard questions from the justices, he said, was their way of getting confirmation of their own understanding.

This is a seasoned court that knows judicial bounds begin and end, Moodhe said. I think they were trying to get confirmation of their own understanding. I think they have well-informed views of what they can and cannot do.

The Attorney Generals Office declined comment beyond arguments made in court.

lclambeck@ctpost.com; twitter/@lclambeck
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HARTFORD  School loyalty is not what it used to be  in Connecticut politics anyway.

At least a dozen Republican House and Senate members  and one Democratic senator  who graduated or earned advanced degrees at UConn voted for a GOP state budget the university says slashed $300 million from the school.

Click through the slideshow to see which Connecticut politicians with UConn ties voted 'yes'

This would simply decimate the university, UConn President Susan Herbst told the university in a message.

More News Malloy vetoes, Republicans vow override effort

So how do you defend voting to decimate your alma mater?

State Sen. Toni Boucher, a Wilton Republican who earned an MBA at UConn, said her vote was difficult, but stressed solving the states financial crisis overrode her concern.

It was not something I was happy about, Boucher said of the UConn cut, which Republicans say totals only $240 million  nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. But they have to share the pain too. We are in crisis.

Boucher noted she is a contributor to the UConn Foundation and as a legislator voted to pour money into the university.

We have added billions over the years, not just to UConn but the state university system, Boucher said. Im one of the most loyal legislators.

State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, said his UConn law degree had no influence on his vote.

We have to look at what is in front of us, Kelly said. We have a very dire fiscal situation and we cant be everything to everybody anymore.

UConn claims the Republican state budget, passed by the House and Senate with the help of eight Democrats, slashed more than $300 million  Republicans say $240 million  from the schools budget.

The cuts came as the school was recently ranked the 18th top public university by U.S. News & World Report.

The GOP budget became a moot point Thursday when Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed the legislation.

But that left lawmakers on both sides of the isle back at square one, with no budget in place, a pressing urgency to find a compromise and the need to obtain big savings from state programs such as UConn.

Loyalty test

Hearst Connecticut Media looked at a small sample of the 77 House members who voted for the GOP plan, including five Democrats, and the 21 Senators who favored it, including three Democrats.

Only one Democrat, State Sen. Paul Doyle, D-Wethersfield, voted for the GOP budget and also has a UConn connection.

Doyle holds a B.A. in history from Colby College and received a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law in Hartford.

In addition to the 12 Republican UConn alumni who voted for the budget, at least five other Republican legislators who voted to cut funding either once worked for the school or attended or taught classes. One serves as government representative.

State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, R-Newtown, voted for the GOP budget. Although he is not a UConn graduate, Bolinskys House website notes that his 26-year-old daughter, Rachel, completed her undergrad work at UConn in 2012.

Bolinsky could not be reached for comment.

A spokeswoman for UConn, Stephanie Reitz, declined to discuss loyalty and college alumni who vote to cut their schools funding.

Asked if the university would consider revoking their degrees, Reitz said that would not happen.

Tug of emotion

The UConn alumni lawmakers said their votes were difficult and stressed there were many tough decisions to make.

Im sure there isnt anyone who didnt wince about something, said state Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, who holds an MBA in finance from UConn.

Lavielle said she supports many of the programs and services targeted by the GOP budget, such as the Citizens Election Program, which was eliminated. The program provides public money for campaigns.

But you have to be cognizant about how bad the situation is, Lavielle said. There were a lot of decisions to make and it does not make anyone happy.

State Rep. Arthur ONeill, R-Southbury, and a UConn graduate, said the vote was difficult.

There was a tug of emotion as a graduate of UConn, ONeill said of his vote to cut funding. Ive supported putting a lot of money into UConn. Id love to shout Yes for UConn, but we have a responsibility to the rest of the state.

Not exactly a rallying tribute to the lyrics of the schools fight song heard at big games:

UConn Husky, symbol of might to the foe.

Fight, fight Connecticut, It's vict'ry, Let's go.

But ONeill said he believes the university can absorb reduced state funding without impacting students.

There are lots of places they can economize without impacting education, ONeill said. And there are lots of examples of inefficiencies at UConn.

Kelly said despite the UConn cut the Republican budget still sent $1 billion to the university.

Its not like we treated it like a red-headed stepchild, Kelly said. You have to make tough choices.

Boucher noted the Republican budget closed a $3.5 billion deficit, sent municipalities a fair share of revenue and would keep the state operating. You split the baby, she said, referring to the UConn cuts.

UConn President Herbst said the cuts could close UConn Health, eliminate majors and graduate programs and reduce scientific and medical research.

That level of cut is unprecedented and would be devastating for UConn, higher education in Connecticut, and the state as a whole, Herbst said.
BRIDGEPORT  A federal grand jury Wednesday indicted a man on fentanyl trafficking charges after Derby police stopped a tractor-trailer in December containing 55 pounds of the drug, worth $1.5 million, a press release from the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Connecticut said.

Prosecutors allege Omar Villarreal, of La Puente, California, traveled to Connecticut from October to November 2016 and coordinated the transportation and the planned delivery of the fentanyl with the driver of the tractor-trailer, Erick Crespo-Escalante, who was arrested in December.
As with many trends over the years, support for the legalization of marijuana is spreading from the West to the East in the United States.

Two new polls have found that voters in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania favor allowing sale and possession of recreational, or adult use, marijuana. Nearly 60 percent of voters in both states supported legalization.

Perhaps not coincidentally, voters in New Jersey also voiced historically low support for Gov. Chris Christie. The Republican has voiced strong opposition to legalizing marijuana. Hes also leaving office in January 2018.

Of the eight states that have legalized adult-use recreational marijuana sales, only two -- Maine and Massachusetts -- are east of the Mississippi River. The six western states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Sales are underway in some states but others are set to in 2018.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are, respectively, the sixth and eleventh most populous states and would be huge markets for the burgeoning marijuana industry.

Related: Maine Might Legalize Drive-Through and Internet Cannabis Sales

Jersey's biggest pot opponent is deeply unpopular.

Christie has not been subtle in his opposition to legalized marijuana. Earlier this year, he went on a rant on the topic. He called marijuana legalization beyond stupidity and said the entire movement is supported by crazy liberals who want to say everything is OK.

Thats debatable, obviously. Whats not debatable is how much voters in New Jersey do not like Christie. His numbers have become the new standard for deeply unpopular.

A recent poll done by Quinnipiac University found that 79 percent of voters are dissatisfied with Christies performance. Thats the lowest approval rating of any state governor in the 20 years Quinnipiac University has conducted such surveys.

Even 61 percent of Republicans voiced a lack of support for Christie.

Meanwhile, the issue he opposes is picking up popularity. In the same survey, Quinnipiac found that 59 percent are in favor of legal possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Democrats in New Jersey have introduced legislation to make adult-use marijuana legal. They estimate a Colorado-style recreational marijuana market will yield $300 million in annual tax revenue. New Jersey elects a new governor in November. The Democrat candidate, Phil Murphy, supports legalization and commands a 25 percentage point lead over his Republican opponent, who has served the past eights years as Christie's lieutenant governor.

Related: 3 Must-Dos to Prepare for When Cannabis Is Federally Legal

Keystone State Evolution

Pennsylvania voters also voiced support for adult use marijuana in a poll released by Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Penn. This in a state that has historically been fairly conservative on social issues.

According the survey, 59 percent of voters approve of legalized recreational marijuana. That number stood at just 22 percent in 2006, polling director Terry Madonna told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Notice the evolution, Madonna said. Its been a slow and inexorable growth in support during the past decade. He went on to say that nobody has ever accused {Pennsylvania] of being on the cultural vanguard.

The survey, conducted in September, asked questions of 400 registered voters.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale has called for legalization, saying the public is ahead of the politicians on this issue.

Follow dispensaries.com on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news.

Related:

Polls Find Voters In Pennsylvania, New Jersey Support Legal Marijuana

Maine Might Legalize Drive-Through and Internet Cannabis Sales

10 Ways the Cannabis Industry Is Rebranding to Meet Its Biggest Challenges



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Want to protect what youve built? Then youll need to work differently, according to Melanie Rieback.

This CEO of Radically Open Security, one of the worlds first cybersecurity consultancy nonprofits, says that while hacks are inevitable, its up to companies to navigate that risk -- not try to eliminate it.

In a talk at Oslo Innovation Week, she shared three principles that can help companies find the solutions that work for them and their industries. These ideas, she says, will shape the mindset anyone will need to better approach modern cybersecurity.

Related: Theres a Scary Reason Youll Start Taking Digital Privacy Seriously

1. Work with your rivals.

The dark web works together -- so why doesnt everybody else? As Riebeck points out, the dark web is a hotbed of collaboration -- even offering support desks for those whove purchased malware kits. To survive, companies, too, will need to collaborate in a way theyve never done before.



You have no competitors, only organizations that face similar threats, says Riebeck. You have far more to gain by helping each other.

She points out that banks have recognized the need to create an open dialogue with their rivals, sharing things like firewall rules  and other industries must think the same way. The way we have approached competitors in the past has become less relevant, she says.

2. Rethink your secrets.

Once you rethink how you work with your rivals, you can rethink what is and isnt a trade secret, helping you better control what you protect. A lot of people think you have to be completely secretive to be secure, says Riebeck, but it's actually completely the opposite.

The more you are open, the more you present to the world, the more intellectual property you keep and the less you give away, the less you have to fear and the smaller your attack surface becomes, she says.

Related: The Worst Reported Hacks of 2017 -- So Far

3. Stop trying to 'buy' peace of mind.

To beef up their security efforts, most companies will do what theyre most comfortable with: hiring a vendor or purchasing some product. However, as Riebeck points out, those moves wont prevent an attack since vendors and products like firewalls and intrusion detection boxes are only as good as their maker -- and the information those makers have available.

Ultimately, every proprietary solution makes you dependent on some vendor to essentially customize [a solution] for you and all its improvements, she says.

Instead, Riebeck stresses the importance of open-source solutions and industry initiatives -- including some that already exist -- which share indicators of compromise like subject lines or fingerprints of files that might be malicious.

If you can then take that threat intelligence, and share it with one another, then everyone can detect it and monitor for it. Or block it. Says Riebeck. Everyone becomes better by working together.

Related:

Why This Cybersecurity Expert Wants You to Rethink What You Keep Secret

Equifax Data Breach: Make Sure You Have Protection for Your Personal Information

4 Vital Cyber Security Measures Every Safety-Conscious Entrepreneur Needs to Take



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Doreen Ajiambo

Religion News ServiceSeptember 26, 2017KATABI, Uganda (RNS)  Jackline Mukisa sobbed as she described how her 8-year-old son was found in a nearby swamp in February without teeth, lips, ears and genitals.My innocent son died a painful death, said Mukisa, 28. How could somebody intend to murder my son?A motorcyclist offered John Lubega a lift as he walked back from school, according to fellow students who saw him last. His remains suggest he was slowly killed as part of a human sacrifice ritual performed by witch doctors, apparently to appease the spirits, said Mukisa, who filed a police report.No arrest has been made so far.In this landlocked country whose diverse landscape includes the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria, many believe sacrificial rituals can bring quick wealth and health.Among those rituals, human sacrifice, especially of children, occurs frequently despite the governments efforts to stop it.Seven children and two adults were sacrificed last year, said Moses Binoga, a police officer who heads Ugandas Anti-Human Sacrifice and Trafficking Task Force. Seven children and six adults were sacrificed in 2015.But experts said the number could be much higher.Times are tough in Uganda, and people are looking to sacrifices to improve their fortunes. The worst drought in over half a century has hit parts of East Africa, leaving more than 11 million people in this landlocked nation facing food insecurity and 1.6 million on the brink of famine, according to the Ugandan government.There is no food due to the ongoing drought, and some believe that this has been brought by ancestral spirits, said Joel Mugoya, a traditional healer. So there is a high desire for people to conduct sacrifices so that they come out of this problem.Recently, Uganda police arrested 44 suspects in Katabi, a town 24 miles from the capital, Kampala, in connection with a spate of killings of children and women. Half of the suspects have been charged in court, including two alleged masterminds.Uganda Police Inspector General Kale Kayihura said one suspect confessed to killing eight women. More than 21 women have been killed between May 3 and Sept. 4, Kayihura said.The murders were for ritual sacrifices, he told residents last week. We are working hard to arrest the remaining suspects and end the practice.Francis Bahatis wife was among the victims. He discovered her body after three days of searching. Her fingers and feet had been cut off for ritual purposes, likely in hopes of securing better fortunes.I was shocked and even lost consciousness, he said.Last year police arrested Herbert Were, a resident of Busia town in eastern Uganda, for beheading his 8-year-old brother, Joel Ogema. Were, 21, confessed to police that he killed his brother in hopes of attaining wealth.Church leaders are teaming up with police to end the brutal practice.Pastor Peter Sewakiryanga, who heads Kyampisi Childcare Ministries, a Christian organization that fights child sacrifice in Uganda, said children disappear in the country every week. They are often found dead, or alive with missing body parts.Most survivors or victims do not file police reports, Sewakiryanga said, adding that he implores victims to come forward.Its a serious problem but we are fighting it with the help of the government, he said.Sacrifices often involve removing body parts, blood or tissue while the child is still alive.Its a brutal ritual that destroys the lives of our children and affects their parents mentally, he added. We are working with the police to arrest witch doctors involved in the ritual. We are also assisting the survivors financially and with moral support.Sewakiryanga said his charity worked with Ugandan police three years ago to arrest a witch doctor and his accomplices who sacrificed a 7-year-old girl named Suubi.The witch doctor drained her blood and cut out her genitals, he said. He then cut the neck and drained the blood of the girls 10-year-old brother, Kanani.In June, a Ugandan court sentenced the witch doctor to life in prison.Fears of witch doctors have hurt women who practice traditional medicine, however.According to KidsRights, a global organization that fights for the rights of children, Uganda has 650,000 registered traditional healers and an estimated 3 million unregistered practitioners. Unscrupulous witch doctors hide among so-called healers, the group said.They should arrest people who murdered my son, Mukisa said. The government is doing little to protect our children. They must begin to arrest all witch doctors.But Sewakiryanga said arresting everyone claiming to practice medicine was going too far. He hoped to end the practice by changing the hearts of those who promote human sacrifice.Efforts to end the practice need to expand, he said. Other countries in Africa reported to be practicing child sacrifice include Tanzania, Nigeria, Swaziland, Liberia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
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 ...


Estimates of an hour of downtime are as high as $500,000 per hour but in some cases the cost can be far, far greater. Todays Airline outage affected Amadeus Altea software used by 125 airlines and appeared to also have hit some online check-ins.

Business Continuity is crucial for all companies  not just airlines. But airlines are interesting because the damages quite often can be measured quickly. For passengers with delayed or cancelled flights  the penalty could be as high as 510 British Pounds or $685 per passenger.

If we assume 2,000 flights faced this penalty and 200 people were affected per flight, the damages could be 2,000*200*$685 or $274 million dollars.

Interestingly, this would mean if the problem was solved quickly, potentially a quarter of a million dollars could be saved. Of course this is somewhat hypothetical at this point but you get the idea.

It reminded us of a recent article we wrote about FixStream and how their Algorithmic IT Operations (AIOps) help companies quickly remedy problems they have with their complex systems  especially hybrid clouds where complexity has grown exponentially.

We reached out to Enzo Signore, the companys CMO and asked his thoughts on this problem. This is what he told us:

This is EXACTLY what FixStream is addressing  the correlation between applications and infrastructure (network in this case) is one of the most complex to determine, given the distributed architecture and the siloed nature of IT. Visibility of the end-to-end flows is limited and therefore precious time and money is wasted. In this case impacting travelers all over Europe. Todays incident raises several questions: In this case it took 15 minutes to discover the network issue, but why did it take 4 hours to restore the service? How many people were involved in getting to the root cause? What would have been the impact if it had taken an hour to determine the issue?

Also, were they able to determine the reasons behind the network failure so that it can be prevented from happening in the future?

The AIOps solution seems like it is the future of managing ever-more complex systems where numerous clouds mesh together and IoT devices are spread throughout the organization.

Lets hope this becomes the case at companies like Amadeus Altea and others who are responsible for customer-facing services the global economy depends upon.
The very name has become a byword for betrayal: Munich.

In its Fuhrerbau, a monumental white stone building in the heart of the city, 79 years ago tomorrow, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signed a deal with Adolf Hitler that surrendered the border regions and defences of Czechoslovakia to the Nazis, to escape a war.

On September 30, 1938, Chamberlain flew home to London. Before hysterically grateful crowds, he waved the notorious hand-written piece of paper he had persuaded the German leader to sign. This, he declared proudly, represented 'peace with honour... peace in our time'.

Those phrases have echoed down the decades since, damning Chamberlain's reputation in a fashion that has made him our most despised national leader since Lord North lost the American colonies.

'Appeaser' has become one of the harshest terms of invective that can be hurled at a politician.

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (left) and German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler shake hands in this composite photograph at the 1938 Munich Conference in which Chamberlain agreed to allow Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland

The memory of Munich was misused to validate Eden's disastrous 1956 invasion of Egypt to try to retake the Suez Canal, as well as George Bush's and Tony Blair's 2003 assault on Iraq.

We shall be fortunate if Donald Trump does not sometime exploit it, to justify military action against North Korea.

Yet what if conventional wisdom about the wickedness of Munich is wrong?

It is a matter of record that Hitler was enraged by the outcome.

The thesis of master thriller-writer Robert Harris's new novel is that the meeting in Munich actually represented a success for Chamberlain, not the Fuhrer: that posterity, and many historians, have read that critical 'summit' all wrong.

So what is the truth? Was Chamberlain the grotesque dupe portrayed by history  or, as Harris suggests, a man whose appeasement of Hitler was a masterstroke which proved crucial in bringing about his downfall?

I do not go all the way with Harris. Even a wonderfully imaginative revisionist cannot make a credible hero of the old British Prime Minister clutching his absurd umbrella, nor justify the headline 'Chamberlain's finest hour'.

But Harris has a far shrewder grasp of historical realities than do many of the ill-read politicians who brand 'Munich' and 'appeasement' as capital crimes.

Britain got more out of the deal, and Hitler less, than most people understand.

Chamberlain's meeting with Hitler took place less than 20 years after the end of the 1914-18 Great War, which remains the bloodiest in our own national experience, costing three-quarters of a million lives: a generation of women grew up taking for granted a tragic shortage of dancing partners, husbands, fathers.

The notion of another struggle remotely as terrible was regarded with such horror that, in February 1933, the Oxford Union passed by 275 to 138 votes its notorious motion, asserting that 'this House will in no circumstances fight for its King and Country'.

The spectre of massed air attack, which experts predicted would kill hundreds of thousands within days, haunted Western societies for the first time. Stanley Baldwin warned the House of Commons on November 10, 1932: 'I think it is well for the man in the street to realise that there is no power on earth that can protect him from being bombed. Whatever people may tell him, the bomber will always get through.'

It was believed by many intelligent people that the only way to escape another global catastrophe was through pacifism  rejection of armed resistance in any circumstances.

When World War II came, among the most virulent accusers of Neville Chamberlain was Labour's Michael Foot, one of the authors of Guilty Men, a hugely influential 1940 book about the failure of pre-war British foreign policy.

Yet Foot, a brilliantly articulate ass, failed to point out that throughout the Thirties his own Labour Party fought tooth and nail against rearmament.

Governments can only pursue policies that command substantial popular support.

Even after Hitler secured power in Germany in 1933, few British people  and even fewer politicians, save Winston Churchill  favoured spending millions to rebuild our threadbare defences. In 1938, the Armed Forces were in a desperate condition  as the chiefs of staff warned the Government before Munich  because of a comprehensive lack of national will to make them anything better.

Recently, I was discussing those days with my old friend Professor Sir Michael Howard, now 94, who possesses the double distinction of being both Britain's greatest living historian and the 1943 winner of a Military Cross at Salerno.

He recalls that his Conservative father would not allow a word to be spoken at home against Chamberlain, who was not merely respected but revered. Only Michael's German Jewish mother thought differently, seeing the Nazi menace for what it was.

And so to Czechoslovakia.

Here was a country that had existed for less than 20 years, since being created out of a fragment of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire that collapsed at the end of World War I. Like many of the new and old nations of eastern Europe, it contained a German-speaking minority, almost three million strong  around a quarter of its total population.

Hitler had for years exploited the plight of these 'Sudeten Germans', most of whom were Czechs against their will.

Another phrase for which Chamberlain is often derided is his description of Czechoslovakia as 'a faraway country of which we know nothing', when he spoke of the absurdity of British soldiers dying for it.

Yet consider how difficult a modern prime minister would find it, to reconcile today's electorate to the notion of British troops challenging Russian aggression against the Baltic States  members of both NATO and the EU.

Chamberlain was assuredly right in 1938 to believe that the British people would recoil from a war to prevent Germany securing its big demand at Munich, MAX HASTINGS says

Chamberlain was assuredly right in 1938 to believe that the British people would recoil from a war to prevent Germany securing its big demand at Munich  annexation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, where the Sudeten Germans lived. Many thought that they properly belonged to Hitler, and that the 1919 Treaty of Versailles after World War I had committed an injustice by decreeing otherwise.

As for the Prime Minister himself, in 1938 he was the most respected politician in Britain, who had made his reputation as a brilliantly imaginative minister of health, embracing many of the ideas that later informed the Welfare State.

As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he'd pursued economic policies that rescued Britain from the depths of the Depression, and brought a new wave of prosperity to the South of England, if not to the North.

Chamberlain was arrogant, dominating, fussy, selfish, woefully ignorant about the world outside our shores: he regarded the United States with cringe-making disdain.

But when he flew to Munich he stood at the pinnacle of a remarkable career, adored by his own Conservative Party  which, never forget, cheered him to the Commons rafters after his 1940 fall, while greeting with sullen silence Churchill, whom many Tories continued to detest.

Thus Chamberlain's mastery of both party and country were assured when he shook the hand of Hitler at the Fuhrerbau.

Yet he thoroughly understood that he had come to Munich to play a hand with almost no cards.

Though Britain had belatedly begun to rearm, by the overwhelming will of its people its forces remained weak.

It is sometimes claimed that those of Germany were in no better shape, but Hitler's was already a more effective and especially more motivated army than Britain's.

France, and Daladier its Prime Minister, claimed to be willing to fight for the integrity of Czechoslovakia if Britain did.

Yet the French moral and political condition was no better in 1938 than it proved on the battlefield two years later.

The Czech army was a formidable force and with help could have seen off German ambitions, say Chamberlain's detractors: yet how were the British and French to fight a credible campaign separated by so many hundreds of miles from their Czech ally?

The key point in Robert Harris's new work of imagination, solidly rooted in fact, is that in Hitler's mind the Sudetenland offered the best justification for a war that he would ever have  incomparably better than his contemptible pretext for invading Poland a year later.

Meanwhile, as Hitler also recognised, the British people had not the smallest desire to fight for Czechoslovakia. The dominions, led by Canada and Australia, would almost certainly have refused to associate themselves with such a cause.

Thus, Hitler came to Munich wanting and expecting a war, which he was justly confident of winning. And he was enraged when the British Prime Minister, by persuading France to join him in giving way to Germany over the Sudetenland, deprived him of the 'finest hour' he had so cunningly crafted for himself.

Chamberlain's historic mistake  which he himself quickly recognised  was to fly home and present his frankly sordid betrayal of Czechoslovakia as a triumph, waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the King and Queen.

Nobody thinking straight could have valued above sixpence Hitler's signature on the notorious 'piece of paper' describing the Czech agreement as 'symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again'.

Within seven months, Hitler had used the annexed Sudetenland as a springboard to gobble the rump of Czechoslovakia.

The critical consequence of Munich was that what followed laid bare before the world, and above all before the British people, Hitler's mendacity and limitless ambition. He had pledged his word to an honest and honourable British Prime Minister, then contemptuously broken it.

Thus in September 1939, when Britain did at last go to war in support of Chamberlain's treaty guarantee to protect Poland  issued after Munich  it was as a nation united in the face of evil, as it had not been a year earlier.

Equally important, rearmament had meanwhile made giant strides, especially the Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons of Fighter Command, still in the factories when Chamberlain met Hitler: in 1940 the RAF had ten times as many planes as in 1938.

The Prime Minister's earlier surrender, and his indulgence of his own conceit by presenting the agreement as a personal achievement, have damned him in the eyes of posterity.

The Prime Minister's earlier surrender, and his indulgence of his own conceit by presenting the agreement as a personal achievement, have damned him in the eyes of posterity.

I part company with Robert Harris, because I decline to see virtue in what Chamberlain did, rooted in brutal realpolitik, not principle. I nonetheless share Harris's view that the deal was inescapable, and ultimately served Britain's interests well.

Finally, Chamberlain, through the first months of the conflict that exploded a year later, took the blame, became national sin-eater for the failures of pre-war diplomacy and disaster of the April 1940 Norway campaign where an Anglo French expeditionary force sent to Norway after it had been invaded by Germany was forced to withdraw with heavy losses.

An earlier Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, had intended to be jocular, indeed bitchy, when he wrote to a friend in 1935, explaining why he refused to admit Churchill to his Cabinet: 'We must keep him fresh to be our war prime minister.'

Yet so it proved.

Had the Greatest Englishman somehow become Prime Minister in 1937, 1938, 1939, he would have been wholly unable to avert the misfortunes that befell Britain. I fancy that its people would have sickened of him: he could well have been evicted from office ahead of his finest hour.

As it was, after Churchill took office in May 1940, Chamberlain loyally supported him through the six months of life the old man had left, when he might instead have caused no end of trouble.

Professor Sir Michael Howard observes that if Chamberlain had died before Munich, he would today be viewed as a great man, while if Churchill had died in 1938, he would be remembered as a failure.

Had Adolf Hitler been sincere in making annexation of the Sudetenland his 'final demand', Chamberlain's acquiescence in the Reich's incorporation of the Sudeten Germans might be seen by posterity as entirely reasonable and statesmanlike.

Instead, of course, Germany's overlord wanted a war and world domination.

The proper lesson of Munich is not  as so often misinterpreted  that we should avoid haggling with tyrants. The world will get along much better when modern Western leaders accept the necessity of cutting deals with Russia's thuggish President Putin and China's brutal President Xi.

But we need to recognise that there is no chance of persuading such people to keep their word or respect our vital interests, unless we possess the armed forces to defend them by force, if necessary.

It was the unwillingness of the British people to pay for such military means that brought us near to catastrophe in 1939-40.

History never exactly repeats itself. But the memory of Munich makes some of us deeply dismayed that Britain's forces will soon be capable of little more than Changing the Guard, even as Putin this month has been rattling his sabres, staging military exercises in western Russia that deploy more men than our entire army.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (pictured) owes his fame and fortune to low-brow television makeover programmes

No one has ever accused Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen of being an intellectual. He owes his fame and fortune to low-brow television makeover programmes, turning bog-standard suburban homes into miniature Bangkok brothels.

Middle England made him. Yet he clearly holds in contempt the millions who invited him into their living rooms.

Despite being born and educated in London, and now the proud owner of a 17th-century manor house in the Cotswolds, he is ashamed of the country and people which have given him everything.

'I don't often use the term 'England' because I think it's racist,' he said in a magazine interview. 'This is me speaking as a Welshman, an aborigine of this island.'

Lovely, tidy, smashing.

Of course, there's no accounting for the stupidity of celebrities when they are flaunting their alleged moral superiority over the rest of us. How else to explain this bizarre quote from the same interview? 'You have to understand that the English all come from outside Amsterdam, which is why they tend to be ginger and tall.' Eh?

Leave that aside, though, and concentrate on his assertion that 'England' is somehow synonymous with racism. It's hardly an original thought, especially among self-styled 'intellectuals'.

George Orwell nailed it in an essay written in 1941: 'England is perhaps the only great country whose intellectuals are ashamed of their own nationality.

'In Left-wing circles it is always felt that there is something slightly disgraceful in being an Englishman and that it is a duty to snigger at every English institution, from horse-racing to suet puddings.

'It is a strange fact, but it is unquestionably true that almost any English intellectual would feel more ashamed of standing to attention during God Save The King than of stealing from a poor box.'

I've no idea how Bowen dresses politically, but I'm prepared to hazard a guess that he voted Remain in the Brexit referendum.

It is an article of faith among pro-EU zealots that every single one of the 17.4 million people who voted Leave only did so because they hate foreigners.

The notion that 'English' equals 'racist' runs deep in Luvvie Land, as it does in political circles.

Remember the sneering, aristocratic disdain Labour's Emily Thornberry displayed on stumbling across a white van outside a house bedecked in St George flags?

Presumably this is also the kind of English patriotism which Llewelyn-Bowen finds so offensive. Even though he was born in Kensington and privately educated in South London, he has gone to great lengths to distance himself from his quintessentially English upbringing.

He has chosen to drape himself in his Welsh ancestry, adopting his surgeon father's middle name, Llewelyn, as his own. His two siblings are known simply as Bowen.

I suppose Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen does suggest a certain hauteur. Would his career as a 'homestyle consultant' have taken off quite so successfully if he'd been plain old Larry Bowen?

There's nothing wrong with celebrating your roots, although some people do take it to extremes. Alastair Campbell, as I mentioned recently, was born in Yorkshire, went to grammar school in Leicester, attended Cambridge University and supports Burnley, which is in Lancashire.

Yet he never misses an opportunity to pull on a kilt and play the bagpipes.

Would his career as a 'homestyle consultant' have taken off quite so successfully if he'd been plain old Larry Bowen?

Then again, Campbell is another who thinks that the English are essentially a nation of xenophobes. Why do they find overt Englishness so threatening? After all, the same people who believe in inherent English racism are only too happy to embrace Scottish nationalism, which showed its ugly face during the independence campaign, and blood-stained Irish nationalism.

Some of the worst offenders come from the arts and literature. The further they are from home, the more emboldened they feel to attack their own country.

The authors Martin Amis and Salman Rushdie have been at it again recently, snarling about the stupidity of their countrymen and women in voting to leave the EU.

Both now live in America, so what difference does Brexit make to them? It is simply a way of burnishing their intellectual credentials, sneering at the ignorant scum they've left behind.

You might have thought that Rushdie, in particular, would show a little more humility and gratitude to the British taxpayers who spent millions protecting him from the death sentence passed by Ayatollah Khomeini for 'blaspheming' the Prophet in his book The Satanic Verses. Still, humility isn't something we've come to expect from the literary illuminati, especially preening, self-obsessed snobs like Rushdie. Never mind The Satanic Verses, I'd have strung him up on the strength of Midnight's Children.

Actors are just as bad, by and large. Every time Emma Thompson lands in Hollywood she seems unable to resist tipping a large bucketload of ordure on the folks back home.

Look at me, she's saying, I'm a citizen of the world, not a backward, racist island off the coast of Europe  proving yet again that Orwell's words are as relevant today as they were more than 75 years ago.

Recently, we saw the Last Night Of The Proms hijacked by Remainers handing out EU flags and the BBC refusing to broadcast Rule Britannia at the Proms in the Parks concerts in Scotland and Wales for fear of upsetting the Celts.

Next year, they'll probably hire Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to give the Albert Hall a makeover, removing anything which smacks of Britishness  or, heaven forfend, Englishness  once and for all.

They could call it the Last Night Of The Poms.

Fire engines on Merseyside have started carrying special oxygen masks tailored to fit pets and livestock.

They come in three sizes, complete with muzzles, tubes and leads, and are designed to help rescue animals suffering from smoke inhalation. Each mask costs 90 and one was recently employed to resuscitate a dog caught up in a chip pan fire in St Helens. Another saved the life of a puppy in Birmingham. Firefighters are being trained in how to fit them. It can't be easy trying to wrestle a cow into an oxygen mask.

And what happens if the animal doesn't want to wear the mask? It would take a braver man than me to attempt giving the kiss of life to an agitated Rottweiler with halitosis.

Migrants: A fridge too far

We are assured that keeping open the Irish border after Brexit won't provide migrants with a back-door into Britain. Really?

This week, two Afghans were discovered stowed away in a fridge on board a ferry sailing from Cherbourg to Dublin. They were airlifted to Devon and no doubt will be given asylum now they're here.

Meanwhile, the EU has come up with a plan to beat the people smugglers by giving safe passage to 50,000 asylum seekers from Africa, to stop them having to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

This 439 million scheme comes just weeks after Brussels agreed to give member states the right to introduce tougher border controls.

Only in the Looking Glass world of the EU could a plan to cut immigration involve spending hundreds of millions on bringing in tens of thousands more migrants.

Roger, Wilko!

Speaking of the Albert Hall (see elsewhere), I was there on Tuesday night for the 70th birthday party of guitarist Wilko Johnson, Canvey Islands answer to Chuck Berry  who some of you may know as the executioner in Game Of Thrones.

It was  dare I say it?  a very English occasion and one that Wilko feared he wouldnt see after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, from which he has now recovered.

Best line of the night came from poet John Cooper Clarke, warming up the audience before Wilkos set.

He was talking about the recent reports that scientists now admit the threat of climate change is less than theyd previously warned. The trouble is, he said, when a liar says hes not lying to you any more, how do you know hes not lying?

The new plastic 10 notes have come into circulation. Theyre made of the same polymer material as the new fivers, which were introduced last year.

These notes are not only more durable, they have other uses, too, as I saw first-hand in a Glasgow pub last weekend.

A bloke at the bar pulled out a fiver, folded it in half and started flossing his teeth with it.

Britain's Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney, holds the new 10 note featuring Jane Austen
A bridal boutique was asked to rescue a bride from a dress disaster - with just half an hour to spare before her ceremony.

Courtyard Bridal Boutique, based in Kettering, received a call from the panicked wedding photographer of bride Nathalie Lout, 37, and groom Michael John Corcoran, explaining that their dressmaker had let down the bride-to-be at the last minute, leaving her with nothing to wear.

The boutique's team - including seamstresses Anne and Rhiannon - speedily bundled a selection of gowns and a sewing machine into a car and made their way to the wedding venue, Rushton Hall, in Kettering.

With just 30 minutes to spare before Nathalie was due to walk down the aisle, the team arrived to find her wearing a plain slip and despairing that her pre-planned dress had not been delivered ahead of her 11:30am nuptials.

Scroll down for video

Nathalie Lout, 37, was left without a wedding dress on the morning of her nuptials to Michael John Corcoran and was forced to arrange a new dress fitting half an hour before the wedding

The petite bride chose a plain satin gown by Pronovias, called 'Niagara', which complemented her petite frame - but the dress needed urgent altering.

With the clock ticking and just 30 minutes to go, Lizzie Adams and her team trimmed and hemmed the dress, and added bra cups into the front of it.

After a frantic bout of dressmaking - and a call to say the bride may be run a little late, Nathalie finally walked down the aisle in her bespoke dress at midday.

Speaking to MailOnline about the frantic moment she realised her dress wasn't ready, Nathalie revealed she had tried tirelessly to get in contact with her original dressmakers in the run-up to her wedding day.

She said: 'I still don't know what happened to my original dress. I had my final fitting about 10 days earlier and was told that the dress would be ready on either the Thursday or Friday before the wedding and that they would contact me when it was ready.

Last-minute alterations: With the clock ticking and just 30 minutes to go, Lizzie Adams and her team, trimmed and hemmed the dress, and added bra cups into the front of it

'My six bridesmaids all had their lovely dresses, Mike had his smart new suit, and our two beautiful boys (Brady, 2, and Daniel, 10 months) had their waistcoats and white shirts', Nathalie said, admitting her main priority were her family being there

Panic ensues

When panicked Nathalie didn't hear from her dressmakers by Friday she became concerned, contacting them multiple times.

'I called them about ten times and left multiple voicemails. Mike even went around there in person but the shop was closed and there was no note on the door', she revealed.

'My sisters, visiting from France for the nuptials, waited at the shop as late as they could on the morning of the wedding - but to no avail'.

Rescue mission

Nathalie decided to take matters into her own hands, contacting Courtyard Bridal for an emergency fitting just half an hour before the wedding.

And despite the stark contrast between the dresses- the original dress was a traditional lace piece, while the Courtyard Bridal dress was more modern and elegant - Nathalie was happy with the dress and admits she 'would not have changed it'.

'I obviously felt sad and upset that I did not have a dress for my wedding, but I tried to stay calm,' she admitted.

'My six bridesmaids all had their lovely dresses, Mike had his smart new suit, and our two beautiful boys (Brady, two, and Daniel, 10 months) had their waistcoats and white shirts.

'I certainly never contemplated cancelling or delaying the wedding. I took a simple white dress I had from my wardrobe on Friday night and drove to [nearby town] Rushton.'

The dress was incredible and such a difference to what I thought I was going to have to wear. While I tried to stay calm  I did break down in tears when I first saw it' Nathalie said

Happy ending

And the bride was so overwhelmed with her new dress, that she broke down in tears when she saw it.

'The dress was incredible and such a difference to what I thought I was going to have to wear. While I tried to stay calm  I did break down in tears when I first saw it. So many people told me I looked 'stunning' and they could not believe that it was not the original dress as it looked perfect on me.'

The wedding went off without a hitch, and their guests later described it as a 'unique and touching family ceremony'.

And Nathalie, who moved to London from Paris in 2011 to pursue her career as a financial analyst, was all too aware she couldn't have done it without the last minute help of her wedding dress makers.

Grateful

'We owe so much to Lizzie Adams and Courtyard Bridal for coming to the rescue. We would not have thought it was possible to get a wedding dress at such short notice and would have had no idea of who to call,' she admitted.

And everything worked out for the mother-of-two, who is now a full time stay-at-home mum to her boys and lives with husband Mike- a chief financial officer in Peterborough.

'The original dressmaker has since refunded us after arriving at the venue with the dress about two hours after the ceremony. She met with Mike and was very apologetic and upset,' Nathalie revealed of her ordeal.
A blogger found herself inundated with messages of support after a spontaneous tweet about feeling lonely went viral.

Lifestyle and travel writer Lotte Brouwer, from London, admitted to occasionally experiencing a 'crippling' sense of loneliness in a tweet, and asked 'anyone else?'

Her frank admission prompted a flood of messages from others who had been through similar phases, but struggled to talk about it.

Lotte, who said the response inspired her to write a blog post about the taboo topic of loneliness, said her tipping point had come after moving home not long after cutting off 'toxic' friendships, and added that working from home was also a factor.

Brave: Lifestyle and travel writer Lotte Brouwer, from London, shared her personal experience of 'crippling' loneliness with her blog readers in a post which quickly went viral

Taking to Twitter, Lotte asked her followers: 'Anyone else get a crippling sense of loneliness sometimes? I don't like to bear [SIC] my soul online, but is there anyone out there?'

The blogger said: 'It was in a way comforting to receive so many honest and open private messages on both Twitter and Instagram, from people who were experiencing similar things'

Lotte wrote on Twitter: 'Anyone else get a crippling sense of loneliness sometimes? I don't like to bear [SIC] my soul online, but is there anyone out there?'

Within seconds, she was met with an influx of responses, both in private messages and public tweet form.

One person said: 'In a world where we're so connected, we can also be more disconnected than ever.'

Another commented: 'When everyone puts their lives on social media, it seems like everyone is so happy and content. No one ever talk about what happens offline.'

Within seconds of sharing her tweet, Lotte was met with an influx of responses, both in private messages and public tweet form

Commenting on the overwhelming response, Lotte said: 'It felt very vulnerable posting something like that online, in public, and immediately I felt like taking it down  until I noticed that people were starting to respond that they were also feeling the same.'

She added: 'It was in a way comforting to receive so many honest and open private messages on both Twitter and Instagram, from people who were experiencing similar things for a multitude of reasons.

Commenting on the overwhelming response, Lotte said: 'It felt very vulnerable posting something like that online, in public, and immediately I felt like taking it down'

Lotte said of the response: 'It was in a way comforting to receive so many honest and open private messages on both Twitter and Instagram, from people who were experiencing similar things for a multitude of reasons'

'But in another way it also felt sad that something that is so common is also so rarely talked about. I heard from mums (some in relationships, some single) who spend their days alone with their children and have lost touch with their friends.

'I heard from professionals who have moved to different cities and are struggling to integrate, while feeling excluded from their past friendship circles. Other professionals felt lonely because they work long hours in a bitchy environment.

'I heard from people who have come from broken families or moved around a lot, and dont feel like they have much of a support network around them, and from a few who have surrounded themselves with people that are toxic and make them feel crappy and empty.
Australian TV presenter Shelly Horton has penned a scathing piece about Playboy founder Hugh Hefner - after the American mogul died of natural causes aged 91.

Writing for Nine Honey, the presenter questioned why people ignore negatives when someone dies.

'If you asked me yesterday what I thought of him I would have simply said I thought he was a sexist misogynist who profited by exploiting women professionally and personally,' she wrote.

Australian TV presenter Shelly Horton has penned a scathing piece about Playboy founder Hugh Hefner (pictured with wife Crystal) - after the American mogul died of natural causes aged 91

'If you asked me yesterday what I thought of him I would have simply said I thought he was a sexist misogynist who profited by exploiting women professionally and personally,' the TV presenter (pictured) wrote.

'Today I just make that statement past tense. Why should I have a different opinion today? '

Hefner was born on April 9, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to become a millionaire after founding the influential men's magazine in 1953.

His death was confirmed in a statement from Playboy Enterprises that said he 'passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones.'

Hefner was born on April 9, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to become a millionaire after founding the influential men's magazine in 1953

Hefner's death was confirmed in a statement from Playboy Enterprises that said he 'passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones'

Ms Horton, a Sydney journalist, said she was not dancing on the late icon's grave because 'I really don't care enough to do that'.

She went on to denounce the way Hefner made his money and found international fame by marketing women as Playboy bunnies.

She referred to the time - during a 1967 interview - when the media mogul said he had chosen the term 'bunny' because 'it's a fresh animal, shy vivacious, jumping - sexy. First it smells you, then it escapes, then it comes back and you feel like caressing it, playing with it.'

Ms Horton, a Sydney journalist, said she was not dancing on the late icon's grave because 'I really don't care enough to do that'

Hefner's son, Cooper, tweeted about his dad saying his father 'lived an exceptional and impactful life'

'Excuse me while I gag,' Ms Horton wrote.

After Hefner's death, his son Cooper, tweeted to say his father 'lived an exceptional and impactful life' and credited him for 'advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom'.

'Well, male sexual freedom perhaps,' Ms Horton countered.

She said that British twins who dated Hefner had shared stories of the Playboy founder having '16 girls in the grotto and once he'd finished they would be passed on to the next man there'.

But Ms Horton said there were stories of Hefner (pictured here in 1980) having 16 girls in his grotto at once

'I have had a few friends go to parties at the Playboy Mansion and they said it was a sad, worn out place that smelt like bleach,' Ms Horton wrote

'While I acknowledge Hefner created an iconic brand, I ask is his life one we want to be celebrating?' the presenter concluded

Ms Horton also referred to the fact that in her autobiography porn star, Linda Lovelace, had claimed she was expected to form bestiality for Hefner as it was said to be a fetish of his.

'I have had a few friends go to parties at the Playboy Mansion and they said it was a sad, worn out place that smelt like bleach. Hell knows, no-one felt their immune system was strong enough to jump in the spa unscathed,' Ms Horton concluded.

'So, while I acknowledge Hefner created an iconic brand, I ask is his life one we want to be celebrating?'
A new Sydney cafe is giving fine dining a furry upgrade.

Storehouse on the Park, at Vibe Hotel Rushcutters Bay, is now offering a 'Dogustation' menu to finally bring our pups to the dinner table.

The menu includes food and drink especially made for our canine friends, created only with ingredients that are safe for pets.

New Sydney cafe Storehouse on the Park is now offering a 'Dogustation' menu to finally help bring our pups to the dinner table

The menu includes food and drink especially made for our canine friends, created only with ingredients that are safe for pets

Currently being offered on the beverage menu are puppycinos, a frothy milk perfect to cool down dogs on those hot summer days.

When it's time for grub, dogs can enjoy everything from Pawtein Balls and Sesame Pup Wafers to Watermelon Chews, a dehydrated watermelon strip.

Richard Allen, the food and beverage manager at TFE Hotels in New South Wales, said the restaurant was inspired to launch the doggy degustation menu after seeing a 'huge increase in the demand for doggie-friendly hospitality options'.

'Knowing pet owners treat their pets as they would treat their children, we just had to allow our patrons the opportunity to enjoy their brunch alongside their four-legged friends!' he told Daily Mail Australia.

The restaurant collaborated with animal nutritionist Urban Herd to make sure the menu would be both delicious and safe for dogs

Everything on the menu is made with human-grade ingredients with no preservatives, flavours, fillers or colours

Allen revealed that the restaurant collaborated with animal nutritionist Urban Herd to make sure the menu would be both delicious and safe for dogs.

'The menu includes a range of super healthy treats containing human-grade ingredients with no preservatives, flavours, fillers, or colours,' he said.

That means the food is even safe for owners to eat if they're tempted to have a nibble.

Pawtein Balls, Sesame Pup Wafers, and Watermelon Chews (all pictured) are on the menu

And the menu has been a hit since it launched earlier this month.

'We've had a revolving door of furry friends visiting us since the announcement of the dogustation menu,' Allen said.

Visitors love that they dont need to leave their dog outside or perched on the floor, missing out on all the fun of a day out!''

'Instead, doggy owners can treat themselves AND their fur-babies to a treat out on the town!'
Crown Princess Mary's adorable daughter, Princess Josephine could barely contain her excitement as the family stepped out to open Denmark's latest attraction.

The six-year-old, who is no stranger to on-camera antics was snapped pulling a funny face as she posed for a photograph outside Lego House  a giant playhouse dedicated to the iconic plastic toy brick.

She was joined by her ever-stylish mother Crown Princess Mary, her father Prince Frederik as well as her siblings Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and twin brother Prince Vincent.

Princess Josephine pulls an another absolutely riotous face at the opening of Denmark's latest attraction

Prince Crown Prince Frederik (centre left) and Crown Princess Mary (centre right) with officials at the opening of Lego House

The Danish royal family's attendance marked the official opening of the new attraction in Billund.

While the giant playhouse is every child's dream  there are 25 million Lego bricks to play with  it also has plenty on offer for its adult fans.

The 'Home of the Brick' comes with four colour-coded rooms  red, blue, green and yellow which represent aspects of play and learning: creative, cognitive, emotion and social.

The sartorially on point princess's colour-coordinated her outfit perfectly for the event wearing a knee-length fire engine red dress, offset with elegant nude heels

Princess Mary and Princess Josephine taking in some of the more intricate Lego displays

Crown Princess Mary, along with impish Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent made a formidable team with the trio teaming up to stack giant red Lego bricks.

The sartorially on point princess colour-coordinated her outfit perfectly (although co-incidentally) for the event wearing a knee-length fire engine red dress, offset with elegant nude heels.

The royal children took some time to demonstrate their own impressive Lego building skills

Princess Mary joined in on the fun, building what appears to be a Lego castle

Clearly the event proved a fun day out for the Danish royal family

The event is Prince Crown Prince Frederik's first since his recent return from an official visit to China.

As well as showing off their Lego building skills with their mother, the royal children including older siblings Prince Christian and Princess Isabella took some time to demonstrate their own impressive skills.

Clearly the event proved a fun day out for the Danish royal family as a group photo showed there were smiles all round, including a clearly overjoyed Princess Josephine.

Given everything at the Lego House is Lego-themed including the food, it's no wonder there was plenty to celebrate at the official opening.
Hilfiger and Hadid turn volume up to 11 to close London fashion week

The Roundhouse in north London could be called a place that has seen it all. It was the venue for the Doors first London concert in 1968, concerts for David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix and a Spiral Tribe rave in 1991. But, last night, there was something different: Tommy Hilfigers first London fashion show for 20 years. It ensured London fashion week finished with a bang  thanks to Gigi Hadid.

Hadid, with her 37.5m Instagram followers, was the superstar guest that  were this a rock concert  would provoke the screams from the crowd when she opened the show. Her sister Bella and brother Anwar also walked in the show, to a soundtrack of 90s hip-hop.

Hilfigers choice of the Roundhouse as a venue recalls the 66-year-old US designers early experiences of seeking inspiration in the British capital. I started to come to London when I was a teen because I wanted to explore the whole lifestyle and I was obsessed with fashion, he said this week.

He found flair in British bands of the period  naming the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Eric Clapton and Small Faces as influences. They had a sense of style that was very different to anyone else, said Hilfiger.

Subtitled Tommy Now: Rock Circus, the theme was  to use an appropriate term  turned up to 11: guests walked through the backstage entrance of the 1,700 capacity venue, flanked by roadie cases.

The audience was A list: it included Lewis Hamilton, Neymar and Sir Philip Green. The after party featured circus performers and a turn from the Chainsmokers, the band that music journalists love to hate but have ability to take on the might of Ed Sheeran in the top 10.

This was part living breathing advertising campaign, part shop window, part concert, part movie  it was streamed live online. While the clothes were something of a footnote to this extravaganza, they fitted in the theme too. With heavy metal style logos, hoodies and biker jackets, they looked like merchandise for a rock show.

The show featured the designers collaboration with Hadid along with the main collection. Other pieces included preppy checks, over the knee socks, oversized T-shirts and track suits. The colour palette was unmistakably American: red, white and blue reigned supreme.

The collection was available immediately after the show  explaining why there were also beanies and padded jackets included. Hilfiger is a proponent of the so-called See Now Buy Now model, when clothes can be bought effectively off the runway. Last season, the jeans wore by Hadid sold out before the show finished.

As well as finding them on the website this time around, consumers can buy on social media channels  with a click-to-buy function on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, allowing customers to snapshop.

Read more at:teal bridesmaid dresses ukgrey bridesmaid dresses uk
An obese student nurse who was 'too big for IVF' has lost seven stone and gone down an incredible six dress sizes in a bid to become a mum.

Jenna Flicker Sanchez, 30, from Bristol ballooned to a size 22, after years of eating McDonald's Big Macs and packets of biscuits in secret.

When she got together with her now wife, gas engineer, Rebeca, 29, in August 2014, the lovebirds soon began planning their future together, which included starting a family, using an anonymous sperm donor.

But they were dealt a devastating blow when 18 stone Jenna was told her BMI of 40  classed as obese  was too high to be eligible for NHS fertility treatment, which needs to be under 30.

'Knowing I was too big for IVF was absolutely devastating,' Jenna said. 'I feel like I was born to be a mum and couldn't imagine my life without having kids.

'That's when I realised I needed to sort my life out, or I would never be a mother.

Jenna, who now weighs 11 stone 3lb and is a slim size 10, had always been an emotional eater.

Jenna Flicker Sanchez, 30, from Bristol lost seven stone in time for her wedding day in the hope of becoming a mother afterwards

Jenna was classed as obese at more than 18 stone and realised she needed to lose weight if she wanted to become a mum

'If I was happy or sad, I'd eat, it was comforting,' she admitted.

'I was a secret eater, too. I'd drive home from work, stop at McDonald's, get a big old meal, before going back and having a dinner too.

'I'd scoff packets of biscuits in the car on my own and hide all evidence of the snacking, by throwing the packaging in the bin.'

But it was when her nan Patricia Pocock, 72, had a sudden heart attack in July 2014, that Jenna's eating habits spiralled out of control.

Jenna Flicker Sanchez at her largest, with her wife Rebeca

Jenna ballooned to a size 22 after years of eating McDonalds Big Macs and packets of biscuits in secret

Jenna and Rebecca Flicker Sanchez on their wedding day after the latter shed seven stone

Jenna would eat 5,000 calories a day including secret snacks of McDonald's and biscuits

'She just collapsed at home and I had to give her CPR. She didn't make it and that really pushed me over the edge,' she explained.

'Losing her like that, so suddenly, left me totally heartbroken, and I turned to food.'

Just a month after her nan's death, Jenna met up with Rebeca, 29, who she had known as a teenager when they trained as hairdressers together, and the pair hit it off.

Falling in love did not stop Jenna from gorging on a staggering 5,000 calories a day though.

Jenna's diet before Breakfast: Nothing Lunch: Sandwich, two packs of crisps Dinner: Pasta with cheese and sauce or a takeaway Snacks: McDonald's or biscuits Advertisement

Jenna's diet now Breakfast: Porridge Lunch: Salad Dinner: Homemade chicken and vegetables Snacks: Fruit Advertisement

Skipping breakfast, she would eat a calorie-laden sandwich, with two packets of crisps for lunch and pasta covered in cheese and sauce for dinner.

As well as the secret snacks, Jenna and Rebeca, who has also lost two stone since Jenna's weight loss, would also buy in up to four takeaways a week.

But it was in September 2015 that everything changed for Jenna, when she was rushed to Bristol Royal Infirmary with agonising stomach and chest pains.

Since taking up running, Jenna has transformed her life and fitness levels

Jenna with her wife Rebecca who has also lost two stone after giving up their four takeaways a week

After blood tests and a chest x-ray, Jenna was told she would need an ultrasound back at the hospital a week later.

That revealed she had a build-up of fat in the liver, usually seen in people who are overweight or obese. A healthy liver should be fat-free.

'I was terrified. I went to see my GP and he said I needed to change my lifestyle and get more healthy,' she said.

'That's when I told him Rebeca and I wanted to explore IVF options, to start a family.

'The doctor said if he was going to make a case for us to get funding on the NHS, I would seriously need to lose weight.'

The happy couple are now hoping to have a baby together with private fertility treatment

Jenna would eat a staggering 5,000 calories a day before her weight loss but she transformed her figure by joining Slimming World

Jenna's BMI was over 40, making her obese, according to the NHS, which says an ideal adult BMI is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range.

Clinical Commissioning Groups, which commission treatment for patients, will only offer IVF treatment to women who have a BMI of between 19 and 30, which is in line with the NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidance.

And the Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group, which commissions treatment in Jenna's area, says a prospective mother's BMI must be between 19 and 29.9 for six months, before they can be eligible for IVF. Anyone with a BMI of 30 and above should be offered a referral to weight management services, to help them slim before IVF is offered.

The couple were hoping to start a family but Jenna was told her BMI was too high at 40 and needed to be under 30

Jenna Flicker Sanchez and her sister Charly on her hen weekend

After receiving this shocking information, determined not to be too big to become a mum, Jenna joined her local Slimming World club.

Eating porridge for breakfast, a healthy salad for lunch and homemade healthy meals of chicken and vegetables for dinner, snacking on fruit and taking up running, she transformed her life.

And by January 2015, Rebeca got down on one knee at their Bristol home, as friends and family hid in the kitchen, to surprise them.

'We set the date for our wedding for the following July, so that was a goal for me to lose weight for too.'

Her wedding was another incentive for Jenna to slim down

Jenna Flicker Sanchez and her sister Charly on her hen weekend

Jenna and Rebeca Flicker Sanchez on their wedding day. After months of dieting Jenna lost seven stone for the big day

By the time she said, 'I do,' on July 29 this year, at Colliters Brook Farm, a country house on the outskirts of Bristol, she had lost almost seven stone and was a svelte size 10.

She said: 'I felt incredible on my wedding day. I had a stunning ivory lacy gown on and Rebeca was in a perfectly smart tweed suit.

'I now feel like a completely different person. I've got so much more energy too.'

Meanwhile, her all-important BMI number is now a healthy 25, although the couple are having treatment privately, to speed up the process.

Jenna is now a slim size 10 after finding out she was too was "too big for IVF

'I know now I am healthy weight now, so it will improve my chances of having a baby with IVF, using a sperm donor.

'Me and Rebeca have just started a consultation at a fertility clinic and can't wait to become mums.'

Jenna, whose dream it is to become a Macmillan cancer nurse, is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning, with headline sponsor M&S, today.

To find an event near you to get involved in, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee
An actress who injects herself with 3.5million-year-old bacteria in a bid to stay youthful revealed her age on This Morning - but failed to convince skeptical viewers.

The surgery addict, from Munich, Germany, who goes by the moniker Manoush, told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford how she had spent thousands of pounds on nips, tucks and implants in her quest to help herself 'age gracefully'.

Describing herself as a 'human lab rat', Manoush explained how she is the first person to try injecting herself with the ancient bacteria, which apparently shows no signs of ageing.

After initially telling the presenters that she is 'far over 40', Manoush was eventually pushed to reveal her exact age: 48. However the answer failed to convince viewers, who took to Twitter to express their disbelief.

Scroll down for videos

'Ageing gracefully': Actress Manoush injects herself with 3.5million-year-old bacteria in a bid to stay youthful. She has also spent thousands of pounds on plastic surgery procedures

Under pressure: This Morning presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford pushed Manoush to reveal her age in an entertaining interview on today's episode

Shocked: When Manoush said she was 48, dozens of viewers took to Twitter to express their disbelief. The plastic surgery addict claimed she is 45 in an interview earlier this month

One wrote: 'Some woman that looks about 110yrs old on This morning trying to tell people she's 48yrs old [sic].'

Another posted: 'No way is this woman younger than @ruthlangsford. If shes 48 then Ruth is 16.'

Manoush has been pumping an extract of the bacteria, Bacillus F, into her blood stream for the past three months and claims it has made her look and feel younger.

The ancient bacteria was discovered in the permafrost of north-west Russia by scientists in 2009 and some have hailed it a 'scientific sensation'.

Self-administered: Manoush from Munich, Germany, injects her body with doses of a 3.5 million year-old bacteria discovered in Siberia in her quest to stay eternally youthful

Disbelief: Viewers struggled to believe Manoush is 48, claiming she looks far older

The team, who unlocked its DNA code in 2015, say that unlike most cells in nature, Bacillus F shows no signs of aging and believe it could hold the key to unlocking improved human health and longevity.

Samples containing extracts of the bacteria have been given to Manoush by Doctor Anatoli Brouchkov, head of the Geocryology Department at Moscow State University.

The injections are just the latest in a longline of procedures for mother-of-one Manoush who has already spent 36,800 (41,700) on plastic surgery over the last 20 years.

Older than her years: One viewer claimed she looked older than some 70 year olds

WHAT IS BACCILUS F? The bacteria was discovered embedded in ancient permafrost at a site known as Mammoth Mountain in the Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, the largest region in Siberia. Dr Brouchkov said: 'The local people who live in the far north in that area, they actually consume this bacteria in the water when the permafrost melts and the microorganisms go into the water. 'Believe it or not but that area is famous for people who live longer in Siberia.' According to previous reports, the bacteria has been injected into living organisms, notably human blood cells, mice, fruit flies and crops and is said to have shown a positive impact, with animals living longer than expected. Advertisement

Speaking to Eamonn and Ruth, Manoush said: 'I had a face lift, I had the shape of my eyes changed, four eye lid surgeries, two nose surgeries, which got botched, had my lips done, fillers in my face, my breasts done six times, I have had chemical peels...'

Manoush, who is the first person to try the controversial bacteria treatment, said she was happy to be a 'human lab rat' if it meant she could turn back the clock.

She held out on telling Eamonn and Ruth her age until the end of the interview, when she finally said she was '48'. The revelation sparked a flurry of tweets from shocked viewers.

One wrote: '48? We're not talking your Plenty of Fish age, we're talking in real life.'

Another posted: 'Don't think I'll bother with those injections. Just grow old gracefully. She looks everyday her age,now if she was in her 90's.'

A third added: 'Another one who thinks wrinkles are all that makes you old. NOTHING will stop anyone aging. Age happens regardless.'
When it comes to fashion, we are all inspired by what we see; whether it be a well-dressed celebrity, a blow-your-mind catwalk presentation or even a super stylish every-day passerby.

As fashion editors, we're moved by all of the above, and then some. We're exposed to under-the-radar labels; we get a first-hand look at collections months before they hit stores; we're tapped into brands with chic-yet-cheap offerings and we shop - a lot.

To share our knowledge, FEMAIL brings you Style Swoon, a weekly series of the latest, greatest and on the verge. We hope this Friday series will serve as a buying guide and point of inspiration for the clotheshorses and fashion fanatics alike.

KYLIE'S STYLISH SUNNIES

Cool designs: Yesterday, Kylie Jenner, 20, announced the release of her second range of sunglasses with Australian optical brand Quay

Work it: The limited-edition statement sunnies were inspired by the 'DGAF' attitude of the 80s and 90s

Yesterday, Kylie Jenner, 20, announced the release of her second range of sunglasses with Australian optical brand Quay.

The limited-edition statement sunnies were inspired by the 'DGAF' attitude of the 80s and 90s. The collection features three new pair of shades - Unbothered, 20s, and As If! - and comes in seven different colors total.

Each pair in the affordable line retails for only $65. Pre-order them now before they drop (and inevitably sell out) on October 4th.

Chic sunnies: Quay '20's' sunglasses, $65, quayaustralia.com

Stylish shades: Left: Quay 'Unbothered' sunglasses, $65, quayaustralia.com. Right: Quay 'As If' sunglasses, $65, quayaustralia.com

CELEB STYLIST ILARIA URBANATI COLLABORATES WITH EDDIE BAUER

Stylish launch: This week, active outdoor brand Eddie Bauer has teamed up with celebrity stylist Ilaria Urbanati for the second time

This week, active outdoor brand Eddie Bauer has teamed up with celebrity stylist Ilaria Urbanati for the second time.

Ilaria, who works with stars like Nina Dobrev and Shailene Woodley, first teamed up with the activewear brand in 2015 to design a mens collection. But now she is back designing her first womenswear line inspired by Eddies wife, Christine 'Stine' Bauer.

The 23-piece collection features iconic styles and patterns that pay homage to Eddie Bauers heritage. 'Eddie Bauers authentic heritage is what first drew me to the brand,' said Ilaria .

'Theyve been outfitting adventurous men and women since the 1920s. Im thrilled to bring a second collection to life that is inspired by iconic archive pieces and a woman who was so influential in building the companys history and broader outdoor community.'

The capsule collection is available at select Eddie Bauer stores and their website now. Prices range from $70 - $349.

Back to basics: Left: Sweater coat, $269, eddiebauer.com. Right: Denim skirt, $80, eddiebauer.com

Warm and cozy: Left: Shirt jacket, $199, eddiebauer.com. Right: Bomber jacket, $299, eddiebauer.com

SJP'S STYLISH FRINGE DRESS

Style star: Last night, Sarah Jessica Parker, 52, wowed in a showstopping fringe dress by Monse, as she attended the New York City Ballet's 2017 Gala

Last night, Sarah Jessica Parker wowed in a showstopping dress as she attended the New York City Ballet's 2017 Gala.

The 52-year-old actress turned heads in her dazzling blue sequined fringe dress from New York City-based label Monse.

While the fun frock looked reminiscent of the other fringed looks seen at their recent spring/summer 2018 show, SJP's gown was actually a custom design made especially for this event.

Seeing double: SJP's custom frock looks like it was inspired by the brand's recent spring/summer 2018 runway show

Sneak peak: Monse shared a behind the scenes look at the design process behind the dress on their Instagram account yesterday

Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the designers behind the brand, shared a behind the scenes look at the design process of the dress on their Instagram account yesterday.

While SJP's dress was a custom design and Monse's ready-to-wear options won't be available to shop til next spring, there are still ways that you can re-create her stylish look!

Shop FEMAIL's edit of the three equally chic fringe dresses available in stores now.

Fringe frocks: Left: Marchesa Notte dress, $397.50, theoutnet.com. Right: Rachel Zoe dress, $695, net-a-porter.com

MOTHER X MINNETONKA

Cool moccasins: Moccasin boot, $110, minnetonkamoccasin.com

Celeb-favored denim line MOTHER has teamed up with handcrafted heritage brand, Minnetonka on a limited edition line of moccasins.

Each of the four styles have been influenced by bohemia and the free-spirited attitude of the 70s.

'I used to live in Minnetonka slippers as a kid and have always been a fan. When we were approached for a collaboration I felt an immediate connection. I loved bringing our cheeky MOTHER personality to their throw-it-on classic American style,' said Lela Becker, President and Co-Founder of MOTHER.

'We love that the MOTHER styles are reminiscent of our hippie heyday yet are edgy and contemporary, giving our fans a bold way to wear their favorite heritage styles,' added David Miller, Minnetonka CEO.

Shop the capsule collection now. Prices range from $95 - $110.
Halloween is still more than a month a away, but Donald Trump Jr.'s youngest Chloe already knows what she wants to be: her grandfather.

The 39-year-old son of the president took to Instagram last Friday to share a hilarious photo of his three-year-old daughter wearing a Donald Trump mask complete with bushy brows and wild hair.

'If this isn't the funniest thing I've ever seen, I don't know what is,' he captioned the image. 'Chloe apparently has decided on her Halloween costume... and she loves her Grandpa. #halloween #costume #daddysgirl #kids #trump #maga #MakeHalloweenGreatAgain.'

Grandpa's girl! Donald Trump Jr. took to Instagram last week to share a snapshot of his daughter modeling a Donald Trump mask at a costume store

Look of love: 'Chloe apparently has decided on her Halloween costume,' he wrote, noting his youngest daughter 'loves her grandpa'. Chloe and Trump are pictured in December

Donald Trump masks were popular long before the 2016 presidential election, and now that he is the leader of the free world, there are more and more varieties to choose from.

The mask Chloe picked up sees her grandfather with his lips pursed, making a pouty face, and Don Jr. couldn't resist taking a photo of her wearing it.

In the picture that was taken in a costume store, Chloe has the mask over her head with her long blonde hair peeking out from underneath.

The little girl is wearing a pink Mickey Mouse shirt, jeans and hot pink sneakers as she poses for a photo for her dad.

Little Chloe must have Halloween on her mind because her father also snapped a few photos of her trying on curly-haired wigs earlier this month.

All smiles: Chloe is the youngest of Don Jr.'s five children with his wife Vanessa

Halloween on the brain: Earlier this month, the dad posted pictured of Chloe trying on wigs after they came across some old costumes in their home

'Spent the day going through clothes (it's amazing how much you accumulate with 5 kids) to donate to those impacted by #hurricane #harvey and Vanessa and I came across some old #Halloween costumes,' he explained. 'Needless to say Chloe jumped all over it and we may be keeping these gems.'

Don Jr. was in the Big Apple on Thursday where he was surrounded by family - and no shortage of Secret Service agents - as he headed out to celebrate his son Tristan's birthday

For the big day, the family chose A La Mode, a New York City ice cream parlor located just three blocks away from their Manhattan apartment.

Once there, the birthday boy enjoyed a feast of ice cream and sweets while opening presents under the watchful eye of Secret Service agents, with a source telling DailyMail.com that at least eight men where seen on Don Jr.'s detail during the outing.

I scream, you scream: Don Jr. celebrated son Tristan's sixth birthday on Thursday with a trip to a New York City ice cream parlor ( l to : Chloe, Vanessa, Kai, Spencer, Don Jr. and Tristan)

We all scream for Secret Service protection: He was joined by wife Vanessa and four of their five children, with oldest son Donnie (Donald III) not joining the group

Protect and soft serve: The family was surrounded by Secret Service during the trip, with a source counting at least eight agents and a convoy of four SUVs outside the parlor

Make way for Trumplings: This increased protection comes just one week after it was revealed that Don Jr. had ditched his Secret Service detail while on a hunting trip in Canada

That is not all either, as there was also a convoy of four SUVs outside the eatery according to the source, with two people-carrier vehicles and two protection vehicles making the short ride over to the party.

This well-protected family outing comes one week after it was revealed that Don Jr. had ditched his Secret Service detail while on a hunting trip in Canada's Yukon Territory.

Don Jr. posted a photo of the birthday boy and his younger brother Spencer, four, sitting with their mom Vanessa at the ice cream parlor on Thursday, writing: 'Early ice cream b-day party for my man Tristan. When the sugar kicks in it's going to get ugly. #birthday #boy #icecream #party.'

The middle child in Don Jr.'s five-member brood will not turn six until next Monday, but the family elected to celebrate on Thursday.

It is not clear what the reason for that might be, but it was announced last week that Don Jr. would once again be forced to speak with the Senate Intelligence Committee in regards to his meeting with a Russian lawyer who promised to supply him with dirt of his father's political opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Mother and sons: 'Early ice cream b-day party for my man Tristan. When the sugar kicks in it's going to get ugly. #birthday #boy #icecream #party,' Don. Jr. captioned this Instagram photo

Concrete jungle: Don Jr. was moose hunting in the remote wilderness at the time he abandoned the Secret Service agents assigned to cover him

Sign of the Times: Don Jr. was eventually located by a reporter from 'The New York Times' who had contacts in the area

Trip advisor: Don Jr. and wife Vanessa plan out their trek home before making the three-block journey

The SIC's first meeting of the month will take place on Tuesday in Washington DC, the morning after Tristan's birthday.

They were joined by Uncle Eric for the big event as well, who stopped by the party solo while his wife Lara stayed home with their new son Luke.

Eric was seen leaving the ice cream parlor before his brother left and going largely unnoticed as he made his way out into the city.

Don Jr.'s Big Apple return comes after his very mysterious hunting trip, which began on September 14 as he flew off to British Columbia.

He then headed off into the remote wilderness in Canada's Yukon Territory, where he was moose hunting without a Secret Service detail.

Secret snoozefest: A group of agents and yawning man in a suit and earpiece await the end of the birthday party outside

Walk this way: Vanessa held hands with daughter Kai and carried her youngest Chloe while Don Jr. took care of the two boys

Get the look: The agents who surrounded the family wore an array of looks, with some in suits and others trying their best to blend in

Hello lady: Don Jr. seemed to look both ways at a young woman in a V-neck and skirt who was crossing the street at the same time as him

Trump's eldest son was eventually tracked down by a New York Times reporter, whom he greeted by saying: 'I never know where you guys are coming from.'

Don Jr'.s trip into the great unknown came less than a month after he and eldest son Don III took off for Alaska on a father-and-son hunting and fishing trip.

Photos from that outing were actually posted by Don Jr. to his Instagram account while he was in Canada.

Don Jr. posted some photos of himself with the family at their country home in Westchester, New York when he returned from Canada late last week, but Thursday was the first time he had been spotted back in the city.

It was a relatively low-key party in the end, and nothing like the normal blow-out bashes, which for Kai in 2015 also included a trip to a New York City ice cream parlor.

Locked and loaded: One of the agents stood right by the side of Don Jr., while another walked ahead of the family

Blondes have more fun: An incredibly expressive Chloe was accompanied by her mom Vanessa on the walk home

Don Jr. stand-in: One of the agents was a dead ringer for Trump's eldest son when photographed from behind (agent above in plaid)

Parking here, there and everywhere: The Trump envoy was not saddled with having to follow the city's parking laws (SUV above)

Hole in the wall: A la mode, which is an ice cream parlor and children's boutique, is located in a nondescript building in midtown Manhattan (above)

Tristan's grandpa Donald and aunts Ivanka and Tiffany were no shows as they were down in Washington D.C., as was his 12-year-old uncle Barron.

Nor was his grandmother Ivana was spotted at the ice cream social on Thursday, despite living nearby in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood.

That absence may have been due in part to the death of her ex-husband Riccardo Mazzucchelli, who passed last week in Croatia.

Ivana married the businessman in 1995 a few years after divorcing Donald, but by 1997 they were divorced and had gone their separate ways.

She was rumored to have gotten approximately $20million, their $15million estate and 49% ownership in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach in their divorce.

Ivana also reportedly receives $350,000 a year in alimony and was able to keep all her jewelry.
One 19-year-old college sophomore was heartbroken when her boyfriend broke up with her before she could gift him the surprise skydiving tickets she had purchased as an adventurous birthday gift.

But Emma Vowell decided to make use of the tickets as a fun way to find another the skydiving partner - and possibly more. The Purdue University student took to the popular dating application Tinder to encourage boys to shoot their shot at a chance to hold her hand and hop out of a plane together.

And of results that flooded in, one young man's response took the cake, offering an in depth resume and cover letter that listed his qualities as a fifth year student, fitness instructor with perks including a rides to class and cute dog.

Stress-free damsel! Emma Vowell, 19, purchased skydiving tickets for her boyfriend, but they soon broke up before she could gift him the surprise so she took to Tinder to find a new date

Swipe right! She was direct about her request for an adventurous date, but warned that there would be no romance, just fun. But she requested her date be hot and handsome

Professional approach: Austin Bates, 22, took his shot and reached out about the opportunity

Emma Vowell clarified to interested gents that she wasn't looking for love, rather she was looking for the suitable adrenaline-junkie companion who was willing to jump out of a plane with her.

'I was like I want to go skydiving anyway, so why let these go to waste,' Emma revealed to Buzzfeed.

'Interesting story, my ex broke up with me the week of his birthday, so now I awkwardly have two skydiving tickets above the Chicago skyline that expire in November,' she wrote in her dating app biography.

'Deada** just looking for a hot guy to go with instead. Zero percent of me wants to hook up with you... Lemme know if you're down,' she closed her message.

And while she received many message as per Tinder routine, one stuck out above the rest.

Austin Bates, 22, is a fifth year student at Purdue and approached Emma in regards to her skydiving partner challenge.

'Is that skydiving offer still open?' he asked.

She replied it was and he responded saying he would provide a resume the following morning for her perusal. And sure enough the following day his credentials were sitting in her email inbox.

Hunky Tonk! The hunk in search of a 'swolemate' then surprised her by sending in his resume and cover letter for her perusal, and she was impressed with his credentials and humor

Fit n fab! On Austin's resume he shares he's a fitness junkie and can offer personal training sessions, pictured above flexing his muscles for the camera after a tennis game

Impressive stats: Austin sent in a full professional document that revealed his education and work history, even his address and contact information

Just cheeky: His cover letter explained his career goals and offered ways he could compensate Emma should she choose him for the skydiving challenge

It included his education history, his work experience in the Indiana Army National Guard and career as a fitness consultant.

'[I did it] as a joke. Its an opportunity to maybe make her laugh. Its definitely creative and more creative then anyone else is willing to do,' Austin said to Buzzfeed on his unique proposal.

His cover letter revealed his sweet side and his willingness to chip in for the pricey skydiving experience.

'If you are looking for an attractive guy to go skydiving with, who understands that itll be a purely platonic evening then look no further,' he opened his letter with.

'I dont expect you to completely cover the cost of my ticket without reimbursement of some kind. Being a fifth year student has afforded me the opportunity to take a meager one class a day, and with all of my extra time I would be willing to drive you to class/exams/bars for a week of your choosing in my doorless Jeep,' he continued, sharing a potential deal.

'My Jeep is one of the great loves of my life, and riding in it is probably the closest experience you can get to riding on a motorcycle, without the fear of impending death/road crash. I also live with a one year old German Shepherd/Husky mix that I will let you pet, walk with, or send you pictures of any time your heart desires,' he added.

Twitter rally: When Emma posted his information on Twitter and asked her followers if she should choose him she received an overwhelmingly positive response saying to choose him

He's the one! Other followers told her directly to 'Take him' to the Chicago skydiving event

Down in the DM: But that didn't stop other suitors from contacting her on various mediums including Linkedin, which left her in stitches of laughter

He's linked in! Philip decided to reach out to Emma via Linkedin, unfortunately her heart was tied to Austin

He even shared that he's a certified personal trainer willing to do to one-on-one personal training.

'I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to meet with you, so please dont hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or would like to arrange an interview,' he closed his message.

Impressed by his credentials and swooned by his respectful and cheeky cover letter she shared his information on Twitter and asked her followers if she should name him the winner of her heart and the skydiving ticket.

'The most dedicated a guy has ever been to shooting his shot... should I take him,' she wrote. And Twitter clamored for her to take him.

And according to her campus peers, he was not only a great guy, but they threatened to date him if she didn't give the lad a shot at love.

'Actually all of the girls in my sorority are like 'If you dont date him, I will,' she said to Buzzfeed on her friends' support of her Austin pick.

But that didn't stop other suitors from lining up. One man even found her on Linkedin and messaged her on the networking platform to assure he got in her good books.

The Linkedin user, Philip, even attached his resume and cover letter and social media handles for her perusal. But he was just one of the 50 resumes that flooded Emma's inbox.

She later announced that Austin was the one to win her heart.

'Good evening, Austin. I just wanted to text you and thank you for your application! Upon review I have decided that you are the most dedicated applicant, and for that reason you deserve the free ticket,' she texted him.

First date jitters: On Twitter she announced she would meet Austin in person after choosing him as her sky diving date, and her Twitter followers were calling the duo couple goals

Would you like some salt with that? Her unhappy ex also vocalized his feelings on her rise to Twitter fame and took credit for her online spotlight

At last! Emma and Austin met earlier this week for the first time in person for nearly two hours

Hey boy: The two met up at a Starbucks where Emma took a sweet shot of her winning candidate who gave a million dollar smile at being called 'Tinder boy'

Happy as can be: Emma was gleeful with the positive online response and her connection with Austin that includes a love for dogs , pictured above posing with her pup

He responded saying he spent more time on the resume and cover letter than homework. And he had no idea he actually had a shot.

'I didnt think it would actually work out,' he said assuming she would take a friend instead of a stranger.

And Twitter fawned over her decision with cheers for the couple to find a spark.

'Please take pics and keep us in the loop, we are all apart of this relationship now,' on Twitter fan wrote.

'!!!! Yas boo I'm waiting on the skydiving pics,' another added.

'YES YES YES another success story in the making,' a friend shared.

However there was some negative online energy towards her choice, coming specifically from her ex boyfriend Chad.

'Helping make your ex famous one step at a time. You're welcome Em,' he tweeted.

Austin and Emma have scheduled to take their mile high plunge on October 28th and met up for coffee on Wednesday for the first time to talk things over. Emma took to Twitter to share a picture of the smiling duo, much to the frenzy of her followers who rallyied for their relationship.

'It went pretty well I think. We ended up talking for an hour and half or so,' Austin revealed on their meeting.

However the duo have made it clear that they're strictly platonic.

'I think the most were going to be is skydiving partners,' Austin said to Buzzfeed.

'This is going to be a very platonic relationship,' Emma added.

And thought platonic it may be, Emma's dating app boldness proves that the often bashed app could be good for more than just love, it might just offer a bright friendship as well.
The Countess of Wessex looked elegant in a pale grey coat as she attended military parade today.

Sophie, 52, was on hand to bid a celebratory farewell to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court, in Dorking, Surrey, today.

The Countess first attended a thanksgiving service at St Martin's Church before observing a parade of servicemen and women through the town.

Duty: Sophie Wessex inspected the troops ahead of a military parade in Dorking, Surrey

Elegant: The mother-of-two opted for a bespoke pale grey coat dress and hat by Suzannah

Radiant: Sophie, Countess Of Wessex, meets school children ahead of the parade

Warm welcome: Excited school children lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal

She also inspected the troops as part of the farewell celebrations.

For the occasion the mother-of-two opted for a bespoke pale grey coat dress and hat by Suzannah.

She paired the feminine ensemble with metallic pumps and a large nude clutch bag.

Throughout the day, Sophie appeared in good spirits, waving and smiling at schoolchildren who lined the streets in the hope of seeing the royal.

Graceful: The mother-of-two waved to the gathered crowds as she attended the celebrations

Sophie bid a celebratory farewell to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Hadley Court

Pomp and ceremony: The countess inspects the troops ahead of the parade in Dorking today

The Countess received a military salute from the parade as they passed the White Horse pub.

It has been a busy week for the countess.

Yesterday Sophie, who is married to Prince Edward,looked deep in concentration as she carefully decorated a crest with gold leaf as she toured a new multi-million pound college campus in Glasgow.

Respect: The Countess of Wessex was saluted by soldiers as they marched past

Sophie was in town to open the establishment's new City Campus, while her husband Edward took part in a series of engagements on the Isle of Wight.

The 52-year-old royal lived up her stylish reputation in a floaty black and white floral dress as she chatted to staff and students.

She accessorised her look with a delicate silver necklace and oversized diamond earrings during her tour of Scotland's largest college.
We really can't expect children to recall many details until they are in their early teens when the hippocampus is actually fully formed, a new study finds.

Previously, scientists thought that the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory and emotion, was fully developed by around age six.

The researchers gave adults and children between ages six and 14 a task to assess how well they remembered details, and found that that ability improved in line with the growth of two particular sub-regions of the hippocampus.

Scientists from the Max Planck Institutes in Berlin, Germany and the University of Stirling in Scotland found that significant changes occurred in the areas of the hippocampus responsible for recalling detail well after the age of six.

Children aren't fully capable of remembering details until they are about 14 years old, a new study finds. Scientists previously thought the part of the brain responsible for memory, the hippocampus, was fully developed by age six

Six-year-old children are in a stage of rapid development.

At that age, their vocabularies grow by about ten words a day, their abilities to recognize patterns are improving, and their minds straddle the real and imagined worlds, which they describe in great detail.

But until they are about 14, this study reveals, children's ability to recall fine distinctions between two similar objects is still developing.

Researchers in Berlin, Germany showed images to children between ages six and 14, as well as adults, then showed them similar images with details slightly altered and asked them to recall general or specific characteristics.

Parts of the brain involved in memory Memories are formed and recalled in the cerebral cortex, the outer part of the brain responsible for higher mental functions. The cortex is made up of four lobes. Two of those, the frontal and temporal lobes, are responsible for memory. The prefrontal cortex handles short-term memory. It can store about seven pieces of information at a time for about one minute. The temporal lobe processes visual information and store it for long-term memory and recall. The medial temporal lobe holds and recalls facts and events, packaged in 'episodes' that allow us to remember them as points in time. The hippocampus is a part of the medial medial temporal lobe and allows us to convert short-term memories into long-term ones, making it important to learning. The basal ganglia are also important to learning, by allowing us to recall steps of procedures or processes. Advertisement

They compared the subjects' performances to magnetic resonance images (MRI) that had been taken of their brains taken while they were lying still.

The scans showed that two important sub-regions of the hippocampus - the dentate gyrus and the entorhinal cortex - were larger in older subjects, who also performed the memory task better.

The dentate gyrus is important to remembering distinctions, and the entorhinal corex connects the hippocampus to the part of the brain responsible for sensory perception and spatial reasoning.

This new finding shows that both of these areas are still growing after age six, but the pace of that growth varied from subject to subject.

The trajectory of this growth 'is important, as it directly influences the fine balance between pattern separation and pattern completion operations and, thus, developmental changes in learning and memory,' says study co-leader Markus Werkle-Bergner of the Max Planck Institutes.

The hippocampus is responsible for emotion and episodic memory. The hippocampus takes in new information and commits it to longer-term memory, making it essential in learning.

Dr Nora Newcombe, a professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, says that children as young as four have no trouble making cognitive distinctions between separate objects, but struggle to recall them.

Dr Newcombe visited the Max Planck lab, and said, for example, that children of all ages were able distinguish between two pictures of ducks with subtle differences. But they wouldn't be able to recall which was which on command.

'These are very fine distinctions. You wouldnt make [these children] into bird spotting experts,' she says, but this doesn't suggest that a six-year-old child will struggle with the sorts of things they'd be learning and recalling in school.

The research done by lead author Dr Attila Keresztes of the Max Planck Institutes and his team 'related memory behavior to growth or size in various sub-regions, dividing it much more finely than people have been able to do before, so thats fascinating,' says Dr Newcombe.

The hippocampus is located deep in the medial temporal lobe. New research was able to look at the hippocampus's sub-regions, and find that two of them involved in remembering details are not fully formed until we are about 14

She says that while the new discovery won't change the way we teach children of varying ages, it gives us important insights into how and when these regions of the brain are changing and developing.

Children's brains are difficult to analyze closely for several reasons. Tasks meant to demonstrate things like their memory capabilities have to be 'difficult, but not too difficult,' says Dr Newcombe.

Watching their actual brain activity is even more complicated. If a child were asked to do a task like the duck identification one while in an MRI scanner, they simply wouldn't be still enough. Besides, the distraction of the machine would likely affect the scans.

Dr Keresztes and his team's method - comparing high resolution brain scans taken while children are lying still with their performances on tasks - could be used in future research on children's brains.

Our understanding of brain development is still limited. Dr Newcombe says that as little as two years ago, some researchers were still arguing that the hippocampus was fully developed at birth.

This new study provides 'a new tool for research,' she says. 'It's exciting work, and there's a lot to be done, but this is really opening up a new avenue of understanding.'
It's flu shot time, and health officials are bracing for a potentially miserable fall and winter.

The clues: The Southern Hemisphere, especially Australia, was hit hard over the past few months with a flu strain that's notorious for causing severe illness, especially in seniors.

And in the U.S., small clusters of that so-called H3N2 flu already are popping up.

Health officials are bracing for a potentially miserable fall and winter The Southern Hemisphere, especially Australia, was hit hard with a flu strain causing severe illness in seniors. Last year, only about 47 percent of the population was vaccinated.

THE 'AUSSIE FLU' Some A&E units in Australia had 'standing room only' after being swamped by more than 100,000 cases of the H3N2 strain. Professor Robert Dingwall, a public health expert at Nottingham Trent University, said it is 'inevitable' it will reach Britain. He said it could claim as many lives as the Hong Kong flu outbreak in 1968, which killed at least one million people. Professor Dingwall told The Daily Express: 'Based on the Australian experience public health officials need to meet and urgently review emergency planning procedures.' Advertisement

'We don't know what's going to happen but there's a chance we could have a season similar to Australia,' Dr. Daniel Jernigan, influenza chief at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told The Associated Press.

The worrisome news came as the government urged Americans Thursday to make sure they get a flu shot before influenza starts spreading widely.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price got his own jab to publicize the importance, saying, 'There's no reason not to get protected.'

Last year, only about 47 percent of the population was vaccinated.

CDC's Jernigan cautions there's no good way to predict how bad the upcoming flu season will be.

That H3N2 strain caused infections here last year, too.

And although strains that circulate in the Southern Hemisphere often spread to North America and Europe, there's no guarantee it will make a repeat performance.

Still, H3N2 is 'the bad actor,' said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

'If you needed another reason to get vaccinated, there it is. Best get that protection.'

Also Thursday, World Health Organization flu advisers meeting in Australia recommended updating future vaccines for the Southern Hemisphere to strengthen H3N2 protection.

Flu does constantly evolve, forcing new vaccine to be brewed each year to match the strains specialists expect to cause most illness. In the U.S., CDC's Jernigan said this year's shots aren't perfect  but that the H3N2 strain traveling around the globe hasn't significantly changed, so the vaccine remains a pretty good match.

'It's the best tool we have right now for preventing disease,' he said in an interview.

Some things to know about the once-a-year rite of flu vaccination:

WHO NEEDS A SHOT?

Everybody, starting at 6 months of age, according to the CDC.

Flu is most dangerous for people over age 65, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions such as asthma or heart disease.

But it can kill even the young and otherwise healthy. On average, the CDC says flu kills about 24,000 Americans each year, and last year, the toll included 105 children.

Last year, three-fourths of babies and toddlers  tots ages 6 months to 2 years  were vaccinated. So were two-thirds of adults 65 and older.

HOW WELL DOES THE VACCINE PROTECT?

The CDC says people who get flu shots have a 40 percent to 60 percent lower chance of getting seriously ill than the unvaccinated.

If someone is infected despite vaccination, generally they have a milder illness than if they'd skipped the shot, Schaffner said.

'I like to tell my patients, 'You're here complaining, that's wonderful  you didn't die,' he said.

WHEN SHOULD YOU GET VACCINATED?

It takes about two weeks for good protection to kick in. Flu season tends to peak around January, but there's no way to know when it will start spreading widely.

Manufacturers say between 151 million and 166 million doses will be available this year. It's already widely available in doctors' offices and drugstores.

WILL THE SHOT MAKE ME SICK?

You can't get influenza from flu shots, specialists stress. But flu vaccine doesn't protect against colds or other respiratory viruses that people can confuse with influenza.

LOTS OF OPTIONS

The regular flu shot comes in versions that protect against either three or four strains of influenza  including that problematic H3N2 strain, another Type A strain known as H1N1, and one or two strains of Type B flu.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other options which are available for certain age groups.

For needle-phobes, there's a skin-deep vaccine that uses tiny needles, and a needle-free jet injector that shoots another vaccine through the skin.

Two vaccine brands target the 65-and-older crowd. They're especially vulnerable to flu's dangerous complications because they tend to have more underlying health problems than younger people  and because standard flu shots don't work as well with age-weakened immune systems. One high-dose version contains four times the usual anti-flu ingredient, while a competitor contains an extra immune-boosting compound.

And for those worried about allergies from eggs used in the production process, two more vaccines are egg-free.

SORRY KIDS, NO NASAL SPRAY OPTION

FluMist, a less ouchy nasal spray vaccine, once was popular with children. But last year, a baffled CDC said it was no longer protecting against certain influenza strains as well as regular flu shots  and told doctors not to use it. That's the same advice this year: Youngsters will need a shot, just like their parents.

And for kids between the ages of 6 months and 8 years who are getting a first-ever flu vaccination, they'll need two doses a month apart.

THE COST

Insurance covers most flu vaccinations, often without a copayment. For those paying out of pocket, prices can range between $32 and $40.
A night of drinking can lead to a pounding headache the next morning, but you also might feel that twinge of regret and anxiety from decisions you made while downing shots.

'Hangxiety' is the feeling of being overwhelmed or anxious while recovering from drinking.

And people likely experience this after remembering - or not remembering - the events that unfolded while buzzed, which can force the mind to race.

Hangxiety is the feeling of being anxious and overwhelmed after drinking. People who suffer from social anxiety are more likely to experience this than those who don't. About 15 million people in the United States suffer from social anxiety, which is seven percent of the population

SIX WAYS TO BEAT HANGXIETY 1. Exercise Exercising is a great way to get the body moving and focusing on something else. Physical movement is both a reliever of stress and anxiety. It helps people sleep better, feel more confident and feel more relaxed. All of these can combine to lower anxiety. 2. Watch a comedy Laughter is a good way to release the tension and stress in the body. Putting on a show or movie induces laughter can help lessen feelings of anxiety. 3. Listen to soothing music Music can have a relaxing effect on the body. By listening to something calming it can help soothe anxiety that someone is feeling. 4. Light a candle Aromatherapy has proven to help lessen anxiety and stress for people. Some popular scents that have calming effects are lavender, rose, sandalwood and rose. 5. Deep breathing exercises Breathing can help reduce the heart rate and calm someone down. Focusing on one task like breathing can take the mind off of the anxiety that someone is feeling. 6. Spend time with family and friends Social support from family and friends can help calm the feelings of anxiety. This can help remind someone of their sense of belonging and self-worth. Advertisement

Alcohol influences someone's mood and anxiety levels in the brain to make someone feel happier and relaxed. But once the alcohol levels decline in the body, then feelings of anxiety and depression can increase.

These anxious thoughts from drinking escapades can be combated by exercising or or watching a favorite comedy.

A hangover is symptoms people experience as their body is recovering from an increased amount of alcohol in their system.

When feelings of anxiety are mixed in with this hangover, it can make it hard for someone to handle their decisions they made the previous day.

And people who are prone to anxiety can experience these symptoms worse than those who aren't.

About 15 million people in the United States have a social anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

That makes up seven percent of the population.

And about 20 percent of people who suffer from social anxiety are also addicted or dependent on alcohol.

But alcohol will only increase the feelings of anxiety as the hangxiety sets in for the person.

When the alcohol for hits the body, a rush of dopamine occurs in the reward-processing area of the brain.

This will give people the 'buzz' or 'feel good' emotions that come with drinking alcohol.

Dr Aparna Iyer, a psychiatrist and assistant professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, told SELF that when these dopamine levels come back down it can impact someone's mood and anxiety.

'The feelings that you have after you drink alcohol, or even the day after, can result in a whole range of feelings and moods and anxiety symptoms,' she said.

'It can range from panic to feeling depressed to feeling impulsive to feeling agitated and irritable.'

If someone is already prone to anxious thoughts, these anxiety symptoms will heighten as their body re-regulates itself after a night drinking.

Alcohol also increases the effects of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which typically has a calming influence on the body.

People who experience consistent hangxiety after drinking could relate it to how their body is reacting to the change of GABA and dopamine in the brain during recovery.

Experts say there could be a problem if someone is consistently feeling this way after drinking.

Since anxiety and alcohol dependence are linked to each other, it is sometimes recommended for people to stop drinking to avoid putting extra stress on the mind and body.
Mexico's earthquake left the nation reeling in devastation.

The 7.1 magnitude quake killed at least 344 people, inflicted $2 billion of damage, and may have left millions with life-long respiratory diseases.

People from all over the country and abroad rushed to help the central and southern region begin to piece itself back together, and to find survivors among the rubble.

Among the volunteers in Mexico City was Eduardo Zarate, a 26-year-old man with a spinal cord injury which has left him confined to a wheelchair.

Nonetheless, he took to the streets with bags to collect the rubble, heaving it away to collection sites by holding it between his chin and shoulder.

And he even helped to rescue to people who were trapped under slabs of concrete.

Eduardo Zarate, a 26-year-old man with a spinal cord injury which has left him confined to a wheelchair, went to Mexico City's Del Valle neighborhood to help the clean-up

He initially went to find his friend who was missing. His friend had survived, but they decided to stay

Zarate, from Morelia in Michoacan, has been in a wheelchair for 11 years after injuring his spine.

He traveled to the capital after hearing one of his best friends was missing in the Del Valle neighborhood, which was one of the worst affected.

It transpired his friend had survived with minor injuries, but he stayed, and the pictures of him helping the clean-up went viral.

'We decided to stay,' he told El Universal.

'I worked for 24 hours until my body couldn't do any more and I had to rest.'

He worked with another volunteer, passing her his bags of rubble as he wheeled between the fallen buildings.

At one point his wheelchair got hit by a rock, he skidded over, and hurt his hand. But he got up and carried on.

Zarate was first spotted by a photographer called Jorge Zubillaga, who posted the image online.

Zubillaga captioned the picture: 'The are no words to describe what I've seen these past few days, today more than ever it is an honor to be Mexican.'

The photo quickly went viral.

Zarate insisted he deserves no more recognition than anyone else who rushed to help.

On Zarate's Twitter, his bio includes the famous words of Frida Kahlo, the revered Mexican painter who was crippled for most of her life: 'Feet... why do I need them if I have wings to fly?'
The U.S. Department of Education announced its awarding $253 million to help expand charter schools.

This years recipients of grants from the annual Charter Schools Program include nine states and 17 charter management organizations, which are nonprofit groups that run networks of charter schools.

This is the first round of the grants handed out under Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and new rules dictated by the relatively new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act.

One major change is that charter school boards and support organizations can now apply for the grants, whereas before only state education agencies were eligible.

Under that new provision, the Misssissippi Charter School Authorizer Board and the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, Inc. were both awarded a little over $4 million each for fiscal year 2017.

Its also the first year that the Education Department is awarding money specifically to help charter schools pay for facilities. Six nonprofit groups and two states are getting a total of $56 million under that new funding stream.

Some $52 million will be going to charter management organizations and $144.7 million will be go to states.

These grants will help supplement state-based efforts to give students access to more options for their education, said DeVos in a statement. What started as a handful of schools in Minnesota has blossomed into nearly 7,000 charter schools across the country. Charter schools are now part of the fabric of American education, and I look forward to seeing how we can continue to work with states to help ensure more students can learn in an environment that works for them.

You can find the full list of grantees here .

Related stories:
Having the flu during labour may increase the risk of needing a caesarean section, a new study concludes.

The findings suggest pregnant women should be concerned about catching the dreaded Aussie flu that is set to blight Britain this winter.

Mothers-to-be who are struck down with an illness are 12 per cent more likely to need the operation to deliver their baby, researchers found.

Intrapartum fever, which occurs during labour, also heightens the risk of needing an operative vaginal delivery using forceps.

Mothers-to-be who are struck down with an illness are 12 per cent more likely to need the operation to deliver their baby

The dreaded Aussie flu outbreak that the NHS is preparing for will be the worst in 50 years, experts have warned. Some A&E units in Australia had 'standing room only' after being swamped by more than 100,000 cases of the H3N2 strain

Lead author Dr Liran Hiersch, of Tel Aviv University, also noted how mothers-to-be who suffered from the flu for longer periods had an increased risk.

He said: 'The fever duration was related to maternal complications, specifically to a higher incidence of C-sections.'

Intrapartum fever strikes approximately one per cent of all pregnancies, according to figures.

It has long been associated with both maternal and neonatal complications, but scientists have yet to determine exactly why.

How was the study carried out?

THE DREADED AUSSIE FLU The dreaded Aussie flu outbreak that the NHS is preparing for will be the worst in 50 years, experts warned earlier this week. Some A&E units in Australia had 'standing room only' after being swamped by more than 100,000 cases of the H3N2 strain. Professor Robert Dingwall, a public health expert at Nottingham Trent University, said it is 'inevitable' it will reach Britain. He said it could claim as many lives as the Hong Kong flu outbreak in 1968, which killed at least one million people. Professor Dingwall told The Daily Express: 'Based on the Australian experience public health officials need to meet and urgently review emergency planning procedures.' Advertisement

Some 309 women admitted for vaginal delivery at full term were used in the study, published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.

Those mothers whose body temperatures were greater than 38C (100.4F) - a sign of intrapartum fever, were compared to 618 births by healthy mothers.

Maternal complications, including C-sections and operative vaginal deliveries, were monitored by the researchers.

Studies have long suggested caesareans and operative vaginal deliveries using forceps to carry serious health risks.

However, experts have repeatedly dismissed concerns and assure pregnant women that both methods are safe for both mother and baby.

What did they find?

The study found that women with intrapartum fever were 34.3 per cent likely to have midwives use forceps to deliver their baby.

In contrast, just 19.6 per cent of the mothers who gave birth at a healthy temperature needed the same procedure - 14.7 per cent less.

Similar findings existed for caesarean sections. Some 20.7 per cent of mothers with intrapartum fever required the cut made through their stomach and womb.

The researchers discovered that just 8.7 per cent of the healthy mothers needed to undergo a C-section.

Figures suggest that around one in every four to five pregnant women in the UK has a caesarean. In the US, the figure is closer to 32 per cent.
It seems for some people in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark Swachh Bharat campaign has become merely another chance for a photo op for those hoping to score brownie points.

A unit of Assam Rifles has become embroiled in this controversy after allegedly littering a school in Mokukchung district of Nagaland, only to then get it cleaned by the officers and troops.

However, the local citizens and teachers of the school not only objected to the littering exercise undertaken by the jawans of the 44 Assam Rifles, but also recorded it and made it viral on WhatsApp and Facebook.

Assam rifles battalion rehearse for the Republic Day Parade on a foggy winter morning

A unit of Assam Rifles has become embroiled in controversy allegedly first littered a school in Mokukchung district

Local citizens and teachers of the school not only objected to the littering exercise being done allegedly by the jawans of the 44 Assam Rifles, but also recorded it and made it viral on WhatsApp and Facebook

According to the video, the Assam Rifles jawans received permission from the local school to clean the premises with the help of the students on September 28. Soon after, they are seen spreading pieces of paper and other waste around the school before beginning the cleaning exercise under the 'Swachhata hi Sewa' campaign.

In the video, a Junior Commissioned Officer of the Assam Rifles can be seen negotiating with the angry school authorities by telling them that they had undertaken similar exercises in other schools, but the locals did not relent.

The school teachers also made the Assam Rifles troops clean the mess that they had created in the school and the students, who were standing with brooms and other cleaning material were sent back to their classes.

It is come to notice that the matter has been taken very seriously by the Assam Rifles authorities as under the campaign, the force is supposed to clean the already dirty places but not to dirty localities first and then clean it.

Swachh Bharat is a campaign to keep the streets, roads and infrastructure clean

Assam Rifles during the 67th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi

When the video was brought to the notice of Assam Rifles chief Lt Gen Shaukin Chahuan, he told Mail Today that the 'issue had been brought to my notice and immediately I had ordered a Court of Inquiry into the matter.'

Meanwhile, due to the anti-cleanliness campaign being run by both serving and retired officers for involving uniformed troops on social media, army formations have issued directives to the units that no uniformed personnel should be clicked while cleaning duties.

Officers, mainly the retired ones, have termed the Prime Minister's initiative to involve army as a step to degrade the dignity of uniformed personnel by involving them in cleanliness drives.
A case of moral policing has been reported from Thanes Dombivali area where residents of a housing township forced youngsters to kneel down and do sit-ups for hanging around a mall.

The incident took place on Wednesday in Palava city located on Kalyan Shil Road in Dombivali. According to Manpada police, many young couples living in areas such as Mumbra, Dombivali, Daighar and Mahape visit the Xperia mall in Palava after college hours.

The residents of the local township complain that the mall is visited by youths that don't belong to the community.

Residents of the township near to a mall made college kids do sit-ups for an hour

The objection of these residents is that the young couples engage in 'obscene acts' in the mall, which can be seen by children living in the complex.

The 'obscene acts' of which the residents speak were described by the Times of India as, 'cosying up'.

Residents of the township decided that enough was enough and got hold of some of these youngsters, including minor girls and boys, and forced them to kneel down and do sit-ups.

This went on for around an hour. Some residents even shot videos and took selfies while the youngsters were doing sit-ups.

Residents of the township decided that enough was enough and got hold of some of these youngsters, including minor girls and boys, and forced them to kneel down and do sit-ups (picture for representation only)

The youngsters were also abused and manhandled by the residents. As the clips circulated by the moral policing brigade went viral, Thane police commissioner Parambir Singh took cognisance of the issue.

He asked officials from Manpada police station to take appropriate action against those responsible.

Acting on the orders, the police arrested three people identified as Yogesh Patil, Shailesh Kurle and Shrikant Shinde who were seen in the videos and pictures.
It's a shame! Eight interminable years after its foundation stone was unveiled by the then home minister P. Chidambaram in February 2009, the museum dedicated to India's most admired icon from the National Freedom Movement, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, is still far from being completed.

The new museum, meant to replace the existing single-hall gallery housing artifacts associated with Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, was planned as a state-of-the-art facility with true-to-life recreations of moments from the freedom fighter's short but significant life.

Sadly, eight years after it was announced amid much fanfare, all that's been achieved on the 10.62 acres acquired for the project outside Khatkar Kalan  Bhagat Singh's ancestral village in the Punjab district named after him  is the empty shell of a building.

All India Anti Terrorist Front members paying tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on the occasion of his 110th birth anniversary in Amritsar

Residents say work has been stopped several times consequent to the indifference of successive state and central governments.

'There is simply no money to take it forward,' says an official, admitting that contractors withdrew from the project after funds stopped flowing about nine months ago.

State tourism department officials say the new deadline for completing the Bhagat Singh museum is March 2018, but they concede that it would entirely depend on the release of funds from Delhi.

And while state and central authorities have literally twiddled thumbs on this one, these eight years have witnessed the previous Punjab government deploying liberal central funding to rush to complete a number of far more expensive memorials and museums.

MP Santokh Chaudhary and Congress MLA Rajinder Beri pays floral tribute to Bhagat Singh

The Rs 225 crore Virasat-e-Khalsa or Khalsa Heritage Memorial Museum at Anandpur Sahib and the 328 feet tall Fateh Burj (victory tower commemorating Banda Singh Bahadur) at Chhappar Chhiri outside Chandigarh in November-December 2011 just months ahead of the February 2012 polls.

And towards the end of its second term, the Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government hastened to open a War Memorial in Amritsar; a part of the Jang-e- Azadi Memorial at Kartarpur near Jalandhar; a Rs 250 crore Balmiki temple complex at Ram Tirth (Amritsar); and the Heritage Street and Golden Temple Plaza in Old Amritsar.

Clearly, freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh work well for political photo opportunities on birthdays and martyrdom anniversaries, but they don't fetch votes in elections, and so not really a priority for politicians.
Fed-up bank customers who take to social media websites such as Twitter to complain could leave themselves exposed to fraudsters, a recent case shows.

Two readers have got in touch with This is Money after losing 4,000 through a scam that all started when they sent a simple tweet to their bank Metro Bank - which did not contain any personal or banking details.

The pair of London business owners  who wish not to be named  specialising in website design, complained to their business bank, Metro, as they stood in a queue of ten customers inside a branch.

Using the @Metro_Bank handle, they said: 'I used to think Metro Bank were great and revolutionary but the reality is they're just as bad as all the other high street banks.'

Metro Bank: Two business owners have been defrauded after a scammer tricked them into believing he was a genuine staff member

The message appears to have caught the attention of scammers who subsequently pretended to be a genuine Metro Bank branch staff member to defraud them.

A few days after they sent the tweet, the Metro Bank customers received a message from their receptionist that a Mr. S - we have chosen not to fully name the staff member - from Metro Bank Cheapside branch had called.

The victims then phoned the genuine Metro Bank number to return the call and speak to Mr. S.

Metro Bank told them that Mr. S did indeed work at the branch, but was out of the office that day.

So when they later received an email that appeared to be from Mr. S, asking for their mobile number to contact them on, they were not in the least surprised.

They did not suspect this could be a fraudster as Metro Bank had confirmed that Mr. S did exist, that he was a manager and that he worked at that particular branch.

Furthermore, the e-mail they received appears at first glance to be genuine, although Metro Bank has since told us it is fraudulent.

The email appears to come from Mr. S, has the Metro Bank logo, is written in clear and correct English, and has the correct customer support number included on it.

The only thing that might perhaps give away the fact that it is fraudulent is that the email address it comes from ends with 'metrobankonlineplc.co.uk' rather than the genuine ending 'metrobank.plc.uk'.

Mr. S then phoned the victims on the mobile number they had provided and said he had noticed their unhappy post on Twitter and was picking up from the customer service team to see if he could help.

He added that before he could do anything he would need to speak to the other person on the account for validation purposes.

The pair now know there was a sinister reason for this request. Only one of them is the signatory on the account and without their permission no money could be transferred to the fraudster.

It is worrying that the fraudster appeared to even know this level of detail about them.

'Over the next couple of days we went back and forth - and then he said that our account had been set up incorrectly and it needed to be changed,' one of the pair told This is Money.

'He'd arrange for the accounts to be moved and get everything setup.'

The fraudster had expert knowledge of all of Metro Bank's security processes and used this to gain access to the business account and their children's savings accounts.

On the day they moved the money around, Metro Bank's fraud team rang and left a voicemail on one of the customers mobile phones.

However, the message was never received: the fraudsters had put a call divert onto their mobile numbers.

ID theft: A fraudster mimicked a genuine member of Metro Bank's staff to defraud the pair. Stock image shown

The victims only found out sometime later that the call divert had been set up, when they received a text at 11.55pm from Three saying the number had been diverted as requested.

They quickly phoned Three, but the customer helpline shuts at midnight, and they did not manage to get it reversed until the morning.

When a genuine Metro Bank member of staff finally did get through and it started to emerge they had been targeted by fraudsters, the victims say the first question they were asked was 'had they been speaking to an Irish gentleman from the bank' suggesting this wasn't the first time the scam had come to light.

Metro Bank then managed to stop two transactions but were unable to stop the third for 4,000.

They confirmed that Mr. S is a genuine branch member of staff, but that he had never tried to contact the victims as he was off with an illness when this unfolded.

Instead an imposter must have been posing as Mr. S, suggesting that he both knew of his identity and that he was off sick.

The pair are unhappy that this large amount of money managed to escape their account.

FRAUD EPIDEMIC Fraudsters are using a range of methods to raid personal and business accounts. This huge rise in fraud led This is Money to launch our 'Beat the Scammers' hub page last year. As we have written in the past, customers are wise to treat all e-mails, phonecalls and text messages that appear to come from your bank with extreme caution. If in doubt, visit the branch - or telephone the number on the bank of your debit card (on a different line if you have been contacted by phone - as fraudsters can stay on the line).

When they spoke to the fraud team, the staff member asked for their customer number, two digits to the password and three digits to the secret word  the exact process used by the scammer.

The victims add: 'Everything the fraudsters did we have done with Metro Bank's staff on more than one occasion.

'Even when they told us that our account had been setup on the wrong platform and it needed to be setup again and we would get a series of texts to move the payees.

'We have done all of this as part of Metro Bank's processes on the phone or online.

'I know we've not been the only people hit by this gang. There have been some things Metro Bank staff have said that have confirmed this.

'Their opening question, "have you been dealing with a person with an Irish accent from the bank" sort of gave it away.'

A Metro Bank spokesman, who investigated the case, said: We take our customers' security extremely seriously and have a range of safeguards in place to help defend them against fraud, which we constantly review and update in light of ever-changing and increasingly sophisticated tactics from fraudsters.

We understand the stress and concern caused by becoming a victim of fraud and we are sorry to hear about this experience.

The customer was contacted by a fraudster purporting to be a Metro Bank colleague.

After attempting to call the store to reach said colleague, the customer then e-mailed their mobile number to the fraudster and once contacted, was duped into sharing security credentials with them, as well as details from personal documents, enabling the fraudster access to her account.

From there, the fraudster attempted to set-up three new beneficiaries, which sent three individual one-time passcodes to the customer's phone.

The SMS clearly stated that the codes included within them were to be used to set up a new payee only, and although at no point did the customer wish to set-up a new payee, they shared these codes with the fraudster enabling them to make three transfers out of the account.

BANKING FRAUD Have you been tricked by a similar banking fraud? Get in touch: lee.boyce@thisismoney.co.uk

We were able to block two of the payments and are working hard with the beneficiary bank to attempt to recover the funds from the first transfer.

Although we managed to successfully block two attempts, given that the customer shared security details with the fraudsters, as well as the onetime passcodes, we are unable to refund the first payment.

We have written to [the customer] to explain our position and have provided details of the Financial Ombudsman Service, should they wish to refer their complaint to them.

This type of fraud is unfortunately an industry-wide issue and we are actively working with law enforcement agencies to protect customers from these crimes, but also as a sector, banks and building societies are involved in a number of taskforces aimed at identifying criminals and defending customers.

We frequently remind customers to remain vigilant about what they share in a public forum and encourage them to be alert to the fact that fraudsters can use any information shared  whether it's a customer contacting their supermarket, insurance provider, favourite shop or bank  against them.
As London still retains its status as the worlds financial capital it should not be surprising that the new chief executive of Uber, one Dara Khosrowshahi, is hot-footing it across the Atlantic to try to make peace with Transport for London (TfL) before the ride service loses its licence next month.

But no one should kid themselves that the dispute between TfL, Londons Labour mayor Sadiq Khan and Uber is simply about the poor reporting of alleged sexual assaults and infringements of licence rules.

At the core of the disagreement is the battle between a hi-tech disrupter, Uber, and existing interests including black cab drivers and highly unionised TfL staff.

There is a fairy tale view that disrupters do no harm to existing markets. Tell that to Toys R Us, which has just filed for bankruptcy in the US, newspaper publishers, book store chains and music distributors such as HMV which have all been hit hard by Amazon and other digital challengers.

Rescue mission: New Uber boss Dara Khosrowshahi is hotfooting it across the Atlantic to try and make peace with Transport for London (TfL) before the ride service loses its licence

Unfair competition from Uber in the shape of the employment status of drivers and dodgy taxes might well be legitimate reasons to challenge the licence.

But as Theresa May points out, the livelihoods of 40,000 Uber drivers is a public good. So is the convenience, tracking and cheaper fares much loved by young metropolitan people.

Even if, as a worst case, Uber were to lose all its appeals and licence, a similar service such as Lyft, which is exploring an initial public offering in the US, would soon step into the vacuum.

The real danger of the disrupters is not to black cabs (they are to Britain what Selfridges is to retail), but the tens of thousands of minicab services dotted around the capital.

They may have TfL approval, but the quality of service and the pricing policy is mixed and offers none of the assurances passengers receive from Uber. Resisting the disrupters may seem a noble cause. But free markets and customer choice will win out in the end.

Carney dilemma

Judged by the normally gnomic standards of central bankers, Mark Carney was forthright in his BBC interview.

The bank rate will rise in the relatively near term, personal lending is becoming a little frothy and there is a prospect of reckless lending developing.

It sounds as if Bank insiders are aching to join dissidents on the Monetary Policy Committee to take away the punch bowl.

The post-Brexit cut in the bank rate to just 0.25 per cent may have been a step too far. The next formal opportunity for the Bank to act is at its meeting on November 2. But it is not quite as simple as that.

The Bank may be independent but it cannot act without regard to the economy. It would be unusual to act before the Chancellor delivers his Budget on November 22.

Philip Hammond could arguably want to adjust the Banks mandate in the light of loose credit conditions. Moreover, Bank economists might want to crawl over the fiscal projections and growth forecasts before changing direction.

The revised output data for the second quarter, which suggests weaker consumption than expected, might be a factor. The Bank may be reluctant to discourage business investment and exports which are taking up some of the slack.

At 1.5pc in the second quarter, GDP came in below consensus estimates of 1.7 per cent and looks to be expanding at its slowest since 2003.

Carney may be in a trap of his own making. By preparing markets for a rate rise, pulling back might be seen as the return of the unreliable boyfriend.

Yet diving into the ocean in November may look like unnecessary bravado ahead of the Budget.

VW immunity

Volkswagen shares took another tumble in latest trading after it set aside a further 2.3billion to cover the cost of replacing diesel cars in North America.

The German carmakers use of fraudulent software to cheat emissions tests is expected to cost it around 22billion, mostly from fines and compensation in the US.

In Europe there has been a stoic silence about the scandal, with VW claiming its actions have not been illegal.

Maybe, but VW owners in the UK, who have seen their diesel vehicles plummet in value, and municipalities poisoned by emissions should test the claims.

An unwillingness to challenge an inward investor in Bentley and the UK is no reason to demur.
Share price movements of more than 10 per cent used to be rare  but this year it seems that large leaps and falls occur almost every day.

Some  such as when Carillion and Provident Financial issued shocking profits warnings  may be warranted. But the market moves of some of Britains biggest companies often seem disproportionate to the accompanying news.

On Thursday, construction firm Carillion was one of the Footsies top performers of the week, rallying an impressive 46.1 per cent after rumours that a company in the Middle East was considering a takeover.

But any joy among investors who held Carillion prior to its devastating profit warning in July was likely to be short-lived, with shares remaining down by 72 per cent for the year even after the significant lift.

And yesterday, Carillion sank a further 20 per cent after it issued its second profit warning for the year, proving that any caution among investors was well justified.

With 2017 featuring some of the biggest one-day share price drops in the history of UK markets, the pool of big British names struggling to recover from 24 hours of intense losses is continuing to grow. How do you cash in, or even protect yourself?

Andrew Millington, acting head of UK equities at Aberdeen Standard Investments, thinks the huge falls can be put down to the soaring popularity of passive funds, which automatically track a certain market.

If a such a fund tracks the FTSE 100, for example, it can end up indiscriminately investing in an expensive stock just because it is a member of the index.

Millington said automatically investing in companies without actually looking at whether they are good or not can drive them up to unsustainably high prices, only to drive them down in the same way when a problem emerges.

Jason Hollands, managing director at financial adviser Tilney, said the growth in hedge funds can magnify losses, with speculative investors cashing in short positions when a stock falls only to drive it lower.

With an eight-year bull market leaving swathes of Footsie stocks looking incredibly expensive, some nervy investors have become more inclined to sell at the first sign of bad news on fears of a correction.

Indeed, James Sullivan, senior portfolio manager at Coram Asset Management, points out that when stocks are expensive, any risk created by an event like a profit warning is exacerbated as investors fear the worst.

So, aside from getting a crystal ball and selling stocks the day before dramatic falls, what can savers do to minimise the impact if one of their investments is hit by a major sell-off?

Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says the key is simply to not put all your eggs in one basket. He said: Savers must keep a diversified portfolio of stocks, so if one goes belly up, it isnt curtains for your savings.

If you dont have the time or inclination to monitor a wide portfolio of stocks, simply buy a few funds run by expert managers who will do this for you.
Disgraced car maker Volkswagen is facing another 2.3billion bill over its cheating of diesel emission tests.

The German group admitted the scandals cost was higher than expected as prosecutors in Munich arrested a former board member of Porsche, one of its car brands.

Wolfgang Hatz, who was detained on Thursday, is the first top VW executive to be detained in Germany.

Volkswagen is facing another 2.3bn bill over its cheating of diesel emission tests

Shares in VW fell 0.25 per cent, or 0.35 (0.31), to 138 (121.64) yesterday as it revealed its total bill for Dieselgate could rise to around 22billion.

Europes biggest auto manufacturer admitted in September 2015 that it had cheated American emissions tests using illegal software.

It had already set aside 19.9billion to pay for expected fines and vehicle refits, agreeing with US regulators to spend up to 11.4billion to buy back or fix some 475,000 cars.

But yesterday bosses said they expected the bill to rise by another 2.3billion because the process had proved more difficult than expected. A spokesman said: We have to do more with the hardware.

The company said fixes were running smoothly in Europe, where only a software update is required for 8.5m affected cars.

VWs bigger bill comes after chief executive Matthias Mueller insisted earlier provisions would be enough to cover the scandal.

Stuart Pearson, an analyst at BNP Paribas, said: Investors will understandably worry what else may be next.
PIER PERFORMANCE The owner of the famous seaside attraction, Brighton Pier Group, saw profits rocket 278 per cent to 3.5million in the year to June 25, from 900,000 the year before.

CHANNEL HOP Finance giant Bank of America, which has its European headquarters in the UK, is preparing to relocate around 300 traders and support staff to Paris.

ITALIAN DEAL Insurer Aviva has agreed to sell its Italian business for 233million. It will offload its entire shareholding in its joint venture in Italy, Avipop Assicurazioni, to Banco BPM.

IN MEMORIAM Steve Marshall, the chairman of logistics firm Wincanton since December 2011, has died.

Wincantons senior independent director Stewart Oades will become the companys chairman.

ECHO FIGHT Web giant Google is building a digital device to compete with Amazons Echo, according to the electronics website TechCrunch.

GOOD SIGNS Ride-sharing firm Uber has added a feature to its app allowing passengers to learn basic sign language after the company said thousands of its drivers were deaf or hard of hearing.

SUSHI SALE British private equity firm Permira could be handed 250million in exchange for its shares in Japanese sushi chain Akindo Sushiro by Shimei, which owns rival Genki Sushi, according to the Financial Times.

BIG PURCHASE FTSE 250-listed administration firm Sanne Group has bought two Luxembourg companies  the fund manager Luxembourg Investment Solutions and corporate services business Compliance Partners, for 49million.

NEW HIRES House builder Bellway has hired Ian McHoul, the chief financial officer of Amec Foster Wheeler, as an independent non-executive director from next February.

It has also appointed Jill Caseberry, who is non-executive director of van hire firm Northgate, to its board.
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is seeking political asylum in the UK after fleeing Bangkok, a source in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Thursday.

Yingluck first fled to Dubai but left for London on September 11, the source told Reuters.

The revelation comes after the leader of Thailand's military junta said that Shinawatra, the prime minister he ousted three years ago, had fled to Dubai last month to avoid being jailed over a rice subsidy scheme that lost billions of dollars.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief who led the coup, said Thailand would pursue Yingluck through diplomatic channels and police cooperation using Interpol.

His remarks came a day after the country's top court found Yingluck guilty of criminal negligence and sentenced her in absentia to five years in prison.

Thailand's former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison for alleged negligence in a money-losing rice subsidy program

'She is in Dubai,' Prayuth told reporters, adding that the foreign ministry had been tracking Yingluck's movements.

'The police will now have to proceed and coordinate with the Foreign Ministry and Interpol.'

Thaksin's Puea Thai Party did not comment to Reuters on Prayuth's disclosure.

But a source in the United Arab Emirates said Yingluck left Dubai for London on September 11, without giving further details.

The Supreme Court delayed giving its judgment last month after Yingluck failed to show in court and police discovered she had slipped out of the country.

The Thai authorities had not disclosed Yingluck's whereabouts before, though senior party members had told Reuters she had gone to Dubai where her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a 2008 jail sentence for graft, has a home.

On Thursday, asked by Reuters whether Yingluck had left Dubai for London, Thai deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul declined to comment.

Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is believed to be seeking asylum in the UK. Shinawatra is pictured greeting supporters as she arrived at the Supreme Court to make her final statements in her criminal negligence trial

Thai policemen and soldiers gather in front of the house of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with a search warrant in Bangkok on Thursday

Photographs posted on the photo-sharing app Instagram by one of Thaksin's daughters show Thaksin in London since Sept. 15.

None of the photos feature Yingluck.

For more than a decade, Thai politics has been dominated by the power struggle between the Shinawatras and Thailand's establishment, which includes the armed forces and urban middle class.

The Shinawatras remain popular with rural and poor voters, and the rice subsidy scheme had helped Yingluck shore up her support base to get elected in 2011.

Throughout her trial, Yingluck said she was innocent and not responsible for the day-to-day running of the scheme, arguing that she was a victim of political persecution.

The ruling junta has promised to hold an election in 2018, though changes to the constitution have ensured the military holds on to some role governing the country.

Thai police on Thursday raided Yingluck's home in eastern Bangkok, armed with a search warrant.

Around a dozen police from the forensics unit entered the large compound carrying gloves and metal boxes, to be met by a lawyer for Yingluck and one of her bodyguards.
Beginning this year, Illinois schools are required to teach financial literacy to students in first through 12th grade.

The states new personal finance standards are based on the Council for Economic Educations National Standards for Financial Literacy . A task force made up of classroom teachers and groups like Econ Illinois , which provides training on how to teach money concepts, revised the social science standards to include financial literacy benchmarks for the first time. Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) unanimously adopted the new standards in June 2015, and the state approved them in February 2016.

Illinois is one of 45 states to factor financial literacy into its standards. The thinking behind the effort: students need practice making decisions about spending, saving, budgeting, and investing.

At a conference promoting the new standards, state Treasurer Michael Frerichs stressed the importance of teaching students how to make smart financial choices. As Illinois faces unprecedented fiscal challenges, its even more important than ever that our children are exposed to successful ways to manage and invest their finances, he said.

The lessons, advocates of financial literacy education say, are especially needed in a state where 31.9 percent of households are liquid assets poor, meaning they do not have enough savings to live above the poverty level for three months if they lose a job or are hit by a medical crisis. Building up a little savings isnt just difficult for Illinois residents; nearly half the country, 44 percent , lack the funds to get by for three months if their wages were suddenly cut off.

Need further proof that U.S. students could stand some boning up on money matters? On the latest Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), American 15-year-olds performed below students from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, the Netherlands, and Russia on questions of basic personal finance, such as identifying the purpose of an invoice or finding the net salary on a pay slip. A 2015 study of financial literacy requirements by Champlain College gave states mostly Bs and Cs for their efforts. Illinois received a B.

Illinois is one of 37 states to require that financial literacy standards be taught. More than half of these 37 states, like Illinois, require financial literacy education but do not require a specific course on financial literacy that must be taken to graduate. This results in greater flexibility in how the standards are taught. Whats more, Illinois is in the majority of states that do not have any statewide standardized test to assess learningonly 7 states did so in Council for Economic Educations 2016 Survey of the States .

I have often heard it said, If its not tested its not taught, Christopher Caltabiano, chief program officer at the Council for Economic Education, wrote in an email. He said the Council advocates for standardized testing as way of discerning whether students are in fact learning what the standards require that they be taught, whether there are inconsistencies in performance (and whether these inconsistencies can be tied to anything in particular such as the teachers level of training or variability in the resources used), and frankly, whether schools are actually implementing the state requirements at all.

Illinois financial literacy standards begin in first grade where students learn that people work in exchange for pay. But even kindergarteners are getting a taste of fiscal responsibility. Under the economics standards, kindergarteners learn the concept of scarcity, so that they begin to understand we cannot have everything we want. By fifth grade, students begin to learn that interest is the price one pays for borrowing money.

Middle and high schoolers get more sophisticated lessons on how to evaluate the costs and benefits of taking out insurance or paying with credit, as well as the risks and rates of return on diversified investments.

Explore the 20 economics concepts ranging from scarcity to supply and demand to taxes considered crucial for students to understand by the time they graduate high school. How well do you understand these concepts? You can test your financial literacy chops with this quiz from the Council for Economic Education.

Image by OTA on Flickr licensed under Creative Commons

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A federal court struck down a law in Kentucky on Wednesday that requires women seeking an abortion to first undergo an ultrasound and hear a description of the embryo or fetus.

The U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky ruled that the state law is unconstitutional because it violates the free-speech rights of the patient and doctor, court documents showed.

The law 'does not advance a substantial governmental interest, is not drawn to achieve the governments interests, and prevents no actual harm,' U.S. District Judge David Hale wrote in his ruling.

U.S. District Judge David Hale (pictured) of the Western District of Kentucky ruled that the state law is unconstitutional

The ACLU filed the lawsuit against the state on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center, which the complaint said is the state's sole licensed abortion facility, days after the measure was passed in January by Republican lawmakers in Kentucky.

'We are pleased that Kentucky women will no longer be subjected to this demeaning and degrading invasion into their personal health care decisions,' said Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, an ACLU attorney, in a statement.

The law requires a physician or qualified technician to perform the ultrasound and position the screen so the woman may view the images.

The law requires a physician or qualified technician to perform the ultrasound and position the screen so the woman may view the images

The medical staff were required to describe what the images show, including the size of the fetus and any organs or appendages visible.

The law does not contain exceptions for women who are facing medical complications or are victims of rape or incest.

The requirement violates the speech rights of doctors and patients by forcing them to deliver and listen to a government-mandated message, according to the lawsuit.

The law was part of a renewed effort by abortion opponents nationwide to restrict the procedure.

Some 26 states have laws regarding ultrasounds and abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks reproductive policy.
A former Northwestern University professor and an Oxford University employee pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of the professor's boyfriend.

Wyndham Lathem, 46, and Andrew Warren, 56, stood quietly in separate Chicago court hearings as their attorneys entered pleas on their behalf.

Both men spoke little during the hearings, only briefly answering when Cook County Judge Ursula Walowski asked if they understood the charges.

Unlike a previous court hearing, when prosecutors gave often chilling details of the July 27 stabbing death of 26-year-old Trenton Cornell-Duranleau, Walowski simply laid out the charges.

Fired Northwestern University professor Wyndham Lathem, 43, (left) and Oxford University financial officer Andrew Warren, 56, (right) pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 26-year-old hair stylist

Hair stylist Trenton James Cornell-Duranleau, 26, (pictured) was found stabbed to death by police on July 27. The Michigan native had been in Lathem's high-rise Chicago condo for the last month

However, she referred to the crime as 'exceptionally brutal' and said it was carried out in a 'calculated and premeditated manner.'

The men are accused of attacking Cornell-Duranleau while he slept in Lathem's Chicago apartment, stabbing him dozens of times.

Cornell-Duranleau, a Michigan native who had been living last month in Lathem's high-rise Chicago condo, was found by police having suffered 47 stab wounds, as well as 'mutilations,' to his upper body.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 20 years to life in state prison, Walowski said.

After Lathem's hearing, his attorneys Barry and Adam Sheppard said they would be filing a motion to have the two men tried separately, explaining that they do not want the jury to hear statements Warren made to police after he surrendered days later in San Francisco.

Barry Sheppard said Lathem made no statements to police when he turned himself in the same day in nearby Oakland.

As Lathem (left) continued stabbing Cornell-Duranleau, Warren (right) left the room to retrieve two kitchen knives and returned to stab the victim as well, prosecutors said

He said it was Warren's statements that are the basis for the detailed account of the slaying that prosecutors read in court last month.

He said it would be impossible for Lathem to get a fair trial if the jury hears those words, either from Warren himself on the witness stand or from a testifying police officer.

In court, last month, prosecutors said that the fatal stabbing of Cornell-Duranleu - Lathem's boyfriend - was part of a sexual fantasy the two men hatched in an online chatroom that included killing someone and then themselves.

They said that Lathem crept up to Cornell-Duranleau and began plunging a 6-inch knife into his chest and neck, before Warren ran over to cover the victim's mouth and strike him in the head with a heavy lamp in an attempt to silence him.

As Lathem continued stabbing Cornell-Duranleau, Warren left the room to retrieve two kitchen knives and returned to stab the victim as well, prosecutors said.

The two men then fled, triggering a nationwide manhunt that ended when the two men surrendered in California several days later.

Both men remain in Cook County Jail, where they are being held without bail.

Lathem is scheduled to return to court Oct. 31. Warren's next hearing is scheduled for November 1.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' speech at Harvard University on Thursday was interrupted by protesters who held up signs saying - among other things - that she is a white supremacist.

DeVos had intended to promote her school choice program; she has earmarked more than $1 billion of public money for the project, which encourages parents to seek out non-public schools for their children.

But she found herself upstaged by protesters inside and outside the building, furious not just at the school choice scheme, but also about her reworking of rape rules and her removal of transgender bathroom protections.

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Betsy DeVos had her speech at Harvard interrupted by protesters upset at - among other things - her pushing the school choice program, which benefits private and charter schools

The protesters in the hall were largely silent during DeVos' (right) speech but chanted 'What does white supremacy look like? That's what white supremacy looks like' as she left

As DeVos spoke, students in the room unfurled banners that read 'Our students are not 4 sale,' 'white supremacist' and 'educational justice is racial justice.'

She plowed on, refusing to interrupt her speech to address the protesters, but took some pointed questions from the audience.

The protest was mostly silent, though some students snapped their fingers or cheered in support of some of the questions.

One student objected to the decision to promote charter schools through the school choice program; they are funded by public money but usually operated by entities that are independent of school districts.

They asked how much she expects her net worth to increase as a result of her policies.

'I have written lots of checks to support giving parents and kids options to choose a school of their choice,' she replied. 'The balance on my income has gone very much the other way and will continue to do so.'

Another person asked about DeVos' repeal of Obama-era Title IX rules that said sexual harassment on college campuses fell under sexual discrimination laws.

They had been intended to ensure that universities took rape claims seriously, but DeVos said that they had led to people being unfairly accused of sexual assault.

She said she wanted new rules on campus sexual assault that would be fair to both the victims and the accused.

Outside, protesters were upset not just at the school choice program, but also her removal of Title IX protections for campus rape victims and her repeal of transgender bathroom rules

'One sexual assault is one too many,' DeVos said. 'By the same token, one student that is denied due process is one to many. So we need to ensure that that policy and that framework is fair to all students.'

Earlier this year DeVos rescinded government guidance that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms that matched their gender identity.

Asked about protections for such students, she said that she was committed to making sure all students are safe.

'With respect to any student that feels unsafe or discriminated against in their school, that is the last thing we want and the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Education continues to hear and work with the schools that have any of those issues to deal with,' she said.

'And we are committed to doing that on behalf of the students.'

During her speech DeVos talked about the importance of reforming the American education system.

'The future of school choice does not begin with a new federal mandate from Washington,' DeVos said.

DeVos removed guidance that said transgender students should be allowed to choose the bathroom that fits their gender identity

Rather, she added, the role of the federal government is to help states provide more choices for parents as they decide where to send their children to school.

'We can amplify the voices of those who only want better for their kid,' she said in the speech at Harvard's Program on Education Policy and Governance.

'We can assist states who are working to further empower parents, and urge those who haven't.'

As she left the auditorium, DeVos was mocked with a chant of 'What does white supremacy look like? That's what white supremacy looks like.'

Protests continued outside.

Samantha White, a 19-year-old neurobiology major, said she came to the speech to ask DeVos why she rescinded the guidance on campus sexual assault.

'I am very upset and angry about it,' White said.

'Sexual assault is such a huge problem on college campus already and if you are rolling this back, it makes survivors of sexual assault more vulnerable and it's more difficult for them to seek justice when there aren't these regulations.'

Tony DelaRosa, 27, a student at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, held a sign reading 'Our Students Are Not 4 Sale.'

'We need public schools not to lose our funding and be given to charter schools,' DelaRosa told the AP.

'Administering more charters anywhere, it's going to take funding from somewhere.'

DeVos also says that the Title IX protections led to false accusations; the woman on the right protested that, quoting a statistic that says a quarter of female students experience abuse

But some at the event just wanted to know more. Sophomore Brandon Hill came to learn more about school choice.

Hill, who studies applied mathematics, said he has studied at both a charter and a traditional public school and found his charter school to be more focused on students' academic growth and character development.

'The teachers could explore different curriculum ideas and teach what they are interested in and what they are excited about,' Hills said.

'I appreciated it, yes. I would say it was more innovative.'

Before the speech, the Education Department announced $253 million in grants to expand charter schools across the country.

The awards went to nine states, two state agencies and over 20 nonprofit charter management organizations. The grants were awarded as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

'Charter schools are now part of the fabric of American education, and I look forward to seeing how we can continue to work with states to help ensure more students can learn in an environment that works for them,' DeVos said in a statement.

DeVos was a supporter of school choice efforts in Michigan before becoming President Donald Trump's education chief.

DeVos, a billionaire who has drawn fire for her advocacy of for-profit schools, was confirmed in February when Vice President Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. She is married to the heir and former chief executive of Amway.

She is also the daughter of the founders of Prince Corp, a Michigan car parts supplier, and sister of Erik Prince, the founder of the security company formerly known as Blackwater USA, now called Academi.
Two documentary filmmakers are suing the city of St. Louis and three police officers, saying one of them was cursed at and beaten and they were both sprayed with chemicals when they were arrested during a protest following the acquittal of a white former police officer in the killing of a black man.

Drew and Jennifer Burbridge of Kansas City, Missouri, filed the federal lawsuit Tuesday, alleging their constitutional rights were violated when they were arrested, taunted and assaulted by St. Louis officers.

Koran Addo, a spokesman for St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, declined comment Thursday.

Drew and Jennifer Burbridge of Kansas City, Missouri are suing the city of St. Louis and three police officers, saying one of them was cursed at and beaten and they were both sprayed with chemicals

They allege the incidents took place when they were arrested during a protest following the acquittal of a white former police officer in the killing of a black man

The Burbridges were among about 120 people taken into custody in a mass arrest on September 17, two days after a judge ruled that Jason Stockley was not guilty of first-degree murder in the 2011 death of Anthony Lamar Smith.

The ruling sparked several protests throughout the St. Louis region.

The September 17 protest turned unruly when some demonstrators hurled items at police and broke downtown windows.

Police used a process known as 'kettling,' in which lines of officers move protesters into a limited area.

The Burbridges were among about 120 people taken into custody in a mass arrest on September 17, two days after a judge ruled that Jason Stockley (left) was not guilty of first-degree murder in the 2011 death of Anthony Lamar Smith (seen right with his daughter)

Police said when they ordered the crowd to disperse and that those who failed to comply were arrested.

The Burbridges' lawsuit says they didn't hear an order to disperse and that when police began to converge, they wanted to leave but were blocked in.

The suit says police would not allow them to leave.

Police sprayed both with chemical agents, the suit says, and Drew Burbridge was thrown to the pavement, face first.

Officers 'proceeded to strike him on the ankles, legs, body, and head, with their feet, hands, and batons,' the lawsuit said.

'While beating Drew Burbridge, one of the John Doe Defendants stated: "Do you want to take my picture now (expletive)? Do you want me to pose for you?"'

The lawsuit said Drew Burbridge lost consciousness, awaking 'to an officer pulling his head up by his hair and spraying him with chemical agents in the face.'

The behavior of St. Louis police officers has come under scrutiny as calls increase for a probe of possible use of excessive force during protests. Reverend Karla Frye is seen above being arrested by officers at the St. Louis Galleria mall last Saturday

In this September 17, 2017 file photo, police arrest a man as demonstrators march in response to a not guilty verdict in the trial of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley

A masked man is seen above throwing a rock into the window of a building during rioting in downtown St. Louis on September 17

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges they were targeted for arrest because they are journalists.

The September 17 arrests have already drawn significant complaints, including a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, alleging that police were too forceful, taunted those being arrested, and arrested innocent bystanders.

Krewson and Interim Police Chief Lawrence O'Toole on Wednesday announced that they were asking the US attorney's office to conduct an independent investigation.

US Rep. William Lacy Clay also wants an independent investigation into recent St. Louis County arrests.

The St. Louis Democrat sent a letter Thursday to County Executive Steve Stenger and County Council Chairman Sam Page, urging an 'independent and impartial' investigation of the arrests of 22 people on Saturday at the St. Louis Galleria shopping mall in Richmond Heights, Missouri.

'The first-hand and video accounts of citizens who were subjected to brutal treatment, arrest, prolonged detention, and alleged deprivation of medical care are chilling and outrageous,' Clay wrote.

St. Louis County and Richmond Heights police said the arrests were necessary when protesters became unruly, blocked escalators and tried to go to the mall's second floor, against the wishes of mall management.

But protest leaders and some elected officials have called the incident a 'police riot.'
This is a situation no parents should have to face: to see your own child's life-support being turned off.

A mother in central China is struggling to decide whether or not she should stop saving her ill daughter after spending every penny she had to save the six-year-old.

The child, named Jinjin, had lain in the hospital in a coma for over 300 days before the doctors asked her parents to make a choice: to carry on paying for the bills or to give up on the treatment.

Mother, Xie Huihan, hoped to see her daughter wake up from a 300-day coma

Six-year-old Jinjin from central China was diagnosed with encephalitis at a Children's Hospital

Little Jinjin was diagnosed with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.

The doctors told Jinjin's heart-broken mother, Xie Huihan, that Jinjin's condition was unstable and they didn't know how long it would take for her to recover - if at all.

A set of pictures emerged online showing the little girl lying in a coma with tubes tied to her mouth as her worrying mother stayed beside her.

JinJin was taken to the hospital on October 20, 2016, when she was found vomiting and tired by her parents at their home in Henan Province.

She underwent a serious of medical tests including lumbar puncture, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and a computerised tomography (CT) scan on the chest.

Doctors from Shangqiu People's Hospital confirmed that Jinjin had encephalitis, a serious condition that requires stringent treatment.

Jinjin also has pneumonia, respiratory failure and Myasthenia Gravis, lack of muscles strength

Given the condition, Xie was told by the doctors to switch off Jinjin's life-support machine

Xie thought of ending her daughter's life as the family struggled to pay the medical bills

After a 13-day treatment, Jinjin's condition had not appeared to get better. What's worse? She had developed pnuemonia.

Jinjin was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit of Zhengzhou Children's Hospital on November 4.

The six-year-old was also diagnosed with respiratory failure and Myasthenia Gravis, a neuromuscular disease that led to skeletal muscle weakness.

Jinjin was in a state of coma and had to plug in a life-support machine.

Mother, Xie Huihan, told Yi Photos that the family had paid over 60,000 yuan (6,710) to stay at an intensive care unit for 15 days, and they were struggling to pay the rest.

Xie and her husband are both farmers at their local village, but the couple have already spent all their savings for Jinjin's medical treatment.

In a race against time to save Jinjin, Xie and her husband had to borrow 500,000 yuan (56,000) from their friends and family in order to pay for the equipment and medication.

Miracle happened! Jinjin teared and moved her finger a bit as her mother asked for forgiveness

Doctor re-evaluated Jinjin's condition and said it's not the best time to switch off the machine

Xie was left puzzled as the family will have to look for funds to support Jinjin's treatment

However, little Jinjin remained unconscious for over 300 days.

Xie came to see her daughter every day and night, waiting for her to wake up.

The doctors told Xie that it would be a long and frustrating process for Jinjin to recover from the complicated condition.

Given the financial difficulties the family was facing, on September 26 the doctors suggested the parents consider giving up treating Jinjin.

The embattled mother cried in front of her daughter: 'Child, I'm sorry! Please forgive mummy! I don't have a choice now...'

The couple managed to pay off a 56,000 fee by borrowing money from friends and family

But it's uncertain how much would Jinjin's treatment cost as she still remained in coma

As the mother talked, Jinjin's finger moved a bit and tears could be seen running down along her cheeks.

This was the first time Jinjin gave hope to her parents.

Xie was astonished and believed that it was a sign that her daughter was telling her she was still alive.

Upon a check-up on Jinjin, the mother was told that Jinjin's condition was unstable. As such, the doctors said they could not switch off the life-support machine at that moment.

Though Jinjin was fighting for her life in her ward, her parents were facing a huge financial burden if they were to continue treating the child.
A father and his friend have been charged with beating his daughter's abusive boyfriend to death.

Dearld Ray Peal Jr, 46, and Tracy Gene Price, 40, are charged with kidnapping and murder in the death of 18-year-old Anthony Pietrzak, who was found dead on Thursday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Pietrzak had been dating Peal's daughter, who told her father that Pietrzak had been beating her and begged him to retaliate, police said.

The young couple were reportedly expecting a baby daughter in October.

The daughter has not been charged in connection with the murder, and police have not publicly named her.

Dearld Ray Peal Jr (left) and Tracy Gene Price (right) are charged with kidnapping and murder in the death of 18-year-old Anthony Pietrzak, who was dating Peal's daughter

Murder victim Pietrzak (pictured) had allegedly been beating on Peal's daughter when the young woman told her outraged father and begged him to help her, police said

On Tuesday, an anonymous caller told police that a man he knew only as Anthony had been beaten to death in his home.

A witness told homicide detectives of seeing a man being beaten, hogtied and thrown into the back of a pickup truck outside the victim's home in north Tulsa, police said.

Pietrza's body was found at around 2am Thursday just outside of Tulsa's city limits and about 3 miles from his and his girlfriend's home.

Officer Jeanne MacKenzie told The Associated Press that Pietrzak wasn't dismembered, as earlier reports has claimed.

She said that he was hogtied when they found his body, with his hands and feet tied together.

Peal is seen with his daughter in this family photo from her childhood. The daughter, now grown, has not been charged or publicly named by police

Pietrza's body was found at around 2am Thursday just outside of Tulsa's city limits. Peal (right) is one of two men charged with his kidnapping and murder

'It's very horrific,' MacKenzie said. 'Just beating someone to death, there's no other way to describe it.'

'She got these ... individuals to beat up her boyfriend because she alleged he was beating on her,' MacKenzie said of Peal's daughter.

MacKenzie said more arrests are possible and that detectives are trying to determine if a third man was involved in the attack.

Jail records show that Peal and Price are being held without bond and do not list an attorney for either of them.

They are due in court next Wednesday.
A Sunshine Coast man has been sentenced to six months probation after throwing 'tantrums' in a prison cell.

Mitchell Luke O'Brien, 23, plead guilty to two charges of obstructing police after his mother 'accidentally' called officers on him last week, the Sunshine Coast Daily reports.

O'Brien had refused to answer police when they arrived at their Sunrise Beach property before violently resisting arrest.

Mitchell Luke O'Brien, 23, (pictured) plead guilty to two charges of obstructing police after his mother 'accidentally' called officers on him last week

The incident occurred on September 21 when O'Brien's 'anti-police' mother called for emergency services to attend their home on Tingira Crescent.

Officers were called over a domestic violence incident but after arriving the mother reportedly told them that she had actually wanted paramedics instead, according to News Corp.

Police asked O'Brien if he was armed inside the property after they saw a smashed mirror and knife, but the man refused to answer.

Officers then attempted to arrest O'Brien, with a Queensland Police spokesperson saying he was 'uncooperative.

The 23-year-old later described as a 'general nuisance' during his time in lock-up and was charged with obstructing police.

He plead guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court Thursday and was said to have anger issues.

O'Brien was later sentenced by Magistrate Ron Madsen, who gave him six months probation but no recorded conviction.
The family of Conrad Roy who committed suicide after being encouraged to by his girlfriend opened up about their heartache to Dr. Oz.

Conrad killed himself at the age of 18 in 2014 by poisoning himself with carbon monoxide in his truck after being spurred on by his girlfriend Michelle Carter, now 20, through a series of texts.

Conrad's mom Lynn Roy said on the show Thursday: 'I believe some people have no soul, no conscience.,' according to Boston News.

When asked what she would say to Carter if she had the opportunity Lynn said: 'I would just ask her why, I don't understand.'

Scroll down for video

Lynn Roy sat down with Dr. Oz on Thursday to talk about her son's devastating suicide in 2014, that was caused by his then girlfriend Michelle Carter, who encouraged him to take his own life

Dr. Oz (pictured left) sat down with Lynn Roy (second from the left) and her two daughters (Camdyn and Morgan in the middle) to talk about Conrad's tragic suicide

'Maybe give me some reasons why she would have encouraged him and bullied him, because I think the way she acted with him was bullying him.'

Dr. Oz asked the mother what the most painful part of this tragedy is nowadays, to which she responded: 'I think when I wake up in the morning and I realize he's not here with me, that's the most difficult for me.'

In spite of Roy's troubling past, depression and social anxiety, Lynn still vouched he had the world at his fingertips and if she had the opportunity to sit with him now she would say: 'My god, you have so much - you have no idea how much you have going for yourself.'

Dr. Oz asked Lynn what she thinks about Carter to which she said - 'I feel worse for her mother than for myself. I know the son I raised, I know the son that I have'

'You have a family that loves you. It's indescribable how much I love him.'

Dr. Oz still asked Lynn questions regarding Carter - 'I feel worse for her mother than for myself. I know the son I raised, I know the son that I have.'

Lynn, who was also joined by her daughters Morgan and Camdyn, also opened up about the emotional last exchange between her and her beloved late son.

'We walked to the beach that day, the last thing he told me was I'm going to a friend's house. I asked him if he was going to be back for dinner and he said, "I don't think so,"' she revealed.

Camdyn and Morgan (pictured left and in the middle) were visibly upset when talking to Dr. Oz

The family said to Dr. Oz: 'He was always helping others, he cared more about others than about himself. I would love to do something to help others in some way, that's how he would want me to go on without him'

She spoke about how selfless and caring her son was and what he would want for his mother now he's not here.

'He was always helping others, he cared more about others than about himself. I would love to do something to help others in some way, that's how he would want me to go on without him.'

Roy and his girlfriend at the time Carter met on vacation in Florida in 2012, they were both there with their families.

After that, they only met in person a handful of times. Their relationship consisted mainly of texting.

Conrad Roy (pictured here) was 18-years-old when he committed suicide

Michelle Carter, pictured left, is seen walking to the Taunton District Court in Massachusetts in June, with Lynn Roy (pictured right) walking to the same courtroom in June

Both teens struggled with depression. Carter had been treated for anorexia, and Roy had made earlier suicide attempts.

In dozens of text messages, Carter, who was 17 at the time, urged Roy to follow through on his talk of taking his own life. 'The time is right and you are ready ... just do it babe,' Carter wrote in a text the day he killed himself.

'You can't think about it. You just have to do it. You said you were gonna do it. Like I don't get why you aren't,' Carter wrote in one text.

Conrad Roy, Jr., father of the deceased, comforts his daughter Camdyn Roy, sister of the deceased, in a courtroom in Massachusetts in June

Roy committed suicide on July 13 2014 by poisoning himself with carbon monoxide fumes in his truck in a K-Mart parking lot in Massachusetts.

Carter's lawyer, Joseph Cataldo, argued that Roy was determined to kill himself and nothing Carter did could change that.

He said Carter initially tried to talk Roy out of it and urged him to get professional help, but eventually went along with his plan.

Cataldo also argued that Carter's words amounted to free speech protected by the First Amendment.

In convicting Carter, the judge focused his ruling on Carter telling Roy to 'get back in' after he climbed out of his truck as it was filling with carbon monoxide and told her he was afraid.

Carter was convicted in June 2017 on a charge of involuntary manslaughter by Juvenile Court Judge Lawrence Moniz who said her final instruction to Roy caused his death

The judge said those words constituted 'wanton and reckless conduct' under the manslaughter statute.

Carter was convicted in June 2017 on a charge of involuntary manslaughter by Juvenile Court Judge Lawrence Moniz who said her final instruction to Roy caused his death.

Assistant District Attorney Maryclare Flynn said: 'Michelle Carter - her actions - killed Conrad Roy. She ended his life to better her own. She has been convicted of a very serious crime that merits serious punishment.'

Moniz said Carter will only have to serve 15 months behind bars and the rest of the two-and-a-half years sentence will be suspended.

Once she is released, she will be on probation for five years.

However, the judge granted a defense motion that would keep Carter out of jail until her appeals in Massachusetts courts are exhausted.
A notorious Islamic State fighter says he is sorry for inciting violence against Australians, but wants to be deported to a Muslim country.

Neil Prakash, also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, was detained by Turkey a year ago on charges of joining ISIS in Syria, but now says he regrets his actions.

The 26-year-old Melbourne man said at his trial on Thursday 'I am sorry for the trouble I have caused' while being cross-examined via video link.

Scroll down for video

A notorious Islamic State fighter (pictured, left) says he is sorry for inciting violence against Australians, but wants to be deported to a Muslim country

Prakash (pictured) has admitted making propaganda videos and being responsible for ISIS in Australia, but says he was not '100 per cent responsible' as he was forced to do it

The 26-year-old Melbourne man said at his trial on Thursday 'I am sorry for the trouble I have caused' while being cross-examined via video link (pictured is the courthouse in Turkey)

Prakash, born to a Fijian father and a Cambodian mother, converted to Islam in Cambodia in 2012 and later travelled to the Middle East to join ISIS.

He has admitted making propaganda videos and being responsible for ISIS in Australia, but says he was not '100 per cent responsible' as he was forced to do it.

In his testimony, Prakash said he said received training from ISIS in their de-facto capital of Raqqa in Syria before moving north to the town of Kobane to fight Kurdish militia.

He was wounded in the fighting and then requested to be moved to another area where he did not have to fight.

Neil Prakash (pictured), also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, was detained by Turkey a year ago on charges of joining ISIS in Syria, but now says he regrets his actions

Prakash, born to a Fijian father and a Cambodian mother, converted to Islam in Cambodia in 2012 and later travelled to the Middle East to join ISIS (pictured is Prakash's passport, cancelled in 2014)

'But I went to Raqqa and was told I had to fight,' he said, quoted by the Turkish-language Dogan news agency. 'I was also made to speak in propaganda videos.

'I decided to escape after seeing the true face' of Islamic State, he added. 'I very much regret joining the organisation,' he said.

'Can I say something ... I was a new Muslim and didn't have the knowledge so when they taught me I trusted them.

Prakash (pictured), born to a Fijian father and a Cambodian mother, converted to Islam in Cambodia in 2012 and later travelled to the Middle East to join ISIS

'While I was [in Syria and Iraq] I learned to learn knowledge for myself and when I learned the truth I tried to leave.

'It is something I think about all the time.

'All I wanted to do was follow the religion.

'I am regretful.

'I am sorry for the trouble I have caused the world.'

NEIL PRAKASH'S JIHADI JOURNEY Born in Melbourne on May 7 1991 Travels to Cambodia in 2012 and converts to Islam Becomes radicalised after watching ISIS videos Obtains false passport in Malaysia Flies to Istanbul, Turkey, possibly in 2013 Travels to Syrian border Joins a training camp with jihadist group Ahrar al-Sham in Idlib, Syria Moves to the Islamic State capital city of Raqqa and does military training Fights for ISIS against Kurdish forces in the northern city of Kobane Injured in the arm and chest in Kurdish bomb attack Treated in Aleppo, asks to be sent back to Raqqa Runs away after ISIS order him to fight Falsely reported dead in a US airstrike in May 2016 Pays people smuggler $4000 to get him into Turkey on a fake Cambodia passport Caught by Turkish troops as he attempts the crossing on October 24 2016 Jailed in Gaziantep region of southern Turkey Source: The Herald Sun Advertisement

Prakash denied being the Australian 'representative' of ISIS in Syria and asked to be released and deported to a Muslim country and not Australia.

The court decided to keep him in custody, Dogan news agency said.

Prakash is behind bars in the Gaziantep region of southern Turkey but his trial is being held in the neighbouring Kilis region.

The trial was adjourned to December 26 and Prakash was denied bail.

Australia last year had asked Turkey to extradite Prakash, who Canberra previously had reported as having been killed in a US airstrike in northern Iraq.

Prakash fought Kurdish militia in the town of Kobane near the Turkish border with Syria, causing refugees to flee the area (pictured)

It is unclear if Turkey will force him to serve any sentence he receives there before handing him over.

Australia's Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has told reporters in London that it's too soon to say if Prakash will face court back home, and foreign fighters will be held to account no matter where they're caught.

'Those people - as we've said on a number of occasions - will face the full force of the law. Whether it's in Turkey or Australia people will be prosecuted were there's evidence to that effect,' he said in comments carried by the ABC.

In May, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Prakash should never be released from custody and expressed a hope that once he was processed by Turkish authorities, Australia might get him back 'within months'.

Prakash said he said received training from ISIS in their de-facto capital of Raqqa (pictured) in Syria before moving north to the town of Kobane to fight Kurdish militia

Mr Turnbull has called Prakash the senior Australian operative in ISIS and he has been implicated in terror plots on Australian soil.

His Australian passport was cancelled in October 2014 and federal police issued a warrant for his arrest through Interpol in August 2015.

Prakash was reportedly on a list of high-value IS recruiters targeted by the US in drone attacks in Iraq.

Prakash told the court he had spent his early life in Cambodia in a Buddhist family but had decided to become a Muslim after watching ISIS videos.

Turkey had been under fire from its allies for not taking a hard enough line against jihadists on its territory but stepped up arrests from 2015 after a string of terror attacks.
For those nostalgic for the days before smartphones took over the world, this is the throwback for you.

A new version of the classic Nokia 3310 will be available in Australia next month with 3G capability for the first time, priced at just $89.95.

The new model comes in fresh new colours and a customisable user interface that lets you pick a theme to suit your mood.

But fans of the popular handset need not worry about the new phone being too different from the original  it still has Snake.

A new version of the classic Nokia 3310 was launched at Sydney's Taronga Zoo on Thursday

The original Nokia 3310 (pictured) mobile phone was launched in September 2000

And in a playful nod to one of the most iconic mobile phone games of all time, the Nokia 3310 in 3G was launched at a global event hosted at Sydney's iconic Taronga Zoo, home to the world's most deadly snakes, on Thursday.

'Our reimagining of the Nokia 3310 has been a global and cultural phenomenon,' said Juho Sarvikas, chief product officer at HMB Global, the home of Nokia phones.

'In a world dominated by smartphones, the mix of nostalgia and a beautiful phone that just keeps going has captured people's imagination.

'Our fans around the world have been asking for this iconic phone to support 3G.

The new version of the iconic phone (pictured) will have 3G capability for the first time

The Nokia 3310 in 3G boasts an incredible 6.5-hour talk-time and up to 27 days of standby time

'Fans asked, we listened, and today welcome the Nokia 3310 3G.'

The 3G data connectivity means the phone can be used in more countries.

It has up to 6.5 hours of talk time, as well as an impressive 27 days of standby time.

In keeping with the series' bold heritage, the Nokia 3310 3G will be available in Australia in new Azure and Charcoal colours, all with a matte finish and new silver keypads.

The device will be available in Australia from mid-October from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and on prepaid through Vodafone and select Optus retailers.
The trouble for Foothill High started at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon earlier this month.

Thats when a stream of profane and offensive messages started appearing on the official Twitter account of the 2,600-student school near Las Vegas.

Among them: taunts about the schools weak weak security system, a photo of a school administrator altered in a vulgar way, and anarchist images and messages.

It wasnt the first time a public school district faced this new kind of emergency.

Back in June, hackers took control of the official Twitter account of Floridas 40,000-student St. Lucie school district. Among the posts that went out to St. Lucies 2,700 followers: a graphic photo of lynched African-Americans, as well as a racist message that said, After Heavy Consideration, Our District Has Decided To Ban All African Americans From Our School District. Thank You!

Both incidents represent a convergence of issues that are increasingly bedeviling K-12 systems: inappropriate uses of social media , and a wide range of cybersecurity threats .

And while they so far appear to be unusual, the Twitter-account hackings in Florida and Nevada raise important questions for school officials and tech companies alike, said Douglas A. Levin, the president of consulting group EdTech Strategies .

Chief among them: What security steps should schools be taking to better secure their social-media accounts? What should happen to students who share offensive content posted by hackers? And how can companies like Twitter respond more quickly to such instances after they occur?

In St. Lucie, for example, the racist posts remained public for nearly 12 hours, sparking outrage from the district superintendent.

And in Nevada, it took almost two days to get the offensive messages removed.

Thats a big problem, Levin said.

Theres not any gray area here, he said. The accounts were compromised, and what was published was clearly inappropriate and clearly not something the districts did themselves.

Basic security steps

Foothill Highs principal declined a request to be interviewed.

A spokeswoman for St. Lucie schools likewise declined to comment or provide an update on the hacking incident there, citing the ongoing challenges the district faces as it responds to flooding caused by Hurricane Irma earlier this month.

It does not appear that any arrests have been made in either case. Investigations appear to be ongoing in both locations.

One big question that remains unanswered: How were the school and district Twitter accounts compromised in the first place?

In the case of St. Lucie, the hackers offered some pretty big clues.

During an interview with local television station CBS12, a representative of a group calling itself Cryo Squad said it had targeted the district because it was extremely vulnerable and they have little to no security.

Levin of EdTech Strategies said it would be no surprise if poor security practices played a role in the breaches.

There are two big, basic steps that he and other experts suggested schools take to prevent social media accounts from being compromised.

Having a strong password and keeping it confidential is important, Levin said. Its also important to enable the advanced security features that most platforms offer, especially two-factor authentication.

On passwords, Levin advised schools to make sure theyre long and complicated; to not reuse the same passwords for multiple services; and to consider using password-management software.

And two-factor authentication basically means that after entering a password, a user must complete a second stepoften entering a code that is sent by text messagein order to access an account. That way, even if a password is compromised, hackers still wont have all the information they need to take control of an account. Most platforms allow users to opt into such features by adjusting their settings.

TIPS FOR MANAGING SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

1. Use a unique, complex password for each platform and update it regularly.

2. Use two-factor authentication.

3. Have a response plan in place, including point people to reset passwords and contact companies.

Source: C. Blohm & Associates

With all the other cybersecurity challenges districts are facing, it can be easy to overlook such steps, Levin said. And while losing control of a school Twitter account is a major nuisance, its different than having confidential employee or student information stolen from other software systems.

But given how difficult it can be to restore order after a social-media account has already been hacked, he said, an ounce of prevention is clearly worth the effort.

Potential legal pitfalls

Back in Nevada, one of the challenges faced by district administrators and leaders at Foothill High was how to respond if students shared the inappropriate content hackers posted on the schools Twitter account.

After the hacking took place, the district released a statement saying any student found to be involved in sharing or retweeting this content could face disciplinary action.

In an email, a district spokesman said Clark Countys cyberbullying policy was the basis for that stance. The spokesman added that parents were contacted directly by school administrators if there were concerns with their child regarding this incident.

But Bradley Shear, a Maryland-based lawyer who focuses on privacy and social-media law, said any such punishment meted out for sharing social-media content would likely be illegal and would almost certainly open a can of worms.

Public schools have no legal basis whatsoever to discipline students based on sharing digital content from the school districts own accounts, regardless of the situation, Shear said.

Besides, he asked, how could the district know for sure that it was actually the student, and not someone else using their account, who shared the content? Under what other circumstances would schools presume to monitor and regulate students outside-of-school social media postings?

The bottom line is that [Clark Countys] threat is not only very troubling, but also hollow, Shear said. If they do discipline a student for sharing the content, they will lose any lawsuit arising out of the matter.

Trouble reaching Twitter

And then theres the matter of getting the offensive content taking down after it appears.

The Clark County spokesman declined to specify exactly how long Foothills account was compromised, but it appeared to be under external control for well over three days.

And in remarks at a news conference that were reported by local station WPTV, St. Lucie superintendent Wayne Gent fumed at how long it took Twitter to remove the racist messages posted from his districts account.

I was mad as hell, Gent said during the news conference.

Theres not a hotline that you can contact or a hotline that you can call. Its done through emails, its done through texting and we could not get a response from [Twitter.]

Levin of EdTechStategies said thats unfortunate, but not surprising.

Platforms such as Twitter are awash in offensive, abusive, and otherwise problematic content, and they are even getting called to testify before Congress for their roles in enabling foreign governments to spread misinformation and meddle in elections. And their strategy of relying on algorithms and technology to respond to problems doesnt appear to be working very well, Levin said.

I think one lesson for schools is that if youre going to use free, cloud-based services, it may be very challenging to reach someone who can help you in a timely manner, he said. Youre really at their mercy.

Twitter officials did not respond to requests for comments sent via their platform.

See also:
Three guards were assaulted in two separate attacks by inmates at Arkansas prisons Thursday.

Two guards were assaulted by several inmates at the Varner Unit in Grady, Little Rock on Thursday afternoon.

One officer sustained multiple lacerations and the second sustained a single injury.

Guards walk in the maximum security unit at Tucker Prison near Tucker, Arkansas

They were both transported to an area hospital. The department did not release details about the condition of the guards, or what prompted the assault, their names haven't been released either.

The attack occurred a little more than two hours after a guard was assaulted by an inmate at the Maximum Security Unit in Tucker 30 miles southeast of Little Rock.

He was hospitalized for injuries to the head and face after being attacked by an inmate.

The assaults are among a series of disturbances that have occurred at Arkansas prisons in recent months.

Department spokesman Solomon Graves said right now the two assaults don't appear to be related, reports The Washington Post.

It is currently unknown as to the reason for the attacks, however the inmates involved have now been moved to restrictive housing.

This is an aerial photo showing the Tucker prison farm near Tucker, Arkansas

The attacks at Arkansas' prisons is now being investigated by the Correction Department and State Police.

They revealed there are two dozen open cases involving attacks or battery by inmates on guards or fellow inmates, which has now prompted these investigations.

Apparently the appropriate action will be taken against employees at the Maximum Security Unit according to Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

'Apparently something is not being attended to and we need to know what it is,' said state Sen. Joyce Elliott.

'This has gotten to be an issue of safety for everybody concerned within the system.'
The number of lone child refugees cared for by English councils has more than doubled in four years because of the spiralling migration crisis.

There were at least 4,560 unaccompanied youngsters seeking asylum at the end of March  a rise of 134 per cent from 1,950 in 2013, said a report.

The total is still rising despite the closure of the Calais Jungle camp last year and the arrival of more than 300 child migrants in Britain.

Council chiefs say they are struggling to cope with the financial burden of supporting unaccompanied refugee children as numbers grew by 134 per cent in four years (file)

Council chiefs have warned they are struggling to cope because of the massive influx of young refugees without parents or carers who have travelled across the Channel to the UK.

If a child claims asylum in the UK they become the legal responsibility of the local authority in which they are discovered.

One in 16 children being looked after by Town Halls are now unaccompanied asylum seekers, compared to 1 in 33 in 2013  almost double the rate.

A report from the Department for Education (DfE) said: After a large rise in numbers last year, the number of looked after children who were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children continues to increase in 2017.

The vast majority  92 per cent - of those being supported by councils were boys. But the number of lone girls had soared by 19 per cent in the last year, compared to just 5 per cent for boys.

There has been an increase in the numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 16 years and over, up 9 per cent to 3,540. But the the number aged under 16 years has decreased slightly by 3 per cent to 1,020.

In total, more than three quarters  78 per cent  of youngsters seeking sanctuary were at least 16.

The rise in numbers came despite the closure of the 'jungle' camp in Calais, as refugees continued to find ways to cross the Channel (file image)

The DfE paper noted significant variation in the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children across the country, with many concentrated in areas where they first entered.

Kent and Croydon had the highest numbers in their care, with 485 and 390 respectively, although these had reduced compared with the previous year after a national transfer scheme was introduced.

Council chiefs have warned the arrivals has significant implications for the taxpayer because councils are responsible for all costs associated with child asylum seekers until they are 25.

It includes schooling, foster care or childrens homes, through to university fees and housing costs. Daily rates paid to councils went up from 95 to 114 for under 16s and from 71 to 91 for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Costs to local authorities for every 100 unaccompanied children are estimated at 6.75million a year with the Home Office providing 3.35million  leaving a shortfall of 3.4million, a report found last year.

Most came from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Albania, Iran, Vietnam, Iraq and Syria.

A row flared last year amid mounting concern that adult refugees were lying about their ages to gain entry to Britain.

Calls for the Home Office to carry out dental checks grew after suspiciously mature-looking child migrants were among those who arrived to be reunited with relatives as part of a Home Office programme.
A convicted killer in New Jersey who punched his attorney in the face in court is accusing sheriff's officers of using excessive force to subdue him.

NJ.com reports that Randy Washington sued this month, claiming a Mercer County sheriff's officer broke his hand when his knee came down on his wrist after he punched the woman in court. He is seeking $1million.

The 36-year-old was sentenced to 70 years in prison in the 2014 killing of Silas Johnson, who had just gotten off a train. He has maintained he's innocent.

Convicted killer Randy Washington (pictured), 36, who is serving a 70 year sentence for murder, is suing for $1 million in compensation

He punched the lawyer after closing arguments and with the jury deliberating.

'I hit my attorney, but when I hit her, I did not advance toward her, I just waited for the sheriff to come handcuff me,' Washington wrote in the suit.

Washington is awaiting trial on charges he killed another man, George Jamison, 43, in 2014.

That kicked off a crime spree, according to NJ.com, where Washington is accused of being involved in several armed robberies and other crimes.

The sheriff's office says officers 'took appropriate action to make a very violent situation safe.'

Washington claims that once he was returned to jail, officers refused his request to see a doctor after complaining of a broken hand.

According to an affidavit, Washington was sent to a doctor a week later on July 6 where X-rays revealed that his hand was broken. He received surgery to repair the injury on August 7.

Johnson is now seeking a million dollar payout from the state, saying that he was refused treatment for over a month.

Washington is still awaiting trial for his other alleged offenses.
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A climber who watched as an apartment-building-sized boulder tore away from Yosemite's El Capitan on Wednesday, killing one and injuring another, survived a second rockslide there on Thursday.

The second rockslide occurred at 3.21pm on Thursday. One person was injured and their condition is not known.

Peter Zabrok was scaling the popular rock face with climbing partners Ryan Sheridan and Irishman Patrick Mcredmond when the first rockslide hit on Wednesday at 1.55pm.

They narrowly avoided being hit by the falling rocks, having just climbed past the 130ft x 65ft piece of granite which tore off.

On Thursday, they were forced to continue on their path to the summit because they were unable to retrace their route.

As they reached the 3,000ft summit, the second fall which he said was 'ten times as bigger' than Wednesday's occurred. Again, it happened directly beneath the three men.

Rockfall is common at the California National Park. There have been 16 deaths as a result of them since it opened in 1857. Wednesday's was the first in 18 years.

Thursday: Climber Peter Zabrok filmed his climbing partner (above) watching a second rockfall from the El Capitan summit on Thursday. The men said it was 'ten times bigger' than the one which they survived on Wednesday

The second rockfall was closer to the summit. It sent a river of smashed rocks tumbling down on the roads beneath El Capitan. One person was injured but their condition is not known.

Wednesday's catastrophe killed Welshman Andrew Foster and severely injured his wife who remains in hospital in a critical condition.

After the rockslide on Wednesday, Zabrok and his team set up camp next to where the first piece of granite fell from.

'We had no choice but to continue to the summit. It was impossible to retrace our route because our route was lying at the base of the wall,' he said.

As day broke, they set off on their second attempt to reach the famous summit.

At around 3.20pm, the second, larger second rock slide occurred, shaking the trail as Zabrok and his team clung on.

'I estimate it to be ten times the size of the rockfall yesterday. I literally felt the earth shake,' Zabrok told DailyMail.com on Thursday as he recovered at the summit, 30 minutes after the second rockslide.

'We are safe and this area the wall has not been disturbed. We literally felt the Earth shaking beneath our feet. How rad is that?' he said.

The pale imprint shows the size of the huge, second rockfall on Thursday which was described as being 'ten times larger' than the one on Wednesday

View from the summit: The climbers said they felt the earth 'shake' as the rock tore away on Thursday at 3.21pm

Debris trickles down El Capitan on Thursday after the second rockslide in as many days at the climbing trail

Wednesday: Another climber captured Wednesday's 100ft x 100ft rockfall on Wednesday which killed one person and injured another

Site of tragedy: The huge crater where the massive block broke lose and fell 2,000ft to the valley floor can be seen in the center of this image

Massive scale: This image taken in 2010 shows climbers (arrows) dwarfed at the site of a smaller rock fall (circled) in Yosemite

The first rockfall happened much closer to base. The man who died had not yet started climbing with his wife when he was hit

On Thursday, Zabrok (above) and his partners remained on the summit. They will begin their descent on Friday, taking a different route to the one they used on the way up

Zabrok and his team will descent tomorrow on an undisturbed section of the trail.

One of the roads which leads away from El Capitan was closed on Thursday as a result of the second fall.

Park rangers say they do not know if anyone has been injured.

Large rock fall happens a few times a year at Yosemite but there is no way to predict when or where it will occur.

Thousands of stunned tourists witnessed the tragedy on Wednesday but none were hurt.

Zabrok - seasoned rock climber with decades of experience - said the sound of the fall was like 'a thousand freight trains derailing at once but louder'.

'There were two people walking at the base and the appeared to get hit and completely buried.

'We are past it and we are safe. Had we been underneath it we would have died for sure. I give thanks to God and my Saviour Jesus Christ,' he said on Wednesday night.

Climbers die every year in Yosemite and rock fall is just one of the dangers they face. The last climber to be killed by rock fall was Mason Robinson who was hit by a rock an fell 280ft to his death.

Another onlooker across the valley captured this image of the rock fall from across the valley on Wednesday

Subsequent smaller rockfall also put rescuers in danger as they searched for survivors.

Zabrok added: 'There have been three subsequent enormous rock falls and this rescuer is in tremendous peril.'

WHAT CAUSES ROCK FALL IN YOSEMITE? Rock fall in Yosemite is impossible to predict and is caused by geological processes that fracture the granite faces of the valley over thousands of years. Erosion caused by freeze-thaw cycles, waterfalls and the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates gradually creates fractures in the rock. Rock fall occurs when these fractures completely separate a block or blocks from the face . The large piles of boulders knows as talus at the foot of every face in Yosemite are created by rock fall. Around 1,000 large rockfalls have been recorded in Yosemite over the past 150 years. Advertisement

In a statement after Wednesday's incident, Yosemite National Park said: ' A rockfall of undetermined size occurred on El Capitan at about 1:55 pm today. The release point appears to be near the "Waterfall Route," a popular climbing route on the East Buttress of El Capitan.

'This is the area where Horsetail Fall flows in winter and spring conditions.

'There is one confirmed fatality and one injured person. Park rangers are working to transport the injured person to receive medical care outside of the park.'

Later, they revealed that it was the first death in the park for 18 years.

'After the initial rockfall, Yosemite National Park Rangers and the Search and Rescue team entered the area looking for people at the base of the rockfall.

'Two people were found, resulting in one fatality and a serious injury. The victims, a couple visiting the park from Great Britain, were in the park to rock climb but were not climbing at the time of the initial rockfall. The male was found deceased and the female was flown out of the park with serious injuries.

'Rockfalls are a common occurrence in Yosemite Valley and the park records about 80 rockfalls per year; though many more rockfalls go unreported.

Survivor: A woman is lifted in to an air ambulance after being rescued from the mountain. One witness saw two climbers being buried by the avalanche of boulders

Challenging route: The rock rock fall occurred near the popular waterfall route. It follows the path of the Horse Tail Falls waterfall which plunges 3,000ft to the valley in spring

'The rockfall from El Capitan was similar in size and extent compared with other rockfalls throughout the park, though it is not typical that that there were victims. It has been 18 years since the last rockfall-related fatality in Yosemite National Park. In that incident, rock climber Peter Terbush was killed by a rockfall from Glacier Point June 13 1999.

'There have now been 16 fatalities and more than 100 injuries from rockfalls since park records began in 1857.

The park has not yet commented on Thursday's catastrophe but advised that Northside Drive was closed as a result of it.

'Northside Drive exiting Yosemite Valley is closed due to a new rockfall off of El Capitan. Use Southside Drive to exit Yosemite Valley,' its Facebook statement said.

The fall trigger three smaller slides, he said, which left emergency workers in danger.

'There have been three subsequent enormous rock falls and this rescuer is in tremendous peril,' he said, immediately after the first one.

The park announced the slide in a Facebook post shortly after it was reported.
A Texas kindergarten teacher who had sex with at least six high school students accepted a plea deal in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison Thursday and will spend 10 years in a state prison.

Mother-of-two Heather Lee Robertson, 38, will register as a sex offender for the rest of her life, according to Fox News.

She will also have to cease her teaching certification after being faced with 21 charges.

Heather Lee Robertson (pictured in her mugshot, left), 38, is facing 21 charges for having sex with four high school students after sexting with them on Snapchat (pictured right)

She accepted a plea deal in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison Thursday and will spend 10 years in a state prison

Robertson would have faced up to 240 years in prison if she was convicted of all her charges, which included six charges of sexual assault of a child and six counts of having an improper relationship with a student.

In a statement from Angelina County Assistant District Attorney Todd Dillon, he said: 'Teachers are entrusted with our most valuable and most precious asset every day.'

'When teachers betray that trust in Angelina County, they will be held accountable for that betrayal, and they will face significant punishment.'

She will also have to cease her teaching certification after being faced with 21 charges

'An investigation revealed that Robertson, a former kindergarten teacher in Hudson ISD, had sexual intercourse with at least six Hudson students between November 2016 and February of 2017,' a press release from the Angelina County District Attorney's Office stated, reports KTRE.

'Forensic interviews of the students revealed that Robertson invited the boys to her Lufkin apartment in order to have sex.'

'We acted immediately and began our investigation,' Hudson Independent School District Superintendent Mary Ann Whiteker said.

'We pursued with the correct protocol we have to follow. I accepted the resignation (Thursday) afternoon, and it has been submitted through the appropriate legal channels. Our investigation has been finalized,' she said in a statement, KTLA reports.

She was charged with six cases of sexual assault of a child and six counts of having an improper relationship with a student

Misty Dodson, a mother of one of the who's young boys said: 'Well all year long, we'd known that something was wrong because my son was - he just wasn't acting right'

Misty Dodson, a mother of one of the who's young boys said: 'Well all year long, we'd known that something was wrong because my son was - he just wasn't acting right.'

'Things were going on in class and he was just really unhappy at school, so when allegations came out we weren't really shocked. We just wished the school would have looked into it sooner,' Dodson said.

Robertson was taken into custody in late April and was initially facing 20 years in prison for the underage relationships but the sexual assault charges may have added 20 more years to her prison sentence.

The Texas also had a court hearing on May 1 for an unrelated DWI charge from March; she pleaded not guilty.

According to an arrest warrant, the investigation into the Hudson Independent School District teacher got under way on April 20 when police got a tip about Robertson's alleged involvement with several of her students.

One teenage boy told detectives that he and Robertson, formerly a kindergarten teacher in the district, started talking and exchanging sexually explicit messages on Snapchat, and sometime after spring break, she invited him over for sex.

The teen asked whether he could bring along a friend, and Roberson agreed, according to the document cited by the Lufkin Daily News.

Robertson, 38, will register as a sex offender for the rest of her life and she will also have to cease her teaching certification after being faced with 21 charges

When the two juveniles arrived at the woman's apartment, they found her lying on the couch and smoking an e-Cigarette.

After a few minutes of conversation, Robertson invited her underage guests into the bedroom, where she proceeded to strip naked before having a threesome with the high schoolers, according to the arrest document.

Two other high school students later admitted to meeting Robertson for sex on multiple occasions, bringing the total number of victims to four.

One of the boys recounted for the police how he would sneak out of his home and Robertson would pick him up and take him to her apartment to have sex.

Robertson (pictured with her eldest daughter) admitted to the allegations last month, confessing that she had sex with one of the students four times between late 2016 and April 14

When investigators confronted the 38-year-old educator, who has two daughters of her own, Robertson admitted to the allegations, confessing that she had sex with one of the students four times between April 2014 and late 2016.

Robertson said she recently became a heavy drinker and would sometimes forget the details of the sexual trysts. She also revealed that she did not force the teens to wear condoms because she can no longer get pregnant.

The 38-year-old said she instructed her underage lovers to keep quiet about their sex sessions, lest she get in trouble.

It is unknown what the other two incidents were involving the other two minors.

Hudson ISD Superintendent Mary Ann Whiteker said in a statement that Robertson resigned just after the allegations against her came to light.

She had been with the district since 2000, spending the first 13 years of her teaching career at Burley Primary in Lufkin.
The European Parliaments Brexit co-ordinator claimed last night that Britons no longer want to leave the European Union and mocked Theresa Mays Cabinet of backstabbers.

After negotiations in Brussels appeared to be finally moving forward yesterday morning, Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt stoked tensions again by delivering an inflammatory speech arguing that many Brexit voters now regret their decision.

Following months of stalemate, European Commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier had praised the Prime Ministers speech in Florence last week for creating a new dynamic at the negotiating table.

Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt stoked tensions again by delivering an inflammatory speech arguing that many Brexit voters now regret their decision

But Mr Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister, used an address at the London School of Economics to reopen hostilities by taking swipes at Mrs May and the divisions in her Cabinet.

He said: I presume she chose Florence, because Florentine politics in the 15th century made her feel at home, made her think of her own Conservative Party. You know what I mean, backstabbing, betrayal. All those noble families fighting for power.

Mr Verhofstadt claimed hundreds of thousands, even millions of British citizens still cherish their European identity and want to keep their European citizenship. He said they were being dragged out of the EU against their will.

While accepting that politicians have to respect the outcome of the referendum, he argued there is no longer a majority of people in the UK who want to leave and even claimed that the 48 per cent of people who voted was a minority you cant ignore.

The Belgian, an arch-federalist who wants to see a United States of Europe, suggested that Britain would lose its influence on the world stage after leaving the EU.

The world of tomorrow, is a world of empires, he said. And only a united Europe will play a role of significance.

Mr Verhofstadt said the Brexit decision had opened peoples eyes and predictions that other countries would follow have died away. I continue to believe that Brexit is a very negative project, he said. A waste of time and energy.

He claimed that, since Brexit, the EU has regained popularity and people now wanted to reform Europe, not destroy it.

The Prime Minister has said the UK will honour its commitments under the EU budget to 2020, thought to be around 18billion, so no other EU country will pay more or receive less as a result of Brexit.

Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK will honour its commitments under the EU budget to 2020, thought to be around 18billion, so no other EU country will pay more or receive less as a result of Brexit

But Mr Verhofstadt said Britains financial obligations could run beyond the budget period.

In Brussels, Mr Barnier signalled an end to the deadlock in Brexit talks. He hailed Mrs May for boosting the chances of reaching a deal and, significantly, opened the door to bringing forward talks on the so-called transition period requested by the Prime Minister.

Theresa Mays speech made it possible to unblock the situation to some extent, and bring a new dynamic to the situation, said Mr Barnier.

But he added that it could be weeks, maybe even months, before we are able to say there has been sufficient progress.

Brexit minister David Davis, referring to concessions made by both sides, said that decisive steps forward were taken during the negotiating round that finished yesterday. This round was a vital one, he said.

In a move aimed at driving talks ahead, he said EU rules on citizens rights would have direct effect in UK courts after Brexit.

But Mr Barnier insists that the European Court of Justice is given oversight over the entire system.

He also sought further concessions from the UK before allowing talks on a future relationship to begin, including demands to pay a controversial divorce bill that could reach 100billion euros.

Mr Barnier said: The UK explained that it is not in a position yet to identify its commitments taken during membership. For the EU, the only way to reach sufficient progress is that all commitments undertaken at 28 [member states] are honoured at 28.

Mrs May will this morning hold a one-on-one meeting with Angela Merkel at an EU summit in Estonia, in a sign the German chancellor is willing to play a more active role in negotiations.

No10 is hoping, that following her re-election last weekend, Mrs Merkel will be more open to using her influence to exert pressure for Brexit talks to be accelerated.
A huge python has frightened a family of three when it joined them unannounced at the dinner table.

Queensland snake catcher Stuart McKenzie received a distressed call to remove the reptile from the Beerwah property on the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday by a mother who was shocked to find the reptile on a child's booster seat at the dinner table.

'It wasn't until five or ten minutes from when they were going to have dinner they noticed the reptile sitting with them,' Mr McKenzie told Daily Mail Australia.

Scroll down for video

A large coastal carpet python (pictured) frightened a family of three in Queensland recently

He said the snake, identified as a coastal carpet python, may have been sitting there for a while before the family realised.

Mr McKenzie said he manage to bagged the reptile within five minutes of arriving at the property as it was so 'relaxed.'

'It tried to strike once, but for the most part, the snake was really relaxed when I removed it from the house, he said.

Snake catcher Stuart McKenzie (pictured) said coastal carpet pythons were not poisonous

The snake was released into a nearby bushland.

'This is not a venomous snake, but it has lots of small sharp teeth and if it bites, it's like having lots of small pricks on your skin,' he said.

Mr McKenzie had posted the find on his Facebook page on Thursday which has had over 37, 000 views to date.

The post has had over 500 shares since it was uploaded on the page.

'Large python at the dinner table. A family in Beerwah were at the dinner table enjoying their meal when mum discovered a massive Carpet Python curled up on the booster seat at the end of the table. The family jumped up from the table, left their meals and ran outside and called me.

'She had the doors open during the day to let the breeze in and that's how the big fella would have got inside. Pretty crazy that this big snake had gone unnoticed for so long,' was how the video was captioned.

Mr McKenzie who has been a snake catcher for the last five years said the breeding season is expected to last for another 'few weeks' and advised people to seek professional help if they had come across similar situations.

He added since the breeding season started he has been relocating an average of 25 to 30 snakes per week and received up to five to six distressed calls a day.
A British man has been charged after a teenage girl died in a crash on the states Mid North Coast on Thursday.

It was about 11am on Thursday when a Toyota Prado  carrying a family of seven  and a Mitsubishi van collided on the Pacific Highway at Herons Creek, 30km south of Port Macquarie.

Jade Finn, 16, who was a passenger in 4WD, died when the vehicle rolled several times.

Jade Finn, 16, (L) died in a horror Mid-North Coast school holiday car crash in front of seven family members including her mother Jodie Williams (R)

She was thrown from her car and died at the scene after it swerved to avoid a van police said pulled out in front of it, and rolled several times

The family (Jade pictured with mother and brother Aarom Nanai-Williams) was travelling up the Mid-North Coast on the Pacific Highway near Port Macquarie about 11am on Thursday

The 4WD driver, a 37-year-old woman, and a nine-year-old girl were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital for treatment to severe fractures. It is understood they are in a stable condition.

The remaining family members, a 20-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman and two boys, aged 15 and six, were taken to Port Macquarie Hospital as a precaution.

The driver of the van, a 20-year-old man, was taken to Port Macquarie Hospital as a precaution and mandatory testing, before being taken to Port Macquarie Police Station.

He has now been charged with not give way, and negligent driving causing death.

The man, from the UK, was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Friday.

A passenger in the van, also aged 20, didnt require medical treatment.

Jade pictured with her mother (L), and father Jason Finn (R) - it's not known if they were among the injured

Jade was also given a sendoff by the local Macquarie United Scorpions rugby league club, where her little sister played under 15s

Officers attached to Mid North Coast Crash Investigation Unit established a crime scene which was forensically examined.

The crash happened on the eve of Operation Slow Down.

Operation Slow Down, the States Labour Day weekend road safety campaign, starts after Midnight on Friday and will continue until 11.59pm on Monday 2 October 2017.

Double demerits will be in place over the entire long-weekend for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle-helmet offences.

Jade was a popular student at Toronto High School in Newcastle and her school friends were hit hard by her untimely death.

'Always my best friend. Forever my angel,' close friend Hayley May wrote on Facebook next to a happy snap of the two of them.

Another close friend, Tamara Fenton, wrote a heartbreaking farewell lamenting that she never got to say goodbye in person.

The woman driving the car (pictured) suffered head injuries and was rushed to John Hunter Hospital, where she remains

Two of those injured in the crash were flown to John Hunter Hospital by helicopter

'I cant believe its a goodbye to this beautiful girl, I love you so much and its so devastating that I couldnt say goodbye to you or hear your last word,' she wrote.

'Im sorry that this happened to you, you didnt deserve to die like this at such a young age, fly high my beautiful best friend youll always be loved and remembered by your family and all your friends.'

Another friend commented on her most recent photo saying: 'Forever 16, I love you so much Jade. You're so so gorgeous.'

'Sorry to hear this I'm literally crying my eyes out, you helped me through the good and bad Jade, I'll miss u heaps r.i.p lots of love,' Kaiden Kashme wrote.

Issac Whitten wrote: 'Rest easy and dont party to hard up there Jade, you will be missed by millions.'

Remaining family members were taken to both John Hunter and Port Macquarie Hospitals for non-life threatening injuries

Jade was also given a sendoff by the local Macquarie United Scorpions rugby league club, where her little sister played under 15s.

Another mother of a club player called Jade a 'beautiful wild child' and offered condolences to her mother Jodie Williams.

'Jade you lit up any room you walked into anything that you said was a cracker,' Mel Greig wrote.

'Jodie how my heart breaks for you, you are always the 1st to offer anyone the world with your generosity, now please lean on us when you need.'

The woman driving the car suffered head injuries and was rushed to John Hunter Hospital, where she remains.

Remaining family members were taken to both John Hunter and Port Macquarie Hospitals for non-life threatening injuries.
The Army's 440million upgrade on the much-maligned 'Snatch' Land Rover breaks down in the heat of Iraq and Afghanistan, it has been revealed.

The British-made Foxhound had been earmarked as a replacement for the Northern Ireland-era Snatch vehicles, which have been dubbed 'coffins on wheels' by soldiers.

But the new armoured patrol trucks have irked squaddies because the vehicles regularly cut out in temperatures over 122F (50C).

The Ministry of Defence ordered 400 units of Foxhound vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems, a company based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

The Ministry of Defence ordered 400 units of Foxhound (pictured) from General Dynamics Land Systems, a company based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

The Ocelot (left) is thought to be a big improvement on the Snatch (right), with its high-ground clearance and V-shaped hull designed to deflect bomb damage

Originally known as the Ocelot, top brass had high hopes that the truck could replace the 'Snatch' vehicles.

Designed to withstand damage from arsenal used by IRA insurgents, they failed to protect soldiers from IEDS in Basra and Helmand, with 37 squaddies dying inside the trucks.

An army source, speaking about the Foxhound, told The Sun: 'They're a massive waste of money. It's a speed boat engine in a truck.

'They break down all the time. They can't handle the heat. They have a massive problem and at 50 degrees the engine cooks out.

'I'm having to do the two yearly full strip-down service every five or six weeks.'

The poorly protected Snatch (pictured)  nicknamed 'mobile coffins' because of their vulnerability to blasts  were finally replaced in 2008

In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that relatives of four servicemen who died in Iraq could seek compensation for negligence and breach of human rights.

Three of the men were killed when their controversial Snatch Land Rovers were blown up by roadside bombs.

The poorly protected vehicles  nicknamed 'mobile coffins' because of their vulnerability to blasts  were finally replaced in 2008.

Private Phillip Hewett, 21, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, died when his Snatch struck an improvised explosive device in July 2005; Private Lee Ellis, 23, of Wythenshaw, Greater Manchester, was killed in February 2006; and Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath, 22, of Romford, Essex, died in August 2007.

Their families argued that the MoD was culpable because it failed to provide adequately protected vehicles and knew the Land Rovers were vulnerable to blasts.

A MoD spokesman said: 'Foxhound has dealt with the demanding conditions in Iraq, kept our soldiers safe and is delivering the required operational output in the defeat of Daesh.

'The Urgent Operational Requirement Programme has saved countless lives in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

'Decisions on which equipment to continue to support and which to sell are made with current and future operational requirements in mind.'
A Florida man is facing first-degree murder charges on Thursday after police allege that he struck his six-month-old daughter in the head twice during a power outage caused by Hurricane Irma.

Dekari Castell, 22, was said to be stressed because there was no power or air conditioning at an abandoned home in Orlando where they were seeking shelter on September 13, according to WKMG-TV.

Castell told police that he grew more frustrated when his baby daughter, Kali Dream Castell, would not stop crying.

He allegedly struck Kali twice in the head, fracturing her skull.

The girl's mother discovered her daughter unconscious and not breathing. She then called 911.

Dekari Castell (left), 22, faces first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges in the death of his six-month-old daughter, Kali Dream Castell (right)

Castell was denied bond by a judge during his appearance in an Orange County, Florida court on Wednesday

Castell told police that he grew more frustrated when his baby daughter would not stop crying during a power outage caused by Hurricane Irma that left the family with no air conditioning

He allegedly struck Kali twice in the head, fracturing her skull. The girl's mother discovered her daughter unconscious and not breathing

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the baby through CPR without success.

The toddler was rushed to Arnold Palmer Hospital and put on life support.

Hospital records indicate that the baby had suffered from bleeding in the brain as well as several skull fractures.

Doctors who examined the baby found that she had a depression on her skull, leading them to believe that she was hit.

The above photo shows the home where Castell and his family sought shelter during Hurricane Irma

Medical officials pronounced her dead the next morning.

Initially, Castell told detectives that he dropped the baby, causing her to fracture her skull.

But police grew suspicious given Castell's history of alleged abuse against both his children and his wife.

Last year, Florida welfare services investigated Castell after his four-week-old son was admitted to the hospital with a broken femur bone.

Castell told authorities at the time that his son 'squirmed out of his grasp and fell' and that he caught the baby by his leg, causing the injury.

But doctors scanned the boy and discovered that the broken femur was likely caused by a violent blow.

Prosecutors, however, declined to bring charges against Castell due to a lack of evidence.

Police, suspecting that Kali died due to physical abuse, asked the girl's mother to help extract 'a truthful statement' from Castell.

Castell told investigators that Kali 'squirmed out of his grasp' on Monday, well before the 911 call was placed to police on Wednesday.

Kali's mother told investigators that Castell slapped her in the face on September 13 because she couldn't open a window.

Kali's mother told investigators that two hours after she was hit by Castell, she returned to the house and found her daughter unconscious.

Hurricane Irma left parts of Orlando flooded and without power. Storm clouds are seen over downtown Orlando on Sunday, September 10

Castell told her at the time that the baby started choking, according to authorities.

It was only during the third interview that Castell gave to police that he admitted punching his daughter's head because he was 'highly stressed' from not having electricity and from not being able to get the baby to stop crying.

Castell told police that after he hit the baby twice, she became quiet.

At that point, he said he called the girl's mother and asked her to come right away, though he did not tell her what happened.

'Dekari called (her) two more times telling her to hurry, however, he did not call 911 or anyone else asking for help,' detectives wrote in their arrest report.

Castell was arrested this past Monday. Prosecutors filed first-degree murder and child abuse charges on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, he appeared in court and was denied bond.
What's Up, Tiger Lily? marks Woody Allen's official directorial debut, but the first film that truly bears his creative stamp came three years later in 1969. Take the Money and Run is an apt title for a movie that looks like it was made on the run. Rough around the edges, often unfocused, and shot on a shoestring budget, this madcap compendium of jokes, shtick, and satire revolving around a hapless, inept bank robber remains a hilarious and creative romp that not only laid the groundwork for many of Allen's best-known later works, but also strongly influenced such classic comic fare as This Is Spinal Tap and Airplane!.

It's hard to believe it's been 48 years since Take the Money and Run premiered, and over the past five decades, Allen has certainly evolved from a jumpy, pedantic comedian to one of the most intelligent, distinguished, and respected elder statesmen of cinema. Yet just like the gritty early works of Martin Scorsese (who burst upon the cinema scene around the same time), Allen's first forays into film farce evoke a sense of nostalgia and remind us just how funny and innovative this bespectacled nebbish from Brooklyn once was. Of course, Take the Money and Run lacks the polish and refinement of Allen's later films, but its brash, youthful exuberance and naive charm still propel the movie and captivate audiences.

The film is also noteworthy because it introduced a new cinematic form. Allen, with panache and insight, adroitly mimics and parodies those erudite historical TV documentaries of yore and coins what soon would be known as the "mockumentary." The writer-director would refine and perfect this inspired filmmaking style 15 years later in Zelig, but Take the Money and Run is an exceptionally good trial run, combining static, sober interviews with free-wheeling sight gags and slapstick situations. Though the movie's engine begins to sputter toward the end, it plows ahead at breakneck speed for most of its brisk 85 minutes, as Allen employs a kitchen sink approach, throwing all sorts of comedy at the wall. Luckily for us, most of it sticks.

The film chronicles the life and career of notorious bank robber Virgil Starkwell, the first in a long line of lovable, neurotic losers modeled after and played by Allen himself. Through a series of amusing vignettes, we witness Virgil's indoctrination into a life of crime and the utterly pathetic capers that land him in prison. An experimental vaccine that briefly transforms him into a rabbi wins him parole, but it's not long before hard times lead him back onto a crooked path. Virgil intends to mug a random woman picnicking in the park, but when she turns around, her beauty instantly bewitches him. "After 15 minutes I wanted to marry her," he says, "and after half an hour I completely gave up the idea of stealing her purse."

Not long after, he does marry Louise (Janet Margolin), but another bungled heist sends him back up the river, this time for 10 years. Yet the ever-resilient and resourceful Virgil busts out of the joint once again, and he and Louise go on the run. Virgil tries to go straight, but with the deck stacked against him, he decides to mastermind one final robbery that will put him and Louise on easy street for the rest of their lives...if he doesn't screw it up.

Some terrific gags punch up the film - from the gun made out of soap that bubbles up during a rainy prison break to the botched robbery that goes south because of an indecipherable hold-up note - but Allen knows when to give his audience a breather. The tender, awkward romance between Virgil and Louise provides occasional respites from the lunacy, while adding that wonderful wistfulness that pervades so many Allen productions to this frantic farce. Other patented Allen elements like neuroses, psychobabble, and homages to old Hollywood make their debut here, too. A therapist named Julius Epstein (one of the writers of Casablanca), a director named Fritz (who so resembles legendary film director Fritz Lang that I actually believed it was Fritz Lang), and a lengthy sequence that lampoons the 1930s social conscience movie I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang lend Take the Money and Run additional richness and prove it's far smarter than it appears to be.

And yet Allen's inexperience as a director is continually evident throughout the film. Even the script, co-written by Mickey Rose, aimlessly meanders. (It's really little more than a conglomeration of gags hung on a flimsy premise.) Reportedly, the narrative was such an incoherent mess, editor Ralph Rosenblum was called upon to swoop in and save the movie by reordering segments to bolster the comic impact of Allen's bits. A fair amount of choppiness and sloppiness still exists, but the potential for greatness is visible, too. Marvin Hamlisch's energetic music score enhances the hilarity, and Allen's assured performance, which is nicely complemented by the doe-eyed, ditzy Margolin and an array of perfectly cast supporting actors, holds everything together.

Many comedies don't hold up a half century later, but Take the Money and Run does, largely because pure, unadulterated goofiness never goes out of fashion. Allen would strive for more meaning in his movies as he matured, but his early work is all about the laughs, and this auspicious film supplies a bucket load of them.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Take the Money and Run arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard case with reversible cover art. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu with music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.
President Donald Trump congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel four days after her election success of Sunday, in which she won a fourth term for her party.

Mrs Merkel's conservative bloc finished first in Germany's election although the right-wing nationalist AfD party struck a blow.

Four days after Mrs Merkel's election win, the White House said Trump wished Merkel well on forming a new government, stressing the importance of the alliance between the two nations during the phonecall.

President Donald Trump has congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on winning a fourth term following a close election result

In a readout of the conversation between the two, which took place on Thursday, Trump iterated his: 'Commitment to our longstanding, strong alliance with the German government and the German people.'

The White House says Trump and Merkel also discussed Iran's activities in the Middle East, its missile program and the nuclear deal that Trump has criticized as one of the worst the US has ever negotiated.

Trump is facing an October 15 deadline to certify that Iran is in compliance with the agreement. He recently said he had reached a decision, but declined to say what it was.

In a readout of the conversation between the two, Trump iterated his: 'Commitment to our longstanding, strong alliance with the German government and the German people.'

The president had mulled over whether he would remove the US from the deal which was negotiated during the Obama administration.

However, European counterparts have expressed support for the deal, including Merkel's own party.

Trump and Merkel also discussed the goal of ridding the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons.

Merkel sent Trump a congratulations on November 9 of last year, a day after he won the presidency.


A NSW Central Coast woman who was allegedly strangled and beaten by her former partner has died in hospital.

Blair Dalton, 35, suffered critical injuries during the alleged domestic incident at Ettalong Beach on Tuesday night and was treated at Gosford Hospital, but passed away Thursday evening.

Lance Michael Pearce, 34, was charged with attempt to strangle or suffocate, with police saying on Friday that this is expected to be upgraded to murder.

NSW Central Coast woman Blair Dalton (pictured) has died in hospital after allegedly being strangled by her former partner on Tuesday night

Lance Michael Pearce, 34, (right) was charged with attempt to strangle or suffocate over the incident, with police saying on Friday that this is expected to be upgraded to murder

Ms Dalton's family posted early Friday morning that her organs had been donated to help others, following her tragic death.

'Our beautiful Blair who is always helping others will today continue on this path when the transplanting of her organs begin RIP our best friend love dad and Gail,' they wrote.

Family and friends shocked at her passing also left emotional tributes to the young woman on social media, calling her 'one of a kind'.

'Rest easy hun... U didn't deserve to go this way, will remember our good old party days... Ur a awesome chic... So sad for u and all ur loved ones... (sic),' one person wrote.

While a friend added: 'RIP Blair I am so blessed to have been able to work with you. You truly were one of a kind, down to earth and the life of the party.'

'Spread your wings and surround them around your loved ones sweetie. Rest easy.'

Ms Dalton's family posted early Friday morning the news Blair (pictured) had died and that her organs had been donated to help others

Pearce (pictured) appeared in Gosford Local Court on Wednesday and was heard yelling out 'no, no' and 'is she all right, she has to be all right' from the dock

The alleged attack happened at Ms Dalton's home, with police arriving at the Ettalong Beach property, on the Central Coast around 7.10pm.

After locating Ms Dalton, officers commenced CPR, with NSW Ambulance paramedics taking her to hospital in critical condition.

Pearce was taken to Gosford Police Station following the incident, where he has was charged with attempt to strangle/suffocate with intent to murder.

According to The Daily Telegraph during a court appearance Wednesday, he was heard saying 'no, no' and 'is she all right, she has to be all right,' from the dock.

He was refused bail and is set to return to court on November 24, when charges against him are expected to be upgraded, according to Police.

Officers called to the scene commenced CPR on Ms Dalton (pictured), with NSW Ambulance paramedics then taking her to hospital in critical condition

The alleged attack happened at Ms Dalton's home (pictured) at Ettalong Beach on New South Wales Central Coast

Police were called to the scene around 7.10pm and were pictured investigating Wednesday morning

Friends described Ms Dalton as a 'good Aussie girl,' according to 7 News.

'We're just waiting on doctors reports but the end result won't be good either way will it?'

While others sent their love and best wishes to the family, many expressing how Ms Dalton was 'very giving to the end and beyond'.

'I can't begin to imagine what you all must be going through right now. She was so loved,' one person wrote.

While another added: 'Take your angel wings and let your loved ones feel a gentle breeze as you fly close to them during this difficult time.'

The national domestic violence helpline is 1800 737 732. In an emergency call triple-zero.

Ms Dalton was taken to Gosford Hospital following the alleged attack, but died Thursday night, with family and friends taking to social media to express their sadness
An Alabama senate hopeful once blamed Sandy Hook massacre on 'people forgetting the law of God' and suggested that 9/11 was God's punishment for things like 'legitimized sodomy.'

Roy Moore, who just defeated a President Trump-backed incumbent in the Alabama primary runoff, claimed that dozens of children were murdered in the 2012 mass shooting as punishment for forgetting God.

'You wonder why we're having problems in Newtown, Connecticut? All across our country with killing, stealing, committing adultery,' Moore told the First Baptist Church of Guin in an undated clip, obtained by CNN's Andrew Kaczynski.

'Because we've forgotten the law of God.'

Roy Moore, (pictured on September 25) who just defeated a President Trump-backed incumbent in the Alabama primary runoff, claimed that dozens of children were murdered in the 2013 mass shooting as punishment for forgetting God

Twenty children and six adults were murdered in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook School in 2012 (pictured a woman lays flowers outside the school after the massacre)

Now video has emerged of the senate hopeful blaming the massacre (pictured is a shrine to the victims) on 'people forgetting the law of God'

The outrageous comments, which appear to victim blame innocent children, has sparked fury.

'Here Roy Moore says that the Newtown community is to blame for the Sandy Hook School massacre bc they weren't following 'God's law.' Sick,' Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, posted on Twitter.

It's not the first time Moore has claimed that shooting victims had 'asked for it.'

'You wonder why we're having shootings, and killings here in 2017? Because we've asked for it,' he said in August.

'We've taken God out of everything. We've taken prayer out of school, we've taken prayer out of council meetings.'

Full context for that exchange from speech to First Baptist Church of Guin. pic.twitter.com/R74W1DX5Hg  andrew kaczynski  (@KFILE) September 28, 2017

'You wonder why we're having problems in Newtown, Connecticut? All across our country with killing, stealing, committing adultery,' Moore told the First Baptist Church of Guin in an undated clip (pictured)

Moore, a hardline conservative Christian and former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, also called for 'homosexual conduct' to be illegal during a 2005 interview.

During an interview on C-SPAN2's After Words, after his expulsion from the court for refusing to take down a monument to the Ten Commandments, Moore was asked how he felt about the Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas that struck down a law banning sodomy.

He replied that the Supreme Court had 'usurped the moral prerogative.'

'Homosexual conduct should be illegal,' he added, according to CNN.

Moore even once suggested that 9/11 was God's punishment for things like 'legitimized sodomy.'

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked about whether Trump, who has switched his support to Moore from Strange, supported his outlandish claims about homosexuality and victim blaming.

'I would certainly say we don't agree with those comments,' she said.

Trump said last Friday during an Alabama rally for Moore's primary opponent, Sen. Luther Strange, that he 'might have made a mistake' with the horse he picked in the race.

Trump (right) had backed Moore's (left, at his election party on Tuesday) rival in the race for the US Senate

After the upset on Tuesday, Trump said he would support the Senate hopeful, while Moore said on 'Fox & Friends' that 'I certainly support President Trump's agenda'

He warned his audience that Moore would have a hard time beating a Democratic opponent in the upcoming special election, while Strange would have coasted to victory easily.

'Roy has a very good chance of not winning in the general election,' Trump cautioned.

'Roy is going to have a hard time, but I will be backing him if he wins.'

'I'm going to be here campaigning like hell for him,' he added.

Moore clinched a nine-point victory over Sen. Luther Strange Tuesday to take the GOP nomination for the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Moore will face Democrat Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election.

It was a political resurrection for the 70-year-old former Alabama chief justice who was twice removed from those duties after taking stands for public display of the Ten Commandments and against gay marriage.

Moore, in his victory speech, returned to themes of God and government, saying that he had 'never prayed to win this campaign' but only that's 'God's will be done.'

Steve Bannon-backed jurist Roy Moore (left) defeated Republican incumbent Luther Strange (right), backed by both President Donald Trump and deep-pocketed allies of Sen. Mitch McConnell in the Alabama primary runoff for U.S. Senate

Steve Bannon had backed Moore to win, putting him in direct opposition to Trump who backed Strange

'We have to return the knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress,' Moore told a cheering crowd in his victory party in Montgomery.

Moore predicted the race could be a bellwether for the 2018 midterms, saying the victory tells the establishment in 'Washington, D.C., that their wall has been cracked and will now fall.'

The race has pitted Trump against his former strategist Steve Bannon who had argued Moore was a better fit for the 'populist' movement.

After Strange's defeat, Trump appears to be backtracking and seems to have deleted a number of tweets showing his support.

Conservative darling and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin also stumped for Moore, while current Vice President Mike Pence campaigned with Strange. The race has attracted millions of dollars in outside campaign funds.

Introducing Moore, Bannon told a frenzied crowd that the victory was a repudiation of the 'fat cats' of Washington who pumped millions into the Alabama race to boost Strange.

Trump had backed Luther Strange over Moore; Strange would have been a reliable 'yes' vote on the latest Republican bill to replace Obamacare with a state-based block grant program

Bannon declared Moore's win a victory for Trump, despite the president's support for Strange. Moore said he supports the president and his agenda.

After the race, Trump tweeted his congratulations to Moore, noting that 'Luther Strange started way back & ran a good race.' Trump and Moore spoke by telephone later Tuesday night.

Even though Alabama has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in two decades, Democrats are hopeful they have an opening in the December election against Moore.

Their candidate, Doug Jones is a former U.S. attorney best known for prosecuting the Klansmen who killed four girls in a 1963 church bombing. He said Tuesday that he wanted to focus the race on the 'kitchen table issues' that matter to all Alabamians, 'health care, education for our kids, jobs and a living wage.'

The Democrats have attacked Moore on his anti-gay, extremist views.

'Judge Roy Moore is unfit for office and his primary victory means huge problems for Republicans across the country,' said American Bridge spokesman Joshua Karp. 'Every Republican should have to answer for Moore's extreme views and disgusting statements.'
A cashier has been jailed for more than eight years after admitting to embezzling over $13million from her employer over 16 years.

Cynthia Mills, 56, executed the largest embezzlement crime in Western Pennsylvania history pocketing the cash from Matthews International, a privately held investment company.

She used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle buying three homes, eight cars, a yacht, fur coats, taxidermy designer purses and jewelry along with power tools and furniture.

U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer called it 'a sophisticated scheme of deception,' reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

'It's the largest scheme of embezzlement seen in this court,' said the judge in a courtroom in Pittsburgh. 'It was thoughtful, deliberate conduct,' she said.

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Cynthia Mills, pictured walking to a courtroom in Pittsburgh Thursday, will face more than eight years in prison after admitting to embezzling over $13 million from Matthews International over the course of 16 years

One of the property's she purchased was 501 Barbary Coast Court, DuBois in Pennsylvania

The property here is 860 Falck Road in Pennsylvania is another item Mills bought

This house was on Wisconsin Avenue in Pittsburgh makes the third house she purchased

Pictured is her 2004 Tiara 320 boat, one of the three she purchased with her money

She acquired a 2013 MD Meridian 441SB yacht (pictured here) with the embezzlement money

She also acquired a 2005 Lund Classic boat, pictured here, making it her third boat purchase

Mills, who worked at Matthews since 1981, pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $13million with her attorney, Phil DiLucente, revealing she plans on 'paying back every single dollar', according to WPXI News.

She pleaded guilty in March to mail fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion and money laundering and agreed to spend seven and a half years in prison.

However, that sentence was extended by an additional 10 months after they found out she had more assets hidden away.

She also purchased a bear skin with a head, in addition to deer antlers and fur rugs

She bought a Cat Lynx coat (L) a Blonde Sheared Mink Stroller (C) and a Cat Lynx Stroller (R)

In court she said: 'I stand here today, before you, a broken woman...I've deceived myself and my family who raised me to be honorable and follow the law.'

She is blaming her embezzlement on a gambling addiction, in spite of prosecutors arguing the intent was pure greed.

DiLucente said: 'The majority of the money that she had taken was spent on gambling, that is where the real addiction is.'

She also argued a reason for the embezzlement was because she didn't feel valued at work and believes she was overlooked for raises and promotions.

A 2000 Harley Davidson pictured here was another item the cashier bought with her money

Pictured a 2013 K T M motorcycle that she bought with the embezzlement money

Also a 2001 Harley Davidson was another bike Mills bought with her $13 million

Pictured here is a silver 2013 Ford Focus hatchback which is one of her many cars purchased

A 2014 white Mercedes Benz E25 Sedan was one of her luxury cars that she bought too

She also had a 2014 silver Mercedes Benz GL450 in addition to all her other luxury cars

Pictured here a 2014 Mercedes M35 SW that she acquired with her stolen money

She also had an old school blue 2001 Chevy Corvette, which is pictured here, in addition to all her other cars

The judge did state she needed mental health counselling and help for her gambling addiction.

One of the properties she purchased was 501 Barbary Coast Court, DuBois in Pennsylvania.

She also acquired a 2013 MD Meridian 441SB yacht. One of the luxury cars she purchased was a white 2014 Mercedes M35 SW, also a silver 2013 Ford Focus hatchback.

She bought several expensive coats such as a red fox coat, a Chinchilla jacket and a blonde sheared Mink stroller. Her expensive taste included handbags from Louis Vuitton.

A 2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 ATV was another item the 56-year-old acquired

A 2012 Polaris Ranger 900 ATV was an item she bought with the $13 million stolen money

A John Deere riding tractor was another car/tractor purchase the 56-year-old invested in

She bought a Platinum, Gold and Diamond necklace (L) and a Louis Vuitton bag (R)

Mills also purchased a lot of luxury jewelry including a diamond necklace and a Bulgari gold necklace among a lot of other items.

She purchased a mountain stuffed bear, a bear skin with a head, an animal skull and deer antlers.

Gary Mills, her now-estranged husband, has been charged with filing false joint income tax returns for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

He is under indictment on tax charges in connection with the scheme, however his attorney argues he didn't know his wife was stealing from Matthews as she was channeling some of the money through her father's bank account to hide the thefts.

She and her attorney (pictured here) also argued the embezzlement was because she didn't feel valued at work and believes she was overlooked for raises and promotions

Mills, who worked at Matthews since 1981, pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $13 million with her attorney, Phil DiLucente (L), revealing she plans on 'paying back every single dollar'

Mills managed to execute the largest embezzlement crime in Western Pennsylvania history

Matthews Internation Coporation (pictured here) was where Mills embezzled the money from for 16 years, 1999 to 2015

Full list of items seen below
School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro (pictured) rejected books donated by First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday

A librarian at a Massachusetts elementary school has declined nearly a dozen books donated by Melania Trump, calling them 'tired' and 'cliche.'

The White House earlier this month announced that one school from each state would receive a shipment of Dr. Seuss books as part of National Read a Book Day.

Along with the donation came a letter from the First Lady, which emphasized to students that receiving 'an education is perhaps the most important and wondrous opportunity of your young lives'.

'Remember,' the letter says, 'the key to achieving you dreams begins with learning to read. Find what you enjoy, anything that interests you, and read about it.'

'Never stop learning and challenging yourself, and never give up on your dreams,' the letter concludes.

But Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro, whose school represents Massachusetts in the initiative, said on Thursday that her award winning library wasn't in need of the literature.

The First Lady's gesture was part of White House initiative dubbed 'National Read a Book Day' (Pictured: May 25, 2017)

The Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian claimed in an open letter that the school did not need the books

'My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science,' Phipps Soeiro wrote in an open letter on the Horn Book blog website.

'Multiple studies show that schools with professionally staffed libraries improve student performance,' she added.

Phipps Soeiro also criticized the First Lady's choice in books, which included 'The Cat in the Hat,' 'One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,' 'The Foot Book,' 'Green Eggs and Ham' and 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!,' CBS Boston reported.

'You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for children's literature. As First Lady of the United States, you have an incredible platform with world-class resources at your fingertips,' she wrote.

The elementary school employee also took a jab at the Trump administration's education policy, specifically striking out against Betsy DaVos.

'Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos?' she wrote.

Phipps Soeiro continues by claiming that 'cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit are suffering through expansion privatization, and school "choice" with no interest in outcomes of children, their families, their teachers and their schools.'

She then asks: 'Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control?'

She called Dr. Seuss cliche, tired and a worn ambassador for children's literature and said children in less fortunate schools were more deserving

The White House later responded to Soeiro's remarks in a statement to NBC Boston.

'Mrs Trump intends to use her platform as First Lady to help as many children as she can,' said Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's communications director.

'She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to schools across the country is but one example.

'Turning the gesture of sending young school children books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere.'

The school district later said that Phipps Soeiro 'was not authorized to accept or reject donated books on behalf of the school or school district,' adding that her opinions do not reflect that of the school system.

'We have counseled the employee on all relevant policies, including the policy against public resources being used for political purposes,' the district wrote in a statement.
A man in his 80s has died after being stabbed by another man, believed to be his son.

Officers were called to Memorial Avenue in Liverpool about 10.30am on Friday after reports of an attack.

The man, 83 died at the scene from his injuries, believed to have been inflicted by a knife and a hammer, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The alleged attacker contacted emergency services himself from a nearby payphone before returning to the scene.

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A man in his 80s has been found dead in a Liverpool home and a man believed to be his son (pictured) has been arrested after an alleged domestic violence incident

The man was escorted to a waiting police car in handcuffs by three officers

Police have set up a crime scene and are investigating the attack, while the man arrested has been taken to Liverpool Police Station for questioning.

He was seen being escorted to a police car, dressed in a flannelette shirt with a rip on the sleeve.

Just one day ago, a woman was beaten so badly in her rented granny flat at Campsie that she was left unrecognisable.

It is believed a man she was in a relationship with beat her with a hammer and a knife.

The man who was arrested was seen barefoot, in trackpants with large rips in his flannelette shirt

Paramedics and police were seen setting up to attend to the victim as a man believed to be his son was arrested

Qingming Song, 54, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with attempted murder.

Just three days ago, another man allegedly strangled his former partner at Ettalong Beach.

He has also been charged with attempted murder, and the woman, 35, died at Gosford Hospital on Thursday evening.

Police report the man's charges are expected to be upgraded to murder.

Officers set up a crime scene at the premises and were seen digging through bushes near the home
North Korea could launch a missile attack on Australia at any moment and the country must prepare for nuclear war, a former high-ranking US official has warned.

Dr Brad Roberts served as US deputy assistant secretary of defence for nuclear and missile defence policy between 2009 and 2013.

'Australia doesn't really get to choose whether or not North Korea threatens it - it's the choice that the North Korean leader makes,' he told the ABC.

North Korea could launch a missile attack on Australia at any moment and the country must prepare for nuclear war, an expert has warned

Dr Brad Roberts warned a missile fired from Pyongyang could devastate an Australian city and said Kim Jong-un may order the attack

Dr Roberts said Jong-un considers all US allies the enemy of North Korea, making Australia a potential target

Dr Roberts said Kim Jong-un considers all US allies the enemy of North Korea, making Australia a potential target.

'His objective is to make us fearful so that our leaders will not stand up to his threats and coercion,' he said.

Dr Roberts believes Australia must ensure its warships are fully equipped with the latest technologies to protect itself from potential devastation.

'A sea-based capability on the advanced destroyer that would include a sea-based radar and some interceptors: That could operate in coalition partnership with other allies,' he said.

This picture was released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency in July this year

Dr Brad Roberts served as US deputy assistant secretary of defence for nuclear and missile defence policy between 2009 and 2013

This undated picture was released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency

Recent tests show missiles fired by the rouge regime are now capable of hitting northern Australia, and some of the country's largest cities could even be in range.

Joseph Siracusa, Professor in Human Security and International Diplomacy at RMIT University, says we are edging closer to war.

'I think we're very close to something that's going to have a very unhappy ending,' he told A Current Affair.

Retired Major General Jim Molan said nations are planning and preparing for nuclear war, and emphasised the difficulty of defending Australia from attack.

This image shows a blast radius projection if North Korea's most powerful nuclear weapon hit Sydney

Joseph Siracusa (pictured), Professor in Human Security and International Diplomacy at RMIT University, says we are edging closer to war

'Can we protect ourselves by a ballistic missile defence system? Well, it's very very difficult and fabulously expensive,' he said.

On the other hand, North Korean belligerence has been a problem for the past 70 years, and tensions with the rogue state are nothing new, he said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who is visiting Washington for high-level talks, said Kim Jong-un was to blame for the crisis.

Donald Trump has been accused of raising tensions by taunting the young North Korean leader by calling him 'Little Rocket Man' but Ms Bishop said the problem predated the Trump presidency.

She said she is confident that war is not inevitable, and tough new sanctions would eventually bring Kim to the negotiating table, The Financial Review reported.

Retired Major General Jim Molan (pictured) said nations are planning and preparing for nuclear war, and emphasised the difficulty of defending Australia from attack

Donald Trump has been accused of raising tensions by taunting the young North Korean leader by calling him 'Little Rocket Man'

Donald Trump has been accused of raising tensions by taunting the young North Korean leader by calling him 'Little Rocket Man' (pictured) but Ms Bishop the problem predated the Trump presidency

'While the President's rhetoric is, as Secretary Tillerson said, in a language North Korea understands, the collective strategy is to increase the political, diplomatic and particularly economic pressure,' she said.

'I believe North Korea can be deterred. I don't think there is anything inevitable about this current circumstance.'

Nuclear strikes on Australian cities could cause the instant death of hundreds of thousands of people, according to calculations based on North Korea's latest weapons.

Almost 150,000 people would die if Sydney was hit, and landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge would be destroyed.

Radiation poisoning could then kill hundreds of thousands more.

A projection of the blast radius if a North Korean nuclear missile hit the Canberra city centre

A projection of the blast radius if a North Korean nuclear missile hit north of the Darwin city centre

A projection of the blast radius if a North Korean nuclear missile hit the Melbourne city centre

A projection of the blast radius if a North Korean nuclear missile hit the city centre of Perth

A projection of the blast radius if a North Korean nuclear missile hit the Brisbane city centre

A projection of the blast radius if a North Korean nuclear missile hit the Adelaide city centre
A grandmother in West Virginia allegedly smuggled illicit drugs and weapons to her incarcerated grandson in drinking straws.

Carolyn Lou Gay, 64, was arrested on Wednesday morning after police say she passed 22 heat-sealed drinking straws full of suboxone, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, tobacco, and hypodermic needles to her grandson, Shawn Weister.

Weister is being held at Eastern Regional Jail near Martinsburg, West Virginia, according to Herald-Mail Media.

Carolyn Lou Gay (left), 64, was arrested on Wednesday morning after police say she managed to pass 22 heat-sealed drinking straws full of suboxone, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, tobacco, and hypodermic needles to her grandson, Shawn Weister (right)

After his grandmother passed him the contraband, a correctional officer at Eastern Regional Jail near Martinsburg, West Virginia (above) told Weister that he would be searched. Authorities allege that at this point Weister tried to flee

After his grandmother passed him the contraband, a correctional officer told Weister that he would be searched.

Authorities allege that at this point Weister tried to flee.

As Weister was taken into custody, he yelled to his grandmother: Run, Granny, they got me.

Guy was arrested Wednesday morning at a mobile home in Kearneysville, West Virginia.

She was held on $250,000 bail.
A teenage girl claims that an NYPD detective raped her and another forced her to perform oral sex after she was caught smoking pot in Coney Island.

The young woman says sought help from NYU Langone Hospital, in New York, after the incident around two weeks ago. She also spoke to a friend about the alleged sexual assault and reported it to the cops.

The two detectives, from the NYPD's Brooklyn South narcotics squad, did not deny the sexual acts but claimed they were consensual, sources told the New York Post.

A teenage girl claims that an NYPD detective raped her and another forced her to perform oral sex after she was caught smoking pot in Coney Island (file image)

Brooklyn District Attorney's Office is now investigating the teen's claims, alongside the Internal Affairs Bureau which has already called several police officers in for questioning, law enforcement sources said.

The head of the local detectives union declined to comment, citing the 'active investigation going on.'

The names of the two detectives have not been released to the public.

However, a source said that a detective from the same unit was disciplined on September 14 - around the same time as the alleged sexual assault was said to have taken place - for having an unauthorized person in a department vehicle at Bay 44th St. and Calvert Vaux Park, Coney Island.

It wasn't clear if the detective was involved in the alleged rape.

Meanwhile, another Brooklyn-based cop was in court earlier this month for allegedly assaulting and intimidating a Coney Island man over a spilled drink.

The alleged rape and sexual assault is said to have taken place in Coney Island (file picture)

NYPD Officer O'Keefe Thompson was indicted on one count of intimidating a witness, two counts of third-degree assault and two counts of official misconduct on Monday 18 September.

He is accused of assaulting Raymond Crespo on July 8, after Crespo refused to pick up a cup of alcohol he dropped on the floor.

Crespo sought help for a bruised eye and concussion at the local hospital and reported the assault to housing officers.

The following day, when Thompson was off-duty and in plainclothes, he allegedly 'sought the victim and asked him 'Why you s**t on my name?'' Assistant District Attorney Peter Choi said, according to New York Daily News.

Thompson had been placed on modified duty during the investigation and could face up to four years in jail if convicted.
One of the world's most popular supermarket chain stores has become the latest victim of cyber hackers.

Whole Foods said Thursday that online criminals had breached their security systems in an attack that compromised 'certain venues such as taprooms and full table-service restaurants located within some stores.'

According to a Whole Foods statement, hackers targeted the company's 'point of sale systems,' the devices customers use to swipe their credit cards, in an attempt to steal personal information.

Whole Foods said Thursday that its security systems were breached by hackers but did not specify when the attack occurred

Whole Foods becomes the latest large company to have its systems hacked after a string of attacks against other businesses like Equifax

'Whole Foods Market recently received information regarding unauthorized access of payment card information used at certain venues such as taprooms and full table-service restaurants located within some stores,' the statement said.

They added that those who shopped for groceries were likely not affected.

'When Whole Foods Market learned of this, the company launched an investigation, obtained the help of a leading cyber security forensics firm, contacted law enforcement, and is taking appropriate measures to address the issue.'

Whole Foods did not specify when it's systems were initially breached or the duration.

Whole Foods, which was recently acquired by online retail giant Amazon, is just the latest big name company to have its systems breached by online thieves.

Fast-food giants Wendys, Chiptole and Sonic have also been hit over the past year or so by hackers (Pictured: Wendy's fast food restaurant May 2016)

Amazon, which owns Whole Foods, said none of its systems were compromised in the attack

Earlier this month, credit-reporting company Equifax disclosed that 'criminals' had stolen vital data about 143 million Americans, including social security numbers and credit card information.

Fast-food chains Chipotle, Wendy's and Sonic were also hit with in the last year or so, showing the scale and sophistication of computer criminals in the digital age.

'The company's investigation is ongoing and it will provide additional updates as it learns more,' Whole Foods said in its statement.

'While most Whole Foods Market stores do not have these taprooms and restaurants, Whole Foods Market encourages its customers to closely monitor their payment card statements and report any unauthorized charges to the issuing bank.'

The statement explained that 'Amazon.com systems do not connect to these systems at Whole Foods Market,' adding 'Transactions on Amazon.com have not been impacted.'
Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web
A Sydney man has been jailed for at least 17 years after he murdered his neighbour with a smashed beer bottle in front of the victim's parents.

Sateki Siale was in August found guilty of murdering Kelly Ventigadoo, 45, as the older man farewelled his parents outside his Lakemba flat in the early hours of October 11, 2015.

Mr Ventigadoo died almost instantly from severe blood loss after a drunk Siale slashed his face and neck, severing his jugular vein and carotid artery.

A Sydney man (pictured in handcuffs) has been jailed for at least 17 years after he murdered his neighbour with a smashed beer bottle in front of the victim's parents

Sateki Siale was in August found guilty of murdering Kelly Ventigadoo (pictured), 45, as the older man farewelled his parents outside his Lakemba flat in the early hours of October 11, 2015

New South Wales Supreme Court Justice Peter Garling on Friday sentenced the 26-year-old to a maximum of 24 years in prison with a non-parole period of 17 years.

Mr Ventigadoo's mother, Cynthia, who put her hands on Siale's chest to try to stop the attack, thanked prosecutors, the police and the judge outside court but said the sentence wouldn't bring her son back.

'Our son is not coming back and that's why my husband couldn't be here today,' she told reporters.

'He had a heart attack two weeks ago from the stress, so I didn't want him to come.'

Siale had denied murder but admitted smashing a beer bottle on a brick fence then using it to fatally strike Mr Ventigadoo twice in the neck during an attack that lasted less than 15 seconds.

New South Wales Supreme Court Justice Peter Garling on Friday sentenced the 26-year-old (pictured) to a maximum of 24 years in prison with a non-parole period of 17 years

Siale (pictured) had denied murder but admitted smashing a beer bottle on a brick fence then using it to fatally strike Mr Ventigadoo twice in the neck during an attack that lasted less than 15 seconds

Siale had been drinking for several hours before the attack and when he approached the trio he asked: 'Why the f*** you talking loud for? This is my street. I live here.'

The court heard Mr Ventigadoo fell against his mother's car and slid to the ground after the first strike, and asked Siale 'why did you do that?'

Siale struck again when Mr Ventigadoo returned to his feet, and the victim didn't get back up, Justice Garling said on Friday.

He found Siale intended to cause grievous bodily harm, but could not conclude the man intended to kill.

Cynthia Ventigadoo (left), the mother of murdered man Kelly Ventigadoo, embraces a family friend outside the Supreme Court in Sydney

Jarvis Ventigadoo, the brother of murdered man Kelly Ventigadoo, gestures before speaking to the media outside the NSW Supreme Court

At his September sentence hearing, Siale apologised to his victim's family and friends in court, saying he did not 'expect forgiveness.'

'I know he's left a big dent in your hearts,' Siale said.

'I just want to say I'm sorry... I don't know what else I can do.'
A 60-year-old woman had to use an umbrella to fend off an armed robber who attacked her after exiting a supermarket on Thursday.

Western Australia police said the unidentified woman was attacked at Chapman Road, St James in Perth during midday.

Detectives said she noticed a man standing by the pay phone as she walked to her parked silver Holden Calais in a nearby street.

Scroll down for video

A 60-year-old woman was attacked and robbed of her Holden Calais on Thursday afternoon



Police said as she reached her car, the man approached her with a knife and demanded for her keys.

A struggle ensued between the two with the woman striking the man with an umbrella several times.

As a result of altercation, the woman sustained cuts to one of her hands.

The man eventually got into the driver's seat.

Despite the woman's best attempts to get the man out of her car, he drove away at high speed, causing her to fall.

She sustained further injuries such as bruises and grazes to her hands and knees.

Police said the man in questioned has been described as dark skinned, approximately 175cm tall, medium build, brown eyes, mid to late 20s with a moustache.
Police in Upstate New York say a woman who flagged down an officer after an incident with her boyfriend is responsible for her death, it was reported on Thursday.

Nicole Addimando, 29, faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of Christopher Grover, police in Poughkeepsie said on Thursday.

Authorities say Grover, 30, was found dead in the couples home with gunshot wounds, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Addimando stopped a patrol officer early Thursday morning at approximately 2:15am.

Nicole Addimando, 29, faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of Christopher Grover,30, police in Poughkeepsie said on Thursday. The above image is a file photo of a police car

When police went to check on Grover, they found his body in the couples residence.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the shooting.

Addimando was arraigned in the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court and remanded to Dutchess County Jail without bail.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for Monday morning.

An autopsy is set to be performed on Grover early Friday morning.
A Newcastle teenager has become the latest victim of Australia's deadly flu outbreak after being struck down with the illness four weeks ago.

Nathan Brown, 19, died Friday morning following a battle against influenza A, which saw him admitted to hospital in August and put into a medically induced coma.

He had been suffering complications including kidney failure, acute pneumonia, a staph infection and collapsed lungs, according to the Newcastle Herald.

New South Wales teen Nathan Brown (pictured) has become the latest victim of Australia's deadly flu outbreak after he died Friday morning

Devastated friends and family of the avid fisherman took to social media following his death to express their sorrow.

'We had some good memories back when we were young fellas, heart wrenching to hear you've passed away, rest in peace mate,' one person wrote.

While another friend added: 'Life is so cruel. I'll treasure all the memories we've shared over the years Nath. Sending my condolences to the family in this hard time.'

Nathan's uncle Peter Brown said the family had been praying for a positive outcome and had been keeping a bedside vigil since he got sick.

'It just goes to show that this flu can attack anybody,' Mr Brown said earlier this week.

'It really can hit you no matter what age you are. If a very fit and healthy 19 year old can be struck down as badly as him It has come as a big shock to everybody.'

The 19-year-old (pictured) spent weeks in intensive care and in an induced-coma after suffering complications from the influenza A strain

Devastated friends and family of the avid fisherman took to social media following his death, with one person writing: 'Life is so cruel. I'll treasure all the memories we've shared over the years Nath'

A Go Fund Me page was set up to support the 'extremely sick man' following his hospitalisation, raising more than $11,000 in just eight days.

Mr Brown, who created the page, wrote that the sickness was an 'insipid illness' and that 'no kid deserves what he is going through'.

Experts from the Influenza Specialist Group estimate that influenza's various strains can cause more than 18,000 hospitalisations each year, with up to 20 per cent of the population becoming afflicted.

This year the flu season is believed to have peaked mid-August, affecting double the number of people than it did last year, with more than 180,000 people falling ill.

NSW recorded the highest number of flu cases with 288 flu related deaths, including three children, while in Victoria there were 95 flu related deaths.

Australia has seen its worst flu season in years, with hundreds dying from the illness including Canberra mother-of-two Jennifer Thew (pictured)

Ben Ihlow (pictured) died on September 3 after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha, and 10-month-old son, Andrew

The 19-year-old death comes just days after a Canberra mother-of-two died as a result of influenza.

Jennifer Thew died from acute respiratory distress syndrome after she and her seven-year-old daughter caught the flu.

While a 30-year-old Victorian man also died from the illness on what was meant to be his first Father's Day as a parent.

Ben Ihlow passed away on September 3 after a week-long battle with influenza, leaving behind his wife, Samantha, and 10-month-old son, Andrew.

And 33-year-old Sarah Hawthorn is fighting for her life in The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, after delivering her son six weeks early to give herself a chance of survival.

The new mother is in a critical condition after catching the flu in the late stages of pregnancy and is yet to hold her baby boy.
A 'deeply disturbed' white supremacist who had an 'obsession with guns, sex and death' has been jailed for at least four-and-a-half years in NSW.

Michael James Holt, 27, previously pleaded guilty to a string of firearm and child pornography offences after being caught hoarding a number of homemade guns at Sydney and the NSW Central Coast.

He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with a non-parole period of four-and-a-half years by District Court Judge Jeffrey McLennan on Friday.

Last month, the judge compared Holt to Martin Bryant, and said he could be the next Port Arthur mass murderer.

Michael Holt, 27, (pictured) was described as the next Port Arthur mass murderer when he faced trial last month

The white supremacist pleaded guilty to a string of firearm and child pornography offences, and was sentenced to at least four and a half years behind bars

He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with a non-parole period of four-and-a-half years by District Court Judge Jeffrey McLennan on Friday

Last month, the judge compared Holt to Martin Bryant, and said he could be the next Port Arthur mass murderer

Holt, 27, pleaded guilty to a string of firearm and child pornography offences last month after being caught hoarding a number of homemade guns

Judge McLennan expressed serious concerns at the time about Holt's chances of rehabilitation given he'd sent text messages talking about how he needed to kill people

Holt, 27, pleaded guilty to a string of firearm and child pornography offences last month after being caught hoarding a number of homemade guns.

Judge McLennan expressed serious concerns at the time about Holt's chances of rehabilitation given he'd sent text messages talking about how he needed to kill people.

One text message read: 'Gonna have to start killing if I don't get laid soon.'

Another message told how his hate and rage were rising and he wanted to shoot people and spray a room with 'devil blood'.

In other texts Holt claimed he was 'probably going to kill tonight' and 'I'll kill until I die'.

The judge said the fact Holt was 'expressing this variety of homicide ideation repeatedly has to be regarded, prima facie, as extremely dangerous.'

Defence barrister Neha Evans objected to the text messages being tendered as evidence, saying they were just the rants of a troubled young man with autism spectrum disorder.

Ms Evans said Holt might have been talking about doing certain things but he had never acted on the rants.

Holt had been caught hoarding a number of homemade guns (pictured)

Another message told how his hate and rage were rising and he wanted to shoot people and spray a room with 'devil blood'

In other texts Holt claimed he was 'probably going to kill tonight' and 'I'll kill until I die'

Defence barrister Neha Evans objected to the text messages being tendered as evidence, saying they were just the rants of a troubled young man with autism spectrum disorder

She claimed Holt had had the same obsession with guns as he had with his Lego collection.

'Lego won't kill,' the judge replied.

He said Holt's text messages were relevant to help him decide if Holt could re-offend in the future.

'It could be the person I'm looking at could be the next Martin Bryant. I just don't know.'

Bryant murdered 35 people in the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

Judge McLellan questioned Holt's claims when interviewed by a psychiatrist that he had no sexual attraction to young girls and hated porn.

The judge was mystified that Holt could claim he 'always had a pretty Christian attitude to the relationship game' given child pornography was found in his possession.

The dilemma for the judge was whether Holt would ever carry out his shooting fantasies in the future.

Judge McLellan said it would look like a 'shocking error of judgment' on his part if he accepted Holt would never kill but he then went out and did just that.

Holt had had the same obsession with guns as he had with his Lego collection, his lawyer said

He said Holt's text messages were relevant to help him decide if Holt could re-offend in the future

Judge McLellan questioned Holt's claims when interviewed by a psychiatrist that he had no sexual attraction to young girls and hated porn

The judge was mystified that Holt could claim he 'always had a pretty Christian attitude to the relationship game' given child pornography was found in his possession

The dilemma for the judge was whether Holt would ever carry out his shooting fantasies in the future
A couple of Australian larrikins have managed to turn their ute into a bar on wheels just in time for footy finals weekend.

In a hilarious video uploaded to Facebook by Jackson Bruning, the men show just how they rigged up the ingenious invention.

'Does it get more Aussie than this? Preparing for game day,' the video caption reads.

Scroll down for video

The video shows three men pouring 'the best cold beer' Victoria Bitter into what appears to be the wind screen wiper reservoir

He then reaches over to a knob near the air-conditioning and proceeds to fill up his pint glass with VB

The video shows three men pouring 'the best cold beer' Victoria Bitter into what appears to be the wind screen wiper reservoir.

Once it's full they close the lid and the camera pans to inside the ute, which is decked out in Victoria Bitter memorabilia.

One of the men says: 'Feeling a bit thirsty?'

He then reaches over to a knob near the air-conditioning and proceeds to fill up his pint glass with VB.

Although too frothy by Australian standards, they almost manage to get a full pint out.

And a hard earned thirst it was.

Although too frothy by Australian standards, they almost manage to get a full pint out

The video has attracted a number of comments.

'Although it was all froth and it would get so warm it's a pretty good idea,' one Facebook user wrote.

I've seen some very Australian things, but this could be the greatest thing ever,' said another.
Playboy magazine could now close as the private company that owns a controlling share of the porn empire only promised to publish it while Hugh Hefner was still alive.

Hugh Hefner launched Playboy Magazine in 1953, and built one of the world's most recognizable brands.

But following his death, private equity firm Rizvi Traverse, which invested $207 million in Playboy Enterprises in 2011, has one year to buy his 33 percent stake in the company.

Playboy magazine could now close after the private company that owns a controlling share of the porn empire only promised to publish it while Hugh Hefner was still alive

'Hef's contract with Rizvi stated that they were required to publish the magazine, and he got to be editor as long as he lived,' one former staffer told the New York Post.

'So while he might not have been highly involved in the day-to-day, just him being alive served as a shield,' the source added. 'And those of us working there always assumed that they would shut the magazine down the second he passed away.'

In recent years Hefner had passed the day-today running of the magazine to his youngest son Cooper, 26.

Cooper took over as creative director for the company and hoped to translate the rebellious nature Playboy had in its early days to his generation.

A true millennial, Cooper wanted to make the brand more accessible to his demographic of chronic Instagram and Twitter users. A frequent poster himself, his social media pages give a glimpse into the life of the prince of Playboy.

After his father's passing on Wednesday evening, Cooper stands to inherit at least a fourth of Hugh's $43million fortune - but has already established himself as a change-maker at Playboy Enterprises

After his father Hugh passed away at the age of 91 on Wednesday evening, Cooper wrote a tribute to his 'exceptional and impactful life'

Hugh Hefner passed away in his home, the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California, of natural causes after suffering from dwindling physical health in recent years.

The notorious Mansion holds special memories for Cooper and his brother Marston, Hugh's sons with his second wife Kimberly Conrad, who grew up in the $100million home. Their childhood was unparalleled by any other  surrounded by scantily clad models and celebrities, with lavish parties held throughout the year in their backyard.

Cooper said his mother Kimberly, who was the Playmate of the Year in 1989, made sure that the boys were babysat by security during the raucous bashes as children  and that revelers were encouraged to wear black tie ensembles (rather than nothing at all) for the boys' sake.

As Cooper grew older, he was allowed to attend the parties with his father, and even donned his same signature purple pajamas

Kimberly and Hugh held their marriage together for more than twenty years, from 1989 until 2010, despite living separately since 1998. The boys stayed with their mother in an English manor that was built adjacent to the Playboy Mansion especially for them.

Moving next door, however, did little to spare the boys from nudity  a large portrait of their mother fully naked was plastered in the library of the Mansion.

Cooper grimaced at the sight of the picture as a child, but now feels his unique upbringing has contributed to his liberal views on sexuality.

'My interpretation of being comfortable with sex is different than most people's. I really don't think sex is weird until people make it weird,' he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Kimberly and Hugh held their marriage together for more than twenty years, from 1989 until 2010, despite living separately since 1998

The boys stayed with their mother in an English manor that was built adjacent to the Playboy Mansion especially for them

Hugh married his first wife and college sweetheart Millie in 1949, with whom he shared his two eldest children  Christie and David. His eldest son has stayed completely out of the limelight throughout his life, the opposite of his sister Christie, who is now 64 (the same age Hugh was when he had Cooper). She served as the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009  and Cooper says he frequently consults her for business advice.

One of his biggest issues, he says, comes in keeping a clear head in business  a tip from Christie is to keep emotions out of negotiations.

Hugh Hefner was vocal about wanting both his sons to be involved in continuing his legacy with Playboy  a responsibility that Cooper's brother Marston shied away from.

'My dad was public about wanting us to run the organization together, but it became evident as we got older that it was not something that spoke to him,' Cooper said.

As Cooper grew older, the similarities to his father continued to develop. However, as the youngest of Hugh's four children, Cooper felt compelled to carve out a niche of his own.

As Cooper grew older, the similarities to his father continued to develop. However, as the youngest of Hugh's four children, Cooper felt compelled to carve out a niche of his own

Like his father, Cooper he decided to enlist in the military. In January 2017 he joined the California State Military Reserve. Hugh was an infantry clerk in the army in the 1940s, and spent his free time doodling cartoons for the military newspapers  which peaked his interest in journalism.

Cooper's military enrollment and liberal viewpoints led some to question his opinion on President Trump  who graced the cover of Playboy in 1990. Cooper said he met Trump several times at the Playboy Mansion, and was 'shocked' by his presidency.

'I've been very upfront and vocal about my distaste for him as a person and the way that he is leading the presidency,' Cooper said.

'He continues to go on the record and say things that keep me up at night as well as make me scratch my head in the morning.'

Like his father, Cooper he decided to enlist in the military. In January 2017 he joined the California State Military Reserve. Hugh was an infantry clerk in the army in the 1940s, and spent his free time doodling cartoons for the military newspapers  which peaked his interest in journalism

Cooper was accepted to the University of Southern California on a legacy admission  but decided to attend a smaller liberal arts college, Chapman University, instead. Though his father didn't attend USC, he has donated millions to the school over the years.

'It made my heart feel better to go to Chapman,' Cooper said. 'It didn't feel like it was given to me.'

After studying film production and graduating at the age of 21, Cooper returned back to the family business with a fresh mindset. He wanted to continue his father's vision  but make it more accessible to younger generations.

In April, Cooper said: 'I think about the Playboy philosophy constantly, but I have my own point of view. It's what will have to carry me through.'

Cooper wants to continue his father's vision  but make it more accessible to younger generations.

Cooper took a brief hiatus from the company in 2016  during which time the magazine stopped printing nude images in an attempt to promote advertising

This has proved to be no easy feat. Following heated board meetings, Cooper took a brief hiatus from the company in 2016  during which time the magazine stopped printing nude images in an attempt to promote advertising.

'I thought it was... a direct attack on what Dad has been fighting for his entire life  to normalize sexuality,' Cooper told the NY Post.

'I was not in favor ... and there were moments where I questioned my own sanity while listening to people responsible for running a major company,' he added. 'One of my first priorities was to reinstate the nudity . . . [so] that what Dad built was authentic.'

The magazine only starting reprinting nude images in March of 2017  an issue that had special meaning to Cooper. His fiancee, actress Scarlett Bryne, posed nude for the March magazine alongside a personal essay she wrote titled 'The Feminist Mystique'  a tribute to trailblazing writer Betty Friedan's book.

Cooper's fiancee, actress Scarlett Bryne, posed nude for the March magazine alongside a personal essay she wrote titled 'The Feminist Mystique'  a tribute to trailblazing writer Betty Friedan's book

Cooper has been engaged to the Harry Potter actress since 2015, but have yet to reveal when the wedding will be.

Although Hugh passed before getting to see his youngest son walk down the aisle, he expressed his joy over the engagement via Twitter.

Hugh's $43million fortune will be split between his four children and various charities. He will be buried next to Marilyn Monroe, Playboy's first cover girl, in the crypt he bought for her at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

His famed Playboy Mansion will now be in complete control of its owner, businessman Daren Metropoulos, who bought it for $100 million in 2016 on the condition Hugh could live there until he died.

In a statement about Hugh's passing, Cooper said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom.

'He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history.

'He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.'
Seven men suspected of cannibalism have appeared in a South African court with one of the accused reportedly wanting to plead guilty to charges that have shocked the country.

Angry residents gathered outside the courthouse in the rural town of Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal province, with one protester heard shouting: 'They must rot in jail, our children are now scared of going to school.'

The accused, all in their 30s, are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of human parts.

One of the suspected cannibals complained to the court yesterday he and his co-defendants had been assaulted while in custody.

Armed police stand guard outside the magistrates court in Estcourt, South Africa, where crowds gathered following the brief court appearance of men accused of killing and eating human flesh

Five people were initially arrested last month in Estcourt and two more have since been held.

Prosecution spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson said: 'This is a very complex case, and more investigation is being conducted.'

One of the accused is said to be a traditional healer and The Times Live website reported defence attorney Thandeka Hadebe told the court that one of the men, who was not identified, intended to plead guilty.

South Africa has no direct law against cannibalism, but mutilating a corpse and being in possession of human tissue are criminal offences.

The case has been adjourned until October 12 as police carry out their investigations of what is believed to be a tribe of cannibal witch-doctors.

Last month, officers found eight human ears in a cooking pot as it emerged villagers were coerced into eating flesh because it would make them bulletproof.

The suspects were arrested after one of the men walked into a police station with a piece of an arm and a leg saying he had lost the taste for human flesh.

It prompted villagers in Estcourt, South Africa, to hold a meeting, where 300 residents allegedly admitted eating humans and digging up graves.

Grim details of the case have emerged after the arrests as the spiritual healers' homes were raided with officers discovering a number of severed body parts and human remains stuffed inside suitcases.

The three men were arrested in after one of them handed himself over to police, admitting that he had grown tired of eating human flesh, and officers were led to a house, pictured, where bodyparts and a mutilated body of a woman was found

It is thought the decomposing corpses were being used in potions given the witch doctor's customers who were told it would bring them powers.

Villagers were told eating humans would mean they would be free from poverty and would make them invincible and bulletproof so that police could not shoot them.

Local politician Mthembeni Majola held a meeting in the village of Esigodlweni, home to just 971 people, and it it emerged almost a third of the population had been digging up graves or eating residents.

Mr Majola told the BBC: 'Most residents were shocked by this and now live in fear.

'A few confessed to have consulted with the traditional healer and knowingly ate human flesh.

'But what has angered most of us here is how gullible our people have become.'

Armed guards were forced to beef up security as tempers flared at a magistrates court where the five suspected cannibals appeared in front of a judge last week.

Zanele Hlatshwayo, 25, is thought to be the woman who was murdered and cut up before her flesh was shared around neighbours in an unfolding cannibal saga in Estcourt, a town in the uThukela District of KwaZulu-Natal Province

Police were following up reports that the cannibals robbed graves to source flesh and bones.

Mr Majola added that community members had also allegedly confessed to digging up graves under the orders of 33 year-old Nino Mbatha, and giving him the bones.

He told them that digging up the graves would make them strong and protect them from harm and that bringing him the bones would bring them wealth in the future.

Zanele Hlatshwayo, 25, is thought to be the woman who was murdered and cut up before her flesh was shared around neighbours in an unfolding cannibal saga in Estcourt, a town in the uThukela District of KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Hlatshwayo's mother, Philiswe, now fears the worst after police showed the family blood-soaked clothing found on what was left of the body which appeared to belong to that of her daughter, from Shayamoya.

Hlatshwayo vanished on July 25 after heading for Pietermaritzburg to visit her grandmother and had stopped to see relatives at Estcourt 20 miles away en-route. She never arrived at her intended final destination.

Detectives said the alleged victim's mother was not overly concerned, but her feelings changed on Monday when Hlatshwayo's cousin Nozipho Hlatshwayo heard people n arrested in Estcourt for cannibalism.

One of the killers walked into the police station in Estcourt, pictured, and told officers that he had become 'tired of eating human flesh'

Three of the men arrested by police initially allegedly raped and murdered the woman before butchering the body and eating the flesh.

The stunned local councillor Mr Majola said one of the suspects led community members and police to the woman's body.

'It was buried under big rocks and we had to call a machine to remove the rocks,' he told News24.

'They showed us the body parts in one of the houses.

Mr Majola added that authorities fear the group had killed more victims, saying: 'It cannot only be one.'

'When the police were following this matter they discovered eight ears in a pot where one man was staying. That means there is much more to this.'

Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said the man handed over bodyparts

Police spokeswoman Captain Charmaine Struwig said: 'Allegations are that some consumed some of her flesh while some of her body parts were shared with the fourth suspect in Amangwe.

'Human remains were found at one crime scene in Estcourt and another crime scene at Amangwe.

'At this time only one person is suspected of having been killed and her identity is as yet unknown.'

Another spokeswoman, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, talking about the initial suspect said: 'When he was questioned, he produced part of a human leg and a hand.

'Further investigation led police to a house where they were met with a foul smell, and more human remains were found.

'A second suspect was also arrested in Estcourt and a third in the Amangwe area. More body parts were found.

'It is alleged the suspects raped, killed and cut up the body of a woman, which they then consumed.'

Muti medicine, a term used to describe traditional practices in South Africa is common, and so called muti killings have been reported from time to time, where people are killed for their body parts to be used by witchdoctors.

People with albinism are particularly at risk of muti killings due to the belief held by some that their body parts impart power and health to those who consume them.

Earlier this month, a man was found in Durban, 100 miles from the scene of the latest incident, with a human head in his backpack.

He was thought to be attempting to sell the head to a witchdoctor.
An isolated Theresa May was left stuck at the back of the EU's family photo today after Jean-Claude Juncker warned starting trade talks on time would need 'miracles'.

The Prime Minister arrived in Estonia for an informal summit with a promise of security cooperation and a planned meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after her Florence speech.

But European Commission president Mr Juncker slapped down Britain's latest offers just days after council chief Donald Tusk struck a more positive note.

Mrs May was in the back row, two behind Mr Juncker, and in corner - as far as possible from Mrs Merkel at the front of the picture.

The new clash came as EU leaders gathered in Estonia for an informal meeting ahead of a crucial summit on October 19-20.

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EU leaders at the digital summit in Tallinn gathered for the traditional family photo but Theresa May was left isolated in the back row (circled)

The Prime Minister was right at the back of the picture as Britain prepares to quit the EU

Britain is desperate for agreement at the meeting in three weeks that 'sufficient progress' has been made on the Brexit divorce to allow talks on trade to begin.

But as he arrived at the meeting in Tallinn, Mr Juncker said: 'I'm saying there will be no sufficient progress from now until October unless miracles will happen.'

This morning at Estonia's Tapa base near the Russian border, Mrs May made a new 'unconditional' offer on Britain's security role after Brexit.

Mrs May met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at today's gathering as she works to try and break the deadlock.

No 10 said Mrs Merkel had 'welcomed' the PM's major Brexit speech in Florence.

As she arrived in Tallinn, Mrs May insisted there had been 'very good progress' on the rights of EU expatriates - one of three key issues Brussels wants resolved before trade talks begin.

Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured last night as the Prime Minister passed at an EU dinner in Estonia) today dismissed Theresa May's Florence speech

'In my Florence speech I set out very clearly how we could ensure that the rights of those EU citizens were guaranteed in the UK,' Mrs May told reporters outside the EU meeting.

'That has been part of the negotiations that we've had, very good progress has been made, that was made clear by the statements made by David Davis and Michel Barnier made yesterday.'

Following the meeting between Mrs May and Mrs Merkel, a No 10 spokesman said: 'Chancellor Merkel welcomed the speech, and noted the good progress that had been made in negotiations this week. She looked forward to the next round of talks in early October.

'The Prime Minister and the Chancellor both agreed on the importance of settling the issue of citizens' rights at the earliest opportunity.

'The PM pointed to the commitment made in her Florence speech to incorporate the agreement reached on citizens' rights fully into UK law and make sure the UK courts can refer directly to it.

'The PM also stressed it was in everybody's interests to agree to a time-limited implementation period once Britain leaves the EU, to provide certainty to businesses and others in both Britain and the EU.'

Addressing British troops at the Nato mission in Estonia today (pictured), Prime Minster Theresa May said the commitment to European security was 'unconditional'

Mrs May (pictured greeting British troops this morning) held a face to face meeting with re-elected German Chancellor Angela Merkel at today's gathering

Addressing British troops at the Nato's Estonia mission in Tapa earlier this morning, the Prime Minster underlined the commitment to European security against an aggressive Russia.

Mrs May travelled to the Estonia-Russia border with French President Emmanuel Macron and her Estonian host PM Juri Ratas.

Britain has 800 troops in the Nato mission policing Europe's eastern frontier amid high tensions over Russian involvement in Ukraine.

In her speech, Mrs May said: 'While we are leaving the European Union, as I have said many times, we are not leaving Europe so the United Kingdom is unconditionally committed to maintaining Europe's security.

'Russia's continued aggression represents a growing danger to our friends here in Estonia as well as Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and our response must be clear and unequivocal.

'By stepping up Nato's deterrence and defence posture you are showing that we are equipped to respond to any threat that we face.

'You are showing that we are ready to do so.'

Mrs May and French President Emmanuel Macron inspected Nato troops on the Estonian border with Russia (pictured this morning)

Mrs May has travelled to the Estonia-Russia border with French President Emmanuel Macron and her Estonian host PM Juri Ratas (left)

Mrs May met some of the 800 British soldiers who are the mainstay of the Nato force guarding Europe's eastern frontier

Mrs May stressed that the UK would continue to provide aid and assistance to EU member states which were the victims of armed aggression, terrorism or natural disasters after Brexit.

'Our resolve to draw on the full weight of our military, intelligence, diplomatic and development resources to lead international action with our partners on the issues that affect the security and prosperity of our peoples is unchanged,' she said.

'And our determination to defend the stability, security and prosperity of our European neighbours and friends remains steadfast.'

Her words echoed her speech in Florence last week when she emphasised Britain's commitment to the collective security of Europe as she sought unblock the stalled Brexit talks.

Mrs May (pictured with the troops today) hopes the offer of a 'bold, new security partnership' will open up the deadlocked Brexit negotiations

Britain has 800 troops in the Nato mission policing Europe's eastern frontier amid high tensions over Russian aggression

In her speech at the base in Tapa today the Prime Minister said it was essential that European nations stood together in the face of the threat from a resurgent Russia

Speaking in Tapa, where Britain has stationed 800 troops leading a Nato battlegroup, the Prime Minister said it was essential that European nations stood together in the face of the threat from a resurgent Russia.

'When a nation like Russia violates the rules-based international order that we have worked so hard to create, we must come together with our allies to defend that international system and the liberal values, human rights and the rule of law by which we stand,' she said.

'I am clear that Britain will always stand with our allies in defence of these values.'

Mrs May has offered UK expertise on combating cyber threats from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at a meeting of EU leaders at the Tallinn digital summit.

The recent spate of major cyber attacks across Europe, including an assault on the NHS, shows the need for closer co-operation on tackling the danger to financial systems and the public sector, she said.

Mrs May Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven (second right) as the leaders gathered for the informal dinner

Mrs May was seated with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydto (pictured) during the dinner. Squaring Poland is crucial to Britain's hopes of a Brexit deal

Britain's PM also chatted to the Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni as Europe's leaders gathered (pictured)

Mrs May attended a dinner with other EU leaders in the Estonian capital Tallin last night (pictured) but Brexit has been deliberately left off the agenda

The premier told Europe: 'As we prepare for Brexit, I want to build a bold, new security partnership with the EU.

'A partnership that reflects our shared history, promotes our common values and maintains a secure and prosperous Europe.

'Nato remains the bedrock of our collective security and there is no clearer demonstration of the UK's unconditional commitment to Europe's defence than the 800 British troops now in Tapa, leading a Nato battlegroup and standing shoulder to shoulder with their Estonian, French and, soon, their Danish counterparts too.'
Allison Spence (pictured), 44, of Queens, New York, was arrested for the manslaughter and unauthorised practice of a profession following the death of Latesha Bynum, 31

A woman who assisted in a back-alley butt augmentation operation that left a mother-of-one dead has been charged with manslaughter.

Allison Spence, 44, of Queens, New York, was arrested for the manslaughter and unauthorized practice of a profession following the death of Latesha Bynum, 31.

Ms Bynum underwent the 'butt-lift' surgery - where silicone is injected into the patients buttocks to give a larger, rounder look - on July 15 and called emergency services later in the evening complaining of dizziness and chest pains.

Medics rushed her to Mount Sinai St. Luke's Medical Center, where doctors declared her brain-dead. Two weeks later she was taken off life support.

The mother-of-one waited in a Dunkin' Donuts restaurant before being escorted to meet the doctor who performed the fatal surgery by Spence.

Ms Bynum's mother Bertie Bynum, 51, told the Daily News following the arrest: 'They took my daughter. She should be in jail. She should do life.'

Spences' sister, Lisa, 46, admitted that her sister had no medical qualifications.

'My sister just massaged the body muscles where got injected - she never injected nobody.'

Ms Bynum (pictured) underwent the 'butt-lift' surgery - where silicone is injected into the patients buttocks to give a larger, rounder look - and called emergency services later with dizziness and chest pains. She passed out and was taken off life support a fortnight later

Lisa suggested the blame should be entirely on the doctor who Allison Spence dated as a teenager.

'Detectives are looking for him.' Lisa Spence said. 'They have his mugshot. (He) has done this for a long time. She told us they had a place in the city that they rented.'

Spences' grandmother attempted to defend her relation claiming she would have no involvement in the crime and instead worked in an office.

She also ran a catering business with her grandmothers help, her family said.

Spence is due to be arraigned on Friday September 29.
Former Don Dale Youth Detention Centre detainee Dylan Voller and his mother Joanne have been arrested at a rally in Alice Springs.

Northern Territory Police confirmed the pair were apprehended after marching from the local courthouse on Friday to protest against youth prisons and Aboriginal deaths in custody.

The former teen inmate was teargassed, spithooded and shackled to a restraint chair while behind bars in a scandal that sparked the NT juvenile justice royal commission.

Former Don Dale Youth Detention Centre detainee Dylan Voller and his mother Joanne have been arrested at a rally (pictured) in Alice Springs

Northern Territory Police confirmed the pair was apprehended after marching in protest

Mr Voller (left and right) was protesting against youth prisons and Aboriginal deaths in custody

The 19-year-old and his mother were among about 10 other people taken into custody, according to Perth Now.

In a Facebook video, the former detainee can be heard saying he would 'take it on the chin' and 'do [his] time' in jail.

It is believed Mr Voller's sister Kirra was speaking to the crowd when he and his mother were pushed to the ground before being put in the back of police cars, ABC News reported.

'They just chucked me in the paddy wagon and brought me to the watch house and then when we got out they said for disorderly behaviour,' Mr Voller was heard saying in a Facebook video.

'This is my f*** up, this is my f*** up and I'll take it, but I didn't get locked up for nothing,' he said.

'Black lives matter ... more importantly justice for Elijah [Doughty].

'They can put me in jail, it's not going to silence me. I'll still be talking from jail.'

One protester told ABC News the peaceful rally turned violent after police tried to move people off the road, in which they were 'rough in their handling of people'.

The 19-year-old and his mother were amoung about ten other people taken into custody

This is my f*** up, this is my f*** up and I'll take it, but I didn't get locked up for nothing,' Mr Voller (pictured) said on a Facebook video

The rally was organised by Indigenous action group Shut Youth Prisons Mparntwe to remember those who died in custody

A spokesperson for Alice Springs Council told Fairfax Media the group, including Mr Voller (pictured), did not have a permit to host the rally

'In the scuffle a camera person who was filming one of the arrests was knocked to the ground and was then kicked by a police officer,' the protester said.

The rally was organised by Indigenous action group Shut Youth Prisons Mparntwe to remember those who died in custody.

A spokesperson for Alice Springs Council told Fairfax Media the group did not have a permit to host the rally.
France needs it's new lower tax on wealth in order to stem its exodus of millionaires, the country's Prime Minister has warned.

Edouard Philippe defended President Emmanuel Macrons' economic reforms, which have seen thousands take to the street this week, saying they are needed to make France attractive the wealthy again.

Last year alone, 12,000 millionaires emigrated from France - the highest outflux in the world.

Revoir riche: Edouard Philippe defended President Emmanuel Macrons' new tax break for the wealthiest, saying it is needed stem the increasing flow of the richest leaving France

The annual millionaire's migration report by New World Wealth found that around 10,000 millionaires left France for other countries in 2015.

Last year, France topped the global list with 12,000 millionaires migrating - some 3,000 ahead of the number two on the list: China.

France's wealth tax currently applies to personal assets of more than 1.3 million euros, but as of Macron's new budget, it will only apply to real estate.

Any other forms of wealth, such as shareholdings, will be exempt as of 2018, the government announced this week.

'When someone leaves the country because of the wealth tax... collectively all French lose,' Prime Minister Philippe said according to Bloomberg, promising to 'defend' the change of the wealth tariff.

Take it and go: France had the highest level of outflux of millionaires in the world in 2016

Mr Philippe has also warned there will be tough choices ahead, saying last month that he was 'not here to be nice'.

Macron's new tax laws have caused outrage in some areas of France, with thousands of pensioners taking to the streets to protest new tariffs.

Around eight million pensioners on more than 1,200 euros a month will pay higher social security contributions next year.

Planned cuts to housing subsidies have already sparked a political backlash, with left-wingers complaining that they punish the poorest.

Macron came to power in May promising to make France a more attractive destination for investment, starting his presidency by pushing through reforms to the country's famously complex labour laws.

Macron's Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande had already pledged to bring down corporate tax from the current 33.3 percent to 28 percent by 2020.

The new president plans to cut this again to 25 percent by 2022 as he seeks to cast off France's reputation for being a difficult place to do business.

This comes as US President Donald Trump announced a complete tax overhaul, which he claimed is aimed to help the middle-class - but with some obvious benefits for the wealthiest Americans.

You get one, you get one: Donald Trump has announced a new tax plan, which is set to benefit mostly the wealthiest in America with cuts to business profits and estate tax

Tax experts say several provisions in the plan - including lowering the top personal tax rate to 35 percent from 39.6 percent - make it likely that the wealthiest would enjoy the biggest bounty.

Those provisions include a lower corporate tax rate; favorable rates for business profits used as personal income; and the elimination of the estate tax.

The first $11 million of an estate is exempt for a married couple, meaning that only the wealthiest pay it.

Trump will also abolish the 'alternative minimum tax,' which was designed to ensure that the richest Americans pay at least some income tax.

The Trump administration plans to reduce the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, and sharply reduce the taxes paid by businesses whose income is taxed at the owners' personal rate.

These are known as 'pass-through' companies. Many are wealthy partnerships, hedge funds, real estate companies or so-called limited liability companies.

Instead of paying at a top rate of 39.6 percent, they'd be taxed at 25 percent in the Trump plan.
A British hiker has been seriously injured in a 160ft fall in a mountainous area of Majorca.

The 63-year-old was taken to hospital in the Majorcan capital Palma in a police helicopter.

Firefighters and Civil Guard officers specialising in mountain rescues were mobilised around 1.30pm yesterday.

The injured man is understood to have been doing a popular hike called Painter's Path, a walk along the coastline close to the village of Deia where Bob Geldof regularly holidays and his daughter Pixie got married last year.

The 63-year-old was taken to hospital in the Majorcan capital Palma in a police helicopter

He was taken to Son Espases Hospital in Palma.

His condition this morning was not immediately clear.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard said the 'complicated' rescue had taken almost an hour.

He said: 'The man was walking with his partner when he suffered the accident.

'He fell around 160ft. It was more of a slope than a vertical drop but he was nonetheless in a very serious condition when he was taken to hospital.

'The call was received around 1.30pm and he was put in the helicopter around 2.35pm.'

The injured man is understood to have been doing a popular hike called Painter's Path in English, a walk along the coastline close to the village of Deia where Bob Geldof regularly holidays and his daughter Pixie got married last year

Painter's Path - Cami dels Pintors in the local Mallorquin language - is a specular coastal path which has served as inspiration for artists over the years.

Many hikers choose a 7.5 mile circular route which involves the walk along Painter's Path with a more difficult return along Son Castello Path which links Deia with the town of Soller.
Jasmine Harman, 46, is the latest broadcaster to speak out after Mr Irwin revealed his terminal diagnosis and admitted: 'I don't know how long I have left'. The 48-year-old says he hopes that by sharing the devastating news that his lung cancer had spread to his brain it will inspire others to 'make the most of every day'. Today Jasmine shared a smiling photo of them together on the show (inset), where they started working together in 2004 when the former estate agent was selected from hundreds of applicants to her co-presenter. She said: ' Sending lots of love and support to my great friend and original partner in crime Jonnie Irwin. I know it has taken bravery to share your story. As ever a true inspiration & always positive and up for a laugh no matter what the circumstances. Love to you and your beautiful family'. Today MailOnline unearthed footage of Jonnie smiling to camera while sipping Puglian olive oil in the summer sun on his last trip for A Place in the Sun before he discovered he had terminal cancer in his lungs and brain (left). The TV host, 48, had felt dizzy and his vision became blurred while driving on the trip to Italy in August 2020, just two months after the birth of his twin sons (right). The Leicestershire-born presenter, who had once hoped to play professional rugby, 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.'
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Hugh Hefner's grieving children raised a toast as they gathered in a California restaurant to remember their Playboy mogul father just hours after his death.

Hefner's sons Cooper, 26, Marston, 27, and David, 62, joined their sister Christie, 64, for the memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night.

It appeared that Hefner's 31-year-old wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal.

In recent years, Cooper had taken responsibility for the running of Playboy magazine while his brother Marston, a writer, has shied away from involvement in the family business.

Hugh's eldest son David has stayed completely out of the limelight throughout his life, the opposite of his sister Christie. She served as the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009  and Cooper says he frequently consults her for business advice.

Hugh Hefner's grieving children raised a toast as they gathered in a California restaurant to remember their Playboy mogul father just hours after his death

Hefner's sons (left to right) David, 62, Cooper, 26, and Marston, 27, joined their sister Christie (second right), 64, for the memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night

It appeared that Hefner's 31-year-old wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal

The sombre family gathering came just hours after the Playboy founder, the pipe-smoking hedonist who revved up the sexual revolution in the 1950s and built a multimedia empire of clubs, mansions, movies and television, symbolized by bow-tied women in bunny costumes, died at the age 91.

Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday night, Playboy said in a statement.

The family could be seen raising a glass in honor of their father, speaking to each other outside the restaurant and making their way into a white car after their meal.

Hefner's body was driven away from his Playboy mansion early Thursday morning to begin the journey to his final resting place next to Marilyn Monroe.

Cooper took over as creative director for the company in recent years and hoped to translate the rebellious nature Playboy had in its early days to his younger generation.

Playboy founder Hugh M. Hefner, the pipe-smoking hedonist who revved up the sexual revolution in the 1950s and built a multimedia empire of clubs, mansions, movies and television, symbolized by bow-tied women in bunny costumes, died on Wednesday at age 91

Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday night, Playboy said in a statement

As much as anyone, Hefner helped slip sex out of the confines of plain brown wrappers and into mainstream conversation

A true millennial, Cooper wanted to make the brand more accessible to his demographic of chronic Instagram and Twitter users. A frequent poster himself, his social media pages give a glimpse into the life of the prince of Playboy.

Hugh Hefner was always vocal about wanting both his sons to be involved in continuing his legacy with Playboy.

'My dad was public about wanting us to run the organization together, but it became evident as we got older that it was not something that spoke to [Marston],' Cooper said.

As Cooper grew older, the similarities to his father continued to develop. However, as the youngest of Hugh's four children, Cooper felt compelled to carve out a niche of his own.

Like his father, Cooper he decided to enlist in the military. In January 2017 he joined the California State Military Reserve. Hugh was an infantry clerk in the army in the 1940s, and spent his free time doodling cartoons for the military newspapers  which peaked his interest in journalism.

Hugh Hefner's son, Marston, (pictured) was spotted the day after his father died at age 91. Marston, a writer, has shied away from involvement in the family business

In recent years Hefner (right) had passed the day-today running of the magazine to his youngest son Cooper (left)

Cooper Hefner earlier opened up about the difficulties of watching hs father suffer poor physical health. Older brother Marston (left) and Cooper spent Father's Day in June with their father

His eldest son has stayed completely out of the limelight throughout his life, the opposite of his sister Christie (pictured), who is now 64. She served as the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009  and Cooper says he frequently consults her for business advice

In a statement about Hugh's passing, Cooper said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom.

'He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history.

'He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.'

It was yesterday reported that Hefner's wife Crystal Harris will inherit nothing due to an ironclad prenup that means she was never added to his will.

In a statement about Hugh's passing, Cooper said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom'

It was yesterday reported that Hefner's wife Crystal Harris will inherit nothing due to an ironclad prenup that means she was never added to his will

The couple, who shared a 60 year age gap, tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 2012 at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Before the nuptials, Harris was said to have signed an 'ironclad' prenuptial agreement.

A source told US Weekly that while the blonde beauty will be taken care of, she won't receive a penny of his fortune.

Instead, his estimated $43million estate, will be divided between his four children, the University of Southern California and a list of charities.

That number doesn't take into account the Playboy Mansion which was sold in 2016 for $100million.

His estimated $43million estate, will be divided between his four children, the University of Southern California and a list of charities. That number doesn't take into account the Playboy Mansion which was sold in 2016 for $100million

Fans arrive to place flowers outside the Playboy Mansion home of Hugh Hefner, who was the founder of Playboy Magazine and has died aged 91, in Beverly Hills

Marylin Monroe's crypt at the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery. The crypt directly to the left of Marilyn Monroe was purchased by Hugh Hefner in 1992 for $75,000

The $43million figure was first revealed back in 2009 when Hefner divorced his second wife Kimberly Conrad.

At his peak, the Playboy magnate was worth upwards of $200million, but as the magazine's popularity tanked, Hefner lost millions.

By the time of his death the 91-year-old held 35 percent of the Playboy brand and still completely owned the magazine.

He had $36million worth of stocks and bonds and $6million in a joint account with an unnamed person.

His monthly earnings from the magazine only totaled $100,000, with the rest coming from his pension.
A New Zealand pensioner has returned home after spending 18 months in prison awaiting trial, accused of smuggling drugs into Australia.

Roy Arbon, 68, was arrested at Perth airport in 2016 after border patrol discovered 2.5 kilograms of cocaine in his suitcase.

The retired beekeeper from Greymouth, in the South Island, told airport officials he was carrying the suitcase for a Nigerian man he met in Brazil.

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Roy Arbon, a New Zealand pensioner, has returned home after spending 18 months in prison awaiting trial, accused of smuggling drugs into Australia

Mr Arbon was arrested at Perth airport in 2016 after border patrol discovered 2.5 kilograms of cocaine in his suitcase

Mr Arbon believed the suitcase to be full of clothes when he agreed to carry it for the stranger.

'He gave me a hand, someone asked me to take the suitcase, and I said, 'Yeah, no problem',' Mr Arbon told New Zealand media.

'I took all the clothes out, checked the bottom, and to me, it was just a normal suitcase.'

Friends and family rallied around the New Zealand pensioner but he spent 18 months awaiting trial for the alleged drug smuggling.

An Australian jury found Mr Arbon not guilty of the crime earlier this month.

Mr Arbon's friend, Graeme Mac, said there were 'two camps' of people behind his friend's trial.

'There was "he's guilty, chuck the key away", and there was a lot of others who said, "This is not Roy'',' he said.

Perth border patrol discovered 2.5 kilograms of cocaine in Mr Arbon's suitcase (stock image)

An Australian jury found Mr Arbon not guilty of drug smuggling earlier this month

This isn't the first time Mr Arbon has been fooled by scammers unfortunately, but he said he's definitely learnt his lesson.

'Never, ever, under any circumstances, carry someone else's bag,' he said.

The former mountaineer, who once received a medal for assisting recovery workers during the 1979 Mt Erebus tragedy, said he's now going to enjoy the little thing.

'Going to the bush, seeing the stars, and sitting by the bonfire, is at the top of his list.
A high-school principle has come under fire for a class study about free speech that involved placing the US flag on the floor.

Principle Eric DeLuga of York Community High School in Chicago, Illinois, attempted to begin a discussion on the difficulties of the First Amendment - but instead sparked a backlash when an angry student shared an image of the grounded flag online.

Taking offence at the project, angry parents and alumni lashed out at the school and the principle for the disrespectful treatment of the flag.

A high-school principle has come under fire for a class study about free speech that involved placing the US flag on the floor

A furious Tyler Weber posted the image online, posting: 'So what f****** point are you trying to make here - this world is getting more and more f***** up.'

The alleged flag desecration was in fact a recreation a the 1989 Dread Scott exhibition 'What is the proper way to display a US flag?' and was hoped to instigate a discussion about the protected rights surrounding freedom of speech.

Defending the discussion, principle DeLuga said: 'The purpose of the forum was to explore the complexities of the constitutionally protected right of free speech by examining real cases.

'The York display did not intend to disrespect the flag, the military, or the government; rather, it was used for students to reconcile their feelings about current issues and whether their 1st Amendment rights are protected.'

However, some angry Facebook users were not convinced, with one commenting: 'This is just plain disrespectful. I was taught at a very young age the flag should never touch the ground.'

Adding: 'I am so upset at this sorry excuse for educating today's youth.'

'I am appalled at this form of teaching,' another alumni wrote on Facebook.

'You say that this in no way was mean to be disrespectful, but in all reality it most certainly was.'

The principle said in a statement: 'Our staff and students will learn from this week's lesson, and we will make changes to this forum in the future to ensure we do not disrespect our flag.'

In a statement, York Community High School said: 'On Tuesday, September 26, York Community High School's entire sophomore class explored First Amendment rights as part of a day-long, interdisciplinary forum that centered on banned books, music, social media and the American flag.

'We ask our students to think critically about issues relevant to them and our society. At the same time, we understand that this demonstration caused some angst in the larger community and for that, we deeply apologize.'

The principle added: 'Our staff and students will learn from this week's lesson, and we will make changes to this forum in the future to ensure we do not disrespect our flag.'
Shocking footage has emerged of mutant Hulk-like pigs which are being bred by Cambodian farmers.

The company, called Duroc Cambodia, appear to have genetically modified the animals who were kept in cages and the results have appalled critics.

Videos of the pigs show that they are unable to walk properly because of their freakishly large muscles.

A mutant pig is seen inside a pen at the Duroc Cambodia breeding farm with bulging muscles

While four of the pigs in the picture look relatively normal, the one nearest the camera has a different skin pigmentation and has rippling muscles

A pig with enormous muscles at the top of its hind legs and across his backside is seen eating

The pigs locked up in tiny cages and the artificial insemination kit available for just 5

A line of seemingly genetically modified pigs are seen eating from a trough inside a pen

The mutant pigs are understood to be being reared in the Banteay Meanchey province of the country and the farmers' Facebook page is littered with worrying photographs and videos.

They show the animals' bulging muscles and promote a range of services from buying pigs for pork to kits to start your own farm.

Duroc Cambodia offers a pair of prosthetic penises and boar semen to artificially induce a sow to those looking to create their own freak animals.

Concerned animal lovers have been left disgusted by the footage on the page and voiced their anger at the farmer.

Janice Short wrote on the page: 'This is grotesque. Obviously bred like this. Are there no laws to stop this sort of thing?'

Ric Tucker echoed her comments and said: 'What are you trying to show here? How much meat you can produce, or how badly these animals are treated? Whoever is looking after these should be locked up for ever.'

Katherine Loweparker agreed and said: 'Not only is it animal cruelty, but people are eating this garbage and feeding it to their children. What a mess.'

Animal right group PETA have also condemned the practice, and said: 'Hulk-like pigs are the stuff of nightmares, not meals, and those who are genetically engineered are also likely to be born with painful health issues.'

PETA said the pigs were deliberately bred to grow to an enormous size with 'heaping knots of muscle mass'.

By making the pigs bigger, the farmer can sell off more meat and ultimately make more money, but at the cost of the animal's welfare.

It bears a striking resemblance to a 2015 incident in South Korea and China when scientists created 32 double-muscled piglets.

PETA said: 'Pigs suffer even without this "Frankenscience". On typical pig farms, their tails are cut off, their sensitive teeth are ground down, and the males are castrated, all without so much as an aspirin.

'Then, even though we have a wealth of nutritious plant-based foods to eat, these intelligent, playful, sociable animals' throats are slit and their bodies are turned into pork chops or sausages.'

Harrowing pictures shows over-sized animals with huge pelts and rolls of fat folded over their bodies

It comes as an investigation revealed 'monster foxes' being bred on fur farms in Finland in deplorable conditions.

Footage from five fur farms across Ostrobothnia in western Finland show foxes with huge pelts and rolls of fat folded over their bodies and almost covering their eyes to increase the amount of fur on their bodies.

The animals can weigh up to five times their normal weight and become so bloated they can barely move in their cages.
Catalonia's separatist leader has defended plans to stage a 'banned' referendum - despite being unable to explain how independence from Spain would work.

Carles Puigdemont wants supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the vote on Sunday by turning out at polling stations that police have been ordered to keep shut.

The 54-year-old has described Madrid's attempts to ban the referendum as 'authoritarian repression', 'a violation of our basic rights' and 'the fall of democracy'.

Catalonia's separatist leader Carles Puigdemont (pictured) has defended plans to stage a 'banned' referendum - despite being unable to explain how independence from Spain would work

Carles Puigdemont wants supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the vote on Sunday by turning out at polling stations that police have been ordered to keep shut. Separatists are pictured holding a demonstration in Barcelona yesterday

But he was unable to explain how a new Catalan state would be formed and how it would function - especially given the challenge of trying to gain recognition from the European Union in the event of an independence declaration.

He told the New York Times: 'There is no button that you push and the next day you become independent.'

But defending plans to hold the referendum, he told the newspaper: 'If you're hungry, you know that you want to eat. You don't know what's on the menu  perhaps it's not your favorite dish  but you will eat.'

Last night, Catalan separatists urged supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the referendum, calling for peaceful turnouts at polling stations.

Pro-independence groups the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium said on Thursday that people should form queues if they found police guarding voting stations, amid concerns that frustrations over an event progressively stripped of any meaningful political impact could erupt into street unrest.

Tackling one of the biggest political crises to hit Spain since democracy was restored in the 1970s after decades of dictatorship, authorities in Madrid have declared the referendum unconstitutional and told police to ensure no votes are cast.

Catalan separatists urged supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the referendum, calling for peaceful turnouts at polling stations

Around 4,000 state police from other regions have been deployed to prevent the vote and maintain security. Fire fighters are pictured taking part in a demonstration in Barcelona on Thursday

FACT BOX TITLE More than 2,300 polling stations are ready for the Catalan independence referendum slated for Sunday but banned by Madrid, the regional separatist government said today. Spokesman Jordi Turull told reporters there would be '2,315 polling stations all over the region' and more than 7,200 people involved in holding the referendum despite a crackdown by Madrid. 'A total of 5.3 million Catalans who have the right to vote are called to vote,' he said. At the end of the press briefing, Turull, Catalan Vice-President Oriol Junqueras and Raul Romeva, in charge of foreign relations for the Catalan executive, unveiled a plastic ballot box with a regional government stamp on it. Police have for days been seizing electoral items such as ballot papers as they follow orders to stop the referendum from taking place, after courts ruled it unconstitutional. But they had failed to find any ballot boxes until Thursday, when police seized 100 from a warehouse in a Catalan town, although the company in charge alleged they were destined for internal elections at the FC Barcelona football club. Over the past few days, judges and prosecutors have also ordered the closure of websites linked to the vote and the detention of key members of the team organising the referendum. On Wednesday a judge ordered police to prevent public buildings from being used as polling stations. Advertisement

The rich northeastern region is pressing ahead, and Puigdemont - who has labelled the government's response anti-democratic - said a week ago he had contingency plans in place to ensure the vote would take place.

But ANC and Omnium said Catalonia's priority for Sunday should be to present a responsible and united face to the world - even if that meant forming long queues without actually voting.

'Peaceful resistance, zero violence... If you can't access the voting stations, by no means should you respond with violence,' ANC said in an internal document distributed to members.

'Above all, bear in mind this is not a demonstration but a giant queue. The picture of millions of people queuing with a ballot paper in their hand will be more impressive.'

With both groups having strong track records of non-violent protest, the biggest risk of civil disturbance appeared to lie with members of foreign anarchist groups, who local newspapers including El Confidencial and El Espanol said had arrived in Barcelona.

If they approach any of the more than 2,500 voting stations across Catalonia, they will encounter a stepped-up police.

Around 4,000 state police from other regions have been deployed to prevent the vote and maintain security. They will join 5,000 state police based in the region and 17,000 local police, or Mossos d'Esquadra.

The Mossos have said the order to close voting stations increased the risk of confrontation between demonstrators and police, a worry shared on Thursday by two United Nations experts.

Around 4,000 state police from other regions have been deployed to prevent the vote and maintain security. They will join 5,000 state police based in the region and 17,000 local police, or Mossos d'Esquadra

'We are concerned that this order and the accompanying rhetoric may heighten tensions and social unrest,' said David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Alfred de Zayas, independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.

Following a meeting a Barcelona of senior security officials, Spain's junior Interior Minister Jose Antonio Nieto confirmed no vote would be allowed, though the government would not prevent people from demonstrating.

'On Sunday, it will be possible to celebrate, everybody in a different way, through a picnic or a demonstration, and to express a sentiment but there will be no breach of the law,' he told a news conference.

ANC said voters should show 'institutional dignity' and form queues without staging a 'spectacle'.
Ukip's new leader, hailed as a 'man of substance' by Nigel Farage, is a former soldier with one child by his first Danish wife and two more by his Russian second wife - and once stood as a Lib Dem candidate.

Henry Bolton's shock victory over far-right Anne Marie Waters was confirmed yesterday by party officials who had been braced for a potentially terminal split had Ms Waters won.

Virtual unknown Mr Bolton, 54, won with 3,874 votes - more than a 1,000 more than his closest rival.

The little-known politician was not expected to snatch the leadership, and the result as shocked the many in the party.

The Sandhurst alumnus lives at home in Folkestone with his second wife Tatiana Smurova-Bolton, who is from the Russian town of Klimovsk just south of Moscow, and their two young children, aged four and one. He has another child aged 32 from his Danish first wife.

He used to be a member of the Lib Dems and stood for the party against Philip Hammond in the 2005 General Election, coming third.

He hit headlines last year when his wife Tatiana Smurova-Bolton, 41, gave birth on a packed train.

Henry Bolton, a little known candidate, is a former soldier and police officer

The Sandhurst alumnus lives at home in Folkestone with his second wife Tatiana Smurova-Bolton, who is from the Russian town of Klimovsk just south of Moscow, and their two young children

Henry Bolton waves as he was today announced the new leader of the Ukip party

Mr Bolton is a leading expert in international diplomacy and foreign affairs. He was awarded an OBE by Princess Anne in 2013 (pictured)

The new Ukip leader has served in Afghanistan and is pictured briefing US General David Petraeus in 2011

Mr Bolton hit headlines last year when his wife Tatiana Smurova-Bolton, 41, gave birth on a packed train

Multimillionaire former Ukip donor Arron Banks said he is delighted with the result and signalled that he might be happy to start bankrolling the party again

The former Army officer who served in Bosnia in the 1990s warned earlier this month that Ukip was in danger of becoming the 'UK Nazi Party' if it picked the wrong leader.

And asked today if the party had avoided that he said: 'Absolutely, yes.'

The married father of three, who only joined Ukip around four years ago, told activists they had to be united to pursue their mission of delivering Brexit.

HENRY BOLTON'S WIFE GAVE BIRTH ON A COMMUTER TRAIN Mr Bolton hit headlines last year when his wife Tatiana Smurova-Bolton, gave birth on a packed train The new Ukip leader hit headlines last ear when his wife gave birth on a busy commuter train. Henry Bolton was travelling with his wife Tatiana Smurova-Bolton into London last May when she suddenly went into labour. After coming to a halt at platform 13 shortly after 4pm, the carriage was cleared by staff to give the expectant mother, who is married to Henry Bolton, some privacy. And Mr Bolton's third child, his daughter Victoria, was safely delivered by paramedics. Mr Bolton, 54, said he was very happy with how the unusual delivery unfolded. He said: 'One of the reasons I think it went so well is because it was in a natural situation and it wasn't in a hospital with loads of things going on,' he said. 'The other thing is, I think that is wonderful for a child to have something a little bit quirky in their background - and what's more quirky than being born on the train at platform 13 of St Pancras station?' The baby, who weighed 3.82 kg (8.4 lbs). Advertisement

Nigel Farage offered his immediate congratulations to Ukip's fourth leader in 12 months.

He told the Mail Online he is 'delighted' with the result and said he thought the party would have been 'finished' if Ms Waters had won.

And multimillionaire former Ukip donor Arron Mr Banks signalled that he may begin backing he party again after the election.

Mr Banks tweeted: 'This is great news & I'm sure both myself and Nigel will want to re-engage with the party!'

The election of Mr Bolton - a party moderate and relative unknown - appears to have quashed talk that Ukip could splinter and split permanently.

The conference hall erupted into loud shouts and applause while several delegates punched the air in joy as they heard that Ms Waters had been denied the job.

In a brief victory speech, Mr Bolton said it is a 'crucial day for our party' and a critical one for the country.

Speaking after his shock victory was announced, he said: 'I do not see myself now as simply being your leader, I see myself as serving this party.

'You are the party, not me, and this party needs to serve its country.

'There is no greater calling than that and I would call on all of you, whether you voted for me or not, to rally around the party, to be united.'

He told the party members: 'Brexit is our core task, however, it is not the end of the line.'

Speaking in a press conference after his election, he said he has an 'issue' with face coverings, but but dodged questions over whether he would ban the burqa.

Commenting on the transgender debate, he said: 'I think we are getting a bit far when we are encouraging children in some cases to question their own sexuality, I think that is certainly going too far.'

Mr Farage told the Mail Online that Ukip avoided a 'catastrophe' in today's election and pledged his support to their new leader.

He said he hopes Ms Waters and her supporters will no quit Ukip after today's election.

Anne Marie Waters, pictured today at the Ukip Party conference, came second in the leadership contest. She was beaten to the top spot by the relative unknown Henry Bolton

He told the Mail Online: 'I voted for him. I'm very pleased.

'He is a man of substance, he has done more in his lifetime than all the other candidates added together. He has got experience.

Commenting on Ms Waters, he added: 'Ukip would have been finished if she had won. It would have been over.

JUST WHO IS HENRY BOLTON? THE NEW UKIP CHIEF'S CV December 2016-present: Deployable civilian expert for the UK Government's Stabilisation Unit April 2016-present: Consultant on international affairs and diplomacy. May 2016: Failed candidate to be Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent November 2013-March 2016: EU Strategic Planer on the EU Common Security and Defence Policy October 2012- January 2013: Senior advisor at the Foreign Office on Helmand Province, Afghanistan May 2005: Defeated Liberal Democrat candidate in Runnymede and Weybridge February 2003-April 2006: Home Office Ministerial adviser on Transnational Organised Crime and Intelligence August 2003-May 2004: Border Management Consultant at the European Commission September 1992- September 2001: Police Officer, Thames Valley Police February 1990-March 2000: Territorial Army Infantry Company Commander September 1979 February 1990: Trooper and NCO, Royal Husssars, British Army Advertisement

'I spent years making sure that Ukip had no links or associations with far right policies at all and she wanted to take it in the opposite direction.

'I wouldn't have though she will stay. I hope she quits.'

Mr Farage insisted he has no plans to set up a rival party to Ukip and said he will help Mr Bolton in whatever way he wants.

Mr Bolton is a former police officer and solder who started his political career with the Lib Dems before migrating to the right-wing.

He joined the Army in the early 1990s and spent a decade in the ranks, rising to become Territorial Army Infantry Company Commander and military intelligence officer.

He spent a brief spell at the UN before joining Thames Valley police where he spent nine years on the force.

Mr Bolton has spent the past 15 years working as a consultant and adviser, advising the Foreign Office and Home Office on Afghanistan, EU defence policy and international affairs.

Mr Bolton describes himself as 'an expert in borders, security and foreign policy' according to his LinkedIn profile, and has worked as a diplomat for the United Nations, Foreign Office and the EU.

He has been deployed to countries like Croatia, Kosovo, Libya and Ukraine on diplomatic missions for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

He was awarded an OBE by the Princess Royal for services to international security in 2013.

The father-of-three had his first foray into politics in 2005 when he stood for the Lib Dems against the now Chancellor Philip Hammond. He came in third place.

The 54 year-old stood as Ukip's candidate to police and crime commissioner in Kent 2016, finishing in second.

Meanwhile, there were angry scenes outside the party conference as protesters chanted and argued with Ukip delegates.

Protesters gathered outside Ukip party conference to demonstrate against the party, which they accused of fuelling racism and bigotry

There were angry scenes outside the party conference as protesters hit out at Ukip for inviting a speaker from the far right German AFD group to address their conference

Ukip interim leader Steve Crowther unveils the proposed new Ukip logo. But observers were quick to point out it bears a striking resemblance to the Premier League logo, and the top flight footballing division is consulting their lawyers over it

A Ukip supporter waves the union jack as she arrives at the party conference in Torquay. Meanwhile in the conference centre an array of anti-EU propaganda was on display, including a pic (right) of Eurocrat Guy Verhofstadt

Leaflets warning of a 'Brexit betrayal' and taking a swipe at the arch Europhile Tony Blair were being dished out at the party conference

They accused the party of fueling hate by inviting a member of the far right German AFD party to address their conference.

UKIP LEADERSHIP ELECTION RULES Ukip elects its leader through the first past the post system. Under party rules, candidates must have been party members for at least two years as of 23 June 2017. They must also have the support of one hundred members across at least ten local parties. Then they make it on to the ballot paper and are elected in a vote by party members. Candidates must pay a 5,000 deposit, half of which is refundable for candidates who receive at least 20% of the vote. Just two candidates did not lose their deposit in today's election - Henry Bolton and Anne Marie Waters. Advertisement

The party had been braced for a mass walkout of its MEPs and members if Ms Waters won today's election.

Ms Waters runs Sharia Watch UK and set up a British branch of the German extreme Pegida group with Tommy Robinson - the former leader of the English Defence League.

And she had reportedly got the former BNP member Jack Buckby to help run her campaign.

Mr Bucky sparked outrage in murdered MP Jo Cox's Batley and Spen constituency when he stood for election claiming 'more interested in solidarity with Palestinian people than gang rape' by Asian men.

Her strident anti-Islam views have placed her on the fringes of Ukip, and senior party figures said they would have quit in disgust if she had won.

Many leading figures in Ukip have urged for her to be blocked from standing for the party because of her extreme views.

In 2016 she was deselected as a candidate in the London Assembly elections after her role in setting up Pegida was discovered.

And earlier this year she was blocked from standing for Ukip in the Lewisham East seat in the General Election by then leader Paul Nuttall.

But Ukip's NEC allowed her to stand for leader - to the anger of many in the party.

Nigel Farage, pictured in the US earlier this week, has said Ukip would be 'finished' if it becomes an anti-Islam party

Controversial Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali - who preaches an extreme social conservatism and suggested the decline of Christianity in Britain is linked to women going out to work - spoke at the conference today

Ukip supporters listen to speakers at the conference and will later hear the result of the party's third leadership election in just one year

Former Ukip leader Paul Nuttall - who quit in the wake of the party's disastrous election result - has a chat with some friends at the party conference

The NEC later tried to get all the leadership candidates to agree to change party rules so they would elected by a first past the post system rather than a form of proportional representation.

GAY PEOPLE ARE COMPARED TO HITLER AND THE YORKSHIRE RIPPER IN LEAFLET AT UKIP CONFERENCE A leaflet comparing gay people to Hitler and the Yorkshire Ripper is being handed out at the Ukip Party conference. The pamphlet asks if homosexuality is a legitimate alternative and adds: 'God says it is not.' It says homosexuality is a 'sin' and those who are gay will go straight to hell. The leaflet states: 'You may call it an 'alternative lifestyle' but this term is meaningless. 'Everyone form Hitler to the Yorkshire Ripper could claim an alternative lifestyle that, to themselves, no doubt seemed quite natural an distinctive. 'The question is whether homosexuality is a legitimate alternative. 'God says it is not.' The leaflet, entitled Homosexuality - the Real Alternative - is signed by two clergymen, Rev D Silversides and Rev T Kirkland. The party's newly elected leader Henry Bolton said in a statement: 'The pamphlet is neither produced nor endorsed by the party. 'It is wrong, unpleasant and has no place in UKIP or at this conference.' Advertisement

The move would severely undermine her chances of winning, but the plan had to be abandoned after one of the candidates refused to agree to it.

Ms Waters wants to ban the burqa and Sharia councils, and put a freeze on all immigration into the UK.

And she has demanded that mosques across Britain are forcibly shut down.

Ms Waters, who lives with her partner and two dogs, has insisted that 'millions' of Brits agree with her that Islam is 'evil'.

A small group of protesters staged an angry demonstration outside the Torquay conference centre to protest at Ukip and their decision to invite Hugh Bronson from the AFD to address the conference later today.

They angrily rowed with Ukip delegates, who they accused of fuelling racism and bigotry.

They chanted: 'No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here' as they sad they decided to mount the protest as a sign of 'solidarity' with their comrades in Germany.

Under the charismatic leadership of Mr Farage, the party won four million votes in the 2015 general election and saw its dream of Britain voting to leave the EU achieved.

But in the past year it has been riven by splits and in-fighting.

In the last election it polled just 600,00 votes and is has had three leadership elections in just one year.

Diane James, who was elected last September, lasted just 18 days days in the job before quitting saying she was sick of banging her head against a 'brick wall'.

Multimillionaire insurance tycoon Arron Banks - a key ally of Mr Farage - has pulled his funding from the party, plunging it into financial woes.

He is expected to help put the cash up to bankroll a new Brexit party if Mr Farage goes ahead with his plan to set it up.

Ukip interim leader Steve Crowther, pictured at the conference today, said the party must prove that it can be led by someone other than Nigel Farage

The result will be announced later this afternoon.

The party is also set to unveil its new logo today in a bid to rebrand itself and appeal to new voters.

UKIP COURTS CONTROVERSY BY GIVING PLATFORM TO FAR RIGHT GROUP Ukip sparked controversy today by giving allowing a member of the far-right German group AFD to speak at their conference. Hugh Bronson was cheered by Ukip delegates as he addressed their conference in Torquay today. Mr Bronson, a Berlin state parliament member urged Ukip to keep their differences 'behind closed doors'. The AfD, which critics describe as far-right, days ago finished third in Germany's elections on a promise to fight 'an invasion of foreigners', just four years after being formed. Asked what his advice for UKip would be, he said: 'It's very simple, be united. 'Do not let in-house fighting overtake your programme, the aim of what you want to do. 'If you break up into little groups you will disappear and nobody will be looking to you for help. 'You have to stand united, there are differences, in every party there are, but there's no reason for one group of the other to leave, or to start a public debate about leadership, about what's going on in the party. 'This is something which should be done behind closed doors.' Mr Bronson said he was speaking at the Torquay conference to repay the favour of former leader Nigel Farage, who spoke at an AfD event in Germany this month. Protesters demonstrated outside in anger at the invite. Advertisement

A logo bearing the name Ukip and an image of a lion is expected to be the winning design after a vote of members at conference.

But a row is already brewing over the revamp, with many in the party calling for their current purple and gold pound logo to be retained.

While many have remarked it bears a striking resemblance to the logo already used by the Premier League.

David Coburn, a Ukip MEP, told the Mail Online: 'We should't change our logo. It's a load of PR twaddle - it'll cost millions and we don't have the money.

'An interim leader shouldn't be doing this - they are only an interim leader.

'It could cost millions and we don't have it.

'It's a load of waffle. We should keep the pound logo - why give away the most valuable thing we have - our logo.'

Steve Crowther, the party's interim leader, said Ukip must prove it can be led by someone other than Mr Farage.

Addressing the party faithful, he hit out against what he said was a rising tide of intolerance in Britain.

He said: 'If you dress up as a nurse, with balloons up your tunic, and push a bed round Worcester to raise money for a new scanner in the hospital, you are a sexist monster whose charity is refused.

'If you black up to pay homage to the Cool Runnings Jamaican bobsleigh team while raising money on a carnival float, you are a racist monster who should be drummed out of the parade.'

'If you point out that the world's top University is a place where ideas  including lecturers' perceived views on homosexuality  are there to be debated, not shut down, you are a homophobic monster who does not deserve to be the Vice Chancellor.

'UKIP should campaign to have these absurd rules abolished, and return to crime being crime: judged on whether you did it, not what you were thinking when you did it.'
Business / Companies

by Staff reporter

STANBIC Bank has warned members of the public to guard against falling victim to debit card fraudsters.Acting head of personal and business Banking, Mr Patson Mahatchi said his bank has assumed responsibility to ensure that all debit or credit card holders were aware of the risks of card fraud."It is our duty as a bank to sensitise the general populace of Zimbabwe on the potential threats out there and to educate them on how to avoid falling victim to the cons that have come alive following the increase in the use of plastic money," said Mr Mahatchi.He said that every credit or debit card holder needs to protect their card details, which are not limited to the PIN but also include even the card number."There are a lot of factors involved in the security of card details such as covering your PIN when making a POS payment, alerting the bank that your card has been retained by the ATM before you leave the ATM," he explained.Mr Mahatchi also said that it was not recommended for two people to share the same debit card in as much as they share an account."We urge everyone to avoid sharing their PINs with anyone else, even their spouse. It is advisable for couples to acquire two different debit cards for the same account in order to create a secure system of funds sharing and usage," he said.Stanbic Bank has since put in place an authentication security feature for online purchases, which requests for confirmation of identity by the user through the use of one time passwords thereby safeguarding the customers' funds from unintended usages."Verified by VISA is a security feature we are calling 3D Secure and have added onto our cards as it helps deal with issues of card fraud when it comes to online shopping. Customers will be required to input a password that will be generated by the site and sent to the mobile number or email address registered with the bank against the account," said Mr Mahachi.He said as a bank, Stanbic has also taken measures to ensure that their cards can transact securely across the globe."All our cards are Europay, Mastercard and VISA (EMV) compliant and acceptable for electronic payments in other countries.We then highly recommend all our travelling customers to inform the bank of their intended travel through their relationship managers as a way of enabling the bank to monitor transaction activity for security purposes," said Mr Mahachi.
Missing: William Dixon, 15, was last seen yesterday morning

Fears are growing for a missing 15-year-old boy who disappeared wearing his uniform as he walked to school.

William Dixon was last seen in the area of Harris Academy, Perth Road, Dundee, at 9am yesterday.

He was last seen wearing a maroon coloured Harris school blazer, a white shirt with school tie, black trousers, black Nike trainers and a black coloured Nike rucksack.

He is five foot six inches tall, slim, has light brown hair and blue eyes.

A spokesman for Dundee Police said they were concerned for his welfare and hoped to find him.

The teenager has now been missing for 25 hours.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Police Scotland on 101, or speak with any police officer.

Local officers posted an appeal to Facebook with hundreds sharing in a bid to help trace the youngster.

In a touching comment beneath, a loved one wrote an appeal directly to the 15-year-old.

She wrote: 'William, if you're reading this, and for some reason you feel you can't contact Mum and Dad, then please, please contact either myself, Aunty Jackie, or Aunty Hilary, you won't be in any trouble and you're loved so much, everything can be sorted out, I promise.'
Armed forces have been deployed across Denmark to provide support for the Danish police starting today.

Some 160 soldiers will stand guard at the Danish-German border as well as at potential targets of terror attacks, including Copenhagen's Great Synagogue, and the Israeli embassy, hours ahead of the Yom Kippur Jewish holiday.

This is the first time since World War II that armed Danish soldiers have been deployed in civilian society.

Out in force: Some 160 soldiers have been deployed to several sites, such as the German border and the country's main synagogue, to support the overstretched Danish police force

Use of armed soldiers has been restricted to the Royal Guard at the Royal palaces, but following a Government decision earlier this month, armed military units can be deployed in the civilian society in order to relieve the police.

The announcement was made by representatives from the National and Copenhagen Police, but there was no clarification as to how long the deployment would last.

The plans have long been underway as the government responds to calls from police officers that the force is 'overworked and undermanned', The Local reports.

Both Denmark and neighbouring Sweden has seen the increased need for border patrols in the wake of the 2015 migrant crisis stretch the resources of their police forces.

Danish soldiers guard the area nearby the Jewish Synagogue in Copenhagen, as Danish soldiers took to the streets of Copenhagen for the first time since World War II

Use of armed soldiers has been restricted to the Royal Guard at the Royal palaces, but following a Government decision earlier this month, armed military units can be deployed in the civilian society in order to relieve the police

Additional officers deployed for protection following terrorist attacks has similarly put further pressure on both police and armed forces.

The Great Synagogue in Copenhagen has been under police protection since the February 2015 terror incident, when a Danish man of Palestinian heritage shot and killed a Jewish guard outside.

On Valentines Day, February 14, 2015, Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein, 22, gunned down a filmmaker at a free speech event in Copenhagen with an M95 assault rifle.

He then sprayed the entrance with 27 bullets, wounding three police officers inside.

Several hours later, El-Hussein killed a Jewish security guard and wounded two police officers outside the synagogue using two handguns.

He was shot dead by a SWAT team hours later.
A murderer has been jailed for life for kicking a 'kind and honest' man to death as he lay defenceless in the street.

Richard Wallis, 43, who is a father and grandfather, denied murdering Jan Jedrzejewski, 41, but was found guilty by a unanimous jury following a two-month trial at Newport Crown Court.

In his sentencing remarks, The Honourable Sir John Griffith Williams KT told Wallis: 'My conclusion having observed you throughout the trial is that you are in no way remorseful.

'Your only concern was to lie and to dissemble as you tried to avoid conviction.'

Richard Wallis (left), 43, who is a father and grandfather, denied murdering Jan Jedrzejewski (right), 41, but was found guilty following a two-month trial

Mr Jedrzejewski's family left a tribute in the wake of his death. And following Wallis' conviction, they described their loved one as 'extremely honest and kind'

Mr Jedrzejewski died following the incident on Keene Street in Newport on January 12.

Police found him lying 'motionless' and 'bleeding profusely' at around 11pm and he died at the Royal Gwent Hospital the next day.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, Mr Jedrzejewski's sister Emilia Klawczynska described him as 'really fun-loving... extremely honest and kind.'

She thanked her family, friends, employers and Gwent Police for their support.

The court previously heard how Mr Jedrzejewski moved to Newport from Poland in August 2015 and worked full time for Island Steel.

Sir Griffith Williams said: 'Jan Jedrzejewski was a popular man, hard-working, well thought of and liked by his colleagues.'

He noted he was killed by one or two kicks to his mouth as he lay 'defenceless' on the ground.

William Hughes QC, prosecuting, said Wallis had one previous conviction for violence dating back to 2002, but that this was not considered an aggravating factor for sentence.

Police found Mr Jedrzejewski lying 'motionless' and 'bleeding profusely' at around 11pm on January 12 and he died at the Royal Gwent Hospital the next day

Paul Lewis QC, defending, argued there was not a significant degree of planning or pre-meditation and said his client had no involvement in taking the victim to the ground.

Mr Lewis said his client's involvement was limited to 'a single kick', although he accepted, based on evidence from a pathologist, that kick was 'forceful'.

Agreed medical evidence stated the blow had a far greater effect than it otherwise would have done due to the victim's level of intoxication.

Wallis argued during the trial that he was acting in self-defence, but the judge said: 'I am sure as to what happened. There was no element of self-defence.'

Wallis was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years. No separate penalty was made for perverting the course of justice.

Callum Banton and Shaquille Crosdale, both 18, from Fleetwood Close in Newport, stood trial with Wallis and are due to face a re-trial with a juvenile who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Wallis' mother Catherine Coslett, 64, from Valley View Road, Cwmtillery, was found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice and is due to be sentenced at a later date.
George Reid, 37, has been charged with animal cruelty after the sickening act was reportedly caught on CCTV in the Bronx

A convicted child molester allegedly beat a dog to death in a 'cruel and relentless' attack before throwing its body in the trash - all while a six-year-old girl looked on.

George Reid, 37, has been charged with animal cruelty after the sickening act was reportedly caught on CCTV in the Bronx.

Reid was sentenced to 18 months in jail in 2006 for sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl after accosting her immoral purpose in Michigan.

According to the New York Daily News, he allegedly kicked and punched the dog on August 16 of this year before slamming it into the ground.

He also lifted the pooch up by its neck and struck it as the six-year-old girl watched, prosecutors said.

The small dog was then supposedly dumped in a trash can after being killed in Reid's Belmont apartment.

It is said to have been stored in a garbage bag.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said: 'The defendant was cruel and relentless in his incomprehensible attack on a small, defenseless animal.'

He added that a video of the incident is now under review and stressed he will 'work hard to obtain justice'.

Clark also said he wanted to 'emphasize our continued dedication to protecting vulnerable animals'.

Reid is being held on a $25,000 bail.
Advertisement

Her cheeky smile put her centre stage at the Invictus Games yesterday when she helped herself to a few handfuls of Prince Harry's popcorn.

But little Emily Henson's family will not have been surprised that she stole the Prince's heart - for the two-year-old has already been the inspiration behind her father's incredible journey from tragedy inAfghanistan to Paralympic glory.

Emily is the daughter of David Henson, a former Royal Engineer who lost both of his legs in 2011 when he stood on an IED during an attempt to clear a building of mines in Afghanistan so locals could return.

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Two-year-old Emily Henson, pictured sitting on her mother's lap, charmed Prince Harry yesterday when she tucked into his popcorn during the Invictus Games

Emily is the daughter of David Henson (left) a former serviceman turned Paralympian who is a good friend of Prince Harry

Mr Henson has previously told how miracle daughter Emily was conceived through IVF after the Army took his sperm shortly after the IED blast in Afghanistan which led to his legs being amputated

As he lay in a military hospital shortly after the blast, the Army took his sperm and froze it, so that he might have children in the future if he wanted.

He later said it was not something he gave much thought to at first, but, after marrying his wife Hayley, the couple decided to try for a child through IVF and it worked first time.

In the dark days after the bomb blast, David had told Hayley she should find someone else who could make her happier than he could. But she stuck by him and he later said the birth of Emily made their relationship even stronger.

Shortly after Emily's birth in 2015, David told the Daily Telegraph: 'She was "with me" the day I was injured but she wasn't born until four years later. As soon as she came along we realised what we had been missing: it was her.'

He credited the youngster with helping his recovery, telling of his joy at having someone to 'love and care for and educate and guide'. Hayley is now pregnant again expecting the couple's second child.

David, from Hampshire, was determined not to let his injuries stop him from living a full life and, just 10 months after the bomb blast, he put on running blades for the first time. He has not stopped running ever since.

Little Emily caught the attention of cameras last year, when the youngster put on her father's bronze Paralympic medal when he returned home from competing in Rio

Mr Henson has attributed the youngster with helping his road to glory and consolidating his recovery from his injuries

The 33-year-old said that having someone to 'love and care for and educate and guide' had given his life added purpose

Mr Henson pulled on running blades 10 months after the blast in Afghanistan and has since become a top Paralympian. He has become a close friends with Prince Harry (pictured together at the 2014 Invictus Games)

David captained the first UK team in London in 2014 and was so impressive that he went on to qualify as a competitive 'blade runner', wining bronze at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

He has become a big star of Harry's Invictus Games has become a good friend of the prince, who he says sees servicemen and women as his extended family.

He said of the Prince: 'He has friends who were injured serving their country, so it's very personal for him.

'You enter into a new family that way.... he has that care and devotion to his extended family. His commitment and enthusiasm are very real.'

Harry, 33, was seated with the Henson family in the stands for a sitting volleyball match between the UK v Denmark at the Invictus Games in Toronto yesterday.

Cheeky little Emily put her hand on the prince's knee and then, seated on her mother Hayley's lap, popped it into his popcorn and sneaked several handfuls while he was engaged talking to a man on his left.

After Mr Henson told of the couple's joy after the birth of Emily, pictures from yesterday show his wife is pregnant again

Paying no heed to protocol, two-year-old Emily was seen diving into Harry's popcorn box as he spoke to the man to his right

Harry then delighted Emily by making funny faces with her and sharing the popcorn throughout the event

The comical scenes went on for almost a minute before Harry noticed  and deftly pulled his snack away before pulling a silly face.

He quickly relented, though, and offered Emily a piece herself which she eagerly took  and then made her smile by jokingly shovelling some in his own mouth before it all went.

Harry then patiently entertained Emily, wearing a pretty yellow daisy print top, by pulling faces at her and even encouraging the high-spirited toddler to stick out her tongue.

Proving he has everything it takes to be an indulgent dad himself, the royal patiently played with the little girl as she proudly showed him her toys, including several Paw Patrol, characters and a 'Mountie' bear.

After the match ended, with the UK team powering their way through to the finals, Harry gave Emily a cuddle goodbye and headed off for some meetings.

Harry, who is a doting uncle to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, was enamored with the little girl
An Australian wine has been rated the worlds best  and you could pick one up from the bottle shop for just $20.

The World Association of Wine Writers and Journalists (WAWWJ) has release its ranking of the worlds top wineries, with family-owned Taylors Wines nabbing the number one spot among 50,000 producers.

Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2014 was also given the gong for the most awarded wine in the world.

Australian family-owned Taylors Wines has nabbed the number one spot among 50,000 wine producers

Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2014 was given the gong for the most awarded wine in the world (stock image)

In what may be even better news, the Aussie wine which has been rated the best in the world doesnt come with the expected heavy price-tag.

A bottle of Taylors Jaraman Shiraz is selling for just $20.90 at Dan Murphys, meaning the Aussie grog thats the best worldwide could be in your glass for a very reasonable cost.

WAWWJ president Leonardo Cantellani praise the performance of Australian wineries in 2017.

Taylors Wines managing director Mitchell Taylor said he was incredibly proud' (winery pictured)

The broader Australian presence is significant this year with 21 Australian wines on the list of the top 100 wines in the world and a ranking of 5th on the list of most awarded countries, he said.

Taylors Wines managing director Mitchell Taylor said he was incredibly proud.

Since the beginning weve sought to make wines that can take on the best in the world.

Australia produces some of the worlds most incredible wines and recent success in global competitions prove this.
A prominent Black Lives Matter activist, arrested at a protest where a police officer was injured, won't be held responsible because BLM is social movement and cannot be sued, a judge has ruled.

DeRay McKesson, a leading figure in the African-American protest movement, was anonymously sued by a police officer who was injured by a rock thrown during a rally, following a deadly police shooting in Baton Rouge last year.

The case was dismissed by Brian Jackson, a US district judge, who ruled Black Lives Matter was not an entity capable of being sued.

Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson was sued by a police officer who was injured by a rock thrown during a rally last year. A judge dismissed the case as Black Lives Matter is an entity and therefore cannot be sued - a seperate lawsuit against McKesson were also dropped

Charges were also dismissed against Mr McKesson who was expressing his right to free speech at the July 2016 rally, and played no involvement in the injury.

Stating in a 24-page ruling, Judge Jackson wrote: 'Although many entities have utilized the phrase black lives matter in their titles or business designations, Black Lives Matter itself is not an entity of any sort.'

The Baton Rouge policeman, who filed his suit under the name John Doe, claimed Mr McKesson incited violence at the protest and blamed him for injuries he suffered after getting struck in the face with a rock.

Stating in a 24-page ruling, Judge Jackson wrote: 'Although many entities have utilized the phrase black lives matter in their titles or business designations, Black Lives Matter itself is not an entity of any sort'

Black Lives Matter activists descended on Baton Rouge after Alton Sterling was shot by police on July 5.

The police officer who filed the complaint claimed he and his fellow officers were pelted with full bottles looted from a nearby store, and later pieces of concrete.

The Baton Rouge policeman, who filed his suit under the name John Doe, claimed Mr McKesson incited violence at the protest and blamed him for injuries he suffered after getting struck in the face with a rock

After being hit in the face with the rock, the police officer claims he fell to the floor and was left his an injured jaw and brain, as well as lost teeth.

Because McKesson was a prominent organiser of the protest, the lawsuit was filed against him. But the judge rejected it on the grounds that BLM is a social movement, like the Tea Party, meaning it cannot be sued.

During the hearing, McKesson's attorney, Billy Gibbens, said Black Lives Matter did not have a governing body, bylaws or due-paying members.

'This is a movement, and there isn't a person who is responsible for it, or the leader or the founder of it,' he told the judge.
A two-year-old girl who was pulled from a river in the New South Wales on Friday is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Emergency services were called to the scene at North Richmond's Hawkesbury River around 3pm.

A Care Flight helicopter responded to the call, but the toddler was taken to Westmead Hospital via ambulance.

New South Wales police assisted in the establishment of the landing sight.

A two-year-old girl who was pulled from a river in the New South Wales on Friday is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest
More than 70 Tory MPs today joined forces with 116 from the opposition to demand Theresa May meets her election promise to cap energy bills for 17 million families.

The huge rebellion of Conservative MPs raises the spectre of humiliating defeats in Parliament if the Prime Minister - who has no Commons majority on energy policy - resists the call.

The 76-strong group of Tories includes former leadership contender Stephen Crabb and ex ministers including John Penrose, who has campaigned on energy bills.

Mrs May's election manifesto promised a cap on energy bills for 17million households on standard rate tariffs but work since June 8 has produced only a small extension of protections for the worst off.

The MPs say proposals by regulator Ofgem to bring in caps for two million households do not go far enough.

More than 70 Tory MPs today joined forces with 116 from the opposition to demand Theresa May (pictured meeting troops in Estonia today) meets her election promise to cap energy bills for 17 million families

The 76-strong group of Tories includes former leadership contender Stephen Crabb and ex ministers including John Penrose, who has campaigned on energy bills

In a letter to the PM and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark, they call on the Government to extend the Ofgem plans to meet manifesto pledges.

The letter states: 'While these proposals are a step in the right direction it is clear we must do more to protect the further 15 million households who continue to be preyed on by the big six energy firms.

'It was promised in the three leading party manifestos. We hope you will work with us and Ofgem to stop this Big-6 stitch-up, and pledge to help the millions of households who Ofgem seem set to ignore.'

Ex minister John Penrose said: 'For decades the 'Big Six' energy companies have ripped off 17 million consumers. And yet Ofgem have chosen to stand idly by, leaving 15 million customers on SVTs to be preyed upon.

'If Ofgem won't challenge the 'Big Six' and stand up for consumers, the Government should replace it and implement the energy price cap itself.

'This was a manifesto pledge in the Conservative, Labour and SNP election campaigns, and the breadth and depth of cross-party signatures on this letter shows huge support for the Government to get this through Parliament'.

Mrs May's election manifesto promised a cap on energy bills for 17million households on standard rate tariffs but work since June 8 has produced only a small extension of protections for the worst off

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: 'The Government is determined to see the huge detriment suffered by loyal energy consumers addressed.

'The Business Secretary asked Ofgem to advise on what measures it will take to safeguard consumers and, while we await the regulator's proposals, we remain prepared to legislate if necessary.'
One Tasmanian farmer has taken the internet by storm with a hilarious photo of his dog Izzy.

Charlie Mackinnon shared a photo of his black Kelpie getting herself into a woolly situation with a flock of sheep.

About 10 sheep are huddled together with Izzy's jet black head bulging out from underneath them.

Mr Mackinnon told Daily Mail Australia they were working in the sheep yards at the time his 'best dog' got stuck.

Tasmanian farmer Charlie Mackinnon has taken the internet by storm with a hilarious photo of his dog Izzy getting stuck in a flock of sheep, with her head bursting out from them

'That time she must have slipped down between [the sheep] and they jammed up pretty hard,' he said.

'It was funny at the time, she enjoys what she does.'

The sheep farmer said Izzy gave him that look of 'I'm stuck' but she was rescued pretty quickly.

The photo was taken in 2014 when Izzy was about three-years-old and 'in her prime'.

However, soon after she had a litter of puppies, the working dog was tragically hit by a car when she was five-years-old.

'It was horrible at the time,' Mr Mackinnon told Daily Mail Australia.

'She was an absolute legend, worked all day.

'It was a bit of a loss, she was probably my best dog at the time ... it makes life more difficult.'

Mr Mackinnon told Daily Mail Australia they were working in the sheep yards at the time when Izzy(pictured top), his 'best dog' got stuck

'That time she must have slipped down between [the sheep] and they jammed up pretty hard,' Mr Mackinnon (pictured with Belle) said

The Tasmanian farmer said a positive to come from the tragedy was keeping one of Izzy's puppies, Belle, who is a lot like her mother.

Mr Mackinnon runs the family farm with 4,500 breeding ewes in Longford, south of Launceston and chose to share the image this week after he entered it in a sheep photo competition celebrating the work of Australian farmers.

The contest, run by a sheep drench company, was described as 'Australia's biggest ever sheep photo competition'.

The farmer entered the photo of Izzy into a competition run by a sheep drench company, which has been described as 'Australia's biggest ever sheep photo competition' (Izzy's puppy Belle pictured left)

After the photo spent years on Mr Mackinnon's fridge, it quickly went viral when he shared the hilarious photograph on social media which has received more than 29,000 likes on Twitter in three days.

'These days we've always got a camera in back pocket ... I thought it was worth putting in the competition,' he said.

The farmer said the majority of people online got 'a buzz' out of the happy photo.

The photo competition will be drawn in November and despite hoping he wins, Mr Mackinnon said he didn't want to count his chickens before they hatched.
News / Local

by Stephen Jakes

Inspector Mhandu attached at Bulawayo Central Police Station's Law and Order department has summoned Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition spokesperson and Executive Director of Habakkuk Trust Dumisani Nkomo.Reports claim that for the past two days suspected state security agents in a white vehicle had been trailing Nkomo following him at work and home before Inspector Mhandu summoned him to appear at the central police station in Bulawayo tomorrow (Friday) morning.Nkomo professed ignorance why the police have summoned him saying "I am law abiding citizen committed to the vision of a democratic peaceful society."Zimbabwe's state security agents have become notorious for perpetrating gross human rights violations targeting civil society leaders, activists and opposition activists.The violations range from torture to enforced disappearances. In a related case, police this week arrested #ThisFlag leader Pastor Evan Mawarire after he exposed shortages of fuel in Harare and charged him with four counts of attempting to subvert a constitutionally elected government.
The several arm of a gorilla has washed up on a beach in Ireland, with stunned discoverers first believing it was human.

The skeleton limb was found on a beach in Kilkee, County Clare, last week, by a member of the public.

Analysis found that the limb was from an animal, and it was soon determined to be a large primate.

Mystery: The large skeleton primate limb was found on a beach in Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland, last week, by a member of the public, who first through it was from a human

It is most likely that the arm comes from a gorilla, although local news reported possible other options, such as a chimpanzee.

Local authorities are now embarking on trying to unravel the mystery of where the several gorilla skeleton arm may have come from.

'From Kilkee side out, I think the next land you meet from there is America so I don't know, I really haven't a clue,' Clare County Council dog warden Frankie Coote told RTE.

'We're used to getting calls where farm animals wash up or a dog, a seal or anything like that, but this is an unusual one.

Source: Analysis found that the limb was from an animal, and it was soon determined to be a large primate, most likely a gorilla

'It'd be nice to get to the bottom of it and know exactly what it is and where it may have come from.'

Mr Coote has been taking care of the arm after it was released by Gardai. After police determined that the remains were not human, the handed it back to the council.

Mr Coote says he is currently storing the gorilla arm in his freezer.

Clare County Council has made an appeal for information as to where the gorilla limb may have originated from.
A popular Chinese cosplay model has reportedly died after falling into a hotel swimming pool on a western Pacific island.

Jovie Liu, 25, also known as Liu Youling, was chosen by her social media fans to go to Saipan as a model for a photo shoot organised by a company on September 21.

Liu's makeup artist said the model was flushed into a three-metre-deep (9.8 ft) water zone by the water current during the shoot.

Jovie Liu Youling, posed for a picture at an airport before flying to Saipan for a photo shoot (left). The 25-yer-old cosplay model (right) was chosen by her social media fans for the trip

According to Beijing News, Liu and the crew were having a photo shoot at the Sea Fun Villa on September 25.

In addition to Liu, two other people fell into the water, and none of them were able to swim.

Liu was trapped in the water for two to three minutes before hotel staff rushed to pull her up.

She was taken to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the afternoon in a state of coma.

Liu posted pictures of herself daily on Weibo (left and right). She fell into a swimming pool at Sea Fun Villa during a photo shoot on September 25 and was pronounced dead the day after

However, she was pronounced dead the next day as doctors said she died from lack of oxygen to the brain.

The other two were saved as they were flushed to a shallow area which was 1.8 metres deep (5.9 ft).

Qi Bao, the company who organised the photo shoot, is due to hold a memorial service for Liu on September 30.

Liu was also a famous freelance photographer in eastern China's Hangzhou, taking pictures of cosplay models.

Liu had previously taken photos for other cosplay models including a medieval princess and a video game character (left and right)

Liu travelled to Saipan, pictured, for a week of Japanese-themed photoshoot for a company

With over 150,000 followers on her Weibo account, Liu was in the list of potential influencers on POCO, a Chinese photography website.

One of Liu's apprentices told Metropolitan Daily that Liu was going to Saipan for a Japanese-themed photo shoot.

'A photography company organised a crowdfunding event, and asked web users to crowdfund their favourite models and she (Liu) won.'
Immigration chiefs have announced the arrests of hundreds of people in a four-day nation-wide sweep targeting 'sanctuary cities' where local police and elected officials have refused to help in deportation cases.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman said its teams arrested 498 people from 42 countries for federal immigration violations during the operation that ended on Wednesday.

It was part of Operation 'Safe City' which targets so-called 'sanctuary cities' - regions where deportation officers are denied access to jails and prisons to interview suspected immigration violators or jurisdictions where ICE detainer requests are not honored.

The most arrests took place in Los Angeles, Denver and Philadelphia.

Immigration chiefs have announced the arrests of hundreds of people in a four-day nation-wide sweep targeting 'sanctuary cities' where local police and elected officials have refused to help in deportation cases (File photo)

The move has already been criticized by one prominent legal expert.

Immigration lawyer David Leopold and former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said: 'ICE's raids targeting cities that follow the Constitution take Trump's immigration terror to a new level of low.'

But ICE Acting Director Tom Homan said: 'Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honor detainers or allow us access to jails and prisons are shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement and creating a magnet for illegal immigration.

'As a result, ICE is forced to dedicate more resources to conduct at-large arrests in these communities.

'ICE's goal is to build cooperative, respectful relationships with our law enforcement partners to help prevent dangerous criminal aliens from being released back onto the streets. Non-cooperation policies severely undermine that effort at the expense of public safety.'

Individuals with active DACA were not targeted for arrest, according to the report.

ICE Acting Director Tom Homan (right) said: 'Sanctuary jurisdictions are... creating a magnet for illegal immigration'

Operation Safe City arrests took place in Baltimore (28), Cook County, Illinois (30), Denver (63), Los Angeles (101), New York (45), Philadelphia (107), Portland, Oregon (33), Santa Clara County, California (27), Washington, D.C. (14) and the state of Massachusetts (50).

Among those arrested during the operation was a citizen of El Salvador who entered the U.S. illegally on a fraudulent passport, and was previously charged with attempted murder/conspiracy to commit murder and convicted of first degree assault.

In Denver, a Guatemalan citizen with lawful permanent legal status who was previously convicted of felony menacing, 6 DUIs, child abuse, assault and domestic violence harassment was detained.

In Los Angeles, a citizen of Mexico and documented Colonia Chiques gang member who entered the United States illegally was arrested.

Meanwhile, 86 people were detained for receiving DUIs while 10 more were picked up for other traffic offenses.

One of President Trump's first moves in office was to defund 'sanctuary cities' such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago

One of President Trump's first moves in office was to defund 'sanctuary cities' such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

'A nation without borders is not a nation,' Trump told Department of Homeland Security employees after signing the orders. 'Beginning today the United States of America... gets back its borders.'

To help with the 'crisis' at the southern border, Trump gave DHS the authority to hire another 5,000 border patrol officers and triple its roster of immigration enforcement agents.

But in April U.S. District Judge William Orrick ruled that the president had no authority to use an executive order to attach new conditions to federal spending.
North Korea has warned the US its 'belligerent bravado' will only 'erupt our will for revenge' after America flew bombers and fighter jets close to the country's border.

The Pentagon said the squadron's flypast was the farthest north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone that any U.S. fighter jet or bomber has flown in the 21st century.

Pyongyang has finally responded to the military exercise, on Saturday, by calling it an 'extremely dangerous act, designed to drive the situation of the Korean Peninsula to extremes'.

It comes as experts warned that the rapid progress in nuclear tests ordered by tyrant Kim Jong-un poses a new level of threat to the international community.

North Korea has warned the US its 'belligerent bravado' will only 'erupt our will for revenge' after America flew bombers and fighter jets close to the country's border. Dictator Kim Jong-un is pictured at a rocket launch earlier this month

In a night-time mission on Saturday a group of B-1B Lancer bombers (pictured in a file image) flew further up North Korea's coastline than any US plane has gone this century

In a show of force on Saturday, U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by fighters flew east of North Korea.

The supersonic B-1B bombers have elaborate electronic countermeasures and are usually escorted by four F-15 fighters, which are likely to prevail in any air combat with North Korea's aging air force, said Bruce Bennett, a military expert at the Rand Corporation think tank.

Today, a state-run North Korean propaganda outlet slammed the exercise and called it an 'anti-Pyongyang provocation that cannot be overlooked in the least.'

In a commentary called 'Provocative behavior that arouses tens of millions of people's will for revenge', overseas media outlet Uriminzokkiri said: 'The U.S. belligerent bravado will only fiercely erupt our will for revenge.'

Experts have warned that the rapid progress in nuclear tests ordered by tyrant Kim Jong-un poses a new level of threat to the international community. A North Korean rocket launch is pictured earlier this month

The South Korean army's K-1 tanks move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea

Meanwhile, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has warned the North is 'highly likely' to launch fresh military provocations.

She said Pyongyang's speed in advancing its nuclear and missiles was 'faster than expected' and that the rapid progress was 'very worrisome'.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, said North Korea's sixth nuclear test - carried out on September 3 - shows that Pyongyang poses a new level of threat to the international community.

According to Yonhap, he said: 'We do not have the capacity to determine if it was a hydrogen bomb or not.

'But it is obvious the yield (of the recent test) was much bigger than the previous ones. It means that North Korea made a very rapid progress

'Combined with other elements, this is a new threat and this is a global threat.'
More than 60 people have died following the shipwreck of a boat carrying Rohingya Muslims who were fleeing from violence in Myanmar to Bangladesh.

The boat was carrying more than 80 people and went down just off the coast of Bangladesh 'within sight of land', witnesses said.

More than 500,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since August 25, amid violence targeting them in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state.

Heartbreaking: Some of the youngest victims of the shipwreck lie in front of their relatives near Inani Beach, Cox's Bazar after the incident that claimed some 60 lives overnight

The U.N. migration agency said a majority of the passengers of the overcrowded boat are either confirmed dead or missing and presumed dead.

Spokesman Joel Millman of the International Organization for Migration told reporters in Geneva that 23 deaths have been confirmed after eight more bodies were found overnight following an initial count of 15.

Mr Millman said 23 people were confirmed dead and 40 were missing. Seventeen survived.

'We believe 40 are missing and presumed drowned' on the vessel, which was thought to have been carrying about 80 people.

The 'very tragic' accident involved a vessel that had been at sea for two days with no food and had faced choppy seas, Mr Millman said.

A woman carries the body of a child in preparation for the funeral of the victims

Tragedy: The U.N. migration agency said a majority of the passengers of the overcrowded boat carrying Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh are believed to have died

A father mourns next to the bodies of babies before the funeral in Inani , Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi captain had not initially charged the passengers any fee for the transport and had been trying to avoid sea patrols or checkpoints, he said.

'The details are absolutely astonishing and remarkable,' Mr Millman said.

'At one point, he (the captain) chose to anchor the vessel, but that proved to be a fatal mistake as the rough seas were much worse than he supposed. This was easily within sight of land.'

'People were actually quite distraught that they had gotten so close to safety and yet drowned because the boat was destroyed by the high seas and the torrential rains and wind,' he said.

One survivor, Abdul Kalam, 55, said his wife, two daughters and a grandson were among the dead.

Newly arrived Rohingya Muslims, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, walk towards the nearest refugee camp at Teknaf

Surviving: A Rohingya Muslim boy, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, carries her sick sister towards hospital at Teknaf, Bangladesh,

Refugees: More than 500,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in the past four weeks, amid violence targeting them in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state

A Rohingya Muslim boy, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, waits to receive aid during a distribution near Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh

Kalam said armed Buddhists had come to his village about a week ago and taken away livestock and food. He said villagers had been summoned to a military office and told there were no such people as Rohingya in Myanmar.

After that he decided to leave and headed to the coast with his family, avoiding military camps on the way.

The U.N. migration agency closely tracks death tolls worldwide of migrants at sea, and generally counts the missing as presumed dead in its tally because confirmation is all but impossible.

Its figures are a highly quoted source on issues like often-fatal journeys between Libya and Italy, currently the world's most-deadly sea route for migrants.
Matthew McCree (pictured) was allegedly stabbed in the chest by 18-year-old classmate Abel Cedeno at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in New York City on Wednesday

The stepfather of a teenage boy who was stabbed to death in high school after allegedly harassing his 'flamboyant' classmate has said his stepson was no bully.

Kyle Victor, 34, defended his 15-year-old son Matthew McCree after the horrifying classroom attack, saying he was 'in no way bad', and claims the media is making his son look homophobic.

'Matthew was not like that at all and they're making it look like Matthew did not like gay people,' Victor told the New York Post.

The teen was allegedly stabbed in the chest by 18-year-old classmate Abel Cedeno at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in New York City on Wednesday.

Ariane LaBoy, a friend of McCree's, is now fighting for his life in hospital after he was also stabbed in the chest.

Cedeno told reporters and police that the pair relentlessly tormented him with homophobic slurs in class and was targeted him for his 'flamboyant' personality.

The two students were attacked allegedly by 18-year-old classmate Abel Cedeno (pictured after his arrest) on Wednesday morning

Cedeno, who has been charged with murder and attempted murder, was allegedly being tormented by McCree and LaBoy because of his flamboyant personality.

Pictured: What is believed to be the switchblade allegedly used by the suspect to stab McCree

McCree's 16-year-old friend Ariane LaBoy is fighting for his life in hospital

But Victor said his stepson - who he raised from the age of seven - was actually 'very loving', according to the Post.

He added: 'Every child has their little ways and you know a 15-year-old  emotions and hormones running around  but he was in no way bad.'

Victor also attacked the media for making McCree out to be villain in the story.

He explained: 'They need to ask the right questions first before they paint someone and make them look like they're some mean person.

McCree also attacked the school for not having metal detectors at its entrances.

The incident took place about 30 minutes into a history class in front of at least 15 other students.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Bob Boyce said the suspect had been fighting with the two victims since school started back two weeks ago.

'There were arguments going on for two weeks into the school year. It escalated today after some back and forth within the classroom,' Boyce said.

The suspect allegedly walked out of the room after the stabbing and surrendered the knife to a counselor.

The two students were allegedly stabbed by an 18-year-old classmate on Wednesday morning at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx

The incident took place about 30 minutes into a history class in front of at least 15 other students

Police said he then walked into the assistant principal's office, sat down and waited while 911 was called.

There are two schools within the one building - the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation, which is a high school and middle school combined. It also has Public School 67, which is an elementary school.
Pictured: Michelle Ditcher, 33, who died of a heart attack after being 'fobbed off' by doctors

A mother of two died at 33 of a heart attack after she was fobbed off twelve times in a year by doctors who said her chest pains were a stomach ache.

Michelle Ditcher had a well-documented family history of relatives suffering cardiac failure at a young age but due to an admin blunder it was 'hidden' from the medics who treated her.

The mother of two made desperate visits to her local surgery Ashcroft Medical Pracise in Levenshulme, Manchester over the course of 18 months, complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath.

But she was sent away numerous times and advised her to buy over-the-counter painkiller Ibuprofen after doctors told her she had 'gastro-intestinal' problems.

Three months before her death, she was taken to A&E at Manchester Royal Infirmary where she was recommended for urgent treatment, but due to an further admin blunder her GPs never received the referral.

She later collapsed twelve weeks later at her home in Levenshulme and died shortly afterwards. Tests showed she had heart disease and severely high cholesterol.

At an inquest into her death this week, her husband told the coroner he believed his wife had been failed by the doctors who 'neglected her'.

The hospital and surgery were condemned for their failings with the coroner ruling her death could have been prevented.

At an inquest into the death of Michelle Ditcher, her husband Alan (pictured together above) told the coroner he believed his wife had been failed by healthcare professionals

Three months before her death, she was rushed to A&E at Manchester Royal Infirmary she was recommended for urgent treatment, but due to an admin blunder her GP never received the referral

The hearing was told Mrs Ditcher's father had suffered a heart attack aged 40 from a heart attack while her brother had one aged just 33.

Mrs Ditcher's husband Alan, 43, said in the eight years he had known his wife the only significant illness she presented was asthma - but in last 18 months of her life she had been 'backwards and forwards' to her GP with chest pains.

He said: 'The chest pain affected her day to day life greatly and she struggled picking our children up from school and there were times where I had to leave work early just to help her walk. We felt that this was not properly investigated by her GP and the strongest treatment she was given was Ibuprofen.

Mrs Ditcher's husband Alan, 43, said his wife struggled to walk due to severe chest pains

'It has been no secret that her both her brother and father had a history of heart problems. Yet every time she came home from an appointment she always had the impression that she was being fobbed off. She went there with pains to the left and right arm and her back and chest - she felt like she was constantly being bear hugged.'

Mr Ditcher described how his wife was always been sent to different GPs and felt as though her plight was being ignored.

Telling the court of her final hours, he said: 'Two days prior to my wife passing away, I received a phone call from her saying she was unable to walk home due to her extreme chest pain and shortness of breath she was experiencing.

'Once I got home she could barely speak and I called for an ambulance. It was advised that she needed a scan but we were told this request could only come from a GP who was on holiday for two weeks.

Every time she came home from an appointment she always had the impression that she was being fobbed off

'When I told the paramedic this he phoned the ambulance GP to see if he could get an appointment and Michelle had a brief conversation and the referral was made. This would not have been done for weeks if we left it to Michelle's own GP.

'I believe the GP surgery neglected my wife and their lack of investigation has resulted in her death.'

GP Dominic Hyland who treated Miss Ditcher twice for chest pains said it was hidden in her records about her family history. :

The hearing was told Mrs Ditcher's father had suffered a heart attack aged 40 while her brother passed away from a similar condition aged just 33

Mrs Ditcher's husband said: 'I believe the GP surgery neglected my wife and their lack of investigation has resulted in her death'

GP Dr Alexander Frame said Mrs Ditcher (pictured left and right) had she been experiencing pain for 18 months on a daily basis

He said: 'We now make it clear that if a patient reveals a family history then that is recorded as a significant problem. Looking back with hindsight the chest pains and sensation in the mouth may have been angina. She was almost certainly describing angina and I did not consider it.

'Clearly this was a missed opportunity to investigate and refer her to a chest pain clinic.'

I believe the GP surgery neglected my wife and their lack of investigation has resulted in her death

Dr Naveed Khanna, another GP at the Ashcroft surgery said: 'There were opportunities to start her on statins and I wished I had started her on these when I referred her because I now know about her familial history and my main regret is not having full sight of the full clinical picture.'

A third GP Dr Alexander Frame said: 'She said she had been experiencing pain for 18 months on a daily basis. But the absence of a history of cardiac issues, a normal ECG and her abdominal pains led me to a gastrointestinal conclusion.'

He said there were missed opportunities and the practise had failed to recognise her symptoms.

An expert cardiologist condemned Ashcroft Surgery, pictured above, and said Mrs Ditcher's death came as the result of an 'organisational failure'

An expert cardiologist said he thought it was likely Mrs Ditcher had a heart attack in 2013 and had been living with Coronary Artery Disease until her death in November 2014 which went undetected.

Dr Steven Saltissi said the GP surgery were unaware of her high cholesterol and history of coronary heart disease but said it was treated, she could have survived.

He condemned the actions of the practise and called it an 'organisational failure'.

Recording a narrative conclusion, assistant coroner Nick Stanage said the surgery had come up with an 'action plan' to address issues following Mrs Ditcher's death but it appeared the hospital had not investigated the tragedy.

He said: 'Michelle was failed so many times and I fear a recurrence of preventable deaths will happen in the future as a result of failings to ensure that clinician's instructions are clearly communicated to GP surgeries.'

He ruled the failures in her care and treatment contributed to her death.

He said: 'There was also a failure to ensure that Michelle was referred to the rapid access chest pain clinic and there was a failure to diagnose and treat angina. But for the above failures, her death would have been prevented.'
A heartbroken mother who found two of her five-month-old triplets dead in their cots has paid a moving tribute to them as she faces life with just one son left.

Distraught Sarah Owen, 29, was heard screaming: 'My babies, my babies' after finding two of her sons had stopped breathing on Saturday morning.

Ambulances rushed to their home in Bridgend, Wales, and took the triplets to hospital where Noah and Charlie were pronounced dead.

Their brother Ethan survived what police have called a 'tragic accident'.

Speaking for the first time almost a week since the tragedy, Miss Owen said she is 'completely lost' and would do anything to hold them one final time.

The triplets lived with their mother but were due to move out as the privately owned house has been sold. Pictured, the babies in a social media photograph

She said: 'We are devastated at the loss of our two beautiful babies, who, along with their brother Ethan, lit up our world. Noah and Charlie were my life, heart and soul.

'They were the happiest babies, they always had a smile for everyone and made everyone smile back.

'I would give anything to hold my beautiful boys, to see them smile, hear them laugh or even hear them cry.

'I am completely lost and heartbroken without them it feels like I've lost my limbs.'

Single mum Sarah lived with the boys at Wildmill, Bridgend and was given daily help from her parents and other relatives.

Paramedics rushed to her rented home in Bridgend, South Wales and took the triplets to hospital where two - Charlie and Noah - were pronounced dead

She added: 'Noah and Charlie, along with their brother Ethan, were my world and life will never be the same again.

'I am proud everyday to call all of them my sons and feel privileged to have been able to love and hold them.

I am completely lost and heartbroken without them it feels like I've lost my limbs

'I love you - my beautiful baby boys - I always have and always will. You will never be forgotten.'

Police are still investigating the tragedy when Miss Owen woke up last Saturday morning.

After screaming for help she was later seen standing in the street cuddling surviving baby Ethan.

Police say the double death death is being treated as a 'tragic accident' and an investigation is underway

Police later ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning and inquiries are continuing into the cause of death.

A statement from the the Owen family said: 'Words cannot describe how empty we feel at this awful time.

'We would like to thank everybody for their kind words and for their offers of support which have meant so much to us.

'Now we respectfully ask to be left alone, as a family, to grieve in peace.'

The two baby triplets were found dead in their home after being killed by what was initially thought to be carbon monoxide poisoning in their sleep

Miss Owen and Ethan were checked over at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, but were not harmed by whatever killed the two little boys.

Neighbour and close family friend Anne Way, 64, said: 'That's what no one can understand - how two of the triplets died and one survived.

'As far as I know they all slept in the same room. I spoke to Sarah's father later in the day and he said it wasn't carbon monoxide. There are more questions than answers.'

Tests are also being carried out to discover if the babies died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

South Wales Police expect to make a further statement on the cause of the babies' deaths next week.

An inquest is due to be opened by Bridgend Coroner Andrew Barkley.
Fake Lego sets aimed at children as young as six depicting ISIS terrorists firing AK-47s and launching sticks of dynamite have been pulled from the shelves.

Among the figures sold in various shops in Singapore was an 'ISIS Jihadi John', based on British executioner Mohammed Emwazi and the profile read: 'Extremist who enjoys blowing things up for fun. One day, he'll blow himself up.'

The sets, which are not linked to Lego in any way, featured ISIS flags and retailed at between 2.85 and 18.70 and some included plastic figurines of a decapitated head.

U.S. manufacturer BrickArms has produced fake 'Lego' featuring terrorist characters holding guns and rocket launchers (above)

A counterfeit 'Falcon Commandos' Lego set (pictured), which depicts ISIS terrorists dressed in black battling counter-terror police, is being produced in China and sold online

The fake set is being sold on at least three overseas websites  including a Chinese discount retailer that ships to Australia (pictured)

When contacted by The Straits Times, the outlets said they had stopped selling the counterfeit products.

Professor Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), said told the Singapore newspaper the sets could glorify ISIS and incite hate.

Remy Mahzam, an associate research fellow at ICPVTR, said misusing Islam and its figures such as Allah and Muhammad was 'very problematic.

'It touches on religious sensitivities and sheds a negative light on Muslims,' he said.

Lego immediately distanced themselves from the ISIS toys, also branded as Falcon Commandos, saying they were 'in no way affiliated with the Lego group'.

Charlotte Simonsen, senior director of corporate brand communications at Lego, told The Straits Times the company is dedicated to developing children and would therefore never make a product like this.

On the front cover, what appears to be an ISIS jihadist is seen holding a chainsaw near a man's decapitated head

ISIS-inspired knock-off Lego was marketed to Australian children for less than 6 in June.

The counterfeit 'Falcon Commandos' set was being produced in China and sold on at least three overseas websites  including a Chinese discount retailer that ships to Australia.

The set, which depicts ISIS terrorists dressed in black battling counter-terror police, were being sold for 5.80 or less.

Ads for fake toys showed eight mini-figures - the small individual toys in each set of Lego - on the cover of the set.

In the photos, one of the figures appears to be an ISIS jihadi who is holding a chainsaw while looking at a man's decapitated head at his feet.

An ISIS flag also appears to be pictured, as well as sticks of dynamite and figures launching weapons.

The set was 'recommended' for children aged six and over and was recently purchased accidentally by a young boy from a store in Taiping for 1.20 according to Berita Harian.

The toy's serial number came back to a manufacturer in China, the publication reported.

An ISIS flag is also believed to be pictured, as well as sticks of dynamite and figuring launching weapons (pictured)

Mahnun Mat Isa, a 40-year-old Malaysian mother and school teacher, told Berita Harian she reported the set to the Islamic council and to police officers.

'I ask the authorities to not freely allow the entry of toys that touch on religious sensitivities in this country,' Ms Mahnun said.

'I came to know about it when my son who was playing with the toy showed me the 'terrorist' character holding a banner which displayed the words 'Allah' and 'Muhammad'.'
History has been made after the UK's first same-sex church wedding took place in Edinburgh.

Peter Matthews and Alistair Dinnie were married at St John's Church, run by the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC).

Church authorities voted to amend canon law in June, allowing same-sex couples to be married in church during the General Synod in Edinburgh.

Two men have married in the UK's first same sex church wedding, held in Edinburgh

The move made it the first branch of the Anglican faith in the UK to allow same-sex marriages in church in a move that was welcomed by equal rights campaigners.

However, it could lead to action being taken against the church by the Anglican Communion, the international association of the world's third largest Christian movement, at a meeting next week.

The wedding took place on September 16 with other same-sex weddings having been held in SEC churches in Glasgow and Moray since.

The Rev Markus Dunzkofer, the rector at St John's, told The Times: 'I have blessed marriages in other Anglican provinces and always had to stop short of the vows. It felt like something was cut off, like something wasn't right.

'Finally being able to do the whole thing felt like the fulfilment of where the spirit had been telling us to get to. It completely made sense, it all came together.'

The historic ceremony took place at the Scottish Episcopal St John's church in Edinburgh

SEC members voted to remove the doctrinal clause which stated that marriage is a 'union of one man and one woman', replacing it with a clause which asserts that clergy who do not wish to preside over same-sex weddings will not be compelled to do so 'against their conscience'.

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion said the SEC's decision puts it 'at odds with the majority stance that marriage is the lifelong union of a man and a woman'.

Last year, the US Episcopal Church was suspended from participating in decision making and prevented from representing Anglicans in meetings with other Christians and faith groups after it backed equal marriage.

Rev Dunzkofer told the newspaper he will pray that Anglican leaders do not take action, adding: 'Quite literally, God only knows what will happen.'

Mr Matthews and Mr Dinnie are said to be on honeymoon.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Robert Mugabe has dropped the clearest hint that he might reshuffle his Cabinet anytime soon to weed out elements seen as fomenting discord in his government, the Daily News can report.Mugabe last reshuffled his Cabinet in September 2015 as he sought to uproot functionaries that were associated with former vice president Joice Mujuru.Mujuru had been fired about 10 months earlier, in 2014, for scheming to unseat Mugabe using unconstitutional means.Ever since, the discord in his Cabinet has worsened because of the intense infighting between Zanu-PF factions - Team Lacoste and Generation 40 (G40) - over Mugabe 's succession.The infighting has spread to all facets of government, thus disrupting government business, and stalling projects meant to pull the country 's economy from the intensive care.Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at the Harare International Airport on his return from the 72nd Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday, Mugabe dropped the strongest hint that he would soon be dealing with malcontents in his deeply-divided party.He said he was aware of saboteurs who wanted to incite people against his government ahead of next year 's general elections, suggesting some of them could be within his inner circle."We heard that they are shortages of things like cooking oil whose prices are going up; we don 't understand this. There are some people who want to fuel discord in the country as we go towards elections next year. They want to make sure that they will be an uprising against the government but our people are well informed and will not do that," said Mugabe.The Zanu-PF leader threw the cat among pigeons by implying that some of those whom he dines with could be among the saboteurs, saying he would deal with them in a matter of days."We are going to look at the problems, we are sure they can be solved in one or two days, let us be careful because they are some rotten apples in our midst, it might actually be people who we share things with but let us not be divided, let us go to elections united," said Mugabe.His latest pronouncement comes just over two weeks after the Zanu-PF leader told party supporters at a rally in Bindura that while he was in the middle of reshuffling the Cabinet, he received news of the death of former minister of State for Masvingo province Shuvai Mahofa."Members of Parliament from Masvingo approached me and said these two (Psychomotor minister Josiah) Hungwe and Mahofa) were a big problem in the province. They asked me to remove VaHungwe and Mai Mahofa from office saying the province would run smoothly if they are gone. So I was in the process of reshuffling Cabinet when Mai Mahofa died," Mugabe said.Hungwe and Mahofa were accused of grabbing sugarcane plantations from agro-industrial firm, Tongaat Hullet on which they settled over 400 party supporters.Last year, Mugabe held back-to-back meetings in Chiredzi and Harare to try and solve the emotive divisions in Masvingo to no avail.He has also repeatedly told the settlers to vacate the plantations, but they have refused to go, only to find themselves stuck with their crop as the company refuses to take in their crop for processing.Political analyst, Shakespear Hamauswa, said Mugabe was warning those on the wrong side of the fence of the impending demotions."He has the prerogative to appoint and dismiss Cabinet ministers and he can simply do that at will," remarked Hamauswa."Previously, he used to consult Mujuru and Mnangagwa to balance the then existing factions, but now that he seems to be a faction of his own, the Cabinet reshuffle can be a possible reality. It will also be a way of entrenching his position showing that he is still in control."Relations in the ruling party have become seriously strained following the suspected poisoning of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month by alleged rivals who are desperate to destroy his prospects of succeeding Mugabe (93).Since the alleged poisoning of Mnangagwa, Mugabe and his wife, Grace, have accused the Midlands and Masvingo provinces of fanning tribalism and spreading hate through false claims of witchcraft.Political scientist, Ibbo Mandaza, predicted a Cabinet reshuffle saying this would be a step towards resolving the thorny succession issue."He hinted on a Cabinet reshuffle in Bindura and now he is talking about bad apples within the government hierarchy. I think we are in for some kind of reshuffle," Mandaza said.Asked if he thought Mugabe was bold enough to tweak with his Cabinet when elections are approaching, Mandaza said: "That should not be a problem, elections are still too far. I think he wants to move a step further to try and settle the succession question."Political commentator, Rashweat Mukundu, said Mugabe was likely to approach the reshuffle with caution."It certainly indicates an impending Cabinet reshuffle, but be sure that Mugabe will still balance the various factions and maintain them in a state of equilibrium."The reshuffle is not intended to reward anyone but to balance the deck for his benefit and enhanced control of the party and the succession debate," said Mukundu.Stephen Chan, a professor of world politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, said there is likely to be many rotations of Cabinet and other senior positions all the way through to the elections in 2018."This will be part and parcel of alliance building for one or another faction, or of the president attempting to balance the factions," he said.Chan, however, said it is not saboteurs within government who are responsible for rising prices.He said prices were spiralling out of control because government, as a whole, has had no underlying economic strategy for some years."The result now is simply that there is no underlying economy. The question is whether continuing and escalating price rises will make the president's position untenable before the elections  in a way that the opposition cannot," opined Chan.
A white student was caught on video appearing to urinate on a Black Lives Matter chalk drawing in the center of the University of Michigan's open space The Diag.

The recording, posted on Twitter, shows the man relieving himself in the middle of the Ann Arbor campus - a hot spot for college campaigning and political activism.

It appears to show him aiming directly for the slogan Black Lives Matter where students have been protesting of late, sparking a hunt for the unidentified man.

A white student was caught on video appearing to urinate on a Black Lives Matter chalk drawing in the center of the University of Michigan's open space The Diag

The popular protest space is where first year Masters student, Dana Greene Jr, recently spent 20 hours kneeling in the same spot - a tribute to the ongoing protest surrounding American sports.

The incident was captured on camera and took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to campus security.

It was handed over to college authorities and later went viral after being leaked.

'There were images and videos released to social media of a person urinating near the black M on our Diag,' said Public Information Officer Diane Brown.

'The division of public safety is investigating.'

While no one has yet filed a police report, the video has been flagged up to authorities.

Meanwhile a hateful message was also scribbled onto a toilet wall of the campus student center. It is not known what was written but the university president moved swiftly to condemn the racial epithets.

The recording, posted on Twitter, shows the man relieving himself in the middle of the Ann Arbor campus - a hot spot for college campaigning and political activism

Responding, the Michigan University President James Smith said on Wednesday: 'I strongly condemn these actions and want to reiterate that they run counter to the values and practices we so deeply embrace in our Eastern Michigan University community.

'The hateful message in the stall has been quickly painted over by Physical Plant staff, and we are actively investigating the timeline of when it might have been written and reviewing other relevant details of the incident,'

Smith added. 'These are turbulent and disturbing times nationally, and such incidents are likely to continue. But I believe we can fight back, by finding unity and comfort in the shared purpose and diversity of our campus community.'
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Playboy founder Hugh Hefner died after contracting a bug two weeks ago that eventually killed him as it is revealed his health decline began two years ago when an 'infection caused a crippling back condition that left him bedridden.'

Hefner, 91, had been suffering from severe back problems for years but his condition worsened dramatically after he caught an infection.

The magazine publisher was reportedly left unable to walk without assistance and made one of his final public appearances in May 2016 to announce Eugena Washington as Playmate of the Year.

He was pictured again on Father's Day this year in the Playboy Mansion in an intimate photo shared online by his son Cooper.

Scroll down for video

Hefner's public appearances diminished in recent years. He is pictured in May 2016 looking noticeably more frail than in earlier photographs with Playmate of the Year Eugena Washington

This is believed to be the last picture of Hefner which is in circulation. It was taken on June 16 this year, Fathers' Day and shared online by his son Cooper. He is pictured with Cooper, 26, and Marston, 27, playing back gammon

The website says that Hugh was surrounded by his loved ones when he died including sons Marston and Cooper, his daughter Christie and second wife, Kimberley Conrad, but not 31-year-old wife Crystal (pictured)

A couple of weeks ago, Hefner then caught a bug which sadly led to his death, according to TMZ.

The website says that Hugh was surrounded by his loved ones when he died including sons Marston and Cooper, his daughter Christie and second wife, Kimberley Conrad.

It is not clear whether 31-year-old wife Crystal was also by his side when he died. Her social media channels have been been made private and she has not yet made a public statement.

This comes after all four of Hefner's children, including 62-year-old son David, were seen together for a memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night.

It appeared that Hefner's wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal.

It has also been reported that Playboy magazine could now close as the private company that owns a controlling share of the porn empire only promised to publish it while Hugh Hefner was still alive.

Hugh Hefner launched Playboy Magazine in 1953, and built one of the world's most recognizable brands.

But following his death, private equity firm Rizvi Traverse, which invested $207 million in Playboy Enterprises in 2011, has one year to buy his 33 percent stake in the company.

The Playboy founder died of natural causes at the age of 91 on Wednesday night. Around 6.30am on Thursday, two hearses were seen leaving his Holmby Hills mansion.

This comes after all four of Hefner's children, including 62-year-old son David, were seen together for a memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night

It appeared that Hefner's wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal. It has also been reported that Playboy magazine could now close as the private company that owns a controlling share of the porn empire only promised to publish it while Hugh Hefner was still alive

Police lined the side of his driveway as the hearses left the residence to take the icon's body to an unknown location. He will eventually be buried in the West Memorial Park in Los Angeles next to Monroe - Playboy's first-ever cover star - in a plot that Hefner bought in 1992 for $75,000.

Hefner's second wife, Kimberly Conrad, was also spotted leaving the mansion Thursday morning with their 27-year-old son, Marston Hefner. They were accompanied by Conrad's mother who was sitting in the backseat of the vehicle.

Conrad and Hugh Hefner were married from 19892010. He married Conrad the same year she became Playmate of the Year, and their son, Cooper, now runs Playboy.

Marston is a writer who writes under the name Marston Glenn, and apparently wrote a 'zombie book' called 'Bleed'. Marston also had a run-in with the law in 2012 when he was arrested for allegedly attacking his Playmate girlfriend Claire Sinclair.

Hefner's and Conrad's son, Cooper, often posts sweet photos of his grandmother, Conrad's mother, to social media showing they are close.

Hefner is seen with Kimberly Conrad who he was married to from 19892010 and their child Marston Hefner. He married Conrad the same year she became Playmate of the Year. Their son, Cooper, now runs Playboy

Hefner will be buried next to Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles

Hefner was born on April 9, 1926 ,in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to become a millionaire after founding the influential men's magazine in 1953.

On Wednesday night the official Playboy Twitter account announced: 'American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91. #RIPHef.'

Hefner's death was confirmed in a statement from Playboy Enterprises that said he 'passed away today [Wednesday] from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones'.

His son, Cooper Hefner, who is the chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom.

'He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history.

'He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.'

It was also reported that Hefner's wife Crystal Harris will inherit nothing after signing an ironclad prenup before their wedding and was never added to his will.

On Wednesday night, as news of Hefner's death began to circulate, mourners began to gather at the gates of his Playboy Mansion to pay their last respects.

In the final years of his life, Hefner - who had begun to suffer back problems - began to fade from view, not wanting to be seen using a walker to move around, or be seen fiddling with his hearing aid.

'It's tough to watch him struggle, but I'm just happy it's physical and not mental,' Cooper told The Hollywood Reporter in August.

The only photos of Hefner known to have been taken anywhere in 2017 were three photos shared by him and his younger brother Marston on social media in July and August. They showed the family playing backgammon together, and dining out.

Hefner (pictured in 2010), founder of pioneering men's magazine Playboy, died inside the Playboy Mansion

On Wednesday night the official Playboy Twitter account announced: 'American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91. #RIPHef.' He's pictured with Crystal Hefner in 2013

Hefner died surrounded by his family, according to a press release, and leaves behind his four children and his third wife, Crystal Hefner (pictured in 2013), aged 31

Hefner made his fortune after the first issue of Playboy (left) starred a topless Marilyn Monroe. In 2002 he took part in the show Girl Next Door: The Search for a Playboy Centerfold (right)

Hefner is survived by four children including son Cooper (left in 2014), who is the chief creative officer of Playboy, and daughter Christie Hefner (right), who was president of the company from 1982-2008

In his element: Hefner is surrounded by playmates at the Playboy Mansion in August 2003

'He will kill me if I print or if you say anything about him retiring,' Cooper had previously said, 'But I think he is really enjoying his life as a 90-year-old at the mansion.'

Despite the two being practically synonymous with each other, Hefner sold the Playboy Mansion for $100 million in 2016, but one of the stipulations was that he could continue living there.

Twinkies tycoon Daren Metropoulos, who bought the famous party house, said after his death: 'Hugh Hefner was a visionary in business, a giant in media and an iconic figure of pop culture whose legacy will leave a lasting impact. I was fortunate to know him as a neighbor and friend and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.'

Cooper now runs the business; his brother Marston, once the heir apparent, has had a low profile since a 2012 alleged domestic violence incident.

Mason Marie of San Pedro, California gathers with fans of Hugh Hefner at the gate of the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California

A pair of Hefner's fans pay their respects at the Playboy Mansion's gate on Wednesday, the night of Hefner's death

In August Marston Hefner posted this photo of him and his father playing backgammon; these are the only known images of Hefner taken in 2017

Marston Hefner also posted the left-hand photo, which has his brother Cooper in the center. Cooper, who now runs the business posted the image on the right. He said his dad retired from public view in recent years due to his ailing health

Hefner is seen in this February 17, 1999 snap inside the Playboy Mansion. Cooper said that his dad - for so long an image of virility - was embarrassed to have to rely on a walker due to his bad back

Hefner will be buried next to Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe (plaque seen left) at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Hefner (seen right with the first issue of Playboy, starring Monroe) paid $75,000 for the plot in 1992

Hefner's widow, Crystal, 31, was the third of his wives, having married him in 2012. He had previously been married to Mildred Williams from 1949-1959, with whom he had two children, and Kimberley Conrad - 1989's 27-year-old Playmate of the Year - from 1989-2010.

LIFE ACCORDING TO HUGH HEFNER 'It's good to be selfish. But not so self-centered that you never listen to other people.' 'If you let society and your peers define who you are, you're the less for it.' 'Life is too short to be living somebody else's dream.' 'Loneliness doesn't have much to do with where you are.' 'If you don't have a sense of humor about life and yourself, then you are old.' Advertisement

Cooper, Hefner and Conrad's elder son, said that he and brother Marston grew up with a framed photo of his mom's nude centerfold in the home.

'Yeah, that was weird,' he admitted. 'It was like the elephant in the room.'

Hefner also had a bevvy of 'girlfriends' who lived with him - usually several at a time - at his famed Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

Despite declaring that he had slept with more than a thousand women, Hefner spent much of his life 'looking for love in all the wrong places,' as he tearfully told The New York Times in 1992.

Hefner married Crystal - and took up a life of monogamy - in 2012 after briefly calling off the engagement.'Maybe I should be single,' he said a few months later.

'But I do know that I need an ongoing romantic relationship. In other words, I am essentially a very romantic person, and all I really was looking for, quite frankly, with the notion of marriage was continuity and something to let the girl know that I really cared.'

The year before their marriage, he had mused: 'I never really found my soulmate.'

First wives: Hefner is seen left with first wife Mildred Williams. They were married from 19491959 and had two children. He's seen right with second wife, Kimberley Conrad - a former Playmate - with whom he also had two children

Third wife: Crystal Hefner and Hugh Hefner attend the annual Halloween Party, hosted by Playboy and Hugh Hefner, at the Playboy Mansion on October 24, 2015

Surrounded by bunnies: Pictured from left Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson, Hugh Hefner and Bridget Marquardt - with whom he appeared in reality TV show The Girls Next Door

As news of Hefner's death spread online, celebrities gathered to pay tribute.

'RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! Im so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo,' Kim Kardashian West tweeted.

She then added: Paris [Hilton] & I are reminiscing about the Playboy parties at the mansion & how much we love Hef. Shes texts me the perfect Hef emojis,' followed by eight Playboy Bunny emojis and an old man emoji.

Hilton herself posted a photo of herself in the famous Playboy Bunny outfit, along with Hefner, on Instagram.

Larry King - Hefner's junior at 81 - tweeted: 'Hugh Hefner was a GIANT in publishing, journalism, free speech & civil rights. He was a true original, and he was my friend. Rest well Hef.'

And Heidi Montag, who posed for Playboy in 2009, wrote: 'RIP @hughhefner thank you for making me part of the Playboy family. Sending lots of love and prayers to @crystalhefner.'

Kim Kardashian West was among those who paid tribute to Hefner in the wake of his death. She appeared in Playboy in December 2007, after her sex tape was released

Kardashian West - then plain old Kim Kardashian - appeared on the cover of the December 2007 edition. She was 27 years old at the time

Heidi Montag, who appeared in Playboy in 2009, also tweeted her gratitude to Hefner, and sent her love to his widow, Crystal Hefner

Broadcasting legend Larry King - at 83, just a few years Hefner's junior - called him a 'GIANT in publishing, journalism, free speech & civil rights'

Paris Hilton posted this photo on Instagram of the two of them together following news of Hef's death

One person who had not commented on Hefner's passing as of 1:30am EST Thursday was President Donald Trump, who appeared on the magazine's cover in 1990 - much to Hefner's chargrin.

'We don't respect the guy,' Cooper Hefner told the Hollywood Reporter in August. 'There's a personal embarrassment because Trump is somebody who has been on our cover.'

Trump was rather prouder of the March cover - which shows him in a tux alongside Playmate Brandi Brandt - having it on display in his New York office.

That caused a small ruckus in June 2016 when the Reverend Jerry Falwell tweeted a picture of himself and his wife with Trump in front of a wall featuring the cover.

Hefner (both pictured in 2003 with Henfer's then-Playmate and primary partner Holly Madison, and now-First Lady Melania Kraus) had little respect for Donald Trump - despite featuring him on a cover

Trump appeared on this, the March 1990 cover of the magazine, along with then-Playmate Brandi Brandt. He keeps a copy of this cover on the wall of his New York office

Hugh Hefner and Holly Madison attend the 2007 Playmate of the Year party at the Playboy Mansion on May 3, 2007 in Los Angeles

Anna Berglund, Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris arrive at the Kandyland V Benefit At The Playboy Mansion on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles

Hefner was born Hugh Marston Hefner in 1926 and grew up in a strict Methodist family.

Despite his family's conservatism, his mother gave him a $1,000 loan to publish Playboy - 'Not because she believed in the venture,' he would later say, 'but because she believed in her son.'

The magazine hit with a splash, selling 50,000 copies of its first issue - which featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover - and went on to have seven million subscribers by its second year.

Hefner, seen here with some of his famous Playboy Bunnies in an archive photo, died surrounded by his friends and family, a statement said

As its star rose, so too did Hefner - and he went on to amass a huge personal wealth that peaked at $200 million.

In 1971, Hefner spent $1.1 million (the equivalent of $6 million today) to buy up what would become known as the Playboy Mansion, a 21,987-square-foot LA building.

With a waterfall, swimming pool, secluded grotto and even a wine cellar hidden behind a Prohibition-era secret door, the mansion became the place for Hollywood celebrities to be seen at Hefner's famous Playboy parties.

He also became a vocal proponent of equal rights for gay people and black Americans; among those interviewed for Playboy was Malcolm X.

But as time wore on Playboy began to face stiffer competition, first from softcore pornography magazines such as Penthouse in 1969, then later from harder fare such as Larry Flynt's Hustler, which debuted in 1974.

As Playboy left the 1970s and the competition grew, its sales began to decline.

It also suffered with the rise of the internet, which made access to nude images - both glamorous and grim - easy for everyone.

In June 2009 the magazine cut its number of publications per year to just 11, while Hefner sold his English Manor house, located next to the Playboy Mansion, the same year for $18 million - $10 million under the asking price.

The Playboy Mansion had also begun to reflect Hefner's downturn in fortune.

In 2006, Hefner's ex-girlfriend, Izabella St James, then 31, released a book titled Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion, in which she lamented the state of the one-palatial home.

St James, who entered the home in 2002 as one of Hefner's seven 'girlfriends,' described 'mismatched, random pieces of furniture... as if someone had gone to a charity shop and bought the basics for each room.'

She claimed things got worse when Holly Madison became Hefner's 'Girlfriend No. 1' - meaning that she could move into his room, along with her dogs.

Life with his girlfriend: From left Holly Madison, Hugh Hefner, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson arrive at the premiere of 'The House Bunny' in Los Angeles on August 20, 2008

Hugh Hefner and his third wife Crystal Harris at an 'An American In Paris' Premiere

Hugh Hefner displays a giant birthday cake to celebrate his 75th birthday as seven playmates look on in Cannes May 12, 2001

Hefner bought the infamous Beverly Hills Playboy Mansion in the 1970s and began throwing his notorious raucous parties. He is pictured outside it in 1975

Hefner's famous Playboy Mansion (pictured in 2003) was a haven for celebrities in the 1970s thanks to its outlandish parties - but by the 2000s, decay had reportedly set in

Marylin Monroe's crypt at the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery. The crypt directly to the left of Marilyn Monroe was purchased by Hugh Hefner in 1992 for $75,000. Richard Freddie Poncher, who had purchased the crypt directly above Monroe's from Joe DiMaggio was laid to rest in that crypt in 1986

'They weren't house-trained and would just do their business on the bedroom carpet,' she wrote.

'Late at night, or in the early hours of the morning - if any of us visited Hef's bedroom - we'd almost always end up standing in dog mess.

'Everything in the Mansion felt old and stale, and Archie the house dog would regularly relieve himself on the hallway curtains, adding a powerful whiff of urine to the general scent of decay.'

Hugh Hefner's wife Crystal Harris, 31, 'will inherit nothing after signing an ironclad prenup before their wedding and was never added to his will' Hugh Hefner's wife Crystal Harris will inherit nothing after signing an ironclad prenup before their wedding and was never added to his will, it has been reported. The couple, who shared a 60 year age gap, tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 2012 at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Before the nuptials, Harris was said to have signed an 'ironclad' prenuptial agreement. Hugh Hefner's wife Crystal Harris will inherit nothing after signing an ironclad prenup before their wedding and was never added to his will, it has been reported A source told US Weekly that while the blonde beauty will be taken care of, she has not been added to his will. Instead, his fortune, estimated at $43 million, will be divided among his four children, the University of Southern California and a list of charities. However, that number doesn't take into account the Playboy Mansion which was sold in 2016 for $100m. Indeed, the $43m figure was first revealed back in 2009 when Trump divorced his second wife Kimberly Conrad. At his peak, the Playboy magnate was worth upwards of $200m, but as the magazine's popularity tanked, so did Hefner's fortune. The couple, who shared a 60 year age gap, tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 2012 at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles However, as the time of his death, the 91-year-old still held 35 percent of the Playboy brand and still completely owned the magazine. He had $36m worth of stocks and bonds and $6m in a joint account with an unnamed person. Hefner's monthly earnings from the magazine only totaled $100,000, with the rest coming from his pension. Before they eventually tied the knot, Hefner and Harris had one notorious failure to launch. Harris infamously ran from the altar in June 2011, reportedly because she got cold feet. The wedding was called off just five days before hand with over 300 guests set to attend. 'Last time it turned into a big ordeal and then it all fell apart,' she said. Advertisement

The mansion was sold last year for $100 million - half its asking price - to businessman Daren Metropoulos, who had previously bought Hefner's neighboring English Manor in 2009. He plans to to turn them into a single property.

Cooper Hefner made the decision in 2015 to drop frontal nudity from Playboy in order to pitch it more as a Vanity Fair-style luxury lifestyle magazine.

The first nudity-free issue was released in March 2016; Hefner reportedly fought the removal of cartoons from the magazine more than the nudity.

However, in February 2017 the decision was reversed, and the nudity - along with the jokes sections among other elements dropped in the redesign - was restored.

Sealed with a kiss: Pamela Anderson presents Hef with a cake on his birthday

The birthday boy: Pamela Anderson stripped off to help Hef celebrate his birthday. This image has been blurred by the station

Back in the day: Hugh Hefner with a former girlfriend, Barbara Brenton (left), and smoking a pipe on June 30, 1966 (right)

'I spent so much of my life looking for love in all the wrong places': How Hefner boasted of bedding more than a thousand women and married three times but at 85 said he'd never found his soulmate



Hugh - who has two other children, Christie and David, from his relationship with Mildred - said: 'All our friends think it's made in heaven. It's only people who don't know us, who simply see us as stereotypes in terms of age and beauty. 'I just feel very, very fortunate to have found her at this stage in my life. I saved the best till last. 'I want the rest of my life to be very much like it is now. I want it to be like this.' The magazine magnate used to have multiple live-in girlfriends at the Playboy Mansion and his life with Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson was shown in reality TV series The Girls Next Door. When he was 56 years old, Hefner invited a 19-year-old, Carrie Leigh, to live with him in the Playboy Mansion Leigh, a Playboy Playmate, would stay with Hefner for five tumultuous years, though the relationship dissolved in acrimony In the late 1970s, Hefner was in a serious relationship with Sondra Theodore, a schoolteacher who would go on to become Playmate of the Month in July 1977 Shannon Tweed, who starred in the Canadian TV series Thrill of a Lifetime, used the show as a platform to rocket to stardom, eventually landing in the page of Hefner's magazine Unfortunately, Tweed ended the relationship to continue to pursue an acting career, though she and Hefner stayed in touch. During one of Hefner's parties at the Playboy Mansion, she was introduced to Kiss rocker Gene Simmons. They have been a couple since then Hefner is joined by former girlfriend Barbi Benton (left), and then-girlfriend, Holly Madison, at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California in this July 12, 2005 file photo Hefner married third wife Crystal in a romantic ceremony on New Year's Eve. And following the nuptials, Crystal Harris revealed the real reason why she tied the knot with ageing Playboy mogul. During an appearance on the Huffington Post Live, the model, 30, was asked why she decided to marry the then-86-year-old, to which she replied for 'more security'. Harris was Hefner's third wife - a surprisingly low number for Hef given the number of women he has been with. His views on the institution of marriage were reportedly formed early in his life, when he married his college sweetheart, Mildred Williams, in 1949. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hef was heartbroken when he learned that Williams cheated on him while he was enlisted in the military. Williams felt so guilty about her infidelity that she allowed her husband to have extramarital relations of his own. They would divorce ten years later, though the marriage did produce two of Hefner's children, Christie and David Hefner. In 1988, Hugh asked his daughter, Christie, to take over as CEO of Playboy Enterprises. According to Cosmopolitan, Hefner met Williams at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a bachelors degree in psychology. Hefner has never been shy about flaunting his taste for much younger women. In 1968, when he was 42 years old, he began dating an 18-year-old, Barbara Klein, who was an extra on the Playboy After Dark series. When Hefner suggested that Klein change her name, she agreed, becoming Barbi Benton, who went on to star in B-movies like The Third Girl from the Left and Deathstalker. Benton would also go on to appear on television shows Hee Haw and Marcus Welby, MD. Naturally, she also posed for Playboy magazine. Arguably her most significant contribution to the Hefner legacy was helping him find the Playboy Mansion on a house-hunting trip with her boyfriend. In the late 1970s, Hefner was in a serious relationship with Sondra Theodore, a schoolteacher who would go on to become Playmate of the Month in July 1977. In the early 1980s, Hefner would move on, this time to a young Canadian woman who caught his eye on a television show that aired north of the border. Hugh Hefner gets close to Playboy Playmate Jenna Bentley Shannon Tweed, who starred in the Canadian TV series Thrill of a Lifetime, used the show as a platform to rocket to stardom, eventually landing in the page of Hefner's magazine. Tweed became Miss November 1981, and she would then become Hefner's girlfriend. Unfortunately, Tweed ended the relationship to continue to pursue an acting career, though she and Hefner stayed in touch. During one of Hefner's parties at the Playboy Mansion, she was introduced to Kiss rocker Gene Simmons. They have been a couple since then. Hefner wasn't finished dating young women who weren't old enough to legally drink. When he was 56 years old, Hefner invited a 19-year-old, Carrie Leigh, to live with him in the Playboy Mansion. Leigh, a Playboy Playmate, would stay with Hefner for five tumultuous years, though the relationship dissolved in acrimony. The bitterness was so acute that Leigh filed a $35million palimony suit against Hef, only to drop the litigation soon afterward. Tina Jordan, Playmate of the Month in March 2002, poses next to Hefner in 2002. She was a single mother whom Hefner moved into his mansion One of Hefner's most publicized relationships was with three different women at one time - Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson. Hefner and Madison are seen above at the Playboy Mansion in 2007 Hefner at one point was in a relationship with six different women at one time - Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson. Hefner is seen, left to right, with his six girlfriends in 2003: Sheila Levell, Izabella St. James, Zoe Gregory, Madison, Marquardt, and Cristal Camden From left: Madison, Hefner, Marquardt, and Wilkinson are seen in Westwood, California in 2008 Leigh was not finished aiming to take a bite out of Hefner's empire. In 2008, she founded Nude, a magazine that was created to directly compete with Playboy. In 1989, Hefner would marry for the second time. He wed Kimberly Conrad, Miss January 1988. They were together for nine years and had two children - Marston and Cooper. Though they separated, they never legally divorced. For over a decade, they even lived in close proximity to each other. In 2010, however, their divorce was finalized after Hefner accused Conrad of infidelity. After the TV series ended, Hefner became involved with Crystal Harris, who would eventually become his third wife Crystal says she fell for Hefner because she finds him fascinating. 'When I first met him, I had never even met a celebrity in my life before. I was like "Oh my gosh Hef" and then we started talking,' she explained. She is seen right with Hefner and Anna Berglund Hefner claimed he was faithful during their marriage, but said Conrad cheated on him 'early in the relationship'. However, he didn't say with whom. One of Hefner's most publicized relationships was with three different women at one time - Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson. Their relationship was the subject of a TV reality series, The Girls Next Door, which aired for six seasons. After the TV series ended, Hefner became involved with Crystal Harris, who would eventually become his third wife. Crystal says she fell for Hefner because she finds him fascinating. 'When I first met him, I had never even met a celebrity in my life before. I was like "Oh my gosh Hef" and then we started talking,' she explained.

By Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com
Erin Lee Macke, 30, was arrested on Thursday for leaving her four young children home alone while she flew to Germany for an 11-day trip

Four Iowa children found themselves in a real-life Home Alone scenario last week when their mother left them to their own devices to take an 11-day trip to Germany.

Police in Johnston, Iowa conducted a welfare check on Erin Lee Macke's house on September 21 after receiving a tip that her kids - 12-year-old twins (a boy and a girl), a seven-year-old girl and a six-year-old girl - were left alone.

They found that not only had the children been left alone, but that they had been left alone with a gun out in the open.

According to the criminal complaint, Macke left an unloaded Glock 9MM handgun on top of her dresser, next to two magazines - one fully loaded and one partially loaded.

The children told police that their mom had left for Germany the day before, and didn't plan to return until October 1.

When police called Macke abroad, she said that all of her babysitters fell through so she decided to leave the kids home alone.

Scroll down for video

Macke posted several photos to Instagram from her trip to Germany, including this photo of herself smiling and throwing her hands up in front of the Danube River in Bavaria

Macke's four children are pictured above on the first day of school in August. Her 12-year-old twins are on the left, and her seven- and six-year-old daughters are on the right =

Macke is pictured above during her first court appearance on Thursday, when she was ordered held in lieu of $9,000 bail

'Investigators confirmed that Macke had made no arrangements to provide adult supervision or care for the children while she was away,' the police department said.

Police told Macke that was unacceptable and ordered her to return home immediately.

But she only cut her trip short by four days, returning to the U.S. Wednesday night. She was arrested Thursday morning and charged with four counts of child endangerment and one count of making a firearm available to a person under the age of 21.

In Iowa, if a child is not injured or killed due to child endangerment, it's an aggravated misdemeanor with a sentence of up to two years in jail or one year in jail and a fine between $625 and $6,250. The gun charge is a serious misdemeanor with up to a year in jail time and a fine between $315 and $1,875.

'Ive never heard of anything like this before,' Johnston Police Lt. Tyler Tompkins told KCCI. 'We have situations where parents go next door or parents may go out for the night, and while thats not advisable either depending on the age of the children, obviously leaving the country is a totally different situation. This, where a parent has left the country and left the kids home alone, Ive never heard of it before.'

It's unclear why Macke traveled to Germany, but the end of September is a popular time to visit the European country since it's when the annual Oktoberfest festival takes place in Munich, the capital city of the Bavaria region. This year's Oktoberfest, a two-week beer festival, began September 16 and ends October 3.

Photos posted on Macke's Instagram last week show her touring Bavaria with a girl friend and a baby.

It's unclear why Macke visited Germany, but her photos suggest that her trip was purely recreational. She's seen above with a girl friend outside of the Walhalla Memorial in Bavaria

The end of September is a popular time to visit Germany, since it's when Oktoberfest takes place. It's unclear if Macke planned to attend the beer festival, but it's likely since she was traveling around Bavaria and Oktoberfest takes place in the Bavarian capital of Munich. Above, a picture that Macke took of a field of hops - an important ingredient in beer

Macke took a picture of her meet of bratwurst during her first day in Germany

The pictures show they visited the Walhalla Memorial and Regensburg Cathedral, ate bratwurst and saw fields of hops - an important ingredient in beer.

In one photo, Macke poses next to the Danube River, throwing her hands up in the air and smiling. That picture was posted on Tuesday, five days after police found her abandoned children.

Iowa Department of Human Services took custody of her children, and they have since been placed with extended family members. The two eldest children are with unspecified family members while the two younger children are with their father.

Public records indicate that Macke filed for divorce from her ex, Matthew, in 2013.

Macke is being held in lieu of $9,000 bail at the Polk County Jail.

A judge ordered Macke not to contact her children. She is due back in court on October 9.

In May, Macke competed in a bikini competition, according to a post on her Instagram

Above, another picture of Macke from the competition, posing with her eldest daughter

In court on Thursday, Macke was ordered not to have contact with her children

Macke pictured above with her twoolest children, 12-year-old twins, above
An alleged psycho killer who is said to have slaughtered a nine-year-old boy and share a video of his murder online is proud of what he did, his sister has told a German court.

Marcel Hesse, 19, is on trial for killing his neighbour Jaden and one of his own internet friends in the city of Herne in the north-western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Yesterday his 22-year-old sister Sandy took to the witness stand to testify against her own brother in the Bochum regional court.

Sandy said her brother was proud of what he did and added: 'I have visited him once in jail, but we were not allowed to talk about the topic. Even then I asked him: "Do you regret it?". And then he gave cold as ice the answer "No".'

Suspect Marcel Hesse cuddling with his cat. He is on trial for killing his neighbour Jaden and one of his own internet friends in the city of Herne in the north-western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Police say Hesse, a martial arts fanatic, lured Jaden (pictured) into the house and then into the cellar where he recorded his brutal murder

When in prison Sandy said her suspected killer brother shouted out 'I am 4chan!', referring to the internet message board he was active on.

She said: 'I have never seen him as proud before.'

Sandy, who said that she had a normal relationship with her brother until primary school when 'he became strange' as 'he had few friends at school', changed when he discovered the internet.

She told the court that already in primary school Hesse had problems with violence as he 'attacked a teacher with a pair of scissors' and chased his older brother with a knife through the house.

Christopher W (pictured) is said to be the second victim of Marcel Hesse

Sandy has already told German media before she appeared in court that 'he is no longer my brother' after she heard how he allegedly killed Jaden, who Sandy described as the sweetest boy she had ever known.

Detectives who probed the case said the 'thrill killer' posed for a picture with a bloodied knife inside the flat of a second victim he stabbed 68 times.

Hesse was arrested in March for luring a young neighbour called Jaden into a cellar and stabbing him 52 times.

The 19-year-old, who had been on the run for four days, then alerted police to a burning flat nearby where they found a second body of a man identified only as 22-year-old Christopher W.

Hesse, who was rejected by the German army for being unstable, had sent an image to a friend showing him holding up a blade in the same apartment.

Before the trial, police described him as a 'brutal killer' and said he had admitted both crimes.

The teenager is believed to have taken shocking video and photos of Jaden's murder before posting it on the 'dark web' of the Internet and going on the run sparking a massive police manhunt.

After killing Jaden and then hiding in a wood, Hesse went to the home (pictured today) of Christopher W, police say

He also shared messages and photos on WhatsApp and in online chat rooms and some of that material was later posted back on to the dark web.

In one message on an internet chat room, he wrote: 'I have cut myself in the hand as I fought the 120kg beast'.

Pictures show him washing a knife and posing for a selfie with blood on his hands while in another message he boasted: 'I know that people die slowly when you slaughter them.'

Another chilling note believed to have been posted by Hesse was translated as saying: 'I just killed the neighbour's child, doesn't feel bad tbh, my hand bleeds lil' which is the only thing annoying me.

'I actually wanted to get a girl in here so I can rape her.'

Last night he wandered into a fast-food outlet in his home town before telling staff: ' I am the man they are looking for.' Police say he then informed them about the burning building.

After killing Jaden and then hiding in a wood, Hesse went to the home of Christopher W, police say. They ate together, then played computer games and Hesse turned in at 2am.

The body of the boy was discovered by police in the cellar of a house by his stepfather. Police and forensics are pictured taking the body away on Tuesday

He murdered the friend he met at a technical college the next day and did not leave the apartment again until Thursday night when he turned himself in, police say.

Unlike in many other criminal cases in the country, the suspect was fully named in German media as a police hunt got underway.

Suspects in Germany are identified only by their first name and the first letter of their surname because of the country's strict privacy laws.

Hesse went into the Thessaloniki Grill in Herne at 9.07pm to ask the owners to call police.

The owner Cheitidis said: 'He came in here at 8.10pm in black clothes with an umbrella and carrying a sack of onions in one hand.

Hesse is said to have written in an Internet chat room in the hours following the brutal murder of Jaden: 'I have cut myself in the hand as I fought the 120kg beast'. He is pictured in one of his posts

'He said in a soft voice he was Marcel. "Which Marcel is that then", I asked.

"'Look on your tablet," he said. "You will see a picture of me there."'

He then asked him to call the police, which he did, and they turned up ten minutes later in force to arrest him.

Just 150 meters away a flat was burning where a body was discovered inside.

Police said in a tweet: 'The arrested man gave us information about the burning flat.'

A neighbour of the burning apartment said a young man lived there alone, visited from time to time by his mother.

This morning, Reinhard Peters, lawyer for the family of Jaden, said: 'The family is relieved that he has been captured alive to await the full punishment of the law for his crime.'

Jaden was found in a huge pool of blood by his stepfather.

Marcel Hesse, 19, walked into a fast-food outlet (pictured) in the town of Herne where he lived and said: 'Please call the police - they are looking for me'

Forensics were seen working in the street last night after an apartment fire was extinguished in Herne, Germany. Officers made the grim discovery of another body inside last night

'The picture of my stepson lying there dead....I will never forget this,' said Pascal R., 34, who found the boy dead from numerous stab wounds on Monday evening. 'I found him lying in a giant lake of his own blood.'

Police say Hesse, a martial arts fanatic, lured Jaden into the house and then into the cellar where he recorded his brutal murder. It is unclear whether there was a sexual motive.

Detectives on a specially formed murder squad believed he may have killed another person. At the time they said he appeared on an Internet chat room in the hours following the killing to say he had attacked a woman, adding: 'She offered more resistance than the child.'

Hesse, who was this afternoon revealed to have been rejected by the German Bundeswehr army for service because he was too unstable, mentioned 'torture' to get the woman's bank details and pin card number.

Hesse had lived in the house where he killed Jaden for many years with his parents, but he was home alone since the beginning of the year with his sister Sandra after his mother and father moved.

Investigation: Forensics descended on a flat in Herne, Germany today after police discovered a body inside

Police rushed to the apartment last night after seeing that it was on fire - only to find a body inside

The corpse of a man was found inside a burning building last night. Emergency crews are pictured at the scene overnight

Jeanette F., 41, mother of Jaden, told the Bild newspaper in Germany; 'Sandy told us once that her brother was an absolute psycho.'

Pascal R. went on to tell the paper; 'We had been shopping, my wife and I. Maurice and Steven, his stepbrothers, and Jaden stayed at home.'

He said at 6pm on Monday evening the doorbell to his home rang. Hesse was there and he asked Jaden if he could come to his home to help him set up a pair of ladders.

He went with him. The parents returned home two hours later and Jaden had not returned home. 'I went over and banged and yelled but no-one answered,' said the stepfather.

'Something bad has happened,' Jeanette remembered saying to her husband. It had; Jaden was murdered with more than 40 stab wounds.

Interpol helped in the search for Marcel Hesse, 19, a bespectacled martial arts enthusiast, who allegedly carried out the murder at his home in the town of Herne. Police are pictured on Tuesday as they examined the murder scene

Pascal and his stepsons clambered over a balcony wall to enter the cellar area of the house where Jaden lay.

'I wanted to give him a massage on his heart but blood was streaming from his wounds,' he added.

Police later said as the boy was stabbed multiple times Hesse filmed his demise and posted video and stills on the so-called 'Darknet' - the lurid, unpatrolled side of cyberspace specialising in pornography, paedophilia, drugs and 'snuff' movies.

It was a Darknet user - who claimed to know the killer - who was upset by the images of the little boy who contacted police to tell them: 'I have just seen a boy murdered on the Internet.'
Mexican villagers claim their statue of the Virgin Mary has started crying and has moved her hands since the deadly earthquake struck the country.

Hundreds of believers have flocked to the village of Cupilco in the southern Mexican state of Tabasco after reports of the weeping statue.

Local politician Candelaria Perez Jimenez said: 'I do believe that the Virgin has done many miracles, I came not for curiosity, but for faith, because I do believe that God and our most holy Mother has done many miracles.

Mexican villagers claim their statue of the Virgin Mary (left before the earthquake) has started crying (right after the quake) and has moved her hands since the deadly earthquake struck the country

Hundreds of believers have flocked to the village of Cupilco in the southern Mexican state of Tabasco after reports of the weeping statue. Pictured, the statue's hands after they reportedly moved

'Undoubtedly the Virgin hurts a lot with what has happened in Mexico: earthquakes, hurricanes, child deaths, God is calling us to make us aware.'

Local woman Lucia Torres Jimenez, 68, expressed her belief in the Virgin, stating that she returned to health from the power of the virgin, having spent 19 years with a kidney transplant.

She said: 'She is feeling what is happening in Mexico, she is feeling what is going to happen.'

However, some say the phenomenon had been reported for three years but that parish priest Enrico Lazzaroni, an Italian who has served the community for 11 years, had asked parishioners to keep it quiet.

Local woman Lucia Torres Jimenez, 68, expressed her belief in the Virgin, stating that she returned to health from the power of the virgin

However, some say the phenomenon had been reported for three years but that parish priest Enrico Lazzaroni, an Italian who has served the community for 11 years, had asked parishioners to keep it quiet

President Enrique Pena Nieto said Wednesday that preliminary accounting suggests damage from the magnitude 7.1 quake and an even more powerful one earlier in the month could cost upward of $2 billion.

National Civil Defense chief Luis Felipe Puente announced the latest death toll on Thursday, as recovery teams pulled some of the few remaining bodies out of collapsed buildings in Mexico City.

Most of the capital's collapse sites have already been cleared of rubble.
An ex-soldier reunited with his first love after a bizarre dream prompted him to get back in touch via Facebook - 35 years after they broke up.

Teacher Louise Tennant, now 56, met handsome squaddie Dave Evans, now 61, on a holiday in Gibraltar when they were in their 20s.

The pair dated for a year but lost touch when he was sent to the Falklands War in 1982, and they both went on to meet others and have children.

Teacher Louise Tennant, now 56, met handsome squaddie Dave Evans, now 61, on a holiday in Gibraltar when they were in their 20s. Pictured: Today, left, and in the early 1980s

But the cab driver was prompted to get back in touch when he had a dream about Louise wearing a nurse's uniform feeding the wild monkeys in Gibraltar.

He looked her up on Facebook and sent her a message - and less than a minute later they were reminiscing about their first dates.

A year on, Ms Tennant, from Coventry and Mr Evans, from the Isle of Man, are now a couple - 35 years after they broke up.

Mr Evans said: 'I just had this dream about her and wondered how she was doing, so I had a look on Facebook.

'In the dream we were in Gibraltar and she was wearing a white nurse's uniform with a red cross, and we were feeding the wild monkeys.

'I sent her a message and 40 seconds later she messaged me back. The rest is history.'

Ms Tennant said: 'It's strange when you see someone after all that time - I don't think I'd have recognised him otherwise, but when we started talking it all seemed the same. We're just older and greyer, and hopefully wiser.'

Ms Tennant swore off men after raising her childrens father vanished, leaving her to raise their two children alone.

For the past 23 years she had enjoyed her independence and had no desire to date anyone.

The cab driver was prompted to get back in touch when he had a dream about Louise wearing a nurse's uniform feeding the wild monkeys in Gibraltar. The pair are pictured on holiday

Ms Tennant, from Coventry and Mr Evans, from the Isle of Man, are now a couple - 35 years after they broke up

Ms Tennant was enjoying a week away with friends to celebrate the end of their nursing training when she met Mr Evans in a nightclub.

The 25-year-old was stationed on the island with the British Army and Ms Evans, then 20, was charmed straight away.

After dating for a year, the couple drifted apart Ms Tennant was daunted by the squaddie's transient lifestyle in the army.

Despite living in different parts of the country, the loved-up couple see each other a couple of times a month and enjoy meeting up for exotic holidays

When he was sent to the south Atlantic island to fight Argentine forces, they lost touch all together.

But in October 2016, Ms Tennant had logged onto Facebook and saw a message from her old flame.

'Dave said he was coming over to see family on the mainland, from the Isle of Man where he lives and he wanted to see me, but I thought 'oh my god,' she said.

'He said 'come on, if it's not right we'll leave it.'

Twice-divorced Mr Evans, also a grandfather, came to visit - sleeping in the spare room - and a month later the pair had fallen in love.

Now the couple have met each other's families - including some people who they both met decades before.

Ms Tennant added: 'When we met I lived with my parents and six siblings - it was fairly chaotic. He used to come and visit and we'd go to the pub or go out for meals.

'When I introduced my dad to Dave, I told them they'd met each other before, but neither remembered.

'I'd never forgotten about Dave but I didn't fret over it either.'

After dating for a year, the couple drifted apart Ms Tennant was daunted by the squaddie's transient lifestyle in the army. Pictured: Today, left, and in the early 1980s

Despite living in different parts of the country, the loved-up couple see each other a couple of times a month and enjoy meeting up for exotic holidays.

'We speak on the phone every single day and send messages when we're apart,' said Louise, who had been single for two decades before she re-met Dave.

'I never thought I would love another man again and I was quite happily resigned to it. But he's given me true love and happiness. It has changed my life.'

Mr Evans added: 'She's still the same - I tease her for being posh.

'She's got a teacher voice and she can be a bit stern, and I tell her "you're not in the classroom now. We're having a great time together".'
A massive 2million police operation to secure the Tory party conference in Manchester was underway today.

Greater Manchester Police are securing the Manchester Central conference venue with a huge steel ring ahead of the annual event's start on Sunday.

Tens of thousands of protesters will march on the conference on Sunday and hundreds are expected to picket the event until it ends next Wednesday.

Tory activists endured abuse, thrown eggs and being spat at when the party last visited Manchester in 2015.

Security staff at Manchester Central are building the 'steel ring' around the Manchester Central conference venue (pictured during preparations yesterday)

Greater Manchester Police already have a heavy presence around the conference venue and the Midland Hotel, all of which will be inside the security cordon

The Tory conference opens on Sunday and Greater Manchester Police are setting up a 2million security operation around the event

Greater Manchester Police (officers are pictured outside the Midland yesterday) will hope its Operation Protector will ensure the event passes off more peacefully than in 2015

Greater Manchester Police will hope its Operation Protector will ensure the event passes off more peacefully this year.

The Manchester Evening News said new entrance gates had been set up to try and prevent picket lines turning into a gauntlet of abuse.

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare, in charge of the operation, said: 'We have been really clear with protesters to say we are here to facilitate lawful, peaceful protest and will be doing everything can so they can exercise their right to free speech, to protest and express their opinion.

'But with that comes a degree of responsibility. There is a line between what's acceptable and what's not acceptable.

'When that line is crossed and it becomes more intimidatory behaviour and people are in fear or oppressed then at that point we will take action.'

Thousands are expected to join in two large scale marches on Sunday past the conference site.

Tory activists endured abuse, thrown eggs and being spat at when the party last visited Manchester in 2015 (pictured)

Angry anti-austerity protests dominated the 2015 event (pictured) and similar protests are expected this year

New entrance gates had been set up to try and prevent picket lines turning into a gauntlet of abuse (pictured is an activist throwing back a ball flung from the crowd in 2015)

In 2015 anarchist protesters (pictured) set up picket lines throughout the four day gathering in Manchester

The Stay UK (anti-Brexit) march, with an estimated 20,000 people, will start from close to the University of Manchester at around 1pm while the Peoples Assembly march, which is expected to bring 30,000 protesters, will start in Castlefield at around 3pm.

Both marches approach the rear of the site and finished on Portland Street.

The conference will end on Wednesday with Theresa May's main address to party activists.

The 2million cost of the policing operation will be met by the Home Office, not Greater Manchester Police.
A man has died after being stabbed in Melbourne's northeast on Friday.

The man, aged in his 30's, sustained serious injuries following the attack at 5pm in Mernda and died shorty after.

Police believe the man and his attacker are known to each other.

A man has died after being stabbed in Mernda, in Melbourne's northeast on Friday

A crime scene has been established around the home on Ramez Street.

Police said a woman is currently assisting with their inquiries.

Foresnic teams began collecting evidence from the home around 8.30pm on Friday.

A neighbour said a couple and three children lived in the house, the Herald Sun reports.

A crime scene has been established around the home on Ramez Street

'They've argued every night for the past couple of months,' she told the publication.

'They're always screaming and slamming doors.'

A husband and wife, who also live on the street, said they overheard the pair having a heated argument yesterday.

Foresnic teams began collecting evidence from the home around 8.30pm on Friday

'It sounded like a lovers' tiff,' they said.

'He was yelling "open the f***ing door, don't be a dumb b***h".

Police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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As destitute Puerto Ricans bathed in streams and waded through rivers where bridges once safely transported them in the wake of Hurricane Maria, President Trump took the opportunity to reminded the island nation of its 'tremendous debt' on Friday.

Speaking at a lobbying event in the plush Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington DC, Trump said he wouldn't rest until the island's people were safe.

He however wasted no time in turning to the dollars and cents, telling the room that the local government would have to work with his administration to decide who'll pay for the rebuilding operation.

The comment came after a wave of criticism directed towards the administration's response to the disaster.

Trump made no attempt to conceal the extent of the devastation as he spoke, saying that unlike Florida and Texas, the small island and its reeling population were in 'deep trouble'.

'Ultimately the government of Puerto Rico will have to work with us to determine how this massive rebuilding effort will end up being one of the biggest ever  will be funded and organized. And what we will do with the tremendous amount of existing debt already on the Island,' he said.

He said that unlike the more developed states of Florida and Texas, infrastructure and systems were 'at their life's end' before Maria hit.

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As the president spoke, destitute families in Puerto Rico bathed in rivers and had to drink from streams having lost their homes and power

The hurricane has wiped out whatever was left in the way of functionality and now, he said, it must begin from scratch to repair and rebuild.

The president fired out these tweets on Friday and made similar comments during a lobbying event in Washington DC

'Weve never seen a situation like this. The electrical grid and other infrastructure were already in very, very poor shape.

'They were at their lifes end prior to the hurricanes and now virtually everything has been wiped out and we will have to really start all over again. Were literally starting from scratch.

Trump defended relief efforts, following reports that thousands of containers hadn't been delivered, in part due to a shortage of truck drivers. U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico are struggling to get clean water, food, gasoline, and other supplies.

'That effort is going very very well,' Trump said. 'Both governors have been extremely good,' he said, praising the leaders of both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

'They are working so hard. But theres nothing left. Its been wiped out. The houses are largely flattened. The roads are washed way. There is no electricity, the plants are gone. Theyre gone.'

Luis Mendez and Ruby Rodriguez are pictured clinging to a temporary cable strung across the San Lorenzo Morovis River to get to the city center on the other side

A family wades into the Lorenzo Morovis River in Morovis, Puerto Rico, to get to the other side of where a bridge once was

San Lorenzo residents have been forced to resort to third-world means of transportation and survival in order to get to towns with food, water and medical supplies. Pictured Manolo Gonzales crosses through the Rio San Lorenzo de Morovis

In Coamo, a woman brushes her hair in the river as a man shaves nearby. Thousands are still without power on the island and there are dwindling supplies of food and water

Two women walk over a muddy, make-shift walkway in Comerio, Puerto Rico, on Friday

The town, which is in the mountains about 40 miles west of San Juan, was among those hit the worst when Hurricane Maria tore through the US territory earlier this month

As far as repairs to the grid, 'Its not like: lets send a crew into fix em. You have to build brand new electric. Sewage systems wiped out. Never been anything like this,' Trump said.

As he spoke, people on the island continued to survive without water, food and electricity. Heartbreaking photographs showed families bathing in rivers and wading through neck-high water to get to the other side of where bridges once stood.

Carmen Cruz, the mayor of San Juan issued a helpless plea for more aid to him directly, saying: 'Mr Trump, I am begging. We are dying here.'

She earlier slammed the Department of Homeland Security's celebratory coverage of the relief effort, telling CNN: 'When you're drinking from a creek, it's not a good news story. When you don't have food for a baby, it's not a good news story.

'When you have to pull people down from buildings - I'm sorry, that really upsets me and frustrates me.'

She was responding to DHS Secretary Elaine Duke's earlier categorization of the effort as a 'good news story'.

President Donald Trump made his comments at the National Association of Manufactures at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, in Washington DC

A man at a gas station in Patillas in eastern Puerto Rico holds a sign saying there is none left on Friday

There is a huge stockpile of relief stuck at ports in Puerto Rico due to a desperate lack of drivers on the island to distribute it

After his statements about dealing with the Island's debt, Trump said: 'We will not rest however until the people of Puerto Rico are safe.

'These are great people. We want them to be safe and sound and secure and we will be there every day until that happens.'

A lack of drivers on the island has meant that huge stockpiles of much needed aid are sitting idle in ports, unable to be distributed.

Carmen Cruz, the mayor of San Juan, has slammed the federal government's response to the disaster and said on Friday: 'Mr Trump, I am begging you. We are dying here.'

Anyone who is willing to take them across the island to the most remote and hardest-hit pockets face dangerous, impassable roads.

Trump addressed the issue in his speech on Friday, saying: 'The police and truck drivers are very substantially gone.

'They are taking care of their families and largely unable to get involved. Largely unable to help. Therefore were forced to bring in truck drivers, security and many many other personnel by the thousands.'

The president also once again made the observation that Puerto Rico is an island, a geographical characteristic that poses a challenge for relief efforts.

'This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water,' Trump said.

Trump first referenced Puerto Rico's debt on Monday, as the damage wrought by Hurricane Maria was still being assessed.

'Texas & Florida are doing great but Puerto Rico, which was already suffering from broken infrastructure & massive debt, is in deep trouble,' Trump wrote.

The president also said a 'big decision' would need to be made about how to rebuild the U.S. territory and at what cost.

Puerto Rico, which earlier this year filed the biggest bankruptcy in US municipal history, is struggling to regain economic stability in the face of a $72billion debt load and near-insolvent public health and pension systems.

'Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello just stated: "The Administration and the President, every time we've spoken, they've delivered,' Trump tweeted.

The USS Kearsarge move pallets of supplies on the flight deck during a replenishment-at-sea with the fast combat ship USNS Supply

The USNS Comfort, the naval hospital, departed from Hampton, Virginia, on Saturday to make its way to Puerto Rico

'The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!' he continued.

Speaking to Neil Cavuto, Rossello said Thursday on Fox News that 'fuel is beginning to pick up, although it's been our biggest challenge to be able to complete the logistic pathway to distribute fuel.'

'So, the reality is that administration and the president, every time that we have spoken  I have had an ask  they have delivered.'

The governor said Friday on CNN's 'New Day' that the recovery effort was an 'all hands on deck' situation both in his government and in Washington.

'There is a lot of work to do over here. We really need to increase the delivery rates.

'We really need to enhance our logistics,' he said.

In Dominica on Thursday, a resident is rescued by Naval Aircrewman 2nd Nicholas Glass

'But also from that side, I have to say that the administration has responded to our petitions.'

'FEMA, Brock Long, has been on the phone virtually all the time with me, checking how things are going,' Rossello added.

The Trump administration is receiving increased scrutiny over its responses to the disaster.

Basic necessities like food, water and fuel have been scarce, even as shipments pile up in ports. Most of the island remains without electricity.

Trump waived a rule on Thursday that has kept non-U.S. ships from bringing aid after Rossello said that restriction was getting in the way.

On Friday, he complained that he wasn't being treated fairly and that his administration was doing a 'great job'.

'FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico. Wish press would treat fairly!' he said.

On Thursday, he waived the 1920 Jones Act, an archaic shipping law which prevented foreign flagged ships from delivering goods to US ports.

The White House hopes to loosen the rules on tariff costs that would be a significant help for recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico more than a week ago and has left it without power and with little access to fuel and other supplies.

Republicans and Democrats had urged Trump to waive the Jones Act.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke had waived the law earlier this month to help ease fuel shortages in the Southeast following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

That order included Puerto Rico, but expired last week shortly after Maria struck.

The aid mission in Puerto Rico is ongoing and residents, despite receiving millions of dollars in donations and food supplies, are still living in abominable conditions.

But because so many people are still without food, water and electricity, they are rushing to get out of the country.

Some people have have waited for days for a flight out, and many Puerto Ricans wonder if they will stay once they reach the US mainland.

Thousands boarded a Royal International Caribbean cruise ship on Thursday that will make humanitarian calls in the US Virgin Islands before bringing evacuees back to Florida.
This is the awkward moment an 85-year-old former NASA astronaut was grilled by a British morning TV host about his role on the Apollo 15 mission.

Al Worden, 85, who travelled to space in 1971 as part of the mission, was a part of a stamp scandal that caused controversy on the crew's return.

Led by spacecraft commander David Scott, the crew were found to have brought a book of stamps into space with them to sell on their return as collectors items.

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This is the awkward moment 85-year-old former NASA astronaut Al Worden was grilled by a British morning TV host about his role in the Apollo 15 mission

Appearing on the show to discuss the historic mission, the mood quickly turned sour when the Good Morning Britain presenter asked about his role in the incident.

'There was a little scandal about your trip though, Al, because when you took some stamps and took some envelopes that you wanted to bring back'

Interrupting, Al shot back: 'Why do you want to talk about that?'

Al, who travelled to space in 1971 as part of the mission, was a part of a stamp scandal that caused controversy on the crew's return

Taken aback, Ben tried to defend his line of questioning, explaining that it was a part of the mission many remember.

'I think it's part of the trip that people will remember as well because it wasn't something that had happened before.

'I think previous trips had taken some pieces up which had then been sold. It's just on your trip, you guys got hauled over hot coals for it,' Ben said.

Led by spacecraft commander David Scott, the crew were found to have brought a book of stamps into space with them to sell on their return as collectors items. But the mood turned sour when the host mentioned the saga suddenly

But Al also took exception to Ben's use of 'you guys,' implying that it was a crew-wide scheme, explaining coldly that it was the crew leader's plan, rather than his.

He said: 'It was the commander on the flight who did all that.'

The interview continued in a more warm fashion afterwards with Al discussing his career with NASA.

Appearing on the show to discuss the historic mission, the mood quickly turned sour when the Good Morning Britain presenter asked about his role in the incident

The Apollo 15 crew were punished by NASA after it emerged 398 stamps were taken aboard their trip to the moon, with the profits made intended for their children's education funds.

But when it emerged that 100 of the stamps were sold to a German collector NASA intervened, confiscating the stamps and reprimanding the crew.

Finally, a court case in 1983 led to their return, with one of the stamps sold most recently for $15,000.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

In an effort to contribute towards strengthening the current and future capacity of the City of Harare's Health Department in its efforts to respond to disease outbreaks such as Cholera and Typhoid, Oxfam in Zimbabwe donated a Wagtech Portable Water Quality Testing and Monitoring Kit.Hundreds of thousands of people in the city's high-density suburbs are expected to benefit long term from the improvements around water quality information now available to the City Council and as a result improved supply of safe drinking water to residents.The kit is part of a number of WASH initiatives currently running such as training to community health workers on the use of Participatory Health and Hygiene Education tools, social marketing of water guard in Mbare, Hopley and Stoneridge being spearheaded by Oxfam, UNICEF and partners aimed at ensuring disaster risk reduction mechanisms put in place are effective and last long term contributing towards building the resilience of the once vulnerable residence of the city's high density suburbs."As the City Health department we have a key role to play, we will make use of the Wagtech kit to improve quality of water for our residents," said John Manyara the citie's Chief Environmental Health Officer after the water quality testing training of fifty environmrntal health offcers.The City Council also highlighted the need to have more kits and ensure the Sampling Unit within the Harare City Health department and all districts have access to and make use of the kit.
A mother who took her daughter to hospital more than 100 times in four years has been found guilty of neglect.

Auckland High Court heard the woman intentionally made her young children sick because she enjoyed the 'buzz' of emergency departments, Stuff reports.

'One inference available is she thrived off the buzz of interacting with emergency people,' Crown prosecutor Mark Harborow told the court.

Auckland High Court (pictured) heard a woman intentionally made her young children sick because she enjoyed the 'buzz' of emergency departments

'She thrived off the buzz of the emergency, the blood pumping, the adrenaline, sirens, lights, everything.'

However, the defence said it was a case of 'anxiety, over reactions, hyper vigilance and layers of suspicion'.

The court heard the woman intentionally suffocated her newborn son in October 2015.

Later, on a supervised visit to her children, the Crown alleged the mother made her young son swallow a button battery, the publication reported.

The woman was found guilty of six charges of ill treatment or neglect of a child.

The two children have been removed from their mother's care.
A Saudi man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to attack women drivers, following a royal decree that ends a ban on women driving in the kingdom.

The man, in his 20s, posted a video online where he stated that if he saw a woman behind the wheel of a car that had broken down, he would 'burn her and her car'.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman announced on Tuesday that he will be allowing women to drive from June 2018.

No thumbs up: The Saudi man, in his 20s, was arrested after posting a video online where he stated that if he saw a woman behind the wheel, he would 'burn her and her car'

The ministry said on Twitter that police in the kingdom's Eastern Province had arrested the suspect, who was not identified, and referred him to the public prosecutor.

'I swear to God, any woman whose car breaks down - I will burn her and her car,' said a man wearing a traditional white robe who appeared in a short video distributed online earlier in the week.

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Saudi media, including the Arabic-language Okaz newspaper, quoted the Eastern Province's police spokesman as saying the man in custody was in his 20s and that the arrest had been ordered by its governor.

Reserved: The parking space reserved for Latifa Al Shaalan, a member of the country's Shura Council, who campaigned for women to be allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia,

Meanwhile, a female politician who led the campaign for women to be allowed to drive, says she was moved to tears to be given her own parking space.

Latifa Al Shaalan, a member of the country's Shura Council, is believed to be the first woman in Saudi Arabia to have a public parking space with her own name on it.

She arrived at the council's offices in the Al Yamamah Palace, in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh, to be presented with a bouquet of flowers and her own parking space.

Latifa said: 'When I arrived in the Shura Council this morning, I was welcomed by women with a bouquet of roses and by men who presented to me a picture of the parking space at the council reserved for me.

'It is a glorious day and I have been fighting back tears. I congratulate all Saudi women and I thank immensely King Salman.'

Latifa, the most prominent advocate for the right of Saudi women to drive in their country, had earlier told the Shura Council that she had been unable to sleep from the excitement generated by King Salman's decision.

And she added that the blame for Saudi Arabia taking so long to allow women to drive rested with the council and not the monarch.

She added: 'I am not going to refer to all the positive political, economic, social and security aspects of the decision because my colleagues and I presented them in several motions to allow women to drive.'

Latifa blamed the Council for not following through with the motions and recommendations earlier.

Finally: As of June 2018, women in Saudi Arabia will join every single other country on earth in being allowed to drive cars

She said: 'The Shura Council is lagging light years behind the government and is dislocated from reality, the vision, the national transformation and the mobility of the government.

'We are supposed to race ahead of the government, but because this will not happen, we should at least keep up with its initiatives and ensure we are not always lagging behind.'

'King Salman took such a bold decision amid all these challenges and open fronts. We represent different opinions, ideas and movements, and this is normal. Let us accept our differences and always allow votes to decide without disruption or the hijacking of opinions and initiatives.

'The Council should shift its attention from recommendations about palm weevil, industrial cities and fruit silos to recommendations about cultural, social and human rights issues.'

The Shura Council is the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia. It cannot pass or enforce laws, which is a power reserved for the King. It has 150 members, all of whom are appointed by the King.

Many Saudis welcomed the lifting of the ban, but some expressed confusion or outrage after the reversal of a policy that has been backed for decades by prominent clerics.

However, women in Saudi Arabia are still not allowed to marry, divorce, open a bank account, or get a job without permission from a male relative or husband.

They also cannot have any interaction a man who she is not related to without permission from a male guardian, and have no rights in custody battles when the children reach a certain age.
A mother from Detroit, Michigan is refusing to go against her beliefs - even if it means serving time behind bars.

Rebecca Bredow was given the option to vaccinate her nine-year-old son or go to prison, after her ex-husband and the child's father put up a tussle in court that an Oakland County judge showed favor of.

Now, Bredow, the primary care giver for her child, only has until October 11 to complete the court order before she is punished.

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Detroit mother Rebecca Bredow is refusing to go against her beliefs on vaccinating her child - even if it means serving time behind bars

Bredow was given the option to vaccinate her 9-year-old son or go to prison

Her ex-husband and the child's father put up a tussle in court that an Oakland County judge showed favor of

Bredow cited 'personal beliefs' when choosing to opt-out of vaccinating her son

'I would rather sit behind bars standing up for what I believe in, than giving in to something I strongly don't believe in,' Bredow said

Courtesy Morning Dose

Bredow told WXYZ she and her son's father initially made a compromise to complete the child's shots over a period of time, rather than having several vaccines administered close together, which a doctor recommended to them.

Bredow later decided against the vaccines altogether - without regard for her ex-husband's wishes for the child's health.

'I would rather sit behind bars standing up for what I believe in, than giving in to something I strongly don't believe in,' Bredow told the news station on the matter.

'It wasn't until they started grouping them together that I backed off of doing vaccines,' she added.

Bredow said she and her son's father initially made a compromise to complete the child's shots over a period of time, rather than having several vaccines administered close together

She later decided against the vaccines altogether - against her ex-husband's wishes

The child's father showed concerned about their son's well-being and took the matter to court

In the state of Michigan, schools require students to receive vaccinations before entering Kindergarten and up until 7th grade, while transfer students are required to be administered vaccines into their high school years.

According to Michigan.gov, the vaccines include: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Conjugate and Varicella (Chicken Pox).

However, Bredow told WXYZ she was permitted to delay her son's shots for personal, medical or religious reasons.

In the state of Michigan, schools recommend students receive shots before entering Kindergarten

The vaccines include Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Conjugate and Varicella (Chicken Pox)

While the family had the option to wait, the child's father showed concerned about their son's well-being and took the matter to court when he lost power.

Bredow revealed she feel's 'angry' and 'backed into a corner' with her 'rights as a parent taken away' suddenly.

'Yes, every parent has a choice but we also have a right to have our voices heard. So why automatically side with the father that wants the vaccines,' Bredow told WXYZ.

'What about my choice as the mother who's the primary caretaker, who solely takes care of my son?'
President Donald Trump will embark on a marathon trip to Asia spanning five countries, plus a stopover in Hawaii, next month.

The White House confirmed the president's schedule on Friday morning. Trump will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, the Philippines and Hawaii, a release said.

Trump's trip will last 12 days, making it his longest foray abroad yet since taking office. First Lady Melania Trump will accompany him.

The nuclear stand-off with North Korea has united the U.S. and China despite far-reaching disagreements over trade.

A White House release on the five-nation diplomacy tour stressed that Trump would bring both topics up when he meets with Xi Jinping and other foreign leaders next month.

T he nuclear stand-off with North Korea has united the U.S. and China despite far-reaching disagreements over trade.A White House release on the five-nation diplomacy tour stressed that President Trump would bring both topics up when he meets with Xi Jinping and other foreign leaders next month

Trump's trip will last 12 days, making it his longest foray abroad yet since taking office

Trump will visit Japan , South Korea, China , Vietnam, the Philippines and Hawaii. He's seen here shaking hands with South Korea's Moon Jae-in in the White House Rose Garden in June

Trump was already known to be attending conferences next month in Asia.

Vice President Mike Pence told reporters in April that Trump would attend the U.S.-ASEAN and East Asia summits in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in Vietnam.

The conferences are happening back to back in November.

Trump's press office confirmed Friday that Trump would visit three additional countries on the continent plus Hawaii, a regular refueling spot, during his journey abroad.

'The President will participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral, and cultural engagements,' a statement said, 'demonstrating his continued commitment to the alliances and partnerships of the United States in the region.'

The White House says Trump intends to 'discuss the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region to America's prosperity and security' with host nations. 'He will also emphasize the importance of fair and reciprocal economic ties with America's trade partners.'

'The President's engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,' the statement finishes.

China has joined the U.S. in enforcing banking and trade sanctions on North Korea intended to force the country's dictator, Kim Jong-un, to halt his nuclear program

China has joined the U.S. in enforcing banking and trade sanctions on North Korea intended to force the country's dictator, Kim Jong-un, to halt his nuclear program.

North Korea conducted its sixth, illicit nuclear test on Sept. 3, prompting the strictest set of United Nations Security Council sanctions yet.

U.S. officials have said not much more the international body can do to deter Kim.

Trump signed an executive order last week authorizing the Treasury Department to punish any foreign financial institution that does business with the rogue regime. The U.S. insists the measure was not targeted at Beijing, although it forced China's hand.

After a call with Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, China's central bank reemphasized instructions to smaller financial institutions to cut off clients that report to Kim.

'That was a somewhat unexpected move and we appreciate it,' Trump said during a luncheon he hosted for Asian leaders last week as part of the United Nations General Assembly that Xi did not attend.

Xi did not make the trip to New York for the gathering this year at all. He and Trump have met on other occasions at the G20 summit in Germany and Mar-a-Lago. Trump came away from the summit at his Palm Beach resort gushing about Xi in an about-face from campaign rhetoric.

The president had blasted China for alleged currency manipulation and intellectual property infringement. The U.S. has a $25 billion trade deficit with China.

The White House indicated that trade was very much on Trump's mind still in its Friday statement announcing the president's plans to visit Asia.

Trump has also said he wants to revisit the United States' agreement with South Korea. Japan does not have a trade agreement with the U.S. but wants one. Both countries are central to the United State's efforts to deter Kim.

The Philippines is another strategic partner for the U.S. in the conflict with North Korea. Filipino relations have been complicated by President Rodrigo Duterte's style of governance and accusations that his administration has tolerated extra-judicial killings in the country's drug war.

Trump is seen holding talks with Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, last week in New York. They'll meet again next month in Japan

With North Korea threatening drawing ever closer to the development of nuclear weapons capable of destroying U.S. cities, Trump is looking to shore up the United States' relationship with allies in the region.

North Korea's foreign minister threatened to blow U.S. bombers out of the sky, even when they are not in the nation's airspace, just this week, heightening the threat of a nuclear war between the bickering countries.

Trump told reporters during a question and answer session then that he might make stops in the five Asian nations the White House said he'd visit on Friday.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson all but confirmed Trump's November visit to China on Thursday when he said that he would be discussing it with Vice Premier Liu Yandong.

'We want to talk about the agenda for that visit. And then well continue our discussions on a number of other issues that are important, and certainly North Korea will be on the table for discussion,' he said.

A formal announcement that Trump would pass through China came on the heels of the president's closed-door visit on Thursday afternoon with Liu.
Shocking footage appears to show the son of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty brawling at a traveller site and attempting to 'bite off' a rival's ear.

John Doherty - son of the Celebrity Big Brother winner - allegedly bit a member of the Joyce clan after the man knocked him to the ground in front of a baying crowd.

Women and children could be heard screaming in terror as the pair traded savage blows at the site, believed to be in Manchester.

In the video a man resembling John Doherty - wearing a red vest - is seen confronting his shirtless opponent for the arranged scrap in front of more than a dozen travellers

Bare-knuckle boxer Paddy Doherty, 58, was said to be among the crowd which had to intervene and separate the fighters after his son 'bit' the man and chased him into a trailer.

The chaotic scenes - captured on a mobile phone - were uploaded to social media yesterday and have been viewed more than 150,000 times.

A man resembling John Doherty - wearing a red vest - is seen confronting his shirtless opponent for the arranged scrap in front of more than a dozen travellers.

Young children can be heard screaming in fear as the pair exchange punches. One man shouts: 'Take the children in. Get the children into the trailer.'

Doherty stalks his opponent through the yard, unleashing a flurry of shots to his head and body.

But as he is backing away the smaller fighter counters with a right-hand to Doherty's chin and knocks him down, drawing gasps from the crowd.

One of the men involved in the fight showing his injured ear

He springs back up and goes on the attack, grabbing the man in a headlock. Several men rush in to separate them, as someone shouts: 'He's biting his ear off.'

The Joyce fighter walks away clutching his ear and retreats into a nearby trailer. But Doherty storms in after him, shouting: 'Come out and fight.'

The brawl is halted after several men enter the trailer and intervene.

In a video later posted online, Theady Joyce claimed victory, saying: 'I put you down on your a*** in front of your daddy in your daddy's site.'

Doherty responded, claiming he had 'slipped' because he was 'on the session for two days' with no sleep.

He challenged him to a rematch, saying: 'I will fight you clean, dirty, weapons, however you want it we will have it.'

The Joyce and Doherty clans have been involved in a long-running feud, despite being related by blood.

In 2011, Paddy Doherty - who has also appeared in Danny Dyer's Deadliest Men - almost had his ear bitten off in a fight with cousin Johnny Joyce outside a PC World store in Manchester.

When the case went before magistrates, the two families were photographed brawling in the street outside the courthouse and eight men were arrested.

John Doherty was given a suspended eight-month jail sentence after admitting his part in the scrap.

In 2014 it was reported the clans clashed again in a 40-man machete brawl at a baby's funeral.

The Joyce fighter walks away clutching his ear and retreats into a nearby trailer. But Doherty storms in after him, shouting: 'Come out and fight'

The Joyce and Doherty clans have been involved in a long-running feud, despite being related by blood. Pictured: The fight on the travellers' site

Last month, Paddy Doherty hit out at viewers of the Channel 5 documentary Gypsy Kids: Our Secret World after they trashed the show online.

He said: 'No-one has the right to criticise. There's good and bad among everyone.

'It's terrible the way travellers are treated. It's our way of life and we've done nothing wrong.'

Greater Manchester Police said it could find no record of the latest incident.
An Adelaide school which attracted nationwide attention for a 'controversial' fundraiser encouraging students to wear a dress to school, has raised more than $270,000 to educate girls in Africa.

Male and female Craigburn Primary School students and staff donated gold coins and wore dresses on Friday for the school's 'Do It In A Dress' fundraiser on the final day of term.

Principal Paul Luke said despite the school's unique fundraiser making headlines around the country, students were oblivious to the stir they had created.

'Strangely enough when it all ballooned out on that Thursday evening, most children were coming to school not really aware of the media frenzy that was happening,' Mr Luke told Nine News.

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Craigburn Primary School raised $275,000 from its 'controversial' Do It In A Dress day on Friday

'They (the students) were really excited about the girls that they were raising money for and the focus became more so on the cause itself. They really weren't concerned about the political and social commentary.'

Conservative senator Cory Bernardi slammed the 'absurd' fundraiser for encouraging staff and students to wear a dress to school.

Senator Bernardi called out the event on his Twitter late Wednesday night saying: 'This gender morphing is really getting absurd.'

Principal Paul Luke said despite the school's unique fundraiser making headlines around the country, students were oblivious to the stir they had created

'They really weren't concerned about the political and social commentary,' principal Paul Luke said

Conservative senator Cory Bernardi slammed the fundraiser as 'absurd gender morphing'

However, rather than prompt outrage, his opposition led to hundreds of new supporters heading to the schools fundraiser page and giving more than $20,000 on Wednesday night - far more than the school's original $900 target.

Dozens of donors left comments saying they only knew about the fundraiser because the Australian Conservatives leader spoke out about it.

Comedian Josh Thomas also threw his support behind the school's effort, personally donating $2,000 and posting a dozen supportive tweets.

'It's students trying to raise money for charity. It has nothing to do with 'gender morphing'... These kids were being sweet, compassionate and kind,' he wrote.

But his opposition spectacularly backfired when hundreds flooded the fundraiser's page, donating more than $20,000 overnight - far more than its $900 target

Dozens of donors left comments saying they only knew about the fundraiser because the Australian Conservatives leader spoke out about it

Craigburn's fundraiser was part of the global 'Do It In a Dress' effort to fund education for girls in Africa, buying books and pencils and making it safe for them to attend class

Craigburn's fundraiser was part of the global 'Do It In a Dress' effort to fund education for girls in Africa, buying books and pencils and making it safe for them to attend class.

The initiative has raised almost $200,000 so far, enough to educate 636 girls, and sends branded dresses to school, businesses and other teams for the day.

'Of course, if you don't feel comfortable wearing a dress you can just come in casual clothes. The main thing to focus on is raising as much money as possible,' the school's page read.

It was taken down on Wednesday night following Senator Bernardi's tweet, but put back up again hours later with slightly different wording.

Comedian Josh Thomas also threw his support behind the school's effort

He personally donated $2,000 and posted a dozen supportive tweets

'Did you know that in some countries around the world girls dont go to school just because they are a girl?' it read.

'In fact, over 60 million girls around the world are denied an education. Without an education a girl can be kept in the cycle of poverty, and struggle to earn an income or look after herself and her family.'

Senator Bernardi stood by his opposition when questioned by the Adelaide Advertiser, linking it to gay marriage and the Safe Schools program.

SA Education Minister defended Craigburn Primary (pictured) as a student-led charity fundraiser that had nothing to do with the same-sex marriage debate

The school's page (original version pictured) was taken down on Wednesday night following Senator Bernardi's tweet, but put back up again hours later with slightly different wording

'In the midst of a debate about the safe school gender ideology program, the redefinition of marriage and attempts to de-genderise society it seems this school is playing into a political cause rather than an educational one,' he said.

'Why are we suddenly encouraging boys and male teachers to wear a dress?'

SA Education Minister defended Craigburn Primary as a student-led charity fundraiser that had nothing to do with the same-sex marriage debate.

'Senator Bernardi should check his facts before incorrectly naming and shaming a school undertaking charity work,' she said.

The global initiative has raised almost $200,000 so far, enough to educate 636 girls, and sends branded dresses to school, businesses and other teams for the day
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Donald Trump Jr was back in the Big Apple on Thursday where he was surrounded by family - and no shortage of Secret Service agents - as he headed out to celebrate his son's birthday

For the big day, the family chose A La Mode, a New York City ice cream parlor located just three blocks away from their Manhattan apartment.

Once there, the birthday boy enjoyed a feast of ice cream and sweets while opening presents under the watchful eye of Secret Service agents, with a source telling DailyMail.com that at least eight men where seen on Don Jr's detail during the outing.

That is not all either, as there was also a convoy of four SUVs outside the eatery according to the source, with two people-carrier vehicles and two protection vehicles making the short ride over to the party.

This well-protected family outing comes one week after it was revealed that Don Jr. had ditched his Secret Service detail while on a hunting trip in Canada's Yukon Territory.

I scream, you scream: Donald Trump Jr celebrated son Tristan's sixth birthday on Thursday with a trip to a New York City ice cream parlor located three blocks from the family's home ( l to r: Chloe, Vanessa, Kai, Spencer, Don Jr and Tristan)

We all scream for Secret Service protection: He was joined by wife Vanessa and four of their five children, with oldest son Donnie (Donald III) not joining the group

Protect and soft serve: The family was surrounded by Secret Service during the trip, with a source counting at least eight agents and a convoy of four SUVs outside the parlor (agnts above outside the party)

Make way for Trumplings: This increased protection comes just one week after it was revealed that Don Jr had ditched his Secret Service detail while on a hunting trip in Canada

Mother and sons: 'Early ice cream b-day party for my man Tristan. When the sugar kicks in it's going to get ugly. #birthday #boy #icecream #party,' wrote Don Jr on Instagram, posting the above photo (l to r: Spencer, Vanessa and Tristan)

Don Jr. posted a photo of the birthday boy and his younger brother Spencer, 4, sitting with their mom Vanessa at the ice cream parlor on Thursday, writing: 'Early ice cream b-day party for my man Tristan. When the sugar kicks in it's going to get ugly. #birthday #boy #icecream #party.'

The middle child in Don Jr's five-member brood will not turn six next Monday, but the family elected to celebrate on Thursday.

It is not clear what the reason for that might be, but it was announced last week that Don Jr would once again be forced to speak with the Senate Intelligence Committee in regards to his meeting with a Russian lawyer who promised to supply him with dirt of his father's political opponent, Hillary Clinton.

The SIC's first meeting of the month will take place on Tuesday in Washington DC, the morning after Tristan's birthday.

They were joined by Uncle Eric for the big event as well, who stopped by the party solo while wife Lara stayed home with their new son Luke.

Eric was seen leaving the ice cream parlor before his brother left and going largely unnoticed as he made his way out into the city.

Don Jr's Big Apple return comes after his very mysterious hunting trip, which began on September 14 as he flew off to British Columbia.

He then headed off into the remote wilderness in Canada's Yukon Territory, where he was moose hunting without a Secret Service detail.

Concrete jungle: Don Jr was moose hunting in the remote wilderness at the time he abandonned the Secret Service agents assigned to cover him

Sign of the Times: Don Jr was eventually located by a reporter from 'The Mew York Times' who had contacts in the area

Trip advisor: Don Jr and wife Vanessa plan out their trek home before making the three-block journey

Secret snoozefest: A group of agents and yawning man in a suit and earpiece await the end of the birthday party outside

Walk this way: Vanessa held hands with daughter Kai and carried her youngest Chloe while Don Jr took care of the two boys

The First Son was eventually tracked down by a New York Times reporter, who he greeted by saying: 'I never know where you guys are coming from.'

Don Jr's trip into the great unknown came less than a month after he and eldest son Don III took off for Alaska on a father-and-son hunting and fishing trip.

Photos from that outing were actually posted by Don Jr to his Instagram account while he was in Canada.

Don Jr posted some photos of himself with the family at their country home in Westchester, new York when he returned from Canada late last week, but Thursday was the first time he had been spotted back in the city.

It was a relatively low-key party in the end, and nothing like the normal blow-out bashes, which for Kai in 2015 also included a trip to a New York City ice cream parlor.

Get the look: The agents who surrounded the family wore an array of looks, with some in suoits and others trying their best to blend in

Hello lady: Don Jr seemed to look both ways at a young woman in a v-neck and skirt who was crosisng the street at the same time as him

Locked and loaded: One of the agents stood right by the side of Don Jr, while another walked ahead of the family

Blondes have more fun: An incredibly expressive Chloe was accompanied by her mom Vanessa on the walk home

Don Jr stand-in: One of the agents was a dead ringer for the First Son when photographed from behind (agent above in plaid)

Parking here, there and everywhere: The trump envoy was not saddled with having to follow the city's parking laws (SUV above)

Hole in the wall: A la mode, which is an ice cream parlor and children's boutique, is located in a nondescript building in midtown Manhattan (above)

Tristan's grandpa Donald and aunts Ivanka and Tiffany were no shows as they were down in Washington DC, as was his 12-year-old uncle Barron.

And his grandmother Ivana was also not spotted at the ice cream social on Thursday, despite living nearby in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood.

That absence may have been due in part to the death of her ex-husband Riccardo Mazzucchelli, who passed last week in Croatia.

Ivana married the businessman in 1995 a few years after divorcing Donald, but by 1997 they were divorced and had gone their separate ways.

She was rumored to have gotten approximately $20million, their $15million estate and 49% ownership in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach in their divorce.

Ivana also reportedly receives $350,000 a year in alimony and was able to keep all her jewelry.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Thomas Price resigned his post Friday after a constant drip of revelations about his costly trips aboard government jets  and the president's frank admission that he didn't like the 'optics.'

The White House revealed his departure Friday afternoon, just hours after Trump had called him a 'fine man' but failed to provide a reassurance he could keep his job.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement saying: 'Secretary of Health and Human Services Thomas Price offered his resignation earlier today and the President accepted.'

Earlier, Trump said he would make a decision tonight on the fate of the embattled Health and Human Services Secretary, whose flights on government jets have cost taxpayers more than $1 million and brought a week of bad PR to the administration.

President Donald Trump called HHS Secretary Tom Price a 'very fine man' and said he would make a decision on his status tonight

Stepping in on an acting basis will be Don J. Wright of Virginia, whose designation takes effect just before midnight.

'Mr. Wright currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,' Sanders said.

Trump got asked about Price on Friday, following revelations of his domestic and international travel aboard military and government-owned jets.

Although the president praised Price's personal character, he did not hide his displeasure.

'He's a very fine man,' Trump responded in the early afternoon comments. 'But we're going to make a decision some time tonight.' Then Trump added: 'He's a very, very fine man.'

THIS MIGHT HURT A BIT: Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price (L) receives a flu shot administered by registered nurse Sharon Walsh-Bonadies (R) during an event on the importance of annual influenza prevention, at the National Press Club

Shortly before Price's time in the cabinet was done, Trump quipped: 'We have great secretaries and some that own their own planes, so that solves that.'

He added: ' We put in an order that no more planes  if you look at past administrations, for instance, if you look at the Obama administration and take a look at the amount of time they spent in the air, they spent a lot of time in the air. But I felt very badly bc Secretary Price is a good man. But we are looking into it and we are looking into it very seriously.'

'I certainly don't like the optics. I'm not happy,' Trump said of Price's trips aboard government aircraft

The comments left Price dangling a bit longer, amid widespread predictions he wouldn't last through the week.

TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE DEPARTURE LOUNGE The Trump administration has lost a significant number of key players since the president took office in January: Reince Priebus, chief of staff Priebus left after six months on the job after President Trump became convinced that he wasn't strong enough to run the White House operation. He was replaced by John Kelly, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general. Tom Price, Health and Human Services secretary Price was forced out in late September over his use of private jets and military aircraft that cost taxpayers more than $1 million. Mike Flynn, national security advisor Flynn was the first major character to be ousted, in February, after he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his 2016 contacts with Sergey Kislyak, then Russia's ambassador to the U.S. James Comey, FBI director Trump fired Comey in early May, immediately drawing complaints of a 'cover-up' from Democrats who feared the move was designed to shield thw president from an investigation into his campaign's alleged election-year collusion with Russia. Sean Spicer, press secretary An angry Spicer left at the six-month mark when Trump asked the combative spokesman to report to newly-appointed communications director Anthony Scaramucci. Anthony Scaramucci, communications director 'The Mooch' lasted 10 days in the West Wing and was ousted following an expletive-laden rant to a New Yorker reporter in which he trashed his colleagues. Sally Yates, acting attorney general Yates, an Obama administration holdover, was fired 10 days into the Trump presidency after she refused to instruct the Justice Department to defend the president's multi-nation travel ban in court. Steve Bannon, chief strategist Bannon found himself on the wrong side of Trump's ego after months of generating a high profile in the press and picking public fights with the president's economic and national security advisers, and left in August. Sebastian Gorka, counterterrorism adviser Gorka, a pugnacious Trump defender on television who didn't have any significant policy responsibilities, was ousted shortly after Bannon's departure made it clear that he had few defenders left in the West Wing. Keith Schiller, director of Oval Office operations Schiller, a longtime Trump bodyguard, departed in late September for greener pastures; his government salary represented a significant pay cut from his former Trump Organization earnings. George Gigicos, director of scheduling and advance Trump gave Gigicos the axe in August following a Phoenix rally where pre-event TV coverage showed a smaller-than-desired audience, and where the president's green room was reportedly cramped and filthy. Katie Walsh, deputy chief of staff Walsh, a former chief of staff at the Republican National Committee, was forced out amid allegations that she repeatedly leaked information to the press. Michael Short, senior assistant press secretary One of Scaramucci's first  and few  acts as communications director was to fire Short, whom he believed was a serial leaker. Mike Dubke, communications director Dubke, a traditional political communicator who never meshed with Trump's off-the-cuff style, quit in late May. Josh Pitcock, vice president's chief of staff Pitcock resigned voluntarily in late June without a hint of scandal after working for Mike Pence for a dozen years. Marc Lotter, vice president's press secretary Like Pitcock, Lotter's departure wasn't controversial. He had served as Pence's spokesman during his re-election campaign for the Indiana governorship before moving to Washington. Advertisement

Trump said he was displeased with the 'optics' of the situation  an acknowledgement of how the story has dragged on for a week, even undermining his campaign vow to 'drain the swamp' in Washington  even while calling attention to his own costly travel to visit an array of Trump properties.

'I certainly don't like the optics. I'm not happy, I can tell you that. I'm not happy,' Trump told reporters at the White House before taking off aboard Marine One for his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Trump called the situation a 'shame'  and seemed to indicate that he believed the criticism was misplaced because his own efforts to negotiate with executives had brought down the costs of massive government aircraft contracts.

'I have a great cabinet,' Trump told reporters. 'We save hundreds of millions of dollars through negotiation. I'll give you an example. With the F-35 fighter plane, me, myself, I've saved hundreds of millions of dollars in negotiations. That's one of the reasons why I don't like seeing anybody having a question about flying,' he said.

'I don't like to see that happen. And I think it's a shame because as a human being, Tom Price is a very good man, I can tell you that.'

'It's not a question of competence,' Trump continued. 'I was disappointed because I didn't like it cosmetically or otherwise. I was disappointed.'

Price is the first cabinet official  confirmed by the Senate  who Trump has let go. He joins a string of senior administration who have been the door during Trump's nine-month tenure.

These have included chief of staff Reince Preibus, chief strategist Steve Bannon, Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, and press secretary Sean Spicer.

An administration official with knowledge of the situation confirmed the assessment shortly before the shoe dropped.

The president 'cares about how things look, and this looks really bad. He's not a happy camper,' said the official.

Price himself acknowledged the tenuousness of his situation, telling Fox News on Thursday: 'I work at the pleasure of the president.'

Price took flights to Europe aboard U.S. military jets that cost taxpayers more than $500,000 to operate  and brought his wife along for the trip.

The cost of Price's international was revealed after his job was already on the line following revelations about his costly domestic jet travel on government-owned jets.

The White House released Price's resignation letter.

In order for you to move forward without further disruption, I am officially tendering my resignation as the Secretary of Health and Human Services effective 11:59 pm on Friday September 29, 2017, Price wrote.

Trump had said he is 'not happy' with the situation  and Price on Thursday agreed to pay back taxpayers $52,000  the cost of his seats on the domestic flights, but not the total costs.

Price's international trips about military jets bring his grand total to over $1 million since January. The trips were approved by the White House, which oversees travel by cabinet secretaries aboard military aircraft, Politico reported as it revealed the cost of the trips.

Price was accompanied by his wife, Betty, as he toured global capitals this spring to attend global health conferences. He flew to Berlin, Geneva, Beijing, Tokya, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Liberia.

He used a C-37B aircraft for the trip, according to the report  a military version of a Gulfstream jet.

Not found in either the official statement or any of Trump's comments is a mention of the spectacular collapse of the GOP's bill to repeal Obamacare.

Trump told thousands of Boy Scouts at a late July National Jamboree that Price's job hung in the balance if an Obamacare repeal wasn't passed in Congress.

'Are you gonna get the votes? He better get them,' Trump boomed. 'He better get them. Oh, he better, otherwise I'll say, "Tom, you're fired!" I'll get somebody.'

In another embarrassing disclosure indicating Price has adversaries within the administration, Buzzfeed reported that Price asked a White House official  only two months after Trump took office  to tell the president he wanted to reopen an executive dining room at HHS. He wanted to reconstitute the dining facility, which had been closed since the George W. Bush administration, a second source confirmed to the publication.

THUMBS DOWN: Price is the first cabinet official  confirmed by the Senate  who Trump has let go

The president said Price's status would be decided tonight, but the White House announced Price was gone Friday afternoon

Former Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) stands with his wife Betty Price before being sworn in as the new Health and Human Services Secretary, on February 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. Betty Price accompanied Price on his trip to Europe this spring

Price undertook a damage control effort to try to save his job Thursday  releasing a statement saying he was done with government jets, agreeing to pay back some funds, and making his case on Fox News  a favorite network for the president, where he hailed Trump as a 'remarkable leader.'

'I work at the pleasure of the president. The president is a remarkable leader I'm incredibly privileged to serve in his cabinet and work on behalf of the American people,' Price said.

'I look forward to regaining the trust that the American people, some of the American people may have lost in the activities that I took,' he continued. 'And to not only regain the trust of the American people but to gain the trust of the administration and the president.'

The White House refused to say Thursday that Price would keep his job in the administration amid ongoing probes of his use of government-provided jets.

'I think the president's addressed this yesterday,' White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters at the Thursday press briefing at the White House. 'We're going through this process, we're going to conduct a full review, and we'll see what happens,' Sanders said.

Thursday afternoon, HHS announced he was stopping all private jet travel and giving back funds spent to ferry him to appointments around the country.

'To make sure everyone knows that I understand and appreciate this, and to make sure everyone knows that this will never happen again, I am taking the following steps,' Price wrote.

'We're going through this process, we're going to conduct a full review, and we'll see what happens,' White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

'My staff and I will continue to cooperate fully with the OIG and internal review. I will take no more private charter flights as Secretary of HHS. No exceptions.'

'Today, I will write a personal check to the US Treasury for the expenses of my travel on private charter planes. The taxpayers won't pay a dime for my seat on those planes,' Price wrote.

Price got a flu shot at an event at the National Press club but left before taking questions amid the intense media scrutiny.

'I think we've still got the full confidence of the president' he told reporters who caught him outside.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price is having his use of government jets examined by an inspector general as well as by the House Oversight committee

Sanders' comments came a day after Trump let reporters know he was 'not happy' about the situation  and indicated he had told Price so himself.

'I was looking into and will look into it, and I will tell you personally, I'm not happy about it, I am not happy about it,' the president said when asked about Price as the president prepared to take a trip aboard Marine One en route to Indiana Wednesday.

'I am not happy about it and I let him know it,' Trump added.

'As the president said yesterday, he's not thrilled, definitely not happy,' Sanders said when asked about it.

Price's government jet tab not surpasses $1 million when military flights approved by the White House are included

'The White House does not have a role on the front-end, of approving private charter flights at the agencies, and that's something that we're certainly looking into from this point forward, and have asked a halt be put, particularly at HHS, on any private charter flights moving forward, until those reviews are completed,' she said.

An inspector general and a House committee are already looking at the conduct, and HHS is also conducting an internal review.

Sanders said the White House was looking at agency jet use generally.

When a reporter noted that counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway was aboard one flight with Price and whether the White House was aware, she responded: 'I didn't say we weren't aware. I said the White House doesn't authorize those private charter flights.'

Price is under fire for using government jets when he could have flown commercial

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One in flight during a trip with US President Donald Trump to Beaver, West Virginia, July 24, 2017.

Sanders also tried to take a shot at the Obama administration, whose cabinet officials have said they seldom if ever used charter corporate-style aircraft, pointing to the use of military aircraft.

'When it comes to military aircraft, that's a part where the White House does actually play a role. And on that front, the Trump administration has actually authorized far fewer flights for senior government officials than the Obama administration did during the same time period,' she said.

'And so we're continuing to look at ways to bring that back, under the places where the White House has that direct control and authority, which is under military aircraft, which we've cut back significantly at this point,' she said.

Price is already under fire for running up travel costs of more than $400,000 using government-owned corporate-style jets rather than flying commercial as he travels around the country.

NOT HAPPY: President Donald Trump said he is 'not happy' with the situation, which is under review by the White House, Congress, and an inspector general

Politico revealed that one trip was to the resort area of St. Simons Island in Georgia, where Price and his wife own property.

House Speaker Paul Ryan issued a statement Friday praising his former colleague that did not mention the air scandal.

'Tom Price is a good man. He has spent his entire adult life fighting for others, first as a physician and then as a legislator and public servant,' said Ryan.

'He was a leader in the House and a superb health secretary. His vision and hard work were vital to the House's success passing our health care legislation. I will always be grateful for Tom's service to this country and, above all, his continued friendship.'

The White House released Price's resignation letter.

In order for you to move forward without further disruption, I am officially tendering my resignation as the Secretary of Health and Human Services effective 11:59 pm on Friday September 29, 2017, Price wrote.

Trump had said he is 'not happy' with the situation  and Price on Thursday agreed to pay back taxpayers $52,000  the cost of his seats on the domestic flights, but not the total costs.
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Helpless Puerto Ricans are being forced to trudge waist-deep across a river to reach food and water, as stranded residents of the island criticize the Trump administration's hurricane relief package.

In the mountain town of San Lorenzo residents have resorted to clinging to a cord to cross the river in order to keep from being swept away by the powerful currents after Hurricane Maria tore apart the cement bridge connecting the community to the city center.

The town, which is in the mountains about 40 miles west of San Juan, was among those hit the worst when Hurricane Maria tore through the US territory earlier this month.

Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico as a Category 4, and at least half of the island is still without power and 90 percent with no cell phone service, making things like transportation and communication a logistical nightmare.

And in already poor towns such as San Lorenzo, residents have been forced to resort to third-world means of transportation and survival in order to get to towns with food, water and medical supplies.

In the mountain town of San Lorenzo residents have resorted to clinging to a cord to cross the river in order to keep from being swept away by the powerful currents after Hurricane Maria tore apart the cement bridge connecting the community to the city center

Luis Mendez and Ruby Rodriguez are pictured clinging to a temporary cable strung across the San Lorenzo Morovis River to get to the city center on the other side

Marlene Ojeda carries her son Esaid Marrero through the Rio San Lorenzo de Morovis, after the bridge that crosses the river was swept away by Hurricane Maria

The town, which is in the mountains about 40 miles west of San Juan, was among those hit the worst when Hurricane Maria tore through the US territory earlier this month

San Lorenzo residents have been forced to resort to third-world means of transportation and survival in order to get to towns with food, water and medical supplies. Pictured Manolo Gonzales crosses through the Rio San Lorenzo de Morovis

The Trump administration declared Thursday that relief efforts are succeeding, but people on the island have said that the help is scarce and disorganized.

On Wednesday the president cleared the way for more supplies to head to Puerto Rico by issuing a 10-day waiver of federal restriction on foreign ships delivering cargo to the island.

And House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief account would get a $6.7billion boost by the end of the week.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke even declared the relief effort as 'under control.'

However, outside the capital of San Juan, Puerto Ricans have said those declarations are far from the truth.

'I have not received any help and we ran out of food yesterday,' explained Mari Olivo, a 27-year-old homemaker whose husband was pushing a shopping cart with empty plastic gallon jugs while their two young children each toted a large bucket.

They stood in line in a parking lot in the town of Bayamon near the hard-hit northern coast, where local police used hoses to fill up containers from a city water truck.

Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico as a Category 4, and at least half of the island is still without power and 90 percent with no cell phone service, making things like transportation and communication a logistical nightmare

Luis Mendez is pictured walking through the river with the help of the temporary cable. Though the Trump administration has said that recovery is succeeding throughout Puerto Rico, many residents have disputed that claim

FEMA, which is leading the relief effort, has sent 150 containers filled with relief supplies to the port of San Juan since the hurricane struck on September 20, said Omar Negron, director of Puerto Rico's Ports Authority. He said all the containers were dispatched to people in need but private aid supplies have not reached Puerto Rico

And more than leaving communities without water, the hurricane also caused significant damage to the island's agricultural industry. Hector Alejandro Santiago took this photo of his farm in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico. He estimates that damage to the farm will cost him $1.5million

While most of the island's food is imported, statistics from the governor as of late 2016 show about 7,000 people working in agriculture, farm income growing and acres under cultivation up 50 percent over the past four years. Pictured is Alejandro-Santiago's farm in Barranquitas

Yasmin Morales is pictured on September 28, 2017 in her damaged house in Yabucoa, in the eastern part of storm-battered Puerto Rico, following a week of devastation by Hurricane Maria

President Trump declared Thursday that relief efforts are succeeding, but people on the island have said that the help is scarce and disorganized

And Javier San Miguel, a 51-year-old accountant, said: 'I have not seen any federal help around here.'

Trump tweeted later: 'FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico.' He also took issue with media coverage of the administration's response, writing: 'Wish press would treat fairly!'

Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, called for the US military to immediately provide security and distribution of aid in remote areas. 'As was said after Hurricane Andrew: 'Where the hell is the cavalry?' he said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Presidential spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said 10,000 government workers, including more than 7,000 troops, were helping Puerto Rico recover.

The US military was sending a three-star general to Puerto Rico to help direct the hurricane response. Lt. Gen. Jeff Buchanan, commander of US Army North, was set to arrive Thursday to assess the situation so that the military can provide the highest possible level of support, Northern Command spokesman John Cornelio said.

In San Lorenzo, residents are collecting spring water to drink and taking turns cooking food for each other because residents are running low on basic supplies.

'Just like God helps us, we help each other,' said resident Noemi Santiago, weeping. 'Here one person makes food one day, another makes it the other day, so that the food that we have goes further.'

FEMA, which is leading the relief effort, has sent 150 containers filled with relief supplies to the port of San Juan since the hurricane struck on September 20, said Omar Negron, director of Puerto Rico's Ports Authority. He said all the containers were dispatched to people in need but private aid supplies have not reached Puerto Rico.

'The federal response has been a disaster,' said lawmaker Jose Enrique Melendez, a member of Gov. Ricardo Rossello's New Progressive Party. 'It's been really slow.'

He said the Trump administration had focused more on making a good impression on members of the media gathered at San Juan's convention center than bringing aid to rural Puerto Rico.

'There are people literally just modeling their uniforms,' Melendez said.

'People are suffering outside.'

Trump and his advisers defended the administration's response to the hurricane, which destroyed much of the island's infrastructure and left many residents desperate for fresh water, power, food and other supplies.

'The electric power grid in Puerto Rico is totally shot. Large numbers of generators are now on Island. Food and water on site,' Trump tweeted early in the day.

Bayamon Mayor Ramon Luis Rivera said that FEMA officials sent a truck with a limited amount of food Monday. Rivera said he began distributing it to hard-hit rural areas.

'I don't wait,' he said when asked whether federal officials helped with distribution.

In the nearby fishing town of Catano, authorities said they would open a distribution point over the weekend to hand out food and water, nearly two weeks after the hurricane hit.

'We need food,' said Maritza Gonzalez, a 49-year-old government worker.

Hope amid the chaos: Some areas of Puerto Rico have survived, including this resort, but without power and running water on much of the island, its tourist economy is devastated too

Infrastructure hit: Industry on the island has been left devastated by the hurricane, including this fuel depot

Congestion and chaos: As a line forms for gas, devastated houses in the foreground show just how much damage was done to Puerto Rico

Economic chaos: Agriculture on the island has been badly hit with crops downed (bottom) and farm properties ripped apart

FEMA officials said Thursday that a million meals and 2 million liters of fresh water had been distributed in Puerto Rico and 2million more meals and 2million more liters of water were on the way.

There were conflicting figures: A day earlier, FEMA said it had distributed 167,000 meals and 539,000 bottles of water.

The Department of Homeland Security's acting administrator of the region that includes Puerto Rico said distribution had been hampered by the destruction of roads and bridges, which makes it hard to get supplies to those in need.

'In addition to building that first line of the supply chain, we are also rebuilding the entire distribution system ... how we're going to deliver commodities and resources to the people of Puerto Rico,' acting administrator John Rabin told reporters in San Juan.

'We have often had to recreate the system in order to deliver food, water and commodities throughout the island.'

The House speaker announced that the FEMA's disaster relief account would get 'a huge capital injection' of $6.7billion by the end of the week to help Puerto Rico recover.

Ryan noted that Trump had waived a matching funds requirement, which means the cash-strapped island won't have to contribute to the initial costs of the federal assistance. He said he expects the Trump administration to send Congress a request for a long-term recovery package once damage assessments are conducted.

'We will quickly act on that request,' Ryan said.

Secretary Duke waived a law known as Jones Act earlier this month to help ease fuel shortages in the US Southeast following hurricanes Harvey and Irma. That order included Puerto Rico but expired last week, shortly after Maria struck. The nearly century-old Jones Act bars foreign-flagged ships from carrying cargos from US port to another.

The Trump administration initially said a waiver was not needed for Puerto Rico because there were enough US-flagged ships available to ferry goods to the island.

Fuel line: The lack of gas stations has left drivers stranded in long lines waiting like this one on the outskirts of San Juan

Landslide: The side of what appears to be a landfill site has become a mudslide, one of many which have devastated the island

Scene of destruction: From the flight deck of the C-130 on its way to San Juan, the devastation of Puerto Rico is laid bare. Houses have had their roofs ripped off, tress felled, and power lines and cell towers damaged

Roadblock: Transport on the island has been hit not just by gas shortages but by blockages from downed trees.

And more than leaving communities without water, the hurricane also caused significant damage to the island's agricultural industry.

For 21 years Hector Alejandro Santiago spread joy throughout Puerto Rico with the poinsettias, orchids and other ornamental plants he raised and sold to major retailers including Costco, Walmart and Home Depot. In a matter of hours Hurricane Maria wiped it away.

The greenhouses and other buildings on the 40 acres where he grew the plants and prepared them for customers lie in tatters, ripped to shreds by 155 mph winds and driving rain. Trees are flattened.

'I will need to begin from zero,' said Santiago, 43, whose Cali Nurseries is located in Barranquitas, a small mountain city 34 miles southwest of San Juan. He's determined to rebuild and get back into business despite the losses he estimates at $1.5 million.

While most of the island's food is imported, statistics from the governor as of late 2016 show about 7,000 people working in agriculture, farm income growing and acres under cultivation up 50 percent over the past four years.

Agricultural income is divided nearly equally between crop and livestock production, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture compiled by the US Department of Agriculture for Puerto Rico in 2012.

Crop sales generate about $271 million a year led by production of plantains, vegetables and melons, nursery and greenhouse crops, fruits and coffee. Livestock sales are about $276 million led by milk production, poultry and cattle, the report said.

Noel Lopez, 40, operates 10 dairy farms with his father and brother. Before the storm they were milking 12,000 cows, producing 22,000 gallons of milk a day. Maria destroyed 90 percent of the barns and as many as 700 cows are missing or dead, each one valued at $2,500.

Without electricity, Lopez spent days after the storm focusing on finding enough diesel fuel to keep generators running so the cows could be milked and the milk could be kept cool. Failure to milk the cows could lead to an infection that could kill them and the milk can spoil within days without refrigeration.
For this U.S. Marine, swearing is part of his vernacular.

But James LaPorta learned the hard way not to drop the f-bomb in front of his almost two-year-old toddler.

LaPorta posted a video on Twitter showing his son Joel repeatedly swearing in the backseat of a car.

LaPorta stares at the camera in increasing bewilderment as his son drops multiple f-bombs

Butter wouldn't melt: La Porta's son Joel won't stop saying 'f***' in the car with his dad

His facial expressions exemplified his growing regret for having dropped the f-bomb in front of his toddler, as his son kept escalating the use of the word.

As one Twitter user noted, it looked like LaPorta was thinking the word each time his son used it.

'As a former U.S. Marine, now a father, there is perhaps one word I should try to cut out of my vernacular around my soon to be 2-year-old', he posted on Twitter.

Some users have slammed LaPorta o nTwitter, saying: 'Clearly you're indulging it by recording it and uploading rather than teaching him that it's not acceptable.'

LaPorta is now a freelance journalist based in south Florida.

LaPorta knows he messed up and said on Twitter that he needed to cut the f-bomb out of his vernacular
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police's Criminal Investigations Department is investigating Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's role in the mismanagement and looting of Zanu PF's business empire, leading to its collapse, in what is seen as part of President Robert Mugabe's succession war.The Zimbabwe Independent claims that it is reliably informed that the police are investigating 39 cases of fraud, meaning the vice president could face up to 39 counts.Police sources said this week the investigations stem from a Zanu PF's Report of the committee on Party Investments, debated by the politburo on July 27 2005 and August 3 2005, which revealed the companies, supervised by Mnangagwa who was then secretary for administration, were a shambles due to gross mismanagement and corruption.Zanu PF had interests in public and private companies held through M&S Syndicate (Pvt) Ltd. The ruling party had invested in Treger Holdings, Mike Appel, Catercraft, Fibrolite, which closed in December 2004 as well as Zidlee, which failed to take over Delta in 1989.The party also had interests in Southern African Re-Insurance Company (Sare), Zidco Holdings and First Bank, whose Democratic Republic of Congo investment also collapsed.Zanu PF also had interests in National Blankets, Woolworths and Ottawa Building, which were disposed of under unclear circumstances.Furthermore, Zanu PF separately owned Jongwe Printing & Publishing Company, as well as Jongwe and Nyadzonya farms.Mnangagwa, who sat on nearly all the companies' boards, supervised M&S Syndicate with Manharlal Chiunilal and Jayant Chiunilal Joshi.The Zanu PF probe team comprised the late David Karimanzira, who chaired the committee, and the late retired army commander General Solomon Mujuru, Obert Mpofu, Simba Makoni and Thokozile Mathuthu.The report said the companies were a mess and riddled with managerial corruption and incompetence which could have prejudiced the ruling party of billions of dollars and assets.
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These stunning photos show tribesmen celebrating as they take part in a traditional courtship competition in Niger.

Members of the country's Wodaabe Fula tribe are seen competing in the Gerewol, a week-long festival where bachelors compete for the attention of young women.

The ritual makes up part of the Cure Salee - the 'Festival of the Nomads' - where the Wodaabe and Tuareg people gather to mark the end of the rainy season in Niger, Western Africa.

Tribeswomen, who are allowed more than one husband, can choose to be 'stolen' if they like a man - and leave their previous partner behind.

Stunning photos have emerged showing tribesmen celebrating as they take part in a traditional courtship competition in Niger

Members of the country's Wodaabe Fula tribe are seen competing in the Gerewol, a week-long festival where bachelors compete for the attention of young women

The ritual makes up part of the Cure Salee - the 'Festival of the Nomads' - where the Wodaabe and Tuareg people gather to mark the end of the rainy season in Niger, Western Africa

Dressed to impress: The pictures were captured by a photographer as he travelled through Agazed, in northern Niger, in September

Courtship: During the festival, the tribe's young men perform a ritual designed to attract a group of eligible women

Banker, Mario Gerth, 40, captured the images as he travelled through Agazed, in northern Niger, in September.

The photographer, from Erfurt, Germany, said: 'The festival's location is usually kept a closely guarded secret - and is only revealed days before the event is due to take place.

'On the way, we interviewed locals in order to get directions to the gathering. But when we arrived, it was very easy to take photos.

'There is no tourism in this area, so a camera is a very new thing to them - and people were pleased to have their picture taken.'

During the festival, the tribe's young men perform a ritual designed to attract a group of eligible women.

Competition: Young men and women from the tribe take part in the ritual with batchelors hoping to attract partners

The festival's main event is a dance called a Yaake, but the ritual also includes events like camel races, competitions and bartering over dowry

Contest: The winners have their pick of the young women in the tribe and can choose one to offer their hand in marriage

Ritual: Tallness, wide eyes and white teeth are desirable traits of a Wodaabe man, as well as being a good dancer

Traditional: The festival's main event is a dance called a Yaake but there are other events including camel racing

The festival's main event is a dance called a Yaake, but the ritual also includes events like camel races, competitions and bartering over dowry.

The winners have their pick of the women and can choose one to offer their hand in marriage.

Gerth said: 'The men are judged by three of the tribe's most beautiful women - often the daughters of previous winners - who get to choose their own winner.

'Winning brings acclaim, respect, and a pick of all the women in the tribe. The ritual is watched by the tribe's most eligible women, who are waiting to find their next husband.

Getting ready: The traditional festival requires hours of preparation in order to get the men ready for their performance

The Wodaabe people are a polygamous tribe and the women are allowed more than one husband, the photographer said

Stunning: Banker, Mario Gerth, 40, captured the images as he travelled through Agazed, in northern Niger, in September

Colourfully dressed female members of the tribe line up as they take part in the traditional courtship festival in northern Niger

Applause: Women dressed in traditional clothing clap as they take part in the festivities during the tribe's courtship competition

Men wearing brightly-coloured face paint watch on as others compete in a traditional courtship ritual competition

The Gerewol is part of the so-called 'Festival of the Nomads' - where the Wodaabe and Tuareg people gather to mark the end of the rainy season in Niger

'If they like a man, the women can choose to be "stolen", leaving their previous husbands behind.'

Tallness, wide eyes and white teeth are desirable traits of a Wodaabe man, as well as being a good dancer.

The festival requires hours of preparation in order to get the men ready for their performance.

Gerth explained: 'The men spend six hours preparing themselves for their big moment where they can dance and show off in all their finery.

'They paint their faces with red clay and use thick black eyeliner to highlight the whites of their eyes.

Photographer Mario Gerth said tribesmen paint their faces with red clay and use thick black eyeliner to highlight the whites of their eyes

Gerth said that if a woman likes a man, they can choose to be "stolen", leaving their previous husbands behind

The photogapher said women have 'complete sexual freedom and power in the tribe' and that unmarried girls are 'allowed to have sex whenever they desire'

A tribesman wearing traditional head wear dances and shows his teeth as he takes part in the courtship ritual in Niger

Women wearing brightly-coloured face paint chant and pull faces as they take part in the traditional courtship ritual in Niger

'They also use matching lipstick to emphasise the whites of their teeth when they bare them as part of the ritual.'

The Wodaabe people are a polygamous tribe and the women are allowed more than one husband.

Gerth said: 'The fact that the women watching may already have a husband is not important. Women have complete sexual freedom and power in the tribe. Unmarried girls are allowed to have sex whenever they desire.'

He added: 'It was a privilege to be a part of the ritual and I felt like one of them. They accepted my present and invited me for a tea, they explained their culture and told me they felt honoured to be able to share their culture with me.'

The photographer said that the fact that the women watching may already have a husband is not important since the Wodaabe people are a polygamous tribe

Attraction: Men and women pull on traditional clothing and paint their faces before taking part in a courtship ritual in Niger
Silicon Valley has seen a backlash against gender diversity and the growth of a men's rights movement.

The issue of gender equality in Silicon Valley was forced to the forefront after the firing last month of Google software engineer James Damore who wrote a controversial 3,300-word manifesto on women in the work place.

The founder of start-up incubator Y Combinator, Paul Graham, defended the science behind Damore's memo while start-up investor John Durant wrote that 'Charles Darwin himself would be fired from Google for his views on the sexes,' according to the New York Post.

The issue of gender equality in Silicon Valley was forced to the forefront after the firing last month of Google software engineer James Damore (pictured) who wrote a controversial 3,300-word manifesto on women in the work place

Investor Eric Weinstein tweeted, 'Dear @Google, Stop teaching my girl that her path to financial freedom lies not in coding but in complaining to HR.'

And James Altizer, an engineer at the chip maker Nvidia, said: 'It's a witch hunt,' according to the New York Times.

Mr. Altizer now hosts meetings to discuss men's issues with more than 200 members and is active on men's rights Facebook pages.

The backlash against gender diversity in the tech sector comes after James Damore was terminated by Google last month for violating the company's code of conduct.

Investor Eric Weinstein tweeted, 'Dear @Google, Stop teaching my girl that her path to financial freedom lies not in coding but in complaining to HR'

In a statement, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said at the time: 'portions of the memo violate our code of conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.'

Damore's controversial manifesto - which was first published by technology news site Motherboard - divided opinion since it went viral on social media.

Damore, who graduated from Harvard in 2013 with a doctoral degree in systems biology, had noted that women could not get ahead at Google because of 'biological differences'.

It prompted backlash from Google's new head of diversity, Danielle Brown, who denounced the memo in her own note to staff.

Many have argued that the engineer's memo was proof of the sexist, male-driven structures that Silicon Valley has become known for in recent months.

Others said Damore's concern that the company was too left-leaning was legitimate. Some also claim he is the voice of many conservative employees who are too scared to speak out against Google's politically correct policies because they fear they will lose their jobs.
When President Trump gave Kim Jong-un the nickname of 'Rocket Man,' he says he thought the North Korean leader would take it as a compliment.

President Trump made that revelation Tuesday night at a dinner for Republican donors in Manhattan, attendees told the Washington Post.

The president first used the nickname in his address to the United Nations last week, in which he condemned North Korea's ramped up race to make a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the mainland U.S.

President Trump (left) said at a fundraiser Tuesday night that he didn't think his nickname for Kim Jong-un (right) - 'Rocket Man' - would be taken as an insult

He said at the $35,000-a-plate dinner on Tuesday that he didn't think that the nickname would be taken as an insult.

But when Kim Jong-un responded by calling him a 'dotard,' he decided to amend the nickname.

'So I said, all right, so now I'll call him Little Rocket man,' Trump said.

During the dinner, which Trump attended with his two eldest sons, the president said that he thinks the North Korea issue should have been solved years ago, but that he was determined to take care of it himself nonetheless.

He also touted his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jingping, claiming it was their chumminess that led the Chinese leader to curtail banking relationships with North Korea.

Meanwhile, it was announced on Friday that Trump will soon be going on a tour of the Asia, even as tensions with North Korea escalate.

Trump will travel to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines from November 3-14, a trip that will also include a stop in Hawaii.

It will be Trump's first visit to the region as president.

The White House said Trump's visit would 'strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.'

Trump is also expected to discuss trade and economic ties to the region and will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in the Philippines.

Even as Washington and Beijing grapple with that security crisis in North Korea, Trump has pressed China for more balanced trade with America.

Trump has been openly critical of China's large trade surpluses with the United States and last month ordered an investigation into whether Beijing improperly pressures companies to hand over their technology in exchange for market access.

His trip to China will come weeks after Chinese leader Xi is expected to receive a second five-year term as the leader of China's communist party. Trump has sought to forge a personal relationship with Xi, hosting the Chinese president at his Mar-a-Lago resort in April.

In a prelude to Trump's trip to China, Trump met Thursday with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, who was attending the inaugural dialogue on people-to-people ties in Washington.
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Milagros Moreno has lost virtually everything to Hurricane Maria aside from her most treasured possession  a framed picture of her US servicewoman daughter.

'I love her so much, I am so proud of her  you must tell her that God has protected me. I am alive,' she exclusively tells DailyMail.com, dabbing tears from her eyes.

Moreno has not been able to her contact her only child, Arleen Nunez, a 37-year-old soldier stationed at an Army base in Kansas City, Missouri.

Her story is typical of the chaos in Puerto Rico - a growing plight which now threatens to become politically explosive for the Trump administration.

DailyMail.com traveled beyond downtown San Juan to areas just a few miles away where people have lost everything - and are now asking why they are seeing none of the federal assistance promised by the president.

Moreno is typical of them. Like millions of islanders, the 59-year-old has had no phone signal or power since the category four hurricane ripped the roof from over her head and tore down the concrete walls around her.

The widowed mother has remained in the wrecked shell of her former three-bedroom home in Sector Terraplen, a poor neighborhood just outside San Juan, for the past week, too afraid to venture out.

The flattened village is just a few miles from a makeshift US airbase at San Juan International Airport where military planes are landing every hour laden with supplies, but Moreno says none of the relief missions have visited her.

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Milagros Moreno lost virtually everything when Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico last Wednesday. The one thing she was able to salvage is her most treasured possession  a framed picture of her US servicewoman daughter, Arleen Nunez

Inside the destroyed home of Moreno, just outside San Juan in Sector Terraplen after the passing of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. She said she stayed in her home as the walls fell down and the ceiling caved in. She thought she was dead

The island is left without power and communication to the outside world has been cut off. Moreno has not been able to contact her only child and let her know that she is safe. Nunez (pictured left and right) is in the US Army and based in Kansas City, Missouri

The widowed mother has remained in the wrecked shell of her former three-bedroom home in Sector Terraplen, a poor neighborhood just outside San Juan, for the past week, too afraid to venture out

The flattened village is just a few miles from a makeshift US airbase at San Juan International Airport where military planes are landing every hour laden with supplies but Moreno says none of the relief missions have visited her

Like millions of islanders, the 59-year-old has had no phone signal or power since the category four hurricane ripped the roof from over her head and tore down the concrete walls around her. Moreno wanted to pass along a message to her daughter, saying: 'I love her so much, I am so proud of her  you must tell her that God has protected me. I am alive'

The powerful hurricane devastated the island, as homes and businesses in San Juan were left utterly destroyed

'The hurricane started at 4am in the morning when I was in bed. I was trembling and scared so I just buried my head under the cushion,' explains Milagros, who has lived alone since her husband Domingo died from diabetes one year ago, at the age of 69.

'I could hear the plywood coming down from the roof and then the concrete blocks falling off the walls and hitting my bed. Somehow they missed me.

'I have no transport and nowhere to go, so I just stay here. Nobody is bringing me food so all I can do is wait for someone to come by.

'I have lit a fire so the smoke will keep the mosquitoes away. There's bees in my refrigerator, they've stung me four times.

'Most of my things are buried under the rubble but I hid my daughter's picture and ID in a safe place. She went to live in America and I miss her so much, she is my only daughter.

'I would give everything just to talk to her.'

Dozens of homes and restaurants in the nearby village of Torre Silla De Baja have been reduced to twisted piles of wreckage or had their roofs and upper stories ripped clean off.

Rosa Rivera, 47, stands outside her family's home, which was completely destroyed during the passing of Hurricane Maria just outside San Juan in Torre Silla De Baja, Puerto Rico. The only thing left standing in her home is the tiny bathroom

Dozens of homes and restaurants in the nearby village of Torre Silla De Baja have been reduced to twisted piles of wreckage or had their roofs and upper stories ripped clean off

Almost the whole population of the island is still without power and half lack running water, with no end in sight to the disaster

The shattered island was compared to Afghanistan by one member of the Air National Guard C-130 crew, who served in Afghanistan and is now tasked with delivering vital supplies

Officials have told residents in the working class community, located directly under the airport's flight path, that they will likely have to spend six months or more without power

The hurricane has torn the roof away and flattened every single external wall, leaving behind the surreal site of just a spotless tile floor with a small bathroom cubicle, a remote control and a metal safe that was bolted to the floor

Officials have told residents in the working class community, located directly under the airport's flight path, that they will likely have to spend six months or more without power.

As an Air Force C-130 transport plane potentially full of supplies soars overheard, Orlando Rivera, 48, merely looks to the skies and shrug his shoulders.

'The military flies over my home every 15 minutes or so, but do you think we will see any of that aid down here, no way,' he says.

'They say Mr Trump is coming next week. We will welcome him with open arms, just as long as he brings some food.'

Rivera's single story breeze-block home is still standing but the same cannot be said of his sister Rosa's neighboring property.

The hurricane has torn the roof away and flattened every single external wall leaving behind the surreal site of just a spotless tile floor with a small bathroom cubicle and a metal safe that was bolted to the floor.

'Maria must have decided she wanted everything,' Rosa, 47, tells DailyMail.com.

'She left us the TV remote which is helpful as we no longer have any power or a TV. The safe is still here too so she must have known it was empty.'

Hundreds of people seeking to leave filled the sweltering halls of San Juan International Airport are left anxious for a seat on one of the few flights operating after Hurricane Maria devastated power and communications across the island

Yeimarie Lopez, 27, and Ricki Nelson, 25, of Alexandria, Virginia, wait in the San Juan International Airport in hopes that they will be able to catch a flight back home and said they are left with no option but to sleep on the floor

FEMA's makeshift headquarters at the San Juan Convention Center after the passing of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

Eric Almazan, 22, of Mexico holds one of the few airline tickets as he is about to walk through security to head home

The majority of Puerto Rico remains without power, clean drinking water, phone signal or security with residents enduring primitive conditions, the threat of looting and stifling heat. Military aid is arriving with a constant stream of planes such as this C-5 Galaxy landing in San Juan. But residents tell DailyMail.com the aid is not getting through

In the nearby departures terminal at the international airport there's a handful of stores open and even a place to buy a beer.

Yeimarie Lopez, 27, and her 25-year-old husband Rickie Nelson look like they could use one.

The couple from Alexandria, Virginia, flew out to Puerto Rico on September 16 for a vacation but Hurricane Maria has turned their trip into a two week nightmare.

They spent the storm hunkered down at the home of Yeimarie's father Leonardo who lives in the remote mountain region of Utuado.

'Nobody seemed to be taking it very seriously until the power and the water went out. Then winds started up and we knew it was going to be bad. People died in the neighboring municipality but thankfully we were OK.'

In the wake of the storm Yeimarie's father spent days seeking out enough fuel for the hour-long drive to the international airport. But after he dropped them off their flight was cancelled and he didn't have enough gas to come back.

'We have a standby flight for tomorrow but this morning the line stretched the length of the terminal  and most people left without tickets,' explains higher education worker Yeimarie.

'We basically have no option but to sleep here on the floor. We have no bedding but I guess it's safe.' A few yards away 22-year-old Mexican national Eric Almazan is clutching an American Airlines boarding pass and saying an emotional farewell to his friends.

Weary residents told DailyMail.com how they waited six hours in miles-long lines to buy a maximum $20 of gas only to see emergency vehicles and state officials cut to the front

Lines for the handful of working ATMs stretch round city blocks and cafes and restaurants with generators are rationing customers to 20 minutes of electricity at a time

Puerto Rico is in a state of desperation, as citizens clamor to obtain much-needed supplies. President Trump received criticism for speaking up more about the controversial NFL protests than the struggling island

Trump has said he will visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday. Trump's administration has been accused of treating Puerto Rico differently than Florida and Texas

Carolina Pagan, 22, and Edgar Guadalupe, 21, wait in a seemingly endless line for gasoline after the passing of Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Transport on the island has been hit not just by gas shortages but by blockages from downed trees. Residents claim that although lines are hours-long, government vehicles skip the line to fill up

Retired chemistry teacher Joe Mortelli, 76, bought $15 of gas which he pushes several blocks in a grocery cart and carry up five flights of stairs to his sea-front home in Isla Verde

The lack of gas stations has left drivers stranded in long lines waiting like this one on the outskirts of San Juan

Massive lines (seen on the right)) are seen at an almost standstill for roughly six hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The group was doing an internship at the swank Ritz Carlton hotel in the sun-bleached tourist hotspot of Dorado when the storm turned their luxury haven into a prison.

'I feel bad for them but I'm happy I can finally escape this hell,' he tells DailyMail.com.

'The hotel had security but outside in the streets there were people being robbed. 'We heard that someone got shot for gas. There were even people fighting with sticks and knives over bottles of water.

'I've been to the airport every day for the past week and I've spent the last few nights on the floor.

'They offered me a ticket out a few days ago but they wanted $1,000. There's no way I could afford that so I just had to sit and wait for my re-scheduled flight.'

In San Juan itself, tempers are boiling over as residents jostle to get inside stores like Walmart, CVS and Walgreen's with armed guards looking on nervously.

Lines for the handful of working ATMs stretch round city blocks and cafes and restaurants with generators are rationing customers to 20 minutes of electricity at a time.

Weary residents told DailyMail.com how they waited six hours in miles-long lines to buy a maximum $20 of gas only to see emergency vehicles and state officials cut to the front.

In San Juan itself, tempers are boiling over as residents jostle to get inside stores like Walmart, CVS and Walgreen's with armed guards looking on nervously

Even with a ramped-up response, the problems facing Puerto Rico will take a long time to resolve, according to US officials

More troops, medical supplies and vehicles were on the way to the island, but it will be some time before the U.S. territory is back on its feet, the senior U.S. general appointed to lead military relief operations said on Friday

People wait outside a Walmart in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after the passing of Hurricane Maria

Although the island is in a desperate sitution, President Trump defended his administration's handling of the disaster. 'Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello just stated: "The Administration and the President, every time we've spoken, they've delivered ...," Trump tweeted early on Friday

Trump waived a rule on Thursday that has kept non-U.S. ships from bringing aid after Rossello said that restriction was getting in the way. Pictured: Wreckage in downtown San Juan

While the most obvious impact of the story is the damage to structures, the hurricane devastated agriculture, a small bright spot of economic growth in a U.S. territory mired in a decade-long recession and crushing debt

'The problem is the government employees or anyone with an official letter can just slip to the front of the line,' fumes Yolanda Ortiz, 55.

'We need fuel too, how else can I get to work?' Hotel worker Edgar Guadalupe, 21, is having to push his Hyundai Veloster the last few hundred yards to a Puma gas station in Carolina.

'We've had to drive through the mountains to get here and I'm down to the last few drops,' he says. 'I'm just praying they have enough on sale so I can get home.

'The hurricane tore the AC from my bedroom wall and the wind and rain just blew right in and ruined my stuff. It's hard here, man - we need help fast.'

Retired chemistry teacher Joe Mortelli, 76, bought $15 of gas which he will push several blocks in a grocery cart and carry up five flights of stairs to his sea-front home in Isla Verde.

'My wife is limited to a wheelchair and we have no elevator so I have to lug this up there by myself. I'm one of the fortunate ones with a generator,' he says.

New Yorker Joe moved to Puerto Rico ten years ago and his 81-year-old wife is still working as a professor at the Inter American University.

'Sure it's tough but I love the people here, the resilience, and my life right by the beach,' he says. 'I don't regret coming here at all. I love Puerto Rico - in spite of the hurricanes.'

The mayor of the capital of Puerto Rico hit back on Friday at the comments of a top US official who said federal efforts to help the territory recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria is 'a good news story.' 'This is a 'people are dying story,' Carmen Yulin said. 'This is a life-or-death story'

Maria, the most powerful storm to hit Puerto Rico in nearly 90 years, has killed at least 16 people on the island and more than 30 across the Caribbean

Homes and buildings sit empty as thousands of tourists and residents who have been stranded in Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria devastated the island nation were evacuated on cruise ships headed towards Fort Lauderdale on Thursday

The aid mission in Puerto Rico is ongoing and residents, despite receiving millions of dollars in donations and food supplies, are still living in abominable conditions

One hindrance is the lack of drivers in the area and the fact that many of the roads remain blocked due to debris
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The wartime bravery of an SAS hero who carried out daring raids behind enemy lines and escaped captivity by jumping from a moving train can be told after his medals emerged for sale.

Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE spent four months assisting Italian resistance fighters before scaling the Alps to reach neutral Switzerland when his cover was blown.

He was later dropped back into Nazi-occupied Italy and led a fearless ambush of a German armoured column.

SAS hero Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE, who carried out daring raids behind enemy lines and escaped captivity by jumping from a moving train

The medal group includes a 1939-45 star, an Africa star, an Italy star and a 1939-45 War medal. The 19391945 Star was awarded for service in World War II, the Africa star awarded for service between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 in North Africa, the Italy Star was awarded to servicemen who served in the Italian campaign between 1943 to 1945 and the the War Medal 19391945 is a campaign medal awarded to those who served full-time in the Armed Forces for at least 28 days

This is the final resting place of Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE, who was tragically killed in action while heading an assault during the legendary Operation Tombola, which has become known as the 'SAS Italian Job'

The badges Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE received during his time as an SAS hero. They include a Free French arm badge, which was worn when fighting alongside the Free French army, and two SAS badges, worn to signify his regiment

But he was tragically killed in action while heading an assault during the legendary Operation Tombola, which has become known as the 'SAS Italian Job'.

The 50 commandos attacked a German military headquarters in north Italy to the sounds of the bagpipes played by Scottish volunteer David 'Mad Piper' Kirkpatrick who was dropped in the area in a kilt.

There were 60 German casualties but Lt Riccomini was one of three SAS men shot and killed in the operation which was designed to harass the retreating German forces in Italy.

His MBE, Military Cross and other medals along with letters he wrote to his wife, documents and photos have now been put up for sale for 12,000.

Lt Riccomini, from Maidstone, Kent, served with the Royal Army Service Corps in Egypt but was captured in June 1941 and sent to the Gavi prisoner of war camp in north west Italy.

On September 18, 1943, he was put on a train to another camp in Austria but the 16 men in Lt Riccomini's carriage carved a 2ft hole into an end wall and teamed up into pairs to jump from it as it hurtled towards its destination.

Lt Riccomini was paired with Italian speaker Lieutenant H. A. Peterson, an SAS operative, and they headed for the hills above the town of Trento, northern Italy.

Lt Riccomini's MBE, Military Cross and other medals along with letters he wrote to his wife, documents and photos have now been put up for sale for 12,000

Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE (fourth from the left on the back row) pictured with the Royal Army Corps in Eygpt. He was captured in June 1941 and sent to the Gavi prisoner of war camp in north west Italy

In the following weeks they built up a partisan force to attack German forces.

Lt Peterson and Lt Riccomini remained with them for four months until their cover was blown when they met a representative of the Swiss Red Cross to send Christmas messages to their families.

The Red Cross man was a Nazi agent and three days later a lorry load of German troops arrived at their base.

They escaped out of a second storey window and fled to the mountains, crossing the Swiss border in the early hours of January 11, 1944.

Lt Riccomini penned a letter to his wife as he embarked on his escape to Switzerland.

He wrote: 'On September 19th last year I was lucky enough to escape from the Germans and since that time I have been hiding and running, always finding wonderful friends among the Italian people.

'Today another chap and I are starting out for Switzerland.

'We hope to be there in two or three days time.

Lt Riccomini's medals have been put on sale. They include the Military Cross, which is granted for 'an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank in Our Armed Forces'

Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE's fake Italian passport. He spent four months assisting Italian resistance fighters with ammunition drops and intelligence gathering before scaling the Alps to reach neutral Switzerland when his cover was blown

This is Lt Riccomini's 2nd SAS shoulder flash. It was used to quickly identify the regiment or corps of the wearer

Various photographs of Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE. He was awarded an MBE for his escape from his German captors and work with the Italian resistance fighters

'Sorry darling that I cannot write more, but this note has to be hidden securely.

'My love to all at home Janey I'm hoping to see you before long & remember that I love you, Your Husband Jim.'

Lt Riccomini was awarded an MBE for his escape from his German captors and work with the Italian resistance fighters.

He didn't return to Britain, deciding instead to stay in Switzerland for several months.

Lt Peterson asked him to join the SAS and they snuck back over the border to carry on assisting the partisan forces.

On December 27, 1944, Lt Riccomini, now of the 2nd Special Air Service Regiment, was dropped behind enemy lines near Spezia in north west Italy as part of Operation Galia.

In total, 33 SAS troops were parachuted into a valley in broad daylight as the drop was intended to deceive observing enemy forces into thinking a full parachute brigade of 400 men had landed behind them.

Remarkably, this was the first time Lt Riccomini had used a parachute.

The following month, he commanded a detachment which ambushed a German column on the Genoa-Spezia road, killing 30 of the enemy.

Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE pictured with the Royal Army Corps in England (top) and in Egypt. His Military Cross citation states: 'He was a personal source of inspiration and encouragement to his men'

These pictures show Lt Riccomini's log book. His final mission was on March 27, 1945, when he was part of a small force which attacked Villa Rossi, a German stronghold where a commander, general and 37 officers and men were stationed

Lt Riccomini's log book, which he kept before he was a prisoner of war. These pages contain details from August 3 in an unknown year

Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C & T Auctioneers, of Ashford, Kent, who are selling the collection, said of Lt Riccomini's life: 'It is a remarkable story which could be a Hollywood film

He directed the attack on the column in full view of them, completely ignoring the returning fire.

With 10,000 enemy troops hunting their whereabouts, the group went into hiding in the mountains where they were able to avoid capture.

His Military Cross citation states: 'He was a personal source of inspiration and encouragement to his men.

'His conduct could not have been excelled in any way being far above the normal call of duty.'

Lt Riccomini's final daring mission was on March 27, 1945, when he was part of a small force which attacked Villa Rossi, a German stronghold where a commander, general and 37 officers and men were stationed.

He killed four sentries through the iron railing with his tommy-gun and then rushed the door.

Under a torrent of German fire, Lt Riccomini made it up to the second landing but was shot and killed aged just 27.

Lt Riccomini penned a letter to his wife as he embarked on his escape to Switzerland. He wrote: 'On September 19th last year I was lucky enough to escape from the Germans and since that time I have been hiding and running, always finding wonderful friends among the Italian people'

Following his death, Major Bob Walker-Brown paid tribute to Lt Riccomini in a poignant letter to his wife. He wrote: 'Ricci as we all called him, died a brave and gallant death at the head of his men, during one of the most dangerous and effective attacks ever undertaken by this regiment against the enemy'

A document enclosed award granted for the service in the war of 1939 - 1945 for Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE (left) and a letter explaining his capture (right)

Also involved in the raid was Major Roy Farran, one of the most highly decorated SAS officers, who said: 'The British led attack after attack up the spiral stairway, but were always repulsed when they ran into merciless fire on the landing.

'Riccomini almost reached the top, but, there on the second landing, Riccomini met his death.

'He was shot through the head and died instantly.'

The offensive was part of Operation Tombola and on the night two villas were attacked with the Germans enduring 60 casualties while the SAS lost three men.

Following his death, Major Bob Walker-Brown paid tribute to Lt Riccomini in a poignant letter to his wife.

He wrote: 'Ricci as we all called him, died a brave and gallant death at the head of his men, during one of the most dangerous and effective attacks ever undertaken by this regiment against the enemy.'

The medal group consists of an MBE engraved with 'J.A.R', a Military Cross, a 1939-45 star, an Africa star, an Italy star and a 1939-45 War medal.

It has been consigned by a private collector who has owned them for the past 20 years.

Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C & T Auctioneers, of Ashford, Kent, who are selling the collection, said: 'It is a remarkable story which could be a Hollywood film.

'To think that he had never parachuted before when he was dropped behind enemy lines in Operation Galia and he was there leading a famous assault when he was killed.

'He showed incredible heroism and this is a spectacular collection.'

The auction takes place on October 17.
Chloe Ayling claims she was snatched, drugged and held hostage for six days by a group calling itself Black Death

One of the alleged kidnappers of British model Chloe Ayling should be extradited to Italy to face trial, a judge has ruled.

Ms Ayling, 20, claims she was snatched, drugged and held hostage for six days by a group calling itself Black Death after being lured to a fake modelling shoot in Milan in July.

Michal Herba's lawyers suggested the entire case may be a 'sham' invented as a 'publicity stunt' to boost Ms Ayling's career.

But, at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, District Judge Paul Goldspring said the 36-year-old should be extradited to Italy to join his brother, Lukasz Herba, 30, to face allegations they kidnapped the model before demanding a 300,000 euro (264,00) ransom.

'I have decided you should be surrendered to Italy to face trial for the kidnap,' the judge told Herba.

Following the judgment, Herba's barrister, George Hepburne Scott, announced he would appeal against the decision, meaning his client will remain in custody in the UK until the result.

A court sketch of Michal Konrad Herba appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today

Michal Herba (left, with with brother Lukasz in Milan in July) was arrested by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Italian authorities last month

Chloe Ayling says she was bundled into a car after arriving for a bogus photoshoot in Milan

Lukasz Herba has been arrested in Italy and faces a kidnap charge, which he denies

He said: 'I will continue to support my client throughout these proceedings and in Italy, if necessary. He continues to protest his innocence in the strongest possible terms.'

Italian police claim the Polish-born brothers are part of the 'Black Death' group, which says it sells women as sex slaves on the dark web to buyers in the Middle East.

Ms Ayling, of Coulsdon, south London, claims she was sedated and bundled into the boot of a car after being tricked into attending a bogus photoshoot in Milan on July 11, then held captive in a remote farmhouse.

Her alleged captor, Lukasz Herba, is in custody in Milan, having been arrested after delivering Ms Ayling to the British embassy on July 17. He has said he did not knowingly take part in any crime.

Michal Herba was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Italian authorities last month.

These pictures were emailed to her agent and used to advertise her 'for sale' on the dark we

Italian police released a reconstruction photo of a woman in a suitcase after the arrest

Herba was apprehended in the Tividale area of Sandwell in the West Midlands, and has been requested by the court of Milan for a single offence of kidnapping between July 11 and 17.

Fighting the extradition earlier this week, Mr Scott: said: 'There is a real risk that the entire case is a sham.'

He pointed to a 'unique set of anomalies', including claims that Ms Ayling went shoe shopping with her captor and had breakfast with him before her release.

He also highlighted the model's string of television appearances and plans to release a book, arguing the extradition would amount to an abuse of process if the kidnapping had been a 'publicity stunt'.

But on Friday, the judge said the 89 pages of 'open source' material relied upon by Mr Scott came entirely from reports in the media.

'I make clear that is not evidence to support it being a sham,' he added.

Picture of the mountain house where Chloe Ayling was allegedly held in the village of Borgial near Turin
United States officials are evacuating nearly 60 percent of embassy staff out of Havana, Cuba as part of a major withdrawal of personnel following several mysterious sonic attacks on its diplomats.

According to a report Friday, officials ordered only 'emergency personnel' to continue their stay at the embassy, while a safety warning has been issued for American citizens traveling to the country following the 'health attacks in hotels.'

Until the area is deemed secure, visa processing appointments will be delayed.

The Trump administration decided to undertake preparations for a large-scale withdrawal after Washington did not come away convinced that the Cuban government was doing everything it could to protect American diplomats in Havana, according to CBS News.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met this week with his Cuban counterpart, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez at the State Department in Washington.

The meeting apparently did little to sway the administration from its original plan to call back most of its diplomatic staff after 21 reported incidents of diplomats and their families experiencing symptoms ranging from headaches, nausea, hearing loss, balance issues, and cognitive impairment.

The Cuban government apparently asked for the meeting between Tillerson and Rodriguez.

A statement released by the Cuban government about the meeting includes a denial that the attacks even took place.

The United States is remove 60 percent of its diplomatic staff from the Cuban embassy as part of a major withdrawal of personnel following mysterious sonic attacks. The US Embassy in Havana is seen in the above stock image

The Cuban government has never perpetrated nor will it ever perpetrate attacks of any kind against diplomats, it read.

The Cuban government has never permitted nor will it ever permit the use of its territory by third parties for this purpose.

There is no evidence so far of the cause or the origin of the health disorders reported by the US diplomats.

On the same day of the Tillerson-Rodriguez meeting, sources familiar with the investigation said that the Trump administration does not believe Cuba is responsible for the attacks against US embassy staff.

'No one believes that the Cubans are responsible,' a source familiar with the investigation told McClatchy on Tuesday.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the State Department in Washington on Tuesday.The meeting apparently did little to sway the administration from its original plan to call back most of its diplomatic staff

'All of the evidence points that they're not.'

There is no word yet as to who the Americans believe is responsible for the attacks.

Cuba urged the United States last week to cooperate with its investigation into the incidents that the US says have harmed its diplomats in Havana and not to politicize the matter, days after Washington said it was considering closing its Cuban embassy.

In an address to the United Nations General Assembly, Rodriguez said the top level of the government in Havana had ordered an investigation into the mysterious matter, which threatens the fragile detente between the old Cold War foes.

However, a Cuban government source told Reuters that the United States had provided no evidence of the harm, including hearing loss, dizziness and nausea, that it says US diplomats and their relatives based in Havana have suffered.

Cuban doctors had also not been allowed to examine anyone, the source said. A spokesman for the US embassy in Havana declined to comment.

'The investigation to clarify this issue continues, and in order to be able to arrive to a conclusion, it will be crucial to count on the cooperation of the US authorities,' Rodriguez told the UN.

'It would be unfortunate if a matter of this nature is politicized,' said Rodriguez.

Cuba has denied any involvement in the affair.

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida was among five Republican senators that a week ago called for President Donald Trump to retaliate against Cuba by expelling its diplomats and possibly shuttering the US embassy in Havana.

Rubio helped forge Trump's new Cuba policy, rolling back parts of the detente achieved under Democratic former President Barack Obama and taking a harder line on the Communist-run island.

Cuba's state-run media this week said the only party interested in a deterioration in relations were a small group of Republicans led by Rubio.

The US government in August first officially confirmed they were investigating the incidents it said began in late 2016.

Several Canadians were also affected, a Canadian official said, further deepening the mystery.

Some of those had returned home for testing and treatment, the US official said, while others had been tested in Cuba, where the embassy has a full-time medical officer.

Investigations by Cuba, the United States and Canada have yet to come up with any answers.

Experts agree it is hard to see how any attacks could have been carried out or what the motivation could be.

Theories abound, from surveillance technology gone awry to a sophisticated acoustic weapon in the hands of Cuban-American exiles or third-party state actors such as Russia, Iran or North Korea, but most flounder.

Audiologists for example have raised doubt over the possibility of whether any sonic weapon exists that can be used covertly to bring about the range of symptoms mentioned by diplomats.
A teacher's assistant in Long Island is accused of raping a 15-year-old student.

Marcus Johnson, 27, was arrested for allegedly having an 'inappropriate relationship' with the female student who is now 15.

The Bay Shore High School teacher's assistant works with autistic children. Suffolk County Police Department told CBS New York the teen is not one of his students.

Marcus Johnson, 27, was charged with second and third degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly raping a 15-year-old at Bay Shore High School

According to his Facebook page he started working at the school in 2016. The sexual abuse allegedly began when the student was 14.

He has been charged with second and third degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child.

The investigation is ongoing and Johnson is expected to be arraigned in Central Islip court on Friday.

Bay Shore High School has not released a statement at this time.
Peter Bailey, 65, from Lambeth in London, imported a variety of skulls

A man, convicted of illegally importing and selling endangered primate skulls, has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Peter Bailey, 65, from Lambeth in London, imported a variety of skulls such as chimpanzee, drill, guenon, mangabeys, macaques and colobus.

He also imported derivatives from other endangered species such as crocodiles, elephant, Asian Black Bear and whales.

The court heard how Bailey had offered items for sale and sold items without the necessary Article 10 certificate or import permits, which are required for the trade to be deemed legal.

The items were examined by the Government appointed Wildlife Inspector who concluded that many of the primate specimens originated from west or central Africa and were taken from the wild recently.

This is of particular concern in relation to drills which are critically endangered species.

During interview, Bailey admitted that he had imported specimens from Africa.

Two baboon skulls were sold to a UK buyer after they were advertised via an on-line marketplace as 'taxidermy monkey skull, baboon, curio, collectable skull, rare' and sold for 140 and 170 respectively.

Bailey appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday, March 15 where he entered not guilty pleas.

He was released on bail to attend the same court on August 29 for trial.

On September 1, he was found guilty of four counts of keeping Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species items for sale (endangered primate skulls, leopard skulls and bear skulls); one count of offering Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for sale (dwarf crocodile skull); one count of selling a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species item (baboon skull).

Two baboon skulls (pictured) were sold to a UK buyer after they were advertised on-line as 'taxidermy monkey skull, baboon, curio, collectable skull, rare' and sold for 140 and 170 respectively

He was cleared of two counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of goods - contrary to Customs & Excise Management Act 1979.

Bailey was bailed ahead of sentencing at the same court. Today, he was sentenced to a total of 26 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay court costs of 4000.
Moscow is prepared to work with Pyongyang to try to find a peaceful resolution to the North Korean missile crisis, the Russian Foreign ministry said on Friday.

Russian and North Korean foreign ministry representatives met in Moscow today, and Kremlin said it had sent a clear message to Pyongyang that it was ready to step in to mediate.

Earlier today it was reported that any attempt by North Korea to fire a missile at the United States may force the US military to destroy a nuclear warhead over Russian territory, as this would be the likeliest trajectory of a missile.

Covert mission: Members of the North Korean delegation leave after the talks at the Russian foreign ministry venue in Moscow on Friday

Any missile fired at the US by the totalitarian dictatorship would most likely fly over the North Pole and may even have to be destroyed over Russia itself.

General Lori Robinson, the head of the US Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (or NORAD), said today that this fact was something she is 'aware of'.

The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement today after the meeting in Moscow between Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Burmistrov and Choe Son-hui, director-general of the North American department of North Korea's foreign ministry.

Son-hui also met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, the ministry said.

'The Russian side confirmed its readiness to combine efforts in the interests of finding ways to solve the problems in the region by peaceful, political and diplomatic means,' it said.

Talks: Russian and North Korean foreign ministry representatives met in Moscow today, and Kremlin said it had sent a clear message to Pyongyang that it was ready to mediate

Finger on the button: Should North Korea's Kim Jong-Un fire a missile at the United States, the US military is likely to have to destroy it over Russia, as this would be the likeliest trajectory

This comes as North Korea warned the US its 'belligerent bravado' will only 'erupt our will for revenge', after US military carried out an exercise close to its border last week.

In a show of force on Saturday, U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by fighters flew east of North Korea.

The Pentagon said the squadron's flypast was the farthest north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone that any U.S. fighter jet or bomber has flown in the 21st century.

Pyongyang responded by calling it an 'extremely dangerous act, designed to drive the situation of the Korean Peninsula to extremes'.

Today, a state-run North Korean propaganda outlet slammed the exercise and called it an 'anti-Pyongyang provocation that cannot be overlooked in the least.'

In a commentary called 'Provocative behavior that arouses tens of millions of people's will for revenge', overseas media outlet Uriminzokkiri said: 'The U.S. belligerent bravado will only fiercely erupt our will for revenge.'
Pricey organic store Whole Foods has infuriated customers with a sign telling them not to give money to beggars because it encourages 'theft, aggressive behaviour and substance abuse'

Pricey organic store Whole Foods has infuriated customers with a sign telling them not to give money to beggars because it encourages 'theft, aggressive behaviour and substance abuse'.

The poster was pinned to the window of the high-end American supermarket in Stoke Newington, as well as at the shop's tills.

Customers were instead asked to consider donating cash to a local homelessness charity 'before handing over any money to anyone outside our store'.

Furious shoppers branded the store 'demonising' and 'disgraceful' and it has now been taken down following an outcry.

Streets Kitchen, a national grassroots organisation that helps homeless people, was outraged by the poster.

A spokesman for the group said: 'It's bolloc*s, man. It's demonising the homeless community.

'The no food thing is just beyond. Even 'don't give money'... that's up to the individual to decide.

'The shop is supposed to be an asset to the community.'

One furious passer-by was so enraged by the sign she immediately confronted staff at the store.

She told the Hackney Gazette: 'I understand there's a problem but it's (the sign) pretty offensive, and it's not true.

'I said at least give details of a few local charities for people to contact.

'He [the manager] accepted my concerns. I fully accept they don't want staff to be abused and they need to take action, but the way it comes across is absolutely shocking.

'You can't just say it encourages these things, it's not cause and effect. It's outrageous.'

The Whole Foods store in Stoke Newington (pictured) has removed signs which urged customers not to give money or food to homeless people sleeping nearby

Another shopper said it had put her off using the high-end chain.

She told the Standard: 'When I first saw them, I was absolutely outraged.

'To make that link between people giving the homeless money and substance abuse so flippantly is absurd.

'I posted it on Facebook and a lot of people shared my views. People are upset about this, it's not a way to treat other human beings.'

Samir Jeraj, who works in race equality, wrote: 'Disappointing behaviour from Whole Foods that comes from a complete ignorance of homelessness.'

Charlie Phillips added: 'Terribly worded and not their place to say this. The homeless aren't pigeons who you can refer to like pests.'

However others claimed beggars outside the shop were 'rude' and 'aggressive'.

One wrote on Twitter: 'It's a good move. There's always beggars outside that store - either sat on the pavement in the way or hounding you on the move.'

Another commented: 'Some of them outside are so rude and aggressive...not to mention coming into the shops asking you for money as well.'

Maggie Pedersen added: 'Giving money is a problem for people with addictions!'

Last year the BBC wrote that studies show giving money to beggars 'can have fatal consequences', claiming the outreach team of Thames Reach estimated that '80 per cent of people begging in the capital do so to support a drug habit'.

Darren Campbell, manager of the Stoke Newington branch, said he was new to the shop.

He said he didn't know who had put the signs up or if any charities had been consulted beforehand.

He said: 'I need to find out and see if it's an appropriate message or not and if it was done at store level or regional level.

'Personally speaking I don't have an issue with beggars outside the shop.

'I think it's part of the community and it's about finding something mutually beneficial.'

He added: 'I ask them not to smoke outside but as far as their presence in the community goes I don't want to be disrespectful, I wouldn't condone that.'

A spokesman for the store later said the signs had been removed.

The chain, which is owned by Amazon, pledged to provide staff with guidance on how to support local homelessness charities.

He said: 'We agree that the signs should not have been made and have been removed.

'We are a community grocery store who takes the safety of our customers, team members and wider community very seriously and will continue to work with the local police and charities on this topic.'

Whole Foods has almost 470 stores worldwide, including nine in the UK.
Julian Assange will provide evidence clearing Russia of interfering in the US election in return for a pardon, according to a pro-Russia congressman.

Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has offered a 'deal' in which Assange would provide electronic evidence that would clear Russia as the source of the emails published last year by Wikileaks that damaged Hillary Clinton's presidential run.

In exchange, Rohrabacher was seeking for Assange 'a pardon or other act of clemency from President Donald Trump,' according to the Wall Street Journal.

Julian Assange (pictured outside the Embassy of Ecuador in London) will provide evidence clearing Russia of interfering in the US election in return for a pardon, according to a pro-Russia congressman

Rohrabacher visited Assange in London in August and afterwards said he was seeking a meeting with President Donald Trump to discuss his case.

Rohrabacher told The Daily Caller that Assange told him he had proof that Russia was not behind the hacking and leaking of emails from Democratic National Committee officials during the 2016 election.

'Thus if he comes up with that, you know he's going to expect something in return. He can't even leave the embassy to get out to Washington to talk to anybody if he doesn't have a pardon,' Rohrabacher told the publication.

But when questioned on Sunday about the possible deal, President Trump said: 'I've never heard that mentioned. Really, I've never heard that mentioned.'

Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (pictured) has offered a 'deal' in which Assange would provide electronic evidence that would clear Russia as the source of the emails published last year by Wikileaks

The US Justice Department has acknowledged investigating Assange and WikiLeaks for the release of a series of top secret US documents and computer hacking tools as well as the Clinton emails.

No charges have been unveiled. But Washington is widely believed to have asked London to arrest and extradite the Australian if he steps out of his refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London, where he has lived for five years.

US intelligence officials have blamed Russia for the theft of Clinton campaign communications and documents last year as part of a deliberate effort to hurt her chances as president.

When questioned on Sunday about the possible deal, President Trump said: 'I've never heard that mentioned. Really, I've never heard that mentioned'

They allege that WikiLeaks, in publishing the documents, knowingly acted in concert with Russian intelligence, and have branded it a 'hostile intelligence service.'

WikiLeaks has denied that the source of the material was the Russian government, but stresses it will never divulge the sources of the information in gets.

Rohrabacher confirmed that he spoke to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly but would not say what was discussed.

Rohrabacher told conservative commentator Sean Hannity's radio show that the assertion that Russia hacked the US election last year was a 'con job' to undermine the Trump administration.
One of two Wisconsin girls charged with stabbing a classmate to impress horror character Slender Man has reached a plea deal in order to avoid trial.

The deal calls for doctors to evaluate 15-year-old Morgan Geyser and report to a judge to determine how long she should remain in a state mental hospital.

Geyser's co-defendant, Anissa Weier, faces at least three years in a mental hospital after a jury this month determined she was mentally ill at the time of the 2014 attack on classmate Payton Leutner.

All three girls were 12 years old at the time.

Morgan Geyser, 15 (pictured in court, Friday), one of two Wisconsin girls involved in the infamous Slender Man stabbing will plead guilty in a deal that calls for her to avoid prison time and instead receive treatment for mental illness

A judge will determine how long Williams (pictured in court, Friday) should remain in a state mental hospital, where she has been for the last 18 months

Geyser's co-defendant, Anissa Weier (pictured, center, in court, February 2017), faces at least three years in a mental hospital after a jury this month determined she was mentally ill at the time of the 2014 attack on classmate Payton Leutner

Geyser appeared with one of her attorneys, Donna Kuchler, who later said her client has 'made incredible strides' since beginning institutionalized treatment, where she has been receiving for the last 18 months.

'It's been a tragic experience for everyone,' Kuchler said.

'Our hearts go out to the victim and her family. And we're very grateful that the district attorney's office gave this case the considering it deserves.'

Weier and Geyser lured Leutner into the woods at a park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators.

Leutner survived after she crawled out of the woods to a path where a passing bicyclist found her.

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 him.

The girls were each charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a possible sentence of up to 65 years in prison.

Geyser and Weirer lured Leutner (left, then, and right, now) into the woods at a park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators

Geyser (left) and Weier (right) told detectives they felt they had to kill Leutner to become Slender Man's servants and protect their families from him. The girls were each charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a possible sentence of up to 65 years in prison

Unlike Weier, Geyser (pictured in court, November 2016) will plead guilty to the original charge from prosecutors. But she won't face a sentencing phase where attorneys would argue that she was mentally ill when the crime occurred and shouldn't face prison time

Earlier this year a spokesperson for Lautner's family issued a statement to People magazine saying that the now 15-year-old is thriving as a high school freshman.

WHO IS SLENDER MAN? The Slender Man is a fictional character prevalent on the internet after originating as a meme in 2009. The mythical creature is often depicted as an unnaturally tall, thin figure with a blank, featureless face, wearing a black suit. The character is said to have long, tentacle-like arms, which can be extended to capture prey. It is said to stalk, abduct and traumatize children and, depending on interpretations of the myth, can cause memory loss, insomnia and paranoia. It is also said to be able to create distortions in photographs and teleport. It is understood to have originated in a Photoshop contest on the Something Awful Forums in 2009. It then went viral with numerous works of fan art and short scary stories published online known as 'creepypasta'. The character has developed its own life online, with two feature-length films funded in part by Kickstarter appearing in 2012. The meme that appears most is that of a tall malevolent figure, who silently stalks down his prey. Advertisement

'Today, Payton is a strong young woman who is excelling in school and doing many things that a teenager would do with her family and friends,' the spokesperson said.

Last month, Weier pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted second-degree homicide, just weeks before her trial was set to begin. Following the trial, the jury accepted her insanity plea, finding that she was not legally responsible.

Unlike Weier, Geyser will plead guilty to the original charge from prosecutors. But she won't face a sentencing phase where attorneys would argue that she was mentally ill when the crime occurred and shouldn't face prison time.

Geyser, who was diagnosed with early onset-schizophrenia in 2014, is heavily medicated, though 'more lucid with the medication than she ever was', prior to her diagnosis, her attorneys say.

During a hearing in August, Weier said that she didn't want to harm Leutner and that the stabbing plot was Geyser's idea. She said she participated because she was afraid of what would happen if she didn't.

'I believed that if I didn't go through with it, Slender Man would come and attack and kill myself, my friends and my family. Those I cared about the most,' she said.

Slender Man started with an online post in 2009, as a mysterious specter whose image people edit into everyday scenes of children at play.

He is typically depicted as a spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face. He was regarded by his devotees as alternately a sinister force and an avenging angel.

Geyser, who was diagnosed with early onset-schizophrenia in 2014, is heavily medicated, though 'more lucid with the medication than she ever was', prior to her diagnosis, her attorneys say
A SWAT team burst in on three thieves ransacking a jewellery shop, catching them red-handed.

CCTV captured the scene as the men began stealing from the Zolotoy jewellery shop in the city of St-Petersburg in north-western Russia.

The thugs burst in and make a security guard lie flat on the floor. He does not seem scared and is thought to have been aware that the SWAT teams entrance was imminent.

CCTV captured the scene as the men began stealing from the Zolotoy jewellery shop

As the thieves begin to fill bags with jewellery, six heavily armoured and armed officers burst in and detain the criminals.

All three instantly realise that they are outnumbered and outclassed and surrender at once.

The officers were reportedly from Russias version of a Special Weapons And Training Team, the Special Rapid Response Team.

It was reportedly the second time the shop had been robbed in a month, with the same gang thought to have been behind the previous raid.

As well as the three in the shop, a getaway driver was detained outside.

The thugs burst into the St Petersburg store and make a security guard lie flat on the floor

As the thieves begin to fill bags with jewellery, six heavily armoured and armed officers burst in and detain the criminals

One of the arrested men has a criminal record and has spent time in prison.

All of the gang face up to 10 years in jail.

It was not reported how the authorities knew about the planned raid.
The brother of a woman who was kidnapped and murdered has said he was 'shocked' when police questioned him as a suspect.

Nursing student Holly Bobo was 20 when she disappeared from her home in Darden, Tennesse on April 13, 2011.

Her remains were found by two men who were hunting for ginseng not far from her Decatur County home in September 2014.

Bobo's vanishing led to a massive search of the farms, fields and barns of western Tennessee, with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has said that the Bobo investigation is the most exhaustive and expensive in the agency's history.

Holly's brother Clint Bobo said it was 'really hard' knowing cops were 'looking in the wrong direction' in the aftermath of her taking

Video from ABC News

Zachary Adams was sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years for the kidnapping, rape and killing of Bobo on Saturday.

But in an interview with ABC News, Holly's brother Clint Bobo said it was 'really hard' knowing cops were 'looking in the wrong direction' in the aftermath of her taking.

He said: 'What if we never know? What if we  never find Holly? What if this is never solved? I think that's been my worst nightmare in this.

On the morning of Holly's disappearance in 2011, Clint - then 25 - said he remembered getting a call from his mother, Karen, who told him a neighbor had heard a scream coming from their house.

Nursing student Holly Bobo was 20 when she disappeared from her home in Darden, Tennesse on April 13, 2011.

Holly Bobo's decomposed remains were found near Adams' home three years after authorities began looking for her

Moments later, Clint saw his sister walking towards trees with a man dressed in camouflage.

He said he thought at the time that the man was Holly's boyfriend, Drew, who had told him about a plan to hunt turkey the previous day.

Though the man was carrying a black object, Clint had no idea that his sister was being abducted.

Then his mother told him the man was not Holly's boyfriend - and demanded that Clint 'shoot him'.

But Clint was 'confused', he said, and wondered why he was being told to shoot Drew.

Karen then hung up and called the police.

When cops arrived, they asked him to remove his shirt to check for evidence he had fought with Holly.

Karen Bobo (pictured) speaks to Zachary Adams during the victim impact statement on September 23, 2017 in Savannah, Tennessee

Clint said: 'I was just shocked that they are looking at me.

'To me, it's common sense if I'm here, and Holly's somewhere else, then obviously [] I have nothing to do with it.'

He went on: 'I tried to do everything that they asked [...] plus more. I know that it is viewed as - probably to a lot of people - as changing my story. But I don't view it that way - I view that as me being compliant with law enforcement.'

Clint was later cleared of any involvement in the crime.
Simon Glerum imported a 3ft tall life-like child sex doll and had child abuse pictures on his computer. He walked free from court on a suspended sentence today

A paedophile who imported a child-like sex doll has avoided jail on a suspended sentence.

Simon Glerum, 33, was arrested after Border Force officers at Stansted Airport intercepted a parcel from Hong Kong, Essex Police said.

It contained the 3ft 3ins tall doll, described in court as 'anatomically correct', and came with items including a girl's hairbrush and a 'body stocking'. The package was labelled as a mannequin.

Glerum was arrested at his home in Great Bardfield, Essex and police seized a laptop which was found to contain child abuse images downloaded from the internet and a fictional story describing the sexual abuse of a child.

He admitted importing the doll, three counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of possession of a prohibited image.

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 24 months, with the sentence concurrent for all five counts.

He was also given a five-year sexual harm prevention order, and must complete a sex offender treatment programme and 20 days in rehabilitation.

Judge Patricia Lynch QC said the programme 'will address features in your life which were prevalent at the time of your offending, including your poor social functioning and low self-esteem as well as your unhealthy attitude towards child pornography'.

The doll will be destroyed, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Essex Police released this image of the doll Glerum tried to import. The force aid they have now made a number arrests over the crime and would deal with cases 'robustly'

Detective Inspector Neal Miller said: 'The importation of childlike sex dolls can be an indication of offences being committed against children, as in this case, where images of child abuse were found on Glerum's computer.

'We will always investigate and deal with such cases robustly and have made a number of arrests. One is currently going through the courts.

'We work closely with Border Force, National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service in our commitment to prevent the importation of these obscene items and to protect children from harm.'

Last month, a judge ruled that the sex dolls - made in Asia to look like young girls and children - were 'obscene' at a court appearance of a British man who admitted importing them this week.

In that case, ex-primary school governor David Turner, 72, pleaded guilty to importing the dolls after an application to dismiss the charge was turned down.
A soldier has shot dead several troops during a training drill in far east Russia.

He shot and killed two fellow soldiers and one officer while injuring a fourth person, before stealing a machine gun and going on the run.

The incident took place at a shooting range at a military base in the city of Belogorsk, Amur Region.

The soldier shot and killed two fellow soldiers and one officer during a training drill in Russia's far east. Pictured are Russian soldiers in annexed Crimea

'At the firing range, a soldier shot dead two fellow troops and an officer. Another soldier was injured. He's now in the hospital,' local authorities said in a statement to RT.com.

The website reported that security at schools and hospitals and other official buildings in the area had been boosted.

The soldier is still at large.

The assailant shot his fellow troops before stealing a machine gun and going on the run. Pictured are Russian troops in annexed Crimea

Separately, Russia has reportedly left troops behind after staging war games in Belarus despite promising not to.

Ukraine's Commander in Chief Viktor Muzhenko said Russia has withdrawn only a few units from Belarus and had lied about how many of its soldiers were there in the first place.

His comments could increase tension between the two neighbours and contradict the Belarussian defence ministry spokesman, who said the last train of Russian troops and equipment had left Belarus on Thursday.
A gymnast missed her grip and fell down 3 metres (9.8 feet) during a circus performance in southern China.

The 14-year-old girl suffered a fracture in her left thigh bone but has no life-threatening risks.

Video emerged online showing the moment of the fall that shocked the audience right in front of their eyes.

A 14-year-old gymnast was performing a show in a circus with a male partner (left). She loose grip of a prop by her teeth and started to fall (right)

According to iFeng.com, the incident happened at around 9pm in Changsha, Hunan Province, on September 28.

The 14-year-old failed to grab the tool which would assist her in using her teeth while another male gymnast spinning upside down on top.

Mobile footage shows the girl plunging to the ground from three metres (9.8 ft) high.

It's unknown how many people attended the show.

She fell from three metres (9.8 ft) high and plunged straight to the ground (left). Her partner could not grab her although he hung on a swing on top (right)

An X-ray showed the girl had a fracture in her left thigh bone after she was sent in a hospital

The name of the circus show has not been revealed. The girl was rushed to a local hospital for treatment.

Doctor did an X-ray scan on the girl and found fractures on her left thigh bones. Luckily, the injury has not caused any serious impact on her.
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Heartbreaking footage has emerged of Hugh Hefner inside the Playboy Mansion just months before he died, showing him looking extremely frail and using a walker as a carer.

Hefner, who passed away on Wednesday aged 91 after contracting a bug, can be seen in his home in Holmby Hills, California, with unkempt gray hair and wearing light blue pajamas.

The video of the late founder of Playboy magazine was taken in January of this year after he had just entertained guests at the Mansion on one of his regular movie nights.

In a three-second clip, a female guest is heard saying 'Wonderful movie' as Hefner walks towards a pair of French double doors.

The images are further proof of the the rapid health decline Hefner was facing and his reported reluctance to remain away from the spotlight.

Hefner had reportedly been suffering a crippling back infection for two years, was bedridden and could barely walk without assistance.

The last believed picture of Hefner in circulation was taken on June 16 this year, on Father's Day, showing him playing backgammon with sons, Cooper, 26, and Marston, 27.

Heartbreaking footage of ailing Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner (center) at his California mansion, taken in his final months, has been released

Hefner, who passed away on Wednesday at age 91 after contracting a bug, is seen inside the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills with unkempt gray hair, wearing light blue pajamas and using a walker as a carer supports his hunched frame (left and right). The footage of the late founder of Playboy magazine was taken in January of this year after he had just entertained guests at the Mansion on one of his regular movie nights

In a three-second video clip from which these images are taken, a female guest is heard saying 'Wonderful movie' as Hefner (left and right) walks towards a pair of French double doors. The video is seen as further proof of the the rapid health decline Hefner was facing and his reported reluctance to remain away from the spotlight

Hefner's health had only quickly declined recently and he was still attending Playboy events over the last few years. Hefner (center) is seen posing with Playboy Bunnies, Playmate of the Year 2013 Raquel Pomplun (second from left) and Miss December 2009 Crystal Hefner (second from right) at Playboy's 60th Anniversary special event on January 16, 2014

This is believed to be the last picture of Hefner in circulation. It was taken on June 16 this year, on Father's Day, and shared online by his son Cooper. He is pictured with Cooper, 26, and Marston, 27, playing backgammon

Hefner's grieving children raised a toast as they gathered in a California restaurant to remember their Playboy mogul father just hours after his death.

His sons Cooper Marston, and David, 62, joined their sister Christie, 64, for the memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night.

It appeared that Hefner's 31-year-old wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal.

In recent years, Cooper had taken responsibility for the running of Playboy magazine while his brother Marston, a writer, has shied away from involvement in the family business.

Hefner's eldest son David has stayed completely out of the limelight throughout his life, the opposite of his sister Christie. She served as the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009  and Cooper says he frequently consults her for business advice.

Hugh Hefner's grieving children raised a toast as they gathered in a California restaurant to remember their Playboy mogul father just hours after his death

Hefner's sons (left to right) David, 62, Cooper, and Marston, joined their sister Christie (second right), 64, for the memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night

It appeared that Hefner's 31-year-old wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal

The somber family gathering came just hours after the Playboy founder, the pipe-smoking hedonist who revved up the sexual revolution in the 1950s and built a multimedia empire of clubs, mansions, movies and television, symbolized by bow-tied women in bunny costumes, died at the age 91.

Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday night, Playboy said in a statement.

The family could be seen raising a glass in honor of their father, speaking to each other outside the restaurant and making their way into a white car after their meal.

Hefner's body was driven away from his Playboy mansion early Thursday morning to begin the journey to his final resting place next to Marilyn Monroe.

Cooper took over as creative director for the company in recent years and hoped to translate the rebellious nature Playboy had in its early days to his younger generation.

Playboy founder Hugh M Hefner, the pipe-smoking hedonist who revved up the sexual revolution in the 1950s and built a multimedia empire of clubs, mansions, movies and television, symbolized by bow-tied women in bunny costumes, died on Wednesday at age 91

Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday night, Playboy said in a statement

As much as anyone, Hefner helped slip sex out of the confines of plain brown wrappers and into mainstream conversation

A true millennial, Cooper wanted to make the brand more accessible to his demographic of chronic Instagram and Twitter users. A frequent poster himself, his social media pages give a glimpse into the life of the prince of Playboy.

Hefner was always vocal about wanting both his sons to be involved in continuing his legacy with Playboy.

'My dad was public about wanting us to run the organization together, but it became evident as we got older that it was not something that spoke to [Marston],' Cooper said.

As Cooper grew older, the similarities to his father continued to develop. However, as the youngest of Hugh's four children, Cooper felt compelled to carve out a niche of his own.

Like his father, Cooper he decided to enlist in the military. In January 2017 he joined the California State Military Reserve. Hefner was an infantry clerk in the army in the 1940s, and spent his free time doodling cartoons for the military newspapers  which peaked his interest in journalism.

Hefner's son, Marston, (pictured) was spotted the day after his father died at age 91. Marston, a writer, has shied away from involvement in the family business

In recent years Hefner (right) had passed the day-to-day running of the magazine to his youngest son Cooper (left)

His eldest son has stayed completely out of the limelight throughout his life, the opposite of his sister Christie (pictured), who is now 64. She served as the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009  and Cooper says he frequently consults her for business advice

In a statement about Hefner's passing, Cooper said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom.

'He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history.

'He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.'

It was yesterday reported that Hefner's wife Crystal Harris will inherit nothing due to an ironclad prenup that means she was never added to his will.

In a statement about Hefner's passing, Cooper said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom'

It was yesterday reported that Hefner's wife, Crystal Harris, will inherit nothing due to an ironclad prenup that means she was never added to his will

The couple, who shared a 60-year age gap, tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 2012 at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Before the nuptials, Harris was said to have signed an 'ironclad' prenuptial agreement.

A source told US Weekly that while the blonde beauty will be taken care of, she won't receive a penny of his fortune.

Instead, his estimated $43million estate, will be divided between his four children, the University of Southern California and a list of charities.

That number doesn't take into account the Playboy Mansion which was sold in 2016 for $100million.

His estimated $43million estate, will be divided between his four children, the University of Southern California and a list of charities. That number doesn't take into account the Playboy Mansion which was sold in 2016 for $100million

Fans arrive to place flowers outside the Playboy Mansion home of Hugh Hefner, who was the founder of Playboy Magazine and has died aged 91, in Beverly Hills

Marilyn Monroe's crypt at the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery. The crypt directly to the left of Monroe was purchased by Hefner in 1992 for $75,000

The $43million figure was first revealed back in 2009 when Hefner divorced his second wife Kimberly Conrad.

At his peak, the Playboy magnate was worth upwards of $200million, but as the magazine's popularity tanked, Hefner lost millions.

By the time of his death the 91-year-old held 35 percent of the Playboy brand and still completely owned the magazine.

He had $36million worth of stocks and bonds and $6million in a joint account with an unnamed person.

His monthly earnings from the magazine only totaled $100,000, with the rest coming from his pension.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

A Daily News journalist has reportedly been shoot by police while covering aa Harare demonstration.The Journalist identified as Mugove Tafirenyika was attacked and injured by police while covering clashes between ZRP and forex dealers in Harare.National People's Party has condemned the attack on journalists by the police."NPP condemns in the strongest terms the systematic and barbaric physical and emotional abuse of journalists by the rogue Zanu PF regime. Journalists should be allowed to work freely and be protected by the security forces," said the NPP."A country is as free as its press. No press freedom no freedom. This confirms once more that Zimbabwe is not a free country. Violence against journalists, and indeed against anyone for that matter, must stop."
A man who hurled anti-Semitic abuse at Jewish people on their way to synagogue has avoided a prison sentence.

Glenn Okafor confronted members of the Jewish community in Stamford Hill, east London on March 4, shouting 'f*** you Jewish people' and told the group 'you lot should go back to your own country'.

The 32-year-old also told worshippers: 'We will sort you out. I have friends. I'll be back tomorrow. We will wipe you out.'

Glenn Okafor has avoided a jail term for screaming anti-Semitic abuse at Jewish people as they made their way to synagogue in east London

Okafor, of West Norwood, south London, was found guilty of two counts of racially or religiously aggravated harassment and two counts of using threatening or abusive behaviour to cause alarm or distress after a trial at Stratford Magistrates' Court.

But the father-of-two, who works at a logistics company, avoided a jail term today.

Instead, he was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work and pay a total of 920 in costs and compensation.

Hershel Stroh had told Okafor's trial that he saw a black man surrounded by around 20 people who was 'shouting, screaming' and making comments including 'f*** the Jewish people'.

Mr Stroh, who was on his way to synagogue, followed the defendant and another man up Stamford Hill, along with other members of the community and security guards, while police were called.

The incident happened in Stamford Hill, east London, which contains a number of synagogues

Mr Stroh, who works in property management, said: 'He just wanted to cause terror and scare people and he was ready to attack people. If it was not for us and the security he would have attacked someone.'

Mr Stroh added: 'I was very, very scared for myself and the whole community.'

Group says too little is being done to stop rising anti-Semitism Today's sentencing comes amid a reported increase in anti-Semitic crime. The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism says hate crime against Jewish people has increased by 45% in two years. Research by the group shows that more than 20% of British Jews think too little is being done to tackle the problem. Stephen Silverman said this month: 'Our criminal justice system is continuing to send a strong message that anti-Semites...will rarely be properly punished.' Advertisement

Alexander Gluck, who was also walking to synagogue, said he heard the commotion and was approached by Okafor, who made 'some really aggressive' comments.

He said the defendant told him 'we are the real Jews' and threatened 'I'll wipe you out'.

Okafor's defence claimed he had been engaging members of the community in a 'theological debate' and had not made racist comments.

Giving evidence during his trial, Okafor told the court: 'I approached a Jewish man or a man of the Jewish community just to ask them a few questions about the origin of Judaism as it's something I have been looking into.'

He said two other Jewish people interrupted, angry at the conversation taking place, causing the interaction to become 'heated'.
This is the chilling moment a 95-year-old suspected of being a Nazi death squad guard was confronted with claims he was present during a mass murder more than 70 years ago.

Herbert Wahler's name appears on lists of an SS unit attached to Einsatzgruppe C - a group tasked with killing racial or political enemies of Hitler's regime in the Soviet Union in 1941.

The pensioner, who lives in a small town near Kassel, confirmed his name was on the roster but then became irate as he told German reporters: : 'I have nothing to say. You're out of luck. I have nothing to hide. And you won't hear anything from me. What has been has been. It's over.'

Wahler was one of two pensioners approached after a German television station tracked them down.

The other was Kurt Gosdek, 94, from a town near Osnabrueck, who claimed that although he was part of the unit in Ukraine in 1941, he had worked behind the lines repairing vehicles. He claimed to know nothing of any massacres.

Confrontation: Footage captures the chilling moment 95-year-old Herbert Wahler, suspected of being a Nazi death squad guard, was presented with claims he was present during a mass execution 70 years ago

Herbert Wahler's name appears on lists of an SS unit attached to Einsatzgruppe C - a group tasked with killing racial or political enemies of Hitler's regime in the Soviet Union in 1941

Wahler (pictured in his army uniform) was one of two pensioners approached after a German television station tracked them down

Massacre: Einsatzgruppe C was responsible for one of the most notorious mass killings, the shooting of nearly 34,000 at Babi Yar, a ravine northwest of the Ukrainian city of Kiev, on September 29, 1941

Einsatzgruppe C was responsible for one of the most notorious massacres, the shooting of nearly 34,000 at Babi Yar, a ravine northwest of the Ukrainian city of Kiev, on September 29, 1941.

The two suspects were located by broadcaster ARD's Politikmagazin Kontraste programme.

The two elderly men were both on a list of 80 former Einsatzgruppen members provided in late 2014 by Nazi hunters at the Wiesenthal Center to German authorities with the expectation that they could still be alive.

Footage shows reporters approaching Wahler at his home and showing him the list.

At first he speaks openly with the interviewers but then insists he will add nothing more.

Kurt Gosdek (pictured), 94, from a town near Osnabrueck, who claimed that although he was part of the unit in Ukraine in 1941, he had worked behind the lines repairing vehicles. He claimed to know nothing of any massacres

Denial: Gosdek (pictured), told Kontraste in an interview earlier this month at his home in northwestern Germany that, although he was part of the unit in Ukraine in 1941, he had worked behind the lines repairing vehicles. He claimed to know nothing of any massacres

Following the Einsatzgruppen massacres, the Nazis established death camps and in total killed some six million Jews as well as others. Gosdek said he was 'surprised' when he heard about the Holocaust after the war

Einsatzgruppe C was group tasked with killing racial or political enemies of Hitler's regime in the Soviet Union in 1941

Meanwhile Gosdek, told Kontraste in an interview earlier this month at his home in northwestern Germany that, although he was part of the unit in Ukraine in 1941, he had worked behind the lines repairing vehicles. He claimed to know nothing of any massacres.

'When I was assigned to the workshop service it was relatively quiet, one had only one's work,' he said. 'Not the shooting.'

Following the Einsatzgruppen massacres, the Nazis established death camps and in total killed some six million Jews as well as others. Gosdek said he was 'surprised' when he heard about the Holocaust after the war.

'It's simply unbelievable that something like that happened,' he said.

This a 1944 file photo of part of the Babi Yar ravine at the outskirts of Kiev, Ukraine where the advancing Red Army unearthed the bodies of 14,000 civilians killed by fleeing Nazis

Jens Rommel, head of the special German prosecutors' office in Ludwigsburg that investigates Nazi crimes, confirmed that the Justice Ministry had forwarded them the Wiesenthal Center list.

He said it had been narrowed down to eight people thought to be still alive, including the two featured in Kontraste's report and one other from Einsatzgruppe C, but prosecutors had not yet gathered enough evidence to recommend charges.

'We need to at least confirm which time period someone was in a unit and which crimes committed by the unit they were part of,' he told the AP.

Efraim Zuroff, the Wiesenthal Center's head Nazi hunter, questioned how much more evidence was necessary. He said a new precedent in German law means that suspects who helped the Nazi machinery of genocide function - like death camp guards - can be prosecuted as accessories to murder even if it can't be proved they killed anybody themselves.

The Einsatzgruppen - made up of primarily SS and police personnel - followed Nazi Germany's troops as they battled their way eastward in the early years of the war. Pictured, SS leader Heinrich Himmler inspects

'Everyone who assisted in any way shape or form was responsible,' he said in a telephone interview from Jerusalem. 'Even if this guy was busy fixing cars, those cars took people to the sites to mass murder Jews... Bring these people to justice and put them on trial.'

Rommel said his office was moving 'as quickly as possible' on the Einsatzgruppen, but has also been focusing limited resources on guards at seven concentration camps, including Buchenwald, Sachsenhausen and Bergen-Belsen, where it was easier to prove that suspects were on hand at the time of specific killings.

He said he expected to hand as many as 30 cases to state prosecutors by year's end with recommendations that the suspects be charged, but cautioned that because of their ages, the number could rapidly change.

'Every year it's more difficult because so many pass away,' he said.

Jonathan Arkush, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the national representative body of the UK Jewish community, called for the matter to be 'properly investigated'.

He told MailOnline: 'Anyone who may have been implicated in these grotesque atrocities should be properly investigated and brought to justice.

'The fact that Holocaust denial and revisionism are becoming more prevalent underlines our obligation to seek justice for the victims and the survivors of the Nazi genocide.'
Former Maryland school aide Deonte Carraway, 24, who confessed to sexually abusing children aged between nine and 13 has been sentenced to 100 years in prison.

A former Maryland school aide who confessed to sexually abusing children aged between nine and 13 has been sentenced to 100 years in prison.

Deonte Carraway, 24, took advantage of his role as a volunteer and director of a youth choir to abuse the boys, filming at least a dozen engaging in sexual activity.

Carraway, who carried out his sick assaults inside Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School, pressured the young children into sending him inappropriate photos through social media, or the secured messenger app KIK.

An investigation into the depraved acts began when an uncle of one of the students involved in the case discovered explicit messages and reported it to authorities.

Carraway had told children he would give them cell phones but only if they joined a club he created and would send him the improper pictures using the devices.

He also threatened to call the police or their parents in they didn't continue to send him the photos, say the Washington Post.

Last month Carraway apologized saying: 'I wish I could go back and stop myself from doing it.'

While at a previous court appearance, Carraway said that 'kids have my heart when I'm around kids, I feel like a child.'

Carraways lawyer defended him saying the abuser had himself been the victim of abuse in his youth, and had an IQ of 60.

Carraway, who carried out his sick assaults inside Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School (pictured), pressured the young children into sending him inappropriate photos through social media, or the secured messenger app KIK

In July, Carraway wrote a letter to the judge asking for all charges against him to be dropped because he had received insufficient legal representation - alleging he had not heard from his lawyer in more than a year.

The abuser agreed to a deal in January that would see him serve at least 60 years as part of the plea.

The Prince George County Public School system that Carraway volunteered with has allegedly started a task force following the abuse to ensure similar cases are not repeated.
Four inmates have been charged with assaulting a prison officer after a video was released showing a savage beating in a Missouri jail.

In the video showing the gruesome assault, a prison guard can be seen being relentlessly punched and kicked by a group of inmates.

He is pushed onto a table after having come down to a common area from a first floor balcony and beaten.

In the video showing a gruesome assault, a prison guard can be seen being relentlessly punched and kicked by a group of inmates

He is pushed onto a table after having come down to a common area from a first floor balcony and beaten in a gruesome assault

It comes after a jail expert warned earlier this year that the Jackson County Detention Center was overcrowded and suffering from a lack of staff

The four men charged with the assault - which occurred on August 26 - are Stephen A. Curtner, 20; Rodney V. Rodgers, 24, Osiris N. Sneed, 20; and Tyrone E. Willard, 20

According to KMBC, Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said: 'I've watched that, of course, numerous times, and it really makes me angry.'

It comes after a jail expert warned earlier this year that the Jackson County Detention Center was overcrowded and suffering from a lack of staff.

It was also raided earlier in the year after guards and prisoners were found sneaking phones behind bars.

Curtner (left) and Rodgers (right) and the other two accused face third-degree assault charges

The accused could be jailed for up to seven years on top of their current sentences. Left, Willard and right, Sneed

The four men charged with the assault - which occurred on August 26 - are Stephen A. Curtner, 20; Rodney V. Rodgers, 24, Osiris N. Sneed, 20; and Tyrone E. Willard, 20.

They face third-degree assault charges and could be jailed for up to seven years on top of their current sentences.

The guard who was beaten is expected to recover, but he was reportedly guarding the entire fifth floor - where the most dangerous inmates are kept - by himself.

The same jail raided earlier in the year after guards and prisoners were found sneaking phones behind bars

The guard who was beaten is expected to recover, but he was reportedly guarding the entire fifth floor - where the most dangerous inmates are kept - by himself

The prisoners charged with the assault were also supposed to be in the cells.

Jackson County sheriff Mike Sharp, however, said that the incident could have been a lot worse.

He explained: 'If they would have gotten up to that rail  they would have thrown him over that rail. And there is no telling what would have happened.'

The sheriff also said it had been a planned effort by the inmates to assault the guard.
Hilarious video emerged of a Louisiana man desperately pleading with his nurse to 'wait' before sticking him with a needle.

Meltris Smith is the father-of-three who was getting blood work done at a LapCorp in Marerro, Louisiana, when his wife Shelby pulled out her phone to capture his hilarious reaction.

Shelby is heard telling her husband to calm down as he squirms and tries to jump out of his chair before the nurse even touches him.

Meltris winces at the thought of the needle and repeatedly tells the nurse to wait, even calling for a 'time-out' at one point.

Meltris Smith is thev Louisiana father-of-three who is deathly afraid of needles. He is seen on the right pleading with his nurse to take a 'time-out' as she tries to do her job

Meltris tries to jump out of his chair and is repeatedly told to calm down

The video posted to Shelby's Facebook last week with the caption 'Damn shame' has garnered almost two million views.

The spunky nurse seems to deal with Meltris' antics well and tells him, 'Look I have things to do, I have to go to lunch'.

Meltris tells her, 'don't touch me' which is amusing considering it's exactly what the nurse is there for. But the nurse finds it funny and even asks for a copy of the video being taken.

At one point the man asks if the needle is in yet, where the nurse replies, 'It's been in there!'

It's unclear exactly how old Meltris is, but it may be time to get passed his fear.
The Massachusetts school librarian who rejected Melania Trump's book donation, saying Dr. Seuss books are 'steeped in racist propaganda', dressed up as The Cat in the Hat two years ago.

A photo of Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro wearing the famous cat costume resurfaced Friday.

The caption from the Cambridgeport School Specialists Twitter account revealed she was celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday with a 'Green Eggs and Ham' breakfast.

But in her denouncement of Melania's book donation on the Horn Book blog website, she linked and cited the book 'Is the Cat in the Hat Racist? Read Across America Shifts Away from Dr. Seuss and Toward Diverse Books' by Philip Nel.

Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro dressed up as the Cat in the Hat at a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, but said Melania Trump's book donation containing Dr. Seuss books was 'cliche'

According to the school website, she was also a librarian for Watertown Public Schools and at MIT.

In her Facebook profile picture, she is sitting in front of a bulletin board featuring influential African Americans and civil rights leaders. She is reading the book 'Rad American Women A-Z.'

The First Lady criticized Soeiro for rejecting her donation of nearly a dozen books.

'She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to children across the country is but one example,' the first lady's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham told The Hill in a statement.

'To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate.'

The mayor of Dr. Seuss' hometown of Springfield Massachusetts also bashed Soeiro, saying her comments were 'political correctness at its worst.' Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a statement: 'One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, I think her comments stink and are ridiculous towards our beloved Dr. Seuss.'

The White House earlier this month announced that one school from each state would receive a shipment of Dr. Seuss books as part of National Read a Book Day.

But Soeiro said her school did not need the books in an open letter. She described the Dr. Seuss books donated to the school as 'steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.'

The First Lady's gesture was part of White House initiative dubbed 'National Read a Book Day' (Pictured: May 25, 2017) Her spokeswoman said it was unfortunate that Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro turned the donation into 'something divisive'

In 2015, First Lady Michelle Obama read children Dr Seuss books during her 'Let's read! Let's Move!' event

School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro (pictured) rejected books donated by First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday

Along with the donation came a letter from the First Lady, which emphasized to students that receiving 'an education is perhaps the most important and wondrous opportunity of your young lives'.

'Remember,' the letter says, 'the key to achieving you dreams begins with learning to read. Find what you enjoy, anything that interests you, and read about it.'

'Never stop learning and challenging yourself, and never give up on your dreams,' the letter concludes.

Soeiro, whose school represents Massachusetts in the initiative, said on Thursday that her award winning library wasn't in need of the literature.

Soeiro, whose school represents Massachusetts in the initiative, said she didn't 'NEED' Melania Trump's book donation

The Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian claimed in an open letter that the school did not need the books

'My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science,' Phipps Soeiro wrote.

'Multiple studies show that schools with professionally staffed libraries improve student performance,' she added.

Phipps Soeiro also criticized the First Lady's choice in books, which included 'The Cat in the Hat,' 'One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,' 'The Foot Book,' 'Green Eggs and Ham' and 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!,' CBS Boston reported.

'You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for children's literature. As First Lady of the United States, you have an incredible platform with world-class resources at your fingertips,' she wrote.

The elementary school employee also took a jab at the Trump administration's education policy, specifically striking out against Betsy DaVos.

'Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos?' she wrote.

She called Dr. Seuss cliche, tired and a worn ambassador for children's literature and said children in less fortunate schools were more deserving

Phipps Soeiro continues by claiming that 'cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit are suffering through expansion privatization, and school 'choice' with no interest in outcomes of children, their families, their teachers and their schools.'

She then asks: 'Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control?'

The school district later said that Phipps Soeiro 'was not authorized to accept or reject donated books on behalf of the school or school district,' adding that her opinions do not reflect that of the school system.

'We have counseled the employee on all relevant policies, including the policy against public resources being used for political purposes,' the district wrote in a statement.
A man who allegedly strangled and beat his former partner to death has been found dead in custody.

Lance Michael Pearce was expected to face murder charges after allegedly trying to suffocate his former partner Blair Dalton, 35.

The NSW Central Coast woman died in hospital Thursday evening after suffering critical injuries during the alleged domestic incident at Ettalong Beach on Tuesday night.

NSW Police believe the 34-year-old's man death was not suspicious and they are investigating the circumstances, according to news.com.au.

The couple share a young son together.

Lance Michael Pearce, 34, (right) has been found dead in custody after allegedly suffocating and strangling his former partner Blair Dalton (left)

Ms Dalton (pictured) died in hospital after allegedly being strangled by Pearce Tuesday night

Ms Dalton's family posted early Friday morning that her organs had been donated to help others, following her tragic death.

'Our beautiful Blair who is always helping others will today continue on this path when the transplanting of her organs begin RIP our best friend love dad and Gail,' they wrote.

Family and friends shocked at her passing also left emotional tributes to the young woman on social media, calling her 'one of a kind'.

'Rest easy hun... U didn't deserve to go this way, will remember our good old party days... Ur a awesome chic... So sad for u and all ur loved ones... (sic),' one person wrote.

While a friend added: 'RIP Blair I am so blessed to have been able to work with you. You truly were one of a kind, down to earth and the life of the party.'

'Spread your wings and surround them around your loved ones sweetie. Rest easy.'

Ms Dalton's family posted early Friday morning the news Blair (pictured) had died and that her organs had been donated to help others

Police said the circumstances around Pearce's (pictured) death on Friday was not suspicious

The alleged attack happened at Ms Dalton's home, with police arriving at the Ettalong Beach property, on the Central Coast around 7.10pm.

After locating Ms Dalton, officers commenced CPR, with NSW Ambulance paramedics taking her to hospital in critical condition.

Pearce was taken to Gosford Police Station following the incident, where he has was charged with attempt to strangle/suffocate with intent to murder.

According to The Daily Telegraph during a court appearance Wednesday, he was heard saying 'no, no' and 'is she all right, she has to be all right,' from the dock.

He was refused bail and is set to return to court on November 24, when charges against him are expected to be upgraded, according to Police.

Officers called to the scene commenced CPR on Ms Dalton (pictured), with NSW Ambulance paramedics then taking her to hospital in critical condition

The alleged attack happened at Ms Dalton's home (pictured) at Ettalong Beach on New South Wales Central Coast

Police were called to the scene around 7.10pm and were pictured investigating Wednesday morning

Friends described Ms Dalton as a 'good Aussie girl,' according to 7 News.

'We're just waiting on doctors reports but the end result won't be good either way will it?'

While others sent their love and best wishes to the family, many expressing how Ms Dalton was 'very giving to the end and beyond'.

'I can't begin to imagine what you all must be going through right now. She was so loved,' one person wrote.

While another added: 'Take your angel wings and let your loved ones feel a gentle breeze as you fly close to them during this difficult time.'

The national domestic violence helpline is 1800 737 732. In an emergency call triple-zero.

Ms Dalton was taken to Gosford Hospital following the alleged attack, but died Thursday night, with family and friends taking to social media to express their sadness
A Ukrainian military chief has claimed Russia has left troops in Belarus after staging its war games amid fears Vladimir Putin is preparing for an invasion.

In an interview on a military plane on Thursday evening, Ukraine's Commander in Chief Viktor Muzhenko said Russia has withdrawn only a few units from Belarus and had lied about how many of its soldiers were there in the first place.

His comments could increase tension between the two neighbours and contradict the Belarussian defence ministry spokesman, who said the last train of Russian troops and equipment had left Belarus yesterday.

Army vehicles are seen driving towards an undisclosed location in Belarus as Zapad 2017 kicks off at several locations in Belarus, the Baltic Sea, Russia and Kaliningrad

Russian military pilots, right, report upon arrival at an airbase in Belarus ahead of the controversial games which started today and will last a week, simulating a rebellion uprising backed by a 'fictional foreign power'

Relations between Kiev and Moscow nosedived after Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and the outbreak of a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,000 people.

Ukraine sees itself as being at war with Russia and has accused Moscow of sending troops and hardware to fight in the Donbass region, which Moscow denies.

There are frequent casualties despite a notional ceasefire agreed in 2015.

The Zapad wargames, held by Russian and Belarussian troops on territory in both countries in September, are a new source of concern for neighbouring Ukraine and NATO member states on Europe's eastern flank.

Russia has said the exercise was to rehearse a purely defensive scenario, that the scale of the wargames was in line with international rules, and that allegations it was a springboard to invade Poland, Lithuania or Ukraine were false.

But Muzhenko said the wargames were of an offensive nature. Ukraine staged its own drills in northern Ukraine in response to Zapad and built up troops there.

'I wouldn't say that the tension has lessened. We can say tension is building up or rising,' he said.

'We had information that they had withdrawn only a few units of the declared 12,500 troops, of which 3,000 were Russians, but there were significantly more of them there.'

Russia and Belarus claims some 13,000 people are involved in the drills, but NATO officials say they fear it is closer to 100,000

Russian military pilots are presented with traditional welcoming bread-and-salt as they arrive at an airbase at undisclosed location in Belarus ahead of the games

Muzhenko said the Russians had withdrawn air units from Belarus to make a show of leaving.

He said: 'Russia demonstrated, and it was primarily a demonstration, the return of aviation units - they took off from the airfields and flew to airfields in Russia.

'But we understand that 300-400 km for aviation is a distance that can be overcome in a very short time.'

The 55-year-old, who became Chief of the General Staff in 2014, said Ukraine was still outgunned in terms of its air defence capabilities in the Donbass war and needed air reconnaissance and anti-missile systems.

Kiev is hoping to receive lethal defensive weapons from US President Donald Trump. Muzhenko said talks had been concluded.

He said: 'We expect the corresponding decision because all negotiations are over and the relevant issues have been agreed - on the list and types of weapons - and we expect only the political decisions of our partner countries.'

Russia's defence ministry did not respond to an immediate request for comment.
Britain's nuclear deterrent protects the nation from North Korea and Russia, Sir Michael Fallon claimed today as he welcomed Nato chief to a high-security nuclear base.

The Defence Secretary hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the 29 ambassadors of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at Clyde Naval Base to mark the 350th Trident patrol.

Each of the missions has been conducted in extreme secrecy with the strength of the deterrent held in enemies not knowing where in the world Britain's subs are.

At least one of the Trident-armed boats has been at sea 24/7, 365 days a year since 1994 and Sir Michael today recommitted the UK to nuclear deterrence.

Speaking at Faslane alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (pictured) , he said the weapons 'remain vital for the security of our people'

At least one of the Trident-armed boats (pictured is HMS Vengeance today) has been at sea 24/7, 365 days a year since 1994 and Sir Michael today recommitted the UK to nuclear deterrence

Speaking at Faslane alongside Mr Stoltenberg, he said the weapons 'remain vital for the security of our people and of our Nato partners for as long as the security environment demands'.

He said the UK Government was working with the US administration to bring the 'dangerous, provocative and illegal' nuclear testing programme under North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to an end.

In a speech at the Clyde base, Sir Michael said: 'Today the nuclear dangers are intensifying from a reckless North Korea and increasingly aggressive Russia.

'UK weapons remain the only credible way to deter the most extreme dangers, reminding any aggressor that the benefits of an attack would be vastly outweighed by the consequences.'

Sir Michael hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the 29 ambassadors of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at Clyde Naval Base to mark the 350th Trident patrol

Asked whether the UK would pledge its nuclear deterrent in support of the United States in the event of North Korea attacking America, he said: 'It's hypothetical to speculate on what kind of assistance the United States might want from its allies in any particular situation.

'We're working hard with the administration to use every diplomatic channel to bring this dangerous, provocative and illegal testing programme to a halt.

'We work with the United States tightening enforcement of the existing resolutions, to ensure that the new resolution is properly implemented and we are working too with our European partners to see what further sanctions could be applied within the European Union and to bring further pressure on China to deal with its neighbour.'

On whether the government was actively preparing for war, he added: 'We are working very closely with the United States on all the diplomatic pressure that is needed now to bring this illegal testing programme to a halt.

'We have to exhaust every conceivable diplomatic channel before we start considering any kind of military action.'

Sir Michael said the UK Government was working with the US administration to bring the 'dangerous, provocative and illegal' nuclear testing programme in North Korea to a halt

Sir Michael also used today's event to warn of the nuclear threat from Russia

Mr Stoltenberg, asked whether Nato would support the US if it decided to launch a preventative strike against North Korea, said: 'We continue to work for a peaceful political negotiated solution to the crisis in Korea and we continue to strongly condemn the testing, the development of missiles and nuclear weapons.

'At the same time every nation has the right to defend itself and of course also the United States has the right to defend itself against attacks and Nato is there to defend all allies and that's part of self defence, which is part of the UN Charter.

'We will continue to work for maximum pressure on North Korea to create the conditions for a negotiated solution.

'We call on North Korea to abandon its missile programmes and nuclear programmes and we support the efforts to step up the pressure on North Korea including with economic sanctions.'
A Russia-linked account calling itself 'Blacktivist' sought to stoke racial tensions during the presidential campaign by promoting rallies, pointing to police violence, and calling out racism and intolerance in American society.

The campaign used both Twitter and Facebook. The Twitter account got turned over to congressional investigators probing Russian interference in the election.

The Facebook account was successful enough that it got 360,000 'likes'  more than the home-grown Black Lives Matter movement that sprang up in response to police violence against black suspects.

The site promoted seven rallies or protests in 2016, CNN reported, including a Baltimore march on the anniversary of the death of Freddie Gray while he was in police custody.

A Russia-linked account calling itself 'Blacktivist' stoked racial tensions during the presidential campaign through Facebook and Twitter posts that didn't reveal its origins

'We are fed up with police violence, racism, intolerance and injustice that passed down from generation to generation,' one posting said. 'We are fed up with government ignorance and the system failing black people,' according to the Blacktivist Facebook page.

The site also disseminated incendiary video clips of police brutality, urging readers: 'Black people should wake up as soon as possible.'

Twitter told Congress that 200 accounts on its site had possible Russia links.

Facebook has disclosed 470 accounts to Congress with Russia links. Facebook ads given to Congress were linked to the Internet Research Agency,

In the case of Blacktivisit, the link appears to run through the

A Russia-linked account calling itself 'Blacktivist' stoked racial tensions during the presidential campaign through Facebook and Twitter posts that didn't reveal its origins

One post that included a disturbing Sand Diego video was headlined: 'Watch another savage video of police brutality. We live under a system of racism and police are directly letting us know how they feel and where we stand.'

Facebook announced it was giving to Congress 3,000 Russia-linked ads from the campaign.

A Russia-linked account calling itself 'Blacktivist' stoked racial tensions during the presidential campaign through Facebook and Twitter posts that didn't reveal its origins. One post referenced Black History Month

A Russia-linked account calling itself 'Blacktivist' stoked racial tensions during the presidential campaign through Facebook and Twitter posts that didn't reveal its origins. The above post featured a video showing police brutality

A Russia-linked account calling itself 'Blacktivist' stoked racial tensions during the presidential campaign through Facebook and Twitter posts that didn't reveal its origins

Some of the Facebook ads purchased by Russians in the run-up to last year's presidential election included posts that made Black Lives Matter seem threatening and were anti-immigrant with a pro-Trump slant.

CNN reported Wednesday on the Black Lives Matter ads, saying they appeared on Facebook in late 2015 or early 2016 and were geographically targeted to hit audiences in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland, where they might resonate the most.

ABC News then reported on an anti-immigrant Facebook group called Secured Borders, which looked like the product of a grassroots American movement, but was actually manned by Russians trying to influence the US election.

Scroll down for video

ABC News revealed that the group Secured Borders, which looked like an American grassroots organization, was really a page operated by the Russians

Secured Borders created shareable content with a strong anti-immigrant message, which also encouraged voters to support President Trump

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company would turn over the 3,000 Russian-purchased ads to Congressional investigators

The aim of these ads and groups was to sow discontent among voters and add more fuel to an already toxic and polarized political climate.

Earlier this month, Facebook announced that the company had found that it had sold around 3,000 ads to accounts based out of Russia.

This week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said he is handing those ads over to Congressional investigators who are probing Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The tech company has stayed mum on much of the content of the ads, simply saying they didn't all specifically reference the presidential candidates  Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton  but instead '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.'

One Blacktivist post promoted the Black Panthers

A Russia-linked account calling itself 'Blacktivist' stoked racial tensions during the presidential campaign through Facebook and Twitter posts that didn't reveal its origins

Politico previously reported that some ads did encourage voters to support Trump, and also Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton's primary rival, and Green Party hopeful Jill Stein, who likely siphoned off some of Clinton's support during the general election.

CNN's discovery of Black Lives Matter being used and being used in certain geographic areas shows, for the first time, some of the sophisticated tactics Russian troll farms used, in an effort to direct messaging to those who might be riled up the most.

ABC's reporting showed how some of the Russian-created content was worded and how it was meant to be shared.

'If wanting thieves, gang thugs, drug dealers, rapists, child molesters, murderers off the streets is racist, then I'm a racist,' read one post, compliments of Secured Borders.

The Black Lives Matter ads, CNN found, were purchased by an organization called the Internet Research Agency, described as a 'state-funded organization that blogs and tweets on behalf of the Kremlin' by US intelligence.

Because of the sophistication of the targeting, Congressional investigators are wondering if the Russians had American help.

Both Congress and Special Counsel Robert Mueller are looking for evidence of Russian collusion with the Trump campaign.

'Did they know this just by following political news in America? Did they geo-target both geographically and by demographics in ways that at least at first blush appear pretty sophisticated?' mused Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., on Tuesday.

Warner is the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, one of the Congressional bodies looking into Russian influence on the campaign.

'These are the kind of questions that we need to get answered and that's why we need them in a public hearing,' Warner also said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe police on Friday reportedly fired shots at protesters in Harare City centre.Scores of protesters went into the streets to protest against the cash crisis in the country.Although details were still sketchy, the confrontation between the cops and protesters reportedly resulted in injuries.
The cost of repairing the Big Ben clock tower has more than doubled 61million after engineers found the job harder than expected.

The project was already controversial because it has meant silencing the Big Ben bell for four years.

But the cost spiralling from 29million to 61million will enrage critics and throw new doubt on the multi-billion pound estimates for renovating the rest of Parliament.

The cost of repairing the Big Ben clock tower has more than doubled to 61million after engineers found the job harder than expected (pictured is the scaffold nearing the clock face yesterday)

The project was already controversial because it has meant silencing the Big Ben bell for four years (pictured is the latest state of the work around the 96 metre tower)

Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects Division Ltd has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the repairs.

The new estimate comes after a detailed 16-month study into the project completed while a vast scaffold was built around the 96metre tower.

A greater understanding of the work needed, more challenging work and worse than expected conditions on the ground around the tower have been blamed.

The reglazing of the clock faces are also thought to be more complex than first thought.

The higher budget has already been signed off but MPs responsible for the project have revealed their anger at the higher costs.

WHY HAS THE BIG BEN BILL SOARED? Increased understanding of the work needed: Since the first survey, a detailed Design and Technical Design process has been completed. It revealed more damage than expected to the stone work that needs repairs. Greater complexity in undertaking the work: Work on the tower is going to be more complicate - and therefore more expensive - than previously thought. Examples include re-glazing the clock faces, stripping and repainting metal work within the tower. Ground Conditions: Despite extensive surveys, the ground conditions proved to be more complex than we anticipated, requiring additional work. Builders found far more pipes and cables underneath New Palace Yard as they built the huge scaffold than surveys or historic record suggested. Advertisement

Work has already been underway for months on the renovation of the Elizabeth Tower, which will seen both the tower itself and the Great Clock repaired and upgraded.

Last night Labout MP Stephen Pound, who was furious at the silencing of the clock, said: 'There are some serious questions to be answered.

'If they can't get that right then how can we have any confidence in the bill for the whole building?

'It's the worst parliamentary cost overrun since the last cost overrun and slipping the information out late on a wet Friday evening suggests to me someone is aware the impact this will have in the age of austerity.'

Tory MP Nigel Evans called it a 'staggering increase'.

David Natzler, the Clerk of the Commons, announced in a statement: 'We acknowledge that there have been estimating failures and we understand the concern of the Commissions.

'In advance of tendering contracts, the initial high level estimates were set at a lower level to avoid cost escalation from the market.

'Subsequent estimates, using better data and more extensive surveys, better reflect the true likelihood of the costs.

'We believe that we now have a more accurate estimate of the cost of the works and will report regularly to the committees on the progress of work.'

The House of Commons Commission said it was 'disappointed' in the spiraling costs in the announcement of the change.

The Mail revealed how MPs called for a review after it emerged they had no idea they had signed off the plan.

The bells, which fell silent in August, will only chime at New Year and Remembrance Day for the next four years.
A lorry that killed a female cyclist on Chelsea Bridge is owned by the sister of another scandal-hit haulage firm.

Hayley Drummond runs haulage company HCD London and it was one of her lorries involved in the death of a 36 year old female cyclist on Chelsea Bridge earlier this week.

It has now emerged she is the sister of Alan and Colin Drummond who were stripped of their haulage license in 2013 after one of their drivers ran over and killed 54-year-old cyclist, Alan Neve.

A 36 year old female cyclist was killed by an HCD London lorry on Chelsea Bridge earlier this week. The company is owned by Hayley Drummond

Cyclist Alan Neve (above) died in 2013 after he was ran over by a vehicle part of a haulage company owned by Alan and Colin Drummond, Hayley's brothers

Just months after the pair had their licence to run a haulage company taken away, Miss Drummond launched HCD London from the same address as the former company in Poplar.

Police are investigating the fatal collision between the cyclist, who has not been named, and the tipper truck during the morning rush hour on Chelsea Bridge.

Hayley, 36, had no comment to make at the home where she runs the company and is the sole director.

The family of the victim has asked police not to release her name. Scotland Yard said that investigations into Wednesday's fatal collision were still ongoing and would not comment on links between Ms Drummond and her brothers.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'The 42-year-old driver of the lorry stopped at the scene.

'He was arrested and taken to a central London police station and has been released under investigation for causing death by dangerous driving pending further enquiries.

'Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit investigate.'

Four years ago Alan Drummond and his brother Colin were at the centre of a police investigation after one of their drivers working for LD Transport hit and killed dad of one Alan Neve,55, in Holborn.

Their employee Barry Meyer was jailed for three years for causing death by careless driving

Their employee Barry Meyer was jailed for three years for causing death by careless driving. As a result the Drummond brothers had their licence to operate revoked after it was found they had not 'bothered to check' Myer's licence or long history of driving convictions before hiring him at LD Transport.

At the time Government traffic commissioner Nick Denton said: ''Through their negligence, Alan and Colin Drummond allowed a person to drive a heavy goods vehicle who should clearly not have been allowed to do so. The results were fatal.''

Mr Denton removed Alan Drummond's licence to operate a company and his brother's licence to work as a transport manager. Alan, 74, has since retired and his brother died at the age of 49 last year.

The current traffic commissioner for the region Sarah Bell is aware of Wednesday's fatality and is awaiting the outcome of the current police investigation.

A spokesman said: 'The Traffic Commissioner for London and the South East of England, Sarah Bell, is aware that a female cyclist sadly died following a road traffic incident at Chelsea Bridge. She wishes to express her sincere condolences to those impacted by this tragic event, in particular the family and friends of the cyclist.

'The Traffic Commissioner cannot comment on individual cases, to ensure active investigations and potential future proceedings are not compromised. She will await the outcome of current investigations into the incident.

'Traffic Commissioners do not have any investigatory powers but can take action against operator licence holders and professional drivers, where the relevant enforcement agencies present evidence and the Commissioner finds that the required standards have not been met.'

An inquest into the cyclists death will be held at Westminster Coroner's Court at a later date.
A panicked traveller survived holding on to the side of a German high speed train going at nearly 100mph for 15 miles, officials have said.

The 59-year-old somehow ended up on the platform in Bielefield, north-east Germany, with his luggage still on the train, and clung on to handles connecting two carriages as it departed form the station.

He then travelled standing on a ledge until the driver was alerted and could make an emergency stop at a nearby station.

Madness: The 59-year-old Romanian man ride between two carriages for 15 miles while the Bielefeld-Hannover express sped down the tracks at nearly 100mph (not pictured)

He was reportedly spotted by train staff, and the driver was able to make an unscheduled stop at a station some 15miles down the track.

The unnamed man then got on the train and continued on the train to Hannover.

The man, reportedly from Romania, was not injured, officials told the BBC.

Saved by the bell: The unnamed man travelled standing on a ledge on the side of the train until the driver was alerted and could make an emergency stop at a nearby station

However, he may be charged and is set to be questioned by police over the incident.

The train in question was one of Germany's famous ICE high speed trains.

It was involved in Germany's worst train accident in history, which took place in 1998, when an ICE train crashed in the northern German town of Eschede, killing 101 people and injuring more than 80.
Hundreds of tractors rolled into Barcelona to protect polling stations ahead of the 'banned' Catalan independence referendum this Sunday.

Striking images capture the moment more than 500 of the heavy vehicles were driven in to protect the '2,315 polling stations all over the region' - intended for the referendum that is said to have been banned by officials in Madrid.

Independence supporters, many wearing the colours of FC Barcelona or flying the estelada flag clung from the tractors in a loud, forceful show of strength.

Thousands of people gather at the final pro-independence rally at Plaza Espana tonight ahead of Sunday's referendum vote in Barcelona

Two young women watch on at the pro-independence rally at Plaza Espana in Barcelona tonight

Thousands of people cheer and wave esteledas, or Catalonia independence flags, during the 'Yes' vote closing campaign in Barcelona tonight

The protest came as police seized more than 2.5million ballots in a Catalan town in a bid to scupper the referendum.

'The Guardia Civil (police force) seized 2.5 million ballots, four million envelopes and 100 ballot boxes in a warehouse in Igualada,' said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The source said the company involved alleged the ballot boxes were 'for elections at FC Barcelona', without giving further details.

A spokesman for the football club confirmed that the company had indeed provided FC Barcelona with ballot boxes for elections of its president in the past, but could not comment further.

Driving slowly along the city's broad boulevards in support, many of the tractors carried the Catalan pro-independence flag, called the 'estelada,' to the headquarters of the regional government

Striking images capture the moment more than 500 tractors were driven into Barcelona for the Catalan independence referendum which has been banned by officials in Madrid

Driving slowly along the city's broad boulevards in support, many of the tractors carried the Catalan pro-independence flag -the estelada - to the headquarters of the regional government.

Similar tractor protests were held across Catalonia. While a conservative group in Madrid has set up a large, mock ballot box in the centre of the city and urged people to vote on whether they want Catalonia to remain a part of Spain.

The act in Madrid's emblematic Puerta del Sol square on Friday came in criticism of Catalonia's planned referendum on secession.

Despite this, the Spanish government has pledged to stop the referendum, which it says is unconstitutional.

Supports queue up to cheer on the agricultural workers proudly flying the estelada through Barcelona - despite fears the Spanish government could block the vote

Court orders Google to delete app used for Catalan vote Catalonia's High Court today ordered Google to delete an application that it said Catalan separatists were using to spread information about the disputed independence vote this Sunday. The court said the On Votar 1-Oct application on the Google Play smartphone app store opposed an order in September from Spain's Constitutional Court to suspend the referendum while it determined its legality. The court also ordered Google to block any future applications developed by the gmail address Onvotar1oct@gmail.com, according to a written ruling. Nobody at Google in Spain was immediately available to comment. Advertisement

Meanwhile, pro-separatist Catalans today occupied several schools in Barcelona, which are designated to be polling stations, to ensure the vote will go ahead, according to AFP reporters at the scene.

Two schools in the centre of Barcelona were occupied, according to the journalists, while a 'platform of open schools for the referendum' posted on Twitter images of several occupied polling stations.

According to laws passed by local government, should Catalan leaders see a successful referendum vote, they may declare themselves independent from Spain within 48 hours.

Speaking to BBC News, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said: 'After the official proclamation of the results, which should take a few days there is a period of 48 hours to proclaim independence but this does not exclude the possibility of us making yet another appeal on the night of the 1st for the need to sit down and talk to resolve this politically.

'The wealthy region of 7.5 million people in north-eastern Spain has its own language and culture, and a high degree of autonomy, but it is not recognised as a separate nation by the Spanish state.'

According to laws passed by local government, should Catalan leaders see a successful referendum vote, they may declare themselves independent from Spain within 48 hours

Independence supporters, many wearing the colours of FC Barcelona - the region's successful football club - clung from the tractors in a loud, forceful show of strength. While the estelada was draped around dozens of supporters

More than 500 of the tractors rolled around the cities roundabout cheered on by hundreds more vocal supporters ahead of Sunday's vote

Meanwhile, Catalonia's separatist leader has defended plans to stage the 'banned' referendum - despite being unable to explain how independence from Spain would work.

Carles Puigdemont wants supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the vote on Sunday by turning out at polling stations that police have been ordered to keep shut.

The 54-year-old has described Madrid's attempts to ban the referendum as 'authoritarian repression', 'a violation of our basic rights' and 'the fall of democracy'.

The north-eastern Spain has its own language and culture, and a high degree of autonomy, but it is not recognised as a separate nation by the Spanish state

Catalonia's separatist leader Carles Puigdemont (pictured) has defended plans to stage a 'banned' referendum - despite being unable to explain how independence from Spain would work

Carles Puigdemont wants supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the vote on Sunday by turning out at polling stations that police have been ordered to keep shut. Separatists are pictured holding a demonstration in Barcelona yesterday

But he was unable to explain how a new Catalan state would be formed and how it would function - especially given the challenge of trying to gain recognition from the European Union in the event of an independence declaration.

He told the New York Times: 'There is no button that you push and the next day you become independent.'

But defending plans to hold the referendum, he told the newspaper: 'If you're hungry, you know that you want to eat. You don't know what's on the menu  perhaps it's not your favorite dish  but you will eat.'

Pro-independence groups the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) said on Thursday that people should form queues if they found police guarding voting stations. The tractor protest is an attempt to protect voting stations that Catalonians fear will be blocked

Raising her fist in support, one independence supporter on a tractor grinned happily while posing for a photograph with dozens of tractors rolling behind her

Last night, Catalan separatists urged supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the referendum, calling for peaceful turnouts at polling stations.

Pro-independence groups the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium said on Thursday that people should form queues if they found police guarding voting stations, amid concerns that frustrations over an event progressively stripped of any meaningful political impact could erupt into street unrest.

Tackling one of the biggest political crises to hit Spain since democracy was restored in the 1970s after decades of dictatorship, authorities in Madrid have declared the referendum unconstitutional and told police to ensure no votes are cast.

Catalan separatists urged supporters to defy Spanish efforts to block the referendum, calling for peaceful turnouts at polling stations

Around 4,000 state police from other regions have been deployed to prevent the vote and maintain security. Fire fighters are pictured taking part in a demonstration in Barcelona on Thursday

Catalan independence More than 2,300 polling stations are ready for the Catalan independence referendum slated for Sunday but banned by Madrid, the regional separatist government said today. Spokesman Jordi Turull told reporters there would be '2,315 polling stations all over the region' and more than 7,200 people involved in holding the referendum despite a crackdown by Madrid. 'A total of 5.3 million Catalans who have the right to vote are called to vote,' he said. At the end of the press briefing, Turull, Catalan Vice-President Oriol Junqueras and Raul Romeva, in charge of foreign relations for the Catalan executive, unveiled a plastic ballot box with a regional government stamp on it. Police have for days been seizing electoral items such as ballot papers as they follow orders to stop the referendum from taking place, after courts ruled it unconstitutional. But they had failed to find any ballot boxes until Thursday, when police seized 100 from a warehouse in a Catalan town, although the company in charge alleged they were destined for internal elections at the FC Barcelona football club. Over the past few days, judges and prosecutors have also ordered the closure of websites linked to the vote and the detention of key members of the team organising the referendum. On Wednesday a judge ordered police to prevent public buildings from being used as polling stations. Advertisement

The rich northeastern region is pressing ahead, and Puigdemont - who has labelled the government's response anti-democratic - said a week ago he had contingency plans in place to ensure the vote would take place.

But ANC and Omnium said Catalonia's priority for Sunday should be to present a responsible and united face to the world - even if that meant forming long queues without actually voting.

'Peaceful resistance, zero violence... If you can't access the voting stations, by no means should you respond with violence,' ANC said in an internal document distributed to members.

'Above all, bear in mind this is not a demonstration but a giant queue. The picture of millions of people queuing with a ballot paper in their hand will be more impressive.'

With both groups having strong track records of non-violent protest, the biggest risk of civil disturbance appeared to lie with members of foreign anarchist groups, who local newspapers including El Confidencial and El Espanol said had arrived in Barcelona.

If they approach any of the more than 2,500 voting stations across Catalonia, they will encounter a stepped-up police.

Around 4,000 state police from other regions have been deployed to prevent the vote and maintain security. They will join 5,000 state police based in the region and 17,000 local police, or Mossos d'Esquadra.

The Mossos have said the order to close voting stations increased the risk of confrontation between demonstrators and police, a worry shared on Thursday by two United Nations experts.

Around 4,000 state police from other regions have been deployed to prevent the vote and maintain security. They will join 5,000 state police based in the region and 17,000 local police, or Mossos d'Esquadra

'We are concerned that this order and the accompanying rhetoric may heighten tensions and social unrest,' said David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Alfred de Zayas, independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.

Following a meeting a Barcelona of senior security officials, Spain's junior Interior Minister Jose Antonio Nieto confirmed no vote would be allowed, though the government would not prevent people from demonstrating.

'On Sunday, it will be possible to celebrate, everybody in a different way, through a picnic or a demonstration, and to express a sentiment but there will be no breach of the law,' he told a news conference.

ANC said voters should show 'institutional dignity' and form queues without staging a 'spectacle'.
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Thousands of people lined up at San Juan Harbor on Thursday to board a cruise ship that will take them to the United States, and many have said they don't think they will ever come back.

Hurricane Maria, which came ashore as the strongest storm to hit the island in nearly 90 years, has created a humanitarian crisis in the US territory.

The powerful storm knocked out the nation's electric grid and has crippled communications networks, transport and the water supply for the territory's 3.4million people.

That devastation caused when Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico eight days ago has fed an exodus, driving driven tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans from the economically struggling island.

And not everyone that is leaving has plans to come back.

Lilliana Pastor, 34, of San Juan, decided on Tuesday to buy a one-way ticket to Florida for she and her seven-year-old daughter, Leah Aguayo.

'Right now we dont know about the electricity. We dont have running water,' Pastor said. 'I'd rather go to Miami where we have family and see what happens.'

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Thousands of people lined up at San Juan Harbor on Thursday to board a cruise ship that will take them to the United States, and many have said they don't think they will ever come back

Gale Maldonado carries away water bottles being passed out to people waiting to evacuate Puerto Rico by cruise ship on Thursday

Evacuees included residents and tourists. It is not clear yet where they will go once they reach Fort Lauderdale

That devastation caused when Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico eight days ago has fed an exodus, driving driven tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans from the economically struggling island

Acting Homeland Secretary Elaine Duke, center, is briefed on the Hurricane Maria response during a flight to Puerto Rico on Friday

Snaking queues formed at the harbor in San Juan ahead of Royal Caribbean International's Adventure of the Seas departure.

The cruise ship will carry 3,800 passengers from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. A company spokesman said the cruise line is providing the passages free of charge and that travelers were registered with the help of local officials.

The company canceled its voyages last week and next week in order to free the ship up for relief missions. Norwegian Cruises has done the same and last week took supplies to affected islands.

The ship will make humanitarian calls in the hurricane-hit US Virgin Islands, where it will drop off supplies. It will then head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a planned arrival of October 3.

The cruise line said it will work with airlines to make travel arrangements for passengers looking to meet up with friends and family on the mainland.

'This is a humanitarian mission on behalf of Royal Caribbean,' company spokesman Owen Torres said.

At San Juan's main airport, flights are slowly returning. Major carriers including Southwest and JetBlue are still operating at reduced schedules as the airport works to restore power and return to full staffing levels.

JetBlue typically has about 40 flights a day to Puerto Rico but on Thursday it had only seven, which it said was still more than any other airline flying to the US territory.

'I'm sorry to be leaving Puerto Rico, but I have to. I prefer home, but it's impossible with these conditions,' said Ada Reyes, 85.

She was in a wheelchair and traveling on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship bound for Florida with her granddaughter, Maria Fernanda, 19.

Fernanda planned to drop her grandmother in Florida, then head to Boston to look into colleges. A second-year student at the University of Puerto Rico, the teenager did not know when classes there would resume.

Thousands of people wait to board the 3,100 passenger Adventure of the Seas in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Thursday. The Royal Caribbean International cruise ship will take them to Fort Lauderdale after picking up more people in the Caribbean

A little girl sits next to her suitcase, cradling a small pink backpack as she waits to board the ship. Others brought their dogs and what few possessions they could salvage from their homes

Raquel Rivera sits with Michael Gabriel on a bench next to the cruise ship on Thursday, waiting to board

Gary Flores and Tabatha Flores wait with thousands of others in the sweltering heat to be evacuated from Puerto Rico

The Trump administration declared Thursday that relief efforts are succeeding, but people on the island have said that the help is scarce and disorganized.

And on Friday the president tweeted : 'FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico.' He also took issue with media coverage of the administration's response, writing: 'Wish press would treat fairly!'

The aid mission in Puerto Rico is ongoing and residents, despite receiving millions of dollars in donations and food supplies, are still living in abominable conditions.

But because so many people are still without food, water and electricity, they are rushing to get out of the country.

Some people have have waited for days for a flight out, and many Puerto Ricans wonder if they will stay once they reach the US mainland.

As American citizens, Puerto Ricans can easily move to the mainland. Migration has soared in recent years, fueled by Puerto Ricans' desire for economic stability, jobs, schools and access to medical care.

Between April 2010 and July 2016, the population of Puerto Rico dropped by 8.4 percent, the US Census said, the largest percentage drop of any USstate or territory.

Nearly one-third of those born in Puerto Rico now live on the US mainland, economists wrote in a research report published on a blog site run by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The migrants are mostly younger workers, tilted toward the lower end of the skills and earnings spectrum. The loss of these taxpayers is a blow to the island's already reeling economy, the economists wrote in an August 2016 post for Liberty Street Economics.

Puerto Rico, which earlier this year filed the biggest bankruptcy in US municipal history, is struggling to regain economic stability in the face of a $72billion debt load and near-insolvent public health and pension systems.

The Trump administration declared Thursday that relief efforts are succeeding, but people on the island have said that the help is scarce and disorganized

The cruises were sent to the devastated island nation earlier this week with supplies once it was safe enough for them to sail. They will now evacuate people who have been stuck on the island which remains without power and with dwindling food and water

People are seen boarding the ship on Thursday after waiting in line in the sweltering heat for hours

Cruise ship staff gave out bottles of water to evacuees as they patiently waited to board on Thursday

It means that much of the relief that has been sent is merely sitting in ports waiting to be distributed to the hardest-hit, most remote parts of the country.

Thousands of people who are staying on the island were forced to line up for stores opening on Thursday.

There were large queues outside one Walmart. Once inside, desperate shoppers were confronted with empty shelves.

While supplies are arriving en masse, the problem now lies in distribution.

Many of the island's roads remain impassable and there are not enough drivers to be able to take them to some of the hardest-hit remote regions.

Sitting inside 9,500 containers in the Port of San Juan, the unused stockpile is only set to grow as President Trump waives a 97-year-old shipping law that will let more rations arrive.

A woman is checked in on board the Adventure of the Seas on Thursday after standing in line to get a place on the ship

Scores of generators were brought to the island on board the cruise ship and were left in San Juan for the thousands who remain there

Children shelter from the heat under a large umbrella on Thursday as they wait to board the cruise ship

Though President Trump has said that the relief efforts are underway, thousands of people remain without food, water and electricity

Yolanda Negron cleans up devastated home after hurricane Maria ravaged the island. The situation in the US territory has been compounded by a diesel fuel shortage and the lack of a working cellphone network

THE JONES ACT -The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, now known as the Jones Act required goods shipped to the US to be carried by vessels built, owned and operated by Americans -The Act aimed to support national maritime industry that could be mobilized for war or national emergency -It also aimed to protect the American control over waterborne commerce -Those in opposition to the Jones act have included officials in Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico as it increases shipping costs for goods from the US mainland -The increased shipping costs in turn get passed onto consumers on the islands -Supporters include pro-defense groups as well as members of the US shipping industry whose interests are protected by the Act Advertisement

With only 20 percent of the island's truckers reporting back to work since Maria barreled over, the situation has been compounded by a diesel fuel shortage and the lack of a working cellphone network.

'When we say we that we don't have truck drivers, we mean that we have not been able to contact them,' said Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello.

This comes as the White House announced that President Trump had authorized a 10-day waiver of the Jones Act.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Twitter Thursday that Trump has authorized a waiver for the US territory for the little-known federal law from 1920 that prohibits foreign-flagged ships from shuttling goods between US ports.

She said Trump was responding to a request from Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello, and that the Jones Act waiver 'will go into effect immediately.'

Advocates who pressed for the waiver have said it could get desperately needed supplies delivered to the island more quickly and at less cost.

However, shipping companies and humanitarian groups have voiced fears that the aid will only build up at port and not get out and around the island.

As part of the, 9.500 containers in the capital, 3,000 contain clothes, food, medicine and building supplies. However, only four-percent of the contents of those 3,000 have been distributed.

By authorizing the waiver to the archaic shipping law, the White House hopes to loosen the rules on tariff costs that would be a significant help for recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico more than a week ago and has left it without power and with little access to fuel and other supplies.

Republicans and Democrats had urged Trump to waive the Jones Act.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke had waived the law earlier this month to help ease fuel shortages in the Southeast following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

That order included Puerto Rico, but expired last week shortly after Maria struck.

Thousands of people remain in Puerto Rico. Many lined up at a Walmart in San Juan on Thursday waiting for it to open. Once inside, they were confronted with bare shelves

Inside the supermarket, there is no bottled water left and customers are forced to pay with cash as credit card machines are down. Christian Mendoza (above) arrived in one to find there was no more water and only canned soda. He is seen counting his money, above

Hospital employees sort donated canned food for sheltered evacuees in Catano, Puerto Rico, on Thursday

Food, water and other vital supplies have arrived in Puerto Rico, but shipments remain stranded as a lack of diesel is impeding shipments to be brought inland

Marines and local volunteers unload food from an MV-22 Osprey September 27, 2017 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The Department of Defense is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal agency, in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria

Thousands of containers of vital supplies have arrived in Puerto Rico, but shipments remain stranded as truckers don't have diesel or even gas to get to their jobs
MS-13 gang leaders in Central America warned their foot soldiers in the United States to avoid detection by authorities by ditching blue Nike Cortez sneakers, it was reported on Friday.

The gang members are known to wear the blue and white shoes which reportedly help law enforcement officials spot them, according to Newsweek.

Dressed like that, the enemy can see you, the police can arrest you, and boom, to El Salvador, Edwin Manica Flores, the 35-year-old El Salvador-based leader of MS-13 is alleged to have told his regional gang leaders in the US.

To live a great life there, one must be humble, you know, to avoid being detected.

MS-13 gang leaders in Central America are warning their foot soldiers in the United States to avoid detection by authorities by ditching blue Nike Cortez sneakers (like those seen in the above stock photo)

Federal authorities in Massachusetts say that they have secretly recorded audio of Flores giving instructions to heads of MS-13 outfits in Boston, Houston, Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.

Flores was speaking to these men who had gathered at a home in Richmond, Virginia.

He has been arrested and placed into custody in El Salvador.

The federal government indicted Flores on racketeering charges.

Many of the cliques up there [in the US] are very independent and stupidly insist that this is their side, others are somewhere else with their side, and in the meanwhile, the enemy are filling up the turfs around us, Flores, who also goes by 'Sugar,' told the assembled gang leaders.

So what we are asking is total cooperation Lets carry out the work of Mara Salvatrucha.

Mara Salvatrucha is believed to be the Salvadoran term from which MS-13 is derived.

The Justice Department and officials from three Latin American countries announced criminal charges against more than 3,800 members of the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs on Friday. An alleged MS-13 gang member is seen above being arrested in San Salvador in 2015

News of Flores indictment came on the same day that the Justice Department and officials from three Latin American countries announced criminal charges against more than 3,800 members of the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs on Friday, including 70 people in six US states.

'MS-13 coordinates across our borders to kill, rape and traffic drugs and underage girls; we've got to coordinate across our borders to stop them,' Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement, joined by his counterparts from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
A man left scarred for life in a random acid attack has relived the horror after being left in a plastic mask by the 'torture in a bottle'.

Musa Miah, 24, suffered deep tissue damage and scarring down the left side of his face following the assault in Tower Hamlets, east London, last year.

He has now undergone two skin grafts and has to wear a transparent compression mask every day to protect his face.

On the day of the attack he was visiting a group of friends when some 'boys' smashed into one of their cars and threw acid at them.

Following the horrific attack Mr Miah told CNN: 'It feels like your face is just melting. Sometimes I'll get nightmares. Even till now, I get nightmares about it.

Musa Miah, 24, suffered deep tissue damage and scarring down the left side of his face following the assault in Tower Hamlets, east London, last year

He has now undergone two skin grafts and has to wear a transparent compression mask every day to protect his face.

'I didn't really want to see anyone, didn't want to get out of my room. Before, I was more outgoing, talking to my mates. I just pushed everyone away. It was really hard, and depressing.

'It was hard because I used to get people staring at me, looking at me, giving me looks. It's like they're looking at a monster or something.'

Following the attack, a 16-year-old boy and another man, 20, were both charged with throwing corrosive fluid with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

They were also charged with grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

The assault on Mr Miah comes amid a spate of similar incidents in east London - with six people injured last week in Stratford.

During that attack, a gang of men sprayed a noxious liquid into crowds outside the centre and at a next-door tube station causing widespread panic.

The assault on Mr Miah comes amid a spate of similar incidents in east London - with six people injured last week in Stratford, pictured

Dramatic video and images shared on social media show police treating victims behind a cordon at Stratford station where a white substance can be seen on the floor.

Witnesses described the panic in the moments after the mass attack as injured people hurried to wash their faces and limbs with water.

One man who was splashed in the face with acid could be heard screaming: 'I can't see, I can't see'.

Police have ruled out terrorism and arrested one man on suspicion of GBH. Witnesses claimed the substance was thrown by 'young black teenage males' after an argument broke out.
The Department of Justice has obtained three search warrants from a D.C. court to rifle through the accounts of three Facebook users who it says were involved in protests on Inauguration Day.

Among them is Emmelia Talarico, manager of the disruptj20 page. Liked by 6,000 in individuals who may participated in the Jan. 20 demonstrations, DOJ will have access to the names of all those people, plus anyone who marked themselves as attending disruptj20's protests, if a civil liberties organization is unsuccessful at halting or narrowing the Trump administration's warrant.

Court documents that CNN obtained say the warrants pertain to 'anti-administration activists who have spoken out at organized events, and who are generally very critical of this administration's policies.'

The Department of Justice has obtained three search warrants from a D.C. court to rifle through the accounts of three Facebook users who helped organize protests on Inauguration Day

Among them: Emmelia Talarico, manager of the disruptj20 page. Liked by 6,000 in individuals who may participated in the Jan. 20 demonstrations, DOJ will have access to the names of all those people if a civil liberties organization is unsuccessful at stopping the Trump administration

Two other Facebook users were slapped with search warrants, too: Lacy MacAuley, left, and Legba Carrefour, right

The American Civil Liberties Union is fighting the warrants in court on the grounds that they are overly broad and an invasion of privacy.

'Most of the material demanded bears no relation to the government investigation for which the government sought the warrants,' ACLU's court filing says.

In addition to information 'the private lists of invitees and attendees to multiple political events sponsored by the page,' Talarico argued in court that the government would have access to her 'personal passwords, security questions and answers, and credit card information.

'What is particularly chilling about these warrants is that anti-administration political activists are going to have their political associations and views scrutinized by the very administration they are protesting,' ACLU lawyer Scott Michelman told CNN.

DOJ's case against the activists relates to Inauguration Day arrests. More than 200 people were arrested in the nation's capital city for felony rioting.

Talarico and two other Facebook users slapped with search warrants, Lacy MacAuley, and Legba Carrefour, were not charged in those riots, LawNewz reported.

Carrefour is also pushing back on DOJ's warrant, CNN says. He argued in court documents that his Facebook account 'contains a significant amount of private material concerning my personal life.'

He also denied that he was involved in the Washington, D.C. riots associated with Donald Trump's inauguration.

The activist says he 'participated in or helped to organize dozens of demonstrations and events of various types in service of political causes' but not the riots in question.

None of the three individuals the government is seeking information were aware that they'd been targeted when DOJ first tried to snoop through their Facebook accounts because of a government gag order that's since been lifted, the ACLU says.

Trump's Department of Justice first sought the information it's asking from Facebook in February, Michelman told CNN. A court order prohibited Facebook from talking about, he said. The gag order was lifted in mid-September but the proceedings are still sealed.

The revelation that DOJ ordered Facebook to turn over the account information for Carrefour and MacAuley and Talarico's anti-Trump page led to the current court battle that ACLU is taking part in.

The warrants are part of a broader to obtain information on activists who do not support the administration, LawNewz says.

DOJ hit DreamHost with an order to turn over data for DisruptJ20's website earlier this year. DreamHost fought DOJ in court and succeeded in having limitations put on what information it has to give the government.

The digital address of visitors and unpublished posts on the forum were protected from government prying, LawNewz reported. Government officials were further prohibited from sharing information that is gleaned, even with other agencies.

It was mostly a windfall for the administration, though, CNN has reported. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Morin granted the government's request for a membership list and the email addresses of the site's users.
Neil O'Callaghan, pictured, posted malicious notes through their doors, banged on windows at any time of day or night and looked through windows

A rowdy pensioner terrorised his neighbours' by posting abusive notes and banging and staring menacingly through their windows.

Neil O'Callaghan posted malicious notes through their doors, banged on windows at any time of day or night and looked through windows.

The 68-year-old made the lives of the residents' in the quiet close lives a misery by playing loud music at all hours and shouting and swearing in the street.

Officers had received 31 phone calls since January this year from terrified residents over his unruly behaviour with one lady claiming she had to move as she was too scared to leave her house in case she bumped into him.

Other residents of the road in the village of Byfleet, in Surrey, said they were afraid to leave their flats after dark because they were unsure of where O'Callaghan may have been and whether he would abuse or intimidate them.

Not content with causing misery and mayhem where he lives, O'Callaghan would also go to nearby Woking town centre where his rampage continued.

Since the start of the year he had been involved in 14 incidents in the town involving drunk and abusive behaviour.

He was caught stealing alcohol or being abusive towards passengers and staff while travelling on trains.

At Staines Magistrates Court on Monday, O'Callaghan was issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order to put a stop to his abusive and bullying behaviour.

He was banned from Woking's town centre for a year, unless he is going to the train station.

During the hearing, PC Tony Charles told the court O'Callaghan was 'an extremely nasty and aggressive drunk'.

O'Callaghan was banned from Woking's town centre for a year, unless he is going to the train station

What is a Criminal Behaviour Order? The Criminal Behaviour Order is available on conviction for any criminal offence in any criminal court. The order is aimed at tackling the most serious and persistent offenders where their behaviour has brought them before a criminal court. CBOs include prohibitions to stop the anti-social behaviour, and may also include requirements to address the underlying causes of the offender's behaviour. Source: Crown Prosecution Service Advertisement

He said: 'Neil O'Callaghan has a serious alcohol problem but he's refused all offers of help to address his addition and simply doesn't care about the consequences of his actions when he's drunk.

'His behaviour has devastated the lives of the residents of Stream Close who have had to put up with a constant police presence since he came to live there and some are even terrified to leave their own home.

'No one should have to live like this which is why we have taken action to give the residents some respite from his drunken, abusive and bullying behaviour with this CBO.'

The order expires on September 24 next year and if O'Callaghan breaches any condition of the CBO he can be arrested.
Justin Hopwood worked as one of the leading male models for Ralph Lauren from 2010 to 2016. By the time he would part ways with them, his hair was already falling out.

The strapping South African native first started showing signs of alopecia in 2015 and the worry set in almost immediately for him.

'Losing your hair is losing your income,' said the six-foot-two-inch model to GQ.

'Losing your hair is losing your income,' said the six-foot-two-inch model to GQ

Justin Hopwood worked as one of the leading male models for brand Ralph Lauren from 2010 to 2016. The South African model has been showing signs of alopecia since 2015

'You can be in an office job and they want you to use your brain, and you're fine. Financially you're fine. You're still going to get your paycheck. Your boss isn't going to be like, "Oh, you have alopeciayou're out."

'And not to say that that's the case with modeling, but it's like, I get it. You have to follow a certain image, and that's the way it is.'

An autoimmune skin disease that causes the body to attack hair follicles, preventing their growth, alopecia affects almost seven million Americans.

When the now 28-year-old decided to cut his hair, the news made waves in the fashion world. A model who he had beefed with reached out on Instagram and offered words of support

And while there is no universal cause of the condition, Hopwood believes anxiety from his environment helped contribute to the fallout.

When he was 21-years-old, Hopwood got his big break when he was selected for the cover of A&F Quarterly for preppy All-American brand, Abercrombie & Fitch.

He was immediately signed by modeling agent, Jason Kanner, who was responsible for getting the South African heartthrob picked up by Ralph Lauren.

He got his big break when he was selected for the cover of A&F Quarterly for preppy All-American brand, Abercrombie & Fitch. He would be Ralph Lauren's poster boy after his agent Jason Kanner scooped him up after the A&F shoot

The model was thrust all over as brands utilized his All-American 'manly man' look to help give their brands classic boost.

'A lot of small companies just wanted to have that preppy guy, and I was the most preppy-looking guy in the world,' he said.

And for Hopwood who rocked luxurious blonde chops, the eventual loss of his hair was a lot to take in.

'For someone selling beauty, it's like, "We understand he's a handsome guy, but half his head is missing of hair." It's not going to add up,' he added.

When the now 28-year-old decided to cut his hair, the news made waves in the fashion world.

Hopwood commented on how awkward it was for people to realize that it wasn't a style choice for the model, but more to do with his health.

'They realize that it's shaved for a reason, because once you take it off, it's really noticeable,' he said.

The once full-haired Hopwood hopes that his mane will make a return visit sometime in the future. In the past two years, he said that he has taken more than 600 hormone injections to the face and head

'They're not expecting it. Automatically they go into an "I'm sorry" situation. Which is fine. It's not their fault. Just, don't lift my hat off my head, butthole.'

He even added that a model who he had beefed with reached out on Instagram and offered words of support.

'He sent me this long message about how proud he is of me, and I hadn't really even done anything. I was just kind of going about my business,' he added.

'He was just very, very, very supportive. It's been very awesome.'

Opting out of drugs normally prescribed for alopecia, he's started using a hair growth program called Nutrafol and has even seen fine blond hairs start to come

In a world where plus-size model Ashley Graham and model Winnie Harlow, who has the skin condition vitiligo, are applauded for their courage in fighting stigma for their 'flaws,' Hopwood hopes he can be accepted by potential employers.

He added: 'I think in the beginning it was very tough for me to face the inevitable reality that this is what it is, and if this doesn't fix itself I'm going to be in a position where I ultimately have to shave my head or work's going to stop for me'

'I think everyone has really, over the last couple years, really grown into this idea of accepting people for who they are, what they are.

'There's a unity in the world right now that I think is very prolific, that wasn't there a couple years ago.'

And the model doesn't hold anything against the brands that he now doesn't quite match the bill for.

'Do I expect them to all of the sudden throw me in one of their centerfolds looking the way I do? Hey, I wouldn't say no, I would embrace it, but would I ask them to change the look that they've been known for for 40 or 50 years? No.'

But the once full-haired Hopwood hopes that his mane will make a return visit sometime in the future.

In the past two years, he said that he has taken more than 600 hormone injections to the face and head.

'You have to understand that for someone in my situation, that's a very daunting thing,' he said

He's cautious of Xanax and is actually stiff towards most medicine - preferring a tablespoon of garlic for most ailments - so the usage of injections disturbs him.

And opting out of drugs normally prescribed for alopecia, he's started using a hair growth program called Nutrafol and has even seen fine blond hairs start to come in.

But Hopwood tries to stay optimistic, aware that anything is possible with his condition.

Hopwood added: 'Once you accept it, you can learn from it, grow from it. Now I've got alopecia, but it's no big deal. [The hair] might come back. But if it doesn't, whatever, no one's gonna hate me for it, no one's gonna dislike me for it'

He added: 'I think in the beginning it was very tough for me to face the inevitable reality that this is what it is, and if this doesn't fix itself I'm going to be in a position where I ultimately have to shave my head or work's going to stop for me.

'And you have to understand that for someone in my situation, that's a very daunting thing.

'Once you accept it, you can learn from it, grow from it. Now I've got alopecia, but it's no big deal. [The hair] might come back. But if it doesn't, whatever, no one's gonna hate me for it, no one's gonna dislike me for it.'
News / National

by Staff reporter



1. Leave to proceed in terms of the judgment of this Court in be matter HH-598- 17 be and is hereby granted.



2. The respondents shall bear the costs of this application.





Below is the full judgement:



HH 666 -17

HC 8457/17

Ref HC 7999/17

Ref SC 677/17

MR DISH (PVT) LTD

versus

BROADCASTING AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE and

0 MUGANYURA

HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE HUNGWE J

HARARE, 15 & 29 September 2017

Application for leave to execute pending appeal

T Nyambirai, for the applicant

T Magwaliba, for the respondent elzis-11,410.



HUNGWE 3: On 8 September 2017 I granted interim relief in favour of the present applicants interdicting the respondents from acting on the purported termination of applicant's license through a letter signed by second respondent on first respondent's letterhead. I also further in the order stated that pending the final determination of the matter the applicant shall be entitled to enjoy the full rights and benefits of its license as if the letter of 22 August 2017 does not exist and that the applicant shall be entitled to distribute the Econet Media Limited (Mauritius) content based on the technical standards notified by the applicant to the first respondent and accepted by first respondent on 21 October 2016.

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On 11 September 2017 a notice of appeal against my decision was lodged. In the ordinary course of events, in terms of our common law, the noting of an appeal suspends the execution of a judgment or the operation of an order, unless the court otherwise directs. See Herbstein & van Winsen, The Civil Practice of the Superior Cow-is, 3rd ed, p 718. This general rule may be departed from in a proper case.



The principles which a court will apply in coming to a decision were set out by CORBETT JA in South Cape Corporation (Pty) Ltd v Engineering Management Services (Pty) Ltd, 1977 (3) SA 534 (AD) at 545E, in the following terms:

"In exercising this discretion the Court should, in my view, determine what is just and

equitable in all the circumstances, and, in doing so, would normally have regard, inter cilia, to the following factors 



the potentiality of irreparable harm or prejudice being sustained by the appellant (respondent in the application) if leave to execute were to be granted; the potentiality of irreparable harm or prejudice being sustained by the respondent on appeal (applicant in the application) if leave to execute were to be refused; the prospects of success on appeal, including more particularly the question as to whether the appeal is frivolous or vexatious or has been noted not with the bona fide intention of seeking to reverse the judgment but for some indirect purpose, e.g., to gain time or harass the other party; and here there is the potentiality of irreparable harm or prejudice to both appellant and respondent, the balance of hardship or convenience, as the case may be." words "leav- proceed in terms of the order".



Both Mr Nyambirai, for the applicants, and Mr Magwaliba, for the respondents, were agreed that 1 should apply these criteria in coming to my conclusion.



As far as facts are concerned, there are few new facts of any importance before me in this application, which were not revealed in the earlier proceedings. As an example, Mr Nyasha Muzavazi, deponent to applicant's affidavit says that the matter ought to be dealt with on an urgent basis. He relies specifically on the same facts on urgency as he did when the initial application for interim relief was placed before me. In the earlier application I found that indeed the matter deserved to be treated as an urgent one.







He says that one other factor of relevance is that the respondents have raised as a ground of appeal the issue of urgency which I dealt with in an interlocutory judgment during the earlier proceeding. He says that the fact that the respondents have not sought a transcription of that interlocutory judgment but have raised as a ground of appeal, a matter dealt with in an earlier judgment which they have not sought to be transcribed demonstrates that the appeal was not lodged in good faith but for some other motive such as to buy time or merely to harass the applicant.



The respondents have submitted that the order sought was incompetent. However, the offending portions of the order sought were excised during the hearing and the matter proceeded on the basis that the amended order sought was competent and may be issued in that form. The respondents argue that there is no reason why the normal consequence of the noting of an appeal should not follow in this particular case as the applicant has failed to demonstrate any circumstance which would necessitate the grant of leave to proceed in terms of the judgment in the face of an appeal. The applicant seeks an order to be given leave to proceed in terms of the earlier relief granted despite the appeal noted by the respondents.



What this means in my view is that applicant seeks to enjoy the fruits of the rights that flowed from the license granted to it by the first respondent before second respondent purported to cancel it. In short, applicant does not seek to be given any new rights which it did not enjoy before the letter of 22 August 2017. Applicant points to the fact that after respondents had received payments, they now seek to unlawfully cancel its license as an indication of the lack of good faith on the respondents' part.



I approach the matter on the basis that there is an onus on the applicant to satisfy me that the normal procedure should be departed from, but that, to use the words of CORBETT, JA, in the South Cape case (supp-a at p 549A), this "should not be regarded as displacing the wide ultimate discretion which the Court enjoys in deciding whether or not to grant leave."



I will consider the four criteria listed earlier.



1. The potentiality of irreparable harm to the respondent if the application is granted.

Mr Magwaliba, suggests that if the application is granted, then the respondents will suffer irreparable harm. That harm is said to result from the failure by the respondents to ensure compliance with the law and the terms and conditions of such licenses in terms of the Broadcasting Act [Chapter 12:06]. First respondent would have failed in its duty to account to the public and the authorities for such compliance. As such first respondent would have failed in its duties and obligation to be accountable to the general public which would defeat the very purpose for which it was set up. That there may be a failure by the first respondent in its enforcement role cannot be disputed, were the application to be granted. In my view, the issue is whether that failure would in any way result in irreparable harm to the first respondent if the application is granted. It seems to me that whatever harm may result from the grant of the leave to proceed in terms of the interim relief is merely of a temporary nature since it can be compensated for by an appropriate administrative action against the applicant in the form of a fine. It is not an irreversible har ich applicant may suffer should the



2. The potentiality of irreparable harm to the applicant if this application is refused.

If the appeal is allowed, the applicant would have lost nothing to which it has a right. Similarly, if the appeal is dismissed, the applicant would have lost potential revenue which it may still make with the passage of time, assuming that the respondents act fairly in their deliberations regarding the apparent oversight which led to this litigation. In the final analysis, I come to the conclusion that the scales are evenly balanced in respect of the potentiality of irreparable harm in either event. The matter must therefore be considered on the basis of the remaining two factors.



3. The prospects of success of the appeal

In assessing the prospects of success of the appeal, the Court is invited to pay due regard particularly to the question of whether the appeal is frivolous or vexatious or has been noted not with the bona fide intention of seeking to reverse the judgment but for some indirect purpose, e.g., to gain time or harass the other party. See Fox & Carney (Pvt) Ltd v Carthew- Gabriel (2) 1977 (4) SA 970 (R) and ZDECO (Pvt) Ltd v Commercial Careers College (1980) (Pvt) Ltd 1991 (2) ZLR 61 (1-1). Mr Nyambirai argued that the appeal was lodged for some other motive than to seek to reverse my earlier order, He points to the fact that the chances of the appeal succeeding are next to nil because clearly, the second respondent acted ultra vires his powers. There is no basis for the view that an appeal court applying its mind to the issues to be considered would come to a different conclusion. I must say that one must always accept that an appellate court may be persuaded to come to a different conclusion on any finding by this court. Whilst there is that possibility it seems to me that in the present case, that possibility is a bit remote. I do not wish to second guess the appellate court's final decision but it occurs to me that the respondent lodged the appeal for some indirect purpose. The respondents' prospects of success are minimal. Finally, I must consider what has come to he termed "the balance of convenience".



4. The balance of convenience or the balance of equities

Where there is the potentiality of irreparable harm or prejudice to both appellant and respondent, the balance of hardship or convenience, as the case may be, will be weighed into the scales in the determination of Nether to exercise the discretion in favour of granting the relief sought. With regard to the epons derance of equities,Ft. it is obvious that the applicant has much to gain if they are permitted to continue with their operations as previously licensed by the first respondent. Likewise, the applicant has much to lose if they are prohibited from carrying on with their preparations in the interim. Applicant has expended large amounts of money and entered into contractual agreements with other persons in the expectation of being granted the necessary licence, which in any event, was granted. It seems to me that the equities are fairly balanced in favour of the applicant. 1 say this because the first respondent, as the broadcasting authority, will lose nothing if the applicant is allowed to continue providing the service that applicant notified it in terms of section 17 of the Act. As the regulatory authority, its mandate is to ensure that applicants for the broadcast licenses are duly granted such licenses on good cause shown. As the regulatory authority its powers are prescribed in the Act. Those powers are exercisable by itself not the second respondent, as happened with the purported letter of cancellation. As such, in my view, the preponderance of equities favour the applicant as the holder of a license duly granted to it. If there is some contravention of the conditions of the license, in my view, that does not entitle second respondent to cancel the license as he has no such powers.



As indicated in the South Cape Corporation, (supra) the Court retains a wide discretion in the determination of whether or not to grant leave to execute pending an appeal. In exercising this discretion, the court should, in my view, determine what is just and equitable in all the circumstances, and, in doing so, would normally have regard, inter alia, to the factors set out above. This court has applied the foregoing principles in Dabengwa Anor vMinister of Home Affairs 1982 (1 ) ZLR 223 at 225 (HC), Jeremy Prince (Pvt) Ltd v Owen & Anor HH-14-86: Van t' Hoff v Van t' Hoff & Ors (2) 1988 (1) ZLR 335; Archies (Pvt) Ltd v Guthrie Holdings (Pvt) Ltd 1989 (1) ZLR 152 (HC).



I am satisfied that the applicant has satisfied the requirements for the grant of leave to proceed with its operations as set out in the order of this court in HH-598-17 dated 8 September 2017 in which the letter by the second respondent was to all intents and purposes suspended pending the final determination of the rights of the parties.



In the result I make the following order:

1. Leave to proceed in terms of the judgment of this Court in se nuer 598-

17 be and is hereby granted.

2. The respondents shall bear the costs of this application. o JP ,01.{9



Melva & Nyainbirai, applicant's legal practitioners

TH Chitapi & Associates, respondent's legal practitioners



Econet Media's Kwese TV has been granted permission by the High Court to continue broadcasting until the Supreme Court rules on the appeal filed by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).Kwese TV has faced massive resistance from BAZ, the regulator, from the onset. After Econet announced the launch of Kwese TV, the chief executive officer of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, Obert Muganyura immediately announced that Dr Dish's broadcasting licence had been cancelled and that Kwese TV did not have permission to operate.In the latest ruling Justice Charles Hungwe ruled:I am satisfied that the applicant has satisfied the requirements for the grant of leave to proceed with its operations as set out in the order of this court in HH-598-17 dated 8 September 2017 in which the letter by the second respondent was to all intents and purposes suspended pending the final determination of the rights of the parties. In the result I make the following order:
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is dismissing controversy over his use of charter flights as 'a little BS over travel,' but says the American public has the right to know the costs of official travel.

Zinke on Friday disclosed that he has taken three charter flights since taking office in March, including a $12,375 late-night trip from Las Vegas to his home state of Montana in June.

He said no commercial flight was available after 8pm local time, when he planned to fly for a speech to western governors the next day in Whitefish, Montana.

Steady cowboy: Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (left on Friday and right earlier this year) has said he has taken three charter flights since March

Zinke said Friday he also traveled by private plane in Alaska in May and the U.S. Virgin Islands in March.

Zinke wants to expand energy production in Alaska, while the Interior Department oversees the three U.S. Virgin Islands.

Zinke says he also went on a military flight with the agriculture secretary to see wildfires in Montana. Zinke says his travel was approved in advance by Interior's ethics officials.

He also says he works to 'make sure I am above the law and I follow the law.'

The latest disclosure comes after it emerged embattled Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price took flights to Europe aboard U.S. military jets that cost taxpayers more than $500,000 to operate  and brought his wife along for the trip.

The cost of Price's international was revealed after his job was already on the line following revelations about his costly domestic jet travel on government-owned jets.

Price resigned on Friday night after the revelations came to light.

Price's international trips about military jets bring his grand total to over $1 million since January.

The trips were approved by the White House, which oversees travel by cabinet secretaries aboard military aircraft, Politico reported as it revealed the cost of the trips.

The latest disclosure comes after it emerged embattled Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price took flights to Europe aboard U.S. military jets that cost taxpayers more than $500,000 to operate. He resigned on Friday

Price was accompanied by his wife, Betty, as he toured global capitals this spring to attend global health conferences. He flew to Berlin, Geneva, Beijing, Tokya, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Liberia.

He used a C-37B aircraft for the trip, according to the report  a military version of a Gulfstream jet.

In another embarrassing disclosure indicating Price has adversaries within the administration, Buzzfeed reported that Price asked a White House official  only two months after Trump took office  to tell the president he wanted to reopen an executive dining room at HHS. He wanted to reconstitute the dining facility, which had been closed since the George W. Bush administration, a second source confirmed to the publication.

Price undertook a damage control effort to try to save his job Thursday  releasing a statement saying he was done with government jets, agreeing to pay back some funds, and making his case on Fox News  a favorite network for the president, where he hailed Trump as a 'remarkable leader.'

'I work at the pleasure of the president. The president is a remarkable leader I'm incredibly privileged to serve in his cabinet and work on behalf of the American people,' Price said.
Democrats have the perfect weapon to take down Donald Trump in 2020, according to a conservative columnist: Oprah.

The famed black media proprietor and TV host was thrown into the political mix on Thursday when an op-ed in the New York Post suggested she is 'uniquely positioned, should she wish to commit herself, to seek the Democratic nomination for president and challenge Trump in 2020.'

John Podhoretz, a never-Trump advocate and former speechwriter for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, shared his essay on Twitter  and Oprah answered.

'Thanks for your VOTE of confidence!' she wrote back in a tweet.

Podhoretz replied: 'Give it a shot, what, would it kill you?'

PRESIDENT OPRAH? Don't look now, but the queen of daytime TV might be eying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

A New York Post columnist made waves this week by suggesting Oprah Winfrey is the Democratic Party's best choice to run against President Donald Trump in 2020, and Oprah thanked him for the 'VOTE' of confidence

John Podhoretz, a frequent Trump critic, tried to goad Winfrey into running for the White House

Winfrey starred Sunday in a '60 Minutes' segment that had her conducting a focus group of Michigan voters, assessing the range of their political opinions.

Asked about impressions of Trump, their answers ranged from 'every day I love him more and more' to 'he's a horrible president.

Oprah listened, reflected their answers, and tried not to judge.

Podhoretz wrote that she is the Trump's 'mirror image.'

'Of course, she's female and he's male; she's America's generous aunt and he's America's crazy uncle.

'And yes, she's black and he's white, she's liberal and he's whatever he is.'

The columnist later chuckled on Twitter that 'Trumpkins'  his derisive nickname for the president's fans, have been 'emailing me to say my idea Oprah would be strong in '20 is crazy because she has no experience.'

Oprah asked voters in Michigan what they thought about Trump for Sunday's broadcast of '60 Minutes

The author of Thursday's New York Post essay laughed at 'Trumpkins' who thought Oprah lacked the political experience to be president

This isn't the first time the idea of a Winfrey-headed presidential ticket has made news.

Oprah told Bloomberg in March that before Trump won the 2016 election, she thought she was unqualified to be president  but not anymore.

'I actually never thought that that was  I never considered the question, even a possibility,' she said.

But when reality-show icon Trump beat longtime politician Hillary Clinton, she said, 'I just thought, "Oh! Oh!"'

'I thought, "Oh, gee, I don't have experience. I don't know enough. I don't."

'And now I'm thinking, "Oh! Oh!"'

Oprah said in March that she had never considered running for president until Trump won

'I thought, "Oh, gee, I don't have experience. I don't know enough. I don't." And now I'm thinking, "Oh! Oh!"' Oprah told a Bloomberg interviewer

The television icon later claimed that a White House run 'won't be happening.'

Internet publisher Matt Drudge of The Drudge Report threw fuel on the fire that day, tweeting that 'Trump vs Oprah would be the most epic race in American history. MAKE THIS HAPPEN.'

In the Post op-ed, Podhoretz wrote that '[i]f you need to set a thief to catch a thief, you need a star  a grand, outsized, fearless star whom Trump can neither intimidate nor outshine  to catch a star.'

'We're through the looking glass here. America is discarding old approaches in politics. Democrats will have to do the same to match the mood to the moment.'
A California college student stole a 'Make America Great Again' hat off a peer's head and demanded the wearer be disciplined in a bizarre video rant.

In a Facebook video posted on Wednesday, Edith Macias is seen snatching the hat off of Matthew Vitale's head during a meeting of student organizations at the University of California, Riverside.

Vitale then films Macias arguing with him as they make their way to the school's student life office.

Stunned staff members look on as Vitale demands his hat be given back and Macias demands the school prohibit him from wearing it.

In a Facebook video posted on Wednesday, Edith Macias is seen snatching a Make America Great Again hat off of Matthew Vitale's head (pictured) during a meeting of student organizations at University of California, Riverside

Vitale then films Macias arguing with him as they make their way to the school's student life office (left). Stunned staff members look on as Vitale demands his hat be given back and Macias demands the school prohibit him from wearing it (right)

'This is mine. You do not get to take other people's property that is legally theirs in this county,' Vitale, a member of the school's College Republicans club, tells Macias.

'Man, f***- your laws,' she replies.

Later in the video, Vitale says: 'I have a freedom of speech to wear this hat.'

'Your f*****g freedom of speech is genocide, homeboy! Is that what you are trying to represent?' she asks.

In a video posted after the incident, Vitale said he was attending an annual school-organized meeting where leaders of student groups listen to presentations about combating hazing and sexual harassment.

This is where Macias grabbed the hat and sprinted off.

The staff manages to convince Macias to turn over the hat and it is returned to Vitale, but not before Macias is caught on video protesting their actions (left and right). She says: '[The education system] geared to benefit white people, white people, not me'

The video has amassed 2.6million views with more than 15,000 reactions and more than 40,000 shares (Pictured, Vitale)

The staff manages to convince Macias to turn over the hat and it is returned to Vitale, but not before Macias is caught on video protesting their actions.

'Oh my God, you're going to keep letting him wear it? That just shows how the f*** UCR is and the education system,' Macias says as staff hands the hat back to Vitale.

'It's geared to benefit white people, white people, not me.'

Macias then turns to leave as she's met at the door by campus police officers, saying: 'I don't want to talk to none of y'all.'

The video has amassed 2.6million views with more than 15,000 reactions and more than 40,000 shares.
A man in Iowa was caught on a store surveillance camera awkwardly waddling away with the rifle that he stole down his pants.

West Des Moines police are searching for the man that stuffed the Ruger Mini-14 .233 caliber rifle down his pants.

He was seen on security camera walking normally into the sporting goods store earlier this month.

When he was leaving however, he had gained a stiff leg causing him to limp out of the store with the concealed gun.

Police are looking for the man who stole a rifle from a department store and stashed it in his pants. He was caught on surveillance camera with a stiff leg and waddling away

West Des Moines police said the footage shows the man walking normally into the store (pictured)

Stock image of a Ruger Mini-14 .233 caliber rifle that the suspect stuck down his pants

It wasn't until this week that store employees realized the rifle was missing while doing an audit, the Des Moines Register reports.

Police said the man took the rifle off a rack in the store's guns and ammo department, They said the gun may have been discounted therefore not kept locked up.

The suspect then tucked the rifle under other items in his shopping cart and went into the bathroom with the cart.

After leaving the bathroom the man abandoned the cart and appeared with his stiff leg.

Employees reviewed the store's surveillance footage after noticing the missing rifle and notified police when they saw the suspicious limp.

The man fled in a red Ford Mustang and has not yet been identified.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation should reference TP-005 and contact the West Des Moines Police Department at (515) 222-3389 or text a tip at (515) 344-0726.

The crime was committed earlier this month, but employees just recently noticed the Ruger Mini-14 .233 caliber rifle was missing and contacted authorities.
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Hugh Hefner's son Marston and his daughter Christie visited the home of the Playboy mogul's second wife, Kimberly Conrad, just two days after his death.

Marston, 27, who is the oldest child of Hefner and Conrad, was dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans and brown shoes, as he walked to the Westwood, California, home.

Christie, 64, who is Hefner's oldest child by his first wife, Mildred Williams, was seen wearing a black sweater, black pants and heeled boots. She was accompanied by two unknown people as she crossed the street.

Hefner's two other children, Cooper, 26, and David, 62, were nowhere to be seen.

The founder of Playboy passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91 after contracting a bug two weeks prior, according to TMZ.

Hugh Hefner's son Marston, 27 (left and right), and his daughter, Christie, visited the home of the Playboy mogul's second wife, Kimberly Conrad, just two days after his death

Marston, who is the oldest child of Hefner and Conrad, was dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans and brown shoes, as he walked to the Westwood, California, home

Christie, 64 (far left), who is Hefner's oldest child by his first wife, Mildred Williams, was seen wearing a black sweater, black pants and heeled boots. She was accompanied by two unknown people as she crossed the street

Hefner's two other children, Cooper, 26, and David, 62, were nowhere to be seen. The founder of Playboy (pictured, April 2006) passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91 after reportedly contracting a bug two weeks prior

Heartbreaking footage has emerged of Hefner inside the Playboy Mansion just months before he died, showing him looking extremely frail and using a walker as a carer.

Hefner can be seen in his home in Holmby Hills,California, with unkempt gray hair and wearing light blue pajamas.

The video of the late founder of Playboy magazine was taken in January of this year after he had just entertained guests at the Mansion on one of his regular movie nights.

In a three-second clip, a female guest is heard saying 'Wonderful movie' as Hefner walks towards a pair of French double doors.

The images are further proof of the the rapid health decline Hefner was facing and his reported reluctance to remain away from the spotlight.

Hefner had reportedly been suffering a crippling back infection for two years, was bedridden and could barely walk without assistance.

The last believed picture of Hefner in circulation was taken on June 16 this year, on Father's Day, showing him playing backgammon with sons, Cooper and Marston.

Heartbreaking footage of ailing Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner (center) at his California mansion, taken in his final months, has been released

Hefner is seen inside the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills with unkempt gray hair, wearing light blue pajamas and using a walker as a carer supports his hunched frame (left and right). The footage of the late founder of Playboy magazine was taken in January of this year after he had just entertained guests at the Mansion on one of his regular movie nights

In a three-second video clip from which these images are taken, a female guest is heard saying 'Wonderful movie' as Hefner (left and right) walks towards a pair of French double doors. The video is seen as further proof of the the rapid health decline Hefner was facing and his reported reluctance to remain away from the spotlight

Hefner's health had only quickly declined recently and he was still attending Playboy events over the last few years. Hefner (center) is seen posing with Playboy Bunnies, Playmate of the Year 2013 Raquel Pomplun (second from left) and Miss December 2009 Crystal Hefner (second from right) at Playboy's 60th Anniversary special event on January 16, 2014

This is believed to be the last picture of Hefnerin circulation. It was taken on June 16 this year, on Father's Day, and shared online by his son Cooper. He is pictured with Cooper, 26, and Marston, 27, playing backgammon

All four of Hefner's grieving children raised a toast as they gathered in a California restaurant to remember their Playboy mogul father just hours after his death.

His sons Cooper, Marston, and David joined their sister Christie for the memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night.

It appeared that Hefner's 31-year-old wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal.

In recent years, Cooper had taken responsibility for the running of Playboy magazine while his brother Marston, a writer, has shied away from involvement in the family business.

Hefner's eldest son David has stayed completely out of the limelight throughout his life, the opposite of his sister Christie. She served as the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009  and Cooper says he frequently consults her for business advice.

Hugh Hefner's grieving children raised a toast as they gathered in a California restaurant to remember their Playboy mogul father just hours after his death

Hefner's sons (left to right) David, 62, Cooper, and Marston, joined their sister Christie (second right), 64, for the memorial dinner at the Japanese restaurant Katsuya in Brentwood, California, last night

It appeared that Hefner's 31-year-old wife Crystal Harris was not invited to the meal

The somber family gathering came just hours after the Playboy founder, the pipe-smoking hedonist who revved up the sexual revolution in the 1950s and built a multimedia empire of clubs, mansions, movies and television, symbolized by bow-tied women in bunny costumes, died at the age 91.

Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday night, Playboy said in a statement.

The family could be seen raising a glass in honor of their father, speaking to each other outside the restaurant and making their way into a white car after their meal.

Hefner's body was driven away from his Playboy mansion early Thursday morning to begin the journey to his final resting place next to Marilyn Monroe.

Cooper took over as creative director for the company in recent years and hoped to translate the rebellious nature Playboy had in its early days to his younger generation.

Playboy founder Hugh M Hefner, the pipe-smoking hedonist who revved up the sexual revolution in the 1950s and built a multimedia empire of clubs, mansions, movies and television, symbolized by bow-tied women in bunny costumes, died on Wednesday at age 91

Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday night, Playboy said in a statement

As much as anyone, Hefner helped slip sex out of the confines of plain brown wrappers and into mainstream conversation

A true millennial, Cooper wanted to make the brand more accessible to his demographic of chronic Instagram and Twitter users. A frequent poster himself, his social media pages give a glimpse into the life of the prince of Playboy.

Hefner was always vocal about wanting both his sons to be involved in continuing his legacy with Playboy.

'My dad was public about wanting us to run the organization together, but it became evident as we got older that it was not something that spoke to [Marston],' Cooper said.

As Cooper grew older, the similarities to his father continued to develop. However, as the youngest of Hugh's four children, Cooper felt compelled to carve out a niche of his own.

Like his father, Cooper he decided to enlist in the military. In January 2017 he joined the California State Military Reserve. Hefner was an infantry clerk in the army in the 1940s, and spent his free time doodling cartoons for the military newspapers  which peaked his interest in journalism.

Hefner's son, Marston, (pictured) was spotted the day after his father died at age 91. Marston, a writer, has shied away from involvement in the family business

In recent years Hefner (right) had passed the day-to-day running of the magazine to his youngest son Cooper (left)

His eldest son has stayed completely out of the limelight throughout his life, the opposite of his sister Christie (pictured), who is now 64. She served as the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009  and Cooper says he frequently consults her for business advice

In a statement about Hefner's passing, Cooper said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom.

'He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history.

'He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.'

It was yesterday reported that Hefner's wife Crystal Harris will inherit nothing due to an ironclad prenup that means she was never added to his will.

In a statement about Hefner's passing, Cooper said: 'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom'

It was yesterday reported that Hefner's wife, Crystal Harris, will inherit nothing due to an ironclad prenup that means she was never added to his will

The couple, who shared a 60-year age gap, tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 2012 at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Before the nuptials, Harris was said to have signed an 'ironclad' prenuptial agreement.

A source told US Weekly that while the blonde beauty will be taken care of, she won't receive a penny of his fortune.

Instead, his estimated $43million estate, will be divided between his four children, the University of Southern California and a list of charities.

That number doesn't take into account the Playboy Mansion which was sold in 2016 for $100million.

His estimated $43million estate, will be divided between his four children, the University of Southern California and a list of charities. That number doesn't take into account the Playboy Mansion which was sold in 2016 for $100million

Fans arrive to place flowers outside the Playboy Mansion home of Hugh Hefner, who was the founder of Playboy Magazine and has died aged 91, in Beverly Hills

Marilyn Monroe's crypt at the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery. The crypt directly to the left of Monroe was purchased by Hefner in 1992 for $75,000

The $43million figure was first revealed back in 2009 when Hefner divorced his second wife Kimberly Conrad.

At his peak, the Playboy magnate was worth upwards of $200million, but as the magazine's popularity tanked, Hefner lost millions.

By the time of his death the 91-year-old held 35 percent of the Playboy brand and still completely owned the magazine.

He had $36million worth of stocks and bonds and $6million in a joint account with an unnamed person.

His monthly earnings from the magazine only totaled $100,000, with the rest coming from his pension.
Veronica Blake has been accused of raping several children - many of them her own extended family members

An Arkansas woman has been accused of raping children - many of them her own extended family members.

Veronica Blake, 34, from Wynne, turned herself into police on Thursday after hearing she was under investigation.

She has since been charged with six counts of rape, six counts of incest, seven counts of computer child porn and one count of sexual indecency with a minor.

Authorities in Cross County have released few details about the case against Blake.

But they said that many of the nine underage victims were related to Blake, and that she contacted them on social media.

Blake's attorney says he has not received any information on the alleged victims.

Police have not revealed the ages or genders of the victims.

Scroll down for video

Authorities in Cross County have released few details about the case against Blake (left and right). But they said that many of the nine underage victims were related to Blake, and that she contacted them on social media.

The investigation started when the sheriff got a tip at his home phone number about three victims who had been abused since July 2017. But investigators later found six more victims.

Blake appeared in court for the first time on Thursday, and was ordered held on $100,000 bail.

Outside of court, her mother told WREG that she was blindsided by the arrest. She doesn't believe the allegations and says they may have to do with a divorce her daughter is going through.

But parents of alleged victims outside court said the allegations were very much true and that Blake tried to keep her victims quiet by intimidating them.

Both parties asked not to be filmed.

Police believe there may be more victims and they're asking anyone with information on Blake's alleged crimes to call the Cross County Sheriff's Office at 870-238-5700
Not so many years ago Michael Fawcett was supplementing his meagre royal income by doing a Saturday job in a menswear shop.

So imagine what must be going through the mind of the man who joined Buckingham Palace at 17 as a junior footman, as it emerges he has been made a director of Prince Charless private company, A. G. Carrick Ltd.

This isnt something that happens to palace footmen. However high they rise in the Royal Household, they spend their lives below stairs.

Michael Fawcett joined Buckingham Palace at 17 as a junior footman and has now been made a director of Prince Charles's private company, A.G. Carrick Ltd

But this is just the latest instalment in the Fawcett saga, the story of a servant who manages to have one foot upstairs and another downstairs.

Who else but Michael Fawcett would dare ape his royal masters style with such faux-aristocratic flair?

The similar silk ties, the bespoke shirts, the precise two inches of handkerchief peeping out of his breast pocket, not to mention the spit-and-polish shoes that shine with his ambition. He also fiddles with his cuffs just like his royal boss.

Michael Fawcett even has a portrait of himself hanging on the wall of his home by the distinguished portraitist Peter Kuhfeld, 65, whose other commissions have included William and Harry as small boys and a huge canvas of the scene inside Westminster Abbey at William and Kates wedding. Michaels a friend, explains the artist.

Michael Fawcett joins the board of A. G. Carrick, the company Charles set up to sell mementoes such as 65 cushions bearing the words God Save the Queen and similarly priced toy stuffed corgis at his Highgrove shop

And now he joins the board of A. G. Carrick, the company Charles set up to sell mementoes such as 65 cushions bearing the words God Save the Queen and similarly priced toy stuffed corgis at his Highgrove shop. This is no corner store  the company made more than 4 million in 2016, all handed to his charities.

As for its name, this is a combination of the Princes middle names Arthur George and one of his titles, Earl of Carrick. Its also how Charles signs his watercolours.

For Fawcett, 54, it is impossible to underestimate the significance of the appointment.

It signals that 14 years after resigning from palace employment and going it alone as an events organiser, he is closer than ever to the Prince. No wonder those around Charles consider Fawcetts rise and rise to be far from over.

Such is their bond of trust that for some it is hard to remember that they are master and servant.

I would say a knighthood one of these days is definitely on the cards, says one close figure. Though not before Charles is King.

Sir Michael Fawcett?  well, why not? It has a certain ring to it and Michael loves honours, very keen.

It would mean, of course, that his spirited wife Debbie, a former palace housemaid who later worked for Prince Philip, would become Lady Fawcett.

Long-standing courtiers remember how thrilled Fawcett was when he received his first honour from the Prince, being appointed an MVO (Member of the Victorian Order) in the 2000 New Years honours.

Close: Such is their bond of trust that for some it is hard to remember that they are master and servant. Pictured: Michael Fawcett, during a garden party at the Palace of Holyrood house in Edinburgh, Tuesday June 1, 2004

His pleasure was heightened by the fact that MVOs were not, as a rule, given to servants, but reserved for members of the household.

Older retainers below stairs recall stories of how Fawcett was, fairly or not, known as a bit of a Billy Liar when he arrived at the palace straight out of catering college and said to be prone to embellishing his modest background.

The boy from Bexley, Kent, apparently talked of his millionaire accountant father and how he would one day inherit substantial property in Central London.

Whether those tales were true or not, his father was, in fact, a company cashier and his mother Joan, who died when he was young, a district nurse.

Then there was his name. For a while fellow staff thought his name was Michael Buxton-Fawcett, very grand sounding. Buxton was his mothers maiden name.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, fellow members of staff took to calling the young footman Sir Michael. Or was it presciently, for who could have foreseen such an elevated future for Fawcett?

His adoptive brother Mark has recalled how one day Michael arrived home from his job at Buckingham Palace in a state of high excitement. Charles wants me on his team because he says he likes me, Mark recalled him saying.

It was 1981 and the Prince was leaving Buckingham Palace to set up home with Diana in Kensington Palace. Another time he described sitting in a palace kitchen with Princess Diana eating yoghurt together. Dad was so proud of him, Mark added.

One can understand the young Diana being comfortable in Fawcetts company as they were roughly the same age  he was a year younger than she was.

She and the assistant valet would often spend hours chatting together and Fawcett would sometimes give her little gifts of things such as Floris soap. But their friendship could not survive the fracturing of the Waless marriage.

Fawcett gave his allegiance to the Prince and Diana always believed that through his below-stairs network, he kept Charles informed of her activities.

So angry and upset was the Princess that when she and Charles formally parted in December 1992 the first thing she did was to have the locks changed on the door to their Kensington Palace apartment  not to keep out her husband, but to keep out Michael Fawcett.

Long after their separation, Diana still badgered the Prince to get rid of Fawcett on the grounds, as she saw it, that he was a malign influence.

Never was there such a hopeless cause. Fawcett, by now promoted to valet, was already far more than the servant mockingly referred to as the figure who squeezed the toothpaste onto his masters brush  it did happen, but in fairness this was only when the Prince had badly broken his right arm playing polo.

Their bond of trust had given the boy from Bexley extraordinary influence. He was already in charge of the Princes social engagements, demonstrating a natural flair for organising lavish soirees and dinner parties, particularly pleasing Charles with his stylish table decorations.

And he was soon promoted from manservant to personal assistant, a position that would ultimately elevate his pay and perks to around 100,000 a year.

There was one other factor in his favour: Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles  inevitably, you may think  taking the opposing view to the Princess about him.

In fact, at first Camilla could see just how much the Prince depended on him. Then she, too, began to rely on him, especially through her transition from mistress to Duchess of Cornwall.

Crucially, it was Camilla who intervened when three key members of staff went to the Prince in 1998 to complain about Fawcetts overbearing and bullying manner.

Fawcett offered his resignation, leaving the Prince in tears. It was Camilla who stepped in and persuaded Charles to refuse to accept his resignation.

Five years later, however, Fawcett was offering his resignation again, and this time the Prince had no alternative but to accept it.

This followed an internal inquiry conducted by Charless then private secretary, Sir Michael Peat, into the shabby goings-on in the Princes household. In the resulting report, complaints by subordinate staff that Fawcett was a powerful and bullying figure were listed.

Prince Charles with Princess Diana and Michael Fawcett as they leave hospital following an operation on Charles's broken arm in 1990

Central to Sir Michaels inquiries was the practice of the Prince relying on Fawcett to flog on his behalf for cash many of the gifts with which he was showered but didnt want. In shining its uncomfortable light on the arrangement, the report also served to illustrate just how much the Prince trusted and relied on Fawcett.

In resigning, Fawcett took the flak from Charles, a move which endeared him even more to the heir to the throne, who had privately declared: I can manage without just about anyone, except for Michael.

And the Prince duly rewarded him not only with 500,000 severance pay, but with an unfaltering loyalty that exists to this day. When Fawcett founded Premier Mode, his events company, Charles became the principal client, relying on Michael to organise everything from Camillas birthday parties to lavish fundraisers.

It was Michael who organised the wedding party at Windsor Castle when Charles and Camilla married in April, 2005. Earlier, he had collaborated with Camilla in overseeing the renovations of the Princes Scottish retreat, Birkhall, former home of the Queen Mother.

And who but Michael could oversee and run Prince Charless pet project, Dumfries House, the 18th-century Palladian mansion in Ayrshire saved for the nation with the help of 20 million borrowed from one of the Princes charities.

As executive director, Fawcett has turned the great house that used to be the home of the Marquess of Bute from what was originally seen as a costly white elephant into a popular venue for corporate events and weddings.

As ever, his ability as someone who, according to Charles, gets things done has added to his store of princely gratitude.

Meanwhile, the trust set up to run Dumfries House paid Fawcett and his company, based at Hampton, Middlesex, a whopping 248,000 last year.

One is entitled to ask: what would Prince Charles do without him?

With the opening of the Judi Dench film Victoria & Abdul, courtiers have been amusingly comparing relationships of contemporary royals and servants.

In addition to Fawcett and Prince Charles, there is also the Queens closeness to her senior dresser, Angela Kelly, the daughter of a Liverpool crane driver, now promoted, like Fawcett, to personal assistant.

In both cases they have become confidants and wield considerable influence.

No one has any doubt that Charles will rely on Michael more than ever when he becomes King.

In the same way that Fawcett was deeply involved in the renovation of Birkhall, so he is bound to be called on when Charles inherits other royal homes.

The Prince has very different tastes from his mother and will want to modernise so many things, says an aide. Michael will have much to do.

Some have even speculated that one of the top jobs at Buckingham Palace may one day come his way. One post being mentioned is Master of the Household, in charge of the domestic staff, footmen and pages, as well as the royal kitchens and housekeepers, a role not unlike that of a hotel general manager.

Theres no doubt he could do it and he probably would enjoy the symmetry of going back there as the master having once been a footman, says one figure.

But I think he would prefer being a free agent and he would exercise far more influence than someone with the most sonorous of titles.

The thing about Michael and what sets him apart is that he possesses the two most precious commodities in palace life  his proximity to the royal ear and custody of so many secrets.

Clearly, more twists and turns are yet to come in the Fawcett saga.
Former President George W. Bush has criticized President Donald Trump's decision to impose travel restrictions on North Korea as part the administration's revised travel ban

Former President George W. Bush has criticized President Donald Trump's decision to impose travel restrictions on North Korea as part the administration's revised travel ban.

During a private dinner which was off-the-record on Thursday night, President Bush suggested the policy would discourage dissidents and defectors who might be looking to flee the country, however relatively few North Koreans are even capable of traveling to the US in the first place.

According to Business Insider Bush said that the US needed to encourage people to leave the country and noted that when he was president, he signed the North Korean Human Rights Act which offered support for North Korean human-rights groups and dissidents.

Bush was speaking at The Korea Society's annual dinner in New York City.

Freddy Ford, a spokesman for Bush, told Business Insider on Friday that the former president did not address Trump or the travel ban in his remarks directly but 'in broader strokes, welcoming and supporting dissidents, as he has for years, and referred to the Bush Institute's longstanding and ongoing work in that area.'

The Trump administration has added North Korea, Venezuela and Chad, to its list of countries whose citizens are barred from entering the US

'As president, I must act to protect the security and interests of the United States and its people,' Trump said in the announcement.

North Korea-U.S. relations are at an all time low in recent months with both countries making threats against the other

'North Korea does not cooperate with the United States government in any respect and fails to satisfy all information-sharing requirements,' the revised travel restrictions state. 'The entry into the United States of nationals of North Korea as immigrants and non-immigrants is hereby suspended.'

Despite very few North Koreans travelling to the U.S. one professor pointed out that the act of banning citizens from the country was futile.

'They should have checked if there is North Korean immigration before they banned it,' John Delury, an associate professor at Seoul's Yonsei University, told the Washington Post 'Why are you banning something that doesn't exist?'

'There's no logic in the North Korea context, so we can conclude this is not really about North Korea. 'This is not part of real North Korea policy at all.'

North Korea-U.S. relations have been at an all time low in recent months.

North Korea recently threatened to shoot down a US bomber after Trump threatened to 'totally destroy' North Korea at the United Nations General Assembly.

He also called Kim Jong Un 'Rocket Man,' in reference to his frequent missile tests.

President Bush grouped North Korea in his 'axis of evil', together with Iran and Iraq  in his 2002 State of the Union address.
One of Jeremy Corbyns closest allies claims that British governments have enforced power like the Nazis did, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Hard-Left MP Clive Lewis told young Labour activists that political leaders had systematically undermined the NHS, the BBC and public services.

He likened this to the Nazi policy of seizing power by forcing all institutions to toe the same line, called Gleichschaltung.

Hard-Left MP Clive Lewis told young Labour activists that political leaders had systematically undermined the NHS, the BBC and public services

He likened this to the Nazi policy of seizing power by forcing all institutions to toe the same line, called Gleichschaltung

Speaking in Brighton as Labour held its conference this week, Mr Lewis took aim at neo-liberalism  a term for free-market economics used pejoratively by the Left.

At an event run by pro-Corbyn group Momentum, he said: One of the things that neo-liberalism has done, it has undermined [the BBC and the NHS], systematically undermined them.

The Germans  the Nazis  actually developed a word for it. Its called Gleichschaltung. Basically, the Nazis understood that when they came into power, it wasnt just about decree, they also had to undermine those civil and democratic institutions.

The former Labour business spokesman said he was not comparing the Conservative government to the Nazis, but added: What I am saying is there is a theme running through neo-liberal approaches to democratic institutions.

The equality watchdog called on Mr Corbyn to root out anti-Semitism and told Labour it had to do more to prove it was not a racist party

Another speaker called for the monarchy to be abolished and bad laws to be broken. Last night Tory MPs said Mr Lewiss comments were little more than hate speech.

From Tuesday's Mail

It comes as Labour was branded the new nasty party. At the Brighton conference, a speaker at a fringe event said they should be able to question whether the Holocaust took place. Another delegate called for the partys Jewish wing to be kicked out for backing the apartheid state of Israel. And Kensington MP Emma Dent Coad sparked fury by mocking Prince Harrys military record.

From Wednesday's Mail

The equality watchdog called on Mr Corbyn to root out anti-Semitism and told Labour it had to do more to prove it was not a racist party. Alongside the party conference in Brighton, Momentum put on a festival for activists which was called The World Transformed. Mr Lewis organised a debate titled radical democracy and 21st-century socialism, joining the Momentum chairman Jon Lansman on a panel last Sunday.

He said public institutions such as the BBC and the NHS were really big elements of a healthy democracy, but these had been under attack from neo-liberalism. He compared this with Gleichschaltung  literally translated as synchronisation or co-ordination. The term was used by the Nazi Party for its policy of eliminating all opposition within the states political, economic, and cultural institutions.

Mr Lewis, who was previously a Labour defence spokesman, said: They developed a word which was basically to undermine and hollow them out till theyre either pointless or irrelevant.

The MP also claimed that Labour had inspired the Left in Israel. Even though almost one in four voters in Israel support Left-wing parties  including its own Labor Party  Mr Lewis said: I was in Palestine last week and I met some Leftists in Israel. They were hard to find and track down but we did find them eventually.

'Gleichschaltung - Nazi philosophy he highlighted 'The BBC, NHS, public services, co-operatives  neo-liberalism has systematically undermined them. The Nazis actually developed a word for it. Gleichschaltung. They understood that when they came into power they had to undermine those civil and democratic institutions and hollow them out till theyre either pointless or irrelevant. Im obviously not comparing the Conservative government to the Nazis  quite careful what we do here  but what I am saying is there is a theme running through neo-liberal approaches to democratic institutions.' Advertisement

Also on the panel was Janine Booth, of the RMT union, who told the event: We need to abolish the monarchy. We also need a right to protest, we need to take direct action, and democracy, yes, sometimes involves breaking bad laws.

She admitted there was a genuine issue with anti-Semitism within the Labour movement, but said it needed to be confronted through political education and debate rather than disciplining offenders.

Tory MP Andrew Percy said: These comments from Clive Lewis are grossly offensive and little more than hate speech.

It is this type of rhetoric that encourages followers to violent and sinister behaviour. Most importantly, what he is saying is also historically inaccurate. The capitalist system has provided this generation with the best healthcare, education and social services in the history of the country. Clive Lewis is an ill-informed, ignorant fool.

Former Tory Party vice-chairman Shailesh Vara said the comparison was not only completely wrong but grossly offensive to millions.

Last night Mr Lewis said: As I said on the panel, I was in no way comparing the Nazis to the Tories. To suggest otherwise is grossly misleading.

The RMT said: Janine Booth was not representing RMT on this platform and the views she expressed were her own.

Miss Booth said: I was invited to speak as an individual, and references to my trade union affiliation were just for descriptive purposes.

Council estate boy tipped to lead Labour

By Paul Bentley, Mail Investigations Editor

A key ally of Jeremy Corbyn, hard-Left MP Clive Lewis has been tipped as a future leader of the Labour Party.

The former BBC presenter and Army reservist, who was raised on a council estate in Northampton, became the MP for Norwich South in the 2015 election.

Mr Lewis, who is married to the actress Katy Steel, was promoted to the shadow cabinet as defence spokesman by Mr Corbyn last summer after mass Labour frontbench resignations

In the two years since, the 46-year-old self-proclaimed proud socialist has been at the centre of a number of controversies.

Mr Lewis, who is married to the actress Katy Steel, was promoted to the shadow cabinet as defence spokesman by Mr Corbyn last summer after mass Labour frontbench resignations.

But he missed his first Commons questions session because he was at Glastonbury Festival.

At last years Labour Party conference, Mr Lewis was said to have punched a wall in fury after Mr Corbyns spin doctor Seumas Milne changed his speech minutes before he went on stage.

The former soldier, who served as an officer in the Territorial Army, including a stint in Afghanistan, had apparently planned to say that he would not challenge Labours official policy that Trident should be renewed.

At last years Labour Party conference, Mr Lewis was said to have punched a wall in fury after Mr Corbyns spin doctor Seumas Milne changed his speech minutes before he went on stage

But the line was cut to keep open the possibility of scrapping the nuclear deterrent  and Mr Lewis was reportedly notified only by post-it note.

Sources said he was so furious that he punched a wall, swore and threw his mobile phone.

Mr Lewis publicly played down the reports, saying he was really pleased with the speech, adding there was nothing to see here.

Last October, he was shifted to business spokesman.

However, he resigned from the shadow cabinet in February after voting against the Brexit Bill.

His position was that, while he respected the result of the referendum in favour of leaving the European Union, he was unhappy that Labour had failed to secure amendments to the legislation.

Mr Lewis, who was one of the original organisers of the Momentum grassroots campaign, said at the time that he could not in all good conscience support a bill that he believed would harm his constituents.
Cruelty to animals will be punished with up to five years in prison under plans drawn up by Michael Gove

Cruelty to animals will be punished with up to five years in prison under plans drawn up by Michael Gove.

The Environment Secretary is taking action after a string of offenders escaped lightly despite inflicting appalling harm on pets or livestock. He wants the maximum term of six months  one of the lowest in Europe  to be increased dramatically.

Mr Gove said last night: We are a nation of animal lovers and I want to ensure that those who commit the most shocking cruelty to animals face suitably tough punishments.

These plans will give courts the tools they have requested to deal with the most abhorrent acts.

His officials have discussed the plan with the Ministry of Justice, which sets sentencing policy. The move will be announced by Mr Gove in his Tory Party conference speech on Monday.

Detailed policy proposals will be published around the turn of the year.

Officials said the change would require primary legislation, but expect the law to come into force next year. There is unlikely to be opposition within Parliament.

David Bowles of the RSPCA said: We are thrilled to hear that the Government has responded to calls from the RSPCA and members of the public and is considering toughening up sentences for the worst animal abusers.

Brothers filmed sickening cruelty to pet bulldog pup This sickening image shows Andrew Frankish choking his young pet bulldog against the wall while his brother Daniel films the abuse. The pair laughed as he also headbutted the dog, called Baby, hurled it down stairs, swung it round and stood and jumped on it. But both were spared jail. Andrew Frankish is seen choking his young pet bulldog against the wall while his brother Daniel films the abuse Baby lost the use of her hind legs and had to be put to sleep three months after the assaults in October 2013. The pair, from Redcar, North Yorkshire, admitted causing the dog suffering when they appeared before Hartlepool magistrates and got 21 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, as well as a six-month curfew. An online petition calling for a tougher punishment attracted more than 90,000 signatures. The pair laughed as he also headbutted the dog, called Baby, hurled it down stairs, swung it round and stood and jumped on it, left. But both were spared jail Advertisement

We feel that, should sentences be increased, those who commit these acts will soon be receiving sentences that reflect the seriousness of their crime. We hope this will act as a real deterrent against cruelty and neglect.

The RSPCA picks up the pieces of animal cruelty every day of the year. Our inspectors regularly rescue animals from horrific circumstances of mistreatment, brutality and neglect.

A study from the Centre for Crime Prevention found that prison is very rarely used in animal cruelty cases  and non-custodial sentences are becoming more lenient.

The report found that, since 2005, 12 in every 13 people convicted for cruelty to animals avoided prison. Of the 13,862 convicted or handed cautions, just 1,063 received a prison sentence.

In the same period, the number of suspended prison sentences for animal cruelty rose sharply.

In 2005, just ten offenders were handed suspended jail terms, compared with 160 last year. One in four animal cruelty cases is punished with only a fine and the average penalty has halved in real terms. In 2005 it stood at 479 but fell to just 296 last year.

In his foreword to the crime prevention report, Conservative MP Ranil Jayawardena argued that bad people are still getting away with it.

Suspended sentences or fines have recently been given to those who have starved a dog to death, strangled a cat and threw it in the bin and two young men who filmed themselves throwing a bulldog down the stairs so many times that she had to be put down.

Research also suggests that offenders who commit animal cruelty offences are far more likely to carry out other violent crimes. The six-month maximum term was set more than 100 years ago in 1911 by the Protection of Animals Act.

The last Labour government passed the Animal Welfare Act in 2006 which allowed for jail sentences of up to a year  but the measure was never brought into force.

Earlier this year, Claire Horton, the chief executive of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, said: Six months in prison for the gravest act of animal cruelty, such as torturing an animal to death, is a fraction of the maximum sentence for fly tipping or theft.

So lets get this into proportion and let the punishment for abusing animals truly fit the crime.

The change would apply to England and Wales only. In Scotland the maximum sentence is 12 months and it is five years in Northern Ireland.

Offenders face jail terms of up to five years in the Republic of Ireland, three years in Germany and two years in France.
Acquitted of charges of inciting public violence & disorderly conduct @ the UZ. thank u Harrison Nkomo my lawyer & @ZLHRLawyers Psalm 121 pic.twitter.com/fqCOlY4226
Michael Roberson, 45, was arrested for gouging a woman's eyes out

A Tennessee man was charged with attempted first-degree murder after he admitted to gouging a woman's eyes out and later claiming to police he had no recollection of the horrific attack.

Michael Roberson, 45, was taken into custody in Chattanooga Wednesday after he was found at the crime scene alongside the victim, 33, who was face down with several stab wounds and both eyes out of socket - with one lying next to her body.

Police responded to a call that evening citing the domestic assault on the 7300 block of Frances Drive before the killer told authorities he 'blacked out' amid a 'low point' in his life during the onslaught, according to the Times Free Press.

While it's currently unclear what Roberson's relationship to the victim is, he alleged the near death dispute originated over a child.

The woman was immediately transported to Erlanger Health System where she suffered chest, arm and stomach injuries aside from permanent vision loss.

Roberson was also charged with aggravated assault - a crime he is no stranger to.

Police responded to a call Wednesday citing the domestic assault on the 7300 block of Frances Drive when the killer told authorities he 'blacked out' amid a 'low point' in his life

It had been discovered Roberson held a history of aggravated assault, stemming from a 2006 incident that involved three police men who responded to another call involving Roberson's violent outburst.

During the vent, he reportedly attempted to kill officers by grabbing one of their guns and pointing it in their direction. The officers also suffered injuries.

The incident report said Roberson was finally wrangled into handcuffs after one officer hit him over the head with a flower pot, the Times Free Press reported.

Charges against him were later dismissed as Roberson was found not guilty by insanity defense.

Roberson is currently held in the Hamilton County Jail on bond of $500,000.

He is set to appear in Hamilton County General Sessions Court Monday to answer to the charges brought against him.

Roberson is set to appear in Hamilton County General Sessions Court Monday to answer to the charges brought against him

Just last week, a transgender teen from Missouri died after her eyes were gouged out and her genitals mutilated from a stabbing attack.

Ally Steinfeld, 17, who was born male before transitioning, was murdered by a foursome who bagged her body and placed it in a chicken coop outside a mobile home in Cabool.

James Grigsby, 25, was charged with abandonment of a corpse and tampering with evidence earlier this week, while other suspects, Briana Calderas, 24, Andrew Vrba, 18 and Isis Schauer, 18, were previously charged with first-degree murder and other counts related to the crime.

Distraught family members to the victim told the News Leader Steinfeld was a likeable person who didn't 'like conflict.'

Steinfeld's loved ones said it's still unclear whether or not the horrifying attack was transphobic.

'We honestly don't understand why they done it,' Steinfeld's sister, Ashleigh Boswell told the newspaper. 'It just don't make any sense.'

The Texas County Sheriff's Department since confirmed the killing would not be considered a hate crime.
There's at least one Trump Administration official who was willing to fly commercial on a European trip  but he did bring along his wife and tour several castles.

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin flew to London and Copenhagen in July, for an official trip that included six people plus a security detail.

In addition to meting with counterparts from other countries, Shulkin got the chance to take in all kinds of sights in London and Copenhagen.

One of many perks included at visit to Wimbledon.

Secretary David Shulkin took a trip to Europe where he met with officials but also was accompanied by his wife and took time to visit sights

Shulkin's trip might never have gotten a second look were it not for Health and Services Secretary Tom Price, who resigned Friday amid accumulating reports on the $1 million spent on his travel aboard government aircraft.

While in London, Shulkin met with veterans officials from Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Washington Post reported.

He also attended a ceremony for a British veteran of Afghanistan. But he also had time to take a riverboat tour of the Thames and tour Westminster Abbey.

Shulkin and his wife, who accompanied him on the trip, spent about half the time sightseeing, according to the report, based on the trip's itinerary.

Victoria Gosling, a British leader of the Invictus Games, tweeted an image of Shulkin's trip during the London leg of his trip

Nyhavn district is one of the most famous place in Copenhagen, Denmark in a summer day

Twilight view of Westminister Abbey cathedral in London, United Kingdom

The itinerary included a visit to Buckingham palace

Sculpture of Frederik V on Horseback in Amalienborg Square in Copenhagen, Denmark. The trip included meetings with foreign officials as well as touring opportunities

The government paid for the travel of Merle Bari, Shulkin's wife, as well as giving her a daily per diem allowance for meals on the approved trip.

In Copenhagen, he met with Danish health care company executives.

But he visited the city's Christiansborg and Amalienborg castles, while getting back on the water with a canal tour.

VA spokesman Curt Cashour told the paper all of the travel was approved.

'These were important trips with our allies to discuss best practices for taking care of veterans, he said. 'The secretary has been transparent on his down-time activities that were similar to what he would have done with his family over a weekend in the U.S.' he said.
A teenage girl who claims two NYPD cops raped her in handcuffs at Coney Island has come forward on Twitter to describe her 'shock' at their claim it was consensual.

The 18-year-old girl, who tweets under the name Anna Chambers, shared several links on Friday to stories about the horrifying claims, including one by DailyMail.com, writing 'SHARE THIS, yes its about me'.

That tweet has since been deleted, and the girl declined to offer her real name, but her lawyer Michael David confirmed the account was authentic.

'She was shocked that the [cops] would say it was consensual after everything that was done to her. She wanted to get the word out,' David told the New York Post.

Scroll down for video

The 18-year-old girl, who tweets under the name Anna Chambers, shared several links on Friday to stories about the horrifying claims, writing 'SHARE THIS, yes its about me'

The alleged rape and sexual assault is said to have taken place on Coney Island (file picture)

'She just wants everybody to know its an absolute lie that this was consensual. She was raped. She was viciously, brutally raped in handcuffs. Its the truth.'

'Shes embarrassed. Shes very depressed over this. Her whole life had changed after this experience. Shes afraid of the police, and she really wants justice to be served here.'

The teen says she was violated in the parking lot of a Chipotle on September 15

Meanwhile, the two detectives at the center of the shocking claims have been identified as Brooklyn South narcotics squad members Richard Hall and Eddie Martins, the Post reported.

They and their supervisor have been placed on modified duty, stripped of badges and guns, as the investigation unfolds.

The two detectives, from the NYPD's Brooklyn South narcotics squad, did not deny the sexual acts but claimed they were consensual, sources told the Post.

The teen claims that one of the cops raped her, and that both men forced her to give them oral sex in the parking lot of a Chipotle after they caught her smoking pot on Coney Island on September 15.

The young woman says she sought help from NYU Langone Hospital, in New York, after the incident.

She also spoke to a friend about the alleged sexual assault and reported it to the cops.

Brooklyn District Attorney's Office is now investigating the teen's claims, alongside the Internal Affairs Bureau which has already called several police officers in for questioning, law enforcement sources said.

The head of the local detectives union declined to comment, citing the 'active investigation going on.'
This is the shocking moment a group of drunken male university students dressed just in their underpants try to break into a female-only halls of residence run by nuns.

The men attempted to break down the door with karate kicks before throwing a wheelie bin at the entrance in their desperate bid to enter.

An unidentified piece of street furniture was also used as a battering ram by one of the students, who accompanied their orgy of violence with disgusting hooligan-style chants like 'We want a bed'.

In another they sang disparagingly about the women inside and chillingly pledged not one of them would escape their sexual desires.

The incident, which happened in the Galician city of La Coruna where Zara founder Amancio Ortega lives and the multinational HQ's is based, was described as a freshers' event that got out of hand.

Police who were called were only able to identify four of the dozen or so offenders who appeared to be taking part in the drunken assault, which occurred just after midnight on Thursday.

Local reports said they are all registered as living at a nearby male halls of residence.

No-one at the female halls of residence targeted, the Maria Inmaculada centre, wanted to comment.

Approximately twelve drunken men are seen running in their underpants trying to break into a female-only residence hall run by nuns in Spain

The men are seen desperately trying to get into the residence, kicking at the door and throwing a bin

The drunken men are heard yelling sexualized obscenities to the women located inside the residence hall

There were about a dozen drunken male university students involved in the incident and police have identified at least four of them

In the past male freshers have played jokes on the young women who have rooms there but locals say they have never witnessed students wearing so little using such violence to try to force their way in.

Earlier in the week freshers at the University of Leon in northern Spain were filmed stripping off and dancing naked during a mock student election.

Topless girls were videoed cavorting on stage with their hands covering their breasts.

Men also got involved, with one completely naked while others covered their modesty with traffic cones.

University chiefs described the incident afterwards as 'regrettable' and said it had not been approved by the university.

A vice rector said in a statement: 'The fact the acts were carried out by adults and voluntarily, does not prevent them from being considered out of place and improper of an educational institution.'
In a newly-discovered note that she wrote two years before taking her own life, Jim Carrey's ex-girlfriend blamed the actor for exposing her to a debauched life of sex and drugs and scorned him for 'giving her' herpes.

The note was written by Catriona White on April 8, 2013, on her iPad. It is not known if she ever sent it to Carrey before she took her own life on September 28, 2015. She died just short of two weeks after 30th birthday.

At the time, she and Carrey had broken up after she told him about testing positive for herpes. He maintains that he never had the disease and that she contracted it before they met.

The note was discovered by lawyers working on behalf of her family in a wrongful death lawsuit against Carrey, 55. They say he gave her the pills to kill herself after obtaining them in a false name and allege that he gave her STDs without warning her.

On Friday, just as White's 2013 note was obtained by DailyMail.com, Carrey dropped the bombshell that he had already paid her an undisclosed sum of money in 2013 to settle her STD claims and that her mother and ex-husband's current attempt to get more from him amounts to extortion.

He did not reveal how much money he paid her but said is now demanding that he be given back three times as much.

The star dismissed their accusation that he caused her death and said instead that she decided to take her own life because she felt guilty about extorting him two years earlier and that she was upset about a message her mother had sent her two weeks before she died.

Carrey said it was a 'mistake' to settle the claims in 2013 with White and her former lawyer Filippo Marchino and vowed: 'I will not give in a second time.'

Jim Carrey's ex-girlfriend Catriona White penned a note on her iPad in April 2013 - two years before her suicide - which blamed the actor for giving her herpes and accused him of ruining her life

The note was discovered on White's iPad by lawyers working for her family in a wrongful death lawsuit against Carrey

White's 2013 note describes in her own words the couple's tumultuous relationship and gives a damning description of how she felt the actor treated her.

In it, she told how she 'was promised Jekyll but got Hyde'.

'You did good things for me but being with you broke me down as a person Jim. I was promise Jekyll and instead I got Hyde.

'Because I love you I would have stuck out Hyde all year and done everything he wanted to be with Jekyll for 5 of those but you threw me away when you absorbed anything worthwhile that was left of me,' she wrote.

White, who was 30 when she died, blamed Carrey for giving her HPV and HSV - the medical abbreviation for Herpes Simplex - and begged him to take more care with other girls.

'You have not thought about the stigma I have to live with for the rest of my life, you have not apologized or once asked is there something you can do to make it better or even felt bad for it.

CATRIONA WHITE'S FULL NOTE You have not thought about the stigma I have to live with for the rest of my life, you have not apologized or once asked is there something you can do to make it better or even felt bad for it. Or even ask me how I'm feeling about it. Instead you did a whole lot of screaming and turned it around on me. Have you even once sat down and really thought how this affects me? I still love you and I believed that you sent that text because you cared about me. I was going to tell my lawyer that I didn't want to go any further with it when I realized you changed lawyers and you were advised to text me. It wasn't coming from you at all, you probably hate me and are saying whatever is necessary. 'The decent thing to do, what is that? I think keeping quiet and private about it when I want to scream from the rooftops is a decent thing to do . You know what I want and it's nothing to do with money. 'I didn't get a lawyer so I can take your money and I'm probably going to get in trouble for texting you. I'm sure you will use it against me but I wanted to say this Thursday. Whatever the lawyers decide to do I don't care. This is what I want, you gave me hsv and hpv, I want you to apologize for it because you care enough to. I want you to understand that however little a thing seems to you, it ruins a girl's life. 'I want you to take care when you are with other girls and pay attention to your body your actions effect people. I don't want to be disrespected like you have been doing. 'Before you, I might not have had very much but I had respect, I was a happy person. I loved life, I was confident and I felt good in my skin and was proud of most decisions I made, I met you, you introduced me to cocaine, prostitutes, mental abuse and disease. You did good things for me but being with you broke me down as a person Jim. I was promise Jekyll and instead I got Hyde. 'Because I love you I would have stuck out Hyde all year and done everything he wanted to be with Jekyll for 5 of those but you threw me away when you absorbed anything worthwhile that was left of me.' Advertisement

'You gave me HSV and HPV, I want you to apologize for it because you care enough to. I want you to understand that however little a thing seems to you, it ruins a girl's life.

'I want you to take care when you are with other girls and pay attention to your body your actions effect people.'

The Irish make-up artist also said: 'Before you, I might not have had very much but I had respect, I was a happy person.

'I loved life, I was confident and I felt good in my skin and was proud of most decisions I made, I met you, you introduced me to cocaine, prostitutes, mental abuse and disease.

'You did good things for me but being with you broke me down as a person Jim.'

Carrey, who carried White's casket at her 2015 funeral before the suit was filed, claims her STD accusations are false and that she was trying to get back at him for breaking up with her at the time.

In his counter lawsuit on Friday, his lawyers described a 'cottage industry' which he said fed on extorting celebrities and 'people in Hollywood who have achieved notoriety'.

He categorized Mark Burton, White's ex-husband who filed the wrongful death suit on her behalf along with her mother Bridget Sweetman, as a subscriber to the industry.

'Fighting the accusations is painful, time consuming, and extremely expensiveirrespective of the validity or outcome of the claims,' he said.

He described White as a 'beautiful but immature and emotionally damaged woman' at the start of their relationship and alleges that her former attorney took advantage of her 'warm and exciting' romance with the star to profit.

They allege that before her death, she threatened to 'go to the press' with her claim that he had given her Herpes unless he gave her 'millions of dollars'.

He settled her claim and paid her an undisclosed amount to stop her from making the issue public but insists it was not him who gave her the disease.

In 2015, the pair got back together despite their earlier legal feud.

Carrey's lawsuit claims he thought they would be together permanently after their reconciliation and that her suicide cut that short.

'Then, on the verge of a lasting relationship and love affair, came the unthinkable loss that was Cats suicide,' it said.

In a statement to DailyMail.com on Friday afternoon, Carrey said: 'Today I filed a cross-complaint against Fillipo Marchino, The X Law Group, Mark Burton and Brigid Sweetman.

'Unfortunately, I made the mistake three years ago of giving in and settling false claims made against me by Mr. Marchino, on behalf of Cat, as mounting a public defense is a very costly and painful process.

Beginning: The couple began dating in late 2012 (above in September 2012) and Carrey claimed he allowed her to move into his Malibu home where he financially supported her and helped her try to gain legal status in the country

'At the time I felt Cat was being exploited by Marchino. Since this new case was filed, I have discovered the depth of deception behind those false claims, the kind of deception decent people fall for, because to us, such behavior is unimaginable.

'I will not give in a second time to these same fraudulent charges initiated by Cat's husband in name but not substance Mark Burton, and her estranged mother.

I made the mistake of giving in and settling false claims....I will not give in a second time Jim Carrey on Friday as he filed his own lawsuit against White's family

'Nor am I responsible for what these desperate characters have inadvertently unearthed about the woman I adored. I was clearly blinded by my affection.

'Regardless, I will hold a place of empathy, and forgiveness for Cat and continue to focus on the many blessings in this life.'

His lawsuit claimed that in 2012, he had 'fallen' for her and wanted to get married. He claimed they began drawing up a prenup but that he called the union off when it became apparent to him that for her, the marriage 'was more about convenience and finding a way to stay in the United States without fear of deportation than about her love for him.'

On October 20 2012, he claimed he told her he would not marry her but that he wanted to continue dating and would help her gain legal status in the country by hiring her an immigration attorney.

The next day, she drafted a suicide note - one of three written before she died - which described him as a 'wonderful human being'.

Carrey claimed his decision not to marry her turned her 'bitter and angry' and that she 'lashed out' when he told her to 'ease off'.

Carrey alleged that in 2013, White put pressure on him to marry her so that she could stay in the country and that when he refused, she became 'bitter and angry' and tried to take her own life. They broke up and were estranged for 15 months

'Dissatisfied, Cat soon became bitter and angry, taking Jims decision not to marry her as rejection.

'She began placing more pressure on him, including sending him a text adding his last name to hers, Cathriona Anne Carrey... how does that sound,'" his lawsuit claimed.

He claimed she continued to put pressure on him to marry her and alleged that this was the reason he called off their romance.

She then, weeks later, married 'acquaintance' Mark Burton as a means of staying in the country, he said, and claims that the union had only taken place after she begged other men to marry her to gain immigration status.

Convenient marriage: In January 2013, White married Mark Burton (above) - an 'acquaintance' who Carrey said she married to stay in the country. He is now suing the star

'Cat tried on several occasions to convince other men to marry her so that she could stay in the country and circumvent immigration laws. At one point, she even staged a phony wedding and posted pictures of it on Facebook.

'On another, she was set to marry a man she was seeing until she learned he was already married. Prior to their marriage, Cat and Mr. Burton had worked together but knew little about each otherthey had never dated, had never lived together, and they never intended to live as husband and wife.

'In fact, Mr. Burton was hooking up with one of Cats friends...' his lawsuit claims.

When she returned to Los Angeles after her Las Vegas wedding, she continued her 'pursuit' of Carrey, he claimed.

In his lawsuit, Carrey said the 'bumps' she discovered on her vagina in January 2013 - which she told him she was concerned were evidence of an STD - were in fact caused by a bikini wax.

'Cat had a wax job which caused irritation and bumps under her arms and in her vaginal area. She sent Cross-Defendant Mark Burton a picture of her underarm to show him the bumps from the wax job and mentioned you should see the state of my vagina.

'She and Jim were not speaking at the time, and she was afraid she was going to lose him.

'She reached out to Jim a few days after texting Burton, but she didnt tell Jim about the wax job. Instead, she claimed to be concerned about the bumps in her vaginal area and fearful that she may have STDs.'

In May 2015, after he allegedly settled her STDs claims with money, the pair reconciled. They are seen in New York City in May 2015. Carrey said she felt guilty about allegedly extorting him years earlier and that she apologized for it

The pair broke up in January then reconciled in February, with Carrey agreeing to help her financially with an $800-a-week allowance and a furnished apartment in Santa Monica.

The pair split again in March. Carrey claims the fall out was due to her mounting pressure to get married and his desire for her to 'focus on herself'.

TIMELINE OF ROMANCE 2012: Carrey and White meet on the set of a film when she worked as a make-up artist October 2012: Carrey claims he hires a lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement and plans to marry the woman January 7 2013: The pair break up January 9: She married Mark Burton in Las Vegas January 20 2013: She has a 'bad wax job' but tells Carrey bumps on vagina may be STD February 2013: They reconcile briefly then break up again at the end of the month End of February 2013: White tells her therapist she has contracted several STDs from Carrey April 2013: She pens iPad note blaming him for the STDs and demanding an apology Mid-2013 - November 2014: Carrey claims she demanded money in exchange for silence on STD claims and received it November 2014: The pair start speaking again May 2015: They reunite as a couple September 14, 2015: White's 30th birthday when Carrey said she allegedly received a cruel message from her mother September 28, 2015: White kills herself by taking cocktail of pills and drugs Advertisement

Her family say he dumped her after she revealed she had tested positive for herpes.

He claims she then began threatening to go to the press to tell them that he'd given her the STD unless he paid her 'millions of dollars'.

'The star said her attorney, husband and therapist all goaded her into demanding money from him.

'Filippo Marchino and Mark Burton, along with her therapist, Cynthia Cohen, encouraged, pressured, and pushed Cat to get millions of dollars from Jim and to take him for all that she could.

'For her part, Cat was angry and upset by the breakup, and wanted to hurt Jim as badly as she could,' the lawsuit states.

Though he insists she had contracted it before they met, Carrey agreed to pay her a sum and the pair stopped speaking until November 2014 when she got back in touch via text message.

In May 2015, they got back together.

Carrey claimed she admitted to extorting him and said she felt guilty for it but that she had been pressured by Marchino and her ex-husband.

He said he forgave her and that the pair continued building a future and started working on a co-habitation agreement so that she could permanently move in with him.

She was upset, he said, by his insistence that she sign a non-disclosure confidentiality agreement but that she otherwise seemed 'happy' until her 30th birthday on September 14.

That is when he claims she received a hurtful Facebook message from Sweetman - who he said she was estranged from.

The message, he claimed, told her she was 'worthless' and would 'never amount to anything'.

'Cat was crushed; she cried in a fetal position as Jim did his best to try to comfort and console her, even as he was suffering severe pain from a back injury.

Carrey said White's mother Bridget Sweetman made her upset on her 30th birthday - two weeks before her suicide - and she had been happy until then

'Devastated, Cat closed down her Facebook account to cut off the last and only avenue of communication with her biological mother.

'Feeling publicly shamed, humiliated, abused, and betrayed, Cat let it be known to her friends (as she had to Jim) that she hated Ms. Sweetman.

'She had no further contact with her mother, from whom she had been estranged for many years,' his lawsuit claims.

It was this message and her apparent guilt over 'extorting' him two years earlier which he believes prompted her suicide.

'While Cat seemed happy for the most part during the weeks leading up to her death, she was nonetheless burdened by her mothers birthday message, by the anniversary of her fathers death, and particularly by the weight and guilt of her prior false claims against Jim and how deeply that had hurt him,' his lawyers said.

White took her own life on September 28, 2015. Carrey is seen above at her funeral in Ireland

On Friday, White's attorney Michael J. Avennatti accused the actor of being unstable and pointed to a recent appearance he made at New York Fashion Week which drew concern for his wellbeing.

'As his red carpet interview from a few weeks ago shows, the guy is incoherent and unhinged. He needs help,' Avennatti said.

The interview occurred on September 9 in New York City. Carrey, who'd arrived alone to the event, told E! reporter Cat Sadler who asked him a question: 'There's no meaning to any of this.

'I just wanted to find the most meaningless thing that I could come to and join, and here I am. You've got to admit, this is completely meaningless.'

When she responded to say the event was scheduled to honor icons, he replied: 'Celebrating icons? Oh boy, that is just the lowest aiming possibility that we could come up with. Icons. Do you believe in icons? I believe in personalities.

'I don't believe that you exist but there is a wonderful fragrance in the air.

'I don't believe in icons. I don't believe in personalities. I believe that peace lies beyond personality, beyond invention and disguise. I believe we're a field of energy dancing for itself. And I don't care.'

Previously obtained court documents revealed that White 'wanted it all to stop' in the months before her STD diagnosis.

Session notes and text messages obtained by DailyMail.com that span from October 2012 to July 2013 reveal that Catriona White had been seeing Carrey for just six months when he suddenly broke off the relationship, a move that came after White had been tested for STDs but before she had received her results.

White's attorneys said Carrey was 'unhinged' and pointed to a recent appearance by the star on September 8 (above) which drew concern

The results came back positive soon after, and White told her therapist that she had contracted the STDs from Carrey, claiming that she questioned bumps on his genitals before her first outbreak but he dismissed them as irritation from shaving.

Text messages from White to Carrey show a similar exchange as well between the two at this time.

'These contemporaneous notes prove what we have said along and show what kind of person Carrey really is,' Sweetman's lawyer Michael Avennati told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'His claims of innocence relating to Ms. White are bogus and shameful.'

The notes from January 30 also reveal that White 'wishes [Carrey] would marry her as her promised so that she can work and be more self-sufficient.'

That surprising admission came just 15 days after White wed estranged husband Mark Burton in Las Vegas.

'The thing that becomes clear is that she is extremely upset because she wanted Jim to marry her,' said a source close to the case.

'And the reason she wanted to Jim to marry her is so that she could stay in the country.'

White began seeing the therapist in October and claimed Carrey 'issues' that left him 'down and dark' during a November session.

During that same December 4 session she talked about being terrified when she watched Carrey pick up and smash a computer against his wall then voiced how upset it made her that Carrey would 'send her home when he feels like it and not keep in touch with her until days later when he wants company.'

The therapist noted: '[White] has so little self-esteem. Very impressionable and little ego strength. Also very afraid of [Carrey] and his temper, yet she wants to rescue and help him.'

Just few months prior, White's therapist noted that she seemed to 'light up' when she spoke of her new love interest.

Shortly after the new year, White told her therapist in a phone call that she had 'tried to commit suicide with a bottle of painkillers that she got from JC' after he broke things off two days prior on January 8.

Notes written by White's therapist in 2013 shed further light on their troubled relationship

White texted this admission to her therapist while on a bus to Utah to see her estranged husband Marc Burton according to the session notes, and at that time the therapist recommended that White see a psychiatrist for medication.

DailyMail.com previously revealed that an STD test that was submitted as evidence under the name Jose Lopez tested positive for herpes and chlamydia.

White's mother and ex-husband believe the results belong to Carrey and that he underwent the test using a false name to avoid detection.

White was 'spending time with friends' and admitted to being 'fearful about the future' according to the notes, which also say that she has promised to keep in touch on a daily basis.

Carrey (above with White in May 2015) described her as a 'beautiful but immature and emotionally damaged woman' in his lawsuit on Friday

She did not do this however and two days later cancelled her session on January 19, though she does speak with her therapist on January 21 after reuniting with Carrey.

The notes from that sessions describe White as being 'incredibly distressed' and 'feeling like she wanted to hurt herself when JC kicked her out of his home in a drug-induced rage.'

White also spends a great deal of time alone while waiting for Carrey to be free according to the notes.

She is still 'not doing well' six days later according to the therapist, who notes that White is meeting immigration lawyers provided by Carrey and that the actor 'is going to pay for an apartment for a year and some spending money' for the woman.

On January 30, the therapist noted White was 'noticing a breakout in her genitals.'

'[White] claims she was tested before she slept with [Carrey] was free of any STDs,' read the notes, which go on to detail how she 'noticed bumps on [Carrey's] penis but he told her it was from shaving.'

She is then described as 'living in a constant state of fight or flight.'

On February 7, White is described as 'very fragile and thin' and 'still devastated over the breakup.'

WHITE'S 2015 SUICIDE NOTE Jim, I thought we had chosen each other. I believed it meant something and I let myself relax in your arms in the safety of being sure of one thing.. us. 'If everything went sideways we had each other. I've spent 3 days now in disbelief that you're not here. 'I thought when I saw you it would be OK again and it's not. 'I can go on brokenhearted and try to put the pieces back I could, I just don't have the will this time. I'm sorry you felt I wasn't there for you. 'I tried to give you my best part. Jim, as you can see there is a house full of stuff. It doesn't mean anything. 'If you could have your people sell it, all the clothes too, and give whatever money is made to my family. 'I don't really know about burial or that sort of thing. You are my family so whatever you choose will be fine. 'I love you, please forgive me I'm just not for this world. 'Peace and love to all your hearts.' Advertisement

Four days later she is 'very emotional' according to the notes for her session, during which she tells her therapist Carrey 'texted her few nights ago asking her to come over and "cuddle" then changed his mind.'

The issue is still playing out in court in California.

White wrote several suicide notes before she took her own life. One, written in 2012, describes Carrey as a 'strong and wonderful human being'.

'I love Jim and I'm sorry I brought turmoil into his life,' she wrote.

In May 2013, another note, written to her attorney, told a different story. It demanded that the world know he was responsible for her death.

'I want you to get together and release to the press about all the physical abuse, mental abuse and diseases that Jim gave me.

'Unfortunately, I don't have the the words to put to paper I am too numb,' she wrote.

Her final suicide note, which were discovered near her body in 2015, was addressed to the actor.

It showed no signs that she was angry with him but hinted that their relationship had come into trouble.

'Jim, I thought we had chosen each other. I believed it meant something and I let myself relax in your arms in the safety of being sure of one thing.. us.

'If everything went sideways we had each other. I've spent 3 days now in disbelief that you're not here.

'I thought when I saw you it would be OK again and it's not,' it said.

She signed it off: 'I love you, please forgive me I'm just not for this world. Peace and love to all your hearts.'

For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255
Three young men have walked free from court having been cleared of rape in the past few days alone.

First, Joshua Lines was accused of forcing himself on an undergraduate friend following a boozy night out, despite being too drunk to even remember if they had sex.

Then there was Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere, a high-flying York University student  also accused of attacking a woman after a night on the tiles  whose victim only contacted police 14 months after the alleged incident when Joly de Lotbiniere appeared on a television quiz show.

Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere, 22, was accused of raping a geography student at York University after a night out downing cheap spirits and alcopops

And finally, trainee accountant George Owen was found not guilty earlier this week after a jury was shown Facebook messages posted by his alleged victim in which she belittled the incident.

Given the evidence  or lack of it  many will question how these cases ever came to court.

But far from being one-offs, they are part of a steady stream of cases which follow a strikingly similar pattern.

A young man and a young woman, often friends or acquaintances, have sex after a drunken night out. With no other witnesses to the act, the central issue is that of consent. While the man claims the woman agreed to sex, she says  sometimes many months after the event  that she did not.

Friends Thady Duff (pictured), Leo Mahon, Patrick Foster, all 22, and James Martin, 20, were charged with gang-raping a young woman following the May Ball at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 2014

In each case, the Crown Prosecution Service (cps) decided there was sufficient evidence for the case to be put before a jury.

Only after months of waiting, their lives put on hold, were the accused finally able to tell their side of the story in court.

Time and again, juries have either believed them or the cases against them have collapsed. But even though they have been able to walk free from court, their names will forever be publicly linked with the lurid claims and counter-claims of a rape case.

Because unlike their accusers, who under the law are rightly granted anonymity for life, they have no such protection.

Earlier this year Judge Philip Shorrock wrote a letter to a newspaper lambasting the CPS over its handling of rape cases involving alcohol or drugs.

Friends Thady Duff, Leo Mahon (pictured), Patrick Foster, all 22, and James Martin, 20, were charged with gang-raping a young woman following the May Ball at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 2014

Friends Thady Duff, Leo Mahon, Patrick Foster (pictured), all 22, and James Martin, 20, were charged with gang-raping a young woman following the May Ball at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 2014

The complainant and the defendant know each other, he wrote. One or both has or have been drinking and/or taking drugs before the events giving rise to the complaint taking place. Each gives a plausible enough account as to what happened. There is no independent evidence which tends to suggest that the complainant is telling the truth.

In such circumstances  given the burden and standard of proof  the defendant is usually and unsurprisingly acquitted. Perhaps the CPS understands the words realistic prospect of conviction to mean something which is not obvious to the rest of us.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said his comments harked back to the victim- blaming culture of the past.

It is our job, as prosecutors, to make objective charging decisions based on the evidence, rather than the discredited rape myths that skewed the system against victims, she said.

Durham University undergraduate George Worrall, 22, was charged with two rapes and one sexual assault after taking a woman back to his accommodation in December 2014

For us to consider criminal charges, in any case, there must be sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

There is no legal requirement for victims accounts to be corroborated by a third party and it is ultimately up to a jury to decide guilt or otherwise based on all the evidence presented to them.

But others say Judge Shorrock is correct and that political pressure to improve conviction rates in rape prosecutions is leading to unwinnable cases being brought to court.

Lawyer Chris Saltrese, who runs a firm of solicitors in Southport, Merseyside, which specialises in handling contested rape allegations, says: The CPS are not interested in anything a defendant has to say. They are interested in prosecutions.

Basically their mantra is dont concentrate on the credibility of the complainant, try to case-build as much as you possibly can and get a case in front of a jury.

The problem with that approach is that the jury often find the complainant incredible for any number of reasons and so they acquit.

Graduate Lewis Tappenden, 24, was charged with raping a fresher he had met at a nightclub in York in October 2015

Official statistics show there has been a dramatic increase in the number of allegations of rape made to police in the past few years.

While only a fraction of these allegations will ever reach court, there has also been a 25 per cent increase in the number of rape cases referred from the police to the CPS over the past five years.

Of the rape cases that ended up in court in 2015/16, 57.9 per cent resulted in conviction.

But it is worth noting that when taken against the total number of rape allegations reported to the police in that time frame, that represents a conviction rate of 7.5 per cent.

Last year jury acquittals accounted for more than 60 per cent of failed prosecutions  up from 51 per cent in 2011/2012. A spokesman for the CPS said last night they were, prosecuting and convicting more defendants for rape than ever before.

In each case referred to us by police, specialist lawyers decide whether to prosecute based solely on the evidential and public interest tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a jury to consider.

The spokesman also said that a large proportion of cases reported to the police are never referred to the CPS for a decision on whether or not to charge.

Gerald Laryea, 25, an analyst with accounting firm Deloitte, was accused of raping a 21-year-old Cambridge University student in the back of a taxi

GALLERY OF THE WRONGLY DAMNED

1. Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere

Cleared: September 2017

Length of ordeal: 25 months

Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere, 22, was accused of raping a geography student at York University after a night out downing cheap spirits and alcopops. His 19-year-old accuser said his advances were unwanted and that she froze in terror as Lotbiniere, also then 19, undressed her and carried her to bed in her halls of residence.

But she only reported Mr Joly de Lotbiniere to police 14 months after the alleged attack when he appeared on television in six episodes of the BBC2 quiz show University Challenge.

Gameshow host Richard Osman tweeted to his 500,000 followers: Marks for surnames on university challenge 10 out of 10  Joly de Lotbiniere.

Others described him as posh and cute.

His accuser became angry at the attention he was receiving and went to the police.

After such a long passage of time there was no forensic evidence, only individual testimonies, accounts from friends and text messages.

Mr Joly de Lotbiniere insisted what had happened was a two-way, consensual one-night stand, saying : Drunk or sober I would never rape anybody.

After two trials spread over seven months  the first ended in a hung jury  he was last week found not guilty of rape and sexual assault.

2. Thady Duff (below), 3. Leo Mahon, 4. James Martin 5. Patrick Foster

Cleared: April 2016

Length of ordeal: 23 months

Friends Thady Duff, Leo Mahon, Patrick Foster, all 22, and James Martin, 20, were charged with gang-raping a young woman following the May Ball at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 2014.

It was alleged that the violent assault was filmed, and the footage circulated via Snapchat.

But the trial at Gloucester Crown Court collapsed after it emerged that detectives had cherry picked and airbrushed the evidence.

A study of the alleged victims phone revealed that she had sent nude pictures of herself to one of the men in advance of the ball and also how she had given inconsistent accounts of a threesome she took part in at an Army barracks five months after the alleged university rape.

Shockingly, none of this material was handed over to the prosecution or defence by an investigating police officer.

Royal Agricultural University students Mahon, Foster and Duff, and friend Martin, were cleared after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Friends Thady Duff, Leo Mahon, Patrick Foster, all 22, and James Martin, 20, (pictured) were charged with gang-raping a young woman following the May Ball at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 2014

6. George Worrall

Cleared: July 2016

Length of ordeal: 18 months

Durham University undergraduate George Worrall, 22, was charged with two rapes and one sexual assault after taking a woman back to his accommodation in December 2014.

But after 18 months during which Worrall was suspended from university, the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence and dropped the case, recording not guilty verdicts.

At a brief hearing at Teesside Crown Court, the CPS said following a case review the prospect of a conviction appeared very unlikely due to inconsistencies of the victims account.

Mr Worrall, from Cromer in Norfolk, said he planned to set up a group to support young men in higher education who are facing similar allegations.

7. Lewis Tappenden

Cleared: March 2017

Length of ordeal: 18 months

Graduate Lewis Tappenden, 24, was charged with raping a fresher he had met at a nightclub in York in October 2015.

It was claimed that after returning to the 18-year-olds room, Tappenden, then 22, had pinned her down and raped her after she changed her mind about having sex.

But during the five-day trial it emerged that after bumping into him on the dancefloor, the woman had told him: I dont want to know you afterwards  I just want to f*** you.

Both were drunk and the first-year undergraduate claimed she had been dragged out of the York nightclub  although CCTV proved this not to be the case.

Mr Tappenden, who had just completed his English literature and creative writing degree at York St John University, told the jury: She never said no. If she had, I would not have done anything. I understand what consent is. I feel my life has been ruined. I thought about killing myself because of the shame of coming here.

The jury took just two hours to clear him of two counts of rape.

8. Gerald Laryea

Cleared: July 2017

Length of ordeal: Two years

Gerald Laryea, 25, an analyst with accounting firm Deloitte, was accused of raping a 21-year-old Cambridge University student in the back of a taxi.

The woman had claimed that she was too drunk to consent and that she had been drifting in and out of consciousness as Laryea, then 23, forced himself on her after a boozy night out in London in July 2015.

But urine samples taken from the woman by a police officer between 11 and 12 hours after the taxi journey revealed no trace of alcohol, the court was told.

Clare Gordon, for the defence, told jurors at Woolwich Crown Court: Im suggesting she wasnt blind drunk. She wasnt drifting in and out of consciousness in the back of that taxi. Evidence points away from [that] claim. Can you be sure she didnt simply regret what had happened?

It also emerged that earlier in the evening the pair had bumped into Mr Laryeas mother, who told the pair to calm down. The alleged victim is said to have commented: Shes jealous. Were going to have babies.

After a week-long trial, the jury took less than two hours to clear Mr Layrea of rape and sexual assault.

9. Zach Kibirige

Cleared: August 2016

Length of ordeal: Nine months

Rising rugby star Zach Kibirige was said to have used both fear and force to rape a young woman he met on the Tinder dating app in November 2015.

But the 21-year-old, who has played on the wing for England Under-20s and Newcastle Falcons, insisted that the sex had been entirely consensual.

Having met online, the pair exchanged 1,000 messages before Mr Kibirige was invited around for cuddles and to watch a film.

But when he left her flat after sex to go to an early-morning training session, Mr Kibirige said the woman appeared displeased, telling him she felt she had been bucked and ditched.

Rising rugby star Zach Kibirige was said to have used both fear and force to rape a young woman he met on the Tinder dating app in November 2015

Nonetheless, she subsequently sent him a thumbs-up emoji in a text message.

The court also heard that the woman had gone out the night after the alleged rape to a bar near Mr Kibiriges home, despite telling police she had been too terrified to leave her flat in case she bumped into him.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court took just an hour and 15 minutes to clear Mr Kibirige of all seven counts of rape and assault.

10. Joshua Lines

Cleared: September 2017

Length of ordeal: Three years

Company directors son Joshua Lines, 23, was charged with rape following a night out drinking beer and prosecco with a female undergraduate friend.

It was alleged that after falling asleep next to one another in her halls of residence, the woman woke up to find herself on top of Mr Lines, then 20, with her pyjama bottoms pulled down and he having sex with her.

Mr Lines claimed that he was too drunk to remember whether the pair had sex, but denied raping her.

I dont believe I could have done what she said I did because of the logistics of it, said Mr Lines, from Wigan.

She woke up on top of me with her legs either side, how would I get her there?

A medical examination carried out on the woman several days after the incident showed no traces of Mr Lines DNA.

In two trials jurors failed to agree a verdict.

Last week, at Manchester Crown Court, he was formally cleared of rape when prosecutors said they would not be seeking a third trial.

Company directors son Joshua Lines, 23, was charged with rape following a night out drinking beer and prosecco with a female undergraduate friend

11. Louis Richardson

Cleared: January 2016

Length of ordeal: 15 months

Louis Richardson was charged with raping a fellow student at Durham University.

It was claimed that the 21-year-old forced himself on his victim when she was crazy drunk and unresponsive.

But Mr Richardsons barrister, Philippa McAtasney QC, branded the complainant a highly manipulative, dishonest, dangerous young woman.

She told the jury that the woman continued to have a sexual relationship with Mr Richardson for three months after the alleged attack.

She also sent him pictures of her in just a bra and swapped suggestive banter on Facebook calling him a sexy menace and saying: Ill let you spank me.

She only made the rape complaint after going on holiday with her long-term boyfriend.

Ms McAtasney said: None of us wants to believe anyone who tells lies or makes false accusations. If it was as simple as complainants always telling the truth, there would be no need for a trial ever.

He was cleared of rape in less than three hours.

Louis Richardson was charged with raping a fellow student at Durham University

12. Kato Harris

Cleared: July 2016

Length of ordeal: 17 months

Private school teacher Kato Harris saw his career  and life  collapse after being charged with raping a 14-year-old pupil.

It was alleged that the 38-year-old had attacked the girl on three separate occasions in an open classroom during school lunch breaks. But during a trial at the Old Bailey it was claimed that the alleged victim was a troubled attention seeker and only made her accusations a year after the assaults were supposed to have taken place, following weekly therapy sessions.

Even after Mr Harris had been subjected to the humiliation of being arrested at his school, the girl declined to fully co-operate with police.

The teenagers wealthy family, who live in a 7 million London townhouse, employed top legal firm Mishcon de Reya to represent her, as well as former assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard Sue Akers as a private investigator.

The trial judge would subsequently conclude that enormous pressure had been put on the police and the CPS to prosecute.

Mr Harris, from Richmond, South-West London, broke down in tears as the jury took just 26 minutes to clear him of all charges.

Private school teacher Kato Harris saw his career  and life  collapse after being charged with raping a 14-year-old pupil

13. Prithvi Sridhar

Cleared: February 2016

Length of ordeal: 14 months

Outstanding Cambridge undergraduate Prithvi Sridhar, 21, was accused of raping a fellow student following a drink-filled night out in November 2014.

His alleged victim told Cambridge Crown Court that he forced himself upon her after returning to her room, leaving huge love bites on her neck.

Mr Sridhar claimed he was too drunk to have had sex and that the student had got back in bed with him after the alleged rape.

Joe Stone, defending, said: Surely if she was raped, the last place on earth she would want to return to would be that room.

The jury found Mr Sridhar not guilty of rape.

Outstanding Cambridge undergraduate Prithvi Sridhar, 21, was accused of raping a fellow student following a drink-filled night out in November 2014

14. George Owen

Cleared: September 2017

Length of ordeal: 19 months

Privately educated trainee accountant George Owen, 21, was charged with raping a 19-year-old student in an alley after a boozy night out.

The teenager claimed Owen, then aged 18, forced himself on her as they left a bar in Bury, Greater Manchester, but she only contacted police a year later, after spotting Mr Owen in a pub.

She subsequently told friends on Facebook: OMG hahahahaha my mum knows. She wants to hold my hand to go through it all with me. I was only raped chill the f*** out. Im going to ring them (police) tomorrow and tell them Ill do it.

My mum wants to come so Im going to ask whether I can do it while shes on holiday. Its going to be so fun.

Charged with rape, attempted rape and sexual assault, Mr Owen told a jury in Manchester that the woman had agreed to have sex with him.

She was tipsy and the conversation was flirtatious, he said. She brushed my legs a few times with her hand. I never used physical force. She didnt push me away, she didnt say no. It was completely consensual.

Following a week-long trial, the jury took just over two hours to clear him of all charges.
The future of Monarch airlines was hanging in the balance last night as it held last-ditch talks over its finances.

Monarch, which has been in turmoil for more than a year, is fighting to retain its air travel operators licence.

Regulator the Civil Aviation Authority can deny an airline permission to do business if it believes it does not have enough cash to keep going.

Monarch, which has been in turmoil for more than a year, is fighting to retain its air travel operators licence (stock photo)

Monarch, which flies six million passengers to more than 40 destinations, has until tonight to prove it can meet the regulators demands. Without an Atol licence, the airline would have to stop offering, booking or receiving payments for package holidays immediately.

Monarch, which is owned by private equity firm Greybull Capital, is understood to be in talks with rival airlines to sell off bits of its business.

Budget carriers Norwegian and Wizz Air are both thought to have already held discussions with the firm. Greybull has hired accountants KPMG to review the airlines finances and put in place a plan for a possible sale.

Last year, Monarch was forced to turn to Greybull for a 165million rescue package to keep flying. And last month Monarch chief executive Andrew Swaffield hit back after Ryanair boss Michael OLeary said in an interview: It is an open secret that Monarch and Norwegian will not make it through the winter.

The Mail understands that the CAA has warned staff they may be called on to help the tens of thousands of Monarch customers who would be left stranded overseas, or who have flights over the next week.

Sources close to the airline said bosses were involved in talks with the CAA which were expected to run into the night. Rumours of the chaos at Monarch have even spread to passengers with two tweeting the firm yesterday about its future.

Regulator the Civil Aviation Authority can deny an airline permission to do business if it believes it does not have enough cash to keep going (stock photo)

Monarch replied: Nothing has been confirmed and we continue to look at a number of options. We will of course keep our customers updated.

Monarch is the third major European airline this year to run into financial trouble. Italys national carrier Alitalia has already gone bust and earlier this month Germanys Air Berlin went into administration. And its woes come after Ryanair cancelled more than 20,000 flights, with more than 750,000 passengers affected.

Monarchs problems will further dent the reputation of the aviation industry, which has also been blighted with complaints that cost-cutting has led to a fall in service standards at British Airways.

Last night a spokesman for Monarch said: We have made an application to the regulator for a standard renewal of our Atol licence. The CAA will publish its renewal notices as normal. In recent months we have undertaken, and continue to undertake, a comprehensive review of Monarch, designed to determine its optimal future shape, size and strategy. We are having positive discussions on a number of options with potential strategic partners and we will announce any material developments, if and when they happen.

Last September Monarch was forced to beg for a 12-day Atol licence extension from the CAA while it sought emergency funds. This may happen again.

Any airlines that fly package holidaymakers need an Atol licence from the CAA to operate. This protects passengers in the event a company goes bust.

Luton-based Monarch has been operating since 1968 and employs around 2,800 staff. It is understood around 100,000 of its customers may currently be abroad, of which 10,000 are on package holidays.

A further half a million holidaymakers have booked to travel with Monarch in the coming months.

Sources close to the CAA told how staff had been asked to work overtime over the next few days in the event Monarch holidaymakers need to find new flights home.

They have been drafted in to answer the phones when passengers call to ask for advice. Other staff are being despatched to the airports Monarch flies from to advise passengers on the ground.

Last night customers were still able to make bookings for Monarch over the phone and online. A CAA spokesman said: We do not comment on Atol renewals or the financial strength of companies.
Erin Lee Macke, 30, was arrested on Thursday for leaving her four young children home alone while she flew to Germany for an 11-day trip

The ex-husband of a woman who left her four children at home unsupervised to go on a trip to Germany is furious but not surprised at his former spouse's behavior.

Matthew Macke said Friday that his ex-wife, Erin Lee Macke, was completely negligent in her duties as a parent and believes her actions were 'deliberate.'

'I am really angry, but I wish I could say I am surprised, but I am not,' Matthew told Inside Edition during an interview.

'In my eyes it was a clear and deliberate intentional act,' he said.

Police in Johnston, Iowa conducted a welfare check on Erin Lee Macke's house on September 21 after receiving a tip that her kids - 12-year-old twins (a boy and a girl), a seven-year-old girl and a six-year-old girl - were left alone.

They found that not only had the children been left alone, but that they had been left alone with a gun out in the open.

According to the criminal complaint, Macke left an unloaded Glock 9MM handgun on top of her dresser, next to two magazines - one fully loaded and one partially loaded.

Matthew Macke, who is an officer with Anamosa police department, confirmed that his children are 'doing well' following the incident. He is the father of the two youngest children.

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Matthew Macke (pictured) said he is furious with his ex-wife after she left their four kids unsupervised at home

Macke posted several photos to Instagram from her trip to Germany, including this photo of herself smiling and throwing her hands up in front of the Danube River in Bavaria

Macke's four children are pictured above on the first day of school in August. Her 12-year-old twins are on the left, and her seven- and six-year-old daughters are on the right

Macke is pictured above during her first court appearance on Thursday, when she was ordered held in lieu of $9,000 bail

'If she wants to take a vacation, more power to her,' her ex-husband said. 'But she has a responsibility as a parent.'

The children told police that their mom had left for Germany the day before, and didn't plan to return until October 1.

When police called Macke abroad, she said that all of her babysitters fell through so she decided to leave the kids home alone.

'Investigators confirmed that Macke had made no arrangements to provide adult supervision or care for the children while she was away,' the police department said.

Police told Macke that was unacceptable and ordered her to return home immediately.

But she only cut her trip short by four days, returning to the U.S. Wednesday night. She was arrested Thursday morning and charged with four counts of child endangerment and one count of making a firearm available to a person under the age of 21.

In Iowa, if a child is not injured or killed due to child endangerment, it's an aggravated misdemeanor with a sentence of up to two years in jail or one year in jail and a fine between $625 and $6,250. The gun charge is a serious misdemeanor with up to a year in jail time and a fine between $315 and $1,875.

'I've never heard of anything like this before,' Johnston Police Lt. Tyler Tompkins told KCCI. 'We have situations where parents go next door or parents may go out for the night, and while that's not advisable either depending on the age of the children, obviously leaving the country is a totally different situation. This, where a parent has left the country and left the kids home alone, I've never heard of it before.'

It's unclear why Macke traveled to Germany, but the end of September is a popular time to visit the European country since it's when the annual Oktoberfest festival takes place in Munich, the capital city of the Bavaria region. This year's Oktoberfest, a two-week beer festival, began September 16 and ends October 3.

Photos posted on Macke's Instagram last week show her touring Bavaria with a girl friend and a baby.

It's unclear why Macke visited Germany, but her photos suggest that her trip was purely recreational. She's seen above with a girl friend outside of the Walhalla Memorial in Bavaria

The end of September is a popular time to visit Germany, since it's when Oktoberfest takes place. It's unclear if Macke planned to attend the beer festival, but it's likely since she was traveling around Bavaria and Oktoberfest takes place in the Bavarian capital of Munich. Above, a picture that Macke took of a field of hops - an important ingredient in beer

Macke took a picture of her bratwurst during her first day in Germany

The pictures show they visited the Walhalla Memorial and Regensburg Cathedral, ate bratwurst and saw fields of hops - an important ingredient in beer.

In one photo, Macke poses next to the Danube River, throwing her hands up in the air and smiling. That picture was posted on Tuesday, five days after police found her abandoned children.

Iowa Department of Human Services took custody of her children, and they have since been placed with extended family members. The two eldest children are with unspecified family members while the two younger children are with their father.

Public records indicate that Macke filed for divorce from her ex, Matthew, in 2013.

Macke is being held in lieu of $9,000 bail at the Polk County Jail.

A judge ordered Macke not to contact her children. She is due back in court on October 9.

In May, Macke competed in a bikini competition, according to a post on her Instagram

Above, another picture of Macke from the competition, posing with her eldest daughter

In court on Thursday, Macke was ordered not to have contact with her children

Macke pictured above with her two olest children, 12-year-old twins, above
Katherine Gonzalez, 25, pleaded guilty in August to second-degree sexual assault of a child. She was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison by a Milwaukee judge

A 25-year-old elementary school teacher who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting one of her 11-year-old male students because she wanted to make the 'chronically depressed' boy 'happy' was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday.

Katherine Gonzalez of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was arrested on March 5 and charged with one count of first degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

In August, she pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault of a child.

Since March, she has been out on bail. During that time, Gonzalez told the court that she has been receiving treatment, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

During her sentencing on Tuesday, she tearfully apologized 'for my unthinkable actions.'

Gonzalez says that the treatment she has undergone in the last few months has helped her have fewer flashbacks from when she was sexually assaulted in college.

Despite the fact that the relationship between Gonzalez and the student never escalated to sexual intercourse, Judge Mark Sanders said that the severe sentence in this case is meant to deter others from committing similar crimes.

Neither the boy or his family were in court for Gonzalez's sentencing.

Prosecutors said the fifth grade teacher at Atlas Preparatory Academy, a Choice school, had been messaging one of her male students on SnapChat.

According to the criminal complaint, Gonzalez had contact with the student in her car and at her home.

The two touched each other's 'private parts through their clothing,' prosecutors said.

The teacher told the student not to tell anyone about their relationship because she could lose her job and go to jail.

Gonzalez told authorities that the victim is 'chronically depressed' and admitted to saying things to make the 11-year-old boy happy.

Prosecutors said the fifth grade teacher at Atlas Preparatory Academy (file above), a Choice school, had been messaging one of her male students

According to her interview with police, she told authorities that she wanted the child to see that someone cared.

Officials with the school sent a letter home to parents on March 3 announcing that one of the teachers had been placed on administrative leave.

The letter, which was signed by Atlas Preparatory Academy executive director Michelle Lukacs, stated that the Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a report that accuses a teacher at the school of having inappropriate conduct with an underage student outside of school grounds.
No one believes God exists because it is a 'preposterous' idea, according to Graham Lawton, author of a new book on the human existence.

Mr Lawton argues people want to believe religious claims because they have a 'God-shaped conceptual space waiting to be filled'.

But deep down people don't actually think it's true - not even priests and nuns.

The controversial author suggests that as our lives become more stable, society could become more 'godless' as our need for religion fades away.

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Mr Lawton argues people believe religious claims because we have a 'God-shaped conceptual space waiting to be filled' but deep down people don't actually think it's true (stock image)

A GODLESS FUTURE? Graham Lawton suggests that as our lives become more stable, society could become 'godless' as our need for religion fades away. When children encounter religion, Mr Lawson argues they find the explanations it offers intuitively appealing and believable - making them born believers - but this instinct is drummed out of them by education. The author claimed the reason people continue to be believe it because 'they haven't thought that hard about it'. However, although the future will be increasingly secular, humans will never totally lose the god instinct. As long as existential uncertainty exists Mr Lawton claims religion will not disappear completely - even though he believes some of the things in the bible are 'just crazy'. People cling onto moral guidance and existential comfort and they don't let go of them easily, he said. Advertisement

In 'How to be Human', Mr Lawton analyses the strange things that make us human - including human's propensity to find religion attractive, arguing that it is the default path of the human mind.

His comments are supported by studies into the cognitive theory of religion which suggests having faith is an evolutionary advantage.

Mr Lawton, who wrote the book with New Scientist Editor-at-Large Jeremy Webb, has a degree in biochemistry from Imperial College.

'If you ask quite religious people about the claims that are made by religion - like the fact that god's watching you - they don't really believe that', said Mr Lawton.

The author claimed the reason people continue to be believe it because 'they haven't thought that hard about it'.

Although people accept there is a god and an afterlife, not even theological experts like priests actually believe the factual content of religion, he claimed.

'This is because it's preposterous - some of the things that are in the bible are just crazy.

Mr Lawton has previously written about the possibility of a godless future, arguing that as life gets more comfortable the religious impulse loosens.

He believes that as our lives become more secure the dread of dying or having loved ones suddenly die goes away, which makes religion drift away too.

Graham Lawton (pictured) believes children are 'born believers'

Religion declines not only because people are becoming richer, but also due to the increasing quality of life, decline of serious diseases, better education and welfare states, the author said.

When children encounter religion, Mr Lawton argues they find the explanations it offers intuitively appealing and believable - making them born believers.

They presume there are mystical beings that have superknowledge and immortality until they learn otherwise.

Children like the idea that there is order and design in the world and it is actually useful as it allows them to reason about possible threats that we cannot see, for example a predator lurking in a nearby bush.

This natural propensity to look for agents in the world is the building blocks for religious belief.

The books traces our seven-million-year evolutionary journey and our key traits as humans - our generosity, disgust and why we find it so hard to stop bad habits

COGNITIVE THEORY OF RELIGION According to studies on the cognitive theory of religion, belief could be a by-product of our cognitive equipment. We acquire it as easily as we learn to walk and talk, with most people learning it at a young age and using it throughout life. Our brain is primed to see meaning everywhere, which helps us make sense of random events. Children like the idea that there is order and design in the world and it is actually useful as it allows them to reason about possible threats that we cannot see, for example a predator lurking in a nearby bush. According to Mr Lawton, although this is an evolutionary advantage, it also facilitates the build-up of delusional belief and a feeling of rightness. Advertisement

'Once coupled with some other cognitive tendencies and ordinary learning strategies, they make children highly receptive to religion', said Mr Lawton.

Although this is an evolutionary advantage, Mr Lawton believes it also facilitates the build-up of delusional belief and a feeling of rightness.

In 2011, psychologist Peter Halligan at Cardiff University found more than 90 per cent of people in the UK hold beliefs that would be classed as delusional by a psychiatrist.

And around half of US adults endorse at least one conspiracy theory, such as the belief a celebrity is secretly in love with you or that certain messages have special meanings hidden in them.

'People cling onto moral guidance and existential comfort and they don't let go of them easily', said Mr Lawton, who believes this is why humans continue to be religious even when it contradicts new evidence.

This means people can rationalise natural disasters and the unexpected death of loved ones as part of God's plan - which is part of religion it has become so powerful and appealing.

However, experiments have shown supernatural thoughts are also easy to invoke in people who consider themselves sceptics.

'To be an actual atheist and reject all religious ideas is not humanly possible - we'll still fill that hole with something, said Mr Lawton.

Asked if a man who dies instantly in a car crash is aware of this own death, large numbers instinctively answer "yes".'

Similarly, he says people who believe people who experience setbacks in their lives routinely invoke fate, and uncanny experiences are widely attributed to paranormal activity.

The author argues although the future will be increasingly secular, humans will never totally lose the god instinct.

As long as existential uncertainty exists, Mr Lawton claims religion will not disappear completely.
Opinion / Columnist

Zimbabwe is facing a serious economic problem; unemployment has soared to 90% and as much as 72.3% of our people are living on US$1.00 or less per day. The economic situation is socially, economically and politically unsustainable. We need a solution and fast!The root cause of our economic problems is the decades of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption caused by Zanu PF misrule. The people have known this for many years but have failed to do anything about it because Zanu PF rigs elections and so the nation has been stuck with a corrupt and incompetent regime.So the solution to our economic collapse is a political one  stop Zanu PF from rigging the elections. But, like many such political problems, saying stop Zanu PF rigging elections is the easy bit; how has been mission impossible until SADC leaders spelt it out in the 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA).The GPA stipulated that Zanu PF and the two MDC factions in the 2008 to 2013 GNU will be tasked to implement a raft of democratic reforms designed to stop Zanu PF rigging future elections. Sadly, not even one reform was implemented throughout the five-year life of the GNU.SADC leaders advised Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends that they must not contest the 2013 elections with no reforms in place for obvious reasons  Zanu PF will just rig the vote as it has done countless of time in the past."If you go into elections next month, you are going to lose; the elections are done," SADC leaders warned Morgan Tsvangirai & co. in June 2013, according to Dr Ibbo Mandaza who attended the Maputo summit.As we know, MDC leaders paid no heed and contested the flawed and illegal July 2013 elections with disastrous consequences to the nation. SADC leaders' advice is even more relevant today vis-a-vis the coming 2018 elections; it was very foolish of us to have ignored SADC leaders' warning not to contest the flawed July 2013 elections, it would be unforgivable for us to repeat the same mistake and contest next year's elections still with no reforms in place. And yet this exactly what Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) people are asking people to do on the basis that the Trust's will deliver peaceful, free, fair and credible elections even thou not even one reform has been implemented.HZT has been holding meetings up and down the country promising people free and fair election.telling the people greatest problem with these NGO initiatives is that they are totally misleading; people believe they are the cure to these problems when in reality they are only a placebo."The objective of the interface meetings was to create a platform for community members to interface and interact with duty bearers on critical issues affecting the community. Some of the major issues that came out during the interface meeting include 1) partisan conduct of traditional leaders in issuing proof of residence for the BVR process ii) forced attendance to political gatherings iii) unfair food aid distribution," reported Heal Zimbabwe."The interface meetings were attended by a total of 250 people (101 men and 149 women), nine Traditional leaders, one councillor, two School Development Committee members SDCs), seven Village Development Committees (VIDCOs) and three Ward Development Committees (WADCO) members."As a way forward, the interface meetings resolved that the CAATs together with the traditional leaders and other opinion leaders collaborate and carry out public awareness campaigns on the importance of peace, tolerance, social cohesion ahead of the elections. During the public awareness campaigns, Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) shall also facilitate for organisations working on elections such as ERC and ZESN to attend and raise awareness on the BVR process as a contribution towards peaceful and credible elections."The nature of the blatant vote rigging and wanton violence we witnessed during the 2008 elections beyond the political powers of the local traditional leaders and community leaders to stop even if they wanted to. ZEC officials who are responsible for the chaotic voter registration exercise going on right now do not take their orders from SDCs, VIDCOs and/or WADCO members. The only way to ensure ZEC carry out the voter registration exercise properly and competently and deliver a verifiable voters' roll and free and fair elections is by making sure the democratic reforms designed to make ZEC independent and free are implemented.It is therefore totally irresponsible of an organisation like HZT to be misleading innocent villagers that they can deliver peaceful, free and fair elections when that is not in their power to do. Whatever HZT people are doing; it is NOT a cure to stop Zanu PF rigging the vote and it is criminal for them to be administering placebos to unsuspecting povo especially when they should be taking the cure.The people of Zimbabwe cannot afford another rigged elections and for someone to be telling them the elections will NOT be rigged knowing fully well that is a lie is totally unacceptable. If next year's elections are indeed rigged, contrary to HZT's stubborn repeated assurance to the contrary; the Trust and its funders will be held to account!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Abbott Laboratories' glucose monitoring device for adults with diabetes, allowing millions of people to track their blood sugar levels without having to prick their fingers.

Abbott's FreeStyle Libre Flash reduces the need for fingerstick testing, which is painful and inconvenient, by using a small sensor wire in a 'sticker' that is inserted below the skin to continuously measure and monitor glucose levels.

People with diabetes must regularly test and monitor their blood sugar to make sure it is at an appropriate level, which is often done multiple times per day by taking a fingerstick sample and testing it with a blood glucose meter.

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Abbott's FreeStyle Libre Flash uses a small sensor wire in a 'sticker' that is inserted below the skin to continuously measure and monitor glucose levels.

DIABETES EPIDEMIC According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 29 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. People with diabetes either do not make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot use insulin properly (type 2 diabetes). When the body doesn't have enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, sugar builds up in the blood. High blood sugar levels can lead to heart disease; stroke; blindness; kidney failure; and amputation of toes, feet or legs. Advertisement

The device can be worn for up to 10 days.

'The FDA is always interested in new technologies that can help make the care of people living with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, easier and more manageable,' said Donald St. Pierre, acting director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health and deputy director of new product evaluation in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

'This system allows people with diabetes to avoid the additional step of fingerstick calibration, which can sometimes be painful, but still provides necessary information for treating their diabeteswith a wave of the mobile reader.'

Chicago-based Abbott's shares were trading up about 2 percent at $53.25 after the bell on Wednesday.

Traditionally, diabetes patients measured their glucose levels nearly a dozen times a day by pricking their finger tips for blood samples.

Nowadays, advanced continuous glucose monitoring devices, such as DexCom Inc's G5 Mobile and Medtronic Plc's iPRO2 Professional, which have sensors to measure glucose readings are used.

However, these devices require fingertip calibration two to four times a day for optimal accuracy.

HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS Abbott's FreeStyle Libre system measures glucose levels through a small sensor applied to the back of your upper arm. The sensor, which is the size of two stacked quarters, provides real-time glucose readings for up to 10 days, both day and night. The sensor can also read glucose levels through clothes, making testing discreet and convenient. The FreeStyle Libre system provides people with diabetes three key pieces of data with each scan: a real-time glucose result, an 8-hour historical trend, and a trend arrow showing the direction their glucose is going. Advertisement

DexCom's shares were down 14.4 percent at $57.78, while Medtronic's stock rose marginally in after-market trading.

Most diabetes patients do not measure glucose as often as they should because of the discomfort caused by these kinds of tests, Jared Watkin, senior vice president of Abbott's Diabetes Care unit told Reuters.

According to studies, the majority of people with diabetes test glucose levels less than three times a day, Abbott said.

Abbott's device, however, is a long-lasting glucose sensor, which does not require fingerstick calibrations to ensure its accuracy.

Abbott already has a continuous glucose monitoring device called FreeStyle Libre Pro in the United States, which helps measure patients' glucose levels for up to 14 days, but requires a physician's assistance.
A long-running effort to build one of the world's largest telescopes on a mountain sacred to Native Hawaiians is moving forward after a key approval, reopening divisions over a project that promises revolutionary views into the heavens but has drawn impassioned protests over the impact to a spiritual place.

Hawaii's land board granted a construction permit for the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope atop the state's tallest mountain, called Mauna Kea, but opponents likely would appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Protesters willing to be arrested were successful in blocking construction in the past.

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This illustration provided by Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) shows the proposed giant telescope on Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island. A long-running effort to build one of the world's largest telescopes on the mountain sacred to Native Hawaiians is moving forward after a key approval

'For the Hawaiian people, I have a message: This is our time to rise as a people,' said Kahookahi Kanuha, a protest leader.

'This is our time to take back all of the things that we know are ours. All the things that were illegally taken from us.'

Telescope officials don't have any immediate construction plans and will consider its next steps, said Scott Ishikawa, a project spokesman.

Officials previously have said they want to resume building in 2018.

'In moving forward, we will listen respectfully to the community in order to realize the shared vision of Mauna Kea as a world center for Hawaiian culture, education and science,' TMT International Observatory Board Chairman Henry Yang said in a statement.

THE 30 METRE TELESCOPE The $1.1bn telescope would be able to observe planets that orbit stars other than the sun and enable astronomers to watch new planets and stars being formed. It should also help scientists see some 13 billion light years away for a glimpse into the early years of the universe. Its primary mirror will measure 30 metres in diameter and be made up of 492 individual segments Construction costs are expected to top $1 billion. The telescope's segmented primary mirror, which is nearly 100 feet (30 meters) long, will give it nine times the collecting area of the largest optical telescopes in use today. Its images will also be three times sharper. But the telescope may not hold the world's largest title for long. A group of European countries plans to build the European Extremely Large Telescope, which will have a 138-foot (42-meter)-long mirror. The construction of the TMT will be a joint venture between universities in California and Canada with partners from China, India and Japan. The telescope's segmented primary mirror, which is nearly 100 feet (30 meters) long, will give it nine times the collecting area of the largest optical telescopes in use today. Its primary mirror will measure 30 metres in diameter and be made up of 492 individual segments, enabling it to capture a phenomenal amount of information from the cosmos. When construction is complete, it is expected to be three-times wider than the largest existing visible-light telescope in the world, and will have nine times more area. Astronomers are hoping that the instrument will enable them to see into the early universe. The telescope could find planets around other stars in the 'habitable zone,' where liquid water is possible on a planet's surface, the project's website says. Advertisement

Richard Ha, a Native Hawaiian farmer who supports the project, urged opponents to avoid confrontation.

'The possibility of getting the best telescope in the world ... I don't feel is the right battle to fight,' he said. 'It will hurt our own people.'

While opponents say constructing the telescope will desecrate Mauna Kea, supporters tout the instrument's ability to provide long-term educational and economic opportunities.

'This was one of the most difficult decisions this board has ever made,' state Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case said in a statement about the 5-2 decision.

Plans for the project date to 2009, when scientists selected Mauna Kea after a five-year around-the-world campaign to find the ideal site for what telescope officials said 'will likely revolutionize our understanding of the universe.'

The project won a series of approvals from Hawaii, including a permit to build on conservation land in 2011.

Protesters blocked attempts to start construction.

Then in 2015, the state Supreme Court invalidated the permit, saying the board's approval process was flawed, and ordered the project to go through the steps again.

Protests disrupted a groundbreaking in 2014 and intensified after that. Construction stopped in 2015 after 31 demonstrators were arrested for blocking the work.

A second attempt to restart construction a few months later ended with more arrests and crews retreating.

Mehana Kihoi said being arrested while praying on the mountain was one of the most traumatic experiences of her life.

She started going there to help heal from domestic violence, Kihoi told the land board earlier this month.

The telescope could find planets around other stars in the 'habitable zone,' where liquid water is possible on a planet's surface, the project's website says.

A PERFECT LOCATION Mauna Kea's peak already hosts about a dozen telescopes. The dormant volcano is popular with astronomers because its summit is well above the clouds at 13,796 feet, offering a clear view of the sky above for 300 days a year. The state's isolated location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean also means the area is relatively free of air pollution. Few cities on the Big Island mean there aren't a lot of man-made lights around to disrupt observations. Advertisement

'For years, I carried grief and pain ... until I went to the mauna,' she said, using the Hawaiian word for mountain.

Kanuha, a protest leader, dismissed the millions that telescope officials have paid toward educating youth on the Big Island in science, technology, engineering and math. So far, $3.5 million has been paid into the educational fund, even while the project's construction permit was invalid.

That money isn't the answer to improving the lives of Native Hawaiian youth, Kanuha said. Revitalization of language and culture through Hawaiian-focused education is what's important, he said.

A group of Native Hawaiian telescope supporters formed a group called Perpetuating Unique Educational Opportunities. Some members had been against the telescope in the past, said the group's attorney, Lincoln Ashida.

'We believe that with increased opportunities for children, that results in stronger families, which in turn benefits our community,' Ashida told the board.

Telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island.

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2015 file photo, Kupono Mele-Ana-Kekua, 35, of Kaaaawa, Hawaii, blows a conch shell near the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island. Mele-Ana-Kekua had camped on the mountain for about 60 days in protest of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Hawaii's land board on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 granted a construction permit for a giant telescope on a mountain that Native Hawaiians consider sacred, a project that has divided the state. The $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope has pitted people who say the instrument will provide educational and economic opportunities against those who say it will desecrate the state's tallest mountain, called Mauna Kea. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)

A group of universities in California and Canada make up the telescope company, with partners from China, India and Japan.

The instrument's primary mirror would measure 98 feet (30 meters) in diameter. Compared with the largest existing visible-light telescope in the world, it would be three times as wide, with nine times more area.

Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, has been the first choice, telescope officials said, calling it the best location in the world for astronomy.

The base camp for protesters of the Thirty Meter Telescope project occupies a site near the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island.

Its summit provides a clear view of the sky for 300 days a year, with little air and light pollution.

They selected an alternate site in Spain's Canary Islands if the telescope couldn't be built in Hawaii.

After 44 days of recent testimony before the state land board, a retired judge overseeing the hearing recommended granting the permit, with conditions that employees attend mandatory cultural and natural resources training and that employment opportunities be filled locally 'to the greatest extent possible.'
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Elon Musk has unveiled plans to colonise Mars, build a base on the moon and travel to anywhere on Earth in less than one hour.

He also revealed a new rocket, called the BFR (Big F***ing Rocket), which is smaller than the ones he announced in 2016 and will carry 150 tonnes.

The SpaceX CEO said the rocket would take its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2024 and claimed other SpaceX's products would be 'cannibalised' to pay for it.

Once built, Musk believes the rocket could be used for travel on Earth - saying that passengers would be able to get anywhere in under an hour.

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Elon Musk is seen delivering a presentation with a representation of what he imagines a human colony on Mars to look like behind him. He is planning a manned mission in 2024

MUSK'S PLANS Elon Musk has unveiled plans to colonise Mars, build a base on the moon and travel to anywhere on Earth in less than one hour. SpaceX plans its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo, to be followed by a manned mission in 2024 and Musk said he would 'cannibalise' SpaceX's other products to pay for it. Musk said he plans to replace SpaceX's other vehicles - Falcon 9, Falcon 9 Heavy rockets and Dragon capsule. Instead of operating lots of smaller spacecrafts to deliver satellites, the BFR would complete all missions. The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars, could still carry 100 passengers, and could also be used for fast transport on Earth, Musk said.

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Instead of operating lots of smaller spacecrafts to deliver satellites such as Falcon 9, Falcon 9 Heavy and Dragon capsule, the BFR would complete all missions, Musk announced at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide.

To cut costs, SpaceX has shrunk the size of the rocket ship it is developing to go to Mars, aiming to start construction on the first spaceship in the first half of next year, Musk said.

The SpaceX boss had previously planned to use a suite of space vehicles to support the colonisation of Mars, beginning with an unmanned capsule called Red Dragon in 2018.

However, he now says SpaceX is focused on a single, slimmer and shorter rocket instead.

'We want to make our current vehicles redundant,' he said.

'We want to have one system. If we can do that, then all the resources...can be applied to this system.

'I feel fairly confident that we can complete the ship and be ready for a launch in about five years', he said.

The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars.

It could still carry 100 passengers, and could also be used for fast transport on Earth, Musk said.

Musk posted a picture on his Instagram of what the moon base could look like (pictured). The SpaceX CEO said it would take its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo

Musk speaks in below a computer generated illustration of his new rocket called the BFR (Big F***ing Rocket), which is smaller than the ones he announced in 2016 and will carry 150 tonnes

To cut costs, SpaceX has shrunk the size of the rocket ship it is developing to go to Mars, aiming to start construction on the first spaceship in the first half of next year, Musk said

THE BFR The BFR (Big F***ing Rocket) will complete all missions and is smaller than the ones Musk announced in 2016. The SpaceX CEO said the rocket would take its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2024 and claimed other SpaceX's products would be 'cannibalised' to pay for it. The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars. Once built, Musk believes the rocket could be used for travel on Earth - saying that passengers would be able to get anywhere in under an hour. Advertisement

The top part of the rocket has 40 cabins which could hold 5 or 6 people and day Musk said this would make its way to the moon.

'This will enable the creation of a lunar base. It's 2017  we should have a lunar base by now,' he said.

'And then of course Mars, becoming a multi-planet species. Beats the hell out of being a single-planet species.'

In order to land on Mars the rocket will have a propulsive landing method - similar to the one used by Falcon 9.

Musk also shared concept images of a human settlement, saying he wanted to make the red planet 'a nice place to be' with a sustainable human population of around one million.

'I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars,' he said.

'If we're building this thing to go to the Moon and Mars then why not go to other places on earth as well'.

Musk said it would take just 39 minutes to shuttle passengers between New York and Shanghai, and would cost the same as an economy air ticket.

'It's really crazy that we build these sophisticated rockets and then crash them every time we fly,' he said. 'This is mad.'

The SpaceX boss had planned to use a suite of space vehicles to support the colonisation of Mars, beginning with an unmanned capsule called Red Dragon in 2018. However, he now says SpaceX is focused on a single, slimmer and shorter rocket instead (pictured)

Musk said becoming a multi-planet species 'beats the hell out of being a single-planet species'. The top part of the rocket has 40 cabins which could hold 5 or 6 people

In order to land on Mars the rocket will have a propulsive landing method - similar to the one used by Falcon 9, Musk said

The rocket will reach speeds of 18,000 miles per hour (29,000 kmh) - and could carry between 80 and 200 people per trip.

In the next six to nine months Musk will start building the first ship.

'I feel fairly confident that we should be able to complete the ship and have our first launch in about 5 years. 5 years seems like a long time to me.'

However, some fear he may not have enough money to fund such as venture.

Musk is pictured with a representation of what he imagines a human colony on mars to look like on the screen behind him. The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars

'It's really crazy that we build these sophisticated rockets and then crash them every time we fly,' Musk said. 'This is mad'

Musk said he would 'cannibalise' SpaceX's other products (pictured) to pay for the BFR. However, some fear he may not have enough money to fund such as venture

'I feel fairly confident that we should be able to complete the ship and have our first launch in about 5 years. 5 years seems like a long time to me', Musk said

'I know Elon talks about going to Mars but I don't see that as a commercial enterprise - I think it's going to be way too expensive. I think it's an issue for governments to handle', astronaut Al Worden told a crowd at the New Scientist event in London yesterday.

'He [Elon] has sold tickets and I have no idea how much he sold them for but I suspect they are very expensive', he said.

Last year Musk first unveiled an 'interplanetary transport system' to take man to Mars in 80 days and build a sustainable human colony of a million people there.

'What I want to achieve is make Mars seem possible, to show that we can do it in our lifetimes, and you could go,' he said at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico.

However, he warned the trip was likely to be dangerous - and said candidates for the first missions 'must be prepared to die'.

Last year Musk first unveiled an 'interplanetary transport system' (pictured, updated) to take man to Mars in 80 days and build a sustainable human colony of a million people there

Musk warned 'eventually history suggest there will be some extinction event on Earth', which is partly why he is creating the new rocket (pictured) as part of the 'interplanetary transport system'

'What I want to achieve is make Mars seem possible, to show that we can do it in our lifetimes, and you could go,' Musk said at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico

Musk warned the trip to Mars was likely to be dangerous - and said candidates for the first missions 'must be prepared to die'

Musk outlined plans for a fleet of large 'megashuttles' that would take 100 people at a time to Mars for $200,000 (150,000) a trip, after warning 'eventually history suggest there will be some extinction event on Earth'.

'One path is we stay on earth forever and there will be some eventual extinction event. I don't have a doomsday prophesy,' he said.

Lockheed Martin Corp announced separate plans for a manned Mars journey on Friday, unveiling concept drawings of a 'base camp' space station orbiting Mars and landing craft that would carry four astronauts to the planet's surface.

'We know its cold, it's pretty inhospitable, so we start with the robots and then we go down with these landers,' Rob Chambers, Lockheed's director of human space flight strategy, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation in an interview.

The rocket will reach speeds of 18,000 miles per hour - and could carry between 80 and 200 people per trip

Mars is typically 140 million miles (225 million km) from Earth and landing the first humans there, after what traditionally has been seen as a six- to nine-month journey, is an extremely ambitious goal

Musk said it would take just 39 minutes to shuttle passengers between New York and Shanghai, and would cost the same as an economy air ticket

'If we're building this thing to go to the Moon and Mars then why not go to other places on earth as well,' Musk said. On the screen behind is a generated illustration of his new rocket

Chambers gave no date, but the planned mission would be a joint expedition with Nasa, which aims to reach Mars during the 2030s.

Mars is typically 140 million miles (225 million km) from Earth and landing the first humans there, after what traditionally has been seen as a six- to nine-month journey, is an extremely ambitious goal.

SpaceX, which Musk founded with the aim of colonising Mars, is one of several private and government-funded ventures vying to put people and cargo on the red planet, and other destinations beyond Earth's orbit.

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture is also designing a heavy-lift vehicle called New Armstrong that will be capable of Mars transport.

Russia and China are each preparing for manned missions to the moon and Russia has agreed to work with Nasa planning a 'deep space gateway' space station in lunar orbit, which would serve as a staging post for future missions.

SpaceX, which Musk founded with the aim of colonising Mars, is one of several private and government-funded ventures vying to put people and cargo on the red planet, and other destinations beyond Earth's orbit
An amateur historian using a metal detector in a farmer's field has told how he found a once-in-a -lifetime hoard of 2,000-year-old silver Roman coins - worth up to 200,000 ($267,000).

Some of the metal disks were minted during the era Roman general Mark Antony was allied with his lover Cleopatra in Egypt and experts said a find of this size and variety is very rare.

A single coin can sell for up to 900 ($12,000) so fisherman Mike Smale, 35, was astonished when he uncovered one pristine coin after another dating back to 32BC.

The coins will be handed over to the coroner for valuation and then likely sold to a museum, with the profits split between the farmer and Mr Smale.

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Some of the coins (pictured) were minted during the era Roman general Mark Antony was allied with his lover Cleopatra in Egypt and a find of this size and variety is very rare

WHAT ARE THE COINS? An expert who has examined photos of the coins said some feature Gods, and were issued by the Roman Republic in the centuries before the birth of Christ. Some of the metal disks were minted during the era Roman general Mark Antony was allied with his lover Cleopatra in Egypt and experts said a find of this size and variety is very rare. They would have circulated widely in the Roman Empire and travelled a long way. Republican coins and those of Antony were issued before the Roman Invasion of Britain in AD 43, and would have drifted over in the pockets of Roman soldiers and citizens alike, according to an expert. Other coins were issued by emperors who ruled during the first century AD. One of the coins celebrated the ill-fated emperor Otho, who only ruled for three months in (January to April AD 69), during the civil wars which followed the assassination of the notorious emperor Nero. Advertisement

Mr Smale, 35, found the hoard of 600 rare ancient coins in a farmer's field in Bridport while hunting with friends from the Southern Detectorists club.

Father-of-one Mr Smale, a fisherman from Plymouth, Devon, said: 'It was incredible, a true once-in-a-lifetime find.

'I had a good idea about what it was - I had already found one or two Roman denarii that morning.

'It's a great find, my biggest one, but I shan't be giving it up. It's great fun and I'm sticking with it', he said.

The astonishing find was made at an undisclosed farmland location in Bridport at the detectorists annual event, attended by 300 people.

'When I found it everyone came over to have a look and find out what it was', said Mr Smale.

'It's impossible to say what it's worth, it all depends on too many factors.. How rare they are, what condition they are in, things like that.

'But it is a substantial find, and whatever I do get I'm going to split with the guys I went up there with.'

Just a few hours in, Mr Smale's detector started beeping manically and he quickly discovered a few coins, before he called over the officials who sectioned off the area.

They believe it was a pot of coins which had been hit by a plough and spread across the area.

The event was organised by Sean MacDonald, 47, who admits he would have paid 'good money' just to witness the find.

Just a few hours in, Mr Smale's detector started beeping manically and he quickly discovered a few coins, before he called over the officials who sectioned off the area

A single one can sell for up to 900 ($12,000) so the fisherman was astonished when he uncovered one pristine coin after another dating back to 32BC

Mike Smale (left), 35, found the hoard of 600 rare ancient coins in a farmer's field in Bridport while hunting with friends from the Southern Detectorists club. He is pictured here with farmer Anthony Butler

He added: 'Bridport is a cracking area anyway, it's very rich in history, but a find like this is unprecedented.

'I've never seen a hoard of this size before. We found one in Somerset last year but there were just 180, and they weren't of the same calibre.'

Mr MacDonald said he was elated he was shaking when he saw the find.

'The archaeologists excavating it couldn't believe what they were seeing because these coins are so rare', said Mr MacDonald.

The coins will be handed over to the coroner for valuation and then likely sold to a museum, with the profits split between the farmer and Mr Smale

Republican coins and those of Antony were issued before the Roman Invasion of Britain in AD 43, and would have drifted over in the pockets of Roman soldiers and citizens alike

The astonishing find was made at an undisclosed farmland location in Bridport at the detectorists annual event, attended by 300 people

An expert who has examined photos of the coins said some feature Gods, and were issued by the Roman Republic in the centuries before the birth of Christ

'I personally think a find of this size and variety will never be found again.'

An expert who has examined photos of the coins said some feature Gods, and were issued by the Roman Republic in the centuries before the birth of Christ.

'Others, which feature a distinctive galley - a type of Roman vessel - were minted by Mark Antony while he was allied with his lover Cleopatra in Egypt, between the Autumn of 32 BC to the Spring of 31', said Dominic Chorney of A.H. Baldwin & Sons.

These coins each celebrated the various legions under his command, Mr Chorney explained.

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra and Richard Burton as her lover Mark Antony in the 1963 film of the Egyptian queen. Some of the coins were minted when the Roman general was allied with Cleopatra in Egypt

The historian who was digging in a farmer's field in Bridport has told how he found a once-in-a -lifetime hoard of 2000-year-old Roman silver coins worth up to 200,000 ($267,000)

Coin finds such as this are fascinating, and are incredibly important in shedding light on the history of Roman Britain, an expert said

They would have circulated widely in the Roman Empire and travelled a long way.

'Republican coins and those of Antony were issued before the Roman Invasion of Britain in AD 43, and would have drifted over in the pockets of Roman soldiers and citizens alike', said Mr Chorney.

Other coins were issued by emperors who ruled during the first century AD.

'One I can see in the photograph was struck for the ill-fated emperor Otho, who only ruled for three months in (January to April AD 69), during the civil wars which followed the assassination of the notorious emperor Nero', said Mr Chorney.

'Coin finds such as this are fascinating, and are incredibly important in shedding light on the history of Roman Britain', he said.
With one billion 'full Englishes' eaten each year in the UK, the breakfast is a much-loved national staple.

But new research into English ancestry has revealed we're a lot less British than you think - meaning a 'true' fry up should look very different.

Scientists have found that English DNA now contains genes from 26 regions across the world, and have cooked up a 'real' Full English breakfast to match.

The team suggests new foods, including Scandinavian baked eggs and French cassoulet, should replace some of the breakfast's traditional ingredients.

This ensures the fry-up represents the 'diversity' of the modern Englishman in the breakfast's biggest shake-up since its invention in the Middle Ages.

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Scientists have found that English DNA now contains genes from 26 regions across the world, and have created a 'real' Full English breakfast to match. The team suggest adding new foods based on the DNA proportions (pictured) of the modern Englishman

NEW FULL ENGLISH Researchers have found the average Englishman's DNA is split between 26 global regions. They have suggested swapping ingredients from the traditional Full English with new foods to better represent this diversity. The team only included foods from regions with at least a 1 per cent stake in modern English DNA. 1) Great Britain (37.4 per cent): British pork sausages 2) Western European (20.5 per cent): French cassoulet beans 3) Irish (20.3 per cent): Irish potato farls 4) Scandinavia (9.5 per cent): Scandinavian baked eggs 5) Iberian peninsula (3.04 per cent): Spanish Iberico pork belly 6) Italy/Greece (1.9 per cent): Italian mozzarella-stuffed tomato 7) Eastern Europe and European Jewish (1.6 and 1.4 per cent): Crispy latkes Advertisement

The researchers, from London-based AncestryDNA, found that genes from Great Britain make up only 37 per cent of the average Englishman.

More than 20 per cent of a modern national's DNA is Irish, with Western Europe making up a further 20 per cent.

To match this, the researchers swapped out baked beans for French cassoulet in their modern Full English, and exchanged fried bread for Irish potato Farls.

English DNA now comprises 9.5 per cent Scandinavian heritage, with Spanish genes contributing three per cent.

To reflect this, Spanish Iberico pork replaces bacon in the new fry-up, while Scandinavian baked eggs were swapped in for the traditional fried variety.

The researchers also added Italian mozzarella-stuffed tomato and crispy latkes potatoes, replacing the classic fried tomato and toast.

These new foods represent the Italian/Greek (1.9 per cent), Eastern European (1.6 per cent) and European Jewish (1.4 per cent) heritage present in the DNA of the modern Englishman.

Each of the team's DNA tests surveyed a person's entire genome at around 700,000 locations via a saliva sample.

Several ingredients in the traditional Full English (right image) were swapped out for new ones in the researchers' new breakfast (left). While fried toast and baked beans got the chop, the experts brought in Irish potato farls and French cassoulet to replace them

During their research, the scientists found more than 26 ancestral strains running through the average English person's DNA.

While they only included regions with DNA shares above one per cent in their new breakfast, the team also found South Asian (0.6 per cent), Nigerian (0.25 per cent) and Middle Eastern (0.25 per cent) genes present.

While they only included regions with DNA shares above one per cent in their new breakfast, the team also found South Asian (0.6 per cent), Nigerian (0.25 per cent) and Middle Eastern (0.25 per cent) genes present

Talking about the project, Masterchef 2017 finalist Steve Kielty, who helped curate the breakfast, said: 'I was surprised to learn that your average English person has all these different ethnicities present within their DNA.

'In terms of how this translates to food, it was quite a challenge to incorporate the wide range of regions whilst still ensuring the breakfast looked and tasted good.

'We know people hold the full English breakfast very close to their heart, it's a national institution, which is why we chose this dish to illustrate the diversity of the country, and I'm hoping this version gets people talking about what DNA can tell us about ourselves.'

The researchers, from AncestryDNA, found that DNA from Great Britain makes up only 37 per cent of the average Englishman. They say ingredients in the traditional English dry-up (pictured) should be swapped out to represent modern English genetics
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Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk announced the latest addition to his company SpaceX's arsenal - the 'Big F***ing Rocket' (BFR) - and it could revolutionise transport on Earth as well as in space.

Musk said the vessel would both take off and land vertically, like a space rocket, and for Earth travel, will take off from floating launchpads moored outside major cities.

It would fly most routes - New York to Tokyo, for example - in about 30 minutes, and anywhere in under an hour, and Musk says the 'cost per seat should be about the same as full fare economy in an aircraft.'

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Musk says his BFR can travel anywhere in the globe within 30 minutes - and the same craft could also go to the moon and Mars

A trip from Bangkok to Dubai would take 27 minutes, and from Tokyo to Delhi in 30 minutes, according to his calculations.

It could even take people on rapid trips around Earth, with a flight from London to Dubai taking 29 minutes, while passengers will spend just half an hour in the air on flights from London to New York.

'Once you are out of the atmosphere, it would be as smooth as silk, no turbulence, nothing,' he said.

'There's no weather... and you can get to most long-distance places in less than half-an-hour.

'If we are building this thing to go to the Moon and Mars, then why not go to other places on Earth as well.'

The rocket will be bigger than any other in existence, and will take satellites to orbit, crew and cargo to the International Space Station and even lead manned missions to the moon.

Reaching speeds of 18,000 miles per hour (29,000 kmh), the BFR could carry between 80 and 200 people per trip on flights to Mars, with the rocket's first manned trip planned for 2024.

Musk boasted his rocket would be able to complete the most popular trips in under 30 minutes

Musk has already planned dozens of routes the rockets could use

THE BFR The BFR (Big F***ing Rocket) will complete all missions and is smaller than the ones Musk announced in 2016. The SpaceX CEO said the rocket would take its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2024 and claimed other SpaceX's products would be 'cannibalised' to pay for it. The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars. Once built, Musk believes the rocket could be used for travel on Earth - saying that passengers would be able to get anywhere in under an hour. Advertisement

Importantly, Musk claims the rocket will be relatively cheap as it is planned to be fully reusable, while SpaceX's current flagship Falcon 9 rocket is only partially reusable.

For lengthy transits to Mars, which could take anywhere from 150 to 300 days, the BFR boasts 40 cabins and large common areas in the craft's nose.

The nose also houses a central storage area, galley and solar storm shelter to keep passengers safe during dangerous bouts of solar activity.

The BFR will use 31 Raptor engines to produce a liftoff thrust of 5,400 tons, lifting a total mass of 4,400 tons.

Once pressurised, its cabin volume reaches 825 cubic metres - more than that of an Airbus A380 cabin.

In the next six to nine months Musk claims SpaceX will start building the first ship.

'I feel fairly confident that we should be able to complete the ship and have our first launch in about five years. Five years seems like a long time to me.'

The billionaire and Paypal founder, who made the announcements at the 2017 International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, said SpaceX's other products would be 'cannibalised' to pay for the BFR.

Customers will use hi-tech boats to travel from major cities to launchpads out at sea where rockets would take off and land

Musk has already planned dozens of routes for the rockets

Instead of operating lots of smaller crafts to deliver satellites, such as SpaceX's Falcon 9, Falcon 9 Heavy and Dragon capsule, the BFR will complete all future missions.

This morning, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk announced the latest addition to his company SpaceX's arsenal - the 'Big F***ing Rocket' (BFR)

The rocket will be bigger than any other in existence, and will take satellites to orbit, crew and cargo to the International Space Station and even lead manned missions to the moon

To cut costs, the firm has shrunk the size of the rocket ship it is developing to go to Mars, aiming to start construction on the first spaceship in the first half of next year, Musk said.

The SpaceX boss had previously planned to use a suite of space vehicles to support the colonisation of Mars, beginning with an unmanned capsule called Red Dragon in 2018.

However, he now says the company is focussed on a single, slimmer and shorter rocket instead.

'We want to make our current vehicles redundant,' he said.

Reaching speeds of 18,000 miles per hour (29,000 kmh), the BFR could carry between 80 and 200 people per trip on flights to Mars, with the rocket's first manned trip planned for 2024

Musk claims the rocket will be relatively cheap as it is planned to be fully reusable, compared to SpaceX's current flagship Falcon 9 rocket, which is only partially reusable. Pictured is the flight trajectory of the rocket to the surface of the moon

The SpaceX CEO said the BFR would take its first trip to Mars in 2022, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2024.

The rocket could even be used for rapid travel on Earth, with Musk claiming passengers would be able to get anywhere in under an hour.

He said it would take just 39 minutes to shuttle passengers between New York and Shanghai, and would cost the same as an economy air ticket.

In order to land on Mars the rocket will have a propulsive landing method - similar to the one used by Falcon 9.

The nose also houses a central storage area, galley and solar storm shelter to keep passengers safe during dangerous bouts of solar activity

Once pressurised, its cabin volume reaches 825 cubic metres - more than that of an Airbus A380 cabin. Pictured is an artist's impression of the rocket docking with the International Space Station

Musk also shared concept images of a human settlement, saying he wanted to make the red planet 'a nice place to be' with a sustainable human population of around one million.

'I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars,' he said.

'If we're building this thing to go to the Moon and Mars then why not go to other places on earth as well'.

Musk said it would take just 39 minutes to shuttle passengers between New York and Shanghai, and would cost the same as an economy air ticket.

'It's really crazy that we build these sophisticated rockets and then crash them every time we fly,' he said. 'This is mad.'

The BFR will use 31 Raptor engines (pictured) to produce a liftoff thrust of 5,400 tons, lifting a total mass of 4,400 tons

Instead of operating lots of smaller crafts to deliver satellites, such as SpaceX's Falcon 9, Falcon 9 Heavy and Dragon capsule, the BFR will complete all future missions. Pictured is an artist's impression of the rocket on the lunar surface

The first mission to Mars will aim to find water and then create a propellant plant to refuel SpaceX rockets and allow them to make return journeys to Earth. Pictured is an artist's impression of how the new rocket will refuel
Lockheed Martin's secretive Skunk Works unit is already testing a radical hypersonic update of the long-retired Mach 3 SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, it has been claimed.

According to Aviation Week, a technology demonstrator, believed to be an unmanned subscale aircraft, was observed flying into the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 at Palmdale, where Skunk Works is headquartered, in July.

The SR-72 hypersonic plane will be a strike and reconnaissance aircraft that tops Mach 6, and the firm has been working on the project since the early 2000s.

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Lockheed Martin posted an artist's impression of the craft to its website, with the caption 'The Skunk Works hypersonic design  an aircraft developed to execute Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and strike missions at speeds up to Mach 6.'

'Although I can't go into specifics, let us just say the Skunk Works team in Palmdale, California, is doubling down on our commitment to speed,' Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of aeronautics at Lockheed Martin, told the SAE International Aerotech Congress and Exhibition.

'Simply put, I believe the United States is on the verge of a hypersonics revolution.'

Hypersonic technologies, including a combined cycle propulsion system that blends a rocket engine and a supersonic jet engine, are now sufficiently advanced to allow the planned SR-72 project to begin, it is believed.

'We've been saying hypersonics is two years away for the last 20 years, but all I can say is the technology is mature and we, along with Darpa and the services, are working hard to get that capability into the hands of our warfighters as soon as possible,' Rob Weiss, Lockheed Martin's executive vice president and general manager for Advanced Development Programs, previously told Aviation Week.

'I can't give you any timelines or any specifics on the capabilities,' he said.

'It is all very sensitive.

'Some of our adversaries are moving along these lines pretty quickly and it is important we stay quiet about what is going on.

'We can acknowledge the general capability that's out there, but any program specifics are off limits.'

THE BLACKBIRD SR-71 The SR-71 was the world's fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft throughout its career. On July 28 1976 it broke the world record for absolute altitude - reaching 85,069 feet. Advertisement

That same day a different SR-71 set an absolute speed record of 2,193.2mph - a record it still holds today.

The plane was so fast that it could outrun surface-to-air missiles as it traveled close to the edge of space at about 85,000 feet, or about 16 miles above the earth.

On July 28 1976 it broke the world record for absolute altitude - reaching 85,069 feet

If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile.

The plane flew so high above the Earth's surface that Joersz said there was no real sense of speed at all with the clouds so far below.

A total of 32 of the aircraft were built which flew from 1964 to 1999; 12 were lost in accidents, but none were shot down by enemies.

Lockheed's previous reconnaissance aircraft was the relatively slow U-2, designed for the CIA.

The plane's titanium skin was capable of surviving temperatures up to 482C

In late 1957, the CIA approached the defense contractor Lockheed to build an undetectable spy plane and within ten months they had come up with the design for the Blackbird.

Flying at 80,000 ft meant that crews could not use standard masks, which would not provide enough oxygen above 43,000 ft, so specialist protective pressurised suits were made.

The plane's titanium skin was capable of surviving temperatures up to 482C.

It is expected to be around the same size as an F-22 and powered by a full-scale, combined cycle engine.

Envisioned as an unmanned aircraft, the SR-72 would fly at speeds up to Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound, Lockheed Martin has said previously.

At this speed, the aircraft would be so fast, an adversary would have no time to react or hide.

'Hypersonic aircraft, coupled with hypersonic missiles, could penetrate denied airspace and strike at nearly any location across a continent in less than an hour,' said Brad Leland, Lockheed Martin program manager, Hypersonics.

'Speed is the next aviation advancement to counter emerging threats in the next several decades.

'The technology would be a game-changer in theater, similar to how stealth is changing the battlespace today.'

Marillyn Hewson said Lockheed's engineers are on the verge of making technology such as scramjet engineers, which have been talked about for years, a reality. This illustration shows the design for the SR-72's engine. The plane will also have a 'warm structure' that will heat up during flight

Lockheed Martin posted an artist's impression of the craft to its website, with the caption 'The Skunk Works hypersonic design  an aircraft developed to execute Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and strike missions at speeds up to Mach 6.'

Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne have been working together since 2006 on work to integrate an off-the-shelf turbine with a scramjet to power an aircraft with a combined cycle propulsion system from standstill to Mach 6

'The combined cycle work is still occurring and obviously a big breakthrough in the air-breathing side of hypersonics is the propulsion system,' Weiss revealed.

'The technology of the 'air breather has been matured and work is continuing on those capabilities to demonstrate that they are ready to go and be fielded,' he adds.

It comes as Boeing has pledged to make hypersonic passengers planes a reality - and says they could be operating within a decade.

'I think in the next decade or two you're going to see them become a reality,' Boeing Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg told CNBC at the Paris Air Show.

However, he admitted the firm still has to prove there are enough people who could afford tickets to make it worthwhile.

'I think in the next decade or two you're going to see them become a reality,' Boeing Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg told CNBC at the Paris Air Show. He believes the firm's work on experimental craft such as the firm's work on the X-51 Waverider (pictured) would also prove invaluable.

'There is still work to do on closing the business case to make sense for our customers,' said Muilenburg, who said the firm's work on the X-51 Waverider would also prove invaluable.

'But we see future innovations where you could connect around the world in about two hours.'

Hypersonic jets, flying at up to Mach 5, or 3,800 mph, could allow passengers to dramatically cut journey times.

For example, a commercial flight from New York to Shanghai currently takes about 15 hours - but at hypersonic speeds, could take two.

NASA recently said it is is seeking proposals for the development of its supersonic X-plane, with plans to begin work as early as next year.

The Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator aims to produce a much lower 'boom' than other supersonic aircraft, and NASA is hoping to see the first flight tests take place in 2021.

Lockheed Martin has been working on the preliminary design, with hopes to move on to build the demonstrator, but NASA has now opened the door for other companies to submit their own designs as well.

Boeing recently won a military contract to build a 'big bother' for the secretive X-37b spaceplane.

Boeing declined to say how much it will put into development of the vehicle, which it calls Phantom Express, with DARPA, which is an agency under the U.S. Department of Defense.

About the size of a business jet, Phantom Express will take off like a rocket, boost itself beyond the atmosphere and release an expendable second-stage rocket and satellite, then turn around and land like an airplane on a runway.

The project, known as XS-1, is expected to debut in 2020, and military bosses claim it will 'bolster national security by providing short-notice, low-cost access to space.'
More than twenty wannabe Robinson Crusoes have applied to live on a tiny, mile-long windswept island off the coast of western France.

The nation's government have been advertising for a new couple to look after Quemenes for several months - and the successful applicants are soon to be announced.

The current tenants, David and Soizic Cuisnier, have been living on the island for ten years but now they are heading back to the mainland to pursue a business in seaweed farming.

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Real-life castaways: David and Soizic Cuisnier have been living on Quemenes for ten years

The tiny island, often hit by stormy weather, is located off the west coast of France

There are several farm buildings on the spit of land and the Cuisniers have spent years renovating the shelters

They are also keen to be closer to schools for their daughter Chloe, aged seven, and five-year-old son, Jules.

When the Cuisniers first moved to the spot following an advert posted by the coastal protection agency, there was no running water or electricity and they spent months getting everything in working order.

They went about installing contraptions to collect rain water and harness solar and wind energy.

In a bid to make a living - a condition of living on the island - they took to growing potatoes, rearing sheep and collecting seaweed.

There is a smaller island next Quemenes but it is used as a marine base and off limits

A shot of the kitchen area, which features a mix of standard appliances including a gas stove and wash basin

There are several bedrooms in the main house which also serves as a bed and breakfast

David drives his electric car on the island. When the Cuisniers first moved to the spot their was no electricity or running water but they installed contraptions to harness natural resources

They also renovated the dilapidated stone buildings and opened a guesthouse on their farm for paying guests.

Soizic told the BBC that she'll be sad to leave but she and her husband are looking forward to a new adventure.

She added: 'No question when we leave I shall be in tears! These ten years of our life have been amazing.'

But the couple warn that island life isn't always plain sailing.

They told Sud Ouest: 'There have been times when the system has been disrupted: our aluminium boat, the only access to the continent, which stops working, our tractor and we do not talk about the winter storms or the sudden invasions of thousands of rabbits devouring potatoes.'

In a bid to make a living - a condition of living on the island - they went about growing potatoes, rearing sheep and collecting seaweed

The Cuisniers also renovated dilapidated stone buildings and opened a guesthouse on their farm for paying guests

Reassuring applicants about island life, David concluded: 'Never once have we felt alone!'

The new inhabitants must also be comfortable with the lack of plumbing and there are currently only sawdust toilets

The new inhabitants must also be comfortable with the lack of plumbing and there are currently only sawdust toilets.

On the upside, there is internet, an electric vehicle to get about in and a helicopter ambulance in the vicinity in case of emergency.

The new occupants are set to land in the New Year.

According to the BBC, the advert looking for people to move to the mile-long island of Quemenes reads: 'Wanted: Person(s) to run Brittany island.

'Must be practical-minded and resilient. Farmhouse provided. Solitude guaranteed.'

Reassuring applicants about island life, David concluded: 'Never once have we felt alone!'
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It was a race for the skies and the Soviets were winning, thanks to a dose of espionage and underground planning.

On December 31, 1968, a Moscow-based aerospace company unveiled a high speed plane three months before Concorde's first test flight.

Boasting the same narrow body and needle-like nose to its British-French competitor the Tupolev Tu-144 - masterminded by Soviet aerospace engineer A.N. Tupolev - wheeled out of a secret hangar and successfully completed a 38-minute trip at record-setting speeds.

On December 31, 1968, the Soviets unveiled a high speed plane which looked very similar to Concorde (above, the Tupolev Tu-144 seen in 1971 at the Paris Air Show)

Guests inspect the interiors of the new Soviet-built aircraft at a press launch at Moscow airport on May 21, 1969

A view of the Tupolev Tu-144 - masterminded by Soviet aerospace engineer A.N. Tupolev - surrounded by various other Soviet-built aircraft including a Mil V-12, Yakovlev Yak-40, Tupolev Tu-134 and Ilyushin Il-62 at Le Bourget Airport during the 1971 Paris Air Show

At the Paris Air Show on June 3, 1973, the plane fell out of the sky, burst into flames and crash-landed in the village of Goussainville, killing six crew members and eight people on the ground, including three children. Above, part of the crashed Tupolev Tu-144's engine

Due to its Concordesque appearance, the jet - which first went supersonic on June 5, 1969 - was nicknamed the 'Konkordski'.

Despite its flawless first flight, another much-publicised outing by the Tupolev Tu-144 proved to be a disaster.

At the Paris Air Show on June 3, 1973, the plane fell out of the sky, burst into flames and crash-landed in the village of Goussainville, killing six crew members and eight people on the ground, including three children. It also destroyed 15 houses.

The incident set progress back and Concorde won the race to be the first to launch a passenger service in 1975.

Two years later - on November 1, 1977 - the Tupolev Tu-144 finally welcomed customers on an Aeroflot route between Moscow and Alma-Ata (now Almaty) in Kazakhstan.

The plane carried passengers at a speed of around 1,200mph and at an average of 52,000ft.

However, the following year the commercial service was stopped after another test flight crash and a string of failures.

The Tupolev Tu-144 continued to fly cargo routes until it was finally grounded in 1983. In total, 17 of the models were built and around 100 commercial flights completed.

Like Concorde, it was prohibitively expensive to run the Tupolev Tu-144 and it was plagued by malfunctions.

From left to right: The Tupolev Tu-144's test pilot Mikha Kozlov, the engine's commander Edouard Elian, the chief engineer A.A. Tupolev, the academician A.N. Tupolev and engineers Vladimir Benderov andYuri Seliverstov

On November 1, 1977, the Tupolev Tu-144 finally welcomed customers on an Aeroflot route between Moscow and Alma-Ata (now Almaty) in Kazakhstan (above, pictured in 1971 in Le Bourget, France)

Due to its Concordesque appearance, the jet - which first went supersonic on June 5, 1969 - was nicknamed the 'Konkordski'

The Tupolev Tu-144's commercial service was stopped in 1978 after another test flight crash and a string of failures. Above, air hostesses seen at a press launch at Moscow airport in 1969

The Tupolev Tu-144 continued to fly cargo routes until it was finally grounded in 1983. In total, 17 of the models were built and around 100 commercial flights completed

Crowds gather to view the Tupolev Tu-144 at the Paris Airshow in May 1971. The plane was well ahead of its time

The first flights of the new Soviet airliner Tupolev Tu-144. This plane carried passengers at a speed of around 1,200mph, at an average of 52,000ft. In the picture, the Tu-144 is being escorted by a fighter jet during the trial flight of January 8, 1969

View of the wreckage of the Tupolev Tu-144 that crashed during the Paris air show, killing all six on board and eight on the ground. It also destroyed 15 houses in Goussainville
An eclectic array of memorabilia from the late President John F. Kennedy, including a speedboat, will be offered at auction next week alongside a slice of Cold War espionage intrigue.

The auction, by Guernsey's in New York City over October 6-7th, will feature Kennedy's restored 17-foot mahogany vessel, which comes complete with an unusual name.

Kennedy patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. had a boat named 'Tenovus' - a creatively-spelled reference to the number of Kennedy family members at the time: 'ten of us.'

Back in the day: John F. Kennedy sat at the wheel of his speedboat, Restofus, in the late 1950s

Later, when he won the speedboat in a church raffle, it got the name 'Restofus' - a nod to the 'rest of us' in the expanding family. That became JFK's personal boat.

After the nation's 35th president died, the boat went to his brother, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and then to other owners. Its pre-sale estimate is $100,000 to $150,000 (74,000-112,000).

Other nautically themed offerings include a porcelain demitasse cup and saucer, trimmed with 24 karat gold, from the presidential yacht U.S.S. Honey Fitz, estimated at $800 to $1,200 (598-898).

There's also a pair of Kennedy's linen swimming trunks, expected to fetch $3,000- $4,000 (2,245-2,994); and the first lady's teal one-piece bathing suit for $4,000-$6,000 (2,994-4,491).

The wide array of Camelot-lots - over 500 - includes documents, photos, stationery, even inscribed sterling silver baby toothbrushes.

There are numerous consignors. The core of the sale comes from the collections of Lt. Henry Hirschy, who worked at the White House; Jacqueline Kennedy's personal secretary, Mary Gallagher; and CIA operative Francis Gary Powers, whose story was the basis for Steven Spielberg's 'Bridge of Spies'.

Up for grabs: The boat's pre-sale estimate is $100,000 to $150,000 (74,000-112,000)

History: Former US President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy pictured as they left the White House

Powers, a pilot for the CIA's U-2 program, was arrested after his spy plane was shot down over Soviet airspace in 1960.

The collection includes his orange flight suit, expected to get $10,000-$15,000 (7,486-11,229), worn in numerous U-2 test missions, along with an undershirt and brown lace-up boots.

And, yes, spies did really wear trench coats back in the day: in Powers' case, one black and one tan, estimated at $2,500 to $3,500 (1,800-2,620) apiece.

They also had to answer the call of nature, like everybody else - resulting in a very quirky lot.

Described by auctioneers as a 'historic and straightforward piece of equipment,' the plastic and metal 'containment vessel' allowed Powers to relieve himself during long flights. It has a presale estimate of $2,000 to $3,000 (1,497-2,246).








Opinion / Columnist

This past week has been filled with epiphanies that led to a rethought of popular subscribed ideologies. Allow me to start with rooting of the thinking here. Popular movements have often succeeded or otherwise largely because of who backs them up, and how much of a crowd puller that person is. That epiphany advanced from how the obviously devious Hitler, being a charismatic character, managed to convince the majority in Germany at that time that to massacre the Jews was the super answer to their national problems. While that thought was still building ground, I found myself thinking of the popular ideologies and concepts that may seem noble today, and pondered on one sticky question. Do we (as a people), adhere to those thinking points because we logically have falsified any otherwise thinking or it is simply because the significant other said it is right and we bought into it. Let us start our premise with the understanding that no individual embodies the truth, but together we may get nearer.The sad implication of the psychology embedded in such 'shortcut party identification' is that it is extended to public policy resolutions that tend to dent the democracy we so much want to adhere to. A good question that should be asked to anyone who supports any public policy idea should be, where do you identify yourself in that bigger skim, how does it benefit you? Most importantly, this level begs you to suspend any ideas and opinions you may have on the subject to logically think on its terms before you can adopt a side. When, as a people, we advance from that thinking, that's only when we can harvest the good that democratic societies promise.Moreover, the irking problem is how the said thinking tend to justify mediocrity. It is often taken to be true what the significant other says about any idea to the extent that the hearer does not bother falsifying it in an attempt to get closer to the truth. Shortcut party identification manifests itself more in-group thinking. This I say cognizant of the fact that factions and interests (read, political parties) are in themselves an opinion of the people. The people often being one proton of the subsect of that which I choose to call factions and interests. The rest become rehearsed thinkers in the broader skim of thinking points. This point should be read with full knowledge of the power of people (outside the 'proton') in that bigger faction and/or interest group  this is manifested by their nod of aligning to the thinking of the proton when they vote 'yes'.The few dotted thinkers among the people who may have dissenting opinions from the significant other tend to be supressed. In the process, that creates cracks in intra-fraction/interest groups. While the faction/interest group would love to theoretically romanticize the hierarchy to thinking that everyone is allowed an opinion, it has been systematically encultured into the daily routines to the extent that it sometimes is called protocol. It perhaps would be succinct to note that protocol in practice says 'listen but don't question', any act of questioning despite the legitimacy of the concern is rendered breach of protocol.As it is known that political institutions do not behave in a certain way, it is true that individuals in those political institutions cause those institutions to behave in the manner that they operate. The above wisdom unpacked the asymmetrical intra-party policy participation dynamics; it is therefore crucial to graduate the implications of those effects to inter-party policy formulation dynamics in Zimbabwe. The hierachisation of policy opinion in a multi-party democracy has contributed much to the nature of policies pursued by any government. Policies that emerge from higher regions of power concentration are adopted to be true not because they are good but because of where they originate. In the same manner, policy opinions from regions of lower power concentration are overlooked not because they are weak but because the authority advancing them does not have the capability to fervently introduce them into the policymaking box.In a multi-party democracy, actors usually neglect the nature of human beings and how their lived experiences determine policy opinions. In Zimbabwe, a lot of factors contribute to public policy formulation, our multi-party democracy is not founded on difference of opinion alone. However, it is also entrenched in historical differences which are sometimes recipes for hatred for the other parties. A moment of digression, in the house of assembly where most policy discussions take place, legislators from the opposition do not always dismiss opinions from legislators from the ruling party on the basis that those opinions are wrong but because of the narrow acceptance of the word "oppose". Consequentially, legitimate policy initiatives that emanate from diverse groups of people are uncritically dismissed, hence creating policy gaps from which those groups fall.The same dilemma of provincially dismissing policies because of the mover is still true even from the ruling party. When individuals outside the ruling party raise policy opinions, individuals in the ruling party uncritically assume that every suggestion from a member of opposition is targeting to unseat them from power; hence, the preferred response is a political one to crush all those dissenting opinions since they would have been deemed to be elements of political insurgency. This given scenario plays a critical role in determining the scope of our national policies; policies that succeed are thereby not holistic since some opinions that reflect a people are deliberately overlooked for political reasons. It is logical to then conclude that most of what we think of as national policies are really merely policies for the proton within and amongst fractions/interest groups. A formidable understanding of national policies is that they should be a result of the collective, after convincing individuals even outside your faction/interest group. While pursuing party selfish policy interests may be justified, in pursuit of that, the process should not be at the expense of the people, even those outside the active faction/interest groups.The mantra of a multi-party democracy system in policy formulation is to collect every opinion that resembles a group of people, after the process of collecting; those opinions in their diversity must be conglomerated to form a rational and all-inclusive policy structure. If every human being is allowed to pursue their individual interests within the scope of our legal framework, individuals of similar interests are most likely to end up in the same groups.Feedback can be sent to pofela@abakhokheli.org cc tedious@abakhokheli.orgPofela Ndzozi is a communication specialist, with Leaders for Africa Network as the Communication and Advocacy Officer.Tedious Ncube is a Political Science and Public Management Researcher with Leaders for Africa Network
They are working together in a hotly-anticipated Woody Allen project.

And Elle Fanning and Jude Law added to the growing buzz shrouding the untitled film when they were spotted filming on the streets of New York City on Thursday.

The 19-year-old actress rocked a preppy ensemble while Oscar-nominated star Jude showed off his thinning mane as he was pictured onset for the first time.

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Graceful: Elle Fanning had a preppy look as she filmed scenes for Woody Allen's upcoming film in New York on Thursday

Elle was clad in an outfit she previously shot scenes in on Tuesday, donning a teal sweater over a white collared shirt, teamed with a pleated skirt, white fishnet stockings and simple nude pumps.

The Super 8 star had her blonde locks down and parted, with minimal makeup on her milky complexion as she filmed alongside Law.

Law, 44, who currently stars in HBO's The Young Pope, was layered in seasonal colors perfect for the shoot, with a sangria purple coat over a button-up grape top over an ash grey T-shirt.

Casual: She was joined by Oscar-nominated star Jude Law - who was pictured onset for the first time - kept his look casual in corduroy trousers and a cardigan

Star power: The pair appeared to be in great spirits as they headed onset

The Sherlock Holmes star rounded out his outfit with seaweed green pants and dark brown suede Oxford shoes.

Fanning and Law were seen both filming and chatting with a production assistant.

Law was earlier snapped making his way to the set in a black T-shirt, black sweatpants and blue sneakers.

Refined: Elle said she and her young co-stars Selena Gomez and Timothee Chalamet are 'all really nervous' working for the venerated filmmaker

Focused: Law was seen wearing a pair of glasses amid the production of the movie

Allen's upcoming project features an ensemble cast mixing Hollywood veterans and young superstars, including Selena Gomez, Timothee Chalamet, Liev Schreiber, Kelly Rohrbach, Diego Luna, Annaleigh Ashford, Cherry Jones, Will Rogers and Rebecca Hall.

Fanning earlier this month told Vanity Fair that the opportunity to work with the Oscar-winning director on his movie for Amazon Studios marked 'a whole new experience' in her career.

She said that she, Gomez and Chalamet 'have a group chat' between the three of them to encourage one another through the lofty career milestone.

Buzzing: Fanning and Law walked with a crew member on the Manhattan set of the film

Iconic: Woody Allen, 81, wore his trademark fisherman's hat as he directed traffic on the set

'I think we are all really nervous,' she said, 'but we are in it together.'

She explained to the magazine how Allen has a transportation system in place that has resulted in the occasional bonding experience.

'His crew picks up the cast in these giant vans that come up to your apartment in New York,' she told the publication.

'Sometimes youre the only person getting in the van. The first time Timothee was in the van, we spent the first 25 minutes talking to each other.'

Get to the point: The seasoned performer arrived in a nondescript black ensemble
She's one of the most stylish women in television.

But it seems fans weren't too impressed with Rebecca Maddern's choice of outfit for The AFL Footy Show's Grand Final on Thursday.

Many flocked to Twitter, calling her pink suit a 'disaster.'

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'She looks like a musk stick!' Fans slam Rebecca Maddern's 'disastrous' pink suit on The Footy Show Grand Final special

'Rebecca Maddern looks like a musk stick,' one fan tweeted.

Another added: 'Rebecca, what are you wearing?! #PinkOverload #Disaster #AreYouACakeDecoration.'

Another fan tweeted: 'Why doesn't Bec Maddern wear a black suit to match everyone else?'

You couldn't miss her! During the show, the blonde beauty, 40, wore a plunging blazer with pink wide-leg trouser pants

'Rebecca Maddern looks like a musk stick,' one fan tweeted

Not impressed: Another added: 'Rebecca, what are you wearing?! #PinkOverload #Disaster #AreYouACakeDecoration'

During the show, the blonde beauty, 40, wore a plunging blazer with pink wide-leg trouser pants.

The bottom of the blazer featured thick white stripes.

Her look was completed with natural-looking makeup, and she had her hair out and freshly blow-dried.

Rebecca barely puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion, and often shares her outfits with fans online.

Ouch: Another fan tweeted: 'Why doesn't Bec Maddern wear a black suit to match everyone else?'

Stylish: Rebecca barely puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion and often shares her outfits with fans online

Meanwhile, earlier this year comedian Dave Hughes and other co-hosts revealed a banner on the show that told Maddern: 'Without makeup, u (sic) look like Shrek!'

In June, Rebecca brushed off the criticis after fans said the comment was 'shameful,' 'disgraceful,' and an example of 'workplace bullying.'

Rebecca said she didn't feel like a victim and doesn't want people to portray her as one.

'I thank everybody for their concern, and there are so many people who are concerned about me, but I'm really fine,' Rebecca told Stellar.

'I'm more than fine. In fact, I've never been so happy in the workplace  People reading this will probably fall off their chairs.'
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She is one of the world's hottest and youngest models.

And 16-year-old Kaia Gerber proved she is a force to be reckoned with as she shared the runway with catwalk vet Naomi Campbell, 47, at the Off-White fashion show at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

The daughter of model icon Cindy Crawford, 51, stunned in a fashion forward ensemble that added width to her slender figure.

Fashion forward: 16-year-old Kaia Gerber proved she is a force to be reckoned with as she shared the runway with catwalk vet Naomi Campbell, 47, at the Off-White fashion show at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday

Kaia was styled in a tan suite-inspired top, high-waisted denim, and white pointed-toe booties.

The leggy 16-year-old wore natural make-up with her hair slick back into a low bun.

Naomi walked the runway in a white button-up coat that featured pleated ruffles on one side.

The runway vet rocked white skin-tight biker-shorts along with clear PVC heels.

Best foot forward: The daughter of model icon Cindy Crawford, 51, stunned in a fashion forward ensemble that added width to her slender figure

Getting ready: Kaia and Naomi also shared the runway last week at the Versace fashion show for the Milan Fashion Week

Rising star: Kaia continues to make large cadences in modeling, as she walks for the most prominent names in the business

Kaia and Naomi also shared the runway last week at the Versace fashion show for the Milan Fashion Week.

Naomi and Kaia's mom Cindy have been long-time friends since their golden days as model in the 90s.

Kaia continues to make large cadences in modeling, as she walks for the most prominent names in the business.

As for modeling Veteran Naomi, the catwalk star looked fierce as she led the pack of models on the Off-White runway.

Virgil Abloh, who is the designer of Off-White, kept the ensemble hues neutral and only featured minimal amount of color for the 2018 Spring Summer collection.

The new fashion pieces resembled women's work wear created with a variety of distinctive textures.

Packing heat: Naomi looked fierce as she led the pack of models on the runway

Man in charge: Virgil Abloh, who is the designer of Off-White, kept the ensemble hues neutral and only featured minimal amount of color for the 2018 Spring Summer collection

Pose: The new fashion pieces resembled women's work wear created with a variety of distinctive textures

The designer and Naomi had some fun as the two smiled and posed at the end of the show.

Virgil rocked black jeans, sneakers, and a graphic T-shirt that featured a women's face and phone number on the front.

Other models joined Kaia on the runway, such as Jourdan Dunn and Romee Strijd.

On the catwalk, Jourdan rocked a denim on denim ensemble, while Romee stepped out in a black and white dress that featured a slit.

Other models joined Kaia on the runway, such as Jourdan Dunn and Romee Strijd

All the models pose as the they display the new Off-White Spring Summer 2018 collection

Supportive: And backstage designer Virgil greeted his famous pals, musician Lenny Kravitz and French fashion executive Alexandre Arnault

French fashion journalist and blogger Olivier Zahm was spotted front row, while accompanied by a friend

Many prominent stars attended the Off-White fashion show on Thursday.

French fashion journalist and blogger Olivier Zahm was spotted front row, while accompanied by a friend.

And backstage designer Virgil greeted his famous pals, musician Lenny Kravitz and French fashion executive Alexandre Arnault.

Coca-Cola inspired: The 5ft9in catwalker was later seen sporting a $500 red Etudes AW/17 'Never-Mind' sweater over a black turtleneck and white Nike sneakers with no pants

Nepotism: Its hard to believe the skinny IMG Model has only been modeling professionally for the last five years

Man of the hour: Kaia - pictured with the designer - seems to have a great support system as her mom, dad, and brother have followed to every fashion week

Kaia seems to have a great support system as her mom, dad, and brother have followed to every fashion week.

At the Versace show in Milan, Cindy and Kaia made the outing a family affair as they walked the runway for the first time together.

Her mother made a grand return to the catwalk last week, closing the Versace show in Milan with fellow 'supers' Claudia Schiffer, 47, Naomi Campbell, 47, Helen Christensen, 48, and Carla Bruni, 49.

Cindy quit modeling in 2000, because she wanted to spend more time raising her family.
Goodbye Christopher Robin (PG)

Rating:

Verdict: Bittersweet biopic

Just imagine if J.K. Rowling had invented her Harry Potter universe to entertain her son, also called Harry. Imagine if she had incorporated all his childish enthusiasms into her books, such as a love of magic and the contents of his dressing-up box.

And consider how damaging it might have been for him if she had then conspired to turn little Harry into a global celebrity in his own right, forcing him to give interviews and sign autographs while he also watched his own childhood memories being sequestered by millions.

Domhnall Gleeson and Will Tilston in Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)

There is a lot of dappled sunlight in this film. And when the sun doesnt dapple, it streams through windows, casting a golden glow on everything it touches

Well, thats what happened 90-odd years ago to Christopher Robin Milne, the son of Winnie-the-Pooh creator A.A. Milne. And thats the story told in Goodbye Christopher Robin, which opens on a sun-dappled glade in what a caption tells us is Ashdown Forest in East Sussex  the inspiration for Hundred Acre Wood, home to Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Eeyore and co.

There is a lot of dappled sunlight in this film. And when the sun doesnt dapple, it streams through windows, casting a golden glow on everything it touches.

A.A. Milne is married to the beautiful, fun-loving Daphne (Margot Robbie, a fine Australian actress whose cut-glass English accent, alas, is somewhat chipped around the rim)

Apart from one scene in which there is snow on the ground, deep and crisp and even, the England that director Simon Curtis (My Week With Marilyn) conjures up is one of perennial summer. But the sunshine is deliberately misleading, no more reflecting a nation recovering from the horrors of World War I than it does the superficially gilded life of A.A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson). Alan Alexander Milne is a celebrated playwright and humorist, one of the literary stars of his generation. He is married to the beautiful, fun-loving Daphne (Margot Robbie, a fine Australian actress whose cut-glass English accent, alas, is somewhat chipped around the rim).

Alans famous wit enlivens many a London soiree. But his experiences on the Somme have left him with what we know now as post-traumatic stress disorder.

The only person who understands what he is going through is another war veteran, his friend and illustrator E.H. (Ernest) Shepard (Stephen Campbell Moore). Even at the best of times, Alan is unable to express emotion. After his fathers death, Christopher observed that the great A.A. Milne had spent his whole life with his heart buttoned up inside his chest.

The line is not in the film, but it very much informs Gleesons portrayal, which never quite surmounts the difficulty of how to play stiff without giving a stiff performance.

In the mid-Twenties, with his creative juices drying up, Alan moves his wife and son (cherubically played as a child by Will Tilston and as an older boy by Alex Lawther) out of London to the Sussex countryside. He is intent on writing a powerful anti-war polemic.

Ive had enough of making people laugh, I want to make them see, he cries, self-importantly, hardly imagining that his name would instead become synonymous with an excitable tiger, a gloomy donkey and a bear of very little brain. He and Daphne have an affectionate pet name for little Christopher  Billy Moon  but thats pretty much where their affection stops.

Alan begins making up stories, based on the childs cuddly toys. Christopher Robin Milne is pictured as a child

Daphne, in particular, is incorrigibly spoilt and selfish behind her perfect smile. The boys main source of love is his adoring nanny, Olive (Kelly Macdonald), whom he calls Nou.

Only when Nou leaves to be with her sick mother, and with Daphne also away, flightily gallivanting in London, do father and son hesitantly start to bond.

Alan begins making up stories, based on the childs cuddly toys. Sweetly, if at times fancifully, the script by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Simon Vaughan explains the origins of some of the worlds favourite childrens characters. Winnie-the-Pooh is inspired partly by a Canadian bear in London Zoo called Winnipeg, but also by Alans fondness for names with the in the middle: William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart, Joanna the Mad.

Christopher Robin Milne is pictured with his wife Lesley, nee de Selincourt

And Pooh was originally the name he and Billy Moon gave a swan, because if it didnt respond, they could just pretend they were saying pooh. All this is delightfully intimate and whimsically charming, but as with all the rays of sunshine, appearances are deceptive.

Following the publication of two spectacularly successful volumes of poetry, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six, and of two books of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin becomes the most famous boy in the world.

Sackfuls of fan mail arrive by the day. In modern parlance, everyone wants a piece of him. Of course, we are far better equipped now to understand the unsettling ramifications of such celebrity. The Milnes arent.

They play along with the media circus long before anyone would have called it that, exhibiting a lack of judgment that even their naivety hardly excuses.

Although a final caption reassures us that Christopher Robin found personal happiness in the end, its hardly surprising that he never really discovered the honey in his relationship with his parents.

So in a way this is a film, though set in an England that looks like an Art Deco museum, with a very modern message: namely, that extreme fame can be extremely corrosive. Anyone expecting a celebration of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends will be disappointed, perhaps even mildly traumatised. But it is a tale worth telling, all the same.
Pamela Anderson looked to be back in good spirits on Thursday after mourning the death of Hugh Hefner earlier in the day.

The American sex icon, 50, pulled a series of funny faces as she exited the L'Oreal Paris X Balmain Paris lipstick collection at L'Ecole de Medecine in Paris, France.

Clearly proving she was having the time of her life, the star proved she was still as sizzling as her Baywatch days as she stunned in a form fitting metallic silver and black mini dress.

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Having fun: Pamela Anderson, 50, pulled a series of funny faces as she exited the L'Oreal Paris X Balmain Paris lipstick collection at L'Ecole de Medecine in Paris, France

Unable to wipe the smile from her face, Pamela ensured all focus on herself as she made a sexy exit from the glamorous party.

The actress' thigh-skimming garment gave fans a glimpse of her toned legs, which were lengthened by a pair of bondage-inspired black heels.

The clingy number hugged onto the contours of her sensational, toned physique.

The Balmain dress retails for an eye-watering $2,730 and is from the brand's 2017 Autumn/Winter collection.

Hot: Clearly proving she was having the time of her life, the star proved she was still as sizzling as her Baywatch days as she stunned in a form fitting metallic silver and black mini dress

The man of the hour: Pam struck a pose with Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing near a hot rod

Affectionate: Pamela showered her fashionable pals with kisses on his cheek

Work it! Pamela struck a series of saucy poses as she held onto her chic handbag with her perfectly manicured hands

She's a dime: The actress' thigh-skimming garment gave fans a glimpse of her toned legs, which were lengthened by a pair of bondage-inspired black heels

The beauty's clutch, also by the brand, cost nearly as much as her dress, retailing at $2,182.

Pam's signature blonde locks were perfectly tousled the same way they were as she skyrocketed to fame in the 90's on Baywatch.

At the event, she was seen hanging with Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing as well as famed fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth.

Earlier that day, Anderson attended Balmain's fashion show for Paris Fashion Week, but kept her eyes covered with a pair of sunglasses.

Babe watch: The star put her best foot forward ion a pair of bondage-inspired black heels

Good spirits: Pamela, who earlier in the day mourned the loss of Hugh Hefner, did not wear sunglasses to the event like she had to an event earlier in the day

Icon: Her signature blonde locks were perfectly tousled the same way they were in the 90's

Strike a pose: Anderson and Rousteing had an impromptu photo session with the classic car

The outing came after Pamela paid tribute to Hugh - who died of natural causes at the Playboy Mansion in the Holmby Hills neighbourhood of West Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Baywatch star broke down in tears as she bid farewell to the media mogul in an emotional Instagram video, which she accompanied with a poignant poem.

Pamela, who starred on the Playboy cover three times including her last nude shoot,, wrote in a poem: 'Mr Hefner, I have so many thoughts, I have no brain right now to edit.

'I am me because of you. You taught me everything important about freedom and respect. Outside of my family. You were the most important person in my life. You gave me my life. People tell me all the time. That I was your favourite.'

Muse: Anderson held hands with celebrity photographer Ellen von Unwerth on the red carpet

The blondes: The girls palled around for photographers before heading into the event

Lovely: Pam's friend Courtney Love skipped the red carpet but was spotted inside the party

She continued: 'I'm in such deep shock. But you were old, your back hurt you so much. Last time I saw you you were using a walker.

'You didn't want me to see. You couldn't hear. You had a piece of paper in your pocket you showed me - with my name Pamela with a heart around it.'

The former Playmate went on to write: 'Everything anyone loves about me is because you understood me. Accepted me and encouraged me to be myself.

'You loved my boys. You were always, always there for us. With your love, your crazy wisdom. I will miss your everything. Thank you for making the world a better place.

'A freeer and sexier place. You were a gentleman, charming, elegant, chivalrous And so much fun. Goodbye Hef ... Your Pamela.'

Black and white: Winnie Harlow rocked a loose fitting pant suit with just a bra underneath

Red hot: Singer Caroline Vreeland showed off her fiery red gown from every angle

Model mayhem: Rousteing posed with Maria Borges, Doutzen Kroes, Grace Bol, Cindy Bruna, Alexina Graham and Soo Joo Park at his event

Rock on: Doutzen sported a mini dress that looked to be inspired by vintage rock concert shirts

Having a Bol: Grace modelled an intricately-designed mini dress that showed off her incredible legs




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The New York City Ballet's 2017 Fall Fashion Gala on Thursday was the perfect night out for couples Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, and Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys to get all gussied up.

The 52-year-old former Sex And The City actress looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder sparkly midnight blue dress.

Featuring shredded layers, SJP's dress cinched in under her bust and again around her waist, before flowing out at the skirt.

Stepping out in style... Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker joined Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell for the New York City Ballet's 2017 Fall Fashion Gala on Thursday

She wore a pair of patterned black and silver stilettos, and carried a small blue satin evening bag.

The Divorce actress' hair was elegantly slicked back in a bun, and she accessorized with jeweled earrings and wore grey smokey eye makeup.

Meanwhile, Matthew looked handsome in a black tuxedo.

The couple - who have been married for 20 years - were seen sweetly attending to one another on the red carpet.

Blue steel: The 52-year-old former Sex And The City actress looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder sparkly midnight blue dress

Feel the love... The couple - who have been married for 20 years - were seen sweetly attending to one another on the red carpet

Quick touch-up: Gazing adoringly at her beau, SJP was seen fixing the 55-year-old Ferris Bueller's Day Off actor's windswept hair

All torn up... Featuring shredded layers, SJP's dress cinched in under her bust and again around her waist, before flowing out at the skirt

Gazing adoringly at her beau, SJP was seen fixing the 55-year-old Ferris Bueller's Day Off actor's windswept hair.

The other Matthew - Rhys, that is - was seen doing the same for his partner and co-star on The Americans, Keri.

Posing for photos together on the pink carpet, the 42-year-old Welsh-born actor was seen lovingly reaching out to attend to his 41-year-old girlfriend's tresses.

Going strong: Keri and Matthew have been together for four years, and have a one-year-old son together named Sam

Leading the way... Matthew was seen guiding his girlfriend with a gentle hand on her back, as she looked up in awe at the building in front of them

Hair care: Posing for photos together on the pink carpet, the 42-year-old Welsh-born actor was seen lovingly reaching out to attend to his 41-year-old girlfriend's tresses

Blacking out: Keri looked stunning in an asymmetrical black mini-dress with bunching and frill detailing and a Tyler Ellis clutch

The couple have been together for four years, and have a one-year-old son together named Sam.

Keri looked stunning in an asymmetrical Johanna Ortiz black mini-dress with bunching and frill detailing.

The former Felicity star teamed her one-shoulder dress with a pair of black pointy-toe stilettos with clear side panels and a Tyler Ellis clutch.

Glamorous: Other stars who turned out for the event included Malin Akerman (left) who stepped out in a long burnt orange Johanna Ortiz dress, and professional ballet dancer Mimi Staker (right) who opted for an off-the-shoulder black gown with a thigh-high split

Dressed up: Like SJP, Andy Cohen (left) also opted for midnight blue, stepping out in a dark tux, while model Hari Nef (right) opted for a long black dress and carried a pink fur stole

She also donned a jeweled cuff bracelet on one wrist, her long brown hair worn loose.

Meanwhile, her actor beau scrubbed up nicely in a black tux.

Other stars who turned out for the event included Malin Akerman, 39, who stepped out in a long burnt orange print dress, and professional ballet dancer Mimi Staker, who opted for an off-the-shoulder black gown with a thigh-high split.

Like SJP, Andy Cohen, 49, also opted for midnight blue, stepping out in a dark tux, while model Hari Nef, 24, opted for a long black dress and carried a pink fur stole.

Stylish: Rebecca Hall (left) went with white, stepping out in a dress with grommets and zip detailing, while Nicky Hilton Rothschild (right) showed off her baby bump in a strapless watermelon colored gown

Bright star: Michelle Monaghan was also in attendance, stepping out in a billowy blue and green gown, which she teamed with white high heels

Rebecca Hall, 35, went with white, stepping out in a dress with grommets and zip detailing, while Nicky Hilton Rothschild, 33, showed off her baby bump in a strapless watermelon colored gown.

Michelle Monaghan, 41, was also in attendance, stepping out in a billowy blue and green gown, which she teamed with white high heels.

The annual fall gala is an event which pairs 'choreographers with fashion designers for uniquely collaborative creations', according to the New York City Ballet website.
Brimstone (18)

Verdict: Gruesome Western

Rating:

This debut English-language feature from Dutch writer-director Martin Koolhoven is a powerful and at times upsettingly gruesome film, a western with horror elements and a performance by Guy Pearce as a spooky preacher that will accompany you all the way home.

The film is divided into four chapters, of which the first three are told in reverse. Dakota Fanning plays Liz, a mute midwife living among religious Dutch settlers in 19th-century America. When Pearces preacher arrives in town, she is instantly terrified, for reasons that slowly unfold over the course of the next two and a half hours: Koolhoven is a good storyteller, but not a concise one.

This film is a western with horror elements and a performance by Guy Pearce as a spooky preacher that will accompany you all the way home

The Bible-thumping reverend soon puts the fear of God into his new flock, who meekly offer him the respect he demands. Only Liz understands that he is really the personification of evil  and she cant tell anyone.

But gradually you realise that theres actually a very human story going on here, darker in its way than any horror film. Prostitution and even paedophilia rear their ugly heads.

Amid all this, Koolhoven gets a little over-excited with his religious imagery. There is one scene when Lizs apparent saviour, played by Kit Harington, stands in a doorway carrying a saddle, and the brilliant sun behind him makes him look like an angel with wings.

Dakota Fanning plays Liz, a mute midwife living among religious Dutch settlers in 19th-century America

When I first saw Brimstone at last years Venice Film Festival, that spectacle elicited a spontaneous round of applause. It is deft and heavy-handed at the same time, and in a sense that applies to the film as a whole.

But it works compellingly as a story of twisted hatred, retribution and survival, even if, at times, you might want to watch from behind your fingers.
He's the Bachelorette hopeful who nabbed the first kiss from Sophie Monk.

And Jarrod Woodgate has revealed that when it comes to matters of the heart, he tends to fall too hard too soon.

Speaking to TV Week, the vineyard manager admitted that his last relationship ended because he was getting 'too clingy'.

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Clingy: Bachelorette hopeful Jarrod Woodgate has revealed that when it comes to matters of the heart, he tends too fall too hard too soon

'I was with my last girlfriend for a year. It ended because I was getting too attached,' he told the publication.

Jarrod added that while he was ready to make a commitment, his former flame was more career focused.

'She wasn't ready to settle down as she was very work-driven,' he said.

As Jarrod confronted fellow competitor Sam Cochrane on Wednesday night's episode, a number of viewers took to Twitter to joke about the smitten star being Sophie's 'stage five clinger'.

One joked that Jarrod's infatuation with Sophie made him 'the type of guy that would slowly steal locks of your hair in your sleep and weave a life-sized human doll'.

'It ended because I was getting too attached': Jarrod told TV Week they broke up because he was too serious

Smitten: The Bachelorette's Jarrod Woodgate revealed he was smitten with Sophie Monk during an exchange with rival Sam Cochrane on Wednesday night's episode, leading some to joke on social media

Social media: An enamoured Jarrod was the subject of a number of light hearted jokes on Twitter

Another joked that Jarrod resembled Glenn Close's character in the film Fatal Attraction. In the hit 1980s movie, the star plays a spurned lover who infamously boils her ex's pet rabbit on a stove.

'Good job Sophie's from the Gold Coast and can't own a rabbit, Jarrod would be warming a pot of water for it' the viewer joked.

Wednesday's episode saw vineyard manager Jarrod bluntly tell Sam: 'I'm here for Sophie. I'm not here for you.'

Bunny boiler? One user joked that Jarrod resembled Glenn Close's 'bunny boiler' character in the film Fatal Attraction

Tensions had been building between the two, after they both won the affections of Sophie during the early stages of the dating show.

On the first night in the mansion, Sophie presented Sam with the Double Delight rose, while lucky Jarrod managed to steal the first kiss from Sophie during an intimate one-on-one date.

During the exchange Sam stated that he had heard Jarrod was 'angry' that he had received the Double Date rose.

Not mincing his words: Bachelorette hopeful Jarrod Woodgate (left) took fellow competitor Sam Cochrane aside for a few tense words during Wednesday night's explosive episode of the Bachelorette

Jarrod denied the claim, stating: 'I just want you to understand,if I fall for a girl, I am a bull at a gate. I am through that fence. I want to break down that electric fence.'

He added: 'I want to be able to get to know that person. I don't care who's around me. My focus is on the one person that I want to find out about.'

In a separate segment, Jarrod slammed Sam telling the producers: 'I look at Sam, I'm like, 'You know what? You're still growing your hair long and you've got some bum fluff on your chin.' It's like, she's not after...not after a child. She wants to HAVE children, not BE with a child.'

Frontrunners: The two men are early favourites, quickly catching the eye of Sophie

Sam returned fire separately, telling producers: 'Jarrod's come out too strong. And we're a little creeped out by him, to be honest.

'It's a little bit full-on, because we're worried about what's gonna happen as other blokes start to kiss her'.
Poldark ended on a high this summer with Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) straying from husband Ross to romp on the dunes with Hugh Armitage (Josh Whitehouse).

Whitehouse, who is filming the fourth series, posted this image of him snuggling up to Eleanor off screen, too. Flashback to this time last year shooting in Cornwall with these beauties, he wrote.

The picture features (from left to right) Harry Richardson, Whitehouse, Tomlinson and Tom York.

(From left to right) Harry Richardson, Josh Whitehouse, Eleanor Tomlinson and Tom York

Viscount Weymouth, the heir to the Longleat estate, will need a stiff drink after reading the balance sheet of his familys pub, the Bath Arms. The Wiltshire hotel and gastropub is more than 284,000 in the red, according to new documents, and locals fear it may soon be last orders. One visitor says: If it were not owned and located at Longleat, it would not survive.

Petra returns to public life as an Ecclestone

Petra, 28, was accompanied by her sister, Tamara, 33, right, at the Vordere Legends Ball

Petra Ecclestone made her first public appearance since the explosive courtroom hearing initiating her divorce from bullion trader James Stunt.

Petra, 28, was accompanied by her sister, Tamara, 33, at the Vordere Legends Ball on Wednesday.

Petras red halter-neck gown would seem to suggest that she is receptive to male attention  although not, of course, from Stunt, whose role as director of her charitable foundation Petra has just terminated, as I disclosed this week.

She has also formally dropped Stunts name and told Companies House she wants to be known as Petra Ecclestone.

Night a jealous hubby tried to kill colourful QC

Colourful QC Sir Desmond de Silva has prosecuted some of the worlds most notorious war criminals, but he clearly doesnt bear a grudge in his private life.

Among the guests at the launch of his memoirs, Madam Where Are Your Mangoes?, were his ex-wife, the Queens cousin Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, and a man who once attempted to kill him.

His would-be assailant was landowner Daniel Chadwick who, as the memoir reveals, drunkenly burst into de Silvas bedroom at a country house weekend with a sword in his extended hand after he mistakenly thought the lawyer was in bed with Chadwicks girlfriend.

With the Queen in line for a 40 million pay rise, the Firm is keen to ensure that taxpayers cash is well spent.Buckingham Palace is hiring three accountants, at up to 90,000 a year, to identify efficiencies. The latest royal audit showed that Prince Andrew billed the taxpayer for more than 115,000 for flights.

The Palace notes: Theres always room for improvement.
Le Grand Mort (Trafalgar Studios)

Verdict: Is Julian Clary desperate?

Rating:

Some of you, hearing Julian Clary is in a play in the West End, might think: 'Ooh, that nice Julian, so funny and camp, let's have a jolly night out.'

Don't do it!

Playwright Stephen Clark wrote Le Grand Mort for Mr Clary. Heaven knows why. First, the story is so muddled as to be artistically pointless.

Second, Mr Clary is not a good enough actor to appear in a tense psycho drama about two gay men on an early assignation, both of them possibly with murderous inclinations.

Mr Clary plays Michael, whom we find in his kitchen (a handsome set) as he prepares supper for a raunchy young visitor, Tim (James Nelson-Joyce).

Michael is middle-aged, nasal and camp, ie, Julian Clary. That at least saves Mr Clary having to act a lot. Even so, he trembles so much, I feared he would chop off a finger as he prepared a pasta dish and keeps looking at the audience, pleadingly.

Some of you, hearing Julian Clary is in a play in the West End, might think: 'Ooh, that nice Julian, so funny and camp, let's have a jolly night out.'

Michael and Tim flirt and quarrel. Along the way we are told, in explicit terms, that Christ at Calvary is a sexual pin-up. Some creeps in the audience laughed at this. There is pretentious guff about Herodotus, Diana (presumaby the princess) and Rasputin.

Rippling Mr Nelson-Joyce strips to his birthday suit and gives the audience a prolonged look at his whatnot.

The pasta smells good. The rest of the show stinks. Mr Clary, who is looking his age and is in danger of becoming as unfunny as Michael Barrymore, should either stick to panto or retire.

Wings (Young Vic)

Verdict: Doesn't really fly

Rating:

The feebleness of Le Grand Mort almost makes one grateful for the artistic ambition/pretension of the Young Vic's Wings, in which Juliet Stevenson spends most of the 75 minutes suspended from a trapeze. Miss Stevenson plays Mrs Stilson, a one-time aviatrix who has had a stroke and is suffering speech loss. In her confusion she imagines she is flying.

Two silk drapes are drawn across the traverse stage and have images of bi-plane flight projected on to them.

There is plenty of stagecraft in Natalie Abrahami's production: a shifting stage and clever lighting to accentuate Mrs Stilson's out-of-body sensations in hospital.

Actress Juliet Stevenson (pictured) spends most of the 75 minutes suspended from a trapeze

Our Juliet, such a grand old trooper (a damehood cannot be far off surely), shows plenty of stamina as she twirls and rotates. She deserves her applause at the end, if only for not succumbing to air sickness.

Yet American playwright Arthur Kopit has served up a tiresomely tricksy tale. Yes, we all get the idea that stroke victims can become frustrated, but the story-telling is repetitive and so cryptic that I found it impossible to develop any sympathy for Mrs Stilson.

'What a strange adventure,' she muses to herself at one point. It is a sentiment likely to be shared by audiences.

The one affecting scene is when Mrs S meets other patients with speech problems. I could have done with more of that human contact rather than the pseudish and glum stuff about the effects of a stroke.

One for Stevenson addicts and medical students only.
Opinion / Letters

The Editoreditor@ann7.comComplaint Against Your Employee: Audrey ChimwandaDear Sir/MadamI am writing to register a complaint against AUDREY CHIMWANDA who is an ANN7 TELEVISION PRESENTER. I represent the views of millions of Ndebele-speaking people of Matebeleland (Mthwakazi) in present-day Zimbabwe and all over the world, most notably here in South Africa.Audrey Chimwanda is a Shona person from Zimbabwe, suspected of being an operative of Robert Gabriel Mugabe's Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), which is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths of Ndebele speaking people of Matebeleland (Mthwakazi) who had some of their kith and kin buried alive in mass graves and disused mine shafts, bayonetting alive pregnant women to reveal the still moving foetuses, thousands of rapes, disappearances and torture.During the interviews in which ANN7 hosted the Loyiko duo (Ayanda Manala and Yanga Mhluzi) Audrey Chimwanda displayed her true colours in front of all the viewers who watched the interview. Rather than present a balanced impartial programme, Audrey Chimwanda played down the genocide and ethnic cleansing that was perpetrated by Robert Gabriel Mugabe on the people of Matebeleland (Mthwakazi) in strikingly despicable ways. She was acting like a spokesperson of Mugabe's Zanu-pf regime instead of being an investigative journalist.Audrey Chimwanda seems hell bent on denying the fact that her Shona people led by the evil Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his entire Lucific zanu-PF regime killed over half a million Ndebele-speaking people of Matebeleland (Mthwakazi). They were exterminated from the face of the earth not that they had done anything wrong, BUT that they belonged to a different speaking group that was not SHONA where Audrey Chimwanda comes from.It is therefore my intention to UNVEIL Audrey Chimwanda for who she is  a SHONA SUPREMACIST and Robert Gabriel Mugabe's NIECE over the people of Matebeleland (Mthwakazi) who have suffered a despicable genocide and ethnic cleansing under the SHONA led regime of Zimbabwe.It is my intention further to draw the attention of the Good Respectable Editor of the public broadcaster ANN7 to the attached three (3) documents: one from Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) (of which I am a member); the second from a British Scholar, Hazel Cameroon who is now compiling charges against Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his henchmen at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and the third one, from the Ndebele Monarch, King Mzilikazi 11.You will see from the attached that the Kingdom of Matebeleland was invaded and subsequently annexed following an unprovoked attack. Sadly, the matter did not end there: Matebeleland was subsequently passed on to Zimbabwe to be RULED BY CONQUEST by the British on their behalf. In turn, Zimbabwe as a proxy of Britain went on to commit GENOCIDE and ETHNIC CLEANSING against the people of Matebeleland from 1980 until today. This is a fact, not imagination. And it is this SAD STORY AND REALITY that Audrey Chimwanda should have been concerned about instead of being hell bent on protecting the image of her uncle Robert Gabriel Mugabe, as well as trying to portray ANN7 as an extension of a broadcaster of the ZANU-PF REGIME.Her conduct differed sharply with the objectively held interviews done by Vuka Africa, in one of their morning programs and the one held by SA FM, done by Rowena. These were open and devoid of bias. The interviews were educative and facts were laid bare without anyone saliently trying to cover up for a monster master in Harare.It is important to underline that we are determined to support the human rights activists like uLoyiko, whose pursuit of the truth and justice against the SHONA KILLERS led by Robert Gabriel Mugabe and supported by Audrey Chimwanda are rated amongst the top 3 since the start of the second world war. And to use Steve Biko's words, we are determined to struggle for an 'idea that will live' rather than an idea that will die which is protected by Audrey Chimwanda. If Audrey Chimwanda thinks that by manipulating her role as an employee of ANN7 to hide the truth and protect the image of her uncle Robert Gabriel Mugabe  then she must think again, because it is our intention to persevere and have our country Matebeleland (Mthwakazi) restored to what it was before Audrey Chimwanda or her great grandparents including all her uncles (Robert Gabriel Mugabe and others) were born  a Sovereign State.So no amount of mischief and sell out by Audrey Chimwanda will hide the truth about her uncle Robert Gabriel Mugabe being on the same league with eaters of human flesh like Hitler. She may have been hiding under the employee of ANN7, but today we have exposed Audrey Chimwanda as a despicable little SHONA girl who is hell-bent on justifying the genocide and ethnic cleansing which were inflicted by her uncle Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his henchmen.On behalf of the Ndebele people of Matebeleland (Mthwakazi) I am therefore appealing to your good offices to raise this matter with her and resolve such that she NEVER AGAIN participates in anything involving the suffering of the Ndebele speaking people as she is quick to justify anything done by her own folk, the Shona people. In the final analysis she must know that our rights to defend ourselves against this provocation from her remain reserved. We cannot allow her to perpetuate our suffering in the realm of psychology by virtue of being an employee of ANN7.We specifically refer to her conduct on these days:20/03/1721/09/17In conclusion, respectable editor, it is every Matebele person's wish to publicly talk about Gukurahundi Genocide and the perpetrators of it without anyone blocking them. It is through such platforms as ANN7 that the world can be informed about what truly happened to the peoples of Mthwakazi/Matabeleland. It is a right for the human rights activists the world over to also voice concerns to what ruling regimes do to certain sections of the societies and get away with it as if nothing happened. The serious atrocities that are depicted in the three documents attached is what Audrey does not want the world to know about. It is in terms of which we are ready to set the record straight if invited.Kind regardsChrispen NyoniMLF Information & Publicity0027 78 730 7538
She's never been afraid to flaunt her figure.

Yet Bella Thorne's latest photo spread may just be her raciest yet, as she unveiled snaps from her GQ Mexico shoot to Instagram on Thursday.

The saucy snaps show the 19-year-old half-Cuban starlet in various stages of undress, including a completely nude shot that she says she told the magazine not to Photoshop.

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A post shared by BELLA (@bellathorne) on Sep 28, 2017 at 12:51pm PDT

Sheer daring: Bella Thorne 's latest photo spread may just be her raciest yet, as she unveiled snaps from her GQ Mexico shoot to Instagram on Thursday

It appears GQ appeased her wish, as bruises on her knee can be seen on the cover shot where she lays in a bathtub wearing a sheer black dress while staring seductively into camera.

Bella shared her nude snap to Instagram and explained why she didn't want the image to be photoshopped.

She wrote: 'I specifically asked for no re touching on this photo, and lemme tell you I have insecurities, about pretty much everything. That's natural & that's human.'

Undressed: In a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot, Bella wears little more than underwear, stockings and a garter belt as she dances

She continued: 'You might look at this photo and think oh shush bella, but just know everytime someone looks in the mirror they simply don't see what everyone else sees. Know that it's completely normal to feel insecure and it's accepted.

'Honestly I wish everyone talked more about their insecurities so more people in the world could know they aren't alone. That it's ok. As a public persona you know naturally that everytime you shoot with a magazine there is always small retouching.

'Cuz yeah if they show my acne scars or a wrinkle in my forehead or my teeth aren't perfectly white, people will look at the photo and say no she's not perfect and usually most people don't want the public trashing and I get it,

'But f*** it I'm here to tell you that's right I'm not F***ING PERFECT. IM A HUMAN BEING AND IM REAL. So hip hop your asses over the fence and GET OVER IT. '

Octubre llega mas sexy que nunca a GQ con la guapisima Bella Thorne en portada a quien veremos proximamanente en The Death and Life of John F. Donovan. #HombresGQ #BellaThorneGQ A post shared by GQ Mexico y Latinoamerica (@gqmexico) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:58am PDT

Sharing her flaws: Bella wrote 'if they show my acne scars or a wrinkle in my forehead or my teeth aren't perfectly white, people will look at the photo and say no she's not perfect'

Dancing queen: Amy Winehouse's hit Rehab plays in the background while Bella poses for the camera and prances around the room

On Twitter, the Famous In Love star shared a video of her fluttering around set while dancing to Amy Winehouse's 2007 hit Rehab.

She wears little more than panties, a garter belt and stockings in the setup, which the magazine chose a black and white selection from where she is seen gazing in the mirror.

Her behind the scenes video shows much more skin than GQ's final selection.

Octubre llega mas sexy que nunca a GQ con la guapisima Bella Thorne en portada a quien veremos proximamanente en The Death and Life of John F. Donovan. #HombresGQ #BellaThorneGQ A post shared by GQ Mexico y Latinoamerica (@gqmexico) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:59am PDT

Strut: The video she shared to Twitter revealed more of her body than the final selection chosen by GQ
La Boheme (Royal Opera House)

Rating:

Verdict: One of Opera's sure-fire weepies

Who can resist Puccinis most romantic creation when it is performed like this, by a talented, youngish cast under the baton of one of the great opera conductors?

This new production promises to be with us for decades to come.

All six Bohemians sing beautifully, but most eyes and ears will be focused on the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi, whose tragic love affair is at the centre of the plot.

Stellar: American tenor Michael Fabiano and Australian soprano Nicole Car have just the right sort of voices

Who can resist Puccinis most romantic creation when it is performed like this, by a talented, youngish cast under the baton of one of the great opera conductors?

American tenor Michael Fabiano and Australian soprano Nicole Car have just the right sort of voices; he could perhaps sing softly more often, and she showed some nerves on the first night, but their arias and duets are glorious.

Romanian-born British soprano Simona Mihai, who will later take over the role of Mimi, is a flighty Musetta and Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien is a sympathetic Marcello, whose Act 3 duet with Car is a highlight.

French baritone Florian Sempey and Italian bass Luca Tittoto complete a likeable sextet, with Jeremy White and Wyn Pencarreg in comic roles.

Richard Jones has gone for a period production, thank goodness, and it has many of his hallmark comedic touches.

He should, however, rethink the indecent gestures in Act 1 and obscene graffiti in Act 4 which bring the locker room into the opera house.

All six Bohemians sing beautifully, but most eyes and ears will be focused on the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi, whose tragic love affair is at the centre of the plot

Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien (third from left) is a sympathetic Marcello, whose Act 3 duet with Car is a highligh

The garret created by Stewart Laing for Acts 1 and 4 is so cramped that you do wonder how Rodolfo and Mimi ever got it together, without the bed prescribed by the librettists.

In Act 1 the poet hopefully spreads a blanket and pillow on the floor and that is where Mimi dies in Act 4, leaning against a cushion.

Laing redeems himself with a spectacular Act 2 set and an atmospheric one for Act 3.

Antonio Pappano conducts the score superlatively, with Puccinis style at his fingertips, and is well served by his orchestra and chorus.

The production will be live in cinemas on Tuesday and Radio 3 will broadcast a recording on October 7.
Nelly Furtado hid her 5ft2in curvaceous figure beneath an unflattering tent dress at the inaugural Monte Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean in Monaco on Thursday.

The 38-year-old Grammy winner - who's gained weight since her early 2000s heyday - covered up in a sleeveless comfy creation featuring silver-sequinned stripes selected by stylist Phil Gomez.

The Portuguese Canadian scraped her short black hair back with a navy floral tiara and accessorized with grey stone earrings, a bracelet, a ring, and silver stilettos.

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Covered: Nelly Furtado hid her 5ft2in curvaceous figure beneath an unflattering tent dress at the inaugural Monte Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean in Monaco on Thursday

Gained weight since her 2005 heyday (R): The 38-year-old Grammy winner covered up in a sleeveless comfy creation featuring silver-sequinned stripes selected by stylist Phil Gomez

The baby-blue gown certainly brought out the lovely shade of Nelly's eyes, and she wore lots of make-up for the environmental event honoring Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio.

Joining Furtado at the Monaco Garnier Opera were Adrien Brody, Olga Kurylenko, Lior Suchard, Robin Thicke, as well as the evening's hosts Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Proceeds from the A-list benefit (taking place during the Monaco Yacht Show) supported the 59-year-old monarch's foundation initiatives in favor of a sustainable global ocean.

The Palaces songstress sound designed Sheinina Lolita Raj's feminist, racial exhibition Intercultural, which runs now through December 30 at the Art Deco Museum in Miami's South Beach.

Royal company: The Portuguese Canadian scraped her short black hair back with a navy floral tiara and accessorized with grey stone earrings, a bracelet, a ring, and silver stilettos

Made up: The baby-blue gown certainly brought out the lovely shade of Nelly's eyes for the environmental event honoring Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio

Glitterati: Joining Furtado at the Monaco Garnier Opera were Adrien Brody (L), Olga Kurylenko (2-L), Lior Suchard (3-L), Robin Thicke (R), as well as the evening's hosts Prince Albert II of Monaco (M) and Princess Charlene of Monaco (3-R)

Yachting crowd: Proceeds from the A-list benefit supported the 59-year-old monarch's foundation initiatives in favor of a sustainable global ocean

The WE Day speaker- who dropped her sixth studio album The Ride on March 31 - will next perform October 13 in Lithuania.

During the April 12 episode of ITV's Loose Women, Nelly shared a rare mother-daughter snap of her 14-year-old princess Nevis Chetan with ex-boyfriend Jasper Gahunia.

Furtado revealed on the British talk show that she's been single since divorcing sound engineer Demacio Castellon in the summer of 2016.

'Come heal and feel the love': The Palaces songstress sound designed Sheinina Lolita Raj's feminist, racial exhibition Intercultural, which runs now through December 30 in Miami

Pictured August 18: The WE Day speaker- who dropped her sixth studio album The Ride on March 31 - will next perform October 13 in Lithuania

Her baby! During the April 12 episode of ITV's Loose Women, Nelly shared a rare mother-daughter snap of her 14-year-old princess Nevis Chetan with ex-boyfriend Jasper Gahunia

'Someone needs to update my Wikipedia! It's not helping my dating life!' the Pipe Dreams belter admitted.

'Sometimes you just want to sit home and bake muffins for your daughter. Cleaning my toilet, having a moment to yourself. It's great to have your career take off and have those blessings, but if you don't have that time then you give and give you crash. I need to stay emotionally and physically well for my daughter.'

It's hard to believe the I'm Like a Bird hitmaker - who's sold over 40M records worldwide - recorded her debut album Whoa, Nelly! nearly 17 years ago.

'Someone needs to update my Wikipedia!' Furtado revealed on the British talk show that she's been single since divorcing Demacio Castellon in the summer of 2016 (pictured in 2012)
She was noticeably absent from the Chanel Paris couture show in July this year.

And the following month, model Catherine McNeil revealed hip surgery to be the reason.

But on Wednesday, the 28-year-old made a triumphant return to the Parisian runways, sporting eclectic fashion at the Dries Van Noten show.

Model comeback! Catherine McNeil, 28, made a triumphant return to the runway for the Dries Van Noten show, at Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday, after hip surgery

Catherine covered her lean figure in layers of abstract fabric as she took to the runway.

A sheer burnt orange blouse was teamed with a pair of tailored trousers that featured an intricate leaf motif.

Elongating her frame with boots of coordinating material, Catherine wore a citrus-coloured trench coat, a tie cinching in at her slender waist.

Layers: The brunette wore a sheer burnt orange blouse, teamed with a pair of tailored trousers that featured an intricate leaf motif

Accessories: Elongating her frame with boots of coordinating material, Catherine wore a citrus-coloured trench coat, a tie cinching in at her tiny waist

A statement jewel in just one ear added a touch of flair.

Catherine had her locks styled at the nape of the neck and her makeup look consisted of a porcelain complexion, defined cheekbones and a soft pink lip.

The sighting marks the Brisbane-born personality's return to the runway, after being noticeably absent at July's Chanel Paris couture show.

Bling: A statement jewel in just one ear added a touch of flair

In profile: Catherine had her locks styled at the nape of the neck and her makeup look consisted of a porcelain complexion, defined cheekbones and a soft pink lip

But the following month, Catherine revealed the reason why via Instagram, posting: 'So I had a much needed hip operation and have been unable to work.'

The notoriously private star got her big break at 14 after winning a model search contest hosted by Girlfriend magazine.

Throughout her career, she's worked with some of fashion's biggest names, including Prada and Dior.

Catherine was previously engaged to actress Ruby Rose, but the pair called off their engagement in 2010.

Headlines: The sighting marks the Brisbane-born personality's return to the runway after being noticeably absent at July's Chanel Paris couture show. The following month, Catherine revealed the reason to be due to hip surgery
He's the Australian bad boy of fashion who picked up a male model of the year gong at New York Fashion Week.

But Jordan Barrett struggled to find a reason to smile as he strutted his stuff at the Isabel Marant show at Paris Fashion week on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old fashionista cut a dour figure on the Parisian catwalk, looking all business in a bizarre metallic track suit top.

Bad mood? Jordan Barrett struggled to find a reason to smile as he strutted his stuff at the Isabel Marant Show for Paris Fashion week on Wednesday

Looking more like a thermo space blanket used to combat hypothermia than a haute couture fashion item, the top sparkled as it was hit by the lights.

A thick black stripe, that ran along the sleeves and across the chest tempered the top's reflective suface.

Jordan matched the top with a pair of white jeans with the cuffs rolled up and a pair of leather sandals.

Space age: The 20-year-old fashionista cut a dour figure on the Parisian catwalk, looking all business in a bizarre metallic-esque track suit top

It appeared that Jordan wasn't the biggest fan of the garment, as he sported a rather sour expression as he strode the catwalk.

Walking with a hand placed casually in this pant's pocket, Jordan's expression barely changed as he shot fashionable stares around the room.

With his flaxen locks, work in a fetching blow-wave, Jordan pushed the top's sleeves up for an extra air of 'cool'.

Quirky: Looking more like a thermo space blanket used to combat hypothermia than a haute couture fashion item, the top sparkled as it was hit by the lights

Dapper: Jordan went for a more traditional look when he sat in the front row for the Paco Rabanne show.

Jordan went for a more traditional look when he sat in the front row for the Paco Rabanne show.

A bespectacled Jordan was a vision in black in a debonair sports jacket and matching pants.

He finished the smart outfit with a simple black T-shirt and a pair of patent leather shoes, while adding a 'pop' of colour with some gold bling draped over his chest.

Specs appeal: A bespectacled Jordan was a vision in black in a debonair sports jacket and matching pants

Noir: He finished the smart outfit with a simple black T-shirt and a pair of patent leather shoes, while adding a 'pop' of colour with some gold bling draped over his chest

He was seen at the event with American model Emily Ratajkowski who looked stunning in a dark green, two piece ensemble and a pair of white heels.

The 26-year-old stunner tied her raven locks back for the occasion, leaving bangs loose to frame her face.

Unlike his performance at the Isabel Marant show, Jordan looked to be in a much happier mood and managed to raise a smile as he sat with the stunning catwalker.

Fashionable duo: He was seen at the event with American model Emily Ratajkowski who looked stunning in a dark green, two piece ensemble and a pair of white heels

The pair were also joined at the event by former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Carine Roitfield.

Carine looked stunning in a black blazer that she had slung over her shoulders, over a simple black top.

She finished her outfit with a pair of form-fitting pants, beaming bradly as she took her front row spot next to Jordan.
She's set to welcome her second child into the world in early 2018.

And Nicky Hilton Rothschild's baby-to-be is already on the fashion A-list, attending the New York City Ballet's 2017 Fall Fashion Gala on Thursday night.

The hotel heiress, 33, showed off her baby bump in a red Oscar de la Renta gown with black heels for the star-studded event in NYC.

Bumping along nicely: Nicky Hilton displayed her baby bump on the red carpet at the New York City Ballet's 2017 Fall Fashion Gala on Thursday

Her blonde locks were worn sleek and straight with an off-center part that showed off her darker roots.

Nicky opted for a solid gold clutch purse and a gold necklace to accessorize her outfit for the yearly event that combines fashion and ballet performances.

She is already a doting mother to baby daughter Lily Grace, 14 months, and DailyMail.com exclusively revealed the socialite was expecting her second baby earlier this summer.

Golden girl: The mother-to-be, who already has baby daughter Lily Grace, 14 months, wore a red Oscar de la Renta gown with gold accessories for the glamorous event

An insider claimed Nicky and elder sister Paris, 36, both love being close in age, so the family are all very excited at the news.

'It's Lily's first birthday July 8 so they are excited,' the source revealed. 'They always wanted to give Lily-Grace a sibling close in age, like they both have.'

The Hilton hotel heiress married British banking heir James Rothschild in a lavish ceremony at the Kensington Palace Orangery in London in July 2015, surrounded by the creme de la creme of society, as well as their friends and family.

Baby on board: DailyMail.com exclusively revealed the socialite was expecting her second baby earlier this summer, she is due early next year

The bride wore a stunning $77,000 couture Valentino gown featuring a high-neck and a long train, topping the look off with a dramatic lace veil, while her reality star sister Paris acted as maid of honour.

Nicky and James started their relationship in 2011 after meeting at Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt's Italian wedding in 2011.

James reportedly flew from England to the States to ask her parents for her hand in marriage before he proposed to her in Lake Como, Italy, in August 2014.

Dressed down: Earlier on Thursday, she pushed her daughter in a stroller while wearing a loose striped button-front top and blue jeans with flats and a hat
She recently took a swipe at her ex, Geoffrey Edelsten, 74, when she said her new 'boyfriend' Jesse Willesee, 30, was the youngest man in whom she's ever been interested.

And on Friday, Gabi Grecko puckered up to Jesse, who is the son of Australian TV reporter Terry Willesee.

The pair shared a kiss and held hands as they said goodbye, as Jesse dropped Gabi, 28, off at Los Angeles Airport.

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'All I need in this life of sin': Gabi Grecko puckered up to her rumoured beau Jesse, who is the son of Australian TV reporter Terry Willesee, on Friday

'All I need in this life of sin is me and my pimp cane #60spimp,' Gabi wrote on Instagram, where she shared the snaps.

Gabi flaunted her washboard abs in a crop top, which she teamed with tracksuit pants, colourful boots, a neck scarf, and a cane.

Never shy to change up her style, Gabi also donned a bouffant brown wig.

Individual: Gabi flaunted her washboard abs in a crop top, which she teamed with tracksuit pants, colourful boots, a neck scarf, and a cane

Case of the ex: She recently took a swipe at her ex, Geoffrey Edelsten, 74, (pictured) when she said her new 'boyfriend' Jesse Willesee, 30, was the youngest man she's ever been interested in

Jesse shared the same images to his Instagram account, calling Gabi 'baby.'

'Byeeee bby (sic). Hate to see you go, but had the best time,' he added, using emoticons including a love heart.

In August, Gabi gushed about Jesse to Daily Mail Australia.

'I think he's the youngest guy I've been interested in,' Gabi said.

'We both are constantly working on our rap, he's been in it but I'm a new artist, but we have this common interest in hip hop that I haven't had with anyone else so it's nice to be attracted to someone who is so similar to you, ' she said.

Going strong: Last month, they shared with fans their FaceTime sessions, with Jesse saying Gabi is 'the baddest' and said he missed her

She added the pair will be 'teaming up for some kind of rap piece' and are planning are trip to Australia, where she lived with Australian doctor, Geoffrey.

Jesse and Gabi are both based in the US and are living in separate states, with Gabi in New York.

Last month, they shared with fans their FaceTime sessions, with Jesse saying Gabi is 'the baddest' and said he missed her.

Rapper: This month, Gabi has made headlines after she released her new music video for single, Call My Bluff

This month, Gabi has made headlines after she released her new music video for single, Call My Bluff.

In the clip, the busty blonde cavorts in a gilded cage and licks a python and twerks.

She told Daily Mail Australia that she doesn't take herself too seriously.

'But now I am going into making music fearless. I know I'm definitely not your typical rapper,' she said.
After James Cameron called the $820.4M-grossing Wonder Woman movie 'a step backwards,' Lynda Carter slammed the notoriously demanding 63-year-old director in a new Facebook post.

'STOP dissing WW: You poor soul!' the 66-year-old original Diana Prince - who boasts 858K social media followers - wrote on Thursday.

'Perhaps you do not understand the character. I most certainly do. Like all women - we are more than the sum of our parts. Your thuggish jabs at a brilliant director, Patty Jenkins, are ill advised. This movie was spot on. Gal Gadot was great. I know, Mr. Cameron  I have embodied this character for more than 40 years. So  STOP IT.'

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'Stop': After James Cameron (R) called the $820.4M-grossing Wonder Woman movie 'a step backwards,' Lynda Carter (L) slammed the 63-year-old director in a new Facebook post

The 66-year-old original Diana Prince wrote on Thursday: 'Perhaps you do not understand the character. I most certainly do. Like all women - we are more than the sum of our parts. Your thuggish jabs at a brilliant director, Patty Jenkins, are ill advised'

The fictional feminist Amazon warrior has a 75-year history of inspiring and empowering young girls thanks to DC Comics, the ABC/CBS series (1975-79), and the Warner Bros. film.

The three-time Oscar winner admitted to liking the 'misguided' film, but still called Wonder Woman 'an objectified icon' unlike waitress-turned-soldier Sarah Connor from Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

'To me, [Wonder Woman was] a step backwards,' Cameron told The Guardian on August 24.

'Sarah Connor was not a beauty icon. She was strong, she was troubled, she was a terrible mother, and she earned the respect of the audience through pure grit. And to me, it's so obvious. I mean, half the audience is female!'

Icon: The fictional feminist Amazon warrior has a 75-year history of inspiring and empowering young girls thanks to DC Comics, the ABC/CBS series (1975-79), and the Warner Bros. film

'To me, it's a step backwards': The three-time Oscar winner admitted to liking the 'misguided' film, but still called Wonder Woman 'an objectified icon' unlike Sarah Connor from Terminator 2

More to come! Cameron's ex-wife #4 (L) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) both signed on to reprise their roles for a direct sequel to T2: Judgment Day being helmed by Tim Miller

According to THR, the Avatar filmmaker's ex-wife #4 and Arnold Schwarzenegger both signed on to reprise their roles for a direct sequel to T2 being helmed by Tim Miller.

Patty Jenkins was also outraged calling Jim's comments 'unsurprising' since he's 'not a woman.'

'His praise for my [first] film Monster, and our portrayal of a strong yet damaged woman was so appreciated,' the 46-year-old Emmy nominee tweeted on August 24.

'But if women have to always be hard, tough and troubled to be strong, and we arent free to be multidimensional or celebrate an icon of women everywhere because she is attractive and loving, then we haven't come very far have we?'

'I believe women can and should be EVERYTHING!' Patty Jenkins was also outraged calling Jim's comments 'unsurprising' since he's 'not a woman'

HBIC: The 46-year-old Emmy nominee's (L) $8M paycheck to direct the 2019 Wonder Woman sequel - which will likely feature Gadot (M) and Carter (R) - just made her the highest paid female director of all time (pictured May 25)

Patty tweeted about including Lynda (born Linda) on June 4: 'Oh we tried, tried, tried. And we won't stop trying'

Jenkins continued: 'I believe women can and should be EVERYTHING just like male lead characters should be. There is no right and wrong kind of powerful woman. And the massive female audience who made the film a hit it is, can surely choose and judge their own icons of progress.'

According to Variety, Patty's $8M paycheck to direct the 2019 Wonder Woman sequel - which will likely feature Gadot and Carter - just made her the highest paid female director of all time.

'Oh we tried, tried, tried,' the Exposed filmmaker tweeted about including Lynda (born Linda) on June 4. 'And we won't stop trying.'

The Supergirl actress will next perform her cabaret act on October 14 for Jazz at Lincoln Center inside the Appel Room in Manhattan.

Catch more of Gal as the immortal a**-kicking antiquities dealer in Justice League - hitting US/UK theaters November 17 - alongside Ben Affleck, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, and Jason Momoa.

Singing standards: The Supergirl actress will next perform her cabaret act on October 14 for Jazz at Lincoln Center inside the Appel Room in Manhattan
She's an icon in the modeling industry, and as gorgeous as ever.

So it's no wonder Claudia Schiffer took centre-stage at the Hotel d'Evreux during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday, as she attended a cocktail party for Aquazzura, the label she's working with on a new line of footwear she's developed.

The 47-year-old stunner looked chic in a multi-textured gown that featured racy mesh inserts and an admiral blue pleated pattern across the top and skirt.

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Taking centre-stage: Claudia Schiffer, 47, stunned in a mesh and printed midi dress at the Hotel d'Evreux during Paris Fashion Week Thursday at a cocktail party for Aquazzura

The 5ft11 stunner wore her textured blonde locks in loose waves and framed her features with impeccable makeup.

Posing with Aquazzura creative director Edgardo Osorio, she carried a black studded purse and rounding out her ensemble with black open-toe booties.

The German beauty, speaking to Footwear News on Thursday, explained how her latest creative endeavor came to be after she and Osorio crossed paths 'through mutual friends' in London.

Schiffer explained: 'I had been a huge fan of the brand and have been admiring them from afar,' noting that she and Osorio quickly realized they complemented one another professionally.

'Its interesting to meet someone who has the same ideas you do about fashion,' she told the outlet. 'I described something and he knew exactly what I meant. We thought it would be great to do something together.'

Beating the blues: The 47-year-old stunner looked chic in a multi-textured gown that featured racy mesh inserts and an admiral blue pleated pattern across the top and skirt

Double trouble: Claudia showcased her lithe physique in the form-fitting dress as she cosied up to model Elena Perminova

Killer footwear: The supermodel boosted her statuesque frame with buckled peeptoe boots

The mom-of-three said that her line, composed of eight styles, was 'inspired by something in my time or in [her] life - whether its a school run or a red carpet event.'

The supermodel, who rocketed to fame in the 1990s, described to the outlet her recent runway walk alongside catwalk colleagues Carla Bruni, 49, Naomi Campbell, 47, Cindy Crawford, 51, and Helena Christensen, 48, last week during the Versace show in the City of Lights.

'It was such an emotional moment because we all worked closely with Gianni Versace,' she said of the late designer, who was murdered just more than 20 years ago.

'We lived through such interesting times together and there was a camaraderie that was created.'

Ready for her close-up: The 5ft11 stunner wore her textured blonde locks in loose waves and framed her features with impeccable makeup

Simpatico: Claudia said that she and Aquazzura's creative director Edgardo Osorio (R) are like-minded in their fashion preferences

Icon: Schiffer was the center-of-attention from media at the swanky event in Paris

She credited the late designer for revolutionizing the industry by welcoming celebrities into the shows.

'Before Gianni, all the fashion shows used to be just journalists and retailers,' she told the outlet. 'Gianni was one of the first people who changed that.

'Suddenly, you were walking down the runway and it was a spectacle. You walked down on to an Elton John song, and he would be sitting in the front row.'

Beaming: The statuesque beauty has been busy amid Paris Fashion Week, walking with her fellow 90s supermodels for Versace last week
For weeks, rumours have been circling that US reality television spin-off Bachelor In Paradise is coming to Australia.

And now it appears Network Ten has confirmed a local version is in production after a social media account for the show surfaced.

The page @BachParadiseAU hit Twitter earlier this week, and Daily Mail Australia understands it was set up by a social media manager for Ten.

Network Ten may have confirmed an Australian version of Bachelor In Paradise is underway after a Twitter account for the series surfaced this week. Pictured: rumoured contestants Elora Murger (L), from The Bachelor 2014, and Zilda Williams (R) from The Bachelor 2015

The account has not yet tweeted and has not followed any other Twitter users.

The handle @BachParadiseAU appears to be similar to Ten's official accounts for The Bachelor (@TheBachelorAU) and The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteAU).

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Network Ten for comment.

Confirmed? The page @BachParadiseAU hit Twitter earlier this week, and Daily Mail Australia understands it was set up by a social media manager for Network Ten

According to previous reports, Bachelor In Paradise may include last year's Bachelor runner-up Nikki Gogan and former 'villain' Keira Maguire.

Other potential stars include season three breakout star Zilda Williams, Sarah-Mae Amey, Elora Murger, Leah Costa and Michael Turnbull.

Unlucky in love Nikki, 31, was allegedly seen filming a promotional campaign for the show in Sydney recently - but the project will likely be filmed in picturesque Fiji.

She would fit right in! The Bachelor 2017's Simone Ormesher (pictured) would be a perfect candidate for Bachelor In Paradise, which is rumoured to be filmed in Fiji

'They were filming on Palm Beach, the same place (Nikki) was taken by helicopter to have a beach date with Richie Strahan,' a source previously told New Idea.

'If Sarah-Mae and Sasha both agree to go on the show, that will create an interesting dynamic and possible sparks given the fallout between Sasha and (ex-girlfriend) Sam Frost, who remains good friends with Sarah-Mae,' the insider added.

The magazine's report went on to claim that Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg will also be the presenter of Bachelor In Paradise.

At the time, a Network Ten spokesperson denied New Idea's claims to Daily Mail Australia, saying the article was 'not true'.
She's the stunning Australian model known for her enviable physique.

And on Thursday, Shanina Shaik put on a very revealing display during a day at the beach, showing off her ample assets in a tank top.

The 26-year-old model's busty look comes after she put on a dazzling runway display at Milan Fashion Week earlier this month.

A bit nippy at the beach? Shanina Shaik showcases her ample assets in a VERY revealing tank top

In the sexy snap posted to Instagram, Shanina donned a revealing fitted singlet.

Going makeup free and wearing her hair back in a messy bun, the Aussie beauty basked in the Californian sun at Malibu Beach.

'A moment for ME,' she captioned the sultry shot. 'T H A N K F U L & G R A T E F UL.'

Busy lady! Shanina is back in the United States after spending time earlier this month at Milan Fashion Week

Beauty tips: A health and fitness fanatic, Shanina told Elle Australia this week her biggest beauty tips were sleep and not drinking alcohol

Shanina is back in the United States after spending time earlier this month at Milan Fashion Week.

The model strutted her stuff on the runway alongside Bella and Gigi Hadid, also attending the amfAR Gala.

A health and fitness fanatic, Shanina told Elle Australia this week her biggest beauty tips were sleep and not drinking alcohol.

Abstains from alcohol: When Shanina shoots in a bikini she cuts out drinking cocktails with her friends

'Sleep is so important so I ensure that I have 8 hours sleep a night,' the model told the publication.

'I also cut out alcohol in the weeks leading up to a swim shoot so this means cutting out social cocktails with my friends.'

The model is currently planning her forthcoming nuptials to fiance DJ Ruckus, the pair becoming last year.
Winnie Harlow showed off a little more than she bargained for while stepping out in Paris on Thursday.

The model, born Chantelle Brown-Young, suffered a nip slip in her tiny lace top as she made her way to HUtel Costes in Paris after attending a Balmain party earlier in the evening.

Canadian-born Harlow, 23, flashed the flesh in the Rochambeau garment which was worn underneath a loose fitting pajama-like black and white shirt and pants set.

In a flash: Winnie Harlow, 23, accidentally exposed her nipple in a tiny lace top as she made her way to HUtel Costes in Paris on Thursday

She wore her hair down loose and upped the glamour with shimmery bronze eye shadow and a pale pink lip color.

Winnie, who was a contestant on America's Next Top Model in 2014, had spent time at L'Ecole de Medecine for the launch of L'Oreal Paris X Balmain event as part of the Paris Women's Spring/Summer Fashion Week that night.

Pamela Anderson, Alessandra Ambrosio, Hailey Baldwin, Barbara Palvin, Sara Sampaio, and Jasmine Sanders were also at the same event.

Comfy: Her black and white ensemble resembled pajamas which she paired with high heels

Over the shoulder: The Canadian-born model struck a seductive pose before entering her hotel

The model, who is 5ft 9in, was diagnosed with vitiligo around the age of four, making her among one per cent of the population who has the condition.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, she revealed: 'Kids called me a cow and mooed at me. I remember sitting by my window wishing upon the stars that my skin condition would go away.'

She was physically taunted later in life and said a group of girls 'jumped her' in a fight, which led to her being suspended because she started skipping class.She dropped out of school at the age of 17 and never looked back.

Party girl: She had spent time at L'Ecole de Medecine for the launch of L'Oreal Paris X Balmain event as part of the Paris Women's Spring/Summer Fashion Week that same night

Solo: Winnie was not joined by Formula One hunk Lewis Hamilton, though the pair have frequently been spotted partying together

Winnie, who was working at a call centre, was scouted on Facebook and was quickly snapped up to star in a string of campaigns and music videos.

When she excelled on the 21st series of America's Next Top Model, judge Tyra Banks said that Winnie's skin breaks down barriers of what is considered beautiful.

Her striking good looks have even caught the eye of Formula One hunk Lewis Hamilton and the pair have frequently been spotted partying together - but they have never confirmed a romantic relationship.

In good company: Publicist Emmanuel Ezugwu joined Winnie at the fashion and makeup party

Fashion's finest: Hailey Baldwin and Alessandra Ambrosio hit the red carpet after walking the runway at Paris Fashion Week

Legs for days: Statuesque models Maria Borges, Grace Bol and Cindy Bruna came together for this epic group pic

Balmain's party on Thursday brought out fashion's elite right after they stepped off the runway for the luxury brand's Spring/Summer 2018 show.

Alessandra Ambrosio, 36, stomped the red carpet in a pair of black thigh high leather boots, paired with a black and white sweater dress.

Hailey Baldwin, 20, rocked a sheer polka dotted dress which showed off her black bra and boy shorts set underneath.

Blondes: Longtime friends Pamela Anderson and Courtney Love were both in attendance but did not pose for a photo together

Foxy Hosk: Elsa Hosk kept it classy in an elegant solid black gown which matched the backdrop

Picture perfect: Jon Kortajarena and Jasmine Sanders mugged for the camera inside the party

Fringe effects: Thylane Blondeau wore black fringe pants while Xenia Tchoumi sported a brown fringe mini dress

Lucky man: Footballer Neymar da Silva Santos witnessed a room full of beautiful women at the event

Pamela Anderson, 50, put on a sensationally leggy display in a metallic dress by the brand which retails for an eye-watering $2,730.

Anderson's long-time friend Courtney Love was also in attendance though she skipped the red carpet.

Statuesque models Maria Borges, Grace Bol and Cindy Bruna came together for an epic group pic while they showed off their intricately embellished Balmain mini dresses.

Dancing the night away: Erica Pelosini Leeman and Tchoumi looked ready to cut a rug

Catwalkers: Doutzen Kroes (left) and Grace Bol (right) took these looks Balmain looks right off the runway

Pony tale: Barbara Palvin kept her hair slicked back as she modeled her black laced leather look

Leggy look: Model Sara Sampaio partied in a tiny leather and lace dress

Quick flash: Doina Ciobanu flashed her bra in a stylish tuxedo suit

Blues: Model Karolina Kurkova wore a western--inspired blue minidress

Boot-iful! She paired low ankle boots with the leggy evening look

Razzle dazzle em: Devon Windsor glittered as she arrived at the Balmain bash

Statuesque! The model showed off her lean legs as she matched the garment with towering heels

Heading inside: She was just one of the many model guests heading inside

Rock goddess: Doutzen Kroes paired a short T-shirt dress with rocky over the knee boots

In she goes: She arrived with her jacket stylishly robed over her shoulders

Group shot: (L-R) Cindy Bruna, Grace Bol, Maria Borges, Doutzen Kros, Barbara Palvin, Maria Borges, Pierre Emmanuel Angeloglou, Grace Bol, Cindy Bruna, Doutzen Kroes, Liya Kebede, Sara Sampaio attended L'Oreal Paris X Balmain Party

Feeling playful: Model Barbara was in a funny mood, posing for the cameras

Glittering: Pamela Anderson was dazzling in a silver minidress

Kisses: Pamela embraced designer Olivier Rousteing inside the bash

Cuddling up: He also spent time chatting to Marie-Ange Casta

Party people: Alessandra Ambrosio and sportsman Neymar stopped for a picture
Mischa Barton wants justice.

The 31-year-old actress attended the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, after filing a civil suit against her ex-boyfriend, Adam Spaw, who was said to have been shopping sex tapes of The O.C. star.

Mischa and her team labelled the case as 'revenge porn', with the British-born beauty denying any knowledge of the existence of these tapes, according to People.

Justice: Mischa Barton attended the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, after filing a civil suit against her ex-boyfriend, Adam Spaw, who was shopping sex tapes of The O.C. star

'In Mischas case, she has always alleged that these images were taken without her knowledge or consent. Its a form of domestic abuse as the judge has ordered in this case,' the star's lawyer Lisa Bloom told reporters outside the courthouse.

'Mischa has been seeing this through, the justice system sometimes moves slowly, but shes committed to that and Im committed to standing with her,' she continued.

Mischa hired Bloom back in March, after discovering Spaw - who she claims she had a 'brief relationship' with - was shopping sex tapes of her to porn companies.

Spaw did not attend court after being admitted to hospital on Tuesday and undergoing surgery on Thursday.

Blindsided: Mischa and her team labelled the case as 'revenge porn', with the British-born beauty denying any knowledge of the existence of these tapes

Suited: Leaving the courthouse in a white pussy bow blouse and maroon pants, Mischa was seen smiling as she walked alongside her lawyer Lisa Bloom

'Its a form of domestic abuse as the judge has ordered in this case,' the star's lawyer told reporters outside the courthouse

'I think she wanted everybody to know that this is wrong, this is a womens rights issue and that you can fight back and stand up against it,' continued Bloom in her statement.

'Stand up for your rights, it doesnt do any good to have these laws if we dont stand up for your rights, whether youre a celebrity or ordinary person, its not pleasant to be in this situation but you can stand up for your rights and win.'

For her part, Mischa said she is determined to emerge victorious from this trial.

Pushing through: 'Im going to see this case through to the end. I am very happy with what the judge has decided today,' the Sixth Sense star said in a brief statement

'Stand up for your rights, it doesnt do any good to have these laws if we dont stand up for your rights, whether youre a celebrity or ordinary person,' said Bloom

Coming out on top: 'I dont think its possible at this point to have seen it through long enough. I think thats important that we see real justice happen here,' Mischa said

'Im going to see this case through to the end. I am very happy with what the judge has decided today,' the Sixth Sense star said in a brief statement outside the courthouse.

'I dont think its possible at this point to have seen it through long enough. I think thats important that we see real justice happen here with this case, so Im more happy that the judge seems to understand this type of case.'

According to Bloom, the actress has been violated by her ex.

Fighting back: 'She wanted everybody to know that this is wrong, this is a womens rights issue and that you can fight back and stand up against it,' said Mischa's lawyer of the star

Violated: '[Mischa] has always maintained that the images were obtained without her knowledge or consent, and thats clearly a violation of the law,' said Bloom

Ongoing: 'Its a form of domestic abuse, the judge has already ruled that,' continued the star's lawyer. The next hearing is scheduled for November 8

'[Mischa] has always maintained that the images were obtained without her knowledge or consent, and thats clearly a violation of the law, and thats why shes fighting this case, its a form of domestic abuse, the judge has already ruled that,' continued the star's lawyer, who also represents Blac Chyna.

Leaving the courthouse in a white pussy bow blouse and maroon pants, Mischa was seen smiling as she walked alongside Bloom.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 8.
She's been busy with films like Sharknado 5: Global Swarming and Andy The Talking Hedgehog.

And on Thursday, Tara Reid found time in her schedule to attend the Men's Fitness 2017 Annual Game Changers event at a private residence in Beverly Hills, California.

The American Pie actress wore a sheer black top which showed off her very slender frame.

Night out: Tara Reid walked the red carpet at Men's Fitness 2017 Annual Game Changers event at a private residence in Beverly Hills California on Thursday night

A pair of right leggings emphasized her legs as she posed for photographers on the night out.

Sky high Christian Louboutin heeled booties adorned her feet, adding a boost to her 5ft5in frame.

Once inside, she was accompanied by tech entrepreneur Ted Dhanik, who she was also spotted with on Tuesday night at Tao.

Sheer: Her top was completely see-through for the outing where she also wore black leggings

Busy: The blonde actress has been keeping busy with films like Sharknado 5: Global Swarming and Andy The Talking Hedgehog

Page Six was first to identify her new man, who she is said to be 'casually dating.'

Earlier in the day, Tara remembered the late founder of Playboy, Hugh Hefner, in an exclusive statement to DailyMailTV.

Reid, 41, who appeared on a cover of Playboy in 2010, expressed gratitude to Hefner, just one day his passing at the age of 91.

'I loved Hef very much,' she said in the statement. 'He was an icon and incredible visionary. He lived a wonderful life and I'll be forever thankful for all he did for me.

Date night: Inside, Tara was spotted with tech entrepreneur Ted Dhanik who she is 'casually dating' according to Page Six
Things seem to be getting better for director Richard Linklater's actress daughter, Lorelei.

The 24-year-old beauty was snapped with her filmmaker father Thursday at New York City's Lincoln Center Theater for the premiere of his new Vietnam-based movie, Last Flag Flying, at the 55th annual New York Film Festival.

Lorelei, who's been seen in films such as Boyhood, Blood Surf and Bomb City, is just more than three months removed from receiving probation in her cocaine conviction stemming from a car accident that occurred in Texas in May of 2016.

Happy night: Richard Linklater, 57, and his actress daughter, Lorelei, 24, posed on the red carpet Thursday at New York City's Lincoln Center Theater for the premiere of his new film Last Flag Flying

The actress on Thursday had her blonde locks down with a black dress consisting of a sheer top over a black panel, and a black gown with silver sparkles. She carried a blue handbag with leopard skin patterns, accessorizing with a black choker, black studded wristbands and black heels with straps.

The Austin, Texas beauty's face was made up as she wore a shade of blue lipstick to the cinematic event, which was also attended by stars of the film such as Yul Vazquez and Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston.

Richard, the acclaimed director of the cult classic Dazed and Confused, wore an all-black suit with a grey patterned tie, with a shaggy hairdo and stubble on his chin.

In June, Lorelei was sentenced to deferred probation and a $1,000 fine, months after she pleaded guilty to a charge of cocaine possession this past April.

Talented: Lorelei is an up-and-coming actress who's already gained attention for her role in the 2014 movie Boyhood

Matching: The father-and-daughter both wore dark ensembles for the swanky debut of the film

Style standout: The Texas native looked nice in her ensemble, complemented by blue lipstick

In the original 2016 incident on Waco's Interstate 35, police said Lorelei 'had a blank look on her face' in the wake of a two-vehicle accident she was involved in, the Waco Tribune-Herald reported, citing court docs.

Lorelei told responding officers she had been on medication to deal with depression, the paper reported, and a subsequent search uncovered 'several miscellaneous pills' and a bag of cocaine.

She was arrested in connection with driving while intoxicated, and later indicted on possession of less than 1 gram of cocaine, according to the publication.

Runs in the family: Both father and daughter have been acclaimed as standouts for their work on the silver screen, with Richard's 1993 film Dazed and Confused remaining a classic

Say my name: The Dazed and Confused director posed with Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston, who stars in the Vietnam-based Last Flag Flying

Survivor: Lorelei received deferred probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession earlier this year stemming from a 2016 car wreck in Waco, Texas

With her guilty plea, prosecutors did not seek the DWI charge, the paper reported, and should she make it through her deferred probation with no further complications, she will not have the conviction on her record.

'She is a very nice, young lady who made a very simple mistake and accepted responsibility for it,' her lawyer Rob Swanton told the paper, 'and the judge imposed a very appropriate punishment.'

Last Flag Flying, also starring Steve Carell, Cicely Tyson and Laurence Fishburne, hits theaters November 3.

An eye for talent: Linklater assembled an amazing cast for his new film, including Laurence Fishburne, Cicely Tyson and Steve Carell
She's often hailed for her fit and toned physique.

And former Big Brother star Tully Smyth showed off her physical appeal in a snap shared to Instagram earlier this week.

The 29-year-old blonde bombshell flaunted her cleavage and washboard stomach in a skimpy black and white striped bikini.

Ready for summer! Ready for summer! Big Brother star Tully Smyth flaunts cleavage and washboard stomach in a skimpy bikini

There was not an inch to pinch on Tully's frame as she relaxed on the grass at the Prahran Aquatic Centre in Melbourne.

A plunging bandeau-style bikini top in black and white fabric highlighted her bust and lithe arms.

The social media sensation looked to have gone makeup-free, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.

Tully captioned the snap: 'CAN SUMMER HURRY UP NOW K THANKS.' alongside several sun emojis.

Red hot: The lifestyle blogger is no stranger to flaunting her enviable figure, often stripping down to skimpy bikinis in social media snaps

What's her secret? Tully takes part in regular boxing and F45 group training sessions to maintain her slender and toned frame

The lifestyle blogger came to attention after starring on the 2013 season of reality series Big Brother Australia.

She was rumoured to have been linked to The Bachelor's Richie Strahan after they were seen kissing at the Melbourne Cup races back in November 2015.

Tully and Richie were later pictured looking cozy in a number of social media snaps prior to the Perth hunk's stint on The Bachelor.

Working up an appetite: The blonde bombshell revealed via Instagram earlier this year, that every Friday is 'cheat day'. Social media snaps have seen Tully indulge in fast food including burgers

Notoriety: Tully came to attention after starring on the 2013 season of reality series Big Brother Australia
She always looks preened to perfection at fashion events, and Wednesday night was no exception for Vogue Williams.

The model and DJ looked showstopping in an Eighties-inspired sequinned minidress as she stormed the Starla Boutique store opening in her native Dublin.

The 32-year-old's outing comes after she admitted she 'blames' herself for the death of her father Freddie, who died after an operation she encouraged him to have.

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Chic: She always looks preened to perfection at fashion events, and Wednesday night was no exception for Vogue Williams

Freddie, 68, passed away from a stroke in 2010 following an operation to remove an aneurysm.

Recalling the tragedy in her new book Everything, Vogue said: 'In a weird way, I blame myself a little for him dying.

'I pushed him to get the operation out of the way, when maybe he should have waited a little longer and had more of a life.

'I also feel I should have been more vocal when he didn't seem right after the operation because they might have caught that last stroke earlier, but such is life.'

Looking good: The model and DJ looked showstopping in an Eighties-inspired sequinned minidress as she stormed the Starla Boutique store opening in her native Dublin

Legs for days: The Irish TV personality flaunted her bronzed limbs in the thigh-grazing number which featured an asymmetric draped skirt

Glam: She wore her blonde locks in glossy waves and framed her pretty features with minimal make-up

Grieving Vogue also told of how she held Freddie's hand the night they turned off his life support machine in hospital.

'Myself, my sister and my aunt had to meet with the surgeon to decide what to do next, and whether or not we should turn off Dad's life support machine,' she said.

'I didn't want to - I wanted to give him more time to fight - but in hindsight that was selfish. He would have had no quality of life.

'It was six o'clock on a Friday when I watched my dad die as I held his hand. I could see the life leave him and then he was gone.'

Retro look: She gave a nod to the Eighties with her styling, including a gold choker and black studded belt

Behind the decks: Williams seemed to be in great spirits as she played some tunes at the bash

The Dubliner added that while writing about the painful memory in her book was difficult, it was 'important to remember him and for other people to know about him'.

Vogue previously posted a tribute to Freddie on the fifth anniversary of his death, alongside a photo of him.

She wrote in November 2015: 'Five years ago today we lost our amazing Dad.

'Not a day goes by that I don't think of him, I'm so glad we got to the stage of being best friends as well as father and daughter before I lost him. Miss you always Dad.'

Tragic: The 32-year-old's outing comes after she admitted she 'blames' herself for the death of her father Freddie, who died after an operation she encouraged him to have

Emotional: She said of his death: 'In a weird way, I blame myself a little for him dying. I pushed him to get the operation out of the way, when maybe he should have waited a little longer and had more of a life.' Pictured, a tribute she posed on the fifth anniversary of Freddie's death

It seems the TV personality has been finding solace in her boyfriend, former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews.

She told You magazine: 'We are serious and I think he's absolutely brilliant. Whatever he did in the past is not going to bother me or affect us.

'I just know him for who he is now. He's so positive and down-to-earth, and the most chilled-out person you could ever meet  nothing fazes him.'

The model  who was previously married to Westlife star Brian McFadden  also revealed that she wants children '100 per cent'.

Happy: It seems the TV personality has been finding solace in her boyfriend, former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, 28

Smitten: She told You magazine: 'We are serious and I think he's absolutely brilliant. Whatever he did in the past is not going to bother me or affect us'

'We haven't discussed having children together  we're only seven months in,' she said.

'But it's important to know what somebody wants, even if it's not going to happen right now. I don't think that I'd be with somebody if they didn't want to have children.

'I'm not 100 per cent sure I want to get married again. It used to be important to me, but it doesn't mean the same thing it used to.

'But if you'd asked me eight months ago, it would have been an absolute 'no'. I am softening.'
Their relationship has seen turbulent times as of late, with her fleeing to Germany and him exposing Katie Price's extremely flirtatious texts.

But Chris Hughes and Olivia Attwood proved they were back on as they puckered up for a saucy smooch on Fright Night at Thorpe Park, Chertsey on Thursday night.

The 24-year-old hunk and and his fellow Love Island girlfriend, 26, looked in the throes of a passionate romance as they packed on the PDA in a bid to leave the trying few weeks behind them.

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Back on! Chris Hughes, 24, and Olivia Attwood, 26, proved they were back on as they puckered up for a saucy smooch on Fright Night at Thorpe Park, Chertsey on Thursday night

Despite being plagued by recent split rumours, Olivia looked very much in love as she kept her beau Chris close by.

She was dressed for warmth in a shiny black puffa jacket and leggings with white lining, along with a pair of trainers.

Chris was also dressed appropriately for their theme park endeavours in somewhat of a matching coat, a casual white tee and skinny ripped jeans.

Dispelling any hear'say that they two had parted ways, Chris and Olivia confirmed they were back on as they lent in for a kiss.

Together: The Love Island couple looked in the throes of a passionate romance as they packed on the PDA in a bid to leave the trying few weeks behind them

Hot couple: Dispelling any hear'say that they two had parted ways, Chris and Olivia confirmed they were back on as they put on a cosy display at the theme park

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Chris and Olivia for further comment.

Olivia recently broke her silence for the first time since she fled to Germany following their explosive row, but did not confirm whether or not the pair have split.

Posting a message on Twitter, Olivia thanked fans for all of their support, but kept mum on the current status of her relationship.

She said: 'Sorry I have been so quiet, sometimes in life you just need a minute to disconnect and remember what's important.

'But thank you so much for all your lovely comment and messages. I can't replay to them all but I do see them and they feed my soul... I love you guys. (sic)'

Trouble: Speculation mounted that their romance was on the rocks following the 'jealous nightclub row' in the early hours of last Friday

Turbulent: Olivia jetted out of the country and landed in Germany following her tearful bust-up with beau Chris after she 'flirted' with a mystery man

Olivia has been quiet on social media since leaving the UK as a result of the 'tearful' bust-up with Chris.

Speculation mounted that their romance was on the rocks following the 'jealous nightclub row' in the early hours of last Friday.

Olivia jetted out of the country and landed in Germany following her tearful bust-up with beau Chris after she 'flirted' with a mystery man.

According to The Sun Online, Chris flew into a jealous rage after he spotted her dancing with a 'group of gay male dancers' while supporting him at London's Ministry of Sound.

The publication reported that ITV2 starlet Olivia was left so alarmed by his behaviour at the club - where he performed his new single Little Bit Leave It with his pal Kem Cetinay - that she left the UK to gain perspective on their relationship.

Had enough? Chris reportedly flew into a jealous rage after he spotted her dancing with a 'group of gay male dancers' while supporting him at London's Ministry of Sound

Reports: It was reported that ITV2 starlet Olivia was left so alarmed by his behaviour at the club - where he performed his new single Little Bit Leave It with his pal Kem Cetinay - that she left the UK to gain perspective on their relationship

Speculation: During the week, there was speculation that Olivia and Chris Hughes had split

A source close to the blonde bombshell said: 'Chris asked Olivia to come to Ministry of Sound rather than work a job she'd been offered. She went to support him and looked like she was having a great night hanging out with Amber [Davies], her mates and Chris's family.

However things reportedly took a sour turn when Chris - who is set to launch his own reality show Chris & Kem: Straight Outta Love Island - 'flipped and flew into a jealous rage' when he saw Olivia dancing with Amber's gay pals.

Despite Amber doing the same, Chris was left 'furious' as watched on and was restrained by security at the venue while the furore grew as he 'hates seeing her near other guys'.

Aside from the flirty messages, Chris ha previously revealed to OK! that Olivia is eager for him to propose after their fellow Love Island alum Dom Lever and Jess Shears got engaged.

He added: 'Liv really wants me to propose. She asks me all the time when I'm going to do it. I'd really like to get engaged but it feels a bit too soon. I want it to be a surprise and it'll be well romantic.'

Jetting off: Olivia shared an image of her in Germany on her Instastory in the midst of the furore on Sunday
She shot to fame in 1993, after she finished in the top 10 while representing her home country of Sweden in the Miss World Beauty pageant.

And Victoria Silvstedt showed that she's still just as glamorous as ever when she stepped out in eye-catching style for the inaugural Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean, which honoured Leonardo DiCaprio, on Thursday night.

The 43-year-old stunner wowed as she arrived at the glitzy event, held at the Monaco Garnier Opera, in a deeply plunging hot pink dress, which featured a feathered bodice, a glittering sheer overlay and a sweeping chiffon skirt.

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Glitzy gala: Victoria Silvstedt attended the inaugural Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean gala, held at the Monaco Garnier Opera on Thursday night

Her flattering frock of choice was cinched at the waist with a metallic silver belt, allowing her to display her enviably svelte frame as she mingled at the bash.

Victoria's signature platinum locks were styled in bombshell waves, while mascara, eyeliner and bubblegum pink lipstick further enhanced her natural beauty.

And the model opted to keep her accessories bright and beautiful, wearing a dazzling diamond ring, which perfectly matched her dangling drop earrings.

Pretty in pink: The 43-year-old wowed as she arrived in a deeply plunging hot pink dress, which featured a feathered bodice, a glittering sheer overlay and a sweeping chiffon skirt

Inside the event, she rubbed shoulders with a host of stars, including Nelly Furtado, Adrien Brody, Olga Kurylenko, Lior Suchard, Robin Thicke, and the evening's hosts Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Blonde beauty Victoria has enjoyed a lengthy stint in the spotlight after being chosen to represent her country in the Miss World pageant in 1993.

Since her career rocketed, she has modelled for some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior and Valentino.

Cinched: Her flattering frock of choice was cinched at the waist with a metallic silver belt, allowing her to display her enviably svelte frame as she mingled at the bash

Despite the glamorous veneer to her lifestyle as a young model, she revealed there was a dark side in a recent interview with Female First.

Victoria said: I started very young to model in Paris when I was 18. I remember like starving myself to fit into the clothes and it was an amazing experience but you know I did shows for Valentino, Chanel, so it was really prestigious.

But it never felt like it was my thing, I'm not like a runway skinny model, I'm more curvy. It was torture, I put myself through starvation, you know torturing myself.'
She found herself catapulted into the spotlight after being hailed the 'most beautiful girl in the world' at the age of six.

And since then Thylane Blondeau has gone on to assert herself in the modelling world, with the teen storming the catwalk in New York, London and Milan for Fashion Month.

Putting on appearances in Paris too, the 16-year-old French model made sure to catch the eye, as she attended the L'Oreal Paris X Balmain party held at Ecole de Medecine on Thursday night.

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Beautiful: Thylane Blondeau, 16, made sure to catch the eye, as she attended the L'Oreal Paris X Balmain party held at Ecole de Medecine on Thursday night.

Opting for an all-black ensemble, Thylane dazzled as she rubbed shoulders with fashion's elite at the bash, including the likes of Doutzen Kroes, Sara Sampaio, Barbara Palvin, Winnie Harlow and Alessandra Ambrosio.

The starlet showcased her sartorial excellence, as well as her renowned beauty, while pairing together a simple black tee with statement fringed trousers that billowed out around her legs.

She added extra height to her ensemble with cut-out heels and left her lightened tresses to fall past her shoulders in a sleek and straight style.

Stunning: The French model emphasised her striking features with a glamorous make-up look and sported an all-black ensemble

Causing a stir: Thylane was first catapulted into the limelight after her cover for Vogue Enfants captivated readers across the globe, with many hailing her the 'most beautiful girl in the world' aged six

Thylane finished off her evening look with glamorous make-up that highlighted her striking features - it came complete with bronzer-swept cheeks, a subtle smokey-eye and a slick of nude lipstick.

Her appearance at the bash comes after Thylane had made her Fashion Month debut at the beginning of September and took to the catwalk for Michael Kors.

Storming the runway once more, Thylane was enlisted as one of the models for Dolce and Gabbana's Milan showcase and she has put in a number of FROW appearances throughout Fashion Month - including Tommy Hilfiger in London.

In-demand: Prior to stopping by the Balmain event in Paris, Thylane had attended the Messika cocktail party the previous evening

All eyes on her: Thylane again stepped out sporting head-to-toe black - choosing to don a tailored blazer coat - and was seen posing alongside Valerie Messika at the bash

Prior to stopping by the Balmain event in Paris, Thylane had attended the Messika cocktail party the previous evening.

Commanding attention on her arrival once more, Thylane again stepped out sporting head-to-toe black - choosing to don a tailored blazer coat.

Her tresses were parted in the centre and styled into tousled waves and, ever the professional, she looked every inch the in-demand model as she struck up a pose with her hand placed in the pocket of her jacket.

Storming the catwalk: She made her Fashion Month debut in New York walking for Michael Kors

Thylane has been modelling since the tender age of four and had walked for Jean Paul Gaultier, before her cover for Vogue Enfants threw her into the limelight after causing a stir across the globe.

She had been the youngest ever model to pose for French Vogue, however her cover had been criticised by some for being too 'sexualised'.

Her mother Veronika Loubry, a fashion designer, defended the cover at the time, telling a French newspaper, 'The only thing that shocks me about the photo is the necklace that she's wearing, which is worth 3 million Euros,' or about $4.3 million.

Thylane, meanwhile, has gone on to become a brand ambassador for L'Oreal, joining the likes of Eva Longoria, Cheryl and Blake Lively, and has been named the face of a perfume by French designer Lolita Lempicka.

Making her mark: Thylane then took to the catwalk once more for D&G in Milan
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WALTER RAY HAMILTON, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-16983 Decided: September 27, 2017

Before MARTIN, JULIE CARNES, and JILL PRYOR, Circuit Judges.

Walter Ray Hamilton appeals the 75-month sentence he received after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C.  846, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, in violation of 21 U.S.C.  856(a)(1), 860(a). After careful review, we affirm Hamilton's sentence and remand for the limited purpose of correcting clerical errors in the judgment.

I.

At sentencing, Hamilton admitted that he leased a home in Chamblee, Georgia, which he operated as a stash house for a drug trafficking organization. He did not dispute the presentence investigation report (PSR) saying that in June 2014, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents saw Hamilton unload boxes from two cars that stopped at the stash house. The agents also saw Hamilton's codefendants leave the stash house with a container, get in a truck, and drive away. When the agents stopped and searched that truck, they found 3.996 kilograms of cocaine. A few days later, agents watched Hamilton put something in a car. When they stopped and searched that car, they found 6 kilograms of marijuana. Later that same day, agents saw Hamilton and his codefendants drive away from the stash house in four separate cars. They stopped and searched the car Hamilton was in and found, among other things, a list of tracking numbers for packages, one of which contained 10 kilograms of marijuana. They also stopped and searched Hamilton's codefendants' cars and found 55 kilograms of marijuana. In searching the stash house, the agents found another 4.4 kilograms of marijuana.

To arrive at Hamilton's offense level, the PSR counted the amounts of cocaine and marijuana the agents seized from the stash house, the cars leaving the stash house, and the package from the list of tracking numbers. Based on the weight of these drugs and other facts, the PSR determined Hamilton's guideline imprisonment range was 87 to 108 months.

Hamilton objected to the PSR's inclusion of the 3.996 kilograms of cocaine in calculating his offense level. At sentencing, he argued there was no evidence of him touching, carrying, [or] speaking about the cocaine. Instead, Hamilton contended he knew only about the marijuana and his role in the conspiracy was limited to marijuana. The district court overruled the objection. The court found Hamilton had been directly involved with the people who used the stash house, which he ran for the conspiracy. The district court thus found the cocaine could be attributed to Hamilton under either of two theories of relevant conduct from the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG): aiding and abetting, USSG  1B1.3(a)(1)(A), or jointly undertaken criminal activity, id.  1B1.3(a)(1)(B).

The district court sentenced Hamilton to 75-months imprisonment. This appeal followed.

II.

Hamilton argues on appeal that the district court erred in holding him responsible under USSG  1B1.3 for the 3.996 kilograms of cocaine the agents found when they searched his codefendants' truck. He says it was not reasonably foreseeable that the drug conspiracy included cocaine. We review de novo whether the district court correctly applied USSG  1B1.3. United States v. McCrimmon, 362 F.3d 725, 728 (11th Cir. 2004) (per curiam).

Section 1B1.3(a)(1)(A) says a defendant's base offense level shall be determined from all acts and omissions committed, aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, procured, or willfully caused by the defendant. Id. A defendant's accountability under subsection (a)(1)(A) is not limited by what is reasonably foreseeable because the reasonable foreseeability requirement only applies to the conduct of others. United States v. Alvarez-Coria, 447 F.3d 1340, 1344 (11th Cir. 2006) (per curiam).

On this record, Hamilton can be sentenced for the cocaine because he aided and abetted the trafficking of the drugs through the stash house. See id.; United States v. Gomez, 905 F.2d 1513, 151314 (11th Cir. 1990). Hamilton leased and ran the stash house for the conspiracy. He also unloaded boxes from cars into the stash house on the same day his codefendants left the stash house with the cocaine. Because Hamilton can be sentenced for the cocaine on the basis of his own conduct, we need not question whether it was reasonably foreseeable to Hamilton that cocaine was part of the conspiracy. See Alvarez-Coria, 447 F.3d at 1344 (Whether the presence of [a specific drug] was reasonably foreseeable to [the defendant] is immaterial because [the defendant] is being held accountable for his own conduct, not the conduct of his co-conspirators.). The district court therefore did not err in including the cocaine when sentencing Hamilton.

III.

The government requests that we remand to the district court to correct clerical errors in the judgment under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 36. The judgment makes three clerical errors: (1) it says that Hamilton pled guilty only to Count Two; (2) it lists Count One as including cocaine and marijuana; and (3) it states that Hamilton must serve a three-year term of supervised release after his imprisonment. However, Hamilton pled guilty to Count One as to the marijuana, but not the cocaine. And at sentencing, the district court ordered Hamilton to serve concurrent terms of supervised release of three years as to Count One and six years as to Count Two. We therefore remand to the district court for the limited purpose of correcting these errors in the judgment under Rule 36.

AFFIRMED IN PART AND REMANDED IN PART.

PER CURIAM:
She paid tribute to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, sharing her saucy bikini snaps from her visit to the mansion.

And on Friday, Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris stripped off once again for her Instagram, this time proudly flaunting her pert derriere.

The 29-year-old shared a snap of her floating in the pool wearing only a tiny, pink G-string.

Pants off Friday! Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris stripped off once again for her Instagram, this time proudly flaunting her pert derriere

In the post she only showed the lower half of her curvy figure; her plump posterior and her trim pins.

She captioned the post: 'Weekend Vibes! #pantsofffridays.'

Fans of the buxom beauty loved her post including one who complimented, commenting: 'Oh my booty.'

This comes after she posted her tribute to the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner following his passing this Wednesday.

Bunny by the pool: On Friday, the 29-year-old posted a tribute to Hugh Hefner posting snaps of herself from her trip to his legendary mansio

'A very young Keeks at the Playboy Mansion!' She left little to the imagination, as she donned a skimpy blue bikini with multi-coloured snake skin panels and a gold body chain

She took to Instagram to shared a series of throwback photos of herself posing at the legendary magazine publisher's mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.

'A very young Keeks at the Playboy Mansion!,' she wrote in her caption.

'RIP Hugh Hefner I admire that you loved all animals almost as much as you loved bunnies!'

Leaving little to the imagination, Kiki donned a skimpy blue bikini with multi-coloured snake skin panels and a gold body chain.

Bikini babe: Another snap also showed Kiki in the estate's aviary with what appears to be a macaw

Lounging about: In one photo, the Sydney-based stunner showed off her sunkissed complexion while lounging beside a pool

Kiki accessorised with a pair of aviator sunglasses and a pair of nude platform heels.

In one photo, the Sydney-based stunner showed off her sunkissed complexion while lounging beside a pool.

Another snap also showed Kiki in the estate's aviary with what appears to be a macaw.

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner died on Wednesday from natural causes in the Playboy Mansion, according to a statement by Playboy Enterprises.
He is a former wild child comedian known for his famously quirky sense of humour.

And Russell Brand showed off his eccentric side to full effect on Friday's episode of Lorraine in which he jokingly mocked the host along with her plastic props.

Following a relatively straightforward chat in which the 42-year-old had opened up on his recent marriage and fatherhood, Russell said 'what do I do now' as Lorraine attempted to wrap up the interview.

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Croissant anyone? Russell Brand showed off his eccentric side to full effect on Friday's episode of Lorraine in which he jokingly mocked the host along with her plastic props

Joker: The comic, 42, unleashed a hilarious rant after finding out her croissants were plastic before saying it's not real, what is this Lorraine, are you even Scottish?!' as the host and audience burst into laughter

Lorraine, 57, responded 'Do you want to stay here. You can stay if you want?' as a relaxed Russell reclined, picking up a plate of croissants and said 'Im going to sit here and grab my croissant'

As he went to take a bite of the baked breakfast treat, Lorraine shrieked No dont! Its not real, its plastic! Its plastic!' as the star pulled a face.

The wild-haired haired comic then brandished a croissant in Lorraine's face and unleashed a hilarious rant, saying it's not real, what is this Lorraine, are you even Scottish?!' as the host and audience burst into laughter.

The bizarre moment on Lorraine drove Russell's fans wild on social media, with some calling for him to get his own chat show.

No! Following a relatively straightforward chat in which Russell had opened up on his recent marriage and fatherhood, Russell said 'what do I do now' as Lorraine attempted to wrap up the interview

Laugh out loud; As he went to take a bite of the baked breakfast treat, Lorraine shrieked No dont! Its not real, its plastic! Its plastic!' as the star pulled a face

Put them down! The bizarre moment on Lorraine drove Russell's fans wild on social media, with some calling for him to get his own chat show

Friends; The star was clearly in a great mood as he chatted with Lorraine, with the pair sharing a friendly hug

Trio: He joined Kristina Rihanoff and pregnant Katie Piper on the sofa

One fan wrote: 'Loving @ITVLorraine this morning... inspirational, entertaining and funny! Russell Brand is like a mischievous child.

Another tweeted the star directly saying '@rustyrockets u r on fire this morning! u cheered up my brekkie lol x' while another wrote '@rustyrockets cant breathe with laughing... absolutely hilarious on @reallorraine @ITVLorraine'

One follower wrote 'Watching Russell Brand on #Lorraine is such a good way to wake up. @rustyrockets give him his own chat show while another wrote 'Omg Russell brand on Lorraine crying! I love him'.

Another fan gushed about Russell, saying he should be a regular on Lorraine, 'Please Im begging you @reallorraine have @rustyrockets on your sofa everyday x I love him - my day will be happier because of your show x'

Loving it: One fan wrote: 'Loving @ITVLorraine this morning... inspirational, entertaining and funny! Russell Brand is like a mischievous child'

funny: Another tweeted the star directly saying '@rustyrockets u r on fire this morning! u cheered up my brekkie lol x'

Laugh: Another wrote '@rustyrockets cant breathe with laughing... absolutely hilarious on @reallorraine @ITVLorraine'

Popular: One follower wrote 'Watching Russell Brand on #Lorraine is such a good way to wake up. @rustyrockets give him his own chat show'

Wow; 'Another wrote 'Omg Russell brand on Lorraine crying! I love him'

Gushing: Another fan gushed about Russell, saying he should be a regular on Lorraine, 'Please Im begging you @reallorraine have @rustyrockets on your sofa everyday x I love him - my day will be happier because of your show x'

Funnyman; Russell himself got in on the post-show banter as he humourously tweeted 'oh Lorraine' followed by two croissant emojis

Russell himself got in on the post-show banter as he humourously tweeted 'oh Lorraine' followed by two croissant emojis.

The star, who wed Laura Gallacher, 30, last month also spoke about how being married and fatherhood to baby Mabel, 10 months.

He said: 'Its so extraordinary to find such comfort and peace in a way things are obvious, getting married, having baby, I feel very relaxed, surprised but relaxed

I was watching my wife singing to our daughter, I thought wow this is happening, I am the father in this relationship, it felt beautiful.

Happy; The star, who wed Laura Gallacher, 30, last month also spoke about how being married and fatherhood to baby Mabel, 10 months

Devoted dad: He said: 'Its so extraordinary to find such comfort and peace in a way things are obvious, getting married, having baby, I feel very relaxed, surprised but relaxed'

When asked by Lorraine if he would have more children, Russell responded 'Oh yeah! The actual birth bit is brilliant, surprising, amazing. I saw how mental it was my wifes birth was a crazy world, I was on the periphery.

'The midwifes were dominating, I was scuttling around, jealous of the oxygen she was on.'

The star then spoke about the birth in his trademark quirky manner saying 'My wife glistened in a pool, did a baby in a pool on her toes.

Family: The star then spoke about the birth in his trademark quirky manner saying 'My wife glistened in a pool, did a baby in a pool on her toes' (pictured with Laura and Mabel in May in NYC)

'The glass of life flexed somehow, amazing, the mystery, where was the consciousness, I was shouting, where was you tell me about the magical realm?'

Speaking about swapping partying for parenting and domestic bliss Russell said: 'I also think I wouldnt have been able to be in a relationship if I wasnt psychologically ready.

'I remind myself its not her (Laura's) job to look after me and when she does its a bloody relief.'

Reformed: Russell, who appeared on the show to talk about new book Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions said I think thats the point of the book to explain why I stopped taking drugs, stopped being obsessed with sex, with money'

Russell, who appeared on the show to talk about new book Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions said I think thats the point of the book to explain why I stopped taking drugs, stopped being obsessed with sex, with money.

'If youre in a position of some success, people will allow you to be a nutter if theyre making money out of it, drinking drugs, it's not good to live like that.

Speaking about desire to go on tour once again he sweetly said: The new show is a bit saucy, its about how much I love my little daughter, how its awakened me, and given me something real.

Stunning: Meanwhile, a pregnant Katie Piper also made an appearance on the show

Horror: She detailed the moment she was stung on her pregnant bump by a jellyfish - which she first revealed earlier this month

'I got got stung on my hand and then it fell on my bump!' Katie spoke about the painful moment during a sunny break with her husband Richard Sutton and their offspring

Meanwhile, Katie Piper also appeared on the show where she detailed the moment she was stung on her pregnant bump by a jellyfish - which she first revealed earlier this month.

I was abroad working and got stung on the hand, it then fell on my bump and fell on my leg,' she spoke about the painful moment during a sunny break with her husband Richard Sutton and their offspring.

'I was worried being pregnant that it could be toxic, but it's not as bad as it looks!' Katie informed Lorraine.

Katie, who is excitedly preparing for the birth of her second child, stated: 'The baby is due the day after Boxing Day, so it should be a stressful Christmas!'

Katie, who is excitedly preparing for the birth of her second child, stated: 'The baby is due the day after Boxing Day, so it should be a stressful Christmas!'

Glowing: The star highlighted a bump with a figure-flattering purple floral dress




She's the former Bachelorette who was recently named the celebrity ambassador for skincare brand Palmers.

And on Friday, Georgia Love took her 178,000 Instagram followers behind the scenes during a photo shoot for the popular brand.

Posing on the ground with her knees pulled into her chest, the 29-year-old looked flaunted her toned physique in her champagne coloured slip dress.

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Stunner! On Friday, Georgia Love took her 178,000 Instagram followers behind the scenes during her Sydney shoot with skincare brand Palmers

'If you'd have told me a year ago I'd be shooting an advertising campaign as the face of an Internataional skincare brand, I would've told you you were coco-nuts!!' she hilariously captioned the photo.

'Absolutely love working with @palmers_aus and can't wait to share what we have coming up.'

Wearing a champagne coloured mini dress with spaghetti straps, Georgia flaunted her bronzed silky smooth long and lean legs while one fan said she looked like international supermodel Cindy Crawford.

Punny! 'If you'd have told me a year ago I'd be shooting an advertising campaign as the face of an Internataional skincare brand, I would've told you you were coco-nuts!!'

'You look like Cindy Crawford here! #modellife,' they wrote.

Taking to Instagram Stories to gush over her makeup artist, the brunette stunner looked radiant in her selfie.

Georgia's hair was parted to one side with her brunette locks effortlessly brushed away from her face.

Her glam: Taking to Instagram Stories to gush over her makeup artist, the brunette stunner looked radiant in her selfie

The surprises continue: And her great day didn't end there, with Georgia arriving back in Melbourne to a surprise package from her love

In one video, the brand ambassador was also seen sitting on a high chair with her back turned to the camera.

And her great day didn't end there, with Georgia arriving back in Melbourne to a surprise package from her love.

Taking a photo of a fresh bouquet of flowers and her cat, the TV journalist thanked Lee.

'Welcome home pressie from my love (@leeroyelliott not @pawdrey_hepburn!), she captioned tagging her feline friend.
She's the former Big Brother star who let loose after a few drinks last Sunday.

And this weekend, Skye Wheatley confirmed she will be hitting the dance floor again at the annual Listen Out music festival, in a throwback photo alongside her friends posted to her Instagram on Friday.

The 23-year old asked her 351,000 strong followers who would also be attending the electronic music festival, and told revellers that she would see them there amongst the crowd.

'Who's going Listen Out on Sunday?': Skye Wheatley confirmed she will be hitting the dance floor again at the annual Listen Out music festival, in a throwback photo alongside her friends posted to her Instagram on Friday

'Who's going Listen Out on Sunday? See you there hunnies #festival #meandmygirlfriends,' she captioned.

Snapped alongside fellow Brisbane social media starlets Shani Grimmond and Lily Brown, Skye looked to be enjoying herself.

Sporting a barely-there bra to show off her surgically-enhanced cleavage, Skye raised her left hand in the air while her right hand was placed firmly round the shoulders of her friends.

Wearing cut-off denim shorts over a pair of white fishnet stockings, she also sported a white fur coat to combat the cold and complete her image.

'See you there hunnies': The 23-year old asked her followers who would also be attending the electronic music festival, and told revellers that she would see them there amongst the crowd

Party girl: If last Sunday is anything to go by, Skye will definitely be showing punters how to party

Accessorising with a dark beige coloured beret and a pair of sunglasses, she clicked her heels together in her blindingly white sneakers.

And if last Sunday is anything to go by, Skye will definitely be showing punters how to party.

She let loose after a few too many cocktails at a 'boozy' brunch in Brisbane's Blackbird Bar last week.

The guest list for the event included the who's who of Brisbane's Instagram elite, including Skye's good pal Brooklyn Kelly.

Workin' it! Skye Wheatley showed off her dance moves after a few cocktails at a 'boozy brunch' in Brisbane's Blackbird Bar on Sunday

The social media stars were treated to a seemingly endless supply of fancy cocktails over lunch, with Brooklyn enthusiastically documenting the alcohol-soaked event on her Instagram page.

With some good ol' fashioned Dutch courage on her side, Skye then walked to the middle of the floor and started dancing to techno music.

The 24-year-old showed off all her best moves as she whipped her hair around and performed some awkward booty drops for onlookers.

Beyonce, who? The 24-year-old showed off all her best moves as she whipped her hair around and performed some awkward booty drops for onlookers
Over the past few weeks, she's been seen vying for the attention of various men on the E4 reality show Celebs Go Dating.

And Charlotte Dawson continued to make herself the centre of attention this week, when she took to Instagram to share a shot of herself putting on a busty display in a high-cut white swimsuit, which featured cut-outs over her bosom and on the sides.

Her curvaceous display came as audiences saw the 24-year-old brunette order a man to pull down his trousers and bare his bottom in the middle of a restaurant as they dined together during Thursday night's instalment of her dating show.

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Breathtaking: Charlotte Dawson shared a shot of herself posing in a daring white swimsuit while holidaying on the Greek island of Ios earlier this week

In her Instagram shot, which was taken during her sun-soaked break on the Greek island of Ios, the reality TV star held a glass of bubbly aloft as she posed on a spacious beachfront balcony.

With her chestnut brown tresses tied up in a bun, she teamed her eye-catching swimwear with a sheer white kaftan, which she later lowered to rest about her arms as she posed for a sexy boomerang clip, in which she was seen wiggling her waist.

On Thursday's episode of Celebs Go Dating, the daughter of late comedian Les Dawson was seen enjoying a romantic meal with a handsome suitor, as she told him: 'For me, when I get with a guy, they have got to have a good a**e.'

Daring swimsuit: The Celebs Go Dating star put on a busty display in a high-cut white swimsuit, which featured cut-outs over her bosom and on the sides

Showing that he could rise to the occasion, he responded: 'I have a good a**e because you can see in these trousers I've got a good a**e.'

As the man unbuckled his belt - in full view of agitated diners - Charlotte urged: 'Keep going let's have a look.' before pulling down his pants and playfully slapping his bare bottom.

Things didn't get off to a good start for Charlotte when the show debited earlier this autumn, as fans watched her get dumped by a Pete Wicks lookalike.

Date: Celebs Go Dating fans watched on Thursday night as Charlotte stepped out on a date

Chat: As the pair sat in an eatery, she told her suitor how much she appreciated a nice bottom

Ex On the Beach star Charlotte showed she was getting in the flirty mood by downing Prosecco from a bottle in a taxi en-route to the mixer.

She quickly got talking to pirate Pete doppelganger Jordan from Wolverhampton and gushed 'He is fit as f*** I just want to eat him' before passionately kissing him.

She confessed: 'I fancy the f*** out of him'.

But Lady Nadia Essex who match-makes the celebs on the E4 show was fuming, saying: 'Charlotte has ignored everything we've said to her and if she carries on like this it's going to be impossible to find her a date.'

Up for it: The handsome man then declared that he had a desirable posterior as he left his seat

Bum deal: After much encouragement from Charlotte, he bared his bottom by their table

It's a yes from me: A laughing Charlotte appeared to be impressed with what she saw

Charlotte then asked Jordan to meet for a drink and checked out his body before asking him to flash his derriere.

But it wasn't to be a fairytale ending for the pair, with the long-haired hunk saying: 'I don't know how to tell you this but I recently split up with someone and I'm trying to get her back.'

A furious Charlotte then said: 'He's blown it now.'

A post shared by Charlotte Dawson (@charlottedawsy) on Sep 27, 2017 at 8:39am PDT
It was a big day for him on Wednesday as he met his girlfriend's mother, Tina Green, for what was believed to be the first time.

And for Jeremy Meeks and Chloe Green, it looked like the meeting had gone incredibly well as they stepped out in Monaco on Thursday.

The billionaire Topshop heiress, 26, beamed in a casual ensemble as she embarked on another day of parading her love with the 'Hot Felon', 33.

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Lovebirds: Chloe Green, 26, beamed as she stepped out with her beau Jeremy Meeks, 33, in Monaco, a day after met her mother Tina aboard a 100m yacht

Chloe couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she clad her physique in a low-key ensemble of an oversized white shirt and printed bottoms.

She was joined by her inked man Jeremy, who became famous after he was arrested in 2014 and his mugshot went viral online thanks to his good looks.

The convict-turned-model went casual in a hoodie and jeans and spruced up the look with a Bengal tiger print Gucci backpack and matching tote bag.

The couple were first spotted together on a boat in Turkey in June despite him being married to Melissa Meeks, who stayed with him during his stint in prison.

Low-key: The Topshop heiress couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she clad her physique in a low-key ensemble of an oversized white shirt and printed bottoms

Together: She was joined by her inked man Jeremy, who became famous after he was arrested in 2014 and his mugshot went viral online thanks to his good looks

Controversial: The couple were first spotted together on a boat in Turkey in June despite him being married to Melissa Meeks, who stayed with him during his stint in prison

They have since been seen in Beverly Hills, Barbados and Malibu  where they sparked rumours that they were engaged as Miss Green wore a diamond ring.

Meeks, who is separated from his wife Melissa, was jailed on weapon charges and was released last year.

And proving that his love for Chloe was strong, he didn't hesitate in finally meeting her mother Tina on board the familys 100million superyacht Lionheart in Monaco the day before.

Meeks seemed relaxed as he met his potential mother-in-law. It is thought to be the first time he has met either of Miss Greens parents.

Proving that his love for Chloe was strong, he didn't hesitate in finally meeting her mother Tina on board the familys 100million superyacht Lionheart in Monaco the day before

Long day: After spending a day lounging on the yacht, Miss Green took her boyfriend and mum to the Monte-Carlo Gala, which was held to acknowledge Leonard DiCaprio's environmental work

Her father Sir Philip, who is worth around 3.8billion, was not seen on the yacht.

After spending a day lounging on the yacht, Miss Green took her boyfriend and mum to the Monte-Carlo Gala, which was held to acknowledge Leonard DiCaprio's environmental work.

The glamorous occasion marked their first red carpet appearance and they were dressed to impress.
She recently released images showing the horrific wounds she alleged suffered at the hands of an 'abusive ex-boyfriend'.

But Gemma Collins, 36, proved she was moving on from the ordeal, as she threw herself into shooting for her new dress collection on Friday.

Fans went wild for the former TOWIE star's 'stunning' look as she showcased her slimmed-down figure in a chic LBD for one sizzling Instagram snap.

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Defiant: Gemma Collins proved she was moving on from her alleged abuse ordeal at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, as she threw herself into shooting for her new dress collection on Friday

The Celebrity Big Brother appeared to be in great spirits as she showed off her svelte frame in the midi dress, which featured stylish lace edging.

'Shooting today for my new dress collection so excited #gccollection,' she captioned the shot.

Her followers went into overdrive over the snap, declaring that she looked 'stunning and 'so gorgeous.'

'Too glam to give a damn. Get it GC!' while another wrote: 'You look stunning in the dress Gem.' Others added: 'Wow looking great xx' and 'Wow you look so gorgeous and beautiful xxx.'

Looking good: Fans went wild for the former TOWIE star's 'stunning' look as she showcased her slimmed-down figure in a chic LBD for one sizzling Instagram snap. Pictured right, in August

Support: Her followers went into overdrive over the snap, declaring that she looked 'stunning and 'so gorgeous'

Honest: Collins has been open about her body image struggles in the past, and recently revealed her size 20 physique causes her anxiety when she's on holiday

Collins has been open about her body image struggles in the past, and recently revealed her size 20 physique causes her anxiety when she's on holiday.

In a candid interview with Closer Magazine, she said she feels 'trapped' while filming TOWIE scenes in a swimsuit and sunbathes in private for fear of being stared at.

She said: 'I do get anxiety over my weight. When we film abroad it's a nightmare for me. You never see me sitting around the pool and I do miss out on a lot of fun.

'I feel like a trapped prisoner and I don't feel free to enjoy myself.'

Opening up: In a candid interview with Closer Magazine, she said she feels 'trapped' while filming TOWIE scenes in a swimsuit and sunbathes in private for fear of being stared at

The single star said she is desperate to settle down and have children, but thinks her weight is affecting her dating life.

'If I lost weight, I'd be more at ease with myself. I do think, "Have I not got a boyfriend because I'm overweight? I think if I was slimmer, I'd go on more dates and be more secure in myself." '

The star who said she feels like a 'huge part' of her life is missing, voiced her hopes for the future, saying in the next five years she wants to be in Barbados, a size 14, with a 'handsome husband and three children.'

It comes after she released images of the horrific wounds she suffered in the midst of an abusive relationship, as she showed her bloodied and battered body.

Essex glamourpuss: The single star said she is desperate to settle down and have children, but thinks her weight is affecting her dating life

New horizons: The star said in the next five years she wants to be in Barbados, a size 14, with a 'handsome husband and three children.' Pictured in 2011

Gemma released horrifying images of the injuries she allegedly sustained at the hands of an ex-boyfriend just before jetting out to Australia to making her doomed appearance on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, in 2014.

Releasing her story in heartbreaking detail, she revealed she hopes it will encourage other victims of domestic violence to go to the police, revealing her biggest regret is not pressing charges because she was 'too scared to see it through.'

Gemma was beaten up and left with a bloodied head and hands, as the shocking images displayed the lengths of the terrifying abuse she suffered.

She recalled how she was locked in her own flat and repeatedly kicked in the spine by her former flame in the terrifying alleged incident.

When her ex reportedly went into the bedroom to smash up her belongings, Gemma claims she managed to unlock the door and crawl into the hallway, where a concerned neighbour alerted the police.

'Powerless': She told The Sun's Bizarre column, 'I was really badly beaten. I was powerless. I should have pressed charges but I was in love with that person'

She told The Sun's Bizarre column: 'I was really badly beaten. I was powerless. I should have pressed charges but I was in love with that person.

'When he beat me enough to get me down on the floor then he didnt stop there. He locked me in my flat  he then repeatedly kicked me, kicked me, kicked me'.

Gemma confessed that the experience has changed her relationships with men and still haunts her to this day.

She also admitted that she found it hard to move on from the romance - and the pair were still in touch after she left the jungle.

Her former partner has denied allegations that he assaulted her in 2014.
He emerged as a fast favourite on The Bachelorette after receiving the coveted 'double delight' rose from singleton Sophie Monk.

But Sam Cochrane, 31, may have had a secret advantage in the race to Sophie's heart, with new claims emerging that the pair had already dated before 'meeting' on the reality show.

'Sam previously had a thing with Sophie Monk, hence his confidence and cockiness straight away,' a Bachelorette insider exclusively told Daily Mail Australia this Friday.

'Sam previously had a thing with Sophie Monk': Sam Cochrane, 31, may have had a secret advantage in the race to Sophie's heart, with new claims emerging that the pair had already dated before 'meeting' on the reality show

The source, who described Sophie and Sam's prior romance as 'a brief fling', is not the only person to come forward with claims about Sam's dating past.

Earlier this week, a woman spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her ill-fated romance with the long-haired voice over artist.

'He just doesn't know when to stop and equally doesn't take well to being told 'no', the woman said.

'He just doesn't know when to stop and equally doesn't take well to being told 'no'': Earlier this week, a woman spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her ill-fated romance with the long-haired voice over artist

'It's as if he can't believe that someone would turn him down and he gets quite over the top and arrogant.'

She went on: 'He would often try and make me jealous, and he likened himself to Thor and tried to use that in a bid to win me over.'

'He would also send me videos and audio clips of himself singing songs (on his own accord without ever asking) and demand an explicit image back - of course I refused', she said.

'He is really passionate about his music and singing and I believe he wants to promote that': The insider also claimed that Sam used to work 'on the door' at the Apple store in Bondi Junction but quit his job to go on The Bachelorette this year

The insider also claimed that Sam used to work 'on the door' at the Apple store in Bondi Junction but quit his job to go on The Bachelorette this year.

'He is really passionate about his music and singing and I believe he wants to promote that [on the show].'

The Bachelorette Australia with Sophie Monk airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on Network Ten.
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They're used to strutting their stuff in lingerie down the Victoria's Secret catwalk.

But Angels Martha Hunt, Josephine Skriver and Sara Sampaio proved they're just as at home on high end runways as they walked for the Redemption show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

Leading the way was Vogue covergirl Martha, who dazzled in an black bardot gown which skimmed over her sensational figure and featured a dramatic thigh high split that offered a look at her tanned and toned pins.

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Model moment: Victoria's Secret models (L-R) Martha Hunt, Josephine Skriver and Sara Sampaio proved they're just as at home on high end runways as they walked for the Redemption show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday

Martha also donned another ensemble for the outing, teaming an off the shoulder grey top with a small black mini skirt that was flecked with sequins and adorned with glitter and beading, whilst it was fastened with a rope belt.

Wearing her golden locks in a side parting, the stunning starlet bore a neutral make-up palette that accentuated her flawless features, whilst she finished off the look with a pair of black leather boots cut to the calf.

Also sizzling on the outing was Josephine Skriver, who showed off her tanned and toned stomach in a flared black dress top that was fastened with one button to flaunt her cleavage and impeccably sculpted abs.

Sara Sampaio also looked phenomenal, teaming an oatmeal hued one sided jumper with a cream polka dot pencil skirt that was adorned with a navy lace trim and featured a flattering front split, whilst she layered up with a distressed denim jacket.

Pin-credible! Leading the way was Vogue covergirl Martha, who dazzled in an black bardot gown which skimmed over her sensational figure and featured a dramatic thigh high split that offered a look at her tanned and toned pins

Martha will soon be featured in Victoria's Secret's upcoming ad campaign that found her in the Colorado wilderness being directed by Michael Bay for a Western-themed shoot.

As one of the brand's beloved Angels, she will head to Shanghai, China in November to walk in the brand's annual fashion show which will air on CBS in December.

The blonde bombshell was signed to VS in 2012 after walking for labels like Givenchy and Prada - and walked in the VS show in 2013 and 2014 before officially becoming an Angel in 2015.

Chic and cheerful! Sara Sampaio also looked phenomenal, teaming an oatmeal hued one sided jumper with a cream polka dot pencil skirt that was adorned with a navy lace trim and featured a flattering front split, whilst she layered up with a distressed denim jacket

Gorgeous in green: Cindy Bruna also looked sensational as she stormed the runway in two khaki ensembles, the first skinny jeans and a leopard print bustier and the second outfit a glittering cami dress teamed with an oversized blazer

She recently opened up about getting along with the other VS Angels, explaining that they bond as they're all 'under pressure'.

'We're all under the same amount of pressure, and we all shoot and travel together. So it's very crucial for us to be there for one another,' she told Elle Canada.

'I love working out with the girls, I prefer to work out with them rather than by myself. They motivate me more and it's just more fun. It gets your mind off the pain when you have all of your girlfriends with you.'

Martha added that the biggest fitness cheerleader in the group would have to be Jasmine Tookes or Elsa Hosk.

Here come the girls! The models stormed the runway in an array of glamorous looks for the Redemption PFW show

Chest a glimpse! The stunners went braless as they hit the runway and weren't afraid to flash the flesh on the outing

Martha was discovered at a model search in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2004, which she entered after close friends repeatedly urged her to give modelling a try.

The catwalk queen admitted that her model potential was so obvious, a surgeon even told her to be a model when she went for an operation.

'I even had my appendix taken out, and the surgeon said to my parents, "She should try modeling!" ' she told W magazine. 'At that point we were like 'Okay, maybe we could try it.''

Dazzling: Sara got her Victoria's Secret Angel wings in 2015 and has proved she can model for all brands

Blue-tiful! Sara changed into a blue semi-sheer blouse that she tucked into her high-waisted jeans as she waited backstage
Jennifer Lopez seems to be falling more in love with Alex Rodriguez as the months pass.

On Thursday the 48-year-old siren, who has been tirelessly trying to raise funds to help the victims of Puerto Rico, shared a sweet images with her beau, who used to play for the New York Yankees.

The Shades Of Blue actress was seen leaning on him as she had a content look on her face. The Bronx babe's caption read: 'My happy place.'

So in love: Jennifer Lopez captioned this Thursday images with Alex Rodriguez 'My happy place' and added 'amor amor amor'

The World Of Dance judge added 'amor, amor, amor' and said, 'About last night.'

They are both looking out in the distance and she is wearing a very large pair of hoop earrings.

This comes the same day she said she has made contact with her missing relatives in Puerto Rico who were caught up in the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The Maid In Manhattan star announced via Instagram that her entire family is now accounted for after nearly a week of searching.

Posting a video of her relatives, aunt Adela and uncle Tomas, she thanked everyone for their support, and said she was over the moon to know her family was safe - and now they could turn their attention to recovery following the destructive storms.

Safe: the 48-year-old announced via Instagram that her final two relatives, Adela and Tomas, have been located and the entire family is now accounted for after nearly a week of searching

Jennifer posted the clip to her 69 million Instagram followers with the caption: 'After a long 6 days we found the last of the family! Now the rebuilding begins!!

In the video, her two relatives express gratitude towards Jennifer, saying she has always been a generous and giving person.

Tomas said: 'I never forget how nice she was to us.'

Recalling memories of the superstar as a child, Adela added that although they live far away from Jennifer, they adore their niece and are thankful for all her efforts at locating them and helping rebuild their lives.

'I've always loved her but I haven't had the chance to show it to her, because we're always so far away from each other, but I've always loved her and I remember her with a lot of affection,' she said.

'To me she's the two- or three-year-old Jennifer that I knew, and we love her a lot, and it moves me to know of people coming here on her behalf and know that she cares for us.

'I have a lot to express but I have no words. So, Jennifer, hi darling, we love you, God bless you and keep you in good health and that everyday you feel better and better.'

Looking forward: Jennifer posted the clip of her relatives to her 69 million Instagram followers with the caption: 'After a long 6 days we found the last of the family! Now the rebuilding begins!!'

Fans were thrilled to hear J.Lo had been reunited with her family as just last week she emotionally revealed how she still didn't know the whereabouts of some relatives who are living on the US territory.

Clad in a robe, she posted a video to Instagram last Thursday, saying: 'Hi, I'm Jennifer Lopez, not my most glamorous look right now, I know, I'm working in Vegas right now.

'But that's not really important. What's on my mind is what's going on in Puerto Rico. The devastation is beyond belief. Me and my cousins still haven't been able to hear from our families over there.'

'Not my most glamorous look right now': Clad in a robe, Jennifer took to Instagram on Thursday to address fans about the devastation in Puerto Rico

Jen added: 'What's foremost on my mind and many others is trying to figure out the best way to help. Puerto Rico has been hit by two of the most devastating hurricanes we have ever seen, Irma and Maria.

'Today Puerto Rico needs our help. I urge you to support and donate to the efforts of the first lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rossello.

'Unidos por Puerto Rico. Together we can help rebuild our island and the Caribbean.'

Jennifer was born and raised in New York City, but both of her parents hail from the Puerto Rican city of Ponce.

The star's ex-husband Marc Anthony also sent a plea to fans, asking for their help in supporting victims of the hurricanes.

In his own video, he said: 'Hi this is Marc Anthony. During the past weeks my island has faced the wrath of two historic hurricanes, it was Irma and now Maria, as we all know, which have caused great devastation in Puerto Rico and in the broader Caribbean. Nonetheless, Puerto Rico became a safe haven for those in need from our neighboring islands. Says a lot about us.

'But today, Puerto Rico needs your help, and I'm calling on everyone to support and donate to the disaster relief effort of the first lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rossello.'

'Puerto Rico needs your help': The star's ex-husband Marc Anthony also sent a plea to fans, asking for their help in supporting victims of the hurricanes

On Sunday, Jennifer announced a generous donation of $1 million to Puerto Rico's hurricane relief efforts.

'What's foremost in my mind and many others, is trying to figure out the best way to help,' she said in a statement.

'Together we can help rebuild our island and the Caribbean.'

J.Lo is among the performers who will headline the Tidal x Brooklyn benefit concert in New York next month with proceeds going to survivors of the hurricanes in the United States and the Caribbean.

Doing what they can: as well as donating $1 million to relief efforts, the former American Idol has also teamed up with ex-husband Marc to launch a humanitarian initiative to further relief efforts

She'll join fellow headliner Jay-Z and music stars including DJ Khaled, Chris Brown, Fifth Harmony and Iggy Azalea for the concert at New York's Barclays Center on October 17.

Meanwhile, the former American Idol has also teamed up with ex-husband Marc to launch a humanitarian initiative to further relief efforts.

Called Somos Una Voz, which translates to We Are One Voice, their fundraising effort has been supported by a slew of big name stars including Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ricky Martin and Vin Diesel.

The initiative is relying on the celebrities' combined 1 billion social media followers to raise awareness of the ongoing plight in areas affected by hurricanes, with residents still needing access to water, shelter, medicines, generators and communications.

A Go Fund Me page has also been set up with funds raised going to various charities working in the hurricane-affected regions.

Jennifer and Marc split in 2011 following seven years of marriage and share twins Emme and Max, nine.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. STEPHEN KERR and MICHAEL QUIEL, Defendants-Appellants. No. 15-10393 Decided: September 27, 2017

Before: RAWLINSON and NGUYEN, Circuit Judges, and VANCE,*** District Judge.

MEMORANDUM*

Stephen Kerr and Michael Quiel were convicted of willful subscription to a false tax return in violation of 26 U.S.C.  7206(1). Kerr was also convicted of willful failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts (FBARs) in violation of 31 U.S.C.  5314 and 5322(a). This Court affirmed defendants' convictions on direct appeal. See United States v. Quiel, 595 F. App'x 692 (9th Cir. 2014). Defendants now appeal the district court's denial of their motion for a new trial or, alternatively, for an evidentiary hearing. This motion was based on allegations that (1) defendants' lawyer, Christopher Rusch, had engaged in criminal and fraudulent behavior before, during, and after the trial, in part by blogging and podcasting under the pseudonym Christian Reeves; (2) the Government had an undisclosed agreement with Rusch that allowed Rusch to commit illegal acts without fear of prosecution in exchange for his testimony against defendants; and (3) Exhibits 51 and 52, introduced at trial, were forged. Defendants also appeal the district court's denial of their motion to accept a limited remand. We affirm.

1. We generally review the denial of a new trial motion, made based on newly discovered evidence, for abuse of discretion. United States v. Hinkson, 585 F.3d 1247, 1259 (9th Cir. 2009). In order to obtain a new trial under Rule 33, the defendant must establish that:

(1) the evidence [is] newly discovered; (2) the failure to discover the evidence sooner [was not] the result of a lack of diligence on the defendant's part; (3) the evidence [is] material to the issues at trial; (4) the evidence [is] neither cumulative nor merely impeaching; and (5) the evidence  indicate[s] that a new trial would probably result in acquittal.

United States v. Harrington, 410 F.3d 598, 601 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting United States v. Kulczyk, 931 F.2d 542, 548 (9th Cir. 1991)). As an initial matter, the district court did not err in refusing to consider certain audio recordings, which were introduced to establish Reeves as Rusch's alter ego, because the court presumed the truth of this allegation. Additionally, contrary to defendants' assertions, the court did in fact consider the emails allegedly sent by Rusch. Further, the district court correctly held that evidence showing the falsity of Exhibits 51 and 52 did not satisfy Rule 33 because defendants failed to meet their burden of establishing when this evidence was discovered.

Defendants also argue that the district court erred in finding that evidence relating to Rusch's fraudulent behavior and undisclosed agreement with the Government would be cumulative and merely impeaching. Ordinarily, newly discovered evidence that merely impeaches a witness will not warrant a new trial. See, e.g., United States v. Davis, 960 F.2d 820, 825 (9th Cir. 1992). But impeachment evidence may require a new trial when it refute[s] an essential element of the government's case, or it is so powerful that, if it were to be believed by the trier of fact, it could render the witness' testimony totally incredible. Id. At trial, the jury heard testimony that Rusch committed a tax felony, had substantial tax debt, violated his fiduciary duties to his clients, misused his client trust fund account, falsely notarized a document, and violated the ethical rules of the California Bar. We agree with the district court that any additional evidence that Rusch engaged in other fraudulent behavior of the same nature would be cumulative of this impeachment evidence. Relatedly, defendants assert that additional evidence of Rusch's fraudulent behavior negates their mens rea. But this Court has already found that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to find the requisite willfulness, even without Rusch's testimony. See Quiel, 595 F. App'x at 694. The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendants' new trial motion under Rule 33.

2. We review de novo the district court's denial of a new trial motion based on an alleged Napue violation. United States v. Rodriguez, 766 F.3d 970, 980 (9th Cir. 2014). To prevail on a Napue claim, the defendant must show that (1) the testimony was actually false, (2) the prosecution knew or should have known that the testimony was actually false, and (3)  the false testimony was material. Id. at 990 (citation omitted). Defendants argue that the Government's failure to disclose Rusch's fraudulent behavior and pseudonym led to the introduction of perjury, and that Exhibits 51 and 52 were false. But defendants fail to show that either Rusch's testimony or the exhibits were actually false, or that the Government knew or should have known of their falsity. Defendants' conclusory and speculative assertions fail to make out a Napue claim. See United States v. Aichele, 941 F.2d 761, 766 (9th Cir. 1991).

3. We also review the district court's denial of a new trial motion de novo when the asserted basis for a new trial is a Brady violation. United States v. Pelisamen, 641 F.3d 399, 408 (9th Cir. 2011). A Brady violation has occurred if: (1) the government willfully or inadvertently suppressed; (2) evidence favorable to the accused; and (3) prejudiced ensued. Id. (citing Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 281-82 (1999)). First, defendants have not produced any evidence suggesting that Exhibits 51 and 52 were forged and have failed to bear their burden of producing some evidence to support an inference that the government possessed or knew about the Brady material. Id. at 408 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Second, information about Rusch's pseudonym and fraudulent behavior, which the Government allegedly suppressed, is merely cumulative impeachment evidence, and therefore cannot give rise to a Brady violation. See United States v. Kohring, 637 F.3d 895, 902 (9th Cir. 2011). Finally, defendants assert that the Government failed to disclose the existence of a leniency agreement with Rusch. Although the prosecution's failure to disclose an agreement with a coconspirator in exchange for his testimony at trial constitutes suppression under Brady, see Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150, 154-55 (1972), defendants merely speculate about the possibility of an undisclosed agreement, see Runningeagle v. Ryan, 686 F.3d 758, 769-70 (9th Cir. 2012). The district court did not err in denying the new trial motion based on alleged Brady violations.

4. This Court reviews a district court's denial of a post-verdict evidentiary hearing for abuse of discretion. United States v. Saya, 247 F.3d 929, 934 (9th Cir. 2001). First, the district court presumed that Rusch used a pseudonym, so there was no need for an evidentiary hearing to establish that. See United States v. Scott, 521 F.2d 1188, 1196 (9th Cir. 1975). Second, considering the conclusory nature of defendants' allegations as to the falsity of Exhibits 51 and 52, the court did not abuse its discretion in declining to hold an evidentiary hearing to establish their falsity. See United States v. Zuno-Arce, 209 F.3d 1095, 1102-03 (9th Cir. 2000), overruled on other grounds by Valerio v. Crawford, 306 F.3d 742 (9th Cir. 2002). Finally, the district court was not obligated to hold an evidentiary hearing to entertain pure speculation about an undisclosed agreement between the Government and Rusch. See United States v. Mincoff, 574 F.3d 1186, 1199-1200 (9th Cir. 2009). Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendants' request for an evidentiary hearing.

5. Because the denial of defendants' motion to accept remand is essentially the denial of a motion for an indicative ruling, the Court reviews it for abuse of discretion. See Jackson v. Allstate Ins. Co., 785 F.3d 1193, 1206 (8th Cir. 2015). Defendants moved the district court to accept remand to consider additional new evidence. None of this new evidence warrants relief under Rule 33, Napue, or Brady. Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendants' motion to accept a limited remand.

AFFIRMED.

I concur in the result.

Rawlinson, Circuit Judge, concurring:
She is often showcasing her sartorial excellence in an array of stylish ensembles.

And Friday proved to be no different for Emily Ratajkowski as she donned a chic two-piece checked suit to attend the Nina Ricci SS18 showcase at Paris Fashion Week.

Steering away from her usual ab-baring ensembles, the model, 26, favoured a much more demure look for her appearance at the eight-day style event, and smouldered on her arrival.

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Stunning: Emily Ratajkowski showcased her sartorial excellence as she donned a chic two-piece checked suit to attend the Nina Ricci SS18 showcase at Paris Fashion Week on Friday

Emily looked simply sensational as she took to her seat on the front row for Nina Ricci's show.

Cutting a glamorous figure, she ensured all eyes were on her, thanks to her head-turning attire that elegantly paired together an open long-line blazer jacket and matching trousers that boasted a flared leg.

Not shying away from her usually scanty wardrobe choices, Emily chose to sport a sheer lace bodysuit underneath her two-piece.

The slinky design sheathed her svelte frame and teased a look at the starlet's assets underneath. Opting not to leave her decolletage bare, however, Emily threw a stone-hued cardigan atop her leotard that fastened with just one button at the neck.

Wow-factor: Her cropped brunette tresses were styled over to one side and strikingly different to her long locks, earlier in the week (right)

Chic: Steering away from her usual ab-baring ensembles, the model, 26, favoured a much more demure look - smouldering on her arrival

Beauty: The model dazzled in her head-turning two-piece that elegantly paired together an open long-line blazer jacket and matching trousers that boasted a flared leg

Sultry: Although, not shying away from her usually scanty wardrobe choices, Emily chose to sport a sheer lace bodysuit underneath her two-piece

Adding height to her ensemble, Emily sashayed her way into the showcase in a pair of leather nude boots and finished off her attire with an impeccable beauty look.

Her cropped brunette tresses were styled over to one side and grazed her shoulders in tousled waves, while her make-up made sure to accentuate her striking features.

The fashion star favoured a bronzed smokey-eye and contoured cheeks, completing her look with a slick of nude lipstick.

Model behaviour! Showcasing her own catwalk credentials, Emily stunned as she posed for photographs inside the showcase

Rubbing shoulders: The star was seen sat alongside Louise Bourgoin (R) on the FROW

Lovely: She also posed for a photograph while cuddled up to fellow model Jeanne Dama (L)

Striking up a slew of poses on her arrival, Emily proved why she is a hit in the modelling world, before joining Olivia Palermo who stunned in a monochrome getup.

She paired together a black roll neck jumper and full-length skirt that came complete with white floral motifs.

Olivia sported suede heeled boots underneath and favoured a subtle yet glamorous beauty look.

Stunning display: Many of the designs on the runway featured elaborate embellishments from netting to fringing to feathers and fur

Star-studded: Emily was joined on the FROW at Nina Ricci by Olivia Palermo

Fashionista: Olivia stunned in a monochrome getup, pairing together a black roll neck jumper and full-length skirt that came complete with white floral motifs

Dressed to impress: Later in the day Olivia looked chic as she accessorised with a pair of Tod's sunglasses whilst she wore her glossy locks swept back

Funky: Style blogger Helena Bordon sported a leather-look turquoise blue coat that came with a leopard print collar

Meanwhile, Emily has been jetting across the globe for Fashion Month, putting on appearances in New York and Milan.

But while she may have catapulted into the spotlight as part of the fashion industry - also gaining fame as a topless dancer in Robin Thicke's controversial hit Blurred Lines - Emily has now gone on to forge an acting career.

The Gone Girl actress has a busy period approaching as she's set to co-star in four films in the coming months.

Jet-setter: Emily has been flying across the globe for Fashion Month, putting on appearances in New York and Milan (pictured above at PFW's Paco Rabanne show)

New projects: While she may have catapulted into the spotlight as part of the fashion industry, Emily has now gone on to forge an acting career and will co-star in four films over the coming months

The actress will join Natalie Dormer in the thriller In Darkness - a psychological revenge thriller about blind musician who hears a murder committed in the apartment above her.

Emily will also take the lead in romance, Cruise, which is set in the 1980s and follows the tale of a young Italian-American who falls in love with a Jewish girl from Long Island.

In 2018 Emily will then star alongside Amy Schumer and Michelle Williams for the comedy, I Feel Pretty, due out June 29, 2018.

Emily will also join Aaron Paul for the chiller, Welcome Home, about a couple's romantic trip to a cottage in the Italian countryside that turns into a nightmare.

Bold: Nina Ricci showcased a slew of show-stopping designs that consisted of vibrant hues

Daring: One model appeared to go braless underneath a soldier-inspired lace top and feathered yellow skirt
Delilah Hamlin has become one of the more interesting new faces to pop up on the Hollywood scene this year.

And clearly there's a young gentleman who feels the same way.

On Thursday evening the 19-year-old beautiful blonde daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin was seen with her arms around a mystery man while they left the LA hotspot On The Rox.

Hug it out: Delilah Hamlin put her arms around a mystery man in LA on Thursday

Hot spot: They were seen leaving On The Rox, a new trendy restaurant

The star wore a black, shiny leather miniskirt that showed off her slender legs.

She added a black hoodie and metallic boots with her hair up in a messy but attractive top knot.

The budding model seemed quite smitten with the young lad, who was dressed casually in a silver bomber jacket and jeans, and looked to be around her age.

A glam look for this lady: She added a black hoodie and metallic boots with her hair up in a messy but attractive top knot

His look: The budding model seemed quite smitten with the young lad, who was dressed casually in a silver bomber jacket and jeans, and looked to be around her age

This comes after Delilah and her pinup sister Amelia said they were not like the Hadid sisters.

Last week they were asked by TMZ when they would surpass Gigi and Bella.

Amelia, 16, said, 'No competition! We're all the same level!'

Equals! Asked by TMZ last week when they would surpass the Hadid sisters, Amelia Hamlin, 16, said, 'No competition! We're the same level!'

The ladies, who were spotted at LAX about to jet off to Milan Fashion Week, were also asked if they were interested in modelling for Victoria's Secret.

And while Amelia said she was indeed interested, she also said there was also a minimum age of 18 to model for the brand.

'I think so!' she said of being interested in working with the company. 'We'll see where it takes us.'

Delilah told the website she would be attending NYU in January and planned on studying criminal psychology.

Amelia and her older sister kept it very casual and sporty for their flight out of Los Angeles.

Delilah opted for red sweat pants, a matching sweatshirt, sunglasses, and had her belongings packed into a tote bag.

Her young sister rocked a black sweatshirt with a car design, sweatpants, and carried her belongings around in a suitcase.

Amelia has just made her runway debut at Dennis Basso's show during New York Fashion Week on Monday night.

It was a full circle moment for Amelia, who admitted she wanted to become a model after attending her first NYFW show, which happened to be Dennis Basso.

She told W magazine of her first trip to Fashion Week at age 12: 'I was passionate about something for the first time ever.'

Amelia and Delilah are following in the very famous footsteps of their mother's former Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills co-star Yolanda Hadid's daughters, Gigi and Bella.

Delilah even gives Gigi credit with helping her learn her runway walk, which was seen on an episode of RHOBH.
On Wednesday, she was the toast of the ton in Spain, where she received the Donostia Award for her glittering movie career at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

And on Friday afternoon, Monica Bellucci was spotted in Paris, where she served as the guest of honour at the Goscinny et le Cinema - Asterix, Lucky Luke & Cie exhibition.

The 52-year-old actress put on yet another age-defying display, stepping out in a plunging black Balmain trouser suit, which was adorned with large gold buttons.

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Exhibition: Monica Bellucci attended the Goscinny et le Cinema - Asterix, Lucky Luke & Cie exhibition in Paris on Friday

With her glossy brown locks falling beyond her shoulders and styled with a long fringe, the screen beauty highlighted her natural beauty with a dusting of naturally-hued makeup as she posed outside the exhibition.

As she made her way into the event, she flashed a smile at photographers as she posed with a small model of one of the characters from famous comic strip Asterix.

Days earlier, Monica put on a breathtaking display when she stepped out in a flowing pink chiffon gown to receive the San Sebastian Film Festival's highest honour.



Age-defying: The 52-year-old actress put on yet another age-defying display, stepping out in a plunging black Balmain trouser suit, which was adorned with large gold buttons

Tresses: Her glossy brown locks fell beyond her shoulders and were styled with a long fringe

Natural beauty: The screen beauty highlighted her natural beauty with a dusting of naturally-hued makeup as she posed outside the exhibition

Wave: The screen star flashed one last wave at photographers before making her way in

She complemented the pleated number, which featured sheer sleeves and was cinched at the waist with a high band, with an elegant gold necklace.

Hours before receiving her award, the Bond girl attended a brief press conference, where she spoke about her decades-long career, and how much violence has played a role in a number of her films.

'I think this duality between poetry and violence has always been part of my career. I think the poetry in violence is part of my work,' Variety quoted her as saying, when she was asked about her role in the 2001 movie Malena.

Honoured: Monica was the guest of honour as she received the prestigious Donostia Award at the 65th San Sebastian Film Festival in northern Spain on Wednesday evening

Pretty in pink: The actress was a vision as she stepped out onto the stage to receive the festival's highest honour in a flowing pink chiffon gown

Stunning: She complemented the pleated number, which featured sheer sleeves and was cinched at the waist with a high band, with an elegant gold necklace

On starring in Irreversible a year later - which saw her character brutally raped - she said: 'When the film came out in Cannes, it was a scandal in some ways. People thought it was too violent... Today its a cult movie, and young students study it at university.'

Over the summer, Monica had a busy season promoting her film On The Milky Road.

As well as co-producing, the actress plays Nevesta alongside Serbian actor Emir Kusturica in the three-part narrative, which follows the life of a man and his country, from war, to when he falls in love and his eventual transition into hermit monk.

It is her first screen outing since her role as assassin's widow Lucia Sciarra in Spectre, where she enjoyed a steamy romp with Bond, played by Daniel Craig.

Greetings: She affectionately greeted actor Jon Malkovich as he presented her award to her

Body of work: The brunette beauty was awarded for her glittering, decades-long movie career

Proudly posing: The screen star posed proudly with her ornate trophy after making her speech

In the lead-up to the film's release, Daniel Craig insisted that his character would be kept on his toes by strong female leads, brought in to match 007 with their intelligence, style and sex appeal.

But critics were disappointed that beyond their on-screen romp, Monica's character only managed to make it into the storyline for a matter of minutes.

With her age-defying looks, it is clear to see that curiosity springs as to how she manages to stay so young - a secret she divulged to The Telegraph this summer.

She said: 'I do Pilates and swim, but I dont wake up at six and go to the gym. Forget it! It is not a matter of age, it is a matter of energy. The body gets older but the soul younger, You can be old at just 20.'

Natural beauty: The mother-of-two let her glossy chestnut brown waves flow down her back for the big event, while her natural beauty was accentuated with a dusting of makeup
It's been nearly a year since he confirmed his split from his wife of nine years, Jennifer Meyer.

And it seems Tobey Maguire is ready to move on - with the actor pictured out on his first public date with a younger woman on Thursday night.

Looking slightly bleary eyed, it was clear Tobey was enjoying himself as he left the 1Oak nightclub in Los Angeles in the early hours of Friday morning.

Having fun Tobey? Maguire looks bleary eyed as he leaves the Los Angeles club 1Oak in the early hours of Friday with a pretty younger model

The tall slender blonde at his side was fresh-faced and smiling, despite the late hour, as she threw an arm possessively around Tobey's shoulders.

For his part Tobey seemed to be enjoying himself, although the late hour left him looking a little blurry eyed.

The Great Gatsby star wore all black for his night out, although that didn't help him escape attention.

Luckily the father-of-two seemed happy to stop and chat to fellow clubbers, who seemed delighted to spot the celeb in their midst at the fashionable nightspot.

Is that Spider-Man? The Great Gatsby star wore all black for his night out, although that didn't help him escape attention

Earlier this year Tobey voiced a character in the hit animated move The Boss Baby alongside Alec Baldwin.

But the former Spider-Man star has been diversifying, and plans to make his directorial debut on the long-awaited film adaptation of Jo Nesbo's Blood On Snow.

The 41-year-old is to step behind the camera for the first time on the film, which is inspired by the novella.

This development has been sitting on the shelf for years after rumours that Leonardo DiCaprio was interested in the adaptation of the 2013 book. However, the project fell through due to a scheduling conflict.

Earlier this year it was reported that Tobey's production company Material Pictures and Lawrence Grey's Grey Matter Productions had taken up the rights with the aim of developing the idea.

Out and about: Tobey seemed to be enjoying himself, although the late hour left him looking a little blurry eyed

Grey Matter's Ben Everard along with Jo's own agent Niclas Salomonsson will be executive producers of the movie.Blood On Snow author Jo is also penning the

screenplay for the anticipated adaptation, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Tobey is also producing Robin Bissell's civil rights drama The Best Of Enemies starring Taraji P Henson.

Blood On Snow follows Olav, a hit man who kills people for his employer who is one of Norway's powerful crime bosses.

However, when he is asked to kill his employers own wife, Olav's life gets tangled when he ends up falling for her.

The book is the first in a trilogy written by Jo and 'Blood on Snow' is not the only adaptation by the author coming with 'The Snowman' starring Michael Fassbender to be released in October.
She revealed she hasn't weighed herself in 12 years in a refreshingly frank interview earlier this week.

And Kate Winslet stayed true to her no-nonsense outlook on life, as she stepped out in a casual ensemble and minimal make-up in New York on Wednesday.

Rocking a simple suede jacket and jeans, the Titanic star, 41, showcased her striking natural beauty in the casual ensemble.

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Looking good: Kate Winslet looked chic as she stepped out in a casual ensemble and minimal make-up in New York on Wednesday

The mother-of-three completed her ensemble with a chic pair of navy suede ankle boots and a simple skull-print scarf.

The British beauty stuck to a relaxed vibe, wearing her golden locks in a simple straight and going incognito behind square-frame glasses.

Winslet's outing comes after she made the searingly honest revelation that she hasn't weighed herself since she was 29 back in 2005.

The British actress made the confession while she chatted about a scene in her new film The Mountain Between Us where co-star Idris Elba has to pull her out of a frozen lake.

Dressing down: Rocking a simple suede jacket and jeans, the Titanic star, 41, showcased her striking natural beauty in the casual ensemble

'It was very hard on him,' she said during an appearance on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

'I don't know how much I weigh. I haven't weighed myself in 12 years  top tip it is a great mood.

'But pulling my body weight, plus soaking wet with water and those clothes  it was pretty rough on poor old Idris.'

When Kate first shot to fame in 1997 she was thought to be a size 14 but has been a size 10 at her slimmest.

Honest: Winslet's outing comes after she made the searingly honest revelation that she hasn't weighed herself since she was 29 back in 2005 (pictured)

Candid: She said: 'I don't know how much I weigh. I haven't weighed myself in 12 years  top tip it is a great mood.' Pictured in 2005

Kate, who plays a woman stranded in the snow with a stranger after their plane crashes in The Mountain Between Us, also talked about falling for her husband Ned Rocknell after a house fire.

'The Mountain Between Us is about two complete strangers who end up chartering a small aircraft, which crashes and the story is about how they have to survive and they ultimately fall in love.

'And when I first read this script, I was so moved by it, because that really did happen to me.'

'It is like family': Winslet gushed about her friendship with her former Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured 2016)

Delighting fans: Winslet revealed she and Leonardo still recite lines from the Academy Award-winning movie to each other

'I met my husband, and then the following day, the house that we were in burned,' she explained.

'This was in the Caribbean, exactly six years ago. And then that man, that stranger, who was wonderful at keeping my kids spirits up, and making them laugh, became my husband!'

Kate married her third husband Ned, who is the businessman nephew of Richard Branson, in 2012.

Mutual respect: After admitting they recited lines, she joked 'I know you love us even more now!'

Admission: 'I sort of wish there was like a soap opera version of the story where actually Jack and Rose really do end up together. But no,' she lamented later

Winslet, who she shot to stardom 20 years ago after appearing in Titanic with Leonardo DiCaprio, recently delight fans after revealing she and her former co-star still recite lines from the Academy Award-winning movie to each other.

'Is it true that you're such close friends that when you do talk, you quote Titanic lines back and forth to each other?' Michael Strahan asked during Kate, 41, during her Tuesday appearance on Good Morning America.

'You know,' Kate said before nodding in agreement. 'I know you love us even more now!' she added.

Superstar: Winslet shot to stardom 20 years ago after appearing in Titanic with Leonardo DiCaprio

'I do feel so grateful for that friendship,' she said of Leonardo.

'And honestly it is like family. It's one of those rare, Hollywood friendships that I just feel very, very blessed to have.'

'I sort of wish there was like a soap opera version of the story where actually Jack and Rose really do end up together. But no,' she lamented later.

Bizarre meeting: She also talked about falling for her husband Ned Rocknell after a house fire in the Caribbean. Pictured together in 2012
He is madly in love with his wife of two years, Michelle Keegan.

So it is no surprise the beauty was on Mark Wright's mind while he enjoyed time with his pal James Corden at the Xbox Playdate at The Microsoft Lounge in Venice, California on Thursday, as they continue in their sparkling Stateside venture.

The Extra presenter, 30, who has just scooped his career-making presenting role in the US, cut a stylish figure in a navy T-shirt as he competed against the casually-clad Brit comedian, 39, on the computer game.

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'He's my favourite person...except my wife': Mark Wright, 30, cut a stylish figure as he competed against his casually-clad pal James Corden, 39, at the Xbox Playdate at The Microsoft Lounge in Venice, California on Thursday

Former TOWIE star Mark was in high spirits when he put his best efforts into the game. Keeping his eyes on the screen, James also looked very animated as he proved up to the challenge against the television sensation.

Mark was unable to contain his excitement when he chilled with his pal - ensuring he documented the evening when he shared an inside clip on his Instagram stories.

But proving the love of his life is never far from his mind, the television hunk couldn't help mentioning Michelle. He can be heard saying: 'He's my favourite person...except my wife.'

The Take Me Out: The Gossip host has been living his best life after he made the move to Los Angeles for his new job as a presenter on Extra.

Love is a drug: Michelle (pictured at The O2 in January 2017) is never far from the presenter's mind as he couldn't resist mentioning his beautiful wife when talking about his friend

Mark has been mixing with the great and the good of Hollywood including Channing Tatum, Jackie Chan and Margot Robbie.

It has been reported that his beautiful wife - who is best known for her Corrie role as Tina McIntyre - will join him at the end of the year.

But first the actress will fly to Malaysia to film Our Girl. Earlier this year, Michelle flew to South Africa in May to film BBC war drama Our Girl for the second time after starring on the show last year as army medic Georgie Lane.

Despite Mark making a solid effort to visit her on occasion, she has spent much of the time out there alone.

Great time: Mark was having the time of his life with the funnyman as he continued to enjoy his new life in Los Angeles after moving for his new job

Revealed: It has been reported that his beautiful wife - who is best known for her Corrie role as Tina McIntyre - will join him at the end of the year (pictured in Our Girl)

He has been busy with his own working commitments and has spent the last few months travelling back and forth as he juggled jobs in London, Los Angeles and Mallorca, along with DJ appearances in Marbella.

Mark appeared to lament travelling constantly and while taking his last flight in a while, he was caught pining after his wife.

The former reality star had shared a selfie on board his flight, penning alongside it: 'The main thing I'm thinking about is the fact I have two more flights to go in 24 hours.

Jet setter: Michelle flew to South Africa in May to film BBC war drama Our Girl and she will complete another set of filming in Malaysia before joining her husband

'And I will be back in the arms of the person who means more than anything to me. OMG how this moment is going to be cherished,' he gushed. 'It's been well overdue and I'm more excited than you can imagine.' (sic)

The couple have been together for almost five years after they first met in December 2012 while both were holidaying in Dubai.

Nine months later, the duo had returned to the Middle Eastern resort where Mark had proposed and they went on to tie the knot in a lavish ceremony at St Mary's Church in Bury St Edmonds in May 2015.

Michelle, meanwhile, has previously spoken of how she struggles when forced to work away from home.

During a Facebook Live Q&A with Revlon, the former Coronation Street star had said: 'The hardest part [of my job] is probably not seeing my family and friends for the time that Im away filming. Although we FaceTime all the time, Im in a lucky position I know that, but you miss home a little bit.'
He may have won the heart of Katie Holmes, but it's come at the price of his family in Dallas, Texas, who claim they have been cruelly cut off by the Academy Award winner.

In a bombshell exclusive interview with Daily Mail, the Django Unchained actors aunt, Veronica Fannin, rips into Jamie Foxx, 49, - worth $85 million - saying he only cares about his celebrity lifestyle and is unwilling to help a paralyzed relative.

While Jamie has been pictured driving around Los Angeles in a gold painted Bugatti Veyron car worth $2 million, Veronica is struggling to raise $5,000 to pay medical bills for her grandson Jeffrey Todd Gilmore Jr - known as JJ - after the father-of-three, 22, was ejected from a car and left with serious injuries including a broken spine.

Happier times: In this photo, taken in July 2017, Foxx poses with his aunt Veronica Fannin (left) and his cousin Veronica Bradford (right). The family say Foxx has ceased contact with them

New priorities: Earlier this month the 49 year old Ray star was snapped enjoying time with his new girlfriend, Katie Holmes, 38, in Malibu, California

Daily Mail has reached out to Jamie's reps for comment.

'Weve been reaching out to Jamie since December through his step-dad and other family members, but weve heard nothing,' she told Daily Mail. 'Nobody will give me his number. I dont know what to do.'

JJ's young children narrowly escaped the wreckage on Christmas Eve last year, but he was catapulted out of the window and thrown onto the freeway. He is now recovering in a home but will need a lifetime of after care.

His family have been left with no option but to set up a Go Fund Me account and take in donations from their local church - but so far they have raised less than $600.

Family affair: The Django Unchained actors family, pictured here with the actor in June 2017, say Foxx only cares about his celebrity lifestyle and is unwilling to help a paralyzed relative

Tragedy: JJ, pictured here with Veronica Bradford in July 2017, was catapulted out of the window and thrown onto the freeway during an automobile accident

'Jamie knows JJ, the whole family went to his house in California last July, but fame changes people,' Veronica blasted.

'I heard about him dating Katie Holmes, I havent met her.'

'I see him on TV, but he doesnt get in touch anymore. He must know about the situation we are in. I am angry, I wish he would help out.'

All that glitters: While Jamie has been pictured driving around Los Angeles in a gold painted Bugatti Veyron car worth $2 million, his aunt Veronica is struggling to pay medical bills

Changed man: 'Jamie knows JJ, the whole family went to his house in California last July, but fame changes people,' Veronica blasted

Veronica, 56, has been juggling her time between visiting her grandson and working as a home heath-care provider.

'JJ had surgery and has been in the nursing home since,' she explained. 'Im hoping hell be able to walk again if he gets therapy. He can move his arms, but he still cant feel anything in his fingers.

'I need to adapt our home to look after him, our lives will never be the same again.'

Survivor: 'JJ had surgery and has been in the nursing home since,' Jamie's aunt explained. 'He can move his arms, but he still cant feel anything in his fingers'

Veronicas neighbors, LaWanda Sims and fiance Antwan Hall, have also slammed the Collateral star for not getting in touch and claim the fame and money have gone to his head.

LaWanda, 53, said: 'Jamie has been here a few times. He used to help the family with car payments, but hes giving nothing now.

'Veronica is very stressed visiting the hospital and having to work to provide for the family. She is the one everyone turns to and she is doing everything.'

Antwan, 43, added: 'I thought he was humble and family orientated, its shocking! He must be worth millions from all the movies he's been in.'

Concerned: Veronicas neighbors, LaWanda Sims, 53, and fiance Antwan Hall, 43, have also slammed the Collateral star for not getting in touch

Abandoned: LaWanda said: 'Jamie has been here a few times. He used to help the family with car payments, but hes giving nothing now'

Writing on the Go Fund Me page, JJs mother - named Veronica Bradford, but known as Nene - explains the severity of the situation and pleads for help from strangers in an open letter.

It reads: 'By the grace and mercy of God my son is beginning to talk with a voice box and breathing on his own, but some added pressure on his diaphragm sometimes makes breathing difficult.

'I as a mother can't leave the side of my only son nor neglect being able to provide for my seven and 12-year-old daughters.

'JJ also has babies that need their father's support. This is very hard for me being a single mother and sole provider for my children and grandbabies.

'Today, I am reaching out to every kind person capable of helping my son and I. We would greatly appreciate any charity you would like to share with us. I ask you also keep us in your prayers and give freely from the heart. I pray that your hearts be open and your donations even kinder. Thank you.'

No place like home: The modest house where the Any Given Sunday actor's family live in Dallas, Texas

No frills: Foxx's family believe that since leaving his Texas hometown, the Academy Award winner has grown out of touch

The Ray star has turned his back on his Texan family and never patched things up with Shahid Abdula, his birth father who gave him away, before his death in 2014.

One of Shahids good friends Bobby Spencer, 79, said: 'Before he died Shahid would talk proudly of Jamie. He regretted them being estranged and giving Jamie up when he was little.'

Shahid died suddenly of pneumonia after suffering from scar tissue on his lungs and Bobby added: 'He had been ill but his death was very, very sudden after he got pneumonia.'

Proud family: The Ray star, shown here in a picture taken from the 1986 Terrell High School yearbook, has turned his back on his Texan family and never patched things up

Humble beginnings: The Grammy Award winning musician, pictured here in his 1986 high school yearbook, was given away as a child by his young parents Darrell Bishop and Louise Annette Talley

His new life: Darrell and Louise let Louises parents, Mark and Esther Talley, adopt Jamie, pictured here in 1985, and from then on he had little contact with his birth parents

Playing favorites: The Miami Vice star, pictured here in 1986, didnt attend his fathers funeral, but is said to have established a relationship with his birth mother

The Grammy Award winning musician was given away as a child by his young parents Darrell Bishop and Louise Annette Talley. They let Louises parents, Mark and Esther Talley, adopt him and from then on he had little contact with his birth parents.

Darrell split from Jamies mom and converted to Islam, changing his name to Shahid Abdula. The Miami Vice star didnt attend his fathers funeral, but is said to have established a relationship with his birth mother.

Pictured here is a young Foxx (formerly Eric Bishop) in basketball gear in the 1986 Terrell High School Yearbook

Multi talented: Foxx, pictured here in 1986, attended Terrell High School, where he received top grades and played basketball and football
A slew of celebs have risen to Stephen Colbert and actor Nick Kroll's Late Show challenge to tweet embarrassing pre-pubescent snaps of themselves to raise money for hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico.

The pair issued the 'spur of the moment' challenge on Wednesday evening asking stars to use the hashtags #puberme and #PuertoRicoRelief.

And the host clarified how much would be donated on Thursday evening - a stunning $1,000 per tweet.

Nice ice, baby: Stephen Colbert is donating $1,000 for each geeky pre-pubescent selfie sent in by celebs to raise money for hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico

Stephen added one stipulation: 'I get to choose who's a celebrity.'

Aside from the one of Colbert looking 'cool as hell' and Nick as 'a tough guy,' latenight stars were quick to tweet their own dorky snaps

'Looking cool as hell': The host started the ball rolling by sharing this shot of himself in braces

'Tough guy': Colbert's guest actor Nick Kroll offered this selfie

All joking apart: Jimmy Kimmel offered this shot of himself as a lanky lad in short shorts standing next to a car with a L8 Nite number plate

Fab freckles: Red-head Conan O'Brien joked, 'This photo was taken the day I replaced David Letterman

A gangly Jimmy Kimmel wore short shorts as he stood next to a car with the license plate 'L8 Nite.'

A clean cut James Cordon smiled in a hoodie pic that he jokingly captioned like a dating site: 'Hello ladies, I'm James From High Wycombe, England.'

And Conan O'Brien tweeted a very freckly snap of himself, saying: 'This photo was taken the day I replaced David Letterman.'

Others include Judd Apatow, Lena Dunham, Billy Eichner, Kumail Nanjiani, Lena Headey, America Ferrera and Sarah Silverman.

The cash-for-tweets will come from the proceeds of sales of Colbert's Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor - Americone Dream - which usually go to charity via the Americone Dream Fund.

This year the money will go to oneamericaappeal.org set up by five former American Presidents to support recovery in areas hit by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
She stormed the Tommy Hilfiger runway alongside the likes of the Hadid sisters and Jourdan Dunn at London Fashion Week earlier this month.

And Joan Smalls looked her sensational statuesque self when she headed to the Omega party for the Paris installment of the sartorial festival on Friday.

The Puerto Rican beauty, 29, opted for an elegant sweeping jumpsuit which flaunted her incredibly lithe supermodel frame.

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Fashion icon: Joan Smalls looked her sensational statuesque self when she headed to the Omega party for the Paris instalment of the sartorial festival on Friday

Delicate spaghetti straps held up the plunging top of the baby pink item, exposing her enviably flawless decolletage.

The former Model of the Year swept her poker straight raven tresses across one shoulder as she flashed a dazzling smile on the red carpet.

She kept accessories to a minimum with a simple yet glamorous silver wristwatch - opting for no necklace and just one tiny silver earring to keep the attention on her stunning figure and radiant complexion.

Striking: The Puerto Rican beauty, 29, opted for an elegant sweeping jumpsuit which flaunted her incredibly lithe supermodel frame

Since 2011 Joan has been a global beauty ambassador for Estee Lauder and was the first Latina signed to a worldwide campaign by the brand.

Joan was Model of the Year at the ninth annual Style Awards in 2012 and that same year was ranked number one in the Top 50 Models Women list by Models.com. She's been in a long-term relationship with boyfriend Bernard Smith since 2011.

She recently told NBC News how she learnt her runway prowess, as she said: 'My dad would love to say he taught me how to walk.

Smouldering: Delicate spaghetti straps held up the plunging top of the baby pink item, exposing her enviably flawless decolletage

'He taught me how to be like: "This is your space." (My mum) taught me that power. She's like: "Joan, you remember you on that runway. Remember you're the star."'

In her youth, the stunning star revealed she frequently lost out on contracts due to her looks, as she said: 'I was too tall, too dark, and too skinny...

'It was a little bit frustrating and eye-opening, but I took it as a positive, because I encourage myself when people say it can't be done, or when they say no. I don't want somebody else to put their beliefs on me.'
She used Paris Fashion Week to debut her newly-cropped hair 'do.

And there it was again on Friday evening as Emily Ratajkowski left the Ritz Hotel to embark on another evening out in the French capital, wearing a slinky golden dress.

The model, 26, went braless in the plunging number that showcased her sensational frame in the almost Grecian-inspired ensemble.

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Gold rush! Emily Ratajkowski goes braless in a slinky shimmering cocktail dress as she continues to display her newly-chopped locks during Paris Fashion Week

Wow-factor: Her cropped brunette tresses were strikingly different to her long locks, earlier in the week (right)

Emily looked typically incredible as she sashayed out of the building in the shimmery number, hugging her frame in all the right places.

The metal mesh dress was handmade in New York by a team of fashion experts at Morphew who hand-linked vintage Whiting & Davis mesh together over the course of one month to create it.

She kept her accessories in sync with the rest of the look, making sure she was dripping in gold from head to toe with a pair of heels and a clutch purse in the same tones.

Her cropped brunette tresses were lightly tousled in waves, while her make-up made sure to accentuate her striking features with a natural creamy tone and a slick of nude gloss on her lips.

Stunning: Emily looked typically incredible as she sashayed out of the building in the shimmery number, hugging her frame in all the right places

Chic: She kept her accessories in sync with the rest of the look, making sure she was dripping in gold from head to toe with a pair of heels and a clutch purse in the same tones

Get the look: The fashion star favoured a bronzed smokey-eye and contoured cheeks, completing her look

Busy: She was on her way out to the Harper's Bazaar 150th anniversary

The fashion star favoured a bronzed smokey-eye and contoured cheeks, completing her look.

She was on her way out to the Harper's Bazaar 150th anniversary bash.

Earlier this week, Emily had been sporting long locks, choosing to make the sudden shift in style midway through her appearances at PFW.

The busy model and actress will join Natalie Dormer in the thriller In Darkness - a psychological revenge thriller about blind musician who hears a murder committed in the apartment above her.

Out for the evening: OMEGA's latest exhibition retraces the evolution of the brand's women's watches

Sultry: Emily was not shying away from her usually scanty wardrobe choices in the braless plunging number

Sleek: The dress draped from Emily's supermodel frame

Model behaviour! Showcasing her own catwalk credentials, Emily stunned as left the hotel

Goddess: Emily shared numerous photos of her evening out in Paris on her Instagram

Emily will also take the lead in romance, Cruise, which is set in the 1980s and follows the tale of a young Italian-American who falls in love with a Jewish girl from Long Island.

In 2018 Emily will then star alongside Amy Schumer and Michelle Williams for the comedy, I Feel Pretty, due out June 29, 2018.

Emily will also join Aaron Paul for the chiller, Welcome Home, about a couple's romantic trip to a cottage in the Italian countryside that turns into a nightmare.

Look back at it! The model had a playful photo shoot outside on the French streets

Mirror mirror on the wall! Emily seems to be the fairest one of them all

Golden girl: She posted this sultry snap onto Instagram
She has dominated catwalks across the globe throughout Fashion Week season.

And Kaia Gerber continued to take the style world by storm on Friday as she hit the -Paris Fashion Week Omega Her Time bash alongside her supermodel mum Cindy Crawford, 51, model brother Presley, 18, and their businessman Randy, 55.

The 16-year-old supermodel looked incredibly chic in a princess-style black gown with a strapless top and frothy skirt as the family united to unveil their group campaign for the watch giant - of which Cindy is a long-time ambassador.

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The first family: Kaia Gerber continued to take the style world by storm on Friday as she hit the -Paris Fashion Week Omega Her Time bash alongside her supermodel mum Cindy Crawford, 51, model brother Presley, 18, and their businessman Randy, 55

Kaia has been taking over the world with her catwalk prowess as she has won the hearts of designers around the globe with her striking similarity to her mum.

She has spoken in the past about her likeness to her mum and also about the advice she is given by the Nineties hottest fashion icon.

Speaking to Vogue earlier this year, Kaia said: 'The best part is all the advice she can give me. The worst part is how beautiful she is. I don't even want to be in a photo next to her because she's incredible. She doesn't seem to age, which is not fair.'

Once again displaying why she is so sought after in the fashion world, Kaia dazzled at the star-studded bash as she sported the frothy Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini gown with a princess skirt.

Fashion darling: The 16-year-old supermodel looked incredibly chic in a princess-style black gown with a strapless top and frothy skirt as the family united to unveil their group campaign for the watch giant - of which Cindy is a long-time ambassador.

Dazzling: The base of the dress featured intricate lines of diamantes, which afforded the look a youthful feel and ensured the teen was not dressed beyond her years

Incredible gown: Her dress was boasting a mullet hem which provided a super glam feel

Happy days: Presley was flaunting a perfect bone structure with his model gaze while his blond hair was coiffed to perfection

Chic: Once again displaying why she is so sought after in the fashion world, Kaia dazzled at the star-studded bash as she sported the frothy gown with a princess skirt

Wise words: Kaia looked upon her beloved mother at the bash

The base of the dress featured intricate lines of diamantes, which afforded the look a youthful feel and ensured the teen was not dressed beyond her years.

Her hair was coiffed to perfection, while she sported dewy, age-appropriate make-up for the red carpet where she was joined by her stunning family.

Presley was flaunting a perfect bone structure with his model gaze while his blond hair was coiffed to perfection.

Cindy was naturally picture perfect, as she displayed her ageless good looks in a dazzling gown which varied in shades as it caught the light of vying cameras.

Striking: The statuesque teen was looking every inch the fashion princess

Elegant display: The duo proved the apple does not fall too far from the tree

Stunning: Cindy was naturally picture perfect, as she displayed her ageless good looks in a dazzling gown which varied in shades as it caught the light of vying cameras

A watchful eye: The stunning star has long been a face of the watch brand yet Friday night's bash was a celebration of the whole family becoming brand ambassadors

Dazzling: Her hair was coiffed to perfection with chic pin-curls while her make-up was flawlessly applied to best show off her glowing skin

Launch: She took to Instagram to share an image from the campaign and penned: 'I've been in the Omega family for years, but I finally get to share it with these three. So excited to show you our new campaign with Omega, launching tonight in Paris!'

Her hair was coiffed to perfection with chic pin-curls while her make-up was flawlessly applied to best show off her glowing skin.

The stunning star has long been a face of the watch brand yet Friday night's bash was a celebration of the whole family becoming brand ambassadors.

She took to Instagram to share an image from the campaign and penned: 'I've been in the Omega family for years, but I finally get to share it with these three. So excited to show you our new campaign with Omega, launching tonight in Paris!'

Glitter girl: The happy couple looked chic in their respective ensembles

Smouldering: Joan Smalls looked her sensational statuesque self when she headed to the Omega party for the Paris instalment of the sartorial festival

Joan Smalls looked her sensational statuesque self when she headed to the Omega party for the Paris instalment of the sartorial festival.

The Puerto Rican beauty, 29, opted for an elegant sweeping jumpsuit which flaunted her incredibly lithe supermodel frame.

Delicate spaghetti straps held up the plunging top of the baby pink item, exposing her enviably flawless decolletage.

Striking: The Puerto Rican beauty, 29, opted for an elegant sweeping Cushnie et Ocs jumpsuit which flaunted her incredibly lithe supermodel frame

Looking good: Clearly starting to wind down from her busy few weeks, Martha Hunt, 28, showcased her enviably lithe figure in a pink floaty floor-length gown - with just enough tease to show off her pins

Clearly starting to wind down from her busy few weeks, Martha Hunt, 28, showcased her enviably lithe figure in a pink floaty floor-length gown - with just enough tease to show off her pins.

The Victoria's Secret star modeled the flowing number, which featured a loosely-crocheted front, teasing a hint of her chest.

Nipped in at the waist with a matching belt, the gown fell about her slender physique, puffed at the sleeves and allowing her metallic peep-toe heels to peek out at the hemline.

Legs Eleven! The Victoria's Secret star modeled the flowing number, which featured a loosely-crocheted front, teasing a hint of her chest

Legs eleven: Actress Pauline Lefevre was looking sensational in a structured black jumpsuit with chic matching heels while her hair was coiffed to perfection

Actress Pauline Lefevre was looking sensational in a structured black jumpsuit with chic matching heels while her hair was coiffed to perfection.

Cindy and Rande have been jet-setting around the globe of later after Milan Fashion Week proved to be extra special for Cindy because she was able to share the runway with daughter Kaia for the first time ever.

Kaia catwalked the Spring Summer 2018 Versace Fashion Show, while her doting mother paid tribute to iconic designer Gianni Versace with other renowned models, such as Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Carla Bruni, and Helena Christensen.

Cindy herself quit full-time modelling in 2000 to focus on her Kaia and her 18-year-old male model brother Presley, both of whom Cindy shares with husband Rande Gerber.

The all-American beauty is said to have featured on around 500 magazine covers and walked for shows including Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, DKNY, and previously, Valentino.

Chic: Her hair was coiffed to perfection, while she sported dewy, age-appropriate make-up for the red carpet where she was joined by her stunning family

Classic: The siblings - who have both forged a career in modelling - showed off their genuine sense of style

Blow a kiss! The model showed off her playful side as she blew a kiss from the red carpet

Sizzling: Martha wore her form-fitting garment sexily undone to reveal some serious skin

Leggy lady: The blonde flashed a glimpse of her lengthy limbs in the soaring split of her dust pink dress

Handsome: Jordan Barrett showcased his muscular body in the form-fitting top, which was torn for an edgy effect

Dressed to impress: The hunk caught the eye in his electric blue velvet jacket, teamed with trousers in the same material

Irresistible charm: The stunning blond posed up a storm for the camera, showing off his smoldering gaze

Trendy: Presley was seen wearing a casual ensemble during Paris Fashion Week

All-white everything: Model Jordan Barrett looked angelic in an all-white look

Lustrous: He tossed his lustrous blonde locks over his shoulder, and carried a smart black folder

Edgy: Gabriel Day-Lewis looked edgy in his sportswear inspired ensemble
She made a name for herself as the supremely sexy Camille Montes opposite Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace.

So Olga Kurylenko looked typically sensational as she reclined on a luxury speedboat to film scenes for a wholly different project on Friday - Johnny English III with Rowan Atkinson in the French Riviera.

Dressed in a sophisticated pastel yellow item, the former Bond girl, 37, flaunted her enviably long legs as she soaked up the sun on deck while the Mr Bean star was pulling a series of disgruntled faces.

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Elegant: Olga Kurylenko looked typically sensational as she reclined on a luxury speedboat to film scenes for Johnny English III with Rowan Atkinson in the French Riviera on Friday

The actress, who was discovered as a model in Moscow in 2013, let her brunette locks flow in loose curls as she gave a carefree wave towards the shoreline, her feet resting on the boat in delicate silver strapped heels.

She was later seen stepping ashore with the help of three of the four crew members on the vessel - all eager to lend the stunning Hollywood star a helping hand.

Comedian Rowan, 62, was denied any jaunts on the boat as his character, the hapless spy Johnny, was kept on the harbour.

Whether in or out of character, the Blackadder star looked tired of the filming session, offering up a huge yawn under a red umbrella as Olga strutted her stuff on the boat.

Long day: Whether in or out of character, the Blackadder star looked tired of the filming session, offering up a huge yawn under a red umbrella as Olga strutted her stuff on the boat

Soaking up the sun: Dressed in a sophisticated pastel yellow item, the former Bond girl, 37, flaunted her enviably long legs as she relaxed on deck

Helping hand: She was later seen stepping ashore with the help of three of the four crew members on the vessel - all eager to come to the stunning Hollywood star's aid

Staying put: Comedian Rowan Atkinson, 62, was denied any jaunts on the boat as his character, the hapless spy Johnny, was kept on the harbour

Hunky sailors: Olga's character was certainly looked after as she took to the waters with two handsome seamen

Loving it: The brunette beauty relished the chance to soak up some autumnal sun

Both were tested by the heat of France's southern coast, with Rowan looking hot and bothered in a two-piece suit and pink shirt while Olga took some time out to knock back a refreshing gulp of water.

Rowan's past leading ladies have included Natalie Imbruglia, Gillian Anderson and Rosamund Pike.

And the Mr Bean star is continuing the glamorous streak with Olga as he reprises the role of Johnny for the next chapter of the spoof crime franchise.

Hot hot hot: Both were tested by the heat of France's southern coast, with Rowan looking hot and bothered in a two-piece suit and pink shirt while Olga took some time out to knock back a refreshing gulp of water - both under large umbrellas providing them with welcome shade

Making waves: Olga looked to be enjoying herself onboard

Glam: Rowan's past leading ladies have included Natalie Imbruglia, Gillian Anderson and Rosamund Pike. And the Mr Bean star is continuing the glamorous streak with Olga (pictured) as he reprises the role of Johnny for the next chapter of the spoof crime franchise

Little is known about where the third instalment of Johnny English will lead the titular character.

The first, released in 2003, saw Johnny become the country's sole spy after an attack on the MI5, while the sequel took him on a mission to China.

The original, which also starred John Malkovich and Ben Miller alongside Rowan, grossed almost 22million domestically, while 2011's Johnny English Reborn pulled in a comparatively meagre 6.2million.

Mystery: Little is known about where the third instalment of Johnny English will lead the titular character
Her character Samantha Jones is a fan favorite on the cultural juggernaut that is Sex and the City.

And Kim Cattrall's fans stood firmly behind the 61 year old actress' decision not to participate in the third film in the series on Friday.

One admirer wrote on Twitter: 'I'm a huge fan of the series but agree, we don't need a 3rd film. I commend you for staying true to yourself. Hold your head high!'

'Hold your head high!' Kim Cattrall's fans are standing firmly behind the 61 year old actress' decision not to participate in the third film in the series

Popular lady: Her character Samantha Jones is a fan favorite on the cultural juggernaut that is Sex and the City; seen here in May

Another fan wrote to the English-Canadian actress: 'You know what, Kim? Make as many demands as you want, you've earned it.'

Cattrall retweeted the response, including an arm flex emoji to indicate her approval of the message.

Another fan reached out to the Big Trouble In Little China actress with: 'We [HEART] you. Movie or no. Proud of your work.'

'You've earned it': Another fan wrote to the English-Canadian actress: 'You know what, Kim? Make as many demands as you want, you've earned it'

Protective: The Big Trouble in Little China star had plenty of fans flock to her rescue on Friday

But some fans still mourned the likely end of their beloved franchise.

One wrote: 'can we get a reboot then? Samantha is so important to TV and women (trans and cisgender)!'

Another pleaded: 'Please my dear, give us one Last epic Movie [CRYING EMOJIS, HEART EMOJI]'

End of an era: But some fans still mourned the likely end of their beloved franchise

This one can't let go: Lukas wrote, 'Please dear, give us one Last epic Movie'

The demise of the highly anticipated film sequel was confirmed on Thursday by star Sarah Jessica Parker, 52, when approached by Extra at the New York City Ballet Gala.

'It's over we're not doing it,' said the star, who was attending with husband Matthew Broderick, 55.

'I'm disappointed,' she continued. 'We had this beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, joyful, very relatable script and story.

'It's not just disappointing that we don't get to tell the story and have that experience, but more so for that audience that has been so vocal in wanting another movie.'

Friends: The demise of the highly anticipated film sequel was confirmed on Thursday by star Sarah Jessica Parker, 52,pictured here with Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, 51, and Kristin Davis, 52

Meanwhile, on Friday another star of the hit HBO series was spotted out and about - in the titular city.

Cynthia Nixon, 51, was snapped in New York City wearing a white blouse, red and gray skirt and cowboy boots.

Her hair was no longer its iconic red shade that came to define her character, Miranda Hobbes, rather her short-cropped 'do was closer to blonde.
She's put on her own personal parade when she headed out in full force for Paris Fashion Week.

And Jasmine Tookes carried on her glamorous crusade as she joined stunning Josephine Skriver in heading to the Harper's Bazaar 150th anniversary at the Hotel Ritz, in the French capital on Friday.

Victoria's Secret Angel Jasmine, 26, showcased her ample cleavage through the racy ribcage neckline of her dress while Josephine, 24, flaunted her slender frame in the form-fitting frock.

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The Angels have landed! Jasmine Tookes wowed when she made a glamorous arrival in a burnt orange dress in the good company of the stunning Josephine Skriver for the Harper's Bazaar 150th anniversary at Hotel Ritz, Paris on Friday

The stunning lingerie model slipped her hourglass figure into the slinky silk garment which featured a sexy fishtail-style skirt for the ultimate appeal.

Pulling out all the stops on her evening ensemble, Jasmine sizzled in the burnt orange attire as she toted a charcoal black clutch.

For sparkle, the IMG stunner added to her height with Giuseppe Zanottis Sabine heels which featured a dazzling crystal brooch on the front strap.

Stunning looks: Jasmine's fellow Victoria's Secret Angel Josephine looked pretty in a dust pink dress, toting a small handbag in the darker shade

Pretty lady: The Danish born beauty put her model features on display as she scooped her tresses into a top knot bun and accentuated her features with striking make-up

Going all out for drama, the starlet completed her look with deftly touches of make-up and a slick of dark plum lipstick to plump out her pout.

Jasmine's fellow Victoria's Secret Angel Josephine looked pretty in a dust pink dress, toting a small handbag in the darker shade.

The Danish born beauty put her model features on display as she scooped her tresses into a top knot bun and accentuated her features with striking make-up.

Sky's your limit: Chanel Iman was hot on their heels in pointed toe thigh-high boots which drew attention to her lengthy limbs

Chanel Iman was hot on their heels in pointed toe thigh-high boots which drew attention to her lengthy limbs.

The American model proved to be confident in her own sense of style as she teamed leather bag and boots with her denim miniskirt.

Casually-clad Chanel also courted attention to her slim figure as she wore a layered shirt for an edgy effect, adding a pair of chic Oliver Peoples shades to complete the look.

Hell for leather: The American model proved to be confident in her own sense of style as she teamed leather bag, boots and Oliver Peoples shades with her denim miniskirt

Emily Ratajkowski, however, kept it simple as she sparkled in a plunging gold dress which she teamed with a perfect clutch.The model boosted her petite height with sky-scraper stilettos in the same dazzling golden hue.

It's no surprise the bevy of beauties were excited to enjoy the glamorous event which attracted the great and the good of the modelling world.

Harper's Bazaar were throwing the lavish bash to mark 150 years since the launch of the glossy fashion magazine.

Ray of sunshine: Emily Ratajkowski, however, kept it simple as she sparkled in a plunging gold dress which she teamed with a perfect clutch

She's got style: The model boosted her petite height with sky-scraper stilettos in the same dazzling golden hue

Sexy: She exuded sex appeal when she showcased her svelte figure in the form-fitting dress
Milk Studios, for the third consecutive year, will host PHOTO17, the annual photography auction to benefit STORIES: The AIDS Monument on October 5th at Milk Studios Hollywood.

Sharon Stone will once again serve as Event Honorary Chair.

"This Monument means love; it means hope; it means we do our part and stand against the ill will we see in the world... said Stone announcing this year's event.

Support : Sharon Stone will co chair the PHOTO17 3rd annual photography auction

Rufus Wainwright, one of the great male vocalists, composers, and songwriters of his generation, has released eight studio albums, three DVDs, and three live albums.

He has collaborated with artists ranging from Elton John, David Byrne, Robbie Williams Mark Ronson, Joni Mitchell to Burt Bacharach. His album Rufus Does Judy recorded at Carnegie Hall in 2006 was nominated for a Grammy, will perform to support, STORIES: The AIDS Monument.

Performing : Rufus Wainwright will perform at the event

"This auction, now in its third year, attracts many of the world's finest photographers. The expressions and contributions toward the AIDS Monument make this a perfect event for Milk to support", noted Willie Maldonado, MILK LAs founder & partner and Co-Chair of the PHOTO17 event.

100% of the proceeds from Photo17 benefit STORIES: The AIDS Monument and the Foundation for The AIDS Monument. The foundation is in the final phase of a $5 million fundraising campaign to build The AIDS Monument designed by Daniel Tobin of the Urban Art Projects which will be located in West Hollywood Park.

Icon: Another photo being auctioned is of David Bowie photographed by Markus Klinko

The auction will feature live and silent auctions of extraordinary photographs from collectors and galleries.

Past participants include Julius Shulman, Brad Elterman, Jack Pierson, Jeff Wall, Firooz Zahedi, Norman Seef, Bruce Weber, Ellen Von Unwerth, Pamela Hanson, Antonio Lopez, Herb Ritts, Greg Gorman, Catherine Opie, Ed Ruscha, Dennis Hopper, Kihende Wiley, John Divola, William Wegman, Karen Kuehn and many more.

Photo17 will include 80 silent lots and 20 live lots, with bidding available around the world via Paddle8 on line bidding.

Young Actress: Highlights of this year's auction include one-of-a-kind photos of Jessica Lange taken by Antonio Lopez

Highlights of this year's auction include one-of-a-kind photos of Jessica Lange taken by Antonio Lopez.

The photos, taken in Paris in 1978, are part of the noted fashion illustrator's estate collection, and are not available for purchase but have been entrusted to the Foundation for the AIDS Monument in Antonio's memory.

Tickets for the event can be bough through event bright for $250 for VIP and $150 for early bird tickets before 2nd October.

This year's auction will also feature extraordinary images of Sly Stone, Debbie Harry and Andy Warhol by Norman Seef, including those noted here. The Herb Ritts Foundation has also donated rare, signed Herb Ritts photographs.
Former Thai premier Yingluck Shinawatra, shown speaking to media at the supreme court during her trial in 2016, has reportedly fled to Dubai

Thailand's junta leader on Thursday said fugitive ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra is in Dubai, a day after she was handed a five-year jail term in absentia for negligence.

Prayut Chan-O-Cha's first clear comments on Yingluck's whereabouts came a month after she ghosted out off Thailand, ducking a court ruling over charges she failed to stop graft and losses in a costly rice subsidy policy by her government.

On Wednesday Thailand's top court sentenced her in absentia to five years' jail, pulling the plug on her political career.

She maintained her innocence throughout the case, which she said was a political fit-up sculpted by her family's enemies among the arch-royalist army and elite.

"I learned from the foreign ministry that now she is in Dubai," said Prayut, who toppled Yingluck's government from office in a 2014 coup.

Once a fresh arrest warrant is issued, Thai authorities may proceed with extradition efforts, he told reporters.

Yingluck's older brother Thaksin, also a former premier, has a home in Dubai.

The 2001 rise of Thaksin, a billionaire former cop with a magic touch at the polls, rattled Thailand's establishment and the country has since see-sawed between elected governments and coups.

He fled Thailand in 2008 to avoid jail on a graft conviction he says was politically motivated.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, a key architect of the coup that took down Yingluck's government, said "it's good she is in Dubai."

"Although don't have extradition treaty... Dubai officials informed our foreign ministry that they will not allow Yingluck to make any political move."

The 50-year-old, who still has the right to appeal, has not appeared in public since pulling the vanishing act on August 25, her initial ruling date.

The Shinawatra siblings lie at the centre of a political battle that has chewed at Thailand for more than a decade.

Shinawatra-backed parties have dominated electoral politics since 2001, enraging Bangkok's military-allied elite.

Unable to beat the Shinawatras at the polls, their rivals have turned to court rulings and coups to repeatedly knock their governments from power.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan drew a parallel with US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara sees as behind a failed coup, as Washington seeks the release of evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the United States Thursday that Turkey could release a jailed American pastor if Washington handed over the Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen who Ankara blames for last year's failed coup.

The US pastor, Andrew Brunson, has been held by Turkish authorities since October 2016 on charges of being a member of Gulen's group.

Ankara has repeatedly called for Gulen to be extradited to Turkey from the United States to face charges of ordering the failed coup bid.

Gulen, who has been living in self-imposed exile since 1999, strongly denies the accusations of involvement.

"They say 'give us the pastor'. You have a preacher (Gulen) there. Give him to us, and we will try (Brunson) and give him back," Erdogan said in a televised speech.

The evangelical pastor was initially detained with his wife, suspected of activities "against national security".

Norine Brunson was freed shortly after her detention, but her husband was charged with being a member of the Gulen movement in December.

They ran a Christian church in the Aegean city of Izmir.

Erdogan hit back at criticism of the Turkish judicial system after some American officials urged Ankara not to mix the cases of Gulen and Brunson.

"What does that mean? That you have a judiciary, but we do not have a judiciary?" Erdogan asked with heavy irony.

"The person here (Brunson) is being tried. But the one over there with you (Gulen) is not being tried! He lives in a mansion in Pennsylvania!

"It is easier for you (the United States) to hand him over, you could give him right away," Erdogan added.

A decree late August gave Erdogan the power to extradite foreigners in exchange for Turks under arrest or convicted abroad in "situations where it is necessary for national security or in the country's interests".

Norine, who has lived in Turkey for over 20 years with her husband, met with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his visit to Ankara in March.

Last month, Tillerson said Brunson had been "wrongfully imprisoned" in Turkey.

Turkey had hoped for a resurgence in relations with its NATO ally when Donald Trump assumed the presidency.

But ties remain strained by a series of disputes, notably over the US support for a Syrian Kurdish militia Ankara deems to be a terror group.
A quarter of homes in the Florida Keys were destroyed by Hurricane Irma after it made landfall on September 10

New US claims for jobless benefits jumped in late September as the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma continued to disrupt economic hubs in Texas and Florida, official figures showed Thursday.

Despite the rise, a record streak of low levels of new claims remained unbroken, pointing to the resilience of labor markets amid strong job creation and low unemployment.

For the week ending September 23, new claims for unemployment insurance rose 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 272,000, which was 3,000 fewer than analysts had expected, according to the Labor Department.

The less volatile four-week average rose 9,000 to 277,750, its highest level in 19 months.

Officials said results in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands continued to be affected by the back-to-back hurricanes, which slammed into the US over a two-week period beginning in late August.

But the effects of Hurricane Maria, which made landfall on the island territory of Puerto Rico on September 20, is not yet reflected in the data.

The Labor Department's Office of Unemployment Insurance has been unable to make contact with officials in Puerto Rico for two weeks, meaning Thursday's result, a seven percent drop to 2,248 claims, was an estimate.

Claims in Florida, not seasonally adjusted, spiked by 8,160 to 18,212 in the wake of Irma, which made landfall there earlier this month. Following Harvey, claims remained elevated in Texas, but fell nearly 30 percent to 20,169.

Though they are volatile, the level of jobless claims can be used to gauge the prevalence of layoffs and the health of labor markets.

Claims have remained below 300,000 for two and a half years, the longest such stretch since 1970.

Economists say that labor is scarce among falling unemployment, meaning companies are reluctant to lay off workers who may be difficult to replace.
South African authorities have charged the seven suspects with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of human parts

Seven men suspected of cannibalism appeared in a South African court on Thursday, with one of the accused reportedly wanting to plead guilty to charges that have shocked the country.

Angry residents gathered outside the courthouse in the rural town of Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal province, as the case was adjourned until October 12.

Five people were initially arrested last month in Estcourt and two more have since been held.

"This is a very complex case, and more investigation is being conducted," prosecution spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson told AFP.

The accused, all in their 30s, are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of human parts.

One of the accused is said to be a traditional healer.

The Times Live website reported that defence attorney Thandeka Hadebe told the court that one of the men, who was not identified, intended to plead guilty.

The accused complained to the court that they had been physically assaulted while in custody.

The first suspect was arrested on August 18 after he handed himself in to a police station while carrying a bag containing a human leg and a hand, telling officers he was "tired of eating human flesh".

His statement led the police to a house where more body parts were found.

The suspects have waived their right to apply for bail.

Protesters outside the courthouse chanted slogans demanding justice.

"They must rot in jail, our children are now scared of going to school," one protester said.

South Africa has no direct law against cannibalism, but mutilating a corpse and being in possession of human tissue are criminal offences.
A policeman stands guard near a military transport helicopter at Ye Baw Kyaw village, Maungdaw in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state on September 27, 2017

A UN visit to Myanmar's conflict-battered Rakhine state was postponed Thursday, thwarting efforts to reach the epicentre of violence for the first time since the start of a massive exodus of minority Rohingya Muslims.

The United Nations has urged Myanmar to allow humanitarian access to northern parts of Rakhine state since violence erupted in late August, forcing around 480,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee.

On Wednesday the UN said it had been told its representatives could join a government-steered trip to the area on Thursday -- but the visit did not take place.

"The government-organized visit was postponed to next week because of weather conditions," a spokesman from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Myanmar said, without giving further details.

Access to the area by relief agencies and global media has been heavily controlled by Myanmar's army and government.

That has made it impossible to independently assess the humanitarian situation or allegations of widespread abuses.

Rohingya refugees who have made it to Bangladesh have brought with them multiple accounts of murder and systematic arson of their villages by Myanmar soldiers and mobs of ethnic Rakhine, who are Buddhists.

International aid groups fear tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who remain in northern parts of Rakhine are in urgent need of food, medicine and shelter after over a month of military operations.

But foreign aid agencies are receiving hostility across Myanmar -- and inside Rakhine in particular -- accused by many in the Buddhist-majority country of harbouring a pro-Rohingya bias.

Myanmar had around 1.1 million Rohingya before August 25 attacks by militants from the minority group sparked a massive security crackdown.

The number has halved since then.

Rakhine has long been a cauldron of ethnic and religious tensions, but the last five years has seen communal relations plunge to their worst yet.

The UN Security Council is due to meet on the crisis later Thursday.

burs-apj/eb
Sharon Mohy wrote me a heartfelt email Thursday. It said she was from Libya. It seems her late father  Dr. Paraizad Hohy, was killed in a faithful (sic) morning attack by terrorists but before he was slain he deposited US $7,200,000 million in her name in a bank in Burkina Faso. She wants me to become her trustee (her fathers strict instructions) and  very quickly  needs my full address, my full name, my private phone number, my ID (plus a photograph) and my occupation so she can get going on this urgent request pronto.

Much to my chagrin I was attending a meeting of the Hamilton County Department Of Educations Transition team at the time so I was unable to reply.I listened as the transition team talked excitedly with Supt. Bryan Johnson about leadership, teacher recruitment and retention, and a new public relations push to legitimize the brand. Just by happenstance, another anonymous email arrived shortly after the US $7,200,000 million deal.

It was all about teacher recruitment and retention! This is what it said:

* * *

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: "Let me see if I've got this right? You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.

You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually-transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.

You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a check book, and apply for a job. You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and ensure that they all pass their final exams.

You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicap and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Arabic or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

"You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for New Start.

You want me to do all this, and then you tell me......I CAN NOT wear a necklace with a little cross, mention God, or say "Merry Christmas" because someone might take offense?

"Well, you know what you can do with your job  We all should have the same rights, whatever your religion.

This should be posted in every school in America and all countries. Think about it! If Muslims can pray anywhere, why are Christians banned from praying in public and from erecting religious displays on their holy days? What happened to our National Day of Prayer?

Muslims are allowed to block off major streets, in all American States and pray in the middle of the street! And it's a monthly ritual! Tell me, again, whose country is this? Ours or the Muslims?

I was asked to send this on if I agree, or delete if I don't. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'God' in our education system or the Lord's Prayer said in our government, schools or public meetings. I believe it's time we stand up for what we believe!

Please have the intestinal fortitude to pass this one along to everyone in your address book. Support America!

* * *

I get that the urgent letter from the millionaire babe is a scam. But the letter from the prospective new teacher isnt quite such rabble and you and I know it. Im all about living in harmony with other religions but what this says about our unquenchable demands on our teachers, making them remove the cross from their necklaces, and snuffing God out of the education process might be something for the HCDE Transition Team to bounce around.

If the new transition team is really serious about education, it should approach the problems nobody talks about yet every one of us recognize. One idea Thursday was to quit devoting every minute to problems; take time to celebrate the good that goes on in every school. What a great concept!

The transition team can make a big difference in our future if its very members will realize the way that they themselves have always done things is a big reason HCDE became stagnant. Supt. Johnson must lead some to a place known as outside the box. Until that happens, the same tired horses are going to finish where the same tired horses have for the past 15 years  last in the race.

Now is the time to be bold.
Baidu, known as China's answer to Google, said artificial intelligence tools would monitor and identify "rumours" on its services

Chinese internet giant Baidu has teamed up with the country's cyber police to control the spread of rumors and fake news, the company said Thursday, as authorities continue to tighten censorship ahead a major Communist Party congress next month.

Baidu, known as China's answer to Google, said artificial intelligence tools would monitor and identify "rumours" on its services -- search engine, forums and blogs -- on a system linked to around 370 registered police agencies around the country.

Suspicious content will be sent to the police for review and to reference organisations, such as State agencies, science academies or media, who will then be able to produce articles refuting the rumors, the official Xinhua news agency said.

"Rumors" are to be labelled as such in search engine results or on forums, accompanied by the articles offering corrections. Baidu will also build a database with recurring rumors along with the verified information.

The "cooperation between Baidu and Public Security agencies" will "encourage the sharing of information between cyberpolice and Internet companies across the country, and improve the reliability of online content" the Baidu announcement quoted a senior official of the Ministry of Public Security as saying.

Chinese authorities closely monitor and restrict cyberspace through their "Great Firewall", while websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest have been blocked for years.

But it has tightened online policing even further this year, enacting new rules that require tech companies to store user data inside the country as well as imposing restrictions on what is permissible content.

The move comes ahead of the Communist Party congress on October 18, when President Xi Jinping is expected to be given a second five-year term as the party's general secretary.

Earlier this week reports emerged of disruption to the WhatsApp messaging service -- which provides message encryption technology.

Chinese cyberspace regulators also this week slapped "maximum" fines on Baidu and another tech heavyweight Tencent for allowing the publication of pornographic, violent and other sorts of banned material on their social media platforms.
Authorities in an English-speaking region in southwestern Cameroon on Thursday announced temporary curbs on travel and public meetings, adding to a curfew imposed in the northwest after protests by the country's anglophone minority.

The steps were announced ahead of what is expected to be a symbolic declaration of independence by Cameroon's English speakers on Sunday.

A fifth of the 22 million people in the francophone-majority West African state is English-speaking -- a legacy of the unification in 1961 of two colonial-era entities previously run by France and Britain.

In a statement, the authorities in Southwest Region announced the closure of sea and land borders, the suspension of transport, a ban on travel between towns and on public meetings of more than four people.

The measures will be applied from Friday at 0800 GMT and end on Monday at 0600 GMT, it said.

In a second statement, the Southwest Region authorities said military reinforcements were expected, and called on the population to "stay calm".

The authorities in the Northwest Region previously announced a 10pm to 5am curfew after thousands of people demonstrated in English-speaking areas on September 22 in defiance of a government ban.

English-speakers in Cameroon have long complained that the country's wealth from commodities has not been shared out fairly and that they suffer discrimination.

Special grievances are reserved for education and the judicial system, where anglophones say the French language and legal system are imposed on them.

Several schools have been torched in Bamenda, the major hub of the Northwest Region, since the start of the school year in early September.

Most campaigners want the country to resume a federalist system -- an approach that followed independence in 1960 but was later scrapped -- but a hardline minority is calling for secession. Both measures are opposed by the country's long-term president, 84-year-old Paul Biya.

On social media, some campaigners have been calling for October 1 to be symbolically named independence day.

In a statement issued in New York on Thursday, the UN said Secretary General Antonio Guterres was "deeply concerned" about the situation in Cameroon.

"He urges the authorities to promote measures of national reconciliation aimed at finding a durable solution to the crisis, including by addressing its root causes," the statement said.
Family members of Togolese opposition leader Tikpi Atchadam, viewed in Lome as a threat to Africa's longest-ruling political dynasty for creating a support base in a region long loyal to the president, reflect on a raid which saw a butcher's cow shot dead

The cow belonging to the butcher in Kparatao, northern Togo, was tied to a tree and minding its own business when the soldiers pumped it full of bullets.

Within days, the stricken animal became a symbol of the popular protests against President Faure Gnassingbe which have seen mounting calls for him to step down.

A photo of the white, long-horned beast sprawled in a pool of blood was shared widely on social media and sparked fevered reactions online for more than a week.

Its fate was even featured on national television's main evening news programme.

But despite sparking a slew of online jokes, the killing is more than just a story and no laughing matter for the 6,000 or so inhabitants of Kparatao.

The village, some 340 kilometres (about 200 miles) due north of the capital, Lome, is where opposition leader Tikpi Atchadam grew up.

- Military raids -

On September 19, the day before the last big nationwide demonstrations, Togo's military and police turned up in force in Kparatao.

They surrounded the village with pick-up trucks as an elite unit -- the red berets -- spread out conducting raids, asking questions and looking for "weapons of war".

No stone was left unturned. They even checked under the bed of the traditional leader.

"We thought they'd come to kill us," village elder Agoro Wakilou said of the soldiers who stormed Kparatao in northern Togo

"Some of them wore balaclavas. They were very nervous," said one local elder, Agoro Wakilou. "We thought they'd come to kill us."

Two people have been killed since the first protest took place in the neighbouring city of Sokode in late August and the situation remains tense.

Police chief Abalo Yao claimed troops found "three Korean assault rifles", bows and arrows, charms and 18 million CFA francs ($32,365, 27,500 euros) in counterfeit notes.

Villagers dispute the claim.

The soldiers were about to leave when shots rang out, creating panic. The butcher's cow had been shot at point blank range.

"It was threatening the defence and security forces," said the police.

Inevitably, news of the incident caused amusement online.

"Even animals want Togo's 1992 constitution," wrote one user on Twitter, referring to the issue at the heart of the opposition protests.

Others paid tribute to what they said was "the latest victim of repression of Gnassingbe's dictatorial regime".

The news site Togomedias.com called the death a "political assassination".

The wall of the butcher's house near where the animal was killed is riddled with bullet holes.

The butcher's wife, who was inside the house at the time of the shooting, was grazed by a bullet and spent three days in hospital.

"After the raids, the intimidation, it was the final straw. The village chief went to see the prefect to get compensation for the butcher," said Wakilou.

Elders in Kparatao, where Atchadam thought was the best place to hide his family, now say they live in fear.

"They (the government) are threatening us because the opposition leader is from here," said one old man, dressed in a long white tunic, his eyes clouded by cataracts.

- A symbolic killing? -

Comi Toulabor, head of research at the Institute of Political Studies in Bordeaux, has another theory about why the cow had to die.

For the military, Atchadam's spirit may have been in it, he said, adding: "Animist beliefs are still very common in Togo."

Local people sit outside a thatched house after troops and police raided the opposition fiefdom a day prior to a big nationwide demonstration

He drew parallels between the shooting and a well-known story that has circulated in Lome since the time of Gnassingbe's father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema.

He was president from 1967 until his death in 2005.

"Every January 13 on the stroke of midnight since 1963, Eyadema used to assemble his officers at RIT camp in Lome and shot a cow to mark the assassination of Sylvanus Olympio, the first president of independent Togo," said Toulabor.

The general claimed to have personally fired the shot that killed Olympio.

Toulabor said the story may sound outlandish but several senior army officers had confirmed it to him.

With neighbouring Benin, Togo is one of the birthplaces of voodoo and the former president "was always surrounded by all sorts of charm-makers and holy men", he added.

"Faure is carrying on this ritual even today."

For Toulabor, the message was clear with pressure mounting for an end to Africa's longest-ruling political dynasty.

"The military wanted to symbolically kill Tikpi Atchadam," he said.
Dubai residents can get a taste of reclusive North Korea's culture at Okryu-gwan, where Coca-Cola and North Korean propaganda are served side by side

On any night of the week, residents of cosmopolitan Dubai can get a taste of reclusive North Korea's culture at Okryu-gwan, a satellite of Pyongyang's massive national canteen.

On a weekend night, a waitress, wearing a stoplight red dress and DPRK flag name tag, carried a tray full of matching red Coca-Cola cans to a table of Asian patrons.

The waitress -- one of thousands of North Koreans working in the Gulf with the blessing of Pyongyang -- served the ubiquitous American soft drink without fanfare, while a group of regulars shuffled into a private karaoke room.

A flatscreen television tuned to a North Korean channel streamed nature scenes and military propaganda clips, but offered no hint of the escalating tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.

A dancer performs for patrons at Okryu-gwan, a North Korean restaurant in Dubai

The bellicose rhetoric between the two nations has reached new heights in recent days, following Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test earlier this month.

Days after threatening to "totally destroy North Korea" in his first address to the UN General Assembly, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting foreign companies doing business with the country.

But the show goes on like clockwork at Okryu-gwan, a microcosm of the hermit republic and one of three branches in the United Arab Emirates in Dubai's bustling Deira district.

The lights dimmed and from a side door three waitresses emerged in bright sequined tops to take their places behind a keyboard, a keytar and a guitar to belt out the first Korean number.

- Kimchi and keytars -

At Dubai restaurant Okryu-gwan, a flatscreen television tuned to a North Korean channel streams military propaganda clips, but offers no hint of the escalating tensions between Washington and Pyongyang

It was the first of six evening performances, which included a flautist, a fan dance and a skit where two waitresses moved their limbs like marionettes, acting out a courtship between a male suitor and his darling.

Other waitresses buzzed around the restaurant, one moment grilling beef bulgogi (barbeque) to be served with spicy kimchi (pickled cabbage), the next strapping on an accordion and heading to the stage.

They perform the 8:00 pm show every day of the week -- every single night of the year.

"We makes small changes every time," one waitress said with an enthusiastic smile, when asked if she ever became bored of the nightly routine.

"We arrange the music, we choose the costumes, we do everything," Kim Songum added.

As for holidays, the waitresses say they get a month off a year.

"Of course, we go home to (North Korea). It's home and it's cheaper there. Everything is free," Kim said, comparing it with the high cost of living in capitalist Dubai.

Speaking in English with help from a translation app, she said the waitresses are aware of the latest news from North Korean television.

"We do not want war," Kim typed in Korean, pulling the phone back to add: "But we are not afraid."

- 'Gulf exception'? -

Patrons entering Okryu-gwan cannot miss the enormous group photos of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, flanked by the entire smiling restaurant staff.

A flautist performs at Okryu-gwan, a North Korean restaurant in Dubai

The portraits are a treasured symbol of approval for the management, in a country which also enjoys close relations with rival South Korea and the United States.

The North Korean culinary establishment may be a taste of home for East Asian patrons -- even South Koreans, according to the waitresses -- but it is also a source of contention for Washington and Seoul, both on a fresh drive to isolate Pyongyang.

South Korea, which enjoys multi-billion dollar trade and investment ties with the Gulf states, has had recent success in pressing its allies to isolate its neighbour.

Kuwait City, the only Gulf capital to host a North Korean embassy, this month ordered its ambassador to leave and put a charge d'affaires in his stead.

Kuwait has also slashed the number of North Korean workers on its soil from 4,000 to 1,500, according to a South Korean diplomat in charge of North Korean issues in the Gulf.

Qatar and Oman, which host up to 2,000 and 100 North Korean labourers respectively, are now phasing out those work permits, the UAE-based diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Only the business-centric United Arab Emirates, with around 1,300 North Korean construction workers and restaurant staff, had "unfortunately" not taken any action, he said.

On any night of the week, residents of cosmopolitan Dubai can get a taste of reclusive North Korea's culture at Okryu-gwan

South Korea accuses North Korean authorities of confiscating a significant portion of the income of workers in the Gulf, which the diplomat said averaged around $1,000 per month.

But he acknowledged the financial contribution of an estimated 5,000 workers across the Gulf could not come close to funding a nuclear programme.

He alleged that North Korean authorities use restaurants and construction companies as cover for more lucrative side businesses.

But more important, the diplomat said, was the need to build a global consensus on implementing UN sanctions.

"If we give an exception to the Gulf," he said, "that is not good for the concept of international solidarity".
Dutch ad-free news website De Correspondent plans to expand its formula of actively seeking contributors' help and deeper analysis to the US

A Dutch ad-free news website, which actively seeks contributors' help in its reporting and foregoes breaking news in favour of deeper analysis, is about to expand across the Atlantic.

Amid the blaring headlines, the breathless drama of 24-hour TV news, the lure of clickbait and noisy hand-wringing about a media industry in crisis, De Correspondent deliberately spreads an aura of calm.

So successful has it proved in The Netherlands in living up to its pledge to provide "an antidote to the daily news grind" that it is now planning to go straight to the heartland of so-called fake news -- the United States.

But don't expect a reporter from its new English version, The Correspondent, to be jostling for space at a Donald Trump press conference any time soon.

"We won't be focusing on what is in the media today, but on what is not in the media and should be in the media," said one of its two co-founders, Rob Wijnberg.

De Correspondent launched in September 2013 after Wijnberg, 35, and Ernst-Jan Pfauth, 31, both journalists, found themselves out of a job in late 2012, but driven by an idea of what they felt journalism should be.

In an audacious crowd-funding campaign launched in March 2013, they raised 900,000 euros (then $1.3 million) in just eight days.

By mid-April, the pot had grown to $1.7 million, enough to fund 13 staff, premises in Amsterdam and the design of a website.

In the days when crowd-funding was in its infancy "we figured this is kind of a long shot," Pfauth told AFP.

- Journalism manifesto -

But idealistic, and brimming with ideas, Wijnberg had drawn up a manifesto of principles around which to build their members-funded platform.

Co-founders of De Correspondent online news website, Ernst-Jan Pfauth (pictured) and Rob Wijnberg, were driven by an idea of what they felt journalism should be

De Correspondent sets out to challenge over-simplification and stereotyping, is openly subjective in demanding its reporters are engaged with the world, is ad-free and strives for maximum diversity, but not maximum profits. Indeed, it has set a profit cap at five percent with 95 percent ploughed back into the business.

It struck a chord with the Dutch.

Four years on, the site now has 59,000 subscribers paying either 60 euros a year, or six euros a month, and employs 46 full-time staff.

Its approach to news is also unusual.

Wall-to-wall coverage of events "like a terror act, or Hurricane Irma" have a function, Wijnberg acknowledged.

"I've been watching the news because my brother was right in the middle of Irma. I know the function of news. There's a threat coming, watch out," he said.

"But leave it at that... and you'll never understand for example the climate change behind those weather phenomena," he added.

- Crowdsourcing the news -

In its bid to dive deeper, De Correspondent has developed a unique relationship with its members, actively seeking contributions to help its reporters.

Pfauth said in his previous job as an online web editor for a Dutch daily that "people were really interested in sharing their expertise. Three thousand doctors know more than one medical journalist."

So reporters at De Correspondent email members who have signed up to follow them about stories they are working on, asking for help, which is unpaid and on a voluntary basis.

It has not been "an easy process," Pfauth admitted, acknowledging "the comments section on news sites were places where conspiracy theorists shouted at each other basically".

But a desire to attract English-speaking contributors and help deepen their knowledge has driven the quest for a separate English version.

- Crisis? What crisis? -

The two men leave for New York soon, where they will help complete a year-long study called the Membership Puzzle Project in collaboration with New York University, researching how to build a sustainable news organisation that restores trust in journalism.

The project will end in May 2018, and with the results in hand, the pair hope to launch The Correspondent by late next year.

But Wijnberg and Pfauth are adamant about what they are not doing -- they are not out to "save journalism."

"I don't actually believe journalism is in crisis," said Wijnberg.

"Certain big organisations, that are very slow or very unable to adapt, are in extreme crisis because their models are not working any more."

Pfauth goes as far as to say that "this is one of the best times in journalism", adding "it's easier than ever to reach a large audience, and get them to pay for what you do".
An ex-banker was sentenced to death on Friday for his role in a massive fraud case involving millions of dollars of illegal loans, in a scandal that reaches deep inside Vietnam's corruption-riddled financial system.

A co-conspirator also received life in prison in a dramatic capping of a month-long trial involving 51 bankers and businessmen - part of an anti-corruption drive that critics say is also sweeping up political enemies of Vietnam's communist leaders.

Former Ocean Bank general director Nguyen Xuan Son, who later became chairman of the powerful state oil firm PetroVietnam, was sentenced to death for embezzlement, abuse of power and economic mismanagement.

Ocean Bank founder Ha Van Tham, once one of Vietnam's richest men, was jailed for life

The bank's ex-chairman Ha Van Tham, once one of Vietnam's richest men, was jailed for life on the same charges, as well as violating lending rules. He was convicted of illegally approving a $23 million loan in 2012.

Also mentioned in the verdict was PetroVietnam's acquisition of a $35-million stake in the bank. It was later written off when the central bank bought Ocean Bank for $0 in 2015.

Both men left the courthouse stone-faced after the verdict.

'Tham and Son's behaviour is very serious, infringing on the management of state (assets) and causing public grievances, which requires strict punishment,' said judge Truong Viet Toan.

The charges cascaded down the ranks, targeting accountants, branch managers and scores of others in one of the country's largest-ever banking trials.

The other sentences announced Friday ranged from 22 years in prison to 18-month suspended sentences and re-education outside of prison.

The scandal sparked the demise of Ocean Bank.

It had been part of Ocean Group, which takes in real estate and hotel subsidiaries and enjoyed a meteoric rise after its founding in 2007. It was valued at $500 million in 2013 under Tham's stewardship.

Ocean Group is still active in real estate, hotels and services and was valued at $3.5 million in 2016.

Ocean Bank founder Ha Van Tham (right) and co-accused Nguyen Xuan Son (left) face court in Hanoi

The trial targeting high-flying executives has captivated Vietnam, which is ranked one of the most corrupt nations in Asia.

Observers say the current anti-corruption purge is unprecedented in its scope and speed.

'The takedown of high-level officials is happening at a much higher tempo,' Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, told AFP ahead of the trial's conclusion.

Silver-haired communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, 73, is widely considered the mastermind behind the anti-corruption drive.

Analysts say the campaign is two-pronged: hitting corruption and Trong's political enemies -- largely seen as allies of former prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

'He has gone after Dung's network with a vengeance, he can't go after him, but he can go after the protoges,' said Abuza.

Vietnam's ranking on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index improved last year for the first time since 2012 to 113 out of 176.

Trong's second term has coincided with several high-profile corruption cases.

In May, Dung ally and politburo member Dinh La Thang was fired over his previous stewardship of PetroVietnam.

Then there was the brazen kidnap on foreign soil of Trinh Xuan Thanh.

The former head of a PetroVietnam construction unit accused of losses worth $150 million was snatched from a Berlin park in August, according to foreign affairs officials there.

Vietnam said Thanh, who sought asylum in Germany, voluntarily turned himself in and he later appeared on state television in Hanoi.

Vietnam denies the anti-corruption fight boils down to political infighting and says it is government policy to 'deal with wrongdoing and corruption', foreign ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said this month.

The party's image has been bruised by graft allegations, taking its toll on public support -- and interest -- in politics, especially among young people more focused on football and mobile phones than the staid communist regime.

But the party risks losing more than just public support, cautions economist Bui Kien Thanh.

'Their whole regime is at stake because of this corruption,' he told AFP, adding that the government must go after more people to really 'cure the cancer'.
Governments and private firms are collaborating on projects to send humans to new frontiers, with NASA planning missions to the space between the earth and moon to prepare for trips to Mars

A reusable, water-powered Mars lander that will allow humans to explore the Red Planet from an orbiting 'base camp' as early as the 2030s was unveiled Friday by US defence giant Lockheed Martin.

Governments and private firms are collaborating on projects to send humans to new frontiers, with NASA planning missions next decade into the space between Earth and the Moon to prepare for trips to Mars.

Lockheed Martin has been working on its "Mars Base Camp", a science laboratory that will orbit the planet, with the crewed lander set to descend to the surface on repeated missions.

"It looks a bit like Jules Verne, but it's actually more like an aircraft that we've flown in the past," Lockheed Martin's human spaceflight strategy chief Rob Chambers said, at a gathering of the world's leading space experts in the Australian city of Adelaide.

Up to four astronauts could join each two-week surface mission, while liquid hydrogen generated from water would fuel the spacecraft, he added.

"We can create that fuel. We can power this entire spacecraft system just with water," said Chambers, describing it as a "water-based economy".

Lockheed Martin is among several companies working on deep space habitats with NASA, which hopes to send the first astronauts to Mars in the 2030s.

Chambers called the Mars vision "a transformational event for our generation", adding: "It's literally (the) dawn of the new age of discovery about ourselves and about our solar system and about our place in it."

The International Astronautical Congress concludes on Friday with a presentation by SpaceX's Elon Musk, who will outline a new design for an interplanetary transport system to take humans to Mars.
At least 19 people drowned with scores more feared dead when a boat carrying Rohingya families capsized off Bangladesh.

UN chief Antonio Guterres exhorted Myanmar's leaders to end the "nightmare" faced by Rohingya refugees fleeing an army campaign, after at least 19 people drowned with scores more feared dead when a boat carrying Rohingya families capsized off Bangladesh.

More than half a million Rohingya Muslims have poured into Bangladesh in the last month, fleeing a vicious Myanmar military crackdown on Rohingya rebels that has gutted villages across northern Rakhine state.

Scores have drowned while trying to cross waters separating the two countries, while those who survive face new dangers as they cram into squalid refugee settlements where food and clean water are in short supply.

The billowing humanitarian crisis prompted the UN Security Council to hold its first meeting on Myanmar in eight years, though the member countries failed to arrive at a joint resolution.

The US slammed the army for trying "to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority", while Beijing and Moscow offered support to Myanmar authorities who have vehemently rebuffed allegations that ethnic cleansing is underway.

The drowning tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly accidents as desperate refugees surge into Bangladesh, where they are penned into ramshackle tent cities amid dire shortages of nearly all forms of aid.

Speaking to the 15-member council, Guterres urged Myanmar to halt military operations and open humanitarian access to the conflict-wracked western region.

"The situation has spiralled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare," he said, while calling for those displaced from the conflict to be allowed to return home.

The UN chief noted that the "systemic violence" could cause unrest to spill south to the central part of Myanmar's Rakhine state, threatening 250,000 Muslims with displacement.

Some of the strongest criticism came from US envoy Nikki Haley, who accused Myanmar authorities of waging a "brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority".

"It should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma," she added, in what appeared to be a rebuke to the country's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose reputation as a human rights champion has been battered by the crisis.

Burma is an alternative name for Myanmar.

But Myanmar received strong backing from Russia and China, a close ally and key trade partner.

"The international community must be aware of the difficulties faced by the Burmese government, be patient and provide its assistance," Chinese envoy Wu Haitao said.

More than half a million Rohingya Muslims have poured into Bangladesh in the last month, fleeing a vicious Myanmar military crackdown on Rohingya rebels that has gutted villages across northern Rakhine state.

"We must be very careful when we talk about ethnic cleansing and genocide," added Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, taking the Myanmar government line as he blamed Rohingya militants for "burning villages".

Fires have razed hundreds of communities in northern Rakhine over the past month, in what rights groups say is an army-led effort to drive out the stateless minority that has faced decades of persecution.

Myanmar, a mainly Buddhist country, has denied the allegation and defended its operations as a proportionate crackdown on the Rohingya militants whose deadly raids on police posts on August 25 sparked the military backlash.

Authorities have restricted access to the epicentre of the violence but agreed this week to allow a UN visit to the conflict zone.

The trip has been postponed to October 2 due to bad weather, state media reported Friday.

- Boat tragedy -

The drowning tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly accidents as desperate refugees surge into Bangladesh, where they are penned into ramshackle tent cities amid dire shortages of nearly all forms of aid.

Witnesses and survivors said the vessel that overturned Thursday was just metres from the coast in rough waters, after it was lashed by torrential rain and high winds.

The billowing humanitarian crisis prompted the UN Security Council to hold its first meeting on Myanmar in eight years, though the member countries failed to arrive at a joint resolution.

There are fears the death toll could rise sharply with the International Organization for Migration saying about 100 people, mainly children, were believed aboard the downed vessel.

The bodies of 16 people -- mostly children -- were found Thursday and brought to a local school, said coastguard commander Nasir Uddin.

Two more bodies of young boys were retrieved Friday morning, he added, while another woman was washed ashore in a separate location.

"They drowned before our eyes. Minutes later, the waves washed the bodies to the beach," said Mohammad Sohel, a local shopkeeper.

One distraught survivor told AFP that his wife and one of their children had been killed when the ship sank.

"The boat hit something underground as it came close to the beach. Then it overturned," said Nurus Salam, who had set off for Bangladesh from a coastal village in Myanmar late Wednesday with his family.

burs-ssm/fa
Beyonce performing during a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) performance in support of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in November 2016

Beyonce has returned to music to raise money for hurricane relief, delivering verses in Spanish in a remix of Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin's hit "Mi Gente."

The collaboration marks the first new music by the pop superstar since she gave birth in June to twins -- whom she references in the song.

Beyonce, releasing the song late Thursday, announced on Instagram that all her proceeds would go to victims of Maria and other hurricanes that have ravaged Puerto Rico, other Caribbean islands and Mexico.

The Houston native earlier said separately that she planned a relief drive for her hometown in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The new version of "Mi Gente" carries the same reggaeton beat as the original song -- which itself is a remix of the African rhythm-driven track "Voodoo Song" by French DJ Willy William.

"Mi Gente," which means "My People," shot to number one in much of the Spanish-speaking world after its release in June.

In the remix, Beyonce -- rapping more than singing -- contributes fresh Spanish-language verses such as: "La fiesta la llevo en mis genes / Yo soy la reina de los nenes," meaning, "I've got the party in my genes / I'm the queen of the kids."

The remix also goes into English and briefly French. Beyonce in her English verses makes a reference to her newborn twins and also issues a plea for charity: "Lift up your people / From Texas, Puerto Rico / Dem islands to Mexico."

Beyonce's husband, rap mogul Jay-Z, a day earlier announced a hurricane relief concert in New York on October 17 as part of his Tidal streaming service.

Jay-Z is among 30 artists on the line-up including Jennifer Lopez, a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent who has already donated $1 million.

Puerto Rico has been hit especially hard in the series of hurricanes that have struck in quick succession.

The remix of "Mi Gente," from a commercial perspective at least, follows the model of mega-hit "Despacito" which was already popular in Spanish earlier this year when a remix came out starring Justin Bieber.

An earlier remix of "Mi Gente" already came out that featured the Cuban American rapper Pitbull.

Beyonce is no stranger to Latin culture and sang in Spanish on parts of an eight-track EP, "Irreemplazable," that came out in 2007.
The US deployed a P-3 Orion spy plane and provided other intelligence inputs to Philippine forces trying to retake Marawi in fighting which has left more than 900 people dead

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a fierce critic of the United States, is now singing Washington's praises for helping him fight pro-Islamic State group militants.

"There are so many factors involved. But I'd rather be friendly to them now," Duterte told residents of the central town of Balangiga during a visit, according to an official transcript released Friday.

Islamic militants waving the black IS flag occupied the southern city of Marawi on May 23, and have fought off a US-backed military assault for more than four months.

The US deployed a P-3 Orion spy plane and provided other intelligence inputs to Philippine forces trying to retake the city in fighting which has left more than 900 people dead.

"I would not say that they were our saviours, but they are our allies and they helped us. And even today, they have provided the crucial equipment to our soldiers in Marawi to fight the terrorists," Duterte said Thursday.

"So without their help also, we would be having a hard time," he said. "So we thank you."

Duterte marked the start of his six-year term last year with foul-mouthed rants against the US as he steered his country away from the decades-old alliance while chasing trade and investment from Washington's rival Beijing.

During a visit to China last October Duterte announced his "separation from the United States," stating he was realigning with China and Russia instead.

Duterte explained that at the time, he was angry at then US president Barack Obama for criticising his centrepiece war on drugs, which has since seen at least 3,850 suspects shot dead by the police and thousands more killed by suspected vigilantes and others.

He had also denounced the US government over its bloody colonisation of the Philippines in the 1900s.

"But these are all water under the bridge," Duterte said, citing the US alliance against Japan's occupation army during World War II.

Manila won independence in 1945 after the war, with the two countries also signing a mutual defence treaty in 1951.
Syrian government forces fighting the Islamic State group advance in Al-Shula on the outskirts of Deir Ezzor on September 8, 2017

The Islamic State group has killed at least 73 Syrian government troops and allied fighters in surprise attacks on their positions in a desert region, a monitor said on Friday.

The deaths came in Thursday attacks launched as the jihadist group faces a Russian-backed regime offensive against some of its last bastions.

The extremist group claimed the attacks against several positions south of the town of Sukhna in central Homs province, saying its fighters had killed dozens of regime troops.

The attacks come a day after IS released what it said was an audio recording of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the first in a year, in which he urged resistance.

Syrian troops pushed through the vast desert that separates the main cities of the west from the Euphrates Valley this summer and broke an IS siege of nearly three years on government enclaves in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor earlier this month.

Thursday's attacks targeted government forces around Deir Ezzor and on their supply lines through the Sukhna area from the west, the Observatory said.

"The first attacks were carried out against checkpoints manned by loyalist troops in Al-Shula," a village near Deir Ezzor, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

"IS then carried out a series of attacks against checkpoints along the length of the motorway from Al-Shula to south of Sukhna."

Syrian state media made no mention of the army's losses, but said its troops "confronted an attack by the terrorist Daesh group on the highway between Deir Ezzor and Palmyra, deep in the Badia desert."

State news agency SANA said the army had "inflicted heavy losses on the ranks of the terrorists", adding that units were "currently working to clear remaining Daesh terrorists from the area and secure the highway for traffic".

The Observatory said at least 45 IS fighters had been killed in the fighting.

The attacks by the jihadists came as they face multiple offensives against the last bastions of their self-proclaimed caliphate.

In addition to the Russian-backed government offensive, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters is battling the group, which is also under attack in neighbouring Iraq.
Al-Qaeda linked Shabaab Islamists had claimed an earlier attack on a police station in Mogadishu in June, which killed at least five people

Shabaab jihadists attacked a Somali army base early Friday in the southern town of Barire, killing at least eight soldiers and stealing equipment, officials and witnesses said.

The assault on the Somali National Army military camp in Barire, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the capital Mogadishu, began with two suicide attackers detonating their car bombs before gunmen overran the base.

"There was heavy fighting this morning," said Mohamed Haji Ali, a Somali military commander, confirming the attack to local media without providing details of casualties.

Residents said the attack left bodies of government soldiers scattered on the ground while Shabaab fighters looted the base stealing vehicles and weapons.

"There were dead bodies around the military camp and I counted about eight of them from the Somali military but it could be more than that," said Abdulahi Muktar.

Another resident described hearing two large blasts followed by heavy gunfire.

"This attack was very sophisticated with the militants raiding the base from three directions, there were two huge blasts presumably suicide bombs," said Mohamed Malim.

SNA forces had only established the military outpost at Barire recently after taking control of the town in August with the help of African Union troops.

The Shabaab claimed the raid in a statement, confirming the use of suicide bombers.

"The attack started with two suicide bombings," the militants said. "The Mujahedeen fighters forcefully took control of Barire, they destroyed the military base and confiscated about 11 vehicles, five of them mounted with machine guns.

The Al-Qaeda aligned group has been fighting to overthrow successive internationally-backed governments in Somalia for the last decade and carries out frequent attacks on military, government and civilian targets.
The founder of SpaceX said a planned interplanetary transport system would be downsized so it could carry out a range of tasks that would then pay for future Mars missions

Futurist and inventor Elon Musk unveiled ambitious plans Friday to send cargo ships to Mars in five years and use rockets to carry people between Earth's major cities in under half-an-hour.

The founder of SpaceX said a planned interplanetary transport system, codenamed BFR (Big Fucking Rocket), would be downsized so it could carry out a range of tasks that would then pay for future Mars missions.

"The most important thing... is that I think we have figured out how to pay for (BFR)," Musk told a packed auditorium at a global gathering of space experts in Adelaide.

"Which is to have a smaller vehicle, it's still pretty big, but one that can... do everything that's needed in the greater Earth orbit activity."

Musk said his firm had starting building the system, with the construction of the first ship to start in six to nine months.

"I feel fairly confident that we can complete the ship and launch in about five years," he added.

At least two cargo ships would land on the Red Planet in 2022, with the key mission of finding the best source of water -- currently mooted as a way to power rockets, he said.

The rockets would place power, mining and life-support infrastructure on Mars to support future missions, with four ships set to take people, equipment and supplies to the planet in 2024.

The trips would be funded by a range of activities, including launching satellites, servicing the space station and lunar missions, he said.

Musk added that the rockets should also cater to Earth inhabitants by reducing the travel between major cities to less than half-an-hour.

A trip from Bangkok to Dubai would take 27 minutes, and from Tokyo to Delhi in 30 minutes, according to his calculations.

"Once you are out of the atmosphere, it would be as smooth as silk, no turbulence, nothing," he said.

"There's no weather... and you can get to most long-distance places in less than half-an-hour. If we are building this thing to go to the Moon and Mars, then why not go to other places on Earth as well."

The week-long annual International Astronautical Congress, which concluded Friday, has seen government space agencies and private firms outline their plans to send humans to the Moon and Mars in the next few decades.

This included an agreement between Russian space agency Roscosmos and NASA to work on the first lunar space station as part of a programme called the Deep Space Gateway.
Iraqi paramilitaries of the Popular Mobilisation force flash the victory sign as they advance on the Islamic State group-held enclave around the northern town of Hawija on September 22, 2017

Iraqi forces on Friday launched an assault on the northern town of Hawija, one of the last bastions in the country still held by the Islamic State group, which is also under attack in neighbouring Syria.

The operation came after IS released what it said was an audio recording of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi urging resistance, the first such intervention in nearly a year.

"The leaders of the Islamic State and its soldiers have realised that the path to... victory is to be patient and resist the infidels whatever their alliances," said the voice in the recording, whose authenticity Washington said it had "no reason to doubt".

Since Baghdadi's previous message to his followers last November, the territory the jihadists still hold in the cross-border caliphate they proclaimed in 2014 has shrunk to a fraction of its former extent.

"A huge military operation has begun to liberate Hawija and its surrounding areas," the operation's commander, Lieutenant General Abdel Amir Yarallah, said in a statement.

Iraqi forces launched an offensive to retake the jihadist enclave around Hawija on September 21, swiftly taking the town of Sharqat on its second day before pushing on towards Hawija itself.

Iraq: Anti-IS offensive

Yarallah said that Friday's assault marked the second phase of the operation and aimed to recapture Hawija and the towns of Al-Abbasi, Riyadh and Rashad to its west, east and south.

All are mainly Sunni Arab towns that have long been bastions of insurgency and were bypassed by government forces in their push north on second city Mosul last year which culminated in the jihadists' defeat in their most emblematic stronghold this July.

Yarallah said that troops were now advancing on the town of Al-Abbasi.

He said the operation involved the army, the federal police, counterterrorism units and the Rapid Intervention Force, as well as tribal volunteers and the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation force, mainly made up of Iran-trained Shiite militia.

The enclave lies east of the Tigris River and south of one of its major tributaries, the Little Zab, and troops erected pontoon bridges during the night to enable the assault to begin, Yarallah said.

The Popular Mobilisation force said that IS had set fire to two oil wells in the Alas field, southeast of Hawija, in a bid to provide cover and slow the advance of loyalists forces.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed the second phase of the operation to recapture the area.

Iraqi forces advance towards Hawija on September 23, 2017 after retaking the nearby northern town of Sharqat from the Islamic State group

"As we promised the sons of our country, we are going to liberate every inch of Iraqi land and crush the Daesh (IS) terrorist gangs," Abadi said.

"We are on the verge of a new victory to liberate the residents of these areas from those criminals."

The Hawija enclave is one of just two areas of Iraq still held by IS, along with a stretch of the Euphrates Valley near the Syrian border which is under attack too.

- Deadly counterattack in Syria -

Further up the Euphrates Valley on the Syrian side of the border, IS is facing rival offensives by US-backed fighters and Russian-backed government forces.

The jihadists launched a major counteroffensive against government forces on Thursday, killing 58 troops and militia in a series of attacks along their supply lines, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Most of the dead came near the desert town of Sukna, on the main highway between the big cities of the west and Euphrates Valley city of Deir Ezzor, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

Syrian troops pushed through the desert and broke a three-year IS siege of government enclaves in Deir Ezzor earlier this month. They are now battling to retake the rest of it.

US-backed Syrian fighters are poised to capture the onetime jihadist bastion of Raqa

Further upstream, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters is poised to capture the onetime IS bastion of Raqa, once a byword for jihadist atrocities.

A top US-led coalition commander told AFP on Thursday that the jihadists were now breathing their "last gasps" in the city.

He said the coalition was already setting its sights on another IS-held town in the Euphrates Valley -- Al-Mayadeen, between Deir Ezzor and the Iraqi border.
The main funeral pyre at the cremation site for the late Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok

A quarter of a million people are expected to descend on the Thai capital for an elaborate cremation ceremony planned for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej next month, a junta leader said Friday.

The kingdom has been prepping for the event since Bhumibol died at the age of 88 in October, triggering an outpouring of grief in a nation where the charismatic leader commanded a cult-like following.

Royal artists have been working around the clock to erect an enormous funeral pyre outside Bangkok's Grand palace, complete with towering spires and covered in sculptures of mythical beasts.

Spanning four days from October 25-29, the cremation event will be a spectacular and costly affair infused with Buddhist ceremonies, cultural performances and arcane palace rituals that will send Bhumibol's spirit off to the afterlife.

"We expect around 250,000 people to attend this royal ceremony," deputy junta leader Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters on Friday, adding that replicas of the funeral pyre would be set up around Bangkok to help absorb the crowds.

Some 70,000 security officers will be deployed to keep the peace, he added.

Since the monarch's death, tens of thousands of black-clad mourners have been queueing daily to visit the throne hall where Bhumibol's body is lying in state.

In total, more than 11 million Thais from around the country have paid their respects before the body over the past year, according to palace figures.

Bhumibol's successor, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is expected to hold his coronation after the cremation but no date has been set.

He has yet to attain his father's widespread popularity and has made moves to consolidate control over the palace bureaucracy and reduce government oversight.

Like his father, the new king is shielded from scrutiny by a draconian defamation law that punishes any perceived criticism of the royal family with up to 15 years in jail per offence.

Prosecutions have surged since the ultra-royalist junta grabbed power in 2014.
Under Hong Kong law, it is an offence to desecrate the national and regional flags by 'publicly and wilfully burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling or trampling on them'

A Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker on Friday was found guilty of "desecrating" the Chinese and Hong Kong flags by turning them upside down in parliament, but escaped a prison sentence.

Cheng Chung-tai upended small Chinese and Hong Kong flags that some pro-Beijing legislators had displayed on their desks in the legislative assembly last October.

The incident happened during a feisty session in which two pro-independence lawmakers were barred from taking up their seats in a row over an oath-taking ceremony.

Under Hong Kong law, it is an offence to desecrate national and regional flags by "publicly and wilfully burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling or trampling on them".

Cheng was found guilty on one count of desecrating the national flag and one count of desecrating the regional flag by a magistrates' court Friday.

He was handed a HK$5,000 ($640) fine, though each charge carries a maximum penalty of a HK$50,000 fine and three years in jail. Cheng had previously pleaded not guilty.

Cheng's lawyer had argued that he did not cause any physical damage to the flags, but magistrate Cheng Lim-chi said it happened in a symbolic place.

The lawmaker said the whole process was "ridiculous".

"I would say today's verdict serves to remind Hong Kong residents that our society is not open or has democracy and freedom, we are facing an authoritarian government," he told reporters after the hearing.

The city was handed back to China by colonial ruler Britain in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula.

But there are concerns China is interfering in the semi-autonomous city, eroding its freedoms and way of life.

The face of Hong Kongs pro-democracy campaign, Joshua Wong, former lawmaker Nathan Law and fellow protest leader Alex Chow were sent to prison in August for their leading role in the initial protest that sparked the months-long Umbrella Movement of 2014 -- demonstrations and street blockades calling for democratic reforms.

Their jailing has been slammed by international rights groups and politicians and has prompted accusations that the independence of Hong Kong's courts has been compromised under pressure from Beijing.
The drowning tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly accidents as desperate Rohingya flee Myanmar for Bangladesh

The death toll from a boat which capsized off Bangladesh carrying Rohingya refugees is set to pass 60, the UN migration agency said Friday.

"Twenty-three people have been confirmed dead ... 40 are missing and presumed drowned," International Organization for Migration spokesman Joel Millman told reporters in Geneva, referring to the Thursday accident.

"The total fatality toll be in the range of 60," he added, updating a previous toll of 19.

Survivors from the accident told IOM staff that the boat was carrying about 80 people, including 50 children, who were believed to be fleeing violence from Myanmar's northern Rakhine state.

"Survivors described being at sea all night, having no food," Millman said.

The drowning tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly accidents as desperate refugees surge into Bangladesh, where they are penned into ramshackle tent cities amid dire shortages of nearly all forms of aid.

Witnesses and survivors previously said that the overturned vessel was just metres from the coast in rough waters, after it was lashed by torrential rain and high winds.

"The Bay of Bengal has been a notorious killing zone for many years," Millman added, highlighting the dangers facing Rohingya migrants seeking safety via the sea.

He added that the "captain" of the vessel, who is a suspected trafficker, is missing and presumed dead, but not included in IOM's death toll, which counts only the migrants.
Workers repair a drain cover after French driver Romain Grosjean suffered a tyre explosion during the second practice session of the Malaysia Grand Prix in Sepang, on September 29, 2017

Formula One officials launched an inspection of every drain cover at the Sepang circuit Friday after Romain Grosjean suffered a frightening tyre explosion during Malaysian Grand Prix practice.

A drain grille, which should have been welded down securely, popped up at a kerb on turn nine after Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari drove over it.

A few seconds later Grosjean hit the same spot at more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) an hour, with disastrous effect.

The impact instantly ripped his right rear tyre from its rim and threw his Haas into the barriers.

Happily Grosjean was able to walk away, and declared "I'm all right" as the second practice session was red-flagged with 20 minutes remaining with a gaping hole left in the track.

"I've just seen the footage. I didn't see anything," Grosjean told reporters.

"The next thing I knew was that the car was not there any more. It was just spinning and heading for the wall."

Race director Charlie Whiting said that the cover had been welded down but had broken loose and would be replaced.

Asked if that meant his crew now had to inspect and repair every drain cover on the 5.543-kilometre layout, Whiting said: "Yes. For the rest of the day we shall concentrate on that. They've been welded a long time I expect.

"So we shall re-weld where necessary and then tonight we shall check everything. We have to get it fixed for tomorrow."

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo said it was not something that any driver wanted to worry about when entering a corner at high speed.

"Hopefully they check all the drains tonight," the Australian told reporters after practice.

"Obviously it needs some attention. Because you do not want to think about it in the race. Some corners you really need to use the kerbs to let the corner flow and to use the momentum flow. So hopefully they fix it all."

His team boss Christian Horner echoed the concern. "It was a good thing that nobody was hurt," he told a press conference.

"Obviously the session was stopped and I'm sure all the covers will be inspected vigorously before tomorrow's running so there are no repeat issues."
The bodies of 23 people have been retrieved so far but the death toll is expected to surge to around 60, with many of the dead likely to be young children too weak to swim through the heavy waves

More than 60 Rohingya refugees are feared dead after a boat carrying them from Myanmar capsized, leaving distraught relatives to hold burials on Friday in squalid Bangladesh camps which the Red Cross says are tipping into a health crisis.

Half a million Rohingya have crushed into settlements in Bangladesh in just over a month, fleeing a Myanmar army campaign and communal violence that the UN describes as "ethnic cleansing".

They have poured over on foot or crossed the Naf river which bisects the two countries in overcrowded boats.

One of these vessels capsized in rough waters on Thursday agonisingly close to the shore, survivors said, as the Bangladeshi captain lost control after pushing far out to sea for two days to avoid patrols.

The bodies of 23 people have been retrieved so far but the death toll is expected to surge to around 60, with many of the dead likely to be young children too weak to swim through the churning water.

"Forty are missing and presumed drowned," International Organization for Migration spokesman Joel Millman told reporters in Geneva.

The bodies of 23 people have been retrieved so far but the death toll is expected to surge to around 60, with many of the dead likely to be young children too weak to swim through the heavy waves

Survivor Abdus Salam told AFP the boat hit trouble within striking distance of the Bangladeshi coastline.

"He didn't see a rock underneath the water and we hit it."

Refugees on Friday held funerals for loved ones -- among them children -- who had hoped to find sanctuary from violence that has cut through their homeland in Rakhine state.

A woman carried a small white bundle to a grave for a Muslim burial, while male relatives wept at a school building where bodies had been laid out.

"My wife and two boys survived, but I lost my three daughters," Shona Miah, 32, told AFP.

- One toilet for hundreds -

Those who have made it to Bangladesh have been squeezed into a vast makeshift refugee settlement that has become one of the world's biggest in a matter of weeks.

Those who have made it to Bangladesh have been squeezed into a vast makeshift refugee settlement that has become one of the world's biggest in a matter of weeks

Relief groups are overwhelmed by the numbers of hungry and traumatised Rohingya and medical staff say the camps are in imminent danger of disease outbreak.

"Our mobile clinics are treating more people, especially children, who are very sick from diarrhoeal diseases which are a direct result of the terrible sanitation conditions," said Mozharul Huq, secretary general of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

In some of the camps hundreds of refugees are sharing a single toilet, said Martin Faller, of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

"The conditions for an outbreak of disease are all present -- we have to act now and we have to act at scale," he added.

The UNHCR says nearly one in five of arrivals is suffering from "acute malnutrition", while aid groups have pledged to deliver 900,000 doses of cholera vaccine to Bangldesh within a fortnight.

Worsening conditions are compelling Rohingya to try to move out of the wedge of land Bangladesh has set aside for the new arrivals.

But Bangladesh police have stopped more than 20,000 Rohingya from going inland, a senior official said Friday, after authorities imposed travel restrictions on the refugees fearing they will move further into the country.

The UNHCR says nearly one in five of arrivals is suffering from "acute malnutrition", while aid groups have pledged to deliver 900,000 doses of cholera vaccine to Bangldesh within a fortnight

Bangladesh has urged Myanmar to allow a safe return for the Rohingya.

Myanmar says it is ready to begin repatriating refugees to a camp in the Maungdaw district of northern Rakhine.

But rights groups say the criteria for return is convoluted and carefully crafted to take back as few of the minority as possible.

Many Rohingya do not possess the requisite documents to be allowed back or are unwilling to return to villages that have been burnt to the ground.

The Muslim minority are loathed in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship and are instead branded "Bengalis" -- or illegal migrants who do not belong in the Buddhist-majority country.

- UN warnings -

Attacks on police posts in Rakhine by Rohingya militants on August 25 set the crisis in motion.

The kickback by Myanmar's army killed hundreds and left scores of Rohingya villages in ashes.

Rohingya who fled say they survived slaughter by soldiers and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists who were once their neighbours.

Ethnic Rakhine and Hindus have also been displaced inside Rakhine, accusing Rohingya militants of atrocities.

Flight of the Rohingya

Rohingya are still on the move and UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned that the "systemic violence" could spill further south to the central part of Rakhine, threatening a further 250,000 Muslims with displacement.

Nearly 90 non-governmental organizations, including Amnesty International, have issued a joint statement denouncing "crimes against humanity" against the Rohingya in Myanmar and calling on the international community to immediately end military assistance to the country.

On Thursday the UN Security Council failed to agree on a joint resolution, after China and Russia supported Myanmar.

But the UN Human Rights Council said Friday it would extend an international fact-finding mission into abuses in Myanmar by another six months.

Access to the violence-stricken part of Rakhine is tightly controlled by the military, preventing international aid groups reaching desperate Rohingya or independent reporting on the crisis.

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A top Malaysian opposition MP was jailed for one month Friday after he withdrew an appeal for a "petty" offence that his lawyer said highlighted the "absurdity" of the government.

Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, had appealed the sentence handed to him in January 2014 after he was found guilty of trespassing for refusing to leave a restricted police training centre in 2012.

Chua, 53, is vice-president of the opposition People's Justice Party and his jailing comes just months ahead of elections due to be called by August 2018 in which a fractious opposition coalition faces a strong challenge in its attempt to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The 2012 incident saw Chua and hundreds of others detained at the Police Training Centre during massive protests in which thousands marched in the capital to demand sweeping electoral reforms.

Chua was released but refused to leave the centre as he wanted to make sure the other protesters detained there were all right, according to his lawyer Latheefa Koya.

Latheefa told AFP the politician regards withdrawing his appeal as "a small price to pay for a bigger cause".

"This would definitely highlight the absurdity of the authorities... to charge someone for such a petty matter," she said.

Chua pulled out of the appeal because "he is not afraid of jail", Latheefa added.

The politician also has a number of other offences under appeal, including a three-month jail sentence for sedition, N. Surendran, another of his lawyers, told AFP.

He will however remain an MP as the jail term and fine he received of 1,000 ringgit ($240) is below the threshold for disqualification under Malaysian law.

The People's Justice Party was founded by jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. It is currently led by Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, and is one of four parties in an opposition coalition aiming to unseat Najib at the polls.

Najib, who has weathered a corruption scandal, is due to call elections by next year although there has been speculation it could be sooner.
Communist Vietnam has been one of the region's best performing economies in recent years, but growth dipped last year as it recovered from a major drought and a massive fish kill along the central coast

Vietnam's economy surged more than seven percent in the third quarter according to data Friday, but officials warned the communist country may still fall short of its annual target.

Communist Vietnam has been one of the region's best performing economies in recent years, fuelled largely by exports of cheaply made goods like Samsung phones and Nike shoes.

The middle class is also rapidly expanding in the country of 93 million people, lifting domestic spending across many sectors.

But growth dipped last year to 6.2 percent as the economy recovered from a major drought and a massive fish kill along the central coast.

GDP expanded 7.46 percent in third quarter of 2017 from the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO), the strongest third quarter growth since 2010.

"Growth was largely driven by exports. Domestically, strong credit growth is supporting household spending and the real estate sector," ANZ Bank said in an email to AFP Friday.

It was also a bump up from last quarter's 6.28 percent growth and 5.15 percent posted in first three months of the year.

Overall growth for the first nine months of 2017 is 6.41 percent, the highest since 2015 but below the official annual target of 6.7 percent.

But the GSO chief warned the economy may struggle to hit that goal.

"Reaching this year's growth target will be a challenge," Nguyen Bich Lam said on state-run Vietnam Television.

The Asian Development Bank said earlier his month it expects annual growth to hold steady at 6.3 percent, even as some sectors have slowed.

"Despite the drop in mining and oil output, Vietnam's economy continues to perform well, driven by its twin engines of export-orientated manufacturing and rising domestic consumption," ADB Vietnam country director Eric Sidgwick said in a statement.

Economists have warned that soaring public debt and dodgy loans plaguing the banking sector are holding the economy back.

The government has vowed to tackle mismanagement in the corruption-riddled banking sector.

On Friday, some 51 bankers and businessmen were convicted in a massive fraud case, including former Ocean Bank director and PetroVietnam chairman Nguyen Xuan Son who was sentenced to death.
Forces loyal to Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar, pictured on a billboard, control much of the east and south of the country

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar asked Europe for helicopters and drones to fight rampant migration on the southern border of the war-wracked country.

The request came after the commander, who backs a Tobruk-based administration that controls much of the east and south of Libya, travelled to Rome and Paris to bolster his stature as a key player in international efforts to stabilise the country.

"When it comes to controlling the southern border, my forces can supply the personnel but you Europeans must send help: drones, helicopters, night vision and vehicles," Haftar said in an interview published Friday in Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Former colonial power Italy has been the strongest backer among Western allies for the UN-recognised Government of National Unity, which is based in Tripoli and sees Haftar as an arch foe.

The unity government has struggled to establish its authority beyond the capital in a country scarred by conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of late dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Amid the chaos, Libya has become a launchpad for hundreds of thousands of migrants trying to reach Europe and a base for militants aligned with the Islamic State group.

"I have presented a plan based on the principle that Libya is not the arrival point but only a corridor for migrants who want to get to Europe," Haftar said in the interview.

Of the United Nations arms embargo imposed on Libya since 2011, Haftar said "all European countries interested in stopping migration should revoke it".

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar has moved to bolster his stature as a key player in international efforts to stabilise the country

He also said that Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti had "already accepted a training programme for our soldiers in Italy".

But Pinotti told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that Italy did not take sides in the dispute between the rival governments.

"We want a united and peaceful Libya and we are ready to work with all those who intend to intend to work peacefully for the unity of the country", she said.
Foreigners, and even a few Kurds, checked in at Arbil airport to leave Iraqi Kurdistan on September 28, 2017 after Baghdad suspended flights to and from the region after an independence referendum

The Iraqi government cut autonomous Kurdistan's direct air links with the outside world indefinitely on Friday, partially isolating the northern region after it voted a massive "yes" in an independence referendum.

The move increases the pressure on the Iraqi Kurds amid soaring regional tensions following Monday's non-binding but deeply contentious vote.

Washington said it did not recognise the "unilateral" referendum and urged all parties to reject the use of force and engage in dialogue.

"The vote and the results lack legitimacy and we continue to support a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement.

The central government in Baghdad had ordered the halt to all foreign flights to and from the autonomous Kurdish region from 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday.

Foreigners scrambled to fly out of the region's capital Arbil and its second largest city Sulaimaniyah before the ban took effect.

Iraqi Kurdish transport minister Mawlud Bawa Murad told AFP at Arbil airport that the ban would "negatively impact all international businesses in the Kurdistan region, in addition to all civilians, from all nations".

It would "negatively impact our daily life," he said. "We will do our best to find a viable alternative, or succeed to bring back international flights."

Arbil is a key gateway for humanitarian aid workers helping Iraqis affected by the battle against the Islamic State group (IS).

Washington said earlier it would be willing to facilitate talks between the Iraqi Kurdish authorities and Baghdad to calm escalating tensions over the 92-percent "yes" vote.

Neighbouring Turkey and Iran also strongly opposed the vote, fearing it would inflame the separatist aspirations of their own sizeable Kurdish populations.

Ankara has threatened a series of measures including blocking lifeline oil exports from the region via Turkey.

The Kurds, whose borders with Turkey, Iran and Syria remain open, have condemned the flight suspension as "collective punishment".

Iraqi Kurdistan: a regional air hub

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said it was not "punishment" but a legal measure that would be reversed if the transport authority was transferred to Baghdad in line with the Iraqi constitution.

The ban saw people, many of them foreigners, flock to Arbil airport to avoid being stranded.

- Kurds rush back -

Iraqi Kurdistan is home to a large international community, most of whom enter on a visa issued by the regional authorities that is not recognised by the central government, so they cannot travel elsewhere in Iraq.

On Friday, around 100 passengers waited eagerly for their planes in Arbil, where the last flight out was to Vienna at 4 pm.

"We were supposed to go back to Brazil next Saturday but we rescheduled our flight," said Isidoro Junior, a 32-year-old volunteer for an NGO providing medical assistance to Iraqis displaced by the war against IS.

The director of Arbil airport, Talar Faiq Salih said humanitarian, military and diplomatic flights were excluded from the ban.

Iraqi Kurds demonstrate against the flight ban at Arbil airport on September 29, 2017

Earlier, the UN humanitarian office OCHA said it was working to ensure aid could continue to reach tens of thousands of needy Iraqis.

In Sulaimaniyah, foreigners and others needing to leave sped to the airport before the ban took effect, while Kurds who were abroad for business or tourism rushed home.

"There have been masses of people for two days," said airport spokesman Dana Mohammad Said, adding that the airport remained open for domestic flights.

- 'Help facilitate' -

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's highest Shiite religious authority, called for all sides "to abide by the Iraqi constitution and to appeal to High Federal Court to solve the Kurdistan crisis".

"The latest political developments should not have a negative impact on the strong relationship between sons of the homeland, Arabs, Turkmen, Kurds and others," his representative said.

Washington said it would be prepared to "help facilitate a conversation" between Arbil and Baghdad.

An empty check-in area at Ataturk International airport in Istanbul as a ban came into effect Friday on foreign flights to Iraqi Kurdistan

"We would like to see some calm on all sides," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, noting that the US had opposed the referendum "because we thought it would be destabilising".

On Thursday, the spokesman for the international coalition fighting IS in Iraq and neighbouring Syria said the referendum had taken focus away from the war against the jihadists.

French President Emmanuel Macron invited al-Abadi to visit Paris on October 5 to discuss the referendum and offered France's help in calming tensions.

"Faced with the priority of fighting Daesh and the stabilisation of Iraq, Iraqis must remain united," the presidency said in a statement, using another name for IS.

Iraqi forces meanwhile launched an assault on the northern town of Hawija, one of the last IS bastions in the country along with a stretch of the Euphrates Valley near the border with Syria.

Kurdish forces have been key allies in US-backed offensives against IS in both Syria and Iraq.
There had been fears insurgents would strike as Shiites prepare to commemorate Ashura, which falls this weekend and is the most important Shiite observance

Six people were killed when a suicide bomber posing as a shepherd blew himself up near a Shiite mosque in Kabul on Friday, police said, as Muslims prepared to commemorate a key Islamic event.

At least 20 people were wounded in the Islamic State-claimed attack, which happened in the north of the Afghan capital as worshippers were inside Hussainia mosque, one of the biggest Shiite centres in the city, for Friday prayers.

The bomber was grazing a herd of sheep and before reaching his target he detonated himself 140 metres from Hussainia mosque," General Salim Almas, Kabul's criminal investigative director, told AFP.

Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP that five civilians were killed and 20 others were wounded. Three suspects have been detained.

Kabul's Emergency hospital tweeted that it had received 33 casualties including six children.

Six dead were among the casualties.

A photo posted on Twitter taken at the scene of the attack shows a man lying on the ground, covered in blood. A severed leg belonging to someone else is beside him.

Following the attack the Taliban were quick to distance themselves from the bombing.

"Today's Kabul attack has nothing to do with us. After a thorough investigation we found out that we had no operation in Kabul, and this attack is not linked to us," Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told AFP.

The Islamic State's local Khorasan province affiliate later claimed responsibility for the blast in a communique, the SITE monitoring group said.

In the past Taliban and Islamic State jihadists, who belong to the rival Sunni branch of Islam, have repeatedly targeted the minority Shiite community.

A shopkeeper told AFP that the suicide bomber blew himself to bits after he was identified by suspicious civilian guards who had set up a checkpoint about 200 metres (yards) from the mosque.

Afghanistan has trained and armed more than 400 civilians to help protect Shiite mosques during the holy month of Muharram in an unprecedented move aimed at boosting security at religious sites, underscoring the deteriorating security in the war-torn country.

The attacker had apparently wanted to reach the mosque while worshippers were still inside the prayer hall.

- Children wounded -

Afghan security forces patrolled the dirt street where the attack happened. Nearby shops, most of which would have been closed on a Friday, were badly damaged by the blast.

The attacker had apparently wanted to reach the mosque while worshippers were still inside the prayer hall

Salim Shaheen, who was inside the mosque at the time of the explosion, told AFP there were multiple casualties.

"We were busy offering our Friday prayers when a big bang happened and we stopped prayers and rushed out," Shaheen said.

Shaheen said "several people were killed and wounded". He and other bystanders took 15 people including six children to hospital.

There had been fears insurgents would strike as Shiites prepare to commemorate Ashura, which falls this weekend and is the most important Shiite observance.

It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

The faithful gather to beat their chests and hit their backs with chains until they bleed in commemoration of Hussein's death.

But in recent years the sacred day has been marred by deadly violence.

Suicide attack in Kabul

In 2011 a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the middle of a crowd of worshippers at the main Shiite shrine in Kabul on Ashura, killing 80 people, including women and children.

Afghan officials blamed the bombing -- the first major sectarian attack on a key religious day in Afghanistan -- on Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

Last October gunmen entered the Karte Sakhi shrine near Kabul University and killed 18 people gathering to mark Ashura, an attack claimed by the Islamic State.

The following day at least 14 Shiites were killed in a bombing at a mosque in northern Afghanistan. A few weeks later Baqui ul Ulom mosque in Kabul was targeted when a massive suicide blast claimed by IS killed dozens of worshippers.
Security personnel and media gather at the scene of a stampede on a railway bridge in Mumbai on September 29, 2017

A stampede on an overcrowded Mumbai railway bridge lashed by a monsoon storm killed at least 22 people Friday and raised new safety questions about one of the world's biggest rail networks.

Some were crushed to death, some suffocated and others just fell from the bridge, witnesses said. Shoes, slippers and bags were left strewn over the steps of the bridge after bodies were cleared.

Hundreds of people took shelter on the bridge from a sudden downpour and the deadly crush started as they emerged, an Indian Railways spokesman said.

Seventy-eight-year-old newspaper seller Dadanand Parab told how victims tumbled over the side of the bridge onto his stall.

"They were breathless and shocked and I tried to help by giving them water but there were just so many people," Parab, who has sold newspapers at the station since 1975, told AFP.

"It was a nightmare situation. I saw many women and men just collapsing due to overcrowding and suffocation."

Map of India locating the financial capital Mumbai, where commuters stampeded on a railway bridge Friday, killing at least 22 people

Indian Railways spokesman Ravindra Bhakar said more than 400 passengers took shelter from heavy rains on the footbridge.

"People at the front slipped and the huge crowd toppled over leading to the stampede," Bhakar told AFP.

He said 14 men and eight women were killed and another 36 people injured.

A hospital official said at least six people were in critical condition due to internal injuries and asphyxiation.

"Some had head injuries but most had signs of internal organs being damaged by pressure," said Avinash Supe, dean of the Mumbai's KEM hospital.

Trains were briefly halted and a formal inquiry was started into the tragedy as authorities announced compensation of about $7,500 for the family of each victim.

The stampede broke out at 10:30 am near a ticket window on the bridge that connects the Elphinstone -- recently renamed Prabhadevi -- and Parel stations in central Mumbai.

Local trains are the lifeline for the 20 million people of Mumbai

TV footage showed commuters trying to revive the injured by pumping their chests and carrying some down stairs to street level.

-Clothes ripped -

Local resident Dhanashree Dhananjay Dagare, who lives opposite the bridge, said he saw commuters pushing forward towards a narrow exit on the bridge.

"Many people fell over with their clothes ripped off," Dagare said.

The stampede is the latest disaster to hit Indian Railways -- the world's fourth largest network -- which is struggling to upgrade infrastructure and safety after a series of deadly crashes in recent years.

The stampede broke out at near a ticket window on the bridge that connects the Elphinstone and Parel stations in south Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet expressed sympathies with the families of those killed and assured all possible assistance.

Last month, 23 people were killed after a train derailed in a northern city. Nearly 150 died in November in a crash.

Shiv Sena, Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party alliance partner in western Maharashtra state which includes Mumbai -- called the tragedy a "public massacre" and slammed the government for investing in bullet trains instead of the crumbling railway system.

Last month Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched India's first high speed rail project, which is funded by the Japan.

A series of accidents on the rail network forced Modi last month to replace the railway minister. He has pledged to invest billions of dollars to make railways safer.

Nearly $8 billion has been promised to upgrade the suburban trains in Mumbai that are a lifeline for city's 20 million people.

Some 7.5 million passengers commute in nearly 2,500 trains daily but hundreds die every year due to losing their grip on the doors, falling while trying to get into packed compartments and hitting electric poles outside.

Official figures say some 3,400 people died in 2016 either from falling off the trains or while crossing the tracks of what is the world's most overcrowded suburban rail network.
US President Donald Trump walks from Marine One to Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on September 27, 2017

President Donald Trump has backed away from a threat to skip a summit with South East Asian leaders in the Philippines later this year, with the White House saying it had accepted an invitation from host Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement Friday, the White House said that Trump will visit Manila as part of a bumper November 3-14 tour of China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the US state of Hawaii.

The announcement tees up a meeting between Trump and President Duterte, who has been accused of "crimes against humanity" for waging a bloody war on drugs that has claimed thousands of lives.

During a visit to ASEAN's Jakarta headquarters in April, Vice President Mike Pence had promised allies -- anxious about waning US engagement in the region -- that Trump would attend the bloc's summit in Manila this November.

Since then Trump's souring bromance with Duterte -- prompted, in part, by Duterte's rights record and his vow in July to never visit "lousy" America -- had thrown those plans in the air.

Trump said earlier this month that Duterte had extended an invitation, but the US president pointedly said he had not yet decided whether to accept.

"He invited us so we're going to see," Trump said, while announcing he would go to Japan, South Korea, China and, maybe, Vietnam for a regional APEC economic summit.

Philippine officials were surprised by the about face and the issue was raised during Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano's visit to Washington this week.

Republican Senator Cory Gardner, who met Duterte in the Philippines earlier this year, was among those who urged Trump to attend.

"I think it's very important that the president travel to the region to the summit," he told AFP. "Now more than ever the United States needs to show its leadership not just in rhetoric, but in action, in visible ways."

- 'Unbelievable' -

Early in his tenure, Trump courted controversy by praising Duterte for doing an "unbelievable job on the drug problem."

Duterte's crackdown on alleged drug dealers has seen the police kill an estimated 3,850 people in 15 months and made him a virtual pariah.

Both men have shocked with similar barbed language: Duterte's favored insult, "putang ina," was recently echoed in English when Trump called an NFL player a "son of a bitch."

But Duterte had been angered by a US Congress human rights commission hearing, where various advocate groups assailed his bloody war on drugs.

Aides were left trying to convince Trump -- who has also been skeptical of multilateral institutions and shown modest interest in South East Asia -- that it is important to attend.

Fast-growing South East Asia has become a focus point for US trade and sits astride a major geopolitical hotspot, the South China Sea.

US governments have tried to defend the right of free passage there as China and other countries make increasingly forceful maritime and territorial claims.

"It would be very noticed -- in a negative way -- if he did not go, while all the other leaders are there including the Chinese premier," said Amy Searight, a former top Pentagon official for Asia, now with the CSIS think-tank.

- Pivot away? -

US presidents have not always played much attention to the ASEAN bloc, which includes the fast-growing economies of Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and five other countries.

Barack Obama was the first president to regularly attend the ASEAN summit, donning flamboyant local shirts and posing arms-linked for photos with leaders as part of his much-vaunted "pivot to Asia."

Trump has taken a wrecking ball to much of Obama's legacy, including knocking away a key pillar of the pivot by scrapping a trans-Pacific trade deal, embraced by many ASEAN partners.

But Trump's decision to attend leaves a delicate problem about what to do when he and Duterte meet.

A warm embrace would likely be seen as an endorsement of Duterte's policies.

"Duterte has overseen and condoned what may very well constitute crimes against humanity," Joanne Lin, senior managing director of government relations at Amnesty International USA, told AFP.

"In response, President Trump has offered nothing but praise. We hope that at the summit this fall, cooler heads will prevail."

On the other hand, snubbing a "treaty ally," officials argued, would not go unnoticed in Beijing or other capitals, where there is a desire to capitalize on any opportunity to limit US power in the region.

Since 1951 the United States and the Philippines have had a mutual defense treaty, meaning Washington would defend Manila in any potential war.

Gardner, who sits on the Senate foreign relations committee said engagement was essential.

"Our leaders around the globe have to have frank discussions with each other and they need to move beyond press release diplomacy, no one should be afraid of that."

"We need to make sure concerns are stressed directly. This is not North Korea," he said. "We are a defense treaty ally of the Philippines and there is a strategic imperative to maintain that relationship."
South Africa's Dean Elgar walks back to the pavillion after he was dismissed for 199 runs during the first Test against against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom, on September 29, 2017

South Africa were in a strong position at the end of the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Friday, but top-scorer Dean Elgar wasnt satisfied with his teams performance at the start of Bangladeshs innings.

Bangladesh were 127 for three at the close, still trailing by 369 runs after South Africa declared their first innings on 496 for three.

Elgar, who made 199, said: "We are in quite a strong position but our bowlers didnt really hit their straps, especially with the new ball."

Although opening bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel both took a wicket, Elgar said they had wasted too many deliveries.

"The new ball doesnt last very long on this wicket as weve seen over the last two days."

Elgar admitted culpability for twice dropping Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Mushfiqur was dropped on six and 15 before eventually being caught at short leg off Maharaj for 44.

"With the chances that Kesh created they might have been in more trouble. I was standing too close," he said.

Elgar said the target had been to take three wickets before the close. "We got our three but they got too many runs towards the end."

Elgar and and Hashim Amla, who was in sublime form in scoring 137, put on 215 for the second wicket to build on the opening stand of 196 between Elgar and new cap Aiden Markram on Thursday.

South Africa batted on remorselessly until tea before captain Faf du Plessis declared.

The declaration caused a problem for Bangladesh because regular opener Tamim Iqbal had been off the field towards the end of South Africas innings, which meant he had to wait for 48 minutes before he could bat.

- Anti-climax for Elgar -

Two wickets fell before Tamims enforced absence came to an end and he eventually batted at number five.

It was the first time in his 52-Test career that he had not faced the first ball of an innings.

He and Mominul Haque (28 not out) batted through to the close, with Tamim dancing down the wicket to Maharaj to hit the last ball of the day for six to finish on 22 not out.

Elgar made his highest Test score before falling one short of a double century when a short ball from Shafiul Islam "stuck in the pitch" and he spooned a catch to short midwicket.

"I should have hit it for four," said Elgar who still had regrets about the run-out of Markram, who fell three runs short of a century on debut after a mix-up on Thursday.

"I was bitterly disappointed. I would have loved to see Aiden get a hundred in his first Test innings and I am still angry about it."

He described his own dismissal as a second anti-climax.

"It would have been great for me to get a double hundred. Its what you play for and its a massive milestone for me. But our batting unit has failed quite a bit lately and it was important for the senior guys to stand up. So Ill take 199."

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed said he was surprised by the "flat" pitch.

"Its the first time Im playing here and I thought I would be bowling on a greenish pitch. But its slow and your loose balls get punished. We didnt bowl very well," he said.

"But there was some tight bowling which was definitely a positive, otherwise if you bowl badly they can get 600. The negative is that we didnt get enough wickets."
An Iraqi Airways plane pictured on the tarmac at Arbil airport, in the capital of Iraq's autonomous northern Kurdish region, on September 28, 2017

Humanitarian, military and diplomatic planes are excluded from a ban on international flights to and from Iraqi Kurdistan to start on Friday, the director of Arbil airport said.

"Humanitarian, military and diplomatic flights are not included in the ban," Talar Faiq Salih said.

Baghdad ordered the suspension of international flights from 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) Friday in retaliation for Iraqi Kurds voting for independence in a non-binding referendum earlier this week.

"I feel sorry for the situation we are in," Salih said. The civil aviation authority "is supposed to be independent... but in Iraq anyone can take a decision."

"It's a real punishment for Iraqis. They (Baghdad officials) should stop punishing their own people," she said.

Passengers pictured at Arbil airport, in the capital of Iraq's autonomous northern Kurdish region, on September 28, 2017

Arbil airport is an international hub which has been used by humanitarian aid workers helping Iraqis affected by the battle against the Islamic State group.

The UN humanitarian office earlier said it was working to ensure aid could continue to reach tens of thousands of Iraqis in need, including those displaced by the battle for second city Mosul, which Iraqi forces retook from IS in July.

"OCHA is working with the authorities to ensure that humanitarian operations in Iraq can continue," it said.

"This includes coordination with the authorities on air travel for humanitarian workers into and out of Arbil," OCHA said in a statement.
Iraqi paramilitaries of the Popular Mobilisation force flash the victory sign as they advance on the Islamic State group-held enclave around the northern town of Hawija on September 22, 2017

Iraqi forces Friday launched an assault on the northern town of Hawija, one of the last bastions in the country still held by the Islamic State group, which is also under attack in neighbouring Syria.

The operation came a day after IS released what it said was an audio recording of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi urging resistance, the first such intervention in nearly a year.

"The leaders of the Islamic State and its soldiers have realised that the path to... victory is to be patient and resist the infidels whatever their alliances," said the voice in the recording, whose authenticity Washington said it had "no reason to doubt".

Since Baghdadi's previous message to his followers last November, the territory the jihadists still hold in the cross-border caliphate they proclaimed in 2014 has shrunk to a fraction of its former extent.

"A huge military operation has begun to liberate Hawija and its surrounding areas," the operation's commander, Lieutenant General Abdel Amir Yarallah, said in a statement.

Iraqi forces launched an offensive to retake the jihadist enclave around Hawija on September 21, swiftly taking the town of Sharqat on its second day before pushing on towards Hawija itself.

Iraq: Anti-IS offensive

Yarallah said Friday's assault marked the second phase of the operation and aimed to recapture Hawija and the towns of Al-Abbasi, Riyadh and Rashad to its west, east and south.

All are mainly Sunni Arab towns that have long been bastions of insurgency and were bypassed by government forces in their push north on second city Mosul last year which culminated in the jihadists' defeat in their most emblematic stronghold this July.

Yarallah later announced that troops had taken Al-Abbasi and raised the Iraqi flag there.

He said the operation involved the army, the federal police, counterterrorism units and the Rapid Intervention Force, as well as tribal volunteers and the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation force, mainly made up of Iran-trained Shiite militia.

The enclave lies east of the Tigris River and south of one of its major tributaries, the Little Zab, and troops erected pontoon bridges during the night to enable the assault to begin, Yarallah said.

The Popular Mobilisation force said IS had set fire to two oil wells in the Alas field, southeast of Hawija, in a bid to provide cover and slow the advance of loyalist forces.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed the second phase of the operation to recapture the area.

Iraqi forces advance towards Hawija on September 23, 2017 after retaking the nearby northern town of Sharqat from the Islamic State group

"As we promised the sons of our country, we are going to liberate every inch of Iraqi land and crush the Daesh (IS) terrorist gangs," Abadi said.

"We are on the verge of a new victory to liberate the residents of these areas from those criminals."

The Hawija enclave is one of just two areas of Iraq still held by IS, along with a stretch of the Euphrates Valley near the Syrian border which is also under attack.

The US-led coalition against the jihadists said Friday that at least 1,200 Iraqi security personnel were killed during the months-long operation to recapture Mosul.

The international coalition against IS also said that US-led air strikes in Iraq and Syria have killed another 50 civilians, without specifying when.

It said that with the latest deaths, "at least 735 civilians have been unintentionally killed by coalition strikes".

- Deadly counterattack in Syria -

Further up the Euphrates Valley on the Syrian side of the border, IS is facing rival offensives by US-backed fighters and Russian-backed government forces.

The jihadists launched a major counteroffensive against government forces on Thursday, killing at least 73 troops and militia in a series of attacks along their supply lines, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Most of the dead came near the desert town of Sukhna, on the main highway between the big cities of the west and the Euphrates Valley city of Deir Ezzor, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

Syrian troops pushed through the desert and broke a three-year IS siege of government enclaves in Deir Ezzor earlier this month. They are now battling to retake the remaining IS posts.

US-backed Syrian fighters are poised to capture the onetime jihadist bastion of Raqa

Further upstream, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters is poised to capture the onetime IS bastion of Raqa, once a byword for jihadist atrocities.

A top US-led coalition commander told AFP on Thursday that the jihadists were now breathing their "last gasps" in the city.

He said the coalition was already setting its sights on another IS-held town in the Euphrates Valley -- Al-Mayadeen, between Deir Ezzor and the Iraqi border.
Zimbabwean activist pastor Evan Mawarire has been acquitted on charges of inciting public violence but will still go on trial for subversion

Zimbabwean activist pastor Evan Mawarire said Friday he had been acquitted of inciting public violence, but he remains on trial for allegedly trying to subvert President Robert Mugabe's government.

The violence charge arose from a June meeting at Zimbabwe's main university where he was addressing student doctors who were on strike over a fees hike.

"I have just been acquitted of charges of inciting public violence and disorderly conduct at the University of Zimbabwe," Mawarire said in a Facebook video post.

"No citizen should ever be afraid of exercising their constitutional right to build Zimbabwe. We march on to a better nation."

An outspoken opponent of Mugabe, Mawarire became popular with his #ThisFlag movement that has challenged Mugabe's government over the economic crisis.

But the 40-year-old cleric is still being prosecuted on charges of trying to remove Mugabe's government in a trial which began at the High Court on Monday.

If he is found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

The charges stem from his involvement in organising a crippling strike in July 2016 that shut down major cities and paralysed public transport, prompting the government to ban public protests.

Mawarire's trial opened a day after he was arrested in church for posting a video online that criticised the dire economic situation and showed long queues at petrol stations where supplies are running short.

But two days later, a magistrate ordered his release after the prosecution missed a 48-hour deadline to take him to court.
Police Warn Of Financial Scams Targeting The Elderly Around The City

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Sep 28, 2017 11:47PM



The stuff I don't want to have to carry. Photo via Shutterstock.

Chicago police are warning about a variety of financial scams targeting elderly Chicagoans around the city. The scams vary in theme but have similar intent: to convince people that a legitimate business or government organization requires them to pay money as soon as possible.

The police department described several of the financial fraud crimes in a warning Thursday morning, detailing the "creative" approaches that criminals can take to rob "our most vulnerable citizens," noting that the elderly are often targets because they can be more trusting or willing to listen to strangers posing as people they are not. Many financial scams are conducted over the phone, but some, including recent ones in Chicago, can be in person.

In one fraud, called the "Sweepstakes Fraud," police say someone will call and say that you won money or a prize in a sweepstakes, but that you will have to pay for taxes, insurance or shipping and handling fees in order to collect the prize. As the police note, a true sweepstakes would not require the winner to pay anything.

One instance of the sweepstakes fraud getting someone in Chicago took place on Sept. 26 in North Edgewater. In that incident, an 89-year-old woman was contacted by phone and told she won a 3 million dollar sweepstakes. She was told she first needed to wire money from her bank to Indiana. This happened repeatedly, at least five times since May 2017, before she reported it to the police. The woman said the caller defrauded a large sum of money from her.

In another type of fraud, known as "Lottery Fraud," a scammer can approach a person on the street and present to them what looks like a winning lottery ticket. The scammer will then ask for help cashing the ticket, saying they don't have a bank account or that they are not in the country legally and therefore can't claim their winnings. On Aug. 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Back-of-the-Yards, a 51-year-old man was approached by two Latino men, one who was 55-65 years old, the other who was 65-75 years old, in a black SUV. The older men approach the man and told him they had a winning Lottery ticket they couldn't cash without his help. The man ended up giving them "a large sum of money," and then the scammers came up with an excuse to take off with his money.

Another scam, the "Grandparent Scam," was reported on Sept. 12 in Portage Park. In this scam, a caller typically pretends to be a grandchild or another family member, and claims they urgently need money because they were in an accident and need help paying bills, or that they were arrested and need money for bail. Sometimes the caller claims to be calling on behalf of the child, either as a criminal justice official requesting bail money or as a hospital personnel. Typically the caller will request money to be sent through Western Union or Money Gram, according to police (note that a legitimate hospital or court system would not request money like this).

In the Sept. 12 incident, a 77-year-old woman was contacted by the phone and told her son was in jail. She agreed to meet with the caller and provide a large sum of money for bail. The caller was a white, 20-25 year-old woman, who met with her and took her money. The young woman later re-contacted the woman and asked for more money a second time. She did this again a third time, but the elderly woman did not have any more money to give, prompting the scammer to stop calling.

In a fourth scam, known as the "Computer Virus Scam," a caller will pretend to represent a computer company such as Apple or Microsoft, and claim that the recipients computer or account has been hacked. The caller then offers to remotely fix the problem, for a fee, then ask for credit card or bank information. This happened on Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. in the Gold Coast. In this incident, an 82-year-old man received a phone call from an unknown person claiming to represent a cell service and internet provider. The man was told that if he wanted to prevent hacking, he needed to purchase gift cards and then call back with the gift card number and pin.

Police say that there are several ways to protect yourself from these types of scams. Chief among them: Never give out your credit card or bank information to anyone you don't know, and if you do, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to cancel the payments or freeze the accounts. Police also say you should never agree to meet with anyone who might be scammer, and to call 911 immediately and report what happened in as much detail as possible. Finally, if you are a senior citizen and you think you've been contacted by a scammer, police suggest you contact another family member or a trusted friend for help in addition to contacting law enforcement.


A police officer arrests Zambian musician Chama Fumba, known as as Pilato, during a march to the parliament building in Lusaka on September 29, 2017 to demonstrate against what protesters say is a corrupt purchase of 42 fire engines by the government

Zambian police on Friday clashed with about 100 anti-corruption protesters outside parliament, prompting arrests on the same day as the finance minister presented the national budget.

Carrying placards that read "Wake up Zambia, it is our money", they picketed parliament over alleged graft by President Edgar Lungu's government.

The demonstration targeted the purchase of 42 firefighting trucks costing $1 million each -- a deal that has fuelled criticism of government spending.

"This protest overall is about how public resources are being managed in the country," organiser Laura Miti told reporters.

Miti and several other activists were later detained and taken away in a police van as riot police surrounded the entrance to parliament buildings.

President Lungu has been accused of a crackdown on dissent since winning elections last year.

Zambia's main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was detained for four months before treason charges against him were dropped.
Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along a road in Bangladesh, to which hundreds of thousands have fled to escape violence in neighboring Myanmar

Nearly 90 non-governmental organizations have denounced "crimes against humanity" committed by authorities in Myanmar against the Muslim Rohingya minority and called on the international community to take action.

Half a million Rohingya have crushed into camps in Bangladesh in just over a month, fleeing a military campaign in Myanmar and communal violence.

"As more evidence emerges, it is clear that the atrocities committed by Myanmar state security forces amount to crimes against humanity," a joint statement from the groups said.

The 88 NGOs, which included Amnesty International and the AFL-CIO called on UN member states to take "urgent action" to address the crisis.

"In particular, we call on all states to immediately suspend military assistance and cooperation with Myanmar," said the statement, text of which was released by Human Rights Watch.

Attacks on police posts in Rakhine state by Rohingya militants on August 25 set the crisis in motion.

Myanmar's military said it is targeting militants who carried out the attacks, but its operations have been so sweeping and brutal that the UN says it likely amounts to "ethnic cleansing" of the Rohingya, a group reviled by many in the mainly Buddhist country.

Rohingya who fled say they survived slaughter by soldiers and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists who were once their neighbors.

Ethnic Rakhine and Hindus have also been displaced inside Rakhine, accusing Rohingya militants of atrocities.
The US Federal Reserve says HSBC failed to detect misconduct in 2008-2013 by senior traders, including its global head of foreign exchange cash trading

The US central bank on Friday fined global banking giant HSBC $175 million for failing to oversee foreign exchange traders who misused confidential client information and colluded with traders at competing banks.

Between 2008 and 2013, the bank failed to detect misconduct by senior traders, including its global head of foreign exchange cash trading, according the Federal Reserve.

Traders used "confidential inside information" to execute trades that benefited the bank but hurt a corporate client, conduct that resulted in traders' federal indictment in New York on fraud charges.

An internal review by HSBC, which cooperated with authorities, also found traders attempted to manipulate foreign currency benchmark fixes and market prices generally by colluding with traders at other banks.

In an order, the Fed also directed HSBC to improve internal oversight measures and compliance with risk management requirements in its foreign exchange trading.

The enforcement action comes two months after the Fed also fined BNP Paribas $246 million over similar violations.

HSBC was one of six major US and European banks fined a total of $4.2 billion by global regulators in a November 2014 crackdown for attempted manipulation of the foreign exchange market.

The bank in 2012 paid $1.9 billion in fines and other charges after settling with US prosecutors over allegations it had deliberately moved money for drug cartels, clients tied to terrorist organizations and sanctions-barred countries, or failed to prevent this.

The agreement, due to expire this year, requires the bank to cooperate with US law enforcement and avoid further violations or risk seeing reinstated charges linked to money laundering.
A Guardian correspondent became the fourth foreign journalist to be expelled from Morocco this year while trying to cover the Rif unrest

Morocco's communication minister said Friday that a journalist for Britain's Guardian newspaper was expelled because he had been working in a tense region of the country without a permit.

The newspaper said Saeed Kamali Dehghan was sent back to London on a flight from Casablanca on Thursday after having attended a Women in Africa summit in Marrakesh earlier in the week.

Kamali Dehghan had travelled on from Marrakesh to Al-Hoceima in the northern Rif region that has been the scene of unrest for several months.

"He presented himself as a tourist and not a journalist. In Al-Hoceima, he conducted interviews without authorisation from the ministry of communication," Mohamed Laaraj told AFP.

Kamali Dehghan became the fourth foreign journalist to be expelled from Morocco this year while trying to cover the Rif unrest.

"Since the start of the year, we have granted almost 900 permits for foreign journalists. None has been refused," the minister said.

"When a journalist has authorisation, it allows us to protect him because he is our responsibility."

The British newspaper said Thursday it was "surprised that a respected Guardian correspondent reporting in Morocco was told to leave the country, and we are looking into the circumstances in more detail".

Kamali Dehghan is principally The Guardian's Iran correspondent and is based at its London headquarters.

In 2010, he was named Journalist of the Year by the Foreign Press Association for his coverage of protests in Tehran.
A man inspects the hurricane damage to his house in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico

US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico on Friday amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island.

"This is not a 'good news story,'" San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz told CNN on Friday following oddly upbeat comments made the previous day by a top Trump administration official. "This is a people-are-dying story."

President Donald Trump, who will travel to the US territory early next week, meanwhile defended the response to the disaster on the island, which has been virtually without power, water and telecommunications since getting a twin walloping from hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Trump said the storms were of "historic and catastrophic severity" and a "massive federal mobilization" was underway involving over 10,000 federal personnel and 5,000 members of the US military.

Elaine Duke, the acting Homeland Security secretary, said Thursday she was "very satisfied" with how the relief effort was going so far and that it was "proceeding very well."

"I know it is really a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths that have taken place in such a devastating hurricane," Duke said.

Puerto Rico Power Authority workers repair power lines in Loiza, Puerto Rico

Her remarks sparked the angry response from the mayor of San Juan, the capital of the island of 3.4 million people.

"Maybe from where she's standing it's a good news story," Yulin Cruz said. "When you're drinking from a creek it's not a good news story.

"If you don't have food for a baby it's not a good news story.

"I'm sorry, but that really upsets me and frustrates me," Yulin Cruz said. "I would ask her to come down here and visit the towns and then make a statement like that, which frankly, is an irresponsible statement."

Duke visited Puerto Rico on Friday and backtracked from her good-news-story remarks.

"The people in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, I know, are suffering," Duke told a press conference with Governor Ricardo Rossello.

"Yesterday I was asked if I was happy and satisfied with the recovery. I am proud of what is being done," Duke said.

"I am proud of Americans helping Americans, friends and strangers alike. I am proud of the work DOD and FEMA and the territory, along with first responders, are doing," she said, referring to the Pentagon and the US disaster relief agency.

Trump, asked by reporters if Duke's initial comments were inappropriate, said he had not heard them. Then he added: "I can tell you this: We have done an incredible job considering there is absolutely nothing to work with."

- Trump defends relief effort -

Praised for the federal response to hurricanes in Texas and Florida, Trump has been on the defensive over his handling of the crisis in Puerto Rico, which he will visit on Tuesday.

A man removes a tree uprooted by Hurricane Maria in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico

He lauded the relief effort on Friday and said it has been complicated by the fact that the US territory is an island.

"All appropriate departments of our government, from Homeland Security to Defense, are engaged fully in the disaster and the response and recovery effort," Trump said before delivering a speech in Washington to the National Association of Manufacturers.

"This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water," he said. "Virtually everything has been wiped out and we will have to really start all over again.

"We will not rest, however, until the people of Puerto Rico are safe," he said. "We want them to be safe and sound and secure and we will be there every day until that happens."

Trump on Thursday eased shipping restrictions on Puerto Rico to make it easier to deliver fuel and water supplies to the island.

A woman rinses her friend's hair in the Cuyon River one week after the passage of Hurricane Maria in Coamo, Puerto Rico

The US president waived for 10 days -- in response to a request from Puerto Rico's governor -- a 1920 law that restricts foreign-flagged ships from operating between US ports.

He also tapped a three-star general, Jeffrey Buchanan, to head the Pentagon's response to the disaster.

Buchanan said Friday he is deploying helicopters and field hospitals as part of an effort to bring more logistical brawn to the relief and aid distribution effort.

Also as part of that effort, the USNS Comfort, a 1,000-bed hospital ship, was leaving the Virginia port of Norfolk on Friday for Puerto Rico.

Ricardo Ramos, the head of Puerto Rico's power authority, said Friday that electricity has been restored to just 4.5 percent of the population.

Ramos told CNN that about 4,000 utility workers were trying to fix the power grid and 1,000 more were expected to arrive over the weekend from the US mainland.

He said about 50 percent of the island's residents now have running water.
Yemeni men stand on the debris of a house, hit in an air strike on a residential district, in the capital Sanaa on August 26, 2017

The UN Human Rights Council agreed Friday to send war crimes investigators to Yemen, overcoming resistance from Saudi Arabia, which had fought to head off an independent international probe.

In a resolution adopted by consensus, the council mandated UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to send a group of "eminent experts" to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been bombing Huthi rebels since March 2015.

The experts will conduct "a comprehensive examination of all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights" committed in the conflict and seek "to identify those responsible," it said.

Launching the probe marks a victory for a group of European states and Canada, which pushed hard for an international inquiry fully independent of a Yemeni national investigation that is backed by the Saudis.

The Saudi-led coalition has been accused of bombing schools, markets, hospitals and other civilian targets in support of Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The Iran-backed Huthi rebels have also been accused of widespread abuses, which the UN team will also probe.

Saudi Arabia had for the past two years succeeded in blocking the rights chief's call for an international inquiry.

In a letter leaked to several media outlets this week, the kingdom threated economic and diplomatic retaliation against rights council members which voted for the EU/Canadian proposal.

The Saudi envoy to the council, Abdulaziz Alwasil, ended up endorsing Friday's resolution, which was slightly softer than previous EU proposals.

An earlier Dutch/Canadian draft asked for a Commission of Inquiry, the UN's highest level investigation, but that call was removed from the adopted version.

In a statement, the Saudi Press Agency hailed the move as a victory for Riyadh's diplomatic efforts to have the Dutch proposal withdrawn and for Europe to adopt "the Arab proposal which supports Yemen's national investigative committee".

Countries with significant and lucrative ties to Saudi Arabia, including the United States, Britain and France, were reported to have sought a compromise to break the deadlock.

- 'Turning point' -

US envoy Theodore Allegra said he was pleased the 47-member rights council was "speaking with one voice on Yemen" and Britain's ambassador Julian Braithwaite called the resolution "a significant achievement".

Yemeni envoy Mohamed Saeed Majawar said his government would "engage positively" with the experts.

Human Rights Watch had argued forcefully for a Commission of Inquiry but said Friday's result still amounted to a success.

"After more than two years of impunity for horrendous crimes in Yemen, today could mark a turning point," HRW's Geneva director John Fisher said in a statement.

The new probe "will bring an unprecedented level of scrutiny to the conduct of all parties to the Yemen war", he said.

Amnesty International called the resolution "a momentous breakthrough that will pave the way for justice for countless victims of human rights abuses and grave violations of international law, including war crimes."

The situation in Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

More than 8,500 people have been killed and nearly 49,000 wounded in the conflict, World Health Organization (WHO) figures show.

At least 17 million people there are facing dire food shortages.

Another 2,100 people have died in a cholera epidemic which erupted in in April. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned Friday there could be as many as 900,000 cases by year's end.
Physical damage in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria is estimated to be in the region of $25 billion

President Donald Trump on Friday weighed in on the emerging fight over how to finance already debt-stricken Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane Maria.

Trump said that Puerto Rico's government -- already more than $70 billion in debt before the storm hit -- "unfortunately aren't able to handle this catastrophe on their own."

The category four storm has destroyed the island's rickety electricity grid and knocked out basic communications.

Physical damage alone is estimated to be in the region of $25 billion, according to ENKI, a disaster modeling firm.

Amid mounting questions about who will pay for rebuilding infrastructure in the long term, Trump suggested the local authorities, which were already struggling to meet existing debt payments, would have to pitch in.

"Ultimately, the government of Puerto Rico will have to work with us to determine how this massive rebuilding effort -- it will end up being one of the biggest ever -- will be funded and organized, and what we will do with the tremendous amount of existing debt already on the island," Trump said.

The focus will anger some, who insist that the US government should first take care of Puerto Ricans who don't have access to potable water or reliable shelter.

Trump again defended his administration's response to the crisis, saying "people have never seen anything like this."

He also said that Puerto Rico "is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water."

Experts, like the Brad Setser of the Council on Foreign Relations have warned that "Puerto Rico's humanitarian crisis is likely to quickly turn into a budget crisis."

Tax collection is likely to be put on hiatus, he wrote, adding that "there is no way Puerto Rico can pay its debts right now."

Market insiders are already discussing the possibility of bond holders having to revise agreements.
Both teens asserted insanity defenses and said they had wanted to please Slender Man -- a sinister internet meme often inserted into the background of ominous black-and-white photos -- so that he would not hurt their families

A US teen charged with stabbing a classmate in an attack to appease a fictitious internet character won't face jail after reaching a deal with prosecutors, her attorney said Friday.

Morgan Geyser, 15, will plead guilty as charged to the 2014 stabbing of her friend Payton Leutner in the so-called "Slender Man" case that garnered widespread national attention and was turned into a TV documentary.

"She will be held in a mental facility and treated until doctors deem her well enough to be released," her lawyer Donna Kuchler told AFP.

The move effectively closes the case following a similar deal by her co-defendant Anissa Weier.

The pair were 12 when they stabbed Leutner, who survived the attack, 19 times at a park in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a suburb of the Midwestern city of Milwaukee.

A bicyclist found Leutner and helped her get to a hospital.

Both teens asserted insanity defenses and said they had wanted to please Slender Man -- a sinister internet meme often inserted into the background of ominous black-and-white photos -- so that he would not hurt their families.

During her court hearing Friday, a bespectacled Geyser stared blankly ahead, mouth agape. She is due to enter her guilty plea next week.

"I'll order then that Ms Geyser be returned to where she is residing," Judge Michael Bohren said after being presented the plea agreement.

Her co-defendant, Anissa Weier, also 15, reached a similar plea deal earlier this month that will see her remain in mental hospital for three years.

Despite their young age, the girls were initially charged as adults because of the severity of their crime.

After the attack, the teens told police they were headed to see Slender Man at a national forest hundreds of miles (kilometers) away, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The case has been the subject of public fascination, with video of the girls' police interrogations featured in the 2016 HBO documentary "Beware the Slenderman."
Attacks of an unknown nature have targeted at least 21 US embassy staff in Havana over the past few months

Cuba on Friday slammed as "hasty" a US decision to withdraw more than half of its embassy staff from Havana due to mysterious "attacks," and warned the move would affect ties.

"We consider the decision announced by the US government today, through the State Department, to be hasty, and it will affect bilateral relations," said the head of North American affairs at Cuba's foreign ministry, Josefina Vidal, quoted on state television.

But she added: "Cuba wishes to pursue active cooperation between the authorities of the two countries in order to resolve this case."

"The Cuban government has no responsibility in this case and strictly respects its obligations under the Vienna Convention" regarding the protection of diplomats as well as their families, she said.

The attacks of an unknown nature have targeted at least 21 US embassy staff in Havana over the past few months.

Those affected have exhibited physical symptoms including hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping.
Rights groups worry that a US citizen caught fighting for the Islamic State group could be the first detainee in years to be sent to the military's Guantanamo Bay, Cuba prison

The American Civil Liberties Union called on US military authorities Friday to release details on a captured American Islamic State fighter and to transfer him to the civilian justice system.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, ACLU director Anthony Romero warned the man -- apparently being held in Iraq -- should not be designated an "enemy combatant," the term the US used in the 2000s to hold terror suspects without charge or representation.

"If the reports about the US citizen are accurate, his ongoing military detention is unlawful as a matter of domestic law, and his constitutional rights to habeas corpus and to a lawyer must be respected," Romero said.

"If the government has legitimate grounds to suspect the citizen fought with ISIS, he should immediately be transferred to the federal criminal justice system for criminal charges."

On September 14 the Pentagon confirmed that they were holding a US citizen who had been fighting for the Islamic State group and surrendered to the allied Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria days earlier.

Since then, no details have surfaced about the person's identity or status.

A Pentagon spokesman, Air Force Major Ben Sakrisson, said Friday that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had been invited to meet with the detainee.

"The disposition of the detained unlawful enemy combatant will be deliberated with the appropriate agencies; in the interim, the individual remains in DoD custody," he said, referring to the Department of Defense.

ICRC spokesman Marc Kilstein confirmed that the group was notified, and said they are now trying to set up a visit which will aim to ensure the man's detention conditions adhere to the law.

"We anticipate being given timely access," he said.

The case will be a test of President Donald Trump's administration's stance toward the legal rights of terror and battlefield detainees.

Although no official policy is set, the administration has suggested a willingness to send new detainees in the fight against jihadist groups to the US military's Guantanamo Bay, Cuba prison compound, which former president Barack Obama had sought to shut down.

Romero said there were no legal grounds to send the Syria detainee to Guantanamo, which has been reserved in the past for foreign nationals captured in the fight against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Wyn Hornbuckle, a spokesman for the Justice Department, declined to comment on the specifics of this case.

But he said the department "recognizes the wide range of tools and authorities that the President possesses to protect our national security and to defeat our terrorist adversaries. All options remain on the table, and the Justice Department will continue to use every lawful investigative and prosecutorial tool to achieve these objectives."
ICE Arrests 30 In Chicago Area In 4-Day Sweep Of Sanctuary Cities

By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 29, 2017 7:52PM



Photo via Chicagoist Flickr User Anne Fisher

Federal immigration agents arrested 30 people in four days in Cook County as part of sweep that targeted sanctuary cities across the United States, according to an announcement on Thursday from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Nearly 500 people from 42 countries were arrested nationwide in the sweep, which the agency dubbed "Operation Safe City."

ICE said in a release on Thursday that the raids prioritized people "with criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, known gang members and affiliates, immigration fugitives and those who re-entered the U.S. after deportation."

The sweep included Cook County, Baltimore, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and other sanctuary citiesjurisdictions that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents.

"Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honor detainers or allow us access to jails and prisons are shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement and creating a magnet for illegal immigration," said ICE Acting Director Tom Homan in a statement. "As a result, ICE is forced to dedicate more resources to conduct at-large arrests in these communities."

The city of Chicago is currently entangled in a legal battle with the Department of Justice related to the city's sanctuary policies and federal grant money. Sessions had announced in July that in order to receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, local authorities would be required to give federal officials a 48-hour notice window prior to releasing an arrestee suspected of being an undocumented immigrant. Chicago filed suit in August claiming that the DOJ's decision to withhold funds on such basis was unconstitutional. A judge in September sided with the city of Chicago, and the ruling's preliminary injunction took effect nationwide. The DOJ earlier this week filed an appeal.

ICE said there were 28 arrests in Baltimore, 63 in Denver, 101 in Los Angeles, 45 in New York, 107 in Philadelphia, 33 in Seattle, 27 in Santa Clara County, 14 in Washington, D.C. and 50 in Massachusetts.

According to ICE's breakdown of the nationwide arrests in the sweep, 181 of the 498 arrests did not have a previous criminal conviction.

According to numbers provided to Chicagoist by an ICE spokesperson, 10 of the 30 people arrested in Cook County did not have a previous criminal conviction.

ICE did not provide a full breakdown of criminal convictions among those who had been convicted, but the agency shared the following five descriptions:



On Sept. 27, a 40-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested in Chicago. After illegally entering the United States in 1979, he was convicted of the following crimes:

- 1997: manufacturing/delivery cannabis and sentenced to 1 year probation.

- 2002: aggravated unlawful use of weapon/vehicle/previous conviction and sentenced him to 2 years probation

- 2005: aggravated unlawful use of weapon/vehicle/previous conviction and sentenced him to 3 years in jail.

2006: a federal immigration judge ordered him removed; he was removed to Mexico.

He illegally reentered the United States at an unknown date and place.



--

On Sept. 27, a 20-year-old citizen of Mexico, and a self-proclaimed gang member, was arrested in Palatine, Illinois. His case is being presented to the U.S. Attorneys Office for illegally possessing a rifle and ammunition. He was served a Notice to Appear before a federal immigration judge and placed into ICE custody without bond pending removal proceedings. --

On Sept. 26, a 43-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested in Hanover Park, Illinois. In 2008, he was encountered by Border Control in El Paso, Texas while attempting to enter the United States illegally. He was processed, charged, and convicted of illegal entry, and sentenced to 30 days incarceration. He is considered a re-entry criminal alien. --

On Sept. 26, a 40-year-old citizen of the Czech Republic was arrested in Chicago. In 1999, he was convicted for DUI and sentenced to one year supervision. In 2005, he was convicted of a second DUI and was sentenced to one year imprisonment with Illinois Department of Correction. In 2007, he was issued a final order of removal by a federal immigration judge in Chicago. --

On Sept. 26, a 30-year-old citizen of Mexico, and a known gang affiliate, was arrested in Chicago. It is unknown when and where he illegally entered the United States. Since his entry, he has been convicted of a DUI in 2003; illegally re-entering the United States after removal in 2012. Also in 2012, he was convicted for possessing a controlled substance manufacture/delivery of cocaine.

A spokesperson for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights told Chicagoist by email, that families affected by the ICE raids can reach out for help: "ICIRR stands in solidarity with all those families hurt by ICE raids and deportation. We encourage those affected to call our help line 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY if they need assistance or advice, and to access our Know Your Rights resources on our website here and here."

As NBC News points out, it's not out of the ordinary for immigration agents to sweep up detainees by the hundreds or low thousands. But the explicit focus on sanctuary jurisdictions would seem likely to only add to the strain between the Department of Justice and such cities and counties.

According to the Washington Post, the Trump administration has deported fewer people (211,068) than the Obama administration had at this time last year nationwide (240,255), even though ICE agents have made 43 percent more arrests over that span.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is spending nearly $25,000 to provide Administrator Scott Pruitt something none of his predecessors have had - a custom soundproof booth for making private phone calls.

EPA did not respond to questions on Wednesday from The Associated Press about the government contract for the "privacy booth for the administrator" ordered last month, according to a summary of the contract listed in a federal procurement database. The contract for the booth, due for delivery by Oct. 9, was first reported by The Washington Post.

EPA spokeswoman Liz Bowman told the newspaper that the booth would serve as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, known as a SCIF, which are secure rooms used to house computers and equipment for communicating over classified government networks.

FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2017 file photo, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks in Washington. The EPA is spending nearly $25,000 to provide Pruitt something none of his predecessors have had _ a custom soundproof booth for making private phone calls. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

"Federal agencies need to have one of these so that secured communications, not subject to hacking from the outside, can be held," Bowman said.

But former EPA officials told AP that explanation doesn't make much sense.

There is already a SCIF at EPA headquarters in Washington where officials with the appropriate levels of security clearance can go to access classified information. EPA employees rarely deal with government secrets. The agency does occasionally receive, handle and store classified material because of its homeland security, emergency response and continuity missions.

Stan Meiburg, who served as EPA's acting deputy administrator until earlier this year, said he only ever needed to enter a SCIF a handful of occasions each year.

"It's a head scratcher, for sure," Meilburg said of Pruitt's cone of silence. "I'm having trouble figuring out what could be the possible business case for this."

The booth ordered for Pruitt is being built by Acoustical Solutions, a Richmond, Va.-based company that sells more economical versions retailing for about $5,000, designed for people taking hearing tests. The company's president, Joe Niemann, declined to discuss what modifications were being made for Pruitt's special order.

"We shouldn't talk about our customers," Niemann said.

Liz Purchia Gannon, who worked as EPA's chief spokeswoman during the Obama administration, called Pruitt's purchase "bizarre."

"It seems like the height of paranoia," Purchia Gannon said. "As someone who spent a lot of time in the administrator's office, I can tell you that there was nothing like this previously."

___

Follow Associated Press environmental writer Michael Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck

___

Submit a confidential tip to The Associated Press at https://www.ap.org.tips
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A few tiny herds of African antelope have a new home on ranges in New Orleans, and zookeepers hope they will take advantage of the extra space away from curious crowds of humans to relax and reproduce.

The Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife breeding center has developed 88 acres (35 hectares) of its 1,000-acre (400-hectare) parcel of land, on the other side of the Mississippi River from the much smaller Audubon Zoo, where about 2,000 animals are on display.

In addition to 22 antelope - eight elands, six sable antelope, six Eastern bongos and two yellow-backed duiker (pronounced DIKE-er) - the area also will serve as home for seven giraffes and two okapi, a close relation to the giraffe that stands out from the rest because of its black-and-white-striped legs. Most of the animals have been moved here from the San Diego Zoo and its safari park.

In this Sept. 26, 2017, photo, a sable antelope appears during a media tour in the new breeding facility created by the Audubon Nature Institute and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy in New Orleans. Officials see the new Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife as both a place to breed animals, some of them endangered, and build a sustainable population for zoos, and as a possible inspiration for other zoos to start similar projects. (AP Photo/Janet McConnaughey)

"We're letting them be animals, letting them do their thing," said Michelle Hatwood, curator for the center, jointly established by the Audubon Nature Institute, an umbrella organization that includes the Audubon Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy.

The land, which is owned by The Audubon Institute and the Coast Guard, was used for 20 years by an Audubon project that focused on cloning and artificial insemination of endangered animals. The San Diego Zoo covered the $5.2 million cost for new site work, including the paddocks with solar-powered double gates, zoo spokesman Frank Donze said. The two zoos are sharing a little more than $1 million a year in operating costs, Hatwood said.

Officials from both zoos planned a news conference Thursday, about 4 years after announcing the project, to celebrate its official opening.

In the new facility, six Eastern bongo, nearly chest-high to Hatwood, and a pair of yellow-backed duiker about half their size share 3 acres (1 hectare).

The bongo are from what Hatwood described as a critically endangered subspecies with fewer than 100 in the wild, though North American zoos hold about 550.

"Bongo are water-loving forest antelope, so this is their dream," Hatwood said Tuesday, as she and zoo curator Joel Hamilton took journalists on a preview tour through the paddocks on a low flatbed trailer with hay bale seats.

The duiker were delighted with their new environment, she said: "They immediately started to breed. They were excited by all the space."

The bongo and duiker will move into a 12-acre (5-hectare) enclosure when its current occupants - eight eland and six sable antelope - move into a 45-acre (18-hectare) enclosure with the seven giraffes, including two who arrived pregnant.

"The exciting thing about the whole project is that in these large spaces, we're really able to increase the population sizes so they're much more sustainable for the future," Robert "Bob" Wiese, chief life sciences officer at San Diego Global, said in a phone interview Tuesday.

While most of the animals have explored all their new territory, the giraffe - sentinels of the savannah and browsers along the forest's edge - are cautious beasts and have stayed at the perimeter near their barn, Hatwood said. "They're the drama queens," she said.

Giraffe aren't currently considered threatened or endangered, but that's likely to change after scientists fully study recent genetic and population work, Hatwood said.

The eland aren't endangered either, but are great for teaching people about relationships between people and wild animals, Hatwood said. They're the world's largest antelope - weighing up to 1 ton (1,000 kilograms) each - and are often poached. But they're also being studied for farming because they're easier on the environment than cattle and are calmer than most antelope, she said.

Two male okapi, endangered because of poaching and habitat loss, are being kept in separate 1-acre (0.4-hectare) enclosures. That's because, unlike their female counterparts, they don't play nicely together. Omar, a bottle-raised animal, quickly came forward for treats of carrot and yam on Tuesday, but Kikari stayed distant and camouflaged, barely visible among the close-spaced trees.

The staff have set aside 22 acres (9 hectares) for females to share, with the first one expected to arrive in October, Hatwood said. Females of all the species will be fairly permanent residents of the center, but males will be rotated so they don't mate with their daughters.

The two zoos have decided on a number of Asian and African mammals for Phase 2, which could begin in a couple of years: wild pigs called babirusa and wild cattle called banteng, both from Indonesia; barasingha deer, an Indian species; and two more African antelope species - lechwe and sitatunga.

The breeding facility's dual aim is to provide stock for zoos, which no longer collect hoofed stock from the wild, and to inspire other zoos to form similar collaborations, both curators said.

In this Sept. 26, 2017 photo, Tufani, a 3-month-old giraffe, and Bobby, an adult bull giraffe, stand by the fence of their enclosure at the Alliance for Sustainable Wildllife in New Orleans. Tufani was born at the New Orleans breeding center, but officials wanted to be sure all of the animals were used to their new digs before a news conference Thursday at which officials of the Audubon Nature Institute and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy were to announce that the center is up and running. (AP Photo/Janet McConnaughey)

Giraffes roam in a new 45-acre enclosure Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at a breeding center established by the Audubon Nature Institute and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy in New Orleans. The two pens apart from the others are being kept near the giraffe barn because they're expected to give birth in October. Officials see the new Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife as both a place to breed animals, some of them endangered, for zoos and a possible inspiration for other zoos to start similar projects. (AP Photo Janet McConnaughey)

This Sept. 26, 2017 photo shows an eastern bongo in a 3-acre paddock at the Audubon Nature Institute and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy in New Orleans. Officials see the new Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife as both a place to breed animals, some of them endangered, for zoos and a possible inspiration for other zoos to start similar projects. (AP Photo Janet McConnaughey)
BERLIN (AP) - Two suspected members of Adolf Hitler's mobile "Einsatzgruppen" death squads identified by the Simon Wiesenthal Center have been tracked down by German reporters but deny participating in wartime massacres.

The Einsatzgruppen were special units made up of SS and police personnel that followed behind the regular German army troops during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, with the task of killing perceived racial or political enemies of the Nazi regime.

The two suspects located by broadcaster ARD's Politikmagazin Kontraste program, being aired Thursday night, both appear on Nazi-era roster lists of an SS unit that was attached to Einsatzgruppe C.

FILE - This a 1944 file photo of part of the Babi Yar ravine at the outskirts of Kiev, Ukraine where the advancing Red Army unearthed the bodies of 14,000 civilians killed by fleeing Nazis, 1944. Two suspected members of Adolf Hitler's mobile "Einsatzgruppen" death squads identified by the Simon Wiesenthal Center have been tracked down by German reporters but deny participating in wartime massacres in a report to be broadcast Thursday night, Sept. 28, 2017. Einsatzgruppe C was responsible for one of the most notorious massacres, the shooting of nearly 34,000 at Babi Yar, a ravine northwest of the Ukrainian city of Kiev, on Sept. 29-30, 1941. (AP Photo, file)

Einsatzgruppe C was responsible for one of the most notorious massacres, the shooting of nearly 34,000 at Babi Yar, a ravine northwest of the Ukrainian city of Kiev, on Sept. 29-30, 1941.

The two elderly men were both on a list of 80 former Einsatzgruppen members provided in late 2014 by the Wiesenthal Center to German authorities with the expectation that they could still be alive.

One suspect, 94-year-old Kurt Gosdek, told Kontraste in an interview earlier this month at his home in northwestern Germany that, although he was part of the unit in Ukraine in 1941, he had worked behind the lines repairing vehicles. He claimed to know nothing of any massacres.

"When I was assigned to the workshop service it was relatively quiet, one had only one's work," he said. "Not the shooting."

Following the Einsatzgruppen massacres, the Nazis established death camps and in total killed some 6 million Jews as well as others. Gosdek said he was "surprised" when he heard about the Holocaust after the war.

"It's simply unbelievable that something like that happened," he said.

Herbert Wahler, 95, confirmed that his name was on the Einsatzgruppen roster but refused other comment, according to transcripts of the interviews provided to The Associated Press.

"If you want to question me, then you're out of luck," he said at his home in central Germany. "I also have nothing to hide and from me you won't hear anything."

Jens Rommel, head of the special German prosecutors' office in Ludwigsburg that investigates Nazi crimes, confirmed to the AP that the Justice Ministry had forwarded them the Wiesenthal Center list.

He said it had been narrowed down to eight people thought to be still alive, including the two featured in Kontraste's report and one other from Einsatzgruppe C, but prosecutors had not yet gathered enough evidence to recommend charges.

"We need to at least confirm which time period someone was in a unit and which crimes committed by the unit they were part of," he told the AP.

Efraim Zuroff, the Wiesenthal Center's head Nazi hunter, questioned how much more evidence was necessary. He said a new precedent in German law means that suspects who helped the Nazi machinery of genocide function - like death camp guards - can be prosecuted as accessories to murder even if it can't be proved they killed anybody themselves.

"Everyone who assisted in any way shape or form was responsible," he said in a telephone interview from Jerusalem. "Even if this guy was busy fixing cars, those cars took people to the sites to mass murder Jews ... Bring these people to justice and put them on trial."

Rommel said his office was moving "as quickly as possible" on the Einsatzgruppen, but has also been focusing limited resources on guards at seven concentration camps, including Buchenwald, Sachsenhausen and Bergen-Belsen, where it was easier to prove that suspects were on hand at the time of specific killings.

He said he expected to hand as many as 30 cases to state prosecutors by year's end with recommendations that the suspects be charged, but cautioned that because of their ages, the number could rapidly change.

"Every year it's more difficult because so many pass away," he said.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Democratic lawmakers from New York and New Jersey are introducing legislation Thursday to force federal transportation officials to implement a rule to test train engineers for sleep apnea.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and New Jersey U.S. Sen. Cory Booker announced the legislation a week after the National Transportation Safety Board said that the engineers involved in crashes in Hoboken and Brooklyn were suffering from undiagnosed sleep apnea.

It also comes ahead of Friday's anniversary of a crash in Hoboken when a New Jersey Transit train slammed into Hoboken Terminal, killing a woman standing on a platform and injuring about 110 passengers and crew.

The legislation would force the Department of Transportation to implement a proposed rule to require the test, overturning President Donald Trump's decision last month to allow individual railroads to decide whether to conduct the test.

"The recent findings released by NTSB on the Hoboken and LIRR crashes underscore just how shortsighted and reckless the Trump Administration's recent decision was to reverse the rule requiring sleep apnea testing and treatment," Booker said in a statement. "We simply cannot stand idly by and wait for the next tragic incident."

The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said last month that they are no longer pursuing the regulation that would require testing for the fatigue-inducing disorder.

The agencies argue that it should be up to railroads and trucking companies to decide whether to test employees. One railroad that does test, Metro-North in the New York City suburbs, found that 11.6 percent of its engineers have sleep apnea.

The NTSB has cited sleep apnea in the probable cause of 10 highway and rail accidents in the past 17 years, including an undiagnosed case in the engineer of a Metro-North Railroad commuter train that sped into a 30 mph curve at 82 mph and crashed in New York in 2013, killing four people.

The Hoboken and Brooklyn engineers had the sleep apnea risk factor of being morbidly obese but weren't diagnosed with the disorder until after the crashes, NTSB documents show. NJ Transit had a screening program at the time of the Hoboken crash. The LIRR's started after the Brooklyn crash. Both engineers are being treated with pressurized breathing masks.

The decision to kill the sleep apnea regulation is the latest step in Trump's campaign to drastically slash federal regulations. The Trump administration has withdrawn or delayed hundreds of proposed regulations since he took office in January - moves the Republican president has said will help bolster economic growth.

Late last year, the FRA issued a safety advisory that was meant as a stopgap measure urging railroads to begin sleep apnea testing while the rules made their way through the regulatory process. Without a regulation mandating testing, which would have needed approval from Congress, regulators couldn't cite trucking companies or railroads if a truck or train crashed because the operator fell asleep at the helm.
BEIRUT (AP) - The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

A U.N. official has condemned air raids that targeted hospitals in Syrian rebel-held areas this month, saying the facilities were serving hundreds of thousands of people.

Jan Egeland, a top U.N. aid official for Syria, said the U.N. does not know who carried out the air raids in the northwestern Idlib province.

Egeland told reporters in Geneva the air raids in mid-September are "very much associated" with attacks by al-Qaida-linked militants earlier this month on Syrian and Russian troops in the central Hama province bordering Idlib.

He said government and Russian forces, as well as the U.S.-led coalition striking the Islamic State group, need "to do more to avoid indiscriminate attacks against civilian targets."

Egeland said "the five or more hospitals" that were hit in Idlib were serving 500,000 civilians.

___

3:45 p.m.

Syrian opposition activists say Islamic State militants have attacked an eastern village recently captured by government forces, threatening to cut the main highway that links the capital, Damascus, with the eastern city of Deir el-Zour.

The attack on al-Shola came three weeks after Syrian troops broke a nearly three-year siege on parts of Deir el-Zour, the capital of the oil and gas-rich province of the same name.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said al-Shola is under attack. Omar Abou Leila, of the monitoring group DeirEzzor 24, and the IS-linked Aamaq news agency said the extremists have captured the village.

The Observatory reported earlier Thursday that government forces have laid siege to IS-held neighborhoods of Deir el-Zour.

___

2:30 p.m.

Syria's state news agency says Hamoudeh Sabbagh, a little-known legislator, has been elected speaker of parliament.

The Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, said Thursday the new People's Assembly chief won 193 votes, while his closest opponent only won 10.

Sabbagh replaces Hadiyah Abbas, who was removed from her post in June with a majority of votes. A parliamentary statement says she was removed because of her "undemocratic behaviors," without elaborating.

Pro-government websites said Sabbagh is a member of President Bashar Assad's ruling Baath party and became a member of parliament during the 2012 elections.

Assad's family has ruled Syria since 1970, and he has survived a six-year-old civil war sparked by an uprising against his rule.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The lawyer for a Louisiana man facing murder charges decided to concede the man's guilt in the hope of sparing him the death penalty.

The client, lawyer Larry English told jurors in his opening argument, "committed these crimes."

But there was a problem: Defendant Robert McCoy repeatedly proclaimed his innocence and objected to the lawyer's approach.

Now the Supreme Court will consider whether it violates the Constitution when a lawyer ignores his client's instructions and concedes his guilt.

Among the issues for the court are who is ultimately in charge of the case, the lawyer or his client, and whether the right to a lawyer that's guaranteed by the Constitution is meaningful if, even with the best intentions, he can ignore his client's wishes.

In McCoy's case, the legal strategy failed. A jury sentenced McCoy to death for killing the son, mother and step-father of his estranged wife in 2008.

McCoy's parents had hired English to represent their son. English failed to persuade McCoy that the evidence against him was so strong that he should accept a plea deal.

With McCoy insisting on a trial, English settled on a defense that he told the trial judge was intended to "save his life, regardless of what he wanted to do."

During the trial, McCoy testified in his own defense, saying he was innocent and suggesting that a drug trafficking ring led by law enforcement officers had framed him for the killings.

In his closing argument, English again said McCoy killed the three victims.

The Louisiana Supreme Court said English pursued a "reasonable trial strategy" in light of the evidence against McCoy and upheld the convictions.

McCoy's Supreme Court lawyers say that the top courts in other states have ruled that lawyers can't override their clients' objection and concede guilt.

The case will be argued in the winter.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A man convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer when he was 15 years old will have the opportunity to seek parole.

Philly.com reports (http://bit.ly/2yvwyrc ) Judge Barbara McDermott sentenced 57-year-old Andre Martin to 44 years to life during a resentencing hearing on Wednesday. Martin had previously been convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole in the shooting of officer John Trettin in 1976.

A 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling deemed life sentences against juveniles as unconstitutional. Under martin's new sentence, he will be eligible to seek parole in three years.

Defense lawyers say Martin endured physical abuse throughout his childhood that triggered anger. The lawyers say he has transformed since the shooting and is remorseful.

McDermott says she made the decision after considering the nature of the crime and Martin's personal development.

___

Information from: Philly.com, http://www.philly.com/
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - German prosecutors say they have conducted further searches at two locations and had one person taken into custody in connection with their investigation into alleged manipulation of diesel emissions in Audi cars sold in the United States.

Prosecutors in Munich who are conducting the investigation confirmed Thursday that the searches and arrest were carried out Wednesday.

In March, prosecutors said they were investigating possible fraud and illegal advertising relating to the sale of 80,000 vehicles with 3.0 liter diesel engines. The cars were equipped with software that turned emissions controls on when the vehicles were being tested in labs and off during every day driving. Prosecutors said at the time they had searched offices of Audi, which is headquartered in the German city of Ingolstadt, and seven other locations.

The Audi probe is part of a large scandal that engulfed Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen, Audi's parent company. In all, Volkswagen has agreed to pay more than $20 billion in civil and criminal penalties and settlements that included Volkswagen-brand cars also equipped with such software.

In July, U.S. authorities brought criminal charges against former Audi engineer Giovanni Pamio. The complaint against him alleged that he directed other employees to design the software that cheated on U.S. emissions tests, and that he and others failed to disclose the software and knowingly misrepresented that the engines complied with pollution standards. Pamio was among eight ex-VW employees charged in the scandal.
PARIS (AP) - Thousands of retired French workers are protesting in cities around the country over a new tax hike on their pensions.

The retirees are joining a growing crowd of critics of French President Emmanuel Macron - he's already faced protests from truckers, students and others.

The march Thursday in Paris included retirees with a wide range of ages, backgrounds and political views - but they were united in anger over a rise in a tax used to finance public health care and family aid. The tax is expected to hit as many as 8 million retirees, who say they're being unfairly targeted.

French President Emmanuel Macron meets with police officers, unhappy with their working conditions, in Lyon, central France, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, Pool)

The government plans to cut other payroll taxes at the same time, but that won't affect retired workers.

The first budget of 39-year-old Macron's presidency, unveiled Wednesday, focuses on reducing France's deficit.
NEW YORK (AP) - Chevron Corp. is naming Michael K. Wirth chairman and chief executive to replace John S. Watson, who is retiring after spending 37 years with the energy company.

The San Ramon, California-based company said Thursday that Wirth, 56, is currently vice chairman and executive vice president of midstream and development. He joined Chevron in 1982 as a design engineer.

Watson, 60, has been chairman and CEO for eight years. He joined Chevron in 1980 as a financial analyst.

FILE - This Tuesday, May 2, 2017, file photo shows a Chevron sign at a gas station in Miami. On Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, Chevron Corp. announced it is naming Michael K. Wirth chairman and chief executive to replace John S. Watson, who is retiring after spending 37 years with the energy company. The changes are effective Feb. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

The changes are effective Feb. 1.
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Sotheby's Hong Kong will present more than 3,000 items during its 2017 autumn sale in Hong Kong, with overall estimated price to reach 2.1 billion HK dollars (about 270 million U.S. dollars), it said Thursday.

"Wheels: Industrial New York" from Chinese-American artist Yun Gee

Highlights include an oil painting named "Wheels: Industrial New York" from Chinese-American artist Yun Gee with an estimated price of up to 120 million HK dollars, according to Sotheby's.

Sanyu's painting "Leopard" is also rare to the market as it is the only leopard painting measuring over 100 cm currently held in private hands, the auction house said.

Modern art is the mainstay of Asia's auction market, Felix Kwok, senior specialist, Modern Asian Art of Sotheby's, told Xinhua during the media tour held Thursday.

Works from famous artists will help stabilize the market, he said, adding more and more Western collectors are showing great interest in Asian paintings.

For the Chinese Works of Art sector, a Ru guanyao brush washer from the Northern Song Dynasty will be the eye-catching item.

It is estimated to fetch in excess of 100 million HK dollars, according to Sothesby's.

Sotheby's Hong Kong's autumn sale for 2017 will be held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, covering modern and contemporary art, Chinese paintings, Chinese works of art, jewels, watches and other sectors.
MIAMI (AP) - Buzzfeed is seeking to force testimony by top U.S. law enforcement and intelligence officials about their knowledge of an unproven dossier on President Donald Trump's purported activities involving Russia and allegations of Russian interference during last year's election.

Lawyers for the online media outlet say in a motion filed Wednesday in Miami federal court that they need testimony by current and former officials, including former FBI Director James Comey, to defend themselves in a defamation lawsuit brought against the news outlet by a Cyprus businessman.

The businessman, Aleksej Gubarev, claims he and his companies were falsely linked in the dossier to the Russia-backed computer hacking of Democratic Party figures. Gubarev is seeking unspecified damages from Buzzfeed and its top editor, Ben Smith, for the lawsuit's libel and slander claims.

The Buzzfeed motion asks a federal judge to compel the testimony under oath of officials with the Justice Department and FBI, Comey, and possibly the Office of the Director of National Security and its former director, James Clapper.

In August, all of the government agencies and individuals subpoenaed by Buzzfeed refused to comply with the requests for testimony or documents. A variety of reasons were given, including possible national security implications and law enforcement investigation concerns.

The document signed by Buzzfeed attorney Nathan Siegel said under the "fair report" privilege of defamation law, a news organization cannot be found liable for publishing documents that become the subject of official government conduct. The motion lays out numerous ways in which the dossier had been discussed among top-level officials of both the outgoing and incoming presidential administrations, citing a statement by Trump himself that he had been briefed about it two weeks before his inauguration.

"In large part, this motion merely seeks to compel the government parties to provide this information by providing very limited testimony under oath about the matters they have already publicly discussed," Siegel wrote.

The original subpoenas have been narrowed to seek much more limited information, simply to confirm that the dossier was being officially investigated before Buzzfeed published it.

"All this motion seeks is an order compelling the government parties to produce a witness, or if necessary two, to appear for a deposition limited to the specific topics," Siegel wrote.

The 35-page dossier, compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele, had been circulating among multiple news outlets during the 2016 campaign. It contains unproven allegations of coordination between Trump's advisers and Russians on hacking the emails of prominent Democrats and makes unverified claims about sexual activities.

On Jan. 10, Buzzfeed published the dossier in full, noting at the time that much of its content had not been verified. The Associated Press had not authenticated its claims. Trump himself has described the lurid dossier as "phony allegations" concocted by his political opponents.

In one paragraph, the dossier claims that Gubarev and his companies, XBT Holdings and Webzilla Inc., "had been using botnets and porn traffic to transmit viruses, plant bugs, steal data and conduct 'altering operations' against the Democratic Party leadership" at the behest of Russian entities, according to court documents filed by Gubarev's lawyers.

"Not a single portion of this statement, as it applies to Mr. Gubarev, XBT, or Webzilla, has any basis in fact whatsoever," his attorneys wrote.

XBT operates 37,000 computer servers around the world, about 40 percent of them in Dallas, according to the lawsuit. Gubarev is described as a "venture capitalist and tech expert" who moved from his native Russia to Cyprus in 2002. Gubarev is not involved in politics and has no connections with the Russian government, the document says.

The case, originally filed in February, is pending before Miami U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro. She could issue a ruling on the motion to compel government testimony at any time.

_____

Follow Curt Anderson on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Miamicurt
BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - Authorities say a homeless man robbed a good Samaritan at knifepoint before kidnapping the victim and leaving him tied up in a Mississippi hotel room.

News outlets report that 45-year-old Ernest Eugene Leffew was arrested Monday and charged with kidnapping and armed robbery.

Investigators say Leffew asked the victim for a ride, took the man's wallet and reportedly forced him to drive to several ATMs to withdraw money. Authorities say he then tied the man up in a wooded area, later untied him, and forced him to drive to a hotel room.

Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson says Leffew tied the victim up again in the hotel room and fled in the man's vehicle. The victim escaped hours later and called for help.

It's unclear if Leffew has a lawyer.
HOUSTON (AP) - Gene Green gets the question at many of the town hall meetings he holds in his overwhelmingly Latino congressional district. Essentially, "What is someone like YOU doing in a place like this?"

After a quarter century in office, the 69-year-old Democrat is used to it.

"As an Anglo running in a predominantly Mexican-American district it's not my first term," Green, who initially won his Houston-based congressional seat the same year Bill Clinton was elected president, said at one recent event. "Even in 1992 it was, 'How do you think you can get elected?'"

In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, photo, Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, speaks during a town hall meeting with constituents in Houston. Houston is America's largest Hispanic city without a Hispanic member of the U.S. House. Green has endured by winning over Houston's top Hispanic activists, and obsessing about keeping constituents happy: organizing immunization and U.S. citizenship drives and, after Hurricane Harvey, helping residents talk directly to federal relief officials. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Home to 2.3 million people, around 44 percent of whom are Latino, Houston is America's largest Hispanic city without a Hispanic member of the U.S. House.

Traditionally low voter turnout among Hispanics helps account for that anomaly, but another key reason is Green, who is white. He has never lost a district drawn specifically to empower Hispanic voters and today is nearly 80 percent Latino.

Green has endured by winning over Houston's top Hispanic activists, and obsessing about small details that keep constituents happy. As Hurricane Harvey menaced Texas, Green's office partnered with five churches in his district to offer evacuees food, water and basics like diapers. During non-emergencies, Green comes home every weekend from Washington for events like chili cook-offs, organizes citizenship and immunization drives, and personally returns calls to his office from anyone asking simply to "speak to Gene."

He's the kind of congressman who probably shouldn't exist but has proven that candidate loyalty can outweigh demographics. That's a mixed blessing, though, as Texas Democrats continue to struggle to mobilize Hispanic voters statewide and are desperate to promote attractive new Latino political talent. The nation's largest red state has kept moving farther right even as its Democratic-leaning Latino population booms.

Nationally, Hispanics represent 17 percent of the population but only hold 7 percent of House seats. In Texas alone, they make up the majority of registered voters in nine congressional districts, but only four are represented by Hispanics.

Texas isn't unique. Now running for governor, New Mexico Republican Rep. Steve Pearce is white and conservative but represented his majority Hispanic district for two lengthy stints, most recently beginning in 2011. Republican Rep. David Valadao, of Portuguese descent, represents a Hispanic district in California's Central Valley.

A lawyer and longtime state lawmaker before going to Congress, Green loves breaking down complex policy issues in folksy ways. During an event for seniors, he joked about cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients increasing only 0.3 percent last year.

"At 0.3 percent you can probably go buy you a Whataburger," he said, referencing the beloved Texas burger chain.

"No, no, no," cried one man in the crowd shaking his head with all his might. "Burger King. On sale."

He emphasizes the personal touch. After Harvey, which left parts of his district flooded with about 50 inches (127 centimeters) of rain, Green organized an event at a church that paired residents who lost their homes with federal officials managing recovery efforts "so people can actually see a person, instead of just using a toll-free number or email."

The late Texas senator and onetime Democratic vice presidential nominee Lloyd Bentsen was Green's mentor, and hanging in his district office is a picture of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing Medicare into law. But Green also swings conservative, backing gun rights and serving as an advocate for powerful energy concerns including Halliburton because, "Bottom line, if you hire my constituents, I'm going to help you."

His territory snakes through mostly working-class areas of north and east Houston, where modest or handsome homes bump up against strip malls in some areas and scruffy taco stands and convenience stores with barred windows in others.

The district was drawn thanks to the Voting Rights Act, which required Texas to get its election laws cleared by the federal government because of a history of racial discrimination. The aim was sending a Hispanic to Congress, but Green won the 1992 Democratic congressional primary by 180 votes.

Green made his case to voters even though his Spanish doesn't extend much beyond saying he speaks the language "un poquito," a little.

"The fact that he himself is not Latino doesn't mean he's not advancing the interests of his Latino constituents and advocating for Latino causes," said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Last year, Green faced a primary challenge from county sheriff and former Houston City Council member Adrian Garcia. Top Hispanic leaders endorsed Green, as did BOLD PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' financial arm, which had never before supported a non-Hispanic over a Hispanic elected official.

Green beat Garcia by almost 20 percentage points, and has yet to draw a major primary challenger this year.

Green's retail politics prowess aside, though, some say the absence of emerging Latino talent could hurt his party's appeal beyond his district - especially with younger Hispanics. Republicans hold 25 of Texas' 36 congressional seats.

Sylvia Garcia, now a state senator from Houston, finished third in the 1992 Democratic primary and remains friends with Green. But she recalled a party strategist recently saying of Green, "I don't know that the millennials can get beyond just looking at an old white guy."

Maria Cadengo, a 32-year-old hotel event manager who attended one of Green's recent town halls, said afterward that it's not important that Houston send a Hispanic to Congress.

"I don't care who you are, where you're from," Cadengo said. "If you're actually doing something for the community, that matters more."

___

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In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, photo, Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, speaks during a town hall meeting with constituents in Houston. Green's the kind of congressman who probably shouldn't exist, proving that candidate loyalty can outweigh demographics. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, photo, constituents listen as Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, right, speaks during a town hall meeting in Houston. Houston is America's largest Hispanic city without a Hispanic member of the U.S. House. Republican gerrymandering and weak Latino turnout, don't help, but a key reason is Green, who is white but is a 25-year incumbent of a district drawn to empower Hispanics. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, photo, Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, speaks during a town hall meeting with constituents in Houston. Houston is America's largest Hispanic city without a Hispanic member of the U.S. House. Republican gerrymandering and weak Latino turnout, don't help, but a key reason is Green, who is white but is a 25-year incumbent of a district drawn to empower Hispanics. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, photo, Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, left, talks with Juan L. Rios during a town hall meeting with constituents in Houston. Houston is America's largest Hispanic city without a Hispanic member of the U.S. House. Republican gerrymandering and weak Latino turnout, don't help, but a key reason is Green, who is white but is a 25-year incumbent of a district drawn to empower Hispanics. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, photo, Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, center, and his wife Helen, pose for a group photograph during a town hall meeting with constituents in Houston. Houston is America's largest Hispanic city without a Hispanic member of the U.S. House. Green has endured by winning over Houston's top Hispanic activists, and obsessing about keeping constituents happy: organizing immunization and U.S. citizenship drives and, after Hurricane Harvey, helping residents talk directly to federal relief officials. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, photo, Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, speaks during a town hall meeting with constituents in Houston. Houston is America's largest Hispanic city without a Hispanic member of the U.S. House. Republican gerrymandering and weak Latino turnout, don't help, but a key reason is U.S. Rep. Gene Green, who is white but is a 25-year incumbent of a district drawn to empower Hispanics. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
WUHAN, China (AP) - French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko beat Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Wuhan Open quarterfinals on Thursday.

Ostapenko came from a break down in the deciding set, winning the last five games to beat Muguruza for the first time and a world No. 1 for the first time.

"I just beat No. 1 and it's amazing," Ostapenko said.

No. 4-ranked Karolina Pliskova also lost from a set up, falling to Ashleigh Barty of Australia who beat a top-five player for the first time 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).

Barty will meet Ostapenko, the only seed to reach the semifinals. The other semi features Caroline Garcia of France and qualifier Maria Sakkari of Greece.

Muguruza made a flying start, thanks in part to Ostapenko's 15 unforced errors. But in the second set, the Latvian broke Muguruza four times to lead 5-3. Muguruza held serve but Ostapenko won the set with a winner down the line.

Muguruza made the early break in the decider but the Spaniard was outgunned from the baseline by Ostapenko, who hit a total of 29 winners to 11 by Muguruza.

Little separated Pliskova and Barty. Pliskova made the one decisive break in the first set, and Barty won the last four points of the second-set tiebreaker. Pliskova finally lost her service game to open the third set, and began a series of traded breaks.

Barty squandered three match points at 5-4 but led in the tiebreaker, which she clinched when Pliskova double-faulted after 2 1/2 hours.

Garcia beat Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 7-6 (3), 6-4. Sakkari defeated Alize Cornet of France 7-6 (2), 7-5 to become the first qualifier to make it to the semifinals at Wuhan.

"I still cannot believe I'm in the semis," Sakkari said.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The Latest on the beating death of a Tulsa man (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

Police say one of two men charged in the beating death of a hogtied Oklahoma man is the father of the victim's girlfriend.

This undated photo provided by in Tulsa County Sheriff's Office shows Dearld Peal. Peal and Tracy Price are jailed on murder and kidnapping charges in the death of Anthony Pietrzak. Police say the body Pietrzak was found early Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 just outside the Tulsa, Okla., city limits. (Tulsa County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Forty-six-year-old Dearld Peal and 40-year-old Tracy Price are charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 18-year-old Anthony Pietrzak, whose body was found early Thursday about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from his and his girlfriend's home in north Tulsa.

An anonymous caller told police Tuesday that a man known as Anthony had been beaten to death at his home.

Officer Jeanne MacKenzie says Peal is the father of Pietrzak's girlfriend and that she told detectives she asked the men to beat up Pietrzak because he had been beating her.

MacKenzie says investigators are looking into whether a third man took part in the attack and that more charges are possible.

___

12:55 p.m.

Police say two men beat an 18-year-old Oklahoma man to death in retaliation for hitting his girlfriend.

Tulsa police say Anthony Pietrzak's body was found about 2 a.m. Thursday just outside Tulsa's city limits.

Police have arrested 46-year-old Dearld Peal and 40-year-old Tracy Price. Both are jailed on murder and kidnapping charges. Jail records don't list attorneys for the men.

Officer Jeanne MacKenzie says Pietrzak's girlfriend told police that she asked the two men, and possibly a third, to beat Pietrzak because he had beaten her. The woman's name has not been released.

MacKenzie said police are still investigating to determine whether a third man was involved. More arrests are possible.

___

8 a.m.

Police in Tulsa say a man who was reportedly beaten earlier this week has been found dead and two suspects are in custody.

Sgt. Dave Walker says the body of 18-year-old Anthony Pietrzak was found about 2 a.m. Thursday just outside the Tulsa city limits.

Walker says police received a tip on Tuesday that a man named Anthony was beaten to death at a home in north Tulsa. Pietrzak's body was found less than three miles from the home.

Walker says police had arrested 46-year-old Dearld Peal and 40-year-old Tracy Price on kidnapping warrants in the case and the two are now being held on murder warrants.

Jail records do not list an attorney for either suspect.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump and Thailand's prime minister will meet at the White House a day earlier than originally announced.

The White House says Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha will visit Oct. 2 - one day earlier than previously announced.

Trump plans to visit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Oct. 3 to survey the damage from Hurricane Maria.

The White House says in a statement that Trump looks forward to reaffirming the relationship between the U.S. and a "key partner and longstanding ally" in Asia.

The leaders are expected to discuss strengthening relations and enhancing cooperation in the region.
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is making his second trip to China since taking office in February, and relations between the two world powers have rarely mattered so much.

The standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons has entered a new, dangerous phase as its leader, Kim Jong Un, and President Donald Trump exchange personal insults and threats of war with no sign of a diplomatic solution.

Even as Washington and Beijing grapple with that security crisis, Trump wants action from China for more balanced trade with America - a dispute with ramifications for the global economy.

In this Sept. 26, 2017, photo, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks at the State Department in Washington. Tillerson is making his second trip to China since taking office in February, and relations between the two world powers have rarely mattered so much. The standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons has entered a new, dangerous phase as its leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump exchange personal insults and threats of war with no sign of a diplomatic solution. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Tillerson, facing criticism at home for his muted impact as the top U.S. diplomat, will be laying the groundwork for Trump's planned visit to China in November. He meets Saturday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders.

A look at what will be on the agenda:

___

NORTH KOREA

Tillerson will be pushing China to fully implement the latest U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea and take further steps on limiting crucial oil supplies to its troublesome neighbor. If the restrictions on trade in textiles, coal and other commodities are properly enforced, North Korea will lose the vast majority of its export revenue. In its latest step to comply with the sanctions, China on Thursday ordered North Korean-owned businesses to close by early January.

China accounts for about 90 percent of North Korea's foreign trade so is pivotal in the U.S.-led campaign to exert economic pressure with the aim of getting the pariah nation to disarm. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tuesday that "China has taken tremendous steps in the right direction." Trump has also lauded an order by China for its banks to stop dealing with North Korea, although Beijing has yet to announce such a measure.

But U.S. praise always comes with a proviso: that China needs to do more. There's a growing sense of urgency. North Korea is moving closer to its goal of having a nuclear-tipped missile that could strike America. Yet Beijing remains skeptical about the efficacy of sanctions and wary of drastic action that could cause North Korea to collapse. China wants the U.S. to restart dialogue with Pyongyang. That's an increasingly distant prospect after the recent angry exchanges between Trump and Kim.

___

TRUMP VISIT

China doesn't want Tillerson's visit to be consumed by North Korea. It wants attention paid to Trump's state visit in November.

Stewardship of the U.S. relationship is crucial for the standing of any Chinese leader. It will be Trump's first trip to Asia and it will come just weeks after Xi Jinping is due to be anointed with a second five-year term as the leader of China's communist party.

Despite his tough criticism of China's trade practices, Trump has forged a personal connection with Xi. He hosted the Chinese president at his Mar-a-Lago resort in April, where they agreed on four high-level dialogues to cover various aspects of relations. In a prelude to his trip to Beijing, Trump met Thursday with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, who was attending the inaugural dialogue on people-to-people ties in Washington.

The November meeting of the two leaders will be grander and more choreographed than the informal talks in Florida that were most memorable for Trump's ordering a missile strike on Syria and then informing Xi about it afterward over dinner as they ate chocolate cake.

Other than North Korea, the U.S. and China have other security concerns to address. They remain at odds over Beijing's military buildup and assertive claims to disputed islands in the South China Sea.

___

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Trump has slammed China's large trade surpluses with the United States and last month ordered an investigation into whether Beijing improperly pressures companies to hand over their technology in exchange for market access. Last year, the U.S. ran up a $347 billion trade deficit in goods with China - accounting for nearly half the total.

During the Mar-a-Lago summit, the two leaders agreed on a 100-day plan for trade talks. After visiting China this week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said there's been some progress, including a deal to let U.S. beef into China, but they need to tackle "bigger things and more difficult things." The U.S. priorities are better market access, less protectionism and protecting intellectual property rights.

In Beijing this weekend, Tillerson is likely to restate those U.S. concerns and raise the impact of national security legislation on American companies operating in China. Washington wants Beijing to make good on its promise to let market forces have a bigger role in its economy, give equal treatment to foreign and Chinese companies and roll back state industry's dominance.
CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on a court hearing for a former professor and an Oxford University employee charged in a July stabbing death (all times local):

11:45 a.m.

A former Northwestern University professor and an Oxford University employee have pleaded not guilty in a Chicago stabbing death that prosecutors called "exceptionally brutal."

This booking photo provided by the Chicago Police Department shows Wyndham Lathem on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Lathem, a Northwestern University professor, and Andrew Warren, an Oxford University financial officer, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Trenton James Cornell-Duranleau, a Michigan native who had been working in Chicago. Authorities say Cornell-Duranleau suffered more than 40 stab wounds to his upper body during the July attack in Lathem's high-rise Chicago condo. Lathem and Warren surrendered peacefully to police in California on Aug. 4 after an eight-day manhunt. (Chicago Police Department via AP)

Forty-six-year-old Wyndham Lathem and 56-year-old Andrew Warren appeared in court Thursday in Chicago, where defense attorneys entered pleas on their behalf.

The men are charged with first-degree murder in the July death of 26-year-old Trenton James Cornell-Duranleau, a hairstylist who authorities say was Lathem's boyfriend.

Lathem and Warren surrendered to authorities days later in California. They remain in jail.

Prosecutors say Cornell-Duranleau was in bed in Lathem's Chicago apartment when the men allegedly stabbed him dozens of times in what was part of an apparent sexual fantasy. They said Thursday that they plan to seek an extended sentence because the murder was part of a "preconceived plan."

___

6 a.m.

An ex-Northwestern University professor and an Oxford University employee are expected to enter not guilty pleas in the July stabbing death of a hairstylist in Chicago.

Forty-six-year-old Wyndham Lathem and 56-year-old Andrew Warren are scheduled to appear in court in Chicago on Thursday for an arraignment during which a judge will formally read the charges against them. Typically, defendants plead not guilty during an arraignment.

Lathem and Warren are charged with first-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Trenton James Cornell-Duranleau.

Cornell-Duranleau - Lathem's boyfriend - was in bed in Lathem's Chicago apartment when the men allegedly stabbed him dozens of times as part of what prosecutors say was an apparent sexual fantasy.

The two men surrendered to authorities days later in California. They remain in jail.

This booking photo provided by the Chicago Police Department shows Andrew Warren on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Warren, an Oxford University financial officer, and Wyndham Lathem, a Northwestern University professor, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Trenton James Cornell-Duranleau, a Michigan native who had been working in Chicago. Authorities say Cornell-Duranleau suffered more than 40 stab wounds to his upper body during the July attack in Lathem's high-rise Chicago condo. Lathem and Warren surrendered peacefully to police in California on Aug. 4 after an eight-day manhunt. (Chicago Police Department via AP)

FILE - in this Aug. 19, 2017 file photo, Wyndham Lathem arrives at a police station as he is escorted by Chicago police in Chicago. Lathem, a Northwestern University professor, and Andrew Warren, an Oxford University financial officer, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Trenton James Cornell-Duranleau, a Michigan native who had been working in Chicago. Authorities say Cornell-Duranleau suffered more than 40 stab wounds to his upper body during the July attack in Lathem's high-rise Chicago condo. Lathem and Warren surrendered peacefully to police in California on Aug. 4 after an eight-day manhunt. (AP Photo/Jim Young, Pool File)
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A giant panda born in Madrid Zoo in 2013 arrived in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province Thursday.

The male panda will been quarantined for one month before meeting the public at his new home, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the base said.

Xing Bao, which means star treasure, was born on Aug. 30, 2013. He was the third cub born to panda Huazuiba and her mate Bing Xing.

Under agreements signed with international zoos, all pandas born overseas must come to China once they mature to take part in breeding programs.

Staff at the base prepared billboards introducing Xing Bao and gave out postcards to celebrate his arrival.

China began cooperation with Spain in giant panda breeding research in 2007.
GAUHATI, India (AP) - Hindu believers are celebrating an annual festival in northeastern India with ceremonies offering animal sacrifices to the goddess Durga.

Participants, leading buffaloes, goats and ducks festooned in colorful decorations, lined up before an altar where a butcher hacked off the animals' heads one by one.

The Hindu festival commemorates the slaying of a demon king by the goddess Durga, marking the triumph of good over evil.

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, a Hindu devotee carries a decorated goat to be sacrificed at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Participants in the five-day festival on the outskirts of the northeast city of Gauhati in Assam state believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, such as some areas in the east Indian state of Bihar, religious animal sacrifices are banned.

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, a buffalo calf stands festooned in colorful decorations, before being sacrificed at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, Indian priests perform rituals near swords before an animal sacrifice at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, a buffalo calf stands festooned in colorful decorations, before being sacrificed at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, a buffalo calf festooned in colorful decorations is brought to be sacrificed at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, devotees put a garland on a buffalo calf before it is sacrificed at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, Indian villagers prepare to sacrifice a buffalo, at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, two buffaloes engage themselves in a tussle, as they are prepared to be sacrificed at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, Indian villagers watch as a buffalo is sacrificed at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, Indian villagers prepare to sacrifice a buffalo at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, Indian villagers prepare to sacrifice a buffalo at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, a buffalo struggles as villagers prepare to sacrifice it at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

In this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 photo, Indian villagers prepare to apply sacrificial blood of animals on their foreheads at a temple of Hindu goddess Durga at Rani village on the outskirts in Gauhati, Assam state, India. Participants in the five-day Durga Puja festival believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and good health. But in some parts of India, religious animal sacrifices are banned. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
BOSTON (AP) - Feminist icon Gloria Steinem has been honored in Boston by a sexual assault legal defense group.

The Victim Rights Law Center presented its 2017 Leadership Award to the renowned author, journalist and activist at the federal courthouse in Boston on Thursday evening. She was introduced by 2012 Leadership Awardee professor Anita Hill.

The Boston-based group offers free civil legal services to men, women and children victimized by sexual assault.

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016 file photo, Gloria Steinem arrives at night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The Victim Rights Law Center says it's presenting its 2017 Leadership Award to the renowned author, journalist and activist at the federal courthouse in Boston on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

While accepting the award, Steinem said, "I cannot think of more important work."

The group's executive director, Stacy Malone, says Steinem was selected for a lifetime of "uplifting women's voices and lives in the search for equality." Malone notes that Steinem also repeatedly has condemned sexual violence "and its use as a tool of inequality to intimidate and oppress women."
GLEN FLORA, Texas (AP) - As John Locke looked down from a helicopter at his roughly 200 cattle struggling with Harvey's rising floodwaters, he saw about 20 becoming entangled in a barbed wire fence and feared the worst.

Bundled in a lifejacket, the 38-year-old rancher jumped in to try and help. But by the time he reached the Brahmans, a beef cow species that originated in India and is known for its distinctive hump, most had already freed themselves and headed for higher ground with the rest of the herd.

"I thought they were going to die, and they're fine, which is kind of a theme for the whole thing," Locke said.

In this Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 photo, John Locke works to move a herd to another field at his family's ranch in Glen Flora, Texas. The damage Harvey inflicted on Texas' cattle industry hasn't been calculated yet. Even though Harvey unleashed catastrophic flooding on counties that are home to 1.2 million beef cattle, which is more than a fourth of the state's herd, there were apparently only a few instances in which large groups of cows drowned. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The damage Harvey inflicted on Texas' cattle industry hasn't been calculated yet, but there's evidence that it might be less than initially feared and perhaps not as costly as Hurricane Ike. That came ashore in 2008 as a weaker storm but with more salty storm surge that wiped out pastures for months. Even though Harvey unleashed catastrophic flooding on counties that are home to 1.2 million beef cattle, which is more than a fourth of the state's herd, there were apparently only a few instances in which large groups of cows drowned.

To be sure, some ranchers were walloped by Harvey, including at least one family that lost hundreds of cattle in flooding that reached the rooftops of low-lying homes near Beaumont, said Bill Hyman, who heads the Independent Cattleman's Association of Texas. And even surviving cattle can bring increased costs, as they can face longer-term health problems from standing in water for days, having gone long periods without eating and stress.

Hyman said he expects the association's membership to fall by 5 percent because some affected ranchers, especially older ones, will leave the business.

But whatever damage Harvey did cause shouldn't trigger a short-term rise in beef prices, said David Anderson, a Texas A&M University professor and agricultural economist. Texas is the nation's top cattle producer, with cow and calf sales averaging $10.7 billion annually between 2011 and 2014. But there are 30 million beef cows in the U.S. and most of the Texas beef industry's feed lots and packing plants are concentrated in parts of the state that escaped the storm.

"Individual ranchers are going to see huge financial effects," Anderson said, including livestock killed; replacing destroyed homes, feed, fences and equipment; and purchasing medicines to protect cows from post-Harvey health problems. "But I don't think we're going to see much at all in the way of market impacts, changes in calf prices for other ranchers, or in the consumer beef prices."

One sign that Harvey might not have been as bad on ranchers as had been feared is that there were, in the early weeks after Harvey, fewer than 10 applications to a federal program that provides aid for livestock carcass disposal, said assistant state conservationist Mark Habiger, who cautioned that it's still too early to declare that a crisis was averted. Federal officials urged ranchers to burn cattle killed in the storm because the soil is so saturated that burying them could spread contamination.

When Ike hit Texas nine years ago, it cost the ranching industry at least an estimated $37 million, killing up to 5,000 cattle and decimating pastureland with saltwater storm surge. During Harvey, most of the flooding was freshwater that came from rains and rivers, meaning many ranches won't have to deal with grasslands hurt by saltwater - though some closer to the Gulf Coast still might.

At Locke's J.D. Hudgins Ranch in Glen Flora, a village with just one post office and an antique shop about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southwest of Houston, the cattle have returned to grazing in lush pastures that are greener than ever. Although Locke's family lost three cows and a calf to Harvey and a few survivors seemed sluggish or walked with a limp as he herded them under a fence one recent day, Locke said it could have been much worse.

"We're just happy they're still here," he said.

___

Follow Will Weissert on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apwillweissert. Sign up for the AP's weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas at http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv.

In this Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 photo, cattle look back at Coleman Locke as he and his son, John, prepare to shift the herd to another field in Glen Flora, Texas. The damage Hurricane Harvey inflicted on Texas' cattle industry hasn't been calculated yet. But there's evidence that it might be less than initially feared and perhaps not as costly as Hurricane Ike. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

In this Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 photo, John Locke works to move a herd to another field at his family's ranch in Glen Flora, Texas. The damage Hurricane Harvey inflicted on Texas' cattle industry hasn't been calculated yet. But there's evidence that it might be less than initially feared and perhaps not as costly as Hurricane Ike. . (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

In this Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 photo, John Locke works to move a herd to another field at his family's ranch in Glen Flora, Texas. The damage Hurricane Harvey inflicted on Texas' cattle industry hasn't been calculated yet. But there's evidence that it might be less than initially feared and perhaps not as costly as Hurricane Ike. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New York City's mayor is doubling down on the war on rats, pledging three-quarters of a million dollars to fight the scourge.

Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement Thursday at Riverside Park in the Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York.

'Our goal is to beat back the rats,' Mayor de Blasio said at a playground plagued by the vermin, according to theNew York Daily News.

'And make these places safe and clean for everyone who uses them.'

New York City's mayor is doubling down on the war on rats, pledging three-quarters of a million dollars to fight the scourge at an Upper West Side park

Parents have complained that rats have taken over parks, with some residents saying the animals have attempted to jump into their children's strollers

Parents have complained that rats have taken over parks in the area, with some residents saying the animals have attempted to jump into their children's strollers.

De Blasio was adamant that Hippo Park, a playground known for its hippo statues, should be an oasis from rats.

'The last thing you need is to see a group of rats suddenly scurry into the picture,' he said, adding it was upsetting, unnerving and unhealthy.

de Blasio was adamant that Hippo Park, a playground known for its hippo statues, should be an oasis from rats

The mayor says his administration plans to replace wire trash cans with 29 solar compactors and four solid steel cans at eight playgrounds and parks

'And parents in particular should never have to worry about rats ending up in the same sandbox as their children. That is particularly unacceptable.'

The mayor says his administration plans to replace wire trash cans with 29 solar compactors and four solid steel cans at eight playgrounds and parks. School trash receptacles will also be upgraded.

Parks Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers will also issue more summons and educate residents and vendors on ways they contribute to bringing more rats.

Parks Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers will also issue more summons and educate residents and vendors on ways they contribute to bringing more rats

City officials say parks enforcement officers also will step up litter patrols to help stop instances like these famous pizza rats

The Parks and Health Departments will also set up bait stations in an effort to kill more rats. Park crews will also plug burrows and prune greenery in an effort to make it look less appealing to rats.

City officials say parks enforcement officers also will step up litter patrols.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said that its simple.

'It's not magic. It's not even rocket science,' she said.

'It's no food, no rats.'

The additional $750,000 in funding comes after de Blasio rolled out $32 million for a Neighborhood Rat Reduction plan earlier this year.
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Poland's deputy infrastructure minister says he has stepped down and his resignation has been accepted by the prime minister.

Jerzy Szmit was in charge of road and air transport, including construction of much-needed highways.

Szmit told Polish news agency PAP Friday that he resigned for personal reasons and that Prime Minister Beata Szydlo accepted the resignation.

The resignation comes on the heels of a report that said Poland's road death toll is among Europe's highest, with more than 3,000 people killed last year.

Poland's ruling party leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said recently that some changes in the government are possible in the fall, but said he is in general pleased with its work.

The government is largely unchanged since 2015 when it took power.
Myanmar hardline Buddhist monk Wirathu speaks to followers where over a thousand hardline Buddhists gathered at a monastery

The prejudice and hostility that Rohingya Muslims face in Myanmar goes beyond the country's notoriously brutal security forces to a general population increasingly receptive to a new brand of Buddhist nationalism.

Many of Myanmar's Buddhists have objected to the way the media and international community have portrayed the crisis in Rakhine state, which has caused a half million Rohingya to flee the country in the past month.

Rather than recognise what the UN calls ethnic cleansing, they see a threat to national sovereignty and the future of Myanmar as a Buddhist-majority nation.

The standard academic work cited by Buddhist nationalists seeking to argue their case against the Rohingya - who they see as migrants living illegally in Myanmar - has a telling title: 'Influx Viruses: The Illegal Muslims in Arakan.'

Rohingya Muslim children, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, wait to receive aid during a distribution near Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh

Rohingya Muslim children, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, stretch out their arms out to collect chocolates and milk distributed by Bangladeshi men

Desperate children cry as Bangladeshi men push them away during distribution of food aid near Balukhali refugee camp

'They are seen as foreigners trying to infiltrate the country, and Buddhists of the strident type see them as trying to undermine their faith,' said Robert Taylor, a scholar of Myanmar's political history.

Yet just as Rohingya have roots in Myanmar stretching back centuries, so do the historical forces that have shaped their oppression.

British Colonialism

The Rohingya, while not recognized as an ethnic group in Myanmar, are decedents of centuries of intermingling between indigenous Muslims and migrants from the area that is now Bangladesh and India's West Bengal.

They lived mostly untroubled until after the British arrived and Myanmar became part of British colonial India and later the separate colony of Burma.

For about a century until the 1930s, more than a million South Asians - Muslims and Hindus alike - flooded into the country to take jobs as laborers, civil servants and moneylenders, leading to a 'deep resentment' among the Burmese, said Mikael Gravers, a Danish anthropologist specializing in Myanmar.

Wirathu speaks to the BBC during an exclusive interview at the Masoeyein monastery

Rohingya woman comforts her exhausted son as they take shelter inside a school after having just arrived from the Myanmar side of the border at Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh

They 'took work from Burmese and land from peasants who could not pay their debt,' he said.

The identity of Indians was intertwined with the British colonizers, and that was seized upon in the 1920s by the nascent Burmese nationalist movement in which Buddhist monks were closely involved.

'Burmese nationalists saw themselves as colonized twice, first by the British, secondly by the Indians who, in particular, dominated the economy,' Taylor wrote in a 2015 study of ethnicity in Myanmar.

The Rohingya, with their dark skin and South Asian features, were caught up in this resentment.

By the time the British were pushed out by the Japanese in 1942 - an invasion welcomed by the nationalists - Buddhist locals in Arakan, which is now Rakhine, took out their frustrations on those seen as British allies: Muslims, including the Rohingya.

Thousands were killed in attacks and Muslim counterattacks.

Time magazine carrying a picture of controversial Myanmar monk Wirathu on its cover

Religion

Myanmar is almost 90% Buddhist, and for nationalists, religion has always been a successful issue with which to whip up support. That has been helped, both past and present, by the involvement of Buddhist monks in the movement.

With monks involved, 'the alleged threat posed to the persistence of Buddhism as the religion of the majority of the population began to seem real,' Taylor wrote. 'The memory of 'Indian domination' and 'Buddhism in danger' became part of the legacy of the nationalist movement inherited by Myanmar politicians and historians.'

Gen. Ne Win, who led a 1962 coup that led to five decades of military rule, wasn't known as a particularly devout Buddhist, yet he was influenced by the Buddhist nationalism of the colonial era.

Newly arrived Rohingya Muslims, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, walk with their belongings towards the nearest refugee camp at Teknaf, Bangladesh

His nationalisation of private enterprise put much of the large ethnic Indian trading class out of business.

He was also responsible for letting loose the security forces on the Rohingya in 1977 and 1978, launching a hunt for illegal immigrants that set off the first major exodus to Bangladesh of some 200,000 people.

His most toxic legacy for the Rohingya was a 1982 citizenship law that basically granted full citizenship rights only to members of ethnic groups settled in Myanmar before 1823.

Rohingya Muslim girl Afeefa Bebi, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh holds her few-hours-old brother

Some 135 ethnic groups were officially listed as meeting this historical deadline, but not the Rohingya. This official decertification of Rohingya rights still serves as justification within Myanmar for their statelessness and social ostracism.

Myanmar also has a Muslim population distinct from the Rohingya who live in a mostly assimilated manner in other parts of the country outside Rakhine.

Yet Muslims of every kind become targets of scapegoating in times of tension, a trend that has grown in recent years.

Rohingya, who numbered about 1 million among Myanmar's 53 million people before the recent exodus, evoke an oversized fear and loathing among nationalists, who trot out statistics purporting to show that they have far higher birth rates than others in Myanmar.

Democracy and Demagoguery

Myanmar began the shift away from military rule in 2011 with the seating of an elected, though military-backed, government.

An election in 2015 brought democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to power, though with military restraints on her authority.

'Since the start of the political transition in 2011, Buddhist nationalism in Myanmar has become significantly more visible,' Brussels-based International Crisis Group said in a report this month.

'As authoritarian controls were lifted after years of repression, deep-seated grievances emerged into the open, and new freedoms of expression allowed individuals and the media to give voice to these grievances in ways that were not possible before.'

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said her country will repatriate Rohingya Muslims who meet a strict criteria set in 1993

Access to new forms of communication, such as cellphones and social media, has helped accelerate the spread of nationalist narratives, hate speech and rumours, it said. Often such rumors are tales of sexual violence allegedly perpetrated by Muslims against Buddhist women.

Rakhine state has Myanmar's largest concentrations of Muslims by far, and historically has been regarded as a buffer against Muslim neighbors to the west.

Yet it wasn't until violence broke out in 2012 that it became a focal point for Buddhist nationalists.

A Rohingya Muslim boy walks carrying belongings near Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

'If you asked about the Rohingya 20 years ago, most Burmese in Rangoon would be indifferent,' Michael Charney, a Southeast Asia specialist at London's School of Oriental and African Studies, said, using another name for Yangon, the country's largest city.

'This situation has changed in the last few years - in part, ironically, because of the greater freedoms made possible since 2010.'

Events outside Myanmar also lent credibility to dire warnings of a Muslim takeover: the rise of militant Islamist groups, and the consequent tide of Islamophobia in the West.

'It is important to take the fear of Muslim conquest seriously. It is a result of 50 years of isolation, limited education, violence, injustice and insecurity during military rule,' said Gravers, the anthropologist.

'This paranoia has returned during the transition from military rule. But now global influence in the form of al-Qaida and Islamic State has an important role too.'
Farmers say Maria wrecked bright spot of Puerto Rico economy

For 21 years Hector Alejandro Santiago spread joy throughout Puerto Rico with the poinsettias, orchids and other ornamental plants he raised and sold to major retailers including Costco, Walmart and Home Depot. In a matter of hours Hurricane Maria wiped it away.

The greenhouses and other buildings on the 40 acres where he grew the plants and prepared them for customers lie in tatters, ripped to shreds by 155 mph (244 kph) winds and driving rain. Trees are flattened.

"I will need to begin from zero," said Santiago, 43, whose Cali Nurseries is located in Barranquitas, a small mountain city 34 miles (55 kilometers) southwest of San Juan. He's determined to rebuild and get back into business despite the losses he estimates at $1.5 million.

Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico on Sept. 20 as a Category 4 storm, the strongest to hit the island in a century. At least 16 people died and nearly all 3.4 million people on the island were left without power and most without water.

The hurricane devastated agriculture, a small bright spot of economic growth in a U.S. territory mired in a decade-long recession and crushing debt.

___

Stampede on crowded Indian pedestrian bridge leaves 22 dead

MUMBAI, India (AP) - A stampede broke out on a crowded pedestrian bridge connecting two railway stations in Mumbai during the Friday morning rush, killing at least 22 people and injuring 32 others, Indian officials said.

Police were investigating what caused the stampede on the bridge, which led some commuters to leap over the railing. Others were crushed or fell underfoot and were trampled.

"There were too many people on the bridge, and the people were in hurry and wanted to move out," said Brijesh Upadhyay, one of the many caught in the crowd. "There was nobody helping, it was very suffocating, and we just wanted to get out of there - and fell on each other."

One rescuer told Indian broadcaster NDTV that the stampede trapped dozens in the narrow passage, forcing rescuers to break the railing to pull people out.

Mumbai police official Gansham Patel said some falling concrete had hit part of the bridge railing, leading people to surge forward out of panic at the thought that the bridge was collapsing.

___

10 Things to Know for Today

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. TRUMP TO PROMOTE TAX REWRITE PLAN

The president will push his plan to an audience eager for the proposed change - the National Association of Manufacturers.

2. 'WE LOST A COMPLETE HARVEST'

Farmers fear Puerto Rico's small but diverse agricultural sector may never recover from the punch delivered to one of the island's economic bright spots by Hurricane Maria.

___

2 days, 2 dangerous rock falls at Yosemite National Park

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Two days of cracking, thundering falling rock at Yosemite National Park have left one man dead, two people injured, and even experienced climbers stunned by the spectacle.

A massive new hunk of granite broke off Thursday at the park's mountaineering mecca of El Capitan, injuring an elderly man and sending huge plumes of white dust.

"There was so much smoke and debris," said climber Ryan Sheridan, who had just reached the top of El Capitan when the rock let loose below him. "It filled the entire valley with smoke."

The slide came a day after a giant slab of granite plunged from the same formation, killing a British man on a hiking and climbing visit and injuring his wife.

"It was in the same location of the previous rock fall," Sheridan told The Associated Press by cellphone from the mountain. "A larger rock fall let loose, easily three times the size," Sheridan said.

___

Indonesia volcano may erupt explosively or menace for weeks

BALI, Indonesia (AP) - Experts say a suddenly active volcano on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali is more likely to erupt than not.

But because every volcano has its own unique characteristics, scientists can't predict when that will be with total certainty. It could erupt suddenly or continue for weeks at its current menacing level of seismic activity.

___

WHAT'S LED TO ERUPTION WARNINGS?

The slow movement of the tectonic plates that make up the planet's surface carries massive quantities of rock deep into the earth, where they melt. As this molten magma rises, pressure increases inside a sealed chamber beneath the mountain until it explodes.

___

Trump to promote tax plan in address to manufacturers group

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump will promote his plan for a sweeping rewrite of the tax code to an audience eager for the proposed change.

Trump is set to address the National Association of Manufacturers on Friday in Washington. A senior administration official says Trump will promote the tax plan as one that will help make American businesses more competitive. The official insists on anonymity to discuss the speech ahead of time.

The president and congressional Republicans this week released the outlines of a nearly $6 trillion tax cut plan that would deeply reduce taxes for corporations, simplify tax brackets and nearly double the standard deduction used by most tax filers. Many details remain to be fleshed out.

In the remarks, Trump is expected to highlight a provision that would allow businesses for the next five years to write off the full cost of new equipment in the year it's purchased.

Under the broader proposal, corporations would see their top tax rate cut from 35 percent to 20 percent. Seven personal tax brackets would be reduced to three: 12 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent. But the information released didn't include the income levels applied to the rates, making it difficult to know how a typical family's tax bill may be affected.

___

Price says he's reimbursing costs for his private flights

WASHINGTON (AP) - Fighting to keep his job, health secretary Tom Price says he'll write a personal check to reimburse taxpayers for his travel on charter flights taken on government business and pledged to fly commercial - "no exceptions."

The repayment - $51,887.31, according to Price's office - covered only the secretary's seat. Price did not address the overall cost of the flights, which could amount to several hundred thousand dollars and is under investigation.

"I regret the concerns this has raised regarding the use of taxpayer dollars," Price said in a statement. "I was not sensitive enough to my concern for the taxpayer." His mea culpa came a day after a public rebuke from President Donald Trump.

A former congressman from Georgia regarded as a conservative policy expert, Price said he hopes to keep his Cabinet seat. At the White House, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wouldn't go that far.

"We're going to conduct a full review and we'll see what happens," Sanders told reporters. Travel by other top officials is also attracting scrutiny.

___

Myanmar Rohingya hatred has roots in Buddhist nationalism

BANGKOK (AP) - The prejudice and hostility that Rohingya Muslims face in Myanmar stretch beyond the country's notoriously brutal security forces to a general population receptive to an often-virulent form of Buddhist nationalism that has seen a resurgence since the end of military rule.

Many of Myanmar's Buddhists have objected to the way the media and international community have portrayed the crisis in Rakhine state, which has caused a half million Rohingya to flee the country in the past month. Rather than recognize what the U.N. calls ethnic cleansing, they see a threat to national sovereignty and the future of Myanmar as a Buddhist-majority nation.

The standard academic work cited by Buddhist nationalists seeking to argue their case against the Rohingya - who they see as migrants living illegally in Myanmar - has a telling title: "Influx Viruses: The Illegal Muslims in Arakan."

"They are seen as foreigners trying to infiltrate the country, and Buddhists of the strident type see them as trying to undermine their faith," said Robert Taylor, a scholar of Myanmar's political history.

Yet just as Rohingya have roots in Myanmar stretching back centuries, so do the historical forces that have shaped their oppression.

___

Tillerson carries full agenda as he prepares to visit China

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is making his second trip to China since taking office in February, and relations between the two world powers have rarely mattered so much.

The standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons has entered a new, dangerous phase as its leader, Kim Jong Un, and President Donald Trump exchange personal insults and threats of war with no sign of a diplomatic solution.

Even as Washington and Beijing grapple with that security crisis, Trump wants action from China for more balanced trade with America - a dispute with ramifications for the global economy.

Tillerson, facing criticism at home for his muted impact as the top U.S. diplomat, will be laying the groundwork for Trump's planned visit to China in November. He meets Saturday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders.

What will be on the agenda:

___

Iraqi ban on flights to Kurdish capital Irbil begins Friday

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) - An Iraqi government order that international airlines halt all flights in and out of the cities of Irbil and Sulaimaniyah in Kurdish territory was set to kick in Friday.

The decision to shut down the flights comes amid tensions over an overwhelming "yes" vote in an independence referendum held this week in Iraq's Kurdish region and disputed territories.

Iraq's Transport Ministry ordered international airlines to halt service to Irbil, the Kurdish regional capital, and Sulaimaniyah, its second city. Regional airlines have said they will honor the flight ban.

The nonbinding referendum - in which the Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Iraq - was billed by Kurdish leaders as an exercise in self-determination. The idea of an independent state has been central to Kurdish politics for decades.

Also on Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the launch of the "second phase" of the operation to retake the Islamic State-held city of Hawija, 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of Baghdad.
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (AP) - Residents hope to return an iconic boat to a South Carolina beach.

The Folly Boat washed away from the road leading to Folly Beach during Tropical Storm Irma this month.

The boat had washed ashore during Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and had served as a billboard, with people painting messages on the craft.

In this Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 photo, the Folly boat that crashed into Chris John's dock during tropical storm Irma sits in the marsh behind his house on James Island, S.C. Residents hope to return the iconic boat to a South Carolina beach. The boat had washed ashore during Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and had served as a billboard, with people painting messages on the craft. (Michael Pronzato/The Post And Courier via AP)

This time, it was found about 2 miles (3 kilometers) away, crashed into a dock.

Ryan Godbout helped secure the boat and estimates it would take $150,000 to move it near its original location. It probably can't go back to the original location, partly on the highway right of way and partly in a marsh. Permits would be needed from transportation and environmental officials.

Folly Beach Mayor Tom Goodwin says he doesn't expect taxpayer's money would be used.
NEW YORK (AP) - Dozens of workers with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will be flying to Puerto Rico to help with relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria's widespread devastation.

About 70 Port Authority employees will be joining 100 members of the New York State Police and National Guard who are departing Friday from JFK Airport.

Staff from the Port Authority's Aviation Department will assist San Juan International Airport. Some passengers there have been waiting for days to get a flight off the island.

Port Authority workers will also help unload and prepare aid shipments at the port of San Juan.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced earlier this week that New York state was sending additional personnel and supplies to help Puerto Rico's recovery effort.
MOUNT VERNON, Va. (AP) - George Washington's Mount Vernon estate is reopening its Blue Room to visitors.

The estate announced Thursday that the room will reopen to visitors on Oct. 7 after undergoing a major restoration.

The room is one of six bedrooms on the second floor of the mansion on the banks of the Potomac River in northern Virginia.

FILE - This Feb. 20, 2011 file photo shows Mount Vernon, the home of America's first president, Gen. George Washington in Mt. Vernon, Va. Vernon estate is reopening its Blue Room to visitors. The estate announced Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 that the room will reopen to visitors on Oct. 7 after undergoing a major restoration. The room is one of six bedrooms on the second floor of the mansion on the banks of the Potomac River in northern Virginia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Experts at Mount Vernon have added reproduction French wallpaper, cream-painted woodwork, and a bedstead draped in blue-printed cotton.

About 1 million tourists visit the estate annually.
You are here: Home

A 2,000-km quantum communication line opened on Friday between Beijing and Shanghai.

Guests attend the opening ceremony of the Jing-Hu, or Beijing-Shanghai, Trunk Line, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The line is the world's first trunk line of secure quantum telecommunications. The Jing-Hu (Beijing-Shanghai) Trunk Line connects Beijing, Jinan, Hefei, and Shanghai.

The line is connected with the world's first quantum satellite, which was launched by China in August last year, through a station in Beijing. The satellite is nicknamed "Micius," after a fifth century B.C. Chinese philosopher and scientist who has been credited as the first one in human history conducting optical experiments.

Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), talked with staff in Hefei, Jinan, Shanghai and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, through the line. He also had a video call with Austrian quantum physicist Anton Zeilinger, through the satellite.

Quantum communications have ultra-high security. It is impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through them.
BEIJING (AP) - Former rising Chinese political star Sun Zhengcai was expelled from the ruling Communist Party and dismissed from public office Friday amid a corruption investigation.

Sun, the former top official in the mega-city of Chongqing, is the highest-ranking serving official to be ensnared by President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption campaign, now in its fifth year.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the party's 25-member Politburo had approved the latest actions against Sun at a meeting after reviewing a report of the investigation. That comes just three weeks before a major party congress held once every five years at which Xi is expected to be given a second five-year term as party leader.

FILE - In this March 13, 2017, file photo, the then-party secretary of Chongqing, Sun Zhengcai, attends a plenary session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Sun, a Fformer rising Chinese political star Sun Zhengcai has been expelled from the ruling Communist Party and dismissed from public office amid a corruption investigation. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The moves clear the way for Sun to be prosecuted, with a guilty verdict all but certain. The party has said only that Sun is accused of "serious violations of discipline," shorthand for corruption.

Sun, 53, sat on the Politburo and had been seen as a candidate for promotion to the body's Standing Committee, the select group of leaders who constitute the apex of political power in China.

He was removed suddenly from his Chongqing post and replaced by protege Chen Min'er, who is tipped to be promoted to the Politburo, but not its Standing Committee.

Sun had been identified most closely with the China Youth League faction associated with Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao, which Xi has effectively sidelined in the succession process. His expulsion will help ensure that Xi's supporters will hold strong majorities on both the Politburo and the smaller Standing Committee.
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) - Twenty-seven European Union nations, not including Britain, will be coming up with clear options on a more tightly knit future for themselves even before they will allow divorce negotiations with the U.K. to move toward brokering a new relationship.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said Friday he would be presenting "a political agenda in two weeks' time," after EU vision statements in recent weeks from French President Emmanuel Macron, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and others on how to the reform the bloc.

That will be just days before the next EU summit is expected to reject for now British demands to start negotiating on the country's future links with the bloc alongside the current talks on how to make the cleanest Brexit possible.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center, speaks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, right, and French President Emmanuel Macron during a working session at an EU Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The European Union is looking beyond its impending breakup with Britain at how to build a common future with the 27 nations remaining in the bloc. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Officials said Tusk will be given the job of reconciling Macron's vision of how the EU should embrace a joint budget, a shared military and harmonized taxes to stay globally relevant with those ideas of EU nations that might not want to grow too closer too quickly.

Tusk said he would seek "real solutions to real problems" and stressed the need to make progress "step-by-step, issue-by-issue."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned EU officials not to set the bar too high, since changes in the bloc of half a billion people have always been tough to achieve.

"Under-promise and over-deliver," Rutte said. "Don't promise an elephant and see a mouse show up."

The collegial atmosphere was bolstered by a non-confrontational dinner Thursday night for EU leaders, where few of the usual east-west or north-south fissures spoiled the mood, officials said.

The goodwill has not extended to the issue of Brexit over the past months.

EU leaders at their Oct. 19-20 summit have to say whether "sufficient progress" has been achieved on divorce issues with Britain - citizens' rights, the Irish border and a financial settlement - to grant the U.K. its wish to start talking about a new trade deal with the EU.

Juncker said it will take "a miracle" for there to be sufficient progress by then, despite a round of negotiations in Brussels this week that ended with some progress.

Other EU leaders sounded a similar tone. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said despite "a better vibe and a better mood coming out of the negotiations" he questioned whether the time was right to move on to trade issues with Britain.

"It's still very evident that there's more work to be done," he said.

For the past week, though, British Prime Minister Theresa May has sounded more conciliatory. In Estonia, she guaranteed her country's commitment to security even though the nation is leaving the bloc.

May visited troops in Estonia close to the Russian border on Friday and said "the United Kingdom is unconditionally committed to maintaining Europe's security."

"We will continue to offer aid and assistance to EU member states that are the victims of armed aggression, terrorism and natural or man-made disasters," she vowed.

She also proposed a "new security partnership" to weather the divorce when her country leaves the bloc in March 2019.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, speaks with European Council President Donald Tusk, left, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, second left, prior to a group photo during an EU Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The European Union is looking beyond its impending breakup with Britain at how to build a common future with the 27 nations remaining in the bloc. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

French President Emmanuel Macron, second left, reaches out to speak with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, right, prior to a group photo at an EU Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The European Union is looking beyond its impending breakup with Britain at how to build a common future with the 27 nations remaining in the bloc. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, second left, speaks with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, left, as she walks to a group photo during an EU Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The European Union is looking beyond its impending breakup with Britain at how to build a common future with the 27 nations remaining in the bloc. From left, European Council President Donald Tusk, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, right, picks up an potted flower and hands it to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, second right, prior to a working session at an EU Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The European Union is looking beyond its impending breakup with Britain at how to build a common future with the 27 nations remaining in the bloc. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the start of a working session at an EU Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The European Union is looking beyond its impending breakup with Britain at how to build a common future with the 27 nations remaining in the bloc. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - Boko Haram's ongoing insurgency in northern Nigeria has forced the closure of more than 57 percent of schools in Borno state, leaving about 3 million children without an education as the school year begins, the United Nations Children's Fund said Friday.

"Children in northeast Nigeria are living through so much horror," said Justin Forsyth, UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director at the end of a three-day visit to Maiduguri, the epicenter of the crisis in the northeast.

"In addition to devastating malnutrition, violence and an outbreak of cholera, the attacks on schools is in danger of creating a lost generation of children, threatening their and the country's future."

FILE- In this Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 file photo, a teacher and owner of the Goodness Mercy school Julliana Aunie, left, seen with her pupils sitting in front of their school, that was destroyed during a wave of violence, in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Boko Haram's ongoing insurgency in northern Nigeria has forced the closure of more than 57 percent of schools in Borno state, leaving about 3 million children without an education as the school year begins, the United Nations Children's Fund said Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba File)

Banki, on the border with Cameroon, has been reduced to rubble. The continuing insecurity in the town of some 40,000 refugees means that women gathering firewood from the forest must be accompanied by soldiers, said Forsyth. Kids in Banki sit on floors in thatched buildings with broken blackboards and shards of chalk, he said.

"Even though the first task is to save children's lives from pneumonia, diarrhea and malnutrition, we also want to make sure children keep learning and get back to school," Forsyth told The Associated Press after visiting Banki Thursday. The border village is about 133 kilometers (83 miles) southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Some 10.5 million children are out of school throughout Nigeria, he said, but the insurgency has affected Borno state most acutely. Nearly 2,300 teachers have been killed in Nigeria's northeast since 2009 by Boko Haram, whose name in the local Hausa language has been loosely translated to mean "Western education is a sin." Nearly 1,400 schools have also been destroyed, said UNICEF.

"Even in the midst of conflict we need to make sure that children keep learning. It helps them overcome trauma," he said, adding that many children there have been kidnapped and have experienced violence.

Two young boys told him about being kidnapped, watching people be killed and being forced to work for Boko Haram under threat of beatings and abuse.

"These boys are deeply traumatized. They are being supported to overcome that situation, and when asked what they most wanted, they both said to me they wanted to go to school," he said.

The extremists' eight-year insurgency has killed more than 20,000 people in the Lake Chad region, and displaced more than 2.3 million. Casualties have doubled in the past five months in Borno and Adamawa states because of increased suicide bombings, many carried out by young girls, Amnesty International has said.

"The use of children as human bombs - close to 100 so far this year - has sown a climate of mistrust among communities in the northeast," the U.N. agency says.

UNICEF has been able to enroll nearly 750,000 children in school this year in northern Nigeria, it said, establishing more than 350 temporary learning spaces.

But the U.N. humanitarian agency says that only 12 percent of funding needed for education in Nigeria has been received.

Teachers are needed in the remote areas, and funds are needed to recruit them and to rebuild schools, Forsyth said, calling for a deeper partnership and more investment by the government, international community and U.N

"Investing in learning and education is an important way of combatting extremism," said Forsyth. "It's also an important investment in giving those children hope and building a future, not just for Borno state but for Nigeria."
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - The pastor of the South Carolina church where nine members were killed more than two years ago says he worries race relations in the country are getting worse.

News outlets report the Rev. Eric Manning of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston told students at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg on Thursday that faith and kindness can lead to progress.

Self-avowed racist Dylann Roof has been sentenced to die for the June 17, 2015, shooting during a Bible study.

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017 file photo, the Rev. Eric Manning, pastor at Emanuel AME, leaves the Federal Court House after the death sentence hearing for Dylann Roof in Charleston, S.C. Manning said on Sept. 28, race relations in the United States may be regressing, pointing to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August. Manning said he hopes the country can use the same strength, resolve and faith that Charleston used after the church shooting to address racial inequality.(Leroy Burnell/The Post And Courier via AP)

Manning said race relations in the United States may be regressing, pointing to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August.

Manning said he hopes the country can use the same strength, resolve and faith that Charleston used after the church shooting to address racial inequality.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A 14-month-old Tibetan terrier is safe and sound in her new Florida home after surviving Hurricane Irma, numerous thunderstorms and heat.

If Devlyn could talk, her owners - Robin and Dave Saltman of Ponte Vedra Beach near Jacksonville - say she'd tell quite a story.

The Saltmans bought Devlyn from a Houston breeder in August. On Aug. 11, they were letting the dog run around outside and she escaped from their fenced-in yard. With help from daughter Kari Saltman Keene, they sought help though social media.

The Florida Times-Union reports sightings of Devlyn started coming in. On Day 13, she was spotted 12 miles away. She ran off. Then Hurricane Irma hit. Devlyn was caught two days later.

Now safe, Devlyn has a new leash with GPS tracking capability.

___

Information from: The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) - A suburban Des Moines mother has been jailed after she left her four children home alone while she traveled to Europe for a 12-day vacation in Germany, police said Friday.

Johnston police have charged Erin Macke, 30, with four counts of child endangerment and one of transferring a firearm to a person under 21. Police said the latter charge was filed because a firearm was left at home within the children's reach.

Police said Macke tried but failed to make child care arrangements for her children - two aged 12, one 7 and the other 6 - before leaving Sept. 20 for a vacation in Germany. The father of one of the children was called by his child the next day, and he tipped off police that the children had been left unsupervised, Johnston police spokeswoman Janet Wilwerding said Friday.

This photo provided by City of Johnston, Iowa shows Erin Macke. Police have arrested Macke, a suburban Des Moines mother who left her four children home alone while she traveled to Europe. Johnston police have charged Macke, 30, with four counts of child endangerment and one of transferring a firearm to a person under 21. Police said the latter charge was filed because a firearm was within reach of the children in the home. (City of Johnston, Iowa via AP)

Johnston police Lt. Tyler Tompkins told Des Moines television station KCCI that Macke's baby sitter options all fell through, so she left the two 12-year-olds in charge.

"They were concerned, they didn't know, they were confused," Tompkins said of the youngsters. "I mean, we're only talking about 12-year-olds being the adults here."

Officers went to the residence Sept. 21 and called the Iowa Human Services Department, which took custody of the children. They have since been released to the care of relatives, Wilwerding said. Police called Macke in Germany, demanding she return.

She had planned to fly home on Sunday.

The mother was arrested on her return Thursday. She remained in custody Friday, according to Polk County Jail records.

Court records don't list the name of an attorney who can comment on her behalf.
CLEVELAND (AP) - White nationalist Richard Spencer has threatened to sue two Ohio universities if they refuse to rent campus spaces for him to speak.

Spencer's associates contacted the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University this month asking to rent theaters and auditoriums for Spencer to speak. An attorney representing Spencer's event organizers said Friday that he'll challenge the schools in court if they don't approve the requests.

"Either they host them, or they get sued," said Kyle Bristow, the founder of a law firm dedicated to legal advocacy on behalf of the so-called "alt-right," a loose collection of white nationalists, white supremacists, and anti-immigration populists.

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2016, file photo, white nationalist Richard Spencer poses between interviews in College Station, Texas. A University of Cincinnati spokesman said Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, that the school was assessing "safety and logistical considerations" in considering Spencer's request to speak there, WCPO-TV reports, after Ohio State University and other colleges rejected similar requests. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Cameron Padgett, a Georgia State University student, contacted the University of Cincinnati on Tuesday asking to rent an auditorium that could accommodate 800 people for Spencer to speak there in late October. University spokesman Greg Vehr said Friday that the school is reviewing the request and "assessing various safety and logistical considerations."

Padgett asked Ohio State University to host Spencer earlier this month after a previous request was denied. An Ohio State spokesman said the school is considering whether Spencer can be "accommodated without substantial risk to the safety of our students, faculty, staff and guests."

Bristow said Padgett has discussed with Ohio State administrators about arranging a time for Spencer to speak there in December.

Spencer, a leading figure in the white nationalist movement, has advocated for an "ethno-state" that would be a "safe space" for white people. He helped organize a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August that resulted in violence and the death of a woman protesting against the white nationalist agenda.

The Charlottesville rally left universities across the U.S. bracing for more clashes between right-wing extremists and those who oppose them. It also left schools struggling to ensure campus safety in the face of recruiting efforts by white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups while balancing concerns over freedom of speech.

The Ohio universities are the latest in a series of schools targeted by Spencer in the wake of Charlottesville.

Spencer and his associates in April were denied a request to speak at Auburn University, prompting a federal lawsuit against school. A judge ruled against Auburn, which then allowed Spencer to speak as planned.

Several hundred people attended the event. Three people were arrested outside the building during clashes between Spencer's supporters and his opponents.

In August, event organizers threatened to sue the University of Florida after the school denied Spencer's request to hold an event. The school reversed course. Spencer is scheduled to speak there Oct. 19.

Bristow sued Michigan State University earlier this month after it refused to rent him space.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States delivered an ominous warning to Americans on Friday to stay away from Cuba and ordered home more than half the U.S. diplomatic corps, acknowledging neither the Cubans nor America's FBI can figure out who or what is responsible for months of mysterious health ailments.

No longer tiptoeing around the issue, the Trump administration shifted to calling the episodes "attacks" rather than "incidents."

The U.S. actions are sure to rattle already delicate ties between the longtime adversaries who only recently began putting their hostility behind them. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba will lose roughly 60 percent of its American staff and will stop processing visas for prospective Cuban travelers to the United States indefinitely, officials said. Roughly 50 Americans had been working at the embassy.

Staff stand within the United States embassy facility in Havana, Cuba, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The United States issued an ominous warning to Americans on Friday to stay away from Cuba and ordered home more than half the U.S. diplomatic corps, acknowledging neither the Cubans nor America's FBI can figure out who or what is responsible for months of mysterious health ailments. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan)

President Donald Trump said that in Cuba "they did some very bad things" that harmed U.S. diplomats, but he didn't say who he might mean by "they."

Though officials initially suspected some futuristic "sonic attack," the picture is muddy. The FBI and other agencies that searched homes and hotels where incidents occurred found no devices.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who reviewed options for a response with Trump, said, "Until the government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel in order to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm."

In Friday's travel warning, the State Department confirmed earlier reporting by The Associated Press that U.S. personnel first encountered unexplained physical effects in Cuban hotels. While American tourists aren't known to have been hurt, the agency said they could be exposed if they travel to the island - a pronouncement that could hit a critical component of Cuba's economy that has expanded in recent years as the U.S. has relaxed restrictions.

At least 21 diplomats and family members have been affected. The department said symptoms include hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping. Until Friday, the U.S. had generally referred to "incidents." Tillerson's statement ended that practice, mentioning "attacks" seven times; the travel alert used the word five times.

Still, the administration has pointedly not blamed Cuba for perpetrating the attacks, and officials have spent weeks weighing how to minimize the risk for Americans in Cuba without unnecessarily harming relations or falling into an adversary's trap.

If the attacks have been committed by an outside power such as Russia or Venezuela to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Cuba, as some investigators have theorized, a U.S. pullout would end up rewarding the aggressor. On the other hand, officials have struggled with the moral dimensions of keeping diplomats in a place where the U.S. government cannot guarantee their safety.

The administration considered expelling Cuban diplomats from the U.S., officials said, but for now no such action has been ordered. That incensed several lawmakers who had urged the administration to kick out all of Cuban's envoys.

"It's an insult," said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a vocal critic of Cuba's government, in an interview. "The Cuban regime succeeded in forcing Americans to downscale a number of personnel in Cuba, yet it appears they're going to basically keep all the people they want in America to travel freely and spread misinformation."

The U.S. travel warning said, "Because our personnel's safety is at risk, and we are unable to identify the source of the attacks, we believe U.S. citizens may also be at risk and warn them not to travel to Cuba."

Canada, which also has reported diplomats with unexplained health problems, said it had no plans to change its diplomatic posture in Cuba.

The U.S. moves deliver a significant setback to the delicate reconciliation between America and Cuba, countries that endured a half-century estrangement despite only 90 miles of separation. In 2015, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro restored diplomatic ties, embassies were re-opened and travel and commerce restrictions were eased. Trump has reversed some changes but has broadly left the rapprochement in place.

After considering options that ranged all the way to a full embassy shutdown, Tillerson made the decision to reduce all nonessential personnel and all family members. Also included in the recall is Scott Hamilton, currently the highest-ranked diplomat at the mission. Staffing at the embassy in Havana was already lower than usual due to recent hurricanes that whipped through Cuba.

Cubans seeking visas to enter the U.S. may be able to apply through embassies in nearby countries, officials said. The U.S. will stop sending official delegations to Cuba, though diplomatic discussions will continue in Washington.

The United States notified Cuba early Friday via its embassy in Washington.

Cuba blasted the American move as "hasty" and lamented that it was being taken without conclusive investigation results. Still, Josefina Vidal, Cuba's top diplomat for U.S. affairs, said her government was willing to continue cooperation with Washington "to fully clarify these incidents." Her government took the rare step of the inviting the FBI to the island after being presented with the allegations earlier this year.

To medical investigators' dismay, symptoms have varied widely. In addition to hearing loss and concussions, some people have experienced nausea, headaches and ear-ringing. The Associated Press has reported some now suffer from problems with concentration and common word recall.

Some U.S. diplomats reported hearing loud noises or feeling vibrations when the incidents occurred, but others heard and felt nothing yet reported symptoms later. In some cases, the effects were narrowly confined, with victims able to walk "in" and "out" of blaring noises audible in only certain rooms or parts of rooms, the AP has reported

Though the incidents stopped for a time, they recurred as recently as late August.

___

Michael Weissenstein in Havana, Bradley Klapper in Washington and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed.

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP and Matthew Lee at http://twitter.com/APDiploWriter

FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2015, file photo, a U.S. flag flies at the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba. Senior U.S. officials say the United States is pulling roughly 60 percent of its staff out of Cuba and warning American travelers not to visit due to "specific attacks" that have harmed U.S. diplomats. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The line stretches down the block before the sun rises in Los Angeles for immigrants seeking help to renew their work permits under a 5-year-old program that has shielded them from deportation but is now nearing its end.

Ivan Vizueta, a 25-year-old from Long Beach, California, brought a folding chair and music to pass the time while waiting to renew the papers that enable him to work for a plumbing company and earn nearly twice the wages he once did loading and unloading cargo containers. The lines have been a regular occurrence in recent days, with some people camping out as early as 3 a.m.

"I have to do this so I have another two years of safety," said Vizueta, who was brought to the country nearly two decades ago from Mexico and hopes to run his own plumbing business someday.

This Sept. 28, 2017 photo people wait in line at CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles) for help with immigration paperwork, including renewing work permits for expiring Obama-era program for immigrants brought to the country as children. After Oct. 5, 2017, no one else can renew under the program that has let nearly 800,000 immigrants brought to the United States as children work in the country even though they lack legal papers. (AP Photo/Amy Taxin)

For immigrants like Vizueta, it's a race against the clock as they rush to renew their permits ahead of a looming Oct. 5 deadline set by the Trump administration. After that date, no one else can renew under a program that has let nearly 800,000 immigrants brought to the United States as children work even though they lack legal papers.

The work permits have been a lifeline for many young immigrants who have been educated in American schools and know no other home than the United States. The program created by President Barack Obama in 2012 also protected these immigrants, many of them in their 20s, from being deported to countries they hardly remember. Critics call it an illegal amnesty program that is taking jobs from U.S. citizens.

When President Donald Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program this month, he gave Congress six months to draft a more lasting fix. Democratic leaders and Trump said they have reached a deal to protect the immigrants, but Congress has since turned its focus to repealing Obama's health care law and overhauling the tax code. Democratic congressional leaders say they are waiting on the White House to craft a legislative proposal.

Meanwhile, immigrant advocates around the country have been urging the Trump administration to extend the Oct. 5 deadline and holding legal clinics and donating money to help immigrants cover the $500 renewal fee.

Jesus Perez of Phoenix says he's not sure he would have been able to come up with the cash in time to renew were it not for the financial help of an advocacy group that is among several giving financial aid and helping people fill out their paperwork in time. The 30-year-old father of three, with one on the way, was just approved to buy a home but can't complete the purchase until his renewal comes through.

"You're in limbo," said Perez, who works at a car wash and hopes to open his own business soon.

In Las Vegas, fewer than 30 people have asked for a service provided by the Immigration Clinic at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, causing alarm among organizers who are fearful immigrants are staying in the shadows or waiting too close to the deadline. The government must receive the renewal paperwork by Oct. 5, meaning it needs to be sent in most cases by this weekend.

"If you are not at the post office with an express mail envelope in your hand on the morning of Oct. 2, you are too late," said Michael Kagan, director of the Las Vegas clinic.

Only immigrants whose permits are expiring before March 5, 2018, are eligible to apply for renewals. Those whose permits expire starting on March 6 will not be able to renew. The government estimates there are about 154,000 recipients whose permits expire between Sept. 5, 2017, when the Trump administration announced the end of the program, and March 5.

At the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles, advocates have helped about 40 immigrants a day renew their permits for free. Immigrants began lining up outside before dawn to ensure they were seen quickly, as some have had to wait until the afternoon or the next day for assistance due to the demand, said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the organization.

Maria Moreno, 23, lined up at 3 a.m. outside the group's offices on a recent morning to renew under the program, which has made it easier for her to work as a cashier and attend college to eventually become a special education teacher. She said her parents brought her to this country from Mexico when she was 10 months old.

"I've been here all my life," said Moreno, who lives in Los Angeles. "I've never been back there, and I'm hoping not to go."

Oscar Gaytan, a 22-year-old history and Chicano Studies student at University of California, Los Angeles, was also among those waiting in line. He said his permit under the program is valid until the end of next year but was stolen from his gym locker, forcing him to refile paperwork.

Gaytan said he hopes to go on to become a professor or immigration lawyer after graduation but knows he'll need a work permit to do so.

"When Trump rescinded DACA, I was pretty upset," said Gaytan, who was brought here from Mexico when he was 4. "But I feel like everything happens for a reason - so hopefully Congress acts."

___

Associated Press Writer Regina Garcia Cano contributed to this report from Las Vegas. Galvan reported in Phoenix.

This Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 Ivan Vizueta, waits in line at CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles) to renew his work permit under an expiring Obama-era program for immigrants brought to the country as children. After Oct. 5, 2017, no one else can renew under the program that has let nearly 800,000 immigrants brought to the United States as children work in the country even though they lack legal papers. (AP Photo/Amy Taxin)

This Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 Oscar Gaytan, waits in line at CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles) to renew his work permit under an expiring Obama-era program for immigrants brought to the country as children. After Oct. 5, 2017, no one else can renew under the program that has let nearly 800,000 immigrants brought to the United States as children work in the country even though they lack legal papers. (AP Photo/Amy Taxin)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - An appeals court rejected an effort by a former Salvadoran colonel to halt his extradition on charges that he planned notorious killings during the country's civil war.

Spanish authorities want to prosecute Inocente Orlando Montano Morales in the 1989 killings of six Jesuit priests in El Salvador, where Montano served as vice minister for public security in the 1980s. Most of the priests were Spanish.

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Montano's request for a stay of extradition on Thursday, which means diplomats can proceed with sending him to face the charges in Spain.

Montano's lawyer didn't immediately respond to an email asking about any more appeals.

A federal judge approved his extradition in August, upholding a magistrate's prior decision. Montano then appealed to the 4th Circuit.

The court hasn't rejected that appeal outright, but a human rights lawyer who advocated for the charges said Thursday's ruling shows he's unlikely to win.

"He could be extradited while his appeal is pending," said Patty Blum, who advises the international justice group Guernica 37.

The State Department is expected to sign off on the extradition because its lawyers already reviewed the case before turning it over to federal prosecutors. The State Department didn't immediately return a message Friday.

Court documents say Montano was part of an inner circle of military officers accused of plotting to kill the priests, who were helping broker peace talks. The killings sparked international outrage.

Montano denied involvement, but the federal magistrate ruled that evidence presented by U.S. prosecutors showed he was involved in the plot.

Montano arrived in the U.S. in the early 2000s and worked at a candy factory near Boston. He was arrested in 2011 and sentenced to nearly two years for immigration fraud and perjury. He served that time in a federal prison in North Carolina, where his extradition case has subsequently unfolded.

___

Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/jonldrew
MOSCOW (AP) - The Russian military says a soldier has opened fire at other servicemen during drills, shooting three of them dead and wounding two others.

The Defense Ministry said Friday that the shooting happened during nighttime practice shooting at a firing range in the far-eastern Amur region. It said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies the soldier fired his Kalashnikov rifle at other soldiers waiting to have target practice, and then fled.

The ministry said a search for the soldier is now underway. Local authorities in the town of Belogorsk where the shooting happened said security around the area has been tightened amid the manhunt.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has sent a commission to investigate the shooting.
NEW YORK (AP) - Hurricane Maria has devastated Puerto Rico , destroying buildings leaving its more than 3.4 million residents largely without power. Food and drinking water are also difficult to come by, and the recovery will be long, difficult and expensive.

While the urge to donate clothes and other supplies is natural, money is the best way to contribute during times of disaster, charities and philanthropy experts say. That's not to say there's never a time and place for supplies. Diapers, for example, are often requested. And donating directly through a website gets money to a charity faster than a text donation, even though the text might seem easier.

Here's how to make sure you are giving in a way that matters the most.

In this Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, photo, Roberto Clemente State Park employees re-stack cases of bottled water on a pallet after they were donated for the Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico, in New York. Hurricane Maria has devastated Puerto Rico. Local and international charities, as well as online nonprofits, are raising money to help the island recover. Residents are still largely without power and food and water are scarce. While the urge to donate clothes and other supplies is natural, money is the best way to contribute during times of disaster, charities and philanthropy experts say. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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GIVE TO ESTABLISHED CHARITIES

GuideStar's website has a database that lets you vet charities . You can find information on a charity's expenses, assets and revenue, as well as its programs. Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, also suggests looking at a charity's website for information on how it will use donations. And look through local news reports for information on a charity's work, or contact the local United Way (in this case, Puerto Rico's). It's up to you whether to go with a local charity that might know the area better, or a national charity that has wider reach.

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TEXTING TO GIVE?

It might be tempting to make a donation through a text and have the phone company charge it on your phone bill. It's easy, and it might feel as though it's the quickest way to get money to a charity.

But Palmer says that's not the case, as charities have to wait for the phone companies to release the money.

The quickest way to give is to go to the charity's website and donate directly, using a credit or debit card. That said, relief agencies will need money beyond first few days or even weeks, so if the ease of text donations appeals to you, tap away. To donate $10 to the Red Cross via text, send a text message saying "REDCROSS" to the number 90999.

Apple users in the U.S. can also donate to the American Red Cross through the company's iTunes and app stores to help people affected by Hurricane Maria and the earthquake in Mexico. Amounts range from $5 to $200, and you can't use store credit. The donations will be split equally between the two disasters.

On Google, searching for terms such as "Hurricane Maria" will let you donate directly in the search results. Just scroll down and you'll find an option to give $5, $25 or $50 to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy .

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TIMING

Donations often pour in immediately after disaster strikes but peter out during the long recovery process. While there are a lot of immediate needs, Palmer says, charities are going to need support for the long haul.

Consider saving some of your money so you can donate again in a few weeks or months. Better yet, set up a recurring donation to support your chosen charity over time.

Some charities will say when they have raised enough for a particular disaster and use any extra money for their general fund, Palmer says. This isn't bad.

"One of the things this disaster shows is that it's important to have resilience," she says. "It's smart to just give and say that it can be used wherever it's most needed."

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CROWDFUNDING

Group fundraising services such as GoFundMe let people raise money for friends, families, neighbors or themselves - as well as for charity. As always, do your homework before giving to a stranger or cause online.

GoFundMe has a special page for Hurricane Maria pleas for charities, individuals and families. GlobalGiving , a crowdfunding site for charities, is trying to raise $5 million for local relief and recovery efforts.

Remember that donations are tax-deductible only if they go to a registered nonprofit or charity. Otherwise, they are generally considered gifts.

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HOLD OFF ON MATERIAL DONATIONS

Donating food, clothing and household items can complicate and even hinder relief efforts, experts say. After Superstorm Sandy in 2012, for example, there were reports of relief agencies not knowing what to do with the piles of clothing and other unsolicited items pouring in.

The U.S. Center for Disaster Information says such donations "require transportation - which is expensive and logistically complicated - and a pre-identified recipient on the ground who will receive the shipment, pay customs and other fees, sort and distribute the items."

Unsolicited goods, the agency says , are "never required in early stages of response, and they compete with priority relief items for transportation and storage."

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LOCAL HELP

Puerto Rico's first lady, Beatriz Rossello, has launched an emergency fund with help from private companies. United for Puerto Rico (Unidos Por Puerto Rico) lets you donate through PayPal or directly to its bank account.

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AID FOR CHILDREN

UNICEF USA is working to get essential supplies such as water purification tablets, water containers, sanitary pads and detergent to children and their families in Puerto Rico. The relief agency says a donation of $28 will provide one kit to a family in need.

Save the Children says 700,000 children have been affected by the storm. The charity is providing aid in Puerto Rico as well as the Dominican Republic.

In this Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, file photo, people affected by Hurricane Maria wait in line at Barrio Obrero to receive supplies from the National Guard, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Maria has devastated Puerto Rico, destroying buildings and leaving its more than 3.4 million residents largely without power. Food and drinking water are also difficult to come by, and the recovery will be long, difficult and expensive. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, file photo, a couple sits in their home in El Negro, Puerto Rico, a day after the impact of Hurricane Maria. Maria has devastated Puerto Rico, destroying buildings and leaving its more than 3.4 million residents largely without power. Food and drinking water are also difficult to come by, and the recovery will be long, difficult and expensive. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)
ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's interior ministry asked the country's elections overseeing body to ban from politics a new party backed by Islamist Hafiz Saeed, who carries a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head for alleged involvement in 2008 terror attacks in India, officials said Friday.

The move was seen as a bid to prevent extremists from entering mainstream politics ahead of next year's elections.

On Friday, Haroon Shinwari, the spokesman at the Election Commission of Pakistan, said they will assess the status of the MML on Oct. 11 when a five-judge panel of the commission will meet in the capital Islamabad.

He said the party had recently sought to register with the commission, but the ministry opposed it over its links to militants.

"So far, the Milli Muslim League has not been registered" with the election commission, Shinwari told The Associated Press.

Shinwari said the ministry earlier this week informed the commission that the MML was linked to the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, which was formed by Saeed, an Islamist accused by India of links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 160 people.

Lashkar-e-Taiba has been designated a terrorist group by the U.S. government and Saeed is currently under house arrest in Lahore.

The MML in a statement denied links to militant groups, adding that it was "not a bus or truck which needs registration."

Pakistan's powerful election commission is currently also hearing a high-profile case against Imran Khan, a leading opposition figure in Pakistan, for making insulting remarks against it. Shinwari said the commission will rule on Khan's contempt case on Oct. 12. Khan says the commission lacks the authority to act as a court.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - A New York woman accused of beating her boyfriend's 3-year-old daughter and then preventing others from seeking medical care for her has been found guilty of murder.

A judge in Rochester convicted 25-year-old Erica Bell on Friday morning of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter at her bench trial.

Prosecutors say Bell punched Brook Stagles in the stomach three times last November, then didn't seek medical help for her and prevented others from doing so. The girl later died from complications stemming from blunt force trauma to her abdomen.

Bell was the girlfriend of Brook's father, Michael Stagles. Bell claimed he inflicted his daughter's fatal injuries.

Stagles was charged with criminally negligent homicide. His trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 13.
BATH, Maine (AP) - The review of deadly collisions involving two U.S. destroyers will include analysis of best practices outside the Navy, looking to private organizations as varied as British Petroleum and the Mayo Clinic, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said.

Spencer said Friday his review will seek expertise from the civilian maritime community and look at lessons learned from the private sector, not just the Navy. He cited British Petroleum's comprehensive review after the Deepwater Horizon disaster and the Mayo Clinic's efforts to optimize teamwork in high-pressure environments.

Spencer's review is one of two that the Navy is conducting after collisions involving the USS Fitzgerald and John S. McCain that killed a total of 17 sailors. The other is being led by the chief of naval operations.

Navy Secretary Richard Spencer speaks at a news conference as he pays his first visit to Bath Iron Works, a shipbuilding facility in Bath, Maine, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. From left, Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, attend the event (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

"We're addressing it on multiple fronts," Spencer told reporters at Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works, which built both of the warships.

The Navy secretary's first visit to the shipbuilder that employs 6,000 workers came a day after the Navy and shipyard completed negotiations on a contract for two more Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

It was long-awaited and welcome news for the shipyard.

Sen. Angus King quipped, "Anytime you want to visit Bath, you're welcome. Now that you've established the precedent, bring a couple of destroyers with you."

Also joining the entourage were U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who helped obtain funding for the ships, and U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin.

Spencer said the Navy needs additional destroyers as it seeks to add more than 50 ships to the fleet in coming years. An additional $5 billion to $5.5 billion in annual spending is needed over 30 years to reach the 355-ship goal, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The Navy is looking at its options, and Spencer acknowledged those include bringing back into service retired frigates and cruisers, if that's deemed to be a cost-effective means of helping to reach the goal.

He said the Navy is also looking to overhaul its relationship with shipbuilders by working together to both contain costs and to ensure that there's adequate shipbuilding infrastructure.

Maine's congressional delegation praised Spencer for the fast pace of contract negotiations on the two destroyers that ensures there will be no disruptions in workflow at the shipyard.

"We can't simply sit here and mandate, 'We want ships built.' We have to understand what the actual industrial base can support and where capacity is. Where we can help to expand capacity in lockstep with our suppliers, our contractors, we will do so," Spencer said.

Navy Secretary Richard Spencer speaks at a news conference as he pays his first visit to Bath Iron Works, a shipbuilding facility in Bath, Maine, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Bath Iron Works president Dirk Lesko, background left, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, listen to Spencer's remarks. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, speaks at a news conference at Bath Iron Works, a shipbuilding facility in Bath, Maine, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
NEW YORK (AP) - A juror fainted during a New York City murder trial that included graphic testimony and photos of a mutilated pregnant woman.

The Daily News (http://nydn.us/2xQmZGa ) reports that Justice Margaret Clancy cleared the courtroom Thursday after the juror slumped in her seat. A forensic pathologist who'd been testifying checked the woman's vitals while an ambulance was summoned.

Clancy later told the jury that the woman was awake. She adjourned the trial until Friday.

Prosecutors allege Ashleigh Wade faked a pregnancy in 2015 and then killed Angelikque Sutton and cut the baby from her womb.

According to court papers, Wade told police she had "rescued" the baby, named Jenasis. The baby survived.

Defense attorney Amy Attias says Wade didn't "intentionally" kill Sutton but something may have gone "horribly" wrong with her mind.

___

Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com
TEKNAF, Bangladesh (AP) - He trekked to Bangladesh as part of an exodus of a half million people from Myanmar, the largest refugee crisis to hit Asia in decades. But after climbing out of a boat on a creek on Friday, Mohamed Rafiq could go no further.

He collapsed onto a muddy spit of land cradling his wife in his lap - a limp figure so exhausted and so hungry she could no longer walk or even raise her wrists.

The couple had no food, no money, no idea what to do next. Their two traumatized children huddled close beside them, unsure what to make of the country they had arrived in just hours earlier, in the middle of the night.

A Rohingya Muslim Mohamed Rafiq hands a drink of water and biscuits to his wife Noora Khatum who lies exhausted on the ground as they reach Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. He trekked to Bangladesh as part of an exodus of a half million people from Myanmar, the largest refugee crisis to hit Asia in decades. But after climbing out of a boat on a creek on Friday, Rafiq could go no further. He collapsed onto a muddy spit of land cradling his wife in his lap, a limp figure so exhausted and so hungry she could no longer walk or even raise her wrists. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Rafiq said their third child, an 8-month-old boy, had been left behind. Buddhist mobs in Myanmar burned the child to death, he said, after setting their village ablaze while security forces stood idly by - part of a systematic purge of ethnic Rohingya Muslims from Buddhist-majority Myanmar that the United Nations has condemned as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

Five weeks after the mass exodus began on Aug. 25, the U.N. says the total number of arrivals in Bangladesh has now topped 501,000.

And still, they keep coming.

"We don't ever want to go back," a stunned Rafiq said, describing his family's ordeal as Bangladeshi volunteers stuffed a small wad of cash into his hand and gave their children biscuits. Another man offered a bottle of water, and Rafiq poured some into his wife's mouth as she lay in his arms, staring blankly at the sky.

"This is not our home. It is not our country," Rafiq said. "But at least, we feel safe here."

Not all those who have fled over the last few desperate weeks have survived. The International Organization for Migration said more than 60 refugees were confirmed dead or missing and presumed dead after one vessel capsized on rough seas in the area Thursday.

The crisis began when a Rohingya insurgent group launched attacks with rifles and machetes on a series of security posts in Myanmar on Aug. 25, prompting the military to launch a brutal round of "clearance operations" in response. Those fleeing have described indiscriminate attacks by security forces and Buddhist mobs, including monks, as well as killings and rapes.

While the international community has condemned the violence and called on Myanmar to protect the Rohingya, Sufi Ullah, a police officer in Teknaf, said nothing has changed.

"We're seeing them come across whenever they get the chance," Ullah said. "They're hiding themselves in the forests and hills (inside Myanmar) in the daytime. And when they get the chance, they run. The Myanmar army is putting pressure on them. These people are afraid."

Ullah said several thousand new refugees arrived by boat in Bangladesh on Friday, and authorities were not expecting the flow to let up any time soon.

On Friday, dramatic scenes played out over and over as hordes of Rohingya who had crossed into Bangladesh overnight tried to make their way further inland. They trudged out of boats and through mud that in some places was knee deep. Men carried babies and old women on their backs. Everyone was exhausted.

Sonabanu Chemmon was among those too weak to walk. Her son-in-law had carried her to one of Bangladeshi's inland creeks, near Shah Porir Dip. But he then abandoned her along with several of her adult daughters.

Asked why, Chemmon covered her eyes as tears fell down her cheeks.

"He said he had carried me far enough, that he couldn't carry me anymore," she said. "He told me, 'You can make it from here. I have to look after my own children.'"

Chemmon was finally helped by several Bangladeshis who are among a small army of local citizenry collecting donations, food and clothing, and handing it out to desperate new arrivals.

"Some of these people haven't eaten or slept in days. They're so weak, they can't even walk," said Mohamed Ismail, a Bangladeshi volunteer who traveled here from the city of Chittagong.

"I've never seen anything like it. They have nothing. It's painful to watch," he said, turning away, overcome with emotion. "Bangladesh is not rich, but we have to help."

Karim Elguindi, who heads the U.N. World Food Program office in Cox's Bazar, described the scene Friday as "distressing."

"There's more and more people coming and there's not enough space in the existing camps" to accommodate them, said Elguindi, who was touring the area after hearing a new influx was underway. "I don't know how many Rohingya are left in Myanmar ... but there's more on the way."

Elguindi said many of the refugees had been traveling for five days or more, and many were not carrying food during the journey. "These people are very vulnerable, very hungry ... they need shelter, they need water."

Myanmar's government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and it's still powerful military do not allow independent media free access to northern Rakhine state, from where the Rohingya are fleeing. While fires are no longer visible from the Bangladeshi border, some refugees told The Associated Press that their homes had been burned as recently as two days ago.

Rafiq said he and his wife, Noor Khatum, fled their home in the Maungdaw village in Khai Dar Para in the first week of September, after police and soldiers moved in and Buddhist mobs, including monks, set fire to homes there in the middle of the night.

Rafiq managed to get his 5-year-old daughter out, while his wife carried their 2-year-old son. But their house, made of wood and sticks, burned quickly, collapsing on their baby boy before they could save him.

After fleeing, they took shelter with relatives in another village, but several days later that village, too, was torched by Buddhist mobs. Rafiq and his family then hid with others in an abandoned house near the border for two weeks, but had no money to pay boatmen to take them across the Naf River to Bangladesh.

So for two days, Rafiq helped other families escape, carrying them and their goods in exchange for amounts of cash. On Friday at 3 a.m., his own family finally made it out.

Now, in Bangladesh, a far more uncertain chapter of their lives has begun.

"We don't know where we will go," Rafiq said forlornly, as a long line of families trudged single file toward the town of Teknaf, where authorities were assessing the new arrivals and trucking them to camps further north. "We have nothing. We don't know what we will do."

A newly arrived Rohingya Muslim Mohamed Rafiq, center, comforts his wife Noora Khatum and his children as they reach Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. He trekked to Bangladesh as part of an exodus of a half million people from Myanmar, the largest refugee crisis to hit Asia in decades. But after climbing out of a boat on a creek on Friday, Rafiq could go no further. He collapsed onto a muddy spit of land cradling his wife in his lap, a limp figure so exhausted and so hungry she could no longer walk or even raise her wrists. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Rohingya Muslim woman who just crossed the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh puts her head down and cries in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Rohingya Muslim man from Myanmar carries an elderly woman after they crossed the border into Bangladesh from Myanmar, in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Rohingya Muslims walk towards a camp for refugees after crossing the boder from Myanmar into Bangladesh in Teknaf, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A newly arrived Rohingya Muslim boy from Myanmar walks towards a camp for refugees in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Tears roll down the cheek of a Rohingya Muslim woman who crossed over the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh in Teknaf, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Bangladeshi volunteers help a newly arrived Rohingya Muslim woman Sonabanu Chemmon at Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Chemmon was among those too weak to walk. Her son-in-law had carried her to one of Bangladeshi's inland creeks, near Shah Porir Dip. But he then abandoned her along with several of her adult daughters. Chemmon was finally helped by several Bangladeshis who are among a small army of local citizenry who are collecting donations, food and clothing and handing it out to desperate new arrivals. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Bangladeshi volunteer carries a newly arrived elderly Rohingya Muslim woman Sonabanu Chemmon and heads towards a camp for refugees in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Chemmon was among those too weak to walk. Her son-in-law had carried her to one of Bangladeshi's inland creeks, near Shah Porir Dip. But he then abandoned her along with several of her adult daughters. Chemmon was finally helped by several Bangladeshis who are among a small army of local citizenry who are collecting donations, food and clothing and handing it out to desperate new arrivals. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A newly arrived Rohingya Muslim boy carries a bottle of water and a pair of sandals and runs past a muddy patch to a camp for refugees in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Rohingya Muslim man carries an elderly woman and walks towards a camp for refugees after crossing over the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Rohingya Muslim from Myanmar holds a hen on his lap as he travels on a wooden boat after crossing over from Myanmar into Bangladesh in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Rohingya Muslims girl rests on a pile of bags, as she waits with others to walk towards a camp for refugees after crossing into Bangladesh from Myanmar, in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. The prejudice and hostility that Rohingya Muslims face in Myanmar stretch beyond the country's notoriously brutal security forces to a general population receptive to an often-virulent form of Buddhist nationalism that has seen a resurgence since the end of military rule. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Rohingya Muslims carry a sick woman in a basket as they walk towards a camp for refugees after crossing the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh in Teknaf, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. More than a month after Myanmar's refugees began spilling across the border, the U.N. says more than half a million have arrived. The prejudice and hostility that Rohingya Muslims face in Myanmar stretch beyond the country's notoriously brutal security forces to a general population receptive to an often-virulent form of Buddhist nationalism that has seen a resurgence since the end of military rule. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - An effort by drug makers to block Maryland's first-in-the-nation law against pharmaceutical price gouging was denied by a federal judge on Friday.

A group representing makers of generic prescription drugs sought to stop the law from taking effect this Sunday, calling it an "unconstitutional overreach" that will create market instability.

U.S. District Judge Marvin Garbis denied the request by the Association for Accessible Medicines for an injunction as its lawsuit proceeds. He is allowing litigation to move forward on the association's contention that the law is vague, but dismissed its other arguments.

Garbis wrote that the association has not persuaded him that the law "is substantially likely to be held unconstitutional."

"Moreover, the court finds that an erroneous grant of a preliminary injunction would cause substantial harm by permitting the sale of essential drugs to Maryland residents at unconscionable prices," Garbis wrote.

On the vagueness argument, Garbis wrote: "The Court recognizes that there are reasonable - though not necessarily prevailing - contentions asserted by the Plaintiff."

Jeff Francer, senior vice president and general counsel for AAM, said the organization plans to immediately appeal to the 4th U.S. District Court of Appeals. He said the association is confident Supreme Court and appeals court precedent "clearly restrict states from directly regulating wholly out-of-state commercial activity," as the Maryland law does.

"As AAM has stated from the outset, this law will hurt patient access to safe, affordable generic medicines in Maryland and the rest of the U.S., and will create untenable uncertainty for generic drug makers who may be left with no choice but to abandon markets altogether," Francer said.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said he's confident the state will prevail.

"We won this round big time," Frosh, a Democrat, said. "Not only did he deny their preliminary injunction, he also dismissed most of their case ... It's hard to win a motion to dismiss, and the fact that we got it for most of the causes of action here I think is very significant."

Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, which lobbied for the legislation, said "we are thrilled that Maryland is moving forward and hope that states across the country will copy/paste our landmark law to protect consumers nationwide."

The Maryland law is one of the strongest moves yet by a state to address rising drug prices, an issue Congress has been unable to confront.

The attorney general can use the law to sue makers of off-patent or generic drugs that make an "unconscionable" price increase - described as an excessive increase, unjustified by the cost of producing or distributing the drug.

Manufacturers could face a fine of up to $10,000 per violation. The attorney general also can request information from the corporations that instituted price increases to help determine if price gouging occurred.

Concerns about sky-high drug prices have been building for years nationally. They boiled over last year after it was revealed the Turing Pharmaceuticals and Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals were hiking prices on previously low-priced medicines for patients with heart problems and other life-threatening conditions.

Unlike most countries, the U.S. doesn't regulate pricing for drugs, leaving their makers free to set prices as high as the market will bear. Congress has avoided passing laws that would change how drugs are priced, in keeping with the wishes of the powerful pharmaceutical lobby.

Maryland isn't the only state taking action.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed into law in June a measure requiring drug makers to annually disclose the list prices they set, profits they make and discounts they give market middlemen on insulin.

Ohio residents have put an initiative on next year's ballot that would bar state entities from buying drugs at prices higher than those paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which receives deep discounts.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas' governor called for additional safeguards at the state's prisons on Friday after a string of violence that included three guards being assaulted by inmates and hospitalized a day earlier in separate attacks at two facilities.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he was greatly concerned by the incidents Thursday afternoon in which two guards were assaulted by several inmates at the Varner Unit hours after a guard was assaulted by a prisoner at the Maximum Security Unit in Tucker.

"The multiple incidences in the past few months of violence indicate there is a need for additional safeguards," Hutchinson, a Republican, said in a statement released by his office. "I have met with (Department of Correction) Director Wendy Kelley and Board of Corrections' Chairman Benny Magness, and I have asked Director Kelley for an action plan with options to address the problem and to ensure order and safety in the prison system. Director Kelley and her team have my full support as they address this challenge."

One guard at Varner sustained a single, unspecified injury in Thursday's attack, while another suffered multiple lacerations. Both have been treated and released from an area hospital, Department of Correction spokesman Solomon Graves said Friday. The guard attacked at the Maximum Security Unit sustained multiple injuries to the face and head and remained hospitalized. Several inmates at Varner who had barricaded themselves in a barrack after Thursday's assault there were also hospitalized after officers used nonlethal force on them, authorities said.

The department has said the attacks appear to be unrelated.

The assaults follow two other disturbances at the Maximum Security Unit - also known as Tucker Max - in recent months. In August, several inmates held three guards hostage after snatching their keys and a Taser and a month before that, a guard fired warning shots into the air after two guards and an inmate were attacked there. Other incidents elsewhere include a disturbance where inmates broke windows and damaged windows at the Cummins Unit and the fatal assault of an inmate at another facility this summer.

Varner is one of four prisons where lawmakers last month approved raising hazard pay, a move that correction officials said was needed to fill vacancies. Nearly a third of the 305 authorized security positions at Varner were vacant as of Thursday, according to the Department of Correction, while roughly a fifth of the 203 security position at the Tucker Max unit were vacant.

___

Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademillo
Polk County police Officer Kristin Hearne, 29, a mother of a three-year-old boy, was killed in the line of duty by a gunman in rural Georgia on Friday

Two police officers were shot, one of them fatally, when a man walked out of the woods Friday and opened fire as the officers investigated a stolen car found beside a road in rural Georgia, authorities said.

The suspected gunman, 31-year-old Seth Brandon Spangler, was arrested a few hours later after he again emerged from a patch of woods - this time wearing no clothes - and surrendered, Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd said.

Dodd said Spangler was wanted for a probation violation in a neighboring county.

Now he faces felony murder and aggravated assault charges in the slaying of Polk County police Officer Kristin Hearne and the shooting of Officer David Goodrich, whose bulletproof vest protected him from serious injury.

'This was obviously not his first run-in with the law,' Dodd said at a news conference.

'I have no idea why he thought it was worth the life of a police officer who was just doing her job. It's a senseless killing.'

Goodrich had gone to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle just before 11 a.m., and Hearne came as backup.

Spangler and Samantha Roof, 22, walked out of a wooded area toward the officers.

Seth Brandon Spangler (left), 31, and Samantha Roof (right), 22, were arrested Friday after Spangler allegedly shot and killed Hearne and wounded her partner, Officer David Goodrich, who were investigating a possible stolen car in rural Georgia

When the officers began talking to them, they acted suspiciously and Spangler pulled out a handgun and shot both officers, said Vernon Keenan, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Spangler and Roof ran from the scene and a manhunt ensued. Roof was quickly arrested and Spangler surrendered to officers hours later, Keenan said.

'He came out of the woods with no clothes on and just gave himself up,' Dodd said.

'So we are currently out there with canines searching for articles of clothing.'

Roof will also face felony charges, Keenan said.

A county official initially said two suspects had been captured and one was at large. But police later said only two suspects were involved.

Goodrich was hit in his bulletproof vest and was able to return fire, Dodd said.

Hearne, a detective, was in plainclothes - a polo shirt and khakis - and wasn't wearing a bulletproof vest.

Spangler faces felony murder and aggravated assault charges in the slaying of Hearne and the shooting of Officer David Goodrich, whose bulletproof vest protected him from serious injury. Investigators are seen above at the scene of the shooting in Cedartown, Georgia

'It's not common for an investigator to wear a vest all day at work,' Dodd said. 'It may be a policy we need to rethink.'

Hearne, 29, was a five-year veteran of the department who worked hard and loved her job, Dodd said. She was married with a 3-year-old son.

'Words can't express the sorrow and the hurt that we feel right now as an agency,' Dodd said.

Goodrich was a rookie officer who'd been with the department for about six months. Both officers acted bravely, Dodd said.

Spangler was wanted on outstanding Walker County warrants for probation violation, Keenan said.

Georgia Department of Corrections records show Spangler was released from prison in August 2016.

He had been serving time for convictions on a 2011 charge of cruelty to children as well as criminal counts added in 2015 for methamphetamine possession and possession of drugs by a prisoner.
MIAMI (AP) - Tour companies, airlines, cruises and others in the travel industry say they will continue taking Americans to Cuba despite a dramatic safety warning issued Friday by the U.S. State Department.

"We continue to believe that Cuba is a safe destination for our travelers, and we will be running our tours until our assessment changes," said Greg Geronemus, CEO of SmarTours. "There has long been significant political tension between the U.S. and Cuban governments, but the experience that our travelers have had on the ground with the Cuban people has been nothing short of amazing. We have no reason to expect that these experiences will not continue."

Travel providers point out that there are no reports of American travelers having been harmed by the mysterious sonic attacks against U.S. diplomats and other officials, and that travel to Cuba by Americans remains legal under existing regulations.

FILE - In this June 17, 2017 file photo, a tour bus appears in front of the Capitolio in Havana, Cuba..Tour companies and others in the travel industry say they will continue taking Americans to Cuba despite a dramatic safety warning issued Friday by the U.S. State Department. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa, File)

Collin Laverty of Cuba Educational Travel noted that the U.S. State Department has issued numerous alerts and advisories against travel by Americans to places like Mexico and Europe because of crime, terrorism and other dangers. In contrast, in Cuba, "they have no evidence to indicate that U.S. travelers at risk during their visits to Cuba." He also called the warning "absolutely unnecessary and counterproductive."

The Trump Administration said earlier this year that it planned to issue new rules limiting travel by Americans to Cuba but it has not yet done so.

U.S. airlines continue to offer regular flights to Cuba, cruises continue to make stops there, Airbnb has a thriving rental business in Cuba and tour companies are still offering trips.

American Airlines is among a number of carriers declining to refund or waive change fees for Cuba flights despite the warning Friday. Travelers with tickets to Cuba are being treated like any travelers wishing to make changes: They must call the airline's reservations line to see what the options are, based on whether they bought a refundable or non-refundable ticket, said American spokesman Matt Miller.

"It is still legal to travel to Cuba," reiterated Greg Buzulencia, CEO of ViaHero, which creates personal itineraries for Americans visiting Cuba. "I don't have any insight on the claimed attacks on U.S. diplomats, but there have been no such attacks on US travelers." He said they'd had no cancellations from travelers.

John West made plans months ago to go to Cuba next week with a group of 12 friends from Washington D.C. and New York. Now they want to cancel. West said as of midday Friday, they couldn't get refunds on their United flights or the Airbnb house they rented in Havana. "We're kind of stuck in a pickle," West said. "We sent them articles stating that diplomats are getting attacked by this sonic whatever it is. ... All these issues arising from the hurricane and the attacks on the diplomats - it's just not safe for us to go."

Airbnb spokesman Nick Papas said that "consistent with U.S. law, our operations in Cuba will continue. ... Guests from the United States who have previously booked a trip to Cuba and wish to cancel their travel to Cuba can contact Airbnb to have their Airbnb reservation cost refunded under our extenuating circumstances policy."

United spokesman Frank Benenati said the airline's Cuba flights are operating "normally."

In Friday's travel warning, the State Department said some of the unexplained physical effects have occurred in Cuban hotels, and that while American tourists aren't known to have been hurt they could be exposed if they travel to Cuba. Tourism is a critical component of Cuba's economy.

Carlos Valderrama, owner of Cuba Travel Group, a Miami-based agency that sells trips for cultural tours and eco-tourism, said he's already booked a third fewer trips this year than last because of President Donald Trump's June announcement that restrictions were forthcoming on travel to Cuba. As for Friday's warning, Valderrama said, "It was already very difficult to explain to Americans who want to travel to Cuba the ways in which they can do it correctly. This will only scare them more. But it's doesn't reflect the reality of (what it's) like to travel to Cuba."

Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said that because the incidents referenced in the warning took place in hotels and diplomatic residences, "we do not feel that they pose a risk to our cruise passengers." A Carnival cruise spokeswoman said it was "evaluating" the warning.

___

Beth Harpaz reported from New York. Jennifer Kay in Miami contributed to this report.
A New Jersey man who killed his 3-year-old son because the boy was getting in the way of his relationship with a teenage girlfriend has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

David 'DJ' Creato Jr, 23, learned his fate on Friday after prosecutors played a 14-minute video that showed a collage of photographs of his late toddler son, Brendan. He reportedly did not look at the slideshow.

Creato pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in August and admitted that he 'recklessly caused his son's death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by depriving Brendan of oxygen.'

David Creato stands with his lawyer Richard J. Fuschino Jr. as he is sentenced to a 10-year prison term for killing his 3-year-old son, in Camden County Superior Court Friday

Creato (left) pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in August and admitted to depriving his toddler son (pictured right) of oxygen

Prosecutors say Creato killed his son out of concern that his then-17-year-old girlfriend was going to leave him while she was away at college, because she did not like spending time with the toddler.

She was never charged in the boy's death, and the couple have since broken up.

Creato initially maintained his son wandered away from his Haddon Township home on October 13, 2015. The father called 911 around 6am to report the toddler missing.

At his first trial, which ended in a mistrial in May, prosecutors said the boy's neon-green socks were clean, despite muddy conditions, when his pajama-clad body was found hours later in a wooded area by the Cooper River, about a mile from the home.

A medical examiner had testified Brendan died from 'homicidal violence' but couldn't determine where or when the death had occurred.

Prosecutors said Creato killed his son (pictured together) because he was worried his then-17-year-old girlfriend was going to leave him while she was away at college

Samantha Denoto lowers her head as a video of her son is played before David Creato Jr. is sentenced on Friday

Prosecutors played a 14-minute video that showed a collage of photographs of Brendan Creato (pictured)

Brendan's brain showed an abnormality consistent with oxygen deprivation that can be caused by asphyxiation, drowning or strangulation, but it couldn't be determined which of those led to his death.

During Creato's sentencing Friday, a prosecutor read aloud a victim impact statement from Brendan's maternal grandmother, Danielle Collins, who accused the young father of denying the family closure by refusing to admit that he murdered her grandson, reported NJ. com.

'DJ, I hope one day you are able to speak the truth about what happened,' the statement read, in part.

Creato, dressed in a red prison garb, wore a blank expression on his face when his sentence was announced. He could be released from prison on parole within six years and nine months, having received credit for 628 days served in jail.

Brendan's mom Samantha Denoto is pictured with the boy sometime before his death

Following the hearing, Creato's father, David Creato Sr, maintained that his son did not kill Brendan, but opted for the plea deal because he did not want to risk being put on trial a second time, reported Philly.com.

'Something happened to Brendan that night. He was stolen out of thin air,' he told reporters. 'I wont stop until I find answers or I die.'
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. humanitarian office is launching a $31 million emergency appeal for the hurricane-battered Caribbean island of Dominica which was hit by a category 5 storm on Sept. 18.

The U.N. said Friday the appeal aims to provide emergency aid to 65,000 people from September to December 2017. It said $3 million was expected to be released later Friday from the U.N.'s Central Emergency Response Fund for Dominica.

Last Saturday, the island's leader, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, told the U.N. General Assembly that "the desolation is beyond imagination."

FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2017 photo, homes lay scattered after the passing of Hurricane Maria in Roseau, the capital of the island of Dominica. The U.N. humanitarian office has launched a $31.1 million emergency appeal for the hurricane-battered Caribbean island of Dominica which was hit by a category 5 storm on Sept. 18. The U.N. said Friday, Sept. 29 the appeal aims to provide emergency aid to 65,000 people from September to December 2017. It said $3 million was expected to be released later Friday from the U.N.'s Central Emergency Response Fund for Dominica. (AP Photo/Carlisle Jno Baptiste, File)

People around the world followed Skerrit's gripping Facebook posts as he described his roof being torn off and his home filling with water as Hurricane Maria swept over Dominica with 160 mph (260 kph) winds. He had to be rescued.

The storm tore off roofs, destroyed houses and buildings, inundated many areas with water and affected the entire population.

This week, the confirmed death toll rose to 27 and authorities said 27 others are still missing

Security forces said Monday they had controlled looting that began after Maria headed away to batter Puerto Rico. The island was under a 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew after Maria hit and police said they arrested 120 people, most for violating the curfew.

The United Nations said was the fifth time on record that Dominica had taken a direct hit from a hurricane, but it said the island had never "faced a storm of such ferocity and strength."

Skerrit appealed to the U.N.'s 193 member nations for help for Dominica and other islands battered by hurricanes saying "let these extraordinary events elicit extraordinary efforts to rebuild nations sustainably."

Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit addresses the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit addresses the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - A court in Chile has rejected a request to grant house arrest four jailed members of the Mapuche indigenous group who have been on a hunger strike for more than 100 days.

They are accused of burning down an evangelical church last year in a southern region that the group claims as its ancestral territory. The court on Friday denied the request, which had been presented by the government and family members.

Chile's Catholic bishop's conference said it fears for the men's health. But prosecutors argued against house arrest, saying they represent a danger to society.

One of the four reportedly stopped drinking liquids Thursday night. Although a medical report had said earlier in the week that they all remained stable, two of them were recently taken to a hospital because of their weakening condition.

Relatives of the accused men are asking the government to give them a common trial instead of judging them through a terrorism law that dates from Gen. Augusto Pinochet's 1973-90 dictatorship. Human rights groups say the law is abusive because it allows for suspects to be held in isolation without charge for up to two years and for the use of secret witnesses.

The Mapuche are Chile's largest indigenous group. They resisted conquest for 300 years until military defeats in the late 19th century forced them into Araucania, south of the Bio Bio river. The government then encouraged European immigrants to colonize the area. As a group, the Mapuche are poorer than most Chileans and suffer higher rates of illness, malnutrition and discrimination.

About 200 of the 2,000 Mapuche communities in the south include radical factions that have occupied and burned farms and lumber trucks to demand the return of land taken or sold out from under them as recently as a century ago.

But police have also been accused of cracking down violently on protests, storming into Mapuche homes during raids and shooting rubber bullets and tear gas indiscriminately at women and children.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - The mayor of Dr. Seuss' hometown fired back at a school librarian on Thursday who called the children's author's books "racist" and "cliche" in rejecting a donation of them from Melania Trump.

The comments of Cambridge Public Schools librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro were "political correctness at its worst," Springfield, Massachusetts, Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a statement.

"One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, I think her comments stink and are ridiculous towards our beloved Dr. Seuss," he said.

Dr. Seuss, whose real name is Theodor Geisel, was born and raised in Springfield. He wrote and illustrated dozens of rhyming children's books including "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham." A Dr. Seuss museum opened in the city earlier this year and the Democratic mayor notes that attendance has been "through the roof."

He said if Cambridge doesn't want the books, Springfield will take them.

Sarno also praised the first lady and invited her and Republican President Donald Trump to visit the Springfield museum.

The first lady sent Dr. Seuss books to schools across the country earlier this month to celebrate National Read a Book Day on Sept. 6.

A spokeswoman for Melania Trump said the Cambridge librarian's response was "unfortunate" and the first lady remains committed to children's causes.

Soeiro could not immediately be reached for comment. But in a blog post the librarian called Dr. Seuss a "tired and worn ambassador for children's literature" and said his illustrations are "steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes."

The Cambridge school system distanced itself from Soeiro's opinions, saying her comments were "not a formal acceptance or rejection of donated books."
Federal authorities in South Dakota announced indictments Friday against 16 more defendants in a two-year undercover investigation into the illegal trafficking of eagle parts. They also said more charges are possible.

The new charges came on top of indictments that U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler announced against 15 people in April for illegally trafficking in eagles and other migratory birds. The new defendants include operators of pawn shops in Rapid City and Mobridge and a trading post in Buffalo Gap, two pawn shops, and other individuals from South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Idaho.

The investigation, dubbed project Dakota Flyer, offers a rare window into the black market for eagle carcasses, feathers, parts and handicrafts. Eagle heads or wings can fetch hundreds of dollars. The parts are often used in Native American-style handicrafts.

Not only are eagles the national symbol of the United States, they're widely considered sacred by Native Americans. Federal law limits possession of eagle feathers and other parts to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes who use them in religious practices. Hunting them generally remains illegal.

Seiler said the investigation targeted only the illegal trade. He said it never targeted Native Americans who use lawfully obtained feathers for religious and cultural purposes.

The original indictments portrayed an illicit trade carried out through face-to-face meetings, emails, texts and personal introductions.

On Friday, Seiler told The Associated Press that investigators used DNA to determine that parts from more than 240 bald and golden eagles and around 150 hawks and owls were unlawfully trafficked by the defendants. He said prosecutors will seek $10,000 in restitution for each eagle for a total of $2.4 million.

"The extensiveness of the market, and the amount of the market and the number of individuals I think surprised even us in terms of how prevalent this practice was in South Dakota," he said.

The investigation has also generated intelligence about illegal parts-trafficking outside of South Dakota, in western and southwestern states, that Seiler said could lead to charges in those states as well.

The new charges are for alleged violations of federal laws against illegal trafficking in eagles, migratory birds and other wildlife between 2013 and 2017. They're a mix of felony counts with two- or five-year maximum sentences and fines of up to $250,000, and misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in custody and fines up to $100,000.

The new defendants are due in court Oct. 6 in Pierre, Oct. 11 in Rapid City and Oct. 12 in Aberdeen. Seiler said all of them have been served with summonses.

The original defendants included people from Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Seiler said all received summonses except for one who was arrested in New York state and is being returned to South Dakota.

They all have trial dates and discussions with them are underway that could produce information that leads to additional charges.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A former Louisiana law enforcement officer pleaded guilty on Friday to negligent homicide in the shooting death of a 6-year-old autistic boy. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week to 7  years in prison.

Norris Greenhouse Jr. also pleaded guilty to malfeasance in office in a deal that allows him to avoid trial next week. He was charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in the shooting that killed Jeremy Mardis and critically wounded his father, Christopher Few, after a car chase.

A second former officer, Derrick Stafford, was convicted of manslaughter in March and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Greenhouse and Stafford were moonlighting as deputy city marshals in Marksville at the time of the November 2015 shooting.

Video from another police officer's body camera shows Few had his hands raised inside his vehicle while Stafford and Greenhouse collectively fired 18 shots at it.

Defense attorneys claimed the officers acted in self-defense, accusing the slain boy's father of leading officers on a dangerous, high-speed chase.

Stafford testified at his trial that he didn't know the boy was in the car and didn't see Few's hands in the air. But he said he shot at the car because he feared Few was going to back up and hit Greenhouse with his vehicle.

Investigators traced 14 shell casings to Stafford's gun and four other casings to Greenhouse's gun. Three of the four bullet fragments recovered from Jeremy's body matched Stafford's weapon; another couldn't be matched to either deputy.

The plea agreement calls for Greenhouse to be sentenced next Wednesday to 7  years in prison, said Ruth Wisher, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Jeff Landry's office.

Landry said the plea "brings an end to a terrible tragedy."

"Jeremy Mardis was killed through senseless and irresponsible acts of violence," he said in a statement, adding that "those responsible for Jeremy's killing have been held accountable."

Still pending, however, is a federal lawsuit the boy's relatives filed last year against the central Louisiana town of Marksville, claiming city officials failed to properly train the deputies on the use of deadly force.

"I think the family is satisfied that Norris Greenhouse Jr. has accepted responsibility for his part in this tragic set of circumstances," said Steven Lemoine, an attorney for the slain boy's family.

Greenhouse's attorney, George Higgins, said he thinks his client "just realized this needs to end - not only for Avoyelles Parish but especially for his family."
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's judicial watchdog has dismissed ethics complaints against a Georgia judge who was criticized for her involvement in the indictment and arrest of a journalist and his attorney.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission has dismissed four complaints filed against Appalachian Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver, the Daily Report newspaper reports . A report filed with the Georgia Supreme Court says the agency found "no grounds" for discipline.

The investigation looked into allegations Weaver had abused her position, engaged in "willful misconduct" and "conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice."

Weaver had served as the head of the commission until she resigned in August 2016. She didn't specifically mention the controversy in an email sent to other commissioners at the time, but she said no one should distract from the commission's duties and responsibilities.

Fannin Focus publisher Mark Thomason and his lawyer, Russell Stookey, were indicted in June 2016 on charges of identity theft and attempt to commit identity theft. The indictment also accused Thomason of making a false statement in an Open Records Act request he had filed. The charges were dropped the following month.

The case stemmed from a legal battle between Thomason and court reporter Rhonda Stubblefield. Thomason was seeking an audio recording of a court proceeding before then-Judge Roger Bradley because he believed the transcript produced by Stubblefield was incomplete.

He tried to use the courts to compel her to release the audio recording and wrote a story saying the transcript might not be accurate. Stubblefield sued him for libel.

A judge ended up dismissing Thomason's claim, and Stubblefield dropped her counterclaim. But Stubblefield subsequently filed paperwork asking to be reimbursed for attorney's fees, even though she had been paid nearly $16,000 from Bradley's operating account.

Weaver said the judges decided to use court money to cover the court reporter's legal expenses since they stemmed from her work for the court.

Circuit District Attorney Alison Sosebee brought the charges at Weaver's request after Weaver learned about subpoenas seeking records for her office's operating account and for the operating account of Bradley, who is no longer on the bench. Weaver was named as the victim in the indictment.

The ethics complaints were filed by Thomason, Stookey, Fannin County attorney Lynn Doss and the Georgia Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

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Information from: the Fulton County Daily Report, http://www.dailyreportonline.com
NEW YORK (AP) - The mother of a 15-year-old stabbed to death in his New York City high school denied Friday that her son had bullied the teen accused of stabbing him.

"My son was no bully," Louna Dennis told reporters. "He was a wonderful child and everybody got along with him."

Dennis' son, Matthew McCree, was fatally stabbed Wednesday at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx. A second student was wounded and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Louna Dennis, center, the mother of Matthew McCree, holds a news conference with her family and attorney, Sanford Rubinstein, fourth from left, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Fifteen-year-old McCree was stabbed to death in his Bronx high school history class by Abel Cedeno on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Eighteen-year-old suspect Abel Cedeno mouthed the word "yes" when asked if he had been bullied as he was led from the school in handcuffs.

Cedeno has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and attempted murder.

The Legal Aid Society, which is representing Cedeno, said Thursday that its lawyers were talking with Cedeno and his family, "reviewing the facts and circumstances of this case including the long history of bullying and intimidation Abel has endured."

Police said Cedeno attacked McCree and the other teen after they started tossing broken bits of pencils and paper at his head during a history class.

But Dennis said her son was a good kid who hoped to attend Fordham University and play basketball.

"The bullying story surprised me," she said. "I'd like to know where that came from. My son had no problems at school."

Dennis appeared with an attorney, Sanford Rubenstein, who said the family was considering legal action against the city Department of Education.

Rubenstein said two teachers were present and "did absolutely nothing" during the attack.

A Department of Education spokeswoman says there are no signs of staff misconduct related to the stabbings.

Louna Dennis, left, the mother of Matthew McCree, is comforted by a family member as she holds a news conference at her attorney's office, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Fifteen-year-old McCree was stabbed to death in his Bronx high school history class by Abel Cedeno on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A national advocacy group wants Missouri's attorney general to oversee an investigation of the death of a transgender teenager whose body was burned.

Attorney General Josh Hawley's Deputy Chief of Staff Loree Anne Paradise on Friday said the office is reviewing the request from the Human Rights Campaign. Missouri's attorney general can assist with criminal prosecutions, but in most cases only if help is requested by local prosecutors.

Human Rights Campaign Legal Director Sarah Warbelow sent a letter to Hawley raising concerns about the response of the local sheriff and prosecutor to the death of 17-year-old Ally Lee Steinfeld. The sheriff and prosecutor insist the death wasn't a hate crime.

Authorities say both Steinfeld's eyes were gouged out and she'd been stabbed in the genitals. The body had been burned.
WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) - The second of two Wisconsin girls charged with repeatedly stabbing a classmate to impress horror character Slender Man will plead guilty in a deal that will send her to a state mental hospital and bring an end a case that shocked people in part because the attackers were only 12.

The deal, announced in court Friday, means both girls will avoid prison time for the attack on Payton Leutner, who was also 12. Morgan Geyser, now 15, will be treated indefinitely at a mental hospital. Her co-defendant, Anissa Weier, faces at least three years in a mental hospital.

"It's been a tragic experience for everyone," Geyser's attorney, Donna Kuchler, said after a brief court hearing Friday. "Our hearts go out to the victim and her family. And we're very grateful that the district attorney's office gave this case the considering it deserves."

FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2016 file photo, Morgan E. Geyser is escorted into a Waukesha County Court in Waukesha, Wis. Geyser, one of two Wisconsin girls charged with stabbing a classmate to impress the fictitious horror character Slender Man will plead guilty in a deal that calls for her to avoid prison time, attorneys announced Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Geyser will remain in a state mental hospital under an agreement announced in a court hearing two weeks before her trial was set to start. (Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, Pool,File)

Weier and Geyser lured Payton Leutner, who was also 12, into the woods at a park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators. Leutner survived after she crawled out of the woods to a path where a passing bicyclist found her.

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 him.

Geyser had been scheduled to go on trial Oct. 16. The plea deal comes after a jury this month determined that Weier was mentally ill at the time of the attack on Leutner.

Geyser was at Friday's hearing but didn't speak. Afterward, the judge allowed her to spend three hours with her family before returning her to a mental hospital where she has been receiving treatment.

The Leutner family issued a statement saying they had no comment about Friday's hearing but will issue a statement at a plea hearing Thursday when Geyser's deal will be formalized.

Geyser and Weier were charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a possible sentence of up to 65 years in prison. Weier pleaded guilty to a reduced charge last month, and a jury then determined the sentence.

Unlike Weier, Geyser will plead guilty to the original charge from prosecutors. But Geyser won't face a sentencing phase where attorneys would argue that she was mentally ill when the crime occurred and shouldn't face prison time.

"It's just fair. It saves everybody a trial. It saves the victim, her family," Kuchler said.

The deal calls for doctors to evaluate Geyser and report to a judge to determine how long she should remain in a state mental hospital.

During a hearing in August, Weier said that she didn't want to harm Leutner and that the stabbing plot was Geyser's idea. She said she participated because she was afraid of what would happen if she didn't.

"I believed that if I didn't go through with it, Slender Man would come and attack and kill myself, my friends and my family. Those I cared about the most," she said.

Slender Man started with an online post in 2009, as a mysterious specter whose image people edit into everyday scenes of children at play. He is typically depicted as a spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face. He was regarded by his devotees as alternately a sinister force and an avenging angel.

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Morgan Geyser, one of two Wisconsin girls charged with stabbing a classmate to impress the fictitious horror character Slender Man, enters a Waukesha County Court for a status hearing Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, in Waukesha, Wis. Geyser will plead guilty in a deal that calls for her to avoid prison time and instead receive treatment for mental illness, attorneys announced Friday. (Michael Sear/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, Pool)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price has resigned amid controversy over his use of costly private charter flights on government business. But other Cabinet members are also facing congressional scrutiny over their travel.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke dismissed the controversy over charters as "a little BS over travel," but he acknowledged taxpayers do have the right to know official travel costs.

The Price controversy was a catalyst for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to launch a government-wide travel investigation. The panel is seeking detailed records from the White House and 24 departments and agencies on the use of government planes as well as private charters.

Here's a look at what other Cabinet members are saying:

-Interior's Zinke said he's taken three charter flights while in office, including a $12,375 late-night trip from Las Vegas to his home state of Montana in June. Zinke said no commercial flight was available at the time he planned to fly for a speech to Western governors. He also went on a military flight with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to view wildfires in Montana. All of his travel was approved in advance by Interior's ethics officials "after extensive due diligence," Zinke said.

-Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said he has not used private aircraft for official business but has taken six trips on military aircraft. Information about his official travel will be posted on the department's website, he said.

-At the Treasury Department, the inspector general is investigating all requests for and use of government aircraft, including those by Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who came under fire for requesting a government aircraft to use on his honeymoon. The request was later withdrawn.

-The EPA said four non-commercial flights taken by Administrator Scott Pruitt were pre-approved by ethics lawyers. The agency's inspector general opened an inquiry last month into Pruitt's frequent taxpayer-funded travel on commercial planes. The Associated Press reported earlier this year that Pruitt often spends weekends at his Tulsa home.

- The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has never requested or used charter aircraft. Mattis has reimbursed the government for the cost of some unofficial travel, but the Pentagon did not immediately provide the number of trips or the total costs repaid. The secretary of defense is required to travel on military aircraft wherever he goes so he can be in contact with the president and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Military planes carry the secure communications equipment required for classified calls and video teleconferences. In addition, the military flights of top defense leaders often double as training missions for Air Force crew.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) - A capsule look at Friday's fourballs matches at the Presidents Cup:

Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Hadwin, International, halved with Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, United States.

Spieth and Reed were 2 down with four holes to play and disappointed with a halve. Hadwin and Matsuyama lost a 2-up lead with four holes to play and were happy to at least have something out of the match. Matsuyama ran off three birdies on the front nine for a 2-up lead at the turn, and Hadwin's birdie at the 13th restored the lead to 2 up. The Americans rallied quickly. Reed holed a 15-foot birdie on the 15th, and Spieth hit his tee shot on the par-3 16th to 6 feet for birdie to square the match. The Americans had birdie putts to win the 17th and 18th. Spieth missed from 8 feet, and his 20-foot putt on the 18th hit the left edge and spun out.

Hideki Matsuyama putts on the first green during the four-ball golf matches on the second day of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J., Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

___

Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas, United States, def. Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace, International, 3 and 2.

Oosthuizen and Grace lost for the first time in six matches together at the Presidents Cup, and Oosthuizen lost for the first time since a Saturday foursomes match at Muirfield Village in 2013. They both missed 8-foot putts to win holes early in the match. Fowler made a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 3 for a 1-up lead, and the Americans never trailed. Thomas led the charge over the back end of the match, with two big birdies. He got up-and-down from left the 12th green for birdie to half the hole and stay 2 up. And on the 14th, Grace was 6 feet away for birdie and poised to cut into the lead. Thomas holed his bunker shot for the Americans to stay 2 up, and Thomas birdied the next hole for a 3-up lead.

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Phil Mickelson and Kevin Kisner, United States, def. Jason Day and Marc Leishman, International, 1 up.

Mickelson tied Tiger Woods for most matches won (24) in the Presidents Cup, and he did it in style. Day and Leishman opened with four straight birdies for a 2-up lead and the International team was 6 under on the front, though still only 2 up. Kisner's birdie on the 11th cut the deficit, and Kisner delivered another big birdie putt from 20 feet on the 15th to square the match. It remained tied going to the 18th. Day and Kisner came up short. Mickelson and Leishman hit their tee shots to about 12 feet. Mickelson holed the putt, and Leishman missed.

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Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman, United States, def. Charl Schwartzel and Anirban Lahiri, International, 6 and 5.

Two of the American rookies who sat out in the opening session made a debut that lasted only 13 holes. The International team was wild off the opening tee and made bogey and conceded Hoffman's 3-foot eagle attempt on the second hole. Chappell took it from there with birdies on No. 4 and an approach to 4 feet on No. 8. Chappell's third birdie on the front nine gave his side a 5-up lead at the turn. Lahiri and Schwartzel won only one hole when both players stuffed tee shots on the par-3 10th to 3 feet. Lahiri three-putted from 40 feet to lose the 12th, and Hoffman ended it with a birdie on the 13th.

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Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, United States, def. Adam Scott and Jhonattan Vegas, International, 3 and 2.

This had the trappings of the closest match of the day, with each team winning two holes on the front nine and the match all square going to the back. Koepka hit his tee shot on the par-3 10th to 12 feet and made the birdie to give his team its first lead of the match, and Johnson got up-and-down on the reachable par-4 12th for a 2-up lead. Vegas birdied the next hole from 35 feet, and that's when Johnson took over. He holed a bending, 20-foot birdie putt on No. 15, and then closed out the match on the par-3 16th hole with a tee shot to 5 feet for birdie.

Jordan Spieth, right, celebrates after making his putt on the 16th hole with Patrick Reed during the four-ball golf matches on the second day of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J., Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Louis Oosthuizen, right, greets Rickie Fowler, center, and Justin Thomas on the 16th green during the four-ball golf matches on the second day of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J., Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Fowler and Thomas won their match against Oosthuizen and Branden Grace. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Phil Mickelson, right, celebrates after making his putt on the 18th hole with Kevin Kisner during the four-ball golf matches on the second day of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J., Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Mickelson and Kevin Kisner won their match against Jason Day and Marc Leishman. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Phil Mickelson reacts after making his putt on the 18th hole during the four-ball golf matches on the second day of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J., Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Charley Hoffman, right, celebrates with Kevin Chappell after making his putt on the seventh hole during the four-ball golf matches on the second day of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J., Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Devoted Dallas Cowboys fan Chris Christie says how the team handled its protest around the national anthem was "perfect."

The Republican New Jersey governor addressed the controversy Friday at an unrelated news conference in Trenton. He says he respects players' right to protest but thinks it's "disrespectful" not to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Dallas players and owner Jerry Jones kneeled and locked arms before the anthem Monday night in Arizona and then stood for the anthem.

President Donald Trump spent days lashing out at players who kneel, a practice that started with a handful of players to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

Christie says he wouldn't have spent as much time on the issue as Trump has.

___

This story has been corrected to show the Cowboys played on Monday, not last weekend.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is launching enforcement action against Ryanair for failing to give customers accurate information about their rights following a wave of flight cancellations.

The regulator has asked for a meeting with the airline as part of a consultation that will last at least seven days and could take legal action for breaching consumer protection laws if necessary.

The CAA sent a letter to the low-cost carrier explaining its decision.

It said the company falsely claimed it did not have to re-route passenger on other airlines, particularly when there are no other services available.

The regulator added that Ryanair also stopped short of providing details on its obligations to refund additional expenses incurred by passengers as a result of cancellations and re-routing.

Those expenses include meals, hotels and transfer costs, the CAA explained.

It failed to correct that information through a public statement despite CAA requests to do so earlier this month, having already seen about 2,000 flights grounded after the company miscalculated pilot leave.

The company has since cancelled an extra 18,000 flights for the winter season in a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary has apologised to affected customers for the cancellations (PA)

The regulator said it was concerned Ryanair was breaching consumer protection laws by withholding that information.

CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: There are clear laws in place which are intended to assist passengers in the event of a cancellation, helping minimise both the frustration and inconvenience caused by circumstances completely out of their control.

We have made this crystal clear to Ryanair, who are well aware of their legal obligations, which includes how and when they should reroute passengers, along with the level of information it provides its passengers.

The information Ryanair published today again fails to makes this clear.

In expediting our enforcement action, we are seeking to ensure that Ryanairs customers will receive the correct and necessary information, to make an informed choice about an alternative flight.

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary said: We are in correspondence with the CAA and have requested an early meeting to address their concerns.

Ryanair said on Wednesday it was suspending 34 routes for the winter season, spanning from November to March 2018.

They include several popular routes used by British travellers, including London Stansted to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gatwick to Belfast, Newcastle to Faro, and Glasgow to Las Palmas.

It adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which has come under heavy fire after recently shelving up to 50 flights every day for six weeks.

Mr OLeary has blamed the move on mismanagement of pilots annual leave, leading to the over-allocation of blocks of holidays.

Ryanair said the latest step will eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations and remove the risk of similar problems recurring next year.

Mr OLeary said in a statement: We sincerely apologise to those customers who have been affected by last weeks flight cancellations or these sensible schedule changes announced today.

The firm also plans to roll out a series of low-fare seat sales for winter 2017 as it is confident that there will be no further roster-related cancellations.

It argued less than 1% of the 50 million customers Ryanair will carry this winter are impacted and all affected passengers have received an email alerting them and offering alternative flights or full refunds.

They have also received a 40 euro or 40 travel voucher.

The flight cancellations has so far cost the airline around 25 million euro (21 million).

Alex Neill, managing director of Which? home and product services, said: This situation is a complete and utter shambles that now extends to up to nearly three-quarters of a million people.

The news means that for some of its passengers, Ryanair has effectively cancelled Christmas.

On top of leaving the travel plans of many in tatters, offering a 40 euro voucher will be cold comfort for passengers that cant book the flight they need.
Pep Guardiola insists Sergio Aguero has nothing to apologise for after being injured in a car crash in Holland on his day off.

Manchester Citys prolific Argentinian striker suffered a broken rib in a road accident in Amsterdam on Thursday and is expected to be out for between two and four weeks.

Aguero had been in the Dutch capital for a concert performed by Colombian singer Maluma. He was travelling back to the airport at around 11pm when, he said on Twitter, the taxi he was in made a wrong turn and crashed against a pole.

Sergio Aguero (Martin Rickett/PA)

I'm home in Manchester after an exam by club Drs. It's a broken rib. Hurts, but I'm fine, fully focused on recovery. Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/uamK7xwo99  Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) September 29, 2017

It was a very heavy slam, but seatbelts prevented it from being worse, he said.

He was treated in hospital in Amsterdam overnight before being assessed by City doctors on his return to Manchester on Friday.

The issue has raised questions of why Aguero was allowed to travel abroad two days before a big game, but Guardiola has no concerns.

Thank you with all my heart for the supportive messages, they really do help me in recovering.  Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) September 29, 2017

The taxi I was riding made a wrong turn and crashed against a pole. It was a very heavy slam but seatbelts prevented it from being worse.  Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) September 29, 2017

He said: I only knew this morning when I woke up. I dont want to know what my players do.

If they are fathers, they have a full responsibility on their shoulders on and off the pitch. They know what they have to do.

Hes strong enough. He travelled in a private jet, so no problem. I am not the police.

I'd like to thank the staff of the VU University Medical Amsterdam for their care and support. Hats off to all their team.  Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) September 29, 2017

I dont know what the supporters think. Some of them can be upset, some not, but at the end its fortunate the injury is not bad.

Hes healthy, hes alive. The most important thing is hes okay. Why should he apologise to me? No.

Asked if the late night was a problem, Guardiola said: We trained at 11am not 8am, so he (would have) had enough time to rest.

Press Association Sport understands Aguero is likely to be back in action within a month and could even return in time for the Premier League match at home to Stoke on October 14.

He will definitely miss the league leaders trip to champions Chelsea on Saturday and will also be unavailable for Argentinas crucial upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador.

However, fears he was in line for an extended lay-off appear to have been unfounded and there is the possibility the Stamford Bridge clash could be the only game he misses for City.

Fuerza y pronta recuperacion @aguerosergiokun!  Todo @Independiente esta con vos en este dificil momento. pic.twitter.com/JpVHfLYTVD  C. A. Independiente (@Independiente) September 29, 2017

The news follows further bad updates on injuries to left-back Benjamin Mendy and captain Vincent Kompany.

Mendy has ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.

Guardiola said: He will be out until our semi-finals of the Champions League. We cant replace him in the way he plays, the way he goes up and down. We have to do it in a different way.

Surgery done : Jese & I nailed it  see you asap guys  @ManCity pic.twitter.com/zYIJnt46L1  Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) September 29, 2017

Kompany has missed the last six games with a calf injury and remains out of action despite being called up for international duty.

Guardiola said: He is travelling there to make a meeting with the Belgium doctor but he is coming back. Of course he cannot play for Belgium.

Looking ahead to the Chelsea game, Guardiola said: We have to overcome these situations. How we react is what I want to see.

If people are saying we cant do it now, well never reach what we want in the next five or six years.
Conservative activists heading for their party conference in Manchester starting on Sunday will not be able to draw much comfort from local by-election results since the snap general election.

The net change in council seats since the 2017 general election

They successfully defended five council seats, but lost one to Labour in the latest polls.

Tories have fallen behind Labour overall in the local by-elections tally since Theresa May went to the country in June.

Thetford Priory (Breckland) result:



LAB: 57.7% (+28.0)

CON: 29.5% (-3.7)

UKIP: 12.8% (-24.3)



Labour GAIN from Conservative.  Britain Elects (@BritainElects) September 29, 2017

Conservatives have gained six council seats but lost 13 while holding 21. Labour has gained 12 and lost three while holding 19.

Labour took one seat from Conservative and one from independent in the latest local contests.

The Labour victory over the Tories came in the Thetford Priory ward of Breckland Council in a by-election prompted by the resignation of a Conservative councillor.

Voting was: Lab 503, C 257, Ukip 112. Turnout was 17.4%.

Labours second gain came in a by-election in the Halton with Aughton ward of Lancaster City Council following the resignation of an independent councillor.

Halton-with-Aughton (Lancaster) result:



LAB: 27.4% (+18.0)

GRN: 27.2% (-0.9)

CON: 26.2% (+2.0)

LDEM: 19.3% (+19.3)



No Ind (-38.3) as prev.  Britain Elects (@BritainElects) September 28, 2017

Voting was: Lab 247, Green 245, C 236, LD 174. Turnout was relatively high for a council by-election at 43%.

Labour held four seats at: Barnsley (Kingstone ward), Durham (Trimdon & Thornley), Harlow (Toddbrook), and Northampton (Eastfield).

The five council seats held by Conservatives were at: East Staffordshire (Stretton), Harrogate (Washburn), Northampton (Nene Valley), and St Edmundsbury (two wards: Chedburgh and Hundon).

Meanwhile, in the sole council by-election taking place in Scotland this time, Liberal Democrats suffered a setback when they lost a seat on Highland Council to an independent candidate.

Independent GAIN Tain & Easter Ross (Highland) from Liberal Democrat.  Britain Elects (@BritainElects) September 29, 2017

First-preference voting in the poll in the Tain & Easter Ross ward using the single transferable vote (STV) system was: Ind Rhind 1,266, SNP 612, LD 372, C 233, Ind Holdsworth 68, Libertarian 13. Turnout was 36.1%.

The by-election was caused by the resignation of Lib Dem Jamie Stone following his election as MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross at the general election.
Ryanair has responded to threats of legal action from the aviation regulator by emailing customers affected by flight cancellations to clarify their rights.

The airline told passengers they can receive a refund or be transferred on to other flights or travel by trains, buses or car hire.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which on Thursday accused the Dublin-based carrier of not complying with the law over its handling of the fiasco, claimed the airline had capitulated after enforcement action was launched.

Ryanair

Ryanair Responds Fully To CAR (& CAA) Requirements To Clarify Customer Entitlements During Cancellations. Read more: https://t.co/e2ndXPxC7P pic.twitter.com/X5NmiI254n  Ryanair (@Ryanair) September 29, 2017

It had accused Ryanair of not telling passengers that under EU261 rules they were entitled to be re-routed by another carrier.

Ryanairs offer to passengers features several conditions, including assessing the cost of flights on other airlines on a case by case basis before bookings are made.

Alex Neill, a managing director at consumer group Which?, said passengers face a potential minefield to reach their destination, describing the process as convoluted.

She added: It still smacks of a lingering reluctance to do the right thing.

An extra 18,000 flights for the winter season were cancelled by Ryanair on Wednesday  a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

Several popular routes used by UK travellers were hit, such as Stansted to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gatwick to Belfast, Newcastle to Faro, and Glasgow to Las Palmas.

20 new pilots at our Dublin Office, the latest pilots to join #Ryanair pic.twitter.com/uvHbPnDZUV  Ryanair (@Ryanair) September 28, 2017

It adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which was already coming under heavy fire after cancelling up to 50 flights a day earlier this month.

Passengers have expressed their frustration with the airline, with many left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights and accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

Ryanair said the cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters and insisted the latest reduction in its schedule will eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations.

Ryanair to end rostering cancellations by slowing growth this winter, flying 25 less aircraft from Nov. Read more: https://t.co/XdXYUf6g0G pic.twitter.com/TZXxIAE0tU  Ryanair (@Ryanair) September 27, 2017

CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: Our job is to protect passengers rights and ensure that all airlines operating in the UK are fully compliant with important consumer laws.

Where we find that an airline is systematically flouting these rules, we will not hesitate to take action to minimise the harm and detriment caused to passengers, as we have done with Ryanair in recent days.

It appears that Ryanair has now capitulated.

Kenny Jacobs, Ryanairs chief marketing officer, said: We apologise again sincerely for the disruption and inconvenience our rostering failure has caused some of our customers.

We have taken on extra customer service staff and are moving now to process and expedite all EU261 claims from affected customers.

We are committed to processing all such claims within 21 days of receipt and hope to have all such claims settled before the end of October.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has bracketed Paul Pogbas injury as long-term  comparing it to those Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are recovering from.

The severity of the hamstring issue that caused the 24-year-old to limp off early in the clubs Champions League return against Basel has been shrouded in mystery.

Mourinho has repeatedly claimed not to know how bad Pogbas injury is as the club continued to assess him in-house, as well as seeking specialist advice.

Paul Pogba, second right, suffered a hamstring injury against Basel (Martin Rickett/PA)

The United manager is still unwilling to put a timescale on the injury, but 17 days on from the France internationals setback the Portuguese has revealed it is a long-term issue.

Hes injured, he cannot play tomorrow and its not an injury that I can have the hope like I have with (Antonio) Valencia or (Phil) Jones, Mourinho said of Pogba.

I have the hope to see them in training and to have a positive answer, so long-term injuries I dont speak about them. So Ibra and Pogba and Rojo, these players I dont think about them.

The boss confirms Michael Carrick and Phil Jones remain unavailable for Saturday's game. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/6HsPfZwwG7  Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 29, 2017

Pogba, Rojo and Ibrahimovic are joined on the sidelines by Michael Carrick, while Jones and Valencia are to be assessed having missed the midweek Champions League match at CSKA Moscow. Marouane Fellaini also missed out with an ankle injury that is still under assessment, while Anthony Martial went off in the 4-1 win in Russia.

We have to train and to make decisions after training, but I hope some of the players that couldnt play in Moscow (can play), he said.

I hope maybe not all of them but some can recover. They were out and tomorrow some will be out. What I am saying is that from all the injuries we have, I hope we can have some players available tomorrow.

Get more of the key points from Jose Mourinho's press conference in our live blog: https://t.co/jQMwcIJmqY #MUFC pic.twitter.com/t50kkTRpBA  Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 29, 2017

Saturdays home match against Roy Hodgsons Crystal Palace has meant a quick turnaround for United. Having made a late arrival back from Wednesdays Champions League clash at CSKA Moscow, they now have to get themselves ready to face a side yet to muster a Premier League point or even a goal.

The mentality is very important because we played Wednesday night and we arrive in Manchester at 4am, so home 5am, Mourinho said.

We have to play tomorrow so mentality is very important. Theres a long time to go, just the beginning (for Palace)  experienced manager, good players, good club and long time to fight to reach their objectives.

Jose on Roy Hodgson & Crystal Palace: "He is an experienced coach with good players. They have a long time to reach their objectives." #MUFC pic.twitter.com/QyT9xbos1E  Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 29, 2017

United start the weekend on 16 points along with leaders Manchester City after a successful start to the campaign.

Mourinhos Reds are, though, yet to face a side in the current Premier League top 10, although the manager was dismissive when asked if that was the context behind his call for humility

I dont know, he said. We are playing the matches that we have and we are doing well. That is the only thing I can say. The opponent is not a problem. We have to play against everyone.
Ukips new leader Henry Bolton has said the party has avoided becoming the UK Nazi Party with his election at the expense of a candidate who described Islam as evil.

The little-known candidate beat the two front-runners in the contest  controversial Sharia Watch director Anne Marie Waters and London Assembly member Peter Whittle  to win with 3,874 votes.

His shock victory avoided a potential split of the party, with a number of MEPs reportedly threatening to quit if Ms Waters won, and appeared to bring back on board Ukip big-hitters Nigel Farage and millionaire donor Arron Banks.

The former Army officer told the partys conference in Torquay: Brexit is our core task, however, it is not the end of the line and signalled a softening of Ukips message on Islam.

Asked whether Ukip had avoided becoming the UK Nazi Party, referring to comments he made in the campaign, Mr Bolton told a press conference: Absolutely, yes.

He went on: Absolutely, I think the party has today voted for a leader who has been very open about what he feels is the way forward, and thats myself of course.

Shortly after his victory was announced, Mr Farage took to Twitter to declare himself delighted, describing Mr Bolton as a man of real substance.

Insurance tycoon Mr Banks signalled he may begin backing Ukip again, which would be seen as a major coup for the new leader.

Mr Banks tweeted: This is great news & Im sure both myself and Nigel will want to re-engage with the party!

This is great news & I'm sure both myself and Nigel will want to re-engage with the  party! https://t.co/pWqCxpkmAU  Arron Banks (@Arron_banks) September 29, 2017

Mr Bolton denied he was a caretaker for Mr Farage and said he would be speaking to the former leader in the coming days about what role he could play in the party.

He said he was not aware of the ex-leader playing a role in his election behind the scenes.

Discussing how he could replace Ukips talisman, Mr Bolton said: The personality thing  Im not Nigel, none of us are Nigel, none of you are Nigel, Nigel is Nigel and Im not going to try and fill his boots, I have my own style, I have my own personality and I think you will see that emerge.

I am delighted @_HenryBolton has won the UKIP leadership election. He is a man of real substance.  Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) September 29, 2017

He added: When Im standing up on the platform then Im quite firm in my approach, but, actually, get me, like Nigel, in the bar with a beer and I like a laugh and a joke, and Im just as convivial as he is, I think.

Mr Bolton said he would be very happy to have a conversation with Mr Banks about returning to the fold as long as he supports the partys direction under his leadership.

On policy, Mr Bolton stressed Islam was more dominating than Christianity but said he would ditch Ukips general election integration agenda, which focused almost entirely on Muslims, declaring: We need to look at the integration of all immigrant communities in this country.

He said as a former police officer there was an issue with face coverings but said focusing purely on banning the burka would not solve a security problem.

Islam is of concern, the nature of Islam and the practices of the religion are such that they tend to have a more dominating effect in a community where theres a large Muslim population than the Christian community, he said.

He added: I absolutely abhor the rhetoric that says we are at war with Islam. My platform is a broad one for delivering for the British people across the place, it is not focused on Islam.

Henry Bolton won with 3,874 votes (Ben Birchall/PA)

Mr Bolton did, however, signal he could be the latest in a long line of Ukip leaders to act as a scourge of liberals.

Commenting on the transgender debate, he said: I think we are getting a bit far when we are encouraging children in some cases to question their own sexuality, I think that is certainly going too far.

Mr Bolton said he would be having a conversation with Ms Waters, who appeared in the press room shortly before the announcement of the leadership result, before deciding her future in the party.

Anne Marie Waters

One of my main tasks now is going to be to unite the party and move forward, he said.

Speaking to members from the conference floor, Mr Bolton said: I do not see myself now as simply being your leader, I see myself as serving this party. You are the party, not me, and this party needs to serve its country.

There is no greater calling than that and I would call on all of you, whether you voted for me or not, to rally around the party, to be united.
 Flash

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended on Thursday a ceremony marking China's upcoming National Day at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony marking China's upcoming National Day at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, Sept 28, 2017. [Photo: People.cn]

The ceremony took place a day before China and Japan mark the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties.

Cheng Yonghua, Chinese ambassador to Japan, made a briefing at the ceremony about the achievements made by China in recent years in economic development and other areas.

Such achievements have been making "every Chinese feel very proud," said Cheng.

He added that the relationship between China and Japan is being improved but is still facing some sensitive and complicated factors.

It is hoped that both sides could focus on the long-term and the larger interests to safeguard the political foundations for bilateral ties, and implement with concrete actions the important consensus that China and Japan are each other's cooperative partners rather than threats and shall support each other's peaceful development, said Cheng.

He urged the two sides to further enhance political mutual trust, properly control and address differences and promote bilateral relationship to develop in the right direction.

Abe, for his part, said that cooperation between Japan and China is not only important to both countries, but also indispensable to peace and prosperity of Asia and even the world.

He said he is willing to make efforts to promote the development of strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between Japan and China.

Some 2,000 people attended the ceremony, including government officials, lawmakers, friendly groups, overseas Chinese and employees of Chinese enterprises, among others.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a press briefing on Thursday that China welcomes Japanese leaders and high-level officials to attend the ceremony hosted by the Chinese embassy.

It is hoped that Japan could meet China halfway and take the 45th anniversary of normalization of bilateral ties as an opportunity to promote the improvement and development of bilateral relationship in the right direction, said Lu.

He urged the two sides to promote bilateral relationship in the spirit of taking history as a mirror while facing up to the future, abide by the principles defined in the four political documents and the four-point principled agreement, safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relationship and steadily carry out communications and cooperation.
Andrew Balding has yet to finalise his team for Qipco British Champions Day but there is a fair chance Beat The Bank could feature in it after his victory in the Shadwell Joel Stakes.

The Kingsclere handler looks to have discovered his next potential star after the Paco Boy gelding gained his third win since joining from Darren Bunyan in Ireland with a five-length victory in the seven-furlong Group Two contest.

Balding said of the 11-8 favourite: He was very impressive, he did it very nicely but Id have been disappointed if he got beaten as hes been working like a very good horse. He looks just the ticket to be a top miler next year.

Im not sure about the QEII yet, as weve very much got next year in mind. If he did run again that would be the only option, but Ill talk to the owners. I havent had many proper horses, but he could be one. Hes very exciting.

Beat The Bank's only lost once in his career & comfortably takes the Shadwell Joel Stakes - Watch the action from @NewmarketRace on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/FCo3tN7joQ  ITV Racing (@itvracing) September 29, 2017

When John Gosden claimed the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes back in 1999 with Lahan, victory in the following years 1000 Guineas followed, but that route appears unlikely to be on the agenda for this years winner of the seven-furlong Group Two event, Juliet Capulet.

Gosden said after the 9-1 shot denied Nyaleti by a neck: Shes a sweet filly who is very genuine and this is her trip.

She just used to look around a bit and was easily distracted, but we took the headgear off today, shes got lots of speed.

Thats the extent of her trip and I dont think shes a miler.

The John Gosden trained and @FrankieDettori ridden Juliet Capulet takes a turn after winning the Rockfel Stakes @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/pQ77r3tN21  Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) September 29, 2017

While Frontiersman has failed to deliver on the promise shown in the Coronation Stakes at Epsom earlier in the year, there was no questioning his attitude in the Mukhadram Godolphin Stakes after the four-year-old pulled out enough to take the Listed contest by half a length.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said of the 13-8 winner, Im pleased for him as he deserves it. Im delighted the horse has got his head back in front. Hopefully that will give him confidence and thats him finished for the year.

William Haggas plans a return to Headquarters with MuffriHa after she initiated a first- and last-race double for the trainer, which was completed by the victory of Addeybb (7-2) in the Shadwell Farm Handicap, when taking the Listed Muhaarar British EBF Rosemary Stakes by a length, booking a Sun Chariot spot.

Pat Cosgrave had to lead her to the stalls but she's willing in the race

Muffri'Ha wins the Rosemary



Fast Results https://t.co/7iJOPsvjqx pic.twitter.com/S6iZxcIQBe  Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 29, 2017

Performance of the day

The Andrew Balding trained Beat The Bank after landing the Joel Stakes @NewmarketRace to set up potential QEII tilt @Ascot next month pic.twitter.com/Ch39HRLM4A  Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) September 29, 2017

Although recent winners of the Joel Stakes have failed to go on to achieve little else, Beat The Bank looks a horse destined for the top after making it four wins from five starts.

Ride of the day

James Doyle makes no mistake on Frontiersman in the Godolphin Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

Charlie Appleby had nothing but praise for James Doyle after he guided the partially sighted Frontiersman to Listed-race glory. Under instructions to keep to the far rail, the Group One-winning rider carried the tactics out to perfection.

Quote of the day

The @HarryBentley_ ridden and Henry Candy trained Thrave after taking victory here @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/nDYwRMBORi  Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) September 29, 2017

Henry Candy holds Thrave in the highest regard and hinted at a potential Guineas trial after his victory in the seven-furlong maiden, which he quipped he might not be around for: Well be looking at a Guineas trial now. I think I might have to retire before then as I dont know if I can deal with the pressure.

Monent of the day

Ten-year-old Zak Kent powered Briar Smokey Joe to a facile victory - In Aid Of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust & Supported By Shadwell pic.twitter.com/t9Q0Xl0mLP  Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) September 29, 2017

Briar Smokey Joe gave 10-year-old Zak Kent a day to remember when landing the Shetland Pony Grand National Flat race. It was the second year running the eight-year-old had won the three-furlong race.
Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Lidl have all suspended buying chicken from one of the UKs largest suppliers after an investigation allegedly revealed a string of health and safety breaches.

An undercover reporter working at a West Midlands site of the 2 Sisters Food Group (2SFG) claimed to witness workers tampering with slaughter dates and mixing meat of different ages.

Source codes on crates of meat were also changed, the investigation by ITV News and the Guardian claimed.

Were investigating allegations of incidences of non-compliance at a 2 Sisters meat plant. Update here: https://t.co/MLYRpSV8Go pic.twitter.com/YmMSanTOrW  Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) September 29, 2017

The practices can artificially extend the shelf life of meat, and make it untraceable in the event of an outbreak of food poisoning.

When meats of different ages were mixed together, the slaughter date of the newest batch rather than the oldest batch would be used, employees claimed.

Some workers also claimed the chicken that supermarkets reject is sometimes repackaged at the factory and sent out again.

Marks and Spencer will no longer buy chicken from 2 Sisters Food Group (Charlotte Ball/PA)

Quality assurance workers told journalists they were intimidated by production managers and worry about being sent home if they try to enforce food hygiene rules.

2SFG was founded in 1993 and now produces one third of all of the poultry products consumed in the UK, and had revenues of 3.1 billion in 2016.

Founder Ranjit Singh Boparan and his wife have built up a personal fortune of 544 million according to the Sunday Times.

Aldi

The company now has brands such as Foxs Biscuits, Goodfellas Pizza and the Harry Ramsden fish and chip chain in its stable, but poultry is still the companys strongest revenue stream.

It counts supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsburys and Aldi as well as M&S and Lidl among its biggest clients, but now several have vowed to suspend their relationship with the firm until the investigation has concluded.

A spokesman for Lidl said: Lidl UK takes the issue of food safety extremely seriously and we were very disappointed to see the unacceptable standards shown in yesterdays report.

Lidl has suspended supply from the site until the investigation has been concluded (Rui Vieira/PA)

We immediately launched an investigation with the supplier and can confirm that we will not be sourcing from the site until the investigations have been satisfactorily concluded.

Aldi added: We have suspended supply from this site while we carry out an urgent investigation into these allegations.

We expect all suppliers to adhere to the highest possible food hygiene and traceability standards at all times.

Tesco and Sainsbury's are both investigating the claims (PA)

M&S said it had also suspended business with 2SFG, pending the outcome of an investigation.

A spokesman said: As a precautionary measure, all fresh chicken that is supplied directly from this site has been removed from our shelves today.

Tesco and Sainsburys have both issued statements saying they were investigating the allegations.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that it had found no evidence of breaches during an inspection of the plant following the Guardian and ITV News allegations on Thursday.

But it said it was still reviewing evidence, saying: If any incidences of non-compliance are found we will take prompt and proportionate action with the business concerned, working closely with the local authority.

It said in a statement: We would urge ITN and the Guardian to share any additional evidence, including witness statements, that would inform our investigation.

This particular cutting plant is regularly audited by the FSA and they are also subject to unannounced inspections. The FSA urges anyone with information for this investigation to contact them.

2SFG said in a statement that it viewed the allegations extremely seriously, but added: We have not been given the time or the detailed evidence to conduct any thorough investigation to establish the facts, which makes a fulsome response very difficult.

It said it was regularly subjected to unannounced audits by the FSA and other food hygiene organisations.
By Alex Dobuzinskis

Sept 28 (Reuters) - A team of scientists won approval from Hawaii officials on Thursday to build a $1.4 billion telescope atop a volcano indigenous people consider sacred, but opponents vowed to continue fighting.

The Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5-2 to allow construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island, state officials said in a statement.

Astronomers consider the summit one of the world's best places to view the cosmos, while Native Hawaiians say the project would disturb holy ground crucial to their connection with ancestors and the heavens.

A consortium of scientists, after selecting the site in 2009 and applying to build there, initially received construction permits from state officials in 2011. In 2015, the Hawaii Supreme Court voided that decision, saying officials did not follow the proper procedures for a "contested case hearing."

That forced the state board to re-evaluate the proposal with more input from opponents. The project calls for building one of the world's largest telescopes atop the dormant volcano.

"This was one of the most difficult decisions this board has ever made," Suzanne Case, chairwoman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, said in a statement.

The 13,800 foot-tall (4,205 meters) volcano is already dotted with telescopes, the board noted in a 345-page decision paper.

"Today, Mauna Kea is the best place on earth to study the heavens," the board's decision paper said.

Native Hawaiians and environmentalists will soon stage protests at the site and another legal challenge is expected in the Hawaii Supreme Court, said Kahookahi Kanuha, who is co-founder of the Hawaii Unity and Liberation Institute and is Native Hawaiian.

Ilima Long, 40, a graduate student in political science at the University of Hawaii who opposes the project, said Native Hawaiians like herself support science, just not this project.

"Hawaiians, our ancestors were scientists," she said. "We're the best navigators and wayfarers of all human history."

The board placed dozens of conditions on the consortium, which includes scientists from the California Institute of Technology and Japan, India and Canada.

The consortium will be required to provide $1 million a year for college scholarships for Native Hawaiians and other educational initiatives.

"In moving forward, we will listen respectfully to the community in order to realize the shared vision of (Mauna Kea) as a world center for Hawaiian culture, education, and science," TMT International Observatory Board Chairman Henry Yang said in a statement. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Paul Tait)
By Tommy Wilkes and Michelle Nichols

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh/UNITED NATIONS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - M ore than 50 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are missing after their boat capsized, with 19 confirmed dead, Bangladesh police said on Friday, as a new surge in the numbers fleeing a Myanmar military campaign took the total to more than half a million.

The refugees drowned in heavy seas off Bangladesh late on Thursday while, in New York, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against Rohingya Muslims.

It was the first time the United States had called for punishment of Myanmar's military leaders behind the repression, but she stopped short of threatening to reimpose U.S. sanctions which were suspended under the Obama administration.

Buddhist-majority Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and has denounced rights abuses.

Its military launched a sweeping military offensive in response to coordinated attacks on the security forces by Rohingya insurgents in the north of Rakhine State on Aug. 25.

Refugees arriving in Myanmar have told of attacks and arson by the military and Buddhist vigilantes aimed at driving Rohingya out.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council the violence had spiralled into the "world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare".

Bangladeshi border officials said more refugees had arrived over the past day or two after the number seemed to be tailing off. Aid groups said 502,000 refugees had arrived in Bangladesh since late August.

"It stopped for a while but they have started coming again," Colonel Anisul Haque, head of the Bangladeshi border guards in the town of Teknaf, told Reuters.

"Last night, we got a number arriving. They seem to think it will be difficult to cross during the day because security forces will make it difficult for them," he said.

He said about 1,000 people had landed at the main arrival point on the coast on Thursday.

The boat carrying refugees went down in driving wind and rain and high seas. The International Organisation for Migration said about 130 people were believed to have been on board.

Bangladesh police said there were 27 survivors, 19 dead and more than 50 missing.

'BRUTAL CAMPAIGN'

In a sharp ramping up of the pressure on Myanmar, also known as Burma, Haley echoed U.N. accusations that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State was ethnic cleansing.

"We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be - a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority," Haley told the U.N. Security Council.

The United States had earlier said the army response to the insurgent attacks was "disproportionate" and the crisis raised questions about Myanmar's transition to democracy, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, after decades of military rule.

Suu Kyi has no power over the generals under a military-drafted constitution that bars her from the presidency. She has nevertheless drawn scathing criticism from around the world for failing to speak out more strongly and stop the violence.

The military campaign against the Rohingya insurgents is well supported inside Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has surged over the past few years.

Haley said the military must respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing," she said.

"And any country that is currently providing weapons to the Burmese military should suspend these activities until sufficient accountability measures are in place," Haley said.

Myanmar national security adviser Thaung Tun said at the United Nations there was no ethnic cleansing or genocide in Myanmar.

He told the Security Council that Myanmar had invited Guterres to visit. A U.N. official said the secretary-general would consider visiting under the right conditions.

China and Russia both expressed support for the Myanmar government. Myanmar said this month it was negotiating with China and Russia, which have veto powers in the Security Council, to protect it from any possible action by the council. (Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir in DHAKA; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Paul Tait)
By Charles Mkoka

LILONGWE, Sept 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Malawis government has given in to mounting pressure to recognise the importance of locally grown and saved crop seeds, as well as commercially produced varieties, as it revises the countrys farm policies.

In a meeting in the capital this month, representatives of non-governmental organisations told Erica Maganga, principal secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, that by excluding indigenous seed varieties in a draft seed policy the government was ignoring a sector responsible for feeding a large part of the country.

The government is revising its more than 20-year-old policy and laws on seeds, and is developing a bill to protect the commercial rights of plant breeders.

In a speech to Parliament in May, President Peter Mutharika said an updated seed policy and other new laws would help strengthen the agriculture sector.

But critics charge that the effort to ensure the quality and supply of seeds the country needs was drafted largely with the interests of commercial companies - both national and international - in mind, rather than the countrys food security.

Most farmers in Malawi obtain seeds through one of two systems. The formal system includes Malawian and multinational seed companies, most of which have their own breeding, production and distribution programmes, according to the draft National Seed Policy and Strategies.

The informal system, on the other hand, in which farmers save and exchange seed from their own fields, provides seed for the majority of small-scale farmers in Malawi.

Many farmers say that traditional crop seeds - rather than the newer varieties sold by big companies - are more accessible and cheaper, suit local conditions better, and can yield better harvests in the face of climate change.

Government officials say the original draft policy focused exclusively on the formal seed system because only this type of seed has scientifically traceable genetic sources, which makes it easier to control quality.

David Kamangira, of the governments Agriculture Research Services, said that such seed is rigorously selected to help make sure that crops will not fail, and that storage and marketing is monitored to make sure the seed is viable when planted.

New seed for commercial purpose has to be approved by a government committee after being assessed by an internationally certified laboratory at the Chitedze Agricultural Research Station in Lilongwe, he said in a telephone interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

MORE DIVERSITY

The latest draft of the new seed policy, however, acknowledges that "although quality of seed and yields in the informal seed system are low, saving of traditional varieties increases diversity and also provides breeders a resource for genetic material".

However, some farmers and activists say the revised policy does not do enough to protect farmers rights to plant the seed of their choice.

It would continue to require that any seed sold be certified first through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development's agriculture technology approval committee.

So far, farmer-run seed cooperatives are not part of that system, said Mangani Katundu, a senior lecturer in nutrition and food security at the University of Malawi, though he said they could be considered in the future.

"It was agreed that local seeds should be recognised as long as quality is guaranteed," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation after the meeting with the government. He said the policy was most likely to recognise seed from farmers "working in groups" as a cooperative.

Herbert Mwalukomo, programme director at the Malawi-based Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy, one of the NGOs that met with the government, said focusing on improved varieties and the formal seed system alone will not address Malawis food security needs - not least because over 70 percent of the rural farming population relies on the informal seed system.

"Under the informal system, farmers save, sell and exchange farm-saved seed among themselves. It is for this reason that we believe the right approach should be an integrated system in which both the formal and informal systems complement each other," Mwalukomo said in an interview.

The Malawi chapter of Find Your Feet, an international NGO that works on food security for the rural poor and one of the groups that met with the government, supports 16 community seed banks in Rumphi, Mzimba and Nkhata Bay districts, covering areas underserved by the formal seed system.

Billy Mayaya, a human rights activist spearheading a right-to-food campaign in Malawi, said his group and others had met the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture to stress the importance of recognising farmers rights when the Plant Breeders Bill comes before Parliament, perhaps as early as November.

LOCAL SURVIVORS

Some of Malawis farmers are adamant about the advantages of being able to select their own seeds rather being limited to buying commercial hybrids.

Mybeius Mkandawire, a farmer who lives in Rumphi district, said that hybrids planted in the past season had failed to impress farmers when compared to the local varieties.

Local Tchayilosi groundnuts, for instance, outperformed a key commercial variety, which had failed to cope with scarce rainfall, he said.

Edwin Kasambanyati, from Lobi in Dedza district, described how he and fellow farmers select seeds for the next planting season while the crop is standing in the field, choosing healthy maize cobs with straight lines and large kernels.

"We preserve selected seed using indigenous knowledge," Kasambanyati said. "We hang the maize cobs above the fireplace, exposing them to smoke, and this prevents any pest attack. We also use ash or crushed tobacco leaves to increase the shelf life and prevent damage by pests."

Yohane Kadzuwa, a chief of Kamenya village, also in Dedza, pointed to his crop of dark-coloured maize locally known as Chisowa, and said it had flourished thanks to organic fertiliser made from crop residue. Kadzuwa said his variety was covered in hard leaves that pests could not penetrate.

"This is not the case with hybrids that open up when the cob has matured, thus making them prone to decay due to moisture," he said. (Reporting by Charles Mkoka; editing by Laurie Goering :; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, resilience, women's rights, trafficking and property rights. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate)
MANILA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The Philippines vigorously defended its human rights record on Friday, accusing the West of bias, hypocrisy and interference after 39 mostly European nations expressed concern about thousands of killings during Manila's ferocious war on drugs.

More than 3,800 Filipinos have been killed by police in anti-drug operations since President Rodrigo Duterte came to office 15 months ago and launched what he promised would be a brutal and bloody crackdown on drugs and crime.

Human rights groups say the figure is significantly higher and accuse police of carrying out executions disguised as sting operations, and of colluding with hit men to assassinate drug users.

The authorities strenuously reject those claims and Duterte insists he has never incited police to commit murder, despite his frequent and animated speeches about killing drug dealers.

During the periodic review on Thursday at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, 38 countries backed a statement by Iceland urging the Philippines to take "all necessary measures to bring these killings to an end".

The signatories were mostly European countries as well as Australia, the United States and Canada.

Filipino diplomats in Geneva called it a "sweeping and politicized" statement, adding the country was willing to accept international help, but would not be lectured.

"Unfortunately, it still appears that some parties refuse to understand certain aspects of our human rights efforts," Evan Garcia, head of the Philippine mission, in a statement issued by the foreign ministry on Friday.

"There is no culture of impunity in the Philippines."

His deputy Maria Teresa Almojuela also weighed in by criticising Western countries that allowed abortion, manufactured and sold arms and, she said, were a source of private militias for wars.

"It is ironic that many states joining the statement are the very same states that are the sources of arms, bombs, machines and mercenaries that maim, kill and massacre thousands of people all over the world, not only during their colonial past, but even up to today," she said.

In Washington, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the Iceland-led statement was "based on biased and questionable information".

"Instead of engaging us constructively, some western countries would rather criticize and impose conditions as if they can do a better job than the Philippine government in protecting the Filipino people," he said.

Opinion polls show Filipinos are largely supportive of the war on drugs as an antidote to crime the government says is fueled by narcotics.

The latest survey by Social Weather Stations, however, suggests that Filipinos are not convinced of the validity of official police accounts of the killings, with about half of 1,200 people polled doubtful that victims were involved in drugs, or had violently resisted arrest as police maintain.

John Fisher, Human Rights Watch director in Geneva, said the UNHRC should do more to stop the Philippine killing, now that there was a "growing chorus of condemnation" of Duterte's signature campaign. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Martin Petty & Simon Cameron-Moore)
By Huw Jones

LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Denmark's business minister was meeting financial technology firms in London on Friday as part of a two-day drive to lure them from Britain after Brexit.

Cophenhagen faces fierce competition from Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg and Dublin in the battle to attract firms needing an EU base after Britain leaves the bloc in 18 months' time.

"That's a tough game," Danish business minister Brian Mikkelsen said in a telephone call from Level39, the fintech hub in London's Canary Wharf financial district.

"We are going to make it cheaper and easier to be in Denmark."

Denmark, which has already begun a review of regulation and taxes to remove burdens on financial companies and staff, is meeting 25 firms in London, including Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, State Street and BlackRock.

"We would like to be the northern European hub for the financial sector," Mikkelsen said.

He said Denmark will launch a "sandbox" to allow fintech firms to experiment with new apps on actual customers without having to go through burdensome licence applications and regulatory approvals first.

Sandboxes were spearheaded by Britain's Financial Conduct Authority and are being quickly copied across the world by governments keen to attract fintech firms along with the jobs and growth prospects they bring.

Mikkelsen said no financial firm from Britain had applied for a licence in Denmark, which is mainly focusing on fintech and asset managers, rather than seeking big lenders, pitting it against smaller rivals such as Dublin and Luxembourg, rather than Paris or Frankfurt.

"Our aim while we are here is the asset managers and fintech start ups. We have a very well educated and flexible labour force and in Denmark we are very digitised."

(Reporting by Huw Jones)
MOSCOW, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Russia's top mobile phone operator MTS said on Friday it had been forced to suspend services in the Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan after the state telecoms provider cut it off from its network.

MTS, part of the Sistema conglomerate, said state-owned telecommunication company Turkmentelekom had stopped providing it with its international and long-distance zonal communication services and Internet access.

"MTS ... is currently negotiating with the Turkmenistan regulatory authorities in order to obtain permission to use frequencies, as well as to obtain other resources, necessary to provide telecommunication services," MTS said in a statement.

Turkmentelekom declined to comment.

MTS had 1.7 million subscribers in Turkmenistan at the end of June, and the unit contributes just over 1 percent of the group's total revenue.

MTS had to quit Turkmenistan in 2010 when its licence was suspended for reasons that the company said "were never fully justified", writing off about $140 million.

It returned to the Turkmen market in 2012. (Reporting by Maria Kiselyova; additional reporting by Marat Gurt in Ashgabat; editing by Alexander Smith)
By Maher Chmaytelli and Tulay Karadeniz

ERBIL, Iraq/ANKARA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The last international flight left Erbil airport on Friday as the Baghdad government imposed an air ban on Iraqi Kurdistan in retaliation for an independence vote that has drawn widespread opposition from foreign powers.

Iraq's Kurds overwhelmingly backed independence in Monday's referendum, defying neighbouring countries, which fear the vote could lead to renewed conflict in the region.

Foreign airlines suspended flights to Erbil and Sulaimaniya in the autonomous region, obeying a notice from the government in Baghdad, which controls Iraqi air space.

Erbil airport was busier than usual as passengers scrambled to catch the last flights out before the ban went into force at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Friday.

Domestic flights are still allowed, so travellers are expected to travel to Kurdistan mostly via Baghdad's airport, which will come under strain from the extra traffic.

Maintaining the travel curbs is likely to discourage visits by businessmen and Kurdish expatriates, and affect industries including hotels, financial services, transport and real estate.

More than 400 Kurdish travel and tourism companies are directly affected by the flight ban and 7,000 jobs are at risk in the sector, Erbil-based Rudaw TV said.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), meanwhile, refused to hand over control of its border crossings to the Iraqi government, as demanded by Iraq, Iran and Turkey in retaliation for the independence referendum.

CONTROL OF BORDERS

The Iraqi Defence Ministry said it planned to take control of the borders "in coordination" with Iran and Turkey. The statement did not give more detail or indicate whether Iraqi forces were planning to move toward the external border posts controlled by the KRG from the Iranian and Turkish side.

As the crisis unfolded, Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric intervened to oppose the secession of the Kurdistan region, adding to pressure on the Kurds in his first directly political sermon since early last year.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani asked the KRG to "return to the constitutional path" in pursuing self-determination for the Kurdish people, a representative said in a sermon on his behalf.

"Any attempt to make secession an accomplished fact will lead to undesired consequences affecting Kurdish citizens," the sermon said.

Turkey, which has already threatened economic sanctions and a military response to any security challenges posed by the referendum result in neighbouring northern Iraq, has maintained a drumbeat of opposition to the Kurdish vote.

After talks in Ankara with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the referendum was illegitimate and Russia and Turkey agreed that the territorial integrity of Iraq must be preserved.

Turkey and Russia have strong commercial ties with the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq. But the vote has alarmed Ankara as it battles a separatist insurgency from its own large Kurdish minority.

OIL LIFELINE

While Turkey has threatened to cut off the Kurds' oil export lifeline - a pipeline that runs through Turkish territory - it has so far mostly held back from specific action against Iraqi Kurdistan.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkey would target only those who had decided to hold the referendum, and would not make civilians pay the price for the vote.

Iran banned the transportation of refined crude oil products by Iranian companies to and from Iraqi Kurdistan.

But a World Bank official said Kurdistan would be able to resist an economic blockade.

"It is self-sufficient in electricity and fuel supply as it has the oil and gas fields, the refineries and the power stations," the official said.

"It has also the land and the water resources to sustain a basic subsistence, even if borders are shut completely."

The autonomous region is the closest the Kurds have come to a state in modern times. But although it has flourished while the rest of Iraq was embroiled in civil war, it may struggle to maintain investment if it is blockaded economically.

The United States, major European countries and nearby Turkey and Iran opposed the referendum as destabilising at a time when all sides are still fighting Islamic State.

OFFERS TO HELP

Both France and the United States said on Friday that Iraq's territorial integrity must be maintained, but urged Baghdad not to retaliate.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that "the vote and the results lack legitimacy" before going on to urge "calm and an end to vocal recriminations and threats of reciprocal actions".

French President Emmanuel Macron said the two sides should remain united in their priority to defeat Islamic State and stabilise Iraq, and that any further escalation should be avoided. A source in Macron's office said Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi had accepted an invitation to come Paris on Oct. 5 for talks on the issue.

The U.S. State Department said Washington was willing to facilitate talks if asked, and the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the United Nations had also offered its good offices.

The Iraqi parliament urged the Baghdad government to send troops to take control of oilfields held by Kurdish forces.

Baghdad also told foreign governments to close their diplomatic missions in the Kurdish capital Erbil.

The Kurds consider Monday's referendum to be an historic step in the generations-old quest for a state of their own, while Iraq considers the vote unconstitutional.

They say the referendum acknowledges their contribution in confronting Islamic State after it overwhelmed the Iraqi army.

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani has said the vote is not binding, but meant to provide a mandate for negotiations with Baghdad and neighbouring countries over peaceful secession from Iraq. Baghdad has rejected talks.

The Kurds were left without a state of their own when the Ottoman Empire collapsed a century ago, and 30 million Kurds now live spread across Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran.

(Additional reporting by Raya Jalabi; Writing by Giles Elgood, Editing by Peter Millership and Kevin Liffey)
BOGOTA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Colombia's government has convened an arbitration court to seek a solution that will end a strike by most of Avianca Holdings SA's local airline pilots that has grounded thousands of travelers, the labor ministry said.

The decision late on Thursday forces the Colombian Association of Civil Aviators, or ACDAC, and Colombian flagship airline Avianca to each appoint one arbitrator and agree on a third or have one appointed.

"This is a procedure through which the labor ministry is delivering a legal and binding instrument to the parties, since it has been determined that air transport is an essential public service," Labor Minister Griselda Restrepo told reporters.

Once installed, the court has 10 working days to resolve the strike but can extend the proceedings for another 10 days.

The airline considers the strike illegal. It began on Sept. 20 and has led Avianca to cancel more than half of its flights on its domestic and international routes.

"We expect our ACDAC pilots and co-pilots to return to work as soon as possible," Avianca Chief Executive Officer Hernan Rincon said in a statement. "Our responsibility to passengers requires us to quickly and completely re-establish routes."

The ACDAC said it is open to dialogue. More than 700 of the 1,300 Avianca pilots voted to strike for salaries and benefits that the company considers excessive.

Avianca has asked that the strike be declared illegal, saying only some ACDAC-affiliated pilots approved it and that transport is an essential public service.

If the courts deem the action illegal, Avianca could fire striking pilots.

Avianca, a member of the Star Alliance and one of the leading airlines in Latin America, carried 29.5 million passengers in 2016. It has more than 21,000 employees and serves 105 destinations in 28 countries in the Americas and Europe. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing Helen Murphy; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
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U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that it is extremely important to strengthen people-to-people exchange with China.

Trump made the remarks when meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong in the White House.

China and the United States held their first social and people-to-people dialogue on Thursday in Washington D.C., which was co-chaired by Liu and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
By Elias Biryabarema

KAMPALA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - At least five Ugandan lawmakers received hospital treatment for injuries sustained while being dragged out of the parliament by plain-clothes security guards that opposition MPs said were really soldiers from President Yoweri Museveni's special forces.

The clashes erupted in the chamber on Tuesday and Wednesday over a motion to end a constitutional limit on the president's age, effectively allowing 73-year-old Museveni, one of Africa's most entrenched "Big Men", to extend his 31 years in power.

Reinforcing lawmakers' suggestions that soldiers had been involved in the incidents, television footage showed Uganda's special forces commander was in parliament just before dozens of MPs were forcibly removed.

Ugandan authorities have not commented on the suggestions.

Rights groups denounced the incidents as a violation of the parliament's bar on police or soldiers entering the chamber.

"In effect what happened was an overthrow of the constitutional order," said Nicholas Opiyo, a Kampala-based human rights lawyer and political analyst.

One of the ejected MPs, Gaffa Mbwatekamwa, sported a cracked left arm in bandages and a sling as he described his ordeal.

"These guys grabbed me from behind and one twisted my arm. I started screaming and another one squeezed my balls," he told Reuters at a Kampala hospital where he was visiting a fellow injured legislator.

He and other MPs said they had also been punched and kicked by the security guards. Mbwatekamwa added that some of the alleged guards were recognised as members of the armed forces.

"ROUGH TREATMENT"

That claim was backed up by footage aired on Thursday by the private NTV Uganda channel of Special Forces Command (SFC) Colonel Don Nabasa pacing the corridors of parliament moments before the security guards burst into the chamber.

Police chief Kale Kayihura also told the NBS television channel police had enlisted the help of "sister" security agencies to clear parliament, a term frequently used by police to refer to the armed forces.

Police spokesman Asan Kasigye denied legislators had been beaten by security personnel. A spokesman for the Special Forces Command said he could not comment beyond the statement from the police chief.

U.S. ambassador Deborah Malac criticised the "rough treatment" of the lawmakers and said she expected them to be treated "humanely".

Despite the growing cries of autocracy against Museveni, Washington has backed him as a strongman who has turned Uganda into a bulwark of stability in Africa's troubled Great Lakes region.

Nabasa's predecessor as head of the special forces was Museveni's son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who many Ugandans believe is being groomed as a successor to his father. Uganda's next election is in 2021.

Museveni's moves to extend his term mirror similar attempts in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, where they have sparked serious political instability, including armed insurrection. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Ed Cropley and Gareth Jones)
ALMATY, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan plans to seek a World Bank budget-support loan of up to $1 billion, a source close to the government told Reuters on Friday.

The plan ordering the cabinet to start preliminary negotiations by Nov. 1 was outlined in a decree by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev this week, the source said. The decree has been published officially, but without details.

The move follows Mirziyoyev's meeting with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on Sept.20 when the Uzbek leader attended the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

Uzbekistan's Finance Ministry could not be reached for comments on Friday. The World Bank office in Tashkent had no immediate comment.

According to the source, the planned borrowing would aim to soften the impact of the foreign exchange reform on the economy and the budget.

The former Soviet republic this month lifted most of the restrictions on foreign exchange - which had existed for decades - by allowing companies and citizens to freely trade foreign currency and sharply devaluing the official exchange rate . (Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Jack Stubbs/Jeremy Gaunt)
By Steve Scherer

ROME, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The U.N. refugee agency is seeking to open a refugee transit centre in Tripoli early next year to resettle or evacuate as many as 5,000 of the most vulnerable refugees out of Libya each year, a senior U.N. official said on Friday.

It is a small fraction of the total number of Libya's migrant population, estimated at as many as 1 million, but would be a welcome outlet for the 43,000 refugees that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates are now trapped in Libya.

"We hope to have the (written) authorization soon," Roberto Mignone, the UNHCR's representative in Libya, told Reuters in Rome. The U.N.-backed Tripoli government has already approved the project verbally, he said.

The centre, where migrants will be able to come and go as they please, will be in a former immigration police training facility. Once refurbished, it will be able to temporarily accommodate as many as 1,000 refugees and could be running by early 2018, Mignone said.

Italy has become the main migrant route to Europe since an agreement between the EU and Turkey shut down smuggling through Greece last year, but arrivals have fallen sharply since July, when an armed group clamped down on departures.

With the backing of the European Union, Italy has financed, trained and equipped by the Tripoli-based coast guard. With a national election due early next year, Italy is also promising tens of millions of euros to Prime Minister Fayez al-Seraj and municipal governments to put a stop to smuggling.

This strategy has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups that point to the dire conditions inside state detention centres, where Mignone said some 6,000 now are held, and in the much more numerous "camps" where smugglers hold migrants, often extorting them or forcing them to labour for free.

Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti has said he is depending on the U.N. refugee and migration agencies to improve conditions for refugees and migrants now trapped in Libya.

"We can't be the only solution," Mignone said, also because Libya remains very dangerous and international staff still have very limited access to the country.

"There are still many risks" for international staff, he said. "A month-and-a-half ago, there was an attack on a U.N. convoy 30 km (19 miles) from Tripoli with bazookas and machine guns. It was a miracle that the worst was avoided."

Some 1,200 of the most vulnerable refugees -- which includes women, children, the sick or disabled and the elderly -- have already been released from detention centres at the request of the UNHCR, and about 800 more should be let out soon, Mignone said.

While the UNHCR hopes to resettle many of them, it is a lengthy process. Many countries do not have a permanent diplomatic presence in Tripoli, further complicating matters.

So the agency will seek to evacuate most of them, Mignone said, to emergency transit centres in Romania, Slovakia or even Costa Rica, where they will have more time to apply for resettlement. The agency is currently working to open another emergency transit centre in Niger, he said.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
ANKARA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Turkey's measures against northern Iraq will not target civilians and instead focus on those who organised the referendum on Kurdish independence, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday.

The comments appeared to back-track from those of President Tayyip Erdogan, who warned this week that Iraqi Kurds would go hungry if Ankara halted the flow of trucks and oil across the border.

Iraqi Kurds overwhelmingly backed independence in Monday's referendum, defying neighbours, including Turkey, who fear the vote could renew regional conflict.

"In no way we will make the civilian residents there pay the price of the referendum," Yildirim said in a speech in the northwestern Turkish province of Canakkale.

"All the measures we will take will be against those who took the decision to hold the referendum."

Ankara has vowed economic, security and political steps, but has given few details. In the immediate aftermath of the vote, Erdogan said Turkey could stop the flow of trade across the border and that Kurds would go hungry.

"(They) will be left in the lurch when we start imposing our sanctions," he said in a speech on Tuesday.

"It will be over when we close the oil taps, all (their) revenues will vanish, and they will not be able to find food when our trucks stop going to northern Iraq."

Hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil a day flow across Turkey along a pipeline from northern Iraq, connecting the region to global oil markets.

Iraq, including the Kurdish region, was Turkey's third-largest export market in 2016, worth $8.6 billion. Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said on Friday there were currently no obstacles for exports to Iraq.

SEPARATIST TENSION

Turkey has the region's largest Kurdish population and is fighting a three-decade-old insurgency in its largely Kurdish southeast. It fears the referendum will inflame separatist tensions at home.

The Turkish military killed three Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in a clash in northern Iraq near the border with Turkey on Thursday evening and one Turkish soldier was killed, security sources said.

They said four Turkish soldiers were wounded in the firefight in the Kanimasi area of Iraq's Dohuk district, across the border from Turkey's Cukurca district.

The clash occurred as Turkish and Iraqi troops held military exercises some 100 km (60 miles) to the west at the Habur border gate, part of coordinated steps by the two countries in response to the independence referendum.

On Friday, PKK militants killed one Turkish soldier and wounded three in an attack in northern Iraq, the Turkish armed forces said.

Turkish soldiers have for years been deployed in various parts of northern Iraq, including at Kanimasi, to prevent PKK militants crossing into Turkey, security sources say.

Commanders of the PKK, which is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union, are based in the mountains of northern Iraq.

Turkish warplanes frequently carry out cross-border air strikes against PKK targets there but reports of clashes on the ground are rare.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict since the PKK launched its separatist insurgency in 1984. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Writing by Daren Butler and David Dolan; Editing by Dominic Evans and Robin Pomeroy)
By Kinda Makieh

DAMASCUS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Syria has struck a deal to buy 3 million tonnes of wheat from its ally Russia over three years and is working to secure credit finance from Moscow for the grain, Syria's internal trade minister told Reuters.

Beside providing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with vital military support in the country's six-year conflict, Moscow has also supplied some wheat, which is critical for the production of the country's heavily subsidised staple flat bread.

"There are contracts being followed up with Russia," Abdullah al-Gharbi, the minister of internal trade and consumer protection, said in an interview.

"Now, there is a three-year contract we signed, and we are trying to secure finances for it from the Russian side," he said, adding the overall deal was for 3 million tonnes.

"We are importing around 1.7 million tonnes this year from Russia," Gharbi said.

U.S. and EU banking sanctions and asset freezes against Syria have made it difficult for some commodity trading houses to do business with the Syrian government, though trade with Russia poses fewer problems.

Russia's Agriculture Ministry declined to comment.

Syria has announced several large commercial deals for Russian wheat in the past twelve months, but none has so far been fulfilled, according to Russian customs data.

In September, a purchase of one million tonnes of Russian wheat was called off, a government source told Reuters.

Russian customs data show Russia supplied 125,200 tonnes of wheat to Syria in the 2016/17 marketing season, which ended on June 30.

Before the multi-sided conflict, Syria could produce 4 million tonnes of wheat in a good year and export 1.5 million tonnes. But the fighting has damaged and disrupted farms, seed distribution, mills and bakeries across the country, while the government also lost control of agricultural regions.

Last year, violence and a lack of rain brought the country's total harvest down to a 27-year low of 1.3 million tonnes, according to U.N. estimates, and the government collected 400,000 tonnes from areas it controls.

This year, Damascus has gathered 350,000 tonnes of wheat from farmers so far, Gharbi said.

The Russian imports will account for the bulk of the 2 million tonnes of wheat consumed annually in Syrian government territory.

But recent military advances have restored state control over fertile lands in the provinces of Deir al-Zor, Raqqa and Aleppo, Gharbi said, and the government expects to double its collection of wheat and cotton next year.

"Every time a region is liberated, the farmers deliver the wheat to us again," he said.

The government is also aiming to build its strategic wheat reserve to 1 million tonnes, Gharbi said. In August, he said Syria had more than six months' worth of reserves, up from just 17 days last year. (Reporting by Kinda Makieh in Damascus; Additional reporting by Polina Devitt in Moscow; Writing by Ellen Francis in Beirut; Editing by Tom Perry, David Clarke and Mark Potter)
DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Tanzania has awarded a $1.92 billion contract to a Turkish firm to construct a 422-km (262-mile) high-speed electric railway line, part of plans to overhaul ageing transport infrastructure.

The firm, Yapi Merkezi Insaat VE Sanayi As, will design and construct the railway line, the second infrastructure project won by the company in Tanzania this year.

"After assessment of the bids, Yapi Merkezi met the technical and financial requirements," Tanzanian state-run railway firm Reli Assets Holding Company Ltd (RAHCO) said in a statement on Friday.

Fifteen contractors submitted bids for the project.

The new standard gauge railway will replace the existing narrow gauge line built over a century ago.

The line, from Morogoro to Makutupora, both in central Tanzania, will have the capacity to transport 17 million tonnes of cargo each year, RAHCO said.

In February, Tanzania signed a deal worth $1.215 billion with a consortium of the Turkish firm and Portugals Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construcao Africa, S.A. to build another 300-km railway line.

RAHCO said it would award three additional tenders over the coming months for the construction of close to 700 km of railway.

Government officials said Chinese companies were vying with Turkish firms to be awarded tenders for construction of other sections of the railway line.

Tanzania wants to profit from its long coastline and upgrade its rickety railways and roads to serve the growing economies in east and central Africa.

In total, it wants to spend $14.2 billion over the next five years to build a 2,561 km standard gauge railway network connecting its main Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam to its hinterland.

The ports vast hinterland loops in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. (Reporting by Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala; Editing by Elias Biryabarema and Mark Potter)
JAKARTA/TORONTO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Freeport-McMoRan Inc , the world's second-largest publicly traded copper company, strongly disagrees with a proposed divestment plan by the government of Indonesia, the company said in a Sept. 28 letter to the state.

Freeport, which agreed in late August to divest a 51-percent stake in its Indonesian operations to the government under a framework agreement, said it is at loggerheads over multiple issues related to the valuation, timing and structure of the divestment.

"Freeport is prepared to discuss a path forward but cannot negotiate on the basis of the government's September 28 proposal," Chief Executive Richard Adkerson said in the letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

Freeport did not respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Wilda Asmarini and Fergus Jensen in Jakarta, and Susan Taylor in Toronto; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The United States does not recognize the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan and urges an end to "threats of reciprocal actions," U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement on Friday.

"The United States does not recognize the Kurdistan Regional Governments unilateral referendum held on Monday. The vote and the results lack legitimacy and we continue to support a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq," Tillerson said.

"We urge calm and an end to vocal recriminations and threats of reciprocal actions," he added. (Reporting by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by James Dalgleish)
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj

The Constitutional Assembly Steering Committee chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has laboured mightily and brought forth the Interim Report of proposals for an envisaged new Constitution. It would be premature to prognosticate on the reports potential future or delve deeply into its contents at this point of time.



Nevertheless it must be stated that the release of the report in the current political landscape was like a welcome shower on parched earth.



The Constitutional Assembly Steering Committees Interim Report was presented to Parliament in its Constitutional Assembly Avatar by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the committee Chairman. The Parliamentary debate on the interim report will be held for three days on October 9th, 10th and 11th respectively.



Thereafter if everything goes well as planned the final report would be compiled and completed by the end of the year and placed before the Constitutional Assembly/Parliament in January 2018

The Good Governance Govt. of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe formulated a different approach towards Constitution making as opposed to similar exercises in 1972 and 1978.



Initially a framework resolution was passed on March 9th 2016, by which all 225 Members of Parliament converted themselves into a Constitutional Assembly.



The Constitutional Assembly is chaired by the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. A constitutional assembly secretariat was also established.



Steering Committee

On April 5th 2016 the Constitutional Assembly set up a 21 member Steering Committee comprising Parliamentarians of different hues. The composition of the steering committee reflected the configuration of different political parties as represented in Parliament.



Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe became the Steering committees chairman. Other members of the Steering Committee are Lakshman Kiriella, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Rauff Hakeem, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, A. D. Susil Premajayantha, Rishad Bathiudeen, Patali Champika Ranawaka, D. M. Swaminathan, Mano Ganesan, Malik Samarawickrama, Rajavarothyam Sampanthan, Anura Dissanayake, Dilan Perera, Dinesh Gunawardena, Jayampathy Wickramaratne, M. A. Sumanthiran, Ms. Thusitha Wijemanne, Bimal Rathnayake, Prasanna Ranatunga and Douglas Devananda.



The Steering Committee identified 12 main subject areas. It was decided by the Steering Committee that certain subjects would be dealt with directly by the Committee itself. Those were Matters covered by Chapter 1 and 2 of the present Constitution, Nature of the State, Sovereignty, Religion, Form of Government, Electoral Reforms, Principles of Devolution and Land. The other six subjects were assigned to specially set up sub-committees.

Taken at face value this would indeed be a matter of great satisfaction but for the fact that in this instance there is more to it than which meets the eye. There are two good reasons for not viewing the interim report and its potential progress with rosy tinted spectacles.



The Constitutional Assembly at a sitting held on May 5th 2016, appointed six thematic Sub-Committees to assist the Steering Committee in drafting a constitutional proposal.

The six sub-committees and their themes are Fundamental Rights, The Judiciary, Law and Order, Public Finance, Public Services and Centre-Periphery Relations. Each Sub-committee consists of 11 members, including the Chairman. The six Chairmen were appointed from among the members selected to the Sub-Committees based on considerations of seniority.



Management Committee

The Steering Committee on April 28th 2016 resolved that a Management Committee should be appointed to make arrangements and facilitate the work of the Steering Committee, Sub-Committees, and all secretarial work including staff requirements. Accordingly, the following persons were appointed as members of the Management Committee: Jayampathy Wickramaratne, MP  Co-chairman, M. A. Sumanthiran, MP  Co-Chairman, Neil Iddawala, Chief of Staff, Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, and Secretary to the Steering Committee, Naufel Abdul-Rahman, Secretary to the Leader of the House of Parliament, Ms. Bimba Jayasinghe Tillekeratne PC, Additional Secretary (Legal Affairs) to the Hon. Prime Minister.



As stated earlier the Steering Committees task was to prepare the Draft Constitutional Proposal for consideration of the Constitutional Assembly. Once the Constitutional draft proposals were accepted and approved by the Constitutional Assembly with a two-thirds majority, it would be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers.

Thereafter the cabinet will approve it with or without changes and present the Constitutional provisions to Parliament as a bill to get passed by a two-thirds majority. Following which, the approval and sanction of the people would be obtained by way of an Island-wide referendum. With that Sri Lanka hopefully would once again have a new Constitution.



The steering committee was required to present both an interim report and a final report. The Reports of the six Sub Committees and another report by an ad-hoc Committee appointed by the Steering Committee were tabled before the Constitutional Assembly on 19th November and 10th December 2016 respectively.

Some of the viewpoints expressed are diametrically opposed to each others viewpoints. This makes one wonder as to how these contrasting standpoints could ever be bridged.



The Interim Report of the Steering Committee dealt with the remaining subjects that were not assigned to any Sub-Committee and also contained principles and formulations that reflected the deliberations of the Steering Committee. The Constitutional assembly Steering Committee met 73 times between April 2016 and September 2017.



The committee has finally accomplished the first part of its mandate through the presentation of its interim report on Sept 21st.



Ranil Wickremesinghe

There was no mistaking the visible sense of satisfaction exuded by Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe on the occasion of the interim reports release. It is indeed an indisputable fact that the driving force behind the new Constitution project is the prime minister himself. Learning perhaps from the mistakes made during previous Constitution drafting processes by the Constituent Assembly and the Parliamentary Select Committee respectively in 1972 and 1978, the prime minister, adopted an inclusive, consensual approach towards Constitution making this time. In evolving such an approach, Ranil Wickremesinghe seemed to have been influenced by the principles of inclusive, consultative governance adopted by the Lichchavi rulers of Maghada Kingdom in ancient India.



While the inclusive, consensual approach adopted by the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Govt. in formulating a new constitution deserves much kudos, it could also be argued that it was a case of making a virtue out of necessity. The United Front Govt of Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike in 1972 had 116 MPs (SLFP-91,LSSP-19, CP -06) in a Parliament of 157 when it passed the Republican Constitution. The government of J.R. Jayewardene in 1978 had 142 (UNP-141,CWC-01) in a Parliament of 168 when it passed the Democratic Socialist Republic Constitution. Since they had a two-thirds majority both Govts could act unilaterally without adopting a consensual, multi-lateral approach in Constitution making. Both Govts did act unilaterally then in 1972 and 1978.



The situation now is different. This Parliament is a hung Parliament. The UNP does not have even a simple majority in Parliament. The Good Governance Govt. consists of the UNP, SLFP (Maithri Faction), Jathika Hela Urumaya, Tamil Progressive Alliance, SLMC and ACPC. In order to garner a two-thirds majority in the current Parliament of 225, it is necessary to gain the support of the opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP).



Thus the device of adopting a broad consensual inclusive approach is very necessary to gain a two-thirds majority.



Two Noteworthy Aspects

However the current Constitution making process does have two noteworthy aspects. Firstly it is politically bi-partisan and secondly it is multi -ethnic. There may be doubts about the political legitimacy of Maithripala Sirisena leading the SLFP but in legal terms it is above board.



Thus for the first time the UNP and the SLFP are jointly involved in making a new Constitution together. Likewise the Tamil people of Sri Lanka represented by the TNA and TPA along with the Muslim parties led by Rauff Hakeem and Rishad Bathiudeen are also participating with the UNP and SLFP in the Constitutional process. This was not the case earlier when the Sri Lankan Tamils represented by the Tamil United Front (TUF) in 1972 and the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) in 1978 kept away from Constitution making respectively.



The culmination of the preliminary phase of the current Constitutional process is the recently released Steering Committee Interim report. An important feature of the Interim report is that it has been approved by every single member of the Steering committee consisting of 21 MPs. This in effect means that the interim report is a consensus document as far as the steering committee was concerned.



Taken at face value this would indeed be a matter of great satisfaction but for the fact that in this instance there is more to it than which meets the eye. There are two good reasons for not viewing the interim report and its potential progress with rosy tinted spectacles.



Drafters of the Report

Firstly, some of the political parties represented by the signatories have expressed contradictory positions in their observations annexed to the interim report.



Some of these are directly contrary to the perceived consensus in the report.



Apparently the parties concerned have revised their previous positions.



A few have even distanced themselves from the report by using the term drafters of the report.

This implies that though they had approved the interim report they had had nothing to do with the contents drafted by some other persons and so were not in agreement with some provisions.

Some of the political parties represented by the signatories have expressed contradictory positions in their observations annexed to the interim report.



Some of the viewpoints expressed are diametrically opposed to each others viewpoints. This makes one wonder as to how these contrasting standpoints could ever be bridged.



Secondly there has been an inordinate delay in presenting the report. Although the report had been finalised for presentation much earlier, it did not happen as planned.



Instead matters dragged on because of political filibustering by some political parties. This demonstrates a lack of commitment and sincerity among political parties involved that does not seem to augur well for the future.



Initially the new Constitution project began on a positive note. The inclusive, consensual approach adopted by the Prime minister in steering the Constitutional process was most refreshing. Ranil Wickremesinghe was praised by members of the SLFP, JVP, TNA, TPA and SLMC for his all embracing , cooperative , political conduct in the Constitutional exercise. The process gathered momentum steadily even though there was pessimism expressed in certain quarters.

There was however no overwhelming opposition to the Constitution making exercise in the early stages.

Firstly it is politically bi-partisan and secondly it is multi -ethnic. There may be doubts about the political legitimacy of Maithripala Sirisena leading the SLFP but in legal terms it is above board.



Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa went on record that a new Constitution was unnecessary and that crucial issues like the abolition of the executive presidency and electoral reform etc could be resolved by individual Constitutional amendments. Despite this public stance Mahinda did not declare war on the constitution making exercise. The Pro-Mahinda Joint opposition represented by Dinesh Gunawardena and Prasanna Ranatunga continued to be in the steering committee and did not attempt to rock the boat.



Sub-Committee Reports

Everything seemed hunky-dory in the preliminary stages and the process continued perfectly at remarkable speed. The sub-committee reports and even the first draft of the Steering committee interim report proposals were ready by November last year. The proposals had the approval of all 21 Steering committee members.



However, at crunch time only the sub - committee reports were presented to Parliament. The steering committee proposals were circulated among political parties. At that point most political parties requested time to study them and make pertinent observations. Chief among these was the Maithripala Sirisena led Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).



As stated earlier the six Sub-Committees had been mandated to develop constitutional principles for consideration of the Steering Committee in respect of the designated subject areas. The recommendations contained in the reports of the Sub-Committees were to be considered by the Steering Committee at the final stages of drafting constitutional proposals on the respective subject areas for the consideration of the Constitutional Assembly.



However the release of the reports and ensuing publicity caused much confusion. It was erroneously believed that the sub - committee reports were final and going to be part of the proposed constitution.

Thereafter the constitutional process began slowing down. The anti-government forces began criticising the constitutional process openly and belligerently.



There were accusations that Federalism was being introduced covertly through Constitutional proposals. Allegations were made that sinister international elements, NGOs with a hidden agenda and tigerish elements of the Tamil Diaspora were heavily influencing the Constitution making process. Sections of the Buddhist clergy too began expressing opposition.



Developing Cold Feet

This made several political parties involved in the constitutional process jittery. There began a trend of political parties seeking more time to make their observations known.



Although their representatives had participated in the Steering Committee and knew very well that there was nothing untoward taking place, these parties began developing cold feet.



They began taking up stances contrary to the general thrust of the embryonic draft proposals of the Steering Committee.

The familiar F word in Sri Lankan politics was also raised. It was alleged that the new constitution was going to turn Sri Lanka into a federal state. Although many ideas and concepts were being discussed within the steering committee, no final conclusion had been reached at that time. There was no final document or report. Still the counter propaganda went on. Sadly there was no effective rebuttal from the Govt. The Buddhist Mahanayakes after interacting with the Mahinda led opposition stated that a new Constitution was unnecessary.

The familiar F word in Sri Lankan politics was also raised. It was alleged that the new constitution was going to turn Sri Lanka into a federal state.



This caused some political parties to re-think their position. Wimal Weerawansa was the first to opt out of the Constitution making exercise. He and four other MPs belonging to the National Freedom Front (NFF) handed over letters announcing their resignation from the Constitutional Assembly to the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in July this year.



The letters mentioned ten reasons for quitting. The speaker Karu Jayasuriya tried in vain to make the NFF re-consider their stance by emphasising that nothing had been finalised yet. Weerawansa adamantly refused and quit. However, the rest of the Joint opposition in Parliament did not follow suit. Despite expressing criticism they remained in the Constitution making process.



Mahinda Rajapaksa

On another level the inner party crisis within the Sirisena led SLFP also got aggravated further. Some in the SLFP wanted to drop out of the Constitution making process. Some wanted to re-join Mahinda Rajapaksa. Some wanted a political re-union between Mahinda and Maithripala. Significantly enough a backtracking of position on the Executive Presidency being abolished could be seen.



The SLFP now wanted to retain the executive presidency. Most political observers opined that such a policy shift could not have been made without the sanction of President Sirisena. This in turn suggested a serious political split between the chief government partners the UNP and SLFP.

With many political parties having second thoughts about their viewpoints on the new Constitution there arose a situation where some of the originally agreed upon principles had to be amended or diluted.



Prime Minister Wickremesinghe however was not in favour of that. He wanted the interim proposals to retain as much of the consensus reached earlier as possible. Ranil was also not in favour of a main report along with other dissenting reports being presented. While taking note of diverse or dissenting views the Steering Committee chairman wanted the interim report to be a single, comprehensive one.

As such the steering committee took note of differing viewpoints by different parties and specifically incorporated them into the report as related observations

More importantly the Steering Committee adopted a somewhat open-ended approach in drafting the final proposals.



Instead of being firm and definite the terminology was more flexible with the key words The following formulation may be considered. This meant all points suggested were negotiable and not going to be rigidly imposed. It was also agreed - as stated earlier - to let the parties concerned express their different views in separate documents. These were to be attached to the interim report as annexures.

However the nomenclature used was observations as the premier did not want them to be termed annexures. The exact words used in the report are -Included in this Interim Report are observations and comments by Members of the Steering Committee on the principles and formulations contained in the Report.



Although the Constitution making exercise had been proceeding at a reasonable pace for many months, the progress underwent a lull in recent times. The Govt. itself appeared to be wary and somewhat lethargic in maintaining momentum. The main reasons for this were the growth of anti- Constitution propaganda in the country and the divergence between the UNP and SLFP on Constitutional issues particularly the future of the executive presidency. This caused much anxiety within the TNA as the alliance hierarchy has hitched its wagon firmly to the new Constitution star. The TNA feels the new Constitution is of utmost importance to achieve equality and reconciliation. The TNA started a campaign urging the international community to pressure the Govt. into moving forward with the Constitution making process.



High Profile Visits

Though the TNA was not directly responsible for them, two high profile visits to Sri Lanka in August by foreign dignitaries provided a fillip to the Constitution making process. One was by the US Acting assistant secretary of state for South Asia , Ms. Alice Wells.



The other was by Indian External Affairs Minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj. Both addressed the Indian Ocean conference in Colombo. Both utilised the visit to inquire into the progress of the new Constitution and urged the Govt. to finalise the Constitution project as early as possible.



Both Washington and New Delhi perceive the Constitutional process as being conducive to achieving inter -racial justice and ethnic reconciliation in Sri Lanka.



Apart from these visits there was some pressure in Geneva too when UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Al -Hussein was critical of Sri Lankas slow progress in his address to the UNHRC.



Thus the cumulative effect of international pressure from different quarters increased the impetus for the Govt. to move ahead. It was felt that the best way to reduce the foreign heat was to deliver on the Constitutional front. The Constitutional process got re-activated. While the international dimension did play a part, domestic political compulsions, in the final analysis, forced the Govt. to get its act together and expedite the Constitution making process.



The UNP-SLFP Govt. is not keen to face domestic polls at the present time. Elections to local authorities or Provincial Councils would force the Govt. partners UNP and SLFP to confront each other at the hustings.



Minor parties in the Govt. would also contest each other and also against the UNP and SLFP. More importantly in a major three-way electoral tussle among the Wickremesinghe led UNP, Sirisena -led SLFP and Rajapaksa -led Joint Opposition, the chief casualty was very likely to be Maithripalas grouping.



This in turn would affect party positions as many SLFPers may have returned to Mahindas feet. This could have resulted in the current political balance being upset.



Furthermore a new Constitution or major Constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament and yes vote in a referendum. To succeed at a referendum the Govt. and its allies must present a united front confidently.



All its energies and resources must be harnessed collectively towards winning the referendum. A local or provincial poll before the Constitutional referendum could threaten Govt. unity and also hamper the Constitution making effort.



As such the Govt. needs to avoid an election before the Constitution referendum is held. The Govt. feels that success in the Constitutional exercise would help consolidate itself and also undermine the Rajapaksas and their political cohorts.



The Larger Picture

This then was the underlying motive in the Govt. hastily amending laws regarding Local Authorities and Provincial Council elections.



The methods adopted by the Govt., particularly in introducing changes during the Committee Stages have come in for considerable flak.



Much of this criticism is valid and the Govt. deserves such condemnation. However, from the Govt. perspective such steps were needed to postpone polls. The Govt. would seek to justify its actions as the lesser of two evils and emphasise what it would term as the larger picture. In the eyes of the Govt. preserving coalition unity and passing a progressive constitution is more important than violating democratic norms in holding Local and Provincial polls.



The Govt. realises that the time available is limited. It cannot keep postponing elections indefinitely. Even if demarcation of constituencies for Provincial councils may take many more months, there is no valid justification for putting off local polls indefinitely. But the Govt. would not like to face such polls before the inevitable Constitutional referendum.

All its energies and resources must be harnessed collectively towards winning the referendum.

Winning that referendum and passing the new Constitution would bolster the Govt. and may help it to do well at provincial or local polls. Winning the referendum could also help politically diminish Mahinda and the opposition. For all this to happen the referendum must be held soon. To conduct the referendum the Constitution draft must be finalised soon. For the Constitution to be ready soon, the constitution making process must move speedily. Hence the Govt. got its act together and released the long awaited Steering Committee interim report.



In the days and weeks preceding the interim report release a not -so- subtle campaign has been underway to denigrate and undermine some provisions of the proposed Constitution as a sell- out of the Sinhalese in general and Buddhists in particular. It was propagated that Buddhism was to be dislodged from its present position in the Constitution.



It was also said that Sri Lanka was going to be turned into a Federal State.



Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

The most significant milepost in the campaign against the new Constitution was the Launching of Eliya (Light) by former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The Eliya movement appears to have a single issue agenda namely to oppose and prevent the enactment of new Constitution.

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in his keynote speech made on Sept 6th at the Golden Rose in Borelesgamuwa stated as follows -



After defeating 30 years of terrorism that was in this country, after we united this country as one, we cannot allow that victory to be betrayed through the constitution or through the parliament. Today, we have a great fear that through a new constitution our great victory would be nullified.



For that reason, academics and professionals representing various fields proposed that the need to oppose a new constitution in whatever form must be taken to the people. It is the mission of Eliya to do everything necessary to create that awareness and opposition among the people for a new constitution.



It is not that the current constitution is without fault. Yet, we oppose a new constitution because we feel a deep insecurity when we see who is drafting the new constitution, for whom and for what reason. We know where this is heading.



It is against this backdrop of a growing campaign opposing the proposed Constitution that the Constitutional Assembly Steering Committee Interim Report has been released. The interim report release has proved much of the propaganda against the envisaged Constitution to be wrong. Buddhism continued to retain its position while a creative compromise was achieved as far as the nature of the state was concerned. Instead of explicitly describing the state as unitary or federal, a middle way was found.Sri Lanka should remain one undivided and indivisible country the report emphasises.



Unitary and Federal

The Interim report goes on to explain this point and elaborate further. The report observes The President whilst speaking on the Resolution to set up the Constitutional Assembly, stated that whilst people in the south were fearful of the word federal, people in the north were fearful of the word unitary. A constitution is not a document that people should fear. The classical definition of the English term unitary state has undergone change. In the United Kingdom, it is now possible for Northern Ireland and Scotland to move away from the union. Therefore, the English term Unitary State will not be appropriate for Sri Lanka.



The Sinhala term aekiya raajya best describes an undivided and indivisible country. The Tamil language equivalent of this is orumiththa nadu.



The report goes on to say In these circumstances, the following formulation may be considered: Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is a free, sovereign and independent Republic which is an aekiya raajya / orumiththa nadu, consisting of the institutions of the Centre and of the Provinces which shall exercise power as laid down in the Constitution. In this Article aekiya raajya / orumiththa nadu means a State which is undivided and indivisible, and in which the power to amend the Constitution, or to repeal and replace the Constitution, shall remain with the Parliament and the People of Sri Lanka as provided in this Constitution.



As stated earlier it would be premature to prognosticate on the reports potential future or delve deeply into its contents at this point of time.



However, there has not been a big backlash so far against the report as anticipated in some circles. The perceived lull is very much akin to the proverbial calm before the storm. Much heat is likely to be generated as the Parliamentary debate in October draws near. The battle lines will be drawn clearly before, during and after the debate.



Crossroads of History

The proponents of a new Constitution are in for the long haul. Many twists and turns are likely to occur in the bitter political struggle that lies ahead. It remains to be seen as to whether the Govt and its allies have the courage and strength to stay the course and follow through with the process they have commenced until their mission is fulfilled.The people of Sri Lanka are at the crossroads of history. Will the people of this aekiya raajyaya/ orumiththa nadu march resolutely in their united journey towards the inevitable tryst with destiny.



D.B.S.Jeyaraj can be reached at dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com
More than half a million Rohingya Muslims have poured into Bangladesh in the last month, fleeing a vicious Myanmar military crackdown on Rohingya rebels that has gutted villages across northern Rakhine state.



Scores have drowned while trying to cross waters separating the two countries, while those who survive face new dangers as they cram into squalid refugee settlements where food and clean water are in short supply. The billowing humanitarian crisis prompted the UN Security Council to hold its first meeting on Myanmar in eight years.



UN chief Antonio Guterres exhorted Myanmars leaders to end the nightmare faced by Rohingya refugees fleeing an army campaign, after at least 19 people drowned with scores more feared dead when a boat carrying Rohingya families capsized off Bangladesh.



The bodies of 16 people -- mostly children -- were found Thursday and brought to a local school, said coastguard commander Nasir Uddin.



Two more bodies of young boys were retrieved Friday morning, he added, while another woman was washed ashore in a separate location.Speaking to the 15-member council, Guterres urged Myanmar to halt military operations and open humanitarian access to the conflict-wracked western region.



The situation has spiralled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare, he said, while calling for those displaced from the conflict to be allowed to return home.

UN, (Daily Mail), 29 September 2017
Ernst & Young (EY) Sri Lanka hosted its clients to a forum on sharing insights on the practical implementation of new Sri Lanka Accounting Standards.



SLFRS 9  Financial Instruments and SLFRS 15  Revenue from Contracts will come into effect January 1, 2018 and SLFRS 16  Leases will come into effect

January 1, 2019.



The event was attended by audit committee chairpersons, CEOs and CFOs of companies in Sri Lanka. The local leadership of the firm and two area leaders from Singapore  J.A. Chiang and the Philippines  Aris Malantic addressed

the gathering.



EY Sri Lanka Country Managing Partner Ruwan Fernando welcomed the invitees, highlighting the need for discussion on practical experience at a time when companies are just three months away from implementing two critical standards, SLFRS 9

and SLFRS 15.



The banks are at a crucial stage in their SLFRS 9 implementation process. There is no shortage of challenges facing senior management as they work towards balancing the cross functional ownership of the programme whilst delivering across risk, finance, business and technology functions.



EY Sri Lankan Practice Assurance Leader Manil Jayesinghe said, Under SLFRS 9, the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses on the balance sheet is intended to reflect the pattern of credit deterioration or improvement over the life of the instrument through the designation of a stage. Instruments that have not exhibited significant deterioration are designated as Stage 1. A 12-month expected credit loss is recorded on these instruments.



Where there has been significant deterioration in creditor, an incurred credit loss, the instrument is reported as Stage 2 and 3, respectively, with lifetime expected losses reported. The new model for impairment is likely to increase provisions of banks and finance companies. The increase in provisions will have a direct impact on the Tier I ratios under Basel III, he warned.



The forum also highlighted that SLFRS 16, the new leasing standard, would bring about a right of use asset on the balance sheets of lessees that may further erode capital, if they were considered as risk-weighted assets.



EY ASEAN Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Partner Aris Malantic shared his experience in implementing the new standard in major banks in the Philippines. He noted that the executive level sponsors, who take responsibility for the overall project implementation, including maintaining an integrated communication channel across risk, finance, business and technology, are a key success factor in the implementation process. Cohesive and detailed implementation plans that are underpinned by well-structured work streams with defined roles and responsibilities will support the governance of the project.



Financial statements depict the story of the actions of the business. The collaboration with business cannot be overemphasized in the implementation of SLFRS 9, as this will support the sustainability of the project in the long run, he said.



Financial Accounting Advisory Services Asia-Pac Leader J.A. Chiang highlighted to the audience that SLFRS 16  Leases will require most lessees to recognize a right of use asset on the balance sheet. The effort in identifying leases in organisations and capturing data requires changes to current processes and controls.



Addressing a gathering of audit committee members and CFOs of listed and specified business entities (SBE) in Sri Lanka, the EY team shared their experience in implementing SLFRS 15  Revenue from Contracts. The core principle of the standard is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Although the principle in the standard is logical, application of the standard is extremely complex.

Manil said, Our businesses are used to recording revenue based on the invoice value. The new standard requires you to start recognising revenue based on the contract with the customer. This will cause tremendous pressure on the data capturing ability of the

current processes.



Financial Accounting Advisory Services Sri Lanka Partner Hiranthi Fonseka shared the experience of EY Sri Lanka in terms of adopting the standard. Many industries such as FMCG, telecom, manufacturing, tourism, etc. will have its revenue impacted, where third parties are involved in distributing goods and services to the end consumer.



The determination of principle and agent is more clarified in the new standard and entities are compelled to establish transfer of control if the current practice of revenue recognition is to continue.

Some of the other industries that have challenges in terms of revenue recognition would be the IT sector, real estate sector and services sector.



Certain industries may be severely affected and others not so but every company will have to go through the process of evaluation of its contracts under the new principles, concluded Aris.
Marriage assumes such unique significance, a successful marriage is considered a synonym for the success in life. We all know either through experience or acquired intimate knowledge, failure in marriage means a great failure in life.



Success in marriage depends more on woman

There is a belief in Sri Lankan society that the success of marriage depends more on the woman than on the man. One may argue that this statement is a fallacy and both wife and husband are equally responsible for the success or the failure of marriage.



However, due to the common belief that the qualities and the character of the female partner greatly account for the success or the failure of a marriage, the Buddhists and the Hindus in particular have come to attach great significance to obtaining a reading of the horoscope of the bride-to-be to ascertain whether she would make a virtuous and devoted wife.



What ancient rishis and Vedic astrologers have said about women in their great works has lent strength to the belief that the female partner is greatly responsible for making a marriage a success or a failure. For example, ancient Indian Maharishis have said that marriage to a virtuous woman would nullify all Arishta yogas her husband is subject to.



Principles of Female Horoscopy

According to principles guiding Female Horoscopy, a woman is very fortunate if Moon and Jupiter as well as Mars and Venus are strongly posited in her horoscope. It is equally important to have the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and the 9th Houses free from malefic influences. Of course, it goes without saying that the Lagna, above everything must be strong. The best planet to occupy the Lagna of a female is the Moon.



If there are benefic planets in the 2nd House and the lord of the 2nd house is either associated with benefics or aspected by benefics, the woman would lead a very happy life after marriage.



Kama Triangle factor

The 3rd House of the Kama Triangle in the Natal Chart too is an important factor where marriage is concerned. A benefic posited in the 3rd House aspecting the 7th House is very favourable. If the 3rd House is ruled by a malefic and is occupied by another malefic and aspected by other malefics while the 2nd lord is associated with malefics, husband would not live long. If the 11th House is also affected in a similar manner while the 2nd is also afflicted, a similar fate would befall the husband.



Significant planetary positions

Malefics in the 7th House and the lord of the 7th House associated with malefics would delay the marriage. If either Jupiter or Venus aspects a strongly posited Mars occupying the 7th House, the female would be a voluptuous beauty who would marry a powerful person occupying a position of authority. If an afflicted Mars or a weak Mars in the 7th House is aspected by a malefic, marriage would either break up or would be plagued by constant quarrels between wife and husband. It is an important astrological principle, if Rahu is posited in the 7th House of a sign whose Navamsa is owned by Saturn in the Natal Chart of a female, both her husband and children would come to a tragic end. A girl would grow up into a charming and beautiful woman if the Moon is exalted in her horoscope. An exalted Moon in the 7th House signifies a successful marriage.



Strong Mars and Venus for early marriage - Moon and Jupiter for success in marriage

It is Mars and Venus who are responsible for bringing about an early marriage. The role of Jupiter and the Moon is to ensure that the marriage is a success. Saturn and Ketu would delay the marriage. Rahu and the Sun would either delay or quicken the marriage falling in line with the stronger one of the Mars  Venus and Saturn - Ketu combinations. Marriage is hastened when Saturn aspects Mars.



No marriage if Saturn aspects both Moon and Venus

A female with Saturn aspecting both Venus and the Moon in her horoscope would show no interest in marriage.



The most important House in a horoscope be it of a male or a female, is the 9th House or Punyasthana. Slow moving planets like Jupiter and Saturn lead to yogas that delay marriage. Saturn aspecting Venus who is posited in a sign owned by the former would definitely delay marriage. However, if Saturn aspects Mars from wherever he is, marriage is hastened.



Veteran astrologers say that if Saturn aspects the Moon from the 9th House marriage gets delayed. Jupiter in the 9th House would stall marriage, but when it happens it would be a great success.
Interbrand, the worlds largest brand consultancy has announced the Best Global Brands for 2017.

Now in its 18th year, the theme of this years Best Global Brands report is Growth In A Changing World, and examines three key components: People, Technology and Brands. The combined total value of the worlds top brands, US$1,871,730 million is an increase of 4.2 percent from the previous year, while 42 percent of that amount can be found in the Top 10 brands on the table.



The Top 10

Interbrand has named Apple, Google, and Microsoft as the three most valuable brands in the world, with technology as the dominant sector. This year, the list also features three new entrants: Ferrari at #88, and Netflix and Salesforce.com, who make their first appearance on the list, at #78 and #84.

We are living in one of the most exciting periods of change  societal, technological, industrial  that impacts every aspect of commerce and life, said Jez Frampton, Global CEO of Interbrand.



In this ever-shifting context, growth becomes more challenging, which is why businesses need brands more than ever. The Best Global Brands understand that brands are the platform for growth.

For five consecutive years, Apple and Google continue to hold the top positions. Apples brand value grew by 3 percent to US$ 184,154 million, as Googles brand value grew by 6 percent to US$141,703 million. Microsoft rose to #3, as one of sixteen brands with double-digit percent growth. Closely following Coca-Cola at #4 is Amazon, Samsung, Toyota, and Facebook, which breaks into the Top 10 for the first-time at #8 (up from #15 last year). Mercedes-Benz and IBM round out the Top 10. Frampton said the most significant change in the list is the continued rise of technology-centric brands, especially among the Top 10.



The five Top Growing Brands include Facebook (48 percent growth) who leads for the second year running, Amazon (29 percent), Adobe (19 percent), Adidas (17 percent), and Starbucks (16 percent).

More than half of the Best Global Brands came from four sectors: Automotive (16), Technology (15), Financial Services (12), and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (9). Retail is the top growing sector in percentage terms (19 percent), followed by Sporting Goods (10 percent), Technology (8 percent), Logistics (7 percent), and Financial Services (6 percent). Commenting on the 2017 annual report, Ashish Mishra, Interbrand India Managing India, said, Growth in a changing world is best exemplified by South Asian markets which include one of the worlds fastest growth markets and the one that is undergoing maximum change.



Our objective through Best Global Brands and the Best Sri Lankan Brands league table launching in November 2017 is to raise the bar for Sri Lankan brands through our global best practices. For example, Samsung, which entered the ranking in 2001 and is now ranked at #6 invested heavily in R&D to improve its product.



Second, it developed a brand platform and brand architecture that laid the foundation for all marketing activities.



This meant that they could shape peoples perceptions in a coordinated and consistent manner, while creating greater impact and operational efficiencies at the same time.



Michel Nugawela, CEO, MND/Sri Lanka partner for Interbrand said, Interbrands Best Sri Lankan Brands league table would be modeled on Best Global Brands so the worlds gold standard in brand valuation methodology will be used for the ranking.



As well as providing a rigorously analyzed valuation number, Interbrands methodology also brings together market, brand, competitor, and financial data into a single, value-based framework within which the performance of the brand can be assessed and improved, and the financial impact of investing in the brand quantified.
The International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL), an affiliate of the largest Business Chamber in the world, will hold its 51st Annual General Meeting at the Hotel Galadari, Colombo today.



Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and The Maldives will grace the event as the Chief Guest while Una McCauley, the UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Sri Lanka will attend the Annual General Meeting as the Guest of Honour. Secretary to the President Austin Fernando will also grace the AGM as a special guest of honour.
The Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Venerable Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera and the Buddha Sasana Karya Sadaaka Mandalaya, a leading Buddhist organization, has opposed certain sections of the Interim Report on the new Constitution that was presented by the steering committee of the Constitutional Assembly recently.

A statement issued by the organization said the report has suggested the inclusion of "Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is a free, sovereign and Independent Republic (aekiya rajya/orumiththa nadu) consisting of the institutions of the Centre and the provinces which shall exercise power as laid down in the Constitution when defining the nature of State.

However, it said the Tamil word orumiththa nadu means united. The organization said this could be an attempt to achieve federalism. Additionally, it said it was opposed to an alternate section being included in the report on the status of Buddhism in the country.

Accordingly, the organization said it is opposed to the wording that had been included which states that other faiths would not be discriminated against while giving the foremost place to Buddhism. It is not clear as to this applies in this situation when other religions are not subjected to discrimination even now".

The statement has been signed by Venerable Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera, Venerable Welihitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera, Venerable Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, President, All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara and Jagath Sumathipala along with a host of other monks and laymen. (Yohan Perera)
Vidhya wanted to be a journalist, she planned to study mass media in India

Despite being displaced, several schools refused her admission because Vidhya did not have a piece of paper -Leaving Certificate.

When we tried to admit her to Punkuduthivu school, the authorities refused to admit her because she was not there for four years.

Several days prior to this incident, she went to bring a white frock that was given for tailoring and Swiss Kumar and the group had waited for her in a van

According to her, several suspects had turned up to their home before bringing her daughters body. One suspect had gone close to the goat that was looked after by Vidhya and it had gored him. When he had tried to hit it with a stick, she had scolded him not to do so

In the aftermath of death sentence to convicts a meeting with the mother of the 18-year-old girl, who was gang-raped and murdered brings out the apathy that exists among school system and some Police officers.



The most gruesome and tragic murder that took place in Punkuduthivu in Jaffna sent shock waves across the country in 2015.



Seven of the nine accused in Sivaloganathan Vidhyas abduction, rape and murder, were sentenced to death by a three-judge bench of Jaffna High Court on Wednesday, September 27.



Jaffna High Court Judge M. Ilanchezhiyan, while sentencing them said the first and the seventh accused should be released due to lack of evidence against them.



The seven men found guilty were also sentenced to 30 years rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay Rs. seven million as compensation to Vidhyas family and in the event they failed to pay, the Jaffna High Court ruled their term of imprisonment should be extended.



18-year-old Sivaloganathan Vidhya of Punkuduthivu in Jaffna was abducted, gang-raped and murdered on May 13, 2015.



After two years of hearing this murder case, the bench of three judges passed death sentence to seven accused who were found guilty of the charges of abduction, gang-rape and the murder of the Shivaloganathan Vidhya.



Following the landmark judgment, Vidhyas mother, Shivaloganathan Saraswathy spoke to the media.

My daughter Vidhya kept a dog called Kutti. On the day of this tragedy, that dog had come and searched the daughter. Later it brought one of her shoes and kept it near her brother and had run. Then, my son also ran after it and screamed having seen the daughter



Shivaloganathan Saraswathy, the mother of the victim offered thanks to all, irrespective of Sinhala, Tamils or Muslims, who made efforts to mete out justice to her daughter. She said that Vidhyas father became so ill due to the murder of Vidhya that he was not in a position to speak.



When journalists went to her house in Punkuduthivu, she was preparing meals for Vidhyas father who is seriously ill.



This is how Vidhyas mother Saraswathy started the story of her daughters tragic incident.



We resided in Punkuduthivu. Many villagers were displaced to Jaffna and other places due to the war in the 90s. We went and lived in Mankulam. Vidhya was born in November 1996 in Mankulam. Her elder sister and brother were born in 1991 and 1993 respectively. Vidhya attended the Tamil Mixed School in Thunukkai and she got high marks at the scholarship examination and passed. Following the announcement of results another student had hit her with a chalk duster. This is because she had got better results.



As a result of the chalk dust that spread in her eyes, she had got eye-sore and was unable to go to school for about two days.



Since the infection became complicated we took Vidya to Colombo for treatment, she said.



She added that it was with great difficulty that she took her to Colombo and treated the daughter at a private hospital. During this period the mother and the daughter had to put up in a relatives house in Colombo.



An eye- surgery had been performed in Colombo and she had to return to Jaffna. However Vidhya was kept in the relatives house for follow up treatments.



In the meantime, they returned to Punkuduthivu due to fierce war in Vanni and her husband was injured due to shrapnel of a mortar shell. He was working as a labourer for daily wages although he worked earlier as a cashier in a boutique.



Although we tried to admit her to a school in Colombo when she was there, we failed in our attempt to do so. This is because we couldnt get her school leaving certificate.



She came back to Punkuduthivu after four years. When we tried to admit her to Punkuduthivu School, the authorities refused to admit her because she was not there for four years.



However, after a test, the Principal concerned admitted her to grade nine because she got high marks. Later, she got through GCE (O/L). After O/Ls, she selected Arts subjects for the Advanced Level because she was toying with the idea to become a journalist. She was planning to go to India to study mass media.



That is why she learned Hindi as well. They committed this heinous crime when she was in first year of A/L, Saraswathy said.



Several days prior to this incident, she went to bring a white frock that was given for tailoring and Swiss Kumar and the group had waited for her in a van.



On the day of the incident I gave the tea in a hurry because she had got late and we made a complaint to the Kurikattuwan Police Post due to her inordinate delay after school. But they refused to accept it. Then I went to Kayts Police, they also ignored. They said that my daughter is young and that she must have eloped with a boy and that she would come back after two or three days. Then we went in search of her everywhere on our own.



I went home and my son also went in search of her the following day. The people in the boutique in the nearby junction said that they did not see Vidya that day. She said that her son who continued the search received threats.



According to her, several suspects had turned up to their home before bringing her daughters body. One suspect had gone close to the goat that was looked after by Vidhya and it had gored him. When he had tried to hit it with a stick, she had scolded him not to do so.



After her death, her father was unable to talk and he did not talk after that.



After this incident, the Kayts Police did not investigate the incident properly. It had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). People in the area had to protest demanding a proper investigation. The CID came to the village in search of evidence and they did a good job.



Officers Nishantha Silva, Raheem and Kumar Ratnam of Attorney Generals Department took great pains to investigate this case. Im indebted to them for helping to get justice done.



They were not influenced by the monetary gains. We accept the verdict given by the judges. They have carried out the justice.



We thank them. We thank all those who protested for justice. We thank the President for intervening in this case. I say again that there were about 15 Police Officers, who took great pain to bring justice to Vidhya, when the Police in the area fail to do so. The CID played a prominent role in this regard. What I am going to say at last is that I do not want a single cent from the criminals because it will not bring back my daughter. I wish no mother should undergo the pain and the suffering I underwent, she said.

Courtesy Lankadeepa
By Supun Dias

In the aftermath of the decision by the government to ban the use of polythene lunch sheets, rigifoam boxes and shopping bags, with effect from the beginning of this month, New Nawaloka Trading is introducing oxo-biodegradable (OBD) additives so that they could convert long-life polyolefin plastic bags to degrade after a pre-programmed lifespan of complete mechanical integrity.



Therefore, it is an optimum approach to the environmental pollution and its consequences, according to its manufacturer, EnerPlastics  a company based in the UAE.



New Nawaloka Trading CEO V. Ganesh said that the relationship with EnerPlastics is over two decades and the innovative products introduced to the Sri Lankan market have always been recognized by many of their customers over the years.



EnerPlastics OBD additive masterbatches are introduced to plastic films at the manufacturing stage; the additives are dosed at very low level, which ensures that the commercial product (film) would have a guaranteed mechanical strength and other properties for a minimum period (usually 12 months) after manufacturing.



At an event held at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel to introduce this product, EnerPlastics Research Specialist Rashad Hasnain said, We believe that the timing is very important because this will help our stakeholders to overcome the challenges faced due to the present crisis. If you take the global record, more than 230 million tonnes of plastic are produced for a year but only 7 percent is recycled out of that. OBD will make sure that the process is faster when it comes to decomposition.



If you take the mechanism of polyethylene biodegradation known as oxo-biodegradation, it is involved in two stages. These are: abiotic (photo or thermo) oxidation and microbial biodegradation, he added.



Initial abiotic oxidation is an important stage as it determines the rate of the entire process. In this stage, polyethylene is oxidized leading to reduction of its molecular weight significantly. The main factors that influence abiotic oxidation are heat and sunlight. They are crucial for both reduction of molecular weight and the production of low molecular weight compounds that can be assimilated easily by the microorganisms. The organometallic constituents act as a catalyst in oxidizing the polymer molecule to a state where it is converted as food to soil microbes, fungi, bacteria, he noted.

EnerPlastics OBD can be used for all applications in which conventional polyolefins are suitable. EnerPlastics is an excellent one-stop shop with the other colour and additive masterbatches available. EnerPlastics CEO Akther Aman and EnerPlastics Sales Manager were also present at the event.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva and Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam visited the Grade 7 Smart Class at Jayawardenepura Vidyalaya yesterday. The Prime Minister also participated in the lessons along with the children. Smart Class concept is being carried out as a pilot project in Sri Jayewardenepura MV with a view of digitalizing Sri Lankan schools.

Pic by Pradeep Pathirana
Government Information Department Director General Ranga Kalansooriya has reportedly resigned from his post.

Dr. Kalansooriya, a senior journalist and former director general of the Sri Lanka Press Complaints Commission was appointed as DG Government Information Department in June last year.

He is also the Regional Advisor for Asia Pacific at International Media Support in Denmark.
Belgium is ready to share experience with Sri Lanka in the ongoing constitutional reform process, Belgium Foreign Affairs Minister Didier Reynders said.

He expressed these view upon meeting Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana at the Belgium Foreign Affairs Ministry in Brussels on Wednesday.

Minister Reynders also informed that Belgium was willing to offer diplomatic training to Sri Lanka Foreign Service Officers.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Ministry said Minister Marapana briefed his Belgium counterpart on the progress Sri Lanka has made in bringing about reconciliation, strengthening good governance practices and respecting human rights.

Minister Marapana invited Minister Reynders to visit Sri Lanka at an early opportunity. The two Ministers noted the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Ministers also discussed the opportunities to expand trade and investment in the context of the EU GSP+ facility, which was restored to Sri Lanka this year.

Mention was also made of the Belgium companies currently engaged in the infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka and the growing number of tourists arriving from Belgium.

It was noted that a business delegation from Sri Lanka will visit Belgium early next year as a follow up to the Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) visit a few months ago.
Yesterday, the world marked the International Day for the Universal Access to Information. Fittingly, we in Sri Lanka, celebrate seven months since the Right to Information (RTI) Bill was enacted.

The product of a slow and steady reform process, RTI is a milestone in Sri Lankas history.



Yet how many citizens know about its benefits?

As open access to information takes international centre stage today, Im hoping Sri Lankas RTI Bill, one of the worlds most comprehensive, will get the attention it deserves.

There is indeed much to celebrate.



Civil society organisations and private citizens are putting Sri Lankas RTI to the test. Diverse requests have been filed, from questions relating to how investments are made for the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to how soil and sand mining permits have been allotted in districts like Gampaha.



Interestingly, people living in rural areas are more aware -- and vocal -- of their rights to know than people in urban areas. The government is making steady progress. In the last six months, more than 3,000 information officers have been recruited. An independent RTI Commission enforces compliance and acts on those who do not follow the law. If, for example, an information officer refuses to release information pertaining to a citizens life, they must provide a valid reason or face legal penalties. In the next few years, the Sri Lankan bureaucracy faces the huge task of revamping its record management, including its land registration system.



This reform is an opportunity to live up to RTIs ambitions of open governance and help citizens access land title information and records that give them a legal title to their property. For many citizens, acquiring or passing a piece of land to ones children remains a complex procedure. Grievances vary from registering land for business or residential purpose to

claiming ownership.



Bribes to local government to expedite (illegal) construction or retrieve title deeds of land are allegedly all too common.



From my many conversations with Sri Lankans  or what I overheard in the office or public transportation I noticed that one of the things people complain most about is

land administration.



And rightfully so. It currently takes nine steps and 51 days to register a property. And while the government aims to reduce the process to an ambitious two steps and five days, this is still a far cry from a modern and transparent land administration system. In the spirit of openness expressed in RTI, a critical decision will be to digitize land administration to make the process simpler and more accountable to citizens.



I recently attended a two-day workshop where all agencies involved in land administration came together to understand how they can better address the bottlenecks that so many Sri Lankans experience.



The meeting, attended by the minister and secretary of the Lands and Parliamentary Reforms Ministry and the surveyor general focused on the policies that need to be formulated to establish a user-centric and effective land administration system within a reasonable timeframe in Sri Lanka.



Fixing the system will resolve one of the largest drawbacks to improving the countrys Doing Business ranking.



Having these systems in place would support the implementation of the RTI as these would be proactive measures to help citizens access information in a timely manner and would also help the government officials to do their job better.



As we celebrate #AccessToInfoDay, I encourage you to engage and let us know your experience practicing your right to know.



(Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough is Country Director for World Bank, Sri Lanka and the Maldives)
The paththuwa has a therapeutic effect that helps the merging of the broken bones by inducing calcium production and also heals damaged blood vessels,- Dr. K. A. Nirosha Tharangani, Senior Medical Officer, CMC



Sticks and stones can break your bones. But there are so many other ways to fracture your bones. Its no pleasant experience at all. In fact it is very painful. Ayurveda is a very well-known form of alternative medicine when it comes to treating fractures in Sri Lanka. Dr. K. A. Nirosha Tharangani, Senior Medical Officer, CMC, who serves in the Ayurveda Specialized Treatment Centre at Kollupitiya (Colombo 3) provided an insight into the treatment of fractures through Ayurveda.

What is a fracture?

Simply, a fracture is a break in the bone. According to Dr. Tharangani, a fracture can be classified under 2 types. They are simple fractures and compound fractures. A simple fracture is when a bone breaks into two but does not pierce the skin. During such a fracture the bone is not exposed to the air. But a compound fracture is a more serious condition. In a compound fracture, the break in the bone causes the bone to pierce through the skin and protrude. There are multi-fractures also where bones are broken in several places, said Dr. Tharangani.



How serious are fractures?

The severity of the fracture depends on the force that causes the injury. Regardless whether the fracture is mild or severe, it is painful. However Dr. Tharangani stated that simple fractures are treatable through Ayurveda. She said that the bone can be restored to the normal conditions 100%. But the medical officer also accentuated that compound fractures are severe. Compound fractures are surgical conditions which require surgery and I do not recommend Ayurveda treatment for compound fractures. We as doctors, be it Ayurvedic or otherwise, look into the best interests of the patient because a patients life is very valuable. As an Ayurvedic doctor I strongly advise against Ayurvedic treatments for patients with compound fractures. Ayurveda is inappropriate for compound fracture and multi-fracture treatments, she explained.



Causes for fractures

Fractures can occur through traumatic incidents. Injuries during sports, accidents associated with vehicles and falls are listed as traumatic incidents. When a patient suffers from ailments such as osteoporosis, the bones weaken. This gives way to fractures easily despite the fall or accident being a minor one. This is common among the elderly who suffer from weakened bones, stated Dr. Tharangani.



Dos and Donts

When a person experiences a fall or is involved in an incident this may cause an injury. The injury could be a sprain, a tear or a fracture. The condition could be any of the above. While fractures are deciphered by an excruciating pain that could even cause the collapse of the patient, tears and sprains are also painful. These conditions are often misunderstood. So it is strongly advised that the patient immediately seeks medical attention. If the patient mistakes a fracture for a sprain and tries to self-treat it, the condition would worsen. Some patients use the aid of an ice pack to reduce pain. Even this is inappropriate. Dr. Tharangani explained the steps that have to be taken after the injury. In Ayurveda, we strongly advise against the use of an ice pack following a fracture as we believe it could cause blood clots and muscle tightening and aggravate the condition of the patient. Dont move the injured area at all. Tie the place of injury with a cloth and bring the patient for medical treatment immediately, she advised. Upon consultation with the patient, an X-ray is prescribed. Depending on the X-ray, the condition of the injury is diagnosed and if it is a simple fracture, it is treated through Ayurveda. In the case of a multi-fracture, Ayurvedic treatment is inappropriate as it demands surgical treatment.



The procedures

A Plaster of Paris cast is your usual fracture first aid. But in Ayurveda, first aid treatment is different. Dr. Tharangani explained the procedure. The bones are set into place after oils are applied to the injured area. It is then sustained with wooden splinters and a paththuwa, she said. The word paththuwa is often heard in Ayurveda. The Ayurvedic doctor explained that a paththuwa is an Ayurvedic paste. It is made using all sorts of herbs by boiling them. These contents are then mixed and ground into a paste. The paththuwa has a therapeutic effect that helps the merging of the broken bones by inducing calcium production and also heals damaged blood vessels. The herbs used in the paste vary according to the patient and the fracture condition,she explained.



When patients keep their injury part of the body immobilized, they will experience stiffness in the joints. So we provide physiotherapy by teaching the patient small exercises, so as to avoid stiffness in the injured area, she added.



It is important not to wet the injured area after receiving treatment. If the fracture is wrapped up with just a paththuwa, we usually instruct the patient to wash the injured area with hot water prior to the next consultation. If the fracture is wrapped up with wooden splinters, patients should never remove them. It is something that only the doctor should do, Dr. Tharangani affirmed.



Fracture frequency

On inquiry, Dr. Tharangani stated that the amount of fracture injuries has increased substantially. With the onset of the rains, the number of patients with fractures arriving at the Ayurveda Centre has increased. An increase is seen especially in Colombo city limits. The elderly and small people form the majority among these patients. It is usually simple fractures that are very common in Sri Lanka. Compound fractures occur very rarely and that too during very severe accidents,she said.
The fund flows to the current account of the countrys external account remained mixed in July.

The earnings from tourism in July slipped by 1.8 percent YoY to US $ 352.5 million while worker remittances were up by 3.4 percent YoY to US $ 592.1 million after falling four months in a row.



However, the inflows from tourism during the first seven months were up 3.6 percent YoY to US $ 2.1 billion but the remittances during the same period were down by 5.7 percent YoY to US $ 3.9 billion.

This week the Central Bank said the falling remittances partly caused by slowdown in migrant workers is a blessing in guise because there is an acute shortage of workers in Sri Lanka in multiple sectors.



During July, the financial account of the external account received US $ 269.6 million from foreign investments in government securities and long term loans raised.



Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund also released US $ 167.2 million, its third tranche of its US $ 1.5 billion extended fund facility.

As a result of these fund flows, the overall balance of payment position by the end of July 2017 recorded a surplus of US $ 1.45 billion from US $ 356 million during the same period last year.
I first met Mano during my last year at school at Bishops College, when she and her brother Dinkar taught us shorthand and typing.



As the daughter of Lawrie Muthukrishna, who began The Polytechnic, the first ever school of this kind in Colombo, it was inevitable that Mano should follow in her eminent fathers footsteps, first work with him and then run the school with her two brothers, who were devoted to her, Prabhaker and Dinkar.

Later on in the swinging sixties, we got very close to each other through The National Council for Child and Youth Welfare and organised many fundraising projects together working well together as a team. Our projects included the Miss Sri Lanka contests for the Council. It was through her that I started writing.



She had noticed through reports and other documents I wrote, that I had a talent for writing and loved the English language. Mano had a regular column in The Sun, owned by the Dawasa Group headed by the late Sepala Gunasena. She was planning a trip abroad , which was to be fairly long stay overseas and introduced me to the late Mr. Sepala Gunasena and Mr D.B. Dhanapala the owner and editor of this group and suggested that I take over the column while she was away. Both of them readily agreed and I will never forget that they gave me my first break as a writer. I had never written here, although I had studied journalism in London. I wrote the column, while Mano was away, and to my surprise, both of them insisted that I do another, my own column after she returned. Mano and I continued our friendship; our two late husbands, George and Chandra knew each other and got on well with each other and we enjoyed many enjoyable evenings and outings together. Her two daughters, Romola and Sharadha would sometimes be dropped at my home before I married for me to teach them cooking. She was one of the first to visit and support me when my children were born and even designed the decor of the room for my first-born.



Mano was a pioneer in more avenues than one. In spite of continuing as Hands on Head of the Polytechnic, after the deaths of her two brothers, her great social conscience made her begin the first Zonta Club here and later on the SAARC Womens Association. It was her brainchild to introduce the Women of Achievement awards. Im glad that her gestures are much appreciated and that there was two minutes silence for her at the last Zonta awards ceremony at which I was present. She was a devout Christian and attended Sunday service at The Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, where I worship too, and helped the Church in innumerable ways. Her daughter Romola follows her footsteps both at the Polytechnic, as the representative of the Trinity College of Music and in her Christian duty to the Anglican Church. Mano loved all her grandchildren and was proud of them all, but perhaps Sujith her first grandson was her particular favourite and they certainly shared a very special bond which was obvious to all who had the privilege of seeing them together. Friends that she was very close to through several decades were the late Janet Balasuriya, Mallika Hemachandra and Joan Forbes.



It can be a tough and lonely business being a courageous pioneer and being a single mother for many years. She did an admirable job with her children, educated them and brought them up with the right values and principles to face challenges, and overcome theme with courage. Ever since I first met her, Mano always impressed me as a warm, outgoing endearing personality, affable, inordinately friendly and blessed with beguiling natural charm.



There was nothing artificial or hypocritical about her. She has left her children and grandchildren a legacy to be proud of and will Im sure continue to guide and inspire them from above. Her gracious and graceful presence will be missed in all gatherings at which we met so often, for such a long period of time.



Im glad that I had the privilege of such a long acquaintance with such an unique, unforgettable personality.
Sri Lanka has been on the active lookout to improve its bilateral trade with the economic giants and the United States (US) is one of them. The interest is observed to be mutual, given the number of initiatives taken place in the recent past. However, to pick up pace that would allow both nation to reap the much-needed economic benefits, a number of issues are yet to be ironed out, largely by Sri Lanka. Mirror Business recently met with the newly appointed Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asian Affairs Mark Linscott, who was in Sri Lanka for the first time to explore the potential opportunities. Linscott has been Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asian Affairs since December 2016. In this position, he is responsible for development of trade policy with the countries comprising South and Central Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. He leads efforts in the bilateral Trade Policy Forum with India and in Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) with Central Asia, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. During the brief discussion, the key official shared his views on the relationship between the two counties, areas of patching up and the potential to grow together in a win-win manner. Following are the excerpts from the interview.

Tell us about the reason for your visit to Sri Lanka?

I am here because our trade relations are important. I am relatively new to the region  that is South and Central Asia. This is my first visit but there is so much going on. Sri Lanka has such an exciting and complicated history. Our view is that the county has a lot of economic potential in particular with the coalition government. It seems like a very good first opportunity to be here and talk to some counterparts and also to provide some insights with regard to the new administrations trade policy.



Who have you been engaging with?

We have had a variety of meetings at the Industry and Commerce Ministry, International Development Ministry, Finance Ministry, the Central Bank and those institutions and agencies that have responsibility with trade and international economic policy.



How important is Sri Lanka as a trading partner for the US and why? Where would you place it amongst its regional peers?

Among the regional peers, each country is unique. So, it will be difficult to provide any specific comparison or prioritization. We have significant trade with Sri Lanka but it is obviously not one of our largest partners. We are the largest export market for Sri Lanka but frankly we would like to see more exports from the US as we currently account for less than 3 percent. Sri Lanka definitely has some natural advantages in terms of its position in the Indian Ocean, the Port of Colombo being a hub and being a crossroad for its neighbours. With the coalition government pursuing many reforms, we certainly see many new trade opportunities.



You mentioned you would like to see more exports from the US. So in that endeavour, are there any specific plans from your end to capitalize on Sri Lankas upcoming hub status?

The new administrations trade policy is very focused on increasing trade and the US exports to all regions of the world. So South Asia is not unique in that respect. We have our own interest to boost economic growth and trade is a big part of that.



The TIFA talks held last year saw the establishment of a US-Sri Lanka Joint Action Plan to boost trade and investment. What is its progress?

In many aspects, it is still a work in progress. Even with the conversations I have been having with the relevant ministries and agencies here in Sri Lanka, we have been interested in exploring how it can be enhanced and perhaps be a bit more focused. We actually have an event related to the GSP programme, a generalized system of preferences. We have an official from Washington, an expert in this area and we will be able to provide information on the scope of the programme and how the Sri Lankan exporters can take that advantage. We are also looking at new aspects to the programme. Its scope is being increased to include travel goods and items such as luggage, backpacks, tote bags and similar items.



We are also very interested in pursuing some of our export interest, the extent to which Sri Lanka is building up; an economic and trade system that needs world-class standards is of great interest. We have already had some conversations about some key areas, reforms that are under consideration, ways to increase trade and achieve economic growth. There have been, with respect to tariffs, many additional charges that have been applied to the US exports and we would love to see some reduction of those. There have been lots of concerns around that. Transparency in procurement and ensuring that our companies have a fair opportunity to win contracts is important. There have been some challenges in the public procurement system in the past. Those are the areas we have been discussing in moving forward with the action plan.



The US continues to be the single largest export destination for Sri Lankan products and the island nation is quite comfortable with that, given there has been less diversification with regard to the markets it caters to. Having said that, there is always room for improvement as Sri Lanka is in need to increase its overall exports. What new areas show potential?

I would suggest that Sri Lanka actively looks at increasing exports globally and not just with the US. We are the largest for Sri Lanka but efforts to increase foreign direct investment (FDI), which is a priority for the government, could present new opportunities to expand in certain sectors to increase the base. For example, the IT sector  it is an area Sri Lanka has experienced tremendous growth in the recent years  big increases in exports. We have advocated for Sri Lanka to join the WTO technology agreement, which would involve reduction in tariffs in certain IT products. By joining this agreement, Sri Lanka would see more investment into the sector and will have new opportunity to export more.



There is a trade imbalance between the two countries. Are there any efforts to bridge that gap  that is for the value of exports to Sri Lanka to surpass imports?

A number of areas, from manufactured goods to agriculture products, to services sectors, for example, in the agriculture products, we have had strong interest with respect to poultry and to have an agreement for poultry trade to take place. I just learnt that our medical devices do not have access. So, we will be looking at that. In the finance sector, Sri Lanka in terms of domestic capital, cannot meet many of the needs for investment. More access to financial services would provide mutually beneficial outcomes. US companies investing in Sri Lanka would allow additional resources available for financing local investments.



How about the area of education?

It is an area of the action plan where not much has been done. Frankly I am not very familiar with some of those specific ideas.



With the new US presidency there are drastic changes in policies, trade included. Would Sri Lanka be impacted by this? If so, how can it cushion itself?

Yes. The new administration is very focused on bilateral initiatives and negotiations in certain areas. As it has been made aware, the new administration declined to be part of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). There is much emphasis on trade deficit, particularly with those countries with which we have very large deficits. We do too with Sri Lanka, a relatively small one compared to what we have with the others. By working together, for example to increase FDI into Sri Lank, it will also allow more opportunities for the US to increase exports and potentially rebalance a little bit the

trade numbers.



What is your take on Sri Lankas economy in terms of liberalization? Is it liberalized enough to boost trading initiatives?

Again in the area of FDI, an area of clear priority for the government, there remains in many sectors foreign equity thresholds. The non-transparent procedures for approving new investment on a real case by case basis  that is an example of where more can be done. Historically there has been a wide variety of additional charges that are applied above the tariff schedule. That increases the cost associated with importing into Sri Lanka and also increases the lack of predictability in terms of exports.



A number of initiatives are observed between the US and Sri Lanka. So, in that context, what is your outlook of this relationship in the medium to long term?

We certainly hope and are working towards a strong bilateral relation in many different fronts. We expect mutual interest in being stable, transparent, having the principle of good governance and economically working together so Sri Lanka can realize its full potential. Being where it is, having a port like Colombo, there clearly is much more potential in increasing trade from and into Sri Lanka. Those are areas that will potentially allow the relationship to become closer.



Any areas where you would like the Sri Lankan government to take solid measures?

The areas of procurement. We have provided a lot of assistance in this area related to increasing transparency, the kinds of procedure that can be in place, allowing predictability. We would like to see such coming into place. Removing the additional charges on imports and joining the WTO agreement. These are areas where more work must be done. Doing so will allow the opportunity for Sri Lanka to truly excite others countries and investors and be able to differentiate itself from other

developing nation.



Is Sri Lanka swift enough in correcting these issues? These issues have been highlighted before.

A lot of these changes dont happen overnight and certainly it can be challenging in terms of political sensitivities. It certainly pays off in terms of increasing trade and economic growth. The faster the better is what I would have to say.
REUTERS: Volkswagen added provisions of around 2.5 billion euros (US$3 billion) yesterday to the mounting total from its diesel emissions scandal, which has already cost the company around 20 billion euros.



The reason is an increase in provisions relating to the buyback/retrofit program for 2.0l TDI vehicles, which is part of the settlements in North America that is proving to be far more technically complex and time consuming, it said in a statement.



Its shares dropped after the statement and were down 3.1 percent by 0757 GMT, at the bottom of the German blue-chip DAX index, which was up 0.2 percent. Volkswagen has recalled around 11 million vehicles worldwide since admitting two years ago to manipulating emissions tests in the United States. About 8.5 million of those are in Europe.



You have to ask if this is a bottomless pit, said one Frankfurt-based trader.



Volkswagen said the extra provisions would be reflected in its third-quarter operating results, which are due to be published on Oct 27. Porsche SE, which owns a 30.8 percent stake in Volkswagen, said the new provisions would also affect its results, but stuck to a wide range for its expected 2017 post-tax profit of between 2.1 and 3.1 billion euros. Munich prosecutors arrested a former board member of Porsche in connection with the emissions scandal at Audi, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Audi admitted in November 2015, two months after parent Volkswagens diesel emissions scandal broke, that its 3.0 litre V6 diesel engines were fitted with an auxiliary control device deemed illegal in the United States.
Sri Lanka is undergoing a difficult and crucial period where the economy is concerned but important sectors such as education will be structured in line with the demands of the 21st century, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

He said this when visiting a smart class room at the Sri Jayawardenepura Maha Vidyalaya.

The current year 2017 and the years 2018 and 2019 will be difficult years where the economy is concerned as Sri Lanka will have to concentrate on debt payments during that time. However we will manage the economy and pave the way for a technology-based education system, the Prime Minister said. The Government has decided to introduce an education system in line with the 21st century. Smart classroom concept is a part of it. We will go to the second step of distributing tablets next year. Each child will be made to spend 13 years in school. We will have to go in for the new education system in a decade. We can do it now as we have the funds. This should have been started two decades years ago. Both main parties which are governing now should see to it that the education system does not change with the change of government. It could be done as both parties are governing together unlike in the past. However we need funds. We did not have funds in 2015 but managed to stabilize the economy this year. Therefore the revenue has exceeded debt servicing. Schoolchildren will have employment opportunities when they leave school if there are investments. The strategy of the government is to attract investments.

The Prime Minister said Sri Jayewardenepura MV was a Christian Institute in the past.

"It was a seminary where Church of England priests were trained. Later the laymen were also brought here. Students who learned in this school those days became successful in the society with their knowledge of English, Latin, Greek and Mathematics and other subjects. Therefore a handful of people in society had opportunities. They had opportunities to enter universities. Some went to Indian universities others to countries such as Britain, the two Obeysekeras in this school went to Oxford University. The British Governor used to visit this school annually during the colonial period. British Governor Robert Horton signed the visitors book in this school saying the most valuable gift a country could give its youth is education. Then he decided to open schools for lay students. First such school was Colombo Academy (Royal College) originally in Pettah. English medium education was introduced in Sri Lanka before many other countries. It was a great opportunity over other countries. However Sri Lanka could not sustain it. Other countries which introduced English medium education after Sri Lanka had managed to benefit more than Sri Lanka, he said. (Yohan Perera)
Sri Lanka is joining other countries in moving from a traditional approach to road infrastructure and maintenance which pays the contractor based on progress, to a new approach based on contractor performance.



This approach will create incentives for better quality and timely interventions which will provide the public with better maintained roads at a lower cost to the government. Financed through a US$125 million loan from the World Bank, the new Transport Connectivity and Asset Management Project was signed yesterday by Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance. Maximizing quality and minimizing costs of the island-wide road network will no doubt become a model project of the Road Development Authority, said Pswarayi-Riddihough. Better and safer roads will benefit all Sri Lankans and contribute to the countrys prosperity and poverty reduction.



A dense network makes roads the preferred mode of transportation in Sri Lanka, carrying 95 percent of passenger traffic and 98 percent of freight. Building on the lessons from the World Bank-supported Roads Sector Assistance Project, the new project will help strengthen the RDA by focusing on the institutional and system changes that can transform the authority from a provider of infrastructure to a service provider.

The contracting approach to be piloted in the project aims to improve construction quality, minimize delays and costs, and address the issue of poor-performing contractors. The project will be implemented on the section between Ja-Ela and Chilaw on National Road A003. The contractor will carry out the design, upgrading, rehabilitation, and maintenance under a long-term contract.



The Road Development Authority will monitor the contractor and make payment based on the delivery of safe roads free of pot holes, water logging, with shoulders, drainage, and lighting that are well maintained and comfortable for the road users, said Amali Rajapaksa, World Bank Senior Infrastructure Specialist and Task Team Leader. These types of contracts will benefit the Government, contractors and the general public by saving costs and serving as a model that could be adopted by many other sectors in the future.



The loan for this project is provided by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Banks grant and low-interest arm, with a maturity of 25 years that includes a grace period of five years. The project also supports a program financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The RDA is the lead implementing agency.
The propensity of Indians to recoil in horror every time the Pakistanis are all set to shoot themselves in the foot is something beyond comprehension. Rather than encourage the enemy to hasten along the path to self-destruction, Indians tend to offer unsolicited advice to dissuade the enemy from harming himself.

Real face

With the Pakistani military establishment and "deep state" starting to "mainstream and upstream" the jihadist organisations like Lashkar-eTaiba/Jamaatud Dawa, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen/Ansar-ul-Ummah and other such despicable characters by giving them a role in the politics of the country and inducting their cadres in security services, India's neighbour from hell is all set to jihadise the mainstream.

If anything, India should welcome this development because not only will it expose the real face of "Jinnahs Pakistan" before the rest of the world, it will also drag that country back to the first millennium, or as a Pakistani journalist once said "back to the stone age". What could be better for India than this?

Aside from the fact that the inexorable trajectory of a jihadised mainstream is organic to the dialectic of Pakistan, it really makes little difference to India whether the ruler of Pakistan is a jihadi in khaki (Pakistan Army) or a jihadi in Mufti (a Hafiz Saeed) or even a quasi-jihadi like Nawaz Sharif. Ever since Pakistan has come into being, every single ruler has had a visceral hatred of India.

Whether it was Sandhurst trained Ayub Khan (one Muslim is equal to ten Hindus), or Oxford educated ZA Bhutto (a 1,000 year war), or Radcliffe educated Benazir Bhutto (her hysterics on chopping the governor of Jammu and Kashmir Jagmohan into pieces), a government College Lahore educated Nawaz Sharif (impressing upon Osama bin Laden how much he loved jihad), an Oxford-educated Imran "Taliban" Khan who has been famously described as good-looking Jamaat Islami or some madrassa educated character, their attitude towards India is the same. The difference is only of style, not substance; of English accent, not deep-seated animosity.

While Islamism and Islamo-fascism has always underpinned Pakistani politics from its very inception, even the jihad project of the Pakistan Army is not new. For decades now, the Islamists have functioned as the handmaidens of the Pakistan Army, not only as a support group and a political pressure group in domestic politics but also as cannon-fodder in jihadist adventures abroad.

In the early 2000s, the Islamist parties were forged together in an electoral alliance called the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), which at the time was lampooned as "Military Mullah Alliance".

New normal

From the Islamist MMA, to the jihadist MML (Milli Muslim League, which is appropriately titled Military Muslim League) the Pakistan Army and "deep state" has now gone up the value chain to give the jihadists a formal political role and platform. Not only will this give the jihadists acceptability, respectability, and legitimacy, it will also give them an opportunity to mobilise people openly around the jihadist ideology. This will make way for jihadism becoming a new normal in the political discourse of Pakistan.

Over the years, politics has swung so far to the Right that the Islamist parties of yesterday are today not only being seen as moderate but have also been reduced to being fringe players. The new kids on the block the Wahabi MML or the Barelvi Tehrik Labbaik Pakistan  replacing these parties are far more vocal, violent, vicious, and virulent than their predecessors.

They have the network, resources and reach that the older parties didnt have. They possess the savvy to work the system, and if required challenge and undermine it. They combine the street power of the old with the firepower of today to become even more potent than the older lot of Islamists. Their appeal to their core constituency is rising in direct proportion to their political influence.

Swing role

Until recently, they were engaged in jihadist terrorism and in "welfare" activities  the Jamaat-ud-Dawa runs a massive network of schools, hospitals, rescue services etc. While the "deep state" and "embedded" media is defending this "mainstreaming of jihadists" on the grounds that it will wean them away from violent jihadism, what is more likely is that these groups will keep up with their jihadist terror activities even as they continue to make inroads into politics.

The radicals might still not win many seats but they are certainly expected to cut into the votes of the established Right-wing parties to a point that makes the likelihood of a fractured verdict in the next election a very imminent possibility. Already the jihadists have been playing a swing role in many constituencies. Politicians suck up to the Islamists for votes and even firepower against their rivals, and in return give them protection, money, and support.

In the process, however, mainstream politicians have steadily ceded ground to the Islamists and there is a very high chance that in not too distant a future the Islamists will be top dogs and the politicians of today their underlings. For now, the Pakistani election authorities are resisting registering these new radical parties. But this is less out of conviction and more out of fear of international opprobrium.

Sooner rather than later, these parties will get registered. When that happens, India should not lose any sleep. Indias security doesnt depend on the soft face of jihad running Pakistan, but in its own hard power.
On May 14, 2004, the day after the general elections, headlines screamed "NDA out, Sonia set to become PM". Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, or the NDA-1, had fallen by the wayside despite its supermassive "India Shining" campaign. Gujarat 2002 was uttered as an addendum to the causes leading up to the verdict. The country, who knows, would have forgotten and forgiven the mass murder of Indians, especially targeted killing of Muslims, if the economic disconnect wasn't so obvious and unsettling.

Some of the editorials then, particularly the lead opinion piece penned by P Sainath, then an editor at The Hindu, ran with the headline "Mass media versus mass reality". If chunks from that piece are reproduced today, it could very well pass off as a contemporary commentary on the dishevelled state of affairs - the economy near ruin, the acute agricultural crisis and farmers killing themselves by tens of thousands, the sociopolitical tinderbox that the country has been turned into with the routine attacks on minorities, the climate of fear instilled by the government and its useful "fringe elements" with the aim of furthering the Hindu Rashtra, which many feel is already here, already holding us back from expressing ourselves freely, eating what we like, loving whom we choose to, unless we want to be assaulted in public, or worse still be gunned down at our doorstep by mercenaries in service of the ruling ideology.

Even then no one had expected the Congress to actually come back, as no one expects now. 2019 is still one and half years away, and the Narendra Modi regime still has almost 18 months to provide an amnesiac, an ameliorant also known as "jumla" that his government has been repeatedly caught floating - new day, new big announcement and paid trends on social media. Only on Monday, September 25, PM Modi announced Saubhagya - a rural electrification for all scheme that set its deadline as December 2018. Only problem, this wasn't a rehashed UPA-era scheme; this was in fact the Modi regime "retweeting", as it were, its own erstwhile announcements. The government was caught and bowled in barely two hours because, for a change, fact-checking has become a welcome habit with a section of Indian media - the smaller, feisty ones leading the fight against Modi sarkar.

To celebrate the anniversary of "Electricity for all by May 2017", Indian government launches "Electricity for all by March 2019" scheme pic.twitter.com/bnqnYsmgjt  Stanley Pignal (@spignal) September 25, 2017

1/ Prime Minister Narendra Modi is befooling Indians Again by launching an old scheme as new. #NoMoreJumla pic.twitter.com/RQFGe8DFvk  Ravi Nair (@t_d_h_nair) September 25, 2017

But that's not all. Dissent, at least on the economy and also on some of the social and foreign policy approaches, is coming from within the BJP. Those ignored by the Modi-Shah duopoly have suddenly found a voice, and lo behold, that voice echoes what the trenchant critics of the establishment have been warning of since year one into the Modi regime. Yashwant Sinha's fire and fury article titled "I must speak up now" eviscerated the claims on economy that the government is still trying to hide behind, perhaps even by fudging figures occasionally. The "unmitigated disaster" that's demonetisation, the humungous impact on the economy and loss of over a million jobs, decimation of the informal sector, the contraction of the GDP by two percentage points from 7.9 to 5.7 in just eight months - Sinha spelled out in no uncertain terms, pinning the blame, unfairly, on the finance minister Arun Jaitley solely. Vociferous editorials were immediately penned calling out Sinha on this, and perhaps the deflection technique of targeting Jaitley to really hurt Modi worked. Like a charm.

Sinha isn't alone. Arun Shourie, former NDA bigshot under the Vajpayee regime, who had expected the finance ministry under Modi and had even praised the RSS before his complete conversion to the other side, is now one of the most prominent faces of the loose coalition of citizens opposing the government. Shourie has been heard giving scathing interviews to senior journalist Karan Thapar, as well as deliver impromptu speeches on media freedom and strategies to beat the government with. When NDTV was raided some months back, Shourie addressed a gathering of journalists and listed out ways to deflate the regime of hype with hard facts. He named the then tiny portal Alt News, which is now a national sensation, the David of fact-checking slaying the Goliath of fake news and inflated claims from the government and its spokespersons as well as the "North Korean channels" that peddle lies and jingoism, warmongering pornography of hysteria and communal rifts as editorial policy. Digital media is holding Alt News as a model now, and doing its job, fast, so that bursting the BJP-Sangh bubble of misinformation, fake news, false claims, hypes and regurgitated schemes are busted in no time, prominently and persistently.

But that's just Modi and the media he was the darling of until even a year back, with the surgical strike against Pakistan and then one on "black money". While the first was indeed claimed as a paradigm shift, though tactically how successful it has been to deter terrorists and infiltration is in doubt, the latter, or the demonetisation diktat - was a complete dud, but put the economy in a financial coma. "It's the economy stupid" has now become the line that would ultimately be offered as the reason why the Modi bubble finally burst, and not three years of constant and disgusting assaults on the secular, pluralist fabric of the nation, on that oh-so-derided constitutional "idea of India".

But as Sainath had underlined in his 2004 editorial, even then the NDA had the audacity of saturating Indian television - those were the pre social media days - with the India Shining campaign, despite the agrarian distress, the lack of jobs, the flowering of Hindutva and Narendra Modi's Gujarat mayhem. The "feel good" factor, Sainath said, seemed the day after the election "so pathetic as to requiring no ridicule". But his words were prescient:

"Yet while the spin doctors have been sacked, the age of spin doctoring has arrived. Also rubbed in yet again was, of course, that second huge disconnect. That between mass media and mass reality. Little in the media output of these past five years had prepared audiences for anything like this outcome. The polls succeeded where journalism failed. They brought back to the agenda the issues of ordinary Indians."

That's what has been happening all over again. Mainstream journalism has been failing the Indians left out of this "New India", that PM Modi declared on August 15 this year, from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Whatever happened to his "Achche Din"? Every once in a while, Modi and his technicians of hype balloon up the bogus, the patently false, the fraudulent. Plain old duping is passed off as moralistic sacrifice, the Aadhaar-surveilled austerity that citizens must accept as their contribution towards nation-building.

Whether it's Dalits, Muslims, farmers, women, unemployed youths, poor children depending on the mid-day meal for their one solid morsel of the day, the old and the haggard depending on their pensions, the soldiers without proper food stationed in Siachen's freezing temperatures, university students questioning the regime's anti-minority pestilence, its warmongering to deflect criticism on the economic and sociocultural ruin, intellectuals aghast at the saffron-washing of history, the packing of school textbooks with Sangh Parivar's wishful thinking and outright lies, the obliteration of our founding fathers and mothers from the books that will shape the minds of future, the institutionalisation of hard surveillance linking everything to Aadhaar, the assault on women's bodies and policing of their sexualities, their wombs and trying to mould them as the RSS would want them to be, the crumbling of healthcare in BJP-ruled states, particularly Uttar Pradesh and the deaths of many, many children because they couldn't breathe, the lynching of Akhlaq, Pehlu Khan, Junaid and others, the stench of death, of murder, of persecution - all this and more have gone on to contribute to the collective economic ruin.

Because the same supremacist arrogance from which bigotry stems, which prevents the authoritarian regimes from seeing the lived lives of diverse Indians, even those who have a problem with the tag, also prevents them from seeing the backlash against their ruinous policies. Economic ruin is the price of bigotry, and the Supreme Court-stayed ban on cattle slaughter was a great example of how the regime and its henchmen are ready to flush the economy and lakhs of crores of rupees invested in the meat and allied industries down the drain, just to pursue their sickening, anti-minority agenda. The beef lynchings, the skullcap lynchings, the beard lynchings - they were normalised despite the PM's "feeble nos", when the regime itself distinguished between the good gau rakshaks and bad gau rakshaks and attempted to legislate an anti-farmer, anti-poor, anti-minority law.

Mainstream journalism has been failing the Indians left out of this New India, that PM Modi declared on August 15 this year.

While universities nationwide are already flushing out the RSS-affiliated ABVP, a common verdict from Delhi University, JNU, Guwahati, Hyderabad Central University, Punjab University and more, citizens have upped the ante with their #NotInMyName peaceful protests against lynchings and targeted murders of journalists, writers, rationalists. This, as farmers are protesting en masse, such as the Rajasthan Kisan Morcha, where tens of thousands of peasants participated for days at end, making it one of the biggest and longest demonstrations ever, but more or less blacked out by mainstream TV and print media.

As Sainath had written in 2004: "There is almost no government in the country that has ill-treated its farmers and not paid the price. That has hurt agriculture and not been punished. India has never seen so many farmers' suicides as in the past six to eight years. For some, the urge to blame it all on nature is overwhelming. And yes, droughts have badly hurt people in parts of the country. But that would be missing the wood for the trees. Countless millions of Indians have seen their livelihoods crippled by policies hostile to them. Many of these applied to agriculture, on which two-thirds of the people depend. Any incoming government that fails to see this writes its own exit policy."

The deja vu hits home and hard. The "68 paise" hefty loan waivers from the Yogi Adityanath government would come back to haunt these practitioners of electoral Darwinism, a political determinism in which permanent electioneering is the means and end of governance, keeping the citizens on a feeding tube of junk policies that have now started to come crashing down all at once.

And what about the Opposition? Its "feeble nos" too have been ignored, much like the Delhi high court's recent judgement on the idea of sexual consent. India has lost its democratic constitutional consent exactly as its culture of dissent and questioning is being trampled upon. But there are winds of change. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi these days sounds like a new man, or the same old shehzada with a heart, but now also with a sharp tongue. His recent interviews and interactions abroad have been widely praised for their staunch adherence to nonviolence as an Indian tradition, and Gandhian pacifism as strength. In an interview to Nicolas Berggruen of The World Post, Gandhi elaborated on the ethnic rifts that the regime is fomenting and exploiting, but his firm criticism never saw him descend to ad hominem attacks, something his political adversaries in PM Modi and the BJP national president Amit Shah resort to habitually. Some commentators, including this writer, are urgently hoping for that return of civility in political discourse, which despite differences, had never dwindled to the current ugliness before.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, because Gandhi has very little to contribute to this shifting of narrative. If it's no longer under Modi-Shah's control, that's mainly because of citizens and those who protested every time, those whose raised their voice and concern inviting extreme trolling and abuse on social media, censure from the government, or the university administration in case of students such as Kanhaiya, Shehla, Umar, Anirban, Gurmehar, and more. Editorial heads experimenting with intriguing critiques have been shunted out, and attempts to cover-up have been impossible because the scoops have been a-coming on how the Big Media's spine has been systematically made malleable and ductile as per the regime's needs. But the small guys, the tiny warriors, the foot-soldiers, the little generalissimos of facts, secularism, inclusive economics - they have marched on.
Today, India marks one year of the surgical strikes launched on September 29, 2016, across the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan. The event coincided this year with an ambush along the Myanmar border on the NSCN (K) group, which has evaded talks and has been regularly attacking Indian forces and local civilians.

The period leading to the anniversary also included comments by Lt General DS Hooda, who as the Northern Army Commander had overseen the strike. His successor, Lt General Devraj Anbu, also warned Pakistan that India could again cross the LoC, if it does not control terror activities.

While India recollected the success of the operation, Pakistan continued in its denial mode, rejecting Indian claims. This was expected. As General Hooda had stated, the main worry after the operation was retaliation from Pakistan, but its Army denying that the strike took place laid those fears to rest.

Pakistan had limited choices, as to admit was to accept failure and demoralise even the cannon fodder Jihadis, while lowering the prestige and standing of the Army. Denial was logical as the Army controls the nation and any setback would damage in reputation.

No media house could dare to go against the deep state. Further, Indian opposition politicians, who questioned the strike, gave support to the Pakistan establishment in denying it.

A surgical strike is a difficult operation, entailing in-depth planning, catering for multiple contingencies, keeping in place alternatives including a rescue strike in case a part of the force gets stuck.

Secrecy, need-to-know sharing of information and employing multiple launch and re-entry points have to be taken care of. A failure in any form could spell disaster for the nation. Hence, such operations are always tension-packed for those who had issued the go-ahead, till they are completed. The strike's success indicates that all these factors were catered for, the soldiers motivated, trained and well-led.

While India decorated those who participated in the strike and released a book on Indian Army heroes with a chapter specifically covering the operation, mothers in Pakistan, whose sons were in the terrorist camps that were eliminated, would never know what happened to them.

They were removed and buried under the directions of the Army, and hence will remain forgotten, in unmarked graves, for eternity. For the Pakistan deep state, they were in any case expendable.

While the Indian Army's morale got a boost and the confidence of its troops increased manifold, Pakistan troops, aware of the strike, will always remain affected, expecting a repeat anytime. Its military hierarchy and political leadership are aware of the realities and hence wary of Indian retaliation.

The LoC is and will always remain active, irrespective of agreements and local-level talks. Reuters/File

Possibly after Pathankot, India had conveyed a quiet message to Pakistan that there should be no more attacks or India would be compelled to respond. Pakistan ignored the warning, Uri occurred. The government realised that if it did not act, indicating a change in strategy to offensive actions, Pakistan's behaviour would remain unchanged.

For a long time after the strike was launched, there was no major attack. The message had been understood and India's offensive policy displayed. There are many options other than a physical strike that India can adopt in case it needs to hit across once again. Any action by India cannot be logically termed illegal, as India claims the complete Jammu and Kashmir, with Pakistan continuing as forced occupiers of PoK.

While a strategic shift in India's military policy was conveyed, has anything changed on ground after the surgical strike, or have things moved further downhill? Initially, the Pak Army behaved, but with the passage of time, the LoC has reverted to its earlier active status.

The high morale of the Indian Army and its recent successes as it eliminates terrorists is changing the realities in Kashmir, while conveying to Pakistan a clear message that we reserve the right to strike where we want to, and when.

A fear of a similar strike always exists within the Pak military establishment, compelling them to move terror launch pads deeper into their territory and closer to Army camps. It has also resulted in increased level of alertness of their troops.

The LoC is and will always remain active, irrespective of agreements and local-level talks. Any side can escalate or commence firing, while blaming the other. There is no control mechanism.

While India has no desire to activate the LoC, Pakistan needs to, in order to support infiltration attempts, and it does. The only time that the LoC witnesses peace is when Indian retaliation makes disturbance costly for Pakistan, in terms of casualties and damage to posts.

With diplomatic relations between the two nations moving downhill, US pressure building and the recent UN General Assembly debate indicating animosity of the subcontinent against Pakistan, it may be compelled to act.

While the polity seeks to obliterate terror groups, the deep state has other plans. The rise of the TTP, the Pakistan Taliban, was a fall-out of the attack on the Lal Masjid in 2007, resulting in over a hundred casualties. A similar act against anti-India terror groups could compel them to turn inwards, adding to Pakistan's woes.

Thus come the comments by their foreign minister, Khwaja Asif, that they are aware of the fact that terror groups are a liability, but do not possess the assets to remove them.

While Pakistan may have denied the strike, those in power are aware, compelling them to remain wary of Indian military intentions, that they have limited options. They cannot openly reign in terror groups without placing their own people in jeopardy, nor can they shut their terror factories, which possibly are a major source of employment for those radicalised since childhood.
If theres one thing comedian Mark Lundholm isnt afraid of, its the truth.

Area high school students were treated to the truth about the comedians life, thoughts and feelings Thursday afternoon as part of presentations designed to teach them about making decisions that will promote a healthy lifestyle. Lundholm spoke to Chippewa Falls High School in the morning and Bloomer High School in the afternoon, sharing stories about his life before and after he became sober 28 years ago.

Well save some lives this week. We will. All of us, Lundholm said. So that they have a choice, a reminder. They dont have to drive drunk. They dont have to find an unhealthy partner.

The comedians presentations to the high schools were just two of the activities planned to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Chippewa County Drug Court. The anniversary will also feature presentations to local treatment facilities and a performance at the Heyde Center Saturday evening.

Other events Thursday included an open house drug court session, a panel discussion, an art viewing of Hugh Mandelerts work and a formal reception Thursday evening.

Bloomer has had a few students involved in the Youth Drug Court program, localizing the impact of Lundholms story, Bloomer High School principal Chad Steinmetz said.

Regardless of a school size or a community size, there are challenges, Steinmetz said.

As for his own story, Lundholm grew up in California with an abusive father and many siblings. His father would beat him until he blacked out, which, he said, only encouraged the beatings more.

Even with a scholarship offer and a 3.9 GPA, Lundholm decided to quit school to sell drugs. He told a hushed Bloomer High School student body that he could have been identified as a mental patient, coke dealer who was a criminal to pay child support.

His criminal ways caught up to him.

I went to prison because I couldnt get past my first thought, Lundholm said.

By thinking through his first few thoughts, he said, he has found a more patient answer instead of a harmful one. He told Bloomer High School students his method to think through his thoughts is to plant his feet, breathe and touch all his teeth with his tongue.

His criminal and reckless behaviors prior to becoming sober were part of what Lundholm called suicide on layaway. He explained that when people are living a healthy lifestyle and mentality, they do not partake in dangerous behaviors and solutions.

The rest of us, Lundholm asked hypothetically to the crowd. Well just do it until were suicide on layaway.

Now with three kids of his own, Lundholm said is proud to not be like his father, using him as an example for how he shouldnt be.

Forgiving my dad prevented me from becoming my dad, Lundholm said.

The comedian also challenged Bloomer High School students to spend Friday without complaints, which he believes are admissions of failure and quitting. He also advised all the young men in the room to only look at the bridge of a womans nose when speaking to her, offering her respect.

By hearing Lundholms story and accepting his challenges in honor the drug courts anniversary, Steinmetz said he believes students will be left with a bigger impact.

I think hearing from someone who has a real story is meaningful to our kids, Steinmetz said, before adding later, hes made some poor choices, but hes responded in a positive way.
Members of the Schafer family are part of a group negotiating to buy six stores of the financially troubled Gordys Market chain, including locations in Chippewa Falls and Cornell.

Assuming we complete discussions, those stores will be sold, said Madison attorney James Sweet, who is representing a group that is forming a company separate from Gordys Market.

Sweet spoke at Thursdays hearing, where Chippewa County Judge James Isaacson approved the sale of 11 stores that were in an auction in Milwaukee on Monday.

Members of the Schafer family have owned and operated the Gordys since its inception in 1966.

Sweet said the group he represents wants to buy Gordys stores in downtown Chippewa Falls, Lake Wissota, Cornell, Ladysmith, Barron and Chetek. He did not give a timetable on when an agreement could be reached with the court appointed receiver, attorney Michael S. Polsky.

Todays decision kind of breaks the log jam, Sweet said of Isaacsons decision to allow the sale of the 11 stores, including the now closed Chippewa Crossing store on the southside of Chippewa Falls.

Sold on Thursday were locations in Black River Falls, Osseo, Augusta, Whitehall, Shell Lake, Spencer, Rice Lake, and closed stores on Hamilton Avenue and Clairemont Avenue (near Shopko), both in Eau Claire, Hayward and Chippewa Commons. Isaacson said the sale of the Rice Lake store will be contingent on actions taken by the Small Business Administration, which is owed money.

Gordys closed store in Stanley was not included in Thursdays hearing, and no mention was made of it being sold during Mondays 11-hour auction.

The sale of Gordys stores in Arcadia, Galesville and La Crosse is being held up to hear objections filed by grocer Quillin's, and the objection of grocer Hansens IGA over the sale of a store in Neillsville to Family Foods. Judge Isaacson set a hearing at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, to hear those objections.

Grocery supplier Nash Finch filed a lawsuit against Gordys Market, seeking $86 million while Settlers Bank of Madison is seeking $4.9 million. As secured creditors, both will receive money from Thursdays sale.

Polsky said Nash Finch will get $876,000 of the sale proceeds, while Settlers will get $1.5 million from selling the Black River Falls store to Hansens IGA and $400,000 for selling the Spencer store.

Great Lake Foods is buying stores in Osseo and Augusta and Family Foods is buying the Whitehall store. Polsky noted the Shell Lake store is being sold to an individual by Nash Finch for $1,000.

Besides buying four closed locations, Hilco Global is buying the Rice Lake store. The company based in Northbrook, Ill. bills itself as a financial services holding company and an independent financial services. It should be noted that the properties Hilco are buying, including the southside Chippewa Falls location, may be used for something other than as grocery stores.

Polsky said with the except of the Shell Lake store, all of the bids in Mondays auction were in excess of the underlying value of the stores. The auction was in good faith, he said.

Attorney Christopher J. Stroebel, representing Northwest Wisconsin Refrigeration and Huiras Construction, took exception to the auction. Both companies are unsecured creditors, meaning they will get paid only if there is money left over from what goes to Nash Finch and Settlers Bank. Strobel said Huiras is owed $228,000 while Northwest Wisconsin Refrigeration is owed $370,000.

Polsky acknowledged at the last hearing (on Sept. 15) that unsecured creditors are out of the money, he said. About the auction, he said: I believe that the law has not been followed.

He said Nash Finch and Settlers should not be allowed to benefit from what he termed an illegal sale, and asked Isaacson to put the sale proceeds in escrow.

The receiver (Polsky) had worked closely with Nash Finch to the detriment to the unsecured creditors, Stroebel said. The receiver has a conflict of interest.

To that, Polsky strongly objected. Counsels remarks are totally inappropriate, Polsky said.

Nash Finch attorney Carla O. Andres came to the support of Polsky. There has been no evidence at all that the receiver has acted inappropriately, said Andres, who sat next to Polsky in the courtroom. She said to do the process differently would have meant the immediate shutdown of all 26 Gordys Market stores and the layoff of employees.

Sweet defended the auction and the decision to go with a receiver under a method spelled out in whats called Wisconsin Chapter 128, a voluntary debt consolidation plan.

The debt (of Gordys Market) was so overwhelming that the unsecured creditors were out of the money, Sweet said.

In the end, Isaacson approved the sale of the 11 stores.

I think it was appropriate to stop the bleeding and sell the stores, Isaacson said.
 Arts in the Park offers free classes on different aspects of the arts from 11 a.m. to noon each Saturday in Emancipation Park. A West African Drum Circle is offered Saturday by William Whit Whitten, and Lee Maricini teaches yoga on Oct. 7. (434) 977-7607.

 Basic Hunter Education Course, required for 12- to 15-year-olds and first-time hunters to purchase a Virginia hunting license, will be from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Community Room of the Town of Orange Public Works Building at 235 Warren St. Register with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at atdgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education. (804) 367-1000.

 Citizenship Information Session, presented by The International Rescue Committee, is held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Northside Library. (434) 973-7893.

 Disabilities Public Safety Forum discusses how those with autism and other disabilities may react in an emergency, as well as how first responders can minimize fear and anxiety for them and their families, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Martin Luther King Performing Arts Center at Charlottesville High School. Details are available at autismva.org. (434) 529-8301.

 Reduce & Produce: Pairing Energy Efficient and Solar is offered by Local Energy Alliance Program from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at CitySpace at 100 Fifth St. NW. (434) 227-4666.

 First-Time Home Buyers Seminar, offered by Virginia Credit Union, is held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Northside Library at 705 W. Rio Road. (804) 323-6800.

 3D Printing 101, with demonstrations using TinkerCAD or Thingverse, is held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Northside Library. (434) 973-7893.

 Piedmont Virginia Community College accepts registration for core skills and GED classes to be held at Thomas Jefferson Adult Career and Education Center at Ix Art Park at 935-A Second St. Details: adultslearn.org. (434) 961-5461.

 Charlottesville Tai Chi Open House is held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 7. charlottesvilletaichi.org. 206 E. Water St. (877) 880-2476.

 Literacy Volunteers New Tutor Training is held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18. Volunteers must attend both sessions. literacyforall.org. 233 Fourth St. NW. (434) 977-3838.
A black nationalist leader who is representing African Americans who were victims of violence at a white nationalist rally last month is planning to investigate whether Charlottesville officials deliberately allowed fighting in and around Emancipation Park that day. He said he also plans to pursue litigation against the various white nationalist groups that participated in the Unite the Right rally, and asked for help identifying various suspects from the rally.

At a Thursday afternoon news conference at the foot of the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Malik Z. Shabazz said black residents of the city should no longer fear violence from white supremacists.

Your help has come  legal or otherwise, he said. Were not going to let our sacred and beloved people be trampled upon, tear gassed or beaten with bats  legally or otherwise.

If you come with that violence again, you will meet violence. And we will put you down in this park in self-defense, he said. The days of the Confederacy are over.

Shabazz said he hopes to find out whether the city is a haven for white supremacists and hate groups, and to look into peoples complaints about police operations that day.

Were launching an investigation into the conduct of the mayor, the vice-mayor, the City Council and the police department, Shabazz said. How were the permit holders allowed to so closely interact with the counter-demonstrators with no police in between them? Was that a breakdown in city and police operations, or was it intentional?

While several people at the news conference Thursday expressed support for Shabazz and his comments, his inclusion in a Southern Poverty Law Center list of political extremists could make it difficult for him to organize with local activist groups.

Malik Shabazz is a black nationalist with a long, well-documented history of violently anti-Semitic remarks and accusations about the inherent evil of white people, the SPLC report said. The report also notes his history as a former leader of the Nation of Islam and the New Black Panther Party, two SPLC-designated extremist groups.

Im not here to build a multi-racial, multi-faith coalition. Im here to stand up for black people, Shabazz said.

In addition to the allegations of promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, the report includes remarks Shabazz allegedly made at a 2002 protest in Washington, D.C., where he called on people to kill every goddamn Zionst in Israel! Goddamn little babies, goddamn old ladies!

Shabazz said many of those defamatory statements were planted in the press to defame him. I deny the truth of those statements, he said.

A Wednesday evening rally at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church was cancelled just hours before it was slated to begin. An organizer with the interfaith activist group Congregate Cville said Wednesday that some Jewish groups were concerned about Shabazz being scheduled to appear at Mt. Zion.

According to Corey Long, one of the people Shabazz is representing, the group met privately at another location on Wednesday evening.

A picture of Long using an aerosol can as a makeshift flamethrower went viral after the Aug. 12 rally. A video from the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia showed a man fire a gun in Longs direction as he was using the flamethrower.

Richard Wilson Preston, a Maryland Ku Klux Klan leader, was later charged with firing a gun within 1,000 feet of a school. Long said Thursday that he had been using his torch to defend himself and others around him.

Preston is currently being held at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail. He is scheduled to appear in Charlottesville General District Court on Oct. 12.

The Rev. Alvin Edwards, the pastor at Mt. Zion, said the event Wednesday was cancelled because the application to use the church was incomplete and had not been approved. Edwards said he was unfamiliar with Shabazz before this week.

When they filled out the application, I had understood it was for them to have a lawyers meeting, Edwards said. Thats all I knew about it.

Edwards, a former Charlottesville mayor, said that he is not an anti-Semite.

Im for whats just and right, he said. I dont know about them.

Shabazz also denied being an anti-Semite, mainly because the original Hebrew family was black.

Im serious about that, and its a serious anthropological point, he said. Semites are part of our family.

I deny all charges of anti-Semitism. I dont even want to get involved in that. Im dealing with white supremacy, he said. Thats what Im against.

Explaining that he identifies as a black nationalist, a label, he said, that describes a person who believes in power and self-determination for his people.

I dont believe in oppressing or doing anything to others the way it has been done to us. God didnt make us that way, he said. But I do believe in taking a stronger stance for our people.
A former Charlottesville High School teacher was formally charged in federal court on Friday with one count of creating child pornography and one count of possessing it.

Richard A. Wellbeloved-Stone, 57, is accused of taking photographs on his iPhone of a prepubescent girl and possessing child porn images. He also faces similar charges in Charlottesville, federal prosecutors said.

The hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel S. Hoppe was to legally inform the longtime environmental sciences teacher at CHS of the charges and to determine whether Wellbeloved-Stone qualifies financially to be represented by the federal public defenders office.

At the Friday hearing, Wellbeloved-Stone waived his right to a preliminary hearing at which evidence for and against him would be presented to the judge to determine probable cause to certify the charges.

Hoppe said he found sufficient probable cause in an affidavit filed by Homeland Security agents to send the case against the longtime local karate instructor to a federal grand jury to consider an indictment. That indictment is expected within 30 days.

Hoppe also agreed to appoint an attorney to represent Wellbeloved-Stone.

Given the nature of the charges and what I can anticipate as the costs of defending the case, I would think its advisable to hire an attorney, Hoppe told Wellbeloved-Stone. Knowing that there are divorce proceedings and any property or [his assets] his wife also has a part of, I would think that he would qualify, so I will appoint the federal public defender to represent [him].

Wellbeloved-Stone has taught in local schools for more than 20 years. He was arrested on July 27 and immediately suspended without pay. He resigned his position in August, according to the school system.

He will remain in custody at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, as he is currently be held without bond in connection with 19 child porn-related charges in Charlottesville courts, federal prosecutors said.

The federal arrest affidavit signed by a Harrisonburg-based Homeland Security special agent describes conversations held online between an alleged alter-ego of Wellbeloved-Stone and an undercover agent.

The conversation includes a description of the alter-ego performing oral sex on a child. That led agents to subpoena user information from the administrators of Kik Messenger to get the IP address of the alter-ego, whose screen name was bijsincville. Agents then subpoenaed Comcast to determine who had that assigned IP address.

That information led to the search of Wellbeloved-Stones house, computers and iPhone, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit described some media that agents said were found in the search but were not taken by Wellbeloved-Stone. Those included a picture of two prepubescent girls with a focus on one girls genitalia and a video of a young girl performing oral sex on a boy about the same age.

The affidavit states that investigators found on an iPhone confiscated from Wellbeloved-Stones home about 20 pictures of a prepubescent girl. The pictures were taken from the waist down with the focus on the girls genitalia, the document states.

Some of the images show the hand of an adult male manipulating this pre-pubescent females vagina, the affidavit states. The metadata of the photos show that the photos were taken from this phone on May 18 and May 20 of this year.

Police previously said that the victim in the case was younger than high-school age and that photos recovered from a July 25 search of Wellbeloved-Stones home depicted the victim in a what may have been a school setting, but the location could not be determined.
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Not long after the end of World War II, author and economist Friedrich A. Hayek wrote in "The Road to Serfdom" that fascism and communism were really two sides of the same coin.

For this, he was sharply criticized, even mocked. We just teamed up with the communists to beat the fascists, the argument went.

True, Stalin (grudgingly) fought alongside the Allies to defeat Hitler. But Hayek warned that this was an anomaly; both ideologies exalted top-down state control and were ultimately antithetical to individual freedom.

It's time to revisit Hayek's warnings.

Arguments about fascism are all the rage at the moment. It's de rigueur for those on the left to accuse President Donald Trump and his supporters of being "fascists." Meanwhile, some of the left's most visible and vocal factions  notably, but not exclusively, the antifa  are accused (accurately) of behaving like fascists themselves: shutting down speech, vandalizing property, violently beating up people whose views offend them.

Meanwhile, what has slipped under the radar is the increasing advocacy for communism.

Within the past few days, a West Point graduate (and current infantry officer) named Spenser Rapone made headlines with pro-communist social media posts, including a photo of him holding his military cap with "Communism will win" written on the inside. In another post, he pulls his uniform aside to reveal a T-shirt with the image of communist revolutionary Che Guevara on it.

Lest you dismiss this as the isolated posturing of some fringe goofball, The New York Times has been running a year-long series of articles titled "The Red Century." Using the centennial of the 1917 Russian Revolution as its backdrop, the Times has published nearly three dozen articles on communism and its impact on the 20th century. An astonishing number of these are glowing accounts of the glories of communism.

The New York Times has been a platform for communism's apologists since the days of Walter Duranty. But this is jaw-dropping, even for them.

On Feb. 24, the article headlined "What's left of communism?" asked in its subhead, "Can a phoenix rise from the ash heap of history?" A better question would be: Why on earth would we want it to?

Subsequent pieces praise Lenin as an unparalleled "strategic genius"; look back nostalgically to a time when communism inspired Americans; paint a hopeful picture of an "American afterlife" for communism; defend collectivists' visions as explained to children in the book "Communism for Kids"; characterize Lenin and the Bolsheviks as "well-intentioned people trying to build a better world"; point out the communist influence on popular science fiction and early environmental activism; and  perhaps most absurdly  extol the virtues of communism for women, both in terms of their sex lives (in former Soviet Russia) and their "big dreams" (in Mao's China).

Seventeenth-century British writer Samuel Johnson once described second marriages as "the triumph of hope over experience." Had he lived during the Red Century (or thereafter), he might well have used the phrase to describe communists, who are still selling their rotting and putrid wares, despite 100-plus years of bloody experience.

Nearly 100 million people died as a result of communism in the 20th century  more than all those killed by fascism and ordinary homicide combined. As Reason magazine author John Walters noted in a 2013 blog post, the worst famines in the 20th century (killing tens of millions) all took place in communist countries. As for women, Soviet Russia had the highest abortion rates in the world (the average Russian woman had seven abortions in her lifetime). China's one-child policy resulted in millions of abortions (often forced, under horrific circumstances) and widespread infanticide of unwanted baby girls.

Then there were (are) the gulags, the laogai, the prison camps.

Socialism is little better. Communism's blander cousin, it is founded on similar flawed philosophies that the state should be the provider; that people cannot be left to their own devices to order their lives as they see fit.

And socialism is often a precursor to something worse. Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez initially ran on a socialist platform, and then moved steadily left over the years, demonizing business, nationalizing industries and confiscating private property. He died with Venezuela already on a downward spiral.

His successor, Nicolas Maduro  another left-wing ideologue  has destroyed whatever was left of Venezuela. Its citizens are without food, medicines, electricity or fuel. Doctors, teachers and other professionals are forced into prostitution to feed their families. Once wealthy and prosperous, Venezuela has been every bit as badly ravaged by communism as the neighboring Caribbean nations were by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Communism is one of the world's most destructive forces.

I'll say this much for the Times' Red Century series: It makes clear that the communists are still with us, using every leftist cause as a crowbar to push the country toward their dystopic vision. Those of us who oppose collectivism are right to be concerned when the same people clamoring for socialized medicine are trying to resurrect and rehabilitate communism.

Hayek was right. And the battle lines are being drawn.

Laura Hollis is a Creators Syndicate columnist and a teacher of business law and entrepreneurship who holds faculty appointments at the Mendoza College of Business and the Law School at the University of Notre Dame.
Does anyone think Charlottesville will welcome yet more blatant racism and xenophobia? Ed Gillespie apparently does.

Gillespie, who is the Republican candidate for governor of Virginia, is currently running an ad that  absurdly  blames the rise of the MS-13 street gang on his Democratic rival, Ralph Northam. The ad features photos of dark-skinned men next to the words kill and rape  in all capital letters. This, in the words of Mark Rozell of George Mason Universitys School of Policy and Government, is like a page out of the Trump playbook, trying to motivate voters by playing to their fears.

Ed Gillespie thought it was a good idea to run this ugly ad in our city  a city where we just lost three lives to racism.

If you were on the fence about which gubernatorial candidate to vote for on Nov. 7, or whether to bother to vote at all, I hope this makes up your mind. On Nov. 7, we must reject this hatemongering.

Kat Maybury

Charlottesville
Walmart India would be setting up various touch-points across the city for members to get a virtual store walk and browse through the aisles.

Mumbai: Within a few months after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra government, Walmart India on Friday announced its plans to launch its Cash and Carry business in Mumbai to enable small businesses.

The US-based retail chain giant plans to open a Fulfilment Center (FC) to cater to the business needs of resellers, kirana stores, office and institutions of Mumbai and neighbouring areas.

"..this will enable kiranas, resellers and other businesses in Mumbai and neighbouring areas to get access to a wide and exciting assortment of merchandise relevant to them without stepping out of their stores," Krish Iyer, President and CEO of Walmart India, said.

"Even as we hope to open the services to our members in October first week, our sales teams are already on the ground to enrol members and book orders," he added.

This FC is expected to bring in almost 1,500 direct and indirect jobs to the city and help develop SME suppliers in the state, a statement said. With this, Walmart India brings a wide range of quality merchandise, local assortment, unique shopping options, state-of-the-art door-step delivery and convenient payment solutions to its members in Mumbai, it said.

Members will be able to shop from their premises in four ways - by browsing and placing orders through its website www.bestprice.in, through Best Price mobile app, by dialling the Call Centre and through various Kirana Relationship Managers, the statement explained.

The FC will contribute to the state and local economy by creating jobs, developing SME suppliers, enhancing womens economic empowerment and empowering local communities.

Soon after the launch of this FC, Walmart India would be setting up various touch-points across the city for members to get a virtual store walk and browse through the aisles, it said.

The global chain recently signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government to build 15 Cash and Carry stores under the brand `Best Price' in the state. Of these, two stores have already been set up.
Trai said that advancement in satellite technologies is making it possible to provide ubiquitous coverage across the globe.

New Delhi: Telecom regulator Trai on Friday started consultation process on framing guidelines for full- fledged in-flight mobile services.

Trai, in its consultation paper on In-Flight Connectivity (IFC), said, "Given the rapidly expanding demand for 'In- Flight Communication', there is a proposal to introduce In- Flight Connectivity for voice, data and video services over Indian airspace for domestic, international and over-flying flight in Indian airspace."

The Department of Telecom (DoT), through its reference dated August 10, 2017, has requested Trai to furnish its recommendations on licensing terms and conditions for provision of IFC, it said.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said that advancement in satellite technologies is making it possible to provide ubiquitous coverage across the globe.

"It is possible for passengers to have telecom services in the aircraft travelling at 800 kilometres per hour and 10,000 meters in the sky due to satellite-enabled connectivity," Trai said.

It mentioned International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 2014 global passenger survey which said that 80 per cent of the passengers would use Wi-Fi if offered on board a flight.

The regulator has sought public view on whether the permit for providing IFC should be given under existing licences or a separate category should be created for it, requirement of registrations, use of satellite systems etc.

It has fixed October 27 as last date for comment on the paper and November 3 for counter comment.
Mumbai: Its no more a secret that Sara Ali Khan, daughter of Saif Ali Khan and his first wife Amrita Singh, is all set to start her Bollywood career with Abhishek Sharmas Kedarnath alongside Sushant Singh Rajput. She has already begun filming for the movie and it is expected to release some time in next year.

When Saif was asked about his daughters big Bollywood debut, the actor expressed his emotions. Saif mentioned to Mid-Day, "I am concerned for her, which is pretty normal for any father. But, I wouldnt say I am nervous because I am not living vicariously through her."



"What worries me is the kind of relationships she is going to have. Or for that matter, how she will deal with failure  will she get upset and cry about them? These are things that niggle at me," Saif continued.

Saif is also very happy and proud of his daughter, he added, "Im happy Sara is doing something she is passionate about. The only thing I have told her is to stay true to her job as an artist. But Kareena (Kapoor Khan) pointed out that I started taking interest in my work only recently and found my way. I hope she too finds her way."

On the professional front, Saif will next be seen in Chef which is an official remake of a Hollywood film starring Jon Favreau.
Bella Thorne modelled nude for a GQ Mexico cover photo shoot, and she says that she asked for the photos to be completely untouched by photoshop. In the spread with a title that roughly translates to the beginning of maturity, the 19-year-old model is seen taking off her layers of clothing around a grand mansion.

Posting the photograph onto her Instagram following the shoot, Bella wrote, Lemme tell you I have insecurities, about pretty much everything. Thats natural and thats human. You might look at this photo and think oh shush bella, but just know everytime someone looks in the mirror they simply dont see what everyone else sees. Know that its completely normal to feel insecure and its accepted. honestly I wish everyone talked more about their insecurities so more people in the world could know they aren't alone. That its ok (sic).

TheSun.co.uk reports that she went on to explain, If they show my acne scars or a wrinkle in my forehead or my teeth arent perfectly white, people will look at the photo and say no shes not perfect, she added. And usually most people dont want the public trashing and I get it. But f*** it Im here to tell you thats right Im not F***ING PERFECT. IM A HUMAN BEING AND IM REAL. So hip hop youre a**es over the fence and GET OVER IT (sic).
Judwaa 2, which arrives 20 years after Salman Khan romanced both Rambha and Karisma Kapoor in a movie its producer Sajid Nadiadwala had dedicated to Divya Bharti, is like those bad photocopies which are slightly skewed, with some bits hazy and others simply garbled.

Rating:

Cast: Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Taapsee Pannu, Zakir Hussain, Vivan Bhatena, Anupam Kher, Upasana Singh, Rajpal Yadav, Pawan malhotra, Ali Asgar, Manoj Joshi and Manoj Pahwa



Director: David Dhawan

You have to give it to Judwaa 2 for managing the unthinkable. Barely 10 minutes into the film and I was irritated, craving the original Judwa (1997), and thinking how good Salman Khan was, once upon a time...

I mean, good and Salman Khan in the same sentence  that deserves kudos.

It also tells you how dull this film is.

Judwaa 2, which arrives 20 years after Salman Khan romanced both Rambha and Karisma Kapoor in a movie its producer Sajid Nadiadwala had dedicated to Divya Bharti, is like those bad photocopies which are slightly skewed, with some bits hazy and others simply garbled.

Because youve seen the original, it kinda makes sense. On its own, it doesnt.

It does, however, make you want to seek out the original.

In India, one Mrs Malhotra has twins just as Mr Malhotra arrives, having irritated, en route, a bad diamond smuggler called Charles (Zakir Hussain) who makes double air quotes even when hes saying nothing that deserves to be even in single quote marks.

Doctor saab is explaining to Mr and Mrs Malhotra, by pinching one newborn, that they are one in eight million marvels of reflexology, or some such. Ek royega toh doosra bhi royega, ek hasega toh doosra bhi hasega, it seems. But, of these conjoined-but-now-separated twins, one is weak while the other is bahadur. Doctor saab may well have added, one will be sharif, other a tapori, one a lallu while other will be shana.

He doesnt, and just then the air quote guy decamps with one twin. Raja, is brought up by a poor lady in Versova, Mumbai, while Prem grows up with his parents in London. Raja does that thing which men do when their chaddie crawls up their crotch, exactly as Salmans did 20 years ago.

Prem plays the piano and guitar, while Raja phodos hard nariyals on one Alexs head, making him lose his memory, eventually...

Immediately, however, Alex, S/O Charles, puts his mean minions after Raja and his lisping pal Nandu (Rajpal Yadav). To escape the baddies, what do you think Raja and Nandu do? Take the Rajdhani to Delhi, Patna, Guwahati... No. These boys who have no passports, no money, fly off to London, en route Raja hitting on Alishka (Jacqueline Fernandez) who seemed quite pleased.

Meanwhile, in London, Prem has just joined a college which looks like the alma mater of Karan Johars dreams. Prem, however, is having a nightmare here. Hes being ragged, nangu-pangu, and so hes crying. Though Sweet Samaara (Taapsee Pannu) saves him and love-shav happens, whats noteworthy here is that we get to see Varun Dhawans six-pack since thats how we now measure the worth of our lead actors.

Since both Raja and Prem are in London, obvo, theres confusion of the judwa, humshakal kind till the movie drags itself to its predictable end where I was troubled by a quintessential issue, a question whose answer I seek and yet do not find: When a bad guy puts on a bomb vest on a good guy, why do all the good guys get together to play red wire-blue wire? Why dont they just take off the vest and run?

Its got to be either of these two scenarios. Ya toh Bollywood has fallen on such bad times that it has neither the calibre nor the talent to even attempt remaking iconic films that we still love, and so its now throwing its money on rather pedestrian, altu-faltu films.

Or, 30-year-old Varun Dhawan, who was launched by Bollywoods Johar gharana, is so hard up for work that he begged daddy David Dhawan and producer uncle Nadiadwala to please they put a finger down each others throat and regurgitate an old, stale hit.

And, as if then to prove that nepotism, does, indeed rule Bollywood, he also got uncle Salman to not just give his blessings, but also to lend one of his current leading ladies. Sab aapas ka mamla hai, bro. Baaharwaale can keep cribbing. As Rahul baba said, India is like that only. Nepotism hi Bhagwan hai.

Thats why sweet daddy Dhawan summoned pretty much the entire cast of Comedy Night This and That, along with Pawan Malhotra and Rajpal Yadav to make the proceedings somewhat interesting and entertaining. But he forgot to give them anything.

Between Zakir Hussain, Pawan Malhotra, Ali Ashgar, Anupam Kher and the two Manojs, they probably got three decent lines. Upasana Singh, who had to make-do with Bindujis horny-on-behalf-of-another routine, did it like they do it on TV  loud and tacky.

Judwa had Salman Khan and, well, Anu Malik, in full tapori form along side that stock 90s lot  Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor and an always hysterically out of place Dalip Tahil.

Judwaa 2 is long and copies the original almost in toto  plot to dialogue  but for some reason it decided to leave out those nice, little comic routines in between, the ones that fleshed out characters and made the trek to the inevitable end enjoyable.

Here the same things happen over and over again, with that judwa reflexology thing appearing and disappearing when the movie desired. The film is so creatively handicapped that it could not muster even one decent songs. The two hummable songs are hits from the original  Oonchi hai building and Chalti hai kya 9 se 12.

A better screenplay, or a shorter film would have taken care of the long dry spells during which I went to pee, twice, and to buy tea to stop myself from dozing off.

Or, well, a better actor.

Apart from a daddy who loves him, Varun Dhawan has many things going for him. And yet, he is strictly okay.

Varun has good comic timing, can jump, has dole-shole, can dance, but theres nothing impressive about him anymore. Worse, its increasingly clear that he is na ghar ka, na ghat ka.

In an item number in Judwaa 2 he does that sexy belly dance thing and for a few seconds I was riveted because he suddenly had that ambiguous sexuality thing going. His flying kicks that followed were impressive.

Varun can do action, comedy, romance, dance, look queer, yet in all of these its also very apparent that hes faking it, pretending. Nothing he does seems to go even an inch beyond the surface. He can dive from the heaven to hit a baddie, but that visceral gussa, one which puts the fear of god in others he cant project.

Heres hes neither able to be fully tapori nor a really nice guy. Its all just too much feiging. And in the emotinal scenes hes hysterically bad  Varun pulls such funny faces in dramatic scenes that he made me worry that hes either going to sneeze out a big booger or on hes going bonkers.

The two girls with him here appear in the cutest small dresses, but Varun is too asexual to have any real connect with either. This despite the fact that Jacqueline was so ready and poised for faltu fun.

Taapsee Pannu, on the other hand, seemed completely out of sync with the rhythm and spirit of the film. Though she came alive when she was dancing, in the rest of the film she was very thakela.
After his success with Baahubali, Prabhas definitely has a high star value. Now, the actor is cashing in on this for a cleaner India. The Union government has requested popular celebrities to support the Swachh Bharat campaign and Prabhas is one of them. Through Facebook, the actor has appealed to his fans to make Indian clean and green.

As we approach this significant day, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji, who always strived for cleanliness, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the great work happening on making India clean and green with the Swachh Bharat Initiative, (sic) reads his post.

The actor says that it is his duty towards his country. Its something that I personally believe in. Keeping my country clean and healthy is not just my duty as a citizen but also a habit. To all those who feel the same as me, lets continue doing our best for a cleaner India. Our country will definitely be more beautiful than it already is, (sic) he added.
Hordenine, a component found in malted barley and beer is responsible for cheering up a person. (Representational image)

If you love your glass of beer then this is good news for you! According to a new study in Germany, beer is good at lifting spirits.

Researchers looked at 13,000 different food components to find out which were the most effective at stimulating the reward centre in the brain and found that beer topped the list.

Hordenine, a component found in malted barley and beer is responsible for cheering up a person.

Professor Monika Pishetsrieder from Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU) said that a substance in beer activates the dopamine D2 receptor, making it so hard to stop drinking, or knowing when one has had enough.

Scientists call this hedonic hunger - the drive to eat for pleasure rather than to satisfy an actual biological need.

The feel-good effect is caused by the neurotransmitter dopamine.

According to the researchers, beer stimulated the reward centre in the brain where dopamine Dc receptors are found.

Scientists searched for substances in food that activate the dopamine D2 receptor, in the same way as dopamine and found that hordenine, a substance found in malted barley and beer.

Hordenine stimulates the D2 receptor in a way that could lead to a more prolonged surge of good feelings, than dopamine itself.
Musicals can have the same affect as a 30-minute work out, study finds. (Photo: Pixabay)

A new study has found that watching a musical is just as beneficial as a 30-minute workout.

Researchers made the discovery after examining an audience attending a Dreamgirls show, The Sun reported.

As the music and drama got more intense, their heart rates increased between 50 and 70%, the team found.

These level are optimal, the British Heart Foundation said to stimulate cardio fitness and to help boost stamina, the report revealed.

This type of activity was as exerting as a cardio workout, Dr Joseph Devlin, of University College London is quoted as saying by The Sun.

The most exciting thing people enjoy at the theatre was the feeling of goose-bumps, a new poll found and one in seven noticed their breathing change.
A script for the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' owned by the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn is displayed at Christie's auction house in London, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Photo: AP)



A script for the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' owned by the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn is displayed at Christie's auction house in London, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Photo: AP)

London: Fans of Hollywood glamour have snapped up mementoes from the collection of the late Audrey Hepburn at a London auction.

The star's personal shooting script for "Breakfast at Tiffany's" sold for 632,750 pounds ($846,619) at Christie's on Wednesday - seven times its pre-sale estimate and one of many lots that smashed expectations.

A Tiffany bangle that was a gift to Hepburn from director Steven Spielberg - inscribed "you are my 'inspiration" - sold for 332,750 pounds. Hepburn's wardrobe proved a big draw, with a bidder paying 68,750 pounds for a Burberry trench coat. A black satin Givenchy cocktail gown worn during the 1963 film "Charade" sold for 68,750 pounds. A satin sleep mask which had been expected to fetch up to 150 pounds sold for 6,250 pounds.

Christie's said Thursday that the sale fetched a total of 4.6 million pounds ($6.2 million), seven times the pre-sale estimate. The chic star of "Roman Holiday," ''My Fair Lady" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" died in 1993 aged 63. Hepburn's sons are selling about 500 items through live and online sales at Christie's. The online sale runs to Oct. 4.
Doctors from Jangsu Province found hard nodular objects, in shape of tine teeth, along the patients airways during a check-up.

In a bizarre incident, a man in eastern China discovered dozens of tooth-like growths inside his throat after suffering from shortness of breath.

Doctors from Jangsu Province found hard nodular objects, in shape of tine teeth, along the patients airways during a check-up.

The condition, known as Tracheobroncheopathia Osteochondroplastica (TO), is extremely rare as there have been less than 400 cases reported worldwide.

According to Kan Kan News, Zhang, who had been working away from home started feeling short of breath about six months back. Dr Zhu Xiangping, from Jiangsu Subei People's Hospital, conducted a biopsy for Mr Zhang and found an accumulation of bony and cartilaginous nodules in his trachea.

While the cause of the disease is yet unknown, a case report in the US stated that it was related to skin cancer. According to doctors, the lumps were benign.

There has been less than 10 cases of Tracheobroncheopathia Osteochondroplastica in China, and less than 400 cases around the world.

The bony nodules grew along the patient's airway up to 10 millimetres (0.39 inches), triggering coughs and blood in mucus.

As the number of nodules increased, the patient will also suffer shortness of breath.
Bathukamma is celebrated in all its floral glory by the women of Telangana. This year, Telangana Tourism wants to mark the festival in a special way  by joining hands with everyones beloved Chacha Chaudhary.

Diamond Toons, which has a history of building leading childrens brands, has created a special six-page comic book  Chacha Chaudhary Aur Phoolon Ka Tyohaar Bathukamma. The book, which will be published in Hindi and English, has Chacha explaining this exquisite tradition of Telangana.

Manish Verma, Director, Diamond Toons, says, Chacha Chaudhary has always come forward in support of such initiatives. This one-of-its-kind festival is not only unique in its way of celebration, but also brings up cultural milieus of Telangana.

Through this initiative, the department aims to spread the significance of the floral festival not only in India, but internationally as well.

Talking about the initiative, B. Venkatesham, IAS, Secretary to Government of Telangana, Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture Department, says, Bathukamma is a colorful festival of Telangana, celebrated by women with flowers that grow exclusively in the region. It is considered as a symbol of the states cultural identity. In fact, Bathukamma is the only festival in the world that is meant for women, performed by women and for the empowerment of women. So we want to establish the essence of the festival outside Telangana too.

Since Chacha Chaudhary reaches out to the maximum number of people from kids to adults  we believe this initiative will help in spreading the significance of the floral festival.
Maa Durga is one of the most influential deities in Hindu mythology. She signifies the victory of good over evil, ensuring the spirit of righteousness. And this is what we, women, need to embody in todays testing times to save our grace and dignity.

The honour and pride of being a woman comes when we fight for our rights everyday  be it at the workplace or at home.

Journalist Tarun Tejpal, filmmaker Karim Morani and many more such big names who took advantage of women have been brought to book. The Peepli Live director was acquitted but not before being shamed and sent to prison.

Women must bring out the powerful Shakti within to fight injustice to them  be it rape, domestic violence, female infanticide or acid attacks. We are not here to sit back.

Laws are strong

Earlier, it was considered a rape case only if there was intercourse. But after the Nirbhaya incident, theres a change in the law. Touching a womans private parts, outraging her modesty, having sex with minors, etc. are now considered more seriously than ever before. All the girl needs to do is complain so that we can gather biological evidences. Since the victim feels embarrassed, Cyberabad Commissioner has instructed only women police to investigate rape cases.

 S. Sunitha, Inspector of Police, Moinabad PS

Women must hold their ground

We have a strong law on Rape. There is no dearth of women who come forward to complain and hold their ground. The problem is with the investigators, prosecutors and judiciary, which affects the victim or complainant when the case is in the criminal justice system.

The most recent case is of that Delhi high court which acquitted Farooqui. And the new title advocates of womens rights have earned is feminazis  what does this mean? We are here to stay!

 Kalpana Kannabiran, Sociologist, Lawyer and Director of Council for Social Development, Hyderabad.

Speak up, woman!

In our legal system, there is a whole gamut of laws existing to punish those who perpetuate crime against women. The offences against which women are protected are present at all levels. What we require is that women subjected to an offence complain about the offence or any other person can report it. Even if they are expecting suo motto cognizance of an offence, the knowledge about the occurrence or reasonable doubts that such an offence has taken or will take place is essential for any person authorised under the law to act on.

 Keerthi Anantha, Advocate, Tatva Legal, High Court, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Seeking justice

The moment a woman musters courage and lodges a complaint, the offender will be booked under the Indian Penal Code and Nirbhaya Acts.

Only during trial, that is after the evidence is collected, the court will decide the truth of the accusation. You have an example in the acquittal of the Peepli Live director who was acquitted by Delhi High Court on grounds that the woman had said yes.

 A. Venkatesh, Advocate, Madras High Court.
Speaking at a press conference in the city, SY Qureshi, deputy commissioner, said that the arrest was made on a credible information by the special team, led by assistant commissioners J. Hari Kishan and K. Pavan Kumar, which conducted the raids on CPR Life Sciences, located in the Pashamailaram industrial area near Patancheru. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The special task force of the excise department on Friday seized 460.5 kg of Alprazolam worth Rs 4.6 crore and arrested the producer. One manufacturer and two suppliers are still at large.

Speaking at a press conference in the city, SY Qureshi, deputy commissioner, said that the arrest was made on a credible information by the special team, led by assistant commissioners J. Hari Kishan and K. Pavan Kumar, which conducted the raids on CPR Life Sciences, located in the Pashamailaram industrial area near Patancheru.

They seized 10.5 kg of Alprazolam. Following the arrest of the manufacturer, C. Siddarth Reddy, a raid was carried out on a godown at Vivekananda Nagar in Kukatpally and 450 kg of Alprazolam were confiscated, he said.

The police said that Siddarth Reddys father, CP Reddy, was the mastermind behind the syndicate and two persons Kalyan Ram and Selva Kumar were supplying Alprazolam to toddy shops across the state.

One of the absconding persons, Selva Kumar, is reported to be in Singapore. Special teams have been set up to nab the other two accused. Siddharth Reddy and his father are chemical engineers by profession and established the Alprazolam manufacturing facility on the instruction of Srisailam Goud, who was arrested earlier. We have registered two cases, assistant commissioner, Hari Kishan said.
K Manoj Kumar, Chatrinaka inspecto of police, said that the parents alleged that the treatment went wrong which resulted in his death. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: An 11-year-old boy, who was treated for fever at an ayurveda clinic, died allegedly due to a reaction of the treatment in Chatrinaka in the Old City. Parents of T. Tarun lodged a complaint with the police on Friday and a case has been registered.

Tarun is a resident of Shivajinagar in Uppuguda and is studying in class VI. For the past one week, he was suffering from fever.

His mother took him to Bavani Clinic, run by Dr Bhavani. She gave medicines and prescribed tests for him.

But when the fever did not subside, she visited the boy at his home and gave him injections.

Pallavi, the boys mother, said, The doctor visited our home and gave injections. When his condition worsened, she did not respond to our calls.

Later, the boy was rushed to Ashra Hospital in the Old City but was shifted to Niloufer hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

K Manoj Kumar, Chatrinaka inspecto of police, said that the parents alleged that the treatment went wrong which resulted in his death.

We are in the process of collecting evidence, the inspector said Dr Bhavani is absconding.
According to reports, the boy, who is a Muslim, was admitted earlier this week in a critical condition to a hospital after attempting suicide by consuming sleeping pills and phenyl at his Swaroop Nagar.

Lucknow: A class XII student of Delhi Public School, Kalyanpur in Kanpur district, attempted suicide after being repeatedly humiliated by school teachers and the principal, who had branded him a terrorist.

According to reports, the boy, who is a Muslim, was admitted earlier this week in a critical condition to a hospital after attempting suicide by consuming sleeping pills and phenyl at his Swaroop Nagar.

When the child regained consciousness, he said, I am not a terrorist, only a student. My bag is searched every day and I am made to sit in the last row. If I ask anything, the teacher send me out. Because of this behavior, even other students do not talk to me, he said.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, has met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and discussed the overall security situation and other related issues with them. (Photo: DC)

Srinagar: Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, on Friday visited Line of Control (LoC) for on spot assessment of the situation.

She interacted with the soldiers and officers of the Army at one of the forward posts.

She was accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, a defence spokesman said.

Sitharaman is holding a series of meetings with senior Army commanders in Srinagar and Leh to review the security situation along the borders with Pakistan and China and also in the hinterland.

A statement issued by the Army in Srinagar said the Defence Minister during her visit to the LoC was briefed about the robust counter-infiltration posture adopted along the de facto border.

On her return, she was briefed by the Army commanders in Srinagars Badami Bagh Cantonment on the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

She was given an overview of the counter-infiltration and counter-terrorism operations undertaken in the recent past. She appreciated the effectiveness of the intelligence and operational grids and commended the troops for the excellent operational successes, which had contributed significantly towards a secure environment in the State, the statement said.

The Defence Minister, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, has met Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, separately and discussed the overall security situation and other related issues with them.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra. (Photo: DC)

After her overnight stay in Srinagar, Sitharaman will fly to Thoise (Siachen) early on Saturday morning, the Army sources said.

This is Nirmala Sitharaman's maiden visit of the sensitive border state after assuming the charge as the countrys second woman defence minister earlier in September.

The LoC has witnessed a series of ceasefire violations in past few weeks leaving several people dead and wounded besides triggering migration to safer locations by hundreds of the border-dwellers.

The International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Jammu region also saw escalation in such incidents.

The Army officials said that the infiltration from across the LoC has also increased although most of such attempts were foiled by our alert jawans after killing over a dozen intruders in past two weeks. They claimed that a large number of militants are waiting at launch pads on the other side of the LoC to sneak into this side.

The Defence Minister will also take stock of the situation prevailing along the border with China in Ladakh region, the official sources said.

The Army officials added that the Defence Minister will hold a separate meeting with top Army commanders including Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu and the Corps Commanders of all the three Army corps based in Srinagar and Nagrota (Jammu) for a comprehensive review of the security situation along the LoC with Pakistan, Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and inside Jammu and Kashmir. A similar meeting is being organised at the 14 Corps headquarters in Leh (Ladakh).

The security forces have claimed that their Operation All Out launched in the Kashmir Valley in August has yielded positive results as a number of militants including several top commanders have been killed and few other arrested or they have surrender.

The operation will continue till all the terrorists and militants are eliminated or they surrender to clean Kashmir of the menace of violence and terrorism, J&Ks Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid, had said recently.

However, the stringent measures and also the surgical strikes carries out by the Army across the LoC in 2016 could not stop the incidence of infiltration and ceasefire violations along the de facto border.

According to an IndianSpend analysis of data from the South Asian terrorism Portal (SATP) run by a New Delhi non-profit organisation called Institute for Conflict Management, there has been a 31 per cent increase in deaths due to terror related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since the Army claimed conducting surgical strikes in PoK a year ago.

According to the report the number of such deaths went up to 323 in 2016-2017 (till September 24) from 246 reported in 2015-16 Officials said that, on September 30, the Defence Minister will visit Siachen Glacier to meet the Army officers and jawans at the worlds highest battle ground at the height of 18,875 feet from sea level. Though the guns fell silent many months ago, the Army continued to suffer casualties due to weather related incidents in the Siachen area.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) which takes care of the IB called Working Boundary in Pakistan said on Friday that it denounced the recent killing of two of its jawans by Pakistani snipers Ranger during a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers held in Suchetgarh area of Jammu district. The BSF lodged its complaint at a 45-minute meeting of its sector commanders with their Pakistani counterparts.

A spokesman of the BSF said that it strongly objected to the "dastardly acts of sniping" by Pakistan Rangers of two BSF soldiers on September 24 and August 25 along the IB and the "unprovoked cross-border firing and shelling" on many Indian border villages.

The spokesman added, Pakistan Rangers promised required measures would be taken to maintain peace at the border and also requested that the BSF should restrain as much as possible in counter measures to see that no civilian loss is caused on the Pakistan side.
Srinagar: Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, on Friday began a two-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir to review the security situation along the borders with Pakistan and China and also in the hinterland with top commanders of the Army.

This is her maiden visit of the sensitive border state after assuming the charge as the countrys second woman defence minister earlier in September.

During the visit, she is scheduled to visit forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and Siachen, the worlds highest battle ground.

She is being accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat.

The Defence Minister will also have one-on-one meetings with Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti.

The LoC has witnessed a series of ceasefire violations in past few weeks leaving several people dead and wounded besides triggering migration to safer locations by hundreds of the border-dwellers. The International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Jammu region also saw escalation in such incidents.

The Army officials said the infiltration from across the LoC has also increased although most of such attempts were foiled by our alert jawans after killing over a dozen intruders in past two weeks. They claimed that a large number of militants are waiting at launch pads on the other side of the LoC to sneak into this side.

On her arrival in Srinagar, the Defence Minister was given a detailed briefing on the overall security situation along the borders and in the hinterland by senior Army officials. She will also take stock of the situation prevailing along the border with China in Ladakh region, the official sources said.

The Army officials added that the Defence Minister will hold a separate meeting with top Army commanders including Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu and the Corps Commanders of all the three Army corps based in Srinagar and Nagrota (Jammu) for a comprehensive review of the security situation along the LoC with Pakistan, Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and inside Jammu and Kashmir. A similar meeting is being organised at the 14 Corps headquarters in Leh (Ladakh).

The security forces have claimed that their Operation All Out launched in the Kashmir Valley in August has yielded positive results as a number of militants including several top commanders have been killed and few other arrested or they have surrender.

The operation will continue till all the terrorists and militants are eliminated or they surrender to clean Kashmir of the menace of violence and terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid, had said recently.

However, the stringent measures and also the surgical strikes carries out by the Army across the LoC in 2016 could not stop the incidence of infiltration and ceasefire violations along the de facto border.

According to an IndianSpend analysis of data from the South Asian terrorism Portal (SATP) run by a New Delhi non-profit organisation called Institute for Conflict Management, there has been a 31 per cent increase in deaths due to terror related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since the Army claimed conducting surgical strikes in PoK a year ago.

According to the report the number of such deaths went up to 323 in 2016-2017 (till September 24) from 246 reported in 2015-16 Officials said that, on September 30, the Defence Minister will visit Siachen Glacier to meet the Army officers and jawans at the worlds highest battle ground at the height of 18,875 feet from sea level. Though the guns fell silent many months ago, the Army continued to suffer casualties due to weather related incidents in the Siachen area.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) which is responsible for defending the IB called Working Boundary in Pakistan said on Friday that it denounced the recent killing of two of its jawans by Pakistani snipers Ranger during a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers held in Suchetgarh area of Jammu district. The BSF lodged its complaint at a 45-minute meeting of its sector commanders with their Pakistani counterparts.

A spokesman of the BSF said it strongly objected to the "dastardly acts of sniping" by Pakistan Rangers of two BSF soldiers on September 24 and August 25 along the IB and the "unprovoked cross-border firing and shelling" on many Indian border villages.

The spokesman added, Pakistan Rangers promised required measures would be taken to maintain peace at the border and also requested that the BSF should restrain as much as possible in counter measures to see that no civilian loss is caused on the Pakistan side.
Bengaluru: State BJP chief, B.S. Yeddyurappa on Thursday backed his party leader, Balachandra Jarkiholis demand for the creation of a new taluk in Belagavi with Moodalagi as its headquarters. Moodalagi is presently part of the districts Gokak taluk.

Moodalagi in Gokak taluk fulfils all criteria for a taluk. It has 16 gram panchayats with 42 villages and a population of 1,34,914. Even the DC had recommended to the government that it should be declared a taluk, Mr Yeddyurappa said in a statement here.

Calling the demand just and genuine, he regretted that the Congress government in the state had not given any credible and convincing reason for dropping Moodaligi from the list of new taluks announced.

A new taluk is formed to improve the quality of administration and make governance more effective in the interests of the people. Three committees on re-organisation of taluks, the Vasudeva Rao Committee in 1973, the T.M. Hundekar Committee in 1984 and the P.C. Gaddigoudar Committee of 1986 have all recommended formation of 43 new taluks. The BJP government had in 2013 taken into consideration the recommendations of these committees and announced formation of a new Moodalagi taluk, he recalled, urging the state government to revise the list of new taluks to include Moodalagi among them.
People try to rescue those stuck in the stampede on the Parel-Elphinstone foot over bridge. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: At least 23 people died and several others were injured in a stampede at the Parel-Elphinstone foot-over-bridge (FOB) in Mumbai at around 10.30 am on Friday.

According to eyewitnesses, the stampede was triggered by rumours of the FOB collapsing, a short-circuit and broken stairs, at a time when approximately 9,000 commuters were using the bridge.

The Railway Protection Force and citizens swung into action immediately and tried to rescue those trapped in the melee.

The fire brigade arrived at around 11.35 am to carry out rescue operations even as the dead and the injured were rushed to the civic-run KEM Hospital. The number of casualties may increase, said hospital sources.

Around 2 lakh passengers from platform no. 1 at Parel and platform no. 2 at Elphinstone Road station squeeze themselves on the 30-year old FOB every day during the morning and evening rush hours. Despite multiple warnings about the possibility of a disaster occurring, no step was ever taken.

In the last one year, many commuters had taken to Twitter to voice their concerns about the FOB, tagging both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then railway minister Suresh Prabhu.

Last year, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant even wrote to Mr Prabhu calling for repairs on the bridge. Replying to his letter, Mr Prabhu had given his assurance that the FOB would be extended and widened and even sanctioned Rs 11.86 crore for the same.

Mr Prabhus successor, Mr c called for a high-level inquiry into the incident. He has called safety officers as well as railway board members from Delhi for a meeting on the disaster.

Ironically, the Railways uploaded tenders for extension of the fateful FOB on Friday.

However, the railways clarified that the tenders were not uploaded in response to the stampede that occurred on Friday.

Akash Kotecha, a lawyer who was lucky to survive the stampede after someone broke the bars of the stairs and pulled him out said that rumour mongering led to the tragedy.

The rush today morning was similar to what we see almost every weekday. But today, the fact the rains had slowed down the crowd and there were all kinds of rumours floating around, created panic among those who were on the foot-over-bridge, he said.

There were rumours about a short circuit, the Elphinstone end of the bridge collapsing and some staircases breaking, he added.

Another eyewitness, Sambhajit Verma, who was stuck in the middle of the FOB at Elphinstone said, I was being squeezed by the crowd from both sides. People kept screaming that the bridge had collapsed and they reacted by trying to save themselves, he said.

Vibhishan Jhadhav, who travels from Santacruz said that someone from the crowd shouted that the bridge was going to collapse. After that, people just panicked and started rushing down. This led to a blockade from both sides and increased suffocation on the bridge, he said.

According railway sources, a train had come into platform no 1 at Parel, going towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), as well as platform no. 2 at Elphinstone Road.

An official said, Two trains arrived at the same time during peak hours at both stations. People were going from one end to the other. We feel that at least 9, 000 people use it during peak hours because each 12-coach train carries around 4, 800 commuters.
Hyderabad: Osmania University (OU) has received about Rs 4 crore in donations from its alumni from all over the world on the occasion of its centenary celebrations. One of the most generous donations has been made by the Alumni Association University College of Engineering (AAUCE): Rs 70 lakh to construct a training centre for teachers in their alma mater.

Alumni from the Arts College have donated Rs 40 lakh for a computer lab. So far, promises have been made to contribute up to Rs 20 crore for building infrastructure and labs, said OU Vice-Chancellor S. Ramachandran.

Mr Ramachandran said, We have so far received three to four crore and we are expecting to receive more than Rs 25 crore as the Alumni Association University College of Engineering has promised to donate up to Rs 20 crore for the centenary celebrations. They are in top positions all over the world and they are showing a lot of interest in contributing.

He added that Rs 20 lakh was used for constructing a building for the geology department.
To qualify, SSC students must secure 90 per cent and clear all papers at one go. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: There are few takers for the scholarships offered by the TS Brahmin Welfare Cor-poration to students from the Brahmin community. The corporation launched the Saraswathi Vidya Prashasti scheme to give financial assistance to meritorious Brahmin students.

Around 10,000 students were expected to apply, but only about 300 did. The scholarships are for students from SSC to post-graduate level and range in amount from Rs 7,500 to Rs 35,000 per student.

To qualify, students must get above 90 per cent marks in the SSC or equivalent exam, and must clear all the subjects in one go in all the years without any backlog.

SSC students will get scholarship of Rs 7,500, Intermediate/Polytechnic or equivalent will get Rs 10,000, degree students Rs 15,000, students pursuing professional education Rs 35,000 and post-graduate students, Rs 20,000 on a one-time basis.

Applications can be made on the website launched for the purpose. Applicants must submit nativity certificate, caste certificate, date of birth certificate, Aadhaar card, mark sheet, copy of bank pass book and photo, along with the application.

Corporation chairman and TS government adviser K.V. Ramanachary said that thousands of students from the Brahmin community excel in academics at different levels and different stages of the education ladder, but due to financial limitations, they cannot join the best higher educational institutions. It is to assist them that the Saraswati Vidya Prashasti scheme was launched.

He attributed the poor response to lack of awareness because the scholarship was not publicised.
Fungus seen in a saline bottle that was reportedly administered to a 11-year-old.

Hyderabad: An 11-year-old who was admitted to the Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital and Research Centre (DDHRC) in Vidyanagar for seizures was allegedly administered fungus-infected saline. The family members of Vamshi Krishna alleged that this had made his condition worse.

This incident comes seven months after the death of seven-year-old Prabhalika from Jangaon district, whose condition worsened after she was administered saline from a bottle which had insects in it at Gandhi hospital. Earlier this year, contaminated saline was blamed for five persons losing their sight at the Sarojini Devi Hospital.

Krishnas relatives lodged a complaint with Nallakunta police and a case of endangering life (336 IPC) against the hospital's resident medical officer Umapathi Ram-prasad and other doctors was registered

Krishna, a Class VII student from Ramnagar, was admitted to the hospital at about 10 pm on Wednes-day. Doctors began administering saline and a few minutes later, Mr Srinivas, the boys uncle, noticed something strange in the saline bottle and alerted the staff, but no one responded.

The bottle was filled with fungi. We told the staff and even reminded them of the recent incident at Gandhi hospital, but it all fell on deaf ears, said Mr Srinivas.
Hyderabad: Krishna River Management Board chairman S.K. Srivatsava on Friday expressed helplessness with regard to the TS governments complaint against a contract agency for tampering the data of water release from Srisailam dam to Pothireddpadu head regulator.

Mr Srivatsava convened a meeting with representatives of TS and AP along with the contractor firm that set up the telemetry systems. He told TS Engineer-in-Chief C. Muralidhar that the telemetry systems were established this year on an experimental basis and the data cannot be taken into account due to faulty operations.

He also made it clear that data collected manually by the respective Chief Engineers was available with the KRMB and as such, the Board cannot fix accountability on the agency.

TS had demanded termination of the contract agency and initiation of criminal proceedings against it. However, Mr Srivatsava said told this was not necessary in view of the process being in experimental stage. The Board chairman also assured a full-fledged meeting next week to discuss the issue again.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government decision to reduce the tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) will have no impact on the existing air fares as it will be applicable only for new domestic services under the regional connectivity scheme like UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik). The cabinet on Wednesday decided to reduce the tax on aviation turbine fuel to five percent from 28.75 percent only for regional connectivity. There would not be any tax reduction on ATF on existing domestic or international flights," a top government official clarified to DC.

All major airlines have been urging the state to bring down the ATF so as to cut air fares as well as to enhance connectivity, especially to the Gulf sector. Even at a meeting of major airlines convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in May, the airlines' officials had suggested steep reduction in ATF tax to cut air fares. Some airlines even sought only one percent tax on ATF. The civil aviation ministry has been also urging all states to bring down the tax on ATF.

Aviation experts point out that bringing down the ATF's tax would lead to reduction in fares and attracting more aircraft and enhancing fuel intake. "About 300 aircraft are flying over Kerala skies every day. Thiruvananthapuram is even the mid-point of the busy Gulf - Singapore sector. If the state could offer ATF at competitive rates, many of these flights may prefer to take fuel from here and the state could get more income from tax. The airports will also get additional income in way of landing and other charges. At present many aircraft are taking fuel from Sri Lanka," an aviation expert pointed out.

The state government will soon convene a meeting of various domestic airlines seeking proposals to operate to routes like Mysore, Madurai and Coimbatore that now remain un-served. A state-level monitoring-cum coordination committee headed by additional chief secretary (revenue) P.H. Kurian was recently formed for pursuing the UDAN scheme. However, under it, the ATF's tax should be only one percent. Hence the state may not get the benefit of the scheme with five percent tax on ATF, said sources.
New Delhi: The bitter personal feud between former finance minister Yashwant Sinha and Union finance minister Arun Jaitley grew bigger on Friday.

Mr Jaitley during an event on Thursday had said the former finance minister was a job applicant at 80 who has forgotten his record.

The 84-year-old Mr Sinha said if he was a job applicant at 80, then Mr Jaitley would not be holding the finance portfolio now.

The two BJP leaders verbal duel had started with a debate on the state of the economy but turned personal with both raising questions about each others performance as finance minister.

Mr Sinha accused the finance minister of making cheap remarks. So cheap is the remark that I consider it below my dignity to respond to it, he said.

He has completely forgotten my background. I gave up the IAS when I had 12 years of service left to join public life. I refused to become a minister of state in the V.P. Singh Cabinet in 1989 as I had some issues... I retired from electoral politics. I am not active in politics and am living a quiet life in my corner. So if I was looking for a post, then first of all I would not have given up all these things that I gave up, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Sinhas son, Union minister Jayant Sinha dismissed allegations that he was put under pressure to write an article to challenge his fathers criticism of the NDA governments economic policy.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao extends Dasara greetings to his Cabinet colleagues during his press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Friday. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: Ahead of the elections to the prestigious Singareni Colleries Employees Union, scheduled for October 5, Chief Minister and TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao has announced a series of sops the employees would get, should the TRS-sponsored Telangana Boggu Gani Karimukula Sangham win. The TBGKS is pitted against the combined opposition-sponsored All India Trades Union Congress.

At a media conference at TRS headquarters on Friday, Mr Rao accused national trade unions such as Aituc, Intuc, and TNTUC of mortgaging the interests of Singareni employees and agreeing to withdraw the dependent jobs system much before the formation of TBGKS union. He wondered how the unions could now demand revival of the dependent jobs for employees family members when they themselves rejected it.

Mr Rao said that though his government had ordered the creation of the dependent job system, the representatives of the so called national trade unions went to the High Court which struck down the orders.

He said the Supreme Court too did not consider the special petition filed by the state government on technical grounds. I have sought legal opinion on this and now decided to bring compassionate and compensatory employment to those family members of the existing employees who wish to take retirement due to special health related conditions prevailing in Singareni once the elections are completed, he said.

Mr Rao said that without changing the nomenclature of the word dependent it was not possible to fulfil the age old promise.

He also promised to increase the number of diseases to be considered for medical invalidation so that maximum number of employees can avail the compassionate employment scheme. He said in case of dependents declining the job or not being eligible, the family will receive a one-time settlement of Rs 25 lakh or a monthly income of Rs 25,000 till they reach the age they would have retired.

The CM also announced extending the medical facility from spouse and children to include parents. He also promised interest-free home loan up to Rs 6 lakh for Singareni workers and claimed that it was only due to the efforts of the TBGKS, that the Singareni management had raised the profit share from 16 per cent to 25 per cent, besides increasing the Dasara advance and Diwali bonus.

He said the TBGKS succeeded in increasing ex gratia to Rs 25 lakh for accidental death, and Rs 20 lakh for natural death from a mere Rs 6 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday objected yet again to AP releasing Srisailam waters for the Pothireddypadu head regulator.

TS Genco chairman-cum-managing director, Devulpally Prabhakar said, It is not the end of the inflows, still inflows are reaching Srisailam and likely to continue for some more days. We are not wasting water. Each drop is being stored at NS dam downstream.

In a strongly worded reply to KRMB over its stop orders, AP engineer-in-chief M. Venkateswara Rao said that the TS government wants to deny AP its rightful share of Krishna waters from Srisailam, knowing full well that they cannot draw water below 854 ft level.

That is why it is diverting waters through the power house to deplete the water level to below 854 ft, he alleged.

He said that between 854 ft and the present dam level of 872 ft, only 35 tmc ft of water is available at Srisailam. If AP cannot take advantage of the present level, it cannot meet the drinking water needs of Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool and other areas till the next monsoon.

AP has also placed a fresh indent for 9 tmc ft. However, KRMB chairman S.K. Srivatsava said he may convene the three-member working group of the board on October 3 to review the whole issue. He said it is not proper for the states to violate the orders of the Board.
Hyderabad: Opposition leaders on Friday accused Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of misleading Singareni workers to win the union elections by hook or by crook.

Opposition leaders, including TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, TS TD working president A. Revanth Reddy and CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy slammed Mr Rao for making fresh promises close to the union elections.

Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the TRS government had done nothing for the welfare of Singareni workers during the last three years but the CM was now making fresh promises in view of union elections and blaming the opposition parties over dependent jobs fiasco.

He said that the TRS government was not serious about the dependent job promise to Sinagreni workers and had therefore come up with a faulty order that could not withstand legal scrutiny. He said once the elections were over, the CM would forget the Singareni workers.

Mr Revanth Reddy alleged that the TRS was using liquor and money to lure voters. He said that the deputation of ministers, MPs and MLAs of TRS for electioneering in Singareni elections shows that the Chief Minister feared a severe backlash. He said Singareni workers would teach the CM a fitting lesson by defeating the TRS-sponsored TBGKS.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday objected yet again to AP releasing Srisailam waters to the Pothireddypadu head regulator. Andhra Pradesh cannot release water as it likes, but must make a request to the Telangana state government, he said.

Mr Rao said that the Srisailam dam was conceived and constructed as a hydel project to generate power and not as an irrigation dam.

He was replying to a question during a media conference at Telangana Bhavan on Friday about AP drawing excess water for Pothireddypadu and tampering with telemetry data recordings.

The Chief Minister replied that the Pothireddypadu head regulator was meant to utilise surplus flows at Srisailam dam and not the regular flows as the entire storage at Srisailam was meant to act as a balancing reservoir for Nagarjunasagar. He said TS officials would voice their protest over the AP releases to Pothireddypadu at the meeting of the Krishna River Management Board.

Both TS and AP continue to release water from Srisailam to their respective projects without any official release order being issued by the KRMB, though both states have complained about each other to the Board.

After receiving these complaints, Board chairman S.K. Srivatsava on Thursday issued stop release orders to both states and asked them to adhere to the earlier orders.

Any fresh indents from the states could be considered in the next meeting of the board. However, both states have ignored the stop order and continued the releases even on Friday.

While placing a fresh indent for drawing of another 15 tmc ft of water, the TS government told the KRMB that the minimum draw down level (MDDL) at Nagarjunasagar must be maintained at 510 feet. At this level, the dam will have hardly 10 tmc ft which will be insufficient for the drinking water requirements in TS and AP (through the Right Branch canal) and hence we need more water and also allocation for Mission Bhagiratha.

TS Genco, which is utilising Srisailam waters to operate the Left Bank power house for the last few days, told the KRMB that due to power grid problems we need to generate hydel power for some more days.

The water used by TS Genco will reach Nagarajunasagar.
These violent killers are the products of poverty, of brainwashing, of fanatical religiosity, of the desire to go to heaven, of hatred for the American presence in Afghanistan, of the injustices done to the Muslim world. (Photo: AFP)

The point about the terrorist archetype is that there is no terrorist archetype. In his recent article in Dawn, Amir Rana pointed out that extremist tendencies are common in all segments of society, irrespective of socioeconomic or educational backgrounds.

Now, pundits, bureaucrats and media commentators offer multiple explanations for the waves of terrorism in which we are embroiled. There is an assumption that there are political objectives, or causes, involved. These violent killers are the products of poverty, of brainwashing, of fanatical religiosity, of the desire to go to heaven, of hatred for the American presence in Afghanistan, of the injustices done to the Muslim world. And so on and so forth. And, therefore, if only this or that or the other is done, all the violence will end.

For those grasping at such conceptual straws, it is necessary to suggest that, even if everything were to be happily resolved, from Palestine to Kashmir, and all grievances, real or imagined, removed so that utopias of prosperity are ushered in, these butchers would still find reason to continue plying their gruesome trade.

Is terrorism a psychological issue? We feel that cold-blooded mass killers like these must be psychopaths or at least lonely, disturbed outcasts from society. Not so, writes Dr Jeff Victoroff, in his definitive study of West Asian terrorists, The Mind of the Terrorist: A Review and Critique of Psychological Approaches. While there is a smattering of dangerous nutcases, most terrorists are clinically sane and often reasonably well adjusted in their community, social or religious circles.

A bizarre kind of inverse egoism drives the terrorist. Thus, these common hypotheses simply bite the dust. Clearly, the challenge of extremist terrorism is more complex and deep rooted than is understood by policymakers. It is a matter of thought processes. A bizarre kind of inverse egoism drives the terrorist. In 365 BC, in the city of Ephesus (in present-day Turkey), a man called Erostratus became tired of his own obscurity. He decided that, if he burnt down the sacred temple to the goddess of the city, he would achieve his moment of fame. The howls of horror of the people at this unspeakable act and their palpable fear of the anger of their gods, were his rewards. We have his successors today in those that attack places of worship and blow up the shrines of saints for whatever kind of thrilling frisson of excitement such a daring deed gives them. Or those that kill children. Like Erostratus, the modern terrorist is driven by the desire to achieve an enormous degree of notoriety  posthumously or otherwise  through the perpetration of acts of violence.

The Algerian-born philosopher Albert Camus understood the mindset well. In his work The Rebel, he suggests that self-actualisation through violence paradoxically carries self-destruction, a suicidal drive. Adolf Hitler, he saw as the ultimate nihilist, whose insensate passion for nothingness ended by turning against itself.

Therefore, if we accept Camus frightening postulate, the seed of nihilism exists in all of us. It needs only to be nurtured, given a cause as some kind of spurious justification, and provided with the resources and means to kill. The establishment that ran Pakistan chose to do precisely that, remoulding ordinary people into human death-machines and mobilising them for intervention in the Afghanistan situation in 1979 and again in 1996.

Finally, let us understand that it is not enough to fight set-piece battles in the mountains. The zombies must be disarmed and deprogrammed and their destroyed humanity restored. Or else they must be eliminated. Regrettably, this may prove to be an unendingly prolonged process.

By arrangement with Dawn.
The report states that Pakistan's antagonisms are driven by its aspirations to be treated on par with India (Photo: Representational Image)

Washington: The routine call for peace talks between India and Pakistan has no meaning unless Islamabad changes its course and stops terrorism, a top US think-tank has said.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a global think-tank, said in its report that such a move supported by countries, including the US, would be not only misguided, but also counterproductive.

The report "Are India Pakistan Peace Talks Worth a Damn" is authored by Ashley J Tellis, who holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the think-tank.

The 100-page report notes that international community's call for continuous India-Pakistan dialogue fails to recognise that the security competition between the two neighbours is not actually driven by discrete, negotiable differences but is rooted in long-standing ideological, territorial and power- political antagonisms.

The report says these antagonisms are fuelled by Pakistan's irredentism, its Army's desire to subvert India's ascendancy as a great power and exact revenge for the past victories of the Indian military.

Peace talks between the two countries are meaningless unless Pakistan changes its course and sheds its links with jihadi terrorism, it said.

The report states that Pakistan's antagonisms are driven by its aspirations to be treated on par with India despite their huge differences in capabilities, achievements and prospects, Tellis writes.

The Pakistan Army feels emboldened by the international calls for bilateral engagement, Tellis writes, adding that this is because Islamabad believes that its strategy of nuclear coercion successfully invites foreign pressure on India to make concessions on territory and other issues thus far out of reach.

After several unsuccessful efforts by the Modi government in the last three years, New Delhi of late has been insisting that there can be no talks with Pakistan unless it stops supporting terrorist activities in India.

"Talks and terror" cannot go together, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently told the Parliament.

Tellis report tends to supports Indias position and seeks other international powers, including the US, to extend their support to New Delhi.

"If the United States wants to advance stability in South Asia, it must set upon a course that, instead of merely urging talks, presses Pakistan to realistically accept its circumstances vis-a-vis India," the report said.

That requires, most importantly, a determined effort to compel the "deep state" in Rawalpindi to sunder its links with jihadi terrorism, it said.
Getting anywhere on the planet in under an hour  was one of the more intriguing possibilities Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, raised as he unveiled plans for a new rocket.

Mr Musk unveiled his ambitious plans on Friday to send cargo ships to Mars in five years and use rockets to carry people between Earths major cities in under half-an-hour. A trip from Bangkok to Dubai would take 27 minutes, and from Tokyo to Delhi in 30 minutes, according to his calculations.

The founder of SpaceX said a planned interplanetary transport system, codenamed BFR (Big Fu***** Rocket), would be downsized so it could carry out a range of tasks that would then pay for future Mars missions. The most important thing... is that I think we have figured out how to pay for (BFR), Mr Musk told a packed auditorium at a global gathering of space experts in Adelaide.

Which is to have a smaller vehicle, its still pretty big, but one that can... do everything thats needed in the greater Earth orbit activity.

He said his firm had starting building the system, with the construction of the first ship to start in six to nine months.

I feel fairly confident that we can complete the ship and launch in about five years, he added.

At least two cargo ships would land on the Red Planet in 2022, with the key mission of finding the best source of water  currently mooted as a way to power rockets, he said.

The rockets would place power, mining and life-support infrastructure on Mars to support future missions, with four ships set to take people, equipment and supplies to the planet in 2024.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Homosexuality is legal in the oil-rich, post-Soviet country, but a survey released last year by a rights organisation ranked Azerbaijan as the worst of 49 European countries in which to be gay. (Photo: AFP)

Baku: Authorities in Azerbaijans capital, Baku, have begun a vicious crackdown on the citys LGBT community, according to activists in the country. Reports suggest that over the past 10 days, dozens of gay and trans people have been arrested. One person the Guardian contacted said he had been beaten in police custody. Homosexuality is legal in the oil-rich, post-Soviet country, but a survey released last year by a rights organisation ranked Azerbaijan as the worst of 49 European countries in which to be gay.

There have been previous crackdowns on LGBT people, but this one is much bigger, with systematic and widespread raids, said Samed Rahimli, a Baku-based lawyer who is helping coordinate legal defences for those who have been detained. Rahimli said he was aware of 60 cases of LGBT people who had been either sentenced to 20 days imprisonment or fined as part of the recent crackdown.

Those currently in jail were charged with resisting police orders. This is a common charge used in Azerbaijan for arbitrary arrests, he said. He said many more people could have been caught up in the sweep but not formally charged. Azerbaijani authorities denied that the roundup targeted all LGBT people. Eskhan Zakhidov, a spokesman for the countrys interior ministry said, These raids are not against all sexual minorities. The arrested are people who demonstratively show a lack of respect for those around them.
Islamabad: Pakistans interior ministry has called for the electoral commission to bar from politics a new party backed by an Islamist with a $10 million US bounty on his head, a government document seen by Reuters showed on Thursday.

In a letter dated September 22, the ministry recommended that the Election Commission of Pakistan reject the newly formed Milli Muslim Leagues (MML) application to become an official party as it is affiliated with Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT), a militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

The registration of MML is not supported, the ministry said in the two-page document.

Spokesmen for the election commission and the interior ministry acknowledged the correspondence and confirmed that the letter was authentic.

The United States has designated LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, who currently heads the Jamaat-ud-Dawa Islamic charity, a terrorist. It views him as the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his imprisonment.

Saeed is currently under house arrest. Pakistans reluctance to press charges against him has been a sore point in relations with Washington and India over the past decade.

The ministry said MML is ideologically of the same hue as LeT and its affiliated charities Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insanyat Foundation (FIF).

Tabish Qayyum, a spokesman for the MML, said in a statement that the ministrys letter was unlawful.

MML isnt a bus or truck which needs registration, he said, denying that MML had links with any banned militant group.

The ministrys stance appears at odds with what political sources and a retired army general have said is a plan proposed by the militarys Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to mainstream some Pakistan-based anti-Indian militant groups as part of deradicalisation efforts by bringing them into politics.

The interior ministrys letter was written a week after MML caused a stir by winning 5 percent of votes in a parliamentary by-election in Lahore on Sept. 17.

The document said foreign countries have raised diplomatic objections to MMLs existence and the interior ministry has sought the opinions of intelligence agencies on the group.

One of the agencies, the ministry said, has warned against letting proscribed and monitored organizations enter politics with a view to gaining legitimacy.
President Trump also left the door open to an eventual political deal with the Taliban while unveiling the South Asia and Afghan policy. (File Photo)

Washington: The recently announced South Asia strategy by President Donald Trump is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in "counter terrorism campaign," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said, as he praised Indias commitment towards the development of Afghanistan.

The South Asia strategy is "not exclusive of someone", Mattis said in response to a question.

It is inclusive for all responsible states that want to stop terrorism in its tracks and defend the innocent, he said.

As such, Mattis said, he sees the South Asia strategy announced by Trump in August an opportunity.

"I agree 100 per cent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign," Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference in Kabul, according to a Pentagon transcript.

In what could come as a disappointment for Pakistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani echoed Mattis, as the latter travelled to Kabul directly from New Delhi, without going to Islamabad.

Pakistan, so far has resisted Trumps Afghan and South Asia policy.

This is primarily because for the first time, the United States seeks to hold Pakistan accountable for its support to terrorist groups and organization.

And much to the inconvenience of Pakistan, Trumps policy seeks greater developmental role for India in this war-torn country.

"The reaction for the (Pak) government and the public at large was of utter disappointment, though not shocking. It was not unexpected but it was it was unpleasant," Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif told a New York audience this week.

"We dont see any military rule or any strategic role of India in Afghanistan," the top Pakistani diplomat said.

So far, Pakistan appears to be resisting from implementing Trumps Afghan and South Asia Policy.

Mattis told reporters in Kabul that the United States "will watch" Islamabads choices.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with both Mattis and Ghani saying that this is a regional approach, which includes both Pakistan and India.

Both of them have to be included in a mutual approach.

He urged all countries in the region to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Mattis said India has been "very, very generous" in its development assistance to Afghanistan.

India is committed to doing even more to help the people of Afghanistan, he said.

"Certainly, that cannot be seen as contrary to another nations interest to help people who are working their way out of many, many difficult years since the Soviet invasion," the US defense secretary underscored.
People gather around the bodies of Rohingya Muslim refugee children, lined up near the shore of Inani beach, near Coxs Bazar after their boat capsized (Photo: AFP)

The UN migration agency on Friday said that more than 60 people are either confirmed dead or missing and presumed dead following the shipwreck of a boat carrying Rohingya Muslims who were fleeing from violence in Myanmar to Bangladesh.

Spokesman Joel Millman of the International Organisation for Migration told reporters in Geneva that 23 deaths have been confirmed after eight more bodies were found overnight following an initial count of 15.

Based on interviews that IOM has conducted with survivors, Mr Millman said, We believe 40 are missing and presumed drowned on the vessel, which was thought to have been carrying about 80 people.

He said he didnt have information immediately about whether it was the worst death toll at sea since the exodus of Rohingya began August 25 amid violence targeting them in Myanmar.

The very tragic accident involved a vessel that had been at sea for two days with no food and had faced choppy seas, Mr Millman said. The Bangladeshi captain had not initially charged the passengers any fee for the transport and had been trying to avoid sea patrols or checkpoints, he said.

The details are absolutely astonishing and remarkable, Mr Millman said. At one point, he (the captain) chose to anchor the vessel, but that proved to be a fatal mistake as the rough seas were much worse than he supposed. This was easily within sight of land.

UN chief Antonio Guterres exhorted Myanmars leaders to end the nightmare faced by Rohingya refugees.

Speaking at the UN Security Council meet, Mr Guterres urged Myanmar to halt military operations and open humanitarian access to the conflict-wracked western region. The situation has spiralled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare, he said.
R Sampath Raj, the three-time Congress corporator from Deverajeevanahalli (DJ Halli), was unanimously elected the 51st mayor of Bengaluru on Thursday. Padmavathi Narasimhamurthy of the JD (S), the corporator from Rajagopala Nagar, was elected the 50th deputy mayor.



Two corporators each were contesting the elections for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor. Sampath Raj's rival was S Muniswamy, the BJP corporator from Kadugodi. Padmavathi's rival was Mamatha Vasudev of the BJP.



Even before the election could begin, BJP members protested for 45 minutes in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council, alleging manipulations during previous elections and boycotted the polls. In 2016, eight MLCs of the Congress and the JD(S) had misled the election commission and cast their vote by including their names in the voters' list. The BBMP electoral college comprises corporators, MPs, MLAs and MLCs.



After the BJP members' walkout, the election was a cakewalk for Sampath Raj. BJP members staged a walkout before the regional commissioner could call the name of the party's candidate, Muniswamy.



Sampath Raj got 139 out of 266 votes while Padmavathi secured 138 votes. Though all the 139 members raised their hands to vote for the post of deputy mayor,

P R Ramesh was not present while signing his name, which lowered the number to 138.



Both Sampath Raj and Padmavathi later met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.



Regional Commissioner M Jayanthi, Deputy Commissioner V Shankar and BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad were present during the polls. After the polls, Congress members urged the regional commissioner to take stringent action against BJP members for causing a ruckus in the BBMP council.



Who said what?



"Sampath Raj is an efficient person and since he is an engineer, he would ensure the development of the city. He is a good and able administrator. In fact, the brimming of lakes across the city following the recent rain is a good omen for the next mayor."  outgoing mayor G Padmavathi



"Most of the works started during the term of the outgoing mayor have reached the tendering stage. All these works will be implemented now. We will strive to make the city beautiful."  BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad



"He (the mayor) has to address the difficulties that people are going through due to rain."  Kavitha Raji, wife of Sampath Raj



"I'm very happy the city has got a new mayor. He should give more importance to roads and provide amenities."  Prema Raji, sister of Sampath Raj.
Senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Thursday demanded that the Siddaramaiah government announce a boat bhagya scheme for the residents who get stranded due to waterlogging in their areas every time it rains in Bengaluru.



Speaking to reporters here, Ashoka claimed that the state government had spent Rs 22,000 crore during the last four years on civic amenities and infrastructure development in Bengaluru. However, there was no improvement on ground. Where did all the money go? the government should furnish the accounts, the former deputy chief minister said.



He said Rs 3,000 crore had been shown to be utilised for repairing and maintenance of roads in Bengaluru. But, most of the roads in the city were still full of potholes.

Ashoka charged the government with looting the state exchequer by earmarking Rs 1,000 crore for white topping of roads. He said the government should also pay compensation to citizens whose houses were inundated following the recent rain in Bengaluru.








The Delhi Police today detained nine students of the Banaras Hindu University who were on their way from Jantar Mantar to the prime minister's official residence to submit a memorandum.



The students -- eight boys and and a girl -- were released later. The Chanakyapuri Police said the girl was asked to to leave soon after her detention while the others were let off late in the night. The girl, Mineshi Mishra, however, refused to leave without her friends.



The students had plans to meet HRD minister Prakash Javadekar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to submit a memorandum. However, they could not get an appointment.



Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal tweeted, "Just heard dat BHU girls have been detained at PS Chanakyapuri. Speaking to Police to immediately release them. DCW team on its way to assist them.(sic)"



On a delay in release of the students, she tweeted, "Really unfortunate that despite requests @DelhiPolice is yet to release the girls. They should be immediately released."



The girl student, Mishra, alleged that during the detention period her friends were threatened by police and some of them were "deported out of Delhi".



"We are not going to encounter you. We will just drop you off Delhi, just like Teesta Setalwad," she said quoting the police in a complaint to the DCP Chanakyapuri Police Station.



"I put on record if it weren't for the media personnel, the police was fully prepared to manhandle us, just like they did in BHU. My request is not only to take action against your intimidating officers but also ensure safety and liberty of me and my friends," she said in the complaint.



Two days back, the students staged a demonstration in Jantar Mantar against the lathi charge on girl students who were protesting the molestation of a girl at the BHU campus. They also demanded the resignation of Vice Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today arrived here on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir during which she would review the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Valley and Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region.



Sitharaman, accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, arrived here this morning on her maiden visit to the state and straightaway went to Kupwara sector in north Kashmir for an on-ground assessment of the situation along the LoC, defence sources said.



The sources said senior army officials would brief the defence minister about the overall situation in the Valley, including counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration operations, upon her return from Kupwara.



Sitharaman is scheduled to meet Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti later in the day, they said.



She is scheduled to visit Ladakh region tomorrow where she would take stock of the situation along the LAC, the sources said.



They said Sitharaman might either visit Siachen Base camp or carry out an aerial tour of the glacier which is known as the highest battlefield in the world.



The Siachen leg of the visit would depend on the weather conditions, they added.




Maharahstra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday assured strict action against those found responsible for the stampede in a Mumbai suburban station.

Fadnavis, who is on an official visit to Singapore, spoke to chief secretary and Mumbai police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar and took an overall assessment.



"Enquiry would be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action would be taken," the CM tweeted.

Enquiry will be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action will be taken.@RailMinIndia

 Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

Fadnavis tweeted a audio statement from Singapore.




Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was freed after being kept in captivity suspectedly by the ISIS for 18 months in strife-torn Yemen, today reached Bengaluru, where he met priests of his religious order.



"I thank God almighty. I thank everybody in the name of Jesus," Uzhunnalil, who had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday, told reporters at the airport here after arriving from Delhi.



The 59-year-old Catholic priest had returned to Delhi yesterday after rest and recuperation in the Vatican City.



Uzhunnalil belongs to the Congregation of Salesians of Don Bosco and was abducted reportedly during a terrorist attack in Aden and taken to an undisclosed place.



He was welcomed by Bengaluru Development Minister K J George and several priests, besides Christian leaders at the airport.



After his arrival, he was driven to Don Bosco Provincial House where he was welcomed by Father Jose Koyickal, the Vice Provincial of Bengaluru Province.



He also attended a meeting at St.John's Medical College and Hospital.



Uzhunnalil reached Yemen in 2010 and was serving the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity of St. Mother Teresa and the catholic population there.



"I do not know how to thank God. He made it possible. My mind is clear. I thank the Almighty. I thank the government of India, of various other countries.



"The Hindu brothers who worshipped for my well-being, the Muslim brothers who prayed to Allah for my safety. I now belong to entire world," Uzhunnalil had told reporters in Delhi yesterday.



The priest had met the prime minister and the external affairs minister and thanked them for their support.
Up to six people were killed when a suicide bomber posing as a shepherd blew himself up near a Shiite mosque in Kabul on Friday, police said, as Muslims prepare to commemorate a key Islamic event.



As many as 20 others were wounded in the attack, which happened in the north of the Afghan capital as worshippers were inside Hussainia mosque, one of the biggest Shiite centres in the city, for Friday prayers.



"The bomber was grazing a herd of sheep and before reaching his target he detonated himself 140 metres from Hussainia mosque," General Salim Almas, Kabul's criminal investigative director, told AFP.



Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Facebook that five civilians were killed and 20 others were wounded. Three suspects have been detained.



Kabul's Emergency hospital tweeted that it had received 19 wounded including four children.



A photo posted on Twitter purportedly taken at the scene of the attack shows a man lying on the ground, covered in blood. A severed leg belonging to someone else is beside him.



There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but following the attack the Taliban were quick to distance themselves from the bombing.



"Today's Kabul attack has nothing to do with us. After a thorough investigation we found out that we had no operation in Kabul, and this attack is not linked to us," Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told AFP.



In the past Taliban and Islamic State jihadists, who belong to the rival Sunni branch of Islam, have repeatedly targeted the minority Shiite community.



A shopkeeper told AFP that the suicide bomber blew himself to bits after he was identified by suspicious civilian guards who had set up a checkpoint about 200 metres (yards) from the mosque.



Afghanistan has trained and armed more than 400 civilians to help protect Shiite mosques during the holy month of Muharram.



The attacker had apparently wanted to reach the mosque while worshippers were still inside the prayer hall.











Afghan security forces patrolled the dirt street where the attack happened. Nearby shops, most of which would have been closed on a Friday, were damaged by the blast.



Salim Shaheen, who was inside the mosque at the time of the explosion, told AFP there were multiple casualties.



"We were busy offering our Friday prayers when a big bang happened and we stopped prayers and rushed out," Shaheen said.



Shaheen said "several people were killed and wounded". He and other bystanders took 15 people including six children to hospital.



There had been fears insurgents would strike as Shiites prepare to commemorate Ashura, which falls this weekend and is the most important Shiite observance.



It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.



The faithful gather to beat their chests and hit their backs with chains until they bleed in commemoration of Hussein's death.



But in recent years the sacred day has been marred by deadly violence.



In 2011 a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the middle of a crowd of worshippers at the main Shiite shrine in Kabul on Ashura, killing 80 people, including women and children.



Afghan officials blamed the bombing -- the first major sectarian attack on a key religious day in Afghanistan -- on Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.



Last October gunmen entered the Karte Sakhi shrine near Kabul University and killed 18 people gathering to mark Ashura, an attack claimed by the Islamic State.



The following day at least 14 Shiites were killed in a bombing at a mosque in northern Afghanistan. A few weeks later Baqui ul Ulom mosque in Kabul was targeted when a massive suicide blast claimed by IS killed dozens of worshippers
The Sino- India border dispute can be resolved through a "structural dialogue" and a positive approach, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today.



Singh made the remarks while visiting a forward post in Uttarakhand where he met jawans of the Indo Tibetan Border Police.



Undertaking the first-ever visit by a senior minister to the China border after the recent resolution of the stand-off in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector, Singh said there has been a "perceptional difference" of the border between the two neighbours for long and that he was sure that this issue will be "resolved" with time.



"The border issue will be resolved once we have structural dialogue (with China). What we need is a positive approach (to the issue)," the home minister said at the ITBP post located at an altitude of 14,311 feet.



Singh said the Dokalam "deadlock" was resolved similarly and without any confrontation.



The 'Mana' ITBP post is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand as the last battalion centre of the paramilitary that serves forward border bases along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).



Interacting with the jawans of the force during a 'Sainik Sammelan' at the border post, Singh also made the announcement that "light clothing" for winters and to combat frosty weather will be provided to the ITBP troops, who are mostly deployed above the height of 9,000 feet.



He assured the troops that issues such as better promotional avenues, exemption of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) canteens from the GST and enhancement of infrastructure and other facilities for them will be taken up on priority.



The minister expressed concern that not many promotions have been effected in the force, as he asked ITBP Director General (DG) R K Pachnanda to undertake more steps in this regard. The force has recently promoted about 1,600 personnel across various ranks.



"We are trying to give the best facilities to our jawans...we have recently promoted about 36,000 troops (in the constabulary) in all the CAPFs, including 3,500 from the ITBP.



"These things will keep going on...we will surely look into all your issues," he told the jawans.



Singh praised the ITBP personnel and called them "multi dimensional" as they render a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country.

"We are proud of you," he said.



The 90,000 personnel strong ITBP is tasked with guarding the 3,488km long Sino-India border across five states from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.
Online abuse heaped on a dead Gauri Lankesh lays bare the "hostile atmosphere" people are facing today on social media where an army of trolls is either "intimidating dissenters" or fomenting tension, according to leading journalists.



Shocked at the gunning down of the 55-year-old journalist -activist, an outspoken critic of Hindutva politics, many journalists and activists concurred that a "climate of fear" was being built by "paid trolls" on Facebook and Twitter to silence those holding divergent views or to "spread disinformation".



Senior TV journalist Ravish Kumar said that he felt like he was a "dead man walking" ever since he heard about the chilling murder of Lankesh at the entrance of her home in Bengaluru, an eerie reminder of the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and former vice-chancellor of Hampi University M M Kalburgi.



"Gauri Lankesh's killing is not a one-off case. She was silenced because she bravely and fearlessly aired her views. People have been killed in the last few years just because they had a divergent opinion or dissented against an idea.



"Even after her (Lankesh's) death, many on social media are using abusive language to describe her. Look at your timelines (on Facebook and Twitter), there are people watching, what you are writing. She was killed to send out a message to all of us that if you dissent, you will meet this fate," Kumar said at a gathering yesterday.



Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, who was trolled for an article recently, shared how the world over people were fighting an "organised army of trolls, paid for by those with vested interest, either political or corporate".



"And, especially the extreme-right-wing people are using the techniques and the tactics in a Goebbels-like manner to spread disinformation, which is a propaganda, for a purpose, which is extremely pernicious. Fake news is being spread through WhatsApp and other media to foment hatred and tension, like in the Muzaffarnagar riot case," he said.

Facebook has more users than the population of China and it's is only growing. "So, it cannot be ignored or wished away," Thakurta said.



"It (social media) is like a surgeon's scalpel. It is sharp and can be used to remove a diseases part of the body and the same tool can be used to injure, maim or even kill somebody. Facebook and Twitter are becoming a difficult terrain, especially for journalists and outspoken people," he added.



Amid an outrage over the cold-blooded murder of Lankesh, scores of fellow journalists from various media houses yesterday gathered at the Press Club of India here, and also expressed concern over tasteless jibes being hurled on social media, for the political views she held.



JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar said, hours after her death, there were people on social media, who described her with demeaning epithets.



"It is a tough time for journalists. And, even RTI activists and environmental activists have been killed in the past. Now, social media is being used to intimidate and threaten people. If you have a different opinion or if you dissent and air your view on Facebook or Twitter, you will be trolled and harassed," he said.



General Secretary of Broadcast Editors Association Ajit Anjum said it was a difficult time for journalists and people expressing divergent views, especially on social media.



"People are being killed on social media first," he said.Noted Supreme Court lawyer Vrinda Grover, who was present at the protest meet, expressed her horror over the killing, and said, "We are living in very dangerous times."



"This was not a one-off, random case. Lankesh was killed because she stood and fought for ideas of justice and values enshrined in our Constitution -- liberty, equality. And, even after her death, people are using abusive language for her on social media. People being abused or intimidated on social media to silence them, is a very dangerous trend," she added.
India today cited Afghanistan NSA's statement rejecting Pakistan's claim that it had received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist, to assert that it was another addition to Islamabad's "imaginary lies".



The reaction came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif suggested that he received the proposal to swap Jadhav with the terrorist, lodged in an Afghan jail, during his meeting with an NSA. However, Khwaja did not identify the NSA or the terrorist who was to be swapped.



Contradicting Asif's claim, the office of the Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar issued a statement saying there was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen during his meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister on September 21 in New York.



Asif had told a gathering at the Asia Society in New York on September 26 that Pakistan received a proposal to swap Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan.



Reacting strongly, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the statement by the office of the Afghan NSA suggested that the claim by Asif was one more addition to the long list of "imaginary lies" by Pakistani establishment.



The statement by Atmar's office said the two sides, during the meeting, had detailed discussions on variety of issues including bilateral cooperation.



"The two sides also discussed sanctuaries in Pakistan and exchange of the top five Taliban leaders detained in Pakistan. There was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen," it said, adding Atmar was hopeful that the record of the meetings are reported accurately and facts are not "misconstrued".



The MEA spokesperson also referred to Pakistan's use of a "fake picture" in the United Nations General Assembly recently, adding the Pakistan Foreign Minister's claim was another lie.



"If you have gone through the press release (issued by Afghan NSA's office), it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies as stories which have been created by Pakistani establishment," said Kumar.



Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistan's Field General Court Martial on charges of his alleged "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against Pakistan.



In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the International Court of Justice had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.



The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the gruesome Peshawar school attack in 2014 in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.
The coastal enclave of Del Mar, among the first California cities to ban single-use plastic bags, polystyrene take-out containers and cigarettes in public places, is now taking aim at wood-burning fireplaces.

City council members have asked staffers to draw up regulations that would ban wood-burning fireplaces in all new residential construction. They also plan to require any homeowner who spends more than 50 percent of the value of their house on a remodeling project to include a retrofit of any existing fireplace to burn only natural gas.

The health impacts are really profound here, said Councilman Dwight Worden. Whats coming out of fireplaces is really worse than cigarettes, which we dont allow.

Wood smoke may be hazardous, but it is not a significant pollutant in San Diego County, said Robert Kard, a director at the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, which works with cities and other agencies throughout the county to improve air quality.

We just dont have that problem, Kard said.

Smoke is more of a problem in regions that often get stagnant air, such as the states Central Valley, known for its tule fogs, and Los Angeles, with its smog, he said, and some cities there ban or restrict wood burning when air conditions are poor. In San Francisco, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has prohibited wood-burning fireplaces and stoves in new construction since 2016.

Del Mar would be the first city in San Diego County to ban wood-burning fireplaces, Kard said.

We think it is a great idea, he said. Gas is a lot cleaner. You are not polluting your indoor air, and you are not bothering your neighbors. Its never good to breathe smoke.

Except for people living in the mountains or the desert, almost no one in the county heats their home with a fireplace.

We are really long past needing a traditional fireplace, Kard said.

Del Mar City Council members on Monday, Sept. 18, voted 4-1 for the proposal, noting the adverse effects of wood smoke on peoples health and the environment.

Only Mayor Terry Sinnott opposed the idea, saying the ban would be difficult to enforce and that instead he would rather promote incentives for people to burn natural gas instead of wood in their fireplaces.

Councilman Dave Druker emphasized that the ban would only be on new construction.

We are not going to go back and make everybody take out their wood-burning fireplaces, Druker said.

At a recent meeting, no one spoke in favor of a flaming hearth, its cozy warmth or its familiar smell, but two Del Mar residents supported the fireplace ban.

We on the Design Review Board have been struggling with this for years, said board member Bill Michalsky. We want to protect the neighbor upwind.

Its not the overall air quality that matters as much as the fireplace next door, said Rick Ehrenfeld, a former Del Mar planning commissioner and review board member.

If Im sitting next to someone whos smoking a cigarette, I dont care what the overall air quality is, Ehrenfeld said.

A ban on wood-burning fireplaces in new residential construction will eventually eliminate them in all homes, he said.

Pizza shops and other restaurants that use wood for cooking would not be affected by the proposed ban.

The council also considered requiring a catalytic converter or some other device on fireplaces to control smoke, but decided an outright ban would be easier to enact and enforce.

I say we either ban them or allow them, Druker said. Keep it simple.

A spokesman for the San Diego County Building Industry Association, Senior Public Policy Advisory Mike McSweeney, said Tuesday, Sept. 19, he hadnt heard of Del Mars proposal, and that he would need to discuss it with association members before taking a stance.

It sounds like a solution in search of a problem, McSweeney said.

City staff members are expected to present a proposed ordinance to the council next month. The work will be done in-house, using examples adopted in other jurisdictions, so the costs should be limited to staff time.

Worden suggested the staff also look at ways the city could provide incentives for people to convert existing wood-burning fireplaces to natural gas.

Del Mars council unanimously voted in February 2016 to ban single-use plastic bags, and followed that up a few months later with a prohibition on take-out food containers made of polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam.

In 2014, the city banned the use of battery-powered e-cigarettes in all places where public smoking is prohibited.

Smoking has been prohibited at the citys beaches and parks since 2006.

 Phil Diehl is a writer for The San Diego Union-Tribune
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The company promises that customers will have access to a service by Jan. 31 that will let them lock and unlock their credit files anytime for free.



By KEN SWEET

AP Business Writer

NEW YORK  Equifax, under pressure from a massive data breach, is apologizing and trying again to make amends to consumers. Its new interim CEO  installed this week after the previous chief executive announced his retirement  offered his sincere and total apology to the customers impacted, in an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal.

The apology comes ahead of hearings next week, when company executives will be facing Congress to explain to angry politicians how the company ended up exposing the personal information of 143 million Americans.





. . .
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The utility contractor best known for pruning and removing trees around power lines, pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge.



By MICHAEL RUBINKAM

Associated Press

A suburban Philadelphia tree-trimming company whose orange trucks are a familiar sight in communities throughout the United States will pay a record fine after pleading guilty in a scheme to employ thousands of people in the country illegally.

Asplundh Tree Expert Co. of Willow Grove, a utility contractor best known for pruning and removing trees around power lines, pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal criminal charge and was ordered to pay a total of $95 million. Prosecutors called it the largest monetary penalty ever levied in an immigration case.





. . .
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KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP)  The Alaska city of Ketchikan has welcomed more than 1 million cruise ship visitors in a single season for the first time.

The millionth visitor was honored Monday, the Ketchikan Daily News reported. Cany Borda of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was presented a custom sash by John Binkley, president of Cruise Line International Association Alaska.





. . .
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SPOKANE  Affordable-housing advocates from around the state will meet next week for Housing Washington, a three-day annual conference.

Speakers will discuss housing and homelessness, and local government representatives will offer insights into what's happening on Capitol Hill.





. . .
Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday held a series of meetings with industry captains and exporters as the government looked for a solution to the teething troubles of GST implementation and reenergise the economy.

Jaitley also invited suggestions to improve the new indirect tax system and ensure the compliance burden does not adversely affect businesses, especially small and medium ones.

Jaitley also sought to puncture claims made in an article in a national daily written by senior BJP leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha that claimed the economy was in a tailspin.

''We have brought the current account and fiscal deficits down, brought rupee under control and opened up several sectors for FDI. Today PSE capital expenditure is Rs3,00,000 crore, FDI remains the largest ever and direct tax collections are 15.7 per cent more,'' Jaitley said while countering Sinha.

Sinha also called demonetisation an ''unmitigated disaster'' slapped on the economy and GST a hasty step, which gave the opposition a fresh chance to mount an attack on the government (See: Modi govt has made 'mess' of economy: Yashwant Sinha).

Jaitley said fiscal prudence was not an easy job and the NDA government changed the old normal of black money and shadow economy. It also ended discretion, the root of political corruption that was prevalent in New Delhi.

The finance minister, however, admitted that the government was facing a challenge of a temporary slowdown in the economy due to demonetisation but was taking all steps to address it.

Finance ministry officials said the government's fiscal deficit target is unlikely to be breached despite revenue shortfall in the short term.

''The fiscal deficit target of the government will not be breached. It will remain at 3.2 per cent of the GDP,'' finance secretary secretary Subhash Chandra Garg said.

The government is also preparing special funds and duty credit scrips for exporters who have suffered due to late refunds in the wake of GST, a source said.
Pieta House is to officially launch its first centre in the North West of Ireland and Donegal this afternoon, Friday, September 29th.

Since opening its doors to clients on May 15 Pieta House North West in Letterkenny has worked with 117 clients from all areas of Donegal, as well as from Tyrone, Fermanagh, Derry, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Sligo, and they say this uptake has highlighted the real need that was present in the North West for suicide and self-harm intervention and for bereavement support services, including the Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service.

Action for Hope chairperson, Danny Devlin, said, We would appeal to everyone, young and old, to use the service if you are in crisis or need support in dealing with a family member or a loved one who has died by suicide.

Centre Manager, Dominick Gallagher stated We have been warmly received by the community and by other services and agencies already working in this region. Local media has been great since we opened, and we have tremendous support from the people of Donegal. Their enthusiasm, commitment, and generosity are why the centre has been established.

Speaking about the service in the North West, and in praise of the local community, Pieta House CEO, Brian Higgins, said: People come together and say that there is an issue around suicide and self-harm in our community and we want to respond to that and we want to eradicate suicide and self-harm from this community.

The Pieta House North West service is due to expand, with longer opening hours from next week (until 9pm on Mondays and Wednesdays) and the hiring of a further two therapists.
An Enterprise man was killed early Friday in a single-vehicle crash in Geneva County.

According to a news release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Abdiel Manuel Candelario Hernandez, 19, of Enterprise, was driving his 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse at about 3:40 a.m. Friday east of Glen Hughley Road on Geneva County Road 40 when the vehicle went off the road. The vehicle then hit a tree and overturned.

Hernandez, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, was not wearing a seat belt, the news release said.

The crash is under investigation, although speed is thought to have been involved in the incident.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Winning a "stand your ground" hearing to avoid criminal prosecution in Florida doesn't automatically grant immunity from civil suits.

That's what the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a case involving a Tampa bar fight in which one patron smashed a cocktail glass into the face of another, causing him to lose sight in one eye.

Court documents say Ketan Kumar attacked Nirav Patel without provocation and Patel responded by hitting him with the glass. Patel was charged with felony battery, but was granted immunity from prosecution under Florida's "stand your ground" self-defense law.

Kumar sued Patel, and Patel claimed the state law protects people found to be acting in self-defense from civil liability.

An appeals court agreed, but the Supreme Court ruled a separate immunity process is required for civil cases.
Just Eat, Irelands leading marketplace for online food delivery, has today announced the 52 finalists for the Just Eat National Takeaway Awards 2017 with two Louth restaurants among the shortlist.

Dundalk's Gino's Diner has been nominated in the Best Takeaway American category.

While Droghedas Ajanta Indian Takeaway was nominated in the Best Takeaway Thai category.

For the fourth consecutive year, the awards recognise the quality of food and service consistently delivered by this important sector of the food services industry.

Food lovers nationwide have spent weeks voting for their favourite local takeaway restaurants with thousands of votes being cast in 20 categories including Best Takeaway Thai, Best Takeaway Lunchtime, Best Takeaway Spice Bag, Best Takeaway Salad, and overall Irelands Favourite Dish.

Just Eat are calling on customers to use the power of their vote to support their favourite local takeaway from the shortlisted categories at www.just-eat.ie/takeawayawards2017. All those who voted already and those who will vote on the shortlist, will be in with the chance of winning Takeaway for a Year, compliments of Just Eat.

Commenting on the shortlist announcement, Amanda Roche Kelly, Managing Director at Just Eat Ireland said: Congratulations to Ajanta Indian Takeaway and Ginos Diner who were selected as finalists at the Just Eat National Takeaway Awards. The takeaway sector is continuing to prosper due to commitment by owners, managers and their teams to deliver exceptional quality food and customer service.

As Irelands leading marketplace for online food delivery, we are committed to building the worlds largest food community by expanding choice and convenience for our customers. The awards are a platform in which to recognise excellence in the industry and celebrate our restaurant partners across a multitude of cuisines and the contribution they make not only to the industry, but to the economy by driving growth, job creation and supporting local businesses.

The winners of the Just Eat National Takeaway Awards will be announced on October 17th at an industry awards event in Number Twenty-Two, hosted by broadcaster Louise Duffy and comedian Colm ORegan. Just Eat will also give away a limited number of tickets to the event via their social media channels over the coming weeks.

Consumers can vote for their favourite shortlisted takeaway at www.just-eat.ie/takeawayawards2017 or engage in the conversation on Twitter @JustEatIE, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Snapchat on justeatie.

For the full list of shortlisted takeaway restaurants and the categories, see below and www.just-eat.ie/blog/just-eat-national-takeaway-awards-shortlist-2017.

Vote now: www.just-eat.ie/takeawayawards2017.
St Vincent's Secondary School Dundalk has been selected from over 500 submissions to receive funding from Google for their Code Week activities.

Googles decision to directly sponsor schools for Europe Code Week is a result of the companys ongoing efforts to encourage more students to learn about computing and to ensure that they are well-equipped with the technical skills that are increasingly required for the future.

The five Irish schools selected by Google are:

St. Mary's Parish Primary School, Drogheda, Co. Louth

St Vincent's Secondary School, Dundalk, Co. Louth

St. Joseph's Primary School, Ballinrobe. Co. Mayo

Saint Eunan's College, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

North Dublin National School Project, Glasnevin, Co.Dublin

The schools will host activities that range from in-class and extracurricular computer science activities (both hands-on and offline); coding workshops for students and their parents, teachers and grandparents; visits to local ICT companies; and an ongoing, year-long project to learn programming skills and collaborate in the creation of games for younger students.

By the end of Europe Code Week, almost 3,000 Irish students, teachers and parents will have benefitted from the programme, just one of many of Googles educational initiatives run in Ireland and worldwide.

Claire Conneely, CS Education Manager, Google said; Its a fantastic achievement that two Louth schools were selected from 500 applications for funding for Code Week. Congratulations to the staff and pupils of both schools and we hope they have a great Code Week!

Europe Code Week 2017 - which this year takes place between 7th and 22nd October - is a grassroots movement that celebrates creating with code. The idea is to make programming more visible, to show young, adults and elderly how you bring ideas to life with code, to demystify these skills and bring motivated people together to learn. The initiative was launched in 2013 by the Young Advisors for the Digital Agenda Europe.

For further information, see Code Weeks events page for a full list of upcoming activities, and learn about Googles ongoing activities and programmes in computer science education in Ireland here.
Apruve last week announced a strategic alliance with Matrix Payment Systems to create a turnkey solution to mitigate the risk of advancing a revolving line of credit to business customers.

Under the agreement, the companies will help businesses streamline the extension of credit with less financial risk and fewer back office overhead expenses.

Apruve and Matrix have partnered to expand the reach of B2B payment solutions for distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers, said Apruve CEO Michael Noble.

In the B2B space, most companies pay on terms  by using purchase orders or a standing line of credit, he told the E-Commerce Times. Some simply pay with credit cards.

Many companies have an accounts receivable department, and the process of accepting payments involves credit approval, invoicing, collections, cash applications and payment application.

The new relationship is the first Apruve has entered with an independent sales organization like Matrix, said Noble.

Both companies have dozens of customers that range from small firms up to the Fortune 500.

Every touch reduces the profit margin of the order being managed, Noble said.

Matrix will incorporate the Apruve product into its existing telemarketing process to existing and prospective clients, said CEO Glenn Hughes.

Matrix provides electronic credit card and ACH processing services to the B2B industry via online payment gateways, e-commerce and standalone credit card terminals, he told the E-Commerce Times. This will be our first endeavor offering risk-free, revolving lines of credit, and we feel this product will help strengthen our overall product offering to the B2B industry.

Apruves Platform

Apruve offers a cloud-based platform, built on Ruby on Rails, that is used to validate buyers and check out orders, Noble said. The system plugs into all common e-commerce platforms and uses an API to handle customer integrations.

Once a business buyer gets approval for a line of credit with its supplier, for example, Apruve issues a limit. The firm then can add as many buyers to the accounts as it wants to. When buyers go online to procure goods or services from their suppliers, they can use Apruve to check out instead of using a credit card.

We validate their status and credit limit before sending a webhook to the e-commerce platform to trigger fulfillment, Noble said.

The need for a solution that Apruve and Matrix agreed to is a longstanding industry problem, noted Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

In many cases, suppliers who know their customers willingly offer handshake agreements, but that can unnecessarily expose them to risk, he told the E-Commerce Times. Other alternatives include extending lines of credit and supporting purchase orders, both of which tend to be highly time-consuming and manual.

Apruve intends to leverage Matrixs payment processing ISO to speed application and approval processes for revolving lines of credit, King said. That will allow Apruve to pursue deals more quickly and efficiently, thus increasing customer satisfaction and possibly opening up additional business opportunities.

Anything that slows down the sales process kills sales, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

The longer a transaction takes, the more likely the buyer will lose interest, find a different product, different vendor, or even a completely different solution, killing the sale, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Removing friction from the process results not only in closed deals, but also in happier and more loyal customers, Enderle said.

Angels on the Doorstep

Apruve claims to be one of the fastest-growing fintech startups in the U.S. The company last year received US$2.25 million in Series A funding from TTV Capital and Allegis Capital.

Apruve this spring entered a couple of key agreements with e-commerce firms.

One was with OroCommerce, which offers a B2B platform to help companies manage customer relationships. The OroCommerce platform is designed for companies that sell online to manage buyer-seller negotiations, multiple price lists, multiple and customized catalogs, and other aspects of online transactions.

Apruve also became an official partner of the IBM Websphere commerce platform. It helps companies with order management, marketing and offering enhanced buyer experiences, according to IBM, while also providing a secure cloud infrastructure.
Red Hat on Tuesday announced the launch of Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP Solutions, a new platform that combines two existing systems for analytics and data management into a single offering.

The new platform combines the existing Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP Applications and Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP HANA into a single, consolidated platform.

Complex Challenges

There is no single technology stack to solve every enterprise challenge, and big data analytics is no different, said Jim Totten, vice president and general manager of the Platforms Business Unit at Red Hat. Increasingly we are seeing IT organizations use multiple SAP solutions to tackle the complex challenges of their evolving markets.

Built upon the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 operating system, the platform adds a few new wrinkles, including Red Hat Insights, which offers proactive analytics and real-time intelligence. It allows customers to build and deploy cloud-based systems while providing warnings about potential technical problems and security threats.

Other technologies included in the new platform include Red Hats High Availability Add on, which isolates unresponsive applications; the Smart Management Add-0n, which helps to provision and patch large deployments of the software; and Update Service, which provides four years of extended support, including critical security updates and bug fixes.

The new platform is available through the Red Hat Customer Portal.

High Anticipation

Big data has been fueling innovation, said Mark Dendinger, CEO of 3V Solutions, a reseller of Red Hat software, but large enterprises typically want to deploy multiple or layered technologies to address their specific data analysis and management needs.

The new Red Hat platform definitely will enhance the customer experience, Dendinger told LinuxInsider.

The new platform marks the latest collaboration in a long relationship between SAP and Red Hat, which have worked as partners in the open source space for about 17 years, noted Lis Strenger, Red Hat product marketing manager, digital transformation.

Both companies are committed to open source initiatives, she told LinuxInsider. Red Hats open source OS, virtualization and Java middleware technologies provide a leading platform upon which to run SAP applications.

Customers of the two companies have begun to test the new platform, which will move into production shortly, Strenger said.

Customers migrating to SAP S/4HANA have been anticipating this new integrated platform, she added, as it provides consistent infrastructure for both transactional and analytical workloads.

Growing Demand

The new platform demonstrates the growing acceptance of open source alternatives, said Jeffrey Kaplan, managing director at ThinkStrategies.

Open source can enhance and extend the capabilities of traditional enterprise applications and tools, like those provided by SAP, he told LinuxInsider.

The announcement from Red Hat and SAP came just one day after Red Hat announced an agreement with Microsoft to offer Microsoft SQL Server 2017 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
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.
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(Photo: WCC / Chris Black)Former South African President Nelson Mandela joins a South African choir at the 8th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Harare, Zimbabwe that was held between December 3-14, 1998.

Representatives from the World Council of Churches and the All Africa Conference of Churches preparing for a key conference in Africa next year have acknowledged that the Church is growing on the continent, and that growth fastest in newer churches.

They focused on prevailing issues, such as: the future of the Church in Africa, governance, poverty, gender issues, youth bulge, environment and climate change.

"We recognized that there is numerical increase in the Church in Africa, which is a strength; the increase is mainly in the newer churches," they said in a statement released by the WCC.

"This is not to indicate that there is conflict between the newer churches and the older churches.

"However, we recognized that there are contradictions in telling the African Church story, with its ever-changing landscape in ideas, practices, and institutions. The ever-changing landscape of African Christianity impacts on ecumenism.

The statement was issued ahead of the March 8-13, 2018 Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in Arusha, Tanzania.

They acknowledged the global event in ecumenical history and the need to make a concrete contribution to the content of the conference, includes both commitments from churches in Africa and calls to the ecumenical world.

Participants expressed serious concern on the issue of human dignity. It was highlighted as crucial for the Church in Africa to pay attention on safeguarding, knowing that human dignity is a gift from God.

The African Church needs to generate the message of hope and pass on to the next generations through the process of mentoring and discipleship, which then becomes a key global mission focus of the African Church.
Knights cooking Sunday meal

COLUMBUS -- The St. Isidore Knights of Columbus will host a French toast and pancake breakfast from 7:30-11 a.m. Sunday in the cafeteria.

They will also serve scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and drinks. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat meal are $7 for adults and $3 for kids, payable at the door. Proceeds from the breakfast will support the councils charitable programs. The Columbus community is invited.

Rosary honors Lady of Fatima

COLUMBUS -- In honor of the 100th anniversary of the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, all are invited to join in praying the rosary at noon Oct. 14 at the statue of Mary outside St. Bonaventure Catholic Church.

Bring a rosary and chair or blanket. Children are welcome to attend.

For more information, call Joyce at 402-564-1803.

Womens group hosting luncheon

COLUMBUS -- Peace Lutheran Womens Missionary League will host a salad luncheon from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 12 at the church, 2720 28th St.

Cost is $7 per guest. Profits will support the Peace Youth Mission Fund and Raising the Roof church fund.

Church holding harvest supper

LEIGH  St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 11937 415th St., rural Leigh, is holding its annual harvest supper from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 8.

The menu includes turkey and pork loin, dressing, potatoes, gravy, green beans, salads and dessert. Cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Carry-out available for an extra 50 cents.

For more information, call 402-487-2551.

Retreat for women at center

SCHUYLER -- You are Enough! A Retreat for Women is scheduled for Oct. 21-22 at St. Benedict Center with Mary Guynan, Tonya LeGrande and Vicki Pribil.

This retreat is for women of all ages, and will include presentations, prayer, guided meditation, shared reflection, opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Adoration and Mass. The retreat begins at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 21 and ends after lunch on Oct. 22.

Register by calling 402-352-8819 or visiting www.christthekingpriory.com.

Rosary rallies celebrate miracle

GENOA -- Two rosary rallies commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima will be held in Monroe and Genoa at noon Oct. 14.

The Monroe rally will begin with registration at 11:30 a.m. at 314 Gerrard Ave. In Genoa the rally will be held in the parking lot of St. Rose of Lima Church. Following the rosary in Genoa, The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima will be shown at St. Rose Community Center. These rallies are among the 20,000 rallies held concurrently.

For more information, call Mary at 402-495-2535 or Virgie at 402-948-0035.

Retreat for married couples

SCHUYLER -- The Foundational Intimacy: Eucharist as a Model for Marriage is a retreat scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at St. Benedict Center with EWTN and Spirit Catholic Radio presenters Jim and Maureen Otremba from Minnesota.

In this retreat, married couples are invited to explore parts of the liturgy including gathering, repentance, breaking open the word and partaking of the very body and blood of Christ. The weekend will include talks, personal and couple reflection time, Mass and Reconciliation.

For more information, call 402-352-8819 or visit christthekingpriory.com.

Women's Guild salad luncheon

COLUMBUS -- Peace Lutheran LWML/Womens Guild will host a salad luncheon from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Peace Lutheran Church, 2720 28th St.

Cost is $7 per guest. The luncheon is open to the public.

Rosary Crusade in Platte Center

PLATTE CENTER -- The 2017 Public Square Rosary Crusade will be held at noon Oct. 14 at the St. Joseph Church parking lot.

In the historic year of the Fatima centennial (1917-2017), we ask God to save America through the Rosary of His Most Holy Mother.

For more information, contact Fr. Walter or Merline at 402-246-2255.

Church celebrates 25th anniversary

STROMSBURG -- Living Word Church Intl., 120 E. Third St. in Stromsburg, is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the month of October with special guest speakers.

Services will include 7:30 p.m. today and 10 a.m. Sunday with Pastor Mike Ploen from St. Louis. Pastor Mitch Stroda will be sharing at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The rest of the month will be Sunday services at 10 a.m. with Pastor Joe Rystrom from Southeast Asia on Oct. 8, Julaine Christensen of Papillion on Oct. 15, Pastor Shane Ogle of Detroit on Oct. 21-22, and local Pastor Mike Ulffers on Oct. 29.

For more information, visit www.lwcint.com.

Retreat features missionary

SCHUYLER -- From Here to Hope: Our Mission of Mercy is a one-day retreat scheduled for Oct. 14 at St. Benedict Center with Fr. Joseph Nassal, a Missionary of the Precious Blood from Liberty, Missouri.

This retreat will explore in both practical and prophetic ways how to live Gods tender mercy in our everyday lives. The program fee is $30. Lunch will be available at the center for $10.50.

Register by calling 402-352-8819 or visiting www.christthekingpriory.com.
Automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the economy. That much is clear.

But many of the countrys top minds are sharply divided over just how disruptive technologys impact will be, and just what kind of job market todays students will eventually face.

To help K-12 educators and policymakers make sense of the debate, Education Week talked with leading experts in the fields of artificial intelligence, computer science, economics, education, and history.

We asked each a common question:

How can K-12 schools prepare for the uncertain future of work?

Heres what they said:

Hadi Partovi | Founder, Code.org

Dont get him wrong, says Partovi, whose organization is leading a massive push to bring computer-science education to every U.S. school. Understanding fractions will always be important.

But if schools want to prepare students for jobs that arent going to be automated, he says, they need to shift their emphasis away from rote practice, and towards conceptual understanding of both content and problem-solving processes.

In the real world, we dont calculate by hand any more, Partovi said. We should teach something like long division by teaching that its actually an algorithm, and then encouraging students to think about what they can use that algorithm for.

Paul Osterman | Economist, MIT

For a 2016 study, Osterman talked with manufacturing employers across the country. Overwhelmingly, they wanted workers with the ability to read an instructional manual, do community-college level algebra, and get along well with co-workers.

As a result, said Osterman, who used to run workforce-training programs for the state of Massachusetts, its misguided to think todays students will be unemployable if they arent all advanced computer programmers.

Focus on basic skills, he advised.

Ansley Erickson | History and Education Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University

When arguing the future of work will turn out fine, technologists and economists often point to educations role in easing past upheavals in the U.S. economy. The switch from agriculture to industry, for example, was smoothed by the expansion of high school, the argument goes.

But Erickson says historys lessons arent quite so neat. For one, she says, high schools at the turn of the 20th century werent really organized to teach kids the skills they needed for the factory floorfuture managers and secretaries actually benefitted most. And the new educational opportunities were also unequally distributedAfrican-American sharecroppers, for example, often werent granted access to the industrial economy until its decline had already begun.

This is a new version of an old question, Erickson said, and the answer always leaves out some workers.

Michael Chui | Partner, McKinsey Global Institute

Chui says not to believe anyone claiming they can accurately predict what jobs will still be around, or what precise skills students will need, in 15 years.

Instead, he said, schools should focus on two likely realities: The world is going to be inundated with data. And as a result, most occupations will continually evolve in unpredictable ways.

Knowing how to ask provocative questions, use data to make decisions, and evaluate imperfect information will be increasingly valuable, he said. And going forward, learning cant be something you do only in the first couple decades of your life.

Stephen Wolfram | Computer scientist and founder, Wolfram Research

Increasingly, Wolfram says, we live in a world of networks and data and computing tools that give once-unthinkable powers to even young children.

As a result, he believes, the most valuable traits moving forward will involve the curiosity to ask big questions, the drive to understand those questions deeply, and the knowledge about how to translate ideas into code.

Computational thinking is the new liberal arts, Wolfram said. Its lovely when kids realize that theyre using general knowledge theyve learned elsewhere and turning it into something that can be said to a computer.

Laura Arnold | Associate commissioner, Kentucky Department of Education

In helping turn Kentucky into a national leader in career-and-technical education, Arnold has used data about local labor-market trends to guide decisions about what workforce-development programs schools should offer.

But its hard work: Employers tend to be focused on their immediate needs. Schools have a hard time developing courses around medium-term opportunities, like robot maintenance. And the long term is just so uncertain.

We dont have reliable data on jobs 20 years out, Arnold said. The best we can do is create strong career pathways and hope they evolve.

James Paul Gee | Literacy studies professor, Arizona State University

From poverty to climate change to the rise of fake news, the world is in real danger, Gee believes.

But rather than trust students to use technology to address such challenges, he sees schools buying textbooks and focusing on preparation for jobs that soon may not exist.

Schools need to focus on developing morally good people who can deal with complexity and collaborate with others to make things better, Gee said. Thats certainly better than saying, Lets prepare Johnny to program AI [artificial intelligence], when that AI will turn around and program Johnny right out of a job.

Tess Posner | Executive director, AI4All

Posner doesnt foresee a robot apocalypse. But the former head of President Barack Obamas TechHire initiative does believe artificial intelligence will reshape just about everyones daily life.

Thats why its so important that schools help expand the universe of people building, researching, and making policy around AI, she says. And her new nonprofit believes the best way to make that happen is by moving computer-science education beyond discussions of technology and programming techniques.

Focus on applying artificial intelligence to human and social problems, Posner advised. When you teach kids to program robots that mimic self-driving cars, ask what the impact could be for an aging population.

Osonde Osoba | Engineer and researcher, RAND Corp.

Artificial intelligence isnt just changing work. Its being used to automate important governmental and policy decisions, control the flow of information we receive, and reshape how we buy and consume products and services.

As a result, Osoba said, its more important than ever that schools not lose sight of a basic truth: Public education has always been about creating good citizens, not just training new workers.

As AI is more widely deployed, students need the ability to think critically about how decisions are made, he said. That means understanding statistics, mathematics, and algorithms.

Martin Ford | Author, Rise of the Robots

Ford sees three realities, all of which will likely appear bleak to educators.

Schools right now are preparing students for the jobs that are most vulnerable to automation, he says. Structural problems in the labor market mean that even if every kid could get a top-notch education, there still might not be enough jobs to go around. And no amount of investment in schools or job training will be enough to overcome the challenge, he believes.

A big disruption is coming for society as a whole, Ford said. and it may be that we cant educate our way out of it.
Craft market at Oak Ballroom

SCHUYLER -- CHI Memorial Hospital Auxiliary of Schuyler will hold its 41st annual hobby and craft market Sunday at the Oak Ballroom in Schuyler.

For more information, contact Loretta at 402-352-3280 or Rose at 401-615-0638.

City conducting hydrant flushing

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Water Utility Division will begin fall hydrant flushing on Monday.

Residents may notice discolored water and low pressure as crews pass through their areas. The flushing and flow testing may last up to three weeks.

Diversity summit at Central CC

COLUMBUS -- Central Community College will host the Columbus Leadership Diversity and Inclusion Summit from 8 a.m.-noon Monday in the West Education Building, Room 205.

Topics will include uncovering and managing unconscious bias, minorities in the U.S., teamwork, multigenerational teams in the workplace and employee resource groups.

This event is free by registration only. To register, visit www.thecolumbuspage.com/events.

For more information, call 402-564-2769 or email chamber@megavision.com.

CART meeting set for Tuesday

COLUMBUS -- Columbus Area Recreational Trails (CART) will meet at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at Dusters in the upstairs conference room.

All bikers, runners and walkers who use the trails are invited to attend.

For more information, call Judy Trautwein at 402-564-5287.

Health fair offers screenings

OSCEOLA -- Annie Jeffrey Health Center in Osceola will hold its 14th annual health fair from 6:45 a.m.-noon Tuesday in the 4-H pavilion at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

The event will offer free and discounted health screening services, including general blood chemistry analysis, cholesterol profile, complete blood cell count, thyroid screening (TSH), diabetes screening (Hemoglobin A1C), vitamin D and prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. Those wishing to have their blood drawn should fast for at least eight hours, but drink plenty of water and take daily medications as required. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the laboratory screening must bring a legal-sized, self-addressed stamped envelope so the test results can be mailed directly to the participant.

There will also be a skin scope providing free evaluations of cancer-causing sun damage and colon cancer screening kits for those 50 years of age and older; free blood pressure checks, body-fat testing and blood typing.

Bryan Health Mobile Screening will be offering a free 30-minute HeartAware risk assessment that includes a free fingerstick cholesterol profile, glucose, blood pressure and BMI calculation from 7:00 a.m.-noon. Call 402-747-2031 to schedule a HeartAware risk assessment.

There will be many exhibits, information booths, door prize drawings and a complimentary continental breakfast.
Detention Center

The inmate count at the Platte County Detention Facility Thursday was 49, with 44 from Platte County and five from out of county.

Police

Sept. 11

6:26 a.m.  At 818 E. 23rd St., Charlee Schraer, 24, 1860 23rd Ave., was cited for shoplifting.

11:39 a.m.  At 2513 21st St., Angela Dohmen, 21, 2513 21st St., was cited for criminal mischief.

Sept. 15

2:56 p.m.  At the intersection of 15th Street and 12th Avenue, Mariana Amador Carpio, 30, 2723 14th St., D-1, was cited for failure to yield right of way.

Sept. 20

4:26 a.m.  In the 500 block of block of 23rd Street, Orion Olsufka, 31, 2327 140th Road, was cited for speeding, 58 mph in a 45 mph zone.

Sept. 21

2:15 p.m.  In the 4600 block of 27th Street, Lionel Martin, 64, 2654 44th Ave., was cited for failure to maintain control.

Sept. 23

6:53 p.m.  At the intersection of 18th Street and 32nd Avenue, Rachel McCoy, 37, 3116 20th St., was cited for a dog at large.

Sept. 26

8:10 a.m.  In the 2300 block of 18th Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Matthew Burbach, 30, Leigh, and David Brandl, 65, 3659 Linden Drive.

12:29 p.m.  At the intersection of 14th Street and 29th Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Jennifer Wild, 49, 3025 29th St., No. 7, and Kathleen Ladehoff, 53, 1658 40th Ave.

3:48 p.m.  In the 2200 block of 18th Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Logan Johnson, 16, 4606 60th St., and Lori Brabec, 42, 3912 88th St.

4:49 p.m.  In the 1700 block of 17th Street, a vehicle driven by Maureen Irby, 60, 3764 Linden Drive, struck a parked vehicle owned by Robert and Joan Bright, 1710 17th St.

4:51 p.m.  At the intersection of 26th Avenue and 28th Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Laura Becher, 49, 2403 32nd St., and Aron Gennrich, 33, 112 S. Roselane.

7:14 p.m.  In the 2000 block of 23rd Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Zayra Cuevas Gonzalez, 16, 1253 29th Ave., and Clark Lam, 37, Holly Grove, Arkansas.

Sheriff

Sept. 11

7:59 a.m.  On 48th Avenue, half-mile south of Lost Creek Parkway, traffic accident. Drivers were Adam Bonczynski, 20, 4914 34th St., Samantha Lozos, 28, 5066 Navajo Ave., Echo Suy, 29, 1702 E. 14th Ave., and Jonathan Foster, 18, 4920 34th St.

Sept. 25

4:05 a.m.  On 445th Avenue, 5 miles northeast of Highway 22, a vehicle driven by Russell Crumley, 59, Genoa, lost control and went into a ditch.

8:46 a.m.  In a parking lot at 2153 12th Ave., a vehicle driven by Brett Rains, 37, 3053 Kummer Drive, struck a parked vehicle owned by Angelo Arriola, Sterling, Colorado.

Fire

Sept. 27

11:59 a.m.  In the 3600 block of 83rd Street, medical.

4:45 p.m.  Ambulance intercept with Leigh Rescue.

7:37 p.m.  In the 1700 block of East 23rd Street, false alarm.
-Green Charge, an ENGIE Company, announced that the Visalia Unified School District will install 1.6-megawatt hours of energy storage at five schools in the district. The energy storage system, coupled with solar, is expected to save the school district more than $1,000,000 over the 10-year contract. The Visalia school district invested in the energy storage system, which will become the largest installation of energy storage systems in a Tulare County school district. Green Charges energy storage solution will be on display at the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Fall Central Section Fall Conference on Friday, September 29 at the Wyndham Hotel in Visalia, CA.

Some K-12 school districts do not realize that deploying an energy storage system will save significant money, said Rick Brown, Ph.D., president, Terra Verde Renewable Partners, project managers for the Visalia USD energy storage project. Savings generated from demand charge reduction are an indirect boon to education, since paying less for electricity leaves more in the operational budget.

Green Charge was recently named the number one energy storage company by Navigant Research and their customer portfolio includes more than 100 California schools. The Green Charge energy storage systems are monitored, optimized, and controlled through its proprietary software platform. The Green Charge system includes GridSynergy Storage, a customized indoor/outdoor lithium-ion-based battery storage unit and GridSynergy Software, providing visibility, analytics and managing demand for energy and providing visibility into savings. Adding energy storage to solar PV, allows Visalia to smooth out peaks and gaps in generation and energy use caused by facility operations.

Over the past 5 years our Board has directed us to implement solar and energy conservation projects that reduce operational costs and demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship. We are excited to move into this new technology to advance our continuous search for cost-effective energy solutions, noted Robert Groeber, Assistant Superintendent at Visalia USD.

Green Charge has installed more energy storage systems at more school districts throughout California than any other provider, said Vic Shao, president and CEO at Green Charge. What is significant for cash-strapped schools is that funds generated from energy storage can be made available almost as soon as the energy storage system is installed, thanks to Californias Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). This program promotes the installation of certain technologies (among them solar PV and energy storage) that are deployed to meet all or a portion of a facilitys electricity needs. Converted to general funds, all of these funds can enable schools to commit to much-needed infrastructural improvements, hire additional teachers, or fund traditionally cash-strapped arts programs.

If youre interested in learning more about how K-12 school districts and community colleges can grow their general fund with an energy storage solution please visit //www.greencharge.net/site-analysis/.
Nebraska's highest court handed opponents of Whiteclay alcohol sales a resounding victory Friday, all but guaranteeing the village's four embattled beer stores will remain closed.

In a unanimous decision, the Nebraska Supreme Court rejected the store owners' bid to reopen, citing a technical flaw in their appeal.

The stores, which were forced to close in April, had for decades served millions of cans of beer each year to the Oglala Lakota people of South Dakotas nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol is banned.

Friday's decision ranks with the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn as one of the most significant wins ever for the Lakota people, said Frank LaMere, a Winnebago activist who had sought the end of Whiteclay beer sales for 20 years.

"Today will be a red-letter day in Oglala Lakota history," LaMere said.

The court's 17-page opinion did not weigh in on the issues of rampant alcoholism on Pine Ridge or lawlessness in Whiteclay itself.

Instead, the justices determined that a fatal legal flaw had doomed the beer store owners' appeal of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission's decision to deny their liquor licenses earlier this year.

"Our decision today does not address the merits of the parties respective positions, but rests solely on jurisdictional grounds," Justice John Wright wrote in the opinion.

The court agreed with Dave Domina, attorney for Sheridan County residents opposing the stores, who argued the store owners hadn't correctly appealed to the court because they didn't include his clients in the case.

As a result, a Lincoln judge's order reversing the Liquor Commission's decision was void, Wright wrote.

Andrew Sndyer, attorney for the beer stores, did not return phone messages Friday.

The owners of the four stores  Arrowhead Inn, State Line Liquor, D&S Pioneer Service and Jumping Eagle Inn  either couldn't be reached or declined to comment.

"We are exploring our options," said Clay Brehmer, co-owner of State Line Liquor, in an email.

Domina said the case topped any he's handled in his prominent career, which included multiple murder trials, leading the investigation into Commonwealth Savings Co. that resulted in the resignation of then-Nebraska Attorney General Paul Douglas in 1984, and prosecuting the impeachment of University of Nebraska Regent David Hergert in 2006.

Even his $1.28 billion jury verdict in a price-fixing case against Tyson Foods, which was later overturned by a judge, doesn't compare, Domina said.

"That one was about money. This was about people.

Todays Nebraska Supreme Court decision means that the shame of Whiteclay is over," he said. "It also means huge rocks have been removed from the road to recovery for many of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation and the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Bryan Brewer, a formal tribal president who has opposed Whiteclay beer sales, thanked the Supreme Court and the people of Nebraska.

"The Lakota people, we've never won anything. This is a major victory for us  kind of our first big win," Brewer said. "We are very pleased up here.

"We're very happy with their decision, and hopefully we can start the healing process for our people, especially our children."

It is unclear whether the beer stores will make another bid to reopen.

They could seek a rehearing by the Nebraska Supreme Court, or ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision. The stores could also sue the state in federal court.

Another option would be to apply for new liquor licenses, then appeal once more if the licenses aren't granted.

Bob Batt, the state Liquor Commission chairman, said there's "zero" chance the commission will allow beer sales to resume in Whiteclay anytime soon, short of a reversal by the courts.

He called Friday's decision a victory for due process and the rule of law.

"God Bless America," he said. "Weve brought some closure to this."

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, whose office represented the Liquor Commission in the appeal, complimented two lawyers on his staff, Solicitor General Jim Smith and Assistant Attorney General Milissa Johnson-Wiles, for their work.

"Todays decision affords an opportunity to write a hopeful chapter in the story of Whiteclay," Peterson said in a news release.

A task force led by two state senators, Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln and Tom Brewer of Gordon, has already begun drawing up plans for new business development and human services in Whiteclay. The task force is visiting the area this weekend for a series of meetings.

"Streets once plagued with public intoxication, vagrancy, assaults, rape, and unsolved murder are now peaceful," Sen. Brewer said Friday. "The drain on Sheridan County emergency services and law enforcement is a fraction of what it once was. The healing of a town once called 'The Skid Row of the Plains' has started."

LaMere said he was "elated" by Friday's decision, but considered it inevitable given the recent momentum Whiteclay opponents have experienced.

He called for a day of "healing and reconciliation" on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, asking people to offer prayers of thanks and to seek forgiveness for allowing Whiteclay to "devastate the people for so long."

"Prayers must be said for ourselves," LaMere said.
It looks like the mystery behind Jared Kushner's voter registration as a woman is finally solved. The New York State Board of Elections confirmed that the US President Donald Trump's son-in-law had registered to vote as a male.

Board of Elections executive director Michael Ryan told The New York Daily News the database error happened from their side and not Kushner. He said Kushner's ambiguous New Jersey registration might have made the database error.

"It does happen from time to time. I wouldn't call it a common occurrence," Ryan told the Daily News.

The information obtained by Lexis Nexis from the 2009 database showed that Kushner enrolled under female gender in his voter's registration.

Wired which had obtained the photo of his voter's registration, had revealed the news that Kushner's had registered to vote as a woman.

But who is Jared Kushner? Here are some interesting facts about him.

A wealthy businessman

Apart from serving as a senior advisor to Trump, Kushner is also an investor, real-estate developer, and newspaper publisher - Observer.

The most influential man in Trump's administration

Kushner was the architect of Trump's digital, online, and social media campaigns. He worked with minimal resources enlisting talent from Silicon Valley to run a 100-person social-media team dubbed "Project Alamo".

He is considered to be one of Trump's closest advisors along with Steven Bannon, Kellyanne Conway, and Reince Priebus.

Fresher in politics

Kushner had no experience in politics, except that he was a member of the Institute of Politics for a semester during his first year at Harvard. He has been criticised for his lack of experience in politics, but his father-in-law supported him.

"Honestly, Jared is a very successful real estate person, but I actually think he likes politics more than he likes real estate. But he's very good at politics," Trump said last year.

Trump pushed Kushner to take charge of brokering peace in Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Be it dealing with foreign countries or taking charge of any situation, Kushner played the part of the "power centre" among the others in the White House.

His relationship with Ivanka Trump

Kushner met Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump in 2007 during a business lunch.

"They very innocently set us up thinking that our only interest in one another would be transactional," Ivanka told Vogue magazine in an interview in 2015. "Whenever we see them we're like, '[It's] the best deal we ever made!'"

Ivanka converted to Judaism and married Kushner in 2009. They have three children together - Arabella Rose Kushner, 6, Theodore James Kushner, 1, and Joseph Frederick Kushner, 3.

A doting father and a family man

Kushner is a doting father. His photos with children on social media show that he is very caring. "You see in life that things can be taken from you, whether it's money, status or freedom," Kushner told the Guardian in 2008. "But the things that can't be taken are the things that are most important to work to achieve, such as love and family and friendships ", he further added.

His family

Kushner had to shoulder responsibilities right from the beginning and his family business was one of them. He was a 27-year-old student pursuing a dual MBA alongside a law degree from the New York University when he took over his father's business.

Kushner wanted to become a lawyer but his father Charles Kushner's arrest in 2008 made him change his goals. He became the CEO of Kushner's Company instead.

"Seeing my father's situation, I felt what happened was obviously unjust in terms of the way they pursued him. I just never wanted to be on the other side of that and cause pain to the families I was doing that to, whether right or wrong. The moral weight of that was probably a bit more than I could carry." Kushner revealed in an interview with the Real Deal magazine in 2014, as he openly spoke about being an accidental CEO.
One of the main priorities of the current Estonian EU presidency is the promotion of digital solutions and technologies in development cooperation. Digital for Development was therefore high on the agenda of the 11 September meeting of EU ministers and Commission Vice President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip, who specifically mentioned the Digital4Development initiative that is supported by the head of EU foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini.

Mr. Ansip said that the development agenda had been covered by 32 billion from the EU budget for development over the last decade, and by another 82 billion coming directly from the member states. However, the part specifically earmarked for digital had been very small  about 500 million in total. To compare, the French multinational telecommunications company Orange was spending 1 billion on digital every year, or even more.

Moving the development agenda towards digital is very timely since the use of smartphones is getting widespread in Africa and African farmers are now able to get information about market prices and thus increase their revenue by up to 20%. Digital in Africa is mostly driven by the private sector and some EU member states have already been very committed to the issue.

You can make miracles in Africa by investing small amounts of money in digitalization, Commissioner Ansip said and described the example of the Nigerian government who has invested about 10 million to connect two existing registries  the population register and the register of civil servants. This helped unravel that the state had been paying for 63,000 ghost workers, to the tune of $1 billion, an amount that has been now returned to the state budget.
The European Parliament is kicking off its new EU External Investment Plan (EIP) to boost investments in Africa and the EU Neighborhood. The EIP will support more inclusive and sustainable development and will address some of the hurdles to growth in our partner countries and of the root causes of irregular migration. The EIP marks a new approach in fighting poverty and achieving inclusive sustainable development. EU Commissioner for Development Neven Mimica urged the private sector in Europe and in our partner countries to join the EU in creating sustainable growth and decent jobs.

Less than 10 per cent of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa goes to fragile regions  those that need it the most. We want our External Investment Plan to become a powerful engine of more inclusive and sustainable growth, to create green energy, to bring new opportunities to entrepreneurs, also in the European Union, to young people, to empower women. This is the plan Africa needs, this is what our African partners are asking for, this is European partnership at its best, EU head of diplomacy, Federica Mogherini commented.

The idea of EIP was proposed by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in September 2016 and only a year later, it is already becoming operational. The tool will integrate state-of-the-art financial tools as well as more traditional forms of assistance such as grants, risk-sharing instruments and blends of grants and loans. Brussels will also step up its discussions with partner countries, as well as a structured private sector dialogue to enhance the investment climate and the business environment in the partner countries.
Energy is bringing Eastern and Central European countries together thanks to the Commissions connectivity project that was launched in 2015. The initiative is meant to strengthen solidarity and enable a safer and more affordable gas supply to citizens and business across the region.

The latest meeting of the Commission Vice-President responsible for the Energy Union Maros Sefvovic, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete and Energy Ministers from nine EU Member States and eight Energy Community Contracting Parties in Bucharest was a landmark moment for the entire region, bringing new dimensions to the cooperation and solidarity needed to address the energy challenges faced in this part of Europe.

Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic stressed that cooperation under the CESEC umbrella has turned into an exemplary success story, proving that solidarity is the solution. Given its rapid accomplishments in the field of gas, we are expanding the scope of the cooperation in the region to electricity, renewables and energy efficiency. It will therefore cover all dimensions of this project of European solidarity that is Energy Union.

The meeting saw the launch of two new working groups of the gas transmission system operators  one on the so-called Vertical corridor between Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary and the other one on the implementation of reverse flow on the Trans-Balkan pipeline system. Regarding the former, the development of plans for the Vertical Corridor connecting the gas grids has already reached advanced stage and the works might finish in 2019, costing 560 million euros out of which half is paid by the EU.
Conventional arms control in Europe is in a dire state, with many key agreements facing serious compliance issues that undermine the security of the continent. It is imperative that these agreements are assessed against their suitability for the 21st century, and that they are updated as needed or new agreements formulated to reintroduce a semblance of predictability and security to Europe.

The European Leadership Network and the German Federal Foreign Office responded to this challenge by co-hosting a conference on Making Conventional Arms Control Fit for the 21st Century in Berlin on 6-7 September 2017. The conference brought together over 150 participants from the majority of OSCE participating States, representatives of the OSCE, NATO and other institutions, and members of the expert community. The list of speakers included German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow and German Federal Government Commissioner for Disarmament and Arms Control Patricia Flor.

The post-conference report is notable for its focus on workable solutions to the challenges. Whilst at the meeting there were many disagreements, accurately reflecting the varied approaches and threat perceptions of particular capitals, participants were able to identify a number of workable policy recommendations suitable for immediate implementation by the OSCE states.

The report includes a list of specific recommendations, namely:

The need to define shared interests as a basis for progress

The need to build trust through dialogue and deeds

Immediate focus on managing the risks of confrontation

The necessity to establish undisputed facts and figures through the Structured Dialogues Mapping Exercise

Work towards multilateral and additional bilateral instruments to deal with hazardous military incidents

The need to examine the possibility of limiting certain types of military exercises, even for limited duration

The imperative of saving the INF Treaty from collapse

The necessity of initiating an in-depth dialogue about the impact of new military technologies on arms control arrangements

The opinions articulated above represent the views of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time.
AUD/USD continues its decline overnight in the Asian sessions, down 0.22% after a mixed showing in Asian stocks. Chinese share indexes rose, while Singaporean and Japanese stock markets fell ahead of a busy Friday which includes Euro CPI and US PCE

The Australian to US dollar exchange rate fell on Thursday, despite job vacancies rising, demonstrating that job creation continues to be healthy in Australia. The Aussie was underperforming on Thursday, down 0.3% but still retaining the 0.78 handle in the European session.

The RBNZ (Reserve Bank of New Zealand) kept rates on hold overnight, and it would appear that until traders get some kind of impression that the RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia) will do anything differently the Australian Dollar exchange rate could remain under pressure.

An additional weight on the AUD, is the rising US yields on the back of hopes of a December rate hike by the Federal Reserve. This effect can be attributed to the fact that Australias commodity-based economy is sensitive to the effects of higher US rates through the impact on risk and metal prices.

Despite the increasingly dovish mood which is surrounding the Australian Dollar there is much to be enthused about domestically. The job market is creating meaningful positions which are helping to counter the negative effects which have been seen in Western Australia, where the mining crash meant that extremely high-paying jobs disappeared and left a big hole in a once vibrant aspect of the Australian economy.

HSBC: Aussie job creation a major boost to rate hike expectations and the AUD

This is not to say the negative effects are not still being felt. Governor Lowe of the RBA has indicated that part of the reason that he has maintained loose monetary policy is in order to balance the divergence between the thriving service based South Australian economy and that of the mining-based West. Despite the reluctance of Lowe to be more hawkish, analyst Paul Bloxham at HSBC still believes that a strong economy should encourage wage growth,

If history is a good guide, the recent boost to national incomes and corporate profitability should trickle through to higher wages growth. Maybe it will be slower and less potent than in the past, but some trickle through should be expected.

If this is correct then a hike in 2018 could well be on the cards. The real issue in deciphering the path for the AUD will be just how steep the ensuing path will be.


Professionals looking to work abroad ought to be aware of changing employment with many businesses around the world adopting new working patterns and automation and digitisation having major impacts.The good news is that many employers in major markets such as the United States, the UK and Australia, are increasingly flexible in the face of demands for better work life balances, but on the other hand they also want more part time or freelance employees.According to the 2017 edition of the Hays Global Skills Index, which looks at 33 major global economies, employers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and parts of the Americas, are doing more to retain and attract skilled talent.The report shows that more and more employers are adopting new working patterns and responding to workers demands for flexibility. In the US the amount of freelance, contract or temporary work has risen from 10% to 15% while European freelancer roles have grown four times faster than total employment in the last five years. These mark profound changes in the traditional view of workforces.In the Asia Pacific region, Singapore and Australia are among the biggest freelance employers, and total freelancer earnings in the Philippines, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are among the highest in the world.The greater flexibility afforded to employers and workers and the proliferation of mobile broadband are driving these innovative work patterns, making it easier than ever for businesses and workers to interact, regardless of location, the report explains.Another important finding of this report is that migrants are increasingly well educated. In the US in 2015, nearly half of recent arrivals were educated to university level. In the European Union, the proportion of all people born in another country who were university educated in 2016 was 29%, up from 26% five years earlier.It also points out that technology and digitisation has had a significant influence on workers, with a growing trend towards a more digital economy. In addition to changes in the way we work, our global workforce has also changed considerably.And not all changes are positive, with the working age population across all countries forecast to decline by nearly a million as the workforce ages. One such way of resolving this challenge is to continue to embrace skilled migration, it suggests.Indeed, there are now more global migrants than ever before, with 3.3% of the worlds population living in a country other than that of their birth, according to the United Nations.At a time when skilled migration is at the top of both the political and news agenda, it is reassuring to see the benefit that countries receive from an educated workforce. Prosperity and growth depend on people, and without the right skills, businesses and therefore societies can flounder rather than flourish. Skilled migration provides an important and necessary short term resolution to the global skills gap, the report points out.Indeed skilled workers are needed in many countries, especially those like Australia where the working age population is declining. The research suggests that in the 33 countries covered by the index over the next 10 years the working age population in 18 of them will decline by 50 million people, and this is likely to hinder employers looking for skilled workers.Furthermore, evidence from the European Union, the US and Japan in the last five years suggests that higher skilled workers are in greater demand relative to medium and lower skilled workers.We must ensure a smooth flow of people across all countries where there is demand, especially given that high skill migrants currently tend to concentrate on only a handful of recipient countries, the report adds.It also points out that while technology and automation in the workplace will inevitably eliminate some job categories, they also create demand for new jobs.
I finally had two nights of amazing sleep. We finally got a mattress with memory foam bottom and silicone top. We hadn't thought it through, memory foam gets hot with your body heat so we went for the combination. We went to a few places and the prices got cheaper as we went along. The best price was from home and care in Paralimni. Thanks again Jon and Gaynor for your help


If you want to be happy in the UK then Craven in Yorkshire is the place to move to, more specifically the market town of Skipton which is officially the happiest place to live in Britain.Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the pretty town with its 900 year old castle, cobbled streets and surrounding countryside has a happiness rating of 8.3 out of 10, the highest for the nation as a whole.Second is the Orkney Islands off the North East coast of Scotland, then Mid Suffolk, the Suffolk Coast, Oadby and Wigston in Leicesterhsire, Richmondshire in North Yorkshire, North Warwickshire, Woking in Surrey, the Western Isles in Scotland and then the appropriately named Eden in Cumbria.On a country level people in Northern Ireland are the happiest and also the lowest anxiety ratings and overall people in the UK are less worried about Brexit as despite the vote to leave the European Union and a general election, life satisfaction is at its highest level since records began in 2011.The happiness rating in Skipton was above the national average of 7.5 and people in the Yorkshire town also rated their life satisfaction at 8.5, again higher than the UK average at 7.7.Were often recognised as one of the best places to live and this is hardly surprising when you look at our beautiful countryside, brilliant schools, amazing communities and our warm and friendly people, said Craven district council chief executive Paul Shevlin.The happiness surveys involve a series of questions added to the ONS Annual Population Survey since 2010, a large scale poll which consults 320,000 people. Those taking part are asked to say on a scale of one to 10on a specific date, how satisfied they were with their life, how much they felt their life was worthwhile, and how anxious they felt.When asked if their lives were worthwhile, residents of Islington in north London and Cheltenham in Gloucestershire reported the lowest rating, both 7.4 out of 10 while North Warwickshire came out on top with 8.7 against a UK average of 7.9.Although the UK generally reported higher levels of happiness, there were signs that some areas are less cheerful. The area around Borehamwood in Hertfordshire had a below average rating of 6.9 and parts of South Wales and the North East were among the least happy.The figures may surprise some, showing a small increase in both happiness and life satisfaction during a period that has seen political change and uncertainty, said ONS spokesman Matthew Steel.He pointed out that it is worth noting that employment rates rose during the period covered by the report, and other ONS analysis showed people perceiving an improvement in their own financial situations and in the overall economy. These are factors we believe may account for an increased sense of personal wellbeing, he added.
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Beginning Sunday, the Bexar County Commissioners Court will receive a 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2017-18 fiscal year, a combination of a 4 percent salary adjustment and 3 percent cost of living increase.

The four commissioners 2017 base salary will increase by $8,147 to $122,567, while County Judge Nelson Wolffs earnings increase $11,089 to $166,830.

Also folded into the 2017-18 budget is a $3,000 boost in the commissioners auto allowance, bringing their allocation to $9,000 to match that of Wolff. With the addition of the auto allowance, the commissioners total earnings grow to $131,567 each and Wolffs to $175,830.

Each year the commissioners ratify changes in elected officials salaries, including their own, based on recommendations from a citizens advisory committee that convenes every other year. The court formed the committee in 1997 to avoid perceived conflicts of interest from the commissioners raising their own salaries.

Commissioner Paul Elizondo said the court adopted the advisory committees recommendations this year, with one exception: The committee didnt recommend upping Wolffs pay.

Hes the hardest working county judge in the state, said Elizondo, who is regarded as the courts budget guru. I said he should get the same raise as the rest of us.

The 3 percent cost-of-living increase is being tacked on to the new higher salary, bringing the year-to-year increase to 7.1 percent.

Other elected officials saw a range of salary increases, from $2,564 to $9,861.

District Attorney Nico LaHood received a $3,060 salary boost to his $102,000 salary, which supplements his $140,000 in state pay. The court also approved a $9,000 auto allowance for LaHood.

Criminal district attorneys in Harris and Dallas counties had salaries of $199,160 and $228,220 last year before state pay, respectively. Tarrant and Travis DAs earned far less, at $58,355 and $37,266. The district attorney for the New York borough of Manhattan tops off at $250,000.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazars salary will increase at the same rate as the commissioners pay, putting his 2018 compensation at $148,369. The district and county clerks each will make $124,611, up from $117,458 this year.

Despite their higher pay, Bexar commissioners will earn at least $27,000 less than their counterparts in Harris, Dallas and Tarrant counties, the three jurisdictions with populations larger than Bexars. Commissioners in Tarrant, the county closest in size to Bexar, recently approved personal salaries of $172,492 for the upcoming fiscal year.

Bexar commissioners salaries measured 18 percent below the average pay for commissioners from the five most populous counties when adjusted to the Bexar market, according to county data.

But in comparison to the Bexar commissioners six-figure salaries, San Antonio City Council members receive $45,722 annually, while Mayor Ron Nirenberg makes $61,725 per year. Until voters passed a 2015 amendment raising their salaries, City Council members effectively worked as full-time volunteers, earning $1,040 a week. The mayor took home $4,040 before the amendment.

In San Antonio, the median household income for residents in 2016 was $49,269, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

County commissioner salaries have increased by increments of $2,244 and $4,314 the past two years, respectively, following several years with no or little salary adjustment. During the five-year period from 2010-11 to 2015-16, Bexar commissioner salaries rose by about the same amount as next years increase alone.

The exception is Wolffs salary, which last year rose from $128,743 to $155,741, moving his earnings closer to those of other county judges.

I didnt take any salary increases for a long time, Wolff said. Lately theyve been giving me some. When you look at where I stand with the other major counties, I dont think Im out of line.

The county budgeted $125,569 to account for the entire slate of salary adjustments.

The commissioners approved the salary increases Sept. 12 as part of a $1.76 billion budget, which included a small decrease in tax rate per $100 property value and a rise in minimum pay for county workers to $14.25 an hour.

It was the 23rd straight year in which the court did not raise the county tax rate. The net value of taxable property in Bexar rose by 8 percent, however, likely increasing many homeowners overall tax bills.

jscherer@express-news.net | Twitter: @jaspscherer
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An initial wave of federal aid to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is leaving San Antonio on military transports.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan of San Antonio-based U.S. Army North left early Thursday morning to lead the military response on the islands and was expected to be on the ground in Puerto Rico by that night, an Army spokesman said.

Buchanan is expected to assess the situation and coordinate military operations with counterparts in the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A total of 10,000 federal personnel from different agencies and 7,200 troops are now in Puerto Rico, Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert said Thursday afternoon.

Flight crews from Joint Base San Antonio-Lacklands 433rd Airlift Wing have flown to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in the past two days, a unit spokesman said. An advance team of airmen, trained to set up a command center, landed in the Virgin Islands on Wednesday.

A team of 53 airmen from JBSA-Lacklands 59th Medical Wing now waits, bags packed, to bring medical supplies, generators, water and rations to the Caribbean, a unit spokesman said. The unit has the capability of setting up a trauma center to take on overflow from hospitals that lack power.

Now Playing: Airmen at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland load pallets of emergency rations onto a C-17 transport plane headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico Sept. 28. Video: San Antonio Express-News

The wing also has a three-person team for air transport of those in critical care. A six-person ground surgical team is currently serving in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At JBSA-Lackland, the 502nd Logistical Readiness Group loaded 97,000 pounds of food onto a C-17 transport plane headed for Puerto Rico.

States also are chipping in. New York, which has a large Puerto Rican population, is sending 34,000 bottles of water, 10,000 field rations, 1,400 cots, 500 flashlights, 10 electrical generators and four Black Hawk helicopters, according to the Associated Press.

Fuel distribution is the top FEMA priority. The Pentagon announced Thursday the delivery of fuel to nine hospitals. The medical ship USNS Comfort is expected to depart Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday and arrive in the middle of next week in Puerto Rico, according to a statement by the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans cleared the way Thursday for more supplies and government funding for Puerto Rico, the AP reported.

Trump waived federal restrictions on foreign ships delivering cargo. And House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said FEMAs disaster relief account will get a $6.7 billion boost by the end of the week. Trump and his advisers, meanwhile, defended the administrations response to the devastation on the island, which was hit by Hurricane Maria on Sept. 20. Many people have been left desperate for power, food and other supplies.

The electric power grid in Puerto Rico is totally shot. Large numbers of generators are now on Island. Food and water on site, Trump tweeted early Thursday.

The developments Thursday came after Trump was sharply criticized for what some said was a slow response to a humanitarian crisis among Puerto Ricos 3.4 million residents.

jlawrence@express-news.net
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MERCEDES  It had been years since Cipriano Marin, 57, had seen a doctor. There was neither time nor money, Marin explained.

He put up with the aches and pains of aging, and he squinted when his vision began to blur. Marin expected to carry on this way, until a month ago, when a friend suggested that he take his family to visit the Unimovil clinic making the rounds in a nearby colonia.

Marin found the medical mobile clinic, which had been looking for patients like him  vulnerable to health disparities.

They told me that I have hypertension, Marin said, and that I need glasses.

The Unimovil belongs to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine which, since its founding in 2014, has been creating a sustainable health care model for underserved communities.

United Health Foundation in January 2015 awarded the medical school a three-year, $2.88 million grant to establish the Center for Colonia Integrated Care Program: Valley Inter-professional Development and Services, or VIDAS.

The idea is to address the social determinants of health, address health care access and address health disparities in the colonias, said Eron Manusov, the assistant dean, clinical education professor and chair of the family and community medicine department.

Before the first cohort of medical students set foot on campus, the faculty began working in the colonias at the grass-roots level, talking with city commissioners to assess health needs and the most vulnerable communities.

Eventually, two colonias were selected to begin work: Cameron Park in Brownsville and Indian Hills in Mercedes. The university wanted to maximize its resources while providing its medical students, medical residents and students in the health affairs college the opportunity to train and to serve the community.

The program has also brought together students from the nursing school, the social work department, the education college and the engineering college for an inter-professional, collaborative and integrated approach to providing health care.

Another component of the grant has been to train community health promoters, known as promotoras, who serve as liaisons between colonia residents and health care professionals.

We decided to take the people we need to teach to an area where theres a huge need, and where they get to see community-based care, Manusov said. Students and residents get to see integrated care, they get to see inter-professional care, and they become better doctors, social workers and nurses.

As health care services branched out to a dozen communities, the university found that some colonias lacked even the basic infrastructure for exam rooms. But with the introduction in July 2016 of the 45-foot Unimovil, which includes two examination rooms, a laboratory, a restroom and diagnostic equipment, the program is now expected to reach up to 4,500 patients every year.

Medical students and medical residents are introduced to health conditions they have never seen before arriving in the Valley, but they soon become familiar with the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and untreated cancer.

As much as a lack of financial resources prevents some from making it to the doctors office, fear of the unknown and a lack of education keep other patients from seeking care. Patients forgo preventative care, health care professionals say, and by the time they seek treatment, their condition is too far gone.

People dont have good-paying jobs that provide health insurance, said Dr. Maria D. Munoz, an associate professor at the medical school and faculty member in the family medicine residency program. Oftentimes, what ends up going by the wayside is health. Even if they have a diagnosis, they cant order medication.

One afternoon in Alamo, Dr. Alejandro Bocanegra, a third-year medical resident, visited with a patient who hadnt seen a physician in at least 20 years. Bocanegra, 30, diagnosed him as hypertensive and possibly diabetic.

A diagnosis of diabetes carries with it a stigma, and when health deteriorates, patients are quick to blame medical treatment.

Bocanegras patient was scared, so to help calm his fears, the young doctor, whose ease with patients earned him a Resident of the Year nod from the National Hispanic Medical Association, provided an easy-to-follow health plan.

Growing up in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, across the border from Del Rio, Bocanegra knew that he wanted to study medicine and that one day he would return to practice in underserved communities, where cultural beliefs and access sometimes get in the way of health.

I understand where they come from, Bocanegra said. This is where I belong.

Part of the medical school mission is to draw young doctors, like Bocanegra, who want to work on the border. Another component of the United Health Foundation grant is to train the community promotoras.

Manusov says the model of family care being developed at UTRGV could eventually be adapted to any community to address the social determinants of health and the burden of health disparities.

A compelling argument might be made that by providing underserved communities with preventative health care, the medical school will save millions of dollars worth of uncompensated care and lost wages. But the what if scenarios have yet to convince hospitals or state policymakers that funding the colonias program when the grant ends is money well spent, Manusov said.

Back at Indian Hills in Mercedes, Marin and his partner, Denise Navarro, 35, sat in an improvised waiting room staring in disbelief at the empty chairs. The couple pledged to spread the word about the Unimovil clinic to others.

The only thing that we have not solved yet is money, Manusov said. When the money runs out, somebody is going to have to pay for this. We cant run a medical school on fumes.

anelsen@express-news.net | Twitter: @amnelsen
The great opportunity of CBH is its financially healthy with great clarity of purpose so the opportunities are there for the organisation to go where it would like to go for our growers benefit and it is not hamstrung by any financial crisis or volume crisis.
The project is about what farmers can do now to prepare for the robotic revolution and also what type of automation or robotics that they should go for - whether its swarm robotics or driverless, or to just use the infrastructure theyve got now with attachments.
To be hosted by the Western Australian Livestock Export Association (WALEA), in conjunction with the Australian Livestock Exporters Council and LiveCorp, LIVEXchange 2017 will follow on from the successful LIVEXforum 2016 which was held in Canberra in October last year.
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South Middleton Township supervisors approved developer and connection agreements on Thursday night for extending a public waterline from the South Middleton Township Authority to the Breeches at Allenberry in Monroe Township, bringing the 128-home development a step closer to construction.

The action comes just days after the Monroe Township supervisors and the Monroe Township Authority approved the same agreements on Sept. 25. The agreements will be finalized if and when the South Middleton Authority grants its approval on Oct. 9 after months of negotiations between all parties. Project developer is Trinity MSB.

The housing development will be built next to the newly renovated Allenberry Resort in Monroe Township, which also was developed by Trinity MSB.

Allenberry Resort is connected to public water through the South Middleton Township Municipal Authority. Two wells also are located on the property, but the existing waterline is considered too small to extend and use to service around 128 homes.

Earlier this year, Monroe Township residents living near the Breeches at Allenberry site told municipal officials that they didnt want more wells drilled in an area that is prone to sinkholes. Residents said that servicing the Breeches at Allenberry through wells would deplete the wells of existing homes in the area.

The new developer agreement guarantees that Trinity MSB will pay the South Middleton Authority $412,000 now and an additional $412,000 two years later, South Middleton Supervisor Bryan Gembusia said on Thursday. The payments are considered nonrefundable whether Breeches at Allenberry is built or not.

Connection agreement

The connection agreement relates to the technical aspects of the developer agreement, said Monroe Township Supervisor Philip Kehoe, who attended Thursdays meeting. Kehoe said the extended public waterline will benefit Monroe Township by initiating growth.

This is a great example of two townships working together on a matter of great complexity, South Middleton Supervisor Tom Faley said.

After 10 years of delays relating to sewer and water agreements, Trinity MSB would like to seel bids from construction contractors for the project as quickly as possible, Kehoe said.

Other news

Also on Thursday, South Middleton supervisors agreed for the township to issue a letter of intent stating that South Middleton and Monroe will work together to evaluate the Monroe Authoritys system in consideration of consolidating with the larger South Middleton system.

Also, Kehoe said that the Allenberry Resort is considering initiating a chef apprentice program using high school students from the Cumberland Valley and South Middleton school districts.

Finally, the South Middleton Supervisors approved a vehicle weight limit of 7 tons for the Zion Road Bridge. Officials said they hope this will discourage trucks from using this as a shortcut from state Route 74 to the Land OLakes plant. Signs warning about the new weight limit will be posted on Route 74.
The former general manager of a Miami-based firm was sentenced this week to time served for his part in a plot to bribe officials at Haitis state-owned telecommunications company.

Amadeus Richers, 66, a German citizen living in Brazil, was also placed on supervised released for three years and ordered to pay $100.

He pleaded guilty (pdf) in July to one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA.

He was sentenced Monday by Judge Jose Martinez in federal court in Miami.

Richers was indicted (pdf) in July 2011.

He was a fugitive until his extradition from Panama in February this year.

Richers admitted that from 2001 until 2004, he and his co-conspirators paid $3 million to officials at Telecommunications DHaiti.

The defendants funneled bribes through relatives of the officials and other intermediaries. They also paid some officials directly.

The federal courts final judgment (sentencing document) in U.S. v. Amadeus Richers is here (pdf). It sets out the sentence and the terms for his supervised release.

* * *

Richers was the ninth defendant sentenced in the Haiti Teleco case.

In 2011, Joel Esquenazi was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the case. Thats still the longest FCPA-related prison sentence.

His co-defendant Carlos Rodriguez was given an 84-month prison sentence.

They were also ordered to forfeit $3.09 million.

Esquenazi and Rodriguez were convicted by a jury in Miami of one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and wire fraud, seven substantive FCPA counts, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and 12 counts of money laundering.

They argued that officers and employees of state-owned enterprises such as Haiti Teleco arent foreign officials under the FCPA.

The trial judge denied their challenge, as did the federal appeals court. In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider their appeal.

Six other individuals pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their roles in the Haiti Teleco case.

In 2009, Antonio Perez and Juan Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and money laundering. Perez was sentenced to 24 months in prison and Diaz to 57 months.

In 2010, Jean Fourcand pleaded guilty in the case to one count of money laundering for receiving and transmitting bribes. He was sentenced to six months in prison.

Also in 2010, Robert Antoine, a former director of international affairs for Haiti Teleco, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He admitted taking more than $1 million in bribes from Miami-based telecommunications companies. He was sentenced to 48 months in prison.

In 2012, Patrick Joseph, a former executive director of Haiti Teleco, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Also in 2012, Jean Rene Duperval, a former director of international relations for Haiti Teleco, was sentenced to nine years in prison A federal jury in Miami convicted him of two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 19 counts of money laundering.

______

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
The police are keen to speak to a woman who was seen having sex at a London Tube station.

Tube sex drama

The unnamed woman and her sexual partner were seen getting steamy at Hackney Downs at around 7am on the August Bank Holiday weekend, with eyewitnesses saying their love-making only ended when a train pulled into the station.

As a result, British Transport Police now want to speak to the women, whose behaviour left onlookers feeling shocked.

However, they have already charged a 23-year-old man from Walthamstow, London, who is poised to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court next month.
Cardi B has received a parcel of Fenty Beauty products from Rihanna.

Cardi B

The 24-year-old rapper was overjoyed by the gift from the 'Work' hitmaker, which she received after her single 'Bodak Yellow' reached number one on the Billboard charts.

She shared a video on her Instagram story which showed off a huge array of make-up from Rihanna's new collection and could be heard shouting off camera.

She said: "Look what I got!

"I know you make-up artists is jealous."

Rihanna's gift for Cardi came after the rapper received a huge bouquet of flowers from Taylor Swift to congratulate her on her chart success - even though the blonde beauty's own 'Look What You Made Me Do' lost the top spot to 'Bodak Yellow'.

Alongside the bouquet of pink roses, Cardi captioned a boomerang post on Instagram: "Sooo beautiful and lovely .Thank you @taylorswift for the flowers ... and I freaking love your music (sic)"

However, not everyone was pleased with Cardi's success.

Outspoken hip-hop star Azealia Banks compared Cardi to a "poor man's Nicki Minaj".

Azealia wrote in a series of now-deleted tweets: "I'm sorry. Black industry men are too hype for this Latina girl I've never seen them jump like this for Remy [Ma] or Nicki [Minaj].

"Spinning this 'for the culture' story when they are simply letting white men at Atlantic buy them into hating their own women. (sic)"

The '212' hitmaker, 26, subsequently wrote that Cardi - who is of Trinidadian and Dominican descent - was "only black when black want to include themselves in a success story".

The controversial star later added: "I wanted spicy Latina and she gave me poor mans Nicki. (sic)"

by Charlotte Hough for www.femalefirst.co.uk


Natalie Dormer has urged women to embrace feminism.

Natalie Dormer

The 35-year-old actress is worried society will go "backwards" after so much progress has been made, and encouraged women to stick by their choices, so long as they have been "empowered" to decide for themselves.

Natalie - who will portray actress Vanda Jordan in play 'Venus in Fur' in London's West End - told the Daily Mail newspaper: "I was talking to young girls who are still the property of their fathers or their husbands.

"We can't go backwards and give away what we've won.

"I think our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers fought to give us choice. I think you can be Vanda Jordan and walk in wearing a patent leather corset, if that is what you have chosen.

"Equally, you can burn your bra and not shave and do nothing but wear flats. It's your choice.

"The empowerment is in the choice you made, and not that you felt compelled, by peer pressure, legality -- or men."

Although the former 'Game of Thrones' actress is excited to play the role of the "sassy, emancipated woman" in the theatre adaptation of David Ives' 2010 play, she is apprehensive about her audience's reaction to her character and the "sexist" criticism she thinks she will inevitably face.

She said: "You've got this great juxtaposition in 'Venus In Fur', where Vanda is this sassy, emancipated woman who is then playing a character from a novel in 1870 who's not allowed to be financially or emotionally independent.

"Someone's going to say something in it was really sexist. And someone else is going to disagree with that - and there will be comments about what I wear."
Lynda Carter has told James Cameron to stop making "thuggish jabs" towards 'Wonder Woman' director Patty Jenkins.

Lynda Carter

The 66-year-old actress starred as the iconic comic book character before Gal Gadot assumed the role earlier this year, and she's come out in support of Patty after Cameron said there wasn't "anything ground-breaking in 'Wonder Woman'".

In a post on Facebook, Lynda responded: "To James Cameron -STOP dissing WW: You poor soul. Perhaps you do not understand the character. I most certainly do. Like all women--we are more than the sum of our parts.

"Your thuggish jabs at a brilliant director, Patty Jenkins, are ill advised. This movie was spot on. Gal Gadot was great. I know, Mr. Cameron--because I have embodied this character for more than 40 years. So--STOP IT. (sic)"

Cameron, 63, said earlier this week that while he enjoyed the 'Wonder Woman' movie, he didn't feel it justified the subsequent hype.

Speaking about the film's biggest star, Cameron explained: "I mean, [Gal] was Miss Israel, and she was wearing a kind of bustier costume that was very form-fitting. She's absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. To me, that's not breaking ground.

"So as much as I applaud Patty directing the film and Hollywood, uh, 'letting' a woman direct a major action franchise, I didn't think there was anything ground-breaking in 'Wonder Woman'. I thought it was a good film. Period."

Cameron previously spoke out about 'Wonder Woman' back in August, when he described the film as a "step backwards".

At the time, he explained: "All of the self-congratulatory back-patting Hollywood's been doing over 'Wonder Woman' has been so misguided.

"She's an objectified icon, and it's just male Hollywood doing the same old thing! I'm not saying I didn't like the movie but, to me, it's a step backwards."
Martin Clunes is "tempted" to give up acting.

Martin Clunes

The 'Doc Martin' star got stuck into farming seven years ago when he bought a plot of land in Beaminster, Dorset, and has fallen so in love with agriculture that he's toyed with the idea of walking away from the limelight - but being a farmer doesn't make enough money.

Speaking on 'The Jonathan Ross Show', which airs tomorrow (30.09.17) on ITV at 9:30pm, Martin said: "When I first started doing it, I never saw this coming, it wasn't the plan. It just drifted on to us and I thought, 'This won't last.' 10 years later... You find yourself at two in the morning, pinning a ewe to the wall as you strip milk off her to put down a line to the stomach of a lamb that's not drinking it and you think, 'I'm supposed to be a luvvie, what am I doing here? ... It's tempting [to give up acting] but at the moment, I earn better as an actor than a farmer. It's always hard leaving it, it was hard getting on the train this morning, it gets harder. I love every inch of the farm, every tree."

And the 55-year-old actor has even managed to persuade his friend and 'Men Behaving Badly' co-star Neil Morrissey to help him out around his farm.

He explained with a chuckle: "We have a fayre [in August at the farm] and he came over to judge the 'Dog most like Neil Morrissey' competition for us."

And, although he was there to judge the competition, Martin and Neil couldn't resist talking about a 'Men Behaving Badly' reunion - but they're both too busy at the moment.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, Martin said: "It's hard because he's busy doing all his dramas right now and he's out in Sri Lanka, even before that he was doing one in Ireland. He really sweetly came with his dog Lizzie to our funfair."
Dave Twining is inviting the public to take a hike this Sunday, but not in a mean-spirited way.

I want this to be a pleasant stroll in nature, the West Pennsboro Township man said. We want to encourage anyone interested in forestry and wildlife to come out and enjoy the afternoon.

Twining is hosting guided walks at 1 and 3 p.m. through Canterwood, his privately owned tree farm and wildlife habitat at 683 Barnstable Road. There is no cost to participate.

A local landowner, Twining is on the board of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, which has organized walks throughout the state for Oct. 1. Called Walk in Penns Woods, the hope is that this initiative could become an annual event on the first Sunday of October.

Pennsylvania literally means Penns Woods, according to a press release issued by the association. Our forests provide a spectacular and significant timber reserve but also a water resource, pollution filter, carbon store, wildlife habitat and biodiversity reserve.

This priceless source of recreational and aesthetic enjoyment is challenged by invasive plants and diseases, climate change, mismanagement, development pressures and legacy issues, the release says.

The Canterwood walks will take hikers over a 1.5-mile-long route of mostly mowed trail through stands of evergreen and areas where Twining has planted trees in former cornfields. Participants will also venture into an established hardwood forest that has some trees marked for harvest.

Each walk will take about 60 to 80 minutes and will feature expert commentary by a professional forester. There will also be a 10-minute video presentation showcasing some of the wildlife seen on the property.

The Canterwood property includes a conservation easement of land that can never be subdivided or developed and will remain a refuge for wildlife. There have been sightings of deer, turkey, raccoons and foxes on the land along with nesting owls and blue birds.

Hikers should wear comfortable shoes for a walk that has some rocky patches and slight hills. Baby strollers are welcome as are dogs on leashes.

A full listing of walks across Pennsylvania can be found at sites.psu.edu/walkinpennswoods/. As of Thursday, 61 walks were listed on the website involving 45 of the states 67 counties.

Aside from Canterwood, the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park is hosting a three-mile hike of the parkland starting at 2 p.m. Sunday. Those interested should meet the guides at the Furnace Stack Pavilion. Sturdy hiking boots and a water supply are recommended. Hikers should dress for the weather.
Is leverage increasing for Asean's biggest listed companies?

On average, leverage (debt-to-Ebitda ratio) appears to have stabilised. Debt increased for 100 of the regions 150 largest listed companies. These companies are mainly in the construction, telecommunications, diversified, and real estate sectors. But at the same time, earnings have slightly recovered over the period. Given improved earnings, the average credit quality of the 150 companies we surveyed has broadly stabilised despite higher absolute debt levels.

In our sample, median leverage was 2.4x in 2016, unchanged from 2015, with one-third of companies' leverage below 1.0x, one third between 1.0x and 5.0x, and one-third above. Likewise, aggregated leverage was essentially flat at 2.9x.

Although overall leverage appeared stable in our sample based on these numbers, leverage of half of the companies fell in 2016 and 2017 year-to-date, meaning leverage grew for the other half. So we are yet to see a consistent shift towards more conservative financial policies at Southeast Asian companies.

Do leverage trends differ across geographies?

The median leverage of the largest domestic companies appears to be stabilising in most countries, with the exception of the Philippines and Thailand.

Philippine and Singaporean companies had about 2x more leverage on aggregate than those in Indonesia. They also had nearly 50% more leverage than those in Malaysia and Thailand. These numbers remain consistent year-on-year. Singapore stands as the "champion" of indebtedness, due to still-modest operating conditions for the real estate and oil- and gas-related sectors, combined with persisting spending and sticky dividends (about 35% of Ebitda for the largest 100 listed companies in the country, compared to 25% on average across Southeast Asia). In the Philippines, the dominant diversified groups continue to spend aggressively on expansion and acquisitions, so leverage has continued its upward trend.

We believe ease of access to funding remains a key factor in leverage. Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand all have active and liquid local banking and capital markets. We also see that leverage tends to be above average among the most active issuers in these markets.

Do credit quality trends vary across industries?

Sectors have displayed different trends in the past 12 months, and we expect their credit dynamics to continue to vary.

Thailand's sector exposure reflects the country's developed chemicals, refinery, and oil and gas industries, and the importance of tourism in the country's economy. Real estate remains a key economic contributor across Asean, especially in Singapore, together with telecommunication companies. Heavy industries, often government related, set the scene in Malaysia, while diversified groups dominate in the Philippines.

Based on their sectoral exposure, we believe the countries likeliest to see credit quality deteriorating in the next 12 months are the Philippines and Thailand, with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore being potentially more stable.

Is debt rising for Aseans largest non-financial government-linked companies (GLCs)?

Balance sheets and credit ratios deterioration have been among the fastest and the most widespread for those companies in the region. Aggregate debt has nearly doubled over the past five years for the 52 large GLCs that S&P Global Ratings reviewed, and growth in debt outpaced that in profits. We estimate that the median net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio is approaching 3.0x across the 52 GLCs we reviewed, compared with less than 1.0x in 2011.

Annual spending at the largest non-financial GLCs in the region was up about 40% between 2011 and 2016 as they sought to implement their respective governments' policies. And that is just a start. The Asian Development Bank estimates that Southeast Asia needs to spend almost US$185 billion annually in miscellaneous infrastructure through 2030.

Whats the credit outlook for these GLCs?

Balance sheets are likely to erode further through 2018 as investment appetite remains high. Sustained spending may take its toll on the stand-alone credit profiles of these companies and they will require sizable external funding. As investments are often long-dated and do not generate immediate cash flows, we believe GLC balance sheets, which have weakened since 2011, will deteriorate further over the next three years at least. And that makes credit quality increasingly dependent on the willingness and ability of governments to support weaker GLCs.

So far, fund raising has not been an issue for GLCs as lenders implicitly assume governments will support entities they own majority regardless of their operations. But we believe government support will remain highly selective and limited to those GLCs providing a critical service to the economy rather than to those who operate in competitive markets.

This article is authored by S&P Global Ratings analysts Xavier Jean and Bertrand Jabouley
Regulatory News:

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.

UNITED COMPANY RUSAL PLC (Paris:RUSAL) (Paris:RUAL)

(Incorporated under the laws of Jersey with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 486)

PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A CHINESE NAME AND AMENDMENTS TO THE MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

The board of directors (the "Board") of United Company RUSAL Plc (the "Company") announces that the Company proposes to adopt and register the Chinese name - " as the Chinese version of the Company's name (the "Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name"). The Board is of the opinion that the Chinese version of the Company's name (the "Chinese name") will allow for better identification of the Company's name and easier access to the Company's corporate communication documents for Chinese speaking investors, therefore potentially contributing to improvements in trading liquidity of the Company's securities. The adoption of the Chinese name is also expected to allow unification of the Company's name in Chinese (currently the Company is generally known by multiple unofficial Chinese names by the market) and is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders") as a whole.

The Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name is subject to (i) the passing of a special resolution by the Shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting of the Company (the "EGM") to approve the Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name; and (ii) the approval by the Registrar of Companies in Jersey.

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set out above, the Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name will take effect from the date of entry of the Chinese name on the register of companies maintained by the Registrar of Companies in Jersey (the "Jersey Register") and the issuance by the Registrar of Companies in Jersey of a certificate in connection with the entry of the Chinese name on the Jersey Register. The Company will then carry out all necessary filing procedures with the Companies Registry in Hong Kong.

In view of the Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name, the Board also proposes to make consequential amendments to the existing memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the "Memorandum and Articles") in order to reflect the adoption of the Chinese name. Accordingly, the Board proposes to seek the approval of the Shareholders by way of special resolution for the relevant amendments to the Memorandum and Articles at the EGM.

The Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name will not affect any rights of the existing Shareholders. All the existing share certificates of the Company in issue bearing the present name of the Company, after the Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name becoming effective, will continue to be evidence of legal title to such shares of the Company and will continue to be valid for trading, settlement, registration and delivery purposes. Accordingly, there will not be any arrangement for exchange of existing share certificates for new certificates bearing the new name of the Company in Chinese.

Subject to the confirmation by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Stock Exchange"), a Chinese stock short name of the Company for trading in the securities of the Company in the trading system of the Stock Exchange will also be adopted after the Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name has become effective.

A circular containing, among other matters, details of the Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name, details of the proposed amendments to the Memorandum and Articles and the notice convening the EGM will be despatched to the Shareholders.

Further announcement(s) will be made by the Company as and when appropriate to inform the Shareholders of the effective date of the Proposed Adoption of Chinese Name and the new Chinese stock short name of the Company for trading in the securities of the Company on the Stock Exchange.

By Order of the Board of Directors of

United Company RUSAL Plc

Aby Wong Po Ying

Company Secretary

29 September 2017

As at the date of this announcement, the executive Directors are Mr. Oleg Deripaska, Mr. Vladislav Soloviev and Mr. Siegfried Wolf, the non-executive Directors are Mr. Maxim Sokov, Mr. Dmitry Afanasiev, Mr. Ivan Glasenberg, Mr. Maksim Goldman, Ms. Gulzhan Moldazhanova, Mr. Daniel Lesin Wolfe, Ms. Olga Mashkovskaya, Ms. Ekaterina Nikitina and Mr. Marco Musetti, and the independent non-executive Directors are Mr. Matthias Warnig (Chairman), Mr. Philip Lader, Dr. Elsie Leung Oi-sie, Mr. Mark Garber, Mr. Dmitry Vasiliev and Mr. Bernard Zonneveld.

All announcements and press releases published by the Company are available on its website under the links http://www.rusal.ru/en/investors/info.aspx,http://rusal.ru/investors/info/moex/ and http://www.rusal.ru/en/press-center/press-releases.aspx, respectively.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170928006001/en/

Contacts:

United Company RUSAL Plc
SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek today announced that it will participate in 'LED Japan 2017', an exhibition held in Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan between Oct. 4 and Oct. 6. It intends to show its unique UV LEDs to customers in Japan to make inroads into the Japanese market.

'LED Japan' is an exhibition of special LEDs, not regular LEDs, used for sterilization and for medical and manufacturing purposes. The exhibition boasts the biggest scale in Japan, and approx. 300 companies participate in the exhibition to introduce their latest technologies and products.

At'LED Japan 2017', LG Innotek will show approx. 30 kinds of UV LED packages optimized based on UV wavelength and optical power as well as modules for sterilization developed with the company's proprietary technologies.

Atthis exhibition, LG Innotek will introduce a UV LED sterilizer for escalator handrails for the first time in Japan. The product emits a light of 275 - 278 nm to destroy germ DNA, killing the germs on the escalator handrail.

This product can sterilize germs for the whole duration of escalator operation and is easy to install and manage, drawing positive attention from customers. Since the product was launched in Korea and China last July, it has been installed in approx. 30 places, including shopping malls, hospitals, and airports.

In addition, LG Innotek will show UV-C LED modules for sterilization that can be installed in home appliances including water purifiers, air purifiers, etc. The company will also show a cork sterilization module, which was installed in LG Electronics' "PuriCare Slim Updown Direct Water Purifier" and was acknowledged for its performance and quality. The module, unlike Mercury UV lamps, doesn't generate harmful heavy metals and does not break easily due to its durability.

In addition to the UV LEDs for sterilization, LG Innotek will also show UV-A LEDs of 365, 385, 395, 405, and 415 nm that are used in the curing equipment of manufacturing facilities. Curing is a process that hardens coating agents, adhesives, etc. or dries inks. Also, the company will show a UV-B LED of 305 nm, which is gaining attention as an LED for biotechnology and for medical purpose.

A representative from the company said, "We will prove our competitiveness with innovative products with high-power, high-reliability UV LEDs that exceed the expectations of customers."

Photo link: http://www.lginnotek.co.kr/upload/news/20170928101943748.jpg




SPRINGFIELD, VA / ACCESSWIRE / September 28, 2017 / Versar, Inc. (OTC PINK: VSRI) today announced that the NYSE MKT Company Guide Section 610(b) requires public announcement through the news media disclosing the receipt of an audit opinion containing a going concern explanation. As previously disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 2017, the audited financial statements of the Company contained a going concern explanatory paragraph in the audit opinion from its independent registered public accounting firm. This announcement does not represent any change or amendment to the Company's consolidated financial statements or to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.

VERSAR, INC., headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, is a publicly-traded global project management company providing sustainable value oriented solutions to government and commercial clients in the construction management, environmental services, and professional services market areas.

VERSAR operates the following website: www.versar.com.

Find out more about VERSAR at

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VersarInc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VersarInc

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/38251

This news release contains forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties described herein and in Versar's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, as updated from time to time in the Company's periodic filings. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Versar does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Investor Relations

(703) 642-6706

InvestorRelations@versar.com

Robert Ferri

Robert Ferri Partners

(415) 575-1589

robert.ferri@robertferri.com

SOURCE: Versar, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 28, 2017 / Peekaboo Beans Inc. ("Peekaboo Beans" or the "Company") (TSX-V: BEAN) (OTC PINK: PBBSF), a direct-sales retailer of children's apparel, is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously-announced debt conversion transaction with certain creditors of the Company at a deemed price of $0.60 per Unit (defined below). The Company issued a total of 878,111 Units, in settlement of $526,867.35 of debt (the "Shares for Debt Transaction"). The debt was converted on September 28, 2017 (the "Conversion Date").

Each "Unit" consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant") with each Warrant exercisable by the holder into one Common Share at a price of $0.80 for a period of 24 months from the Conversion Date. The exercise period of each Warrant may be accelerated by the Company if at any time during the term of the Warrant the volume weighted average price of the Company's Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange is equal to or greater than $1.55 over a period of 10 consecutive trading days.

The issuance of the Units pursuant to the Shares for Debt Transaction has been approved by the TSX Venture Exchange. In accordance with applicable securities laws, all securities issued under the Shares for Debt Transaction, including securities issuable on exercise thereof, are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the Conversion Date. It was previously announced that the Company would convert a total of $719,817.35 of debt, however, the Company and one debtholder subsequently agreed to convert a lesser amount. All securities issued in the Shares for Debt Transaction, including securities issuable on exercise thereof, are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the closing date.

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to close its previously announced agreement with Nikki Mayer, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to amend and restate the terms of a convertible promissory note dated September 30, 2015 (the "Amended Note"). The Amended Note will have an outstanding principal amount of $271,503.03, accrue interest at an annual rate of 12%, and will be convertible into units of the Company and such units will have the same terms and conditions as the Units issued in the Shares for Debt Transaction. The maturity date of the Amended Note will be December 31, 2019.

Because Ms. Mayer is an officer of the Company, the agreement with respect to the Amended Note will constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of MI-61-101. The board of directors of the Company has determined that neither the value of the Units issuable pursuant to the Amended Note, nor the amount owing under the Amended Note will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization on the date of amendment. As a result, the agreement with respect to the Amended Note is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101.

About Peekaboo Beans

Peekaboo Beans Inc. is a high-quality, ethically manufactured children's apparel brand sold exclusively through its direct-sales network of Stylists or independent sales representatives. In line with its mission, Peekaboo Beans develops custom fabrics and designs its apparel to promote play in children's lives. Through the direct-sales model, Peekaboo Beans trains women to be entrepreneurs, build a business and generate income on their own terms.

Following the closing of the Shares for Debt Transaction, Peekaboo Beans has 11,894,535 Common Shares and 5,256,243 warrants outstanding.

Forward-Looking Information

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may include forward-looking information that is subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

For further information, please contact:

Peekaboo Beans Inc.

Mrs. Traci Costa

CEO and President

+ (604) 279-2326

traci@peekaboobeans.com

Investor Relations:

investors.peekaboobeans.com

1-855-692-3267

ir@peekaboobeans.com

To view the original version, visit: http://investors.peekaboobeans.com/overview/

SOURCE: Peekaboo Beans Inc.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said that a Massachusetts-based medical manufacturer has agreed to pay more than $13 million to settle charges that it committed accounting fraud through its subsidiaries to meet revenue targets and made improper payments to foreign officials to increase sales in certain countries. The commission issued an order finding that the South Korean subsidiary of Alere Inc.(ALR), which produces and sells diagnostic testing equipment, improperly inflated revenues by prematurely recording sales for products that were still being stored at warehouses or otherwise not yet delivered to the customers. According to the SEC's order, Alere also engaged in improper revenue recognition practices at several other subsidiaries. The SEC's order also found that Alere subsidiaries in India and Colombia obtained or retained business by using distributors or consultants to make improper payments to officials of government agencies or entities under government control. Alere failed to maintain adequate internal controls to prevent the payments, and the company inaccurately recorded the payments in its books and records. In consenting to the SEC's order without admitting or denying the findings, Alere agreed to pay disgorgement of ill-gotten gains totaling $3.33 million plus interest of $495,196 and a penalty of $9.2 million. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CUPERTINO (dpa-AFX) - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urged Apple Inc. (AAPL) to activate FM radio chips in its phones in the interests of public safety during natural disasters. Pai said, 'In recent years, I have repeatedly called on the wireless industry to activate the FM chips that are already installed in almost all smartphones sold in the United States. And I've specifically pointed out the public safety benefits of doing so..... When wireless networks go down during a natural disaster, smartphones with activated FM chips can allow Americans to get vital access to life-saving information. I applaud those companies that have done the right thing by activating the FM chips in their phones.' FM radio signals can travel much farther than cellular data signals, making them a potential lifeline in an emergency. Every major smartphone manufacturer that sells in the U.S., including Samsung Electronics Co, Lenovo Group's Motorola, LG Corp. and HTC Corp, has FM-activated chips in their most popular phones. Except one. 'Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted doing so. But I hope the company will reconsider its position,' Pai said. In a statement, Apple said 'iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models do not have FM radio chips in them nor do they have antennas designed to support FM signals, so it is not possible to enable FM reception in these products.' Apple said it 'cares deeply about the safety of our users, especially during times of crisis,' noting that emergency services can be dialed from a locked screen and that its phones enable government emergency notifications. But those functions would not work when wireless networks are down. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Zurich (ots) - Der US-amerikanische E-Commerce-Riese Amazonbeantragt in der Schweiz Schutz fur 14 Marken aus demWhole-Foods-Universum. Das schreibt die Handelszeitung in ihreraktuellen Ausgabe. Neben der Hauptmarke in verschiedenerAusgestaltung will Amazon-Cheflenker Jeff Bezos auch Whole Foods'Gunstig-Handelstochter 365, das Kaffeebar-System Allegro und dieFair-Trade-Handelsmarke Whole Trade schutzen lassen. Amazon hatte imSommer 2017 fur rund 14 Milliarden Dollar die US-amerikanischeBio-Ladenkette Whole Foods ubernommen.Originaltext: HandelszeitungDigitale Medienmappe: http://www.presseportal.ch/de/nr/100009535Medienmappe via RSS: http://www.presseportal.ch/de/rss/pm_100009535.rss2Kontakt:Nahere Auskunft erhalten sie unter Tel: 058 269 22 90

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The initial public offering at the beginning of June successfully raised 11.7 M after exercising the overallotment option

Major progress in clinical studies and growth of the organization

OBJECTIVE CONFIRMED

Valedia to be marketed by 2020

Regulatory News:

VALBIOTIS (Paris:ALVAL) (FR0013254851 ALVAL PEA/SME eligible), a company that specializes in developing innovative nutrition solutions designed to prevent cardiometabolic diseases and provide nutritional support for patients, today announced its consolidated results for the first half of 2017.

Sebastien PELTIER, CEO of VALBIOTIS spoke about business over the period:

"2017 is a transitional year for the company during which we have made major progress with our roadmap. Five products are currently maturing along our pipeline and we have intensified our research efforts with the aim of marketing the products by 2020. From a financial perspective, the success of our initial public offering provided us with the means not only to accelerate our development but also to heighten our visibility with world leaders in nutrition and pharmacy. In addition, we have made the most of the past few months to expand our organization and thus increase our development potential. All this progress is perfectly in line with our strategy."

MAJOR EVENTS

Continuation of the clinical studies in humans

The Phase IIa clinical trial on Totum-63, active principle of Valedia, flagship solution designed to reduce a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, was launched at the end of 2016 and the recruitment of volunteers continued in the first half of 2017. The clinical trial underway seeks to demonstrate the efficacy of the active ingredient, Totum-63, on 80 prediabetics with abdominal obesity and moderate untreated hypertriglyceridemia. This randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will objectify the effects of 6 months of Totum-63 supplementation on different parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The results should be available in the second half of 2018.

The company has also completed the feasibility studies, thus making it possible to launch the two other international clinical trials (REVERSE-IT (Phase IIb1) and PREVENT-IT) required for submitting health claim applications in Europe and North America. The international trial REVERSE-IT, along with the Phase IIa trial, will enable the optimal daily dose to be determined. The authorization applications have been submitted to the French authorities. Authorization applications will then be initiated in the United States and Canada. The international clinical trial PREVENT-IT, similar to REVERSE-IT, will also enable the optimal dose to be confirmed.

These results will provide key data for the health claim applications to be submitted to the European and North American regulatory authorities. Obtaining these claims will be the ultimate step before marketing the product by 2020 through a license agreement with a food or pharmaceutical company.

As a reminder, Phase III trials are not required to obtain "health supplement" claims, contrary to drugs, and marketing this claim can, therefore, be rapidly envisaged.

Over the past few months, VALBIOTIS has also been working hard on its other product lines.

Following the launch of the Phase I/II clinical trial on Lipidrive (health supplement for regulating weight gain to curb obesity and/or overweight) in September 2016, the recruitment of volunteers continued during the first half of the year. The recruitment of volunteers also began for VAL-070, a health supplement for decreasing LDL cholesterol, the rise of which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Greater visibility at major international events

Our continuing research efforts have been combined with a greater presence at major international events dedicated to cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes.

Since the initial public offering in June 2017, VALBIOTIS has participated in four major events:

Scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA, San Diego, June 2017);

(ADA, San Diego, June 2017); BIO International Convention (San Diego, June 2017);

Nutriform' Business Days (Saint Raphael, September 2017);

Annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD, Lisbon, September 2017).

These events provided VALBIOTIS with the opportunity to share its scientific and clinical progress with the main players in diabetes and nutrition: scientific experts, representatives of regulatory authorities, academics, etc. VALBIOTIS was notably chosen to present an overview of the results of its Phase I/II clinical study on Totum-63, the active ingredient of Valedia, at the 77th scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association

These events also allowed us to pursue discussions and establish new contacts with potential customers in the food and pharmaceutical industry.

Finally, during the first half of the year, VALBIOTIS initiated the recruitments necessary for the execution of its ambitious roadmap. These recruitments are not included in the workforce for the first half of the year (10 employees at the end of June 2017 compared to 6 at the end of June 2016) but will come into their own by the end of the year.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

12.5 M raised to accelerate research and prepare future commercial deployments

IFRS in K (1),on 30 June First half of 2017 First half of 2016 Operating revenue 448 341 of which Subsidies 104 172 Research tax credit 303 169 R&D expenses (331) (319) G&A and commercial costs (452) (202) Recurring operating profit/loss (335) (181) Operating profit/loss (335) (181) Pre-tax profit/loss (372) (196) Net result (367) (194) IFRS in K (1) First half of 2017 2016 Cash flow generated by the activity (332) (858) Cash flow linked to investment operations (158) (117) Cash flow linked to financial operations 12 463 910 Net cash flow 11 973 (64) Treasury 12 501 529

(1) The accounts were closed by the Board of Directors on September 28, 2017. The auditors carried out a limited review of the accounts which are available on the VALBIOTIS website: www.valbiotis.com

For the first half of 2017, the operating revenue relates mainly to research tax credits (303 K) and subsidies (104 K). The increase in research and development expenditure remains moderate at 331 K compared to 319 K in the first half of 2016.

Commercial costs and general administrative costs have increased by 250 K, in particular as a result of the new recruitments and expenditure linked to the initial public offering. In total, recurring operating losses amount to 335 K. The net loss is 367 K.

The cash flow needs generated by the activity amount to 332 K for the first half of the year. The flows linked to investments, associated primarily with the market maker agreement implemented with the shares, are negative at 158 K. The revenue generated by the financial operations amount to nearly 12.5 M, including the net product of the capital increase in June 2017 within the framework of the initial public offering on Euronext Growth (reaching 11.7 M net after exercising the overallotment option).

Thanks to the success of this operation, VALBIOTIS is in a strong financial position and can thus pursue its strategy with serenity. For the period ending June 30, 2017, the equity amounts to nearly 12.1 M compared to 369 K at the end of December 2016, and the cash flow stands at 12.5 M compared to 529 K at the end of December 2016.

PROSPECTS

Several clinical milestones in sight.

New stages to be conquered regarding recruitments and the internalization of the technical platform.

During the second half of the year, VALBIOTIS will pursue its clinical and preclinical programs concentrating its human and financial efforts on the development of Valedia, the recruitment of new employees and the internalization of its technical platform.

In the field of research, VALBIOTIS plans to reach several clinical milestones:

The acceleration of recruitments for the Phase IIa clinical trial conducted on the active ingredient of Valedia . In this respect, a second clinical investigation center was opened in September at the Pasteur Institute in Lille. This new center also marks the association of the company with a new Center of Excellence that brings together multidisciplinary and transversal expertise, particularly in relation to metabolic diseases, diabetes and obesity;

. In this respect, a second clinical investigation center was opened in September at the Pasteur Institute in Lille. This new center also marks the association of the company with a new Center of Excellence that brings together multidisciplinary and transversal expertise, particularly in relation to metabolic diseases, diabetes and obesity; The authorizations issued by the competent authorities in France to start the Phase IIb1 clinical trial (REVERSE-IT) on the active ingredient of Valedia

The finalization of the recruitments for the Phase I/II clinical trials conducted on Lipidrive and VAL-070.

Over the next few months, we will also continue to expand our teams. By the end of the 2017 financial year, VALBIOTIS will employ nearly 30 people.

Pascal SIRVENT joined VALBIOTIS in September 2017 as Director of Discovery and Preclinical and Translational Research. As a member of the Scientific Committee and manager of collaborative projects between Clermont Auvergne University and VALBIOTIS, Pascal SIRVENT has been participating in the development of the company for several years. He has solid expertise in preclinical research and has nearly 30 papers in international scientific journals and numerous presentations at international conferences to his credit. He will ensure the continuity of the company's Research Development and reinforce the expertise of VALBIOTIS in discussions with the food and pharmaceutical industry.

VALBIOTIS has also decided to expand its Supervisory Board with the appointment of Dr. Jean ZETLAOUI (1). Jean ZETLAOUI has over 25 years' experience in various managerial posts abroad (NOVARTIS, Nestle Health Science, SANOFI...). He is also Vice-President of the Alliance for Research and Innovation in Health Industries (ARIIS) and chairman of the working group on the attractiveness of France for clinical research headed by Leem, an association of French pharmaceutical companies. Dr. ZETLAOUI brings his advanced knowledge of the pharmaceutical and nutrition sectors, of their environments and their challenges. VALBIOTIS works with major pharmaceutical and nutrition corporations and the arrival of Dr. ZETLAOUI further reinforces this unique high-added-value positioning.

With work starting on the development project, the next few months will be dedicated to internalizing the technical platform (animal house/cell culture/biochemistry). The facility should be operational by the beginning of 2018.

In the light of these elements, VALBIOTIS is confident about the execution of its strategy and roadmap presented within the framework of its initial public offering.

The VALBIOTIS half-year financial report ending June 30, 2017, has been filed with the AMF and is available to the public on the Valbiotis website: valbiotis.com (investors section).

(1) The appointment of Dr. Jean ZETLAOUI will be proposed at the Shareholders' Meeting: 26 October 2017, Cabinet Granrut, law firm, sis 91 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore 75008 Paris, sixth floor.

ABOUT VALBIOTIS

VALBIOTIS specializes in developing innovative nutrition solutions designed to prevent cardiometabolic diseases and provide nutritional support for patients. Its products are made for manufacturers in the agro-food and pharmaceutical industries. VALBIOTIS particularly focuses on solutions to prevent type 2 diabetes, NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

Valbiotis was founded in La Rochelle in early 2014 and has formed numerous partnerships with top academic centers in France and abroad, including the La Rochelle University, the CNRS and the Clermont Auvergne University located in Clermont-Ferrand, where the company opened a second office. These partnerships have enabled Valbiotis to benefit from strong financial leverage, particularly thanks to experts and technical partners who support its projects. Valbiotis is a member of the "BPI Excellence" network and received the "Innovative Company" status accorded by BPI France. Valbiotis has also been awarded "Young Innovative Company" status and has received major financial support from the European Union for its research programs by obtaining support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Find out more about VALBIOTIS:

http://valbiotis.com/

Name: Valbiotis

ISIN code:

FR0013254851

Mnemonic Code:

ALVAL

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170928006178/en/

Contacts:

FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION

ACTIFIN

Stephane Ruiz

+33 1 56 88 11 14

sruiz@actifin.fr

or

PRESS RELATIONS

ALIZE PR

Caroline Carmagnol Wendy Rigal

+33 1 44 54 36 66

valbiotis@alizerp.com

or

COMMUNICATION OFFICE

VALBIOTIS

Marc Delaunay

+ 33 5 46 28 62 58

marc.delaunay@valbiotis.com
MUNICH, September 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Companies to create e-mobility, mobile payment and loyalty programme solutions

Wirecard, the leading expert in digital payment solutions, is entering into an innovation partnership with evopark GmbH. As part of the collaboration, both companies plan to link evopark's existing app with Wirecard's mobile payment and loyalty features in order to guarantee a seamless customer journey at all car parks across Germany in the future.

evopark provides a contactless smart card which can be used to make cashless payments at 70car parks across Germany. This service is complemented by an app that shows the user available parking spaces in participating car parks and provides directions there if desired. Now, evopark plans to further develop this solution together with Wirecard. The plan is that, in future, users will be able to pay via the app and receive cashback from retailers located near car parks. Additionally, the companies want to press forward together in the e-mobility sector. For example, a payment function for electric charging stations is in the pipeline.

Tobias Weiper, founder and CEO of evopark GmbH: "Together, we are transforming trips to town into an experience. Today, looking for parking spaces, buying tickets and queuing at paying stations are already a thing of the past for evopark customers. Our aim for the future is for our customers to additionally pay directly via the app and to be able to take advantage of discounts or loyalty offers. In Wirecard, we have found an experienced and innovative partner that will support us in implementing our vision."

Stephan Ritzenhoff, Team Lead Partner Management at Wirecard, adds: "Today, customers require holistic digital solutions. This means that it is important to combine all offers into one app without any manual steps. We are therefore delighted to provide new impetus moving forward in the mobile payment and e-mobility sectors with evopark and to make networked travel even more appealing."

Using the slogan "Play different, pay different", Wirecard and evopark will be represented at E-Mobility Days at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on 29 and 30 September. For more information about the payment methods of tomorrow, visit us at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg where for two whole days everything is all about the future of mobility.

About Wirecard:

Wirecard AG is a global technology group that supports companies in accepting electronic payments from all sales channels. As a leading independent supplier, the Wirecard Group offers outsourcing and white label solutions for electronic payments. A global platform bundles international payment acceptances and methods with supplementary fraud prevention solutions. With regard to issuing own payment instruments in the form of cards or mobile payment solutions, the Wirecard Group provides companies with an end-to-end infrastructure, including the requisite licences for card and account products. Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Securities Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060, WDI). For further information about Wirecard, please visit http://www.wirecard.com or follow us on Twitter @wirecard.

About evopark:

evopark GmbH was founded as a start-up in 2014 with the aim of reinventing parking. Porsche Digital and several prominent business angels have invested in the company. The parking system has been successfully in use since the end of 2014. Currently, it is available in 26 cities and 70 parking areas. evopark has already won 13 awards with its innovative concept, including the DWNRW Award 2015, which was presented by the State Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, Garrelt Duin. Customers already using evopark's solutions include: Porsche, Daimler (pilot scheme), AXA Insurance, large car park operators such as ParkOne, B+B Parkhaus, Q-Park and Verkehrswacht Parkplatz, numerous regional operators, e.g. Stadtwerke Trier, as well as the largest systems manufacturers, Scheidt & Bachmann, SKIDATA and bebarmatic.

Click here to see how evopark works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPalUjlabas

Media kit available at http://www.evopark.de/presse

Wirecard media contact:



Wirecard AG

Jana Tilz

Tel.: +49(0)89-4424-1363

Email: jana.tilz@wirecard.com



evopark media contact:



evopark GmbH

Nora Flohr

Tel.: +49(0)221-1773-4361

Email: presse@evopark.de


A man wanted for sexual battery of a child was assaulted this week at Carlisle Fairgrounds, according to police.

The North Middleton Township Police Department said John D. Madura, 38, was assaulted by a co-worker on Wednesday.

Police have not been able to reach Madura, who is wanted in Florida for sexual battery of a child and use of a child in a sexual performance.

Madura is known to live near Greenville, South Carolina, but was in the Carlisle area this week with a vendor for a car show at Carlisle Fairgrounds.

Anyone who has seen Madura should call the North Middleton Township Police Department immediately at 717-243-7910.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, September 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The 'JCA-Mauvernay Award 2017' is awarded to Doctors Yasuhiro Yamada and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa

DebiopharmGroup' (Debiopharm - www.debiopharm.com), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical company, will be presenting the 'JCA-Mauvernay Award' on September 30 to Doctors Yasuhiro Yamada from the Laboratory of Stem Cell Oncology of Kyoto University for his basic research on the dissection of cancer epigenetics with reprogramming technology and HiroyoshiNishikawa from the Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/EPOC, National Cancer Center / Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine for his applied research on immune suppressive mechanisms as a target of effective cancer immunotherapy.

Doctors Yamada and Nishikawa will receive their Awards during the General Assembly of the 76th AnnualMeeting of theJapaneseCancerAssociation (JCA) in Yokohama which will focus this year on the theme: 'Prevention and Cure of Cancer through Understanding of the Networks'. Dr.Kohei Miyazono, President of the JCA and ThierryMauvernay, President & Delegate of the Board of DebiopharmGroup, will present the trophies to both scientists.

Epigenetic alterations play a significant role in cancer development both in vitro and in vivo. Dr. Yamada has demonstrated that epigenetic regulation affects the development of many cancer types. To dissect epigenetic modifiers caused by genetic abnormalities, he has used reprogramming technologies to actively alter epigenetic regulations while preserving genomic information. With this approach, he has provided in vivo evidence that epigenetic regulations impact the initiation, maintenance and progression of cancers. His recent studies have also shown that cancer cells could be reprogrammed into non-neoplastic cells by targeting driver oncogenic signals and cellular context-associated epigenetic regulators.

Dr. Nishikawa has been working on anti-tumor immune responses for many years and has conducted groundbreaking studies to understand the contribution of regulatory T cells to immune dysfunction in solid tumors. His detailed analysis of regulatory T cell subpopulations provided insights into possible means to improve anti-tumor immune responses without causing autoimmunity in vivo and to identify prognostic markers for immunotherapy treatments in colorectal cancers.

"The remarkable scientific achievements of Drs Yamada and Nishikawa are a demonstration of the significance and the global impact of Japanese cancer research and may open new ways of treating cancer in the future and improving patients' quality of life," said Thierry Mauvernay, President & Delegate of the Board of DebiopharmGroup.

AbouttheJCA-MauvernayAward

Since 2005, the JapaneseCancerAssociation (JCA) and DebiopharmGroup have co-organized the 'JCA-Mauvernay Award'. This prize illustrates the curiosity that drives researchers as well as the scientific cooperation between Japan and Switzerland. It aims at recognizing outstanding achievements in the field of oncology amongst Japanese researchers, in both the fundamental and the clinical aspects. The award has a total value of CHF 25'000.

About Debiopharm Group

Debiopharm Group' is a Swiss-headquartered global biopharmaceutical group including five companies active in the life science areas of drug development, GMP manufacturing of proprietary drugs, diagnostic tools and investment management. Debiopharm focuses on developing prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs. The group in-licenses and develops promising drug candidates. The products are commercialized by pharmaceutical out-licensing partners to give access to the largest number of patients worldwide.

For more information, please see www.debiopharm.com

We are on Twitter. Follow @DebiopharmNews at http://twitter.com/DebiopharmNews

DebiopharmInternationalSAContact

Christelle von Buren

Communication Coordinator

christelle.vonburen@debiopharm.com

Tel: +41(0)21-321-01-11


BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 2.00 am ET Thursday, Destatis is slated to release Germany's retail sales data. Sales are forecast to grow 0.3 percent on month in October, following a 0.5 percent increase in September. Ahead of the data, the euro traded mixed against its major rivals. While the euro held steady against the pound, it rose against the yen, the greenback and the franc. The euro was worth 1.1871 against the greenback, 133.10 against the yen, 1.1681 against the franc and 0.8812 against the pound as of 1:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TOKYO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- QUOINE Corporation ("QUOINE") is the first global crypto fintechcompany to receive an official license from the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA) on Friday, 29th September 2017. QUOINE operates QUOINEX, a cryptocurrency exchange and high performance trading platform that went global since May 2014. At its core, QUOINE is focused on stringent security measures on QUOINEX and prioritizes the safety of customers' assets.

Since the amended Payment Services Act came into effect on 1stApril2017 in Japan, QUOINE has worked closely with the Big Four audit and accounting companies, developing comprehensive AML countermeasures, internal audit, management systems, as well as communicating with the JFSA and Kanto Financial Bureau. In addition, QUOINE has also received a comprehensive review from one of the Big Four companies as part of the licensing process.

"As the first global crypto fintech company to be fully licensed with the JFSA, we will keep on working hand in hand with regulators and other stakeholders towards the healthy development of the cryptocurrency industry within Japan and on a global scale," said Mike Kayamori, CEO and Co-founder of QUOINE. "Protection of customers' assets is of the highest priority to us. With our JFSA license, this is a positive market signal that we are here to build a trusted exchange, with proper compliance measures in place to prevent security breaches and provide more asset protection for our customers."

To mark the success of QUOINE's licensing by the JFSA, QUOINEwill launch a Zero Transaction Fee Campaign for all QUOINEXcustomers. Customers can now enjoy zero trading fees in spot and margin trading for all BTC, ETH and BCH pairs by logging onto https://quoinex.com. For more information, please see https://quoine.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013065688

ABOUT THE COMPANY

QUOINE is a leading global fintech company that provides trading, exchange, and next generation financial services powered by blockchain technology. With offices in Japan, Singapore and Vietnam, QUOINE combines a strong network of local partners with extensive team experience in banking and financial products to deliver best in class financial services for its customers. More information is available at www.quoine.com

In 2014, QUOINE launched Quoine Exchange, now known as QUOINEX, which became one of the largest bitcoin exchanges in the world by transaction volume. QUOINE offers powerful trading features, a sophisticated user dashboard, and secure regulatory compliance to individual and corporate customers. QUOINEX provides trading services for bitcoin and fiat currency pairs in Japanese yen, US dollar, Euro, HK dollar, Indonesian rupiah, Singapore dollar, Philippine peso, Indian rupee, Australian dollar, and Chinese Renminbi. QUOINEX has exceeded USD12 billion in transactions in the past two years. More information can be found at www.quoinex.com

In June 2017, QUOINE launched a fully digital cryptocurrency exchange and trading platform called QRYPTOS, exclusively for cryptocurrency trading in desktop version at www.qryptos.com.

CONTACT DETAILS

Contact Person: Katherine Ng

Email: katherine.ng@quoine.com

Website:www.quoine.com

Twitter: @QUOINE_SG

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/6636706/

Facebook: www.fb.com/quoine.sg
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - QinetiQ Group plc (QQ.L), a defense, security and aerospace company, said that trading has been in line with expectations and the outlook for overall Group performance this financial year is unchanged. The company issued trading update before entering its closed period for the half year ending 30 September 2017. The EMEA Services division started the year in a strong position. Following stronger order intake in the second quarter, fiscal year 2018 revenue under contract is as expected at this stage in the financial year. It reiterated its guidance for modest growth in revenue in fiscal year 2018. The Group's Global Products division has been trading in line with expectations during the first half of the year. As a result of its contracted orders and pipeline of opportunities, as well as the anticipated full year contribution from QinetiQ Target Systems, the division is expected to grow in fiscal year 2018. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DigitalTown introduces global platform for perpetual digital addresses



SEATTLE, 2017-09-29 08:43 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DigitalTown, Inc. (OTC PINK:DGTW), a leading provider of smart city platform solutions, announced today the launch of permanent digital addresses for Netizens who are legal residents concurrent with the start of the rollout of their Blockchain based Smart City Platform across more than 20,000 of the world's largest cities.



What is a Permanent Digital Address? A DigitalTown Permanent Digital Address (PDA) is a privately owned "digital you" that is accessible on the Internet forever. In an era of digital abundance, Netizens -- citizens of the global Internet -- are increasingly challenged with the issue of where to be found online. A Permanent Digital Address from DigitalTown is a one-time registration of a personal domain name, either branded in the identity of the city, e.g. Smith.London, or simply branded in your personal identity e.g. JohnSmith.com. Each Permanent Digital Address has the option of being verified by DigitalTown or other authorized verifiers, in order to provide visitors assurance that they are connecting with the intended person before they message or transact. In many cases, Permanent Digital Addresses will be provided by a local municipality to their legal residents as part of the transition to a Smart City.



Why a permanent digital address? When it comes to phone numbers, most Netizens cut the personal landline cord years ago, assuming they bothered to get one in the first place. When it comes to digital presence, Netizens may have Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube to name just a few. When it comes to digital communication, Netizens may have Skype, WhatsApp, GoToMeeting, Viber, Zoom, or other solutions for voice, chat and video conferencing. And when it comes to getting paid, or paying others, digital banking is now 24/7 through not only PayPal but a rapidly expanding array of digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. When it comes to managing digital permissions in the emerging era of Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Identity represents a critical component in defining who has access to devices or services. And last but not least, when a Netizen passes away, who decides what happens to the personal digital assets of the Netizen, especially personal photos, documents and videos that may have archival importance?



What can a Netizen do with a permanent digital address?



A verified and secure Digital Address: A personal digital homepage listing all of a Netizen's digital coordinates. Each URL is secured by a unique SSL certificate for encryption, and combines the Netizen-verified details for where to find them online or offline.



No more spam emails: Persons who prefer to not to receive spam message can maintain a list of authorized senders, and even have the option of even charging senders to send them messages. Proceeds are deposited to their SmartWallet upon acknowledging receipt.



Send and receive payment: With a permanent Digital address, a Netizen can also securely receive payments from others by them simply clicking "Pay" on the Netizen's digital profile. Proceeds are instantly deposited, without fee, to the Netizen's Smart Wallet.



Your Key to the City: Each digital login is part of a global standard which is live in more than 20,000 cities for use by both the public and private sector.



Rob Monster, CEO of DigitalTown, commenting on the announcement, added "Digital Identity is at the core of the DigitalTown platform. A single login provides secure access to services in the community. In a time of rapid change and an increasingly mobile workforce, the introduction of secure permanent digital addresses is the right idea at the right time. Consider for a moment the recently displaced persons caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria, as well as earthquakes in Mexico and volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, just during the last month, and one can quickly appreciate why permanent digital addresses may play an important role. DigitalTown is partnering with private citizens and municipal leaders around the world to make communities more effective in the best of times while also more resilient when disaster strikes."



Your Digital Stake in the Global Future Earlier this month, DigitalTown announced the launch of Blockchain-based solution for local ownership of the DigitalTown city platform for each city. The response from city stakeholders and citizens from around the world has been enthusiastic. The first Blockchain token issuance for cities is scheduled for Q4 in Austin.city, Melbourne.city, Nashville.city, Pensacola.city, SanDiego.city, Sydney.city and Smart.London. The global rollout to more than 20,000 cities will follow during 2018 and 2019 in coordination with local stakeholders. All registered users who are legal residents in any participating city will be eligible to participate by claiming their free coin during the claim period.



As part of the worldwide rollout of the DigitalTown SmartCity platform, DigitalTown is scheduled to exhibit at the International City Managers Association Expo in San Antonio from October 22-25 and the Smart City Expo in Barcelona from November 13-15. For more information about permanent Digital Addresses, please visit us on the web at DigitalTown.com/forever.



About DigitalTown DigitalTown, Inc. (DGTW) powers Smart Cities to succeed in the Digital Age. The company provides turn-key hosted solutions to power "Digital Towns," which improve Quality of Life for residents and visitors through Blockchain-based and Cloud-hosted solutions for economic development, civic engagement and digital inclusion for cities around the world. For more information about the company, please visit www.digitaltown.com.



Safe Harbor Language: Any statements contained herein related to future events are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. DigitalTown, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect actual events.



Media Contact: Rob Monster, Chief Executive Officer DigitalTown, Inc. (425) 295-4564 rob@digitaltown.com

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Corporate Communications Division Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan +81-3-3508-5056 [Tokyo] +81-82-282-5253 [Hiroshima] mailto: media@mazda.co.jp

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Sept 29, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation today published the Mazda Sustainability Report 2017(1) in Japanese and Annual Report 2017(2) in English and Japanese on the company's website. The English version of the Sustainability Report will be published in October.The Sustainability Report 2017 outlines Mazda's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and achievements(3) for the fiscal year ended (FYE) March 2017. The Annual Report 2017 features management information and financial news.Highlights of the Sustainability Report 2017- Top Message - Mazda's Representative Director, President and CEO Masamichi Kogai discusses his views on CSR and introduces some CSR initiatives linked to the company's business strategy.- Details Mazda's "Sustainable Zoom - Zoom 2030" long-term vision for technology development and capital alliance with Toyota Motor Corporation- Special Feature 1: SKYACTIV-X next-generation engineMazda's new SKYACTIV-X combines the advantages of gasoline and diesel engines and represents a significant step forward in Mazda's quest to make the ultimate combustion engine.- Special Feature 2: All-new Mazda CX-5 Crossover SUVShowcases the all-new Mazda CX-5, which honed the company's latest design and technology for more refined driving pleasure in every area- Initiatives based on Sustainable Development Goals:Introduces initiatives that will help achieve the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals(4)Highlights of the Annual Report 2017- Message from Management - President and CEO Masamichi Kogai outlines his vision for Mazda as a brand that forms a strong bond with customers and makes world-class vehicles and gives an overview of the capital and business alliance with Toyota.- Akira Marumoto, Representative Director and Executive Vice President, explains Mazda's initiatives for sustainable growth, including specifics of the capital and business alliance with Toyota and Mazda's product and technology strategy for adapting to the changing business environment over the medium and long term.- Mazda's Business Strategy:Looks at the key initiatives of the medium-term business plan, Structural Reform Stage 2, and progress made since implementation began in the fiscal year ended March 2017- Review of Operations:Looks at business results and sales initiatives in Japan, North America, Europe, China and other markets- Mazda's Art of Car Making:Introduces "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030," the next-generation SKYACTIV-X engine and Monotsukuri Innovation, as well as accolades for Mazda's products technologiesMazda's Sustainability Report and Annual Report can be downloaded from the company's global website.Sustainability Report: http://www.mazda.com/en/csr/download/Annual Report: http://www.mazda.com/en/investors/library/annual/Mazda began fully implementing Brand Value Management in 2013. The Sustainability Report and Annual Report show how Mazda is working to become a brand that enriches people's lives at every touchpoint to build a strong emotional connection with customers, focusing on the company's initiatives, organizational aspects and people.(1) The Sustainability Report 2017 in Japanese is available as an "in-depth version" and a "social contribution version." A digest version and corporate profile featuring highlights from the full report will be available in both printed and online formats in October. English editions of the "in-depth version" and the "social contribution version" will be available online in October, and English editions of the digest version and corporate profile will be available in both printed and online formats in November.(2) Both the English and Japanese versions are available only in online format.(3) Mazda's CSR initiatives are divided into the following six categories; Customer Satisfaction, Quality, Safety, Environment, Respect for People and Social Contributions.(4) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form an agenda for United Nations member states to realize sustainable development in areas ranging from poverty, hunger and energy to climate change and peace from 2015 through 2030. Announced in September 2015, the SDGs consists of 17 goals and 169 targets.About MazdaMazda Motor Corporation (TSE: 7261) started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. For more information, please visit www.mazda.comSource: MazdaContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
LONDON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AETOS Capital Group has won the "Best Forex Introducing Broker Programme" award at the prestigious UK Forex Awards 2017.

The event, held in Holborn, London, rewards UK Forex companies that champion cutting-edge technology, low-cost trading, comprehensive market research tools, advanced educational programmes and world-class customer service. AETOS was recognised for its exceptional Introducing Broker programme that was nominated as the best in its class.

AETOS Capital Group is awarded the Best Forex Introducing Broker Programme Award at the prestigious UK Forex Awards 2017, in London.

Behind AETOS' success has been heavy investment in its Introducing Broker programme, which has a flexible and attractive commission scheme along with real-time settlements. This has gained attention that has sparked an influx of new business.

The company has gone to great lengths to support their Introducing Broker network by launching a new website to enrich user experience as well as invest in speed. New servers were switched on in London's Equinix LD4 data centre to give customers a lightning fast and secure website experience.

However, the greatest driver behind AETOS' Introducing Broker Programme success has been the launch of the new "Biz Centre."

The "Biz Centre" provides Introducing Brokers with a wealth of information and tools to manage their business. Client details, trading information, commission statements, referral URLs and more are all available in the new in-house developed CRM system.

Besides, AETOS is also the only one in the industry, who introduce different marketing promotion programme from time to time, to help its Introducing Brokers win over clients. This year, in epically, to highlight the Group's 10 years' success in business, a selection of marketing promotion programmers have been introduced, and well received by Introducing Brokers and their clients.

On accepting the award, Global Marketing Manager of AETOS UK, Shunyu Li, said: "AETOS has invested heavily in its Introducing Broker Programme, particularly on IT system and on IB marketing support. To win best in its class at the UK Forex awards shows that it is paying off with industry-wide recognition."

About AETOS Capital Group



AETOS Capital Group (AETOS) is a market-leading Australian Forex broker and CFD provider with its corporate headquarters in Sydney, Australia. AETOS is licensed and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, ASIC (AFSL: 313016) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK (FCA No: 592778).

Website: http://www.aetoscg.com
LONDON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --EnterpriseDB (EDB'), the database platform company for digital business, today announced that Devrim Gunduz, Principal Systems Engineer at EnterpriseDB, will present at the London PostgreSQL Users Group Meetup on Thursday, October 5, 2017.

The free event will be at 7 p.m. at the London offices of Pivotal Software, Inc., located at The Warehouse, 211 Old Street, Second Floor. For details and to register, click here.

Gunduz will deliver a presentation, titled What is New in PostgreSQL 10, which will highlight new features and capabilities in the upcoming PostgreSQL 10 release.

At EDB, Gunduz specializes in clustering,high availabilityand replication solutions for EDB Postgres'Advanced Server as well asarchitecting large-scale deployments for enterprise customers. As acontributor to the Postgres Community, Gunduz is the lead maintainerof the Postgres YUM repository andcontributes to otherPostgres-related projects.

The event is the first for the new Meetup group. It was founded by members of the open source Postgres developer community to foster an interactive setting for Postgres users in London to learn, network and exchange ideas.

About EnterpriseDB Corporation

EnterpriseDB (EDB'), the database platform company for digital business, delivers the premier open source-based data platform for new applications, cloud re-platforming, application modernization, and legacy migration. EnterpriseDB integrates with enterprise technologies and infrastructures for hybrid cloud management, data integration, and data warehousing. Our customers benefit from the highest performing, most reliable, flexible, open, and cost-effective data management platform available. EnterpriseDB is based in Bedford, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.EnterpriseDB.com.

EnterpriseDB is a registered trademark of EnterpriseDB Corporation. EDB and EDB Postgres are trademarks of EnterpriseDB Corporation. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

MEDIA CONTACT

Cairbre Sugrue

Sugrue Communications

+44 (0)1932 429 779

Cairbre@Sugruecomms.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564379/EnterpriseDB_Corporation_Logo.jpg
Collaboration helps enterprises exploit the power of Industry 4.0

Manufacturer e.l.m. leblanc boosts its customer satisfaction with joint solution

Orange Business Services and Microsoft are collaborating to deliver large-scale, end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that boost the digital processes of companies in the manufacturing sector. Enterprises can use the Orange modular IoT solution, Datavenue, strengthened by Microsoft Azure IoT Suite, to transition to Industry 4.0 and optimize the entire manufacturing value chain.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005183/en/

Collaboration helps enterprises exploit the power of Industry 4.0 (Photo: Orange Business Services)

Through this collaboration, companies can take advantage of the combined expertise of Orange and Microsoft regarding data protection, as well as device and data management. This includes the opportunity to leverage Orange Business Services' many IoT connectivity options, in particular LoRa. Use cases range from supply chain and smart inventory management to digital operations, such as predictive maintenance, employee safety and facility and equipment management.

Joint solution helps e.l.m. leblanc anticipate and better handle maintenance activities

For its long-term customer e.l.m. leblanc, Orange delivered a customized IoT platform on Microsoft Azure, which provides a tailored solution for remote monitoring, along with curative and predictive maintenance. Subsidiary of the Bosch Group, e.l.m. leblanc manufactures gas boilers and water-heaters since 1932. The company is a major player in the French housing and industrial markets for heating cooling systems and hot water for sanitary use.

"Innovation is part of e.l.m. leblanc's DNA, continuously providing our customers with new services and more comfort. We have a vision of a connected world where every heating system optimizes its energy performance to protect the environment. This ambition is illustrated in the Optibox solution for our connected boilers. e.l.m. leblanc has fully relied on Orange Business Services' expertise to develop this solution. Using the Azure Cloud allows for high-level scalability and efficient machine learning solutions with reasonable costs," said Philippe Laforge, chief executive of e.l.m. leblanc.

The remote monitoring solution collects the boiler's data and alerts technicians of any malfunction. This allows for more efficient maintenance intervention, with fine-tuned predictions on the probable causes of failure based on real-time data analytics. Preemptive alerts can also be raised by the platform through predictive maintenance algorithms. Benefits include optimization of intervention processes, and increased end-customer satisfaction, thanks to innovative and responsive customer support.

Orange will demonstrate e.l.m. leblanc's innovative predictive maintenance platform at the Microsoft Experience in Paris on 3-4 October 2017 and IoT Solutions World Congress 2017 in Barcelona from 3-5 October 2017.

Combined expertise delivers reliable, secure end-to-end IoT projects

With Datavenue, Orange Business Services offers a comprehensive set of solutions and services to securely manage IoT projects and their integration with information systems, providing:

certified connected devices best suited to the project's use cases,

connectivity solutions (cellular 3G and 4G, LoRa, LTE M),

a device and data management platform,

extensive expertise to manage the project from conception to implementation: consulting, development, data protection, integration, data analysis, maintenance, etc.

Datavenue boasts over 700 experts working on data and IoT projects, 14 million connected devices managed by Orange, and the capacity to handle over 160 million items of technical data per minute.

With its Azure IoT Suite, Microsoft offers a powerful and consistent software environment to facilitate setting up and scaling large device and data management projects. In order to accelerate the roll out of industrial projects, Azure IoT Suite provides pre-packaged solutions and allows companies to swiftly get familiar with the set-up and explore the most common IoT project scenarios (e.g. remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, connected factory).

The software environment provided by Microsoft will allow for the use of advanced solutions such as Cortana Intelligence Suite (advanced analytics and AI), Power BI (data visualization) and Mobile Apps (Xamarin) to ensure a flawless mobile user experience.

"This partnership between Orange and Microsoft is an important step in our growth strategy targeting the IoT and data analytics B2B market. By adding Azure IoT solutions to our Datavenue portfolio, we provide our customers with powerful software with the assurance that it will seamlessly integrate with Microsoft's business applications, an industry standard. This partnership is a remarkable opportunity for us not just to expand our business, but also to contribute more actively to the development of the IoT market around the world," said Beatrice Felder, executive vice president, Customer Experience, IoT and Analytics, Orange Business Services.

"Orange Business Services and Microsoft have been partners for several years. We are excited to engage in this new collaboration tackling the growing market of the Internet of Things. With a partner such as Orange Business Services, we can offer a full end-to-end solution, relying on Orange expertise in IoT connectivity and particularly LoRa, and its proven know-how in integrating IT projects surrounding connected sensors and devices," said Maziar Zolghadr, Microsoft EMEA Director of Strategic Partnerships.

About Orange Business Services

Orange Business Services, the B2B branch of the Orange Group, and its 21,000 employees, is focused on supporting the digital transformation of multinational enterprises and French SMEs across five continents. Orange Business Services is not only an infrastructure operator, but also a technology integrator and a value-added service provider. It offers companies digital solutions that help foster collaboration within their teams (collaborative workspaces and mobile workspaces), better serve their customers (enriched customer relations and business innovation), and support their projects (enriched connectivity, flexible IT and cyberdefense). The integrated technologies that Orange Business Services offer range from Software Defined Networks (SDN/NFV), Big Data and IoT, to cloud computing, unified communications and collaboration, as well as cybersecurity. Orange Business Services customers include over 3,000 renowned multinational corporations at an international level and over two million professionals, companies and local communities in France.

Learn more at www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and our blogs.

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with annual sales of 40.9 billion euros in 2016 and 269 million customers worldwide at 30 June 2017. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005183/en/

Contacts:

Orange Business Services

Elizabeth Mayeri, +1 212 251 2086

elizabeth.mayeri@orange.com
A robbery gone wrong or a hit by organized crime  the stabbing death of madam Bessie Jones remains an unsolved murder mystery.

Forty-five years ago this Sunday, the body of the elderly woman was found in a second-floor bedroom of the brothel she operated for decades at 20 E. Locust St., in Carlisle.

Someone had used a pair of nylons to tie her hands behind her back and had stuffed a washcloth in her mouth. A knife thrust had cut the pulmonary artery at the base of the heart causing Jones to bleed out.

The homicide investigation set her time of death at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, 1972. Borough police were first notified at around 6:10 a.m. Fifty-five minutes later, at 7:05 a.m., state police stopped a taxi about 12 miles west of Carlisle on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The passenger was Georgia Ann Schneider, 24, of Pittsburgh, who was a prostitute and six months pregnant at the time. When police arrested her, they found $2,789 in cash on the cab seat and stuffed in her handbag and clothing.

The Sentinel covered the February 1973 jury trial that acquitted Schneider of murdering Jones. The prosecution argued the suspect stabbed the madam during a robbery attempt. The defense countered by saying the murder was a professional hit by the same crime syndicate that supplied the prostitutes.

Robbery gone wrong?

The story begins with Schneider arriving in Carlisle around 9 p.m. Sept. 30. According to testimony, she had worked at the brothel several times in the two years prior to the murder. She did not work that Saturday, but instead came by to spend the night because she was feeling sick.

According to testimony, Jones had asked a prostitute named Cassandra Jackson to help Schneider into bed. That was when Schneider allegedly told Jackson of her intent to rob Jones. As the key prosecution witness, Jackson also said she saw a knife similar to the murder weapon in Schneiders room the morning of the murder.

A switchblade with the victims blood was found in the yard of the residence next to a wrapper from a package of stomach medicine that Schneider had admitted to have used.

Schneider testified that Jackson had warned her to stay in her room because a man from New Kensington, Allegheny County, was coming to rob Jones. Schneider heeded the warning and waited until after the noise died down to walk downstairs from her third floor room to check on Jones in her second floor room.

She opened the door, looked inside and saw lots of blood from the old madam. Schneider left the brothel 20 minutes after finding the body. From Carlisle, she took a taxi to Harrisburg before hailing another cab at the city bus terminal offering that driver $110 to drive her to Pittsburgh. She was stopped in transit.

Investigators found Jones on a bed. Her night gown, slip and house coat were stained with blood from three knife wounds to the left arm, left rib cage and chest.

Upon her arrest, Schneider claimed she had earned the money turning tricks in New York City, but the prosecution argued her pregnancy would have reduced her value as a prostitute. The Sentinel reported how Schneider could not recall the name of the club she claimed to have worked in.

Syndicate hit?

Defense attorney Herbert Corky Goldstein said the syndicate that supplied the prostitutes for Bessies House was responsible for killing Jones and for several robberies leading up to the murder. The newspaper had reported Jones was under investigation by the FBI, the state attorney generals office and the state police for her alleged ties to organized crime.

There was other testimony presented at trial to cast reasonable doubt. When Schneider tried to call for help, the phone didnt work because the lines serving the building had been cut, Goldstein said. He added no blood was found on Georgias clothing, and her fingerprints were not on the switchblade. He felt the evidence was consistent with a professional hit.

There was also a mystery man. Jackson testified she last spoke to Jones between 3 and 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 1 when she received a phone call to meet a male friend at the Starlite Motel on Route 11. The man was last seen walking down Route 11 at about 6 a.m. Goldstein suggested to jurors the friend of the star witness may have been associated with the crime.

The Preference Book

It took the jury only 2 1/2 hours to find Schneider not guilty of murder. Seventeen years later, on June 21, 1990, Goldstein held a news conference to announce he had in his possession an oversized ledger with the names of over 1,600 clients of Bessies House from 1947 to two days before Jones was murdered.

Locked away in a safe deposit box, this so-called Preference Book also includes information on the favorite services of each client, his occupation, customer rates and a record of money owed and paid.

Goldstein told reporters that Schneider had obtained the ledger from Jones who allegedly said If anything should happen to me, I want you to make sure this book doesnt see the light of day. The ledger was never submitted as evidence during the trial, and it is believed several prominent names are listed on its pages.

The Sentinel in June 1990 interviewed Carlisle police detective Robert Warner who was skeptical of the ledgers existence but curious over what it may contain on organized crime. At that time, the police department and District Attorney Michael Eakin expressed no interest in reopening the Jones murder case. They were convinced Schneider committed the crime even though she couldnt be tried again in court.

The Cumberland County Historical Society has a file on this murder case, which includes an obituary from the Nov. 7, 2012 edition of Florida Today. The obituary reads that a woman named Georgia Ann Schneider, 64, died on Oct. 25, 2012 at her home on Merritt Island.

The obituary reported how Schneider came to Brevard County, Florida, in 1974, when her family relocated. She was survived by her mother, two brothers, a son and three grandchildren.

The legendary Bessie

As for Bessie Jones, she died a legend in Carlisle. The Sentinel published a retrospective on Jones on Feb. 24, 1990, mentioning how she was a savvy businesswoman who had inherited her house of ill repute from her mother. Known locally as Bessies House, it catered to only the most prominent judges, generals, lawyers, chiefs of police, legislators and businessmen.

A plump woman, Bessie dressed in the latest fashions with floppy hats and more than enough face rouge, the story reads. She waddled up town on market days, dispensing broad grins and sly smiles, conveyed at a discreet distance and was usually accompanied by her maid complete with an overgrown market basket.

As she walked downtown, Jones used a cane, but many suspect it was more for show. Many local residents overlooked or tolerated her business  believing her to be a kindly old madam who donated money to charity and served as a benefactor to black families who struggled during the great depression.

Though she took precautions to avoid being raided, Jones did not completely escape the clutches of the law. From 1939 to 1971, she faced eight counts of operating a house of prostitution and four counts of violating the liquor code. She was convicted twice of tax evasion and served time in both state and federal prisons during the 1960s.
DUBLIN, September 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

FlowForma, the leading provider of BPM tools for Microsoft Office 365 has received an Office App Award, 'The People's Choice Award' for 2017. FlowForma was announced as a winner on the 26th September at the Office App Awards event, during Microsoft Ignite, in Orlando. Office apps and add-ins help users customize Office to build a productivity experience that is uniquely personal.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564137/FlowForma_Award.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564136/Neil_Young_CEO_FlowForma.jpg )

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/523210/FlowForma_Logo.jpg )



Each year Microsoft receive hundreds of nominations for the Office App Awards, as the awards celebrate the top apps and add-ins that help customize the productivity experience for Office users. Nearly two thousand apps are available to Office users in the AppSource marketplace and Microsoft judges reviewed these apps.

Solutions were scored on:

How well it integrates and leverages the power and context of the Office platforms

Its ability to enhance business value through organizational and individual productivity

Overall user experience and quality

Specific judging criteria for each category are listed in theOfficial Rules.

This year the Office App Awards team received over two thousand responses for the 'People's Choice Award', a unique category where the users vote for their most popular app from a group of highly rated apps. The FlowForma BPM app won this award due to its proven ability to empower business users to deploy business processes with speed and flexibility, without any coding, no matter what the complexity. Sitting on the SharePoint platform, the FlowForma Cloud BPM tool incorporates forms, workflow, document generation and decision making all in one place, whilst also helping maximize an organizations existing investments in Microsoft technology.

"We are delighted to once again be recognized by Microsoft in winning another Office App Award. What's most significant is that the award is voted by you, our users, showcasing FlowForma BPM as a unique no code workflow tool. 'The People's Choice Award' further emphasises the extent our Research and Development team go to, providing our customers the best possible experience when using our BPM tool,"commented Neil Young, CEO, FlowForma when reflecting on the award.

Supporting Resources:

To find out how the FlowForma Cloud BPM tool works visit: http://www.flowforma.com/how-it-works

To download a free trial of FlowForma visit : http://www.flowforma.com/start-your-flowforma-trial

Download the FlowForma BPM product brochure here

About FlowForma

FlowForma, the leading provider of Business Process Management (BPM) tools for Microsoft Office 365 has been revolutionizing the traditional BPM space with an innovative approach to developing BPM products that empower users to get work done, smarter and faster, on the familiar SharePoint platform, without any coding.

An award-winning Microsoft Office 365 App, its FlowForma BPM tool enables business users and Heads of Departments to quickly implement processes such as HR on-boarding, new product development and clinical trials as well as many others, increasing organizational efficiency and productivity.

About Office 365 App Awards

Each year Microsoft receive hundreds of nominations for the Office App Awards since the awards celebrate the top apps and add-ins that help customize the productivity experience for Office users. Nearly two thousand apps are available to Office users in the AppSource marketplace, and Microsoft judges review these apps to select their winners.
Infiniti Research, a global market intelligence solutions provider, has announced the completion of their most recent whitepaper on the five major technology trends disrupting the healthcare industry. The future of healthcare is changing rapidly with medical and dental technology advances starting to accelerate and larger health systems taking notice. Infiniti has listed the five most important trends that are disrupting the healthcare industry, which you should be aware of to sustain in the industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180214005758/en/

Digital Disruptions in the Healthcare Sector (Graphic: Business Wire)

All the regulated sectors are prone to the effects of developing technology, and the healthcare industry is no exception. Over the past few years, the healthcare industry has faced many scientific breakthroughs, and it is evident that more effort needs to be put to devise new technologies in the healthcare sector. Digital disruptions in the healthcare sector not only means technological evolutions but includes many other factors across the healthcare ecosystem.

According to the healthcare industry experts at Infiniti, "In the upcoming years, more advanced patient monitoring devices will be available for consumers, which will allow healthcare sector players to gather real-time data."

Request a free brochure to see how Infiniti Research's solutions can help you.

Major technology trends disrupting the healthcare industry

Smart Technology: Predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and conversational artificial intelligence are responsible for disruptions in the healthcare industry and are introduced to reduce hospital administrators tedious work and enable smooth functioning.

Predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and conversational artificial intelligence are responsible for disruptions in the healthcare industry and are introduced to reduce hospital administrators tedious work and enable smooth functioning. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT): This is the incorporation of applications and medical devices that are connected to healthcare IT systems using networking technologies that enable the transfer of medical information over secure networks.

This is the incorporation of applications and medical devices that are connected to healthcare IT systems using networking technologies that enable the transfer of medical information over secure networks. Telehealth: A combination of mobile technology, document sharing, and teleconferencing to improve healthcare quality providing better healthcare access is known as telehealth services. The telemedicine technology is rapidly making its way into the ICU.

A combination of mobile technology, document sharing, and teleconferencing to improve healthcare quality providing better healthcare access is known as telehealth services. The telemedicine technology is rapidly making its way into the ICU. To read more, download FREE sample

Download the complete list of five major technology trends disrupting the healthcare industry here:

https://www.infinitiresearch.com/request-white-paper?related=84296

About Infiniti Research

Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies.

With 15+ years of experience and offices across three continents, Infiniti Research has been instrumental in providing a complete range of competitive intelligence, strategy, and research services for over 550 companies across the globe.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180214005758/en/

Contacts:

Infiniti Research

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Consultant

US: +1 844 778 0600

UK: +44 203 893 3400

hello@infinitiresearch.com

https://www.infinitiresearch.com/contact-us
22 February 2018

Clear Leisure Plc

("Clear Leisure" or "the Company")

Mediapolis Appeal Ruling

And Recognition of First Charge over Asset

The Company has been informed by its Italian legal adviser that the joint appeal against the Mediapolis Srl winding up petition, as announced on 21 November 2017, has been rejected by the Turin Appeal Court.

The legal advisers to the Company are currently assessing the Court ruling to consider the opportunity of appealing the judgement in the Italian High Court.

Clear Leisure has also received from the appointed receiver of Mediapolis a 'creditor ranking' proposal with confirmation of the Company's wholely owned subsidiary, Clear Leisure 2017 Ltd, having first charge right on the land plot. The final approval of the creditor plan is subject to the ruling of the Bankruptcy Court, with a first hearing due to take place on 23 February 2018.

Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman of Clear Leisure, commented: "While we are not happy about the result of the appeal, confirmation of the receiver's proposal to the Bankruptcy Court of the key recognition of our first charge over the Mediapolis land, is a positive step forward. We will update the market once the Court makes a final judgement on the receiver proposal."

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

-ends-

For further information please contact:

Clear Leisure Plc +39 335 296573

Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman

SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) +44 (0)20 3407 0470

Jeff Keating / John Mackay/Charlie Bouverat

Leander (Financial PR) +44 (0) 7795 168 157

Christian Taylor-Wilkinson

About Clear Leisure Plc

Clear Leisure plc (AIM: CLP) is an AIM listed investment company with a portfolio of companies primarily encompassing the leisure and real estate sectors mainly in Italy. The focus of management is to pursue the monetisation of all of the Company's existing assets, through selected realisations, court-led recoveries of misappropriated assets and substantial debt-recovery processes. For further information, please visit, www.clearleisure.co.uk
-- Smart tourism platform connects merchants and partners from across the world with Alipay users -- Alipay-based marketing services allow merchants to reach potential clients at lower cost with higher conversion rate -- Agreements with official authorities in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Singapore bring smart tourism solutions to local merchants



HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alipay, the world's largest online and mobile payment platform, operated by Ant Financial Services Group ("Ant Financial", "Ant"), recently announced an upgraded smart outbound tourist service platform at a meeting of ecosystem partners from over 20 countries and territories in Beijing.



The platform connects Chinese tourists with merchants, airports, travel agencies and other Alipay partners, giving users access to intuitive local offers and services, and merchants the ability to target potential clients.



"With 98% of outbound Chinese tourists owning a smartphone, there is a clear opportunity for a mobile-based ecosystem to deliver a truly 21st Century travel experience," said Carl Su, Vice President of Ant Financial, at the 2017 Global Smart Tourism Ecosystem Summit in Beijing earlier this week. "Alipay's smart tourist service platform connects all kinds of overseas merchants with the right Chinese tourists, even before they depart. Merchants find that our digital platform lowers marketing cost and improves conversion rate, while tourists find that access to local services and products is easier than ever before."



Alipay's outbound service platform allows users to download merchants' coupons before or during their trip. Over 160,000 coupons are downloaded by users every day, among which 60% are redeemed when users pay via Alipay overseas.



Based on analysis of user preferences, Alipay recommends nearby merchants and even tips on itineraries. By paying with Alipay, users gain Alipay membership points that can ultimately gain them access to anything from better exchange rates and discount rates, to VIP lounge access at the airport.



The outbound tourism service platform also allows merchants and travel agencies to keep in touch with their customers online after the trip.



Alipay Expands Merchant Network in Nordic countries and Singapore



Alipay continues to expand its merchant network to provide better services for Chinese tourists wherever they travel. The payment platform is now accepted by more than 10 million merchants across China and by bricks-and-mortar shops in 33 countries and territories.



In September, Alipay signed Memorandums of Understanding with Finpro, Svensk Handel, and Scandinavian Tourist Board to promote Alipay's smart tourism solutions to local merchants across the highly cashless Nordic countries. Alipay and the Singapore Tourism Board have also started to cooperate in the areas of data, marketing, service and products, which will deliver benefits to both Chinese tourists and local merchants in the near future.



In Singapore and Finland, Chinese tourists can now enjoy local experiences by relying only on their smart phones. Over 80% of Singapore's taxis provide Alipay as a payment option. Alipay is also accepted at over 2,000 merchants, including Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Zoo, department stores under Metro and Robinsons, and a series of hawker centers. Instant tax refunds via Alipay will soon also be available at Changi Airport.



In Finland, Chinese tourists can use Alipay to shop in-flight, on cruises, and pay for saunas. The convenient payment experience starts when a Chinese tourist books his or her flight ticket and hotel room online, and continues with shopping on Finnair flights between China and Helsinki. On the ground in Finland, Chinese tourists can access everything from bus trips and sightseeing in Helsinki to shopping, dining, and even meet the Moomin in Naantali or Santa Claus up in Lapland. In-cabin sales on Finnair flights between China and Helsinki have doubled since Alipay's service was launched in January 2017.



About Alipay Operated by Ant Financial Services Group, Alipay is the world's largest mobile and online payment platform. Launched in 2004, Alipay currently has over 520 million active users and over 450 financial institution partners globally. Alipay has evolved from a digital wallet to a lifestyle enabler. Users can hail a taxi, book a hotel, buy movie tickets, pay utility bills, make appointments with doctors, or purchase wealth management products directly from within the app. In addition to online payments, Alipay is expanding to in-store offline payments both inside and outside of China. Over 10 million brick-and-mortar merchants now accept Alipay across China. Alipay's in-store payment service is covering more than 30 countries across the world, and tax reimbursement via Alipay is supported in 24 countries and regions. Alipay works with over 250 overseas financial institutions and payment solution providers to enable cross-border payments for Chinese travelling overseas and overseas customers who purchase products from Chinese e-commerce sites. Alipay currently supports 27 currencies.



About Ant Financial Ant Financial Services Group is focused on serving small and micro enterprises, as well as individuals. With the vision "bring the world equal opportunities," Ant Financial is dedicated to building an open ecosystem of Internet thinking and technologies while working with other financial institutions to support the future financial needs of society. Businesses operated by Ant Financial Services Group include Alipay, Ant Fortune, Zhima Credit and MYbank.



For more information on Ant Financial, please visit our website at www.antgroup.com; or follow us on Twitter @AntFinancial.



Media Enquiries



Ant Financial Xinyun Yang xinyun.yang@antfin.com +86 138 1689 6301

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/19/17 -- Galantas Gold Corporation (Galantas or the Company) (TSX VENTURE: GAL) (AIM: GAL) is pleased to report accelerated development progress at its Omagh Gold Mine, Northern Ireland.

As expected, the acceleration of development has followed the resolution of blasting matters. Underground development now totals over 90 metres.

The stringer vein intersected earlier and reported 1st August 2017, has been accessed from the main decline tunnel. Mineralisation is approximately 0.5m wide and will be split-fired (a process where the vein is blasted separately to the surrounding country rock to minimise dilution). A narrow width loader has been acquired to operate short term on the splinter vein. This is expected to cover the delivery period for new specialist vein mining equipment. After sampling, it is anticipated that a stockpile of suitable material will be made underground until there is sufficient to operate batch processing in the flotation plant.

The present drilling and loading equipment, which was purchased for training and early tunnel development purposes, is performing above expectations but has lower productivity than is expected with current technology. New drilling equipment is being acquired on a rental basis with options to purchase, and is expected to improve advance rates by over 40%. Shotcreting equipment is being similarly acquired. This is expected to cut costs and allow integration of shotcreting with the mining cycle. The rental purchase arrangements cover equipment to the value of approximately one million pounds sterling (GBP 1,000,000). Included in the rental arrangements are various time-dependent options to purchase, for instance if the purchase option is exercised within one year, a rebate of 92% of rental amounts paid is expected to be applied against the final purchase price.

Additional personnel have been added to the workforce, which now totals 22 on the Omagh site.

Safety and environmental matters remains a high priority for Galantas. The Company is pleased to continue to report zero lost time accidents since the start of underground operations and routine water monitoring continues to be compliant.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The information contained within this announcement is considered to be inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 prior to its release.

Contacts:

Enquiries: Galantas Gold Corporation

Jack Gunter P.Eng - Chairman

Roland Phelps C.Eng - President & CEO

Email: info@galantas.com

Website: www.galantas.com

Telephone: +44 (0) 2882 241100



Grant Thornton UK LLP (Nomad)

Philip Secrett, Richard Tonthat, Harrison Clarke

Telephone: +44(0)20 7383 5100



Whitman Howard Ltd (Broker & Corporate Adviser)

Nick Lovering, Grant Barker

Telephone: +44(0)20 7659 1234




For immediate release 29 September 2017

AfriAg Global PLC

("AfriAg Global", the "Group" or the "Company")

Unaudited Interim Results for the six months to 30 June 2017

AfriAg Global PLC (NEX: AFRI), the London listed global food logistics specialists, today announces another very solid period of growth with the publishing of these unaudited interim results for the 6-month period ended 30 June 2017.

Summary of Financial Results for the period:

The Group's gross turnover has increased by over 28 % to 1.829 million for the period (6 months ended 30 June 2016 - 1.422 million).

- 1.422 million). The Group's net loss after taxation for the period was 59,000 (6 months ended 30 June 2016 - 48,000 profit).

- 48,000 profit). The Group's current assets including cash of 127,000 at 30 June 2017 amounted to 1,141,000 (6 months ended 30 June 2016 : 1,063,000).

David Lenigas, Executive Chairman of AfriAg Global, commented: "The start of 2017 has seen the Company's core food logistics business continue to grow. The Company's 40% owned AfriAg (Pty) Ltd also entered exciting growth markets of the legalised medical cannabis through its new strategic alliance with Canadian listed LGC Capital Limited (TSXV:LG) to create a new 50/50 Joint Venture to grow and distribute medical cannabis products in the southern African region for export to regulated and certified end users around the world. We look forward to providing further news of the JV's first new deal with the signing of sole and exclusive agreements to acquire a 60% interest in South Africa's House of Hemp, as announced 18 July 2017."

Related Party Transaction

David Lenigas serves as the Chairman of AfriAg, AfriAg Global and LGC. Pursuant to the NEX Exchange Growth Market Rules for Issuers, the transaction with AfriAg constitutes a related party transaction.

Strategic Review for the Period:

AfriAg Marketing:

(100% owned by the Company)

The first half of 2017 has been period of stability for the Company, with its 100% owned marketing division AfriAg Marketing Pty Ltd ("AfriAg Marketing") generating stable revenues, comparable to the same period last year, of ZAR 30.4 million (1.8 million) with a marginal net loss for the period of ZAR 0.6 million (37,000) and total assets of ZAR 8.8 million (522,000).

AfriAg Marketing has had an excellent first half trading performance for the period as we continued to trade and ship our core lines fruit and vegetables from Africa to export markets mainly in Europe.

Our main ranges include:

Fruit:

Range:Blueberry, passion fruit, pineapple, apple, pomegranate, litchi, strawberry

Locations: South Africa and Zimbabwe

Vegetables:

Range: Butternut, peas, fine beans, mange tout, sugar snap, baby corn, chillies, baby veg

Locations: South Africa,Zimbabwe,Kenya,Zambia

Under Development:

Range: Micro herbs, herbs

Locations:Zimbabwe,Kenya

AfriAg (Pty) Ltd:

(40% owned by the Company)

In addition, the Company is pleased to report that the specialist global agri-logistics group AfriAg (Pty) Ltd ("AfriAg"), in which the Company has a 40% equity shareholding, continues to generate stable revenues and profits comparable to the same period last year.

AfriAg continued to grow its core business of exports of perishable food from southern Africa to global markets stretching from Asia, the USA and Europe. The business has also seen an increase in business from shipments of frozen meat products by sea and road from South America, Europe and the USA in to Africa.

On 26 June 2017, the Company announced a new agricultural initiative in southern Africa, that AfriAg entered into a strategic alliance with Canadian listed LGC Capital Limited (TSXV-QBA) to create a new 50/50 Joint Venture to grow and distribute medical and recreational cannabis products in the southern African region for export to regulated and certified end users around the world. I serve as the Chairman of both AfriAg Global Plc and LGC Capital Ltd and I am on the board of AfriAg.

The new Joint Venture will aim to develop a fully-regulated cannabis growing and processing industry in the southern African region for export to certified end users world-wide. AfriAg will assist LGC with securing significant agricultural land packages and processing facilities in the region to grow cannabis crops and produce, including seeds, cannabis extracted oils, dried marijuana leafs, cigarettes and vapours.

After the period ended, AfriAg and its joint venture partner in the new southern African medical cannabis initiative, LGC Capital, signed a sole and exclusive agreement to acquire a 60% interest in South Africa's House of Hemp.



The House of Hemp inSouth Africahas a long term lease on the only certified indoor growing facility for the possession and cultivation of the Cannabis Sativa Plant for research purposes which includes growing, extraction and packaging, at the Dube TradePort AgriZone, which is located within the highly secure precinct of theDurbanInternational Airport.



The Greenhouse "Block D" site is currently the only approved hemp/cannabis indoor growing site inSouth Africa. The site consists of approx. 37,633m (405,000 square feet) of fully equipped, temperature regulated and humidity controlled greenhouse under glass plus associated support infrastructure comprising refrigerated pack houses, laboratories and

offices covering 1,760m2 (19,000 square feet).



In 2010 House of Hemp became the first private company inSouth Africato be awarded an exclusive permit from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health to legally cultivate and process hemp and cannabis products.

Since its establishment, the House of Hemp has been targeting research on all cannabis-related markets (textiles/fibres, oil/nutrition and medicinal) and has been appointed to coordinate commercial research on medical cannabis and is currently in the process of securing a second R&D license to grow and commercialize medicinal cannabis and medicinal cannabis products with varying Tetrahydrocannabinol ("THC") and CBD content, and to operate legally inSouth Africa.

The Transaction

As announced on 18 July 2017, LGC and AfriAg have jointly signed a binding agreement with the House of Hemp inSouth Africa, for the sole and exclusive right to acquire a 60% beneficial interest in the House of Hemp and upon signing this agreement, made an initial payment of CDN$19,595. LGC and AfriAg also committed to pay an additional amount of CDN$37,000which was paidJuly 28th 2017to House of Hemp for (August 2017 general overheads, salaries and growing facility lease payments. LGC and AfriAg have and will continue paying CDN$37,000 monthly for a period of six months to keep House of Hemp fully funded while completing the transfer of interest documentation and to allow for sufficient time to complete investigative studies on the most cost-efficient ways of commencing scalable production. As part of the transaction, LGC and AfriAg have also committed to secure the necessary CDN$4.9 millionestimated to commence large scale trial production within the Dube TradePort Block D greenhouses as soon as development plans are finalised.

About Dube TradePort

Dube TradePort Corporation, a business entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, is charged with the responsibility to develop the province's biggest infrastructural project. Considered one of South Africa's top 10 investment opportunities, this designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is geared to promote foreign and local investment.



The precinct is strategically located 30km north of the important coastal city ofDurban, in KwaZulu-Natal, on South Africa's eastern seaboard. This over 3,000 hectare development is home to the state-of-the-art King Shaka International Airport and is ideally positioned 30 minutes from Africa's busiest cargo port, Durban Harbour, and 90 minutes from Richards Bay Harbour. Dube TradePort takes advantage of its prime location as the only facility inAfricacombining an international airport, dedicated cargo terminal, warehousing, offices, retail, hotels and agriculture.

About Dube AgriZone

Dube AgriZone is Africa's first integrated perishables supply chain and the most technologically advanced future farming platform on the continent.

This high-tech agricultural development, which forms part of the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ), is host to the largest climate-controlled glass-covered growing area inAfrica. It aims to stimulate the growth of KwaZulu-Natal's perishables sector and affords the opportunity to achieve improved agricultural yields, consistent quality, year-round production and the superior management of disease and pest.

The facility's primary focus is on the production of short shelf-life vegetables and other horticultural products which require immediate post-harvest airlifting and supply to both domestic and export markets. The present phase one development comprises an extensive 16 hectares of greenhouses, dedicated post-harvest packhouses, a central packing and distribution centre, a nursery and a sophisticated plant tissue culture laboratory, Dube AgriLab.

Outlook:

The overall business is running very smoothly and we continue to see solid growth in all sectors. We reasonably expect this trend to continue. We see our new medical cannabis initiatives as an area of new focus for the Company going forward and we see tremendous upside for this sector and we want to be at the forefront of this sector in Africa.

Financial Results:

During the period, the Company increased revenues to 1,829,000 (6 months ended 30 June 2016: 1,422,000) and made a gross profit of 127,000 (6 months ended 30 June 2016: 183,000). The operating loss for the period was 68,000 (6 months ended 30 June 2016: profit 6,000). The total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent was 17,000 (6 months ended 30 June 2016: profit 87,000).

There was a weighted loss per share of 0.004p (30 June 2016: earnings per share 0.003p).

Current assets at 30 June 2017 amounted to 1,141,000 (30 June 2016: 1,063,000).

The unaudited interim results to 30 June 2017 have not been reviewed by the Company's auditor.

In Conclusion:

The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank our shareholders, staff and consultants for their continued support and I look forward to reporting further progress over the next period and beyond.

The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

David Lenigas

Executive Chairman

29 September 2017

For further information, please contact:

AfriAg Global plc: +44 (0) 20 7440 0640

David Lenigas

Corporate Adviser and Broker:

Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited +44 (0) 20 7469 0930

Guy Miller / Fungai Ndoro

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

for the 6 months ended 30 June 2017

6 months to 6 months to Year ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2017 2016 2016 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Note '000 '000 '000 Revenue 1,829 1,422 3,035 Cost of sales (1,702) (1,239) (2,701) Gross Profit 127 183 334 Administration expenses (195) (177) (367) Share Based Payment Charge - - 98 Operating (loss)/profit (68) 6 (131) Share of associate result 21 6 42 Finance costs - (5) (5) Investment income (12) 41 85 (Loss)/profit before tax (59) 48 (9) Tax - - - Retained (loss)/profit for the period (59) 48 (9) Other comprehensive income Gain/(loss) on revaluation of available for sale investments 1 (6) 5 Transfer to income statement 14 (24) (55) Translation exchange gain 27 69 160

Total comprehensive income 42 39 110 Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent (17) 87 101 Earnings/(loss) per share (pence) 2 Basic (0.004) 0.003 (0.001) Diluted (0.004) 0.003 (0.001)

All of the revenues and loss above derived from continuing operations.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (unaudited)

At 30 June 2017

30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016 Unaudited Unaudited Audited '000 '000 '000 Non-current assets Property, plant & equipment 6 4 5 Investments in associates 1,539 1,482 1,518 Total non-current assets 1,545 1,486 1,523 Current assets Inventory - 5 9 Trade and other receivables 1,012 758 976 Available for sale assets 2 128 35 Cash and cash equivalents 127 172 240 Total current assets 1,141 1,063 1,261 Total assets 2,686 2,549 2,783 Current liabilities Trade and other payables (907) (865) (987) Total current liabilities (907) (865) (987) Net current assets 234 198 274 Net assets 1,779 1,684 1,796 Equity Share capital 1,381 1,381 1,381 Share premium account 8,528 8,548 8,528 Share based payment reserve 279 213 279 Revaluation reserves (21) (16) (36) Foreign currency reserve 64 (54) 37 Retained earnings (8,452) (8,368) (8,393) Total equity 1,779 1,684 1,796

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)

for the 6 months ended 30 June 2017

Share

capital Share

premium Share based

payment

reserve Foreign currency reserve Revaluation reserves Retained

earnings Total '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 At 31 December 2015 1,381 8,528 213 (123) 14 (8,416) 1,597 Profit for the period - - - - - (9) (9) Currency translation gain - - - 160 - - 160 (Loss) on revaluation of available for sale investments - - - - 5 - 5 Transfer to income statement - - - - (55) - (55) Total Comprehensive Income - - - 160 (50) (9) 101 Shares options expired - - (32) - - 32 - Share based payment charge - - 98 - - - 98 Total contributions by and distributions to owners of the Company - - 66 - - 32 98 At 31 December 2016 1,381 8,528 279 37 (36) (8,393) 1,796 (Loss) for the period - - - - - (59) (59) Currency translation (loss) - - - 27 - - 27 Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments - - - - 1 - 1 Transfer to income statement - - - - 14 - 14 Total Comprehensive Income - - - 27 15 (59) (17) Shares issue costs - - - - - - - Total contributions by and distributions to owners of the Company - - - - - - - At 30 June 2017 1,381 8,528 279 64 (21) (8,452) 1,779

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

for the 6 months ended 30 June 2017

6 months to 6 months to Year ended 30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016 Unaudited Unaudited Audited '000 '000 '000 Cash flows from operations Operating (loss)/profit (68) 6 (131) Decrease/(increase) in inventories 9 (5) (9) (Increase) in trade & other receivables (36) (373) (591) (Decrease)/increase in trade & other payables (80) 174 296 Share option charge - - 98 Net cash used in operating activities (175) (198) (337) Investing activities Investment income 1 7 9 Finance costs - (5) (5) Receipts on sale of AFS investments 36 53 168 Payments for PPE assets (2) (2) (3) Net cash from investing activities 35 53 169 Financing activities Issue of share capital - - - Issue costs - - - Net cash from financing activities - - - Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (140) (145) (168) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period 240 248 248 Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents 27 69 160 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period 127 172 240

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Information (unaudited)

1.General information

The condensed consolidated interim financial information for the period ended 30 June 2017 has not been audited or reviewed in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. The figures were prepared using applicable accounting policies and practices consistent with those adopted in the statutory accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016. The figures for the period ended 31 December 2016 have been extracted from these accounts, which have not been required to be delivered to the Isle of Man Registrar of Companies, and do however contained an unqualified audit report.

The condensed consolidated interim financial information contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts. In the opinion of the directors the financial information for this period fairly presents the financial position, result of operations and cash flows for this period.

The Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Information was approved by the Board of Directors on 28 September 2017.

Statement of compliance

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union with the exception of International Accounting Standard ('IAS') 34 - Interim Financial Reporting. Accordingly, the interim financial statements do not include all of the information or disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's 2016 annual financial statements.

2.Earnings / (loss) per share

The calculation of the earnings/(loss) per share is based on the profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

6 months to 6 months to Year 30 June 30 June 31 December 2017 2016 2016 Unaudited Unaudited Audited '000 '000 '000 (Loss)/profit attributable to equity holders of the Group (59) 48 (9) Number of Shares Weighted average number of ordinary shares 1,381,001 1,381,001 1,381,001 Share options in issue 79,000 79,000 79,000 Weighted average number of ordinary shares - diluted 1,460,001 1,460,001 1,459,833 Earnings/(loss) per share - basic (0.004) 0.003 (0.001) Earnings/(loss) per share - diluted (0.004) 0.003 (0.001)

3.Events after the end of the reporting period

On 12 September 2017, the Company announced that it has raised 200,000 before expenses through the subscription for 80 million new ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 0.25 pence per Share, to a number of places.

4.A copy of this interim financial statement is available on the Company's website: www.afriagglobal.com.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump has waived the Jones Act for Puerto Rico to facilitate the supply of fuel and other essential commodities to the storm-ravaged Caribbean island.



The White House said the President has authorized the Jones Act to be waived at the request of the Governor of the US territory, Ricardo Rossello.



Rossello told CNBC on Thursday he is seeking lines of credit at 'reasonable rates' from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury to rebuild after Hurricane Maria.



The island setting presents logistical hurdles that do not exist on the mainland where trucks from around the country can converge on disaster areas.



The Jones Act, known formally as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, imposes shipping restrictions on Puert Rico, which is an unincorporated territory of the United States.



Hurricane Maria, the most devastating storm to hit the region in a century, killed 33 people in Dominica and Puerto Rico.



The heavy winds and rain caused a complete black-out last week.



Trump announced on Twitter that he will visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday as the archipelago is still struggling with picking up the pieces, and.



The White House said the President is actively engaged in monitoring the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. Thursday he received an update from FEMA Administrator Brock Long. Long has also briefed members of the Senate and the House.



Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the government is engaged to ensure that food, water, healthcare, and other lifesaving resources are making it to the people in need.



Meanwhile, Republican party chief Ronna McDaniel? announced that the Trump Inaugural Committee is donating $3 million in surplus funds to victims of the latest hurricanes, following criticism for not donating the outstanding funds sooner.



The money will be divided equally between the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Samaritan's Purse, Thomas Barrack Jr., chairman of the private Presidential Inaugural Committee said. The three organizations have been involved with hurricane relief efforts in the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Caribbean.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Boeing (BA) said it reached five-year service agreement with Azores Airlines, a part of SATA, to provide digital flight operations solutions so the airline can begin to eliminate paper-based materials to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. Jeppesen, a subsidiary of Boeing, will provide the carrier initially with both digital and paper charting materials and FliteDeck Pro electronic flight bag (EFB) services on iPad, which will reduce preparation time and allow pilots to quickly access needed information on a screen top. Azores Airlines will also implement Jeppesen's JetPlan and Skybook services. The JetPlan flight planning engine allows customers to develop, file and view optimized planned routes to safely and efficiently reach its destinations. The Skybook software suite provides customers with a complete crew briefing and flight monitoring solution, fully connecting dispatch and crew operations. Azores Airlines will work with their local authority to initialize FliteDeck Pro EFB charts and data services and begin the digital transformation process. FliteDeck Pro is the leading EFB platform for airlines and large scale operators. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Integration Across the Compuware Product Line Helps Joint Customers Quickly Capitalize on New Advances DETROIT, 2017-10-27 20:18 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compuware Corporation, the world's leading mainframe-dedicated software company, is pleased to announce Day One support for IBM IMS V15.1 transactional database on IBM Z. Compuware's support extends across its product line, including Abend-AID, File-AID, Strobe, Xpediter and COPE, the company's IMS virtualization solution, as well as Topaz Workbench. Day One interoperability will help shared customers quickly realize the benefits of IBM's latest IMS enhancements, while increasing efficiencies and reducing costs through virtualization. "IBM's IMS solution is already the most trusted name in transactional databases for mainframes. IMS V15.1 builds upon that trust through unmatched encryption and processing capabilities, combined with more dynamic development, scalability, and API openness," said Compuware CEO Chris O'Malley. "This aligns with our quest to help Compuware customers harness the virtues of the mainframe to achieve greater productivity and competitive advantage in the digital economy." IBM IMS is a hierarchical database and transaction processing subsystem for IBM Z mainframes, including the newest incarnation, the z14. The new IBM IMS V15.1 will allow users to fully leverage the z14's security and throughput enhancements, while also offering greater developer flexibility and platform connectivity within diverse infrastructures. Compuware's support extends across its developer, operations and test data management solutions and includes COPE, which enables new development images of IMS to be available practically on demand. This significantly reduces delays and costs associated with creating completely new IMS subsystems for critical initiatives. Compuware Corporation Compuware empowers the world's largest companies to excel in the digital economy by fully leveraging their high-value mainframe investments. We do this by delivering highly innovative solutions that uniquely enable IT professionals with mainstream skills to manage mainframe applications, data, and platform operations. Learn more at compuware.com. Follow us on:  Twitter  LinkedIn  YouTube  Facebook  Inside Tech Talk  Google + Press Contact Kristina LeBlanc, The Medialink Group, kristinawleblanc@gmail.com, (508) 930-5636 Mary McCarthy, Public Relations Manager, Compuware, mary.mccarthy@compuware.com, (313) 227-7088 For Sales and Marketing Information Compuware Corporation, One Campus Martius, Detroit MI 48226, 800-521-9353, compuware.com. Copyright  2017 Compuware Corporation. Compuware, the Compuware logo, and Topaz are registered or pending registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Ecolab Inc. (ECL) said that it has signed an agreement to acquire the paper chemicals business from Georgia-Pacific. This business supplies differentiated products and applications that provide strength, softness and durability to paper. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The products and applications will enhance Ecolab's position in the growing Tissue and Towel, as well as the Packaging and Board segments of the paper industry.The business had 2016 revenues of approximately $43 million. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of the year subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition will expand the paper industry offerings of Ecolab's Paper business, which provides innovative chemistries and solutions, to help producers improve their efficiency, water and energy savings, product quality, and profitability. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
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PRESS RELEASE  PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

NEOVACS PROVIDES BUSINESS UPDATE AND ANNOUNCES HALF-YEAR 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

COMPLETED PATIENT ENROLLMENT IN PHASE IIb CLINICAL STUDY OF IFNalpha KINOID FOR TREATMENT OF LUPUS

RECEIVED U.S. FDA APPROVAL TO EXPAND ITS PHASE I/IIa CLINICAL STUDY WITH IFNalpha KINOID FOR TREATMENT OF DERMATOMYOSITIS

STRENGTHENED BALANCE SHEET THROUGH TWO TRANSACTIONS RESULTING IN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILLION

Paris, October 27, 2017, 5:45pm CET - NEOVACS (Alternext Paris: ALNEV PEA-PME eligible), a leader in active immunotherapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, provided today a business update and announced its financial results for the six-months ended June 30, 2017, as approved by the Company's Board of Directors on October 27, 2017.

Miguel Sieler, CEO of Neovacs, said: "During the first half of 2017, Neovacs completed patient enrollment of its Phase IIb clinical trial in lupus. Our priority is now to obtain the results from this study in June 2018. The company also obtained approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to extend to the United States the Phase I/IIa clinical trial of IFNalpha Kinoid for an additional indication, dermatomyositis. We believe these clinical development milestones confirm the vast potential of IFNalpha Kinoid in multiple indications. in this context we recently completed a successful $6 million private placement with biotech-focused U.S. institutional investors. This has significantly strengthened the Company's financial position, the funds will be utilized to accelerate our robust R&D efforts."

KEY RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Completed patient enrollment in phase the IIb clinical study of IFNalpha Kinoid in lupus.185 patients have been enrolled in this trial, and top-line results are currently expected in the second quarter of 2018.

- Third positive data review by IDSMB follows completion of patient recruitment in phase IIb lupus trial.The board reviewed the cumulative safety data, identified no safety concerns and recommended the continuation of the study without modification.

- Obtained U.S. FDA approval to conduct a Phase I/IIa study of IFNalpha Kinoid in dermatomyositis.This clinical trial is expected to enroll 30 patients in Europe and the U.S.

-Neovacs signed a license agreement with Centurion pharma to market IFN-Kinoid for the treatment of lupus and dermatomyositis in Turkey

- Building of a strategic position in China, the world's 2nd largest pharmaceutical market.Formed a partnership with Biosense Global for the development and commercial rights for IFNalpha Kinoid for lupus and dermatomyositis in China and other selected territories.

Neovacs was also granted a new patent from the Chinese Patent Office (SIPO), titled: "Method of treatment of a disease related to the overexpression of IFNalpha".

- Entered into collaboration with Sunnybrook Research Institute of Toronto, Canada. This collaboration is focused on preclinical development of Neovacs' VEGF Kinoid.

- First positive immunogenicity results for IFNalpha Kinoid in an animal model of type-1 diabetes. Neovacs observed in treated NOD-Mice a significant level of anti-interferon Alpha neutralizing antibodies. This study is conducted by Neovacs in collaboration with Dr. Agnes Lehuen and Professor Christian Boitard from the department of Immunology of Diabetes at the Hospital Cochin in Paris. Additional preclinical proof-of-concept data are expected by year-end 2018.

- Presented Kinoid technology and updates on clinical programs at Keystone Symposia Conference.

EXPECTED UPCOMING MILESTONES

- Results of the phase IIb clinical study with IFNalpha Kinoid to treat Lupus expected in Q2 2018. This fully-enrolled phase IIb trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in systemic lupus erythematosus (LES) (study IFN-K-002). The objective of this study is to evaluate the biological and clinical efficacy of IFNalpha Kinoid, the most advanced product candidate in Neovacs' pipeline, in patients with moderate to severe Lupus. The trial is currently taking place in 21 countries across Latin America, Asia, Europe, North Africa, and the U.S.

- Conclude preclinical proof of concept studies with IFNalpha Kinoid for the treatment of type-1 diabetes.The Company reported initial positive immunogenicity data for IFN Kinoid in a relevant mice model for type-1 diabetes. Additional preclinical proof-of-concept data are expected by year-end 2018.

-Accelerate patient enrollmentin Phase I/IIa clinical study of IFNalpha Kinoid in dermatomyositis following recent FDA acceptance of the IND to expand the Phase I/IIa study into the U.S. The study is currently enrolling patients in European countries. This multicenter, single blind study plans to enroll 30 patients in Europe and the U.S.

HALF-YEAR 2017 RESULTS

Summary financial information

In K June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 Revenues 512 104 Operating costs 10,755 7,971 of which, R&D 9,351 6,213 Operating profit/loss (10,244) (7,868) Financial Results -36 -42 Pretax profit/loss -10,280 -7,910 Exceptional items 69 -41 Research tax credit -2,086 -1,171 Net profit /loss -8,125 -6,779

KEY FIRST HALF 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

In the first half of 2017, the company received a payment of 0.5M, following the signing of an option to license contract with Biosense Global LLC, with a total value of 65 million.

In line with previously issued guidance, the Company's operating expenses increased by 30% compared to June 30, 2016. This increase is the natural consequence of significant R&D investments in all ongoing clinical and preclinical development programs. This includes also costs associated with the optimization of the production process for IFNalpha Kinoid in view of the expected phase III study in lupus.

In order to support these R&D investments and in line with our strict financial management policy, the Company reduced its administrative costs, which now represent just 13% of operating expenses, compared to 22% on June 30, 2016.

R&D expenses in the first half of 2017 were supported by the 78% increase in research tax credit payments, compared to the first half of 2016.

CASH POSITION

The Company's available cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2017, amounted to 1.8 million. However, this position increased significantly during the third quarter of 2017 through the following:

Successful capital increase with US institutional investors:  6 million

Research tax credit: 2 million

The Company still has available the full third line of financing through its equity line agreement with Kepler Cheuvreux for a total amount of 6.5 million.



The funds raised to date in 2017 and the capital available from the research tax credit and the third line of financing from the equity line, are expected to sufficiently support the company's strategic plans through June 2018.

The half-year financial results report is also available on the Neovacs website,www.neovacs.fr/en/ (http://www.neovacs.fr/en/), section "Investors".

About Neovacs

Listed on Euronext Growth Paris since 2010, Neovacs is today a leading biotechnology company focused on an active immunotherapy technology platform (Kinoids) with applications in autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases. On the basis of the company's proprietary technology for inducing a polyclonal immune response (covered by five patent families that potentially run until 2032) Neovacs is focusing its clinical development efforts on IFNalpha-Kinoid, an immunotherapy being developed for the indication of lupus and dermatomyositis. Neovacs is also conducting preclinical development works on other therapeutic vaccines in the fields of auto-immune diseases, oncology, allergies and Type 1 diabetes. The goal of the Kinoid approach is to enable patients to have access to safe treatments with efficacy that is sustained in these life-long diseases. www.neovacs.fr (http://www.neovacs.fr)

Contacts

NEOVACS - Corporate Communication & Investor Relations

Charlene Masson

+33 (0)1 53 10 93 14

cmasson@neovacs.com (mailto:ntrepo@neovacs.com)

NEWCAP- Press relations

Annie-Florence Loyer

+33 1 44 71 00 12 / + 33 6 88 20 35 59

afloyer@newcap.fr (mailto:afloyer@newcap.fr)

Lea Jacquin

+33 1 44 71 20 41 / +33 6 58 14 84 66

ljacquin@newcap.fr (mailto:ljacquin@newcap.fr)

LIFESCI ADVISORS- Investor Relations / Financial Communications

Chris Maggos

+41 79 367 6254

chris@lifesciadvisors.com (mailto:chris@lifesciadvisors.com)

Press release (http://hugin.info/160718/R/2145354/822374.PDF)



This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: NEOVACS via Globenewswire


PALO ALTO (IT-Times) - Daimler, der Mutterkonzern von Mercedes-Benz, hatte in der Vorwoche eine Milliardeninvestition in die Elektromobilitat bekannt gegeben. In US-Medien war von einer Attacke gegen Tesla die Rede. Der Tesla-Mitgrunder und CEO reagiert jedoch gelassen, auf den Vorsto von Daimler, eine...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO, 2017-09-29 17:13 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") reports the appointment of Mr. Matthew Murphy, the former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") Chief of Pharmaceutical Investigations, to the Advisory Board of the Company.



Advisory Board Appointment



Mr. Murphy is an executive leader with broad based domestic and international expertise in both the federal and private sectors. As a Career Special Agent (25 years) with the DEA, he served in a multitude of positions prior to founding the Pharma Compliance Group (PCG). Mr. Murphy is an internationally recognized security expert in the fields of drug law enforcement, risk assessment and system development, regulatory compliance, and training. He currently serves as President of PCG, which consults to US based controlled substance manufacturers, distributors, and retail pharmacy entities to ensure pharmaceutical regulatory compliance. Mr. Murphy will support the Company by advising on the implementation of closed loop systems to prevent product diversion and to enhance protocols across Khiron's plant to patient value chain.



Commentary



Mr. Matthew Murphy, comments: "As a leader in compliance enforcement in the early days of the current global opiate crisis, I strived to hold all parties accountable and create a safer system for all participants. As that situation has sadly deteriorated, it has become clear to me it is time for alternative solutions. While observing the evolution of the global legal medical cannabis market as well as Colombia's entrance, I firmly believe Khiron embodies best in class approaches to quality production and security within a robust federal regulatory framework."



Mr. Alvaro Torres, President and CEO of Khiron, comments: "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Murphy to the advisory board. Mr. Murphy is highly regarded by both his former peers at the DEA and throughout private industry. He is an excellent addition to our team. His appointment is a testament to our commitment of ensuring regulatory compliance and world-class security measures consistent with the most stringent requirements for controlled substances in every jurisdiction where we operate."



About Khiron Life Sciences Corp.



Khiron Life Sciences Corp. is a Canadian integrated medical cannabis company with its core operations in Colombia. Khiron combines leading international scientific expertise, agricultural advantages, and branded product market entrance experience to address the unmet medical needs in a market of over 620 million people in Latin America.



On behalf of the Board of Directors



"Alvaro Torres" Chief Executive Officer Direct: +57 (320) 4950326 Email: aftorres@khiron.ca



"Darren Collins" Chief Financial Officer Direct: +1 (705) 527 3564 Email: dcollins@khiron.ca



Further information on the Company can be accessed through the link below:



www.khiron.ca



FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, Khiron assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. 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. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Three senior and highly skilled drone experts of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria have been killed in coalition airstrikes near Mayadin, Syria, during September 12-14, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported Friday. Abu Salman, an ISIS drone developer, was killed during airstrikes Sept. 14 while traveling with a terrorist associate in a vehicle from Mayadin to Asharah. His research workshop, located in Asharah, near Mayadin, was also destroyed in the strikes. His death and the destruction of his drone facility greatly disrupt ISIS' development of weaponized drones and testing of new software. Abu Muadh al-Tunisi and Sajid Farooq Babar were killed on Sept. 12 and 13, respectively, by coalition airstrikes near Mayadin. Both were responsible for manufacturing and modifying commercially produced drones. 'The removal of these key ISIS leaders disrupts and degrades ISIS' ability to modify and employ drone platforms as reconnaissance and direct fire weapons on the battlefield,' said coalition spokesman Army Col. Ryan Dillon. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
PARIS, September 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and the Institut Pasteur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Paris on Friday, announcing a new partnership to work closely in the field of biomedical research. The two research intensive entities will collaborate in the fields of academics, research, teaching and knowledge sharing. The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, and Dr. Christian Brechot, President of Institut Pasteur at a ceremony held in Paris' on September 29, 2017 at Salle des Actes, Institut Pasteur.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564609/H_E_Sheikha_Hind.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564610/Guided_Tour_of_Institut_Pasteur.jpg )



His Excellency Dr. Khaled Al Mansouri, Qatar's Ambassador to France, Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah, President of HBKU, along with senior official from both institutions, were in attendance at the ceremony.

H.E. Sheikha Hind commented on the new partnership saying: "Hamad Bin Khalifa University has consistently and diligently played a prominent role in promoting and facilitating innovation, scientific research and academic excellence, in Qatar with the aspiration of global impact. We firmly believe that our commitment to being a global leader in innovation and education has yielded numerous achievements since our inception.

"Today, with this new partnership with the Institut Pasteur, our researchers, scholars, academics and students will be further emboldened to facilitate ground-breaking discoveries in healthcare, biomedical sciences, and genomics."

HBKU's commitment to being an innovation-driven research university, addressing the critical challenges facing the world, has been rapidly ramping up over the years. Being home to research centers like the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and the College of Health and Life Sciences as well as working with local and international partners, the University is aiming to become a key player in healthcare and research in the region.

Named after the renowned Louis Pasteur, the Institut Pasteur brings with it 130 years of breakthrough discoveries in preventing and treating infectious diseases. With ten Nobel laureates, the Institute's contributions to field of medicine and physiology are innumerable. Today, the 130 research units of its Parisian campus site continue to make contributions of global impact to biomedical research.

"As Qatar Foundation's homegrown university, innovation is at the core of HBKU's values. Inspired by this and driven by the spirit of collaboration, the University has developed a dynamic ecosystem, contributing to knowledge and science, with global impact," Sheikha Hind added.

"One of the Institut Pasteur's fundamental missions is to bring its expertise to support capacity building in biomedical research through training and education. The Institut Pasteur has been involved one year ago in training medical professionals from the Qatar ministry of health by organizing an intensive outbreak investigation course in Doha. The signing of the agreement with HBKU enlarges the frame of the partnership to higher education and research institutions led by Qatar Foundation. Hence, it will include in addition to infectious diseases the research on most prevalent chronic diseases in the region like diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative and genetic diseases, particularly in the context of the successful Qatari genome project" said Pr. Christian Brechot, President of the Institut Pasteur.

His Excellency Dr. Khaled Al Mansouri, Qatar's Ambassador to France commented on the MoU saying: "Qatar continues to remain steadfast in its commitment towards the country's human development goals, as laid out in the Qatar National Vision 2030. Qatar aims to enhance its cooperation and partnership with France in different fields and partnerships such as this one with the internationally recognized Institut Pasteur and HBKU are a testament to Qatar's role in strengthening its collaborations that foster knowledge sharing and cooperation. We are proud to have our homegrown university partner with the Institut, to work together on the pressing challenges the world faces in the field of disease prevention and genomics

His Excellency Eric Chevallier, Ambassador of France to the State of Qatardeclared "The MoU signed by Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation and by Professor Christian Brechot, President of Pasteur Institute of Paris, in the presence of Dr Ahmad M. Hasnah, President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, member of the Qatar Foundation,is the achievement of the impulse given by Her Highness SheikhaMozah bint Nasser, Founder and Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, just a few months ago. This partnership demonstrates again the strong ties between France and Qatar in the domains of education and research. I am convinced this partnership willenrich both entities with academic experience and innovative research, not only in infectious disease, but also in other domains, such as genomics and genetics. I am proud of this signature because it was a priority of my term in Qatar and because we all have worked hard at the French Embassy for this project."

The MoU between HBKU and Institut Pasteur will see a close collaboration in joint research and academic collaboration in the areas of genomics and precision medicine. The partnership will have students, researchers and scientists between from both entities working together on research projects as early as 2018.

The agreement will also see faculty and PhD students from the two institutions exercise more mobility between the campuses, for teaching and research. Beyond academics, they will actively work towards strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in Qatar, and build towards achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030. HBKU and Institut Pasteur will organize and facilitate conferences, seminars, workshops and trainings to raise awareness and inspire the coming generations of scientists in the field of genomics and the prevention of infectious disease and other research areas.

About Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is an emerging research universitythat is building its foundation upon unique collaborations with local and international partners. Located in Education City, HBKU delivers undergraduate and graduate programs through its College of Science and Engineering, College of Law and Public Policy, College of Health and Life Sciences, College of Islamic Studies, and its College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It also provides unparalleled opportunities for research and scholarship through its research institutes, and its Executive Education Center delivers customized programs for the business community of Qatar and the region, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

About the Institut Pasteur

The Institut Pasteur, a private foundation with officially recognized charitable statusset up by Louis Pasteur in 1887, is today an internationally renowned center for biomedical research at the heart of a network of 33 institutes worldwide. In the pursuit of its mission to prevent and fight against diseases in France and throughout the world, the Institut Pasteur operates in four main areas: scientific and medical research, public health and health monitoring, teaching, and business development and technology transfer. More than 2,500 people work on its Paris campus. The Institut Pasteur is a globally recognized leader in infectious diseases, microbiology, and immunology. Its 130 units also focus their research on certain cancers, genetic and neurodegenerative diseases, genomics and developmental biology. This research aims to expand our knowledge of living organisms in a bid to lay the foundation for new prevention strategies and novel therapeutics. Since its inception, 10 Institut Pasteur scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine, including two in 2008 for the 1983 discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS.

http://www.pasteur.fr/en
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, September 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Vipro Markets, a CySEC-regulated provider of Forex and CFD trading services announced that is has been acquired by Tickmill Group, which consists of a UK FCA and a Seychelles FSA regulated entities. Vipro Markets has distinguished itself among European brokers by providing top-notch trading services with low spreads and commissions and ultra-fast execution. In 2016, the company experienced significant market growth in all financial metrics.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564853/Vipro_Markets.jpg )

The acquisition will strengthen Tickmill's ability to bring its high-quality services much faster to some of the largest European markets where Vipro Markets has already a meaningful market share. As part of the acquisition, Tickmill injected $2.20 million into the share capital of Vipro Markets, giving the company a strong capital base to facilitate its future growth.

With Tickmill having posted record financial results for 2016 with audited net profit amounting to $6.27 million and trading volume at $473 billion, its strong capital base and global reach will enable Vipro Markets to grow its business much faster under the Tickmill brand and also expand its product offering to existing clients.

Tickmill Group's CEO, Mr. Duncan Anderson, commented: "This is an exciting new chapter for Tickmill which has become a globally recognised broker among algorithmic traders and I am confident that the existing clients of Vipro Markets will very much appreciate being part of a bigger and stronger Tickmill Group which will deliver new products and services at a much faster pace under our regulated entities in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Seychelles."

Vipro Markets' CEO, Mr. Valerijus Ovsianikas, commented: "We are extremely excited about becoming part of the Tickmill Group. Tickmill's clients-first approach coupled with its outstanding reputation in the forex industry perfectly with what we do, who we are and what we have always sought to deliver to our clients."

About Tickmill

Tickmill is a Forex and CFD trading services provider, authorised and regulated by the FCA UK and the FSA SC. Catering to the needs of both individual and institutional investors, Tickmill offers first-class trading products with competitive conditions and ultra-fast execution.

For more information, please visit: http://www.tickmill.com

About Vipro Markets

Vipro Markets is a forex broker offering retail and institutional Clients trading services with prime focus on Forex and CFDs on Stock Indices and commodities.

Please visit: http://www.vipromarkets.com

Losses can exceed deposits.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/29/17 -- On May 23, 2017, Frederick Johnathon Nielsen (a.k.a. Fred Nelson and Frederick Gilliland), 65, a resident of West Vancouver, pleaded guilty to breaching an order of the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC). On September 25, 2017, Nielsen was sentenced in North Vancouver provincial court to six months jail and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.

On March 25, 2011, the BCSC issued an order under the Securities Act as a result of Nielsen's sale of shares in Green Farms International Inc. (a private U.S. company) from a boiler room in Surrey, B.C. Nielsen was not registered under the Act to sell securities. Pursuant to the order, Nielsen is banned for 25 years from trading or purchasing securities or exchange contracts (with limited exceptions); acting as a director or officer of any issuer; becoming or acting as a registrant, investment fund manager, or promoter; acting in a management or consultative capacity in connection with activities in the securities market; and engaging in investor relations activities.

Following an investigation by the BCSC's Criminal Investigations Branch, it was found that Nielsen breached the BCSC order when he solicited investments in 2014 from several people in a privately held Canadian company called International Wagering Systems, Inc. (IWS), ultimately securing a $37,500 USD investment from one B.C. resident. This money was supposed to cover the costs of taking IWS public on stock exchanges in Canada and Germany. Nielsen planned to use the capital raised from the future public sale of IWS shares to purchase lottery licenses in Guatemala. Around the same time, Nielsen also attempted to solicit biographical information from individuals for an investment in an unnamed foreign bank, contrary to the order.

About the British Columbia Securities Commission (www.bcsc.bc.ca)

The British Columbia Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating capital markets in British Columbia through the administration of the Securities Act. Our mission is to protect and promote the public interest by fostering:

-- A securities market that is fair and warrants public confidence -- A dynamic and competitive securities industry that provides investment opportunities and access to capital

Learn how to protect yourself and become a more informed investor at www.investright.org.

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Alison Walker

604-899-6713



Public inquiries:

604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393 (toll free)

inquiries@bcsc.bc.ca




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump reportedly met with former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh on Friday to discuss his potential nomination as the next chair of the central bank. The meeting, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was also attended by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Warsh served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011 and currently serves as the distinguished visiting fellow in economics at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. The meeting comes as Trump is in the process of reviewing candidates to serve as Fed chief, with current Chair Janet Yellen's current term set to expire in February. Reports suggest Trump has not ruled out nominating Yellen for another term, while Stanford economist John Taylor and former BB&T Corp. CEO John Allison have also been cited as potential candidates. Warsh is seen as more hawkish than Yellen and has been a vocal critic of the Fed's monetary stimulus policies since the financial crisis. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 09/29/17 -- Saputo Inc. ("Saputo") (TSX: SAP) completed today the transaction announced on August 31, 2017 and acquired the extended shelf-life ("ESL") dairy product activities of Southeast Milk, Inc. ("SMI"). The ESL processing activities are conducted at one manufacturing facility located in Plant City, Florida (USA). The business employs 75 people.

For the twelve-month period that ended on June 30, 2017, the ESL activities of SMI generated annual revenues of approximately CDN$59 million (US$47 million).

The acquisition of SMI's ESL activities will add to and complement the activities of Saputo's Dairy Foods Division (USA).

About Saputo

Saputo produces, markets, and distributes a wide array of dairy products of the utmost quality, including cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products and dairy ingredients. Saputo is one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, the largest cheese manufacturer and the leading fluid milk and cream processor in Canada, one of the top three dairy processors in Argentina, and among the top four in Australia. In the US, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. Our products are sold in several countries under well-known brand names such as Saputo, Alexis de Portneuf, Armstrong, COON, Cracker Barrel(i), Dairyland, DairyStar, Friendship Dairies, Frigo Cheese Heads, La Paulina, Milk2Go/Lait's Go, Neilson, Nutrilait, Scotsburn(i), Stella, Sungold, Treasure Cave and Woolwich Dairy. Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company and its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SAP".

(i)Trademark used under licence.

Contacts:

Media Inquiries

1-514-328-3141 / 1-866-648-5902




MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 09/29/17 -- PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX VENTURE: PYR)(OTCQB: PYRNF), a high-tech company (the "Company" or "PyroGenesis") that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and plasma torch products, announces today that due to recent stock trading activity, and decrease in stock price, the Company contacted IIROC. Based on this conversation, and advice, PyroGenesis wishes to confirm that the Company's management is unaware of any material change in the Company's operations that would account for this activity. Management knows of no reason that would give rise to such unusual trading and has no significant information to disclose which could lead to such activity. The Company is current on all its regular quarterly filings, has made (in advance) its third quarter interest payment due under its previously completed convertible debenture, and plans to report its third quarter results in November as required by the TSX Venture Exchange.

"We wish to reassure all of our stakeholders, and market participants, that the fundamentals of PyroGenesis, in terms of activities previously reported on, as well as the progress being made thereon, are not only sound but are moving forward as expected" said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. "As such, we wish to provide the following Company snapshot."

1. Additive Manufacturing: -- Ramp-up on schedule -- Patent applications progressing as expected -- Exclusive distributorship under negotiation in Asia -- Two Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) being negotiated with end-users (competitors to GE) at their request 2. DROSRITE: -- Middle Eastern visit took place and contract currently being negotiated -- Separately, re-order being negotiated with current client -- Demonstration system currently being deployed to India 3. Chemical Warfare Agent Destruction System: -- Initial testing at UK site, with simulants, demonstrated better destruction rates than tests performed in Montreal -- Tests with actual chemical warfare reagents has been rescheduled to a future date (TBD). As mentioned, in a previous press release, the testing schedule is out of PyroGenesis' control 4. PUREVAP: -- Moving ahead as previously disclosed. Of note, nothing has taken place technically to challenge our original goal, notwithstanding normal challenges for a project of this nature 5. PAWDS: -- No changes. Additional order for new aircraft carrier expected in 2018

"We would not have normally provided a Company overview of this nature," said Mr. Pascali. "In fact, we would have preferred to have provided this update at a time when the events reviewed herein had further matured but, given the circumstances noted herein, we felt it best to depart from normal practices and provide the Company snapshot above. We trust this provides the clarity needed at this time, and would like to reassure all concerned that should any material event transpire, we would immediately disclose such".

Additional information on the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc. is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes. PyroGenesis provides engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, additive manufacturing (3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Its core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Its operations are ISO 9001:2008 certified, and have been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian company on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace (Ticker Symbol: PYRNF). For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTC Markets Group Inc. accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

Contacts:

Rodayna Kafal

VP, Investor Relations and Communications

(514) 937-0002

ir@pyrogenesis.com or rkafal@pyrogenesis.com






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump looked to continue to build support for his recently unveiled tax reform plan in remarks in Washington, D.C. on Friday.



Speaking to a meeting of the National Association of Manufacturers, Trump claimed the plan includes the biggest tax cut in the country's history.



The plan includes a reduction in the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, a consolidation in the personal income tax brackets to three from seven, and a sharp increase in the standard deduction.



Trump argued that the current tax code is the primary reason companies are moving overseas and outsourcing labor.



'Under my administration, the era of economic surrender is over, and the rebirth of American industry is beginning,' Trump said. 'America is winning again, and America is being respected again, and you see that happening all over.'



Trump also addressed the crisis in Puerto Rico at the top of his remarks, pledging support for ongoing relief and recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Maria.



The president also seemed to address criticism of his response to the disaster, noting that Puerto Rico is an island surrounded by water.



'We're closely coordinated with the territorial and local governments, which are totally and unfortunately unable to handle this catastrophic crisis on their own, just totally unable to,' Trump said.



He added, 'So there remains a lot of work to do and we will work with the folks who we're working with right now, they're trying very, very hard, I will tell you that, but nobody's ever seen anything like it.'



Trump also suggested the debt-ridden Puerto Rican government will need to work with the administration to determine how the massive rebuilding effort is funded and organized.



(Photo: Gage Skidmore)



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the global stearic acid market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 4% during the predicted period.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005364/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the global stearic acid market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

This research report titled 'Global Stearic Acid Market 2017-2021' provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This market research report also includes up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions.

The emerging countries in APAC, MEA, and Latin America are expected to contribute to the growth in the global stearic acid market. This can be attributed to the following factors: the rise in the disposable income, demographic changes, industrialization, rapid urbanization, and changing beauty habits. Also, the demand for stearic acid from applications, such as lead-acid batteries, candles, and metal processing, is also contributing toward the adoption of stearic acid in the market.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free

Technavio's analysts categorize the global stearic acid market into seven major segments by application. They are:

Soaps and detergents

Intermediates

Rubber processing

Personal care

Textile

Lubricants

Others

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.

The top three segments based on application for the global stearic acid market are discussed below:

Global stearic acid market by soaps and detergents

Owing to the rising demand from households, consumers shifting toward organic products, growing demand from emerging countries, rapid industrialization, changing beauty habits, demand from automotive, growing textile exports are the major factors generating demand for stearic acid. Also, development of new applications will further boost the demand for stearic acid.

According to Mohd Shakeel Iqbal, a lead specialty chemicals research analyst from Technavio, "The increasing online channel penetration, advances in technology, promotion of the use of soaps from various regulatory bodies and government agencies, rising health awareness, demand from emerging countries, increase in urbanization, increasing disposable income, increase in demand for industrial and household detergent, are the factors driving demand for stearic acid."

Global stearic acid market by intermediates

Stearic acid is extensively used in intermediates. In 2016, the intermediates segment accounted for the second largest market share in terms of consumption of stearic acid. It is used as intermediates in emulsifier, pharmaceutical, chemicals, and food supplements.

"Stearic acid is used in small quantity in food additives. It is commonly mixed with magnesium to form magnesium stearate. Also, it is used as a lubricant in pills when an ingredient mix is uncooperative and pose a challenge to mass, adhesiveness, and flow. It is also used as an ingredient that facilitates binding and unbinding of tablets properly," says Shakeel

Global stearic acid market by rubber processing

The rubber processing segment is expected to account for 18.49% of the market share by the end of forecast period. Stearic acid is majorly used as activator, lubricant and dispersing agent for rubber compound processing. Also, it is also used as an external lubricant and viscosity depressant in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) processing. Also, it works as a dispersing agent in plasticizer and anti-sticking mold and rolls.

APAC is the highest consumer of stearic acid in the rubber processing industry as rubber is widely used for manufacturing tires. The significant growth in the automotive industry is in-turn surging the increased consumption of stearic acid in APAC. Emerging countries such as China, Indonesia, India, and other ASEAN countries are fostering the growth in the stearic acid market in a positive direction.

The top vendors highlighted by Technavio's research analysts in this report are:

Akzo Nobel

BASF

Godrej Industries

Procter Gamble

Wilmar International

Browse Related Reports:

Global Oleochemicals Market 2017-2021

Global Carboxymethyl Cellulose Market 2017-2021

Global Acaricides Market 2017-2021

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005364/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

www.technavio.com
Technavio analysts forecast the global thermoplastic polyolefins marketto grow at a CAGR of over 7% during the forecast period, according to their latest report.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005390/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the global thermoplastic polyolefins market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global thermoplastic polyolefinsmarketfor 2017-2021. Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.

The automotive industry is the key end-user in the thermoplastic polyolefins market. The roofing segment in the construction industry is the second largest end-user in the thermoplastic polyolefins market. Stringent regulations associated with the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) roofing have increased the demand for TPO roofing. The thermoplastic polyolefins are used in other applications such as wire and cable, packaging, and plastic repair. The market has immense potential for technological innovations.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free

Technavio analysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the global thermoplastic polyolefins market:

Preference for TPOs over PVC

Rising demand in the roofing industry

Increasing demand for TPO in North America and 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.

Preference for TPOs over PVC

Several regulations have been formulated on the use of PVC as it contains vinyl chloride monomer that is known to be a human carcinogen. Regulatory bodies restrict the use of PVC in toys and baby products. Several medical and nursing associations have highlighted the health risks associated with the use of PVC medical devices.

Mohd Shakeel Iqbal, a lead plastics, polymers, and elastomers research analyst at Technavio, says, "The EPA directly amended the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for polyvinyl chloride and copolymers production area sources. This rule withdrew total non-vinyl chloride organic hazardous air pollutant process wastewater emission standards for new and existing PVC and copolymers area sources. This rule came into effect on March 30, 2015."

Rising demand in the roofing industry

Growth in the roofing industry drives the demand for thermoplastic polyolefins. Increasing number of constructions drives the demand for roofing systems. Construction activities are increasing at a rapid pace, especially in the developing regions. The ever-growing population and varying weather conditions have led to the emergence of various types of roofing. There are various types of roofings for residential and commercial purposes. Roofs are also broadly classified into flat roofs and pitched roofs.

"Single ply roofs have been in use for the last 20-30 years and are popular due to their several advantages such as flexibility, easy installation, and affordability. The single ply roof can be categorized into thermosets and thermoplastics. The five key types of single ply roofing are PVC, EPDM, TPO, thermoplastic elastomer, and polyisobutylene. Out of these, PIB is the oldest, while TPO and TPE are the recent ones," adds Shakeel

Increasing demand for TPO in North America and APAC

In 2016, North America and APAC accounted for 69% of the total revenue generated by the global thermoplastic polyolefin market. The growth of thermoplastic polyolefins market in these regions is primarily attributed to the rising demand for TPO in the automotive sectors. APAC is an emerging market that draws investments from large players in the automotive industry.

Tesla is likely to introduce its products in India. It might start might its manufacturing plant in the near future. Under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020, the government of India plans to introduce around 6 million electric cars and hybrid vehicles in the country. Many global companies, such as Kia Motor, BMW, Ford, Cummins, Suzuki Motor, and General Motors plan to invest in the automobile industry in India.

Top vendors:

A.Schulman

Borealis

ExxonMobil

LyondellBasell Industries Holdings

SABIC

Sumitomo Chemical

Browse Related Reports:

Global Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Market 2017-2021

Global Styrenic Block Copolymer (SBC) Market 2017-2021

Global Plastic Additives 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.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - After ending the previous session roughly flat, treasuries moved mostly lower over the course of the trading session on Friday.



Bond prices came under pressure in morning trading and remained stuck in the red for the remainder of the session. Subsequently, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, edged up by 1.7 basis points to 2.326 percent.



With the modest increase on the day, the ten-year yield reached its highest closing level in over two months.



The weakness among treasuries came amid reports President Donald Trump met with former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh to discuss his potential nomination as the next chair of the central bank.



The meeting, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was also attended by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.



Warsh is seen as more hawkish than current Fed Chair Janet Yellen and has been a vocal critic of the Fed's monetary stimulus policies since the financial crisis.



On the U.S. economic front, the Commerce Department released a report showing personal income and spending both rose in line with economist estimates in the month of August.



The Commerce Department said personal income edged up by 0.2 percent in August after rising by a downwardly revised 0.3 percent in July.



Economists had expected income to rise by 0.2 percent compared to the 0.4 percent increase originally reported for the previous month.



The report said personal spending also inched up by 0.1 percent in August after climbing by an unrevised 0.3 percent in July. The uptick in spending matched expectations.



A separate report from MNI Indicators unexpectedly showed a significant acceleration in the pace of growth in Chicago-area business activity in the month of September.



MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer jumped to 65.2 in September from 58.9 in August, with a reading above 50 indicating growth.



The substantial increase by the business barometer came as a surprise to economists, who had expected the index to edge down to 58.5.



Economic data may have a significant impact on next week's trading, with the closely watched monthly jobs report due to be released next Friday.



Reports on manufacturing and service sector activity, construction spending, and international trade may also attract attention along with remarks by Yellen.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
ROUYN-NORANDA, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 09/29/17 -- Explor Resources Inc. ("Explor" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: EXS)(OTCQB: EXSFF)(FRANKFURT: E1H1)(BERLIN: E1H1) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the Matachewan First Nation of Matachewan, Ontario and the Mattagami First Nation of Gogama, Ontario (the "First Nations"), with respect to the Montrose Property.

The MOU will serve as a framework to govern the relationship between Explor and the First Nations in accordance with their intention of further building a relationship characterized by cooperation and mutual respect, in connection with the development of the Montrose Property. This represents an important milestone in moving the project forward and we welcome our new partners.

The MOU sets out the areas in which Explor and the First Nations have agreed to work together notably on mutual key interests such as environmental protection, employment and business opportunities, education and training for the First Nations communities.

Chris Dupont, President and CEO of Explor Resources, stated that "Explor is committed to working in partnership with the First Nations in the development of the Montrose Property. Explor looks forward to building a strong relationship with the First Nations that will be beneficial to both parties."

In order to instill a relationship with the First Nations, Explor will issue 500,000 common shares to both the Matachewan and the Mattagami First Nations. This issuance of equity enables the Matachewan and the Mattagami First Nations to become shareholders and participate in the success of Explor Resources as Explor moves the Montrose Project to the next phase in the development of the property. This issuance of shares is subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities.

The Montrose property consists of 20 mining claims (217 units) located in the Montrose and Midlothian Townships in the Timmins-Porcupine Mining Camp for a total of approximately 3,472 hectares.

The Montrose property is contiguous to the North and East of the former producing Stairs Mine property where widespread alteration, generally within sediments, occurs proximal to felsic volcanic contacts. Alteration consists of wide zones of carbonate/pyrite alteration +/- silification and can obtain widths up to 100-200 m with more intense internal zones of sericite alteration and green mica alteration within the broad carbonate alteration. Gold valeurs are found most commonly with quartz ankerite veins but can also occur in massive sulphide veins, chromic-pyrite veins and sericite alteration.

Explor Resources Inc. is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture (EXS), on the OTCQB (EXSFF) and on the Frankfurt and Berlin Stock Exchanges (E1H1).

This Press Release was prepared by Explor. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Explor Resources Inc.

Explor Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based natural resources company with mineral holdings in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Explor is currently focused on exploration in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The belt is found in both provinces of Ontario and Quebec with approximately 33% in Ontario and 67% in Quebec. The Belt has produced in excess of 180,000,000 ounces of gold and 450,000,000 tonnes of cu-zn ore over the last 100 years. The Corporation was continued under the laws of Alberta in 1986 and has had its main office in Quebec since 2006.

Explor Resources Flagship project is the Timmins Porcupine West (TPW) Project located in the Porcupine mining camp, in the Province of Ontario. Teck Resources Ltd. is currently conducting an exploration program as part of an earn-in on the TPW property. The TPW mineral resource (Press Release dated August 27, 2013) includes the following:

Open Pit Mineral Resources at a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off grade are as follows:

Indicated: 213,000 oz (4,283,000 tonnes at 1.55 g/t Au) Inferred: 77,000 oz (1,140,000 tonnes at 2.09 g/t Au)

Underground Mineral Resources at a 1.70 g/t Au cut-off grade are as follows:

Indicated: 396,000 oz (4,420,000 tonnes at 2.79 g/t Au) Inferred: 393,000 oz (5,185,000 tonnes at 2.36 g/t Au)

This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to Explor's operations or to the environment in which it operates. Such statements are based on operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and may be beyond Explor's control. A number of important factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, including those set forth in other public filling. In addition, such statements relate to the date on which they are made. Consequently, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. Explor disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Contacts:

Explor Resources Inc.

Christian Dupont

President

Tel: 888-997-4630 or 819-797-4630

819-797-6050 (FAX)

Website: www.explorresources.com

Email: info@explorresources.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/15/17 -- Copper One Inc. (TSX VENTURE: CUO) ("Copper One" or the "Company") reports that on November 15, 2017, Copper One and the Quebec Government entered into a settlement agreement which facilitates an end to Copper One's participation in the Riviere Dore Project. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Copper One has agreed to the assignment of all the mining claims comprising the Riviere Dore Project to SOQUEM and the Quebec Government has agreed to pay $8 million in cash to Copper One in consideration for, amongst other things, the amounts invested in exploration works on the project by Copper One. The transaction is expected to be completed by December 15, 2017.

Forward-looking information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the Riviere Dore Project, the impact of the settlement on the Company and its stakeholders, and future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward- looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Copper One, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although Copper One has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Copper One does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

Contacts:

Copper One Inc.

G. Scott Moore

Chairman, President and CEO

smoore@copperone.com




Adext, a Mexican born, Palo Alto, CA-based artificial intelligence and machine learning startup, raised $3M in seed funding at a $20M USD valuation in December 2016.

The round was led by Angel Romanos, Founder and CEO of public company Credito Real.

The company intends to use the funds to invest in tech and marketing to expand further into the 22 Spanish speaking countries.

Led by Daniel Molano, CEO, Adext uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to provide a fully automated platform to plan, deploy and buy paid search, social and display ads in Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and thousands of websites to increase the sales of SMBs.

The company, which has over 1,000 customers in more than 29 countries, aims to help 1 million SMBs increase their sales.

FinSMEs

29/09/2017
Uaventure Capital, LLC, has launched a Tucson, Ariz.-based venture capital fund designed to support the commercialization of University of Arizona science, services and intellectual property.

Co-founded by CEO Fletcher J. McCusker, Larry M. Hecker, Esq. and Michael N. Deitch, CPA, Uaventure Capital will consider investing in University of Arizona science, technology, services and intellectual property originating from faculty, students, alumni, and affiliates.

FinSMEs

29/09/2017

The Press Release

Tucson Entrepreneurs Launch Venture Capital Fund Dedicated to University of Arizona Commercialization

TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 28, 2017  Founders of UAVENTURE CAPITAL, LLC today announced the launch of a new venture capital fund designed to support the commercialization of University of Arizona science, services and intellectual property. UAVC has been formed by Fletcher J. McCusker, the business driver behind the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy spin out SinfoniaRx, Inc., and the founder of the public company Providence Service Corporation. Joining McCusker as fund principals will be Larry M. Hecker, Esq. and Michael N. Deitch, CPA.

UAVENTURE CAPITAL, LLC will be headquartered in the iconic Ronstadt House at 607 North Sixth Avenue, one of Tucsons landmark turn of the century mansions, just blocks away from downtown and the University.

The Fund will consider investing in University of Arizona science, technology, services and intellectual property originating from faculty, students, alumni, and affiliates. The biggest problem for Tucson based startups has been growth capital, said Fletcher McCusker, CEO and co-founder of the new fund. With Providence and SinfoniaRx, we had to continually search for investment capital. Ultimately, SinfoniaRx was funded entirely by Tucsonans and we believe that model, combined with institutional investment, can support a number of startup ventures, he concluded.

Having access to local capital will definitely be a boost for UA technology commercialization. Tech Launch Arizona is excited to work with the fund managers, said David Allen, the UofA vice president for Tech Launch Arizona.
New Delhi: Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy on Thursday took a dig at former finance minister Yashwant Sinha's critique of the economy and said what Sinha called a "serious emergency" was actually a "minor cold".

Debroy, who is also chairman of the prime minister's Economic Advisory Council, said while there may be some minor problems with the economy, it was nothing to be worried about.

At the launch of the book "India @70, Modi @3.5" - edited by him and president's press secretary Ashok Malik, Debroy, who was suffering from cold, said the Indian economy was also going through something similar.

In a veiled reference to Sinha's article which said Indian economy was beyond repair in short to medium term, he said: "There is a place called Yashwant Place where when I consulted a doctor, he said this is a serious medical emergency... might be chikungunya. You might die."

"I then went to another more sensible doctor, who said you have just got a minor cold, relax. Give it a few days, and it will pass."
For the customers who hold accounts in six state-run banks, here's a reminder. Sunday, or 1 October is an important date for you because that is the day their cheque books and India Financial System (IFS) codes of their branches would become invalid. These banks are  State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Raipur, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Hyderabad and Bhartiya Mahila Bank (BMB).

The government had in February approved the merger of these five associate banks with SBI. Later in March, BMB too got the approval to join the group. With these six banks merging, SBI now becomes a bank with total assets worth Rs 29 lakh crore.

The bank has been asking customers of all these banks to apply for SBI cheque books via net banking, mobile banking, ATM, or by visiting the home branch. Which means if you still havent applied for the new cheque books, you have to do it at the earliest.

This is because the cheque books issued by these six banks cannot be used. Also if you have issued any post-dated cheques, you need to take care of them. Its better you iron out these issues beforehand, if possible today itself. This means you will have to recall the post-dated cheques and issue new ones.

In the past, most acquiring banks let the fixed deposits run their course. Which means old terms continue.

As far as mobile banking goes, you will have to make sure that you make the necessary changes there as well. Since the old IFSC code is no longer valid you will have to start using the new IFS code.

However, SBI hasnt said a word about ECS issued by the customers of these half a dozen banks. It is safe to deduce that they SBI will take care of things at the back-end, and you need not worry about it. That's how it has been whenever bank mergers happened. For instance, a few years ago when United Western Bank merged with IDBI Bank, the latter used an account mapping technique for ECS, without discomforting the customers.
If you are an account holder in State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, there are a few changes that you need to be aware of. If you haven't read about them, here they are:

1) Cut in MAB: The bank has decided to treat the metro and urban centres in the same category as far as average minimum account balance (MAB) maintenance is concerned. What this means is that the MAB in metro centres has been reduced to Rs 3,000 from Rs 5,000 earlier. For semi-urban branches, the MAB is Rs 2,000 and for rural branches Rs 1,000. So in case you are in metro centres, now you need to maintain the average MAB at Rs 3,000 from Sunday, 1 October.

2) Cut penalties for non-adherence: For non-maintenance of MAB, the charges have also been revised downwards ranging from 20-50 percent across all population groups and categories. Now, the charges at semi-urban and rural centres range from Rs 20 to Rs 40 and at urban and metro centres from Rs 30 to Rs 50, the bank has said. Earlier, in the metros, the bank was charging Rs 100 plus GST if the balance fell below 75 percent of the MAB of Rs 5,000. If the shortfall was 50 percent or less, the penalty charge was Rs 50 plus GST. Any shortfall in maintaining minimum average balance in rural areas was attracting a penalty in the range of Rs 20 to Rs 50 plus GST.

3) Categories exempted: The bank has decided to exempt pensioners, beneficiaries of social benefits from the government and minors from the requirement of minimum balance in savings account. The bank reiterated that basic savings bank deposit and PMs Jan-Dhan accounts are not required to maintain the minimum balance.

SBI has 42 crore savings bank accounts. Of this, 13 crore come under PMJDY/ BSBD. The revision is likely to benefit another 5 crore account holders, the bank has said.

4) Apart from this, if you hold account in State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Raipur, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Hyderabad or Bhartiya Mahila Bank (BMB), your cheque books will be come invalid from 1 October unless you have got a new one. The IFS code of your branch will also be different from that day. This is because these banks have been merged with SBI now.
What happens when you get two Varun Dhawans, Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu? No, this is not the beginning of a joke, but the lead cast of David Dhawan's Judwaa 2, a reboot of his 1997 original film with Salman Khan.

Judwaa 2 begins with a predictable introduction: A couple is expecting their child; the mother goes into labour even as the father is on his way from the airport. When she finally gives birth to twins, the doctor tells the couple the babies were conjoined and the hospital had to separate them. A one in a million case  so the doctors say. With this, we're expecting the drama to begin.

Unfortunately, a rogue the father meets at the airport follows him back to the hospital and in a tussle, ends up stealing one of the babies. Cue plot point. The reason we can be so blase about it is because the structure is pretty much the same as the original film.

There's only one question on everyone's mind. Where is Varun Dhawan?

Needless to say, this reboot is peppered with much from Salman's Judwaa, right down to the background score. But the most noteworthy difference is in Varun Dhawan's entry. We learn that one twin goes with the couple to London, while another gets left behind in Mumbai as an orphan. Obviously, one is rowdy (tight jeans and all) and the other is a sweet, piano-playing simpleton.

We are first introduced to Prem, the simpleton: he gets bullied in college for being too meek (Varun brings out this mix of sympathy for and comedy in his character really well). It is Taapsee who helps him answer back to the bullies, and they form a connection. Raja, from Mumbai, is yet to be introduced to us.

As a Bollywood-ish juxtaposition of sorts, Raja is as sassy, strong and popular as Prem is weak and bullied. A brother thing, we're told. Varun as Raja is taking my attention away from the tacky justifications, especially his Govinda-esque dancing in 'Chalo Ganpati Bappa Morya'. Not only is he making me want to dance in this almost packed theatre, but you end up feeling super nostalgic for the '90s. And it's only been 15 minutes.

Rajpal Yadav plays Shakti Kapoor's character Nandu in the film, while Vivian Bathena plays the antagonist Alex (Mukesh Rishi in the original).

At this point I must admit, Salman and Shakti Kapoor were much better suited (as a comic pair) than Rajpal Yadav and Varun, but Varun needs nobody. He has two of himself!

The one glaring thing about the film is its forced comedy. While Varun is naturally funny, the actors around him try too hard, but often miss the point.

Well, just as we were complaining, in comes Johnny Lever, stealing all the comedy limelight. He plays Pappu Passport, who helps Raja and Nandu leave Mumbai after a fight with Alex, the thug. Since he's called Pappu Passport, look out for a killer joke involving the Aadhar card (we warned you).

On the flight to London, Raja meets Alishka (Jacqueline Fernandez), and tries to hit on her. Just like Karisma Kapoor in the original, Jacqueline is far too feisty for him. Their spark is evident right from the beginning; it reminds me of the effortless chemistry Dhawan shares with Alia Bhatt.

And much like the original, the confusion related to the twins comes and goes as per convenience. For example, Raja starts to tap Jacqueline on the shoulders during the flight, because Prem plays the piano in another universe. But this happens only when the makers deem fit. Meanwhile, Varun as Prem has to try a little harder to establish a chemistry with Samara (Taapsee).

Soon, Raja gets a job in as a pizza-delivery boy in London. Prem, Raja, Samara and Alishka (which is what we find out Jacqueline's character is called) are all in one city now, and so the action begins. So far the comedy has been a bit irregular. Varun clearly carries the weight of the film on his shoulders.

There's a lot to roll your eyes over: forced kissing, a 'kabool x 3' (like a nikaah sequence), and too many '90s tropes fitted into one film. And usually I would be rolling my eyes over these cheesy scenes, but Varun and Jacqueline make it work.

Have to give it to the dialogue writer though: there are puns aplenty (including one about demonetisation) and are almost smart. Almost.

The songs are playing out far better than the film. Judwaa 2 is funny in parts, and just mindless in others. However, Varun (both versions), Jacqueline and Taapsee shine their brightest in the songs. 'Oonchi Hai Building 2.0' is even making me forget about the other tackiness in the film. But this is not a music video, and once the frivolities are done, I'm wondering how the film will go forward.

The glaring question at the film's halfway point is: which Varun is better  Raja or Prem? Varun as the rowdy Raja is effortless, and is an embodiment of a lot of previous characters he's played. However, he does the paavam (that roughly translates into 'you poor thing' in Tamil) act quite well too, with Prem.

Post-interval, a lot of time is wasted in forcing the comedy down our throats, which is one of the biggest flaws of the film. It baffles me why they wouldn't just get to the point and get both Varuns to meet already. Everyone in this hall I'm in patiently waits for the same thing  Raja and Prem's meet cute.

And finally, the two meet during a fight sequence Raja has with some street thugs. It's a car-stopping moment. 'We've got the same freaking face!'  they both keep saying. No sh*t, guys. There's an iconic bathroom scene too, with two Varuns sharing the same frame and different urinals. Judwaa 2 is basically a modern throwback to the '97 film.

The second half of Judwaa 2 is a lot less confusing, but also loses steam. Varun tries hard to maintain the same pace as the beginning of the film, but there's only so much he can do. We're given a song in middle of Mauritius to distract us, and if it wasn't for the foot-tapping track, I'd be complaining a lot more. But 'Aa toh sahi' is a fun track.

Fair warning guys, you will find yourself shaking your head in disbelief a lot during Judwaa 2  mainly due to the sheer stupidity and silliness. But if you're one of those who liked the original Judwaa, this film is merely a modern update. David Dhawan was true to his word when we said it would be a reboot. It truly is. There very little that's different in Judwaa 2. There's a lot of mindless comedy, and I'm not one to ever say 'leave your brains at home', but it would truly help you if you didn't try to find logic in Judwaa 2. It's not meant to be taken seriously.

There's a lot to diss in Judwaa 2, but that's the easy way out. Unlike Mubarakan, where Arjun Kapoor's identical twin trope just didn't work, in Judwaa 2, Varun carries off two different personalities well. The dialogue writer, Farhad Sami, deserves far more credit than anyone else in the film. Both Jacqueline and Taapsee do their parts well, but I'm leaning more towards Jacqueline in this one. She's just far more effortless as the quintessential Bollywood heroine. There's not much more to be done in a genre like this, so it's pointless to talk about the room for improvement. Don't watch Judwaa 2 if you're looking for something deep. But be ready to roll your eyes in several scenes. The songs make up for the silliness in Judwaa 2. And then there's Varun Dhawan, who doesn't take himself too seriously, and that's the best part of Judwaa 2.

Watch the trailer here:
Actor Kunal Kemmu took to Twitter to share the news that his wife Soha Ali Khan has given birth to a girl on Friday.

We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day Thank you for the love&blessings  kunal kemmu (@kunalkemmu) September 29, 2017

Back in April, Soha and Kemmu had confirmed that they were expecting their first child. While Kemmu shot for his upcoming ensemble film, Rohit Shetty's comedy Golmaal Again in Hyderabad, Soha spent most of her pregnancy penning her debut novel The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, which is due to release this October.

Now that they have been blessed with a baby girl, the couple are looking forward even more to the remainder of the year, which will be special for both of them in their professional capacities as well.

While Soha will turn writer with her autobiographical account, Kemmu will be seen after a long time on the silver screen in Golmaal Again which is slated to release on 20 October, a day after Diwali.

The news of the baby girl comes 10 months after her uncle Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor gave birth to their first child Taimur Ali Khan.
Since Judwaa was an unapologetically slapstick comedy of errors, and the goal of this new release is to cash in on the recall value of that brand, it could have been safely assumed without visiting a theatre today that director David Dhawan would not go all cerebral on us with Judwaa 2.

A new generation will perhaps watch this film as a standalone venture, but two questions are inevitable for those who have seen the original. One, which is better? Two, more important: who is better, Varun or the earlier hero, the then successful and now phenomenal Salman Khan?

Dhawan has positioned Judwaa 2 as a contemporary reboot of his 1997 film featuring Khan in a double role with Karisma Kapoor and Rambha as the female romantic leads. It is the closest to a carbon copy that a remake can get, with his son Varun Dhawan reprising the characters played by the superstar back then. So what we get is Dhawan Junior as Raja and Prem Malhotra, conjoined twins whose surgical separation at birth results in a unique biological phenomenon seen in one in eight million cases according to the Bollywood Book of Judwaa Bachchas  when they are in geographically nearby locations, each experiences the sensations the other is going through and unwittingly clones the others actions.

Before you can digest that educational moment, the villain of the story kidnaps one, and through a series of circumstances you would be familiar with if you have watched the earlier Judwaa, Prem is brought up in London by wealthy parents and Raja by a poor woman in Mumbai.

Of course the brothers end up in the same city at some point (London, nicely shot by cinematographer Ayananka Bose). Prem falls for Samara (Taapsee Pannu), while Raja is smitten by Alyshka Bakshi (Jacqueline Fernandez). The confusion caused by their respective lovers and respective enemies being in the same area leads to a chain of mix-ups and mess-ups that Shakespeare might have approved of.

Given that this is the premise, obviously Judwaa 2, like Judwaa, is not an intellectual enterprise. Fair enough. We all need to occasionally let our hair down with a dose of old-fashioned stupidity, and large parts of Judwaa 2 offer silly, mindless laughs.

Even silliness must evolve though, and this would have been a better film if the screenplay by Yunus Sajawal (with dialogues by Farhad-Sajid) had, while retaining the same concept, moved beyond some of the stereotypes and insensitivity that once dominated Bollywood and occasionally lingers in projects such as this. For instance, the main antagonist Charles (Zakir Hussain) conforms to the irritating Bollywood stereotype of the Christian who cannot speak Hindi without saying God in place of Bhagwan, while a Hindu who visits a church says God in the middle of Hindi dialogues, as though God is not a common noun but the name of a specific Christian being seated somewhere upstairs in the clouds. This kind of stuff is bearable though  idiotic but not offensive. Far less tolerable is the re-use of a once-popular cliche: a totla character as a butt of jokes.

I am not getting all hoity-toity here and saying a speech defect may not lead to amusing situations, but that this team lacks the finesse that, say, Vishal Bhardwaj & Co employed while writing their main ph ko ph bolta hoon protagonist in Kaminey, marvelously balancing humour with sensitivity.

There is a fine line between portraying a person with a disability and turning that person into a caricature. Nandu, played by Rajpal Yadav, crosses that line. To be fair though, Yadavs Nandu is a toned-down version of Judwaas over-the-top Rangeela delivered to us in yet another cringe-worthy performance by Shakti Kapoor. Thankfully too, Nandu gets limited screen time.

The rest of the film is harmless fun for the most part, except when it ventures occasionally again into crude cliches revolving around Dhawans assumption that the mere sight of black people should be a cause of laughter, and the abominable terms in which a middle-aged woman  Samaras mother  is repeatedly described. In one scene, Raja calls her a khataara gaadi (dilapidated car) and consoles her because tu murjha gayee hai (you have withered).

Sigh. Is there any point in explaining ageism and sexism to David Dhawan? Does he care? Well, never mind him. We should.

With the recent Mubarakan, director Anees Bazmee showed us how it is possible to hark back to the comedies of an era gone by, even dip into stereotypes and trite comedic devices  boisterous Punjabis, twins separated at birth  without resorting to those that should have been retired in the Stone Age. Judwaa skates on thin ice on occasion, but for the most part passes muster without being earth-shatteringly good anywhere.

There are conversations that are genuinely funny, some because they are so hare-brained, and some because the actors make it work with their comic timing. Except for one-off blandness in the form of Iski jack lag gayee aur main handle nahin kar paa raha hoon (a line bestowed on Varun) and Rustom ke Akshay Kumar ki tarah tum chhupe rustom nikle (which Fernandez is forced to pull off), Judwaa 2 is a fair enough visit to the slapstick genre.

Still, the question arises: why was this film made at all, when David Dhawan could as well have re-released Judwaa on DVD, Blu-Ray etc with added features? (I mean, cmon, Judwaa 2 even borrows two songs from the earlier film, Oonchi hai building and Chalti hai kya nau se baarah. They are the most attractive part of an ordinary soundtrack.)

The answer lies in two words: Varun Dhawan. This format gives Junior the opportunity to showcase his acting talent by playing two characters with vastly different backgrounds and demeanours in the same film and sometimes in the same frame, display his action skills in a bunch of fight scenes, and dance. Smart move, Daddy. Cos your son does all three well.

Ive enjoyed watching Varun from his first film: he is attractive, has a nice body that goes well with his sweet face (the currently fashionable body-builder look would not suit him), and dances with passion. Though he still does not manage to erase his own personality for his roles (the London-based Prem in Judwaa, for instance, speaks English with an out-and-out Varun Dhawan-style Mumbaiyya accent and diction right down to pronouncing miracle as miricle and violent as viylent), he seems like the kind of actor who has what it takes to get there and the desire to work towards it.

The women of Judwaa are of course secondary to Varun. Still, within the limited space they get, they make a mark. Pannu, whose calling card in Hindi cinema right now is her brilliant performance in last years Pink, shows here that she is suited to the singing-dancing-swimsuit-wearing-glamour-doll routine too. She is outshone though by Fernandez who has spent most of her short career doing precisely that, but reminds us in Judwaa 2 that she is not the frozen-faced non-actor that too many people take her for.

As we saw in 2016s Dishoom, it is clear here too that this gorgeous young woman deserves a shot at larger roles in comedy.

The fabulous Pavan Raj Malhotra is wasted in a film where the gifted supporting cast is marginal and the focus is entirely on Varun.

Which brings me back to my earlier comment about Varun being the reason why this film was made. The point is underlined by Salman Khans cameo in Judwaa 2. It is a separate matter that that scene must rank as the most poorly conceived, amateurishly executed guest appearance by a major star ever, with jarringly bad sound quality to boot. What Dhawan Senior seems to be hinting at through the weird conversation there is that he sees Varun as a future Salman Khan.

Well, I am sticking my neck out and saying the father is shortselling his son with the comparison. Whether or not Varun becomes as big a star as Khan is not something anyone can predict, but he clearly does have the potential. More to the point, he is a better actor and a more flexible dancer than the Khan. Now Daddy, give him a more imaginative film to work in. Those of us who have enjoyed you at your best, know that you are capable of so much more than just not bad which is what Judwaa 2 is.

Footnote: The Censor Board asked Dhawan to remove a shot of Lord Krishna dancing and playing the saxophone in the song Suno Ganpati Bappa Morya. It is clear from their directive that they have not understood the ABC of the playful down-to-earthness that is the hallmark of Hindu mythology.
Irrespective of what stance Mahmood Farooquis defense takes to define the nature of his relationship with the 30-year old US scholar, who had accused him of rape, few things remain the same.

When the trial had commenced, Farooquis legal team had refuted any relationship with the American woman in the lower court that delivered a seven-year sentence for rape, but in the High Court, which set aside the previous sentence, Farooquis legal counsels  now including Kapil Sibal  admitted to his client being in a relationship with the same woman since 2015.

The complete U-turn notwithstanding, her being or not being in a relationship cannot have any bearing on the allegation that she was violated and raped. But more than this change in strategy, Justice Ashutosh Kumars judgment that suggests a feeble no may mean a yes to sex is the most disturbing outcome.

There is no denying that the concept of consent escapes most men. But actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.

A prominent man getting away is nothing new but the manner in which he was set free is, in many ways, a great disservice to the concept of consent. Would it be incorrect to say that the manner in which the judgment is framed  In such cases, it would be really difficult to decipher whether little or no resistance and a feeble no, was actually a denial of consent.  reeks of the same misogynistic mindset that millions of women have been fighting since time immemorial?

Albert Einstein had once said, If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity, and therefore a no regardless of how feeble it might be, leaves no ambiguity of being a no.

Last year filmmaker Aniruddha Roy Chowdhurys Pink became a milestone of sorts in addressing consent and even though many critics and commentators branded it a feminist film, Roy Chowdhury is very clear that he didnt make Pink for women. In this writers book, Pink The Inside Story (HarperCollins, 2017), the filmmaker asserted that he wanted to make this film for men as he felt that as an artist responding to the what happens in the real world it is his responsibility to make the viewer feel responsible.

In a telephonic interview, Roy Chowdhury said that there is nothing beyond consent and that is the ultimate thing. He further adds, If a woman says NO a man has to admit it, he has to acknowledge it, he has to respect it and most importantly he has to obey it.

Popular culture occupies the lower levels of socially and historically constructed cultural hierarchies and therefore, popular cinema, in a way, is a cultural institution that helps to mediate a broad spectrum of social meanings, values and structure.

Popular Hindi cinema has for decades now propagated the very sentiment that occupies the judgement that set Farooqui free. In Bollywood right from the 1960s where a Shammi Kapoor went Badan pe sitare lapete hue in the film Prince (1969) to an Aamir Khan in the 1990s in Deewana Mujhsa Nahin (1991) haranguing the girl till she would give in the traditional Hindi film hero believes that every na (no) is just a haan (yes).

As a film to emerge from this stable, Pink was perhaps one of the few exceptions to not only address the issue of blatant or disguised misogyny but also cinematically depict reality in terms of situations and characters as closely as possible.

Writer Ritesh Shahs dialogue no means no succinctly encapsulated the message that even in this day and age, unfortunately, needs to be told to men. Roy Chowdhury believes that the reason such a sentiment resonated with everybody because this was perhaps on everybodys mind. Its there like air in the atmosphere and everyone wanted it to be addressed and we as a team tried to communicate it, says Roy Chowdhury.

Nothing is hidden anymore in times such as the present. Social media hopefully will help enable a far and wide debate on the Mahmood Farooqui judgment.

However, one cannot say it any more emphatically that even without getting into the details of this case, the fact that a statement such as  Instances of woman behavior are not unknown that a feeble no may mean a "yes" - in a rape case is sure to have a detrimental impact on furthering the messaging of the anti-rape slogan of No means No.

Reacting on the judgment, Roy Chowdhury is of the opinion that while he respects the court, he feels that to him as a human being and an individual NO does infact mean NO. He adds that no matter however communicated when a woman says no every man, even the dumbest of them, should understand.
Ragini MMS Returns, which is the sequel to Pawan Kripalani's 2011 horror film Ragini MMS, will see TV host and actor Rakshanda Khan in a pivotal role. As per a DNA report, Khan will essay the role of an investigative officer.

Speaking about her role in the upcoming web series, Khan tells the publication, "I play an investigative officer who will examine all the paranormal activities happening in the college. My character helps the kids to overcome the unfortunate incidents."

Having seen the previous installments, she promises that the franchise will only get scarier with this installment.

Last seen in Zee TV's supernatural fiction daily soap Brahmarakshas, Khan will again step into the same genre with the upcoming web series.

Ever since the announcement of the web series was made, the makers have gone out of their way to project it as a combination of romp and horror. The 50-second teaser, which was released on 14 September, also makes a strong claim  "Fear got sexy".

Apart from Khan, Ragini MMS Return will also star Karishma Sharma, Nishant Singh Malkani and Riya Sen. The story will reportedly follow Sharma and Sen as they experience paranormal activities in a deserted college.
New Delhi: Delhi's public works department (PWD) has issued a show-cause notice to AAP, asking why their Delhi office should not be got vacated and the party penalised for "illegally" occupying a central Delhi bungalow for the purpose, an official said on Thursday.

The senior PWD official told IANS that they were following orders of Lt Governor Anil Baijal, adding that 206, Rouse Avenue, which houses the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) headquarters, was illegally allotted to the AAP by the Delhi government.

The officer said around 10-page notice was issued by the PWD on 26 September. The AAP was allotted the said bungalow on 31 December, 2015.

On 12 April, the party received a communication that Baijal had cancelled the allotment of the bungalow on the ground that it was against the rules.

Challenging the Lt Governor's order, the AAP said its allotment was cancelled, but other political parties were allotted accommodations to run their respective offices in the same area.

On 13 June, the PWD sent a notice to the AAP, asking the ruling party to pay Rs 27 lakh in fine for what it said was "illegally" occupying the premises.

On 23 August, the Delhi high court quashed Lt Governor's order cancelling the allotment of the bungalow.
Nine students from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), who were on their way from Jantar Mantar to the prime minister's officia residence to submit a memorandum, were detained by the Delhi Police on Thursday. The students  eight boys and and a girl  were released later. The Chanakyapuri Police said the girl was asked to leave soon after her detention while the other were let off late in the night. The girl, Mineshi Mishra however, refused to leave without her friends.

The students had plans to meet Union HRD minister Prakas Javadekar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to submit memorandum. However, they could not get an appointment. Meanwhile, Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal tweeted:

Just heard dat BHU girls hv been detained at PS Chanakyapuri. Speaking to Police 2 imm release them. DCW team on its way to assist them.  Swati Jai Hind (@SwatiJaiHind) September 28, 2017

Really unfortunate that despite requests @DelhiPolice is yet to release the girls. They should be imm released. https://t.co/2NpkRL6xGB  Swati Jai Hind (@SwatiJaiHind) September 28, 2017

The girl student, Mishra, alleged that during the detention period her friends were threatened by police and some of them were "deported out of Delhi". "We are not going to encounter you. We will just drop you off Delhi, just like Teesta Setalwad," she said quoting the police in a complaint to the DCP Chanakyapuri Polic Station.

"I put on record if it weren't for the media personnel the police was fully prepared to manhandle us, just like they did in BHU. My request is not only to take action against your intimidating officers but also ensure safety and liberty of me and my friends," she said in the complaint.

Why did you bring dishonour to the university, BHU V-C Tripathi berates students in video

Meanwhile, BHU Vice-Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi is facing yet another crisis. The Times of India reported on Thursday that Tripathi was caught on camera berating the girl students of BHU. The source and veracity of the video could not be immediately confirmed.

In the video, Tripathi can be heard asking students, "Why did you protest and bring dishonour to the university?""Koi bhi dharam ki baat karne ka adhikaar usi ko hai jo khud dharam par chale. Tum ye bataao ki ladkiyon ne dharm ka paalan kiya, ki ek ladki ki asmita ko lekar bazar me pahunchin? (Those who are righteous themselves have the right to talk about righteousness. You tell me whether the girls did the right thing by raking up the issue of modesty of a fellow girl student in public like this?)."

CCTV clips show outsiders creating ruckus: Yogi Adityanath

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that according to the intelligence inputs, the violence and lathicharge on BHU girls was a conspiracy against the government.

"It is clear that the row escalated due to communication gap between students and university authorities, following which some outsiders got the opportunity to create ruckus. All such outsiders have been identified through CCTV footages. They will be punished strictly," said the chief minister, who is in Gorakhpur till Dussehra. The report has been sent to the Centre, Hindustan Times reported.

"To avoid such incidents in future, the state universities have been asked to work in coordination with the Centre," Adityanth said, adding the BHU-like incidents were flared up to divert attention of people from development work of Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

V-C Tripathi should be sacked for ordering lathicharge on students

Meanwhile, Maliwal on Thursday also wrote to Modi demanding that Tripathi be terminated over the handling of the recent violence on the campus. "BHU V-C (Girish Chandra Tripathi) should be terminated for baton-charge on girls and strict action should be taken against him. Girls at BHU campus and hostels should be provided security," Maliwal said in her letter to Modi.

"University or college administration should be made accountable for any mishap or harassment of girls on campus of college," she said. "Even after several complaints, the administration did not take action against the miscreants. To make their voice heard, the girls protested and were baton-charged by the police," it said.

Maliwal said that the sexual harassment and discrimination against girls "is not limited to the BHU campus".

Such practices are prevalent in prestigious colleges in the national capital as well. In the last one week, security of girls in two colleges of the DU has been brought to limelight, she said. "Around 500 students of Ambedkar College went to the police station demanding safe and secure campus for girls where eve-teasing and groping was a regular occurrence. At Khalsa College, some boys tried to forcibly enter the girl' hostel," she said.

The women's body has sought PMO's intervention into any discrimination in hostel timing for boys and girls an drafting of a national policy to ensure safety of girls on campus.

Will resign if they ask me to go on leave: BHU V-C

Tripathi said that he will "resign" if he is asked to proceed on leave and maintained that the HRD ministry had not told him to do so. The ministry has, meanwhile, initiated a routine process to shortlist the successor of Tripathi, who is at the centre of the controversy over handling of the recent violence in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus. His tenure ends on 30 November.

"So far, nothing of this sort has been communicated to me. I have been in touch with the HRD minister (Prakash Javadekar) right from the day of the incident and have briefed him about the situation as well as the measures taken. But if am I asked to go on leave, I will resign," Tripathi told PTI.

Tripathi said that he has contributed a lot to improve the functioning of the university. "Having done so much, it will be insulting to go on leave two months before my tenure comes to end. I will prefer quitting," he asserted.

With inputs from PTI
A day after being appointed the first woman chief proctor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Royona Singh on Friday said that there would be no restrictions on students on the basis of their gender, meaning girls will not be penalised over a dress code or for consumption of alcohol. According to a report on The Times of India, there will also not be a ban on non-vegetarian food in the canteens at the university.

The appointment of Royona Singh comes at a time when the university is under the scanner for compromising women's safety, and two days after the resignation of her predecessor ON Singh.

Singh had said that she would introduce a range of stringent measures to ensure security of students, the report added.

"I was born in Europe. I frequently travel to Europe and Canada. Putting a dressing restriction on girls would be like imposing it on myself. You start your day at 6 am and end at 10.30 pm, and if you still can't wear what you feel comfortable in, it is a shame in this era. I find it strange when boys use the words 'skimpily clad'. If a girl feels comfortable in what she wears, what's their objection?" Singh was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Singh, an assistant professor at the Institute of Medical Science (anatomy department), is the first woman in BHU's history to hold the post of chief proctor. She also heads the women grievance cell of the university.

Speaking to media persons on Thursday after her appointment was confirmed, she said safety and security of the students would be her primary concern. "Safety and security of students is first priority. We're here because of the students. The women come first, but everybody's safety is my main concern," she had said.

She added that she wanted to establish a "home-like atmosphere" for the students. "It's like a home away from home for many of us here, so the conditions should also be like the way they are at home. We want them to feel safe and strong here," she said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the crime branch, which has been investigating a sexual assault on a girl student and violence in the varsity, has summoned ex-chief proctor ON Singh and 20 other proctorial board members, according to 101Reporters. The crime branch has given them three days to respond. The Uttar Pradesh police, in its initial report on violence on campus, had held the university administration responsible.

A number of students, including women and two journalists, were injured in a baton charge by the police on 23 September in BHU where a protest turned violent.

Girl students at BHU have been protesting alleging gender bias, and demanding round-the-clock security, making security personnel accountable for untoward incidents involving girls. They have also demanded CCTV network, proper checking at the gates, recruitment of women security guards and setting up of a gender sensitisation panel.

With inputs from agencies
Srinagar: A preliminary probe has pointed towards the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba in the killing of a BSF jawan at his home in Bandipora, a senior police officer said on Thursday.

BSF constable Rameez Ahmed Parray (28), who was on leave, was stabbed before being shot dead last night, he said.

"A group of three to four militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out the attack. Mehmood Bhai, a Pakistani resident seen in the area recently, was accompanying them," IGP North Kashmir Nitish Kumar said.

He said that after barging into the constable's home, the militants "first attacked him with a knife and then opened indiscriminate fire on him".

The jawan's father, two brothers and an aunt suffered gunshot wounds.

The father of the slain jawan is on ventilator. His condition is stated to be critical.

"The incident is being probed thoroughly. Efforts are on to neutralize the terrorists involved in the act as soon as possible," the officer said.

Kumar said the militants were "desperate to do something" as security forces had had "major successes" at several places in north Kashmir.

"They (militants) choose a soft target," he said.
Jammu: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday denounced the killing of two of its troops by Pakistani snipers along the Jammu and Kashmir border, officials said, adding Pakistan Rangers promised to maintain peace on the troubled frontier.

The BSF lodged its complain at a meeting of its sector commanders with those of Pakistan Rangers on the international border in Suchetgarh area of Jammu district.

The meeting lasted one hour and 45 minutes and was held at the request of Pakistan Rangers, a BSF statement said.

At the meeting, the BSF strongly objected to the "dastardly acts of sniping" by Pakistan Rangers of two BSF soldiers on 24 September and 25 August along the border security fence and the "unprovoked cross-border firing and shelling" on many Indian border villages.

The BSF officers made it clear that such provocative acts won't be tolerated and that the BSF shall respond "with equal and more measures".

They also strongly objected to allowing armed militants close to the international border at night so that they could sneak into Jammu and Kashmir.

"Pakistan Rangers (promised to take) required measures to maintain peace at the border and also requested that the BSF should restrain as much as possible in counter measures to see that no civilian loss is caused on the Pakistan side," the statement said.

The two sides decided to re-energize instant communication between field commanders, when required, to resolve petty matters.

The BSF said the meeting was held in "a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere" and both sides agreed to expeditiously implement the decisions taken in the earlier meetings and promised to maintain peace on the border.

The BSF delegation of 17 officers was led by PS Dhiman, deputy inspector general of Jammu sector. Brigadier Amjad Hussain, Sector Commander of Chenab Rangers led a delegation of 14 Pakistani officers.

The previous meeting of sector commanders was held on 9 March.

Friday's meeting follows heavy shelling and firing on the international border this month "in which the BSF gave strong calibrated reply to Pakistan Rangers.

"During this period, the BSF foiled successfully a number of infiltration attempts from Pakistan soil including killing of an intruder on 4 September in Arnia sector," it said.
Chennai: With the storage level at Mettur Dam reaching a comfortable position, Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswamy on Thursday ordered release of water for irrigation in the Cauvery delta districts from 2 October.

The chief minister also announced a scheme for samba (long-term crops) at an estimated Rs 41.15 crore, covering the delta districts.

As on date, following good rains, the water level at the Mettur dam was 88.29 feet as against the full level of 120 feet, Palaniswamy said.

"I have directed release of water from Mettur dam from 2 October for samba considering the present water level and anticipating inflows from reservoirs in Karnataka," he said in a statement.

The decision was also taken anticipating a normal northeast monsoon, one that brings the bulk of rainfall for Tamil Nadu, he added.

He said the sluices of the reservoir, which feeds the Cauvery delta districts, could not be opened on the customary date of 12 June for short-term kuruvai crops for want of adequate water following the drought last year.

However, his government had announced a Rs 56.92 crore scheme to promote pulses plantation then, Palaniswamy said.

Similarly, the government will implement a Rs 41.15 crore samba scheme for the Cauvery delta areas covering Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Tiruchirappalli and Karur among others, he said.

The highlights of the scheme include subsidy for direct sowing and spraying of pesticide besides for farm equipment.

Cooperative and nationalised banks have been directed to provide adequate crop loans, he said.

The chief minister also referred to the Cauvery river water dispute between his state and Karnataka.

Despite the publication of the 2007 final award of the Cauvery Disputes Tribunal in a central gazette, Karnataka "does not release" Tamil Nadu's share of water from the river, he said.

Tamil Nadu had therefore moved the Supreme Court in 2013 calling for the formation of the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, he recalled.

The state was also repeatedly urging the Centre to constitute the bodies, he added.
Although the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban on immersion of Durga idols on the tenth day of Muharram, no pandals have made a formal request for immersion on 1 October. The deadline for seeking permission for idol immersion was on Friday at 5.30 pm.

Times Now reported that, "As per BJP leader Rahul Sinha, the West Bengal government misused the law and order authorities to scare people away from seeking permission for 1 October."

The West Bengal government had banned idol immersion after 10 pm on 30 September  Dashami  when Durga Puja ends. This was done to prevent a law and order situation.

The absence of requests can be said to be a victory for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is involved in a bitter war of words with the BJP.

However, according to Hindustan Times, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court ruled that "immersions should be allowed if the police found that the processions would not jeopardise the law and order situation".

"There are about 25,000 community pujas in all the districts combined. So far we have not received a single application," Additional Director General (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma was quoted by Hindustan Times.

According to the newspaper, Kolkata Police senior officer ruled out the possibility of "any last-minute" application.

On 21 September, the Calcutta High Court questioned the West Bengal government's attempts to curb Durga idol immersion, as per PTI.

The high court further said that the state cannot hinder a citizen's right to practise religion on the basis of a mere assumption of law and order disruption and must provide sound reasons for doing so.

Hearing three PILs challenging the restrictions on immersion of idols at the end of the five-day Durga Puja festival, a bench, comprising Justice Harish Tandon, said a mere assumption that a law and order situation might arise, owing to Vijaya Dashami and Muharram falling one after the other, could not be the basis of imposing curbs on immersion timings.

After the high court said that the West Bengal government cannot ban the immersion of Durga idols on Muharram, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "I will do what I can to keep the peace." In a defiant tone, Banerjee further said, "Slit my throat but no one tells me what to do," according to NDTV.

With inputs from PTI
At least 22 were killed, and dozens injured after a stampede ensued on a foot-over bridge during the early morning rush at Elphinstone Road station on Friday. The tragedy took place amid rain in the city around 10.40 am when the foot-over bridge was heavily crowded, a police official said. Police suspect a short-circuit with a loud sound near the foot-over bridge led to panic and people started running, resulting in the stampede. Officials of the railway, police and fire brigade are at the site to carry out rescue operations.

Short circuit rumour led to tragedy

Speaking to Firstpost, survivors recounted their horrors. Miitesh Jethva, a regular commuter told Firstpost that sudden rains caught commuters by surprise which triggered panic at the foot-over bridge. "There is usually a huge rush at the station everyday, but because of the rains people wanted shelter and there was a sudden huge rush at the bridge. In no time, People soon started falling over each other like dominoes. The incident happened at 10.45 am."

Another eyewitness, Ajay Ghate, said that the chaos at the foot-over bridge started due to rumours of short circuit then later that the bridge had collapsed.

"People panicked and in the rush to get off the bridge, caused heavy casualties. People were stranded on northern side of the Elphinstone bridge and the staircase towards the Dadar end due to sudden gush of heavy rains. As the crowd on the bridge showed no signs of dissipating, people started breaking the galvanised sheets along the bridge and threw several of the injured people down the bridge so that they don't suffocate and die," Ghate said.

According to Ghate, who was on the bridge, atleast 7-8 people died on the spot. There were just 2-3 RPF staff to help the injured people at the time of stampede. Police officials came to the spot almost 45 minutes after the incident.

Injured and dead at KEM Hospital

3/3 Senior Railway officers have reached Elphisten Road station FOB to monitor relief work @drmbct  Western Railway (@WesternRly) September 29, 2017

At least 20 to 25 people are seriously injured among dozens who were hurt, Firstpost reported.

.@RailMinIndia @WesternRly this is parel / elphinston bridge. We heard People died due to stampede ? Good returns of my tax! @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/Yj0tySttCo  Chirag Joshi (@chiragmjoshi) September 29, 2017

Out of the dozens injured, at least 6 to 7 people have sustained serious fractures. Four of those injured have been shifted to the KEM Hospital. a Disaster Management official told Firstpost. Western Railway confirmed that all the dead as well as the injured have been admitted to Parel's KEM Hospital.

Injured persons in North FOB incidence at Elphistone Road admitted in KEM HOSPITAL. @Gmwrly visited them in hospital @drmbct 1/2  Western Railway (@WesternRly) September 29, 2017

The road going towards the bridge linking Parel and Elphinstone Road closed for now

Railway minister to arrive shortly

Sources told Firstpost, Railway minister Piyush Goyal arrived at KEM Hospital, where all the injured are being treated. Speaking to CNN-News18, Mumbai mayor Vishesh Marudeshwar said that the BMC will make sure that there will be no such incidents in the future.

While Marudeshwar has promised action, commuters, who survived Friday's stampede, were angry at the shoddy condition of stations and foot-over bridges in the city. In a city, where local trains are the lifeline for daily commuters, how can the government be so lackadaisical, asked angry commuters. Many even raised slogans like "Piyush Goyal haye haye" against Goyal.

Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways: Piyush Goyal,Railway Minister  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

Modi, Fadnavis and Kovind tweet condolences Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and President of India Ramnath Kovind tweeted their condolences.

My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017

Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017

Fadnavis also announced a ex-gratia of Rs five for the kin of all deceased and also announced that the medical expenses of all injured will be borne by the government.

Saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone railway station, foot over bridge.#Mumbai  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

5 lakh announced for the next of the kins of deceased and all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by GoM.#Elphinstone  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured  #PresidentKovind  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 29, 2017

This is a very sad day and the accident that happened at the Elphinstone Road Station is extremely worrisome. I have ordered a high-level enquiry into the matter," Goyal told media gathered outside the Mumbai International airport on Friday.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: Criticising the railways for "criminal negligence" resulting in the death of at least 22 persons in a foot overbridge stampede in Mumbai, the Congress on Friday advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "change the face of the railways and not ministers".

"We would like to tell the Prime Minister that you can't placate the public by just changing railway ministers. If you have to change anything, change the railways' face," Congress spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said here.

After a series of rail accidents, Modi shifted Suresh Prabhu out of the Railway Ministry in a Cabinet reshuffle earlier in September and elevated Piyush Goyal as the new railway minister.

"The Prime Minister should give real solutions to the Railway Ministry rather than changing Railway Ministers. This is a huge dereliction of duty on his (Narendra Modi's) part," she added.

Dev said the Narendra Modi government had "misplaced priorities" and that instead of spending money on bullet trains, the government should focus on improving railways' basic infrastructure.

She said while the railways had hiked the cost of platform ticket from Rs 10 to Rs 20 in view of festival rush, it had not cared to take measures to increase passenger safety.

At least 22 commuters were killed and many more injured in a stampede on a narrow railway foot overbridge connecting the Parel and Elphinstone Road stations on the Western Railway section of Mumbai on Friday morning. The death count is feared to go up.

"Time and again, the commuters have complained about the safety of this foot overbridge. Even the Central Railway in 2015 had accepted that this heritage bridge linking Parel and Elphinstone Road stations was structurally weak' and had decided to direct the footfall to the other bridge connecting Dadar and Parel by extending it to the eastern end of Parel as a temporary measure," Dev said.

"But due to slow progress of work and criminal negligence of the railway authorities, no concrete action was taken," she added.

The Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and asked the government to raise the compensation amount to "at least Rs 50 lakh" from Rs 5 lakh announced by the government.

"There are 1.42 lakh vacant posts in the railway safety department. The next of kin of railway accident victims should be given those jobs, so that their kitchens keep running," Dev said.

The Congress spokesperson also asked for a safety audit of all foot overbridges, platforms and overhead bridges in the entire Mumbai suburban railway system.

"The Modi government has raised railway tariff by 70 percent in the last three years. As many as 259 passengers have been killed and 973 injured in 29 major railway accidents that have occurred since the Modi government took office," she pointed out.

She also questioned the wisdom of merging the Railway Budget with the General Budget on the pretext of increasing railways' revenue share.

"The Modi government merged the Railway Budget with the General Budget so that the railways does not have to pay the annual dividend they have to pay for gross budgetary support from the government every year. This means that the railways should have enough money to spend for improving infrastructure and safety," she said.

The Congress demanded implementation of the Bibek Debroy and Anil Kakodkar committees' recommendations on railway safety.
Mumbai: Nineteen of the 22 people killed in a stampede at a railway foot overbridge (FOB) in Mumbai on Friday morning have been identified, a civic official said.

"We carried out a detailed verification of documents and ascertained the identity of 19 victims (deceased) so far," IA Kundan, Additional Municipal Commissioner, told PTI.

A help desk has been set up at KEM Hospital to facilitate the identity of those killed, who were taken to the civic body-run medical facility, and share details with their relatives, she said.

Postmortem examinations are being carried out after which the bodies will be handed over to their families, the officer said.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on this story
Twenty-two people lost their lives in a stampede on a narrow foot-over bridge connecting the Elphinstone Road and Parel railway stations in Mumbai on Friday, and the tragedy directed attention to the infrastructural inadequacies and administrative apathy towards such complaints in the past.

The tragedy struck around peak rush hour in Mumbai's Elphinstone Road area, where several corporate offices are located. However, it emerged that Shiv Sena MP from South Mumbai, Arvind Sawant, had complained about the narrow foot-over bridge over two years ago, and had even written a letter to then railway minister Suresh Prabhu. In his letter, Sawant brought the Railways' attention to the state of the Elphinstone Road station, and demanded an overhaul of the bridge.

Reacting to Sawant's letter, the Railways had assured that a new foot-over bridge to connect Mumbai's Western and Central lines is "under positive consideration".

This had come with a letter dated 20 February, 2016, and Sawant also released an advertisement saying this.

According to CNN-News18, the Railways had then cleared the construction of a new bridge, even sanctioning Rs 11.8 crore to this end.

#MumbaiStampede -- Former Railway Min Suresh Prabhu sanctioned Rs. 11.86 crore for construction of foot overbridge at #Elphinstone in 2015 pic.twitter.com/dcH2RRjHoD  News18 (@CNNnews18) September 29, 2017

The new bridge was to be constructed to the north end of the station, and would be 12 metres wide. The bridge, if it had been constructed on time, could have saved several lives.

It's not known why the project never took off, or what the current status of the bridge is.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra state government announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to families of the dead and free medical treatment to the injured.

With inputs from agencies
Twenty-two commuters were killed in Mumbai on Friday when a stampede broke out on a narrow railway foot over-bridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel stations when hundreds took shelter there to escape pounding rains, officials said.

At least 39 were injured, some critically, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Disaster Control said after the morning peak hour tragedy struck on the suburban network  the veritable lifeline of the country's commercial capital.

Many among the 77 lakh plus daily railway commuters, numbed by the unprecedented tragedy, besides politicians, slammed the proposed Bullet Train and demanded that funds meant for it should be diverted to improve commuter safety on the existing network.

Rumours, rain, or poor infrastructure, what killed 22 people?

Just what caused the stampede was not clear but in no time people desperately trying to get out of the old bridge collapsed over one another, many instantly crushed to death. The dead included 14 men and eight women.

So far, various versions of the incidents suggest that the narrow bridge  a bare 77-inch-wide stretch at a station that sees very heavy footfalls  created a bottleneck at the exit as roughly five trains on both Up and Down routes stopped-by. Meanwhile, the people at the exit point were taken by surprise when unexpected heavy rains started pounding the area. Several people, reportedly fainted on the chock-a-block bridge, while others started panicking because of the suffocation. Within no time, rumours were afloat that a section of the bridge has caved in, spurring the panicked mob into a stampede.

Some dazed survivors claimed the panic run followed rumours of a short-circuit  later found to be untrue. Railway officials blamed overcrowding on the bridge due to the downpour as hundreds gathered to take shelter and more kept pouring in.

The site resembled a war zone with hundreds of wailing commuters, many of them trapped between the footsteps on the stairs and on the gaps in the handlebars and railings. Some even dangled precariously from the bridge while local trains zoomed below.

By the time it was all over, there was a large scattered heap of bloodstained slippers and shoes, handbags or briefcases, tiffin boxes and water bottles, spectacles, crushed mobiles and broken jewellery, pieces of torn clothes and other belongings of the commuters.

A tragedy that was waiting to happen?

The decades-old over-bridge is used by lakhs of people to commute to the commercial area with high-end corporate and media offices. The presence of fish and flower market nearby also adds to the congestion. Moreover, the barely 70-inch-wide bridge is the lone-link between the Central and the Western Line stations in the busy commercial area. Another foot over-bridge was built, reportedly at a cost of Rs 2 crore but it is barely used because its exit lands towards the east end of Prabhadevi area, while the rush is mostly towards the west.

"There is a war-like situation every day here during morning and evening hours. People fight a war to come out or enter the stations," Arun Tiwari, a daily commuter told PTI. The number of commuters who alight at these two stations has grown exponentially because of the new offices in the area. Old, Victorian-era mills have given way to glass-and-concrete towers, housing swanky offices. However, the infrastructure of the local railways, which is ironically called the life-line of the maximum city, has failed to keep pace with the exponential growth in the footfall at the local station.

Besides, the structural inadequacies were an open secret. A number of daily commuters had lodged complaints with the rail authorities but to no avail. "We had given a letter to the railway administration six months ago with a request to do something to improve the shoddy state of affairs here," another daily commuter told PTI.

It was also discovered that former railway minister Suresh Prabhu had apparently released Rs 11.8 crore for building a new foot-over bridge to connect Mumbai's Western and Central lines in the Prabhadevi area, after the Shiv Sena MP from South Mumbai, Arvind Sawant, drew his attention to the matter. The bridge, if it had been constructed on time, could have saved several lives.

The aftermath

Apparently, it took 22 lives to spur railways authority into action, who on the same day announced that the tender for building the new foot over-bridge has been floated. The 40 feet wide FOB was announced in the 2016 Railway Budget and was part of the Rs 45-crore budget earmarked towards escalators, foot over-bridges and Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) for Mumbai suburban section. The new bridge, to cost approximately Rs 9.5 crore, is expected to be open for commuters by early next year, PTI reported.

The first to respond to the disaster were taxi drivers and motorists who rushed the injured and the barely living to the KEM Hospital in Parel in cabs and even two-wheelers. Railway minister Piyush Goyal - who was in Mumbai to inaugurate around 100 new train services  announced a high-level probe into the tragedy. When Goyal and Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde reached the hospital to meet the injured, they faced demonstrations and sloganeering by thousands of angry commuters and Shiv Sainiks demanding accountability for the deaths.

Goyal also set up a high-level enquiry into the incident and ordered audits at all local stations to determine loopholes in safety arrangements. Holding a series of meetings with high-ranking officials of Western Railway and Central Railway, Goyal ordered setting up of multi-disciplinary teams to visit and inspect all suburban stations and identify areas of concern. Goyal also directed the railways to draw up plans for all suburban stations to upgrade their electronic surveillance by installing CCTVs in a time-bound manner.

The Central and Maharashtra governments announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to families of the dead besides compensation and free medical treatment to the injured. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was in Singapore, announced a separate probe into the incident and compensation for the victims, most of who were identified by late evening.

The hospital appealed for blood donations. Thousands of Mumbaikars responded. Within hours, all the hospital's requirements were met. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief.

"My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured," Modi tweeted.

And the politics!

While the incident 'sabotaged' the railway minister's plans for the day, it provided fresh fuel to BJP's 'frenemy' Shiv Sena and Opposition Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party to attack the proposed Rs 1.08 lakh crore Bullet Train project.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut termed the deaths "a public massacre" and demanded criminal proceedings against the railway minister and top railway officials on charges of "culpable homicide not amounting to murder".

Congress leader Ashok Chavan demanded a judicial probe and stringent action against the guilty, while Sonia Gandhi called the tragedy a man-made disaster. Criticising the railways for "criminal negligence", the party also took a jibe on Modi advising him to "change the face of the railways and not ministers". A party spokesperson also said that Modi had "misplaced priorities" and that instead of spending money on bullet trains, the government should focus on improving railways' basic infrastructure.

NCP senior leader Jitendra Awhad said the government had promised to fund a Rs 46,000 crore project to overhaul Mumbai's suburban railway network. It was mum on the long-pending suburban elevated rail corridor and instead was focussing on an expensive Bullet Train. Congress and NCP leaders also demanded the resignation of railway minister, who took charge this month.

The festival-eve calamity sparked off angry reactions on social media, with many questioning lapses vis-a-vis safety and security of commuters even as mega-projects like Bullet Trains are announced. Many Mumbaikars said they had abandoned plans to go on weekend outings or shopping for Dussehra on Saturday. Appeals came up on the social media to cancel or curtail Friday night's final Navratri celebrations as a mark of respect to the stampede victims.

With inputs from agencies and contributions from Aprameya Rao, Bindisha Sarang, Sanjay Sawant and Sulekha Nair.
Mumbai: In a blistering attack on its ally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena on Friday termed the stampede in which 22 railway commuters were killed as a "public massacre".

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told the media: "The stampede on the foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road railway station is a apublic massacre of the people by the government."

He slammed the BJP for the much-touted Bullet Train project and said commuters' safety and security must be accorded top priority.

Other Sena leaders demanded the resignation of railway minister Piyush Goyal, a Mumbaikar, who took over his new post in September, and sought the scrapping of the Bullet Train project.

Hundreds of Shiv Sena activists shouted slogans against Goyal and Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde near the KEM Hospital when the two leaders reached there.

Goyal arrived in Mumbai on Friday afternoon to launch a slew of new suburban train services as a Dussehra-eve bonanza but cancelled all his engagements after the tragedy.

In one of the worst tragedies on the Mumbai suburban network, 22 commuters were killed and another 32 were hurt in a massive stampede on a narrow connecting foot over-bridge between Elphinstone Road and Parel railway stations.

The calamity sparked off angry reactions on social media, with many questioning lapses vis-a-vis safety and security of commuters even as mega-projects like Bullet Trains are announced.

Click here for live updates
Panaji: The AAP in Goa on Thursday accused the BJP-led coalition government of double standards, saying while ACB officials are hounding leader of opposition and Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar, the same anti-graft agency is sleeping over graft charges against sitting ministers and government officials.

At a press conference in Panaji, state Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) general secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials had not acted on a complaint filed by the party in the CDM Smith case, seeking action against the accused.

"The ongoing drama surrounding the police investigation against Chandrakant Kavlekar is yet another instance of chief minister Manohar Parrikar's well-known trait of using the anti-corruption bogey for political convenience," Padgaokar said.

"If not, AAP challenges the chief minister to give the ACB head a free hand to register an FIR in the CDM Smith bribery case where his current Cabinet colleagues are under the cloud," he said.

The bribery scandal in Goa was discovered after the National Highways authority of India (NHAI) in July this year ordered an inquiry into the allegation that CDM Smith paid $1.18 million as graft to officials in order to get four contracts.

The Boston-based consultancy firm, as a matter of self-disclosure, had earlier informed in writing to the central government's road infrastructure agency that between two percent and four percent of the contract value had been paid to the officials to secure the contract.

Public Works Department (PWD) minister Sudin Dhavalikar had said he had ordered a probe into the allegations of graft.

The PWD, which oversees water supply works in the state, also executes road infrastructure-related works in tandem with the NHAI.

The AAP, however, claims that despite months having passed since the disclosures, which were endorsed by the NHAI, there was no effort being made to nab the accused.

The party official also maintained that a complaint filed in the CDM Smith case by AAP officials with the ACB is not being acted upon, accusing the ACB of being a "caged-parrot".
New Delhi: India cited Afghanistan NSA's statement on Friday rejecting Pakistan's claim that it had received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist, to assert that it was another addition to Islamabad's "imaginary lies".

The reaction came after Pakistan foreign minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif suggested that he received the proposal to swap Jadhav with the terrorist, lodged in an Afghan jail, during his meeting with an NSA. However, Khwaja did not identify the NSA or the terrorist who was to be swapped.

Contradicting Asif's claim, the office of the Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar issued a statement saying there was no mention or reference to India or an Indian citizen during his meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister on 21 September in New York.

Asif had told a gathering at the Asia Society in New York on 26 September that Pakistan received a proposal to swap Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan.

Reacting strongly, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the statement by the office of the Afghan NSA suggested that the claim by Asif was one more addition to the long list of "imaginary lies" by Pakistani establishment.

The statement by Atmar's office said the two sides, during the meeting, had detailed discussions on a variety of issues including bilateral cooperation.

"The two sides also discussed sanctuaries in Pakistan and exchange of the top five Taliban leaders detained in Pakistan. There was no mention or reference to India or an Indian citizen," it said, adding Atmar was hopeful that the record of the meetings are reported accurately and facts are not "misconstrued".

The MEA spokesperson also referred to Pakistan's use of a "fake picture" in the United Nations General Assembly recently, adding the Pakistan foreign minister's claim was another lie.

"If you have gone through the press release (issued by Afghan NSA's office), it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies as stories which have been created by Pakistani establishment," said Kumar.

Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistan's field general court-martial on charges of his alleged "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against Pakistan.

In a hearing of the case on 18 May, a 10-member bench of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.

The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the gruesome Peshawar school attack in 2014 in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.
Following the visit of US Secretary of Defence James Mattis, the media has been agog with analysis of the visit. By and large, strategists are at one in agreeing that the visit signifies a deeper India-US engagement in Afghanistan, particularly following the rolling out of the Trump administrations Afghan strategy and Indias own quietly announced "strategy" as outlined in the joint statements of the Second Partnership Council meeting held in New Delhi recently.

While everyone agreed that India is expected to step up to the plate with a larger role, there is some hesitation in actually enunciating exactly in which areas India can "do more" as demanded by the US president, and more importantly, what more India can do to advance its own interests. An ideal India-US effort would be one that would marry both these lines of activities as far as possible, into specific areas on the ground.

Some of the plans for expansion of Indian development activities  which is after all the main plank of Indian presence in Afghanistan  is already outlined in the joint statement at the end of the meeting of the Partnership Council. For one, the air cargo corridor is to be expanded to other cities besides Kabul. This is a vital development and extends trade opportunities for Afghans from various provinces across the country.

If India wishes to accommodate US interests, it is possible to twin this capability towards providing US forces non-lethal logistics for its troops. The troublesome logistical chain that goes through Pakistan remains prone to attacks by hostile elements whenever the Pakistan government is miffed with the US. These lines of communication that entered Karachi from the sea, towards the Afghan border were vital when the US troop strength was climbing to a hundred thousand. With the present total likely to be at about a fifth of that figure, the logistical chain can be easily replaced by India. Taking this role is risky given that it shifts the focus away from Indias consistent development agenda, but the point being made here is that it can be done. A less risky option is that of using our air cargo capability to transport in requirements for Afghanistan's security forces. Overall, both or either of these will result in Pakistan losing whatever existing leverage it still retains as a logistical node.

The second instance of India's pure development agenda is the announcement of 116 high-impact projects in 31 of the 34 provinces in Afghanistan. With only three provinces left out, this appears to be an effort to spread out Indian aid into as large an area as possible, and thus benefit a larger number of Afghans. While this is commendable, it risks aid being divided into penny packets. Ideally, aid needs to be concentrated towards an overall Indian objective.

Statements of such senior officials such as the foreign secretary, and the joint statement itself, seems to stress increased connectivity as an overall goal in bilateral engagements. If this was a priority, it would be useful if aid and assistance be directed into those provinces through which such a corridor would be expected to pass towards Central Asia. Trade corridors need sustenance along the way  for instance warehouses, customs and security capabilities, border infrastructure to mention a few  apart from specific skills that go with such

infrastructure. A trade corridor will succeed only when it is seen as improving the lives of local people in these provinces, a lesson that China should learn as it pushes through with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir, where locals oppose the CPEC on the grounds that it does nothing for them.

A trade corridor through Afghanistan should serve the US strategy as well, which specifically stated that Afghans cannot expect a "blank cheque" but must carry a part of the economic burden. To be able to do this, Afghanistan has to be enabled to maximise its exports. The hiccup here is of course whether the US would reconcile to the fact that Chahbahar in Iran, is the only viable exit for such a route. A nod from the US would give a fillip to a trade corridor, and open up Indian assistance in the setting up of the entire gamut of infrastructure including warehouses, power and most importantly, banking and financial institutions to back this. Afghanistans ability to pay for itself, and thereby reduce the costs to the US  which is apparently a bugbear of President Trump  is dependent on such an initiative.

A third issue is one that received only a passing reference in the India-Afghanistan Joint Statement, and none at all in the US strategy. This is the question of narcotics. Afghanistan continues to be the largest opium producer in the world, with opiate production surging every year after a brief dip in 2015. What is of even more relevance to the war in Afghanistan is that an overwhelming 85 percent of areas under cultivation are under Taliban control or areas of high influence. Simply put, an erosion of the narcotics trade would seriously hit Taliban funds and Taliban leaders personally. Leaders like Maulvi Abdul Zahir, formerly agriculture minister in the Taliban government, is known to be heavily involved in narcotics trafficking. Another drug lord was a minister for Haj and religious affairs.

Analysts now believe that the Taliban are a drug cartel in the fullest sense of the term. In fact, a large part of the fighting is believed to be dictated by the need to exert control over drug routes or cultivation areas. Witness the jostling for Badghis which is the entry for trade into Russia and the almost unending fight for Helmand, the wellspring of drug cultivation. Unsurprisingly, the nodes of finance are in Pakistan, often under the control of Taliban leaders or their cutouts.

It is hardly likely that Pakistan Intelligence would be unaware of its activities. Indeed, with much of drug money being banked in Pakistan, it is entirely possible that this segment this forms a significant part of Pakistans own economy. Analysts have argued reasonably that fighting the Taliban, while allowing them to rake in the profits of the drug industry is like trying to empty out a well with a bucket of water. Counter Narcotics experts in their turn have called for a complete and effective ending of narcotics production with the use of aerial spraying among other methods. However, US officials and aid agencies feel that such a move would ruin Afghanistan, and add unemployed youth to the ranks of the Taliban.

In this assessment, they are only partly right. They forget that in the 1970s Afghanistan was once self-sufficient in food production, and a net exporter of agricultural produce, including dried fruits and nuts, or derived from agricultural products including karakul skins, wool, cotton, and rugs. This long-lost capability can be revived, if India and the US work together to knit projected Indian assistance in hydropower and irrigation, to US counter-narcotics expertise. Certainly, such an effort will have to move district by district, eliciting local support in these areas.

The realities that underlie the basis of a counter-narcotics strategy are simple. Data indicates that there are some 80,000 growers and their families, and another 4,80,000 itinerant agricultural workers. This is a formidable figure and certainly, indicates that efforts towards alternate crops will have to be slow. But heres the really notable figure. Actual traders and traffickers are less than 10-20,000. That means that the core of the counter-narcotics programme has to be carried out by the US in Pakistan, even while India carries out an alternative agricultural programme. This is a partnership that ideally, even Russia could be persuaded to cooperate with, given the serious security implications from the narcotics surge.

The 'endless war' in Afghanistan is at a critical juncture, where the US has definitely indicated that it sees a strong Indian role as beneficial to its own objectives in the war-torn country. Conversely, it has identified Pakistan as the main culprit. Indian objectives should not, however, be dominated by a desire to be one up on Pakistan. While retaining all capabilities and initiatives to end terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the bloody nexus with narcotics, an overall effort aimed at stabilisation of Afghanistan could include Pakistan in areas where it has a capability or shows a willingness to assist. For instance, Pakistan Army-led anti-narcotics force has a formidable capability. Consultations between Indian, Afghan and Pakistani narcotics teams may sound like the stuff of nightmares at present. But the seeds have to be sown for cooperation. Their germination will depend on whether Pakistan can be kept isolated by major powers until its own leaders decide that cooperation is better than castigation from international podiums.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday gave financial assistance to victims of pellet injuries during mob control in the Valley, an official statement said.

Mehbooba Mufti disbursed the aid to a group of people who suffered injuries last year when security forces used pellet guns to quell the unprecedented mob violence the Valley witnessed last year in the aftermath of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani's killing in a gunfight with security forces on 8 July, 2016.

This is the second group of injured victims who were provided financial assistance by the state government, after a group of 17 visually impaired victims had been provided financial assistance by Mehbooba Mufti on 14 September.

"The Chief Minister has initiated a series of measures for the rehabilitation, social integration and empowerment of victims of violence in the State and providing financial assistance to them is one aspect of these measures.

"The injured who were provided financial assistance on Thursday were affected due during law and order situations last year," the statement said.
Srinagar: Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar on Friday to prevent a Muharram procession, police said. Starting from the Guru Bazar locality, the Shia procession would end at the Dalgate area.

After separatist violence started in Kashmir, authorities have not allowed the procession since 1990.

Heavy deployments of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full riot gear were made in the restricted areas.

Pedestrian and vehicular movement was also suspended.

Life in other areas of Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley, however, remained normal.
Makhan Lal Fotedar, a veteran Congress leader who was introduced into the party by former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, died on Thursday at Medanta hospital in Gurugram at the age of 85. Fotedar was suffering from diabetes, hypertension and respiratory infection and had been admitted on 20 June.

Fotedar climbed the ranks and gradually became one of the most important Congress leaders. He was also a member of the powerful Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, for a long time. Even now, he was a permanent invitee to the CWC.

Party president Sonia Gandhi expressed her condolences and said, "In his long and active political career spanning over five decades, he tirelessly fought for the rights of people and served them with the utmost integrity." She also said that Fotedar was "one of the guiding lights for the Congress party and has left behind a void which can never be filled."

Meanwhile Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said that Fotedar was a pillar of strength for the party.

Fotedar ji was a pillar of strength in the Congress party. His demise is a big loss to us.My condolences to his family in this hour of grief  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) September 28, 2017

However, Fotedar was not so fond of Rahul. In his political memoir, The Chinar Leaves, Fotedar said that former prime minister Indira Gandhi wanted to see granddaughter Priyanka join politics. According to The Indian Express, he had informed Sonia about Indira's wish but the Congress president had made up her mind to induct Rahul. Some have attributed his isolation from the party in the latter years of his life to this memoir and his revelations.

He receded into the background after the Rajiv Gandhi era, falling essentially to internal power machinations and generational shift, according to Hindustan Times.

However, Fotedar's stature in the party under Indira could be gauged from the fact that he was a close confidant of the former prime minister and also a witness to her will. Later, he also enjoyed Rajiv Gandhi's confidence  first as his political secretary and later a cabinet colleague. Mani Shankar Aiyar, according to The Indian Express report, said that Fotedar was among the few leaders who survived the Indira-to-Rajiv transition.

He was often called Congress' Chanakya for helping the party consolidate its position in many parts of the country.

Fotedar represented the Pahalgam seat in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from 1967 to 1977 and later served two terms as member of the Rajya Sabha. Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said that he was a link between the party and the chief ministers. According to The Indian Express, Congress old-timers said that nothing in the party happened without Fotedar's knowledge during Indira Gandhi's time.

After Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, he also wanted Sonia to take over the reins of the party, but later did not shy away from questioning the leadership credentials of the Gandhi scion. It was Fotedar, who had called Rahul a "reluctant politician," despite Sonia's decision to anoint her son the successor of Nehru-Gandhi legacy. He saw a certain stubbornness and a lack of motivation to lead in the current party vice-president. He had even suggested that it is only a matter of time before Rahul faced an internal challenge to his authority. "Rahul Gandhi's leadership is unacceptable to this country and Sonia Gandhi has her best years behind her," he had said.

In his memoir, Fotedar also said that family pressure and not the call of conscience led Sonia to decline the prime minister's post in 2004. However, Fotedar also said that "Sonia Gandhi is not Indira Gandhi" and "Rahul Gandhi is not Rajiv Gandhi."

According to The Financial Express, Fotedar said in his book that Indira Gandhi had intuitions about her death. In his book he recalled the former prime minister's visit to Kashmir and said that during one of her visits, a puja was organised at Sharika Devi temple for two hours and the moment she tasted the prasad, she got a feeling that she won't be alive for a long time. The prasad had fell on the floor when they priest was giving it to her.
Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday dodged a question on the recent photograph gaffe by its top diplomat in the UN General Assembly, saying the incident cannot be used to deny an "indisputable fact" that Indian security forces were using pellet guns in Kashmir.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, held up a photograph of an injured Gaza girl whose face was peppered with alleged pellets and portrayed it as a Kashmiri pellet gun victim.

Asked about his reaction to the gaffe, Pakistan's foreign office spokesman Nafess Zakaria side-stepped the question at the weekly briefing and instead blamed Indian security forces for blinding Kashmiris.

"India cannot deny around 80 Kashmiris completely blinded deliberately by its forces and blinding of over 200 innocent Kashmiris in one eye," he claimed.

"India cannot deny injuring thousands of Kashmiris using pellet guns... It is an indisputable fact," Zakaria claimed.

He also accused India of playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan and under the garb of development assistance using the country's soil to carry out subversive activities inside Pakistan.

"We have evidence to this effect, which was shared with the US, the Secretary General of the UN and also with the Afghan authorities," Zakaria said.
Mumbai: The NCP on Thursday demanded an ACB probe into alleged irregularities in funds sanctioned for development work in minority-dominated pockets of rural Maharashtra.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said on 31 March, 2017, the minorities development department, headed by senior BJP minister Vinod Tawde, had issued orders sanctioning grants for development works worth Rs 6.32 crore in the minority-dominated pockets.

"But official papers now reveal that 26 projects among these were given grants without any administrative or technical sanction," he said and also demanded the resignation of Tawde.

Malik added that irregular works, spread across nine districts, were worth over Rs two crore.

The former NCP minister demanded a probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) into the alleged irregularities.

Tawde, who handles nearly half a dozen ministries, made light of Malik's allegations and said they should not be taken seriously.

"Tawde handles departments that have an overall budget of Rs 30,000 crore. A desk officer has given in writing that Tawde's OSD had received money (for releasing funds). Clearly, a racket has been going on and it needs to be properly investigated by the ACB," Malik said.

"The government is trying to brush this scam under the carpet. Tawde must immediately resign for a fair probe to take place," he said.

Shashikant Salunkhe, a desk officer working in the minorities welfare department, was suspended in June after the alleged irregularities came to light.

Reportedly, the irregularities first came to light on 24 April, when Tawde received complaints from some MLAs in this regard.

The department revoked the order for the 26 works five days later and issued a show-cause notice to Salunkhe.

Reacting to Malik's allegations, Tawde said the NCP leader should not be taken seriously as he has made "absurd" claims in the past too.

"The principal secretary (of the department) had sought an explanation from the desk officer but he could not give a satisfactory reply. He made the allegations (against Tawde's OSD) to save himself," Tawde claimed.

If the desk officer proves his claims, action will be taken against errant persons, the minister said.
Examinations in India are no stranger to scams or usage of fraudulent means. After the Bihar topper scam which exposed a nexus of corruption in the state education system, conspicuous irregularities in conducting the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) are constantly emerging. It is an eligibility and entrance test, making it the only test which a student needs to take for admission in a medical college.

In the latest disclosure, Hindustan Times reported that a section of candidates with high scores in NEET conspired with private colleges to block seats till the last minute, allowing the institutes to sell those seats to low-rank holders later on. Private colleges in at least three states  Bihar, Karnataka and Puducherrry  might be been involved in the corrupt practice, commission agents told Hindustan Times. The fradulent means associated with NEET have many similarities with the Madhya Pradesh medical examination scam, better known as the Vyapam scam.

Vyapam-like scam?

The whistleblower in the Vyapam scam, Anand Rai, said that he will move the Delhi High Court for a CBI probe into alleged use of fraudulent means by candidates in NEET for post-graduate medical courses held in November last year. The Hindu quoted Rai as saying, "Share-in software was used to leak the paper."

Rai later demanded cancellation of the admission of all 'fraudsters' who managed to get admitted in the top colleges.

The Delhi Police subsequently filed a chargesheet against Prometric Testings Pvt Ltd, the software company hired to handle NEET 2017. According to News18, Prometric told the Delhi Crime Branch that the software breach was possible and could have helped students connect via internet. In its 20-page chargesheet, the crime branch said that Prometric failed to identify the alleged 'Ammyy Admin'  that was used by the accused to hack the examination software.

The accused persons, along with site-supervisors, engineers and technical staff, managed to provide internet access to students sitting for the examination. A crime branch official told The New Indian Express, "accused took help of local software engineers, old students to hack the software. It is a well planned, well-organised crime. It has been found during the investigation that accused asked students to choose specific centers."

The site-supevisor of the Chandigarh centre used the Ammyy Admin to connect the students with people outside who solved the papers on their behalf.

Imposters writing exam

The Delhi Police suspects the involvement of over 200 people with medical degrees as well as doctors in a test-rigging scam where touts appeared and wrote the exam for aspirants. India Today quoted a police officer as saying, "We have identified some of the fake candidates (degree holders) who used to charge Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh from touts to crack entrance examinations."

The touts would charge a hefty sum from aspirants and then imposters would take the test and usually crack it, the report added. The touts also have good connections with college officials, who help them slip through biometric examination.

A senior Medical Council of India official also warned students against falling prey to such touts. "Students who get direct admission by paying money to agents or the colleges can be caught easily and we will cancel their admission," Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.

Fake question paper

The alleged kingpin of the racket, Uma Shankar Gupta, duping students in the name of providing NEET question papers was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Rajasthan Police. He ran an education consultancy company and had promised at least 10 students that he would provide them with question papers in lieu of money, according to The Times of India. The ATS team found students' marksheets, computers and several cheques from Gupta's room.

Officials also suspect that he took money from wealthy aspirants and fielded imposters to take the exam in their place.

Medical college aspirant Anitha commits suicide

Nineteen-year-old Anitha, who fought against NEET committed suicide allegedly for not getting admission in a medical college. Anitha, who had scored 1,176 marks out of 1,200 in the plus two exams under the Tamil Nadu state board, was however not able to score high marks in the NEET to secure a medical seat. Former Union minister and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said the state government headed by Chief Minister K Palaniswamy and the Central government should accept responsibility for her death as they had initially assured that Tamil Nadu will get a one-year exemption from NEET.

The scams which have been uncovered following NEET helped the less-deserving students get a seat in top medical colleges while students like Anitha were left to languish. The CBI and Delhi police have arrested two people involved in the hacking scam and claimed to have cracked the case. Even though the police managed to solve this case, new scams related to NEET are cropping up everyday.

With inputs from agencies
Srinagar: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is visiting Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to review the preparedness of the soldiers on borders and security in the hinterland.

The two-day visit would be her first since she assumed office as the Defence Minister of the country.

Sources in the ministry said Sitharaman will visit forward posts on the line of control (LoC) in the Valley, the line of actual control (LAC) between India and China in the Ladakh region and the Siachen Glacier  world's highest battle field at an altitude 5,400 metres during the visit.

"Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat is likely to accompany the Defence Minister during her Jammu and Kashmir visit," sources said.

She will also review the security situation in the valley with top army commanders focusing on anti-militancy operations those have taken a heavy toll of militants during the recent months.

Almost all top commanders of various militant outfits have been eliminated since operation 'All Out' was started by the security forces.

"Anti-militancy operations will be reviewed by the defence ministry during her stay in the state," sources said.
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London: Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy faces a long injury lay-off after the Premier League leaders confirmed on Thursday that he has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The 23-year-old French international, signed for 50 million ($67 million) from Monaco in the summer, will undergo surgery in Barcelona on Friday on the injury he suffered in last weekend's victory over Crystal Palace.

Mendy had already travelled to Barcelona to see City manager Pep Guardiola's personal medical team for tests on Thursday.

"After initial tests in Manchester at the start of the week, Benjamin travelled to Barcelona to see a specialist doctor, where further examinations of the knee confirmed the extent of the injury," read a Manchester City statement.

Bad news guys  ll be joining Injury FC on loan for a couple monthes with ruptured ACL... but will be back soon & stronger hopefully   Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) September 28, 2017

"Benjamin will undergo surgery tomorrow (Friday) in Barcelona, and everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery."
Editor's Note: Over 40,000 Rohingya refugees are living in India. The Government of India's recent announcement to deport them back to Myanmar has worried not just the Rohingya but also refugees from other parts of the world now living in Delhi. In the concluding part of this four-part series, Firstpost looks into the condition of Somalian refugees living in the nation's capital.

"I don't know where my parents are, and I don't know where my family is. I need them here with me," wept 17-year-old Abdullah Ibrahim, before a dark silence numbed him over. He stared into the grimy wall of an Arabic restaurant in South Delhi's Khirki village, where he works as an errand boy.

He opened four folds of a blue paper and called it his only possession. The "blue card" is an identification issued by the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees, but in the eyes of the Indian State, it has no legal validity.

In 2016, Ibrahim fled Galkayo, a district in Somalia's north-central Mudug region. Clashes between rival militias Galmudug and Puntland in central Galkayo city had killed at least 29 and wounded more than 50. The district is under the divided control of the warring militias, and last year, when conflict erupted over buildings planned in the region, schools were forced to shut and civilians fled for their lives.

Amnesty International, a non-governmental organisation that focusses on human rights, confirmed in its 2016/2017 report that armed conflict continues between Somali Federal Government (SFG) forces, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers and al-Shabaab, a jihadist fundamentalist group that has a history of killing civilians in public by firing mortars, beheading and stoning, and carrying out amputations and floggings.

The report details that more than 50,000 civilians were killed, injured or displaced as a result of the armed conflict and generalised violence, while about 4.7 million people needed humanitarian assistance; 950,000 didn't have food security.

As per the report, the federal Parliament passed a law in January to protect and rehabilitate IDPs and Somali refugees, but its implementation was slow. Over 1.1 million Somali refugees remained in neighbouring countries and the wider diaspora. As violence intensified in Yemen, Somalis who had fled continued to return home. By the end of the year, over 30,500 Somalis were back.

Meanwhile, other host countries, including Denmark and the Netherlands, intensified pressure on asylum-seekers and refugees to return to Somalia, saying security had improved in their country. As of end December 2014, there were some 31,000 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in India. Out of this, 654 were from Somalia.

Ahmad Usman Ali says he came to India last year from Bosaso, a city in Somalia's northeastern Bari province. "I am coming to India to study something, to increase my knowledge. I don't have someone connecting me to what I want, I don't have any help," he said, adding that many Somali refugees study English and computer courses at UN's Bosco centre in Malaviya Nagar in South Delhi, which is also where many of them live.

Bosco is part of the Don Bosco Global Network spread across 135 countries that runs educational institutions along with vocational and technical training centers, essentially for the benefit of displaced youth.

Ali holds his palms over his ears and then pulls them away, saying he doesn't hear the cacophony of bombs and bullet shells clashing into tins. "There is peace, we are at peace here, but we are not going to progress," he remarked.

Adil Hasan, born to a Somali mother, grew up in Yemen. By September 2014, 334,512 people across Yemen were officially registered as "internally displaced" due to fighting. He told Firstpost that he moved to Somalia in 2015 and that's when he saw his grandmother die before his eyes. It was then that his family set out for Indian shores. "A broker brought us here. We have peace but my family does nothing. But we have a chance to survive here," he said, sharing a story that is both intensely personal and yet universal among refugees.

Abdiqani, who is a community leader of the Somalis and appeals to the United Nations on their behalf, told us that most of his countrymen live in Hyderabad's Tuli Chowk and Mehdipatnam, while a third of them live in and around South Delhi's ghettos. "Arabic speaking people mostly go to Hyderabad. Refugees also live in that city because the weather is better, rents are cheaper and the food suits them. They often act as translators, and are even promised Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per case, but are actually paid much less," he said.

Abdiqani further added that he collects case numbers and appeals to the UN on behalf of other Somalis regarding updating of cases. He had lost his parents to violent clashes in Marka, near the old port town in the Lower Shebelle province. "Those who come here from Mogadishu, but have families who work in the government back home, come on student visas and go back once they get their degrees," he said.

"But the refugees are different, they can apply only for the 'long-term visa'," Abdiqani said, alleging that the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is often rude to refugees and asks them why they are living here. "I have recently written to the UN about 17 cases where they don't even have a blue card; these include families and individuals. As an advocate, I can tell you that the fear of being deported is real," he said.

Another problem the community faces in India is racial discrimination. "People confuse us with Nigerians and think we're here to drink and break the laws, but we are different. Our colour also makes it harder for us to get houses on rent," said Ali, who came here from Mogadishu in 2009.

Within the confines of the handful of Bosco centres in New Delhi, Somali girls wrap "garees" (a dress that resembles a saree) around them and keep the flame of their culture alive by performing the Dhaanto folk dance that marks tribal festivities in the Somali Peninsula, also known as the 'Horn of Africa'.

Somali culture and the agency that humanises it, are both near invisible in India.

India has signed neither the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol. It doesn't have on its statute book a specific law to govern refugees. The care and treatment of refugees falls under India's Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939, the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Foreigners Order of 1948. The Indian Evidence Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure apply to refugees who are living on Indian soil.

Read part 1: Living in India a struggle but Myanmar is a threat to our existence, say Chin migrants

Read part 2: Syrian and Iraqi migrants living lives of quiet desperation, wish they could go home again

Read part 3: Driven from their land, Afghan migrants find hope in football, yoga and art

Introduction to series: Centre's decision to deport Rohingya has other Stateless migrants worried
Is it at all possible that the coming of Narendra Modi and the articulate and amplified polarisation we are witnessing could well outlast his reign as Prime Minister and raise India's 1.2 billion people to a new level of political awareness?

Writing in the Washington Post Writers Group, EJ Dionne uses much the same logic to dredge for comfort in the runaway Donald Trump presidency. His quote is startlingly close to what many Indians (and not just the intellectually privileged) are thinking if not saying.

"The Trump jolt has done more than force the country to a necessary reckoning. It has also called forth a wave of activism, organising and, perhaps most important, a new engagement by millions of Americans in politics at all levels."

You could just take this motif of intent and transfer it to India.

Courtesy the instant coffee texture of social platforms and the thousands of amateur bloggers having their own loyal readers, never has the field of opinion been so vast, varied and aggressive.

It has to be said the beginnings for these two democratically elected leaders were hugely different. Modi came in on a white horse, a messiah and a savior and a man of grand promise. Trump trotted in a dappled mule, his victory generating a shock wave even as it massaged the prejudices and peeves of middle America and the southern states.

But now, three years down the line, the Modi magic has slipped a little. Not so much through Modi's own acts of omission or commission but by the sheer force of events on public opinion sculpted by unemployment, rising prices, a confusing demonetisation and GST imposition and a racial and religious divide that has never been so introverted and harsh. In fact, the standard Hindu-Muslim communalism has taken a back seat.

Add to this, the BJP protectionism of chief ministers like Manohar Lal Khattar and Yogi Adityanath, the resurrection (albeit partially) by default of a Congress on life support, the fear in many states of lawlessness and a miasma of uncertainty over freedom of expression and the muzzling of the media have collectively generated a hostile front that attracts attention and is getting through to the masses.

When the parent organisation, as in the RSS, calls on the public to report police harassment of media by order of the BJP then one knows things are not sunny and happy in New Delhi. Foreign policy no longer engages the common man's attention. And the promises given are taken with a pinch of salt and sarcasm.

Trump has a far greater inimical relationship with media but the BJP is not too far behind in this regard. As Trump flings out senior aides like used tissues, Modi also displays impatience with the team. From January 2015 when Foreign Secretary Shujata Singh was dismissed there has been a steady flow of departures.

Recently, former Union finance minister P Chidambaram found himself a willing audience: "Where are jobs? Indirectly, government has admitted its failures. Minister for MSME Kalraj Mishra has been sacked, the skill development minister has been sacked, which means the skill development mission and creating jobs has failed. The labour minister has been sacked because your labour policies have failed," he said and got his media space.

With unemployment being fed by 30,000 new applicants daily the growing numbers of the disenchanted and their ripple effect will hit the BJP adversely. The multiple hikes in petrol prices have already caused deep dismay. All of this indicates extreme change in attitude to the edifice called governance. Confronted by the fragments of the status quo of the past people are now feeling vulnerable. In the USA and in India.

The new awareness is not all good.

Caste is being perpetuated by denial. The Hindutva movement and its various bans have been upsetting. Never has citizen involvement been at such a high. Even the drawing room pundits are galvanised into offering opinion. There is now a 'them' and 'us' element in the workplace, in educational campuses, in the private and public sector, in media, in the employment line, even permeating the rural enclaves.

People in India, as in the US, have stopped being happy. Even the humour is barbed.

Although Modi is no bull in a china shop nor is he on a rampage like Trump, the road of carefully-planned divisiveness he is on might lead to the same destination where the people who look up to them may wonder aloud; why are allowing the fall of this multicultural, multi-lingual multi-faith society into a splintered and intolerant society?

Perhaps both Trump and Modi will leave their nations stronger, more careful, less gullible and earnest in choosing future leaders? That could be a great gift to their nations.
New Delhi: The surgical strike carried out in 2016 across the LoC in Pakistan-administered Kashmir was aimed to deter (the enemy), and it was a success since there has not been any major incident since then, former army chief general Dalbir Singh said on Friday.

Singh headed the Indian Army when the surgical strikes were carried out along the Myanmar border in 2015, and later across the Line of Control on 28-29 September night in 2016. He gave credit for the decisive stand on the strike to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"What is the aim of a surgical strike? First, that we cause casualty, much more, manifold, than what they caused to our brave soldiers...it was also to make sure we create a sense of insecurity that they are themselves insecure in their own land," Singh said on the sidelines of the launch of book 'Securing India The Modi Way' by Nitin A Gokhale.

"What is also important is the impact of such strike. The impact of these strikes is deterrence, in the last one year we did not have any major terror incident," the retired General said.

"It was a very bold decision of the prime minister to approve the surgical strike. So, the credit firstly goes to our prime minister for the strike," he said.

"The credit also goes to my able commanders and brave soldiers who executed these surgical strikes. I would say we are grateful to the prime minister for reposing faith and confidence in the Indian Army and we lived up to his expectations. With these surgical strikes, India's image has gone very high, national as well as internationally," Singh said.

The 28-29 September night strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir came after a terror attack at an Indian Army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 19 soldiers were killed.

In June 2015, the Indian Army carried out the surgical strike along the India-Myanmar border on camps of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) militants, days after an ambush in which terrorists killed 18 Army men in Manipur.
Nitin A Gokhale, one of South Asia's leading strategic analysts, is about to release his new book, Securing India The Modi Way: Pathankot, Surgical Strikes and More, where he analyses India's relations with its friends and adversaries and how the three years of the NDA government have impacted these. A day before the book's official release, he spoke exclusively to Firstpost. Excerpts from the interview:

The title of the book Securing India the Modi Way suggests that it focuses strictly on how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dealt with India's security issues. How has his approach differed from his predecessors?

In the last 40 months, India has shown more robustness in terms of its foreign policy and security. India has dealt with China and Pakistan by being resolute on the ground but reasonable in diplomacy. Modi reached out to both nations in his early days in office. His Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif participated in his swearing-in ceremony. We all know what happened after that, how foreign secretary level talks were cancelled.

Similarly, Modi also extended an offer of friendship to China, but Beijing reciprocated. Within four months after Modi took office, Chinese president Xi Jinping visited New Delhi. Before that, he had been to Ahmedabad. However, 1,000-odd Chinese troops were also sent to Chumar.

In the last 15 years, India's reaction to such situations was usually about preventing escalation of tensions. India would have insisted on a diplomatic solution. In fact, even after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, India wouldn't hit back at Pakistan.

But the Modi government chose to deal with the Chinese on the ground. Within two days, India had a counter-force of nearly 9,000 troops to face the intruding Chinese and to stop them from altering status quo. Modi also spoke to Jinping and told him India will always try to be friends and such intrusions are not acceptable. The same resolve was also seen from the Indians over the Doka La stand-off with China.

Furthermore, India is also trying to be proactive by building coalitions with foreign nations. We should just look at how Modi has dealt with the Middle East. There are nearly 70 lakh Indian expatriates living in the Middle East, and their security and welfare had to be ensured. So, the prime minister reached out to the leaders in these regions. Our 'Look East' policy has turned to 'Act East', and very actively so. I also see a lot of differences in the way the Modi government deals with foreign policy and strategic issues from the way previous governments used to. The prime minister also has made an 'India First' approach the cornerstone of his foreign policy, where national interests take priority over everything else. Fears of political consequences did not matter to him while taking strategic decisions.

How did last year's surgical strikes benefit India?

It benefited India in two ways. Firstly, it broke the shackles imposed on the military by earlier regimes that they cannot act against Pakistan. Fear of escalation, an all-out war kept them from taking retaliatory action. They couldn't carry out air strikes. There was always the nuclear question hovering over their heads. This was embedded in the minds of military leaders as well as on ground personnel. As a result, the Indian military was getting into a cantonment mentality in the last one-and-a-half decades. The focus remained on securing all bases and posts. But no matter how much you secure yourself, you will remain vulnerable to attacks by people who are ready to kill themselves.

Secondly, the surgical strikes created a sense of uncertainity in the minds of the Pakistani military leadership. They now wonder what would India's response be if they escalate tensions beyond a point. India's response used to be predictable before. If Pakistan killed Indian soldiers, New Delhi would have come out with a statement criticising this, or sent a dossier, or at most open up artillery fire at the border. It was predictable. But by conducting the surgical strikes, India has created uncertainty. It created another option for India to use.

But even after the surgical strikes, attacks on Indian armed forces have continued.

Though the surgical strikes was publicised as a counter-insurgency operation, their main objective was not to reduce infiltration or attacks. Rather, the objective was to create uncertainty in the minds of Pakistan's armed forces. The infiltrations were unending and the tap couldn't just be turned off. So, through the surgical strikes, India proved it could do something beyond what was expected; it also boosted the morale of the armed forces, sent a message to Pakistan, and of course, reaped the inevitable political advantage any party in power would derive from such a move.

The army chief had recently said that a second surgical strike can take place

If he has said so, then definitely there are such plans in place. No two special forces' operations are similar. They differ in terms of circumstances, methods, targets and objectives. The first round of surgical strikes broke the shackles in the minds of the military leaders, and told them they can utilise this same zeal for a second round as well.

Is aggressive posturing the only approach to deal with the present Pakistan regime? Can any measure for track-two diplomacy be initiated?

I am not aware of track-two diplomacy. But the doors are always open for talks. I am sure there is some kind of engagement between the national security advisors. Aggressive posturing, both in Jammu and Kashmir and on the border with Pakistan, is certainly the central theme for this government. Everything, including trilateral talks and discussions with the Hurriyat, have been tried before, but nothing has worked.

What does the Doka La stand-off say about Indo-China equations? Will this change?

Not in terms of the asymmetry that exists  China is a far superior military power and a much greater economic power. That is not going to change because India is still lagging behind. But what has changed is the mindset that prevented India from taking on China. India has come out the clear winner from the Doka La stand-off. Other smaller nations in the neighbourhood also watched how India dealt with it and came out of it. This should be a matter of concern for China and not for India. I would call Doka La a significant milestone in India-China relationship.

There has long been reluctance on India's part to admit that China has a role to play in the north-eastern insurgency. Do you think it has changed in present regime?

It has not changed. Rather, I would like to say that China would like to resume its activities in the North East because India has become more assertive along the Line of Actual Control. But this danger has always been there. However, China's involvement here isn't the same as Pakistan's in Kashmir. Also, it's very difficult to prove this involvement.

But instead of publicising this, if we know the reality, we should deal with it. We all know that China is a much more powerful adversary than India, both economically and militarily. By confronting China in Doka La and Chumar and exposing China's double standards in terms of membership to the NSG, India is not spoiling for a fight; it's only saying that it cannot be bullied.

In your book, you have mentioned that the Doka La stand-off started long before 26 June. Could you throw light on how China blinked first?

Actually the trouble began on 21 May. I have included a photograph of Chinese and Indian troops standing chin-to-chin on 24 May. But China publicised it on 26 June and timed it with Prime Minister Modi's US visit. This wasn't planned.

India kept quiet about this and came up with a statement four days later, which also had Bhutan's support. India dealt with the problem resolutely at the border. India also had a recourse to diplomacy which it was pursuing anyway. It was the Chinese who came up with the statements accusing India, and it was the Chinese who blinked and resorted to diplomacy, saying they will not disturb status quo. Indian troops, who anyway didn't have any intention of staying back, came back having had their way.

How exactly did the truce come about?

The ice was broken by Prime Minster Modi in the G20 summit held in Germany, when he walked up to Xi Jinping and reportedly asked him why are the two nations going at each other's throats over such a minor issue, at a time when strategic ties are more important. That point on, the issue was taken forward in a diplomatic manner.

I have mentioned in the book that there were at least 38 meetings between the two sides to resolve the issue. India stood firm despite it being a bruising negotiation; it didn't blink and buckle under pressure. There were repeated threats from China but India kept its cool, and this could become a template for the future.

Is this the first time India enjoyed such success in strategic relationships with its neighbours?

No, it is certainly not the first time. There had been such instances for India earlier as well. In 1971, for instance, it created a separate country by making a concerted effort politically and militarily. There was a similar incident in Sumdorong Chu in Arunachal Pradesh in 1987, when India stood firm against China. But it is certainly the first instance after the turn of the century. India used to appease China and Pakistan; it signed a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan in 2003 which ended in 2013, but still kept maintaining the pretence that it existed.

OBOR is important for China. Will China abandon it under pressure?

I am not saying India wants China to abandon the 'One Belt One Road' initiative. India is only saying that it will not be a part of it. India is not saying that China should not go ahead with it. India has made its objection clear regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is said to cross through India's sovereign territory.
Editor's note: Chief reporter Debobrat Ghose found himself surprised, bemused and scared after receiving calls and messages from unknown numbers threatening him with death for writing against 'nationalist forces'. He describes below how disconcerting it is to face such threats. Firstpost stands for fair and credible journalism and will defend its positions and personnel at all costs. For now, it hopes the Delhi Police get to the bottom of this quickly to enable a lawful end to this unacceptable episode.

The first message landed on my mobile on the morning of 21 September. It was from an unknown number. I opened it an hour after it arrived and was intrigued by its contents:

I dismissed it as one of those forwards from unknown persons that hits WhatsApp every day. Roughly translated it read, "Write against the RSS, the BJP or Narendra Modi, and be prepared to meet the fate of Gauri Lankesh."

It didnt even strike me that the message was intended for me. Shortly after, a second message arrived from another unknown number in the afternoon. By evening, a third message arrived compelling me to revise my thoughts about it being wrongly sent to me or a prank.

These thoughts turned to concern and consternation a little later when I received a call from an unknown number. I was then at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station in New Delhi navigating the evening rush hour home. The call quality was poor, but I heard a male voice telling me why a patrakar or anyone else shouldnt write against rashtriyavaadi taqaat (nationalistic force) RSS and BJP. The call was quickly disconnected and the mobile switched off.

By 11.30 pm, when the fourth message turned up, I started getting worried. I had heard about several other journalists receiving similar threats, and treated these messages with a certain degree of scepticism. These could be a ploy of political rivals to discredit the government and the man helming it; they could be from some Hindutva fringe groups just issuing warnings with no real intent to carry these forward; or they could just be part of a sick joke. Perhaps these were the result of obstinate, offensive and unreasonable ideological positions certain journalists take in their articles. Who knows?

But this was happening to me. Not that anything can justify death threats to any journalist, but I just couldnt comprehend "Why me?" I am a reporter, not an opinion writer. Although I write on national politics, the BJP is not my beat and posturing is not what I do.

With the recent cases of Gauri and Santanu Bhowmik at the back of my mind, I would be lying if I say I was not unnerved. If nothing, whoever sent me the messages got hold of my number and knew I am a journalist. Was I am being watched? That evening on my way home, I was frequently looking over my shoulder for the first time in my life.

On 22 September, I met the Delhi Police commissioner and other senior officials. The sender (or senders) of threat messages could have belonged to the Left, Right or more centrist political ideologies. They may have been some lumpen elements with no ideology of their own, but trying to add fuel to fire. I lodged an official complaint giving details of the mobile phone numbers and screenshots of the threat messages I had received.

The very next day I again received the fifth (and hopefully, final) message from another unknown number. In all, five messages from four mobile phone numbers. The first four were from a single series starting with 998 and the last one from the 887 series.

Meanwhile, I received a call from Anil Sinha, a senior journalist. He told me that he too had received a similar threat. Then I remembered the story of Vijay Gupta, another senior journalist, who too had received a threatening call a fortnight earlier from a 'private' number. The caller claimed he was from Uttar Pradesh. When Gupta challenged him, he disconnected.

So, I was not the only one to have been targeted, I realised, there are others too. I began going through a few conspiracy theories in my mind. I made a few calls to RSS functionaries who are known to me. I was surprised to find that they were equally flummoxed. "Yes, we have found out that a few other journalists have received such threatening messages, including one Nihal Singh, who has lodged an FIR. A few of our own karyakartas have also received threat messages. Its serious and the matter has been brought to the notice of the police. Were taking up this issue with the government," RSS functionary Rajiv Tuli told me.

The police havent come to any conclusions. Special Commissioner (Ops) Dependra Pathak of the Delhi Police told me that sending messages of this sort is a criminal offence under the IT Act, even if they are pranks. "Anyone behind such an act should be punished. No offender sending such malicious threats through mobile phones can get away," he said.

I hope that the callers will be traced and nabbed, and all this will turn out to be a sick joke conceived by a sick mind. Nobody should have to undergo the trauma a death threat brings with it, prank or no prank.
At a little before 11 am on Friday, railway commuters were subjected to a horrific stampede on a foot-over bridge at Elphinstone Station in South Central Mumbai. Over the course of the next two-or-so hours, 22 people lost their lives due to a combination of the injuries sustained and asphyxiation, while 37 others were hospitalised with injuries.

Expectedly, members of various arms of local, state and Central government were delivering sound bites, tweeting, coming up with 'band-aid solutions' or calling for inquiries. Equally expectedly, certain members of the BJP told Firstpost off the record that this horrific mishap was actually no more than a case of sabotage. Sabotage of what, you ask? Well, Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal was due to arrive in the city to flag off 100 new rail services for Mumbai's Western and Central lines. Let's not even get into that callousness because a far graver one was right around the corner.

When relatives of the deceased turned up at KEM Hospital, they were greeted by mugshot pictures of the bodies of 22 victims posted on a wall with numbers emblazoned across their foreheads.

Mumbai Police spokesperson, DCP Deepak Devraj told Firstpost, "I have no idea who put this up." According to a senior doctor from KEM Hospital who chose to stay off the record, it is a standard practice across forensic departments the world over to mark victims in this manner. While that may be the case, displaying these images publicly is certainly not a part of any forensic manual.

However, after coming under the scanner, the Dean of KEM Hospital, Avinash Supe defended the standard practice as a means to expedite the process of identifying the dead.

"When suddenly 22 dead bodies were received at KEM Hospital emergency ward and 10s of relatives were rushing to identify their next of kin, it would have been a big mental trauma to make all relatives to see all 22 dead bodies to identify their missing persons. It would have become a chaotic and hectic exercise. Hence we took the photographed the face of all dead bodies, numbered them and displayed it to the relatives on a laptop screen. Subsequently, the photographs were also displayed on a flex at the hospital to further expedite the process of identification. We could identify 19 dead bodies within three hours and started the process of panchanama. After the autopsy, those numbers were erased before handing over the dead bodies. At no point, we planned to circulate those photographs in social media. Hence it would be unjustified and unwise to criticise this scientific method adopted by us with sole intention and purpose of speedy, honourable and smooth identification, autopsy and handing over of the dead to their relatives. "

That lives had been needlessly lost was bad enough, making this sort of spectacle reeks of a complete lack of sensitivity and respect for the victims and their kin. It's understandable that in situations like this, there is a need to inform. But, certainly there could have been a different way of identifying the dead. After all, the makers of this grotesque poster clearly had the time to take the photos, lay them out in an array with some sort of CAD software, select the fonts for the text above and below the images, put a nice border around the display and then take it to a printer.

Could they not have inserted numbers digitally?

Or kept some sort of card bearing a number/name next to the photographed bodies of the deceased?

Or was branding them posthumously like cattle being led to slaughter the only way?

If it was Indian Railways that was responsible for taking the lives of the deceased, it was the Bhoiwada Police that was responsible for taking away their dignity.

Follow LIVE updates on Mumbai Stampede
Rahul Gandhi, in his three-day visit to Gujarat, took jibes galore at the state of the economy, made four temple visits and referenced a popular social media campaign in an effort to resuscitate the Congress in the saffron stronghold.

"Vikas gando thayo chhe (development has gone bonkers)," Rahul Gandhi said on the final day of his visit in Surendranagar district, referring to the increasingly popular social media catchline taunting the BJP government.

In an effort to reach out to the farmer community, he promised that if voted to power, the Congress would waive off agricultural loans. "The Congress government waived off loans in Karnataka and Punjab. This trend will continue in Gujarat if the Congress comes to power," he said.

'The wings have fallen of our plane'

Rahul Gandhi latched on to Yashwant Sinha's criticism of the handling of the economy, which has recently led to a war of words within the ruling party. "Today, I read an article written by Yashwant Sinha, who is a senior BJP leader. He wrote that Modiji and (Finance Minister) Jaitleyji have destroyed the Indian economy. This is not my view. This is the opinion of a BJP leader," Gandhi said.

"He (Sinha) even wrote that though BJP leaders know that our country is in deep trouble, no one is ready to speak up as they are afraid of Modiji," he added.

Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to heap criticism on the condition of the economy, remarking, "The wings have fallen off our plane."

Ladies & Gentlemen, this is your copilot & FM speaking. Plz fasten your seat belts & take brace position.The wings have fallen off our plane https://t.co/IsOA8FQa6u  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) September 27, 2017

Patidars reach out to Congress vice-president

On his arrival, the Patel quota agitation leader, Hardik Patel, had welcomed Rahul Gandhi to Gujarat with a tweet.

Patel, who has been at the forefront of the Patidar agitation seeking quotas for the community, had tweeted, "A warm welcome to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat."

           

    Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) September 25, 2017

Patidars constitute an estimated 15 percent of Gujarat's population and are an extremely influential community in the state.

Temple visits

Apparently seeking to showcase the Congress' soft Hindutva, Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at four temples in Gujarat before wrapping up his three-day visit to the poll-bound state, a move his party said was aimed at countering the hardline Hindutva of the BJP and RSS.

Gandhi, who had kicked off his tour after offering prayers at the Dwarkadhish temple on Monday, resumed his road-show on Wednesday by trekking up the famous Chotila temple in Surendranagar district.

On his way to Jetpur from Kagvad, Gandhi also paid a visit to a temple dedicated to Dasi Jeevan, revered by Dalits and Buddhists.

With inputs from agencies
AP

Google has proposed a remedy for its search results that European regulators have said favor its own shopping listings: holding an auction for those advertiser-paid spots.

But critics say the proposal still favors the deep-pocketed tech giant, and Europes top antitrust regulator is taking a wait-and-see attitude.

Google said Thursday it will still present users with photos and prices when they search for products online and offer a link directly to where they can be purchased. It said in a blog post it will actively bid for those spots against other comparison shopping services and treat its Google Shopping unit as a separate company that needs to turn a profit.

The company is appealing a $2.9 billion fine imposed by European regulators for favoring shopping listings it gets paid for, but it had to provide a way to give equal treatment to competitors by Thursday or risk further fines.

The auction was up and running Thursday in European countries such as Britain, France and Germany, and competitors such as Kelkoo, Twenga and Shopzilla were participating in the new system, according to screenshots provided by Google.

A spokesperson for European Union Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager told CNBC it was premature for the commission to take a definitive view of the proposed remedy and put the onus on Google to obey the equal-treatment mandate imposed in June.

Open Markets Institute, a non-profit monopoly watchdog based in Washington, said the proposal falls far short of what is necessary to address the companys abuse of its dominance in search.

The auction model that Google now proposes would tilt the playing field to favor rich companies such as Google  which can simply pay more for search result slots  over less well-capitalized companies that may offer the public better services and more relevant results, it said.
All of Spain is following with concern the current developments in Catalonia. Instead of entering into constructive dialogue with the Spanish government and reaching a compromise on the issue of major importance to the entire country, the Catalan regional government not only continues to prepare for illegal referendum on Catalan independence, totally ignoring the decision of the Spanish Constitutional Court, but also strives energetically to find new supporters and allies outside Spain. It has become known that the government of Carles Puigdemont has been able to obtain assistance from the European Union. The Spanish State Secretary for Territorial Administrations Roberto Bermudez de Castro has informed on it in his letter to the Vice President of the Spanish Government Soraya Saenz de Santamaria,It turns out that European politicians not only fail to condemn the anti-constitutional actions of Catalan separatists, but are even ready to promote the speedy entry of already independent Catalonia into the European Union.. By supporting the plebiscite that is found to be constitutionally prohibited, the European leaders are showing complete disrespect for Spanish legislation and decisions taken by the government of Mariano Rajoy that makes every effort to preserve the territorial integrity of Spain. Roberto Bermudez de Castro has also mentioned it in his letter,It is important to note that following Catalonia, other autonomies, and first of all, the Basque Country, may also express and achieve their right to self-determination. Catalonia's independence from Spain will start the irreversible process of dissolution of Spain. Moreover, the EU authorities' shortsightedness may lead to the increase in activity of separatist movements all over Europe. The example of Catalonia will inspire separatists of other European countries with similar problems, including Italy, Belgium, and Denmark.. Thus, providing support to independence advocates, European politicians contribute to territorial and political changes in Europe, which will no doubt weaken the European Union itself.
IANS

The number of requests that Google received from India in the first half of 2017 for disclosing user data was at an all-time high, reveals the latest biannual transparency report from the search engine giant.

Between 1 January and 30 June this year, Google received 3,843 requests for data from 6,343 accounts from government agencies, courts and parties in civil litigation in India, according to the report released late on Thursday.

That is 391 more requests than the same period in 2016 during which it received 3,452 requests for data from 6,207 accounts. However, Google provided some data for 54 percent of requests for the 1 January to 30 June period.

This is the highest number of requests from India that Google has received since 2009, when the company's transparency reports began.

Between July 2016 and December 2016, Google received 3,449 requests for data from 6,393 accounts. Google complied with 57 percent of the requests then.

Globally too, the first half of 2017 broke a record for most Google user data requests.

Between 1 January and 30 June, Google received 48,941 requests for data from 83,345 accounts from governments around the world.

The company complied with 65 percent of them, meaning more than 54,000 accounts were affected by this.

That is 4,000 more requests than the same time period in 2016, CNET reported.

Google discloses the number of user data requests from government authorities alongside the total number of users/accounts specified in those requests in six-month increments, subject to certain limitations.

Government agencies, courts and parties in civil litigation regularly ask technology and communications companies to turn over user data.

"When we receive such a request, our team reviews the request to make sure it satisfies legal requirements and Google's policies," the search giant said.

A single user data request may seek information about multiple accounts, so the number of accounts requested may be higher than the number of total requests.

Additionally, one person can have multiple Google accounts, or the same account may be the subject of several different requests for user information.
tech2 News Staff

Googles Assistant has been added as the latest feature on the Nvidia Shield TV.

The unit also comprises of a remote and a Shield controller. Both the controller and the remote have a dedicated mic button to give commands to the digital assistant. According to Nvidia website it is best for the user to be three to five feet away from the controller. It will provide support to video streaming apps from Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies, and VUDU.

The integration of the Nvidia and the digital assistant was announced in January this year at Consumer Electronics Show 2017. Nvidia Shield TV is an Android-based TV hub/console which brings the power of Android TV, PC gaming, and streaming content in one place.

With Nvidia Shield TV, one can play traditional Android games as well as PC games with the bundled controller. The device is priced at $199.99, and it will now ship with Gaming controller and remote, and you no longer need to buy them separately. Nvidia Shield Pro will also be available later this month with the controller, remote, headphone jack and 500GB storage.

Shield has added support to 4K HDR streaming. It provides support to video streaming apps from Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies and VUDU. YouTube TV app has come to the new Shield devices.

Nvidia supports game streaming on the Shield via GeForce Now via a subscription service or from Steam and GeForce Now on your PC.

There is also a dedicated store where you can purchase PC games that have been ported to Android specifically for Nvidia. This includes Portal and Half-Life 2.
Snapchat and Google are organising a geofilter contest where teens would be coding to make geo-filters. The event is called the #MyFutureMe Challenge. The contest is only for teenagers living in the US who are between 13 to 18 years of age.

In this coding contest, teens have to create geo-filters. The theme of the contest is the vision teens have for the future. They would also be making AR (augmented reality) Snap lens. The content runs from 26 September to 8 October and will be divided into many segments. Finalists would get a chance to meet Snapchat and Googles leadership teams. Here they will receive mentoring from Google and Snapchat engineers. The winners will also be given an opportunity submit their Grand Prize Winners Lens Submission, which would go live on Snapchat.

The idea behind the contest is to encourage teenagers into computer science.

Made with Code initiative, a Google product essentially encourages teen girls to code. The motive is to give them a chance to move beyond the conventional norms of education.

The finalists will get a chance to attend the TEDWomen conference talk in New Orleans. Here, lenses created by these finalists would be judged at the conference to go live on the Snapchat app.

Vice president of Engineering, Google, Elizabeth Reid said, With this contest, Made with Code and Snap will help teens nationwide see that the things they love, like Snapchat, are made with code. Teens are already Snapping. Lets get them coding, too.

The list of judges for the geo-filter include Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai, US Astronaut Dr. Yvonne Cage, SVP and CFO of Google Inc and Alphabet Inc, Ruth Porat, CCO of Hearst Magazines, Joanna Coles, Olympic gymnast, Laurie Hernandez, YouTube personality, Lilly Singh along with Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegal among others.

Recently, Snapchat released World Lenses filter feature which is supported by Bitmoji, an app which creates animated caricatures. These can then be used as comic strips. However, Bitmoji had extended beyond comic strips. Bitmoji comes with a 3D animation mode as well.
tech2 News Staff

Sony only recently launched its premium flagship, the Xperia XZ1, but talks about its next flagship have already begun to emerge. The Indian Express has reported that Sony will soon be launching a new range of products, that will skip on the much-used Omnibalance design philosophy, meaning we will see some fresh new products coming from the brand going forward.

The news directly comes from Sony India's managing director, Kenichiro Hibi, who confirmed the move. Hibi told the publication that company has been using its omnibalance design for long and will continue to do so as long as the X series is available in the market. Clearly, this also means that next year's Xperia X series smartphone will also feature the Omnibalance design.

But the managing director also added that the brand is planning to launch a "new generation of products" and this is where customers can expect a completely new design language.

Hibi did not share a timeline nor give a hint as to when these new devices will arrive, but going by what has been conveyed there are two possibilities.

With the first one, Sony could announce a new series of devices ('V' for instance) and give it the new design language, while retaining the Xperia X series like the it did with the earlier Xperia Z series.

The other possibility could see Sony cull the rest of its smartphones in favour of the new range, design philosophy and a more focused (smaller range) smartphone lineup. Either ways, Sony fans sure have something to look forward to in the coming months.
Cox's Bazar: At least 15 people drowned and scores are feared missing after a boat carrying Rohingya families capsized off Bangladesh Thursday, as UN chief Antonio Guterres exhorted Myanmar's leaders to end the refugees' "nightmare."

The growing Rohingya refugee crisis prompted the UN Security Council to hold a rare public meeting on Myanmar, with the US slamming the country for trying "to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority" while Beijing and Moscow backed the Myanmar authorities.

More than half a million Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in the last month, after the military in Buddhist-majority Myanmar launched vicious operations against Rohingya rebels.

Witnesses and survivors said the vessel that overturned Thursday was just meters from the coast in rough waters, after it was lashed by torrential rain and high winds.

Local police inspector Moahmmed Kai-Kislu told AFP 15 bodies including at least 10 children and four women had so far washed ashore, and there were fears the number could still rise.

"They drowned before our eyes. Minutes later, the waves washed the bodies to the beach," said Mohammad Sohel, a local shopkeeper.

Rare meeting

Seven of the UN's 15-member Security Council voted to hold the body's first public meeting on Myanmar since 2009, though they failed to arrive at a joint resolution.

Guterres urged authorities to halt military operations and open humanitarian access to its conflict-wracked western region.

"The situation has spiraled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare," he said, while calling for those displaced from the conflict to be allowed to return home.

The UN chief noted that the "systemic violence" could cause unrest to spill into the central part of Myanmar's Rakhine state, threatening 2,50,000 Muslims with displacement.

A donors' conference would be held on 9 October, he said.

Some of the strongest criticism came from US envoy Nikki Haley, who said, "We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority."

"And it should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma," she added, in what appeared to be a rebuke to the country's Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose reputation as a human rights champion has been left battered by the crisis.

Burma is an alternative name for Myanmar.

Haley warned, "We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens."

But Myanmar received strong support from close ally China as well Russia.

"The international community must be aware of the difficulties faced by the Burmese government, be patient and provide its assistance," Chinese envoy Wu Haitao said.

"We must be very careful when we talk about ethnic cleansing and genocide," added Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, shifting the blame toward Rohingya militants for "burning villages."

Myanmar's representative U Thaung Tun insisted there was "No ethnic cleaning, no genocide in Myanmar," while Bangladeshi ambassador Masud Bin Momen called for the creation of safe zones within Myanmar to allow refugees to return home.

Distraught survivors

The latest drowning tragedy comes after a series of deadly accidents as desperate refugees surge across the two countries' shared border.

The International Organization for Migration, which is leading the relief effort, told AFP that one survivor said the boat sank as it tried to dock at a place that was out of sight of security forces.

"It's a very sad story. There were a hundred Rohingya on board when it sank," IOM spokesperson Hala Jaber told AFP.

One distraught survivor told AFP that his wife and one of their children had been killed when the ship sank.

"The boat hit something underground as it came close to the beach. Then it overturned," said Nurus Salam, who had set off set off for Bangladesh from a coastal village in Myanmar late Wednesday with his family.

The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) said 27 survivors had been located so far, including eight women and seven children.

The exodus began on 25 August when attacks by Rohingya militants on security posts prompted a Myanmar military crackdown.

It has created a humanitarian crisis as the government and aid agencies struggle to provide food, clean water and shelter.

Those who have made it to Bangladesh have brought with them harrowing accounts of murder and villages torched by Myanmar soldiers and mobs of ethnic Rakhine, who are Buddhists.

Rakhine, long a cauldron of ethnic and religious tensions, has been scarred by seething animosity since severe bloodshed erupted across the state in 2012.

The Rohingyas, the world's largest stateless group, are treated as foreigners in Myanmar.
New Delhi: Slamming Pakistan for its support to various terror groups, Afghanistan said on Friday that the time has come for taking a "fundamental" decision that no country should be allowed to use terror as an instrument of foreign policy.

Afghanistan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah said his country has a "serious challenge" in maintaining ties with Pakistan and that terror networks based in that country continue to indulge in activities to destabilise Afghanistan.

"The forces of darkness and evil cannot prevail forever. But at the same time they can create hindrances, they can create headaches. These are the realities of life," Abdullah said, in an address at the Indian Council for World Affairs, a leading think tank.

He said a decision must be taken once and for all that terrorism will not be used as an instrument of pursuing foreign policy objectives in any part of the world. That is the "fundamental decision" that has to be taken for the region and beyond, he said, asserting that the global community must show the resolve in the determination to deal with terror.

Talking about the peace process, he said the Afghan government has never closed its doors for talks and negotiations, and it was working to bring lasting peace to the country.

Speaking at the event, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar articulated various facets of India's engagement with Afghanistan and said New Delhi remains steadfast in its commitment towards the country.

The Afghan CEO also hailed India's contribution towards Afghanistan's reconstruction and said the assistance is making a huge difference to the lives of millions of people in his country. He also mentioned that 116 new development projects were to be implemented by India and particularly talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "passion" to help his country.

Identifying terrorism as the main threat facing the region, Abdullah said there cannot be any classification of terror groups as "good or bad terrorists".

Referring to Pakistan, he said living in denial from the reality will complicate the situation. "We have some serious challenges in our relations with Pakistan. There are (terror) groups which are threatening security of Afghanistan and based there and continue to be based there...That is a very serious challenge for us. That is a big challenge for the whole region," said Abdullah.

Talking about Afghanistan's diplomatic engagements and its ties with Pakistan, the Afghan Chief Executive, at the same time, said his country will not allow any country to dictate terms over its foreign policy.

"No country has the right of veto over our relationship" with another country, he said. "If India comes to Afghanistan and says, 'we will build you this clinic but please do not have friendship with Pakistan', our answer would be the same," he said, giving an example.

The Afghan Chief Executive said the response would be same in case of the US or Iran, which are close friends of Afghanistan.

Abdullah also welcomed the policy announcements by the Trump administration for Afghanistan and the South Asian region, indicating that there is a message in it for Islamabad. He said the policy reflects a rightful role for India in the region.

"I want to tell that Afghanistan wants friendly relations with all countries. The terror groups are threat to all of us and not just Afghanistan," he said, adding that some of the terror groups had turned against those who created them.

On Afghanistan's ties with China, Abdullah said the relationship has been good.

Referring to the delay in his arrival in New Delhi following the terror attack in Kabul airport, he said a tiny minority of terrorists are trying to disturb the opportunities the people of the region have. "They could cause us some delay. But they cannot stop us. That is my message," Abdullah, who arrived here on a six-day visit on Thursday, said.

He also exuded confidence that the region will be able to overcome the challenge of terrorism and radicalisation. "I do not have any doubt in my mind. Wisdom will prevail. Human dignity will prevail. Acts of terror will be condemned and it will be condemned to failure," he said.

Talking about importance of connectivity, Abdullah said work is going on a number of transport projects. The Chabahar port project will significantly enhance trade among India, Afghanistan and Iran, he noted.

Abdullah said that Afghanistan will receive the first shipment of wheat through Chabahar in a few days time.

Asked whether the Afghan government had taken up with Pakistan the issue of overland transit facility from Afghanistan to India through Pakistan, he said the matter has been discussed with Islamabad.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has called German Chancellor Angela Merkel to congratulate her on election victory and discussed how to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions and 'malign' activities in the Middle East.

Trump during the call wished her well in the formation the government for the fourth time, the White House officials said. He underscored the deep ties that bind the two nations,

their joint efforts to promote peace and prosperity, and US commitment to their longstanding, strong alliance with the German government and its people.

Among other things, they discussed how to counter Iran's 'malign' activities in the Middle East. The US accuses Iran of spreading terrorism in the Middle East. Trump has been criticising Iran and the landmark 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama in conjunction with other world powers.

The agreement curtailed Tehran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for lifting punishing Western sanctions. Trump has called the deal "an embarrassment." Trump and Merkel also addressed the nuclear deal and Iran's missile programme, and its non-compliance with the UN.

Trump has until 16 October to certify to Congress that Iran is complying. Then Congress would have 60 days to decide whether to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. They also affirmed the importance of achieving the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the White House said.

Trump and Merkel frequently talk to each other on a wide range of bilateral and global issues. Trump had called her before the elections to wish her. Over the weekend, Merkel, 63, won her fourth consecutive election. The win solidifies her position as the defacto leader of Europe. Before joining politics, she was a scientist in East Germany. She has a PhD in quantum chemistry.
Cairo: The leader of the Islamic State group urged followers to burn their enemies everywhere and target "media centers of the infidels," according to an audio recording released Thursday that the extremists said was by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The reclusive leader of Islamic State, who has only appeared in public once, also vowed to continue fighting and lavished praise on his jihadis for their valor in the battlefield  despite the militants' loss of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in July.

The recording was released by the Islamic State-run al-Furqan outlet, which has in the past released messages from al-Baghdadi and other top figures of the extremist group. The voice in the over 46-minute-long audio sounded much like previous recordings of al-Baghdadi. His last previous purported message was released in November, also in an audio recording.

"You soldiers of the caliphate, heroes of Islam and carriers of banners: light a fire against your enemies," said al-Baghdadi, a shadowy cleric who has been surrounded by controversy since the Sunni terror group emerged from al-Qaida in Iraq, its forerunner.

Russian officials said in June there was a "high probability" that al-Baghdadi had died in a Russian airstrike on the outskirts of the Syrian city of Raqqa, the group's de facto capital. US officials later said they believed he was still alive.

Al-Baghdadi's whereabouts are unknown but he is believed to be in Islamic State' dwindling territory in eastern Syria. The Islamic State-held cities of Raqqa and Deir el-Zour are under siege and likely too dangerous for him to hide in. Some Islamic State leadership is believed to have gone to the nearby town of Mayadeen, and the group still holds a stretch of the Euphrates River from Deir el-Zour to the Iraqi border, as well as remote desert areas along the border.

"You soldiers of Islam, supporters of the caliphate everywhere, step up your attacks and include the media centers of the infidels and the headquarters of their ideological war among your targets," he said in the recording, apparently alluding to Western news outlets and research centers.

"Don't you dare allow the Crusaders and the apostates to enjoy a good and comfortable life at home while your brothers are enduring killings, shelling and destruction," added al-Baghdadi, who reminded his followers of the rewards of martyrdom, including "72 wives" from among the maidens of paradise.

He also lauded his fighters for what he called their valiant fight against US-backed Iraqi forces that wrested control of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, from Islamic State after nearly nine months of fighting.

"In Mosul, they defiantly stood firm on a land ruled by God's laws against the infidels and nations of the cross ... only leaving it over their skulls and dead bodies after nearly a year of fighting," he said. "The sons of Islam will willingly continue to sacrifice their blood and bodies for the sake of their creator," he defiantly declared.

In the recording, he also consoled Islamic State fighters over the number of major military setbacks suffered in recent months in both Iraq and Syria, but also made a passionate plea for them to rise up and never surrender.

"You Sunnis of Iraq, Syria, Yemen and everywhere ... get out of your beds and shake off oppression ... return to your faith and restore your glory and eminence," he said. In Yemen, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels are fighting forces loyal to the internationally recognized government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

Addressing Syria's Sunni Muslim majority, he warned them against the "cunning" of the minority Alawites, an offshoot Shiite sect from which President Bashar Assad hails, as well as the designs of Turkey and Assad's allies Russia and Iran.

"What have you gained from the conferences of humiliation and the crumbs of supporters except appeasing the Alawites and surrendering your homes?" said al-Baghdadi, adding that Syria's government forces, their allies and other forces fighting Islamic State, would "not last an hour" without the air cover provided by the Russia or the US-led coalition.

Al-Baghdadi also spoke of what he called the United States' waning global power, saying Russia was taking advantage of that to cast itself as the super power replacing America. Russia, he added, was in full control of the "Syrian file."

Citing examples of America's perceived weakness, he referred to Russia's annexation of Crimea and "North Korea's nuclear threat against America and Japan." Al-Baghdad's reference to North Korea's tussle with Washington and Tokyo over Pyongyang's nuclear and long-range missile programs suggests that his message was recently recorded, perhaps in the past month or two.

At the peak of its power in 2014  when the Iraqi army crumbled amid the militants' blitz  Islamic State controlled about a third of both Syria and Iraq but has steadily lost ground in the face of a US-led coalition that has backed Iraqi forces as well as Kurdish-led Syrian fighters battling the extremists across the border in Syria.

Forces loyal to Syria's Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, have also driven Islamic State out of significant territory.

The top priority for Muslims, al-Baghdadi says in the recording, is to "satisfy God."

"Victory against the enemies and the enemy of God comes next," he said.

The loss of Mosul was a deep symbolic blow to Islamic State  it was after the group overran the city in June 2014 that the militants declared a caliphate stretching from northern Syria deep into the north and west of Iraq. And it was from Mosul's famed al-Nuri Mosque that al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance at a Friday sermon, declaring the caliphate and calling on Muslims the world over to follow him.

At the time, he vowed that Islamic State would conquer "Rome," and the entire world.

Mosul was also the bureaucratic and financial hub of Islamic State. Raiding Mosul's central bank, and taxing and extorting the city's wealthy inhabitants, made Islamic State the world's richest terrorist organization. Mosul's vast industrial zones were converted into factories for weapons and explosives.

Taking back Mosul from Islamic State came at enormous cost and destruction, especially in the western part of the city. Islamic State fighters had turned the city into a fortress, holding tens of thousands of civilians as human shields.
Seoul: North Korea accused the Trump administration on Thursday of exploiting the death of an Ohio student who died soon after being released from detention in the Asian nation.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as criticizing the White House for using the death of Otto Warmbier for propaganda purposes against North Korea.

"The fact that the US is employing even a dead person for the conspiracy campaign to fuel the international atmosphere of putting pressure on (North Korea) shows how vile and inveterate the hostility of the US policy-makers towards (North Korea) is," the unidentified spokesman said in a statement.

Warmbier, who was vacationing in North Korea, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in March 2016 for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster two months earlier. North Korea has said Warmbier fell into a coma that resulted from botulism and a sleeping pill.

The spokesman reiterated North Korea's denial that it tortured the American student, who was detained for more than year and died soon after his release to the US while still in a coma.

"We provided him with sincere medical care on humanitarian grounds in consideration of his failing health until he returned to the US," he said.

The statement expressed particular indignation that US president Donald Trump had criticized North Korea's top leader.

"The fact that the old lunatic Trump and his riff-raff slandered the sacred dignity of our supreme leadership, using bogus data full of falsehood and fabrications, only serves to redouble the surging hatred of our army and people towards the US," it said.

Trump referenced Warmbier's death in comments critical of North Korea during his debut speech to the UN General Assembly earlier in September.

Warmbier's parents told a Fox News television show on Tuesday that North Korea tortured and "destroyed" him. Trump tweeted afterward: "Otto was tortured beyond belief by North Korea." The tweet added to a series of recent accusations and heated exchanges between his administration and North Korean officials.

An Ohio coroner on Wednesday said her office was unable to determine what caused the brain damage that led to Warmbier's death, other than it stemmed from oxygen deprivation more than a year before his death.

"Could that have been torture at the time? We don't know," Dr Lakshmi Sammarco said.
United Nations: US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Thursday called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against Rohingya Muslims until the military puts sufficient accountability measures in place.

It was the first time the United States called for punishment of military leaders behind the repression, but stopped short of threatening to reimpose US sanctions which were suspended under the Obama administration.

We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be - a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority, Haley told the UN Security Council, the first time Washington has echoed the UNs accusation that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State was ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar rejects the accusations and has denounced rights abuses.

The Burmese military must respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing, Haley said.

And any country that is currently providing weapons to the Burmese military should suspend these activities until sufficient accountability measures are in place, Haley said.

Myanmar national security adviser Thaung Tun said at the United Nations on Thursday there was no ethnic cleansing or genocide happening in Myanmar. He told the Security Council that Myanmar had invited UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to visit. A UN official said Guterres would consider visiting Myanmar under the right conditions.

China and Russia both expressed support for the Myanmar government. Myanmar said earlier this month it was negotiating with China and Russia, which have veto powers in the Security Council, to protect it from any possible action by the council.

The Trump administration has mostly hewed to former President Barack Obamas approach of forging warmer relations with Myanmar, partly aimed at countering Chinas influence in the resource-rich Southeast Asian country.

Meanwhile, international aid groups in Myanmar have urged the government to allow free access to Rakhine, where an army offensive has sent more than 500,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh, but hundreds of thousands remain cut off from food, shelter and medical care.

Refugees are still leaving Myanmar, more than a month after Rohingya Muslim insurgents attacked security posts near the border, triggering fierce Myanmar military retaliation.

US senators urge Trump administration to act on Myanmar Rohingya. Aid groups said on Thursday the total number of refugees in Bangladesh was now 502,000.

The Myanmar government has stopped international aid groups and UN agencies from carrying out most of their work in the north of Rakhine state, citing insecurity since the Aug. 25 insurgent attacks.

Aid groups said in a joint statement they were: increasingly concerned about severe restrictions on humanitarian access and impediments to the delivery of critically needed humanitarian assistance throughout Rakhine State.

We urge the government and authorities of Myanmar to ensure that all people in need in Rakhine State have full, free and unimpeded access to life-saving humanitarian assistance.

The government has put the Myanmar Red Cross in charge of aid to the state, with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross. But the groups said they feared insufficient aid was getting through.

Relations between the government and aid agencies had been difficult for months, with some officials accusing the groups of helping the insurgents.

Aid groups dismissed the accusations, which they said had inflamed anger towards them among Buddhists in the communally divided state, and called for an end to misinformation and unfounded accusations.

Rights groups have accused the army of trying to push Rohingya Muslims out of Myanmar, and of committing crimes against humanity. They have called for sanctions, in particular an arms embargo.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the violence against Rohingya Muslims in the northern part of Rakhine could spread to central Rakhine, where 250,000 more people were at risk of displacement.

Guterres told the UN Security Council during its first public meeting on Myanmar in eight years, that the violence had spiralled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare.

A group of Republican and Democratic senators urged the Trump administration on Thursday to use the full weight of its influence to help resolve the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

A letter seen by Reuters and signed by four Republican and 17 Democratic members of the 100-seat Senate also calls on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green to provide more humanitarian aid.

The British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field, described the situation as an unacceptable tragedy after visiting Myanmar and meeting leaders including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has faced scathing criticism and calls for her Nobel prize to be withdrawn.

Drownings

Police in Bangladesh said they recovered the bodies of 14 refugees, including nine children, who drowned when their boat capsized off the coast in bad weather. A Reuters photographer said he saw several babies among the victims.

The UN International Organization for Migration later put the toll at 15.

Police officer Afrajul Hoque Tutu said three boats had capsized in heavy seas.

Myanmar was getting ready to verify refugees who want to return, the government minister charged with putting into effect recommendations to solve problems in Rakhine said.

Myanmar would conduct a national verification process at two points on its border with Bangladesh under terms agreed during a repatriation effort in 1993, state media quoted Win Myat Aye, the minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement, as saying.

Myanmar authorities do not recognise Rohingya as an indigenous ethnic group, instead regarding them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

The government hates us, said refugee Zafar Alam, 55, sheltering from rain near a refugee settlement in Bangladesh, referring to the Myanmar government.

I dont think Id be safe there. Theres no justice.
Tokyo: Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony on Thursday marking the anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and China as well as China's national day, in a display of his intent to improve delicate relations between the Asian neighbors.

Abe is the first Japanese leader to take part in the annual ceremony in more than a decade. He said he hoped Chinese president Xi Jinping will visit Japan at the earliest possible date. Abe said stronger ties between Japan and China benefit the two countries and also are indispensable for peace and stability in Northeast Asia "given the current situation" in the region, referring to the escalating nuclear and missile threat from North Korea, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Abe's attendance on a busy day on which he dissolved the lower house of parliament for snap elections was seen as a gesture of his willingness to improve ties. Many Chinese deeply resent Japan over its brutal occupation of much of their country in the 1930s and 1940s and tensions spiked in 2012 amid a dispute over East China Sea islands held by Japan but claimed by China.

On Thursday, Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties in a further sign of a desire to repair relations. Li said he hopes Japan can "meet China halfway to safeguard the political foundation of their bilateral ties, properly manage and control their contradictions and differences, and promote the steady improvement and development of their relations," China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

China's national day is on Sunday. Beijing welcomed the attendance of Abe, who was accompanied by foreign minister Taro Kono. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties is "of great significance" in bilateral relations. He expressed hope that Japan sees it as an opportunity to draw lessons from history and look to the future and improve ties "in a correct direction."

Abe told Chinese and Japanese guests that he hopes to visit China and intends to host a Japan-China-South Korea summit by the end of this year as part of deepening relations with Beijing.
Kabul, Afghanistan: Up to six people were killed when a suicide bomber posing as a shepherd blew himself up near a Shiite mosque in Kabul on Friday, police said, as Muslims prepare to commemorate a key Islamic event.

As many as 20 others were wounded in the attack, which happened in the north of the Afghan capital as worshippers were inside Hussainia mosque, one of the biggest Shiite centres in the city, for Friday prayers.

"The bomber was grazing a herd of sheep and before reaching his target he detonated himself 140 metres from Hussainia mosque," General Salim Almas, Kabul's criminal investigative director, told AFP.

Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Facebook that five civilians were killed and 20 others were wounded. Three suspects have been detained.

Kabul's Emergency hospital tweeted that it had received 19 wounded including four children.

A photo posted on Twitter purportedly taken at the scene of the attack shows a man lying on the ground, covered in blood. A severed leg belonging to someone else is beside him.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but following the attack the Taliban were quick to distance themselves from the bombing.

"Today's Kabul attack has nothing to do with us. After a thorough investigation we found out that we had no operation in Kabul, and this attack is not linked to us," Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told AFP.

In the past Taliban and Islamic State jihadists, who belong to the rival Sunni branch of Islam, have repeatedly targeted the minority Shiite community.

A shopkeeper told AFP that the suicide bomber blew himself to bits after he was identified by suspicious civilian guards who had set up a checkpoint about 200 metres (yards) from the mosque.

Afghanistan has trained and armed more than 400 civilians to help protect Shiite mosques during the holy month of Muharram.

The attacker had apparently wanted to reach the mosque while worshippers were still inside the prayer hall.

Children wounded

Afghan security forces patrolled the dirt street where the attack happened. Nearby shops, most of which would have been closed on a Friday, were damaged by the blast.

Salim Shaheen, who was inside the mosque at the time of the explosion, told AFP there were multiple casualties.

"We were busy offering our Friday prayers when a big bang happened, and we stopped prayers and rushed out," Shaheen said.

Shaheen said "several people were killed and wounded". He and other bystanders took 15 people including six children to hospital.

There had been fears insurgents would strike as Shiites prepare to commemorate Ashura, which falls this weekend and is the most important Shiite observance.

It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

The faithful gather to beat their chests and hit their backs with chains until they bleed in commemoration of Hussein's death.

But in recent years the sacred day has been marred by deadly violence.

In 2011 a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the middle of a crowd of worshippers at the main Shiite shrine in Kabul on Ashura, killing 80 people, including women and children.

Afghan officials blamed the bombing  the first major sectarian attack on a key religious day in Afghanistan  on Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

Last October gunmen entered the Karte Sakhi shrine near Kabul University and killed 18 people gathering to mark Ashura, an attack claimed by the Islamic State.

The following day at least 14 Shiites were killed in a bombing at a mosque in northern Afghanistan. A few weeks later Baqui ul Ulom mosque in Kabul was targeted when a massive suicide blast claimed by IS killed dozens of worshippers.
United Nations: The United States pressed Thursday for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out more nuclear inspections in Iran, warning that failure to do so would make the nuclear deal with Tehran "an empty promise."

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said that some countries were trying to shield Iran from more inspections by the IAEA, which is charged with verifying Tehran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord.

"Without inspections, the Iran deal is an empty promise," she said in a statement.

Haley's push for more inspections comes just 15 days before Trump must certify to the US Congress whether Iran is in compliance with the agreement.

"If the Iran nuclear deal is to have any meaning, the parties must have a common understanding of its terms," Haley said in a statement.

"Iranian officials have already said they will refuse to allow inspections at military sites, even though the IAEA says there must be no distinction between military and non-military sites.

"Now it appears that some countries are attempting to shield Iran from even more inspections."

Although she named no countries, diplomatic sources said she was referring to Russia.

Ten days ago, the head of the Iranian nuclear program, Ali Akbar Salehi, accused Washington of sabotaging the agreement and called on IAEA to resist Washington's "unacceptable demands."

He took particular aim at Haley, who he said had made unjustifiable demands regarding the verification of the nuclear accord. Those demands included IAEA inspections of Iranian military sites.

The United States has recently multiplied its attacks on the accord, which Trump had vowed to scrap last year during the US presidential campaign.

At a debate yesterday organized by the Asia Society, Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif, warning that a US withdrawal from the accord would be a "strategic mistake."

"The US needs to show it is a reliable partner," he said.

He also defended Iran's role in Syria and Iraq as justified by the need to defend populations threatened by terrorist organizations.

Iran's missile development programs also were needed, he said, to protect the Iranian people at a time when other countries in the region, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are making massive arms purchases.

The Iranian nuclear accord, signed in July 2015 by Iran and six world powers -- Germany, China, the United States, France, Britain and Russia -- puts Iran's nuclear installations under strict surveillance.

The accord's aim is to guarantee that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, in exchange for a gradual easing of international sanctions.
Washington: The United States is crafting a plan for a drawdown of staff from the American embassy in Havana in response to still-unexplained incidents that have harmed the health of some US diplomats there, US and congressional officials said on Thursday.

The State Department's plan, which was being finalised and could be announced within days, would call for the departure of non-essential staff and diplomats families, the sources said.

But it was unclear whether leaving the island would be voluntary or compulsory, and one US official said some details were still being worked out.

US officials say 21 US diplomats and family members have been afflicted by health problems of unknown origin, including hearing loss, dizziness and nausea. Several Canadians have also been affected in Cuba, a Canadian official has said.

The Cuban government has denied any role and is conducting an investigation. But it has so far said it has been unable to determine the cause.

Proposals for a drawdown have moved forward since US secretary of state Rex Tillerson met Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the case, which has been threatening the already fragile detente between the two former Cold War foes.

The State Department is expected to stop short of saying it will close the recently reopened embassy because of the mysterious affair, despite Tillerson having said last week that such a move was under consideration.

But a partial evacuation, even one depicted by the Trump administration as a safety measure, would also send a message of US displeasure over Cuba's handling of the matter and deliver another blow to Obama-era engagement policies with Havana.

Congressional staffers briefed

US state department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters Thursday that Tillerson  who is now on his way to Beijing - was reviewing all of his options for "how to best protect our American personnel" in Cuba and that she was not ready to announce any decision.

But congressional staffers were briefed on the plan on Thursday, two congressional sources said.

Republican US senator Marco Rubio, a harsh critic of the Cuban government, hinted at the State Departments coming decision. "Any reduction of Americans from @USEmbassyHavana should also require equal number of Castro employees leaving regime's embassy in US," he said in a message on Twitter.

Any reduction of Americans from @USEmbassyHavana should also require equal number of Castro employees leaving regime's embassy in U.S.  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) September 28, 2017

The State Department declined comment. McClatchy news service was the first to report this week that the United States would soon begin a major withdrawal of Havana staff.

Depending on how many diplomats leave, the Havana embassy  the main point of contact for US citizens visiting the island as well as American companies doing business there  could be left with more of a skeletal staff to handle responsibilities.

Though Washington has not cast direct blame on Cuban authorities, the State Department said Tillerson reminded Rodriguez at Tuesday's meeting of Cuba's obligation to protect diplomats and their families.

In the highest-level US-Cuba meeting since President Donald Trump took office, Rodriguez warned the United States against taking hasty decisions and urged Washington to cooperate with its ongoing investigation. Washington earlier this year expelled two Cuban diplomats over the alleged incidents.

The case has brought simmering tensions between the two countries since Trump took office to the boil.

Trump, who in June vowed to partially roll back the detente with Cuba agreed by his Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama, called the Cuban government "corrupt and destabilising" in his address to the United Nations General Assembly last week.

He said he would not lift the US trade embargo on the Caribbean island until it made "fundamental reforms." Cuba described his comments as "unacceptable and meddling."
Apple today launched the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in India, it had promised. Reliance Jio launched these smartphones at an event in Mumbai in partnership with Apple. In addition to Flipkart, Amazon.in and Authorized Apple resellers, the latest iPhones will be available across 900 cities in India from more than 2000 Reliance Digital outlets.

Reliance Jio also launched a new tariff plan especially for iPhone 8. The Rs. 799 plan provides 90GB of data per month (at 3GB per day) for postpaid users, in addition to free voice, SMS and complimentary subscription to Jios premium applications. The same plan is also available for prepaid users with a 28 day validity.

There is a Rs. 10,000 an additional cashback on Citi credit and

world debit cards today, September 29th. Jio also announced that it will offer a special 70% buyback on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Under this offer, customer who opts for the Rs. 799 or higher Jio tariff plan would be eligible for 70% of the MRP as buyback amount on return of the device after a year. This offer is available on Jio.com and MyJio App, Jio Store, Reliance Digital Store, Enterprise partners of Jio and Amazon.in.

Both brands will work together to progressively bring Apples gamut of products and services to Indians including Apples Mac Lab and iPhone X, said Jio.

The iPhone 8 starts at Rs. 64,000 for the 64GB variant and the price goes up to Rs. 86,000 for the 256GB iPhone 8 Plus.

Tim Cook, CEO, Apple Inc. sent a video message at the iPhone 8 launch event, he said:

Namaste, to all my friends in India. Thank you for coming out today for the launch of iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 plus. A special thanks to Mukesh and everyone at Jio for hosting the celebration for iPhone customers. At Apple, we are incredibly excited about this new generation of iPhone  iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 plus. They make everything we love about iPhone even better. We think you will love the new glass and aluminium designs with wireless charging and new retina HD displays. iPhone 8 has the smartest, most powerful chip ever in a smartphone, the A11 bionic, designed by Apple. It has our best cameras, portrait mode and portrait lighting and the highest quality video capture on a phone. With iOS11, these new iPhones deliver an amazing augmented reality experiences like nothing youve ever seen before. I think youre really going to love this feature. Weve added new keyboards for India so we now support 11 local languages, and iPhone now takes dictation in Hindi. Were excited to be building so many new relationships in India, including tens of thousands of developers across the country now writing apps for iOS. I want to thank everyone again for joining us on this journey and being here today. I wish I could be there with you. Enjoy iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 plus. I wish everyone a very happy and safe Diwali.
This week in industry news, the gauge for world food commodity prices declined for the sixth month in a row in September. BlueNalu revealed its plans to increase... Read More
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
Before KB Home (NYSE:KBH) investors got an update on a quarter that produced better-than-expected results, CEO Jeffrey Mezger addressed his dust-up with comedian and neighbor Kathy Griffin, again.

"I regretted the incident immediately and I've apologized for it sincerely. The board of directors has already taken action as the company has disclosed and I and the KB Home team are fully focused on leading this company into the future," said Jeffrey Mezger, chairman, president and chief executive officer before kicking off the homebuilderas third-quarter earnings conference call to discuss a 25% jump in revenues that reached $1.14B, helped by a 12% jump in home selling prices.

While Mezger did not mention Griffin by name, accounts of his off-hours tirade against her and boyfriend Randy Bick, made headlines last week.

Mezger was recorded hurling homophobic and profanity filled slurs against the two, who live in close proximity to his family, in an upscale Los Angeles gated community. The corporate chieftain was reportedly enraged after the couple called the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to lodge aan hours-long noise disturbance,a according to the Huffington Post, which obtained the audio recording from Bick.

News of the off-color rant earned Mezger a 25% pay cut for his 2017 bonus. Still the board stood by Mezger while also giving him a warning.

Ticker Security Last Change Change % KBH KB HOME 30.12 -1.29 -4.11%

aJeffrey Mezger has always conducted himself in a professional manner during his tenure at KB Home. He has been a very effective CEO and a great leader for the Company. Mr. Mezger has the full and complete confidence of the Board. However, Mr. Mezgeras recent behavior in his personal dealings with a neighbor is unacceptable and a negative reflection on KB Home...The Board has informed Mr. Mezger that if in the future there is any similar incident, he will be dismissed,a according to an SEC Filing.

Following the incident Griffin and Bick filed a request to get a restraining order against Mezger, The Blast reported.

KB Home is the sixth largest publicly traded homebuilder and caters to first-time and first move-up homebuyers, as well as active adults, according to the company. Shares have gained 36% this year.

Griffin has also had her fair share of negative publicity this year after she was pictured holding a severed gory head in President Trumpas likeness, which was met with nationwide backlash. CNN, which featured Griffin in its annual New Yearas Eve coverage, fired the comedian after the incident.
While many residents of Puerto Rico continue to hang on without shelter, power, food and clean drinking water after being slammed by two massive hurricanes in less than a month, a lot of big pharmaceutical companies  who manufacture critical life-saving drugs on the island  are scrambling to ensure that drug shortages around the world dont happen as a result.

Earlier this week, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb released a statement saying the agency is very concerned about the possibility of a drug shortage.

Since Friday, we have undertaken swift and extensive efforts to prevent or limit the loss or shortage of multiple drugs critical to American patients due to the challenges related to refrigeration, storage and transportation. The agency has been working closely  throughout the weekend and into [Monday]  to relocate products in coordination with our federal and local government colleagues and pharmaceutical companies, Gottlieb said.

A spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration had no immediate comment on whether any drug shortages could occur or what drugs in particular were being protected.

Twelve of the top 20 global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have manufacturing facilities on the island, according to the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company. As a result, the island manufactures seven of the top 10 drugs sold globally including cancer drugs, immunosuppressants used by transplant patients and devices needed for people with diabetes.

Overall, pharmaceuticals represent 72% of Puerto Ricos 2016 exports, valued at $14.5 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

FOX Business reached out to some of the top drug makers who manufacture on the island to see if shortages are imminent and what drugs are at risk.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), one of the worlds largest drug makers in oncology and cardiology, told FOX Business it has completed a preliminary assessment of its properties and only one of its three sites experienced minimal to moderate damage.

We are working to repair the facilities as soon as possible. We have a healthy supply of finished goods available for patients and do not see a risk to patient supply at this point. Our primary concerns have been the safety of our colleagues and those in Puerto Rico, and restoring our ability to assure uninterrupted supply of medicines to our patients, a spokesperson for Pfizer said.

However, the drug maker said that it has prepositioned critical products with relief agencies AmeriCares and Direct Relief that are being used in response to all the hurricanes including Maria, and it is currently working with these agencies to evaluate the replenishment of these supplies as needed.

Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY), whose top drugs treat oncology, cardiovascular and diabetes, told FOX Business that its two manufacturing sites in Puerto Rico also suffered minimal damage, but its not expected to hinder operations as infrastructure begins to recover.

Our inventory strategy for products is designed to protect against this type of event and we see no product supply risk to global markets at this time, Tammy Hull, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly and Co., said.

Instead, the company said its using its facilities as temporary shelter for some of its more than 1,100 employees on the island.

Our primary concern is the safety of our employees and their families. We have accounted for almost 95% of our employees in Puerto Rico, and a large number of those employees have reported to the manufacturing sites this past week. We are working to address any urgent support needs they have, Hull added.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) said while it does not have manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico, it is working closely with its partners, distributors and the government to maintain business and supply continuity.

Baxter (NYSE:BAX), who markets and distributes more than 84 drugs in the U.S., said its still in the process of trying to connect with its employees in Puerto Rico who work at the companys facility. But as it relates to product supply, the company made preparations in advance to ensure products wouldnt be affected.

As it relates to product supply, in advance of the hurricanes, we implemented our hurricane preparedness plan to help mitigate potential impact, including proactively moving product off the island and putting products into secure storage. We have begun shipping warehoused product off the island as well as delivering product to customers to help address patient needs on the island, a Baxter spokesperson told FOX Business.

Additionally, the company said while its sites have sustained some damage, remediation activities have been underway to initiate production activities.

Other drug makers including Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Mylan (NASDAQ:MYL) and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) did not immediately return FOX Business request for comment.
The vast majority of all drugs (especially cancer drugs) that are developed fail before making it to market -- making drug development incredibly expensive. A recent study by the American Medical Association looked at exactly how expensive it is to get a cancer drug from development to the market.

In this clip from Industry Focus: Healthcare, host Kristine Harjes and Motley Fool contributor Todd Campbell go over the results of the study, explain why the high end and the low end of the ranges are so vastly different from each other, and dive into how much return on investment many of these drugs have ended up achieving.

A full transcript follows the video.

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This video was recorded on Sept. 13, 2017.

Kristine Harjes: So, there's a reason that we're talking today about how expensive it is to develop a cancer drug, and that reason is that there is a recent study that was published in a very well-known journal that comes from the American Medical Association claiming that they had figured out how much it costs on average to make a cancer drug.

Todd Campbell: Right, numbers have been floating around for years, the back and forth of how much does it really cost to develop a drug. We'll get into a little more depth later on why those numbers are important to drugmakers. But, I think you basically have to be living under a rock not to realize that drug prices have become a major consideration, not just from an investment standpoint, what it might mean for the drug makers who are developing these drugs, but obviously for consumers, who in the end, either through higher health insurance premiums or directly, are paying the brunt of the cost of these more expensive medicines. We have these two researchers who went out and said, "Maybe we can actually put a specific figure to the sky-high cost of developing drugs. And we can figure out exactly how high sky-high really is." And that's what was published this past week in JAMA Internal Medicine, and I'm sure that if our listeners reached out to us, we can get them a copy, but you can also search for that online.

Harjes: Yeah, absolutely. This was specifically for cancer drugs. What they did was look at 10 cancer drugs from 10 different companies that had never gotten a previous FDA approval, and who did have their first drug approved between the years 2006 and 2015. They looked at the entire research and development expenses, all the way up through that approval. With that, it would also incorporate the cost of failed drugs that didn't actually get approved by the FDA, and they landed on a final number for how much these companies are spending. Todd, do you want to do the reveal?

Campbell: Do you want to do the drum roll, Kristine?

Harjes: I don't know how it's going to sound on the mic, but listeners, do it on your steering wheel or wherever you're listening.

Campbell: So, what's that cost, Kristine?

Harjes: They found that it costs a median of $757 million to create one of these drugs.

Campbell: It is absolutely amazing how much money we're talking about. With nine numbers, $757 million. That includes some opportunity cost, so, basically, what you could do with the money other than try to develop new drugs. If you X out that opportunity cost, you're still talking about $648 million in spending to get these drugs across the finish line. And I know we have listeners out there, statisticians, who are going, "Wait, what do you mean that they only looked at companies that were getting their first drug approved? Isn't that going to skew the numbers?"

Harjes: Well yes, absolutely. And they acknowledge that.

Campbell: And they did that for a reason, and the reason is that other studies that have been done in the past tend to look at large pharmaceutical companies that have been around a long time, and therefore might be a little bit bloated, so they have a little more in the selling, marketing, and general expenses that theoretically could skew the actual research and development costs of individual drugs. So, they said, let's just take it from scratch, from a company that's relatively new, it's developing some stuff in the pipeline, they spend a bunch of money over a period of time ahead of getting a drug approval, how much did they spend divided by that one drug that was approved? And that's the median number we came up with. There were a lot of interesting points that they raised in the study. It's a really interesting read.

Harjes: Yeah. One of the ones that stood out to me was how large the ranges of the spending figures were. They ranged from $157 million at the low end to $1.95 billion at the high end to get to that median of $757 million.

Campbell: Right, and listeners are probably like, wait, Kristine how is that even possible? How can one company be spending $200 million and another company spending a billion?

Harjes: Do you know the answer?

Campbell: I'm assuming it has something to do with the indication being studied, whether or not you had to go into phase 3, whether or not you had to conduct multiple phase 3 trials, and how many patients actually had to be studied in each of those.

Harjes: Yeah, there are going to be so many different factors that go into that, but of course, trial design is everything, really. And also how many different drugs you had to try before you hit the jackpot. If the first lottery ticket that you buy is the winner, then it's going to come in at a lower expense.

Campbell: Right. On average, these new, young companies have four different drugs that were in their pipeline. They were hoping that one of them would end up proving out, and sure enough one of them did end up proving out. The other thing that really struck me, Kristine, was the sheer numbers in revenue that these drugs have generated. We're talking about the expense, we're talking about huge numbers, how much it costs to develop these drugs. But then you find out, let's not cry too many tears for the drugmaker.

Harjes: Yeah. Reminder, the range of spending was $157 million to $1.95 billion. If you total that up, the 10 drug makers in aggregate spent $7.2 billion. If you look at what they made off of those drugs, they spent $7.2 billion, they made $67 billion in total. The median revenue for one of these drugmakers was $1.66 billion, and that was just within a median time frame of four years post-approval.

Campbell: David Gardner would call that a spiffy-pop.

Harjes: Yeah, that's an incredible ROI, return on investment.

Campbell: Yeah, and if you look at on a median perspective, each of those drugs, the median had been on the market now for four years, and the median number in revenue is $1.6 billion. So even if you look at the median, halfway in the middle, you're talking about a very nice return. Again, there was a very large range in revenue as well. But still, you're talking about nine of the 10 generating a profit that's greater than what they had to put out to be able to bring this drug to the market.

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A new CEO appointed by Chinese automaker Geely to head Malaysia's Proton presented a 10-year plan to revitalize the national car maker as he vowed Friday to make Proton among Southeast Asia's top vehicle brands.

Geely Holding Group recently acquired 49.9 percent of Proton in a deal that gives the Chinese company a platform to expand in Southeast Asia where non-Japanese brands have struggled. Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom Berhad retains a 50.1 percent stake in Proton.

Geely and DRB-Hicom announced in a joint statement that Li Chun Rong will take over as CEO of Proton's manufacturing arm in a management reshuffle but that he will be responsible for the entire operations of Proton.

Li, who has 30 years of experience in the auto sector, previously worked for major automakers such as Honda Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp. and China Dongfeng Motor Group, the statement said.

Li said it was time for a tough revamp to enable Proton to be a "top three ASEAN brand in the next 10 years." Officials said Li has presented to the Proton board a broad roadmap that includes new product offerings over the next decade to revive Proton.

Li said his first task over the next three months will be to bolster Proton's operations in areas such as product planning, research and development, quality improvement and procurement. He said Geely's Boyue SUV model will only be rolled out in Malaysia by the end of 2018 and that new cars to be designed by Proton will feature high-powered engines with lower oil consumption.

"The most important key for the company is to focus on customer satisfaction," Li said.

Proton Holdings Berhad was founded in 1983 by the Malaysian government to create a domestic auto brand and has a distribution network in key Southeast Asian markets. Its sales have suffered due to growing competition and a reputation for poor quality and bland models. Proton was privatized in 2012 but its new owner, DRB-Hicom, was unable to revive the business.

Geely is one of China's biggest independent auto brands.

Founded in 1986 as a refrigerator manufacturer, it started producing motorcycles in the 1990s and launched its first car in 2002. It bought Volvo from Ford Motor Co. in 2010.

The Chinese automaker said earlier the Proton deal would strengthen its global footprint and develop a beachhead in Southeast Asia.

The deal also marked a turning point in Malaysia's auto policy. The government has long resisted efforts to sell off any key stake in Proton, seen as a national icon.
The former head of state-owned PetroVietnam was sentenced to death Friday for embezzlement and abuse of power committed in his former job leading a bank partly owned by Vietnam's oil-and-gas giant. A judge in the graft case involving dozens of defendants warned that corruption by Communist Party members and civil servants threatened the regime's survival.

Nguyen Xuan Son was convicted by the Hanoi People's Court of embezzling $2.15 million and abusing his power to appropriate another $8.7 million from Ocean Bank, a joint stock bank in which PetroVietnam had owned 20 percent of shares.

Ocean Bank chairman Ha Van Tham was given a term of life imprisonment for convictions on the same charges at the end of the monthlong trial involving 51 defendants, most of them Ocean Bank executives.

"The acts of Nguyen Xuan Son and Ha Van Tham are particularly serious, infringing on the rights of property of the state and organization causing anger and dissonant among the people that needs to be handled seriously ... in the fight against crimes in general and corruption in particular in the current time," said Truong Viet Toan, one of the two judges in announcing the verdict that lasted nearly three hours.

Toan said corruption degraded a number of Communist Party members and civil servants who stole the people's trust in the ruling Communist Party and state and threatened to survival of the regime.

Twelve defendants received sentences of up to 30 years. Thirty-two received suspended sentences of up to 3 years while the remaining five were sentenced to undergo 2 years of re-education.

Ocean Bank was taken over by the State Bank in 2015 at no cost after reported accumulated losses of $445 million. PetroVietnam lost all its investment after the takeover.

Son was the bank's general director before being promoted to become chairman of the board of PetroVietnam in 2014.

Son and Tham were accused of initiating a policy of giving interests exceeding the rate set by the central bank to more than 50,000 individuals and nearly 400 companies and institutions that resulted in the losses of $69 million to the bank.

Ocean Bank executives told the court they had to offer customers higher interest rates to attract savings and that the bank would have collapsed if they had not done so.

Presiding Judge Tran Nam Ha said in announcing the verdict and sentencing that the defendants' acts of offering interests higher than officially set rates were especially serious violations of state rules and that "created unhealthy competition and chaos in financial markets and increased risks of high inflation."

Over the past month, police in widening their investigation into the case have arrested or put under house four other former or current senior executives of PetroVietnam and a former deputy State Bank governor who oversaw bad debts at credit institutions.

Three PetroVietnam subsidiaries were also being investigated for alleged abuse of power in appropriating $5.3 million, police said earlier this month.

The police statement said $3.4 million of the excessive interest was given to PetroVietnam Exploration and Production Corp., $852,000 was given to Binh Son Oil Refinery Co. and $1 million was given to VietsovPetro, a joint venture between PetroVietnam and Russia.

Vietnam ranks 113 out of 176 countries in Transparency International's 2016 corruption index.

The Communist Party and government have stepped up their anti-corruption drive in recent years with courts sentencing several senior executives to death.
As John Locke looked down from a helicopter at his roughly 200 cattle struggling with Harvey's rising floodwaters, he saw about 20 becoming entangled in a barbed wire fence and feared the worst.

Bundled in a lifejacket, the 38-year-old rancher jumped in to try and help. But by the time he reached the Brahmans, a beef cow species that originated in India and is known for its distinctive hump, most had already freed themselves and headed for higher ground with the rest of the herd.

"I thought they were going to die, and they're fine, which is kind of a theme for the whole thing," Locke said.

The damage Harvey inflicted on Texas' cattle industry hasn't been calculated yet, but there's evidence that it might be less than initially feared and perhaps not as costly as Hurricane Ike. That came ashore in 2008 as a weaker storm but with more salty storm surge that wiped out pastures for months. Even though Harvey unleashed catastrophic flooding on counties that are home to 1.2 million beef cattle, which is more than a fourth of the state's herd, there were apparently only a few instances in which large groups of cows drowned.

To be sure, some ranchers were walloped by Harvey, including at least one family that lost hundreds of cattle in flooding that reached the rooftops of low-lying homes near Beaumont, said Bill Hyman, who heads the Independent Cattleman's Association of Texas. And even surviving cattle can bring increased costs, as they can face longer-term health problems from standing in water for days, having gone long periods without eating and stress.

Hyman said he expects the association's membership to fall by 5 percent because some affected ranchers, especially older ones, will leave the business.

But whatever damage Harvey did cause shouldn't trigger a short-term rise in beef prices, said David Anderson, a Texas A&M University professor and agricultural economist. Texas is the nation's top cattle producer, with cow and calf sales averaging $10.7 billion annually between 2011 and 2014. But there are 30 million beef cows in the U.S. and most of the Texas beef industry's feed lots and packing plants are concentrated in parts of the state that escaped the storm.

"Individual ranchers are going to see huge financial effects," Anderson said, including livestock killed; replacing destroyed homes, feed, fences and equipment; and purchasing medicines to protect cows from post-Harvey health problems. "But I don't think we're going to see much at all in the way of market impacts, changes in calf prices for other ranchers, or in the consumer beef prices."

One sign that Harvey might not have been as bad on ranchers as had been feared is that there were, in the early weeks after Harvey, fewer than 10 applications to a federal program that provides aid for livestock carcass disposal, said assistant state conservationist Mark Habiger, who cautioned that it's still too early to declare that a crisis was averted. Federal officials urged ranchers to burn cattle killed in the storm because the soil is so saturated that burying them could spread contamination.

When Ike hit Texas nine years ago, it cost the ranching industry at least an estimated $37 million, killing up to 5,000 cattle and decimating pastureland with saltwater storm surge. During Harvey, most of the flooding was freshwater that came from rains and rivers, meaning many ranches won't have to deal with grasslands hurt by saltwater  though some closer to the Gulf Coast still might.

At Locke's J.D. Hudgins Ranch in Glen Flora, a village with just one post office and an antique shop about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southwest of Houston, the cattle have returned to grazing in lush pastures that are greener than ever. Although Locke's family lost three cows and a calf to Harvey and a few survivors seemed sluggish or walked with a limp as he herded them under a fence one recent day, Locke said it could have been much worse.

"We're just happy they're still here," he said.

___

Follow Will Weissert on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apwillweissert. Sign up for the AP's weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas at http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv.
Hurricane Maria has devastated Puerto Rico , destroying buildings leaving its more than 3.4 million residents largely without power. Food and drinking water are also difficult to come by, and the recovery will be long, difficult and expensive.

While the urge to donate clothes and other supplies is natural, money is the best way to contribute during times of disaster, charities and philanthropy experts say. That's not to say there's never a time and place for supplies. Diapers, for example, are often requested. And donating directly through a website gets money to a charity faster than a text donation, even though the text might seem easier.

Here's how to make sure you are giving in a way that matters the most.

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GIVE TO ESTABLISHED CHARITIES

GuideStar's website has a database that lets you vet charities . You can find information on a charity's expenses, assets and revenue, as well as its programs. Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, also suggests looking at a charity's website for information on how it will use donations. And look through local news reports for information on a charity's work, or contact the local United Way (in this case, Puerto Rico's). It's up to you whether to go with a local charity that might know the area better, or a national charity that has wider reach.

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TEXTING TO GIVE?

It might be tempting to make a donation through a text and have the phone company charge it on your phone bill. It's easy, and it might feel as though it's the quickest way to get money to a charity.

But Palmer says that's not the case, as charities have to wait for the phone companies to release the money.

The quickest way to give is to go to the charity's website and donate directly, using a credit or debit card. That said, relief agencies will need money beyond first few days or even weeks, so if the ease of text donations appeals to you, tap away. To donate $10 to the Red Cross via text, send a text message saying "REDCROSS" to the number 90999.

Apple users in the U.S. can also donate to the American Red Cross through the company's iTunes and app stores to help people affected by Hurricane Maria and the earthquake in Mexico. Amounts range from $5 to $200, and you can't use store credit. The donations will be split equally between the two disasters.

On Google, searching for terms such as "Hurricane Maria" will let you donate directly in the search results. Just scroll down and you'll find an option to give $5, $25 or $50 to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy .

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TIMING

Donations often pour in immediately after disaster strikes but peter out during the long recovery process. While there are a lot of immediate needs, Palmer says, charities are going to need support for the long haul.

Consider saving some of your money so you can donate again in a few weeks or months. Better yet, set up a recurring donation to support your chosen charity over time.

Some charities will say when they have raised enough for a particular disaster and use any extra money for their general fund, Palmer says. This isn't bad.

"One of the things this disaster shows is that it's important to have resilience," she says. "It's smart to just give and say that it can be used wherever it's most needed."

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CROWDFUNDING

Group fundraising services such as GoFundMe let people raise money for friends, families, neighbors or themselves  as well as for charity. As always, do your homework before giving to a stranger or cause online.

GoFundMe has a special page for Hurricane Maria pleas for charities, individuals and families. GlobalGiving , a crowdfunding site for charities, is trying to raise $5 million for local relief and recovery efforts.

Remember that donations are tax-deductible only if they go to a registered nonprofit or charity. Otherwise, they are generally considered gifts.

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HOLD OFF ON MATERIAL DONATIONS

Donating food, clothing and household items can complicate and even hinder relief efforts, experts say. After Superstorm Sandy in 2012, for example, there were reports of relief agencies not knowing what to do with the piles of clothing and other unsolicited items pouring in.

The U.S. Center for Disaster Information says such donations "require transportation  which is expensive and logistically complicated  and a pre-identified recipient on the ground who will receive the shipment, pay customs and other fees, sort and distribute the items."

Unsolicited goods, the agency says , are "never required in early stages of response, and they compete with priority relief items for transportation and storage."

___

LOCAL HELP

Puerto Rico's first lady, Beatriz Rossello, has launched an emergency fund with help from private companies. United for Puerto Rico (Unidos Por Puerto Rico) lets you donate through PayPal or directly to its bank account.

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AID FOR CHILDREN

UNICEF USA is working to get essential supplies such as water purification tablets, water containers, sanitary pads and detergent to children and their families in Puerto Rico. The relief agency says a donation of $28 will provide one kit to a family in need.

Save the Children says 700,000 children have been affected by the storm. The charity is providing aid in Puerto Rico as well as the Dominican Republic.
If you're unfortunate enough to suffer damage to your property thanks to fire, flooding, or a similar disaster, you can at least take comfort in being able to claim the loss as a deduction on your tax return (and hopefully get a bit of a tax break for it). However, reporting such a loss isn't a simple matter.

What is a casualty loss?

Not all property damage counts as a casualty loss. The IRS defines a casualty as "the damage, destruction, or loss of property resulting from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, or unusual." If termites eat your house to pieces or the family dog shreds your drywall, it won't count as a casualty and you can't deduct it. A loss also typically won't be deductible if you caused it -- for example, if you dropped and broke an expensive vase.

Common types of casualty losses include earthquakes, fires, car accidents, vandalism, and so on. Casualties like fires and car accidents aren't deductible if you caused them deliberately. Losses from theft are also deductible using the same method and rules as for a casualty loss.

Claiming a loss

You report a casualty or theft loss on Schedule A of that year's tax return. If the loss occurs as part of a federally declared disaster, you also have the option of reporting it on the previous year's tax return instead (which means filing an amended return for that year). Note that this means you have to itemize deductions in order to claim such a loss. You'll need to fill out Form 4684 to calculate how much of the loss you can deduct.

Calculating loss or gain

In order to fill out Form 4684 (regrettably one of the more complicated individual tax forms), there are several numbers that you'll need to know. First, line 2 asks you for the "cost or other basis" of the property. Basis means the amount of money that you have invested in the damaged property. In most cases, this will be the amount you originally paid for it; however, if you spent money on improving the property later, your basis might be higher. For example, if you bought your house for $200,000 but then spent another $40,000 to add a second bathroom, your basis in the house would be $240,000.

Next, you'll need to fill in the amount of the reimbursement you received from your insurance coverage. If your reimbursement was greater than your basis in the property, then as far as the IRS is concerned, you had a gain rather than a loss. For example, if your basis in your house was $240,000 but the value of the house rose over time to $400,000, and the insurance company reimbursed you $350,000 after your house burned down in a fire, you would have not a loss of $50,000 but rather a gain of $110,000 (the amount of the insurance payment minus your basis).

If you do end up with a gain, you may have to pay taxes on that gain as though it was income that you'd earned that year. One way to avoid such a fate is to use the insurance reimbursement to either restore the damaged property or buy similar property. For example, if your car was stolen and you used all of the insurance money to buy yourself a new car, you wouldn't have to pay taxes on the gain. But if you instead spent the money on a vacation to Maui and resolved to take the bus in the future, you would have to pay taxes on any gain resulting from the reimbursement.

Making loss adjustments

Assuming that you have a loss rather than a gain, you'll next have to make some adjustments to this loss to come up with the amount you can deduct. First, you subtract $100 from the loss that you suffered (which means that if your loss is less than $100, you get no deduction at all). Next, you subtract 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) as calculated on your Form 1040.

For example, let's say that your loss after insurance reimbursement was $10,000 and your AGI for the year was $70,000. First, you'd subtract $100 from the $10,000 loss for a result of $9,900. Second, you'd subtract 10% of your AGI, or $7,000, which leaves you with $2,900. That's the amount of the loss that you can deduct and the number that you would report on your Schedule A.

Multiple losses

A severe disaster can result in more than one loss at a time. For example, if a major earthquake caused your house to collapse on top of your car, you'd have a loss for both your house and your car. In that case, you add up all the losses you suffered, then subtract $100 and 10% of your AGI from the total -- not from each individual loss.

Finally, in the case of such a large-scale disaster (especially one that's been declared a federal disaster), you can often get help both in dealing with the disaster itself and with filling out the associated paperwork, including your tax returns. The federal Disaster Assistance website has guidance for getting help, and your state may also have some resources available to help you out.

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The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, cautioned the worlds central bankers on Friday against discounting digital currencies, including bitcoin.

Addressing a Bank of England conference, Lagarde conceded that digital currencies don't currently pose a major threat to the status quo, as they are "too volatile, too risky, too energy-intensive." Some have also been hacked, she noted.

But in time, she argued Friday, technological innovations could address some of these issues and as such it "may not be wise to dismiss virtual currencies."

In the future, she said, virtual currencies "might just give existing currencies and monetary policy a run for their money."

Meanwhile, as previously reported by FOX Business, Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne (NASDAQ:OSTK) is involved in a joint venture to launch a fully regulated digital currency exchange. With Byrne pledging to receive approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the cryptocurrencies traded there, could ultimately be recognized as a form of security.

Blockchain and cryptocurrency expert, Michael Casey, told FOX Business this week that digital currencies are the future.

They represent a new software-based paradigm for money, one that for the first time can embed governance and shared values directly into the medium of exchange itself, allowing economic communities to deploy them in order to overcome mistrust, align incentives and collaborate on common objectives, Casey, who is also a senior advisor at MIT Media Lab, said.

The debate over the legitimacy of digital currencies is heating up. Earlier this month, JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon said bitcoin is a fraud during a discussion at the Delivering Alpha conference.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Puerto Rico's island-wide power outage will mean a surge in insurance claims for lost business income that will increase the already high cost of damage caused by Hurricane Maria, likely tipping some big reinsurers into the red this year, according to industry experts.

Claims from Maria, on top of two other major Caribbean hurricanes this season, could push total global catastrophe losses for the year as high as $190 billion, according to some estimates, which would make it the most costly year on record for the insurance and reinsurance industries.

That will cut deeply into some reinsurers' capital reserves and could lead to ratings downgrades.

"It (Maria) is a major insured loss that is likely a pretty major negative surprise to the industry," said Ed Hochberg, North America head of reinsurance broker JLT Re.

Insurers pay reinsurance companies to take on a portion of their risks or to cover their losses once they reach a certain level, effectively shielding them from spikes in claims.

While that helps spread the cost of disasters, it means certain reinsurers are hit hard when big claims come in, depending on where they take on business.

Top reinsurers of Puerto Rico insurance companies - which tend to rely heavily on reinsurance - include Mapfre SA, QBE Insurance Group Ltd, Lloyd's of London [SOLYD.UL] and American International Group Inc, according to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

Mapfre, which also acts as an insurer in Puerto Rico, expects "recent natural disasters" to cut its full-year profit by between 150 million and 200 million euros ($175 million and $235 million), the Spanish company said this week.

Lloyd's of London said on Thursday it expects net losses of $4.5 billion from hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Inga Beale, the chief executive of Lloyd's, said it was too early to assess losses from Maria. AIG and QBE declined to comment.

NO POWER, MORE CLAIMS

The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico remains almost completely without power more than a week after Maria destroyed its electrical grid. That means most companies and shops cannot operate, and will likely file claims for business interruption, which is covered in most commercial policies.

"The longer the power stays out, the more youre going to have business interruption claims," said Keith Buckley, an analyst at Fitch Ratings. Estimates of when Puerto Rico will regain power range from three to six months.

Generally, business interruption clauses require actual physical damage to be sustained and coverage only lasts a set period of time, but the losses could mount up quickly.

For example, British packaging products company Essentra Plc said this week that stalled operations at two of its plants in Puerto Rico would cost it 500,000 pounds to 750,000 pounds ($670,000 to $1 million) a week, with a "significant" part of that covered by insurance.

Puerto Rico is home to many manufacturing sites, including for large pharmaceutical companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Eli Lilly and Co, Pfizer Inc, Amgen Inc and AstraZeneca Plc.

Drug companies generally build hurricane-resistant facilities, said Duncan Ellis, U.S. property practice leader for insurance broker Marsh. But getting a factory running again after a disaster typically requires re-certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a process that can cost millions of dollars, depending on the facility's size and the time for which it was closed, Ellis said. "It can be a little more tricky than if you were making stainless steel nuts and bolts," Ellis said.

Most pharmaceutical companies contacted by Reuters this week said their facilities had minimal damage and that they had stockpiled enough medicines to avoid supply disruptions. Amgen is using generators to power its Puerto Rico site, the company said.

RATINGS AT RISK?

Hurricane Maria alone could ultimately cause $15 billion to $30 billion in insured losses, including business interruption, according to risk modeling firm RMS. AIR Worldwide put the number even higher, from $40 billion to $85 billion.

With another two months of the Atlantic hurricane season to go, 2017 could end up as the most expensive year ever for insurers and reinsurers, if the final tally exceeds the $143 billion in losses from 2011, the year a massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan.

Those levels of losses could trigger a "capital event," Fitch Ratings warned this week, meaning catastrophe losses might exceed earnings and produce a net loss for the year, forcing reinsurers to dip into their capital reserves.

That could lead to rating downgrades, Fitch said, which would make it more costly for companies to raise debt. In extreme cases, reinsurers may choose not to pay dividends in order to use those funds to replenish capital, said Buckley.

Profits, rather than capital, are most at risk, said A.M. Best reinsurance analyst Robert De Rose.

"The series of events does not represent a capital issue; however, earnings will be negatively impacted, and for some, the earnings impact could be material," he said.

The upside for reinsurers is that big losses usually mean they have power to raise rates the following year.

"We could begin to see some firming of reinsurance pricing going forward," said Hochberg.

Given the scale of the losses projected from Maria, on top of the other storms and two recent earthquakes in Mexico, reinsurance prices could rise "materially," said Jefferies International analyst Philip Kett.

(Reporting by Suzanne Barlyn in New York and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Carolyn Cohn in London; Editing by Bill Rigby)
SpaceX chief Elon Musk's elaborate plan for a mega-rocket to carry astronauts to Mars may have some down-to-Earth applications.

At a conference in Australia on Friday, Musk said if you build a ship capable of going to the moon and Mars, why not use it for high-speed transport here at home. He proposes using his still-in-the-design phase rocket for launching passengers from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes flat.

Los Angeles to New York, or Los Angeles to Honolulu in 25 minutes. London to Dubai in 29 minutes.

"Most of what people consider to be long-distance trips would be completed in less than half an hour," Musk said to applause and cheers at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide.

A seat should cost about the same as a full-fare economy plane ticket, he noted later via Instagram.

Friday's address was a follow-up to one he gave to the group last September in Mexico, where he unveiled his grand scheme for colonizing Mars. He described a slightly scaled-down 348-foot-tall (106-meter-tall) rocket and announced that the private space company aims to launch two cargo missions to Mars in 2022.

"That's not a typo," he said, pausing, as charts appeared on a large screen. "Although it is aspirational."

Two more cargo missions would follow in 2024 to provide more construction materials, along with two crewed flights. The window for launching to Mars occurs every two years.

For the approximately six-month, one-way trips to Mars, the SpaceX ships would have 40 cabins, ideally with two to three people per cabin for a grand total of about 100 passengers. Musk foresees this Mars city growing, and over time "making it really a nice place to be."

Scott Hubbard, an adjunct professor at Stanford University and a former director of NASA's Ames Research Center, calls it "a bold transportation architecture with aspirational dates." A demonstration of some sort in the 2020s will add to its credibility, he said in an email. And while more details are needed for life-support systems, "Kudos to Elon and SpaceX for keeping the focus on humans to Mars!"

Former NASA chief technologist Bobby Braun, now dean of the college of engineering and applied science at the University of Colorado at Boulder, also sees Musk's plan as a step in the right direction, building on technologies SpaceX already has demonstrated, like reusable rockets.

"While the timeline and capabilities are certainly ambitious, I'm bullish on U.S industry's ability to carry out challenging and far-reaching goals," Braun wrote in an email. "It's great to see the private sector lead in this way, and I hope we see more of it."

NASA is charting its own path to what it calls the "Deep Space Gateway," beginning with expeditions in the vicinity of the moon in the 2020s and eventually culminating at Mars. The space agency has handed much of its Earth-orbiting work to private industry, including SpaceX, Orbital ATK and Boeing.

Earlier Friday in Adelaide, Lockheed Martin presented its vision for a "Mars Base Camp" in partnership with NASA. Astronauts could be on their way in about a decade, the company said. This first mission would orbit the red planet, rather than land.

Musk intends to finance his $10 billion Mars endeavor by using a rocket that's smaller than the one outlined last year. Fewer engines would be needed: 31 versus the originally envisioned 42. Its lift capability would be 150 tons, more than NASA's old moon rocket, the Saturn V.

He wants one type of booster and spaceship that can replace the company's current Falcon 9 rocket, the soon-to-fly Falcon Heavy rocket designed for heavier satellites, and the Dragon capsule presently used to deliver cargo to the International Space Station, and, as soon as next year, station astronauts.

That way SpaceX can put all its resources toward this new system, Musk said. Revenue from launching satellites, and sending supplies and crews to the space station, could pay for the new rocket, he said.

Musk said the same spaceship for moon and Mars trips  long and cylindrical with small shuttle-like wings  could fly to the space station. He said the mega-rocket could be used to establish a lunar settlement, with spaceships being refueled in Earth orbit versus creating a vital fuel depot at Mars.

The mega-rocket doesn't have a name but for now is called BFR. The B is for big; the R for rocket. As for the F, well, you get the idea.

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Online:

SpaceX: http://www.spacex.com/
Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Trump, on Thursday said that the middle class will benefit the most from President Trumps tax reform proposal.

This will be a middle class tax plan, that brings major cuts of a generation or two, something we havent seen in 36 years, she told FOX Business Lou Dobbs on Lou Dobbs Tonight.

Conway discussed why working with job creators and small businesses is very important for the success of Trumps tax reform plan.

We have the support of a lot of the small business groups and job creator groups on the outside. Weve been working very diligently with them because we know that this is a grassroots engineered effort. We want this to bubble from the bottom up, she said.

Conway believes that lowering the corporate tax rate to 20% will keep companies in the U.S. and in turn will benefit the middle class.

In the past when job creators have received a major tax reduction they have invested that money by in large back into their companies. They can give their employees raises and they ought to, she said. If we make job creators more competitive, that helps everyone. If you are that welder or that carpenter or that factory worker, worried about keeping your job or looking for a new job, when you reduce the tax burden on Americas job creators, you encourage them to stay here.
The next time you have to take Victoria Principal to a barn dance you can skip the limousine and pick her up in a pickup.

Ram is introducing a new Laramie Longhorn Southfork trim level to its light and heavy duty truck lineups that takes Texas-style luxury to the next level.

Clearly inspired (though not officially) by the ranch featured in the Dallas TV series, the trucks get two-tone full grain leather upholstery, real walnut and ash trim, suede headliners and come with navigation in a variety of Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 Crew Cab and Mega Cab configurations at a starting price $52,615.

2018 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY LIMITED IS FORD'S FIRST $100,000 TRUCK
Chelsea Handler is in trouble again for a vulgar tweet she wrote about first lady Melania Trump.

"Melania to host a discussion on opioid abuse. She says unless you have to have sex with Donald Trump, you have no excuse to be on drugs," Handler tweeted Friday.

Fans immediately slammed the comedian on Twitter calling her joke not funny and in poor taste.

Opiods are killing people and decimating towns in record numbers. Not funny  Sharon#canadiangirl (@Sharongreco13) September 29, 2017 Really tacky!!  Denise Olson (@olson_rdo85) September 29, 2017 There's nothing funny about this. Your lack of talent is on full display.  Quinton Mino (@UGAQuinton) September 29, 2017 Chelsea, give it up already! You're so obsessed w/Trump & his family that you look ridiculous to everyone now. Wth is wrong with you anyway?  Karina Pettinger (@Kittykatnip1970) September 29, 2017 Ignorant comments for shock value... gotta change your approach and try to write a joke sometime...  Justin H (@JustinlovesUSA) September 29, 2017

A rep for Handler did not return Fox News' request for comment.

This is hardly the first time Handler has gotten into trouble for her tweets.

The "Netflix" talk show host tweeted in August that there should be laws against "people who think racism is funny."

"2 Chinese guys were arrested in Berlin for making nazi salutes," Handler tweeted. "Wouldn't it be nice 2 have laws here for people who think racism is funny?"

Many took to Twitter to slam the comedian for her tweet, calling her hypocritical as she has advocated for free speech. Some Twitter users pointed out Handler has made racist jokes in the past.

In March, Handler faced backlash for a tweet she made in response to Eric and Lara Trump's announcement that they are expecting their first child in March.

Handler tweeted, "I guess one of @realDonaldTrump's sons is expecting a new baby. Just what we need. Another person with those jeans [sic]. Let's hope for a girl."

Donald Trump Jr. blasted the comedian's tweet in a lengthy post prefacing it on Twitter calling it a "sick tweet targeted at our family."
Lynda Carter, who portrayed Wonder Woman on the iconic 1970s television show, has slammed James Cameron for his continued criticism of the summers blockbuster reboot.

Last month, the Avatar director called the Wonder Woman movie a step backwards.

All of the self-congratulatory back-patting Hollywoods been doing over Wonder Woman has been so misguided," Cameron said in an interview with The Guardian. "Shes an objectified icon, and its just male Hollywood doing the same old thing! Im not saying I didnt like the movie but, to me, its a step backwards."

Cameron went on to say that he believed one of his popular protagonists, Sarah Connor from the Terminator franchise, set a better example for female leading characters in movies.

JAMES CAMERON CALLS WONDER WOMAN A STEP BACKWARDS FOR WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD

Sarah Connor was not a beauty icon. She was strong, she was troubled, she was a terrible mother, and she earned the respect of the audience through pure grit, he said. And to me, [the benefit of characters like Sarah] is so obvious. I mean, half the audience is female!

Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins responded to Camerons comments and said the Titanic director did not understand what Wonder Woman stood for because he is not a woman.

Cameron, 63, did not stop there. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cameron said Gal Gadots portrayal of the superhero did not break ground.

She was Miss Israel, and she was wearing a kind of bustier costume that was very form-fitting, Cameron said of Gadot. Shes absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. To me, thats not breaking ground. They had Raquel Welch doing stuff like that in the 60s.

WONDER WOMAN DIRECTOR FIRES BACK AT JAMES CAMERONS STEP BACKWARDS COMMENT

Carter, 66, responded to the directors comments on Wonder Woman in a Facebook post Thursday.

To James Cameron -STOP dissing WW: You poor soul. Perhaps you do not understand the character. I most certainly do. Like all women--we are more than the sum of our parts. Your thuggish jabs at a brilliant director, Patty Jenkins, are ill advised. This movie was spot on. Gal Gadot was great. I know, Mr. Cameron--because I have embodied this character for more than 40 years. So--STOP IT, Carter wrote.

On Friday, Carter posted an article regarding her comments to Cameron and wrote: He deserves to be called out!
Frances most expensive series on television stirred headlines in 2016 when audiences overseas witnessed jaw-dropping sex scenes and bloodshed all within the first episode. Now, one of its stars insisted American viewers will easily tune in for Season 2.

Its very much a show of its time, Elisa Lasowski, who plays Queen Marie-Therese in Versailles, told Fox News. Like, theres a trend in television for shows to be more and more sexy and more and more violent. Its sort of something that has existed I dont think it comes out of nowhere. It doesnt particularly shock me."

Express reported at the time the English-language period drama reportedly features a sex or violent scene every 15 minutes and double the amount of nudity found on HBOs Game of Thrones. The French star claimed the real-life history that inspired the series would have surprised viewers even more.

I think actually, if you sort of look at the history, it would have probably been a lot worse, lets say, said Lasowski. Or a lot more heightened. Not so much better or worse. But a lot more heightened actually than the way we depicted it. So I dont feel like its an element thats been added on.

Versalles tells the story of Frances most famous king, Louis XIV (George Blagden), who decides to build the greatest palace in the world while facing political obstacles. It would become an opulent, breathtaking spectacle where wealth and pleasure was found in every single inch of the castle, prompting a drained budget and political rivalry. Lasowski revealed it was easy for the show to rely on history for titillating stories to share in front of cameras.

He wanted to bring out all the nobles away from Paris and [bring them] all in the same palace, she explained. And it was a way to control them. He could control his opposition. He created this sort of world of gambling, eating, and drinking It was very much a pleasure palace he created to lure people in and essentially, well they werent allowed to leave, but it was a way to control the opposition."

She added, "Its beautiful, but its definitely not a modest place Theres just gold everywhere and the Hall of Mirrors in fact. I think every sheet of mirror was the equivalent of, in money at the time, the equivalent of 16 battle ships or something crazy like that. It was just a pure display of money and power.

Versailles reportedly costs over $3 million an episode, doubling that of Downton Abbey  and its easy to see why. The series is not only filmed in Chateau de Versailles on Mondays when its closed to the public, but it also takes place in several different castles around Paris.

The show invested a lot of money to create, to recreate the kind of world in the way they had, said Lasowski. All the costumes are made to measure Every wig we wear is something like 5-4 thousand euros, which is what, maybe $6,000 dollars, something like that? They sew one hair at a time.

However, transforming into a royal isnt always so glamorous.

It takes about two hours, I would say, every morning, which, considering the amount of work, its actually pretty fast," said Lasowski. "I think its just because the hair and makeup team all the dressers are actually extremely good at what they do. But it is quite a bit of effort.

"And getting into costume is all right because you have the sort of time to get into your character. Sort of ease into it. But the challenge is to keep the clothes and the wigs [on] for 14 hours or however long our days are. Thats quite a challenge I would say. And then you have to take it off as well.

Still, Lasowski has always been eager to take on the mysterious queen, one who was sidelined in textbooks.

Throughout history, she was described differently by different historians, she said. And thats because initially historians, which would have been the equivalent of journalists today, where a lot more into recording the stories of [the kings] mistresses because it was a lot more fun, like tabloid The queen was less fun to talk about.

It also didnt help Louis XIV allegedly never denied himself the satisfaction of having countless affairs.

Louis XIV respected the queen as like a political ally and actually three times in history, he sort of made her regent where he had to be away And thats actually something we see in Season 2, which is interesting, said Lasowski. But yeah, as a woman, he didnt really respect her as his wife [he had] this sort of double life and, not a double life actually because it was very out in the open.

Lasowski also felt right at home within the set. Back in 2013, she had a guest role on Game of Thrones as Mirelle, a prostitute in one of Petyr Baelishs (Aidan Gillen) brothels. George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind the fantasy drama, reportedly based much of his stories on medieval European history.

When the show was initially created, I saw some of the very early scripts, insisted Lasowski. I auditioned for the show at least like seven, eight, nine times. The casting directors kept asking me back just to find something for me to do in it. And eventually the small part came along and I was like, Yeah, lets do it. It was really cool.

But these days, Lasowski is perfectly content in being part of the Sun Kings court and hopes curious American viewers will join them.

Its amazing, filming in the castles actually, said Lasowski. It adds a lot to the acting and how we behave.

Season 2 of Versailles will be making its U.S. television premiere Saturday at 10 p.m. on Ovation TV.
A shopper at a Whole Foods in Rockville, Md. spotted something unusual in the bakery section  a sheet cake decorated to celebrate Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is a time for repentance, and is observed by fasting for over 24 hours, beginning Friday at 6:35 p.m. through Saturday at 7:32 p.m. So the idea of a Yom Kippur cake seems a bit odd.

8 OF THE WEIRDEST HOTELS AND MOTELS IN THE UNITED STATES

The cake features an assortment of Jewish symbols, none of which are actually related to Yom Kippur, including pomegranates, apples and honey (which are linked to Rosh Hashanah), a bee, menorah, fish, and the Star of David.

Im sure the baker had good intentions, wrote Jen Simon from The Forward, an American Jewish publication. They were probably trying to help their customers celebrate what they knew was an important holiday. But, if I may, a suggestion for the next time to the baker or any other well-intentioned person bent on inclusion  dont.

A spokesperson for Whole Foods told HuffPost the cake was intended as dessert for the breaking of the fast dinner and a customer purchased it yesterday afternoon for that purpose. But they didnt explain the reasoning behind the unrelated imagery decorating the cake.

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But despite Whole Foods intentions, Simon isnt amused. Stop trying to make Yom Kippur cakes happen, Whole Foods. Cakes arent meant to be educational; theyre meant to be delicious. And while I bet this one is, I dont think well be eating it on Yom Kippur, she wrote.
Canadas canoeing community may soon have a reason to break out the Champagne  responsibly, of course.

According to a report in Canadas National Post, Canada is planning to amend a current Criminal Code that allows officers to ticket or penalize canoeists for operating their boating equipment under the influence of alcohol.

The new rules are said to be part of a larger effort to reevaluate the countrys impaired driving laws ahead of Canadas legalization of marijuana in 2018, the National Post reports.

WATCH: SHARK LATCHES ONTO MAN'S BELLY AFTER DIVE OFF FLORIDA COAST

As it currently stands, Canadas Criminal Code allows officers to ticket drunken canoeists, kayakers, rafters or anyone operating similar vessels while drunk, just as the operator of a motorized vehicle would be ticketed or penalized. However, much like the operator of a motor vehicle, drunken canoeists can have their actual drivers licenses suspended for canoeing under the influence. They can also be fined, demerited, or have their cars impounded.

Ironically, though, canoeists are still legally allowed to operate their canoes while their vehicle licenses are suspended, seeing as Canada doesnt require a license for small water-faring vessels.

The Canadian Safe Boating Council, meanwhile, has already spoken out against Parliaments plans, arguing that drunken canoeists not only endanger themselves, but others. They also fired back at people who likened the old Criminal Code to a drunkard on a bicycle (who would be exempt from ticketing, as a bike is non-motorized).

WRESTLING FANS GETTING A 'ROCK & WRESTLING' CRUISE FROM CHRIS JERICHO

The only person who gets hurt is the person riding the bicycle, argued the CSBCs vice-chair, Michael Volmer. Well, in the case of muscular or human-powered vessels, there can be far many more numbers of people in the vessel, and it also affects people around the vessel. First responders, people who are searching for people who get lost or get in trouble.

Volmer may be referencing a 2017 instance in which an 8-year-old boy was killed when the canoe he was in capsized, sending him over a waterfall. The 37-year-old operating the canoe was allegedly impaired at the time of the accident, the CBC reported.

A member of the justice department responded to the CSBCs concerns by saying that, under the new code, those who endanger the lives of those in or around their vessels can still be charged with other crimes, such as negligence.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Rowdy canoeists will not be exempt from tickets or penalties related to public drunkenness, either, reports The Post.
A Michigan couple who attempted to pray for their newborn daughters health rather than seek medical attention have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the infants death. Rachel Joy Piland, 30, and, Joshua Piland, 36, were reportedly warned by a midwife about their daughters jaundice and the potential for brain damage or death, The Lansing State Journal reported.

A detective testified that rather than seek medical help, Rachel Piland replied that God makes no mistakes.

Rachel Piland had delivered their daughter, Abigail, at the familys home on Feb. 6 with the help of a midwife, the news outlet reported. The next day, the midwife allegedly warned Rachel about Abigails health, and advised she be taken to a pediatrician or the hospital. Rachel then canceled an appointment with the midwife for Feb. 8.

MOM FACING JAIL OVER REFUSAL TO VACCINATE SON

Rachels mother, Rebecca Kerr, reportedly observed that the infants skin color was off, and then observed blood coming from the babys nose. Detective Peter Scaccia testified that Kerr wanted to call for help on Feb. 9, but Rachel would not allow her, and instead went upstairs to pray, The Lansing State Journal reported.

The baby was found lifeless in a bouncy seat later that morning, and Joshua attempted one rescue breath but had no success, Scaccia said. Joshua allegedly did not want to perform CPR on the child because he only knew protocol for adults.

They then brought Abigail upstairs to pray for her. Joshua continued to massage Abigail, attempting to get her good air, Scaccia testified, according to the news outlet. Both Josh and (Rachel) reached out to friends and fellow church members to come to their home and pray for Abigails resurrection, but never called the police.

WOMAN ACCUSED IN PLOT TO KILL NIECE WITH POISONED BREAST MILK

Scaccia said a call to authorities was placed by Rachels brother, who lives in California. A medical examiner later determined Abigail died from unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus, and attributed both to the infants jaundice. He said she would be alive if the parents had sought treatment, the news outlet reported.

They were each charged with a single count of involuntary manslaughter and released after posting bond. The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 5, with each facing up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
Florida school officials said they do not believe a sixth-grade student who died after visiting a campus health clinic on Wednesday had a highly contagious illness, but still urge parents to watch their own children for any signs of potential sickness. The boy, who was not identified, was a student at Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks in Ocala, News6 reported.

A public relations officer told the news outlet that the boy went from the school bus directly to the campus health clinic, and was then transferred to an area hospital before being taken to another hospital where he died. Officials did not disclose the exact illness, but urged parents to watch for stiff neck, confusion, fever, nausea or headache in their children.

BABY DIED AFTER PARENTS REFUSED TREATMENT FOR JAUNDICE, POLICE SAY

The school bus that the child traveled on was taken out of service to be cleaned.

Im very shocked. Very worried, Kristina Tirado, a fellow students parent, told News6. Definitely keep an eye out for the symptoms that are now being let known to parents. Definitely communicate with your kids. If theyre not feeling good, dont take it lightly. It sounds exactly like symptoms of meningitis.

Kevin Christian, a district public relations officer, told the news outlet that officials do not believe they are dealing with a mass outbreak, but that precautions are being taken. He said Horizon Academy, as well as a nearby elementary school that the childs siblings attend, were cleaned thoroughly, although not decontaminated.

MOM FACING JAIL OVER REFUSAL TO VACCINATE SON

Based on what were told by the health department, those parents [of students who had close contact with the boy] dont need to be greatly concerned, Christian told News6.
Those with celiac disease may soon be able to eat wheat bread. Wheat and related cereals contain proteins called gluten that hold breads and cakes together, and certain forms of gluten cause an immune reaction in some people, leaving them unable to eat wheat, barley, and rye, per IFL Science.

But scientists are working on strains of wheat that don't produce the forms of gluten that are dangerous for people with celiac disease, a group called gliadins, New Scientist reports.

Francisco Barro and a team at the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture in Cordoba, Spain, have set about removing gliadins, first by using a genetic modification technique and then, more successfully, by using CRISPR gene editing.

FEEDING YOUR BABY THIS PEANUT POWDER MAY HELP PREVENT PEANUT ALLERGY

Via that process, the team is working to eliminate all 45 copies of the problematic genes; so far, they've disabled 35 of them. Since there are still some forms of gluten in the wheat, just not the forms that cause trouble for those with celiac, the grain can still be used to make breadbaguettes and rolls at this point, not larger sliced loaves.

And that bread is "pretty good, certainly better than anything on the gluten-free shelves" currently, says one of the people working to market products made with the new wheat.

(In layman's terms, gluten is "what makes bread delicious," Gizmodo explains, which is why gluten-free products using replacements such as rice flour are often "terrible.") Small trials of the genetically modified wheat are already taking place in Mexico and Spain with "very encouraging" results, she adds; per a new study on the low-gluten bread, immunoreactivity was reduced in subjects by 85 percent.

Researchers must successfully disable more genes before full testing can take place. (Bad news for gluten-free Catholics.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Coming Soon: Wheat Bread Those With Celiac Can Eat
A Michigan mother has one week to get her 9-year-old son vaccinated or will face jail time, after an Oakland County judge sided with the childs father.

I would rather sit behind bars for standing up for what I believe in, than giving in to something I strongly dont believe in, Rebecca Bredow told 7 Action News.

Bredow, a mother-of-two, said she and her now-ex-husband agreed at the time of their childs birth that they would delay and space out vaccines for their son.

MAKERS OF FAST-ACTING OPIOIDS WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR TRAINING, FDA SAYS

It wasnt until they started grouping them together that I backed off of doing vaccines, she told 7 Action News.

Bredow said she educated herself and chose waivers available under Michigan state law, which allows for vaccine exemption based on religious, personal or medical beliefs.

I believe in the choice of the parent to make the right decision based on their knowledge of vaccines, she told 7 Action News.

A SINGLE GENETIC GLITCH MAY EXPLAIN HOW ZIKA BECAME SO DANGEROUS

But the boys father disagrees, and took their battle to court. A judge ordered Bredow to have her son vaccinated within one week, or face an undetermined amount of jail time.

I feel like my rights as a parent have been taken away, she told 7 Action News.
An Ohio mother was horrified to find second-degree burns on her toddler's body after she fell asleep with a pacifier clip stuck to her skin. Ashley Bilek claims doctors said her daughter Madelynns body heat was enough to cause the clip to stick to her during a nap this past July, Cleveland 19 reported.

When I picked her up she screamed and grabbed her side, Bilek told the news outlet. I lifted up her shirt and saw that she had this perfect circular wound on her. I didnt know what it was.

Bilek said she rushed Madelynn to Hillcrest Hospital were doctors reportedly diagnosed her with a second-degree burn.

BABY DIED AFTER PARENTS REFUSED TREATMENT FOR JAUNDICE, POLICE SAY

The doctor looked at it and said, Thats a burn, Bilek told the news outlet. I was like, I didnt burn her! I showed her the clip and she said, Yeah, thats identical. It must have gotten too hot.

Bilek has since filed a complaint about JJ Cole Pacifier Clip with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and wants other parents to be aware of potential dangers.

I would never use one again seeing what could happen, she told Cleveland 19. It might never happen again. I would never take a chance knowing what it did, and I dont think anyone else should either.

The company provided a statement to the news outlet highlighting product safety and compliance with U.S. safety standards.

MOM FACING JAIL OVER REFUSAL TO VACCINATE SON

Nothing is more important to us than ensuring that childrens products are safe, the company said. At JJ Cole, we take our product safety responsibilities very seriously and are committed to making our products as safe as we possibly can.

The statement revealed that the companys customer service department has been in contact with Bilek and is investigating the incident.

There have been no other reports of this type of incident or injury for the JJ Cold Pacifier Clip. The material used to make the product is a standard TPE, commonly and safely found in a wide variety of infant and childrens products, the statement said.
Twenty-four year old Catt Gallinger may be permanently blind after a tattoo she received left her eye oozing with purple liquid.

Gallinger, an alternative model, wanted to add a sclera tattoo to her long list of body modifications. Sclera tattoos  tinting the white outer layer of the eyeball by injecting it with diluted ink  have seen an uptick around the world in recent years.

The Canadian, who already has several tattoos and piercings, had planned to try the trend for herself by coloring her sclera with purple ink, but ended up being rushed to the hospital with horrible pain and a leaking eye.

At the hospital, Gallinger was given antibiotic eye drops for the first week and a half and then was given steroid drops for four days to bring down the internal swelling, she wrote in a Facebook post, which has since been shared over 3,500 times.

MADONNA USES $600 MASK ON HER BUTT TO KEEP THE SKIN SOFT

Now, nearly a month after the botched tattoo, she is urging people on her Facebook to use caution when it comes to body modifications and says that her eye was swollen for almost a week following the failed sclera tint attempt.

For everyone inquiring about my eye, Gallinger writes. So this was done by Eric Brown three weeks ago. As it stands I will have to see a specialist and am as risk of being blind if it doesnt get corrected.

I am NOT sharing this with you to cause trouble, I am sharing this to warn you to research who you get your procedures by as well as how the procedure should be properly done, she said after blaming undiluted ink, over injection, [and] not enough/smaller injections sights as the reason for what went wrong.

Though Gallinger has said her vision has improved over the past few weeks, medical professionals have informed her than she will probably never completely recover her sight in the damaged eye.

Gallinger is continuing to see eye specialists about her condition and says she is determined to create awareness and keep others educated and safe so they dont make the same mistake as her.

Just please be cautious who you get your mods from and do your research. I don't want this to happen to anyone else, she said on Facebook.

The practice of eye tinting is fairly new, but according to Dr. David Flug, an ophthalmologist in New York, the practice is extremely dangerous.

Basically my feeling is that its insane. It can be done, but it has no long-term testing for safety. You have to be nuts to do it, Dr. Flug told Newsweek.

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Luna Cobra  the man credited with popularizing the procedure  has said hes trying to outlaw the tattoo.

Cobra told Newsweek he was the first artist to refine the procedure of the sclera tattoo and would film his process, leading to copycat artists.

I didnt think people would think so lightly of this [tattooing the eye]." said Cobra. I thought they would take it more serious. It looks like people are not taking it so serious.

However, the tattoo is incredibly serious and unsafe. Sclera tattoos can lead to extreme sensitivity to light, permanent partial or complete blindness and even possible enucleation  removal of the eyeball.
Ask a skilled craftsman or small manufacturer whats wrong with the economy, and youll probably get a similar answer  a government that is simultaneously too overbearing and too unresponsive.

Our countrys ever-growing tangle of state and federal rules are constricting job growth and stifling business investments like a noose around the broader economy. Regulations have proliferated so swiftly that it would be impossible to unravel this knot one rule at a time. To complicate matters, our regulatory regime was designed for the 1940s and 50snot for the 2020s and 30sand is not designed to grapple with our rapidly changing economy. Without a fundamental redesign, it will continue to stifle American innovation and hinder our ability to deliver new, life-changing products. That is why policymakers must act to modernize the entire system.

As the heads of the North Americas Building Trades Unions, representing more than 3 million craftsmen and women, and the National Association of Manufacturers, the leading association for manufacturers, many people wouldnt expect us to agree on such a high-profile political issue. But we do  for the same reason: jobs. We wont generate the kind of wage gains or employment growth that Americans deserve unless we fix a regulatory system that is too inefficient, too complex and too exposed to shifts in the political wind.

Today, there are dozens of privately financed infrastructure projects that would create tens of thousands of good-paying new jobs. But they remain stuck in a regulatory snarl that could easily be reduced with a smarter rule-making process that limits inexplicable delays and unnecessary turf battles.

To fix this problem, Congress needs to establish basic parameters to modernize federal rule-making. In our view, there are three pillars of effective, bipartisan regulatory reform: transparency, scientific integrity and accountability. In other words, the rulemaking process should be conducted out in the open and backed up by objective, unimpeachable science, while being overseen by officials who are held accountable to the voters.

Take infrastructure. President Donald Trump has promised to invest roughly $1 trillion for much-needed infrastructure projects. But getting that money to actual projects is harder than it looks because of outdated, complicated state and federal rules. The president has done what he can to improve this process, but Congress must take additional steps to adopt permanent reforms that gives both businesses and regulators more certainty.

Today, there are dozens of privately financed infrastructure projects that would create tens of thousands of good-paying new jobs. These projects would improve water access in California, develop wind energy in Wyoming and power homes in the Northeast. But they remain stuck in a regulatory snarl that could easily be reduced with a smarter rule-making process that limits inexplicable delays and unnecessary turf battles.

Case in point, the approval process to build an export terminal for liquefied natural gas in Oregon has stretched more than a decade, with no clear end in sight. The Department of Energy initially authorized the $7 billion Jordan Cove project back in 2014, but the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stepped in last year, effectively stalling construction of the terminal, as well as a related pipeline. The project is once again up for review, but these drawn-out deliberations have delayed the creation of hundreds of shovel-ready jobs and deprived the local economy a welcome boost. This could have been avoided with a modernized approval process.

The problem is just as pronounced at the state level. Consider, for example, the six-year regulatory saga of the Grain Belt Express, a renewable energy transmission line stretching from Kansas to Indiana and projected to create over 5,000 jobs but deniedtwiceat the state level. Or the Constitution Pipeline, which would create over 1,300 construction jobs and bring inexpensive natural gas produced in Pennsylvania to consumers in New York. After spending years securing all of its federal permits, the project was still thwarted when it was denied a water permit by the state of New York.

Adopting the basic principles of accountability, transparency, and scientific integrity will make the rulemaking process more predictable and establish safeguards against regulators acting on a political agenda. Businesses are more likely to hire when they know what they can expect from government regulators, and these basic principles should strengthen the degree of certainty in the marketplace.

These principles also help ensure that an administration of either party does not abuse its regulatory authority by introducing too many new rules or gutting necessary protections. This should be welcome news to Republicans and Democrats alike who fear that regulations will be drastically altered each time a new party wins the White House. Bipartisan regulatory reform should appeal to both parties by creating a more objective, efficient, transparent and fair administrative process.

Our two organizations have joined together to help form the Coalition for Regulatory Innovation because we believe reform is best achieved with a united bipartisan front. Thankfully, Republicans and Democrats in Washington have responded to this issue by offering practical solutions to improve the entire rulemaking process. Our commitment is to bring together people from the business and labor communities to get Congress to move forward on reform that is long overdue.

Real reforms to our regulatory system will bring solutions that lift everyone up and leave no one behind by helping to create high-paying construction and manufacturing jobs. So, in the days ahead, we will work with any lawmaker ready to do the right thing for American workersand for the future of the most dynamic, innovative economy in the world.
The philosopher Marshall McLuhan was famous for saying The medium is the message, meaning that the technology used to convey ideas is more important, from a cultural standpoint, than the ideas themselves. Television, he argued, was a disruptive cold medium that required human beings to unconsciously assemble the myriad pixels that comprise a television image, thus compelling them to join themselves to the technology, become addicted to it, risk being homogenized by it and fight back by becoming more tribal  asserting their national and geopolitical identities through conflict with one another. The Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States may, in fact, have been partly fueled by the threat that television would dissolve everyone, and all identities, into it.

McLuhan, who died in 1980, had no idea that new technologies, like the internet and its children, Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google, would represent an exponential threat of the same kind. Writers for the Washington Post, the New York Times and other publications are only now addressing the problem I identified several years ago: that these new technologies dont really reinforce individuality and self-expression and identity; they threaten to obliterate it instead.

How? Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Google and others seek to monopolize information dissemination and product marketing. They do so by absorbing consumers likes, dislikes and patterns of behavior into their sites and hardware, forcing interactions with them by spitting back marketing and social networking prompts and algorithms that trigger more searches, more buying, more socializing and more fingerprinting of the consumers inclinations and intentions. Once the consumers are known sufficiently, it could be argued that their psychological DNA exists inside the technologies behind such sites and products. The consumers are owned and operated, to an extent, by the media and technology they are using to learn, shop and socialize.

They are connecting to the amoeba of a technological society and disconnecting from themselves.

Just as lots of people consciously enjoy using heroin, people may consciously enjoy being depersonalized by technology. But human beings have a safety valve inside their psyches to prevent complete destruction of their free will. This unconscious reflex reasserts their identities, often  as McLuhan observed and predicted  through heightened tribal conflict.

McLuhan no doubt would have assigned the rancor between right-wing Americans and left-wing Americans, the divide between Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter, the rise of ISIS, the feverish tension between the U.S. and North Korea and many other polarized dynamics to the impact of the internet and its offspring. And, he would have been correct.

Our species, save for some pockets of resistance like the Amish, has rushed headfirst into our new technologies. But our souls wont rush into that dark night without a fight. Lots of fights. Maybe even nuclear wars. Literally.
The press corps is busy quizzing the president, the speaker of the House and the Senate majority leader on their plans for tax reform. The question is why they arent chasing after the three people who actually hold all the power.

If the past eight months have proved anything, it is that all the 24/7 news coverage of Donald Trumps antics, all the millions of words devoted to Paul Ryans and Mitch McConnells plans, have been a complete waste of space and time. In the end, control of the entire policy agenda in Washington comes down to three senators. Three senators whom most Americans have never had a chance to vote for or against. Three senators who comprise 8% of their party conference. Arizonas John McCain, Maines Susan Collins and Kentuckys Rand Paul. Forget Caesar, Crassus and Pompey. Meet the Never-Trump Triumvirate.

At least the House Freedom Caucus scuttles GOP legislation based on shared principles. Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee have also led revolts against bills, again based on shared criticisms. But what do the Arizona maverick, the Maine moderate and the Kentucky libertarian have in common? Very little.

Well, very little save motivations that go beyond policy. And that is the crucial point that is missing from the endless analyses of the McCain-Collins-Paul defections on health care. The media has treated the trios excuses for killing their partys top priority as legit, despite the obvious holes in their objections over policy and process. What in fact binds the three is their crafting of identities based primarily on opposition to their party or Mr. Trump. This matters, because it bodes very ill for tax reform in the Senate. Overcoming policy objections is one thing. Overcoming egos is another.

To continue reading this column from the Wall Street Journal, click here.
Since the ceasefire in Syria agreed to by President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the summer, news reports on the Syria conflict have become blips on the radar and scarcely reported. However, just because we arent hearing about new atrocities committed by the brutal dictator Bashar Assad and his allies doesnt mean the atrocities have stopped.

In the past two years, the Syrian conflict has shifted from a war for hope and opportunity to one in which Russia and Iran continue to prop up their evil ally Assad, while also killing innocent people with impunity.

Recently I read a Fox News article on the torture Syrians face inside Assads prisons in Syria, and shared it on my Twitter page. As I read some comments on my tweet, I realized that yet again, this is just one of many stories that the Assad regime will deny and then utilize its sympathizers across the world to lambast as fake news.

Furthermore, stories like these will continue to be ignored by the rest of the world because thats easier than accepting that the genocide still happening in Syria.

The Assad regime will tell you the witnesses from the prison are not in their right mind. It will treat the validity of witness statements with the same disregard it treated video footage of search and rescue efforts by the White Helmets  rescue workers who risked their lives to save people after targeted bombs destroyed schools, homes and hospitals. But to Assad, reports of these atrocities are false and his regime has claimed the footage was staged.

In all likelihood, the Assad regime will deny the credibility of the Fox News article, just as it denies any article or report that sheds light on the atrocities being committed every day. For example, the regime denied the report that the its Sednaya Prison houses a crematorium to hide the evidence of slain prisoners bodies  despite the U.S. State Department confirming it as fact.

To this day, the Assad regime continues to deny any involvement in the April 4 sarin chemical attack in Idlib that claimed the lives of nearly 100 civilian men, women and children.

Denying true stories about its atrocities is nothing new for the Assad regime. It claims the suffering of its own people is just propaganda, as it did with Omran Daqneesh, the 3-year-old boy who became the face of that suffering. Photos emerged in September 2016 of the boy, his face bloodied and dusty with a dazed reaction from the barrel bomb that had just hit his home.

Just a year later, this little boy is being used by the media manipulators in the Assad regime, who claim that he was a prop for Western propaganda against the regime. The same regime that bombed his home and killed his brother is now saying that he is the victim of the Western world.

The attacks on innocent civilians continue across Syria. Just this week, Russian jets attacked a de-escalation zone in Idlib and claimed the lives of nearly 40 people in the nearby marketplace and villages. There were no ISIS fighters in Idlib, just another criminal bombing by murderous allies of the Assad regime.

While there is so much going on in the world today, we cannot forget the people of Syria. We need to continue bringing to light the ongoing atrocities of Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers.

Far too many people  world leaders, scholars, reporters, Syrian citizens  have become resigned to the situation in Syria. They believe Assad has won the war and now his Iranian patrons will become even more emboldened to wreak havoc across the region.

Nuclear deal or not, we know the true intentions of the Iranians and have seen their involvement in the atrocities under Assad. We know that the Iranians want to build a land bridge from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea to expand their power grabs in the region. We cannot allow this to happen, and as such, I will continue to push for a strong U.S. response to Irans meddling in the region.

As the co-chair of the Friends of a Free Stable and Democratic Syria Caucus, I will encourage colleagues to join my efforts in bringing this issue to the forefront.

For six years, the people of Syria have lived through horrendous conditions. The lack of action by the West has caused them to believe there is no hope or opportunity left for them other than the brutality of Assad.

Without this hope and opportunity, without getting an education or the chance to live in peace, the children of Syria will continue to become prime targets for terrorist recruitment. Its already happening at an alarming rate, and the glimmer of hope for these children diminishes every day that the global community fails to step in.

From sending greater humanitarian aid to imposing sanctions on the Assad regime, we are making efforts to help the Syrian people, but we must do more. It's up to all of us to join the conversation and do something to stop this genocide.

Call your congressman, call your senator, write to the White House, reach out to the State Department to see how you can help with humanitarian aid and be a voice.

More than six years of war and over 500,000 lives lost is too much to endure. We have an obligation to put an end to this suffering. I urge you to join me to put a stop to Assad and allow a chance at peace for innocent Syrians.
President Donald Trump on Thursday declared relief efforts for Puerto Rico are succeeding, nine days after Hurricane Maria hit -- despite critics' claims that people on the island have been waiting too long for aid.

The president cleared the way Thursday for more supplies and tweeted that relief was indeed getting through.

Trump issued a 10-day waiver of federal restrictions on foreign shipments of cargo to the island. And, House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Federal Emergency Management Agencys disaster relief account would get a $6.7 billion boost by the end of the week.

On Friday, Trump again defended the government's response and said "big decisions" will have to be made.

The developments unfolded after Trump came under sharp criticism for what critics said was a too-slow response to a humanitarian crisis among Puerto Ricos 3.4 million residents.

FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico. Massive food & water delivered. Docks & electric grid dead. Locals trying, Trump tweeted Thursday night, ...really hard to help but many have lost their homes. Military is now on site and I will be there Tuesday. Wish press would treat fairly!

Trump and his advisers defended the administrations response to the hurricane, which destroyed much of the islands infrastructure and left many residents desperate for fresh water, power, food and other supplies.

Tom Bossert, Trumps homeland security adviser, told Fox News' Special Report the impression of a slow response isnt so much wrong as it is outdated. He said more than 40 of the islands 69 hospitals were now accepting patients.

Old reporting or old b-roll footage running from earlier today tends to give a bad impression. It wasn't wrong at the time it was recorded. It just ends up being dated and inaccurate, so that's the challenge for all of us, Bossert told Bret Baier.



The electric power grid in Puerto Rico is totally shot. Large numbers of generators are now on Island. Food and water on site, Trump tweeted early in the day.

But in many cases on site meant stored on pallets and in containers in sea- and airports far from the towns where Puerto Ricans desperately lined up for fresh water and pre-made meals being distributed by federal officials.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke said she signed the waiver of a federal law to clear the way for foreign-flagged ships to deliver supplies between U.S. ports. The nearly century-old measure, known as the Jones Act, has bolstered the U.S. shipping industry but made consumer goods much pricier and scarcer in this U.S. territory than on the mainland.

You are seeing devastation in Puerto Rico. That is the fault of the hurricane, Duke told reporters in the White House driveway. The relief effort is under control.

Duke had waived the Jones Act earlier this month to help ease fuel shortages in the Southeast following hurricanes Harvey and Irma. That order included Puerto Rico but expired last week, shortly after Maria struck.

DECORATED ARMY GENERAL TO LEAD U.S. MILITARY RECOVERY IN PUERTO RICO

The Trump administration initially said a waiver was not needed for Puerto Rico because there were enough U.S.-flagged ships available to ferry goods to the island.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military was sending a three-star general to Puerto Rico to help direct the hurricane response. Lt. Gen. Jeff Buchanan, commander of U.S. Army North, was to arrive later Thursday to assess the situation so that the military can provide the highest level of support for the disaster, Northern Command spokesman John Cornelio said.

He said there were still problems getting supplies and aid to residents on the island, where 12 of the 29 bridges that have been assessed were closed, and another 65 were damaged.

Cornelio also said that the number of open gas stations has increased from about 400 to 676. FEMA officials said a million meals and 2 million liters of fresh water had been distributed in Puerto Rico and 2 million more meals and 2 million more liters of water were on the way.

Presidential spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said 10,000 government workers, including more than 7,000 troops, were helping Puerto Rico recover.

The Department of Homeland Securitys acting administrator of the region that includes Puerto Rico said that distribution had been hampered by the destruction of roads and bridges, which made it hard to get supplies to those in need.

In addition to building that first line of the supply chain, we are also rebuilding the entire distribution system ... how were going to deliver commodities and resources to the people of Puerto Rico, acting administrator John Rabin told reporters in the capital, San Juan. We have often had to recreate the system in order to deliver food, water and commodities throughout the island.

And FEMA Administrator Brock Long said the efforts have been hampered by damaged airports and ports on the island.

The question is that last mile, said Long, speaking of the difficulty of getting aid all the way to those in need.

Meanwhile, Ryan announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agencys disaster relief account would get a huge capital injection of $6.7 billion by the end of the week to help Puerto Rico recover. He noted that Trump had waived a matching funds requirement, which means the cash-strapped island wont have to contribute to the initial costs of the federal assistance. The Wisconsin Republican said he expects the Trump administration to send Congress a request for a long-term recovery package once damage assessments are conducted.

AIRLINE, BREWERY TEAM UP TO FLY CLEAN DRINKING WATER TO PUERTO RICO

We will quickly act on that request, Ryan said.

Outside the capital, San Juan, residents, though, were very much in doubt.

I have not received any help, and we ran out of food yesterday, said Mari Olivo, a 27-year-old homemaker whose husband was pushing a shopping cart with empty plastic gallon jugs while their two children, 9 and 7, each toted a large bucket. They stood in line in a parking lot in the town of Bayamon on the hard-hit northern coast, where police used hoses to fill up containers from a city water truck.

I have not seen any federal help around here, said Javier San Miguel, a 51-year-old accountant.

Bayamon Mayor Ramon Luis Rivera told The Associated Press that FEMA officials sent a truck with a limited amount of food on Monday. Rivera said he began distributing it to hard-hit rural areas.

I dont wait, he said when asked whether federal officials helped with distribution.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The White House has launched an internal probe on the use of personal email accounts, Fox News has confirmed.

The review appears to have emerged from recent reports of current and former White House officials using private email accounts and personal phones for administrative business, despite being advised not to do so.

The White House instructs staff to fully comply with the Presidential Records Act, and briefed staff on the need to preserve records, a senior official told Fox News.

Son-in-law and adviser to the president Jared Kushner used personal email in his first few months of the administration, his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, confirmed Sunday. He said the emails usually involved news articles and political commentary. Lowell also said any non-personal emails were forwarded to Kushner's official account and "all have been preserved in any event."

Former Chief White House Strategist Steve Bannon, former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, chief White House economic advisor Gary Cohn, Senior Policy Adviser Stephen Miller and adviser Ivanka Trump were also reported to have used private accounts at one point during the administration, The New York Times reported.

According to the Presidential Records Act, senior White House staff members are required to preserve their professional communications, with the records eventually transferred to the National Archives. Electronic communications outside of official channels, such as private email or text messages on a staffer's personal phone, are supposed to be copied to a government account within 20 days.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters on Monday that the use of private email accounts by staff is "to my knowledge, very limited."

"White House counsel has instructed all White House staff to use their government email for official business, and only use that email," Sanders said. "We get instructed on this one pretty regularly."

House lawmakers have requested more information about the use of private email addresses and texting or the use of messaging apps on personal phones. Theyve also asked about the oversight and record-keeping policies of the Trump White House. They decided to act after word of Kushners private email account first came to light.

Rep. Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and the top Democrat on that panel, Rep. Elijah Cummings, sent letters Monday to the White House general counsel and the State Department, looking for more details on whether staffers are using personal emails, texting or encrypted messaging applications, and if they are preserving the records.

The probe into White House email practices has the potential to be embarrassing for President Trump, considering how he criticized Hillary Clinton and her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.

Fox News' Ed Henry and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The mainstream media is all worked up over the fact Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch delivered a speech this week at a hotel owned by President Trump, but fellow Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been given a pass for essentially blaming sexism for Trumps victory. The reactions to the separate events are another example of the double standard prominent throughout America.

Gorsuchs Thursday speech at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, on behalf of The Fund for American Studies, upset the liberal media and Democratic lawmakers. Bloomberg referred to the hotel as a controversial venue, USA Today published an opinion piece that claimed Gorsuch wasted a chance to show leadership and Politico covered protestors holding signs such as "Gor$uch for sale."

"Justice Gorsuch speaking to a conservative group in the Trump Hotel, where the president continues to hold a financial stake, is everything that was wrong with his nomination," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said in a statement.

Organizers of the event have said the hotel was not selected for political reasons and it was simply an appropriate venue. But the liberal media apparently is concerned that Gorsuch wont be fair if lawsuits against Trumps businesses ever reach the Supreme Court.

Business Insider published a story headlined, Neil Gorsuch gave a speech at the Trump International Hotel  and it sparked an uproar, that goes on to note that ethics watchdogs cried foul over the speech and questioned whether Gorsuch's appearance compromised his impartiality.

It was Trump who appointed Gorsuch now one of his first speeches is at the president's hotel. And there's a real concern that this could undermine the public's confidence in Gorsuch's judicial independence, Jackie Northam, NPRs foreign affairs reporter, said on Alabama Public Radio.

Constitutional Accountability Center president Elizabeth Wydra told NPR, "He's helping a conservative organization put money into the pockets of the president who put him on the bench It's certainly not a good look."

Liberal organizations including People for the American Way, Naral, and Planned Parenthood have even reached out to Chief Justice John Roberts about Gorsuch's speech, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, Gorsuch's judicial colleague, Ginsburg, apparently can do no wrong in the eyes of the mainstream media. Ginsburg recently said she has no doubt that sexism played a role in Hillary Clintons Election Day loss to Trump.

I have no doubt that it did, Ginsburg told CBS Charlie Rose at an event on Tuesday when he asked if sexism played a major role in the presidential election.

Despite the bias in Ginsburgs remark, the Washington Post made no mention of a potential conflict of interest when covering the comment. Time, HuffPost, Politico, and a variety of other publications also covered Ginsburgs comments without mentioning any outrage or wrongdoing.

In fact, while liberal outlets such as CNN dusted off legal ethics experts to slam Gorsuch, not a single negative story about Ginsburg blaming Clintons loss on sexism could be located at the time this story was published.
A California judge scolded the states attorney general this week for writing a tax-related ballot question that was flawed and potentially misleading to voters  so much so that the judge rewrote the ballot question himself.

The ballot measure is on repealing the states gas tax increases. Democratic state Attorney General Xavier Becerras title, though, had downplayed the word tax, saying instead the measure eliminates recently enacted road repair and transportation funding by repealing revenues dedicated for those purposes.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley has now issued a rewrite of the title.

"This is not a situation where reasonable minds may differ," Frawley wrote. "The attorney general's title is fundamentally flawed and must be changed to avoid misleading the voters and creating prejudice against the measure."

The judge finalized the question following a lawsuit from Assemblyman Travis Allen, a Republican candidate for governor who wants to repeal the gas tax.

The new question reads: "Repeals recently enacted gas and diesel taxes and vehicle registration fees. Eliminates road repair and transportation programs funded by these taxes and fees."

The lawsuit had alleged that the title written by Becerra was misleading to voters. According to court documents, Allens original title said that measure repeals recent legislation that created new gas tax, diesel tax, vehicle registration fee and zero-emission vehicle fee. The state attorney general later issued the new version.

According to the documents, the attorney general's office argued their summary clearly informed voters that the measure would repeal taxes.

But the court said the title and summary together created confusion about what would be repealed.

Becerra was appointed by California Gov. Jerry Brown to succeed Kamala Harris after her election to the U.S. Senate.

Unfortunately, Becerra has undermined the law and the integrity of his office to purse a narrow, partisan political agenda to block the taxpayers right to decide on the gas tax, Allen wrote in an op-ed for the Sacramento Bee ahead of the courts decision.

The ballot measure was introduced by Allen in response to a law increasing gas taxes and vehicle fees signed by Brown earlier this year.

Lawmakers voted in April to boost gas taxes and vehicle fees to raise $5 billion a year for road repairs. Starting Nov. 1, gas taxes will increase by 12 cents a gallon and diesel taxes by 20 cents.

Next year, a new fee tied to vehicle registrations will cost motorists between $25 and $175 depending on the value of the vehicle.

The ballot title and summary will appear on petition forms and the ballot if it qualifies. It must be finalized before Allen and his allies can begin collecting signatures in an attempt to put the repeal bill on the November 2018 ballot.

Allen said he was pleased with the judge's final language, which he said would make clear to voters what they're deciding.

"By rewriting it himself, he has entirely taken partisanship out of the ballot initiative process just as the California constitution intended," Allen said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez is spending time in the Caribbean during a break from his corruption trial, where he stands accused of accepting generous gifts in exchange for using his power to help a wealthy friend.

The New Jersey Democrat headed to Puerto Rico on Thursday to evaluate federal authorities response to the damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria.

He was expected to meet with local officials and residents on the ground to assess how Congress can help provide necessary resources, Menendez's office said in a statement.

During a news conference Thursday, Menendez said he would meet with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello on Friday to think of ways the federal government can provide necessary aid to the 3.5 million residents of the island, a U.S. territory that has been left without power or drinking water, NJ.com reported.

Menendez also urged President Donald Trump to do more to help Puerto Rico, calling on him to provide more funding for the recovery efforts.

We are the most powerful nation on the face of the Earth, Menendez told reporters at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, as he waited to fly to Puerto Rico. It's time to use that power on behalf of 3.5 million United States citizens in Puerto Rico who face a unique challenge.

The senator reiterated his demands via social media, tweeting multiple messages with his suggestions for ensuring Puerto Ricos smooth recovery.

President Trump should request more funding to assist Puerto Ricos Medicaid program, something I've long advocated for, he wrote in one tweet.

The 63-year-old senator is embroiled in accusations of corruption after he allegedly accepted gifts from his pal Dr. Salomon Melgen  including campaign donations and free expenses-paid trips in the Caribbean  in exchange for using his political power to help his business.

On Wednesday, it was revealed in a Newark, N.J., courtroom that Menendez set up a meeting between Melgen and another then-top Democrat -- former Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa -- about Melgens billing dispute with Medicare. Melgen allegedly defrauded the program.

Both Menendez and Melgen have denied the accusations, saying all favors and gifts were exchanged because they are good friends.
Don J. Wright, the current deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), will be taking over for Tom Price as acting HHS secretary after Price resigned Friday amid a backlash over private plane trips.

President Trump intends to designate Wright, of Virginia, in his new role effective 11:59 p.m. on Friday night, according to a statement released from White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.

Wright became the deputy assistant secretary for Healthcare Quality in 2009, according to his biography on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. He also served as the principal deputy assistant secretary for health and advised the assistant secretary for health. He was an alternate U.S. delegate to the World Health Organization Executive Board.

Prior to his role in government, Wright worked as a physician and maintained a clinical and consulting practice in Texas.

Last week, it was revealed that Price flew on charters to visit community health centers in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

Politico reported that he also took a government-funded private jet in August to St. Simons Island, a Georgia resort where his family owns land, ahead of an address at a medical conference. On Thursday the outlet reported that he used military aircraft for official trips to Africa, Europe and Asia, costing taxpayers more than $500,000.

Price later said he would repay $51,887.31, a fraction of the total cost of the flights.

Asked about Price's future with the Trump administration on Friday, the president said he was "going to make a decision sometime tonight." Shortly after, Price was officially out from his role.

"Secretary of Health and Human Services Thomas Price offered his resignation earlier today and the President accepted," Sanders said in her statement.
As lawmakers continue to investigate Russias role in the 2016 presidential election, major tech companies have sent representatives to Capitol Hill to reveal just how much Russian activity was found on their platforms.

General counsels for Facebook, Google and Twitter testified in multiple hearings in 2017 as congressional probes into alleged Russian influence in the election continued. Delegates from the tech giants have also met privately with lawmakers on the Hill.

Heres what you need to know about the tech companies involvement.

How is Facebook involved in the investigation?

Last year, Facebook revealed that it uncovered about $100,000 in ad purchases connected to inauthentic accounts that violated its policies. Another $50,000 was found to have been spent on potentially politically related ad spending that were in Russian.

Facebooks Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos said the accounts were likely operated out of Russia.

As lawmakers called for more information about the advertisements, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has promised to make its political advertising more transparent.

Facebook also revealed that content from a Russian group called the Internet Research Agency (IRA) could have reached as many as 126 million users.

President Trump accused Facebook of being always anti-Trump.

But Zuckerberg hit back and said both sides of the political aisle were upset by content on Facebook  proving what running a platform for all ideas looks like.

What about Twitter?

Twitter representatives told lawmakers that it suspended approximately two dozen accounts that were potentially linked to Russia and corresponded to Facebooks troublesome accounts. Additionally, it said it found 179 related accounts that violated their rules.

Twitter also revealed in a blog post that Russia Today (RT), which it said has strong links to the Russian government, spent $274,000 in ads in 2016.

The social media giant said it would use the money already spent on advertisements by RT for research around civic engagement and electoral misinformation.

A Twitter representative told congressional committees that it shuttered nearly 3,000 accounts linked to Russias IRA  which is known for spreading pro-Russian government propaganda. That number is nearly 14 times larger than the number of accounts Twitter said it handed over to congressional committees previously.

Twitter was criticized by Rep. Mark Warner, D-Va., after representatives met with lawmakers in Sept. 2017. Warner said the information shared was frankly inadequate on almost every level.

Warner, again, criticized the social media company in January 2018 after he said it neglected to meet a deadline to provide lawmakers with additional information regarding the Russia investigation, The Hill reported.

Im disappointed. Ive been disappointed throughout this, Warner reportedly said. Twitter has been often times the slowest to respond  The other companies met the deadline which was way over a month from when they testified.

And Google?

Russian operatives spent tens of thousands of dollars on ads on YouTube, Google Search products and Gmail regarding the 2016 election, Fox Business reported. However, the ads do not appear to be from the same source as those purchased on Facebook.

Accounts connected with the Russian government spent $4,700 on search and display ads and $53,000 was spent on ads with political material that were purchased from either a Russian territory, Russian Internet address or with Russian currency, according to the Associated Press.

"We are taking a deeper look to investigate attempts to abuse our systems, working with researchers and other companies, and will provide assistance to ongoing inquiries," Google said in a statement.

Why does it matter?

The issue over social medias involvement in the investigation largely stems from advertisements bought from the companies, not necessarily the content shared by users, Dr. Karen North, a clinical professor of communication at the University of Southern California, told Fox News.

But the issue further boils down to what is wrong versus what is illegal. Spreading so-called fake news is wrong, but it might not be illegal, the social media expert explained.

We as users of social media platforms do not want the platforms to be telling us what we can or cant say  or even that we cant say falsehoods  because people spin the story of their lives to present a public face to our friends and colleagues, North said. We dont want Facebook or Twitter to tell us we cant do that.

North predicted that social media companies will begin to strengthen their regulations  or dress codes  for future advertisers.

There are laws [to protect speech] and then there are rules of conduct, including dress codes at offices or schools, North said. Whether or not whats being done by the Russians or fake news or people lying about adventures in their life, are those illegal or in violation of dress codes?

Shareholders in the major tech companies have also demanded more transparency regarding foreign involvement that could have interfered in the election.

Like Congress and the American public, shareholders in these companies have serious questions and concerns about how these platforms were used and abused during the 2016 election, Michael Connor, executive director of the nonprofit Open MIC, said in a statement.

Open MIC said shareholders with assets worth more than $25 billion have filed proposals asking Facebook, Google and Twitter to divulge more information about foreign involvement as well as disinformation and hate speech.

The investors, through these filings, intend to play a critically important role in holding Facebook, Google and Twitter accountable for what happens on their platforms, Connor said.

The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
Former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid is expected to be called to testify in the corruption trial of Sen. Robert Menendez, a source with knowledge of the situation told Fox News on Friday.

Menendez is accused of accepting campaign donations, gifts and vacations from Florida ophthalmologist Dr. Salomon Melgen. In return, Menendez, D-N.J., allegedly used his Senate powers to lobby on behalf of Melgens business interests.

Reid's name re-emerged weeks ago in the case, when prosecutors said the former congressional leader was first enlisted by Menendez in November 2011 to advocate for Melgen in the ongoing dispute the doctor had with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Speculation has focused on a possible trial appearance by Reid following testimony this week from another former senator, Democrat Tom Harkin. The former Iowa senator said he attended a meeting in 2011 facilitated by Menendez, in which he and Melgen discussed an $8.9 million Medicare dispute.

Reid, D-Nev., already has met with the Justice Department and the FBI in connection with the investigation, back in 2015.

MENENDEZ CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY TRIAL: WHAT TO KNOW

Should Reid be called, prosecutors have already hinted at what they might want to ask about.

Court documents claim that Reid reached out to the White House deputy chief of staff in 2011 about Menendez being upset about how a Florida ophthalmologist was being treated by CMS. Prosecutors said the White House deputy chief of staff demurred as it involved a dispute between a single doctor and an administrative agency, not a policy matter.

In June 2012, Melgen also flew Reid on his companys private plane from Washington to Boston and back, but Menendez was not present, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

MENENDEZ SET UP MEETING ABOUT PAL'S MEDICARE DISPUTE, EX-SENATOR HARKIN TESTIFIES

According to a trial brief filed by federal prosecutors last month, on Aug. 2, 2012, Reid and Menendez met with then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in Reids office on Capitol Hill, where, according to witnesses in the meeting, Menendez allegedly argued vehemently for Melgens position on the billing dispute between Melgens company, Vitreo-Retinal Consultants, and the federal government.

The documents said Menendez personally pressured Sebelius to intervene in the billing dispute.

JUDGE DENIES 'SPECIAL TREATMENT' FOR SEN. MENENDEZ AS CORRUPTION TRIAL SET TO BEGIN

Harry Reids been implicated, as has Kathleen Sebelius, so its clear the corruption extended beyond Menendezs office, Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Ahrens told Fox News. Who knows exactly who else will testify, but its just as stunning that no Senate Democrat has said Menendez should resign immediately if convicted.

Menendez has proclaimed his innocence in the case. When the trial opened earlier this month, his lawyers said the case is not about corruption or bribery but about a long-term friendship.

The Justice Department declined to comment on whether Reid will testify.

A message left on Reid's voicemail was not immediately returned. Fox News has also reached out to a representative for Reid for comment.

The source also suggested to Fox News that prosecutors could seek Sebelius' testimony as well. According to a Politico report in 2015, Sebelius met with federal investigators to discuss the meeting in 2014.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned on Friday amid widespread criticism of his private plane trips, becoming the first Trump Cabinet secretary to leave the administration.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Thomas Price offered his resignation earlier today and the president accepted, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

The White House said Trump will designate Don J. Wright as acting secretary. Wright currently serves as deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

President Trump for days has given indications he was considering firing Price over the plane controversy. Shortly before the brief White House statement late Friday, the president told reporters, Hes a very fine man, but were going to make a decision sometime tonight.

Last week, it was revealed that Price flew on charters to visit community health centers in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. One leg was from Dulles International Airport in the Washington suburbs to Philadelphia International Airport, a distance of 135 miles.

Politico reported that he also took a government-funded private jet in August to St. Simons Island, a Georgia resort where his family owns land, ahead of an address at a medical conference.

The outlet also reported this week that he took military aircraft for official trips to Africa, Europe and Asia, costing taxpayers more than $500,000.

Price said Thursday that he would reimburse the government for a portion of the costly charter flights he used to travel to various engagements at taxpayer expense.

Senior department sources told Fox News that the total amount of money Price will repay is $51,887.31, though that represents a fraction of the total cost.

HHS SECRETARY PRICE TO REPAY NEARLY $52G FOR CHARTER FLIGHTS



Speaking to Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier," Price described the repayment as "unprecedented."

"[It's] never been done, to our understanding, before by a secretary, in spite of the fact that previous administrations have had secretaries that flew an awful lot," Price said.

Price vowed in a statement, before his resignation, that "I will take no more private charter flights as Secretary of HHS. No exceptions."

Price, a physician, served as a Republican member of Congress from Georgia before joining the Trump administration.

In his resignation letter to the president, Price said HHS is working aggressively to improve the health and well-being of all Americans."

I regret that the recent events have created a distraction from these important objectives, Price said. Success on these issues is more important than any one person.

Price was a key figure in the Trump administration's push to overhaul ObamaCare. But, while Trump indicates he's going to keep fighting for a bill, the latest Senate Republican legislation collapsed on Tuesday for lack of support, after a prior effort collapsed over the summer.

OBAMA OFFICIALS ALSO TOOK PRICEY, NON-COMMERCIAL PLANES

The only other Trump Cabinet secretary to step down has been John Kelly, but he stayed in the administration -- leaving the Department of Homeland Security to become White House chief of staff after Reince Priebus resigned.

In a memo issued Friday evening to top officials, Mick Mulvaney, the presidents budget director, said the White House chief of staff has to now approve all travel on government-owned aircraft. Exempted from this are those required to fly on government planes for security reasons, like the secretary of defense and secretary of state.

Every penny we spend comes from the taxpayer, Mulvaney said. We thus owe it to the taxpayer to work as hard managing that money wisely as the taxpayer must do to earn it in the first place. Put another way, just because something is legal doesnt make it right.



Speaking to reporters on Friday, the president referenced how officials with the Obama administration also used government planes.

If you look at the Obama administration, and you take a look at the amount of time that they spent in the air, they spent a lot of time in the air, Trump said.

According to statistics provided by a senior administration official, the Trump White House has authorized fewer trips on military planes for senior officials than the Obama administration did during the first eight months in office.

From Jan. 20 to Sept. 19, the Trump administration authorized 77 military flights, while the Obama administration allowed 94 flights during the same time period, according to the stats. Some of those trips were taken by Obama officials who were required to use government aircraft.

Fox News Samuel Chamberlain and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
State officials are punching holes in recent claims by the federal government that their election systems were targeted last year by hackers believed to be Russian agents.

Department of Homeland Security officials notified officials in 21 states last week about the hacking attempts.

But California Secretary of State Alex Padilla issued a statement this week saying the scanning activity in question happened on the California Department of Technology statewide network, not any Secretary of State website.

Based on this additional information, California voters can further rest assured that the California Secretary of State elections infrastructure and websites were not hacked or breached by Russian cyber actors, he said. Our notification from DHS last Friday was not only a year late, it also turned out to be bad information.

According to the Associated Press, DHS also has reversed course and told Wisconsin officials the Russian government did not scan the states voter registration system, though later reiterated that it still believed it was one of 21 targeted states.

Homeland Security first told state elections officials last Friday that Wisconsin was one of the states targeted. But on Tuesday, Homeland Security said an agency that doesnt deal with elections was the target of scans by Russian IP addresses.

The situation appeared to be similar in California.

In response, though, the DHS maintained that states were nevertheless targeted in some fashion.

The Department stands by its assessment that Internet-connected networks in 21 states were the target of Russian government cyber actors seeking vulnerabilities and access to U.S. election infrastructure, the statement said.

DHS said in most of the 21 states, only preparatory activity like scanning was observed.

Some involved direct scanning of targeted systems and others involved malicious actors who scanned for vulnerabilities in networks that may be connected to those systems or have similar characteristics in order to gain information about how to later penetrate their target.

This assessment was based on a variety of sources, including scanning detected from malicious IP addresses and intelligence information that cannot be publicly disclosed, DHS said.

The DHS warning last week was quickly picked up by Democratic lawmakers, who complained aobut the year delay in notification and pointed to the warning as further evidence of Russian interference in last years election.

"We have to do better in the future," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee -- which is also investigating Russian meddling in last year's election.

In most cases, the states had not known until notified by DHS Friday. The government did not say initially who was behind the hacking attempts or provide details about what had been sought. But officials told the AP the hackers were believed to be Russian agents.

The disclosure to the states comes as a special counsel probes whether there was any coordination during the 2016 presidential campaign between Russia and associates of Donald Trump.

Fox News Jake Gibson and Bill Mears and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The governor's race in Kansas is shaping up to be a battle of teenage candidates -- plus some adults.

On Thursday, a 17-year-old threw his hat in the ring, becoming the third teenager looking to succeed Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, who is required by law to step down after two consecutive terms.

Ethan Randleas, a Republican from Wichita, is the teen who entered the race Thursday. He was preceded by 16-year-old Democrat Jack Bergeson, also from Wichita, and 17-year-old Republican Tyler Ruzich from Prairie Village.

At least eight non-teenagers are also in the race, the Wichita Eagle reported.

Kansas has no law specifying the qualifications to run for governor. Each student will be able to enter the race by paying a $2,207 fee to file for himself and a lieutenant gvernor running mate. The fee drops to $670 if a candidate collects 5,000 petition signatures.

Randleas told reporters that maybe the state should set limits on who can run, the Kansas City Star reported.

Maybe its 18 (years old), but just some way to make sure we dont have like a dog run, Randleas said. Because Im sure someones going to think about it and be like, Well, you know, might be funny to have my dog run. Im going to have my dog run for governor. And theyll fork over $2,000 to get it on the primary ballot as a joke.

Randleas calls himself a conservatarian, sharing values of both conservative and Libertarian philosophies.

Brownback was recently nominated to be President Donald Trump's ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. He is expected to step down if confirmed by the Senate, and be temporarily replaced by Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer.

Brownback told reporters Thursday that his confirmation hearing in Washington is set for next Wednesday, the Wichita Eagle reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
First lady Melania Trump fired back Friday at a Massachusetts elementary school librarian who rejected her donation of Dr. Seuss books, claiming their illustrations are examples of racist propaganda.

Stephanie Grisham, director of communications for the first lady's office, said in a statement to Fox News that the response was "unfortunate," and Mrs. Trump wanted to use her platform "to help as many children as she can."

"She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to children across the country is but one example," she said. "To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere."

To celebrate National Read a Book Day, the first lady had sent out a collection of 10 Dr. Seuss books to one school in each state across the nation. The titles included: "The Cat in the Hat"; "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish"; "Wacky Wednesday"; "Green Eggs and Ham"; and "Oh, the Places Youll Go!"

She followed in the footsteps of her predecessor, Michelle Obama, who often read Dr. Seuss books to children. Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush also read to children at Dr. Seuss-themed educational events.

'To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate.'  First lady Melania Trump's office

I wanted to send you a special gift. Dr. Seusss Oh, the Places Youll Go! is a book my son and I have read over and over again, and one that we want to share with all of you, the first lady wrote in her letter to students. Please also remember that you are the future of America and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

But despite the gesture, Liz Phipps Soeiro, a librarian at a public school in Cambridge, wrote a letter to the first lady, which was then published on The Horn Book blog, notifying Mrs. Trump that her school would not be keeping the titles for their collection, explaining that her school didnt have a NEED for the books, due to her school and librarys award-winning status.

I work in a district that has plenty of resources, which contributes directly to excellence, Soeiro wrote. My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science.

Soeiro went on to slam the White House and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for not gifting the books to underfunded and underprivileged communities, which she suggested continue to be marginalized by DeVos policies.

But Soeiro seemed to be the most offended by the books themselves.

Another fact that many people are unaware of is that Dr. Seusss illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes, Soeiro wrote, giving examples of "If I Ran a Zoo" and "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" as clear racist mockery in Seuss art.

'My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science.'  Liz Phipps Soeiro, explaining why her school doesn't need Melania Trump's book donation

While Soeiro bristled at Melania Trump's donation, former first lady Michelle Obama also read Dr. Seuss books to children a number of times during the previous administration, without controversy.

Soeiro seemed to recommend journal articles, reports, and books for Mrs. Trump, to inform her on the systemic racism and oppression in education and literature.

I am honored that you recognized my students and our school. I can think of no better gift for children than books; it was a wonderful gesture, if one that could have been better thought out, Soeiro wrote, attaching a list of 10 books that she hoped would offer a window into the lives of the many children affected by the policies of your husbands administration.

You and your husband have a direct impact on these childrens lives, Soeiro wrote, encouraging the first lady to reach out to their local librarian for recommendations. Please make time to learn about and value them.

Soeiros profile on The Horn Book says she is an advocate for inclusive libraries and active in her community to create spaces that are welcoming to all students.
A GOP-sponsored bill in Pennsylvania to allow poll watchers from anywhere in the state to monitor for fraud at voting sites passed the states lower house Tuesday.

The proposal aims to expand existing law that allows registered voters to monitor polls within their county. If the change becomes law, a registered voter from anywhere in Pennsylvania could be appointed as a poll watcher in any election district.

State Rep. Rick Saccone, the bills sponsor, told Fox News his legislation is necessary. Everybody should be for good government and following the rules when it comes to voting to ensure that your vote counts and that every vote counts and that its not diluted by any type of fraud.

He added, if you believe there is no voter fraud in Pennsylvania, you should also want poll watchers in there to confirm that everything went well and there was no cheating and there were no irregularities.

Saccones efforts to pass this legislation began in early 2015, he said. President Trump, during the 2016 campaign, repeatedly mentioned his concern for voter fraud and how he believed poll watchers were important.

"Youve got to get everybody you know, and you got to watch your polling booths because I hear too many stories about Pennsylvania, certain areas," Trump told supporters at an October 2016 rally in Manheim, Pa. I hear too many bad stories and we cant lose an election because of you-know-what Im talking about. So go and vote and then go check out areas because a lot of bad things happen.

Democratic Governor Tom Wolf in a June letter to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity fought back against Trump claims, saying, "During the campaign, then-candidate Trump repeatedly and falsely suggested, without evidence, that there existed wide-spread voter fraud in Pennsylvania  these claims were untrue."

President Trump may be right or may not be...but thats the purpose of poll watchers. Well be able to determine once and for all if thats true, Saccone said.

Opponents in the state house have voiced concerns about unnecessary friction at polling sites that could emerge from out-of-district poll watchers.

There is no place for voter fraud, but theres also no place for unsubstantiated allegations that call into question the integrity of our election, Democratic state rep. Matt Bradford told Fox News, To basically allow this is frankly outrageous.

Saccone contends the process for choosing poll watchers will be a careful process. Poll watchers have to be invited by the candidate or the partyif theres any mischief, they get thrown out.

If the bill becomes law, Saccone says it could be an example for other states that are concerned about potential voter fraud.

We can learn from each other and we can try our improvements. Saccone said. "If theyre transferable across the country that would be a great thing."
Reaction to the resignation of HHS Secretary Tom Price came in quickly Friday evening. Price offered his resignation letter, and President Trump accepted it, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, following days of speculation surrounding Prices future.

The move comes after it was revealed that Price took a series of costly charter flights to travel to various engagements at taxpayer expense

Heres whats being said about Prices departure:

Paul Ryan

"Tom Price is a good man," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement. "He has spent his entire adult life fighting for others, first as a physician and then as a legislator and public servant. He was a leader in the House and a superb health secretary. His vision and hard work were vital to the Houses success passing our health care legislation. I will always be grateful for Tom's service to this country and, above all, his continued friendship."

Chuck Schumer

The mission of the Health and Human Services secretary should be to support Americans health care, not take it away," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "The next HHS secretary must follow the law when it comes to the Affordable Care Act instead of trying to sabotage it.

Nancy Pelosi

Secretary Price should never have been in this role in the first place," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement. "The American people deserve a Secretary of Health and Human Services who believes in health care for all Americans.

Its time for this Administration to work with Democrats to improve and update the Affordable Care Act. This pivot should start with the nomination of a new Secretary who will stop this Administrations sabotage of hard-working Americans health care.

Chuck Grassley

"Those who work for the taxpayers need to get the most bang for the buck at all times. Unnecessary or expensive travel is to be avoided," Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa said. "It's not just the cost of flights. It's also whether attending a conference or a meeting overseas and planning a vacation around those events is in the public's best interests when there's so much work to do and when the national debt is so high.

"Taxpayers wonder how priorities are set when they see things like that. I hope the President will stress the importance of all of this to everybody in his cabinet so the expensive flights stop, and we can focus on the important issues before us."

Tom Perez

"Only a cruel person would travel around the country trying to rip health care away from millions," DNC Chairman Tom Perez said. "Only a Trump appointee would do it in a private jet on the taxpayer's dime.

"When you serve as a member of the president's cabinet, you're serving the American people, not yourself. Voters deserve better, and they won't forget this administration's callous greed on Election Day."

Michael C. Burgess

"Secretary Price has been a steadfast public servant during his years in the House and most recently as the leader at HHS," Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., R-Texas said in a statement. "As a fellow physician, I admire his dedication to his patients, the people of Georgia, and all Americans. It has been a pleasure to serve with Dr. Price in Congress, and I wish my friend all the best in his future endeavors."

Steny Hoyer

"The resignation of Secretary Price was warranted," House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md. said in a statement. "I urge the next HHS Secretary to commit to upholding the Affordable Care Act, and to promote and carry out not only the letter but the spirit of that law to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.
Investigators have begun questioning White House staffers as part of the special counsels Russia probe, two sources confirmed to Fox News.

Sources said that retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff for the National Security Council, was interviewed on Thursday. Questioning covered former national security adviser Mike Flynn, who resigned in February and who helped bring Kellogg onto the Trump transition team.

One source said Kellogg was shown records related to the investigation of Flynn.

Special Counsel Robert Muellers team had been expected to start interviewing White House staffers, having already sought a wide variety of documents related to their probe of Russias attempted meddling in the 2016 election.

In a separate development, Fox News has learned that congressional investigators as well as federal agents are scrutinizing a Trump campaign national security meeting in March 2016 at Washington, D.C.'s Old Post Office, now the site of the Trump International Hotel.

Two sources close to the issue said investigators are determining who attended, what was discussed and how then-candidate Donald Trump responded to an idea -- broached at the meeting by a junior staffer -- of setting up a session with senior Russian government officials to discuss repairing the U.S.-Russia relationship.

The Washington Post first reported that the junior staffer, George Papadopoulos, had sent an email in March 2016 offering to set up the meeting. The Daily Caller first reported that Papadopoulos, an energy consultant, then broached the idea in the Old Post Office meeting.

Sources told Fox News then-senator Jeff Sessions shut down the discussion, with others following up via email that such a meeting might violate the Logan Act -- a 200-year-old statute that bars American citizens from engaging with a foreign government without authorization from the current U.S. government.

Fox News was told the meeting was more for the cameras than a serious national security discussion, with one source saying investigators were told the president had no reaction to the proposed Russian meeting and another saying the president seemed flattered by the idea.

Asked for comment, the Justice Department referred Fox News to the special counsels office, which declined to comment.
President Donald Trump delayed Air Force Ones departure from Indianapolis on Wednesday until after he was able to talk with a motorcycle officer who crashed in the motorcade to the airport.

Initial reports said Trump called the officer during the flight back to Washington, but the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police tweeted Thursday that the president delayed the flight.

#BREAKING: Thank you @Potus for delaying wheels up to speak with injured Officer Turner. #ThankYou, the tweet read.

Robert Turner, a police officer from Indianapolis, broke an ankle in the fall on Interstate 70. A photographer captured the officer on the ground with his uniform ripped.

Police released a cellphone video of Turner in the hospital taking the call from the president. He was wearing a neck brace, but laughed and appeared to be in good spirits.

The White House initially said Trump called during the flight back to Washington to check on the officer's condition and thank him for his service.

Trump was in the city to push his so-called middle class miracle, and sell his plan to overhaul the nations tax code and revive his legislative agenda.

"This is a revolutionary change and the biggest winners will be the everyday American workers as jobs start pouring into our country, as companies start competing for American labor, and as wages start going up at levels that you haven't seen in many years," Trump told supporters at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
President Donald Trump and Republicans are rolling out their plan to reform the tax system and enact cuts for certain individuals and businesses.

Publicly revealed Wednesday, the dramatic tax overhaul plan heralded as a "once in a generation" opportunity was months in the making, and Trump himself implored lawmakers to work on his plan and cut taxes for the middle class.

Trump campaigned on the promise of overhauling the tax code, and senior administration officials said this plan is largely similar to what Trump has called for.

Should the tax reform plan pass, it would be the first major overhaul of the system in decades. The plans framework is the product of the so-called Big Six: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnunchin; House Ways and Means chair Kevin Brady, R-Texas; Senate Finance chair Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; White House economic policy chief Gary Cohn; and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Heres what to know about the plan:

Tax bracket collapses

Republicans plan to simplify the tax code by cutting the number of brackets from seven to three or four, according to senior administration officials. The plans sets the highest tax bracket at 35 percent and the lowest at 12 percent, but senior administration officials said they can be changed.

The standard deduction, which reduces the amount of taxed income, is doubled to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples.

The code currently favors the wealthy and the privileged and the connected who can hire attorneys and accountants to help them navigate and take advantage of exemptions, deductions and credits  many of which go away in the overhaul plan, White House special counsel Kellyanne Conway told Fox News.

Focus on middle class

We will cut taxes tremendously for the middle class, Trump said Tuesday after a meeting with members of the House tax-writing committee.

The House Ways and Means Committees guide on the plan said it would help middle-class Americans with investments such as retirement, starting a business or buying a home.

TRUMP VOWS MILLIONS OF JOBS WITH NEW TAX PLAN

While there are few specifics, the child tax credit is increased and a new credit for non-child dependents would be added. This "relief" will "help lift the middle class and let hardworking families keep more of their hard-earned dollars," Hatch said Wednesday.

The framework also leaves in place certain incentives, including for charitable donations and home mortgage interest.

Democrats have pushed for tax relief being given to middle class Americans  not the wealthiest.

WHO ARE THE WINNERS AND LOSERS OF TRUMP'S TAX PLAN?

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy last week slammed Trumps plan as it said it wouldnt alleviate financial burdens of the middle class.

Vague promises cant conceal the hard facts: if anything resembling President Trumps current proposal becomes law, the outcome would be a redistribution of wealth to the already wealthy on a scale we have not seen before, ITEP executive director Alan Essig said.

Small businesses see relief

The plan would lower the tax rate for small businesses to 25 percent.

Alfredo Ortiz, president of the nonprofit Job Creators Network, praised the proposal for including cuts for small businesses. He told Fox News that Congress should make these cuts retroactive to January 1st of this year, allowing small business owners to have maximum opportunity.

Corporate tax rate lowered

The plan would lower the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent. Trump has previously said he wants to lower it to 15 percent, and the framework's proposed rate is largely seen as his red line on the issue.

SEN. THUNE: REPUBLICANS CANT AFFORD TO FAIL ON TAX REFORM

Trump blasted the United States business tax rates Tuesday and promised to lower them to make the U.S. super competitive for companies.

If we do this, we will create millions of new jobs for our people, Trump said.

Certain taxes eliminated

The plan also would cut certain taxes, such as the so-called death tax, or estate tax. The federal estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death, according to the Internal Revenue Service. It only impacts wealthier Americans.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called the framework "morally repugnant" and said it "is particularly obscene" to eliminate the estate tax.

"Instead of giving more tax breaks to billionaires who don't need it, we should be doing everything we can to rebuild the disappearing middle class," he said.

Republicans also plan to kill the marriage tax penalty, which can occur when a couple marries and files taxes jointly.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The U.S. is pulling embassy staff from Cuba, warning against travel to the island and taking other measures in the wake of mysterious attacks on American diplomats.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ordered departure for all non-emergency employees and family members early Friday, a State Department official told Fox News, as a result of the mysterious sonic attacks against Americans in Cuba.

The State Department told Fox News that because it is removing employees from the area, it must also warn American citizens not to travel to Cuba.

The decision deals a blow to already delicate ties between the U.S. and Cuba, longtime enemies who only recently began putting their hostility behind them. The embassy in Havana will lose roughly 60 percent of its U.S. staff, and will stop processing visas in Cuba indefinitely, American officials told the AP.

In a new travel warning issued Friday, the U.S. said some of the attacks have occurred in Cuban hotels, and that while American tourists aren't known to have been hurt, they could be exposed if they travel to Cuba. Tourism is a critical component of Cuba's economy that has grown in recent years as the U.S. relaxed restrictions.

Almost a year after diplomats began describing unexplained health problems, U.S investigators still don't know what or who is behind the attacks, which have harmed at least 21 diplomats and their families, some with injuries as serious as traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss. Although the State Department has called them "incidents" and generally avoided deeming them attacks, officials said Friday the U.S. now has determined there were "specific attacks" on American personnel in Cuba.

Tillerson made the decision to draw down the embassy overnight while traveling to China, officials said, after considering other options that included a full embassy shutdown. President Donald Trump reviewed the options with Tillerson in a meeting earlier in the week.

The United States notified Cuba of the moves early Friday via its embassy in Washington. Cuba's embassy had no immediate comment.

Cubans seeking visas to enter the U.S. may be able to apply through embassies in nearby countries, officials said. The U.S. will stop sending official delegations to Cuba, though diplomatic discussions will continue in Washington.

The moves deliver a significant setback to the delicate reconciliation between the U.S. and Cuba, two countries that endured a half-century estrangement despite their locations only 90 miles apart. In 2015, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro restored diplomatic ties. Embassies re-opened, and travel and commerce restrictions were eased. Trump has reversed some changes, but has broadly left the rapprochement in place.

The Trump administration has pointedly not blamed Cuba for perpetrating the attacks. Officials involved in the deliberations said the administration had weighed the best way to minimize potential risk for Americans in Havana without unnecessarily harming relations between the countries. Rather than describe it as punitive, the administration will emphasize Cuba's responsibility to keep diplomats on its soil safe.

To investigators' dismay, the symptoms in the attacks vary widely from person to person. In addition to hearing loss and concussions, some experienced nausea, headaches and ear-ringing, and the AP has reported some now suffer from problems with concentration and common word recall.

Though officials initially suspected some futuristic "sonic attack," the picture has grown muddier. The FBI and other agencies that searched homes and hotels where incidents occurred found no devices. And clues about the circumstances of the incidents seem to make any explanation scientifically implausible.

Some U.S. diplomats reported hearing various loud noises or feeling vibrations when the incidents occurred, but others heard and felt nothing yet reported symptoms later. In some cases, the effects were narrowly confined, with victims able to walk "in" and "out" of blaring noises audible in only certain rooms or parts of rooms, the AP has reported.

Though the incidents stopped for a time, they recurred as recently as late August. The U.S. has said the tally of Americans affected could grow.

Fox News' Rich Edson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
While marijuana-industry written Question 2 passed statewide last November, it was defeated by voters in thirteen Nevada counties, including in Elko County.

Recreational marijuana is now legal throughout Nevada, but localities are free to choose to license, or not to license, commercial marijuana establishments. In Elko County, a majority of county commissioners  Cliff Eklund, Demar Dahl and Delmo Andreozzi  chose to prohibit growing, dispensing and producing marijuana products in Elko Countys unincorporated areas.

In states outside of Nevada that legalized marijuana, local communities have been cautious or resisted marijuana commerce. While Colorado voters legalized marijuana statewide, the vast majority (73 percent) of the states cities and counties banned commercial recreational marijuana in their jurisdictions. Similarly, Oregon legalized marijuana statewide, but 89 cities and counties have banned all commercial marijuana activity. In Massachusetts, the 91 communities in the state that voted against legalization have been given authority by the state legislature to prohibit commercialization.

California voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2016. The initiative passed overwhelmingly in affluent and politically liberal areas like Palo Alto and Marin County. However, local officials in both these communities banned commercial marijuana establishments. The cited reason for the prohibition: quality of life.

In comparison, Nevada stands alone among the states in an unprecedented rush to Early Start recreational marijuana sales that began on July 1. In passing Question 2, Nevada voters were assured recreational sales would begin six months later, on Jan. 1, 2018, after adoption of permanent regulations.

The haste in commencing recreational marijuana sales was urged by Nevadas medical marijuana licensees. They claimed that medical-only marijuana stores lost money and only with recreational sales would they make a profit. The Early Start program was effectively a marijuana industry bail out, announced without public hearings or vote of approval by the governing Nevada Tax Commission.

The hurried approach to recreational marijuana licensing at the local level in Nevada can be seen in the case of North Las Vegas, a predominately low income city with a high percentage of at risk youth. North Las Vegas city officials have already licensed 52 marijuana establishmentsretail, cultivation and manufacture.

A request from the Las Vegas Review-Journal for names and ownership interests of marijuana establishments in North Las Vegas was denied. City officials based their refusal on an August 3 Nevada Supreme Court decision holding marijuana ownership records are confidential and unavailable to the public.

In contrast to marijuana, ownership interests for gaming and liquor licensees are held to be public records. Keeping ownership information confidential makes it impossible for the public to scrutinize government officials for conflicts of interest . The Nevada Press Association formally protested the withholding of marijuana ownership information by North Las Vegas city officials.

A new opinion from the Legislative Counsel Bureau holding that nothing in Nevada law prevents a business from establishing a lounge or hosting a special event where recreational marijuana is used, is creating the latest marijuana controversy. The opinion, requested by Sen. Tick Segerblom, came after the legislature defeated his bill in the last session to do expressly that. Segerblom argues that local governments should be allowed to license Amsterdam-like pot lounges and other public uses.

Governor Sandoval disagrees with the legal opinion entirely and requested review by the Attorney General . Among Sandovals concerns  putting Nevada in direct conflict with requirements of Federal law in the Cole Memorandum guiding handling of marijuana in states where it has been legalized.

None of the four other states where marijuana is legal for recreational use-Washington, Colorado, Alaska and Oregoncurrently allow pot lounges. The three other states where legalization regulations are being finalizedCalifornia, Massachusetts and Maineare not currently considering pot lounges. If approved, Nevada would stand alone.
The oldest evidence of life on Earth ever discovered may lie within rocks that are 3.95 billion years old, a new study finds.

The new finding represents the earliest sign of life yet on Earth by 200 million years or more, the researchers said.

Evidence of life early in Earth's history remains sparse because few well-preserved rocks have survived from the Eoarchean era, which spanned from about 4 billion to 3.6 billion years ago. During that time, Earth's primitive atmosphere and oceans  as well as the oldest signs of life  first emerged.

Until now, the earliest hints of life in the 4.5-billion-year history of Earth were inside a 3.7-billion-year-old rock from Greenland revealed in 2016. Prior work, from 1996, also claimed to have found signs of life in 3.8-billion-year-old rocks from Greenland's Akilia Island, although those findings remain hotly debated. [In Images: The Oldest Fossils on Earth]

Now, scientists analyzing 3.95-billion-year-old rocks from northern Labrador in northeastern Canada suggest they have found materials generated by microbes. These may represent the oldest evidence of life found yet on Earth, said study senior author Tsuyoshi Komiya, a geologist at the University of Tokyo.

The researchers examined the oldest known metasedimentary rocks, ones made from sediment that got buried underneath subsequent rock and subjected to high pressures and temperatures, causing the sediment to crystallize. The area they collected the rocks from "is very far from any village or town," Komiya told Live Science. "Many polar bears inhabit the area."

The scientists focused on grains of graphite, a material made of sheets of carbon. Previous research suggested that life could result in graphite that is enriched in lighter isotopes of carbon. (Isotopes of an element vary in how many neutrons they possess in their atomic nuclei.)

Based on the carbon isotopes found in the graphite within the Labrador rocks, the researchers suggested it was biological in origin. The way ancient rock encased this graphite suggested that these newfound signs of life did not originate as contamination from later periods in time. "The finding was surprising and exciting," Komiya said.

Future research can analyze the composition of such graphite and accompanying minerals to identify the kinds of early organisms that might have created them as well as the environment in which they lived. This could shed light on the origin and evolution of life on Earth, Komiya said.

The scientists detailed their findings in the Sept. 28 issue of the journal Nature.

Original article on Live Science.
A journey to plumb the remote ocean depths has revealed that Earth does indeed have an eighth continent.

A nine-week voyage took scientists from around the world to drill and explore the seafloor off New Zealand and Australia. They found evidence of land-based fossils, revealing that the ancient landmass wasn't always buried beneath the waves.

"Zealandia, a sunken continent long lost beneath the oceans, is giving up its 60 million-year-old secrets through scientific ocean drilling," Jamie Allan, program director in the U.S. National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences, said in a statement. [Photos: The World's Weirdest Geological Formations]

Lost 8th continent

Earlier this year, scientists argued that the known seven continents had a long-lost brother  Zealandia, a narrow strip of land that encompasses New Zealand and lies off the east coast of Australia, and whose landmass is mostly 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) below sea level beneath the ocean's surface. Among the evidence for Zealandia: The crust that makes up Zealandia is much shallower than the surrounding oceanic crust, and its geologic makeup looks more like continental versus oceanic crust. What's more, a narrow strip of oceanic crust separates Australia from Zealandia, which suggests the two landmasses were separate.

However, the area is so remote that few geologists had explored the region.

To answer questions about the mysterious continent, scientists aboard the JOIDES Resolution, a research drilling vessel, drilled sediment cores from six sites along the ocean seabed that makes up Zealandia. The cores plumbed 8,202 feet (2,500 m) below the surface, revealing 70 million years of the ancient continent's history.

The team found a treasure trove of fossils that reveal Zealandia wasn't always under the ocean.

"More than 8,000 specimens were studied, and several hundred fossil species were identified," expedition co-chief scientist Gerald Dickens of Rice University in Texas, said in statement. "The discovery of microscopic shells of organisms that lived in warm shallow seas, and of spores and pollen from land plants, reveal that the geography and climate of Zealandia were dramatically different in the past."

About 100 million years ago, Australia, Antarctica and Zealandia were all part of a mega-continent. The new drilling revealed that although Zealandia split off from these regions and sank below water about 80 million years ago, the chain of volcanism that makes up the Pacific's "Ring of Fire" may have caused Zealandia to buckle about 40 million to 50 million years ago, which also dramatically reshaped the landscape.

The findings could reveal how plants and animals dispersed across the South Pacific. In the past, this area provided some shallow seas and some strips of land to allow species to migrate and move between regions, the researchers said.

Originally published on Live Science.
Nearly 100,000 cans of safe drinking water are being flown in to Puerto Rico, the US territory recently ravaged by Hurricane Maria.

Two local companies, Frontier Airlines and Oskar Blues Brewery, are teaming up with the CANd Air Foundation to provide some relief to residents.

The first cases of water are expected to land in San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning on Friday afternoon.

Frontier expects to continue to deliver water via flights that depart from Denver International Airport and connect to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

According to the CANd Aid Foundation, 44 percent of Puerto Ricos population is currently without drinking water.

The Category four hurricane blasted the island with devastating winds, rain and flooding that resulted in loss of power, services, contaminated and broken water supplies.

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority officials stated that potable water wont be available island-wide until power is restored, which could take months.

Were fortunate to be in a position to help, stated Dale Katechis, Founder of CANd Aid Foundation and Oskar Blues Brewery. When towns and areas are hit hard by natural or man made disasters, water supplies are often the first thing to go. And when we can jump in to provide safe drinking water quickly  we stand on the gas. In Puerto Rico, we had no immediate way to help, but with generous support from Frontier Airlines, were now able to lend a hand, FAST, because its the right thing do and because we can.

Relief efforts have been slowed due to the remote location of the island.

With limited access to the airport, Frontier Airlines will have one flight daily to deliver safe drinking water and bring back stranded travelers.

With the hard to reach nature of Puerto Rico we are in a unique position where we can partner with Oskar Blues and CANd Aid to provide quick delivery of safe and clean drinking water to the people of Puerto Rico, said Frontier Spokesman Richard Oliver. With our ability to fly in relief supplies were able to provide some much needed relief to people in need.

Oskar Blues Brewery stopped beer production several times this month to can safe drinking water for Texas, Florida and now Puerto Rico.

CANd Aid Foundation and Oskar Blues Brewery have distributed 433,000 cans of clean drinking water to those in need after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Since its inception, the CANd Aid Foundation has helped ship nearly one million cans of water to communities in need of safe drinking water.

This article originally appeared on Fox31 Denver.
New yellow painted highway lines in the Alaska's Panhandle city of Ketchikan are crooked, and the paint that's been used by state transportation officials has stained cars, officials said. Among those affected was Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor David Landis, whose car ended up with yellow paint on it.

"You come to expect having highway striping like that to be straight and have orderly looking lines and be professionally applied," Landis said. "Something was clearly wrong with the equipment or the operation of that equipment to have so many things wrong all at once."

8 OF THE WEIRDEST HOTELS AND MOTELS IN THE UNITED STATES

The problems emerged after the state Department of Transportation tried out a new line painting system on the Tongass Highway, The Ketchikan Daily News reported Saturday.

Department spokeswoman Meadow Bailey said the paint is "not drying as quickly as it should due to humidity in southeast Alaska."

Bob Sivertson, a Ketchikan city council member, called it the poorest line painting work he's seen.

GLAMPING POD CATCHES FIRE AT CAMPSITE, LEAVING YOUNG WOMAN IN CRITICAL CONDITION, REPORTS SAY

Bailey said the state will not repaint the yellow lines. She said people with cars that got paint on them should have the vehicles pressure washed.

If the car washes don't work, she recommended spraying WD-40 lubricant on areas stained with yellow paint. The lubricant should be left on cars for up to two hours before washing them.

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And if that does not work, she said, they should put a "liberal coating of Vaseline" on the car areas stained yellow. It should be left on the cars overnight before getting the vehicles pressure washed, Bailey said.
A federal judge in Louisiana ruled Thursday that Black Lives Matter is a social movement and cannot be sued, deflating the legal case of an unnamed police officer injured in a demonstration in July 2016.

In November 2016, an anonymous police officer in Baton Rouge sued DeRay Mckesson, a leading activist in the movement, and Black Lives Matter, laying blame for injuries he endured during a violent protest on July 9, 2016.

Like the Tea Party or the civil rights movement, U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson said Black Lives Matter is not an entity and therefore is unable to be sued.

"Although many entities have utilized the phrase 'black lives matter' in their titles or business designations, 'Black Lives Matter' itself is not an entity of any sort," Jackson wrote in his ruling.

Judge Roberts also cleared Mckesson saying he solely engaged in protected speech at the protest.

The anonymous officer also tried adding "(hash)BlackLivesMatter" as a defendant in the suit, claiming it to be a "national unincorporated association" in California, but the judge ruled that a hashtag couldn't be sued either.

POLICE-IN-SCHOOLS PROGRAM HALTED AS BLACK LIVES MATTER OBJECTS

The officer alleged in the lawsuit that he was hit in the face by concrete or a rock like substance, causing him to lose teeth and sustain injuries to his jaw and brain.

The lawsuit did not accuse Mckesson of throwing the possible rock, but did claim that he "was in charge of the protest that turned into a riot and he incited the violence on behalf of Black Lives Matter.

The demonstration was held in response to the death of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man fatally shot by a white police officer.

A separate suit was also filed in July against Mckesson and the movement on behalf of a different police officer, who was wounded in an attack on July 17, 2016 by Gavin Long.

Long killed three police officers and wounded three others in a shooting rampage near the Baton Rouge police headquarters before he was shot dead by authorities.

That suit is still pending before the same federal judge.

Mckesson is the self-described leader of the Black Lives Matter movement. He quit his job in July, as the chief human capital officer of Baltimore Public Schools, to devote more time to organizing and to work on his podcast, Pod Save the People.

He was one of roughly 200 protesters arrested at the July 2016 protest and charged with obstructing a highway.

Mckesson and other protesters have since sued the city of Baton Rouge and local law enforcement officials over their arrests, accusing police of using excessive force and violating their constitutional rights.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Police arrested a Florida teachers aide for having sexual contact with a former student  months after discovering her half-naked just after one of the pairs rendezvous.

Katie Carsey, 36, was charged Wednesday for an alleged relationship with a 14-year-old boy she met at Fort McCoy Middle School, according to the Marion County Sheriffs Office.

The married educator faces charges for lewd or lascivious molestation.

Deputies initially found Carsey, who is a paraprofessional teachers assistant, only wearing a bra and underwear in a car at a church parking lot in July while investigating a suspicious vehicle.

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER HEADED TO JAIL OVER SEX WITH 6 TEENS

She tried to leave the parking lot and told police she was there to meet another man, according to the Village News.

Months later, police received a tip that Carsey was involved with the student after she told someone she had barely escaped being caught having sex with the student before authorities arrived, WKMG reported.

Click for more from The New York Post.
A May Day protester confessed in court Thursday to throwing a flare into a Portland police car and another into a Target store and will be sentenced to five years in jail, reports said.

Damion Zachary Feller, 23, is expected to be sentenced in October after being arrested and later charged for his part in the violent May Day protests that engulfed the streets of Portland, Ore. on May 1, The Oregonian reported.

Video reportedly showed Feller throwing one flare through a shattered Target window before tossing another through a window of a police SUV parked across the street from the store.

Police said Feller was one of about 20 anarchists who invaded the initially peaceful protests, the report said.

Police in Portland shut down the rally, which they eventually declared a riot, after marchers started throwing smoke bombs and destroying property. One medic was hit with a full can of Pepsi during the mayhem, police said.

Approximately 25 people were arrested that day.

Feller was arrested two days later, after police saw him on the street, The Oregonian reported.

According to a police affidavit, when detectives showed Feller a picture of a person who threw a flare at the protest he said, I saw that online, and I knew I was (expletive), the report said.

Feller admitted to authorities that he was guilty, saying he got caught up in a mob mentality, The Oregonian reported.

He pled guilty to first-degree arson, second-degree arson, riot and first-degree criminal mischief, according to the report. He was also reportedly charged in federal court but will not serve any extra time in accordance to a plea deal.

Feller told authorities that he is homeless, unemployed, and does not talk to any of his family, The Oregonian reported. He also said he was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and bipolar disorder and smokes marijuana every day.

Feller was reportedly arrested five times in the past in Oregon, Colorado, and Texas for alleged nonviolent crimes or for not appearing in court, although he has no criminal convictions. And he is still facing charges in Umatilla County, Ore. for theft and criminal trespass, The Oregonian said.
A three-star general with a solid record of leadership in the war zone was named on Thursday to spearhead the U.S. military's relief efforts in storm-scarred Puerto Rico.

Lt. General Jeffrey Buchanan, from U.S. Army North, has been tasked by the Pentagon to oversee the federal recovery efforts in the Caribbean-based commonwealth and is expected to take over the islands command center that has been set up at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan. The post comes as the Trump administration fights back against claims it's responded too slowly to the devastation triggered by Hurricane Maria just over a week ago.

The appointment of Buchanan is intended to help speed that process along. The military effort on the island is expected to grow in the next few days.

Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the previous administration, told the Los Angeles Times that having a commander who reports to both the governor and the military chain of command will create a unified team of military and civilian disaster response units, adding that the relief effort in Puerto Rico has been hampered by a bottleneck of supplies at the Port of San Juan and downed roads. A dual-status commander can help clear up fallen infrastructure more quickly.

Buchanan boasts an impressive military career with experience that could prove beneficial to expediting relief efforts.

He has served four tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. In 2003-2004 he was the director of operations for the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team. He then went on to command the 2nd Brigade, 75th Division (TSB) and deployed to Iraq to serve as an advisor to the Iraqi Special Police Commando Division. Upon his return stateside, he served as the director of operations for U.S. Army North.

Puerto Rico is in the throes of a full-blown "humanitarian crisis," with washed-out roads, downed power lines and damaged infrastructure -- a scene President Trump intends to view first-hand next week.

Trump said Tuesday the federal government has been working hard to get food and water to the U.S. territory, saying the island was hit as hard as you can hit.

Last week Puerto Ricans hunkered down as Hurricane Maria raked the length of the island, killing at least 16 people, wrecking the electricity grid and grinding up homes, businesses, roads, and farms.

After the storm passed, islanders set about digging out from the mud and debris slung by worst storm to hit the island in nearly a decade. They went in search of basic necessities: water, food, gas for a generator, a cell phone signal or a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect with relatives.

All of that remains in very short supply a week later, and now many people on the island and around the world are wondering how long it will take for life to return to normal in the U.S. territory of 3.4 million.

Fox News Jennifer Griffin, Lucia I. Suarez Sang and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
At least one person was airlifted from Yosemite National Park Thursday after a massive rock fall Thursday -- just one day after a slab plummeted from El Capitan, killing a British climber and injuring a second.

Thursday's rock fall was much larger than Wednesday's on the iconic rock formation, Ken Yager of the Yosemite Climbing Association said. He described a large cloud of dust filling the sky as sirens wailed.

Images from the park showed a huge plume of smoke in the wake of the rock fall. Yager said traffic on a road near the base of El Capitan was stopped.

Fox News has learned that one person was injured and flown out of the park via air ambulance to a hospital.



Thursdays slide unfolded around 3:30 p.m. local time, according to KNTV.

A climber at Yosemite said the second slide was easily "three times the size" of the first.

Ryan Sheridan had just reached the top of El Capitan when Thursday's slide let loose below him.

He told The Associated Press that "there was so much smoke and debris" and clouds of dust filled the entire valley below.

He said Thursday's rock slide happened in the same location as the one that occurred a day earlier.

It was on Wednesday when the first granite slab described as "the size of an apartment building" fell off the face of El Capitan, leaving at least one climber from the UK dead and his wife injured.

Sources identifed the victim to Fox News as Andrew Foster, 32, of Wales. His wife, who remains unidentifed, is undergoing medical treatment at an area hospital.

"I saw a piece of rock, white granite the size of an apartment building, at least 100 feet by 100 feet, suddenly just come peeling off the wall with no warning," said Canadian climber Peter Zabrok, 57, who was scaling El Capitan and was above the rock fall said on Wednesday.

El Capitan is one of the world's largest granite monoliths, towering 4,000 feet above Yosemite Valley.

Mountaineers from around the world travel to the park in the Sierra Nevada to scale El Capitan's sheer face. Autumn is one of the peak seasons because the days are long and the weather is warm.

Click for more from Fox 2.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Statement by the Spokesperson on the conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts

Foreign Minister of Armenia to participate in the Fifth Paris Peace Forum

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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

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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

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This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan
A coroner has determined that a 1-month-old boy who died at his home was killed by a family dog.

Authorities say the baby was found dead Sept. 20 in his bassinet at the Knox County home about 60 miles northeast of Columbus. County Coroner Dr. Jennifer Ogle said Wednesday that the baby suffered extensive injuries, including puncture wounds to his head.

Ogles news release said the autopsy revealed no trauma from any source other than a dog. The release said the infant was healthy and well cared for prior to his death.

The familys two dogs, described as pit bull, or a pit bull mix, have been euthanized.

Knox Countys prosecutor has said the babys 25-year-old father apparently woke up to find the infant dead.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that the homeowner, Teddy Hagans, told 911 that the boy was in the bassinet. When the dispatcher asked if he wanted to try CPR on the boy, the man reportedly declined, saying the injuries were too severe.

The boys mother, who is not married to Hagans, was reportedly not home at the time. She reportedly called authorities to inform them that her mother was driving her to the scene over the speed limit, and asked to not pull them over.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
The British man killed Wednesday after being crushed by a granite slab that fell off of Yosemite National Parks El Capitan formation was celebrating his first wedding anniversary with his wife.

Witnesses saw Andrew Foster, 32, and his wife, Lucy, 28, get hit by a giant granite slab as they were hiking at the bottom of El Capitan, far from trails used by most of the California park's visitors, Scott Gediman, the parks spokesperson said.

The slab was about 130 feet tall and 213 feet wide and fell from the popular Waterfall Route on the East Buttress of El Capitan. The weight of the slab was not immediately known, but Gediman said all of the rock falls combined on Wednesday weighed 1,300 tons.

Andrew was killed and his wife was hospitalized. Her condition was not immediately known.

The couple were at the park on a dream holiday to celebrate their anniversary, People reported.

The Guardian reported the couple traveled to the U.S. with friends on Sept. 11.

SLAB IN DEADLY YOSEMITE ROCKFALL WAS SIZE OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING

The couple chronicled their adventures on their social media accounts and their blog titled The Adventures and Thoughts of Andrew & Lucy Foster.

The adventurous couple described themselves as a young married couple that enjoy nothing more than getting out and having adventures in the mountains together.

They added on their blog: We are not extreme athletes and describe ourselves simply as passionate weekend warriors. While our blog is just a log of what we have done we do hope that it will inspire other people to get out and experience the natural world."

The couple, who were experienced climbers as well as skiers, got engaged in the French Alps in 2015, The Guardian reported.

On the couples Instagram page, the latest post showed Andrew resting on a rock with his shoes off. The caption stated: Yosemite has broken Andy. Time for a rest.

Andrew worked as a sales representative for Patagonia, a company that sells outdoor clothing.

YOSEMITES EL CAPITAN SEES NEW MASSIVE ROCK FALL 1 DAY AFTER DEADLY SLIDE

It is with much sadness that we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague Andrew Foster, who was killed in a tragic accident in Yosemite. He was a much-loved member of our team and a passionate climber mountaineer and skier who loved being in the outdoors, Patagonia said in a statement to The Guardian.

Rocks along the world-renowned park's climbing routes break loose and crash about 80 times a year. The last time a climber was killed by a rock falling at Yosemite was in 2013, when a Montana climber fell after a rock dislodged and sliced his climbing rope. It was preceded by a 1999 rock fall that crushed a climber from Colorado. Park officials say rock falls overall have killed 16 people since 1857 and injured more than 100 others.

On Thursday, another hunk of granite broke off of El Capitan, injuring an older man and sending out huge plumes of white dust.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In a win for gun rights activists, a federal appeals court on Thursday let stand another courts ruling that it was unconstitutional for Washington, D.C.s local government to require licensed gun owners to provide a good reason for legally carrying a concealed weapon in the nations capital city.

The ruling potentially sets the matter on a path to the U.S. Supreme Court, because other federal courts have reached varying decisions in similar cases, the Washington Times reported.

Sometimes the most important thing a court does is not do anything, Adam Winkler, a University of California, Los Angeles, law professor who has written extensively on the Second Amendment, told the Times. Because of what the D.C. Circuit didnt do today, the Supreme Court is now far more likely to take a concealed carry case.

Second Amendment advocates said the law was too restrictive, and would make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to obtain concealed carry permits. As of June, D.C. police had granted 126 such permits and denied 417 since the law took effect in 2014, the Washington Post reported.

Attorney Alan Gura, who represented some of the gun owners involved in the lawsuit, said Thursdays ruling exposed flaws in the citys law.

The ruling is the latest blow to the Districts efforts to curtail gun possession and use, he said, noting that the Supreme Court ruled against the citys near-total ban on firearms in 2008, and a federal court blocked a bid to ban the carrying of firearms in 2014.

Local leaders in Washington sought for the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to rehear a case against the citys gun laws, but judges voted 2-1 against revisiting a ruling issued earlier this year. The vote meant that the D.C. Circuits prior decision about the good reason requirement would remain in effect, the Times reported.

The citys current law says that resident who want to legally carry a concealed firearm must first demonstrate that they have good reason to fear injury, the Post reported, adding that living or working in a high crime area was not necessarily a good enough reason.

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said in a statement that police can continue to enforce the "good reason" requirement until the appeals court issues what's called a mandate in about a week. Racine said he's reviewing options for how to proceed. The city could decide to ask the Supreme Court to hear the case.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Forget the faces covered with tattoos. The gang signs. Even the guns and knives sticking out of their jeans.

The real way to spot an MS-13 gangster is by his sneakers.

A top leader of the notoriously violent gang told associates in the U.S. to ditch their footwear, because that's how law enforcement was identifying members.

In a racketeering indictment unsealed Thursday, Edwin Manica Flores, known as Shugar, allegedly told other gang leaders to avoid wearing clothes and colors associated with MS-13 as to not attract police attention.

He specifically told them to steer clear of blue and white Nike Cortez shoes, Newsweek reported.

Dressed like that, the enemy can see you, the police can arrest you, and boom, to El Salvador, the 35-year-old reportedly told gang leaders in tapped phone calls from a prison in the Central American country. To a great life there, one must be humble, you know, to avoid being detected.

According to Nike, the original Cortez, which debuted in 1972, was the first masterpiece by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman. The shoe consisted of unprecedented cushioning in the insoles and was very lightweight, which made it one of the most popular running shoes at the historic 1972 Olympic games.

Flores, who investigators say led the gangs East Coast operation from prison in El Salvador, was indicted as part of a six-month operation that led to more than 3,800 arrests across the U.S. and Central America.

More than 70 people have been arrested during roundups in Los Angeles, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Long Island and Columbus, Ohio.

MS-13, which originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s before spreading like wildfire to the East Coast, is believed to have some 10,000 members across the U.S. They are a mix of Central American immigrants and U.S.-born members.

The gang, whose motto is "kill, rape, control," is known for its use of gruesome tactics, including hacking and stabbing its victims with machetes. It has been tied to a wave of recent violence on Long Island, just east of New York City, and has been linked to brutal killings in other states.

The notorious gang continues to tighten its grip across the country by tapping into young, vulnerable unaccompanied immigrant children and giving them a sense of family, experts say.

MS-13 has a powerful marketing strategy in which they offer a family for these children, Angel Melendez, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Homeland Security Investigations unit in New York, told WJLA.

He said unaccompanied minors made up about 30 percent of recent arrests against the gang.

A former MS-13 gang member told WJLA the group target minors because they are more likely to get a slap on the wrist for any crimes they might commit.

They have no boundaries. They are not afraid to kill kids, parents, cousins  they are not afraid, he added. As long as they are sending the message they are sending, they are not afraid to do what they have to do.

MS-13 has become a prime target of the Trump administration, which discusses its violence in suburban, immigrant communities in an effort to build support for a broader crackdown on immigration. President Trump directed federal enforcement to focus resources on combating the transnational gangs.

For federal prosecutors who have long worked to quash the gang, the new emphasis is rewarding.

The more work we do down [in Central America], the more it helps us here, said David Rybicki, a deputy assistant attorney general in the Criminal Division, who oversees the organized crime and gang unit. We cant effectively work on our cases here without information from El Salvador.

These recent indictments will change gang dynamics, said Zach Terwilliger, who prosecuted gangs in the Eastern District of Virginia before taking a position in the deputy attorney general's office.

"The gang feels as though it's under a microscope," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Dallas school district unanimously voted Wednesday to rename four elementary schools that had been named to honor Confederate leaders.

Board members at the Dallas Independent School District voted 9-0 to allow the Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, William L. Cabell and Albert Sidney Johnston schools to change their names, FOX4 News reported.

The name changes will occur during summer 2018.

History is not going anywhere. History is in the history books, Seth Laughlin, the father of two students at Stonewall Jackson Elementary, told WFFA.

One of the schools, Cabell Elementary School in North Dallas, had a less clear-cut case for renaming, as the school was named after a Confederate leader who was also a 3-term major for the city.

According to FOX4, Cabells contributions to the city weighed against his ties to the Confederacy stirred some debate at Thursdays meeting, but not as much as that of Stonewell Jackson.

Some parents at the elementary school suggested shortening the name to just Stonewall but, by a 5-4 margin, board members said all schools would need to have an original name.

We didnt pick the name. Weve done the best we can with the name weve been given, Brandon Lee, a parent of a student at Stonewall Jackson, told WFFA. I dont think its hypocritical to say we want the name changed, but well also be a little sad when a new name goes up out front.

Each school is required to create a renaming committee and present a new name to the school board by Nov. 10. A vote to approve the new name will be Dec. 14.

The name changes will cost an estimated $150,000, which will cover facades and gymnasiums.

Parents, community and school leaders began discussing potential name changes in the wake of the fatal violence in Charlottesville in August, when a woman protesting white supremacists was rammed by a car and killed.
Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz said Thursday on Tucker Carlson Tonight that he is considering suing the University of California, Berkeley over a stipulation that would prevent him to speak on campus.

Dershowitz told Tucker Carlson that the school prevented him from speaking on Israel because he did not give the school eight-week advance notice.

He said the school, however, usually waives the stipulation for speakers who are invited by a department, but those speakers tend to be anti-Israel, liberals and radicals.

If no department invites us, having invited people from the other side, we will sue them arguing that the eight-week rule is a cover for content-based discrimination against moderates, liberals, conservatives and supporters of Israel, Dershowitz said.

Dershowitz, who voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, said he was certain to find that Berkeley has already invited anti-Israel speakers from across the U.S. and that he would not receive an invitation.

Were testing Berkeley at this point to see if it happens there, he said. I wanted to speak at the school and I wanted to present to students the liberal case for Israel and if Berkeley wont let me do it, I have a legal recourse in which I intend to take.

Dershowitz said he hopes Berkeley will allow him to speak, whether it is a department inviting him or the school changing the rule.
A Milwaukee judge is hoping a lengthy prison sentence for a former prep school teacher who had sexual contact with an 11-year-old student is enough to warn educators and others not to go down the same path.

Katherine R. Gonzalez, 25, of Milwaukee, was sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison for second-degree sexual assault of a child, plus seven more years on extended supervision, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Judge Mark Sanders said Gonzalez's "predacious" behavior warranted a serious sentence, and added it was meant to teach others to exercise better judgment.

A tearful Gonzalez, who said she has been getting treatment since being released on bail in March, apologized to the boy and his family Thursday for her unthinkable actions, even though the victim and his parents werent in the courtroom.

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, 39, WHO HAD SEX WITH AT LEAST SIX TEENS AGREES TO JAIL TIME

The former fifth-grade Atlas Preparatory Academy teacher had sexual contact with the chronically depressed boy and claimed she was in love with him to cheer him up, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

A criminal complaint said the victim told cops he and Gonzales kissed in her car and she made him put his hands over her clothed genital area. The pair also went to her apartment in Bay View where, after they watched the movie "Deadpool," she rubbed her hand over his groin and had him touch her breasts over her clothing, the boy said.

The boys mother found out what was going on after she had taken his cell phone away in February for disciplinary reasons and noticed it buzzing with messages from Gonzalez at 3:30 a.m. on a school night, the newspaper reported.

She went to police with the phone and its messages -- where in some Gonzalez referenced to being touched down there  and Gonzalez was arrested, the criminal complaint said.

TEACHER, 35, FOUND GUILTY OF TURNING CLASSROOM INTO SEX DEN WITH TEEN BOYS

The Milwaukee area has been hit with a wave of recent cases involving sexual relationships between teachers and students.

In June, April Novak, a 31-year-old former reading specialist at Menomonee Falls High School, was sentenced to two years in prison for an affair with a 16-year-old boy, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Sara M. Domres, 29, was sentenced in December 2016 to two years for having sex with one of her New Berlin West High School students, while Elizabeth Dillett, a 31-year-old St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School kindergarten teacher, earned the same sentence for a relationship with a 16-year-old student, it added.


A female Georgia police officer was shot and killed Friday and a second officer was injured, prompting an intense manhunt that led to the arrest of two suspects.

Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd identified the murdered officer as Det. Kristen Hearne, 29. The injured officer was identified as David Goodrich.

Investigators said Ofc. Goodrich was called out to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle Friday morning. He called Hearne for backup after a plate check revealed the vehicle, a Ford Escape, had been stolen out of Tennessee.

As the officers approached the car, a man and a woman walked out of some nearby woods and began acting suspiciously. As the officers began speaking to them, the man opened fire with a handgun.

"It was more or less an ambush," Dodd told reporters. "[The suspect] drew the gun before they knew what happened."

Goodrich was shot in his bulletproof vest and suffered minor injuries. Hearne was in plainclothes -- a polo shirt and khakis -- and wasn't wearing a bulletproof vest.

"It's not common for an investigator to wear a vest all day at work," Dodd said. "It may be a policy we need to rethink."

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Seth Brandon Spangler, was arrested nearly four hours after the shooting. Authorities said Spangler was not wearing any clothes when taken into custody.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan said Spangler will faces charges of murder and aggravated assault. Georgia Department of Corrections records show Spangler was released from prison in August 2016. He had been serving time for convictions on a 2011 charge of cruelty to children as well as criminal counts added in 2015 for methamphetamine possession and possession of drugs by a prisoner.

"This was obviously not his first run-in with the law," Dodd said of Spangler. "I have no idea why he thought it was worth the life of a police officer who was just doing her job. It's a senseless killing."

The woman, identified as 22-year-old Samantha Roof, was arrested a short time after the shooting. Keenan said Roof would face felony charges, but did not elaborate.

Hearne is survived by her parents, her husband and her 3-year-old son. She was a five-year veteran of the Polk County Police Department.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from Fox5Atlanta.com.
A group of teenagers brutally attacked a family of three Saturday while on line at Six Flags Great America in Illinois, police say.

The park, which is celebrating its yearly Fright Fest, has Halloween-themed attractions meant to scare attendees.

Gurnee Deputy Police Chief of Operations Brian Smith told the Chicago Sun-Times the theme park gets an increased number of knuckleheads who come to stir things up during Fright Fest. However, Smith said violent incidents were rare and the Saturday attack was on a different spectrum.

This family is lucky they got out with just the injuries that they did, Smith told the Chicago Sun-Times.

On Saturday, a 12-year-old boy and his parents were waiting on line when a group of teenagers cut in front of them. The woman, 50, asked the pack of teenagers to stop saying expletives in front of her son. The teenagers responded by sucker-punching the young boy before the father, 51, jumped in. The group then attacked the parents by stomping, kicking and punching them.

ILLINOIS WOMAN CHARGED WITH KILLING 2 CHILDREN FOUND GUILTY

The family was hospitalized with significant injuries, Smith said.

On Wednesday, it was reported the three had been released.

Nine people were arrested and charged in connection with the incident but Smith believed more people might have gotten away.

Gregory Battle, 18, was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery in a public place and mob action, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Battel was released after posting a portion of the $20,000 bond.

The other eight who were arrested were between the ages of 15 and 17 and were charged with mob action and placed in a juvenile center in Vernon Hills.

POLICE: ILLINOIS DEPUTY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED WOMAN TWICE

This was an isolated incident and Gurnee police, along with our own security personnel, responded promptly, Tess Claussen, the communications manager for Six Flags Great America, told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Smith said the theme parks security cameras could not get footage of the attack but he said there is video of the incident somewhere.

We know theres video out there. People had their phones out, but we have not gotten any additional video yet, Smith said.
Illinois authorities refused Friday to release a parole-eligible convicted murderer who is suspected of being part of the notorious "Ripper Crew" that brutally killed as many as 20 women in the 1980s, determining that he lacks an approved place to live.

Thomas Kokoraleis was scheduled to be released on parole after serving 35 years in prison for the 1982 slaying of a suburban Chicago woman. The Illinois Department of Corrections' website still lists Friday as his release day.

Prisoners who are released on parole must have what is called an "approved host site," meaning an address where parole officers can regularly find them. The Chicago Tribune reported Kokoraleis' older brother said he will not be living with him or anyone else in the family.

Officials won't be able to hold Kokoraleis indefinitely, even if he is unable to find a place to live. Sept. 30, 2020, is his discharge date, meaning the day he is no longer the responsibility of the corrections department or under the control of a parole office. And, just as his 70-year sentence was cut in half due to good behavior, his time on parole also could be reduced.

"When they are discharged we don't oversee them," said Dede Short, a spokeswoman for the department. "We don't have any jurisdiction over where they go, where they live."

Some prisoners have chosen to remain in prison until their discharge date for the simple reason that when they do walk out, they don't want the state to have any control over where they go. Kokoraleis hasn't suggested that is his plan.

"People have made that choice because conditions of parole are so onerous and there is so much stress that no matter what you do you can be picked up (on a parole violation)," said Sheila Bedi, a clinical professor of law at Northwestern University, who is not involved with the case.

Kokoraleis' name may have faded from memory, but in the early 1980s he was part of a widely publicized sensational crime story. He was one of four Chicago-area men accused of being part of a satanic cult that abducted, tortured, mutilated and killed women. Two others were convicted in the killings, including Kokoraleis' brother, Andrew, who was executed in 1999  the last execution in Illinois before the state put a moratorium on the death penalty. A fourth man was sentenced to 120 years for raping and mutilating a teenager and remains in prison.

Kokoraleis originally was sentenced to life but after an appellate court ordered a new trial, prosecutors instead allowed him to plead guilty in exchange for a 70-year prison sentence. Under sentencing guidelines in place at the time, that meant if he behaved in prison he would be released in 35 years.

News of Korkoraleis' pending release sparked a push by the relatives of the woman he was convicted of killing to try to keep him locked up.

"I've had constant headaches thinking about his release," said Mark Borowski, the brother of victim Lorraine "Lorry" Ann Borowski, during a news conference Friday. "Anyone who violates both the moral and criminal law has no respect for human dignity and life, has no right to a place outside of prison or on this earth."

State officials are examining the case to see if they can file a petition to keep Kokoraleis incarcerated as a sexually violent predator.

To be committed, a person must be convicted of a sexually violent crime and prosecutors must prove that the person, if freed, is likely to commit future sexually violent crimes.

In a statement, Maura Possley, spokeswoman for Attorney General Lisa Madigan, would only say the office is "still looking at the case."
"Miss Armenia" sues Gohar Harutyunyan (video)

Miss Armenia Agency has appealed to the court for the beauty contest recently held in Armenia, particularly for giving a criminal assessment of the former Miss Armenia Gohar Harutyunyans actions. Today, Harutyun Harutyunyan, the agency advocate, informed that knowing about the competition, they sent letters to all the departments. The feedback was that nevertheless the competition was going to take place. The court session will be held at the end of October. It is anticipated that compensation for possible damage to intellectual property objects is expected, as well, at least till 2026, the name Miss Armenia can be only used by the agency. By the way, the speakers say that the winner of the competition cannot be called Miss Armenia and cannot participate in Miss Universe contest. Karen Aristakesyan, the head of Miss Armenia agency, spoke about the selection of beauties.Beauty is not a profession, meanwhile mannequin is a profession. There is one step between those two. Only girls whose height was 170cm or more can participate in the contest and not girls with 165cm height, as it was in the contest. I will say that natural beauty is important, bikinis should be of the same color, and shoes should be 7cm high, as it is a virgin number. Dont consider it bad. I did not invent these standards, these are invented by fashion houses, some years ago, and in this case both the dress and the way of walking become beautiful. There are no fashion and elegance schools in the Republic of Armenia, where girls will be taught to walk on heels. We had warned them, so that they would not break the law. We were even ready to give them a license. Mr. Aristakesyan considered it possible to hold an announcement and organizing a meeting on holding the contest next year. We were choosing from 1000 to 1200 people at the time, now the generation has changed and become more beautiful.
An Iowa mother was arrested Thursday, charged with leaving her four young children at home while she traveled to Europe.

Police were called to the Johnston home of 30-year-old Erin Lee Macke on Sept. 21 after receiving a report that children had been left unsupervised, the Des Moines Register reported.

While conducting a welfare check, police found Mackes four children  two 12-year-olds, a 6-year-old and a 7-year-old -- alone.

Police discovered that Macke left the U.S. a day earlier and wasnt set to return until Oct. 1, the Register reported. She did not arrange any supervision for the children, authorities said.

Macke was contacted by police while she was in Germany and ordered to return. The Iowa Department of Human Services took custody of the abandoned children before handing them over to relatives.

Macke was being held at Polk County Jail with no bond. She faces four counts of child endangerment and one count of making a firearm available to a person under age 21, the Register reported.
U.S. exports of frozen beef to Japan have declined by more than a quarter after the Japanese government imposed punitive trade tariffs in a bid to protect its domestic farmers.

Japans agriculture ministry revealed Thursday that the emergency tariff on American frozen beef  enacted late July  led to a decrease of 26 percent of such imports in August in Japan compared to last year.

The Japanese government said at the time that a surge on American frozen beef  from 38.5 percent to 50 percent of the Japanese market  triggered an automatic safeguard mechanism to help struggling domestic producers in Japan, Reuters reported.

The tariff will take effect automatically as the volume of the imported U.S. frozen beef exceeded the quota set by law, Finance Minister Taro Aso said in July when announcing the tariff trade hike. So this is what has to be done.

The latest data might be perceived as a blow to President Donald Trumps agenda and his calls for fair trade between the nations. Trump raised the issue of trade with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a G20 meeting in Germany in July.

The president warned of a U.S. trade deficit with Japan and the need to ensure mutual market access, but also criticized for imposing high tariffs on American agricultural products, the Japan Times reported.

American farmers long hoped for greater access to Japans market, which has been sheltered with punitive tariffs on foreign products. Some hoped the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal would have opened the doors to the lucrative market, but Trump withdrew from the negotiations shortly after taking the office, Reuters reported.

Australian farmers, however, seized the opportunity presented after the hike on American frozen beef, increasing their exports by 30 percent as Australian frozen beef became considerably less expensive compared to the American counterpart.

The declining U.S. frozen beef exports to Japan were offset by an almost 55 percent increase of exports of chilled beef, as Japanese business looked for alternatives following the price hike due to the emergency tariff, Reuters reported.
A New York woman was arrested Thursday on manslaughter charges in the silicone buttocks injection death of a mother of two.

Allison Spence, 44, of Queens, was slated to be arraigned in Manhattan on Friday. Spence also faces an unauthorized practice of a profession charge in the death of Latesha Bynum, 31.

Bynum, of Harlem, died in July, just 12 days after she received silicone butt injections at a Manhattan apartment. Bynums family said the mother of two believed she was receiving injections from a doctor.

MOM DIES AFTER ALLEGED BUTT INJECTION PROCEDURE AT NEW YORK APARTMENT

Bynum complained of dizziness and chest pains after the procedure and was hospitalized. She was taken off life support after doctors said she was brain dead, FOX5 reported.

Bynums brother Tymel said she was not right after the procedure, CBS 2 News reported.

After the procedure, something was wrong with my sister. I think her feet and stuff was blue, he said. She went to the hospital and couldnt breathe and whatever was in her went to her head. She was brain dead and she had zero chance to basically come back from it.

UBER DRIVER STABBED IN NEW YORK CITY ROAD RAGE CASE, POLICE SAY

A medical examiner said she died from complications of systemic embolization of silicone injections for cosmetic augmentation.

Pix 11 reported that police were searching for a second person who may have been involved.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An Ohio woman who posted photos to social media saying she had been kidnapped and tied to a pole in a basement actually faked the entire ordeal, police said.

Thelma Williams, 38, of Hamilton, reportedly told police a masked man entered her home early Thursday morning, tied her up and cut off her clothes.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones told WESH 2 that Williams claimed the man then used her phone to videotape the event and later posted the clips to her Facebook accounts.

POLICE: CALIFORNIA MOTHER SEEN ABANDONING TODDLER IN STORE IN CUSTODY

The posts caught the attention of Williams' friends, who called 911.

They hacked her old Facebook account, one person told a dispatcher. It has video and a picture of her and it says that they have her and theyre going to kill her.

Police initiated a full response that included a helicopter search and closing down a highway.

However, once investigators started questioning Williams, her story because to unravel.

It appears she took the videos herself. We can actually see her waiting for it to come on so she can get her serious face on, Jones said. Then her story starts unraveling, and then we find the story to be totally a fabrication.

IOWA MOTHER LEFT 4 KIDS HOME ALONE WHILE SHE WENT TO EUROPE, POLICE SAY

He said Williams actually tied herself up and then posted the messages from a McDonalds. He called it one of the most bizarre cases his department has ever had.

It's unclear why Williams allegedly faked the kidnapping. She's been charged with making false alarms.

Williams daughter, Lorin Karol, told the news station her mother needs help, not prison time.

If my mom made this up, its not for attention. Its because she needs help, not because she needs to be behind bars, she said.

Jones, who said the polices response after the posts cost thousands of dollars, has asked Williams to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
One year since campus carry was adopted at public universities in Texas, authorities in the state claim the law has not impacted campuses in any significant way.

"We have had no incidents since the law passed or since the law went into effect of criminal acts by license-to-carry holders," Ed Reynolds, Chief of the University of North Texas Police Department, told the Denton Record-Chronicle.

"We have had cases that involved weapons on campus, but the individuals that were carrying were not license-to-carry holders," Reynolds told the paper.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law --- which allows concealed handguns in college classrooms, buildings and dorms -- in 2015. But the law, which took effect in August 2016, allows each public university to create its own implementation process and policy.

At UNT, one of Texas's largest universities, individuals are prohibited from carrying concealed handguns within several areas on campus, like places of religious worship or locations that hold events with at least 200 people, according to the newspaper. They are also banned from medical facilities and sporting events. The university requires that carriers have their license present at all times.

Reynolds told the paper he has heard "very little concerns or complaints" since the law took effect, and Texas Woman's University Police Chief Samuel Garrison also said there has been no significant change on that campus.

But many people remain staunchly opposed to concealed carry on the university's campus.

"I don't think having guns creates a culture on campus that's safe for everyone," Jennifer Kelley, a student at UNT, told the paper. "I don't think weapons have a place on campus. It's not the sort of culture we want to promote."

The law has sparked widespread controversy in Texas and other states, where efforts are being made to pass similar legislation.

In July 2016, three professors at the University of Texas sued to overturn the law, claiming it is unconstitutional and is forcing colleges to impose "dangerously-experimental gun policies." The 50,000-student Austin campus has been a flashpoint of opposition to the law among faculty and students.

Texas has allowed licensed concealed handguns in public since 1995 but had previously made college buildings off limits.

In 2000, no states allowed guns on college campuses. Today, 10 states -- inlcuding Colorado, Georgia and Wisconsin -- have laws permitting them on campus. In 2017, bills seeking to expand campus carry laws were introduced in 16 states.

Six professors at University of Georgia colleges sued the state earlier this month, claiming "the presence of guns in classrooms and laboratories will create an increased risk of physical harm" to the university community.

At Capital University in Bexley, Ohio, meanwhile, a group of students are pushing for the school to allow students to carry guns on campus. University officials, however, said the school is a weapons-free institution and intends to stay that way.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A superintendent from a Texas school district is embroiled in a controversy after leading district staff in prayer at a back-to-school meeting.

McKinney Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel led district staff in prayer at the districts convocation in August. Multiple McKinney Independent School District community members, and at least one staff member, reported the prayer to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the organization said.

In a letter, Freedom From Religion asked the district to formally discipline McDaniel, and to tell district employees prayers will not be included at future events. The district, however, said it would not punish McDaniel.

The Board has no plans to discipline Superintendent McDaniel with regards to complaints filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, McKinney ISD Board President Curtis Rippee said in a statement.

A video of the event on the districts YouTube page shows the mention of prayer by McDaniel was met with applause from a significant majority of the building. Three staff members who McDaniel said asked him to pray, joined him on stage. McDaniel admitted before the prayer that some people might not be comfortable with it.

For those of you who feel comfortable praying with me thats fine. At a minimum were going to have a moment of silence for those folks in Barcelona and others who lost their lives recently to other terrorist activity around the world, said McDaniel before starting the prayer.

In the prayer, McDaniel asked God to bless the district, give him guidance and put a blanket of security over the district. He also prayed for the victims of the Las Ramblas terror attack in Barcelona. The ISIS attack killed 13 and wounded 100 others on Aug. 17.

A significant majority of the crowd also clapped when the prayer was over. But Freedom From Religion is not applauding.

Prayer, church advertisements, and religious adornments at government-sponsored events are unnecessary and divisive, wrote Sam Grover, an FFRF staff attorney.

Grover also wrote McDaniel's act of telling staffers who didnt want to pray to have a moment of silence was done bizarrely and that using the speaker system to pray was not a moment of silence.

In the letter, Freedom From Religion also cited multiple court cases, including Supreme Court decisions, as to why they felt the prayer was illegal.

The religious promotion at the districts convocation events has created acrimony, made minority religious and nonreligious employees feel like outsiders in their own place of work, wrote Grover.

The event was held at the Prestonwood Baptist Church. Freedom From Religion also asked the district to prevent members of the church from speaking at future events held there, and to find a new venue.

The district told Fox News the event was held at the church because they do not have existing facilities to accommodate large events like convocations or graduations, so they have to rent. The district noted at least three other local districts use Prestonwood for similar events for reasons including size, cost, staging area, air conditioning and location.

McKinney is currently building a massive stadium and community event center which they said theyll use for future convocations. But theyll still use Prestonwood for graduations to use the audio and video equipment it offers and due to the risk of bad weather, the district said.
Temperatures will plummet across the northwestern United States as chilly storms roll across the region into the first week of October.

The chill may come as a shock for some residents given the recent stretch of unseasonably warm conditions.

Long sleeves, hats and jackets will need to be kept close at hand as the cool air takes hold into next week.

As cold air in the upper atmosphere moves into the region, temperatures will go from well above normal and, in some cases record-breaking, to below normal this weekend, AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said.

Highs in the 40s, 50s and 60s will settle in over the weekend and into the first days of October following several days in the 70s and 80s this week.





Seattles high temperature around 60 degrees Fahrenheit early next week will be a far cry from the daily record high of 86 that was felt on Thursday.

Temperatures most mornings into next week will be in the 40s along the coast, 30s across the Inland Empire and 20s over the northern Rockies.

Waves of chilly air will rotate counterclockwise from Canada around the main storm over the Northwest. Bouts of rain and snow showers will push inland with each wave.

Anyone planning on heading to Yellowstone National Park will need to be prepared for winterlike conditions later Saturday and into Sunday, Adamson said.





While the rain and snow will assist in firefighting efforts, winds accompanying the storm could cause any existing fires to spread, he added.





Fire crews could face erratic wildfire behavior and breached containment lines.

The number of wildfires has significantly lessened following a cool and unsettled middle of September in the Northwest. As of Friday morning, Sept. 29, there are a little over one dozen active large blazes in Montana, Oregon and Washington, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

An even more potent wave of cold air will rotate in early next week, potentially leading to a more significant rain and snow event for the northern Rockies and Plains on Monday and Tuesday. This chilly wave will also reach far to the south, knocking temperatures 5-10 degrees below normal in Redding, Fresno, Sacramento and Los Angeles, California, as well as Las Vegas.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Turkey could free an imprisoned American pastor if the Trump administration extradites a Muslim cleric living in Pennsylvania -- but the State Department says that wont happen.

American Pastor Andrew Brunson says he was jailed on bogus terrorism charges since his arrest last October. Erdogan wants to put the cleric, Fetullah Gulen, on trial for allegedly masterminding last years failed coup, and has now made clear Brunson has become a bargaining chip in that effort.

Erdogan said Thursday that Washington was pressing Turkey to return one "cleric" while refusing to hand over another "cleric."

NPR quoted the Turkish leader as saying, You have a pastor, too. You give us that one and we'll work with our judiciary and give back yours.

President Trump pressed Erdogan to release Brunson when they have met.

"I can't imagine that we would go down that road," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday when asked about Erdogans swap proposal.

"We have received extradition requests for him [Gulen]," she told reporters. "I have nothing new for you on that. We continue to call for Pastor Brunson's release."

She said securing the pastors release was very important to the Trump administration.

It is something that the President had raised with Mr. Erdogan not too terribly long ago, she said. The State Department has been in as close of contact as we can be with Pastor Brunson. We were last able to visit him on September the 18th.

She added: We continue to advocate for his release. He was wrongfully imprisoned in Turkey, and wed like to see him brought home.

The pastor, who has lived and worked in Turkey as a missionary for 23 years, was pastor to a small Presbyterian congregation in Izmir, a coastal community city in western Turkey, when he was detained Oct. 6.

Initially, he and his wife were charged with immigration violations. A short time later, Norine Brunson was released.

The 48-year-old pastor from North Carolina has been accused of being a Gulen spy.

Gulen has denied involvement in the 2016 attempted coup that Turkey alleges was carried out by his followers.

"The President and the administration are continuing to demand the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson, Jay Sekulow, an American Center for Law and Justice lawyer representing Brunson and one of Trumps private lawyers, told Fox News Friday. The President has raised the issue directly with the Prime Minister of Turkey as recently as last week. We are grateful for the continued efforts to obtain the release of this innocent American pastor."
Police in New York City are searching for a suspect who reportedly stabbed an Uber driver during a fit of road rage Thursday afternoon.

The victim, who had an Uber sticker in the windshield of his gray SUV, got into an altercation with the suspect around 3:45 p.m. in Midtown Manhattan.

The NYPD says the attacker got out of his vehicle and stabbed the Uber driver in his left arm before driving off toward Sixth Avenue.

The victim appeared to be in stable condition on the scene.

The suspect drove a gray GMC Acadia with New York Taxi and Limousine Commission plates, police said.
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

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan
Thousands of Burundi refugees are under pressure to go home where they risk being killed, tortured or raped, an international human rights group said Friday.

There is pervasive climate of fear in Burundi two years after Nkurunziza changed Burundi's constitution and won a third term in office, which many opposed, said the rights group. More than 400,000 Burundians have fled the country fearing violence since April 2015 when Nkururunziza's candidacy sparked weeks of protests and a failed coup.

Amnesty International said in a report that it interviewed 129 Burundi refugees in camps in Tanzania and Uganda, some of whom escaped persecution by President Pierre Nkurunziza's government as recently as May this year.

Sixteen people told Amnesty that they were tortured or ill-treated while in detention, among them a young man who said he was detained for a week in May in Kirundo Province, northern Burundi, the report said. He said he was held in a tiny unlit room with three others, repeatedly beaten with batons, and made to eat his meals in the toilet next door, the report said.

"They tortured us to make us confess that we worked with the rebels. One day they tortured us in an atrocious way. They took a bottle filled with sand and hung it from our testicles," he told Amnesty International.

More Burundians continue to flee the country due to repression and insecurity despite government assurances of safety, said Amnesty's Burundi researcher Rachel Nicholson.

"Let's be clear, Burundi has not yet returned to normality and the government's attempts to deny the horrific abuses still taking place within the country should not be given credence," Nicholson said.

Despite this, there is mounting pressure on Burundian refugees to return to their home country, the report said. In January this year, Tanzania stopped automatically granting refugee status to Burundian asylum-seekers and Uganda followed suit in June. In July, Nkurunziza in an official visit to Tanzania called on the more than 240,000 refugees there to return home and his remarks were echoed by the Tanzanian president.

"Belonging to an opposition party, associating with opposition members, refusing to join to the ruling party or simply trying to leave the country is enough to create suspicion and the threat of arrest or worse," Nicholson said about Burundi's current political climate. "In these circumstances, it is imperative that Tanzania and Uganda continue to provide a safe haven for Burundian refugees in line with international law."
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has described how he was advised by the government's foreign office to stop using expletives in his speeches, but then called Barack Obama a "black son of a bitch" as he recalled how the former U.S. leader's criticism of his anti-drug campaign had incensed him.

Known for anti-American tirades, Duterte said in a speech marking Thursday's anniversary of a battle during the Philippine-American war that he now wants to be friendly toward the United States. He called Americans "allies" who have provided crucial equipment to Filipino soldiers battling Islamic State-linked militants in the south.

Then he recalled cursing Obama, calling him "you black son of a bitch."

Rep. Edsel Lagman said the racial slur was inacceptable.
The Latest on developments in Afghanistan (all times local):

2:30 p.m.

An Afghan police officer says a suicide bomber has blown himself up outside a Shiite Muslim mosque in central Kabul, the capital.

Abdul Rahman tells The Associated Press that the bomber blew himself up on the street about 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) from the Hussainia Mosque just after Friday prayers as worshippers were on their way home.

Rahman said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths other than the bomber.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place two days before the Muslim holy day of Ashura.

___

1 p.m.

An Afghan official says a Taliban attack on a police checkpoint has left five police dead in western Farah province.

Iqbal Baher, spokesman for the provincial chief of police, says two others were wounded when the militants launched their attack early Friday in Bala Bluk district.

Baher said reinforcements from the Afghan national army arrived after several hours of fighting and pushed the Taliban fighters out of the district. He said the Afghan air force struck three Taliban vehicles as they tried to escape, killing at least 20 Taliban fighters.

There was no immediate statement from the Taliban.
North Korea said nearly 5 million citizens have offered to join or re-enlist in the Korean Peoples Army following President Trumps threats to totally destroy the country.

About 4.7 million devout students and workers  including over a million women  have volunteered to join the military amid looming conflict with its neighbors and the U.S., state-run Korean Central News Agency said Thursday.

The report claims North Korean citizens sought to join the army to defend the leader and socialism and crush U.S. imperialists who are running amuck to totally destroy the DPRK.

'Empire of evils'

Younger citizens wrote threatening slogans in their petitions, including Let us blow up the U.S. empire of evils with five million nuclear bombs!" KCNA reported.

The new recruits reportedly pledged to take the lead in the final battle against the U.S., and will become part of the army within six days.

Tensions have been escalating between the U.S. and North Korea since it began showcasing its progress in developing nuclear weapons -- including missile tests and the explosion of what North Korea said was a hydrogen bomb.

Trump has been attacking Rocket Man Kim Jong Un for weeks now, urging him to stop the threats. Trump tweeted Sept. 22 that the North Korean leader was "obviously a madman" who would be "tested like never before."

At the United Nations last week, Trump also said the regime was on a suicide mission and the U.S. was ready to totally destroy the rogue state if forced to defend itself or an ally.

Nothing new?

Reports out of North Korea claiming massive increases in the size of the military are nothing new, however, and often coincide with increasing tensions with other countries, the Washington Post reported.

North Korean media said earlier this year that 3.5 million people suddenly joined the army  just when the United Nations strengthened the sanctions on the country.

Experts are also skeptical of any reports of swelling military size as North Korea, a country of 25 million people, already has a disproportionately large army. The nation forces most of its citizens, including women, to undergo compulsory military service, Task and Purpose reported.

The State Department said the Hermit Kingdoms army has 1.2 million military personnel  making it the fourth largest military in the world, just after the U.S., India, and China.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said he was detained by police Friday after leaving his home in Moscow to speak at a pre-election rally.

Navalny tweeted Friday morning, in Russian, saying he had been detained and was being taken somewhere, but could not say where.

He said the police wanted to talk to him about something, but the reason was not disclosed. It remained unclear whether he would be charged with any crime.

Russia is set to hold an election in March, with President Vladimir Putin expected to seek another term.

Navalny said he was told by the countrys election commission that he would not be allowed to run for president, but he insisted he would stand against Putin either way, Reuters reported.

The activist was due to speak at pre-election opposition rally in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday.

Navalny has been detained three times this year. In June, he spent 30 days in jail after police arrested him at an anti-corruption protest in Moscow.

Navalny is among the most popular opposition leaders in Russia, known for highlighting the Kremlins corruption with viral investigations.

Yesterday, he published an investigation into Russian state media journalist Vladimir Solovyov  described as one of Putins frontline soldiers, the Moscow Times reported.
Russia's top domestic security agency says it has arrested two people suspected of passing the nation's military secrets to Ukraine.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said Friday that Dmitry Dolgopolov and Anna Sukhonosova were detained in Simferopol in Crimea. The FSB, the leading successor agency to the Soviet KGB, identified Dolgopolov as a member of the Russian military.

The agency said the two were passing sensitive information about the Russian navy in Crimea to Ukraine.

The suspects were later brought to Moscow, where a court sanctioned their arrests. If convicted of treason, they could face up to 20 years in prison.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a tug-of-war following Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and support for pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine.
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A Serbian minister has denied media reports in the Balkan nation that the government is muzzling free press through intimidation, threats and financial pressure.

Vladan Vukosavljevic, Serbia's culture and information minister, told The Associated Press on Friday that his agency "strongly objects" to any form of pressure on journalists and believes in media freedom.

Vukosavljevic spoke a day after dozens of Serbian media outlets and other organizations darkened their web pages and published black ribbons on newspapers to warn citizens about the government pressure on media. The initiative was prompted by the recent closure of an independent newspaper in southern Serbia and public attacks on journalists by a ruling party.

Journalists in Serbia say the situation has grown worse despite the government's proclaimed efforts toward implementing democratic reforms.
A Somali military official says at least 10 people have been killed in an attack on a military base Friday by the Islamic extremists of al-Shabab.

Col. Mohamed Mumin said nearly 60 militants and a suicide car bomber targeted the army base in Barire in Lower Shabelle region leading to fierce clashes.

In a radio broadcast Al-Shabab claimed a higher death toll, saying that its fighters killed 23 soldiers and have taken over the base. The group also claimed that its fighters seized seven pickup trucks.

Despite losing most of its key strongholds to the Somali army and the regional forces of the African Union, al-Shabab has ramped up its campaign against the Somali government in recent months, largely targeting army bases across the country.
The Spanish government says it will not extradite to Turkey a Turkish-Swedish reporter and writer arrested last month for alleged terrorism links.

Government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said Friday the process against Hamza Yalcin has been dropped because under Spanish law a person who has been granted refugee status cannot be extradited. He said Yalcin was granted asylum twice by Sweden and then granted Swedish nationality in 2006.

Yalcin was arrested Aug. 3 in Barcelona but conditionally released Thursday by the National Court.

The PEN writers association and Reporters Without Borders had demanded his release. Reporters Without Borders said his arrest was an attempt by Turkey to silence critics.

Spain has also conditionally released a German writer detained on a Turkish warrant for alleged involvement with an outlawed group.
A U.S. military aircraft crashed in Syria on Friday, causing minor injuries to two service members, officials said.

Both service members were treated at a medical clinic and then released.

The aircraft was a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey with roughtly two dozen marines onboard.

Officilians said it was a "miracle" more didn't get hurt, adding that the aircraft is completely destoryed.

The incident happened at a coalition base at an undisclosed location in Syria, the official said.

There is nothing to believe this was caused by enemy contact, said the official, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The aircraft was completely destroyed.

Its a total loss, the official said.

Officials said while its unclear what happened to cause the crash, a mechanical issue is suspected. The crash is under investigation.

Something happened in the air causing the aircraft to go down, the official said.

A separate official said: Its a miracle so few were injured."

Two Marine aviators and an infantryman died when their MV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Australia on Aug. 5.
When the annual Parade of Homes gets underway tomorrow it will include a unique, built-to-order lakefront home at Lake of the Woods from which virtually every room offers a water view.

The Lake Citadel, the name bestowed by builder Eddie Whelan of Fredericksburg-based CL Steady Construction, is a memorable design thanks to the turret that anchors a front corner of the house. But whats even more impressive is that while is looks like a two-story home with a walkout basement, it actually has five levelsand the elevator stops at each one.

It was a complex build, Whelan said during a tour of the house earlier this week. It doesnt have five stories but it does have five levels. One of the challenges was fitting it to the lot.

The previously vacant lot, one of the few remaining at Lake of the Woods, had been owned by Naresh and Valerie Khosla for some 30 years. In early 2016, they decided they were ready to proceed with building a weekend getaway house where they could gather with family and friends in a lakefront setting.

The design involved a collaboration among the Khoslas, Matt Dixon, a North Carolina builder they had used previously, and Whelan, who speaks in glowing terms about group design effort.

Whelan said the couple has been kind enough to let him use the house as his model and to put it on display for the Parade of Homes. The annual event is sponsored by the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association, and this year features 22 homes built by 14 local, regional and national builders.

Homes across the Fredericksburg area are included in the tour, and they range from a manufactured tiny home, at $85,000, to The Lake Citadel, which was built for about $1.5 million. See the full list with photos of each entry at fredparade.com.

The Lake Citadel is located at 312 Birchside Circle. The first impression suggests Craftsman style, which Whelan says is his specialty, with elements of traditional and contemporary design blended in. Whelan said he strives to build curb appeal into all of his homes.

The exterior is entirely maintenance-free, with HardeePlank siding and PVC trim. The eye-catching turret is to one side and the carriage-house style garage door is to the other. Where you might expect a straight roofline over the arched portico, there is a curved line instead.

Entering through the red front door, the open floor plan, with a blend of Craftsman and contemporary styles, is immediately evident. Crown molding is a rounded, concave style that Whelan calls cove molding, and doors and windows have simple, flat Craftsman trim. The flooring is dark, hand-scraped engineered hardwood.

Windows, including many large ones using non-gridded glass, are everywhere and brighten the soaring great room. Cable railings on stairways and balconies contribute to the airy feel of the open floor plan and are part of the contemporary look along with the light fixtures and other features.

I like to draw what I build and I stay away from cookie-cutter designs, Whelan said. Its custom home construction throughout the entire process, down to switch plates, lighting and trim.

The five levels at which the elevator stops, from the bottom up, are the basement, garage, main level, bonus room (over the garage) and the upper level.

You never have to use steps unless you want to, he said, which makes the home ideal if you want to age-in-place.

The house has about 6,300 square feet of finished living space. There are six bedroom suites, each with its own bathroom, and a main-level half-bath. The main level bedroom suite is the likely owners suite. There are four suites on the upper level and another in the finished basement. Each of the full baths has a frameless glass shower door in varying styles, along with tile and granite.

At the center of the main level is the large, gourmet, island kitchen. The huge island and countertops are covered in an exotic black and white granite, a material that is used in bathrooms and the laundry room as well. The kitchen has a large, stainless-steel farm sink, and Thermadore stainless-steel appliances are used exclusively. The custom off-white cabinets all have soft-close doors and drawers. Theres also a bar-height counter with bar stool seating.

The nearby dining area is alongside a butlers pantry with a wet bar and wine cooler for serving convenience.

The adjacent great room features a wall of windows that overlook the lake, as well as built-in book shelves that flank a gas fireplace.

A half-level up from the main is the bonus room, a finished space that can become a recreation space and game room. A half-level down from the main is the oversized two-vehicle garage with an epoxy floor thats big enough to hold a nice-sized boat.

The basement is anything but cave-like, with big windows and walk-out access to the back yard. The focal point is a second fully equipped kitchen, again with stainless Thermodore appliances and a granite bar with stool seating.

The next stop might well be the media room with a 120-inch theater screen that can be closed off with a sliding barn-style door.

Or step outside onto the slate tile patio, which features a wide, see-through gas fireplace by Napoleon thats encased in handsome faux stone. The patio can be protected with motorized scroll-down screen walls.

A few steps away is the recently added dock.
Colonial Beach posted the best graduation rate among Fredericksburg-area public schools in a report released by the state Wednesday, while Caroline and Culpeper counties and Fredericksburg scored the lowest.

Fredericksburgs four-year graduation rate, which tracks students from their freshman year, was 82.4 percent, according to the Virginia Department of Education. Its dropout rate was 13.6 percent. Those numbers slipped from the 2016 report, in which the city schools posted an 88.7 percent graduation rate and a 8.5 percent dropout rate.

Caroline posted a graduation rate of 87.3 percent, down from 88.5 in 2016, and a dropout rate of 7.6 percent, compared with 6.6 percent the previous year.

Culpeper had a higher 2016 graduation rate at 89.8 percent, but its dropout rate of 7.3 percent nearly matched Carolines.

Taneshia H. Rachal, principal of James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg, said that comparisons to the previous years graduation rates are misleading because the latest figures dont account for students who graduated after attending summer school or got their GED. The state wont add those numbers to the total until Jan. 31 for all school systems.

Once those adjustments are made, our results should be more in line with what we did the previous year, she said. There were 221 in that cohort. We had eight diploma recipients this summer and two GED completers.

Rachal said that James Monroe is trying to improve its graduation rate by focusing on the needs of English Language Learner, or ELL, students and their attendance, and by providing daily instead of every-other-day classes for students struggling with algebra and geometry. Its also making sure that the high schools classes are vertically aligned with those at WalkerGrant Middle School.

Were able to peel back the levels of the feeder grades to get a better understanding of the skills that students have and meet any gaps, she said.

JMHS also provide extensive remediation and enrichment programs after school, as well as several mentoring programs. These include Jackets United Mentoring Program, or JUMP, which provides and upperclassman mentor for each freshman.

Herbert Monroe, director of school leadership and improvement for Caroline County Public Schools, said Caroline High School has several strategies in place to improve graduation rates.

The school maintains an on-time graduation watch list committee made up of administrators, counselors and other staff that may positively impact the student, he wrote in an email.

The committee meets monthly with students at risk of not graduating on time and their families to devise plans to keep them on track.

CHS counselors review student grades every 4 1/2 weeks to identify students in need of remediation. They also refer students at risk of not graduating to the Diversified Studies Program, through which students can take online courses to make up missing credits.

This year, we will continue our efforts to improve our on-time graduation rate by revising attendance procedures, requiring every ninth-grade student to develop a college and career plan which includes a course of study, creating proactive measures to address chronic absenteeism and implementing measures to identify students who are in jeopardy of dropping out through attendance, discipline and academic data, Monroe wrote.

Colonial Beach had a 96 percent graduation rate, with a 4 percent dropout rate. That edged Orange (94.4) and Stafford (94.3) for the best rate in the Fredericksburg region.

Spotsylvanias graduation rate was 90.4 percent and its dropout rate was 5.9 percent.
Back in March, long before an eruption of violence there made Charlottesville the epicenter of the countrys racial divide, Jody Kielbasa and others with the Virginia Film Festival had already made race one of this years central themes.

Kielbasa, VFF director and U.Va. Vice Provost for the Arts, noted that the festival agreed in March to partner with Montpelier, the home of James and Dolley Madison in Orange County, to present a special series of films, guests and programming on the legacy of slavery in this country.

It was tied in with the fact that Montpelier this year has opened a new exhibition called The Mere Distinction of Colour, words that Madison himself wrote, said Kielbasa.

The Montpelier exhibition that uses slavery to connect the past to the present though the lens of the Constitution.

Kielbasa is in his ninth year with the festival. The event turns 30 this year, and will showcase more than 150 films from Nov. 912 in Charlottesville. Kielbasa said the topic of slavery was a natural tie for a partnership between Montpelier and the film festival.

Were focusing on the enduring legacies of slavery, a very broad topic, which could include education, incarceration, social well-being, discrimination and voting rights, said Kielbasa.

Then came the events of Aug. 11 and 12, when members of the KKK and other racial hate groups clashed with counterprotesters on the streets of Charlottesville, leaving one young woman dead and a community in shock.

Kielbasa said that overnight, the festivals theme of slaverys legacy became all the more timely and importantthe fulfillment of a festival mission to examine issues important to the greater Charlottesville community.

Broadening the theme to Race in America, a topic and discussion festival organizers thought everyone could take part in, certain programming was expanded and given more prominence.

Were excited about the prospect of hosting an important dialogue on race in America, in a time when that dialogue is front and center nationally, said Kielbasa. We have an important opportunity to serve as a platform or serious discussion, with artists like Spike Lee, Ezra Edelman, Margot Lee Shetterly and a host of other filmmakers who will bring in films to be part of the Race in America series.

Heres what those filmmakers and others will bring to the festival:

Spike Lee will present his Oscar-nominated documentary 4 Little Girls, about the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, Ala., that took the lives of four AfricanAmerican girls.

Ezra Edelman will show his five-part documentary O.J.: Made in America and take part in a discussion following the showing of the final episode.

Margot Lee Shetterly will share the widely acclaimed 2016 film Hidden Figures, based on her book about the three AfricanAmerican women at NASA who played critical roles in putting astronaut John Glenn into orbit.

Hannah Ayers and Lance Warren will present and discuss their documentary, An Outrage, about lynching in the American South, filmed on location at lynching sites in six states.

Director Brian Wimer will present a documentary called Charlottesville, Our Streets, the product of a team of Charlottesville filmmakers, photographers and journalists who compiled footage and stills from over 30 cameras, with 20 interviews from first-person witnesses from the fateful Unite The Right rally of Aug. 12.

Kielbasa noted that several other films to be shown at the festival make strong statements about the issue of race, while not seeming to at first glance.

One of those is Hostiles, from Virginia native and director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart). Its the story of an Army captain ordered to escort ailing, long-term prisoner Chief Yellow Hawk and his family across hostile territory back to his Cheyenne homeland to die. Its billed as a gritty and powerful Western that stars Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike.

Kielbasa noted that at first glance, some may wonder how such a Western can touch on issues of race. That comes, he says, during the hazardous trip to the chiefs home, when the two leaders develop a significant respect for each.

The festival director said that when he saw Cooper recently at another festival, the first sentence out of his mouth was that this film resonates so deeply because of whats happened recently in Charlottesville.

Even the film that opens the film festival, Downsizing,in which people are shrunk to tiny size to save money and the environmentcarries a message about how people who are different deal with each other.

It just does it in a lighter way, with humor, said Kielbasa, setting the stage for more serious discussions woven throughout this years feast of films.

For more information or to buy tickets, go online to virginiafilmfestival.org.
Virginia State Police say a truck driver was killed Thursday in a single-vehicle crash on the State Route 231.

The crash occurred at 6:34 p.m. in the 18,000 block of Route 231, also known as the Blue Ridge Turnpike. State police said a tractor-trailer was headed north when it rounded a curve, ran off the road, overturned and struck a tree.

The driver, Bradford E. Gentry, 55, of Madison died at the scene, according to state police.

Gentry was wearing a seatbelt, state police said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
OSCE Special Representative in Armenia

On September 29, the RA NA Speaker Ara Babloyan received the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin. Ara Babloyan welcomed Kristian Vigenins visit to Armenia, highlighting it within the framework of the visit to the South Caucasus countries. The RA NA Speaker expressed conviction that the OSCE representatives visits to the region would give an opportunity to get acquainted with the regional problems, and get an unbiased picture about them. In Ara Babloyans word, Armenia supports the OSCE position and called on his all colleagues to act according to the OSCE principles and international norms. The RA NA Speaker expressed regret that the OSCE Office terminated its activities in Yerevan, expressing hope that the organisation would find new ways for closely contacting and cooperating. Touching upon the NK conflict settlement, the RA NA Speaker reaffirmed the position of Armenia, noting: To us human being is a greatest value: everything is created around human being. The protection of human rights is also important. As a doctor, who has fought for saving the human lives, I am equally sorry for the young people from the both Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. The RA NA Speaker highlighted the right of the human beings to live secure and in peace, opining that the two peoples would like to establish peace and not to have victims on the line of contact. According to the RA NA Speaker, the NK conflict should be observed not only with respect of the regional, but also the human rights view, honouring Artsakh peoples right to self-determination and to live free. Touching upon the ongoing reforms in Armenia, Ara Babloyan has noted that Armenia is the bearer of the European values, and ready to negotiate and have dialogues over the problems of the region. The RA NA Speaker has noted that Armenia is ready to continue the cooperation with the OSCE and reopen the Office in Yerevan. Kristian Vigenin thanked Ara Babloyan for the reception and also expressed regret with the relation to terminating the activities of the OSCE Offices. Mr Vigenin highly assessed the activities of the RA NA Delegation in the OSCE PA. In the word of the OSCE PA Special Representative, the goal of his mission is to promote the dialogue between the countries of the region, the establishment and preservation of peace. He highlighted the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in the solution of the conflicts. According to Mr Vigenin, the conflicts shall be solved through peaceful means, because not only the countries, but also the ordinary citizens pay high price for them. Regarding the ongoing reforms in Armenia, Kristian Vigenin has noted that one of his goals must be to make Armenia recognizable not only by the NK conflict, but also as a country, where there is democratic progress, and constitutional reforms have been held. At the end of the meeting Kristian Vigenin expressed hope that in the course of time it would be possible to restore the OSCE presence in Armenia, noting: It will be fine to be created a situation, where it will not be necessary to have the OSCE presence in the region.
MY rules: lets deal. Seven cards for me, three for you, and jokers are wild. But only for me.

Thats how our General Assembly works now. State legislators get to draw their own district boundaries. And they are manipulated so that incumbents have nearly unbeatable odds in favor of their own re-election.

The result is that the competitive electoral process has been shut down across our state. These elections arent an expression of the will of the majority. Theyre a sham that tries to legitimize one-party rule.

Thats bad for both Republicans and Democrats and more importantly, for all of us citizens.

The 2015 election, for example, promised 100 percent job security. Of 122 incumbents running for re-election, all 122 kept their seats.

This can be fixed, but first lets look at the results of a nakedly self-dealing system. These are the little crooked puzzle pieces that you, and I, and the rest of the citizenry, inhabitthe silhouettesymbols of your disenfranchisement. Regardless of your party, the power of your vote has often been clipped, snipped and ripped off.

Heres the curiously shaped House of Delegates District 88, which includes Fredericksburg.

Hmmmnn. What could explain that particular configuration, with all those little lumps and notches? Republicans, the party in power in the House, designed that back in 2011, the last time redistricting occurred.

And Democrats, who held the majority in the state Senate then, drew this weird Senate District 28 that Stafford County lies within:

Heres a final, fun example, House District 22 in central Virginia. You can imagine the conversation among our lawmakers when they drew this up. Tell you what! one may have said. Lets draw an alpaca having two crooked conversations!

Most General Assembly districts are just as screwball. The state constitution says the legislature has to redraw its districts every ten years, following the census. The rules are simple: districts must be contiguous and compact to ensure fair representation.

Thats vague enough that both parties have drawn districts to their own advantage, depending on whos in the majority. Its called gerrymanderinga process that dates back to the Founders.

But now the conflict of interest in which our legislature draws its own district boundaries has been completely weaponized. According to Blake Wheelock of the non-partisan, non-profit group OneVirginia2021, the current maps are a result of a devils bargain between the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate in 2011.

Each approved the others scheme. Our lawmakers hand-picked their voters to stay in power. The lawmakers have carved up Virginias congressional districts in that same way.

How bad is the new gerrymandering? Well, Virginia elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general or U.S. president dont rely upon districts, theyre statewide. Sometimes Virginia swings Democratic, sometimes Republican.

But within our jiggered state legislative districts, bipartisan Virginia vanishes. Two-thirds of the House of Delegates belongs to Republicans, within a state that often votes Democratic, overall. The state legislature has also used its power to draw U.S. House district boundaries. Theyre crooked, too.

This isnt just about party politics, its about lack of representation. In the 2015 elections, only one of the two major parties bothered to field a candidate in 71 percent of House of Delegates districts. Only half of the state Senate districts saw a real race. In gerrymandered Virginia, why run a futile campaign?

Dont let yourself turn away in disgust. Theres plenty of hope, but hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up, and thats where you come in. The next round of redistricting comes in 2021, and voters have some powerful tools at hand.

You could consider signing OneVirginia2021s petition at onevirginia2021.org/participate/petition/, as 55,000 Virginians have already done. The group aims to unite citizens to take redistricting away from out-of-control state lawmakers and establish an independent commission.

Thats not an impossible goal: Six states have handed redistricting authority over to independent commissions. Fifteen local governments have also approved the resolution, including Vienna and Fairfax County.

Finally: Virginia is electing every member of the House of Delegates in November. There are 23 candidates running for 10 seats around Fredericksburg.

Call, write and email them now, whichever party they represent. Ask them why theyre not fighting hard to bring credibility back to our state elections, and integrity back to the office they seek. Get them to say theyll fight a rotten system with strong legislation to control gerrymandering with an independent commission.

Then let us all know youve done it.

Mary Peyton Baskin is a third-year student at the University of Virginia, pursuing a degree in public policy and foreign affairs.Stephen Nash teaches journalism at the University of Richmond. His book, Grand Canyon for SalePublic Lands versus Private Interests in the Era of Climate Change, was published in September by the University of California Press.
When the Founding Fathers added protection from unreasonable searches and seizures to the Bill of Rights, which was transmitted to the state legislatures for ratification on Sept. 25, 1789, they had no inkling that technology would make the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects a major issue of concern 228 years later.

Electronic monitoring of Americans raises serious concerns about the erosion of their Fourth Amendment right to privacy beyond the prying eyesand earsof government. The stakes are even higher when law enforcement uses individuals own cellphones to track them and gather criminal evidence against them.

One of the more controversial monitoring toolsknown as a stingraycollects private information from a persons cellphone without their knowledge or consent. Stingrays, which are used by the Virginia State Police and some local police departments in the commonwealth, mimic cellphone towers and send out signals to trick cellphones in the area into transmitting their locations and identifying information, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Two years ago, Virginia was one of the first states in the nation to recognize the danger posed by the use of stingrays. The General Assembly passed a bill introduced by Del. Bob Marshall, R-Manassas, and Del. Mark Berg, R-Winchester, stating that law-enforcement officers in the commonwealth shall not use any device to intercept such communications or collect such real-time location data without first obtaining a search warrant authorizing the use of the device.

Only a few other statesincluding California, Utah, and Washingtonrequire law enforcement to obtain a warrant before a stingray can be used to collect cellphone data.

Other jurisdictions are just now catching up. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled last week that using a stingray to track a robbery/sexual assault suspect in real time without first obtaining a warrant was a violation of the suspects Fourth Amendment rights.

The use of such devices place an individual in the difficult position either of accepting the risk that at any moment his or her cellphone could be converted into a tracking device, or of forgoing necessary use of the cellphone, the Court of Appeals ruled. To locate a person through his or her cellphone invades the persons actual, legitimate and reasonable expectation of privacy in his or her location information and is a search.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Carpenter v. United States, a case that will determine whether the warrantless seizure of an individuals cellphone records from their wireless carrier is also a violation of the Fourth Amendment.

In the past, government lacked the means to secretly monitor an individuals every movement, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other privacy groups pointed out in an amicus brief they filed in the case.

Now, the government not only has the ability to track nearly any persons location, but cellphone records allow law enforcement officials to go back in time to recreate a persons past movements, something not possible with the GPS tracker  and never available through traditional law-enforcement investigative techniques, EFF pointed out.

Cellphone technology has greatly enhanced communications between individuals and made life easier for millions of people, but it has also created a potential monster.

The ability to track an individual in real time and monitor his or her past movements can be an important tool for law enforcement in the digital age. But as the Virginia General Assembly realized two years ago, this vast and unprecedented power can also be abused and must be kept firmly leashed to the law.

The rest of the country should follow Virginias lead and unequivocally tell law-enforcement officials from local police departments all the way up to the federal agencies: If you want access to someones cellphone data, get a warrant first.
Bako Sahakyan not to agree his family interests with Europe (video)

Vardan Bostanjyan, Member of the Tsarukyan Alliance faction, does not consider it strange things that Bako Sahakyan, Karabakh President, has appointed his relatives as members of the government. People should have reliable forces for managing, they should have intelligent people, are they guilty if the suddenly appear among friends? Mr. Postanjyan does not exclude that appointing a friend as a minister contradicts democracy. Probably it is the best choice. The oppositional parliamentarian would not worry that the West does not like things like that; he has reservations on the idea of watching Europe through everything. We can say that we are not like Europe. Why should we behave like it? We should behave like us. Bako Sahakyan cannot agree his family's interests or goals with Europe, We are situated in such a complicated region that cannot be guided by European standards. And our interests in this case require nothing else, even the so-called allegedly justified or guaranteed approaches in Europe. Luxemburg may, for example, be against the leader's family members to receive a high state position, but Armenians cannot. We have transportation difficulties, our earth is not rich, we do not have oil, gas, and this naturally affects the management system. At least, the oppositional MP will not compare Nagorno-Karabakh with North Korea, where the president also appoints his relatives in the highest positions. If I am appointed to govern my nation and I realize that my son can govern the country better than others, then he will govern. Doesnt he have a choice if he is my son? The only thing that Vardan Bostanjyan will never accept is a solely decision that son-in-law should become a deputy.
UK farmers must seize the opportunity of Brexit to ramp up productivity and become more competitive, industry leaders have been told.

Former New Zealand agriculture minister Sir Lockwood Smith suggested his country had wasted more than a decade failing to adjust to the loss of its key export market when the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973.

See also: Brexit-proof your business, farmers urged

It wasnt until the New Zealand government abolished farm subsidies in 1985 that farmers finally upped their game and embraced the technology needed to become more efficient and productive, he told a Westminster Forum meeting in London.

Held on Thursday 21 September, the forum brought together policymakers, politicians and industry leaders to discuss ways of supporting UK agriculture and driving innovation in the food sector.

Sir Lockwood said he wasnt recommending for one moment that the UK should abolish subsidies overnight. But he said that the UK could learn from New Zealands experience. Subsidies distorted market signals and stifled innovation, he added.

I am not going to tell you what to do because there is no way I should  but I want to share with you a couple of my experiences, said Sir Lockwood, who also served for four years as New Zealands High Commissioner to the UK until retiring earlier this year.

No incentive to innovate

Acknowledging that many British farmers fear tariffs as high as 30-40% on exports of livestock products if the UK leaves the EU customs union, Sir Lockwood said Kiwi farmers had faced a similar situation  but with much higher tariffs.

We thought we had to subsidise our farmers because we couldnt expand our business to the UK or Europe once you joined the EEC because of tariffs up to 300%, he said. But those subsidies protected farmers from the market with the result that there was little incentive to innovate.

From the years between 1973 and 1985, when New Zealand agriculture became heavily subsidised, market signals became progressively distorted  and so did any link between scientific development and economic gain. As a result, productivity increases during that period were almost nil.

Only in 1985, when subsidies were abolished, did price signals begin to flow properly again  encouraging farm businesses to respond to supply and demand, said Sir Lockwood. The result since has been a tremendous increase in output, he added.

Productivity increase

From 1993 to 2016, productivity in the New Zealand dairy industry  measured in terms of kilograms of milk solids per hectare  has increased 62%. Much of it is due to improvements in the genetic value of dairy cattle. But it is also down to better pasture management.

New Zealands sheep industry  the most heavily subsidised sector  has seen a similar increase in productivity. Without subsidies, sheep numbers have halved, but they are being farmed more efficiently and productively.

There were 70 million sheep in New Zealand during the days of subsidies, said Sir Lockwood. Today, there are less than 30 million  yet the amount of sheepmeat being exported has remained remarkably level  equivalent to an increase in productivity of 161%.

In terms of productivity  which is one of the issues youre looking at  it is that simple: if you want to improve productivity in agriculture in this country, you have to deal with the subsidies and protectionism.

Opening markets

Tearing down barriers is also important when it came to food security, he said. There is no way the UK will be self-sufficient in food post Brexit  which means that two-way access to imports and overseas markets will be vital to feed the nation.

Open markets should be welcomed, not feared, added Sir Lockwood, who said he agreed with Defra that sourcing food from a diverse range of stable regions around the world  as well as domestically  enhanced food security rather than diminished it.

That message is absolutely correct today too, he said. There is no question about that.

British farmers who think they would be swamped by New Zealand or Australian food exports once the UK left the European Union are mistaken, said Sir Lockwood. Less than 1% of the food consumed in the UK comes from New Zealand or Australia, he claimed.

You can pour all the money you like into research and technological change. But over time youve also got to get rid of the barriers to the economic signals coming through to farmers so they can respond to the marketplace.
Serzh Sargsyan: We have to make efforts to present Armenia in UAE.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United Arab Emirates Gegham Gharibjanyan reported to Serzh Sargsyan on the agenda of bilateral economic relations, on the work done to develop and deepen joint action in prospective spheres of cooperation between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as on the status of the agreements reached at a high level. The regular meeting on the economic component of Armenias foreign policy was attended by the heads of interested ministries and government departments coordinating the areas of mutual interest with the UAE. Noting that the friendship of the Armenian and Arab peoples has centuries-old history, and the development of relations with the Arab world is one of the priorities of Armenias foreign policy, the President of Armenia stressed that our country has been actively developing relations with the countries of the Gulf region, especially with the United Arab Emirates, where the Armenians and their business skills are well known, which creates favorable conditions for the development of economic relations. We are engaged in a high level political dialogue with the United Arab Emirates, and the political dialogue has a decisive significance in the field of economic relations. The political dialogue itself does not lead to the activation of economic relations, but the existing potential can be bolstered through properly coordinated work. Indeed, we should clearly state the achievements we have had in this field during the past two years, including the ones recorded in 2017. The comparison of the January-July trade turnover with the index of the same period in 2016 inspires optimism: the overall level of trade exchanges has increased 2.5 times. There are great opportunities to cooperate in industry, jewelry and especially in food production. I think we have great potential for developing tourism. Look, we have lifted the visa requirement for UAE citizens. Two of the Emirates are operating regular flights towards Armenia at affordable prices. This year, tens of thousands of Filipinos have visited Armenia, with most of them being employed in the Emirates. We have the opportunity to host hundreds of thousands of such tourists in Armenia. I think we must use this opportunity. Here, I would like to highlight the investment forum held in Abu Dhabi this March, which I think should be continued. Yes, we have to make efforts to represent Armenia there, and we also have to take part in similar major events. These are just those mandatory and minimum conditions that will enable us to activate our economic relations with the UAE. I want all of us to realize that the UAE is not just a State with which we want to deepen our relations. The UAE is a State of great importance to the Gulf countries due to the fact that they feed the markets in these countries. The second point is that both the UAE Government and the business circles highly appreciate Armenias capabilities as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. I feel us bound by duty to double and triple the commodity turnover in a year or one and a half years. I hope that in the foreseeable future we will be back for a high-level dialogue, either in Armenia or in the Emirates, since there is sharp willingness to that effect both in the business community and among the political leadership. Now we have such an opportunity, Serzh Sargsyan said. During the consultation, a number of assignments were given to the ministries and agencies concerned.
A Pinch of Salt: The election is over, I think, so what now?
A judge sentenced a Washington man to a little over a year in prison Thursday for using fraudulent credit cards to make purchases at a Corvallis grocery store.

Police say Yosief Bainosay Tesfamariam, 25, of Shoreline, was involved in an interstate theft ring and used stolen credit cards to purchase Apple Store gift cards.

In this case, Tesfamariam went to Safeway at 590 NE Circle Blvd. in November 2015 and purchased more than $20,000 worth of gift cards with fraudulent credit cards, according to court records.

Tesfamariam pleaded guilty in June to one count of first-degree aggravated theft. In exchange for the guilty plea, the prosecution dismissed charges of aggravated identity theft and organized retail theft.

Benton County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Donohue sentenced Tesfamariam to 14 months in prison and two years on post-prison supervision. Tesfamariam, along with his co-defendant, Ramadan Ahmed, will have to pay more than $20,500 in restitution.

Ahmed is expected to enter a guilty plea in the case next Wednesday, court records show.

In July, a Clackamas County judge sentenced Tesfamariam to 15 months in prison for first-degree aggravated theft and first-degree theft, according to court records. He also faced charges of second-degree theft and identity theft in that case, which the prosecution dismissed.

The sentences in both cases should be served at the same time, Donohue said.

Salem attorney Paul Ferder represented Tesfamariam in the Benton County case. Deputy District Attorney Kevin Hashizume prosecuted the case.
Whats the oldest thing in your home?

Perhaps it's an heirloom your great-great-grandparents brought to Oregon in the 1800s, or your 50- or 60-year-old wedding photo.

Actually, it just might be the rock you picked up on a trip to the Oregon coast when you were a schoolkid and have used as a paperweight or doorstop for decades.

It might be 15 million years old, according to Guy DiTorrice of Brownsville, who's known around the state as the Oregon Fossil Guy.

DiTorrice was reared in Rockford, Illinois, and graduated with a degree in radio and broadcast journalism from Colorado State University. He has become a self-trained expert on all things fossil.

And those things are numerous, as residents of Cambridge Terrace Assisted Living in Albany learned Wednesday afternoon.

DiTorrice became interested in fossils when he was 11 years old and began studying them, but his hobby blossomed when he moved to Newport in the 1990s. He and his wife have lived in Brownsville for about a year.

Oregonians are fortunate that they are allowed to pick up a gallon of fossils per day and three gallons per year without a permit. Those fossils cannot, however, be sold.

Many people come to the Oregon Coast and look for agates, DiTorrice said. But they walk right over fossils that are millions of years old.

Fossils come in all shapes and sizes, he added, most often appearing as rocks.

Fossils are merely items  bones, tree limbs, fish, clams, whales  that have died, decayed over time and have become covered with layers of minerals. Unlike footprints, their imprints are inside the rocks.

Although many fossils are found in the sand on beaches, DiTorrice said the best place to find fossils are by looking up  along sand bluffs.

The fossils are pushed up when tectonic plates move up and push against the earth, DiTorrice said. The United States doesnt move, so the plates push the silt and fossils upward.

DiTorrice said fossils are historical in that they give scientists a glimpse of what the earth may have looked like millions of years ago. For example, the state fossil of South Dakota, the marine clam, is found primarily in oceans. South Dakota, of course, is a long way from any present-day ocean.

All of the numerous fossils on display Wednesday came from Lincoln County, DiTorrice said. Samples ranged from petrified wood, to whale vertebrae, salmon, bill fish, snails, dolphins, whales and even seal and sea lion poop.

DiTorrice uses the skills he learned as a young man looking up information in encyclopedias for the research he did in the 1970s to prepare stories for the two talk radio stations he worked for in Eugene.

He uses a handy 8-pound rock pick to open his many prizes.

DiTorrice  who, appropriately, spent his 65th birthday in Fossil in eastern Oregon  gives talks for groups at Oregon state parks, schools, libraries, gem and mineral shows, museums and more. He also conducts walking tours on public beaches.

This is a nautilus that is traditionally found in warm weather areas such as New Zealand and Africa, DiTorrice said, teasing his audience. But this was found on the Oregon coast.

Although DiTorrice lived in Colorado, where there are dinosaur fossils, he said Oregons landscape is too young to host dinosaur remnants.
As Houston residents are mopping up their homes and businesses in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane, hundreds of them are sporting silicon wristbands developed by an Oregon State University chemist.

The wristbands, which look like the brightly colored ones often worn to support charities, serve a distinct purpose: to inform Houston residents about toxic chemicals that may be hidden in the floodwaters.

The porous wristbands absorb molecules of organic chemicals similar to the way human cells do, said Kim Anderson, the environmental chemist in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences who developed the devices.

The wristbands will allow individuals to know what pollutants they are being exposed to. There are 13 Superfund sites  or sites that have been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as being contaminated by hazardous waste  in and around Houston. The city also has oil refineries and other industrial sites whose waste could contaminate water and air, OSU officials said.

Anderson will test the wristbands for over 1,500 chemicals, including pesticides, PCBs, hydrocarbon pollutants from wood or fossil-fuel combustion and benzene and toluene used in industrial solvents.

The unknown is more scary than the known usually, she said. People dont know what kinds of chemical exposures they have. Maybe, hopefully, well find nothing.

Anderson and her colleagues arrived Sept. 19 in Houston, three weeks after the storm dropped an estimated 27 trillion gallons of rain over Texas and Louisiana. Residents were beginning to assess the damage, remove water and dry out.

The researchers spoke at a community meeting in Houstons Highlands and surrounding areas. There were about 50 people at the meeting, and all 36 people who wanted a wristband got one. Each participant filled out a questionnaire with information about themselves and where they live, as well as a consent form. They were instructed to wear the wristbands for a week and then mail them to Corvallis for analysis.

The scientists also gave staff at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston hundreds of the wristbands and trained them on how to distribute the devices to more participants. They also will be returned to OSU for analysis.

Anderson will generate personal, confidential reports for each participant, as well as hold a community meeting to share the overall results.

The chemist has spent about 20 years developing the wristbands. Previous environmental chemical detection methods involved a battery-powered pump that had to be worn. The wristbands, meanwhile, are lightweight and easy to wear. Anderson originally created a necklace that would absorb contaminants, but she worried men would not want to wear it.

In 2010, Anderson worked in the Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. She and her colleagues were able to take water and air samples. But, they didnt have authorization to study human subjects, so they couldnt deploy the wristbands.

Anderson wanted to be able to use the wristbands in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, so she applied for and received a blanket approval. That allowed her and her colleagues to quickly mobilize during the critical aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Andersons laboratory at OSU is part of the Superfund Research Program, which has funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, according to the university. The chemist hopes to secure funding from the National Institutes of Health to do follow-up research in six months or a year to see how the chemical exposures in Houston have changed.
Learn the facts

To the Editor: Last Thursday I attended the third Town Hall meeting presented by the Mayors Committee for St. Pauls. The subject was different types of demolition. This series of...

Penny wise; pound foolish

To the Editor: All must exercise patience until the Board is satisfied that the candidate Westerman Co. is the right choice to be cost estimator, or another company is chosen,...

Honoring our veterans

To the Editor: I was raised on 4th Street by a war hero. My father would reject that label and laugh at the sentence. But, whenever we had...

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To the Editor: In these difficult economic times, it is especially important to patronize your local neighborhood restaurant not only during Long Island Restaurant Week November 6th to 13th, but...
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
UN Climate Summit : UN-Campus stop to be finished on time

Bonn The UN-Campus stop is right on schedule to be completed in time for the UN Climate Summit. An official opening is planned for the weekend of November 4/5.

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Power shovels are still busy at the UN-Campus stop but it is expected to be ready for passengers on November 1 as initially planned. This is just in time for the United Nations Climate Summit which will take place from November 6 - 17 at the World Conference Center Bonn. At the moment, last steps are being taken to finish the project, one of them being the installation of overhead roofs at the stop.

When finished, there will be two platforms, each of them 220 meters long and accessible by ramp and stairway. There will also be an underpass to reach either side of the tracks.

Kai Rossman, a director at German Rail, says that the new stop will provide a fundamental facility for the climate summit, and it will also relieve some of the congestion at Bonn Central Train Station. Because of renovations at the Central Train Station, space there has been restricted, and it appears that Platform 1 will remain closed until the end of 2019.

A special timetable will apply during the United Nations Climate Summit to handle the larger volume of passengers expected. From November 1 and during the entire conference, regional trains RE 5, RB 26, RB 30 and RB 48 will all make stops at UN-Campus.

Around 20,000 participants are expected from just about 200 countries and a large number of them will not be staying right in Bonn. German Rail estimates that many will be staying in the Dusseldorf or Koblenz areas and commute daily by rail services.
felicilin at 29-09-2017 10:59 AM (5 years ago) (f)

Secret assets belonging to the current governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, have been uncovered in offshore tax havens, including the notorious British Virgin Islands.

Secret assets belonging to the current governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, have been uncovered in offshore tax havens, including the notorious British Virgin Islands.

The discoveries were made as Gistmania continues to scrutinize the over 11 million Mossack Fonseca documents contained in the sleaze dossier now known worldwide as the Panama Papers.



At least two offshore companies were traced to the governor, one of which was used to acquire a property on Harvey Lodge London.



One of the companies, Best International Holding Limited, was registered in 1999 in the British Virgin Islands. The company was registered on May 26, 1999 with $50,000 as shares capital.



The company, with registration number 314717, has the governor and his son, Shehu Bello, as directors.



Governor Bello himself is the son of Sani Bello , a retired colonel and military governor of Kano State between 1975 and 1978.



Tax authorities the world over view the British Virgin Islands with a certain level of notoriety and suspicion.



Offshore company structures are sometimes marketed to rich businessmen and politically-exposed individuals to avoid or evade tax obligations in their home countries or conceal ill-gotten wealth.



While the two directors of Best International Holding Limited gave their Nigerian address as 17A Wurno Rd, Off Katuna Rd, Kaduna, Nigeria; a Lagos address was used for the registration of a second offshore company.



Another set of Mossack Fonseca documents showed that Governor Bello is the sole shareholder of a secret offshore entity by the name Eyre Investments Incorporated.



This company, located in Hitchin, Herts, was incorporated on September 3, 2007 and had Ajibola Raphael Oluyede as director with Abubakar Sani Bello as sole shareholder.



Mr. Oluyede, a senior advocate of Nigeria, is one of the lawyers who defended Senate President Bukola Saraki in his recent corruption trial before the Code of Conduct Bureau.



Investigations revealed that for all his offshore dealings, the governor was using the services of Mr. Oluyede, the principal partner at TRLP LAW, as his legal front.



In one of the documents, it is stated that the registers of Best International Holding Limited are kept at D96 Landbridge Ave, Victoria Island Ext, Lagos, Nigeria. An online search of this address leads directly to TRLP Law office.



Yet another Mossack Fonseca document reveals the minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of Eyre Investments Incorporated. The minutes claimed that the meeting was held on September 3, 2007 and that in attendance were Mr. Oluyede and Mr. Bello.



A letter from UK lawyers on behalf of the Niger governor to Mossack Fonseca hinted that business relationship between Mr. Bello and his lawyer, Mr. Oluyede, was not all smooth sailing. The letter came at a time when the governor was having apparent difficulties in selling off a property he had acquired using his offshore company Eyre Investments Incorporation.



The difficulties arose when the front director either refused to cooperate or was nowhere to be found. It took the UK lawyers, the certificate of incorporation and other documents to have the offshore company returned to Governor Bello.



The letter from Shaima Jillood of the firm Charles Russell LLP to Mossack Fonseca, dated July 3, 2007, reads in part:



I am the property solicitor acting on behalf of Eyre Investments Inc in respect of the sale of a property Flat 18 Harvey Lodge, Admiral Walk Harrow Road, London W9 3TH. In order to exchange contracts with the buyers and sell this property, we need to establish who is authorised to sign the contract and sell this property on behalf of Eyre Investments.



Mossack Fonseca was at the time administering Eyre Investments Incorporation after it was transferred to it from ILS Fiduciary Limited (British Virgin Island) on June 7, 2000.



The UK lawyers requested from Mossack Fonseca evidence of the list of authorised signatories, directors, certified copy of passport and the shareholder so as to establish who was legally authorised to sign the legal sale documents. The letter further explained that:



My client, Mr Abubaker S Bello, has advised us that he is the shareholder of this company but has lost the documentation and has only provided me with the Memorandum and Articles of Association & Certificate of Incorporation but no mention of who the directors or shareholders are and who the authorised signatories.



When contacted on the propriety of a public office holder holding secret offshore accounts, Jibrin Ndace, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bello said that before his principal became the governor of Niger State, he had been for years an international businessman of repute doing legitimate businesses across the world.



The governor was a well-known international businessman just like Donald Trump was before he became the President of America. It is like if Dangote becomes President tomorrow; you would see their footprints everywhere because they were once international businessmen, he said.



Mr. Ndace insisted that Niger State is benefiting from Governor Bellos international business exposure given the foreign investors he has attracted to the state. He however did not provide details of the investments the governor has attracted to the state.



The difference between this governor and others is that he is a professional in politics not a professional businessman, Mr. Ndace said.

Violation of Nigerian law?



There is no evidence that Governor Bello is no longer involved with the shell companies. There is also no evidence that the governor declared his interests in the offshore entities to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required by law.



The governors spokesperson was evasive when asked whether his boss included the shell companies (with which he has dealt in properties) in the assets declaration form he filed at the CCB. Mr. Ndace merely insisted that the governors imprint as an international businessman cannot be easily erased.



While not all owners or operators of such offshore entities are criminals, participating in the running of private companies while serving as public officials is against Nigerian laws.



Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Act says a public office holder shall not, except where he is not employed on fulla time basis, engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade.



The companies are also believed to own bank accounts. Yet Nigerian public officials owning foreign accounts, either individual or through their corporate interests, is a contravention of the code of conduct for public officials, which prohibits the holding of foreign bank accounts.



The code states: Any public officer specified in the Second Schedule to this Act or any other persons as the President may, from time to time, by order prescribe, shall not maintain or operate a bank account in any country outside Nigeria.



This revelation makes Governor Bello the sixth serving Nigerian official who has been shown to own shell companies in offshore tax havens in clear violation of the countrys law.



The others include President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; former Senate President, David Mark; Senator Ibrahim Gobir (All Progressives Congress, Sokoto East); Senator David Umaru (APC  Niger East); Senator Andy Uba (APC, Anambra South).



The Nigerian government claimed it was investigating the officials as well as other former public officers who popped up in the Panama Papers to have violated Nigerian Nigerians by owning undeclared assets abroad. But the report of the investigation has not been made public and no one has been charged to court.



The former officials the government claimed it is investigating include former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abubakar YarAdua; former Delta Governor, James Ibori; late former Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and late former Minister of National Planning.



Another former NNPC GMD, Funsho Kupolokun, appears to have acquired his offshore assets after leaving office office in 2007.

The discoveries were made as Gistmania continues to scrutinize the over 11 million Mossack Fonseca documents contained in the sleaze dossier now known worldwide as the Panama Papers.At least two offshore companies were traced to the governor, one of which was used to acquire a property on Harvey Lodge London.One of the companies, Best International Holding Limited, was registered in 1999 in the British Virgin Islands. The company was registered on May 26, 1999 with $50,000 as shares capital.The company, with registration number 314717, has the governor and his son, Shehu Bello, as directors.Governor Bello himself is the son of Sani Bello , a retired colonel and military governor of Kano State between 1975 and 1978.Tax authorities the world over view the British Virgin Islands with a certain level of notoriety and suspicion.Offshore company structures are sometimes marketed to rich businessmen and politically-exposed individuals to avoid or evade tax obligations in their home countries or conceal ill-gotten wealth.While the two directors of Best International Holding Limited gave their Nigerian address as 17A Wurno Rd, Off Katuna Rd, Kaduna, Nigeria; a Lagos address was used for the registration of a second offshore company.Another set of Mossack Fonseca documents showed that Governor Bello is the sole shareholder of a secret offshore entity by the name Eyre Investments Incorporated.This company, located in Hitchin, Herts, was incorporated on September 3, 2007 and had Ajibola Raphael Oluyede as director with Abubakar Sani Bello as sole shareholder.Mr. Oluyede, a senior advocate of Nigeria, is one of the lawyers who defended Senate President Bukola Saraki in his recent corruption trial before the Code of Conduct Bureau.Investigations revealed that for all his offshore dealings, the governor was using the services of Mr. Oluyede, the principal partner at TRLP LAW, as his legal front.In one of the documents, it is stated that the registers of Best International Holding Limited are kept at D96 Landbridge Ave, Victoria Island Ext, Lagos, Nigeria. An online search of this address leads directly to TRLP Law office.Yet another Mossack Fonseca document reveals the minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of Eyre Investments Incorporated. The minutes claimed that the meeting was held on September 3, 2007 and that in attendance were Mr. Oluyede and Mr. Bello.A letter from UK lawyers on behalf of the Niger governor to Mossack Fonseca hinted that business relationship between Mr. Bello and his lawyer, Mr. Oluyede, was not all smooth sailing. The letter came at a time when the governor was having apparent difficulties in selling off a property he had acquired using his offshore company Eyre Investments Incorporation.The difficulties arose when the front director either refused to cooperate or was nowhere to be found. It took the UK lawyers, the certificate of incorporation and other documents to have the offshore company returned to Governor Bello.The letter from Shaima Jillood of the firm Charles Russell LLP to Mossack Fonseca, dated July 3, 2007, reads in part:Mossack Fonseca was at the time administering Eyre Investments Incorporation after it was transferred to it from ILS Fiduciary Limited (British Virgin Island) on June 7, 2000.The UK lawyers requested from Mossack Fonseca evidence of the list of authorised signatories, directors, certified copy of passport and the shareholder so as to establish who was legally authorised to sign the legal sale documents. The letter further explained that:When contacted on the propriety of a public office holder holding secret offshore accounts, Jibrin Ndace, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bello said that before his principal became the governor of Niger State, he had been for years an international businessman of repute doing legitimate businesses across the world.he said.Mr. Ndace insisted that Niger State is benefiting from Governor Bellos international business exposure given the foreign investors he has attracted to the state. He however did not provide details of the investments the governor has attracted to the state.Mr. Ndace said.Violation of Nigerian law?There is no evidence that Governor Bello is no longer involved with the shell companies. There is also no evidence that the governor declared his interests in the offshore entities to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required by law.The governors spokesperson was evasive when asked whether his boss included the shell companies (with which he has dealt in properties) in the assets declaration form he filed at the CCB. Mr. Ndace merely insisted that the governors imprint as an international businessman cannot be easily erased.While not all owners or operators of such offshore entities are criminals, participating in the running of private companies while serving as public officials is against Nigerian laws.Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Act says a public office holder shall not,The companies are also believed to own bank accounts. Yet Nigerian public officials owning foreign accounts, either individual or through their corporate interests, is a contravention of the code of conduct for public officials, which prohibits the holding of foreign bank accounts.The code states: Any public officer specified in the Second Schedule to this Act or any other persons as the President may, from time to time, by order prescribe, shall not maintain or operate a bank account in any country outside Nigeria.This revelation makes Governor Bello the sixth serving Nigerian official who has been shown to own shell companies in offshore tax havens in clear violation of the countrys law.The others include President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; former Senate President, David Mark; Senator Ibrahim Gobir (All Progressives Congress, Sokoto East); Senator David Umaru (APC  Niger East); Senator Andy Uba (APC, Anambra South).The Nigerian government claimed it was investigating the officials as well as other former public officers who popped up in the Panama Papers to have violated Nigerian Nigerians by owning undeclared assets abroad. But the report of the investigation has not been made public and no one has been charged to court.The former officials the government claimed it is investigating include former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abubakar YarAdua; former Delta Governor, James Ibori; late former Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and late former Minister of National Planning.Another former NNPC GMD, Funsho Kupolokun, appears to have acquired his offshore assets after leaving office office in 2007.

Post Reply Posted: at 29-09-2017 10:59 AM (5 years ago) | Hero
bayonel3 at 29-09-2017 12:11 PM (5 years ago) (m)

If there is anything Jumia is close to meeting, it is certainly not profit. Early yesterday morning, Rocket Internet, the parent company of Jumia said the company suffered a net loss of USD61 million loss in six months.

If there is anything Jumia is close to meeting, it is certainly not profit. Early yesterday morning, Rocket Internet, the parent company of Jumia said the company suffered a net loss of USD61 million loss in six months. To understand the extent of the number, a conversion using the real-time exchange rate to Naira (NGN) shows that Jumia made a net loss of NGN22 billion.

In context, it is more than the net revenue of three of Nigerias commercial banks with over NGN3 trillion in assets.

A review of the companys performance in the first six months in comparison to its last year period shows that the companys fortune dwindled despite the easing in Nigerias economic hardship. Last year within the first six months, Jumia reported a net loss of EUR38 million compared to EUR52 million reported this year.

While Rocket Internet has reclassified Jumia as Jumia from the general merchandise grouping it carried in its portfolio. The parent company is also trying to recapitalise the local unit by putting more cash into its operations. As at last year, Jumia only had EUR4 million left in cash and cash equivalents. This year, about EUR24 million was said to be left in its books as cash. As a rationale for the dwindling fortunes of the company, Rocket Internet has finally taken the bull by the horn. For the first time in a long while, Rocket Internet is now facing reality. The group said it recorded net impairments of EUR10 million on its Jumia operations.

their own words, The impairments are attributable to the deteriorated business outlook for some regionally operated business models. Growing competition and increasing pressure on margins can be observed in the local markets. A prominent example of this development is the purchase of Souq.com (eCommerce platform based in Dubai) by Amazon in the first half of 2017.

With its coterie of bluechip investors such as Orange, MTN, Millicom, AXA; it is safe to say Jumia has a strong backing from local and regional investors, but these investors are keeping mute with their pocket to save the company from imploding under the weight of debt.

The last raising achieved by Jumia was when CDC staked about GBP50 million to get a stake in the company. The cash from stake sale would soon dry up if the company does not go on an initial public offering in the next 12 months.However, without reaching profitability, the IPO idea might be dead on arrival as investors would worry that Jumia has not developed a strong business model that can guarantee its sustainable existence. To understand the extent of the number, a conversion using the real-time exchange rate to Naira (NGN) shows that Jumia made a net loss of NGN22 billion.In context, it is more than the net revenue of three of Nigerias commercial banks with over NGN3 trillion in assets.A review of the companys performance in the first six months in comparison to its last year period shows that the companys fortune dwindled despite the easing in Nigerias economic hardship. Last year within the first six months, Jumia reported a net loss of EUR38 million compared to EUR52 million reported this year.While Rocket Internet has reclassified Jumia as Jumia from the general merchandise grouping it carried in its portfolio. The parent company is also trying to recapitalise the local unit by putting more cash into its operations. As at last year, Jumia only had EUR4 million left in cash and cash equivalents. This year, about EUR24 million was said to be left in its books as cash. As a rationale for the dwindling fortunes of the company, Rocket Internet has finally taken the bull by the horn. For the first time in a long while, Rocket Internet is now facing reality. The group said it recorded net impairments of EUR10 million on its Jumia operations.their own words, The impairments are attributable to the deteriorated business outlook for some regionally operated business models. Growing competition and increasing pressure on margins can be observed in the local markets. A prominent example of this development is the purchase of Souq.com (eCommerce platform based in Dubai) by Amazon in the first half of 2017.With its coterie of bluechip investors such as Orange, MTN, Millicom, AXA; it is safe to say Jumia has a strong backing from local and regional investors, but these investors are keeping mute with their pocket to save the company from imploding under the weight of debt.The last raising achieved by Jumia was when CDC staked about GBP50 million to get a stake in the company. The cash from stake sale would soon dry up if the company does not go on an initial public offering in the next 12 months.However, without reaching profitability, the IPO idea might be dead on arrival as investors would worry that Jumia has not developed a strong business model that can guarantee its sustainable existence.

Post Reply I scour the world wide web to bring you interesting stories from around the globe. [email protected] Posted: at 29-09-2017 12:11 PM (5 years ago) | Hero
felicilin at 29-09-2017 01:13 PM (5 years ago) (f)

A popular Sierra Leone-based Nigerian pastor, Victor Ajisafe has been arrested by the government after he was found to have made certain outrageous comments about Islamic religion during his Sunday sermon.

A popular Sierra Leone-based Nigerian pastor, Victor Ajisafe has been arrested by the government after he was found to have made certain outrageous comments about Islamic religion during his Sunday sermon. Ajisafe, was arrested in Sierra Leone after recordings of a sermon targeting Muslims went viral on social media.

The Guardian UK reports that Ajisafe, who is the founder and leader of one of the countrys largest churches, The Sanctuary Praise Church, while speaking to his congregants called Islam a violent religion of lies and deceit, adding that Muslims have been responsible for every terrorist act in the history of the world.

Sierra Leones population is roughly 78% Muslim, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center estimate.

Audio and video recordings of the sermon appeared online within three days, and were met with immediate and near-universal condemnation by both Muslims and Christians in the country.

The pastor was arrested on Tuesday, but has not yet been charged.

Head of Sierra Leones Criminal Investigations Department, MB Kamara, said, Everyone is very upset by his message.

We are a very religiously tolerant country and no one ever worries whether someone is Muslim or Christian. We all have lived peacefully for generations, and no one wants that disrupted.

An initial press release from the social welfare ministry said Ajisafe was being held for his own protection.

And Kamara added that Ajisafe would be held until a charge against him could be determined Ajisafe, was arrested in Sierra Leone after recordings of a sermon targeting Muslims went viral on social media.The Guardian UK reports that Ajisafe, who is the founder and leader of one of the countrys largest churches, The Sanctuary Praise Church, while speaking to his congregants called Islam aadding that Muslims have been responsible forSierra Leones population is roughly 78% Muslim, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center estimate.Audio and video recordings of the sermon appeared online within three days, and were met with immediate and near-universal condemnation by both Muslims and Christians in the country.The pastor was arrested on Tuesday, but has not yet been charged.Head of Sierra Leones Criminal Investigations Department, MB Kamara, said, Everyone is very upset by his message.An initial press release from the social welfare ministry said Ajisafe was being held for his own protection.And Kamara added that Ajisafe would be held until a charge against him could be determined

Post Reply Posted: at 29-09-2017 01:13 PM (5 years ago) | Hero
A Pittsylvania County elementary school is one of just seven in Virginia to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2017.

Union Hall Elementary School in Callands was recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in an announcement Thursday.

County superintendent Mark Jones said the school had improved immensely in student success in recent years.

Thats a national award for schools that really have just a tremendous academic record, Jones said.

Five other public schools and one private school in Virginia received the award.

The awards are based on either performance on state achievement tests and graduation rates, or performance in closing the achievement gap between a schools subgroups and all students.
Vancouver, September 29, 2017 - Amarillo Gold Corp. (TSX-V: AGC) ("Amarillo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that all resolutions presented at the Company's Annual and Special General Meeting of Shareholders (the "AGM") held on September 28, 2017, including the appointment of directors, the appointment of MNP LLP, Chartered Accountants as auditors, the approval of the Company's stock option plan, the adoption of new company Articles and the adoption of advanced notice provisions, were approved by the shareholders of the Company.

A total of 43,686,072 common shares representing 51.47% of the outstanding common shares were present in person or by proxy at the AGM.

The directors elected to serve for the ensuing year are Buddy Doyle, David Birkett, Rostislav Raykov, Colin Sutherland, Rowland Uloth and Stephen Stow. All directors, except for Mr. Stow, were management's nominees for election as directors. Mr. Stow was nominated to be a director at the AGM.

Mr. Stow has been an adviser, investor, and executive engaged in various resource driven opportunities, startups and has global executive experience in management of public companies. He is currently a director of Lumina Gold Corp. (TSX-V: LUM). He served as President & CEO of Odin Mining & Exploration Ltd prior to the merger with Lumina Gold, and was a Director of the company since 1994. Mr. Stow has been Principal of Zen Capital & Mergers Ltd since 1995 and served as a Director since 1994. Prior to 1995 he served as Director of Corporate Finance, Asia for the National Westminster Bank, Hong Kong Division.

About Amarillo Gold Corp.

Amarillo Gold Corp. is focused on acquisition, discovery, and definition of gold resources in Brazil. It is the Company's policy to strive to do this in a sustainable, safe way using best practices whilst benefiting our shareholders and the communities we work in. The Company's principal projects are the Mara Rosa Project in the state of Goias, and the Lavras do Sul Project in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The Mara Rosa Gold Project has received a positive economic assessment from a Pre-Feasibility study and Amarillo has obtained the LP, the first stage of a three stage permitting process. The Posse Deposit was successfully mined by Western Mining Corporation (WMC) during the 1990s (mined areas are excluded from the above-stated resource figures), and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure: approximately 35 km NE of Yamana's Chapada open pit Cu-Au operation, some 80 km NE of Yamana's Pilar Au project (in feasibility), 95 km NW of Votorantim's Niquelandia Ni laterite mine, 105 km from NE of Serra Grande's underground Au mine, and 105 km NNW of Anglo American's Ni laterite project at Barro Alto.

The Lavras do Sul Project is an advanced exploration stage property (190 sq. km.) comprising of more than 19 prospects centered on historic gold workings, with encouraging gold mineralization discovered and defined by drilling. The Company also has a portfolio of earlier stage projects and all properties under Amarillo's management are located in areas of good infrastructure and mining-friendly communities.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Amarillo Gold Corp.

Per: "Buddy Doyle"

Buddy Doyle, President & CEO







Contacts:



Amarillo Gold Corp.

+1-604-760-0325 (Canada)

+55-31-3261-5974 (Brazil)



Or Scott Eldridge

+1-604-722-5381

scott@amarillogold.com







Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: -

This news release contains Forward Looking Statements regarding our intentions and plans. Forward looking statements in this news release include that our projects have potential for commercialization. Various factors may prevent or delay our plans, including but not limited to, the company being unable to raise funds from investors, contractor availability and performance, weather, access, mineral prices and success and failure of the exploration and development carried out at various stages of the program. Permission from the Government and community is also required to proceed with future mining production. Readers should review risk factors applicable to junior mining exploration companies generally to understand the variety of risks that can affect the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Copyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.


NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Balmoral Resources Ltd. (TSX:BAR) ("Balmoral" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the previously announced (see NR17-14 dated August 16th, 2017) non-brokered Quebec flow-through private placement. Upon closing the Company issued 3,843,333 Quebec flow-through common shares, (the Quebec FT Shares) at a price of C$0.90 per Quebec FT Share (the Quebec FT Offering) for gross proceeds of $3,458,999.70. The flow-through common shares issued will be subject to a four month and one day hold period from the date of closing of the Offering under applicable securities laws in Canada.

The gross proceeds from the Quebec FT Offering will be used by the Company to continue the exploration of its Detour Gold Trend Project located in the Province of Quebec, including the further delineation and expansion of the numerous gold deposits located within the Martiniere gold system. The Company has agreed to pay certain finders a cash fee of $182,924.99.

Common Share Offering

In addition the Company is pleased to announce that is has arranged for a non-brokered private placement of common shares with four institutional investors located in the Province of Quebec  the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec/Sodemex (CDPQ), Fonds regionaux de solidarite FTQ (FTQ), Sidex Limited Partnership (Sidex) and the Societe de development de la Baie-James (SDBJ). The private placement will raise up to an additional $2.0 million through the issuance of up to 3,448,276 common shares of the Company (the Common Share Offering) at a price of $0.58 per common share.

The Company may pay certain participants administrative fees of up to 4% of the gross proceeds of the Common Share Offering.

The closing of the Common Share Offering is anticipated to occur on or before October 10, 2017 (the Common Share Offering Closing Date). The Common Share Offering is subject to certain conditions including receipt of regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the Common Share Offering by the TSX. The common shares to be issued under the terms of the Common Share Offering will be subject to a four month hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada.

The net proceeds from the Common Share Offering will be used by the Company to further continue its exploration of the Detour Gold Trend Project and for general working capital purposes.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such Act.

About Balmoral Resources Ltd. - www.balmoralresources.com

Balmoral is a well-funded, Canadian-based company actively delineating and expanding numerous gold deposits and discoveries within the Martiniere gold system on its 1,000 square kilometre Detour Gold Trend Project in Quebec, Canada. The Detour Gold Trend Project also hosts Balmorals Grasset Ni-Cu-Co-PGE deposit as well as numerous other gold and base metal occurrences. Employing an award winning exploration team, Balmoral has a philosophy of creating value through the drill bit. By focusing our efforts in proven productive precious/base metal belts in one of the worlds pre-eminent mining jurisdictions, Balmoral is following an established formula with a goal of maximizing shareholder value through discovery and definition of high-grade, Canadian gold and base metal assets.

About FTQ

The Fonds regionaux de solidarite FTQ have been helping to further regional economic development in Quebec for over 20 years. An integral part of the Fonds de solidarite FTQ network, the Fonds regionaux have invested $697 million in 1,095 projects since 1996, helping to create, maintain or protect close to 39,400 jobs. www.fondsreg.com

About Sidex

The Diversification of Exploration Investment Partnership (SIDEX Limited Partnership) was established by the Government of Quebec and the Fonds de solidarite FTQ. The mission of SIDEX is to invest in companies engaged in mineral exploration in Quebec in order to diversify Quebecs mineral base, open new territories and promote new entrepreneurs and innovation.

About SDBJ

Created in 1971 by the James Bay Region Development Act, the SDBJs mission is to promote the James Bay territorys economic development and the development and use of its natural resources, other than hydroelectric resources, which are Hydro-Quebecs responsibility, from a sustainable development perspective. It can also generate, support and participate in projects for these purposes. www.sdbj.gouv.qc.ca

On behalf of the board of directors of

BALMORAL RESOURCES LTD.

Darin Wagner

President and CEO

John Foulkes, Vice-President, Corporate Development

Tel: (604) 638-5815 / Toll Free: (877) 838-3664

E-mail: jfoulkes@balmoralresources.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including statements regarding the approval of the Common Share Offering by the Toronto Stock Exchange, the anticipated closing date of the Common Share Offering, the proposed use of proceeds from the Quebec FT Offering and Common Share Offering, the existing funding of the Company being sufficient, the anticipated content, commencement, duration and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the timing of the receipt of assay results, and business and financing plans and trends, the potentially open nature of the mineralized zones on the property and the potential for future discoveries of additional mineralization on the property are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, 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. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include those related to weather, equipment and staff availability; related to the existing funding of the Company being sufficient, performance of third parties; risks related to the exploration stage of the Companys projects; market fluctuations in prices for securities of exploration stage companies and in commodity prices; and uncertainties about the availability of additional financing; risks related to the Companys ability to identify one or more economic deposits on the properties, and variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located on the properties; risks related to the Companys ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities on the properties; and risks related to the Companys ability to produce minerals from the properties successfully or profitably. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Companys public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the latest technical reports filed with respect to the Companys mineral properties.

This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.
A somber Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday signed into law a controversial measure to expand taxpayer-subsidized abortions, drawing unusually sharp criticism from fellow Republicans who accused him of breaking his promise to veto the bill.Tensions between the moderate governor and conservative lawmakers had bubbled behind the scenes for months on the abortion bill and other issues, but Rauner's decision to sign the bill put those differences on public display. Conservative Republicans called Rauner an incompetent, failed governor destined to serve only one term.While Cardinal Blase Cupich was more measured in his comments, he, too, noted that Rauner "did break his word."Rauner, who has long supported abortion rights, said that in the end, he has "to be consistent with my values.""I also believe that no woman should be forced to make a different decision than another woman would make purely based on her income," he said. "I believe that a woman living with limited financial means should not be put in the position where she has to choose something different than a woman of higher income would be able to choose."The new law expands taxpayer-subsidized abortions for women covered by Medicaid and state employee insurance. The state already covers abortions in cases of rape, incest and when there is a threat to the health and life of the mother. The law expands the Medicaid coverage beyond those limited cases. Illinois Right to Life, which opposed the bill, projected that the measure could mean 12,000 additional abortions per year. Another group, however, put the figure at 3,800 a year.The expansion of public funding for abortions is opposed by those who say it violates a longstanding principle that taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for a procedure that they might oppose on moral or religious grounds. But supporters of the legislation say the limits on abortions for women who are covered by Medicaid or state employee insurance create unfair burdens and hurdles.In addition, the law would prevent a trigger in current Illinois law that abortion rights supporters contend would make the procedure illegal in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.The Democrat-controlled legislature passed the bill on May 10, but did not send it to Rauner until Monday. That created a pressure-cooker environment surrounding the legislation, with Rauner facing an intense lobbying campaign from advocates on both sides of the issue. Each side warned that whatever choice Rauner made would be viewed as a broken promise.But the political trick box that Rauner had to face Thursday was one of his own making.In April, as Rauner tried to keep Republicans united in the midst of a historic budget standoff against Democrats, he termed the abortion legislation "divisive" and threatened to veto it. The governor later indicated he would support lifting the "trigger" provision but wanted the expansion of taxpayer-subsidized abortions set aside for another day.That contrasted with candidate Rauner in 2014, who filled out a questionnaire for Personal PAC, an abortion rights advocacy group."I dislike the Illinois law that restricts abortion coverage under the state Medicaid plan and state employees' health insurance because I believe it unfairly restricts access based on income," Rauner wrote at the time. "I would support a legislative effort to reverse that law."On Thursday, Rauner noted he has always supported abortion rights."I personally am pro-choice. I always have been," Rauner said. "I have not and never will change my views."Rauner also cast his previous veto threat as an attempt to broker compromise between abortion rights advocates and people who object to the procedure on moral grounds."I tried in the spring, and I've tried for months as this bill was debated and ultimately passed, to find common ground with both sides of this issue," Rauner said at a Thompson Center news conference. "We were unable to do that. The passions run too deep."Rauner could have used his amendatory veto powers on the bill to keep the trigger provision intact but take out the funding portion. Lawmakers then would have gotten the chance to vote to accept or reject the governor's changes.Asked why he didn't take that approach, Rauner said there was "no support on either side of the aisle for that."Politically, Rauner's action sparked talk that he could face a conservative challenger in the March 2018 governor primary, a candidate spurred by groups opposed to abortion rights and faith-based organizations. Rauner's personal wealth and the need to organize a statewide candidacy vastly limits the number of people to pose a legitimate challenge, however.By signing the bill, Rauner also could preserve his political appeal to socially moderate suburban women, a key demographic for a Republican to win a statewide race in Illinois. Though the collar counties traditionally have been Republican-leaning, last year Democrat Hillary Clinton easily won all of them except for McHenry County.The abortion bill landed on Rauner's desk at a time he already had upset some conservatives by signing immigration legislation known as the Trust Act, which protects immigrants who are in the country illegally from being detained solely because of their immigration status. Before that, Rauner vetoed a July income tax increase and budget, only to see some Republicans break ranks and overturn him to end the historic budget impasse.While Rauner could have expected criticism on the abortion issue, conservative Republicans went beyond simply accusing him of breaking his veto pledge.State Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, called Rauner a "failed governor," while state Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, said Rauner's "flip-flopping on this issue raises serious questions on whether the governor's word can be trusted on other matters."State Rep. Allen Skillicorn, R-East Dundee, said Rauner's signature on the abortion bill "will ensure that Rauner serves only one-term."Perhaps the most stinging critique was leveled by Rep. Peter Breen, the House Republican floor leader from Lombard."I've had a front-row seat to a governor that is unable to adequately and competently administer Illinois government," said Breen, a prominent anti-abortion rights attorney. "He is now lying to us. And so at that point, I can't support someone like that."Breen also charged that Rauner had made his veto pledge to Cupich, and that "even the most corrupt Chicago machine politicians think twice before lying to a priest."Cupich said he was disappointed by Rauner's decision but looked forward to working with the governor in the future. The cardinal said Rauner had personally informed him of his decision on Thursday."I reminded him of the promise and also my statement earlier thanking him for that," Cupich told the Tribune. "He did break his word. He broke his word to the people, especially those who have continued to speak on behalf of the vulnerable child in the womb."Still, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider issued a statement saying he's "disappointed" in Rauner's decision, but then sought to blame Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan."While I am frustrated and saddened, I also know that Speaker Madigan and the Democrats are trying to use this issue to divide our party and elect a Madigan-backed candidate for governor," said Schneider, a Cook County commissioner.The issue also loomed large in the Rauner household. Illinois first lady Diana Rauner has long supported abortion rights. In 2014, it was Diana Rauner who came to her husband's defense when Personal PAC backed the Democratic candidate in the race, then-Gov. Pat Quinn, over Rauner.Diana Rauner and other abortion rights advocates paid for a full-page, open-letter advertisement in the Chicago Tribune in October 2014 to promote Bruce Rauner's "clear consistent position" on reproductive rights. It quoted the future governor from a GOP primary debate in which he said, "It's a decision that should be made by a woman with her physician, her family or minister, not by government."Asked Thursday if Diana Rauner had influenced his decision to sign the bill, the governor said his wife is his "best friend," but that he'd consulted "dozens and dozens of people who I respect.""I've tried to listen and learn, pay respect," Rauner said. "The views on these issues are deeply held, strongly, strongly felt. And I've tried to make a decision that I believe is best."Those in favor of the bill also weighed in, but props to Rauner for approving it were secondary to praise for advocates who'd pushed for the legislation."Today, Governor Rauner agreed with me and thousands of women and men who stood up and used the most powerful tool we have: our voices," said Sen. Toi Hutchinson, a Democrat from Olympia Fields and co-sponsor of the bill. "Thanks to those voices, House Bill 40 will become law in Illinois. We did it!"Democratic candidates for governor were dismissive of the Republican governor's contribution to the effort."Let's be clear: Bruce Rauner threatened to veto HB 40 and only got around to doing the right thing after an organized advertising and grassroots campaign," Democratic governor hopeful J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. "Today's announcement does not change the fact that Bruce Rauner's only sense of morality is whatever panders best to voters. Illinois women deserve a relentless advocate in the fight to protect their rights -- and that's exactly what I'll be as governor."Chris Kennedy, another Democratic governor candidate, said enactment of the legislation "is only possible because of the power of people from throughout the state who came together to stand up to Bruce Rauner and fight for the rights of women."Rauner has not officially declared plans to run for re-election. Asked Thursday if he was worried about a primary challenge, Rauner brushed the idea away."Politics are politics," he said.
Regional representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services will not be participating in open enrollment events in the states as they have in years past, according to an administration source and an email sent to health advocates in Mississippi obtained by BuzzFeed News.The source, who had direct knowledge of the change, told BuzzFeed News that all of the departments 10 regional directors were told to not to participate in state-based events promoting open enrollment  a significant change from years past.The move follows a trend by the Trump administration of stepping away from past federal assistance for Obamacare and, particularly, of dialing back resources for the upcoming open enrollment period.Health care advocates in Mississippi received an email on Monday, confirming the directive, and informing them that the department would not be supporting marketplace efforts by being out in the regions this year. (Vox first reported that officials would be pulling out of the events in Mississippi.)I will certainly miss the interaction and an opportunity to share departmental updates and positions, even though they have changed drastically, wrote Deric Gilliard, a public affairs specialist from HHSs regional Atlanta office. My apologies for taking so long to provide a definitive answer. If someone would like to discuss further, please feel free to call me. All the best in your endeavors.
Sweeping Impacts

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it will overhaul a six-year-old Obama-era program that had been put in place in the wake of police shootings and other controversial officer incidents.In a statement released Sept. 15, the DOJ said it would significantly scale back its Collaborative Reform Initiative, effectively putting an end to federal efforts to reform local police departments and improve police-community relations. Instead, the Justice Department will focus on providing more direct support to officers fighting gangs, drugs and violent crime as well as those dealing with protests.The move is in line with a tougher law-and-order approach that President Donald Trump advocated during his campaign and in his first several months in office. Despite Trump's claim that violent crime is at near record highs, it remains near historic lows. Nevertheless, critics say the DOJ's change will undermine local law enforcement efforts to make necessary reforms to reduce officer-involved shootings and to mend the sometimes strained relationships with the communities they serve.This is a complete abandonment of collaborative reform, says Chiraag Bains, a visiting senior fellow with the Criminal Justice Policy Program and a former federal prosecutor and senior official in the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division under President Obama. It isnt even fair to call whatever replaces the program 'collaborative reform.'Launched in 2011, the Collaborative Reform Initiativehas been a voluntary program in which local departments could seek assistance from federal officials to help build community relations. At the request of a police chief, federal officials used collaborative reform to conduct investigations of a troubled law enforcement agency and make suggestions for change.But the DOJ says those investigations often caused an adversarial relationship between the federal government and municipal law enforcement agencies. Instead, the new collaborative reform program will focus on targeting and preventing crime, proactive policing and training for de-escalation, crisis intervention and citizen engagement to address violent crime. The program will offer departments access to experts in gang suppression, disruption of drug markets and policing mass demonstrations.The DOJ says the mission of the new program will be promoting officer safety, officer morale and public respect for their work.The Justice Department's pivot comes as the debate over criminal justice reform has found uncommon allies on both the left and right side of the political spectrum. Even Newt Gingrich, the former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House and one of the architects of the 1994 crime bill, which reform advocates credit with spurring explosive growth in the prison population, now says that criminal justice reform is necessary But the push for reform has proven divisive among police themselves. Police chiefs are generally in favor of reform, while many rank-and-file officers staunchly oppose them.During the 2016 presidential campaign, a group of the country's most prominent law enforcement leaders, including former New York Police Chief William Bratton, met with and eventually backed Hillary Clinton, who supported continuing the reform efforts put in place by President Obama. But the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the nations largest organization representing rank-and-file officers, endorsed Trump. FOP Executive Director Jim Pasco told NPR after Trumps election that the probes by the Obama-era DOJ amounted to a "virtual jihad" against local policing and added that "police officers are not seen with the level of respect and esteem that they might have been in the past.The recent announcement by the DOJ is merely the latest effort by Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to roll back policing policies put in place under Obama.In July, Sessions reversed the previous administration's limits on civil asset forfeiture, a widely criticized practice in which law enforcement officers seize cash and property from citizens who have not been charged with crimes. In August, Trump signed an executive order to reinstate a program that provides police with surplus military equipment. In March, Sessions called for a thorough review of the 23-year-old Community Oriented Policing Services, a program that helps agencies develop better relationships between the officers and the residents they serve. That program includes the Collateral Reform Initiative.Justice officials have also tried this year, though less successfully, to diminish reform efforts in specific cities.The department in April tried unsuccessfully to delay a court-ordered consent decree in Baltimore. (A consent decree results from a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department against a municipal police agency. The court appoints a police monitor whos responsible for making sure the policing agency follows the reform recommendations made by the Justice Department.) In Chicago, federal officials sought to convince city leaders to pare down reforms that had been called for in the wake of the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald. That backfired, though, because in response, the Illinois state attorney general sued the city to force it to implement far more aggressive reforms.Earlier this month, the DOJ halted an ongoing review of the police department in Milwaukee. Police Chief Edward Flynn had sought the department's help rebuilding community relations after federal prosecutors declined to file charges against the officer who shot and killed Dontre Hamilton in 2014. A draft report from the DOJ review had called on Milwaukee police to establish an independent auditor, hire a more diverse force and implement stricter behavior policies for officers.Those and other reforms were stopped by the Justice Department's recent announcement. Instead, Milwaukee police will receive training on how to reduce crime.Sessions and others have said the collaborative reform investigations are a federal overreach, plain and simple (despite the fact that they only come at the request of local leaders). In a memo to justice officials in April, Sessions wrote that "local control and local accountability are necessary for effective local policing. It is not the responsibility of the federal government to manage non-federal law enforcement agencies."Reform advocates, however, say the new changes are about more than a shift toward local control.Whats being lost is the federal government using its resources to establish best practices, says Marc Schindler, executive director at the Justice Policy Institute, a national nonprofit that advocates for police reforms. What we see in Milwaukee is not about local control. The Milwaukee police chief wants a partnership with the feds. And what he is getting -- under the guise of local control -- is the federal government saying, 'You can have this training or you can have nothing.'Without the federal government as an active partner, law enforcement officials say, their own local efforts to implement reforms will suffer.It is critical in my mind that the Justice Department be there to help institute change, says Charles Ramsey, the former chief of police in Philadelphia and, prior to that, in Washington, D.C.In 2013, Ramsey asked for collaborative reform after a spike in officer-involved shootings.I wanted to make sure we were doing everything in our power," he says, "to make sure we had the proper training in place."The Justice Department spent nearly two years in Philadelphia conducting scores of interviews with cops and community members. Federal investigators attended nearly two dozen use-of-force review board hearings. The DOJ ultimately gave the Philadelphia Police Department 91 recommendations on how it could improve, and justice officials remained in the city for 18 months to help the department implement the changes.Having that leadership from the federal government is crucial in rebuilding the public's faith in police, Ramsey says.Sometimes the lack of trust [between residents and police] is to the point that anything short of DOJ involvement and the community is not going to accept it, he says.By moving away from reform efforts and doubling down on fighting gangs and violent crime, say Ramsey and others, the DOJ is hearkening back to tough-on-crime strategies that first took root 40 years ago but today are seen by many as ineffective in addressing entrenched issues within a community.It shows how out of touch the Sessions DOJ is with whats happening in policing, Schindler says. This is Sessions pulling from the same playbook of the law-and-order approach to fighting crime that dates back to the 1970s. He believes in his heart that where crime is a problem, we can arrest our way out of it.
On Thursday, in the morning, at Government, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey hosted a reception in support of the Queensland Police Service where the Governor addressed guests.

Following, at 1 William Street, Brisbane, the Governor presided at a meeting of the Executive Council of Queensland.

In the evening, at the Queensland Police Academy, Oxley, the Governor attended the National Police Remembrance Day Candlelight Vigil and laid the first wreath.
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GIS - 29 September, 2017: The inaugural meeting of the SIDS DOCK Island Women Open Network (IWON) committee was held on Friday 22 September 2017 at the Commonwealth Joint Offices in New York, USA. The meeting was chaired by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the St Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, Ms Rhonda King. The inaugural meeting of the SIDS DOCK Island Women Open Network (IWON) committee was held on Friday 22 September 2017 at the Commonwealth Joint Offices in New York, USA. The meeting was chaired by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the St Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, Ms Rhonda King.

Were also present members of the SIDS DOCK Secretariat, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Pacific Centres for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE), the Green Climate Fund, the Clinton Foundation, the law firm Rivkin Radler LLP, as well as representatives from Austria, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Spain.

In her opening address, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the St Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, Ms Rhonda King, highlighted that SIDS DOCK is critical to the people of island nations in view of the increase of intensity of natural disaster occurrences and the extreme vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Speaking about the IWON network, Ms Rhonda King recalled that its main objective is to empower women and children and build their capacity at the community and grass root levels so that they can participate in the transformation of the SIDS energy transformation sector to achieve the SIDSDOCK goal of 25-50-25 by 2033.

For his part, the Secretary-General of SIDSDOCK, Mr Al Binger, underlined that quality of life is dictated by environmental consequences and energy systems. Women, he said, are more severely affected by climate change and natural disasters because of their social roles and because of discrimination and poverty. He added that women need to be engaged in energy efficiency projects and that they cannot be marginalised anymore.

Referring to the importation of fuel, Dr Binger stated that several billions of dollars are spent each year by SIDS on the importation of fuel with exacerbate environmental degradation. Hence the need, he stressed, to embrace green power which represents those renewable energy resources and technologies that provide the highest environmental benefit such as electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources.

The Secretary-General also spoke in favour of the implementation of the Deep Ocean Water Application (DOWA) in SIDS. He said that it is important to use the oceans for productive means while adding that we need to ensure that the economy that we build is based on the ocean. The deep sea water project will help save on fossil fuel imports per year as well as reduce the use of harmful refrigerants that exacerbates global warming, he added.

The Deputy Director General and Managing Director of External relations and Field Representation from UNIDO, Mr Hiroshi Kuniyoshi, said that joint efforts must be accelerated so as to achieve Millenium Development Goals 5 ( Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) and 7 ( Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all).

He recalled that UNIDO provides technical assistance and contributes significantly to climate resilience while adding that the organisation will continue to support SIDS DOCK for sustaining the energy sector in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Oceans as well as in Africa.

Activities to be implemented in 2017-2021

During the meeting, the Project Director of SIDS DOCK, Ms Christine Neves Duncan, made a presentation on several projects that will be implemented shortly. They include: Ocean Thermal Conversion Technology (OTEC); Blue Guardian Programme; and Herbal Project.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ( OTEC ) is a technology for generating renewable energy that uses the temperature differential between the deep cold and relatively warmer surface waters of the ocean to generate baseload electricity. For the SIDS, this technology can provide them with food, water and energy.

The Blue Guardians Programme targets ocean protection and uses geospatial technology and GIS information. In 2015, DigitalGlobe and the Blue Guardians partnership committed to providing the geospatial data, information and planning tools, technical assistance, and financial support as requested by SIDS through SIDS DOCK in order to develop national climate resilience strategies and an associated pipeline of investment projects related to increasing coastal resiliency to climate change, marine and fisheries conservation, and renewable energy.

The Herbal Project consists of the development of a global sustainable botanical/herbal supplier market form the SIDS DOCK Member States. The project comprises a regional capacity building programme focused on biodiversity protection and conservation and aims to increase the institutional strength and technical and entrepreneurship capabilities of non-government and government organisations operating in the energy, water, waste management, agriculture and tourism sectors engaged in project implementation activities that contribute to resilience building.

Current activities

During the meeting, several presentations were made on the IWON Indicative Project Pipeline. They are:

SIDS DOCK Public Education and Awareness Programme

Pilot initiative for the development of a global sustainable botanical supplier market from SIDS DOCK member states

Capacity building and institutional strengthening pilot project in renewable energy and energy efficiency at community colleges in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Green Climate Fund: Accessing the readiness and Project Preparation Fund to assist with start-up of the IWON Energy Financing Facility

IWON Indicative Caribbean Pipeline

IWON Indicative AIMS Pipeline

IWON Indicative Pacific Pipeline

In the margins of the meeting, the Manager of PCREEE and SIDS DOCK Pacific Regional Coordinator, Mr Solomone Fifita, was presented the SIDS DOCK IWON Excellence in Leadership Award. The SIDS DOCK IWON Newsletter-IWONDER!-was also launched. The newsletter is a biannual publication updating members and stakeholders on IWON activities.

SIDS DOCK Island Women Open Network

The IWON, a SIDS DOCK and Climate Resilience Women Network, is intended to help build the capacity of women at the community and grassroots levels in small islands and low lying developing states to participate in the transformation of the SIDS energy sector to achieve the SIDS DOCK goal of 25-50-25 by 2033.

The objective is to ensure that gender equality issues are integrated in the concept, design, implementation and evaluation of sustainable energy and climate change-related projects in the SIDS DOCK Indicative Project Pipeline, by establishing a SIDS association that provides networking opportunities that promote empowerment of women to help build community resilience to a changing climate and sea level rise through capacity building, education and awareness, demonstration of SIDS-Appropriate Technologies, and financing for sustainable energy projects.
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GIS - 29 September, 2017: The Metro Express project opens a new chapter and marks a major stride as the backbone of future smart and sophisticated Mauritius. It fits in the transformation and modernisation of public transportation as one of the largest and most impactful public sector investments ever made in Mauritius. The next challenge is to extend the Metro Express lines to the four corners of Mauritius. The Metro Express project opens a new chapter and marks a major stride as the backbone of future smart and sophisticated Mauritius. It fits in the transformation and modernisation of public transportation as one of the largest and most impactful public sector investments ever made in Mauritius. The next challenge is to extend the Metro Express lines to the four corners of Mauritius.

This statement was made by the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday at the laying of the foundation stone ceremony of the Metro Express depot in Richelieu.

Prime Minister Jugnauth reckons the Metro Express project to be the first big strand towards building the infrastructure of tomorrow and which is in line with the broader vision of Government to modernise the country by integrating the urban and rural regeneration plan. He appealed that the project must be viewed in a broader perspective as Governments vision is to uplift the quality of life of one and all.

He recalled that the project is part of a Rs 100 billion plan to transform and modernise the physical landscape of the country over the next three years and a harbinger of another wave of socio-economic development that will propel Mauritius towards the league of high income economies and eventually achieve the second economic miracle.

According to the Mr Jugnauth, there was an imperative need for an alternative mode of public transportation to address traffic congestion in Mauritius which costs the country around Rs 4 billion annually and is expected to increase to Rs 10 billion in 2030. Consequently, he underpinned the rationale of putting in place the Metro Express project, which he said, is not just another mode of transport but fits in the strategy of an integrated approach to sustainable transport.

The Prime Minister reassured that the project will cause no hindrance to any segment of the population. Necessary measures have been implemented to preserve the jobs of employees in the transportation industry and required actions have been taken with regards to families displaced for the implementation of the Metro Express Project, he underlined.

For his part, the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Mr Nandcoomar Bodha, qualified the Metro Express project as the main pillar of transformation of the transport system within the broad framework of the New National Transport Network Project. He also announced that the feasibility report of the Metro Express project will be tabled in the National Assembly at its next sitting. He recalled that to ensure smooth implementation of the project, various committees have been set up to monitor the status of development regarding the impact of the Metro Express project on the bus industry.

As for the High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, Mr Abhay Thakur, the laying of foundation stone of the Metro Express depot culminates the longstanding cooperation between India and Mauritius and translates the strategy of embarking on a sustainable transportation system for the future socio-economic development of Mauritius while opening up new ventures for jobs creation.
Description

GIS  29 September 2017: The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Mr U Myint Swe, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday afternoon at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.

In a statement following the courtesy call Ambassador Swe qualified the meeting as pleasant and friendly during which he gave the Prime Minister an overview of the real situation in Myanmar. He also discussed the possibility for both countries to sign a visa exemption agreement as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on double tax exemption for trade.

The President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has appointed U Myint Swe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of South Africa, concurrently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Kenya.
Description

GIS - 29 September 2017: The World Bank Country Director for Mauritius, Mr Mark Lundell, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday afternoon at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.

Discussions focused on main areas where World Bank partnership is active, namely Ocean economy, Nine Year Continuous Basic Education reform, financial sector regulations, water sector, as well as the role of Mauritius in providing knowledge, finance and investment capital to other countries in the African region.

In a statement following the courtesy call, Mr Lundell said that the meeting with the Prime Minister focused less on the Mauritian economy and more on the potential for investments in different sectors, specifically in the ocean economy and its subsectors such as aquaculture, marine and ocean-based energy, ports and logistics.

The dimension was not so much on the volume of growth, which we are very optimistic about for the future, but more on the types of sectors which have investment potential, he added.

Mr Lundell is the World Bank Country Director for Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles. He is based in Maputo, Mozambique.

Mauritius benefits from the World Bank support by way of knowledge activities as well as technical assistance. Since regional integration forms part of Mauritius overall development strategy, the World Bank has been supporting the country to achieve its regional priorities, including Ocean economy, which aims at making sustainable use of ocean resources.

The World Bank Group is one of the worlds largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.
(TNS) -- Downtown Dallas Inc. is going after Amazon HQ2 with one goal in mind. The nonprofit advocate organization for the city's urban core isn't pitching one specific site. Instead, it wants Amazon to select any location from the center of the city to inside the 2.5 mile radius around downtown.That includes separate proposals from developers disclosed this week in the broader downtown region, such as: The Exposition Park offer to build between Deep Ellum and Fair Park led by Madison Partners, Trinity Groves owner's bid in West Dallas with developer KDC and architecture firm Gensler and Victory Park's bid led by Hillwood Urban and Hunt Realty Investments. "Downtown has a great competitive advantage because of Amazon's predisposition to cities," said Kourtny Garrett, chief executive officer of Downtown Dallas Inc. Amazon's specs issued on Sept. 7 with its surprise announcement that it wants a second headquarters was urban vs. suburban agnostic, Garrett said. And urban areas have popped up throughout the D-FW region, but downtown Dallas is at a point in its evolution that it's not the place that shuts down at 5 p.m. that Boeing looked at 15 years ago, Garrett said."We can build a Seattle-type environment which Amazon is very proud that it had a role in building in downtown Seattle," she said. Amazon included in its specs that other companies have made $38 billion in direct investments in the Seattle economy since Amazon moved downtown in 2010.The technology and e-commerce giant is looking for a place to build a second location to complement its Seattle headquarters starting in 2019. Amazon's $5 billion investment includes an estimate of as many as 50,000 employeesThat would be a huge prize for Dallas' urban core which has momentum and made progress in the last 10-15 years with its Arts District, Main Street development, 50,000 residents and 93-miles of DART rail tracks that all meet downtown and connect far flung neighborhoods to D-FW Airport. There are plans to expand mass transit here linking more of the region and filling in downtown.The downtown group is working with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings' office, the city's economic development staff and the Dallas Regional Chamber "because Amazon made it clear that it wants a single response from the MSAs," Garrett said in an interview. "That allows for infrastructure and incentives to be layered in the response with the best sites that meet or exceed our needs."Downtown has several options for Amazon's initial need of 500,000 square feet of office space in 2019. The central business district has 4 million to 6 million square feet of existing available space and an additional 29 million square feet of sites to build-to-suit, Garrett said. The sites have all been mapped and are near downtown locations for a proposed high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston, near the Design District or on the east side where there are vacant parking lots or south of City Hall into the Cedars area."It's a large geography and with the revitalization over the last 20 years there's a lot of opportunity to come into this market," Garrett said.Downtown Dallas came up with its "360 Plan" in 2011 that is being updated now and shows how important it is for the city to create a complete and connected center, she said. Sites offered to Amazon in the 2.5 mile-radius, would benefit all of downtown, she said.Light rail and street car additions in the next five years will connect the core of downtown, she said. There's also 50 more miles of bike lanes coming which would be important to Amazon. Its Seattle workforce uses bikes enough that it built bike cages that are not only rooms to store bikes during the workday, but also have showers.AT&T's decision to stay in downtown Dallas and the reasons why highlight advances downtown, Garrett said."AT&T is a global corporation that wouldn't make a decision to stay in downtown Dallas if it wasn't a smart move for them," she said. "They see downtown as having access to young talented workforce and an environment that will attract more talent."AT&T has 5,800 employees in five downtown buildings and is redeveloping the buildings with street level retail that will integrate its offices more into the downtown neighborhood. AT&T has said it's hiring another 500 to 1,000 people to work downtown. Other major downtown employers include Neiman Marcus, Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Jacobs Engineering, major architect firms, HKS, Collision RTKL as well as several professional service offices including major law firms and accounting firms.The 2.5 mile radius now has 50,000 residents and 20,000 more are projected to move in based on residential projects planned and under construction over the next two years, Garrett said.Downtown Dallas is also working with the Dallas Independent School District to start meeting the needs of young families who would like to stay downtown but need an elementary school."That's how far downtown already is in its evolution," Garrett said.
Berkshire Partners, a Boston private equity firm, has acquired government permitting and licensing vendor Accela in a move that could signal rapid expansion in the companys near future.The move is also financially massive relative to the usual market activity among tech companies that focus on serving government.This investment by Berkshire, I think, is the largest investment in government tech in history, Accela CEO Ed Daihl said. Their checks that they write are between a half-billion and a billion dollars.The company isnt getting any more detailed than that, but by way of comparison to some recent non-private equity deals in the space, OpenGovs Series C venture capital round in May raised $30 million, and ShotSpotters initial public offering in June raised $35.4 million.And Accela has plans for the money. For one, its moving rapidly to expand to Europe, with plans well under way to open a development and customer support office in Dublin. Its also working to move its on-premise customers to the cloud and a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, with its annual major software update in October bringing, for the first time, functionality that will only work for Accelas cloud users.Out of our new customers last year, we had nine new on-prem customers and 83 SaaS [customers], so we have turned the corner as being a SaaS company, Daihl said.The CEO is also actively looking for acquisition opportunities to extend its lead in permitting, licensing and land use software, particularly in Europe.Thats pretty standard fare for private equity firms, whose investing model typically involves buying a company and increasing its value over the course of a few years through mergers, acquisitions and sometimes cost-cutting. But Daihl said Accelas not looking to let anybody go.This isnt a private equity company coming in and taking control and saying, We want you to optimize and lay people off and stuff, this is an investment in growth, and well be doing that  internally and [through] acquisitions, he said.In terms of its service offerings, the company doesnt appear to have much news  it has its hands full with what it already does. After winning a major contract to help California license people in its newly-legalized recreational marijuana industry, Accela is one of the major players to fill that niche. The company also wants to move further into helping local government regulate gig economy companies like Airbnb and Uber. And it also continues to work on finding ways to offer better application programming interface (API) access to other companies.My long-term goal, just like Salesforce, is to open up to third-party software companies to develop on my platform, Daihl said.Though Berkshire is taking a majority stake in Accela, the companys previous majority owner, ABRY Partners, will retain a stake and a place at the board. Berkshire bought out the stake of three other equity firms and a couple hundred individual investors.
(TNS) -- The city of Chicago is suing Equifax, hoping to impose penalties on the credit reporting bureau and seeking restitution for Chicagoans whose sensitive data might have been stolen as part of a widespread breach.The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges Equifax violated the citys consumer fraud ordinance and state laws by doing a poor job of protecting sensitive data from hackers and by not alerting the public more quickly when the breach was discovered. Faster notification would have allowed consumers to take steps more promptly to make it less likely that their identities would be misused, the city alleges.A financial fraud was committed here, and it was committed by a company that consumers entrust to actually protect them from this type of breach, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Thursday morning at a news conference announcing the lawsuit. And more importantly than just the breach, they did not notify any of the consumers in a timely manner.Officials have said 5.4 million Illinoisans were among the estimated 143 million consumers affected by the breach, which lasted from mid-May through July. Emanuel said the city doesnt yet know how many of those affected were Chicago residents.Numerous lawsuits already have been filed against Atlanta-based Equifax, including one the city of San Francisco filed Tuesday and another Massachusetts filed earlier this month.Equifax declined to comment on the pending litigation and said its primary focus remains on helping and listening to consumers.Chicago is alleging violations of its Consumer Fraud, Unfair Competition or Deceptive Practices Ordinance, under which any "unlawful practice" under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is subject to fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for each offense and for each day that a violation continues.The lawsuit also seeks restitution for Chicago consumers whose information was compromised.Because the number of Chicagoans affected by the breach remains unclear, neither Emanuel nor Corporation Counsel Ed Siskel could say how much the city or individual consumers could expect to receive if the citys lawsuit succeeds or Equifax settles the case.Thats part of the problem here, when the company doesnt take prompt measures to address the situation, Siskel said.The lawsuits allegations include: failure to give prompt notice of a data breach, deceptive and unfair practices while failing to safeguard personal information, and a deceptive practice when Equifax required consumers to waive legal rights and misrepresented its credit monitoring services as free. Equifax later revised those policies after public criticism.Affected members of the public, including Chicago residents, have spent, and will continue to spend, money, time, and other resources attempting to protect against the increased risk of identity theft or fraud, the lawsuit says, including by placing security freezes on their credit files and monitoring their credit reports, financial accounts, health records, government benefit accounts, and any other account tied to or accessible with a social security number.Equifax still hasnt properly notified Chicago residents that their data has been breached, the lawsuit alleges.Chicago is not required to demonstrate harm to its residents in order to enforce the ordinance, the lawsuit says. Nevertheless, Chicago residents clearly have already suffered significant and lasting harm as a result of the data breach.Meanwhile, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigans office said it is leading a group of states that is investigating the breach."We have made numerous demands of the company to immediately provide better relief to consumers who were potentially affected, and we also continue to investigate how the breach occurred and the timing of its public announcement of the breach, Madigans office said in a statement.
(TNS) - If a major disaster were to hit San Francisco, wed probably first turn to our phones  our hyperconnected link to the outside world.Yet for a number of all-too-human reasons, those devices may prove far less useful in an emergency than they could be.Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Thursday pointed out a flaw in Apples iPhones: The phones cannot receive FM radio signals and Pai believes Apple is refusing to activate a chip that would enable the feature. It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first, Pai said.Currently, local officials tool for sending out urgent messages to smartphones is the federal Wireless Emergency Alert system. Distinct from text messages and app notifications, the alert system lets officials target warnings to specific geographical areas. The system is also used for Amber Alert missing-child warnings.While its not affected by network congestion caused by a flood of calls or text messages, the system relies on the existing infrastructure of cellular towers, which is vulnerable to storms and physical damage. St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands lost Internet access and phone service this week after a generator powering a cell phone tower was stolen.In disaster zones and rural areas, radio broadcasts could reach people when cellular networks are weak or missing, officials involved in emergency preparedness say.Even when cell phone networks are working well, theres another obstacle that those responsible for managing emergencies may create themselves: People may turn a deaf ear to too-frequent or ill-conceived alerts  or turn them off altogether.Smartphone owners can opt out of almost all government alerts. Only messages sent by the president can override that choice.The pressure on Apple and other phone-makers to add radio support comes as parts of the nation reel from devastating storms, prompting discussions about improving communications with people in danger.In hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, radio broadcasts are playing a vital role, said Joe Hillis, operations director for the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center. One Univision radio station in Puerto Rico continued to broadcast even as Hurricane Maria tore the roof off its building.Emergency instructions such as whether to shelter in place or evacuate an area could mean the difference between life and death, Hillis said in an email.Local radio also provides information to people traveling through an unfamiliar area, such as flooded roads, said Dianna Bryant, an associate professor of crisis and disaster management at the University of Central Missouri. Global Internet radio stations mostly playing music wont do that, she pointed out.Many smartphones have radio tuners inside them, but some manufacturers  Apple is the most notable  have refused to support them in the phones hardware and software. Several major Android smartphone makers, including Samsung, HTC and LG have activated the FM chips in their phones.Apple said in a statement that its newer iPhone 7 and 8 models lack chips and antennas to receive FM signals. It is not possible to enable FM reception in these products, Apple said. The company did not address whether earlier models have an FM chip. Its not clear if Apple could turn on a radio feature in those models through a software update or if changes to the hardware would be necessary to add radio.Some experts speculated Apple may be skipping FM radio because it might discourage people from signing up for Apple Music, its $9.99-per-month service that streams songs over the Internet.The last thing they would want is to create a competition in a space where they think they can own it, said Paul Brenner, president of NextRadio, maker of a free app that connects users to local radio stations.If wireless networks are down, users can still use NextRadios app to access the radio tuners in their smartphones. Brenner says usage went up in the areas affected by the recent hurricanes.San Francisco faced a tempest-in-a-text-message emergency of its own making on Wednesday when the city sent, for the first time, emergency alerts to tens of thousands of mobile phone users warning them about a hardly menacing heat wave, when the weather was a full 20 degrees cooler than the Sept. 1 record-setting 106-degree scorcher.Not all residents were thrilled to get the message.Got an EXTREME TEXT ALERT, annoying sound and all, warning me about the heat in SF, tweeted Ryan Scott, an editorial director at Geekbox Media on Wednesday, saying the high temperature was 87 degrees where he was located. Yall are lightweights, Scott commented.Some residents complained on Twitter that they got the alert more than once. Officials with the citys Department of Emergency Management said they were looking into the cause.Whenever you trigger some sort of system ... the receptiveness of it varies according to a persons needs, said Kristin Hogan, a department spokeswoman. The aim of sending the alert was to encourage people to check on their neighbors and reach people who might not be aware of the heat danger, she said.Theres some evidence that the alert was counterproductive. On Google, searches in the Bay Area for turn off alert and turn off Amber Alert surged Wednesday morning right after the heat warning was sent.Hogan said the city does not want people to opt out of receiving emergency alerts.Part of the challenge is figuring out the appropriate balance for how often people want to receive emergency information, said Bryant, the Missouri professor.Too frequently means that people are irritated and they dont like it, Bryant said. If they are not frequent enough, you dont know what it is.Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.comTwitter: @thewendylee2017 the San Francisco ChronicleVisit the San Francisco Chronicle at www.sfgate.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) - City Council added $60 million to extend its main debris-removal contract Wednesday, hoping to speed up efforts to truck Hurricane Harvey's wreckage to area landfills.The vote provides city officials more flexibility as they continue trying to lure more truckers onto the streets to clear away upward of 6 million cubic yards of debris across Houston, competing with a hurricane recovery zone in Florida and a pre-existing debris-removal rate that has proved insufficient to entice haulers into service.The city and Harris County had debris-removal agreements with contractor DRC Emergency Services before the storm hit, but the deals were bid at rates too low to lure subcontractors to the area.In response, Harris County officials offered $15 million in incentive payments to haulers in unincorporated areas to keep them in service until at least the first of three debris-pickup passes is complete. Mayor Sylvester Turner agreed to offer truckers a higher rate per cubic yard of debris. That will require the city to contribute more to what is expected to be a $260 million effort and helped spur Wednesday's contract amendments.The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reimbursing 90 percent of local governments' debris-removal costs at the rate produced in their pre-positioned, competitively bid contracts.Turner said last week he has received approval from FEMA to also get reimbursement for the higher rate the city has begun paying, but agency spokeswoman Barb Sturner said FEMA cannot guarantee the city will be reimbursed at the higher rates.The city and county have submitted paperwork seeking advanced funding for a portion of their expected debris-removal reimbursements, Sturner said, but there is no clear timeline for when a formal decision would be made on whether the 90 percent reimbursement will extend to additional or incentive payments to haulers."After a review of submitted documentation and a cost-reasonable analysis, it is possible that FEMA will agree that a certain debris-removal rate is reasonable," she said. "But that's not something that can be determined up front."Turner said he would be surprised if FEMA ultimately forced the city to cover any costs in excess of its competitively bid rate."We've talked with them every step of the way. They've been fully apprised of how we got to this point," Turner said. "I feel very confident about where we ended up on the amount."Harris County Engineer John Blount said he had received no assurance from FEMA that the county would get part of its $15 million in incentive payments back."They said, 'Submit it and we'll see,'" he said. "Commissioners Court was prepared to not get reimbursed if that's what it took to make sure the debris was removed off of people's property."Tennessee-based disaster recovery consultant and former FEMA deputy director Glen Hitchcock gave a similar assessment."I understand what they're doing, and I understand they need it, but unfortunately when FEMA gets into what they call close-out, when they go into the audit phase of it  the city and county are going to be responsible for whatever incentive they may have added," he said. "They may petition and get a special waiver. If I were them, I'd ask them to put it in writing."If the city must ultimately foot the full bill for much of the debris-removal effort, that could add millions to its costs at a time when Turner already has proposed a one-year property tax rate hike to help cover the costs from Harvey.Houston has emptied its $20 million rainy day fund, faces at least $26 million in debris-removal costs and, Turner said Wednesday, suffered at least $75 million in damage to city buildings beyond what its insurance policies will cover.2017 the Houston ChronicleVisit the Houston Chronicle at www.chron.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) -- SEATTLE  In an industrial space tucked off a side street in Seattles Sodo District, Microsoft is trying to reinvent the data center.Twenty racks of servers sit in a stark, white, well-lit room  a familiar setup for anyone whos visited one of the data centers that make up the humming infrastructure powering the internet.To see whats special about this one, look up: Sitting on a steel frame above each stack of computer hardware is an electrical cabinet the size of a mini-fridge. Inside is a natural-gas-powered fuel cell.That technology, Microsoft engineer Sean James says, could allow future data centers to someday unplug from the power grid entirely.By generating electricity close by  literally on top of the computing hardware  Microsofts new design eliminates the inefficiency of producing electricity at a distant power plant and transporting it long distances to data centers. That could trim the energy footprint of the fast-growing data-center business, eliminating a portion of the carbon emissions that fuel global warming, and, in the process, save Microsoft a lot of cash.The companys Seattle trial is preliminary. But if Microsofts estimates hold up  and, a big if, the cost of fuel cells comes down  the savings of a fuel-cell-based design spread across the companys fleet of facilities could total hundreds of millions of dollars.James sums up the prevailing view of the plan among the rest of the industry, a group that includes many conservative engineers content to tweak existing designs on the margins: They think Im crazy.As long as there have been computers, there have been data centers.The corporate backrooms that housed mainframe computers in the 1970s and 1980s evolved into cavernous spaces full of the servers that underpin the modern internet, storing emails, videos, business tools and the content of websites.With demand for those services surging along with high-speed internet use, web giants Amazon, Microsoft and Google, as well as specialists like Digital Realty and Equinix, are scrambling to build warehouse-size data centers across the globe.That business is a massive, and growing, consumer of energy.Data centers account for about 2 percent of U.S. electricity use, the Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates, up from 0.8 percent in 2000. To cut their costs, companies like Microsoft have designed their newer facilities with energy efficiency in mind.Theyve also reduced their dependence on fossil fuels by buying renewable energy or building their own wind or solar farms.But Lucas Beran, who tracks data-center energy economics for IHS Markit, says the industrys efficiency improvements have started to stall.In the next few years were going to be at a crossroads, he says. Well have to change what were doing to maintain those energy gains.James and the team of data-center engineers at Microsoft think theyre set to take the next jump forward.Understanding their thinking requires a tour of a typical data center.Modern facilities run like small, virtually unpopulated cities, sprawling sometimes across more than 100 acres.A few dozen technicians manage things from a control room, supplemented by contractors when something goes wrong. Inside central rooms are neat rows of metal cages that hold racks of humming servers. Those stacks churn out a lot of heat, requiring industrial-scale air circulation and cooling systems to keep things from overheating.Powering all of that is a maze of electrical equipment.Big data centers typically require their own substation-sized link to the power grid. From there, transformers and switchgear convert incoming electrical current to a lower voltage and regulate its flow with backups, surge protectors and miles of bundled copper wiring.Because a sudden loss of power could cripple the facility and erase data, backup batteries are also plugged into the grid. As a last line of defense, diesel generators the size of shipping containers sit ready to go from cold and quiet to roaring full power in a few seconds.Microsofts fuel-cell concept would eliminate most of that equipment.No generators, no stacks of batteries, no transformers, no bundles of electrical cable.Christian Belady, a longtime data-center engineer who manages Microsofts data-center design and research, has hyperbole at the ready to describe the companys push to resist traditional thinking.I want the data center to disappear, he says. And I want energy for free.Microsofts fuel-cell concept stems from years of experimentation.A project under construction outside Cheyenne, Wyoming, will place natural-gas turbines in an expanded Microsoft data-center facility. During periods of strain on the power grid, those turbines can power on and feed electricity back to the grid to prevent brownouts.Back at home, in the corner of a loading dock behind Microsofts conference center on its campus outside Seattle, the company is testing whether large batteries could someday let data centers unplug from the power grid for a few hours when prices are higher or the grid is overburdened, and then recharge at night when people are using less electricity.We just need something that can store an enormous amount of energy, James says. The future is, if Ive got a data center in the city, we could take our load off the grid and give back that power.James is an accidental Microsoft employee.Originally from Olympia, Wash., he joined the Navy out of high school, serving on submarines. Afterward, he earned a computer-science degree while working full time as an electrician.When he applied for a job at a data center, he wasnt sure what he was in for: I didnt know what a data center was.The company he joined was struggling, and eventually Microsoft came in and bought the whole operation.Today, James is charged with finding ways to improve data-center design.One of Microsofts early ideas relied on modular components  in some cases, literal shipping containers full of computing hardware  designed for efficiency and easy replacement if something failed.That line of thinking later combined James two career paths.He worked on Microsofts Project Natik, a continuing research effort that, in 2015, dropped a data-center module into the ocean to test whether cold subsea temperatures could save on cooling costs and enable quicker build out of cloud computing in remote areas.Over the last two years, James has spent much of his time on the fuel-cell project.Microsoft isnt the only technology giant dabbling in fuel cells.Apple and eBay have used fuel cells to power data centers from a centralized location, essentially replacing the backup generators or grid connections in a typical data-center design with fuel-cell clusters.Amazon uses fuel-cell-powered forklifts to move goods around its warehouses. (The company also operates Amazon Web Services, the biggest, and perhaps most secretive player in cloud computing. Amazon rarely discusses data-center design for fear of disclosing trade secrets.)Microsofts $3.4 million fuel-cell project is funded, in part, by a $674,000 grant from a Washington state program that aims to stimulate the development of clean-energy technology. Its awaiting approval from Seattle building inspectors.With that clearance, McKinstry, the Seattle-based contractor that built and is hosting Microsofts experiment in a formerly vacant space attached to its headquarters, will link the mock data center to the municipal natural-gas grid.Gas will be piped to the 20 fuel cells, starting an electrochemical reaction that extracts hydrogen atoms and sends a current of negatively charged electrons to power the servers below.Waste products  water vapor and a small amount of carbon dioxide  will be vented out of the building along with the excess heat from the servers.In a real data center, the servers would be processing Bing web searches or storing customers email. For the purposes of the trial, the 20 racks in Sodo will be filled with dummy data meant to simulate actual workload.Microsoft will add methane detectors to guard against potential gas leaks, and airflow monitoring to see how the design deals with exhaust.Microsoft researchers, in tests a few years ago with the University of California at Irvine, estimated that when plugged into the power grid, the average data center reaped about 17 percent of the potential energy of the fuel used to generate that electricity.The in-rack fuel-cell concept can pull off 29 percent efficiency, Microsoft estimates, because no energy is lost through the long haul from power plant to conversion and consumption, and because the fuel cells chemical reaction is more efficient than some industrial-scale power generation.There is a problem, though. Fuel cells are expensive. Current models cost about twice as much as Microsoft needs to make the concept pay off.But the company is optimistic. Fuel-cell manufacturing is a relatively new industry, with most fuel cells bound for relatively niche applications like backup power, cranes and industrial equipment, and specialty vehicles. If big buyers such as Microsoft start lining up for many thousands of them, their costs may come down.In that case, the savings would be significant. Microsoft researchers estimate that mass-produced fuel cells would cut the cost of installing a new data-center rack by at least 10 percent, and the costs of operating that rack by 21 percent.Those savings pencil out, conservatively, to about $80 per rack, per month. With more than 1 million servers in Microsofts worldwide data-center fleet, the potential savings could stretch into the hundreds of millions of dollars a year if the design were rolled out across the board.Fuel cells raise other questions. While Microsofts project is built around the idea of simplicity and removing electrical components that might fail, its unclear how the generators will hold up in Microsofts distributed model. And if one goes down, how easy will it be to replace or repair?Microsoft is hoping to start testing the concept next month, once it gets the citys clearance.Dan Ronco, the McKinstry manager overseeing the project, says city officials have never had to vet a commercial fuel-cell deployment. Both sides ended up consulting a massive technical tome of safety standards to make sure the project checked out.It wasnt the first time Microsoft waded into uncharted waters with its project.Thats the fun part, when someone says, No, that wont work, James says. And we say, No, that doesnt violate the laws of physics or anything. Lets make it work.
(TNS) -- For Apple and other Silicon Valley tech companies, tax cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and the Republicans could be huge.The framework that will act as a jumping-off point for Congress to revamp the U.S. tax code includes a proposal to cut corporate taxes to 20 percent from the current 35 percent, and language about making changes to [stop] corporations from shipping jobs and capital overseas and reducing taxes on foreign profits.Apple alone holds $231 billion overseas, or 94 percent of the $246 billion cash hoard the company had as of the end of 2016, according to a Moodys annual investor report, released in July.Other tech giants with lots of money stashed overseas include Microsoft, which according to the Moodys report had 95 percent of its $131.2 billion cash hoard abroad at the end of 2016; Alphabet (60 percent of $86.3 billion); Cisco (87 percent of $71.8 billion); and Oracle (88 percent of $52.8 billion).As they sought to avoid repatriation taxes, the total amount of cash held overseas by U.S. companies climbed to $1.3 trillion at the end of 2016, up from $1.2 trillion in 2015, Moodys said.During his presidential campaign last year, Trump promised a one-time repatriation rate of 10 percent, but that figure wasnt included in the nine-page proposal his administration released Wednesday.The proposal says: The framework transforms our existing offshoring model to an American model. It says it will do that by taxing at a reduced rate and on a global basis the foreign profits of U.S. multinational corporations.Apple CEO Tim Cook made quite a statement of his own last year about his companys cash hoard. He said during an interview with RTE radio in Ireland that the company had provisioned several billion for the purpose of repatriating profit to the United States this year.Apple would not comment on Cooks remarks at the time  his interview came after the company was ordered to pay back taxes to Ireland. The company is appealing that European Commission decision.Apple has long advocated for lower taxes on profit made outside its home country, especially because its size and success make it a popular target for critics of American companies that keep most of their money overseas. In 2013, Cook and other Apple executives were called to testify before Congress about the companys tax avoidance. Cook said, Apple pays all the taxes we owe, and called for tax reform.What would that tax reform bring, though?In 2004, after a tax holiday under President George W. Bush, U.S. companies that repatriated overseas profit did not produce the national economic benefits as expected. A report by the Congressional Research Service, Congress nonpartisan think tank, said the hundreds of companies that took advantage of the drastic tax cut  5.25 percent  used the money they brought back to enrich shareholders: They didnt create jobs. They cut them.Of course the aim of companies is to benefit the shareholder, said Fred Foldvery, a lecturer in economics at San Jose State University, in a phone interview Wednesday. But he said the permanent tax reductions being proposed are a step in the right direction that could provide long-term benefits to the U.S. economy.Overall, Foldvery said more details are needed about the tax plan, which he said is probably not revenue-neutral and would increase the deficit.
(TNS) -- CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The city of Cleveland on Wednesday announced that it began a gradual roll out of a computer program that allows police officers to file reports with computers from the field.The field-based reporting program was mandated in a settlement, known as a consent decree, the city reached with the Justice Department to reform the Cleveland police department. The city said in a news release that it has trained 120 officers, and that the goal is to have all 1,400 officers trained on it by the end of the year.Greg White, the city's consent decree coordinator, said the program will allow officers to file reports from anywhere, be it in a district station or in the field. The city has 357 patrol cars and the city is still in the process of installing computers into all of them, White said. The city will be installing the computers in 35 cars that officers will continue to use, as well as in between 50 and 60 patrol cars the city intends to purchase to replace old cars, White said.When asked for an exact number of cars the city is slated to replace, White said he did not know. City spokesman Dan Williams refused to provide an answer when asked Thursday morning.The news release said the training and use of the computers began in early September. Mayor Frank Jackson's administration did not announce the program until Wednesday, while the mayor is in the midst of a bitter campaign against Councilman Zack Reed for a November general election In recent weeks, the mayor has highlighted a series of initiatives he and others say will fight crime in the city, as Reed has made the city's rise in homicides and his criticisms of Jackson's response to them a cornerstone of his campaign against the three-term incumbent. In a Facebook Live video the city posted to announce the project roll out, city Information Technology Director Larry Jones said a group put together a "communications schedule" as the project came together, which included plans for announcements like the one made Wednesday.Using computers to type up police reports while on scene has been touted as a way to free up time for officers to spend more time patrolling and interacting with residents. City officers for years have had to go back to their district stations to type up and file reports.In the Facebook Live video, Jones said "platoon B" -- the officers that work the afternoon shift -- is now training and using the computers. Day shift officers will start training and using the computers next month, and in December the night shift officers will follow, Jones said.Police Chief Calvin Williams, also featured in the video, said that "now the officers can take that report in the field and actually enter it in the car computer as they're going about their normal day and their other duties."White also said the new program will allow the chief to track crime statistics throughout the city.The lack of updated technology for officers to use was one of many issues the Justice Department pointed out in a December 2014 report , which followed an 18-month investigation.The Justice Department said the city has historically not provided enough money to update the equipment and resources for officers. Ultimately, the city's failure to upgrade its technology contributed to the pattern of officers using excessive force on suspects and residents, the Justice Department wrote.The city agreed to address its equipment and resource needs in the settlement, known as a consent decree.The city is required to draft an equipment and resource study and submit it to the monitoring team. However, the monitoring team has consistently sent the city back to re-draft it and said the city has not provided enough details.Cleveland has historically lagged behind other major cities in the technology it uses to fight crime and support its officers. The monitoring team wrote in a June 2016 court filing that the city "does not yet benefit from many of the basic technological innovations associated with contemporary, urban policing."In the video, neither Jones nor Williams mention the consent decree, though a quote from the mayor contained in the news release mentions it.Instead, both Williams and the mayor's office news release said that Issue 32 , which increased the municipal tax rate for those who work in the city, helped pay for the new computers. The city has pointed to Issue 32, which raises about $80 million more annually in tax revenue, as giving it the ability to buy new patrol cars and ambulances This story has been updated to reflect the correct number of patrol cars in which the city intends to install computer systems.
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla is criticizing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over an erroneous warning that his department was among those in state government that had been scanned by Russian cyber actors.DHS confirmed that Russian scanning activity had actually occurred on the California Department of Technology statewide network, not any Secretary of State website, said a statement issued Wednesday by Padillas office.His statement also says: Last Friday, my office was notified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ... that Russian cyber actors 'scanned' Californias Internet-facing systems in 2016, including Secretary of State websites. Following our request for further information, it became clear that DHS conclusions were wrong.He adds: Our notification from DHS last Friday was not only a year late, it also turned out to be bad information.CDT spokesman Bryce Brown, in an email comment toon Thursday morning, said:California routinely detects and stops potential cybersecurity threats, including scanning. Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified the source of suspect activity that occurred on our network last summer. 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.We continue to monitor this situation and work with federal partners to ensure that the states data, networks and systems remain secure," Brown's statement concluded.Padilla reassured voters that the California Secretary of State elections infrastructure and websites were not hacked or breached by Russian cyber actors.To make matters worse, his statement says, the Associated Press similarly reported that DHS has reversed itself and 'now says Russia didnt target Wisconsins voter registration system,' which is contrary to previous briefings.Padilla said that despite the faulty information, I remain committed to a partnership with DHS and other intelligence agencies.
(TNS) -- WASHINGTON  Voters in 11 swing states in last years presidential race, including Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, received more fake, junk and hyper-partisan information over Twitter than reliable, professionally produced news in the 10 days before the election, according to a British study of the social media platforms potential impact.The analysis by researchers at Oxford University of about 781,000 tweets provides fresh evidence that entities seeking to spread misinformation used social media platforms as a powerful tool not only to distribute phony or misleading information, but also to direct it to voters in key jurisdictions in attempts to coax some groups to cast ballots and dissuade others from doing so.Nationwide, an average of 25 percent of election-related tweets contained material from established news organizations, the researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute wrote. However, they said, a worryingly large proportion of tweets about the election  as much as 57 percent in West Virginia  came from junk news sources, as well as Russias state-owned television network and the transparency group WikiLeaks, which published unverified stories.In the elections three decisive states, the researchers found that fake and junk news constituted 40 percent of the sampled election-related tweets that went to Pennsylvanians, 34 percent to Michigan voters and 30 percent to those in Wisconsin. In other swing states, the figure reached 42 percent in Missouri, 41 percent in Florida, 40 percent in North Carolina, 38 percent in Colorado and 35 percent in Ohio.The research findings could be controversial given the wide range of content on the internet and the difficulty in tracking the sources of tweets, which are limited to 140 characters. But they appear to represent the most extensive independent analysis to date of the potential impact of polarizing social media content on the tumultuous campaign that ended with Republican Donald Trumps stunning upset victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.It turns out that junk news was concentrated in swing states in a measurable way, said lead researcher Philip Howard, an Oxford professor of internet studies.The states that were safe, that were clearly going to go for Clinton or for Trump, didnt get as much misinformation as where the races were really close.Release of the Oxford study coincides with a scheduled briefing Thursday at which investigators for the House and Senate Intelligence committees hope representatives of California-based Twitter will reveal what they know about Russias use of their platform as part of a broad cyberattack aimed at boosting Trumps prospects and whether they took any steps to curb it.Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence panel, has reviewed the Oxford study.We already know that Russia sought to hijack platforms like Facebook in order to disrupt our elections, he said in a statement to McClatchy. And the findings from this study raise further questions about the extent to which fake news and polarizing content may have been targeted towards our most competitive states. In the weeks ahead, I hope that Twitter will be fully forthcoming with our committee so that we can inform the American public about what happened in 2016, and make sure that it doesnt happen again.California Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the Oxford report confirms that social media platforms at the time were rife with viral reports that were highly partisan, conspiratorial or simply false. As a result, he said, millions of Americans were easy prey on Facebook and Twitter for propagandists, peddlers of false news and hostile foreign powers such as Russia.In a June blog post Colin Crowell, Twitters vice president of public policy, government and philanthropy, wrote that the firms open and real-time nature is a powerful antidote to the spreading of all types of false information.We cannot distinguish whether every single Tweet from every person is truthful or not. We, as a company, should not be the arbiter of truth.Crowell said Twitter strictly prohibits the use of robotic-like commands, known as bots. However, federal investigators believe Russians used bots to grab fake and harshly critical news about Clinton, some from far-right websites, and spread it across the internet via phony Twitter accounts.Crowell also said Twitter bars other networks of manipulation to undermine the core functionality of our service.The company has been doubling down, he said, in efforts to detect and suspend accounts engaged in suspicious or duplicative activity.In a statement to McClatchy, Twitter said that outside research about the impact of bots and misinformation on Twitter through the limited data the firm makes public is almost always inaccurate and methodologically flawed."The company said the Oxford analysis did not appear to undergo peer review to ensure it was authoritative and empirically sound.The researchers findings, however, lend credence to assertions that fake and hyper-partisan content on social media may have confused many voters, including extremist and false stories saying that Pope Francis had endorsed Trump, that Clinton had Parkinsons disease and that she ran a pedophile ring from the basement of a Washington pizzeria.Their analysis of tweets flooding the internet and cellular networks is by definition inexact. The researchers said they traced the locations of a statistically significant sample of 781,087 tweet recipients from the 22 million messages Twitter made public for the last 10 days of the campaign  still just 1 percent of its overall traffic. All tweets that were categorized used election-related hashtags.Unlike Facebook, which enables clients to target ads to calibrated groups of people, tweets are less easily targeted. But Howard said users find crafty ways to do so, usually by using a geographic hashtag. For example, someone aiming for recipients in Ohio might have posted: Hillary is corrupt and used the hashtag #OhioMAGA (for Make America Great Again, Trumps slogan).Howard said the researchers traced about 3 percent of the tweets to Russia Today, the Kremlin-backed TV network, but that Russian involvement was much higher. Bots sent by Kremlin operatives contain no identifying information.Some tweets carried misinformation from Facebook pages. Howard said others linked to YouTube videos that had been repackaged by Russia Today so that it is less obvious that it was produced by a foreign power.I feel quite comfortable saying this is about social media platforms broadly, Howard said. Theres a lot of cross-fertilization between Twitter and Facebook.YouTube is owned by internet giant Google Inc., which also is facing congressional scrutiny. Google has said it has seen no evidence that Russian operatives conducted a targeted ad campaign on its platforms. The videos by Russia Today, however, do not appear to have been paid ads.Revelations about Russias use of social media networks during the 2016 campaign already have brought calls for tougher disclosure requirements so that recipients of political information will know where it came from. The Federal Election Commission voted this month to reopen the public comment period about possible new disclosure requirements covering the internet.The intelligence committees, along with Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller, are conducting parallel inquiries into the Kremlins massive cyberattacks aimed at boosting Trumps election prospects and whether Trumps campaign or other associates collaborated with the Russians.McClatchy reported exclusively in July that the investigations are exploring whether the Trump campaigns digital operation colluded with Russias disruptive cyber operations. That includes Russias use of bots to amplify fake and critical stories about Clinton from far-right news sites, such as Breitbart News and InfoWars.Facebook has agreed to provide each of the investigators with copies of 3,000 digital ads that it traced to a Russian firm that has been tied to a troll farm, which has spread election-related propaganda to the United States and other western countries. Twitter says it is cooperating with the investigations, but has yet to provide specifics.
The draft report, the latest product of an initiative set in place by Governor Brown in 2013 to address refinery safety and emissions, is jointly authored by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA), which represents all 35 of the states local air districts. CARB staff will work with the air districts and local response agencies to present this draft report to community members at a series of public safety meetings throughout the State to be scheduled for early fall.

California state and local air quality officials released a draft report outlining a range of recommended actions to improve air monitoring at the states oil refineries, and strategies to better inform surrounding communities during incidents at refineries that result in increases in pollution or toxic releases.

AB 617, authored by Assembly Member Cristina Garcia and signed into law by Governor Brown on 26 July 2017, sets out requirements for significantly enhanced community-level air monitoring, emissions reporting and mitigation programs to be implemented by CARB and local air districts in Californias most impacted communities. This reports recommendations will help inform AB 617 air monitoring efforts and set the stage for enhanced interagency air monitoring and communication, better public information and outreach, and overall improved public health surrounding refineries throughout California. These recommendations may also serve as a model for improving air monitoring at other industrial facilities throughout the state.

The report broadly lays out a four-part approach:

Expand air monitoring within refineries, at the fence line and in nearby communities;

Improve modeling techniques to better predict impacts of pollution and incidents at refineries;

Provide real-time information about air quality near refineries to emergency response agencies and the public; and

Improve state and local coordination through a newly established interagency Refinery Monitoring Working Group.

The report recommends that first responders have access to improved air monitoring tools and data, and are thoroughly trained to apply them. It takes into account the refinery chemicals of highest concern as identified in a companion report released this week by the State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). In addition to improving rapid detection and communication of potentially hazardous releases to responders and the public, the proposed air monitoring system improvements will provide valuable information to better understand and help reduce risks associated with long-term community exposure to ongoing routine and unplanned refinery air releases.

The report calls for establishing a new Refinery Monitoring Working Group, comprising staff from CARB and local air districts. The working group would assist the refineries, air districts, local emergency response agencies, CARB and community-based organizations in implementing the reports recommendations. The working group would be charged with developing guidelines that air districts, in turn, would use in requiring refineries to expand air monitoring networks and making the data available to emergency responders and the public.
The new policy from Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology requires that sales of NEVs reach a threshold equivalent to 10% of an automakers total sales in 2019 and 12% in 2020. The regulation applies to carmakers that produce or import more than 30,000 conventional vehicles annuallylower than the 50,000 threshold earlier mentioned in a policy draftand includes more vehicle companies in the evaluation system.

China has issued its anticipated new regulation requiring most automakers to sell a minimum number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) (battery-electric and plug-in hybrid) annually from 2019 as part of the countrys broader effort to curb carbon emissions by reducing the use of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.

Compared with the draft regulation, the new policy eliminates an 8% share quota for 2018, giving companies more time to expand their production capacity. If car companies fail to meet their quotas, they will either have to buy credits from other automakers or face a fine, the ministry said. The measures will be effective from 1 April 2018.

Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), said China is stepping up efforts to promote the development of NEVs in the worlds largest automobile market. As one of the worlds largest NEV markets, about 53,000 new energy cars were sold in China in August, up 73% year-on-year, data from the CPCA show.

The ministry said earlier this month it was working on a timetable to phase out fossil-fuel powered vehicles, though it did not specify details.

Zhang Zhiyong, founder and CEO of Wenfeng Automobile Consultancy, said electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are giving Chinese companies new opportunities compared with conventional cars powered by combustion engines.
The pilot project, which started with first trials on 25 September, represents a significant milestone for autonomous aerial systems: it is the first time that extensive beyond-line-of sight drone operations with the use of vans as landing platforms are taking place in a major urban area to test a fully-automated e-commerce drone network. The development of the overall system uses an iterative approach and is based on early testing and continuous optimization.

Mercedes-Benz Vans, US drone systems developer Matternet and Swiss online marketplace siroop have started a pilot project in Zurich to test an efficient van and drone-based system for on-demand delivery of e-commerce goods. The drone delivers the shipment not to the consumer, but rather to the delivery van, which handles delivery for the final segment of the last mile.





During the course of the three-week pilot project, customers will be able to order selected products from online marketplace siroop that are suitable for transport by a Matternet drone, such as consumer electronics and other e-commerce items weighing up to two kilograms. Delivery will be made on the same day.

The drones are loaded directly at the merchant and fly to one of two Mercedes-Benz Vito vans equipped with a precision landing technology. The van stops at one of four pre-defined points, called rendezvous points, within the city of Zurich, where the van driver takes possession of the product and delivers it to the customer, while the drone returns to the retailer. The entire logistics chain from order receipt to delivery to the customer will be timed and compared against conventional delivery methods to gain insights into the efficiency of the solution.

With integrated precision landing technology on their roofs, prototype Mercedes-Benz Vito vans turn into connected, safe landing platforms for Matternet drone deliveries. The goal of the project is to improve significantly the time and service level associated with on-demand delivery, and consequently create added value for retailers and consumers.

The operation has been authorized by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) following the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology developed by JARUS (Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems) and was approved by all relevant Swiss air and ground authorities. Safety is the guiding principle during the pilot, which will run for seven hours per day, five days a week in favorable weather conditions only.

Matternet drones are integrated in the Swiss airspace system using the same sense and avoid system used by helicopter operators and other users of the lower part of the airspace; and are equipped with a parachute system that is automatically deployed in case of a malfunction.

The Vans & Drones project was presented by Mercedes-Benz Vans and Matternet at the Van Innovation Campus event in September 2016. The pilot project in Zurich, with siroop as the first system user, is the next step in the advancement of the concept. The use of Mercedes-Benz Vito vans as intelligent, mobile landing stations for Matternet drones is suiting for a variety of use cases and offers several advantages, including:

Reduced overall delivery cycle and cost compared to existing courier service operations.

Packages are delivered faster, irrespective of traffic in urban areas.

Integration of drone systems into the logistics chain, with no change in customer behavior. Customers will still receive their packages from a van driver in the exact same way they receive it today.

Gives retailers and logistics companies the ability to provide customers a true on-demand delivery solution, without the need for additional infrastructure. And, it allows companies with van fleets to further leverage them and add on-demand services.

Allows drones to land on the roof of a Vito van, approximately two meters above ground, ensuring the safety for passers-by.

The Matternet M2 drones used in the pilot can carry packages of up to two kilograms over distances of up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles). In recent months, the integrated system has been continuously refined and tested extensively in preparation for operation in an urban environment.

The pilot project in collaboration with Matternet and siroop affords us the possibility to test our concept in real-life on-demand deliveries. We want to gain valuable insights for this and further concepts enabled through van and drone technology. We have the great opportunity here to conduct the most extensive testing in an urban environment to date. Validating our concept together with customers and project partners in an early phase will greatly advance the development. We are demonstrating what a practical system comprising drones and vans may look like. Stefan Maurer, Head of Future Transportation at Mercedes-Benz Vans

Next development steps. The pilot project is the first step in an iterative process culminating in a system solution with a clear target vision: van fleets dynamically synchronized with drone fleets for efficient on-demand delivery with low energy footprint and impact of congestion.

Drone deliveries will be dynamically integrated into conventional delivery routes. In this scenario, vans will not be required to drive to a small number of fixed rendezvous points to receive a drone. They will be supplied by a drone along their regular routes at suitable stopping points. This allows urgent shipments to be integrated into existing delivery runs and thereby to be delivered faster to the consumer.
Transflo, a provider of mobile, telematics, and business process automation to the transportation industry in the United States and Canada, has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance ( BiTA ) to develop technology standards, promote educational efforts, and implement blockchain capabilities in the trucking and freight shipment industry.

Transflo can contribute insights and expertise from its category-defining software and extensive transaction base. The company is on track to facilitate more than $54 billion in freight bills, send 75 million mobile communications, and digitize nearly 500 million documents annually.

Blockchain is a type of technology that structures data in blocks that serve as a transparent activity ledger, documenting transaction history among parties. The technology can be used to manage and validate different types of economic transactions. Transflos innovation teams have been exploring use cases about blockchain and the companys electronic logging, mobile, and imaging solutions. Industry standards may help them bring new solutions to market.

Software and technology continue to accelerate change across the transportation sector. With the right standards and industry support, blockchain may dramatically improve data quality and transform the way the industry does business. The BiTA mission and membership are compelling, and were excited to be an early member. Frank Adelman, Transflo President and CEO

BiTA members include influential technology firms, carriers, shippers, brokers, and OEMs. The consortium expects to tackle initiatives that encourage the use of blockchain applications that improve contract management, shipment optimization, and record keeping.

Founded in August 2017, the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA) is a forum for promotion, education, and encouragement to develop and adopt blockchain applications in the trucking, transportation, and logistics industry. BiTA standards are intended to create a common framework to help organizations develop and adopt blockchain technology.
Hauntingly beautiful music, impassioned recitations of Shakespearean sonnets and images of delicate floral watercolors are just a few highlights from Weaver Academys ongoing Stairwell Sessions.

The live performances featuring Weaver students airs weekly, recorded live in the stairwell of the performing and visual arts academy. The stairwell is ideal for such recordings because, even if there are occasional interruptions in taping because of loud theater rehearsals or an air conditioning unit  the acoustics are best in the well-lit area.

The sessions are organized and directed by guitar instructor Patrick Lui. His students assist in recording the sessions and he ensures they are posted and manages the recording schedule.

On this day, Stairwell Session No. 81 features a piece written by Ernesto Cordero, a Puerto Rican composer and classical guitarist. Damon Chrismon, the musician playing the piece, is talented, but less experienced. Yet, theres no question that he is serious about the guitar. He wears a look of focused determination to nail the piece. But the performances arent meant to be perfect, Lui says.

Dont be worried that you made a mistake, he tells Chrismon, who looks somewhat frustrated after the first take.

Ninety-nine point nine percent of your audience will never know that you messed up, Lui says.

The sessions are raw and unscripted.

The idea is for viewers to get a true reflection of what the students can do and for the students to study to see what they need to improve in their performances, Lui says.

Chrismon, a second year guitar student at Weaver Academy, was the 81st performer to record a Stairwell Session. Over the summer, he won fourth place in the East Carolina Summer Guitar Festival Young Artist Competition. The Stairwell Sessions are an outlet for budding performers like him to get more experience in front of an audience. It also gives students like Carson Wade experience in other areas of performance, such as recording. The senior guitar student recording Chrismons session plans to apply to Appalachian State University, where he wants to study music recording and engineering.

The Stairwell Sessions was the idea of former guitar student Thommasaht Nhouyvanisvong. He was inspired by National Public Radios Tiny Desk Concerts, which airs well-known, up-and-coming and obscure musicians in live performances before small audiences. Nhouyvanisvong came to Lui with an idea of taping such sessions at Weaver. Lui, who is in his 13th year at Weaver, liked the idea. It would give students a chance to perform live and raise awareness about the programs at the top-ranked school.

Weaver has about 300 students in its dance, drama, guitar, music production, piano, strings, visual arts and vocal music programs.

Its a wonderful place for people to check out our school and what the students do and what theyre capable of, Lui says.

The Stairwell Sessions have been online since March 28, 2016, and initially featured guitar performances from his own students. It now showcases the talents of students studying other instruments, dance, theatre and visual arts at Weaver.

And sometimes performances are recorded on a stage or outdoors instead of the stairwell. Artwork is simply displayed in frames on the YouTube channel.

The sessions have viewers from around the world. Students have even landed gigs from them.

One viewer from Texas was so impressed with what she saw that she met with then Principal Johncarlos Miller to discuss leaving a legacy to support the arts at Weaver.

The donor, who was terminally ill, was so moved by the artistic accomplishments of Weaver students, she started the Michael Parrish Endowment Fund to Weaver Academy, PVA Division with an initial $50,000 installment to support the arts curriculum.

Such public support of arts education will ensure students like Chrismon can continue to develop their talents.

Chrismon strummed his first guitar when he was just 5-years-old while at a music store with his cousin. He left the guitar there that day, but got to play it again a few days later when his grandmother gave it to him for Christmas. He started taking private music lessons with Keith Allen, who plays with a local band, The Mantras. Chrismons musical interest was primarily in playing popular music. That changed when he began preparing for his audition to Weavers guitar program a couple of years ago. He knew hed have to step it up, so he started exploring classical music. He says its fun to play.

(Classical music) has a melodic line, bass line and a lot more complexity, Chrismon says.

The Cordero composition he chose for the Stairwell Session is a dreamy and ethereal piece that required many hours of practice. Chrismon says that studying music has helped him academically. He used to get distracted easily. Now he can sit down and focus on a single task or assignment and complete it. Research has shown that students who take four years of arts and music classes average almost 100 points higher on their SAT scores than students who take only one-half year or less, according to Americans for the Arts. In addition, a student involved in the arts is four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. The National Education Association also points to studies showing links between the arts and improvement in areas such as reasoning and verbal skills.

Chrismon is still getting used to performing in front of an audience. His palms sweat and his heart races. He takes deep breaths.

But its enjoyable, too, right?, Lui asks.

Chrismon smiles in response.
GREENSBORO  Three people want to hold the city's highest elected office: mayor.

The primary is Oct. 10. Early voting continues through Oct. 7.

The two candidates with the highest number of votes will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.

The winner will serve a four-year term, a change from the previous terms of two years, and will earn $28,862 a year.

So what's the mayor's role?

He or she is a voting council member who represents the entire city and acts as the group's chairman or chairwoman. The mayor votes with the other eight members to appoint a city manager to serve as chief executive of city government, and a city attorney to handle legal matters.

The mayor has an office at City Hall but no other special powers  other than ceremonial, a significant responsibility.

Here's a look at the three candidates and their priorities:

Vaughan: Greensboro 'in good place'

Vaughan, who was first elected mayor in 2013, has said this will be her last term if she wins  provided state legislators don't change the four-year terms back to two.

Vaughan previously served four terms as a council member, two as the District 4 representative and two as an at-large member. She's also executive director of the Guilford Green Foundation, a nonprofit that awards grants to groups that support LGBT issues.

She said she wants one more term as mayor to watch several projects she championed come to fruition, including the 2016 bond package, the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts and downtown development.

"We have a lot of projects that are mid-way, and they are all transformative projects," she said. "I think Greensboro is in a really good place."

She points to another ongoing project that could change the Triad significantly: the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite.

Local business leaders hope the 1,500-acre site in the northeastern corner of Randolph County will attract a car maker or other advanced manufacturer. The city of Greensboro plans to run about 17 miles of water lines and an 8-mile sewer line to the site.

Vaughan said the megasite is an example of increased regional cooperation, which she said she has worked hard to cultivate.

In 2015, Vaughan was one of several area leaders who urged Adidas to build a high-tech sneaker factory in High Point  something the manufacturer chose not to do because of the states so-called transgender bathroom bill.

Greensboro residents would have gotten some of those jobs, she said, even though High Point would have benefited from the boost to its tax base.

"We have the best relationship regionally we've ever had," she said. "If it's good for Greensboro, it's good for High Point. We don't have walls around our city."

She also noted that local companies are choosing to expand here, including HAECO, Lincoln Financial, HondaJet, AIG (formerly United Guaranty) and Simply Southern.

Vaughan said she sees room for improvement in the city, including increasing wages, improving relationships between the community and the police and bringing jobs to East Greensboro.

She said the council has made progress increasing the standard of living in the city. In 2015, she and other council members set a goal of raising the minimum wage for city employees to $15 by 2020.

Additionally, Greensboro is no longer highest on a list of cities with "food insecurity"  not getting enough to eat  but remains in the top 10.

"The goal is to get off the list completely," she said.

In a candidate questionnaire created by the News & Record and the League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, Vaughan said Greensboro is "a city divided by race."

That's not unique to Greensboro, she said, but what is unique "is that we have the moral courage and will to do something about it."

Vaughan said she wants four more years as mayor to work on those issues and keep the city moving in a positive direction.

"You need proven leadership," she said. "This is not the time for on-the-job training."

Brown: Greensboro 'a city in decline'

The licensed contractor, plumber and electrician is running for his first elected office. His website says he "built Jessup Service Co. into a successful family business" and has taught at Randolph Community College.

Brown, citing his busy campaign schedule, didn't talk to the News & Record last week, but a spokesman sent an email explaining Brown's platform.

Brown believes Greensboro is suffering due to high crime, high taxes and lack of quality jobs  something he attributes to Vaughan's policies.

He said each successive year since 2015 has brought increases in murders, rapes and assaults.

He said Greensboro's job growth "can't keep pace with Raleigh, Charlotte or even Durham."

And he said the city's population growth can't even keep up with the death rate.

"We are looking at a city in decline," Brown said.

He attributes these problems to Vaughan's policies  wrongly, at least in the case of the increase in violent crimes.

Both the email and Brown's website say Vaughan designated Greensboro as a sanctuary city, a term for cities that limit cooperation with the national government effort to enforce immigration law.

"Many studies have shown this will lead to increased crime," the email said.

But Greensboro has never been a sanctuary city. The state General Assembly outlawed such designations in 2015, and the City Council never held a vote on the matter before then.

Brown's spokesman said he was referring to Greensboro becoming a "Stranger to Neighbor" community. The local immigration advocacy group FaithAction International House created the program, which seeks to foster cooperation with new immigrants and the broader community.

He also incorrectly stated on his website that the city had bought the News & Record's downtown property, which is for sale and which Vaughan said the city should consider buying. He has since corrected the error.

Brown's campaign also focuses on economic development, particularly workforce development. He wants to offer skilled training to workers, believing that wages will increase "by creating a workforce that meets and exceeds the business climate demands," he wrote in the candidate questionnaire.

"We have a great workforce," he wrote. "They just need a chance to grow and work."

He said in the questionnaire that Greensboro's high property tax rate and the lack of job opportunities are hampering the city's success.

That's why it's time for a change in the mayor's office, his spokesman said.

"The solution is we need to be more competitive in the business environment by reducing taxes and creating better jobs," he said.

Moffett: Greensboro has 'so much potential'

Like Brown, Moffett is running for her first elected office. The Oakland, California, native is senior pastor of St. James Presbyterian Church  the first woman to lead the 150-year-old congregation.

Moffett and her husband moved from Jamestown to an apartment near downtown Greensboro around the time she filed for mayor. The couple still own their Jamestown home, but Moffett said her roots are firmly in Greensboro, where she has worked since 2005.

She said her focus will be on empowering citizens, building bridges between communities, lifting up a vision for the city and inspiring its people.

"Greensboro is a beautiful city with so much potential," she said. "People need to see a vision and they need to envision themselves in that vision.

"This is what leadership is. Leadership understands the importance of a collective vision."

Moffett said she's concerned about poverty and hunger in the city. But she said she would focus on ways people can reclaim their lives themselves.

There is dignity in work, so citizens need jobs that pay a livable wage, she said on her campaign website.

"They don't need to be fixed," she said. "They need to be empowered."

Moffett also said everyone in the city deserves to live in a safe, healthy community. She said she would address the rising violent crime rate, specifically gun violence, and would look at ways to curb the opioid epidemic.

"There cannot be a line between east and west (Greensboro)," she said. "I have not seen that dealt with in the 12 years I've been here."

One way to curb crime is to increase job opportunities, she said. Moffett wants to raise the minimum wage for city employees to $15 an hour before 2020, which the council has said it will do.

In her candidate questionnaire, she said doing that would move the council from "talking about economic development to actually providing action items to raise the bar on expectations to new companies coming to the area."

Increasing jobs also means creating a new economic focus for the city, given the loss of identity that followed the loss of jobs in the two industries for which Greensboro was once known.

She said she would create a common vision  whether that's thinking of Greensboro as an arts city or a car manufacturing hub or a center for high-tech medicine.

"I just believe the city has so much to offer," she said. "We need to redefine ourselves. We used to be tobacco and textiles.

"Who are we (now)?"
WINSTON-SALEM  Friday marks opening day at the Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem and that means time for classic fair foods and ridesbut, with ride malfunctions across the country, including one in Greensboro, FOX8 wanted to know if officials were concerned about lower attendance.

No, fair spokesperson Siobhan Olson said. We all have families, so the reality is we take everything very personally and very seriously.

Olson said the N.C. Department of Labor and ride operators do everything possible to make sure the equipment is safe, especially the pieces regularly taken apart to travel from place to place, like the Ferris wheel.

Every ride is fully inspected and certified by the Department of Labors Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau before it can operate. Amusement rides are inspected each time they are moved and reassembled at different locations across the state.

North Carolina is one of only two states in the nation that require rides to be 100 percent compliant with manufacturers specifications before the ride is approved.

The Department of Labor will give a press conference Friday at 10 a.m. to update the public on the status of the rides and the inspection process.

Strates Shows is the traveling carnival company supplying the Dixie Classic with rides this year.

George Weston, general manager, said he's fully confident that his rides will meet every standard.

"Ride safety is our number one concern, we dont want anybody hurt," Weston said. "I would tell people coming here this week, don't be nervous at all."

Olson said if rides aren't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other things to do at the fair this year, like visit the Yesteryear exhibit, featuring 135-year-old buildings and partake in the dozens of food vendors that will be present.
JAMESTOWN  Before the movie Hidden Figures, most people had never heard about the black women behind the scenes of NASAs Langley operation.

If not for a chat between two men over the Christmas holiday in 2010, that story might still be silent to millions.

My dad was talking about some of the women, black and white, he worked with at NASA, said Margot Lee Shetterly, author of the book Hidden Figures. My husband was surprised he hadnt heard that story before and he said to me, You have to tell their story.

Shetterly shared the story with more than 200 people on the Jamestown campus of Guilford Technical Community College of how she came to write the book. The Greensboro Public Library and other organizations hosted Shetterly, who spoke at GTCC and Guilford College on Thursday. The author fielded questions and signed books at both events.

Dozens of students from Montlieu Academy of Technology in High Point filled some of the seats in the Koury Auditorium, each of them holding a copy of Shetterlys book. Third- and fourth-grade teachers are going to use the book to inspire students and urge them to be who they want to be.

Lena Troxtell, a fourth-grade teacher at the school, said the women in the book serve as great role models.

I think its good for the students to see people they can relate to doing things that helped shape society, she said. Its especially great for the young girls to read.

Shetterly was one of those young girls years ago who was inspired by the women who worked as human computers, mathematicians, scientists and engineers. Her father, who was a scientist at NASA Langley in Virginia, shared stories with his daughter and she got to know the women she has written about through interactions around town.

She also shared that the movie came to life off of a book proposal. Shetterlys agent had shared the 50-page book proposal with a Hollywood producer who thought the book was destined to be a movie. The book and movie were written simultaneously  Shetterly focusing on the book and answering questions from producers focusing on the movies script.

Projects like this need a champion, Shetterly told the audience. Donna Gigliotti said. Were going to make a movie, and all the pieces came together.

Heather Cooper, 38, of Greensboro hasnt read the book or watched the movie, although several family members and friends have done one or both. Cooper, 38, said Shetterlys speech gave her some insight into the women who prompted the author to write the book. Her telling the story will inspire other women, Cooper said.

Shetterly spent countless sleepless nights reading over research notes and writing. With each sentence typed, she said she knew the book was going to make an impact.

I wanted to write a book that I would want to read, she said, and I did that.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina said Thursday that three men were sentenced to a federal prison term over the theft of firearms from a registered firearms dealer in Davidson County.

On Dec. 7, law enforcement officers responded to a break-in at Mimi's Mini Mart, 7169 N.C. 8. Investigators with the Davidson County Sheriff's Office determined that 18 firearms had been stolen with a combined value of $9,000, along with more than $3,000 worth of property damage.

Anthony Steele, 24, Shemar Anderson, 21, and Jalen Hairston, 20, were arrested. The charges were 18 counts of larceny of a firearm, two counts of property damage and one count each of breaking and entering and conspiracy to commit breaking and entering.

Steele pleaded guilty on May 11 to larceny and theft of firearms from a registered firearms dealer charges. The U.S. attorney said Steele, of Salisbury, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, along with three years of supervised release and restitution in excess of $15,000.

Anderson and Hairston, both of Lexington, pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a registered firearms dealer. They also were sentenced Tuesday, but their prison terms were not disclosed.

Marcus Davonta McIntosh, 22, of Lexington, also pleaded guilty to the theft of firearms from a registered firearms dealer. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 2.
Updated at 12:26 a.m.

GREENSBORO  Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras said she is absolutely willing and happy to continue to work with the current school board members and board leadership.

Her comments came in an interview late Thursday night, following on the heels of a school board meeting that in turn followed a press conference held outside the school administration building.

During that press conference, representatives from local ministerial, civil rights and education organizations called for school Vice Chairwoman Darlene Garrett to give up her leadership role and go back to being a regular board member. They also called for the resignation of board member Anita Sharpe, who talked about wanting to get the board to fire Contreras in an email to a schools' employee.

"I have a good relationship with the board members," Contreras said, adding one email isn't going to change that.

Contreras said she saw the email for the first time a couple days ago. She said she didn't forward the email to the groups behind the press conference, nor did she ask them to hold it, or coordinate with them.

She said she always appreciates when the public comes out and speaks up on behalf of students. With that said, she stressed her focus continues to be on getting students ready for life after they leave Guilford County Schools.

"I'm not distracted easily, and certainly not distracted by an email," she said.

GREENSBORO  Leaders from Greensboro and High Point ministerial, education and civil rights groups gathered before Thursdays school board meeting to condemn what they say is interference by some board members with the superintendents ability to do her job.

They also released an email from a school board member that appeared to show interest in getting Superintendent Sharon Contreras fired and intent to break public records law.

They singled out two board members in particular, asking that Anita Sharpe resign and Vice Chairwoman Darlene Garrett step down from her leadership role.

Guilford County Commissioners Carlvena Foster, Skip Alston and Carolyn Coleman were among those who stood with the group outside the Guilford County Schools offices, where the board was holding a regular meeting after the news conference.

The concerns stemmed from two different sources, according to the Rev. Laverne Carter, representing the education group Community Call to Action for Student Success in Education, as well as the Pulpit Forum of Greensboro and Vicinity, and the Rev. Cardes Brown, president of the Greensboro chapter of the NAACP.

First, they did not like the boards vote to ask the superintendent to change plans for graduation, given that setting graduation is within her duties. They suggested this represented interfering in the day-to-day responsibilities of the superintendent rather than the board focusing on policy, contrary to a 2003 board policy that the board would respect the difference between board and superintendent roles and would be careful not to involve itself in the day-to-day administration.

They were also concerned that the board voted to overrule the superintendent when she said she wanted later graduations to comply with instructions from the state not to hold the ceremonies during the time period earmarked for state tests.

They asked that Garrett, one of the board members who championed changes to graduation, give up her leadership position as vice chair.

Secondly, they suggested that Sharpe was behaving in a way they considered to be harassing to the superintendent and asked that she resign.

They released an email from Sharpe, on her personal email account, discussing concerns with a school employee.

Unfortunately, we have four votes to fire the superintendent but cannot seem to get the 5th vote, Sharpe wrote.

She also wrote, I encourage you to delete this email on your end and I intend to delete it on mine. (Against the law for me but these are extenuating times).

Guilford County Schools Chief of Staff Nora Carr confirmed after the press conference that the email is real. She wasnt sure who had given it to the groups.

Carr has taken on responsibility for fulfilling public records requests for the district, including the board, and she said this email is among those collected for a pending public records request from the News & Record. She said her best guess is Sharpe did not end up deleting the email, given that they were able to collect it.

School board members are among those covered by state laws that bar them from deleting emails related to their government duties.

We are not here lightly, Brown said during the press conference, which also included representatives from the High Point NAACP, the High Point Ministers Conference, and the education group Parents Supporting Parents.

Sharpe and Garrett were both absent from Thursday nights school board meeting. Sharpe had a family medical issue come up.

Sharpe said in an interview later in the evening she does not plan to resign and may have threatened to delete the email but never would, as evidenced that it is still available.

She said her problem with the superintendent is that Contreras is not at all collaborative with her whole board.

Reached by phone shortly before the press conference, Chairman Alan Duncan said no member of the school board has told him they wanted to organize votes to have Contreras fired. He said the board has not been engaging in personnel discussion about Contreras. While the board will start working on her one-year evaluation in the near future, he said, they havent started it yet. Her contract lasts until 2020.

Board member Pat Tillman also in an interview said he is not interested in firing the superintendent and has not heard of any other school board members who are.

During public comments at the school board meeting, many of the speakers talked about their support for Contreras.

Contreras, previously the superintendent of schools in Syracuse, N.Y., took over the helm of Guilford County Schools in summer 2016.
The diversity of music traditions and performances at the 2017 National Folk Festival was a feast for the ears and spirit. The three-day event brought strangers together in shared enjoyment, and hopefully, recognition of how enriching and indispensable the arts are to our community.

However, I couldnt help but notice that the same diversity in the musical lineup and cultural performances wasnt nearly as evident in the crowds. Though many African-Americans and members of Greensboros international community attended, the festival seemed to draw a predominantly white  mostly middle- and upper-class  or student crowd. The adjacent community of east Greensboro seemed remarkably under-represented despite the festivals free entry and the availability of free public transportation. What a shame that those who are most often deprived of access to the arts for some reason either choose not to attend or do not feel welcome.

Unfortunately, this marked disjuncture is the norm for many of Greensboros social and cultural events. It reveals the persistence of historically segregated communities and our willingness to accept this divide. At multicultural forums like the festival, it does seem fitting to ask why self-selecting audiences continue to fill the crowd and what, if anything, we might do to change this.

While the festival did a great job at citywide advertising, including a thorough edition of Go Triad and a conspicuous downtown banner, this was clearly not enough. The demographically homogeneous audience demonstrates the need for targeted advertising that appeals to and reaches the distinct populations that make up Greensboros diverse community.

Now that Greensboro has taken the reins of subsequent festivals, we have the opportunity to jump-start socially engaged marketing strategies that recognize the ways access is distinctly understood by different populations.

In future festivals, it would be ideal to have canvassing in working-class neighborhoods or publicity taken directly to specific churches reflecting the different communities that were under-represented during the previous three years. Public schools should send flyers home to parents, and teachers should work to link these types of community events with the classroom.

But we all play a role in dismantling the inherited assumption that one just doesnt belong in certain spaces or at certain venues. Simple choices reinforce default patterns. I cant be the only one who notices that the farmers market is one of the rare occasions when white people venture into mostly black east Greensboro. When my mother and I go to theater events at N.C. A&T, we are almost always the only white folks present, and the expressed appreciation by other members of the audience, the ushers, staff and families for simply having shown up is almost embarrassing. I wonder what holds others back?

A healthy city is one in which all its populations participate  and not in separate spheres. Not everyone in our community will have the same interests, but lets at least be sure that interest is whats truly holding people back.

Discovering ways to proactively and creatively harness opportunities to make each other feel, not just be, welcome at public events invigorates and affirms the entire community. Our willingness to make such efforts reflects the true margins of our commitment to creating a culturally, ethnically and economically inclusive city. Individually and collectively, we could use some affirmative action these days.
BETHEL  Stephanie Knecht knew there had to be a better way to treat head lice.

Most of the over-the-counter and prescription drug products are ineffective and the repetitive treatments and lengthy comb outs seemed like such an unnecessary strain on both children and parents, Knecht said. The whole process can be overwhelming and frustrating to families, leaving them unsure of where to turn for help.

Knecht did some research and discovered Lice Clinics of America, which kills lice and lice eggs using heated air distributed through an AirAlle device. She was so impressed with the results and company that she will open her own clinic, Lice Clinics of America-Danbury, at 11 Stony Hill Road just over the border in Bethel. The interior space is currently being built out.

I was energized to see that there is a better treatment that is effective, quick, easy and affordable, she said.

Lice Clinics of America-Danbury will provide screening, diagnosis and treatment options for people infested with head lice. It is staffed by certified operators of the AirAlle device, which is FDA-cleared and patented. It dehydrates lice and lice eggs, or nits, using heated air. The treatment takes about one hour and comes with a 30-day guarantee.

It kills even the so-called super lice, Knecht said.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are six to 12 million instances of lice infestation each year in the U.S. Infestations are most common among young children. Lice move by crawling and cannot hop or fly. Lice are spread mostly through direct contact with the hair of an infested person, according to the CDC.

The clinic is open seven days per week by appointment. To reach Lice Clinics of America, call 866-470-4360.

Lice Clinics of America and AirAlle are brands owned by Larada Sciences, which is based in Salt Lake City.

There are more than 250 clinics in the Lice Clinics of America network, including a Licenders in Stamford. Licenders is a preferred provider in the network.

The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338
GREENWICH  The Greenwich Democratic Town Committee has withdrawn its support of Selectman Drew Marzullos reelection campaign following the revelation that he was arrested for shoplifting in August.

The DTCs Executive Committee issued a statement late Thursday after a meeting and said while it was up to Marzullo whether he wanted to remain on the ballot the party would focus its efforts on the other races on the ticket and not Marzullos reelection campaign.

The Greenwich Democratic Party believes elected officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and transparency, the statement said. The Executive Committee has concluded that Drew Marzullos actions over the past month have not measured up to these standards.

Members of the executive committee said the vote was not unanimous. On Thursday night, following the committees statement, Marzullo confirmed he will stay in the race and seek a fifth term in office.

While he is a member of the DTCs Executive Committee, Marzullo was not at Thursdays meeting. However it is not a case where he was not told to attend. DTC Vice Chairman Howard Richman said he had specifically invited Marzullo to the meeting, which he would have been entitled to go to anyway as a member of the committee.

Marzullo was arrested on Aug. 26 in Clinton and was charged with fifth degree larceny, which is a misdemeanor. He had allegedly taken items from two stores in the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet mall with a value of close to $600. He did not publicly disclose what had happened to the DTC or to his colleagues on the Board of Selectmen and when word of the arrest leaked out last week, it put his political future in doubt.

On Wednesday, Marzullo issued his first statement on the arrest, saying he could not get into the details of the case, but that he was remaining on the ballot for a new term in November, after thoughtful consideration and encouragement.

So far there has been no public comment about the status of his exploratory committee for lieutenant governor.

Under state law, the DTC cannot legally remove Marzullo from the ballot after renominating him in July. Only the candidate can do that and with Marzullo deciding to remain in the race, the committee said it was withdrawing its support.

Marzullo has served the town diligently and has been a voice for issues of concern to the Democratic Party, the committees statement said. Members of the committee acknowledge that Drew is going through a very difficult time and feel for him and his family.

Marzullos presence at the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was his first public appearance as a town official since news of his arrest was revealed on Sept. 21. During the opening of the meeting, Marzullo read a short statement but did not offer much more than he had said on Wednesday.

I am truly grateful for the kindness, thoughtfulness and encouragement I have received this week, Marzullo said on Thursday morning prior to the executive committee meeting. I say this again because it truly has sustained me and has helped me and has comforted me in many, many ways and I am forever grateful. Just like any elected official, one serves at the pleasure of the voter and time in office is solely dependent on such.

Marzullo again did not discuss the specifics of the arrest or offer any account of what had happened. But he did say how important it has been for him to serve as a selectman, a post he has held since 2009, and thanked the public for giving him the opportunity.

This journey for me, lifes journey, has been one of joy and humility, pride, excitement, regret and sincere appreciation, Marzullo said. My plan is to continue in this role as long as you want me, trying to do some good in a town I love for people I care about deeply. I have tried to do some good, not always getting it right, but it wasnt without trying. And I did so by sometimes offering a different opinion, sometimes with a convincing argument, sometimes with a sense of humor, sometimes for advocating for this or that.

The arrest did not come up during the rest of the meeting and was not publicly discussed by his Republican colleagues on the board, First Selectman Peter Tesei and Selectman John Toner, both of whom have previously offered public support for Marzullo.

He is due in court in Middletown on Oct. 17 and is being represented by Greenwich attorney Michael Jones. Marzullo remains free on a $5,000 bond.

An initial DTC Executive Committee statement, which was released on Sept. 22, expressed disappointment that Marzullo had not let anyone know of the arrest until it became public in the media.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
It always feels good to cross something off your to-do list. But we have a feeling that SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musks list puts most peoples to shame.

Its been a pretty productive week for Musk.

Back in March, he and his team pledged to solve the persistent rolling blackouts that Southern Australia has been experiencing within 100 days, by installing 100 to 300 megawatt hours batteries to stabilize the regions power grid.

Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2017

Now that the contract has been officially signed, Tesla is hard at work to make that promise to get it done within 100 days.

Related: 21 Weird Things We've Learned About Elon Musk

Tesla has also been sending its Powerwall battery systems along with employees to install them to Puerto Rico, which lost power last week due to Hurricane Maria. Musk has donated $250,000 of his money to the relief effort.

On the SpaceX side of things, the company celebrated the ninth anniversary of the Falcon 1 rocket becoming the first ever liquid fuel rocket built by a private company to orbit around the Earth.

Nine years ago today, Falcon 1 became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to orbit Earth. https://t.co/Aa0ITkuJET pic.twitter.com/YFlCmEujmC  SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2017

Musk also unveiled plans that SpaceX is building a rocket called BFR that could help you travel anywhere in the world in under 30 minutes and anywhere else under an hour, all for the cost of an economy seat on a current airline. Because who needs planes, right? BFR, by the way, is short for Big F--king Rocket.

BFR will take you anywhere on Earth in less than 60 mins https://t.co/HWt9BZ1FI9  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 29, 2017

On social media, Musk also unveiled concept art for SpaceXs moon base and city on Mars. So you know, just a casual Friday.

Related: If Elon Musk Can Have a Sense of Humor About Failure, So Can You

And Elon isnt the only high-achieving Musk making his mark this week. His mom, Maye, was just named as a face of CoverGirl cosmetics.

.@covergirl I'm so excited to say that I'm now officially a COVERGIRL, at 69! Beauty is for all ages. #COVERGIRLMADE pic.twitter.com/xndw5deHXs  Maye Musk (@mayemusk) September 27, 2017

How was your week? Do you feel motivated by Musk to do more? Let us know in the comments.

Related:



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.




Haiti - Europe : 335,000 euros to strengthen the Haitian education system





The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) of UNESCO and the European Union this week launched the project "Analysis and Capacity Building for Planning and Steering of the Haitian Education System" developed jointly with the Ministry of Education Education and Vocational Training (MENFP).



The 7-month project, funded by the European Union to the tune of 335,000 Euros, aims to strengthen the capacities of the Ministry and its decentralized administrations in planning and strategic management.



The European Union Ambassador, Vincent Degert, at the launch said "Improving the level of education requires improving the capacities of the actors operating at the institutional level and throughout the deconcentrated chain. It is essential to reinforce upstream the skills of the executives of the ministry and to supervise them at the technical level if we want to have a better system."



This project is structured around three main components :



Analysis of individual and institutional capacities to guide future capacity-building interventions "planning and steering" of the education system ;



The development of a strategic orientation for capacity-building, which will be a direct contribution to the country's future educational plan ;



Development of professional capacities for MENFP staff so that the ministry can rely on these own planners to manage the planning and steering of the education system.



As a whole, these components will strengthen the ministryt's ability to better plan its work and work more strategically.



The MENFP is now redefining its priorities and seeking to analyze its human resources needs in order to bring competent teams to the educational challenges of the country, to ensure the proper functioning of the administration of education and to ensure that all schools can welcome and teach children. Yet 85% of schools in Haiti are non-public and 70% of them are not accredited by the MENFP.



Wednesday 7 Ministry officials completed training that will lead them in Paris in January 2018, to join thirty planners from every continent to follow in-depth training of the IIPE in management and planning of education.



The second major activity of the project will make it possible to carry out a diagnosis of the individual, organizational and institutional capacities in planning and steering of the education system and contribute to the future ten-year sectoral plan.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Diplomacy : Message from the new Ambassador of Canada to Haiti





Andre Frenette, the new Ambassador of Canada accredited to Haiti on September 5 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22027-haiti-diplomacy-accreditation-of-two-new-ambassadors.html who replaces Ambassador Paula Caldwell St-Onge at the end of her mission https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21880-haiti-diplomacy-moise-honors-and-decorates-ambassador-of-canada.html has delivered a message to the Government and the people of Haiti at the time of taking office, which we invite you to share :



Message from Ambassador Frenette :

"It is a great honor for me to have obtained the confidence of my Government to represent and promote in Haiti the Canadian values that are so dear to me. Canada promotes inclusion, respect for diversity and human rights, gender equality, openness to the world, democratic development that supports the strengthening of the middle classes, and assistance to the poor. It is on the basis of these values that I intend to work tirelessly to build strong and respectful partnerships between Canada and Haiti, with the aim of strengthening the historic relationship between our two countries.



Canadians have repeatedly demonstrated that they are ready to walk hand in hand with the Haitian people. Following the announcement of Canada's new commitment to Haiti, we made the decision, after various consultations with Haitian authorities, to step up our efforts in areas of democratic and accountable governance, sustainable and green economic growth, health and well-being of women and girls, and the rule of law and security.



More specifically, in June 2017, Canada launched its new policy of international feminist assistance, placing gender equality and empowerment of women at the heart of its development programming. We support the development of a stable, prosperous and equitable Haitian state that can provide health services, education and economic opportunities to all Haitians, especially women and girls.



I am already looking forward to working on these key themes during the years of my mandate in Haiti, which will require serious and responsible commitments from all concerned. To ensure that this assistance continues to deliver on the expected results, Canada will count on the Government of Haiti's continued efforts to clearly define its priorities and to meet its financial and institutional commitments.



Haiti remains at the heart of Canada's international policy agenda and I am proud to say: Nou la pou Ayiti !"



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Moise to lower popular pressure modifies income tax





Following the adoption this week in the Council of Ministers of a preliminary draft law adopted to amend article 149 of the Decree of 29 September 2005 on income tax, President Moise will convene an extraordinary session the Chamber of Deputies, once this draft bill has been ratified by the Senate.



Although Renald Luberice the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers asserts that this convocation has nothing to do with the budget, in fact the link is undeniable and the last workers' demonstrations on Wednesday which made more than 10 wounded including 2 by balls https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22247-haiti-flash-workers-protest-at-least-10-wounded-including-2-per-bullets.html and that of Thursday which again caused two wounded by bullets, are not alien to this modification and to the urgent need to bring down the popular pressure...



He said that the Government would ask for the benefit of urgency on this bill which will be forwarded Friday morning to the Senate and then once ratified the Chamber of Deputies will be convened to the extraordinary to vote this bill...



Recall that the minimum wage of subcontract workers was set at 350 Gourdes per day (Article 4 segment F www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21679-haiti-flash-minimum-wages-all-details.html ) or 15 gourdes of increase https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21648-haiti-flash-moise-sets-daily-minimum-wage-at-350-gdes.html for 45 gourdes of taxes to pay...



In the draft bill adopted by the Council of Ministers, new tax brackets for natural persons were set : from 1 to 120,000 Gdes : 0% of taxation ; from 120.001,00 to 240,000.00 Gdes : 10% ; from 240,001.00 to 480,000.00 Gdes : 15% ; from 480,001.00 to 1,000,000.00 Gdes : 25% ; from 1.000.000,00 Gdes : 30% .



This is good news for subcontracting workers and the lowest incomes in our society. By raising the threshold of annual taxable income from 60,000 to 120,000 Gourdes, the workers in particular will no longer have to pay the 10 per cent tax on their incomes, which was included in the new budget https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22212-haiti-flash-full-details-of-the-2017-2018-budget-revenue-and-expenditure.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





TPS : Haitians encouraged to prepare to return to Haiti

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Sharon Scheidhauer declared "DHSs guidance remains unchanged for Haitians with TPS [...] Beneficiaries are encouraged to prepare for their return to Haiti in the event Haitis designation is not extended again, including requesting updated travel documents from the government of Haiti," adding that Acting DHS Secretary Elaine Duke will make a final determination, as required by law, at least 60 days before the programs January 22, 2018 expiration date.



PNH car burned, vandalism and violence

On Thursday, as part of the demonstration in Port-au-Prince, a car of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) was set on fire in the Champs de March, while agents of the Body of Intervention and Maintenance of Order (CIMO) prevented demonstrators from be in front the National Palace. The demonstrators broke the windshields of a police vehicle and threw stones at the CIMOs, which responded with tear gas grenades. Several personalities took part in this event, including the Senator of the West Antonio Cheramy. The demonstrators plan two more days of mobilization against the budget, this Friday and tomorrow Saturday September 30th.



Two other demonstrators injured by bullet

Thursday in Ounaminthe, a new workers' demonstration, the second in two days https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22247-haiti-flash-workers-protest-at-least-10-wounded-including-2-per-bullets.html made onece again 2 wounded by gunshots. The protesters were dispersed with tear gas and shots in the air. Protesters denounced the use by the National Police of Haiti (PNH) agents of real bullets, information that has not been confirmed.



RN1 blocked

On Thursday, the national road number one was blocked on Thursday at midday, at the height of the Arcahaie, where a demonstration was organized against the budget, on the initiative of the resistance group for the development of the Flag City .



Moise J-C. announces the end of the political truce

Moise Jean Charles, leader of the platform "Pitit Dessalin", announces the end of the political truce observed by his party after the death of one of its executives, and confirms two other days of mobilization, Friday September 29th in Cap-Haitien and tomorrow Saturday in Port-au-Prince.



Customs strike announced

The Customs Association of Haiti announced a work stoppage next Thursday to demand an 80% salary adjustment and a special status for customs officers.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Published on 2017/09/28 | Source

On the latest episode of the tvN drama "Criminal Minds", Yoo Min-yeong (Lee Sun-bin) handed the killer over to police.

Advertisement

Kim Hyeon-joon (Lee Joon-gi) arrested Kang Chi-hwan who had committed a series of murders, but denied having done them. He claimed he had only read about them on the Reaper's fan cafe.

Baek San (Kim Young-chul), whose daughter had been kidnapped by the Reaper, thought about handing the case over to the police. The fact that NCI had the case could stimulate the killer even more. Ultimately, they had to send Kang Chi-hwan to the police.

As he left, Kang Chi-wan waved leisurely at Yoo Min-yeong and Lee Han (Go Yoon). Meanwhile, the Reaper was shot to death by Kim Hyeon-joon.
Jacobs Creek adds Australian Rose with a French twist

By Lisa Riley

Jacobs Creek has added a French-inspired Australian Rose to its UK portfolio to tap the tipples success in its homeland.

Available from next week (rrp: 8), the premium positioned Jacobs Creek Le Petit Rose is made with Australian-grown grapes by winemakers in Australia, but reflected the fresh and delicate style of Rose that is common in the Southern French countryside, said brand owner Pernod Ricard.

It is being launched in the UK to replicate the wines huge success in Australia, said Vicky Hoey, head of marketing, Pernod Ricard UK, adding it had become the number one performer in its category only eight months after launch.

Were seeing a growing trend for lighter style Rose, which is proving to be a key emerging wine choice for shoppers, including younger consumers who are eager to try new styles and wish to enhance their sophistication among friends.

Pernod Ricard UK is supporting the newcomer, which features a contemporary rose gold and deep navy blue label, with digital and social activity.








The week that was

By Jo Gilbert

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.



Top Stories: Plenty of movement from the industrys big names this week.

Harpers reported on initiatives from Waitrose, Friarwood and Bibendum as the Conviviality-owned wholesaler announced investment in broadening its Sherry range.

Elsewhere, the Australian Women in Wine awards, which celebrates OZs female talent, revealed its leading ladies for 2017.



Analysis and Insights: Jo Gilbert continued last months debate on virtual reality with a look at how the big tech companies are poised to bring the sommelier into the home.

And Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole talked to Rabobank strategist Stephen Rannekleiv about the positive effect of a general tightening of global supply.



People and Opinion: Harpers caught up with Laura Jewell MW about life at the UK helm of Wine Australia and her involvement with the Women in Wine Awards.

And regular columnist Jerry Lockspeiser looked at the strange logic surrounding the natural and organic industry.
Veeno continues rapid expansion with greater-london launch

By Michelle Perrett

Veeno, the Italian wine cafe, is bringing Italian Aperitivo to Greater London for the first time with the opening of its 16th site in Kingston-upon-Thames, next month.

The site, which is a franchise operation, is converting the former Strada restaurant in The Griffin Centre, to its brand.

This is part of an expansion plan for Veeno, which has further openings planned in the next 12 months.

In September 2015, Veeno said it was intending to open 80 sites across the UK by 2019. It is expanding the concept through a range of franchise and managed sites.

Veeno champions the Italian after-work culture of drinking, nibbling and relaxing. The chain specialises in Sicilian wine from Caruso & Minini, its own family vineyard. The family vineyard in Sicily where co-founder Nino Carusos great-grandfather Antonio planted the first vines in the 19th century.

Alongside this Veeno offers authentic Spuntini including platters of meats, cheese and other appetisers imported from quality Italian producers.

"We are extremely excited to open the first franchised site in the Greater London area and this is just the beginning of further expansion ahead in the next 12 months, said co-founders Caruso and Andrea Zecchino.

We believe that this location is the perfect venue to bring our authentic Italian offering and we wish every success to the manager Tom and our franchise partners Derek and Sharon."

Co-founders Caruso and Zecchino opened their first wine cafe In Manchester in 2013. They decided to open the concept as both missed the Italian aperitivo culture of drinking, nibbling and relaxing after work.

The new site will open on October 26.






How High Are Excise Tax Collections Where You Live?

by Morgan Scarboro, Tax Foundation, September 28, 2017

Excise taxes are particular taxes levied on specific goods or activities, not general tax bases like income or consumption. Some excise taxes are fairly well-known to the public, like cigarette or alcohol taxes, but others are more hidden, like taxes on admission for amusement businesses.

On average, these excise taxes make up a relatively small portion of state and local tax revenue  about 11 percent  but per capita collections vary widely among states. Vermont has the highest state and local collections at $1,068 per capita, followed by Nevada with $910, and Hawaii with $885 in collections per capita.

On the other hand, some states collect relatively little per capita in state and local excise taxes. South Carolina collects $317 per capita, Arizona collects $301, and Idaho collects the least in the country with only $292 per capita.

Its important to note that this map uses Census data, which includes taxes on: alcoholic beverages, amusements, insurance, motor fuels, parimutuels (betting), public utilities, tobacco products, and other selective sales.

Weve written extensively about the challenges associated with various excise taxes. Cigarette tax revenue is unstable . The soda tax has serious unintended consequences , particularly as they pertain to health. Most of these excise taxes are regressive .
Strive HI reports show statewide school performance measures remain steady

News Release from Hawaii DoE, 19-Sep-2017

The Hawaii State Department of Education shared its 2016-17 Strive HI Performance System results this evening during the Board of Education community meeting. The school accountability system focuses on state and schools' progress on Strategic Plan Student Success Objectives and provides educators and communities with information to take action for student learning.

"The results are encouraging and show our focus moving in the right direction with college and career readiness measures remaining steady, including some growth in Science," said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. "As we move forward, we will be very specific and purposeful in our approach to address the achievement gap and chronic absenteeism. We will take what we have learned about effective student-centered practices since 2005 and raise our implementation work to another level."

While statewide overall results in English Language Arts, Math and Science have shown growth over the past three years; the results have been mixed compared to 2016:

Science  up 4 percentage points from 2016 (2015: 41%; 2016: 42%; 2017: 46%)

Mathematics  no change from 2016 (2015: 41%; 2016: 42%; 2017: 42%)

English Language Arts/Literacy  down 1 percentage point from 2016 (2015: 48%; 2016: 51%; 2017: 50%)

While overall state results were stable, the following schools showed the most growth in English Language Arts and Math over the past three years (scroll to the bottom of the release for an extended list of top performing schools):

English Language Arts/Literacy  Three-year average gains in percentage of students meeting/exceeding standards:

Kauai High  up 17 percentage points

(2015: 25%; 2016: 59%; 2017: 59%)

Kapaa High  up 17 percentage points

(2015: 33%; 2016: 58%; 2017: 66%)

Kahuku High & Intermediate  up 15 percentage points

(2015: 20%; 2016: 54%; 2017: 50%)

Kaiser High: up 14 percentage points

(2015: 51%; 2016: 74%; 2017: 79%)

Pauoa Elementary  up 11 percentage points

(2015: 56%; 2016: 78%; 2017: 77%)

Math  Three-year average gains in percentage of students meeting/exceeding standards:

Pauoa Elementary  up 17 percentage points

(2015: 47%; 2016: 72%; 2017: 81%)

Kohala High  up 16 percentage points

(2015: 15%; 2016: 22%; 2017: 47%)

Kapolei Elementary  up 13 percentage points

(2015: 30%; 2016: 52%; 2017: 56%)

Kealakehe High  up 13 percentage points

(2015: 19%; 2016: 39%; 2017: 44%)

Haleiwa Elementary  up 11 percentage points

(2015: 49%; 2016: 49%; 2017: 71%)

Strive HI was launched in school year 2012-13 as the state's locally designed performance system that was a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. The accountability system includes multiple measures of school performance including proficiency in Science, Math and Language Arts/Literacy; chronic absenteeism; school climate; graduation rates; and achievement gaps. The system was modified earlier this year to address the federal requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the revised DOE/BOE Strategic Plan. The law replaces both NCLB and the state's waiver. ESSA requires full implementation including the provisions related to school accountability this school year.

English Language Arts and Math scores are derived from the Smarter Balanced Assessment, and Science scores are from the Hawaii State Assessment in Science.

Click here to view the 2016-17 State Snapshot of Strive HI indicators. For more information about the Strive HI performance system, click here .

Below are lists of top performers across indicators in the Strive HI System. Results for schools with small student populations are suppressed to protect student privacy.

Highest Achieving Schools in Meeting English Language Arts/Literacy Standards

Statewide: 50% Lanikai El 88% Kaelepulu El 84% Mililani Ike El 82% Momilani El 81% de Silva El 80% Mililani Uka El 79% Hickam El 79% Kaiser High 79% Koko Head El 78% Pauoa El 77% Manoa El 77% Aina Haina El 77% Roosevelt High 77% Waikiki El 76% Noelani El 75%

Highest Achieving Schools in Meeting Math Standards Statewide: 42% Lanikai El 89% Momilani El 87% Pauoa El 81% Noelani El 79% Waikiki El 79% Mililani Ike El 78% Maemae El 76% Wilson El 76% Kaelepulu El 75% Aliiolani El 75% Mililani Mauka El 75% Mililani Uka El 75% Palisades El 74% Laie El 73% Pearl Ridge El 73%

Highest Achieving Schools in Meeting Science Standards Statewide: 46% Lanikai El 98% Maunawili El 96% Haleiwa El 96% Kaelepulu El 92% Mililani Ike El 92% Manoa El 91% Maemae El 91% Kamalii El 91% Pearl City El 91% Waikiki El 90% Mililani Mauka El 89% Hickam El 88% Aikahi El 88% Waiau El 88% Koko Head El 87%

Highest Achieving Schools in English Language Arts/Literacy Growth (3-Year Average Gains) Kauai High +17 percentage points Kapaa High +17 percentage points Kahuku High & Intermediate +15 percentage points Kaiser High +14 percentage points Pauoa El +11 percentage points Kaewai El +11 percentage points SEEQS +10 percentage points Waialua High & Intermediate +9 percentage points Waiakea High +9 percentage points Makawao El +9 percentage points Kapolei El +9 percentage points Kalihi Uka El +8 percentage points Kalaheo High +8 percentage points Aliamanu Middle +8 percentage points Na Wai Ola +7 percentage points Kealakehe High +7 percentage points



Highest Achieving Schools in Math Growth (3-Year Average Gains) Pauoa El +17 percentage points Kohala High +16 percentage points Kapolei El +13 percentage points Kealakehe High +13 percentage points Haleiwa El +11 percentage points Aliiolani El +11 percentage points Kauai High +11 percentage points Kaewai El +11 percentage points Waiau El +9 percentage points Kekaulike High +9 percentage points Palolo El +9 percentage points Waiahole El +8 percentage points Kalihi Uka El +8 percentage points Wheeler Middle +8 percentage points



Highest Achieving Elementary Schools in Reducing Chronic Absenteeism Maunaloa El -21 percentage points Mountain View El -6 percentage points Keonepoko El -6 percentage points Na Wai Ola -6 percentage points Lincoln El -5 percentage points Naalehu El -5 percentage points Maunawili El -5 percentage points Sunset Beach El -5 percentage points Kamalii El -5 percentage points Kamehameha III El -5 percentage points Likelike El -4 percentage points Konawaena El -4 percentage points Waimalu El -4 percentage points Waiahole El -4 percentage points Royal El -4 percentage points Kalihi Waena El -4 percentage points Kaunakakai El -4 percentage points

Highest Achieving Middle Schools in Reducing Chronic Absenteeism Ilima Intermediate -5 percentage points Wahiawa Middle -4 percentage points Waiakea Intermediate -4 percentage points Kapaa Middle -4 percentage points Lahaina Intermediate -3 percentage points Stevenson Middle -3 percentage points Aliamanu Middle -3 percentage points Iao Intermediate -3 percentage points Highlands Intermediate -3 percentage points Washington Middle -2 percentage points Waimea Canyon Middle -1 percentage point Waipahu Intermediate -1 percentage point Kalakaua Middle -1 percentage point Ka Umeke Kaeo -1 percentage point Moanalua Middle -1 percentage point

Highest Achieving High Schools in Reducing Chronic Absenteeism Niihau O Kekaha -12 percentage points KANAKA -8 percentage points Kanu o ka Aina -7 percentage points Laupahoehoe Community PCS -4 percentage points Lahainaluna High -4 percentage points Kekaulike High -4 percentage points Kailua High -3 percentage points Molokai High -3 percentage points Anuenue -3 percentage points Thompson Academy -3 percentage points Kauai High -3 percentage points Waialua High & Intermediate -2 percentage points Mililani High -2 percentage points Moanalua High -2 percentage points



Highest Achieving Schools in Graduation Rate (Four-Year Rate) University Laboratory 100% Thompson Academy 97% Anuenue 97% Moanalua High 95% Ehunuikaimalino 95% Mililani High 94% Radford High 94% Kauai High 90% Kalani High 90% Kapaa High 90%

Highest Achieving Schools in College-Going Rate

16-month enrollment rate University Laboratory 86% Kalani High 81% Roosevelt High 75% Kaiser High 74% Mililani High 72% McKinley High 67% Kalaheo High 66% Moanalua High 64% Radford High 61% Pearl City High 60% Waimea High 58% Hawaii Academy 58% Kapaa High 57% Kauai High 57% Molokai High 56%

###

HTH: Big Island Strive HI test scores overall still below standard
Hawaii Visitor Spending Grew 6.1 Percent in August 2017

News Release from HTA September 28, 2017

HONOLULU  Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.39 billion in August 2017, an increase of 6.1 percent compared to August 2016, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).

Total visitor arrivals rose 4.8 percent to 818,581 visitors in August 2017, marked by growth in arrivals from both air service (+4.8% to 815,949) and cruise ships (+39.8% to 2,632).

Hawaiis four largest visitor markets, U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan and Canada, all reported increases in visitor spending and arrivals in August 2017.

The U.S. East market reported the largest gain in visitor spending in August 2017 (+11.7% to $328.3 million) year-over-year. Daily spending (+5% to $211 per person) was higher compared to a year ago and arrivals also grew (+6.6% 159,572) supported by increased air seats from Minneapolis, Dallas and Chicago.

The Japan market continued to realize growth in visitor spending (+9.4% to $231.6 million), visitor arrivals (+5.2% to 160,424) and daily spending (+2% to $224 per person) in August 2017, boosted by the additional direct flights serving Honolulu and Kona that began in prior months.

Spending by U.S. West visitors increased in August 2017 (+1.5% to $489.9 million). Arrivals were up (+3.7% to 342,054), but a shorter length of stay (-3% to 8.51 days) resulted in marginal growth in visitor days (+0.6%). Daily spending (+0.9% to $168 per person) rose slightly versus last year.

The Canada market recorded growth in visitor spending in August 2017 (+6.2% to $51 million) compared to a year ago. Visitor arrivals increased (+6% to 29,542) but daily spending declined (-1.9% to $156 per person) from a year ago.

Combined visitor spending from All Other International markets also increased in August 2017 (+5.7% to $290.5 million), boosted by growth in arrivals (+4.6% to 124,358) and higher daily spending.

All four larger Hawaiian Islands saw growth in visitor spending and arrivals in August 2017 compared to last year.

Total air seats serving Hawaii rose in August 2017 (+3.3% to 1,096,537) year-over-year. Double digit growth was realized in scheduled air seats from Japan (+15.6%) and U.S. East (+13.9%), with seats from Other Asia (+0.9%) and the U.S. West (+0.4%) also rising slightly. These increases entirely offset the fewer seats that came from Oceania (-3.3%).

Year-to-Date 2017

Total visitor spending increased through the first eight months of 2017 (+8.5% to $11.34 billion), bolstered by growth in arrivals (+4.7% to 6,315,435) and daily spending (+3.9% to $199 per person).
An incident in Western Australia has highlighted that employers should react swiftly to safety concerns even if they have a good track record.



Cooperative Bulk Handling Ltd (CBH) has been fined $37,500 over insufficient guarding on machinery that resulted in an employee losing a finger.



The grain cooperative pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and causing serious harm to the employee.



CBH was fined in the Southern Cross Magistrates Court and ordered to pay $3577 in costs.



A spokesperson for CBH said the company was committed to the safety of its employees, but acknowledged failure in this circumstance.



"We deeply regret the incident and that one of our employees was harmed," said the spokesperson.



CBH operates a grain receival and transport network with 197 grain receival sites in WA.



In February 2014, a worker was helping to move a stacker/loader which was connected to a tripper in the town of Bodallin. She was acting as spotter on the right hand side of the operator.



Once the electrical cable had reached its full length, the worker unplugged it and handed it to another worker to plug into the following socket.



When the operator gave the all clear and re-started the stacker/loader the worker was watching the cord and had her hand on the safety mesh/guard.



As the stacker/loader moved forward, the workers right hand fell onto the rail and the tripper wheel ran over it. The operator quickly stopped the machine and backed the tripper wheel off her hand.



The hand was badly injured, resulting in three surgeries, the final of which was to amputate her little finger. Moreover, she was also left with no feeling in her ring finger which made it challenging to grip objects.



In December 2014, CBH implemented a new design of tripper wheel guard to all its 197 sites across the State.



Magistrate Young held that engineering controls were the best method of ensuring safety and noted that the obligation to ensure safety by protecting against human error and fatigue was with the company.



CBH was aware that there was a safety issue with the guards and that they needed to be replaced.



However, the fact that they were not replaced in a timely manner was a serious breach of their obligation to provide a safe place to work.



The Magistrate agreed that CBH spent a lot of money across WA to prevent further injury, that the company had a good safety record and that it was a good corporate citizen.



Simon Ridge, DMIRS Acting Deputy Director General Safety, said that it is always disappointing to see these types of injuries.



Guarding of the dangerous moving parts of machinery is such a basic and easy precaution to take, and employers need to take a good hard look at the guarding situation and stop exposing employees to the risk of injury, said Ridge.



Subsequent to this incident, the employer installed new guards on all their tripper wheels.



But if this had been done earlier, this incident would not have occurred and the employee involved would have been spared a great deal of suffering.



Ridge added that CBH was aware of the problem with the old guards, but did not take action to fix the situation until months after the accident.



This case should serve as a reminder to all employers of the importance of guarding the moving parts of machinery as part of fulfilling their obligation to provide and maintain a safe work environment for employees.






The US' Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing a restaurant chain for firing an employee who refused to wear company-prescribed pants because of her religious beliefs.



On her first day of work at a Georgia Blue restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi, Kaetoya Watkins wore a denim skirt even as waitresses were required to wear blue jeans.



She had earlier told her manager that her religion Pentecostal  prohibited her from wearing pants. She got no response.



She was fired when she got to the restaurant. Later she received a voicemail message from the manager saying he had spoken with the owner and that the restaurant "would 'not stray away from' its dress code policy, the Jackson Free Press reported.



The commission says Georgia Blue LLC, whose restaurants sell southern and Creole food in four Mississippi cities, discriminated against the beliefs of its employee.



"Most religious accommodations are not burdensome, such as allowing an employee to wear a skirt instead of pants," Marsha L. Rucker, an EEOC attorney, said in a statement.



"It would have been simple to allow Ms. Watkins to wear a long skirt at work. No worker should be obligated to choose between making a living and following her religious convictions."



The federal agency, requesting a jury trial, also seeks appropriate back pay and punitive damages for the employee.



It also wants to permanently ban the restaurant chain from applying its dress code policies in a manner that fails to accommodate the sincerely held religious beliefs of its employees and applicants."



The EEOC regional office in Birmingham, Alabama, handles cases for most of Mississippi.






Kone, on the other hand, was ranked the most reputable company in the country already for the third consecutive year despite its current plans to reduce its workforce considerably. The lift and escalator manufacturer was followed this year by Supercell, Ponsse, Fazer and Google.

Terrafame, Caruna and Posti are the least trusted and reputable companies in Finland, according to an annual corporate reputation survey by T-Media.

The ten most reputable companies in Finland: Kone Supercell Ponsse Fazer Google Finlayson Pekkaniska OP Financial Group S Group Valio

Finns high regard for technology companies is probably attributable to the companies significance for the society. Technology companies are creating jobs and contributing to the trade balance in Finland, Riku Ruokolahti, the development director at T-Media, analyses in a press release.

Finlayson made a late push into the top-ten after garnering a lot of media attention with the income equality campaign it announced in August. The textiles manufacturer said it hopes to stir up discussion about the gender wage gap by granting its female customers a 17 per cent price reduction during the one-week campaign to be launched in early September.

Statistics Finland has reported that women earn 0.83 euros for every euro earned by men.

The Ombudsman for Equality, however, ordered the textiles manufacturer to advertise the campaign in a way that explicates that all customers are entitled to the price reduction.

Another company that saw its reputation improve considerably was Nokia. The network equipment manufacturer, however, failed to climb out of the bottom ten despite recording the greatest improvement in its reputation score in the five-year history of the survey.

The mobile phone business was the most well-known part of Nokia. People felt that the company had failed after it gave up on mobile phones. Failing in its main product category was a bitter pill to swallow for many Finns, but it now seems that the general public has forgiven the company and started paying attention to its new interesting ventures, comments Ruokolahti.

The ten least reputable companies in Finland: Terrafame Caruna Posti Tieto Nestle Danske Bank VR Telia Nordea Nokia

He also estimates that the improvement is not explained only by the recent return of Nokia-branded handsets.

The consumer products on the shelves of shops have of course had an impact on the companys reputation, even though the devices have been developed and manufactured by another company [HMD Global]. The most improved dimension of corporate reputation, however, was responsibility, which has become the third pillar of the reputation of Nokia, he says.

Over 6,000 Finns were asked to assess the reputation and trustworthiness of companies operating in Finland between June and July, 2017.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Emmi Korhonen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
CERTAINTY is important when you are suggesting to someone you should spend the rest of your life together.

Derek Cheriton, from Christmas Common, couldnt have been clearer with his intentions when he proposed to his now fiancee Louise Hatton.

He etched the words in 24m high, 4m wide text, into the side of a field in the Stonor Valley. Lou, will you marry me?, it read.

Derek proposed on September 8 after telling Louise they were taking their chocolate labrador Tia for a walk. He had written it out eight days before using specialist computer equipment from his spray contracting business DRC Contracting, which does a lot of work for farmers in the area.

One of his regular customers Simon Stracey, who runs White Pond Farm in Stonor, gave permission for him to use his field. It had been used to grow winter barley but was left to grow out.

Derek, 59, was due to spray the field down before it was cut back to be used again and he asked Simon if he minded him using it for his proposal. He says: I had been thinking about asking for the last six months and friends have been egging us on about it all the time. Ive been looking for a field that would work and this was the best one  it couldnt have come off any better.

The writing started to show three days after it was sprayed and after about a week some of the walkers in the area were talking about it.

Derek chose a certain route for the couple, who have been together for two years, to arrive at the field on the day.

They drove up a dirt track off Balhams Lane, near Turville Heath, and passed through some woodland before getting out of the car.

This meant Louise did not see the proposal until the field opened out in front of them when they walked out of the woods.

Derek says: Lou could not see until it all opened out, it was perfect. When we came out it was looking as if it were written on a blackboard. She said yes and started crying and then I started crying.

Louise, a headteacher at a primary school near Bicester, says: I was absolutely stunned and it was an incredibly romantic gesture. Derek is not very romantic but that made it even more special.

There were more surprises. Derek had arranged for about a dozen friends to join them for champagne before they all went to House of Spice, in Watlington, for a celebratory meal.

Derek said their friends were gobsmacked when they arrived and saw his creation.

I had only told two of them what I was doing, he says. Most of them knew I was proposing but I just asked them to meet us in the field.

Traditionally the man would drop down on to one knee to pop the question but Derek decided not to. He jokes: I would have done but it was muddy  I thought I had already done enough!

The picture of the field was sent to me by David Woodward who told me: Swear we saw the grinning farmer who did it as we walked down Balhams Lane  I bet she said yes!

Congratulations to the happy couple.
A visitor to a garda station kicked and damaged a door after he was arrested for threatening another man there.

Colm Parkinson (51) was being taken into custody for hurling abuse in the station when he caused the damage.

Judge David McHugh fined him 150 after hearing he had paid compensation for the damage, which totalled just under 400.

Parkinson, of Collinstown, Lusk, north Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a fire door at Ronanstown Garda Station.

He also admitted threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

Blanchardstown District Court heard that the incident happened on July 8.

The accused entered the station, where he threatened another man and was very abusive to him.

Restrained

He was cautioned before being arrested and taken by a garda to the cell area.

While he was en route to the cells, Parkinson became very aggressive, kicking out and damaging the hinges of a door.

He had to be restrained and taken into custody.

The court heard that he had previous convictions for criminal damage and public order offences.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said the accused was in a position to make good the damage.

The judge was told it cost 397 to repair the door and Parkinson had this in court.

Mr Fleming said that if there was any further work that needed to be done to the door, the gardai could "come back to us".

The judge said he was satisfied that he could deal with the case by way of a fine as the compensation had been paid.

He gave Parkinson six months to pay.
A man charged with the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan will face trial at the Special Criminal Court.

Judges yesterday granted an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to try Jason Keating (26) at the non-jury court.

Earlier this month, at Dublin District Court, Mr Keating, of Lower Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin, was charged with the murder of Mr Kirwan (62) outside his house at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, on December 22 last year.

Inadequate

At yesterday's brief hearing, state solicitor Michael O'Donovan made an application for Mr Keating to be tried before the special court.

The DPP can direct that an accused face trial there if it is deemed that "the ordinary courts are inadequate for effective administration of justice".

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding, made the order.

Mr Kirwan, a close friend of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, was shot in the head and chest as he sat in his Ford Mondeo outside his partner Bernadette's home in Clondalkin.

He was the 10th person to die in the Hutch-Kinahan feud, which has so far claimed 12 lives, including those of two innocent men.

Mr Kirwan's partner was in the passenger seat but was not injured in the shooting.

Last week, the man accused of the murder told the court that he "is fully contesting the charge".

Earlier this month, Mr Keating had been sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court.

However, the charge was struck out on September 14 and he was told he was "free to go" after issues were raised around the initial paperwork.

Immediately afterwards, Mr Keating was re-arrested, charged again with the murder and remanded in custody following another court hearing.

Mr Keating appeared again before Cloverhill District Court on September 22, when he was served with a book of evidence by Det Sgt Damian Gannon.

Judge Victor Blake was told that the DPP had directed that Mr Keating be sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court .

The judge told Mr Keating that if he intended to use an alibi in his defence he must inform the prosecution within 14 days.

Dressed in tracksuit bottoms, runners and a green T-shirt, he replied "yes" when asked if he understood.

The judge agreed to a request from defence solicitor Robert Purcell to grant legal aid.

Mr Purcell told Judge Blake that, because some time had been lost, the trial date was possibly further away than it should be.

"Mr Keating is fully contesting the charge and is anxious for it to proceed," he added.
Two men have been charged with money-laundering offences following the seizure of nearly 200,000 in cash by gardai in Dublin.

Edward McCarthy (31) and Paul Carew (40) were both remanded in custody after no bail applications were made on their behalf.

Mr McCarthy, of Reuben Street, Rialto, and Mr Carew, of Saggart Court Lodge, Sag- gart, Co Dublin, are each charged with possession of 191,160, the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The charges are contrary to Section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.

Caution

The offences are alleged to have happened at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre's yellow car park on August 27 last year.

Det Gda Redmond O'Leary, of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, told Dublin District Court yesterday that he arrested Mr Carew earlier that morning and he made no reply to the charge after caution.

He was handed a copy of the charge sheet.

Mr Carew's solicitor, Anarine McAllister, told Judge Colin Daly that she was not making a bail application on her client's behalf.

Judge Daly agreed to grant legal aid in Mr Carew's case.

Det Gda O'Leary then said that he arrested Mr McCarthy at Linenhall Place, Dublin 7, also yesterday morning.

He also did not reply to the charge after caution.

It was initially indicated that gardai would be objecting to bail in Mr McCarthy's case, but Ms McAllister said she was not making any bail application for him either.

Mr McCarthy, who was wearing a black T-shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms and black runners, looked straight ahead as evidence of his arrest, charge and caution was given.

Gda O'Leary said the Director of Public Prosecutions was directing that the charges proceed on indictment in both cases.

Judge Daly remanded the accused men in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next week for the service of books of evidence.

Mr Carew was remanded in custody to appear in court on October 3, via video-link.

Mr McCarthy will appear again the following day.

Neither man addressed the court during the brief hearings or indicated a plea.
The family of a Dublin fitness instructor killed in a gangland attack pleaded for no further violence as he was laid to rest yesterday.

John Gibson (28) is believed to have been lured to his death in Citywest last Monday week seven days after his pal Darragh Nugent was shot dead.

The gang suspected of both murders is linked to the ruthless Kinahan cartel and is considered to be west Dublin's biggest drug supplier.

Blood

Gibson's mother, Tara, clutched a photo of him as she entered the Church of Divine Mercy in Balgaddy, Lucan.

During a eulogy, his aunt, Ciara, said the family did not want to see any other mother suffer in the same way, and added that the spate of murders must come to an end.

Expand Close John Gibson, who was shot dead in a suspected gang attack / Facebook

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Whatsapp John Gibson, who was shot dead in a suspected gang attack

"My beautiful sister has lost the only child she ever had, her beautiful baby boy," she said.

"But she can know in her heart that John Eamonn Gibson never had anyone's blood on his hands.

"We condemn all violence in the strongest possible terms, as until this week it has been alien to our family's lives. The intolerable pain that has been bestowed upon us should never be inflicted on any family."

She also recounted the events of the night of Gibson's murder to the large congregation.

"Monday the 18th of September was a day that will never leave us as a family. My parents witnessed the screams from their daughter, the absolute devastation that fatal night brought upon us," she said.

"We ask people not to judge John's life on his last chapter.

"My sister wants no other mother to go through what she has gone through - no mother should ever have to bury her child in such senseless, horrific circumstances.

Nightmare

"We are asking, as John's family, to end these barbaric murders, so no other mother has to wake up to a nightmare every morning and wonder how she will get through it at all."

Gardai were present in the vicinity of the church before, during and after the ceremony.
Anxious commuters should be spared the threat of a train strike next month, Rail Users Ireland said last night.

"We've all been left with this big uncertainty around our daily travel in the coming weeks," said Mark Gleeson, spokesman for the commuters' representative group.

Travel chaos looms for 140,000 rail passengers following the breakdown of pay negotiations between unions and management on Wednesday night.

Unions warned that rail services could be hit by strikes as early as the October bank holiday weekend.

"Rail users are extremely frustrated. We have been subsidising Irish Rail with fare hikes of five to 10pc a year," said Mr Gleeson.

"This threat of strikes is causing a high degree of frustration.

"The angry and militant attitude of the unions is not helping.

"There's a lot of trepidation among commuters now.

"We would encourage all sides to immediately resume talks."

He said Irish Rail should do more to seek increased state funding for improvements in services.

Unions are seeking a "no strings attached" 3.75pc pay increase.

The company has offered a 1.5pc rise in return for improved productivity, including redeploying staff and outsourcing.

The unions have demanded that the Government restores funding levels to Irish Rail, which were greatly reduced in the economic crash.

Siptu union division organiser Greg Ennis said Irish Rail has been underfunded by the Government for years and workers "can give no more" to the company.

Anger

Dermot O'Leary, the general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers' Union, said a strike could take place by the October bank holiday.

"The anger is palpable among union members," he said.

"Balloting for strike action will be under way by next week and will be completed within three weeks."

Following the breakdown of pay talks, industrial relations would be more difficult, Mr O'Leary added.

A spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann said it had participated positively in the pay talks and proposed giving employees 4.5pc over three years.

The company's financial position "remains extremely challenging, with insolvency looming if further losses occur", he said.

He added that at least two weeks remained for talks within the requested timescale, so it was "inexplicable" that the unions would "rush to ballot and to disrupt services".
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.  A motorcyclist was injured Thursday afternoon in a crash that also involved a Sullivan County school bus, according to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office.

The crash occurred at 2 p.m. in the 400 block of Buncombe Road. The bus driver was backing out of the driveway when the motorcyclist struck the back of the bus, the Sheriff's Office said.

The motorcyclist was taken by helicopter to the hospital. The driver of the school bus sustained no injuries and no children were on the bus, the Sheriff's Office said.

The crash remains under investigation.
Updated:

BRISTOL, Va.  A North Carolina man was arrested Thursday evening after a brief pursuit in Bristol, Virginia.

An officer stopped a Hyundai Elantra along Euclid Avenue near Park Street before 6 p.m., Bristol Virginia Police Department Sgt. Patricia Eller said. During the stop, a passenger quickly exited but did not run, Eller said.

The driver, later identified as Terreal Dorsey, 33, of North Carolina, took off in the car and led the officer on a pursuit through several side streets, Eller said.

The car then struck a concrete wall near St. Anne's Catholic Church on Euclid Avenue, Capt. Darryl Milligan said. The pursuit came to an end nearby in the grass and Dorsey was taken into custody.

Dorsey was charged with felony eluding, speeding and no drivers license. He was taken to the Bristol Virginia City Jail.
WISE, Va.A joint venture of the Wise County Sheriff's Office, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Corrections, the town of Wise Police Department and the Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office conducted a security sweep of the county courthouse on Thursday.

Officers from several police agencies, including four K-9 units, gathered for a security sweep of the Wise County Courthouse and its adjacent parking lots, Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney Chuck Slemp said. Narcotics detection dogs from the Wise County Sheriff's Office, the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Corrections were used to assist in the operation.

Commonwealth's Attorney Chuck Slemp explained, "I want to thank our law enforcement officers for their professionalism and diligent efforts today to keep the courthouse safe for all who work or visit here and free from illegal drugs. The presence of inmates from our local jails and prisons makes it especially important that security checks like this take place to ensure that contraband is not passed to those who are incarcerated."

The courthouse is a frequently visited location for more than just court. In Wise County, the courthouse is home to county administrative offices, constitutional officers employees, and economic development staff.

Sheriff Ronnie Oakes said, "Today's operation is an important part of our continuing efforts to keep our community safe and drug-free. I am proud of our diligent officers who tirelessly work each day to ensure security of all who visit or work at the courthouse."

Todays operation coincided with criminal motions and probation violation cases on the Circuit Courts docket, one of the busiest days of the month. Commonwealths Attorney Chuck Slemp said, Todays operation serves an important deterring effect on those who seek to bring contraband to inmates at the courthouse.
The proposed merger of two area health systems is on hold until Oct. 30, after officials sought and received another delay in Virginia.

On Thursday, Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System submitted a letter to state Department of Health Commissioner Marissa Levine asking to extend the deadline for a decision beyond the previously agreed to Sept. 30.

The systems want the state to OK a cooperative agreement to combine 21 hospitals  14 in Tennessee and seven in Virginia -- and 15,000 employees to form Ballad Health.

Tennessees Department of Health and attorney general approved that union last week through a Certificate of Public Advantage. At that time, health system officials said they anticipated the Virginia decision this week.

In the letter, MSHA President and CEO Alan Levine and Wellmont President and CEO Bart Hove outlined the parameters of their request, in light of just receiving the Tennessee decision, which includes terms of extensive state oversight.

The applicants want to ensure that the commissioner and her staff have sufficient time to review the Tennessee terms and consider the possible interplay between the Tennessee terms and the Virginia application, the letter states. After conferring with your office, the applicants respectfully request further extension of the time frame for a decision on the Virginia application and that the commissioner render a decision on the Virginia application no later than Oct. 30, 2017, provided that all information the commissioner deems necessary to her decision has been received, or earlier if appropriate.

In her reply, Commissioner Levine agreed to the request and put off any final decision until Oct. 30.

This marks the fifth formal delay in Virginia, after the systems petitioned the commissioner for extensions on Feb. 3, March 10, April 28 and Sept. 1.

Last Friday  three days after securing the Tennessee approval  the systems submitted a 41-page document to the commissioners office revising and adding specifics to a list of financial commitments the merged system would invest in the region over the next 10 years.
ABINGDON, Va.William King Museum of Art received a $500,000 grant to fund the development of its new Center for Studio Art & Education.

Appalachian Regional Commission approved the grant to fund the renovation of the former Washington County administrative office building directly adjacent to the museum, according to a news release issued Thursday.

The new center will feature a Digital Craft Lab, additional artisan and artist studios and classrooms.

The museum has an additional $250,000 grant from the Educational Foundation of America, the Town of Abingdon and various private individual donors through the museums Masterwork in Progress campaign.

Master craftsmen and women in blacksmithing, glass blowing, pottery, sculpture and woodworking will work in the Craft Pavilion, which will be on the first floor of the center. The second floor will have studios for multimedia artists, house illustrators and painters.

The Digital Craft Lab and additional classroom space for public and K-12 programming will be housed on the second level of the center.

The new center is the anchor for the museums larger cultural campus expansion project. The project features various improvements, including improving parking and accessibility by adding a new east entrance.

As Southwest Virginia reinvents itself, the museum has a role to play in providing educational opportunities that prepare new members of the workforceand retrain those already in itto contribute in new and innovative ways, according to the news release.
Its not hard finding Brandeis University alumni in the Jewish world. Theyre probably in your neighborhood, your officemaybe even your home.

But theres also plenty of Brandeis DNA in places you might least expect it, from Hollywood to the boardroom. Here are some celebrities you might not know spent their formative years at the Jewish-founded nonsectarian university outside of Boston.

A Graceful star

Debra Messing had high hopes for her acting career when she arrived as an undergraduate at Brandeis. Having starred in numerous plays at her high school in Rhode Island, Messing eventually would make it big with her role as Grace Adler in the groundbreaking NBC sitcom Will & Grace.

But at her first audition for a play in college, Messing failed to get the part.

She didnt let the setback derail her dream. Messing soon became a star in the Brandeis arts scene under the tutelage of Ted Kazanoff, the celebrated theater chair whom Messing says changed my life, and after graduating summa cum laude in 1990 won admission to an elite acting school in New York.

In 2003, Messings work as the funny, smart, quirky (and, of course, Jewish) best friend of two gay men on Will & Grace earned her the Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series. Starting Sept. 28, Messing will be reprising her role as Grace in a 10-episode revival of the NBC hit.

In the interim, Messing has done more shows than she can count, including another NBC show, Smash, developed by fellow Brandeis alumna Theresa Rebeck.

If she could go back and give advice to her 20-something self, Messing told Haute Living recently that shed say: Its gonna be OK. There is no race. You are an artist; follow your instincts. You are beautiful as you are.

The 44th president of the United States (sort of)

He became president thanks to a rigged election, narrowly escaped a sex scandal that could have derailed his presidency and allows his passions to rule his decision-making about matters of war. Were talking, of course, about the fictional 44th president of the United States, Fitzgerald Grant III.

Tony Goldwyn, who plays the president on Shonda Rhimes popular ABC drama Scandal, isnt just a graduate of Brandeis, hes also the scion of a very famous Jewish family. His great-grandfather was the legendary movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn, who came to America as a penniless teenager a couple of years after the death of his Polish Hasidic father and eventually became one of Hollywoods most powerful producers.

Not long after graduating drama school, Goldwyn got his first big break playing the perfidious villain in Ghost, the 1990 blockbuster starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Though now a star on one of the most popular shows on television, Goldwyn hasnt forgotten his roots. He has stayed involved with Brandeis, and in a 2015 visit recalled his alma mater as being a very entrepreneurial place.

If students werent cast in shows, he said, they would get together and put on their own.

The female CEO with Playboy credentials

Christie Hefner is one of the most accomplished businesswomen in America, her name synonymous with the world-famous company she once ran.

Thats thanks both to her work and her family name: Hefner ran Playboy Enterprises, the company started by her father, Hugh Hefner. When Christie Hefner became Playboys president at the tender age of 29, she quickly put to rest any doubts about nepotism ruining the family business. She transformed Playboy into a global giant, promoting its international, television and digital expansion, and eventually became the longest-serving female CEO of a public company.

Hefners achievements started early. At Brandeis, where she majored in English and American literature, she earned the rare distinction of election to Phi Beta Kappa as a junior. After graduating summa cum laude, she took a job as a journalist for a year before joining Playboy. Now the chairwoman of the brand and innovation strategy company Hatch Beauty, Hefner also for a time served as director of the influential progressive think tank the Center for American Progress.

The New York Times columnist

Before going to Beirut and Jerusalem, before he discovered the world is flatnot to mention hot and crowdedThomas Friedman was a bookish student at Brandeis with a passion for the Middle East.

Friedman spent three of his high school summers at Israeli kibbutzim, and at Brandeis majored in Mediterranean studies. After graduating in 1975 he began his experiential education, winning a Marshall Scholarship to study at Oxford and eventually becoming a foreign correspondent for The New York Times.

The winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, Friedman today is one of the worlds most famous and influential newspaper columnists. Hes also a frequent visitor to the Brandeis campus, where he regularly talks to students and is a member of the journalism program advisory board.

The woman who would not be denied

Deborah Lipstadt was well known in Jewish and academic circles long before actress Rachel Weiszs portrayal of her in the 2016 film Denial made her famous among filmgoers. An accomplished Holocaust historian, Lipstadt is one of the many academic stars in Jewish-related fields to hail from Brandeis.

But she was one of the early ones: When she graduated in 1972, Lipstadt was only the 100th person to earn a doctorate at Brandeis. (Her dissertation was on the American Zionist leader Louis Lipsky.) Then she went on to distinguish herself as the worlds leading expert on Holocaust denial, eventually landing at Emory University.

Lipstadt was catapulted to fame when Holocaust denier David Irving sued her for libel in 1996, not long after publication of her book Denying the Holocaust. Lipstadts subsequent defense in an English courtroom, which laid bare Irvings lie that there were no gas chambers at Auschwitz, dealt a serious blow to the cottage industry of Holocaust denial. Lipstadt became a hero, and her 2005 book about her experience, History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier, won wide acclaim.

Denial, the popular film about Lipstadts fight with Irving, propelled her celebrity to new heights, but Lipstadt remains a serious academic interested in serious work.

I now have a platform to reach people that I didnt have before, she said recently. Its incredibly humbling. What it has done is make me try to be even more careful about what I say because people tend to pay more attention. With greater prominence comes greater responsibility.

This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with Brandeis University, a university founded by the American Jewish community, dedicated to academic excellence, critical thinking, openness to all and tikkun olam. This article was produced by JTAs native content team.
The comic book written by Israeli film director Ari Folman is the first such publication authorized by the Anne Frank Foundation.

PARIS (JTA)-In a bid to preserve interest in the Holocaust by future generations, the Basel-based Anne Frank Foundation unveiled the first authorized comic book based on the teenager's famous diary written in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam.

The 148-page adaptation, which was published Sept. 18 in France and in some 40 languages worldwide, was presented to journalists in the French capital Sept. 7 by the graphic diary's illustrator, David Polonsky from Israel, and its writer, the Israeli film director Ari Folman, who is working on the first full-length authorized animation film based on the comic book.

The comic book, referred to as a graphic diary by its developers, was produced in cooperation with the Anne Frank Foundation, or fonds-the organization that Anne's father, Otto, entrusted with preserving her memory-contains colorful illustrations both of realities described in the book, including the teen's difficult relationship with her mother and sister, and her dreams and fantasies.

One full-page drawing, based on Anne's writing about wanting to become a journalist, shows an older Anne sitting at her desk with framed newspapers in the background, including a Life magazine cover featuring a picture of her.

Another shows her family members and other Jews with whom they lived in hiding for two years in Amsterdam depicted as animals, corresponding to Anne's humorous anecdotes about their personalities. Other drawings feature allusions to great visual artworks, including by Edvard Munch and Gustav Klimt.

"I'm worried we're coming to an era where there won't be Holocaust survivors on Earth, no living witnesses to tell the story," said Folman, who was born to Holocaust survivors whom he said told him and his sister "way, way too many" horrible stories from the genocide. As they disappear, "the entire story of the Holocaust risks becoming something ancient so it's essential to find ways to preserve" interest in the Holocaust, he said during a Q&A in Paris.

Anne, her sister and parents and several other Jews were deported in 1944 to be murdered following a raid by Nazi soldiers on the so-called secret annex where they lived in hiding with help from the Dutch resistance. Anne died seven months later in a concentration camp. Her mother and sister also died. Only Otto survived, and he edited his younger daughter's writings and had them published in 1947.

Folman, who is well-known internationally for his film about Israel's Lebanon War, "Waltz with Bashir," said his first reaction was to "immediately say no" after being approached by the Switzerland-based Anne Frank Foundation, or Fonds.

Folman and Polonsky initially turned down the offer, they said, because artistically they doubted their ability to make a contribution that would stand out from the many films, books, theater shows, operas and musicals that have been produced over the story of Anne Frank-perhaps the world's most famous Holocaust victim following the publication in dozens of languages of her diary over the last seven decades.

There has been "too much done around the story," Folman said. But he reconsidered after talking to his 95-year-old mother, whom she said is now "living with the goal of seeing the premiere" of the film he is making about Anne Frank.

Since the 1940s, many authorized and unauthorized adaptations of the Anne Frank story have been created in many media. In Japan alone, the Anne Frank story has been the subject of several comic books-graphic novels in the Japanese manga style. But these publications were not authorized by the Anne Frank Foundation for historical accuracy corresponding to Anne's actual writings.

The film, Folman told JTA, will treat also the last "horrendous" seven months in Anne Frank's life, despite the absence of material on this period written by her.

"We used other historical sources to address this part of her life," he said. "It was a condition of mine to work on this."
(JTA)-There are almost as many reality cop shows on television as there are Real Housewives. "Cops" is the granddaddy of them all, in its 30th season, plus there's "Night Watch" and "Live PD," to name just a few.

The newest is "Street Justice: The Bronx," which premiered Sept. 19 on the Discovery Channel.

The series' trailer features a heavily tattooed, muscular older gentleman, head shaven, wearing a 41st Precinct T-shirt. As dramatic music pulsates in the background, he describes how dangerous the streets of the Bronx were in the 1970s, when he patrolled there. Words flash on the screen describing him as the most decorated detective in NYPD history.

And then he introduces himself: "My name is Ralph Friedman and these are my stories."

From the get-go, it's clear that this cop isn't like all other cops. Friedman, 68, made over 2,000 arrests and earned 219 department awards, plus another 36 civilian honors. He was cut by knives and razors, and had bones broken by tire irons. (Never shot, thankfully.)

And then there is his background: Friedman grew up in a largely unobservant Jewish family in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, only a few subway stops north of Yankee Stadium. He remembers staying home on the High Holidays and studying for his bar mitzvah, but "never pursued anything further than that."

After high school, he took a job with a moving company making $4.50 an hour.

"That was tremendous back then because everyone else was making $1.15," he said.

On a lark, Friedman accompanied some friends who were taking the police civil service exam. He passed and was called in nine months later.

"Being a cop you could have a future, even without a college degree," he said. "If I stayed a mover, I'd be lifting that same refrigerator for 30 years."

Friedman joined the NYPD Shomrim Society-the association of Jewish cops-from the moment he took the job, and is still a member. Today there are approximately 3,000 Jews in the New York Police Department in a total force of 34,000.

Still, Friedman's decorated career lasted just 14 years-his time at the NYPD cut short, ironically, not by a bad guy but a fellow cop. The "coup de grace that ended my career," he said in a telephone interview, occurred when he and a partner were racing in an unmarked car to a signal 10-13-"officer needs assistance"-and were struck by a blue-and-white police car rushing to the same call.

His car was T-boned right where he sat, resulting in 23 broken bones, a hip shattered into 100 pieces and a disability pension. It took him more than two years to recover.

Unable to work, Friedman traveled and worked around his house. But his quiet existence changed in 2015, when the New York Post did a major story about him that caught the attention of St. Martin's Press. In July, the book publisher brought out his memoir, "Street Warrior: The True Story of the NYPD's Most Decorated Detective and the Era That Created Him." Jupiter, the company that produces "Street Justice," took note.

The series uses a combination of archival footage and re-creations to trace some of the more dramatic moments of Friedman's career. In the premiere episode, for example, a young Friedman is working the precinct desk when a detective upstairs is shot and killed by a perp who grabbed the cop's gun while being fingerprinted.

Friedman's stories may seem like dramatic fiction, but not to anyone who lived in the area during that time. Sections of the Bronx more closely resembled Mosul than a part of the Big Apple with its vacant, burned-out buildings lining major thoroughfares.

It's no surprise that his precinct, the notorious 41st, was known derisively as Fort Apache. It encompassed only about two square miles, but it was the scene of over 100 homicides annually during this period.

The Bronx is in the midst of a resurgence fueled in part by a continuing decline in crime that some, like Friedman, credit to aggressive police tactics that have lately fallen out of favor. New York City's current mayor, Bill de Blasio, made reducing stop-and-frisk policing a key plank in his mayoral campaign. Before he took office, a U.S. District Court judge said the tactic could be unconstitutional, and the department worked to decrease the frequency with which stops were being used by police. In 2013, the same judge said that stop and frisk was racial profiling by another name.

Friedman, unsurprisingly, is not pleased with the changes.

"When I was on the job, they wanted you to be very proactive, go out and arrest bad guys and do your job," he said. "Today it's not like that with this mayor. Police are more reactive, after a crime has been committed. They don't want you out there doing real police work. Today, no one has your back.

"When we went out and stopped a guy on a hunch and found a gun or drugs, it was considered a good arrest. Today you're violating the guy's rights. You're being micromanaged and the public will suffer."

Asked if he felt there was any truth to the accusations of racial profiling, Friedman was interrupted by the Discovery Channel public relations person person, who ordered "next question."

But Friedman did not have to answer the query for a reporter to get a feeling for his views.

"I would love to be a cop today, but I don't think my methods would blend in with today's policing," he said.

In the show and in an interview, Friedman comes across as a no-nonsense, unapologetic guy.

"If I said you were under arrest, you were under arrest," he recalled. "You could go easy or hard, but you were under arrest."

Asked what the public misunderstands about police work, Friedman said, "I don't think they understand how dangerous even the menial jobs we do-breaking up a family dispute or pulling over a vehicle-can be. You don't know who is in that car. Did he commit a murder or a robbery. Did they jump bail?"

But you don't need to take Friedman's word for it. One of the re-enactments on the six-episode series begins with what seems like a family dispute but ends in gunfire. Friedman and his partner, Kalman Ungar, walk into an apartment and a man jumps out of a hallway and starts to fire at them.

Ungar is hit five times but the shooter-who, according to the show's version, had just beat up his girlfriend-seems unscathed, despite the number of shots aimed at him. With his revolver empty, he attacks Friedman. In hand-to-hand combat, Friedman uses the last bullet in his gun to shoot the criminal.

Fortunately, Ungar survived his wounds. The shooter did not. (A contemporaneous New York Times account of the same 1972 shooting says the shooter had reported a robbery, and had mistaken the plainclothes detectives for the thieves.)

Friedman says he never experienced anti-Semitism on the job.

"People saw that I could handle myself," he said. "And I think I gave a better impression of Jews because I could handle myself."

Back in Friedman's day, the department had a reputation for being an Irish stronghold. The NYPD is more diverse now, and that "is a good thing, without a doubt" he said. "It reflects the makeup of the city. Good cops come in all shapes, sizes and colors. It's the person."

Friedman's hard-nosed attitude vanishes when he is asked which life he likes better.

He laughs, then says: "There's nothing better than being a cop on the street. There's nothing better in the world than taking bad guys off the street. It was like an adrenaline rush.

"But that's a different life that's behind me," he adds. "Now it's nice to be recognized and meet people interested in my story."

Safer, too.
NEW YORK (JTA)-Larissa Raphael was sick of eating knishes that packed in plenty of potatoes but no punch.

"I was like, 'why does the knish need to be bland?'" she said. "I want it to taste really good."

As the former pastry chef of a late lamented restaurant that earned a Michelin star, she decided to take matters into her own hands. In February, Raphael, 47, launched her one-woman knish business, Riss' Knishes.

Raphael started cooking up the idea last year when an acquaintance suggested she make the doughy pockets with roots in Jewish Eastern Europe. She tested various recipes and gave them to friends and family members. One neighbor was so smitten that at his encouragement, she decided to make it a business.

Raphael's savory, flavorful creations are not your grandfather's favorite deli's knishes, and they look different, too: Instead of dough that completely wraps the filling, Raphael treats the dough as more of a crust, shaping it in a rose-like pattern with the smooth filling peeking from the center.

"I took my pastry chef skill and mixed it with my love for potatoes and created a knish that's a little more artisanal," Raphael told JTA on a recent Wednesday morning in Brooklyn after finishing up a batch of knishes.

Raphael, who grew up outside Philadelphia and studied to become a pastry chef at the South Seattle Community College, is selling her wares at Fulton Stall Market, an upscale food hall in downtown Manhattan that offers locally made food and produce. She is in talks with Whole Foods to sell her knishes in its stores.

Raphael's flavors range from the classic potato-onion knish to inventive new takes such as mushroom Gruyere and poblano jalapeno cheddar.

Prior to launching Riss' Knishes, all with her own money, Raphael was the head pastry chef at Telepan, whose owner-chef Bill Telepan she met when the two worked at Judson Grill. Telepan, a farm-to-table restaurant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, was awarded a Michelin star three years in a row but closed in 2016 due to financial reasons.

Raphael starts her day early, waking up at about 3 a.m. to get from her Lower East Side home to Runner & Stone, a Brooklyn restaurant whose owners lend her the kitchen a few times a month. She goes through some 36 pounds of potatoes to produce around 300 knishes a month, which she sells frozen for $3.50 each or $12 for four.

The daughter of a Jewish father and a Unitarian Universalist mother, Raphael grew up celebrating both Christian and Jewish holidays at home. She remembers eating Jewish food, including knishes (though they were-gasp!-store bought) at the home of her paternal grandparents on Long Island.

While working at Telepan, the restaurant hosted a squash and sweet potato-themed dinner, and Raphael wanted to make sweet potato knishes. Though they didn't pan out, she found herself coming back to the idea last year.

"I'd like to expose the culture of Jewish food to more people," she said. "I think food brings people together. I think there's always that saying of when you break bread with somebody, you form a relationship.

"Not that the knish is going to save the world-it's just one step of sharing something and bringing people together."

When it comes to flavors, Raphael tries to balance tradition with modernity. Lately she has been fielding requests to make a knish filled with kasha, or buckwheat.

"If a lot of people are going to want to buy a kasha knish, I'm going to make it," she said. "But if I do something that traditional, then maybe the next one I do can be a little more playful. I kind of want to satisfy the traditionalists and look to open up the ideas of what a knish can be."

No matter the filling, Raphael is convinced that knishes can please anyone's palate.

"It seems to me anyone would like a knish," she said. "Who wouldn't like it?"
Israel and the U.S. inaugurated the first American military base on Israeli soil on Monday, Sept. 18, which will serve dozens of soldiers operating a missile defense system.

The move comes at a time of growing Israeli concerns about archenemy Irans development of long-range missiles. Together with the U.S., Israel has developed a multilayered system of defenses against everything from long-range guided missile attacks from Iran to crude rockets fired from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

The bases opening is largely symbolic and isnt expected to bring operational changes. But the Israeli military says that along with other measures, it sends a message of readiness to Israels enemies.

Its a message that says Israel is better prepared. Its a message that says Israel is improving the response to threats, said Brig. Gen. Zvika Haimovich, the commander of Israels aerial defense.

The base is located within an existing Israeli air force base and will operate under Israeli military directives.

Israeli and U.S. military officials cut a ribbon at the base Monday, where the American and Israeli flags flew side by side and soldiers from both countries commingled.

Israels multi-tier missile defense system includes the Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in the stratosphere with an eye on Iran, and Iron Dome, which defends against short-range rockets from the Gaza Strip. Davids Sling is meant to counter the type of medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants.

Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing the countrys nuclear ambitions, its development of long-term missiles, hostile anti-Israel rhetoric and support for anti-Israel militant groups. Israel has grown increasingly concerned about Irans involvement in the civil war in neighboring Syria, where its troops are supporting President Bashar Assad.

Israel is worried that Iran and its proxy Hezbollah will establish a long-term presence in Syria near the Israeli border.
When researchers at the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America reported earlier this year that public school history textbooks and curricular materials were indoctrinating students against Israel, some high school officials were dismissive.

Ruth Goldman, chair of the Newton, Mass. school committee, told the Washington Free Beacon that it is an old subject and had all been taken care of.

She also said the problems cited by CAMERA happened before my time on the committee. However, it has since been revealed that she served as the school committee chair starting in 2013, a year before a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by concerned citizens to obtain the problematic curricular materials.

In addition, CAMERA released further findingsthat JNS.org previously reportedshowing how school officials are not being candid with the public about misinformation still being taught.

What we found is that school officials use a kind of sleight of hand, said Andrea Levin, CAMERA executive director. They tell the media about whats been removed from the classroom, which distracts attention from other disturbingly false materials that are still being used.

Levin told JNS.org that school spokesmen in Newton will highlight that the Arab World Studies Notebooka binder of problematic documentswas removed several years ago from the curriculum, and then falsely assert the whole issue was resolved.

There are many other biased, inaccurate materials still in the system spreading false information to our kids, Levin said. Weve documented it extensively and the public deserves to know what the school committee is going to do.

One example, an eight-page timeline taken from the PBS website that omits any mention of Arab terror attacks inside Israel during the 1970s and 1980s, and also omits Yasser Arafats wave of mass suicide bombings in the terror war of the early 2000s.

Students simply wont understand a critical element of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if they dont learn about Arab terrorism against Jews, said Steven Stotsky, CAMERA researcher who authored, Indoctrinating Our Youth, a study of anti-Israel bias in U.S. public school curricular materials.

Arab terrorism directed at Israeli civilians isnt a partisan point; its a fact of history thats central to grasping not only Israeli society and politics but also core attitudes of many Palestinian leaders and public, Stotsky added. To omit this is to deny students a full understanding of the realities.

Levin added, The question has to be asked of the school committee and superintendent: Is the distorted, inaccurate PBS timeline staying or going?

CAMERAs research has showed that a number of textbooks, maps and handouts also routinely downplay or omit the Palestinians repeated refusal of Israeli peace offers.

Instead, Israel is depicted falsely as unwilling to compromise, Stotsky said. Thats demonstrably false history.

Stotsky also said that students are receiving materials that conceal the religious component of the conflict, as well as the violent incitement against Israel and Jews that saturates Palestinian political discourse.

These subjects cannot be omitted if youre going to have students study the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Levin said. Indoctrination can happen as much through the sin of omission as the sin of commission.

Jonah Cohen is director of communications for CAMERA.
Formula 1 has confirmed that it will return to Shanghai next year following new deal inked with the promoters of the China Grand Prix.

The new three-year agreement between Formula One Management and Shanghai Juss Sports Development will begin in 2018.

Shanghai was originally earmarked for April 8 on the 2018 calendar, but the race will swap dates with Bahrain and be held on April 15, making it the second round of the championship.

Hamilton laments loss of Malaysia from F1 calendar

This great country has already demonstrated an overwhelming show of interest in our sport and we firmly believe there is still a great deal of unexplored potential here, said F1 CEO Chase Carey.

Thats why this renewed agreement is so important as part of our development strategy, especially in this part of the world.

"We and our partners in this venture want to make this Formula 1

Chinese Grand Prix even more spectacular, while bringing Chinese fans ever closer to the sport."

China first appeared on Formula 1's schedule back in 2004 and has steadily grown to become a pivotal event for the sport and its manufacturer teams for which the country represents a massive marketing asset.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Simon Yaakovi, director of the Rabbinical Courts Administration in Israel, speaking during an interview in his Jerusalem office, July 27, 2015.

JERUSALEM (JTA)-Israel's rabbinical courts in recent years have ramped up their practice of blacklisting citizens they deem not Jewish, internal data released Sunday show.

With increasing frequency, the courts have placed Israelis, almost all of them immigrants with Jewish heritage, on lists that prevent them from marrying Jews. The courts argue that they are acting to preserve the coherence of the Jewish people.

But critics say the rabbinical courts have stepped outside their legal jurisdiction and beyond what is required by even an Orthodox interpretation of Jewish law.

"They have now made everybody fair game to have their Jewishness challenged," said Rabbi Seth Farber, the director of ITIM, a nonprofit that guides Israelis through the country's religious bureaucracy. "Once you open that door, you're exponentially expanding your pool and your numbers are going to go up."

The courts keep two lists: one for Israelis they deem "not Jewish" and the other for those whose "Jewishness needs clarification." But the consequences for those on both lists are the same: They cannot marry or access Jewish services through the Chief Rabbinate, Israel's haredi-dominated rabbinical authority, which oversees the rabbinical courts.

This means they are also barred from marrying Jews in Israel, since the Chief Rabbinate has a monopoly on Jewish marriage here. However, Israel recognizes civil marriages performed abroad, and many Jews have turned to this option.

Last year, the total number of Israelis blacklisted by the rabbinical courts was 454, compared to 134 in 2012. Of the 3,988 Israelis added to the lists since they were created in 1954, 2,783 were ruled "not Jewish." According to ITIM, 22 percent of the names on the lists were added between 2015 and 2016.

ITIM obtained the statistics from the rabbinical courts through a freedom of information request.

Farber attributed the accelerating growth of the lists in part to increased assertiveness by the Chief Rabbinate in checking who is a Jew. The most recent and extreme example, he said, is the rabbinical courts' willingness to investigate not just Israelis who applied for marriage, but also their family members.

According to experts, the Chief Rabbinate has also started sending more and more marriage applicants to rabbinical courts to be vetted. ITIM officials said the rabbinical courts now investigate more than 5,000 people for their Jewishness each year. They estimated that most of those people are Jewish and simply cannot prove it.

Because Jewishness is traditionally passed down from mother to child, the rabbinical courts bring in siblings or matrilineal relatives of marriage applicants and typically issue a ruling that applies to everyone. This has been going on for least a decade and routinely for at least the past year and a half.

ITIM learned about the practice in early 2016 and appealed to Israel's High Court of Justice on behalf of four such families. It argued that the rabbinical courts-they are empowered to resolve disputes related to Jewish religious matters, including marriage and divorce-do not have the legal jurisdiction to adjudicate the Jewishness of Israelis without their consent.

Before turning to the High Court, ITIM appealed to the Supreme Rabbinical Court in Jerusalem. Apparently in response to those appeals, and days before denying the first two in December, the Chief Rabbinate officially mandated the courts' practice of investigating family members.

Nearly all the rabbinical courts' investigations of Jewishness target immigrants from the former Soviet Union and their descendants. It was the influx of more than a million people from those countries starting in the late 1980s under Israel's Law of Return, which guarantees automatic citizenship to anyone with a Jewish grandparent, that moved the Chief Rabbinate to begin regularly checking the Jewishness of marriage applicants and make it official policy in 2002.

The rabbinical courts did not respond to a request for comment just ahead of Shabbat. But Rabbi Shimon Yaakovi, an attorney who directs the Rabbinical Courts Administration, told JTA in January that the rabbinical courts must protect the Jewish nation from being unwittingly compromised by intermarriage.

"We can't have someone walking around wrongly thinking he's a Jew, and his family and friends believing it," he said. "I understand people's need to be part of the Jewish collective in Israel, but there are rules, and if we don't obey the rules we undermine halacha. Judaism is not being measured by feelings."

But some religious experts say background checks of Jews are in no way required by halacha, or Jewish law.

"If the court found out there was an attempt to hide something or cheat the rabbis, I can understand they have to check [the person's Jewishness] again," David Stav, a leading religious Zionist rabbi, told JTA in January. "Halachically speaking, though, there is no need to check anything about someone's story unless he gives you a good reason to be suspicious."

Farber said the Chief Rabbinate's latest expansion of its "inquisition" is part of a larger push under the current right-wing government to cement control over how Judaism is defined in Israel. This summer, the government withdrew from a deal to create an egalitarian prayer section at the Western Wall, and the Knesset passed a law allowing non-Orthodox Jews to be barred from state mikvahs, or ritual baths. Also, ITIM released another list of some 160 rabbis, including several prominent American Orthodox leaders, whom the Chief Rabbinate does not trust to confirm the Jewish identities of immigrants.

By building an ever-higher wall around the Jewish people, Farber said, the Chief Rabbinate is threatening the Zionist dream.

"Instead of putting the onus on people to have to prove they're Jewish, we should be embracing Jews from all around the world," he said. "The best way to protect Jewish identity is not to circle the wagons, but to take down the walls and embrace people."

Yael and her family immigrated to Israel from Belarus when she was a baby, and they are among those included in ITIM's appeal to the High Court. Having already had her case denied by the Supreme Rabbinical Court in December, just days after she married her Israeli Jewish husband in an illegal private Orthodox wedding, she is not holding her breath this time.

"It was heartbreaking. I couldn't stop crying," she said. "At the same time, it was closure. I'm going to live the way I want to, and my wedding was proof of that."
(JTA)-A few weeks ago, Holly Davies was getting ready to homeschool her kids and preparing the family for the High Holidays. When Hurricane Harvey hit, she helped evacuate 150 people from her neighborhood by airboat and shelter nearly 100 people in a local church.

Then came the hard part.

For the past three weeks, Davies has been leading a force of up to 300 volunteers who have mobilized to repair homes and synagogues in and around the heavily Jewish housing development of Willow Meadows. Davies has spent September coordinating teams who are clearing Sheetrock, stripping floors, preventing mold and distributing aid.

Her volunteer operation is headquartered in Beit Rambam, a Sephardic synagogue that was spared flooding, and has helped rehabilitate the homes of about 100 families. But Davies is also helping lead the effort to make sure those families have a place to pray when Rosh Hashanah begins Wednesday.

"It's very important for the community to have their central worship place, to not feel fragmented, not only in their homes but in their community," she said. "A lot of people are staying with friends or other people in the community."

As the entire Houston area recovers from Harvey, synagogues face the added difficulty of drying out their buildings days before the holiest and busiest days of the year. Three large synagogues sustained substantial damage from the flood, forcing them to improvise, relocate or make do with whatever floors, books and ritual objects remained intact.

"There was not any part of the synagogue that was immune to the flooding," said Rabbi Brian Strauss of Beth Yeshurun, a Conservative congregation. "There was water covering the first seven rows of the sanctuary. You couldn't even see the seats."

Strauss said his synagogue sustained about $3 million worth of damage. Along with cutting out floors, cabinets and Sheetrock, and disinfecting the building-the basics of flood recovery-the synagogue will have to bury nearly 1,000 holy books that were ruined in the flood. The synagogue will set up a Harvey memorial at the burial space.

United Orthodox Synagogues, another Houston congregation, had up to six feet of flooding in some places and also lost most of its prayer books. Congregation Beth Israel had damage in its sanctuary, mechanical room and offices. No Torah scrolls were damaged at any of the congregations, as they were in high places when the flooding began.

United Orthodox isn't sure if the building can ever be completely repaired, while Strauss is shooting for his building to be back to normal for the High Holidays-in 2018. In the meantime, the synagogues have found makeshift solutions. United Orthodox's 300-some families have been praying, meeting and eating in a large social hall that avoided the worst of the water. The synagogue has also had hundreds of new prayer books donated from publishing companies and synagogues outside Houston, including 400 machzors, or High Holidays prayer books.

Beth Yeshurun has been holding bar and bat mitzvah services in a nearby high school auditorium, and otherwise has joined with Brith Shalom, a nearby Conservative synagogue that was not flooded. For the High Holidays, Beth Yeshurun will be meeting at Lakewood Church, a Houston megachurch that's donating its space and support staff. To give the building a Jewish feel, Beth Yeshurun will be projecting photos of its artwork on the church's walls.

"Everyone is being incredibly cooperative and patient," said Rabbi Barry Gelman of United Orthodox Synagogues. "This is an incredibly responsive community. Despite this, we're really looking forward to a beautiful Rosh Hashanah."

The rabbis have handled their synagogues' recovery while also dealing with personal crises. Both Gelman and Strauss had flooding in their houses. Gelman, along with a few dozen Jewish families, has moved to an apartment complex near the synagogue that he now calls a "kibbutz." Other religious families are hosting displaced neighbors who want to stay within walking distance of their synagogues.

"There's a lot of expenses, there's the physical upheaval, the emotional upheaval," Gelman said. "There's a lot of uncertainty, stress. The human cost of this is really unimaginable and ongoing."

Houston's Jewish community has also been buoyed by outside donations. Aside from approximately $9 million raised by federations across North America, Israel pledged $1 million in aid, and the Orthodox Union and Chabad also sent money and volunteers.

A kosher barbecue food truck from Dallas drove down and has been making up to 1,000 meals a day. Seasons, a kosher supermarket chain, and Chasdei Lev, a charitable organization in New York, sent trucks of kosher perishable items and dry goods, including clothes.

"Food is getting semi-back to normal," said Tzivia Weiss, executive director of the Houston Kashruth Association.

Piles of ruined books from United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston. The congregation lost many of its prayer books and replenished them through donations.

Weiss said that while donations are plentiful, people are hesitant to take them because they "want to feel like people that can go to stores and buy their own clothes."

The flood has also affected what's usually troubling rabbis the most ahead of High Holidays-their sermons. Strauss, who was going to talk about pressures affecting teens and young adults, will instead be discussing his family's personal experience during Harvey and how to avoid fixating on material possessions. Gelman will talk about the connection between homelessness and repentance, as well as how to respond to the flood while thinking of the future.

"I'll talk about long-term thinking, and not relying on short-term answers to life's difficulties," Gelman said, describing his Rosh Hashanah sermon on the second day. "Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the birthday of the world. We see this as an opportunity for our own rebirth."
Despite the raging civil war to Israels north and east in Syria, the Jewish states northern border has remained precariously quiet over the last decade. No stranger to looming threats, Israeli officials are planning and ready for several worst-case scenarios in the north as Iran and its terror proxy Hezbollah continue to forge their stranglehold on the region.

In a possible war scenario with Hezbollah, the Israeli military can launch a massive and overwhelming operation that would effectively neutralize a significant part of the Lebanese terror organizations military capability, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, the head of the International Media Branch for the IDF Spokespersons Unit, told JNS.org.

The IDFs operation would be based on very accurate intelligence collected relentlessly and would minimize to the greatest extent possible, harm to non-combatants... by using the most precise guided munitions that strike only at the legitimate military targets, Conricus said.

Striking only Hezbollah targets without collateral damage will be a challenging military feat because Hezbollah is deliberately deployed in order to maximize collateral damage to civilians, he added.

One-third of the homes in southern Lebanons 130 villages are known to house military components belonging to Hezbollah.

Hezbollahs strategic choice of the battlefield, embedding its military assets in Shiite villages and towns, has put the majority of the Shiite population in Lebanon in harms way, using it as human shields... Brigadier general (Res.) Assaf Orion, a senior research fellow at Israels Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), told JNS.org.

Defeating the terror group would likely involve significant IDF ground incursions into Lebanon as well as taking out Hezbollah rocket positions located in high-density population areas, in hospitals, schools and apartment buildings, Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, told JNS.org.

In a future conflict, one could expect significant damage to Israel, Orion said, but simultaneously a devastating and unprecedented destruction in Lebanon, including a significant victory against Hezbollahs military forces and destruction of most infrastructure enabling its war fighting capacity.

Largest drill in decades

Due to Hezbollahs deep entrenchment within civilian infrastructure, the IDF has narrow windows of opportunity to engage legitimate military targets, Conricus said.

However, the IDF is prepared for this scenario and recently completed its largest drill in two decades in Israels northern region, simulating cross-border Hezbollah attacks on Israeli towns in which the terror group aims to commit massacres and take hostages.

The exercise was planned over a year and half in advance and tens of thousands of soldiers from all branches of the IDF participated.

During the initial stage of the drill, soldiers simulated rooting out Hezbollah terrorists from Israeli towns and defending the Jewish states sovereignty. The drills second stage simulated decisive maneuver warfare into the depths of Hezbollahs territory, Conricus said.

The exercise sought to enhance coordination and synchronization between the IDFs ground forces, air force, navy, intelligence and cyber units, and shorten the intelligence cycle from when a target is identified to any type of munition meeting that target, he added.

Hezbollahs new capabilities and the coming two-front war

The IDF has acknowledged that since the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah has matured from a guerilla organization to a fighting force equipped with heavy artillery, high-precision missiles and drones. The terror group also receives about $800 million a year in funding from Iran.

A third of Hezbollahs forces are currently entrenched in Syrias ongoing civil warbecoming battle-hardened, but simultaneously overstretched, losing some 2,000 fighters in the conflict.

Hezbollah and Iran have established weapons factories in Lebanon that can produce powerful missiles and, according to the IDF official, more than 120,000 rocket launchers and rockets are positioned in southern Lebanon, in clear violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

Iran and Hezbollah are also constructing permanent military facilities in southern Syria to establish a land bridge stretching from Tehran to Beirut along Israels northern border.

According to Schanzer, this indicates the next war with Hezbollah would likely be a two-front battle in Lebanon and Syria, which could also include other Iranian terror proxies in the region.

The IDF official confirmed, it is definitely possible and plausible that the Israeli military will be required to fight on more than one front, which the military is prepared for.

Intimate intelligence and advanced technology

Using its networked intelligence, the IDF is prepared to implement a massive precision strike... on a scale which far exceeds the assessed growth in Hezbollahs military [capability], Orion said.

Since 2006, Hezbollah has occasionally been given a glimpse of the quality, scope and intimacy of Israeli intelligence collected against it, the IDF official said, which has created a deterrence and quiet for the past 11 years.

A recent purported Israeli airstrike against a Syrian chemical weapons facility Sept. 7, which occurred during the massive IDF exercise, may have served as one such glimpse into Israels intelligence capability directed against the terror group and its allies.

Israel is far better prepared for the next war with Hezbollah than it was in the 2006, Schanzer said. We see now the appearance of stealth tank technology, the preparation for ground warfare and the possibility of tunnels into Israel... as well as the preparation for mass volleys of rockets launched by Hezbollah into Israel.

The Israeli Air Force has also acquired several new state-of-the-art F-35 Adir stealth fighter jets, and in recent weeks the military unveiled multiple revolutionary defense technologies that will soon be added to its arsenal.
What better way to memorialize those who have loved and nurtured the arts than by naming a musical festival in their honor? Those were the thoughts of Jewish Pavilion Board member Geanne Share when she and husband, Adrian, chose to pass on the legacy of her parents, the late Inez 'Teddy' and Myron Snyder. With the arts and philanthropy at the center of Share's Brookline, Massachusetts home, she credits her parents for inspiring her life of volunteerism, with training given "while practically still in the womb."

The Share family will pass on the Snyder's love and cultivation of the arts by honoring them at the Jewish Pavilion's Annual Fall Festival, "Music Fest 2017." The event will take on Oct. 15th at Lake Brantley High Schools' auditorium in Altamonte Springs and will feature local super-talents including Carol Stein, Michael and Ben Kramer, Barbara Jones, Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer, Penny D'Agostino, Walter "Sky" Goldstein, and Paul Stenzler. Vendors and sponsors will be exhibiting in the Lake Brantley cafeteria, adjacent to the auditorium before, during the intermission, and after the concert.

Share noted, "Giving was at the heart of who my parents were. Together, they founded the Association of Performing Arts supporting the ballet, flamenco, opera, theatre, rock, and other performing arts organizations in Boston. The Association brought free performances to the steps of Boston's City Hall, and honored legendary performers like Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops and Gunther Schuller, an American jazz composer and musician, with the "Teddy" Award. 'Teddy' founded the Northeast Chapter of Hadassah and was president of the women's auxiliary of Jewish Memorial Hospital."

Geanne added, "Most importantly, my parents taught us to be open to all people and to keep an open ear-to listen."

Share has done her parents proud, and serves not only on the Jewish Pavilion Board, but has also served on a host of other nonprofit boards including the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, Temple Israel, the Orlando Ballet, the Kinneret Apartments and Council on Aging, and the Morning Star School.

The honoree couple first crossed paths during World War ll, when they both served in the Army's Criminal Intelligence Agency in Fort Reilly, Kansas. The happy couple of 52 years married in 1945, settling in the Boston area where they raised Share and her two older brothers, Robert and Paul. Myron made his living as a meat broker and in real estate. He served the community in many ways including serving as president of B'nai Brith and the Market Lodge. He was also a member of the Free Masons. Additionally, Myron oversaw the building of the temple and high school in Hull, Massachusetts. Teddy was an active volunteer and community philanthropist, who also earned a double master's degree from Boston College.

Growing up in a loving and bustling household, Share made it a point to reach out to the elderly and those in need when she was just a middle-school student. The lifetime volunteer became interested in spending time with seniors under her parent's influence, serving as a candy striper at Jewish Memorial Hospital. Even then, she connected with seniors through the arts, bringing Frank Sinatra records and engaging the patients in movement, dance, and three-dimensional art.

After Share's father passed in 1998 and her mother relocated to Orlando, the two volunteered together, serving as Kinneret Angels. Share recalls that it was her mother who introduced her to the Jewish Pavilion, attending a volunteer luncheon together. Share considered her mother to be her best friend, the two experiencing nearly everything together, including surviving breast cancer just one year apart. Teddy encouraged her daughter to join a clinical trial for her rare variant of breast cancer. Share attributes her positive outcome and cancer-free living for the past eight years to sage motherly advice.

With Teddy passing away last year, Share's desire to bring the arts and philanthropy to the community is greater than ever. She often thinks of her mom at a Pavilion event. When she joins hands with a senior to dance, or just to move and sway, she notes the importance of touch and its healing properties.

Musical entertainer and Jewish Pavilion program director Walter "Skye" Goldstein, said he will be performing the Irving Berlin ballad, "Always," which was Teddy's and Myron's special song, and never failed to bring a tear to the eyes of Teddy while a resident of Orlando's Kinneret Apartments. Share noted the lyrics represented a lifetime of love for her parents, and now move her to tears, as well.

"Always," by Irving Berlin

Always. I'll be loving you, oh always/With a love that's true always.

Not for just an hour, Not for just a day, Not for just a year,

But always.

Tickets to Music Fest are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $10 per child. To purchase a ticket or to become a vendor or sponsor, visit http://www.jewishpavilion.org or call 407-678-9363 for more information.
JERUSALEM (JTA)Israel will send a search and rescue team to Mexico in the wake of a severe earthquakethe second to hit the North American nation in two weeks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the operation and said it would leave for Mexico as soon as possible, his office said Sept. 20 in a statement.

More than 200 people have been killed in the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck central Mexico on Tuesday afternoon, rocking the capital of Mexico City and causing hundreds of buildings to collapse.

In addition, a delegation of 50 Israeli soldiers is scheduled to leave for Mexico City in the afternoon of Sept. 20 to assist in relief efforts.

Volunteers from Israels Zaka search-and-rescue organization arrived in Mexico in the hours following the quake and are helping local rescue forces, the organization said in a statement. In addition, engineers have been sent to local synagogues to make sure that they can safely accommodate Rosh Hashanah services, according to Zaka.

On the same date in 1985, an 8.0-magnitude earthquake centered on Mexico City left 10,000 people dead and another 30,000 injured.

Tuesdays quake comes two weeks after at least 96 people died in an 8.1 magnitude quake that struck off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico on Sept. 7. The Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas were hardest hit.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is also responding, supporting the search, rescue and emergency aid efforts of CADENA, its Mexican Jewish humanitarian partner. The response focuses on immediate rescue and relief including digging people out of the rubble, emergency psychology services and medical aid, according to JDC.

The JDC has also opened a mailbox for donations.
Galvanized by common threats by Iran and Islamic extremism, Israel and the its fellow Sunni Muslim Arab states have seen an unexpected warming in relations in recent years. However, despite public and closed-door cooperation, Israel still remains deeply unpopular among the so-called Arab street.

Drawing on its high-tech prowess and unprecedented social media opportunities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office has strongly embraced new media channels to reach millions of viewers directly, including in the Arab world.

Ofir Gendelman, Netanyahus spokesman for the Arab media, told JNS.org in recent years Israel has become a powerhouse of public diplomacy directed at the Arab world.

Israeli officials are now regularly interviewed on main Arab TV channels and Israeli pundits offer there their insights, he said, adding that Israel is also active on social media in Arabic. With the aid of Arabic language spokespeople in the Prime Ministers Office, the Foreign Ministry, and the IDF, there are millions of followers on the Arabic Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Yet, despite these efforts, years of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel messaging by Arab governments are sometimes difficult to overcome.

The reactions we are getting are varied: some curse and make threats, as this is a main characteristic of discourse on social media in the Arab world, Gendelman said. But a lot of Arabs from the region show positive interest in Israel.

Netanyahu, speaking at an event earlier this month hosted by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, noted the current shift in Arab sentiment towards Israel is more profound today than the improved relations seen following the 1993 Oslo Accords with the Palestinians and the 1994 Israeli peace treaty with Jordan.

Whats happening now with the Arab bloc states has never before happened in our historyeven when we signed agreements, Netanyahu said, Israels Channel 2 reported. What we have now is greater than anything else during any other period in Israels history.

Despite the positive trend, many of Israels Arab neighbors have yet to engage in direct relations with the Jewish state. Further, the prime minister chided the Palestinians for not following the regional trend of rapprochement with Israel.

Gendelman said Netanyahus statement that relations between Israel and the Arab states are improving, mainly under the surface, is reflected in a growing number of positive articles about Israel that were published in various Arab newspapers.

Gendelman is also active on social media, his twitter account, which posts in Arabic and English, has over 46,000 followers.

Hostility towards Israel is still widespread in the Arab world but Israeli public diplomacy in Arabic can give the Arab digital generation the truth about Israel and its people, he added.

How should Israel carry out an effective Arab PR strategy?

The Israeli government needs to look at the big picture and take a comprehensive approach to anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment in the Sunni Arab world, said Ariel Cohen, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank and director of the Center for Energy, Natural Resources and Geopolitics at the Institute for Analysis of Global Security in Washington.

Israel has not developed an effective hasbara (public relations in Hebrew) strategy regarding anti-Israel and anti-Semitic attitudes both in the Arab world and in the West, asserted Cohen, who has over 25 years of experience in strategic communications.

It is absolutely vital to identify credible opinion leaders and work with them incessantly and systematically to promote a positive and friendly image of Israel for the Arab elites and the street, he added.

Social media and traditional media are particularly important in that regard, and more openings exist, as central controls of the 20th century state-run propaganda are getting weaker, he explained.

Strategically deepening, legalizing, and formalizing relationships with the Sunni states, and not allowing them to keeping relations in the closet is extremely important for the legitimacy and long-term survival of Israel in the Middle East, Cohen said.
At a time of warming relations between Israel and Arab states, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first public meeting Monday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The meeting comes amid speculation of an historic shift in Arab policy towards the Jewish state.

During the hour-and-a-half meeting at the Palace Hotel, the leaders engaged in "a comprehensive discussion about the problems of the region," according to a statement by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

El-Sisi "expressed his desire to assist in efforts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians and the region," the statement said.

The Egyptian president's office released a similar pronouncement, saying the two discussed "ways to resume the peace process and establish a Palestinian state."

Regarding the peace process, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas-who is also in New York at the U.N. confab-was notably absent from the meeting, but met with El-Sisi in Cairo in mid-July.

"The meeting (between Netanyahu and El-Sisi) represents a public step to further coordinate with Israel on a host of issues, from containing the Islamic State in the Sinai, reining in Hamas in the Gaza Strip, to trying to stem the tide of Iranian influence in the region," Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum, senior research fellow at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Bar-Ilan University, told JNS.org.

"While the Egyptian press played up the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, it is most likely that the Israeli and Egyptian leaders discussed these other issues," he said.

Israel and Egypt are "really on the same page on a host of regional issues," Teitelbaum noted, and "the public nature of the meeting demonstrated El-Sisi's confidence in his position at home."

The last time the two leaders met was in secret in April 2016 at El-Sisi's presidential residence in Cairo. Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog accompanied Netanyahu at that meeting, where the leaders discussed a potential regional peace initiative, Haaretz reported at the time.

Additionally, a secret summit held in Aqaba, Jordan-initiated by then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry-reportedly occurred in January 2016 and included El-Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah and Netanyahu. Netanyahu was said to have outlined a five-step plan aimed at promoting a regional peace initiative with Arab states and reviving peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

This week's meeting between Netanyahu and El-Sisi comes just days after Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa condemned the Arab world's boycott of Israel in an unprecedented declaration by an Arab leader.

The public showing of warming ties between Israel and Egypt and the Bahraini declaration fall in line with the narrative often touted by Netanyahu over the past two years that a significant regional shift is occurring, and that Arab nations are becoming more pragmatic in their approach toward relations with the Jewish state.

Netanyahu, speaking at an event earlier this month hosted by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, noted the current shift in Arab sentiment towards Israel is more profound today than the improved relations seen following the 1993 Oslo Accords with the Palestinians and the 1994 Israeli peace treaty with Jordan.

"What's happening now with the Arab bloc states has never before happened in our history-even when we signed agreements," Netanyahu said, Israel's Channel 2 reported. "What we have now is greater than anything else during any other period in Israel's history."

For his role in forwarding Arab relations with Israel, El-Sisi has been praised by many supporters of the Jewish state, who view him as an important ally in maintaining Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel, fighting Islamic terrorism, and confronting Iran.

While in New York this week, El-Sisi also met with American Jewish leaders and discussed the Trump administration's renewed efforts to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The talk follows similar meetings the Egyptian president held earlier this year with American Jewish leaders-including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organization Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Malcolm Hoenlein and others-at his presidential palace in Cairo.
The United Nations has crowned her a "human rights defender," while Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based broadcaster, hails her as a "Palestinian supermom." But Manal Tamimi's links to violence and tweets accusing Jews of "drinking Palestinian blood" are prompting some of her backers to reconsider their support.

Tamimi, a 45-year-old mother of four, is a leader of the Popular Resistance Organizing Committee in the town of Nabi Saleh, near the Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled city of Ramallah. Nearly every Friday for the past seven-and-a-half years, Tamimi and her colleagues have marched to the nearby Jewish community of Halamish to demand its expulsion. Halamish is the village where on July 21 a Palestinian terrorist stabbed to death three members of the Salomon family at their Shabbat dinner table.

During the Friday protests, many of the marchers have hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers guarding the town, who have responded with tear gas or rubber bullets. Tamimi, her husband Bilal and their children have attracted international attention by posting videos of the soldiers on the Internet. The Tamimis contend that the soldiers' arrests of rock-throwers constitutes persecution of the residents of Nabi Saleh.

'Vampire' Zionists

Tamimi was included in a list of "human rights defenders" in a recent report by S. Michael Lynk, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the disputed territories.

In response, NGO Monitor, a Jerusalem-based organization that tracks the activities and funding of self-described human rights groups, informed the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights that Tamimi has during the past two years authored tweets such as: "Vampire zionist celebrating their Kebore day [written on Yom Kippur] by drinking Palestinian bloods, yes our blood is pure & delicious but it will kill u at the end." In another tweet Aug. 1, 2015, she said, "I do hate israel, i do hate zionism, i wish a third Intefada coming soon and people rais up and kills all these zionist settlers everywhere."

In a Twitter exchange Aug. 20 with NGO Monitor spokesman Daniel Laufer, Tamimi wrote, "I'm not a Jew heater [sic], I have a very good Jew friends, I hate Zionists & I'm not denying that, Zionism, KKK and ISIS R all same 4 me."

In response to the NGO Monitor complaint, the U.N. agency removed Tamimi from the roster of "human rights defenders" in Lynk's report.

NGO Monitor President Prof. Gerald Steinberg told JNS.org, "There is no excuse for funding Jew-hatred in the guise of promoting peace or in any other NGO framework, or for giving anti-Semites such as Tamimi the status of 'human rights defenders.' Independent examinations of the U.N. and EU agencies involved in this travesty are long overdue-the disconnect between noble objectives and immoral actions has been clear for many years."

Steinberg added, "Full transparency and oversight for the massive sums [of money] going to radical NGOs is crucial so that this behavior is halted. While some of the European governments, including Switzerland and Denmark, have started to examine funding for political NGOs after parliaments demanded accountability, there is still a long way to go."

Amnesty International's role

While the U.N. human rights office is distancing itself from Tamimi, Amnesty International has embraced the Tamimis and their cause. Amnesty has declared Nabi Saleh to be a "community-at-risk" and featured it in one of its "Write for Rights" letter-writing campaigns.

"We need to tell the Israeli authorities: enough-you are no longer facing a tiny village on a small hill. You now have the entire Amnesty movement to reckon with," according to Amnesty researcher Saleh Hijazi, who formerly worked in the PA's Ministry of Planning.

Edith Garwood, Amnesty International USA's specialist on Israel, the disputed territories and the PA, has written that the Nabi Saleh demonstrators "face frequent violent repression from the Israeli army just for practicing their human right to peacefully express their opposition" to Israel. Garwood's essay, which was published in the Huffington Post, did not mention the rock-throwing.

Asked by JNS.org whether Amnesty International is reconsidering its support for Tamimi in view of her anti-Semitism and advocacy of violence, Amnesty spokesperson Amanda Simon responded, "Our position regarding the rights of residents of Nabi Saleh to peacefully protest against Israeli occupation and settlements remains unchanged." As for whether her phrase "peacefully protest" is meant to include rock-throwing, Simon replied that "even in cases where the protesters have thrown stones...these have posed little or no serious risk" to the Israelis who were targeted. At least 15 Israelis have been killed by Arab rock-throwers since the 1980s.

'Supermom' status

The Qatar government-funded news agency Al Jazeera featured Tamimi in August in a profile titled "How to be a PalestinianSupermom." In Tamimi's view, "to be a Palestinian parent is to be an activist," the article reported. It noted that she "writes social media posts," but the article did not mention her tweets advocating violence or denouncing Jews as "vampires."

Tamimi, who runs an online news service called Tamimi Press, spoke at a European Union-financed conference in Barcelona, Spain, earlier this year on "preventing violent extremism."

Last year, however, Tamimi was denied a visa to enter the U.K. She had been invited to undertake a speaking tour on behalf of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, including participation in the group's "Nakba Week" events. ("Nakba," the Arabic word for "catastrophe," is the term Palestinians use to refer to the creation of Israel in 1948.)

A spokesperson for the British Home Office told JNS.org, "We do not routinely comment on individual cases," except to note that "applicants must provide evidence to show they meet the requirements of the immigration rules." Paragraph 320 of those rules refers to several categories of refusal that might have been applied to Tamimi, including a record of criminal convictions. In 2010, Tamimi was convicted of attacking and spitting on an Israeli policeman.

Tamimi was a guest speaker in July at the "Go Palestine" summer camp for Palestinian teenagers around the world, which was recently reported on by JNS.org.

According to the camp organizers' account, the teens held an "emotional conversation" with the "amazing" Tamimi in her home July 12. The campers were "deeply inspired" by "the resilience that [Nabi Saleh residents] showed in the face of hardship."

Tamimi did not respond to requests from JNS.org for comments concerning her activities.
(JTA)Puerto Ricos three synagogues closed for Rosh Hashanah as Hurricane Maria pummeled the island.

The synagogues, all in or nearby San Juan, canceled Wednesday evening services for the Jewish New Year and urged members to stay home, according to The Times of Israel.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday morning after causing widespread destruction on the Caribbean island nation of Dominica In Puerto Rico, which has 3.3 million residents, power outages were expected as strong winds ripped trees out of the ground

Leaders of the Jewish community, which numbers around 2,000, said there was no choice but to cancel the Rosh Hashanah services.

In 2005, we missed the first night of Rosh Hashanah due to a tropical storm, but that was nothing compared to this monster, Diego Mandelbaum, a leader at Shaare Zedek, a Conservative congregation and Puerto Ricos largest synagogue, told The Times of Israel. This is a situation that speaks for itself. This isnt even a decision, its an impossibility.

Yadhira Ramirez Toro, a leader at the Reform Temple Beth Shalom, said people had been urged to stay home.

Nobodys supposed to leave their houses. Right now were just on standby, Toro told The Times of Israel.

Puerto Rico is still recovering from Hurricane Irma earlier this month, which led to widespread power outages on the island.

Rabbi Mendel Zarchi, who runs a Chabad house in the San Juan suburb of Isla Verde, was using his synagogue to provide shelter for people in need. The synagogue was built to be able to withstand a hurricane.

Our facility has a backup generator, we have food supplies and well do everything we can to share our resources with the community, Zarchi said. May God give us strength and may we be spared the full wrath of Maria.
JERUSALEM (JTA)-Jerusalem therapist Miriam Ballin is the kind of person who takes the initiative.

Despite resistance from her haredi Orthodox community, she became a medic. Then she launched a pacesetting psychological first aid unit. Clearly she was not just going to stand idly by while Tropical Storm Harvey flooded her native Houston.

So on Wednesday evening, Ballin left her husband to watch their five young children and headed to southeast Texas, where she and six other Israeli mental health professionals will help locals cope with the flooding. Their work will be guided by hard-won experience responding to local emergencies, including dozens of terrorist attacks.

"I just feel it's necessary and needed, and simply the right thing to do," she said. "When we have 150 people who have been trained to deal with exactly this, not to send them to Houston to help out is I think wrong."

In addition to her day job as a family therapist, Ballin, 33, is the head of the Psychotrauma Unit of United Hatzalah, a mostly haredi volunteer emergency service based in Jerusalem. She spearheaded the creation of the unit last year amid a wave of Palestinian violence to provide psychological support to those experiencing potentially traumatic events.

The unit's 200 or so members include medics, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers who are trained by some of Israel's leading experts on the psychology of crises. They have responded to dozens of terrorist attacks, as well as forest fires, car accidents and other medical emergencies.

Harvey will be their first experience with flooding. For five days, the storm has deluged southeast Texas, including Houston, the fourth-largest American city, with record rains. Rising floodwaters have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused at least 30 deaths, according to local officials.

Dov Maisel, United Hatzalah's vice president of international operations, said the message he has received is that plenty of medical and first responders are on the ground, but that with many people displaced and looking for loved ones, psychological support is much needed.

"As a small organization from a small country, we found we could make the biggest impact by mobilizing our Psychotrauma Unit," Maisel said. "The provision of psychological support in the acute stages of trauma, from incident to seven days, is something we're leading the world in."

Ballin and her six team members, all drawn from the Psychotrauma Unit, will meet Thursday in Dallas before making their way to Houston. They will coordinate with the local and federal officials on the ground there, as well as leaders of the Jewish community, which has been especially hard hit. If more help is needed, a couple dozen more members of the Psychotrauma Unit can be deployed from Israel.

American Jewish donors, many of them based in Houston, are funding the trip.

Ballin's group won't be the only Israeli rescue workers in Houston. Ten members of the IsraAID nongovernmental organization were meeting Wednesday in the city to focus on relief work.

For Ballin, the effort is personal. She was born and raised in Houston's Reform Jewish community and still has family and friends there. But she has since taken a very different path.

After becoming more observant in high school, she met and married an Australian haredi man while she was attending college in New York. They immigrated to Israel in 2011. Soon thereafter, while earning a certificate in family therapy from Bar-Ilan University, Ballin became the first woman medic for United Hatzalah, whose leadership she said embraced her ambition. The service now has over 150 female volunteers.

However, not everyone in the haredi community, where religious observance is strict and men and women have sharply delineated roles, was supportive.

"We definitely did get a lot of flak from the rabbis," Ballin recalled. "But the way that I went about it and I dealt with it was showing time and time again the sensitivity to those that it doesn't kind of sit well with. For example, I would never go to a call in the middle of [the haredi neighborhood] Mea Shearim."

In April, Ballin again worked with United Hatzalah leaders to start the Psychotrauma Unit. Her husband, Adam, a 35-year-old family physician at Hadassah Medical Center, is also a volunteer medic and member of the unit. They and their children live in the Rehavia neighborhood of Jerusalem.

"Instead of getting baby sitters at night to go out to restaurants, we get baby sitters to go out and [scan] calls in and around Jerusalem," she joked.

Being a woman haredi medic has its challenges, Ballin acknowledged, but she compensates by always being prepared. In addition to her blonde wig and fluorescent orange medic's vest, she has packed kosher canned food to keep her going in Houston.

"I'll be there with my head cover on, in my skirt, doing the work I do," she said. "I'll roll up my sleeves and get the job done."
The second free practice session for the Malaysia Grand Prix was brought to an abrupt premature end following a big crash for Haas driver Romain Grosjean.

Grosjean's right rear tyre exploded after being sliced open by a raised drain cover in turn 12 at the Sepang International Circuit. Grosjean was sent spinning off into the barrier, but fortunately was unharmed by the impact.

"I have just seen the footage and apparently a drain came out," Grosjean said. "It was on the racing line and I had a big hit and impact on rear right.

"I was spinning and heading to the wall, so not ideal.

"I see the tyre is not there any more," he noted. "Im feeling sorry for the boys, as theyve got to work hard to repair the car. But I know they will do it and in a good way.

"I am good, I am fine," he confirmed after a visit to the medical centre. "That is the most important thing."

Replays suggested that the drain cover had been prised open by the ground effect from cars running ahead of Grosjean on track. It's not something that should ever happen at a permanent race track such as Sepang.

"They need to sort things out," said Grosjean. "It is a shame. Hopefully we find a good set-up for tomorrow and the drains stay in place."

Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner agreed that the drain cover failure was unacceptable in modern motorsport.

"Things like this in 2017 shouldn't happen on a permanent circuit. They shouldn't happen on any circuit," he complained.

"This is in my opinion not acceptable, it is not up to the standards," he continued.

"What we need to make sure is how to improve that doesn't happen again in the race, because in the race this would have been a bigger disaster."

Williams driver Felipe Massa was running behind Grosjean at the time of the accident.

"As I was starting my long run the session was red flagged," he said. "Im glad that Grosjean wasnt harmed in the incident; I was right behind him so saw it happen.

"The first thing I thought was I had already a spring on my head," he said, recalling his accident in the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. "Maybe a drain is a little bit too much!

"Fortunately this time, nothing flew over my car," he said. "I think the FIA need to control everything in the right way, so we don't have these things anymore."

With the session not restarting after Grosjean's accident, FIA officials were quickly on the scene to examine the track. The drainage cover was ground down and welded shut again as they watched.

"One drain grate has come up. It just seems that it has broken away," said race director Charlie Whiting. "We have to get it fixed for tomorrow, of course.

"Its an inspection hatch. Theyre normally bolted and welded but that one has broken away," he explained. "Theyve probably been welded for a long time I expect and have got a bit fatigued.

"We will re-weld those, and then tonight the guys will have to check everything."

"I'm pretty confident we won't see a repeat issue," added Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

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(JTA)-Tufts University's Hillel is described as "an organization that supports a white supremacist state" in a student-written guide to activist life at the university. The Tufts University Disorientation Guide offers information on social, spiritual, health and academic resources at the Boston-area university, but singles out Hillel for opprobrium, calling it a "Zionist space" and accusing it of "exploit(ing) black voices for their own pro-Israel agenda." The guide has been widely read and shared on social media.Tufts Hillel's executive director, Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, objected to its one-sided portrayal of Hillel and Jewish campus life at the private university."We have been working so hard to create a positive atmosphere on campus, and we have such a positive Israel presence," Summit said, adding that over 100 Tufts students visit Israel each year.The accusation that Tufts Hillel exploits "black voices" stems from three years ago when Hillel brought to campus the parents of Trayvon Martin, the black teenager who was shot in 2012 by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida, to speak about gun violence.

According to the guide, "Students were outraged that Hillel, an organization that promotes a white supremacist state, were bringing Trayvon's parents to exploit black voices for their own pro-Israel agenda."

Like other campus Hillels, the Tufts center offers a range of social, cultural, educational and religious events in addition and often unrelated to pro-Israel activity.

The disorientation guide was created by and for leftist student groups on campus, and suggests resources for students of color, low-income students, the LGBT community and women. The only mentions of Jewish groups or activities, including Hillel, appear in a section for "Israel Apartheid Week," a pro-Palestinian event, and in a description of the Pan African Alliance's 2015 protest of the Trayvon Martin event.

Such guides have been created on other campuses as an alternative to the official student guides distributed by the university administration. The most recent disorientation guide at Columbia University criticized its administration for "supporting the oppression of Palestinians both through its investments and by suppressing anti-Israel speech by students and faculty." The 2016 version at New York University asserts that students visiting Israel on a Birthright trip are "complicit in the occupation, destruction, and colonization of Palestine."

The Tufts version does not receive university funding, according to Tufts' executive director of public relations, Patrick Collins, and is not part of the university's official orientation program.

The disorientation guide "was posted without authorization by students on two official Class Facebook pages and prompted a number of student complaints," Collins told JTA in an email. "Although we respect students' rights to free speech and expression, we also reserve the right to determine what may or may not be appropriate to share through the university's official communications platforms. The university removed the guide shortly after being made aware of its posting because the guide is unauthorized and because multiple portions of the guide run counter to our community's shared values and standards and to Orientation's mission."

A small group of friends created the Tufts guide after a 2016 edition fell through. They used the 2015 edition as a template.

Emmett Pinsky, a junior majoring in American studies with a minor in English, was among those who worked on the guide. Pinsky, who is Jewish, said that if people feel shocked by the guide's strong language, it is doing its job.

"The use of strong language is meant to be jarring," Pinsky (who eschews gender-specific pronouns) told JTA. "The disorientation guide is meant to be jarring, and is meant to make you stop and think."

Pinsky's knowledge of Hillel is limited, the junior said, and stems from attending services a few times in his freshman year. Pinsky has not visited Israel. But the authors stand by the guide, Pinsky said, noting that Tufts Hillel is broadly pro-Israel.

"Israel is certainly implicated in systems of white supremacy," Pinsky said. "The fact that many white Jewish people feel favorably toward the Jewish state and the occupation of Palestine comes from a desire to preserve whiteness in the way it is unfolding in Israel and Palestine."

If people feel alarm at Tufts Hillel being implicated in white supremacy, Pinsky said, "I think that feeling of alarm is worth exploring to see if that has a deeper root."

The charge that Zionism is tantamount or similar to white supremacy has become increasingly popular on the anti-Zionist left.

Naomi Dann of the pro-BDS group Jewish Voice for Peace argued in the Forward recently that Zionists and white supremacists share "anxiety about demographics and racist and Islamophobic fear of 'Arabs.'"

The Anti-Defamation League responded to Dann's piece by asserting that Zionism "is based on providing for equal opportunity for the Jewish people, like others, to have sovereignty in their land while still fully protecting the rights of minorities who live within Israel. At its core, Zionism is a positive movement and is not intended to be 'against' anyone."

For some students, the Tufts University Disorientation Guide has made their campus seem a colder, less welcoming place.

Sabrina Miller, a Jewish sophomore majoring in computer engineering, said the guide "gave a lot of support to other groups" and that made its negativity about Hillel more painful.

"For freshmen who are Jewish, who support Israel, I think it will make them feel unwelcome or uneasy" at Tufts, she said. "I know it definitely made me feel uneasy" on campus.

Sophie Saunders, also a Jewish sophomore majoring in computer engineering, the guide brought back memories of a bitter dispute five months ago when the Tufts student senate voted to divest from Israel. Saunders, who describes herself as a Zionist, attended the debate and was reduced to tears.

Jewish and pro-Israel students were upset that the vote was brought up unexpectedly before the senate by Students for Justice in Palestine just days before Passover.

Jews make up nearly 25 percent of the university's undergraduate enrollment of 5,290, according to the Forward's recent college guide. In addition to Hillel, Jewish and Israel-oriented groups include the Tufts American Israel Alliance, Tufts Friends of Israel, J Street U, Jewish Voice for Peace, TAMID and IAC Mishelanu.

Noting that after the disorientation guide she feels "less welcome" at Tufts, Saunders said she has a plan: "I would like to say I'd like to get more involved" in pro-Israel activities at the university as a way to fight back
A little-reported stabbing incident, coupled with a large dose of Palestinian Authority-generated fake news, have revealed pretty much everything you need to know about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It all began Aug. 18. Qatiba Zahran, age 17, left his hometown of Alar, near the city of Tulkarm, armed with a large knife. He was looking for an Israeli Jew to stab.

He couldnt find any Israelis in Alar, or in Tulkarm, because they have been under the control of the Palestinian Authority since 1995. That was when then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin withdrew Israels forces from the areas where 98 percent of the Palestinian Arabs reside.

Note that Qatiba Zaharn was born in 2000. Meaning that he has lived under the rule of Palestinian Authority his entire life. He has not lived under direct Israeli occupation. There are no Israeli settlers endangering the residents of Alar or Tulkarm.

Odd! We are always being told that Israels occupation and settlers are what provoke Palestinians to stab, bomb, and shoot Jews. So how can one explain what motivated young Qatiba Zahran to pick up that knife?

He walked some distance, until he reached the nearest Israeli security checkpoint. There Zahran stabbed and wounded an Israeli border guard. The Israeli shot him dead in self-defense. (Translation courtesy of the Middle East Media Research Institute)

Zahran left his last will and testament on his Facebook page, for the world to see. It shatters a number of the common myths that Palestinian advocates and sympathizers try to promote:

 Zahran wrote only of Jews, not Israelis. He did not object to some Israeli policy or position. He hated Jews. In his words: All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, who protects the mujahideen [Jihad fighters] and humiliates the cursed Jews...

 He was driven by religious-nationalist ideology, not by some family conflict or other personal problem: Oh my family members, know that I did not leave you out of distress or out of a wish to be far from you, but because martyrdom for the sake of Allah beckoned to me.

 Zahran was influenced by the promises made by Muslim religious teachers: Oh my honorable family members, receive the glad tidings of the Prophet, who said that a martyr can vouch for 70 of his family members [to enter Paradise].

PA officials undoubtedly read Zahrans Facebook page. They knew that he planned, in advance, to murder Jews because he hated Jews and wanted to enter paradise (and guarantee the entry of 70 relatives, to boot).

Yet the PA Foreign Ministry announced that the occupation authorities carried out the cold-blooded execution of young Zahran. The PA accused Israel of circulating loathsome story of the sort they [spread] whenever [they carry out] a field execution, while knowing full well that young Zahran posed no danger to the occupation soldiers at the checkpoint.

And the Municipality of PA-ruled Alar, Zahrans home village, issued a statement declaring that the municipal council members, the workers, and the city residents all congratulate the martyred hero Qatiba Ziyad Yusuf Zahran.

Last week, the Israelis handed over Zahrans body to the PA. If they were expecting that their goodwill gesture would be reciprocated, they were dreaming.

The PA Gov. of Tulkarm, Isaac Abu Baker, immediately declared that [Israels] targeting of civilians has become routine. At the funeral, Mustafa Takatka, the PAs deputy governor of Tulkarm, repeated the anti-Israel blood libel that Israel routinely murders innocent Palestinians, and that Zahran was one such victim of the crimes of the occupation. Takatka called on the Palestinian public to persist on the path of struggle.

This was not some case of over-eager Palestinian officials making careless statements based on incomplete information. Such recklessness would have been outrageous enough. But what happened in this instance was much worse. Here senior PA officials knew the truthfrom the terrorists own Facebook pageand yet chose to spread fake news to demonize Israel and incite Palestinians to attempt to murder Israelis.

The PA tells 17-year-olds that killers of Jews will be hailed as martyrs and heroes. PA-paid Muslim preachers assure potential terrorists of heavenly rewards for stabbing and bombing. PA officials convince Palestinian teens that Israelis are vile, dangerous monsters who deserve to be killed. And then those teens pick up knives and go looking for Jews to kill. The cause-and-effect is obvious. Why cant the world see that?

Stephen M. Flatow, a vice president of the Religious Zionists of America, is an attorney in New Jersey and the father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995.
The nuclear confrontation between the U.S. and North Korea entered a critical phase Sunday with North Koreas conduct of an underground test of a thermonuclear bomb.

If the previous round of this confrontation earlier this summer revolved around Pyongyangs threat to attack the U.S. territory of Guam, Sundays test, together with North Koreas recent tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental U.S., was a direct threat to U.S. cities.

In other words, the current confrontation isnt about U.S. superpower status in Asia, and the credibility of U.S. deterrence or the capabilities of U.S. military forces in the Pacific. The confrontation is now about the U.S.s ability to protect the lives of its citizens.

The distinction tells us a number of important things. All of them are alarming.

First, because this is about the lives of Americans, rather than allied populations like Japan and South Korea, the U.S. cannot be diffident in its response to North Koreas provocation. While attenuated during the Obama administration, the U.S.s position has always been that U.S. military forces alone are responsible for guaranteeing the collective security of the American people.

Pyongyang is now directly threatening that security with hydrogen bombs. So if the Trump administration punts North Koreas direct threat to attack U.S. population centers with nuclear weapons to the UN Security Council, it will communicate profound weakness to its allies and adversaries alike.

Obviously, this limits the options that the Trump administration has. But it also clarifies the challenge it faces.

The second implication of North Koreas test of their plutonium-based bomb is that the U.S.s security guarantees, which form the basis of its global power and its alliance system are on the verge of becoming completely discredited.

In an interview Sunday with Fox Newss Trish Regan, former U.S. ambassador to the UN John Bolton was asked about the possible repercussions of a U.S. military assault against North Korea for the security of South Korea.

Regan asked, What are we risking though if we say were going to go in with strategic military strength?... Are we going to end up with so many peoples lives gone in South Korea, in Seoul because we make that move?

Bolton responded with brutal honesty. Let me ask you this: how do you feel about dead Americans?

In other words, Bolton said that under prevailing conditions, the U.S. faces the painful choice between imperiling its own citizens and imperiling the citizens of an allied nation. And things will only get worse. Bolton warned that if North Koreas nuclear threat is left unaddressed, U.S. options will only become more problematic and limited in the years to come.

This then brings us to the third lesson of the current round of confrontation between the U.S. and North Korea.

If you appease an enemy on behalf of an ally then you arent an ally. And eventually your alliance becomes empty of all meaning.

For 25 years, three successive U.S. administrations opted to turn a blind eye to North Koreas nuclear program in large part out of concern for South Korea.

Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all sought to appease North Koreas aggressive nuclear adventurism because they didnt believe they had a credible military option to deal with it.

In the 1980s, North Korea developed and deployed a conventional arsenal of bombs and artillery along the demilitarized zone capable of vaporizing Seoul.

Any U.S. military strike against North Koreas nuclear installation, it continues to be argued, would cause the destruction of Seoul and the murder of millions of South Koreans.

So U.S. efforts to appease Pyongyang on behalf of Seoul emptied the U.S.-South Korean alliance of meaning. The U.S. can only serve as the protector of its allies, and so assert its great power status in the Pacific and worldwide, if it prevents its allies from being held hostage by its enemies.

And now, not only does the U.S. lack a clear means of defending South Korea and Japan, America itself is threatened by the criminal regime it demurred from effectively confronting.

Regardless of the means U.S. President Donald Trump decides to use to respond to North Koreas provocative actions and threats to Americas national security, given the nature of the situation, it is clear that the balance of forces on the ground cannot and will not remain as they have been.

If the U.S. strikes North Korea in a credible manner and successfully diminishes its capacity to physically threaten the U.S., America will have taken the first step toward rebuilding its alliances in Asia.

On the other hand, if the current round of hostilities does not end with a significant reduction of North Koreas offensive capabilities, either against the U.S. or its allies, then the U.S. will be hard pressed to maintain its posture as a Pacific power. So long as Pyongyang has the ability to directly threaten the U.S. and its allies, U.S. strategic credibility in East Asia will be shattered.

This then brings us to China.

In mid-August, Trumps then chief strategist Steve Bannon was preparing a speech Trump was set to deliver that would have effectively declared a trade war against China in retaliation for its predatory trade practices against U.S. companies and technology. The speech was placed in the deep freezeand Bannon was forced to resign his positionwhen North Korea threatened to attack the U.S. territory of Guam with nuclear weapons. The U.S., Trumps other senior advisers argued, couldnt declare a trade war against China when it needed Chinas help to restrain North Korea.

So by enabling North Koreas aggression against the U.S. and its allies, China has created a situation where the U.S. has become neutralized as a strategic competitor.

Rather than advance its bilateral interestslike curbing Chinas naval aggression in the South China Seain its contacts with China, the U.S. is forced into the position of supplicant, begging China to restrain North Korea in order to avert war.

If the U.S. does not act to significantly downgrade North Koreas offensive capabilities now, when its own territory is being threatened, it is difficult to see how the U.S. will be able to develop an effective strategy for coping with Chinas rise as an economic and strategic rival in Asia and beyond. That is, the U.S.s actions now in response to North Koreas threat to its national security will determine whether or not the U.S. will be in a position to develop and implement a wider strategy for maintaining its capacity to project its economic and military power in the Pacific in the near and long term.

Finally, part of the considerations that need to inform U.S. action now involve what North Koreas success in developing a nuclear arsenal under the noses of successive U.S. administrations means for the future of nuclear proliferation.

In all likelihood, unless the North Korean nuclear arsenal is obliterated, Pyongyangs nuclear triumphalism will precipitate a spasm of nuclear proliferation in Asia and in the Middle East. The implications of this for the U.S. and its allies will be far reaching.

In other words, if the U.S. does not respond in a strategically profound way to Pyongyang now, it will not only lose its alliance system in Asia, it will see the rapid collapse of its alliance system and superpower status in the Middle East.

Israel, for one, will be imperiled by the sudden diffusion of nuclear power.

Monday morning, North Korea followed up its thermonuclear bomb test with a spate of threats to destroy the United States. These threats are deadly even if North Korea doesnt attack the U.S. with its nuclear weapons. If the U.S. does not directly defeat North Korea in a clear-cut way now, its position as a superpower in Asia and worldwide will be destroyed and its ability to defend its own citizens will be called into question with increasing frequency and lethality.

Originally published in The Jerusalem Post.

Caroline Glick is the senior Middle East Fellow at the Center for Security Policy in Washington, DC, the deputy managing editor of The Jerusalem Post and a contributor to the Jewish World Review.
Should American Jewish leaders speak to the rulers of a petrostate that finances Hamas terrorists to blow up their fellow Jews in Israel?

That, in essence, is the fraught question emerging from the rumors and reports of recent days that prominent representatives of the U.S. Jewish community will meet with senior Qatari officials, supposedly including Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on the fringes of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York this week.

Having canvassed Jewish opinion on this question, Ive concluded that to answer it with an absolute no is unwise. For one thing, its a very hard position to maintain indefinitely. Remember, both Egypt and Jordan were signatories to the 1969 Khartoum Declaration of Arab states, which announced the three nosno negotiations with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no peace with Israel. Less than half a century later, those two Arab states have said yes to all three of those propositions, largely because they grasped the historical moment of Arab rejectionism had already passed. Those outcomes began with a political dialogue predicated on the answer, possibly.

An outright refusal to talk also ignores the key considerations of context and purpose. Imagine, say, that Qatar was to edge away from Irans embrace, or that it announced a cut in funding to its Hamas friends, or that the Saudiswho have shown real ice in their veins in their current dealings with their Qatari brotherswere to ease their blockade on Doha in exchange for a Qatari commitment to reform their foreign policy. Would it then be wrong for American Jewish leaders to explore what else might be in store? One could certainly imagine the Israelis themselves being willing to do so, given that they operated a trade office in Qatar for nearly a decade before the second Palestinian intifada damaged their burgeoning relations with the Gulf states.

Indeed, this hypothetical demonstrates that dialogue can be a political tactic in itself, a means of either blessing ones adversary or consigning him to the margins. And its precisely here that we get to the heart of the dilemma that Qatar and its emir pose to Jewish leadersbecause the current context for a dialogue isnt what youd call auspicious.

Two weeks ago, when Qatar first dangled the prospect of a meeting with the emirvia an announcement from a Washington lobbyist being paid $50,000 a month to facilitate this dialoguewe had not heard a single hint of a policy change from Doha. As of this writing, that hasnt changed. So why, then, should American Jews give Qatar the public relations gift of a meeting, which projects the sense that Qatar is a responsible international player, and that the Saudi attempt to portray it as a terrorism hub is an exercise in dishonesty and hypocrisy?

Look as well at what Qatar could do now. It could lean on Hamas to releasenowthe bodies of IDF officers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, both of whom were killed during the summer 2014 Gaza war and whose remains have stayed in Hamas custody ever since, in flagrant violation of international conventions that demand their return to the next of kin.

Qatar couldnowannounce a review of how state broadcaster Al Jazeera portrays both Israel and Jews, perhaps with guidance from Jewish institutional experts on anti-Semitism, with the goal of purging conspiracy theories and anti-Semitic memes from the global stations coverage.

Qatar couldnowdeport to Israel for trial the Hamas terrorist Husam Badran, who was given sanctuary in Doha, where hes now a spokesman for the terrorist group. Badran was behind some of the most sickening outrages of the Hamas suicide bombing campaign against Israel during the second intifada, including the bombing of the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem in 2001, and the bombing of a Passover seder at a Netanya hotel in 2002. Forty-five Israelis were murdered in those attacks and hundreds more wounded, and Badrans hands are stained with the blood of other terror operations too.

But Qatar has not done any of these things. If Jewish leaders must meet with the emir, they should quietly, restrict the conversation to tangible political issues, and make crystal clear that a private meeting is not a public blessing. Those Jewish organizations that already have connections with Qatar should arrange meetings through their own contacts, rather than through a hired PR flak whose sole job is to burnish Qatars reputation, regardless of whether the emirate remainsas the late Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres memorably described it in 2015, the worlds largest funder of terror. And if the publicity-conscious Qataris issue a statement hailing a new era in relations with American Jewswithout making any real concessions firstthen our leaders have a duty to disavow them.

Ben Cohen writes a weekly column for JNS.org on Jewish affairs and Middle East politics. His writings have been published in Commentary, the New York Post, Haaretz, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications.
(JTA)The 2013 Pew survey A Portrait of Jewish Americans shows that Orthodox Judaism, while currently attracting the allegiance of only about 10 percent of all American Jews, is the fastest growing sector of the community. The high birthrate and retention rate confirmed by the survey have led some observers to predict that within a generation, American Jewry will be predominantly Orthodox, culturally if not demographically.

Of course we cannot presume that present trends will continue, but its surely worth thinking about what such a Jewish community might look like.

A glimpse of that hypothetical future community may be found in the 2017 American Jewish Committees Survey of American Jewish Opinion, the latest installment of the organizations annual report on the attitudes of a representative sample of American Jews, conducted in August. The stark differences it finds between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews today go far beyond varying patterns of religious observance, and suggest the profound social, political and ideological changes that may lie ahead.

The survey confirms that Orthodox Jews are highly pro-family and pro-natalist. An astounding 42 percent of the Orthodox respondents are aged 18-29, as compared to just 15 percent of Conservative Jews, 19 percent of Reform and 16 percent of those calling themselves Just Jewish. And despite their relative youth, 83 percent of the Orthodox respondents are married, far more than the 54 percent of Conservative, 52 percent of Reform and 44 percent of Just Jewish who are.

Jewish identity is strongest among the Orthodox. While virtually all respondents declared that being Jewish was important in their lives, a significant denominational difference emerged as to whether being Jewish ranked as very important: 99 percent of the Orthodox said it did, as compared to 71 percent of Conservatives, 44 percent of Reform and 30 percent Just Jewish.

Another large gap emerged in regard to visiting Israel: 84 percent of the Orthodox had done so, 65 percent of Conservatives, 49 percent of Reform and 37 percent of Just Jewish. A remarkable 66 percent of the Orthodox sample had been to Israel more than oncea higher rate than that for any of the non-Orthodox groups visiting once.

In addition, the AJC survey demonstrates intense political polarization between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews. The Orthodox are far more politically conservative, Republican and pro-Trump than other American Jews. Only 3 percent of the Orthodox sample describe themselves as liberal, as compared to 46 percent of Conservative Jews, 64 percent of Reform and 60 percent of those who say they are Just Jewish. Sixty-nine percent of the Orthodox identify as politically conservative, as do only 29 percent of Conservative Jews, 14 percent of Reform, and 16 percent of Just Jewish. (About an additional 20 percent in each of the denominations identify as moderate, middle-of-the-road.)

Even as Orthodox Republicans outnumber Orthodox Democrats by 43 to 22 percent (the rest are Independents), other Jews are overwhelmingly Democratic52 percent of Conservatives, 70 percent of Reform and 58 percent of the Just Jewish. And while 54 percent of the Orthodox voted for Trump in November, 60 percent of Conservatives, 89 percent of Reform Jews and 78 percent of the Just Jewish voted for Hillary Clinton. When the survey was done in August, 71 percent of the Orthodox had a favorable impression of Trumps performance as president. In contrast, 73 percent of the Conservatives, 88 percent of Reform and 81 percent of the Just Jewish judged it unfavorably.

Responses to questions about Trumps performance on specific policy issuesnational security, terrorism, U.S.-Russia relations, NATO and the transatlantic alliance, race relations, immigration and the Iran nuclear issueshowed a similar pattern. Non-Orthodox respondents view the administrations record unfavorably by roughly 3 to 1, even as the Orthodox give it favorable ratings by about the same margin.

On Israel, the survey findings clearly indicate that Orthodox Jews are much more hawkish and supportive of the current Israeli government than other Jews. Although clear majorities in all the non-Orthodox groups favor the establishment of a Palestinian state under current circumstances, 78 percent of the Orthodox oppose the idea. And asked their opinion of the way Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is handling his countrys relations with the U.S., 86 percent of Orthodox respondents approve, 51 percent strongly. In contrast, 38 percent of Conservatives, 51 percent of Reform and 53 percent of the Just Jewish disapprove.

Questions on the relationship of religion and state in Israel elicited strong American Orthodox backing for the status quo. For example, 57 percent of the Orthodox believe that Israels recognition of Orthodoxy as the sole official form of Judaism has no effect on the countrys ties with American Jews, and another 28 percent feel it actually strengthens those ties. In sharp contrast, however, clear majorities of each of the non-Orthodox groups responded that the religious status quo in Israel in fact weakens the ties between the two Jewish communities.

If, indeed, American Jewry turns more Orthodox in coming years, and the Orthodox maintain their current values and views, we will see a community more family-centered, more strongly Jewish, more politically conservative, more engaged with Israel and more committed to Israels Orthodox and right-leaning camps.

But before making plans to prepare for this future scenario, bear in mind that prognosticators have been wrong before.

Lawrence Grossman is the American Jewish Committees director of publications.
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Chai and Why?: a session about a change in the metric system Where: Prithvi Theatre, Juhu When: Sunday, October 1, 11 am Contact: 097571 57795 Entry is free

How much sugar is in my cola? How much can I stuff into hand luggage on my next vacation? Most of us go through life, measuring, counting and relying on the metric system without even knowing it.

Yet, this simple decimal-based system has long been fraught with complications.

Since 1889, a small cylinder, paradoxically known as Le Grand K, has been the standard against which man has defined the kilogram. This platinum-iridium cylinder, also called the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK), is housed in a bell jar filled with filtered laboratory air and stored in a vault outside Paris. It enjoys the security only high-ranking government officials can boast of.

Why the fuss? So that the weight of this cylinder remains a constant 1 kilo. But despite these measures, pollution and contamination is inevitable  all it takes is a film of dust to change the mass. So scientists have long hoped to retire Le Grand K and use a definition based on a fundamental constant of nature  something more practical and accessible. Their wish comes true next year.

How will this tip the scales for us? Amol Dighe, a theoretical physicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, offers some answers at their monthly Chai and Why? sessions aimed at simplifying science for the common man.

Measurement is one of the many ways in which physics sneaks into daily life. (AP)

Chai and Why? has the casual vibe of a neighbourhood adda (and serves chai, of course). At Sundays session Goodbye Mr.Kilogram, Dighe will weigh in on the departure of the IPK and leave everyone wiser but not sadder about the impact of this change.

Feel free to ask questions after the audio-visual presentation. Measurement is one of the many ways in which quantum mechanics sneaks into daily life. Even buying a kilo of veggies involves calculations that have a basis in physics, says Dighe. The aim of this redefinition is have a unit so precise and constant that it will endure over time and space, says Dighe.

Will cola have less sugar? Will you be able to sneak in a heavier bag on the flight? Not really. But there will be changes, just weight and watch.
Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singhs daughter, Sara Ali Khan, is all set to debut in Bollywood with Kedarnath. She will be working with Sushant Singh Rajput in director Abhishek Kapoors film. Recently, Saif Ali Khan talked about his anxiety over Saras debut in the world of Hindi films.

In an interview with Mid-Day, Saif said, What worries me is the kind of relationships she is going to have. Or for that matter, how she will deal with failure  will she get upset and cry about them? These are things that niggle at me.

As per this interview, Saif Ali Khan comes across as a person who encourages his daughter to take independent decisions. He said, She simply came to me and told me that she is doing Kedarnath. We never discussed the script in detail, as I dont think my opinion matters. Since it is her independent decision, she is happy to either fly with it or go down with it.

Saif Ali Khan is currently gearing up for two films: Chef and Kaalakaandi. While the first is a remake of Hollywood film of the same name, the second film is a dark comedy directed by Akshat Verma.

Sara Ali Khans debut film will hit the screens in the first half of 2018.
Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu confirmed their pregnancy in style in April this year and now their joint production is here. Soha gave birth to a daughter on Friday and the parents are over the moon. Kunal, taking to Twitter, wrote, We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day Thank you for the love and blessings. Mahanavami is being celebrated across India on Friday.

Wishes started pouring in almost immediately for the couple. While Parineeti Chopra wrote, YAYYYY kuns!!!!! I tolddd you it was going to be a girl now trust me more!! Ok Im coming to see her @kunalkemmu, cousin Priyanka Chopra said, Congratulations @kunalkemmu and @sakpataudi this is amazing news! Much love and joy to you and your family.

At the launch of Golmaal Again trailer, Kunal was in a rush as he wanted to ensure he was at Sohas side all the time. Earlier, it was Kunal who confirmed the pregnancy, Soha and I are very happy to announce a joint production coming later this year  our first child! We feel blessed and thank you all for your good wishes.

We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day Thank you for the love&blessings  kunal kemmu (@kunalkemmu) September 29, 2017

The couple, after dating for a long time, got engaged in Paris in July 2014. The Go Goa Gone actor had proposed Soha in the city of love. They got married in January 2015.

YAYYYY kuns!!!!! I tolddd you it was going to be a girl now trust me more!! Ok Im coming to see her @kunalkemmu https://t.co/anlVJ3oYfU  Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) September 29, 2017

Congratulations @kunalkemmu and @sakpataudi this is amazing news! Much love and joy to you and your family https://t.co/8yWiGHepAn  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 29, 2017

Soha had said earlier about how Kunal has made her journey to motherhood so easy, Kunal and I have been together for nine years now. We feel very blessed and were ready for this phase in our life. But I have not felt alone at all. I have my family, and Kunals family with me. Kunal has been a wonderful partner throughout, and this phase can be overwhelming for the mother-to-be and the father. He has taken care of me very well.

My mom [Sharmila Tagore] and mom-in-law have a lot to teach me. They have all seen and brought up so many children themselves. Its like being on a film set. People ask me whats my mothers advice to me and shes always said that in a film also, when it comes to acting, theres one director and even on a journey like this [pregnancy], its very important firstly to consult with your doctor and not get confused by too much advice, Soha said, adding sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan is there with a lot of advice too. Kareena gave birth to son Taimur Ali Khan last year.
Bollywood actor Vidya Balan had a narrow escape when a car rammed into her vehicle in Bandra, Mumbai. While Vidya is safe, her car was badly damaged.

DNA quoted a source as saying, She (Vidya) is fine and has not sustained any injuries. It was a minor accident that led to car damage and thankfully no one is injured. She was on her way to Bandra for a meeting, the report added.

Vidya is currently gearing up for the release of her upcoming film, Tumhari Sulu. She plays a radio jockey in the film directed by Suresh Triveni. Earlier, she played an RJ in Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006.)

Talking about the two films, Vidya told Hindustan Times, I think Sulu in a different zone because its a very different character. For starters, the basic difference being my character in Lage Raho Munna Bhai was an early morning RJ, but this time, I am playing a late night RJ. Imagine a housewife doing the job of a late night RJ. The thought itself is quite funny.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, popular for his roles in films such as Tubelight, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, and Raees, reveals that while every actor today wants their social media reach to be as wide as possible, it is something he hasnt taken a fancy to.

I have seen many people slip into depression because of social media. Some have actually come up to me with a heavy heart and said uske mujhse zyaada followers hain. I ask them why did you go to his account and check this in the first place? But positive bhi hai iska (but theres a positive side to it, too). Your work reaches out to so many people in a short time, says Zeeshan.

The 32-year old even goes on to point fingers at the kind of coverage everyone gets in newspapers and magazines. Magazines padhke bhi depress ho rahe hain ki hamara nahi aa raha hai! (Theyre getting depressed at magazines not featuring them!)

The actor has a piece of advice for those highly-addicted to social media. Ideally, it has to be your own personal account. But some stars have accounts created by their public relations (PR) people too. PR account pe toh apna promotion karte hi hain, but itne frustrated hote hain ki apne personal account pe bhi kar dete hain! (Out of frustration, they end up promoting themselves on their personal accounts as well as their PR accounts!) My advice for such stars is to take a deep breath and go slow. I dont have any PR, and avoid doing this. The only time Im active on social media is a week before I have a release lined up.

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Shokdung is the pen name for Tra-gya. It means the morning conch. The translator, Matthew Akster, thinks it is meant as a wake-up call for Tibet, a call for a peaceful revolution against Beijings iron-fisted rule on the Tibetan Plateau. Indeed, the message of Shokdung takes the readers back to the 19th century when a powerful West confronted and encroached upon a weakened Manchu China. This humiliating encounter between East and West resulted in agonized soul searching among Chinese scholars on how to forge an effective response. Some scholars blamed the dead weight of tradition and Confucianism for Chinas inability to confront the Western challenge. They pointed to two gentlemen, Mr Science and Mr Democracy, who could save China from further humiliation.

The argument Shokdung advances in his brave book is that Tibet is similarly weighed down by tradition and Buddhism. These two forces prevent Tibetans from developing an effective response to Beijings rule. His is a brave book because Shokdung writes from Tibet. It is a brave book in another sense because Shokdung targets the most cherished tradition of Tibet, its spiritual heritage, to the consternation of the spiritual establishment in Tibet. The American Chinese scholar, Dan Smyer Yu, calls Shokdungs views on Tibetan culture an anti-traditonalist imagining of modern Tibet.

Shokdung shot to fame in Tibet and around the world in 2009 when his book The Division of Heaven and Earth was published. According to Tibet scholar, Francoise Robin, who provides a foreword to the English translation, The book, with an initial print run of 1,000 copies, circulated unhindered in Xining and all over Tibet for six months, until the author was arrested on 23 April 2010. Shokdung anticipated his arrest when he said, I may lose my head because of my mouth.

Shokdungs comments on the nature of the party state in Tibet are brutal and unrelenting. That is why he got into trouble with the authorities. Shokdung writes, We can see that there is no greater terrorist than the totalitarian regime In particular, the terrorism of sealing down the bodies of the common Tibetan people, sealing up the mouths of the eminent ones, and sealing off the minds of the unthinking population, and the methods of state terrorism are something they have been practising for the last half century, so who can deny that it is their basic character?

Shokdung writes that Tibets salvation lies in organizing a coordinated non-violent civil disobedience movement. Whether or not there will be a Tibetan Gandhi, whether or not Satyagraha has any foundation there, whether or not non-violent non-cooperation will produce results, this we cannot know without an unfailing prophecy; but if the answer is to be affirmative, that prophecy is something that each Tibetan must keep in their heart. This is my belief.

While Shokdung is a rebel and dissident who is fortunately now out of prison, the late Rinchen Sadutshangs life was one of service to Tibet both within the country and in exile. He belonged to the fabulous Sadutshang family, which once dominated the wool trade ferried on the mule train between Tibet and India for final export to America and Britain. The family had a huge wool godown in Kalimpong, which was later transformed into a school for Tibetan refugee children.

Rinchen Sadutshangs career in the service of the Tibetan government began in 1948 and spanned what his daughter calls the defining moments of Tibets modern history. This included the loss of Tibet and its laboured and painful reconstruction in exile. Because he enjoyed the benefit of a modern education at St Josephs College in Darjeeling, the author was involved in all the critical events to prevent Tibets current fate. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama writes in his foreword to the memoir, He accompanied the Tibetan delegation to Beijing in 1951 when the Seventeen-Point Agreement was signed. Later, he was a member of the Tibetan delegation to the United Nations in 1959 and 1961.

The Tibetan representation at the world body resulted in the UN General Assembly passing three separate resolutions on Tibet, the last being in 1965, that called on China to respect the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and their right to self-determination. The Tibetan lobby at the UN, against all odds, managed to raise the issue of Tibet for discussion and debate at the highest international level. Given the Tibetan exiles lack of firepower both in resources and manpower, this is an achievement to be proud of.

Later, the author was inducted into the Kashag, the highest executive body of the Central Tibetan Administration. He rounded off his career as the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi who liaises with the government of India.

Read more: Recreating Tibet Outside: Early Years of the Refugee Community

As for his career in the service of the Tibetan people, Rinchen Sadutshang had this to say. By the early 1980s, I had given the prime years of my life to the service of the Dalai Lama and my government. When I first started to work in Dharamsala, my salary was seventy-five rupees a month, barely enough to meet my own personal needs, let alone the needs of my family. Although my salary gradually increased, if I hadnt had some money of my own, my family would have suffered. I had a wife and six children, but I put the needs of the exile government before theirs. As I mentioned, the government of Bhutan had offered me a potentially lucrative position, and the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation also offered me a good job. But I declined both opportunities because of my loyalty to my country and the Tibetan government in exile, which was sorely in need of officials who were familiar with India and who could communicate in English.

Thubten Samphel is the director of the Tibet Policy Institute and author of Falling Through the Roof.
Much of politics is about shades of gray; it is hard to see things in black and white. But theres one subject on which it is possible to be categorical: Donald Trump. He is not only the worst US President in living memory, he is also an international embarrassment.

Nor is this a surprise. During the election campaign, Trump displayed all the traits he would later bring to the White House: he was rude, bigoted, sexist, racist, ignorant and generally inept. His campaign saw frequent changes of staff and should have been torpedoed by the Access Hollywood tape where he bragged about grabbing women by their genitals.

And yet, Trump won. His opponent, Hillary Clinton, who Barack Obama once described as the most qualified candidate to run for President, went down to a defeat that was such a shock that her campaign staff had to cancel the elaborate victory celebration that they had already planned and she had to junk her triumphal speech. (According to this book, they ordered every flavour of ice-cream they could find, instead.)

As Bernie Sanders has pointed out, Clinton stood against the most unpopular Presidential candidate in history. And she still managed to lose.

How was that even possible?

What Happened is Clintons attempt to answer that question. While there are snippets of autobiography, the odd personal detail, testimonials from people who seem to love her and invocations to Americans to resist the worst aspects of the Trump Presidency, the operative part of the book is her defence of her candidacy.

The crux of Clintons case is that she had the election all sown up till FBI Director James Comey declared that the bureau was re-opening the investigation into her e-mails. Comey later said that the investigation had found nothing but by then, argues Clinton, the damage had been done.

While there is no doubt that Comey behaved strangely, did Clinton really have the election in the bag before his intervention? Its hard to say. She relies on polling data to support her case. But then, many pollsters also believed that she would win the Presidency almost to the moment that Trump won the election. So pollsters do not always provide the most reliable testimonials.

Her other arguments are stronger. She says that the Russians interfered in the election to defeat her, a view for which there is now some independent verification. She says that sexism makes it hard for a woman to get elected in America which is fair enough, though, it must be said, racism did not prevent Obama from winning the Presidency twice. She believes that she was the target of a right wing disinformation campaign, which spread lies and fake news through Facebook (which performs the same role there as Whatsapp does here) and that her supporters were intimidated and abused by organised trolling, sometimes from bots. This sounds kind of familiar to us in India so there may be something to it.

She rejects the suggestion she did not focus enough on key Rust Belt states (she won the popular vote but an archaic American institution called the Electoral College, which gives certain states a disproportionate say in choosing the winner, allowed Trump to get in) or ignored the white working class. And she manages to sneakily blame Obama for the indifference of poor Whites to the Democratic Party which, they believed, had sold them out to global free trade interests and African-Americans.

Read more: Misogyny played role in election loss: Hillary Clinton

It is a well-argued case. But it ignores Clintons fundamental problem. As she notes, it would have been really unprecedented for the Democrats to have won the White House for a third time. The only way that could have happened was if the party offered a new vision or a new kind of candidate. Even Republican voters rejected their own leaders and picked outsider Donald Trump because the prevailing mood was for change. Thats why Bernie Sanders did so well in Democratic primaries and appealed to a new generation.

Hillary, on the other hand, just offered more of the same. More of Obamas policies, more of the Clinton legacy and more of the traditional Democratic party. At a time when Americans looked for change, she was the wrong candidate at the wrong time. In retrospect, the Democrats should have done what the Republicans did. Bernie Sanders, their outsider, may have defeated Trump, the Republicans outsider. And Bill and Hillary could have stuck to touring the world and giving high-priced speeches to fat cats.

But then, everything is always clearer in hindsight.

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ArcelorMittal, the worlds largest steelmaker, will invest $1 billion in Mexico over the next three years, in part to boost its North American trade operations, the company said on Thursday.

Mexico is a key production platform for the company. During the first half of 2017 AreclorMittal produced nearly $12 billion of steel in North America while shipping about $11 billion from the three-country region linked by the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which is currently being renegotiated.

I am delighted to announce a $1 billion investment in Mexico over the next three years so we can meet Mexican demand for steel products, which is growing rapidly, the companys chairman and chief executive, Lakshmi Mittal, said at an event in southern Chiapas state attended by President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The event launched the governments new special economic zones in southern Mexico, the countrys poorest region, in a bid to attract infrastructure investment.

Steel magnate Mittal said that starting immediately ArcelorMittal will modernize assets at the Pacific coast port of Lazaro Cardenas, one of Mexicos busiest commercial hubs, as well as downstream operations aimed at meeting Mexican consumer demand.

Lakshmi Mittal, chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal, arrives for a meeting with France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, July 31, 2017. (REUTERS)

Lazaro Cardenas is home to ArcelorMittals primary steelmaking operations in Mexico.

The investment covers construction of a new hot strip mill, which upon completion in about three years will allow production of 2.5 million tonnes of flat rolled steel.

Coils from the new hot strip mill will be supplied to domestic, non-auto, general industry customers, the company said in a statement.

The spending will also boost ArcelorMittals Mexican mining operations and will support ArcelorMittals NAFTA operations by providing high-quality semi-finished steel slabs, the company added.

There was no further detail on how the investment will boost trade within the NAFTA block, and the companys press office did not immediately return an after-hours call for comment.

ArcelorMittal operates six facilities at three ports in Mexico.

ArcelorMittal currently produces about 4 million tonnes per year, but after the investment is completed, annual production is seen growing by about a third to reach 5.3 million tonnes.

In addition to flat rolled steel, the company expects to produce about 1.8 million tonnes of long steel and 1 million tonnes of semi-finished slaps, according to the statement.

In 2007, ArcelorMittal bought a $1.4 billion steel plant at Lazaro Cardenas, alongside another plant it already owned at the port.

Separately on Thursday, Mexican steelmaker Ternium announced plans to build new facilities in Mexico and Colombia.

Terniums Mexican plans include a new hot rolling mill with an investment of $1.1 billion. The facilitys annual production capacity will be 3.7 million tonnes and it is scheduled to be operational by the second half of 2020, Ternium said in a statement.

The plant will produce products for the auto sector as well as other industries including construction, energy and home appliances.
The Uttarakhand school education department is planning to provide residential facilities to government school teachers in remote districts, an official said here on Wednesday.

The Nainital High Court in June put a stop on the state government from buying luxury items until government schools are provided with furniture, black boards and toilets. Later, the court relaxed the order stating that the government can buy necessary items.

Since then, the school education department has intensified its ground work to provide schools with basic amenities.

HT in its edition dated August 9 had mentioned how over 17,000 schools lack four basic facilities -- furniture, black boards, drinking water and toilets.

Accepting the governments plan of providing residential facilities to teachers, Alok Shekhar Tiwari, director general school education, told HT, Yes theres a plan.

Its a long term project on which the government is working. But, the priority is to provide basic infrastructure to students, he said.

The department has doubled its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities through which it managed to get some of the top companies like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and others to adopt districts and provide the amenities.

Even after three months of high court order, the CSR support is still in planning stage wherein companies have given approval to provide funds for the services.

School education minister Arvind Pandey took a meeting with the companies and asked to accelerate the work so that students could be provided the facilities.

Mukul Sati, additional project director who is also in-charge of CSR activities, said, We have got approval for 7,500 chairs and tables at US Nagar and 4,500 in Haridwar.

There are a couple of residential outlets in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts which were constructed when Uttarakhand was a part of Uttar Pradesh. But, they all are vacant.

We are short of 1,000 teachers in primary and 8,000 teachers in junior schools because of which the residential facilities could not be availed. Once all vacant positions are filled, I am sure teachers would opt staying there, Tiwari added.

The official records of the department showed that 15,330 primary and 8,107 upper primary schools need furniture.

Nearly 562 schools does not have drinking water access while no toilets are available in over 900 primary schools and over 200 upper primary schools. The companies would also look after the need of computers and Smart TVs at later stages.

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The Dehradun police will probe the role of Delhi laboratories in the interstate kidney racket that was busted near the state capital earlier this month.

The police custody of Dr Amit Kumar, the alleged kingpin of the organ racket, ended on Friday. He had been sent to police custody by a Dehradun court on Tuesday for allowing the cops to recover evidences and documents related to the case.

Based on the interrogation over the past three days, the police got some leads about where the medical tests of donors and recipients were conducted in Delhi before they were brought to Dehradun for surgeries.

The names of two laboratories in Delhi have emerged during the interrogation...In fact, weve retrieved some papers related to one of the two labs. He (Dr Amit) never used to go there but his patients were sent (to the labs). So ,we will quiz them (lab officials) about the entire operation, Dehradun senior superintendent of police Nivedita Kukreti Kumar told Hindustan Times. Were also gathering details of labs from the ambulances which used to ferry patients between Delhi and Dehradun.

In another important development, the Doon police found documents of a foreigner - who is suspected to have undergone a kidney transplant - from a vehicle seized from Doiwala area. On the nishandehi (inputs after interrogation) of Dr Amit, we seized a car from Doiwala in which we found the visa papers of an Omani national and also found bank passbook of one of the co-accused in the case, the SSP said.

Dr Amit has been booked under Sections 420 (cheating), 342 (wrongful confinement), 370 (trafficking) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and as well as under relevant sections of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act.

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to agitate against Delhi Metro authorities if they go ahead with a plan to hike commuter fares in the national capital.

Gopal Rai, the Delhi unit convenor of AAP, on Friday said the party was univocally opposed to hikes in public transport fare. We will launch a protest campaign if the DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) remains adamant on its plan to increase Metro fares. A delegation of party MLAs will meet the DMRC chief on Monday, and ask him to reconsider the decision, he told reporters at a press conference.

Rai also expressed surprise at the manner in which the DMRC decided to increase commuter fares twice in 2017, after refraining from taking any such step in the last eight years.

The Delhi Metros minimum fare was hiked from Rs 8 to Rs 10, and the maximum from Rs 30 to Rs 50, in May this year. If the fares are increased on October 10, the maximum figure will go up from Rs 50 to Rs 60.

The DMRCs move to increase the fare will force the people to opt for alternative modes of transport, which will aggravate pollution and congestion. The decision to hike fares should be reviewed, said Rai.

The AAP convenor said the Metro has been playing a major role in providing Delhi residents with a means of easy and safe transport.

Rai claimed that the hike in commuter fares earlier this year only served to reduce footfalls at Metro stations. The Metro ridership in June 2016 was over 27 lakh. This came down to 25 lakh, a reduction of two lakh riders, after the DMRC increased fares in May, the AAP leader said, expressing the hope that the railway body would come up with an alternative but more practical way to address its financial concerns.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday termed the plan to increase Metro fares from next month as anti-people, and asked transport minister Kailash Gahlot to identify ways to prevent it. Following this, Gahlot held a meeting with DMRC chief Mangu Singh and asked him to hold back the fare hike until the government completes its inquiry into the matter.

Singh, however, said there was no change in the DMRCs plan to hike fares.
Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) has issued a show cause notice to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party asking why their office located at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg (earlier Rouse Avenue) in central Delhi should not be vacated for alleged illegal occupation, a senior PWD official said on Thursday.

The AAP, however, said they have not received the notice so far. In pursuance with the high court order the show cause notice was issued by the L-G through PWD office on September 26, a senior PWD official told Hindustan Times.

The latest development is expected to further escalate tension between AAP chief and L-G. They had earlier locked horns over a range of issues, including Mohalla Clinics.

In April, Baijal had cancelled the allotment of the bungalow to AAP on recommendations of the Shunglu Committee which, it said, had been illegally allotted to the party.

In June PWD sent a notice to the AAP asking to it pay a fine of Rs 27 lakh for illegally occupying the party office while on August 23, the Delhi High Court quashed L-G order cancelling the allotment of a bungalow at 206, Rouse Avenue.

The high court had only set aside the L-Gs order regarding cancellation of the allotment of the bungalow 206 Rouse Avenue as office to the AAP. But it has also asked the L-G to pass a speaking order on the issue, the official added.

He further said that to pass a speaking order on the issue, the L-G has issued a show cause notice to the party on Tuesday asking why their office should not be vacated for illegally occupying it.

The Delhi government had allotted bungalow 206 Rouse Avenue (now Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg) in December 2015.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj denied the development. We have not yet received any notice or communication in this connection, Bharadwaj told the Hindustan Times.
A six-year-old boy, who had been missing for the last two days, was found dead in a bed box in southeast Delhis Okhla Phase 2 on Friday morning. The police arrested a 19-year-old neighbour who allegedly killed the boy as he suspected him of peeping into their bathroom.

The boy had gone missing while playing outside his house on Wednesday evening. He lived with his parents and two elder brothers in Jeevan Jyoti Rajeev camp.

Early Friday morning, a strong stench from a locked room, barely few metres from boys house, drew neighbours attention.

We got the room opened thinking it was a dead rat. But when the bed box was opened, we saw a sack inside. The boys hands and head were visible in it. His mouth was tied with a black cloth, said neighbour Radha, who goes by her single name and was among the first to enter the room.

Rohit, a 19-year-old youth in the neighbourhood, has been arrested. He told us that the boy looked at his newly wedded wife while she took a bath and made lewd comments, said Romil Baaniya, DCP (southeast). Baaniya said that Rohit allegedly attacked the boy in anger. His head hit the edge of the bed. On seeing him bleed, Rohit panicked and wrapped a cloth around his face. He then put the body in a bed box to hide it.

The boys father, who works as a small-time contractor, said he was not aware of anyone having ill-feelings for his son.
In Delhi, the tradition of Ramlilas is believed to have begun around 350 years ago when Mughal emperor Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad. Since its inception, the tradition has undergone a significant transformation  from techniques and equipments used, to the scale of the act.

Lately, the scale of these Ramlilas has increased to mythic proportions with their ever-increasing budgets. According to an estimate, the budget of any major Ramlila starts from 80-90 lakh.

Their numbers have also swelled up. Around 1,000 performances, including small-budget productions, are held across the city. The Delhi Police grants permission to about 250 Ramlila committees every year.

The Walled City has four big Ramlilas  three in the lawns in front of the Red Fort, and one at Ramlila Maidan opposite Zakir Husain Delhi College.

The Ramlilas have transformed into high-tech enactments. Cutting-edge gadgets are used to perform stunts; film and TV actors are roped in; and original scores are written by professional lyrists. Latest sound systems, music equipments and lights have become permanent fixtures, said Ravi Jain, press secretary, Shri Dharmic Leela Committee (SDLC).

Muradabad-based artiste Pradeep Sharma, who has been performing at SDLC for 52 years, said a major change in Ramlilas is the participation by female actors.

Around 1950s-60s, no one could imagine that a woman would perform on the Ramlila stage. All female roles were played by the male actors. We brought a female actor in our group for the first time in 1965. A lot has changed since then. Every department has been revolutionised, be it music, makeup, lighting, or stage design, said Sharma, who is now only involved with direction and supervision.

This year his troupe has 35 members, which include 10 female artistes.

Costumes get special attention now with organisers hiring designers from Bollywood. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

Music and grand sets

Today, sophisticated musical instruments, orchestra, and professional musicians are crucial elements at all major Ramlilas. However, till the 1970s, harmoniums, tablas and sarangis were the only instruments used. Electric blubs were tied to wooden poles were used to illuminate the stage. The actors would deliver dialogues facing the VIP guests sitting in the first row.

The stage, erected in the centre of Ramlila Maidan, had no backdrop or designer sets.

Now, we have 3D sets and LED displays to depict landscapes. Multi-deck sets are built and the production has professional makeup artists. Earlier, we used a mixture of glycerine and colour for make-up and applied kajal in place of eyeliners. The artistes would carry microphones manually if they had to move on the stage, Sharma said.

Costume is another department, which is given special attention now. Earlier, the costumes used to be sourced from nearby markets like Chandni Chowk. But now the organisers hire costume designers from Bollywood.

Folk songs and popular bhajans were played at the event earlier, with locals volunteering to sing. But now, new lyrics are penned with original music scores.

In our locality, there were families from Multan, who had migrated after partition, who would sing in the jagratas. They religiously participated in Ramlila too. I have seen Gulshan Kumar, the founder of T-Series music label, singing at Ramlila opposite Lok Nayak Hospital, said Swadesh Chawla, a public relation professional, who was a resident of Darya Ganj.

Promoting local talent

To keep the audience engaged, the committees allowed aspirants to show off their acting or singing skills during breaks. This arrangement has also witnessed widespread changes in last 30 years. Now, the organisers employ trained dancers, orchestra, and film or TV actors to entertain audience during the breaks.

The stage used to become a talent hunt show of sort. Aspiring artists would mimic stars like Dev Anand, Om Prakash, Mehmood, or Raj Kumar, said Ved Arora, a businessman from Old Delhi.

With venerated artistic composition rapidly turning into lavish production, old-timers are not pleased with the changing formats.

Vulgar dance performances are planned to attract crowd. The audience whistles at distasteful dance moves. It seems to have lost its religious significance and sanctity. A couple of years ago, spectators went berserk during a dance performance. As the situation turned uncontrollable, the police had to intervene, said a Chandni Chowk resident, who was associated with a Ramlila organising committee.

Old Delhi has four major Ramlilas  three in the lawns in front of the Red Fort, and one at Ramlila Maidan opposite Zakir Hussain Delhi College. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

A celebration of community bonding

The Ramlilas have played a major role in facilitating an inclusive society and strengthen community bonding since its inception. Muslims artisans are usually involved in production jobs like making Dussehra effigies and actors from the community have been playing characters in the Ramlilas for years.

The committees organised various activities for students in which Muslims children would participate in sizeable numbers. I participated in a drawing competition in 1991 held by Luv Kush Ramlila Committee (LKRC) at Lal Quila ground. I have even won a prize  a lunch box, said Mohammad Zaki, a resident of Bara Hindu Rao.

As part of a decades-old practice, Muslim residents of Shahjahanabad accord warm welcome to the Ramlila procession as it passes through their localities. Various groups put stalls along the route and distribute refreshments.

We have seen our elders welcoming Ram Baraat taken out by LKRC for years. The youth are also following the custom with the same spirit, said Nasir Ansari, president of the youth wing of All-India Momin Conference, a social organisation.

Moradabad-based artiste Pradeep Sharma (centre) has been performing at the citys Ramlilas for around 52 years. (HT Photos)

The Bollywood connection

LKRC, formed in 1988, stole the limelight when it started inviting big film stars as special guests at its function. The guest list includes actors like Rajesh Khanna, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Govinda, Vivek Overoi, Zeenat Aman, and Hema Malini among others.

However, Delhi Ramlilas association with Hindi cinema does not begin with LKRC.

Several Delhi-based movie stars had their first brush with acting in their childhood on the Ramlila stage. While Shah Rukh Khan would play at a Ramlila in Rajinder Nagar, Akshay Kumar has performed as Hanuman in Old Delhi. Gajendra Chauhan (best known for his portrayal of Yudhishthira in Mahabharat TV series) and Manoj Pahwa were part of productions in Khampur and Laxmi Nagar.

Shah Rukh Khan was part of Ramlila staging that would happen near H block but I dont remember, which role he used to play, said Chaudhary Jagannath, who organises Dussehra in Rajinder Nagar.

Even I bagged an award for my role as Shravan Kumar when I was student of Class VII, said the former chairman of Film and Television Institute of India.

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A Hindu woman in a burqa travelling with a Muslim man living in Jeddah raised an alarm at the Delhi airport on Monday, officials said.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stopped the woman when she entered Terminal 3 of Delhi airport. The security staff got suspicious as her Muslim attire did not match with her Hindu name given on the flight ticket.

The CISF also alerted the Intelligence Bureau.

The incident took place on morning of September 25. At 7:15 am, our intelligence staff noticed the suspicious movement of a burqa-clad woman. During enquiry, it was found that the woman was a 26-year-old Hindu and travelling to Mumbai by Jet airways flight 9W 358. The plane was scheduled to fly at 10:30 am, said a CISF official.

During the enquiry, the woman said that she was travelling with a 43-year-old Muslim man, who is from Madhya Pradesh.

She told us that the man is her fiance and she had come to meet him in Delhi. But she could not give satisfactory reasons on why she was wearing a burqa. The IB was called in, the officer added.

They were allowed to travel after nothing suspicious was found in their possession.

In a similar incident reported in August, a young woman eloping with her boyfriend, with her mother hot on their heels, created a security scare at the Delhi airport on August 15.

The drama unfolded when an alert security officer noticed a non-Muslim name on the boarding card of a burqa-clad woman during the security check.

The mismatch caused an alarm as the Indira Gandhi International Airport was on high alert in view of the Independence Day. The officer quickly alerted her seniors about the suspicious woman.

Later, they came to know that the woman wore a burqa to hide from her mother.

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New Delhi

Delhis education minister Manish Sisodia late on Thursday night announced in a series of tweets that two people had been arrested after a raid at an MCD school in Kalyanpuri.

Sisodia said that the school guard had been renting out classrooms at night and two people were found staying at the school illegally when the raid was conducted at 10pm.

The classrooms, where kids come to study in the morning, are rented out at night to cook food. We also found fretsaws, hammers and other tools stored in a cupboard. Playing with the safety of kids by the schools will not be tolerated at any cost...Two people have been arrested during raids on childrens rooms (classrooms) of the MCD school in Kalyanpuri, Block 19, said Sisodia in the series of tweets. He also shared videos from the raids.

Kuldeep Kumar, councillor from Kalyanpuri ward and an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member, said he had informed Sisodia about discrepancies in the school after parents approached him with complaints. The raid was conducted, after informing the police.

We found that people were staying in 3-4 rooms. The cupboards for storing books and study materials, were stacked with tools and clothes of the tenants, said Kumar, who reportedly accompanied Sisodia during the raid.

Jawant Singh, a parent who lives close to the school said that people were often spotted leaving the school early in morning to avoid suspicion.

I live in the next lane and while crossing the school early in the morning I had noticed two people leaving the place, almost every day. This caught my suspicion and I reported the matter to the local councillor, he said.

Singh said the guard who had been letting out the classrooms on rent was not arrested, but two people found living in the school premises were.The guard allegedly said that he had started renting out the rooms because he was not paid enough. The guard claimed that he is paid for eight hours even though we was working almost 24 hours, daily, wrote Sisodia on Twitter.

Anil Kumar, assistant director of education at East Delhi Municipal Corporation, said they have taken action against those responsible. We have terminated the services of the guard. The principal has been transferred and issued a showcause notice. The supervisory staff too have been issued showcause notices, he said.
Chandigarh The Punjab government has decided to initiate action against 450 schoolteachers responsible for serious discrepancies in evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets in the state.

The state education department will send show-cause notices to lecturers and masters responsible for negligence in checking board examination papers of Class 12 held in March this year, seeking explanation for lapses. The notices will be dispatched next week, giving these teachers 21 days to send their replies. Thereafter, we will decide whether to impose minor or major penalty, said a department official. In such cases, action can vary from stoppage of increments (minor penalty) to dismissal from service (major penalty).

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), which conducts the exams for classes 10 and 12, had sent the names of these careless assessors  two-thirds of them are lecturers  to the education department after discrepancies were noticed during the re-evaluation of answer sheets. The board, which noticed huge discrepancy in original scores and marks awarded during rechecking, had also received complaints about errors in evaluation from some students.

GLARING NEGLIGENCE  English: In one case, the score jumped to 43 from 10. The marks were revised to 39 from 9 after re-evaluation of paper of another student  Punjabi: A students score was revised to 70 from 10 during rechecking, whereas marks of one were revised to 57 from 44  Maths: The score of a student rose from 34 to 84 during re-evaluation. Another ones marks went up from 41 to 74 In one case, the score jumped to 43 from 10. The marks were revised to 39 from 9 after re-evaluation of paper of another studentA students score was revised to 70 from 10 during rechecking, whereas marks of one were revised to 57 from 44The score of a student rose from 34 to 84 during re-evaluation. Another ones marks went up from 41 to 74

Though the PSEB had sent the list of erring teachers about a month ago, the department officials were slow to react at first and started the process of drafting notices after secretary, school education, Krishan Kumar, told the district education officers (DEOs) at a meeting that strict action was being contemplated against teachers for negligence in checking papers.

Kumar said several teachers were not serious about evaluating answer sheets. We have come across several instances where answers have been crossed out by assessors without checking or no marks have been awarded for some answers. In one case, there was a huge increase in scores from 13 to 53 during the paper re-evaluation. A number of students had to suffer mental torture and financial loss, he told the district officials recently.

Kumar said several students had got copies of their answer sheets under the Right to Information Act and discovered negligence in checking. The department has sought suggestions from department officials and experts to suggest ways to curb such lapses.

In cases indicative of negligence by teachers in marking papers, the score of a student in English jumped to 43 from 10. The marks were revised to 39 from 9 after re-evaluation of paper of another student.

In Punjabi, a students score was revised to 70 from 10 during rechecking, whereas marks of one were revised to 57 from 44.

The score in mathematics of a student rose from 34 to 84 during re-evaluation. Another ones marks went up from 41 to 74.

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The University of Mumbai (MU) has decided to allot bonus marks to 1,600 students to compensate them for answer papers misplaced by the examination department.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Bard of Examination (BoE) on Thursday. The board has also decided to continue with MeritTrac, the current IT partner for on-screen marking (OSM) - the new assessment system is one of the causes of the mess in the examination department, for the upcoming semester examination, as the contract with the company was for a period of one year.

It was being speculated that, for the missing answer papers, the university may give students marks equal to the average scored in the other subjects. A BoE member, however, said that the norms for scoring such papers will now be finalised on Tuesday.

The university is unable to track the missing papers ostensibly because they have been uploaded in a wrong basket of papers. These misplaced papers remain the last hitch in the way for the university struggling to declare results after switching to an on-screen assessment process in place of the traditional pen-and-paper evaluation. Most of the misplaced papers are from the commerce

Despite the numerous hiccups faced during its first attempt at implementing the OSM system, MU has decided to continue with it for the next semester examination. However, the varsity said that it will make necessary changes in the software to avoid the goof-ups of the previous exam.
A global network of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has sought urgent intervention of the President and the Prime Minister for making provision for reservation in appointment of faculties and admission of students to various doctoral programmes at the countrys premier B-schools in the IIM Bill.

The Bill, which seeks to provide complete autonomy and power to grant degrees to their students to the IIMs, is currently pending in the Rajya Sabha after being passed by the Lok Sabha.

Stating that the missing reservation provision in the Bill is a violation of the Constitution, the network pointed out that IIMs do not provide any reservation benefit to faculties, candidates applying for enrollment to executive and doctoral programmes.

Due to these acute shortcomings, we believe that the IIMs are not ready for autonomy and rushing through the pending Bill in its current form by the parliament must be avoided, the Global IIM Alumni Network that has members working across the world, said in the letter addressed to Ram Nath Kovind and Narendra Modi.

The open letter further drew the President and the Prime Ministers attention to the diversity data, obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from top 10 IIMs and states. The data shows severe under-representation of the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups at the teaching and research level positions at these management colleges.

The Ambedkar International Foundation, Ambedkar Association of North America, International Commission of Dalit Rights are some of the organisations that signed the letter under the aegis of the Global IIM Alumni Network.

As per the pending IIM Bill, a board of governors will oversee the functioning of respective IIMs.

It does not have any provision for representation of people from SC/ST/OBC (in the governing board), the letter further stated.

The signatories further pointed out that the IIMs continue to deny reservation benefits despite several reminders from the human resource development (HRD) ministry for implementation of the reservation policy.

This act of impunity by the IIMs is against their own mission statements of nation building, the global network said.

Even the top ranking foreign universities, especially Harvard University and MIT which contributed significantly to establishment of IIM-Ahmadabad and IIM-Calcutta respectively, are inclusive in their intake policy. The IIMs must learn from these universities, it added.

In their petition, the signatories have pointed out that amongst 512 faculty members at top 10 IIMs, as of now there are just two SC and 13 OBC members while representation of ST in their panel of faculties is nil.

IIM-Ahmadabad has 8 SC/ST/OBC out of total 93 FPM students. IIM-Calcutta has 9 of 94, IIM-Lucknow has 7 of 67 and IIM-Bangalore has nil SC/ST/OBC students among 134 FPM students, the letter said.

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The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are likely to significantly increase their intake in the next academic year, providing at least 1,000 additional engineering aspirants with an opportunity to study in the premier establishments.

A senior human resource development (HRD) ministry official said most of these seats will be added through new IITs, such as the ones at Mandi, Hyderabad, Ropar, Jodhpur, Bhubaneshwar, Indore and Gandhinagar. Older IITs such as Delhi, Bombay and Kharagpur may also witness an increase in seats, although not significantly.

The official said as many as 1,000 IIT seats are likely to be added to the existing 10,998, now that construction work on the new campuses is going on at full swing. From next year, we will also earmark special seats for female candidates, he added.

As many as 121 seats were left vacant after seven rounds of counselling across 23 IITs this year, up from 96 last year. Consequently, the HRD ministry has asked IITs to consider various ways  including the option of scrapping unpopular courses  to address the situation.

While the number of vacant seats stood at 50 in 2015, it was just three the previous year.

A number of IITs hiked their intake by 400 seats this year. A new proposal for further increasing the seats will be sent soon by the senate of the new IITs to the Joint Admission Board (JAB), which will then take a decision on the matter.

A 14% hike in seats allotted to women  around 600  was recommended during a JAB meeting this year, taking the total number to 1,440. Women currently comprise just 8% of the total student strength of 23 IITs across the country.

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A study has recently revealed that men are more likely to develop a type of cancer than women, as male hormones promote an infection by virus that causes the deadly disease. According to researchers, male hormones may facilitate infection with a virus that can cause a type of cancer known as Kaposis sarcoma. Kaposis sarcoma is a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, in lymph nodes, or in other organs.

Ke Lans group of the State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan University, China, explained how men are at an increased risk of developing Kaposis sarcoma. Earlier studies have suggested that men are more vulnerable to infection with Kaposis sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and more DNA from this virus is detected in infected men than in infected women. This suggests that male hormones may influence KSHV infection, but their precise role has remained mysterious.

To investigate how male hormones might influence KSHV infection, the team performed a variety of experiments with human cell cultures. These experiments focused on the androgen receptor, a protein found in the outer membrane of some cells. Both men and women have androgen receptors, but they are activated by hormones (such as testosterone) that are produced at much higher levels in men.

The researchers used a technique known as RNA interference to inhibit androgen receptor activity in the cultured cells and then exposed the cells to KSHV. They found that AR inhibition led to much lower levels of KSHV genetic material detected in the cells than in control cells. Cells treated with 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that activates the androgen receptor, had increased levels of KSHV. This suggests that both the androgen receptor and DHT promote KSHV infection.

With further research, these findings could help guide efforts to develop drugs that could prevent KSHV infection and reduce the risk of Kaposis sarcoma. Male hormones, the authors further explain, facilitate Kaposis sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection through activation of viral receptor EphA2. The research appears in the journal PLOS Pathogens.

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The Indian Army commandos participating in last years surgical strike on terrorists launchpads in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir livestreamed the entire operation back to army headquarters in Udhampur and Delhi, the officer-in-charge of the operation has revealed.

Yes, we were getting the images live. I was sitting in the operations room in our command headquarter in Udhampur. I saw the entire operation live how our teams attacked the targets, and the entire live feed was being sent to Delhi Army Headquarters, former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Indian Armys Northern Command (retired) Lieutenant General DS Hooda said in an interview with India TV.

Asked who all in Delhi were watching the live feed, Hooda said: I dont know who were watching in Delhi. In Udhampur, we were watching and the feed was going to Delhi too.

However, he refused to disclose as to whether the live streaming was done through satellite or some other technology.

I cant disclose what technology we used, but the Indian Army has the capability where you can see livestreaming of operation that was going on. We have the capability, Hooda said.

Giving details of the strike, Hooda said the last team of special forces returned at around 6.30 a.m.

Some teams arrived earlier. They had left earlier and had struck at targets soon after midnight, while some other teams went in later and returned late.

There was panic in the ranks of Pakistani forces. In some places, they were firing randomly. We had also planned a backup. If any team failed to return, we had teams ready to go in, retrieve and rescue and bring them back, Hooda, who had planned the strikes, revealed.

The former Lieutenant General also revealed that the government had made up its mind to make an announcement soon after the surgical strike was over.

It was decided in advance. The government had decided that we will announce the surgical strike having taken place, own it up. Had it not been successful, then they would have had to take criticism also. So, the pressure on the army (to make it successful) was big, he said.

Hooda said there were heavy casualties at four or five terror launchpads.

He admitted that there was a days delay in carrying out the strikes.

The initial planning was, the forces would go in on September 27, but the final execution took place on September 28, he said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday alleged that the BJP governments, in the states and at the Centre, were trying to impose RSS ideology in universities which he said, was resulting in students unrest and anarchy on the campuses.

Interacting with student leaders from various varsities, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Delhi University and the Allahabad University here, he said that ever since the BJP government has come to power at the Centre, the atmosphere in educational institutions has been spoiled.

The reputation of universities has also been harmed, the former chief minister was quoted as saying during his interaction with the students leaders.

Alleging that there was a conspiracy to crush the morale of students by curbing the voice of dissent, Yadav said that the youth has always brought a change in the system.

A chance to bring a change will come in 2019 and there was a need to start preparations from today. Students need to pay attention on their studies and at the same time also raise their voice against injustice.

The students and youth will have to remain prepared for playing a double role, the SP chief said.
At least 22 people were killed in a stampede on Friday as commuters pushed and jostled on a Mumbai railway bridge during the morning rush hour.

The cause of the stampede was not immediately known.

Deadly stampedes are common at the countrys pilgrimages and religious festivals. In 2008, 224 people died in a stampede at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthans Jodhpur. In 2013 a crowd rush at a railway station killed at least 36 Kumbh pilgrims.

Read | The stampede at Mumbais Elphinstone Road railway station was waiting to happen | HT View

Experts say a high tolerance for crowds and crowded spaces in the country has resulted in several similar accidents.

Here is a look at the major stampedes in the country in the past decade:

October 15, 2016: At least 24 people were killed in a stampede in Varanasi. Panic spread as thousands of pilgrims tried to cross a bridge to a sacred site. Rumours about a bridge collapse led to chaos after a man fell down in a crowd.

July 14, 2015: At least 29 people were killed and over 60 injured in a stampede during the mahapushkaram, a Hindu religious bathing festival on the Godavari river bank, in Andhra Pradesh.

Some pilgrims trying to retrieve their shoes that had fallen off in the rush triggered the stampede as tens of thousands of people pushed forward to bathe in the Godavari on the first day of the festival.

October 13, 2013: At least 113 people, including children, were killed and more than 100 injured in a stampede on a crowded bridge leading to a temple in northern Madhya Pradesh, with many of the devotees leaping to their death in the water below.

The incident at the Ratangarh temple in Datia district, 350 km north of Bhopal, brought back memories of a similar stampede at the same place in 2006, when at least 20 devotees had died. It also put the spotlight on poor crowd-control planning by the authorities that have made stampedes a recurrent feature at religious congregations.

February 11, 2013: 37 pilgrims killed and scores injured in a stampede at a railway station in Uttar Pradeshs Allahabad. The devotees were headed home from the Kumbh Mela.

November 19, 2012: 18 killed and several injured in a stampede on a bridge over the Ganga river during Chhath Puja in Patna, Bihar.

January 14, 2011: 104 pilgrims died on Makara Jyothi Day at Sabarimala in Kerala.

May 16, 2010: Two persons were killed in March 2010 in a stampede triggered by a last-minute change in platforms for two trains at the New Delhi railway station.

Passengers pushed around to move to platform No. 12 with their baggage, which resulted in the stampede. A woman and a child were killed in the incident. Around 15 people were injured.

March 4, 2010: 63 people, mostly women and children, killed in a stampede at a temple in Uttar Pradeshs Pratapgarh.

September 30, 2008: 224 pilgrims died in a stampede at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthans Jodhpur.

August 3, 2008: 150 worshippers killed in a stampede at Naina Devi temple sparked by rumours of a landslide in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.

January 25, 2005: 340 people were killed in a stampede at Mandhar Devi temple Maharashtras Satara district. The accident happened when some people fell down on the steps made slippery by devotees breaking coconuts.

With inputs from agencies
Six out of the 23 accused were arrested by police from Rajasthans Bikaner on Thursday night over the alleged gang rape of a Delhi woman.

The 28-year-old victim in her complaint said she was sexually assaulted by the 23 men after abducting her from the outskirts of Bikaner in broad daylight, when she was waiting for a vehicle.

In her statement, recorded on Thursday evening under section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate, she identified eight of the accused who raped her repeatedly.

All the accused arrested by Bikaner police are between 20 and 27 years of age.

Circle Officer (CO) of Sadar area and the investigation officer Rajendra Singh confirmed the arrests of Bhavarlal (27), Subhash (27), Manoj (23), Rajuram (20) all residents of Barsinghsar village and Jugalkishor (24), Madanlal (22) of Palana village.

Police teams are looking for two more identified accused. Meanwhile, we will seek police remand for the six arrestees, whose medical examinations were also conducted on Friday morning, Singh said.

Medical report of the victim is still awaited, he added.

The arrests were made two days after the woman had complained to the Bikaner district superintendent of police on Tuesday about the incident.

The woman said two men dragged her inside an SUV while she was waiting for transport near Khatu Shyam Mandir on the Jaipur Road at 2:30pm on Monday.

They drove me around near some mines for several hours and repeatedly raped me in the vehicle, she wrote in the complaint.

The two men then called up six others, who also assaulted her in the car. The ordeal didnt end there as she was then taken to a government power substation, where more men assaulted her, she alleged.

The attackers then left the woman at the same spot, from where she was kidnapped, at around 4am on Tuesday.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee could emerge victor in a bitter battle with Hindu right-wing organisations over immersion of idols during the states biggest festival, Durga Puja.

Till Friday morning, the police had not received any application from community puja organisers anywhere in the state seeking permission to take out Durga immersion procession on October 1, the day when a section of Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet. The ritual is part of the holy month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

Banerjees government and BJP and its allied organisations are locked in a bitter war of words after the chief minister banned immersion on the day. The BJP accused her of trying to appease the minority community.

A division bench of the Calcutta high court, however, stayed the blanket ban and ruled that immersions should be allowed if the police found that the processions would not jeopardise the law and order situation. The court also ordered the police to identify separate routes for Muharram and Durga puja processions.

Chastised by the court ruling, the state government asked puja organisers to apply to the police sufficiently in advance for obtaining permission for immersions.

Additional director general (law & order), Anuj Sharma, told HT that not a single application for immersion on October 1 has been received till date

There are about 25,000 community pujas in all the districts combined. So far we have not received a single application, Sharma said.

Another senior officer of Kolkata police ruled out the possibility of any last-minute application.

Even if there are any, the police administration will act on it depending on the circumstances and according to the high court order, the officer added.

State home secretary, Atri Bhattacharya, said the administration will permit immersions based on the situation on the ground.

He also pointed out that none of the three almanacs followed in Bengal had any provision for immersion on October 1, also known as Ekadashi.

Leaders of the Banerjees ruling Trinamool Congress have also been persuading puja organisers to refrain from immersing the idols on October 1.

Our leaders and elected representatives have influence over almost 95% of the community pujas. Some of the remaining ones are under the control of Congress leaders. But I am sure that they will not act in a way that communal harmony is disturbed, said a member of the state cabinet.

Chief minister Banerjee had criticised the saffron camp for its plans to organise shastra puja (weapons worship) on Dashami on the ground that it was not the culture of Bengal.

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Even as electoral campaigning picks up for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll scheduled for October 11, local police have booked senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sucha Singh Langah on charges of sexually exploiting a woman constable for nearly a decade.

Langah, who served as the agriculture minister in the Akali Dal government from 2007 to 2012, is also accused of defrauding her.

The politician, in his defence, termed the allegations against him as a classic case of political vendetta that has been unleashed to harm SADs prospects in the Gurdaspur bypoll. However, he decided to quit all party positions to ensure that the law takes its course without any hindrance.

Langah promised to surrender before a court on Saturday, as was required in his capacity as a responsible citizen.

The 39-year-old complainant claimed in the FIR that she used to study in the same class as Langahs daughter, Sarabjit Kaur, at the Bebe Nanki College in Gurdaspur. She has accused the 61-year-old politician of forcing her to have sexual relations with him for over eight years under threat of death.

The woman, while registering the complaint, also claimed to have shot a 20-minute video that shows Langah sexually exploiting her. The clip was provided to the police in a pen drive, Gurdaspur senior superintendent of police Harcharan Singh Bullar said, adding that the probe has been handed over to deputy superintendent of police AD Singh.

A case was registered against the SAD politician after due consultation with the additional district attorney.

The complainants nightmare began in 2009, when she and her relatives met Langah (the then agriculture minister) at the Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh to seek a job on compassionate grounds. Her husband, a police constable, had passed away  leaving nobody to provide for the family.

The minister asked me to meet him alone after two days. I did as told because getting a job was very important to me; I had two children to tend to, the complainant said in the FIR.

The woman vividly recalled the first time Langah allegedly forced himself on her. I begged the minister to spare me. I even tried reminding him that I was his daughters classmate, and  therefore  like a daughter to him. But he wouldnt listen. He told me that having sexual relations with him was the only way I could get a government job, she said.

Attempts to resist his advances were quelled with death threats. Whenever I tried putting up a fight, the minister would tell me that he knows gangsters in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who would kill anybody he wants at a moments notice. I dared not speak against him because he was a very powerful man, the woman said in her statement.

Langah has been a senior member of the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) for over two decades now. Though the politicians attempts to win from Dera Baba Nanak in 2012 and 2017 were unsuccessful, he is still considered the backbone of SAD in Majha region.

Langah would allegedly fix meetings with the victim in Chandigarh with the help of a senior police officer in the state secretariat. She finally decided to shoot the video because she did not think anybody would take her word over the politicians if she filed a regular complaint.

The complainant also accused Langah of cheating her monetarily. Langah sold a one-acre plot of land that belonged to me in Sohal village under the pretext of buying property for me in Chandigarh. Though he made Rs 30 lakh from that transaction, I got a paltry Rs 4.5 lakh. When I protested, he got a local bank to issue a loan of Rs 8 lakh in my name. However, even from that I got just Rs 1 lakh, the FIR read.

The former minister has been booked under sections 384 (extortion), 420 (fraud) and 506 (criminal intimidation), besides section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code.

Langah said a false case has been foisted against him in order to harm his partys prospects in the Gurdaspur byelection. This political witchhunt began with the bypoll announcement, after we complained to the director general against seven station house officers who registered over 200 false cases against fellow-workers, he added.

The former minister said this particular FIR by a member of the Punjab police department had been registered in haste, after a false complaint was filed before the senior superintendent of police on Thursday.

Declaring his intention to resign from all party posts as well as the SGPC, he said: I have full faith in the judiciary. Therefore, I will submit to the process of law by surrendering in court tomorrow. I firmly believe that the truth will emerge, and justice will be done to me.

Langah was campaigning for BJP-SAD candidate Swaran Salaria at Dera Baba Nayak earlier in the day, when word of the rape case reached him. He immediately summoned a private car and sped away from the venue, leaving all his government-provided guards behind.

He has been untraceable ever since, although Gurdaspur police are conducting raids across the region.
A 12-year-old rape survivor could not undergo medical examination as the doctors needed her guardians signatures before the procedure but her only surviving caretaker is the one who has been accused of raping her along with his son.

According to Bhopal Child Welfare Committee (CWC) member Rekha Sridhar, the girl hailed from Vidisha town, but started living with her accused uncle in Bhopal after her parents death. She managed to escape from his clutches and approached the Kotwali police after reaching Vidisha on Tuesday.

On Thursday, when officials took her for a medical exam, the doctors said that they would need the signatures of either her parents or any relative.

The official machinery finally got moving and she was examined in Bhopal on Friday, but there is fear that precious time, and possibly evidence, have been lost.

The minors situation was made worse by the fact that Vidisha does not have a child welfare committee , which could act as her guardian.

Vidisha sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Ravi Shankar Rai said that the term of the districts last CWC had expired on September 20 and since a new one had not been put in place yet, the girls case was handed over to Bhopal CWC.

CWC member Rekha Sridhar said the girl was traumatised and had been constantly crying.

She told us that her uncle and his son had done kharab kaam (Bad things) with her. She is scared and hasnt been able to give the proper address her uncle. Our priority is to get her medically examined as much time has been lost. We will also try to get the address of her uncle in Bhopal, so that police can proceed with their probe. The girl will be staying at Shelter Home in Bhopal.

Vidisha SP Vineet Kapoor had said that it was not possible for the police to proceed as they did not have the medical report.

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Effectively combating terrorism was one of the major focus areas during the talks Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah had with Indian leaders as both sides emphasised the need to dismantle terror safe havens in the region.

Abdullah, who arrived here on Thursday, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj during which a wide-range of issues were discussed.

India and Afghanistan condemned the continuing acts of terror and violence in Afghanistan, including the recent attack at the Kabul airport which had delayed the arrival of Dr Abdullah to India, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He said both sides asserted that terror safe havens and sanctuaries need to be dismantled.

Kumar said both sides positively assessed the recent developments in bilateral relations, including the outcomes of the recently concluded meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council on September 11, which was co-chaired by the foreign ministers of the two countries.

India had already announced that it will implement 116 development projects in Afghanistan.

The New Development Partnership was described as paving the way for the new generation partnership in development cooperation between the two countries, Kumar said.

In the talks, the Indian leadership reiterated New Delhis support for all efforts to build a stable, secure, peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, he said.

A Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation on police training and development was signed and formally exchanged at the meeting between the Chief Executive and the Prime Minister.

This has created an enabling framework for training and capacity building of Afghan National Police personnel in various fields in addition to Indias ongoing assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, said Kumar.

He said trade and economic cooperation was also the focus of discussions and that better connectivity was emphasised upon by both the sides

In this context, both sides expressed determination to strengthen the Air Freight Corridor and also welcomed the steps being taken to operationalise the Chahbahar port, including the forthcoming supply of wheat to Afghanistan from October 2017, he said.

Kumar said Afghanistan was invited to participate in the International Solar Alliance Summit Meeting being held in India in December 2017.
India on Friday termed as an imaginary lie and story Pakistans foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asifs claim that an offer was received to swap Indian prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist behind the Army Public School attack in Peshawar in 2014.

You have already seen a press release issued by the Afghan National Security Advisers office. If you have gone through the press release, it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies and stories created by the Pakistani establishment, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a weekly media briefing here.

You have seen what happened at the UN General Assembly -- how a fake picture was shown to be from India but it turned out to be from another country. So, another lie has been added to the series of lies, the MEA Spokesperson said.

Kumar said he would normally not comment on a purported conversation between two personalities but was making an exception in this case.

Asif had claimed that an offer was received to swap Jadhav for a terrorist behind the Peshawar Army Public School attack in 2014, who, he (Asif) asserted, was now in Afghanistans custody.

The terrorist who killed children in APS (Army Public School) is in Aghan custody. The NSA told me we can exchange that terrorist with a terrorist we have, which is Kulbushan Jadhav, Asif said on Tuesday.

Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for allegedly spying for India.

New Delhi has denied that Jadhav was working for Indian intelligence and has appealed to the International Court of Justice to stop his execution.

Asif, who was answering questions after a speech at the Asia Society in New York on Tuesday, did not specify which NSA he was referring to and did not expand the initials. From that vague reference, it was not clear if Pakistans National Security Adviser had conveyed the offer or if it was made by an entity or individual in another country sharing the initials NSA.

Asif also did not identify the terrorist in Afghanistans custody.

Answering another query, Kumar said India has time and again asked Pakistan to not allow terrorists to operate from its soil and to dismantle terror infrastructure on its territory.
In December 2013, the country was still reeling from the Delhi gang rape that had left the national conscience permanently wounded. Less than six months later, a five-year-old girl was kidnapped at Gandhinagar in New Delhi and while police registered an FIR, nothing else moved for the investigation and recovery of the child. Two days later, she was found bleeding and unconscious, tied up in the basement of her building with an oil bottle and candle inside her.

What followed then, was a shameful exhibition of the countrys damaged response mechanism to child rape. As the child was taken back and forth three hospitals after being refused treatment, subjected to repeated police questioning, her father was allegedly offered money by police to hush up the matter, and only her persistent parents, media glare and political clamouring brought the case into limelight. Miraculously, she survived but only after years of agony and multiple surgeries. If police had acted promptly and rounded up the neighbours, the child could have been saved.

Read Part 1 | I was raped at 7, torture continued for 11 years: A child abuse survivors account

Her case drags on in the special POCSO court (made in accordance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) in New Delhi, a law that mandates that trial should be completed within a year as far as possible. This case is representative of thousands of cases of sexual violence against children in India every year. The flaws too are characteristic of the manner in which every child subjected to sexual abuse experiences a system gravely unprepared to deal with the complexities of the assault.

Read Part 2| Bullying is the first sign of abuse, says school principal

When this case was taken to the Supreme Court as the case in point of the systemic gaps in the recovery of kidnapped childrens cases in April 2013, the top court gave a landmark judgment within a month on May 10 directing that all cases of missing children must be registered and investigated, standard operating procedures for investigation must be set, a database of all missing children and children in need of care and protection across the country to be ma- de, among other directions. While a large vacuum in nat- ional policy for children was filled through multiple orders in the case and in many other judicial pronouncements, several gaps remain palpable. These may be filled by a new six-point strategy for child protection: policy, institutions, education, capacity building, accountability and technology (PIECATS).

UPDATING POLICIES

The need, therefore, for dynamic and updated policies is absolute and imperative as the nature of individual and organised sexual crimes against children is evolving at a challenging pace. For instance, cyber trafficking of children for pornography or exploitation is possibly the most threatening evolving crime currently, such as the horrific Blue Whale game. The anonymity and impunity that accompany digital abuse magnifies the threat and the challenge to curb it and therefore, there is imminent need for a national policy to address cyber crime against children, taking into account the best possible technological solutions available globally.

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

At all levels of response the institutions responsible to provide protection, care and support need to respond effectively to the special needs of the victim as well as the family. From first responders to police, hospitals, courts and forensic science labs, all must ensure rehabilitation, reparation and restitution in a time-bound manner and prevent re-victimisation.

PREVENTION VIA EDUCATION

The definite method of doing so is by instituting age-appropriate child rights education in educational policy and mainstream curriculum, including legal rights and means of getting support.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Alongside accountability comes building of capacity through knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). Development of stakeholder-specific, hands-on and standardised training programmes for caregivers, with measurable change in levels of KAP have for been long due.

OPTIMUM USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Technology has advanced phenomenally in usability and connectivity. However, its use for protection of children is far from optimal. From universal birth registration to tracking, the latest technology for child protection and tracking needs to advance and move beyond documenting the crime to analysing, assessing patterns and predicting the crime.

SOCIETAL AWAKENING

Stigma attached to rape and abuse must be borne not by the victim but the perpetrator, and their naming and shaming should result in both prevention as well as public pressure against such crimes. A sex offender registry is urgently needed

to ensure that a criminal can never be employed in child care positions. With the silence that surrounds a crime like child sexual abuse, not only does it not get reported, but also it is this silence that further promotes and propagates the crime. This calls for a rise in public consciousness towards the crime for breaking the shame and silence around it. It calls for a mass awakening to bring an end to child sexual abuse in schools, homes and neighbourhoods.

ADOPT POLICY OF ZEROTOLERANCE The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) came into existence in 2012.

Was formulated to effectively address sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children.

The Act defines a child as any person below 18 years of age.

It defines different forms of sexual abuse, including penetrative and non-penetrative assault, as well as sexual harassment and pornography.

The Act further makes provisions for avoiding the re-victimisation of the child at the hands of the judicial system. It provides for special courts that conduct the trial in-camera and without revealing the identity of the child, in a manner that is as child-friendly as possible.

The Act stipulates that a case of child sexual abuse must be disposed of within one year from the date the offence is reported.

Between 2014 and 2015, the city sessions courts delivered judgments in 170 POCSO cases, according to the Delhi district courts website. Only 20 cases resulted in guilty verdicts. The accused were acquitted in the remaining 150.

In 2016, the total number of cases reported under POCSO in India was 34,509, the number of cases disposed of was 12,710 and pending cases were 71,552. Thus, if no case of sexual abuse of a child is reported in the country from today, it would take approximately six years for the backlog of trials to be completed.

The five-year-old raped girl in New Delhi has approached the Delhi high court for justice. The suspects are about 20 years old  proved an age determination test taken when the charge sheet was filed. Four years on, they are out on bail, claiming they were juveniles. The case drags on. Society that is unable to give justice to a child rape survivor must question the fundamentals of justice itself. Justice can no longer exist as a theoretical ideal. The country must internalise justice, in its practice and in its conscience. And we must begin with our children.

The author is former national secretary, Bachpan Bachao Aandolan, a lawyer and child rights activist.

This is the third part of the HT series #LetsTalkAboutChildAbuse. Join the conversation on @htTweets and send us your ideas and suggestions at writetous@hindustantimes.com.
Hit hard by the Border Security Forces (BSF) punitive fire during Operation Arjun, Pakistan Rangers at a sector commander level flag meeting at Octroi border outpost in RS Pura sector in Jammu district on Friday said they would observe the November 2003 ceasefire agreement.

Pakistan Rangers assured us to hold the sanctity of ceasefire agreement of November 2003 and BSF assured them that it wont initiate first fire but reserves the right to hit back, if provoked, said an Intelligence official, privy to the meeting.

Following Operation Arjun that targeted farms and residences of ISI officers and retired Pakistani army officials in retaliation to Pakistani sniper fire, Pakistan Rangers Punjab DG Maj Gen Asgar Naveed Hayat Khan had twice called BSF director KK Sharma on September 23 and September 25 requesting to hold fire.

On the request of Pakistan Rangers, a sector commander level flag meeting was held between BSF and Rangers on Friday from 1100 hours to 1245 hours in Suchetgarh area, said an official release issued here.

The BSF delegation comprising 17 officers was led by DIG BSF Jammu Sector P S Dhiman while the Rangers delegation of 14 officers was headed by Sector Commander Chenab Rangers, Sialkot Brig Amjad Hussain. The Pakistani delegation also included three wing commanders.

The last sector commander level meeting was held on March 9 this year.

This meeting was the first sector commander level meeting on the request of Pak Rangers between two border guarding forces since heavy shelling and firing on the International Border in the September in which BSF gave strong calibrated reply to Pakistan, the statement said.

During this period, the BSF successfully foiled a number of infiltration attempts and killed one intruder on September 4 in the Arnia sector.

Read more: Two injured as Pakistan targets Indian troops in J-Ks Poonch and Rajouri

At the meeting, BSF strongly objected to Pakistans dastardly acts of snipping of two BSF troopers - constable Brijendra Bahadur and constable K K Apparao on September 14 and August 25 respectively while they were on duty at forward points along the border fence.

The BSF also protested against unprovoked cross border firing and shelling on number of Indian border villages targeting innocent civilians and their properties.

It said such provocations will not be tolerated and shall be responded with equal and more measures.

Beside discussion on number of other issues related to border management, BSF strongly objected to movement of armed intruders in close vicinity of international boundary at night for attempting intrusion into India from Pakistani territory.

The Pakistan Rangers assured the BSF that they would undertake required measures to maintain peace on the border with a request that BSF should also exercise restraint to the optimum in its counter measures so as to ensure that minimum loss of civilians is caused on Pakistani side.

It was decided to re-energize instant communication between field commanders, whenever required, to resolve the petty matters.

Both sides agreed for expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in the earlier meeting and committed to each other to maintain peace and tranquility at the international border.

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Slovakia, the central European country that currently holds presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), called for an amicable solution to Myanmars Rohingya crisis to ensure return of the refugees to their country.

We place huge importance to issues of human rights and are aware of the seriousness of the Rohingya issue. We believe all stake-holders should find an amicable solution to the issue so that the refugees can go back to their home country, Slovakian state secretary for Foreign and European affairs Lukas Parizek told HT in an interview.

He was in India for bilateral consultations, and held wide-ranging discussions with minister of state for external affairs V K Singh.

When asked whether his country supports Indian position on not letting Rohingyas into the country on grounds of national security, he said We understand Indian position. National security is an important issue as well. Then there are issues related to a humanitarian crisis. The fact remains no country will be able to absorb and keep a large number of refugees for long. Better the issue is sorted out so that the refugees can go back to their country of origin.

According to a UN estimate more than 500,000 Rohingya refugees have fled across the border to Bangladesh since violence began in the Rakhain state on August 25. It yet again brought to the forefront the nationality issue of one of the most persecuted communities in the world.

India supported the discussion in the 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 against 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.

Slovakia wants the issue to be discussed by the UN, Parizek said, adding his country supports Indias demand for more concrete measures by the UN on the issue of terrorism. No country is immune to the threat of terrorism and countries should come together for putting in place stronger measures to deal with this threat, he said

Dwelling on the bilateral relationship, the visiting dignitary said Slovakia is keen on stepping up defence ties with India, especially in selling ammunition to India. We are looking at best ways to go about it, Parizek said.

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The Bombay high court on Friday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation why it had not challenged the trial court orders discharging senior IPS officers in the alleged fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati.

Hearing a revision application filed by Sohrabuddins brother Rubabuddin Sheikh, challenging the trial court orders of discharge, Justice Revati Mohite-Dere said the CBI should be equally aggrieved with the trial courts order.

She asked the probe agency whether it was planning to challenge the trial court orders of August 2016 and August 2017 discharging IPS officers Rajkumar Pandiyan, D G Vanzara, and Dinesh M N.

Justice Mohite-Dere also instructed the CBI counsel to refrain from framing of charges against any accused in the case until October 12, the next date of hearing in the HC.

Rubabuddin has filed separate petitions challenging the discharge of the three officers from the case.

His counsel Gautam Tiwari told the court on Friday that citing the orders of discharge of the above three officials, several other accused persons too were securing discharge on the grounds of parity.

The Special CBI court in Mumbai is hearing the case after the Supreme Court ordered the trial be transferred out of Gujarat.

The court discharged the officials on the ground that the CBI had failed to get prior sanction or the special permission to prosecute them and therefore they could not be prosecuted.

Of the 38 accused in the case, 15 have been discharged by the special court. Fourteen of the 15 discharged are IPS officers.

The CBI has challenged the discharge of only one officer-- N K Amin, one of the key accused in the case.

Justice Mohite-Dere, however, questioned whether the lack of such sanction alone could be adequate reason to warrant an accused persons discharge from the case.

She also dismissed the CBIs argument that it had challenged the discharge of two Rajasthan police sub- inspectors-- Himanshu Singh and Shyam Singh Charan.

You are opposing the discharge of sub-inspectors and constables. But what about the IPS officers? Can the sole ground of lack of sanction be reason for discharge? All the IPS officers accused in the case have been discharged, only one has been challenged. The law is the same for all applicants. And you (CBI) must be as aggrieved as the applicant (Rubabuddin) with the discharge orders, Justice Mohite-Dere said.

Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kausar Bi were allegedly abducted by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad from Hyderabad on their way to Sangli in Maharashtra.

Sheikh was killed in an alleged fake encounter near Gandhinagar in November 2005, after which his wife disappeared.

Prajapati, an aide of Sheikh and a witness to the encounter, was allegedly killed by police in Chapri village in Gujarats Banaskantha district in December 2006.

Vanzara, who was heading the ATS at the time, was charged by the CBI of having conspired with the other accused officials to kill Sheikh and the other victims and pass the incident off as an encounter.
Police have booked two male teachers of Presidium School in Sonepat for allegedly molesting a female colleague several times.

The victim, a mathematics teacher and a resident of Delhi, filed a complaint with the police that the two accused had been touching her inappropriately and passing lewd comments at her for the last six months.

The alleged incident took place on the campus of Presidium School, Omaxe City, one of the top private schools in Sonepat. The accused have been identified as dance teachers Navdeep and Karan.

She stated that she first approached the principal of the school with her complaint, however, no action was taken on it. She then reached to the police, almost after six months of bearing the torture, she stated.

Based on her complaint, the police have booked the two accused under sections 354-A (sexual harassment) and 34 (common intent of crime) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Murthal station house officer (SHO) Phool Kumar said they are investigating the matter and will question the school principal on why no action was taken on the victims complaint.

The incident comes close on the heels of a series of sexual crimes being reported from private schools in Haryana.

Last week, a student was molested by a sweeper in a private school in Panipat, while the cops received an anonymous letter of student alleging gang-rape by two school officials in Sonepats Gohana.

The incidents have raised serious questions on security arrangements in private schools, who have now been asked by the state government to install CCTV cameras and build bigger boundary walls for students safety.

A school spokesperson denied the allegations, maintaining that the two accused have been working at the school for the last two years and they never received any complaint against them. She said the complainant teacher was a trainee and her period of deployment was to end soon. She, however, said the school was probing the matter and will bring it to a logical conclusion.
One judge of a two-member Allahabad high court bench made hand written corrections to its own order to allow a medical college in Uttar Pradesh to admit students for 2017-18, show court documents in possession of HT.

The high courts revised order on September 4 came eight days after the Supreme Court barred it from allowing the Lucknow-based GCRG Institute of Medical Science to admit fresh students for the academic session 2017-18.

The Medical Council of India (MCI), the countrys medical education regulator, had moved the top court against the high courts revised order, passed three days after the original order.

I am at my hometown right now to attend a puja. I will reach Lucknow on October 2. I will talk then, justice Narayan Shukla told HT when reached on phone for his comments. The other judge, Virendra Kumar, refused to comment.

The original order of September 1, signed by both judges, had asked the MCI and the state government to allow the GCRG Institute to admit willing students within the prescribed time frame.

The SC had earlier set August 31 as the cut-off date for admissions to medical colleges in the country.

On September 4, justice Shukla made a correction by hand in the order to say, the respondents (state govt/MCI) shall forthwith make available and permit the students willing to take admission in petitioner college (GCRC) within the prescribed time frame, ie, till September 5, 2017.

He signed the corrections with the remark, corrected suo moto, using a Latin term to mean he did it on his own initiative.

The GCRG college took the revised order to the directorate general medical education (DGME), Uttar Pradesh, which in turn called MCI officials to verify the sanctity of the order.

After MCI got a certified copy of the order, it approached SC for an urgent hearing.

The SC got very angry and passed a direction to test the propriety of the HCs order, said Vikas Singh, a senior counsel who pleaded for MCI in SC.

Former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the college, admitted the judge committed a minor impropriety by correcting the order without hearing both sides. He, however, defended the high court. The Supreme Court had asked the HC not to pass any interim order and the HC passed the final order. So I dont think the HC did any wrong, Rohatgi said.

The GCRG Institute was among 32 new colleges that failed inspections in 2016 by the MCI.

All 32 colleges approached the SC-appointed Lodha Committee which allowed them to admit the first batch on the condition that if they failed a subsequent MCI inspection, they would be barred from admitting new batch for the two next academic sessions and would lose their 2 crore security deposits. Barring two, all colleges including GCRG failed the MCI inspection.

The Lodha panel re-heard the matter and recommended to the Union health ministry to allow 23 colleges out of 30 to admit students. GCRG was one of them.

The ministry turned down the Lodha Committees recommendation on May 31.

The colleges again approached the Supreme Court which sent the matter back to the ministry directing it to reconsider and pass a reasoned order of disapproval in case of each college.

Unable to get a favourable order from the ministry, GCRG once again challenged the ministrys order in the SC.

During the hearing, the college withdrew the matter with SCs permission to approach the Allahabad high court. The SC, however, categorically said the HC would not pass any order which would allow the college to admit fresh student for 2017-18.

One of the most preferred career choices in India, the standard of medical education has deteriorated over the years, according to a parliamentary panel report last year. It said medical graduates lack competence in performing basic healthcare tasks like normal deliveries.

A section of private colleges allegedly hire doctors on rent to pose as full-time faculty members and fill beds with healthy people to pass inspections. There are 460 medical colleges in the country, 202 of them government-run.

Alleged corrupt practices by private medical colleges came under the spotlight after the CBI arrested a retired Odisha high court judge and five others in a separate case in which a medical college tried to influence judicial process to gain permission for MBBS admissions for 2017-18.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against officials of US firm Louis Berger and Assam government over allegations of bribery in securing government contracts.

The 40-page FIR was filed on Wednesday in New Delhi against unnamed officials of Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority and the New Jersey-based multinational company.

Unknown Assam government officials and unknown private or public people have also been named as accused. A CBI team is expected to visit Assam soon to conduct investigations.

The move follows a directive by Gauhati HC earlier this month for CBI to step in as the court was not satisfied with the investigations conducted by CID of Assam Police.

Observing that the CID probe in the case was moving at snails pace and in a partisan manner the HC had asked the central agency to take over the case.

The case had come to light in 2015 after one Bhaben Handique had filed a police case in Guwahati alleging the US firm had paid 6 crore to Assam officials and politicians to secure the Rs 1,452 crore contract of a water supply project in Guwahati.

The case was handed over to CID, but Handique went to HC seeking a CBI probe as he felt the state agency was going slow and trying to shield some influential persons connected with the case.

This court fails to understand as to why the investigation has been done at such a snails pace where prompt and effective action was wholly warranted, the court order stated.

The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority had awarded a contract to Louis Berger in 2010 to manage three water supply projects. None of the projects, funded by Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency, have been completed yet.

The contract was awarded during the tenure of the previous Congress government in Assam.

Both former chief minister Tarun Gogoi and the then minister for Guwahati Development Department Himanta Biswa Sarma blame each other for giving the contract to Louis Berger.

In 2015, following differences with Gogoi, Sarma joined BJP and is a minister in the cabinet headed by Sarbananda Sonowal.

In a mail to Hindustan Times, Louis Berger stated that the New Jersey based firm self-reported the bribery issue, which happened in 2010, to the US government. The case became public in India in 2015.

We separated the former managers from the company following results of our early investigations. We are committed to fully cooperate with the Indian authorities in their investigations, the company said in a statement.

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Bodies of a man and a woman were burnt at Chandigarh Aheer village of Alwar district early on Friday, an incident that police suspect could be a case of honour killing of a couple.

At about 4am, an elderly local saw some men putting a body on a heap of dung cakes, pouring petrol and setting it on fire before fleeing in a car, said Ajit Singh, sub-inspector (SI) at Ramgarh police station.

When we reached the spot, we found the body of a man burning and pulled it aside. Half of the body was badly burnt and the inner organs were oozing out, the SI said.

He said the victim had been gagged, one of his hands severed, and there was a deep stab wound in his lower abdomen.

A short while later, when the stench persisted, the locals suspected that there could be one more body in the heap. When the dung cakes were cleared, another body, completely charred, was found.

The body did not have head or feet. The hands were tied behind the back with a nylon rope, and through the bangles we identified that it was a womans body, Singh said, adding that the victims could be in their thirties.

The police suspect that the two were murdered elsewhere, and the bodies were brought to the village to be burnt.

The police said the suspected vehicle in which the accused came was from Haryana. Police teams have been sent to trace the vehicle, and Haryana police have been told about the incident.

Alwar superintendent of police Rahul Prakash said the case could be solved after the bodies were identified.

The bodies are in the Ramgarh hospital mortuary and will be taken to Alwar hospital where a medical board will conduct post-mortem.
The hills of Darjeeling are alive again, the sights and sounds of Durga Puja festivities marking a gradual return to normalcy after a 104-day shutdown seeking creation of a separate Gorkhaland state. But a big question mark still hangs over West Bengals hill districts: will the peace last long?

And at the heart of this fear is the Mamata Banerjee governments relentless efforts to track and arrest Bimal Gurung, the chief of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and one of the key players in the statehood movement.

Gurung withdrew the shutdown late on Tuesday night after home minister Rajnath Singh appealed to him to restore normalcy and asked the Union home secretary to hold talks within a fortnight.

Gurung, who tops the wanted list of Bengal police for the violence that rocked the hills since June 8, is in hiding. His wife Asha Gurung, who heads the womens wing of the party, has warned that the hills will burn again if he is arrested.

Ever since GJM raised its voice against the Bengal governments decision to make Bengali compulsory in schools in the hills, and demanded creation of a separate state, Gurung has become an offender for Banerjee.

Though Gurung has held the state responsible for the death of 12 people, including a policeman, he faces charges under anti-terror law.

The Bengal governments tough stand vis-a-vis the Centres stoic silence all these months made it virtually impossible for GJM and the 15 other political parties and groups in Darjeeling hills to draft a proper road map. All they could do was carry on with the bandh which caused immense trouble for the common people and helped the administration create a split in the GJM.

Saman Pathak. a senior CPI (M) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP from Darjeeling said, The future of Darjeeling hills depends largely on the state government. So far it has played a negative role and the masses continue to support Gurung.

With the state government backing Binay Tamang, the ousted GJM assistant secretary, Gurung knows that although he enjoys mass support it will be impossible for him to lead the people unless he emerges from his hideout. And, he also knows that his arrest will take the movement back to square one.

Gurungs followers in the GJM were not invited to the September 12 bilateral meeting the state government had convened. Instead, the government called Binay Tamang.

Later, Tamang and Anit Thapa, another expelled GJM leader, were appointed chairman and vice chairman of the board of administrators of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

Tamang and his followers now claim that the movement for Gorkhaland can be taken forward by maintaining a working relation with the state government. Gurung on the other hand says Tamang and Thapa have betrayed the cause of Gorkhaland.

Claiming that Gurung did not enjoy mass support, Goutam Deb, state tourism minister and Trinamool district president, said, Gurung took the entire Darjeeling hostage to fulfill his selfish interest.

SS Ahluwalia, BJP Lok Sabha MP from Darjeeling, held the state government responsible for the ordeal of the hill people. The Bengal government should do some introspection on why and where it went wrong, he said.

The local population has always been very sensitive to the Gorkhaland issue and the majority continues to believe that Gurung is sincere to the cause, said Pathak. But unless Gurung comes forward and leads the movement his popularity will wane fast, he added.

Many political observers hold the Centre responsible for Gurungs plight. Gurung expected the Centre to address the Gorkhaland issue while he severed all ties with the Mamata Banerjee government. His faith was based on the fact that the GJM backed the BJP in 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections. His followers in the GJM are now looking forward to the outcome of the meeting Rajnath Singh has announced.

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In a surprise move, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav called on his father and former party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and invited him to the partys national convention in Agra on October 5.

The Akhilesh-Mulayam meeting happened three days after Mulayam, at a press conference in Lucknow, called him a son who had betrayed his father but also had said that of course, the fathers blessings are with the son, though all the decisions Akhilesh took were wrong.

The meeting triggered a guessing game in the party and political circles -- Will Mulayam attend the Agra summit or not? If he does, it will be the first time Mulayam will participate in the partys event since Akhilesh took over as the party president January 1. If he doesnt, then this will be the first national convention of the party without him.

Mulayam founded the party in 1992 and attended all its national conventions -- as party chief.

Sources in the party say Mulayam might attend the meeting though at Mondays press conference he had stated that he would not attend it. But in the same breath he had also said: Lets see. How long differences between the father and son stay. Mulayam also had ruled out floating any new party.

The party had held a state convention on September 23 as a prelude to the national convention but had not invited both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhileshs uncle Shivpal Yadav. The convention re-elected Naresh Uttam Patel the partys state president for five years.

Read: After Mulayams betrayal accusation, Akhilesh invites him to partys national convention

Akhilesh met Mulayam at his residence, next to his own house, on Thursday afternoon. Before this, the last official meeting between the two took place on the day the 2017 election results spelt a massive defeat for SP  March 11.

The national convention to which Mulayam has been invited will elect the party president for a term of five years. Akhilesh will open the convention by unfurling the partys flag at the venue. SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said: A total of 15,000 delegates from 25 states will attend the convention.

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The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMC) has allowed businessman Sergiy Tigipko to indirectly acquire VS Bank (Lviv), which belongs to Russia's Sberbank, according to a press release from the AMC.

According to the report, the acquisition of shares will provide the buyer with over 50% of the voting shares on the bank's board.
Gaurav Tripathi, a passenger who missed his flight for Delhi due to the Metro train being stranded at Mawaiyya crossing for two hours on September 6, has now sued Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation.

In his petition submitted to the district consumer forum, he has accused Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation for showing apathy towards his problem and the situation which he faced.

Tripathi has claimed compensation of Rs 4.5 lakh for mental tension and loss of professional reputation besides claiming Rs 20,000 as ticket fare which was rendered useless and the other ticket which he purchased due to missed flight. He has claimed another Rs 20,000 from LMRC for case expenses.

Tripathi said he has suffered a lot due to unprofessional and apathetic attitude of Lucknow Metro and thats why he was forced to file a case of compensation against them.

Tripathi said, I work for a multinational company and was scheduled to take a flight to attend an important meeting in Delhi. My flight was at 8.30am. I purchased the ticket at 6am and boarded the train which halted near Mawaiyya for over 45 minutes. I was able to come out of the train from an emergency exit gate. After that I hired a chartered auto but my flight was missed. My commitment towards my client was not fulfilled because of metro snag. This affected my professional reputation in front of company bosses and client.

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Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday backed the Centres stand on Rohingya Muslims who have fled from Myanmar and criticized rights groups for advocating sympathetic treatment for these displaced people.

Adityanath insisted that Rohinyas were not refugees.

The Centre has clarified its stand on Rohingyas. They are not refugees, they are intruders. Many innocent Hindus were killed in Myanmar, and it was found that they (Rohingyas) have a link with terrorist organisations, Yogi told reporters on the sidelines of kanya pujan programme at Gorakhnath Temple.

It is sad and condemnable that some people are expressing concern and sympathy for their plight, he said.

Replying to a query on the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he said the issue was related to the religious sentiments of the people and the courts verdict was awaited.

The government is not a party to the Ram Temple case, he added.

Adityanath reiterated his plan to celebrate Diwali in Ayodhya and said preparations were on for the programme.

The holy city of Ayodhya has a special significance in Sanatan Hindu Dharma. We have decided to hold celebrations in Ayodhya on the eve of Diwali. The details of the programme will be issued in the first week of October, he said.

Read more: The law is clear: India cant deport Rohingyas

On the growing number of police encounters, Yogi said his government was committed to restoring law and order in UP.

Under previous governments, politics was criminalised and crime was politicised. Our government is dealing with criminals with a heavy hand, he said.

He also hit out at the opposition for mocking his government on the issue of low amount of farm loan waiver. Adityanath said that those who were responsible for the pitiable condition of farmers were now cornering him for helping them out.

Over 13 lakh farmers have been covered in the first phase of loan waiver scheme. Of these, only 4,000 farmers got waiver between Rs 10 and Rs 10,000. The remaining farmers got waiver between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1 lakh, the CM said.

And while senior BJP leader and former Union finance minister Yashwant Singh set off a firestorm in the party earlier this week with a stinging newspaper article on the state of the economy, Adityanath gave a thumbs up to the Centres economic policy insisting that demonetisation was a brave step that dealt a heavy blow to corruption.

Today, India is the fastest growing economy. The steps taken by the Centre on the economic front have been appreciated by the nation and the world alike, he said.

Although BJP leaders have stuck to the line that India is the worlds fastest growing economy, the World Economic Forum in a report in June had ranked India the fourth fastest growing economy.

Adityanath also said his government was trying to give a new identity to Uttar Pradesh and progress was visible within six months of the BJP coming to power in UP.
As chief minister Yogi Adityanath is camping in Gorakhpur to perform special puja at Gorakhnath temple on Navratra and lead the religious procession on Dussehra, it appears it is time for telephonic governance in Uttar Pradesh.

Yogi is keeping senior officers on their toes by constantly remaining in touch with them and giving necessary instructions over the phone.

As the day begins, Yogi keeps switching between his roles as the chief priest of Gorakhnath temple and the UP chief minister. Sometimes, he even calls up an officer as early as 6 am.

I got three calls from the CM this morning. The governance is as smooth as it was during his stay in Lucknow, a senior officer said.

Yogi is in touch with not only chief secretary Rajive Kumar, principal secretary (home) Arvind Kumar, DGP Sulkhan Singh and officers of his secretariat, but is also calling up officers of other departments as well, he added.

The CM is busy with official work in Gorakhpur too. He is performing special puja only early in the morning and then in the evening. He is performing his official duties as CM throughout the day meeting people and even media persons, another officer said.

Yogi, who left for Gorakhpur on Tuesday, is expected to return to Lucknow only after the traditional Dussehra procession that he will lead on September 30.

Uttar Pradesh has two deputy chief ministers  Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma  to assist Yogi on important issues.

However, Yogi has not made any alternate arrangement for his absence. In this era of technology, there is no need to make alternate arrangements. The CM is in the state and not on a foreign tour. A deputy CM or a minister may be asked to take care of a work if the CM is not able to attend to it, said another officer.

This is not the first time that a CM is camping out of Lucknow for five days.

In the past, chief ministers have stayed out of Lucknow for a considerable period. As CM, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav went on foreign tours for more than a week. Official work did not suffer in his absence as modern means of communication are available everywhere. Yogi has also remained out of Lucknow for 2-3 days in the past and always remained accessible, said the officer.

However, Yogis detractors are not amused. Leaders of opposition parties are targeting him for taking more interest in his responsibilities as the chief priest of Gorakhnath temple.

Read: CM Yogi Adityanath to double up as Mahant Adityanath till Dussehra

We respect Yogi Adityanath as chief priest and he is very good at performing his duties at the temple. The BJP should also respect Yogis work as chief priest and find out a capable and full-time CM, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Raj Babbar said.

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Recovery of swords in huge numbers in various parts of Bahraich and on the Indo-Nepal border during Durga Puja, Dussehra and Moharram has put the district administration and the police in a tight spot.

Sensing foul play behind the transportation of swords in the district, the district police and border police have intensified the vehicle checking drive across the district and on the Indo-Nepal border.

The district and border force had recovered 278 swords in different parts of the district including the Indo-Nepal border areas in the past two days. 93 swords were recovered from a tourist bus in Rupaideha PS area. Police arrested four persons in this connection and registered a case against them under 4/25 Arms Act and section 188 of the IPC. Similarly, the Jarwal police recovered 185 swords from two buses in Ghagraghat area at Lucknow-Bahraich road and arrested five persons.

The arrested persons revealed that they bought all the swords from Ajmer in Rajasthan and were carrying them to be used during the traditional procession of Moharram.

As a matter of fact swords are displayed during Moharram processions in various parts of the state and Shia community also offers Matam (a traditional act on the occasion of Ashura-Moharram).

Talking to HT over phone from Lucknow, Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad, a well-known religious scholar said swords were displayed during Moharram procession in a symbolic way to pay homage to Hazrat Imam-e-Hussain. He said it was a tradition across the state as well as in the country. He said in Lucknow, too, swords were displayed on 9th and 10th Ashura of Moharram adding that police should investigate the motive of people behind carrying huge cache of swords.

Read| Lucknow: Security beefed up for Moharram processions

Syed Shafat Ali and executive member of Muslim Siyasi Bedari Forum said swords were openly sold in Rajasthan and the police should take action against the practice. Meanwhile, Rumi Miyan Sajjada Nasheen (head) of Chhoti Takiya, a religious centre in Bahraich from where Moharram procession starts every year, said artificial swords could be used during the symbolic procession and if it was against the law, the practice should stop.

Talking to HT deputy commandant of SSB 7th battalion SK Pandey said such a large recovery was never made on the border area. He said patrolling had been intensified in the area.

Talking to HT over phone from Nepal, SP of Banke district Sher Bahadur expressed happiness over the recovery of swords on the border. He denied the use of swords during Moharram procession in Nepal. Similarly, SP of Berdiya district of Nepal also denied the use of swords during the Moharram procession.

The district and border force had recovered 278 swords in different parts of the district including the Indo-Nepal border areas in the past two days. (HT Photo)

SP Bahraich Jugul Kishore said recovery of swords in such a large number was a matter of concern. He said, besides Nepal, the swords were being taken to Shrawasti, Gonda and some other parts of the district. He said action has been taken under Arms Act as possession of weapons was prohibited. However, most of the arrested persons seemed poor and unaware of the law. He said we had informed the Inspector General of Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the IB about the matter.

He said most of the swords were un-sharpened and had a seal of 30 years guarantee. All the station officers and border area police had been put on a high alert in view of recoveries during the festive season, he added.

SHARIQ RAIS SIDDIQUI
American Made

Director - Doug Liman

Cast - Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright

Rating - 4/5

It would be a bit cynical to declare that the only reason American Made exists is because drug dramas are big right now. But if shows like Narcos and Breaking Bad have proven anything, its that there is an unexpectedly large audience hungry for tales about antiheroes peddling poison to the masses, and an even larger one that derives some sort of twisted pleasure at the sight of evil men minting more cash in a single year than the GDP of a small African country.

But this cynicism is well-founded, and maybe even a little distracting from the real story, which  and I am in no way exaggerating about this  is quite incredible. American Made is about illegal drug trade - yes - but its also about government corruption, and the best kept secret about President Ronald Reagans much-publicised War on Drugs: They were in on it.

But that is about as deep American Made is willing to go into the matter  at least seriously. The movie has absolutely no hesitation, however, in admitting the governments long history of funding (and arming) wars they have no business getting involved in.

Pablo Escobar and his infamous Medellin Cartel make several appearances  how could they not in a story about the cocaine epidemic set in the 80s  but not in the manner youd expect. While stories of Escobars disgusting wealth are relatively well-known  weve all heard about the time he set fire to $2 million just because his daughter was cold  but we often overlook why he was so popular among his people. He made a lot of them into millionaires.

And American Made is about one of those guys, played here, as dependably as ever, by Tom Cruise. Barry Seal was a commercial pilot, the annoying sort who, if he were working now, wouldnt think twice before putting everyone on board at risk if an Instagram opportunity presented itself.

Seals talents  but more likely his winning personality - get the attention of the CIA, who get him to carry out a series of secret operations for the country that involve Seal flying at low altitude over hostile enemy territory and snapping pictures.

One thing leads to another  the movie does a much better job than I am at making sense of the sheer volume of unbelievable events that happen to Seal  and he lands up in the employ of Escobar and his amigos. And soon, Seal becomes the Cartels primary drug mule, flying thousands of kilos of yayo into America, and finding himself with more cash than he can handle  and in more trouble than that trademark grin can get him out of.

As a director, what makes Doug Liman unique is that he has no discernible uniqueness. None. He effortlessly switches between genres and styles, themes and budgets. A career that began with an indie comedy led to a gritty spy movie and then a large-scale science fiction epic. And hes prolific, too. Just this year, he directed a micro-budget high-concept war movie, The Wall.

Its no wonder then that hes a much sought after director-for-hire; hes reliable, adaptable, and turns in good stuff. American Made is his second collaboration with Cruise - with whom he made what is perhaps the best Tom Cruise movie of the last decade: Edge of Tomorrow.

On that basis alone, American Made was high on my radar. But in a rather rude surprise, the Liman-Cruise duo isnt even the best thing about this movie. Theyre great, dont get me wrong, and this movie will erase all the stench of Cruises last stinker, The Mummy. But instead, it is Limans (first time) partnership with DP Cesar Charlone, whos most famous for having shot City of God back in the early aughts, thats this films highlight.

Theres an energy to the flight sequences that I havent seen since Cruise was screaming about the need for speed more than two decades ago. And theres a jittery, almost cocaine-addled pace to the story  shot in a distinct, newsreel style  that I, for one, dont remember Cruise (or Liman, for that matter) ever attempting before.

But underneath this grimy sweatiness, theres a modern tragedy playing out. Everyone  from the low-level hitmen, to the Cartel thugs; the CIA, the FBI, the DEA to Pablo Escobar, Barry Seal and the President  theyre all chasing the same American dream, and theyre all hungry for the same cheddah. And in the eternal words of the Joker from The Dark Knight (theres no bad time to invoke the Joker, so shh): When the chips are down these civilised people, theyll eat each other.

Watch the trailer for Tom Cruises American Made

Follow @htshowbiz for more

The author tweets @RohanNaahar

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Our Souls at Night

Director - Ritesh Batra

Cast - Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Matthias Schoenaerts

Rating - 4/5

It is possibly too early in his career to say, but there arent many filmmakers who display in their films the empathy Ritesh Batra does in his. And this empathy, this acute understanding of human behaviour, warts and all, could probably explain how Batra  an Indian  has set each of his three films in three different continents, yet never lost sight of the truth. The Lunchbox, his first feature, was a quintessential story of middle class India, while his second, The Sense of an Ending, hopped between two time periods in England. For this one, his third, Batra travels to America, and tells a tale as sleepy as the suburban town in which its set.

Our Souls at Night shares a lot in common with The Lunchbox  theyre both unlikely love stories, between two characters trying to grab a second chance at life, punctuated by moody silences and bursts of charm  but it has even more in common with the works of its writers. Scott Neustadter and Michael H Weber are  if Aaron Sorkin were removed from the equation  two of my favourite screenwriters working today. But theyve made their careers chronicling the love stories of awkward millennials  and not, as this film would suggest, those of lonely septuagenarians.

Which is why even though it features two very fine older actors  legends Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, still at the peak of their powers, reuniting as a screen couple after almost four decades  it is reminiscent of Neustadter and Webers previous movies - films like 500 Days of Summer, The Spectacular Now and The Fault in Our Stars. And there lies its brilliance.

It begins in medias res  which is a fancy drama term for when a scene begins in the middle of action. Its a writerly flourish, and nothing more, but like its cousin, the opening scene of The Social Network, it sucks you into the world of these characters, and leaves you with the feeling that the movie is always one step ahead of you.

The opening titles are barely over when

Addie Moore comes knocking. Shes the girl next door  has been for decades. And one evening, perhaps after having spent years weighing the pros and cons of what she is contemplating doing, she rustles up some courage and arrives at Louis door. Now, Louis appears to be a creature of habit, and a man of few words  although its unclear if he has always been like this, or if years of loneliness have sucked his soul dry.

Either way, Addies positively scandalous proposition  that the two of them keep each other company at night, because it is always at night, old age has taught Addie, that she is most alone  utterly stumps Louis. So he blurts out the first concern that pops into his head: What will people say?

But hes hardly in a position to turn her down. He is, as we learn a couple of scenes later, a slave to routine; he barely tolerates his friends, regrets  among other things  never having pursued the passions of his youth, and lives in a house clearly too large for one person  a subtle nod to his departed wife. So feeling slightly sheepish, he takes Addie up on her offer.

And together in bed, they bare their souls to each other, night after night after night. Theyve made mistakes  terrible mistakes, the both of them. But theyve spent far too long beating themselves up about it. Lifes punished them hard enough. They just want to go out in peace.

And this is where Batras empathy as a filmmaker shines. He doesnt judge Addie and Louis. And nor does his camera, which observes its subjects with the unassuming stillness of a psychiatrist. Often, several characters  sometimes even as many as five  populate the same frame. Its a sign of tremendous confidence in the story (and the audience) when a director doesnt feel the need to rely on suggestive camera movements, or ham-fisted editing.

The story does the heavy lifting.

When Addies grandson is dropped off at her doorstep by her son  played by the always sizzling Matthias Schoenaerts  it could easily have been seen as a lazy plot contrivance in a worse film. But here, it nudges the plot  which, in all fairness, could feel a tad too uneventful for impatient viewers (its not your fault, its just how were fed these days)  down exciting new avenues.

Our Souls at Night thrives in the minutiae of life  in the making of beds before their nightly meetings, the stirring of pots for a meal theyve looked forward to all day, and the packing of bags for the first camping trip in years. Theres always the lingering feeling that the most important moments of Addie and Louis lives have already happened. This is merely a postscript.

Its the perfect film for a lazy summer evening, or a rainy winter day  whatever floats your boat. Our Souls at Night is wistful, its warm, and its the rare chance to witness two monumental stars perform together.

Watch the trailer for Our Souls at Night here

Follow @htshowbiz for more

The author tweets @RohanNaahar

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In the last two decades, Lower Parel, Mumbais former mill district, has turned into an office hub. The textile factories have been replaced by high-rise office towers. Banks, media corporations, retail companies have moved into the area, attracted by the relatively lower rent  compared to the old business hubs like Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade. Lakhs of office workers now commute to the area, most of them by the suburban trains on the Western and Central Railway. But nobody told the Indian Railways about the big changes in the area.

The area is served by Parel and Currey Road stations on the Central Railway and Elphinstone Road, Lower Parel stations on the Western Railway. These stations were built during the first phase of railway construction in the country in the first half of the 20th century. At that time the area was filled with textile mill and the chawls that housed the workers. The stations were not made to handle a heavy crush of commuters. When the area started to change in the 1990s, the railways and the citys government looked the other way.

The result is that these stations are now among the most crowded in the city, and among the most dangerous. Commuters using Parel and Elphinstone Road stations will tell you that there are stampede-like situations daily. Parel station has not been remodeled though there has been a talk about it for decades. A muddy lane lined with garbage bins and illegal religious shrines connects the station to the roads leading to the large office complexes. The only addition has been a pedestrian bridge at the northern end of the station which few commuters use as it goes nowhere. An extra platform is being constructed to ease the crowding but work has been exasperatingly slow. The railways solution to the dangerous crowding has been to station two police constables with whistles to herd the crowds. The only change being worked on is the renaming of the station from Elphinstone Road to Prabhadevi.

Senior railway officers have to be punished for this gross negligence.
As the news of the stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station spread, political parties blamed the railway ministry for neglecting commuters needs.

The Shiv Sena, which is part of the government in Maharashtra and the Centre, blamed former railway minister Suresh Prabhu for ignoring Sena MPs demand to widen the foot overbridge.

In a tweet, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, On April 23, 2015, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale wrote to railway minister Suresh Prabhu demanding the width of the bridge be increased. MP Arvind Sawant, too, wrote to them on the issue in February 2016. Railway minister Prabhu ignored the letters owing to lack of funds.

Clarifying on the allegations, the railways said the project was sanctioned in 2016, and the tender work is underway.

Railway minister Piyush Goyal, who was in Mumbai for an event, issued directions for safety and capacity audit of congested foot overbridges in Mumbai. Wherever there is a need for foot overbridges to be widened, we will do it immediately on high priority, he said.

Following the incident, PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter and offered condolences to those who lost their lives in the stampede.

Denying rumours that the Sena had sought Goyals resignation, a senior Sena leader said, We dont want to indulge in petty politics of seeking resignation of a minister who just took charge. However, we have urged him to look into plans to make stations better.

Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar hit out at the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, holding it responsible for the stampede. The bullet train project will not benefit Maharashtra in any way. It is just a propaganda project to showcase the PM. Had Fadnavis thought of improving the condition of railways in Mumbai, such a terrible mishap would not have occurred, the former deputy chief minister said in Pimpri.

State Congress chief and former chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan said, Mumbaiites dont need a bullet train. They only expect a safe journey in local trains. A judicial probe must be conducted.

Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, leader of Opposition in the state assembly, demanded a criminal case be registered against the railway administration.

The Sena demanded the recommendations of the high-level safety review committee under the chairmanship of Dr Anil Kakodkar be implemented and Mumbai suburban railway should be brought under an independent authority.

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Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a high level probe by the state government as well as the Railway authorities in the tragic mishap. In a tweet from Singapore, Fadnavis said strict action will be taken against the guilty for the accident. CM is on 3-day tour to South Korea and Singapore.

Enquiry will be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action will be taken.@RailMinIndia  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017

Later, in a recorded message, Fadnavis said that all the measures will be taken to avert such incidents in future. We have taken the incident very very seriously. In coordination with the railway ministry, the state government will ensure all steps to avoid repeatation of such mishap. The state government will extend all the help to the railway authorities.

He also spoke with chief secretary Sumit Mullick and Mumbai police commissioner Datta Padsalagikar, and directed them to visit KEM Hospital and ensure all help in treatment for the injured. The government has also announced ex gratia of Rs5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.

In another tweet, Fadnavis, said, saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station foot over bridge. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and got affected.

Saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone railway station, foot over bridge.#Mumbai  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017
In the wake of Fridays stampede at Elphinstone Road station, which left 22 people dead and 37 injured, Union railway minister Piyush Goyal ordered the western and central railway to conduct an audit of all suburban railway stations within seven days. The minister also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, which will be headed by the chief safety officer of the WR.

Goyal will meet senior officers of the railway board, team of Research Design Standard Organization (RDSO) and WR officers to discuss the incident at Churchgate on Saturday. Goyal said a multidisciplinary audit team will inspect railway stations and identify the areas of concern.

The minister ordered the railway officials to solve the issues pending with state agencies, including BMC, MMRDA and CIDCO, and plan additional foot overbridges (FOB) at stations where passenger traffic is high and upgrade electronic surveillance. Goyal has asked the railway officials to present a detailed report on other foot overbridges on the Mumbai suburban section within 24 hours. Safety is the biggest concern. The railways will do everything possible in order to maintain safety. Investment and technology will be used to increase safety of commuters. Railway officials will inspect and submit a detailed report in seven days, said Goyal, while addressing the media.

Meanwhile, the WR said the Elphinstone Road foot overbridge (FOB) had no structural damage.

Stating there is no dearth of funds for safety-related works, the authorities said they have got a sanction for a Rs6.75-crore 12-metre FOB to be built parallel to the north-end of the bridge, where the incident took place. The platforms at Elphinstone Road station will also be extended. Goyal visited KEM hospital to meet the injured, where he announced a compensation of Rs5 lakh to the nearest kin of victims family, Rs1 lakh to the grievously injured and Rs50,000 to those who suffered minor injuries. He later conducted a meeting with the senior officials of the CR and WR.

Meanwhile, Fridays function where Goyal was to inaugurate 32 additional local train services on the WR and 28 on the CR was cancelled. The new train services will start from October 1.
The European Union believes that the verdict of the Simferopol District Court to Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Ilmi Umerov confirms the further deterioration of the situation with the observance of human rights in the occupied Crimea and urges for its immediate reversal.

"The European Union does not recognize the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation and therefore does not recognize this "court" and its sentence. The sentencing of Mr Umerov is a serious violation of his human rights, another example of persecution of the Crimean Tatar community, and a further and clear illustration of the severe deterioration of human rights on the Crimean peninsula, as most recently documented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in his report published earlier this week," the EU Delegation said in a report issued on Thursday.

The EU said this conviction "is in breach of international humanitarian law and the European Union expects it to be reversed."

"The European Union is unwavering in its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We reiterate that all illegally detailed Ukrainian citizens on the Crimean peninsula and in Russia must be released immediately," the EU said.

As reported, on September 27, the Simferopol District Court sentenced Umerov to two years in a low-security colony.

Investigators of the Russian FSB in Crimea in May 2016 opened a criminal case against Umerov under Article 280.1 of the Russian Criminal Code on suspicion of incitement to violation of territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.

Under court ruling, Umerov underwent forced forensic psychiatric examination.

Umerov's defense team has appealed against the verdict.

For the time being, the 60-year-old handicapped politician will stay at home. If the appellate court upholds the verdict, Umerov will be sent to the low-security colony.
The Real Taste of India Where: Mumbai Art Room, Colaba When: 11 am to 7 pm, till November 30 Entry is free

A Google search for Taste of India throws up a Wikipedia page, one that has no culinary association. Its about a 1998 track by American rock band Aerosmith. The band, however, state that they got the idea for the song by walking past a Taste of India restaurant in the 90s.

The Wiki entry, printed on an A4 sheet, hangs in a frame on a white wall at the Mumbai Art Room. It makes a subtle point on how the ubiquitous title of an Indian restaurant abroad has a different representation on the Internet. The piece is part of The Real Taste of India, an exhibition by Bangalore-based artists and curators Nihaal Faizal and Chinar Shah. The show offers a commentary on how identity becomes homogenized organically.

Taste of India restaurants across the world have come to be associated with a certain kind of aesthetic  curry and tikka masala, Bollywood music, posters and Taj Mahal iconography. We found reviews for 278 Taste of India restaurants on TripAdvisor itself. Each is independently operated, but its interesting how the owners decided to adopt the same name and a similar branding style, says Faizal.

Reviews from some restaurants (The naan was cold and so was the attitude of one of the waiters), are embossed on a set of plates. Other exhibits include a doormat imprinted with The Real Taste of India, a wall hanging with fridge magnets fashioned like TripAdvisor ratings, a sound piece that plays the name in 51 accents, and a mound of butter shaped like a map of India.

A mound of Amul butter shaped like the map of India is one of the exhibits on display at the show. (Ajit Bhadoriya)

We used Amul butter, because you cant think of Taste of India without it. Weve left it outside so it melts and you cant see the boundaries anymore, says Shah, as Faizal adds, Theres smell, audio, visual and touch, but no taste. Thats the only sensory experience we left out consciously.

The duo collaborated with the owner of the Taste of India restaurant in Kandivli for free papad coupons. These will be given to every visitor and can be redeemed for the duration of the exhibition. This way, the art extends outside the gallery space into an actual taste of India, says Shah.

Reviews from some restaurants are embossed on a set of plates.

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President Ram Nath Kovind is set to declare urban Maharashtra open defecation free (ODF) on October 1 at Worli. This decision was made after all the urban local bodies (ULB) in Maharashtra were declared ODF. The state government has asked them to monitor the situation to ensure that this status is maintained.

The President will visit the state to inaugurate the international airport at Shirdi near Pune. He will then visit Mumbai and the states 384 ULBs comprising 27 municipal corporations including Mumbai, 256 municipal councils and 101 nagar panchayats.

In 2015, the state announced its intention to become ODF in the next two years. In June that year, it adopted the concept of ODF city, where sanitation facilities should be provided to ensure that no one is found defecating in the open.

To ensure its feasibility, the state allotted Rs17,000 to build each toilet. It adopted a convergence of funds method and developed a three-tiered mechanism to verify its implementation.

The Centre provides Rs4,000 to build a toilet. This was found to be inadequate when it came to encouraging people to use a toilet. We thus decided to increase this amount to Rs17,000 by adding Rs8,000 from the state and Rs5,000 from grants being received under 14th finance commission, said Manish Mhaiskar, principal secretary urban development department.

Questions have been raised over claims that the state is ODF. Mhaiskar said a three-tier system was put in place to verify this status.

Once a ULB is declared ODF, a district level committee verifies the claim and then a state validation committee comprising state officials, NGO representatives and journalists check its validity.

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BIRTH OF THE DRAGON Direction: George Nolfi

Actors: Philip Ng, Yu Xia Rating: ** 

Never mind Jackie Chan, Jet Li and other popular chop-socky heroes, 44 years after his death, Bruce Lee still remains the foremost legend in martial arts.

Lees origin story focuses on a brutal ballet of kung-fu, involving the ambitious young immigrant Lee (Philip Ng) and an established Shaolin master (Yu Xia).

Although the outcome of the privately sponsored 1964 San Francisco contest between Bruce Lee and Wong Jack Man has been the subject of debate over the decades, there is no denying that it propelled Bruce Lee to superstardom.

Birth of the Dragon is formulaic stuff derived from a script full of longueurs. After a somewhat sluggish start, which introduces us to Lees ineffectual Caucasian student (Billy Magnussen), the story kicks into high gear with the two Asian opponents showcasing their differing martial arts skills.

The pulverising action sequences, including a climactic dance of destruction in a Chinese restaurant, are choreographed by the celebrated Hong Kong-based martial arts designer Corey Yuen. Apart from the two principal stars none of the other actors display any evidence of acting ability.

Director George Nelfi (The Adjustment Bureau, 2011) paints a fairly conventional portrait of the action icon whose street fighting style was anything but conventional. Overall, Birth of the Dragon showcases sufficient kick-ass moves to thrill the legion of Bruce Lee fans.
Its not just the fans here who are excited about American progressive metal giant Dream Theaters first ever concert in India. The five-member act too cant wait for it, and promise it to be an exciting night when they take the stage in Mumbai on October 8. In an email interview with us, the bands frontman, James LaBrie, spoke to us about the bands first-ever visit to India, the changing music scenario, and more. Excerpts:

How excited are you to perform in India? How has your experience been of interacting with Indian fans, and what do you expect from them?

Extremely excited, we have been talking of touring in India for many years and now its a reality. Of course it being the first show will make this a very special event for both us and the fans. It will be, without a doubt, an epoch evening. Over the years, Ive done interviews and met Indian fans, and it has always been a very positive experience. Ive realised just how much our music has meant to them and how it has become a part of their lives. See you soon India, it will be an amazing evening. Cant wait!

Dream Theater has always been critically acclaimed for their knowledge in theoretical music. How important is it to learn the theory part of music?

I think it depends on what it is youre looking to get from music or how you want to represent music. It comes down to your musical fundamentals, form, direction, and approach, compositionally. How you attain that goal is either by means of musical education or intuitively, or a combination of both.

You still continue to release albums, while these days artists prefer to release singles. Will we ever see Dream Theater come up with a single than an album? What is it about making albums that you guys still havent released singles?

Singles are just not a format that would do us justice. When we record new music, it only feels right to include several songs to represent who and what we currently are. One song couldnt possibly capture what motivates, inspires, and expresses, on every emotional level, what will musically satisfy us and will best say who we are as a band at that point in time.

How has the importance of live shows changed from a revenue model perspective, especially when song sales have dipped, thanks to piracy and illegal downloads?

Well, that news or change is no longer transitional. Revenue from live concerts has become the sole source of income for most artists. Fortunately, we still do very well as most of our fans like our physical formats as well as feel obliged to respect our music through purchase. Dont get me wrong, its not like it was in the 90s but it still is, for most the part, very fine for this day and age.

People often compare John Petrucci (bands guitarist) with the likes of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. What do you have to say about the debate on who is the better guitarist?

Its subjective. You cant compare the two and say who is better. It is the individuals/ listeners perspective and personal connection. To say one or the other is better, is a disservice to both.

Over the course of a 25-year journey, how have you seen metal music change?

Well, I think there is much more diversity and eclectic styling of bands. I believe there are many amazingly talented musicians and bands doing very exciting, experimental, and innovative approaches with the inclusion that technology has brought to the sonic forefront. You just have to look and you will find multiple examples of unique artists pushing boundaries. Exciting, to say the least.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Unlike the previous years, the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnaad, will be more eco-friendly this time around and will be stocked with fewer piles of crackers and fireworks.

Almost at every Ramlila across the city, Muslim artisans from western Uttar Pradesh districts are making effigies to be set afire on the festival of Dussehra.

This time, some of the fireworks manufacturers, who customarily prepared the effigies, have been hit hard by the Supreme Courts ban last year. Asif Ali, one of the fireworks manufacturers from Farrukhnagar  a major fireworks manufacturing hub in Ghaziabad  is engaged in preparing the three effigies at Ghanta Ghar Ramlila.

Since the old business has shut, we are just concentrating on returns from preparing the effigies. This year, the effigies will be more eco-friendly. We will be using fewer crackers and fireworks as these have to be procured from outside the NCR. We will be laying an emphasis on fitting cold fireworks, which emit less smoke and cause less pollution, Asif said.

This time, there will also be more use of artificial lighting to brighten the outlook and attire of the three effigies that are being erected across Ramlila grounds in the city.

Our effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnad are 70-foot, 65-foot and 60-foot high, respectively. Since they are fixed on poles having a constant length, we have not been able to increase their length but increased the width from 11 feet to 12 feet, said Mohammad Adil, a craftsman from Gulaothi who is working on preparing the effigies that will be burnt at the Kavi Nagar Ramlila Ground.

This will give us more room for colouring the effigies and we will also be studding them with LED lights on the faces, crowns and also the eyes. The crackers, this time, will be fewer but the effigies will look attractive, he said.

The Supreme Court recently lifted its ban on permanent licences for sale and retail of firecrackers within the National Capital Region (NCR) for the time being. The court, however, stated that lifting the suspension on permanent licences might require a review after Diwali, depending on the ambient air quality after the festival.

Mohammad Anees, a craftsman from Gajraula, said he is also using fewer fireworks this time as he is preparing effigies for the Ramlila grounds in Raj Nagar, Sector 23, Sanjay Nagar and Ramlilas.

The court has relaxed the previous order a bit, but we will still try to ensure less pollution. We used to fit our own handmade fireworks and crackers to effigies but this time we had to purchase them. So the bombs and crackers will be fewer compared to previous years, he said.

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The Noida authority has decided to take legal action against those who are seeking donations through online campaigns for the upkeep of Noida animal shelter in Sector 94.

Currently, the shelter houses around 700 dogs besides 300 other animals  cows, bulls, horses and donkeys.

Officials said that some persons are seeking donations to improve the upkeep of the government-run shelter through social networking sites, including Facebook.

We have come to know that some so-called animal activists have started a campaign under which they are seeking donations not only in India but also at the international level to help run the Noida animal shelter. Some activists have even issued their bank account details appealing people to donate money to treat injured animals at the Noida shelter, said RK Mishra, an additional chief executive officer of the Noida authority.

The activists, in their messages, had claimed that the government has stopped paying salary to the staff working at the shelter and is also not supplying required food for the animals.

We are gathering evidence and also talking to our legal team to lodge FIRs against those collecting donations for the Noida animal shelter. We have come to know that the activists are also using video messages to collect donations. Once we collect the evidence and get the legal departments opinion, we will get FIRs lodged for spreading rumours and seeking donations by fooling people, said Mishra.

The authority officials said Rs16 lakh is allocated per month for operations of the animal shelter.

We spend Rs 5.5 lakh for running the shelter and Rs 6.5 lakh in the salary of the staff working at the shelter. Adequate food, medicines and other required material are also provided, said Mishra.

The Noida authority chief executive officer, Alok Tandon, on Wednesday inspected the shelter, which was earlier run by members of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA). He directed officials to take better care of the shelter.

In June, Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate terminated SPCAs contract with the Noida authority. Since then, the authority has been managing operations on its own. Now, we have selected an expert, Dr Sunil Chawla, who has taken over the control of this facility, said Raghunandan Yadav, senior project engineer, Noida authoritys health department.

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The Ghaziabad police is yet to track the persons who allegedly raped and assaulted a 25-year-old woman after overpowering her near NH-58 on the night of September 22.

The woman was returning home from the hospital where she works as a nurse. She had said that the used the same route every day but the stretch was isolated on that day due to recurrent rains. The two men allegedly pulled her into the bushes in the isolated fields and raped her. During the incident, one of them also allegedly filmed the act using her mobile phone and took the handset with him.

We have roped in the crime branch and officers of special operation group to track the accused. Our work is taking place on a daily basis. So far, we have picked up 50 persons from villages in the area for questioning. We have also made sketches based on the description provided by the victim. However, the sketch will not be released to public domain immediately as it might alert the culprits, Atish Kumar Singh, circle officer (city II), said.

One of the major hindrances in nabbing the accused is the switched off status of the victims mobile phone, which they had taken after the incident.

The mobile phone has remained switched off since the incident. We have recovered few pieces of evidence from the scene of the crime and these will be helpful in ascertaining the actual culprits. We are close to cracking the case and it maybe is just a matter of two days before the culprits are arrested, Singh said.

The woman has been discharged from the hospital where she was lodged after the incident.

She is now showing signs of improvement and is also helping police with the investigation. Officers of the crime branch are in touch with us and working regularly on clues provided by my sister. She has assured that she will be able to identify them if they are brought before her, the womans brother said.

Following the incident, the victim filed a police complaint and the police lodged an FIR under sections of gang-rape and robbery of the IPC at Sihani Gate police station.

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The Noida police has announced traffic diversion on two major routes, besides cordoning off some city roads to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and managing heavy footfall at the venues where Dussehra festivities will be held.

The festivities will be held at two venues  Noida Stadium and Sector 62 ground  on Saturday and a heavy turnout is expected for the events.

The Noida traffic police announced that all roads surrounding the Noida Stadium and Sector 62 ground will be shut for vehicular movement.

From 2pm on Saturday, two traffic diversions will be in force to regulate the movement of vehicles. These diversions will continue till the burning of effigies on Dussehra is completed late in the evening, said Layak Singh, traffic inspector, Noida police.

According to the police, those who use the route from sector 12/ 22/56 trisection to the Noida Stadium will have to use alternate routes. Similarly, four other routes  intersection of sectors 8,10,11,12 to Noida Stadium and Spice Mall intersection, Metro Hospital intersection to sector 12/22 intersection, sector 31/25 intersection to Spice Mall intersection, sector 31/25 intersection to Spice Mall intersection, Somerville trisection to Spice Mall intersection and Jalvayu Vihar intersection to Spice Mall intersection  will be closed for vehicular movement.

Basically, we will be barring entry of vehicles on all routes surrounding Noida Stadium. Pedestrians can enter the stadium using Gate Number 4 and such vehicles that have passes will be allowed to enter through Gate Number 5, said Singh.

Vehicles moving from sector 10/21 junction to Ghijore via sector 12/22/56 trisection will have to use Jalvayu Vihar trisection and then take the Nithari trisection to reach Ghijore. Similarly, traffic from sector 12/22/56 trisection moving towards Nithari via Noida Stadium route will have to use the Sector 57 intersection and then move through Ghijore to reach their destination.

At the Sector 62 venue, traffic police will put into effect the diversions when the volume of vehicles increases and leads to snarls.

If there is a need, we will block movement of vehicles from Sector 62 police post road to the Fortis Hospital trisection. Instead, these vehicles will have to use the PMO trisection and Mamura trisection to reach their destination. Similarly, movement of vehicles from Fortis trisection to Sector 62 Police Post will be barred and they will have to use the Mamura intersection, Singh said.

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Mohali: The Mohali police on Thursday again questioned the family members regarding the double murder case of senior journalist KJ Singh, 63, and his mother Gurcharan Kaur, 92.

After the conclusion of the Bhog ceremony on Thursday, family members were questioned for long about the victims life and circumstances prevailing in his life.

Incidentally, there has been no media briefing of the case and police have not been able to make a breakthrough, a week after the murder. Sources said the police strategy for investigation has been questionable since the case came to light, as the entire rank and file got involved, instead of a seasoned team being given charge.

In search of a desperate clue, carpenters who recently worked in KJs house are being questioned to prepare a list of frequent visitors in the period leading up to the gruesome murder.

Need to maintain law and order in Mohali

Speaking after the bhog ceremony, former Punjab assembly speaker Bir Devinder Singh said, The government and the police need to make the city of Mohali crime free. People from abroad and rural areas are also settling here.

He added that the police needed to increase night patrolling to ensure that the elderly felt safe. Criminal elements must fear police, he said.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya will be tying the knot on October 6 and it is going to be a fun ceremony. Their wedding happens to be one of the most looked forward to event this calendar year in not just Tollywood, but Tamil film industry as well. After all, Samantha has been ruling both of them for quite some time now. From Ye Maaya Chesave till date, Sam has given us a peek at their relationship through her official Instagram account. Not just their family, but fans too cannot wait to see them finally say, I do. So heres everything that you need to know about their upcoming wedding!

Samanthas bachelorette party

Samantha celebrated her bachelorette with her close friends and also in attendance was her fiance Naga Chaitanya.It was a sweet celebration as she was seen dressed in red, ready to paint the town red too, complete with a tiara. The actor posted many photos on her Instagram stories.

Naga and Samantha with Akhil Akkineni.

Samantha, Nagas destination wedding

So far, it is said that destination is going to be Goa, and it is going to be a three-day extravaganza. As the grooms father, Nagarjuna, also happens to be one of the big stars down south, the ceremony is going to be star-studded. Both, Samantha and Chay are looking forward to the big day!

Naga, Sam and Akhil with Ram Charan Teja.

What Samantha will wear at the wedding?

Sam has chosen to give free rein to her designer/BFF Kresha Bajaj for the outfit for the Christian wedding. After all, even the engagement lehenga, which won hearts was designed by Kresha. It was unique as the lehenga was embellished beautifully with their love story.

For the Hindu ceremony though, the actor has chosen to go vintage as she will be draped in Chays grandmother D Rajeshwaris sari. The look will be completed with traditional ornaments like armcuffs and waistband tailor-made for her. With her recent photoshoot, she has proved that she is going to be a gorgeous bride, and we cant wait to see her at the altar.

Sam and Naga with a friend.

The two wedding ceremonies

The wedding will take place in two different styles. One is the traditional Telugu-Hindu ceremony and the other is the Christian ceremony. Goa is an amazing spot for the latter for sure. Imagine Sam and Chay walking down the steps of the cathedral in their wedding attire. Very movie-like, dont you think?

Post-wedding plan

Contrary to speculations, the couple is not going to be taking off for a 40-day dreamy honeymoon. In fact, they will be getting back to work in just three days. However, they will be away for Christmas, and will be ringing in the New Year together. Any guesses where?

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United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker and Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov will meet in early October to discuss the possibility of a United Nations peacekeeping mission for Donbas, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Tefft said.

The U.S. believes it is important to try to reach a mutual understanding on a mandate for such a possible peacekeeping mission, Tefft said in an interview published in the Kommersant newspaper.

These criteria are highly important and will be key when a decision on whether to send such a mission is made because the U.S. proceeds from the assumption that any operation of this kind should facilitate the implementation of the Minsk Agreements in the first place, he said.

A source familiar with the matter said last week that Volker and Surkov may meet in the Balkans in the first half of October.

Volker himself told reporters in Kyiv earlier that he planned to discuss issues concerning the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and security at his upcoming meeting with Surkov.

The first meeting between Surkov and Volker was held in Minsk on August 21. Surkov said at the time that he was content with the discussion, calling it useful and constructive.
Kabali actor Dhansika was insulted by T Rajendar on stage during the press meet of their upcoming film Vizhithiru. Dhansika, who was initially on stage, thanked everyone from her upcoming film, however, did not mention T Rajendar who has performed in a song. This seemed to irritate the senior actor and he verbally attacked Dhansika. He pointed out that even though she has acted alongside Rajinikanth (in Kabali), she should not fail to remember that Vizhithiru happened much before that.

Though Dhansika apologised to T Rajendar and explained that she was nervous at the moment, he did not accept the apology. He, in fact, went ahead and made distasteful comments about her attire at the event. He said, You are not wearing a sari, so I do not want your sorry. It has to be noted that T Rajendar is known for spewing rhyming dialogues such as this otherwise too. Usually they are aimed to entertain the audience. However, this time he crossed the line.

He also added, I am not bothered about Hansika nor Dhansika. You might wonder why Hansika was even a part of his dialogue. Well, she is his son Silambarasans rumoured ex-girlfriend. There was a lot of speculation about their relationship a long time back.

All of this brought Dhansika to tears, and none of the others present at the event tried to stop T Rajendar. He was apparently trying to teach her (medai-nagareegam) onstage manners as he called it, all the while ordering her around and speaking to her in a disrespectful manner. The fact that no one stood up for Dhansika has created a buzz among twitterati who are trolling T Rajendar for his attitude towards a female actor.

On the work front, Dhansika will also be seen in Bejoy Nambiars directorial, Solo also starring Dulquer Salmaan.

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Emmy award-winning star of Veep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, revealed on Thursday that she has breast cancer.

The 56-year-old American actor disclosed the diagnosis to her 750,000 Twitter followers, posting a picture of a printed note that read: One in eight women get breast cancer. Today, Im the one.

The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring friends, and fantastic insurance through my union, she continued.

The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so lets fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality.

Louis-Dreyfus, who has two children with actor Brad Hall, attached an image of the note to a tweet in which she wrote: Just when you thought...

The news comes less than two weeks after the Veep star won a sixth consecutive Emmy for comedy acting.

A native New Yorker of French stock, Louis-Dreyfus has been one of Americas most popular and influential comedy actors since she found fame with cult sitcom Seinfeld in the 1990s.

On Veep she plays a somewhat bumbling vice president who later becomes the acting president, despite her hapless staff making political blunders along the way.

The 56-year-old revealed the diagnosis to her 750,000 Twitter followers, posting a note that read: "One in eight women get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one." (AFP)

She has six consecutive best actor Emmys for Veep as well as three as an executive producer when it was awarded best comedy series.

She has won in the past for her roles on Seinfeld -- which also earned her a Golden Globe -- and The New Adventures of Old Christine.

It has been a rollercoaster year or so for the actor, who tearfully dedicated her acting Emmy in 2016 to her father, who passed away two days earlier.

I am so glad that he liked Veep, she said, her voice breaking down as she accepted the award. Because his opinion was the one that really mattered.

Veep recently announced that the seventh season of the HBO show, due to air in 2018, will be its last.

Among the people expressing support for Louis-Dreyfus after her cancer revelation was former vice president Joe Biden, whose son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.

We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia. pic.twitter.com/JP0c2wtrJ6  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 28, 2017

We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia, Biden wrote, referring to his wife.

He attached a photo from a comic video in which he and Louis-Dreyfus spoofed the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2014.

Yes we do. Love back to all of you, the actor replied.

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The ongoing first edition of the El Gouna Film Festival on Egypts Red Sea Coast threw up some interesting works. The opening title, Amr Salamas Sheikh Jackson, had an amazingly novel plotline and talks about the unusual and intense cult following that Michael Jackson enjoyed in the Arab world. His songs and albums were passed around in utmost secrecy even as some of the regimes in the region looked down upon and banned pop music. The ghost of Jackson, who had toyed with the idea of converting to Islam, permeates every frame of the movie, deliriously drama created by Saudi-born Egyptian auteur, Salama. The film is Egypts official submission for the 2018 foreign-language Oscars.

Sheikh Jackson uses its canvas to talk about compassion, passion, friction between generations and family dysfunctionality. Sheikh Khaled Hani (a gripping performance by Ahmad Alfishawy) leads a joyless life - sleeping on the floor to remind himself of the inevitability of death, insisting that his wife wear full veil, and rebuking his daughter, Beyonce, about the perils of diabolic music and other forms of pop culture.

But then the news of Michael Jacksons death shocks Sheikh beyond imagination, and in a flashback we are told that he was an almost obsessive fan of the pop star. Though, Sheikh was mocked by his classmates for copying Jacksons hairstyle and dance steps, though he was admonished by his father for following the drag queen, the boy happily found himself at the centre of female attention because of his likeness to Jackson.

Strangely, Jacksons death pushes the adult Sheikh to ponder over his faith and beliefs. It also brings back memories of his mothers death, his fathers arrogance and his own failed school romance. Sheikh begins to hallucinate and finds himself being visited by Jacksons ghost - till he walks into a counselling session to rid himself of the nightmare.

An interesting movie, Sheikh Jackson layers itself with some of todays dilemmas, especially those that relate to religion and the way it causes animosity and angst. Often, presented in a lighthearted vein, but carrying a meaningful message, Sheikh Jackson seemed like an apt work to push eight-days of cinema in a little town called El Gouna - which has till now been a haven for mostly European tourists flocking for the sun and sand in an attempt to forget the woes of the world.

Another work that was riveting was Finnish auteur Aki Kaurismakis The Other Side of Hope. The cinema of Kaurismaki despite its deadpan imagery has always sparkled. It may not have a joy-di-vivre, but has a soul that is magically captivating. And, yes, so addictive. But Kaurismakis latest, a Berlin Competition title, The Other Side of Hope, goes beyond this. Here in this work, he focuses on refugees - still an uneasy subject for a movie plot and an even greater discomfort for politicians.

Kaurismaki plots his narrative with his usual candid absurdity, but this in no way undermines the humungous seriousness of the problem of the all those millions displaced from their homes. And he takes us through the tale with disarming simplicity and unbelievable ease.

A scene from Annarita Zambranos After the War.

The film is basically about two men: a travelling salesman, Wikstrom, from Finland who quarrels with his wife and walks out of home. And he decides to make a clean cut of his life by throwing away his job and taking up gambling. With the money he earns at poker, he buys a dowdy restaurant - where a Syrian refugee, Khaled, who has made his way into Finland as a stowaway in a coal ship, is hired. He is searching for his sister, and in what seems like a wonderful camaraderie, the men at the restaurant come together to help Khaled. Set in Helsinki, Kaurismaki paints the gloom of the times all right, but lifts the movie out of the morose with a dash of hope and positiveness. In fact, this writer found this to be one of the directors most humorous, most breezy titles.

A French drama, After the War comes from Annarita Zambrano. In her debut feature, she gives a smart, affecting account of how a former Italian terrorist stripped of his safe haven status in France, plans to escape Europe with his school-going teenage daughter. The film is a powerful look at how the violence of political resistance takes a toll on the lives of men and their families.

In 2002, France did away with the Mitterrand policy of allowing convicted terrorists from Italy to remain in France without the fear of extradition. That year, a Bologna jurist, Marco Biagi, was assassinated by a group calling itself the New Red Brigade. Zambrano uses these two incidents to weave a fictional story of Marco Lamberti - who had been a member of the Armed Formation for the Revolution and who had fled from Italy to France in 1981 after killing a judge.

Afraid that he would be deported, now that the Mitterrand doctrine is gone, Lamberti and his daughter, Viola, seek the help of an old friend for passports which will help them travel to Nicaragua. In the meantime, Biagis murder prompts the Italian police to reopen its case against Lamberti, and the cops and journalists go calling on his mother and sister - opening up wounds of a painful past which the two women had hoped was buried for good.

Zambranos sympathies lie not with Lamberti, and she skillfully states that such terror crimes, whatever be their motivation, insidiously affect and even harm the present. Viola is upset that she has been dragged out of a great life at school and is going to be taken to Central America. But she gets even more angry and confused when she sees a newspaper heading on her father, Intellectual or Criminal? And we begun to understand that Lambertis arguments - which he spells out in an interview with a journalist - are a fundamentally flawed rationale.

(Gautaman Bhaskaran is now covering the first edition of the El Gouna Film Festival.)

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More than 50 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are missing after their boat capsized, with 19 confirmed dead, Bangladesh police said on Friday, as a new surge in the numbers fleeing a Myanmar military campaign took the total to more than half a million.

The refugees drowned in heavy seas off Bangladesh late on Thursday while, in New York, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against Rohingya Muslims.

It was the first time the United States had called for punishment of Myanmars military leaders behind the repression, but she stopped short of threatening to reimpose US sanctions which were suspended under the Obama administration.

Buddhist-majority Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and has denounced rights abuses.

Its military launched a sweeping military offensive in response to coordinated attacks on the security forces by Rohingya insurgents in the north of Rakhine State on Aug. 25.

Refugees arriving in Myanmar have told of attacks and arson by the military and Buddhist vigilantes aimed at driving Rohingya out.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council the violence had spiralled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare.

Bangladeshi border officials said more refugees had arrived over the past day or two after the number seemed to be tailing off. Aid groups said 502,000 refugees had arrived in Bangladesh since late August.

It stopped for a while but they have started coming again, Colonel Anisul Haque, head of the Bangladeshi border guards in the town of Teknaf, told Reuters.

Last night, we got a number arriving. They seem to think it will be difficult to cross during the day because security forces will make it difficult for them, he said.

He said about 1,000 people had landed at the main arrival point on the coast on Thursday.

The boat carrying refugees went down in driving wind and rain and high seas. The International Organisation for Migration said about 130 people were believed to have been on board.

Bangladesh police said there were 27 survivors, 19 dead and more than 50 missing.

BRUTAL CAMPAIGN

In a sharp ramping up of the pressure on Myanmar, also known as Burma, Haley echoed UN accusations that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State was ethnic cleansing.

We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be - a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority, Haley told the UN Security Council.

The United States had earlier said the army response to the insurgent attacks was disproportionate and the crisis raised questions about Myanmars transition to democracy, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, after decades of military rule.

Suu Kyi has no power over the generals under a military-drafted constitution that bars her from the presidency. She has nevertheless drawn scathing criticism from around the world for failing to speak out more strongly and stop the violence.

The military campaign against the Rohingya insurgents is well supported inside Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has surged over the past few years.

Haley said the military must respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing, she said.

And any country that is currently providing weapons to the Burmese military should suspend these activities until sufficient accountability measures are in place, Haley said.

Myanmar national security adviser Thaung Tun said at the United Nations there was no ethnic cleansing or genocide in Myanmar.

He told the Security Council that Myanmar had invited Guterres to visit. A UN official said the secretary-general would consider visiting under the right conditions.

China and Russia both expressed support for the Myanmar government. Myanmar said this month it was negotiating with China and Russia, which have veto powers in the Security Council, to protect it from any possible action by the council.
At least 22 people were killed and dozens more injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Shia mosque in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Friday.

The explosion occurred at 2pm local time in Qala-e-Fathullah area of Kabul as worshippers were leaving the mosque after weekly Friday prayers. Eyewitnesses were quoted by Tolo News channel as saying that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.

A suicide bomber who was grazing sheep has detonated himself outside the mosque, Gen Salim Almas, criminal investigative director of Kabul city, told AFP.

Police said 22 people were killed by the blast. A photo posted on Twitter purportedly taken at the scene of the attack showed a man lying on the ground, covered in blood.

The bomber was unable to enter the mosque as a policeman spotted him and opened fire, reports said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack. The Islamic State and the Afghan Taliban have claimed recent attacks and bombings in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan. Both groups have also repeatedly targeted Afghanistans Shia minority.

Fridays attack came as Shia Muslims prepared to commemorate Ashura, one of the holiest dates in the Islamic calendar which falls this weekend and is the most important Shia observance.

It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed.

(With inputs from agencies)
President Donald Trump spoke by phone Thursday with Chancellor Angela Merkel, the White House said, after breaking with custom and waiting days to congratulate the German leader on her re-election.

The pair connected after growing questions about a delay in the call between the uneasy allies.

President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to congratulate her on her election victory and wish her well in the formation of her fourth government, said a statement from the White House on Thursday evening.

The US leader underscored the countries deep ties and Washingtons commitment to our longstanding, strong alliance.

The White House did not immediately congratulate Merkel on her election over the weekend, as is customary, after a campaign which saw Merkel implicitly criticize Trump.

Its obviously been a complicated relationship, said Karen Donfried, president of The German Marshall Fund of the United States.

That is unlikely to change in Merkels fourth term.

For her, clearly this is a critical relationship, she told AFP. Merkel is still going to try to make the relationship work to the greatest extent possible.

On Trumps side, my expectation is that he will stay very focused on his two big criticisms, one that Germany doesnt spend enough on defense and two that Germany has a massive trade surplus.

According to the White House, Trump and Merkel discussed the Iran nuclear deal and how to counter Irans malign activities in the Middle East, as well as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Concerning the Iran deal Merkel has renewed her support for this agreement, which is an important instrument to prevent Iran from equipping itself with nuclear weapons, according to a statement released by German government spokesman Steffen Seibert.
President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday agreed to step efforts to bring peace to Syria, with the Russian leader declaring the right conditions now existed to end the over six-year civil war.

After late night talks at Erdogans presidential palace in Ankara, Putin and Erdogan agreed to push for the creation of a de-escalation zone in Syrias key northern province of Idlib, currently controlled by jihadists.

Despite being on opposite sides of the conflict, Russia and Turkey have been working together intensely since a 2016 reconciliation deal ended a crisis caused by the shooting down of a Russian war plane over Syria.

Moscow and Ankara have proposed at peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana the creation of four de-escalation zones in Syria to be patrolled by military observers, but the one in Idlib is by far the most significant.

Erdogan said the pair agreed to pursue more intensely the implementation of a de-escalation zone in Idlib, in comments echoed by Putin.

Putin said the work to implement the agreements made at the Astana peace talks has not been easy but the sides had already succeeded in having a positive result.

De-facto, the necessary conditions have been created for the end of the fratricidal war in Syria, the final defeat of terrorists and the return of Syrians to a peaceful life and their homes, said Putin.

Deepen cooperation

While parts of Syria, notably Aleppo province, have calmed considerably in the last months, Idlib remains the scene of heavy fighting.

According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 135 civilians have been killed since September 19 in Russian and regime strikes in Idlib and Hama province, as well as 168 jihadists and rebels.

Russia and Turkey would work with the aim of deepening the coordination of our joint activity to solve the Syria crisis, Putin added.

Russia, along with Iran, is the key backer of President Bashar al-Assad and Moscows military intervention inside Syria is widely seen as tipping the balance in the conflict. Turkey, however, has backed the rebels seeking Assads ouster.

Although Turkeys policy is officially unchanged, Ankara has notably cooled its rhetoric against the Damascus regime since its cooperation with Russia began to heat up.

Putin and Erdogan also hailed improving economic bilateral cooperation, with Russian tourists returning to Turkey and the two countries working on a Black Sea gas pipeline.

Turkey, a NATO member, has also signed a deal reportedly worth $2 billion (1.7 billion euros) to buy S-400 air defence systems from Russia, a move that has shocked its allies in the alliance.

In contrast to the poisonous personal attacks that followed the November 2015 shooting down of a Russian plane by Turkish forces, Erdogan repeatedly referred to the Kremlin chief as my dear friend Putin.

Loaded with contradictions

Yet analysts say that while both countries share an interest in seeking to discomfort the West by showing off close cooperation, their relationship falls well short of a sincere strategic alliance.

Russia and Turkey have a record of struggling to overcome a regional rivalry that goes back to the Ottoman Empire and the Romanov dynasty.

Relations between Turkey and Russia may appear to be friendly, but they are loaded with contradictions and set to remain unstable in the near term, Pavel Baev and Kemal Kirisci of the Brookings Institution wrote in a study this month.

The Russian stance on Mondays non-binding independence referendum in Iraqs Kurdistan region is also troubling for Turkey, for whom opposing Kurdish statehood is a cornerstone of foreign policy due to its own Kurdish minority.

The Russian foreign ministry said Wednesday that while Moscow supports the territorial integrity of Iraq, it views the Kurds national aspirations with respect.

At the press conference, Erdogan again derided the referendum as illegitimate and said Iraqi Kurdistans leaders had to be stopped from making more grave mistakes.

Putin however did not echo Erdogans language, saying curtly they had discussed the issue in detail and the position of Moscow had been set out in the foreign ministry statement.

Russia has been trying to abstain from taking a clear stance on the issue and Turkey may be wanting to get some assurances and explanations, Timur Akhmetov, Ankara-based Turkey expert at the Russian International Affairs Council, told AFP.
The United Nations nuclear watchdogs chief said on Friday North Koreas sixth nuclear test conducted on Sept. 3 showed the isolated country has made rapid progress on weapons development that posed a new, global threat.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have increased markedly since the test, which led to a new round of sanctions against the North after a unanimous UN Security Council resolution.

(The) yield is much bigger than the previous test, and it means North Korea made very rapid progress, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Yukiya Amano told reporters in Seoul.

Combined with other elements, this is a new threat and this is a global threat, he said after a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

Amano said the IAEA did not have the capacity to determine whether the North had tested a hydrogen bomb, as Pyongyang has claimed.

What is most important for now is for the international community to unite, Amano said.

Tensions had already flared after North Korea tested two more intercontinental ballistic missiles and other launches as it pursues its nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of international pressure.

South Korea said on Thursday the North could engage in more provocations near the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean communist party and Chinas all-important Communist Party Congress.

Insults and threats hurled between the Norths leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump have aggravated the situation further. Members of the international community have urged both countries to resolve matters peacefully while boosting pressure on Pyongyang to curb its weapons programmes.

A US State Department official said on Thursday China was making progress in enforcing sanctions imposed on North Korea, and urged sceptical members of Congress not to rush to enact new measures before giving Beijings efforts a chance to take effect.
The confirmation hearing of Kenneth Ian Juster for the post of US Ambassador to India will be held on October 3, a Senate committee has said.

The scheduling of confirmation hearing by Senate Foreign Relations Committee comes less than a month after US President Donald Trump nominated Juster, 62, as his top envoy to India.

Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee would preside the hearing at the Senate Dirksen building on October 3.

If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Richard Verma as the top American diplomat to India.

The position has been vacant since January 20 after Verma put in his papers as Trump took over as the US president.

Juster served as the undersecretary of commerce for industry and security from 2001 to 2005 and was also the deputy assistant to Trump for the International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of National Economic Council from January-June this year.

Verma told Forbes that Juster will carry on the tradition of bipartisan support to India-US relationship.

Hes a real professional, and I know he will be warmly welcomed in India. I also know he is the right person to drive the partnership to the next level, he was quoted as saying.

All Americans should be happy that President Trump has chosen Ken to represent him and the United States in New Delhi, former US Ambassador to India, Frank Wisner, told Forbes.
Ukraine and Moldova should synchronize their positions within the framework of work on accession to the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), Hanna Hopko, the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs, has stated.

"We are interested in the positive decision of ENTSO-E regarding the transition to synchronous work with Ukraine and Moldova. That's why it is important for Ukraine and Moldova to move together in this process," she wrote on her Facebook page, following a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister of Moldova Lilian Darii.

Hopko said Kyiv is actively implementing measures to integrate its market into the European one, in particular, on June 28, 2017 Ukrenergo signed an agreement on the conditions of the future integration of the energy systems of Ukraine and Moldova into ENTSO-E. The agreement came into force on July 7 after it had been signed by the necessary number of European system operators.

Darii, in turn, noted the Moldovan system operator Moldelectrica also signed an agreement on the conditions of the future unification of its energy system with ENTSO-E, in particular, it cooperates with Romania in construction of two interconnectors.
Futurist and inventor Elon Musk on Friday unveiled ambitious plans to send cargo ships to Mars in five years and use rockets to carry people between Earths major cities in under half an hour.

The founder of SpaceX said a planned interplanetary transport system, codenamed BFR (Big F**king Rocket), would be downsized so it could carry out a range of tasks that would then pay for future Mars missions.

The most important thing...is that I think we have figured out how to pay for (BFR), Musk told a packed auditorium at a global gathering of space experts in Adelaide.

Which is to have a smaller vehicle, its still pretty big, but one that can...do everything thats needed in the greater Earth orbit activity.

Musk said his firm had starting building the system, with the construction of the first ship to start in six to nine months. I feel fairly confident that we can complete the ship and launch in about five years, he said.

BFR is capable of transporting satellites to orbit, crew and cargo to the @Space_Station and completing missions to the Moon and Mars. pic.twitter.com/p9staho4VZ  SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2017

At least two cargo ships would land on the Red Planet in 2022, with the key mission of finding the best source of water  currently mooted as a way to power rockets, he said.

The rockets would place power, mining and life-support infrastructure on Mars to support future missions, with four ships set to take people, equipment and supplies to the planet in 2024.

NASAs first human mission to Mars is expected about a decade later.

The trips would be funded by a range of activities, including launching satellites, servicing the space station and lunar missions, he said.

Supporting the creation of a permanent, self-sustaining human presence on Mars. https://t.co/kCtBLPbSg8 pic.twitter.com/ra6hKsrOcG  SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2017

Musk added the rockets should also cater to Earth inhabitants by reducing the travel between major cities to less than half an hour. A trip from Bangkok to Dubai would take 27 minutes, and from Tokyo to Delhi 30 minutes, according to his calculations.

Once you are out of the atmosphere, it would be as smooth as silk, no turbulence, nothing, he said. Theres no weather...and you can get to most long-distance places in less than half-an-hour. If we are building this thing to go to the Moon and Mars, then why not go to other places on Earth as well.

Musk had earlier planned to use a suite of space vehicles to support the colonisation of Mars, beginning with an unmanned capsule called Red Dragon in 2018, but he said SpaceX is now focused on a single, slimmer and shorter rocket instead.

We want to make our current vehicles redundant, he said. We want to have one system. If we can do that, then all the resources...can be applied to this system. I feel fairly confident that we can complete the ship and be ready for a launch in about five years.

BFR will take you anywhere on Earth in less than 60 mins https://t.co/HWt9BZ1FI9  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 29, 2017

The BFR would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars with around 100 passengers, Musk said.

The week-long annual International Astronautical Congress, which concluded on Friday, has seen government space agencies and private firms outline their plans to send humans to the Moon and Mars in the next few decades.

This included an agreement between Russian space agency Roscosmos and NASA to work on the first lunar space station as part of a programme called the Deep Space Gateway.

Lockheed Martin Corp announced separate plans for a manned Mars journey on Friday, unveiling concept drawings of a base camp space station orbiting Mars and landing craft that would carry four astronauts to the planets surface.

Representative image posted on Twitter by inventor Elon Musk showing the rocket to be used for a mission to Mars by 2022. (Twitter)

We know its cold, its pretty inhospitable, so we start with the robots and then we go down with these landers, Rob Chambers, Lockheeds director of human space flight strategy, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Chambers gave no date, but the planned mission would be a joint expedition with NASA, which aims to reach Mars during the 2030s.

Mars is typically 225 million km from Earth and landing the first humans there, after what traditionally has been seen as a six- to nine-month journey, is an extremely ambitious goal.

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos Blue Origin space venture is also designing a heavy-lift vehicle called New Armstrong that will be capable of Mars transport.
A charcoal drawing of a nude woman, which may have been sketched in part by Leonardo da Vinci, bears a striking resemblance to the Mona Lisa, experts have said.

Scientists at the Louvre in Paris, where Leonardos masterpiece is held, have been examining the charcoal drawing known as Monna Vanna that had earlier been attributed to the Florentine masters studio.

The large drawing has been held since 1862 in the huge collection of Renaissance art at the Conde Museum in the palace of Chantilly, north of the French capital.

Curators from the museum believe after a month of tests at the Louvre that the drawing is at least in part by Leonardo.

The drawing has a quality in the way the face and hands are rendered that is truly remarkable. It is not a pale copy, curator Mathieu Deldicque told AFP.

We are looking at something which was worked on in parallel with the Mona Lisa at the end of Leonardos life, he said.

It is almost certainly a preparatory work for an oil painting, he added, with the obvious inference being it is closely connected to the Mona Lisa.

Almost identical

The hands and body, Deldicque said, are almost identical to Leonardos inscrutable masterpiece.

The drawing is almost the same size as the Mona Lisa, and small holes pierced around the figure point to the fact it may have been used to trace its form onto a canvas, he argued.

Louvre conservation expert Bruno Mottin confirmed that the charcoal drawing dates from Leonardos lifetime at the turn of the 15th century and that it was of a very high quality.

Tests, he told the Parisien newspaper, had already revealed it was not a copy of a lost original.

But he said that we must remain prudent about definitively attributing it to Leonardo, who died in France in 1519.

The hatching on the top of the drawing near the head was done by a right-handed person. Leonardo drew with his left hand. It is job that is going to take some time, he said.

It is a very difficult drawing to work on because it is particularly fragile.

But Mottin said experts hoped to pin down the identity of the artist within two years, in time for an exhibition at Chantilly to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Leonardos death.

More than 10 experts have been poring over the drawing for the past few weeks, using a variety of scans and other scientific methods.Their investigations have been centred on working out if the drawing was made before or after the Mona Lisa, which was painted sometime after 1503.

The Chantilly drawing had originally been attributed to the Tuscan master when it was bought by the Duc dAumale in 1862 for 7,000 francs, a substantial sum at the time.

But later specialists had their doubts and thought it more likely that it came from a member of the artists studio.

Around 20 paintings and drawings of nude Mona Lisas exist in collections across the world but most have proved very difficult to date.

Leonardo (1452-1519) was one of the great painters of the Italian Renaissance and his Mona Lisa oil painting (also known as La Gioconda) is one of the worlds most recognisable works of art.

It is believed to have been commissioned by Florentine official Francesco del Giocondo as a portrait of his wife, Lisa Gherardini.
More than 50 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar were missing after their boat capsized, with 20 confirmed dead, Bangladesh police said on Friday, as a new surge in the numbers fleeing a Myanmar military campaign took the total to more than half a million.

In Geneva, the UN migration agency put the expected toll from the boat capsize at 60.

The refugees drowned in heavy seas off Bangladesh late on Thursday while in New York, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against Rohingya Muslims.

It was the first time the US had called for punishment of Myanmars military, but she stopped short of threatening to reimpose US sanctions which were suspended under the Obama administration.

Buddhist-majority Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and has denounced rights abuses.

Its military launched a sweeping offensive in response to coordinated attacks on security forces by Rohingya insurgents in the north of Rakhine state on August 25.

Nur Fatema, a survivor, cries over the body of her nine-month-old son who died when a boat with Rohingya refugees capsized as they were fleeing Myanmar. There was a mass funeral for the victims at Inani Beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on September 29, 2017. (Reuters)

Refugees arriving in Myanmar have told of attacks and arson by the military and Buddhist vigilantes aimed at driving Rohingya out.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council the violence had spiralled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare.

Bangladeshi border officials said more refugees had arrived over the past day or two after the number seemed to be tailing off. Aid groups said 502,000 refugees had arrived in Bangladesh since late August.

It stopped for a while but they have started coming again, Col Anisul Haque, head of the Bangladeshi border guards in the town of Teknaf, told Reuters, adding that about 1,000 people had landed at the main arrival point on the coast on Thursday.

The refugee boat that capsized went over in driving wind and rain and high seas. Police said 20 bodies had been recovered, 12 of them children, while 27 people survived and more than 50 were missing.

Survivor Abdul Kalam, 55, said at least 100 people had been on board. His wife, two daughters and a grandson were among the dead, he said.

Kalam said armed Buddhists had come to his village about a week ago and taken away livestock and food. He said villagers had been summoned to a military office and told there were no such people as Rohingya in Myanmar.

After that he decided to leave and headed to the coast with his family, avoiding military camps on the way.

Rohingya refugees queue for aid at a camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on September 28, 2017. (Reuters)

Brutal campaign

In a sharp ramping up of the pressure on Myanmar, also known as Burma, Haley echoed UN accusations that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine state was ethnic cleansing.

We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be  a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority, Haley told the UN Security Council.

The US had earlier said the army response to the insurgent attacks was disproportionate and the crisis raised questions about Myanmars transition to democracy, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, after decades of military rule.

Suu Kyi has no power over the generals under a military-drafted Constitution that bars her from the presidency. She has nevertheless drawn scathing criticism from around the world for failing to speak out more strongly and stop the violence.

The military campaign against the Rohingya insurgents is well supported inside Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has surged over the past few years.

People gather under heavy rain around bodies of Rohingya refugees after a boat with people fleeing from Myanmar capsized off Inani Beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. (Reuters)

Haley said the military must respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing, she said.

And any country that is currently providing weapons to the Burmese military should suspend these activities until sufficient accountability measures are in place, Haley said.

Myanmar national security adviser Thaung Tun said at the UN there was no ethnic cleansing or genocide in Myanmar.

He told the Security Council that Myanmar had invited Guterres to visit. A UN official said the secretary-general would consider visiting under the right conditions.

China and Russia both expressed support for the Myanmar government. Myanmar said this month it was negotiating with China and Russia, which have veto powers in the Security Council, to protect it from any possible action by the council.
Slamming Pakistan for its support to various terror groups, Afghanistan said on Friday that the time has come for taking a fundamental decision that no country should be allowed to use terror as an instrument of foreign policy.

Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah said his country has a serious challenge in ties with Pakistan and that terror networks based in that country continue to indulge in activities to destabilise Afghanistan.

The forces of darkness and evil cannot prevail forever. But at the same time they can create hindrances, they can create headaches. These are the realities of life, Abdullah said, in an address at the Indian Council for World Affairs, a leading think tank.

We have some serious challenges in our relations with Pakistan. There are (terror) groups which are threatening security of Afghanistan and based there and continue to be based there...That is a very serious challenge for us. That is a big challenge for the whole region, said Afghan chief executive.

He said a decision must be taken once and for all that terrorism will not be used as an instrument of pursuing foreign policy objectives in any part of the world.

That is the fundamental decision that has to be taken for the region and beyond, he said, asserting that the global community must show the resolve in the determination to deal with terror.

Talking about the peace process, he said the Afghan government has never closed its doors for talks and negotiations, and it was working to bring lasting peace to the country.

Speaking at the event, foreign secretary S Jaishankar articulated various facets of Indias engagement with Afghanistan and said New Delhi remains steadfast in its commitment towards the country.

The Afghan CEO also hailed Indias contribution towards Afghanistans reconstruction and said the assistance is making a huge difference to the lives of millions of people in his country.

He also mentioned that 116 new development projects were to be implemented by India and particularly talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modis passion to help his country.

Identifying terrorism as the main threat facing the region, Abdullah said there cannot be any classification of terror groups as good or bad terrorists.

Referring to Pakistan, he said living in denial from the reality will complicate the situation.

We have some serious challenges in our relations with Pakistan. There are (terror) groups which are threatening security of Afghanistan and based there and continue to be based there...That is a very serious challenge for us. That is a big challenge for the whole region, said Abdullah.

Talking about Afghanistans diplomatic engagements and its ties with Pakistan, the Afghan chief executive, at the same time, said his country will not allow any country to dictate terms over its foreign policy.

No country has the right of veto over our relationship with another country, he said.

If India comes to Afghanistan and says, we will build you this clinic but please do not have friendship with Pakistan, our answer would be the same, he said, giving an example.

The Afghan chief executive said the response would be same in case of the US or Iran, which are close friends of Afghanistan.

Abdullah also welcomed the policy announcements by the Trump administration for Afghanistan and the South Asian region, indicating that there is a message in it for Islamabad. He said the policy reflects a rightful role for India in the region.

I want to tell that Afghanistan wants friendly relations with all countries. The terror groups are threat to all of us and not just Afghanistan, he said, adding that some of the terror groups had turned against those who created them.

On Afghanistans ties with China, Abdullah said the relationship has been good.

Referring to the delay in his arrival in New Delhi following the terror attack in Kabul airport, he said a tiny minority of terrorists are trying to disturb the opportunities the people of the region have.

They could cause us some delay. But they cannot stop us. That is my message, Abdullah, who arrived here on a six-day visit on Thursday, said.

He also exuded confidence that the region will be able to overcome the challenge of terrorism and radicalisation.

I do not have any doubt in my mind. Wisdom will prevail. Human dignity will prevail. Acts of terror will be condemned and it will be condemned to failure, he said.

Talking about importance of connectivity, Abdullah said work is going on a number of transport projects.

The Chabahar port project will significantly enhance trade among India, Afghanistan and Iran, he noted. Abdullah said that Afghanistan will receive the first shipment of wheat through Chabahar in a few days time.

Asked whether the Afghan government had taken up with Pakistan the issue of overland transit facility from Afghanistan to India through Pakistan, he said the matter has been discussed with Islamabad.
The White House on Friday announced President Donald Trump will travel to Asia in November, which will take him to China and four other nations but not India. But the trip could lead to a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Manila that the American leader will attend.

Although there has been no announcement by India yet, Prime Minister Modi is expected to attend the regional summit as well, given the act East Asia push he unveiled at the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in 2014 and that he returned to participate in every summit since; the last one in 2016.

If they do indeed meet in Manila, it will be their third encounter so far, following a day-long, substantive meeting accompanied by their respective delegations in June in Washington DC and an impromptu interaction during the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany in July.

It will be their first meeting since Trump unveiled his South Asia policy urging India to play a larger role in Afghanistan. New Delhi will focus almost exclusively on development and economic help, but Pakistan has thrown a tantrum expectedly, arguing, without any success, that India be denied a role.

Trumps first Asia trip as president on November 3 -14 will take him to China and Vietnam and allied countries Japan, South Korea and Philippines. He will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Dan Nang, in Vietnam and Asean in Manila, Philippines.

The President will participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral, and cultural engagements, the White House said in a statement announcing the trip and the Apec and Asean meetings, demonstrating his continued commitment to the alliances and partnerships of the United States in the region.

The US president, who will also be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, will discuss the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region to America's prosperity and security, said the White House, a possible reference to the South China Sea disputes involving Beijings aggressive claims in the region.

He will also emphasize the importance of fair and reciprocal economic ties with America's trade partners, the statement said.

North Korea, which poses a direct threat to the US and it allies Japan and South Korea, will also figure in his parleys. The President's engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the White House said.

President Trumps first foreign trip after taking office in January was to West Asia  Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestinian National Authority  Belgium and Italy; followed by trips to Poland and Germany for G-20, and a visit to France, marked for history by a never-ending handshake with President Emmanuel Macron.
The US will watch Pakistans choices on President Donald Trumps new Afghan and South Asia strategy to combat terrorism in its tracks, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said.

At the same time, Mattis also lauded Indias commitment towards the development in Afghanistan.

Trump, while announcing the new strategy for Afghanistan, had accused Pakistan of harbouring agents of chaos and providing safe havens to militant groups waging an insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul.

Pakistan has opposed Trumps Afghan and South Asia policy, saying it ignored the countrys sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

But, Mattis during a visit to Kabul said the new strategy was not exclusive of someone.

It is inclusive for all responsible states that want to stop terrorism in its tracks and defend the innocent, he said.

Mattis, who was in India before arriving in Kabul, said the South Asia strategy announced by the president in August was an opportunity for Pakistan.

I agree 100 per cent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign, Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, according to a Pentagon transcript.

Mattis said that the United States would watch Islamabads choices.

Ghani echoed Mattis views.

This is primarily because for the first time, the United States seeks to hold Pakistan accountable for its support to terrorist groups and organisation.

Trumps also policy seeks greater developmental role for India in this war-torn country.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with both Mattis and Ghani, saying that this is a regional approach, which includes both Pakistan and India.

Both of them have to be included in a mutual approach.

He urged all countries in the region to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Mattis said India has been very, very generous in its development assistance to Afghanistan.

India is committed to doing even more to help the people of Afghanistan, he said.
Former US vice president Joe Biden expressed support for Julia Louis-Dreyfus after the award-winning Veep star announced she had breast cancer.

Bidens son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 aged 46.

In his tweet, Biden used a photo from a video in which he and Louis-Dreyfus spoofed the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2014 in the hit television show.

We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia. pic.twitter.com/JP0c2wtrJ6  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 28, 2017

Yes we do. Love back to all of you, Louis-Dreyfus replied after Bidens message.

The 56-year-old American actress disclosed the diagnosis to her 750,000 Twitter followers, posting a picture of a note that read: One in eight women get breast cancer. Today, Im the one.

The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring friends, and fantastic insurance through my union, she continued.

The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so lets fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality.

The news comes less than two weeks after the Veep star won a sixth consecutive Emmy for comedy acting.

With inputs from agencies
There was no any pressure on the supervisory board of national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy by the president and government, First Deputy Head of the Petro Poroshenko Block parliamentary faction and member of the parliamentary committee for the fuel and energy sectors Ihor Kononenko has said.

"Having information from the supervisory board I can say that the board worked independently. There was no any pressure neither from the Presidential Administration nor the Cabinet of Ministers," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Kononenko said that one of the supervisory board members left his post, as he received a proposal to work in another country on better conditions.

"This was the financial reason. He was offered a twice larger salary," he said.

He said that the requirements of the law on e-declaration pushed two other members of the supervisory board to resign.

"As for foreigners, there were illogical things restricting the attraction of skilled experts to our country. Let's say for example that they are to declare assets in third countries. If they have assets in Ukraine, there could be a conflict of interests. If a person is a member of the supervisory board in Ukraine, and he has assets in Argentina, what is that to us? There is other absurdity in the law," Kononenko said.

He said that now the parliament has a bill that should change the situation. It could be passed before New Year.

"I think that the conflict in the form it is presented is far-fetched. I am not ready to make forecasts or conclusions, but I think that somehow this is linked to the election of new members of the supervisory board. The board is being expanded. The commission is working now. Maybe, this is an attempt to press by managers for some candidates," he said.

As reported, earlier independent members of the supervisory board of Naftogaz Ukrainy filed for resignation, explaining it by the political pressure.
F RIEZE LONDON

It all started 15 years ago with an idea of a small art fair. Today, Frieze London is arguably the leading annual art fair in the world, with more than 30 countries taking part and featuring more than 160 of the worlds leading galleries offering the work of at least 1,000 highly rated artists.

Even for those who think they have only a vague interest in art, its a fun event running from October 5 to 8 in Regents Park: fun to rubberneck the often bizarre outfits worn by the art world; fun to wonder whether youd ever be seriously interested in some of the more challenging works on show and for sale.

For hardcore art-world insiders, of course, this is serious business with the chance to meet with collectors from across the world. The fair alone brings more than 75 million in revenue to Londons hotels, cab drivers, restaurants and shops.

This year, its all about sex. Theres a new section on the female artists from the Seventies and Eighties, who were excluded from major exhibitions at the time. Organised by the radical feminist curator Alison Gingeras, its bound to be a major talking point, and the theme of sex seems to run through many of the shows in the capital.

Outside of Frieze, take a look at Victoria Miro gallerys show, Sexshops, of paintings of those working in the sex industry by artist Tal R, as well as the performance art, Private Collection: Unperformed Objects in Tate Tanks at Tate Modern by Delfina Foundation with the South Korean artist Geumhyung Jeong, which incorporates, yes, sex toys.

Three Frieze shows not to miss:

Check out Hauser & Wirth, where TV historian Mary Beard brings the Bronze Age to Frieze by creating a fantasy museum, with some of the bronzes borrowed from regional museums, alongside works by Henry Moore and bronzes bought off eBay. Its sure to be a talking point.

If youre fed up post-Brexit, be sure to see Lucy and Jorge Ortas project where you can become a permanent passport holder in Antarctica, the name of their show.

Stop by Waddington Custot and see a re-creation of Peter Blakes studio; the studio hes created is an artwork in itself.

An artwork in itself: the studio recreated by Peter Blake is on show at Waddington Custot

ALL IN A GOOD CAUSE

Make A Wish is a charity that helps children with life-threatening illnesses. Leading artists (such as Gillian Wearing and Michael Landy) have been asked to create works inspired by the wishes of these seriously ill children as part of a project called The Art of Wishes.

Check out Tracey Emins piece, inspired by Graces holiday wish. All works will be on view at the Serpentine Gallery on October 1, and can be bid for through an auction on the Artsy website.

The charity has a few places for Homes & Property readers to attend the private view. Please pre-register via email at theartofwishes@makeawish.org.uk.

The Art for Grenfell sale at Sothebys on October 16 will also have work by contemporary artists (Rachel Whiteread and Yinka Shonibare among them) to help raise 1 million for 158 surviving families of the fire.

If wishes were horses: Tracey Emins drawing inspired by a girls holiday request

FRANK COHENS BACK AT FORTNUMS

More than a quarter of a million people flocked to Fortnum & Mason last year, to see some of noted art collector Frank Cohens personal collection.

This year, Cohen has decided to put on a solo show of works by John Bellany, whose work he had admired for years.

As he notes: When everyone was making abstracts and Pop paintings Bellany was creating amazing images  revealing, ambitious and tough, distilling raw emotion onto the canvas. His great hero was Courbet, and he shares Courbets realism and sense of human sympathy.

And dont miss the portrait of the artist with David Bowie, also a longtime collector of Bellanys work; the portrait is on view for the first time in 20 years.

Fortnum & Mason: solo show of works by John Bellany / Getty Images

ZAP TO DOVER STREET

Art lovers should make a beeline for ZAP in Dover Street. Its the very last week of this pop-up store, curated by the Zabludowicz Collection, the Camden-based gallery that focuses on contemporary art.

With five other institutions across the UK the collection has cherry-picked a selection of great art buys, with works by both newcomers and Turner prize winners.

Theres everything from tea towels and prints, to jewellery and ceramics, with prices starting from 4. Not to be missed.
News, events, history, and other mid-week tidbits.

Tuesday, October 25, 4:30  7 p.m.

Orr Area EMS Open House

Brats and burgers will be served. Event includes a new ambulance tour and blood pressure screenings. For more info: 218-780-3798.

Orr Fire Hall

4540 Lake St., Orr

Tuesday, October 25, 12  6 p.m.

Essentia Health Job Fair

Talent recruiters and department managers will be on-site at Essentia Health-Virginia. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to attendnurses, nursing and clinical assistants, surgery technicians, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, human resource professionals, and those interested in environmental services or nutrition services. Essentia staff will greet candidates, conduct an initial screening and filter them to appropriate hiring managers for interviews. Select candidates will be verbally offered a position before leaving. Candidates are asked to bring a resume, but its not required. Attire is business casual. For more info: www.essentiacareers.org.

901 9th St. N., Virginia
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has recalled Ukrainian Ambassador to Hungary Liubov Nepop in connection with the Hungarian authorities' reaction to the law on education, which has taken effect in Ukraine, specifically, its article dealing with the language of instruction.

"I have summoned Ukrainian Ambassador to Hungary Liubov Nepop for a consultation in regard of the Hungarian authorities' reaction to the new Ukrainian law on education. Ukraine's position on relations with Hungary is unchanged: we are ready for constructive debate on all issues," Klimkin said on Twitter on Thursday evening.

Later, the minister said he hopes for a productive visit to Budapest.

"I confirm my offer to my Hungarian counterpart to go to the Debretsensky University and Transcarpathia together," Klimkin said.

The law on education took effect on September 28. The law decrees that the language of instruction in educational establishments shall be the state language. However, in line with the educational program, one or more subjects can be taught in two or more languages: the state language and the English language, or other official languages of the European Union. People who belong to ethnic minorities are guaranteed the right to instruction in their native languages along with the Ukrainian language in classes (groups) at public preschools and elementary schools.

The Hungarian Foreign Ministry on September 26 said the country intends to block closer ties between Ukraine and the EU over the law on education.
Over 500 graduates are leaving Ireland every week, a staggeringly high number that has risen by 15% since April 2016, according to the latest figures available.

24,900 graduates chose to leave Ireland for employment overseas in the 12 months prior to April 2017, according to the CSO.

Fianna Fail's Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Spokesperson Niall Collins TD has said he is "deeply concerned" about the continuing brain drain of highly qualified graduates from Ireland.

In the midst of a supposed economic recovery, this is a 15% increase year on year," he tells us.

Can our country really afford to be losing 500 graduates every week, many of whom are medical and nursing graduates who are desperately needed in the Irish health service?

Its clear that while there are job opportunities in Ireland, graduates are prioritising quality of life and cost of living when deciding where to work after graduation.

The cost of housing in particular is damaging Irelands ability to hold onto its graduates. We are already hearing about a severe lack of graduates in IT and in science and technology."

Since Fine Gael entered Government in 2011, an estimated 148,700 third level graduates have departed Ireland, representing 40% of the total number of emigrants from Ireland.

These figures are totally unacceptable," says Deputy Collins. "The annual action plan for jobs is failing to retain skilled Irish talent with decent jobs domestically.

"With rising living costs across all metrics and acute housing shortages, the country has severe competitiveness and policy challenges to overcome this deficit.

At a time when unemployment figures are decreasing, it is unacceptable that the number of highly qualified graduates leaving Ireland continues unabated.

What are the Tanaistes plans to stem the flow of quality graduates from Ireland? I am worried that there is no real plan, and that the Governments Action Plan on Jobs doesnt have retention of graduates in Ireland as a priority.

He concludes: Our economy, our health system and our communities cannot afford to lose any more graduates. Its time to arrest it to ensure that our country can continue to prosper and develop."
For years, Elon Musk has been focused on building a colony on Mars. It's why he founded SpaceX in 2002, and it's been the driving force behind it ever since.

But during a speech in Adelaide, Australia, Friday morning, Musk said he has dramatically expanded his already-outsize ambitions. In addition to helping create a city on the Red Planet, he said the next rocket he intends to build would also be capable of helping create a base camp on the moon - and flying people across the globe.

"It's 2017, we should have a lunar base by now," he said during a 40-minute speech at the International Astronautical Congress. "What the hell has been going on?"

In a surprise twist, he also said the massive rocket and spaceship, which would have more pressurized passenger space than an Airbus A380 airplane, could also fly passengers anywhere on Earth in less than an hour. Traveling at a maximum speed of more than 18,000 mph, a trip from New York to Shanghai, for example, would take 39 minutes, he said. New York to London could be done in 29 minutes.

"If we're building this thing to go to the moon and Mars, why not go other places as well?" he said.

The speech was billed as an update to one he gave a year ago, in which he provided details for how SpaceX would make humanity a "multi-planet species."

At the speech a year ago, Musk unveiled a behemoth of a rocket that was so ambitious and mind-bogglingly large that critics said it was detached from reality. Now, he and his team at SpaceX have done some editing, and Musk presented a revised plan early Friday to build a massive, but more reasonably sized, rocket that he calls the BFR, or Big [expletive] Rocket.

"I think we've figured out how to pay for it, this is very important," he said.

The new fully reusable system includes a booster stage and a spaceship capable of carrying 100 people or so. It would be capable of flying astronauts and cargo on an array of missions, from across the globe, to the International Space Station in low Earth orbit and to the moon and Mars in deep space. It'd also be capable of launching satellites, he said, while effectively replacing all of the rockets and spacecraft SpaceX currently uses or is developing, making them redundant.

That would allow the company to put all of its resources into development of the BFR, he said.

Earlier this year, Musk announced that SpaceX would fly two private citizens in a trip around the moon by late next year. And he hinted at the moon base during a conference in July.

"If you want to get the public really fired up, I think we've got to have a base on the moon. That'd be pretty cool. And then going beyond there and getting people to Mars," he said. "That's the continuance of the dream of Apollo that I think people are really looking for."

But Friday morning he made it clear that Mars is still the ultimate goal. During his talk, a chart showed that SpaceX planned to fly two cargo missions to Mars by 2022, a very ambitious timeline.

"That's not a typo," he said, but allowed: "It is aspirational."

By 2024, he said the company could fly four more ships to Mars, two with human passengers and two more cargo-only ships.

SpaceX has upended the space industry, and Musk, with his celebrity, bravado and business acumen, has reignited interest in space. The company, which has won more than $4 billion in contracts from NASA, was the first commercial venture to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station; previously it had only been done by governments. It currently flies cargo there, and is also under contract from NASA to fly astronauts there, which could happen as early as next year.

But despite all its triumphs, the company still hasn't flown a single human to space, not even to low Earth orbit, let alone Mars, which on average is 140 million miles from Earth (though the planets come to within 35 million miles of each other every 26 months).

The travel between cities on Earth would also face substantial hurdles. In addition to the technological challenges, there would have to be regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Musk's speech comes two days after NASA announced that it had signed an agreement with Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, to study exploration in the vicinity of the moon under a plan called the "Deep Space Gateway" that could, eventually, lead to a habitat near the moon.

Lockheed Martin also unveiled a plan for deep space exploration Thursday, updating its "Mars Base Camp" system, a massive orbiting laboratory. Now the company says it could also build a lander capable of touching down on Mars or the moon. The company said it could launch within a decade in conjunction with NASA.

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Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Valeria Lutkovska has suggested to her Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, organizing a joint visit to meet with Oleh Sentsov, Roman Sushchenko, Mykola Karpiuk, Stalislav Klykh, and other Ukrainian citizens who are in detention in Russia.

"Our joint monitoring visits to the Simferopol and Mykolaiv detention facilities were received positively by representatives of public, human rights, and international organizations. The high evaluation of our joint efforts in the sphere of the protection of the human rights of citizens of both states shows that there is social demand for the further development and strengthening of such forms of practical cooperation," Lutkovska's press service quoted from her letter.

Lutkovska had proposed that she and Moskalkova pay a joint visit to Ukrainian penitentiary establishments for the purpose of monitoring the observance of the rights of Russian citizens held there.

They visited Viktor Ageyev, who is in the Starobelsky detention facility in the Luhansk region. Lutkovska began working on his case in July 2017 after his mother contacted the Ukrainian Human Rights Commission with regard to the observance of his rights.

"In this way, we can develop the practice of reciprocal joint monitoring visits to deten
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Victoria Vo watched her father's calloused hands twist honeycombed wire into a commercial crab trap. With each strain of the pliers, Cong Tu Huynh's American tale grew fresh in her mind.

How he left Vietnam at 18, seeing no future for himself in a Communist state. How he boarded a boat full of refugees bound for the U.S. How his boat survived the journey across the Pacific and four others did not. How he spent the next four decades on the water, providing for his family by catching and selling crab in Galveston Bay.

Now, the Yamaha motor on his battered teal work boat no longer sputters to life. Bright orange and white buoys lie in a tangled mess on his yard. More than 100 professionally made crab traps were swept away by Hurricane Harvey. With the bay closed, Huynh will struggle to repay the $945 he borrowed to make the repairs, and he has no idea where he will find $10,000 to replace the motor.

"It's hard to see my dad go through all this," Vo said, tears welling in her eyes. "He works so hard to take care of us."

Harvey devastated not only Galveston Bay's marine life but also the tight-knit group of predominantly Vietnamese and Mexican immigrants who ply the normally bountiful waters for a living. It's grueling work that supports a multimillion-dollar seafood industry, puts food on tables and lets Huynh, 57, send his daughters to college.

In a normal year, commercial fishing and seafood processing in the bay would account for more than $66 million in direct income. But this year, trillions of gallons of freshwater runoff pushed shrimp, fish and crab populations further out into the Gulf and wiped out the prolific local oyster crop.

Even if there were anything left to catch, the Texas Department of State Health Services temporarily closed the bay to commercial fishing, leaving many unemployed for the past month.

"I have the electricity bill to pay and other expenses," said James Tran, 65, a Dickinson shrimper. "But there is no work now."

'Such defeat'

The Vietnamese fishermen living along the Texas Gulf Coast are no strangers to hard times. Houston was an official relocation site for refugees from the Vietnam War and its aftermath, and it now boasts the second-largest Vietnamese immigrant population in the U.S.

Many who arrived in the 1970s and '80s settled along the coast and took up jobs catching shrimp, crab and oysters. More than 400,000 died crossing the Atlantic. The survivors rarely discussed the horrors they witnessed.

In Texas, they have survived the Ku Klux Klan and weathered hurricanes and tropical storms. Many still recall how Hurricane Ike destroyed their homes in 2008. They don't divulge too many details.

The week after Harvey made landfall, Jannette Diep, executive director of Boat People SOS-Houston, a nonprofit community service group, fielded up to 60 calls a day from fishermen in Anahuac, Galveston, San Leon and Texas City.

She expected questions about government aid. Instead, fishermen and their families overwhelmed her with stories of stress. We can't eat, we can't sleep, they said.

Seeking mental health services remains taboo in the Vietnamese community, Diep said. Yet for hours at a time, immigrants bared all.

"I've never seen such defeat on their faces before," Diep said.

Job options limited

In the shade beneath his house on stilts in San Leon, Huynh tinkered with his boat's broken motor. The wrinkles on his forehead creased in frustration.

"Too much water," he said. "It was just too much."

Vo, who attends college classes in Webster, looked on helplessly. Her father never taught her the trade. Instead, he encouraged her and her U.S.-born siblings to pursue a degree and a career with stable pay.

The fishermen in San Leon belong to an older immigrant generation, Diep said. Many believe they have no other job options.

"I'm a 57 year old man, and I don't speak English well," Huynh said. "What else can I do? Who is going to hire me?

"I will be fishing until the day I die."

Earnings can vary. Primitivo Rojas, 57, who owns an oyster harvesting boat, said he can make about $5,000 a month during the peak season in the fall. For shrimpers such as Duoc Ngo, 59, late August and mid-September should be prime catching weeks.

On Sept. 15, Ngo squinted at the idled shrimp boats lined up at a San Leon dock. Rusted metal jaws that collect the daily catch were sealed shut.

"Everything is going to die," Ngo whispered, scowling at the bobbing waves.

Co Mai, 59, said most of the smaller independent fishermen have licenses that are good only within the bay. He suspects there is still marine life in the Gulf, but if the Coast Guard catches them there without authorization they could lose their vessels.

Seeking aid

Their salvation rests with organizations such as Boat People SOS. One year after Ike, the group secured federal grant money to buy new traps, nets and boat engines. Recovery still took three years, Diep said.

Initial assessments show fishermen are once again in need of new equipment, tools to repair damaged homes and assistance in covering daily living expenses.

The plan is to seek a new federal grant, Diep said. But with recovery efforts underway in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it's unclear how quickly such funds can be secured, if at all.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency funded Huynh's house after Ike. Yet he and others say the federal agency has so far denied their request for help with buying fishing equipment damaged by Harvey. Cultural aversion to government debt has dissuaded many from applying for a federal small business loan.

With no crabbing to do, Huynh and his family have been driving into Houston to volunteer with cleanup efforts. "My people have a saying, 'If you worry, you die,' " Huynh said. "All I can do is do good and good times will come."

He remembers the first time he drove into Dickinson and passed a sign posted by the KKK that read, "No Blacks. No Mexicans." He remembers the lawsuit on behalf of Vietnamese fishermen that drove the Klan away.

He remembers welcoming Mexican immigrant families in the 1990s, inviting them to visit the local temple and ensuring they, too, receive aid in hard times.

He keeps a white porcelain Buddha hanging over his grassy driveway. The laughing figure is a symbol of eternal good luck. It glistened in the sun as Vo helped her father put away his tools.
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Dallas-based Southwest Airlines will soon fly its first Boeing 737 Max 8, a more fuel-efficient aircraft that is capable of traveling longer distances and expanding the carrier's burgeoning international service.

But this nod toward Southwest's future also means letting go of the past. Southwest is saying farewell to the Boeing 737-300 that propelled its growth in the 1980s and '90s but has more recently been noted for its lack of Wi-Fi and somewhat louder engines.

"It's just a historic week for Southwest Airlines," chief operating officer Mike Van de Ven said. "I think the Max airplane will do for us over the next 30 years what the classic (737-300) did over the last 30."

Dallas-based Southwest is launching nine of the Max 8 aircraft on Sunday. The first revenue-earning flight will pay homage to the company's Texas triangle roots by flying from Dallas to Houston to San Antonio and then back to Dallas.

The airline plans to have 14 Max 8 planes in circulation by the end of 2017, and it's ultimately committed to purchase 200 Max 7 and Max 8 planes from Boeing. Capable of flying up to 500 nautical miles farther than the 737-800, the Max 8 could help Southwest add routes throughout North America, Central America and the tip of South America.

"That might take 10 or 20 years to go do all those things, but there's certainly opportunities," Van de Ven said.

RELATED: Southwest Airlines using two doors to get customers off its planes

The Max 8, powered by CFM International's LEAP-1B engines, burns 14 percent less fuel than the Boeing 737-800, produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and is quieter. The planes also have new seats, which Southwest boasts as being the widest economy seat in the 737 market and having an elevated rear seat beam that provides more personal space.

And the planes will play music - "something fun" - as customers get on and off.

"It won't be elevator music," Van de Ven said. "That's what I will promise you."

Some say these subtle changes may not grab travelers' attention.

"To the passenger, the 737 Max 8 will seem very similar to Southwest's other 737s," said Henry Harteveldt, founder of San Francisco-based Atmosphere Research Group, a travel industry research company.

Southwest hasn't added television monitors or power outlets, which could be a drawback as competitors offer such amenities on their long flights. The airline could also use faster internet, said Brett Snyder, author of the airline industry blog crankyflier.com.

"What they have today doesn't work as well for longer-distance flights without faster internet or power outlets," Snyder said.

With the Boeing 737-300s' retirement, Southwest's entire fleet will have Wi-Fi. Snyder said that will provide a more consistent experience for travelers.

Van de Ven said airline officials discussed adding TVs and chargers, but it's expensive to put those on planes and then maintain them. Technology evolves quickly, he said, and can become outdated. Planes once had telephones in the back of seats, after all.

Higher costs could result in higher fares, so Southwest has instead focused on its Wi-Fi. Van de Ven said the Wi-Fi has improved over the years as technology has advanced.

"We'd just rather let out customers bring their devices on board the airplane and connect in a great manner," he said.

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR: Andrea Rumbaugh, Business Reporter, Houston Chronicle

Snyder and Harteveldt said the Max 8 could also provide travelers with new routes, especially international ones.

"When you take a look at the number of domestic opportunities, they're far fewer than international," Harteveldt said.

Southwest's expansion south of the U.S. began in 2011 when the airline acquired AirTran Airways and its "spring break" flights serving the Caribbean and Cancun. The takeover gave Southwest a reservation system that could handle international trips and employees who knew how to tackle international service.

The airline opened an international concourse at Hobby Airport in October 2015, and Southwest now flies from there to nine international destinations. The number of flights fluctuates throughout the year, but July tends to be the busiest month. This past July averaged 80 international flights a week out of Hobby.

Harteveldt said the Max 8 could be used to fly deeper into Latin America. It could also travel between the northeastern U.S. and northern Europe should Southwest wish to expand into that region. Norwegian Air flies the Max 8 on that route.

Not all international opportunities require long-haul flights, as Southwest could expand into Canada. The Max 8 could be beneficial with domestic flights, too, Harteveldt said.

"I think that Southwest would provide much needed competition to the Hawaiian islands," he said. "And the 737 MAX 8 will help the airline be a great competitor."

Van de Ven said flying to northern Europe is not in the plans at this point. He's not sure the Max 8 is the right airplane for the distances and frequencies that Southwest would want to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

The aircraft will be used on a variety of Southwest's routes, however. Van de Ven said it will be integrated into Southwest's existing fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. Pilots can already fly the planes, and the Max 8 shares about 80 percent of parts with the 737-800.

Two of the nine Max 8 aircraft will have their inaugural flights departing from Houston on Sunday. Two days earlier, Houston also will have seen the final revenue-earning 737-300 departure.

"You rarely get to retire one fleet and then launch another within days of each other," Van de Ven said. "So it's just a huge week for us."
Troy Blackwell, senior director of used vehicles sales at AutoNation, joined the company in 2014 after working for 12 years at CarMax. Since then, he has helped launch a chain of stand-alone used car dealerships called AutoNation USA, which aims to streamline the car-buying process with new technology and a one-price, no haggle strategy.

The Fort Lauderdale-based auto retailer launched the first two AutoNation USA stores in Houston and Corpus Christi this year, just months before hurricanes Harvey and Irma. It has since been challenged to bring thousands of used cars into both markets to help drivers replace ones destroyed in the storms.

It's estimated that Harvey totaled as many as 500,000 vehicles in Texas alone, and the company has brought more than 1,200 used vehicles into the market so far. Another 1,100 are on the way.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Blackwell said sales volumes have spiked in recent weeks at AutoNation USA's Houston store, as customers receive insurance checks for flooded vehicles. The surge is testing the company's used-car retail model, which it plans to expand in the coming years as it beefs up the stand-alone chain.

Q: Why did you pick Houston as one of the first locations to launch AutoNation USA?

A: Houston was a great market to come to, especially for used cars. The customers' profile, typically on credit, (show) that they're often looking to buy a 1-, 2- or 3-year-old car. The volume, the gas prices in this market, the cost of living, and the size of the city ... contributed to our decision.

Q: Why did AutoNation decide to roll out the one-price strategy across its dealership chain?

A: Customers don't like the experience of haggling back and forth. We were close already to having one price, to be honest with you. We've had market pricing in place for a number of years. It was a very easy transition. It wasn't a very heavy lift to say all of a sudden we don't negotiate or haggle. We committed as a company to go to the standard one price.

Q: How did AutoNation respond to the one-two punch of Harvey and Irma, considering Texas and Florida are such important markets for the company?

A: We have an emergency management team at our corporate office. With hurricanes, if we know ahead of time, we can put things in place, and I think that helped us quite a bit during this run. We lost very, very few cars. In this store in particular, we have 17 acres, and we have a retention pond. It did its job.

Q: What kind of demand have you seen at this store since Harvey hit?

A: For the whole market of Houston, business has been great. Customers need to replace those cars because they need to get back to work. It's as quick as insurance companies can process these claims. I think we're going to be busy  into October.

Q: Where are you sourcing used cars to meet the growing demand here?

A: With all of the issues with the flooding, we are pulling cars from outside the state of Texas. We are going all the way to California to Seattle to Arizona to Nevada. In addi-tion to this stand-alone stores, we have our other stores, and we are trying to get as many cars into this market as possible.

Q: How do you vet cars to make sure they're not flood-damaged?

A: We have to be very careful right now. Our buyers are very trained. A lot of buyers that go out and appraise cars have gone through Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes in the past. We have a very detailed scope when we're (assessing) cars, especially right now, so much so that we're pulling seat belts out and looking for water lines. Our appraisals right now are probably taking a little longer than they had in the past. Cars are now built with a lot of electronics. If that water gets anywhere close to those electronics, we're not even going to guess (whether they're damaged).
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Chevron announced a new leader on Thursday in a move signaling confidence in its ability to thrive in an era of lower oil prices.

Michael Wirth, a career employee with long experience in pipelines and refineries, will succeed John Watson as chairman and chief executive in February, the San Ramon, Calif.-based company said. Watson has led the company since 2010.

The choice was long expected and appears to mark continuity rather than a fundamental change in direction. Chevron has fared better than most oil companies in the face of slumping prices over the last three years.

Wirth, 56, has been with Chevron since 1982, and has served as vice chairman since February. He headed the company's refinery and chemical business for nearly a decade and served as an executive vice president working closely with exploration and production managers worldwide.

"We're going through a transition, but I would say it's a transition that has been planned for some time," Watson said Thursday. "I hope you will see a lot of consistency in many ways, but I'm sure he'll have his own thoughts."

In recent years under Watson's and Wirth's leadership, the company has shifted gears from large capital-intensive projects to an aggressive drilling campaign in Texas' Permian Basin shale fields. The company's share price plummeted from 2014 to 2015 by more than 40 percent, but it has regained most of its value over the last two years. Its shares were slightly higher on Thursday after the leadership announcement.

The principal blemish on Watson's time as chief executive was billions of dollars in cost overruns on two liquefied gas projects in Australia.

Wirth's rise continues the ascendancy of refinery specialists as chief executives of many of the largest integrated oil companies in recent years, including Exxon Mobil and Shell. With low oil and gas prices, chemicals and refining have become important profit centers that have served as ballasts for companies that were otherwise losing money.

Wirth has been credited with wringing costs out of Chevron's bloated refinery business, and making it one of the most profitable refinery divisions in the industry.

"He has a very good track record," said Fadel Gheit, a senior oil industry analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. Referring to the business of refining, processing, marketing and distributing. He added, "He basically turned around their downstream, which was pretty miserable for Chevron for a large number of years." Gheit described the succession as "a layup."

Watson will leave the board when he retires on Feb. 1 after 37 years with the company.
Aaron M. Sprecher/SCC

Austin-based startup Tenavox has launched a new commercial real estate platform in Houston that allows office tenants to post Yelp-like reviews about their space.

The Tenavox.com site launched last week with information on more than 3,000 commercial real estate properties in the Bayou City. By the end of this year, the 15-employee company plans to provide reviews, ratings, rankings and values on some 10,000 properties in the Houston area.
Author appearance

James Reston Jr. will discuss and sign "A Rift in the Earth," 7 p.m. Monday, Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet; 713-523-0701 or brazosbookstore.com.

The Washington Post once called James Reston Jr. a "Renaissance Man," a recognition of his special capacity for writing about diverse interests. He has enjoyed a five-decade career as a journalist, writing for newspapers and magazines, creating an award-winning radio documentary, writing plays and publishing books. His latest book, "A Rift in the Earth: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial," focuses on the story of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Maya Lin-designed wall in Washington, D.C. Reston looks at the nation's attempts to memorialize the war - while also asking, "Who has the authority to make an official interpretation of a contested history?"

Q: What prompted you to write this book?

A: The genesis of this project was twofold: I'm a veteran myself, and one of my friends is on the Wall, so I've always been interested in the memorial and the impact it has on veterans. Second, I have a cabin in the mountains of Virginia, and the sculptor Frederick Hart lived nearby. I spent a lot of time with him, and we spoke about the controversy over the memorial. There was a five-year battle over this memorial, and it's kind of a miracle that it was ever built.

Q: Tell us about the competition that took place to select a design.

A: At the time, it was the largest competition in the history of the U.S. or Europe. There were 1,421 submissions. It was important that it be handled professionally and fairly. Paul Spreiregen served as the professional adviser for the competition, and he was very proud of the professional approach taken. The competition called for entries that were nonpolitical - that is, that they not address the pros or the cons of the war itself - and that the submissions be anonymous. And that's part of the interest: Out of the blue comes a submission from this 21-year-old Yale undergraduate, Maya Lin. It's amazing.

Q: The competition also required that the entries include the names of the dead.

A: Yes, that's correct. I think that's a misunderstanding among the public. Many think this was a brilliant stroke by Maya Lin. But it was actually a requirement of the competition.

Q: In researching the book, you went through all 1,421 designs. Those designs run the gamut of taste and skill.

A: I loved going through those designs! It was an amazing fusion of creativity. The artistic challenge was daunting. What is the artist's process to imagine a design appropriate for a lost war? Some were brilliant, and others, as you suggest, were goofy. The publisher allowed me to have photographs of 16 of the designs, and I chose the designs that reflect the entire spectrum of designs, from unfortunate to brilliant to intriguing.

Q: Maya Lin's submission was not visually impressive, at least not in my mind. But, as you note, it was the description of her design that was so compelling.

More Information 'A Rift in the Earth' By James Reston Jr. Arcade Publishing, 304 pp., $24.99 See More Collapse

A: Yes. Her visuals are a bit high schoolish, but the language of the submission soars, and I think that's what worked. The design had an aesthetic of simplicity, and when she was announced as the winner, the professionals came in to make this work.

Q: Many people have seen the Wall in person or in photos, but will you explain the concept of its design for the readers?

A: It was described as a chevron created from black granite, the latter being important for its reflective properties. It was designed to be below ground, which she believed to be appropriate for a lost war. The names are listed chronologically, with the height of the Wall corresponding to the number of casualties over time.

Q: It was a different type of D.C. monument, and it challenged our concept of what a monument or memorial should be.

A: Yes, and that added to the controversy surrounding the design. A group of veterans was very effective in their attacks, referring to it as a "Gash of Shame." And this group almost undermined the project. Ultimately, it was agreed that statuary by Frederick Hart would be added and set somewhat apart from the Wall. This clash between visions and styles of art was a fascinating aspect of the story. It's not just a question of what to memorialize the war with, but also whether you can put two absolutely inconsistent and contrary forms of art together in a shotgun marriage.

Q: Today, the Wall dominates this section of the mall, but as you mention, it is married with Frederick Hart's "Three Soldiers" sculpture, which is set apart from it. Does this "shotgun marriage," as you call it, work?

A: This clash between artistic worlds very much interested me. I think it's a little odd, but it works OK. I think the presence of the statues has diminished in importance over time. When I have visited, the crowd around the statues is small compared to the thousands at the Wall. Do I think it is an affront to the Wall? No, I don't think so. At this point, I think the discussion has kind of devolved into an esoteric discussion between refined people in the art world.

Q: You make a distinction in your book between pure art and public art. What is that distinction, and why does it matter here?

A: With public art, the public is involved, taxpayer money is involved, and public spaces are involved. It's perfectly appropriate for the public to have a voice in that process, and that the political process be involved. In pure art, the artist can do anything that's in his or her imagination. People either like it or they don't, and that's OK. That's what art is.

Mike Yawn is the director of the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics at Sam Houston State University.
As soon as the Universal logo flickers and switches to its retro '70s look and the disco music starts to play, jazzing up Jimmy Carter speeches and old news footage, we know what we're in for with the cocaine-smuggling adventure "American Made."

This is a romp and a half. Maybe even three.

Director Doug Liman has never been a minimalist filmmaker, and "American Made" just might be his most maximalist film yet. It skitters and jumps, shivers and boot-scoots, never, ever sitting still. You could say it's like "Blow," on well, blow. But there's a breezy sunniness to this film, which looks like a faded snapshot reclaimed from an '80s photo album. VHS lines and time stamps crackle effervescently.

"American Made" casts a nostalgic golden filter on what was admittedly a rather dark and dramatic period in U.S. history. Drug cartel-related violence plagued the Southeast while the first lady urged everyone to "just say no." Meanwhile the American government was essentially allowing the illegal import of cocaine while providing guns to the rebels fighting the Communist Sandinista army in Central America.

This is all told through the true life story of pilot, drug smuggler and informant Barry Seal (Tom Cruise). Hotshot flyboy Seal is Maverick gone a bit soft, a commercial TWA pilot who takes up with the CIA and Medellin cartel because he's got mouths to feed and an elastic moral compass.

More Information 'American Made' Rated R: for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity Running time: 115 minutes xxx See More Collapse

Through Barry's perspective, "American Made," which is written by Gary Spinelli, is the Iran-Contra Affair for Dummies, explained in simple terms and sometimes animation via Barry's voiceover (a framing device has him telling his life story into a VHS camera in late 1985, early 1986). With a Louisiana drawl, Cruise's Barry joshes about how his top secret CIA gig taking surveillance photos of the Communist armies turned into delivering Soviet AK-47s to rebel fighters, and returning with thousands of kilos of cocaine, dodging DEA and FBI planes along the way.

All the while, he was raking in more cash than he could keep track of.

Magnetically energetic as always, Cruise merely serves as the star vessel through which this story passes. The supporting actors steal the show, including Caleb Landry Jones as his redneck brother-in-law, and a fantastically smarmy Domhnall Gleeson as Barry's CIA contact "Schafer." Jesse Plemons also is predictably great as a naive small town sheriff.

"American Made" has some glorious moments when it's firing on all cylinders at once, but it can't sustain that throughout. It shows its references, a combination of "Goodfellas," "Blow" and "Scarface," but never achieves the internal consistency of those films. This is far more roughshod. But somehow, despite its jitters and at times herky-jerky awkwardness, "American Made" has an undeniable shaggy-dog charm.
Police officers are on scene of a reported drive-by shooting Thursday afternoon in southeast Houston, according to the Houston Police Department.

The shooting began around 4:30 p.m. in the 6200 block of Crestmont Street when shots were fired out of two different vehicles, police said.
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As Hurricane Harvey's rains pounded the Houston area a month ago, two government agencies issued late-night news releases bearing important messages for anyone still awake to read them.

"New record release and water level for Lake Conroe," read the headline on a statement posted on the San Jacinto River Authority website at 1:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28.

The headline on the Harris County Flood Control District's news release, posted at 10:45 p.m. the following day, used all-caps to convey urgency: "CONTROLLED RELEASES ON ADDICKS AND BARKER RESERVOIR INCREASE FLOODING THREAT ALONG BUFFALO BAYOU."

At the height of the crisis, in the dead of night, officials had decided to release huge volumes of water from reservoirs, sending it on a path toward homes and businesses downstream. The agencies said the actions were necessary. Both decisions later prompted lawsuits and drew criticism from public officials representing the affected neighborhoods.

The releases from Addicks and Barker flooded homes in Houston's Memorial area, where two elderly residents were found drowned inside their homes. The water released from Lake Conroe affected Kingwood and other northeast Harris County communities.

Addicks and Barker, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, were created for flood control and are intended to be dry except during floods. Lake Conroe, managed by the river authority, was built as a public water supply source.

The river authority has pushed back against criticism of its decision to release record amounts of water from the Lake Conroe dam. After Houston City Councilman Dave Martin, who represents Kingwood, denounced the authority's actions, the agency posted a response calling his statements "false and misleading."

The authority said only 10 percent to 20 percent of the water that flows into Lake Houston, which is adjacent to Kingwood, comes from Lake Conroe. The rest, it said, comes from tributaries of the San Jacinto River that don't have gates.

But Martin was not persuaded. The councilman told me Thursday that the river authority had plenty of time to gradually release water from Lake Conroe -- increasing its storage capacity -- in the days leading up to Harvey's assault on Houston.

Martin estimated that 4,000 homes in Kingwood flooded, and authorities confirmed this week that a Kingwood woman, Nancy Reed, 77, died Sept. 15 after falling in her flooded home and acquiring flesh-eating bacteria through an injury.

"They're hiding behind lawyers and press releases," Martin said of the river authority. "They're doing everything but coming out to the public, ensuring the neighbors that this will never happen again as they rebuild their houses and put their businesses back together."

Risks seldom discussed

The river authority maintains that releasing water from Lake Conroe in advance would have been ineffective, for various reasons. It's worth noting that after Hurricane Irma, authorities in Florida reduced the level of Lake Okeechobee and surrounding canals to lower the risk of flooding from storms that threatened that state.

Jim Blackburn, an environmental law professor at Rice University, said the river authority might have had sound reasons not to reduce the water level in Lake Conroe before Harvey's rains.

But this option "should have been part of the conversation," Blackburn said, and the absence of such a discussion is symptomatic of historically poor communication about flood risks in the Houston area. Business and government leaders, Blackburn said, have long been hesitant to openly discuss these risks because of an obsession with real estate development.

Development rules

Articles by the Chronicle's Lise Olsen published this week reinforce Blackburn's point. Fort Bend County officials, Olsen reported, gave home buyers minimal notice -- fine-print warnings in subdivision plats -- that the properties were in reservoir "flood pools" subject to inundation during extreme storms. Harris County buyers didn't even get that warning.

"We don't take it on ourselves to advise people of risk because we are trying to do everything we can to expedite real estate transactions," Blackburn said. "We're all about selling houses and not about protecting people, and that's got to change."

The management of dams and reservoirs is just one piece of the big, complicated collection of flood policy issues in the Houston region. But it's an important piece: An enormous amount of human anguish in Memorial and Kingwood followed those late-night news releases.

When government officials believe their only responsible choice is to take action they know will cause flooding, we need to give them better choices.
There is no enough support in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada for passing the draft healthcare reform, First Deputy Head of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc parliamentary faction Ihor Kononenko has said.

"Unfortunately, it is more complicated with the healthcare reform than with the pension reform. I do not see supporting votes for it now. Even the coalition, mainly the lawmakers elected on the majority basis in the regions, has questions for the healthcare reform," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Kononenko said that the lawmakers have questions first linked to the creation of hospital districts in the regions.

"I spoke to the prime minister and members of the profile committee that they should gather the lawmakers elected on the majority basis and find compromises and solutions for concrete areas and have enough votes in the session hall," the politician said.

Kononenko said that the parliament would have enough votes to pass the pension reform.

"I see votes for the pension reform in parliament. It will be passed," he said.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg has stopped prosecuting thousands of so-called trace drug cases, which typically stem from glass pipes seized from users containing little more than residue of crack cocaine, officials said Thursday.

The recent change means it is not prosecuted at all, unless there are extenuating circumstances said Tom Berg, First Assistant District Attorney. Houston police officials have given the new policy their approval, but with an important caveat.

"We want to go after people who are a real danger to the community, violent against people, violent against property," Berg said. "It's a smarter practice that everybody agreed to go forward on without a great deal of controversy."

Berg said several factors combined to push the policy change, including limited resources, a raft of exonerations in recent years because of erroneous field tests and the rise of lethal drugs. He singled out fentanyl, a chemical which is 100 times more powerful than heroin and is used to cheaply spike more expensive drugs.

"Fentanyl and carfentanil - horrible substances - potentially fatal substances on contact," he said. "Inadvertent contact, in the context of trying to scrape up some crud out of carpet in a car, could have catastrophic effects on the officers. They could be inhaling it without knowing it."

The shift in policy happened quietly in late July as police agencies sought support to stop field testing small amounts of drugs because of fears about the potency of fentanyl.

The change was also promised by Ogg during her unsuccessful campaign in 2014 for the top prosecutor post, as well as during her successful 2016 bid.

Ogg spoke often about changing the way prosecutors handled the crime, originally proposing dropping it from a felony that critics said clogged the courts and wasted police officers' time to a ticketed offense.

Berg noted that Ogg has long argued the community would be better served if police and prosecutors pursued cases against car and home burglars.

"It was the right time to simply stop processing these trace cases as criminal cases and allow the officers to get on to more serious crime at less risk to themselves," he said.

BMV focus increased

The change is being eyed with cautious optimism by police representatives who had previously argued against the change.

"We're not opposed to it as long as the DA is going to hammer hard these (burglary of motor vehicle) suspects who are crackheads anyway," said Ray Hunt, president of the Houston Police Officers Union. "These are the 'trace case' people, that's who they are. They're the people who are breaking into cars to steal change."

The police union has argued that arresting people for drug possession because of residue on paraphernalia keeps them from burglarizing cars, homes and businesses.

In the past, much less than a gram of the illegal drug - often just scrapings - could be prosecuted as a felony adding 2,000 to 4,000 people a year to Houston's crowded dockets.

Hunt said the district attorney's office promised to vigorously prosecute car burglars in exchange for police support of the policy.

"If we start getting cases where we have BMV (burglary of a motor vehicle) suspects and it's a crackhead with a pipe on them and that person gets one or two days in jail, then it's a serious problem and they're not living up to the deal," Hunt said.

The union chief said the proposed deal was meant to free up jail space while allowing trial prosecutors to focus on people who are committing "major property crimes and person crimes."

Berg said the change was also driven in part by dozens of exonerations for low-level drug offenders beginning in 2013.

In those cases, many people made quick plea deals to felonies after being caught with alleged drugs. But when laboratory test results came back, analysts could not prove the substances were drugs, rendering their conviction invalid, even though the suspect had pleaded guilty.

Smart and cost effective

The spike in exonerations happened because the district attorney's office reviewed old drug convictions in which issues had been raised over testing of the alleged illegal substances. Prosecutors with the conviction review section sought out those cases and contacted defendants, most of who had long completed their jail time, to help them get exonerations and in some cases state compensation for a wrongful conviction. Those quick plea deals ended up costing time and money to correct.

"So that gave us pause," Berg said. "Obviously, we became reluctant to even plead people before lab results came back even if they wanted to."

He noted that testing drugs costs the same for a small amount as a large amount and said the money for trace cases could better be used doing other things.

"To be smart and cost effective in a time of declining resources, there was a category of cases that we could divert," he said.
WASHINGTON - The White House announced Thursday that President Donald Trump will nominate two Texas jurists with long conservative records to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett and Dallas appellate lawyer James Ho emerged from a field of a half-dozen contenders for two open Texas seats on the court, which covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Both are highly respected in conservative circles and were recommended by the state's two Republicans, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.

Willett, who worked for George W. Bush in the governor's office and in the White House, was cited by Trump as a potential U.S. Supreme court pick. In Texas, he also is known as a prolific and playful Twitter user, with more than 96,000 followers - earning him the sobriquet of Texas' "Tweeter Laureate."

Ho, a former Texas solicitor general, is now a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. He also clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and worked in the Justice Department under Bush.

The 5th Circuit is a key player in a wide range of criminal justice issues in Texas because it handles appeals on everything from the death penalty to immigration and abortion laws. It's the last line of appeal between Texas and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Shaping the judiciary

Both gained praise from Cornyn and Cruz, who are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the two judicial nominees' first stop on the way to confirmation.

"Both of these gentlemen will do an outstanding job once confirmed," Cornyn said. Ho worked as Cornyn's chief counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Cornyn said both are viewed as conservatives who will strictly interpret the law. "I'm confident that both Judge Willett and Jim Ho will be that kind of judge," he said.

Both also are well known in Texas legal circles. "I have been close friends with them both for decades, and I know them personally to be brilliant lawyers and principled conservatives," Cruz said.

Gov. Greg Abbott, though he holds no formal role in the selection of federal judges, noted that he had worked with both men when he was attorney general. He called them "outstanding choices" and said he "can attest to their brilliance as lawyers and their unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law."

Willett was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in 2005 by then-Gov. Rick Perry.

Willett nodded to his Fifth Circuit nomination on Twitter: "No words. I am honored & humbled by @POTUS's nomination to the 5th Circuit. Thank you, Mr. President-also Senators @JohnCornyn & @TedCruz."

Willett authored the Texas Supreme Court's 2016 ruling that found the state's school funding system "byzantine" and "imperfect" but constitutional, making it clear the justices would not legislate from the bench. It was his biggest case, and one that one that brought him into the forefront as a small government conservative and an institutionalist, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.

"He appreciates and upholds the separation of powers, especially on political questions," he said. "Politically, he is a good match and, temperamentally, presents somebody who would be an easy and non-controversial confirmation."

If the president leaves no other mark on the office, is will be how he shapes the judiciary, said Rottinghaus.

"The president has the advantage of being able to probably staff up to a third of the entire judiciary in his four years in office," said Rottinghaus. "So, who he picks will be very important because they're likely to be on the bench for a long time."

'Accomplished jurists'

Willett and Ho are "excellent choices," said G. Thomas Vick Jr., president of the State Bar of Texas. "They listen to the lawyers, they're very careful about how they rule, and of course, they're very accomplished jurists," he said. "

Tony Buzbee, a prominent plaintiff's attorney in Houston who has hosted Trump events at his home, said both men are well respected and well qualified.

"I don't know Justice Willett personally, but he has a very good reputation," he said.

Ho is someone he's come to know and thinks he's very smart and very well suited for the job.

"I've worked with him before and think he is brilliant," Buzbee said.

'A good day for justice'

David Gunn, an appellate expert at Houston's Beck Redden, which handles oil and gas and personal injury cases, said he was happy to see Trump fill the two long-vacant Texas seats on the 5th Circuit because the bulk of its cases come from the state.

"Today is a good day for justice. These are superb nominees who have years of experience in appellate work," he said.

The Texas seats have been open since 2012 and 2013. Many court analysts attribute the long delay in nominations to ideological differences among former President Barack Obama, Cornyn and Cruz.

Rusty Hardin, a veteran Houston lawyer who handles civil and criminal cases at the trial courts said, "I'm glad to see this logjam that's existed begin to break up. They've got a lot of openings, and we need them filled."

Hardin knows Ho to be a very bright guy, he said.

He described Willet as a truly nice, bright, gracious person, lawyer and judge who was very well qualified to be on the 5th Circuit.

"If you are of a moderate or liberal legal philosophy, you're going to continue to respect him as person but really disagree with him," he said. "He's a conservative and he makes no bones about it."

"We could do a hell of a lot worse than Don Willet," Hardin added, "no matter what your philosophy is."

Mark Trachtenberg, an appellate and administrative partner at Haynes Boone, said he has appeared before Justice Willett and worked on a case with Jim Ho.

"Both nominees have keen intellects and are excellent writers. I expect both will be well-prepared and thoughtful jurists on the 5th Circuit," Trachtenberg said.

Twitter follower

Geoffrey L. Harrison, who recently won a decision on summary judgment before the 5th Circuit for KBR Inc., also felt both men bring a sense of gravitas to the role.

"Both nominees are extremely well qualified and should bring serious intellectual fire power to an already mighty strong, scholarly, experienced, and thoughtful 5th Circuit," he said.

Robin Weinburgh, who has a small appellate practice handling real estate and commercial business cases at O'Donnell Ferebee & Frazer in The Woodlands, said he has followed Willett's Twitter account ever since he got out of law school.

"It's quite good as Twitter accounts go," he said. "I don't agree with him politically, but he's got a good sense of humor and he doesn't tend to use it to attack or demagogue others."

Weinburgh said he doesn't have any concerns about him as a jurist. He assumes Willet will be conservative in his leanings and his opinions will be very enjoyable to read.

Willett is the son of a truck stop waitress who was widowed when he was 6 years old. Ho is a naturalized U.S. citizen who moved to the U.S. as a child with his family from Taiwan.

Ho's background as an immigrant could cut either way on the 5th Circuit, said Robert Carp, a co-author of several books examining and explaining the courts, including "Judicial Process in America."

"He might be a little more sympathetic on immigration," said Carp, "or he might be more conservative, feeling like 'I played by the rules, my family played by the rules. Why should you get in free?'"

Ho also has served as a vice chairman of the Texas federal judicial evaluation committee that makes recommendations to Cornyn and Cruz.

Latest nominations

"Both Don Willett and Jim Ho were people who Ted Cruz and I knew and had confidence in," Cornyn said. "Based on the recommendation of the judicial evaluation committee we felt comfortable making that recommendation to the White House."

Cruz also praised the nomination of Kyle Duncan, who served as an Assistant Solicitor General of Texas, to the Louisiana seat on the 5th Circuit Court.

The nominations of Willett and Ho come several weeks after Trump named five other jurists to help fill 13 vacant federal judgeships in Texas - a quarter of the total roll - including the two seats on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
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An injured hawk that decided to hunker down with a Houston taxi driver prior to Hurricane Harvey has been released back into the wild.

Last month, "Harvey the Hurricane Hawk" went viral for its calm demeanor with William Bruso, the cabdriver who temporarily housed the female hawk.
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WASHINGTON  Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn raised fresh doubts Thursday about the White House nomination of assistant state Attorney General Jeff Mateer to be a federal judge in Texas.

Mateer, in a pair of speeches in 2015, reportedly referred to the rights of transgender children as part of "Satan's plan" and defended the controversial practice of "conversion therapy" for gays.

Cornyn, commenting publicly for the first time since Mateer's speeches were unearthed this month by CNN, said the speeches apparently were not disclosed to him as they should have been under a screening process set up by him and Sen. Ted Cruz.

"We requested that sort of information about speeches and the like on his application," said Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate. "And to my knowledge there was no information given about those, so it's fair to say I was surprised."

Mateer, a conservative Christian and top aide to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has remained publicly silent about the speeches, which have been denounced by an array of LGBT, gay and civil rights groups.

Cruz, also a religious conservative, also has declined public comment on the speeches.

Mateer was named by President Donald Trump earlier this month to be a judge for the Eastern District of Texas. At the time, he came in for praise from both Cornyn and Cruz, both members of the Senate Judiciary panel that will review Mateer's nomination.

But Cornyn said Thursday that he is reevaluating Mateer's nomination in light of the undisclosed speeches as well as other public utterances.

"I am evaluating that information, and I understand there may be even addition information other than that which has previously been disclosed," he said in a conference call with Texas reporters.

Cornyn, formerly a Texas Supreme Court Justice, said there should be no "religious test" for judges. "But it is important," he added, "that all of our judges be people who can administer equal justice under the law and can separate their personal views from their duties as a judge."

He added: "Because the information had not been previously disclosed, we were not able to have that kind of conversation with Mr. Mateer, so we've got some work to do."

The Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, already has questioned Mateer's impartiality. In a statement to the Chronicle she called his views "reprehensible."

Meteer, as the former general counsel for a Plano-based group now known as the First Liberty Institute, a religious advocacy organization, is no stranger to the culture wars over same-sex marriage, transgender rights, and the leadup to Texas' so-called "bathroom" bill.

Before Cornyn and Cruz recommended Mateer to Trump, he was screened by the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, a 35-member group of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals who work with the two Senate offices.

David Prichard, a San Antonio attorney who chairs the committee, said he could not talk about Meteer's case. But, he added, the issues surrounding his past remarks will be a "fair topic" for the Senate.

"This is going to be sorted out at the appropriate place," Prichard said in a recent interview. "That's why you have Senate hearings. That's why you have a confirmation vote... Let the chips fall where they may."

In a May 2015 speech unearthed by CNN, Mateer recounted a Colorado lawsuit in which the parents of a transgender child sued her school for preventing her from using the bathroom of her choice.

"In Colorado, a public school has been sued because a first grader and I forget the sex, she's a girl who thinks she's a boy or a boy who thinks she's a girl, it's probably that, a boy who thinks she's a girl," Mateer said.

"And the school said, 'Well, she's not using the girl's restroom.' And so she has now sued to have a right to go in. Now, I submit to you, a parent of three children who are now young adults, a first grader really knows what their sexual identity? I mean it just really shows you how Satan's plan is working and the destruction that's going on."

In that same speech, Mateer criticized the Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage, saying it could lead to what he called "disgusting" new forms of matrimony, including polygamy and bestiality. "We're back to that time where debauchery rules," he said.
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Harris County officials have recommended replacing the 100-year flood standard that has mapped out hazards and helped shape the county's booming development, a move that could result in one of the largest overhauls of flood plain regulations in three decades.

After Hurricane Harvey - the third 500-year or greater storm in three years - county officials concede the 100-year flood plain maps are inadequate in some areas to show how stormwaters would spill out of county waterways during that level of storm.

County Engineer John Blount said he recommends expanding to a 500-year standard or greater to further regulate new development in the county and is considering forcing developers looking to build in those areas to elevate homes further than currently required.

A 100-year event refers to a storm so severe that it has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year. A 500-year event has a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in any year.

"I don't know if this is our new normal, but it's certainly clear we can't continue on with business as usual," said Precinct 2 Commissioner Jack Morman, who represents the eastern portion of the county, including much of the San Jacinto River watershed. "I think changes have to be made."

The recommendation is part of a growing philosophical shift among Harris County officials on how best to prepare for and protect against the region's repeat, severe storms and floods.

Harvey dropped up to 52 inches of rain in the county, flooding an estimated 136,000 structures and killing nearly 80 people across the state. Blount said a direct hit of a Harvey-level hurricane on Harris County would have been far more catastrophic, and the county needs to be prepared.

"Can you imagine this with 150-mile sustained winds?" Blount said. "I would think that every house in this region would have some sort of damage, and many would be destroyed."

Bond issue discussed

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett earlier this month called for a sweeping re-examination of the region's flood-control strategy, which could include a new dam and reservoir system, large-scale buyouts of homes in flood-prone areas and upgraded waterways. At least three members of the five-person Commissioners Court said they would support a bond issue that could fund more than $1 billion in flood control projects.

Under existing county regulations, new developments inside the flood plain are required to build homes at least 18 inches above the 100-year flood elevation.

More Information By the numbers 136,000 Harris County structures that flooded during Harvey. 1,500 Flooded homes that met flood plain regulations. 18 inches Height homes must be built above 100-year flood mark. See More Collapse

During Harvey, roughly 1,500 homes flooded despite meeting that regulation, Blount said.

"One house flooding is too much," he said. "But we need to figure out why they flooded."

Harris County will hold a meeting Friday for architects, engineers and developers to comment on any proposed changes to the regulations. Eventually, the county plans to hold public hearings on any changes.

Casey Morgan, executive vice president and CEO of the Greater Houston Builders Association, said she would have to see the county's proposals before commenting on any changes.

Morman, Emmett and Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack said they would support increasing regulations on development in and around the flood plain.

"We need to conduct a comprehensive review, hold public hearings and consult with academic experts from around the country and other stakeholders as we work to take meaningful action on this issue," Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said.

'Probably not adquate'

A spokesman for Emmett said the judge also wants the state to give the county greater authority to regulate development.

Blount said, for example, the county cannot adopt a building code. He said if the state were to give the county such authority, it could require every new development to install hurricane straps to help secure roofs.

Now Playing: Homeowners in the Cinco Ranch area  and in other neighborhoods in Harris and Fort Bend Counties were flooded because they live in whats called a flood pool near Barker and Addicks reservoirs. Many claim that they were uninformed about the reservoir when they purchased their homes. Video: Dave Funchess, Houston Chronicle

Meanwhile, officials plan to further re-examine the county's regulations beyond the flood plains.

"Ultimately, I want to look at what was flooded outside the flood plain, in subdivisions that meet current requirements," Blount said.

A growing number of jurisdictions across the country are finding the 100-year standard falls short, said Larry Larson, director emeritus and senior policy analyst with the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Internationally, countries such as Germany and France use higher standards to regulate development.

"Frankly, the standard is probably not adequate for protection of life and property," Larson said.

The National Flood Insurance Program enshrined the 100-year flood as the national standard in the 1960s, Larson said. Since then, a patchwork of policies have cropped up across the country to restrict development in the flood plain or look more broadly at areas outside of it.

The City of San Antonio, for example, does not allow residential development inside its 100-year flood plain. The flood plains are based not just on rainfall, but on an assumption that everything upstream will at some point in the future be fully developed, increasing potential runoff, according to city officials.

"It's really sort of just for safety and future planning," said Jacob Powell, stormwater engineering manager for the city. "Just historically, with some of the major events we have had, the decision was this would be a conservative approach to allow development but also protect the public."
SAN FRANCISCO - Twitter said Thursday it had shut down 201 accounts that were tied to the same Russian operatives who posted thousands of political ads on Facebook, but the effort frustrated lawmakers who said the problem is far broader than the company appeared to know.

The company said it also found three accounts from the news site RT - which Twitter linked to the Kremlin - that spent $274,100 in ads on its platform in 2016.

Despite the disclosures, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., questioned whether the company is doing enough to stop Russian operatives from using its platform to spread disinformation and division in U.S. society.

Warner said Twitter's presentation to a closed-door meeting of Senate Intelligence Committee staffers Thursday morning was "deeply disappointing" and "inadequate on almost every level." Twitter also made a presentation to House Intelligence Committee staffers in the afternoon.

The company "showed an enormous lack of understanding . . . about how serious this issue is, the threat it poses to democratic institutions," said a visibly frustrated Warner.

The meetings between the company and congressional investigators were part of a widening government probe into how Russian operatives used Facebook, Twitter, Google and other technology platforms to widen fissures in the United States and spread disinformation during the 2016 campaign. Those companies have come under increasing pressure from Capitol Hill to investigate Russian meddling and are facing the possibility of new regulations that could impact their massive advertising businesses.

The Washington Post reported this week that some of the 3,000 Facebook ads bought by Russian operatives promoted African American rights groups, including Black Lives Matter. Those ads were targeted at users in specific locations such as Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, two cities that have faced violent protests over police shootings of black men. Ads aimed at voters in other regions, meanwhile, suggested that the same groups posed a rising political threat.

Other ads featured Muslims supporting Democrat Hillary Clinton for president and were targeted at Facebook users who might fear Muslims.

Facebook, Google and Twitter are being summoned to a public hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Nov. 1.

The Twitter accounts, which were taken down over the past month, were associated with 470 accounts and pages that Facebook this month said came from the Internet Research Agency, a Russia-connect troll farm. Twitter said the groups on Facebook had 22 corresponding Twitter accounts. Twitter then found an additional 179 accounts linked to those 22.

But lawmakers and analysts criticized Twitter for appearing to have accepted and looked into only the data that it had received from Facebook, rather than conducting a broader internal investigation.

Rep. Adam Schiff, Calif., the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Twitter needs to launch "a far more robust investigation" into how Russian actors are using its site, adding that "there are serious questions about whether Twitter has the capability to do the forensics necessary to determine how much the Russians used their platform."

In a blog post, Twitter did not reveal who was targeted by the ads or how many times they were shared. It is also unclear whether Twitter did a broader search of its users for Russian interference.

Twitter said it was cooperating with the congressional investigation. "Twitter deeply respects the integrity of the election process, which is a cornerstone for all democracies. We will continue to strengthen Twitter against attempted manipulation, including malicious automated accounts and spam, as well as other activities that violate our Terms of Service," its blog post said.

Alexander Howard, deputy director of the Sunlight Foundation, said there is plenty of evidence that Russian intelligence operatives have been on Twitter for years and have used the platform to amplify messages.

"We need to think very carefully about what role we want these companies to have in our debate - and since these platforms largely regulate themselves, what kind of accountability we want them to have," Howard said.

Silicon Valley has long enjoyed a hands-off approach from regulators and has become a major lobbying force in Washington to keep things that way. But that attitude appears to be shifting quickly.

Last week Warner and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., urged colleagues to support a bill that would create new transparency requirements for platforms that run political ads online, akin to those already in place for television stations, according to a letter obtained by The Post. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum - including Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas - have called for more scrutiny into the market power of technology companies over the last few months.

Facebook has faced the greatest scrutiny. The company has said it will provide the 3,000 political ads, in addition to payment information and data about who those ads targeted, to Congress in the coming days.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg apologized for saying it was "pretty crazy" that fake news could have influenced the U.S. election.

"Calling that crazy was dismissive and I regret it. This is too important an issue to be dismissive," he wrote. He then emphasized that the role Facebook played in spurring authentic debate and sustaining democratic ideals was much greater than any exploitation that took place.

"The data we have has always shown that our broader impact - from giving people a voice to enabling candidates to communicate directly to helping millions of people vote - played a far bigger role in this election," he said.

Google, the largest online advertising company in the world, also has been asked to provide information to congressional investigators and to testify before Congress, but it has not said whether it will do so. The company has said that it will cooperate with any investigation and that it has "seen no evidence" of a Russian-promoted ad campaign. Google did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

In many ways, Twitter has been the most vulnerable to exploitation among social-media companies. The company officially says that 5 percent of accounts on Twitter are automated bots, but outside researchers say the number could be much higher.

It is very easy to create fake accounts on Twitter, making it hard for the company to discern the extent of Russian meddling, analysts said.

"They have no idea who is on their platform. If it wasn't for Facebook's data, they would have no idea these were even Russian accounts," said Clint Watts, senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. "Anyone can create an account anonymously on Twitter and hide its origin."

- - -

Entous and Demirjian reported from Washington.
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The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) and the National Police have conducted searches in the building of the Ukrainian Social Policy Ministry as part of an investigation into the assistance by ministry officials in carrying out illegal import of goods into Ukraine without payments to the state budget, as well as embezzlement of budget funds.

"The Prosecutor General's Office, together with the National Police, carried out searches at the Ukrainian Social Policy Ministry," the press secretary of the prosecutor general, Larysa Sarhan, wrote on her Twitter page on Thursday, September 28.

The PGO's press service, in turn, reported that the PGO department for investigating crimes committed by criminal organizations was investigating criminal proceedings against officials of the Social Policy Ministry regarding their assistance to the heads of commercial structures in conducting illegal imports of goods into Ukraine, without paying taxes and making compulsory payments to the state budget, as well as due to the embezzlement of budget funds sent for the recreation of school-age children and socially unprotected categories of the population, on the grounds of a criminal offense under Part 2, Article 364 (abuse of power or office) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to the PGO, on Thursday, September 28, searches were conducted in the office of a deputy minister for social policy and other ministry officials.

"The pre-trial investigation currently continues. The necessary investigative actions are being carried out for the purpose of a full and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the offenses committed," reads the report.
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Two members of Ukraine's State Border Service were killed and one wounded near Stanytsia Luhanska by a booby trap bomb, the Luhansk regional administration has said.

"Yesterday, September 28, near Stanytsia Luhanska village two border troops died and one was wounded by a booby trap bomb set by a group of saboteurs," the Luhansk regional administration said on its Facebook page on Friday.

Later on September 28 region's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) said near the train station Iliyenko in Stanychno-Luhansky district 800 meters from the state border with Russia at around 17:00 on September 28 an inspector and a site inspector from the "Herasymivka" Luhansk border detachment died as a result of exploded ordinance.

Information about the incident was entered in the unified register of pretrial investigations pursuant to Part 3 of Article 258 of Ukraine's Criminal Code (terrorist act resulting in death). A pretrial investigation is being conducted by Luhansk region's SBU Security Service of Ukraine.

SBU agents, Luhansk region prosecutors, an investigation team from the Stanytsia Luhanska police department are on the scene, along with bomb experts.

Ukraine's State Border Service extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

Interior Ministry communications department director Artem Shevchenko said, "the total number of border troops who have died in Donbas has reached 69."

"We remember them and mourn their passing. We will release the names [of the two killed] tomorrow, after we have contacted their parents. Rest in peace," Shevchenko said on the Facebook page on Thursday evening.
kyoshino

Vulnerable migrants are being used as scapegoats for chronic NHS underfunding.

In February this year Jeremy Hunt announced the introduction of passport checks for all patients accessing NHS services, and up-front charging for people who don't qualify for free care. These changes are already being piloted in over 20 hospitals and will come into full effect on the 23rd October 2017.

Access to healthcare is a human right. This new policy represents a decision by the UK government to undermine that right by systematically neglecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

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The policy is dangerous and immoral. Migrant patients face barriers to accessing existing NHS care and some vulnerable groups already do not get the care they need. The new plans will exacerbate this. Charging patients will deter many from presenting to the NHS; they may not present at all, but more often, they present later when their condition has progressed.

Consequently, opportunities for preventative and early treatment are missed, so the chance to save lives, and money, is lost. Additionally, when patients with infectious illness present later, this increases risk not just for them, but also for the wider population.

NHS staff should not be policing our borders. We are not trained or qualified to assess someone's eligibility for treatment, and this additional role places an unreasonable burden on an already overstretched workforce. The policy may lead to discrimination and racial profiling, and will have practical implications for the trust underlying the doctor-patient relationship. As healthcare professionals, our first priority should always be the care and safety of our patients. Extending charging for migrants within the NHS and asking NHS staff to enforce these charges fundamentally goes against this priority.

As doctors, we will fight to protect the right to access health care for everyone in our society. Medact and Docs Not Cops have organised hundreds of NHS staff and patients to come together in Manchester, London, and Newcastle to share their experiences of the devastating impact of these changes. In Manchester we will be offering 'free passport checks' on Saturday 30th September, from 11am on Oxford Road outside Manchester Royal infirmary. We hope to demonstrate how the extension of borders into the NHS contradicts ethical practice, deprives vulnerable individuals of essential treatment and is an unacceptable burden on already overstretched NHS staff.

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To get involved;

- Come and join us on Saturday 30th September from 11am on Oxford Road outside Manchester Royal Infirmary.

- Be active on social media use #patientsnotpassports

- Or write to your MP

- Get in touch:

DocsNotCops @DocsNotCops facebook.com/DocsNotCops
Here are some facts about Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), the far-right party that shocked many by winning seats in German's national parliament on Sunday.

One of its most senior members said Germans should be "proud" of what their military did in the Second World War. It ran posters showing a white pregnant woman with the words: "New Germans? We make them ourselves." Another senior member thinks Berlin's memorial to the Jews murdered in the Holocaust should come down.

Ukip thinks Germany's AfD isn't far-right. They seemed to learn this from an article from 'the left wing Huffington Post', which was read out at conference as proof the AfD is perfectly sensible.

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Addressing delegates in Torquay on Friday, interim leader Steve Crowther read from a piece earlier this week that looked at five of AfD policies to paint a picture of how the party's hardline stance translated into action. He asked: Was this the best the left wing media could do?

Steve Crowther addressed Ukip conference in Torquay

Crowther saying AfD isn't far-right may have something to do with the fact a 'senior member' of it was about to address Ukip's conference. Or that Nigel Farage addressed AfD supporters to praise their 'historic achievement' of winning seats in Germany's parliament. Or that, when both main British parties are behind Brexit, the only future Ukip sees for itself as further to the right and it wants to learn from the AfD. Or that it was possibly about to elect a hardline anti-Islam candidate as leader and Crowther wants to pre-empt any name calling.

By any common definition, the AfD is far-right. It's a mantel no one embraces and or defines in detail.

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AfD co-founder Alexander Gauland said Germans could be 'proud' of what the military did in the Second World War

Reading its manifesto, in which AfD says Islam was in a "culture war" with the West, reveals a party on a culture war footing.

AfD's manifesto calls Equal Pay Day and quotas for better female representation "propaganda" against the traditional family, which it repeatedly endorses. Another person to call equal pay "propaganda" is alt right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos. Ukip is nowhere near as devoutly social conservative on the issue.

Ukip's manifesto for the general election mentioned "Islam" 11 times. Every mention is preceded by "radical" or followed by "ism". You can argue this is dog whistling to Islamophobes. You may be right. But it isn't overtly saying Islam is un-British or unwelcome.

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AfD's manifesto mentioned "Islam" 37 times. It berates the "special rights" Muslim children supposedly have at schools. "Islam does not belong to Germany," it says - a slogan it put on posters during its campaign for the Bundestag. "Its expansion and the ever-increasing number of Muslims in the country are viewed by the AfD as a danger to our state, our society, and our values," the manifesto says. What do you call a dog whistle when it's so loud humans can hear it?

The manifesto grudgingly concedes that "many Muslims" are "law-abiding and well-integrated". These people belong to Germany. Islam does not. Ukip and AfD's manifestoes share the same small c conservative sentiments at times: hostility to what they see as unchecked social change that is eroding something precious while leftwing liberals look the other way. But on Islam, the difference between Populist Right and far-right shines through.

They both fear radical Islam but Ukip doesn't seem to think that defines Islam. It doesn't bother with platitudes about how some Muslims lead lives Ukip deems acceptable.

For AfD, Islam is a fundamental threat. Ukip might soon think the same. It came close to electing Anne Marie Waters, who co-founded Pegida UK - an import of the German Islamophobic group - and has argued Islam is a fundamentally violent religion. She came second in the leadership contest but even without her, Ukip could still move to the right.
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Yesterday marked the third anniversary of UK military action in Syria and the important role our armed forces have played pushing ISIS to the brink of defeat as a territorial entity in Syria and Iraq. Although a weakened ISIS is to be celebrated, its decline as a military force is an opportunity to assess the dangerous new reality in Syria and attempt to prevent more conflict in the Middle East.

For President Assad, the fight against Islamic State was never his top priority. Since 2011 he maintained a ruthless focus on clinging to power, whatever the cost and whatever the means. The barbarity of Islamic State proved a useful distraction for Assad as he and his allies butchered civilians and deployed chemical weapons. Now that Islamic State is weakened, we should be, in Prime Minister Theresa May's words, 'clear eyed and vigilant' about Iran's role in the region. The recent de-escalation agreements sponsored by Russia significantly strengthen the Assad regime but more importantly they provide new opportunities for Assad's allies, Iran and its proxy militia Hezbollah, with potentially alarming consequences for regional stability.

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Under the cover of the Syrian civil war, Iran has been working to create a land corridor stretching from its own territory through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon. There is mounting evidence that Iran is planning a long-term military deployment in Syria involving military bases, airfields and even a seaport. It is also developing a clandestine military industry and supply network that will incorporate underground weapons factories in Lebanon to produce state of the art missiles for Hezbollah.

Iran could tighten control of this corridor using the assets at its disposal including political, military and economic influence over Lebanon and Iraq, as well as the Syrian regime. It would be able to command tens of thousands of Shiite militia fighters from as far afield as Afghanistan and Pakistan - fighting under the command or guidance of the IRGC's Quds Force in Iraq and Syria.

This amounts to the creation of an Iranian hegemony in the heart of the Middle East spanning across Iraq and the Levant to the Mediterranean and even potentially reaching Shiite communities in the Gulf (in Bahrain, Kuwait and eastern Saudi Arabia) and southern Syria, facing Israel and Jordan.

As the fog of war clears in Syria, the battle lines of the next Middle East conflict are taking shape, and they could be devastating. Israeli military planners now believe that in a future war with Hezbollah, Israel could face a unified Syrian and Lebanese front acting in tandem, directed by Iran, manned by battle hardened Hezbollah fighters deploying advanced weapons systems and logistics. Something it has never faced before.

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Addressing the challenge of Iranian influence in Syria requires a pro-active strategy by the UK and US, as well as by Russia. But the signs are not encouraging. The Trump Administration is narrowly focused on defeating ISIS and has ceded a dominant role to Russia in Syria. The US and the UK must make a choice. They could play a vital role to address Iran's drive for regional dominance, or they can look the other way. They could scale down all their military operations after the defeat of ISIS or they could maintain their assets currently deployed to demonstrate to Iran that they will take action to block its advance.

One future flashpoint is the al-Tanaf military base where US, UK and rebel forces are currently deployed along the Syria-Iraq-Jordan triangle. Along with Western air assets, this deployment stands in the way of the planned Iranian corridor. Withdrawing them all after the defeat of ISIS would be a gift to Iran and lay the foundation for the next bloody conflict to consume the Middle East.

The US and UK are not alone. They have willing regional partners who share their concerns about Iran's plans including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and even potentially the Kurds. If Theresa May is serious about her ambition for a closer partnership with the Gulf states in a post-Brexit world and her close ties with Israel then now is the time to make a stand and demand the evacuation from Syria of all non-Syrian militias and a significant withdrawal of Iranian forces.

It is not too late to counter Iran in the post-ISIS era. Failure to act now will have devastating consequences for the future of the region.
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When I was a young boy growing up in post-war Liverpool in a family dependant on benefits, I learned what it was like to go cap in hand to survive.

One of the worst aspects of poverty is that your potential in life is so completely limited. It's hard to do pretty much anything with nothing in your pocket.

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Food becomes scarcer. Hobbies and trips are rationed. Christmas is an ordeal.

Half a century later, in one of the richest countries in the world, I see it happening all over again.

Liverpool is currently undergoing the roll-out of Universal Credit, the attempt to integrate a series of benefits into a single payment, in a bid to cut the welfare bill and encourage work.

That's the theory.

As is often the case with central government policies, the situation on the ground is very different.

The Resolution Foundation think tank calculates the move to Universal Credit will see some working families left facing a benefit reduction of up to 2,800 a year.

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Many of these will be the 'just about managing' families Theresa may was once so concerned with.

Meanwhile, Citizens Advice says the policy is too complicated, with people struggling to understand it, while there's a lack of support available when the system fails them.

Having been rolled-out in a piecemeal fashion, there is about to be a ramp-up in the numbers moving to UC.

Already, 11,000 people in Liverpool have been transitioned to the new benefit - but this is set to increase dramatically in the coming months.

But the cracks are already there to see.

One of the most damaging aspects of the changeover is the retrospective nature of the payment. Recipients end up waiting up to six weeks between applying for the benefit to receiving any money.

Only millionaire ministers and salaried civil servants could devise a system that has absolutely no understanding of the way in which the poorest people in our society already need to rob Peter to pay Paul.

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You simply cannot leave families with no money for weeks on end.

As a result, councils like mine are forced to cover the gap, helping to keep people out of the clutches of loan sharks and payday lenders.

Despite losing two-thirds of our central government funding since 2010, we will always protect the most vulnerable.

We spend around 18 million a year in helping vulnerable families through our Citizens Support Scheme, Mayoral Fund and other grants.

We have also allocated funding to each of our 30 wards across the city, so that councillors can recommend small grants to community and local voluntary organisations to help people with basic needs.

We are doing what we can, but we are stretched very thin.

This is the biggest-ever change to the benefits system, with seven million people transferring over to the benefit by 2022.

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Government policy should be worked through before it is rolled-out.

The poor deserve better than to be placed in a Whitehall petri-dish.

Especially as there is a basic fallacy at the very heart of Universal Credit.

Rather than 'curbing the costs of welfare' as ministers insist, Universal Credit simply passports the bill from central to local government. We are left picking up the pieces of botched policy with our council tax payers left picking up the bill.

The Work and Pensions Secretary, David Gauke, will address the Conservative Party Conference on Monday morning. No doubt he will accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative in relation to the tale he tells about Universal Credit.

What he should do is show some humility and admit there are massive problems with the system and address them before even more families find themselves at their wits' end, trying to cope.
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Six months into the divorce negotiations with the EU, we are still left wondering what Brexit actually means. People might have given up on getting any pertinent answers from this government, but the very least we should expect is that all the right questions are being asked.

Up to now only a few issues have been focused on in the negotiations, giving us a clearer idea of what the government and EU-27 want. The fate of EU nationals living in the UK has - rightfully - captured most of the public's attention in recent months. While, the issue of our outstanding financial commitments towards the EU tops the EU's negotiating agenda and tabloid front pages.

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But most issues have not yet received the attention they deserve. Without a full understanding of what the EU does - and what the risks of leaving it are - in each field of public policy we simply cannot determine our objectives and strategy in the Brexit process.

This week I want to explore the implication of Brexit on how we power our homes and factories.

Electricity is peculiar in that we can't store it, unless like Norway we have massive hydro-electric dams. Researchers around the world are beavering away to create technology capable of doing this, but today, supply has to match demand at all times to avoid blackouts. You can get a fairly steady supply of energy from carbon-intensive or nuclear sources, but it's not the case with renewables yet. Solar panels and wind farms are heavily dependent on weather and geography, causing large variations in supply that need to be managed.

Britain has long championed renewable energy, and we are set to increase our efforts towards transitioning to a low carbon economy. This impacts not just supply, with renewable sources of energy, - but also demand, considering for instance the development of electric cars.

Tapping into the potential of the North Sea, we are one of the leading forces in Europe for wind power - behind Germany and Spain, but ahead of France and Italy. New production capacities in renewables are set to replace the phasing out of our dirty coal-fired power stations.

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But when the wind is low off the North East coast and electricity production is down in our wind farms, we need to replace this lost supply with electricity from the continent - whether it's sourced from Norwegian hydro-dams (as the new interconnector in Blyth will guarantee), Alpine waters or the Spanish sun. Likewise, when we have excess production we need to be able to sell it abroad.

Millions of pounds have already been invested to connect our grid to the continent. Two cables connect us with France and Belgium, while two others link the UK to Ireland. By the time we leave the EU, another two projects could be completed (including the Norway-Northumberland link), while many others are in development.

In practice, we tend to import more electricity than we export. About 6% of our electricity is imported from Europe through the existing cables. But with the development of new capacities in renewables in the UK, we may very well find ourselves a net exporter of electricity in the future. Such interconnection is not just a guarantee to secure our energy supply - ensuring the lights never go off - but it also helps get energy prices down, because electricity tends to be cheaper on the continent. It also ensures that prices do not vary too much, and makes the whole system more efficient through economies of scales.

For all of these reasons - energy cost, security of supply and most of all, supporting our transition to a zero carbon world - we need to be part of a fully functioning market for electricity, not just within the UK but at the continental scale of Europe.

The EU's electricity market is framed by a series of EU regulations, with some of them currently in the process of being revised. The European Commission is pushing for a more integrated and fluid market. I strongly believe we should remain part of it.

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There's an obvious risk in putting up trade barriers: introducing tariffs would disintegrate rather than integrate the electricity market. But non-trade barriers, such as regulatory divergences between the UK and the EU27, would also have the same impact. This means that even after Brexit, we should endeavour to keep in tune with EU standards if we want to keep our access to the electricity market.

In addition, the EU has been an important source of funding for cross-border projects, such as interconnectors. The EU framework has also offered a safe and predictable environment for private investors, with long-term commitments.

A hard Brexit would mean losing all of this. It would set us back in terms of renewables and make it much harder for Britain to fulfil its international climate commitments. This would be bad for the planet and bad for business too, as we would lose ground on our international competitors.
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Many words have been spoken and much ink has been spilled in recent weeks and months over the UK's post-Brexit tax system. New research from the King's Fund shows 66% of people are willing to pay more taxes in order to maintain the level of spending needed. Others, meanwhile, favour a low tax, low regulation economy.

Whether it's about more tax or less, there is a bubbling stream of commentary suggesting UK taxation needs to change. But it's equally clear that tax polarises opinion, making tax reform all but impossible.

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We can't afford to put tax on the backburner and continue to kick the can down the road. This isn't just about Brexit - although leaving the EU does force change to the tax system - but also dealing with trends like the gig economy and seismic shifts in our demographics.

Our tax system - the myriad of taxes, their rates, objectives and scope - has evolved over many, many years. The last major period of reform was in the 1980s. Since then the world economy has experienced intense global integration, and become more virtual and intangible. Advances in disruptive technology have played a huge role. Take 3D printing. Should you tax a product where it's printed or used, or where the idea originated? What will it mean for customs duties if we import fewer products as they are 'printed' in situ?

Changing patterns of work, automation and robotics arguably present an even bigger tax challenge, given income tax and national insurance are the taxes that generate the most revenue. And this will be compounded by the economy's increasing reliance on a smaller proportion of younger workers. Even though the state pension age is increasing, there will be fewer people of working age to support a larger population of retired people.

If taxation doesn't start modernising with the economy, we'll run into big problems: taxing the wrong things, driving the wrong behaviours, and ultimately not raising enough revenue to cover the nation's costs.

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So what's the answer? While politics and tax are intrinsically linked, tax doesn't have to be about left or right. There are many potential models for a reformed tax system - all have upsides, and downsides. We need to set out and debate the different scenarios, and the trade-offs they entail. Could we become the Tech Kingdom, rivalling Silicon Valley? But would tax breaks for one industry penalise the others? Will a tech orientated economy help or hinder older generations wanting to get back into work?

Is it easier to picture a decentralised UK, whereby different regions back particular sectors with the inevitable tension arising as they compete for talent and investment? Divisive and complicated? Or the key to driving growth nationwide?

Are we coming from the wrong starting point - should we accept that we'll never raise enough tax to cover spending and move to a different economic model entirely; in that case could a universal basic income form the bedrock of the tax system?

To find the answers, we need to need to think big, and open our eyes to the possibilities. There are no doubt scores of potentials scenarios, and the right one for the UK could be a hybrid of many.
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You hear a lot in my line of work about how to handle a crisis. In a year like this, you hear about it even more. Uber. Pepsi. United Airlines. The list goes on. But it was a different airline that found its way into the news this month: Ryanair, who had to cancel up to 50 flights a day after 'messing up' the holiday rosters for their pilots. It was an embarrassing slip-up but not something that Ryanair couldn't bounce back from quickly. And in spite of that, here we are, weeks later, and the crisis has only become worse.

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On the Monday after the news emerged, Ryanair's shares fell 2.4%. Commentators agreed that the direct short-term impact on Ryanair profits would be inconsequential, but that diagnosis changed soon after. What quickly became obvious to anyone in my business is that the Ryanair situation is a case study in how not to handle a crisis, and what poor crisis management can lead to. The first issue was the explanation. In lieu of giving a clear and precise statement accepting responsibility and pledging action, the airline offered a vague, feeble explanation that seemed to blame everything except the airline, from striking French air traffic controllers to thunderstorms. The closest thing to an acceptance of fault and a genuine apology came from Ryanair's marketing officer. 'We have messed up in the planning of pilot holidays,' he said. Good effort.

It's intelligent for businesses or individuals to proactively look, in most cases, to control the narrative before the story spirals out of control and is flooded with phrases taken out of context, misleading stories or full-blown inaccuracies. It isn't intelligent to fail to supply relevant information that a perfunctory check by a journalist will uncover. For example, it was quickly discovered that Norwegian- a Ryanair rival - had hired 140 Ryanair pilots this year. Even if this wasn't the reason that Ryanair couldn't cope with the pressures that led to the crisis, everyone now assumes it was.

Dealing with the reaction from the wider public is one thing, but dealing with those immediately affected by the crisis is quite another. A full list of the planes that wouldn't be flying didn't appear overnight, for example. The result? Unnecessary confusion and concern for the 98% of passengers who could fly. It isn't surprising that Ryanair had to field calls from thousands of angry people demanding to know whether the holiday they'd been so excited to go on would have to be called off.

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And Ryanair's woes continue. This week, it was accused of 'persistently misleading' its passengers first after chief executive Michael O'Leary told passengers that it was not obliged to arrange new flights for them, and then by the airline's failure to inform passengers that they could be rerouted with other airlines after cancellations. Then, in the middle of all this, Ryanair passengers took advantage of the attention to voice their own concerns about working conditions. One current pilot told the Guardian that if his colleagues and he can unionise, they may 'work to rule', condemning the airline to further cancellations and delays.
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Between 4 and 10% of Ireland's population describes itself as LGBT. In recent years the country has evolved, affording gay citizens the same rights at their straight counterparts - most recently in 2015 when the country voted to legalise same-sex marriage.

The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar recently claimed that it was only a matter of time until the same rights were achieved in Northern Ireland. While his optimism is heartening, this push for equality is somewhat contradictory. Back across the border a much larger group of citizens are being denied very basic rights of their own, under the Taoiseach's watch.

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The Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution denies women and trans-men access to free safe and legal abortion in their own country. Instead women must travel, in their thousands, to British clinics for treatment.

Following mounting pressure from reproductive rights campaigners, Mr Varadkar announced earlier this week, that a referendum on this archaic piece of legislation would be called in May or June next year. He failed to provide a specific date.

These issues are linked

While the Taoiseach campaigned diligently for equal marriage in 2015, he has been remiss in stating a clear position on repealing the Eighth Amendment. He has also neglected to offer the any details about the wording of the promised referendum, instead preferring to leave that up to an Oireachtas Committee to decide.

It seems that he has forgotten that these issues are intrinsically linked, as both involve the denial of human rights based on biology.

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Women have fought for gay rights for decades. As a gay man from Northern Ireland I will reciprocate for the duration of the Repeal the Eighth campaign. I will also be joining the London-Irish Abortion Rights Campaign on Saturday at a pro-choice rally at the Irish Embassy. Women were the strongest allies of gay people in the decriminalisation of male homosexuality in Ireland and the UK. They have been our closest friends in equalising the rights of gay people in society in terms of marriage, military service, and any other inequality between gay and straight people.

The Republic has been outsourcing women's healthcare to Great Britain for decades. Nine women a day travel to British clinics for abortions, at great emotional and financial expense. This needs to be rectified. The argument is over. The Taoiseach cannot continue to deny anyone's autonomy over their own body. And for this reason, he cannot be neutral on this referendum.

'Shaped me as a feminist'

Over the past few months, I've had the pleasure of working with the incredible women at the London-Irish Abortion Rights Campaign. If any of these women needed access to an abortion for whatever reason, they would be able to do so as British residents. It's a far cry from the care they'd receive back home. This does not make them any less concerned and involved with the rights of their mothers, sisters and friends back in Ireland.

Since I have started campaigning with them, it has truly shaped me as a person, and a feminist. To see such an amazing bunch of people shape policy in the UK and influence the debate in the Republic of Ireland is inspiring and heartening.

The moment gay people, and gay men in particular, forget that women have been standing behind us from day one is the moment our campaign for equality loses any form of legitimacy or dignity. I think it's very important for us to remember this.

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Brick Lane is every liberal's dream today. It's a brewing pot for cultures meshing together, drawing different groups with different lifestyles under one street. The cosmopolitanism of London is embodied here. Its street snakes like a ribbon through the roads of Whitechapel, local fried chicken shops, Indian restaurants, hipster joints and pubs all adjoined in one diverse blend. It doesn't quite have the hipster feel that places like Shoreditch and Homerton have, but it's a town in constant flux, changing, moving, no-one standing still ever really.

It's also town made up mostly of a Bangladeshi-Muslim demographic. And the magnetic hub at the centre that daily draws people in - and unfortunately controversy sometimes - is the East London Mosque. It's a town everyone suspects to be a breeding ground of extremism, cultural misogyny and religious corruption. Those things exist, but sometimes aren't nearly as significant as the economic transformation of the area that is deepening the social crisis for the local Muslims.

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In many ways, the changing gentrification of East End at the hands of rich property developers and liberal hipsters, speaks volumes about the silent crisis of poverty confronting British Muslims, and how ethnic minorities are often being forced out. It's a story of dwindling council homes, job discrimination, marginalisation and a rootless drift for an identity. It's also a story that exposes the myth of meritocracy and social mobility, and the idea that structures of privilege and prejudice do not affect someone's climb up the social ladder.

In Whitechapel, council homes are being threatened with demolition, bulldozed to make way for private housing - at presumably rocket-high prices. It's in effect social cleansing, and beyond Brick Lane it exists across other parts of east London too, namely Newham. The 2012 Olympics created a gentrification crisis in towns like Stratford, a radical transformation creating a social upheaval where the town was regenerated - in theory to create economic opportunities but in reality resulting in local residents finding it too expensive.

Within east London lives a sizeable Muslim community, one dealing with high rents, demolition of council homes and jobs that look upon them with suspicion. The story of how austerity and gentrification affects British Muslims in east London rarely gets news coverage. For all the focus on extremism, it's often brushed aside, the socioeconomic destitution of the British Muslim community, in being the most economically disadvantaged faith group in the country - where Muslims make up 10% of the proportion of prison population and 28% in social housing. In an age when cultural discrimination is high, many Muslims often fear their name and appearances have battered their employment odds, reflected in the unemployment rates for groups. Unemployment rates particularly affect Bangladeshi and Pakistani women, the vast majority being Muslims and visibly so due to the hijab; this often leads to some employers discriminating against them more easily. Some of this is not simply down to racism and 44% of Muslim women surveyed in the poll admitted it was because of their home duties, which compared to 16% for women across wider society. On one level, this does suggest that lack of cultural integration creates destitution for British Muslims.

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But it also shows that every story is layered with multiple narratives that are deliberately left untouched. The story of British Muslims being one of the biggest victims of cuts to public services and social security, of being impoverished partly by discrimination does not sit well with those calling for greater integration of Muslims.

Right now many young British Muslims are simply excluded from opportunities. A lot of them know nothing beyond poverty, and if they don't turn to extremism, some will turn to drugs and crime. In east London, those who do drift to the margins of society don't turn to religion and terrorism always to solve their poverty-fuelled lives but gang-related crimes. It provides them with some sense of inclusion, some stake in a society that otherwise ignores their existence.

The integration of British Muslims cannot solely focus on the religious aspects of it, on looking at what we can do to stop extremist preachers, socially conservative scholars and online radicalisation. For there to be cultural integration there has to also be economic integration. Many British Muslims do not see Britain as their home, largely a product of postcolonial grievances, partly a product of religious disdain for British liberalism but significantly because of a lack of economic opportunities.
A lot of people are getting worried about how much debt people are in, some have called the government to launch a public inquiry. I've got an idea. It's bigger than a public inquiry. It's a new department - The Department for Debt.

We have the Department for International Trade. And let's be honest, trade isn't going that well, our trade deficit is huge. Although hopefully that will sort itself out when we finally break our relationship with our biggest trading partner, the EU.

May has said she wants us to trade more with China. Problem is, we aren't producing much stuff that they want. We don't export much more than British produced waste to China. Sorting out the causes of our trade deficit is going to difficult. Let's just stick to producing what we are good at - debt. Let's own this.

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You might say, isn't the government already doing enough to make sure we are all in debt, why a new government department? Well, yes, I agree, they are doing pretty well already. People are getting into record amounts of debt for mortgages, weddings, honeymoons. And of course the divorce lawyers who decide who pays off the debt for the mortgage and wedding once the honeymoon is over.

Some people might say that, after the financial crisis we talked too much about public debt, not about private debt. They say we should really have had some sort of national debate about whether we should have so much debt in our economy. I disagree. It's preferable that instead we've had a national debate about whether we should have so many migrants.

I'm sick of all these hysterical left wing lunatics drawing parallels between growing hostility towards migrants today and the rise of fascism in Nazi Germany. It's totally different, for a start, the far right today has picked a different religious group to target. For example, take the AfD, who won seats this week in the German Parliament for the first time in half a century. They claim Islam is incompatible with Western legal and cultural values. I agree. You know Islam is the only religion that still frowns upon charging interest. Islamic finance is based on risk sharing, not build up of debt. How ridiculous, debt is so central to our way of life. Muslims, eh, coming over here, suggesting ways in which we could make our economic system more sustainable.

The government has done a fine job of recovering from the crisis, a crisis of mortgage debt, with more mortgage debt. And we don't want anyone telling us otherwise. And these people moaning on about the excessive rents charged by people who own properties. Pipe down, don't you understand our culture? In Britain we are proud that most of the land in this country is owned by a small landed gentry. They have made money through rent seeking for generations. It's the way it has always been and that's the way we like it.

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Yes house prices in London are high, but look at all the great TV that has come out of it. We don't just get location, location, location but also relocation, relocation. We want to wank over Kirstie Allsopp telling us how much money these guys made on their one-bedroom in Balham.

So, the government has done well, but there is further to go. We could be the most indebted country in the world. Number one. We're so close. Let's make our goals around Brexit more realistic. We won't be the place people come to trade, we'll be the place that companies come to sell more poorly regulated debt contracts to the people.

Forget internet dating, how about interdebt dating? Find love and leverage online. Don't celebrate your birthday, go out for deficit day - that time of the month when your outgoings overtake your ingoings.

We know a lot of people are going bankrupt, but see this as an opportunity. We could reopen debtors prisons. Inmates could gain valuable work skills making stuff for free for big companies. Using forced labour we could even compete with China, and bring manufacturing back to this country.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will address the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) of the Council of Europe on October 11, the Council of Europe's press service has said.

"It is expected that Poroshenko will speak at the PACE session and answer questions from deputies on Wednesday, October 11, from 12.00 to 13.00," the press release says.

In addition there is a request to hold debates on the issue, "Ukraine's new education law: a serious impediment for teaching native languages of national minorities." The final schedule will be approved on October 9.

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine deputy (Petro Poroshenko Bloc member) Volodymyr Ariev earlier said PACE had confirmed Poroshenko's participation during its fall session in October.
Beawiharta Beawiharta / Reuters

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September last week, 2017.

I see children everywhere. They don't talk, and they don't play. In a crowded camp, where over a thousand Rohingyas live, their silence is their story.

A 90-minute drive from Cox's Bazar town takes you to Kutuplaong Camp for displaced Rohingya. Upon entering the camp, I see a couple of trucks from which good Samaritans are throwing relief supplies to the hundreds who stretch out their hands.

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Children and pregnant women watch quietly from a distance. They tell me they have no strength or courage to go anywhere near the truck. It is a chaotic and crowded setting, and not everyone walks away with a bag of food supplies.

It has been over a month since the Rohingyas started their exodus from across the border in Myanmar. We are talking about 480,000 new arrivals. Most have lost everything. Except hope. Hope kindled by the kindness of the many ordinary Bangladeshis who have received Rohingyas with open arms, often sharing precious food and water, and a government that opened its borders to let them in while increasing its humanitarian assistance.

I wade through mud a foot deep. Reality hits fast, and hard. I have worked in conflict and disaster settings for over twenty years, in some of the most difficult places on earth. But nothing prepared me for this.

The first thing I notice is the smell of the mud, and then I see hundreds of people crowded on dry patches. There is no space for them to move around. My colleagues, community workers from Save the Children in Bangladesh, take me to meet a group of Rohingya mothers, who talk of unspeakable violence they faced back home. Their stories are heartbreaking.

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One Rohingya mother tells me her children have barely slept for four days. Most of them have fever. She pauses when a child coughs, and they are coughing all the time. She tells me that her children are terrified that someone might come and attack them, and set fire to their new homes - tarpaulins or plastic sheets stretched over wooden poles.

The children have vivid flashbacks, she says. Nightmares that keep them awake. The children feel they need to be on guard, and should they manage to fall asleep, they wake up screaming. There is no suffering left in hell. Most of it is in the minds of children, here in Cox's Bazar.

I can see smoke in the distance, across the hills and over the border in Myanmar.

Then there is no space for children to lie down. In overcrowded tarpaulin tents, everyone moves when it rains, and at night. This is not a place you want your children - or any child - to live.

Thousands of Rohingya children are hungry, dehydrated, malnourished, sick and traumatised. They have lost everything. The weather has been unkind, with frequent rains leaving a thick layer of mud everywhere.

Later in the day I meet several children with respiratory tract infections. The wind, rains and cold weather have conspired with cramped living conditions and limited health services in crowded camps, greatly increasing the risk of a disease outbreak. The fragile lungs of malnourished young children can't fight infections.

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The World Health Organization warns of a "very high" risk of a cholera outbreak. News reports are quoting Bangladesh Health authorities saying they have treated some 4,500 Rohingya for diarrhoea. There is an urgent need to rapidly increase lifesaving humanitarian health interventions here.

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. Scaling up humanitarian assistance can make a huge difference, and hopefully it can prevent an outbreak of disease in the first place, which would be catastrophic in current conditions.

I wish the world were a more compassionate, peaceful and just place.
This weekend, over 50 randomly-selected members of the public will add something that has been missing from the Brexit debate: the voice of voters.

The general election campaign in June saw little discussion of the most pressing economic, political and constitutional issue of our time - Britain's departure from the EU.

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The sense that major decisions are being taken behind closed doors continues. Last week in Florence, the Prime Minister set out Britain's latest Brexit position in a speech that owed more to internal Conservative Party management than it did to the national interest. And despite a lively discussion on its fringe, the Labour Party conference has sought to avoid an official debate and vote on Brexit altogether.

By and large, our political parties have failed to articulate the contradictions and trade offs of our future relationship with the EU preferring to hide behind our ability to "have our cake and eat it".

Meanwhile, the nuances of public opinion are lost behind an avalanche of opinion polls and focus groups which can offer only a tiny glimpse of emerging views on the highly complex and contested decisions that need to be made, on everything from the customs union to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. The UK desperately needs a process which brings together people of all persuasions to find common ground.

This is not a radical approach: when other countries see rifts opened or aggravated by big constitutional questions, they are increasingly turning to an interesting model for closing the gap: the 'citizens' assembly'.

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Ireland's constitutional convention, established to look at a swathe of constitutional issues, is one such example - and it led to the legalisation on equal marriage. Indeed, a subsequent assembly could soon lead to a referendum on the legalisation of abortion.

In the UK, we now have an opportunity to get to grips with the greatest controversies of our time - from single market membership to immigration rules to our regulatory framework.

The Citizens' Assembly on Brexit, taking place in Manchester, brings together a representative group of members of the public from across the UK to engage in reflective and informed discussions about what our relationship with the EU should look like after we leave. Crucially, they will vote on what a final deal should look like.

The project, organised by leading universities and civil society organisations, has secured backing from across the so-called 'Brexit divide' - from MPs Chuka Umunna and Nicky Morgan on the Remain side to Leave's Bernard Jenkin MP and UKIP's Suzanne Evans. This assembly has the opportunity to unite different sides around a balanced and robust process.

Earlier this month, the Citizens' Assembly on Brexit's first weekend brought together a diverse range of citizens - recruited to reflect the make-up of the electorate - to deliberate on the Brexit process. They heard from all sides and discussed the big issues. This weekend, they will make their recommendations on our departure from the EU.

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The backers of this initiative are from a range of backgrounds and persuasions. We disagree fundamentally on some major questions around Brexit. But we are drawn together in our belief that the huge decisions to be made about how to leave the EU should be opened up to the public.

The referendum last June decided that the UK will leave the European Union, but debates during the campaign and since have given citizens little opportunity to discuss what form they want Brexit to take. This Citizens' Assembly on Brexit is designed to fill that gap.

As the Conservatives gather in Manchester for their conference, they would do well to listen - as would politicians on all sides. The public must be involved in meaningful deliberation on one of the most pressing constitutional issues of our time. It is time citizens' voices were heard in the EU negotiations.
Jay Gonzales was in Pittsfield on Monday to take part in a rally in support of the Affordable Care Act.

Gonzalez Looks to Bring Aggressive Agenda to Governor's Race



The Needham Democrat stopped at Dottie's for coffee and conversations. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Jay Gonzalez sees a lack of leadership coming from the governor's office.

The Needham Democrat says when it comes to transportation, health care, and early childhood education, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is happy with "the status quo."

"He's way too satisfied with the status quo. He is too often on the sidelines when he should be fighting for people. I think his approach to the job has been one where he basically looks at what we have and where we are and is trying to just do the best with what we have as opposed to figuring out where we need to go and how do we get there," Gonzalez said.

Now, the former secretary of administration and finance in under Gov. Deval Patrick's administration is looking to step into his former boss's job. He believes his experience in both state government and the private sector gives him the experience to deliver on an ambitious agenda.

"I am running on a very ambitious agenda to actually make progress in a lot of areas -- whether that be our transportation system and not just in the greater Boston area but all over the state, or access to affordable child care, or affordable higher education, or addressing climate change, you name it," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez was born in Cleveland to two young parents, who he said instilled in him a belief that any obstacle can be overcome.

"My dad is an immigrant. He didn't speak English when he came here and never went to college. He was one of the people who worked his way from laying bricks in a city sewer system to becoming a successful small businessman. He is an American citizen now. My mom became a public school teacher," Gonzalez said. "They are parents who overcame great odds and worked really hard."

He moved to Massachusetts in 1998 as an attorney working for Palmer and Dodge, where he got his first real taste of working in government. The firm specialized in municipal finance, particularly in helping cities and towns finance large capital projects.

"Even though I was working at a private-sector law firm, I was working at a firm where all my clients were government entities," Gonzalez said. "The finance part of it wasn't the big driver for me, but I ended up learning a lot about government finance in that role. That's how I ended up with the Patrick administration."

In January 2007, he got the call from the Patrick administration asking him to join the team and oversee the state's capital budget. Two and a half years later, he was appointed as the secretary and oversaw the entire state budget. During his time with the Patrick administration, he also co-chaired the life science center and chaired the Health Connector.

It was his work on the Health Connector, and working on the 2012 cost containment bill, that took him down the path of health insurance. In 2013, he found a job with Celticare Health, which was struggling with just 11,000 members. Since then, he led the company into an expansion with New Hampshire Healthy Families. Now the company has 120,000 members.

He continued to follow state politics and continued to dislike the lack of urgency in the way Baker is governing. In December, he quit Celticare and officials announced a month later that he was running for office in 2018.

"In Massachusetts particularly, we've always been a leader. We've always believed we can overcome any challenge. And I think it is important that we have a governor who is working with a sense of urgency to make progress on issues that are affecting people on a day to day basis," Gonzalez said.

"My biggest gripe is the lack of leadership to actually take on the challenges."

Coming right out of the healthcare industry, he says the state isn't doing enough to provide inexpensive and quality health care. He believes the state needs to have a plan to move toward a single-payer system, which he says will be more efficient.

"The health care system we have now is way too complicated for people to navigate, it is way too expensive, and the quality isn't as good as it should be," Gonzalez said. "I was in the healthcare industry for a while and every additional second I spend in the healthcare industry, the more discouraged I got with how dysfunctional and wasteful it is. I think we need to move to a single-payer system that is simpler, cheaper, and does a better job at keeping people healthy. I think it would cut a lot of waste."

He said he'd immediately call together a group of experts to plot out the way to vastly improve the health care system.

Another campaign promise of Gonzalez is that by the end of his first term, every family would have access to affordable preschool and early education programs.

"The evidence is clear that the access to good, quality child care and preschool is game-changing for kids, particularly lower-income kids in terms of their ability to be successful in school and in life. And it allows their parents to go to work to support their families," Gonzalez said.

The first step would be to expand the eligibility for low-income subsidies to the programs. There are an array of current offerings now from being in schools to private providers, and Gonzalez said he'd push on all fronts.

"We are the most expensive state in the country for child care and preschool. It costs about $15,000 a year to send each kid. Most families can't afford it. It is the most formative period of a person's life, 90 percent of the brain development happens before age five and it is the time we are doing the least," Gonzalez said.

He says it will certainly cost more money and that is why he supports the Fair Share Amendment. Nonetheless, even if that doesn't pass, Gonzalez said he'd find somewhere to get the money for early education elsewhere.

Locally, he is particularly concerned with the expansion of broadband internet and transportation.

"I can't believe that is not done yet. Gov. Patrick took it on as a priority. I was there and approved funding for the Broadband Institute to provide the main line framework to support broadband access to everyone across the state who didn't have it. I know there are issues with getting the last mile connections in a lot of communities," Gonzalez said. "In my view, there is an insufficient urgency toward addressing it."

In the Berkshires, the bus system stops early in the evening and runs little on the weekends. Gonzalez says that doesn't support the creative economy and doesn't support getting people to work in other industries.

"We may not be able to solve every problem on day one, but we need to be trying," Gonzalez said.

He promises to be a governor for "the entire state" and to partner with local officials in spurring the economy.

Meanwhile, on social issues, Gonzalez is again critical of Baker when it comes to "standing up for people." He cited that Baker supports detaining immigrants, opposes Syrian refugees from resettling in Massachusetts, defended southern state flying Confederate flags, and is "silent" on transgender rights. Gonzalez said a government needs to stand up for everybody and that's what should be expected.

The other Democrats currently in the race are Somerville author and activist Robert Massie and Newton Mayor Setti Warren.
Local Animal Hospital Sponsoring Rabies Clinic After Fox Attack

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Greylock Animal Hospital is offering a free rabies clinic on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 2 to 4 at Greylock School after a fox bit a man in the West End.

All dogs must be on a leash, all cats must be in carriers. The clinic is sponsored by Greylock Animal Hospital and Berkshire Humane Society.

A man walking his dog was bitten on Sunday while walking his dog in the Greylock neighborhood. Police said the attack was unprovoked and posted alerts on Facebook people in the neighborhood to stay inside and bring their pets in as well.

Police, the animal control officer and state Environmental Police searched the area around Phelps Avenue and Catherine, Watson and Barbour streets and connecting streets. The fox was not located at that time but was sighted several times by residents before disappearing into the woods. Residents were warned to be observant as they left for work and school on Monday morning.

According to police, provisions were made at Greylock School to have an officer on hand during the morning to ensure the travel routes were safe. Animal control and environmental police were also on hand.

The animal was located and "dispatched" early Monday evening.

"We are hopeful this was the fox that was in the Greylock School area yesterday," Police Director Michael Cozzaglio wrote on Facebook. "Everyone is save and all went well at school today. We will continue to work with our school and neighbors to keep everyone safe. Please continue to be vigilant and call the police if you see a sick or aggressive animal."

No other fox has since been sighted in the area but officers continued to be at Greylock School the past few days during high traffic times.

Greylock Animal Hospital offered to host the free rabies clinic. A similar effort was done last year in the Chase Hill neighborhood after a cat was found to be infected with rabies. More than 200 cats and dogs were vaccinated in a group effort by the hospital, Berkshire Humane Society, the city, Animal Fund, state Departments of Agricultural Resources and Public Health, Animal Dreams, Second Chance Animal Shelter, Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital, and animal control officers.

Rabies is a contagious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can be spread through bites from infected animlas. All dogs, cats and ferrets older than six months are required to be vaccinated against rabies.
This year's Distinguished Alumni recipients with MCLA President James F. Birge. Top from left, Wayne A. Soares '89, MCLA President James F. Birge, Ellen L. Kennedy '83. Bottom from left, Daniel J. Trombley '90, Russell J. Pearce '60, Susan A. Bell '97 and Jamal Ahamad '11.

MCLA Announces Distinguished Alumni Awards

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts announces that this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards were given to Jamal Ahamad '11, Wayne A. Soares '89, Susan A. Bell '97, Russell J. Pearce '60, Daniel J. Trombley '90 and Ellen L. Kennedy '83, who were honored at an awards ceremony as part of MCLA's annual reunion weekend, on Saturday, Sept. 23.



Ahamad received the Young Alumnus Award, which is presented to the individual who, within 10 years of their MCLA commencement, has shown significant growth in their chosen profession and/or career path, received recognition as an emerging leader through professional and/or community achievements, and served as an outstanding role model for current and future MCLA students.



The founder of his own multimedia business, Ahamad Multimedia, Ahamad graduated from MCLA in 2011 with a bachelor of arts degree in creative writing and arts management. He returned to MCLA in 2014 as the alumni relations coordinator, and a year later re-enrolled as a student to pursue a master of education, a degree he expects to complete in 2020. Ahamad recently joined the staff at BArT Charter Public School serving as the eighth-grade English language arts teacher, hip-hop instructor and student support monitor.



Soares, who graduated from the college in 1989 with a degree in English/Communications, received the Humanitarian Award, which is presented to the person who demonstrated a record of service to his or her community, and to the world at large. He spent over a decade on the airwaves for ESPN radio and was a broadcaster for the New York Mets' minor league teams. As the head of his own production company, Jess Productions, he coordinates his own publicity and scheduling, and also has starred in several full-length movies and produced a short documentary.



His one-man show has taken him around the globe from tactical bases for the United States Military in Afghanistan and Iraq to its largest regional medical center in Landstuhl, Germany. In addition, Soares is on a mission to improve and impact lives by helping individuals, especially young people, overcome adversity and obstacles, providing techniques to help develop self-confidence. He begins his second season as a spokesman for Red Sox Hall of Famer Jason Varitek's Pitching in for Kids Foundations national anti-bullying campaign, "Be Kind, Always."



Bell, who graduated in 1997 with a bachelor of arts degree in history, received the Outstanding Educator Award, in recognition of one who has shown continued and dedicated service to their students and their profession and a commitment to developing the potential of all students. This award recognizes K-16 educators, from all areas of education, who have made significant contributions to support and enhance the education of students through innovative classroom practices, programming, extracurricular activities, committee or community work.



A former high school principal for Windsor Locks Public Schools, she earned a doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and was appointed superintendent in 2014. She went on to lead her teacher colleagues in large-scale school improvements with the introduction of the Professional Learning Community Model, inclusive of release time for teachers to design and execute plans for improving their craft and improving student achievement. Because of Bell's collaborative work with her faculty and the Board of Education, Windsor Locks now is in its fourth year of shifting to a Mastery-Based, personalized learning system, and the Class of 2020 will be the first graduating class to earn a mastery-based diploma.
On Tuesday, October 3, at 11.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference, entitled "Dynamics of Ukrainians' Attitude to Migration." The participants will include Head of the 'Rating' Sociological Group Oleksiy Antypovych and President of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies Vasyl Voskoboinyk (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. More information by phone +380 (44) 254 3693, +380 (44) 254 3694, www.ratinggroup.ua.
Listen to the brightest minds in the field of economics and development discuss their latest research and deconstruct global economic trends. IMF Podcasts are also available on other digital platforms such as Spotify , SoundCloud , Libsyn , and free to use for broadcasters, educators and institutions.

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Wenjie Chen on the Latest Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa Economic outlooks dont come easy in the current environment but the latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa proved to be particularly challenging. Its title Living on the Edge tells part of the story but in this podcast, economist Wenjie Chen walks us through the research behind the new report. Chen is a deputy head in the Regional Studies Division and part of the team of macroeconomists who dissect regional trends to come up with key priorities for policymakers. Transcript Wenjie Chen is Deputy Division Chief in the African Departments Regional Studies Division.

Hilary Allen on the Superficial Allure of Crypto Cryptocurrencies have grabbed news headlines with their dramatic highs and lows, and their proponents argue they could revolutionize the financial system, making it faster and fairer. But is the cryptocurrency craze dragging us all into dangerous waters? Hilary Allen is a professor of law at American University and studies the impact of new financial technologies on financial stability. Allen is also the author of The Superficial Allure of Crypto published in the September edition of Finance and Development. In this podcast, Allen sits down with journalist Rhoda Metcalfe to discuss the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and why she thinks that they simply cannot deliver their claimed benefits. Transcript Hilary Allen is a professor of law at American Universitys Washington College of Law.

Raghuram Rajan: Climate Action and Continued Globalization Joined at the Hip (2022 Per Jacobsson Lecture) Amid growing calls to deglobalize the economy, Raghuram Rajan says not so fast. Rajan, a former Governor of the Bank of India and former IMF Chief Economist, delivered this year's Per Jacobsson Lecture, in which he argues that continued globalization is our best chance to tackle climate change. Transcript Watch the webcast of the 2022 Per Jacobsson Lecture Raghuram Rajan is the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at Chicago Booth.

Global Financial Stability: Navigating the High-Inflation Environment Rising risks to the inflation outlook and rapidly changing views about the likely pace of monetary policy tightening have been dominant themes affecting financial stability. The latest Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) says the Russian invasion of Ukraine has also exerted a material drag on the global recovery from the pandemic and increased financial vulnerabilities. Fabio Natalucci heads the GFSR and Global Financial Markets Monitoring. In this podcast, he says with inflation now at a multi-decade high and tightening financial conditions, it will take time for investors and policymakers to adjust to the new world. Transcript Read the full report at IMF.org/GFSR

Read the blog at blogs.imf.org Fabio Natalucci is Deputy Director in the Monetary and Capital Markets Department.

Kristalina Georgieva: Navigating a More Fragile World With shock upon shock hitting the world economy in the last three years, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva's customary opening speech to the Annual Meetings warned of a darker global outlook and emphasized the need for the world to come together to deal with the consequences. The speech was delivered to an audience of students at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and presided over by Dean Joel S. Hellman and Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia. Transcript Kristalina Georgieva is IMF Managing Director
Imperial Valley News Center

Better Plants Program Partners Save $4.2 Billion in Energy Costs

Washington, DC - Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that partners in its Better Buildings, Better Plants Program have saved about $4.2 billion in cumulative energy costs across nearly 3,000 facilities that represent about 12 percent of the U.S. manufacturing energy footprint. In addition, DOE is recognizing the achievements of nine partners who have met their energy or water savings goals this year and welcoming 12 new partners who have joined the program.

Today, close to 200 Better Plants partners are reducing energy costs to strengthen their productivity, create jobs, and increase their resiliency. As part of the broader Better Buildings Initiative, Better Plants partners voluntarily set a long-term goal, typically to reduce energy intensity by 25 percent over a 10-year period across all their U.S. operations. DOE supports these efforts with technical expertise and national recognition.

"U.S. manufacturing companies are saving billions of dollars through innovative, cost-effective approaches to energy efficiency. The Better Plants program aims to bring light to their successes and helps accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and practices across the U.S. These partnerships help drive a stronger, more secure U.S. industrial base." ~ Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, U.S. Department of Energy

Here are a few highlights from the 2017 Better Plants update that outlines the progress of Better Plants partners over the past year.

DOE welcomed Bristol-Myers Squibb and eleven other partners, bringing the total number of partners committing to improve energy performance to 190.

Four Better Plants partners have committed to more aggressive energy-savings goals through the Better Plants Challenge, bringing the total number of Challenge partners to 41.

One Better Plants Challenge partner, Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 chemicals and advanced materials manufacturer from Irving, Texas, met its second goal after meeting its first goal in 2014; they are the 15th partner to set a new ambitious pledge after meeting their initial goal.

General Motors, a Challenge partner in the Fortune 10, exceeded its water goal four years early and reduced its water intensity by 28.3 percent against a 2010 baseline.

Honda North America joined the Better Plants Supply Chain Initiative, sponsoring a cohort of eight suppliers that are now taking advantage of program resources and support to improve their energy efficiency.

New Better Practice and Better Project awards were introduced in 2017 to honor 11 partners exceptional energy-efficiency solutions, including Harley-Davidson, Eastman, and C.F. Martin Guitar.

Partners like JR Simplot and the City of Grand Rapids Water Resource Recovery Facility have leveraged new Better Plants In-Plant Training topics in industrial refrigeration and water/wastewater treatment to develop their workforce and identify energy-savings opportunities.

The Field Validation and Diagnostic Equipment Program was created to facilitate data analysis and measurement among partners.

Read the full report to learn more about this years successes and how the Better Plants program plans to boost competitiveness through improvements in energy efficiency.

Through the Better Buildings Initiative, the Energy Department is partnering with public and private sector organizations to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings more energy efficient over the next decade while creating thousands of jobs. These partners have contributed to over 1,000 solutions on the Better Buildings Solution Center.
Imperial Valley News Center

Actions Taken in Response to Attacks on U.S. Government Personnel in Cuba

Washington, DC - Over the past several months, 21 U.S. Embassy employees have suffered a variety of injuries from attacks of an unknown nature. The affected individuals have exhibited a range of physical symptoms, including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping. Investigators have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks.

On September 29, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as all family members. Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our Embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel in order to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm.

In conjunction with the ordered departure of our diplomatic personnel, the Department has issued a Travel Warning advising U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Cuba and informing them of our decision to draw down our diplomatic staff. We have no reports that private U.S. citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens. The Department does not have definitive answers on the cause or source of the attacks and is unable to recommend a means to mitigate exposure.

The decision to reduce our diplomatic presence in Havana was made to ensure the safety of our personnel. We maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and our work in Cuba continues to be guided by the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States. Cuba has told us it will continue to investigate these attacks and we will continue to cooperate with them in this effort.

The health, safety, and well-being of our Embassy community is our greatest concern. We will continue to aggressively investigate these attacks until the matter is resolved.
Governor Brown Announces Appointments

Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments:

Karin Caves, 62, of Carmichael, has been appointed deputy director of communications at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Caves has served as deputy secretary of communications at the California Health and Human Services Agency since 2014. She was communications director in the Office of California State Senator Kevin de Leon in 2013 and owner at Caves Communications from 1998 to 2013. She was communications director and special assistant at the Office of California State Senate President pro Tempore Bill Lockyer from 1994 to 1998 and communications director and press secretary in the Office of California State Senator Gary K. Hart in 1993. Caves was campaign press secretary for Berman and DAgostino Campaigns from 1988 to 1990 and communications director in the California State Controller's Office from 1987 to 1988. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $147,000. Caves is a Democrat.

Scott M. Murray, 34, of Elk Grove, has been appointed deputy secretary of communications at the California Health and Human Services Agency, where he has been associate secretary of media relations in the Office of External Affairs since 2013 and has served in several positions since 2007, including information officer and assistant information officer. He was a student assistant at the California Department of Health Services from 2003 to 2007. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $120,000. Murray is registered without party preference.

Romey Sabalius, 54, of San Jose, has been appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. Sabalius has been a professor and coordinator of the German Program at the San Jose State University Department of Foreign Languages since 2003, where he was an associate professor from 1998 to 2003 and an assistant professor from 1995 to 1998. Sabalius was a visiting professor at Monash University from 1999 to 2000, an assistant professor at Utah State University from 1992 to 1995, a visiting assistant professor at Vassar College in 1992 and an instructor at the University of California, Los Angeles Extension in 1991. He is a member of the San Jose State University Academic Senate, California State University Academic Senate and the California Faculty Association San Jose State University Chapter Executive Board. Sabalius earned Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts degrees in German literature from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts degree in German literature from the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Sabalius is a Democrat.
Stick with Security: Secure paper, physical media, and devices

Washington, DC - High-profile hackers grab the headlines. But some data thieves prefer old school methods  rifling through file cabinets, pinching paperwork, and pilfering devices like smartphones and flash drives. As your business bolsters the security of your network, dont let that take attention away from how you secure documents and devices.

FTC law enforcement actions, closed investigations, and experiences weve heard from businesses demonstrate the wisdom of adopting a 360 approach to protecting confidential data. As Start with Security suggests, securing paper, physical media, and devices is an important part of that strategy.

Securely store sensitive files.

If your company has already committed to starting with security, you understand the importance of collecting sensitive information only if you have a legitimate business need and keeping it safe while its in your possession.

Example: A local gym maintains personnel files on its current employees. The files contain sensitive data  for example, tax documents with Social Security numbers and direct deposit authorizations with bank account information. The files are kept in the managers office, which is located in an employees only part of the facility. In addition, the manager keeps the files in a cabinet that is locked at all times. Whenever he is helping clients or away from his office for any other reason, he takes the additional precaution of locking his door  a lock that only he and his assistant manager can open. By implementing basic protections, the gym is taking steps toward maintaining the security of confidential information in its possession.

Example: A tax preparation firm has a legal obligation to retain clients records for a certain period of time. The firm keeps them in a central storage room open to all businesses that lease office space on that floor. By leaving those files in an unsecured location, the firm has created an unnecessary risk that clients sensitive information could be misappropriated.

Protect devices that process personal information.

It may look like just a phone, but in the wrong hands and with insecure configuration, it could be a skeleton key that gives a data thief unauthorized access to everything on your network. And what if a traveling employee leaves a flash drive with a database of customer account details in a hotel business center? Companies concerned about security take steps to protect devices that store and process confidential data.

Example: A data processing firm issues its employees smartphones so they can stay in touch when theyre on the go. The firm requires employees to lock phones with a passcode and encrypts the data on the device. Recognizing that people may occasionally misplace their phones, the firm enables device-finding services and uses an app to ensure that it can remotely wipe the device if it goes missing. The firm also trains employees on the procedures for promptly reporting a missing phone. By putting commonsense policies in place and training staff members on complying with them, the firm has taken a basic precaution to protect data accessible through those devices.

Keep safety standards in place when data is en route.

As Start with Security and an earlier post in the Stick with Security series suggest, prudent companies exercise care when transferring sensitive information. They also establish sensible standards and train their employees to take precautions when files or devices are out of the office.

Example: A company with five branch offices in one city assigns an employee to drive to each branch at the end of the day to collect purchase orders that include customers financial information. The company doesnt provide security training to the employee. On one occasion, the employee stops to runs a personal errand, leaving the paperwork in a backpack in her car. She returns to find the passenger window smashed and the backpack stolen. By not training the employee on how to keep the documents safe during her daily rounds, the company has contributed to the risk that the financial information will be accessed by individuals outside the company.

Example: A regional office of a national consulting firm must send an external hard drive to headquarters. The regional office uses an encrypted drive and sends it via a delivery service that offers package tracking. Those two precautions reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the data.

Dispose of sensitive data securely.

It may look like trash to you, but discarded paperwork, deleted electronic files, or obsolete equipment are treasure to a data thief. Just tossing documents in the bin or clicking DELETE is unlikely to deter infobandits. To prevent them from reconstructing discarded files, responsible companies take the prudent step of shredding, burning, or otherwise destroying documents and using tech tools that truly render electronic files unreadable.

Furthermore, if your business is covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, securely disposing of certain confidential data  credit reports and files containing information derived from those reports  doesnt just make good business sense. Under the FCRAs Disposal Rule, its the law.

Example: A small bookkeeping company places two receptacles in each employees office: a waste basket for trash and non-sensitive paperwork and a separate bin for documents that include confidential information. A staff member regularly gathers the confidential documents and shreds them. The company also keeps a shredder near the photocopier so employees can destroy misfeeds or extra copies of sensitive documents. Those simple steps can help reduce the risk of information ending up in unauthorized hands.

Example: An accounting firm decides to donate some old laptops to a charity and directs staff members to delete the files on the computers hard drives. However, just clicking DELETE doesnt actually delete sensitive data. Even if a file name doesnt show up on the list of available documents, it doesnt take much for a data thief to retrieve it. The wiser practice is to securely wipe the hard drive clean using software specifically designed for that purpose.

To stick with security, prudent companies put sensible precautions in place to safeguard paperwork, flash drives, phones, CDs, and other media that may contain sensitive information.
FTC Requires Abbott Laboratories to Divest Two Types of Point-Of-Care Medical Testing Devices as Condition of Acquiring Alere Inc.

Washington, DC - Abbott Laboratories and Alere Inc. have agreed to a divestiture of two point-of-care medical device products line in order to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that Abbotts proposed $8.3 billion acquisition of Alere will cause harm to competition.

Abbott is a global healthcare company that produces, among other things, point-of-care diagnostic devices designed for use at a patients bedside. Massachusetts-based Alere is a manufacturer and global leader in the market for rapid diagnostic testing devices.

According to a complaint filed by the FTC, the proposed acquisition would result in market concentration and likely harm competition in the U.S. for the sale of two types of devices: point-of-care blood gas testing systems (which measure blood pH, oxygen, carbon dioxide and electrolyte levels) and point-of-care cardiac marker testing systems (which measure specific proteins in the blood to assess whether a patient is having a heart attack or experiencing congestive heart failure).

Under the terms of a proposed settlement with the FTC, the parties will divest the rights and assets, including all related intellectual property, manufacturing technology, and confidential business information, as follows:

Aleres blood gas testing system will be divested to Siemens Aktiengelsellschaft, a leading medical device global manufacturer.

Aleres cardiac marker testing system will be divested to Quidel Corporation, a global seller of point of care testing products addressing other conditions such as infectious diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and other general health point-of-care testing.

The parties must also divest Aleres two Ottawa, Canada facilities to Siemens, and Aleres San Diego, California facility to Quidel. The settlement requires the parties to complete the divestitures to Siemens and Quidel no more than 30 days after the proposed acquisition is finalized.

Further details about the consent agreement  which provides for the Commission to appoint a monitor to ensure compliance with the order, and allows it to appoint a trustee if the parties fail to divest the products as required  are set forth in the analysis to aid public comment for this matter.

Commission staff and the staff of antitrust agencies in Canada and the European Union worked cooperatively to analyze the proposed transaction and remedies.

The Commission vote to issue the complaint and accept the proposed consent order for public comment was 2-0. The FTC will publish the consent agreement package in the Federal Register shortly. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days, beginning today and continuing through Oct. 30, 2017, after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final. Comments can be filed electronically or in paper form by following the instructions in the Supplementary Information section of the Federal Register notice.




This Isnt Our Last Love Letter



Dear Don Don,

Way back in 92



I walked into the room and knew



Never felt this way before



I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes



And the feeling grew



As I took a seat I knew



A love that would have my heart



Forever



I knew



Way back in 92





They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true



We were the exception to that rule



Our love had no where to hide



A spark set fire



As if this is how the universe started





I never doubted our love or what we could do



Together we grew



Forming a bond everlasting



That became our glue



My euphoria was YOU



Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared



For how fortunate we were :



to have and to hold

through sickness and in health

Til death do us part



Until we are together again



This isnt our last love letter



I love you with all my heart and soul



Yours forever,



Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow)





Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus.









A True American Hero

I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus.



I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years.



I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years.

But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us.

In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about.



Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle.

I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life.

I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life.

No one will ever do what he did.

I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO





David Jurist

IMUS IN THE MORNING

FIRST DAY BACK!
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Stephen King has launched an attack on Donald Trumps tax reform plan and argued the US president has zero concern for the working man.

The best-selling author, who penned The Shining, argued President Trumps ambitious tax plan which was unveiled on Wednesday would reward the wealthiest and neglect those at the bottom.

Mr Trump has outlined plans to overhaul Americas tax code by proposing sweeping tax cuts in what he termed a one-in-a-generation opportunity. Addressing hundreds of supporters at an event in Indiana, he branded the current tax system a relic and a colossal barrier preventing Americas economic comeback.

Trump's no friend of the working man. If you're working for wages, brothers and sisters, he couldn't give S**t One about you, King wrote on Twitter.

He added: Check his tax plan. Same old, same old. The fat man's busy dancing while the poor man pays the band.

The horror author, whose books have sold more than 350 million copies, is a frequent critic of President Trump and has got so under his skin that the world leader blocked him on Twitter back in June. He has just released a new book Sleeping Beauties which includes a jibe at the president.

In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP

King has previously called for Mr Trump to be impeached, argued his access to nuclear weapons is worse than any story he has written and said he is an almost textbook case of narcissistic personality disorder.

President Trumps tax reform plan, which sets out the most sweeping change in decades, seeks to axe the corporate rate from 35 per cent to 20 per cent.

It proposes three individual tax rates of 12 per cent, 25 per cent and 35 per cent, with a recommended surcharge on the very wealthy. Nevertheless, it does not set the income levels at which the rates would be applied to so it remains uncertain exactly how much of a tax cut would go to a typical family.

President Trump hailed the plan, which he is hoping will recover his embattled legislative agenda, as a middle-class miracle despite the fact the outline is short of detail about how middle-class families would come out of it and analysts conclude the benefits appear modest so far.

The billionaire businessman said: "This is a revolutionary change and the biggest winners will be the everyday American workers as jobs start pouring into our country, as companies start competing for American labour, and as wages start going up at levels that you haven't seen in many years.

However, experts conclude the advantage of the proposals remains limited - partially because the economy is already expanding.

Recommended Stephen King gets revenge on Donald Trump for blocking him on Twitter

President Trump was adamant the tax plan would not benefit the wealthy or well-connected, saying: They can call me all they want, its not gonna help.

He added: Its not good for me, believe me. What is good for me is if everything takes off like a rocketship, like it should have for 20 years. Thats good for me.

Mr Trump also used his speech to deride the estate tax, which affects only a few thousand ultra-rich families each year, and would be eliminated under his proposal. The change would predominantly benefit the upper echelons of earners including President Trump himself.

He also hopes to do away with the alternative minimum tax - a safety net in place to stop tax avoidance which resulted in the president paying $31 million in additional taxes in 2005.

Democrats criticised the plan with Senator Chuck Schumer saying it would provide a financial windfall for wealthy Americans and Senator Bernie Sanders dubbing the plan morally repugnant.

Mr Schumer argued the plan should be called wealth-fare, saying: "It seems that President Trump and Republicans have designed their plan to be cheered in the country clubs and the corporate boardrooms.
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It has emerged that a director once convicted of child molestation in 1988 incorporated jokes about child sex abuse into his new film.

Victor Salva - director of the Jeepers Creepers franchise - was sentenced to three years in prison in 1988 for abusing the 12-year-old child star of his film Clownhouse at the age of 30 as well as filming the molestation and possession of child pornography. He served just 15 months.

It's now emerged that new film Jeepers Creepers 3 originally featured a scene hinting at the sexual abuse between a 13-year-old runaway, played by 21-year-old actress Gabrielle Haugh, and her stepfather through an exchange which sees one character sympathise with her molester.

Can you blame the step-dad, though? one character can be heard saying. I mean, look at her. The heart wants what it wants, am I right?

Critics have pointed out the disturbing exchange having witnessed the scene in advanced screener copies, however, the scene has been subsequently removed from the public version.



Speaking about his abuse, actor Nathan Forrest Winters said of Salva: He spent the better part of a year grooming me and my parents. Developing the trust. It was very calculated, and a long process, as it is with most paedophiles.

Winters, who is currently working on a documentary about his molestation and paedophilia in Hollywood, said: The film will show my journey from victim to survivor. It is my belief that we as a whole in this country have been too afraid to face such an unspeakable topic and continue to turn a blind eye, which has allowed these predators of our children to go unchecked for too long.
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Your iPhone might have a secret chip in it that could save your life. But it's not switched on.

The US telecoms regulator has asked Apple to activate the FM radios that are in some of its phones so they can be used to relay messages in an emergency, like a storm, that knocks out data connections.

But Apple says that only some of its phones have the chip, and that it's not been installing them in recent models. Neither the iPhone 7 or 8 have the right technology, "nor do they have antennas designed to support FM signals, so it is not possible to enable FM reception in these products", the company said in a statement.

Apple unveils the iPhone X Show all 10 1 /10 Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, introduces the iPhone x during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, introduces the iPhone X during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, introduces the iPhone X during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 Reuters Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, introduces the iPhone x during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, introduces the iPhone x during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, introduces the iPhone x during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, shows Animoji during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, speaks during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, introduces the iPhone x during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam Apple unveils the iPhone X Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, speaks about the iPhone X during a launch event in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2017 REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Apple is the only major phone company that hasn't yet activated the chips, the FCC said. I hope the company will reconsider its position, given the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, chairman Arjit Pai said in a statement.

Recommended Apple launches privacy website intended to show just how secure it is

Apple said that it has activated and engineered a whole range of different systems in its phones, all intended to keep their users safe. The company has "engineered modern safety solutions into our products. Users can dial emergency services and access Medical ID card information directly from the Lock Screen, and we enable government emergency notifications, ranging from Weather Advisories to AMBER alerts," it said in a release, making clear that all the same it wouldn't be able to comply with the FCC request.

The company has been showing off some of those security and privacy features this week, as part of the launch of a new website and the new phones.

It's not clear whether the FCC could force Apple to turn on the chips in the phones that do have them, or to compel them to install the feature in future phones. It didn't reply to Apple's statement that it couldn't actually comply with the request.

Mobile phone networks have been wiped out in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, after storms there. The FM radios allow the phones to pick up signals far more easily and over longer distances, allowing them to be used to relay information even when normal networks are down.

The FM radios will have come as part of other internal parts bought by Apple to add into its phone. As such, it's likely that Apple never actually intended to use them, and it's possible that they couldn't even be turned on.
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Her head thrown back in agony, a tube snaking up her nose to keep her fed, and her veins visible like black spiderwebs beneath her paper-thin skin. Its this startling image of four-year-old Jessica Whelan in the grip of agony weeks before she died of cancer that spread online last year.

Its a state that no parent wants to see their child in, but Andy Whelan - Jessicas father - chose to release this heartbreaking image on Facebook to raise awareness of the horrors of cancer.

Initially, Whelan, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancahsire, took up photography to distract himself when he felt particularly helpless about his daughters diagnosis with stage four neuroblastoma at the age of three.

Recommended Girl whose cancer struggle was caught in painful photo by father dies

I was able to utilise photography when I needed to get away and clear my head and it was something that I could study through the use of books during the long hospital stays, he tells The Independent.

At first the pictures were to show her, in later life, what she had been through but this changed as the disease spread, he adds. The majority of the photos I got were of good and happy times, visual reminders of her joyful spirit and cheeky nature that would last a lifetime.

Now, Whelan is working with the World Child Cancer charity on his first public photo series since Jessica's death in November 2016, to capture children in the clothing of different professions. He hopes the project called The Gift of Growing Up will highlight how cancer claims the life of a child every three minutes in the developing world, due to a lack of access to medical treatment.

An image of Jessica Whelan taken by her father (Facebook/Andrew Whelan)

Each year, 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer across the world. But a child with cancer in high-income countries has an 80 per cent chance of survival. In the low-income world, this drops to 10 per cent in some cases.

"When I was sent the information regarding the lack of treatment and or funding for children in developing countries I was taken back to the pain that Jessica suffered and the helplessness I felt as a parent watching her endure this illness.

"Some of the treatments we take for granted in the UK are just not available to children in developing countries due to funding and sadly these children and families are offered no hope."

A year ago, when he published the image of Jessica in agony, he couldnt have known the reach it would have. How did he decide to release it?

The picture of Jessica in pain was not originally taken to be published, he recalls. It was taken for our benefit so that as time passed we could look back and see that our decision to not try and prolong her life, at detriment to her, was the right one and remind us of the pain she had endured as part of this hellish illness.

Upon reviewing the picture I had taken I realised the power of the photo and decided to publish it on Jessicas Facebook page to show her followers the true face of this illness, the face that we had become more and more accustomed to seeing in those final months.

Even then, the picture held emotions strong to us because of the content but I never contemplated the emotional response it would receive from people who in essence were strangers to Jessica.

The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan Show all 12 1 /12 The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan The Gift of Growing Up by Andy Whelan

The family were quickly flooded with messages of support.

Some of these messages were received from people who had endured similar as a family and were thankful of us showing this side of an illness that is often not shown," says Whelan. "The response that the picture received showed me the power of the picture and the effect that a picture can have.

Whelan is just one of many parents whose lives have been devastated by cancer, but he hopes the profile afforded him by his image of Jessica will enable him to help voiceless families.

A note from Jessica's family left on her funeral flowers (YouTube)

I am not in a position of being someone who can find new treatments or even a cure but if my photography can in some way help highlight the extent of paediatric cancer then that is something I can offer.

To donate to World Child Cancer's Stop the Childhood Cancer Clock campaign, text GROW35 3 to 70070. Until 18 December 2017, every pound donated will be doubled by the UK Government as part of its UK Aid Match Scheme.
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Ford is considering building the electric Streetscooter minivan developed by German logistics firm Deutsche Post as both companies explore ways to expand the project, a senior official of the carmaker in Germany said.

Deutsche Post said last month it would consider broadening its alliance with Ford as Germany, the main market for the vehicles starting at 32,000 (28,097), clamps down on toxic diesel fumes.

We are looking at this in detail and pondering whether the number of units can be raised, Gunnar Herrmann, chairman of Ford of Germany, said in an interview published on Thursday.

Recommended Why Dyson made an error investing in electric cars

The demand is there, one now needs to look at how this business model can be moved into a different dimension, he said, adding Ford has been getting requests from all over the world since partnering with Streetscooter in June.

Advances in manufacturing software are allowing car industry newcomers such as Deutsche Post, Google and start-ups to tap suppliers to design, engineer and test new vehicle concepts without hiring thousands of engineering staff or investing billions in tooling and factories.

Deutsche Post initially developed the minivan for internal use and in response to growing inner-city transportation needs as online shopping results in more demand for parcel deliveries.

But the Bonn-based group plans to seek another production site and double annual output to 20,000 vans by the end of the year.

Mr Herrmann said Ford is studying the conditions required to build the model in Germany.

Electric cars will only see their breakthrough if we produce (them) in an extremely cost-effective way, he said. It would be difficult if we were to apply our customary production processes. One needs to be creative and take on a different perspective.
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The European parliament has banned Monsanto lobbyists after the chemical company refused to attend a hearing into allegations that it interfered with safety studies.

Monsanto representatives are now banned from meeting MEPs and attending parliamentary inquiries. It is the first time MEPs have used powers to block access for companies that ignore summons to give evidence.

One has to assume it is effective immediately, a spokesman for the parliaments president Antonio Tajani told the Guardian.

In a statement posted on the European Greens group website, president Philippe Lamberts said: Those who ignore the rules of democracy also lose their rights as a lobbyist in the European Parliament.

US corporations must also accept the democratic control function of the parliament. Monsanto cannot escape this.

There remain many uncertainties in the assessment of the pesticide glyphosate. Monsanto has to face the questions of parliamentarians and should not hinder the clarification process.

MEPs were said to be angered by Monsantos decision not to attend an event run by the environment and agriculture committees on 11 October.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

Academics and regulators were due to hear allegations that the US agrichemical giant exerted undue influence over studies about glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsantos controversial RoundUp weedkiller.

RoundUp brought in around 3.5bn last year for Monsanto and has been linked to increased cancer rates. The firm is currently locked in a battle to renew its EU licence to sell the product with a decision expected to come in November.

The European food safety authority attracted criticism earlier this month after it emerged that it had copied and pasted dozens of pages of analysis from a Monsanto report into its own recommendation on RoundUp.
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Consumer confidence picked up slightly in September, but remains close to the lows hit in the wake of the June 2016 Brexit vote, according to the latest snapshot of UK sentiment.

GfK's headline index rose 1 point to -9 in the month.

It had slipped sharply to -12 in the month after the referendum as confidence was hit by the shock result.

The index rapidly recovered but has been on a broadly declining trend since September 2016.

GfK reported that there was a decline in peoples' perception of their personal financial situation over the next year.

The data conflicts somewhat with the latest Distributive Trades Survey from the CBI which earlier this weeks showed retail sales hitting a two-year high in September.

Retail sales are considered a bellwether for momentum in the wider economy, since they account for around 30 per cent of UK household consumption  which in turn accounts for around 60 per cent of GDP.

But Joe Staton of GfK emphasised the resilience of UK shoppers.

"Consumers are still spending out there, and have repeatedly defied predictions of a downturn since last years Brexit vote, partly by running down savings and/or borrowing more," he said.

"Indeed, the major purchase indicator has crept up a second month in a row and the savings index has sagged. Its live now, pay later. This defiant consumer mood seems to be the new normal. But how long can it last?

A separate index from Lloyds Bank also released on Friday showed overall business confidence rose 6 points to 23 per cent in September.

Economic optimism among firms increased by 7 points to 12 per cent, but that was still the second lowest level of 2017.
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The University of Manchester censored the title of a Jewish Holocaust survivor's speech criticising Israel after the country's embassy complained it was antisemitic.

Marika Sherwood, a historian who survived the Budapest ghetto, had planned to deliver a lecture about Israel's treatment of Palestinians headlined: "You're doing to the Palestinians what the Nazis did to me."

The talk was part of Israeli Apartheid Week, a series of events in March organised by student branches of the Action Palestine and Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaigns.

But the university banned the "unduly provocative" title of Ms Sherwood's speech and insisted the lecture be recorded following a visit by Israeli ambassador Mark Regev and his staff.

The diplomat visited Manchester on 22 February and met the university's head of student experience, Tim Westlake, The Guardian reported.

Later that day Michael Freeman, the embassy's counsellor for civil society, wrote to Mr Westlake and thanked him for discussing the difficult issues that we face, including the offensively titled Israeli Apartheid Week.

He alleged the title of Ms Sherwood's talk, as well as two speakers booked for a separate event, were antisemitic.

Both of these events will to [sic] cause Jewish students to feel uncomfortable on campus and that they are being targeted and harassed for their identity as a people and connection to the Jewish state of Israel," wrote Mr Freeman.

I would be grateful if you could look into these events and take the appropriate action."

He added: "We welcome debate and discussion and see it as an essential part of a healthy democracy and open society. In the case of these two particular events, we feel that this is not legitimate criticism but has rather crossed the line into hate speech.

The day after Mr Freeman's email, university officials wrote to event organiser Huda Ammori and told her the talk's title was "unduly provocative" and "is not to be permitted". They also imposed conditions including the recording of talks and the removal of a Manchester university historian as chair over concerns about her "neutrality".

Ms Sherwood's talk went ahead under the title: "A Holocaust survivors story and the Balfour declaration."

But the Israeli embassy's role in the name change only emerged this week the Information Commissioner's Office forced the university to disclose correspondence between Mr Freeman and Mr Westlake under the Freedom of Information Act.

Ms Sherwood said she was "absolutely appalled" to learn diplomats had labelled her lecture hate speech.

She told The Independent: "I talked about how my Jewish family was treated, how I had a very young uncle who died on the march to Auschwitz. Other members of my extended family were killed."

She added: "I come from a Jewish family, I am not at all antisemitic. I am 100 per cent anti-Zionist and anti-Israel because of how they behave. To me there is a big difference between being antisemitic and anti-Israel.

"I was very pleased to be asked to give the talk I gave because to me it's very, very important."

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA

A University of Manchester spokesman said: Events held on campus are reviewed under the Universitys Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech if they concern potentially controversial topics and whenever they involve external speakers.

This includes events organised through and in the University of Manchester Students Union. In deciding whether or not an event should go ahead, the University pays due regard to all relevant legislation, including the Equality Act 2010.

However, such legislation does not act to prohibit completely the expression of controversial views. In this case the university allowed the events to proceed in line with the requirements of the Act and our commitment to principles of freedom of speech and expression.

A spokesman for the Israeli embassy told The Guardian: Comparing Israel to the Nazi regime could reasonably be considered anti-Semitic, given the context, according to the IHRA's [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] working definition of anti-Semitism, which is accepted by the British government, the Labour party, the NUS [National Union of Students] and most British universities.

He said meetings between diplomats and universities were common and did not amount to lobbying.
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The Department of Justice has demanded Facebook turn over information about three anti-Trump activists, drawing a legal challenge from civil liberties advocates who say the government is overreaching by seeking vast amounts of personal information.

Warrants issued by the US Attorney for the District of Columbia in February asked Facebook to detail the activities of three users who spearheaded mass protests of President Donald Trumps inauguration, as well as information about the page they used to plan the demonstrations. More than 200 people were arrested as violence flared in otherwise peaceful gatherings.

Citing evidence of rioting or intent to riot, the sweeping requests ask Facebook to disclose all personal information of the organizers, including their passwords and physical addresses, as well as all activity associated with their accounts, any photos or videos they uploaded or any messages they sent. A separate warrant asks Facebook to reveal information about users who interacted with a page used to plan the protests.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has moved to block the warrants on behalf of the targeted activists, arguing in a filing that enforcing the warrants would reach deeply into individuals private lives and protected associational and political activity.

It warns that giving the government access to such broad repositories of data would stifle future speech.

The enforcement of the warrants would chill future online communications of political activists and anyone who communicates with them, as they will learn from these searches that no Facebook privacy setting can protect them from government snooping on political and personal materials far removed from any proper law enforcement interest, the filing warns.

Trump Inauguration protests around the World Show all 14 1 /14 Trump Inauguration protests around the World Trump Inauguration protests around the World Activists from Greenpeace display a message reading "Mr President, walls divide. Build Bridges!" along the Berlin wall in Berlin on January 20, 2017 to coincide with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United State Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World An activist holds up a sign at the "We Stand United" rally on the eve of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration outside Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York on January 19, 2017 in New York Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters burn a U.S. flag and a mock flag with pictures of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump outside the U.S. embassy in metro Manila, Philippines Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Filipino protestors hold placcards during a protest rally in front of the US embassy in Manila, Philippines, 20 January 2017. On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump's inaguration as the 45th president of the United States, Filipinos and Fil-Americans held a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila to denounce the incoming US president. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Hong Kong police officers and security guards look on as an anarchist protester belonging to the Disrupt J20 movement sits after using a heavy duty D-lock and motorcycle lock to chain himself to a railing at the entrance gate to the Consulate General of the United States of America in Hong Kong to protest the inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump, Hong Kong, China, 20 January 2017. Two activists were arrested and taken away by Hong Kong police during the demonstration. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A banner is unfurled on London's Tower Bridge, organised by Bridges Not Walls - a partnership between grassroots activists and campaigners working on a range of issues, formed in the wake of Donald Trump's election, which aims to build bridges to a world free from hatred and oppression. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Bridges Not Walls banner dropped from Molenbeek bridge in Brussels, Belgium, 20 January 2017, in an Greenpeace action part of protests Wolrd protest in solidarity with people in the US, the day Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds an anti-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump placard during a rally in Tokyo, Japan, Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A Palestinian protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and against US President-elect Donald Trump, on January 20, 2017, near the settlement of Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Banners on North Bridge in Edinburgh as part of the Bridges Not Walls protest against US President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Russian artist Vasily Slonov (L) and his assistant carry a life-sized cutout, which is an artwork created by Slonov and titled "Siberian Inauguration", before its presentation on the occasion of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in a street in Krasnoyarsk, Russia Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds a banner during a march to thank outgoing President Barack Obama and reject US President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration at a park in Tokyo, Japan, 20 January 2017. EPA Trump Inauguration protests around the World Palestinian demonstrators protesting this week against a promise by Donald Trump to re-locate the US embassy to Jerusalem Reuters

A spokesman for the US Attorney's office declined to comment. In a statement, Facebook backed the ACLU's efforts on behalf of the activists.

We successfully fought in court to be able to notify the three people whose broad account information was requested by the government. We are grateful to the companies and civil society organizations that supported us in arguing for peoples ability to learn about and challenge overly broad search warrants, a spokesperson said.

Among the information that could be exposed, the ACLU's court filing argues, is information about conversations with friends and family members, intimate messages sent to romantic partners and detailed discussions of having endured domestic violence. One of the targeted activists said in a filing that the government would have access to information about her long history of unrelated political activity, including posts identifying others who participated in various marches and sit-ins.

And the governments dragnet could sweep up thousands of other people, the ACLU argues, citing the roughly 6,000 people who liked the disruptj20 page and others who said they would attend events sponsored by the page unrelated to the inauguration protest, including a Queer Dance Party at Mike Pences House.

 Dallas Cowboys display own message of defiance to Donald Trump after NFL anthem protests

The unfolding legal battle marks the latest clash over the inauguration protests, with government demands for information running up against the privacy concerns of web users.

Earlier this year, the Department of Justice served online service provider DreamHost with a warrant seeking information about anyone who had visited a website used to organize anti-Trump protests. DreamHost challenged the request, and ultimately a judge compelled the company to turn over a scaled-down collection of data - an outcome DreamHost framed as a victory for its users.
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A man accused of kidnapping British model Chloe Ayling should be extradited to Italy to face trial, a judge has ruled.

Lawyers for Michal Herba, 36, said he would appeal the ruling handed down at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Ms Ayling, 20, claims she was snatched, drugged and held hostage for six days by a group calling itself Black Death after being lured to a fake modelling shoot in Milan in July.

Mr Herbas lawyers suggested the entire case may be a sham invented as a publicity stunt to boost Ms Aylings career.

But, at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, District Judge Paul Goldspring said he should be extradited to Italy to join his brother, Lukasz Herba, 30, to face allegations they kidnapped the model before demanding a 300,000 (264,000) ransom.

I have decided you should be surrendered to Italy to face trial for the kidnap, the judge told Mr Herba.

Following the judgment, Herbas barrister, George Hepburne Scott, announced he would appeal against the decision, meaning his client will remain in custody in the UK until the result.

He said: I will continue to support my client throughout these proceedings and in Italy, if necessary.

He continues to protest his innocence in the strongest possible terms.

Italian police claim the Polish-born brothers are part of the Black Death group, which says it sells women as sex slaves on the dark web to buyers in the Middle East.

Ms Ayling, of Coulsdon, south London, claims she was sedated and bundled into the boot of a car after being tricked into attending a bogus photoshoot in Milan on 11 July, then held captive in a remote farmhouse.

Her alleged captor, Lukasz Herba, is in custody in Milan, having been arrested after delivering Ms Ayling to the British embassy on 17July.

He has said he did not knowingly take part in any crime.

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. 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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. 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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. 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Michal Herba was arrested by the National Crime Agency on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Italian authorities last month.

He was apprehended in the Tividale area of Sandwell in the West Midlands, and has been requested by the court of Milan for a single offence of kidnapping between 11 and 17 July.

Fighting the extradition earlier this week, Mr Scott: said: There is a real risk that the entire case is a sham.

He pointed to a unique set of anomalies, including claims that Ms Ayling went shoe shopping with her captor and had breakfast with him before her release.

He also highlighted the models string of television appearances and plans to release a book, arguing the extradition would amount to an abuse of process if the kidnapping had been a publicity stunt.

But on Friday, the judge said the 89 pages of open source material relied upon by Mr Scott came entirely from reports in the media.

I make clear that is not evidence to support it being a sham, he added.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A judge who spared an Oxford University student jail for stabbing her boyfriend is being investigated by a judicial watchdog.

Judge Ian Pringle handed Lavinia Woodward a 10-month prison sentence but suspended it for 18 months, meaning she will not go to prison unless she commits another offence or violates the conditions of her release.

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) confirmed it had received a complaint against the judge, adding: Any findings of misconduct against judicial office holders are published on the JCIO website at the conclusion of investigations.

The watchdog can only deal with complaints about a judicial office-holders personal conduct  it cannot deal with complaints about judicial decisions or about case management, according to its website.

Woodward, a 24-year-old medical student at Christ Church, was due to be sentenced earlier this year after admitting unlawful wounding, but the judge gave her four months to prove herself.

The attack took place when Woodwards partner, a Cambridge University student, visited her in Oxford on 30 December.

He realised she had been drinking and contacted her mother for assistance. When Woodward discovered this, she became extremely angry and began throwing objects.

The victim called 999 for help as Woodward picked up a bread knife and stabbed him in the lower leg, before being restrained by her boyfriend as she tried to turn the weapon on herself.

Critics claim that had Woodward been a male, then she would have received a prison sentence for the crime

Adjourning the sentencing in May, Judge Pringle described Woodward as an extraordinary, able young lady, adding that it would be too severe to jail her and prevent her entering her career.

Oxford Crown Court heard Woodward was later admitted to a clinic for treatment for addictions to Class A drugs and alcohol, and an eating disorder.

At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Pringle said he deferred his decision to allow Woodward to continue with counselling and demonstrate that she had overcome the addictions.

He described Woodward as deeply distraught and mentally disturbed during the incident, adding: Whilst this was clearly a case where your behaviour must have been extremely intimidating to your partner, the actual injuries were relatively minor and certainly less serious in the context of this offence.

Judge Pringle noted that Woodward had no previous convictions and appeared genuinely remorseful, breaking her bail conditions to contact her former boyfriend to confess her guilt and her deep sorrow for what happened.

Addressing the defendant, he added: Whilst you are clearly a highly intelligent individual, you had an immaturity about you which was not commensurate for someone of your age.

As the reports from the experts make clear, you suffer from an emotionally unstable personality disorder, a severe eating disorder and alcohol drug dependence.

Finally, and most significantly, you have demonstrated over the last nine months that you are determined to rid yourself of your alcohol/drug addiction and have undergone extensive treatment... You have demonstrated to me a strong and unwavering determination so to do despite the enormous pressure under which you were put.

A barrister defending Woodward claimed she was a different woman since the start of the case and would continue treatment, while criticising media coverage and claiming she had been fired from a job over the attack.

James Sturman QC said his client was not being treated leniently because she is intelligent, arguing that she was a vulnerable, damaged young woman.

The dean of Woodwards college, the Very Rev Professor Martyn Percy, said she had voluntarily suspended her medical studies, and described the case as a matter of regret and sadness.

He added: The question of her future will now be decided by the university, which has procedures in place when a student is the subject of a criminal conviction.

Woodwards sentence sparked widespread outrage, with campaigners representing male victims of domestic abuse warning that it could prevent people coming forward.

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Mark Brooks, chairman of the ManKind Initiative, branded Woodwards sentence unfair and said she would have been expected to go to prison had she been a man.

When male victims see this case, to them it will actually enforce that view, that male victims are not taken as seriously as female victims, he added.

It is unfair because we would expect a man who committed this type of crime to go to prison and rightly so, so the question has to be asked why it wasnt the case here.

It came after the Crown Prosecution Service announced plans to encourage male victims of sexual and domestic abuse to come forward.

Additional reporting by PA
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Neo-Nazi terrorist groups are continuing attempts to radicalise and recruit followers online despite being banned by the Government, The Independent can reveal.

The Home Office outlawed Scottish Dawn and NS131 (National Socialist Anti-Capitalist Action) as aliases of National Action, which is the first far-right group ever proscribed in the UK.

The ban came weeks after The Independent warned that both Scottish Dawn and NS131 were front groups being used by National Action members to evade authorities.

But the websites of both newly designated terrorist groups remain online, complete with propaganda videos, images, supremacist diatribes and ways to join.

Amber Rudd has vowed to combat the vile racist, homophobic and antisemitic groups and their ability to glorify violence and stir up hatred.

I will not allow them to masquerade under different names, the Home Secretary added.

By extending the proscription of National Action, we are halting the spread of a poisonous ideology and stopping its membership from growing  protecting those who could be at risk of radicalisation.

Scottish Dawn has a working online form where activists can apply to be interviewed for a place, while NS131 is still urging potential members to contact them via an encrypted email service favoured by neo-Nazis.

There is also growing alarm over an emerging group calling itself the System Resistance Network, which is calling for a white revolution and has targeted the LGBT community in Hampshire.

Scottish Dawn's website remained online on Friday afternoon

Hope Not Hate, whose researchers have been monitoring far-right groups, welcomed the bans but said enforcement is key.

As we saw with Anjem Choudarys al-Muhajiroun network, extremists frequently create new front groups with new names and new branding to circumvent any restrictions, a spokesperson told The Independent.

Its clear that National Action was attempting to do the same, so we trust enforcement will happen. With a ban we would hope that any web or social media presence would be taken down.

The official YouTube channels for Scottish Dawn and NS131 remained online until late on Friday afternoon, containing a range of extremist videos.

They were reported by the Jewish charity Community Security Trust (CST), which described National Action as the most overtly antisemitic organisation seen in the UK in decades.

Dave Rich, a spokesperson for the CST, told The Independent: We have seen that the websites are still available and hope that the authorities are speaking to the relevant service providers and hosting services to get them removed.

This is an ongoing problem with enforcing proscription when extremist groups host websites outside the UK.

Mr Rich said the CST was very alarmed when National Action emerged from existing far-right groups in 2013, adding: We know that neo-Nazis have antisemitism at the core of their ideology but its rare to see it advertised so proudly  it just goes to show how extreme they were.

A Scottish Dawn video, which has since been removed, showed a female activist claiming the group was fighting the destruction of our own people.

While the groups website advertises a range of seemingly benign activities, including hiking, litter picks and heritage tours, footage uploaded to YouTube revealed a more violent intent.

Members of Scottish Dawn undergoing combat training, shown in a video called Braveheart Fight Club, September 2017

It showed members of the so-called Braveheart Fight Club undergoing combat training in fields and forests.

Train for your blood, train for your soil, train with your brothers  Join the resistance, viewers are urged over footage of men fighting, weight-lifting and hoisting the Scottish Dawn flag.

Scottish Dawns website remains live, displaying the Nazi slogan blood and soil and life-rune symbol, which was associated with the SS and white supremacists.

The group describes itself as a patriotic society for the defence of our race and nation active across Scotland, claiming that multiculturalism are met with resistance.

The group was one of several regional chapters set up by National Action members after that group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation.

One activist, a former Ukip member, was filmed by investigative website The Ferret admitting that Scottish Dawn was very similar to National Action and included members.

The group was also influenced by the white supremacist identitarian movement that has chapters across mainland Europe, after spreading from France.

NS131s website also remains online, describing itself as a platform dedicated to promoting and spreading NS [National Socialist] street art and physical propaganda.

Videos show members spraying neo-Nazi graffiti and dropping banners in the Midlands, as well as commemorating Adolf Hitlers deputy Rudolf Hess, stamping on gay pride flags and performing Nazi salutes.

An online mission statement says NS131s vision is to inspire youth with radical nationalist and anti-system ideas and claims the group is committed to the original program of the NSDAP  Hitlers Nazi Party.

Raffaello Pantucci, from the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (Rusi) said concern about the threat posed by the far-right had spiked in the UK following the murder of Jo Cox.

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The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. 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National Action praised her killer and took on the phrase he shouted in court  Death to traitors, freedom for Britain  as a slogan, while calling for more MPs to be massacred.

Mr Pantucci said the Governments response to the far-right had improved following the failure to prevent bombmaker Pavlo Lapshyn murdering a Muslim grandfather in Birmingham in 2013.

The threat picture across Europe has been changing, the director of International Security Studies added.

This stuff takes time to filter through and its a process  the practicalities are catching up with the legislation.

Mr Pantucci stressed that while the focus of counter-terror work has been on Islamists in the wake of a series of Isis-linked attacks, the incitement of racial hatred, violence and murder from the far-right remain illegal under common law.

The ban on Scottish Dawn and NS131 was announced a day after 11 suspected neo-Nazis were arrested in raids across England and Wales.

Investigators said five of the men had since been released under continuing investigation  two men from Swansea (28 and 23), a 23-year-old man from Sowerby Bridge, a 26-year-old man from Leeds and a 30-year-old man from Wiltshire were detained as suspected members of National Action.

The six suspects who remain in custody were arrested in and around Warrington, where The Independent revealed National Action continued to operate a training base up until earlier this month.

Steve Rose, researcher into the far-right for Faith Matters, said more aliases were likely to emerge from shadowy far-right online networks.

When you have an extreme ideology, you find ways to hide that, he added.

One of the propaganda posters distributed by new neo-Nazi group the System Resistance Network

Thats why theyre so keen on encrypted emails  they understand how to get around when stuff gets shut down.

He said an emerging group called the System Resistance Network (SRN), formally known as Vanguard Britannia, may also be linked to National Action, sharing an email service, slogans, tactics and a graphic style of propaganda.

There are clear indications that this is either another National Action front group or they have been inspired and influenced by them, he added.

Both are problems because theyve worked out a way of making very slick, very effective propaganda.

The SRN targeted a Pride event in Southampton earlier this month, papering the parade route with posters reading Hitler Was Right and Stop the Faggots.

The fliers can be printed from the groups website, which includes images of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn with stars of David on their foreheads, while inviting people to join your local Nazis.

The website contains diatribes publishing false statistics accusing degenerate same-sex couples of abusing children, and describing homosexuality as the eternal social menace, calling for gay people to be purged from society for the greater good.

SRN, which quotes Hitler on its homepage, calls the Aryan race the highest order of being and Nazi ideology the most sophisticated and advanced creed.

Mr Rose said efforts to ban National Action and its subgroups were welcome, but warned that extremists have gone underground, regrouped and found new ways to operate.

This is a very dedicated pool of people, he added. There will be another National Action front, and thats a concern for all communities.
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A man has been handed a 12-month suspended sentence after importing a childlike sex doll he bought online amid a national crackdown.

Simon Glerum, 33, was prosecuted under a law banning the import of indecent or obscene articles after attempting to get the doll delivered from Hong Kong to his home in Essex.

The doll was intercepted by Border Force officers at Stansted Airport in January and he was arrested by Essex Police officers.

Searches triggered by the investigation revealed that Glerum had also downloaded indecent images of children.

He originally claimed he had intended to buy a smaller adult doll but police used evidence of his internet use that he deliberately purchased one imitating a child.

The silicone dolls, which weigh around 55lb (25kg) and can cost thousands of pounds, have been sold by traders on sites including Amazon and eBay.

Glerum admitted arranging the import of a prohibited indecent or obscene article, three offences of making, or downloading, indecent images of children between July 2014 and January 2017, and the possession of eight prohibited images of children.

 Surge in child sex doll seizures

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years, meaning he will not be jailed unless he violates the terms of his release or commits another crime.

Glerum was also made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order by a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Sarah Freeman, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: Following the interception of the childlike sex doll, further serious offending was uncovered which was subsequently admitted by Simon Glerum.

The close ongoing work between the CPS, the police and other law enforcement agencies is proving crucial to identifying and investigating this type of offending and bringing it before the courts.

The ruling came under two months after a test case that saw a 72-year-old school governor prosecuted for importing a child sex doll.

David Turner admitted importing and having sex with the 3ft 10in doll, which prosecutors described as anatomically detailed, but his lawyers argued the doll was not covered by laws banning the importation of obscene items.

Judge Simon James, sitting at Canterbury Crown Court, decided the doll imported from China  which was also intercepted at Stansted Airport  was illegal.

David Turner had two child sex dolls and was caught trying to import another (PA)

Analysis of Turners computers showed he viewed websites selling items advertised as flat chest love doll and mini silicone sex doll 65cms little breasts.

Turner, who also admitted possessing more than 34,000 images of child abuse, resigned as a school governor of St Ethelberts Church Primary School in Ramsgate and from St Ethelberts and Gertrude Church where he was a warden.

After the test case, the National Crime Agencys Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), said the purchase of dolls can indicate other offences against children.

The importation of these child sex dolls is a relatively new phenomenon, Hazel Stewart added.

We know their purchase can indicate other offences against children, as was the case against Turner who had a sickening stash of abuse images.

The NCA and Border Force co-ordinate law enforcement activity, carrying out intelligence checks and offering specialist advice every time these indecent and obscene items are seized at the border.

Importers of such obscene items should expect to have law enforcement closing in on them.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will 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Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA

The chief executive of Barnardos, Javed Khan, said evidence showed a clear connection between childlike dolls and a sexual interest in children.

He added: The importation of child sex dolls into the UK is an extremely disturbing new phenomenon and one that needs to be tackled with robust legislation and enforcement.

Some supporters of child sex dolls have argued that their use could prevent paedophiles from targeting real-life victims, but the NSPCC dismissed the claims.

Jon Brown, the charitys head of development, said: There is no evidence to support the idea that the use of so-called child sex dolls helps prevent potential abusers from committing contact offences against real children.

And in fact there is a risk that those using these child sex dolls or realistic props could become desensitised and their behaviour becomes normalised to them, so that they go on to harm children themselves, as is often the case with those who view indecent images.

The NSPCC is calling on Government to take action to criminalise the manufacturing, distribution and possession of these grotesque dolls, in the same way it does indecent images of children.

And until this loophole is closed, online retailers who have these items available to purchase should immediately remove them from sale.

Several men have been prosecuted over the dolls in recent months, including a Cheshire man jailed for more than two years in June, amid a national crackdown.

Border Force officers have seized at least 123 dolls, often manufactured in China and Hong Kong, since March 2016.


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The first same-sex wedding in an Anglican church in the UK has gone ahead despite the threat of punitive sanctions against the church body that gave the ceremony the go-ahead.

Alistair Dinnie and Peter Matthews made history by becoming the first gay couple to tie the knot after the Scottish Episcopal Church, which runs St Johns Church in Edinburgh, voted to overturn rules stipulating that marriage must be between a man and woman.

In June, members of the Scottish Episcopal Church general synod voted overwhelmingly to allow its churches to hold same-sex ceremonies.

But the opportunity for same-sex weddings in the Scottish Episcopal Church may not last.

The move is expected to be censured by the overarching Anglican Communion, which may exclude the Scottish Episcopal Church from future decision-making activities.

Last year the Anglican Communion suspended the US Episcopal Church from participating in decision-making and prevented it from representing Anglicans in meetings with other Christians and faith groups after the church similarly supported equal marriage.

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion said the Scottish church's decision puts it at odds with the majority stance that marriage is the lifelong union of a man and a woman.

The Anglican Communion may take action as soon as next week at a meeting of church leaders in Canterbury.

The stance of the Scottish church will likely throw a spotlight on a growing rift within the Anglican Church, where increasingly liberal churches are opposed by those which take a strongly traditional view against same-sex unions.

Representatives from churches in Rwanda, Uganda and Nigeria are all boycotting the meeting because they believe the US Episcopal Church should have faced stiffer consequences for changing its rules.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Episcopal Church said it would not comment on any potential sanctions before the meeting.

The Rev Markus Dunzkofer, the rector at St Johns, told The Times he felt honoured and blessed to have been able to oversee the union of Mr Matthews, a lecturer in social policy at the University of Stirling, and Mr Dinnie, the refugee and migration programme manager for Edinburgh city council and a member of the church choir.

He said: I have blessed marriages in other Anglican provinces and always had to stop short of the vows. It felt like something was cut off, like something wasnt right. Finally being able to do the whole thing felt like the fulfilment of where the spirit had been telling us to get to. It completely made sense, it all came together.

Mr Matthews and Mr Dinnie are believed to be on their honeymoon.

Same sex marriage have already been held in Unitarian and Free Christian churches in Britain, which sit outside the Anglican tradition; as well as in Quaker meeting houses, Liberal and Reform Jewish synagogues and more recently URC churches.

St John's Church is fundraising for a new organ. To donate go to: www.stjohns-edinburgh.org.uk/donate.html
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Parliamentary authorities have said the costs of renovating the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster, which houses the bell known as Big Ben, will now double to an estimated 61m.

The conservation work on the clock tower was originally priced at 29 million in the spring of 2016.

The repair effort caused controversy when it was announced that Big Ben would only chime on special occasions over the next four years while the works were being carried out.

Parliament said the dramatic price increase came as the contractors tasked with the restoration work gained a better understanding of the complexity of the renovation work.

A spokeswoman for the House of Commons told the Press Association: The commissions expressed their disappointment in the cost increases, and the unreliability of the original estimate.

They instructed officials to provide regular updates on progress and costs to the relevant domestic committees so they can keep the commissions fully informed of the project.

They also reiterated their commitment to preserve the Elizabeth Tower and Great Clock for future generations."

In a joint statement the clerk of the House of Commons, the clerk of the Parliaments and the director general of the House of Commons, said: We acknowledge that there have been estimating failures and we understand the concern of the commissions.

In advance of tendering contracts, the initial high level estimates were set at a lower level to avoid cost escalation from the market.

Subsequent estimates, using better data and more extensive surveys, better reflect the true likelihood of the costs.

We believe that we now have a more accurate estimate of the cost of the works and will report regularly to the committees on the progress of work.
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The number of Britons who have applied for citizenship in other EU nations since the Brexit referendum last year has soared by tens of thousands  and almost trebled in Ireland.

Elsewhere, the requests doubled in Spain, Sweden, Denmark and Poland  and there was a sharp rise in France, figures showed.

It comes amid uncertainty over whether the estimated one million British people based in EU member states will be allowed to legally remain there when the UK eventually severs ties with Brussels.

Recommended Theresa May meets Angela Merkel to push for Brexit progress

In Ireland it amounted to 64,400 UK nationals who made a bid for passports there in the year to June, compared to 25,207 in the previous year, BBC figures showed.

The numbers also saw significant hikes in Spain (2,300 to 4,558), Sweden (from 969 to 2,002), Poland (from 152 to 332) and Denmark (from 289 to 604).

Elsewhere, the numbers in France  where they are recorded in a calendar year  also saw a significant rise, from 385 in 2015 to 1,363 in 2016.

UK citizens to date have enjoyed the right to freely live and work in other EU countries as part of our membership of the union.

But ministers in Brussels have refused to guarantee that the policy will continue after Brexit until the same deal is offered to citizens of other member states who live in Britain.

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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. 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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

Dozens of British protesters gathered in Florence last week before Theresa Mays speech there, demanding that the Prime Minister defend their rights to live elsewhere in Europe.

A number of the campaigners carried a banner featuring an image of Ms May with the words: Denied a Voice. Another showed her holding an EU passport in flames.

Ms May has offered to grant EU citizens the right to stay in the UK  on the condition that they cannot freely bring family members into the country in future.

But EU officials have so far refused to accept anything less than Ms May guaranteeing the rights for citizens from member states in the Britain that they currently enjoy.

The issue remains a sticking point in the stalled talks, along with the future of the UKs Northern Ireland border and the amount that Britain will pay in its divorce bill from the EU.

Campaigners for British nationals in the EU wrote to Ms May after her Florence speech, calling on the Prime Minister to stop treating citizens rights" as a minor issue that can be pushed aside in her talks with the EU.
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Forensic scientists are to help track down a serial cat murderer believed to be behind the deaths of around 250 animals.

ArroGen Veterinary Forensics is Britains first forensic lab dedicated to researching crimes against animals, in order to help police and the RSPCA prosecute perpetrators.

The lab will re-examine the case of the Croydon cat killer who began mutilating and dismembering felines in south London in 2014, The Times reported.

The culprit has been targeting cats within the M25, but the attacks have spread to other parts of the UK, including Birmingham and Manchester.

The bodies of some of the cats have been kept in freezers during the hunt for the attacker, who has so far eluded capture.

The team will use DNA to try and hunt down the cat killer, as well as determine exactly how many cats have been killed by the culprit, excluding those which may have been attacked by wild animals.

Recommended Fears grow as Croydon cat killer casts net more widely

The lab is the result of a partnership between the University of Surreys Veterinary School and Oxfordshire-based ArroGen Forensics.

Dr Alexander Stoll, lead forensic veterinary pathologist, told The Times the lab will be a one-stop shop for crimes involving animals.

It is becoming well documented that animal cruelty can be used as a component part of domestic violence and there is evidence to indicate that people who harm animals are more likely to abuse humans, he said.

We want to work to address the progression of animal to human criminal behaviour.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red 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of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA

The charity SNARL, South Norwood Animal Rescue & Liberty, is helping police and the RSPCA investigate the cat killer, who is also thought to have killed foxes and rabbits.

The group released a description of the man believed to be behind the spate of killings.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 40s of average build who is between 5ft8 and 5ft11. He is thought to have possible acne scarring to his face and might be dressed in dark clothes.

The description also says he might be wearing a headlamp or carrying a torch.
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Katie Hopkins has prompted outrage for announcing she has been booked for a tour of schools in Scotland and Wales.

The controversial columnist, who was axed from LBC radio after calling for a final solution to Islamist terrorism in the wake of the Manchester arena attack, hopes to address issues such as Brexit, Donald Trump, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The series of talks, which she has branded the Stand Strong School Tour, is set to begin in November and will see Hopkins deliver Q&A sessions for pupils aged between 14-16.

An email from the Mail Online columnists manager Mark Cross to a school that expressed an interest in the tour and posted on Twitter said she was confirmed to appear at venues in Wales. An additional reply said she had received a number of tentative and confirmed invitations from south Wales.

Scotlands biggest teaching union, EIS, called for schools considering Hopkins to speak to be cautious.

We were unaware of this proposed tour, and have not heard of any state school in Scotland taking up this offer, a spokesman said.

Any school or teacher that might consider taking up the option to invite this particular speaker should be cautious and consider the message this might send to young people within the school and to the wider school community.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA

"Many of the views espoused by this individual in the past are incompatible with the type of inclusive and welcoming environment that Scotlands schools work very hard to provide."

David Evans, Welsh secretary of the National Union of Teachers, warned against Hopkins being given a platform and argued The Apprentice star was clearly driven by self promotion.

Welsh education secretary, Kirsty Williams, also weighed in on the furore, saying: Orwell said that sometimes the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of the intelligent.

Katie Hopkins is the unelected, unpleasant and needs PR and reaction to thrive. No proof that she will speak in Welsh schools. When they go low, we should go high.

Dan Hett, the brother of Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett, has offered himself up to visit schools that decline Hopkins' invitation. He said on Twitter: If you are a school that rightly said no to Katie Hopkins, I will come and speak to your pupils for free about the real effects of extremism.

Responding to criticism of her tour, Hopkins tweeted: "We await the thoughts of the Scottish Education Secretary with baited breath. Am I 'too unkind' for Scotland?"

Education Secretary John Swinney replied: "It's 'bated' breath, as anyone hoping to educate our youngsters should know."

Hopkins, who has previously penned columns claiming liberal teachers are brainwashing children, has been repeatedly promoting the tour via her Twitter.

We need to make better choices. Opinions are not right or wrong. Life is not an exam, reads a leaflet, which has a number of spelling mistakes, about her tour.

And no one made you invigilator. If your friends want to change your opinions, change your friends. Know why you believe in your views, welcome the thoughts of others. Own your opinions and stand strong.

A representative for Hopkins did not immediately respond to request for comment.


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Boris Johnson is the top choice for the next Tory leader among Conservative party members, according to a new poll.

The Foreign Secretary was named as favourite by almost a quarter of people surveyed for the poll by YouGov, followed in second position by Scottish leader Ruth Davidson.

It comes after Mr Johnson made a series of interventions to put pressure on Theresa Mays Brexit stance, which are said to have toughened the position albeit at the expense of Government stability.

The survey for The Times points to a turnaround in fortunes for Mr Johnson, who came fourth in a similar ConservativeHome poll at the start of September.

According to the survey, Mr Johnson has the backing of 23 per cent of activists, ahead of Ms Davidson on 19 per cent and Eurosceptic backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg on 17 per cent.

The ex-London mayor is well ahead of Brexit Secretary David Davis, who gets the support of only 11 per cent of the party faithful, suggesting Mr Johnson would easily beat him if there were a contest between the pair.

Members were also positive about his performance, with 69 per cent of them saying he is doing a good job.

 Ken Clarke: In normal times, Boris Johnson would have been sacked over his Brexit messaging

The findings suggest rank-and-file Tories have responded well to Mr Johnson's harder line on Brexit, including his 4,000-word Daily Telegraph article setting out his vision just days before Mrs May's big speech in Florence.

Earlier this week he waded in again, urging the Prime Minister not to take the UK through a lengthy transition period.

It comes as Ms May has confirmed that she does intend to fight the next general election as party leader.

Asked if she would still be leader come the next election, she told BBC South: "I've answered this question before and I've been very clear that I am not a quitter, that I'm in it for the long-term and that there's a job to be done and I will be fighting the next election."

Her comments are likely to cause some concern among Tory MPs still angry at her decision to call the snap election only to lose her Commons majority.
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Theresa May has met German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a summit in Estonia in a bid to push for progress in Brexit talks.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of settling the issue of EU citizens rights as soon as possible, with the next round of talks looming.

Citizens rights, the UKs divorce bill and the Irish border are the three critical issues on which Brussels is demanding concessions before they allow talks to progress to future trade.

Brexiteers have been hopeful that after the German elections an empowered Ms Merkel would act as a catalyst for progress in negotiations, given European Commission chief Jean Claude Juncker said on Friday it would take a miracle for talks to progress next month.

A Downing Street spokesman confirmed Ms May and Ms Merkel had held a bilateral meeting at the Tallinn Digital Summit in Estonia and that the Prime Minister had reiterated her commitment to the UK being the strongest friend to the EU after Brexit.

The spokesman said: She said her Florence speech had been intended to create momentum in the ongoing talks and that the response from the EU 27 had been constructive.

Chancellor Merkel welcomed the speech, and noted the good progress that had been made in negotiations this week. She looked forward to the next round of talks in early October.

The spokesman went on: The PM pointed to the commitment made in her Florence speech to incorporate the agreement reached on citizens' rights fully into UK law and make sure the UK courts can refer directly to it.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

The PM also stressed it was in everybody's interests to agree to a time-limited implementation period once Britain leaves the EU, to provide certainty to businesses and others in both Britain and the EU.

Ms May also gave a speech in Tallinn, less than two hundred kilometres from the Russian border, underlining the importance of the UK military and intelligence services to broader European security.

She has proposed a post-Brexit security treaty with the EU, but has faced accusations that she is using cooperation as leverage to secure a better future trade agreement.

In her speech in Florence, Ms May committed to a Brexit transition period of at least two years, in which the UK would stay in the single market and customs union, abiding by its rules and structures, including free movement.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during the State of the Union address (AP)

Ministers had hoped the move would open up the way for negotiations to move on to discussing a potential future trade deal, but both chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier and Mr Juncker have indicated sufficient progress is yet to be met.

Mr Barnier did acknowledge that the speech in Florence had created a new dynamic in negotiations with talks moving forward on certain issues.

But there is expected to be little movement until the end of Tory conference, where the party faithful will expect her to take a tough line on negotiations with the EU.

Reports emerged on Friday that the UK may be willing to give more clarity around its offer on settling financial obligations after the conference is finished.
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Miracles will be needed if Brexit talks are to make sufficient progress to allow Britain and the EU to begin discussing their future relations in October, Jean-Claude Juncker has said.

Reaching an agreement on the divorce settlement is necessary before consideration of a future trade deal is possible, the blocs senior figures have said.

At a press conference on Thursday chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned a transition to phase two of talks could take months.

Among the issues that must be settled are Britains final divorce bill and other financial payments, the future of EU citizens in the UK and how the Irish border will function.

As European leaders met in Tallinn, Estonia, on Friday, Mr Juncker said: By the end of October we will not have sufficient progress. At the end of this week I am saying that that there will be no sufficient progress from now until October unless miracles would happen.

Speaking at the summit Theresa May insisted good progress had been made on the question of European citizens future rights.

She said she was pleased that the negotiations have been making progress and I look forward to developing that deep and special partnership with the EU.

MEPs will stage a vote on 3 October to decide whether sufficient progress has been made  and it will take place just ahead of the Prime Ministers speech to the Conservative conference.

 Guy Verhofstadt mocks Theresa May's Florence Brexit speech

The announcement of the ballot at the beginning of September came as sources told The Independent there was not a cats chance in hell the European Parliament would endorse the progress of talks.

A negative vote by MEPs would heap pressure on Ms May, who has faced behind-the-scenes squabbling among senior ministers, as well as a very public intervention by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, over Brexit.

Mr Junckers latest intervention suggested the Prime Ministers widely anticipated speech in Florence last week had not done enough to avert a no vote, despite Mr Barnier having praised its constructive spirit.

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

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also said it was very evident that theres more work to be done.

He said: Were not yet at the stage where we can say that sufficient progress has been made to allow us to talk about the new relationship and trade.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Theresa May has claimed the 2017 general election campaign lacked debate  despite having repeatedly refused to take part in TV debates with other party leaders.

The Prime Minister did not turn up for a televised leaders debate in Cambridge, instead sending Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, to represent the Government. The leader of every other major UK political party attended the event.

Ms May also refused to go head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn on other occasions, saying she thought it was more important to meet voters.

At the time, she said: I think the debates where the politicians are squabbling amongst themselves dont do anything for the process of electioneering.

She also suggested she would not be able to take part in televised debates because she was too busy preparing for Brexit negotiations.

But in an interview with The House magazine to mark the start of the Conservatives party conference in Manchester, Ms May reminisced about past years when there was much more of an emphasis on people coming together for debates during election campaigns.

She added: Now its much more disparate, campaigning and messaging, precisely because there are so many more people on social media talking to each other about the campaign and political parties interacting with that as well.

Her comments were picked up by Jeremy Corbyn, who tweeted:

In the interview, with former Tory leader Lord Howard, Ms May also highlighted her belief in the importance of traditional door-knocking and meeting voters. The Conservatives general election campaign was criticised at the time after the Prime Minister held a series of behind-closed-doors events away from members of the public.

The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Show all 6 1 /6 The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Brexit The big one. Theresa May has spoken publicly three times since declaring her intent to stand in the Tory Leadership race, and each time she has said, Brexit means Brexit. It sounds resolute, but it is helpful to her that Brexit is a made up word with no real meaning. She has said there will be no second referendum and no re-entry in to the EU via the back door. But she, like the Leave campaign of which she was not a member, has pointedly not said with any precision what she thinks Brexit means Reuters The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address General election This is very much one to keep off the to do list. She said last week there would be no general election at this time of great instability. But there have already been calls for one from opposition parties. The Fixed Term Parliaments Act of 2010 makes it far more difficult to call a snap general election, a difficulty she will be in no rush to overcome. In the event of a victory for Leadsom, who was not popular with her own parliamentary colleagues, an election might have been required, but May has the overwhelming backing of the parliamentary party Getty The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address HS2 Macbeth has been quoted far too much in recent weeks, but it will be up to May to decide whether, with regard to the new high speed train link between London, Birmingham, the East Midlands and the north, returning were as tedious as go oer. Billions have already been spent. But the 55bn it will cost, at a bare minimum, must now be considered against the grim reality of significantly diminished public finances in the short to medium term at least. It is not scheduled to be completed until 2033, by which point it is not completely unreasonable to imagine a massive, driverless car-led transport revolution having rendered it redundant EPA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Heathrow expansion Or indeed Gatwick expansion. Or Boris Island, though that option is seems as finished as the man himself. The decision on where to expand aviation capacity in the south east has been delayed to the point of becoming a national embarrassment. A final decision was due in autumn. Whatever is decided, there will be vast opprobrium PA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Trident renewal David Cameron indicated two days ago that there will be a Commons vote on renewing Britains nuclear deterrent on July 18th, by which point we now know, Ms May will be Prime Minister. The Labour Party is, to put it mildly, divided on the issue. This will be an early opportunity to maximise their embarrassment, and return to Tory business as usual EPA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Scottish Independence Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are in no doubt that the Brexit vote provides the opportunity for a second independence referendum, in which they can emerge victorious. The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood has the authority to call a second referendum, but Ms May and the British Parliament are by no means automatically compelled to accept the result. She could argue it was settled in 2014 AFP/Getty

However, she told The House: Campaigning is changing. My own view is that you should never move away from the more traditional forms of campaigning. I still think knocking on doors and talking to people is an important part of campaigning,

Ms May left herself open to further ridicule after telling Lord Howard the Conservatives were unprepared for the snap general election, which she called.

Asked if the snap election was a significant factor behind the result, which saw the Conservatives lose their parliamentary majority, she replied: I think it was, because by definition in a snap election youve not been able to prepare people for it. So out there people have to work quite quickly to put their local campaigns together, and you do get slightly more of a central approach.
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Ukip has stepped back from picking a notorious anti-Islam activist as its new leader, saving the party from a threatened mass walkout.

Sharia Watch founder Anne Marie Waters lost out to unknown Henry Bolton in the seven-horse race to take over the stricken party.

Ms Waters  whose campaign video proclaimed Islamic culture does not fit with ours  had been the narrow favourite to succeed Paul Nuttall, who quit after Ukips general election disaster.

Recommended Ukip leadership hopeful opens door to Tommy Robinson joining party

But the 40-year-old finished second, with 2,785 votes, some distance behind the 3,874 secured by Mr Bolton, under a first-past-the-post system.

A former soldier and police officer, he faces a herculean task to revive Ukip, which attracted fewer than 600,000 votes at this years general election.

Nigel Farage, who had hinted at launching a new party if Ms Waters won, said he was delighted, adding: Hes a man of real substance.

The longtime leader, and face of Ukip, added: He certainly got my vote. He was the most competent. There is now still hope for Ukip.

Mr Bolton, who is rumoured to be a former Liberal Democrat, warned earlier this month that Ukip could become the UK Nazi Party if it picked the wrong leader, in comments apparently aimed at Ms Waters.

In his victory speech at the partys conference in Torquay, he called on members to rally around the party. Without being united, we cannot lead, he said.

At a press conference, the 54-year-old father-of-three described Islam as being of concern, but urged his party to move away from the hardline rhetoric with which it had been discussed.

There is an issue to be discussed. I abhor the rhetoric that we are war with Islam, Mr Bolton said.

On supporters of Ms Waters, following an influx of new Ukip members earlier this year, he said: Whether they want to stay or leave, thats up to them.

As the post of Ukip leader is unpaid, Mr Bolton said he planned to continue working as a security consultant, in order to maintain his income.

Almost 13,000 votes were cast in the leadership election, a 46 per cent turnout. The other surprise was Peter Whittle, a London Assembly member, coming only fifth, with 1,413.

Ahead of the result, up to 18 of the 20 Ukip MEPs had reportedly been preparing to quit the party if Ms Waters had won the leadership battle.

The Dublin-born activist has attacked the betrayal of the country over Islam, echoing extreme nationalist groups such as the English Defence League (EDL) and Britain First.

Her manifesto warned that Islam has turned Britain into a fearful and censorious society, calling for the banning of the burqa, the closure of all sharia councils and a freeze on all immigration.

In April 2014, Ms Waters founded Sharia Watch UK and, in January 2016, she launched Pegida UK with former EDL frontman Tommy Robinson.

The group was established as a British chapter of the German-based organisation, aiming to counter what it called the Islamisation of our countries, but quickly faded away.

Under Mr Nuttall, Ukip had started to swing towards cultural nationalism, pledging to ban the full-face veil and outlaw sharia law under a so-called integration agenda.
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Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable is to join a protest with anti-Brexit marchers outside the Tory conference in Manchester this weekend.

Writing exclusively for The Independent, he said the issue of Brexit is too big not to get involved with demonstrators pushing for the Government to take a different approach.

It comes hours after European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said it would take a miracle for the UK to achieve sufficient progress in Brexit talks by next month in order for discussions to move on to future trade.

Recommended Theresa May meets Angela Merkel to push for Brexit progress

The Conservatives begin their conference beset with divisions over Brexit, following weeks in which Boris Johnson has challenged Ms Mays version of Brexit.

Sir Vince said: I believe it would be a healthy exercise in democracy to participate in a peaceful, dignified protest on the big issue of the day by marching.

And the issues dont come any bigger than Brexit  which is why I will addressing marchers protesting at the Conservative conference in Manchester this weekend.

Brexit changes most things, not least the quaint notion that governments always seek to increase the prosperity and opportunities of its citizens. It is vital ministers in the hall hear thousands of British people demanding an exit from their disastrous Brexit.

Supporters of Britains membership of the European Union are to stage a protest march outside the next Conservative Party conference  with the stated aim of stopping Brexit.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

The Manchester march will probably coincide with other mass protests against the conference  which have been a fixture of the partys gatherings in recent years.

The protest, organised by Stop Brexit, will take place a month after another march on Parliament, staged by the Peoples March for Europe group. Pro-EU activists have pledged an autumn of discontent against Brexit.

The Manchester march will begin on 1 October, the first day of the conference, and gather at Platt Fields. Speakers at the marchs rallies are expected to include former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and former Labour adviser Alastair Campbell.

In her speech in Florence, Ms May committed to a Brexit transition period of at least two years, in which the UK would stay in the single market and customs union, abiding by its rules and structures, including free movement.

 Jean-Claude Juncker: Britain needs a 'miracle' to meet deadline for Brexit deal

Ministers had hoped the move would open up the way for negotiations to move on to discussing a potential future trade deal, but both chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier and Mr Juncker have indicated sufficient progress is yet to be met.

Mr Barnier did acknowledge that the speech in Florence had created a new dynamic in negotiations with talks moving forward on certain issues.

But there is expected to be little movement until the end of Tory conference, where the party faithful will expect her to take a tough line on negotiations with the EU.

Reports emerged on Friday that the UK may be willing to give more clarity around its offer on settling financial obligations after the conference is finished.
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The United States is warning its citizens against travelling to Cuba, and is ordering more than half of its personnel to leave the island in response to what the US describes as "specific attacks" on diplomats.

The dramatic response is a significant blow to the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, which is notably delicate. The new travel warning will reportedly be issued Friday, and will say that some of the attacks occurred in Cuban hotels, although no tourists are known to have been targeted.

The US embassy will lose roughly 60 per cent of its American staff, and will stop processing visas there indefinitely, according to American officials.

The travel warning could have a significant impact on the Cuban economy, which relies heavily on tourism and has seen growth in recent years as a result of relaxed US restrictions on travelling to the island.

The announcement comes roughly a year after American diplomats in Cuba began describing unexplained health problems. US investigators still haven't been able to determine who is behind those attacks, which impacted at least 21 diplomats and their families. Some of the injuries were as serious as traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss. The State Department has, up until now, generally avoided calling those incidents "attacks".

The decision to draw down the embassy was made overnight by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was travelling to Cuba. Mr Tillerson had reportedly considered other options, including a full embassy shutdown, but opted for the less severe reaction. Donald Trump reviewed all of those options with Mr Tillerson earlier in the week.

The US notified Cuba of its decision through its embassy in Washington. The Cuban embassy later said that the reduction in staffing was "hasty", and that the move would hurt diplomatic ties.

Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Show all 20 1 /20 Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man rides his modified bicycle past a vintage American car in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A taxi sits parked by Ancon Beach waiting for returning bathers in Trinidad Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Afrocuban carnival group "Los componedores de batea" performing in the streets of La Habana Vieja Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Pastel colours for an ice-cream place and a vintage American car in Cienfuegos after sunset Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man on the phone in a bookshop in Old Havana (Habana Vieja) selling books and displaying propaganda poster of the Cuban Revolution Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Street Musicians in Santiago De Cuba Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man works to repair his classic American car after it broke down along the Prado, a wide avenue that runs from Parque Central to the Malecon seafront highway, in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Members of the 'Ladies in White,' a group founded by the partners and relatives of jailed dissidents that regularly protests against the Cuban government, demonstrate on the streets of Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Street vegetables vendor in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba The sun setting through the palm trees and creates long shadows on the pool deck at this resort in Cuba Varadero Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba General view of a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A girls plays on a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Girls walk past graffiti art along the Paseo de Marti, the wide boulevard that runs through the heart of the historic Old Havana neighborhood in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A woman smokes her Havana cigar Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man harvests tobacco leaves for drying at a tobacco drying house on a co-op plantation in Pinar del Rio Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Men play chess on a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Locals take part in a gay parade in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Scene of the Memories Paraiso Azul resort in Santa Maria Key Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Beach on the Bay of Pigs, Zapata Peninsula Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Divers swimming above coral reef in Caribbean Sea Rex

Although the Trump administration has refrained from blaming the Cuban government for the attacks, the decision to pull diplomats is a significant setback to the thawing relations between the two countries. The two had no formal diplomatic relations for a half century, even though they are just 90 miles apart from one another. That began to change in 2015, when then-President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced a restoration of ties, and the opening of embassies. That restoration of ties included an easing of travel and commerce restrictions. Mr Trump has reversed some of those changes, but has left most of the new policies intact.

The attacks on diplomats have been incredibly difficult for investigators to understand. Because symptoms vary widely between person, a single method of attack has been difficult to pinpoint. Investigators initially suspected some sort of futuristic "sonic attack", but searches of the homes and hotels where diplomats were targeted turned up no devices. Some diplomats described hearing various loud noises or feeling vibrations when the incidents occurred. Still others did not notice anything out of the ordinary when they were attacked.

The Cuban government has rushed to retain diplomatic contacts with Washington, and have conducted an investigation of their own.
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Puerto Rico has rejected a $1bn (748m) loan from a group of investment funds in the wake of Hurricane Maria, accusing the group of trying to profit from the disaster.

The PREPA (Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority) was left devastated by the hurricane, but an investment group, which holds bonds in the authority offered a $1bn loan and a discount on a portion of existing debt after Maria, which came days after Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the island.

Maria crippled the island's electrical grid, leaving some 97 per cent of the island's 3.4 million residents without electricity.

The electrical grid had also already been mired in debt.

The bondholders proposal is not viable and would severely hamper and limit PREPAs capacity to successfully manage its recovery, the islands Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority said in a statement.

Such offers only distract from the governments stated focus and create the unfortunate appearance that such offers are being made for the purpose of favourably impacting the trading price of existing debt.

The statement asked that creditors "refrain from making unsolicited financing offers at the expense of the people of Puerto Rico".

Thomas Wagner, from Knighthead Capital Management, a members of the bondholder group, told Bloomberg TV the loan could be a win-win both for the utility and for the bondholders. What were trying to do is lend where our investors are not disadvantaged," he said.

Stephen Spencer of Houlihan Lokey, PREPA's financial adviser, responded saying the group was disappointed that Puerto Rico rejected the offer "without any discussion or counter-proposal".

He added: "We sincerely believed our loan would have helped PREPA finance its recovery and rebuilding efforts as quickly as possible in the wake of two terrible hurricanes."

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. 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Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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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. 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Although the US Government has said its relief efforts in Puerto Rico are succeeding, residents of the island say help is scarce and food supplies are low.

Puerto Rican officials said it would take four to six months for power to be fully restored.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday waived restrictions on foreign ships delivering cargo to the island, clearing the way for aid to reach the US territory.

But Mr Trump has come under criticism for failing to provide a comprehensive aid package nine days after Maria hit.
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Hundreds of immigrants across the US have been arrested as part of a crackdown on areas dubbed "sanctuary cities".

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it arrested nearly 500 people from communities in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York and the state of Massachusetts, among others.

The scale of the four-day crackdown is of a similar size to previous mass arrests, yet this time ICE agents targeted areas where police and local government officials had refused to fully enforce federal immigration laws.

The action is part of Donald Trump's push to deport America's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.

The President demanded ICE agents be allowed access to prisons and requested local governments delayed the release of illegal immigrants so that enforcement agents can arrest them.

But local authorities in liberal areas across the country refused to allow them access and introduced restrictions preventing police fully cooperating with ICE agents.

A number of authorities refused to delay the release of prisoners on the grounds that it would be illegal.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions responded by threatening to withdraw funding from the authorities, but US courts have so far said doing so would be unconstitutional.

Following the anti-immigration surge, ICE's acting director said in a statement: "Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honour detainers or allow us access to jails and prisons are shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement and creating a magnet for illegal immigration.

"As a result, ICE is forced to dedicate more resources to conduct at-large arrests in these communities."

According to ICE, 317 out of the 498 people taken into custody as part of the operation had a conviction of some kind. The offences included non-violent crimes such as drug charges, shoplifting and "illegal reentry".

The most frequent offence was for drink driving, for which 86 people had convictions.

It claimed another 18 people arrested were associated with gangs. ICE's broad definition of gang membership has previously been condemned by human rights groups, who argue it persecutes people from minority backgrounds.

Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Show all 22 1 /22 Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump arrive for the group photo at the G7 Taormina summit on the island of Sicily in May 2017 Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Mr Trump was pressed on the subject at the G7 summit in Italy Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump gives a speeech at the Warsaw Uprising Monument on Krasinski Square Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a ceremony at the NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is seen to the right of Donald Trump at a Nato summit in Brussels REUTERS Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis meeting with US President Donald J. Trump EPA Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis poses with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump arrives at Palazzo del Quirinale ahead of the meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella Ufficio Stampa Presidenza della via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is seen during a joint press conference with the Palestinian leader at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump PPO via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with US President Donald Trump prior to the President's departure GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after delivering a speech at the Israel Museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance as White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump watch on during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump takes his seat before his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump look at a display of Saudi modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips King Salman presents Donald Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace on 20 May AP Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn prior to their first foreign trip Getty Images

ICE said the four-day push did not target "Dreamers", who entered the country as children and remain under the Obama-era policy under the Deferred Action for Childhoods Arrivals (DACA).

Mr Trump's decision to revoke the policy at the beginning of the month was denounced by several elected officials across the US, including the mayor of Chicago. Rahm Emmanuel promised to provide sanctuary to Dreamers and declared the city a "Trump-free zone".
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Fayrouz Saad had just started university when two planes struck the World Trade Centre on 11 September, 2001.

The child of immigrants and a practising Muslim, Ms Saad grew up in the heavily Arab-American city of Dearborn, Michigan. Up to that point, she said, she hadnt personally experienced much harassment or discrimination. But her parents, who had immigrated from Lebanon some 40 years earlier, were concerned.

That day, my parents came and picked me up and they took me home, because they were worried about anti-Arab and anti-Muslim backlash happening on campus, Ms Saad told The Independent.

And Ill be honest, she added, that was the first time that I ever even realised that this was a thing  that there was a stereotype against Arabs and Muslims in this country.

Her parents kept her out of school for days. When she returned to the University of Michigan, she had no idea what to expect. And she certainly did not predict what she found waiting for her: a line of friends and neighbours outside her dorm room, waiting to welcome her back.

I say that Icame of age in the post-9/11 era, because of this experience specifically, she said, and really believing that this is what America is, and that this is what I want to be a part of.

She added: Thats what I want to fight for. Thats what people want America to be.

Child of immigrants and a practising Muslim, Ms Saad says she came of age in the post-911 era (Facebook/Fayrouz Saad for Congress) (Courtesy Fayrouz Saad for Congress)

Now, the 34-year-old is hoping to bring this fight to the highest levels of American politics. She is running for Congress in Michigans 11th District, hoping to replace the white, male, Republican representative in office  Dave Trott. If she succeeds, she will be the first Muslim woman ever to serve in the US Congress.

The milestone is particularly resonant now, under a President who previously promised to ban all Muslims from the country. Ms Saad often says that she doesnt want to run the anti-Trump campaign, and prefers to focus on her policy proposals and values. But, she admits that, a lot of the things that Im fighting for, a lot of the things I want to see changed, and a portion of what pushed me to run, is to fight back against his agenda.

A President that Ms Saad would rather talk about is former President Barack Obama. If elected, she will share with him the distinction of being a first  a member of a minority group who broke through a political glass ceiling for her community.

The two leaders also share similar political views, focusing on issues like expanding health care, supporting immigrants and boosting small businesses. They both have midwestern roots, at least one immigrant parent and a name that confuses most Americans.

In Arabic, my name means precious stone. In English, it means at least 17 different spellings on my Starbucks cup, Ms Saad joked in her first campaign video.

What makes the comparison even more apt is Ms Saads history within the Obama administration. Shortly after finishing university, she joined Mr Obamas Department of Homeland Security to work on community policing: a fancy term for strengthening relationships between immigrant communities and their local law enforcement.

Ms Saad has even met the former President  three times  at White House events for Muslim administration members. At one event, Mr Obama gave her hardworking, immigrant family a shout-out. Later, he posed for a picture with the candidate and her mother.

While Ms Saad is undeniably a fan of Mr Obama Im a groupie, she admits  she resists the idea that they are the same.

I think the great thing about our democracy is that we can love our elected leaders and respect them, but at the same time challenge some of the things that theyve done or said, she said.

One area where their politics differ is national security. After working with the DHS, Ms Saad said, she became convinced of the need for a more whole of government approach to community policing:  expanding the definition of security to mean things like quality healthcare and access to education, too.

I often felt like it needs to be a more integrated approach and a broader approach, she said. She found herself wanting to tell people: Ok, this is great, but lets build off of it as well.

Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban Show all 11 1 /11 Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty

This desire for the government to do more, to provide more, is part of what makes Ms Saad, as she calls herself, the progressive candidate.

She readily supports expanding Medicare to provide health care coverage to all Americans. (It just seems obvious to me, she says.) She advocates for creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. She has vowed to protect environmental regulations that the Trump administration says are bad for business.

These views might be perfect for someone running in California, but Ms Saad is not. Michigans 11th district has been Republican  with only one brief, Democratic interruption  since 1967. And the district was redrawn by Republicans in 2010, leading it to favour conservative candidates even more.

But Ms Saad declared her candidacy even before the current representative, Mr Trott, announced his plans to retire. She knew the incumbent was vulnerable, she said, because of the growing grassroots action in the district.

When Mr Trott announced his support for the repeal of Obamacare, residents of Michigans 11th turned out to protest. When Mr Trump declared his intention to end DACA, a programme that protects childhood immigrants, district members marched through the streets.

In February, when Mr Trott skipped a town hall and avoided his angry constituents, they brought a live chicken to take his place.

I think that people are going to continue to demand change, Ms Saad said, echoing a familiar Obama campaign line. People want elected leaders who are going to fight for progressive values.

Ms Saads policies include extending healthcare, helping immigrants gain citizenship, and environmental protection (Facebook/Fayrouz Saad for Congress) (Courtesy Fayrouz Saad for Congress)

It is almost a cliche these days to accuse progressive candidates of ignoring identity politics  of focusing so much on economics that they forget issues of race, gender, ability and sexual orientation. Senator Bernie Sanders was certainly accused of such, and has only solidified the criticism by opening his arms to anti-abortion Democrats.

Ms Saad, in many ways, borrows from the Sanders playbook. In speeches and interviews, she focuses on things like healthcare and small businesses, eschewing typical womens issues like pay equality and maternity leave. She even frames her work with immigrant communities as an exercise in economic development rather than immigrant affairs.

Asked whether she plans to talk about identity politics during her campaign, Ms Saad demurred. I think focusing on the issues is the most important thing, she said.

 This Trump voter used to hate Muslims, and then he met them

But whether she likes it or not, Ms Saads campaign will unavoidably be tied to her identity.

Her Arab American and Muslim roots are, in fact, what pulled her into public service in the first place. In the wake of her positive experience after 9/11, she began to notice some negative changes in the country, too: increased surveillance; intrusive policies; unjust wars. She became convinced that the problem was a lack of diverse voices in policy-making.

I needed to be a voice, she said. I wanted to be part of the policy making process. I wanted to understand how these decisions were made, how these things came together.

Joining the DHS was only her first step in learning how the political pie is made. When she left the Obama administration, she went to the Harvard Kennedy school to study urban policy and economic development. Later, she served as director of immigrant affairs for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. She still enjoys organising political campaigns in her local community.

Ms Saads political philosophy can perhaps best be summed up by her favourite phrase: If youre not at the table, youre on the menu.

When discussing her faith, Ms Saad likes to bring up a research study that found the majority of Americans have never met Muslim. Her goal, she says, is not to educate all of these people on the details of her religion. Instead, she hopes to slowly change their ideas about leadership.

My identity is who I am, but its not who I represent, or how I represent, she said. But it also means that Im helping change, or at least get people to adjust, their idea of what the face of leadership looks like.
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The majority of Americans really wish they could have Barack Obama back in office, new political polling shows.

A recent report from Public Policy Polling, a left-leaning political research group, shows 52 per cent of American voters wish Mr Obama was still president. Only 41 per cent would prefer the current president, Donald Trump.

The reasons for this are varied: Most voters think Mr Trump is dishonest, and has failed in his promise to make America great again. They also disapprove of him calling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un Little Rocket Man.

But what has most voters yearning for Mr Obama, it seems, is the previous President's stance on health care. Only 23 per cent of Americans support the latest attempt to repeal Mr Obamas signature healthcare legislation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). More than fifty per cent disapprove of the attempts.

In fact, only 32 per cent of Americans want to repeal the ACA at all, despite Republicans years of promises to do exactly that. More than 60 per cent of Americans want to keep the ACA in place and make changes where necessary.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Republicans in the House and Senate have tried repeatedly to repeal the law in the last eight months. The attempts  most of which would have resulted in millions of people losing health insurance  sparked protests across the country. Voters are now more likely to vote for an incumbent who supports the ACA than one who voted to repeal it, according to the polling.

In fact, other polls have shown that most Americans support Medicare for All  a Bernie Sanders-backed policy that would extend health care coverage even farther than the ACA. A Quinnipiac poll from August showed 51 per cent of voters support expanding Medicare, while a June poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed 57 per cent support it.

Still, Mr Trump has said Republicans latest attempt to repeal the ACA failed only because a Republican senator was in the hospital. (He was not.)

I feel we have the votes, Mr Trump said on Wednesday. I'm almost certain we have the votes."
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The general widely considered to have turned around the governments flailing response to Hurricane Katrina, has blasted the Trumps administration handling of the crisis confronting Puerto Rico.

Russel Honore, who in 2005 was asked by President George W Bush to tackle the aftermath of the storm that tore into New Orleans and killed more than 1,800 people, said more people and emergency equipment should have been sent to the island in advance of Hurricane Maria.

With the island of 3.4m people having suffered so much damage, the government should also have made greater use of the military he said.

Its kind of like Katrina: We got it. We got it. Oh, s**t, send in the cavalry, Mr Honore told Bloomberg News. This is a hit on White House decision making.

The comments of the former general, who stood down in 2008, are the latest criticism directed at Donald Trump and what has appeared to be his slow response to the crisis, that has left virtually all the island without power and with shortages of fuel, food and clean drinking water.

Mr Trump said tweeted late on Thursday that first responders are doing a "great job" and that Puerto Rico had been "devasted" making co-ordinating a response difficult.

However, outside the Puerto Rico capital San Juan, people are calling for more help.

I have not received any help, and we ran out of food yesterday, Mari Olivo, a 27-year-old homemaker told the Associated Press. Her husband was pushing a shopping cart with empty plastic gallon jugs while their two children, 9 and 7, each toted a large bucket. They stood in line in a parking lot in the town of Bayamon on the hard-hit northern coast, where local police used hoses to fill up containers from a city water truck.

I have not seen any federal help around here, said Javier San Miguel, a 51-year-old accountant.

Mr Honore said only the military had the ability to move supplies quickly onto the island as many ports remained closed. As a result, the situation required so-called expeditionary logistics that involved specialised ships, aircraft and other equipment.

 Puerto Rico mayor weeps on TV: "The worst fear is that we cannot get to everyone in time"

The model you want is what was done in Florida [before Hurricane Irma] where every town had National Guard in it opening shelters and helping direct traffic.

Mr Honore, who now runs a consulting firm, said he would send 50,000 troops to Puerto Rico, where he said the devastation was worse than what New Orleans dealt with after Katrina.

Russel Honore (Getty)

They need to scale up. In Katrina, I had 20,000 federal troops. Not federal workers, federal troops, he said.

I had 20 ships and over 240 helicopters. And Puerto Rico is bigger than Katrina.

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

His comments came as the Pentagon announced Brig Gen Jeffrey Buchanan would oversee the military response in Puerto Rico.

Mr Honore, who retired in 2008, said Mr Buchanan was the right man for the job, but thought the appointment came too late.

His headquarters exists 365 days a year, just for this mission, said Mr Honore. It took us eight days to mobilise him to tell him to come do it.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it had 600 workers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. It said given out more than 4m meals and 1.7m gallons of water.

The electric power grid in Puerto Rico is totally shot. Large numbers of generators are now on Island. Food and water on site, Mr Trump tweeted earlier in the day.

Adminsitration officials also sought to back Mr Trump and the government response to the crisis. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke declared that the relief effort is under control.

It is really a good news story, in terms of our ability to reach people, she told reporters in the White House driveway.

But it is clear that it is not yet enough for many - with 44 per cent of Puerto Rico's residents being left without clean water.

The federal response has been a disaster, said legislator Jose Enrique Melendez, a member of Governor Ricardo Rossello's New Progressive Party. It's been really slow.

He said the Trump administration had focused more on making a good impression on members of the media gathered at San Juan's convention centre than bringing aid to rural Puerto Rico.

Earlier this week, a Senate hearing called to discuss worldwide threats - including Isis and domestic terrorism, was dominated by Republican and Democratic legislators questioning Ms Duke about the adequacy of the response.

There is food and water on the island, there is gasoline on the island, she said. The challenge for us is getting it distributed.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello has praised the federal response but also said it could do better. I am very pleased with the consideration the president has given to Puerto Rico, Mr Rossello told the New York Times. However, we still need more, and the president understands that.
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The US Department of Justice has obtained search warrants that would allow government lawyers to access the Facebook accounts of anti-Donald Trump protesters.

The data requested includes the passwords, private messages, photos, and deleted posts of two individual activists, as well as information on 6,000 people who "liked" an anti-Trump Facebook page.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which is fighting the warrants in court, described the requests as "a gross invasion of privacy".

Recommended Donald Trump just accused Facebook of working against him

It has asked judges to quash or modify the three warrants, which target activists involved in DisruptJ20, a group which organised Inauguration Day protests.

The government wants the data in relation to an investigation into and prosecution of activists arrested in Washington DC as Mr Trump was sworn in as President on 20 January 2017.

It has requested information from between 2 November, a week before the presidential election, and 9 February.

"The enforcement of the warrants would chill future online communications of political activists and anyone who communicates with them, as they will learn from these searches that no Facebook privacy setting can protect them from government snooping on political and personal materials far removed from any proper law enforcement interest," said court papers lodged by the ACLU.

The warrants would allow investigators to "comb through 90 days worth of personal messages concerning political activity and associations  some of which are aimed at protesting the policies of the very administration on whose behalf the government officials would be acting," the organisation added.

One of the warrants was issued for the DisruptJ20 Facebook page and would require the disclosure of private lists of people who planned to attend political events and the names of people who liked the page or reacted to or engaged with its posts. During the three-month span of the request, about 6,000 people liked the page.

Emmelia Talarico, who ran the page, the said the warrant would also mean the government had access to her personal passwords, security questions and answers, and credit card information.

The other two warrants would require Facebook to disclose private messages, friend lists, status updates, comments, photos, video, search terms, and other private information about two Washington DisruptJ20 activists, Lacy MacAuley and Legba Carrefour. All "data and information that has been deleted by the user" is also covered by the request.

None of the three activists targeted have been charged with any offence in relation to Inauguration Day.

My Facebook page contains the most private aspects of my life  and also a frightening amount of information on the people in my life," said Ms MacAuley. "There are intimate details of my love life, family, and things the federal government just doesnt need to see."

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

Opening up the entire contents of a personal Facebook page for review by the government is a gross invasion of privacy, added Scott Michelman, the ACLU's senior lawyer for Washington.

The primary purpose of the Fourth Amendment was to prevent this type of exploratory rummaging through a persons private information. Moreover, when law enforcement officers can comb through records concerning political organising in opposition to the very administration for which those officers work, the result is the chilling of First Amendment-protected political activity."

Ms Talarico described the warrants as "a direct attack on DCs grassroots organising community".

Facebook was initially served with the warrants in February but an accompanying gag order prevented it from informing the users the government was requesting their private data.

The users targeted only learned of the warrants this month after the government dropped the gag order following a challenge by Facebook.

The ACLU said the social media company "does not object" to its request for the warrants to be quashed.

Facebook has been approached for a statement.

The Department for Justice has declined to comment on the warrants.
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A British climber has died in Yosemite National Park after a rock fall on a hiking trail.

Parts of the El Capitan granite monolith collapsed while the man and his wife, who was badly injured in the accident, were hiking the trail on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for the Californian park said.

The couple were found by a search and rescue team after 1,300 tonnes of the rock from the formation and plunged on the popular trail.

In a written statement released on Thursday, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said: The victims, a couple visiting from Great Britain, were in the park to rock climb but were not climbing at the time of the initial rock fall.

The male was found deceased and the female was flown out of the park with serious injuries.

The couple have not been identified by the park but the US National Park Service said it is working with the British Consulate to notify family members.

Mr Gediman said two other people were initially believed to be missing but were later accounted for by search and rescue teams.

Around 30 climbers were on El Capitan when the slab crashed down from the popular East Buttress climbing route, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Most rockfalls occur during periods of heavy rain, snowmelt or cold temperatures and geologists monitor conditions around rock walls and hillsides for movement.

Granite is a very porous rock so its size is affected by its exposure to water and temperature.

In a study published last year, geologists found the granite cliffs are "breathing" due to the conditions around them and the iconic domes and arches etched into their surface are constantly moving.

Photos posted on social media show plumes of dust filling the canyon in the wake of the crash and witnesses say it "sounded like a huge explosion".

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

Wednesdays incident comprised seven rock falls spread over a four hour period, he said, involving a sheet of granite estimated at 130 feet (40 metres) tall, 65 feet wide and three to 10 feet thick about 650 feet up El Capitan  the size of a 13-storey building.

Mr Gediman said the slide was not an unusual occurrence in Yosemite, which sees about 80 rock falls a year, but most do not cause injuries or deaths.

Sixteen people have been killed and 100 others injured in rock falls since park records began in 1857. The last fatality was in June 1999, when climber Peter Terbush was killed below Glacier Point.

El Capitan, one of Yosemites best-known landmarks, is considered a world-class challenge for rock climbers.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Australia needs to develop better defences in the event of a missile attack from North Korea, a former Pentagon nuclear weapons official has warned.

Brad Roberts, who served as the US deputy assistant secretary of defence for nuclear and missile defence policy, warned the DPRK could strike the country.

Unfortunately, Australia doesn't really get to choose whether or not North Korea threatens it  it's the choice that the North Korean leader [Kim Jong-un] makes, he told ABC.

His objective is to make us fearful so that our leaders will not stand up to his threats and coercion.

Mr Roberts, a former Obama administration defence official, said there were few very experience interceptors and radars in Australia, adding the country should ensure warships are equipped with advanced defences.

The news comes as a British defence think tank warned tensions between the United States and North Korea are so high that war is a real possibility and that peaceful talks may no longer be viable.

In a report on Thursday, the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) said Britain must prepare for such a conflict, which would result in hundreds of thousands of casualties even if no nuclear weapons were used.

Researchers cited US President Donald Trumps provoking of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as one of the key factors if a war were to break out.

Earlier this month, Mr Trump called Mr Kim Rocket Man in a speech delivered to the United Nations and the North Korean leader responded by calling the President a mentally deranged US dotard.

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

North Korea has made rapid progress in its missile and nuclear programmes this year, launching 15 missiles since February including two over Japan.

In September, Pyongyang claimed it had tested a powerful hydrogen bomb, a device considerably more powerful than an atomic bomb, hours after seismologists detected an earth tremor in North Korea.
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Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader and prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, says he has been arrested again outside his Moscow home after he left to attend a pre-election rally with supporters.

Mr Navalny tweeted that he had been "detained and was being taken somewhere", but that he did not know where.

Russia will hold a presidential election in March which incumbent Vladimir Putin is widely expected to contest.

Russia's central election commission has said Mr Navalny is not eligible to run, but he still hopes to stand against Mr Putin.

Mr Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner, said on social media police had told him they wanted to talk to him about something, but it was not clear what, or whether he would be charged with anything.

He had been due to address a rally in the city of Nizhny Novgorod later on Friday.

This is the third time the Russian opposition leader has been detained this year.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

In June, he was jailed for 30 days following a crackdown by police at an anti-corruption protest in Moscow. Mr Navalny was also imprisoned for 15 days in March.

Mr Navalny rose to prominence in Russian politics in 2008, when he started blogging about alleged corruption at some of Russia's largest state-owned corporations.

Earlier this week, he published an investigation into a property allegedly owned by leading Russian state media journalist Vladimir Solovyov.

The investigation, posted in a YouTube video, claimed Mr Solovyov owned assets of up to one billion roubles ($17m), with exclusive property in both Russia and Italy.
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Youve come to arrest a dangerous criminal I see, says Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a video he released showing his detention ahead of attending an opposition rally.

Mr Navalny, who announced a presidential run last year, was on his way to a rally in Nizhny Novgorod, Russias fifth city when he was taken into custody at his Moscow home.

Over the course of several hours before he was eventually released pending a court appearance in Moscow on Monday, Mr Navalny live streamed his detention. He urged protesters to ignore detentions of other members of his team and to come out onto the streets in Nizhny Novgorod as planned. Despite a strong police presence, many of them did.

Recommended Russian opposition leader barred from running against Putin

Mr Navalnys ability to organise crowds across Russia has not gone unnoticed by the authorities. He surprised many when, in March last year, he brought tens of thousands on to the streets across Russia. The rallying call was a YouTube video containing allegations of corruption against Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, which has been watched by nearly 25 million. Mr Medvedev dismissed the allegations that he secretly accumulated wealth as nonsense aimed at achieving a political result. The Kremlin also dismissed the video, and Mr Medvedev has faced no action over the allegations.

The Kremlin has declared Mr Navalnys declared presidential ambitions for 2018 to be invalid, on the basis of a criminal conviction for fraud that many consider politically motivated. But the moves on Monday would seem to suggest they were taking no risks.

According to a statement released by the press service of the Moscow police, the opposition leader had been detained for repeated calls to participate in illegal public events.

That allegation was disputed by Mr Navalny, who said the rally had, in fact, been agreed with authorities. Writing on Twitter, he added that he had not been informed of the reasons for his detention: What is post-truth? Its when youre sitting in the police station, youve seen no charge sheet, but the media is telling you that there is one.

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

During the course of Friday, several members of Mr Navalnys team were detained. In Nizhny Novgorod, chief of staff Leonid Volkov was taken into custody. Writing from a police cell, Mr Volkov claimed that the Kremlin had demonstrated legs made of clay, and had been scared into action in the wake of recent, well-attended rallies in support of Mr Navalnys presidential bid. Like Mr Navalny, Mr Volkov was later released from custody and told to attend a court hearing in Moscow on Monday.

In truth, it is unclear the extent to which these latest rallies played a role in the Kremlins thinking. While impressive by numbers, they did not make headlines in the same way that the March protests did. According to Russian political analyst Mikhail Vinogradov of the St Petersburg Politics Foundation, the decision to detain Mr Navalny was most likely the result of six months of calculations and taken in response to the genuine shock of those earlier protests.

Samuel Greene, director of the Russia Institute at Kings College London, agrees that the latest detention was a long time in coming.

Over time, both sides have been showing what they are capable of, without going too far, he told The Independent. Navalny is demonstrating his networks, his supporters, while the Kremlin showing it can act in response. But the red lines arent clear and the Kremlin can move them whenever it wants.

The future for Mr Navalnys movement is unlikely to be decided by this single detention. But Mr Navalny has faced prison before, having been handed a 15-day sentence for resisting arrest following the protests in March and serving 25 days in the summer for repeatedly violating a controversial law on organising public meetings.

But it does indicate the Kremlins clear intention to keep him far away from presidential elections next spring.

Whatever happens next, Mr Navalny can already claim success.

His movement is like a gas  expanding, finding and filling any place that isnt already occupied by the authorities, Mr Greene said.
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Supporters of Catalan independence have begun occupying polling stations in a bid to protect Sundays vote from a crackdown by the Spanish government.

The vice-president of Spains secessionist north-eastern region warned that backers of Catalonias independence would cast their ballots even if national police took voting stations by assault.

Politicians in Catalonia have insisted the referendum will go ahead, despite Madrid attempting to shut down what they said was an illegal poll.

Recommended Catalan independence websites blocked by Spain to prevent referendum

Catalan authorities said the majority of eligible voters were expected to take part, and they would declare independence within 48 hours after announcing the vote's results, if the yes side wins.

Madrid's culture minister Inigo Mendez de Vigo, acting as a spokesman for Spain's cabinet, accused the secessionist coalition ruling Catalonia of bending the laws to go ahead with a vote regardless of warnings from courts and a suspension by the country's Constitutional Court earlier this month.

The Spanish government has fought the referendum with a myriad of legal actions, and last week the Guarda Civil stormed Catalan regional government buildings.

"The government has a constitutional mandate to enforce the laws maintaining civic order," Mr Mendez de Vigo said.

"Nobody is above the laws and whoever violates them will face consequences."

Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures Demonstrators block a Guardia Civil vehicle as they try to leave the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures Demonstrators react as they try to stop the car carrying Xavier Puig, a senior at the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office, after he was arrested by Guardia Civil officers in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures A demonstrator reacts as he tries with others to stop the car carrying Xavier Puig, a senior at the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office, after he was arrested by Guardia Civil officers in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures Spokeswoman of the Catalan pro-independence anticapitalist party "Candidatura d'Unitat Popular - CUP" (Popular Unity Candidacy), Ana Gabriel, talks to the media in Barcelona Josep Lago/AFP Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures Republican Left of Catalonia party's (ERC) Member of Parliament Joan Tarda (C) attends a demonstration outside the regional Economy Ministry in Catalonia during a police search for documents connected with the organisation of the Catalan independence referendum, in Barcelona EPA/Alejandro Garcia Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures A man holds pro-referendum poster next to a Spanish Civil Guard who stands in front of the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government in Barcelona. The operation comes amid mounting tensions as Catalan leaders press ahead with preparations for an independence referendum on October 1 despite Madrid's ban and a court ruling deeming it illegal Josep Lago/AFP Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures People hold placards reading "Democracy" as they protest in front of the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government in Barcelona AFP Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures A crowd of protesters gather outside the Catalan region's economy ministry after junior economy minister Josep Maria Jove was arrested by Spanish police during a raid on several government offices, in Barcelona Reuters/Albert Gea Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures People holding 'Esteladas' (Catalan pro-independence flags) attend a protest near the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government Lluis Gene/AFP Catalonia referendum protests  in pictures People demonstrate on a Spanish Civil Guard Police car outside the Catalan Vice-President and Economy office as police officers holds a searching operation inside David Ramos/Getty Images

However, Catalonia's vice-president, Oriol Junqueras, said Catalan citizens will be able to vote "even if somebody takes voting stations by assault and tries to avoid something as natural as placing a voting slip in a ballot".

Reports from the AFP news agency that Catalans were occupying polling stations to protect the referendum followed a warning from Spanish police that they would take control of voting booths to help thwart the planned independence vote.

Spain's constitution says only the nation's government can call a referendum on sovereignty.

Police forces acting on judges' orders have seized ballots and arrested regional officials in the crackdown.

Mr Junqueras said an internal poll showed more than 60 per cent of the 5.3 million eligible voters plan to cast ballots.

He displayed a prototype of the plastic ballot boxes planned for more than 2,300 voting stations.

A senior European official, meanwhile, said any moves "should be done in accordance with the constitution of that member state".

European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans said: "That is the rule of law, you abide by the law and the constitution even if you don't like it."

In Madrid, a Spanish conservative group set up a large, mock ballot box in the centre of the city and urged people to vote whether they want Catalonia to remain part of Spain.

Additional reporting AP
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The first audio recording of Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in almost a year has been released by one of the extremists news channels in an attempt to show they remain strong even as the fight for the jihadists capital of Raqqa reaches its end game.

Much of the 46-minute-long recording is not newsy, just hadiths and quotation of Quranic verse - but references to Russian influence in Syria and the current spat between North Korea and the US has still been triumphantly received by Isis sympathisers as proof that the leader is still alive.

US intelligence has not yet verified the recording but a Defence Department statement on Thursday said that there was no reason to doubt its authenticity.

 Footage shows Isis schoolgirl Linda Wenzel being captured in Iraq

It comes after multiple claims by Russia and the UK-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - most recently this June  that Baghdadi was killed in an air strike.

The secretive leader has only ever made one public appearance, when he declared the creation of Isis caliphate from the Grand Mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul in July 2014.

He's a symbolic figurehead, and for that reason he is important, but the group over the last few years has cultivated a cult of the institution of caliphate rather than a cult of personality around Baghdadi, Charlie Winter, an analyst at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King's College London, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

If he goes the organisation will remain and they will just appoint a new caliph, he added.

In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Isis' weapons factories In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A mortar round fin manufactured by Isis in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis rocket components discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, Iraq in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortars discovered near Karamlais, Iraq, in November 2016 CAR In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis rocket launch frame in Qaraqosh, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A memo from Isis' COSQC on quality control at a manufacturing facility in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Electrically-operated initiators manufactured by Isis in forces Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortar tubes at a manufacturing facility in Karamlais, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis mortar production facility discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis weapons manufacturing facilities near Mosul in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Stocks of French-manufactured Sorbitol, Latvian potassium nitrate and Lebanese sugar at an Isis weapons factory in Iraq Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A destroyed Isis weapons facility in Qaraqosh, Iraq, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research

While in the short term the Baghdadi address will boost morale for Isis fighters struggling to hold on to the last neighbourhoods of Raqqa, it will do little to change the fact Isis once-mighty caliphate is almost completely vanquished.

The mainly Kurdish-Arab US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have faced fierce counter attacks in the last 24 hours, but Isis grip on the city is all but gone. Most commanders and other important figures have already retreated into the desert, leaving sniper units and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to hinder the SDFs advance.

In Deir Ezzor, in the eastern desert, the Syrian government has denied reports that militants managed to regain control of the highway to Palmyra. Even if Isis did retake the road, however, they are just prolonging the inevitable: the siege around the city was broken earlier this month, and the remaining fighters cannot hold out against both Russian and Syrian air power.

As the jihadists front lines collapse, the propaganda offerings have increased, an effort to prove that Isis is still dangerous as it morphs from a land-holding force to an insurgency group.

As well as the Baghdadi recording, this week alone Isis has claimed to be holding two Russian soldiers hostage in the countryside of Deir Ezzor and released a horrific new video showing a clearly drugged teenage suicide bomber taught how to detonate explosives before he drives off to kill himself and Syrian soldiers.

 Liberated from Isis, women burn their burqas and men shave off their beards

The grisly content, designed to inflict fear, still betrays the wider truth: losing men, Isis recently took the step of forcibly conscripting male civilians for the first time, and encouraged women and children of the caliphate to join the fighting.

Isis desperation will be of little comfort for the civilians still under their control, who must face these new threats as well as the consequences of US and Russian air strikes.

But for all intents and purposes, the Islamic State project - which stretched across Syria to encompass one third of Iraq - has already largely disintegrated.
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The US ambassador to Israel has been admonished by Washington DC for giving an interview in which he suggested that only two per cent of land in the West Bank is occupied by Israel.

David Friedman, a former bankruptcy lawyer who took up his post in Donald Trumps administration in May, sad in an interview broadcast on Thursday with news channel Israeli Walla that he believes the settlements are part of Israel.

The comments contradict the view of most of the international community, including the US, who see all Israeli settlement building over the agreed 1967 Six Day War borders as illegal and a major obstacle to a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.

David Friedman testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to examine his nomination to be US Ambassador to Israel on Capitol Hill on February 16, 2017 in Washington, DC (AFP/Getty)

I think that was always the expectation when [UN] resolution 242 was adopted in 1967, he said.

The idea was that Israel would be entitled to secure borders, he added. The existing borders, the 1967 borders, were viewed by everybody as not secure, so Israel would retain a meaningful portion of the West Bank, and it would return that which it didnt need for peace and security.

I think thats exactly what Israel has done. I mean, theyre only occupying two per cent of the West Bank. There is important nationalistic, historical [and] religious significance to those settlements, and I think the settlers view themselves as Israelis and Israel views the settlers as Israelis.

Mr Friedmans statements - which have been condemned by Palestinian leaders - came the day after several prominent Israeli politicians including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took part in celebrations marking 50 years of settlement building on Palestinian land.

 Soldiers drag 8-year-old from house to house in Hebron for over an hour

Aide to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Nabil Shaath responded on Twitter that that the US ambassador had displayed absolute ignorance of facts of law and of the position of the United States.

[Friedmans comments are] very bad news for the future of any American attempt to make peace in the Middle East, Mr Shaath added.

The two per cent figure is often used by Israeli officials to describe the amount of physical space taken up by settlement building in the West Bank. Palestinians, however, point out that Israel controls Area C - which makes up approximately 60 per cent of the entire area.

The White House quickly moved to distance itself from the remarks. Spokesperson Heather Nauert said on Thursday that Mr Friedmans comments should not be read as a shift in US policy.

Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada 26973.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26974.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26975.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26976.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26977.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26985.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada 26986.bin Robert Capa/Magnum

The intervention marks the second time since the ambassador took up his post that Washington has had to clarify the US policy in the Middle Eastern conflict.

Earlier this month, Mr Friedman referred to Israels alleged occupation of the West Bank while speaking to Israeli media - which Ms Nauert again had to say did not reflect the US view.

While Donald Trump is widely viewed in Israel and the wider Middle East as far more sympathetic to Israeli interests - including the contentious issue of settlement building - than his predecessor Barack Obama, he has also vowed to broker peace in the long-standing conflict.
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The cholera outbreak in Yemen is set to become the largest epidemic since records began, British charity Oxfam has said.

Yemen descended into a full-blown civil war in March 2015, and has been suffering from a cholera epidemic since March of this year.

Charities had already warned the crisis is the fasting-growing cholera epidemic in history, and have said the number of cases will soon overtake the total of 754,373 cases recorded in the aftermath of Haitis 2010 earthquake. Experts believe it will hit a million by November.

 The child victims of Yemens civil war

More than 2,100 Yemenis, around half of them children, have died from the disease to date. While in some areas the infection rate has fallen, in the most conflict affected and hard-to-reach provinces up to 5,000 people a day are falling ill.

Yemen is the worlds worst humanitarian crisis and it is getting even worse. More than two years of war have created ideal conditions for the disease to spread, Nigel Timmins, Oxfams Humanitarian Director, said in a statement.

The war has pushed the country to the edge of famine, forced millions from their homes, virtually destroyed the already weak health services and hampered efforts to respond to the cholera outbreak.

Two and a half years of civil war have decimated Yemens infrastructure and put seven million of the 27-million strong population on the brink of famine.

The situation in Yemen Show all 14 1 /14 The situation in Yemen The situation in Yemen Houthi supporters trample on a US flag during a gathering mobilizing more fighters into several Yemeni battlefronts, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen People carry the coffins of men, who were killed in the recent Saudi-led airstrikes during their funeral, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen AP The situation in Yemen Pro-government fighters give food to Yemeni children on the road leading to the southwestern port city of Mokha. Yemeni rebels are putting up fierce resistance in a key Red Sea port city where they are encircled by pro-government force Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni stands in front of a graffiti protesting US military operations in war-affected Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen. According to reports, US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen A Yemeni female fighter supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, takes part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen Yemeni female fighters supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, take part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A boy shouts slogans next to pro-Houthi fighters, who have been injured during recent fighting, during a rally held to honour those injured or maimed while fighting in Houthi ranks in Sanaa, Yemen Reuters The situation in Yemen Balls of fire and smoke rise from a Houthi-held military camp following alleged Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy looks on as Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy sits amidst the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa AFP/Getty The situation in Yemen Marine One with US President Donald Trump flies with a decoy and support helicopters to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, for the dignified transfer of Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer William 'Ryan' Owens who was killed in Yemen Getty Images The situation in Yemen US President Donald Trump aboard the Marine One to greet the remains of a US military commando killed during a raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen on Sunday, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, US Reuters

The collapse of the medical system has allowed cholera to balloon across the entire country. Aid organisations are struggling to reach people in remote, recently hit areas, and critical medical as well as food supply lines are being strangled by the Saudi-led blockade on Yemens airspace and ports.

Less than half of the countrys medical centres are still functional, 14.5 million people dont have regular access to clean water, and in several provinces health and sanitation workers are still going to work despite not receiving their pay for a year.

While it is easily preventable and treatable in hygienic conditions, cholera can kill the old, young and otherwise sick in hours if fluids are not replaced.

As part of its emergency response, Oxfam has provided water and sanitation assistance to more than 430,000 people in Taiz, Aden, Hajjah, Al-Hudaydah, and Amran governorates, but warned that visas and access for cholera experts have been taking up to two months thanks to both Houthi and government restrictions. The UN said last month that vaccine shipments had also been delayed.

Saudi Arabia and its regional partners have justified an extensive bombing campaign on Yemens Shia Houthi rebels, who control the capital Sanaa, at the request of the exiled, internationally recognised Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

The intense air strikes  which in some cases have targeted civilian buildings such as hospitals and funeral gatherings  have killed thousands of civilians.

Western governments including the UK have been heavily criticised for selling weapons export licences to Saudi Arabia, which rights groups say are destined for use in Yemens war.

 Michael Fallon claims Saudi Arabia is only 'defending itself' when attacking Yemen

Officials within former US President Barack Obamas administration worried the sales could amount to complicity in war crimes.

The UN estimates $2.1bn (1.6bn) is needed to stop Yemen become a completely failed state, but donor governments only pledged half that amount at an aid conference in Geneva in April.

Yemens tragedy is a man-made catastrophe for which all sides bear responsibility. Yet it is being fuelled by deliberate political decisions in London, Washington and other world capitals, Mr Timmins added.

Billions of dollars worth of arms are being sold with little if any concern for the destruction of lives their use is causing. Our common humanity tells us this has to stop and efforts to foster peace have to start."

An earlier version of this article appeared saying the outbreak had already surpassed the levels seen in Haiti in 2010. Oxfam subsequently retracted the statement, but added the number of cases is forecast to top those seen in Haiti "within ten days".
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The United Nations has agreed to establish a group of eminent experts to examine all allegations of war crimes and potential human rights violations committed in the conflict in Yemen, and to identify those responsible.

In a last-minute compromise hammered out between Western powers and Arab countries, the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus without a vote, a resolution which the Yemen delegation said it accepted.

We believe that this urgent request could no longer be ignored, Dutch ambassador Monique TG Van Daalen told the Geneva forum.

Recommended Yemen cholera outbreak set to be worst on record

"A credible international investigation is necessary in order to comprehensively, transparently, independently and impartially establish facts and circumstances surrounding violations with a view to put an end to the cycle of impunity in Yemen," the Dutch delegate added, on behalf of a core group of Western states.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab states presented the amended draft resolution. It will give the strongest international component yet to an examination of rights violations in a country that the UN says faces the world's greatest humanitarian disaster.

The council resolution capped intense closed-door negotiations to bridge a divide between a version promoted by the Netherlands and Canada, which had sought an international, independent Commission of Inquiry on Yemen, and a less-intrusive Arab proposal. It was perhaps the most contentious issue during a three-week session.

The situation in Yemen Show all 14 1 /14 The situation in Yemen The situation in Yemen Houthi supporters trample on a US flag during a gathering mobilizing more fighters into several Yemeni battlefronts, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen People carry the coffins of men, who were killed in the recent Saudi-led airstrikes during their funeral, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen AP The situation in Yemen Pro-government fighters give food to Yemeni children on the road leading to the southwestern port city of Mokha. Yemeni rebels are putting up fierce resistance in a key Red Sea port city where they are encircled by pro-government force Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni stands in front of a graffiti protesting US military operations in war-affected Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen. According to reports, US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen A Yemeni female fighter supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, takes part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen Yemeni female fighters supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, take part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A boy shouts slogans next to pro-Houthi fighters, who have been injured during recent fighting, during a rally held to honour those injured or maimed while fighting in Houthi ranks in Sanaa, Yemen Reuters The situation in Yemen Balls of fire and smoke rise from a Houthi-held military camp following alleged Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy looks on as Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy sits amidst the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa AFP/Getty The situation in Yemen Marine One with US President Donald Trump flies with a decoy and support helicopters to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, for the dignified transfer of Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer William 'Ryan' Owens who was killed in Yemen Getty Images The situation in Yemen US President Donald Trump aboard the Marine One to greet the remains of a US military commando killed during a raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen on Sunday, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, US Reuters

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, who will name the international experts to the panel, has called three years in a row for an inquiry into alleged war crimes in Yemen, saying that a national commission has proved inadequate.

Britain and the United States spoke in favour of the text, while Yemen's delegation declared our acceptance.

 Yemen crisis: More than one million children suffering from malnutrition

Saudi Arabia and its allies have been bombing the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen since the Houthis seized much of the country's north in 2015.

Saudi Arabia has said it follows international law when it comes to its airstrikes on Yemen, but has opened a number of investigations into incidents where civilians have been hit. Activists have said that the number of incidents is far above te number being investigated.

US charge d'affaires Ted Allegra told the Council: We believe the Council speaking with one voice on Yemen is essential to address the worsening situation there, and to encourage the parties involved in the conflict to come to the table, not to mention for the integrity of the Council.

Reuters
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The United Nations' leadership in Burma attempted to stop the issue of Rohingya human rights abuse being raised with the countrys government, according to sources in the organisation and aid workers.

A former UN official reportedly claimed the head of the UN in Burma  also known as Myanmar  tried to stop human rights advocates from visiting the Rakhine state, which has seen a mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims from the Buddhist majority country.

The UN in Burma has said it strongly disagrees with the findings of the BBC report. The organisation has been delivering aid to the displaced Rohingya since the crisis began and has condemned the Burmese authorities.

Unnamed sources within the UN and named aid workers told the broadcaster that in the four years before the current crisis, the head of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Canadian Renata Lok Dessallien, attempted to prevent human rights activists travelling to the Rohingya areas.

The sources also claimed Ms Dessallien tried to shut down public discourse on the matter and ostracised staff who tried to warn that ethnic cleansing appeared increasingly likely.

One aid worker, Caroline Vandenabeele, had seen the warning signs before having worked in Rwanda in the run-up to the genocide in late 1993 and early 1994.

She said when she first arrived in Burma, she flagged up the troubling similarities.

She told the BBC: I was with a group of expats and Burmese business people talking about Rakhine and Rohingya and one of the Burmese people just said 'we should kill them all as if they are just dogs'. For me, this level of dehumanisation of humans is one sign that you have reached a level of acceptance in society that this is normal."

She said she witnessed the UN response to the escalating situation as she worked as the resident co-ordinator for Ms Dessallien.

The aid worker claimed it was known that speaking up about the human rights and statelessness of the Rohingya would anger many Buddhists.

Recommended Saudi Arabia remains silent on growing Rohingya crisis

The UN and the international community are believed to have prioritised the long-term development of the Rakhine area in the hope that increasing the wealth in the entire area would reduce tensions between the two groups.

The Burmese government, now led by Aung San Suu Kyi, does not even use the word Rohingya or recognise them as a distinct group, referring to them instead as Bengalis, and referring to the growing crisis reportedly became taboo.

The Rohingya are not recognised as citizens by Burma, which classified them as illegal immigrants.

It is believed more than 500,0000 of around one million Rohingya Muslims have fled from the country over the border into Bangladesh since the Burmese military began a crackdown against them, backed by Buddhist mobs.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 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squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just 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Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA

The crackdown came in response to attacks by Rohingya militants and has reportedly involved a campaign of beatings, killings and rapes, with many villages razed to the ground.

Ms Suu Kyi has faced fierce international condemnation for her handling of the crisis, with calls to strip her of the Nobel Peace Prize for her apparent unwillingness to intervene.

The UN Security Council met in New York on Thursday to discuss the growing crisis.
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If anyones got the travel bug, its Anthony Bourdain.

The renowned TV chef is constantly on the move, sampling culinary delights around the the world, from the crevices of the Congo to the streets of Sicily.

Its safe to say the man knows his waffles from his wanderlust. Now, the US presenter has revealed the one place in the world hed settle down.

Recommended This is the only thing that Anthony Bourdain will eat on a plane

Speaking to Maxim, Bourdain explained that his fascination with all things Japanese has always drawn him to Tokyo.

Interestingly, his reasoning has little to do with food.

"It's so different than the aesthetic I grew up with, the society and culture I grew up with," he said.

Bourdain developed an obsession with the Japanese capital from his very first visit, admitting that it completely changed his life.

He said that the first time he went to Tokyo his "head kind of exploded".

"I compared it to taking my first acid trip: Nothing was ever the same for me. I just wanted more of it.

"If I had to agree to live in one country, or even one city, for the rest of my life, never leaving it, I'd pick Tokyo in a second," he said.

Bourdain explained that his interests in Japanese culture was also partly fuelled by a passion for Tebori, the Japanese practise of tattooing by hand.

All you have to do is catch a glimpse of the chef's heavily-inked arms to see how much his intrigue has influenced him.

Recommended How chef Anthony Bourdain got abs at 61

"Many of the things I love about Japan come from the fact that I recognise that I don't have those things," he added.

He expressed huge admiration of the intense discipline required for so many Japanese practises, such as Tebori and flower arranging, which he personally feels he lacks.

Bourdain explained that the attention to detail that these activities require can be enriching, allowing you to focus on the basic elements of what it means to experience pleasure.

Meet you in Tokyo.
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Every week, Jack Sheldon from Jacks Flight Club selects a flight deal from the UK for Independent readers that you cant afford to miss. This week: a multi stop trip for under 900.

An absolutely exceptional around-the-globe itinerary is currently available on Air New Zealand (2016's best airline for all around service), stopping in Singapore, New Zealand and California along the way - all at 898, which can be less than a standard return fare to just New Zealand.

The best part is that these are all direct flights and include some very highly sought-after travel dates including options over Easter and throughout July/August 2018.

How to book

Multi-city trips are always a tad tricky when determining where to look and the best travel dates to score the cheapest fare. For this one, Kayak.co.uk is the best website to use as it allows creating multi-stop itineraries with five or more legs, which most booking sites struggle with.

There are currently tons of options all throughout spring and summer 2018, so start by using one of my sample itineraries below and then change the dates to match your schedule. I've listed out some options that definitely work as of today, so you can plug these into the sample itinerary (link here) to get yourself started.

Example dates for the standard route above:

5, 12, 19, 26 March

30 March and 2, 9, 13 April (Easter half-term dates)

30 April and 7, 14, 21 May

15, 22, 29 May and 5 June

16, 20, 30 July and 6 August (Peak summer dates)

Recommended New Zealand in 12 days

When to fly

February to August 2018 (including Easter and summer dates).

When to book

These fares should stick around for another week or so.

Pro tips

Air New Zealand flies all over the Pacific, so you can easily add to your adventure by fitting in stops in Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, or any number of exotic island destinations. The best way to do this is by adding it to the above itinerary as a stop between Auckland and Los Angeles. If you're after Fiji, Air New Zealand has direct routes from there onto Los Angeles, so you won't even have to circle back via New Zealand on your way east.

Click here to compare flight options with Skyscanner
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Thinking of starting an airline? Probably best to go and lie down in a darkened room until you come to your senses. But if you persist with the plan, allow me to offer some advice on practices best avoided.

1) Cancelling dozens of flights at almost no notice, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and, in many cases, out of pocket.

2) Messing up pilots rosters so badly that you need to cancel 2,100 flights over a six-week spell at the end of the summer season.

3) Saying that the winter schedule is safe, launching a 10 seat sale on flights from November onwards, and then cancelling an astounding 18,000 more flights.

On several days this summer, British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair have all been guilty of the first issue, grounding planes abruptly. But only the Irish airline has achieved the second and third feat as well.

Wrecking the plans of around 800,000 passengers in a bonfire of the boarding passes is never a good idea. Yet many of the mucked-around Ryanair customers might have been mollified had the airline simply done the decent (and legally required) thing.

Before you launch your airline, have a quick look at the European passengers rights rules that govern every flight on an EU carrier. Essentially, they insist that disrupted passengers should be cared for promptly and properly, at no cost to themselves, and that anyone whose flight is cancelled should be offered three options.

First, a refund; unlikely to be the best choice, because alternative transport will probably cost more. Next, an alternative flight on the same airline. But if that isnt possible  for example because all departures on a route have been grounded between November and March  then the cancelling airline must buy a ticket on a rival carrier.

Anyone with a Ryanair ticket from Stansted to Edinburgh or Glasgow, or between Gatwick and Belfast, should be switched with neither fuss nor need for a credit card, to easyJet; the airline flies exactly the same routes at broadly similar times. Mildly inconvenient, perhaps, but not the stuff of travel nightmares.

Instead of doing the decent thing, though, Ryanair went out of its way to avoid shelling out on seats aboard its competitors flights.

The airline redefined staff shortage by mismanaging pilots rosters so badly that it needed to cancel 20,000 flights. Judging from its recent behaviour, therefore, you may conclude that Ryanair hasnt a clue what it is doing.

Yet in one respect the airline knows exactly what it has been doing: persistently misleading passengers with inaccurate information regarding their rights, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The 400,000 passengers who had booked winter trips with Ryanair in good faith were emailed on Monday to be told their flights were grounded and that they had just two choices: another Ryanair flight, or a refund. Which is why the CAAs normally mild-mannered chief executive, Andrew Haines, declared himself furious.

For the vast majority of travellers, switching airlines is the obvious solution. But with far fewer seats available between Stansted and Scotland, and Gatwick and Northern Ireland, easyJet is naturally raising its fares. Now that Ryanair has agreed to respect passengers rights, I estimate around 20m will be added to the steadily rising bill for the mother-of-all-airline-management muddles.

Ryanair will barely notice as it flies through the turbulence towards another billion pounds in profit; a tiny portion earned from me, an avid enthusiast for safe, on-time and good-value flights.

But when an airline has been systematically seeking to avoid its obligations on an industrial scale, the cheeky, cheap and cheerful image no longer applies. Its time to grow up.

Click here to compare flight options with Skyscanner
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I am standing watching a hardened Welsh man in his sixties cry, and I dont know what to do.

Im sorry love, he says, his voice thick with emotion. I gotta go. Im sorry.

Porthcawl transforms into an Elvis paradise each September (University of South Wales)

He stumbles away, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, leaving me feeling like the outsider at some cults annual moon-worshipping ceremony where Im the only one who doesnt quite get why everyone is dancing around naked and howling at the sky. This pretty much sums up my entire experience at the worlds biggest Elvis festival in Porthcawl  I never fully understand whats going on, but in the end it doesnt really matter.

Rewind five minutes and the man in question, Dave, simply approached me to tell me how much he was enjoying the evening. Were in the Grand Pavilion, a beautiful 1920s music hall, and had just been treated to a full Elvis concert complete with accompaniment from Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra. Dave and I both agreed it was thoroughly delightful but, while Im having a perfectly pleasant time, he is buzzing.

Im like a battery. I come to this festival, plug myself in, and I can feel the energy pouring through me. It keeps me going the whole rest of the year. Theres nothing like it  the love, the affection, the enthusiasm. The love in this room

Its at this point that he breaks down and can no longer continue talking.

Its been a weekend full of surprises, the biggest one of all being that the worlds biggest Elvis festival is held here in the first place. It just seems so unlikely  the little Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl attracting 35,000 Elvis-mad visitors every year. More people come to Porthcawl to celebrate Elvis in September than go to Memphis for Elvis Week in August. But the location is an integral part of its charm, according to festival organiser Peter Phillips.

It works because its the most ridiculous place to put on an Elvis festival, he told me. If you put on an Elvis event in, say, Blackpool, it would be a great event in a venue, but if you go out of the building, youre in Blackpool.

There are plenty of Fifties fashions on display (University of South Wales)

You cant get away from Elvis here. Every pub, chip shop, cafe and hotel puts on its own mini Elvis festival for the weekend. It is wall-to-wall Elvis.

Hes not wrong there. Wandering along the seafront earlier in the day, between the festivals two main venues of the Pavilion and the Hi-Tide, was an experience in itself. Crowds full of colourful fluffy cowboy hats, Fifties dresses, gold lame jackets, full white jumpsuits and quiff after quiff, in Elviss signature jet-black, jostled for position along the parade. There was even a group of dogs decked out in neon, Elvis-inspired outfits  theyd taken part in the popular Hound Dog competition the day before.

Porthcawl is the kind of traditional seaside town that would by now have become a ghost town were it elsewhere. There are gaudy arcades and stalls, beachside bars that have seen better days, funfair amusements and pony rides on the beach. Ask for a cappuccino in a cafe and theyll laugh and say they do two kinds of coffee  black or milky. But the place is thriving: the arcade is packed, the beer is flowing from 10am until who knows when, and there is a feeling of bonhomie that has settled over Porthcawl like a warm blanket. Its tacky and its uncool and nobody cares.

Porthcawl hosts a weekend-long party (University of South Wales)

What makes it so unique is the Welsh mindset, Peter told me, and I could see what he meant. There is what he describes as a perfect alchemy here in Porthcawl; the team has tried to replicate the festival elsewhere and its never really clicked. Eugene Quinlan, an Irishman who manages another one of Peters events, Tedfest (a festival for Father Ted fans), summed it up perfectly.

It works here because the Welsh dont give a f***.

He added: Seaside towns like this are dying in Ireland  but here, they love it. They love the arcades, they love the amusements. They dont look at this and think it isnt good enough. They arent pretentious.

This weekend, theyll have heard Suspicious Minds five hundred times. But still, youll see them stop in the street and go, Oh, I love this one, when they hear it again.

Its crazy  but in a good way.

Some 35,000 fans descend on Porthcawl for the festival

The day was grey and drizzly, and I ducked into the Brentwood pub  one of the first places to support the festival when it launched in 2004  to escape the rain. It was  of course  bedecked with US flags and Hawaiian leis and there was  of course  an Elvis tribute artist serenading drinkers. Never call them Elvis impersonators, one fan warned me. Theyre not impersonators, because you cant impersonate perfection. Noted.

Making my way between the two sides of town for the third time that day, soaked to the skin from the unrelenting rain, I began to realise just how much the Welsh dont-give-a-f*** mentality contributes to the success of the festival. If this were England, people would be ashen-faced and grumbling as they made the 15-minute trudge between venues. Here, there were easy smiles, big-bellied laughs, lilting Welsh accents expressing how much they had enjoyed the latest performance. It was like entering another world  one where people were genuinely happy with the small joys life had to offer. I smiled too. The feel-good brand of Elvis, as Peter describes it, was rubbing off on me.

After the big concert on Sunday night (the one which reduced poor Dave to tears), a farewell brunch at the Hi-Tide marks the end of the event on Monday morning. Its for the hardcore crowd  the ones who are up and out despite their raging hangovers, the ones who just cant bear to leave without hearing one last Elvis song.

Elvis tribute artists perform all over Porthcawl (University of South Wales)

I fell in love with him in Jailhouse Rock, when I was five years old, says one fan, Priscilla, misty eyed. Theres no one like him.

As we all chow down on a full English and I feel moved by the palpable love in the room, Suspicious Minds comes on for the five hundredth time. I find myself thinking, ever-so uncooly, Oh, I love this one. And you know what? I dont give a f***.

Travel essentials

Getting there

The nearest train station is Bridgend; a taxi from there to Porthcawl takes 20 minutes and costs around 15.

Staying there

The Coed-Y-Mwstwr hotel (townandcountrycollective.co.uk/coed-y-mwstwr) is a beautifully-placed Victorian mansion in the middle of the Welsh countryside, with a superior dinner served in the Elliot Restaurant. Its a 25-minute drive from here to Porthcawl. Doubles from 90, B&B.

More information

Tickets for the 2018 festival's official shows will go on sale in January.

elvies.co.uk
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The Iraqi government has banned international flights to the Kurdish capital Irbil from 6pm this Friday, isolating the Kurds in Iraq to a degree they have not experienced since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The isolation is political as well as geographical as traditional Kurdish allies, like the US, UK, France and Germany, have opposed the referendum on Kurdish independence while near neighbours in Turkey, Iran and Baghdad are moving to squeeze the Kurds into submission.

The referendum succeeded in showing that the Kurds, not just in Iraq but in Turkey, Iran and Syria, still yearn for their own state. Paradoxically, the outcome of the poll has demonstrated both the strength of their demand for self-determination and the weakness of their ability to obtain it. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is revealed as a minnow whose freedom of action  and even its survival  depends on playing off one foreign state against the other and keeping tolerable relations with all of them, even when they detested each other. In the past an American envoy would go out one door just as the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards came in the other.

The referendum has ended, perhaps only temporarily, these delicate balancing acts at which the Kurdish leadership was very skilled. In the last few weeks, the US has denounced the referendum in forthright terms, emboldening Iraq, Turkey and Iran to punish the Kurds for their undiplomatic enthusiasm to be an independent nation.

The poll was always a dangerous gamble but it is too early to say that it has entirely failed: minority communities and small nations must occasionally kick their big power allies in the teeth. Otherwise, they will become permanent proxies whose agreement with what their big power ally wants can be taken for granted. The skill for the smaller player is not to pay too high a price for going their own way. Iraq, Turkey and Iran have all made threatening statements over the last few days, some of them bombast, but they can hit the Kurds very hard if they want to.

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 Kurds are in a fix and normally they would look to Washington to help them out, but under President Trump US foreign policy has become notoriously unpredictable. Worse from the Kurdish point of view, the US no longer needs the Iraqi Kurds as it did before the capture of Mosul from Isis in July. In any case, it was the Iraqi armed forces that won a great victory there, so for the first time in 14 years there is a powerful Iraqi army in the north of the country. We may not be on the verge of an Arab-Kurdish war, but the military balance of power is changing and Baghdad, not Irbil, is the gainer.

Anxious diplomats and excited journalists describe Iraq as being on a collision course, but the different parties will not necessarily collide. Muddling through is not only a British trait. But there is no doubt that the situation has become more dangerous, particularly in the disputed territories stretching across northern Iraq from Syria to Iran.

The referendum always had a risky ambivalence about it which helped ignite the present crisis. It all depended on what audience Kurdish President Masoud Barzani was addressing: when he spoke to Kurdish voters, it was a poll of historic significance when the Kurds would take a decisive step towards an independent state.

But addressing an international and regional audience, Barzani said he was proposing something much tamer, more like an opinion poll, in which the Iraqi Kurds were politely indicating a general preference for independence at some date in the future. Like many leaders who play the nationalist card, Barzani is finding that his rhetoric is being taken more seriously than his caveats. Bye, Bye Iraq! chanted crowds in Irbil on the night of the referendum.

Much of this was born of Barzanis bid to outmanoeuvre his political rivals in Kurdistan by re-emerging as the standard bearer of Kurdish nationalism. He will benefit from his decision to defy the world and press ahead with the vote when it comes to the presidential and parliamentary elections in KRG on 1 November.

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But the price of this could be high. It is not only Barzani who is facing an election in which national self-assertion is an issue in the coming months. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has a parliamentary election in 2018 and does not want to be accused of being insufficiently tough on the Kurds. Banning of international flights to Irbil is far less than many Iraqi MPs say they want.

By holding a referendum in the disputed territories, Barzani promoted this issue to the top of the Iraqi political agenda. It might have been in the interests of the Kurds to let it lie since the contending claims for land are deeply felt and irreconcilable. Optimists believe that Irbil and Baghdad could never go to war because they are both too dependent militarily on foreign powers. It is true that the Iraqi armed forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga alike could not have held off and defeated Isis without close air support from the US-led coalition. But by putting the future status of the KRG and the territories in play, Barzani has presented the Iraqi government, Turkey and Iran with a threat and an opportunity.

The four countries with Kurdish minorities fear that secessionism might spread, but a further problem is that they do not believe that an Iraqi Kurdish state would be truly independent, but would shift into the orbit of another power. The Iranians are paranoid about the possibility that such a state would be an American base threatening Iran. Politicians in Baghdad say that, if the Kurds are serious about self-determination, they would cling onto the oil fields of Kirkuk and be dependent on Turkey through which to export their crude.

Once the KRG dreamed of becoming a new Dubai with gleaming malls and hotels, but since 2014 it has looked more like Pompeii. The skyline is punctured by dozens of half completed tower blocks beside rusting cranes and abandoned machinery. The boom town atmosphere disappeared in 2014 when the price of oil went down, money stopped coming from Baghdad and Isis seized Mosul two hours drive away. The state is impoverished and salaries paid late, if at all. This will now all get a lot worse with airports and border crossings closed and 35,000 federal employees no longer being paid.

At all events, the political landscape in Iraq and Syria is changing: we are at the beginning of a new political phase in which the battle to defeat Isis is being replaced by a power struggle between Arabs and Kurds.
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I like the idea of war crimes trials. Make an example of the monsters, is what I say. Collar the lot, as Churchill demanded in a somewhat different context. And if Nuremberg was victors justice, Id prefer the imperfect trials they did hold than the version we would have got if Hitler had won and Roland Freisler, State Secretary of the Reich Ministry of Justice, was still running the Nazi Peoples Court.

Right now, its becoming quite the thing to demand war crimes indictments all over the place. In the past week, weve had TRIAL International demanding that the Swiss judicial authorities act against Rifaat al-Assad for massacres at Palmyra prison in 1980 and at Hama in 1982. Rifaat is the brother of the late Hafez and uncle of Bashar, against whom Amnesty and the UN Commission on Syria would also like to level war crimes charges (according to Carla del Ponte, at least). And now the UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution to collect evidence against Isis for acts that may amount to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

And Im all for a little balance if were going to hunt down the perpetrators. War crimes investigators tried to spread the blame after the Bosnian war; Bosnian Muslims and Croatians were taken to The Hague as well as some of the more notorious Serb criminals.

I once bet a Warwickshire police officer that hed never get Milosevic into court. He was absolutely adamant. Well get him, well see him in The Hague, he said, as he drove me to another mass grave. And I was wrong and he was right; but of course, Slobodan died in prison (as rather too many defendants did at The Hague) before judgment was pronounced.

But no matter. The word went out that you dont get away with war crimes. Nor did Saddam, though his trial was a farce, and liberal Europe had to feebly protest when the man they claimed was worse than Hitler got topped while his Shia Muslim executioners jeered at him on Sunni Islams holiest day.

 Yemen's prime minister accuses UK of war crimes

We have to remember that when Saddam was convicted in that most un-Hague-like court in Baghdad, he was charged not with gassing the Kurds but with killing dozens of Shia Muslims in an almost forgotten massacre years earlier. The Kurds were stunned. But then we have to remember that the US gave Iraq precursors for their gas  from New Jersey, were they not?  so a trial about the gassings and Saddams own evidence might have been a bit embarrassing for us all.

I suspect something similar may pop up if we grab a real leader of Isis and question him about where he got all the weapons he used for his mass slaughter across Iraq and Syria. Even when David Cameron commissioned an enquiry into terrorist funding, our saintly Theresa had to keep it secret to avoid embarrassing our Saudi friends. But dont the funders buy the guns that Isis uses? Are they immune from justice?

I remember a phone call I received in Beirut from a Hague official who asked me to give evidence against a Serb concentration camp commander whom Id interviewed in Bosnia. I said he could use my reports but that I wasnt going to play reporters during a war and then turn into a spy when the war was over. I was threatened with possible arrest if I was not prepared to give evidence. So I said I would certainly cooperate with The Hague  if they charged all the war criminals in the Middle East. And  Sabra and Chatila being a Palestinian massacre I had personally witnessed  I asked when charges would be brought against the Lebanese Christian militiamen who killed up to 1,700 men, women and children in 1982 and, more importantly, against the man who sent them into the camps: the Israeli minister of defence and later Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. At which point  do I need to bother with this?  the Hague official who had been so officious, immediately hung up the phone. And (gasps of surprise) I never heard from him again.

 Western powers accuse Russia of barbaric war crimes before shock UN walkout

But this is the point. Those who go around demanding war crimes trials dont really want to collar the lot, do they? They want to pick and choose their monsters, to ensure that the arrest of the guilty wont embarrass those who fund their courts and their lawyers and who pay the UNs bills and who spend much of their time  before they bomb the offending criminals  comparing their enemies to Hitler.

Its interesting, for example, to reflect on the fact that Rifaat al-Assad had been in Europe for decades after he was first accused of sending his Defence Brigades to massacre civilians in Hama. He was worth millions. For a while he lived in luxury in London at a time when I was asking in The Independent why Scotland Yard didnt pay him a visit.

TRIAL International has been having some problems with the Swiss. Hearings postponed, shortcomings in legal procedures, attempts to forget about the case, that sort of thing. Why? According to the principle of universal jurisdiction, Switzerland has a duty to prosecute the authors of war crimes present on its territory.

Now I grant you that TRIALs accusations are a bit vague. They say Rifaats brigades killed 10,000 to 40,000 of the population in 1992. I was briefly in Hama at the time. I said up to 20,000 then, but it might have been nearer to 10,000. So where did this entirely new figure of 40,000 come from?

In the same way, Amnesty indicted the Syrian government  and Rifaats nephew  for the hanging of between 5,000 and 13,000 civilians at Sednaya prison during the Syrian war. Yes, but which is it? Five thousand itself would be a war crime  and Amnesty spent a lot of time on their report  but if thats the real figure, where did 13,000 come from? One of these figures cant be true. You know which one made the most headlines.

In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Isis' weapons factories In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A mortar round fin manufactured by Isis in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis rocket components discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, Iraq in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortars discovered near Karamlais, Iraq, in November 2016 CAR In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis rocket launch frame in Qaraqosh, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A memo from Isis' COSQC on quality control at a manufacturing facility in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Electrically-operated initiators manufactured by Isis in forces Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortar tubes at a manufacturing facility in Karamlais, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis mortar production facility discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis weapons manufacturing facilities near Mosul in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Stocks of French-manufactured Sorbitol, Latvian potassium nitrate and Lebanese sugar at an Isis weapons factory in Iraq Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A destroyed Isis weapons facility in Qaraqosh, Iraq, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research

Of course, we all know that since the Syrian regime has all but won its war (though never underestimate the Hand of Fate), its Isis thats more likely to end up in court than anybody else. And since the use of gas is another war crimes charge made against the Syrian government, what about the carefully reported transfer of gas from Turkey to the Syrian Islamists? The only legal action taken so far has been to lock up the Turkish journalists who revealed Turkeys little war crime. Certainly, the Sultan of Turkey  you know who I mean  is not going to be questioned by The Hague.

And we are not  surely we are not  going to charge men who killed half a million Iraqi children with sanctions before the 2003 war. For that would mean indicting the UN itself. Nor are we going to indict the men who killed up to half a million Iraqis after the 2003 war. Because that would mean wed have to impugn the integrity of old George W as well as that man whose name I can scarcely pronounce  you know the chap I mean, used to run the Labour Party, hilariously appointed a peace envoy to the Middle East and currently runs a well-funded Faith Foundation.

Yup, I am all for war crimes trials. For Rifaat. For Isis. For the Syrian regime and for the Iraqi regime (whose militias seem to be pretty good at tossing prisoners off walls) and for Erdogan and for the Taliban and for those nice chaps in that friendly Gulf state which builds lots of mosques, but whose names are kept secret in a British government report for fear that the said state would be very rude to Theresa May; and for George W Bush and for the British prime minister who was his contemporary.

Thats the rub. Justice is for all, but some are not equal before the law. They are way above it. Just think about Yemen for a moment. Could be a lot of indictments there. Ten thousand dead. Forty thousand wounded. And we know whos doing the bombing and we know which countries assist the folk who are doing the bombing and we know who lets Britain make its little contribution to this war crime. Someone who lives in the very same building where Churchill once said: Collar the lot.
The European Parliament is to call for Northern Ireland to stay in the single market and customs union in order to protect the integrity of the EUs borders.

MEPs have concluded it is the best solution to the problem of ensuring there is no border in Ireland. The move has the support of all major political groups.

It would mean continued free movement on the island of Ireland, with customs checks instead taking place at ports on the Irish sea for visitors travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The resolution, set to be voted on hours before Theresa Mays make-or-break Tory conference speech, rubbishes Britains existing proposals on the issue and is set to enrage DUP MPs propping up Ms Mays Government.

Only yesterday the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier said not enough progress had been made on Europes key objectives  the financial settlement, EU citizens and Ireland  for the discussions to move on to the future trade deal the UK wants.

Both the UK and EU believe there should be no hardening of the border with the Republic, which is currently not policed  but disagree on how to do this while Ireland remains inside the EUs borders and the UK leaves them.

The Independent understands that European Parliament chiefs believe shifting border posts to Irish sea ports is the optimal solution. One source said the EUs physical border had to be somewhere and could not just have a gaping hole in it.

The resolution rubbishes Britains proposals for an infrastructureless NI border based on spot checks and says that the UK plan for a lack of physical infrastructure presumes that the United Kingdom stays in the internal market and customs union or that Northern Ireland stays in some form in the internal market and customs union. The PM has ruled out keeping the UK as a whole in the customs union or single market.

At a press conference in Brussels today the European Commissions chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the resolution was important, mentioning it alongside next months European Council meeting as one of the hurdles the UK would have to clear before it could progress to the next stage of talks.

The wide-ranging resolution, which covers the whole Brexit process so far, says the European Parliament believes that it is the responsibility of the UK Government to provide a unique, effective and workable solution that prevents a hardening of the border, ensures full compliance with the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, is in line with European Union law and fully ensures the integrity of the internal market and customs union.

The European Parliament is not involved in day-to-day negotiations with the UK but has a final veto on the ultimate Brexit deal which is agreed. The bodys Brexit steering group also meets regularly with Mr Barnier.

The plan, which was published on Thursday, is almost certain to pass the parliament: it was signed by Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliaments Brexit coordinator and chair of the liberal group; Manfred Weber, chair of the conservative group; Gianni Pittella, chair of the socialist group; Gabi Zimmer, chair of the left group; and Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller, the co-chairs of the green group. It is also backed by Danuta Hubner, chair of the Parliaments committee on constitutional affairs.

Chief negotiator Mr Barnier today said Britain has not made sufficient progress in Brexit talks for trade or transition discussions to begin  despite Theresa Mays Florence speech having created a new dynamic in negotiations.

Speaking at the end of the latest round, Mr Barnier told reporters in Brussels that clarity had been reached on a number of issues  but warned that the EU-imposed starting line to move to trade talks could still be months away.

The EU has consistently said it would not discuss the UKs future relationship with the EU, which includes trade and transition periods, until sufficient progress has been made on what it calls separation issues.

Other than the Northern Ireland border, the EU wants to settle the rights of EU citizens living in Britain, and how much Britain will pay to cover its liabilities when it leaves the EU  before talks move on to their next phase and a transition deal or trade arrangements can be discussed.

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said: "To have one nation of the UK in the single market and the other three nations outside it would be a complication built upon a fiasco that could lead to the break up of the United Kingdom.

"It just shows how little thought, even now, the government has put into the sheer complexity of Brexit.

"There is a very simple solution: stay in the single market. Sadly the government would rather risk the break up of the UK just so it can hurl a few stones at the EU. It is utterly pathetic."

A British Government spokesperson said: " We recognise and respect the vital role the European Parliament will play in this process. However, this is a draft document and was issued before negotiations this week were completed. Therefore it does not take into account the further progress made this week.

" We and the EU have committed to protecting the Belfast Agreement and the Common Travel Area and agree that we will not accept any physical infrastructure at the border.

"We recognise that the solutions to the unique circumstances in Northern Ireland must respect the integrity of the EU single market and customs union. But they must also respect the integrity of the United Kingdom."
Ministers Simon Coveney and Helen McEntee at the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, yesterday

A post-Brexit transition period could last up to four years, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said.

Mr Coveney said the longer the transition period the better from an Irish perspective, but that it "can't go on forever".

"I think when we get to the point of negotiating and debating a transition arrangement, which isn't now, that will be in phase two of the negotiations, I think we'll be talking about a period of somewhere between two and four years. Let's wait and see," the minister said.

He said the EU was anxious to deal with the phase one issues first before discussing a transition period.

In her speech in Florence last week, British Prime Minister Theresa May set out her plan for a two-year post-Brexit transition period under current EU rules, but again repeated that ultimately no deal would still be better than a bad deal.

The confirmation that Downing Street wants a bridging period, which would see the UK abide by existing trading terms, will give comfort to businesses here and in Britain fearing a cliff edge exit in March 2019, but could stoke anger among Brexiteers.

In Brussels yesterday, relations between lead EU negotiator Michel Barnier and UK Brexit Secretary David Davis appeared more convivial than in recent months.

However, there was little to announce by way of substance.

"We're very slowly starting to see that there's a bit of a reality check" and an "acknowledgment of the complexities" of leaving the EU, a senior Irish official in Brussels told the Irish Independent.

The aim right now was to "preserve the common travel area and the Good Friday Agreement in all of its aspects", said the Government official.

But the EU and UK are yet to agree on the practicalities of this and "more work and clarity is needed" from the UK, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Mr Barnier noted discussions about avoiding a hard Border between the North and the Republic of Ireland had been "constructive", as both sides wished to preserve the status quo, as well as protect the Good Friday Agreement.

Yesterday's more optimistic tone was likely influenced by Mrs May's speech in Florence, which Mr Barnier said brought a "new dynamic". However, he pointed to another difficult "stumbling block" being Britain's refusal to accept the role of the European Court of Justice in ensuring the rights of EU citizens living in the UK after it leaves the union.

On the margins of the latest All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit in Dublin yesterday, Mr Coveney said the European Union would be open to discussing a transition period. He said the "most difficult" issue was the Border.

"I think we do need to make more progress around bringing clarity around how we are going to resolve the question of maintaining a largely invisible Border on the island of Ireland and maintain the status quo," he said.

He reiterated it would make it easier if Britain agreed to remain in a customs union with the EU.

"But that is not compatible with some of the other things that Britain has been saying, in terms of its ambitions to negotiate free trade agreements all over the world. We aren't where we need to be on Border issues," Mr Coveney said. He said there was no "road map" to get us where we want to be.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the gathering that the timetable to achieving progress by next month was "challenging".

"While there has been some progress, very significant gaps remain," Mr Varadkar said.

Yesterday's Brexit civic dialogue was the third such event to take place, and, as with the other two, unionists were absent.

Mr Coveney said he wanted to hold the next event in Northern Ireland.
The price of diesel is expected to remain unchanged in Budget 2018, despite speculation it could be equalised with petrol.

Changes to excise duty are always among the final decisions made in the process, often on the morning of the Budget.

However, sources told the Irish Independent there was a strong sense that diesel would not be targeted.

Hauliers have previously argued they are struggling to meet fuel costs, while Brexit is also a factor.

Expand Close Drivers of diesel cars are likely to be spared in the Budget. Stock picture / Facebook

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Whatsapp Drivers of diesel cars are likely to be spared in the Budget. Stock picture

According to AA the average price of a litre of diesel is currently 1.22. This already includes taxes totalling almost 73c.

Petrol is around 1.35 at the average pump, including 86c in tax.

It had been thought diesel would increase as part of the Government's drive to force motorists to be more environmentally friendly.

Electric

The Budget will include a number of initiatives aimed at encouraging a greater uptake of electric vehicles.

A series of long-term measures are under consideration, with a focus on incentives to encourage a change in driver behaviour.

The Irish Independent understands initiatives are being planned in particular to encourage the purchase of second-hand electric vehicles.

Relief on Vehicle Registration Tax for the purchase of hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is currently in place until the end of next year, but this is likely to be extended.

While diesel is likely to be left untouched, sources say excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco will rise.

It will be the sixth consecutive budget to see an increase in the price of cigarettes.

Last year, then finance minister Michael Noonan added 50c to a packet of 20 cigarettes, bringing the price to more than 11 for the first time.

The move will be welcomed by health campaigners, but already retailers have raised concerns that the ever-increasing price of tobacco is leading to a rise in smuggling.

In its pre-budget submission, Retailers Against Smuggling, which represents traders on both sides of the Border, said the excise hikes were undermining their "ability to do business and is making life considerably easier for criminals engaged in cigarette smuggling".

It is not yet clear whether Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has any plans to change the excise duty on alcohol.

A sugar tax is certain to feature in Mr Donohoe's Budget speech but will not be introduced before April 2018.

The Government is keen to align its policy on taxing sugary drinks with similar developments in the UK in order to reduce the risk of cross-Border shopping.
The strategic partnership and acquisition agreement announced in May 2017 by Dawn Meats and Dunbia has been completed, with all relevant regulatory clearances approved.

Dawn has agreed a strategic partnership with Dunbia to establish a joint venture in the UK, comprising the UK operations of both organisations.

The combined UK businesses now trade as Dunbia and are managed by former Dunbia CEO Jim Dobson as CEO, and Dawn Meats CEO Niall Browne as Executive Chairman. Today the new brand and logo for the joint venture was unveiled to staff and customers at the businesss headquarters in Dungannon, Northern Ireland.

In the Republic of Ireland, Dawn has acquired Dunbias operations, and now has 9 facilities (including 5 abattoirs), following the addition of two complementary Dunbia facilities - one abattoir in Slane, and one boning hall in Kilbeggan.

The combined businesses in the UK and Ireland will process approximately 900,000 cattle and 2.6m sheep annually.

Commenting, Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats said he was very pleased to have successfully concluded the process. "(We) can now look to deliver the benefits that we believe this transaction will bring for our customers, staff and suppliers. Our focus will continue to be on quality and sustainability across 3 leading national businesses: Dawn Meats in Ireland, Dunbia in the UK and Elivia in France.

The combined businesses in the UK are highly complementary, and will offer customers regionally sourced solutions for both beef and lamb from 15 facilities across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Jim Dobson, CEO of Dunbia said the new deal would offer a fresh look for the new Dunbia business in the UK.

"The partnership will ensure that we can grow as a leading supplier in the UK market and deliver long-term solutions for our customers and a strong relationship with our farmer suppliers.
Negotiations between between the EU and South Americas Mercosur bloc are set to take a major step forward next week with reports from Brussels that the EU Commission have agreed a new substantial offer on beef.

However, European Union nations led by France and Ireland have proposed postponing a farm trade offer to South Americas Mercosur bloc until rules are agreed to avoid unfair competition, diplomats said on Thursday, creating a potential obstacle to a deal.

In a letter to the European Commission, the countries said they were particularly vulnerable to imports of beef, ethanol, sugar and poultry from Mercosur and said an EU offer of import quotas would be untimely until a level playing field could be agreed.

The EU farm offer was due to be delivered next week during negotiations in Brasilia. Resolution of the differences over agriculture is crucial if the two sides are to reach a political framework accord by the end of the year, which is Mercosurs goal.

The letter seen by Reuters seeking a postponement was signed by Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

A counter letter pressing for the EU to make a farm offer next week was signed on Thursday by Germany, Italy, Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Spain Portugal and the Czech Republic, a European diplomat in Brasilia said.

The last stretch of the negotiations will be difficult, the diplomat said on condition he not be named.

Another European diplomat said negotiations, that have dragged on for 18 years, are at a crucial stage.

If the deal doesnt get done now, based on where Argentina and Brazil and Europe are politically, it may never get done, the diplomat said.

Previous rounds of talks have left out discussion of beef, sugar and ethanol imports from Mercosur, but Brazil and Argentina would not sign any deal if they are left out now.

Argentinas government warned that there would be no deal this year if the EU farm offer was not forthcoming.

We expect the European Union to takes its farm offer to Brasilia next week, so we can start the final stage of negotiations, Horacio Reyser, secretary of international economic relations at the foreign ministry, told reporters.

Clearly, if the agricultural negotiation is excluded there will be no deal at the end of the year, he said.

Mercosur groups Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The stop-start-stop negotiations with the EU began in 1999 but have faced resistances on either side, to open up to South American farm products and to European manufactured goods.

Both sides said earlier this year the chances of completing a deal had increased with the arrival of a protectionist U.S. president in the White House.

IFA President Joe Healy said it is a major mistake for the EU Commission to make this offer at this time given the huge uncertainty over Brexit and the ongoing scandals in Brazil over their failure to meet EU standards.

He said, it is incredible that, despite strong objections from 11 EU member states, led by Ireland and France, the EU Commission are hell bent on making additional concessions to the Brazilians and other Latin American countries at a very high cost to Irish and European beef farmers.

IFA National Livestock chairman Angus Woods said the Mercosur countries already have too much access to the European market with up to 74pc of all EU beef imports amounting to 246,000t (carcase weight equivalent) every year.

Angus Woods said the Commission are way too lenient with Brazil and others over their continuing failure to meet EU standards on the key issues of traceability, food safety, animal health and the environment.

He said the fact remains that the EU relies on the Brazilian authorities to certify beef imports and the record shows that they are not capable of meeting EU standards.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
The Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the Irish beef industry must be 'taken care of' if any Mercosur deal is hammered out in the coming days.

Speaking at an EU digital summit in Estonia today, Varadkar said the Irish beef must be taken care of and farmers must have a level playing field to compete on.

His comments come as its reported that the European Commission has offered a 70,000t annual allotment of beef for South American beef, a move that is being objected to by 11 EU countries including Ireland.

Varadkar said he is someone who is always in favour of free trade, as he is head of a country that has benefited from free trade.

"I would like to see a deal with Mercosur," he said and one that is as successful as the recent trade deal with Canada, but said that farmers and animal standards must be protected.

"My view is that free trade makes everyone better off. But its not an absolute thing. We have to take care of the beef industry which could be very exposed depending on the outcome of Brexit."

He also said that he wants to make sure there is no diminution of animal welfare and health standards and that Irish farmers can compete on a level playing field.

He said he would make these points to the EU Commission President Juncker when he meets him later today.

Negotiations between between the EU and South Americas Mercosur bloc are set to take a major step forward next week with reports from Brussels that the EU Commission have agreed a new substantial offer on beef.

However, 11 European Union Member States, including Ireland, have proposed postponing a farm trade offer to the Mercosur bloc of South American countries, until there are rules around unfair competition.
A NICHE market for Shorthorn beef in Belgium is returning a premium to producers of the traditional Irish breed.

Supplies for the market are being sourced by the Shorthorn Marketing Company, which has been formed in association with the Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society, and processed for export by the ABP Group at their factories at Clones and Nenagh.

The newly formed marketing company is being managed by John Clarke, a shorthorn breeder at Strokestown, Co Roscommon and treasurer of the Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society.

He said that the market is open for all we can get of steers and heifers and is returning a premium of 15c/kg to producers on the base beef price all year round for shorthorns slaughtered under 30 months with passports showing the animals as SH or SHX.

Supplies are scarce and presently we are only in a position to source an average of 10 animals per week on an all-year-round basis but we are working on growing that supply because there is a market there for all we can get, he said.

The premium of 15c/kg is payable on an extended range of grades, to include all U and R grades, with fat scores from 2+ to 4=, as well as O+ and O= within the same fat score range. Suppliers must be Bord Bia Quality Assured and supply animals of carcase weights within 230kg and 380kg.

The recently established niche market for beef from the breed has given a boost to the traditional Irish dual-purpose breed, which was the dominant breed on Irish livestock farms in the 1940s and 50s, before becoming heavily depleted following the introduction of several continental breeds from the 60s onwards.

There is a strong recovery in interest in the breed, because they have a lot of advantages to offer in docility and suitability to Irish farming conditions, and demand for beef at a premium price is now boosting interest. Currently we have more than 60 producers registered to supply animals, said Mr Clarke.

Special sales for Shorthorn, organised by the marketing company, are scheduled for Castleisland, Kilmallock, Kingscourt and Kanturk marts over the coming weeks, with regional clubs also scheduling special sales in October. The Irish Shorthorn Society will hold a Society Premier Sale at Roscommon on November 11.
Irish dairy farmer Rodney Elliott was milking 140 cows in Fermanagh before he moved in 2006 to South Dakota.

Now, Rodney and his wife and three children run Drumgoon Dairy that has allowed Irish agriculture students the chance of a lifetime - to help milk the 4,500 cows on the farm.

Milking happens three times a day on the farm at Lake Norden in a milking parlour that operates 24 hours a day.

Rodney moved to America because the state of South Dakota presented much more opportunities to grow a dairy business than Ireland, he says.

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Whatsapp Elma Forde with some of the young calves.

He was not limited by land ownership or availability, labour or rules and regulations from Europe, he says, while at the time South Dakota was looking for dairy farmers to start up a dairy enterprise.

Rodney sold his farm and borrowed the money to start up the new business. "The banks were very agreeable," he says and he bought vacant land in Lake Norden.

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Whatsapp Elma Forde hard at work with the young calves.

He also says the state was very helpful in helping Rodney start his new adventure, they had a pathway set up in helping Rodney finding land, introducing him to the banks and contractors he needed.

Today, he has a workforce of 50 people, with many coming from Mexico, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico as well as seasonal Irish agriculture students.

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From time to time, there can be a labour crisis, as Rodney is very dependent on legal immigrant workers. But, he's not worried about Trump as all the workers work on H2A, TN2 and J1 visas.

Today, Rodney owns 1,200 acres with about 1,000ac are used for cropping where he grows 770ac of maize and 300ac of alfalfa.

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Whatsapp Two students in front of the huge silage pit that's used to feed the cows.

Approximately 150ac is taken up by buildings with 50ac used for pasture, while 300ac is rented for more maize. Contractors are brought in to manage the land. Manure from the dairy is spread on the maize at 20000gallons/acre. Maize is usually harvested the second week of September with alfalfa being harvested every 25 days as it grows very quick around 45 days.

Milking Cows

The parlour is in use 24/7 and cows are milked three times a day. Shifts last 12 hours with an hour break in which the machine washes itself out with the stalls and the pit being washed manually.

Each cow is yielding on average per year 12,000L of milk with a butterfat percentage of 4pc and protein of 3.25pc. All the milk on the farm goes to Valley Queen Creamery for cheese production with seven tanks of milk collected every day.

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The farm is divided up into two parlours, Drumgoon and Norden. Drumgoon has a 24-unit rapid exit double up parlour and Norden has a 30-unit rapid exit double up parlour. All heifer calves are raised on the farm with all bull calves being sold at a day old.

At six months old the heifers are moved to Kansas where they are all synchronised and bred before moving back to South Dakota two months before calving.

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Rodney as 1,000 acres of tillage consisting of maize and alfalfa. He is dependent on local tillage farmers to buy in more as he does not have enough land to be self-sufficient. On the farm Rodney has bred a three-way cross which he thinks is most suited to his farm; Holstein, Jersey and Swedish Red. He has picked this cross as he believes as the cows are hardy, have high solids, good fertility and at the same time giving a high milk yield.

Day-to-day

Workers on the farm start feeding the cows at 6am, and this job continues until 4pm. Cows are fed twice daily with feed being pushed in every 2-3 hours using the skid-steer.

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Feed mainly consists of maize, soya, alfalfa and cotton seed. Specialist feeds are designed for each cow i.e. fresh cows, high yielding cows, mid yielders, in-calf heifer ration, lactating heifers, dry cows and weaned calves.

As each pen of cows goes to get milked the pens are scraped out, pens are cleaned three times a day. According to Rodney, the biggest problem regarding animal health is in the fresh pen. These cows are just after calving and are more stressed and more prone to calving.

To deal with this, a full time vet is employed to look after the fresh pen every day. It is his job to recognise and diagnose and problems with the main ones being metritis, ketosis, mastitis, pneumonia, fevers, retained placenta, displaced abomasum and rumen problems.

Breeding of cows takes place every day, drying off cows happens once a week, on average 15-25 cows will calve every day, vaccination of cows takes place most days, pregcheck takes place twice a week.

Irish Students

According to the Irish students who work on Rodney's farm, the experience is second to none. This year Rodney took seven students from UCD between February and August and the Ohio State University helped the students to organise their internship visas.

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The major difference between the US and Ireland is the size of the unit and the way the farm is run. In the States each person has a special job and because of this they become more competent at their job, therefore the cows are managed better, according to Hugh Larkin from Corduff, Co. Monaghan.

"From the outset we knew we were here to work and learn as much as possible as we were given our own responsibilities and daily duties to attend to.

"Some of these include blood testing calves, hauling cattle in 24-foot goose neck trailers, blood testing cows before drying off, working alongside the vet in maternity and fresh cow pen and mowing alfalfa.

"From doing these we knew we had a great opportunity to learn skills we would never get the chance to learn on a regular Irish dairy farm.

"We learned to AI, preg check and scan cows, taking blood samples from both calves and cows, performing IV on cattle, identify various problems that occur post calving and knowing the correct treatment to administer from the protocols on the farm."
ENVIRONMENT Minister Denis Naughten said the Renewable Heat Incentive may have a dirty name after the cash for ash debacle in Northern Ireland but the scheme could offer major opportunities for farmers in marginal areas.

Mr Naughten said the final details are being firmed up ahead of the Budget but they would press ahead with an RHI scheme to encourage industry and businesses to move towards greener technologies.

It is also important that we dont repeat some of the mistakes that we have had in other jurisdictions, said the minister, referring to the costly loophole that saw users earn more cash the more fuel they burned in Northern Ireland.

It is important from the public point of view, from a political point of view that this is a scheme that we can stand over as well, he stressed with the financial incentives due to be signed off on ahead of the Budget.

There is even a debate on whether you should change the name of it from RHI because it is a dirty word in some other places.

However, the minister stressed it was going to set a benchmark to stimulate the industry, with the initial focus on biomass and anaerobic digestion.

Mr Naughten pointed out that businesses and foreign direct investment were now looking at the countrys energy security in light of Brexit, as well as the climate change advantages with greener technology.

As a country we are dependent on imports and over 80pc of our imports come through the UK. We are spending about a half a million euro every single hour on high emission fossil fuels  4.6bn a year.

The minister was speaking as Bord na Mona launched a new Bioenergy business marking a step away from its traditional peat business towards renewable energy generation and supply.

Patrick Madigan, head of Bord na Mona Bioenergy, said after 80 years of bog operations it was a massive step change.

Amid concerns over the future of jobs with Bord na Monas promise to exit peat energy generation by 2030, he said the bioenergy initiative was labour intensive and would provide employment for some but not all of those workers.

Energy crops

He said they will be supplying 1.5 million tonnes of sustainable biomass material per annum to customers including other power generators and large energy consumers.

We are actively looking to develop indigenous supplies from private forestry and are also encouraging Irish farmers to consider energy crops as a secure income source. Government has been and will be critically important to underpinning development of this domestic supply, he said, with some trials of eucalyptus underway for biomass.

Mr Madigan said if its trials of biomass crops are successful Bord na Mona will plant vast quantities of its land. The firm will mainly be using agricrops, principally willow, forestry by-products including thinnings, brash, pulpwood as the main sources of biomass material.

Mr Madigan said they would be offering guaranteed long-term contracts of 15 or 20 years to farmers.

Mr Naughten said there was an opportunity for tillage farmers in the west to turn to alternative biomass crops with long-term contracts given the impact of recent weather on their usual crops.

He said Bord na Mona wanted to ensure as much of the biomass as possible was grown locally, particularly around the Bord na Mona powerstations in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge.
An Post intends to close 400 post offices, according to a claim from postmasters.

It is understood most of the closures will occur in rural parts of the country.

In correspondence with its members, the Irish Postmasters Union said that An Post has prepared a "blueprint" which will result in only 700 post offices left.

As there are currently 1,100 post offices currently open in Ireland, this would mean that 400 post offices are set to close, the Irish Independent reports.

An Post has denied that it has decided on any definite number of post office closures.

It maintains that the final number will be determined on the number of staff who decide to take up an exit package as well as how its network consolidation works out.

In a letter seen by the Irish Independent to members of the Postmasters Union, An Post said that the company has prepared a blueprint of what it sees as the "ideal post office network from a commercial and social perspective  this is a network of circa 700 post offices."

Another section of the letter refers to a "major reduction in the number of post offices."

This threat to the future of hundreds of post offices comes as around 800 postmasters are boycotting the introduction of a new Smart current account from An Post.

The Smart current account is considered vital to the viability of post offices across Ireland.

This latest development is one of a number of issues that will be discussed at an emergency general meeting of the Irish Postmasters Union on Sunday.

More than 50pc of the post offices in Ireland are loss making according to An Post.

Exact details of where the proposed post office closures will take place have not been revealed but the closures are expected to take place over the next five years in a number of rural locations.
Forecourt retailer Applegreen has placed a total of 8,082,105 placing shares on the Stock Exchange raising 46.9m for the company.

The shares being issued represent approximately 10pc of the company's issued share capital prior to the placing, and were placed by Goodbody and Shore Capital at a price of 5.80 per share.

When issued, the shares will be fully paid and will rank equally in all respects with the existing ordinary shares, including the right to receive all future dividends and distributions declared, made or paid at a date falling after their issue.

The company has applied for admission of the placing shares to listing on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, and ESM, a market of the Irish Stock Exchange.

It is expected that settlement of subscriptions in respect of the placing shares and admission will take place and that trading in the shares will commence on 5 October.

Read more: Applegreen snaps up British service stations in 23m deal

"We are delighted to complete the placing and are very pleased with the very strong support we received from new and existing shareholders.

The funds raised will ensure Applegreen is well positioned to continue to invest in opportunities for growth across our three markets, Bob Etchingham, CEO of Applegreen, said.

Following the announcement shares in Applegreen fell by as much as 4.2pc on the Irish Stock Exchange, trading at 5.93, having opened at 6.05 this morning.

Last month Applegreen, which operates in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, announced that it has agreed to pay Carsley Group 21m (23m) for seven sites in the UK.

While in July the company sealed a $75m deal to buy a chain of 34 filling stations in South Carolina from the Brandi Group.
Newly installed Aryzta CEO Kevin Toland and company chairman Gary McGann have each bought significant numbers of the company's shares - in what will be seen as a vote of confidence in the bakery giant.

Mr Toland, who started with the company earlier this month after arriving from his previous role at the DAA, bought 3,751 shares for a total consideration of 100,014 on Monday.

He paid prices ranging from 25.76 to 26.55 a share.

Mr McGann bought 4,000 shares at 25.774 each on Monday, paying a total consideration of 103,096.

It was Mr Toland's first time buying shares in the company, and the latest purchase means Mr McGann almost doubled his stake in Aryzta.

Mr McGann was brought in last year to steady the ship at the company after its share price halved in little over a year amid a collapse in investor confidence.

He brought in Mr Toland as CEO following the departure of long-time CEO Owen Killian and other top executives.

The latest share purchases are a contrast after Aryzta's dramatic share price falls steepened in March 2016, when then-CEO Mr Killian sold nearly 16m of his own stock, a move he said was triggered by the weakness in the share price which affected the collateral value of the share against loans.

The 'Irish Times' reported yesterday that Aryzta was preparing to put its La Rousse Foods business in Dublin on the market, two years after buying the high-end wholesale food business.

Aryzta had said on Monday it will dispose of assets over the next four years, when Mr Toland set out a strategy for stabilising the troubled group and announced results for the previous year.

Aryzta said that sales fell 2.1pc to 3.79bn in the period, while group earnings before interest, tax and amortisation had tumbled almost 43pc to 259m.

Underlying net profit was also down by almost 43pc, at 179m.

The Cuisine de France owner had made a pre-tax loss of 1bn, after taking a non-cash 860m charge related to the write-down of assets in the United States.
THE Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has defended its role amid the Ryanair flights fiasco.

In a statement, it said that the cancellation of flights by Ryanair, in order to ensure compliance with European regulations, is a commercial decision entirely at its own discretion.

It added: Unfortunately, this has resulted in significant disruption to its operating schedule and the airline has accepted full responsibility for the current situation.

Shares in Ryanair are down 2.4pc in Dublin today, with more than 2.2bn having been wiped off the airlines value in the past two weeks.

The IAA was criticised this morning by the general secretary of the European Cockpit Association (ECA), Philip Von Schoeppenthau.

He claimed on RTE that there was something seriously wrong with the way in which the IAA oversees airlines.

The IAA has robustly refuted the allegation.

The IAA is one of the most respected aviation regulatory authorities in the world and is independently ranked by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as having amongst the highest standards worldwide, the IAA said.

It added: Each airline is entirely responsible for managing its operations to comply with European regulations, provided it is deemed acceptable by the safety regulator.

The IAA has and continues to honour its obligations to the full with regard to the oversight of Ryanair as it does with all Irish Air Operator Certificate holders, the semi-State body said. It is important to note that the Commission for Aviation Regulation is the national enforcement body in Ireland tasked with the monitoring and regulation of EU legislation covering air passenger rights. The IAA is only responsible for safety oversight.

Ryanair is facing a 5pm deadline today to make a public statement detailing compensation options available to people affected by its cancellation of more than 20,000 flights.

The UKs aviation watchdog, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), made the demand yesterday. The chief executive of the CAA, Andrew Haines, told the BBC this week that he was furious over the manner in which Ryanair this week announced the cancellation an additional 18,000 flights.

It has demanded that Ryanair properly inform affected passengers as to their rights and how it will assist them.

By 5pm today, Ryanair must issue a press release explaining how it will re-route passengers and the criteria that it will apply to re-route passengers on other airlines. It must also include a commitment to assist passengers who have chosen an option that was not suitable for them as a result of being misled by Ryanair. The airline must also inform passengers that they will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the cancellations.

It must also update its website with correct information by 5pm.
The ongoing debacle at Ryanair where up to 60 flights a day are being cancelled for the next four weeks has seriously inconvenienced thousands of passengers.

Although airline chief Michael O'Leary uncharacteristically fell on his sword over the mess, which was the mismanagement of staffing rosters, he said he wouldn't stand in the way of compensation claims.

Aviation law is strong and the truth is he couldn't even if he wanted to. This week, I'm looking at your rights as a passenger if something goes wrong, whether it be adverse weather or an airline screwing up.

The table shows the different enforcement bodies to approach if you're entitled to compensation.

General travel rights

There are two main bodies of law in place across Europe: the Montreal Convention (1999), which ensures people delayed at airports have the right to "care and assistance", and EU261/2004, which sets out additional compensation for those whose flights are cancelled or delayed by airlines.

Care and assistance means if you're sitting in the airport for more than four hours you have the right to a meal, telephone calls, emails and even hotel accommodation (and transport there and back), if necessary. All airlines must automatically offer this via ground staff.

If a flight is cancelled, they must offer you the choice of a refund or book you on the next available flight, and look after you until then. If you take the refund and fly with another airline, your 'contract' with the original airline is effectively finished, and you may not get additional compensation.

Compensation

Under EU261, a flat amount of 250, 400 or 600 is payable in certain circumstances on delayed/cancelled flights. The amount depends on the distance and time delayed. For the Ryanair stranded, 250 becomes payable for flights under 1,500km. However, exceptions are built-in:

the airline can refuse to pay if they informed you of the cancellation within 14 days, or seven days with an alternative flight booked which gets you to the destination within four hours of the original schedule. Given Ryanair has now notified its cancelled flights to October 31, this puts most people outside compensation;

airlines can also refuse to pay up in "extraordinary circumstances" such as adverse weather, a strike or a volcanic ash cloud.

Travel agent

If you booked a package holiday via a tour operator, it is their job to look after you. Ground reps should re-arrange accommodation and do the leg work on rebooking flights.

Travel bans

If the reason for the cancelled flight is due to terrorist activity, you will get a refund or a re-route. However, this is dependent on the Dept of Foreign Affairs slapping a travel ban on the destination. If you simply choose not to fly because you're worried, you don't qualify for a refund.

Airline no-nos

Every year the European Consumer Centre gets thousands of complaints about everything from dodgy electrical goods to being scammed by Nigerian princes.

The single biggest category, however, is regarding airline passengers, accounting for over 40pc of all contacts.

Common complaints include the price increasing between booking and flying (not allowed), to bags not being boarded due to flash strikes (not your problem), and being stranded abroad due to bad weather.

While airlines don't always have to compensate for missed connections or birds flying into engines, in many cases they rely on passengers not knowing the difference. Complaining and seeing it through is vital to getting your rights vindicated.
Ryanair has been ordered by the UK's aviation regulator to sort out compensation for hundreds of thousands of travellers hit by mass flight cancellations by 5pm today.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) instructed the budget airline to tell passengers they are entitled to be re-routed by another carrier and explain how that will work.

Ryanair must also publicly state it will reimburse expenses for affected customers, according to a letter from the CAA.

In addition, the Dublin-based carrier must commit to helping passengers who chose an unsuitable option as a result of being misled.

It comes after the regulator accused the airline of "not complying with the law" over its handling of the fiasco.

Ryanair shares fell sharply yesterday after the crisis-hit airline was told "action, not words" was needed.

Ryanair confirmed yesterday that it is to cancel 22 flights a week to and from Dublin, between November 1 and March 24.

On Wednesday, the budget airline announced it is grounding an extra 18,000 flights from its winter schedule, a move that will affect an estimated 400,000 travellers.

CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said he was "furious".

"They are not making it clear to people their entitlement," Mr Haines told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"If they follow through on what they are saying, then they would be breaking the law."

A Ryanair spokesman said: "We will be meeting with the CAA and will comply fully with whatever requirements they ask us to."

It adds to mounting anger against Ryanair, which already came under heavy fire after cancelling up to 50 flights a day earlier this month.

Ryanair says the cancellations were due to an error with pilot holiday rosters.

The airline apologised for the cancellations, saying it "deeply regrets" if anyone now doubts its reliability.

Passengers have expressed frustration with the airline, with many left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights and accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

Read More

The CAA accused Ryanair of failing to inform passengers about its obligation to cover expenses incurred because of a cancelled flight, such as hotels and meals.

A Ryanair spokesman said: "We sincerely apologise to those customers who have been affected by last week's flight cancellations, or the sensible schedule changes announced.

"While over 99pc of our 129 million customers will not have been affected by any cancellations or disruptions, we deeply regret any doubt we caused existing customers last week about Ryanair's reliability."

The airline said the latest reduction in its schedule will "eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations".

RYANAIR announced that return flights between Dublin and Birmingham (FR 664 and FR 665), Paris Beauvais (FR 22 and FR 23) and Barcelona (FR 3977 and FR 3976) on Mondays between November and March will be cancelled.

A Thursday return flight between Dublin and Bucharest (FR 7346 and FR 7347) will be dropped, as have some Friday journeys between our main airport and Birmingham (FR 664 and FR 665), Paris Beauvais (FR 22 and FR 23), Barcelona (FR 6875 and FR 6874), Madrid (FR 7156 and FR 7157) and Warsaw Modlin (FR 4543 and FR 4544).

Sunday return services between Dublin and Birmingham (FR 664 and FR 665) and Krakow (FR 1901 and FR 1902) have also been cut.
On Canada's fertile Prairies, dominated by the yellows and golds of canola and wheat, summers are too short to grow corn on a major scale.

But Monsanto is working to develop what it hopes will be North America's fastest-maturing corn, allowing farmers to grow more in Western Canada and other inhospitable climates, such as Ukraine.

The seed and chemical giant thinks that western Canadian corn plantings could multiply 20 times to 10m acres by 2025 - adding some 1.1bn bushels, or nearly 3pc to global production. The question, amid historically high supplies and low grain prices, is whether the world really needs more corn.

A global grains glut is now in its fourth year, with supplies bloated by favourable weather, increasingly high-tech farm practices and tougher plant breeds. The bin-busting harvests of cheap corn, wheat and soy beans are undermining the business models of the world's largest agriculture firms and the farmers who use their products and services. Some analysts say the firms have effectively innovated their way into a stubbornly oversupplied market.

Never has the world produced so much more food than can be consumed in one season. World-ending stocks of total grains - the leftover supplies before a new harvest - have climbed for four straight years and are poised to reach a record 638m tonnes in 2016/17, according to USDA data.

Farmers and agriculture firms could once count on periodic bouts of crop-destroying weather to tame gluts and drive up prices. But genetically modified crops that repel plant-chewing insects, withstand lethal chemicals and mature faster have made the trend toward oversupply more resistant to traditional boom-and-bust agrarian cycles, experts say.

Another key factor: China - the world's second-biggest corn grower - adopted stockpiling policies a decade ago when crop supplies ran thin, resulting in greater production than the world needs. "I think the norm is where we are now," said Bryan Agbabian, director of agriculture equities at Allianz Global Investors.

Allianz investors seem to agree: The value of two agriculture equity funds that Agbabian manages fell to $300m (254m) this year from $800m in 2011 as crop prices slid, he said.

Abundant supplies have helped lower food prices across the world, but the benefit to consumers and impoverished nations is muted by several factors, including problems with corruption and distribution of food in developing regions, said Sylvain Charlebois, professor of food distribution and policy at Canada's Dalhousie University.

The bumper harvests may actually harm poor communities more than they benefit their residents in food savings because lower prices depress farm incomes in the same areas, said John Baffes, a senior economist at the World Bank.

Even as farmers reap bountiful harvests, US farm incomes this year will total $63.4bn - about half of their earnings in 2013. It mean farmers can't spend as much on seed, fertiliser and machinery, hurting suppliers.

With profits under pressure, seed and chemical companies are scrambling to consolidate.

Their own success in the lab, however, has contributed to oversupply and may continue to sustain it.

"It's somewhat the seed companies' fault - they keep breeding better and better seeds every year," said Jonas Oxgaard, analyst at investment management firm Bernstein. (Reuters)
A Cork woman has added some comic relief to the Ryanair fiasco after her belting performance of a song about the low-cost airline went viral this week.

Frances Kennedy, who now lives in Listowel, has become an internet sensation - and not for the first time.

Speaking to Independent.ie, Frances said she is "overwhelmed" by the reaction.

"Jesus, it's all a bit mad! I think it's so popular because everyone knows about Ryanair and everyone travels with them. The gas thing is they make travel more affordable for people but we still always moan about the small things they catch you on," she said.

The video, which has been viewed over 400,000 times, is from the Fleadh Cheoil in 2015, but it seems to have resurfaced following the controversy surrounding flight cancellations.

Frances decided to pen some new lyrics to give the song a more "modern feel".

"Twelve thousand of a bonus was not quite enough, so they all told OLeary to go get stuffed."

It was originally written by Killarney man, Eric Goodmanson.

All joking aside, Frances said she hopes normal service resumes at Ryanair in the near future.

"Flights out of Kerry are invaluable to people, they are dependent on them. We can laugh about it but those flights are a lifeline to some people."

Frances has had many performances go down a treat on the internet.

She regularly performs at her local pub in Listowel, John B. Keane's.

Video of the Day

Billy Keane described her as an "incredible woman who is always up for the craic".

"She does a lot for charity in the area and never turns anyone down if they ask her to perform. She is a lovely woman".
Christopher Robin Milne has grown so encrusted with Disney glitter over the years that it's almost impossible to think of him as a real boy, with real problems. Turns out he had plenty of them, and most stemmed from the creation of Winnie The Pooh.

Based on the letters and memoirs of AA Milne and his son, Simon Curtis and Frank Cotrell-Joyce's film explores the strange fact that the hugely successful children's stories were a kind of curse for all who helped create them.

Goodbye Christopher Robin got a massively cranky going over in a certain left-leaning English newspaper a few days back, but is competently made, entertaining, and features a strong performance from Domhnall Gleeson. He is AA Milne, the prolific English writer who, before the Great War, had delighted London society with his witty plays and sparkling essays. But his experiences in the trenches have transformed him, and he's no longer inclined towards skits and frippery.

At a dinner party given in his honour, Milne has the bad manners to bring up the war. His friends and colleagues use terms like "bad show" to describe the carnage at battles like Ypres and the Somme, Milne is no longer prepared to pretend that the war never happened, and decides to leave London for the peace and quiet of a Sussex cottage.

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This is bad news for his society wife Daphne de Selincourt (a badly cast Margot Robbie... more on that later), who dreads the thought of a life away from the bright lights, with nothing to distract her from the trials of motherhood. The couple's son, Christopher, or "Billy Moon" as they've always called him, is now five, and has always struggled to conquer his mother's interference. She'd wanted a girl and the boy has been forced to wear the smocks she'd prematurely purchased. His preoccupied, shell-shocked father isn't much better, and the child's only source of emotional security is his live-in nanny, Olive (an excellent Kelly Macdonald), who smothers him in the uncritical love he clearly craves and otherwise lacks.

Daphne soon tires of the country life and when Olive is called away to tend to her dying mother, Billy Moon (Alex Lawther) is left alone with his moody and emotionally catatonic father. AA Milne is hopelessly grappling with an idea for an anti-war treatise and to escape his writer's block, takes his son for walks in the nearby woods.

Billy has a menage of stuffed toys that includes a donkey, a piglet, a tiger and a threadbare teddy. To amuse the boy, Milne renames the bear Winnie and begins making up stories about him. Realising he's on to something, Milne summons his friend EH Shepard, an illustrator, who begins drawing sketches of the animals and the boy.

Crucially, Milne decides to include a fictionalised version of his son in the Winnie The Pooh stories. Almost overnight, the stories turn into bestsellers, and 'Christopher Robin' becomes an international celebrity. Thrust into the spotlight, the boy is forced to answer thousands of fan letters, attend fan lunches and perform and sing for adoring crowds. He comes to detest the Pooh stories, which he feels have cheapened his childhood by making it public, but his distracted father only realises the damage that's been done when it's far too late. And Pooh will also bite his creator on the bottom, obliterating Milne's reputation as an adult author.

Simon Curtis's film is bland to look at, handsomely but antiseptically photographed. But the story - a good one - is decently told and Gleeson is very convincing as the stilted and traumatised Milne, whose ridiculous emotional reserve would not have been untypical of a man of his generation, nationality and class.

Australian actress Robbie is not right as his cold wife, however - her looks seem at odds with her demeanour and her accent veers wildly between antique regality and a 21st century Thames Estuary drawl. But it's impossible not to feel pity for the real Christopher Robin, who would never be able to escape the pudgy shadow of that cursed bear.

Goodbye Christopher Robin (PG, 107mins) 3*

Video of the Day

Read More

Films coming soon...

Blade Runner 2049 (Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright); The Mountain Between Us (Idris Elba, Kate Winslet); The Glass Castle (Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts, Sarah Snook); Return To Montauk (Stellan Skarsgard, Nina Hoss).
A computer "blip" that shut down passenger check-in systems for many of the biggest airlines caused chaos at airports across the world this week.

Travellers reported long queues as they tried checking in at Heathrow and Gatwick as well as at international hubs including Washington DC, Paris, Melbourne, Singapore and Johannesburg.

The departures boards at Heathrow showed that planes were typically taking off between 30 minutes and an hour late on Wednesday morning, with a knock-on effect into the afternoon, even after the "network issue" had been fixed.

The airlines affected included British Airways, AirFrance, KLM and Lufthansa, which all use a check-in system called Altea, provided by Amadeus, a Spain-based travel technology firm. It is used by more than 125 airlines, but Amadeus declined to say how many had been hit. The company insisted it had not been attacked by hackers.

One passenger queuing for a London flight wrote on Twitter: "When you've been looking forward to your holiday all year and then all computers at airport crash as you are checking in. ALL SERVERS DOWN."

Shortly after the system went down, a Heathrow spokesman said: "A small number of airlines are currently experiencing intermittent issues with their check-in systems at airports around the world - including at Heathrow. Passengers will still be able to check in for their flight, although the process may take slightly longer than usual."

Gatwick insisted there had been no disruption. "It was a 15-minute blip," said a spokesman. "It is not Gatwick software. It's check-in software for a few airlines that is down."

Amadeus confirmed a "network issue" had been causing disruption. The problems were first reported about 10.30am and the company said the problem had been resolved by just before 2.30pm when it issued a statement to that effect.

It said: "Amadeus can confirm that our systems are recovered and are now functioning normally." ( Daily Telegraph London)
Anxious rail commuters should not be subjected to new fears of a train strike next month, said Rail Users Ireland last night.

"We've all been left with this big uncertainty around our daily travel in the coming weeks," said Mark Gleeson, spokesman for the commuters' representative group.

Travel chaos looms for 140,000 rail passengers following the breakdown of pay talks between unions and management on Wednesday night.

Unions warned rail services could be hit by strikes as early as the October bank holiday weekend.

"Rail users are extremely frustrated. We have been subsidising Irish Rail with fare hikes of 5pc to 10pc a year.

"This threat of strikes is causing a high degree of frustration," said Mr Gleeson.

Militant

"The angry and militant attitude of the unions is not helping. There's a lot of trepidation among commuters now. We would encourage all sides to immediately resume talks," he said.

Mr Gleeson said the company should do more to seek increased State funding for improvements in services.

Unions are seeking a 'no-strings attached' 3.75pc pay increase.

The company has offered a 1.5pc pay increase in return for productivity, including redeployments of staff and outsourcing.

The unions have demanded the Government restore funding levels to the company which were greatly reduced in the economic crash.

Greg Ennis, Siptu union division organiser, said Irish Rail has been underfunded by the Government for years and workers "can give no more" to the company.

Dermot O'Leary, general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers' Union, said a strike could take place by the October bank holiday.

"The anger is palpable among union members. Balloting for strike action will be under way by next week and will be completed within three weeks," said Mr O'Leary.

Following the breakdown of pay talks, industrial relations will be more difficult, he said.

A spokesman for Irish Rail said the company participated positively at the pay talks and proposed opportunities to give employees an increase of 4.5pc over three years.

The company's financial position "remains extremely challenging, with insolvency looming if further losses occur," he said.

There were at least two weeks left for talks within the time scale requested by the Labour Court, so it was "inexplicable" that the unions would "rush to ballot and to disrupt services to customers", he said.

Also, the company representatives in the talks had withdrawn any proposal to freeze pay increments, he said.

"There remains an opportunity to reach agreement which can yield improved earnings through generating efficiencies, by all parties working towards a sustainable future for Iarnrod Eireann, for the good of customers and employees, and the company are ready to re-engage at any time.

"Many of the measures which could yield early increases such as payroll systems, performance management and absenteeism management, are efficiencies which would not impact on day-to-day work and roles but would yield improvements in earnings for employees," said the company spokesman.
A public meeting is to be called to consider a High Court ruling which "quashed in its entirety" a refusal by An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission for a wind farm.

The Kildare Environmental Awareness Campaign group (Keag) is opposing plans for the 47-turbine wind farm on the Kildare-Meath border.

In his judgment yesterday, Mr Justice Robert Haughton ruled that the application for the Maighne wind farm should be sent back to An Board Pleanala for reconsideration.

The judge said he was setting aside its refusal decision on grounds including that irrelevant considerations were taken into account by the planning authority when it turned down an application by Element Power Ireland Ltd.

In 2015, the company sought planning permission from the board to construct 45 turbines in north west Co Kildare and two in Co Meath, as well as a substation, underground cables, and 31km of access tracks.

In October 2016, the board refused to grant permission.

The proposed turbines were to be developed in five clusters and would be 169m high.

The board said it was turning down the proposal on grounds including that, in the absence of any national wind energy strategy with a spatial dimension for the areas concerned, it would be premature.

The board said it would be an undesirable precedent that could undermine any future strategy for the area.

Other reasons cited by the board included that the project, which consists of widely dispersed cluster-based wind farms, would have an adverse effect on the local residences and heritage, and would have long-term significant adverse effects on local roads.

Element Power challenged the board's refusal on grounds including that the planning authority had acted outside of its powers, and that its decision in relation to the lack of a national wind energy strategy was too vague and unclear.

Mr Justice Haughton said the board acted outside of its powers and had taken irrelevant considerations into account when it decided to refuse permission on the basis of a lack of a national wind energy strategy.

The judge said a wind energy policy was contained in two county developments plans.

However, in its decision to refuse, it appeared to the court that the board failed to address by reference to those plans if it should grant permission.

The judge also found that the board had fettered its discretion when it determined that the proposed development was premature pending the implementation of a national wind energy strategy.

The Keag environment group's Facebook page posted a report yesterday, stating it will call a public meeting to assess the judgement.
Harrison and Marisa Simms arriving at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle. Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins

'Do you want to be involved in this Tribunal?" Marisa Simms was asked. Or with GSOC, or with the High Court proceedings? "Absolutely not," Ms Simms replied, with an emphasis that was almost ferocious. "I want peace."

She had known a long time ago that "very unpleasant, private matters" would be brought up during these proceedings, it was put to her. These matters would include her first marriage, "her little baby," lost in an ectopic pregnancy, and infidelities.

Yes, Ms Simms indicated that she had known all this.

So why had she come?

"Because we want peace, we want to be left alone," she told the Disclosures Tribunal in a low, cracked voice.

"Because my children have Pulse IDs and they don't deserve to have a Pulse ID," she said, referring to the Garda system for recording people the force comes into contact with.

She expressed a worry she would be thought of as a bad mother.

Tribunal Chairman Peter Charleton leaned towards her in his seat and took off his glasses as he addressed her directly. "Nobody has ever said you're a bad mother, you appreciate that?" he told her.

"With one exception," he added most pointedly.

Ms Simms' partner, Garda whistleblower Keith Harrison, outlined the couple's troubled relationship which led to her making a statement of complaint against him in October 2013.

It was notable he wore his official Garda uniform for his appearance at the Tribunal.

In the current module, the inquiry is looking at contacts between gardai and the HSE/Tusla in relation to Garda Harrison, which he alleges amount to an abuse of power.

The statement, which was made by Ms Simms, was referred to GSOC and Tusla, and was later withdrawn by Ms Simms.

Tribunal barrister Pat Marrinan SC went through several text-message exchanges at the end of September 2013 between Ms Simms and Garda Harrison.

During this time, Ms Simms had moved in with her sister following an argument with Garda Harrison.

Garda Harrison said Ms Simms had left the house voluntarily after the argument.

"I have never put, or directed, or told Marisa to leave the home," he said.

In the text-message exchange, Garda Harrison asked Marisa what was wrong and asked her to come back to him. In her responses, she referred several times to how he had "threatened to burn" her.

"In relation to the threats to burn, they did not happen," Garda Harrison said, later saying the texts had been sent to hurt him but weren't true as he hadn't threatened her.

Garda Harrison agreed he had earlier cheated on Marisa, on one occasion while she was in hospital when she lost a baby in an ectopic pregnancy.

"I didn't behave appropriately, Mr Chairman," Garda Harrison said.

"This was actions I'm not proud of, and I wish I hadn't done, but I did them," he added.

"It was never intended as emotional abuse, but I didn't think," he said.

Garda Harrison said during this time, he was not the person he had been previously, and the person he is now. He said he was deeply ashamed of how he had hurt Ms Simms.

"I knew myself that I was out of order, I knew that I needed to do something. There was behaviours that I needed to address," he said.

Garda Harrison said he had asked for the tribunal, although he knew that private and embarrassing details of his life would be made public.

He said after Ms Simms made a statement to gardai on October 6, 2013, he "wasn't worried about the content of that statement because I knew that I had done nothing wrong".

In a statement made at the time, Sergeant Paul Wallace recorded that he was told by Garda Harrison on October 7, 2013, that Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn had come into the room while Ms Simms was making her statement in Letterkenny garda station and said "no guard's to treat women like that. I'll see to that."

But earlier, Ms Simms told the tribunal she had not seen Chief Superintendent McGinn at the station.

Garda Harrison said he had no recollection of a meeting on April 24, 2012, over his use of the Garda Pulse system but said he had a meeting with retired Chief Superintendent Jim Sheridan about his car insurance.

The tribunal chairman asked why the chief superintendent wouldn't talk to him about Pulse, when he knew Garda Harrison was using the system to check on his girlfriend.

"I wasn't checking on her. I was checking on who else was checking on her," Garda Harrison said.

Additional reporting by Gerard Cunningham
A YOUNG man "showed" a large knife to the boss of a takeaway after being confronted for throwing snowballs at the shop's front window.

Brandon Fitzgerald (21) took out the knife after the pair argued over the incident, a court heard.

Judge David McHugh said he would give Fitzgerald the benefit of the doubt after hearing that the knife was not produced in a "threatening" way.

Adjourning the case, he said he would leave the accused without a criminal record if he made an 80 charity donation.

Fitzgerald, of Buirg An Ri Walk, Balgaddy, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a knife.

Blanchardstown District Court heard the incident happened outside Delish on Main Street, Celbridge, Co Kildare, last January 12.

The court heard it was reported that a number of youths were throwing snowballs at the front window of the takeaway.

Gardai arrived at the scene and spoke to the defendant, who had a knife on him.

He had no previous convictions.

Drink had been consumed and there had been an argument between Fitzgerald and the shopkeeper, his solicitor said.

The accused was living at home with his family and was working at a meat factory in Wexford.

He had done a post-Leaving Certificate course in business.

Two weeks before the incident, Fitzgerald lost his mother and the inquest had not taken place yet, his solicitor said.

It had been a sudden, unexpected death.

Judge McHugh asked Sgt Geraldine McManigan to further explain the incident.

Sgt McManigan said gardai arrived and spoke to the takeaway owner, who said a knife had been produced, but gardai did not see this.

"It wasn't produced in any threatening manner, it was shown rather than produced in a threatening manner," the accused's solicitor said.

Judge McHugh said he was taking into account the fact that the defendant had lost his mother recently.

He said he would give him the "benefit of the doubt".

He adjourned the case to October 19 and said he would "take the case at its highest" and strike it out if 80 was paid to Blanchardstown Hospital.
China had missed great opportunities during technological revolutions in the past centuries and it finally started to catch up with the world, said Silicon Valley-based investor and best-selling author Wu Jun at an interview.

One notable reason behind the progress was the diverse areas that Chinese entrepreneurship and scientific innovation are able to take place in. The scenario and technology have been the two gears that pushed history forward.

The US has been using technology to drive business situations, while Chinas progress in technology has been pushed by new situations. For example, search technique led to the legend of Google, whereas in China, the e-commerce platform and payment system of Alibaba resulted in cloud computing, mobile payment, biometric identification, which turns out to be the synonyms of China Wave.

Chinas progress is recognized by the world without doubt.

First of all, talent aggregation. A great amount of talents with skills in technology are coming back to China in recent years. In 2014, the number of Chinese students coming back from foreign countries surpassed students going abroad for education for the first time. In 2015, the number of students returning home is 77% of the total amount of students studying abroad. The percentage is only 23% 15 years ago.

Among the list of Innovators under age 35 by MIT Technology Review in 2017, six of them are Chinese. American author and public speaker John Naisbitt once said that more star entrepreneurs emerged in China, as it did in America during information revolution, and made the world aware of Chinese brands.

Second, progress in technology. The traffic of Chinese high-speed railway within five years outweighed France, that has 34 years history in operating railways. Its construction cost is only 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost of railway in German and France. Chinas Tiangong will become the only operating space station in the foreseeable future.

Chinas Sunway TaihuLight ranked top among 500 leading supercomputers worldwide. Its research and application in artificial intelligence has earned an authoritative place globally. As for financial technology, Chinas mobile payment scale is 50 times as large as the amount of America.

Third, Chinese peoples convenient life amazes the whole world. Five years ago, we could hardly imagine our life would be like this:

It takes merely 5 hours to travel from Beijing to Shanghai, 1/4 of the travel time in the past; few people queue up any more. Everything can be done using a mobile phone; wallet is not necessary. In the era of facial recognition, you can simply smile to pay even without bringing a mobile phone.

Fourth, the power of Chinas exports is worthy of noticing. Every wave is a revolution from technology to business models, and to lifestyles. Currently, China has become the learning object of many countries.

In India, QR codes are used in many restaurants, gas stations, bakery stalls, and teahouses. In Indonesia, people use mobile phones not only to arrange transportation services, but also to order food, package delivery, and dry cleaning services. Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Russia all intend to import Chinas high-speed train technology. Traveling around the world on Chinas high-speed rail is not a dream any more. We also see the Thai version of Headlines Today, the Malaysian version of Taobao, and the Singaporean version of Xian Yu, a second-hand online marketplace developed by Chinas Alibaba Group. All of these mentioned above make Chinese tourists feel at home.

On a bigger scale, the mobile lifestyle of Chinese people is influencing the whole world. One can use Alipay to shop from Printemps in Paris, the UKs Harrods, FinnairNorwegian Cruise Line, City Sightseeing South Africa, or even within the Arctic Circle. Hi, thank you, and Alipay are the three things each foreigner has to learn. Bike-share services provided by Chinese companies are also available in more than 100 cities worldwide including Berlin and London.

The impact of China Wave is so huge that The Economists comments, Western consumers are having their experience of the mobile internet shaped by a Chinese success story. Companies that want a glimpse of the future of mobile commerce should look not just to Silicon Valley but also to the other side of the Pacific.
Emma Butt (29), with an address at Riverside Grove, Coolock, Dublin, is accused of harassing her ex-partner between February 1 and May 30 in 2015 at various locations, a court heard.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a sound engineer accused of hacking into her ex-boyfriends social media accounts and blogging about their break up during an alleged campaign of harassment.

Emma Butt (29) is also alleged to have moved two doors down from her exs apartment after their split, sent him a false photo of a pregnancy test and chased him down a road.

She is facing trial but failed to appear in Dublin District Court this morning and Judge Michael Walsh issued a warrant for her arrest.

Ms Butt, from Riverside Grove, Coolock, Dublin, is accused of harassing her ex-partner at various locations between February 1 and May 30 in 2015.

Previously, the court had heard she was living in London. She had travelled back to Ireland for her last court appearance but defence barrister John Griffin said Ms Butt was not present when her case was called today.

State Solicitor Mary Kate Halpin asked the judge to issue a bench warrant for her arrest.

"I can't object to that," Mr Griffin said.

Judge Walsh had refused jurisdiction to deal with the case in the district court, saying it was alleged every possible device was used in the alleged harassment.

On the earlier date, Garda Mark Nolan, of Sundrive Road station, had outlined the prosecutions case, saying Ms Butt had been in a relationship with the complainant for seven months. After it ended, the man was subjected to a massive amount of emails and phone calls, he said.

The court heard she wrote a six-part blog about their relationship which she sent to members of his family and other people known to him.

It was alleged his Twitter account was accessed by her and his followers were sent the blog.

The court heard the man worked in the television and sound business and the blog was sent to his employer and clients.

"His Facebook account was hacked, his ex-girlfriends were contacted saying how horrible he was and that he ended the relationship, she claimed, because she was pregnant," Gda Nolan alleged.

The court heard it was alleged she sent a false photo of a pregnancy test which turned out to be a stock picture.

On one occasion, gardai were called because she was waiting outside the man's apartment but she had left by the time they arrived, Gda Nolan continued.

At one stage Ms Butt allegedly moved into the same apartment complex, two doors down from him and lived there for about three months.

She would be outside in the car part waiting for him and "he would be forced to literally run down the road while she chased him," Gda Nolan said.

It was alleged she contacted his father with claims about how badly she had been treated and this caused stress to his family. Her former partner did not know how she got his father's email address.

The court heard the alleged harassment involved her ex-boyfriend's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
A revamped multi-million euro plan to try to tackle the winter trolley crisis will aim to target funding and relief to the needs of each individual hospital.

The plan, which moves away from the "one-size-fits-all" winter initiative of last year, will get special funding in the upcoming Budget. But the pressures are already mounting and a leading medic revealed two patients were on trolleys for two days this week because of a lack of beds in Tallaght Hospital.

Health Minister Simon Harris said they asked each hospital to set out a shopping list of things that could make a difference during the winter surge in A&E departments.

It might be a patient discharge co-ordinator in one hospital, a porter in another, beds or access to diagnostics, he said.

However, a damning memo to the minister and other members of the Oireachtas from a worried emergency department consultant has warned of "grave risk to patients on trolleys".

The memo, which has been seen by the Irish Independent, was written by Dr James Gray, an emergency consultant in Tallaght Hospital.

Dr Gray's memo, written on Wednesday, said there were 21 patients who needed a hospital bed in the emergency department at that time.

"There are further trolleys in other parts of the hospital.

"Fourteen patients are languishing 24 or more [hours] in the emergency department, two for two days or more.

"Ten patients are occupying cubicles that deny ambulance arrivals and waiting room patients access into the service. Seven patients are occupying conduits/corridors, which are clearly not designated patient areas and are an evacuation hazard.

"Six patients needed isolation for infection and only one was in an isolation room. The oldest patient is 77 years of age."

Dr Gray told Mr Harris: "It is only a matter of time before we have our next untimely trolley-related death here due to overcrowding."

Fianna Fail health spokesperson Billy Kelleher said: "It sets out the crisis that is engulfing the hospital. It's simply not good enough."
UK visitors to the Republic of Ireland will no longer be eligible for reduced-cost or free healthcare if they become ill here post-Brexit, a new report is warning.

The European Health Insurance Card gives an EU citizen the right to access medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in another member state or Switzerland.

UK visitors will no longer be entitled to this care in Ireland or other member states if the UK pulls out of the EU.

It costs the UK government around 60m a year to reimburse the host countries for the care of visitors.

A report in 'The Lancet', which looked at a variety of post-Brexit scenarios for health and the health service in the UK, said it would pose major risks that would require serious considerations that should be incorporated into negotiations.

Northern Ireland may lose staff to the Republic.

Separate reports previously suggested Brexit could benefit the Republic, with more EU health workers choosing to work here, rather than the UK.

Currently the Republic and Northern Ireland share a health and social care workforce in some areas, the report pointed out.

One of the major risks is to NHS staff, and the authors noted it would be increasingly difficult for the UK to be self-sufficient in terms of its NHS and social care workforce.

"Estimates for 2017 suggest that 60,000 people from the EU work in the NHS and 90,000 work in adult social care," it said.

Professor Martin McKee, one of the authors of the study, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "Our analysis of how Brexit will affect the NHS, although the UK's desired outcome remains unclear, is that Brexit in any form poses major risks to almost every part of the NHS."

Health officials in the Republic have already referred to shared care which exists between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Patients from Donegal have radiotherapy in Derry and children with congenital heart disease from Northern Ireland have their surgery in Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin.

Professor Tamara Hervey, another author of the study and a law professor from the University of Sheffield, in the UK, said: "I remain deeply concerned about the effects of leaving the EU on all aspects of the UK's economic, social and cultural life, including health.

"If we must leave the EU, I hope this analysis will help interested stakeholders."
A Lotto win has lit up the life of electrician Declan Ward.

He won 170,000 with a Match 5 Plus 1 in last Saturdays Lotto draw.

There was already a sparkle in his life since he surprised his girlfriend Nicola McEneaney (28) with a diamond engagement ring on holiday in California last month.

The couple were on the pier in Santa Monica when he popped the question to a delighted Nicola.

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I never won anything in my life except, of course, when I won Nicola, said Declan (32) .

The couple picked up the winning cheque at Lotto headquarters in Dublin in the company of family members, including Declans parents Noel and Rita.

The couple are both from Castleblaney, County Monaghan, where they have been building a new home outside the town.

They had just returned from their dream holiday and engagement celebrations in the US when Declans good fortune increased with a lucky quick-pick Lotto ticket.

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He bought the ticket in the Londis store in Castleblaney.

When he checked the ticket days later in a shop in Hackballscross, the machine stated he should contact Lotto headquarters.

I didnt know how much Id won but after misreading the information, I thought Id won 17,000. But it turned out to be 170,000, he said.

He immediately telephoned Nicola, a community nurse in Dundalk, with the good news.

I thought he was joking, she said.

The couple are delighted with the win and will be celebrating the 170,867 win with a wee hooley this weekend.

They had expected their holiday in America to be their last big spending for a long time because of the expenses of building a house and saving for the wedding.

Declan is a big fan of fighter Conor McGregor and they decided to fly from California to Las Vegas for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

Seeing the fight was a dream come true for Declan.

Now, their future together has got a great bonus with Declans big win.

Declan said: Im absolutely thrilled.

The win could not have come at a better time as our house has just been built and we have the funds to furnish it.

Weve been working hard and saving to get it built over the past few years and now we have the funds to furnish it.

Its a really exciting time.

When asked what else he plans for his windfall he said: I havent really thought much further than the house, he said..

Im sure we will put a bit aside for the wedding and we hope to get another holiday in before the end of the year.

He has also just set up his own business Monoelectrical.

The Lotto jackpot is still rolling and will be an estimated 4 million for tonights draw.
This was the shocking scene discovered by a landlord who was horrified to find what he claimed was "more than 10,000 beer cans" dumped at his Dublin property.

The cans, which had apparently built up over a lengthy period of time, were found discarded in the house in north Dublin.

The Herald obtained the shocking images after the disgusted landlord called Joe Duffy's Liveline on RTE Radio One yesterday.

He claimed that some of the cans contained urine and were discovered after the property was vacated.

The beer cans - a variety of lager brands, including Tennent's, Karpackie and Carling - covered an entire bed and were also found dumped across the room.

The massive build-up of drink cans also covered much of the floor.

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Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said that this is not the first time landlords had suffered "catastrophic damage" to their properties.

"A lot of people have no respect for the properties they rent and leave them in appalling conditions for their landlord to foot the bill," Mr Flynn told the Herald.

"Landlords don't have a voice, but we really need to hear the other side of the situation.

"They're often afraid to speak out because of the backlash they could receive.

"Dublin City Council also spends millions a year refurbishing properties damaged by tenants.

"It's not just people on the dole, it's often people with high-powered jobs.

"Nobody wants to go down the RTB route when there's a dispute.

"When it comes to damaged properties, many landlords just pay the difference out of their own pockets. This is really a bigger issue that needs to be highlighted."

Green Party councillor Ciaran Cuffe said: "I do occasionally hear of rental accommodations being left in atrocious conditions, but also hear of awful conditions of some places being rented.

"I think we need a mature rental market.

"This will mean less cowboys and Indians on the landlords' side of things, but also on the tenants'."

Workers' Party councillor Eilis Ryan said that such incidents can sometimes come part and parcel with being a landlord.

"If someone is making money out of a property, these types of things are what they just have to deal with," the councillor said.
On last night's The Tonight Show, host Matt Cooper challenged Bishop Cullinan's controversial views on the HPV cervical cancer vaccine.

Bishop Phonsie Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore has spoken out against the Gardasil vaccine.

Speaking to Independent.ie on Thursday, he said the vaccine offers no absolute guarantee of full protection against cervical cancer.

His views were challenged by Matt Cooper when Bishop Cullinan was invited to speak on TV3's Tonight Show on Thursday.

Defending his views, Bishop Callinan said: "I am very concerned about women's health. I have nieces, I have nephews, I care about that generation. I am meeting them all the time and lads, Ivan and Matt, I am meeting young people who are pressurised by peer pressure into sexual activity in their early teens. Now, here we are vaccinating young girls with the vaccine against a sexually transmitted disease. It is a sexually transmitted disease."

Cooper said that his anti-vaccination campaign is "highly dangerous".

He said: This is a conspiracy theory that you have subscribed to and is highly dangerous and Im also worried that you have done so for another reason and that reason seems to be that you think that then girls are going to have sex as teenagers because they have had a vaccination against a disease that might kill them.

He added: "The World Health Organisation and the HSE, you quote small numbers of people who have concerns, I can quote to you all sorts of people who have major issues, who have scientific backing.

"Now, for example, this campaign that you mentioned, the regret campaign. Yes it is true that there are parents who believe, and we have every sympathy for them, that the chronic fatigue syndrome that was suffered by their daughters, came about soon after they had this particular vaccination. But the truth is, as many teenage girls were coming down with chronic fatigue syndrome, before we ever started the vaccination.

Questioning whether the Bishop should be commenting on the matter Matt went on to say; This vaccine has been administered to hundreds of millions of women around the world. It has been an overwhelming success in dealing with cervical cancer. Is this the Catholic Church returning to try and control the sexual behaviour of the Irish people?

Speaking to Independent.ie on Thursday, Bishop Cullinan said that he has "serious concerns" about the HPV vaccine.

He said that it is a "lifestyle issue" and that "we should be doing more to protect young girls".

"We're giving 12-year-olds an injection against something that is sexually transmitted. What kind of message is that to give a 12-year-old girl?

"Can we not do better than throwing condoms at young boys and throwing the HPV vaccine at young girls?"
Two pedestrians have been taken to hospital after an incident involving a trailer in Dundalk, Co Louth. Initial indications are that a trailer struck the two people on Avenue Road at about 8.50am this morning. Picture: Arthur Carron

Two pedestrians have been taken to hospital after an incident involving a trailer in Dundalk, Co Louth. Initial indications are that a trailer struck the two people on Avenue Road at about 8.50am this morning. Picture: Arthur Carron

The scene of the accident in Dundalk that has left a woman and her son in hospital

A mum and son who were seriously injured in a 'freak accident' involving a trailer on busy road have been named locally.

The casualties were last night named locally as Dolores Kearns (46) and Aaron McKeown (16).

They are being treated for serious injuries in separate hospitals, the Irish Independent reports.

The pair were injured when trailer ploughed into them as they walked beside the busy Avenue Road in Dundalk, Co Louth, shortly before 9am yesterday in what has been described as a "freak accident".

Gardai believe a trailer, which was being pulled by a 4x4, dislodged before hitting the pair.

A witness said the teenager was struck directly by the loose trailer, which was carrying a flatbed for a truck, while Ms Kearns was hit by a utility pole following the collision.

"They were walking along the footpath and the young lad was trailing a bit behind," said the witness, who asked not to be identified.

"All of a sudden this jeep with a trailer and something else on top drove by, but the trailer seemed to come off.

"The trailer then ploughed into the teenage boy and the telephone pole, which then hit the woman.

"It was chaotic. A number of people ran over straight away to help them. One woman jumped out of her car and was doing what she could to help."

Ms Kearns was airlifted from the nearby Dundalk Gaels GAA grounds to St James's Hospital in the capital due to the severity of her injuries.

They are understood to have suffered a number of injuries including broken bones and cuts, but their conditions have been described as non-life-threatening.

There was a large emergency response to the incident including fire tenders and an army helicopter.

A garda spokeswoman said: "Gardai are investigating a collision involving a lorry and two pedestrians on Avenue Road, Dundalk. The collision occurred at approximately 8.50am.

"A 16-year-old boy was taken to Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital.

"A woman in her 40s was brought to St James's Hospital in Dublin.

"They are both being treated for serious injuries."
Independents ministers are becoming increasingly frustrated with what they view as Leo Varadkar's desire to attach his name to their 'good news'.

Several ministers say that after initially having a very positive relationship the Taoiseach they are now "wary" of his micromanagement.

Mr Varadkar and his officials are in regular contact with the six Independent ministers on whose support the Government relies, but sources told the Irish Independent relations are "uneasy".

"There hasn't been a big bust-up or anything like that, but a few of us feel like there are things happening in the background that we're not being told about," said one minister.

Another claimed Mr Varadkar "wants to know our every movement in case he's missing out on some good news".

Sources pointed to Fine Gael's efforts to claim full credit for the new Affordable Childcare Scheme over the summer, effectively writing Children's Minister Katherine Zappone out of the picture.

There was also unhappiness in the Independent Alliance when the Fine Gael press office released a statement from TD Noel Rock calling for the return of the telephone allowance in the Budget - just days after Alliance ministers had privately listed this in their pre-Budget demands.

Meanwhile, Independent TD Michael Harty has said he has been given special "access" to ministers involved in the Budget, despite refusing to vote for Mr Varadkar as Taoiseach.

Dr Harty, a deputy for Clare, has held pre-Budget meetings with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. The first-time TD said he was confident a number of his proposals would be announced in the Budget.

Among the proposals he tabled was a rural resettlement scheme and a special VAT rebate scheme for charities.

"I don't know what contact other independents have with ministers, but my association with ministers Zappone and Naughten is an advantage and gives me such access," he said.
Ireland has seen the largest population growth since 2008, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

It shows the country's population grew by 52,900, to 4,792,500, by April 2017.

However, the statistics also revealed more Irish people are emigrating than returning.

James Hegarty, a statistician with the CSO, said the population growth was the result of natural increase and positive net migration.

"Of the 84,600 people who immigrated to Ireland in the year to April 2017, some 27,400 (32.4pc) of these were estimated to be Irish nationals," he said.

"Of the 64,800 people who emigrated from Ireland in the year to April 2017, 30,800 (47.5pc) were estimated to be Irish nationals.

"Consequently, net outward migration of Irish nationals in 2017 was 3,400."

The number of immigrants to the State from January to April 2017 was estimated at 84,600, while the number of emigrants from Ireland over the same period was around 64,800 - resulting in a net inward migration of 19,800.

The number of births in the period was 63,900 while the number of deaths was 30,800, resulting in a natural increase of the population of 33,100.

Around 18,700 immigrants arrived to live in Ireland from the UK in this period, while 12,100 emigrants left Ireland to live in the UK.

In April 2017, 1.35 million people (28.2pc) lived in Dublin.

According to KBC Bank economist Austin Hughes, Irish population trends are very different to those of our economic partners.

"Ireland's 1.1pc population growth rate at present is nearly four times the current EU average of 0.3pc.

"Eurostat figures also show 10 countries of the EU 28 reporting population declines in 2016. So, the Irish experience is quite exceptional.

"The key drivers of Ireland's demographic dynamics are a comparatively large number of births relative to deaths as well as a much greater variability in migration than in most other countries, due to the particular sensitivity of Irish migration flows to domestic economic conditions," he said.

Mr Hughes added he would not be surprised to see these numbers revised higher in the future and a sharper increase in inward migration emerging in coming years.

"While migration trends owe much to changes in Irish economic conditions, today's data highlight the importance and complex nature of two-way flows.

"While migration flows tend to be the most volatile element of Irish population changes, arguably the most notable aspect of Ireland's demographic profile is that it has the highest birth rate and the lowest death rate in the EU 28.

"This also translates into the lowest average age in the EU.

"These developments enhance Ireland's potential growth rate through the prospect of a comparatively strong rate of labour force growth in the future.

"This potential is further augmented by a stronger proportion of second-level educational qualifications among immigrants (64pc) than among emigrants (44pc)."
(Xinhua) 09:11, September 29, 2017

CHENGDU, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A giant panda born in Madrid Zoo in 2013 arrived in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province Thursday.

The male panda will been quarantined for one month before meeting the public at his new home, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the base said.

Xing Bao, which means star treasure, was born on Aug. 30, 2013. He was the third cub born to panda Huazuiba and her mate Bing Xing.

Under agreements signed with international zoos, all pandas born overseas must come to China once they mature to take part in breeding programs.

Staff at the base prepared billboards introducing Xing Bao and gave out postcards to celebrate his arrival.

China began cooperation with Spainin giant panda breeding research in 2007.
A same-sex couple has expressed how they feel so lucky to be pregnant after going through a process of Intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Emma Behan and her wife Bianca Soares Martin will welcome their first child in December, after undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI), a technique used for artificial insemination.

Emma, who is now 30 weeks pregnant, said they feel so lucky that the process of IUI, which cost them around 4,000, was successful.

We just realised how lucky we were. I did have a polyp and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but I think I was lucky they caught me on a good cycle.

It has cost us around 4,000, it depends on everything you do, tests, scans, and medication. Thats OK if you get a baby. But for couples that havent gotten pregnant and theres no guarantee that you get a baby, its very hard.

You could be doing IVF all the time and it still wouldnt work.

During IUI, the concentrated sperm is passed directly into the woman's womb through a thin tube called a catheter.

Emma and Bianca decided to use a non-anonymous sperm donor for the procedure.

When theyre 18, our child can find the donor. At the moment you pay a little extra for that, so we did that just so our child can find the donor if they want.

Bianca and Emma were lucky to get pregnant on their first round of IUI. They now have the option to have another baby if they wish.

You buy three lots of sperm. Thats three goes so we can still keep that for the next time.

Emma says that when Ireland became the first country in the world to approve same-sex marriage by referendum, it gave the couple more confidence to bring up a baby together in Irish society.

It spurred us on even more to have a baby. The difference in Ireland is still incredible. I think theres still stuff (discrimination) goes on, but for example, the girls in work are so accepting and even with the baby, theyve been so excited which is lovely.

We had a civil ceremony in the March before the referendum, and then the marriage ceremony after that May. We decided to have a blessing in the December when Biancas parents were coming over, we just decided to go for the whole wedding. It was nice to be able to do everything legally.

Bianca, from Brazil, and Emma, from Dublin, met in Dublin four years ago. They feature in a TV3 documentary Babymakers, which will air on Monday.

We met four years ago next month. We met in the George just on a night out. Shed been over here two years learning English. We just clicked, that was it. I was 34, she would have been around 27 or 28. We were at that place where we knew what we wanted and things moved quicker,

We always spoke about getting married. It was more her asking me, but there was no big proposal, the two of us decided really.

She added: The last four years its just been so much more settled. Knowing youre settled, you know where youre going.

Babymakers will air on TV3 on Monday at 9pm.
Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons has thrown open the doors of his beloved West Cork pile Kilcoe Castle for a Vanity Fair shoot.

The terracotta peach castle is a striking landmark in the countryside near Ballydehob, Co Cork.

Irons (69), who bought the castle in 1998, described his home as both a phallus and a womb in his interview with the magazine.

I remember the very first night I spent here on my own, the Academy Award winning star said.

Its a very interesting building, because its very male and erect: a phallus. And yet, within, its a womb. Very strange like that. And I thought, Im completely protected. Im away from everything. Its a wonderful feeling. And thats what it gives me.

Irons bought the castle, originally built in 1450 by the clan of the chieftain Dermot McCarthy, without telling his actress wife Sinead Cusack.

She says: I was very shocked, and hyperventilated immediately.

Im still hyperventilating, to this day both at the beauty of what hes done and because of the amount of breath it takes to get from the bottom of the stairs to the top.

I did see it very much as Jeremys midlife-crisis, and that he should get on with it, she added.

Also, I understood where the need came from. Jeremy cant bear waste. He cant throw things out.

I think he saw that castle as a beautiful ruin that needed to be saved, that needed not to die.

If the walls of Kilcoe Castle could speak, there would be some fascinating stories to tell.

Theres something about the castle that generates the most extraordinary energy, Irons said.

Everybody stays up til three, four in the morningtalking, listening to music, drinking. You just want to go on, go on. It takes a bit of getting used to, this place. Because it does somehow produce an energy. Have you felt it?
The Kyle Barnes painting on the wall was the inspiration for the colour palette, the carpet is Mineral Sea Glass from Ulster Carpets and the antique chairs were upholstered with velvet from GP & J Baker

There's no getting away from it - we're a colour-shy nation. "Playing it safe with colour is an Irish thing," says Sarah Jane Murphy. "People come to me with the intention of using colour on their walls, but they almost always bow back to a softer palette." An interior designer based in Mullingar, Murphy understands that her clients aren't looking for decorative drama.

"Most of them just want a timeless, homely look," she says.

Many people, myself included, plan for an adventurous colour scheme and panic at the checkout, running back for a 10-litre tub of white emulsion. It's the classic cop out, but builder's white can make a room look cold.

"I would always try to encourage people away from cream and white," Murphy says. "If you've employed me to put colour on your walls - then let's put colour on your walls!" The solution is often a medium tone palette.

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If your heart is set on white walls, Murphy can work with that too. The trick is to choose the right white. "People often think that white is white," she says. "They try out sample pots on their walls and they don't see the difference between them. I'd always bring a sheet of plain white paper with me. When you see the paint colour against it, you can see that it's not just white."

For a neutral colour scheme, she often uses Hardwick White from Farrow & Ball on the walls (this is a grey in all but name) and Wimborne White on the timber. This off-white from Farrow & Ball is described in the catalogue as "only a shade away from a pure white". Used together, the two shades bring out the best in each other.

Paint from Farrow & Ball comes in five-litre tubs, which cost around 102, working out at 204 for 10 litres. Little Greene, which is also known as a high-end brand, costs between 146 and 159 for a 10-litre tub of emulsion; the Irish brand Colour Trend costs from 110 to 127, also for 10 litres; while the same amount of Dulux emulsion will set you back between 70 and 80.

These prices, quoted by MRCB paints, vary according to the type of emulsion. Murphy recommends that you choose a brand that you can afford and stick with it. "People will choose a colour from the Farrow & Ball or Little Greene colour chart, and then get their builder to copy it in a cheaper paint. It never works!"

When Murphy is working out a colour scheme with her clients, she often asks them if they have a piece of art that they plan to hang in the room. Then, she allows the colours in the artwork to inspire the colour scheme.

"It's about allowing the colours in the room to come together through a work of art."

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In a recent living room renovation, she allowed her client's large Kyle Barnes painting, purchased from the Chimera Gallery, Mullingar, to lead the scheme. The walls and curtains are grey and the carpet is Mineral Sea Glass from Ulster Carpets' Watercolours range which she describes as: "a mix of grey, beige and light teal". A pair of antique chairs was upholstered in yellow velvet from GP & J Baker. The fabric echoes, rather than replicates, the yellow in the painting. "Once there are too many matching colours you lose the effect of what you are trying to achieve."

If you're skilled with a paintbrush, the paint technique known as colour blocking combines blocks of different colours within an interior space.

"It's one of the easiest ways you can add interest into your decorating without having to think too hard," says Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux. "It's a step on from the single feature wall but just as easy to achieve and the look is layered and individual."

"Use the darkest shades to emphasise areas that you want to stand out and the palest shades to visually push the walls away and expand the space," Shillingford says. For example, a palette of delicately greyed blues will create a sense of calm and openness. Some of the high-street brands have picked up on the trend for colour blocking in their accessories. The Rothko block colour cushion (33); two-tone knit throw (59); Painterly print cushion (20); and Klee block colour cushion (33) will make you look as though you're adventurous with colour, even if every wall in the house is painted in white. You'll find all of these in House of Fraser.

In Next, the 12-piece Studio Modern dinner set from Next (39) is decorated in asymmetrical blocks of colour. You can buy a co-ordinating set of stacking mugs (15.50) and a table cloth (from 26). Next also has a series of accessories that will boost a neutral colour scheme, including Mesh lampshades (from 33) in rustic orange and Kira lampshades (from 36) in teal.

And, if you'd like to gain the confidence to use more colour on the walls, working with an interior designer like Murphy could help you find your spine.

See sarahjanemurphydesign.ie, dulux.ie, mrcb.ie, next.ie, and houseoffraser.co.uk
Ryanair has launched the first of several promised winter sales, with one million seats now available online from 9.99.

Fares are available to book until midnight this Sunday, October 1, and travel is from October to February 2018, the airline says.

As we publish, fares from Dublin to Paris Beauvais, Cologne, Hamburg and Liverpool are among those available at the 9.99 price.

The sale comes as Ryanair struggles to manage a "rostering failure" that this week saw a further 400,000 passengers disrupted by winter flight schedule changes.

MEGA Sale now on! 

Over 1 million seats from 9.99!

For the lowest fares, visit https://t.co/cgLkPq5oJZhttps://t.co/TgQweeHacz pic.twitter.com/saBRA4kMDZ  Ryanair (@Ryanair) September 29, 2017

As part of its efforts to deal with the crisis, the airline has announced plans to "slow its growth" by flying 25 fewer aircraft this winter among other changes.

It also plans to roll out a series of low fare seat sales for winter 2017, starting with the "mega-sale" announced today.

Passengers of cancelled flights have been sent 40 travel vouchers, and the airline continues to apologise for the rostering-related cancellations.

99pc of its customers are unaffected, it says.

Read more:
Commuters stand under a pedestrian bridge where a stampede took place at Elphinstone railway station in Mumbai, India (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

At least 22 people were killed and 27 others injured in a stampede on a crowded pedestrian bridge connecting two railway stations in Mumbai during Friday morning's rush-hour, police in India said.

The stampede was triggered after falling concrete hit the overpass railing, leading people in the crowd to surge forward to escape because they feared the bridge would collapse, Mumbai police official Gansham Patel said.

People had been crowding under the canopy covering the footbridge to escape heavy rain, making the deadly tragedy worse, said Shaina Nana Chudasama, of the governing Bhartiya Janata Party.

Commuters also often complain about street-sellers hawking their wares on the narrow overpass.

The pedestrian bridge connected two local Mumbai railway stations - Elphinstone and Parel.

Deadly stampedes are fairly common during Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with few safety or crowd control measures.

AP

As Mumbai police appealed to citizens to donate blood to help the injured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those killed.

"Prayers with those who are injured," he tweeted.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said the incident was being investigated.

In a separate stampede in the southern city of Banglaore, two people were killed as hundreds jostled to obtain coupons for free food offered by a local philanthropist, police said. The philanthropist has been detained for questioning.

AP
(Xinhua) 09:13, September 29, 2017

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with members of China Overseas Exchange Association in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Thursday asked overseas Chinese to make greater contributions to the Chinese nation's rejuvenation.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while meeting with members of China Overseas Exchange Association in Beijing.

Yu spoke highly of the association's role in establishing close ties with overseas Chinese, promoting international cooperation in economics, science and technology, culture and education, and enhancing exchanges between the Chinese people and the rest of the world.

Yu called on overseas Chinese to introduce a real China, including its reality and development, to the world; increase solidarity and influence in the world; get more involved in Chinese economic and social development; oppose separatist activities in any form and contribute to the peaceful reunification of the motherland.
Albania will work with international experts in identifying people who went missing during the country's communist past.

The country's prime minister Edi Rama met on Friday with Kathryne Bomberger, director-general of the International Commission On Missing Persons and discussed a programme to account for those who disappeared.

Official numbers based on files from the communist rule of Albania 1945-1991 have revealed that about 6,000 people were killed, 34,000 imprisoned and more than 50,000 sent to internment camps.

The commission said the initial phase of its work in Albania will include trying to identify the remains from a mass grave discovered northeast of Tirana in 2010 and from a site in southern Albania.

Albania opened the files in 2015 in part to help determine the fate of the missing.

AP
This is the photogenic yellow Labrador who has gained an international social media following in the wake of the Mexico earthquake.

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Frida was helping with the rescue efforts after the September 19 earthquake hit, claiming the lives of at least 344 people.

With her protective goggles and neoprene booties to keep her paws safe, Frida became a symbol of hope for many in Mexico  even if she didnt rescue anyone personally  and its not hard to see why.

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In social terms, this dog functioned like a transitional object because maybe she didnt help us in anything real or concrete  meaning she didnt rescue anyone  but she let us feel like there was hope and that there were things that could help us, said Fatima Laborda, a psychoanalyst and director of Casa Grana, a psychological assistance and research organisation.

In traumatic situations like war or natural disaster, people tend to seek refuge in something real or symbolic to regain confidence and a feeling of safety, explained Laborda.

A rescuer literally removing rocks to free you is one way to feel helped, she said, but someone can also feel supported by merely seeing people in the street, because that way I feel the solidarity of everyone else and that is symbolic and also can give me psychological relief.

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Frida has been working in rescue for six years and has even travelled abroad, helping the rescue effort in Haiti in 2010 and in Ecuador in 2016.

Earlier in September, she was dispatched to the southern Mexico town of Juchitan that sustained damage in a magnitude 8.1 quake.

During her career, she has found 41 bodies and 12 people alive.

Her star status skyrocketed when her employer  the Mexican navy  posted pictures and videos of her at work.

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Among those retweeting the video was the office of the Mexican president and Captain America actor Chris Evans, who reposted it adding: What did we do to deserve dogs?

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On Facebook, groups of knitters offered designs inspired by Frida, with the earnings going to earthquake relief efforts.
The Tube can be a cramped, sweaty and unpleasant place, especially when youre heading to work on a Friday morning.

But this tale of flirtation on the Underground proves that love can blossom in the most unlikely of places. Like before 9am on the Central line.

And it started like any good love story, with someone having a runny nose.

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A great first move, that, having a cold.

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This is looking good, plus theyre both incredibly polite, which is a nice bonus.

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Could this be the very start of a beautiful romance? The watching commuters think so.

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Come on guys, dont leave it there.

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It could be one of their stops any minute!

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Whats she going to pull out?

Her pen to write down her phone number? A business card?

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Nice.

Then he pulled out the big guns.

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But then she had an even sassier response.

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The young American girl had the boldness of David and the spirit of Cardi B at the same time, according to our witness, Debra, but numbers still werent being exchanged.

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Its almost like hes sussing out how long he has to ask for her number.

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Dont let this romance blossom and die on the Central line, guys.

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We may never know what happened next, because Debra had to get to work, where shes a YouTube executive at Monsoon and Accessorize.

She tried to look back but the train drifts off into the distance, she tweeted, much like the TfL lovers, drifting in and out of what could have been'.

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Debra, whos also a YouTuber, was on her commute somewhere between Greenford and Shepherds Bush stations when she witnessed all this.

The 26-year-old said: If not for work, I most definitely would have stayed on that train until I saw the story unfold.

Honestly, Im a hopeful romantic so I like to think that what I witnessed was indeed the beginning of something beautiful.

Heres hoping they exchanged numbers before Canary Wharf.
Bodies of children and other Rohingya refugees are covered after their boat with passengers fleeing from Myanmar capsized off the Inani beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

A Rohingya Muslim boy, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, holds his brother outside his shelter as it rains in Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Rohingya Muslims, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, walks through muddy field after collecting aid from a distribution centre near Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Bangladesh army men stand guard as Rohingya Muslim men, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, wait to receive aid during a distribution near Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Bodies of Rohingya refugee children are transported after their boat with passengers fleeing from Myanmar capsized off the Inani beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Bodies of children and other Rohingya refugees are transported after their boat with passengers fleeing from Myanmar capsized off the Inani beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Bodies of children and other Rohingya refugees are covered after their boat with passengers fleeing from Myanmar capsized off the Inani beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Bodies of Rohingya refugees are transported after their boat with passengers fleeing from Myanmar capsized off the Inani beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Rohingya refugees react before the funeral of a family member, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

Rohingya refugees react before the funeral of a family member, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

Rohingya refugees react as they see the remains of a family member, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

A Rohingya refugee stands beside the remains of his father, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

Rohingya refugees carry a man who, according to them, was beaten by the Myanmar Army before there arrival in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

Rohingya refugees carry the remains of a man who, according to family members, succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

A Rohingya refugee child cries as he sits on the ground in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

Young boys grieving for their dead fathers, men awaiting to receive aid for their families, Rohingya Muslims arriving to a Bangladesh refugee camp after their escape from Myanmar and women crying at the funeral of a family member killed by the Myanmar Army - these 15 photos show the reality of the Rohingya Muslims' plight at the moment.

The photographs, taken by news agencies in the region, document Rohingya refugees' journey amid allegations that they are the victims of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Expand Close Rohingya refugees carry the remains of a man who, according to family members, succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton / Facebook

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Buddhist-majority Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and has denounced rights abuses.

Its military launched a sweeping offensive in response to coordinated attacks on the security forces by Rohingya insurgents in the north of Rakhine State on Aug. 25.

Now, the United States have called for punishment of Myanmar's military, after more than 50 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar were declared missing after their boat capsized, with 20 confirmed dead.

The refugees drowned in heavy seas off Bangladesh late on Thursday while, in New York, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against Rohingya Muslims.

Expand Close A Rohingya refugee stands beside the remains of his father, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton / Facebook

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Whatsapp A Rohingya refugee stands beside the remains of his father, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

But she stopped short of threatening to reimpose U.S. sanctions which were suspended under the Obama administration.

Escape

Expand Close Rohingya refugees react as they see the remains of a family member, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton / Facebook

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Whatsapp Rohingya refugees react as they see the remains of a family member, whose family says he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the Myanmar Army before their arrival, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

A new surge in the numbers fleeing a Myanmar military campaign has taken the total to more than half a million.

Refugees arriving in Myanmar have told of attacks and arson by the military and Buddhist vigilantes aimed at driving Rohingya out.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council the violence had spiralled into the "world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare".

Bangladeshi border officials said more refugees had arrived over the past day or two after the number seemed to be tailing off. Aid groups said 502,000 refugees had arrived in Bangladesh since late August.

Expand Close A Rohingya Muslim boy, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, holds his brother outside his shelter as it rains in Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) / Facebook

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Whatsapp A Rohingya Muslim boy, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, holds his brother outside his shelter as it rains in Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

"It stopped for a while but they have started coming again," Colonel Anisul Haque, head of the Bangladeshi border guards in the town of Teknaf, told Reuters, adding that about 1,000 people had landed at the main arrival point on the coast on Thursday.

The refugee boat that capsized went over in driving wind and rain and high seas. Police said 20 bodies had been recovered, 12 of them children, while 27 people survived and more than 50 were missing.

Expand Close Bodies of children and other Rohingya refugees are covered after their boat with passengers fleeing from Myanmar capsized off the Inani beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj / Facebook

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Whatsapp Bodies of children and other Rohingya refugees are covered after their boat with passengers fleeing from Myanmar capsized off the Inani beach near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Survivor, Abdul Kalam, 55, said at least 100 people had been on board. His wife, two daughters and a grandson were among the dead, he said.

Kalam said armed Buddhists had come to his village about a week ago and taken away livestock and food. He said villagers had been summoned to a military office and told there were no such people as Rohingya in Myanmar.

After that he decided to leave and headed to the coast with his family, avoiding military camps on the way.

In a sharp ramping up of the pressure on Myanmar, also known as Burma, Haley echoed U.N. accusations that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State was ethnic cleansing.

"We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be - a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority," Haley told the U.N. Security Council.

The United States had earlier said the army response to the insurgent attacks was "disproportionate" and the crisis raised questions about Myanmar's transition to democracy, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, after decades of military rule.

Suu Kyi has no power over the generals under a military-drafted constitution that bars her from the presidency. She has nevertheless drawn scathing criticism from around the world for failing to speak out more strongly and stop the violence.

The military campaign against the Rohingya insurgents is well supported inside Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has surged over the past few years.

Haley said the military must respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing," she said.

"And any country that is currently providing weapons to the Burmese military should suspend these activities until sufficient accountability measures are in place," Haley said.

Myanmar national security adviser Thaung Tun said at the United Nations there was no ethnic cleansing or genocide in Myanmar.

He told the Security Council that Myanmar had invited Guterres to visit. A U.N. official said the secretary-general would consider visiting under the right conditions.

China and Russia both expressed support for the Myanmar government. Myanmar said this month it was negotiating with China and Russia, which have veto powers in the Security Council, to protect it from any possible action by the council.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told voters only he could protect them from the threat of North Korean missiles. Photo: Kim Kyung Hoon/Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took to the streets after calling a snap election, telling voters only he could protect them from the threat of North Korean missiles.

Mr Abe also told a crowd in Tokyo's busy Shibuya district that only his party could implement appropriate measures to deal with Japan's rapidly ageing and declining population.

"I must seek your support in order to overcome this national crisis," Mr Abe said.

The premier dissolved the lower house of parliament earlier yesterday, calling an election on October 22.

Opposition politicians scrambled to regroup around Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike's new party to challenge Mr Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Mr Abe is widely seen as trying to reconsolidate his grip on power within his party, so he can extend the term of his premiership next year.

The dissolution of the more powerful of Japan's two-chamber parliament comes more than a year before required by law.

However, the ruling party faces a growing challenge from a new party launched by Ms Koike this week.

The Party of Hope has energised some voters, and is gaining renegade politicians from the main opposition party.

The speaker of the house, Tadamori Oshima, read the statement of dissolution.

Lower house members all stood up and chanted "banzai" three times in a dissolution ritual, then rushed out of the assembly hall.

Minutes after the dissolution, Mr Abe made a fiery speech to party members.

He said he was seeking a public mandate on his tougher diplomatic and defence policies to deal with escalating threats from North Korea

"This election is about how we protect Japan, the people's lives and peaceful daily life," he said. "The election is about the future of our children."

The Cabinet later approved an October 22 election for the 475-seat lower house.

The other chamber, the upper house, does not dissolve but is closed until parliament is reconvened after the election.

Support ratings for Mr Abe's government had plunged to below 30pc in July following repeated parliamentary questions about allegations he helped his friend obtain approval to open a veterinary college.

Recent media polls show the support ratings recovering to around 50pc, helped by parliament's recess and a cabinet reshuffle in August which removed the defence minister and several other unpopular faces.
Tensions in Korea are high after Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump traded insults. Photo: AP/KCNA via KNS

Tensions between the US and North Korea are so high that war is "a real possibility" for which the world must prepare, a UK defence think tank has warned.

Such a conflict would result in "hundreds of thousands" of casualties, severely disrupt the global economy, and have profound implications for the political and diplomatic landscape of East Asia, the report for the Royal United Services Institute says.

"This report is not saying that war is likely. But the probability of war is an uncomfortably real prospect," said Prof Malcolm Chalmers, the report's author.

The chilling assessment comes as South Korea prepares itself for more provocative acts by North Korea next month, to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean Communist Party and China's all-important Communist Party Congress.

During a meeting with President Moon Jae-in yesterday, national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said he expected Pyongyang to act around October 10 and 18.

The South Korean security adviser's report also pointed to the risk that a military conflict could be sparked by "accidental incidents", said Park Wan-ju, a lawmaker and head spokesman of the ruling Democratic Party.

"The president said the United States speaks of military and diplomatic options, but South Korea can't go through war again," said Mr Park.

Tension on the Korean peninsula has risen in recent weeks as North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump exchanged war-like threats and insults over the North's nuclear and missile development programme.

The North has accused Mr Trump of declaring war after he warned Mr Kim's regime would not last if he persisted in threatening the US and its allies, having earlier warned North Korea would be totally destroyed in such an event.

Asked if China had a plan to respond to an emergency in North Korea, such as securing nuclear and missile sites, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said, "Military means cannot become an option," and urged talks to resolve the issue.

"The Chinese military will make all necessary preparations to protect the country's sovereignty and security and regional peace and stability," he said, without elaborating.

China has vowed to uphold UN sanctions against North Korea, besides seeking to get talks with Pyongyang restarted.

Yesterday, China's commerce ministry said North Korean firms or joint ventures in China would be shut within 120 days of the latest United Nations Security Council sanctions, passed on September 12.

Overseas Chinese joint ventures with North Korean entities or individuals will also be closed, the ministry said in a statement on its website, without providing a timeframe.

The ministry had issued similar rules after a previous set of UN sanctions in August.

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.

Mr Park said Mr Moon told the meeting that Washington and Seoul agreed that pressure needed to be applied to North Korea.
Troubled infrastructure giant Carillion has booked mammoth half-year losses of over 1 billion as the company again warned over its performance.

Carillion, which has around 43,000 staff worldwide, has been thrown into crisis since a hefty profit warning in July, which sent its shares tumbling by more than 70% in one week.

On Friday, the firm said that pre-tax losses for the six months to June 30 came in at a staggering 1.15 billion as it was dragged down by series of restructuring charges.

This included an 845 million write down relating to support services contracts and a goodwill impairment charge of 134 million linked to construction activities in the UK and Canada.

It has also made a fresh 200 million provision for support services contracts.

As a result, Carillion said that full-year results will be lower than current market expectations with total revenue expected to come in between 4.6 billion and 4.8 billion, down from 4.8 billion to 5 billion.

On an underlying basis, pre-tax profit plunged 40% to 50 million.

Interim boss Keith Cochrane described the results as disappointing.

He said: This is a disappointing set of results which reflects the issues we flagged in July. We now expect results for the full year to be lower than current market expectations.

No one is in any doubt of the challenge that lies ahead.

Carillion is a major supplier to the Government with a number of long-term contracts and was named among the firms awarded deals for the building of phase one of the HS2 rail line.

A Government spokesman said: The company has kept us informed of the steps it is taking to restructure the business. We remain supportive of their ongoing discussions with their stakeholders and await future updates on their progress.

Julys profit shock saw chief executive Richard Howson step down as the group said it would need to bolster its balance sheet and was struggling to stay within its borrowing limits.

Full-year net debt is forecast to come in at between 825 million and 850 million.

Since July, it has also parted company with its finance chief and announced a raft of senior management changes.

The group has previously blamed poor orders on some delays in UK public spending decisions following the EU referendum, while low oil prices had hit customer spending in the Middle East.

The groups battered share price was given a reprieve earlier this week when reports surfaced a Middle East investor is planning a takeover bid for the group.

An unnamed Middle East construction firm is understood to be lining up a potential offer for Carillion in the wake of its recent dramatic share price falls.

The rumoured bid plans come after recent reports the company was looking to sell its Middle East operations, with a raft of local firms said to have been interested.

Fridays interim results included an update on its group-wide review as it battles for survival.

Mr Cochrane added: The strategic review that we launched in July has enabled us to get a firm handle on the groups problems and we have implemented a clear plan to address them.

Our objective is to be a lower risk, lower cost, higher quality business generating sustainable cash backed earnings. In the immediate short term, our focus is to complete the disposal programme, accelerate our action to take cost out of the business and get our balance sheet back to a place where it can support Carillion going forward.

To this end, Carillon said that discussions are ongoing regarding sales of its business in Canada and the UK healthcare arm.
File photo showing the rubble of a house destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen (AP)

The United Nations' human rights body has approved a compromise resolution calling for a group of "eminent international and regional experts" to monitor and report on rights abuses in war-torn Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab states presented the amended draft resolution that won by-consensus agreement by the Human Rights Council on Friday.

It will give the strongest international component yet to an examination of rights violations in a country that the UN says faces the world's greatest humanitarian disaster.

The council resolution capped intense closed-door negotiations to bridge a divide between a version promoted by the Netherlands and Canada, which had sought an international, independent Commission of Inquiry on Yemen, and the less-intrusive Arab proposal.

It was perhaps the most contentious issue during a three-week session that ended on Friday.

AP
(Xinhua) 09:18, September 29, 2017

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Top political advisor Yu Zhengshengon Thursday addressed a reception marking the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has achieved leaps in economic development, increasing people's living standards, said Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The reception was attended by more than 2,800 representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities.

Yu stressed that the "one country, two systems" is the best institutional arrangement for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao.

"We will continue to insist on the principles of 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong and Macao people administering their regions and a high degree of autonomy, handling their affairs in line with the Constitution and the Basic Laws of the two regions," Yu said.

The senior political advisor also emphasized that the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait meets the common aspirations and interests of people on both sides.

"We will stick to the one-China principle and the political foundation of the 1992 Consensus, and resolutely oppose 'Taiwan independence'," Yu said.

Yu promised overseas Chinese that the government will continue to serve for them and unite Chinese at home and abroad.

The reception was organized by the General Office of the CPPCC National Committee, the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
The first same-sex church wedding in the UK has taken place in Edinburgh.

Peter Matthews and Alistair Dinnie made history when they were married at St John's Church, run by the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC), The Times Scotland reported.

In June, the SEC voted to amend canon law and allow same-sex couples to be married in church during the church's General Synod in Edinburgh.

The move made it the first branch of the Anglican faith in the UK to allow same-sex marriage and was welcomed by equal rights campaigners.

Expand Close Peter Matthews and Alistair Dinnie's wedding. Photo: St John's Choir / Twitter / Facebook

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The wedding is said to have taken place earlier this month with other same-sex weddings also held in SEC churches in Glasgow and Moray since.

The Rev Markus Dunzkofer, the rector at St John's, told The Times: "I have blessed (same sex relationships) in other Anglican provinces and always had to stop short of the vows.

"It felt like something was cut off, like something wasn't right.

"Finally being able to do the whole thing felt like the fulfilment of where the spirit had been telling us to get to. It completely made sense, it all came together."

However, it could lead to action being taken against the church by the Anglican Communion, the international association of the world's third largest Christian movement, at a meeting next week.

SEC members voted to remove the doctrinal clause which stated that marriage is a ''union of one man and one woman'', replacing it with a clause which asserts that clergy who do not wish to preside over same-sex weddings will not be compelled to do so ''against their conscience''.

Yesterday we had the huge privilege of singing at the wedding of our Alistair and his @urbaneprofessor - here's us rehearsing and partying! pic.twitter.com/nEFCE2gBZg  St John's Choir (@stjohnschoir) September 17, 2017

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion said the SEC's decision puts it ''at odds with the majority stance that marriage is the lifelong union of a man and a woman''.

Last year, the US Episcopal Church was suspended from participating in decision making and prevented from representing Anglicans in meetings with other Christians and faith groups after it backed equal marriage.

Mr Matthews and Mr Dinnie are said to be on honeymoon.
The leader of Islamic State has urged followers to burn their enemies everywhere and target "media centres of the infidels," according to an audio recording that the extremists said was by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The reclusive leader of IS, who has only appeared in public once, also vowed to continue fighting and lavished praise on his jihadis for their bravery in the battlefield - despite the militants' loss of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in July.

The recording was released by the IS-run al-Furqan outlet, which has in the past released messages from Baghdadi and other top figures of the extremist group.

Baghdadi spoke of what he called the United States' waning global power. Citing examples of America's perceived weakness, he referred to Russia's annexation of Crimea and "North Korea's nuclear threat against America and Japan".

Al-Baghdad's reference to North Korea's tussle with Washington and Tokyo over Pyongyang's nuclear and long-range missile programmes suggests his message was recently recorded, perhaps in the past month or two.

The voice in the 46-minute audio sounded much like previous recordings of Baghdadi. His last previous purported message was released in November, also in an audio recording.

"You soldiers of the caliphate, heroes of Islam and carriers of banners: light a fire against your enemies," said Baghdadi, a shadowy cleric who has been surrounded by controversy since the Sunni terror group emerged from al Qaida in Iraq.

Russian officials said in June there was a "high probability" that Baghdadi had died in a Russian air strike on the outskirts of the Syrian city of Raqqa, the group's de facto capital. US officials later said they believed he was still alive.

Baghdadi's whereabouts are unknown but he is believed to be in IS's dwindling territory in eastern Syria.

The IS-held cities of Raqqa and Deir el-Zour are under siege and probably too dangerous for him to hide in.

Some IS leadership is believed to have gone to the nearby town of Mayadeen, and the group still holds a stretch of the Euphrates River from Deir el-Zour to the Iraqi border, as well as remote desert areas along the border.

"You soldiers of Islam, supporters of the caliphate everywhere, step up your attacks and include the media centres of the infidels and the headquarters of their ideological war among your targets," he said in the recording, apparently alluding to Western news outlets and research centres.

"Don't you dare allow the Crusaders and the apostates to enjoy a good and comfortable life at home while your brothers are enduring killings, shelling and destruction," added Baghdadi, who reminded his followers of the rewards of martyrdom, including "72 wives" from among the maidens of paradise.

He also lauded his fighters for what he called their valiant fight against US-backed Iraqi forces that wrested control of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, from IS after nearly nine months of fighting.

"In Mosul, they defiantly stood firm on a land ruled by God's laws against the infidels and nations of the cross ... only leaving it over their skulls and dead bodies after nearly a year of fighting," he said. "The sons of Islam will willingly continue to sacrifice their blood and bodies for the sake of their creator," he defiantly declared.

In the recording, he also consoled IS fighters over the number of major military setbacks suffered in recent months in both Iraq and Syria, but also made a passionate plea for them to rise up and never surrender.

"You Sunnis of Iraq, Syria, Yemen and everywhere ... get out of your beds and shake off oppression ... return to your faith and restore your glory and eminence," he said. In Yemen, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels are fighting forces loyal to the internationally recognised government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
Dozens of gay and transgender people have been arrested in raids in Azerbaijan's capital this month and some were sentenced to up to 30 days in jail, lawyers and activists said.

The arrests that started in Baku on September 18 "are the most extensive raids against representatives of sexual minorities in our country", Gulnara Mehtiyeva of the Minority Azerbaijan organisation said.

Interior Ministry spokesman Ehsan Zahidov said the arrests were sparked by complaints of "disrespect to others".

A lawyer helping to coordinate legal representation for those arrested, Samed Rahimli, said at least 46 people have been sentenced to 10 to 30 days in jail for resisting police.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in majority-Muslim Azerbaijan in 2000, but animosity toward LGBT people remains strong.

AP
Balconies decorated with Esteladas or pro independence flags and also a Spanish flag are seen in Barcelona, Spain (AP)

There will not be a referendum on Catalonia's independence on Sunday, the cabinet spokesman for Spain's government said as the vice-president of the region predicted the majority of eligible voters would turn out.

Madrid's culture minister Inigo Mendez de Vigo accuses the secessionist coalition ruling the northeastern region of bending the laws to go ahead with a vote regardless of warnings from courts and a suspension by the country's Constitutional Court earlier this month.

Catalan authorities say they will declare independence within 48 hours after announcing the vote's results if the yes side wins.

The Spanish government has fought the referendum with a myriad of legal actions criticised by many in Catalonia.

"The government has a constitutional mandate to enforce the laws maintaining civic order," Mr Mendez de Vigo said on Friday during a regular weekly press briefing.

"Nobody is above the laws and whoever violates them will face consequences."

However, Catalonia's vice-president said more than six out of 10 voters are expected to take part in the poll despite the crackdown from Madrid.

Oriol Junqueras said Catalan citizens will be able to vote "even if somebody takes voting stations by assault and tries to avoid something as natural as placing a voting slip in a ballot".

Spain's Constitution says only the nation's government can call a referendum on sovereignty.

Police forces acting on judges' orders have seized ballots and arrested regional officials in the crackdown.

Mr Junqueras said an internal poll showed more than 60% of the 5.3 million eligible voters plan to cast ballots.

He displayed a prototype of the plastic ballot boxes planned for more than 2,300 voting stations.

AP
'Playboy' founder Hugh Hefner, who helped usher in the 1960s sexual revolution with his groundbreaking men's magazine and built a business empire around his libertine lifestyle, died on Wednesday at the age of 91, Playboy Enterprises said.

Hefner, once called the "prophet of pop hedonism" by 'Time' magazine, peacefully passed away at his home.

Expand Close Hugh Hefner with Playmates in Cannes in 1999. Picture: AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hugh Hefner with Playmates in Cannes in 1999. Picture: AP

Hefner was sometimes characterised as an oversexed Peter Pan as he kept a harem of young blondes at his legendary Playboy Mansion. He said thanks to Viagra he continued exercising his libido into his 80s.

"I'm never going to grow up," Hefner said in a CNN interview when he was 82. "Staying young is what it is all about for me. Holding on to the boy and long ago I decided that age really didn't matter and as long as the ladies... feel the same way, that's fine with me."

Hefner settled down somewhat in 2012 at age 86 when he took Crystal Harris, who was 60 years younger, as his third wife.

He said his swinging lifestyle might have been a reaction to growing up in a repressed family where affection was rarely exhibited. His so-called stunted childhood led to a multi-million-dollar enterprise that centred on naked women but also espoused Hefner's "Playboy philosophy" based on romance, style and the casting off of mainstream mores.

Expand Close Hugh Hefner in 1970 with his then girlfriend actress Barbi Benton and film director Roman Polanski. Picture: AFP/Getty / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hugh Hefner in 1970 with his then girlfriend actress Barbi Benton and film director Roman Polanski. Picture: AFP/Getty

That philosophy came to life at the legendary parties in his mansions - first in his native Chicago, then in Los Angeles - where legions of male celebrities swarmed to mingle with beautiful young women.

Long before the internet made nudity ubiquitous, Hefner faced obscenity charges in 1963 for publishing photos of disrobed celebrities and aspiring stars, but he was acquitted.

Hefner created 'Playboy' as the first stylish glossy men's magazine and in addition to nude fold-outs, it had intellectual appeal with writers such as Kurt Vonnegut, Joyce Carol Oates, Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin and Alex Haley for men who liked to say they did not buy the magazine just for the pictures.

In-depth interviews with historic figures such as Fidel Castro, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and John Lennon also were featured regularly.

Expand Close Hugh Hefner at his nightclub in Chicago in 1961. Picture: AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hugh Hefner at his nightclub in Chicago in 1961. Picture: AP

"I've never thought of 'Playboy' quite frankly as a sex magazine," Hefner told CNN in 2002. "I always thought of it as a lifestyle magazine in which sex was one important ingredient."

Hefner proved to be a genius at branding. The magazine's rabbit silhouette became one of the best known logos in the world and the "bunny" waitresses in his Playboy nightclubs were instantly recognisable in their low-cut bathing suit-style uniforms with bow ties, puffy cotton tails and pert rabbit ears.

Hef, as he began calling himself in high school, was a living logo for 'Playboy', presiding over his realm in silk pyjamas and a smoking jacket while puffing on a pipe. "What I created came out of my own adolescent dreams of fantasies," he told CNN. "I was trying to redefine what it meant to be a young, urban unattached male."

After writing copy for 'Esquire' magazine, Hefner married and worked in the circulation department of 'Children's Activities' magazine when he began plotting what would become 'Playboy'.

The first issue came out in December 1953 - featuring a nude Marilyn Monroe - and was a hit. As the magazine took off, it was attacked from the right because of the nudity and from the left by feminists. It was banned in Ireland.

'Playboy' flourished during the sexual revolution and into the 1970s with monthly circulation hitting seven million.

He ran into trouble in the 1980s with competition from 'Penthouse' and 'Hustler' - magazines that had much more explicit photos - and 'Playboy's' social impact faded considerably by the 21st century. The Playboy Clubs closed in 1991 but would be partially revived.

After suffering a minor stroke in 1985, Hefner made his daughter Christie CEO of Playboy Enterprises. His son Cooper, who was nearly 40 years younger than Christie, assumed a major role in the company in 2014.

"My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom," Cooper said in a statement, according to posts on social media.

In March 2016 'Playboy' did away with full frontal nudity - unimaginable in the publication's heyday. 'Playboy' resumed nudity a year later as Hefner's son Cooper announced a new philosophy for the company.

In August 2016, one of Hefner's neighbours announced he had bought the Playboy Mansion for $100m with the understanding Hefner could stay there until he died.

Before 'Playboy', Hefner married Millie Williams in 1949, with whom he had daughter Christie. They divorced in 1959. The many women who shared his round, motorised, vibrating bed included models who posed in his magazine. In 1989 he married Playmate of the Year Kimberly Conrad. They had two sons but divorced after 10 years.

In 2008, after girlfriend Holly Madison broke up with Hefner, he said he had hoped to spend the rest of his life with her. Soon after he added 19-year-old twins to his group before turning to marriage again with Harris.
Police investigating a murder in 1990 by a "killer clown" have arrested a woman who later married the widower of the victim (stock image)

Police investigating a murder in 1990 by a "killer clown" have arrested a woman who later married the widower of the victim.

Detectives said advances in DNA technology, combined with evidence gathered decades ago, show Sheila Keen Warren, now 54, was the clown.

At the time of the shooting, she was an employee of Marlene Warren's husband, Michael, at the family's used car park.

Since 2002, she has been his wife.

She was arrested on Tuesday at the home she shared with him in Abingdon, Virginia, and was jailed without bail to await extradition to Florida on first-degree murder charges.

Mr Warren, 65, has not been charged, but detectives refused to rule him out as a suspect and said he was interviewed again on Wednesday.

In 1990, Marlene Warren answered her front door in a well-off Florida suburb to find a clown in an orange wig, red nose and white face paint, handing her carnations and foil balloons.

"How pretty!" she exclaimed.

The clown then pulled a gun, shot Mrs Warren in the face and drove away.

She died two days later.

"You basically get one shot and if you roll the dice and take that chance and she is found not guilty, you never get that chance again," Sheriff's Detective Paige McCann said.

"Sometimes patience is the best."

Witnesses had told investigators in 1990 that Sheila Warren and Mr Warren were having an affair, though both denied it.

Over the years, detectives say, costume shop employees identified Sheila Warren as the woman who had bought a clown costume a few days earlier.

And one of the two balloons, a silver one that read, "You're the Greatest", was sold at only one store, a Publix supermarket near her home.

Employees told detectives a woman who looked like the suspect had bought the balloons an hour before the shooting.

The presumed getaway car was found abandoned with orange, hair-like fibres inside.

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The white Chrysler convertible had been reported stolen from Mr Warren's car park a month before the shooting.

Sheila Warren and her then-husband repossessed cars for him.

Relatives told The Palm Beach Post in 2000 that Marlene Warren, who was 40 when she died, suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted to leave him.

But the car park and other properties were in her name, and she feared what might happen if she did.

She allegedly told her mother: "If anything happens to me, Mike done it."

Mr Warren was convicted in 1994 of grand theft, racketeering and odometer tampering and served almost four years in prison.

He and his wife recently sold a popular restaurant in Kingsport, Tennessee, according to the Bristol Herald Courier.

Neighbour Rocky Blevins told the newspaper Sheila Warren is "a great person", and his wife, Brook, said: "It has to be a mistake."
Protesters against the "war on drugs" in Manila last week (AP)

The Philippine government has denounced 39 mostly Western nations which have urged it to end thousands of killings under President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug crackdown.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said its diplomats told the countries, which issued a joint statement in Geneva expressing serious concern over human rights conditions in the Philippines, "to respect Manila's domestic processes".

The government, through its diplomatic mission to the United Nations in Geneva, said it takes "grave exception to the sweeping and politicised statement" delivered by Iceland on behalf of 38 other countries including the United States, Britain and France during a meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva this week, the department said.

In their statement, the countries said they "remain concerned about the thousands of killings and climate of impunity associated with the war on drugs", and cited Philippine commitments to investigate these crimes and observe due process.

"We urge the government of the Philippines to take all necessary measures to bring these killings to an end and cooperate with the international community to pursue appropriate investigations," the countries said, citing the need for Manila to adhere to "universal principles of democratic accountability and the rule of law".

They said the government should work with private agencies and the UN to promote and protect human rights, including by welcoming a visit by the UN expert on extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard.

Mr Duterte has lashed out at Ms Callamard's criticisms of the drug killings and once warned she may end up in jail if she makes inaccurate statements.

The countries encouraged the Philippines to request technical assistance if necessary.

Aside from the US, a treaty ally helping the Philippines end a months-long siege by pro-Islamic State group militants in a southern city, the other countries include Australia, which provides security assistance to Manila, and Norway, which has been helping broker peace talks between Manila and communist rebels.

Philippine foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who is in Washington, lamented the criticism, saying it was based on "biased and questionable information and failed to appreciate Manila's willingness to work with the international community on human rights issues".

A senior Filipino diplomat in Geneva, Maria Teresa Almojuela, said: "It is ironic that many of these states joining the statement are the very same states that are the sources of arms, bombs, machines and mercenaries that maim, kill and massacre thousands of people all over the world, not only during their colonial past, but even up to today."

She said the Philippines seriously investigates documented allegations of human rights violations and has filed criminal complaints against abusive police officials.

Mr Duterte and police officials have denied allegations of extrajudicial killings by police enforcing his crackdown, which has left thousands of people dead since he became president last year.

Mr Duterte, however, has publicly threatened suspected drug traffickers repeatedly with death.

He warned drug pushers in a speech late on Tuesday that if they are caught with a ton of methamphetamine, a prohibited drug, "you are dead".

AP
Damaged and destroyed homes are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico (AP)

The Trump administration has declared that its relief efforts in Puerto Rico are succeeding, but people on the island said help was scarce eight days after Hurricane Maria devastated the US territory.

President Donald Trump cleared the way for more supplies to head to Puerto Rico by issuing a 10-day waiver of federal restrictions on foreign ships delivering cargo to the island. And House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief account would get a 6.7 billion US dollar (5 billion) boost by the end of the week.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke declared that "the relief effort is under control". "It is really a good news story, in terms of our ability to reach people," she told reporters in the White House driveway.

Outside the capital, San Juan, people said that was far from the truth.

"I have not received any help, and we ran out of food yesterday," said Mari Olivo, a 27-year-old homemaker whose husband was pushing a shopping cart with empty plastic gallon jugs while their two children, nine and seven, each toted a large bucket. They stood in line in a car park in the town of Bayamon near the hard-hit northern coast, where local police used hoses to fill up containers from a city water truck.

"I have not seen any federal help around here," said Javier San Miguel, a 51-year-old accountant.

Mr Trump tweeted later: "FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico." He also took issue with media coverage of the administration's response, writing: "Wish press would treat fairly!"

Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, called for the US military to immediately provide security and distribution of aid in remote areas. "As was said after Hurricane Andrew: 'Where the hell is the cavalry?'" he said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Presidential spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said 10,000 government workers, including more than 7,000 troops, were helping Puerto Rico recover.

The US military was sending a three-star general to Puerto Rico to help direct the hurricane response. Lt Gen Jeff Buchanan, commander of US Army North, was set arrive to assess the situation so that the military can provide the highest possible level of support, Northern Command spokesman John Cornelio said.

In the town of San Lorenzo, about 40 miles west of the capital, people walked through calf-high water to get supplies because the bridge over the Manati river outside town was washed away in the storm.

San Lorenzo residents are collecting spring water to drink and taking turns cooking food for each other because residents are running low on basic supplies.

"Just like God helps us, we help each other," said resident Noemi Santiago, weeping. "Here one person makes food one day, another makes it the other day, so that the food that we have goes further."

Fema, which is leading the relief effort, has sent 150 containers filled with relief supplies to the port of San Juan since the hurricane struck on September 20, said Omar Negron, director of Puerto Rico's Ports Authority. He said all the containers were dispatched to people in need but private aid supplies have not reached Puerto Rico.

"The federal response has been a disaster," said Jose Enrique Melendez, a member of governor Ricardo Rossello's New Progressive Party. "It's been really slow."

Mr Trump and his advisers defended the administration's response to the hurricane, which destroyed much of the island's infrastructure and left many residents desperate for fresh water, power, food and other supplies.

"The electric power grid in Puerto Rico is totally shot. Large numbers of generators are now on Island. Food and water on site," Mr Trump tweeted early in the day.

AP
Online estate agent Purplebricks has said it is on course to more than double half-year revenue in the UK after making strong progress over the last few months.

The group, which recently launched in the US, is expected to book UK sales of over 36 million in the six months to October.

Purplebricks also said that turnover in Australia, where it also operates, will be many times ahead.

For the full year, the company is expected to meet revenue guidance of 80 million in the UK and 12 million in Australia.

In a statement issued ahead of its AGM on Friday, the firm added that the US launch has gone smoothly.

Boss Michael Bruce said: Launching into the US market is an important and proud moment in the companys three-year history.

The level of hard work, commitment and dedication from the team to achieve this, while continuing to deliver on UK and Australian expansion, is testament to the culture and breadth of talent within our business.

The company has set up shop in Los Angeles and will extend across California, with other states also on the hit list as it looks to tap the $70 billion (52 billion) market.
(Xinhua) 09:18, September 29, 2017

Chinese Premier Li Keqiangchairs a symposium on the reform of replacing business taxes with value-added tax (VAT), in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 28, 2017. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaolialso attended the symposium. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- China will continue value-added tax (VAT) reform to support economic development and restructuring, Premier Li Keqiang has said.

The country looks to push forward supply-side structural reform, deepen reform and opening-up, simplify administrative procedures, cut taxes and administrative fees, and create a business environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, promotes industrial upgrading and ensures fair competition, Li said at a symposium he chaired Wednesday.

The reform of replacing business taxes with VAT was first piloted in Shanghai in 2012. It was expanded nationwide in May 2016.

The reform has made good progress and saved 1.7 trillion yuan (about 260 billion U.S. dollars) of taxes for business owners, according to a statement released after the symposium.

Li said the policy should be improved to ensure that tax burden on businesses is reduced across the board.

Financial and construction industries, as well as small businesses, should be able to claim enough VAT credits, he noted.

The premier expected study of ways of further reducing VAT for the manufacturing sector and to optimize the tax structure.

Measures should be taken to simplify tax collection and crack down on tax evasion and fraud, he noted.

Reform should match central and local governments' responsibilities with their fiscal expenditure, while the local tax system should be improved, according to the premier.
Scientists have coaxed the mutated DNA of human embryos back into healthy code in an experiment which could one day by used to cure a range of inherited diseases. Photo: Stock image

Scientists have coaxed the mutated DNA of human embryos back into healthy code in an experiment which could one day by used to cure a range of inherited diseases.

In a world's first, researchers in China proved it was possible to correct a single error in three billion letters of genetic code to remove the disease beta-thalassemia, a debilitating blood disorder.

British scientists hailed the research as a 'highly significant' advance.

Prof Darren Griffin, professor of genetics, University of Kent, said: "For many years, we have been saying that direct gene editing in embryos is some way into the future. Now the future is here and there is much to consider."

Although the embryos were not implanted, the team says the approach could be used to fix mutations which cause many inherited conditions.

Scientists have already proved it is possible to fix errors by replacing genetic code with donor DNA using a technique called Crispr, which acts as genetic scissors, but the new experiment is the first which alters the single building blocks of DNA, know as bases.

DNA is made up of four bases: adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine, which are commonly known by their respective letters, A, C, G and T.

Different combinations of these bases are what provide the instructions for every function in the human body.

In beta-thalassemia, the disease is caused by a mistake in a single base in the genetic code - known as a point mutation. The Chinese team showed it was possible to find the point mutation and change a 'G' to an 'A', fixing the problem.

Junjiu Huang, one of the researchers, told the BBC News website: "We are the first to demonstrate the feasibility of curing genetic disease in human embryos by the base editor system."

The technique was pioneered by Prof David Liu of Harvard University, who claims it has fewer side-effects than Crispr.

He told the BBC: "About two-thirds of known human genetic variants associated with the disease are point mutations.

"So base editing has the potential to directly correct, or reproduce for research purposes, many pathogenic [mutations]."

The research group at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou was the first group in the world to use Crispr on human embryos, a breakthrough which shocked some scientists and led to claims that China was acting like 'The Wild West' of science.

Prof Robin Lovell-Badge, from the Francis Crick Institute in London, said: "There would need to be far more debate, covering the ethics, and how these approaches should be regulated.

"And in many countries, including China, there needs to be more robust mechanisms established for regulation, oversight, and long-term follow-up.

"It is a complex paper, with some interesting results that might indicate a route to avoiding certain genetic diseases - although it is far too early to even consider applying the methods clinically."

Dr Helen Claire O'Neill, programme director of reproductive science and women's health, University College London, said: "Base editing attempts to repair a mutation. It does this without the need for breaking the double-stranded DNA.

"More work is needed to assess the precision of this base editing technology." ( Daily Telegraph London)
There have been deaths in a militant group's attack on a military camp in Somalia

At least 10 people have been killed in an attack on a military base in Somalia by the Islamic extremists of al Shabab, a colonel said.

Colonel Mohamed Mumin said nearly 60 militants and a suicide car bomber targeted the army base in Barire in Lower Shabelle region leading to fierce clashes.

In a radio broadcast al Shabab claimed a higher death toll, saying its fighters killed 23 soldiers and have taken over the base.

The group also claimed its fighters seized seven pick-up vehicles.

Despite losing most of its key strongholds to the Somali army and the regional forces of the African Union, al Shabab has ramped up its campaign against the Somali government in recent months, largely targeting army bases across the country.

AP
Students demonstrate in Barcelona against the Spanish governments ban on a self-determination referendum for Catalonia. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty

Thousands of striking university students marched through Barcelona to protest what they call an intensifying central government crackdown on Sunday's planned independence referendum in Catalonia.

The students are demanding the right to vote in the regional ballot on secession, which the Madrid-based national government says is illegal.

Many protesters carried pro-independence flags and handmade banners, with slogans such as "we want to vote". The march yesterday and the strikes were called by Catalonia's main student unions.

Laia Ferrus, a 20-year-old student of education, said she had chosen to come out of a sense of democratic duty.

"It's no longer about calling for independence. It's about standing up for our basic principles and rights," she said.

Yesterday, Catalonia's foreign affairs chief appealed for support from the European Union for his region's disputed referendum on independence from Spain, which the Spanish government is trying to stop.

Raul Romeva said in Brussels that EU institutions need to "understand that (the referendum) is a big issue".

Mr Romeva spoke hours before the striking Catalan university students marched through Barcelona.

The previous day, Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont accused the EU, in an interview with The Associated Press, of "turning its back" on Catalonia in its conflict with Spain's central government.

Mr Romeva accused the Spanish government of a "brutal crackdown" on Catalan officials to try to prevent the vote.

He said he doesn't expect violence on the day of the ballot.

Meanwhile, an international media watchdog rebuked the Catalan region's pro-independence movement for placing undue pressure on journalists to present its side of the dispute.

Reporters Without Borders said in a report published yesterday that pressure by the Catalan government and social media harassment by "hooligans" of the pro-independence movement has created a suffocating atmosphere for journalists covering the referendum.

It said the regional government's push to impose its side of the story in local, Spanish and international media had "crossed red lines".

The watchdog added that Spanish authorities' legal measures against Catalan media to stop the spread of information about the referendum had contributed to an atmosphere of extreme tension.
Turkey is advising its citizens to leave Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region before flights to the area are suspended.

Turkish carriers Turkish Airlines, AtlasGlobal and Pegasus were set to halt flights to and from airports in the Kurdish region today, in line with a ban announced by Baghdad following an independence referendum held by Iraq's Kurds earlier this week.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning yesterday, urging citizens to leave the region before the flight ban goes into effect - unless it was "compulsory" for them to remain.

Turkey has also warned against travel to northern Iraqi cities. The government also said that it had stopped training Peshmerga forces in northern Iraq in response to a Kurdish independence vote there, whose backers had thrown themselves "into the fire".

The Kurdish Peshmerga have been at the forefront of the campaign against Isil and have been trained by Nato-member Turkey's military since late 2014.

Northern Iraq's main link to the outside world, Turkey views Monday's vote - which final results on Wednesday showed overwhelmingly in favour of independence from Baghdad - as a clear security threat.

Fearing it will inflame separatism among its own Kurds, Ankara had already threatened military and economic measures in retaliation.

Government spokesman Bekir Bozdag reiterated yesterday any such actions would be co-ordinated with the Iraqi central government.

Mr Bozdag, also a deputy prime minister, told broadcaster TGRT in an interview that more steps would follow the Peshmerga decision and that the prime ministers of Turkey and Iraq would meet soon.

Turkey, which is home to the region's largest Kurdish population, is battling a three-decade Kurdish insurgency in its southeast, which borders northern Iraq.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was inevitable that the referendum "adventure" in northern Iraq, carried out despite Turkey's warnings, would end in disappointment.

"With its independence initiative, the northern Iraq regional government has thrown itself into the fire," he said in a speech to police officers at his palace in Ankara.

Earlier this week, Mr Erdogan said Iraqi Kurds would go hungry if his country halted the flow of trucks and oil across the border, near where Turkish and Iraqi soldiers have been carrying out military exercises this week.

Hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil a day flow through a pipeline in Turkey from northern Iraq, connecting the region to global oil markets.

Mr Erdogan has repeatedly threatened economic sanctions, but has given few details.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkey would not shy away from giving the harshest response to a national security threat on its border, but that this was not its first choice.

Speaking in the central Turkish province of Corum, Mr Yildirim said Turkey, Iran and Iraq were doing their best to overcome the crisis caused by the referendum with the minimum damage.

Iraq, including the Kurdish region, was Turkey's third-largest export market in 2016, according to IMF data.
File photo of the US embassy in Havana, Cuba

The United States is pulling roughly 60% of its staff out of Cuba and warning American travellers not to visit due to "specific attacks" that have harmed US diplomats.

The US is ordering all non-essential staff in the embassy in Havana to leave, along with all family members, officials said.

Only "emergency personnel" will remain.

The US is also warning American citizens they could be harmed if they travel to Cuba.

A US State Department travel warning notes attacks on diplomats have occurred in hotels.

The officials said the US is halting visa processing in Cuba indefinitely.

They say the steps will remain until Cuba can assure the US its diplomats are safe.

AP
Keystone Realtors IPO Day 1 subscription Live status Keystone Realtors IPO with an issue size of Rs 635 Crore shows restrained response today. The offer is subscribed only 6% on the day one with 5,82,309 total bids received against 86,47,858 bids... November 14, 2022 | 14-11-2022 4:11 pm

Inox Green Energy Services IPO of Rs 740 crore receives mild response from investors on day 2. The issue was subscribed 46% on Day 1. According to BSE data, investors made 4,67,21,280 bids out ... November 14, 2022 | 14-11-2022 3:55 pm

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Fusion Microfinance IPO to list tomorrow Following the allotment, The IPO of Fusion Microfinance will list on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. The response to the public issues worth Rs. 1,104 crores has been relatively moderate with 2.95 ... November 14, 2022 | 14-11-2022 3:27 pm

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Actors Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu today welcomed their first child, a baby girl.

Twitter

Kemmu took to Twitter to share the news with his fans and followers.

Ready for battle in @nine_maternitywear fitness gear #warriorpose #yogaforlife #applewatch #fitnessgoals @rupal_sidh A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) on Aug 21, 2017 at 11:42pm PDT

"We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day. Thank you for the love and blessings," the 34-year-old actor wrote.

We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day Thank you for the love&blessings  kunal kemmu (@kunalkemmu) September 29, 2017

Soha, 38, and Kunal got engaged in July 2014 in Paris and tied the knot in Mumbai on January 25, 2015.

About last night  A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) on Sep 21, 2017 at 9:37pm PDT



Soha announced her pregnancy in April 2017. On the work front, Soha was last seen in the film 31st October. Kunal will be seen next in Golmaal Again scheduled to release on Diwali.

Caught between the queens of the fashion police  A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) on Aug 18, 2017 at 11:30pm PDT

Wishing the new parents a joyous journey with their tiny tot.
Pakistan has been embarrassed several times by its envoys at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the latest being when they showed pictured of Palestinians attacked by Israeli forces, to tell the world that it was from Kashmir. When the Pakistani officials were asked about the gaffe, they dodged a question, saying the incident cannot be used to deny an "indisputable fact" that Indian security forces were using pellet guns in Kashmir.

ap

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, held up a photograph of an injured Gaza girl whose face was peppered with alleged pellets and portrayed it as a Kashmiri pellet gun victim.

Asked about his reaction to the gaffe, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafess Zakaria side-stepped the question at the weekly briefing here and instead blamed Indian security forces for blinding Kashmiris.

"India cannot deny around 80 Kashmiris completely blinded deliberately by its forces and blinding of over 200 innocent Kashmiris in one eye," he claimed.

twitter

"India cannot deny injuring thousands of Kashmiris using pellet guns... It is an indisputable fact," Zakaria claimed.

He also accused India of playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan and under the garb of development assistance using the country's soil to carry out subversive activities inside Pakistan.

"We have evidence to this effect, which was shared with the US, the Secretary-General of the UN and also with the Afghan authorities," Zakaria said.
A woman passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight was allegedly dragged off a flight on Tuesday evening at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport. As per reports, she's now been slapped with multiple charges.

heavy

What happened with the United Airlines, the fiasco that managed to shock the entire world, embarking on a very high and new pedestal in racism has happened again, on a different level though.

(Also read: United CEO Calls Passenger 'Disruptive', Cops Claim Injuries Happened Because He Fell)

46-year-old Anila Daulatzai was accused of having a "life-threatening pet allergy,", thereby forcefully removed from the flight. This came to airline's attention as there was a pet and an emotional support dog on the flight.

baltimoresun

The airline then asked Anila to show a medical certificate and since she failed to do so, they asked her to leave.

"Our policy states that a Customer (without a medical certificate) may be denied boarding if they report a life-threatening allergic reaction and cannot travel safely with an animal onboard," a Southwest spokesperson said, reports AOL.

"Southwest Airlines" She said she was a professor. That explains it all. She's a liberal nutcase who wanted to stir up trouble.  IzzyWizzy (@connie9030) September 27, 2017

(Also read: French Woman Gets Flown Over 4,800 Km In Wrong Direction - Yes, It's United Airlines Again)

In the video, two cops can be seen dragging the woman off her seat and all the way on the aisle outside the flight. The scene is eerily similar to what happened with an Asian passenger on a United flight.

The video shows that Anila is repeatedly asking Transportation Authority officers, What are you guys doing? as they wrap their arms around her and begin to pull her down the aisle.

(Also read: Another Nightmare For United Airlines, Passenger Gets Stung By A Scorpion On Flight)

Southwest Airlines has expressed their disappointment over the situation and how things have escalated in the wrong direction. They have also apologised for their behaviour and have issued a statement saying they will personally contact Anila to address her concerns.

(Also read: United Airlines Violently Drags Asian Doctor Off Overbooked Flight And Refuses To Apologise For It)

"Southwest Airlines was built on Customer Service, and it is always our goal for all Customers to have a positive experience," the spokesman added.
Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

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Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials.

If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details.
The motion seeking an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja allowing it to serve the recall petition on Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye has been withdrawn by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba struck out the motion after INECs lawyer, Mr Yunus Ustaz (SAN), announced the withdrawal in court on Thursday.

The judge also directed that all issues about the case should after that be taken to the Court of Appeal.

He noted that since Melayes appeal against the September 11 judgment of the court had been entered at the Court of Appeal, all pending applications, including the one filed by Melaye for the stay of execution of the verdict, should be taken to the appellate court.

He added that his judgment being on a novel issue of recall in the Nigerian courts, it was better to be allowed to be resolved by the Court of Appeal.

INEC had, on September 15, filed the ex parte motion, seeking substituted service of the recall petition on Melaye, following an alleged refusal of the Senator to accept service of the petition and other accompanying documents as earlier ordered by the court on September 11.

Ustaz also maintained on Thursday that Melaye had been dodging service, even as it was widely reported that an attempt by INEC to serve Melaye during the Senates plenary on Tuesday also failed.

The INEC lawyer had earlier, on Thursday, urged Justice Dimgba to hear the commissions ex parte motion for substituted service, but Melayes counsel, Mr Nkem Okoro, opposed the hearing on the grounds that the court no longer had jurisdiction to hear any application concerning the case since his clients appeal against the September 11 judgment of the court had been entered at the Court of Appeal.

But the INEC lawyer later, in the course of the proceedings, withdrew the motion after the judge raised some questions about the propriety of the ex parte motion filed after the court had finally disposed of the case by delivering judgment on September 11.

Justice Dimgba had noted that Order 6 of the Federal High Court Rules, under which INEC filed the ex parte motion, presupposed that there was a pending case.

The judge explained that judgment, having been delivered in the case, the filing of an ex parte motion was not the appropriate means of enforcing the judgment.

Ustaz initially insisted that the judge had the power to go on with the hearing of the motion, but later agreed with the judge and withdrew the motion after conferring with other lawyers in his team.

It was then struck out by the judge.

Justice Dimgba had, in his judgment delivered on September 11, dismissed Melayes suit challenging the validity of the recall process, but made it a pre-condition for the exercise to commence, that the electoral body must serve the Senator with the recall petition and the accompanying documents, including the signatures of the about one-half of the constituents calling for his (Melayes) recall.

Earlier on Thursday, Melayes lawyer was the first to address the judge, saying the matter was ordinarily slated for a hearing of pending applications.

But he said, The record of appeal has been transmitted to the Court of Appeal and the appeal duly entered in line with Order 4 (10) and (11) of the Court of Appeal rules.

Upon the entering of the appeal, the trial court is divested of the jurisdiction to continue adjudicating or entertaining the further application in respect of the matter.

He then tendered the document showing that the appeal had been entered by the Court of Appeal and served a copy on INECs lawyer.

We urge your lordship, most respectfully, to divest yourself from hearing any further application in this matter, as any such application will be made by the appellate court, he said.

But in response, Ustaz acknowledged that he had just been served with the document relating to the appeal, maintaining that the referendum, which formed the hub of the case, had a special status like one revolving round an election.

He cited Section 156 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to back his argument that a referendum had the same status as an election.

He conceded that in ordinary cases, the entering of an appeal robs the lower court of its jurisdiction to proceed further with any other application about the matter.

While attacking the legality of the document tendered by Melayes lawyer on the basis that it was not certified, Ustaz said, There is no evidence before your lordship that the appeal had been entered.

It was after hearing both lawyers that the judge raised the question of the propriety of the ex parte motion filed by INEC.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
I am aware that your relationship has been dogged by rancor, discord and spite for a long while. Yet, you must endure the attrition and accept that you have been trapped by fate.

Dear Paul and Peter,

I have just been informed that one of you unilaterally announced the split of the crisis-prone P-Square. Thats an act of self-determination. It is treasonable and worthy of classification as terrorism.

I recall that your late mother paid me a visit at my Daura home a couple of years ago. We shared dinner and discussed late into the night. And we agreed that the unity of P-Square would forever remain non-negotiable.

My aides told me that you separated sometime last year, tasted uneventful solo musical careers, reconciled, and went back to making great music. I missed the story. Nigerian newspapers conspired to leave me in the dark by not doing cartoon impressions of the development. But you cant try that secessionist stunt on my wide-awake watch.

You were made a group by fetal amalgamation. You were created twins. Your unity is a settled matter.

I am aware that your relationship has been dogged by rancor, discord and spite for a long while. You barely manage to function as one singing unit. Yet, you must endure the attrition and accept that you have been trapped by fate. You must continue to collaborate and conjure love songs from your shared bitterness.

None of you can go his separate way. You must stay together even though your group can hardly agree on anything except that you both mutually resent each other and cant address the root cause of the contention.

I am told both of you are talented dancers. You must quickly return to the normal of hostile partnership. You dont want my troops to teach you a lesson in Python Dance.

-President and Commander-in-Chief

*************

By: Emmanuel Ugwu for Emmanuel Ugwu for SaharaReporters

Emmanuel at [email protected] / Twitter: @EmmaUgwuTheMan.

Written pieces and contributions on this platform are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Informationng.com

Source  Tori
A witness in the N4.9billion fraud case against Femi Fani-Kayode has opened up on how he received N300 million from the man.

At todays sitting, Olusegun, who is the first prosecution witness, told the court that he was contracted to print posters and flyers for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organization of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general election.

The witness also told the court he was awarded the contract based on a referral from a man simply identified as Adedayo, who introduced him to one Aderemi Ajidahun, a member of former President Jonathan campaign organization headed by Fani-Kayode.

Olusegun further told the court that he was later introduced to one Oke who paid him the sum of N30m in two installments of N6million and N24million for the job.

While cross-examining the Witness, counsel to Fani-Kayode, Norrisson Quakers, SAN, told the court that PW1 wrote two statements, one in the EFCC office and another to the court, which he said were contradictory.

Though Quaker sought to tender in evidence one of the statements written by the PW1, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, objected to its admissibility .

The prosecution counsel insisted that Quakers must emphatically and specifically point out the contradictions in the two statements in accordance with the provisions of the law and also draw the attention of the witness to those contradictions in the two statements before they can be admitted in evidence.

Oyedepo, therefore, urged the court to discountenance the argument of the counsel to Fani Kayode.

Also, the second prosecution witness, PW2, Teslim Ajuwon, an employee of Zenith Bank Plc., told the court how he received a letter from EFCC requesting for the account opening documentation, certificate of identification and statement of account of Joint Trust Dimension Limited.

Ajuwon, who works as Compliance Officer with the bank, told the court that he later sent the documents duly signed by him to the EFCC as requested.

However, when the prosecution counsel sought to tender the documents in evidence, counsel to the defendants objected to their admissibility.

Counsel to the first defendant, Ferdinand Obi, SAN, told the court the documents were not in his possession and that he would want to address the court from the documents.

He further told the court that the documents were purportedly printed from Zenith Bank Plc and that they were neither signed nor dated.

This is not in conformity with the provision of Evidence Act, 2011, he added.

He, therefore, urged the court to reject the documents and mark them as rejected.

After much arguments between counsel, the prosecution withdrew the documents.
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Thursday formally declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja.

The governor vowed to defeat Buhari, the incumbent President, in a free and fair contest if he (the President) was picked by the ruling APC.

While saying God had told him that he would lead the country, Fayose promised to fight corruption if elected President.

Describing himself as a rock, he said God had destined him to lead country.

My party leaders, standing before you is Peter (The Rock) Ayodele Fayose, the man already destined by God to take Nigeria out of the present political and economic stagnation, he said.

He dismissed the zoning formula of his party, which has zoned its presidential candidate to the North.

Sounding confident, he said he was like the biblical Joseph, stressing that he would become what God had ordained him to be.

He said the days of packaging governors and individuals as president were over, warning against the imposition of unwilling politicians on Nigerians.

We dont want packaged governors or president again. This time round, we need a very agile and experienced fellow like me, he added.

Fayose, who is also the Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, said, My inviting you today, distinguished leaders of our party, is to inform you formally that I will be seeking the ticket of our great party, the PDP, to contest the 2019 presidential election. This is without prejudice to our partys position.

However, Im a supporter of competence and capacity, especially now that this country needs young and able leaders that can take our country out of this present state of hopelessness.

Admitting that the PDP had zoned the 2019 presidential ticket to the North, the governor stated, It may interest you that no one has come out in this manner to show interest and our party should not wait or beg anyone to fly its flag. Do we now say that if no one comes out from the North, the party wont have a candidate?

He told the leadership of the party that he would not be the first person to defy its zoning arrangements.

Fayose added, Going down memory lane; in 1999 and 2003, despite that our party zoned the presidency to the South, the likes of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi of blessed memory and Chief Banabas Gemade contested the ticket.

Also in 2007, some party members from the South did not only declare their intention to contest, they also showed interest and obtained nomination forms. Those from the South were Chief Victor Attah, Dr. Peter Odili, Dr. Sam Egwu, Dr. Donald Duke, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and Owelle Rochas Okorocha among others.

Fayose reminded his audience how he defeated two incumbents in his state, saying nobody should doubt his desire to become the President.

He said, Twice, I defeated incumbents to become the governor of Ekiti State and I am confident that with your support as my party leaders and supporters, I will defeat the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a free and fair election.

Let me state that in Ekiti, God has used me twice for our party to regain power from the opposition and I believe the same feat will be repeated at the national level.

I do not stand before Nigerians today to present myself as one with the answers to all our national questions. Rather, I present myself as one with the required knowledge, understanding, competence and, above all, the political will to coordinate the human and material resources that we have in abundance to achieve national greatness.

Therefore, I can say expressly that I am well equipped in terms of knowledge, experience as well as physical and mental capacities to hit the ground running as soon as I assume office as President of Nigeria in 2019.

He rolled out what he said his government had been able to perform in his state.

He said, In Ekiti State, our success story in education is there for all to see. Ekiti State was number 29 in 2014 NECO examinations but within two years, we were able to move the state to number one in 2016 and again in 2017.

Also in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations, Ekiti States performance, which was 25 per cent in 2014, moved to 74.86 per cent in 2017.

We were able to revive this sector because we placed our teachers in the driving seat of our policies. We will do the same at the national level because we are mindful of the fact that education is the bedrock of the development of any nation.

As a governor, I encouraged my children to attend schools here in Nigeria and I have never travelled abroad for medicare. This, I hope to sustain as president of Nigeria by making sure that our schools and health facilities are of international standard.

Fayose also criticised the Buhari government for alleged poor performance since 2015, when the ruling APC defeated the PDP.

He said, Today, our country is faced with myriad of problems. Our economy, which was the fastest growing in Africa when our party was in power, has gone comatose with the present managers, who are completely clueless.

In the area of security, which they leveraged to come to power, despite claims by the government that Boko Haram was technically defeated, Nigerians are being killed by the insurgents while villages are being attacked in the North-East.

Also, herdsmen are killing Nigerians and destroying farmlands with reckless abandon while kidnapping is now on the rise.

Most worrisome is the fact that our country is now more divided than ever before with the unity of the country being threatened due to nepotism, religious bigotry and favouritism of the present government.

Among those in attendance were a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore; and the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Dr. Modupe Alade.
The major factors responsible for the poor participation of women in Nigerian politics, has been revealed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.

While speaking at the 6th National Women in Parliament Summit in Abuja on Thursday, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said stigmatisation of female politicians is one of the major factors responsible for the poor participation of women in Nigerian politics.

The lawmaker argued that active involvement of women in politics would lead to rapid social, economic progress of Nigeria.

He said: The Problems and challenges facing women participation in politics in Nigeria in spite of modest strides are deep-rooted. They include the patriarchal nature of our traditional society; stigmatization of women politicians by a largely ignorant society; political thuggery, violence; financial capacity; religious and cultural stereotyping and bottlenecks; educational disadvantage; meeting schedules of political activities are in most cases not convenient for women to attend especially married women etc.

Dogara revealed that the House of Representatives passed the 35 percent affirmative action clause in the constitution amendment bill but the same clause failed in the Senate.

The Reps Speaker noted that women have played important roles at various stages of Nigerias political development, from the pre-colonial period up to independence in 1960 and the second republic and expressed regret that women politicians have not fared well in Nigeria since 1999.

He said; The exploits of women such as Queen Bakwa Turuku and her daughter Queen Amina in the ancient city of Zaria is legendary. In Southern Nigeria, Obas ruled in Yorubaland with female Chiefs and produced such prominent women as Moremi of Ife, Emotan of Benin, Omu Okwei of Ossomari.

He said Nigeria has a lot to learn from the Rwandan example where more than 50 percent of MPs are women, saying, Does Nigeria have something to learn from the Rwandan example? Because of deep-seated cultural attitudes, it may be difficult to reach consensus on affirmative action for elective offices in Nigeria at this point in time.

The Speaker, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use his executive powers to help push for more women inclusion in governance because, it is easier to achieve this affirmative action through executive action. This would require the buy-in of political parties and elected officials particularly the President with a singular determination to achieving this.

In Nigeria, the political parties have made efforts to remove the requirement of financial contributions or fees for clearance of women to contest various elective offices. What then stops the political parties from affirmative action for women for appointive offices when they win power? We must be prepared to rid ourselves of these pretensions.
A popular pastor has been arrested by the government after he was found to have made certain outrageous comments about the Islamic religion.

Victor Ajisafe, a popular Nigerian pastor has been arrested in Sierra Leone after recordings of a sermon targeting Muslims went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.

According to The Guardian UK, Victor Ajisafe, founder and leader of one of the countrys largest churches, in an address to his congregation on Saturday, called Islam a violent religion of lies and deceit and said Muslims have been responsible for every terrorist act in the history of the world.

Sierra Leones population is roughly 78% Muslim, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center estimate.

Audio and video recordings of the sermon appeared online within three days, and were met with immediate and near-universal condemnation by both Muslim and Christian Sierra Leoneans. Ajisafe was arrested on Tuesday, but has not yet been charged.

Everyone is very upset by his message, said MB Kamara, head of Sierra Leones criminal investigations department. We are a very religiously tolerant country and no one ever worries whether someone is Muslim or Christian. We all have lived peacefully for generations, and no one wants that disrupted.

An initial press release from the social welfare ministry said Ajisafe was being held for his own protection. Kamara said Ajisafe would be held until a charge against him could be determined.

Sierra Leone does not have legislation devoted specifically to hate speech, but incitement is prohibited under common law. The attorney general, Joseph Kamara, is expected to make a decision on Thursday.

All six branches of Ajisafes Sanctuary Praise Church, one of Sierra Leones largest Evangelical communities, have been indefinitely shut down by the social welfare ministry pending further investigations.

Police have been dispatched to each location to prevent anyone from entering after CID officials claimed that credible information indicated the existence of a plot to burn down the churchs Freetown headquarters.

Ibrahim Tommy, director of the civil society group Center for Accountability and the Rule of Law, said he was worried that banning people from Ajisafes church may constitute a violation of peoples right to free assembly.

Its completely wrong what he said, and in some ways even criminal, Tommy said. He should be held fully accountable, but I dont think that the government should shut down a whole church and disband its congregation just because of one person. People have the right to worship where they please, and were venturing into dangerous territory by limiting that right, even temporarily.

Besides, who says just because some hateful comments were said that suddenly every Muslim in the country is going to jump for an opportunity to destroy the man? By assuming so, the government is just reinforcing that stupid narrative about Muslims the pastor put out in the first place.

Members of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone have condemned Ajisafes statements. The councils secretary general, Reverend Dr Usman Jesse Fornah, said Sierra Leones Christians have lived a peaceful coexistence with Muslims and want it to continue. The organisations president, Sheikh Abu Bakarr Conteh, emphasised Islams peaceful nature and urged his followers to forgive Ajisafe and refrain from passing judgement on their Christian neighbours.

Ajisafes comments have been decried by Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad on social media. Some have demanded an apology, while others have called for the pastors deportation back to Nigeria.

Statements like his can bring chaos to whole countries, so of course were concerned, said Emmanuel Lansana, a lecturer in Freetown. I come from a family of mixed religion. My father is a Muslim and my mother is a Christian. Its the same with me and my wife, and we have happy homes. Its as if [Ajisafe] wants to divide our countrys unique union at a time when the world needs us to lead by example. But I think he will be disappointed. We know how to love each other.
Tonto Dikeh earlier today took to Instagram to call out media hub journalist, Azuka for saying she lied about her ex-husband, Churchill in a new interview.

Azuka had in a recent interview said Tonto Dike lied about being abused by her ex-husband Olakunle Churchill.

Azuka said Churchill never beat Tonto Dikeh in Ghana. Recall that Azuka is the one who had the explosive interview with Tonto Dikeh about her marriage and domestic violence allegations .

According to Tonto Dikeh, Churchill paid Azuka who is now managing him. She warned her to stay off her case and cursed her, vowing she will never have peace.

Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba has responded to the social media backlash shes currently receiving for suggesting during Linda Ikeji TVs Hot Topics that Tonto Dikeh lied about the domestic violence in her former marriage.

Heres what she shared:

source: Stargist
(Xinhua) 09:34, September 29, 2017

CHICAGO, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese national flag was raised Thursday at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago in U.S. state of Illinois to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Hundreds of Chinese, Chinese Americans, and Chicagoans with different ethnic backgrounds attended the ceremony, watching Chinese national flag being raised along with the playing of the Chinese national anthem.

Waving mini Chinese and the U.S. flags, the spectators at Daley Plaza also enjoyed traditional Chinese performances, such as waist drum dance, Qipao show and folk dance and music.

Addressing the ceremony, Chinese Consul General in Chicago Hong Lei spoke highly of the contribution the Chinese community in Chicago has made to Sino-U.S. friendship, and expressed the hope of joining hands with them in forge a stronger relationship between the two countries.

"As the largest developing country and the largest developed country in the world, China and the U.S. have increasingly intertwined interests and our common interests far outweigh our differences," Hong said.

Thomas Choi, public engagement office manager of the Office of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, said that as Chinese progress and achievement are celebrated, there are many opportunities on the horizon.

"Economic partnership between China and the State of Illinois is an important, strategic, bilateral relationship, as Illinois exports to China reached 5.11 billion U.S. dollars in 2016. In addition, China has 50 companies headquartered in Illinois and 400 Illinois companies have a base in China," Choi said.
Lloyds has revealed the results of the inaugural Insurance Industry Diversity & Inclusion Survey which shows both positives and negatives for the industry.Close to 2,500 insurance professionals from 21 insurance companies took part in the inaugural effort, which was independently compiled by Macquarie Bank, as the industry looks to draw a line in the sand to track future progress.The survey found that 10% of insurance industry employees identify as LGBTI, closely mirroring similar statistics in the wider Australia population, but only 83% of those are open about their sexuality as 6% actively hide their sexuality. Chris Mackinnon , Lloyds general representative in Australia, told a Dive In event earlier this week that the survey was important as it separated insurance from the financial services arena and gave a truer reflection of the industry.The reason the findings from this survey are particularly important to the Australian insurance sector is that we employ around 60,000 people in the insurance industry and we pay out around $135 million every day in claims for Australian policyholders, Mackinnon said.We are absolutely intrinsically linked with the community of Australia across the board so understanding who we are in the industry will really help us to be relevant to our customer base.Mackinnon noted that the survey found that three quarters of respondents were from Australia or the UK and spoke English at home but just one in 25 people said that they experience a psychological condition such as depression or bipolar disorder, well below the national average.The survey has allowed us to capture data at all levels, across companies all the way down to individuals and it begins to make it possible for us to replicate success and avoid pitfalls across different businesses within our industry, Mackinnon said.
After months of rumours, Aviva has confirmed that it is offloading its Italian joint venture.In a statement, the British insurance giant announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its entire shareholding in Avipop Assicurazioni S.p.A, including wholly owned subsidiary Avipop Vita S.p.A, to Banco BPM. The official figure is 265 million, approximately AU$398 million.The deal comes after Banco BPM announced its intention to not renew its distribution agreement with Aviva  prompting the insurer to exercise its option to offload its shares in a move that was announced back in August.The two had formed a bancassurance partnership back in 2007 which included an option for Aviva to sell its shareholding to the bank should the distribution agreement be terminated.According to the release, the consideration represents 27.1 times Avivas share of 2016 earnings after tax and 1.1 times Avivas share of the IFRS net asset value of the business. The transaction also increases Solvency II capital by approximately 0.2 billion.The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed in 2018 with Avivas other Italian operations unaffected.
If one ever doubted the fact that the Chinese government cares for its citizens or questioned the effectiveness of Chinas system, the governments responses to natural disasters, especially when compared to the US governments half-hearted response in Puerto Rico, should cast those doubts aside.

China sometimes gets a black eye in the Western media, especially in terms of human rights, but the Chinese governments all-out responses to natural disasters are solid evidence that China values human rights and will spare no effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens, both at home and abroad.

From earthquakes to typhoons to flooding, the Chinese government has proven time and again that when natural disaster strikes it will move mountains to help its people. After a massive and devastating earthquake struck Wenchuan County in Chinas Sichuan province in May 2008, the Chinese government sprang into action with a rapid, massive, and impressive response that won hearts at home and abroad. And after a powerful earthquake struck Jiuzhaigou County in the same province last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping immediately called for all-out efforts to respond to the quake and rescue the injured. It is for reasons like this that Chinese have confidence in their government and Chinese soldiers are loved by the people, as can be seen when the soldiers complete disaster relief operations.

China evacuates 462 nationals from hurricane-hit Dominica

More recently, the Chinese governments responsibility to ensure that all Chinese are safe in the face of natural disaster was on display after Hurricane Maria devastated the tiny Caribbean island of Dominica. The Chinese government immediately expressed its concern about the safety of its citizens and took action to evacuate 462 Chinese nationals, including two people from Taiwan and a one-month-old baby. Once again, China has successfully evacuated its people, wrote a Chineselanguage report. While the US military evacuated from the island, Chinas embassy braved the winds. Many Chinese netizens lauded the governments handling of the incident. China is stronger and Chinese have more peace of mind. Im proud, wrote on netizen. Because you are Chinese, the motherland is behind you wherever you go, another wrote.

Compare all that to the US government response, or lack of, to the worsening disaster in the US territory of Puerto Rico, and it is easy to make the argument that the US government has failed in its responsibility to ensure that all Americans are safe. Hurricane Maria, the biggest catastrophe in the Puerto Ricos history in terms of natural disasters, has devastated the island. Make no mistake  this is a humanitarian disaster involving 3.4 million US citizens, the islands governor said Monday. But more than a week since the hurricane wreaked havoc, millions of Americans remain desperate for water and food and without power, and conditions are getting worse daily.

Puerto Rico is in deep trouble

Despite the dire situation, the US government has shown little genuine interest in rolling up its sleeves to help fellow Americans in Puerto Rico. The foot-dragging is frankly embarrassing for a powerful nation with massive resources and a powerful navy, and for some people, the lackluster response puts a huge question mark over US commitment to human rights. Trump is letting Puerto Rico die - because its people are Hispanic, GQ Special Correspondent Keith Olbermann claimed. Whether or not that is the case, it certainly appears as if the island has been hung out to dry. Puerto Ricans are literally begging for help, with one viral photo showing S.O.S. written on the pavement. Americans in Puerto Ricodeserve to know that their government will be there for them, without question or hesitation, US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Monday.

When natural disaster strikes, Chinese know that their government will be there for them, without question or hesitation; and quickly mobilizing the nations resources to rescue fellow Chinese is not even a debate. Hopefully, the growing humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico will get the urgent attention it deserves, but the depressing situation speaks volumes about how the two countries use their resources. The Chinese army carries shovels into a disaster area, while American soldiers carry guns to save people. Do they want to save lives or fight a war? the above-mentioned Chinese report asked. One can only imagine the feeling of disaster victims seeing heavily armed soldiers and then friendly Chinese soldiers, it added.
An independent organisation that provides catastrophe insurance data has announced its latest loss estimates for Cyclone Debbie, which hit Queensland and NSW in late March.According to Zurich -based PERILS, the revised estimate of the property insurance market loss is $1,658 million, compared to the $1,411 million second loss estimate issued in June.In a statement, PERILS said this is the first time that a market loss footprint from an Australian catastrophe event is available at a postcode level and by property line of business. The data has also been divided between those losses classified as 'cyclone' and those classified as 'flood.'PERILS combined the loss footprint information with postcode-level gust-speed values from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Risk Frontiers, postcode-level rain intensity measures from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and PERILS market sums insured, to enable users to derive damage degree functions as a percentage of total sum insured (TSI). It also allows them to validate vulnerability functions in probabilistic cat models with actual, high-quality, and independent market data, among other uses.We are very happy to be able to make available loss data for Tropical Cyclone Debbie at such a granular level, particularly given the significance of this event for the Australian insurance market, said Darryl Pidcock, head of PERILS Asia-Pacific. The loss footprint has been produced by collecting detailed loss data from insurance companies active in Australia. We are very grateful for their support, particularly as the preparation of detailed loss information requires significant effort on their part, and remain fully committed to repaying that effort through the provision of high-quality industry data.The fourth loss estimate for Cyclone Debbie will be released on March 28.
A clear definition of vision and purpose. A leadership and culture that promotes the vision and purpose. A structure that supports the delivery of the vision. The integration of business intelligence to support the decision-making process. 5. An image and communication strategy and implementation that truly reflect the brand difference and speak the language of customers.

It finally happened: the new brand strategy was launched with pride and with the hope that it would reinvigorate the organizations image. But a few months went by and the hopes didnt materialize. It all looked like a waste of money and effort.Its not uncommon for brand strategies to not deliver  or to be perceived as not delivering  concrete outcomes. The reasons for this can be varied, with the usual suspects being poor strategy or poor implementation.But there is more to it than that, and often it comes down to the root cause of how brands are managed within the organization.No matter how big or small your organization, whether you are a large financial services provider or a boutique firm, one of the most fundamental reasons for success or failure is the fact that branding is often considered separately to the business.Brand strategies and their implementation should not be confined to the ability of the brand manager, the executive sponsor or the founding partner. Brand strategy is holistic by nature; it includes all areas of the organization, from communication to products and service delivery.And this is the crucial point. Brand strategy does not sit on its own, in some remote corner office, nor does its implementation. It is required to be worked on throughout the organization and at all levels.The brand strategy is what allows your organization as a whole to differentiate itself from the others: what you stand for, how you deliver value-add to your customers, what makes you special, and how you go about delivering it today, tomorrow and the day after.So how do you build a successful brand strategy? There are five key elements to consider:These five points cover how the brand is managed internally and how it is expressed to customers. It starts by defining a clear vision, a reason for being; defining what difference and value proposition the brand is bringing. It must be set in concrete terms, understood by everyone involved, unambiguous and achievable. This is not about a mission statement; this is about being clear about who you are (and are not), and where you are going.The leaders of the organization must then share this vision, embody its value concretely and ensure that their teams are fully on board, irrespective of the size of the teams. This really means that the first aspect of branding communication is about internal communication, to create internal buy-in.But this alone does not suffice. For the message to work throughout the organization, the structure must be supportive. Peoples roles must be aligned to the brand promise; training and support must be provided in key areas, and effort allocation clearly defined. For example, if your value proposition is to provide the best-quality products and services in your category, your client services team must not be driven by the objective of closing all calls within three minutes!OK, but where is the branding execution in all this, you may ask? Where is the new logo, the advertising campaign, the new collateral? To be able to embark on the communication aspect, you must not only be clear about your own vision and road map but you also need to understand your customers.This is where insights and business intelligence play a role: the more you understand your customers, the more you can appeal to them.In a boutique environment you are likely to have a clear idea of how customers come to you and why. In larger organizations, market research and customer behaviour analysis will help frame a vision of who your customers are, where they come from and why they buy from you.Once you are able to build an image of your customers, understand their purchase behaviours and understand their attitudes, you are able to shape your go-to-market strategy.This allows you to build a communication plan that both reflects your brand promise and is relevant and appealing to your prospects and customers.This is the other point to remember: branding strategies must be relevant to your customers. Its about them, not about you.The communication aspect is the last component. The clearer the vision, the more aligned the organization, the greater the understanding of prospects and customers and the greater the ability to build an effective communication strategy.So the communication strategy is about creating a clear message that reflects your entire organization, as big or small as it may be, and expresses it in a language and format adapted to your audience.Many organizations consider branding strategy to be a communication exercise and leave it to the marketing department or advertising agency to come up with the goods. While you should rightfully leave the communication techniques to the experts, the foundation, as we have discussed, must be comprehensive and holistic.This leads me to one conclusion: the reason most branding strategies fail is that they tend to be treated like a beauty treatment. A change of name, a change of logo, a change of look and feel, a change of tagline  their effects are only skin deep and therefore do not last. These components are only the visual representation of what the brand stands for.This leads to disjointed messages, with your advertising and website saying one thing, your sales people another, and the customer experience following yet another path. The result is a lack of consistency, a disparity between promise and delivery, and the negative impact this can create.As brands are fundamentally a promise, the delivery of this promise must follow through to engender customer satisfaction, repeat purchases and word-of-mouth recommendations.Customers have never had more options to choose between different brands and products than they do today. Therefore they have the ability to switch brands faster than ever before. So if your brand promise tells one story and your delivery another, your branding exercise is nothing more than a short-term sales effort and your brand will suffer over the medium to long term.To succeed, branding must be viewed holistically throughout the organization and not as an isolated communication exercise. It needs to be embraced at every level, from top management to client-facing staff, and, most importantly, the strategy must be based on a thorough understanding of what the brand stands for and how it impacts on customers.Jean-Luc Ambrosi is an award-winning marketer and recognized expert in branding and customer relationship management. He is the author of the new book Branding to Differ: A Strategic and Practical Guide on How to Build and Manage a Successful Brand.
Well Insurances Expense Defense team has partnered with Lloyds of London to offer Amazon merchants the specialized insurance coverage they need for their business.The product will help Amazon merchants who find themselves in difficult and costly situations, such as when their accounts are suspended following suspicions of hacking. It is fully underwritten by underwriters at Lloyds of London.This policy will not only cover the merchants expenses, per the company profit and loss statement, but will also pitch in to cover the costs of a reinstatement specialist, a release explained.Expense Defense is most definitely a new insurance product that will create many beneficial solutions for Amazon business, said Expense Defense partner/underwriting manager Matt Lovell. At this time, there is no-one out there offering this type of program.The Expense Defense team is comprised of two insurance agents, a successful Amazon merchant, and a marketplace integrator. A release noted that the combined business and personal experience of the team helps it stay on top of what its clients need.
A Jacksonville, Fla.-based property and casualty insurer will celebrate Customer Service Week next week to acknowledge the work its employees did to help customers impacted by Hurricane Irma.Customer Service Week, which has been formally recognized in the United States since 1992, honors the contributions of customer service professionals to their companies.With more than 216,000 customers in Florida, our service center saw call and email volumes quadruple in the days leading up to Hurricane Irma and through the weeks following the storm, said Michael Miller, co-founder and chairman of Brightway Insurance. It seems fitting that we celebrate Customer Service Week and the extraordinary and important work that our insurance professionals in the service center do.Hurricane Irma was the most recent test of our ability to continue to provide the level of service our customers have come to expect, despite the circumstances, said Kris Azar, Brightways vice president of customer experience.The company will recognize its employees during Customer Service Week October 02-06.
The cyber insurance market in America has a huge growth opportunity. The country has experienced wide cyber coverage evolution and the marketplace is actively pursuing education and awareness.Insurance brokers are becoming much more capable of presenting and selling cyber insurance and the number of products available in the market is booming.From an awareness perspective, clients are asking their insurance brokers about cyber based on some of the larger incidents like WannaCry and Petya, said Matt Prevost, senior vice-president, cyber, Chubb We are also seeing more contractual-driven buyers who are required to purchase cyber coverage, and more people considering cyber insurance for the value-add services that come with the insurance transaction.Chubb has recently broadened its North American cyber risk management solutions with two new policy forms: Cyber Enterprise Risk Management (Cyber ERM) and Digitech Enterprise Risk Management (DigiTech ERM). Both combine risk transfer, loss mitigation services and incident response services to cater for organizations of all sizes.A key aspect of what we wanted to accomplish with our two new policy forms was making sure that we delivered a product that was accessible to all companies from small businesses all the way up to Fortune 100 businesses, Prevost told Insurance Business.At Chubb, we have been writing cyber for more than 15 years, so we have lots of experience in claims, products and services. Over the past several years, we have put lots of time and effort into broadening our offering of services that come alongside a risk transfer policy, such as incident response and loss mitigation services.But these value-added services are pointless if people dont purchase cyber coverage. Only better education and awareness will really drive uptake in purchase, according to Prevost. He said its important for brokers to simplify what a cyber event (of any scale) really means and what impact it could have on an individual business.Objections to cyber insurance havent necessarily been price-based complaints, Prevost commented. Most of the objections revolve around a complete misunderstanding of the product. People dont know what cyber insurance is or why they need it. As an industry, we need to solve those problems by communicating cyber in an accessible and scalable way so that a company can actually relate to their exposure.
DropIn, an insurtech start-up that provides an on-demand, live video platform for the insurance industry, has named industry veteran Emilio Figueroa as it new CEO of insurance.DropIn helps insurance companies with claims by giving them access to streaming live video and photos from drones. The platform also includes a fleet of Droperators that function as an on-demand workforce to pilot the drones.Figueroa has more than 27 years of experience in the commercial property and casualty space. Prior to his appointment at DropIn, he led the creation of an insurance program for a risk-management venture firm.I am honored to be joining DropIn at such a turning point, and I am looking forward to my new role and the opportunities that lie ahead, Figueroa said. Its very exciting to be leading a company that is taking part in the shape of the future of the insurance industry. The fact that DropIn can provide real-time remote claim management from drones, during our current climate state, is game-changing.
Boston Insurance Brokerage (BIB), a Boston, Mass.-based provider of commercial and high value personal insurance solutions, has announced the firms sales and support expansion by opening a regional office in Richmond, Va.

Opening an office in Virginia will allow BIB to provide customized insurance solutions and better serve agents in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions, according to BIB President Gordon Bewick in a company press release.

Keith Driscoll has also been promoted to senior vice president and will be heading the new office. Driscoll joined BIB in 2013 as vice president of the workers compensation division. In his new role, he will continue to lead the workers comp team, manage the firms marketing strategies and develop new opportunities for all of BIBs divisions and regional partnerships. He offers experience from within and outside of the insurance industry. Prior to joining BIB, Driscoll worked at Markel, IMG Worldwide and Anheuser-Busch Inc.

Source: Boston Insurance Brokerage

Topics Agencies Virginia
Insurance company lawyers on Monday blasted a Vermont man whose mother was lost at sea, saying he made suspicious alterations to his boat before what they called its most curious sinking.

Lawyers for Nathan Carmans insurance company said in documents filed in federal court that the Vernon man is refusing to cooperate as they investigate his claim for his boat, which sank during a fishing trip he and his mother, Linda Carman, took out of Rhode Island in September 2016.

With missing evidence, including Nathan Carmans mother and his suspicious structural alterations and repairs to his boat, plus its most curious sinking off the continental shelf, defendants pre-litigation testimony on these topics is critical evidence here, lawyers for the National Liability and Fire Insurance Co. wrote.

Nathan Carmans lawyers didnt immediately return messages seeking comment Monday. According to documents filed with the court, his lawyers have said the insurance company is asking questions that are overly broad and not relevant to his claim.

Mondays filing said Carman is refusing to confirm that testimony he gave under oath as part of the insurance investigation in December is true and accurate. The insurance company lawyers wrote that his objections are evasive and not in good faith.

Carmans mother is presumed dead.

Police have said Carman is a person of interest in the 2013 slaying of his millionaire grandfather, who was found fatally shot at his home in Windsor, Connecticut, in 2013. Carmans aunts have sued in New Hampshire to try to block him from collecting an inheritance. The grandfather, real estate developer John Chakalos, left more than $42 million to his four daughters. Carman has denied involvement in his grandfathers death.

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Topics Vermont
The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, First Department, has affirmed an earlier Supreme Court decision to grant summary judgement to TransCanada Energy USA and its subsidiaries, TC Ravenswood Services Corp. and TC Ravenswood, recognizing insurance coverage for property damage and business interruption losses due to the breakdown of a generator.

The court denied the insurers, ACE INA Insurance and Arch Insurance Company, consolidated motions for partial summary judgment for a declaration in their favor.

This decision comes after TransCanada made a claim under its insurance policy for coverage of losses that resulted when a power-generating turbine at its Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City was taken out of operation on September 12, 2008, due to excessive vibrations, according to the court document. The vibrations were caused by a nine-inch crack in the rotor.

Although the generator had been functioning properly until it was taken out of operation, according to the court document, the crack had begun to form before the beginning of the insurance policy period and continued to lengthen during the policy period.

In a March 21, 2016, underlying decision, Supreme Court Judge Barbara Jaffe ruled in favor of TransCanada on all issues of coverage with respect to its claim of more than $50 million in business interruption losses and property damage of more than $7 million because the generator was out of service for eight months from September 2008 to May 2009, the court document said.

The appellate panel unanimously upheld the Supreme Courts decision that prior damage to the generator did not impede coverage since there is no provision in the insurance policy excluding physical loss or damage originating before the beginning of the policy period.

It also affirmed that business interruption losses occurring during the period of interruption that would have been paid afterward were covered losses, and an exclusion for payments awarded for attaining or exceeding certain production levels did not apply.

The case is National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. v TransCanada Energy USA, Inc.

Thomas B. Orlando of Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff in New York represented the appellants. TransCanada Energy USA Inc. and TC Ravenswood LLC are represented by Pamela D. Hans, Finley Harckham and John M. OConnor of Anderson Kill P.C. The late John G. Nevius of Anderson Kill also represented TransCanada.

Topics Legislation New York
Chubb Ltd. announced it has entered into a 15-year distribution agreement with DBS Bank, the largest banking group in Southeast Asia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chubb will distribute general insurance products on an exclusive or preferred basis through multiple DBS banking channels, including in-branch and various direct marketing channels. The partnership covers five markets in Asia  Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and China.

Property and casualty (P/C) insurance products for small to mid-sized enterprises, as well as coverages for home, contents and selected personal accident and supplemental health (A&H) insurance products, will be distributed on an exclusive basis.

Based in Singapore, DBS is a financial services group in Asia that offers consumer banking, wealth management, and commercial banking for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The bank has nearly 7 million customers in six countries, including over 3 million internet and 2 million mobile banking customers.

For Chubb, our agreement with DBS represents a meaningful long-term opportunity to partner with one of the largest and most respected banking franchises in Asia, said Evan G. Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of Chubb.

Access to DBS large customer base broadens and deepens Chubbs already significant presence in the region, and provides multiple new channels for our individual and small commercial P/C insurance products, he said, noting that the DBS partnership will also provide a strong platform to expand our digital distribution across these important Asian markets.

At DBS, we were looking for a general insurance partner with a strong, long-standing presence in Asia, a broad product portfolio across P&C and A&H, extensive digital capabilities and a proven track record of bancassurance sales, said Piyush Gupta, group chief executive officer of DBS.

Chubb fit our criteria in every respect. We are excited by the opportunity to work with this industry leader to provide a broad range of insurance products to our customers and clients, he continued.

Source: Chubb

Topics Property Casualty Chubb
Beazley, a specialist in data breach response insurance, has partnered with Generali Brazil to manage data breaches for Generalis corporate and commercial cyber insurance customers.

Beazley will coordinate the breach response for policyholders, including IT experts, legal services, identity monitoring, notification and call center services, and public relations.

The partnership allows Generali, through Generali Global Corporate & Commercial Brazil, to offer the Brazilian market a comprehensive cyber liability and data breach response product, said Beazley in a statement.

Cyber insurance is an area that has not been fully developed in Brazil. This offering fills a void created by new and emerging risks like cyber risks, including ransomware, according to Werner Stettler, director of Generali Global Corporate & Commercial Brazil (Generali GC&C Brazil).

It is a market with strong interest and potential and we are confident that this new product will be a success. Our goal is to help our clients succeed in business, by adding value beyond the policy and being flexible, agile and adaptable, he added.

Companies in Brazil will now have access to a complete privacy breach response management and information security insurance solution, said Paul Bantick, technology, media and business services focus group leader at Beazley.

Generali GC&C Brazil clients will benefit from Beazleys data breach response services and our extensive expertise in managing and mitigating the impacts of data breaches for clients globally, he added.

Beazley said it has helped clients handle more than 6,500 data breaches since the launch of its flagship product, Beazley Breach Response, in 2009.

Source: Beazley

Topics Cyber Data Driven Generali Life Assurance (Thailand) Plc.
The city of Chicago is suing the credit reporting company Equifax over a data breach that exposed personal information of about 143 million people.

Mayor Rahm Emanuels office says the lawsuit accuses Equifax of violating Chicagos consumer fraud ordinance and state laws.

Equifax disclosed this month that hackers exploited a software flaw that the company didnt fix to heist Social Security numbers, birthdates and other personal data that provide the keys to identify theft.

A spokeswoman said Equifax cannot comment on pending litigation, but that the company is focused on helping consumers navigate this situation.

Numerous lawsuits already have been filed over the breach, including by San Francisco and Massachusetts. The company also is facing scrutiny from Congress.

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Topics Lawsuits Cyber
Additional charges have been filed against a suburban Chicago man accused of posing as an Uber driver who picked up women outside bars and raping them.

Musaab Afandi of Glenview appeared at a bond hearing Wednesday after DNA testing linked him to three sexual assaults dating back a year before his March arrest.

Cook County Circuit Judge David Navarro ordered the already jailed Afandi held without bond on the latest charges of aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping.

Assistant States Attorney Jillian Anselmo said the latest charges include an attack in April 2016. Thats when a woman waiting for an Uber outside a North Side Chicago bar was picked up by the 33-year-old Afandi. He allegedly drove onto a poorly-lit street, climbed into the back seat and raped her.

Assistant Public Defender Mark Davidson did not comment on the new charges against Afandi.

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Topics Personal Auto Illinois
More than half of U.S. businesses (53 percent) have experienced a cyber attack in the past year, according to a survey of business executives.

The nationwide survey, released by The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co. (HSB), part of Munich Re, found that of those businesses hacked in the previous 12 months, 72 percent spent more than $5,000 to investigate each cyber attack, restore or replace software and hardware, and deal with other consequences.

More than a third of the hacked businesses (38) percent spent more than $50,000 to respond: 10 percent spent $100,000 to $250,000, and seven percent more than $250,000.

In addition to the rising number of cyber attacks and related costs, businesses are increasingly anxious about protecting their data, said Timothy Zeilman, vice president for HSB, a leading provider of cyber insurance. Data is what drives a business and the loss or corruption of information can be devastating.

Seven in 10 executives were concerned that data would be destroyed as a result of a cyber attack and 62 percent were concerned about equipment damage.

The survey results backed up their worries: the most common consequence of cyber attacks was data loss (60 percent), followed by business interruption (55 percent).

Malware (53 percent) and viruses (51 percent) were the most common types of cyber attacks. Businesses and institutions also experienced distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks (35 percent); ransomware (29 percent); cyber extortion (25 percent) and social engineering (13 percent).

Security experts warn that employees are a weak link in safeguarding information and the business leaders agreed. When asked to identify the biggest risk to cyber security, the respondents cited negligent and disgruntled employees (45 percent) and hackers (37 percent).

Almost two-thirds of companies (61 percent) purchased or increased their level of cyber insurance coverage over the past year, and 56 percent of them purchased cyber insurance for the first time.

The study was conducted by Zogby Analytics for HSB. Zogby Analytics surveyed 403 chief executive, chief information, chief technology, chief operating, chief financial officers and other senior executives in the United States. They represented a variety of businesses and institutions with revenues ranging from under $5 million to more than $200 million.

Topics USA Cyber
When Sam Brody and his wife were shopping for a new home in Houston six months ago, they had very different priorities. Brody, a researcher who analyzes ways to minimize the impact of natural disasters, was focused on the fact that not all of Houstons sprawling metropolitan area is created equal, especially when it comes to flood risks.

My wife was looking at the number of bedrooms, and I was looking at the proximity of bayous, said Brody, a Texas A&M University at Galveston professor who specializes in coastal environmental planning.

Sam and Korin Brody eventually settled on a place, but not before he carefully scrutinized several flood-risk criteria, including the houses elevation, surrounding street drainage infrastructure, and how close it was to federally identified floodplains  zones susceptible to rising waters during storms. He also checked to see if newly renovated homes that caught his wifes eye had been renovated because they had flooded in the past.

Its my business to know that, but other people dont have that data, said Brody. Or, rather, they dont have the ability to easily access and understand the information, which is all publicly available, he said.

So Brody, along with a team of students and a colleague at the University of Washington, set out to create a web tool that would make accessing that data easier. Called Buyers BeWhere and launched in July, the site provides a risk assessment score on natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods for homes in Harris and Galveston counties. It also includes risk assessments derived from federal data for hazards like pollution and provides users with a composite risk score.

Its designed to be used by entering an address and clicking on an individual property, the same way someone might look at home prices in a neighborhood on the popular real estate database websites Zillow or Trulia, Brody said.

Now, a month after Hurricane Harveys torrential downpour, which brought unprecedented flooding to the city of Houston and other areas throughout southeast Texas, damaging at least 119,000 homes in Harris County alone, Brody says there is renewed urgency for tools that help people assess flood risk as they think about rebuilding their property or moving.

Over time, if theyre well informed, maybe these people will prefer other homes and neighborhoods that arent flood-prone, he said. The market itself or the individual will drive that more resilient pattern of development and residential location choice.

Flood risk scores in Buyers BeWhere depend on whether a property is located in an area the federal government considers at risk of flooding. Homes located in a 100-year floodplain  an area with a 1 percent chance of flooding in any given year  are considered most at risk. In the web tool, they receive a high score of 5 and are marked with a bright red color. Homes in a 500-year floodplain  an area the federal government says has a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any given year  receive a risk score of 3.

Brody acknowledges that the Buyers BeWhere site is limited. Floodplain boundaries are increasingly seen as less relevant and outdated because of what many argue is a higher frequency of massive rainfall events. Initial estimates found that about 40 percent of buildings damaged by Harveys floods were in areas outside of high-risk floodplains.

Thats why Brody, who is still searching for funding to support the development of Buyers BeWhere, says the site is a work in progress. He wants to incorporate more nuanced flood risk data into the system  the criteria that helped guide him in his own home buying experience. Risk assessment scores could reflect if a neighboring home has made a flood insurance claim in the past 10 years, Brody said. Buyers BeWhere could even include information like the elevation change between a houses street and the crown of its door, he added.

But people understandably prioritize different things when they are thinking about buying a home, which often dont include flood risks, said Berenice Yu, who oversees an education and counseling center for first-time homebuyers at the Houston-based nonprofit Avenue Community Development Corp.

Ultimately, its their choice, she said on whether prospective buyers take flood risk into account.

Her organization used to advise all prospective buyers not to purchase property in a 100-year floodplain, where they would be required to carry flood insurance. Yu noted that people rarely asked questions about flooding in homebuyer basic education classes offered at Avenue CDC, but they frequently inquired about school and crime statistics.

After Harvey hit, Yu and her team now recommend everyone buy flood insurance. It was somewhat surprising to her, however, that in the only homebuyers class Avenue CDC has held since Harvey made landfall at the end of August, attendees were not asking more questions about flood dangers.

The general sense was, Thats not going to happen to us, and they really didnt want to know that much more, she said.

Ed Wolff, president of the Houston-based company Beth Wolff Realtors, said people should never assume their home is flood-proof.

Everyone in Houston is potentially at risk, he said. He also advises all homebuyers to carry flood insurance, regardless of whether they live in a floodplain.

Homeowners with a federal mortgage loan who live in 100-year floodplains are required to carry flood insurance, and many private lenders also require it. Those outside floodplain zones face no such stipulations. But Wolff says people have a relatively short memory and even if they do have flood insurance, they often allow it to lapse after several years with no incidents. About 85 percent of homeowners in Harris County had no flood insurance when Harvey hit.

Wolff, who is also on the Houston Association of Realtors governmental affairs advisory group, said since floodplain maps are subject to being redrawn, its hard for people to say no to living in them. There are also other factors that might trump the risk of living in one once a map is updated  Wolff said buyers will tell him, I understand, heres my risk  but this is the community I want to live in, the house I want, the schools I want.

Given the widespread flooding damage caused by Harveys record-setting 52 inches of rain, Wolff questions whether a site like Buyers BeWhere will be able to accurately assess future flood risks due to the limitations of historic data.

Its Houston, so anything can happen, Brody conceded, but he said there is data to explain about 80 to 90 percent of peoples flood risks. He just needs to figure out how to incorporate the data into his site, he said. Harvey brings to light how much homebuyers need this information.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/27/can-webtool-help-people-assess-their-flood-risk-professor-thinks-so/.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Topics Texas Flood
A clash over Houstons mounting expenses from Hurricane Harvey escalated on Sept. 25 when Gov. Greg Abbott accused the mayor of holding the state hostage by pushing a local tax increase unless an emergency Texas piggybank of nearly $10 billion is cracked open.

Abbott fired back at Democrat Sylvester Turner after the mayor sent him a letter saying the fourth-largest city in the U.S. is facing bills at a scale beyond our savings. He wrote that damage from Harvey would reach the maximum of the citys $100 million flood insurance coverage limit and that a new policy would cost $10 million, in addition to other expenses.

Turner has proposed a one-time property tax rate increase of 3.6 percent but says that wouldnt be necessary if Texas taps into its rainy day fund, which has the biggest balance of any similar fund in the U.S.

It raises a concern that the mayor seems to be using this as hostage to raise taxes, when in reality, the city of Houston is sitting on hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that hes not tapping into, Abbott said.

He went on to say that Turner has all the money he needs, referring to money in special tax reinvestment zones. But a Turner spokesman Alan Bernstein said the city cannot raid those funds, which he said are largely for drainage projects to prevent future flooding.

Mayor Turner is asking the governor to do what other governors, such as Floridas, are doing. Its the Texas governors right to say no, Bernstein said in an email.

Its not the first time that Abbott, a Republican, and Turner have clashed over Harvey. Before the storm made landfall last month, Abbott urged Houston residents to flee the coming disaster, while Turner told people they were safer staying put and not jamming flood-prone roads with a major downpour imminent.

Harvey dumped a record 50-plus inches of rain around Houston, putting highways under water and killing more than 70 people along the Texas coast. In Harris County, which includes Houston, at least 136,000 homes and other structures were flooded

Abbott has said the total damage to Texas from Harvey could top $150 billion. He says Texas will need to tap into the rainy day fund eventually but not until 2019, when the Texas Legislature returns to work, saying now isnt the time for financial panic.

Turner had initially proposed an 8.9 percent increase that would have generated about $118 million. But he said last week that improved reimbursement rates from the federal government allowed the city to cut the proposal to 3.6 percent, which would generate about $50 million.

The city council is set to vote on the tax hike Oct. 18, but its unclear if the proposal has enough support to pass.

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Topics Texas Flood
Architect Kobi Karp has a vision for affordable housing in the Florida Keys: residences set at coconut-tree height to keep them dry, atop concrete columns holding them in place.

Key West clients sought out his designs before Hurricane Irma struck the island chain this month, and he thinks the two projects will continue despite Irmas damage and debris. Its a more cost-efficient way of life, the Miami-based architect said.

Such modern, planned development hasnt always appealed to the independent spirits living in the Keys  but Irma may force the laid-back landscape to change.

Mobile homes and recreational vehicles didnt survive the storms 130 mph winds and storm surge. The losses hit people crucial to Keys tourism: service industry and blue collar workers priced out of expensive Key West homes or newer structures meeting Floridas stringent building codes.

Local officials are racing to find those workers housing to keep them in the Keys but still free up hotel rooms by Oct. 20, the opening day of the decadent Fantasy Fest and one of the biggest events on the Key West tourism calendar.

The housing crunch affects all sectors of the community: About 50 city employees may need to relocate, Key West city spokeswoman Alyson Crean said. Keys firefighters who lost everything have moved into fire stations or the homes of friends and relatives. On Duval Street, bar and tour company owners said some shell-shocked employees just quit because of the damage.

When housing is eliminated, as it was in this storm, theres literally no place for these people to move to. Theres no suburbs, theres no driving for an hour and a half to find someplace to live. Thats just not possible here, said Ed Swift, president of Key West-based Historic Tours of America, where at least a handful of employees have decided not to rebuild their lives here.

The Keys dont function like other places: Theres only one narrow road in and out, and the isolation fosters a small-town, mom-and-pop atmosphere that has persevered amid booming numbers of tourists seeking Mardi Gras-style revelry and luxury accommodations.

As Key West rents rose over the last 20 years to $2,000 a month or more for two-bedroom units, Swift and other business owners started building housing, including dormitory-style accommodations, to keep local employees. Low-cost trailers and RVs helped fill housing gaps, but theres already talk about replacing them altogether.

That worries people like U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who sounded wistful on the Senate floor last week about a paradise potentially lost.

This storm threatens to fundamentally alter the character of Monroe County if we do not help the Florida Keys, because those trailer parks are on valuable land, and the owners of that land are going to be tempted to build on them  not mobile homes again, but build on them structures designed for visitors or people that can pay more money, Rubio said. That means youre going to lose your housing stock, but it ultimately means youre going to lose the character of the place.

Irma destroyed or severely damaged up to 15,000 residential units, including vacation homes  amounting to more than a quarter of the 55,000 total homes in the Keys, according to Monroe County estimates.

That also includes nearly all the 7,500 mobile homes outside Key West, said Christine Hurley, assistant county administrator.

The county has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for 7,500 temporary mobile homes, as well as at least 1,700 travel trailers to park outside individual homes being repaired or rebuilt. It could be months before those units reach everyone who needs them, because of low inventory after Hurricane Harvey in Texas and other disasters, county and FEMA officials say.

About two dozen families have been approved so far for temporary trailers from vendors, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Willie Nunn said in a county statement released Monday.

Local officials also have asked FEMA to allow vacation homes typically listed on home-sharing websites to be used as temporary housing, Hurley said. Federal officials also are exploring ways to repair or improve existing multi-family homes for temporary housing.

The county also is asking mobile home park owners to allow FEMA to set up temporary housing on their properties, once cleared of debris and reconnected to power and water lines. Those mobiles homes would eventually need permanent replacements. It would be safer to build houses or apartment buildings, but that would change the lifestyle that appeals to many Keys residents, Hurley said.

Nine of Hurleys employees were made homeless by Irma, but even those who faced significant financial challenges before the hurricane are making their way home, she said.

I havent heard yet of people that dont want to come back, she said.

At Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina on Big Pine Key, Richard Lessig said he wouldnt mind new neighbors, even in government-issued trailers. He currently doesnt have any, not since Irma flipped or crushed all the other trailers in the park.

Lessigs own trailer home isnt quite level, its air conditioning runs off a rumbling generator, and there was still no running water last week.

Hes gotten by in the Keys for nine months each year with his benefits and whatever money he makes in seasonal jobs as a boat captain and a magician for childrens birthday parties. He applied for disaster aid, wondering if he would have to spend more time living with his sister in New Jersey than in the Keys. He worried some friends wont return for the potluck lunches and happy hours that made the park a vibrant community.

Hopefully most of them will come back, but Im sure theres some that wont, Lessig said. I figured, worst case, Id have to borrow money and buy another trailer, because this is where I want to be.

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Topics Florida Hurricane
Maria was finally racing east over the Atlantic on Thursday, giving the United States a rest from the constant threat of tropical weather for more than a month.

No injuries have been reported on the U.S. mainland from Maria, which lashed North Carolinas fragile Outer Banks with high water and waves, washing over the only highway connecting Hatteras Island to the mainland.

Maria moved slowly Monday and Tuesday before accelerating out to sea late Wednesday and weakening to a tropical storm early Thursday. Its tropical storm-force winds extended for as much as 240 miles (390 kilometers) from the center, churning up the surf on both sides of the fragile islands.

On Thursday as Maria moved further offshore, Officials began reopening the islands of Hatteras and Ocracoke to visitors after more than 10,000 tourists were evacuated Monday. Full ferry service to Ocracoke, reachable only by boat or airplane, was to resume by 1 p.m. Hatteras Island also planned to reopen reopen Highway 12, the main road link to the mainland, by 1 p.m.

The Dare County Sheriffs Office said stretches of the highway were still covered in sand and water as crews work to clear the road. Officials also warned swimmers to stay out of the ocean because of dangerous surf and strong rip currents that remain.

On Thursday, Maria was centered about 365 miles (560 kilometers) east-northeast of Cape Hatteras.

Since Harvey formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Aug. 24, forecasters have been watching the Atlantic for likely threats to the United States or the Caribbean islands.

But the National Hurricane Center predicts that Maria and Hurricane Lee, which strengthened to a major Category 3 hurricane Wednesday before weakening to Category 2 in the open Atlantic, were both headed quickly east into colder water and further away from land.

Maria struck Puerto Rico as a major Category 4 hurricane, its winds devastating the island. As the storm headed north and west, North Carolina officials ordered tourists to leave Hatteras and Ocracoke because of the possible flooding.

That left locals to watch another storm chew up their beaches. This is the fourth named tropical storm to impact the islands in the past two years. During the winters, Noreasters can also churn away sand and flood roads.

Mother Nature keeps chopping at it, said Tony Meekins, 55, a lifelong resident of Avon who works as an engineer on the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry. We see storm after storm.

Standing near Avons closed fishing pier, Meekins pointed to where the dune line is gone, pounded down by previous storms. At low tide, a layer of wet sand covered the road.

Brent and Donna Bennett of Buxton worry about lost wages. He works at an ice cream shop, which was closed, and she couldnt make it through the floods to her hotel desk job in Hatteras Village.

Storms are something you come to expect. We seem to have more of our share recently, and Im over it, Donna Bennet said.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced it will waive federal restrictions on foreign ships transportation of cargo to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday on Twitter that President Donald Trump had authorized the Jones Act be waived for Puerto Rico. She said Trump was responding to a request from the governor and it will go into effect immediately.

The Jones Act is a little-known federal law that prohibits foreign-flagged ships from shuttling goods between U.S. ports. Republicans and Democrats have pushed Trump to waive the Jones Act, saying it could help get desperately needed supplies delivered to the island more quickly and at less cost.

___

Associated Press writer Jack Jones in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe USA Hurricane North Carolina
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(Xinhua) 15:46, September 29, 2017

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has actively participated in global health governance and international medical assistance, according to a white paper published Friday by the State Council Information Office.

China is firmly committed to realizing the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, and implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially sustainable development goals relating to health, it said.

China actively provides medical aid to other countries, and promptly conducts global emergency responses. It earnestly implements international health conventions and shoulders its international humanitarian responsibilities, the white paper said.

According to the white paper, China was one of the first countries in the world to sign and approve the Constitution of the World Health Organization. It has joined the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

The white paper also noted China's in-depth cooperation with the WHO. In 2016, the China-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (2016-2020) was signed in Beijing, defining cooperation in health policies, planning, technology and human resources. In 2017, the Memorandum of Understanding on the Belt and Road Health Cooperation Mechanism and the Implementation Plan on the Belt and Road Health Cooperation Mechanism were signed to promote cooperation in health emergency response, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and traditional medicine between countries along the Belt and Road.

It said that China has made outstanding achievements in international medical and health assistance. Since 1963, China has sent teams totaling 25,000 medical workers to 69 developing countries. They have diagnosed and treated a total of 280 million cases.

China has met the requirements for implementing the International Health Regulations. It has been playing an active and leading role in international emergency rescue, and has participated in the fight against epidemics, including yellow fever and Zika virus disease in Angola and Guyana.
A former British Army soldier masturbated in front of a young woman near Kent railway station in Cork after first engaging her in conversation, writes Liam Heylin.

This scenario was described at Cork District Court by Inspector John Deasy yesterday.

Ian Mullan, 61, pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour arising out of this incident and was given a three-month suspended sentence.

Insp. Deasy said that at 6.30 p.m. on June 20 2016 the defendant was intoxicated and he approached a female at the railway station, engaged her in conversation and began to masturbate in her presence.

The following day he approached a 17-year-old female at Kent station. Again he began conversation with her and then made lewd and inappropriate comments of a very personal nature to her.

Mullan pleaded guilty to a third count of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour arising out of a different type of incident on March 7 2016.

He was looking for food from the deli counter after midnight on that date and when he was told that the section was closed he took approximately 50 items from display counters and threwe them on the floor.

Both shop assistants were in fear and contacted the gardai. He was very intoxicated at the time, Insp. Deasy said.

Emma Leahy, defence solicitor, said there was a very favourable probation report and that he was about to commence a 12-week residential programme to deal with his alcohol problem. He seems to be someone crying out for help, Ms Leahy said.

In all the circumstances the judge said he would impose a three-month suspended jail term.

Judge Olann Kelleher noted from previous evidence on the defendants background, He was in the army and served overseas with the British Army.
Update - 9.25am: Irish Water admits it is unclear about the state of its pipes and says there are not enough spare parts in case of emergency.

The utility company has just published a report into a mass supply failure in the North East this summer.

It found that it did not act fast enough to fix the burst at the Staleen treatment plant which left nearly 100,000 homes and businesses without water for almost a week.

Jerry Grant, Irish Water's Managing Director, said: "We simply don't know the details of all our assets in the ground, we don't know their condition and we don't have automatically spare parts available on the inventory around the place.

"There is no question that we have 300 bursts every month in our network, and all of those bursts affect communities and affect businesses."

Earlier: Irish Water has been forced to admit it took too long to communicate the severity of the Drogheda outage this summer.

Almost 100,000 homes were without water for almost a week in the Louth/Meath area as a result of a major pipe burst at the Staleen treatment plant.

Last July householders across Louth and Meath were forced to queue up to fill water bottles after the main supplying the region burst.

The pipe had ruptured the previous summer, but this time it took almost seven days to fully restore supplies to the thousands of people affected.

Irish Water has now released the findings of a review into how it handled the crisis.

It has found the utility should have escalated the matter within the first 24 hours so that it could better inform those affected, but the report stresses this would not have sped up the repair works.

However, the investigation does also note a failure to resolve access rights to the land involved in 2016 delayed the repair works, and that revelation is unlikely to go down well with those who were affected.

Irish Water has now updated its protocols for incidents like these in the hopes a similar situation will not happen again.
A 67-year-old man has died in a house fire in Dublin.

The blaze broke out in Lissadell Drive in Drimnagh at around 9pm last night.

He was rushed to hospital in a serious condition, but he was later pronounced dead. It is understood he lived alone.

Four units of Dublin Fire Brigade and an ambulance attended the scene.

Gardai do not believe the fire is suspicious but are investigating.

The scene has been sealed off for a forensic examination.
Northern Ireland's police chief has defended his decision to attend a DUP gala dinner.

The PSNI insisted chief constable George Hamilton was an invited guest and made no financial contribution at the North Antrim event hosted by MP Ian Paisley on Thursday night.

UK Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove also attended the function in Ballymena.

Sinn Fein had raised concerns at Mr Hamilton's attendance at the dinner at the Tullyglass Hotel, claiming it constituted a "conflict of interest".

Assembly member Gerry Kelly said there was no issue about police commanders attending political events such as conferences, but he said attending a "fund-raiser is entirely different".

"While the Chief Constable does have to engage with people right across the community attendance at a DUP fund-raiser would be a clear conflict of interest," he said.

"The Chief Constable needs to provide an explanation to the public about the reports he attended a party political fund-raiser.

"There is an onus on the Chief Constable and his office to act, and to be seen to act, with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all in the community."

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "The Chief Constable was invited to last night's Annual North Antrim Constituency Dinner by the MP Ian Paisley and accepted the invitation as his guest.

"The Chief Constable made no financial contribution to or at the event and did not purchase a ticket as he was there as an invited guest of the MP.

"The Chief Constable and senior team are invited to attend a range of events hosted by elected representatives and are happy to consider opportunities for engagement at that level from any and all political parties."

Mr Hamilton sat at a table with Mr Gove and a number of senior business figures from across a range of organisations in Northern Ireland.

A PSNI source said at no time was the Chief Constable made aware that the event was a fundraiser.
A firefighter in England has reportedly been suspended after a picture of a couple apparently having sex in a fire engine appeared online.

The photo was published in the Sun in June and was said to be "one of a series of explicit images posted on a swingers' website" from a man who said he worked as a firefighter.
(Xinhua) 15:49, September 29, 2017

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has attached great importance to the protection of the right to health of special groups such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled, according to a white paper released Friday.

The white paper, "Development of China's Public Health as an Essential Element of Human Rights," was issued by the State Council Information Office, introducing facts about the development of public health.

China has constantly improved health programs, and provided diversified and targeted health services to meet the special needs of various groups in a non-discriminatory and equal manner, it said.

The maternal and child health care service system has been continuously improved, and in 2016, the Chinese government invested 2.9 billion yuan (436.7 million U.S. dollars) to support the construction of 247 city- and county-level maternal and child health care institutions, the document said.

According to the white paper, children's health has improved remarkably. In 2016, infant mortality was 7.5 per thousand and that of children under five was 10.2 per thousand, both meeting the targets set in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Program for the Development of Chinese Children (2011-2020) ahead of schedule.

The gap between China and developed countries is rapidly narrowing. In 2016, for children under five, the underweight and growth retardation rates, and anemia prevalence decreased to 1.49 percent, 1.15 percent and 4.79 percent, respectively -- all meeting the targets set in the Program for the Development of Chinese Children (2011-2020) ahead of schedule.

The health care service system for the elderly has improved. By the end of 2015, there were 453 rehabilitation hospitals, 168 nursing homes and 65 nursing stations around China, up by 69.0 percent, 242.9 percent and 16.1 percent, respectively from 2010, the document said.

Disability prevention and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities have also improved. From 2012 to 2016, 15.26 million people with disabilities received basic rehabilitation services nationwide, it said.
Permanent TSB officials including group chief executive Jeremy Masding told the Oireachtas Finance Committee it had identified 579 new customers on the wrong rate since engaging in the Central Banks industry review.

On top of the 1,372 customers it had identified as part of its own review that began in July 2015, the bank said it had found 579 new cases by June when it completed the second phase of the review ordered by the Central Bank.

Of the 1,372 customers originally identified, Permanent TSB said 98% had their losses redressed and compensation given.

A quarter of the new 579 cases have still not been put back on the correct rate, while up to 10 have lost their homes, the bank said. All will be put on the correct rate in the next few weeks, it said.

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said it was unacceptable a bank backed by the State had not put people on the correct tracker rate, not to mind compensate them. He added it was infuriating new cases were found and that more homes were lost.

You are sitting here and telling us you are still wrongly charging customers You found 1,372 originally and were going to leave it at that, but the Central Bank came in. Until personal accountability comes into the financial sector, and individuals are held to account, this will continue to go on.

Mr Masding said he was giving my word the book had not been closed on the tracker issue but the new cases were found because the bank started looking at the issue in a broader way.

KBC Ireland chief executive Wim Verbraeken said the bank would not meet a deadline imposed by the Central Bank for the second phase of the tracker mortgage review.

Saying he would not even put an estimate on when its second phase review would be completed, Mr Verbraeken refused to disclose how many customers were put on the wrong rate, and also refused to give a figure of how much had been set aside by the bank for redress of customers.

Fianna Fail TD Michael McGrath told Mr Verbraeken of all the banks in the review, it had been the source of the most frustration.

I find it extraordinary. You began in March 2016 and we are a year and a half on and you still have no handle on it. What does that signal to customers, and their loyalty and goodwill?

Mr Verbraeken said the bank had not written to all customers whose accounts were being examined.

He added that he was not the intention to be evasive in his answers but that the review that it began in March 2016 was very complex.

He said the bank would wait for the review to be completed fully before disclosing various details such as a provision of funds for redress purposes.

He did acknowledge that KBC Ireland expected homes were lost by its customers in the scandal but declined to offer a specific number.

Committee chairman John McGuinness told Mr Verbraeken he had offered nothing in consolation for customers during KBC Irelands deeply disappointing presentation.
The British-Irish Chamber of Commerce has made the call as part of an information and communications technology (ICT) policy paper, urging the Government to turn Brexit into an opportunity for Irelands technology sector.

As well as an ambassador to act as Irelands link with Californian technology firms, the chamber wants a national ICT hub established, to drive innovation, based in Dublin but with satellite outposts.

The chamber is also looking for the Government, in next months budget, to lower the marginal rate of personal tax, reduce the rate of capital gains tax for innovation-focused entrepreneurs, reform the special assignee relief programme, and increase the investment limit of the start-up refunds for entrepreneurs (SURE) from 100,000 to 250,000.

In light of the UKs Brexit vote, the committee has set out to identify key policy issues that need to be addressed by the Irish Government to sustain the sectors growth. Given the ICT sector in Ireland is global by its very nature, we must be global in our approach, said Pat Flood, chairman of the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce ICT Committee.

The chambers director-general, John McGrane, said that all needs to be done to maximise any benefit for Ireland from the Brexit process.

As the digital hub of Europe, Ireland is well placed to maximise the limited benefits resulting from the UKs decision to withdraw from the EU. The chamber is promoting Ireland as the next-best option for UK firms that need unfettered access to the EUs single market, in particular within the fintech sector, he said. However, the ability to attract suitably skilled employees to Ireland is proving to be a significant challenge. If we are to win this war for talent, the high tax burden on employees and the firms relocating to Ireland must be urgently addressed.

In June, Denmark became the first country to formally appoint an ambassador wholly focused on Silicon Valley, in what the countrys foreign ministry dubbed the first techplomacy posting.

The diplomat, Casper Klynge, said top companies in Silicon Valley carry more weight on the global stage than do many countries.
H&M faces rising competition in its core European budget fashion market, including from young shoppers defecting to online retailers such as Asos and Zalando.

The fashion retail sector is growing and is in a period of extensive and rapid change as a result of ongoing digitalisation, the Swedish retailers chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said.

Our growing online sales did not fully compensate for reduced footfall to stores in several of our established markets, which has resulted in our total sales development not reaching our targets so far this year.

H&M will trim its target for net store openings this year to 385 from around 400, it added, having added 418 in the 12 months to the end of August to make a total of 4,553 worldwide.

H&M offered deeper summer discounts to clear inventory this year, squeezing its gross margin to 51.4% from 54% a year earlier, yet levels of leftover garments still grew in the quarter to the end of August.

Shares in the second- biggest fashion retailer after Zara-owner Inditex were down 5.6% at one point yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Irish arm of retail chain Flying Tiger Copenhagen yesterday confirmed that 2017 has been a strong year as it continues to expand here.

That is despite new accounts showing that the company recorded a 28% decline in pre-tax profits last year to 1.33m.

Tiger Retail Ireland Ltd is 50% owned by husband and wife team Gillian Maxwell and Niall Stringer, with the remainder owned by Danish parent Zebra.

Tigers Irish revenues increased by 12.5% to 15.75m last year, paying a dividend of 1m.

A company spokesperson said: We expect to continue our expansion in 2018 with a number of new stores planned and particularly focused in the south-east. 2017, to date, has been strong and we look forward to a really good fourth quarter.

Additional reporting: Reuters
University of Limerick student Sophie Coll, originally from Barna, Co Galway, died after falling in rented accommodation close to the college. Sophie, 19, is believed to have struck her head.

Meanwhile, Villiers College teacher Neville Atkinson passed away on Tuesday, more than a month after a fall from a teleporter.

University of Limerick president, Prof Des Fitzgerald, told students and staff by email of Ms Colls death.

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the sudden death of UL student Sophie Coll, 2nd year BBS [Bachelor of Business Studies] International, as a result of a tragic accident on Monday, September 25.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sophies parents Rory and Carol, her sisters Stephanie and Abbie, her friends, her housemates, and fellow students. Ar dheis De go raibh h-anam dilis.

Gardai confirmed they were investigating the sudden death of the 19 year-old and that a file would be prepared for the coroner.

The young woman is survived by her parents Carol and Rory and sisters Stephanie and Abbie.

She is today reposing at the Cillin in the Church of Mary Immaculate Queen in Barna before removal to the church at 7pm and requiem Mass tomorrow at 1pm, before burial at Furbo Cemetery.

Meanwhile, tributes have been paid by former pupils, colleagues, and friends of Neville Atkinson, who died in Beaumont Hospital on Tuesday after falling from a teleporter in his native Offaly on August 24.

Friends and alumni of Villiers School, on the North Circular Rd in the city, posted a message on Facebook stating: With a heavy heart we are sorry to let you know that our much loved teacher, colleague, and friend, Mr Neville Atkinson, sadly passed away Please keep him, his family, and his many, many friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Many people reacted with shock to the news, with one parent saying what a great teacher and mentor he was to my two children.

Mr Atkinson had a longstanding involvement in both hockey and fishing.

The Leinster Hockey Association posted a message to its members, saying: The Leinster Hockey family were saddened to hear of the passing of Neville Atkinson whom many of you will have known through his co-ordination of hockey in Villiers School.

Neville was a great guy who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. We think of his family and everyone in Villiers School at this very difficult time.

Mr Atkinson is survived by his wife Lynn and son Ben. His funeral service will take place in St Kierans Church, Cloughjordan, Sunday at 2pm followed by burial in Modreeny Cemetery.
An internal audit report, completed by consultants Deloitte into the funding issues, confirms there was a dispute over the level of funding to care for Grace since 2009 after she was removed from the foster home at the heart of the ongoing sex abuse scandal.

The report has been obtained by the Irish Examiner.

Grace was left to be sexually and physically abused in a Waterford foster home until 2009 despite concerns being raised as far back as 1992. Her case is now the subject of a commission of inquiry.

According to the report, there was a long-standing dispute over the underfunding. As part of a 6.3m High Court settlement earlier this year, the HSE agreed it had underfunded Graces care and paid 600,000 to the caregiver. It also agreed to pay an additional 70,000 every year to cover the cost of Graces care into the future.

The Service Provider calculated the total cost of 1:1 day care for the individual was 964,056 from 2009 to 2016. The Service Provider represented to us that it received 370,000 (20,000 in 2009 and 50,000 per annum from 2010 onwards) from the HSE towards the cost of the individuals incremental day care, ie a difference of 594,056, states the report.

When Deloitte examined the figures, it calculated the shortfall was actually 617,367. The Deloitte report has vindicated the caregivers criticisms of the HSE, confirming entirely the scale of the costs in ensuring Graces care was adequate.

An apparent inconsistency has arisen in Mr OBriens evidence to the public accounts committee (PAC) in relation to its funding of the service provider for Graces care.

TonyOBrienHSE021015_large.jpg[/timgcap[

The Deloitte report confirms that on November 18, 2014, HSE Southeast prepared an internal memo setting out its calculation of the contribution towards the cost of care of the individual HSE Southeast understood it was providing on an annual basis, which was 166,000.

Asked by PAC member Shane Cassells (FF) about this memo, Mr OBrien denied there was one. I do not believe there was an internal audit. Was there?

I believe there possibly was, said Mr Cassells.

Would that audit have been carried out by the HSEs internal audit division, asked Mr OBrien.

That is correct, said Mr Cassells.

I do not believe there was, restated Mr OBrien.

The report was released to the PAC after several months of delay following the consent of senior counsel Marjorie Farrell, the sole member of the commission of inquiry. She intends to publish her interim report on Graces case before the end of the year.

In his letter to the PAC, Mr OBrien said the HSE believed the funding it had given to Graces caregiver was deemed sufficient.

Notwithstanding, the HSE agreed to update the previously agreed payment schedule for the individuals care going forward and to pay a High Court-approved settlement of 600,000 for past care, he said.
The Irish Examiner exclusively revealed last June that Naval Service ships operating in the Mediterranean Sea would soon be adopting a more robust role in the fight against IS terrorists and people-smugglers, profiteering from the misery of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria and Sub-Saharan Africa who are desperate to flee their famine-ridden and war-torn countries for a better life in Europe.

Over the last three years, the navy has been operating under the auspices of Operation Pontus, which primarily focused on migrant rescues and was formed under a bilateral agreement with the Italian authorities.
Speaking last night, he defended the decision to reopen the station, saying: I did what I said I would do. I used my clout to reopen Garda stations over the country. It was not stroke politics. The case to reopen Stepaside was compelling; that is why it happened.

Mr Ross refuted comments from his Independent Alliance colleague John Halligan in an interview with the Irish Examiner last month that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar promised to deliver on Stepaside days before he succeeded Enda Kenny. Mr Varadkar and Mr Ross are under fire for the political stroke which led to the June 13 decision to reopen Stepaside Garda Station ahead of other stations.

At a hearing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday with acting Garda Commissioner Donall O Cualain, it emerged that gardai recommended the reopening of four stations on June 9, but that only Stepaside got the go-ahead.

Several members of the PAC are demanding answers from Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, Noel Waters, the top official in the Department of Justice, and the head of Garda HR, over their role in the political stroke which led to the decision. Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry has written to committee chairman Sean Fleming, asking him to invite the three men and Mr O Cualain to appear before PAC.

The move to reopen Stepaside was heralded by Mr Ross when he hung a large banner outside the station on the day of the announcement.

At the PAC yesterday, Mr Ross and Mr Varadkar were accused of the political cherrypicking of Stepaside Garda Station for reopening on the back of an unfinished internal report.

The Department of Justice had been advised to reinvest in the city suburb in an interim report on the reopening of six stations by Assistant Commissioner John ODriscoll.

The acting Garda chief revealed that Rush station in North Co Dublin was also recommended for reopening in the same review, along with two other stations outside the capital.

Two other locations were identified for new stations to be built. Mr O Cualain insisted the controversial reopening of a station in a Government ministers constituency was based purely on policing, but members rejected his comments.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Social Democrats TD and PAC member Catherine Murphy said: The absence of any other evidence suggests that conclusion that it was a stroke. When you match that with what John Halligan told your paper, you can only come to that conclusion.

Fianna Fails Shane Cassells echoed her words and said

the dogs in the street know that this was a political decision aimed at keeping Mr Ross happy.

Mr Cassells said the role of the Department of Justice in this saga left a lot of questions that need answering and called for Mr Waters to come before the committee.

The report has not been published and no decisions were announced about the four other locations when Stepaside was confirmed on June 13 at Mr Kennys last Cabinet meeting as taoiseach.

Mr O Cualain told the committee he stands by the Stepaside recommendation, and insisted it was about policing. Im not aware that anybody brought any pressure to bear, he told the committee.

Mr O Cualain added: The only criteria that I can consider as commissioner are based on policing needs and requirements for the communities.

The final report is expected to be given to Government in the coming weeks.

Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said: Its a disgrace that political cherry picking of Garda decisions happens.
Tesco Ireland made the pledge in Cork yesterday as it launched its Community Chill campaign to help charities and groups store more of its surplus food donations.

Three years after launching its food surplus programme and just a week after becoming the first retailer in Ireland to publish its food waste data, the company said it aims to ensure that none of its surplus food, which is still fit for human consumption, will go to waste by 2020.

In a bid to reach that target, the retailer has set aside 150,000 under the Community Chill scheme to buy some 400 fridges and freezers this year, which will be made available to groups who redistribute surplus food for charity.

Tesco Ireland chief executive Andrew Yaxley said it is just not right that perfectly good surplus food should go to waste when there are people in local communities who need it.

Working in partnership with over 260 charitable groups around the country and listening to their feedback, we have identified that the charitable sector need a helping hand to increase their storage facilities so they can redistribute even more surplus food to those in need, he said.

So to support, were launching a new initiative to donate brand new fridges and freezers to groups who currently collect surplus food donations from us, or who want to sign up to take part.

Since 2014, Tesco has donated over 4m meals of surplus food to more than 260 community groups across the country, including family resource centres, soup kitchens, youth services, and homeless and Meals on Wheels organisations.

The Foyer youth homeless facility in Blackpool, Cork, got involved with Tesco 12 months ago and takes daily deliveries of surplus meat, fish, and vegetables from Tesco stores in Mahon, Wilton, Douglas and Paul St.

Denis Murphy, Foyers life skills and talent coach, said its food bill has decreased dramatically.

It means that we have the ability to cook different types of meals and more of them, he said.

Foyer also uses stored food in up to three cooking classes it runs for its residents every week.

It gives our residents the ability to look after themselves so that they wont have a hungry day, said Mr Murphy.

Tescos surplus food donations usually include fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and meat, with the volume of donated food the equivalent of over 40,000 meals every week.

FoodCloud, which was co-founded by Tesco in 2013, estimates that these food donations have helped the various groups save over 5.8m in food bills in that time.

Tesco has urged more groups who could benefit from its surplus food donations to contact it at tesco.ie/notimeforwaste

before November 31.
Walter Pfeiffers long-standing love affair with Ireland began in 1964, when on a holiday to Ireland from his native Germany, he laid eyes on the Aran Islands for the first time. The photographer was bewitched by the stunning landscape and the following year, he returned to Ireland, where he would make his home for the rest of his life. The results of Pfeiffers fascination with the West of Ireland can be seen in the photographic collection Connemara & Aran, a follow-up to the very successful Connemara & Beyond.

The recent publication of the book is especially poignant given the photographers unexpected passing earlier this year, aged 73. Pfeiffer was renowned for his work as a fashion and food photographer, working for publications including Vogue and designing and shooting commercial campaigns for the likes of Bord Bia and Dunnes. Vincent Murphy, creative director of Artisan House Editions, the Connemara-based publishers of Connemara & Aran, had a long and fruitful working relationship with Pfeiffer and it is clear that his loss is still hugely felt.

It was a total shock. I had known Walter for 25 years; I encountered him when I worked as an art director and designer in Dublin and we became good friends, says Murphy. The first book I worked with him on was about 15 years ago, Wicklow: A Personal View, which was a fabulous book and which sold out rapidly. Then we moved on to Connemara & Beyond. We were working together professionally in between all these things.

John Jack Joyce in the Maumturks

Murphy, who is originally from Bishopstown in Cork, says he and Pfeiffer had also planned to do a book on West Cork.

He spent a lot of time down around Dunmanus Bay and Sheeps Head at Christmas-time. I used to visit him because I was visiting my family in Bishopstown. He would take me on shoots on the Sheeps Head peninsula. He had a fabulous collection of photography on West Cork.

Pfeiffer lived with his Irish wife Valerie and their five children in Delgany, Co Wicklow, and was also inspired by that countys lush countryside.

For the last five years or so, he had been shooting Luggala and the estate there; he has photographed every inch of that. It was planned to release a set of prints and we were just about to embark on that; there was some beautiful imagery there.

Perfectly complementing the photography in Connemara & Aran are poems by established and

emerging writers who have a strong association with the area.

We are getting a fantastic reaction to it. There is also a special edition hardback which includes a CD of all the poets reading their work and harp music from Kathleen Loughnane, whose music Walter loved. Not only that, the CD has a recording of Walter introducing the work. He was a private man, he didnt do interviews so it is great to have that, even though it is very difficult to listen to.

Seaweed bubbles near the Rotten Stick on Innishmore

Like Pfeiffer, Murphy has also been captivated by Connemara, basing his publishing business, which he runs with his wife Mary, a native of the area, in old workers cottages in Letterfrack. Murphy studied in Cork and Limerick, and worked in London and Dublin, but he says he is now staying put in Connemara. I love Cork, as any Corkman would, and I love Kerry, where my father is from, but Ill never go back anywhere else, this is a gorgeous part of the world. Ive found my space here. Its not only the beautiful scenery but the people as well. As Walter wrote: Connemara can be many things to people; it is not only a place of silent valleys, shrouded, rugged mountains, dark and broody lakes and at times a fearsome coastline; to me, it is a state of mind, a refuge to escape to from the stresses of everyday life.

Connemara & Aran is out now via Artisan House Editions, artisanhouse.ie
ITS not rocket science, but it could save your life. Placing two fingers of one hand on the

upturned wrist of the other twice a day to check your pulse could save you from stroke, heart failure, or even dementia.

Simple, isnt it? But how many of us actually bother to do it? According to Irish Heart, the national charity fighting to stop people dying prematurely from heart disease and stroke, more than 40,000 adults aged over the age of 50 already have atrial fibrillation (AF), Irelands most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

Many of them dont even know it, yet AF carries a five-fold greater risk of stroke (in fact its responsible for one third of the 8,500 strokes that occur annually in this country) and

increases the risk of dementia and heart failure.

This Sunday, October 1, the charity launches a month-long awareness campaign to encourage us all to learn how to feel the pulse twice a day for two weeks, to detect irregular heart rate and prevent stroke. Members of the public can also sign up for free text message reminders to take their pulse twice a day for two weeks.

Its very common as you get older, for example, one in four people over the age of 50 are at risk of developing it, says Dr Angie Brown, consultant cardiologist and medical director of Irish Heart, who says AF can be simply described as an extremely irregular heartbeat.

Prevent a premature stroke & learn how to check your pulse with an Irish Heart nurse at the #NationalPloughingChampionships. #feelthepulse pic.twitter.com/0QPNNvbwUq  Irish Heart Foundation (@Irishheart_ie) September 18, 2017

The symptoms can be non- specific, she says  dizziness, tiredness, breathlessness, palpitations, chest pain  or you may experience no symptoms at all.

AF occurs as a result of age, general wear and tear, she says, adding that conditions such as

obesity and high blood pressure increase the risk, along with high levels of alcohol consumption or other forms of heart disease.

We dont really know the full extent of the prevalence of this condition because a lot of people dont have symptoms  it can come and go.

The good news is that if your doctor detects AF, it can be effectively treated with medication. The problem is, according to Dr Brown, that at least 26% of people with AF are unaware of the fact that they have the condition.

UNABLE TO BREATHE

Dr Christine McCreary, below left, at Cork University Dental School

Take consultant dentist Dr Christine McCreary, 57, who thought she was merely suffering symptoms of menopause, until one night she woke up unable to breathe.

Looking back now, says the mother-of-three, she had had symptoms of AF such as fatigue and breathlessness for some time before the attack, but had attributed them to menopause. Even though Christine is an experienced medic, she never considered atrial fibrillation.

Four days before the attack, while swimming, she experienced what she believed at the time was an asthma attack or, she decided afterwards, the inhalation of salt water. Everything came to a peak in August 2015 when Christine was attending the Coastal Rowing Championships in Waterville, Co Kerry, in which her daughter was participating.

That night she woke up unable to breathe: I sat up and tried to breathe, slowly and calmly. It was very frightening. I thought I was having a heart attack, recalls Christine, a resident of the West Cork village of Kilbrittain. She came very close to calling an ambulance, but the attack gradually faded away.

The next day she saw a doctor, who carried out an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart.

I was sent to hospital, she recalls. Test showed that Christine, who is attached to the Cork Dental School, had an enlarged heart and that she had had atrial fibrillation for what they told her was a significant amount of time.

The heart muscle was damaged; the symptoms I had been experiencing were basically an acute form of heart fibrillation and my lungs had fluid in them, which is why I was breathless. I was put on medication to get my heartbeat back in rhythm, and released from hospital.

She stayed on the medication for about a month, she says, after which doctors made a number of attempts to shock her heart back into the correct rhythm. They didnt work, she recalls. Next they tried a cardia-ablation where doctors literally fry part of the heart muscle in an attempt to get the heart beating normally.

That didnt work the first time or the second time, Christine recalls. One last attempt at shocking her heart back into rhythm worked.

I have been very well since, apart from an episode last February when I went into atrial fibrillation. I was put on new medication and reverted into the proper rhythm, she says. Her message: I would urge everyone to take your pulse and know what normal is so that if your pulse becomes irregular youll pick it up.

SLEEP DISRUPTED

Heart attack survivor Peter Thornton with his biscuit tins full of medications.

Peter Thornton, 54, from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, had never felt the cold in his life until the winter of 2013, when everything changed.

First, Peter, who was at that stage a successful accountant, felt the chill of low temperatures. Then in early 2014, his sleeping pattern suddenly became severely disrupted. Instead of falling asleep quickly as usual, Peter found himself tossing and turning for hours before gradually going to sleep  then suddenly jolting awake again, covered in perspiration. He began to suffer fatigue and shortness of breath. His appetite disappeared.

By the time his annual three-week summer holiday came round, he felt so tired that he couldnt enjoy his hobbies of walking and cycling.

In the last week of his holidays he got a very bad pain in his upper stomach which he attributed to indigestion. A few days later, he experienced a severe pain in his heart. I knew I was having a heart attack, he recalls. Yet, inexplicably, he didnt go to the doctor for several days. When he did go, an ECG was carried out, and Peter was sent to hospital, where tests showed his heart was pumping at just 20% of capacity. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and put on blood-thinning medication.

That October, doctors tried to shock his heart back into the normal rhythm. It didnt work. He was taken off the blood-thinning medication, fitted with an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) and once again began taking blood-thinning medication. However, he experienced internal bleeding and had surgery to drain his chest cavity. He spent six weeks recovering, and was later diagnosed with type two diabetes. Last February Peters heart went through the roof he says, but the defibrillator kicked in and brought his beat back to normal.

His medication was changed, but then came another shock. In March this year he was brought to hospital with suspected renal failure. The treatment was successful but, says Peter, he can no longer work as a result of his condition. He has had to be extremely vigilant and undergo regular blood tests.

His advice: Do the pulse check  its a very good indication of irregular heartbeat. The other thing is, get a check-up with your doctor once a year.
US president, Donald Trumps first address to the United Nations General Assembly will be remembered, above all, for its bizarre language, and for its descriptions of North Korea as depraved, Iran as murderous, and Cuba and Venezuela as corrupt.

And, beyond calling out miscreant member states by name, Trump also offered a fervent defence of his America first agenda.

But while Trumps particular choice of words was new to the UN, his arguments were not. He pointed out, with some justification, that other countries also put their own national interests first.

And he reprised a longstanding complaint within US foreign-policymaking circles: that it is somehow excessive and unfair to expect American taxpayers to pay for 22% of the UNs budget.

After calling on the General Assembly to do its part to implement, and then enforce, sanctions against North Korea, Trump said: Lets see how they do.

But referring to the UN as they implies that it is something apart from the US.

Trumps tone was that of a dissatisfied tenant, blaming the landlord for his homes poor state of repair. But the UN is only as good as those who inhabit it, not least the US itself.

Trump listed Americas many contributions to the world, and suggested that it keeps the UN around as a sort of favour to other countries in need of an international forum.

He assumed no US responsibility for the UNs fortunes, failures, or even its achievements. But, in addition to contributing more than any other country to the UN budget, the US also plays an outsized role within the institution. The US can thus claim credit for many of the UNs successes; but it is also responsible for many of its failures.

No UN secretary-general assumes office without US support. And, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the US has veto power over any UN action, including sanctions, deployments of peacekeepers, and official condemnations of other member states.

Even if the UNs large institutional bureaucracy can be unwieldy, its effectiveness ultimately depends on its most influential members.

Consider the Bosnian conflict in the early 1990s, when the Security Council sent in UN peacekeepers, rather than deploy a more robust multilateral presence, as would have been allowed under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

The UK and France, which contributed the bulk of the peacekeeping force, insisted on a peacekeeping mandate, because they did not want to put their troops in harms way.

The US, for its part, refused to contribute any troops at all, and thus had no right to call for a stronger mandate that would have allowed UN forces to step in to end the violence.

Although many Americans had witnessed the carnage from their living rooms and wanted the UN to do more to stop it, neither they nor their leaders  first George H.W. Bush and then Bill Clinton  had any interest in sending American troops to be a part of a Bosnian peacekeeping force.

The result, as we now know, was that the killing continued, sometimes in the presence of UN peacekeepers whose countries had not given them a strong enough mandate to intervene.

By the time the US-led Dayton Accords had put an end to the war, in December, 1995, the UNs peacekeeping capacity had been so thoroughly discredited that NATO war-fighting troops were sent in to take over from the UN Protection Force.

In other words, when the situation required war-fighters, peacekeepers were dispatched; and when the situation called for peacekeepers, war-fighters were sent.

None of this apparent dysfunction had anything to do with the UN. It was a direct result of UN member states decision-making.

Even Trumps dystopian and dyspeptic speech conceded that the UN makes valuable contributions to world peace, through peacekeeping missions and other forms of assistance.

More often than not, this work is done in far-flung countries, where direct US involvement would be unpalatable to many American politicians constituents.

The UN is far from perfect. But, rather than bash it, American leaders, starting with Trump, should understand that its actions and decisions are often an extension of their own.

Christopher R. Hill, former US assistant secretary of state for East Asia, is dean of the Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, and the author of Outpost. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017.
THE starting gun was fired on an abortion referendum this week, likely to be held early next summer. Outside the Dail, anti-abortion protesters gathered, singing Ave Maria and holding placards, while, tomorrow, tens of thousands of people will take to the streets of Dublin in the sixth annual March for Choice.

Neither side will be at all happy. We have an Oireachtas committee considering the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly and due to report by the end of the year. But, waiting in the wings, we have a Cabinet (well, the majority Fine Gael part of it) that has no interest in putting to the people a referendum that suggests a serious liberalising of our abortion laws.

The people on tomorrows march will have had their hopes raised by those Citizens Assembly recommendations, not least by the possibility of general access to abortion up to 22 weeks into a pregnancy.

Meanwhile, the people protesting outside the gates of Leinster House, with their Stop the Killing and Keep the Eighth  Protect the Unborn signs, are determined to double down and resist any change.

The political truth, as things stand, is that neither the pro-choice nor anti-abortion side will end up happy, as FG government ministers, for personal and political reasons, will not back a referendum that goes beyond restrictive abortion laws. While ministers have concerns that the committee on the Eighth might go as far as recommending unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks, this is unlikely.

The 22-member committee has gotten off to a good start, beginning its public sessions last week with the chair of the Citizens Assembly, Judge Mary Laffoy, and Sharon Finegan, who headed the assemblys secretariat, explaining what went on there and why. This week, there was a well-chosen panel of legal experts. It might seem minor, but, given the emotionally charged subject matter, it is significant that the public discussions have been civilised so far, and agreement reached on which experts to invite and how the

questioning should be conducted.

This week, Fianna Fail TD, Anne Rabbitte, much to the bemusement of her fellow committee members, said she did not think the committee would meet its end-of-year deadline. The reason for her colleagues bemusement is that the Galway East TD has said nothing, either in private or public sessions, at the committee so far (in the words of one of her fellow members, she has said not a squeal.) As far as the chair, Catherine Noone, is concerned the deadline will be reached, even if it means sitting extra days.

Ms Noone has her work cut out for her. But she is doing well, especially as, in private session, she quite regularly hears the words I want to record my dissent from Independent senator, Ronan Mullen, as agreement is reached on some matter or other.

Also in private session, she has dealt with the request, by Independent TD, Mattie McGrath, to show the committee an animated video on abortion by Anthony Levatino, a US doctor who used to perform the procedure. There was little appetite for this and Ms Noone suggested that he email it to members, who could watch it if they wished.

Not to be outdone, the Tipperary TD raised it in the public session, on Wednesday, and said hed like if members could at least look at it here in public.

These two committee members are perhaps the most public in their total anti-abortion stance, although Fine Gael TD, Peter Fitzpatrick, is also firmly in their rank. His contribution, on Wednesday, was to read, somewhat awkwardly, from what was clearly a prepared statement, telling the committee of how a babys heart beats 21 days after conception, how, at week nine, a baby can swallow, yawn, and suck, and that 100,000 people are alive today as a result of the Eighth Amendment.

My point being that while these members wear their anti-abortion stance on their sleeve, others may have similar, although less-absolute views, while, on the pro-choice side, there is also a spectrum of views. When you go through the numbers, it is difficult to see how, even with the many who believe our abortion laws should be liberalised, a vote as liberal as abortion even up to 12 weeks would be recommended.

The way it is stacking up, the committee will likely end up recommending abortion be allowed in restrictive circumstances, possibly including fatal-foetal abnormality, incest, rape, and grave risk to a womans mental health. This is no easy task for the parliamentary drafts people, who are already working on the possible wording of legislation, especially in the case of rape.

The evidence heard at the Citizens Assembly made clear that our legal system would make it virtually impossible to work out a situation where rape could be used as a reason for being granted an abortion.

Solidarity TD, Ruth Coppinger, told the Dail, on Wednesday, that tomorrows march might well be the largest seen in this country.

For the people campaigning and yearning for social change, she said it is important they let the members of the committee on the Eighth know that they must get with where public opinion is and catch up with it.

The Taoiseach and Cabinet will be spooked by a massive turnout at tomorrows march, and a rising tide of anger that could reach a tumultuous crescendo in the months to come, if a conservative wording is decided for the referendum.

But too many Fine Gael Cabinet ministers believe politically that proposals on a more liberal abortion regime would not get past their parliamentary party, the Dail, or a referendum. Many are also personally against it.

Ms Coppinger accused the Taoiseach of having had more positions on abortion than coloured socks.

But there is a logic to what he has been saying on abortion. He told the New York Times while he didnt accept the unborn child should have equal rights to an adult woman, he didnt share the view the baby in the womb, the foetus, should have no rights at all. He spoke of disagreeing with those who take the view human rights only begin after youre born, and that a child in the womb, with a beating heart, the ability to hear, the ability to feel pain, should have no rights whatsoever. I dont agree with that.

You dont have to be an expert in joining the personal and political dots here, in terms of the Taoiseachs approach, and to speculate that he, too, would favour only a liberalising of the law in very specific, named circumstances, and that it is this he would campaign for in a referendum. Members of the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parties are allowed to vote according to their conscience on this matter, which means, technically, that those on the Oireachtas committee are free to act as they would wish with regard to their recommendations. This might appear to favour more change to the law, but it just makes predicting the outcome all the more difficult.

Ultimately, it is impossible to imagine a situation where the Taoiseach and a significant number of his Cabinet members present a referendum to the people, but not campaign for it to be carried.

Practically, all the indicators are pointed towards change on the minimal end of the scale. This will enrage those thousands of marchers who take to the streets tomorrow.
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Watch the ceremony live! Watch the ceremony live!

Tune in to the 2022 GPHG ceremony, which will be digitally hosted on WorldTempus today at 6:30PM (Swiss time)

Tune in to the 2022 GPHG ceremony, which...
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A couple of days ago, we have presented the new Luminor Due 42mm. But Panerai has also added two 45mm models to the Luminor Due collection: a version in titanium, with a blue dial and an alligator strap of the same colour (PAM00729) and a model in AISI 316L stainless steel, with an anthracite dial and a brown alligator strap (PAM00739). Water resistant to 30m, both watches use the P.4000 automatic calibre, and compared to the Luminor 1950 model of the same size, they are significantly thinner and lighter.

In perfect Panerai style, the dial of the new Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic has the sandwich structure, satine soleil finish and minimalist design, with figures at the cardinal points, bar hour markers and the small seconds counter at 9 oclock.

Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic 45mm Titanium  Panerai

The P.4000 calibre is one of the most sophisticated movements from the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchatelclearly. Visible through the sapphire crystal opening in the caseback, the movement includes an off-centred micro-rotor which rotates in both directions, winding up the two spring barrels which can store a power reserve of three days. The balance bridge is the type with twin supports, safer and stronger than the usual cantilever bridge, and the watch also has the device which stops the balance when the winding crown is pulled out, so that the watch can be perfectly synchronised.

Calibre Panerai P.4000  Panerai

In the steel version of the Luminor Due, the P.4000 calibre is the P.4000/10 skeletonised version, with an oscillating weight of 22-carat gold decorated with clous de Paris and skeletonised bridges, with circular brushed finish and gilded engraving. In the titanium model, the oscillating weight is made of tungsten, a material very suitable for this purpose because of its high specific weight.

Thanks to the ingenious structure of the calibre and the work of the designers, the thickness of the case has been reduced by almost 40% (10.7 mm), while preserving the watchs sturdiness and functionality, and leaving its distinctive design unchanged.
The Egyptian parliament begins its third legislative session next week after a three-month respite. Al-Ahram newspaper sat down with speaker Ali Abdel-Aal to discuss the chamber's biggest challenges, achievements and its interaction with the government.

Al-Ahram daily newspaper (AN): What do you think of the parliament's performance in its second session?

Ali Abdel-Aal (AA): The second round saw unprecedented legislative and regulatory activity, although time was tight and there was a very busy agenda of critical and sensitive issues that needed thorough scrutiny. Some 219 economic, political and social laws were ratified.

AN: What do you think about those laws?

AA: This is the largest number of laws an Egyptian parliament has ever ratified [in a single parliamentary session]. A number of other bills are still to be discussed in the house's next three rounds. We have passed several laws on citizens' services, including a law granting state employees a number of exceptional bonuses to help them manage the rise in prices, a law on pensions, and another on health insurance for schoolchildren.

With regards to reviving the country's economy, parliament passed the investment law and another piece of legislation on licenses for industrial facilities.

On health, parliament passed a law on health insurance for schoolchildren, another on the National Authority for Food Safety, and another on advertising health products. All such laws filled the legislative void previously found in these areas.

Other laws on national security and counter-terrorism have been passed, including the criminal procedures law, the terrorist entities law, the terrorism law, the protest law, and the emergency law. Other key laws include one on combating illegal immigration, another regulating the work of the media and the press, and another on the media personnel union.

I regret that media has not highlighted the house's activity and what it has offered to citizens, and has only focused on the negatives.

AN: Are you satisfied with the houses performance, as much of the public have not yet seen the outcome of the new laws?

AA: The current house is made up of members of diverse ideologies, most of whom have little legislative experience, which can only be gained through practice. The chamber's performance has improved in its second round and I expect it to get better in the third round.

We work under very tough conditions while running up a budget deficit that does not allow us to achieve all that we aspire to.

Also, Egyptians must be patient and wait for some time before they see the outcome of recently passed legislation.

AN: Why do you think the parliament has not used one of its main regulatory roles, i.e. inquiry, during its second round?

AA: Inquiry is one of the biggest and most dangerous powers of parliament. It means levelling accusations of insufficiency or violation at a member of the government, and can only be carried out under certain legal conditions.

More important than the inquiry is the result. Many previous parliaments have conducted inquiries for hours. But did they ever dismiss a minister or hold them accountable? The current parliament, however, pressured a minister to resign [the supply minister resigned in 2016] without an inquiry, and following results produced by a fact-finding committee only.

AN: There is a state of discontent among the public with the parliament's performance in monitoring the government in many areas. Some believe the chamber has not sided with the people with regard to the rise in prices. What is your opinion?

AA: Ambitions are high and the government has been struggling to maintain stability since the 2011 revolution. Regional and international conditions have taken their toll on the economies of all countries, something that has made economic reforms an inevitable necessity.

The government is now required to present parliament quarterly reports on its achievements. This is the beginning of true accountability.

The chamber always sides with the Egyptian citizen. The chamber agreed with the government to allocated a EGP 1 billion subsidy for commodities obtained via ration cards, and directed the government to draw a bill to incorporate monies from special funds into the state treasury to bolster it, and it was signed into law in the last session. We also urged the government to increase the prices at which farmers sell key crops, including rice, sugar cane, wheat and cotton, in a bid to ease the burden on farmers and help them keep pace with rising prices.

AN: The maritime demarcation agreement with Saudi Arabia was one of parliament's biggest challenges. How did you deal with criticism of the chamber at the time?

AA: Under Article 151 of the Egyptian constitution, parliament has the final say in international agreements. This is dictated by the principle of separation of powers, which must be respected; we do not accept any undermining of the powers of the chamber.

The agreement was ratified in accordance with the constitution, as was the case with dozens of other international conventions. This is not the first time the Egyptian state has signed demarcation agreements.

AN: The previous parliamentary session saw constant arguments with opposition members, which was regarded by some as undermining their right to express their opinion because they are not a majority; what do you think about this?

AA: I do not undermine the right of the opposition. I am sometimes even criticised for complimenting the minority and giving them more room than others. Disagreement between the majority and minority is healthy in any democratic parliament. The final say is that of the majority and should be respected by everyone without commenting, as prescribed by the chamber's bylaws.

The minority sometimes does not accept the results of a vote and attempts to impose its opinion by force. I try not to allow any side to step on the other side's rights.

Al-Ahram daily newspaper (AN): How do you evaluate the role the Support Egypt coalition [an alliance of over 400 pro-government MPs] plays in parliament?

Ali Abdel-Aal: I think the alliance is doing a good job. The members have a sense of patriotism and are aware of their responsibility and the challenges facing the country. The members are still lacking some traits, given that they are new to the legislature, that I hope they will develop in the future.

AN: What are the weaknesses of the parliament that you would like to overcome in the next legislative session?

AA: The delay of some sittings and the absence of some members are the two things that disrupt the work of parliament the most and result in it not performing its legislative tasks in time. Some bills cannot be ratified without the requisite quorum of lawmakers. Some lawmakers fail to show up due to other tasks they need to perform at different ministries. We plan to request the government set times for such things, other than those of the chamber's sessions.

AN: Some observers believe the parliament has trespassed on the judiciary by passing the judicial authority law, on judicial appointments to top courts. What do you think?

AA: The three authorities [the executive, legislative and judiciary] enjoy complete independence. Parliament monitors the government while enacting laws that are binding for all once issued, yet it is not in charge of the administration. The chamber performs one of the main elements of its power i.e. enacting law. Amendments made to the judicial authority law are at the heart of the work of the chamber. They do not undermine the independence or the functions of the judiciary. The amendments are purely organisational, regarding the selection of heads of those judicial bodies. We can compare the texts before and after the amendments to see whether judicial independence was undermined.

AN: What about the new criminal procedures law?

AA: The government is currently reviewing final amendments to the law, which will then be sent to the parliament. The chamber's legislative committee has already started holding sessions to discuss the draft bill, to save time until it is ready. In its last session, the parliament passed a bill introduced by ten members which made necessary amendments to the law.

AN: Some observers believe the parliament's approval of the International Monetary Fund loan is unconstitutional because it came after the deal with the fund was made. What do you think?

AA: The IMF deal is an economic reform programme, presented by the government to the fund to ask for financial facilitation to carry out the programme. As a contributor to the fund, Egypt is entitled like all other countries to borrow. If the deal is regarded an international argument, then--as prescribed by the constitution--it has to be sent to parliament for approval. If it is regarded as a loan, the executive authority, likewise, cannot obtain loans without approval from the legislative authority.

This means there is no violation of the constitution either way. There is no doubt though that ideally, the deal should have been sent to the parliament once signed without any delay. I believe this is what the government recognized later. We had no other choice given the current pressing economic conditions but to put in place an economic reform programme, rather than resort to high-interest borrowing that would push foreign debt up.

AN: The relationship between parliament and the media has been tense recently; why is that and does criticism of the chamber anger you?

AA: We support freedom of opinion and accept constructive criticism, yet with respect for the chamber's prestige and status. Egyptian citizens have the right to a professional media. Professionalism means addressing positives and negatives with the same enthusiasm and speed. We demand only objectivity, professionalism, and that the public interest is kept in mind.

AN: You previously talked about your plan to write your memoirs, which you said will make reference to organised conspiracies against parliament? What are they?

AA: There had been persistent attempts to prevent the formation of this parliament. When the parliament was elected, many plots were hatched to create a negative image of it in Egypt and abroad, and to distance it from the public. I have tried to rescue the parliament from such malicious attempts. I will reveal the magnitude of these plots and the challenges we faced to foil them when the time is right.

AN: How do you evaluate the government's performance?

AA: The government needs to accomplish a lot under very difficult conditions. The government seeks to serve the interests of citizens and satisfy them amid tough economic conditions. The path to development is long.

AN: Does the government work to carry out parliaments recommendations on all issues? Is there coordination between parliament and the government?

AA: The government seeks to carry out our recommendations within available appropriations and within the ratified general budget. We are striving to create a climate of cooperation and coordination between the chamber and the government. In fact, Minister of the House of Representatives Omar Marwan largely performs such a role.

AN: How do you see the disagreement between the government and parliament over the investment law? Do you expect the law to attract more investment?

AA: The main aim of the new investment law is to reduce stifling red tape, making business easier for investors and creating a one-stop shop. The disagreement over who issues the executive regulations for the new law was settled quickly afterwards, and it was agreed that the prime minister would do so. I expect the investment law to work out well under current Egypts Investment Minister Sahar Nasr.

AN: What is the role of the legislative authority in Egypt's fight against terrorism?

AA: Parliament plays a significant role in the fight against terrorism, mainly by enacting laws that guarantee prompt justice. We have ratified a number of laws in this regard, including amendments to the criminal procedures law, procedures of appeal before the Court of Cassation, the terrorist entities law, the terrorism law, as well as amendments to the emergency laws.

These laws will speed up the prosecution of those involved in terrorist crimes.

Al-Ahram newspaper (AN): Will parliament play any role, either locally or abroad, to uncover terrorism-supporting countries?



Ali Abdel-Aal (AA): Internally, parliament's role is mainly enacting counter-terrorism legislation to guarantee swift justice and hold those involved in terrorist crimes accountable. We deliver Egypt's point of view to the world by communicating with parliaments in other countries.

AN: What message do you want to give to Egyptians struggling with soaring prices?

AA: The role of parliament is to address the struggle of citizens through laws and control measures. We have called on the government to ensure tight control of markets, to curb exploitation by traders and unreasonable price rises.

AN: Raising fuel prices had provoked a huge public outcry. Why did parliament not pressure the government to postpone the move?

AA: Lifting the subsidy is the bitter remedy for accumulating economic woes brought by policies of successive governments. The subsidising of petrol, diesel and cooking gas has eaten up much of the state expenditures. Political reforms have been put off for decades. Confronting the people with the truth of the crisis and the means to overcome it is the only way out.

AN: Will parliament draft legislation to combat online terrorist crimes?

AA: The chamber is currently looking at a bill on online terrorist crimes submitted by a number of members. The government is also drafting another law in this regard which it will send to parliament once finished. It will be at the top of our priorities during the coming session.

AN: Almost a year after the flotation of the pound, do you think the aim of the move has been achieved? When do you think we can go back to a fixed currency rate?

AA: Floating the currency is one of the most difficult and dangerous economic decisions; it has a far-reaching impact on the country's economic structure as well as other social and political aspects. The move was necessary to have a fixed currency price, regain confidence of local and foreign investors and lure back investment.

It's healthier for investment when the exchange rate is set according to supply and demand without interference from the state.

AN: Do you think the Egyptian economy can recover given the large budget deficit and soaring inflation?

AA: Certainly the Egyptian economy is beginning to recover. Concerted efforts from the government, parliament and the people are needed to achieve quicker recovery, which I expect will take place very soon.

AN: During its last round, parliament set up committees tasked with carrying out field visits to border governorates. A year and a half later, no changes have been made in such areas. How do you view the efficacy of these committees?

AA: Such regions have been neglected for decades. The current parliament is the first to give this magnitude of attention to those areas.

Overcoming decades-long problems needs time and an increase in the money earmarked for these areas. Recommendations produced by the committees have been submitted to the government. We constantly follow up with the government to see them carried out.

AN: Why hasnt parliament passed the local administration law governing the operation of municipalities?

AA: The law aims to combat rampant corruption across municipalities. It is highly important and therefore needs careful consideration and a national dialogue, something that we did not have the time to do during the previous round. It will be one of the main priorities during the next round.

AN: What do you think about criticism directed at the parliament that it has violated the constitution by not passing major laws, including those on transitional justice and the resettlement of the Nubian people?

AA: Such laws tackle thorny issues and therefore require broad social consensus and certain political conditions. Not passing laws in a certain time does not contravene the constitution. It's better to wait if a piece of legislation does not enjoy social consensus.

AN: What is the chamber's legislative agenda like in the next round?

AA: There are a number of major laws that will be looked at. These included one on the rights of people with special needs, another on regulating the operation of press and media, the criminal procedures law, the customer protection law, the municipalities law, the labour law, the syndicates and labour unions law, the youth law and others.

AN: How do you view the role of parliament in its third session, which will coincide with the next presidential elections?

AA: Under Article 142 of the constitution, 20 members or more can name a presidential candidate and the chamber's bylaws define the mechanism for doing so.

AN: How do you view Egypt's political landscape and political parties?

AA: A large number of political parties came to light following the revolutions of January 2011 and June 2013, many of which had limited experience in public work. This parliament helps those entities merge into single bigger blocs. We do not need many parties, we need effective parties.

Al-Ahram daily newspaper (AN): How do you view demands for complete judicial supervision of elections?

AA: The Egyptian constitution requires full judicial supervision for ten years. The country was going through exceptional circumstances when the constitution was drafted and this is why it prescribed full judicial supervision for ten years from the time of ratifying the charter.

The National Election Commission is an independent body and having full judicial supervision indefinitely is unacceptable and would disrupt the work of the judiciary.

AN: How do you view Egypt's international role at the current time?

AA: Egypt's regional and international role was somewhat diminished in the wake of the January 2011 and the July 2013 revolutions.

In a short time, nevertheless, Egypt has managed to get back on track. Egypt was elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and is now member of the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

Egypt also chairs the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). Egypt has bolstered its ties with the major world's powers and highlighted to the international community its leading role in fighting terrorism.

Foreign visits by parliamentary delegations have also played a major role in enhancing Egypt's image abroad and delivering facts about the situation in Egypt. Most of the visits followed invitations we received which reflects an interest of foreign countries to get to know the truth about the situation in Egypt.

During trips by MPs to take part in regional and international conferences, Egyptian lawmakers were named in major international positions, including my membership of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Also, the Egyptian parliament currently chairs the Parliamentary Assembly - Union for the Mediterranean. All this does contribute to bolstering Egypt's parliamentary diplomacy.

AN: What about rulings the parliament has not upheld?

AA: The parliament is keen to respect and uphold all judicial rulings, unless there are obstacles to upholding verdicts. In such cases, careful scrutiny of the verdict is required to identify the process of upholding it pursuant to the constitution.

AN: How do you see this month's Human Rights Watch report about Egypt?

AA: Human rights are always a politicised issue that is being used to exercise pressure. The report tackled human rights violations in the US as well, but put the spotlight on Egypt nevertheless.

We can confront such means of pressure or foreign agendas to undermine the country by national unity. Media also play a major role in this regard.

AN: Speaking about unity may jar with the current struggle of Egyptians in their daily lives. What do you think?

AA: Egypt has been through tougher phases, including in the wake of the 1967 and the 1973 wars. Only national unity among the people will allow us to always overcome foreign plots.









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Al-Ahram daily newspaper (AN): How do you evaluate the role the Support Egypt coalition [an alliance of over 400 pro-government MPs] plays in parliament?

Ali Abdel-Aal: I think the alliance is doing a good job. The members have a sense of patriotism and are aware of their responsibility and the challenges facing the country. The members are still lacking some traits, given that they are new to the legislature, that I hope they will develop in the future.

AN: What are the weaknesses of the parliament that you would like to overcome in the next legislative session?

AA: The delay of some sittings and the absence of some members are the two things that disrupt the work of parliament the most and result in it not performing its legislative tasks in time. Some bills cannot be ratified without the requisite quorum of lawmakers. Some lawmakers fail to show up due to other tasks they need to perform at different ministries. We plan to request the government set times for such things, other than those of the chamber's sessions.

AN: Some observers believe the parliament has trespassed on the judiciary by passing the judicial authority law, on judicial appointments to top courts. What do you think?

AA: The three authorities [the executive, legislative and judiciary] enjoy complete independence. Parliament monitors the government while enacting laws that are binding for all once issued, yet it is not in charge of the administration. The chamber performs one of the main elements of its power i.e. enacting law. Amendments made to the judicial authority law are at the heart of the work of the chamber. They do not undermine the independence or the functions of the judiciary. The amendments are purely organisational, regarding the selection of heads of those judicial bodies. We can compare the texts before and after the amendments to see whether judicial independence was undermined.

AN: What about the new criminal procedures law?

AA: The government is currently reviewing final amendments to the law, which will then be sent to the parliament. The chamber's legislative committee has already started holding sessions to discuss the draft bill, to save time until it is ready. In its last session, the parliament passed a bill introduced by ten members which made necessary amendments to the law.

AN: Some observers believe the parliament's approval of the International Monetary Fund loan is unconstitutional because it came after the deal with the fund was made. What do you think?

AA: The IMF deal is an economic reform programme, presented by the government to the fund to ask for financial facilitation to carry out the programme. As a contributor to the fund, Egypt is entitled like all other countries to borrow. If the deal is regarded an international argument, then--as prescribed by the constitution--it has to be sent to parliament for approval. If it is regarded as a loan, the executive authority, likewise, cannot obtain loans without approval from the legislative authority.

This means there is no violation of the constitution either way. There is no doubt though that ideally, the deal should have been sent to the parliament once signed without any delay. I believe this is what the government recognized later. We had no other choice given the current pressing economic conditions but to put in place an economic reform programme, rather than resort to high-interest borrowing that would push foreign debt up.

AN: The relationship between parliament and the media has been tense recently; why is that and does criticism of the chamber anger you?

AA: We support freedom of opinion and accept constructive criticism, yet with respect for the chamber's prestige and status. Egyptian citizens have the right to a professional media. Professionalism means addressing positives and negatives with the same enthusiasm and speed. We demand only objectivity, professionalism, and that the public interest is kept in mind.

AN: You previously talked about your plan to write your memoirs, which you said will make reference to organised conspiracies against parliament? What are they?

AA: There had been persistent attempts to prevent the formation of this parliament. When the parliament was elected, many plots were hatched to create a negative image of it in Egypt and abroad, and to distance it from the public. I have tried to rescue the parliament from such malicious attempts. I will reveal the magnitude of these plots and the challenges we faced to foil them when the time is right.

AN: How do you evaluate the government's performance?

AA: The government needs to accomplish a lot under very difficult conditions. The government seeks to serve the interests of citizens and satisfy them

amid tough economic conditions. The path to development is long.

AN: Does the government work to carry out parliaments recommendations on all issues? Is there coordination between parliament and the government?

AA: The government seeks to carry out our recommendations within available appropriations and within the ratified general budget. We are striving to create a climate of cooperation and coordination between the chamber and the government. In fact, Minister of the House of Representatives Omar Marwan largely performs such a role.

AN: How do you see the disagreement between the government and parliament over the investment law? Do you expect the law to attract more investment?

AA: The main aim of the new investment law is to reduce stifling red tape, making business easier for investors and creating a one-stop shop. The disagreement over who issues the executive regulations for the new law was settled quickly afterwards, and it was agreed that the prime minister would do so. I expect the investment law to work out well under current Egypts Investment Minister Sahar Nasr.

AN: What is the role of the legislative authority in Egypt's fight against terrorism?

AA: Parliament plays a significant role in the fight against terrorism, mainly by enacting laws that guarantee prompt justice. We have ratified a number of laws in this regard, including amendments to the criminal procedures law, procedures of appeal before the Court of Cassation, the terrorist entities law, the terrorism law, as well as amendments to the emergency laws.

These laws will speed up the prosecution of those involved in terrorist crimes.

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From the Soviet Union to Cuba, Venezuela, wherever socialism or communism has been adopted, it has delivered anguish, devastation and failure. Those who preach the tenets of these discredited ideologies only contribute to the continued suffering of the people who live under these cruel systems..." --President Donald Trump, Sept. 19.

A big takeaway from my prior years in ministry is that things aren't always as they seem. Sometimes people hide dark secrets behind nice smiles and happy faces.

Here in the U.S., gobs of sorely misinformed people fantasize about the pie-in-the-sky idea of socialism, having no idea all it does is make everyone except those in charge poor and miserable.

Even so, socialism barkers put on happy faces and try to sell socialism like snake oil salesmen.

And then there is President Trump, who told it like it is during his U.N. General Assembly speech, which will likely go down in history as one for the ages.

Trump said, "The problem in Venezuela is not that socialism has been poorly implemented, but that socialism has been faithfully implemented."

You could almost hear all the air being sucked out of the room by horrorstruck socialist world leaders forced to face the truth head-on: Everywhere socialism is implemented it eventually fails.

Venezuela, the weight loss capital of the world, is falling apart.

Socialist policies picked this oil rich country bone-dry.

Former president Hugo Chavez justified stealing businesses from private citizens in the name of spreading the wealth around. He nationalized just about every industry to supposedly level the playing field and create financial equality.

Then he went spend-happy.

For a short while, Venezuelans enjoyed freebies like the single payer healthcare system that congressional Democrats here in the U.S. want so bad they would probably be willing to sell everything you own to get it, if that's what it would take.

The government became Venezuelans' sole provider. Along with free healthcare, they also received subsidies for energy and food.

Then the healthcare system collapsed and the economy went kaput.

Devoid of basic necessities like food, medications, or even toilet paper, Venezuelans now forage through trash like wild animals and even eat dogs and cats to survive.

All that, while current president Nicolas Madura and Chavez family members live in the lap of luxury.

Yes, folks, socialism works.

It works for leaders who steal it from the folks at the top, bottom and middle.

They'll tell you every time they are doing it to share the wealth. Chavez talked the socialism talk while he was lining his pockets. When he died, he left his daughter Maria Gabriela Chavez around $4 billion, Miami-based newspaper Diario Las Americas reports.

Americans should be very leery of Democrat Party politicians whose eyes light up like blow torches at the mention of the childishly romantic idea of socialism. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is a multi-millionaire who lives in a $2 million mansion.Bernie Sanders has three homes, including a $600,000 lake house. Former President Obama is worth tens of millions and rakes in $400,000 per speech from the Wall Street folks he once rail against.

Like Chavez, Democrats tend to blame much of the inequities in the world on capitalism.

Greedy capitalists didn't rape Venezuela, greedy socialists did.

The Economist reports Chavez "expropriated and redistributed wealth to weaken enemies and woo allies" and "undercut the oil wealth that funded Venezuelan socialism." Then, the inevitable happened, Venezuela ran "out of other people's money," just like former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said.

Apparently, her wisdom is far too yesteryear for current Prime Minister Theresa May, who issued President Trump a stiff-lipped smackdown for "pursuing protectionism" during her UN speech. May said protectionism might "undermine support for the forces of liberalism and free trade that have done so much to propel global growth."

Meanwhile, malnourished Venezuelans are fleeing in droves to escape the death throes of a socialist nightmare.
Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 31F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 31F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.

Tomorrow

Rain likely. High 41F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Hamas has agreed on an exchange of prisoners with Israel, a deal suggested by Egypt two weeks ago, Palestinian news agency Maan reported on Friday.

According to Ma'an, the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahia Senwar, said during a meeting with Gazan youth on Thursday that his group' agreement with the deal came in response to Egypt's suggestion, which was offered to the group's delegation in Cairo earlier this month.

However, the Israeli government has reportedly rejected the prisoner swap; Israeli media quoted an Israeli source describing Senwars announcement as a manoeuvre.

The agreement between Hamas and Egypt over the deal reached Israel through an Israeli official who is charged of negotiations, Ma'an added.

"The ball is now in the Israeli playground; they refused the plan which was approved by Egypt and our side," Senwar said.

Senwar did not reveal the details of the deal, but according to reports by Palestinian newspaper Al-Istiqlal and Israeli newspapers Haaretz and The Times of Israel, it would mean that Israel release 39 bodies of Palestinians who were killed in 2014, including 19 Hamas members, and in return Hamas would give information on the missing Israeli soldiers that the group allegedly holds.

The second phase of the deal would be the release of 58 Palestinians who were rearrested in 2014 after they were released in 2011 in a prisoner swap for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, a group that is known in the Arabic media as "the Shalit captives."

The third and last phase would be the start of negotiations between Hamas and Israel on a further prisone swap, with Egyptian mediation.

Earlier this month, a high-profile Hamas delegation visited Cairo to continue talks that started in February regarding the situation in Gaza and bilateral relations with Egypt.

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[JURIST] DeJenay Beckwith, a woman who was sexually assault in 2011, has filed a lawsuit [complaint, PDF] in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas [official wesbite] against the city of Houston [official website] for the citys backlog of rape kit tests.

Beckwith was sexually assaulted in her home in 2011. Immediately after the assailant was chased away by one of Beckwiths friends, she contacted the Houston Police Department who took her to a local hospital in order to administer a rape test kit. According to Beckwith, that kit was not tested until 2016, over five years after the incident.

Once the kit was tested, it was revealed that the assailant was a man by the name of David Lee Cooper, a convicted rapist whose DNA was on file with the FBI since 1991. Other kits that were tested years after they were taken revealed that David Lee Cooper had victimized numerous women in the Houston area.

Beckwith is alleging that Houston officials knew of the backlog going as far back as 1991 and failed to address the issue. The complaint alleges that such conduct is unconstitutional.

The suit is also seeking class action status for other affected woman.

There are currently similar backlogs in numerous states across the country. Wisconsin has a backlog of roughly 6,000 rape kits [USA Today report]. Iowa has a backlog of more than 4,000 rape kits dating back to 1990 [Des Moines Register report]. According to End The Backlog, an initiative started by the Joyful Heart Foundation [advocacy websites], there are hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across the US.
The UN Human Rights Council agreed Friday to send war crimes investigators to Yemen, overcoming resistance from Saudi Arabia which sought to fend off an independent international probe.

A resolution adopted by consensus mandated UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to send three experts to the country to "carry out a comprehensive examination of all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights" committed in the ongoing conflict.

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Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner [official website] signed HB 0040 [text] into law Thursday, which removes many restrictions on the funding of abortions. The law adds language to the State Employees Group Insurance Act, which states reproductive health care that is otherwise legal in Illinois shall be covered under the medical assistance program for persons who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance under this Article.

The law removes the restriction that did not allow the non-contributory portion of the program of health benefits from being used to perform abortions. It also removes a requirement that any claim for reimbursement for abortions be accompanied by a written statement of a physician. Restrictions removing physicians from the list of physicians qualified to participate as a vendor of medical services under the medical assistance program if they had performed an abortion procedure on a woman who was not pregnant was also removed by the law.

The law now allows grants to nonprofit agencies and organizations even if they refer or counsel for or perform abortions. It also removes language which stated that the General Assembly of Illinois declared that an unborn child is a legal person from the time of conception.

Abortion rights in the US have been a heavily contested topic for many years. In June the Supreme Court of Georgia ruled [JURIST report] that the state was immune from litigation regarding a lawsuit challenging a 20-week abortion ban law. Also in June the Delaware legislature approved [JURIST report] a bill guaranteeing abortion access and lifting any restrictions on abortions prior to the stage where a fetus reaches viability. The Delaware bill was signed [Bill Status] into law by Delawares Governor on June 8.
[JURIST] The US Supreme Court [official website] granted certiorari in 11 cases [order list, PDF] on Thursday.

Dalmazzi v. United States [cert. petition, PDF] Cox v. United States [docket], and Ortiz v. United States [cert. petition, PDF] are three cases that will be consolidated and will be given one hour each for oral argument. These cases deal with whether active-duty military officers can serve on the Court of Military Commissions Review (CMCR). The petitioners were members of the Air Force who were convicted [SCOTUSblog report] of different crimes in a military court. They are appealing their convictions on the grounds that only members of the military can preside over a military court, and the judges in the petitioners cases were civilians because of their CMCR position.

Collins v. Virginia [cert. petition, PDF] deals with whether the Fourth Amendments automobile exception includes a police officer searching a vehicle without a warrant that is parked on the suspects property. The petitioner appealed his conviction for receiving stolen property, claiming that the police did not constitutionally obtain evidence.

The question in Hall v. Hall [cert. petition, PDF] is whether, when multiple cases are consolidated, a decision in a single one of those cases triggers a time limit for appeals if all the cases consolidated are from the same district. The claim arose from a mother bringing tort litigation against her son and his law firm.

Encino Motorcars, LLC v. Navarro [cert. petition, PDF] addresses whether service advisors at a car dealership are entitled to overtime pay when the Fair Labor Standards Act exempts any salesman, partsman, or mechanic primarily engaged in selling or servicing automobiles. Respondents are service advisors who are seeking overtime pay. The Supreme Court heard and remanded [opinion, PDF] this case in spring 2016.

The question in Byrd v. United States [cert. petition, PDF] is whether a the driver of a rental car has a reasonable expectation of privacy when he has permission to drive the rental car but is not listed as a driver on the agreement. Petitioner was driving a car his girlfriend had rented for him when the police pulled him over for a traffic violation. They searched his car without suspicion or warrant. While a police officer may not conduct a suspicionless and warrantless search when a driver has a reasonable expectation of privacy, the government asserts that there was no expectation of privacy because petitioners name was not on the rental agreement. Petitioner appealed his conviction.

In Janus v. American Federation [cert. petition, PDF] the court will decide whether it will overrule a previous decision that it is constitutional for the government to force its employees to join unions. The petitioner is an Illinois state employee who is being compelled to pay union fees.

In City of Hays v. Vogt [opinion, PDF] a police officer admitted to appropriating a knife from work, sparking a criminal investigation. At issue is whether the police department using statements made at the probable cause hearing was unconstitutional on the basis of self incrimination.

At issue in McCoy v. Louisiana [docket] is whether it is unconstitutional for an attorney to concede a defendants guilt without a defendants approval. The defendant was convicted of three first-degree murders and sentenced to death.

In Rosales-Mireles v. United States the court will decide what standard to use when correcting a district courts error. The petitioner pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the US, but the district court calculated his jail sentence incorrectly. The circuit court said that the error was not severe enough to correct.
The UN rights council voted Thursday to send experts to help authorities in crisis-wracked Burundi to investigate violations, casting doubt on whether an independent international probe would be allowed to continue.

The resolution, presented this week by a group of African countries, was controversial since it came on top of a far stronger text previously tabled by the European Union, the United States and Canada.

That resolution, which will be voted on on Friday, calls for the UN's Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, which has accused the country's government of crimes against humanity -- including executions, torture and rape -- to continue its work.

The African text, which passed with 23 votes in favour, 14 opposed and nine abstaining, meanwhile calls for the UN rights office to "urgently dispatch a team of three experts" to Burundi.

The experts, it said, should "collect and preserve information, to determine the facts and circumstances... in cooperation with the government of Burundi".

It also called for them to "forward to the judicial authorities of Burundi (this) information in order to establish the truth and to ensure that the perpetrators of deplorable crimes are all accountable to the judicial authorities of Burundi".

Speaking on behalf of the EU before Thursday's vote, Latvian ambassador Janis Karklins warned that sending a team of experts "dependant on the good graces of the authorities does not lead us to believe it will be able to add to the fight against impunity in the country".

"There is no guarantee of independence and impartiality," he said.

- Credibility at stake? -

US representative Jason Mack also voiced deep disappointment at the African resolution, pointing to the Commission of Inquiry's findings that the Burundian government is continuing "to engage in extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence".

"Under these circumstances, the Human Rights Council should not support any mechanism short of a Commission of Inquiry, or this council risks further diminishing its credibility as the primary UN mechanism for protecting and promoting human rights," he said.

Burundi ambassador Renovat Tabu meanwhile accused the Europeans and Americans behind the stronger resolution of pushing a "secret agenda" against his country, insisting it had made "remarkable progress ... in the fight against impunity".

A spokesman for the rights council said it was fully possible for both Burundi resolutions to be adopted and implemented side by side, meaning the Commission of Inquiry could still see its mandate renewed Friday.

That would require some of the council's 47 members who voted for the African resolution to also agree to the second text, and observers said the Europeans and Americans might need to weaken some of the language in their resolution to help it pass.

John Fisher of Human Rights Watch voiced disappointment that the African resolution passed, but suggested that if the stronger text passes, the two investigations could compliment each other.

"The Commission could work cooperatively with the team of experts to ensure a coherent approach," he told AFP in an email.

"The credibility of the Council - and the needs of victims in Burundi - demands no less."
More than 60 Rohingya refugees are feared dead after a boat carrying them from Myanmar capsized, leaving distraught relatives to hold burials on Friday in squalid Bangladesh camps which the Red Cross says are tipping into a health crisis.

Half a million Rohingya have crushed into settlements in Bangladesh in just over a month, fleeing a Myanmar army campaign and communal violence that the UN describes as "ethnic cleansing".

They have poured over on foot or crossed the Naf river which bisects the two countries in overcrowded boats.

One of these vessels capsized in rough waters on Thursday agonisingly close to the shore, survivors said, as the Bangladeshi captain lost control after pushing far out to sea for two days to avoid patrols.

The bodies of 23 people have been retrieved so far but the death toll is expected to surge to around 60, with many of the dead likely to be young children too weak to swim through the churning water.

"Forty are missing and presumed drowned," International Organization for Migration spokesman Joel Millman told reporters in Geneva.

Survivor Abdus Salam told AFP the boat hit trouble within striking distance of the Bangladeshi coastline.

"He didn't see a rock underneath the water and we hit it."

Refugees on Friday held funerals for loved ones -- among them children -- who had hoped to find sanctuary from violence that has cut through their homeland in Rakhine state.

A woman carried a small white bundle to a grave for a Muslim burial, while male relatives wept at a school building where bodies had been laid out.

"My wife and two boys survived, but I lost my three daughters," Shona Miah, 32, told AFP.

- One toilet for hundreds -

Those who have made it to Bangladesh have been squeezed into a vast makeshift refugee settlement that has become one of the world's biggest in a matter of weeks.

Relief groups are overwhelmed by the numbers of hungry and traumatised Rohingya and medical staff say the camps are in imminent danger of disease outbreak.

"Our mobile clinics are treating more people, especially children, who are very sick from diarrhoeal diseases which are a direct result of the terrible sanitation conditions," said Mozharul Huq, secretary general of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

In some of the camps hundreds of refugees are sharing a single toilet, said Martin Faller, of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

"The conditions for an outbreak of disease are all present -- we have to act now and we have to act at scale," he added.

The UNHCR says nearly one in five of arrivals is suffering from "acute malnutrition", while aid groups have pledged to deliver 900,000 doses of cholera vaccine to Bangldesh within a fortnight.

Worsening conditions are compelling Rohingya to try to move out of the wedge of land Bangladesh has set aside for the new arrivals.

But Bangladesh police have stopped more than 20,000 Rohingya from going inland, a senior official said Friday, after authorities imposed travel restrictions on the refugees fearing they will move further into the country.

Bangladesh has urged Myanmar to allow a safe return for the Rohingya.

Myanmar says it is ready to begin repatriating refugees to a camp in the Maungdaw district of northern Rakhine.

But rights groups say the criteria for return is convoluted and carefully crafted to take back as few of the minority as possible.

Many Rohingya do not possess the requisite documents to be allowed back or are unwilling to return to villages that have been burnt to the ground.

The Muslim minority are loathed in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship and are instead branded "Bengalis" -- or illegal migrants who do not belong in the Buddhist-majority country.

- UN warnings -

Attacks on police posts in Rakhine by Rohingya militants on August 25 set the crisis in motion.

The kickback by Myanmar's army killed hundreds and left scores of Rohingya villages in ashes.

Rohingya who fled say they survived slaughter by soldiers and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists who were once their neighbours.

Ethnic Rakhine and Hindus have also been displaced inside Rakhine, accusing Rohingya militants of atrocities.

Rohingya are still on the move and UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned that the "systemic violence" could spill further south to the central part of Rakhine, threatening a further 250,000 Muslims with displacement.

Nearly 90 non-governmental organizations, including Amnesty International, have issued a joint statement denouncing "crimes against humanity" against the Rohingya in Myanmar and calling on the international community to immediately end military assistance to the country.

On Thursday the UN Security Council failed to agree on a joint resolution, after China and Russia supported Myanmar.

But the UN Human Rights Council said Friday it would extend an international fact-finding mission into abuses in Myanmar by another six months.

Access to the violence-stricken part of Rakhine is tightly controlled by the military, preventing international aid groups reaching desperate Rohingya or independent reporting on the crisis.

burs-apj/eb-klm
Photo Credit: Uniworld

When most of us think of exotic travel, the first thought that comes to mind is a trip to a destination in South East Asia such as Cambodia, or perhaps a safari in Africa. Seldom do we think of Europe. However a visit to Eastern Europe is equally as exotic, with a rich culture and landmarks as well as vestiges of communism and the influences of the Soviet Union. A fascinating way to experience this region is on Uniworlds Highlights of Eastern Europe Danube River cruise from Bucharest in Romania to Budapest, Hungary.

Photo Credit: Uniworld

The voyage is eight days chock full of fabulous memories with an optimal mix of cultural tours, sightseeing, and immersive activities on and off the ship. The cruise visits Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary, and explores the rich history from the thousands of years of conquerors and changing empires. Over the tumultuous 1,500-year-past, the Romans and the Mongols, Slavs, Ottomans, and Habsburgs, who conquered and defended these lands, all left their mark. More recently, the remnants of the World Wars and the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Balkan Wars are visible to see first-hand.

Photo Credit: Glenn Harris

From the top deck of the River Duchess, guests marvel at the scenery along the Danube and the passing farms, towns and big cities. In between are wonderful stretches of untouched natural beauty with towering mountains, dramatic coastlines and the beautiful river itself. One of the highlights is the Iron Gates, an 83-mile-long stretch of gorges created by the Danube between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains that separate Serbia and Romania.

Photo Credit: Uniworld

The Uniworlds River Duchess is essentially a floating five-star hotel decked out with an elegant decor of fine-crafted furnishings and artwork. The staterooms have all the necessary amenities with a light and beautiful decor, comfortable bedding, high-tech television, wide bay windows, and en-suite bathroom and shower with LOccitane en Provence bath products. Higher category rooms on the upper floors have a sliding door and there are four suites with additional amenities, minibar and butler services. Along the journey, the staff provides truly personal service on the ship which can accommodate up to 130 guests.

Photo Credit: Uniworld

The elegant ship has several common areas including the lounge area with a long bar and dance floor. On the sundeck terrace, guests congregate to take in the panoramic views and sights, incredible sunsets, or fresh air with their morning tea. There is always something to do on the ship, from afternoon high tea to lectures about the local people as well as ports of call. Uniworld also brings in the best of talent from the area to entertain guests with dance and musical performances. Its really a great way to see about these rich and beautiful traditions up close.

Photo Credit: Uniworld

The ship provides gourmet dining with an a la carte menu of popular Eastern European dishes. The cuisine embraces a farm-to-ship approach with fresh ingredients sourced from local bakeries and farmers markets along the route. The wine pairing is exceptional, with local wines selected by their talented sommelier. The restaurant is a member of Chaine des Rotisseurs and the only Zagat-rated restaurant youll find on a river cruise. Guests can also enjoy the private dining restaurant, Leopolds Bar, which has an exclusive, reservation-only service for 20 guests. In the main dining area, guests are free to dine where and when they wish during dining hours. Some may choose to dine with new friends while others choose a private table for two.

Photo Credit: Glenn Harris

Guest will get to experience Eastern European culture, the historical aspects of the region and the regions natural sites via the excursions at the ports of call. One unusual natural site is Bulgarias Belogradchik rock formations. Its an exotic rock formation like the Grand Canyon where guests can hike the 200 steps to the top for breathtaking views of the countryside and surrounding natural vistas.

Photo Credit: Glenn Harris

The villages are wonderful to explore, such as Arbanassi, a small mountain village in northern Bulgaria. The 17th century stone churches are adorned with well-preserved frescos depicting biblical scenes. On our voyage, we received a special treat and experienced an angelic Orthodox choir performance. Guests can also visit the Romanian countryside and picturesque Snagov Lake. Nearby is a quaint, 12th century church, the resting place of King Vlad the Impaler, better known as the inspiration for the blood thirsty Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Photo Credit: I Bike Belgrade

Major cities along the Danube are also visited. In Romania, the trip begins with a tour of Bucharests major landmarks including the gargantuan and controversial Peoples Palace, which is the second largest building in the world, second only to the U.S. Pentagon. Many see it as an architectural marvel, while others as a symbol of communist waste, as it almost bankrupted Yugoslavia and helped trigger its downfall. In Belgrade, Serbia, the citys major landmarks are seen via a bike tour with a break for local beer at a traditional fishermans bar.

Photo Credit: Glenn Harris

In Croatia, we stopped in Vukovar, which was heavily impacted by the Croatian War of Independence. Many buildings have scared facades riddled with bullet holes from this war which was just 20 years ago. The group also visited Tvrda, a beautiful 18th-century Habsburg fortress with stone walls and cobblestone streets. The highlight was lunch at the home of one the locals who shared her experiences living in communism, the breakup of Yugoslavia, as well as life today in Croatia.

The journey terminated in whats been called the Paris of the east, Budapest. The citys major landmarks such as St. Stephens Basilica and the UNESCO-designated Castle Hill district were some of the city's highlights.

Photo Credit: Uniworld

Interacting with the other passengers on board and on the excursions is a much as part of the experience as the excursion themselves. They are an interesting group of well-traveled passengers, mainly from the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. Long-term friendships are formed over dinner conversations and shared adventures, many of which will last long after the final port of call.

Uniworld provides a hassle free, refined and unforgettable travel experience through Eastern Europe. Theres a reason why they were voted the top luxury river cruise by Travel + Leisure and receive perennial accolades from Cruise Critic and other purveyors of luxury river cruising. For those looking for something special, Uniworlds River Cruise is an excellent way to see and experience these exotic lands along the Danube.
More than 2,300 polling stations are ready for the Catalan independence referendum slated for Sunday but banned by Madrid, the regional separatist government said Friday.

Spokesman Jordi Turull told reporters there would be "2,315 polling stations all over the region" and more than 7,200 people involved in holding the referendum despite a crackdown by Madrid.

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A high-level delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to visit Egypt on Monday to discuss current bank programmes and future cooperation, an official statement by the bank said on Friday.

The delegation will be led by Khalid Sherif, the bank's vice president for regional development, integration and business delivery, who is visiting Egypt for the first time, Laila Al-Mokadem, the AfDB representative in Egypt, said in the statement.

Sherif will hold high-level talks with a number of Egyptian government ministers and development partners on the strategy of cooperation between Egypt and the bank, as well as discussing current programmes.

In 2015, Egypt signed a three-year $1.5 billion loan agreement with the AfDB; two tranches worth $1 billion have so far been dispersed.

The delegation, who are visiting from 2 to 8 October, aim to identify priority areas for development, to draft a framework of how the bank can support Egypt's economic reform agenda in the coming years.

According to the statement, the banks portfolio in Egypt comprises 29 projects, with a total financing of $2.34 billion; cooperation is based on two elements, development of infrastructure, and the strengthening of governance.

The portfolio is distributed in the sectors of energy, budget support, water and irrigation, agriculture and irrigation, and social security, and consists of loans to the government sector and to the private sector, as well as technical assistance grants, the statement adds.

Since 2015, AfDB has provided 11 grants to Egypt, worth $18.3 million, in a number of sectors, including to support the capabilities of workers in social security networks.

The bank has also funded projects in the social protection sector, including programmes to support education, health, poverty reduction and microfinance, and a project in Uppe Egypt to reduce poverty among smallholder farmers.

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Egypt's National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority ratified on Thursday evening a decision by mobile companies to decrease the value of the mobile recharging cards by 36 percent, starting Friday.

The acting president of the authority, Mostafa Abdel-Wahed, told state news agency MENA on Friday that the price points of the internet and the cards will not change, but the value that they purchase will decrease.

Abdel-Wahed said that customer will obtain 70 percent of the price of the card in charging credit.

For example, he said, the EGP 100 recharging card will give EGP 70 credit, the EGP 50 card will give EGP 35 credit, the EGP 25 will provide EGP 17.5 credit, and so on.

The decision was met with strong criticism on social media, and sparked campaigns calling for a partial boycott of mobile companies.

The Citizens Against Price Increases group called on their Facebook page for all mobile users to participate in a boycott of the three mobile companies on Friday, adding that a pressure group would be formed on Saturday to call for the decision to be reversed.

The group also called on the Egyptian Competition Authority to intervene in favour of customers' rights, and end these monopolistic acts which it said are against the law.

Abdel-Wahed said the companies previously were the ones to pay the taxes; however, in compliance with the law, customers now are paying the taxes, in order to allow the companies to develop their networks, and provide services efficiently, MENA reported.

Earlier this month landline monopoly Telecom Egypt launched WE, the countrys fourth mobile network, joining Orange, Vodafone and Etisalat.

The new mobile network is available with the technologies of 2G and 3G, and 4G experimentally.

Pre-paid cards for the fourth mobile network will be available for distribution by 15 October.

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Ahram Online tours Saad Zaghloul's official residence, now a museum, in downtown Cairo

Beit El-Umma, or The House of the People, was built as a residence for the nationalist leader and founder of the Wafd party, Saad Zaghloul (1857-1927).

Zaghlouls exile sparked the events that led to the Egyptian revolution of 1919.

Ahram Online takes a tour of his home, which has been turned into a museum that narrates a very important era in Egypt`s history.

The museum is located near downtown, beside Qasr El-Aini Street, close to Saad Zaghloul metro station.

A large statue of Zaghloul stands beside a small green area at the entrance to the museum.

The first hall, named the Small Salon, where Mrs Safia Zaghloul received her guests, is furnished with expensive carpets and furniture. The wall is adorned with family photos of Moustafa Fahmy Pasha  Zaghloul's father-in-law  Safia, and her mother.

The Grand Salon is dedicated to Saad Zaghlouls guests, especially political figures and key members of the Wafd party.

The Grand Salon leads into the grand hall, which witnessed the meetings of different delegations from the Egyptian people. The room contains small statues, and newspapers and magazines that were read by Zaghloul.

The dining room, also located on the ground floor, is adorned with wooden furniture Zaghloul bought from France, comprising 12 seats, a tea car, and an old radio.

The winter study had a special appeal for Zaghloul, according to his memoirs.

The room includes a desk with a mirror to reveal any potential danger coming from the back window, and three statues of Zaghloul.

The second floor in the museum represents family life.

The first room is Safia Zaghlouls dressing room, it was obvious that most of her dresses were in black as she wore it for 19 years.

The room is in the building opposite a shrine to Saad Zaghloul erected after his death, which Safia could view from her window.

The bedroom includes two beds, and after Saads death, Safia continued to sleep there until her own death on 12 January 1946.

Next there is Zaghlouls private room, where you can see his ceremonial wear and the suit he was wearing when he survived an assassination attempt at a railway station in 1924.

There you will find the diary which was held by Safia on the day of her husbands death, 23 August 1927.

In the Haramlek room, where women would sit together separated from the men, there is a pictures of Safia, who was also known as Umm El-Masriyeen, or Mother of Egyptians.

The living room also contains a small corner for Safia, with her bureau, personal letters and books.

In the hall beside the stairs you will find two mummified parrots, who refused to eat or drink after Zaghlouls death.

There is also a large library with over 5,000 books in different fields.

The museum is open every day except Friday and Saturday, from 9am to 6pm.

Tickets coast EGP 1 for Egyptian students, EGP 3 for Egyptians, EGP 5 for foreign students and EGP 10 for foreigners. Photos can only be taken with permission from the culture ministry.

*This article was first published on 29 September 2017

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KEARNEY  Employers who participated in Thursdays Central Nebraska Job Fair said they encounter a variety of challenges filling vacancies and making new hires for expansion. Among the challenges is finding candidates in a region where the unemployment rates are among the lowest in Nebraska.

Custer Countys 2.2 percent unemployment is lowest in the state, and Buffalo Countys 2.7 percent isnt far behind.

Twenty-six businesses and employment agencies were at the job fair, organized by the Kearney Hub and sponsored by Baldwin Filters, a partner of Parker Hannifin.

"Its been a good, decent turnout. The quality of candidates has been good," said Ryan Brown, recruiting coordinator for The Buckle. The young peoples apparel company was hoping to attract applicants in three specific areas: E-commerce, distribution and guest services, Brown said.

The Buckle is expanding its online sales, and also is seeking to bolster its customer and store support services and fill second shift and part-time positions, including at its warehouse.

Brown said Kearney has a tight labor market. According to Browns partner at The Buckle booth, Shauna Melson, it can be especially tough finding help in the summer when college students leave town and create vacancies.

Melson is The Buckles assistant manager for guest services, and has 40 in her department.

"Were trying to grow our team," she said.

A number of major manufacturers were present at the job fair along with medical and long-term care facilities. Some employment agencies were offering referral bonuses.

Also on hand were representatives of financial institutions, including First National Banks Becky Feltz, assistant branch manager for the companys main bank in Kearney.

"Its awesome to have such a low unemployment rate, but there are challenges," she said.

Feltz said that she and her partner, north branch manager Nathan Dorsey, were aiming to reel in candidates for part-time tellers.

"Were fortunate that we are in Kearney. We can utilize the University of Nebraska at Kearney students," Feltz said. She said First National was promoting its management training program to attract candidates for professional positions.

Dorsey said 48 percent of First Nationals higher skill positions are filled through internal promotions and that a lot of part-timers stay on hoping to snare a full-time job with opportunities for advancement.

Also participating in the job fair were retailers, food service companies, warehouse operators, and businesses looking to fill clerical, trades and social work vacancies.

The Kearney Hubs marketing and audience growth director Scott Casper, who organized Thursdays job fair, said the Hub was encouraged to pursue the event because Kearney businesses face hiring challenges, especially because of the tight labor market.

He said the Economic Development Council of Buffalo County contacted local human resource managers and discovered theres a demand for job fairs.

"The recruiting climate in our area is very tough with some of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation," Casper said.

He said about 350 job-seekers visited the job fair.
KEARNEY  Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska is partnering with Uber to complement the R.Y.D.E. Transit program.

Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska announced in a press release today that rides may be requested by calling the R.Y.D.E. office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Outside of those normal business hours, callers will automatically be prompted to download the Uber app.

"Our mission is to provide safe, efficient and affordable public transportation to area residents and Uber helps us do just that. We are excited to partner with Uber to help assist folks in our community, outside our service hours in getting from point A to point B and are grateful for their presence in the community," said Charles McGraw, transportation director for R.Y.D.E.

"We are delighted the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska chose Uber to complement R.Y.D.E. Transits existing transportation network, and we look forward to serving the community of Kearney," Megan Capiak, a spokesperson for Uber, said.

To use Uber, first download the free Uber app for iOS or Android. Then, create an account using your email address and phone number and add your payment information.
Illegal drugs continue to make their way into prisons. Theyre hard to keep out, even in heavily monitored, controlled environments. The most effective prisons gather solid intelligence about inmate drug dealers and use prison guards to sweep cells and common areas to find and confiscate drugs.

Nebraska prison officials appear to be ramping up their disruptions of such contraband, which could deter some prison drug dealing.

In 2016, state prison employees filed 2,348 intoxicant abuse write-ups, up 37 percent from 2015, when they filed 1,714.

The states prison in Tecumseh, where an inmate died in June after overdosing on illegal drugs, recorded 700 write-ups in 2016, a 239-percent increase from the year before. These deterrence efforts might be working. Random drug tests found fewer inmates with drugs in their systems in 2016 than in 2015.

State prisons director Scott Frakes says the prison system is rebuilding units that gather intelligence. This work, with beefed-up sweeps, helped find an unusual and significant drug cache recently at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln.

Its disturbing to find an inmate hiding weapons, a cell phone and enough drugs and alcohol to serve as a prison distributor.

But its important for prison officials to keep trying to make it harder to sell drugs behind bars.

The Nebraska State Patrol is still investigating how the weapons, cell phone, drugs and alcohol got into the prison. Once they have answers, Frakes and his staff can address any staff shortcomings, adjust their tactics and keep up the good fight.

Omaha World-Herald
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Jazz musician Roy Ayers, left, plays an African Marimba instrument during his workshop with young music artist at Funda Centre in Soweto, South Africa, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Ayers, who is in South Africa for a jazz festival, radiated enthusiasm on Friday as he urged a couple of dozen people at an arts center to "vibe on" role models even if they don't always meet expectations. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Two combat veterans of the Vietnam War are now receiving the Medal of Honor, which they fully deserve. Army Green Beret Gary Michael Rose was the lone medic on Operation Tailwind, a 1970 secret special mission deep into Laos by South Vietnamese and United States troops. Though badly wounded, Rose nevertheless helped to ensure all the soldiers on the mission came back alive.

James McCloughan is another U.S. Army medic and Vietnam War combat veteran who demonstrated exceptional courage under fire. In 1969, he was a combat medic with C Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division. Over two days of heavy fighting May 13 to 15, he courageously rescued and aided numerous injured comrades, despite his own severe wounds.

McCloughan received his Medal of Honor on July 31 from President Donald Trump. Rose will receive his from the president on October 23. Both men were decorated previously, but not with the Medal of Honor.

Operation Tailwind is distinctive for an intense controversy nearly two decades ago resulting from media allegations that the U.S. forces involved used poison gas  sarin  to kill American defectors along with others. Poison gas is a particularly terrible weapon.

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 overthrew the regime of Saddam Hussein. Earlier, however, the U.S. supported the same regime in the long war with Iran. This occurred despite the fact that Iraq used poison gas in attacks against the Kurd population and Iran forces in 1988. The history added credibility to later false allegations about Iraqs weapons.

Poison gas, a grotesque killer, has a distinctive as well as disturbing history. In World War I, gas was employed by both sides. The resulting agonizing and horrific mass deaths, combined with unpredictably of winds, has served generally to deter using such weapons since.

In World War II, Italy and Japan used gas in Ethiopia and China, but Nazi Germany did not bring this weapon to the battlefield. Adolf Hitler had direct exposure to poison gas during combat in the trenches in World War I. This further underscores the horrific evil of the Holocaust, where poison gas was used for mass murder on a vast scale.

The long Vietnam War highlights the extreme uncertainty that can accompany allegations about poison gas. After withdrawal of U.S. forces, the Hmong were targeted for ruthless retaliation in Laos as well as Vietnam. These fierce warriors had been loyal allies of America.

In 1975, reports began to surface that Soviet poison gas was being used against the Hmong. U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig in 1981 charged lethal T-2 mycotoxin was the agent. Independent scientists, however, testified naturally occurring bee defecations were responsible for incidents of toxic yellow rain.

In 1998, a widely touted CNN/Time report alleged use of poison gas by U.S. troops in Operation Tailwind, the special operations strike that included Rose. The lurid and implausible story stated that a main target was a group of American renegade defectors. U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen immediately investigated. As a result, CNN and Time retracted the story, and CNN personnel lost their jobs. U.S. forces in Vietnam did employ nonlethal CS tear gas.

Many Americans have wanted to put the Vietnam War out of mind. Minimizing the heroism of our veterans has been one unfortunate consequence, ignoring accurate lessons of that war has been another. Honoring Vietnam heroes provides one antidote.

Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen Distinguished Professor at Carthage College and author of After the Cold War. Contact acyr@carthage.edu
Thirty five people have been arrested by Gardai as part of Operation Thor  "Project Storm" in Kilkenny and Carlow.

Ten persons have been charged and will appear at local sittings of Carlow and Kilkenny District Court in the coming weeks.

The arrests were made in connection with ongoing investigations into recent burglary, theft, criminal damage, assault and violent disorder incidents and in relation to bench and penal warrants.

The four day policing initiative was aimed at preventing crime, disrupting criminal activity and enhancing community engagement in the areas.

The main day took place today.

A total of 47 checkpoints were carried out aimed at intercepting and disrupting criminal groups in the division. Crime prevention and road safety information was distributed to motorists during the checkpoints. Seven vehicles were seized for non compliance of various road traffic acts.

A number of operational searches were carried out as part of ongoing investigations, including two locations targeting reported drug crime.

Crime prevention and awareness stands were set up at a number of locations including National Schools and Shopping Centres, where advice leaflets and crime prevention information was distributed to the public.

This operation was led by Gardai from the Carlow/ Kilkenny Division, assisted by the Armed Support Unit and trainee Gardai from the Garda College, Templemore.
Local TD and Minister of State John Paul Phelan has moved to reassure the public that the Government's National Broadband Plan is still on track, with the procurement process now in its final stages.

Three companies - Eir, SIRO and enet - had been shortlisted for the final phase of the tender process. However, earlier this week, SIRO withdrew from the process. The other two bidders have now submitted their plans to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

This is a significant and positive milestone in the procurement process which will put every place name on the digital map. It will give every parish in Kilkenny, no matter how remote, the means to be the hub of a living community, said Deputy Phelan.

In parallel with the broadband plan commercial operators are spending 1.8 million per day on their networks. People in towns and villages across rural Ireland are getting connected and getting access to high speed broadband every minute of every working day through massive investment from commercial operators.

"They would not be investing and connecting people at the rate they are were it not for the States National Broadband Plan."

This update comes the same month that Deputy Phelan's own parliamentary assistant, Pat Dunphy, who is a local Fine Gael councillor, described the broadband rollout as 'a disaster'.

"The National Broadband Plan is not getting going at all," he told Kilkenny's broadband officer at the September meeting of the Piltown Municipal District.

Deputy Phelan has said that close to seven out of 10 premises now have access to high speed broadband, and within a year that will rise to nearly eight out of ten premises. Minister Phelan vowed that by 2020, 90% of premises the length and breadth of the country will have access to high speed broadband.
LUANDA, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The veteran leader of Angola's largest opposition party said on Wednesday he would step down to allow someone else keep the new government of President Joao Lourenco to account.

Isaias Samakuva, who has led UNITA since 2003, said a new leader should take the party forward through the "new political cycle".

He announced his departure a day after Lourenco was sworn in as only the third president of Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975, ending 38 years of rule by Jose Eduardo dos Santos. Samakuva had previously said he planned to step aside, but had appeared to seesaw on the decision in recent months.

"During the campaign, I said I would leave the presidency of UNITA to serve the party in another function. I maintain and reaffirm that decision," Samakuva told a meeting of the party.

Samakuva took over the leadership of UNITA - the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola - after the death of founder Jonas Savimbi who led the movement during 27 years of civil war.

Savimbi's death brought peace and the transition of UNITA into a political party.

Under Samakuva's leadership UNITA increased its proportion of the national vote from 10 percent in 2008 to 27 percent in 2017.

Among those slated to succeed him are Adalberto da Costa, who was the party's leader in parliament under the previous administration, Rafael Massanga Savimbi, son of UNITA's founder, and Lukamba Paulo, a former secretary general of the party who lost a leadership election against Samakuva in 2003.

(Reporting by Stephen Eisenhammer Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
WELLINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand's financial system is on "sound footing" but risks sill remain in its previously red-hot housing market, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said in a report released on Friday.

"Imbalances in housing continue to create risks to financial stability," former Governor Graeme Wheeler wrote in the annual report.

Wheeler's five-year term ended this week and Assistant Governor Grant Spencer has taken over on an acting basis for the next six months while the bank searches for its new top official.

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Tom Brown)
SEOUL, Sept 29 (Reuters) - South Korea's current account surplus fell in August to a seasonally adjusted $6.27 billion from $7.02 billion in July, central bank data showed on Tuesday. Exports of goods improved to $49.24 billion from $46.88 billion, while imports also increased to $38.95 billion from $35.98 billion in the same period, the Bank of Korea said.

(Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Richard Pullin)

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.
(Adds details on legal proceedings, share price reaction)

WELLINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A German court has suspended health appliance firm ResMed Inc's intellectual property proceedings against New Zealand's Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp , according to a statement from Fisher & Paykel.

The court proceedings were suspended while both firms waited for the outcome of a European Patent Office decision over Resmed's patents, Fisher & Paykel said in a filing on Friday with New Zealand's stock exchange.

Fisher & Paykel shares rose 0.95 percent to NZ$12.75 after the stock market opened, making it among the highest gainers in the top 50 listed firms.

California-based ResMed has said the New Zealand firm's masks, designed to treat sleep apnoea, violate its patented technology.

The health firm was granted two injunctions in August 2016 that prevented Fisher & Paykel from selling three types of mask, but the court then overturned the ban in December while the litigation continued.

Resmed is also pursuing legal action against Fisher & Paykel in a U.S. District Court, but dropped a complaint to the U.S. International Trade Commission in May. (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Tom Brown)
HANOI, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Vietnam's coffee exports in the first nine months are expected to fall an estimated 20.5 percent on a year earlier, while rice shipments are set to rise 21.7 percent from the same period in 2016.

COFFEE

Coffee exports from Vietnam will drop an estimated 20.5 percent in January-September from the same time last year to 1.12 million tonnes (18.7 million 60-kg bags), the General Statistics Office said in a report on Friday.

Exports revenue was estimated to rise 1.3 percent annually to $2.55 billion, the report said.

September shipments of beans in Vietnam, the world's largest robusta producer, are estimated at 90,000 tonnes, lower than August's exports of 95,000 tonnes, the report said.

RICE

Nine-month rice exports from the world's third-largest shipper of the grain were forecast to rise 21.7 percent to 4.61 million tonnes. Revenue from the January-September rice exports was seen rising 19.5 percent year-on-year to $2.03 billion.

Vietnam would ship an estimated 500,000 tonnes of rice in September, compared to 658,000 tonnes in August, the report said.

ENERGY

Vietnam's January-September crude oil exports rose 9.7 percent year-on-year to an estimated 5.69 million tonnes, or 153,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Crude oil export revenue in the nine-month period rose 33.4 percent to $2.27 billion.

Oil product imports increased 11.4 percent to an estimated 9.73 million tonnes, while the value of imports jumped 42 percent to $5.11 billion.

Vietnam's liquefied petroleum gas imports during the period increased 18.6 percent from a year earlier to 1.07 million tonnes.

(Reporting by Mai Nguyen; Editing by Richard Pullin)
Sep 29 (Reuters) - Below are the ratings awarded by Credit Analysis and Research Ltd. (CARE) for local debt instruments as of September 28, 2017.

COMPANY INSTRUMENT RATING AMOUNT MOVEMENT

(RS.MLN) ------- ---------- ------ ------- --------- SHORT TERM RATINGS: ------------------- Anantha Pvc Pipes Pvt Ltd ST Bk Fac CARE A4 70 Reaffirmed Arco Steel Pvt Ltd Bk Fac-NonFB - CARE A4 150 Assigned

ST-BG/LC Arvind Ltd ST Bk Fac CARE A1+ 4822.2 Reaffirmed Arvind Ltd CP (CP) (Carved CARE A1+ 3000 Reaffirmed

Out of sanctioned

working capital limits) Arvind Ltd CP (Standalone CARE A1+ 4000 Reaffirmed Cholamandalam Investment And Finance CP issue CARE A1+ 50000 Assigned Co. Ltd D.B. Corp. Ltd. ST Bk Fac - Non CARE A1+ 2477.5 Reaffirmed

Fund Based Dayakara Solar Power Pvt Ltd ST Bk Fac CARE A2+ 150.6 Revised from

CARE A2 Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd Proposed CP (CP) CARE A1 2000 Assigned

issue* *carved out of the sanctioned working capital limits of the company. Diagems Exports Pvt Ltd ST Bk Fac CARE A4+ 140.5 Reaffirmed Drolia Electrosteels Pvt. Ltd. ST Bk Fac CARE A4+ 100 Reaffirmed Durgashakti Foods Pvt Ltd ST facility CARE A4 2.1 issuer not

(Nonfund based -BG) cooperating Grahati Solar Energy Pvt Ltd ST Bk Fac CARE A2+ 245.7 Revised from

CARE A2 Jsw Steel Ltd ST Bk Fac - Non CARE A1+ 168000 Reaffirmed

Fund Based (reduced from Rs.17,037 crore) Jsw Steel Ltd CP issue CARE A1+ 50000 Reaffirmed

(Standalone) Kwality Feeds Ltd ST Bk Fac CARE A4+ 2.6 Assigned Mihit Solar Power Pvt Ltd ST Bk Fac CARE A2+ 296.3 Revised from

CARE A2 Patna Offset Press ST Bk Fac CARE A4 30 Reaffirmed Piramal Realty Pvt Ltd Proposed CP (CP) CARE A1+ (SO) 1500 Assigned

Issue Stamlo Industries Ltd (Erstwhile StamlST Bk Fac - Loan - - Withdrawn Hotels Ltd) Equivalent Risk LONG TERM RATINGS: ------------------- Anantha Pvc Pipes Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE B 80 Reaffirmed Arco Steel Pvt Ltd Bk Fac-Fundbased - CARE BB+ 100 Assigned

LT-CC Arvind Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE AA 5911.8 Reaffirmed Arvind Ltd NCD CARE AA 1000 Reaffirmed Arvind Ltd Proposed NCD CARE AA 1000 Assigned Arvind Ltd Long/ST Bk Fac CARE AA /CARE 12230 Reaffirmed

A1+ B & A Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE BBB+ 563.7 Reaffirmed (enhanced from Rs.48.50 cr) D.B. Corp. Ltd. LT Bk FacFund BasedCARE AAA 1550 Reaffirmed D.B. Corp. Ltd. LT Bk FacTL CARE AAA 129.2 Reaffirmed D.B. Corp. Ltd. LT Bk Fac - Non CARE AAA 22.5 Reaffirmed

Fund Based Dayakara Solar Power Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE A- (SO) 2171.2 Revised from

CARE BBB+ (SO) (reduced from 222.00crs) Drolia Electrosteels Pvt. Ltd. LT Bk Fac CARE BB+ 236.8 Reaffirmed (reduced from Rs. 24.78 crore) Durgashakti Foods Pvt Ltd LT Bk Facility CARE BB 158.5 issuer not

cooperating Grahati Solar Energy Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE A- (SO) 3617.3 Revised from

CARE BBB+ (SO) (reduced from 371crs) Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd LT Redeemable non - - Withdrawn

convertible TBs Home Credit India Finance Pvt. Ltd NCD CARE BBB 6000 Revised from

CARE BB+ Home Credit India Finance Pvt. Ltd LT Bk Fac @ CARE BBB+ (SO) 5978.75 Revised from

CARE BBB (SO) @backed by the corporate guarantee from Home Credit B.V. Home Credit India Finance Pvt. Ltd LT Bk Fac # ProvCARE BBB+ 521.25 Revised from

(SO) Prov CARE BBB

(SO) # proposed to be backed by the corporate guarantee from Home Credit B.V. Jsw Steel Holding (Usa) Inc. LT Bk facility - TL- - Withdrawn Jsw Steel Holding (Usa) Inc. LT Bk facility - - - Withdrawn

Non Fund Based Jsw Steel Ltd LT Bk Fac - TL CARE AA- 279830.5Reaffirmed (enhanced from Rs. 22,355.05 crore) Jsw Steel Ltd LT Bk Fac - Fund CARE AA- 14000 Reaffirmed

Based (reduced from Rs. 1,488.00 crore) Jsw Steel Ltd NCDs CARE AA- 103510.4Reaffirmed Jsw Steel Ltd Long/ST Bk Fac - CARE AA-/CARE 67560 Reaffirmed

Non Fund Based A1+ (reduced from Rs. 7,253.16 crore) Kwality Feeds Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE BB+ 145.9 Assigned Macaw Ifmr Capital 2017 (Originator: Series A1 PTC ProvCARE A (SO)- Assigned Annapurna Microfinance Pvt Ltd) Macaw Ifmr Capital 2017 (Originator: Series A2 PTC ProvCARE BBB - Assigned Annapurna Microfinance Pvt Ltd) (SO) Madhav Cotton Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE B+ 52.9 Reaffirmed Mihit Solar Power Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE A- (SO) 3964 Revised from

CARE BBB+ (SO) Navayuga Jahnavi Toll Bridge Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE BB+ 7200 Reaffirmed Patna Offset Press LT Bk Fac CARE BB- 19.9 Revised from

CARE B+ Rai Bahadur Narain Singh Sugar Mills LLT Bk Fac (CC) CARE BB+ 1880 Revised from

CARE BB Rajlaxmi Agro Processor Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE B+ 60 issuer not

cooperating Rohtak Hissar Tollway Pvt Ltd LT Bk Fac CARE BBB- 9524 Reaffirmed Satin Creditcare Network Ltd NCD (Proposed) CARE BBB+ 650 Assigned Stamlo Industries Ltd (Erstwhile StamlLT Bk Fac - TL - - Withdrawn Hotels Ltd) Stamlo Industries Ltd (Erstwhile StamlLT Bk Fac - Over CARE A- 40 Reaffirmed Hotels Ltd) draft Stamlo Industries Ltd (Erstwhile StamlLT /ST Bk Fac CARE A- /CARE 85 Reaffirmed Hotels Ltd) A2+ Sustainable Agro-Commercial Finance LtLT Bk Fac CARE BBB+ 3330 Assigned Vishal Arogaya Sampat LT Bk Fac CARE BB- 300 Reaffirmed (enhanced from 20.00crs) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $: Rating watch with positive implication #: Rating Watch with Developing implications @: Rating Watch with Negative Implications %: Rating under Credit Watch wd -Rating Stands Withdrawn sp -Rating Suspended pp -Principal Protected pn -Principal Not Protected CARE may apply + or - signs for ratings to reflect a comparative standing within the category. BG-Bank Guarantee; CC-Cash Credit; CCPS-Cumulative Convertible Preference Share; CD-Certificate of Deposit; CLO-Collateralized Loan Obligation; CPA-Claims Paying Ability; CP-Commercial Paper; CPS-convertible preference shares; CRPS- Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preference shares; DDB-Deep Discount Bond; EPBI-Exchange premium bond; FBL-Fund Based Limits; FRB/FRN -Floating Rate Bond/Note; ICD -Inter Corporate Deposit; ITD-Immediate Term Debt; LOC-Letter of Credit; LT -Long Term; LTB -Long Term Borrowing; LTD -Long Term Debt; MOCD-multiple option convertible debenture; MTD -Medium term Debenture; MTN-medium term notes; NCD(SO) - Non-Convertible Debenture-(Structured Obligation); NCD-Non-convertible Debentures; NCRB-Non Convertible Redeemable Bonds; NM-Not Meaningful; OCD-optionally convertible debenture; OD-Over Draft; OFCD-Optionally Fully Convertible Debenture; PCD-Partially Convertible Debenture; PCN-partly convertible notes; PCPS-Partly Convertible Preference Share; POCD-partly optional; PP-privately placed; PSPC-Post Shipment & Packing Credit; PS-Preference Shares; PTC-Pass Through Certificates; RPS-Redeemable Preference Shares; SCPN-secured convertible preference notes; SDO-Structured Debt Obligation; SLR-Statutory Liquidity Ratio; SO-Structured Obligation; SPCD - Secured Partly Convertible Debentures; SPN-secured premium notes; STB-Short Term Bond; STD-Short Term Debentures; ST-Short Term; Sub. Bonds-Subordinate Bonds; TB-Taxable Bond; TFB-Tax Free Bond; TL-Term Loan; TOCD-triple option convertible debentures. (Mumbai Rate Reporting Unit + 91 22 6180 7222/3317 7222, E-mail at rru.data@thomsonreuters.com)

Keywords: CARE RATINGS/
By Tom Daly

BEIJING, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Chinese steel makers and aluminium smelters are closing some production starting next month to meet strict air quality standards for the winter.

But, some analysts believe part of the reason for the October closures, which come before the major heating season begins in mid-November, is to clean the air in the capital of Beijing ahead of the once-in-five-years 19th Party Congress, beginning on Oct. 18.

China's Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) released its 2017/18 "battle plan" in August which outlined pollution control measures in 28 northern cities over six months from October to March. Smog typically builds up during that time as coal-fired boilers heat homes and offices, adding to air pollution from factories and mills. China wants to avoid images of its notorious choking smog and show Beijing in clear skies, the analysts said. Officials attending the Congress from the smog-prone provinces of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, Shanxi, Shandong and Henan are wary of failing to meet the MEP's air quality targets.

The city of Handan in Hebei, a top steel-making province, ordered 50 percent restrictions on blast furnaces to begin on Oct. 1 until March. Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province and south of Hebei, ordered blast furnaces to cut production by 50 percent during the heating season and put restrictions on other types of steel furnaces. "Certainly I think the Party congress ... may be a factor" behind pollution control from October, said Helen Lau, an analyst at Argonaut Securities.

Aluminium smelters in the 28 cities must close 30 percent of their pots during winter, said Paul Adkins, managing director of consultancy AZ China.

The timing of the closures varies, Adkins said. "In Shanxi and Henan provinces, shutdowns are starting from October 1, but we think this is because of the 19th Party Congress," he said.

China takes its hosting of major events very seriously, even at the expense of its economy. In the run-up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' conference in Beijing in November 2014, it shut thousands of factories and restricted traffic. The moves paid off with the clear skies on show giving rise to the term "APEC blue."

(Reporting by Tom Daly; additional reporting by David Stanway in SHANGHAI)
Sept 29 (Reuters) - African budget airline Fastjet Plc said on Friday it would raise not less than $44 million, in part through a placing, to fund expansion in South Africa and Mozambique.

Fastjet plans an accelerated bookbuild to raise gross cash proceeds of $28 million and would sell 60 million shares to Solenta Aviation Holdings Limited to raise $16.2 million.

The company also said that it had entered into a brand licence agreement with privately-held Federal Airlines and Solenta Aviation Mozambique Ltd. Fastjet shares were up 1.1 percent at 21.55 pence at 0842 GMT.

(Reporting by Rahul B in Bengaluru; editing by Alexander Smith)
ATHENS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Greece will sell 875 million euros ($1.03 billion) of six-month treasury bills on Oct. 4 to refinance a maturing issue, debt agency PDMA said on Friday.

Athens rolled over six-month T-bills last month, with the paper priced to yield 2.40 percent.

In a rollover, T-bill holders renew their positions instead of getting paid on the maturing paper they hold.

The settlement date of the new T-bills will be October 6. Only primary dealers will be allowed to participate and no commission is to be paid.

Primary dealers can submit non-competitive bids for up to an additional 30 percent of the auctioned amount until October 5, PDMA said. ($1 = 0.8469 euros)

(Reporting by George Georgiopoulos; Editing by Karolina Tagaris)
Sept 29 (Reuters) - Assets at the Exchange Fund, which is used to back the Hong Kong dollar, totalled HK$3,912.4 billion ($501.01 billion) at the end of August, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said on Friday.

The figure was HK$0.2 billion higher than the total at the end of July, with foreign currency assets increasing by HK$35.2 billion while Hong Kong dollar assets down by HK$35.0 billion, the city's de facto central bank said in a statement.

The HKMA said the rise in foreign currency assets was mainly due to the purchase of foreign currencies with Hong Kong dollars and mark-to-market gains on foreign currency portfolios.

The decline in Hong Kong dollar assets was mainly due to sale of Hong Kong dollars for foreign currencies and withdrawals of placements by Fiscal Reserves as well as Hong Kong government funds and statutory bodies.

($1 = 7.8090 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Twinnie Siu in HONG KONG; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)
HANOI, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0420 GMT.

September 29 USD/VND mid-point 22,470 USD/VND interbank 22,725/22,726 USD/VND unofficial 22,725/22,740 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.39/36.61

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.5-1.0

1 week 0.8-1.2

1 month 1.5-1.9

3 months 3.1-3.6

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom)
JOHANNESBURG, Sept 29 (Reuters) - South Africa's trade surplus retreated to 5.94 billion rand ($440 million) in August from a revised 9.33 billion rand surplus in July, data from the revenue agency showed on Friday. Exports rose 11 percent to 103.4 billion rand on a month-on-month basis in August, while imports were up 16.3 percent to 97.4 billion rand, the South African Revenue Service said in a statement. ($1 = 13.4896 rand)

(Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by Joe Brock)

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.
WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday he has had four meetings in his search for a new chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and will decide in two or three weeks. "I've had four meetings for Fed chairman and I'll be making a decision over the next two or three weeks," he told reporters on the White House South Lawn.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

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.
ANKARA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The number of foreign visitors arriving in Turkey jumped 46.35 percent in August to 4.66 million, data from Turkey's Tourism Ministry showed on Friday.

The rise was fractionally lower than in July, when there was the biggest increase since May 2004. This followed a turnaround in tourism numbers in April, when the number of foreign visitors rose for the first time in nearly two years.

The number of Russian visitors to Turkey leapt 671 percent in August from a year earlier, the data showed.

Tourism, which adds about $30 billion to gross domestic product each year, was hit by an attempted coup last July and a spate of bombings blamed on Islamic State and Kurdish militants, which scared away tourists over the past year.

(Reporting by Ercan Gurses and Nevzat Devranoglu; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Ece Toksabay)
(adds Koenig's quotes)

By Francesco Guarascio

BRUSSELS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Banks in the European Union have been told they may face large capital gaps if the bloc and Britain do not agree on how to treat their loss-absorbing debt after Brexit, EU banking watchdogs said on Friday.

Under new banking rules meant to reduce taxpayers' costs in banking crisis, EU lenders are required to issue a sufficient amount of debt that would be written down, or bailed-in, to absorb losses if they fail.

The European Banking Authority estimated that 276 billion euros ($326 billion) of debt will have to be issued by banks in the EU to meet the regulatory targets, warning that markets may find it difficult to absorb it. Brexit may make things more complicated.

Most banks in the EU have issued loss-absorbing capital under British law, which could make it not compliant with EU rules on bank rescues in the event of a hard Brexit, EBA chief, Andrea Enria, told a banking conference in Brussels.

"What will happen to these instruments if the UK becomes a third country? Banks need to start thinking about that and authorities need to prepare," Enria said.

"We started to alert banks," over these possible risks, Elke Koenig, who chairs the EU agency in charge of failing banks, the Single Resolution Board, told a news conference on Friday .

Regulators face this problem for all bank debt issued under foreign jurisdictions that, in the absence of mutual recognition agreements, may not allow it to be wiped out to rescue a bank.

With Brexit the headache would be exponentially bigger because a large part of EU banks' debt is currently issued under British law.

Part of this debt, known as MREL, is short-term and will be paid back before Britain leaves the bloc in 2019, but the longer-term liabilities are likely to remain pending after Brexit, Enria told Reuters on the sidelines of the conference.

Without a deal on how to treat them, banks may not be able to use them to absorb losses and would in turn be obliged to issue new MREL debt.

Enria said that contractual clauses may need to be inserted into debt contracts to address this uncertainty. "Or banks should rather issue (debt) under different law," he said.

($1 = 0.8461 euros)

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Editing by Gareth Jones)
* Euro zone stocks at three-month high

* Weaker euro vs dollar helps equities end Q3 on a high

* VW and Porsche sink on N.America settlement provisions

(ADVISORY- Follow European and UK stock markets in real time on the Reuters Live Markets blog on Eikon - see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets)

By Helen Reid

LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - European stocks, propelled by a weaker euro, were heading for their best monthly gains this year on Friday, but Volkswagen shares sank on further provisions for its diesel scandal settlements.

A weakening euro has taken pressure off Europe's equities and especially the exporter-heavy DAX , helping investors find renewed enthusiasm for the asset class after the slow summer months.

The pan-European STOXX 600 steadied at a two-month high, while euro zone stocks hit their highest in three months, on track for a quarterly gain after falling back in the second quarter.

"Europe is ticking more and more boxes," said Monique Wong, director of global markets at Coutts.

"It's slightly slowed down with the appreciation of the currency but the euro is still a long way below previous highs."

Analysts at Deutsche Bank expect earnings for the STOXX 600 to grow 11 percent in 2017, with the pick-up in global growth and rebound in commodities outweighing the negative effect of the stronger euro.

Credit Suisse upgraded German equities to overweight, saying the weaker euro would support the DAX.

On Friday Volkswagen shares dropped 3 percent after the latest twist in the carmaker's long-running diesel cheating scandal, when it said it was increasing provisions for settlements in North America. Shares in Porsche , Volkswagen's controlling shareholder, also fell 2.8 percent.

Investors have been weighing the pros and cons of investing in the autos sector, which is undergoing massive disruption as consumers begin to shun diesel and investments into electric vehicles gather pace.

But depressed valuations are tempting to some.

Goldman Sachs upgraded autos to overweight in early September.

"It's a very unloved sector, at a 60 percent discount on price to earnings to the rest of Europe," said Sharon Bell, head of European equity strategy at the U.S. bank.

"The sector has been hit by the strength of the euro as well, given its export focus."

VW and Porsche dragged the sector index down 0.5 percent, but it was still set for its best month this year as cyclical sectors across Europe made gains.

"European cyclicals have outperformed defensives by 5 percent over the past month, overshooting the fair-value levels implied by our models," said Deutsche Bank analysts.

Dutch bank ABN AMRO rose 2.1 percent after Morgan Stanley raised its rating on the stock, saying it expected dividend payouts to increase.

Covestro pared earlier gains to trade up 0.4 percent, after Bayer further reduced its holding in the plastics producer to under 25 percent. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ STOXXE hits three-month high as euro shows signs of peaking ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Helen Reid; Editing by Julien Ponthus and Andrew Roche)
* Death sentence comes amid campaign against corruption

* Former executive maintains innocence and will appeal

* Vietnam among the world's biggest executioners of criminals

(Adds lawyer says Son to appeal, analyst comment)

By Kham Nguyen

HANOI, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A court in Vietnam sentenced to death a former chairman of state -run PetroVietnam on Friday after finding him guilty in a mass trial of 51 officials and bankers accused of graft and mismanagement that led to losses of $69 million.

The death sentence for ex-PetroVietnam chairman Nguyen Xuan Son was the first time in years it had been given to such a senior former official and comes amid an intensifying corruption crackdown and manoeuvring within the ruling Communist Party.

Son maintained his innocence and would appeal against the verdict from the People's Court of Hanoi, his lawyer, Le Minh Tam, told Reuters. The death penalty had been recommended by the state prosecution.

Vietnam is among the world's biggest executioners, according to Amnesty International. In recent years it has replaced firing squads with lethal injections.

Son was on trial as both the former chairman of PetroVietnam and the former chief executive of Ocean Group's banking unit, Ocean Bank, which was taken over by the central bank in 2015 after being unable to pay its debts.

The court in Hanoi also sentenced Ha Van Tham, founder of Ocean Group and once one of Vietnam's most high profile tycoons, to life imprisonment. He was found guilty of embezzlement, violations of bank lending regulations and abuse of power.

Dozens of other banking and energy officials were also jailed.

"These harsh sentences are mainly for public effect," said Carl Thayer, a Vietnam expert at the Australian Defence Force Academy. But they would have little effect without improving governance in the one-party state, he said.

POWER STRUGGLE

The ruling Communist Party has taken a tougher stance on corruption since Vietnam's security establishment emerged stronger from a power struggle last year in which ex-Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung lost out.

Some critics have accused Vietnam's rulers of a witch-hunt following the launch of investigations implicating increasingly senior figures.

Son was arrested in 2015, under the previous administration. On Friday, he was found guilty of embezzlement, intentional breaches of state rules over economic management leading to serious consequences and abuse of position and power.

The head of a unit of state-run shipping firm Vinashin was sentenced to death over losses in February, but he was much less senior than Son.

Investigations into PetroVietnam have seen a Politburo member who was a former PetroVietnam chairman, a vice trade minister sacked from their positions and a former deputy central bank governor prosecuted. The PetroVietnam investigations also grabbed global attention when Germany accused Vietnam of kidnapping former executive Trinh Xuan Thanh in Berlin last month to face trial over a separate case.

Thanh had been cleared under Dung's government, official documents reviewed by Reuters showed. Dung lost out last year in the battle to secure the post of Communist Party General Secretary, Vietnam's most powerful position. The post remained in the hands of Nguyen Phu Trong, who has a more modest public profile.

The court finished hearing the case against Son on Monday, when he pleaded for the court not to give "an unjust verdict" and said he could not believe he was being prosecuted for embezzlement and had become "like a soulless person."

Tham admitted the charge of lending violations at Ocean Bank, but denied graft allegations. Neither he nor Son were given a chance to speak after the verdict on Friday.

Amnesty International said in April that Vietnam had executed more people than any country except China and Iran over the period from August 2013 to June 2016 after official figures showing 429 executions were published in local media.

(Additional reporting and writing by Mi Nguyen; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Matthew Tostevin)
LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Britain's regulators could give interim permission for European Union banks to continue operating in the UK after the country leaves the bloc in 2019, a top regulator said on Friday.

Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority said giving "interim permission" may be one solution for dealing initially with a wave of lenders from the EU who need to continue offering services in Britain after March 2019.

The Bank of England told Reuters this week it expects up to 130 licence applications from such "inbound" banks, a huge administrative task with just 18 months to go before Brexit.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Alexander Smith)
JOHANNESBURG, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Zambia plans to trim its fiscal deficit to 6.1 percent of GDP in 2018 from 7 percent this year, Finance Minister Felix Mutati said in a budget speech on Friday. Presenting the 71.6 billion kwacha ($100 million) budget for 2018 to parliament, Mutati said the economy of Africa's No.2 copper producer should grow by at least 5 percent in 2018 from an estimated 4.3 percent this year. ($1 = 716.21 kwacha)



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.
Pellissippi State student earns CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Award







Pellissippi State student Alexander Marti earns CyberCorps Scholarship for Service award. Image courtesy of PS.

Alexander Marti, a Pellissippi State Community College student, has earned a CyberCorps Scholarship for Service award to attend Tennessee Technological University when he graduates.



"When Associate Professor Sharon Burlingame called me about this scholarship over the summer, I thought it sounded too good to be true," said Marti, who is in his second year at Pellissippi State.



He first came to the college as a Dual Enrollment student during his homeschooled high school years, then took online courses, and finally came to campus in 2016 as a Tennessee Promise student. He will graduate in May with a general associate degree and then transfer to Tennessee Tech.



"I took a programming class in high school and thought I wouldn't like computer science," Marti said. "But here at Pellissippi State, I took the classes and they clicked. I have enjoyed getting past the basics to the understanding of what happens behind the scenes of information technology."



The CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program is administered through the federal Office of Personnel Management with the intent to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government's critical information infrastructure. CyberCorps provides scholarships and stipends that typically cover the cost of tuition and fees. Those scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation.



The scholarship not only will pay for Marti's final year at Pellissippi State and his bachelor's degree in cyber security at Tennessee Tech, but also will pay him a stipend to allow him to focus solely on school. For three years after graduation, he will work for the federal government in a cyber security post.



"Cyber security has always interested me. It's like being a computer police officer - someone who works to protect information and people from hackers and other cyber criminals," Marti said.



For more information about Pellissippi State, visit www.pstcc.edu or call 865-694-6400. Published September 29, 2017










A promotional photo for upcoming OCN drama "Black" / Courtesy of CJ E&M

By Park Jin-hai

OCN, a cable movie channel owned by CJ E&M, is continuing its genre experiments, creating a storm on the local drama series scene.

By focusing on such dramas, which major local broadcasting TV stations had considered as non-mainstream with a limited viewer base, the cable channel has been expanding its influence here and abroad.

This year alone, it brought the spine-chilling crime thriller "Voice," a showdown between a psychopath and a policewoman gifted with perfect psycho-acoustics skills; "Tunnel," a mix of a time-travel hunt for a serial killer and humanism; "Duel," a story of a human clone; and recently a pseudo-religious cult thriller "Save Me."

"Tunnel," which posted a record 6.5 percent viewership for the cable channel, was exported to Japan, a country with its own strong genre dramas. It has been broadcast from late August on the CS satellite channel. Lead actor Choi Jin-hyuk's agency said, "Despite being the first time to officially export a Korean genre drama, it has received a lot of attention from viewers."

"Save Me" featured a religious cult and how blind faith can drive people insane. By taking on a subject that local dramas haven't told before, the program was credited to have shown a different level of suspense with directing skills rather than bloodshed and serial killers.

Not only has the channel widened viewers' acceptance to genre dramas, it became a springboard for rookie actors to earn recognition.

Yang Se-jong, an actor with just a year of experience, took the title role in "Duel," and now he has bagged another lead role in the SBS drama "Temperature of Love." Actor Woo Do-hwan who made his name known to viewers with "Save Me," is also cast as the lead actor in the upcoming KBS drama "Mad Dog."

OCN's next challenge is its upcoming drama "Black," starring hallyu star Song Seung-heon and actress Go A-ra.

Written by Choi Ran, who previously wrote "God's Gift" which was remade into the American TV series "Somewhere Between," and directed by "Voice" director Kim Hong-sun, the new drama will tell the story of a death god and a woman who can foresee death.

It is unprecedented for the channel to hire star cast members.

"The two famous actors Song and Go have certain established images and it is questionable if they fit in genre dramas. So the casting of the two stars can be in itself a challenge for the cable channel, which has counted on new formats and story material rather than a star cast. If Song succeeds in this drama, it could become a turning point in his acting career," said an official of a local production company.

"Black" will premiere on OCN at 10:20 p.m., Oct. 14.
Anti-nuclear activists gathered at Busan City Hall on Sept. 12 to call for the permanent halt to construction of the Shin Kori No.5 and 6 reactors. President Moon Jae-in temporarily stopped construction in June pending a comprehensive review. The demonstrators believed that the reactors on the southern seashore are vulnerable to earthquakes. Their protest was held exactly a year after a magnitude-5.8 earthquake shook Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. / Korea Times file

By Ko Dong-hwan

While businessmen from the global nuclear power industry gather for the so-called "Nuclear Power Olympics" in Gyeongju on Oct. 14, the event has kept a strangely low profile considering its international scale.

In less than three weeks members of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) will gather in the city in North Gyeongsang Province for the 13th biannual general meeting (BGM). But there is no website or press release from officials promoting the event domestically.

The meeting was last held in Toronto and this year will see about 700 people from 122 member companies from 34 countries participate. In 2014, when Korea beat Pakistan to host this year's meeting, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), the state-run nuclear power plant operator, said "the global circle of nuclear power companies have acknowledged the competitiveness of the Korean nuclear energy industry." National efforts to remind the world of Korea's advanced technologies in building nuclear power plants and exporting them soon followed.

But such efforts are nowhere to be seen as the meeting's D-day looms.

"We can only follow directives from WANO's headquarters in London, the U.K.," Park Jin-heon, senior manager of the corporate communications office of the press PR team from KHNP, said. "And the organization is very strict about its deep-rooted regulations. We can only promote the event here within the range approved by the headquarters. The minimum range includes allowing media press to interview the WANO president and CEOs."

KHNP had planned to release a feature article about this year's event, including who will be there and what content will be discussed during the sessions of the week-long gathering. But the organization ordered the Korean company not to release the article before the event.

"We have been persuading the headquarters that this year's event needs to be advertised more rigorously," Park said. "The past BGMs weren't promoted broadly locally either."

This year's event comes amid the special discussion period during which a committee of nuclear energy experts and citizen jurors lock horns in deciding whether to continue construction of the Shin Kori No.5 and 6 reactors in Busan. President Moon Jae-in halted construction in June to push his anti-nuclear energy policies. Activists opposed to nuclear energy welcomed the move but subcontractors involved in the construction of the plants and nuclear energy experts were fiercely opposed.

Some media reports say KNHP is taking a low-key approach to this year's WANO event because it does not want to attract anti-nuclear activists who will disrupt the event's core purpose of promoting Korea as an advanced nuclear reactor maker. They also said the pro-nuclear event may unfairly affect the committee's decision, tilting it to resume construction of the Busan reactors.

Park dismissed the reports, rejecting the event's alleged influence on the committee.

"As coincidental as it seems, the date for this year's event was determined in Toronto two years ago," Park said. "And the WANO BGM is a gathering of private companies -- not of government agencies -- focused on discussing the responsibility of each nuclear reactor operator in different countries to prevent accidents like the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011."






Korea Eximbank head Eun Seong-soo, right, shakes hands with Senegal's Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Oumar Gueye after signing a contract for a $10 million loan at the bank's head office in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Korea Eximbank. / KoreaTimes photo by Kwak Seung-jin



Korea Eximbank head Eun Seong-soo, right, shakes hands with Senegal's Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Oumar Gueye after signing a contract for a $10 million loan at the bank's head office in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Korea Eximbank



The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) has offered a $10 million loan to support projects in Senegal.

Eun Seong-soo, chief of Korea Eximbank, met with Senegal's Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Oumar Gueye at the lender's head office in Seoul, Friday, to sign the contract for the loan.



The heads of both countries had already discussed the issue at the U.N. General Assembly held in New York earlier this month.



The $10 million loan will be used to develop infrastructure for transporting and storing marine products, $5 million for each. This is partly because there has been high demand for Senegalese marine products such as hairtail among Korean consumers.



Meanwhile, according to the contract, only small- and medium-sized enterprises are going to be allowed to launch businesses associated with the refrigerated transport and storage infrastructure of aquatic products in Senegal.

It is expected to help Korea's small businesses make inroads into the African market, which experts point out is filled with high potential.



"Africa remains as the last blue ocean on Earth. The government will increase its support for Africa to boost Korean businesses' overseas expansion to Africa," Eun said.

"Along with infrastructure for the marine products industry in Senegal, we have plans to expand businesses into sanitation and information and communication technology areas to create a foothold in the Western African market."



This is the first major initiative for Eun, who took the helm of the Seoul-based bank midway through this month. Under his stewardship, the lender is expected to support various overseas projects.



(Advertorial)
By Yun Suh-young

Cover of the book Beowulf by Lee Sung-il / Courtesy of Lee Sung-il

"Why read this translation of Beowulf? Because there isn't a better one to be found," writes Robert D. Stevick in the foreword of the newly published "Beowulf in Parallel Texts" by Lee Sung-il. Stevick is a professor emeritus of the University of Washington.

Why so? Because it "reads so well aloud," and "nothing gets in the way," according to the American professor.

"The choice of words is always true to the text being translated, and always belongs to the active literary language of Modern English. Each (word) seems and smells like a careful choice by a connoisseur of English literary composition."

Further, the book is lauded by several Western scholars who wrote recommendations, including professor emeritus Derek Pearsall from Harvard University, who said, "The naturalness of the flow of language is one of the most admirable features of the translation."

Such compliments from scholars of Western background means a lot to a Korean scholar whose mother tongue is not English.

"I was overwhelmed when I saw that phrase and also quite embarrassed to have it on the very cover of the book because it looked boastful. But they already went into print and couldn't remove it," Lee Sung-il said, modestly, in an interview with The Korea Times. Lee is a professor emeritus of Yonsei University who retired in 2009 after 28 years of teaching. He was a founding member of the Medieval English Studies Association of Korea. He received his master's degree from the University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in English literature. Lee's modern English translation of Beowulf was recently published by Cascade Books, a publisher in Oregon.

"I feel thrilled to receive glowing compliments from Western scholars because I'm not a native English speaker. English is an acquired language for me so I felt a sense of mission toward myself. I wanted to challenge the literary scholars of the English language across the world. They might hate the book because students can now read flawlessly," the 74-year-old scholar said, chuckling.

The book is his first English-to-English (medieval-to-modern) translation book to be published. His previous works have been mostly English-to-Korean or vice versa.

The book provides medieval and modern English texts running in parallel on side-to-side pages. The modern translation on the right side is for general readers to enjoy, while the medieval English on the left is for students of English literature who are studying the original text. There is a thorough textual and explanatory notes section at the end of the book which also discusses scholarly interpretations of problematic phrases and lines.

Professor emeritus Lee Sung-il of Yonsei University

"My first love is Old English. Why do I love it so much? Because it's so much fun. And because there are no mushy love stories in medieval epic poems. I was sick and tired of Shakespearean love stories. Although I wrote my dissertation on Shakespeare, I was deeply in love with old English poems," he said.

"Epic poems are worlds of warriors. They're about loyalty, bravery. That's what attracted me as a young man."

If anyone remembers Beowulf's plot from the school curriculum, it is about a warrior named Beowulf of the Geats who comes to the aid of the king of the Danes to fight a monster, Grendel. Beowulf defeats Grendel and also his mother who comes to avenge her son's death, and becomes a hero. Later, Beowulf is crowned king of the Geats. One day, a dragon attacks his kingdom and, to protect his people, Beowulf volunteers to fight when nobody else wishes to. However, in the battle, Beowulf is mortally wounded and dies. The people of Geats honor the king as their brave protector. Created at least a millennium ago, it is considered the oldest surviving long poem of Old English literature.

"I'm so happy now. I'm over 70 and I don't mind when I die because my book will be on the shelves of libraries across the world!" Lee said.

Now 74, Lee says he still has so much to do. Regarding his future plans, he said, "Right now I'm working on short poems to be published as an anthology of Old English poems. And after that I'll continue translating other works. I have so much to do!"
State mouthpiece makes first response to B-1B flyby



By Kim Hyo-jin



North Korea denounced the recent flight of U.S. Air Force (USAF) B-1B Lancer bombers off the North Korean coast as dangerous and rash Friday in its first response to the strong show of force.



Uriminzokkiri, a state-run North Korean overseas online propaganda outlet, released a commentary titled "Provocative behavior that arouses tens of millions of people's will for revenge" to criticize the flight. The response came six days after the operation.



"The U.S.' flying its B-1B Lancer strategic bomber squadron over international waters in the East Sea was an immensely dangerous and reckless act that intends to drive the situation on the Korean Peninsula to extremes and an anti-North Korea provocation that cannot be overlooked," the commentary said.



"The U.S. willfully designed the plan to pressure us hard by carrying out the operation like actual warfare and having an aerial tanker accompany it," the site said, adding it is an "utterly miscalculated, silly idea" if the U.S. believes the flight could contain North Korea.



"The U.S.'s bellicose, youthful bravado is rather fanning the will for retaliation among tens of millions of our soldiers and civilians," it said. "Our military has been highly motivated with a resolve to shoot down the U.S. flights seeking to trespass in our territorial skies."



On Sept. 23, the USAF flew the heavy bombers from Guam with an escort of F-15C fighters from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa the farthest north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the 21st century.



The move came as fears are growing over possible armed conflict between the U.S. and North Korea amid the heightened war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.



The U.S. Defense Department later described it as a demonstration of the Trump government's resolve and a clear message that the president has many military options to defeat any threat.



However, the North did not take immediate action to the flyover, throwing its air defense capability into question.



In a briefing to lawmakers of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, Tuesday, officials of Seoul's spy agency said that Pyongyang did not respond to the flyover as it failed to detect it, according to Rep. Lee Cheol-woo, who chairs the committee.



The North's state-run media stressed that they had detected previous flights of B-1B bombers, but did not state clearly whether it detected the latest one.



It only said: "This year alone, the U.S. sent its B-1B strategic bombers for 19 times on the Korean Peninsula and they were done in the form of a joint drill with its puppet (South Korea). But this time, it was done as a unilateral move without a prior consultation with its puppet."



Cheong Wa Dae said earlier this week that South Korean President Moon Jae-in received a briefing of the flight plan from the U.S. and gave his consent beforehand, dismissing speculation that Seoul was unaware of the operation.




By Kim Jae-kyoung



The North Korea nuclear standoff is seemingly heading toward a dead end.

The exchange of bombastic rhetoric between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is heightening the risk of military confrontation on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho said Monday that Trump had declared war on his country and that Pyongyang has the right to shoot down U.S. bombers even if they are not in the North's airspace.

On Tuesday, President Trump repeated his warnings of possible military action, saying, "Not a preferred option. But if we take that option, it will be devastating, I can tell you that, devastating for North Korea."

War would be the worst-case scenario and in nobody's interest. However, the U.S.-North Korea chicken game is increasing the chances of a miscalculation by Kim that could lead to a military conflict.

Against this backdrop, many analysts have said that now is the time to stop trading barbs and seek ways to start talks for a peaceful resolution.

"It's time to sit down and talk," Joseph DeTrani, a former U.S. special envoy to the six-party talks, told The Korea Times

The former U.S. mission manager for North Korea believes that China should set up exploratory talks between Washington and Pyongyang for the eventual resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

He said that China has leverage _ oil _ to bring the North back to negotiations. China currently provides over 90 percent of North Korea's crude oil.

"Hopefully, China can get North Korea to do what they did in April 2003 and sit down with the U.S. to put all issues on the table," he said, noting that those meetings created the six party talks process in 2003 among the two Koreas, the U.S., Japan, China and Russia.

DeTrani, who helped broker a 2005 agreement on North Korea's nuclear program, said that an exploratory meeting with North Korea could determine if more formal negotiations should be pursued.

"Ideally, during these exploratory talks, North Korea would refrain from having another nuclear test or launching another missile," he added. "This is the time to work at defusing the current tense situation."

According to foreign media, including the Radio Free Asia (RFA), Thursday, former U.S. government officials and diplomats are expected to meet with officials from North Korea's foreign ministry for informal talks in Europe in mid-October.

The behind-the-scene meetings are known to have been pursued by the North to make sense of Trump and his incoherent messages to Kim Jong-un.

Stephan Haggard, director of the Korea-Pacific Program at the University of California San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, said that Trump's inflammatory rhetoric about North Korea won't help resolve the situation, calling for the two parties to regain composure.

"The fact that the U.S. President gives a speech in which he sounds like the dictator of North Korea is embarrassing. Clearly, the rhetoric has to be toned down," he said.

He is particularly concerned about language that the U.S. will respond militarily to any "threat" other than to actual aggression, which he thinks suggests the possibility of preemption.

"U.S. strategy, at least as articulated by Secretary Tillerson, has emphasized both pressure and the opportunity for negotiations. However, too much attention has been focused on the first half of this equation and not enough on the second," he said.












By Jun Ji-hye

China is stepping up economic sanctions against North Korea as Washington pressures Beijing to play a bigger role in persuading Pyongyang to halt its nuclear and missile programs.

China's move, which reflects a shift in the view of its longtime ally, comes as the standoff over the North's nuclear weapons has entered a dangerous phase following a war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

On Thursday, China ordered North Korean companies in the country and the North's joint venture companies with Chinese businesses to close within 120 days. The move follows the U.N. Security Council's approval of its latest sanctions resolution, Sept. 11.

Analysts say North Korean restaurants in China, a key source of hard currency for the impoverished state, will bear the brunt of the most powerful sanctions Beijing has imposed on the North.

On Sept. 23, under the U.N. sanctions, China also limited supplies of petroleum products to the North and imports of textiles from the country.

Such prompt actions reflect China's changing attitude toward North Korea. Beijing has been hesitant to punish its neighbor despite calls from the U.S. and South Korea to tighten sanctions.

China's shift follows the Trump administration's initiation of a so-called secondary boycott that calls for penalties against third-party companies or individuals who deal with the North, mainly targeting China, Pyongyang's sole ally.

Trump signed an executive order, Sept. 21, aimed at cutting off banks and companies doing business with the North from the U.S. financial system _ apparently targeting Chinese institutions.












Na Hyang-wook / Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

The Seoul Administrative Court on Friday ruled in favor of a senior educator who was dismissed after referring to the public as "dogs and pigs"

Na Hyang-wook, a former director general of Ministry of Education policy planning bureau, sued the ministry in June, claiming his dismissal was unfair.

Na made the controversial remarks at dinner meeting with editors and reporters from a progressive newspaper in July 2016. During the meeting, Na described the public as nothing but "dogs and pigs,"and said society needed to consolidate the class system because people were not "born equal."

The ministry asked the Central Disciplinary Committee to review the dismissal request. T request was accepted given the intensive public uproar.

The court heard that Na had passed the civil service examination, served as the education minister's secretary and as a Cheong Wa Dae official.
Jose Maria Marin, program coordinator for public sector integrity at Transparency International, is interviewed at the Transparency International-Korea office in downtown Seoul, Tuesday./ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Kim Ji-soo



South Korea, a country with a dynamic and formerly volatile political history, recently demonstrated one of the most effective defenses of democracy with its series of candlelit protests calling for the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye.

In August, only a few months after new leader, Moon Jae-in, took office, Korea took another important step for democracy by launching the first Open Government Partnership (OGP) forum, which included a recent high-level meeting in New York. The inaugural forum brought together representatives from the government, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and 11 members of civic organizations, including Transparency International's (TI) Korea chapter.

"The Open Government Partnership is an international initiative, a platform, a process that Transparency International supports," said Jose Maria Marin, the program coordinator for public sector integrity at Transparency International, a leading anti-corruption organization.

"The OGP gets governments and civic society together, as co-stakeholders, to come up with a national plan based on their priorities and commitments to open up governments to be more transparent and accountable and to ensure citizen participation," said Marin, who works on issues regarding Open Government Partnership within Transparency International and was in Seoul to attend a seminar this week.

The OGP was founded in 2011 and has 75 member countries. It has seven thematic working groups: access to information, anti-corruption, fiscal openness, legislative openness, data openness, and openness in natural resources and climate. South Korea will start working with the OGP Steering Committee next month.

When countries join the OGP, their governments introduce a change process to civic society, share knowledge worldwide through the OGP, and share the assessment of problems, solutions and other items on their national agenda, he said.

Marin said the OGP is a perfect vehicle to add to the fight against corruption "because you're able to put in commitments that specifically tackle corruption but indirectly tackle it as well by increasing participation and making the government more responsive and accountable."

He said South Korea's administrative innovations, such as M-Voting, a mobile app that allows citizens to share their opinion on Seoul city policies, are good examples of how to increase transparency. At the New York OGP meeting, Gwanghwamun 1st Street, a project that operated from May 25 through July 12 to take policy suggestions from citizens, was touted as an example of increasing public participation. In 1998, South Korea implemented the Public Information Disclosure Act, the first law of its kind in Asia.

Asked whether recent developments in Korea  the Anti-Graft Law, a.k.a. "Kim Young-ran Act," implemented a year ago, and the Moon administration's plan for an investigative body that will deal with graft cases involving senior government officials  were good signs that Korea was moving toward more transparency, Marin said he was not necessarily very cognizant of Korea's situation, albeit the country's partnership with the OGP are good signs.

Marin was also asked about South Korea's corruption perception index (CPI) ranking in 2016  52nd among 176 member states  a slip from the previous year that invited concern and criticism.

"The CPI is a very valuable index to raise awareness about corruption. Small changes from year to year are not concerning. That being said, I think the number tells us that that corruption is an issue that needs proper attention in Korea," Marin said.

Asked about the trial of Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong on multiple charges, including bribery and capital flight, Marin said he cannot comment on a specific case.

"I am of the opinion that demonstrating that there is little to no impunity in a country is always helpful in the fight against corruption," he said, adding that the perception that impunity exists demoralizes society and does not help in anyway.

Asked whether government information, in particular sensitive security issues, should be fully disclosed, Marin cautiously said that in principle government information, all of it, should be disclosed to the public.

"It is a difficult game in the sense that some information may do more harm than good. But there needs to be a very credible and independent mechanism that can make that assessment, ensure that what should be public is public and what should not be public, be kept securely," he said. He stressed that establishing independent bodies such as an access-to-information commission are good ways to deal with such sensitive issues.

Korea is moving to strengthen the powers of the public information disclosure committee, so that it will fall under the Prime Minister's Office and can investigate issues and recommend policies regarding public disclosure.

"In general, corruption starts with people and the people should be the ones to solve it," he noted, urging citizens' awareness and participation.
From left, French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon; European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) President Christoph Heider; Chairman & CEO of AMCHAM James Kim pose with Foreign Investor Ombudsman Jeffrey I. Kim and The Korea Times chief editorial writer Oh Young-jin before the Times Roundtable on Korea's business environment. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



The U.S.- North Korea standoff is sending military tensions high on the Korean Peninsula. Although Korea is often portrayed to be ground for an imminent battle, foreign investors here say this is not the case. They say they are not alarmed and the situation is close to business as usual. So The Korea Times invited them to speak about what they are up to nowadays. _ ED.



Ensured security of Korean Peninsula

By James Kim

As a Korean-American businessperson living in Korea and given my position as Chairman & CEO of AMCHAM, I am frequently asked about the escalating tensions from North Korea. Interestingly, such inquiries come with much seriousness and concerns from my friends and colleagues outside of Korea. People elsewhere seem to believe that all of us here in Korea live in a constant state of fear. I always assure them that is not the case.



For those of us familiar with constant noise from North Korea, neither the latest rhetoric from the North nor President Trump's responses have created any significant or new concerns. The readiness of the U.S. and Korean militaries to "fight tonight" is a strong deterrent against any action by the North against South Korea, Guam or any other allies of the U.S. We are also confident that the U.S. and South Korea will refrain from taking any action deemed to be a pre-emptive strike unless there is certainty that it will result in minimal damage to South Korea and its allies. We are assured by our two Commanders-in-Chief, President Trump and President Moon, who have also reaffirmed their commitments to the Seoul-Washington alliance, bolstering our joint defensive posture.












By Christoph Heider

The U.S. administration has announced it wants to renegotiate the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) as the trade deficit with Korea is at an unacceptable level. This somehow comes as deja vu as we had the same discussion with the Korea-European Union free trade agreement (KOR-EU FTA) when a Korean surplus turned into a deficit after the deal was implemented in 2011.

To be frank, I am surprised about this discussion. Is the trade balance the only thing that matters in evaluating the effectiveness of an FTA? I don't think so. FTAs are negotiated and ratified when it makes economic sense, when economies are supplemental, when one economy can provide added value to the other economy. In economics this is called "comparative advantage."

What puzzles me is that the public discussion seems to focus to a high extent on the trade in goods balance. Trade is not limited to products but also includes services, which take up a substantial share of the trade. But even this indicator doesn't provide a complete picture. Companies do not only produce goods in their home country; multinational corporations have set themselves up over the recent past in a worldwide network of production sites.

Trade in products that originated outside of the territory of any party to an FTA is not considered at all in the trade balance measurement for each specific FTA. It is indirectly considered in the current account balance when dividends are paid from a subsidiary to its holding company. Also not included in the trade balance itself is foreign direct investment. So if an FTA is purely valued in monetary terms, then at least the current account balance including other financial transactions should be used as a key performance indicator.

In economic theory, a negative trade balance can exist only temporarily. The nation with a trade deficit will experience a devaluation of its currency, which will make its products and services more price competitive, whereas the trading partner with a surplus will see its currency appreciated, therewith increasing the price for its products.












The union of Hyundai Heavy Industries has recently decided to accept temporary workers as members.



The world's largest shipbuilder's union, which had limited its membership to permanent blue-collar workers, opened its doors wider to include temps and white-collar workers.



The decision is significant as it has paved the way for regular and irregular workers to shake off mutual distrust and become one family. Relatively better-to-do full-timers will now be able to provide greater support to struggling part-timers.



All the more so, given the grim reality gripping labor circles, in which the selfish unions of regular workers are raising many eyebrows by discriminating against their irregular counterparts. It was this past April that the trade union of Kia Motors, which had been the nation's only autoworkers union that embraced contract workers, kicked out the latter, citing too many internal conflicts.



Hyundai Heavy Industries' union has its share of a shameful past, however.



The HHI union, one of the pioneers that sowed the seeds of unionism in the wake of Korea's democratization in 1987, saw its reputation smeared in 2002 when a group of company-kept union members took its leadership. In 2004, these pseudo-unionists went as far as to smash the altar set up for a contract worker who had killed himself in protest of the discrimination against non-regular employees and was expelled from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.



As foretold by the razor-thin margin of the vote, however, the process of integration was far from easy. It was only the first successful attempt after two abortive moves. That points to the vast gulf between the two different worker groups, which cannot be solved only by the good intent of embracing weaker colleagues.



The HHI union has a long way to go before being truly one group. The global slump in the shipbuilding industry is crowding out many workers, including regular ones. The union must prevent irregular workers from falling as unilateral targets of workforce trimming. It also should keep temporary workers from becoming perennial victims of industrial disasters.



All this will be difficult, if not impossible, without the spirit of sharing burdens and self-sacrifice on the part of regular workers.




Many strings attached to ultimate bid to end stalemate



Celebrating in advance the anniversary of the Oct. 4, 2007, inter-Korean summit, President Moon Jae-in told North Korea, Tuesday, to revert to the summit's spirit of peace and common prosperity, proposing inter-Korean dialogue.



On Thursday, ahead of Armed Forces Day, the President confirmed his plan for the prompt return of wartime operational control (OPCON) of the Korean military now under the United States Forces Korea.



Meanwhile, Moon Jung-in, the President's mentor and special adviser, said during a seminar at the National Assembly that no war should be allowed to happen, even if this meant breaking up the ROK-U.S. alliance.



All this may look and sound disparate, but these three events could be strung together, indicating Moon's strong wish for a third summit that he thinks could be a trump card to break the U.S.-North Korean standoff that could explode into a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula.



First, Moon has always wanted to have a summit with the North's leader, although this wish has been put on the back burner amid Pyongyang's efforts to produce nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) targeting the U.S. The President is confident he can ease the tension through such a summit, as shown in his insistence on keeping the peace at the risk of upsetting Washington.



This approach has earned him the moniker, "peace beggar" _ a man thick-skinned enough to keep proposing inter-Korean talks, whether to ease military tension or for humanitarian family reunions, despite the North's repeated, humiliating rejections.



That spilled into his anniversary speech about the meeting between his friend, the late President Roh Moo-hyun, and Kim Jong-il, father of the current North Korea leader Kim Jong-un.



Apparently the President knows that once OPCON is transferred to ROK forces, this would moderate U.S. influence in Korean affairs, giving him more authority in bringing the North to its senses and enhancing the chance of meaningful inter-Korean talks. The late Roh tried to do the OPCON takeover, but the plan was frustrated by the conservative opposition and put off indefinitely during the ensuing two hard-line administrations.



Finally, Moon Jung-in's "no war" remarks are a repeat of the President's mantra, confirming that their joint priority of peace is more important than the alliance. Moon's is confident about being not overwhelmed by the North, judging by his repeated assurances that Seoul has no plan to absorb the North.



Moon is laying one brick after another in building an "environment" for a summit. If this helps ease the fears of a nuclear war and gives peace a chance, there is no need to oppose a meeting of the leaders of both Koreas.








By Jason Lim





Three years ago, Christian Rudder, a founder of OKCupid, a well-known online dating site, who also happens to be a Harvard-trained data scientist, analyzed the interactions on his site and came up with interesting generalizations about how people behave in dating situations.

TIME Magazine summarizes Rudder's findings as such: ''According to Rudder's research, Asian men are the least desirable racial group to women On OkCupid, users can rate each other on a 1 to 5 scale. While Asian women are more likely to give Asian men higher ratings, women of other races black, Latina, white give Asian men a rating between 1 and 2 stars less than what they usually rate other men. Black and Latin men face similar discrimination from women of different respective races, while white men's ratings remain mostly high among women of all races."

Tinder, the dating app that broke onto the scene five years ago, uses the revolutionary "swipe" user interface to register one's immediate judgment on whether a person based on the profile photo is attractive or not. Eric Francisco, writing in Inverse Culture, explains, "The app's data proves that black women and Asian men are the demographics on which the highest number of people swipe "left," thereby rejecting them. By distilling dates down to a profile picture and a swipe, Tinder encourages users to act on their knee-jerk reactions, and that lightning fast process lights up corners of our minds we haven't fully grappled with as a society. Black women and Asian men make up two demographics that have been long stigmatized as not-ideal sexual and romantic partners. It's not that Tinder made anyone racist. It's that the app compiles data on the quick preferences, and prejudices, of millions around the world, exposing an uncomfortable and racist reality."

Based on the data, it's pretty apparent that there are widely shared preconceptions at a deeper, subconscious level that impact how people in general are sexually attracted to different ethnicities. Call it racism, stereotyping, or whatever label you prefer, but there is definitely a hierarchy of sexual preference that strongly correlates to how you look from an ethnic perspective. And if we take at face value (oversimplification, I know) the maxim that women choose partners for their ability to provide security and status, it's no surprise that the hierarchy of sexual preference mirrors today's hierarchy of perceived power.

I don't think this is a huge enlightenment. We know that we are essentially an amalgam of preconceptions that have been constructed upon our subconscious through myriad ways before we have a conscious say. Our choices and decisions will reflect those preconceptions albeit modulated by our later-life experiences and conscious deliberations in everything we perceive and do.

But what we also have to remember is that a hierarchy of power is constructed within the context of a particular culture. In the dating space that Tinder and OkCupid mined, the mainstream narrative was defined by the centrality of the European white male superiority this so-called "white advantage" is a cultural narrative that assumes certain positive traits associated mainly with white men from European ancestry. If we were raised within this narrative, the above results are not so surprising.

What I am actually curious about is whether this hierarchy of sexual preference organically changes to fit the hierarchy of power in other localized cultural spaces. For example, is there a "Chinese Privilege" in Thailand, Indonesia, or other southeast Asian countries in which the Chinese ethnicity are acknowledged to hold more wealth and power over the indigenous populations?

Or is there a "Korean Privilege" in the same region in which K-Pop has had such a huge influence, especially among the young people? In other words, is there a different hierarchy of power in other countries apart from the dominant "white privilege" narrative that impact the hierarchy of sexual preference in the local area?

This would be fascinating to know and would bring to light other wrong assumptions that we make about the nature of physical attraction. For example, it's pretty common to hear that facial features that indicate the presence of more testosterone attracts women physically; this includes a big jaw, a broad chin, an imposing brow, among others. Well, I have seen K-Pop actors who are immensely popular almost to Beatlemania status, and they don't seem to have big jaws or a broad chin. In fact, they are all pretty boys, sexual only in a very safe, androgynous way. So, where do big jaws, broad chins come from? It's probably valid in the dominant cultural narrative but perhaps not so much in the K-Pop narrative.

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. I am not trying to guilt anyone for liking one face over another. We are all free to make dating choices according to our individual preferences. The only question I am exploring is ultimately about our agency and free will. Do we really have any when it comes to our most basic choices, or are we all conditioned to decide how we decide before we even have the opportunity to decide?

Jason Lim (jasonlim@msn.com) is a Washington, D.C.-based expert on innovation, leadership and organizational culture. He has been writing for The Korea Times since 2006.
By Kang Seung-woo

Lululab's Lumini

BUSAN _ Tech giant Samsung Electronics' in-house venture program drew attention at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017 as it produced three participants.

The annual global telecom fair ended its four-day run in the port city, Thursday.

The ICT Venture Zone was set up at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) and more than 20 startup firms worked diligently to show off their technologies.

Creative Lab (C-Lab) was established at the end of 2012 and is one of Samsung's primary innovation programs that helps its employees nurture creative business ideas and encourages creative thinking throughout the company.

Hardware company Linkflow, headed by CEO Kim Yong-guk, showcased a 360-degree wearable camera, FITT360 Security. The company was spun off from Samsung in 2016.







Linkflow's FITT360 Security

The neck-worn item using four high-definition cameras can capture video images offering a first-person view from all angles and the images can be delivered to servers in real time.

The Seoul-based company is targeting the global market as it plans to debut the camera at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2018 ahead of its mass production.

According to the company, it is the world's first and only high-performance body-worn camera system that captures all 360 degrees of a scene that could be effectively used during security operations.

"U.S. and British police already carry body cameras, but they can only capture video in front of them," Kim said.

"The device that is worn around the neck allows the police to shoot videos clearly without any hand shake."

Lululab, another spinoff from Samsung's startup project in 2017, also unveiled its personalized beauty internet of things (IoT) skin assistant Lumini.

It analyzes the user's skin and recommends suitable products and services that work best for each user.

"By displaying Lumini at the ITU Telecom World, where global companies have participated, our technology has gained recognition," CEO Choe Yong-joon said. "Ahead of its official launch in December, we expect to make business opportunities as a result of being here."
Few visitors are seen at the ITU Telecom World at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), Thursday. / Korea Times photo by Kang Seung-woo



By Kang Seung-woo



BUSAN -- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017 ended its "unsuccessful" four-day run, Thursday.



The Swiss-based organization returned to the port city with its information and communication technology (ICT) event, following ITU Telecom Asia 2004 and the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in 2014.

However, this year it did not live up to its billing as a leading exhibition and forum for the global ICT industry.

The telecom fair failed to draw public attention as evidenced that the spacious Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) was not crowded at all. Many of participants, who had few opportunities to demonstrate their technologies, were spotted keeping their eyes on their smartphones.

"We expected many people to visit this event, but there were fewer visitors during the four days," said an official of an African exhibition booth, who also participated in last year's fair in Bangkok, Thailand. "There were quite a few people from overseas last year."

He added that the relatively few connecting flights to Busan prevented foreign visitors from attending.

"If it had been held in Seoul, many more people could have visited," he said.

People in the nation's second-largest city had a lukewarm attitude toward the event, as well.

"I did not know that the ITU Telecom World was taking place at BEXCO. Many other Busan citizens wouldn't know it, either," said a 39-year-old housewife, who declined to be named.

She suspected the Busan city government did not do its best to promote the event.

"Unlike other large-scale exhibitions such as a motor show and a baby fair, I hardly saw any advertisements about the event," she said.

She also asked why the event was held during weekdays, which made it tougher to attend.

Even a cab driver who is usually familiar with what is happening in the city, did not know that the fair was being held.

Asked if people here had interest in the event, he answered bluntly, "What is it?"

Amid the lukewarm interest, Busan allowed high school and university students in the region to attend the fair for free for the final two days, but exhibitors were busy packing up Thursday morning, with some already gone.

A lack of high-profile companies at the telecom fair was another reason for little attention.

According to the ITU, more than 500 companies participated in this year's event. But few top Korean companies attended.

The exhibition failed to invite globally renowned information and communication technology players. The remaining booths were filled by small- and mid-sized companies.
In the fall of 2011, the Getty Trust in Los Angeles launched the first Pacific Standard Time initiative, inviting art institutions from San Diego to Santa Barbara to celebrate the mid-20th-century birth of the LA art scene with related exhibitions.

In 2013, the second PST iteration centered on modern architecture in Southern California. This year, recognizing that nearly half of LAs population has roots in Latin America, the third pays tribute to Latin American and Latino art with PST: LA/LA. Now through January, more than 70 museums are presenting exhibitions, and once again, some of San Diegos finest are among them.

The Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park kicked things off Sept. 16 with Art of the Americas, a display of pre-Columbian ceremonial and domestic objects from the permanent collection. There are about 150 pieces from Mexico and Peru on view, mostly small ones, but they call out for close attention, since some are quite wonderful. As executive director Rob Sidner told the opening night visitors, the Mingei has one of the most important collections of pre-Columbian art in the United States.

Its a thrilling opportunity to be part of such a major project for Southern California, said chief curator Christine Hietbrink, who has been working on the exhibit for more than three years. Theres so much energy around this, and everyones doing their own slice of the picture.

The Mingei is also offering a day-trip to LAs Getty Center on Oct. 7. Their Ancient Americas show is spectacular, Hietbrink said. If people enjoy our show, theyll get their minds blown at the Getty. Its the Vermeer of pre-Columbian art!

The next day, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) in collaboration with museums in Mexico City and Lima, Peru, opened Memories of Underdevelopment, showcasing politically-themed artworks of Latin America from the 1960s through the 1980s. With more than 400 works by 50 artists from eight different countries  there is so much to see in this show! said Leah Straub, MCASDs communications manager.

In contrast to the small-is-beautiful Mingei exhibit, this one is big, bold and super-ambitious, featuring eye-catching multimedia, a tropical installation to stroll through, and even a few live species, all part of a movement combating the sweeping trend of mid-century Latin American modernism with some harsh looks at the real world of poverty, dictatorship and colonialist exploitation.

Heres a quote from one of the Latin American Liberation Philosophy Movements founders, Argentine-Mexican author Enrique Dussel, from his Philosophy of Liberation, written in 1977: Our path is another one, because we have been and are the other face of modernity.

Besides social commentary, theres plenty of color, humor and beauty in the MCASD show, which involved four curators and four years of preparation.

Its the kind of thing you may well want to see more than once.

You may also want to join the Tropicalia Exit Party on Oct. 26 for live music, DJs, tropical drinks and special performances. And keep an eye out for details on MCASDs Dec. 1 day-trip to Los Angeles to see more of LA/LA at LACMA and the Hammer Museum.

Other local participants in PST: LA/LA include the Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego Museum of Art and Oceanside Museum of Art.

All PST: LA/LA exhibits will be on view through January, at least. Check individual museum sites to learn more, or view the whole range of exhibitions listed on pacificstandardtime.org
PRESS RELEASE

Bill Introduced To Stop U. S. Support for Saudi War Against Yemen

Sept. 28, 2017 (EIRNS)Last evening a bipartisan group of four Representatives introduced legislation, H. Con. Res. 81, which requires the "removal" of U.S. military forces from Yemen, unless Congress authorizes U.S. support. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), and Walter Jones (R-N.C.) are the four sponsors.

As reported today by Foreign Policy, Democrats Rep. Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan circulated a letter to colleagues asking their support for a bill "to restore Congress as the constitutionally mandated branch of government that may declare war and retain oversight over it." Pocan said that Congress should end the U.S. role in "this senseless, unauthorized conflict."

The sponsors of the bill also stress that assisting the Saudi-led coalition that is bombing Yemen harms U.S. national security, leading to the expansion of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The bill includes assistance in "ending the suffering of millions of innocent people in Yemen."
Early in We Were Eight Years in Power, Ta-Nehisi Coates third book, he writes, [t]here is a notion out there that black people enjoy the Sisyphean struggle against racism. In fact, most of us live for the day when we can struggle against anything else. However, as he explains throughout these pages, black Americans struggle out of fear for their and their childrens lives; they struggle to avoid their feelings because to actually consider all that was taken, to understand that it was taken systematically, that the taking is essential to America and echoes down through the ages, could make you crazy. Coates writing emerges from this struggle while articulating a way of holding this madness at bay aesthetically and intellectually.

With We Were Eight Years in Power Coates returns to the literary center quickly on the heels of his PEN- and National Book Award-winning Between the World and Me. In July 2015 when his book-length essay appeared, Coates had already been built a strong reputation for his provocative efforts on the Atlantics electronic and paper pages and his excellent 2008 memoir, The Beautiful Struggle. Across his oeuvre, Coates prose style and literary prowess are hip-hop sharpened: he believes in the art of dexterous reference, potent, lyrical critique and political storytelling.

With a line from Jay-Zs Dead Presidents II as the new books epigraph, Coates reveals his belief that black life is central to any analysis of American experience or history: We dont just shine, we illuminate the whole show.

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Made up primarily of nine essays originally published in the Atlantic from 2008 to 2017, Coates has arranged this new volume to showcase his abilities as an essayist and a memoirist. Whether studying Michelle Obama from a distance or interviewing Bill Cosby over lunch, weighing the life and influence of Malcolm X or calculating the economic and psychological devastations that mass incarceration wreaks on black families, Coates couches his analyses in a synthesis of investigative and reported journalism, African American studies, political science, sociology, literary criticism and American history.

Coates prose style & literary prowess are hip-hop sharpened: he believes in the art of dexterous reference, potent, lyrical critique & political storytelling

Coates fronts each piece with context-shaping, prefatory narratives. In total, the personal writing develops a portrait of the artist: first, as a young man in a Harlem unemployment office, then as a burgeoning blogger identifying his subjects, and finally, as a critic whose magazine publications have become socio-literary events. Of note, I think, is Coates willingness to describe openly the precarious financial straits he and his wife, Kenyatta, navigated as he sought steady employment. Few writers discuss money matters. Coates, however, writes about his lack of income in order to narrate a feeling that many working class and ethnic Americans striving for careers in the arts likely recognize:

This focus on money must seem strange, if you have never been without it, and it still must seem strange if you have been without it before, but think of the world of writing, as I once did, as some hallowed place beyond the reach of earthly difficulties. And more, my chief identity, to my mind, was not writer but college dropout, which meant I had already forgone the one safety net my parents had urged me to secure. College dropout means something different when youre black. College is often thought of as the line between the power to secure yourself and your family and the power of someone else securing you in a prison or grave. I was, by then, seemingly well beyond the grasp of the streets. But at night, I would see myself falling, not just into poverty but into shame.

While the writing charts Coates rise from shame to cultural power, the essays publication dates parallel the years of Barack Obamas two terms as president. Obamas 2008 election spurred Coates to imagine that white supremacy, the scourge of American history, might well be banished in my lifetime.

Neo-Nazis, white supremacists and alt-right marchers at the University of Virginia on Aug. 11, 2017. (Anadolu Agency / Getty Images)

But his attitude shifted in 2012, as he writes in his essay Fear of a Black President, when Obama addressed publicly George Zimmermans fatal assault of Trayvon Martin. Obama entered the national discourse on blackness, the political third rail hed avoided throughout much of his first term. Pledging to get to the bottom of exactly what happened to Martin, our first black president actualized the nations fundamental ironies: For most of American history, our political system was premised on two conflicting facts  one, an oft-stated love of democracy; the other, an undemocratic white supremacy inscribed at every level of government.

Though many pundits claimed Obamas presidency would signal Americas turn toward becoming a post-racial society, Coates explains that Obamas blackness demonstrated integrations great limitation  that acceptance depends not just on being twice as good but on being half as black. And even then, full acceptance is still withheld. Many black Americans read Obama similarly, and the community quietly seethes. Even in the highest political office, they recognized, black folks had to confront what Coates calls this fraudulent equality.

Their anger rose because black people experience facets of American public life as a system rigged against them while white Americans dismiss their realities as fabricated and false. Both this disadvantage and disbelief are elemental components of white supremacy, Coates argues in The First White President, his recent, incendiary essay about Donald Trump and the white supremacist attitudes of the American political class. Appearing as the collections epilogue, this essay contends, among other things, that white supremacy ensures that that which all others achieve with maximal effort, white people (and particularly white men) achieve with minimal qualification.

Coates is very good at detailing how systems operate, as he proves in his strongest essays, The Case for Reparations and The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration. But hes also proven his disinterest in offering improvements, upgrades or plans for debugging the machinations that produce injustice, structural racism and inequality. Once upon a time, Coates imagined racism as a tumor that could be isolated and removed from the body of America, not as a pervasive system both native and essential to that body. But his studies have illustrated that white supremacy is pernicious, intractable and essential to the nations identity.

Here, one feels the forceful impress of James Baldwins intelligence. In his 1969 essay, The Price May Be Too High, Baldwin argued that white Americans hadnt been able to conceive that their version of reality, which they want me to accept, is an insult to my history and a parody of theirs and an intolerable violation of myself. While hip-hop gave Coates his earliest sense of what writing should mean, Baldwin showed him that writing must generate the reflex to strip away illusion, to break away from dreams. Baldwin echoes throughout Coates thinking in the same way that James Brown breaks echo throughout the depths of hip-hops Golden Era.

Coates departs from Baldwin in his disbelief in hope as a powerful intellectual and spiritual tool. As far as Coates is concerned, neither religious hope for future, heavenly redemption (or fire sign of damnation), nor political hope for justice, parity, or self-determination will dismantle belief in whiteness as the American ideal. Unwilling to offer fixes for or hopefulness in the face of white supremacy, the American prison industry, redlining, reparations and good ol racism, Coates work has been called bleak by critics and readers alike.

Ta-Nehisi Coates comes to L.A. Nov. 6 

However, given that Americans seem to have a penchant for keeping certain citizens in second-class tiers, eradicating or otherwise diminishing the civil rights of women, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities and people of color, keeping them from participating easily in electoral processes and redlining Latinos, African Americans and Native Americans into weak economic districts distant from actual political power, dont we all own this bleak history and the consistent iteration of these practices in contemporary American life? I think that Coates work explains that the onus for change falls on those who perpetuate, benefit from and shield white supremacy.

Coates isnt a literary aberration; nor is he simply a Baldwin acolyte. Even as an unemployed, wannabe writer, Coates understood himself as a member of a lineage: I was a writer and felt myself part of a tradition stretching back to a time when reading and writing were, for black people, the marks of rebellion. In other words, Coates hasnt been and isnt alone in interrogating the American milieu shrewdly, passionately. To my mind, Coates is part of a necessary cipher of extremely gifted freestylers  say, Isabel Wilkerson, Carol Anderson, Claudia Rankine, Terrance Hayes, Kiese Laymon, Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, Junot Diaz, Jaquira Diaz, Jelani Cobb  writers who break away from the dream, rhyming improvised verses over the Baldwinian beat: Our dehumanization of the Negro then is indivisible from our dehumanization of ourselves: the loss of our own identity is the price we pay for our annulment of his.

Protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on Dec. 5, 2016. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Were now living in a political era when these arguments must be aggregated alongside those made in other ethnic American groups. Though each group has its own historical trajectory, they all hold white supremacy as their common opponent. Black American resistance to white supremacy becomes sharper and more potent when blended with Latinx and Native American resistance narratives. And vice versa. The DACA Dreamers and those members of the Black Lives Matter movement who entrenched themselves alongside the Sioux at Standing Rock last winter recognize and practice this truth. Reading American life through Coates lens these last eight years has forced his many readers (myself included) to improve their own habits of reasoning and skills for argumentation. As the best critics do, Coates draws us into conversation, into argument, rather than closing off discourse with canned proclamations or static resolutions.

Coates title, which appears to refer to the wonder, weirdness and disappointments of the Obama years, derives from Thomas Millers speech at South Carolinas 1895 state constitutional convention. [T]wo decades after his state moved from the egalitarian innovations of Reconstruction to an oppressive Redemption, Coates explains, Miller, a black state congressman, attempted to persuade fellow legislators to return to the post-Civil War efforts to rebuild South Carolina as a politically and economically just society rather than maintain the revanchist political policies that recreated slavery but called it another name. We were eight years in power, Miller said. We had built schoolhouses, established charitable institutions, built and maintained the penitentiary system, provided for the education of the deaf and dumb, rebuilt the ferries. In short, we had reconstructed the State and placed it upon the rode to prosperity.

When W. E. B. Du Bois studied South Carolinas 1895 state constitutional convention, he noticed that arguments made for wresting control from black politicians  moral reform, purge the state of corruption  were merely cover for the conventions true aim  the restoration of a despotic white supremacy. Coates offers this narrative in his introduction, so that by the end of We Were Eight Years in Power we can hear the Jim Crow South echoing loudly in the Trump administrations calls for reform, purge and moral order. Here, Coates deft historical sampling might also offer us ingredients for crafting our collective rejection of white supremacy: What is needed now is a resistance intolerant of self-exoneration, set against blinding itself to evil  even in the service of warring against other evils. I see the fight against sexism, racism, poverty, and even war finding their union not in synonymity but in their ultimate goal  a world more humane.

Muyumba, associate professor of English at Indiana University-Bloomington, is the author of The Shadow and the Act: Black Intellectual Practice, Jazz Improvisation, and Philosophical Pragmatism.

We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy

Ta-Nehisi Coates

One World: 400 pp., $28
Advocates for childrens health started worrying months ago that congressional incompetence would jeopardize the nations one indisputable healthcare success  the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which has reduced the uninsured rate among kids to 5% from 14% over the two decades of its existence.

Their fears turned out to be true. Funding for CHIP runs out on Saturday, and no vote on reestablishing the programs $15-billion appropriation is expected for at least a week, probably longer. Thats the case even though CHIP is one of the few federal programs that has enjoyed unalloyed bipartisan support since its inception in 1997. The consequences will be dire in many states, which will have to curtail or even shut down their childrens health programs until funding is restored. Hanging in the balance is care for 9 million children and pregnant women in low-income households.

What happened? The simple answer is that congressional Republicans last harebrained attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act got in the way. A funding bill for CHIP seemed to be well on its way to enactment until a week or so ago. Thats when the effort to pass the egregious Cassidy-Graham repeal bill sucked all the air out of the legislative room.

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There are huge ramifications in pretty much every state across the country.  Bruce Lesley, president of childrens advocacy group First Focus

Agreement on a bill had been reached in mid-September by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Momentum was building, says Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus, a childrens advocacy group in Washington. Then came Cassidy-Graham, and we couldnt even get a meeting, Lesley says. No one was even taking our calls.

The impact of delay varies by state, because states are able to apply unspent CHIP money in any fiscal year to the next year. But even those with money in their coffers cant escape the consequences of Congress inaction. Because they cant merely assume that Congress will eventually get around to reauthorizing the funding, they have to start planning to shut down their programs now, or reallocate funding from other social programs. According to Medicaid officials, who manage CHIP from the federal end, California, Arizona, Minnesota and North Carolina will run out of CHIP funding by December or early in January. Half the states wont make it beyond the first three months of 2018. Some will run out of money next week.

There are huge ramifications in pretty much every state across the country, Lesley says.

Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper warned her congressional delegation on Sept. 13 that the states $115-million allotment for CHIP would run out this weekend, throwing healthcare for low-income children, infants and pregnant women into chaos. The only way to save their care, even temporarily, would be through an intricate series of funding shifts it took Piper two densely worded paragraphs to explain.

Utah sent a warning Sept. 15 to Medicaid administrators that the state would have to roll up CHIP starting immediately if funding wasnt enacted by Saturday. Utahs senior senator is Hatch, who co-founded CHIP with Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) in 1997 and has called providing childrens healthcare a moral responsibility, but couldnt manage to move a funding bill to the floor in time.

In todays dysfunctional political environment, even the traditional bipartisan support for CHIP has come apart at the seams. The Affordable Care Act bumped up all CHIP allocations to states by 23 percentage points from 2014 through 2019, bringing the total federal share to 100% for some poorer states such as Mississippi and West Virginia, and no less than 88% for all others.

That enhanced funding became a bone of contention for congressional conservatives, who wanted the increase axed outright. Supporters of childrens health, meanwhile, wanted the increase made permanent. The compromise reached between Hatch and Wyden will kill the increase, but wind down the funding over four years instead of immediately.

By the way, if youre wondering why Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price hasnt bothered to sound the alarm about CHIP funding, which falls within his bailiwick, consider that as a Georgia legislator he voted twice against expanding the program in his state.

Losing the 23-point bump will be costly across the board. California, as the largest state, would lose more than $600 million of a federal grant that reached $2.7 billion in the current year. But if the cut were enacted this year, Mississippis appropriation would fall to about $243 million from $317 million, money it can ill afford to go without.

The main problem facing CHIP, however, is congressional resistance to making it permanent. Under current law, the program has to be reauthorized every few years; Saturdays deadline was the product of a two-year extension negotiated in 2015, the most recent episode of brinkmanship over whether Congress would act in time to avoid disruption. This time it failed.

To avoid the chaos, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), a nonpartisan congressional advisory body, recommended in January that CHIP be extended by five years to 2022, the better to inoculate the program from heightened  uncertainty about the stability of the exchange market and proposals to change the structure and financing of the Medicaid program.

MACPAC also recommended extending the 23-point funding bump to 2022 and eliminating a six-month waiting period imposed on children who lose employer-sponsored insurance.

Is there any more poignant example of how Congress wasteful partisanship affects ordinary Americans? Its hard to imagine one. If the lawmakers cant act in support of a program that was enacted in a spirit of bipartisanship and serves the most truly defenseless members of society, theres no hope for them.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.

MORE FROM MICHAEL HILTZIK

A nonpartisan tax groups searing analysis of the GOP tax plan: Top 1% would get 80% of all benefits

Heres how we know the Republican plea for tax simplification is hogwash

Dont buy the spin: The new tax plan is a huge giveaway to the rich
To entrepreneur Elon Musk, building Tesla electric vehicles is about creating one of the great companies of the 21st century, one that is fair and just  the only kind worth creating.

To the United Auto Workers, which is trying to unionize Teslas Fremont factory, building Tesla cars is about doing so at substandard wages and in dangerous conditions, accompanied by efforts to suppress the unionization campaign.

Then there are California legislators and Gov. Brown, who enacted legislation earlier this month threatening to withhold rebates on electric vehicles unless their manufacturers can be certified as being fair and responsible in the treatment of their workers.

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We want to make sure that the public investment California is making creates both cleaner air and good jobs for our economy.  Angie Wei, California Labor Federation

That could be a considerable threat, since Tesla customers this year have been collecting almost $1 million a month from the state in rebates on the automakers luxury Models S and X, at a rate of $2,500 per car. The claims are certain to rise in coming years as Tesla ramps up production of its mass-market Model 3, which just began coming off the assembly line.

The new law has stirred editorialists across the state, who have come down heavily on Teslas side. Outrageous groveling to unions, groused the San Jose Mercury; a thinly veiled threat against an employer of thousands of Californians was the description offered by the San Francisco Chronicle. (These clips were brought to my attention by Tesla, as an indication of its opinion of the legislation.) The Times editorial board hasnt spoken on the issue.

The legislation applies not only to Tesla, which is aiming to mass-manufacture cars in California, but to all automakers whose vehicles are eligible for state rebates. That includes Nissan, Toyota, GM, Ford, BMW and lesser-known companies such as Bluecar and BYD.

The rebate program has been a boon for the electric carmakers, whose customers have collected nearly $449 million in state rebates since the program began in March 2010. About $140 million has been appropriated in the current fiscal year for the rebates, which are entirely funded from cap-and-trade program revenues; an allocation for the next fiscal year hasnt yet been made. Significantly fewer rebates have been doled out his year  $60.3 million through Sept. 28, compared with $71 million in the same period in 2016  but thats mostly because the state imposed income limits in mid-2016 so the rebates wouldnt go strictly to wealthy buyers. That may have hurt Tesla, a luxury brand that accounted for more than 21% of all rebate dollars last year, but only about 12.4% so far in 2017.

Still, it appears that the states shot was aimed chiefly at Tesla. The language was inspired by the California Labor Federation, which is affiliated with the UAW, which in turn is engaged in a ferocious unionization battle with Musk and Tesla.

The big picture for us is that the auto manufacturing industry created at least two generations of middle-class families, Angie Wei, chief of staff of the labor federation, told me. Now, not only are we replacing combustion-engine cars, but were incentivizing it with public money. The question is whether thats going to duplicate the middle-class life that was created for so many families.

The unions say that wont happen at the wage rates and working conditions typical in the electric vehicle industry. Teslas own figures put average annual hourly pay for Fremont workers who started in January 2013 at about $39,000, or a bit less than $19 an hour. No one can survive in California on that, says Wei, especially in the Bay Area. The corresponding hourly wage at General Motors, by Teslas reckoning, is nearly $24.

Musk acknowledged in an email to Tesla employees that cash compensation at Tesla, healthcare and other benefits have run well behind those of GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler. He argued that the difference was more than balanced by Tesla workers access to stock grants. By their nature, however, the value of those grants is conditional  as J.P. Morgan once said, stocks fluctuate. Unless Tesla is guaranteeing its shares value to employees, stock grants arent the equivalent of hourly cash pay. Its true that over the last four years, the shares have gained nearly 90%, but there have been periods in that span when theyve taken a tumble, too.

Workers who moved to Tesla from NUMMI, the joint Toyota-GM automaker that built the Fremont plant before shutting down in 2010, may feel the pinch especially acutely. Tesla production worker Hai Nguyen, 38, says he earned $32 an hour at NUMMI, where he worked for nine years. Now he collects $18 an hour at Tesla, where hes been employed for just over four and a half years performing roughly similar work. He says he received options on 60 shares of Tesla stock when he joined, but had to sell them to make ends meet when they vested four years later. Subsequent option bonuses, he says, are at the discretion of supervisors. Nguyen is involved in the UAW organizing campaign.

Tesla has mounted an aggressive anti-labor campaign that has resulted in a formal accusation of unfair labor practices lodged in August by the National Labor Relations Board. A hearing is scheduled to begin in Oakland on Nov. 14. Among the allegations is that Tesla supervisors and security guards have improperly interfered with union leafletting.

The NLRB also indicated it regards the confidentiality agreement employees are required to sign as overly restrictive. The agreement states that everything you work on, learn about or observe in your work about Tesla is confidential, including information about other employees, and warns that it is never OK to communicate with the media or someone closely related to te media about Tesla without permission. The board has regarded some such agreements as violations of federal labor law, and its prevailed in federal court. Tesla called the NLRB filing baseless and entirely without merit.

Musks own comments about the union drive also have a retrograde tone, not unlike what one might hear from an industrial magnate in the 1890s. Following a post on Medium.com about injuries and poor pay by Tesla worker Jose Moran, Musk accused Moran of being a paid union agitator and painted the UAW as an organization that does not share our mission and whose true allegiance is to the giant car companies, where the money they take from employees in dues is vastly more than they could ever make from Tesla. The company says its working to make Fremont the safest car factory in the world and that its safety record is much better than [the] industry average.

Some workers question that. Nguyen says the safety culture at Tesla doesnt match NUMMIs, where he says equipment was better maintained and work routines more standardized. They dont take safety as seriously as they say they do, he told me. Workers often are loath to complain, because theres no job security.

That brings us back to the states initiative on electric vehicle manufacturers labor relations. Its unclear how much Tesla or any other companies have to fear from the legislation, which Gov. Brown signed on Sept. 16. The measure expresses the legislatures intent that the Secretary of Labor work with the Air Resources Board to develop procedures to certify the automakers as fair and responsible in time for the 2018-2019 rebate year. Labor Secretary David Lanier will start working on that process with stakeholders  including organized labor and the manufacturers  in coming months, according to his spokesman. Prospective buyers, who are the direct beneficiaries of the rebates, also can be expected to weigh in.

The process, in other words, is wide open. Were all trying to figure out how this will play out, says Chuck Colgan, a spokesman for the Center for Sustainable Energy, a nonprofit that runs the rebate program for the state.

The factors likely to be used to judge a companys employee relations are easy to guess, if not the weight theyll carry. Unresolved NLRB suits or a surfeit of OSHA complaints: bad. Competitive wage rates: good. The rules worked out by the Labor secretary and ARB will probably have to be approved by the legislature, so the industrys lobbying clout also will be stirred into the cauldron.

But encouraging good labor relations hasnt always been easy for government agencies, especially in recent years when corporate profits have soared and wages have stagnated. Critics of the fair and responsible rule should explain why its wrong for California to hold manufacturers using millions of dollars in public funds to pump up their sales to broad standards of behavior. We want to make sure, Wei says, that the public investment California is making creates both cleaner air and good jobs for our economy.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
Question: After close to a decade in my current job, I started applying to new jobs because my salary has remained stagnant, and I was concerned about layoffs. I have accepted a job offer in the public sector. A few hours after I gave my two-week notice, one of the vice presidents and the director of a different division at my current employer made me an incredible counteroffer to work in a new position under the director.

I feel like the pros and cons are pretty equal. My current employer is offering me more money with an incentive program; its a new and exciting position with room for growth; and I already have a great reputation here and wouldnt have to start from the ground up. The other job is in the public sector, so currently theres a guaranteed raise every year; I could get a pension; and its more stable than the industry Im in now.

I have read that you should never accept a counteroffer because your boss will lose all respect for you. In my case, its not my boss making the offer, and it wouldnt be the same position.

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Also, would it be unethical or illegal for me to turn down the new job? Ive sent in some paperwork, but I havent signed a contract yet. Plus, I feel almost guilty because the other employer will have to start the hiring process all over again. Am I being silly in thinking that way?

Answer: Research shows that discontented workers lured back with higher pay often end up leaving within a year, anyway. But you wouldnt be slinking back to your old job; youd be entering a new job with a new boss, with the bonus of institutional knowledge and a reputation that sends VPs chasing after you. And you already have inside connections to help you investigate what youd be getting into.

As for legal repercussions, I wouldnt worry too much unless youve signed a contract promising to perform for a specified period or received some financial incentive that youd have to repay. That doesnt mean that backing out is without other consequences: You will burn some bridges with the other employer.

And its not silly to be mindful of inconveniencing that employer -- but it would be a bit naive to think that those doing the hiring dont have second-string candidates lined up. The best you can do is avoid wasting more of their time by making and communicating your decision quickly.

So the remaining question is, which offer will you accept? The public-sector job may well offer more security and predictability. But its clearly not the one youre excited about.

Pro tip: Employment and labor lawyer Declan Leonard of business law firm Berenzweig Leonard notes that employers can also pull job offers at any time for nondiscriminatory reasons. In some cases, jilted hires may be able to file claims for expenses incurred as a result of the offer, such as relocation costs.

Karla Miller writes a column about work dramas and traumas for the Washington Post.
President Trump said Friday that he has held four meetings to discuss who should lead the Federal Reserve starting early next year and expects to decide within two to three weeks.

Trump made the disclosure in comments to reporters on the White House lawn. He did not name the candidates with whom he has met.

A White House official said the president and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin met Thursday with Kevin Warsh, a former Fed board member. Another report said Trump also met with Jerome Powell, the only Republican on the Fed board.

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The White House official who discussed Trumps meeting with Warsh spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about a private White House meeting. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Trump and Mnuchin had met with Powell.

Trump has said previously that he is considering re-nominating Fed Chair Janet L. Yellen when her term ends in February. But he has said he also is looking at other candidates, including Gary Cohn, the head of Trumps National Economic Council.

Warsh, who served on the Feds board from 2006 to 2011, was a key advisor to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke during the 2008 financial crisis. He is married to Jane Lauder, granddaughter of cosmetics giant Estee Lauder. Her father, Ronald Lauder, is a longtime Trump friend.

Warsh was 35 when then-President George W. Bush nominated him to serve on the Fed board in January 2006. He is currently a distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institute and a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Trump told reporters earlier this month that he liked and respected Yellen but had not made a decision yet on the Fed job. Although Trump was harshly critical during the campaign of Yellens performance, he has made only favorable comments about her since the election.

Yellens term as chair expires Feb. 3. In an interview this summer, Trump mentioned Cohn as another candidate for the Fed job. But Cohns prospects appeared to dim after he was publicly critical in August of Trumps response to the protest violence in Charlottesville, Va.

Cohn and Mnuchin have taken the lead in crafting the administrations tax plan, which was unveiled Wednesday.

Yellen, asked last week whether she had met with Trump recently, said she had not met with the president since a brief discussion the two had after Trump took office. Yellen has repeatedly said she plans to serve out her current term. But she has not said whether she would serve another four-year term if asked to so do by Trump.

One other person who has been mentioned for the top Fed job is John Taylor, a Stanford University economist and a favorite of conservatives for his support for a rules-based approach to setting interest-rate policies.

There are three vacancies on the Fed board, and there soon will be a fourth. Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer announced this month that he planned to step down in October. So far, Trump has moved to fill only one of the vacancies, nominating Utah financier Randal Quarles to the Fed board to be vice chairman for bank supervision. His nomination is pending before the Senate.

UPDATES:

2 p.m.: This article was updated with comment by President Trump and with a report that Trump met with Jerome Powell.

This article was originally published at 12:45 p.m.
When Republicans rolled out their tax reform proposal this week, President Trump highlighted a provision aimed at the vast majority of small and family-held enterprises.

Under the tax plan, which Republicans say is meant to simplify a Byzantine code and promote business investment, sole proprietors, partnerships and so-called S corporations would see their top tax rate dropped from 39.6% to 25%.

The change is meant to help so-called pass-through businesses, which include mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, law firms, hedge funds and other large partnerships that pay taxes based on the individual tax code.

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But tax experts said the biggest beneficiaries would be a small minority of wealthy business owners. And the changes, they said, are likely to complicate matters further by fueling a rush among well-off professionals to reclassify themselves as pass-through firms to shirk a maximum 35% personal rate.

There is going to be big shenanigans, said Gonzalo Freixes, a professor of taxation at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Businesses structured as corporations are taxed at a rate of 35%, which the Trump plan would cut to 20%. Dividends those corporations pay to their shareholders are then taxed again.

But about 95% of American companies  including some of Trumps own businesses  are structured as sole proprietors, partnerships and S corporations, according to the Brookings Institution. For these companies, profits simply pass through to owners, and are taxed at individual rates.

The top tax rate for individuals and such businesses stands at 39.6%. The Republican proposal would drop the personal rate to 35%, though it leaves the door open for Congress to add a higher rate.

Trump, in a speech in Indiana on Wednesday, said the pass-through provision would help millions of small businesses and farms.

This will be the lowest top marginal income tax rate for small and mid-size businesses in this country in more than 80 years, Trump said.

The outline, released Wednesday, says that the plan contemplates lawmakers will adopt measures to prevent wealthy people from recategorizing personal income as business income to take advantage of the new, low pass-through rate.

For example, experts say lawmakers will have to devise rules to stop engineers who make $200,000 in salary from classifying themselves as a limited liability company that their same employer would then hire.

Rules will also have to lessen the incentive for business owners to pay themselves less of a salary and argue the remainder of their haul comes from the business and not as a reward for their individual labor.

They are both huge problems and would generate large revenue losses, said Katie Pratt, a tax professor at Loyola Law School.

Gary Cohn, the top White House economic advisor and former president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs, said Thursday the administration has established language to prevent abuses, though it hasnt been released.

The last thing we want to see is wealthy individuals or wealthy groups or families move their tax rate down from the 35% rate to the 25% rate, Cohn said. Were acutely aware of that. Guys like myself should not be allowed to put their assets into a partnership and reduce their tax liability by 10%.

The last thing we want to see is wealthy individuals or wealthy groups or families move their tax rate down from the 35% rate to the 25% rate.  Gary Cohn, White House economic advisor

Crafting rules to prevent abuses is difficult, tax experts said, noting an entire industry is devoted to helping companies and individuals achieve the lowest possible rate.

All the tax lawyers just laugh, Pratt said. Its extremely hard to prevent.

Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin told CNBC that services companies that are pass-throughs will not get the benefit of the rate.

If you are an accountant firm and thats clearly income, youll be taxed at income rates. You wont be taxed at pass-through rates, he said. Mnuchin suggested manufacturing companies would be treated differently.

If you are a business thats creating manufacturing jobs, youre going to get the benefit of that rate, because thats going to be passed through to help create jobs and better wages, he said.

Pratt, the Loyola law professor, said service businesses at times have been defined to include doctors and lawyers. But she said its unclear whether Mnuchin meant all service businesses would be barred from the lower rate or if they would be subjected to heightened scrutiny.

A Treasury spokeswoman did not return emails seeking clarification, and a White House spokesperson said it will be up to congressional committees to decide specific anti-abuse rules.

One of the stated goals of the Republican plan is to help business owners create jobs by freeing up more money to invest.

Thats exactly what Los Angeles attorney Kenneth Reyes said hed do if he got a break.

Reyes, who specializes in divorce law and employs three attorneys and a paralegal, structured his firm as an S corporation. Most recently, he said, hes paid the top 39.6% rate.

He estimated hed save around $70,000 if the rate dropped to 25%.

I could use it for advertising and to hire more associates, Reyes said.

Of course, business owners could also choose to pocket that money.

Many businesses may not make enough money to benefit from the pass-through rate.

According to an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, 86% of the 38 million households with pass-through business income already pay a tax rate of 25% or lower  meaning they wouldnt benefit from reducing the cap to 25%.

Under the current code, the 25% bracket tops out at income of $153,100 for a married couple and $91,900 for a single filer.

The Tax Policy Center said 670,000 households pay the top 39.6% rate on business income, or 1.8% of all those reporting pass-through income.

The top bracket  which stands to benefit the most from the change  currently kicks in for income of over $470,700 for a married couple and $418,400 for a single filer.

The vast majority of the overall benefit goes to the the top 1%, said Michael Linden, a fellow at the left-leaning Roosevelt Institute.

However, a White House spokesperson said business owners of more modest means would see a reduction in their taxes because of changes to personal rates under the larger proposal. Those business owners would benefit from a reduction of the 15% rate to 12%, as well as other changes, the spokesperson said.

Any analysis of the tax plans winners and losers is made difficult by the fact that so many of the specifics remain to be hammered out by Congress.

For example, the proposal envisions fewer tax brackets for personal income but doesnt define the income thresholds.

Edward Kleinbard, a USC professor and former chief of staff to Congress Joint Committee on Taxation, said setting different rates for corporations and varying kinds of pass-through businesses raises questions about the policy objective the government wants to achieve.

There is no logic here, Kleinbard said. I dont know why a corner Thai restaurant is inherently better than a  law firm.

This will be a gold mine for tax lawyers for decades to come, he said.

Times staff writer Jim Puzzanghera contributed to this report.

andrew.khouri@latimes.com

Follow me @khouriandrew on Twitter

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In the San Fernando Valley, there are plans to level a nearly vacant mall and replace it with some 1,400 homes, boutique retail shops and a concert venue.

In Orange County, an aging mall will give way to a mixed-use development with more than 900 homes. And in the South Bay, hundreds of homes are planned to replace a struggling mall that opened in the mid-1980s.



For the record: An earlier version of this article misspelled Capri Investment Group CEO Quintin E. Primo IIIs first name as Quentin in a photo caption.

An old adage implores investors to buy land; theyre not making it anymore. But in a way, in cities across the country, they are.

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Acres of prime real estate are opening for redevelopment as Americas malls struggle to compete with Amazon and other online giants, offering developers a rare shot to remake swaths of land in the countrys built-out metropolises.

In particular, real estate experts say, the demise of retail centers provides one of the best chances to add needed housing in Californias urban regions, where a shortage has left nearly 30% of renters in the state paying more than half their income on housing.

Its a huge opportunity  probably one of the biggest, said Adam Artunian, a vice president with John Burns Real Estate Consulting in Irvine.

The redevelopments are likely to face hurdles from residents concerned over the changing character of their neighborhoods, but as Americans increasingly buy T-shirts, purses and electronics online experts say something needs to be done with all the massive retail centers that popped up during the postwar era before they become neighborhood blights.

A recent report from Credit Suisse predicted the trend will result in 20% to 25% of Americas malls closing in the next five years.

To stave off that fate, some owners are redeveloping their properties into destinations that try to give shoppers a new reason to venture outside. Theres an emphasis on experience and typically more restaurants and outdoor boutiques, as well as community spaces that can hold concerts and other events.

Housing is key too.

You dont have to reach out to your customer base, because they live right there, said Cynthia Murphy, who oversees mall leasing nationwide for commercial real estate brokerage CBRE Group.

Major projects have been proposed in the San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, the South Bay and Orange County that would add more than 4,000 housing units where none previously existed. And its not just Southern California.

In the San Francisco Bay Area town of Richmond, a real estate investment firm is looking to add as many as 9,600 homes when it redevelops the struggling Hilltop Mall. Elsewhere, there are projects in the suburbs of Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans, just to name a few.

George Hoglund, an analyst with investment banking company Jefferies, predicted many of the nations 1,200 large malls will be reworked over the next five to 10 years.

I would say a couple hundred of them, Hoglund said.

In Woodland Hills, shopping-center giant Westfield Corp. is seeking approval to level the Promenade mall built in 1973 and start anew.

Last fall, it rolled out plans to build residences, offices, two hotels and a concert venue, along with a string of boutiques and restaurants. A website pitching the proposal depicts tree-lined avenues, a central park and courtyards.

The $1.5-billion project, if approved, will connect to Westfields two adjacent properties  the indoor Topanga mall and the Village, a $350-million outdoor shopping center that opened two years ago.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, the Village was packed with people eating at restaurants and strolling through boutiques. A rock band even played, setting up in front of Lucilles Smokehouse Bar-B-Que.

Across the way, the Promenades parking lot was largely empty. The indoor mall and Macys have closed and only the movie theater, a few restaurants and a book store were open.

Around noon, just two shoppers browsed for a deal on books after passing a sign that announced a Store Closing Sale! and another that informed them the entrance to the indoor mall was no longer available.

Larry Green, a senior vice president with Westfield, said the company knew it needed to redevelop the 34-acre property even before online shopping took off, citing the consolidation of department store anchor tenants.

It wasnt that long ago, here in Los Angeles, there were 10-plus department stores, Green said. The consolidation has happened over decades and its going to continue, but it allows us to do some really good things and to create urban communities.

Quintin E. Primo III is chief executive of Capri Investment Group, manager of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Capri wants to build housing, a hotel, offices and an outdoor retail strip at the site. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Changes are proposed even for more successful properties such as the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in South Los Angeles. Capri Investment Group, which purchased the property on behalf of investors in 2006, wants to keep the mall, but add apartments, condos, a hotel, offices and an outdoor retail strip that evokes Santa Monicas Third Street Promenade.

Capri Chief Executive Quintin E. Primo III said the mall is doing better than most following a multimillion-dollar upgrade. There also arent many competing shopping or dining options in the largely African American neighborhood. Many investors have long shunned the area, he said, despite the middle- and upper-class residents who live in nearby Leimert Park, View Park and Baldwin Hills.

But online competition is biting into sales and last year the centers Wal-Mart was shuttered. Primo said he doesnt want to wait around until the mall truly struggles.

If malls do not reinvent themselves, in some shape and form, they die, he said. We see the tsunami coming.

Adding multifamily housing  a coveted investment class  should also make it easier to attract capital to complete the massive project off Crenshaw and Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards.

We think it is a great value to the community, he said. To have this all within walking distance and not have to travel. It improves the quality of life for all residents.

When it comes to adding the housing, the properties provide an opportunity to add lots of units without too much work.

Thats a rarity in largely built-out corners of Southern California where all the easy deals are gone, said Bob Patterson, a first vice president with CBRE.

Typically, builders must build small or put together four parcels with five owners to get something of scale, he said. Malls, though, sit on vast acreage and are often surrounded by a sea of surface parking lots, enabling developers to build hundreds of homes without demolishing anything.

In the San Fernando Valley, Westfields Promenade plans call for roughly 1,400 apartments in several buildings, ranging from studio units to much more luxurious spreads.

In Orange County, Merlone Geier Partners is transforming the 68-acre Laguna Hills Mall into a mixed-use development known as Five Lagunas with more than 900 apartments. The property is half demolished, but is currently on hold as the developer figures out how to reorient the design after Macys recently decided to close there.

And at Capris 43-acre Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, more than 900 apartments and condos are planned.

Ten percent would be priced below market rate after residents voiced concern that the development will make the area more attractive to those of higher incomes and put upward pressure on rents in the surrounding area, even as the housing supply expands.

While the redevelopments present an opportunity, there are still challenges.

The malls are typically adjacent to traditional single-family neighborhoods designed to accommodate residents driving to the nearby retail centers on wide-open streets.

In an increasingly gridlocked region, the projects for many represent a further erosion of the suburban ideal they bought into.

In Redondo Beach, the citys Community Development Department several years ago noted the indoor South Bay Galleria represented an antiquated model of shopping centers where islands of retail structures are surrounded by vast parking areas.

Labeling the indoor mall over parked, the department said the 30-acre site was the one that held the greatest potential in the city to add new homes  1,467 residences under current zoning as part of a mixed-use development.

But mall owner Forest City rolled out less ambitious plans for a redeveloped South Bay Galleria a few years ago, that called for a maximum of just 650 units.

In response, nearby residents protested over the potential effect on traffic.

An opposition group was set up  Residents Against Galleria Expansion, or R.A.G.E.

And on Tuesday, in response to community pushback, Forest City announced it would go with its smallest proposal  one that contains only 300 units.

Californias tax structure could also complicate the projects.

Because Proposition 13 limits how high property taxes can rise, many cities take in much of their revenue from sales taxes.

That in theory gives a city less of an incentive to allow an entire mall property to turn over into housing, fearful of taking the double hit of losing tax revenue and adding new residents that increase costs for the school system and public safety.

Los Angeles developer GPI, which has built mixed-use projects in Pasadena, Beverly Hills and elsewhere, has even experienced pushback when its proposals included some retail, but less than what previously existed, said Cliff Goldstein, the companys managing partner.

Large cities with a diverse tax base such as Los Angeles are more willing to allow the redevelopments, including GPIs NoHo West project under construction in North Hollywood, Goldstein said. The project will add 642 homes on the site of the former Laurel Plaza, an outdoor shopping center that fell on hard times.

Smaller cities face an even bigger hit to their revenues from any loss of retail space. But Goldstein says even they are coming around.

If they believe that it will help preserve the shopping center, then I think they are beginning to understand, he said.

andrew.khouri@latimes.com

Follow me @khouriandrew on Twitter

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Elon Musk thinks hes figured out a way to pay the billions of dollars in development costs for his Mars colonization plans: Shrink the size of the rockets and spaceships so they can pull double duty on missions closer to home.

In a speech Friday at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, the SpaceX chief executive showed off new specs for the rocket and spaceship system known for now as BFR, a reference to how big the vehicles still would be.

Under the new plan, the rocket and spaceship each will measure about 30 feet in diameter. When stacked on top of each other, they will be about 500 feet tall.

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Thats still big, but its smaller than the system Musk detailed at last years space conference.

That rockets booster alone was to be about 39 feet in diameter, and the spaceship was envisioned to be about 55 feet in diameter. When stacked on top of the booster, the two would have been about 400 feet tall.

On Friday, Musk said a smaller vehicle still could get people to Mars, while also being useful for missions in Earth orbit.

He said SpaceX realized that if it built a system that cannibalizes its current products and makes them redundant, it then could stockpile Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and Dragon spacecraft for customers who might be more comfortable with the tried-and-true methods. Then, SpaceX could use its resources to develop BFR.

Musk said the company is beginning to seriously develop the system and hopes to fly its first cargo mission to Mars in 2022, with a combined cargo and crew mission set for 2024. He said construction on the first spaceship will begin in about six to nine months.

Bill Ostrove, aerospace and defense analyst with Forecast International, said the time frame for those developments was definitely aggressive. Musk himself said in his speech that the 2022 date was aspirational.

Its hard to doubt that Elon Musk will pull something off at this point, with the number of successes hes had, Ostrove said. But I think those time frames are unlikely, to say the least.

Closer to home, Musk said BFR would replace SpaceXs current launch vehicles and spacecraft and launch satellites, take missions for the International Space Station and even help establish a moon base  generating revenue that could go toward paying off the rocket systems development costs.

Musk estimated last year that the development cost for the Mars system would be about $10 billion.

While the updated plan is still very ambitious, Ostrove said it was more practical than the one announced last year.

Theres a lot more focus on the actual rocket, he said. That makes sense because thats where SpaceXs core competencies are.

Musk also suggested an even more terrestrial use of BFR: long-distance transportation from one city to another.

If you build a ship thats capable of going to Mars, what if you take that same ship and go from one place to another on Earth? Musk said during his speech. So we looked at that, and the results are quite interesting.

He said travelers could get from, say, Los Angeles to New York in 25 minutes with the reusable rocket landing at its destination. In a subsequent Instagram post, Musk said the price per seat would be about the same as a full fare in economy class on a commercial airline.

Last year, Musk first unveiled his vision of a fleet of 1,000 spaceships carrying 100 people each that would embark en masse for the Red Planet. The goal: to eventually establish a self-sustaining colony of at least 1 million people and make humans a multiplanetary species within 40 to 100 years.

Those rockets would boost spaceships into a parking orbit around Earth, while reusable boosters would return to the ground and pick up propellant tankers to top off before the long journey.

samantha.masunaga@latimes.com

Twitter: @smasunaga

UPDATES:

11:40 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from analyst Bill Ostrove.

This article was originally published at 7:05 a.m.
Lets say there was a bank that locked the front door at night but left all its money sitting out on a table instead of securing it in the vault. That would be incredibly stupid  an invitation for thieves to break in and make off with the loot.

And its precisely what nearly every big company and government agency does with peoples personal data.

Barely a week goes by without news of yet another security breach involving a corporate or government database. On Wednesday, the burger chain Sonic said its payment system had been hacked, with millions of customer credit-card numbers reportedly being snatched by bad cyber-hombres.

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Consumers are still reeling from the massive breach of credit agency Equifax, which exposed 143 million people to potential fraud and identity theft.

The company on Thursday said it would allow consumers to lock their credit files for free  basically the same as a credit freeze but easier to use  and the interim chief executive, Paulino do Rego Barros Jr., expressed his sincere and total apology.

Experts generally acknowledge that its impossible to keep hackers at bay. The black hats are just too clever and too determined.

Theres no such thing as a totally secure network, said Nick Mancini, managing partner of the Tech Consultants, a Woodland Hills technology firm. As long as things are interconnected, security will always be compromised.

So the question becomes: Why do businesses and agencies make it so easy for hackers to make off with their digital assets?

Some companies conclude that its cheaper to accept losses than upgrade security.  John Gunn, chief marketing officer, Chicagos Vasco Data Security

Relatively few databases are protected by strong encryption  software that turns the contents into gibberish for anyone lacking digital keys to unlock all the goodies. As a result, once hackers break through a networks defenses, they gain access to everything.

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse in San Diego estimates that just over 7,700 security breaches have been made public since 2005, resulting in more than a billion records being compromised.

Data at stake in many such incidents can represent some of the most sensitive details of a persons life  Social Security numbers, drivers license numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, medical files, legal files, confidential correspondence, and on and on.

And frequently, as in the case of Equifax, the company never even asked permission to maintain such records. It just collected peoples personal information and profited by selling it to business partners.

If theyre holding personally identifiable information, it should absolutely be encrypted, said Pablo Garcia, chief executive of Aliso Viejos FFRI North America, a maker of cybersecurity software. Im almost at the point where I expect my personal information to be stolen every now and then.

The main problem, he and other tech-security experts say, is one of convenience.

Most businesses view strong safeguards such as top-of-the-line encryption as an impediment to getting things done and being competitive. Because info frequently moves from one place to another, the requirement that all people accessing the network have digital keys can slow things down significantly.

Strong encryption also can slow entire network systems and websites, again impacting ease of use.

Anything that impedes commerce or a transaction obviously can have a material impact on a companys bottom line. Meanwhile, the annual cost to a large business of maintaining extensive security measures can run in the hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.

Compared to that, businesses look at the actual losses they might suffer in a breach as minimal, said John Gunn, chief marketing officer of Chicagos Vasco Data Security, which focuses primarily on the banking industry. Some companies conclude that its cheaper to accept losses than upgrade security.

This is, of course, completely unacceptable.

Every company presents itself to consumers as a vigilant watchdog of personal information. Click on any online privacy policy. Its practically guaranteed that one of the first lines will be some variation of we take your privacy seriously.

Heres Equifax: Safeguarding the privacy and security of information, both online and offline, is a top priority for Equifax.

The idea that a company in the digital age cant be bothered to do everything possible to keep a lid on peoples data is no less reprehensible than car makers arguing, as they did for decades, that airbags in vehicles are unnecessary because theyre too expensive and cumbersome. Federal authorities say mandatory airbags now save thousands of lives a year.

As with airbags and other safety measures, it appears that industry wont take the necessary steps to protect databases until required to do so.

So I propose a regulation that any company or government agency with a database containing more than 10,000 names be required to encrypt all stored data. If thats inconvenient, boo-hoo. Standing in line for a security check at the airport is inconvenient, but we all do it because we have to.

To give the regulation some teeth, I propose a fine of $100 for every person affected by a security breach, up to $100 million.

This strikes me as a sufficiently persuasive incentive for organizations to step up their games and take the necessary steps to prove they really do care about customers privacy.

It also provides a level playing field, allowing companies that take information security seriously to gain a competitive advantage over those that dont. Again, an incentive for good behavior.

The internet wasnt built for security, said Willy Leichter, vice president of marketing for Virsec Systems, a San Jose cybersecurity firm. It was built for openness.

Times change. And the guardians of our personal information have to change with them.

Thats a polite way of saying, Put the money in the damn vault, you fools.

David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com.

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Los Angeles homeowners who sold last year after holding on to their homes for a long period of time saw sizable returns on their investments.

The typical Los Angeles home seller made $200,000 on the sale of a home in 2016 after owning it for a median period of nine years and eight months, according to a Zillow study released this month.

That 53.7% gain, during a time of rising home prices nationwide, was better than 28 of the 33 metropolitan areas studied.

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West Coast cities did especially well, thanks to well-paying jobs  many of them in the tech sector  and the patience to wait a little longer before selling.

People who sold their homes in West Coast cities often held on to their homes longer than the typical seller, said Zillow chief economist Svenja Gudell. Combined with the strong home value growth they saw, sellers in Western cities were really able to cash in.

Zillow crunched the numbers and found that the best return on investment was in Oakland, where the typical seller last year sold a home for an average of $590,000 after living in it for a median period of seven years and three months. That was 78% more than what the seller initially paid.

That was followed by Portland, Ore., where the typical seller sold for about $145,000 more than what he or she paid nine years and one month earlier, a 65% gain.

Around Southern California, Long Beach was No. 11, with a 43.7% return; San Diego was No. 17, with 33.3%.

Nationally, its financially advantageous to buy a home rather than rent if you plan on living in it for at least two years and one month, but staying much longer than that has really paid off, Zillow said.

By dollar amount, not percentage gain, San Jose had the best return on investment, with sellers pocketing $271,150 after a median period of nine years and eight months of ownership.

The worst percentage return on investment for home sellers was in Baltimore, with a 5.4% payout, or $5,000. But home sellers there held on to homes the least amount of time of any region studied  just three years and five months.

Gudell said low inventory and strong competition in top markets mean returns may not be as lucrative as they seem.

Even as sellers are making a significant profit when they sell, if theyre planning to buy in the same area, theyll be on the other end of the process, Gudell said.

In Los Angeles County, the median price for a home in August surged 9.4% year over year to $580,000, according to data firm CoreLogic.

Phillip Molnar of the San Diego Union-Tribune contributed to this report.

* * *

Percent gain on sale

1. Oakland, Calif.  78%

2. Portland, Ore. 64.7%

3. San Jose, Calif.  56.5%

4. Denver, Colo.  56%

5. Los Angeles, Calif.  53.7%

6. Sacramento, Calif.  53.6%

7. Seattle, Wash.  53.1%

8. Philadelphia, Pa.  51.7%

9. New Orleans, La.  51.5%

10. Boston, Mass. 49.6%

11. Long Beach, Calif.  43.7%

12. Fresno, Calif.  42.4%

13. Nashville, Tenn.  40.4%

14. Miami, Fla.  37.4%

15. Phoenix, Ariz.  34.5%

16. Mesa, Ariz.  33.8%

17. San Diego, Calif.  33.3%

18. Arlington, Texas  32.8%

19. Honolulu, Hawaii  31.3%

20. Colorado Springs, Colo.  29%

21. Minneapolis, Minn.  28.9%

22. Las Vegas, Nev.  27.2%

23. Atlanta, Ga.  26.9%

24. Tucson, Ariz.  23.1%

25. Jacksonville, Fla.  22.4%

26. Virginia Beach, Va.  20.4%

27. Fort Worth, Texas  20.3%

28. Charlotte, N.C.  18.9%

29. Columbus, Ohio  16.3%

30. Milwaukee, Wis.  15%

31. Omaha, Neb.  14.4%

32. Memphis, Tenn.  8.5%

33. Baltimore, Md.  5.4%

jack.flemming@latimes.com

Twitter: @jflem94

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The remarkable new play Fixed is set in a drag ball culture where realness is prized. To an outsider, that might seem an odd word to ascribe to what seems a world of illusion, but to the participants it can be more truthful than the strict gender roles of social conformity.

As entertaining as it is thought-provoking, the play, presented by Echo Theater Company in Atwater Village, percolates with ideas about identity and diversity, conveyed through a tale of two people who might find love if the world would just leave them alone. Its written by a Los Angeles playwright whos headed nowhere but up: Boni B. Alvarez, whose previous plays include Ruby, Tragically Rotund and Dallas Non-Stop.

The piece is inspired by a 1637 Spanish drama by one of the greats of that era  Pedro Calderon de la Barca  called The Physician of His Own Honor, though that Othello-like tale of an honor killing might be hard to spot at this point, Alvarez said at a recent after-performance talk. The drag balls are the sort recorded in the documentaries Paris Is Burning (1990) and Kiki (2016) and taking place in L.A. and other cities today.

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The story begins at a ball where ethereal figures, diaphanous and sparkling, move like fashion models and bust some serious dance moves. Two of them lift a third, who trails a gauzy train, looking like an angel taking wing.

This heavenly creature is Miracles (Chris Aguila), who works as a cross-dressed masseuse in an L.A. parlor among other young Filipinos and Latinos (Allen Lucky Weaver and Tonatiuh Elizarraraz). The business no-nonsense mother figure (the playwright, Alvarez, lips pursed into a ferocious frown) is also matriarch of the drag-ball house with which the workers perform.

Miracles is in love with the macho yet soulful Mariano (Wade Allain-Marcus), who is often absent.

Their relationship is complex, to say the least. Miracles has been seeking gender reassignment because Mariano once said that things would be easier if Miracles were a woman. Whether Mariano meant this literally is not clear, nor is the question of whether Miracles is truly transgender. For his part, Mariano insists hes not gay.

They defy categories, which makes nearly everyone around them nervous.

Seeing how misunderstood they are even among compatriots, we realize how compounded the situation is in the larger world.

A runway extends through the audience, so we never entirely leave the balls, even when the action takes place elsewhere (design by Amanda Knehans). The marvelously detailed clothes (by Michael Mullen) convey volumes about the people wearing them.

Director Rodney To shapes the story with tremendous variety and specificity. His extraordinary cast  every performer filling a role to a T  includes Joseph Valdez, Renee-Marie Brewster, Adrian Gonzalez and Anna Lamadrid, all contributing vivid texture to the secondary plots.

As Miracles and Mariano try to find their way, their situation touches on issues of community, family, honor, self-worth and more. The script reaches wide, and though it doesnt always express itself clearly, it sparks thoughts that keep bubbling up days afterward.

Miracles displays rare courage in pursuing love in no uncertain terms and insisting, Me and Mariano, thats Gods work.

         

Fixed

Where: Echo Theater Company at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A.

When: 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays; ends Oct. 22

Tickets: $20 and $34

Info: (310) 307-3753, www.EchoTheaterCompany.com

Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes (no intermission)

daryl.miller@latimes.com

Twitter: @darylhmiller

MORE THEATER:

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Hes big in L.A.s small theaters: Tom Jacobson, master of puzzles

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Review: Sharr Whites premiere of Stupid Kid

Review: A Noise Withins Madwoman of Chaillot

Review: Playwrights Arenas Billy Boy

UPDATES:

5:10 p.m. Sept. 29: This story has been updated to provide more detail about characters sexuality.

This story was first published at 9:40 a.m. Sept. 29.
Sharr White has a gift for writing offbeat comedies that flip into sobering dramas and back again, keeping audiences lurching, uncertain when the next change in course is coming.

Acclaimed in New York and Los Angeles for such plays as The Other Place, Annapurna and The Snow Geese, White returns with Stupid Kid, being given its premiere in North Hollywood. The Road Theatre Company delivers a perceptive staging and brave performances, which makes it all the more disappointing that after a number of thrilling, hairpin turns White fumbles the story in its big moment and sends the audience out the door scratching its head.

Viewers are thrown off balance from the start. Who? a father says to the son at the door whos been away for 14 years. Moms first reaction: Goddamn it.

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The parents bickering delivers some explosive laughs, but the gravity of the situation quickly reveals itself. Son Chick (Ben Theobald), just 14 at the time he went away, has been in prison for a murder. Released after examination of new DNA evidence, he has returned home a day earlier than expected.

The parents struggle to find equilibrium and to remember what binds them as a family. Dad (Joe Hart) is trapped behind a pain-pill haze, and Mom (Taylor Gilbert) is worried about a return of protesters and news cameras. Both have lost work and are universally shunned. Their home in Colorado bears testament to hard times; everything in it is threadbare or stained with age.

But Chick, despite his snarky surface, is the one with whom we most readily empathize. He professes innocence, and were inclined to believe him because hes the only one who insists on calling the murder victim by her name. Heartbroken that his parents arent making a fuss over him  and may well toss him onto the street  he fleetingly reverts to his 14-year-old self: lost, scared and alone.

To this already potent mix, White adds a menacing uncle (Rob Nagle), Moms brother and the towns former sheriff, and a shell-shocked young woman (Allison Blaize) whose probation he is overseeing. All good-ol-boy friendliness on the outside, he is chillingly sadistic just underneath.

Setting up camp in the living room, a dim-bulb neighbor (Michelle Gillette) watches all of this, Doritos bag in hand, as though its the best daytime TV shes ever seen.

Director Cameron Watson deftly handles the plays split-second mood flips and proves especially masterful at knowing when to let the heated voices go suddenly quiet. Kate Berghs costumes and Jeff McLaughlins set are densely detailed, with the set lending its own wonderful surprise to all of the others.

Tears sneak in amid the laughs, but logic gaps yawn open. For a while the actions sheer momentum shoots across them, but as the story reaches its big revelation  triggering a truly white-knuckle response  it leaves a key characters motivations underexplained. The audiences happy daze of overstimulation instantly shifts to a fog of confusion.

A good show that lets you down can be more frustrating than one thats mediocre from the start.

         

Stupid Kid

Where: The Road at NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays (check for exceptions); extended to Dec. 3

Tickets: $17.50-$34

Info: (818) 761-8838, www.RoadTheatre.org

Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter 

daryl.miller@latimes.com

Twitter: @darylhmiller

MORE THEATER:

The 99-Seat Beat: This weeks picks for L.A.s small-theater scene

Review: Playwrights Arenas Billy Boy

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Hes big in L.A.'s small theaters

UPDATES:

8:30 a.m. Oct. 31: This review was updated to reflect the revised end date for the run.
Hugh Hefner spoke with the L.A. Times often  and always had something memorable to say

(Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Understanding Playboy-in-Chief Hugh Hefners revered  and reviled  lifestyle was often just a question or two away.

The iconoclastic publishing mogul, who died Wednesday at 91, was an open book when it came to his views on swinging ways and sexuality, particularly how his puritanical upbringing shaped his career and gave rise to the revolutionary Playboy empire.

Over the years, the perennially pajama-clad Hef was interviewed often by the Los Angeles Times. Heres a sampling of some of his memorable quotes.

On sexualitys problematic origins in America:

Our society is fragmented, he asserted in 1994. Messages regarding human sexuality have always been mixed in America. We are a schizophrenic nation. We were founded initially by Puritans, who escaped repression only to establish their own. Then the founding fathers gave us the Constitution to separate church and state. But the one thing that got left out of all those laws was human sexuality.

On the life he made for himself:

Much of my life has been like an adolescent dream of an adult life, he told The Times in 1992. If you were still a boy, in almost a Peter Pan kind of way, and could have just the perfect life that you wanted to have, thats the life I invented for myself.

OBITUARY: Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who shook up American morality with an ideal of swinging singlehood, dies at 91

On why he was so happy:

You will find in my bedroom images from long ago, little photographs and things from when I was a kid. Im a very happy guy, and part of that has to do with my connection to my childhood, he said in 2009.

On how he became Hef:

Through a lifetime, you reinvent who you are, he explained in 2009. I actually reinvented myself the first time when I was 16, when a girl rejected me. I started referring to myself as Hef, started changing my wardrobe  the same thing I did in 1959-1960 with the magazine, when I came out from behind the desk and started living the life and got the first Playboy mansion, started to drive a Mercedes 300SL.

On how the 1942 film Casablanca led to the Playboy Club:

I think I opened the first Playboy Club because of Casablanca. I wanted to have a place where people came to hang out as they did at Ricks, he said in 2010. It has everything  not only Bogies charismatic character, but lost love, redemption, patriotism, humor  it had a great musical score.

On traditional attitudes toward marriage and sex:

If you dont commit, he told The Times in 1994, you dont get hurt. I was always unwilling to commit to marriage because I was afraid to lose the romance.

On the Playboy brands global status:

It has been said that the two most famous trademarks in the world are Coca-Cola and the Playboy bunny rabbit, he said in 1994. There is certainly no one else in our area that represents the American dream in this particular kind of way. That rabbit means economic freedom, personal freedom and political freedom. That potential is unlimited.

On the Playboy Jazz Festival:

Ive never found anything that Ive cared more about than the music from my youth. I loved the Beatles, sure, but I never became  except for dancing purposes  a hard rocker. To me, there is something incredibly celebratory, and so wonderful about really good big-band swing and Dixieland, he said in 2002.

When I started, I just wanted to put out a mens magazine. But by the end of the 50s, it was so successful that I seized it as a vehicle for changing the direction of my life, he added. And that crucial change in my life was also associated with jazz, because it all began within a space of about six months after the first Playboy Jazz Festival in August of 1959.

Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy empire, relaxes during a visit to England in 1966. (John Downing / Getty Images)

On his personal legacy:

One of the reasons that I have such tremendous satisfaction at this point in my life is because I know Ive made a difference, he said in 1994. Ive made a difference in a way that really matters to me.

On publishings shift to digital:

I dont sit around thinking about, Gee, what happened to the new generation and they dont read enough and why is the internet replacing books? he said in 2009.

On his fame and sex appeal:

I think that just as [Henry] Kissinger said, power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Celebrity is the ultimate aphrodisiac in todays world. And Im lucky enough to have fallen into a unique kind of celebrity, he said in 2009. So against all logic, nothing else matters  age doesnt matter. When [my last long-term] relationship ended, last year, they were climbing over the gate. ... young women. Endless numbers of young women.

ALSO

Hugh Hefners life pushing boundaries started with comics

Hugh Hefners Playboy Mansion was hedonistic headquarters for his brand

Your legacy lives on: Hugh Hefner is remembered as an innovator, friend and supporter of civil rights
Jennifer Brea was a PhD candidate at Harvard University when her mind started to fail her. At 28, she was already an accomplished academic, a graduate of Princeton whod moved to Massachusetts to delve into the world of political economy and statistics.

But in the midst of her studies, she got sick. At first, she didnt think anything of the illness  it just seemed like a particularly bad case of the flu, one that came along with a 104-degree fever. And yet long after the fever broke, she still felt like her brain was misfiring. Shed write one sentence of an email and then pass out for four hours. When shed try to work on a paper, all of the words would come out in the wrong order. She felt like shed lost her grasp of the English language, substituting the word hope for something arbitrary, like rake.

She went to a number of doctors, but none was able to get to the bottom of her mysterious condition. One told her she had conversion disorder, a psychiatric illness that stems from a hidden trauma and was commonly referred to as hysteria in the late 19th century.

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But Brea knew something more was going on. So the next time she fell to the ground in her home, unable to speak or move her head, she took out her iPhone and filmed herself. At her next doctors appointment, when the medical professional suggested she might have an inner ear infection or severe dehydration, she showed him the footage.

The expression on his face was like, Oh my God,  recalled Brea, now 35. Suddenly he went from Drink more water to Lets go get a spinal tap. It gave me a sense that my story could only be told visually.

In 2012  a year and a half after that high fever  Brea finally got a diagnosis: myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome. Though the neuroimmune condition affects more than 1 million Americans, it is still largely misunderstood by both the public and the medical community.

Indeed, the illness consists of far more than just a proclivity for napping; patients experience something called post-exertional malaise, which means that if they exert even the smallest amount of energy, they are struck down with debilitating mental and physical fatigue. There is no cure, and only about $6 million in public research funding is devoted toward the condition annually.

Which is why Brea made Unrest, a documentary about her battle with ME/CFS that opened in L.A. this weekend and will be shown on PBS in January. While the film serves as a medical explainer, its also a love story, following the relationship between Brea and her husband, Omar Wasow. When the couple met, Wasow was also working toward his PhD at Harvard. Eleven years older than Brea, he had already built up an impressive resume, serving as a technology reporter on NBC and even helping to teach Oprah Winfrey how to use the internet on her talk show.

They were both intellectually curious, and in the first year of their courtship, they traveled around the world exploring foreign countries. By the time they married in 2012  the ceremony was led by their Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.  Brea was sick, but neither was aware how serious her condition was. They could still go on bike rides together, but Brea would do six miles instead of the usual 12.

As her illness worsened, Wasow became Breas full-time caretaker. At first, he was frustrated: What do you mean you cant get up and help with some mundane thing around the house? hed think.

One of the most unsettling moments in our marriage was after I had just read this book that said it was all in her head, said Wasow, 46. At a certain point, I just had to trust her. Because even years into this, Im like, Wait, this doesnt make sense to me. Shell have a reaction to something in the air and I dont have that reaction, so its sort of discordant. But what I believe is that shes a credible advocate of whats going on in her own body.

The couple was sitting next to each other in their apartment building in Glendale this winter, just a few weeks after moving cross-country. They had decided to settle in Los Angeles because Breas immune system is particularly sensitive to mold, and the dry air in the West makes her feel better. Wasow, meanwhile, is working as a professor in the department of politics at Princeton, so he can only be in California roughly every two weeks.

Wasow and Brea can be more independent now  shes on two antiviral medications that have greatly improved her day-to-day function. But as Unrest shows, in the early days of Breas illness, she was forced to be incredibly reliant on Wasow.

In one scene, the couple attends a Princeton reunion parade. Though Brea is in a wheelchair, shes having a great time cheering on alumni, decked out in her school colors. But as the event marches on, she begins to feel ill, and the two must leave the parade. Back at their home, she is so sick that she cannot walk up the stairs. Wasow tries to carry her, but it is so painful to be touched that she pushes him away, sobbing in the fetal position on their porch.

I cant be anybodys mom like this, she cries to him later in the movie. I cant be anybodys wife like this. I am nothing. I cant give you anything.

Youre my wife, Wasow replies through his own tears. And you bring joy into my life every day.

Filming moments like this, of course, was not easy. Sometimes, Brea would request Wasow film her desperately trying to crawl up the stairs when he just wanted to help her. And before Brea raised $212,000 on Kickstarter  shed later secure additional funding for Unrest through the Sundance Institute  she was working such long days interviewing other doctors and patients that Wasow actually worried the film was making her sicker.

It was like, if we do this shoot, it helps her feel alive in a moment where its hard to find some meaning each day, he explained. And if we do this shoot, it might actually cost her her life. That was an impossible calculus.

I cant tell you how helpless it feels to not be able to move and cry for help, Brea added. Those are the moments where you turn on the camera, because on top of everything, if this moment is unseen, this is just stupid, useless pain and it has no meaning. I needed that so badly in that moment that I was willing to take a lot of risks in terms of my own safety, but at the same time, I dont know if I would have survived it had I not been shooting.

Eventually, Brea figured out a way to actually make the movie from her bed, using her iPad to create her own version of Errol Morris Interrotron that allowed her to interview subjects from afar. With her grant money, she could hire production crews to travel in her stead, often monitoring shots via live stream. Still, she pushed herself when she felt able, traveling to Park City, Utah, to work on the movie with Sundance fellows.

We were particularly concerned about her coming up a mountain in Utah because we didnt want to make her work or exacerbate her condition, said Tabitha Jackson, director of the documentary film program at Sundance. But the purity of the air was actually restorative. There was a financing session where she was lying on the floor resting, but that was a sign of her dedication and commitment. She actually didnt need any help, she just needed to be given the ability to be a creative person instead of an ill person.

Working on Unrest, Brea said, has helped her feel like herself again. Thanks to her new drug regimen, her mental capacity has returned, even though she still has days when she physically cant get out of bed. She no longer feels grief for herself, but she does for Wasow and his career, which she feels has been hampered by her ME/CFS.

Clearly, there have been trade-offs, Wasow acknowledged. I have peers who graduated about the same time as I did from graduate school who are further along in their careers and have published more work. There are moments where Im sort of benchmarking myself against colleagues and feeling like I wish I was more productive, and at the same time Im doing work Im really proud of. Im thrilled by the intellectual work Im doing and Im also really happy to be on this adventure with you, so well make it work. Well make it work.

You always think, wouldnt it be so wonderful to lay around and have someone bring you food and not have to do anything? No, its terrible, Brea said. Such a big part of being human is being able to give to the person you love and take care of them to support them. Thats been hard for me  how am I Omars wife if I cant give him these basic things? And one of the things he always says to me is that we both just feel profoundly lucky, because each of us is not right for most people, but we are so right for each other.

Im an odd duck, but Im her odd duck, Wasow said, smiling. Its like two broken people together can be whole.

amy.kaufman@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA
Before Alexandra Billings commits her full attention to the task at hand  discussing her role on Amazons Transparent  she pauses to open Instagram on her phone to document the moment.

She has taken a liking to the social media platforms feature in which users post photos and videos with the comfort of knowing it will disappear in 24 hours. Billings posts multiple times a day  offering motivational musings, peeps of her cat and snippets of her lip-syncing abilities. However trite it may seem, Billings revels in the ability to be seen.

I can be me in all my glory, she says. It sounds so simple, but theres something to that.

With some nudging, Billings sets out to add to that idea of being more fully seen with her Transparent character, Davina, who is a friend and mentor to Maura (Jeffrey Tambor), in a new season of the drama that premiered earlier this month.

Davina gets a back story this season. How important was that for you  to find out her roots?

Trace Lysette, who is a spiritual warrior [and Billings costar on Transparent], said to me last year, "We need to be heard. We gotta be heard." I'm such a dummy. I was like, "Aren't we being heard?" She's like, "No, Alex, we're not." She suggested we talk to the writers and I thought it was a brilliant idea. Nobody's ever died from conversation. We decided to have a list of things that our characters could do and go through and experience. And the writers came up with some ideas that I liked and were from my own life. I felt like the writers heard me. It really was born from a sense of truth, that here's a trans person playing a trans character, so let's talk about what actually happens to trans people. Davina has HIV anyway, so I wanted to explore that too, because we don't talk about AIDS anymore. It's not interesting to people. I've said that to some students of mine years and years ago and they've said, "Oh, you mean that 80s disease?" They think it's like malaria or something. So yeah, it's thrilling and it's terrifying.

I also imagine, starting out in Hollywood, that you never thought youd be playing a character for multiple episodes, let alone one who merits a back story.

It was not even something I could dream of because it felt out of the realm of possibility.I still cant believe it. I dont really. Ask me in a month.

The person that plays the young version of Davina is actually a student of mine who is genderqueer and who I had been teaching for about two years. I was teaching at Cal State Long Beach at the time they were looking. The first person I thought of was Jaime [Navarro]. We were so close anyway and we look similar. It was very strange. Were the same.

You also have a full-frontal nude scene this season.

Yeah, and I think it may be the first time where you see a pre-op trans body. I just wanted to go there  to show it. To show that this is a human body too.

When I first started out, I was either always in the hospital or I was leaving the hospital or getting ready to go to the hospital.  Alexandra Billings, "Transparent"

How are the roles youre being offered now different than when you first started acting?

Oh, vastly different! When I first started out, I was either always in the hospital or I was leaving the hospital or getting ready to go to the hospital. I was wearing so many blue gowns. It was so weird! It was like, what is going on? Why? So yeah, I remember I told my manager, I said, "I'm not going to wear any more hospital gowns."

And I didn't know until recently that you had been offered the part in Transamerica, which went to Felicity Huffman. Have you run into her? Does she know?

Yes, weirdly! Yes, and meanly I told her. I shouldnt have said anything. She was a great sport about it. We randomly got seated at the same table at the Artios Awards, which are the awards for casting directors. I was there for Transparent. So I mentioned it to her and she really was mortified. She was like, "Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. Look, she was excellent, and the movie was so well-written and so beautiful. But, you know, she was a cis woman, and even back then I was like, "This is making me mad." But not mad at her, mad at the system.

Duncan [Tucker, the screenwriter] was very sweet and he said, "Alex, I can't get my movie made." And he said to me  I'll never forget this  he said, "We have a choice: We can either put you in it and no one will see it, or I can put Felicity in it and everyone will see it." He was right. He was absolutely right, because everyone saw it because she was in it.

Did you have initial reservations about Jeffrey taking on the role of Maura?

Very much. I was not happy at all. And I told that to Jill [Soloway, the creator of Transparent]. This was five years ago. So now it's an even bigger deal. I don't even think you could do it anymore. You couldn't get Transparent made with Jeffrey as the lead now thank God. And I remember Jill saying to me, I understand your feelings, I understand your reservations, wait until you work with him. And I was like, Yes, I know he's a brilliant actor but this is a whole other thing that you guys don't get. But she was right. I've never seen anything like this before. It's not a transformation  I've been trying to explain this for the last five years. It's an opening up in the center of his life experience that is channeling some kind of event, that holds hands with the trans experience. It's not the trans experience, but it is so close. He's not acting, he's not pretending to be a trans person, he doesn't act like a trans person. He's just sort of telling this story in the funniest, weirdest, darkest, most joyful way.

Youre vocal about trans issues and your opposition to some of the policies under the Trump administration. What would you say if you had the opportunity to meet with Trump for an hour?

I would love that opportunity. I would remind him that we are not a fad or fashion. That we are not behavior. That what we are is genetic. And then I would say, "Here's what I think Donald, here's a suggestion. Every time you send out one of those tweets, or decide to write a new bill, or go in and ask Congress to do A, B, and C for you, I want you to pause for a minute and then take a piece of paper out. And write down these three questions. Is it necessary? Is it helpful? Is it kind? Answer them and then make the decision that you're going to move forward. Do that."

OVERTIME

TV

I don't watch a lot of TV, strangely, because I'm super busy grading papers. [Billings is an assistant professor of acting at USC.] But I just watched The New Yorker Presents, which is really interesting, on Amazon. I also have great affection for Mom on CBS. I think its hilarious.

BOOKS

I just read a book called "The Music of Your Life. It's all about how your life is musical and how the reverberations of the universe have been around since the beginning of time. They talk about language and why we're so hooked on, like, "Speak the thing that I understand," and how it's all about fear of newness, but that sound is universal.

yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com

Twitter: @villarrealy
Sicko. Misanthropic moron. Freak of nature. Bona fide racist.

Larry David has been called a lot of names  most of which cant be printed here  over the course of Curb Your Enthusiasms eight seasons.

But few have recognized Larry for what he really is: a great moral philosopher who is able to identify and illuminate the codes that dictate our daily interactions with other humans. Kant introduced the world to the theory of the categorical imperative; Larry, the chat-and-cut.

Yes, Larry  the fictionalized version of real-life writer and creator Larry David  has a preoccupation with trivial slights. And hes done some selfish and unforgivable things in his time. He got his friends child drunk and stole her beloved dog. He hung up on his panicked wife, calling from a turbulent airplane, because he was more interested in fixing the TiVo.

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Then theres his rampant disregard for political correctness. Like a liberal Donald Trump, he is beloved by fans not in spite of his capacity for insulting women, religious minorities, people of color, the LGBTQ community and the disabled, but because of it. In the ninth season, premiering Sunday on HBO after a six-year hiatus, Larry is as incendiary as ever, stomping like a drunken elephant through a minefield of taboos.

But while Larry remains brilliant at making us cringe, his greatest unsung talent is forcing us to question our basic assumptions, from the unspoken rules of mundane social interactions to more existential questions of identity and belief. In his boundless ability to provoke and offend, Larry may also be pop cultures foremost ethicist.

Like Seinfeld, co-created by David, Curb Your Enthusiasm is, on its surface, a show that portrays the ridiculous predicaments and trivial grievances of an otherwise very fortunate character. But beneath all that nothing is some real substance. The semi-improvised sitcom grapples with real-world dilemmas like the morality of public shaming (The Massage), the conflict between medicine and belief (The Benadryl Brownie) and ones obligation to community in an emergency (The Terrorist Attack). A season-long arc followed Larry as he wrestled with whether to donate a kidney to his friend Richard Lewis.

The show has even inspired a collection of essays, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Philosophy: Awaken the Social Assassin Within. Editor Mark Ralkowski, also an associate professor at George Washington University, calls Larry a great observer of culture, a great describer, arguing that his apparent disdain for etiquette is really about rejecting phoniness.

Hes making all of these observations of our everyday-ness, Ralkowski adds. Hes showing us that they are contingent, they are unnecessary. He also exposes hypocrisy and a lot of the pretending that we do.

And while Larry is not someone youd describe as virtuous, he does adhere strongly to his own set of principles  and is appalled when others defy rules that might be obvious only to him. As his exasperated wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) puts it in Season 2s Trick or Treat episode, Not everybody knows your rules, Larry. Youve got your own set of rules, and you think everybodys going to adhere to them, but theyre not because nobody knows them.

He has no bedside manner. But hes frequently right.  Susie Essman on Larry Davids charm

Larrys harping serves a grander purpose, according to writer-director-producer Jeff Schaffer.

Especially in these times where everyone is worried about the big things, and rightly so, he says, someone has to take care of the little things. Someone has to be the champion of the petty indignities and the minutiae, and Larrys our guy.

Yet many, perhaps most, of Larrys rules are perfectly reasonable. Consider his refusal to give candy to teenagers trick-or-treating out of costume, or his anger at Christian Slater for pigging out on the caviar at Mary Steenburgens anniversary party. We have unwritten laws in society, Larry says. Youre each entitled to take a certain amount so everybody else can have a little too.

And who could argue with that? He may be a tactless, indelicate grump, but  to borrow a slogan from Barry Goldwater  in your heart, you know hes right. Where Larry differs from most of us is his willingness to call out such behavior, no matter the context or potential fallout, a trait that inspires his pal Jeff (Jeff Garlin) to describe him as a social assassin.

He has no bedside manner, says Susie Essman, who plays the gleefully foul-mouthed Susie Greene, a character whose values often clash with Larrys. But hes frequently right. You dont take up two parking spots. You dont stand in line at Baskin-Robbins and sample 15 different things when theres a line behind you. Hes very concerned with justice.

Thats not to say that Larry is an inflexible stickler. Quite the opposite. As Rebekkah Williams, an assistant professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, explains: He has no time for rules that he thinks are lacking in justification.

Larry happily defies what he sees as arbitrary, unnecessarily rigid codes of behavior, walking up to the drive-through window at a fast-food restaurant and picking up a prostitute so he can drive in the carpool lane. And, well, why not?

Larry, a secular Jew, is especially rankled by religious piety, viewing supposedly sacred laws as silly, irrational and needlessly stigmatizing. In the memorable episode The Ski Lift, he poses (rather unconvincingly) as an Orthodox Jew, complete with a feigned Yiddish accent. His thin cover is completely blown when he gets stuck on a broken ski lift with an (actual) Orthodox woman at dusk on the Sabbath. She jumps to the ground rather than violate her beliefs, a decision he calls insane.

Likewise, in The Special Section, Larry is aghast to learn that his late mother has been buried in a less desirable corner of the Jewish cemetery because of a tattoo on her rear end  a youthful indiscretion banned in the book of Leviticus, explains the cemetery manager. Larrys response? So what?

At its best and most provocative, Curb Your Enthusiasm questions the categories we use to identify ourselves in the world. In the singular Palestinian Chicken, from Season 8, Larry is scorned by his circle of Jewish friends for patronizing Al Abbas, a Palestinian restaurant that serves mouth-watering chicken and has ignited controversy by opening a new location next to a Jewish deli.

To make matters worse, Larry ends up sleeping with Shara (Anne Bedian), a gorgeous but anti-Semitic Palestinian who works at the restaurant. While in bed, she makes a wildly profane comparison between their torrid lovemaking and Israels treatment of her people  all of which Larrys newly devout friend, Marty Funkhouser (Bob Einstein), happens to overhear.

For Larry, delicious food and beautiful women are at least as compelling as the need for loyalty to his ethnic community. Defending his behavior to a disgusted Funkhouser, he makes a convincing case that carnal desire can be noble, even progressive  that sex can be a uniquely effective form of diplomacy. The penis doesnt care about race, creed or color, he says.

Its a classic line, to be sure. But as is often the case on Curb Your Enthusiasm, once the shock wears off and the laughter dies down, were left with plenty to think about.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Where: HBO

When: 10 p.m. Sunday

Rated: TV-14 (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14)

meredith.blake@latimes.com

Follow me @MeredithBlake
UNDERRATED

James Franco in The Deuce: Full of the rich dialogue expected from two minds behind The Wire, this series from David Simon and George Pelecanos vividly captures the sleazy stories of 1971 Times Square and the rise of porn. But for all the delicate dynamics and strong performances, the show lands directly in Francos wheelhouse as he plays two mustache-bearing twins on the lower roads of the city. Clad in classic hustler-chic, Franco handles both roles with subtlety and a familiar hint of sly amusement, especially catching his reflection in the mirror while acting opposite himself.

2 Dope Queens: Based in New York City, this podcast mixing eclectic conversation and stand-up with hosts Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams has been appointment listening for years; now its jumping formats with plans for a series of specials on HBO. But even without visuals, Williams (formerly of The Daily Show) and Robinson (Broad City) are lightning-fast and very funny in frank, free-associative talks ranging from living as a black woman in America to an undying love for Billy Joel. The queens come to the Theatre at Ace Hotel on Thursday, and reign is in the forecast.

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OVERRATED

The Blade Runner 2049 score: Apologies to Hans Zimmer, who will do what he does as composer for this sequel, which debuts Oct. 6. But consider what might have been, given the techno-dystopian vibe heard when rapper-producer El-P shared his rejected score for the films trailer, or the glitchy gloom from Flying Lotus, whose music appears in a prequel short. These forward-looking options, or even first choice Johann Johannson, better suit the spirit of building upon such a landmark film, and knowing a more conventional road was taken doesnt bode well.

Netflixs growing comedy monopoly: Not every stand-up comedian has a special on the streaming service; it just seems that way. While Netflixs deep pockets have built an exciting destination for (very expensive) stand-up specials from the likes of Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Louis CK  to say nothing of the many other strong comics who are earning a better living with their all-in strategy  its hard not to feel a bubble growing. Netflix is spending a lot of money to promote comedy now, but what happens when it pivots to dominating a more lucrative genre instead?

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

chris.barton@latimes.com

Follow me over here @chrisbarton.

ALSO:
The first Chloe collection under the creative direction of Natacha Ramsay-Levi hit the runway here Thursday, marking the newest chapter in the 65-year-old fashion houses history with a range of pieces that spoke to femininity, confidence and strength, and making the label one to follow closely in upcoming seasons.

Before taking the helm at Chloe in April and replacing Clare Waight Keller, Ramsay-Levi spent four years as creative director for womens ready-to-wear at Louis Vuitton (under artistic director Nicolas Ghesquiere with whom shed worked for 11 years at Balenciaga), and for her debut Chloe collection she paid tribute to the history of her maison and its founder Gaby Aghion.

Chloe girls have a suave mix of sophistication and humility; they are timeless but never conventional, Ramsay-Levi wrote in the show notes, I wish to continue to shape their course, staying true to the independent and intellectual spirit of Gaby Aghion; to those who perpetuated this democratic style, so resolutely feminine. So joyful. Existing without boundaries or hierarchy.

That meant a spring and summer 2018 collection with recognizable references to the brands DNA  Victorian dresses, equestrian details and a peculiar, but lovely, shade of terra cotta, to name just three  but with the boho whimsy of the Waight Keller-era stripped away and replaced with strong-shouldered confidence.

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Lace prairie dresses were embroidered and pierced; dark leather motorcycle jackets were paired with delicate, floral-print, knee-length skirts; and capelets flowed from the back of bare-shouldered tops. (Although she doesnt wear a cape in her superhero incarnation, we immediately thought of Wonder Womans alter ego, Diana Prince, as the epitome of the new Chloe girl the moment we laid eyes on the capelets.)

There were also some safari-inspired looks, tarot-card motifs (tarot cards seem to be popping up all over the runways this week), a prancing horse motif plucked from the company archives that was allover embroidered on velvet jackets, suits and shirts, and a snakeskin pattern that appeared on trousers,skirts, dresses and tops.

The snakeskin pattern was also in the mix in a range of eye-catching boots with extensive lacing up the front and straps across the vamp and around the upper calf that hit the sweet spot between utilitarian and feminine.

There was a lot to like in Ramsay-Levis inaugural collection for the house and, if her Chloe girl 2.0 ends up having legs, she wont have to go far to find them the perfect boots.

adam.tschorn@latimes.com

For more musings on all things fashion and style, follow me at @ARTschorn.

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An urban bazaar arrives in Los Angeles for two days at the end of September, proffering accessories, fashion, beauty and home products for shoppers wanting an anti-mall experience without sacrificing style.

Its not vintage or crafty, said Diana Ra, co-founder of the Modern Artisan Marketplace, which is set for this weekend at Platform in Culver City. Everything is elevated in its branding, finishing and production, and it all has a modern quality. Brands having a presence at the bazaar include Santa Monica-based Lunya, which makes washable silk sleepwear, and Nico Nico, which makes womens and kids clothing. Ra said prices for items among the 50-plus vendors will range from $7 to about $500.

Modern Artisan Marketplace at Platform in Culver City will be a showcase for fashion collections, accessories and beauty products from emerging and niche designers. (Modern Artisan Marketplace and, at right, Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Modern Artisan Marketplace, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Platform, 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City. www.shopthemam.com

A bag line from Los Angeles brand the Office of Angela Scott joins the labels menswear-inspired womens shoes. Here are houndstooth print selections from the brands fall/winter collection. (The Office of Angela Scott)

Dont expect delicate stilettos from Los Angeles brand the Office of Angela Scott. The menswear-inspired womens shoes are more loafers and combat boots than mules and kitten heels. Now, the label will bow its handbag line in October, which embodies the same strong-yet-simple aesthetic of the shoes. You wont find bling or in-your-face monograms here  just sleek zippered leather pouches, wristlets, backpacks and laptop cases; pieces have tone-on-tone embossing and discreet hardware. Prices range from $135 to $535.

The Office of Angela Scott, theofficeofangelascott.com

Actress and fashion designer Nicole Richie has used Urban Decay makeup since she was 14, and the brands Uzi eye shadow a perennial favorite. Now Richie, 36, is the face of the brands new Troublemaker mascara, which was recently launched at a party in downtown L.A.s Arts District.

The wand does wonders for the lashes, said Richie, whos on network television in the NBC show Great News. If you look closely at it, its curved in such a way that it grabs the lashes perfectly.

Richie, founder of the House of Harlow ready-to-wear line, said she felt a kinship with Urban Decay not just because shes worn the brand for a couple of decades but because its about self-expression and defining beauty for yourself.

Troublemaker, which the brand says magnifies lash volume, is $24 at www.urbandecay.com.

The shimmering full-length metallic skirts from Marie France Van Damme have been a top seller since it was introduced in 2012. The Hong Kong-based, Canadian-born designer is opening a boutique at the Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills. (Marie France Van Damme / Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

After setting up global boutiques in the South Kensington area in London and in the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok, Marie France Van Damme is making her U.S. debut with a store  it will be her ninth  at the Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills.

Everything I make is for the Los Angeles lifestyle, said Van Damme, who lives in Hong Kong where she has two stores. The big houses, pools, people always entertaining, the warm weather. Its the perfect choice.

The 460-square-foot space carries a selection from each one of Van Dammes various categories: resort wear, pieces for day and night and sophisticated travel separates. In addition to her nine freestanding boutiques, her collection sells online and at retailers including Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods and Le Bon Marche.

The brand started in 2011 offering resort selections and swimwear. The Montreal-born designer expanded into dresses for day and night. A shimmering full-length gold lame skirt she debuted in 2012 has been a consistent sellout, and she added a silver and platinum version of the skirt.

Her aesthetic, she said, has always been flowing, easy-to-wear dresses in lightweight silk you throw on for day, and then put on your heels and youre set for dinner. Its a whole wardrobe that is easy to travel with.

Other top sellers include elongated cardigans and her Boubou dresses  think high-glam caftans perfect for at-home entertaining or a swanky dinner party. Selections from the collection range from $365 to $1,800.

Marie France Van Damme, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, www.mariefrancevandamme.com.

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We will remember a man who put his energy in service of action and commit to causes he held dear, holding them aloft and carrying far, by going beyond individual interests, ANDAM founder Nathalie Dufour said during a short speech at the dinner held in honor of Pierre Berge on Wednesday.

Industry players and designers, including Chanel president Bruno Pavlovsky, Saint Laurent chief executive officer Francesca Bellettini; past ANDAM winners Alexandre Mattiussi, Gareth Pugh and Julien David, and the 2017 awardees  accessories designer Ana Khouri, Y/Projects Glenn Martens and Audrey-Laure Bergenthal, ceo of fashion tech company Euveka  turned out at the Cafe de lEsplanade, a chic restaurant overlooking the Invalides, for the dinner.

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Berge, who died Sept. 8, was ANDAMs president since its foundation in 1989 by Dufour, and was instrumental in the creation and growth of the organization, which helped boost designers such as Mattiussi, Martin Margiela, Jeremy Scott and Anthony Vaccarello.

Before the ANDAM, one idea was to launch a Fete de la Mode, on the same model as the Fete de la Musique, recalled Pascal Morand, executive president of the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Ultimately, it didnt happen. Pierre Berge always said that anyone can make music, but one couldnt invent themselves a designer.

Beyond the institutional role Berge played for the talent springboard, he also maintained an open-door policy in the creative scene. Dufour would miss her regular meetings with Berge and his energy, our conversations and his way of being truly alive, always curious about people.

The ANDAM is beautiful encounters that are improbable on paper but work well, such as meeting Stephane Ashpool, whose dedication and openness to fashion creativity I appreciate greatly, said Pavlovsky, who presided over the jury at the 2015 edition, where he met Pigalles designer.

Whether theyd met the late industrialist in person or not, Berges strong beliefs and personality made an impact on many in the fashion scene. Receiving the award from his hands was a surreal experience, said David, who came to Paris early to attend the dinner after wrapping the shooting of Its Party Time, a film for his spring 2018 collection. He was such a figure, but meeting him, he was very direct and his love of young creation shone through.

Jean-Pierre Blanc, director of the Villa Noailles and founder of the Hyeres Fashion and Photography Festival, met Berge during a private visit to the villa and was struck by this man with an extraordinary trajectory who often referenced Marie-Laure de Noailles, in his speeches or even in the house of Saint Laurent. Blanc shared Berges belief that designers are those who make fashion, always.

Winning the ANDAM is a great responsibility, said Khouri, who is doubling down with a showroom in Paris and mentoring sessions with Hermes Guillaume de Seyne. We have to show what were made of, and what were able to get from this.

Bergenthal, whose fashion tech company Euveka offers a pioneering digitally modulable mannequin, compared the award to being baptized by the pope. She hoped that the upcoming generation would uphold the heritage left by visionaries such as [Berge] who invented designer ready-to-wear and did everything to preserve its excellence.

Nowhere else in the world are designers supported in this way, Martens said. Nathalie and the ANDAM are a star that shines down on young designers, propels them forward and motivates them to go beyond.

And although the path forward for fashion may still be in the mists, Iris van Herpen saluted the new innovation award. Minds like [those of the ANDAM jury] judging what innovation is relevant at this moment in time  it makes the space between fashion, innovation and technology ever smaller.

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Is Milan relevant in fashion? Our answer is yes, stated Italys Corriere della Sera this week, reacting to a New York Times article that questioned the focus and importance of Italian designers. No, we dont agree [with the accusations], said the Corriere. Who says that quality does not mean creativity? The first cannot exclude the other, stitched together as they are by the threads of culture and good taste, it responded, challenging the Times belief that Milans fashion is not intellectual compared to Paris and London.

The Italian fashion industry now understands that it must show a united front [] We had not seen such a powerful and vivacious Milan Fashion Week, in terms of content and attendance, for years, continued the daily. Corriere also did an interview with Stefano Gabbana and Antonio Marras. I have never had so many foreign clients as in this season, nor seen as much interest from the press. I am only a grain of sand, surely, but I very well know that everyone carefully observes what happens in Italy, Marras is quoted saying.

Fashion should be joy freedom and happiness. Whats the point of talking about politics? Please stay home if you are not able to enjoy all this beauty, Gabbana posted on Instagram. This is the way to destroy fashion: looking at it with wrong eyes and soul!! Please deal with your fashion and if you only come to Italy to criticize our fashion stay home. This is not a positive attitude. Fashion is another thing and you are probably not able to enjoy it!! Italy is the excellence place!! And the best place to be.

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In the Corriere interview, Gabbana elaborated on the issue. Milan has everything, everything. [] We know how to produce everything: fabrics, accessories, buttons, even the clothes labels, the shopping bags. So its convenient for the others to diminish us, make us feel at fault. Responding to the accusation of being too commercial, he said that not everyone must necessarily be intellectual designers. Is Sophia Loren an intellectual? No, but she is famous even on Mars. In the article, the designer championed his own answer to the First Amendment: The New York Times reporters have been banned from the Dolce & Gabbana shows for years  as have those from WWD. We were tired of the insults, so we left them out. I hope the others will do it, too[]. You dont like what I do? Go see someone else!

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If you gaze long into an abyss, Nietzsche wrote, the abyss also gazes into you.

If you gaze long into Nothingness, or at least into the San Gabriel Sichuan restaurant of that name, the Nothingness that stares back at you is likely to include steamed whole fish, braised lamb with jelly noodle, and pig feet with hot pepper. The steam rising from hot pots may suggest an infinite void, but only for that moment before the vivid red of the roiling broth becomes visible through the mist. Also, I imagine the empty world does not smell quite so strongly of garlic and toasted chiles.

Why is there something rather than nothingness? Because the presumption of nonexistence does not allow for the possibility of live crawfish steamed in chile sauce, while Nothingness the restaurant does. Does existence precede essence? I havent read a lot of philosophy since college, but I maintain that the snap of the shell, the softness of the flesh, indicate that it probably does.

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Nothingness began its life as Huo La La, the restaurant that took over the original Chung King site in Monterey Park. Huo La La sold that restaurant several months ago and assumed it could take the name to its new San Gabriel location, where it has replaced the so-so Beijing duck specialist Hong Yei. (If the two restaurants had combined forces, might it have been called Beijing and Nothingness? A boy can dream.)

The new owners of the Monterey Park Huo La La apparently wanted to keep the name, which translates as burning, referring to spiciness. At the moment, the street entrance of the San Gabriel restaurant is still marked by a Huo La La sign, as well as a makeshift sign indicating the new name. I had assumed that Nothingness was a mistranslation of the Chinese characters  its not  or else a statement of rebellion, a way of identifying itself as The Artist Formerly Known as Huo La La. The people at the restaurant suggest that the name refers to a positive Chongqing attitude toward life. A friend thinks that it may be something like the no worries you hear from Australians. Im still going with Sartre.

It is with this level of chile-scented vagueness you discover that Thunderbolt Frog is frog sauteed with peppers, onions and other vegetables, served in a big casserole bubbling over a small flame, and luhe fish involves delicious cubed fillets in a green chile sauce with pickled mustard greens, and huolala green chile beef is zapped with an electric exuberance of green Sichuan peppercorns among other things. The immediate identity of Brainstorming (BBQ Flavor) becomes apparent enough when you notice whole pigs brains on half the tables in the restaurant (I passed; please forgive me).

When you are at a Chongqing-style restaurant, it is generally good custom to order la zi ji, crisp, Sichuan-pepper-dusted chicken toss-fried with garlic and double handfuls of dried Sichuan chiles. The variant at Nothingness  on the menu its chicken with hot pepper  is splendid, plump bits still on the bone, and supplemented with fried rice cakes that are twice as crunchy as youd expect.

Im guessing the fish you want is the one identified as No. 1 Chili Oil Fish Fillet, which isnt fillets at all but a whole tilapia submerged with bean sprouts, tofu and the usual vegetables in a broth topped with the usual inch of scarlet chile oil. Eggplant in garlic sauce tends to be oily and luscious beneath its crisp violet skin. There are huge, lovely broad beans, like oversize limas, whose fried crunch yields to an oozingly soft interior. BBQ potato cubes are crusted with cumin, spicy and singing with garlic  maybe everything Ive ever wanted in diner breakfast potatoes.

Nothingness may not, perhaps, rank among the very best San Gabriel Valley Sichuan restaurants. Top-rate mapo tofu or that huolala green chile beef are too often followed by leaden fried duck in garlic sauce; bland, gooey eight-treasure duck; or overcooked spicy fried steamed pork.

The best of all things is something entirely outside your grasp, asserts Nietzsche. Not to be born, not to be, to be nothing.

But at Nothingness, not only is pork cooked, it is twice-cooked, the second time with chile and bean paste and leeks so that the sliced pork belly explodes with fragrance. String beans are tossed with chile and ground pork. Sliced squid, finely crosshatched as a Durer etching, struggles with and is joyfully subsumed by the aromatics with which it is sauteed. And then there is ice powder, the closest we can come in cuisine to nothingness suddenly given substance, which is to say lightly gelled water with a bit of brown sugar: not there, there, and then not there once more.

::

Nothingness Restaurant

Sichuan and Chongqing-style cooking in San Gabriel.

LOCATION

288 S. San Gabriel Blvd., Suite 103/104, San Gabriel, (626) 782-7660, www.nothingnessrestaurant.askforspecial.com.

PRICES

Noodles $5.99-$8.99; other dishes $8.99-$26.99.

DETAILS

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Tues. and Thurs.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sun. Credit cards accepted. No alcohol. Entrance to parking lot around the corner on E. Broadway.

RECOMMENDED DISHES

Thunderbolt frog; luhe fish; chicken with hot pepper; salt & pepper beans; BBQ potato; twice-cooked pork.

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jonathan.gold@latimes.com

@thejgold
Leadership certainly has its drawbacks. Just look what Hawkeye and Trapper did to Henry Blake on MASH.

Thats why leading the Happy Hour Hiking Club is such a dubious distinction. A collection of Times readers, illiterates, malcontents and goofballs, the club meets once a month for hiking and hydration.

Its a drinking club with a hiking problem, one of the mouthier malcontents once explained.

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That could become our motto. If we ever adopt a motto. As clubs go, we dont fuss over bylaws and institutional philosophies.

You can only imagine the sort of acerbic anarchists that attracts. Besides, were based in a big city, an incubator of willfulness and distrust. Honestly, its probably what I like best about the place.

Are there snakes? someone asks before we head out on our latest hike.

Everywhere you look, I answer.

You can only imagine the sort of acerbic anarchists this hiking club attracts. Besides, were based in a big city, an incubator of willfulness and distrust.

This day, we are off to explore another of L.A.s flirty little secrets: Lake Hollywood, off Barham Boulevard in the shadow of the Hollywood sign.

You didnt know there was a giant lake perched on the edge of Hollywood and surrounded by hipsters posting on Instagram? Well, now you do.

Madonna used to live near here in one of the castles on the hill. The story of Chinatown was based on Mulholland Dam and the lake, an active reservoir for the city of L.A.

Youre a very nosy fellow, kitty cat. Huh? You know what happens to nosy fellows? Huh? says Roman Polanski before knifing Jack Nicholsons nostril.

Seriously, try to find a better movie than Chinatown. Then try to find a better urban hike than Lake Hollywood.

Now, the only requirements for the Happy Hour Hiking Club are that you have to be really good looking and incredibly smart. A Nobel Prize will help, and well even accept an Oscar winner now and then.

A mere Emmy? Forget about it.

Even my wife, Posh had to apply three times and then demurred when she heard about the spanking tunnel for newcomers.

(In truth, there is no spanking tunnel. We just mention it as a way to weed out wives without a sense of adventure.)

Our clubs general philosophy is the philosophy of L.A. itself: Achievement is nothing if you dont have the incredible looks to back it up.

In our defense, we often waive that requirement for the Happy Hour Hiking Club. My buddy Big Wave Dave meets the achievement-attractiveness requirement, though just barely. For guys like Billable Bob, my attorney, weve instituted a quota and scholarship program.

Then theres me, of course  no ones idea of eye candy.

Its a humbling place, L.A. In any group of 60 or 70 hikers, you will find someone more talented than you  funnier, sexier, smarter, richer.

Anyway, this three-mile Lake Hollywood hike goes very well under a cloudless sky on the second day of what promises to be an amazing autumn (Did you hear Will & Grace is back?).

Sure, there are a few casualties, and my buddy Bittner bailed at the last minute. But by any other measure, this hike was a semi-success, which is always what I look for in any social occasion suffering under the crush of undue expectation.

As if the day could get any better, off we go to Burbank for a brew or two.

Its no secret that Burbank may be Americas finest small city: An early aerospace hub, it helped win World War II. In the charming bungalows of Disney and Warners, they crafted such classics as Fantasia and Casablanca.

For decades, thanks to Carson and Leno, America went to bed with Burbank.

Blue collar to this day, Burbank features a set of saloons on Magnolia Boulevard where the American Dream still drinks. We settle in, this hiking club, the way the Visigoths settled into the Roman baths.

Our venue, Joes Great American Bar & Grill, has what I like in a cultural outpost: a black ceiling and Christmas lights up all year long.

First time here and I totally love this elegant piece of old plywood. Theres an ancient Frank Sinatra booking photo in the hallway, and the names of locals are chiseled on the restroom wall. Good luck finding that at the ritzy Langham.

I love Joes bar so much I order two sampler platters and then make plans to move here. Because you have to embrace true love when you find it.

The hiking clubs other motto: Love doesnt come along every day. Sometimes you have to wait a week.

And as Hawkeye Pierce, the patron saint of romance, once observed:

Without love, what are we worth? 89 cents. 89 cents worth of chemicals walking around lonely.

Or hiking, as it were.

For info on the Happy Hour Hiking Club, email Chris.Erskine@latimes.com

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If Fresno Republicans were looking for political red meat, former Arizona lawman Joe Arpaio did not disappoint when he joined them Friday evening for a fundraiser.

Arpaio lionized President Trump, defended his own honor and questioned once more whether former President Obama was truly an American citizen.

As he addressed reporters, several hundred protesters and a much smaller number of counter-demonstrators gathered in the streets outside.

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The longtime Maricopa County sheriff was the star attraction for a sold-out event that concerned some Republicans, who worry about the partys ability to appeal to Latinos.

Arpaio was convicted for actions related to alleged racial profiling of Latinos and then pardoned by Trump. That was one issue Arpaio took on.

I end up on the defense table for a trial on a contempt of court, where everyones bragging about the criminal sheriff, he said.

One day theyre going to find out the real story about this, he said. Im not guilty. I got two parking tickets in my life -- two. Im 85 years old and I end up charged of contempt of court because one judge hates me.

He also said he would support Trump to the end.

He spoke out about illegal immigration. All these people running for office didnt even want to talk about it. They wanted it to go away, Arpaio said. At least he brought it out, forcing everybody else to talk about it.

But he took a more nuanced position than Trump on professional football players who protest peacefully during the pregame national anthem. Trump wants those players blackballed from football, and urged fans to exert pressure by boycotting the sport.

I still get a chill every time I hear the national anthem, Arpaio said. The flag is still something to me, and Im sure many Americans feel the same way. But everybody has the 1st Amendment right to voice their opinion  not that we all have to agree with it.

The fundraiser was billed as an event to proclaim a defense of the 1st Amendment  free speech  and the 2nd Amendment  which includes a right to bear arms. Tickets ranged from $60 to $200 apiece, with the latter including a photo with the guest of honor.

Join us to stand up to the threats against our First Amendment freedom of speech rights! the event handbill proclaimed. The left tries to shout us down and make us cower, but we will not give in to their bullying or fear tactics.

Outside, police cordoned off the entire block on both sides of the speaking venue, a banquet hall. Demonstrators gathered on opposite sides of the street beyond the barriers.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said the protesters were largely cooperative and he appeared anxious to avoid making arrests. He became especially concerned when anti-Arpaio demonstrators crossed the street and began to mingle with the opposing side. He urged people who disagreed with one another to maintain a respectful and safe distance.

Please give yourself some space right now, Dyer called out through a bullhorn. Im asking both sides.

He also stepped in personally, positioning himself as a barrier between agitated people, as did his officers.

Before the event, local Republican leaders defended their invitation to Arpaio.

People all around America respect Sheriff Joe, said Fred Vanderhoof, a retired teacher and party chairman. They realize hes being attacked by the left.

But other Republicans see a damaging message for a party struggling for relevance in an increasingly Democratic state. And especially to the group that is now the largest in California: Latinos.

Arpaio was convicted in July of criminal contempt for violating a federal court order to stop racially profiling Latinos in Arizona. He was scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5 and faced a maximum of six months in jail. President Trump pardoned him in August.

Its an unmitigated disaster, said Mike Madrid, a Republican political consultant who has worked for more than two decades to garner the Latino vote for the GOP, primarily in California. Its beyond belief that a man convicted of racial profiling is held up as an iconic figure in the party of Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln.

Madrid said the Fresno County GOPs praise of Arpaio, coupled with Trumps election, have set back their efforts with Latinos  the fastest-growing segment of the electorate  for at least a generation.

Dyer estimated that the anti-Arpaio group outnumbered the supporters 10 to 1. Some Arpaio supporters left their demonstration to attend a VIP reception in hopes of meeting him.

The anti-Arpaio group held up signs with messages such as: Shame and Guilty. One man held aloft a sign that read: Mexican Americans served with honor. Racist Republicans have none.

Other messages expanded on politically compatible themes: Impeach Trump Now and Smash White Supremacy.

On the other side, people hoisted American flags as they converged on a patch of grass. Trump, America, Arpaio, one man shouted.

Some Republican politicians, including Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, skipped the event.

I will be out of town, but I wouldnt go even if I was there, Brand said in a prepared statement. While popular with some, Arpaio is a villain to others. My job as mayor is to unite the community and I am focusing my time and energy on events and policies that further those goals.

We want to stand up for freedom of speech, said Vanderhoof, the local party chairman. We have a right to invite anyone we want and he has a right to speak.

Vanderhoof said he did not believe that inviting the controversial former sheriff would hurt with Latino voter outreach efforts.

On Friday morning, Democratic National Committee leader Tom Perez blasted the choice of Arpaio as a speaker.

It is an abomination that the Fresno County Republican Party has decided to go through with a fundraising event featuring Joe Arpaio, one of our nations most notorious agents of racism and bigotry, he said in a statement.

Arpaio, who once labeled himself as Americas toughest sheriff, became a polarizing figure for the Latino community in Arizona and throughout the country after thrusting himself into the national spotlight for his aggressive tactics against immigrants in the country illegally.

In some ways, Arpaios brash rhetoric against illegal immigration rhetoric made him a precursor to Trumps successful campaign for the presidency. Both had also pushed the birther conspiracy that President Obama was born in Africa and was not a legitimate president.

Kevin Spillane, a Republican political consultant who has concentrated on Latino inclusion for the least 20 years, called the Fresno GOPs move tone deaf, contending that most of them are volunteer activists who dont know the full story about Arpaios tenure in Maricopa County.

But Spillane said he did not believe that having Arpaio speak would be as detrimental to the partys efforts to expand its base to Latinos as others thought. He said the GOP has made gains in getting Latino Republicans elected to state and local offices, including school boards and city councils.

They are the future of the Republican Party, if there is going to be a future, Spillane said. Arpaio belongs to the past, and its unfortunate that Fresno County Republicans did not decide to side with the future and decided to side with the past.

brittny.mejia@latimes.com

cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

UPDATES:

8:45 p.m.: This article was updated with photos from Fridays event.

8 p.m.: This article was updated to include Arpaios comments and more details about the police handling of demonstrations.

6:45 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the Fresno police chief.

5:35 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from protesters.

This article was originally published at 10:25 a.m.
So much school food goes wasted, tossed in the trash, uneaten. Each day in the Los Angeles Unified School District, students throw out at least $100,000 worth.

That works out to about 600 tons of organic waste daily, according to a 2015 study.

The district pushed for a new law to help change that  and this week Gov. Jerry Brown signed it.

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The law allows campuses to collect unopened items and untouched fruit and donate them to food banks.

Students pass up school food for a lot of reasons. At L.A. Unified, some complain that entrees lose flavor because theyre cooked in a central kitchen and then reheated on campuses. Then, too, federal law makes students take food they might not want because the food trays have to meet nutritional guidelines. If the guidelines arent met, school districts dont get reimbursed for free meals provided to students from low-income families.

The new law isnt the first to try to reduce school food waste. Another allows schools to donate food that was never served to students.

Many schools also now have set up share tables, where students can leave unopened food and untouched fruit for their hungrier classmates.

The new law allows share-table leftovers to be given to food banks.

L.A. Unified Food Service Director Joseph Vaughn called the changes fantastic because they remove several barriers that have made it difficult to donate food.

On his end, Vaughn tries to cut waste by serving food that students prefer  which is why he has restored breaded chicken, a favorite. The school board also brought back flavored milk, more popular than plain milk with kids. Officials say the move is helping.

But even if students still skip the milk, it can now help nourish others. Experts have estimated that 14% of households nationwide sometimes have trouble putting food on the table.

In California, about 5.4 million residents, including 2.3 million children, face food insecurity, according to a legislative analysis of the new law, which was sponsored by state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina). L.A. Countys homeless population, one of the largest in the nation, is often reliant on donated food.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume

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Maria Bejar-Mejia arrived at the Citizenship and Immigration Services office in downtown Los Angeles with high hopes.

She had come to the U.S. illegally years before and her attorney, Jessica Godoy Ramos, told her she would receive a coveted green card at her appointment with immigration officials, authorities said in an account of the meeting. The $2,000 that Bejar-Mejia had paid the lawyer seemed like a small price to pay to cement her legal status in the country.

Ramos accompanied Bejar-Mejia. After the pair had waited an hour, Ramos excused herself to use the restroom. When she didnt return, Bejar-Mejia called. Ramos said she was meeting privately with an immigration officer.

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Prosecutors now say it was all a lie.

Bejar-Mejia checked with an immigration officer: She had no appointment that day, or any day for that matter. There was no record of her ever applying for legal status.

On Thursday, the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles announced criminal charges against Ramos. The 36-year-old from Lynwood is accused of stealing the identity of an actual attorney and conning dozens of immigrants, telling them that for a price she could navigate the countrys complicated immigration bureaucracy on their behalf.

Ramos faces charges of mail fraud and identity theft. According to a court filing by a Homeland Security Investigations agent, she turned herself in to authorities and confessed to operating the scam.

Ramos appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge Thursday afternoon but did not enter a plea. She and her attorney could not be reached for comment. She was set to be released on bail, according to U.S. attorneys office spokesman Thom Mrozek.

Investigators allege that a search of disorganized files Ramos kept in a storage facility identified about 80 clients. In about half of the cases, Ramos did no work at all and sometimes forged documents to convince people she had resolved their cases, according to court records. In other cases, she filed actual paperwork with immigration officials, but sometimes used the wrong forms and made other mistakes.

Some of the people who hired Ramos were in custody facing deportation, while others wanted to apply to legalize their status in the country or renew their green cards, said Christopher Kuemmerle, supervisor of the Homeland Security Investigations task force that investigated the case.

This type of scam, which unfortunately targets new immigrants too often, undermines our immigration system and can shatter dreams of obtaining legal status to remain in the United States, acting U.S. Atty. Sandra R. Brown said in a statement.

The case is the latest to underscore the sub-par legal assistance and outright fraud immigrants often encounter when trying to find someone to assist them with the often complicated processes for amending a persons immigration status and challenging violations. Although impostors like the one Ramos is alleged to be are nothing new, Kuemmerle said he has seen a recent increase in the number of investigations and reports of such cases his team has received.

Homeland Security Investigations agents first got wind of Ramos in February, on the day she allegedly abandoned Bejar-Mejia. Bejar-Mejia and four other people had been summoned to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office by Ramos for nonexistant appointments and an official there contacted investigators, according to a 12-page affidavit filed by an HSI agent that detailed the investigation.

Bejar-Mejia told investigators she and her husband first met with Ramos at a Starbucks in July 2014 in Lynwood. Ramos told the couple she was an attorney from New York and explained the unusual location by saying she worked only part time because of an illness.

Months later, before Bejar-Mejia traveled to Mexico, Ramos provided her a temporary immigration document she had counterfeited, according to the affidavit. When forging the document, Ramos mistakenly titled it I-521 instead of its actual title, I-512, investigators found.

Not knowing it was a fake, Bejar-Mejia presented the document to immigration officials when she returned to the U.S. Although suspicious, they eventually allowed her into the country, the affidavit said.

Another client, Vidal Rios, told investigators how he paid Ramos $1,700 to renew his expiring status as a legal permanent resident and apply for citizenship, records show. Over the span of seven months, Ramos told Rios he had several appointments with Citizenship and Immigration Services officials to complete applications only to tell him they were canceled, the affidavit said.

Kuemmerle said immigration officials were still in the process of reviewing the files of each of Ramos clients to determine their immigration status and how to address Ramos alleged mishandling of cases.

According to the affidavit, Ramos told investigators she attended the Gould School of Law at the University of Southern California but dropped out  a claim USC officials denied. When a lawyer she worked for pressed her for proof she was licensed to practice law, Ramos reportedly scoured the internet until she found another Jessica Ramos who was an attorney in New York. Using the womans registration number from the New York Bar Assn., Ramos created a bar card with her photo.

The out-of-state registration and the meeting at Starbucks should have been red flags to people, Kuemmerle said.

If it doesnt smell right, it very well might not be right, he said.

joel.rubin@latimes.com

For more news on federal courts in Southern California, follow me on Twitter: @joelrubin

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Authorities are investigating the death of a second inmate in as many days in a Los Angeles County jail.

A deputy doing a security check Wednesday night at the Inmate Reception Center  the intake facility attached to Mens Central Jail  found a man unresponsive and alone in his cell, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Officials said the man, whose name was not released, suffered from an unknown medical condition. Deputies and paramedics attempted to resuscitate him before he was pronounced dead.

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The incident came a day after another inmate death at Mens Central Jail, near downtown L.A.

Juan Correa Jr., 31, went into distress after he was pepper-sprayed by deputies who were trying to break up a fight between the man and his cellmate, authorities said.

Officials said Correa attacked his cellmate and refused orders to stop fighting. Deputies then used pepper spray on him, removed him from the cell and put him in handcuffs, said Deputy Trina Schrader, a sheriffs department spokeswoman.

While Correa was in the shower washing off the pepper spray, she said, he went into distress. Deputies performed CPR and called the medical staff. Paramedics responded and pronounced him dead.

Coroners officials have deferred a ruling on Correas cause of death pending the results of toxicology and other tests.

Correa was arrested in November 2015 by Long Beach police. He pleaded no contest in June to one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and was sentenced to a year in jail, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AleneTchek

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A Los Angeles police officer who was arrested for allegedly driving drunk and causing a crash that killed three people has been released from custody without charges pending further investigation, the California Highway Patrol said Friday.

Edgar Verduzco, 26, had been in custody on $100,000 bail since Tuesday night, when authorities said he steered his speeding Chevy Camaro into the rear of a Nissan on the 605 Freeway in Whittier. The occupants of the Nissan died after their car erupted in flames.

The CHP said Verduzco did not take a breathalyzer that would show his blood alcohol content, but did show symptoms of intoxication. He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a felony DUI.

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But on Thursday night, jail records show, Verduzco was released from custody without having to pay bail.

Basically, we have 48 hours to submit a completed investigation to the D.A.s office, said CHP Officer Al Perez. However, for us to finish this type of investigation in 48 hours is not feasible.

Verduzco was given a blood test after his arrest and the results will help determine what charges, if any, authorities recommend be brought against the officer, Perez said.

The officer will continue to be paid pending further disciplinary action by the department.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck addressed Verduzcos arrest at a news conference earlier this week.

My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and I cannot tell you how angry and disappointed I am that a Los Angeles police officer would disregard the law and cause an accident with such awful, awful consequences, Beck said. This is an awful, awful thing.

The agency has opened an administrative investigation into Verduzco and is cooperating with the CHP, he said.

Verduzco is an Army veteran who did a tour in Afghanistan and joined the department two years ago, Beck said. Verduzco was stationed at the front desk of the Central Division and has had an unremarkable career thus far, Beck said.

Beck said it was too early in the case to discuss discipline, but he said that if the allegations proved to be true, it could merit sending the officer to a disciplinary board for potential termination.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League also released a statement regarding Verduzcos arrest.

No words can express our deep sorrow over this horrible tragedy and the loss this family will carry with them for the rest of their lives, the unions statement said. Theres never an excuse for driving under the influence, and if Officer Verduzco is found guilty of what he is accused of, then he should suffer the consequences for his reckless actions.

Friends and family of the crash victims launched a GoFundMe account for them this week. Family identified them as Mario and Maribel Davila and their 19-year-old son, Oscar.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
No one knows how long the explosives had been sitting there in the backyard.

The rusting cache of ordnance included World War II-era artillery projectiles, a bomb casing, a pineapple grenade, mortar rounds and an array of large-caliber bullets.

Lawndale residents say the home in the 1400 block of Avis Avenue once belonged to an elderly woman and her son  a former member of the military. They both died some time ago however, and ever since then a cast of unfamiliar faces had been seen parading in and out of the home at all hours.

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The lawn became tangled with long grass and littered with garbage bags, while broken down cars occupied its driveway. Over the summer, a car fire occurred in front of the home and nearby vehicles have been burglarized.

Then on Thursday night, a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy investigating a report of a suspicious person interviewed a man sitting in a car in front of the home, officials said. The man said he was on parole, then told deputies to check the backyard.

There, lying in the grass and inside a shed, were dozens of pieces of unexploded ordnance. There was no way of knowing whether they were live and what might set them off.

What followed next was an anxious 15-hour ordeal for nearly 100 neighborhood residents who were told to flee their homes as bomb disposal experts descended on the shabby single-story home that was surrounded by thick grass and broken-down cars.

The evacuation order came down around 11 p.m. Thursday. Residents in three square blocks were told to leave their homes immediately. Some rushed from their homes wearing only their pajamas, and left behind their cellphones and wallets.

#Lawndale UPDATE. #LASD SEB Tactical Bomb Techs supporting @SouthLALASD continue to safely clear WWII era military ordnance from location. pic.twitter.com/EG3ZFO1H4a  SEB (@SEBLASD) September 29, 2017

Joseph Saravia, 57, and his wife, Sarah, were sleeping when they heard helicopters buzzing over their home.

Then came an aggressive pounding on their door.

I thought somebody was trying to get in my house, Saravia told the Los Angeles Times.

His neighbor, Boshra Bermaba, 48, recounted a similar story.

Still wearing the same plaid blue pajama pants, white sneakers and white jacket from the night before, Bermaba said Friday afternoon that he grabbed his wife and kids and ran to a nearby 7-Eleven when deputies ordered them to leave. The convenience store parking lot was designated as a safe zone from any potential blast.

Twelve hours after they were rousted from their homes, the evacuated residents were growing restless at midday Friday.

Were waiting to see what time we can go home, Saravia said. Were tired.

And hungry, his wife added.

Bermaba, who left his home without his credit card, wallet or drivers license said he was not able to go to work Friday.

Erika Rodriguez, 31, and Ana Herrarte, 27, walked up to an officer guarding the perimeter with their arms filled with bags and carrying suitcases. They had just returned from out of town and learned through Facebook that their neighborhood was evacuated.

You never know what people have in their backyard, Herrarte said. Literally.

Sheriffs officials said they had discovered 15 to 30 military explosives, many of them inert. Photos released by the Sheriffs Department showed the casing for an aerial bomb, artillery shells, two grenades, mortar rounds and scattered large-caliber bullets.

Authorities said the man they contacted in front of the house Thursday was arrested for possessing a loaded firearm, but he had no connection to the explosives in the back.

Residents were finally allowed to return home just after 2:15 p.m. Friday.

Richard Nguyen, 26, stepped out of a car, bleary eyed with his small dog in tow as he made his way back home. He said he still didnt feel very safe, not after the events that Ive seen.

Amalia Solis, 25, lived two houses down from the house with the ordnance. Although she stayed with family nearby during the evacuation, she said she got only three hours of sleep. She said she was shocked to learn what was happening.

Oh, my god, it was scary, Solis said. Its a scary moment.

The first thing she said she plans to do when she gets home is take a shower and relax. Its been a long day, she said.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.

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UPDATES:

2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about the home.

12:05 p.m.: This article was updated with details on the explosives and comments from displaced residents.

This article was originally published at 6:45 a.m.
The night before Teresa Broudreaux was killed, she got into a spat with her husband and walked to her sisters home. The 20-year-old newlywed, who was pregnant, left a short time later and was never seen alive again.

Her nude body was found on the morning of March 4, 1980, on a rocky beach at Malaga Cove in Palos Verdes Estates. Broudreaux, who also had a 4-year-old daughter, died of blunt-force trauma to the head, authorities said.

For nearly four decades, her husband, Ronnie Fematt, endured suspicious stares, rumors from neighbors and gossiping co-workers who thought he was responsible for the death of his wife.

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I felt like a suspect, said Fematt, who was 23 at the time. I wasnt the one.

On Friday, Los Angeles County sheriffs detectives announced that they had made an arrest in Broudreauxs killing, the result of a DNA match. Robert Yniguez, 65, a registered sex offender, was arrested Thursday outside his San Pedro home.

Detectives believe Yniguez did not know Broudreaux.

Yniguez, a construction worker, is due in court Monday, authorities said. He is being held in lieu of $1-million bail.

Ive waited a long time for this day, Fematt said through tears at a news conference held to announce the arrest. It has been a long time, what Ive been through, the uncertainty of not knowing why or how.

Investigators remained tight-lipped Friday about the circumstances of the crime, but said they believed the motive was sexual assault.

Authorities said that DNA collected at the scene led to the arrest. Yniguez had a conviction for rape in the 1980s and served time in prison, Det. Ralph Hernandez said.

The original detectives assigned to the case collected several pieces of evidence and followed up on numerous leads, but they were never able to identify a suspect and the case went cold, sheriffs officials said.

When the detectives retired, the case was filed as unsolved.

Many years later, investigator Harry Lewin was able to use new DNA technology to develop leads from evidence collected.

Often these cases wait for a powerful combination of a detective who never gives up, a witness with a guilty conscience, or a suspect with a self-serving interest, or in this case, new DNA technology, Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.

Sheriffs Capt. Christopher Bergner, of the homicide bureau, agreed.

Unsolved cases date back to 1927, they have no statute of limitations, and in this case, we caught a break, he said.

Fematt said he had been married to Broudreaux for only five months.

His wife worked at a Jack in the Box and loved music. The two enjoyed driving to different record stores to hunt for oldies music.

Fematt said he was haunted that a person could kill a pregnant woman.

He named the unborn child Sofia, and she was buried with her mother.

Times staff writer Joseph Serna contributed to this report.

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @nicolesantacruz on Twitter.

UPDATES:

7:05 p.m.: This article has been updated with new information from sheriffs officials.

This article was originally posted at 8:55 a.m.
A Tennessee man arrested in the shooting of rapper Young Dolph was released Thursday afternoon without charges, officials said.

Prosecutors have asked police to further investigate the mans role in Tuesdays attack in the heart of Hollywoods tourist district, according to Greg Risling, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorneys office.

Corey McClendon, 43, of Memphis, Tenn., had been booked on suspicion of attempted murder early Wednesday, according to Det. Meghan Aguilar, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

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McClendon has close ties to Memphis rapper Yo Gotti, who has been involved in a bitter feud with Young Dolph for the last year, according to Capt. Chris Harris of the Shelby County Sheriffs Office in Memphis, Tenn. The rivalry, which exploded in recent months, may have played a role in several recent drive-by shootings in Memphis, Harris said.

Young Dolph, a 32-year-old Memphis-area rapper whose real name is Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot after he got into an argument with three men outside the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

The rapper fell to the ground during the fight, and one of the men shot him several times, police said. Young Dolph managed to stand up and run into Shoe Palace, near the famous TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

Two of the men ran off, while the third jumped into a gold Cadillac Escalade and drove to a gas station next door. He then hopped out and ran, leaving the SUV behind.

It was not clear whether police believe McClendon fired the gun or was simply involved in the brawl.

Young Dolph was scheduled to perform at the Marke nightclub in South Los Angeles on Thursday before traveling to Georgia to open for hip-hop star 2 Chainz next week.

Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AleneTchek

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Twitter said Thursday that it had found around 200 accounts linked to Russian interference in the 2016 election, a further sign that Moscow secretly employed multiple social media platforms to influence American voters.

The company said in a statement that 22 accounts were closed after they were found to be linked to separate Facebook pages previously shown to have spread Russian-bought ads during the presidential campaign that focused mostly on social issues such as race, guns and immigration.

An additional 179 Twitter accounts were related or linked to the Facebook pages, Twitter said, adding that it closed the ones we found in violation of our rules.

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Twitters disclosures, a week after a similar statement by Facebook, came in response to growing criticism of the company from members of Congress for not providing details about how Moscow might have used their platforms, ostensibly to help Donald Trump and harm his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Company executives on Thursday briefed members and staff of the House and Senate intelligence committees on their findings in a closed-door meeting. But several Democratic lawmakers said the companys presentation left many questions unanswered.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, was even more critical, calling Twitters disclosures deeply disappointing and frankly inadequate on almost every level.

Twitter has remained mostly silent in public until now about Russias use of its site. Like Facebook, the company revealed few details about the content of the tweets linked to Russia.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said much of the information Twitter provided on Russian-linked accounts was derived from Facebooks analysis and did not address whether the tweets were targeted to particular voters in an effort to sway their choice for president.

It is clear that Twitter has significant forensic work to do to understand the depth and breadth of Russian activity during the campaign, he said in an interview.

Additional analysis will require a far more robust investigation into how Russian actors used their platform as a part of their active measures campaign and whether any of the targeting on Twitter suggests the possibility of assistance or collusion with any U.S. persons, Schiff said.

Twitters probably more important than we know, said Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), another member of the House committee. Compared with Facebook, theyve been, frankly, less cooperative so far.

In a statement, Twitter said it deeply respects the integrity of the election process, which is a cornerstone for all democracies.

It said the company is in dialogue with congressional committees investigating Russian interference in the U.S. campaign. This is an ongoing process and we will continue to collaborate with investigators, it said.

Use of social media was part of a broad effort by the Kremlin to influence the presidential election, U.S. intelligence agencies said in a January report. It concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered the campaign to help Trump and to damage Clinton.

Since the election, tweets from Russia have continued to promote divisive subjects, according to the Alliance for Securing Democracy, an initiative of the German Marshall Fund, a Washington think tank.

Its monitoring of 600 Twitter accounts linked to Russia showed that 25% of the stories promoted by those accounts in the last week had a strong anti-American theme and about 15% criticized Clinton.

Like Facebook, Twitter has given its information to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is leading a criminal investigation into whether any of Trumps aides coordinated with Russian authorities during or after the campaign. Trump has denied any collusion.

Executives from Twitter, Facebook and Google, another major internet advertising platform, were asked to testify in public before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Nov. 1. The House committee is planning its own public hearing, possibly next month.

The three companies havent yet said if they will accept the invitations to testify in public.

Unlike Facebook, Twitter does not require users to submit personal information to set up an account. Company executives told lawmakers that made it harder to trace who was using the platform and their links to Moscow.

Twitter also said that Russia Today, a Kremlin-funded television and internet outlet that distributes content in the U.S. and other countries, had bought advertisements on Twitter targeted to U.S. consumers in 2016.

Three RT accounts, @RT_com, @RT_America, and @ActualidadRT, spent $274,100 to buy ads on Twitter, the company said.

The money was used to promote 1,823 tweets, directed at followers of mainstream media, the company said.

Facebook is providing the House and Senate intelligence committees with copies of more than 3,000 ads linked to Russia that were purchased by 470 fake accounts traced back to the Internet Research Agency, a Russian firm known for using troll accounts to post on news sites.

Most of the ads did not name Trump or Clinton but a portion were geographically targeted, Facebook has said.

Many lawmakers have expressed concerns about the proliferation of anonymous bots on Twitter and their potential to spread misinformation.

Twitter vowed to strengthen its defense against spam, especially interference from foreign sources. But with hundreds of millions of users, scaling these efforts continues to be a challenge, the company said.

Russia and other countries that were once part of the Soviet Union have been a primary source of automated and spammy content on Twitter for many years, the company added.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

david.cloud@latimes.com

Twitter: @davidcloudLAT
When Jennye Pagoada Lopez arrived at the U.S. border post of San Ysidro in July seeking political asylum, she showed agents ultrasound images of her pregnancy and told them she was bleeding and needed immediate medical attention.

But instead of taking her to the hospital, they detained her for more than a day before transferring her to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego.

It took two days to get a medical exam. Four days after that, she was informed that she had a miscarriage.

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That was the account she gave in a sworn declaration to her lawyers.

I was neglected, subjected to abusive conditions and denied medical treatment when requested, she testified.

Pagoada is among ten women whose testimony was included in a complaint filed this week against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by seven rights groups accusing immigration officials of improperly detaining pregnant women and failing to provide them with adequate medical care.

The complaint  made to the departments inspector general and civil rights officer  alleges that the women suffered physical and psychological harm and asks the department to investigate the cases and report on what steps immigration authorities will take to enforce its policies on the detention and treatment of pregnant women.

We are gravely concerned with the agencys failure to abide by its own policy against detaining pregnant women, the detention conditions that have been reported by pregnant women in various detention facilities across the country, and the lack of quality medical care provided to women who are pregnant or have suffered miscarriages while in custody, the complaint said.

Since August 2016, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has had a policy of not detaining pregnant women unless under extraordinary circumstances, and in those cases providing access to immediate counseling and full range of reproductive health care options.

But in recent months, immigrant advocates said theyve seen an increasing number of examples in which the government appeared to break its own guidelines.

In the last few months we have seen an uptick of cases of pregnant women being detained, said Katharina Obser, a senior program officer at the Womens Refugee Commission who helped write the complaint. For someone who is already fleeing trauma and violence and seeks asylum, to be doing that while pregnant and fearful of being separated from family exacerbates the stress.

The complaint shows that people in these individual cases could have been released to family members rather than being held in detention, where access to medical care is inadequate, she said.

Immigrant advocates also alleged that pregnant detainees have been complaining that they did not receive adequate medical care.

Some women have had miscarriages while in detention and had anxiety about their healthcare while in ICE facilities, said Victoria Lopez, legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, which helped author the complaint.

An immigration official said that while the August 2016 memo remains in effect, officials still conduct case-by-case reviews.

All women 56 and younger entering detention facilities are screened for pregnancy.

Of the 67,730 women taken into into custody between October 2016 and late September, a total of 525  or less than 1%  were pregnant, according to ICE. As of Sept. 13, a total of 33 were still detained.

Pagoada, 31, was born in Honduras but spent most of her life in El Salvador, where she was sexually abused by her stepfather and for years threatened by gangs, according to her testimony.

When she arrived in the U.S., she told border agents she was pregnant and was provided routine and recurring welfare checks during the 27 hours she spent in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody, an agency spokesman said.

There is no evidence to indicate Ms. Pagoada requested medical attention or appeared to be in need of medical attention at any time during her temporary detention by CBP, the spokesman said.

Immigration officials said they could not immediately comment on her detention.

Pagoadas attorney, Allegra Love, with the nonprofit Santa Fe Dreamers Project in New Mexico, flew to California a few days after Pagoada was detained and said she made a formal request to immigration officials to parole her client for medical reasons.

They denied it, and they didnt give a reason for denying it, Love said.

Pagoada remains at Otay Mesa awaiting an interview with immigration officials to hear her asylum case.

melissa.etehad@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @melissaetehad
At a public housing complex just outside the tourist district in Old San Juan, residents must make their way beneath a downed electrical pole to get in the front door. Another broken power pole blocks the road outside, and a third is sprawled next to the parking lot out back.

At Fortaleza they have light, but not here, said Rosa Rivera, 53, a retired maintenance worker, referring to the governors official residence. Rivera was sitting outside in her wheelchair Thursday to avoid the suffocating heat inside with no air conditioning.

Angel Perez, who lives nearby in the upscale Condado neighborhood, has called the city repeatedly to find out when the power  out across more than 95% of Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria hit on Sept. 20  will be restored.

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No one has come, Perez said. They dont pick up the phone.

In downtown San Juan, electric lines lie in the road and poles block apartment complexes, like the Residencia Parque San Lorenzo. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Puerto Rico officials say it will likely be four to six months before power is fully restored across the U.S. territory of 3.5 million people. The islands faltering electrical grid, now crippled by the twin blows of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma, already was struggling to keep the lights on after a history of poor maintenance, poorly trained staff, allegations of corruption and crushing debt.

As recently as 2016, the island suffered a three-day, island-wide blackout as a result of a fire. A private energy consultant noted then that the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority appears to be running on fumes, and  desperately requires an infusion of capital  monetary, human and intellectual  to restore a functional utility.

Puerto Ricans in early 2016 were suffering power outages at rates four to five times higher than average U.S. customers, said the report from the Massachusetts-based Synapse Energy Economics.

And then came Maria.

The collapse of the power system has tumbled down the infrastructure chain, making it difficult to pump water supplies  the water authority is one of the power authoritys biggest clients  and also to operate the cellular phone system, which also relies on the power grid.

Residents have been scrounging for scarce fuel to power generators long enough to keep refrigerators and a light or two running. At night, many drag mattresses out to balconies and porches to escape the heat. Hospitals have seen life support systems fail and most business has come to a halt.

Much of the booming capital has been shrouded in nighttime darkness, except for the few restaurants able to stay open with generators  glowing magnets of cool air, iced drinks and salsa music.

Puerto Rico largely survived Hurricane Irma, which killed three people and led to widespread power outages when it sideswiped the island two weeks ago. In relatively short order, the government-owned PREPA was able to restore electricity to 96% of its 1.5 million customers.

But the ferocious winds of Hurricane Maria a week later took out 55% of the islands transmission towers. Government officials and emergency responders said the islands power grid was effectively destroyed.

Our infrastructure and energy distribution systems suffered great damages, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello said.

Mike Hyland, senior vice president of engineering for the American Public Power Assn., a nonprofit organization that sent equipment and utility experts to help with recovery, said officials are conducting a comprehensive assessment of damage to the electrical system, relying in part on drones sent by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

It is going to be a long and arduous process and patience is the key word, Hyland said.

Restoring Puerto Ricos power will involve much more than replacing downed poles and cables. The entire system of generation, transmission and distribution must be rebuilt, including replacement of high-voltage transmission lines Hyland said.

The island has been relying on generators large and small, but fuel shortages have limited their capacity.

At least two people died this week in the city of San Juan after the generator producing electricity that powered life support systems ran out of fuel, city officials said.

The lack of power has brought some water pumps to a standstill, and a growing number of homes are running out of clean water.

U.S. military officials, part of a contingent of thousands of extra troops being brought in to help with recovery, are helping expedite fuel deliveries to hospitals.

By midweek, 689 of the 1,000 gas stations on the island were operating, Puerto Rico officials said. Fuel was delivered to at least 200 of those stations on Wednesday, they said.

The warnings about impending electricity problems that were issued even before Hurricane Maria hit stemmed from the islands long history of power outages and the lack of substantial refurbishing and maintenance.

Hurricane Georges in 1998 left the island without power for three weeks. The tropical storm destroyed 30,000 houses and damaged at least another 60,000.

Last year, the island suffered a massive blackout after a fire broke out at one of the islands main electricity plants, leaving half of the territorys residents in the dark.

PREPA at the time said two transmission lines had failed.

While natural disasters have underscored the problems of the islands electrical system, over the past few years the islands and the power companys money problems made the power grid particularly susceptible to crippling damage by storms.

As of 2014 the government-owned company was $9 billion in debt, and in July, it filed for bankruptcy under the provisions set by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, a law signed by President Obama in 2016.

Problems accumulated. Cutbacks in tree pruning left the 16,000 miles of primary power lines spread across the island vulnerable. Inspections, maintenance and repairs were scaled back. Up to 30% of the utilitys employees retired or migrated to the U.S. mainland, analysts said, and the utility had trouble hiring experienced employees to replace them.

The neglect led to massive and chronic failures at the Aguirre and Palo Seco power plants. The three-day blackout in September 2016 underscored how fragile the system was, and that the company was unable to cope with this first contingency, the Synapse Energy report said.

With Maria expected to hit Puerto Rico this week, after the Irma situation, the lines to try to buy a power generator are insane. pic.twitter.com/keF7H9G4eN  Z (@nazarioz) September 17, 2017

This week, for the first time since the storm, electrical crews began appearing not just in the capital, but in neighboring Carolina and Rio Grande. Faced with a tangle of downed poles, lines and transformers on nearly every street, it wasnt clear how much progress they were making.

Across the island, residents have been waiting in gas lines not so much to drive, but to keep their generators running.

Eduardo Millan, sweating in the the afternoon heat in one such line, said he needed fuel for the generator at his home near the airport.

He uses it sparingly  only at night, and only to run the air conditioning, he said. I need to sleep.

Times staff writers Hennessy-Fiske reported from San Juan and Vives from Los Angeles.

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com

Twitter: @mollyhf

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.

UPDATES:

5:30 p.m.: This story was updated with additional details of past power problems.

This story was originally published at 4:40 p.m.
The Trump administration Friday faced more backlash over the unfolding Hurricane Maria humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico, despite the president and other officials indicating the federal government was fully engaged in providing relief.

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz was among the most vocal critics of the federal governments response, saying acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Dukes reference a day earlier to relief efforts as a good news story was inappropriate. The situation was about life and death, Cruz said.

Island residents have gone without water, food, power and gas and faced other dire conditions since Hurricane Maria made landfall more than a week ago.

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Cruz said people on the island were devastated and that she was frustrated by bureaucracy getting in the way of relief. She said the Federal Emergency Management Agency had requested a memo with a list of needs.

Im mad as hell because my peoples lives are at stake . . . . We are dying here, Cruz said, nearly tearing up during a news conference. If we dont get the food and the water into peoples hands, what we are going to see is something close to a genocide.

Cruz said when President Trump visits Tuesday, as planned, he should not only get an aerial view of the situation but actually see municipalities.

Let him walk in Comerio and see people drinking water from a creek, let him go to Rincon and see people huddled over because they have no food or water, she said. Let him hear the cries of elderly people, outside of windows and doors, screaming help us. 

Duke, meanwhile, visited the U.S. territory Friday, and assured residents that emergency responders were doing everything they could to provide much needed help.

Clearly the situation in Puerto Rico after the devastating hurricane is not satisfactory, but together we are getting there and the progress is very strong, Duke said during a news conference with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello and Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon.

The president wont be fully satisfied, however, until every Puerto Rican is back home, the power is back on, clean water is available, schools and hospitals are fully open and the Puerto Rican economy is working, Duke said.

We have over 10,000 federal people on the ground, she said.

Dukes visit came as many Puerto Ricans were trying to leave the storm-ravaged island, where power remained out for many of the 3.4 million residents and blocked roads have slowed relief efforts.

Puerto Rico officials say there have been at least 16 storm-related deaths. At least two people died when their life support monitors shut down because a generator supplying electricity ran out of fuel.

FEMA said it has about 800 personnel on the island of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is also coordinating efforts with other agencies and organizations to provide millions of meals and liters of water to the islands.

At least 26 chainsaw teams are in Puerto Rico from the Department of Agricultures U.S. Forest Service to help clear roads so that supplies may reach the rural communities of the island, which have been nearly cut off because of fallen trees and impassible roads.

Officials said 5,000 military and National Guard personnel are also on the island and will be led by a three-star general.

The Pentagon said eight C-17 cargo jets were en route to Puerto Rico carrying food and water for 250,000 people along with long-term management teams to receive the increasing flow of federal personnel, equipment and supplies.

The Comfort, a super tanker modified into a 1,000-bed medical treatment facility, left port in Virginia and was on its way to Puerto Rico. It was expected to arrive by Wednesday, joining four other U.S. Navy ships already operating around Puerto Rico.

Five other barges are scheduled to arrive in Puerto Rico before Thursday with 2.5 million liters of water, 3 million meals and two generators, the Pentagon said.

John Rabin, acting regional administrator for FEMA, said in a phone conference the agency had completed its assessment of damages to most hospitals and municipalities. Many hospitals are taking in patients. The agency is working on clearing roads to allow delivery of food and water to more areas.

Electricity remains out of service for much of the island, which has been a major obstacle for emergency responders.

The collapse of the power system has made it difficult to pump water supplies  the water authority is one of the power authoritys biggest clients  and also to operate the cellular phone system, which also relies on the power grid.

FEMA and military officials said much of the islands infrastructure, which was already in need of maintenance, was severely damaged by the storm.

This storm was catastrophic to the point where concrete transportation lines and concrete electrical poles were knocked down and destroyed. Transportation will have to be rebuilt on the entire island and will be a long process Rabin said.

Tower technician Jonathan Huertas, 37, of Knoxville, Tenn., was in San Juan with a team of communications workers from Goodman Networks helping to restore cellular phone service.

This is my ninth hurricane, Huertas said in a cellphone interview in San Juan. Ive never seen anything like this.

Trump, speaking in Washington, said the federal government was engaged fully in the relief effort. Trump said the rebuilding effort was starting from scratch, but that the administration will not rest until people on the island are safe.

Times staff writers Vives and Etehad reported from Los Angeles and Hennigan from Washington. Times staff writer Matt Pearce in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

ALSO

Readers React: No more pushing tax cuts for the rich, Mr President. Its time to save Puerto Rico

Puerto Ricos debt-plagued power grid was on life support long before hurricanes wiped it out

Restrictions lifted on delivery of goods to Puerto Rico; military commander to manage relief efforts

UPDATES:

4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments including those from federal authorities and the San Juan mayor.

1:00 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with Times reporting.

This article was originally published at 9:55 a.m.
The front doors to the Lake Arthur Place nursing home were locked when Ben Husser and his team of volunteer rescuers arrived on boats. He knocked, and when somebody cracked open the entrance, he pushed his way in.

The hallways smelled like feces. An old woman in a wheelchair was trembling, her feet dangling in nearly 12 inches of floodwater from Tropical Storm Harvey.

Whats going on here? Husser asked a nurse. Why is she shaking? Is she cold?

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Husser, a 45-year-old audio engineer who had hurricane relief experience with the Louisiana Air National Guard, had borrowed a friends boat and come to help. He made his way inside and tracked down the nursing homes administrator, Jeff Rosetta. Husser was with the Cajun Navy, he told Rosetta, and ready to evacuate the patients. Empty boats were waiting.

What unfolded next was one of the most surreal scenes in Harveys already extraordinary assault on Texas.

In the coastal refinery city of Port Arthur, the storm  which originally hit Texas as a Category 4 hurricane  overwhelmed emergency responders with 26 inches of rain in a single day, more than double the previous record. Two nursing homes filled with 184 residents were flooded with nearly a foot of water. Even deeper waters surrounded the facilities.

And at the moment, the only rescuers in sight were a ragtag band of volunteers on fishing boats.

You dont understand, I cant give these people to you, Rosetta said, according to Husser. I can only give them to the National Guard. He ordered Husser to leave.

Well, thats not the way its going to work, man, Husser replied. These people are leaving.

Words turned to physical blows. At one point, Husser drew a gun.

I had to do what I had to do, Husser later explained. We had to beat the crap out of Jeff  at least, I did.

Volunteers rescue residents from the Cypress Glen nursing home in Port Arthur, Texas, on Aug. 30, 2017. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Some degree of chaos may have been inevitable amid the record-shattering rains of Harvey. The storm made landfall on Aug. 25 as the strongest hurricane to hit Texas in 56 years, and four days later brought its full drenching force to Port Arthur.

But the crisis at Lake Arthur Place was also the result of decisions made before the floods by the company that owns the nursing homes  Dallas-based Senior Care Centers  and by local officials caught off guard by the storms strength.

Police raided Lake Arthur Place for evidence two weeks after the floods to better understand why it had not been evacuated before the storm hit, according to a criminal search warrant filed as part of an investigation of possible elder abuse.

There were several days of warning, and several days to prepare, a detective wrote in an affidavit.

::

Nursing homes try to avoid evacuations if at all possible.

Studies have shown that leaving can be deadlier for residents than staying, probably because of the stress it places on those who are elderly and weak. Federal safety guidelines for nursing homes recommend that evacuation should only be undertaken if sheltering in place results in greater risk.

To make that determination in Port Arthur, Senior Care Centers rely on Jefferson County officials, according to Andrew Kerr, the president of the company. If the county issues a mandatory evacuation order, a contract with a local ambulance service kicks in to move residents to a safer location, Kerr said in an interview.

Two of the companys nursing homes in Corpus Christi had been evacuated after receiving mandatory evacuation orders. But in Jefferson County, that order never came.

The county official who would have given it, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, said he was closely following the weather forecast, which initially suggested that Port Arthur would be spared the worst of the deluge and receive no more than 15 inches of rain over a week.

As the days passed, the forecasts started calling for closer to 20 inches of rain in southeast Texas, then 30 inches. Still, Branick said, We thought up until the last night  Aug. 29, a Tuesday  everything was going to be OK.

That night  four days after landfall  National Weather Service meteorologist Roger Erickson called Branick to warn that Harvey had shifted: Hold on: Youre going to get hammered with rain.

By then it was too late to evacuate, Branick said. The escape routes around the area had flooded. There was nowhere to evacuate to.

That evening, Tonya Cox, whose 63-year-old mother, Gay Olsen, was a resident at Cypress Glen, talked to a nurse there on the phone.

Houstons flooding, its headed yalls way, do you have an evacuation plan? asked Cox, 32, of Carlsbad, N.M.

We do not have evacuation plans at this time, she said she was told, with no explanation offered.

As the rain intensified, it seemed like it would never stop. Parts of Jefferson County would get nearly 50 inches of rain from the storm. About 15,000 of the countys 81,000 homes got flooded.

By midnight, water had entered both nursing homes, according to Senior Care Center officials.

The nursing staff started calling local and state officials to request a rescue.

Residents lie on beds surrounded by floodwaters waiting to be evacuated from the Cypress Glen nursing home in Port Arthur, Texas, on Aug. 30, 2017. (Matt Pearce / Los Angeles Times)

Roxie Johnson, 61, of Nederland, Texas, whose 79-year-old mother, Dorothy Premeaux, was a resident in Cypress Glen, said she received a phone call from one of the nurses at 12:30 a.m. The nurse, she said, was telling me they were evacuating because they started taking water in.

Where are you going? Johnson said she asked the nurse.

I dont know, came the reply.

How am I going to find her?

I dont know.

But an immediate evacuation would not be happening. The county was overwhelmed. Several of Port Arthurs fire trucks and garbage trucks were already lost in the flooding. With 911 calls coming nonstop, there was no way to respond to most of the rescue calls.

I finally told the staff to quit telling people that youre going to take their name and number and tell them people are coming, said Greg Fountain, the Jefferson County emergency manager. Tell them the truth . Theres nobody coming in the next five minutes and the next five hours even. Do what youve got to do to survive.

::

Nearly every natural disaster draws legions of volunteers eager to help in the rescue effort. The self-styled Cajun Navy attracted military veterans and fishermen and participated in rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Louisiana floods of 2016.

As Harvey bore down on Texas, Husser borrowed a friends boat and drove from his home in Hammond, La., to Texas.

Soon after he launched into the floodwaters of Port Arthur, two other boaters told him that nurses were abandoning patients at a local nursing home. That turned out to be untrue, but Husser decided to check out the situation.

He was wearing a military tactical vest when he entered Lake Arthur Place with other volunteers. Everybody thought I was a police officer, Husser said later.

Almost immediately, the situation became even more tense.

The water inside the facility rose a few inches when the volunteers removed sandbags and opened the doors, the director of nursing, Andrea Coleman, said in a sworn statement she gave to Port Arthur police.

Coleman said she walked into Rosettas office and saw Husser and two other men cursing at the administrator. Rosettas shirt was ripped, he had several cuts on his head and one of his eyes was bloody, she said.

Jeff Rosetta told Ben and the two other men to get out of his nursing home, Coleman told police. Ben physically pushed me out of the way and I hit the wall. Ben then removed his gun from its holster and pointed it at Jeff Rosettas chest.

Oh, you going to shoot me now? she said Rosetta asked.

In tears and afraid for her life, Coleman told Husser not to shoot anybody.

We cannot just turn over our residents to anyone, she said in her statement. We have a responsibility to them and procedures that have to be followed. I was hesitant to let our residents go with the Cajun Navy after the behavior Ben displayed.

Husser said in an interview that Rosetta had started the fight by shoving him, but he denied shoving Coleman. He defended his decision to draw his gun.

Youre damn right I did, but it was strictly because he was in a tirade, screaming and hollering, Husser said.

Husser also said that he initially thought Rosetta had a weapon on his desk and was reaching for it, and that he holstered his gun when he saw that Rosetta was unarmed.

The volunteers left the office, but soon two Port Arthur police detectives arrived and concluded that the facility needed to be evacuated.

By then, Rosetta apparently was trusting no one. According to a police affidavit, the administrator became argumentative and told one of the uniformed detectives, Mike Hebert, that his badge appeared to be fake and he was a fake cop. He ordered the detectives to leave the building, at one point shoving Herbert, according to the affidavit.

The detectives handcuffed Rosetta.

::

With the blessing of police, the amateur rescuers began evacuating the residents.

At both nursing homes, the volunteers tried to make sure the seniors had their records and their medications with them before lifting their wheelchairs and beds onto their boats. They took the residents to a local community theater, which became a triage center staffed by local nurses, some of whom showed up on boats in flip-flops.

Residents are evacuated from the Cypress Glen nursing home in Port Arthur, Texas, on Aug. 30, 2017. (Matt Pearce / Los Angeles Times)

Many of the seniors had face sheets containing basic medical information, according to Lisa Perkins, a surgical nurse who came to volunteer at the triage center at the Port Arthur Community Theater after her home was flooded. But some did not.

Some patients had dementia and didnt know their own names. And youre trying to figure out how you can help them, Perkins said. Theyre freezing cold, theyre getting rained on  these people were scared.

Johnson, the daughter who had received the late-night phone call about an evacuation, found her mother at the theater with nothing but two dirty gowns in a trash bag and no identification or medication. Using a ballpoint pen, Johnson wrote her mothers name and a telephone number on the womans arm.

By nightfall, the nursing home residents had all been evacuated out of the city by military helicopters, though it took a few days for some family members to track down their loved ones.

The extent of the crisis impact on the health of the seniors is still not known.

A 2012 study in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine found that nursing-home evacuations resulted in higher death rates in the 90 days after a hurricane. And those were from when efforts were undertaken before, not during, the disasters.

Port Arthur police wrote in a search warrant that medical documents will show some of the individuals sustained injury as a direct result of the catastrophic flooding and the evacuation finally orchestrated at the last minute by citizens. But those injuries were not described, and police did not respond to interview requests.

A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services also declined to provide information about the case, citing its own ongoing investigation into the nursing homes.

Lori Langford Davis, who helps run a Facebook group for family members of residents at the two evacuated nursing homes, said she had heard about several cases of pneumonia in the aftermath of the flood. Her own 94-year-old grandmother, who was at Lake Arthur Place, emerged with bruises and open sores on her arms.

But she doesnt blame the amateur rescuers, whom many regard as heroes. Some family members are signing up with attorneys to consider suing the nursing homes.

I hope we can put this corporation out of business, Davis said. This is what you plan for, the worst-case scenario.

Senior Care Centers President Kerr said, The most critical thing for us is the safety and security of our residents. He blamed the chaotic, last-minute evacuation on an unforeseen catastrophic event beyond anyones expectation.

Rosetta, the nursing home administrator, was not arrested during his confrontation with police. But investigators said in their search warrant that he was under investigation for possible criminal negligence in electing not to evacuate before the storm.

Rosettas lawyer, Ryan Gertz, said the nursing home administrator was understandably confused during the altercation with people whose identities were unclear.

Rosetta was punch drunk and rationally questioning the authority of the officers, Gertz said. While its easy to rush to judgment, ultimately Jeff Rosetta and the excellent staff of the Lake Arthur Place nursing home will be vindicated.

After the evacuation, Cox decided nursing homes were no place for her mother and took her home to New Mexico to live.

Despite severe dementia that requires round-the-clock care, she said, her mother hasnt forgotten the evacuation.

Told about an upcoming trip to the store or other outing, Cox said, she often asks: Are we going by boat?

matt.pearce@latimes.com

Matt Pearce is a national reporter for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @mattdpearce.

ALSO

How a Texas bowling alley became a beacon of hope after Harveys deluge

A true testament to a mothers will  saving her daughter, but not herself, from Harveys floods

Catastrophic storms, once rare, are almost routine. Is climate change to blame?

More national headlines
A note found in the car of a man charged with spraying deadly gunfire at a Tennessee church made reference to revenge for a white supremacists massacre at a black church in Charleston, S.C., two years earlier, law enforcement officials told the Associated Press.

The note could offer a glimpse into Emanuel Kidega Samsons mind set at the time of Sundays shooting and a possible motive for the rampage, which killed a woman and wounded six other people. The Associated Press has not viewed the note, but it was summarized in an investigative report circulating among law enforcement. Two officials read to AP from the note.

The report said that in sum and in no way verbatim, the note referenced revenge or retaliation for Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who killed nine black worshippers at a South Carolina church in 2015 and has since been sentenced to death. It wasnt clear what precisely Samson is alleged to have written about the Roof shooting, or whether his note contained other important details that might also speak to a motivation or state of mind.

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The law enforcement officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation. Metro Nashville Police declined to comment, saying it had not released the information.

Samson, who is black, has been charged with murder, and the FBI and U.S. attorneys office in Nashville quickly opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting. Neither his public defender nor District Atty. Gen. Glenn Funk immediately returned calls for comment, and spokespeople for the FBI and the U.S. attorneys office declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

Police have said Samson, masked and wearing a tactical vest, fatally shot a woman who was walking to her vehicle and then entered the rear of Burnette Chapel Church of Christ and shot six other people, walking silently down the aisles with a .40-caliber handgun. The case immediately called to mind the killings at Emanuel AME Church, in Charleston, S.C. But unlike that church, which is mostly black, Burnett Chapel in the Nashville neighborhood of Antioch has a diverse congregation with people of various ethnicities, a detail noted in the report. And church members told investigators that Samson had attended services a year or two ago.

Samson came to the United States from Sudan as a child in 1996 and is a U.S. citizen. Police records say he had expressed suicidal thoughts in June and had a volatile relationship with a woman that twice involved police this year. He made bizarre Facebook posts in the hours before the shooting, including one that read: Everything youve ever doubted or made to be believe as false, is real. & vice versa, B.

Metro Nashville Police say investigators recovered four guns after the shooting that were bought legally from in-state retailers: the .40-caliber handgun allegedly used in the shooting; a military-style AR-15 rifle found in a case in Samsons vehicle; and a 9 mm handgun recovered from the church. Police say a relative gave the guns to Samson for safekeeping.
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Its Friday, Sept. 29, and heres whats happening across California:

TOP STORIES

ICE targets sanctuary cities

Immigration officials on Thursday announced hundreds of arrests in an operation targeting communities where police and elected officials have refused to fully cooperate on enforcing federal immigration laws. ICE said it arrested 167 people in and around Los Angeles, a region in which several cities and counties have been tagged by justice officials as being so-called sanctuaries  a loosely defined term used to describe local governments that restrict police from assisting immigration authorities identify and detain people suspected of being in the country illegally. Los Angeles Times

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Plus: Without a lawyer, immigrants in the U.S. illegally can be deported within days of being detained by authorities. Attorneys say the practice of keeping them in facilities far from larger cities makes finding legal assistance difficult, if not impossible. Los Angeles Times

And: The U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles announced criminal charges against a law school dropout accused of stealing the identity of an attorney and conning dozens of immigrants, telling them she could navigate the countrys complicated immigration bureaucracy  for a price. Los Angeles Times

Hefners house of hedonism

During the height of its popularity, the Playboy Mansion was perhaps L.A.s most famous home. Attending one of Hugh Hefners parties was a sign of status, where one could rub elbows with celebrities, Playboy Bunnies and the host himself, often dressed in his trademark pajamas. The fortunes of Playboy waned over the years, and the free sex ethos that the mansion symbolized eventually became viewed by many as cruelly exploitative of women and reckless in an era of AIDS. Can there be a Playboy mansion without Hefner? Los Angeles Times

Plus: He is celebrated for liberating the libidos of men around the world and supporting civil rights, but in so many ways Hefner was just an old-fashioned sexist pig, writes columnist Robin Abcarian. Los Angeles Times

And: How Hefner helped save the Hollywood sign. Curbed Los Angeles

Did a prosecutor release a witness information?

Jonathan Quevedo was charged this week with two counts of attempted murder and trying to use force to dissuade witnesses. Police are investigating whether a prosecutor inadvertently tipped off Quevedo to where a woman who was going to testify against him lived by including her address in the protective order. Los Angeles Times

L.A. STORIES

Listen: How Hitlers fascism almost took hold in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times

Drone vote: After months of public debate over possible surveillance and weaponization, the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission voted Thursday to call on the L.A. County Sheriffs Department to permanently ground its drone. Los Angeles Times

Hospitals second act: Across the country, hospitals that have shut their doors are coming back to life in various ways: affordable senior housing in Los Angeles, luxurious multimillion-dollar condominiums in New Yorks Greenwich Village, a historical hotel in Santa Fe, N.M. Los Angeles Times

The question: How did LAUSD board member Ref Rodriguez fund his alleged money laundering scheme? KPCC

Warner Center changes: In a sign of the times, Chinese developers want to demolish several office buildings and replace them with more dense apartment units. Daily News

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

The bottom 5%: California must find and fix its worst public schools. Heres one way to start. Los Angeles Times

What Google wants: In a standoff with city officials, Google is demanding more office space for its futuristic new Charleston East campus and is threatening to block nearly 10,000 units of critically needed housing if it doesnt get its way. The Mercury News

All in the family: Rob Reiner is trying to break through to Trump voters over Russias unprecedented meddling in the 2016 election. Politico

What happened? California legislators had a rare opportunity this year to make a significant improvement in the lives of millions of children at little or no cost  and they muffed it, writes Dan Walters. Cal Matters

Just say nyet: Twitter is in the hot seat on Capitol Hill over what it did and didnt do about Russian influence in the 2016 election. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Hoop nightmares: Two top members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee have requested a briefing from the NCAA and companies accused in the sprawling criminal case that has shaken the sport. Los Angeles Times

Corruption case: A Beaumont city councilman pleaded guilty Thursday to perjury and bribery for crimes he committed while in office, Riverside County prosecutors said. Los Angeles Times

THE ENVIRONMENT

Again: A second rock slide was reported at Yosemite National Parks El Capitan on Thursday, a day after a rockfall on the granite monolith killed a British tourist and seriously injured his female companion, park officials said. Los Angeles Times

Plus: Dramatic images of the initial rock slide emerge. SF Gate

What are they drinking? Yes, there are rats and frogs in the water supply at Camp Pendleton. San Diego Union-Tribune

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Voice of the city: Poet Robin Coste Lewis steps to the sidewalk on South Central Avenue, a half-century swirling around her. She learned to ride a bike here; the family two doors down kept chickens. It seemed then like country and city were mixed into a little girls idyll, before Compton became Straight Outta Compton and before her first boyfriend, a geeky 16-year-old, was shot and killed in a drive-by. Los Angeles Times

If the price is right...: Broadcast giant CBS Corp. is pondering the sale of its historic Television City studio complex in the Fairfax district as the Los Angeles construction boom propels developers in search of new places to build. Los Angeles Times

Points for inventiveness: In Orange County, where land prices have never been higher, the new thing is the tricked-out subterranean garage space. Orange County Register

The spirit moves them: Classic rock station 100.3 The Sound is going in a different direction: Christian music. We are particularly excited to see what God has in store for the people of Los Angeles, a station executive says. Daily Breeze

Heres the pitch: The Dodgers Kenley Jansen and the changing role of the reliever. New York Times

Everyones a critic: Stephen K. Bannon, who did some business in Hollywood, doesnt hold actors in very high esteem. The Hollywood Reporter

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles area: Sunny and 87. San Diego: Mostly sunny and 80. San Francisco area: Partly cloudy and 68. Sacramento: Mostly sunny and 84. More weather is here.

AND FINALLY

Todays California memory comes from Dr. Jean Segurson Hickam:

Both my grandparents parents sailed to San Francisco around the tip of South America. On my grandmothers side, the ORileys arrived prior to the Gold Rush. Their purpose was to help Peter ORiley with his hotel in Nevada. (Peter ORiley was a partner of Henry Comstock.) Upon landing in San Francisco, his mother heard of the wild men in the Nevada mining town. She refused to leave the city with her four teenage daughters. They settled in Hays Valley.

The Segurson side left Ireland during the potato famine only to arrive a year after gold was discovered. They settled in St. Helena and farmed. The Segursons had four boys. Uncle Tom was famous for driving a four-in-hand (four horses). Will was the oldest and Jim the youngest. The family moved to the city before the fire and earthquake and settled South of Market. Now they all rest in Colma.

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad.
Heroin nearly killed me. As a matter of fact, it did: For two minutes in 1987 I was pronounced clinically dead from an overdose.

I was at the Franklin Plaza Apartments in Hollywood, shooting up between snorts of cocaine and shots of booze. It was late December 1987. Motley Crue had just released our record Girls Girls Girls and we were about to tour the world. From the outside looking in, I was living the dream. But in reality, I was in the throes of a disease I couldnt control, addicted to heroin.

I remember very little about that night, but I know someone called an ambulance and saved my life. Today I am 16 years sober and a decade into recovery advocacy.

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What Ive been through doesnt make me a policy expert. But it qualifies me to judge the way the United States is handling its latest addiction crisis: Opioid abuse isnt just making addicts sick, its making America sick.

The numbers are devastating. The government estimates that 142 people a day die of drug overdoses. ODs are killing more Americans than car crashes and gun homicides combined. Prescription opioids and heroin are the prime contributors to these statistics.

Once hooked on prescription painkillers, many users turn to heroin, often cut with more lethal drugs, because its cheaper and easier to get than another refill. In 2015 (the most recent year for which we have data), there were more than 30,000 opioid overdose deaths nationwide, and the rate is on the rise. Between 2002 and 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heroin use in the U.S. more than doubled, and heroin deaths more than quadrupled.

Now President Trump wants to slash the 2018 Medicaid budget. Hes suggesting deep cuts in funding for treatment, prevention and addiction research. And Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions wants to fill federal prisons with drug addicts instead of getting them help.

Trump makes a show of concern. He convened a commission in March charged with studying the problem, and he has promised to declare opioid addiction a national emergency, which would free up resources for the battle. But he has failed to file the proper paperwork.

Instead, he found time to do some name-calling (I won New Hampshire, he told Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den.) He lies about the causes of the epidemic, blaming Mexico and China when in fact the responsibility belongs to U.S. drug manufacturers and overzealous doctors pushing prescription painkillers. And then there are those budget cuts.

All addicts are worth saving.

Americans are dying. Entire towns are being destroyed. Local economies are crippled by addiction. Yet this epidemic can be stopped, its solvable.

Trumps opioid commission quickly submitted an interim report that spells out the right approach: It emphasizes treatment, education about pain management for doctors, research and data collection, and rational supply reduction. It spells out policy goals based on facts and science. The president should listen to his own experts. Now.

Congress and the administration must approve a 2018 budget that provides sufficient funding for Medicaid. Of the 2 million Americans in treatment for opioid addiction, approximately 30% receive Medicaid. We must not make it harder for the most vulnerable addicts to obtain treatment.

Our representatives must guarantee that, in any healthcare reform, addiction will not be not classified as a pre-existing condition that could limit an addicts ability to receive lifesaving care for this disease. The latest failed GOP attempt, the Graham-Cassidy bill, would have harmed those affected by the opioid epidemic through coverage cuts and flexibility in what can be covered.

Drug manufacturers have to be held accountable for how they market addictive drugs. Many states are trying. In August, South Carolina became the sixth state to sue Purdue Pharma over OxyContin; 41 states have demanded information on the sales practices of opioid makers and distributors. We can better restrain painkiller prescriptions. Pharmaceutical companies are greedy, and the regulations are too lax.

Naloxone, a medication that can block the effects of opioids and reverse an overdose in progress, should be widely available, yet  outrageously  a puritanical debate rages over whether access to such a safety net encourages drug use.

If we fail to take these necessary actions we are saying to addicts, You arent worth saving. I am here to tell you that all addicts are worth saving.

I am one of the lucky ones. And I know my continuing sobriety is not the result of my actions alone. I have a loving family and an extensive support network.. I have AA and the guidance of my sponsors. I have good health insurance. I have the money, time and resources to help me save myself.

So many people dont have access to these resources. But they are no less deserving of help. No one is a junkie by choice. And no junkie is a lost cause.

Addiction cannot be solved behind closed doors. Its a sickness, a systemic failure and a societal problem. Individuals are responsible for their own recovery, but too often, we struggle and suffer  as we sin  in secrecy and silence. Secrecy and silence do not lead to solutions.

So I am speaking out. And so should you. Because another 142 people are going to die today.

Nikki Sixx is the co-founder of the band Motley Crue. An updated, 10-year anniversary edition of his memoir and Sixx:A.M. soundtrack The Heroin Diaries will be released in October. His photo exhibition Conversations with Angels opens Oct. 4 at the Leica Gallery Los Angeles.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook

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To the editor: Theres no need for debate about the nature of the charges against Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education member Ref Rodriguez. (A rookie mistake, or a premeditated strategy? The actions of LAUSDs ex-school board president still leave some wondering, Sept. 27)

What he is alleged to have done  reimbursed family members for $24,250 in donations that were made to his 2015 campaign in their names  is not simply a rookie mistake as the chief of a charter advocacy organization contends; instead, they are intentional acts of criminal deceit.

Columnist Steve Lopez is right on when he notes that you cant help but think that a man who might have committed one of the dumbest crimes in local history is still making big decisions on the welfare of several hundred thousand students. If so, Los Angeles students deserve better  they deserve school members who are both smart and honest.

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David Michels, Encino

..

To the editor: Lopez is right to show how absurd it is for Rodriguezs supporters to use hes a rookie as a defense for his alleged criminal activity.

He was the treasurer of a charter management organization and is now the former board president of the largest school district in the country with elected leaders. If Rodriguez is being honest, then he is incompetent. If hes lying, hes a crook.

Either way, all of us working to strengthen schools for our students have lots of work to do. He needs to step down from the board because he is distracting everyone from this most important task at hand.

Karen Wolfe, Venice

..

To the editor: I remember when reform meant getting rid of corruption. I guess the word has gained in irony what it has lost in innocence.

L.A.s electorate recently voted in a reform majority at the LAUSD board, only to learn the new president has been indicted for multiple felonies and misdemeanors involving election fraud. And what was the reform majoritys reaction? Did it disavow Rodriguez and demand his resignation?

Of course not; that would have cost them their majority. The reformers let him step aside from his presidency without leaving the board. In fact, they didnt even ask him to recuse himself in the vote for a new president to replace him, because, likewise, that would have derailed their political agenda.

Apparently the current meaning of reform matches the traditional meaning of machine politics. Why do we and our media go along with this corruption of plain English?

David Ewing, Venice

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
You have got to give Mark Zuckerberg credit for maintaining his boyish faith in the benevolent influence of technology, even in the face of so much evidence to the contrary.

Since founding Facebook as a callow student at Harvard, Zuckerberg has insisted that walls of privacy and gatekeepers of information are impediments that should give way to instant and limitless sharing of ideas and information with all who will listen. As expressed in the companys mission statement, Facebooks goal is bringing the world closer together.

Sometimes, however, proximity is not so pleasant. With a nudge from congressional investigators and the special prosecutor looking into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Zuckerberg has been forced to face the truth that Facebook has been weaponized by alien operatives intent on sowing chaos and division with the aim of undermining democracy. Humming along with minimal human oversight, Facebooks vast system of algorithms allowed Russian operatives to set up fake accounts, buy ads and spread a sophisticated array of lies and bogus news stories targeted at particular groups of Facebook users who would be susceptible to their influence.

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1 / 51 la-1491523602-y7ephyarj1-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 51 la-1491368625-0bgh58ihw8-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los angeles Times) 6 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 51 Trump inspires millions to take to the streets -- to oppose him. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 51 Cartoon caption contest winner at the DENT conference in Sun Valley, Idaho: Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 51 Old radicals and big media descend on Selma (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 51 Horsey imagined the creation of the Ann Coulter phenomenon in this cartoon from 2007. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 51 This David Horsey drawing is a reconfiguration of a cartoon he first published in 2006. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 51 Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, should give Cliven Bundy a call. After Sterling loses his NBA franchise and the deadbeat Nevada rancher loses his cattle, the two old racists will both need a buddy. Maybe they can team up together and open an all-white rodeo. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 51 Besides sending a chill up the spine of the international community, Vladimir Putin has accomplished one other thing by seizing Crimea and threatening the rest of Ukraine: Putin has brought back the bear. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 51 The right-wing insurrection at the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev., has taken another weird turn with new revelations about the family history of Cliven Bundy. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 51 David Horsey / Los Angeles Times (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times)

When this issue first came up, Zuckerberg said the contention that Facebook had been used by the Russians to mislead voters and influence the election was a pretty crazy idea. Now, however, he has announced that his company will be turning over to Congress an initial 3,000 ads placed on Facebook by agents and affiliates of the Kremlin.

I care deeply about the democratic process and protecting its integrity, Zuckerberg said in a live broadcast on his Facebook page. I dont want anyone to use our tools to undermine democracy. We are in a new world. It is a new challenge for internet communities to deal with nation-states attempting to subvert elections. But if thats what we must do, we are committed to rising to the occasion.

However reluctantly, Zuckerberg is recognizing the not-so-nice aspects of our ever-more-interconnected world. His counterparts at Twitter are having to do the same now that it is apparent their platform was utilized for Russian mischief to an even greater extent than Facebook.

It is probably too much to hope that the president of the United States will be similarly willing to accept the facts. Even with hard evidence that the Russians exploited American social media for nefarious purposes, Donald Trump clings to the delusion that this Russia scenario is nothing but a plot concocted by his enemies to delegitimize his election victory. In response to the Facebook and Twitter revelations, Trump sent out a tweet that was as defensive as it was nonsensical:

Facebook was always anti-Trump.The Networks were always anti-Trump hence, Fake News, @nytimes(apologized) & @WaPo were anti-Trump. Collusion?

This latest example of Trumps thin-skinned paranoia said nothing about the accumulating proof of Russian dirty tricks. A president with a normal grasp of reality would be expressing grave concern and would be doing everything he could to protect our electoral system. Trump, though, is not normal. He has a narcissists response to everything. It is all about him, not the country.

There is talk that Zuckerberg may one day run for president. He might or might not make a good commander in chief, but we could do worse. In fact, we already have.

David.Horsey@latimes.com

Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter

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Jim Hansen and his wife considered themselves fortunate when they retired five years ago.

The Denver couple, both electrical engineers, were healthy. Theyd socked away an ample nest egg. And they found health insurance that, if not cheap, seemed reasonable for two people in their late 50s.

Then, the math started to change. Since 2015, the couples annual premiums have more than tripled and may hit nearly $18,000 next year.

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It just doesnt make sense, said Hansen, who has had to recalculate his retirement finances.

The Affordable Care Act made life-saving protections available to millions, many for the first time. But the transformation of the nations insurance markets has been a bumpy ride, particularly for one group  people like Hansen who get health insurance on their own, rather than through a job, but whose income is too high to qualify for government aid.

Now, these same consumers, whom Republicans have held up as victims of the current law, stand to see insurance bills soar even higher unless Congress acts quickly to stabilize insurance markets that have been weakened by the Trump administration.

Hansens insurer, Cigna, plans to increase premiums for individual insurance plans in Colorado by an average of 31% for 2018 -- one of many double-digit increases slated to hit consumers around the country next year.

Many of these people are just normal, middle-class folks, said former Kansas insurance commissioner Sandy Praeger. And theyre just not going to be able to afford coverage.

Praeger, a Republican, is among a bipartisan chorus of state regulators, governors and health insurance officials urging Congress to take a set of relatively simple steps to stabilize markets and help consumers like Hansen.

A group of Republican and Democratic senators is now racing to put together legislation.

The work was derailed in mid-September by the recent GOP push to repeal the law. Negotiations in the Senate health committee have now resumed, but its unclear whether a bill can make it through a bitterly divided Congress in time for insurers to scale back big premium hikes planned for 2018.

They need to act yesterday if not sooner, said Anthony Wright, head of Health Access California, a leading consumer advocate in the state.

Before the Affordable Care Act, the so-called individual market survived largely because insurers were able to turn away sick consumers, allowing health plans to keep premiums in check for the healthy people they chose to serve.

That meant millions of Americans were locked out of coverage if they had pre-existing medical conditions such as cancer or diabetes. Even minor ailments such as acne were used to deny coverage.

At the same time, health plans routinely imposed annual and lifetime caps on how much medical care they would cover and excluded coverage of prescription drugs, mental health, substance abuse treatment and other services.

This was a critical weak link in our system, said Karen Pollitz, a market expert at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.

But for healthy Americans, plans could be relatively affordable, especially for consumers willing to buy plans with high deductibles or limited benefits.

For the first few years after Hansen and his wife retired in 2012, they enrolled in plans that cost less than $5,000 a year.

That worked for us, explained Hansen, who lives in a modest brick house in one of Denvers older neighborhoods.

He budgeted about $100,000 for health insurance in the couples retirement plan, calculating that would get him and his wife to age 65, when they would qualify for Medicare, the government health plan for the elderly.

Then the market began to change.

The advent of new consumer protections in 2014, including guaranteed coverage for the sick, brought consumers with untreated illnesses, many of whom couldnt previously get insurance, into the market. That pushed up insurance premiums for healthier people.

Hansen and his wife kept their premiums in check for a couple years by switching to plans with higher deductibles.

Then, in 2016, their annual premium for a plan with a $7,000 deductible jumped from $4,350 to $13,200.

It got worse in 2017, forcing the couple to switch plans and switch doctors.

Although the specifics of what will happen to Hansens plan havent been finalized, according to a company spokesman, the 31% increase the company expects on average would put the couples 2018 premium at $17,685.

Needless to say, were pretty angry, Hansen said.

Something just seems way out of whack here, he said. It seems like everything about the way we are being treated is unfair.

The vast majority of Americans receive substantial government assistance to buy health insurance.

People who get a health plan through an employer get a tax break because health benefits arent taxable. That tax benefit is most valuable to upper-income Americans.

Americans older than 65, who qualify for Medicare, also get help. Although they paid into the program through payroll taxes, those payments cover only part of the programs cost, and the government significantly subsidizes the cost of care.

The poorest Americans typically qualify for nearly free care through Medicaid.

And even many of the people who buy insurance on their own now get assistance through subsidies provided by the 2010 law. Those subsidies  available to consumers with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, or between $12,060 and $48,240  have protected many from the recent rate hike and in many cases mean the difference between a double-digit rate hike and a rate decrease after subsidies.

But more than 10 million Americans - some uninsured  dont fit into any of those categories and, as a result, dont get any assistance.

Their difficulties have been a major focus of Republican calls to repeal the current law and loosen insurance regulations to make coverage more affordable.

The changes the GOP has proposed might help some consumers, according to independent analyses by the Congressional Budget Office and others. But looser regulations would also likely mean higher costs for people with pre-existing medical conditions and for many older consumers nearing retirement, the budget office and others have warned.

Other GOP plans also have included proposals to give Americans who buy health coverage on their own the same tax break enjoyed by people who get coverage through an employer.

In the short term, most state regulators, insurers, consumer advocates and others say Congress and the Trump administration could slow rate hikes for people like Hansen with a few basic steps.

These include providing funding to protect insurers from high-cost patients and to offset the cost of consumers who cant afford their deductibles and co-pays.

It also includes enforcing the laws requirement that everyone have insurance and aggressively working to get more people to sign up for health plans. The Trump administration is instead making plans to dramatically scale back advertising and outreach efforts for 2018.

The best thing we can do for people is to enroll a whole lot of healthy folks, said Christopher Koller, the former insurance commissioner of Rhode Island.

For his part, Hansen said he and his wife will be able to keep paying their premiums. For us, its survivable, he said. Were lucky.

But he remains perplexed by the inability of leaders in Washington to address the problem. It seems like reasonable people ought to be able to fix this, he said.

noam.levey@latimes.com

@noamlevey

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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.
Standardized test scores for students in the Burbank Unified School District remained flat this year compared to previous years, according to data released Wednesday by state officials. However, they continue to perform slightly better than the state average.

About 7,500 local students in third through eighth grades as well as high school juniors took the online standardized test known as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress.

Results showed 62% of Burbank Unified students met or exceeded the standard for English language arts, while 48% met or exceeded the mathematics standard.

During the two previous years, students made gains in their scores each year, but districtwide results showed scores remained mostly stagnant this year.

At Burbank High, 68% of juniors met or exceeded the English standard, similar to scores in 2016. However, only 43% met or exceeded the mathematics standard, dropping six percentage points compared to the previous year.

At John Burroughs High School, 75% of juniors met or exceeded the standard in English, which dropped by 4% compared to results in 2016. Scores also decreased in mathematics by 4% as 41% of juniors met or exceeded the standard.

When comparing schools year-to-year results, Supt. Matt Hill said he takes comparisons with a grain of salt because a different set of students take the test each year and the number of students taking the exam varies.

This is only one indicator, Hill said. This is one test on one day, so thats why I downplay it more. Its good to look at this data piece but not only [this].

This time only four juniors at Burroughs and 13 at Burbank High opted out of taking the exam.

In 2016, then-student Sam Gorman convinced 269 out of 656 juniors at Burbank High to opt out of taking the exam after they got a parent to sign off on the request.

During the 16 hours it usually takes a student to complete the state test, students who opted out instead studied for upcoming AP exams and finals on campus.

Hill reiterated his stance on encouraging the state to look into the value of administering the state test to juniors.

My main focus is making sure students are graduating prepared for college and careers, Hill said. If were going to do something the 10th-grade year, we need to look at something that is more aligned with what 10th-graders are thinking about.

Unlike on paper-and-pencil, multiple-choice tests, if a student answers a question on the online test correctly, they are given a more difficult question next. If they answer incorrectly, they receive an easier question.

Scores are displayed in four achievement levels: standard exceeded, standard met, standard nearly met and standard not met.

About 3.2 million students statewide took the standardized tests.

State Supt. of Public Education Tom Torlakson said he was glad students maintained their progress since the first round of online testing that counted in 2015. The year prior, which was the first year for the online tests, the results didnt count.

Im pleased we retained our gains, but we have much more work to do. We need to work diligently to narrow achievement gaps and make sure all students continue to make progress, Torlakson said in a statement. Its important to remember that these tests are far more rigorous and realistic than the previous paper-and-pencil tests.

priscella.vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscella
A probe is expected to expand next month into allegations that a juror discussed case details at a nail salon during the trial of a man eventually convicted of murder in the 1981 slaying of a Newport Beach retiree.

Two female alternate jurors already have been interviewed and denied discussing the case in public or with other jurors before deliberations.

On Friday, Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregg Prickett said during a hearing that he will invite the rest of the women who were on the jury Oct. 15 to determine who, if anyone, did so.

Jurors are prohibited from discussing a case with anyone in public until the trial is over. They also are not permitted to discuss the case with other jurors until deliberations begin.

In the case of James Andrew Melton, 65, of Los Angeles the Superior Court jury in May found him guilty of first-degree murder for seducing and strangling 77-year-old Anthony DeSousa in what prosecutors contended was a plot to steal from him.

Melton was expected to be sentenced this month, but Prickett delayed the sentencing to Nov. 17 after a court clerk reported overhearing a juror discussing the case mid-trial in May while getting her nails done at a Fountain Valley salon.

It isnt clear what the juror was reportedly overheard saying.

Melton could be sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.

You will not be sentenced until this issue is solved, Prickett told Melton on Friday.

Prickett interviewed one of the two female alternate jurors Friday in an effort to determine whether she had spoken about the case during the trial. The juror said she did not discuss the case with anyone and did not visit a nail salon in Fountain Valley in May.

Prickett asked the same questions of the other female alternate Sept. 15. She said she did not recall discussing the case in public.

The issue of possible juror misconduct isnt the first speed bump in the case, which spans three decades.

In 1982, a jury convicted Melton and sentenced him to death for the killing. He was awaiting execution at San Quentin State Prison when a federal judge threw out his conviction in 2007. U.S. District Judge Robert Takasugi ruled Melton was too heavily medicated on psychiatric drugs during his trial to understand the proceedings or participate in his defense.

After a new trial was ordered, the Orange County district attorneys office decided not to seek the death penalty.

In the 2014 retrial, a jury deadlocked 10-2 in favor of convicting Melton of murder.

His third trial began May 1.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
A 27-year-old Costa Mesa man who was released from Orange County Jail on bail in August in connection with a felony drug charge is back behind bars in another drug case, records show.

Costa Mesa police arrested Christopher Eugene Miller on Wednesday on suspicion of possession of heroin and methamphetamine with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance for sale, said police spokeswoman Roxi Fyad.

Detectives served a search warrant at about 5:15 p.m. at Millers home in the 400 block of Fair Drive as part of a continuing narcotics investigation, Fyad said.

Police allege Miller was in possession of about 3 grams of fentanyl-based heroin, commonly referred to by the street name China white, and about $1,000 in cash, authorities said.

Inside the home, officers found 2 ounces of fentanyl-based heroin, 2 ounces of methamphetamine, Xanax pills, plastic baggies, a digital scale, other drug paraphernalia and $8,000 in cash, police said.

Miller was charged in August with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, according to Orange County Superior Court records.

Miller is being held in Orange County Jail without bail, according to jail records.

Costa Mesa Police Chief Rob Sharpnack said this is the first known arrest for possession of fentanyl-based heroin for sale in Costa Mesa.

Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug and is the most powerful synthetic opioid available, he said. It is so powerful that mere inhalation or contact with the skin can cause a drug overdose resulting in death.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
The 27-year-old homeless Navy veteran who was shot and killed last week in a scuffle with a Huntington Beach police officer had several previous run-ins with law enforcement and had been paroled from state prison eight days before the fatal encounter, public records show.

Dillan Tabares criminal record in Orange County Superior Court began in May 2014 when he was charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of a leaded cane, which authorities consider a deadly weapon.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 days in jail, according to court records.

From 2014 to 2016, Tabares bounced in and out of Orange County jails for misdemeanor convictions including disturbing the peace, carrying a dirk or dagger, possession of an opium pipe and resisting arrest.

In May 2016, he pleaded guilty to a felony count of battery with serious bodily injury. He was initially sentenced to jail time and three years probation, court records show.

Twice last year the court found that he had violated his probation and he was sentenced to additional jail time, records show.

It isnt clear how much of the jail sentences he served.

In March this year, Tabares was arrested for violating probation a third time, and a Superior Court judge sentenced him to two years in state prison. However, with time served and other credits, he served about six months in Wasco and Centinela state prisons, according to court and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records. He was paroled Sept. 14.

Just two days before the Sept. 22 shooting in Huntington Beach, he was marked as absconded, meaning he was considered to be eluding supervision, according to Department of Corrections records.

Tabares joined the Navy in 2008 and served as an information technology systems technician before he was dishonorably discharged in April 2012 after testing positive for marijuana, according to his mother, Tiffany Tabares, who spoke with the Daily Pilot on Monday.

While he was in the military, he bought a house in Norfolk, Va., and got married.

But after the failed drug test, his life began to unravel.

At the beginning of this year, I had a four-bedroom house and three cars. A good job and a future, Dillan Tabares wrote on his Facebook page in March 2012. Now I have nothing but my freedom, which will soon be taken away. I have ruined everything. I have lost the future I have worked so hard to get over these last four years.

Eventually, Tiffany Tabares said, he began living on the streets in Orange County and abusing drugs. He also had untreated mental health issues, she said.

Tiffany Tabares said she didnt know her son was out of jail until videos of the shooting outside the 7-Eleven at 6012 Edinger Ave. began circulating on social media.

A 96-second video shows Dillan Tabares walking toward the officer, who was pointing a weapon that police said was a Taser stun gun. The officer backed away, but Tabares continued approaching him and threw at least one punch.

The officer, whose name has not been released, grabbed Tabares in a headlock and both fell to the ground and continued to scuffle next to a parked car, the video shows.

Warning: The following video contains graphic content.

Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy told reporters that Tabares wouldnt obey any of the officers commands. As the incident escalated and became violent, the officer used his Taser, but it wasnt effective, Handy said.

Another video shot at a different angle shows Tabares pulling an item off the officers utility belt. Its not clear what he grabbed.

Videos show six shots being fired, causing Tabares to convulse and stumble. After a seventh shot, he collapsed on his side against the store. He later was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The case is the seventh officer-involved shooting in Huntington Beach this year and the second in which a person died.

It has drawn mixed reactions from people who have seen the videos, with some believing the officers actions were warranted and others asserting the use of force was excessive.

The Orange County Sheriffs Department is investigating, as is typical for officer-involved shootings in Huntington Beach.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN

ALSO

Man shot and killed by H.B. officer was homeless Navy veteran, mother says; new video surfaces

Some Huntington Beach council members call officers actions in fatal shooting warranted; others use caution
Turkey says it would release American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been detained for nearly a year, if the United States extradited Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara blames for last year's failed coup attempt.

"They say 'give us the pastor'. You have a preacher [Gulen] there. Give him to us, and we will try [Brunson] and give him back," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised speech.

Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for 23 years, and his wife, Norine, were arrested for alleged immigration violations in October 2016. She was released, while his charges have been upgraded to supporting Gulen's network, which Turkey has labeled a terrorist organization.

The couple ran a Christian church in the Aegean city of Izmir.
Some who attended a Newport-Mesa Unified School District hearing Thursday on changing trustee-area boundaries expressed frustration with the process and urged the school board to adopt a new map that they argued would better represent Costa Mesas largely Latino Westside.

About 30 people, including students, parents and retired teachers, attended the 30-minute hearing in Costa Mesa High Schools performing arts building.



For the record: This article originally stated incorrectly that Ashley Anderson is a district parent. In fact, she is a former teacher.

The meeting was the second of three designed for the community to tell the district its feelings about two proposed maps, labeled B and G, that would change the areas that future trustees on the seven-member board would represent and need to live in.

The maps contain seven zones that, unlike the boards current trustee zoning, would contain roughly the same number of people. Some of the current trustee areas, which have been in place for some 50 years, have many more residents than others, according to a district analysis last year.

For example, Area 4, which includes Corona del Mar High School, has about 46,000 people, while Area 5, which includes only one school, has about 16,000.

The district also is proposing that voters in each of the seven zones vote only for candidates from their zone  a shift from the current at-large voting system.

The new zones would not affect school attendance boundaries.

The changes are a reaction to a lawsuit threat last year from critics contending that Newport-Mesas at-large voting violates the California Voting Rights Act and prevents Latinos from electing their preferred candidates.

Under both proposed maps, Westside Costa Mesa would largely fall in Area 7, which is more than half Latino.

Map B was the preferred choice of a nine-member committee chosen by Supt. Fred Navarro. Each trustee zone had one member on the committee, as did the Harbor Council PTA and Newport-Mesas District English Learner Advisory Committee.

District officials say Map G was created in response to community input at two meetings earlier this year. Some at Thursdays hearing argued that Map G has a mysterious origin unduly influenced by the school board.

Laurie Smith, a retired Newport-Mesa teacher, questioned why Map G exists when the committee favored Map B.

Does this look and sound and feel like democracy? she said.

Maria Larios urged the board to adopt Map B.

We would like someone who can understand our community and support us, she said in Spanish through an interpreter.

Ashley Anderson, a Costa Mesa resident and former teacher, noted that the Westside contains many Title 1 schools that she feels have been disenfranchised for decades. Title 1 is a federally funded program that provides money to school systems to benefit students from low-income households.

Before Thursdays meeting, critics argued that one of the three hearings should have been scheduled in the Westside. The district arranged for a school bus to take attendees from the Westsides Rea Elementary School across town to Costa Mesa High, but as of 5:45 p.m.  15 minutes before the start of the meeting  the bus had no riders.

The third hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the district office at 2985 Bear St. in Costa Mesa. As at Thursdays meeting, the board will listen to public comment but not reply to questions.

Final adoption of either map is scheduled for a special meeting Oct. 17. It will then be subject to county and state approvals. The district intends for it to take effect in time for the November 2018 general election.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
Students in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach schools showed gains from 2016 in last springs standardized tests in English-language arts and mathematics, the California Department of Education announced this week.

Throughout the state, 3.2 million students in grades 3 through 8, and 11, participated in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, the education department said in a news release.

This is the third year of the computer-based tests, which use Californias academic standards and ask students to write clearly, think critically and solve complex problems, just as they will need to do in college and their careers, the release said.

The overall percentage of Laguna Beach Unified School District students who met or exceeded standards in mathematics increased from the prior year  71.8% in 2017 compared with 70% in 2016, according to results on the education departments website.

In seventh-grade math, 76% of students met or exceeded standards compared with 64% of students in 2016, according to results. In fourth-grade math, 80.2% of students met or exceeded standards compared with 72% the previous year.

The overall percentage of Laguna Beach Unified students who met or exceeded standards in English-language arts equaled the 2016 figure  82%.

In the Huntington Beach City School District, which includes grades 3 through 8, 75% of students exceeded or met English-language arts standards compared with 74% in 2016, according to results.

In mathematics, 69% of students met or exceeded standards compared with 67% in 2016.

The overall percentage of Fountain Valley School District students, which includes grades 3 through 8, who met or exceeded standards in both English-language arts and math, increased from 2016, to 75% in English-language arts and to 70.4% in math.

Eighth-grade students who met or exceeded standards in math increased 8.5% to 70.5% compared with 62% in 2016.

Tests consist of two parts: a computer-adaptive assessment and a performance task.

The computer assessment bases follow-up questions on a students answers and gives a more accurate picture of progress than paper-and-pencil, multiple-choice tests, the release said.

If a student answers a question correctly, they get a more difficult question. If they answer incorrectly, they get an easier question.

The performance task challenges students ability to apply their knowledge and skills to problems in a real-world setting.

In the Ocean View School District, 61% of students in grades 3 through 8 met or exceeded English-language arts standards compared with 59% last year.

The percentage of students in grades 3 and 7 who met or exceeded standards increased 7% for each grade level  60% for third grade and 70% for seventh grade.

In mathematics, 57% of students met or exceeded standards compared with 54% last year.

In the Huntington Beach Union High School District, 78% of juniors met or exceeded the standards in English-language arts compared with 76% in 2016.

In mathematics, 53% of juniors met or exceeded the standard compared with 52% last year.

In the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the overall percentage of students who met or exceeded standards in English-language arts increased slightly to 58.6% compared with 58% in 2016, according to results.

Third-grade students who met or exceeded English-language arts standards showed the largest percentage increase  5%  of any grade level.

The overall percentage of Newport-Mesa students who met or exceeded standards in math decreased from 51% in 2016 to 50% this year.

Statewide, in all tested grades, 48.6% percent of students met or exceeded the English-language arts standards, while 37.6% percent of students met or exceeded math standards, the release said.

 Staff writer Ben Brazil contributed to this report.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce
Rabbi Reuven Mintz felt a wave of emotion when the century-old Torah arrived in Newport Beach this week, bringing with it the spirits of Jewish people who made it through the Shoah  or Holocaust  and those who did not.

Newports Chabad Center for Jewish Life, where Mintz is director, keeps five Torah scrolls in its permanent collection. But this one is special because it survived Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, on Nov. 9-10, 1938, when Nazis ravaged Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues across Germany and fired the opening salvo of the Holocaust.

The Torah, thought to be about 110 years old, has been on a world tour since it was restored about two years ago and will be here only a few days. It comes to Orange County in time for Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The holiday observance begins at sunset Friday and ends Saturday.

The Torah, containing the five books of Moses, is a central reference for Jews  the blueprint for life: Guidance for harmony or civilized societies, law and justice. Basic things, Mintz said.

Mintz worked for more than a year to bring this Torah to Newport Beach for Yom Kippur services, which he knew would be well-attended and would maximize exposure to the powerful piece of culture and identity.

He traces the scroll to Isaac Schwartz, a teenage boy who came upon an unattended smoldering pile of Torahs and other sacred items ripped from places of worship in his Hamburg neighborhood during Kristallnacht. Isaac grabbed the scroll, weighing roughly 15 pounds and measuring about 2 feet long, and buried it in his yard.

It stayed safe from violence but not the elements. After World War II, the Schwartz family recovered the scroll, which had worn down. It sat in disrepair for decades.

A philanthropist named Leonard Wien bought it and donated it to the Jewish Learning Institute, which methodically restored its torn parchment and faded lettering.

Then it went on tour. It was most recently in New York and North Carolina. Next week, it will go to Vancouver, British Columbia.

On Thursday, Mintz opened the scroll to Leviticus and showed how its veiny parchment, though speckled with time, was repaired. With a silver yad, or pointer, he showed where the scribe refilled the faded letters with a handcrafted quill. The scrolls handles have been replaced with glossy cherrywood, and it is encased in a velvety cover that bears a dedication to the millions who perished in the Holocaust.

The handles, the cover and much of the ink are new. The messages, as written and experienced, are timeless.

Every Torah tells a story, Mintz said. This one tells of survival.

What Isaac Schwartz actually did captures the essence of how and why, in spite of overwhelming odds stacked against us, were still here today, Mintz said. In that one bold act, he demonstrates that so long as the Jewish people remain connected to their lifeline, no evil force can bring us down.

Yom Kippur services

All Chabad Center for Jewish Life services will be held at the Duke Hotel (formerly the Fairmont) at 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. Services are free, and no membership or affiliation is necessary.

Friday

6:30 p.m.: Kol Nidrei evening services and childrens service and program

Saturday

10 a.m.: Morning services

11 a.m.: Childrens service and program

11:45 a.m.: Yizkor memorial service (main service)

5:15 p.m.: Mincha afternoon service

6:15 p.m.: Neilah closing service

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD
Re: Glendale city manager may resign for similar position in another city, Sept. 26. Farewell Mr. Scott Ochoa! Im sorry that four years werent enough for you to feel the pulse of a wonderful city.

You arrived with a fully trained support staff already in place, yet never realized your full potential. The only thing you fought for with believable conviction was your salary raise.

We wont miss your endless PowerPoint presentations, always prefaced with This will only take a few minutes, then droning on in complicated city-speak. We wont miss your if you wills, and as it weres, punctuated with long words that were meant to impress, yet seemed so unauthentic.

Had you for even one moment returned the outpouring of generosity the residents and staff offered you four years ago, you might be missed as you leave for greener pastures. The people who were really running the city during your brief stay can now get back to business. Dont let the door hit you on your way out.

Peter Rusch

Glendale

--

The globalist political agendas cause spectacles by stating Armenia faces the following conditions: poverty, domestic violence and human rights violations, while progressive reform policies slyly use degrading terms over Armenia. Where is this agenda coming from?

What we see in the news and read regarding Armenia is ignominious and suspicious. We must not allow our Armenia to be deliberately trampled on by foreign interests. These motives are implemented by greedy corporations who can collapse an entire civilization to fool the world. Lies by fake news are everywhere and imported by foreign-nationals and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). Beware of fake news and Turkeys evil intentions. Protect Armenia! Well never become an independent autonomous nation if we succumb to false propaganda. NGOs create conflicts by opposing cultural values and imposing their demands on innocent countries, including Armenia.

The Armenians core values stress mutual respect for everyone. Historically, Armenians have been granted privileges from worlds governments for contributing to the progress and prosperity of their countries and sharing the value of morality with them.

Armenians, first Christian nation and savior of civilization, survived to create world peace. Armenians are the international icon of resurrection of a nation. Guard and cherish Armenians noble cultural values. Avoid the NGO agenda and follow the spirit of Armenia, Noahs Ark country.

Rachel Melikian,

Glendale
On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Jews read a poem known by its first two words in Hebrew, Unetaneh Tokef, which translates to let us cede power.

The begging and most vivid part of the poem begins: On Rosh Hashana it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed. Who shall live and who shall die? Who will become poor and who will become rich? Who will be calm and who will be tormented?

I have come to find myself asking an additional question: Who will find love and companionship, and who will be left unloved and alone?

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On Yom Kippur, one completes atonement for the wrongs of the past year. The day is so serious that one is forbidden from consuming food and drink. It is for that reason that I never expected to meet someone who became so important to me on Yom Kippur last year.

I was living in Irvine at the time, not far from UC Irvine, where I went to law school. I knew almost all of the young single Jewish adults in the community, so I was intrigued when I saw a face I did not recognize.

After talking to her before the service, I found out she was a new pediatric resident, and childhood friends with one of my UC Irvine friends. I remember her striking white skin and her thick, black-framed glasses that seemed to cover most of her face.

I wanted to get to know her more. Unfortunately, Yom Kippur is just about the worst possible day to mingle. To my dismay, she did not return for the daytime services.

Are you a veteran of L.A.'s current dating scene? We want to publish your story

I was disappointed, but I bumped into her a few months later at a Hanukkah party that I decided to attend last-minute. This time her glasses were off and I saw how beautiful her face was. Apparently she had a long-distance boyfriend when we first met, but she was now single.

We eventually went out on a date. I took her to see the Old Towne district in Orange. She had not seen much of California because of her intense residency. The small-town feel, with most likely the only roundabout in Southern California located in the town center, reminded her of the Ohio town she grew up in. We found that we could both relate to a feeling of exile.

For her it was not landing a residency in the Midwest closer to her family and ex-boyfriend. For me it was being far from the fast-paced city life of Los Angeles that I had hoped to experience as a young adult. I felt an instant connection with her. We went on more dates. I took the big step of giving her my USC sweatshirt. I remember telling her how unlikely that all of this came about from our encounter on Yom Kippur.

But one time she decided to cancel a date. Suddenly, it took her longer to reply to my texts, and when I finally asked what she wanted to do about our young relationship, she said she just did not have the time to date.

I remember my heart sinking. A couple months later I finally got a job up in L.A. I decided to sponsor a Shabbat dinner at the place I had gone for Yom Kippur services. I decided to invite her, and she came. We found time to talk alone.

She said she regretted her decision to end things early, and we wound up kissing. She promised we would see each other again. I had hoped we would experience life in Los Angeles together.

We texted and talked, but then the frequency of our messages subsided. I decided to take a gamble and wrote an email expressing all of the feeling I had for her. I told her how hopeful she made me about the world and that we could work out all of the obstacles keeping us apart if we had feelings for each other.

She never replied. I eventually talked to our mutual friend. He said she never even brought me up. That feeling of hope she had instilled in me transformed into hopelessness. I was living in L.A. but wishing I could be with her one more time in Orange.

The ending of our relationship felt random and unbearably confusing. My question on Yom Kippur about who will find love and who will be alone was answered.

More L.A. Affairs columns

One of the hardest things about Yom Kippur is reflecting on all of the disappointments of the past year: lost opportunities, unmet goals and hopes never becoming reality. But in this realization of the future being out of our hands, new beginnings inherently bring new hopes, and with that the hope of connecting with others.

In times of transition, I often look to what the sages of the past have said to make sense of moments in the present. One of my favorite quotes is from the Talmudic sage Rabbi Ishmael, who once said, All beginnings are difficult.

But come to think of it, how could he really know what his words meant. He never had to date in the 21st century.

The author is a practicing lawyer in Los Angeles.

L.A. Affairs chronicles the current dating scene in and around Los Angeles. If you have comments or a true story to tell, email us at LAAffairs@latimes.com.

MORE L.A. LOVE STORIES 

She ghosted me. Twice.

The best advice I ever got for dating a guy with kids

We had a one-night stand. I wish it had stayed that way

home@latimes.com
Alexei Uchitel sits in the elegant lobby cafe of the historic Hotel Astoria in St. Petersburg and answers an endless stream of phone calls about his new film, Matilda.

The film depicts the true story of a love affair between the future Czar Nicholas II and a young ballerina, Matilda Kshesinskaya, in St. Petersburgs famed Mariinsky Theatre. The films official release is Oct. 26, but erotic scenes shown in trailers have enraged religious conservatives in Russia, who call the film blasphemous for depicting Nicholas in love scenes with the teenage ballerina.

The movies storyline has sparked a debate in Russia between those who support a conservative lawmakers call for a ban of the film on grounds it insults the faithful, and those who believe the Kremlins support for a revival of religious beliefs and the promotion of traditional values is stifling modern Russias creative class.

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That debate turned violent this year, when a religious radical group called the Christian State-Holy Rus wrote letters in January to movie theaters across the country threatening to burn them down if they screened Matilda.

A series of arson attacks followed. In August, a Molotov cocktail was tossed into the film studio where Uchitel works in St. Petersburg. A few weeks later, cars parked on the Moscow street in front of Uchitels lawyers office were torched. Leaflets reading Burn for Matilda were left scattered at the scene.

In Yekaterinburg on the edge of the Ural Mountains, two men tried to drive a truck loaded with gas canisters into the front door of the Cosmos movie theater, which was scheduled to screen an early release of Matilda. The attack failed, but the whole event was captured on security cameras, and the driver of the truck was arrested.

Matilda has drawn violent blowback from hard-line religious conservatives who oppose the films depiction of a love affair between future Czar Nicholas II and a teenage ballerina. (Pavel Golovkin / Associated Press)

The attempt in Yekaterinburg was significant for another reason: Czar Nicholas II and his family were killed there in 1918. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized them in 2000  and conservative Orthodox believers oppose the depiction of a saint engaged in sex on screen.

Now, as Uchitel sipped a cappuccino at the Hotel Astoria on a late September afternoon, he was trying to convince the director of a St. Petersburg film exposition to go ahead with a buffet reception planned after Matildas scheduled debut the next day.

No, dont cancel it, the director said with an exasperated sigh before hanging up.

Two of Russias biggest national movie theater chains announced this month that they would not screen Matilda. A film festival in the Siberian city of Chita in September said it would not allow Matilda to enter the event because of fears for the audiences safety.

Everyone is afraid, Uchitel said after he had hung up with the film expo director. The film had not been officially banned, but still, they are afraid. To me, thats what is worrying about this whole ordeal.

The controversy over Matilda is reminiscent of the uproar that surrounded American director Martin Scorseses film The Last Temptation of Christ in 1988. Religious organizations, including the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S., condemned the movie, which included a dream sequence of Jesus making love to Mary Magdalene. Movie theaters were picketed and vandalized, and an arson attack on a theater in Paris injured 13 moviegoers.

Matilda was originally scheduled to be released in March but has had only one early screening in Vladivostok, in Russias Far East, on Sept. 12. Police performed a sweep after a bomb threat was called in before the film started. Tickets for the screening sold out in 40 minutes, Uchitel said.

This isnt the sort of attention Uchitel, a Golden Globe-nominated director, wanted for the release of his epic, $25-million film. Matilda was to be a new kind of Russian movie, with lavish sets and sophisticated costumes  7,000 in total  that are common in Hollywood productions but rarely affordable in Russia. Most Russian films have a budget of about $2 million to $3 million, Uchitel said.

Matilda received funding from the Russian Ministry of Culture, which put up a third of the films budget. The ministry regularly contributes to Russian filmmaking.

Uchitel himself said he was drawn to the films subject not for the romantic aspect of the czars story, but for the choices he had to make as a man.

He was presented with two choices: Either it was freedom, love and life with a person who was close and dear to him, or it was responsibility, and the state he would have to govern and take responsibility. And he chose the latter, Uchitel said. Its a very sincere and passionate story, which in my opinion, influenced the future of our country. So back then, once again in my view, it was decided in what country we would live today.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has seen a religious revival, largely focused on the Orthodox Church, which critics say the Kremlin is using as a way to define Russian identity. Putins focus on Russian Orthodoxy turned political in 2012, after anti-government, pro-democracy protests erupted and threatened his grip on power. That year, Putin warned of Russias deterioration if the country did not adhere to traditional values that are distinctly different from Western liberalism.

An ultraconservative Russian lawmaker is leading the charge against Uchitels film. Natalia Poklonskaya, a member of Putins United Russia party, has called for a government ban on the film and said Uchitel should be prosecuted for insulting Orthodox believers.

She denies influencing the radical religious groups calling for arson attacks against the theaters, and she insisted in a parliamentary hearing this week that Orthodox extremism does not exist in Russia.

When police this month arrested the leader of the Christian State-Holy Rus group, Alexander Kalinin, in connection with the arson attacks and threats to movie theaters, Poklonskaya said the arrest was made on her order.

Poklonskaya, who made a name for herself as the general prosecutor in Crimea at the time of Russias annexation of the peninsula in 2014, has refused to see the film, despite Uchitels offering of a private screening.

In the Soviet times, when I filmed documentaries, there was censorship, said Uchitel, 66. But the authorities at least watched our movies and told us what was wrong. They at least saw what they were talking about.

What is happening now with Matilda looks more like demagoguery, he said.

Other responses from the government have been mixed. Dmitry Peskov, Putins spokesman, has denounced the violent attacks and threats from the religious activists as extremism, but he stopped short of blaming Poklonskaya for initiating the movement.

Putin, during an annual June call-in session with the public, was asked by a Russian actor in the audience to comment on the controversy surrounding the film. The Kremlin leader responded by saying that Poklonskaya had the right to her own point of view but that no one was banning the film.

I urge everyone to have a dialogue within the framework of decency and, most importantly, within the law, Putin said.

That might seem to have put the matter to rest. But, said Uchitel, even he wasnt listened to in this instance  or so it seems.

The Russian Orthodox Church itself has condemned the violence but said Russias creative class should act with tact and respect in its work.

Vladimir Medinsky, the Russian minister of culture, asked police to ensure safe screenings of Matilda and criticized Poklonskaya for creating the scandal around the film.

I dont know what motivations are guiding the respected Mrs. Poklonskaya for starting and supporting this hubbub, he said in a statement. Maybe its from a pure heart. But, I am not ready to guess the motives of activist arsonists who vehemently call themselves Orthodox Christians.

Uchitel said he thinks the threats against the film have gotten out of control, despite words of assurance from government officials. He sees continuation of a trend of religious fanaticism overshadowing reality in the Russian arts, he said.

I think Matilda is not the issue and neither am I, and the problem is more serious, Uchitel said.  Matilda wont be the end to this. There will be another movie, another play, another exhibition, whatever. A naked statue could appear and they will be shouting that this is against Orthodoxy.

This is scary, and it cant be allowed, he said as he sat back in a plush velvet chair and looked down at his cellphone, which started ringing again.

sabra.ayres@latimes.com

Twitter: @sabraayres

Ayres is a special correspondent.

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Revered Russian theater director placed under house arrest, raising fears of a crackdown on dissent
For the last week, Mariona Fontarnau has slept under stone arches in the courtyard of the University of Barcelona, occupying the building with hundreds of other students as a gesture of solidarity with Catalan separatists.

Draped between columns above her head is a banner that reads: The future is ours, in the local Catalan language.

At 19, shes not old enough to remember the repression of Catalans under the nearly 40-year rule of dictator Gen. Francisco Franco, who died in 1975. But shes grown up hearing her parents and grandparents recollections.

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Her own memories are more recent, of Spains economic crisis, in which she came of age and in which younger Spaniards suffered job losses disproportionately.

More than 100 miles west, Joaquim Paladella, 56, watched news reports about the Barcelona students campout and street rallies from his desk at the town hall of Batea, a sandstone village in Catalan wine country where hes been mayor half of his life.

In elections, hes usually responsible for setting up ballot boxes in the basement of the town hall. But hes refused to do so this Sunday. Paladella opposes Catalonias independence referendum and will not allow voting in municipal buildings.

On Friday, he locked the door and left the key with his secretary.

Fontarnau and Paladella are on opposite sides of an independence debate in Spains northeast region of Catalonia, where leaders plan to hold a referendum Sunday on whether the region should secede from Spain. Opinion polls show Catalans are roughly divided 50-50 over whether to break with Spain.

One of Spains 17 autonomous regions, Catalonia has a population of about 7.5 million people and is the countrys most prosperous region. The regions set policy for some services, such as healthcare and education, but rely on the central government for tax collection, and many Catalans resent having their taxes subsidize poorer areas.

Catalonia also has its own language and culture.

Some Catalans who yearn for a future free from Spanish rule have vowed to cast ballots. Others, heeding the central governments warnings that the referendum is unconstitutional, plan to stay home.

Whatever the turnout, Spain has said the vote is illegal. No country has said it would recognize an independent Catalonia.

But the referendum, even if it is rendered only symbolic, represents Europes most serious territorial dispute in years. Separatist leaders have said theyll declare independence from Spain within 48 hours, if the yes votes win.

Thousands of Spanish police, redeployed from all over the country, are billeted on ferry boats in Barcelonas port, under orders to surround polling stations and empty them out by 6 a.m. Sunday.

Most of the polling places are in public schools. Parent-teacher associations invited families sympathetic to the separatists to sleep overnight Saturday inside school buildings, to occupy the schools and confront police the following morning.

Dozens of teachers jingled keys  purportedly, the keys to schools across the region  over their heads at a rally Friday in Barcelona. Farmers drove about 100 tractors, draped in separatist flags, into the city from the surrounding countryside.

Late Friday, Spanish media reported the chief of Catalan police had sent a document to all officers, instructing them not to use force against any civilians.

Spanish Civil Guards, part of a national paramilitary force, seized nearly 3 million ballot papers Friday from a warehouse north of Barcelona. It was the latest in several such raids in the last 10 days, on printing presses and storage facilities where referendum materials were being prepared.

I insist that there will be no referendum on Oct. 1, Inigo Mendez de Vigo, a spokesman for the Spanish central government, told reporters Friday in Madrid.

Meanwhile separatist leaders debuted ballot boxes at a rival news conference in Barcelona. They said 2,315 polling stations were set up across Catalonia, with more than 6,000 voting tables and more than 7,000 staff involved.

Spanish Civil Guards detained 14 Catalan separatist officials on Sept. 20 for their roles in organizing the referendum  sparking 10 days of often riotous protests in response.

Prosecutors have said they may levy abuse of power charges against more than 700 Catalan mayors who agreed to allow voting in public buildings, and sedition charges against the leaders of pro-independence street rallies.

We dont care. We want to vote. We want democracy, Fontarnau said Thursday, sitting cross-legged on a sleeping bag in the university courtyard. Since I was born, I have felt Catalonia should be independent. Spain is not our country. Its about the language and the culture, and how we are treated by Spain.

As Spain transitioned to democracy in the late 1970s, regions like Catalonia won control over their schools.

The first thing they did was immersion. This means you teach everything in Catalan, including math and biology, said Enric Ucelay-Da Cal, a Barcelona-based historian and expert on the Catalan independence movement. Its all done in Catalan. That is still the case now.

Fontarnau grew up in that system, and cites her Catalan language as the main reason she feels different from other Spaniards.

My language is everything for me. I speak Spanish as well, but speaking Catalan, for me, its my identity  telling who I am, and explaining to the world, this is my language. Its not Spanish.

In the last 40 years, Catalonia has become Spains richest region, with the tourist hub of Barcelona as its capital. The Catalan economy comprises about 20% of Spanish gross domestic product, and more than a fifth of Spains exports.

Paladella doesnt back secession.

I just dont see how independence would help my village, the Batea mayor said in an interview this week at town hall. He is one of about 200 Catalan mayors who refused to allow voting in public buildings.

When Catalan regional leaders wave the separatist flag and lobby for independence, theyre not doing the real work of government, he said. I am a Catalan, but Im deeply discontented with the direction my region is taking.

Frayer is a special correspondent.

ALSO

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In Spain, police suspect the seed for recent Islamic State attacks was planted years ago
A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a mosque in the Afghan capital on Friday, killing five people and wounding 29 others, authorities said, in the latest attack to target the countrys minority Shiites.

Mohammad Salim Rasuli, chief of Kabul hospitals, confirmed the fatalities from the attack, which came as worshippers were leaving the Hussainia Mosque in central Kabul following Friday prayers. Police officer Abdul Rahman said the attacker blew himself up on the street about 1,000 meters from the mosque.

Police official Sadiq Muradi said police confronted the attacker as he came through a checkpoint near the holy site, calling for him to stop. Thats when he ignited his explosives, blowing himself up.

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Mir Hussain Nasiri, a member of Kabuls Shiite clerics council, told the Associated Press that the attacker was disguised as a shepherd.

Mohammad Ismail, police chief of Kabuls 10th district, said a second person suspected of involvement was in custody.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement, saying the terrorists targeted civilians and their holy place, which shows the attackers are against humanity and anti-religion and faith.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place two days before the Muslim holy day of Ashura. But Afghanistan has faced a series of large-scale attacks in recent months targeting minority Shiites for which the Sunni-dominated Islamic State group affiliate in Afghanistan has taken responsibility.

In July, Islamic State attacked the Iraqi Embassy in Kabul and then warned Shiites in Afghanistan that their mosques would be targeted. Sunni extremists consider Shiites to be heretics.

Within days of that, Islamic State also took responsibility for a suicide attack on a Shiite mosque in western Herat province that left 32 people dead.

Last month, militants stormed a packed Shiite mosque in Kabul during Friday prayers in an attack that lasted for hours and ended with at least 20 worshippers killed and another 50 seriously wounded, many of them children. Islamic State claimed it was responsible.

Also on Friday, an Afghan official said a Taliban attack on a police checkpoint in western Farah province left five police officers dead.

Iqbal Baher, spokesman for the provincial chief of police, says two others were wounded when the militants launched their attack early Friday in Bala Bluk district.

Baher said reinforcements from the Afghan national army arrived after several hours of fighting and pushed the Taliban fighters out of the district. He said the Afghan air force struck three Taliban vehicles as they tried to escape, killing at least 20 of the militants.

There was no immediate statement from the Taliban.

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In Spain, police suspect the seed for recent Islamic State attacks was planted years ago
Five times a day, a caretaker in a white knit prayer cap rolls a corrugated metal door over the side of the Al Furkan mosque in the Spanish village of Vilanova i la Geltru.

The metal muffles the muezzins call to prayer so that it cant be heard across a scruffy industrial park and beyond, to beach resorts that line the glittering Mediterranean coast less than a mile away.

The green-and-white stucco warehouse-turned-mosque sits behind a padlocked 8-foot-high steel fence.

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The unassuming space about 30 miles south of Barcelona is where Spanish police believe radicals planted the seed a dozen years ago for the kind of terrorist attack seen last month in Barcelona and Cambrils. The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility for a van attack on pedestrians in Barcelona and a knife attack in Cambrils, which together killed 16 people.

The suspects in the August attacks  12 men in their late teens and early 20s, all of Moroccan origin  grew up about 95 miles north of the Al Furkan mosque in Ripoll, a tidy village of about 10,000 people in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains.

But the suspects were not known as radicals or militants, authorities and local residents said. Instead, they were known as secular, beer-drinking young men.

A week before the attacks, we were hanging out with them on this same square, Paula Lopez, 17, said recently, referring to the village square.

She pulled out her cellphone to show a photo of herself with one of the suspects at a school dance last year. Theyre beaming, their cheeks pressed together.

More than 200 Islamist terrorism suspects have been arrested in Spain since the country raised its terrorism alert level to 4, out of 5, in 2015, with most of the arrests occurring in northeastern Spains Catalonia region.

Weve dismantled many terror cells already, always by acting on tips: Someones behavior changes drastically, or they start posting extremist things online, Catalan police Inspector Albert Oliva said in an interview at regional police headquarters in Barcelona. But none of those things happened here. This was not a textbook case. We have to go deeper.

Victims receive aid in Barcelona, Spain, where a van mowed down pedestrians on Las Ramblas street last month by veering into the crowds. (Oriol Duran / Associated Press)

There are 268 registered mosques in Catalonia, and police have relations with all of them, Oliva said. But theyre looking more closely at the small number of ultraconservative Salafi mosques among them, and hiring Moroccan Arabic-speaking agents to go undercover in those, he said.

At the Al Furkan mosque, its president, Youssef Aghbalou, said a previous imam believed in Salafism.

But he took it too far, Aghbalou said. He radicalized people. Seventeen people from our mosque went to jail.

The 17 were part of an Al Qaeda cell broken up in 2005 by police investigating the Madrid train bombings a year earlier. Dozens of suspects were charged in those attacks, and an investigation of their associates led police to Al Furkan.

Its imam, Mohamed Mrabet, was convicted of recruiting suicide bombers to go to Iraq. When police went through his belongings, they found a pamphlet titled Secrecy in Jihad, instructing radicals to go undercover by acting like nonobservant Muslims  drinking beer, eating pork, avoiding mosques.

The manual lays out the basic tenets of Takfir wal Hijra, a now-defunct Salafi extremist group that originated in Egypt in the 1970s.

Takfir wal Hijra was the extreme fringe of jihadism. They basically advocated its legitimate to act like non-pious Muslims  which includes drinking or smoking or dating  to hide their true intentions, said Lorenzo Vidino, director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, who has studied jihadism in Catalonia. The group was wiped out by Egyptians a long time ago, but the mind-set has remained, and a lot of extremists use those tactics still today.

Catalan police officers detain a suspect in Ripoll during a search linked to the deadly terrorist attacks in Barcelona. (Pau Barrena / AFP/Getty Images)

Police are looking into whether the 12 suspects in the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks may have been inspired by Takfir wal Hijras philosophy.

The imam believed to have radicalized them, Abdelbaki Es Satty, also had links to the Al Furkan mosque. His identification was found in Mrabets belongings in 2005. (Police wiretapped Es Sattys phone that year but say they found nothing suspicious.)

Though Islamic State suspects in Europe have overwhelmingly come from poor, segregated immigrant areas, the suspects in last months attacks appeared to be well integrated.

In recent months, two of the suspects  brothers  had started wearing flashy clothes and bought a new car, said another childhood friend, Maria Garcia, 21. She thought maybe the money came from dealing drugs.

But smoking pot isnt a sign of terrorism, Garcia said. In fact, its the opposite. People who are radicalized dont do drugs. Theyre religious. Our friends never went to the mosque. So we didnt think anything of it.

Spains extremist threat is estimated to be smaller than that in France or Britain, but Islamists have been embedded along this stretch of Spains northeast Mediterranean coast for a generation, according to academics who have studied Islamic extremism, as well as law enforcement officials. It began with the arrival from Morocco of a few Salafi imams, who espouse a conservative, but not necessarily violent, ideology.

In the early 1990s you had a couple of very charismatic preachers that established the first Salafist mosques in southern Catalonia. From there they expanded, partially because of the funding they received from [Persian] Gulf countries, Vidino said. They built a narrative which is fairly easy for a radical imam or a few young followers to take to the next level, which entails the use of violence.

The map of the southern Catalan coast is dotted with locations associated with terrorists. About 40 miles south of the Al Furkan mosque, Sept. 11 ringleader Mohamed Atta held an attack planning meeting in the town of Salou in July 2001. Thats right next door to Cambrils, where attackers were cornered and killed by police last month. Farther south, in Alcanar, Es Satty died in what police believe was an accidental explosion the day before the attacks, as he built bombs out of gas canisters. On Friday, police arrested another man in Alcanar, allegedly for helping Es Satty stockpile explosives.

Aghbalou said the current administration at the Al Furkan mosque and the local community are focused on safety, not extremism.

Weve installed security cameras in our mosque, so we can spot anything out of the ordinary  any different behavior  and report it to police, Aghbalou said. These days, you dont know whats inside peoples heads. We want to keep ourselves and our children safe.

Frayer is a special correspondent.

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After Hurricane Maria struck, they survived the wind and rain, shortages of gas and food, even scared off a burglar who tried to break into their house. Now Javier Munoz and Alejandra Suarez faced another test  separation.

People will be leaving daily. Things are getting worse. They say help is here, but all the help is in the port. What you see is chaos everywhere, said Munoz, who was dropping off Suarez, his wife, and their children at the port in San Juan on Thursday.

They were among 1,700 people waiting to board a cruise ship that would take them to Florida.

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The governor and other officials said conditions were getting better on the beleaguered island of 3.5 million people. They promised more gasoline in coming days, more cellphone service, security, medical care, restored water and electricity.

But the people boarding the cruise ship knew recovery will take time, and they couldnt afford to wait.

Many Puerto Ricans are accustomed to shuttling between home and the mainland U.S., but this journey felt different. They had lost homes, jobs, the very infrastructure underpinning their society. The wealthy were booking private planes out, but the airport was backlogged, even relief flights. This could be the beginning of a mass exodus, the kind that divides families for generations. And they had a ticket.

Some left more willingly than others.

Cesar Ayala, second from left, and his family, including wife, Indira Viera, 38, right, daughters Sarah, center, and Lilly, in stroller, board an evacuation cruise ship. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Salesman Cesar Ayala got a call from his boss Wednesday offering to transfer him to Fort Lauderdale if he was willing to take his wife and two children on the cruise ship.

Of course! said Ayala, 32.

He worried about the safety of his daughters, 4-year-old Sarah and 1-year-old Lilly. His wife, Indira Viera, 38, a court reporter, cant work for the foreseeable future. The courts are all closed.

Supplies in the supermarkets are running low. The stores, a lot of them, are only taking cash and the ATM lines are long, she said.

They had been living without electricity or a generator, sometimes without running water.

We have water one day, and the next we dont, she said.

Their leafy, central San Juan neighborhood, Rio Piedras, home to the University of Puerto Rico, started experiencing break-ins. Relatives promised to watch their house, and they packed as many valuables as they could into a few suitcases that they wheeled along the pier Thursday.

During the four-day trip, the ship would pick up 400 more evacuees from the battered U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas before arriving in Florida. The ticket was free for the U.S. citizens, but also one way.

Ayala and his wife didnt have any relatives in Fort Lauderdale. They would have to start from scratch.

We dont even know when were coming back, he said.

Maybe in two months, he said, if water service is restored, gas shortages ease and the government secures their neighborhood.

Luis Frankie, 66, waits to board an evacuation cruise ship in San Juan. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Orlando Rivera, who works for the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. and was coordinating the cruise with Royal Caribbean, made sure his wife, two children and mother-in-law boarded. His wife is a teacher who cant work because the schools remain closed. His mother-in-law is sick.

We dont have water. We dont have electricity. I have to work and leave my people at home, he said.

They hoped to join his son, a freshman at the University of Miami who  because of the lack of cellphone service and internet  did not know they were coming.

As the last few people boarded the ship  with police checking confirmation numbers so people could claim their cabins  Munoz explained why his wife was leaving the island without him.

He had to stay. His family runs a business south of the capital in Guaynabo supplying equipment to bakeries. The business had lost its roof, but could still operate. Bakeries damaged in the storm needed it. People were starving.

She had to go. Munoz and Suarez are both 30. In nine years together, they had never parted. But now they had someone else to worry about: 1-year-old Dali, strapped to his mothers chest in a blue striped carrier.

Alejandra Suarez, 30, cries as she embraces her husband, Javier Munoz, on the pier Thursday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Last week, after the storm, someone tried to break into their house. Without electricity or phone service, all Munoz could do was set off his car alarm. Luckily, that scared the intruder away. Munoz joined a new neighborhood watch group, but didnt think that was enough to protect his family.

Suarez cried as she embraced her husband on the pier Thursday, the baby between them, oblivious to the choice they were making that could change their lives forever. Relatives were waiting in Fort Lauderdale.

I wanted her to go. Its less pressure on me to feed the baby, to feed her, Munoz said.

His wife walked out of sight with their son. Munoz wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his T-shirt. He was already thinking about what it would feel like to return to his empty house.

I hope its two weeks. Maybe a month, he said. They will come back. I will work hard to bring them back to a safe place.

After eight hours in line, Solymar Duprey, 47, holds her daughter Miabella Lawston, 5, as they try to get on an evacuation cruise ship leaving San Juan. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com

Twitter: @mollyhf

To read the article in Spanish, click here

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The Chinese government on Thursday ordered North Korean joint ventures in China and North Korea to shut down within 120 days.

The order is part of Beijing's efforts to implement the UN Security Council resolution against the North in the wake of its latest nuclear test. It will mostly affect restaurants and hotels.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce ordered the closure of all North Korean-Chinese joint ventures, partnerships and North Korean-invested businesses within four months counting from Sept. 12, when the UNSC resolution was passed.

Chinese businesses established overseas in cooperation with North Koreans are also subject to the decision. The deadline is Jan. 9.

North Korean businesses established to build public infrastructure for nonprofit or noncommercial purposes will be spared if they have been given the green light by the UN sanctions committee. Wholly owned North Korean businesses in China are also exempt.

It is not clear how many North Korean joint ventures or partnerships operate, but most of an estimated 100 North Korean restaurants in China are partnerships.

According to the Chinese ministry, 629 North Korean direct investments in China in 2015 amounted to US$116 million.
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
The Fair Trade Commission has filed charges against global short-term rental giant Airbnb for ignoring orders to change its cancellation penalties.

The FTC filed the charges against Eoin Hession, the director of Airbnb Ireland, which is for tax reasons in charge of the multinational's Asia operations. This is the first time the watchdog has filed charges against a foreign business operator for failing to comply with domestic contract regulations.

Airbnb gives hosts the option to choose between a "strict," "moderate" or "flexible" cancellation policy.

The FTC objected to the first two. Under the strict policy, customers are only given a 50 percent refund if a reservation is canceled 30 days or more before their stay, and none if they cancel less than 30 days in advance. Under the moderate policy they get a 50-percent refund if they cancel more than a week in advance.

On other booking sites, hotels and short-term lets in Korea offer up to 100 percent refunds depending on the time left before check-in.

Airbnb revised its rules and offered a 100-percent refund for guests who canceled their reservations more than a month before check-in and a 50-percent refund for cancellations less than 30 days before check-in. But the FTC took issue with the fact that this applies only to Korean customers, while foreigners are still subject to the old rules.

It feared that this would prejudice Airbnb owners against Korean customers and prompt them to refuse their bookings.




Genres : Drama and Epics



: Drama and Epics Running Time : 140 min.



: 140 min. Directed by : Hwang Dong-hyuk



: Hwang Dong-hyuk Starring : Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yun-seok

Synopsis : During the Qing Invasion of Korea, the king and the court take refuge in a mountain fortress, where they find themselves stranded in the cold and surrounded by the enemy. The king's dilemma deepens as his people in the fortress start dying from cold and hunger.
For the second time in three days, the Easton police Special Response and Vice units served narcotics delivery and search warrants in a city home and arrested their target.

Before dawn on Tuesday, Troy Mordan, 53, was picked up at 911 W. Lincoln St. and charged with delivery of heroin in an investigation into sales of that drug and methamphetamine.

Just after 6 a.m. Friday, police entered an apartment at 41 N. Eighth St. and took their suspect into custody, Lt. Matthew Gerould said.

The man, who Gerould identified as Samad Mitchell, 39, was arraigned later Friday before District Judge Daniel Corpora on charges of delivery f heroin and criminal use of a cellphone. Bail was set at $50,000 and Mitchell was sent to Northampton County Prison, records show.

He has a previous record in New Jersey, but not in Northampton County, records show.

His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled 9 a.m. Oct. 13 in District Judge Antonia's Grifo's Downtown Easton court.

Controlled buys were done during the investigation, Gerould added.

Police then searched the first floor and basement residence that is "frequented by suspected Bloods," Gerould said, referencing the street gang.

Neighbors sat on their porches on the brisk morning as an Easton K-9 was brought in to assist in the search, entering the home through a door into the basement.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A federal judge in Easton opened the door this week to forcing Lehigh County to eradicate images of its official, nearly 73-year-old seal.

Judge Edward G. Smith on Thursday, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, ruled in favor of a challenge to the seal calling it unconstitutional.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation Inc. based in Madison, Wisconsin, sued the county in August 2016, alongside four of its local members.

They objected to the prominent cross on the county seal and flag adopted by county commissioners Dec. 28, 1944.

Smith wrote that while he doesn't believe the symbols violate the Constitution, he was bound by precedent to side with the "membership association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and other nonbelievers) that works to promote the separation of state and church."

Smith gave the group two weeks to file an injunction against the county's continued use of the seal and flag.

"We're pleased with the ruling," said Patrick Elliott, an attorney with the Freedom From Religion Foundation. "This is consistent with what we've been saying all along."

The ruling sends a message to communities that they must consider the impact of incorporating "religious icons especially the Latin cross (that) are exclusive to Christianity" in their official displays, Elliott said.

County counsel Thomas Caffrey did not immediately respond Friday to requests for comment on the ruling.

County commissioners in March 2015 unanimously rejected removing the cross from the seal and flag.

"It is the position of Lehigh County that the presence of the cross on the seal among all the other items of historical significance has the secular purpose of recognizing the history of the county," a letter drafted by the county solicitor stated at the time. "As such, it does not violate the Establishment Clause (of the U.S. Constitution). Accordingly, the county is not planning on removing the cross from the seal."

A Lehigh County Historical Society record from August 1946 quoted then-Commissioner Harry D. Hertzog as saying the "huge cross in canary-yellow" in the center of the seal signifies "Christianity and the God-fearing people which are the foundation and backbone of (Lehigh) County," according to Smith's ruling.

This is the original print of the Lehigh County Seal adopted by the board of commissioners Dec. 28, 1944, featuring a "huge cross in canary-yellow" signifying "Christianity and the God-fearing people which are the foundation and backbone of (Lehigh) County," according to a Sept. 28, 2017, ruling in federal court that the Christian meaning is unconstitutional. (Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com)

The ruling goes on to describe the building superimposed over the bottom of the cross as the "'historical and beautiful old Court House.'"

"The other symbols surrounding the cross and courthouse represent various aspects of Lehigh County. For example, the red heart is the emblem of the City of Allentown, the two books and the lamp of learning represent the education system, the red buntings represent clothing manufacturing industries, the bison represents hoof animals that the County Preserve protects, the cement silos represent the cement industry, the other buildings represent diversified industries, and the agricultural symbolism represents the agricultural industry," the ruling states.

Smith wrote that he does not believe the cross violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, incorporated against the states through the 14th Amendment, providing that "Congress, state governments and local governments cannot make laws that establish religion."

However, he had to consider the three-pronged test applied in cases such as these from the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the 1971 case "Lemon v. Kurtzman."

Setting up what is known as the "Lemon test," that ruling states a challenged government action is unconstitutional if it lacks a secular purpose, its primary effect either advances or inhibits religion or it fosters an excessive entanglement of government with religion," Smith wrote. He also considered precedent based on government endorsement of religion.

The judge concluded, "Lehigh County's seal is a passive symbol that does not coerce any citizen to practice or adhere to Christianity, and does not establish a county religion. Thus, the seal does not violate the plain text of the Establishment Clause. Nor does it establish religion in the way the drafters of the First Amendment imagined.

"Higher courts, however, have delineated a different mechanism by which the court must determine whether the seal survives constitutional scrutiny. While the court may not fully agree with the test provided, the court must apply that test. Thus, the court must grant the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, and deny the defendant's motion for summary judgment."

The four Lehigh County residents who sued objecting to the seal include Stephen Meholic, an atheist who "finds the seal offensive because it does not represent him ...," and David Simpson, also an atheist, who "... interprets the presence of the cross on the seal as an endorsement of Christianity ... ."

Fellow plaintiffs John Berry, a non-practicing Methodist, finds the seal "... reminds him that he pays taxes to a government that supports a particular religion" and Candace Winkler, an "'anti-theist' ... (who) believes including the cross on the seal is contrary to the First Amendment guarantee that the government will not discriminate against a person because of their religion."

Following is the full text of Smith's ruling:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
South Korean warships and fighter jets were on standby south of the land and sea border on the night of Sept. 23, when U.S. B-1B strategic bombers and F-15C fighter escorts buzzed the North Korean maritime border, it emerged on Thursday.

This suggests they worried that the situation was touch-and-go and could have resulted in armed conflict if North Korea tried to shoot the fighter jets down.

According to a senior military officer, South Korean F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets were scrambled at dead of night and began flying patrol near the demilitarized zone and the Northern Limit Line, the de facto border in the East Sea.

At the same time, several Navy vessels were on standby south of the NLL. It was an unusually heavy presence at a time when South Korea and the U.S. were not staging any joint exercise. They were preparing for an emergency, the officer added.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff here were watching the situation from the underground command and control room in Yongsan, Seoul. But the emergency alert was lifted as there was no response from the North.

The U.S. bombers and fighters returned to their bases in Guam and Okinawa without incident.


By Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

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Lehigh Valley residents of Puerto Rican descent gather at dusk Sept. 28, 2017, as the top of the PPL Building, Ninth and Hamilton streets in Allentown, is lit up in the red and blue colors of the U.S. territory's flag, in a show of support for residents there reeling from Hurricane Maria. (Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com)

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Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria has seen its electrical grid destroyed along with myriad buildings, and supplies of drinking water, food, fuel and money have dwindled on the U.S. territory.

In the Lehigh Valley, whose three cities are home to nearly 19,000 residents born on the Caribbean island, groups are stepping up to collect money and basic necessities to be shipped to relief efforts there.

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PREVIOUSLY: Lehigh Valley's Puerto Ricans can't reach family after Hurricane Maria

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Thursday night in Allentown, the PPL Building was lit up in the red and blue of the Puerto Rican flag. The partnership between owner PPL Corp. and La Mega 99.5 FM sought to show support for the hurricane victims, and residents were invited to use the tag #allentownconpuertorico  it translates to "Allentown with Puerto Rico"  in social media posts sharing photos of the display.

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Avoiding scams

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Those looking to contribute to efforts to help Puerto Ricans survive and begin rebuilding can visit charitynavigator.org to find charities providing assistance on islands hit hard by the storm, which also include Dominica and the Dominican Republic.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission offers tips on ensuring your donation goes to a legitimate group.

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'Single biggest, major catastrophe'

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This aerial photo shows buildings still surrounded by flood water Sept. 27, 2017, a week since the passing of Hurricane Maria, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Maria was the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in nearly 100 years and officials say the cost of recovery will dwarf that of the punishing Hurricane Georges in 1998. (AP Photo| For lehighvalleylive.com)

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The Associated Press reports that Puerto Ricans, in particular, are struggling with the overwhelming devastation of Hurricane Maria, which began tearing across the island early in the morning of Sept. 20 as a Category 4 storm with winds of 155 mph.

It destroyed the entire electricity grid while grinding up homes, businesses, roads and farms. At least 16 people were killed. There still is no exact tally of the cost and full extent of the damage, but Gov. Ricardo Rossello says it will bring a complete halt to the economy for at least a month, the AP reports.

"This is the single biggest, major catastrophe in the history of Puerto Rico, bar none, and it is probably the biggest hurricane catastrophe in the United States," Rossello said Wednesday as he delivered aid to the southern town of Salinas, whose mayor says 100 percent of the agriculture there was wiped out when the wind tore up plantain, corn, vegetables and other crops, according to the AP.

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Valley groups collecting aid

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Lehigh Valley residents have an array of groups to choose from that are collecting donations.

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Anyone interested in donating items to Puerto Rico can drop off at the Hispanic Center, 520 E 4th St Bethlehem, 9am-4pm, until Oct 5th.  Robert Donchez (@BethlehemMayor) September 28, 2017

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Nelida Trinidad talks Sept. 26, 2017, about the destruction of her home in Montebello, Puerto Rico, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Days after the Category 4 storm slammed into Puerto Rico, many of the more than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in the territory were still without adequate food, water and fuel. Flights off the island were infrequent, communications were spotty and roads were clogged with debris. Officials said electrical power may not be fully restored for more than a month. (AP Photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

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The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley seeks donations for Maria victims through Oct. 6, including toiletries, flashlights, baby wipes, blankets, towels, bug repellent, soaps and first-aid kits. They may be dropped off at the following locations:

Old School Sandwich Co., Suite 109, 7540 Windsor Drive, which is off Route 100 in Upper Macungie Township

Hispanic Center of Lehigh Valley, 520 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem

Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, Suite 204, 1101 Northampton St., Easton

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The American Red Cross is also accepting donations for those in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands affected by #HurricaneMaria. Posted by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, September 27, 2017

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The American Red Cross also continues work to help residents of Texas struck by Hurricane Harvey and Florida hit by Hurricane Irma.

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MORE: How the Lehigh Valley can help Hurricane Harvey victims

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Likewise, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is collecting money to go to hurricane relief efforts from Houson to Florida, Puerto Rico to Mexico.

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Marlene Ojeda carries her son Esaid Marrero on Sept. 27, 2017, through the Rio San Lorenzo de Morovis, after the bridge that crosses the river was swept away by Hurricane Maria, in Morovis, Puerto Rico. (AP Photo| For lehighvalleylive.com)

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In Slatington, Through These Hands is collecting new donations like disposable diapers, Depends and medical gloves, as well as gently used, very good condition bedding (linens, sheets, blankets, pillow cases) and medical supplies like nebulizers, walkers, wheelchairs, canes and crutches, plus household furniture such as desks and chairs.

"These are things that are needed for pure survival, for these people who have endured such heartache," said Dorene Shannon, president there.

Items may be dropped off 9 a.m to noon Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 454 Chestnut St. in the Lehigh County borough.

Through These Hands may also be reached by email at throughthesehands@juno.com or by phone at 610-428-2786.

The group funnels donations to other nonprofits, and has assisted more than 150 groups in 52 countries.

"We have been blessed to be able to help with Florida and Texas and now the Dominica," Shannon said, noting they have yet to receive a request for items from an agency serving Puerto Rico.

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P'burg Mall pageant to benefit hurricane victims

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(Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com)

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The Phillipsburg Mall on Thursday announced a Hurricane Harvey Relief Beautiful Baby Contest and Miss Sunburst Pageant to be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 at the mall in Lopatcong and Pohatcong townships.

Local babies, children, teens and young adults are invited to participate to win trophies, crowns, sashes and banners as well as the chance to compete for a share of over $2 million in cash, bonds and prizes at the state and international levels.

The Sunburst USA Beautiful Baby Contest will be donating a portion of fall pageant proceeds to the American Red Cross Hurricane Harvey relief fund, according to the mall.

The pageant is open to boys and girls, ages infant to 3 years, and girls ages 4-27. The Sunburst pageant is one of the only national pageant systems to reward every participant with a trophy, the mall announced.

Local winners will receive their entry fee paid into the Sunburst Texas State Finals in June 2018 in Houston. The pageant being held at the Phillipsburg Mall is a preliminary to the Sunburst States, where contestants compete for more than $20,000 in cash and prizes and the chance to advance to the International Finals in Atlanta.

Visit sunburstbeauty.com to download an entry form or pick one up at the mall.

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Is relief getting to Puerto Rico?

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Thousands of people evacuating Puerto Rico line up Sept. 28, 2017, to get on a cruise ship in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aftermath of the powerful storm has resulted in a near-total shutdown of the U.S. territory's economy that could last for weeks and has many people running seriously low on cash and worrying that it will become even harder to survive on this storm-ravaged island. (AP Photo | For lehighvalley.live.com)

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The Trump Administration has been criticized for what critics called a too-slow response to the humanitarian crisis gripping the island's 3.4 million Americans, the AP reports.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke just Thursday said she signed the waiver of a federal law called the Jones Act to clear the way for foreign-flagged ships to deliver supplies between U.S. ports.

That follows pressure from Republicans in Congress, including some from the Lehigh Valley region.

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I sent a letter yesterday requesting a waiver to #JonesAct restrictions. Pleased the president acted swiftly.

https://t.co/YphOlfzUvn  Rep. Leonard Lance (@RepLanceNJ7) September 28, 2017

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#PuertoRico needs our help. @POTUS right to pay 100% of immediate recovery costs. Should also grant Jones Act waiver ASAP. Cc @MariaQSanchez  Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) September 28, 2017

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In addition, House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief account will get a $6.7 billion boost by the end of the week.

Tom Bossert, Trump's homeland security adviser, said the impression of a slow response isn't so much wrong as it is outdated. He said more than 40 of the island's 69 hospitals are accepting patients.

And FEMA Administrator Brock Long said the efforts have been hampered by damaged airports and ports on the island.

"The question is that last mile," Long told CNN, speaking of the difficulty of getting aid all the way to those in need.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The possible closure of hundreds of post offices would be devastating for Laois and other parts of rural Ireland according to Laois Sinn Fein TD and Spokesperson for Communications Brian Stanley TD.

The Laois TD said that If the proposed plan by An Post indicated to the Postmasters Union to close 400 post offices is enacted rural areas would suffer.

"It would be yet another blow to the economic and social development of rural Ireland, which has suffered massive devastation in recent years," he said.



The TD said reform of post offices has been neglected for a number of years and both An Post and the Government Department need to take positive action. The post office network needs reform. He said Sinn Fein and others have put forward alternatives.

"We need to expand services available, such as looking at providing motor tax renewal, small scale banking, and creating digital hubs of the network in the absence the ever slow roll out of the National Broadband Plan.



He said the Minister responsible for postal services, Denis Naughton, needs to decide whether rural Ireland matters and he needs to take a hands-on approach.

"We need to resist the closure of viable post offices, he said.

Closures could drag Laois TD and Government Minister Charlie Flanagan into battles to keep offices open

In April 2017 a Post Office in Ballybrittas faced closure following the retirement of a Postmaster. TMinister Flanagan was forced to get involved in preventing its closure after a public campaign was mounted.

At the time Minister Flanagan claimed that after he met An Post senior staff, the company agreed advertise the Postmaster's vacancy. The position was subsequently filled.
7.00pm Reception and 7.30pm Debate "Building, Dwelling, Thinking'

The Green-Door festival begins with a debate which aims to set the scene and form a critical back drop to the weekend of open home and events. This year, to compliment the Docks exhibition Thinking, Living, Dwelling Green-Door have invited speakers from Ireland, the UK and Berlin to give presentations on the theme of the philosopher Heideggers essay: Building, Dwelling Thinking.

This is a rare opportunity to hear from an international panel of architects about their thoughts and perspectives on sustainable building  as well as being an exciting opportunity to engage with the speakers and each other, on the theme of the future of rural living and dwelling.

Local architect Dominic Stevens will discuss this essay and what it means to his practice of creating houses and housing. There will then follow presentations by Jingru Cyan Cheng, Director of the Architectural Association Wuhan Visiting School and a PhD candidate at the Architectural Association, London, UK who will give a paper on: A Split Household: Contemporary Rural Home for Chinas Floating Population.

Then Irish architects Marcus Donaghy and Will Dimond, whose joint practice established in 2001 has developed a reputation for high-quality innovative, sustainable design, will talk about: Material Knowledge . Then Deirdre McMenamin, co-founder of LiD Architecture and now based in Berlin, will speak on: Configured Rurality Models of Rural Habitation.

Book tickets to Reception & Debate

There are also some great Green Door Workshops & talks for kids and families

30th September 11am - 12:30pm

Family Building all sorts. Age 5yrs+ and adults

30th September 1:30pm - 3pm

Building all sorts. Age 8 - 12yrs.

Saturday 30th September 1pm

Bending the rules with Nicos Nicolaou

A free public talk about design and its social and cultural meanings.

Box Office 071 9650828.




On Saturday, 30th September, at 11.00am, a plaque commissioned by the Carrick-on-Shannon & District Historical Society will be unveiled on a house that is now Kellys Supermarket in Summerhill (formerly Gallows Hill) to commemorate Mary, Susan and Margaret Gardiner, three sisters born and brought up there in the middle of the nineteenth century, who funded a scholarship that has since its inception in 1956 supported some two hundred Irish students attending the University of Cambridge.

The sisters were the daughters of Mathew Gardiner, variously described as architect, builder or farmer, and of his wife Susan Irwin.

The sisters moved to England early in life. Mary, a milliner, and Susan, a dressmaker, established a business in Liverpool whose sale in the 1890s seems to have been the source of the funds for the scholarship. The youngest sister Margaret was a governess.

The sisters retained property in Carrick well into the twentieth century, some of which provided a site for a British Legion Hall.

Although all their immediate family had died or departed, they kept contact with the district, subscribing to the Leitrim Observer newspaper and even corresponding with it occasionally.

The scholarship, the Robert Gardiner Memorial Scholarship (Cambridge University), commemorates their brother Robert, an apprentice architect, who died tragically in Derbyshire in 1874, aged 29.

It is open to the students or graduates of any Irish university. Under its terms preference is given to students of Trinity College, gifted students of literature and descendants of Irish landed proprietors.

Among those who have held the scholarship are David Simms, Professor of Mathematics in Trinity; Hilary Pyle, the art historian; Finola Kennedy, the economist, author of an acclaimed biography of Frank Duff; John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin; Nicholas Grene, Professor of Anglo-Irish literature at Trinity; David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge; and Eunan OHalpin, Professor of Contemporary History at Trinity.

The early awards were between 200 and 400 a year; the most recent have been 6,000 per year.

The plaque will be unveiled by Charles Lysaght, lawyer and biographer, who was a recipient of the award in the 1960s.

Intrigued by the terms of the bequest and disappointed that Cambridge University had no information on the Misses Gardiner who had been Charless benefactors, he set out to learn about them, their family and the circumstances of their bequest. He was assisted by Alyson Gavin, a genealogist and graduate of Trinity College Dublin.

Following the unveiling (corner of Summerhill Road and Old Dublin Road), Charles and Alyson will give a joint lecture at St. Georges Church on Church Lane opposite the Bush Hotel (a short walk) in which several members of the family were baptised. Light refreshments will be served in the adjacent Heritage Centre.

The speakers are keen to discover if any relations of the family survive in the area and if anyone from Carrick or the surrounding district has ever held the award, so please plan to come along or contact the Historical Society at 086 067 5283 with any information you may have.

Carrick-on-Shannon Historical Society is indebted to Charles Lysaght and Alyson Gavin for bringing the Gardiner Scholarship to its attention and for the meticulous research involved in telling this story. We are also indebted to Theresa and Martin Kelly for permission to place the plaque on their premises, and to Sean Gill for design of the plaque, and to Smiths Monumentals in Ballinamore for casting the plaque.

The Historical Society trusts that by publicising this little known Scholarship, more Leitrim graduates will be encouraged to make application.
We had a very well attended fringe meeting in Bournemouth on this important issue  helped and sustained by the great Dorset High Tea, kindly provided by Liberal Democrat Voice.

There are over 65 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide, 22 million of whom are refugees who have left their country of origin. Over half of refugees are children. Nearly 90% of refugees currently reside in states bordering conflict zones in the global south. A relatively minimal amount have sought and been granted safety in western European states. This insightful and fascinating fringe event explored and analysed the European response to refugee flows and the UKs involvement in that response and their policies towards refugees.

Professor Brad Blitz, Professor of International Politics at Middlesex university, opened the discussion with the serious concern that there is very little critical evaluation or accountability of the EU and UK policies towards refugees. Aid and humanitarian polices are not currently based on enough evidence of effectiveness, and decision-making is poorly informed. Numerous reports have condemned French and in particular UK policies as failing to protect refugee children, failing to protect the human rights of refugees and migrants, and the failure of EUs policy of containment.

Professor Blitz emphasised a note of caution in using the term European refugee crisis as it fails to acknowledge that crossings of the Mediterranean and informal settlements have been occurring for over a decade, and the term can invite a reactionary ill-informed response rather than a well-considered and sustainable legal and political framework through which to aid and settle refugees.

A reactionary response aptly describes the majority of EU states policies towards the influx of refugees and migrants from 2015-2016 (Germany being a notable exception). European states responded with border enforcement, increased passport control between Schengen area countries, and the construction of fences (notable examples being the 180km fences on the Hungarian border as well as like blockades at Idomeni and Calais). These measures reflect an inhospitality towards migrants, leave thousands of refugees and migrants stranded on borders. They also have a knock on effect on Lebanon and Jordan who have similarly reinforced border controls in relation to Syrians.

Professor Blitz drew attention to the controversial EU-Turkey statement which, though not an official legally binding agreement, sees the forced relocation of refugees and migrants arriving in Europe to Turkey in return for billions of Euros. This deal has displaced thousands to Turkey which is becoming increasingly authoritarian, has a questionable human rights record, has limited ability to adequately support and protect basic human needs of refugees and provides severely limited access to the labour market which can result in destitution.

Professor Blitz suggested that he EU has not been an exercise in refugee protection but an exercise in border management. There has been a failure of responsibility sharing as states push refugees from one state to another and policies have closed off opportunities for refugee protection. EU states have responded not on the basis of a humanitarian duty but on the basis of border security. Professor Blitz emphasised the need to decouple humanitarian policy from security policy, to design UK humanitarian policy on the basis of evidence, and to continue to advocate for safe and legal routes and humanitarian visas for refugees as an alternative to dangerous sea and border crossings. You can see the slides of Professor Blitzs presentation here.

Dr Ruvi Ziegler Associate Professor in International Refugee Law at the University of Reading then spoke about the framework of the EU asylum policies and the (non-constructive) role of the UK. Dr Ziegler highlighted that EU states can return refugees and migrants back to the first EU state of entry, normally Greece or Italy, pursuant to the Dublin regulation. This is clearly not an equitable system of responsibility-sharing and places significant pressure on the asylum systems of those countries. EU states differ in their acceptance of the need for a truly common European asylum system. Some states, such as the Visegrad group (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) opposed the temporary relocation scheme agreed by a qualified majority vote in the EU Council. There are also differences between EU states asylum and integration models. The German model of immediate access to integration facilities, language tuition, a right to work after six months, and support networks is successful and should provide an example of how EU states can effectively manage and support refugees. This is contrasted with the UK system which detain more migrants than any other EU state has minimal language or community support and refuse access to work for 12 months for asylum seekers or until their claim is granted.

Dr. Ziegler expressed fear and concern that the UK is not playing its role in the European asylum system or providing solutions and is increasingly excluded from summits. It is also concerning that Theresa May has shown little interest in being included and taking on responsibilities and in fact shows signs of wanting to restrict obligations to refugees. The lack of political will from the UK to provide a more engaged and humanitarian response to refugees must be addressed. Dr. Ziegler therefore argued that the UKs involvement in the EU response has been inadequate and that the EU response itself has been inconsistent and not-satisfactorily sharing the responsibility to settle and integrate refugees.

The fringe event concluded with the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK giving an update on the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who have crossed from Myanmar to Bangladesh in the past few weeks. There are serious concerns about the ability to meet their basic humanitarian needs of food, water and shelter.

The central message from the fringe event then seemed to be that as we are currently witnessing the largest number of refugees ever recorded globally, responding to refugee flows will be a prominent challenge for the foreseeable future which requires durable solutions. It is essential to design sustainable political policies and legal frameworks to be able to respond in a way that protects the rights and wellbeing of refugees and reach fair responsibility-sharing agreements between states. It is clear that the EU-wide and UK policy has failed in this respect, is ineffective, costly and has not been based on evidence or humanitarian ideals. The discussion has revealed that there are feasible and more humane alternatives to our current response. Therefore in imposing the current system we avoidably deny the opportunities for refugees, who have legitimate claims, to reach and enjoy safety. It is clear then that European states, individually and collectively, can and ought to do more to aid and settle refugees. Professor Blitz suggests that we ought to continue to advance the moral argument for reform towards policies that protect the well-being and dignity of refugees and keep up public pressure on politicians who, as polls have shown, are less sympathetic towards refugees than the general public. Mobilisation of this public support for a more humane and evidence-based refugee policy is necessary to bring about change.

* Bradley is an active member of the Lib Dems as a council member for both the SLF and LD4SOS, standing for local elections in 2014 and 2016 and as borough organiser for Camden in 2016. He also has a leading role in the Lib Dem campaign to raise donations for refugees and lobbying the government to settle more refugees. He is currently studying for his PhD in moral and political philosophy specialising in the philosophy of migration, borders and refugees.
FUNERAL details have been announced for a University of Limerick student who died following a tragic accident this week.

Nineteen-year-old Sophie Coll from Barna, Galway, died after sustaining injuries in a fall on Monday night.

The incident happened in a rented house at College Court in Castletroy.

In an e-mail to students, Prof Fitzgerald said: It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the sudden death of UL student Sophie Coll, 2nd year BBS International as a result of a tragic accident on Monday, 25th September.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sophies parents Rory and Carol, her sisters Stephanie and Abbie, her friends, her housemates and fellow students. Ar dheis De go raibh h-anam dilis.

Ms Coll was taken to the intensive care unit at University Hospital Limerick following the accident, where she was later pronounced dead. Gardai are treating the tragedy as an accidental death.

A spokesperson for the university said on Thursday afternoon: "On behalf of the UL community of staff and students, the President of the University of Limerick, Dr Des Fitzgerald, has expressed his sadness at the sudden passing of UL Student Sophie Coll this week.

UL is currently supporting Sophies friends and housemates with chaplaincy and counselling services.

The business student had just transferred to UL from NUI Galway this September.

She is very deeply mourned and sadly missed by her heartbroken parents Rory and Carol, sisters Stephanie and Abbie and by her aunts - in particular her special aunt Marian Moriarty - uncles, grandmothers Maureen and Rita, cousins, extended family and many friends.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Reposing at the Cillin within the Church of Mary Immaculate Queen, Barna, Galway, this Friday from 4pm, with removal to the church at 7pm.

Funeral Mass is taking place this Saturday, September 30 at 1pm, with burial afterwards in Furbo cemetery in Galway.

Sophie loved all animals, so her family has requested that donations, if desired, should be made to the charities she loved so much: Madra, the ISPCA and the Donkey Sanctuary.
A commemorative plaque to Limerick born novelist, playwright and author, Kate OBrien, will be unveiled by Dr Des Fitzgerald, president of the University of Limerick, on Monday next.

The plaque will be unveiled at her birthplace, Boru House on Mulgrave Street, on Monday, October 2, at 5.30pm.

Organised by The Limerick Writers Centre and Limerick Civic Trust, the ceremony, which is open to the public, will be address by Dr Patricia Lynch.

This March UL purchased a significant collection of 500 letters written by the Limerick author, which were discovered in the papers of the late Dr Lorna Reynolds, Professor Emeritus of Modern English at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

The unveiling of this plaque is part of a wider project to create a Limerick Literary Trail, which will enable and encourage citizens and visitors to discover Limerick through its literary heritage.

Plaques have earlier been erected outside The Locke Bar to commemorate war poet Robert Graves and his association with the city, with another in memory of poet Desmond OGrady outside the White House bar. Limericks only Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt was honoured with a plaque outside Souths Bar, where he had his first pint, and legendary actor Richard Harris saw a plaque unveiled in his memory by his son Jared outside his favourite watering hole, Charlie St Georges on Parnell Street.

Through its Commemorative Plaque Project, the trust has erected almost 70 plaques around Limerick to indicate the location of important landmarks.
A FATHER-of-seven who gardai allege is one of the main protagonists in a violent family feud is to face trial on indictment at the circuit court.

William Harty Snr, aged 54, of Moig South, Askeaton faces a number of charges in relation to an incident which happened at the Quay, Askeaton on April 28.

He is accused of assaulting a number of women as well as breaking a number of windows at a property at Deelside, Askeaton on the same date.

The defendant, who was previously refused bail, is also accused of producing a weapon  namely a shovel  during the course of a dispute.

It is alleged that two of the alleged victims  who are aged in their 20s and 50s  sustained serious injuries and were treated at University Hospital Limerick following the violent altercation.

One of the women received more than 70 staples after she sustained a cracked skull.

The woman also sustained significant bruising and soft tissue injuries and lost a lot of blood.

It is alleged another woman sustained a double fracture to her right arm which was placed in a cast.

Opposing bail during a previous court hearing, Detective Garda Jason Mitchell said it will be alleged that a number of witnesses have identified Mr Harty as the culprit and that mobile phone footage from the night has been obtained as part of the investigation.

He said it will be further alleged the incident was connected with a violent feud which has been ongoing between members of the extended Harty family since November 2015.

The detective said he had concerns the father-of-seven would continue to be involved in the feud if released on bail and that potential witnesses would be intimidated.

Solicitor Darach McCarthy told the court the defendant, who denies the allegations, suffers from mental health issues and has a number of physical health problems meaning he is on a large amount of prescribed medication.

At Limerick District Court last week, Judge Marian OLeary was informed a file had been prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and that matter is to proceed on indictment.

Inspector Dermot OConnor sought an adjournment of the case to facilitate the preparation of the book of evidence.

Judge Marian OLeary noted the DPPs directions and adjourned the matter until the end of November.
"The U.S.' threat to scrap the KORUS FTA is real and imminent," Kim told reporters at the Korean Embassy in Washington. "It seems the U.S. will continue using the threat of termination as leverage."

Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong on Wednesday warned that U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to scrap the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement is not a bluff.

Kim said the White House had already prepared a letter notifying the Korean government of the termination of the FTA, which either side can do at 180 days' notice.

Asked why Trump has not scrapped it yet, Kim said he confirmed that the U.S. leader faces opposition from Congress and the White House as well as security officials, mindful of the need to maintain a strong Seoul-Washington alliance in the midst of an intensifying North Korean nuclear threat.

"I heard that one senator called President Trump to oppose the decision when he heard about it on the news."

Trump's has repeatedly thrown his own administration into turmoil by announcing unilateral decisions on his favored medium, Twitter, without consulting anyone or informing himself about the issues.

"Korea-U.S. ties are important to us, but also to the U.S.," Kim added. "Under these circumstances, I think the U.S., as an ally, should yield more."

Seoul and Washington are set to hold a second round of talks in Washington next Wednesday to address U.S. calls to amend the pact that went into effect five years ago.

Trump has blamed bilateral FTA for an increasing U.S. trade deficit with Korea, but many on his own side have described it as a "win-win" deal.

Trump's ire against the FTA seems motivated more by a need to play to his dwindling support base than by any pressing disadvantage for his country. He first threatened in August to scrap the FTA completely, apparently irked by the first round of talks where Korea declined to revise the deal.


TOWNS AND villages in West Limerick celebrated numerous successes with the announcement of the 2017 results of the Tidy Towns competition this week, including Adare, which won the gold medal for County Limerick.

Further west, Newcastle West won a bronze medal in Category E, for large towns.

While Kilcornan won the Endeavour Award for County Limerick. This prize is given to the town or village in each county which has shown the biggest improvement since 2016.

Kilcornans score improved by 11 percent since last year.

And as well as the 1,000 overall best in the county, regular medal-winner Adare also took home a silver medal in Category C, which takes in tidiest small towns.

We were three points better than last year, although we didnt get the national gold. But we are the top of County Limerick, which is great, said Adare Tidy Towns chairperson, George Stacpoole.

We managed to increase our marks in a few places from last year. We got a bit more this year for tidiness and litter control.

And we also got some more for sustainable waste and resource management, he added.

But we still have a long way to go to get to the very top of it all. Its everyones goal to get to the top, laughed the chairman.

The community engagement in Tidy Towns is one of the best things about it, said Mr Stacpoole.

Its a great community effort, its something that involves everyone.

Adare has its problems, with 20,000 cars coming through the village every day. Its difficult to keep a village tidy with that flow of cars, and then all the visitors.

So it is encouraging that each year we seem to be improving ourselves.

There is a lot happening in Adare on the street, between the entrance to Adare Manor, the work being done on the old courthouse and also the Lantern Lodge.

Most of it will be done by next year, and all of that will really add to the overall picture for Adare, he added.

Kilcornan came on in leaps and bounds since last year, and the adjudicator noted the impressive community involvement and planning.

You are still new to the competition but you have been involved in many projects in the past year which improve the appearance of Kilcornan and have created a greater awareness of the heritage of the village, wrote the adjudicator.

Newcastle West scored high in tidiness and litter control, and the adjudicator noted that street furniture, as in the lanterns at the bridge of tears, add to the positive experience of the visit.

Newcastle Wests adjudicator also said that the seanfhocal spotted along the way sums up your philosophy, your strategic plan and the progress you make: As Duchas Dochas.

Birdhill won the overall national award, while Limerick city took a bronze medal.

- See the Limerick Leader weekend editions for a two page spread on the Tidy Towns awards
A MOTORIST who drove at such speed it caused a garda patrol car in Limerick to vibrate has avoided a driving ban.

Gerry McCahill, aged 23, of St Patricks Well, Cullen, County Tipperary was prosecuted for dangerous driving relating to an incident on the N24 near Bearys Cross on October 7, 2016.

At Limerick District Court, Garda John Cotter said he was parked at Sandylane, Boher at around 11.40pm when the defendant drove past him at high speed.

Garda Cotter said the patrol car vibrated as the Mercedes car passed by and that he believed the speed to be excessive.

He said he pursued the vehicle which was travelling in the direction of Limerick city and stopped it a short time later.

Judge Marian OLeary was told when stopped, the defendant immediately apologised to the garda and admitted he had been driving at around 160kph  60kph above the limit.

Solicitor Darach McCarthy said his client accepts his speed was ridiculous and uncalled for but he urged the judge to accept a guilty plea to the lesser charge of careless driving.

He said his client had received a phone call a short time earlier informing that him his father had taken a turn.

He said the road where his client is very wide and that no other road users were put at risk as a result of his clients speeding.

Noting there was no gardai objection to the application, the judge reduced the charge (to careless driving) but in doing so asked if Mr McCahill believed he was flying an airplane on the night.

Mr McCarthy said while there was a sense of urgency, his client accepts there was no need for him to drive so fast.

He added the defendant, who has five previous convictions, needs his car and licence as lives in a rural area. He realises he cannot drive like that again, he said.

Urging the court not to impose a driving ban, he said Mr McCahill helps his mother who cannot car for his father on her own.

Inspector Dermot OConnor told the court that gardai accept the defendant does help his parents and that the loss of his licence would have severe consequences.

Exercising her discretion, Judge OLeary said she would not impose a disqualification but warned it was the last time and that he would not get another chance.

Mr McCahill who was fined 400 by the court will receive five penalty points on his licence as a consequence of his conviction.
IN a heart-rending story never before told, loveable actress Liz Dawn made a private visit to Milford Hospice to give cake to sick patients when she was in Limerick.

Liz, who played battleaxe-with-a-heart Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street for 34 years, sadly died this week aged 77 after a battle with emphysema.

Back in 1991, the soap legend was invited to Limerick to open the Co-Operative Superstore in Raheen.

Southern Advertising boss Dave OHora, who arranged the visit, revealed the kind-hearted actress made a private visit to the hospice to cheer up some of its patients.

Taking up the story, he said: She stayed in the Castleoaks Hotel in Castleconnell the night before, and we took her to dinner. We had found out it was her birthday the day before, and gave her a cake.

Rather than enjoying the cake with the gathered party, including her husband Donald, Dave revealed Ms Dawn  who appeared in over 2,000 episodes of Coronation Street  had other ideas.

She called me aside and asked if there was a hospice or a childrens home nearby. She said on condition there be no press there, shed like to go there and give them the cake. So we went to Milford Hospice and gave everyone a slice of cake, Dave recalled.

Dave described the actress, who left Coronation Street in 2008, as a national treasure.

She was a super woman. A really wonderful woman. Just down to earth and so normal, he told the Leader.

On her visit to Limerick, Ms Dawn received a reception from then mayor Jim Kemmy, before being driven towards Raheen in an open-topped bus, where 4,000 were waiting to greet her.

But en route, the party stopped at Bowman Street, as Dave felt it bore a resemblance to Coronation Street.

There, she surprised Mary Deegan  mother of Leader advertising boss Fergal Deegan  by knocking on her door and asking for a cup of sugar.

I got the shock of my life, Mary said this week, She was in no hurry to leave  she didnt want tea. Just a glass of brandy!

What was meant to be a brief visit turned into an hour long meeting, with members of the neighbourhood turning up.

She was so funny with Jack on Coronation Street. But a different lady in reality. She was very bubbly and chatty, and spoke very differently. She was very posh! I was expecting her to speak like she was in the show. Not at all, Mary added. Dave recalled how Ms Dawn also served behind the bar at the Castleoaks Hotel, and surprised staff members working at Corcorans Butchers in Johns Square, one of the oldest family butchers in the city, where her picture was on display.

She was one of the biggest celebrities, and was so nice as a person, he concluded.
THE PARISH of Pallasgreen-Templebraden in County Limerick has delivered a strong message to An Post  do not close their office in Old Pallas.

Up to 200 people turned out on a Tuesday morning for the Leader photographer to show their support. Over 600 have signed a petition to save Old Pallas post office. The issue has been raised by politicians in meetings from Kilmallock to Brussels. The post office has been in the ODwyer family for over 100 years and locals want to keep it that way.

The huge response follows a customer notice from An Post which reads that they are considering the future service provision needs at Old Pallas which could include the closure of the office.

Michael Ryan, chairperson of Pallasgrean/Templebraden Community Council, issued a strongly worded statement to the Leader.

We are horrified by this attempt by An Post to remove one of the last services left in the central village of Old Pallas. This post office has been serving the public for over 100 years and is situated in a thriving enterprise, which together with the adjacent co-op store, serves the needs of the agricultural and business hinterland.

"Has not this co-location with a busy shop been an objective of An Post in recent times, and a salient reason not to close this particular post office?

He said the post office also cares for hundreds of older people from neighbouring parishes of Herbertstown, Kilteely and Knockane.

All of whom have had their post offices closed in recent years in the understanding that they would be able to transfer their business to the closeby Old Pallas post office. This proposed closure will upset, and discommode, the many older people who have found a warm and welcoming service in Old Pallas. We urge An Post to work with the local community to build up this post office as part of a thriving village.

"This community will work hand in hand with An Post and the ODwyer family to ensure that it will thrive and build on its 100 year tradition. Mr Ryan asks is An Post ready to take up the challenge to work closely with this community in the interests of building up the fabric of rural life and employment?

Or has it always to be just about the bottom line? concluded Mr Ryan. A number of politicians have also lent their support. Cllr Brigid Teefy raised the matter at Thursdays Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal meeting and all councillors supported her call to keep it open.

Cllr Teefy said if it closed it would be another dagger in the heart of rural County Limerick.It is a very busy post office in an excellent hub, said Cllr Teefy.

Before An Post makes any decision, interested parties are invited to submit their views no later than October 6.

In his submission, Deputy Niall Collins said Old Pallas post office recently took on the customers of Kilteely and Herbertstown post offices when they closed.

It would not be fair on these customers who were transferred to be disrupted again and a further journey put on them to access services. Nor would it be acceptable to the existing customers of Old Pallas post office. In addition to this the present Old Pallas post office is part of a bigger business operated by the O'Dwyers and as such it is not a stand alone post office.

"This should be viewed by An Post as positive in confirming its future viability and as such should not be considered for closure, said Deputy Collins.

Deputy Tom Neville said he attended to show his solidarity with and support of the people of Old Pallas and the retention of their post office.

The bottom line is it needs to be retained for the people of Old Pallas and surrounding areas, particularly the elderly. It also complements the village in that it is part of an overall business - grocers and petrol station. The post office is an integral part of that. I am stressing that the continuation of that service is required, said Deputy Neville.

David Thompson, who made the sign seen in the picture above, said if it closed it will be another nail in the coffin of rural Ireland.
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President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said his government aims for the early transfer of full operational control of South Korean troops from the U.S. military.

Speaking at an advance ceremony marking Armed Forces Day, Moon said, "When the South has [wartime operational control], the North will fear us more, and our armed forces will be trusted more. With improved self-esteem, our military will become stronger."

Moon used the term "takeover" instead of "transfer" of troop control, breaking from the customary terminology of previous presidents.

The Defense Ministry wants wartime troop control to be handed over by the early 2020s rather than the mid-2020s as the last administration planned. According to documents the ministry submitted to Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Kim Hack-yong on Thursday, the government has embarked on a three-stage roadmap.


The government on Thursday said none of the 666 sanitary pad brands from 61 companies that are sold in Korea pose a threat to the health of women.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said toxicity tests for 10 highly toxic volatile organic compounds found that they were present at such low levels that they "have no harmful effects on the human body."

The ministry tested both sanitary pads no longer manufactured in Korea as well as products available online from overseas. The tests involved freezing the sanitary pads at a temperature of -196 degrees Celsius, shredding them, and heating them to a temperature of 120 degrees before checking the chemicals that remained on the material.

A team of researchers commissioned by consumer groups conducted a previous test by placing sanitary pads in a chamber set at body temperature for three hours and then checking to see what chemicals were present.

One variety of sanitary pads sold under Klean Naras Lillian brand, which were at the center of the scare, in fact showed similar or lower VOC levels than rival products.

Cho Jung-hwan at Sookmyung Women's University said, "The level of hazardous chemicals was not enough to trigger concerns."

Activists refused to accept the findings, saying the government' study was rushed and urged a more thorough probe for pesticide residue and other chemicals.

They added that the parts of the body that come into contact with sanitary pads is particularly sensitive and a more comprehensive study is needed.

Consumer groups earlier reported widespread complaints from Lilian users that their periods stopped or became irregular but went back to normal when they switched to other brands.
Hungry in Ho Chi Minh City In Vietnam's commercial capital, the street adds flavour to every aspect of life /news/talking-point/hungry-in-ho-chi-minh-city-111646978456757.html 111646978456757 story

I dont have an aptitude for maps. When I arrive in a new city, my mental compass still in transit, the lines and squiggles on a map give me cold comfort. Unlike those who fearlessly conquer unfamiliar roads, wielding their maps like a weapon, I generally straggle along, searching for a signpost that can set my bearings straight. Usually, that signpost is a street cart. There is no surer consolation than the yeasty aroma of just baked bread, or the smoke rising from meat barbecuing on a rickety roadside stand. No matter how disoriented I am, hitting upon a street stall is usually all it takes to push the reset button.

Shortly after I landed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams frenetic commercial capital, I knew it was a city that I would have no trouble navigating. It was chaotic in that familiar South-East Asian way. Unruly telephone cables snaked like tangled threads between crumbling, Communist-era buildings and swanky skyscrapers; scooters darted in and out of serpentine traffic jams; and people sat at roadside cafes, content to linger over cups of coffee. At every turn, I found small groups of people immersed in the business of snackingtwirling their chopsticks around noodles, or tucking handfuls of herbs into a crusty banh miunmindful of the oppressive humidity or the beads of sweat forming on their brows. It was clear that I had come to a city after my own heart.

Hawkers selling peanuts at the Cho Lon open-air market.

It was well past lunch hour, and the slanted afternoon light collected in pools in the quiet backstreets of central Ho Chi Minh City. On our Airbnb hosts recommendation, my husband and I had ventured out in search of Pho Hung, a joint in Nguyen Cu Trinh, that enjoys a local reputation for its rendition of the countrys most iconic noodle dish. As we walked along, I noticed that the broad sidewalks were communal spaces shared equitably between cafes that were little more than two stools and a street view; groups of elderly men huddled around mahjong, a board game; and the generic chain restaurant that served to interrupt our idyllic reverie.

At Pho Hung, the spotless stainless-steel tables, immediately calibrated our expectations. The foodnot frillsis the essence here. We ordered two bowls of pho, Vietnamese noodle soup. Rich from the meaty broth, and liberally laden with slices of barbecued pork, the pho was the lattice upon which the accompaniments added layers of flavour: pungency from the generous pile of green herbs, crunch from bean sprouts, sharpness from pickled garlic cloves, heat from sliced chillies, acidity from quartered limes.

A vendor selling doughnuts and pastries on the citys Bui Vien Road.

As afternoon turned into evening, the citys streets surged with the urgency of office-goers looking to beat the infamous traffic gridlocks. Taking advantage of the cooler evening temperature, groups of fashionable youngsters sprawled on the stairs of Saigon Square, a mall selling souvenir T-shirts, knock-off luxury brands and Korean clothes. My eyes wandered to a small, hand-pushed cart that had just taken its place on the side of the road, besides a busy traffic intersection. Small clouds of steam rose from the cart, which held neat mounds of xoi or sticky rice that were arranged as thoughtfully as a piece of art. The sticky rice came in a variety of flavours, and corresponding colours: green pandan, purple yam, orange, and black bean. The vendor heaped generous spoonfuls of four varieties into a takeaway box, and topped the sticky-sweet rice with salty coconut cream, sesame seeds and a shower of powdered sugar. Tucking into it right away, as the city switched to its neon-lit, nocturnal avatar, I began to appreciate why Ho Chi Minh City is hailed as one of the worlds street food capitals. Not just for the sheer variety of street eats that constantly compete for your attention, but also for the care and artistry with which they are prepared and presented.

A few days later, I bought a book dedicated to street food in Saigon, as Ho Chi Minh is still popularly known among locals. It reinforced Saigons reputation as a city that is singular in its dedication to street food. Where I had expected a general summary of the citys street food scene, I found pages dedicated to each street food, with astonishingly precise instructions on where to find the one vendor who makes the best xoi bap or corn sticky rice, or banh xeo, crepes smeared with shrimp, pork and mung (green gram) bean paste.

As you might imagine, we spent our days in Saigon purposefully drifting from one street food to another, with brief pit stops to appreciate the city, as it unfurled around us. More often than not, both sustenance and sightseeing were to be found in the same place.

A stall selling barbecued fish.

With space at a premium and apartments that are often cramped and airless, the street is co-opted as a necessary extension of everyday life. On slow Sunday mornings, the cafes lining the citys sidewalks are full of customers, browsing the papers as they would in their living rooms, with a cup of ca phe or strong, Vietnamese-style drip coffee as accompaniment. Some may find this constant company of strangers in public places exhausting, but I felt a kinship with them that transcended culture and language. To me, the citys streetsand all the people who share itadded an essential and inalienable texture to my experience of it.

I left one quintessentially Vietnamese experiencethe quan oc or snail restaurantfor the very end. Snail-eating is something of a shared national obsession in Vietnam, so much so that the act of snail-eating even has a term dedicated to it, an oc". While snails are the star attraction at a quan oc, it is also a showcase for all kinds of other seafoodfrom crabs and shrimp to scallops and mussels.

On our penultimate night in Saigon, we visited Vinh Khanh Street, a seafood street lined with several oc restaurants spread out on both sides of the road. When we entered one of the eateries, my first reaction was not an exuberant one. I felt like an unwelcome intruder at a dimly lit house party, where all the guests had long left, leaving a pile of snail shells as evidence of their attendance. Heaps of crab claws and mollusc shells lay stacked on rickety tables, and a cat skulked in search of some tasty morsels. A server soon arrived, and we ordered a plate of oc huong cay man or snails with chilli and salt, and scallops with scallions and peanuts.

Snails in a spicy butter sauce,

Around us, a group of young professionals were enjoying their night out. Between reapplying their make-up and taking swigs of beer, the girls delicately stuck pincer-like forks into snail shells, scooped the meat out and slurped it up. Taking a cue from them, I gingerly speared a mollusc with the handy tool I had just been given and took a bitesalty, spicy and slightly chewy, it made for an incredibly moreish snack. But even more than the flavour of the snails, it was the thrill of eating like a localand embracing an unfamiliar experiencethat allowed me to really soak in the spirit of Saigon.

On another day, I may have opted for hygiene over adventure, or the reassuring ambience of a restaurant over the shabbiness of a snail eatery. But on that day, I was grateful for this uncensored glimpse into how the city lives, eats and parties. With several cities across South-East Asia clamping down on street food, a way of life is under threat. Given that frightening prospect, dining in a dodgy snail eatery in Saigon was laced with an almost defiant thrill.
A journey to atone and heal Why it mattered to be a part of Harsh Mander's Karwan-e-Mohabbat /news/talking-point/a-journey-to-atone-and-heal-111646978125404.html 111646978125404 story

In a village in the Nuh district of Mewat, on the border of Haryana and Rajasthan, a young man showed us YouTube videos on his phone. He spoke a few keywords into his phone to enable a voice search for videos of gau rakshak dals (cow protection squads) thrashing and humiliating cattle transporters. In another chilling video, a man was giving precise instructions on how to thrash someone so that he didnt die immediately, but the grievous internal injuries would prove fatal within a week.

Here was a video guide on how to kill a human being without being caught for murder. A primer on lynching.

Two evenings earlier, I was in Kandhla, a small town, or what is called a kasba in district Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. I was travelling with a group of people who had all responded to Harsh Manders call to join his Karwan-e-Mohabbat, a journey of shared suffering, solidarity, atonement and love.

Mander, a former Indian administrative service (IAS) officer, is a writer and activist who works with survivors of mass violence as well as homeless people and street children. In mid-August this year, when he announced a civil society initiative to travel across parts of India which are worst affected by lynchings, my husband and I felt an instant connect. The purpose is two-fold," wrote Mander in his crowdfunding appeal, to respond to the everyday fear of Muslims, Dalits and Christians and the worrying silences of the majority."

In Kandhla, I came face to face with the discomfort of breaking my own silence.

Akram Akhtar, a peace activist and community leader had organized an Aman Sabhaa peace meeting where members of the Karwan met with over 300 residents of the town and nearby areas.

Earlier in the day Akhtar had shared with us that while caste rivalries had always been sharp-edged in this area, communal tension was a new and manufactured phenomenon. We were in a Muslim majority area that has seen a robust participation in the Revolt of 1857 as well as the freedom struggle against British colonization. Stories of valour despite violent oppression are part of the local folklore.

Along with a few others, Mander invited me on to the stage to address the gathering. I looked out towards what seemed to be a sea of people in a long streetalmost all Muslim men, dressed in white and wearing skullcaps. Some women were looking at us from partially opened windows of houses on both sides of the street.

As far as my acquired biases and hidden fears are concerned, the men in the audience could have been Hindus wearing saffron robes and rudraksh prayer beads and I would have felt equally wary of speaking up in front of them.

My name is Natasha Badhwar and my husbands name is Mirza Afzal Beg," I began. My father is called Trilok and my father-in-law is Ashfaq."

A bearded man in the front row nodded his head vigorously. It was all the reassurance I needed. I stole a glance at him again and again and his expression encouraged me to keep speaking.

The story of this land and region is the story of my family," I continued, thinking of my children and cupping my hands protectively when I said family. I spelt out the names of our three daughters and shared that they are often asked if they are Hindu or Muslim. Sometimes their classmates substitute the word Pakistani" for Muslim" because they have watched too much news television and heard so much anti-Muslim rhetoric. They need to be told again that Muslims in India are Indians.

I shared the Partition stories of both sides of my family. How a Muslim family in Ghazipur struggled to cope with being cut off from their elder son who had chosen to hold on to his government job in Chittagong when the country was divided into India and Pakistan in 1947. How my Hindu grandparents were uprooted from their home in Lahore at the same time and despite their later successes, died prematurely trying to cope with the trauma they had endured.

How their great-granddaughtersmy childrenare a symbol of a land trying to heal from the wounds of its past. We are the adults who must turn the tide away from hate.

I had not imagined that I would ever be narrating my love story like this, yet here I wasmy voice breaking, my sentences unsurespeaking to people who I have been taught to see as the other" and receiving complete acceptance and applause. I cannot quantify what I gave them, but I received a life energy from them that has stayed with me.

The Karwan-e-Mohabbat moved on the next day towards villages in the Mewat region of Haryana. Among others on the bus were writers, photographers, educationists, journalists, social workers, activists and a group of men studying to be Christian priests.

We met Dalit and Muslim parents who have lost their sons to lynching and mob violence. We met the wives and children of victimsstruggling against poverty and injustice.

We live by the Constitution, we abide by the law," Agni Bhaskar Bodh, a Dalit man asserted to us, underlining that he was unbroken by the physical wounds that he was recovering from.

What made you join the Karwan?" Mander asked me on my third day on the bus.

I joined for various reasons," I answered, but what gave me the strength and conviction to keep travelling away from my own home was what my children had said to me when I had shared with them this hope of resolving conflicts and seeking reconciliationGo, Mamma, go, this is important work."

Natasha Badhwar is a film-maker, media trainer and author of the book My Daughters Mum.
North-East by North-East How directors from the North-East are bringing local flavour to everythingfrom musical documentaries to vigilante films /news/talking-point/northeast-by-northeast-111646978330460.html 111646978330460 story

Ralang Road

Last year, Manipuri director Haobam Paban Kumars Lady Of The Lake won the Golden Gateway award, the top prize in the Indian competition section, at the Mumbai Film Festival. With an Assamese film, Aicheng Jai Dohutias The Hidden Corner, winning the Grand Jury Prize at the same festival, it helped focus the cinephile communitys attention on the diverse and often impressive cinema thats been emerging from north-east India in the last couple of years. And its not just arthouse film: Assams Kenny Basumatary released the sequel to his cult favourite Local Kung Fu in April. A one-off screening of the film in Mumbai in June nearly brought the house down.

The North-East makes for a great setting, but as Rock On 2 showed earlier this year, borrowing the scenery while simplifying the politics has predictably dispiriting results. We have collected, instead, four new features by film-makers who belong to the region and have an authentic perspective on local culture, politics and daily life.

Karma Takapa is part of a small but concerted wave of arthouse cinema from the North-East. Ralang Road, selected for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, will now screen at the Mumbai Film Festival next month (12-18 October).

Takapas film is an experimental feature set in southern Sikkim, in and around Rabong and Takapas native village of Borong. All the actors, barring two, were locals with no acting experience. The narrative weaves together a handful of interconnected stories, with the ever-present fog almost a character in itself . I was aware of the overwhelming presence of the fog," Takapa says over email. The crew was prepared for iteveryone embraced the cold and the perennial fog."

Takapa says that the idea wasnt to narrate as muchit was more to resonate an atmosphere and create evocative moments through that". There is, indeed, little explanation as to why the few dramatic events in the film take place. Simply but fetchingly shot, and often very funny, Ralang Road goes from Kaurismakian comedy to Lynchian psychodrama even as it gives us a feel for everyday life in this corner of Sikkim, with scenes in restaurants, barber shops and amphitheatres.

A still from Village Rockstars

Village Rockstars

Rima Das is not only the director of Village Rockstars, shes also the screenwriter, executive producer, editor, production designer and cinematographer. Das, who was born and raised in Assam, dove headfirst into the world of film-making several years ago. I bought a digital camera, a Canon 5D, and just began making short films, began experimenting," she says. This led to her first short film, Pratha (2009), which was selected for several short film festivals.

Village Rockstars is set in Chaygaon, the village Das grew up in. Its a story about a young girl with a big dreamto buy a guitar and form a rock band. Das weaves in multiple layers to paint a realistic picture of life in a small village. I was very influenced by Satyajit Rays films," she says. It was when I saw Pather Panchali that I realized I should make films that concentrate on my villagethe place where I know the people and the tradition so well."

Snippets of life in the village made it to the screen; for example, calamitous floods play a big role in the film, but none of it is manufactured or exaggerated. I would be in waist-high water or up in a tree, and trying to balance and shoot with my camera," she says. It was tough. Managing a boat during the floods was also difficult. Especially because, during an actual flood, there arent really any boats to spare. Plus, there was the added responsibility of the children. There were a lot of risks, but it worked."

A still from Scratches On Stone

Scratches On Stone

Through remembrances and material objects (photographs, carvings, graffiti), Scratches On Stone tracks the troubled history of Nagaland. The film, produced by Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) and directed by Amit Mahantiwho was born in Shillong, Meghalaya, and lives in Delhihas a quiet, elegant surface, but with undercurrents of anger and sorrow.

The spectre of the army and its mostly antagonistic relationship with the states citizens hangs over the film. Were told that the groups fighting for Naga sovereignty celebrate Independence Day on 14 August, a day before the rest of the country. One man, from Longkhum, relates how his people lost their belongings when their houses were destroyed in the 1940s; they escaped to the forest and watched as their granaries were burnt.

A still from Orunasol Man.

Orunasol Man

Nyago Ete shot Orunasol Man in his hometown of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Its a superhero film but set in a realistic world," Ete, 21, says over the phone. In the trailer, a vigilante crimefighter, Orunasol Man (a joke-y nod to the local pronunciation of Arunachal"), punches and kicks his way through the Itanagar underworld. It opens with a quote from Kick-Ass, but Ete says over the phone that his film isnt as tongue-in-cheek. The trailer suggests a fondness for lean action films like The Raid but, considering the slender budget of Rs5 lakh, it might end up looking like a serious cousin of Local Kung Fu with its do-it-yourself aesthetic.

This is Etes first feature; hes made five shorts before this, including a dry run for Orunasol Man. Most of his shorts are inspired by Iranian cinema, he says. French New Wave, Iranian filmthese are my inspirations. But growing up, superhero films were my favourite thing." He shot Orunasol Man with his classmates from the Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Pune, where he was studying mass communication until earlier this year. The film is mostly in Hindi, with a smattering of English, Assamese and other languages. Out here, every other district speaks a different language," he says. There are more than 30 (dialects)." Ete says the film is set to release in theatres across the North-East in October.

***

Outside perspective

A still from Up Down & Sideways

Up Down & Sideways

In February, a four-and-a-half-minute fund-raising trailer for Kho Ki Pa Lu (Up Down & Sideways) surfaced. If this trailer is anything to go by, this documentary could be one of the highlights among the Indian titles screening at the Mumbai Film Festival.

The film, set in a village near the India-Myanmar border, is described as a musical portrait of a community of rice cultivators from Nagaland". In the trailer, workers sing in the field, choirs practise in a church, and nature chips in with its own harmonies. The effect, even in this brief glimpse, is mesmerizing. The film, by Anushka Meenakshi and Iswar Srikumar, is partly crowd-funded, and partly funded through a grant from India Foundation for the Arts.

Pahuna: The Little Visitors

Paakhi A. Tyrewalas film is about two Nepalese children (and a baby) struggling to survive as refugees in India. It was shot in Sikkim with a local cast of unknown actors, written and performed entirely in Nepali, and directed by a first-time film-maker. The film, which premiered this month at the Toronto International Film Festival, was produced by Priyanka Chopras Purple Pebble Pictures. The film talks about issues such as the refugee crisis, such as the displacement of children," Chopra said at the premiere. Sikkim is a very small state in India," Tyrewala said at the screening. Even in India, it doesnt find a voice. So for me its such a great honour that its voice will be heard here, on a global stage."
Kumhar Gram: A Song of Earth and Fire The potters' village in Delhi's Uttam Nagar is keeping Indian craftsmanship alive /news/talking-point/kumhar-gram-a-song-of-earth-and-fire-111646978508311.html 111646978508311 story

Though it might be called Kumhar Gram, or potters village, its operations run like clockwork with the industrial efficiency of a large city. A dense patchwork of brick houses and workshops, Indias largest potters colony is nestled deep inside Uttam Nagar in south-west Delhi. Its been home to over 400 potter families since the early 1970s, producing handcrafted earthernware that is sold across the country and around the world.

Sculptures being given a finishing touch.

It is accessed through a serpentine route which exposes one to, in no particular order, dirt, construction dust, cowpats, narrow alleys strewn with garbage and a constant stream of cars, motorbikes and e-rickshaws whizzing past. But on entering the colony, the din subsides. Horns become distant, the street plan is straightforward, mini trucks and rickshaws quietly go in and out carrying goods. No one can afford to waste time. There is work to be done.

The village is preparing for Diwali. A month before the festival, wholesalers from across India descend on this small colony to buy diyas, surahis, pots, urulis (water vessel) and ornamental vases. The colonys small size belies its prodigious output and a walk through the village reveals how the potter families manage this feat.

Urulis and water goblets.

One main street runs across the length of the village and mini alleys run perpendicular to it, cutting through at regular intervals. The main street is dotted with shops selling earthenware on either side and the shopfronts conceal potters homes. A glance through the displayed goods might reveal a lone potter at his wheel, or a woman preparing clay. But to see the hive of activity in the open, one must turn into one of these narrow lanes.

More potter homes line the alley on either side and mounds of raw clay lie on the streets. Every mound belongs to a particular family. The houses are mostly double-storeyed and almost all have a kiln, either inside or jutting out of a higher floor. The potters wares spill out on the streets, where they are left in the open to dry, even through the night. A potter remarked that the village has never seen a case of theft".

Raw clay being pounded.

Women sit beside the mounds pounding the raw clay with wooden sticks to remove lumps and give it a more powdery texture. This is the first stage of the process and is traditionally performed by the women in the family. The wheel is reserved for the man, but this is changing. After mixing it with water, and achieving the elusive right consistency, the clay is run through the ingenious contraption called pugmill. Its name, derived from the Hindi word pug, meaning foot, points to the earlier practice of using ones feet to do the same job. It is fed the moist clay from one end, and it comes out from the other end as smooth as silk", says 31-year-old Dharam Pal, a second-generation potter. It transforms the clay by lending it evenness and a smooth texture, making it easier to work with on the wheel. At this point, a more scrupulous potter would knead the clay to remove further impurities, like tiny stones, but for many it is ready to meet its maker: the potter.

The Shilp Guru

Harkishan Prajapati is the one name everyone in the village recognizes. The National Award winning potter and the pradhan (head) of the village was among the first potters to move here in the early 1970s. While the first families came from the drought-prone Alwar in Rajasthan in search of better prospects, Harkishan hails from a village in Haryana. Bespectacled and wearing a loose white vestattire suited to comfortably operating the potters wheelhe is concerned about the fate of the village. Were losing this knowledge," he says, as he sits down cross-legged at his wheel. He throws a big lump of moist clay on the wheel and looks up. The youngsters from the village would rather find a job outside than work with clay here. Many are setting up shops outside and turning into traders from craftsmen. I worry about this craft, which is thousands of years old."

On the fast-rotating wheel, Prajapati begins to centre the claythe first and the most important stepby pressing firmly at its base and running his hand to the top, shaping it into a cone while constantly moistening it. To uninitiated eyes, a potter at work is no less than an alchemist as the objects seem to emerge from the invisible recesses of the potters hand. Its all in the fingertips," says Prajapati, as he fashions a micro diya out of the spinning clay, cuts it off with a thread and holds it in his left hand. The difference between a skilful potter and a mediocre one is all in the pressure of the fingertips." Dipping the nail of his little finger, almost imperceptibly, to shape the diyas recognizable mouth, he says with a smile, This is art. There are potters here who make 4,000 diyas a day and sell it at dirt-cheap prices. The traders then sell it at a huge margin." Prajapati disregards quantity for quality, and tells them, Lets charge more, but make the best quality work."

Ramrati decorating painted diyas.

For a family of modest means, however, the work is relentless. They can only make a living if every member of the family plays a role. Earlier women only used to prepare the clay and embellish dried pieces, but increasingly they can be found at the wheel," says Prajapati, whose own wife, Ramrati, received a National Award in 2015 for a large decorative terracotta pot. He is now a Shilp Guru, an honour conferred by the Union government on a master craftsperson.

Prajapati feels there is a big difference between the perception of pottery in India and abroad. To showcase Indian craft abroad, hes been on government-sponsored tours to the US, Germany, Spain and Japan. They value handicrafts," he says. Here, if I do a demonstration at a fair, Indians would walk by, pick up the object and say, Can I take this?" In contrast, hes reminded of a German man who bought every single one of his objects on display. What might explain the difference in attitude, I ask. Today, the developed world really values the handmade and the handcrafted, as they have been overexposed to the industrial, the high-tech and the manufactured. But potters here would sell their handmade wares by the roadside for Rs200." Not many potters in the colony know the value of their craft and are reluctant to learn new techniques, he feels, considering the profession merely manual labour.

Women collecting kiln-fired diyas.

Smoke with fire

The village is a close-knit community and the villagers go a long way to help each other in any circumstance, even financially. Most of them are reluctant to approach the government for loans and subsidies, for fear of debt. But recently the NGO South Asia Foundation (unrelated to the similarly named Unesco project) has made some headway with a few initiatives: providing free electric wheels, registering potters with the government to directly avail any future relevant schemes and providing grants for international cultural fairs. The readiness of the established potters to assist the novices and better market conditions have drawn more potters from around India, making the village one of the largest potter settlements in Asia.

But there lurks an existential threat to the colony. The 400-odd wood-fired kilns in every house give out black smoke and recently caught the attention of the National Green Tribunal, when the neighbours from the adjoining colony brought a case against the potters for pollution". With Delhi being in the eye of the storm in the countrys pollution crisis, the potters colony with its visible smoke is an easy scapegoat, thinks Kalu Ram, whose house stands at the edge of the village, facing a residential colony. The only thing burnt for fuel here is wood and sawdust, and there are no chemicals in our smoke, as many claim." Kalu Ram has been working for 25 years here. Day and night were exposed to this smoke, wouldnt we have terrible diseases if this was really pollution?" he asks. Could gas or electric kilns replace the wood-fired kilns in the village? The people here have no means to get gas kilns, not without financial support from the government. And if they just move us to another place, say Haryana or Rajasthan, people there will complain about the same thing," says Kalu. The case is ongoing.

The fate of the potters village may be uncertain, but its streets give no hint of untoward upheaval. Diwali is their biggest sale season every year and the pace of work is frenetic, as apart from catering to the Indian market they also export diyas to countries with a large Indian diaspora: Australia, the UK, Canada and Singapore. Throughout the year, they make water vessels, decorative bowls, showpieces and even pots for nurseries. For Diwali, however, Lakshmi and Ganesh figurines, along with diyas in myriad shapes, sizes and colours are in high demand and the potters can make anywhere between Rs500-2,000 a day, which drops to Rs400-1,000 in the off-season.

Night falls as I make my way out of the village. The kilns are firing in every street, and will burn through the night, their bright orange hues lighting up the dark alleys. Every household, for now, is racing to finish orders.
Naseeruddin Shah: Memorys last hours Naseeruddin Shah's acting prowess and experimental stagecraft expand the scope of 'The Father', a play about dementia and loss /news/talking-point/naseeruddin-shah-memory-s-last-hours-111646978298079.html 111646978298079 story

There is something deeply unsettling about the distortions of a dementia patients every-day life. French playwright Florian Zeller brings this suffering to the fore in his 2012 play, The Father. Brought to the Indian stage by Naseeruddin Shah, the play casts a keen eye at the fractured realities of a mind ravaged by this disease.

This is the first time I am watching Shah perform on stage. As an actor, Shah is compelling. He portrays Andre, a dementia patient who responds to his condition with humour, fortitude, anger and vulnerability. The starkness of the set, the shifting chronology of the narrative, an able supporting cast and evocative sound design draw me down the rabbit hole of a devolving mind. These is a sense of disquiet one is unable to shake off even when the lights come on and the actors take a bow.

Seeing Shah perform is not only a masterclass in acting, but also one in stagecraft. In his directors note, he shares his angst against what he calls the Indian tradition of fly-by-night" theatre where theatre groups barely do two shows a month and the continuous 30-day run of The Father is his response and a chance for his group Motley to let the play truly catch life". The play will end its run at Mumbais NCPA Experimental Theatre on 30 September and then take a break before starting another month-long run at Prithvi Theatre from 21 November. Apart from Shah, the rest of the cast is rotating (with a set of characters for every 10-odd shows) and age-agnosticthe role of Andres daughter is played by both Heeba, Shahs daughter, and his wife, Ratna Pathak Shah.

The Father is a difficult play to watch and Naseeruddin Shah admits that there are about 10 or so walkouts at every show. Some leave because the play makes them uncomfortable while others cant understand the unconventional chronology. As he tells me backstage before the show that evening, I want to tell them, welcome to the world of Alzheimers". Edited excerpts from an interview:

You have been performing The Father every night for nearly a month, and you have regarded this as a period of development. Now at the end of its run, is it a different play from what it was on Day 1?

In this run we would end up doing 26 performances (barring Mondays) in one month. Normally, we do 26 performances in two years. And, to my great joy and delight, the performances are getting better and the play is making more sense to us. We are also able to communicate it better to the audience. I get the actors to read and re-read the play rather than jump into the acting. The process that leads to an understanding of how to play a scene, how to vary your tone of voice, your walk and so on, happens very slowly over the various shows. There was no one big thing that transformed the play, but many little things happened every day. Someone watching the rehearsal" on Day 1 and Day 20 would say that there is something definitely changing here. The reason I call it a rehearsal is because unless you treat it like that, it will become boring. You have to leave scope for things to change.

Walk us through the stagecraft.

The moment I read the play, I knew two thingsI wanted to direct it and I didnt want it to be a realistic production. I do not believe in realism on the stage. In my opinion, its foolishness to even try it, because we dont have the resources of Broadway. In fact, when I had googled the Broadway production of The Father, I discovered that they actually had an illusionist who helped the furniture disappear through the show. But this kind of theatre is not my cup of tea. I dont believe in trying to create this mystery about a play, as I think it creates a barrier between the audience and the actors. And thats why I am not disturbed by seeing the actors standing in the wings. How does it matter? If the play is not interesting enough, people will look at these unnecessary things. We remove the pieces of furniture in full view of the audience. And I think this approach works. Every time the lights come on, its a surprise. The moment from darkness to a lit stage is the equivalent of a thing being captured on frame. You forget what happened before that.

A still from The Father, featuring the actor and Ratna Pathak Shah.

Robert Hirsch played the central character, Andre, in the French original at the age of 87; in fact, you are the youngest Andre till date. How much does age matter in this case, especially as the rest of the casting seems pretty age-agnostic?

I hoped that I could get an actor who would play the father, so I would only direct it. Unfortunately, I couldnt find an actor, and I know it sounds a bit vain, but I couldnt think of anybody. I did consider the age of the character while thinking about casting Andre, because I dont think it will work for a younger guy to play him. And you know what happens when young men play older characterstheirs is a stock way of playing it. Im just terrified that this play will get adapted into Marathi and Gujarati and some young ham will do the part. Ill just have to make sure that they dont get the copyright! In my plays, I cast people that I can trust with my life. I cant afford an actor calling me up on the day of the show and saying that he cant come. And so, I cant cast any young man or woman who comes to me, no matter how good they are. And I dont believe in auditions as I feel they are humiliating for actors.

Naturally, the first two people I think of are from my family. They are good actors, completely reliable and in this case, they fit the parts as well. About five years ago, while I used to travel with Ratna (and this was when she was still dyeing her hair), people would often mistake her as my daughter. And so, I thought why not cast her in that role? Many of the other kids I have cast in the play are either my students, or those who Ive worked with for a long time and know inside out.

Im often asked the question, if there has been a role that has affected my life, and I always say no, because why should it? The roles I play affected my knowledge, but nothing that stayed with me so much that it made me rethink all my values in life.- Naseerudin Shah

While the rest of the cast keeps revolving, you remain a constant. How difficult was it for you to get into the skin of this emotionally charged character every night?

Its fun and I love what I am doing and its what I live for. I get every Monday off and that is good enough to recharge my batteries. I make sure I keep my personal life well away from my work. I dont believe this is necessary. Im often asked the question, if there has been a role that has affected my life, and I always say no", because why should it? The roles I play affected my knowledge, but nothing that stayed with me so much that it made me rethink all my values in life. Its very flattering to do roles like Gandhi or Einstein, and everyone believes you, but I know the difference between the character and myself and I keep that distance.

Were there any real-life references for your rendition of Andre?

Dr Harish Shetty, one of Mumbais leading psychiatrists, gave me a lot of advice. My good friend Jyoti Subhash told me a lot of moving stories, as her husband suffered from dementia. The reason I changed Andres character to a policeman (in the script, he is a retired engineer) is because there is this uncle of mine who retired as an inspector general of police, who suffered from Alzheimers. As kids, we always thought he was a brave and fearsome character. To see what he was reduced to was very difficult and my interpretation of Andre is loosely based on him.

Tell us about the scene where Sahil Vaid/Sayan Banerjees character slaps you. There are no sound effects for this very shocking scene.

It was very hard to convince them to slap me every night. And mind you, there were two of them, so I get two different kinds of slaps. And we did away with sound effects because it would not be as effective. Its so unexpected and really shakes the audience. So it has to be real. And what the hell, I can take a slap or two. As for these fellows, I had to threaten to slap the hell out of them, if they didnt slap me properly.

The Father will be staged at Prithvi Theatre for a month, from 21 November.
Simon Carter: The duke of dandy Fashion designer Simon Carter on being the 'king of cuffs', the erasure of boundaries in men's style, and the charm of bug-print shirts /news/talking-point/simon-carter-the-duke-of-dandy-111646978240212.html 111646978240212 story

He is known as the king of quirk", the duke of dandy" and the ambassador of accessories", among other such sobriquets. Officially, its just duke of dandy," says Simon Carter.

Dressed in a jacket over a shirt that has bugs printed on it, Carter was in Mumbai earlier this month to launch the second store (at Phoenix Market City in Kurla) of his eponymous menswear brand in India. The first store of the brand (in partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd) opened in Chennai in July.

The press has referenced me as king of cuffs because I owned that nicheprobably still do. The niche is smaller, since fewer people wear cufflinks but its a small kingdom to be a king of," the British designer says, laughing.

Besides his rather quirky designs, Carter has another idiosyncrasy: he has worn two watches, one on either wrist, since he was a teenager. Its randomly selected, whatever comes out of the drawer. Its just the thing I do," he adds, during a meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in the city. Edited excerpts:

Simon Carter is known as a mid-level brand in the UK?

In the UK, it ends up being a mid-level brand because of the price point. A shirt like this (points to what he is wearing) in the UK would retail for 150 (around Rs13,000). Thats going to restrict who can afford to buy it. It would be frighteningly expensive for Indiawe are not priced like that here (the entire range is priced between Rs3,000-14,000). So if this project is to work in India, my role is to infuse it with the dandy dust of Simon Carterbut its for the team to come up with a price-wise sweet spot.

Ours is an aspirational (brand), but is not out of reach. I have often said this, its beginners luxury. The customer probably aspires to a Paul Smithhe and I share a certain aesthetic of handwriting. But his products are considerably more expensive. We get a drift of that customer, who really cant afford 175 for a shirt or 650 for a suit.

Stylistically, are the products different in India compared to the UK?

The DNA of the brand is going to be the same all the way through. Certainly the fits are different hereslimmer blocks compared to the UK, which is a broader figure. Stylistically, no. What has been achieved here is absolutely Simon Carter on a global scale.

Whats new in mens styles?

You need to get into a Simon Carter store to find out; you need to release your inner dandy. The big change in mens fashionits more change of style than fashionare these interesting fabrics that we produce, detailed and rich, like in India, accessories and the colours that are not gender-specific. A decade ago, a man probably would not be seen dead with three bracelets (Carter wears them). All of those boundaries and boxes have gone. There is no colour a man cant wear and thats a fantastic development.

Hows Simon Carter adapting to changes in fashion?

Its more of the same reallyabout being bold, adventurous. We are seeing a return of some interesting takes on stripes. We have put them out and people say thats nice, but I really want the shirt with insects on it" or that thing with hot-air balloons".

One of the things I spend my time thinking is the fine line between what is novel and what is noveltynovel is new, novelty is a fad. Disney and cartoon characters in ties and socks is not novelit is novelty, and should be banned. I dont follow a fashion and I dont believe my clothes are all about fashion. I am a great believer in personal style, its individual and its something you create. Fashion is something you follow.

What are the specific forthcoming changes to mens shirts, like collars or cuffs, and trousers?

We are seeing more of the cutaway collar coming back. We have stuck to the same shapes that work. There is no real reason to play with that. Collars havent changed much; if anything, they are getting smaller. Theres a lot of talk on bigger, looser trousers, but its probably going be a fringe thing. Most guys who go to the gym will still want a slim trouser or a spray-on jeans. Our classic chinos/trousers are slim, not particularly fitted. Its flattering without being hugging.

Is style age-specific?

I dont think age has anything to do with it; you can wear whatever you want. Isnt it fantastic that older men are able to wear not just my brand but express themselves as well? Thats the biggest change we have witnessed over the last decade.

Older people should make sure they trim their ear hair, nothing is more ageing. No matter how old you are, wear clothes that fit welltheres nothing worse than clothes that are too tight or baggy.

Do distinctions of business dressing and casual exist any more?

I think the distinction is broken down. I am here at a press event in smart jeans and a conversational shirt. There are no rules anymore. There are some occasions, like a wedding, where you need to be smart. What I build in my products is maximum versatility; you should be able to wear my clothes for more than one function and purpose. I am asking you to pay Rs3,000 plus for a shirt. I dont want you to feel you can wear it only once. The challenge is to come with another reason for people to buy another product the next season.

Should people buy based on need or trend?

I just want them to buy on the basis of want. Nobody needs a shirt with mushrooms on it. You dont wake up and go, where can I find a shirt with mushrooms on it?" You go to the store and that environment is all about generating (a desire) and creating something so beautiful that you want it.
No prize can take the place of conversations around books: Mohsin Hamid Mohsin Hamid, shortlisted for The Man Booker Prize, speaks of prize culture, the rise in dystopian literature and his utopian dream for the future /how-to-lounge/books/no-prize-can-take-the-place-of-conversations-around-books-mohsin-hamid-111646833679628.html 111646833679628 story

Its likely that Mohsin Hamid will be telling us tomorrows news today; his fiction unfailingly, urgently pulses with the here and now. His fourth novel, Exit West, hailed as the first post-Brexit novel", and published shortly after the announcement of US President Donald Trumps travel ban in January, is topical in true Hamid style. A representation of the current refugee crisis, Hamids work, which charts the multiple migrations of its couple-protagonist, Saeed and Nadia, and where magical doors open to de-territorialized worlds, has secured him a spot on the 2017 Man Booker Prize six-strong shortlist (the winner will be announced on 17 October).

This is Hamids second Booker shortlisting; the British-Pakistani author was a finalist for The Reluctant Fundamentalist in 2007, and is excited about this years recognition too. I mean its kind of like a dream situation as a writer. And, theres a lot of good fortune in it." Its noteworthy that this years longlist featured two other South Asians, Arundhati Roy and Kamila Shamsie, where last year there were none.

On the phone from Lahore, Hamid talks about the politics of prize culture, Trumps travel ban, and his indifference towards genre indicators. Edited excerpts:

Have you read Amit Chaudhuris recent essay in The Guardian about The Man Booker Prize? Do you agree with him?

I havent only read it; I discussed it with Amit over coffee. I think Amits central point is that what we need is a robust conversation around books, around literature, around whats happening with the form, whats happening with languageand that we can be distracted from that conversation if we focus only on prizes. And I think thats correct.

I think that prizes have a potentially positive role in that they bring readers to books, and when one has the good fortune of being shortlisted for a prize or winner of a prize then thats something that one appreciates. But I think Amits underlying point, that we mustnt mistake a conversation about the prize as a solution for the deeper issue of a rigorous conversation about books and literature, is true. No one prize can take the place of that conversation, and if we allow only one prize to dictate how we think about books, theres the danger that many books dont get noticed. And so, in a sense, I understand where hes coming from.

With the Booker open to Americans, and author descriptors such as British-Pakistani", do award institutions function differently for those who in academic circles are called third-world" or postcolonial" writers?

I think many times in the British press I was described as a British-Pakistani writer, which struck me as interesting. In Pakistan Id be referred to as a Pakistani writer, and I take that for granted. In Britain, though, because I am both, I would expect to be referred to as a British writer or a British-Pakistani. But initially, both Kamila (Shamsie) and I, when on the longlist, were referred to as Pakistani writers (its been rectified now).

The prizes that can genuinely bring readers and attention around the world to books should be more open to people from all over the world, and not just Americans or writers from Britain.-

As for Americans being eligible for the prize: I think, in a way, you have to ask, what is the purpose of the prizes? Ideally, the purpose of prizes should be to bring attention, and readers, to good booksto books that are formally, linguistically, stylistically inventive, that are powerful stories. And no one prize can do this. But, hopefully, across the constellation of major prizes, something can happen that increases peoples engagement with books. At the moment, if you think about what those major prizes are, there are many of them that are open only to American writers, like the Pulitzer or the National Book Award, and fewer still that are open to writers from places like India or Pakistan. In a way, you can tackle the question of the Booker in two different directions: one would be to say that its unfortunate the Booker has been opened up to American writers, but the other would be to say that if this is part of a process that opens up prizes like the Pulitzer and the National Book Award to writers from all over the world, then it could potentially be a good thing. The prizes that can genuinely bring readers and attention around the world to books should be more open to people from all over the world, and not just Americans or writers from Britainpeople from Africa, Asia, Latin America, from everywhere.

Your novel was published in the wake of Trumps travel ban...

I dont like travel bans. I honestly believe that human beings have a right to move wherever they want, and that in two or three centuries itll be commonly understood that discriminating against somebody on the basis of where they were born, or the citizenship they were born with, will be thought of as barbaric in the same way that we see discriminating on the basis of race or gender as barbaric. And so the long-run direction for humanity is one where people are treated equallydoesnt matter if youre born in Mumbai or Mogadishu or Madrid or Minneapolis. And so things like a travel ban and this sort of backlash is against the longer course of history. And even if in the near term we do see setbacks to people being able to move, I think eventually well live on a planet where they can.

Were witnessing the return and rise of dystopian literature in the age of Trump. Would you situate your novel in this space, or are you more hopeful as a storyteller?

I dont think that Exit West is a dystopian novel; I think its a novel about a future which is different, but that difference contains within it new possibilities. Its not a utopian novel, but it is a novel that says we can imagine into being new realities, and quite possibly better than the present ones, even if the changes along the way will be jarring. And so it is more optimistic, at least for me, than a dystopian novel. I guess it looks into what many people think of as dystopia, a world of uncontrolled migration, but it tends to investigate whether that might not be a dystopia at all.

Why write the very timely Exit West as magical realism, and not a collection of political essays?

There are two parts to your question: One is the question about essays versus novels, and the second is what kind of novel. For the former, I think they work in different ways; I think that a novel invites us to pretend that we are different people, that there are other people inside us, and to see how that makes us feel. And that vocabulary and emotional register of how we feel gives us a different basis for thinking about politics. And that is something quite removed from the approach taken by a political essay. So I do both, but this novel is very much a novel. Its about how readers feel.

In terms of what you call magical realism, I dont necessarily think of this book as magical realism or science fiction, but Ill accept that it can be called those things. I dont object to those labels; I dont really seek them out either. For me, the effect of technology in our present historical moment is to collapse distance. And the doors in the novel are basically a manifestation of the emotional reality of what our contemporary technology is already doing. They may not be realism in the sense of physics, but I think they are a kind of realism in the sense of it happening to humanity in our emotional reality. So, the doors, to me, weirdly enough, feel in some sense, very real.

I understand that the film rights were bought recently. Will you be involved?

Its too soon to say, but I would hope to be involved. I think there is for me a kind of sweet spot where they ask me for my advice and I can give it, but I dont get sucked in so deep that it becomes a continuous struggle between my vision and somebody elses. Morten Tyldum, whos the director, has had a number of conversations with me, and Ive come to have a great deal of respect for his point of view Its like sending your child to school: you pick the school that you think is best for your child, then your child has to go! You hope for the best.

Are you working on something new?

Im thinking about stuff. I dont have the next novel, yet. Part of me thinks maybe I will do a book of essays, part of me thinks perhaps a childrens book (because my children are still young enough to want to read one that I might write), and part of me thinks another novel soat this stage Im kind of in flux.
Documents shared in a meeting Wednesday between President Moon Jae-in and the heads of the four major political parties specify Oct. 10 and 18 as highly likely dates of more North Korean provocations. Oct. 10 marks North Korea's founding day, while Oct. 18 is when Chinese President Xi Jinping starts his new term in office, so the North may want to draw attention to itself.

Appearing before a U.S. Senate hearing on Tuesday, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford said it is only a matter of time before North Korea perfects a missile that can carry a unclear warhead to the U.S. mainland. "Whether it's three months or six months or 18 months, it is soon, and we ought to conduct ourselves as though it is just a matter of time, and a matter of very short time, before North Korea has that capability," he said. Dunford added that the U.S. will deploy 21 more interceptor missiles to defend the American mainland against a North Korean missile attack.

There have also been reports that the U.S. has prepared four different military options. On Monday, Robert Gallucci, a former U.S. State Department special envoy, claimed a military confrontation could happen "within hours" on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea's foreign minister has already threatened to shoot down U.S. strategic bombers if they cross over the maritime border separating the two Koreas.

Yet South Koreans are oddly unaffected by the tensions. Moon once again reaffirmed his opposition to stationing tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea when he met the party leaders. National security adviser Chung Eui-yong said the U.S.' nuclear umbrella will be strengthened instead. But nobody knows how effective the umbrella will be when the North's missiles come raining down.

European countries probably built their own tactical nuclear weapons because they were unsure of the protective capability of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. At the rate the Moon administration is going, South Korea will probably have to totally entrust the U.S. with its security. History shows what happened to nations that relied so heavily on foreign countries for their security.

While leaving the protection of South Korea's security to the U.S., the president and heads of major parties agreed on their opposition to war and support of a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis. The agreement was aimed at increasingly belligerent talk from U.S. President Donald Trump. Looking back at a history marked by numerous invasions, it was not Korea's lack of a yearning for peace that led to its suffering. It was invaded because it failed to protect its borders.

Right now, South Korea is completely incapable of thwarting a North Korean nuclear attack. All the conventional weapons that were displayed on Armed Forces Day are useless against North Korea's latest weapons. Everyone is shouting "peace" and "no more war," but nobody has any answers to how a North Korean attack can be stopped to ensure peace. This is simply childish.

The president's security adviser Moon Chung-in said during a seminar earlier this week that he supports acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear power, just like India and Pakistan. In the past, supporters of the Sunshine Policy of rapprochement with North Korea have claimed the North has neither the capacity nor the intention to develop nuclear weapons. Now these same people are saying the North should be recognized as a nuclear power, but South Korea must never acquire nuclear weapons.

The adviser went even further and said, "Many people told me that we must not allow war to happen on the Korean Peninsula, even if such opposition ends up damaging the South Korea-U.S. alliance." This borders on the delusional. Does the president share his thoughts?


Peking opera film Farewell to My Concubine attracts New York

By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2017-09-27 17:34

Ribbon cutting ceremony of the release of Peking opera film Farewell to My Concubine in New York, September 21, 2017. [Photo/the paper.cn]

As a part of Chinese Peking Opera's exhibition in New York, the world's first three-dimensional atmospheric Peking opera film Farewell to My Concubine was put on in New York's Crosby Street No. 79 Cinema on September 21.

The Peking opera film co-produced by Shanghai Film Group, Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre and Shanghai Media Group is scheduled to be on display for three days in New York, with the film casts meeting with audiences.

Chinese and western audiences at the ceremony. [Photo/the paper.cn]

As the first film which combined three-dimensional with Atmos characteristic into a Peking opera, Farewell to My Concubine presented unique visual and acoustic experience and new charm of Peking opera art, achieving high praise from Chinese and foreign appreciators.

According to Zhang Qiyue, general counsel of China in New York, new film making methods adopted in Peking opera, a quintessence of Chinese culture, will attract more young men and foreigners so as to carry forward the opera and promote communication between China and US.

Luo Ke, director of US and Europe research center of Embassy of France in the United States paid a compliment that with the newest form, the film reached to the heart of western young audiences and it is no doubt that this is an enormous step in Chinese culture's spreading to the world.

"I feel it is a special experience to watch this film. It narrates a traditional story with a new method, setting up a bridge between traditional art and the audiences and at the same time facilitating cultural understanding and exchange. Perhaps western classical music could also be presented with modern technology." said Alison Wagmore, leader of Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.

Before the film's release, stage performance of Farewell to My Concubinehad already been presented at the Astor Court of the Metropolitan Museum of Arton September 15 and provoked great repercussion.
At the ripe old age of 16, Martijn welcomed his eighth child into the world, a bouncing brown-eyed boy born this month at the Oakland Zoo.

Martijn is a hamadryas baboon, and the latest addition to his family has given the Oakland Zoo the distinction of having one of the largest baboon troops of any zoo in the nation.

Baby Kito  whose name means precious in Swahili  was born Sept. 2, upping the members of his troop to 16, according to zoo officials.

Kito is his mother Kristas fourth baby, and shes gotten less and less protective as she becomes a more experienced parent, said Ashley Kelly, the zookeeper who works with the baboons at the Oakland Zoo.

At this point, shes already letting him walk away and leave her side, unlike her first, where she held onto him for a really long time, Kelly said.

The animals forage in small groups by day and convene in bigger groups at night to sleep.

In the wild, hamadryas baboons can sleep in groups of more than 100, and live mainly in Ethiopia, according to the International Primate Protection League. Male baboons have harems consisting of several females who work together to raise the groups offspring.

Martijn and Krista were both brought to their East Bay home from the Netherlands to increase the genetic diversity of the baboon population at U.S. zoos, according to the Oakland Zoo.

Dynamics in the troop are expected to shift as the young baboons age and get ready to start their own harems, Kelly said.

We got two juvenile males when they were 2 years old. They wont mature for another year or two, but theyre meant to breed with Martijns daughters, eventually, she said. Once they mature, they can take his daughters and start their own harems.

In the meantime, the baboons keep cool by eating Popsicles and amuse themselves by stripping the bark off branches for snacks, Kelly said.

Baby Kito has already become the subject of fascination for his older siblings.

The troop is very excited, especially all the juveniles, because theyre having a lot of fun trying to take him away for themselves, Kelly said.

Hes already showing off an adventurous personality, too.

Hes very exploratory, said Kelly. Hes always trying to get away to go climb something.

Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ obioannoukenobi
Premier Li Keqiang chaired a symposium on Sept 27 on expanding the reform of replacing the business tax with value-added tax (VAT) and improving related fiscal and tax policies.

At the meeting, the Premier heard reports from government officials of provincial regions including Shanghai, and Henan and Sichuan provinces, about the progress and achievements of local VAT pilot programs, and reports from enterprises about the tax savings brought about by VAT reform. Two professors from Peking University and Renmin University of China also offered their suggestions on improving the reform and tax policies.

They all said the VAT reform brought about many positive effects, and saved enterprises 1.7 trillion yuan in taxes so far. It has not only helped expand the tax base and increase employment, but also regulated industries, upgraded the economic structure, promoted mass innovation and entrepreneurship and created new business models and industries.

Premier Li said that in the last five years, during the implementation of VAT reform, all regions and related departments have carried out arduous work, continuously improving the policies based on actual practices. He said the reform has achieved hard-earned results, which helped provide solid support and accumulated experience for maintaining steady economic growth.

As global competition is getting more fierce, and many countries are improving their investment environment by cutting taxes, China should insist on promoting its supply-side structural reform as the main focus of expanding all-around reform and opening-up, said the Premier.

He also called for efforts to lower institutional transaction costs, forming an enabling business environment that encourages startups and innovation, enhancing industry upgrades and advocating fair competition by simplifying administration and reducing taxes and costs to inspire market vitality.

Premier Li said the government should continue to improve related policies serving VAT reform.

To ensure that tax burdens on enterprises are relieved in an all-around way, efforts should be made to integrate preferential policies during the trial period, complete tax deduction chains, and improve taxation methods, to address problems in tax deductions in financial and manufacturing sectors and small and medium enterprises.

The Premier called for enhanced taxation services to ensure enterprises can enjoy full VAT deductions. Also, he urged efforts to coordinate and simplify national and local taxation affairs, and improve taxation work with information technology.

Issuing fake VAT invoices and other tax evasion and fraudulent acts should face severe punishment, he added.

Premier Li also urged revoking and revising regulations involving the business tax as soon as possible, and pushing ahead with follow-up reforms in the VAT system, including studying and improving the standard rate of VAT, optimizing the tax rate structure, and introducing measures to further reduce tax burdens in the manufacturing sector.

Premier Li stressed dividing financial powers and expenditure responsibilities between central and local governments, and improving local tax mechanisms, for balanced development among Chinas eastern, central and western regions.

In addition, the Premier asked local governments to make use of increased income from VAT reform to support socio-economic development and improve peoples lives, in efforts to maintain Chinas economic growth and push it to middle and high-end levels.

Vice-Premier Ma Kai and State Councilor Yang Jing also attended the meeting.
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A man who allegedly tried to flee the scene of a car crash died while in the custody of Oakland police Thursday after officers used an electronic stun gun to detain him, officials said.

Police were called to the scene of a multiple-vehicle collision on the 4100 block of Foothill Boulevard, near San Antonio Park, at 2:21 p.m. The man who later died was identified as being involved in the crash and trying to leave the area, police officials said.

The man was being physically resistant while the officers were attempting to arrest him, a statement from the Police Department read.

Police used a Taser on the man, arrested him and requested paramedics, officials said. The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

His name and age were not released.

Oakland homicide detectives and the departments Internal Affairs Division are investigating the circumstances of the death, and the Alameda County District Attorneys Office is conducting a parallel investigation, officials said.

The county coroners office has not yet determined the cause of the mans death.

In-custody deaths and use-of-force instances by Oakland police have dramatically declined in recent years. There were no officer-involved shootings by the department in 2014 or 2016. The most recent case happened in February, when a police officer shot and killed 32-year-old Jesse Enjaian, who had opened fire on residents, cars and officers.

The issue over whether officers should carry stun guns has been debated in nearby Berkeley and San Francisco, whose police unions have lobbied for the equipment. Community groups have opposed the stun guns.

A 2011 study by the U.S. Department of Justice examined hundreds of cases in which people died after being stunned and recommended that police avoid shocking suspects repeatedly or continuously. Most of the deaths were associated with underlying health problems such as heart disease, drug use or other issues.

The report noted that, after being stunned, the suspect should be carefully observed for signs of distress and should be medically evaluated at the earliest opportunity.

Oakland police did not say whether they shocked the man more than once on Thursday.

The Oakland Police Departments general orders say that stun guns can be used to control dangerous and violent subjects and should involve the minimum amount of electrical stimulation that is reasonable to obtain control.

Anyone with information on the incident can contact the Police Department at (510) 238-3831 or call the departments tip line at (510) 777-7950.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KVeklerov
Skulls and Keys: The Hidden History of Yale's Secret Societies

By David Alan Richards

Pegasus. 821 pp. $35

---

The younger brother of the poet Archibald MacLeish wrote a letter to his fiancee in 1917 complaining about how depressed and humiliated he felt at having been passed over by all of Yale's secret societies. He had not even been tapped by Skull and Bones, where, through Archie, he was a legacy. "It almost kills me," he wrote. "I want to get to France and forget the whole thing."

It was a fateful choice of words. Kenneth MacLeish left school to join the Naval Reserve Flying Corps, deployed to France as a pilot and was shot down over Belgium on Oct. 14, 1918, less than a month before World War I ended. He was 24.

What is it about Yale's secret societies that makes otherwise sensible people so awestruck? Why did young men like Kenneth MacLeish feel it was a matter of life and death whether they were admitted to the clubs? Strictly speaking, the Yale senior societies are not fundamentally different from the exclusive social clubs found at every other Ivy League school. But no one ever based a horror movie franchise around the Princeton dining clubs.

If it is the secrecy of these groups that you find appealing, "Skulls and Keys" is the wrong book for you. David Alan Richards admits at the beginning that "there will be no 'secrets' here that have not already, somehow and somewhere, been revealed at least once in print." Richards is a Bonesman himself, so he could divulge hidden secrets if he wanted to, but apparently he decided that his book didn't need to be spiced up with juicy insider details.

Alas, without the juicy details, "Skulls and Keys" amounts to little more than a succession of anecdotes, some more interesting than others. Conservative readers will be gratified to learn that William F. Buckley Jr. refused to join the Fence Club if it continued to blackball his friend Thomas Guinzberg for being Jewish. But even the original Bonesmen of the 1830s would probably agree that their dirty jokes ("How did Demosthenes have such numerous progeny when he carried his stones in his mouth?") did not need to be entered into the historical record.

The bagginess of this 800-plus-page tome is made worse by the fact that Richards is not a natural storyteller. (He is a lawyer by profession.) The fight that led to women finally being let into Skull and Bones in 1991 makes a gripping saga: keys to the tomb confiscated, lawsuits threatened, top-secret memos leaked and printed in the Wall Street Journal. Richards fumbles what should be the climax of his book. He waits until nearly the end of the book to mention that one of the undergraduate ringleaders in favor of admitting women was future Obama economic adviser Austan Goolsbee.

Richards' microscopic view of his subject obscures the larger fact that Yale's secret societies have long been in decline. They no longer have the cultural cachet they enjoyed in the days of John O'Hara and Dink Stover. Undergraduates walk past the brownstone tomb on High Street with no more interest than they walk past Yorkside Pizza. Membership is still sought after by the ambitious for networking purposes, but the secret societies have lost their glamor.

Their decline coincided with the increasingly meritocratic policies of the 1960s. That much is clear. Less clear is what precisely about that seismic cultural shift proved fatal. Mere egalitarianism was never the problem, since left-wing political commitments rarely stopped anyone from accepting admission to a society, even when outsiders accused them of hypocrisy. In 1971 a student columnist noted with indignation that the students inducted that year included "one black militant, a leading spokesman of last spring's Mayday activities, [and] one of the organizers of the charity drive for New Haven." How, he asked, can some of the "most outspoken defenders of the community last spring now be a member of a society that does nothing for the community?"

Old-timers would say things started going downhill when the clubs let women in. Resistance to going coed persisted surprisingly late. The first two times Skull and Bones considered admitting women, in 1971 and 1986, alumni committees voted against it unanimously. To give the fuddy-duddies their due, most secret societies throughout history, since the days of the first Freemasons, have been all male. Perhaps women are less easily impressed by silly costumes and creepy chanting.

Bart Giamatti, who served as president of Yale from 1978 to 1986, believed that the declining prestige of secret societies was an unavoidable consequence of diversity. "What a freshman in 1914 had heard of societies from his preparatory school masters and a freshman in 1944 might hear from one of his numerous classmates whose relatives had attended Yale, a freshman in 1974, more likely than not from a public high school, with no previous Yale ties, would not hear at all," he wrote in 1978 in a history of his own secret society, Scroll and Key. "That ingrained consciousness of societies, that shared sense of what they meant ... disappeared like smoke in the late sixties."

Even after those public-school upstarts learned what secret societies were, they still were unfamiliar with conventions that were second nature to legacies: whether you were allowed to lobby societies in advance (no), how seriously to take the code of secrecy (very), even something as simple as the procedure for Tap Night, the traditional evening of robes and rituals when all the societies induct their new members. Seniors had to spell everything out to the juniors in advance, which rather diminished the mystique.

Harvard recently announced that it was considering barring students from joining fraternities, sororities and exclusive single-gender groups known as "final clubs." Members of such clubs are already subject to penalties, including ineligibility for certain grants and fellowships. In July, the Committee on Unrecognized Single-Gender Social Organizations officially recommended a total ban.

Yale partisans may be tempted to take delight in the fact that their school has not taken such a humorless stand against a venerable form of undergraduate socializing. But the sad truth may be that, after a long slide into irrelevance, Yale secret societies are not important enough to be worth banning.

---

Andrews is a 2017 Robert Novak journalism fellow and has worked as an editor and a think tank researcher.
Eddie Muller, the bourbon-voiced host of "Noir Alley" on the Turner Classic Movies channel, relishes watching Bogey and Robert Mitchum play classic gumshoes. But before he discovered their characters, it was the Spirit, the shadowy crimefighter from vintage newspaper comic pages, who really left him riveted.

Noir films, detective fiction and chiaroscuro comics are "all a big mix," Muller says in a phone interview. "And growing up, I was a comic-book guy."

Which is why he is getting a jolt of pleasure over his latest appearance: In addition to your Sunday screen and cable app, Muller is now also popping up in a new issue of Batman.

The Czar of Noir and the World's Greatest Detective join forces for "Batman in Noir Alley," a free comic book coming to select shops and next week's New York Comic Con, thanks to a partnership between DC Comics and TCM.

In the new tale, as penned by Stuart Moore, the TV host and the Caped Crusader team up to crack a case after the Moroccan Raptor - think "the Maltese Falcon" - disappears from the Gotham City Museum. The cover art for this hardboiled story is by Dan Panosian.

For a guy who grew up reading Batman, Muller says, his cartoon cameo in this comic is "immensely cool - I still haven't wrapped my head around it."

A second-generation San Franciscan, Muller grew up reading DC and Marvel comics, then discovered the syndicated feature "The Spirit" and became a big fan of its creator, the legendary Will Eisner - helping to pave the future host's way toward noir. "At 10 and 11 years old, I was drawing superheroes," he says. "By age 19, I was drawing my own adaptation of Raymond Chandler stories. ... It was my aspiration to be a comic-book illustrator."

Instead, Muller studied film and wrote crime fiction (he loves the lean, timeless style of Dashiell Hammett, he notes). But he never lost his appreciation of comic visuals, especially when meeting such comics creators in the Bay Area as Bill Griffith and Art Spiegelman, who had befriended Muller's cinematic mentor, George Kuchar.

Muller wrote a few short stories that were initially intended to be illustrated, and he art-directed a book by cartoonist friend Mark Zingarelli. But he cites the eye-popping art style of Jim Steranko as a crucial link for him between film and comics.

"Steranko triggered my early imagination," Muller says of the Eisner Hall of Fame artist, who first rose to comics stardom in the '60s. "He was controversial - they said he was a show-off - but I completely tapped into that (work).

"I would say that part of my initial understanding of film came from that - how he would open a montage of Captain America and show quick little cuts of what was happening. ... Jim taught me how comics and movies correspond on the page, and how comics spatially imitate the time sequence of film," continues Muller, who next month will also unveil augmented-reality features for "Noir Alley."

Flash-forward to 2000, when Muller finally met Steranko at a San Francisco comics convention. Muller confessed his fandom, and Steranko replied that he was a fan of Muller's books.

"It was the greatest moment in my life," Muller says. "That, and being in a Batman comic."
The battle lines in the hunting debate are clear - but only to the most vocal partisans on each side of the war.

That's according to a fascinating new documentary that challenges the conventional wisdom about animals. In "Trophy," we watch a confrontation unfold between two people: Texas sheep farmer Philip Glass, an avid recreational hunter (including of big game in Africa), and an anonymous protester at an anti-hunting rally. Glass - a devout Christian who doesn't believe in evolution, and who justifies his lethal pastime by saying that God granted man "dominion" over animals - attempts to rattle the angry protester by noting that she probably eats meat. "I'm a vegan," she shoots back, with a tone of self-righteousness.

That encounter might be the only time in "Trophy" that the opposing sides of the argument are expressed with such ideological purity.

Instead, much of the film is likely to complicate, not clarify, our traditional understanding of the conflict between hunting advocates and animal rights activists. Case in point: In addition to Glass, the film's other main subject is John Hume, a South African rhinoceros rancher who, in an opening sequence, is harvesting a rhino horn, by power saw. (The horns grow back, and the animals have been tranquilized.) His goal? To prevent poachers from killing the animals and selling their horns on the black market.

To some, Hume is a champion of an endangered species. To others, he's an animal profiteer - a "devil," in the words of one animal rights advocate. Hume hopes to finance his rhino ranching operation through the sale of horns, which some believe have magical properties and which can fetch millions of dollars. Because of legal roadblocks, Hume has yet to make a killing, so to speak, even though a South African ban on the sale of horns was recently lifted.

"Trophy's" co-directors, Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, sat down for an interview recently, accompanied by one of the film's complex subjects: Zimbabwean anti-poaching "cop" Chris Moore. Like the film itself, Moore's work in the Zambezi Valley has complicated roots. His funding comes largely from two sources on opposite sides of the culture wars: a carbon-offset company that works to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases through deforestation, and the big-game hunting industry.

None of these three people, tellingly, is a vegan. Their views on hunting, however, are quite diverse. According to Schwarz, there's something "psychotic" about wanting to kill a majestic beast. Clusiau disagrees with that harsh assessment.

As for Moore, a sixth-generation African who grew up practicing falconry as a kid, he's no stranger to killing animals. Although he no longer hunts for sport, he recalls that, in his line of work, he once had to shoot a lioness that had been hunting children on their way to school. It was, he says, to prevent villagers from taking matters into their own hands. If he hadn't taken out that one animal - who was stalking humans only because she had been injured by a poacher's snare and was unable to provide food for her cubs - the village would have killed the entire pride of 14 animals.

"I was torn to pieces," Moore explains, in each of three ways: emotionally; by the disapproval of the animal-loving public; and, very nearly, literally - by the lion.

According to Schwarz, "Trophy" is neither pro- nor anti-hunting. Rather, he says, it's about something larger: "our relationship to animals, and how that is shifting," in directions from which there might be no turning back. The mantra of the hardcore anti-hunting movement - keep the wild wild - is a dangerous position, he argues, because it doesn't allow for people such as Hume - who has probably saved more rhinos than anyone in the world - to operate.

Schwarz offers up a better mantra: If it pays, it stays. In other words, when there are economic incentives to keep animals alive - even if it's for the purpose of killing them, as in the case of farm-raised lions, bred for sport hunting - perhaps even hunters can be called, perversely, conservationists.

"Can I get these 'psychos' to actually conserve?" Schwarz asks, rhetorically. "It sounds crazy, but we learned that it's not so crazy."

Is "Trophy" evidence of a life that is perhaps hopelessly out of balance? An unnatural vision of counterfeit nature, where some animals - now viewed as things - are kept alive, only to be killed? Yes, the filmmakers say, while asking how that's any different from the meat industry.

At a minimum, Schwarz and Clusiau want viewers to reflect on their own hypocrisy: One anti-hunting interview subject is shown, subtly but pointedly, killing a fly.

Although "Trophy" looks at poaching and other aspects of animal commodification, it is, for the most part, an examination of big-game hunting, bringing its gaze to bear unblinkingly - if not always unflinching - on all the sordid details of the hunt. ("It's not sport, it's just killing," author and ecologist Craig Packer says in the film.) During one hunt, an elephant is fatally wounded but not immediately killed. We watch the animal die, slowly, on camera.

"Were our cameras shaking?" Schwarz asks. "Were we crying? Yes. That was one of the hardest scenes we ever filmed."

Other scenes focus on the pornlike tradition of the post-hunt photo shoot, in which "death is washed off an animal's corpse," as Schwarz puts it, before the hunter poses with his kill for what amounts to a morbid selfie.

Will "Trophy" turn a hunter into a vegan? Or a card-carrying, meat-is-murder member of PETA into a modern-day Teddy Roosevelt, with a deer head mounted over the fireplace?

Certainly not, the filmmakers say. And that's not its goal. Unlike news photos of napalmed children that helped hasten the end of the Vietnam War, "Trophy" doesn't mean to shock - or shame - hunters into laying down their weapons. "It's far too late for that, in any case," Clusiau says.

Rather, it raises a question that is uncomfortable but must be asked, according to Schwarz and Clusiau: Can putting a price tag on animals, ironically, help to save them?

"This is why I love this film," Moore says. "It's making people see things from a different perspective."
The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce announced an effort to restore businesses heavily impacted by Hurricane Harvey at the State of County Luncheon, Friday, Sept. 29.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett was invited as the guest speaker for the event.

Jenna Armstrong, president of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, announced the official launch of the Back to Business campaign, which focuses on restoring all businesses from the Lake Houston area, not just members of the chamber.

"I'm really proud of our chamber. Everyone is coming together to help each other out so we can get on that road to recovery," Armstrong said.

Businesses looking for grants to help assist them in re-opening are directed to apply for the Lake Houston Area Relief Fund grant online.

Armstrong stressed all funds raised will remain within the community, specifically to help rebuild businesses. "There is no FEMA for businesses," Armstrong said. "We are all stronger as one collective voice."

The campaign primarily is focused on businesses hit devastatingly by Hurricane Harvey.

Armstrong said, according the FEMA statistics, 40 percent of small businesses never reopen following a disaster, and she is not comfortable with that figure.

"I am sure that the Lake Houston area will do better than that statistic," Armstrong said.

In order to recharge the area's economy, Armstrong said, businesses need to get back up and running.

The chamber will be contacting each business that had to close, keeping in touch with them at least once a month and seeing what their needs are.

When businesses are ready to re-open, they will be heavily promoted by the chamber through newspaper ads, yard signs and social media blasts.

Emmett spoke on the usefulness the Astrodome posed during Hurricane Harvey relief.

He also discussed the decision the Corps of Engineers made to release the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs, citing the decision was necessary.

Emmett said if the water was left to overflow, then the path of the flooding could not have been predicted, making it hard to control, but the direction was clear with the decision to release the water.

Emmett also expressed the need for more attention on flood plan preventions, and said while the focus is always Houston and Harris County, West and East Texas areas should be factored into plans to prevent the reoccurrence of devastating floods.
City of Houston District E Council Member Dave Martin received applause during the Harvey Recovery Information Session at Kingwood Community Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, when he launched into a speech about his pursuit of accountability for the unprecedented flooding in Kingwood.

He has made evident his belief that water released from Lake Conroe may have been responsible for exacerbating the extent of devastation never before experienced in Kingwood and pointed specifically to the San Jacinto River Authority.

"I will not rest a day until I hold people responsible for what they did to us. I'm on a mission, and I will get these people, rest assured, and so will my friend Dan Huberty, so will my friend Ted Poe, so would a lot of elected officials in the state of Texas," Martin said.

The purpose of the Kingwood meeting was to address issues and concerns related to the massive-scale flooding in Kingwood, and to provide people with information about resources available to them.

Friday, Sept. 29, was the San Antonio Solid Waste Manage Department's final day in Kingwood after weeks of helping with debris removal. Martin praised the San Antonio crews, whom he said were heroes.

More than 100,000 cubic yards of debris have been picked up in the Kingwood area, and Martin acknowledged there is still more to remove.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the city's goal is to have all debris removed within three months, which is half the time FEMA originally said the debris removal efforts would take.

When seeking aid in debris removal efforts, he approached the Corps of Engineers, who quoted a service cost twice that of private contractors, and gave an estimated removal time frame of three months for every million cubic yards. Turner said that was too long.

"So, we have been ramping up with the trucks and literally trying to get contractors from all over the country," Turner said. "Right now, on average, we have about 453 trucks and loaders that are traversing the city of Houston and we intend to ramp that up even more."

Turner said FEMA has authorized the city to pay for debris removal services at a rate of $11.69 per cubic yard, which is more than what was originally authorized.

The city intends to stay within those cost constraints. Turner set a goal to increase the number of trucks traversing the city from 453 to more than 500.

Additionally, Austin has made a mutual agreement with Houston to aid in these efforts with the understanding Houston will return the favor should the need one day arise.

According to Martin, the most significant aspect moving forward is that Kingwood residents cannot be expected to rebuild or move back until officials pinpoint the cause of the unprecedented flooding event, formulate better protocols and procedures, and figure out how to make sure such an event never occurs in the Kingwood area again.

"I too want to join in with Council Member Martin," Turner said. "We do need to take a good hard look, because it's very difficult to ask people simply to rebuild without being able to provide people with answers of undertaking mitigation measures as we go forward."

In the Kingwood area, Turner said about 5,000-plus homes and businesses were impacted by the flooding.

"Many people were affected when the rain fell from the sky," Turner said. "Other people were impacted when water was released, whether it was in this area released from Lake Conroe, whether it was in west Houston, the release of water from the reservoir. So, homes that had never flooded before in this particular instance, flooded."

Turner's two main immediate priorities, he said, are to remove debris as quickly as possible, because it becomes a health hazard and causes emotional stress, and to figure out housing for the people who have been displaced from their homes.

The anticipated cost of the storm is between $150 billion to $180 billion.

Turner said FEMA reimburses 100 percent of emergency protective services, matches 90 percent of debris removal costs, and now reimburses 90 percent in other categories, including parks and public facilities. Originally, only 75 percent of those were reimbursed.

"We anticipate that the cost of debris removal, just in the city of Houston, to be about $260 million. Our part will be $26 million," Turner said.

Additionally, Hurricane Harvey's cost to public facilities is expected to be more than $175 million to $180 million, which exceeded the insurance on government buildings  $100 million  for the first time ever. In fact, Turner said it had never exceeded $33 million until now.

"With that being said, and assuming that's the case, we will no longer have insurance on any of our buildings," Turner said. "That's unacceptable. We're still in the hurricane season. The fiscal year doesn't end until the end of June, and so I'm going to recommend to the council on Wednesday we have to get more insurance and it costs us about $3 million for every $25 million. For $50 million, it's going to cost a little more than $5 million and then you add another $1 million for every $10 million. I'm going to propose we go back up to $100 million. The cost on that would be about $10 million."

Turner again stressed the importance he places on mitigation measures to pre-emptively avoid disaster situations like this in the future. He pointed to several bayou projects that need to be expanded, work that needs to be done on the reservoir in west Houston, as well as on the coastal spine.

"They spent $14 billion in Louisiana after Katrina on mitigation projects," Turner said. "They need to do the same thing here."

Martin planned to head to New Orleans on Monday, Oct. 2, with other city representatives to discuss the post-Katrina initiatives that might be applicable in the Houston area.

Turner expressed a special sensitivity to the needs of seniors and people with special needs, as well as those without flood insurance. Additionally, the city and county have established a mutual relief fund that can only be used to benefit people who were directly impacted by the storm, with special consideration given to seniors and other groups with special needs.

They are also trying to get direct federal funding for assistance as well so the city can disseminate proceeds directly to people in need. There is conversation occurring about a direct assistance program, but the city is still waiting to see what the feds decide to do.

Another issue raised was in regards to allowing developers to build in floodplains. Turner said changes do need to be made moving forward to implement smarter ways of developing.

"Certainly it doesn't make a lot of sense to allow development  say multi-family units  in areas that we know if another major storm comes, they will flood again," Turner said. "I think of two apartment complexes right now  they flooded in 2015, they got HUD money, they rebuild. They flooded in 2016, they got HUD money, they rebuild. They flooded this time, they're seeking HUD money  I had told Public Works hold off on the permit, do not give it to them and saying to HUD  let's do things differently because you're providing funding for failure, and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

"I will also say to you, I don't want the city to stop progressing, I don't want to stop the growth, but I think we can be intelligent in how we do things as we go forward."

One resident brought up the issue of mitigation by dredging, saying that former government representatives had approached previous city administrations about dredging and were denied. He asked if Turner would commit to a more aggressive mitigation plan.

"I've already talked to Council Member Martin about dredging and that's something that we need to move forward on. The answer to your question is yes. We have to do some things that are radically different. But having said that, I'm not out here to tell people we're going to dictate to you on how to use your land. I'm not trying to say that. I'm a native Houstonian, I'm a native Texan, and we do things the Texan way, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't engage in greater mitigation, that we shouldn't be smarter," Turner said.

There have been concerns for some homeowners over being denied for FEMA assistance.

Tom McCasland, director of city of Houston Housing and Community Development Department, said there are many reasons why someone may be denied FEMA assistance, but it is not to be based on income.

McCasland is working to help get people who are displaced into housing as soon as possible. He said just because someone is denied does not mean that it is the end of the road for them as far as receiving assistance.

"We're going to be pushing hard when we hear about problems with denials," McCasland said.

Susan Miles, with FEMA's individual assistance program, said while there are some programs that are income-based, not all of them are.

"The fact that you have income, or you have money, does not mean that we will not assist you," she said.

Often, she said, a denial means that FEMA needs more information from the applicant. For example, applications may be rejected because applicants did not provide all of the required documentation proving their identities.

Also, the process of getting approved for FEMA assistance involves exhausting other sources of financial assistance first. Miles often encounters people who are confused about the way the process works.

"First option, you have insurance," Miles said. "You have to take all of the money out of this insurance cup before you go any further. The next one is your SBA loan, any community groups that are offering assistance to survivors, things like that. Once you've exhausted these funds, you come to us."

Miles stressed, however, it is important to apply to FEMA first because if the other sources of assistance fall through, waiting to apply to FEMA will put applicants further back on the waiting list for processing.

SBA stands for the Small Business Administration, which works hand-in-hand with FEMA to help people recover from damage they received.

Cynthia Cowell, spokeswoman for the Small Business Administration office of disaster assistance, recommends first filing an insurance claim and then registering with FEMA to get as much assistance as possible.

"Then, FEMA may or may not refer you to SBA, and it's very important to understand you need to apply with SBA," Cowell said. "We work hand in hand. We lend up to $200,000 to a homeowner to repair home, and up to $2 million to a business. We also have economic injury disaster loans available for businessesWe can help with $40,000 for renters to replace personal property, so you need to register with FEMA and apply with SBA. It's very important."

Cowell said people who do not qualify for SBA loans can then be referred back to FEMA for assistance.

Miles explained that FEMA's individual assistance program is there to assist people in getting funding to help recovery after an individual has gone through their insurance and SBA.

"If there's still needs, we help cover that as well as rental assistance and housing for temporary shelters and things like that," Miles said.

Those who have not yet applied to FEMA for assistance can do so at www.disasterassistance.gov.

FEMA and SBC representatives are available at the Humble Senior Activity Center  which is being used as the local Disaster Recovery Center  Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

The center is at 1401 S. Houston Avenue in Humble.
Before Hurricane Maria hit, Eric Spackey, the trim open-faced chief executive of Bluewater Defense, a Puerto Rican maker of U.S. military uniforms, was thinking about new markets, workplace efficiency and replacing the roof on the factory he has been renting from the island's industrial development agency.

Now Spackey is trying to put that life back together. The subject of a Washington Post article in July 2016, Spackey has been difficult to reach by phone since the hurricane but he managed to send an email on Thursday and speak briefly on the phone before losing communications contact again. His factory is just 60 miles from San Juan.

"This has been truly one of the most difficult experiences in my life, with the potential for becoming much worse," he wrote. "Fortunately, I have the ancient Stoics as my guide," he added, referring to his penchant for reading ancient philosophers like "Seneca, Epitectus and Marcus Aurelius."

The storm, he said, did not do much damage to his house in Palmas del Mar, Humacao, though he said "there were moments of shear terror as the winds shrieked by with a force and sound only found in the best horror movies." A stream of water flowed down three flights of stairs from an upstairs terrace. He spent hours holding the doors and windows shut. Tree branches, roof tiles and shutters hurtled onto his yardfrom houses hundreds of yards away. When he finally got outside, he realized that the homes of many of his neighbors were destroyed.

Afterward he and a colleague shared "a few beers and shots of whiskey."

The factory in Corozal was another matter. Spackey said that for two days the roads were impassable, but when he finally got through he found the factory badly damaged by wind and rain. The storm had stripped roofing off three of the buildings. He'd also discover that it had destroyed 20 to 30 percent of his employees' homes. Yet when he arrived, his "team" had already started pulling debris out of the factory and was trying to salvage equipment and materials.

When I visited Spackey's plant last year, rows of people transformed rolls of camouflage fabric into uniforms, with workers in each row specializing in pockets, zippers, belt loops and buttons.

"My entire production facility had one to two inches of water covering all [the] floors and offices," Spackey said. "It seems the roof had been peeled off completely in areas, which made it look and feel like a giant indoor shower with water dripping down."

He had asked the government to repair the roof "multiple times" and the only building to escape damage had its roof replaced less than two months ago. Unfortunately, he wasn't using that building.

"Today, the cost of repair will be significant, as well as the cost to replace all of the equipment that was affected," he wrote. Most of the automated machines have electronic controls for whom "water is the enemy!" Water also damaged partially finished goods and goods awaiting shipment to the Pentagon, whose purchases have helped keep Bluewater alive.

But he has a diesel generator - an essential item given Puerto Rico's unreliable electricity grid even before Maria - and somehow he is expecting to start producing the combat trousers for the Army on Monday, Oct. 2. "For me, the main objective is to bring my people back to work and provide them a safe place to earn money, be in air conditioning and have a warm meal," he wrote.

Amazed, he said that more than 250 people - about half his workforce - showed up for work on Monday to help bring back the facilities. "This is why I fight for Puerto Rico!" he wrote.

Spackey divided his letter into the good, bad and ugly. The good: his workers. "I've cried more than once listening to the pain in their voices as they described their losses. Fortunately no one was hurt." By Friday next week, he hopes production will climb, and he has promised to rent a beer truck and provide free cold beer to the workers to celebrate that "small victory."

Then there was the bad. "We asked FEMA for help, tarps to cover the open holes in our roof -- only to be declined," Spackey wrote. "We asked the local mayor to help by bringing a truck and digger so we can pick up all of the garbage and debris strew across the campus blocking [the] entrance to our facilities -- only to be declined."

Moreover, he said, "the situation of no power, water, fuel and communications has everyone nervous and anxious - just talk with anyone who spent 6+ hours waiting to get 5-10 gallons of gas, only to find out there is no gas by the time they reach the pumps." He wrote this "further increases the concern that Puerto Rico is about to go over a cliff."

The lack of communication also upsets him. "I spend 1-2 hours a day at the side of the road when I can get coverage," he wrote. "As a former wireless telecom executive, I understand the challenges faced; however, I have never seen or experienced anything like this.

"Traveling to the plant, I see most towers along the way have sustained damage to the antennas, microwave alignment and cable trays. It will require extensive work before the networks are fully operational -- and there is really no landline. Sadly, I have seen little progress at present, due to lack of materials, equipment and personnel."

Lastly, he wrote, "water is probably the biggest current day-to-day challenge. With the intense heat and lack of air conditioning, you feel the lack of hydration more readily than when you could use a tap and draw a glass of water."

On a brief separate phone call, Spackey said that he has been bathing in his swimming pool and that at home he has been drinking from the 300 bottles of water he had filled before the storm hit. But at the plant, he wrote in the email, "this will be one of the biggest challenges I face when starting the operations next week, along with getting enough fuel for my employees and enough diesel to run the plant."

Spackey said workers "require bathrooms and drinking water. Although I have rented a number of porta-potties to mitigate certain biologic challenges, the lack of potable water is a real problem."

Then there was the ugly.

"If the current situation continues, utter chaos will develop as people realize the local government lacks the ability to deliver basic services to the people," he wrote. "The governor's credibility is waning as he talks about the island being without power for six months; this is politics, not good leadership."

"Years of bad government and poor executive leadership shows in nearly everything around the island," he added. But he said "with the help from the Trump administration and Americans, Puerto Rico will not be left to less than third-world conditions."

Long gasoline lines also angered him. "In my life, I have never seen anything so mismanaged. We have fuel, but no distribution. We have distribution, but no fuel." He typed: "THIS IS A PRIORITY."

Gasoline stations have also been limiting purchases to $5, $10 or $20, so "people are waiting in line for hours to get enough gas only to go home and come back the next day to get more gas." He said that many of his employees cannot come to work due to this.

In Corozal, he said "we measured the line and it was more than one mile long. People were camped with umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun."

Paying for things is another challenge. Without electricity or communications, stores can't accept credit cards. Most ATMs have been out of service, though FEMA said Thursday that additional ones were opening. "Imagine, no one prepared to have large amounts of cash on hand for this situation," Spackey wrote.

His interactions with officials have been discouraging so far. "My direct experience with FEMA and the municipality of Corozal show me they're quick to shake hands, but slow to take action," he said.

"It's incredible . . . no fuel, no cash . . . NO FOOD. This is the crisis that is brewing," he added. "If Puerto Ricans become too desperate due to lack of cash, fuel and food . . . ' all the wheels pop off the wagon' and the island will fall into further chaos quicker than most understand."

But he came back to the people who work for him. "I have faith we will overcome these difficulties," he wrote. "My employees have shown me what Puerto Ricans are made of. These are good people, just suffering through desperate times."

He then said "I can share more but sadly I'm running out of battery on my computer and I don't have electricity to charge."

"Thank you for your continued support," he said. And suddenly he was done.
LAKE RIDGE, Va. - Hala Ayala, a Democrat vying to represent Prince William County, Virginia, in the state legislature, heard the usual gripes when she approached Susan Frederick outside the voter's tidy suburban townhouse: low teacher pay, congested commutes to federal jobs.

Then their chat turned intense.

Frederick, a 38-year-old naturalized citizen from the Caribbean, choked up as she recounted an officer's demanding to see her paperwork during a routine traffic stop. Ayala also began to cry, recalling how she had to teach her son, who is black, how to interact safely with police.

They hugged.

"It's nice to have someone who shares our background so they understand people who they are speaking for," said Frederick, who is upset by President Donald Trump's handling of immigration.

Across the country, strategists are watching to see whether Democrats can convert voter disapproval with Trump into victory at the ballot box. The first clues may come in November in Prince William County, just the kind of fast-growing, suburban swing district prized by candidates from both parties.

In recent election cycles, Prince William has shifted from mostly white, rural and reliably Republican to diverse, developed and swingy - an example of a changing Virginia. The county voted for George W. Bush twice, then swung to Barack Obama, voting for him twice, and Hillary Clinton last year. It voted for Republican Robert McDonnell for governor in 2009, then swung to Terry McAuliffe four years later.

This election, a diverse Democratic slate is hoping to take advantage of those demographic and political shifts to challenge longtime, white male GOP incumbents in state legislative districts carried by Hillary Clinton last November.

They include a transgender woman taking on one of the legislature's most conservative culture warriors, a Latina challenging a retired soldier, and one of the first black female graduates of Virginia Military Institute running against a local GOP activist and military contractor for an open seat.

In addition, Lee Carter, a white Marine Corps veteran who fits the more traditional Democratic-candidate mold, is challenging GOP House Majority Whip Jackson Miller, who just months ago lost a special election in Prince William in an upset seen as a wake-up call for Republicans.

Some say the Democratic Party's best hope for resurgence lies in changing suburbs such as Prince William County.

"The center of gravity, so far, for Democrats in 2018 is suburban districts with voters turned off by Trump and embracing the changes and diversity in their community," said Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic strategist with deep ties to Virginia.

For some, the historic nature of their candidacies is bringing national attention and dollars.

Danica Roem, who would be the first openly transgender person elected to the Virginia legislature, has raised more than $374,000, roughly four times as much as her Republican opponent, Del Robert Marshall.

The Latino Victory Fund has endorsed Ayala, whose father was an immigrant from El Salvador, and Elizabeth Guzman, an immigrant from Peru, to become the first Latinas elected to the legislature.

Both raised in the range of $150,000 in July and August, near the top of the list for House candidates.

But success is by no means a given.

Democrats face challenges including redistricting that has diluted the Democratic vote, in addition to well-established Republicans who wield the power of incumbency. And voter turnout in Virginia's gubernatorial contests usually plummets from the preceding presidential year - a phenomenon that tends to favor Republicans.

"They have greater name recognition, greater ability to fundraise, and they have connections built over years of constituent services," said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.

Del. Richard Anderson, Ayala's Republican opponent, is a case in point.

Anderson, who had twice as much cash as Ayala as of Aug. 31, had just finished knocking on a door in a Manassas neighborhood recently when he was accosted - in a friendly way - by Tim Jimmo.

"Rick Anderson! How are you?" Jimmo shouted from the passenger seat of his car.

It took Anderson a few moments to jog his memory.

"I saw you four years ago, and you offered me a hamburger and beer. And I said I would come back, and I did," said Anderson, recalling his last contested campaign, in 2013.

"You did," Jimmo replied.

"And we played corn hole," said Anderson, 62, a retired Air Force officer.

"We did," Jimmo grinned.

Jimmo, 46, is a union plumber who votes Democratic. He will do so again when choosing a governor in November. But he's voting again for Anderson - a Republican he considers a neighbor and friend.

"On these local levels, it's all about building personal relationships," said Anderson, who estimates that he has met thousands of residents since winning his first campaign in 2009. "That's how you can survive a changing community, and Prince William is a changing community."

---

Prince William, now with more than 450,000 residents, is no longer the rural farming community and escape from city life it was decades ago.

The community 30 miles south of Washington includes tony gated communities, collections of townhouses largely occupied by working-class immigrants, and rural stretches with homes on several-acre plots.

Whites became the minority in 2010, and African-Americans and Latinos each make up a little more than one-fifth of the population.

Former President Barack Obama ended his 2008 campaign with a rally in Prince William - choosing to finish his historic run in a community that reflects a multicultural America. The next day, he became the first Democrat since 1964 to carry the county and the state of Virginia.

Anna Hawkins, an 83-year-old Manassas-area resident and self-described "born and bred" Republican, is mystified by the concerted push by the Democrats in her county this year.

"It's amazes me because I've been here in and out of the county probably 20 to 30 years, and it's been pretty solid Republican," Hawkins said. "When Obama came, I thought, oh, he's cracking a barrier here."

Even so, the county's politics are complex.

Since 2006, voters have four times elected as county board chairman Corey Stewart - a conservative firebrand who led a crackdown on illegal immigration, chaired Trump's campaign in Virginia for a time and made protecting Confederate monuments his signature issue as he ran for governor and now for U.S. Senate. He softens his rhetoric and campaigns in minority areas during county election years.

Marshall, the county's longest-serving Republican incumbent in the state legislature, is also one of the most socially conservative: He sponsored bills to ban same-sex marriage, bar LGBT people from serving in the state National Guard and to require transgender people to use restrooms that correlate with their sex shown on their birth certificates.

Tom Perriello, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor this year and now leads a PAC targeting seats in the House of Delegates, says exurbs are key to overturning the GOP's 66-to-34 majority in the chamber.

"The most radical right politicians in Virginia have not been coming out of my home area - it's the Bob Marshalls and Corey Stewarts in areas like Prince William," said Perriello, who represented central and Southside Virginia in Congress from 2009 to 2011.

Del. Timothy Hugo, the GOP caucus chairman, says Prince William Republicans win because they focus on local issues, such as fighting power lines set to run through the western edge of the county and a parkway to connect to nearby Loudoun County. And with a potential federal government shutdown averted, they don't fear a backlash to Republicans in a district brimming with contractors and federal workers.

"We localize every race," said Hugo, whose district mostly covers Fairfax but stretches into Prince William. "They are talking about stop signs, and talking about schools. They are not talking about these national issues."

---

Guzman, who administers programs for senior citizens and adults with disabilities for the city of Alexandria, said she wants to knock down stereotypes about Latinos.

Recent anti-Guzman mailers sponsored by the Republican House leadership have attacked her because she wants undocumented immigrants to be eligible for driver's licenses. One mailer features photos of bullet holes above text that warned, "If you fear this in your neighborhood, then you should fear this," referring to driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

A spokesman for Republican House leadership did not respond to criticism from Democrats that the mailers promote negative views of Latinos.

"I want to advocate for hard-working families regardless of their race, but I am living in a place where Latinos have been targeted as undocumented criminals and gangbangers," Guzman said. "I want to change that mind-set."

In the aftermath of Clinton's bruising loss as the first woman atop a major-party ticket, Democrats are debating whether the party bet too heavily on a changing American electorate while overlooking white working-class voters - the kind of people who flocked to Trump.

In Prince William, Del. Scott Lingamfelter, Guzman's Republican opponent, said on his Facebook page that he had recently met a woman who claimed that Democratic canvassers told her she should vote for Guzman because she is a Latina.

"Well, for what's it's worth, that appeal fell flat with this voter, who reminded them, 'I care only about the issues not your gender or your ethnicity.' I suspect most folks agree with her," wrote Lingamfelter, who declined an interview request.

Hugo, the Republican in House leadership, said lawmakers who understand their neighborhoods and constituents don't need to fear buzzy challengers.

"A reflection of the community goes beyond race," said Hugo, who is facing a challenge from African-American businessman Donte Tanner. "If you are interested in the local issues, you do reflect the community."
On the hunt for a festive children's birthday gift?

In Singapore, you briefly had the chance to snap up a knockoff Lego set featuring Jihadi John, a British-born Islamic State militant filmed beheading several captives. (Actual ad copy from one online site: "Extremist who enjoys blowing things up for fun. One day, he'll blow himself up.") It was one of several terror-themed toy sets for purchase.

Other options included characters described as bombers and militants. Some carried the Islamic State flag. Others featured AK-47's and dynamite. One particularly gruesome offering depicted a decapitated head.

The "Falcon commando" sets, recommended for children ages 6 to 12, were available at a brick-and-mortar store called Carousell and online, according to the Strait Times. The publication was tipped off to the terrorist-themed toys by a reader. After they began investigating, the sets were removed from shelves.

Rohan Gunaratna, who heads up the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, told the Times that these toys "glorify ISIS" and "promote incitement and hate."

"The vendors need to be engaged to ensure they do not deliberately or ignorantly promote ISIS," he said. In a statement, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore said it was "extremely concerned that figurines which propagate acts of violence are being offered for sale for the young."

A Lego spokesperson reiterated Thursday to CNBC that the products were "in no way affiliated with the Lego Group."

The origin of the terror toys is not totally clear. The sets were produced in China and have popped up across Asia and Australia. In June, similar sets were pulled after a Malaysian schoolteacher reported the toys to the local Islamic council and police officers. She took particular offense to one character who waved a banner with the words "Allah" and "Muhammad."

"I ask the authorities to not freely allow the entry of toys that touch on religious sensitivities in this country," the teacher, Mahnun Mat Isa, told local news outlets. The sets were once available on Ali Express, but were taken down after a flurry of news reports.
Throughout history, maps have been redrawn as countries have been founded, empires have fallen, and borders have shifted. And this week, if two would-be nations have their way, we will be redrawing maps once again.

Catalonians plan to vote on their independence from Spain on Sunday. Remarkably, it will be the second independence vote in just one week: Iraqi Kurds held their referendum on independence on Monday, where secession from Iraq won 93 percent approval.

However, cartographers may not be needed quite yet. Both Iraqi Kurds and Catalonians are facing widespread international opposition to their independence. There is no legal right to secession under international law, and, in many cases, the path to independence can be bloody and its results inconclusive.

Over the past quarter century, there have been only nine new countries created out of a little less than 200 total. And the experiences of these countries produces some mixed lessons for others hoping to follow their path:

- South Sudan: South Sudan declared independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after a violent war with the ethnically Arab north that had lasted decades. Almost 99 percent of voters had supported independence in a referendum, and the new country was swiftly recognized by the international community. The United States played a key role in South Sudan's journey to statehood.

- Kosovo: Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008. The country had been administered by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombed Serbia and forced then-President Slobodan Milosevic to withdraw his troops from the ethnically divided province.

- Montenegro and Serbia: The single nation of Serbia and Montenegro, formed after the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1991, changed into the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2003, and finally into the two separate states of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. It was Montenegro that ultimately ended the relationship, with a referendum on May 21, 2006, that found just over 55 percent wanted to end its ties with Serbia. On June 3, Montenegro declared independence. A few days later, Serbia followed suit.

- East Timor: East Timor, now also known as Timor-Leste, achieved independence on May 20, 2002, but the country had effectively voted for independence years before, when a referendum delivered a vote that clearly rejected the proposed "special autonomy" within Indonesia. After that referendum, there was brutal violence in the region with pro-Indonesian militias attacking citizens, and a special U.N. force had to be deployed to the country.

- Palau: Palau, geographically part of the larger Micronesia island group in the western Pacific Ocean, is the least populated country on this list, with a little over 21,000 people living on about 250 islands. It became independent on Oct. 1, 1994, 15 years after it had decided against becoming part of Micronesia due to cultural and linguistic differences.

- Eritrea: The United Nations established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. However, when Ethiopia, under emperor Haile Selassie, annexed the region in 1962, it sparked a civil war that lasted 30 years. In 1991, the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) ousted the Ethiopian forces, and on April 27, 1993, the country declared independence after a referendum.

- The Czech Republic and Slovakia: On Jan. 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia was dissolved by parliament into two countries: The Czech Republic and Slovakia. After the "Velvet Revolution" ended one-party Communist rule, it was the "Velvet Divorce." Immediately after the split, there appeared to be some trepidation: The New York Times noted "wide regret"at the end of the nation that was formed after World War I. However, the contemporary view is that the split was a (relative) success: "The split was really smooth," Slovakian journalist Pavol Mudry told the BBC in 2013.

---

What lessons can be learned?

There has been no easy path to independence in recent years. Of the nine nations above, four were formed as a direct result of civil war. Five were the result of the collapse of communism in Europe - a unique historical watershed and one that produced all sorts of upheaval. A number remain troubled states: Eritrea has been dubbed the "North Korea of Africa."

Countries like South Sudan and Kosovo had major international backers like the United States in their bid for independence - something neither Catalonia nor Iraqi Kurdistan have. Even then, their paths to independence have been rocky. Kosovo still lacks recognition from a number of states and has not applied for U.N. membership, while its economy remains underdeveloped. South Sudan is still beset by ethnic violence and famine.

Even clearly successful independence bids have their drawbacks. Montenegro has joined NATO and hopes to join the European Union, but just last year, there was a coup attempt, and there have been long-standing corruption allegations. Over two decades after independence, the Czech Republic officially created a new name, Czechia, after a bitter internal debate about its lack of international recognition (The Washington Post's style is still to write the formal long name, the Czech Republic).

But it isn't just Catalonians or Iraqi Kurds who should study history - Spanish leaders in Madrid or Iraqi leaders in Baghdad should pay attention, too. In many of the above cases, it takes decades for the demand for independence to reach a tipping point. And as the still-lingering hopes of Scottish independence after the failed 2015 referendum have shown London, once the genie is out of the bottle, it is very difficult to put it back in.
I don't know if Oprah Winfrey is actually thinking about running for president in 2020. I do know that she really seems to want us to talk about it.

On Thursday night, Winfrey on her Twitter account promoted a column from the New York Post's John Podhoretz that called her the Democrats' best hope for 2020.

"Thanks for your VOTE of confidence!" she told Podhoretz, whose column effusively praised her performance while interviewing Michigan voters on "60 Minutes" last weekend.

"@jpodhoretz Thanks for your VOTE of confidence!Democrats' best hope for 2020: Oprah | New York Post

- Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) September 28, 2017

Maybe she was just having fun. But this isn't the first time she's teased a run. While talking to Bloomberg's David Rubenstein back in March, she clearly seemed to suggest it had crossed her mind now that the country had elected another entertainer/billionaire in Donald Trump:

"'I never considered the question even a possibility,' she said, before adding, 'I just thought, "Oh . . . oh?"'

"Without mentioning President Trump's name, Rubenstein then pointed out that 'it's clear you don't need government experience to be elected president of the United States.'

"'That's what I thought,' Winfrey said. 'I thought, "Oh, gee, I don't have the experience, I don't know enough." And now I'm thinking, "Oh."' "

Now for the cold water, Oprah fans. Winfrey's close friend Gayle King said shortly after the March interview that it was "clearly a joke" and "that ain't never happening." And then, while talking to the Hollywood Reporter back in June, Winfrey herself said flatly, "I will never run for public office."

Thursday night's tweet is jokey enough - "VOTE of confidence!" - that it could perhaps be dismissed as another meaningless bit of Twitter banter. Maybe King or Winfrey will tell us exactly that in the hours or days ahead.

But Winfrey is such a savvy communicator - perhaps even the savviest of communicators - that she had to know what her tweet Thursday night would set off. And that's especially given what happened back in March. Maybe she's apprehensive about running and often thinks she won't, and then it crosses her mind again. (People have been known to change their mind about such things - most notably Barack Obama, whom Winfrey endorsed back in 2008.) She may not want the full scrutiny of saying, "I'm thinking about it," but wants to stay in the conversation. That would be understandable.

"When asked how Donald Trump is doing as president, answers range from 'every day I love him more and more' to 'he's a horrible president.'

- 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 25, 2017"

But it's also notable what Podhoretz was praising Winfrey for: A conversation with those crucial Michigan voters who delivered Trump the presidency. This was essentially a focus group that Winfrey was moderating, and it was all about politics. It almost seemed as if Winfrey was debuting herself as a political actor. The combination of that and the new tweet just seems . . . convenient.

Of course, the moment her new role as a "60 Minutes" contributor is viewed as a steppingstone to running for president is the moment it becomes problematic. So don't expect her to come out and admit it if she actually wants to run. But you have to be at least a little bit intrigued now that she's teased this twice.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Thursday said the federal government is doing "a GREAT job" responding to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and suggested the media was not covering his administration's efforts fairly.

His comments on Twitter come as Trump has faced strong criticism for not being as engaged in the recovery from Hurricane Maria as he was for other recent hurricanes that hit Texas and Florida. And reviews on the ground in Puerto Rico have been mixed.

"FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico," Trump said in a series of tweets, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Massive food & water delivered," Trump said. "Docks & electric grid dead. Locals trying...really hard to help but many have lost their homes. Military is now on site and I will be there Tuesday. Wish press would treat fairly!"

In a separate tweet, he declared Puerto Rico "devastated," ticking off problems with the phone system, electrical grid and transportation system. But, he said, his administration's first responders are "amazing."

His tweets came on the same day that some senior administration officials offered a vigorous defense of the federal response in Puerto Rico at a pair of White House briefings, even as they acknowledged the long road ahead.

"You are seeing devastation in Puerto Rico. That is the fault of the hurricane," acting homeland security secretary Elaine Duke told reporters after an Oval Office meeting with President Trump Thursday. "The relief effort is under control. It is proceeding very well considering the devastation that took place."

Duke said she is "very satisfied" with the federal response since Maria made landfall eight days earlier, calling it "a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths that have taken place in such a devastating hurricane."

Tom Bossert, Trump's homeland security adviser, who joined Duke in addressing reporters, said some of the media reports about the island's condition had been based on outdated images and data.

"I understand the coverage, in some cases, is giving the appearance that we're not moving fast enough," Bossert said.

"I think that there's kind of two responses I'd have to that," he said. "First, there's an understandable degree of devastation on the island, and for anybody that needs food and water, power, lifesaving needs and commodities, health care, there's nothing that can help fast enough. . . . But what I will tell you is that we are mobilizing and marshaling the resources of the United States of America in a way that is absolutely professional, fast and adequate to meet the needs."

After saying little publicly about the devastation in the days after Maria's landfall, Trump has in recent days been promising a robust response.

"The people of Puerto Rico have every bit of support from President Trump that he gave to the citizens of every other state in this country, and I think you're going to see that continue in a very positive way," Bossert said.

He later joined the White House press secretary in the briefing room to answer questions about the administration's response.

"Right now, we've seen 16 fatalities confirmed from the state authorities," Bossert said. "No fatality's acceptable. If that number increases significantly, that will be a devastating blow. We are doing everything we can to prevent that. Loss of life from the storm is one thing. Loss of life that's preventable is another. And that's why we're trying to marshal our resources."
The United States is yanking more than half its diplomatic personnel from the embassy in Havana and warning Americans not to visit Cuba, saying Friday it is for their own safety until investigators determine what caused a mysterious string of attacks that have harmed at least 21 Americans stationed there.

Senior State Department officials said U.S. diplomats have been "targeted" for "specific attacks," a significant change from previous characterizations of what happened as simply "incidents."

Though no one has been able to determine how at least 21 U.S. diplomats were targeted and injured over the past year, their conditions have created the biggest crisis in U.S.-Cuba relations since they were normalized by President Barack Obama in 2015. Even without a perpetrator, a motive or a modus operandi identified yet, some suspect poisoned relations were the ultimate aim.

Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser who negotiated renewed ties with Cuba, tweeted, "Goal of whoever is behind attacks seems to be sabotaging US-Cuba relations. Would be a shame if they succeed. Cuban people wld suffer most."

Josefina Vidal, the top Cuban official managing relations with the United States, issued a statement reiterating assurances that Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez gave Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday when he flew to Washington to explain measures Cuba has taken to protect U.S. diplomats and their families - steps Tillerson evidently found wanting.

"We consider that the decision announced by the Department of State is hasty and that it will affect the bilateral relations, specifically, the cooperation in matters of mutual interest and the exchanges on different fields between both countries," Vidal said.

State Department officials have said Cuba has cooperated in facilitating an FBI investigation, and the Cuban government has denied having anything to do with the injuries. The State Department has shied away from pinning the blame on Havana. Among the possibilities being explored is that agents acting on behalf of a third country may be responsible.

President Donald Trump weighed in Friday, telling reporters: "Some very bad things happened in Cuba. They did some bad things." It was not clear whether by saying "they," Trump was blaming Cuba. The White House did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarity on the president's remarks.

Some of the diplomats were injured in at least one hotel in the Cuban capital, the Capri near the embassy. Employees temporarily deployed to the mission were staying there. The officials said they know of no other guests or hotel employees who reported symptoms from an attack, but concern that others might be hurt prompted them to issue a broader warning advising against travel to Cuba.

"We have no reports that private U.S. citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens," Tillerson said in a statement. "The Department does not have definitive answers on the cause or source of the attacks and is unable to recommend a means to mitigate exposure."

Diplomats began complaining of a wide variety of maladies beginning late last year. New symptoms have continued to crop up, most recently in August. No Cuban employees of the embassy have reported having health problems, only Americans.

Among their problems are hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, balance problems, visual difficulties, headaches, fatigue, cognitive issues and sleeping difficulties.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the embassy employees were subjected to some sort of "sonic attack," among other theories. It is not clear why American diplomats and a handful of Canadian envoys and their families would be the only ones to report symptoms.

The Canadian Embassy in Washington said Ottawa is monitoring the situation and is investigating the cause. But it said there is no reason to believe more Canadians could be affected, and there are no plans to change travel advice or remove staff from Cuba.

The decision to draw down the embassy to skeletal levels does not signify any change in U.S.-Cuban relations, State Department officials insisted. Bilateral meetings will continue, but they will have to be in the United States because U.S. diplomats will not be allowed to go to Cuba. Only people involved in the investigation or critical to the embassy and national security will be granted permission to go.

But it is expected to drive a wedge between the countries, as the Trump administration works to reverse the rapprochement that occurred under Obama, normalizing relations after nearly 50 years of enmity, by reimposing limits on American visitors and trade unless democratic reforms are made.

Some who favor stronger U.S.-Cuban ties contend that poisoned relations were not just a byproduct but also a goal.

"Whoever is doing this obviously is trying to disrupt the normalization process between the United States and Cuba," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said in a statement Friday. "Someone or some government is trying to reverse that process."

James Williams, the head of Engage Cuba, a coalition of business groups, urged redoubled efforts to solve the mystery. "We must be careful that our response does not play into the hands of the perpetrators of these attacks," he added.

The American Foreign Service Association, the union that represents diplomats, earlier this week came out against withdrawing diplomats. Barbara Stephenson, president of the group, said diplomats commonly brave risks like illness, war and oppressive smog.

"We decide we're going to take risks because our presence matters," she said Friday. "This is the nature of the work that we do."

The withdrawal order applies to all nonessential staff and their families. Only "emergency personnel" will stay. The skeletal staff is being kept to assist U.S. citizens in Cuba who have pressing issues, but more routine diplomatic and consular functions will likely be slowed.

With few staff members, however, no visas will be processed at the embassy because there will not be enough people to do the work. That will hamper efforts by Cuban Americans to bring relatives to the United States.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has urged Tillerson to expel all Cuban diplomats from the United States and on Friday bemoaned that none had been sent packing. He tweeted that it was "Shameful that @StateDept withdraws most staff from @USEmbCuba but Castro can keep as many as he wants in U.S."

The U.S. travel warning almost certainly will take a bigger bite out of Cuba's burgeoning tourism industry. The Cuban government says that more than 4 million visitors pumped almost $2 billion into the economy last year.

About 615,000 were Americans, a 34 percent increase from the first year after diplomatic relations were restored. That includes 330,000 Cuban-Americans visiting relatives. The rest were Americans who fit into one of 12 categories the U.S. government considers legitimate for travel purposes, including "educational" reasons cited by many individual travelers.

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The Washington Post's Nick Miroff contributed to this report.

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Video: U.S. to slash embassy staff in Cuba, warns not to travel there

URL: http://wapo.st/2xEdrid

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Chris Cooper /Photo by Chris Cooper

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $1.1 million grant to Our Lady of the Lake University to help low-income students pursue doctoral degrees.

The funds, distributed in $237,544 annual payments over five years, will extend the universitys McNair Scholars Program, which aims to assist low-income, first-generation and other disadvantaged students obtain PhDs. The program serves about 25 students each year.
AUSTIN -- Dallas businessman Jeffrey Payne formally will enter the race for governor as a Democrat on Oct. 7 to oppose incumbent Republican Greg Abbott, he announced Friday.

"As a Democrat we are well aware of Greg Abbott's seemingly unlimited campaign war-chest but after over a quarter of a century of Republican domination in Texas, we feel it's time for a progressive with some new ideas to lead Texas forward," his announcement to the press reads.

The announcement of Payne's candidacy -- a race that Payne himself had confirmed he planned to make back in July when he filed paperwork with the Texas Secretary of State's office -- will be made at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Dallas.

The openly gay Payne, a political newcomer who owns five businesses including The Dallas Eagle, a popular leather bar, has acknowledged in interviews that he knows that challenging a popular and well-funded incumbent Republican in a solidly GOP state will be an uphill fight.

A native of Maine who grew up in Louisiana, Payne has said he thinks that having a background in business will help him win. In addition to the bar, his businesses include a court reporting firm, a retail clothing outlet, a property management company and a land-holding company.

He has said he plans to lend his campaign $2.5 million

Payne relocated to Dallas from Louisiana in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.

Several other people have also filed paperwork to run for governor, including Democrat Tom Wakely, who announced in July that he will run against Abbott as a Democrat. He plans an Oct. 14 campaign kickoff in Blanco.

Wakely, a San Antonio native, unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, last year. His campaign website describes him as a "Bernicrat," a "seasoned white progressive populist" who is Bernie Sanders in a cowboy hat.
AUSTIN  Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, who has long entertained and waxed poetic about the U.S. Constitution to a massive following on Twitter, is now a nominee for the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The nomination from President Donald Trump comes two years after Willett teased and took shots at the "Apprentice" star, who at the time was a long-shot for the Republican nod. The justice then had poked fun at Trump's approach to evangelicals, his promise to build a border wall and wrote a haiku dreading who Trump would appoint to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Surrounded by a crowd of Democratic mayors and legislators Friday morning, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a wide-ranging package of 15 bills designed to bring some relief to the statewide housing crisis.

Enthusiastic housing advocates and business leaders also joined the governor for the outdoor bill-signing ceremony in a pocket park at Hunters View, a new mixed-income housing development on the hills of Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco.

This is the biggest bill-signing Ive ever seen, and its because it deals with something as basic as shelter, the governor said. It was a big challenge, and weve risen to it this year.

But the governor also stressed that many of the problems the new bills are designed to ease were caused by the same local and state officials now cheering the improvements.

Things like tough zoning restrictions, requirements for clean air and green energy, multiple rules for construction and a variety of other laws dealing with housing are all good things in themselves, he said. But they combine to build up red tape that can make it harder to build affordable housing, he argued.

All these rules were passed by people like you, and theyre all good stuff, Brown said. But Ive always said too many goods can create a bad.

But that didnt dampen the excitement of people delighted to see the state recognizing the need for dramatic measures to deal with the states growing housing problems.

There is no corner of the state that doesnt need affordable housing, said Tim Frank, director of the Center for Affordable Neighborhoods in Berkeley. Theres no silver bullet to deal with the states housing crisis, but this is a big first step.

The legislators who joined Brown around the small desk where he signed the bills stressed that the housing problem reaches far beyond the low-income homeless.

As a former mayor, I cant afford a home in the community where I live and that I represent, said Assemblyman Evan Low, who served as mayor of Campbell. We need to increase the supply of housing and streamline the approval process.

For San Francisco legislators like Assemblyman David Chiu and state Sen. Scott Wiener, the bill-signing was the culmination of years of effort to improve the states housing situation.

Ive been working on this since my first day in office, said Chiu, a former San Francisco supervisor who was elected to the Assembly in 2014. Weve had some setbacks, but we kept working.

Wiener warned that theres still plenty more to do to deal with the housing crisis.

This is the beginning, not the end, he said, promising that he will be introducing more housing bills. We cant just check this box and move on to something else.

The Legislature passed the 15 bills in the housing package on the last day of the session two weeks ago.

One of those bills, SB2 by state Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, creates a permanent source of funding for affordable housing.

The permanent funding is estimated to generate $200 million to $300 million a year through a $75 to $225 recording fee on real estate documents and some property transactions, not including home sales. Most of the money goes to local governments to build housing, make existing housing more affordable and create permanent or temporary shelters.

The bill was a priority for advocates who said the state needed to create a permanent source of funding to begin to replace $1 billion a year in lost redevelopment agency money.

A Public Policy Institute of California survey released Wednesday found that less than half of adults support the fee, though 64 percent of those polled said they favor building more housing in their cities.

Voters will decide next year whether to approve a housing bond. SB3, by state Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, will 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 will set aside $1 billion for the states veteran home-loan program, which would otherwise run out of money in 2018.

Among the other bills signed was SB35 by Wiener, which pushes reluctant cities into approving housing projects. Dozens of cities opposed the measure, arguing that it undermined local land use decisions.

SB167, by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, will make it harder for local governments to deny housing projects.

AB1505, by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, will allow local governments to require developers to set aside a certain percentage of affordable rental units in new construction.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com

Housing legislation

Here are the 15 bills signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday. To read the full bills, go to leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

SB2 by Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, establishes a permanent funding source for affordable housing through a $75 fee on real estate transaction documents. The fee is capped at $225 per transaction and exempts real estate sales. The fees would generate roughly $250 million a year, which would be split among state and local housing programs.

SB3 by Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for affordable housing programs and a veterans homeownership program. SB3 will be up for approval by voters in November 2018.

SB35 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, streamlines the approval process for infill developments in local communities that have failed to meet their regional housing needs.

SB166 by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, ensures that cities maintain an ongoing supply of housing construction sites for residents of various income levels.

SB167 by Skinner and AB678 by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima (Los Angeles County), increase the standard of proof required for a local government to justify a denial of low- and moderate-income housing development projects.

SB540 by Sen. Richard D. Roth, D-Riverside, streamlines the environmental review process for certain local affordable housing projects.

AB72 by Assemblymen Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, and David Chiu, D-San Francisco, strengthens the state's ability to enforce laws that require local governments to achieve housing goals.

AB73 by Chiu gives local governments incentives to create housing on infill sites near public transportation.

AB571 by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, makes it easier to develop farmworker housing by easing qualifications for the Farmworker Housing Tax Credit.

AB879 by Assemblyman Tim Grayson, D-Concord, authorizes a study of local fees charged to new residential developments that will also include a proposal to substantially reduce such fees.

AB1397 by Assemblyman Evan Low, D-Campbell, makes changes to the definition of land suitable for residential development to increase the number of sites where new multifamily housing can be built.

AB1505 authorizes cities and counties to adopt an inclusionary ordinance for residential rental units in order to create affordable housing. By Chiu, Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena (Los Angeles County), and Assemblymen Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, and Todd Gloria, D-San Diego.

AB1515 by Assemblyman Tom Daly, D-Anaheim, allows housing projects to be afforded the protections of the Housing Accountability Act if the project is consistent with local planning rules despite local opposition.

AB1521 by Bloom and Chiu gives experienced housing organizations a first right of refusal to purchase affordable housing developments in order to keep the units affordable.
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The high-profile meeting in Bali is the first since Biden became US President in 2021.
Longford farm families are set to save thousands of euro in nursing home fees under a new proposal that would protect their assets. Thats according to Peter Burke, Longford Westmeath Fine Gael TD and Chartered Accountant with a strong family background in farming.

Commentating on the proposed changes this week, Burke said: My colleague, the new Minister of State for Older People Jim Daly, met with the Irish Farmers' Association on Wednesday evening of this week following previous meetings and a follow up commitment. His predecessor Minister Helen McEntee had also done a lot of research and investigative work with farmers to see how nursing home fees could be stopped from eroding family farms.

You may also be interested in reading: Relief for Longford farm families as cap on contributions proposed for Fair Deal Scheme

The Minister has proposed to cap the 7.5% contribution for nursing home care on farm and business assets at 3 years, as is the case for family homes. There is currently no such cap on farms and businesses and the 7.5% is charged every year for as long as care is provided. I know this has been problematic for many farmers locally in Longford and across the country who find their family farm significantly diminished after a family member has needed to be placed in a nursing home facility due to old age, lack of mobility or extensive care needs.

This situation was clearly disadvantageous to farmers and Fine Gael committed to address it in the Programme for Government. This proposal is subject to Government approval but its very positive to note that the HSE have made provision for estimated costs in its budget 2018 submission. I will be making representations to Minister Jim Daly and have already spoke to Minister Simon Harris and Minister McEntee about the importance of this cap for farmers and rural Ireland. Sustainable farm incomes are already an issue without earning power being restricted from a diminishing farm size.

The removal of uncapped liability on farm assets will help alleviate the worries of farmers and their loved ones and a cap will also function to allow farmers plan for the future with the full knowledge of the potential liability of their farm as an asset. This is extremely positive news for farmers. The proposed changes to the fair deal scheme will dramatically reduce the financial burden facing elderly people and their loved ones.

The cap is subject to a transfer between family members who are actively participating and working in the business, as is currently the case for the sudden illness clause.

The Minister is still awaiting legal opinion from the Attorney General on the proposed changes before he can bring them before Cabinet for approval. The changes will require an amendment to the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2008. I continue to monitor the progression of this policy so that it can be implemented as soon as possible.
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Drs. Harold Smith, M.D., and Francis Powers, M.D., will visit the Lycoming College Campus to discuss integrative medical treatment for Lyme disease. This discussion, part of Lycoming Colleges Lyme Symposium, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in Heim, Room G-11. The event is free and open to the public.

Early diagnosis and proper treatment offer the best long-term prognosis once a person is infected with organisms causing Lyme disease, explained Michelle Briggs, Ph.D., associate professor of biology. If left untreated, the infective organisms can spread throughout the body, leading to problems in the heart, joints, and nervous system. However, even at more advanced stages, the symptoms of Lyme disease can be managed and treated with integrative medical methods. Drs. Smith and Powers will discuss the various treatment options available, including conventional, herbal, and nutritional supplements.

Smith has 15 years of office medical practice in treating tick born infections in Pennsylvania. He is a member of the governors Pennsylvania Task Force on Lyme Disease, and gave testimony before a congressional committee on Lyme disease in 2013. He is a founding partner and is on the board of directors for the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.

Smith received his degree in medicine from Duke University. He gained surgical training at the Boston City Hospital, studied pathology at the University of Vermont, and completed a residency in emergency medicine. He is board certified in emergency medication, and has board certifications in rejuvenation and anti-ageing medicine.

Powers has worked in radiation oncology for the Susquehanna Health System for nearly 40 years. He also practiced complementary and alternative medicine in a private office one day a week for almost 25 years. He performed volunteer work with Autism patients for several years, and his practice included IV chelation, IV Vitamin C and nutritional therapies. Presently, he is working part time in the Radiation Oncology Department at UPMC Susquehanna.

Having contracted Lyme disease himself, Powers is often quoted as having had to become an instant expert in the disease since few knew much about it at the time.

Powers received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Trinity College, and a degree in medicine from the University of Rochester Medical School. He completed a residency in radiation oncology through the University of Rochester, and is board certified in radiation oncology. Powers was active duty in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Wilford Hall USAF teaching hospital in San Antonio before relocating to Williamsport to work for the Susquehanna Health System.

Smith and Powers will provide the third of four presentations slated for the Colleges Lyme Symposium. Upcoming speaker Dr. Brian Schwartz, M.D., M.S., will talk about Lyme Disease: Epidemiologic & Clinical Overview; and Our Research. Previous speakers included Thomas Mather, Ph.D., of the Vector-Borne Disease &Tick Encounter Resource Center, and Dr. Steven Winton, V.M.D. of The Animal Hospital on the Golden Strip. More information on Lycoming Colleges Lyme Symposium is available at http://www.lycoming.edu/biology/lyme-symposium.aspx.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Alexander, the Great Conquerer!

It is astounding to think of Alexander, the Great, as a conquerer. But it is indeed a fact that he is popularly known as a great Greek emperor. However, most do not know the fact that he was not a Greek. He was born in Pella, a tribal pocket of Macedonia, which became a part of Yugoslavia. It can thus be concluded by all means that he was a tribal by birth. He inherited the escalated political position from his father, Philip.

Alexander started his political career under the tutelage of the great scholar, Aristotle.

Alexander, as a part of military exercise by conquerring parts of North Africa, reached West Asia. From there he reached Persia (present-day Iran) and defeated King Darius and followed further in his expedition to North West India. But his mission came to an abrupt end due to unaccounted death at the age of 32 years.

The main argument I pose to place here is that in the course of just around 10 years of military mission, Alexander could establish a suzerain covering vast streaches of land. He at best conquered regions and consolidated his rule. He at best conquered a large territory, and there was no empire. It may be realised that Akbar, the Great, took 54 years to establish his empire distributed over a number of citadels. We cannot name one such citadel of eminence that was brought under the rule of Alexander. He was at best a conqueror and not an emperor. The historical oracles emanating from the West are largely responsible for the creation of a more than life-size image of Alexander from Macedonia. This was a centre of long-distance trade route.

The case of Alexander proved that under given circumstances even tribes can establish wide-ranging trade barters and citadels.

Prof J.J. Roy Burman belongs to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Contesting the Decivilising Process through the Prism of Gandhi and (...)

BOOK REVIEW

by Aejaz Ahmad Wani

The Decline of Civilisation:Why We Need to Return to Gandhi and Tagore? by Ramin Jahanbegloo; Aleph Book Company; 2017; pages: 139+xxxiv

Introduction

Everyday acts of terrorism, intolerance, civil and state violence and religious fundamentalism dismay us to the core and even prompt some of us to question the very nature of human existence. Early this year, Pankaj Mishras latest work somewhat aptly described our age as the Age of Anger. For quite some time now, scholars and philosophers began to investigate the ongoing commotion only to find its deepest seeds in the ways civilisations are essentially placed in relation to one another, their incompatible cultures and their status in the globalising age. On the one hand, Francis Fukuyama saw in the emerging times the triumph of Western civilisation (End of History) and Samuel P. Huntington viewed the ongoing or emergent tensions as Civilisational Clash particularly between the Islamic and the Western. On the other hand, Edward Said and Amartya Sen denounced the former as essentialist reductionist and propagandist, by focusing, instead, on the fluid nature and intersectionalities of civilisations. Each of these accounts takes the idea of civilisation as given and, thus, is far from engaging with the idea of civilisation per se. This is where Ramin Jahanbegloos latest book, The Decline of Civilisation, aims to fill the gap. Civilisations are neither essentially violent nor ideally peaceful; they are, morally speaking, what we make out of them. Ramin Jahanbegloo is an Iranian philosopher known for his works that advocate technologies with a human face.

The Decline of Civilisation is primarily a political and philosophical investigation of the idea of civilisation and as such the author doesnt care much about what civilisation has meant at different junctures of time and space. The author, in general, raises two questions: what is the idea of civilisation constituted of, after all, and whether our age is lacking a civilisational resource. What is even more inviting for us is the books insightful foreword by Romila Thapar. Looking through a historians eye, Thapar argues that any idea of civilisation is limited and partial insofar as it takes into account only certain cultures and thought processes to the exclusion of others. It is also limited if it ignores inter-cultural exchanges between civilisations. The present time, for Thapar, seems to be carrying this partial account of civilisation that needs to be contested by historicising the missing interconnections.

Is Civilisation, Understood in Binaries, Fruitful?

The idea of civilisation, historically speaking, has always been cast into binaries, civilised in opposition to uncivilised. For instance, Greek is civilised in contrast to non-Greek with the latter termed as barbarians; the West is civilised in contrast to the non-Western civilisation, held to be opposite to Western values, and thus uncivilised. The author asks if this comparative description or dichotomy of civilised versus barbarian helps us to understand the character of civilisations especially when the perennial invocation of violence between them has proved to be useless, and when we find instances of civilised versus barbarian contrast even within single civilisations such as in the West? For Ramin, this dualism or binary has appeared in the more recent accounts including that of Huntington whichthough stand challenged nowcontinues to have an ideological hangover in popular discourses and rhetoric. He highlights the deep history of such binaries in the Western discourses, such as in the Oriental discourse and civilising mission. If civilisations are understood in monocultural and binary terms, then, Ramin warns, the intercultural dialogues that various civilisations have, as a matter of fact, engaged in from time to time could become a fiction and clash an ever-present reality.

Paradoxes in the Idea of Civilisation

Rather than engaging with a question of whether civilisation today is essentially violent or peaceful, Ramin highlights the central paradoxes in the very idea of modern civilisation. It is pertinent to note here that this theme is discussed in the last chapter, but seems to me much helpful to introduce it at the very inception. He begins this philosophical exploration with Sigmund Freuds remark about the moral demands of civilisation. Freud finds, in his magnum opus Civilisation and its Discontents, a perpetual and essentialfriction between the tendency of individuals to seek instinctive freedom and the repressive tendency of civilisations to ensure conformity. This moral demand finds further mention in Immanuel Kants Unsocial Sociability in his Idea for a Universal History. Unsocial Sociability refers to the tendency of an individual to seek his individual goals by isolating himself from the society (egoistic behaviour) but who at the same time remains inclined to the society as a whole without which one cannot feel being human. Thus, selfishness and competition together make civilisation possible. Ramin, then, refers to Rousseau to underline an even more paradoxical account of civilisation: Rousseau contended that civilisation is at once evil and social because it was the rise of civilisation that caused the corruption of the truer human nature. But the exigencies of this departure forbid us to go back and urge us to civility and its obligations through a process of social contract.

Ramins objective here is to address the question of the treatment of violence which necessarily forms an element of the idea of civilisation (given its paradoxical nature). Violence was, however, systematically tamed and confined to the nations as its sole monopoly through a process of disciplining, but which, for Ramin, generated the discourse of Otherness, perpetually describing civility and uncivility in contrasting terms, thereby establishing the standards of what could be called as civilisation in the true sense. It is this discourse which provided Western powers sufficient justification to colonise others in the name of the Civilising Mission. This idea was supplemented by the idea of progress understood in material terms only, without any regard to the corresponding moral development leading to what Ramin calls decivilising process.

Essence of the Idea of Civilisation

Civilisation, in the Raminian parlance, entails the highest state of societal development as opposite to barbarianism but no civilisation has abstained from barbarian practices. Every civilisation has carried within itself a fear, fear of civilisational displacement, and has to that extent been exclusive and apprehensive of others. For Ramin, irrespective of the historical connotations of the idea of civilisation, it has been an idea that constitutes a relationship in which human beings relate to each other, and this relationship is best represented by the idea of humanity. Living together, therefore, is essentially a civilisational dynamic that allows human subjects to know themselves and others thereby helping in self-realisation. Compassion, mutuality and cooperation have been the defining principles of civilisation undergirded by a common humanity. As such, one civilisation can never advance at the expense of the other. Thus, while Huntington, Fukuyama and others accentuate the civilisational differences, Ramin is more like Said and Sen who argue for civilisational mutuality and cooperation and its underlying humanity.

The Idea of Decivilisation: Is Our Civilisation Decivilising?

For Ramin, unfortunately, our civilisation is lacking direction and meaning and is, therefore, decivilising. This requires some clarification. In Ramins verbalisation of civilisation, since the underlying common resource is humanity and human self-actualisation, its political culture, economics, and technology must have an overarching aim of achieving this human affirmation. In other words, civilisation must have an ethical goal, a kernel of what our future ought to be. Without this ethical goal, civilisation is meaningless and directionless and therefore decivilising. Ramin is certainly not an inventor of the term decivilisation but introduces it to mean not an absence of civilisation itself, but the thoughtlessness of a civilisation without which it simply jeopardises human life.

Now the question is: is our age an epitome of such a decivilising society? If yes, how? These questions become even more perplexing when one looks at the rapid globalisation marked by turbo/techno-capitalist culture that seems to have brought civilisations closer to each other. This capitalist culture is championed, by many, as the facilitator of a uniform culture across time and space, but which, as per the author, fails to nurture a space to sustain cultural diversities. It becomes exclusive, materialistic, and indifferent, therefore, lacking a civilisational dynamic. There is another reason that the author holds responsible for this. As long as politics entails an ethical activity in the sense that it imagines what a good life ought to be, it not only serves as a transformative activity per se but also an instrument that shapes the human civilisation. But when politics becomes nothing but an instrument that aids and abets the global capitalist culture, therefore, governed solely by todays economic exigencies, it lacks the ethical element and becomes, like civilisation, meaningless and directionless.

Ramin is quite cognisant of the fact that civilisations have had acute differences, conflicts that often culminated in wars, which, however, have not disallowed civilisations to appreciate their common attributes and exchanges. He is, however, convinced that common humanity that reflects in the emotion of empathy has tied civilisations together because their capacity to feel pain, to share suffering with others and to reciprocate to the needs of the oppressed, have made inter-civilisation dialogue and interaction possible and sustainable. Therefore, our civilisation is decivlisisng because the universal ethical values of empathy and compassion, that have hitherto shaped civilisations, are continu-ously being replaced by utilitarian values that see everything out there in terms of cost and benefit. This businesslike approach to human civilisation is not only nauseatic but essentially hollow because it visualises no future for our current civilisation. Thus he writes: ...the real battle of civilisation has not been between civilisations but for this survival of civilisation itself.

Dialectical View of Civilization:

A Philosophical Account

Ramin finds a more nuanced account of civilisation in Western philosophical discourses, particularly in Kant and Hegel. For Ramin, particular civilisations appear and disappear, but the idea of civilisation persists. He draws heavily from Hegels works, especially Pheno-menology of Mind and employs his dialectical method entailing an self-actualisation of particular minds into the greater Mind or Spirit to show how the idea of civilisation carries within it an enormous heterogeneity that moves in a process of self-actualisation thereby affirming common humanity that lies at the heart of any idea of civilization. This incorporates both inter-subjectivity as well as universality. Each civilisation and culture within itself establishes its particular identity in this process of self-actualisation but retains and develops further the universal identity which is nothing but a common human identity. Thus, while the fear of the Other and the use of violence have remained a fact, their inability as a solution opens a way for empathy serving as a key to embracement, inclusion and recognition of the otherness of the Other. This idea of civilisation that Ramin endorses is more humane and broader than what multiculturalism offers because, as Ramin argues, even though multiculturalism supports recognition of the Otherness, it does so only as a matter of law and not empathy, and does not account for the pain and moral harm caused by misrecognition. It is this empathy and recognition that has made it possible for human beings to forget the violence contained in our histories.

Tagores Dialogical View of Civilisation

After expressing dismay over the definition of civilisation in binary terms, Ramin finds a dialogical approach to civilisation in the works of Gandhi and Tagore making a meaningful difference to our understanding of civilisation.

Both Gandhi and Tagore envisioned the pluralistic idea of civilisation best epitomised in the phraseology of Unity in Diversity. Tagores works, including poems, letters and stories, represent a judicious case of dialogical civilisation based on an intercultural dialogue with the Other. Rather than treating Tagores ideas as romantic and unreal, Ramin quite convincingly asserts their practical relevance today. This is because Tagores vision of civilisation is predicated on what he calls the Spirit of Hospitality and common humanity. Without this ideal, no civilisation is thinkable and no space for intercultural dialogue is feasible. Such a cosmopolitan view of the concept of belonging, as evident in Tagore, encompasses the particu-larisms (not destroys it) such as nationalism, fundamentalism, radicalism and so on. Ramin argues that Tagores idea of bringing proximity between particularism and universalism is remarkable because while human potentiality and autonomy form the undercurrent of Kant and Tagores philosophies, in Tagore, one finds a symphony between particularism and universalism rather than enforcement of each at the expanse of the other as seems to be the case in Kant.

Tagores real vision of civilisation cannot be articulated in terms of material and techno-logical progress in modern times, its political technologies, and economism, its fetishism with ampleness. The real advancement of civilisation is rather conceivable in terms of the nurturing of moral life that sees life as a whole and not in particular terms. Thus, for Tagore, we cannot understand the ongoing tensions between and among civilisations as conflicts between cultures but rather between human beings and their ideas of life and its telos.

Gandhian Notion of Moral Civilisation

Ramin extracts two motifs from Gandhis seminal political text, Hind Swaraj; his critique of modern/Western civilisation and his idea of what a civilisation ought to be. First, he shows why and how Gandhi critiques modern civilisation. Western civilisation, for Gandhi, is marked by its emphasis on reason, economic progression, and capitalism, all of which endorse a form of social and economic Darwinism and correspondingly discourage compassion, righteousness, and trust, thus paving the way to colonial domination. Its positivist and reductionist sciences are devoid of moral capacity. Against this type of hollow civilisation, Gandhi advances a very novel and pluralistic theory of civilisation based on two pillars: the first, the Gandhian notion of Swaraj which at once entails self-examination, self-rule, and self-determination; and the second that includes his idea of Sarvodaya implying welfare of all. Ramin points out that Gandhi prefers the latter conception of civilisation which is transformative and informative in character. Gandhis theory of civilisation, in general, assumes a Dharmic balance (where all, including human beings, are in harmony with nature, environment and so on). The Western civilisation upsets this balance by making human beings dependent on material progress and technologies, and political institutions at the cost of moral progress of human beings. By differentiating moral progress from material progress, Gandhi argues for the permanence and persistence of the former. Even if there is a conflict between them, material progress must advance the latter. Gandhi, thus, ends up at human dignity and autonomy as the criterion of judging any civilisation.

Gandhi, to Ramin, adds an ethical element to the conceptualisation of civilisation for it does not confine to the mindless material progress, but goes beyond it to find the purpose of our civilised being. Placing an unflinching faith in the autonomy of individuals and their ability to be responsible for their station and its duties, Gandhi imagines a bottom-up or a decentralised society that harmonises human beings with their environments. However, self-rule or Swaraj, Satyagraha (as the soul or truth force conducted nonviolently) and Sarvodaya must be at the centre of any civilisation in the true sense of the term. Thus, in todays decivilised world, Gandhis Hind Swaraj brings a fresh life to it by subjecting our thoughtless civilisation to ethical test. Gandhi once famously remarked that we are so concerned to save our time by using the fastest means of transport, but we never ask ourselves what should we be doing in the time thus saved.

The Way Forward

It is true that whenever the idea of civilisation is invoked, it has meant an endorsement of one civilisation (mostly the Western) as a fulcrum to judge other civilisations. It is this idea that Ramin contests in this book. Opening a discussion on decivilisation allows Ramin to appreciate the relationship between humanity and civilisation; that humanity should be a guiding torch of morality. Whenever any civilisation digresses from this condition of humanity and morality and relies instead on material progress, technological advancement, it is essentially decivilising, a situation that is now ongoing. He is not anti-progress or anti-technology but rather wants a human face at the centre of everything. It is for this reason of morality guiding civilisation that Ramin finds it productive to hark back to Gandhi and Tagore.

After this problematisation of our past and present condition, what is the way forward? For Ramin, dissenting thinking is the only way we can contest the decivilising process and tendency. He acknowledges the fact that one cannot rest civilisation in a vacuum by decrying our past, but we should rather filter our inherited ideas through a critical thinking to stop essentialising of any particular civilisation at the expense of others. We should preserve the humanity, human empathy and compassion that have so far preserved the common threads across civilisations despite clashes of various sorts and magnitudes.

Tagore as well as Gandhi, thus, put greater emphasis on the moral or ethical character of a civilisation, a criterion for judging the progress of civilisation. Gandhi always believed that reason itself cannot be put to use unless it is supplemented by the morality of one or the other kind. Moreover, such a critical account of civilisation also recognises the reality of our collective life that differences can never be done away with; they can only be reconciled in dialectical terms. Thus, civilisation is a process, a continuous one, rather than a stage reached. This idea apparently counters and renders Francis Fukuyamas absurd call end of history as the ideological defence of the status quo. Thus, intercultural dialogue is imperative for creating new solidarities in our plural world.

The reviewer is an independent researcher and Assistant Professor (guest) at the School of Open Learning, University of Delhi.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > The Champaran Crusade

by Jawaharlal Jasthi

On August 14, 2017 a significant event took place in Hyderabad. A small book in Telugu titled, A Great Historical MovementChamparan Righteous Crusade, was released by Nayani Narasimhareddy, the Home Minister of the State of Telangana. P. Janardan Reddy presided over the meeting. It was significant as it marked the centenary of the Champaran movement led by Gandhi. It was the movement to free the farmers of Champaran in Bihar from the suffocating grip of the colonial authorities.

It is no doubt a small book containing translations of articles by Tushar Gandhi, Irfan Habib and J.B. Kripalani. Kripalani in particular happened to be himself a partner in the great movement and explained the troubles and travails of Gandhi in organising and conducting the movement. Added to that is a part of the autobiography of Gandhi wherein he narrates how he was drawn into the troubles of the innocent farmers. How he was discriminated against initially due to caste apprehensions, but accepted and honoured later. He was magnanimous enough to understand the influence of the traditions prevailing then and did not complain. His method was first to acquaint himself of the problem by direct contact with the indigo farmers and then infuse confidence in them to stand united against the government to come out of their predicament. It was no doubt difficult to make them understand that they could resist the onslaught of the colonial power in a non-violent way without incurring the wrath of the inhuman power.

Gandhi knew he had to defy the law if he wanted to save the farmers and it would necessarily attract violent punishment from the government. He was tactical to respond humbly to the dictates of the authorities. When he was asked to leave the State, he said politely that he came to help the innocent farmers and would leave immediately after their problems were solved. The government was forced to take note of the problems of the farmers and realise the justice in the demands of the movement. By showing his willingness to undergo the punishment for his defiance, he introduced an element of ethics in his movement. It was the first time that Gandhi had to run a movement of farmers in India after coming from South Africa. While dealing with the innocent and god-fearing farmers on one side and the inhuman colonial power on the other, Gandhi could find a way to ensure the movements success in a nonviolent manner. That was a big relief and he decided to apply the same method throughout the fight for freedom for the entire country. It was as if Champaran was a training ground for Gandhi to become a leader of the freedom movement and succeed without violence. In fact non-violent resistance considers Gandhis contribution as the most significant. The foundation for it was laid in Champaran. That was the real importance of that movement. Encouraged by that example, an agricultural movement took place later in other parts of the country.

More notewortly was the fact that the Marxist intellectual, Irfan Habib, paid a glowing tribute to Gandhi for what he did in Champaran and the manner in which he did it. It was almost a lesson on how to organise a mass movement, the life-breath of Marxists. Irfan referred to the way in which Gandhi reacted to the dictates of the colonial authorities and finally made them support his activities. Irfan was particularly appreciative of the way in which Gandhi earned the confidence of the people who were strangers when he approached them. As a Marxist, he might not agree with all that Gandhi did. But he had the intellectual honesty to appreciate what Gandhi did as a pragmatist revolutionary, because what he did was nothing less than a revolution in Champaran. Perhaps, Irfan Habib felt that that was what a Marxist should have done in that situation. Such an intellectual honesty is scarce in our present-day politics. To what party he belongs is not relevant.

In spite of the significance of this movement in the history and economy of the country, it is a pity that the present work brings to the notice of the young generation not only the historical importance but also the relevance of Gandhian principles to the present society. As stated by Sudhir Chandra at the end, remembering Champaran amounts to remembering Gandhi himself.

While releasing the book, the Honble Minister referred to the present conditions of farmers and took the opportunity to explain the various schemes of his government to ameliorate the conditions of farmers. The pity is that the conditions of farmers were the same as they were in Champaran a century ago. The troubles of farmers are the same. But the social situation has worsened. Earlier there was cohesion in the society. Neighbours used to share the burden of each other. But now in the name of progress the society is atomised and farmers feel helpless in a time of trouble. Suicides have become the order of the day.

K. Pratap Reddy, a senior advocate, emphasised the relevance of Gandhian principles at the present juncture to solve the problems. The path shown by Gandhi is valid even 70 years after his death, he said.

Prof G.R.S. Rao explained the social significance of the movement started by Gandhi and its impact on the various aspects in development. He also emphasised the way the movement was conducted which gave results with minimum violence. He lamented that the leaders now are wary of going to the level of the people to understand their problems but they want to lead them. They naturally fail to get dedicated followers. That is why there are no mass movements.

The book has been compiled by P. Janardan Reddy, ex-MLA and the doyen of the socialist movement in this part of the country. He was assisted by Ravela Somayya in compilation and in organising the function successfully. The translation from English was done by Gourav, an established writer in Telugu, who is eager to propagate progressive ideas, without bearing any ism on his sleeves. The translations run smoothly, bringing out the flow and cohesion in the original essays.

The book is published by the Hyderabad Writers, Printers and Publishers Cooperative Society. There is a dearth of non-fiction books in Telugu and the publishers are filling that vacuum now. We can expect more books like this from them and those would truly enrich Telugu literature.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Ugly Side of God Men

Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim was a Bhindran-wale in the making. He, too, saw to it that nobody dared him. But he turned out to be a paper tiger. When CBI court judge Jagdeep Singh pronounced his verdict, the Baba wept openly in the court and implored him not to give severe punishment. His followers, too, were reportedly surprised over the manner in which the Baba capsized.

But there is no doubting about the Babas vast following. It did not bother that he was being punished for raping two sadhvis, who were his followers at the Dera. It shows how ignorant and gullible can the followers be as they always looked up to him for leadership and guidance blindly! Bhindranwale, too, had become so powerful because of the vast following and the government turned a blind eye towards whatever he did.

Now that the verdict is out with the quantum of punishment pronounced on rape cases, there is a likelihood of more skeletons tumbling out of the Dera cupboards. The CBI court is already hearing murder charges against the Baba and it will be sooner than later that the court will give its verdict on them, too. There are other cases of castration of male followers in the Dera which are being pursued. All these clearly indicate the mindset of the Baba and the connivance of the authorities.

There are some similarities between Bhindra-wale and Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim. If the former was the creation of the Congress party, the latter has had the support of a plethora of parties in the State of Haryana, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Baba may not be a militant like Bhindranwale, but his motivation was very clear as he used political benevolence to further his own interests. Otherwise, he could not have amassed huge wealth and built as many as 132 deras around the world, including in the UK and the US.

The Akalis were gaining the upper hand and slowly eroding the base of the Congress in Punjab after the Akali-Janata Party Government came to power in 1977. That was when the Congress under Sanjay Gandhi and Zail Singh selected and supported Bhindranwale to take on the Akalis. He became so powerful that by the time Indira Gandhi realised that a Frankenstein had been created and it was time for him to go, nothing less than the Indian Army would do to flush him out of the Akal Takht inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Before using the tanks the Army sought the permission of Mrs Gandhi and woke her up at midnight. Mrs Gandhi ended up committing a costly mistake by sending in the Army into the sanctum sanctorum in June 1984. Bhindranwale was killed but the anger over Operation Bluestar cost Mrs Gandhi her life four months later.

Similarly, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim was encouraged by the leaders of the BJP because it suited the partys vote-bank politics. The Baba endorsed the BJP in both the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the Haryana Assembly elections in the same year. He also supported the saffron party in Punjab against Captain Amarinder Singhs Congress but that was not good enough to make it win. There are rumours that the entire Manohar Lal Khatters Cabinet, minus the Chief Minister, visited Babas Dera Sachcha Souda in Sirsa after the swearing-in ceremony to pay obeisance to him.

But it is not as if the other parties are not complicit. In 2009, the Dera chief extended his support to the Congress which was his return gift for the Z plus security cover the UPA provided to him in 2007. It was palpable how the Baba had become so powerful that the state went weak in its knees when challenged by his private army. That the State of Haryana deliberately bungled in imposing Section 144 before the verdict, and thus sent a cold invitation to the murderers, asking them to take over.

Apparently, there were intelligence reports before the verdict and both the states of Punjab and Haryana, including the Chandigarh adminis-tration, were warned of the trouble brewing as the Dera followers were gathering in Panchkula and preparing themselves for the show of strength if the verdict went against the Baba. Punjab, however, did safeguard its interests taking all necessary measures while Haryana, despite assuring that they were well prepared to meet any situation, failed to stop the followers from the public destroying property and killing people. Only after the Punjab and Haryana High Courts order did the Haryana Government wake up and make preparations to stall any further damage.

When history repeats itself, it is basically mocking at our system of not learning any lessons. Who will account for the loss of 30 lives and damage to public property? But the BJP leadership has not done anything to touch Chief Minister Khattar because of the backing he has from the RSS. But then the problem in India is how to curb the god men and stop the government from supporting them? Maybe, they provide the vote-bank but they do an irreparable damage to the polity.

Democracy demands a direct contact between the voter and the party. The Babas come in the way and try to become a parallel authority. When the ballot box is stalled by another force, democracy gets weakened. Therefore the god men have no place in a system which runs with the consent of the people. They are only like the mahants in temples. The more they are allowed to have a say, the less would the expressions be free. Religion is a private affair. There are no problems with the Asarams, Nithyanandas and Ram Rahims as long as they pursue and preach spiritual thoughts. The problem arises when they indulge in fraudulent and illegal activity, going to the extent of committing rapes and murders. What gives the whole thing an ugly shape is the support of the political parties for their own gains.

The author is a veteran journalist renowned not only in this country but also in our neighbouring states of Pakistan and Bangladesh where his columns are widely read. His website is www.kuldipnayar.com
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Mahatma Gandhi  The Great Communicator

From N.C.s Writings

The following is the text of the Gandhi Peace Foundation Lecture 1995 delivered by Nikhil Chakravartty in New Delhi on January 30, 1995. It first appeared in Mainstream (October 3, 1998) after N.C.s demise.

I am deeply touched by having been asked to deliver this years Gandhi Peace Foundation Lecture. Nobody is more conscious than I am about my inadequacy in speaking on this sacred occasion, the day of the martyrdom of the greatest son of my country. Perhaps my only qualification to talk about him is that I belong to the generation that was witness to the historic transition from subjection to freedom of our great motherland, and as a young reporter I cherish the memory of the exciting moments in the presence of Gandhi.

I am no scholar of the study of Gandhijis great life, rather I spent my activist youth as an impudent critic of the elders in our national movement for independence. Having spent over half-a-century as a journalist, I have chosen as the subject of this presentation: Mahatma Gandhithe Great Communicator. This is a very subjective endeavoura string of cursory thoughtsbased largely on my personal reflections on our struggle for freedom and how it acquired its unique characteristic from the way Gandhiji built and guided it.

Our freedom struggle needs to be assessed in a historical perspective. Its dominant charac-teristic that marks it out from other great revolutions in history was its tremendous sweep. No other revolution in history set in motion so many millions of people. This is no idle boast but the plain statement of a historical reality which is often missed by our academics and politicians alike.

In late eighteenth century France, the objective conditions of mass discontent and disenchant-ment with the ancient regime no doubt prevailed, but the actual revolutionary action involved a small number of a few thousand, mostly in Paris: once the fuse was lighted, the revolution flared up in different parts of France without any coherent leadership. It was largely a spontaneous upsurge, even the leadership at the core could not hold its own and it changed hands fast so that even those who led it at the beginning were soon either left by the wayside or liquidated, giving rise to the classic phrase that the revolution had devoured its own children.

The Russian Revolution had a more organised leadership than those who had led the French Revolution, but it was a small band of deter-mined militant revolutionaries under a leader who had an uncanny sense of the configuration of forces ranged in a decadent imperial system. So, when the Czarist system itself cracked up with the fasco of defeat in the First World War, Lenin gave the call for capture of power which the Bolsheviks swiftly carried out. In terms of moving millions into revolutioinary action, the Bolshevik Revolution was mostly the handiwork of small groups of determined revolutionaries who, everywhere, first captured the key points of power and then sought to redesign the social structure in the interest of the common people as they thought fit. In a sense it was a sort of managerial revolution led by a party which concentrated on the means of capturing power, and power alone.

The Chinese Revolution was also similar to the Russian Revolution in its broad historical sweep. In this case also, it was a small group of a few thousand led by a remarkable leader, Mao Zedong, steeled in the Long March which was a sort of armed padayatraa decade-old campaign to rouse the peasantry in some pockets of the vast sprawling domain of China with the administrative system itself having broken down and replaced by an ineffective regime under the Kuomintang. It was the specialisation of the guerrilla war approach which enabled Mao to spread his network taking advntage of the Japanese occupation of most of the mainland. Unlike the Russian Revolution, which relied more on the working class, the Chinese Revo-lution targeted largely on the peasantry. Here too, the number of people actively engaged in mass action was smallthe same reliance on a determined band. The form of action was essentially armed guerrilla forays which harassed the enemy and finally overpowered it. This way the authority of the state was subverted until the final citadel of power was captured, and thereby the guerrilla bands of yesterday were joined together to form the victorious Peoples Liberation Army.

Compare these three great landmarks in modern history with what happened in our country in the first half of the twentieth century. Stage by stage, the premier nationalist organisation, committed to the struggle for independence, fully involved larger and larger sections of the people into the vortex of struggle for power. This way, the only weapon for winning power was to organise larger and larger sections of Indias unarmed humanity into mass action. By the time independence actually came, the Congress commanded much larger sections of the people than anybody had so far done in history.

The main feature of the Indian struggle for freedom has been that it throughout depended almost wholly on activating the masses by injecting into them the urge for independence by emphasising the strength of the Indian people vis-a-vis the colonial rulers, and thereby set them free from the fear of the ruler. The non-violence, as it was practised, emphasised on the strength of the Indian people in relation to the ruler who had to depend on the gun for establishing his authority. The fact that through the Arms Act the Indian people were denied the right to defend themselves was turned into a symbol of strength, that the people would depend on their conscious strength to ward off the foreign ruler. This meant constant effort on the part of the leaders of the independence movement at raising the consciousness of the vast masses of common peoplenot just a small section of determined revolutionaries as had been the case of the other great revolutions. The fact that the Indian people were not permitted to bear arms under the British Raj was not allowed to dampen or demoralise the millions. Rather, a new form of strength was instilled into their consciousness.

This aspect of the Indian Revolution marks it out as distinct from the other revolutions in modern times. Nowhere was the question of the gun permitted to be of supreme or decisive importance in the mainstream of our national struggle for independence. This does not mean that the sacrifice of those revolutionaries who unwaveringly gave their lives by taking up arms against the foreign ruler was of no consequence. From Aurobindo Ghosh and Savarkar to Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad to Subhas Chandra Bose, they all made the finest contributions to the struggle for freedom, but the successive waves of mass upheavals that decisively brought down the British rule in India did not depend on the wielding of arms by a small minority of dedicated revolutionaries, but essentially on the raising of the level of consciousness of the broad masses of the people.

This precisely was the unique contribution of Gandhiji. When historians and publicists talk of Gandhi having taken politics from the monopoly of the intelligentsia to the wider world of the common humanity, it was not just a question of broadening the base of the movement for freedom. This was not merely a question of quantitative increase in the number of participants in the movement but qualita-tively a different type of movement emerged with its essentially distinct hallmark.

How was this achieved, what was the weapon by which the mass consciousness was raised? How was the message of the freedom struggle conveyed to the common people? Herein comes Gandhis role as a great communicator. For, he depended solely on communicating the message of freedom to the masses and thereby sought to lift their consciousness. That message was not just a mere exhortation for rousing the emotional urge of a nation to be freehowever important might have been that task for welding the sense of unity among the people. This had been done in a limited area during the Bengal anti-partition movement of 1905which in a particular region had assumed the character of a mass movement and had been successful in forcing the British rulers to abandon their plan to vivisect one of the militnat pockets of the national movement.

Gandhijis movement, on the other hand, was much more comprehensive: it tried to activate all the diverse sectors of the national spectrum. From the affluent classes to the impoverished, from the intelligentsia to the unletterednobody was left out. It was not just confined to tending only the grassroots level as we notice nowadays a multitude of activist groups have been doing. No doubt these are bringing some relief to the people at the bottom. By their endeavour these activist groups have certainly been educating and activating the uncared-for sections of society to stand on their own legs. What distinguished Gandhis movement for independence was that it was not only much more comprehensive but it sought to open the eyes of the millions left in darkness about the limited capacity of the foreign ruler and the great opening for the countrys advance once the foreign ruler was forced to quit through the demonstration of strength by the people.

Gandhiji ran the pilot project of his new technique in South Africa against the hated rule of apartheid. There too he did not advocate the taking up of arms but sought to instil into the common people a realisation of their own strength in blocking and muzzling the White rulers oppressive rule. From that apprenticeship abroad, when he came back to India in 1915, political activity in the country was afflicted with stagnation and political forces, mostly confined to the intelligentsia, were in disarray. The tour he undertookhis Bharat Darshanenabled him to understand the urges of the common people and one of his first acts was the Champaran satyagraha, a form of struggle so unfamiliar to both the Indian politician and the British ruler of the day. Drawing upon his South African experience, he made a special effort at cultivating the minority Muslim community and from then onwards came his interest and subsequent compact with the Khilafat agitation. The Rowlatt stayagraha and the Khilafat were his earlier excursions before his first major national campaign in the form of the non-coope-ration of 1920. For the first time in the annals of the national movement, a countrywide cam-paign involving the common masses was initiated.

It is not the purpose of this presentation to trace the history of the freedom strugglewhat is relevant for the purpose is Gandhijis role as a communicator. He left out no means, no technique to rouse the consciousness of the peopleinstil into them the imperative of their active participation in the movement. To enable him to do so, he took up a wide range of activities pertaining to all sections of the peoplefrom education to village welfare, from the spinning wheel to cattle protection. His effort at total identification with the village poor made him design even his personal attire and way of living. Since he looked upon public activity as having an element of moral purpose, he regarded the entire crusade for independence as an experiment with truth. For him the freedom of the country was part of the struggle for truthan approach which was perhaps easier for the unlettered villager, steeped in the tradition of customs, to grasp than the Western educated liberal intelligentsia of the city.

This is an aspect of Gandhijis movement which was not easy to understand for the educated intelligentsia and in this controversy arose the intense debate over the question of linking ends with means. From the Marxists to the radicalists of all hues, the linking of ends and means could not possibly be part of the domain of politics, where the supremacy of the objective of power became of paramount consideration, and hence there could be no organised link between ends and means. In the early thirties when Aldous Huxley reopened the question in his book, Ends and Means, the Indian Marxist response was Ends are Means. This is where Gandhijis insistence on politics and morality being inseparable demarcated him from the Western educated liberals ands helped him to a large measure to be attuned to the philosophical base of very large sections of the corpus of Indias socio-cultural heritage. This also denoted that for him politicsthe struggle for independencecould not be compart-mentalised from the totality of the human condition. In his scheme of things, the struggle for independence was but the manifestation of the wider struggle for the regeneration of the entire society.

As a communicator, Gandhiji, like most of our great leaders, used the medium of the press apart from the spoken word. In the midst of all his multitude of activities, Indian Opinion, Young India and Harijan came out regularlya one-man endeavourconveying his message to his countrymen. The importance that was attached to the written word by Gandhiji and other national leaders reflected their urge to reach out their message to as wide a section of the people as possible. The means to convey that message were often primitive, but no medium available at the time was left out. From traditional interpersonal meansincluding the travelling bardsthe bauls of Bengal, for instanceto the educated student going out on literacy-cum-swadeshi missionsthe composing of patriotic songs and setting up of choirs in villages, mohallas and bustees, to the immortal magic lanternno video at that timenothing was left out. It was a gigantic operation, sustained through the ups and downs of the freeom struggle, and later on followed by handwritten posters and graffiti.

How true to his convictions Gandhiji was in his actual functioning as a journalist could be gathered from many of his writings. Here is a passage from Young India (July 2, 1925) about how he strove to serve as a true communicator:

To be true to my faith therefore, I may not write in anger or malice. I may not write idly. I may not write merely to excite passion. The reader can have no idea of the restraint I have to exercise from week to week in the choice of topics and my vocabulary. It is training for me. It enables me to peep into myself and to make discoveries of my weaknesses. Often my vanity dictates a smart expression or my anger a harsh adjective. It is a terrible ordeal but a fine exercise to remove these weeds.

As a communicator, Gandhiji was aware of the need to take into account the level of aware-ness of his target reader or listener. This can be seen in the very naming of each of the great upsurges. None of these were just spontaneous upsurges, but each one was preceded by meticulous preparations. By the correct standards of a communicator, Gandhiji chose the form of struggle, the target and even the language of every campaign in keeping with the level of consciousness of the common people. In the first round it was Non-Cooperation (1920). Ten years later, it was more assertiveCivil Disobedience (1930-32). And a decade later, having taken into account both the internal and the external circumstances, it was Quit India (1942). With every stage, the tempo was raised higher, mass involvement more intense and widespread than before, until the finale was reached with the battle cry of Do-or-Die. Here was the remarkable manifestation of the acute sensitivity of a great communicator.

It may be worthwhile to refer briefly to a couple of specific instances of how Gandhiji operated as a communicator. Before he undertook the Dandi March for the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, there was careful consultation within the leadership; it was not just the product of the brainwave of one individual leader. Recent research on the subject by a very perceptive scholar in social communication at Ahmedabad has brought out significant details about it. (What Moves the Masses? Salt Satyagraha as Case-Study by Suchitra, Mainstream, January 28, 1995) After the pledge to achieve complete independence, taken on the banks of the Ravi at Lahore on December 31, 1929, first came the Independence Day declaration of January 26, 1930 which catalogued the injustices of the British Raj. Next came Gandhijis letter to Viceroy Lord Irwin, in which eleven demands were raised, including the abolition of the salt tax. Meanwhile, the leaders discussed the form of civil disobedience to be launched. Pandit Nehru and Subhas Bose suggested the setting up of a parallel government while Sardar Patel proposed a march to Delhi or alternatively a countrywide breaking of land laws. Gandhiji envisaged a long drawn-out movement in which the masses would have to be drawn in. He felt the British Government would pounce upon the setting up of a parallel government or a march to Delhi. Gandhiji felt his target audience was the Indian society to be unified and he was conscious of the need to cultivate public opinion abroad. So, the defiance of the salt law was taken up as the initial item of civil disobedience. Resentment at the salt law had a long history. As early as 1844, there were disturbances protesting against this impost which touched even the poorest of the poor. The Congress, at its inaugural session in 1885, had referred to it. During the 1905 swadeshi movement in Bengal, the call was given for the boycott of Manchester cloth and salt imported from Liverpool. At the same time, focusing on this iniquitous tax, Gandhiji expected to mobilise international support, at least to expose the exploitation of the Indian people under the British Raj. In his own hand he wrote out for the press: I want world sympathy in this battle of Right against Might.

Then the form of the struggle. A march from Ahmedabad to the seashore at Dandi passing through villages would provide sufficient space for non-stop propaganda for weeks against the Raj and mobilise villagers along the route, whose publicisation would bestir other volun-teers in other parts of the country, and thereby propagate the vision of Purna Swaraj. The march was undertaken by 80 persons including Gandhiji himself. The other 79 were chosen to represent all the provinces in India, and they were drawn from all communitiesMuslims, Christians and Hindus both upper caste and the depressed. Abbas Tyabji and Sarojini Naidu were chosen as leaders in the event of his own arrestsymbolically representing the Muslims and the womanhood of the country. And he sent his letter to the Viceroy notifying his decision to break the salt law, through an Englishman, Reginald Reynolds, who later recalled:

I realise that Gandhis use of me was symbolicit was to show that this was not a matter of Indians versus British but of principles.

The whole nation was electrified by this new form of mass actiontotally peaceful and non-violent even facing police brutality as the satya-grahis tried to enter the salt factory at Dharasana.

In this campaignthe first truly nationwide mass campaign against the RajGandhi often used the religious idioms as the best means of arousing the rural masses familiar with religious lore. Incidentally, Gandhiji drew the correct lesson from the poor response to the repeat performance of the Dandi March exactly two years later, in 1932after the failure of the Gandhi-Irwin pact. From this the lesson was drawn that the repetition of a specific form of campaign does not fetch the same results. This is a lesson which many of our political parties and mass organisation activists need to keep in mind today.

Ten years after the Civil Disobedience move-ment, I had a personal experience of Gandhijis remarkable style of communication at the Ram-garh Congress session in 1940. The Congress nagar had come up in a rural setting with bamboo and local shrubs. During his early morning walk, Gandhiji noticed a red flag fluttering at a corner of the enclosure reserved for the leaders camp. It appeared that the fraternal delegation from Burmas Dobama party was put up there and so they hoisted their party flag. Panditji was sent for and he tried to explain to Gandhiji that this red flag, being the party flag of the Burmese delegation, should not be taken as a defiant rival to the Congress tricolour. But Gandhiji was adamant, and so Pandijit quietly managed to shift the Burmese delegation to the nearby Dak Bungalow outside the Congress nagar. The matter betrayed an attitude of intolerance on the part of Gandhiji, some of us thought.

In the afternoon of the same day, the Subjects Committee was scheduled to meet. In those days, the Congress as a unique national platform included within its fold different ideological and political formations from the Congress Socialist Party and the banned Communist Party (functioning as the National Front group after the name of its legal journal) as also the so-called Nationalist Congressmen representing by and large the point of view of Hindu orthodoxy. There were arrest warrants against the Commu-nist leaders, including the notification of handsome police reward for their capture. The Communists had sent one of their leaders, Bharadwaj, to participate in the Congress session. With an arrest warrant against him and the police and their informers hovering all over the place, it was difficult for him to come out of his undisclosed shelter in the Congress nagar and place the National Front point of view before the Subjects Committee. The Communists approached Panditji for advice on how Bharadwaj could come to the Subjects Committee session. Panditji promptly went to Gandhiji for advice. Remembering the morning incident, we were almost sure that Gandhiji would be far from helpful. In a few minutes Panditji came out of Gandhijis camp and told us that Bharadwaj would go to the Subjects Committee pandal with Gandhiji himself in his car. We were literally taken aback when we found the car carrying Gandhiji going right at the back of the platform, and out came Bharadwaj trailing behind Gandhiji, and then sat on the dais greeting the leaders from Maulana Azad, Rajen Babu, Sardar Patel and Panditji to JP and all the others. Sardar Patel moved the official resolution, followed by JP who placed the CSP point of view. Then Bharadwaj placed the National Front point of view. Discussions went on, and at the end Sardar Patel replying to the debate tore the CSP and the National Front amendments to pieces and carried the day. Meanwhile, unnoticed by many, Bharadwaj slipped out, helped by Panditji and Dr Lohia.

This indeed was an amazing experience. How could one reconcile Gandhijis morning allergy to the red flag and the very same afternoon, sheltering a wanted Communist leader to come before the party forum and place his point of view? I have thought over this incident many times since. By his conduct, Gandhiji was transmitting two messages. First, by insisting on the removal of the red flag Gandhiji wanted to convey the message to all, that within the national platform which the Congress represented in the struggle against the foreign power, there could be but one leadership, one flagno question of any ambiguity. At the same time, he wanted to convey the clear message to the British Raj that in its confrontation with the Congress, no party would be on its side, that all were behind the Congress. Subsequnetly, it was the breach of this commitment in 1942, when the Communists went against the Quit India upheaval, that they invited upon themselves the anger of Congressmen and were thrown out of the Congress.

The protracted negotiations over the transfer of power and the Muslim Leagues insistence on Pakistan finally led to the Mountabatten Award of June 3, 1947, by which the country was partitioned. As it was well known at the time, Gandhiji was opposed to the partition. The difference between him and the leaders of the Congress flowed out of his premonition about the future. As a great communicator, Gandhiji could not only transmit but perceive as well what was in store. This is borne out by a very penetrating passage in Tendulkars biography, Mahatma. Two days before the Mountbatten Award, that is, on June 1, 1947, Gandhiji had woken up in the morning earlier than usual and spent the time before the prayer in musing:

Today I find myself all alone. Even the Sardar and Jawaharlal think that my reading of the political situation is wrong and peace is sure to return if partition is agreed upon. They did not like my telling the Viceroy that even if there was to be partition, it should not be through British intervention or under the British rule. They wonder, if I have not deteriorated with age. Nevertheless, I must speak as I feel, if I am to prove a true, loyal friend to the Congress and to the British people, as I claim to be, regardless of whether my advice is appreciated or not. I see clearly that we are setting about this business the wrong way. We may not feel the full effect immediately, but I can see clearly that the future of independence gained at this price is going to be dark.

Then after a pause, he pondered:

I shall, perhaps, not be alive to witness it, but should the evil I apprehend overtake India and her independence be imperilled, let posterity know what agony this old soul went through thinking of it. Let it not be said that Gandhi was party to Indias vivisection. But everybody is today impatient for independence. Therefore, there is no other help.

Here is a seer who could communicate his premonition. For those of us who were fortunate in watching him in person, those last days of his lifewith his mind heavy with the unleashing of Hindu-Muslim clashes even when the foreign power had leftwere perhaps the most momentous. On the one hand came the realisation of his goalthe independence of the countrywhile at the same time, the menace of communal hatred was vitiating that newly-won freedom. It was the hour of fulfilment tinged with a horrendous tragedy. For him therefore there was no moment of rest with the achieve-ment of independence: the struggle had to go on. Since he could not avert the partitioning of the country, he had to meet the challenge of its sombre aftermathhow to put out the hell-fire of communal animosity. And so he set out on this, his final crusadehow to turn the millions of common humanity that he had served to mould all his life and make each one of them his brothers keeper. In the midst of blood and fire, he stroveNoakhali, Beliaghata, Bihar and Delhiuntil he fell a martyr to the cause which is yet to be redeemed by his heirs and successors. Till the last drop of life ebbed out of that frail body, the great communicator never ceased for a moment to transmit his messagethe message which remains a sacred injunction even to this day fortyseven years after.

Today, this country needs a Gandhi to bring about the regeneration of our democracy. As morality is being banished from our politics and public life getting corroded all around, this country has the need of the Mahatma, the Great Communicator today more than at any time in the past. Seventy years ago, Mahatma Gandhi had said:

Real swaraj will come not by the acquisition of authority by a few, but by the acquisition of the capacity by all to resist authority when it is abused.

This commandment alone can enthrone social justice in this great land of ours.

(Mainstream, October 3, 1998)
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > A Gandhian Approach to Current Problems

by Sadiq Ali

On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhis one hundred and fortyeighth birth anniversary on October 2, we are reproducing the following text of Sadiq Alis Nineteenth Annual Gandhi Peace Foundation Lecture delivered on January 30, 1993 in New Delhi. It was first published in Mainstream (October 2, 1993). Sadiq Ali was the Governor of Maharashtra (1977-80) and later Tamil Nadu (1980-82). A veteran freedom fighter, he was successively Permanent Secretary and General Secretary of the AICC before becoming the President of the Congress-O (1971-73). Subsequently he was the Chairman of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya Samiti.

It must first be recognised that Gandhi was no philosopher or thinker dealing with issues in abstraction. His political or social life began with the need for tackling a concrete problem facing Indians in South Africa. Till then he had been faced with two problems: (i) to earn his livelihood by legitimate means; and (ii) a search for personal salvation in religious terms. He was making a deep study of all the main religions of the world. This is what shaped the direction in which his thought was evolving. His whole nature made him eager to help and serve others. It was against this background that he responded to the social evil of racial discrimination when he was suddenly con-fronted with it and the humiliating situation in which he found his countrymen placed. It was in the form of this response that the doctrine of non-violent resistance was born. The more he thought about it, the more did its rich and far-reaching implications reveal themselves to him. It was the most humane way conceivable in the circumstances to right social wrongs. It produced better and quicker results. This discovery was no one-time affair. It just formed the basis for a ceaseless search to make his weapon of truth and non-violence more and more potent and effective. The person wielding it had to be cast in a particular moral mould and had to acquire certain moral qualities.

Truth and non-violence, Gandhi found, could accept no restriction in their scope. In his view, every problem and every social evil was amenable to treatment by non-violent techniques. This explains the multitude of ideas he presented during his lifetime on the kind of swarajor, in more modern language, the new social, political, and economic orderthat India should have for itself after it achieved the end of foreign rule. What he said on this new order had very much to do with India. But much of it also had great relevance for problems and challenges facing the whole of humanity.

His profound belief in democracy is beyond question. This in turn was grounded in his belief in the freedom of the individual. Without this freedom, no real growth or happiness was possible for the individual. Democracy alone can provide the right environment for this growth. This democracy should have meaning not for a few but for all, including the poorest, even for the maimed, the blind, and the deaf. He did not believe in mere lip-sympathy for the ideal which comes so easily to most politicians. The entire social order should be such that this ideal is substantially achieved in pratice. This explains why he said again and again that he wanted swaraj for the poorest and the lowliest. The swaraj of my dreams is the poor mans swaraj, he said. He also stressed:

The necessaries of life should be enjoyed by you in common with those enjoyed by the princes and the moneyed men...Real swaraj must be felt by all men, women, and children.

The emphasis on this character of swaraj alone would make it possible for the right economic and social order to be established. Today we call my system of government democracy if only it has elections and some other democratic symbols regardless of millions having no access to social and economic justice.

A commitment to genuine democracy has another implication in Gandhian terms. It calls for a high degree of seriousness of purpose and a sense of urgency. Gandhi realised that once a people were awakened, they became a revolu-tionary force. Their minimum expectations have to be satisfied, otherwise they would explode. This explosion could take many unpleasant and ugly forms. Today, one of the questions is whether our rulers and political parties have a high level of seriousness or a sense of urgency. This could be expressed in a variety of ways. The cruel truth is that we miss it in many ways. Let us take one simple example. To what crude level our elections, which are a vital element of democracy, have fallen! We did see a few weak-nesses in our first few elections after indepen-dence. We imagined that the process of elections would improve and get progressively purged of its weaknesses with the passage of time and with some more experience. There were even efforts embodied in legislation to deal with some malpractices. But, notwithstanding all these efforts, the whole electoral process is becoming less and less an honest mirror of public opinion. We are all bemoaning the emergence of money power and muscle power. Even criminals can acquire political respec-tability. This power is assuming more and more menacing forms.

There are several explanations for the emergence of this state of affairs. One is the distressing decline in the standards and norms that should guide the functioning of a political party. Gandhi had a big hand in shaping the party which brought us freedom. Each layer of the party had its appropriate part to play. Much importance was attached to primary committees and to honest enrolment of primary members. It is true tht there was some concentration of power and authority at the Central level but that was the demand of the hour in the midst of a non-violent war to win freedom. There was deep public respect not only for leaders but also for workers even at the lowest level. There was discipline without which nothing worthwhile could be achieved. There were certainly aberrations but the basic structure was sound. New tasks awaited this great party after became free.

In the earlier period of independence, certain norms continued to be observed. There was a lot of care in the selection of candidates. The lowest committees had a say in this selection. But what is the scene now? I am not talking of any one particular party but of the political scene as a whole. There is a swift descent. All power and authority tends to accumulate in the hands of a few, maybe even in one person. In the selection of candidates, the voice of the lower bodies counts less and less. It is common to hear today that most parties tend to become one-person party. With elections becoming more and more expensive, those controlling the purse have a decisive voice. There is much else that can be said to show that all decentralisation of power and authority has disappeared. Many malpractices have crept into the election process greatly lowering the quality of our democracy. Gandhi had laid considerable stress on the education of the voter. We may compliment the voter on the fine sense of discrimination he displays at times; but, the way electoral politics is practised, it largely clouds his judgement and leads him astray in many ways. Much of what Gandhi said on democracy has considerable value and relevance in the many-sided crisis in which the country is caught today.

At the present moment, what weighs heavily on our minds is the communal issue. We have been familiar with this issue for a long time, both before and after independence. It is perfectly true that the foreign British rule made good use of it for its own perpetuation. It did muddy the whole political scene and was the one formidable obstacle to the growth of India as a free, self-reliant nation. I doubt if there was any political leaders who was more conscious of the need for communal harmony than Gandhi. His whole philosophy of life, his own basic nature and spiritual leanings, his own interpretations and practice of Hinduism all drove him to a yearning for communal harmony, in particular Hindu-Muslim unity. There was no escape from it for any rational or any genuinely religious-minded person. In the early period of his life, Gandhi made a deep and reverent study of the principal religions of India and the world and came to certain firm conclusions. All religions, he was convinced, were basically true and all could and should live in perfect harmony. That Truth is one but there are many paths leading to it is also the central thought in Hindu scriptures. Gandhis non-violence and Truth could also lead him to no other conclusion. All this was on the human plane which was vital for Gandhi and which held good whatever the political situation he faced.

But there was also a complex political scene which awaited him in India on his final return from South Africa. A good part of India felt amazed when he threw in his lot with the Khilafat movement. So deep and genuine was his commitment to communal harmony that he thought it his plain and obvious duty to identify himself with the sorrow and anguish of his Muslim countrymen on the Khilafat issue. There was a great deal of criticism of his identification with the Khilafat issue both during the Khilafat agitation itself and even more after the agitation was over. The question here was not whether he was politically right or wise in taking the stand he did. Different opinions could be and were expressed on it but Gandhi at no time felt that his was an erroneous approach to the problem. He even said that he would do the same if a similar situation arose again. All this showed the depth of his commitment to the cause of communal harmony. He strove hard to promote it even though success was not within easy reach. Later, he came to the clear conclusion that no unity was possible in the presence of a foreign power which thought that its divide and rule policy was the secret of its survival. We all know what desperate steps Gandhi took to prevent the partition of India. But the policy of divide and rule, which had been in active operation for well over half-a-century, could not be cheated of its gains. What he did to heal the wounds of the partition during the last and heroic phase of his life is known to us all. Some of our countrymen put the blame for the partition, or a considerable share of it, on Gandhi. But they do him grave injustice.

Gandhi has written voluminously on the communal problem in different contexts.

A few brief quotations from his writings are illustrative of the great importance he attached to communal harmony:

Hindu-Muslim unity has been my passion from early youth. If not during my lifetime, I know that after my death Hindus and Muslims will bear witness that I had never ceased to yearn after communal peace.

Hindu-Muslim unity consists in having a common purpose, a common goal, and common sorrows. It is best promoted by cooperating to reach the common goal by sharing of one anothers sorrows and by mutual toleration.

The key to the solution of the communal tangle lies in everyone following the best in his own religion and entertaining equal regard for the other religions and their followers.

The only ideology which inspires and sustains the vast mass of our people is still their religion and not any political creed. Their religion tells them not only what is good and what is bad but also other norms of good conduct. Their beliefs help them to alleviate their sorrows. But today politics, in particular electoral politics, dominates the Indian scene. Through politics lies the road to power and wealth. Religion comes easy for exploitation. Caste is another element in our social fabric which is exploited for electoral purposes. I do not propose to go into the question which particular party uses these forces for electoral gains and in what measure. Those of us who have been associated in some way with Gandhi, his programme, and his vision are clear in our minds that the light he showed in an atmosphere of communal gloom was the only right way.

With all his attachment and deep devotion to religion, Gandhi stood for separation of religion from politics. Each man or woman was free to practise his or her religion. This by no means meant the exclusion of moral values from politics. If this happened, politics would be a most sordid and ugly thing. He also saw every religion at its best. He did not delve into past history to ferret out wrongs done in the name of religion. He was busy creating a new, great, and glorious India. He gladly harnessed whatever past could help him to create this kind of India. If this vision is missing, much evil can be wrought. It is the absence of this vision and our commitment to it which accounts for much that has gone wrong in our politics. Let political parties criticise one another, but the wrong deeds of any political party are not rectified by the other party or parties doing the same thing in a more intensified form. That way would lead to nothing but tragedy and disaster. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that we recapture the vision which the greatest man of our generation has bequeathed to India in this vital field of our natural life. India may have great ends. But if the means are wrong, there would be little hope of reaching the right ends.

But what is the commual situation today? It is undoubtedly bad. Why has it become so? Is it because our common people, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians are communal-minded? That is a blatnat untruth. The vast masses of our people holding their religion dear are far from being communal-minded. They have learnt to be tolerant of and respectful to other religions. They instinctively know without even any conscious effort on their part that the mode of worship may vary but it is God alone who is worshipped, all his various names notwith-standing. They have lived together, especially in villages, for centuries in peace and harmony. Any saintly figure, whatever his religion, is revered by people of all communities. There is hardly a State in India where this practse does not prevail. The normal worries of our people centre round their livelihood and the welfare of their children. Why then do they go astray? It is generally agreed now that is tis the kind of politics that is practised in the counry that should take the major blame for this sorry state of affairs.

There is some talk of Hindutva in the country. I would have no objection to it provided Hinduism is presented in its deepest and most catholic terms. But the way the word Hindutva is used has a very narrow connotation. It will only weaken and divide India instead of unifying it. Indian culture for Gandhi had in it the makings of a united India. Let me quote:

Indian culture stands for synthesis of the different cultures that have come to stay in India, that have influenced Indian life, and that, in their turn, have themselves been influenced by the spirit of the soil. The synthesis will naturally be of the swadeshi type where each culture is assured its legitimate place.

Indian culture is, therefore Indian. It is neither Hindu, nor Islamic, nor any other wholly. It is a fusion of all and essentially Eastern. And everyone who calls himself or herself an Indian is bound to treasure that culture, be its trustee, and resist any attack upon it.

There is a big talk of vote-banks in the communal context. Minorities, it is said, have been turned into vote-banks by politicians and political parties. This is true of every segment of Indian society. Various castes in the majority community have been turned into vote-banks. Our Scheduled Castes and Tribes are treated as vote-banks. There is much else in our complex that is capable of exploitation in terms of vote-banks. Whatever is evil and mischievous in this approach has to be brought to light, fought and resisted.

In the new context of recent harrowing happenings, it is very much worthy of consi-deration whether communal organisations should be allowed to have freeplay in the country. We have to build the nation on strong foundations. No effort should be spared to promote national feelings in the country and discourage and weaken all separatist forces.

Much stress is rightly put, especially in intellectual circles, on the need for liberal trends to manifest themselves in the practise of all religions in the country. This deserves undiluted support of all right-thinking people in the country. No unity in the country is possible on the basis of narrow-mindedness or intolerance. After living together for centuries, our country-men, belonging to various religions, have built up a composite culture. If there was some intolerance in any earlier period, it yielded place to tolerance and mutual understanding. Sheer commonsense, political necessities, and the work of our artists, mystics, and sages drew the country towards unity in diversity. There is no other path open to our countrymen unless we choose self-destruction and disaster.

Our country has been through a series of grim experiences in connection with a most bizarre dispute centring round a place of worship. it has led to enormous and widespread suffering. We venture to hope that good sense will now prevail and that we will have learnt a few valuable lessons in both political and religious fields. Gandhi had gone deep into this communal question and strove valiantly to find that right answer. May we not again go back to him and seek the ingredients of a right answer? He has also much to tell us in other vital fields of life.

This is just one aspect, indeed a very vital aspect of Gandhis approach to the problem of communal harmony. He had some dreams about India after it achieved its political freedom. These were not dreams of a visionary. He had a clear vision of a free India in all vital spheres of lifepolitical, economic, social and cultural. He wished his free India to do great things not only for itself but also, if it trod the right path, for the entire humanity. Indian culture at its best had something in it which qualified it to make a vital contribution to the shaping of a new world civilisation. The key to peace for which the world is yearning could very much lie in Indias hands if only it had the right vision and this vision could be translated in some good measure into political, social, economic and cultural reality. Gandhi was firmly convinced that this great vision of his would be untranslatable into reality if communal harmony or national unity escaped India. Its absence would foul the whole atmosphere and obstruct progress in almost every direction.

The country has massive economic problems facing it. All our Five Year Plans were largely concerned with an attempt to solve them. The abject poverty of a formidable number of our people is intolerable and wholly inconsistent with the kind of a just social and equitable order at which we had aimed, both during our struggle for freedom and later after freedom was attained. Several efforts have been made to tackle these economic problems but the results have been limited. We may have a middle class which lives well, can educate its children, and have access to some medical care in times of need. We also have an affluent class which can indulge in extravagances. But beyond these classes exists a large mass of humanity which lives below what is called the poverty level. In all his plans and calculations, therefore, Gandhi was at pains to find work and a living wage for every able-bodied person in the country.

Gandhi devoted considerable thought to this vital subject of work for everybody. Democracy would be a very poor thing unless everybody had work or some means of honourable living. It may not even last. In this connection, he emphasised the importance of the spinning-wheel and the rejuvenation of the village economy. Those of us who had been brought up to think in terms of what the West has achieved and the advances it has made in material welfare are apt to think that India too could do the same on a comparable scale. India too, like the West, could be extensively urbanised with a steady diminution in the number of people dependent on agriculture. But Gandhi clearly saw that this hope was very much unrealistic. In his scheme, he permitted a large measure of industrialisation but he was convinced that, as far as basic necessities of life were concerned, there should be active revival of cottage and village industry with science and technology coming in only to increase their productivity. Here were simple, cheap means by which our people could be involved in productive activities. Our countrys leadership listened to Gandhi but was slow and hesitant in making the right beginning. Some steps were taken but they did not go far enough in the right direction.

All political parties, the country as a whole, and the government in particular, have to be clear in their approach to this subject of village industries. Much vague talk is indulged in by the political leadership in the country leading to a considerable amount of confusion and uncertinty. the whole subject calls for some hard and clear-cut decisions. It must be realised that there is a conflict between large-scale and highly mechanised industries and the small-scale and tiny sectors. This confliect can be resolved if we keep steadily in view our real basic objectives. It is thought by some of our foolish countrymen that in espousing the cause of village or cottage industries, Gandhi was opposing science and all the benefits and blessings it could bring. He had said that he would not mind if thirty thousand people produced all the goods that the country needed through the latest inventions of science, but the question is: what do we do with the rest of the population?

The economic content of democracy would be highly meagre if millions are out of work and employment and lead aimless lives. We have now with us an experience of almost half-a- century in the field of development. With all the new wealth we might have created, we are still one of the poorest countries in the world. The consequences of millions of people remaining out of work are not just economic nor are they just confined to the persons unemployed or semi-employed. They affect the whole social, political, economic, and cultural scene in the countryincreasing lawlessness, growth in crude violence, and continuous exodus from rural to urban areas making the latter less and less livable. I need hardly labour the point.

These days there is a growing tendency in the large-scale sector to absorb less and less manpower so that the goods it produces are competitive in the world market. There is now a new threat to the tiny or village sector in the shape of multinationals. I may not go into the rights and wrongs of the new industrial policy of our government. The loosening or removal of controls on the indigenous large-scale sector has by and large been welcomes. But there are other features which are far from being non-controversial. It is in all this more complex context that an urgent and honest review of the place of our village industries in the total industrial scheme of the country should be undertaken.

In the social and cultural fields, the message of Gandhi was clear beyond any possibility of misunderstanding. His stress was on equality. Democracy in the India of today has to be nothing short of a revolution. Many inequalities should be on their way to extinction. The spirit of democracy rebels against them and this rebellion is beginning to take place. How orderly or disorderly the rebellion is another matter. A heavy blow has rightly been struck at the evil of untouchability. More blows are necessary. There is also a new movement for improving the conditions of the backward communities. Electoral considerations animating this movement may well be there but the need for social equalisation of all our people is unquestionably great and urgent.

To this social awakening we may add the growing recognition of the need for some effective decentralisation of power and authority which was an article of faith with Gandhi. The country has seen that concentration of power and authority, whether in planning or in other spheres, was wrong, unprofitable, and very harmful. We all know how Gandhi viewed growth in the power of the state with deep distrust. He was all for releasing the creative energies of our peopleof each individual, man and woman. Our rulers have yet to realise this and translate it into political and economic reality. There could be a big healthy change in the political life of our country once Panchayati Raj becomes an effective force.

With all his preoccupation with the difficult problems of India, Gandhis approach to life embraced in its scope the whole of humanity. There is much talk today of globalisation of the Indian economy but its basis is not the oneness of mankind. Each country has to compete with other countries for the promotion of its national interest. This may be good and necessary within certain limits but none of the service of mankind is its motivating spirit.

Gandhis spirit of internationalism has a different odour about it. Let me quote:

I would not like to live in this world if it is not one world.

My patriotism is not an exclusive thing. It is all-embracing and I should reject that patriotism which sought to mount upon the distress or the exploitation of other nationalities.

One cannot serve the country injuring the world at large. In the final analysis, we must die so that the country may live and the country must die so that the world may live.

The golden rule is to be friends with the world and to regard the whole human family as one.

These quotations are meant to convey some flavour of the kind of one world in which Gandhi believed and yearned to work for. He believed in maximum self-sufficiency and self-reliance but it carried with it the obligation to depend on others where such dependence is necessary. Believing as he did in one world and the unity of life, all the crucial problems facing humanity todayeconomic, political, social, or moralwould have engaged his serious attention and called for solution in broadly non-violent terms. He also did not want any country to prosper at the expense of other countries. This is very much what is happening in the world today despite all talk of one world. There is a lot of exploitation, racial discrimination, and other divisions and hatreds. Also, a good deal of environmental degradation is there following the race for becoming rich. What Gandhi said on this vital theme has attracted a good deal of attention from the West and other parts of the world.

(Mainstream, October 2, 1993)
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Gandhiji at the Dawn of Freedom

by Kshitish Chandra Das Gupta

The Fifteenth of August, 1947, was drawing near. India was going to shake off two centuries of British domination and join the comity of nations as a sovereign independent country. None could have been happier at this prospect than Mahatma Gandhi, looking at the fulfilment of the struggle he had led for nearly three decadesa struggle unique in world history.

But happy he was not. The 16th of August, 1946, had marked the beginning of the Muslim Leagues Direct Action movement for carving out a separate StatePakistanfor the Indian Muslims. It had started in Calcutta, then spread to Noakhali and set off a chain reaction affecting Bihar, UP, the Punjab and many other parts of India. Senseless killings had taken place, women had been violated, houses and properties burnt. The virulent poison of communalism had equally affected the two major communitiesthe Hindus no less than the Muslims.

Gandhiji was a witness to this painful phenomenonthe dehumanisation of his people, the destruction of all human values, the depletion of the moral reserves of the nation.

The poignancy was made all the more acute for him by the defeatism of the Congress leaders whom he had reared up as his own sons. They had already agreed to the vivisection of India as the price of independence. In their impatience to get into the seats of power, they felt no moral compunction to accept in practicethough not in theorythe two-nation theory of M.A. Jinnah, and undo in one stroke all that the national movement led by Gandhiji had slowly achieved over the decades, namely, the unity of the people of India, irrespective of caste, community or language, in the fight for freedom.

Quite understandably, Gandhiji was sad, sorrowful and soul-stricken. He had repeatedly said that the partition of India could be made only over his dead body, but now that it was coming, he found himself deserted by his lieutenants. To resist Partition, he would have to call on his people, but that would mean turning against Jawaharlal, Vallabhbhai, Rajendra Prasad and who not... against his sons, as it were.

Communal atrocities which included loot, arson, murder, rape and en masse conversion, affecting nearly 50,000 people, had taken place in Noakhali in October, 1946. When the news reached him in Delhi, Gandhiji decided to go to Noakhali. Thus began his historic Noakhali Peace Mission. From November 7, 1946, to March 2, 1947, that is, for four months, he walked barefoot from one riot-affected village to another, ignoring the severe winter, restoring confidence and dignity to the panic-stricken Hindus and rekindling the flame of love and brotherliness in the Muslims who had been carried away by passion.

His non-violence was being put to the acid test in Noakhali, said Gandhiji and declared that he would not leave the district till his mission had succeeded and non-violence had been proved to be the strong leaven that he claimed it was.

When, however, news reached him that communal riots had taken place in Bihar and his presence was necessary, he came to Calcutta and left for Patna (March 5, 1947), leaving his unfinished work in Noakhali to his colleagues and co-workers who were enjoined to remain at their respective posts of duty.

From his Bihar tour Gandhiji went to Delhi. He came back to the Khadi Pratisthan Ashram at Sodepur on May 9, intending to return to Noakhali. Meanwhile, the situation in Calcutta had again deteriorated. Riots had claimed many more lives and property. On reaching Sodepur, therefore, Gandhiji discussed the communal situation in the city with Sri Suhrawardy (the then Chief Minister of Bengal), Sri Sarat Chandra Bose and other leaders.

On May 14, 1947, Gandhiji went out to visit the riot-affected areas of the city, touring conti-nuously for two hours. He first visited Paikpara in North Calcutta, then went to Bagmari, Goalapara, Kankurgachi, Narkeldanga and Beliaghataall in the eastern part of the city with concentrations of Muslim population. All along the tour, I was with him in his car as his escort.

From Calcutta, Gandhiji was to go to Howrah. As our motorcade was passing along the Beliaghata Main Road, some Hindus stopped our car near Minabazar and explained to Gandhiji how they had fared at the hands of the Muslims. This irritated Sri S.M. Osman, ex-Mayor of Calcutta and a Muslim League leader, who was with Gandhiji showing him the areas where Muslims had been affected. Sri Osmans irritation so unhinged him that he told Gandhiji in as many words that he very much resented Gandhiji listening to the stories of atrocities committed by Muslims.

When our car reached the Entally area near the Lower Circular Road junction, Sri Osman said that as Gandhiji had already been biased against the Muslims, it was no good taking him to Howrah. So saying, he got down from the car in a huff. The Howrah tour had thus to be cancelled abruptly. Pyarelalji, his Secretry, and myself, took Gandhiji back to Sodepur.

Sri Suhrawardy did not at all like the idea of Gandhiji going back to Noakhali again, just as he did not like Gandhijis first visit to the district after the communal riots in October the previous year. He tried to dissuade Gandhiji from going to Noakhali and assured him that the situation there was quite normal and that the Hindus were not being harassed or threatened, although Gandhiji had been informed by Sri Satish Chandra Das Gupta (whom he had put in overall charge of the Peace Mission before he left Noakhali) and other leaders like Sri Haran Chandra Ghose Chowdhury that tension was very much there, that stray attacks were taking place almost daily and that criminals like Golam Sarwar (he was the chief organiser of the October riots) were moving about scot-free, intimidating the Hindu population.

Anyway, due to the obstructionist tactics of Sri Suhrawardy, Gandhijis departure for Noakhali had to be repeatedly put off. Ulti-mately, he left for Delhi on May 15, that is, the day after he visisted the disturbed parts of Calcutta. Just after he had left, the situation in the city worsened. On May 19, communal disturbances flared up in Calcutta and on the 24th the police had to open fire.

But Gandhiji did not give up his intention of returning to Noakhali. On August 6, he was at Lahore. In reply to a question put by some local Congress workers, he said: The rest of my life is going to be spent in East Bengal or West Punjab perhaps the Frontier Province... I have been yearning to come to the Punjab ever since I came to Delhi, but there were certain forces which were against my coming to this Province. My present place is in Noakhali and I would go there, even if I had to die. But as soon as I am free from Noakhali I will come to the Punjab. I hope I will be free from Noakhali very soon.

Gandhiji came back to Sodepur in August. By a strange coincidence, the date was the ninth, the fifth anniversary of the August movement which had served the final Quit India notice on the British. The British were, at last, going to quit. In six days time, the Union Jack was going to be hauled down and the Trivarna hoisted in its place. India would be free. But was it the India of my dreams? Was it, also, the freedom he had fought for? The year preceding independence had seen the worst fratricidal strifes. Rivers of blood had flowed through the country as brother fought brother savagely. Independence was coming to a partitioned India whose air was heavy with the blood of the innocent victims and the tears of those who had been left alive to mourn.

Gandhiji had come to Sodepur on his way to Noakhali where he was going to fulfil his promise of completing the unfinished tour. His post- prayer speech in the evening was devoted to the Calcutta riot situation. The next day, the 10th, he said at his prayer meeting that he had thought of going to Noakhali the next day, that is, the 11th but due to pressure from his Muslim friends, had decided to stay on to see if he could contribute to bring back sanity in Calcutta.

On the 12th, Gandhiji said that he had decided to prolong his stay in Calcutta by two more days at the instance of his Muslim friends. The previous night Shaheed Sahib (Sri Suhrawardy) had suggested to him that it would be contrary to Gandhijis practice to leave Calcutta while the city was going through the horrors of communal strife. He had accepted the suggestion.

Gandhiji proposed to Shaheed Sahib who had come to meet him at Sodepur that both he and Gandhiji should live together under the same roof in some disturbed part of Calcutta, without taking any police or military protection but depending solely on the people. Gandhiji asked him to consult his aged father as well as his daughter and get their consent, instead of giving a hasty reply then and there.

As far as he was concerned, however, Gandhiji had obviously taken the decision, because shortly after noon, around half past one, he asked me to accompany Sri Osman to find out a suitable place in a Muslim area in Calcutta. He made it clear that any place in a Muslim bustee, even a burnt house, would be good for him. Accordingly, Sri Osman and I went to the old Paikpara area in search of a suitable place, but none could be found that would be fit for Gandhijis use, that is, had space enough to hold his afternoon prayer meetings or even to accommodate the scores of visitors who would be thronging throughout the day and even late into the night.

We next decided to go to Beliaghata in eastern Calcutta, where Muslim houses and bustees had been attacked and destroyed by local Hindu young men. Most of the Muslim population had fled from this area. Sri Osman, therefore, was quite unwilling to go there unprotected. On my insistence, he said he could go only with armed police escort. We, therefore, went to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, who provided the escort.

After inspecting several houses, I selected the one beside the Essavi Match Factory on the Beliaghata Main Road, a little way off from Raja Rajendralal Mitter Road. Earlier, Sri Osman had come with the message that Sri Suhrawardy had obtained the consent of his father and daughter and had agreed to Gandhijis proposal to live together.

The next day, August 13, Gandhiji arrived at the Muslim house at Beliaghata in the afternoon. With him were Sri Osman, Prof Nirmal Kumar Bose, Smt Abha Gandhi and Smt Manu Gandhi, Smt Hemprabha Devi, myself and a few others from the Sodepur Ashram.

On our arrival at the Beliaghata house, Gandhiji said that except Prof Bose, Abha and Manu, all others should leave the place without delay and that from now on he should be exclusively in the hands of the Muslim friends. This was an order that had to be obeyed. With a heavy heart and much against our will, therefore, Smt Hemprabha Devi, myself and others from the Sodepur Ashram, came away. Sri Suhrawardy had not till then arrived. He was to come at about eight in the evening to live with Gandhiji.

It may be mentioned that the selected houseHydari Mansionwas untenanted, full of dirt and the yard in front was full of mud and puddles of stagnant water. The yard had to be filled up with cinder. The rooms had to be cleaned, disinfected and white-washed. At my request, the Mayor got all this done by the Calcutta Corporation people.

There was also the question of ensuring Gandhijis safety. By the time I left Beliaghata, I had come to know that a group of Hindu youngmen, armed with revolvers, sten guns and other lethal weapons, were roaming in the locality and that they very much resented Gandhiji coming to the rescue and protection of the Muslims. I had also been told that when I had come to the locality the previous day and was searching for a house, these people, taking me for a Muslim (perhaps becaue of the imperial that I sport) was about to aim their guns at me, when someone among them recognised me just in the nick of time.

On getting back to the Sodepur Ashram, therefore, I rang up Dr P.C. Ghosh, who was due to succeed Sri Suhrawardy as the Chief Minister, and told him about the place and environment where Gandhiji was without police or military protection Late in the evening, Dr Ghosh posted police pickets near Gandhijis house.

Before I left Beliaghata, a crowd had already assembled at the gate and wanted to see Gandhiji. When I went to him and told him about them, he said six people could be brought to him. Accordingly, I let in six from among the crowd. Thereupon Gandhiji again asked me to go back to Sodepur. He began talking to these people. He spoke in Hindi while Prof Nirmal Bose, acting as an interpreter, translated it into Bengali. A few minutes later, there was a furore and a large crowd rushed through the gate and stormed into Gandhijis room. One of these was dead drunk. Another, still in his teens, talked and gesticulated in a most insulting and offensive manner. Some others stood outside, because the room was too small. Later, it transpired that the whole thing had been purposely organised by elements who wanted to force Gandhiji to leave the area.

The angry crowd demanded to know from Gandhiji as to why he had not come after the 16th August, 1946, when there was the Great Calcutta Killing, when the Hindus were butchered, their houses burnt and property looted. Gandhiji replied that he was now in Calcutta on his way to Noakhali. He had to postpone his journey as Shaheed Sahib had flown from Delhi just to say that he (Gandhiji) should stay in Calcutta to bring peace. Gandhiji thought that by staying in Calcutta, he would be able to serve the Hindus of Noakhali.

At the prayer meeting he wanted his audience to believe that if Calcutta returned to sanity, the rest of India would be safe, including Noakhali. During the next few days, he bent all his energies to the cause of restoring peace and confidence in the city. He met representatives of both the communities, prominent citizens and political leadersofficial as well as non-official. It was clear that Calcutta was his first concern and that he would not leave the city till conditions had become normal again.

Came the Fifteenth of August. On that day the whole atmosphere suddenly changed as if at the touch of a magic wand. People came out of their houses in their lakhs, Hindus and Muslims embraced each other warmly and affectionately, sweetmeats were distributed, fireworks lit up the night sky of the city and the bitterness of the past was totally forgotten, or so it seemed at the moment. Looking at the jubilant and joyous crowds, one could scarcely believe that violence and vengeance, mistrust and misgiving had vitiated the air till the day before.

But Gandhiji was not impressed by this sudden effusion of communal amity. He was too farsighted to take the apparent for the real. He knew that the rot had gone too deep. Peoples minds had been poisoned, the moral fabric of the nation had become weak. To rid itself of the hatred, animosity and rancour that had been bred, the nation, he knew, would have to go through a purgatory of penance and purification of the heart. How valid his apprehensions were was to be proved very shortly.

He felt out of tune with the mood of gaiety that marked the day. His heart was heavy. Sad and withdrawn, he sat silently in his room and in spite of requests declined to come out and see the celebrations and festivities with which the city was welcoming the advent of freedom. It was not a day of merrymaking but a day of prayer and fastinghe said.

The next day, the 16th, Gandhiji wrote: Shaheed Sahaib Suhrawardy and I are living together in a Muslim manzil in Beliaghata. We occupied the house on Wednesday the 13th. The Muslim volunteers are attending to our comforts... Muslim volunteers do the cooking. Many were eager to come from Khadi Pratisthan for attending but I prevented them. (What Gandhiji refers to as the manzil was in fact an old single-storeyed uncouth pucca house, having three rooms only.)

On the 19th, Gandhiji visited affected areas in Kanchrapra, Barrackpore, Titagrah and some other places in the industrial belt north of Calcutta. The next day, the 20th, he told a prayer meeting at Khangraputty in the Burra Bazar area of Calcutta that the Central Peace Committee should now consolidate the results so far achieved. There should be Mohalla Peace Committee and they should find at least one Hindu and one Muslim of clean heart to work together.

The Calcutta Corporation gave a civic reception to Gandhiji on August 24. It was held at the Maidan in the evening. In his reply, Gandhiji siad that this was the third time he was receiving an address from the civic body. The first was given to him by Deshbandhu C.R. Das when he was the Mayor. The second was given when Sri Nalini Ranjan Sircar was heading the Corporation. In course of his speech, Gandhiji recalled the late Acharya P.C. Ray under whose roof he had lived for the one month in 1901.

On August 27 and 28, Gandhiji held prayer meetings at Metiaburuz and the Science College respectively. On the 29th a meeting was held at Beliaghata on the Ras Maidan on Raja Rajendralal Mitter Road.

As Vande Mataram was being sung, the audience including Sri Suhrawardy and other Muslims and Hindus on the dais stood up. Gandhiji alone remained seated. He said later that Indian culture did not require standing as a mark of respect when a national song or a devotional song (bhajan) was being sung. It was an unncessary importation from the West. A responsive posture was the corect one on such occasions. After all, it was the mental attitude that mattered, not the outward appearance.

On the 30th, Gandhiji attended a prayer meeting at Barasat in 24-Parganas, Calcutta, at the time, was apparently calm. Gandhijis mind, however, was far from peaceful. After some hesitation, he decided to go to Noakhali in the beginning of September.

There was some demonstration before the Beliaghata house on the 31st evening against the Peace Committee referred to in the Khangra-putty prayer speech. Gandhiji told his secretary, Sri Pyarelal, who had just come from Noakhali: My resolve to go to Noakhali has collapsed after this evenings happenings. I cannot to to Noakhali, or for that matter any-where, when Calcutta is in flames. ...You have, for the time being, therefore, to return to Noakhali without me. You can tell the people of Noakhali that if my colleagues, for any reason, cannot be there, they will find me in their midst.

The Ist of September was Monday, his day of silence. On this day, Gandhiji decided to go on fast. There was a recrudescence of communal violence in the city and the fast was undertaken to rouse the conscience of the people. At about half-past eight in the evening, he prepared a statement explaining the reason for which the fast was undertaken.

At about ten in the night, an incident took place right within the Beliaghata house. An angry mob besieged the house. Gandhiji appeared at the doorway of the main hall opening out from a side room. First a lathi (stick) was thrown at him and then a piece of brick. A Muslim standing by the side of Gandhiji was hurt. At the request of the police, Gandhiji drew back.

on the 3rd, Sachindra Nath Mitra and Smritish Banerjee were killed while they were leading peace squadsSachin in the Murgihatta and Smritish in the Park Circus areas of the city. Sushil Das Gupta, who was with Smritish, was severely wounded and five days later died in the hospital.

Gandhijis fast continued. Sri Rajagopalachari, the then Governor of West Bengal, Sir Suhra-wardy and other leaders came to Gandhiji and tried their utmost to persuade him to give up the fast. Rajaji assured him that the Govern-ment was taking every possible step against the miscreants and guarding against possible eruption of violence.

Gandhiji replied that the Government would deal with the situation in its own way. But what would the common people do under the circumstances? They did not want riots or lawlessness but felt powerless to assert them-selves. His fast was undertaken on behalf of these common people.

On September 4, an appeal signed by about 40 Hindu and Muslim representatives was brought to Gandhiji, in which the signatories solemnly pledged to maintain communal harmony and resist breach of the peace. Sri Suhrawardy told Gandhiji that their hearts had been touched (by the fast). Rajaji was present as also the Hindu Mahasabha people. At a quarter past nine, Gandhiji broke his fast which had lasted for 73 hours. The next day, the 5th, he still felt too weak to address a prayer meeting.

On the 6th, Gandhiji attended a farewell function arranged on behalf of the citizens of Calcutta to express their gratitude. Referring to the Deputy Mayors speech, Gandhiji said that the word farewell was misapplied. He had made his home among the Muslim friends in Beliaghata and not in Khadi Pratisthan, Sodepur, which was his permanent home. He would not allow even Srimati Hemprabha Devi and her co-workers to come to his new abode for looking after him. He said he would be satisfied with what his Muslim friends gave him in the shape of service. He had made no mistake. He was in the habit of living comfortably in the Muslim homes in South Africa. He referred to the martyrdom of Sachin and Smritish and said he was not sorry. Such innocent deaths were necessary to keep the communities together.

Gandhiji left Bengal for Delhi on September 7, 1947, for the last time. During this, his last stay he was in Calcutta for thirty dayssix days at Sodepur Ashram and twentyfour days at the Beliaghata house.

When Gandhiji was approached for a message, on the eve of his departure, he wrote it down in Bengali: Amar Jeevan-i Amar Vani (My life is my message). He signed it in Bengali as Mo Ka Gandhi.

Little did we know, as he left us, that he was soon to vindicate his message with his life as he did on that fateful Friday of January 30, 1948.

(Mainstream, October 5, 1968)

The author was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and along with his elder brother, Satish Chandra Das Gupta, founded the Khadi Pratisthan in Bengal for implementing Gandhijis Constructive Programme. He was a pioneer in manufacturing printing ink under Indian entrepreneurship. He was also a pioneer in introducing scientific bee-keeping in India.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Gandhi for Today

On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhis one hundred and fortyeighth birth anniversary on October 2, 2017, we are reproducing the following excerpts from his writings and pronouncements. This is followed by a couple of articles on Gandhi and N.C.s lecture on Mahatma GandhiThe Great Communicator.

The economic conflict which you envisage, is likely to make the Hindu-Muslim tension less acute. Even the end of the Hindu-Muslim conflict will not end all our troubles. What is happening is this. With the end of slavery and the dawn of independence, all the weaknesses of society are bound to come to the surface. I do not see any reason to be unnecessarily upset about. If we keep our balance at such a time, then every tangle will be solved. As far as the economic question is concerned, it has to be solved in any case. Today, there is gross economic inequality. The basis of socialism is economic equality. There can be no Ram Raj in the present state of iniquitous inequalities in which only a few roll in riches, while the masses do not get even enough to eat. I accepted the theory of socialism, even while I was in South Africa. My opposition to the socialists and the others consists in attacking violence as a means of effecting any lasting reform...

It can, however, be asked whether the present rajas and the others can be expected to become trustees of the poor. If they do not become trustees of their own accord, force of circumstances will compel the reform, unless they court utter destruction. When the panchayat raj is established, public opinion will do, what violence can never do. The present power of the zamindars, the capitalists and the rajas can hold sway only so long as the common people do not realise their own strength. If the people non-co-operate with the evil of zamindari or capitalism, it must die of inanition. In panchayat raj only the panchayat will be obeyed and the panchayat can only work through the law of their making.

[From the editorial How to Combat Himsa, written on May 25, 1947]

o o o

I have been lately taken to task for daring to say what I have stated about Kashmir and the maharaja. Those who have done so have evidently failed to read my statement carefully. I have simply tendered advice which, I suppose, the lowliest can do. And to do so, sometimes, becomes a duty, as was the case with me. What was it for? It was, if accepted, designed to raise the maharaja in his own and the worlds esteem. His and his states is a most unenviable position today. He is a Hindu prince, having under his sway a very large majority of Muslims. The invaders have called their invasion a holy war for the defence of the Muslims reported to be ground down under Hindu misrule! Sheikh Abdullah Saheb was called by the ruler to his task at a most critical period. He is new to the task and deserves every encouragement, if he is considered fit by His Highness the Maharaja. It must be evident to the outsider, as it is to me, that Kashmir must be lost to the invaders, otherwise called the raiders, if Sheikh Abdullah Sahebs effort to hold together the Muslims and the minority fails. And it would be a mistake to think that the Union army could do it. The army was sent in answer to the combined importunity of the Maharaja Saheb and the Sheikh Saheb, in order to help ward off the attack. Is it any wonder that I have advised the ruling authority to rise to the occasion and to become like the King of England and, therefore, use his rule and his Dogra army in strict accord with the advice of Sheikh Abdullah Saheb and his emergency Cabinet? The instrument of accession stands, as it is. It confers or reserves certain rights on or for the ruler. I, as a private individual, have ventured to advise that the ruler should waive or diminish the rights and perform the duty, pertaining to the office, of a Hindu prince. If I am wrong as to my facts, I should be corrected. If I err in my conception of Hinduism and of the duty of a Hindu prince, I am out of court. If Sheikh Abdullah Saheb is erring in the discharge of his duty as the chief of the Cabinet or as a devout Musalman, he should certainly step aside and give place to a better man. It is on the Kashmir soil, that Islam and Hinduism are being weighed now. If both pull their weight correctly and in the same direction, the chief actors will cover themselves with glory and nothing can move them from their joint credit. My sole hope and prayer is that Kashmir should become a beacon light to this benighted subcontinent.

So much for the Maharaja Saheb and the Sheikh Saheb. Will not the Government of Pakistan and the Government of the Indian Union close ranks and come to an amicable settlement with the assistance of impartial Indians? Or, has impartiality fled from India? I am sure, it has not.

[Text of a prayer speech read out in Delhi on December 29, 1947]

o o o

Before I ever knew anything about politics in my early youth, I dreamt the dream of communal unity of the heart. I shall jump in the evening of my life like a child, to feel that the dream has been realised in this life. The wish for living the full span of life portrayed by the seers of old and which the seers permit us to set down at 125 years, will then revive. Who would not risk sacrificing his life for the realisation of such a dream? Then we shall have real swaraj. Then, though legally and geographically we may still be two states, in daily life no one will think that we were two separate states. The vista before me seems to me to be, as it must be to you, too glorious to be ture. And yet like a child in a famous picture, drawn by a famous painter, I shall not be happy, till I have got it. I live and I want to live for no lesser goal... I remember to have read, I forget now whether in the Delhi Fort or in the Agra Fort, when I visited them in 1896, a verse on one of the gates, which when translated reads thus: If there is paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.... I should love to see that verse with justice inscribed on the gates of Pakistan at all the entrances. In such paradise, whether it is in the Indian Union or in Pakistan, there will be neither paupers, nor beggars, nor high, nor low, neither the millionaire employers, nor the half-starved employees, nor intoxicating drinks or drugs. There will be the same respect for women as vouchsafed to men, and the chastity and the purity of men and women will be jealously guarded. Where every woman, except ones wife, will be treated by men of all religions, as mother, or sister, or daughter, according to her age. Where there will be no untouchability, and where there will be equal respect for all faiths. They will be all proudly, joyously and voluntarily bread labourers. I hope that everyone who listens to me or who reads these lines, will forgive me, if stretched on my bed and basking in the sun, inhaling the life-giving sunshine, I allow myself to indulge in this ecstasy.

[From the address at a prayer meeting during his last fast in Delhi, January 14, 1948]
Our Back Pages

Issue 134

Issue Date: March 2001

Editor: Marlene Cookshaw

Pages: 120

Number of contributors: 34

Buy Issue 134: Print Edition

2001s spring issue, which features work by Jan Zwicky, Bill Gaston, Patrick Friesen, and other notable Canadian authors, contains several poems and short stories where animals play an important role. David Seymours Ten-Day Poem for Saskatchewan explores feelings of displacement and home through gulls, pelicans, a deer, a fox, and a tick, culminating in the scent of Maritime wind on a cows breath. The eponymous animals in Elizabeth Smithers Suffolk Sheep, remind the speaker how strong beauty is: how compactly / assembled. Wildlife weaves in and out of Patrick Friesens three poems in this issue, clearing 1, clearing 2, and clearing 3.

Bill Gastons short story The Little Addict That Could is primarily about a corporate office worker whose junkie nephew comes to stay with him, but it, too, is overrun by animals. The story contains a secondary plotline about salmon whose spawning channel has been disrupted. Bill Gastons book The Good Body is also reviewed in this issue by Lucy Bashford, who writes that Gaston knows what to do with a blank page.

Also noteworthy in Issue 134 are an excerpt from Colin Mortons book-length work, Poem for the Unknown, Deanna Yonges poem The Yard, which is an exploration in self-ownership of the female body, and Barry Dempsters meditation on rural living Holland Landing, which describes the village as being consumed by childhood fantasies of what community / could be, an Eatons catalogue of paper dolls.

Jan Zwicky has two poems in this issue. Leaving New Brunswick plays with both losing and finding a sense of place while Soup, is a playful poem in praise of the hearty dish which proclaims in stew / is brotherhood.

Rose Morris

About Our Back Pages
TODAYS WORD is sinewy (SIN-you-ee). Example: Everyone was too polite to tell George that his sinewy, well-done steaks should be used as roof shingles.

THURSDAYS WORD was tour de force. It means a feat of strength, skill or ingenuity; an exceptional performance or achievement. Example: At the polka festival, Elmer grabbed his accordion and offered up a tour de force rendition of Who Stole the Kishka?

Auxiliary sale

The hospital auxiliary is holding a jewelry and accessories sale today, with the proceeds going to benefit patient care. The sale is in Classroom #1 at SOVAH Health Martinsville and will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. SOVAH Health is over at 320 Hospital Drive in Martinsville.

Change in venue

The venue has changed for a breast cancer awareness fundraiser that will take place on Monday. At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sisters in Pink will hold their fundraiser at Mtn Jax Restaurant and Pub at 43 East Church Street, Martinsville. All are welcome to attend, and the event will feature special guests and door prizes. The event is sponsored by Vera Kandi Penn, Tracey Hodges, Trina Hairston and Margaret Fountain. Donations may be sent to Ladies First, 43 West Main Street, Martinsville, Va. 24112 c/o Sisters in Pink.

TODAY IS: National VFW Day

Members of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) hold a long-standing history of volunteerism in their communities. Not only have they served their country, but they continue to serve their fellow veterans, families and communities by sponsoring scholarships, career fairs, mental wellness campaigns and other excellent services. Today is a day to honor the men and women of this valuable organization.

Senior breakfast

The Martinsville Senior Center will sponsor their next Breakfast Club meeting on Monday at 9 a.m. at Clarences Steak and Seafood at 6636 Greensboro Road, Ridgeway. Pre-registration is required by calling the senior center at 403-5260 today. Breakfast is Dutch Treat.

TRIVIA QUESTION: Looney Tunes superstar Tweety Bird wasnt always yellow. What color was he originally, and why was it changed?

THURSDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: What is a Quaker gun? The answer: A wooden log painted to resemble a cannon. The Quaker gun is a deception tactic named after the Religious Society of Friends  or Quakers  who have traditionally held a religious opposition to war and violence in the Peace Testimony. The Quaker Gun was first used in the Revolutionary War, when Loyalist Colonel Rowland Rugeley and his force of 125 men barricaded themselves in Rugeleys house in Camden, South Carolina. Colonel William Washington lacked the artillery to dislodge Rugeley and his men from the house, so he had his own men prepare a pine log to resemble a cannon. He aimed it at the house and told Rugeley that he would blow the house apart if the Loyalists didnt surrender immediately. Rugeley surrendered without a single shot fired. During the Civil War, the Confederate States Army frequently relied on Quaker guns due to their shortage of artillery, and they were even used during the Doolittle Raid in World War II. When Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle was to lead his squadron of B-25 Mitchell bombers to bomb Tokyo, he observed that the bombers did not have guns installed in the tail section to prevent attacks from the rear. While modifying the bombers for the mission, Doolittle had fake machine guns  pairs of broomsticks painted black  mounted in the tails of the bombers to simulate tail guns.
BOSTON - An Everett man federal authorities say is a top leader of the notorious MS-13 gang has been indicted on RICO conspiracy charges after he was recorded during a conference call among gang members urging them to increase recruitment of new members and to send more cash to leaders in El Salvador, WBUR reported.

The indictment of Edwin Manica Flores, 35, of Everett, was unsealed in U.S. District Court in Boston Thursday.

Manica Flores was indicted under the same laws created to combat the Mafia and other organized crime syndicates in the 1960s

and 1970s. The Boston Globe reported that MS-13 is the only gang identified by law enforcement officials as an international criminal organization.

The conference call that brought Manica Flores to law enforcement's attention was recorded by the FBI in December of 2015. In that call, Manica Flores also told his followers to avoid wearing gang colors or other apparel police now associate with the gang.

"Dressed like that the enemy can see you," the Globe quoted Manica Flores as saying." The police can arrest you, and boom, you are (deported) to El Salvador. To live a great life there (U.S.) one must be humble, you know, to avoid being detected."

Manica Flores is currently in El Salvador and officials are seeking his extradition to face charges here.
Accessibility, liability and flexibility will all be guided by the coming revolution.

Nobody knows when the driverless car revolution will hit, but most are certain it will. While some estimate driverless cars wont become mainstream for several decades, many companies (including Audi, Ford, Volkswagen and General Motors) are scheduled to launch driverless vehicles by 2021.
The sprawling MSE Technology Applications complex south of Butte, which cost $168 million to build and even in recent down times was called a "secret weapon" for economic development by a national marketing firm, is scheduled to have its buildings, machines, and equipment auctioned off.

Cincinnati Industrial Auctioneers has set Nov. 2 as a live on-site and website auction https://www.cia-auction.com/home/upcoming_auctions/mse-technology-applications.html for most everything on the 53-acre site, formally known as the Mike Mansfield Advanced Technology Center.

MIKE SMITH [email protected]

http://mtstandard.com/politics/once-thriving-mse-complex-south-of-butte-set-to-be/article_56bb0d48-05b0-56fd-99cd-5c1a3b514444.html
Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note que le paud av signer un Exchange Note de Rs 174 millions de roupies avec le Gouvernement du Japon afin dextendre les subsides pour les hopitaux du pays aini que pour le Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care-Cardiac Centre, que plusieurs regulations seont promulge concernant la douane, de celle de la (Historic Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2022 pour creer un musee historique de la voiture, de lorganisation de trois divali shows dans le pays du 14 au 16 octobre 2022 entre autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the accession of the Republic of Mauritius to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The Treaty which is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in a large number of countries by filing an international application. Such an application may be filed by anyone who is a national or resident of a PCT Contracting State.

There are currently 156 countries which are party to the PCT. The accession to the PCT would, inter alia, offer more visibility to the country on the international Intellectual Property arena and increase the attractiveness of the Mauritian jurisdiction for the filing of patent applications, especially in the emerging sectors such as Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Research on Sea Sponge.

2. Cabinet has agreed to the Government of Mauritius signing an Exchange of Notes with the Government of Japan for a Grant Aid of JPY550 million (approx. Rs174 million). The Government of Japan has agreed to extend the grant for the procurement of the medical equipment for the five regional hospitals of Mauritius and the Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care-Cardiac Centre at Pamplemousses under its Economic and Social Development Programme.

3. Cabinet has taken note that the following regulations would be promulgated:

(a) the Customs (Amendment) Regulations 2022;

(b) the Customs Tariff (Amendment of Schedule) (No. 5) Regulations 2022;

(c) the Excise (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2022;

(d) the Excise (Amendment of Schedule) (No. 4) Regulations 2022; and

(e) the Excise (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

These Regulations provide for the implementation of measures mentioned in the Annex to Budget Speech 2022  23 relating to customs laws as well as other policy and technical measures.

4. Cabinet has agreed to the promulgation of the Road Traffic (Historic Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2022, in the context of the setting up of a Historic Motor Vehicle Museum in Mauritius for showcasing a car collection of at least 150 originals, vintage and classic cars of 40 years or more. These cars are unique and would be exhibited under their unique registration marks.

5. Cabinet has taken note that the Ombudsperson for Financial Services (Sworn Statement) (Revocation) Regulations 2022 would be promulgated. The Ombudsperson for Financial Services (Sworn Statement) Regulations 2019 have now become obsolete.

6. Cabinet has agreed to the submission of the National Report on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to the United Nations Environment Programme as one of the deliverables of the Global Monitoring Plan under the Stockholm Convention on POPs, which has been ratified by the Republic of Mauritius.

The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, also known as POPs. Parties to the Convention are required to comply with provisions of the Convention, take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs in the environment and provide background data on POPs in ambient air and human milk under the Global Monitoring Plan.

7. Cabinet has taken note that the Department of Civil Aviation would host the fourth African-Indian Ocean Free Route Airspace Project Management Team (AFI FRA PMT) Meeting in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, from 25 to 28 October 2022 in Mauritius.

The objective of the meeting is to provide the AFI FRA PMT with a forum to develop a road map for the regional Free Route Airspace project as well as to gain insight of the challenges and lessons learnt by Mauritius during the implementation of the project within the Flight Information Region. Some 60 participants from among the 48 Member States are expected to attend the meeting, along with some 10 participants from the key aviation stakeholders in Mauritius.

8. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage organising three Divali Shows at national level from 14 to 16 October 2022, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, and with the participation of local and international artists. These three live performances would equally form part of the 12 Fetes Nationales being organised throughout the island in the context of the 55th Anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius which would be celebrated next year.

9. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Mauritius Post Ltd, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, to mark the 250th Anniversary of the postal services in Mauritius. The event would coincide with World Post Day to be celebrated on 09 October 2022 under the theme Post for Planet.

An official function would be organised on 08 October 2022 at Caudan Arts Centre, Port Louis and the event would include: (a) the opening of a Philatelic Exhibition to be organised in collaboration with the Association Philatelique de lOcean Indien and an exhibition on the historical journey of the Mauritius Post Ltd;

(b) the launching of two stamps and two First Day Covers on the 250th Anniversary of Postal Services in Mauritius and 175th anniversary of Blue and Red Penny stamps; (c) the unveiling of a Commemorative Plate as well as a stele, depicting the 250th Anniversary of the postal services in Mauritius; (d) the recognition of six employees having the longest years of service in the postal sector, including one from Rodrigues; and (e) the launching of a new logo for the Mauritius Post Ltd. In addition, the Mauritius Post Ltd has also planned other side activities. These activities would also be extended to Rodrigues in the coming month.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the status of road capital projects being implemented by the Road Development Authority as at 31 August 2022. For the current financial year, seven projects have been completed, 10 are under construction, contracts have been awarded for two projects, five projects are at procurement stage and six others are at preparation stage.

11. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing across the world. Some 618.7 million cases have been reported globally, of which 598.6 million persons have been successfully treated. With regard to Mauritius, as at 21 September 2022, there were 57 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 10 were admitted at the New ENT Hospital.

12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance in the 22nd Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) Council of Ministers Meeting and the 5th Sub-Saharan Africa Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Public/Private Sector Dialogue held recently in Zambia as well as his official mission to South Africa.

A delegation from Mauritius attended the 44th ESAAMLG Task Force of Senior Officials Meeting, whereby the Enhanced Follow-up Report of Mauritius which included a request for technical compliance re-rating of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 15 on New Technologies was considered. It was the only outstanding recommendation where Mauritius had a rating of Partially Compliant. On the basis of the progress made by Mauritius in addressing the deficiencies relating thereto, the ESAAMLG Task Force approved the upgrading of that Recommendation to Largely Compliant. With this technical compliance upgrade, Mauritius is, now, Compliant or Largely Compliant to all of the 40 FATF Recommendations.

The Council of Ministers approved the appointment of Mrs Fikile Zitha from South Africa, as the new Executive Secretary of ESAAMLG. The 5th Sub-Saharan Africa AML/CFT Public/Private Sector Dialogue was launched immediately after the Council of Ministers Meeting with the theme Virtual Assets and the Implementation of the AML/CFT Programmes in the ESAAMLG Region.

During the mission of the Minister to Johannesburg, South Africa, he participated in various meetings with potential investors and prospective operators for the Mauritius International Financial Centre in order to explore the interest of the investor community in South Africa to invest and operate in the Mauritian jurisdiction.

13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security in the African Green Revolution Forum and the First-In-Person Regional Dialogue with African Food Systems National Convenors organised by the African Union Development Agency, the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Food Workstream of the United Nations Global Crisis Response Group on Food Energy and Finance and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa held recently in Rwanda.

The theme of the Forum was Grow, Nourish, Reward  Bold Actions for Resilient Food Systems. The Forum was organised following the Food Systems Summit, a United Nations initiative, preceding the National Dialogue on Food System. The African Green Revolution Forum was a platform to encourage African Food Systems Convenors to engage in the implementation of strategies related to the recent food, energy and finance crisis on the African continent. In the margins of the African Green Revolution Forum, a National Convenors Meeting was held and the Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security made a presentation on the National Pathway.

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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently shared a rendered picture of his monster interplanetary rocket sitting on the surface of the Moon. He captioned it simply as Moon Base Alpha. But soon after, he also shared another rendering picture of what SpaceX's future Martian city could look like.

So, all this happened on his Instagram account just before his scheduled presentation about colonizing Mars. The photo hints that Musk could discuss how his vehicle, the Interplanetary Transport System, could be used to establish a human presence on the lunar surface.

Here is a rendered picture of a SpaceX Moon base

Moon Base Alpha A post shared by Elon Musk (@elonmusk) on Sep 28, 2017 at 7:44pm PDT

This picture of the SpaceX Moon base does not seem to align with his previous vision where he made it clear that he would colonize Mars and not the moon.

In a paper about his colonization plans, he wrote, We could conceivably go to our Moon, and I actually have nothing against going to the Moon, but I think it is challenging to become multi-planetary on the Moon because it is much smaller than a planet. With such pictures being shared on his account, it seems like he wants everybody to know that there has been some changes in his plan.

Now, this drastic change in his vision from only colonizing Mars to also considering colonizing the Moon may have something to do with slowly building pressure from the Trump administration and the space community at large. Not long ago the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, hinted that the new administration may call for a return to the Moon. Also, major space agencies including Russia, China, and the European Space Agency are interested in missions to the Moon. A large number of companies from the private sector are also interested in the Moon due to feasibility reasons.

Here is a rendered picture of what a Mars City could look like

Mars City Opposite of Earth. Dawn and dusk sky are blue on Mars and day sky is red. A post shared by Elon Musk (@elonmusk) on Sep 28, 2017 at 8:03pm PDT

He captioned it, Mars City Opposite of Earth, Dawn and dusk sky are blue on Mars and day sky is red

That caption really explains why Elon Musk wants to colonize Mars first and everything later.

So by showcasing how his rocket could be used for a Moon mission, he might be trying to attract potential customers. Also, there is an equal probability of the Moon being used as a stepping stone to get to Mars. You never know what goes into on in his futuristic mind until he says or does something spectacular. .

You can learn more about his plans at his talk at the International Aeronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, which is slated to start at 12:30 AM ET on September 29th. You can watch it below.

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JOURNALIST: I think its time for us to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to speak with Minster of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, who is doing us the honour of joining us here on ERT-1 to answer our questions.

Hello, Mr. Kotzias

JOURNALIST: Good morning.

N. KOTZIAS: Good morning, Ms. Kasimati. Good morning, Mr. Siafakas.

JOURNALIST: Minister, we dont know where to begin. With the trip to the U.S. or from whats coming in Turkey? Lets start with your trip to the U.S., where you said, following your talks with the UN Secretary-General, that these meetings pointed up the major upgrading of Greece and Greek foreign policy.

How did these meetings show this, Minister? Weve always had meetings. What is the result?

N. KOTZIAS: First of all, let me thank you for remembering my words precisely, because it is rare today, in Greece, for people to quote accurately what I have said.

Second, there is a big difference: Up until two years ago, when Greece went to the UN it asked for a large number of appointments and meetings. This year, we did not request any meetings, because we had three times the number of requests we could satisfy from other states. This alone shows the difference and how the country is upgrading. In other words, it is one thing to seek interlocutors and another not to be able to meet all the requests for meetings.

Third, I would say that it was very interesting that we had a number of meetings that were not bilateral, but multilateral; trilateral and quadrilateral. For example, we had a meeting in a new configuration, Croatia-Romania-Bulgaria-Greece, which is a cooperation configuration of the EU member states of Southeast Europe. A configuration that did not exist in the past, and whose decisions are very, very interesting. We have decided, for example, that the four of us will go together, headed by me, to visit Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and we will continue this throughout the Balkans.

These are new forms of cooperation. And I am not referring to the trilateral configurations, which have gone from one, in the past, to five. We also had the second meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in the Ancient Civilizations Forum, which includes countries from China to Peru and Bolivia. A Forum, a Conference, that gives us a global role, and, as you know, it is one of the 15 international organizations we developed during the two and a half years I have been at the Ministry.

Moreover, I think that, in terms of international recognition, one can also take into account the awards I received from global organizations. That is, the World Jewish Congress and the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations.

All of these constitute a self-evident upgrading of our countrys presence.

JOURNALIST: Mr. Kotzias, our country is undertaking -this may already by under way, thats why Im asking- a role as bridge between East and West, North and South. We see the alliance of the South. We see the trilateral cooperations you mentioned, we see the communication with China. Does Greece have such a role, and can it play this role with success?

N. KOTZIAS: Greece has a multidimensional role. And the multidimensional role means that, as a state of the European Union, it is at the same time the bridge, as you rightly said, and the mediator with the emerging economies and new powers of the 21st century.

Moreover, through our multilateral initiatives, the quadrilateral and trilateral configurations we have developed -five trilateral configurations and three quadrilateral configurations- we have managed to create platforms for geopolitical, geostrategic equilibrium in our region, and to develop, to the benefit of our people, economic relations with all of these countries.

I think that Greeces role is that of a state with a long history, and theres recognition of this long history. For example, it is no coincidence that the Chinese see us as their only brotherly people. The see themselves as the centre of Asian culture, and us as the centre of the the culture of the western world.

And we are using all of our countrys qualities in this multidimensional foreign policy of ours. Rather than a foreign policy making worse the crisis-related pressures on our country, it constitutes a mainspring for upgrading the country, its geopolitical and geostrategic role, and for strengthening the country in all the other sectors.

JOURNALIST: Lets go to Greek-Turkish relations. I would like to ask you, Minister, what stage and level are Greek-Turkish relations at as we speak? We know about the meeting with Mr. Cavusoglu on 24 October, but in the recent past we have seen Turkey intensely disputing things, even to the point of disputing the Treaty of Lausanne.

At what level are the Greek-Turkish relations?

N. KOTZIAS: Greek-Turkish relations are good, but they arent as good as we would like them to be. We want a European Turkey, because a European Turkey would mean great gains for Greece. A democratic, europeanized Turkey. We know the road is long. I have explained to my Turkish colleagues that Turkeys European perspective does not depend so much on Greece as on the Turks themselves. Do they want to democratize their country? Do they want to Europeanize it? These are questions for them to answer. Our economic relations are excellent. The development of tourism, with the problems that arose this week with the islands presented ...

JOURNALIST: The ban as of 12 October.

N. KOTZIAS: Yes, due to the fines imposed, even if the fines are provided for by European law. Apart from this, the economic development of our relations is progressing well.

Whats not progressing so well is the use of the channels of communication concerning the negotiations on the confidence-building measures, especially in the military sector, on confidence-building measures in the economic sector, on the exploratory talks for the implementation of international law throughout the Aegean, and so on. We are having difficulties on this. And I think that these difficulties have to do with the fact that, in Turkey, there is -I say this as a professor, and not as minister- revisionism, an inclination not to accept international law in its entirety. But they cannot escape this net. It isnt easy.

JOURNALIST: Minister, Mr. Erdogan has already started celebrating the result of the German elections. He says a government will not be formed. We are seeing an escalation in German-Turkish relations. You are preparing for your trip...

N. KOTZIAS: Escalation of tensions in their relations.

JOURNALIST: Exactly. You are preparing for your trip to Turkey on 24 October.

N. KOTZIAS: Certainly.

JOURNALIST: Do you think that, as Greece, we need to seek, to proceed with another way of communicating with Turkey?

N. KOTZIAS: First of all, let me say that when two neighbouring countries dont develop their diplomatic relations, the potential for tensions increases. It isnt ruled out. Rather than being ruled out, potential for tensions increases. And the analysis we have carried out at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is that Turkey is a restless power. In other words, a power rife with contradictions, with its personnel between arrogance, sometimes, and the restlessness of fear and insecurity as regards the developments.

JOURNALIST: Could this revisionism and restlessness lead to an Imia-type incident in the Aegean?

N. KOTZIAS: If we dont develop our diplomatic relations and make the channels of communication better than they were in the past, there is always the possibility of an accident or mistake. I want stress that the large majority of Turkish pilots are either pilots coming out of their schools without experience, or older pilots returning to service. These people lack recent experience and can also react restlessly. It isnt just the state that is restless. This is why we are telling the Turks that they have to stop these provocations, not just because they violate international law, but also because those who are violating international law are relatively inexperienced, or, if they have experience, this experience is from long ago, and they can easily end up making a mistake or causing an accident. And we have to be serious.

JOURNALIST: Are we prepared -and serious enough, as you said- to deal with these provocations? On the level of composure and on the level of immediate reaction.

N. KOTZIAS: As you have observed, there is no provocation from Turkey -and I mean on a military, mainly air force and navy, level- that does not receive its appropriate response. What we are doing as diplomats is being diplomats; that is, showing composure and patience. Because I, too, on a personal level, am often provoked by the Turkish side through various statements. Perhaps there are people who would like to see us swear at each other every day, but, you know, state relations states require that one of the two sides be more serious than the other. I have taken on this role.

JOURNALIST: Minister, at the beginning of this interview you talked about the upgrading of Greek foreign policy. Nevertheless, the UNs response on the Cyprus issue is reflection. There also continue to be pending matters on the Skopje issue.

N. KOTZIAS: The upgrading of foreign policy doesnt mean that the UN cannot go through a phase of reflection. But, regarding the Cyprus issue, I would say that it is a major success of Greek foreign policy that the issue of security and guarantees is, at long last, on the table, where it belongs. We stopped discussing the Cyprus problem solely as a problem of the views of the Turkish Cypriot community, and we framed it in its essence. What is the essence of the Cyprus problem? The occupation. The illegal occupation.

It is of great interest that the UN has accepted that there cannot be a settlement of the Cyprus problem that includes guarantees and rights of intervention. Personally, I am very pleased and satisfied that the UN Secretary-General accepted my wording and my proposals, even the wording that Cyprus must become a normal state.

What surprises me is that those who are attacking Greek foreign policy are invoking the positions of the UN Secretary-General, as if these positions fell from the sky after 50 years of not existing. These positive positions of the UN are the result of Greek foreign policy and Greeces upgraded negotiating power.

Regarding your questions on Skopje, we will wait for the elections on 15 October. If there is a second round, then on 22 October.

JOURNALIST: The local elections.

N. KOTZIAS: Yes. The government itself will have to assess whether it is strengthened or weakened, and depending on the result, the government in Skopje will have to demonstrate whether it wants and can carry out substantial negotiations on the name issue.

Let me say this: Hiding within the name issue is the problem of irredentism. I hope and believe that they will take measures to limit irredentism. For example, we agreed in New York -with the very interesting Minister of Foreign Affairs of our neighbouring country, Nikola Dimitrov- to have a joint Committee starting on November, for four months -I hope it functions and completes its task- which will peruse the school books so as to root out irredentism and the maps that exist therein. This is an important step weve already taken. And we are negotiating many other steps.

JOURNALIST: As you raised a number of issues, and Ms. Kasimati raised them as well, I would like to ask whether the Cyprus process is alive. Whether we can say that.

N. KOTZIAS: On the Cyprus problem, I stated from the outset, in a letter addressed to Mr. Eide and to Secretary-General Guterres, that it has to be an open-ended process. This is why the process didnt shut down after Geneva. And this is why, in spite of everything the Turks and Turkish Cypriots said following Switzerland, the UN considers the process open. But right now there needs to be, lets say in the third phase, much better preparation, especially with regard to the Turkish positions.

JOURNALIST: Mr. Anastasiades said this.

N. KOTZIAS: I asked for this, as you will remember, in November 2016 and ahead of the two previous conferences. And I believe this is a success for us: that everyone now accepts that we cant go unprepared.

JOURNALIST: So you are saying that the process is open. Regarding the Skopje issue, I would like to ask whether the Bucharest decision from 2008 is still in effect: that if they dont resolve the name issue, they dont join the European Union, they dont join NATO.

N. KOTZIAS: Our friendly neighbouring country -as I say, since our peoples have very friendly relations- cannot join international organizations of this type, like NATO or the European Union, without the name issues having first been resolved, as dictated by the agreements of the 1990s, the Interim Accord.

The weakness of the Interim Accord was that it assumed the name issue would be resolved quickly, and that is why it provided for our neighbouring countrys joining international organizations and did not provide for -and this is one of its weaknesses- the measures to be taken if our neighbouring country does not negotiate in substance. Because over these decades it hasnt negotiated.

JOURNALIST: We read in the press that Vardar Macedonia might be a proposal from Athens. Is such a proposal on the table?

N. KOTZIAS: From our part, we havent put proposals on the table, in a manner that would make them the subject of articles in the press. Whatever anyone writes, they write it in their journalistic assessment.

JOURNALIST: I also want to ask about Albania, where we have seen, and are seeing still, the violation of the human rights of the minority. Im referring to northern Epirus region and the property of the people there.

N. KOTZIAS: The Greek National Minority is under the great protection of the Hellenic Republic, and right now it is also under the protection of the European Union and even of the U.S.

As you will know, Albania is a candidate for membership in the European Union. Unfortunately, as with our northern neighbour, Skopje, these candidacies were granted unconditionally by previous governments. But in order for the negotiations to open, certain conditions have to be met.

In Albania, the European Commission set the reform of the judicial system as a prerequisite. The European Commission came to the Council of Ministers, and this view was defeated, because we added another four prerequisites.

These four key priorities include the combating of organized crime, which concerns southern Albania and all the drug money circulating in Albania. And we have said that the protection of minority rights is also required. And I made this clear again at the UN, and it was immediately understood by all sides, that this Hoxha reform -that you are part of the minority only if you are in one of two regions, but if you leave your village and go to Tirana, you are not part of the minority- is against European law. The minority must be recognized throughout Albania, wherever members of the minority are.

We also introduced as a criterion for Albanias accession to the European Union the protection of the property of people who have small and medium-sized property holdings. And this combination means protection of the minoritys property.

Let me explain what the problem is there: In the 1940s, these properties were nationalized. When the Hoxha regime fell and they were again privatized, deeds of ownership were not granted.

Greece is fighting for the granting of deeds of ownership, for securing the right of those who want to sell, or for property to be expropriated due to real, and not ostensible, needs, so that the owners can receive payment.

Because what we have isnt just that they are taking the property of the Himariots; they take this property without paying for it, without financial recompense. Consequently, we have taken measures and we have the support of international players, and, as you have seen, these demolitions have stopped.

We also took certain strict measures. For example, politicians who do not respect the rights of the Greek National Minority cannot hold Greek citizenship. Oddly enough -I dont know what previous governments did- various people whom you wouldnt expect to hold Greek citizenship do in fact have Greek citizenship, including the Mayor of Himare, who is promoting these plans.

As you know, we stripped him of his citizenship. Because, you cannot be a Greek national, an Albanian national and violate the rights of the Greek minority. These are unprecedented situations I found, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, in my area of responsibility.

JOURNALIST: Will you tell us about the Prime Ministers trip to the U.S., whether preparations are under way?

N. KOTZIAS: We are in the process of discussion with the Americans, and by the end of next week we will know the precise date for the Prime Ministers trip.

I will be making a second trip to the U.S., as I have been invited to give the annual lecture at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.

JOURNALIST: When is that?

N. KOTZIAS: On 17 October. On 16 October I will give a speech at Harvard, and then I have a meeting at the National Security Council in Washington. If the dates happen to coincide, the Prime Ministers visit takes precedence.

JOURNALIST: There are efforts to meet with Mr. Trump as well?

N. KOTZIAS: The Prime Minister will travel to the U.S. only to meet with Mr. Trump. I mean, he will meet with other people, but only if he is going to see Mr. Trump.

JOURNALIST: That is the main thing.

JOURNALIST: Thats whats most important.

N. KOTZIAS: Well see the dates.

JOURNALIST: Do you think it will take place in October?

N. KOTZIAS: We are exploring dates.

JOURNALIST: Thank you very much.

N. KOTZIAS: Have a good and patriotic day.
HURON COUNTY  Huron County Prosecutor Timothy J. Rutkowski is prosecuting a case against a close relative of Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson.

Rutkowski told the Huron Daily Tribune through an exchange of written correspondences that he is not required to recuse himself, although he has disqualified himself from prosecuting close relatives of two other county officials  his chief assistant prosecutor and a judge.

Rutkowski and Hanson have criticized each other's performances publicly for several years.

Citing conflicts of interest, Rutkowski recused himself most recently from a case against a close relative of Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Schumacher for an August incident.

Rutkowski did the same with a case against the son of then-Huron County Circuit Judge M. Richard Knoblock in 2014.

However, in a case involving a close relative of the sheriff, which stems from an incident that occurred in June, Rutkowski has not recused himself.

The case, while still being prosecuted by Rutkowski's office, has been moved to Sanilac County, at the behest of Huron County judges.

"At this point, the prosecutor's office in Huron County has not withdrawn on the case," Patty Ulfig, juvenile register for Sanilac County Family Court, told the Tribune.

An investigation by the Tribune shows Rutkowski has made no move to request a special prosecutor be appointed by the Michigan Attorney General's Office (AG) for the case against Hanson's relative.

The Tribune reached out to both Rutkowski and the AG's office numerous times regarding the issue via phone calls, letters, emails and FOIA requests.

"There is no direct conflict under the law in this case," Rutkowski said in a written response this week to Tribune questioning.

Rutkowski's response included details of the case against Hanson's relative, who is a minor. However, the Tribune does not publish names of minors who are accused of crimes, or details of such investigations.

Andrea Bitely, communications director for the AG, said in an email that she is "declining comment due to current and pending litigation" in regard to Rutkowski not recusing himself from the case of Hanson's relative.

In a response to a FOIA request, the AG's office provided documentation showing Rutkowski requested a special prosecutor in the case against Schumacher's relative. That case was assigned to Bay County, and Huron County District Court records indicate the case was dismissed Tuesday.

The AG recently closed an investigation into Rutkowski's handling of Knoblock's son's case from 2014. Hanson wrote a letter to the AG questioning whether public officials, including Rutkowski, had colluded in making a deal for the judge's son. The sheriff also questioned the entire process of how a special prosecutor is selected.

In July of this year, the AG wrapped up its investigation, and John S. Pallas, criminal practice and victims' rights manager, sent letters from the AG to Hanson and Rutkowski saying that no wrongdoing was found.

In a letter to Rutkowski dated July 17, Pallas closed with: "It is our hope that this ends any controversy in this matter and that, if it has not already occurred, you and Sheriff Hanson can begin the process of again working together as partners in law enforcement. As I indicated in my letter to Sheriff Hanson, we strongly believe that the prosecutor and sheriff of a county need to work together as full partners in law enforcement to effectively serve the citizens of the county."

In his letter to Hanson with the same date, Pallas told Hanson, "... We hope that our closing of this investigation will lead to a reconciliation between yourself and ... Rutkowski."

After being contacted by the Tribune, Hanson released a statement about the recent incident involving his relative.

"... Apparent factors exist to back up the appearance the prosecutor is attempting an act of retaliation against me. It's even more apparent that the prosecutor has a conflict of interest, especially when the original judge has recused himself," Hanson wrote.

"... Regardless, the fact remains that if a retaliatory attempt is being cowardly taken against another in order to get at me, we will not fold to this wrong," Hanson also stated. "I am, however, hopeful that when that day in court finally comes, that wrong will be righted."

Victoria Vuletich, ethics professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, told the Tribune in an email that if Rutkowski "has a personal animus against the sheriff that is so great as to interfere with his objectivity and his office's prudent handling of the case, then withdrawal may become appropriate."

"Whenever an attorney's representation of a client may be materially limited by the lawyer's personal interest or the lawyer's responsibilities to a third person, the attorney is required to withdraw from the representation," added Vuletich.

Vuletich said it was prudent for Rutkowski to withdraw from prosecuting the matters involving relatives of Schumacher and Knoblock.

"Even if he believed he could objectively and fairly prosecute the children of people he works with every day, the prudent course of action would be not to do so. It is important that the citizens of Huron County have full faith in its local judges, prosecutors and judicial system. It is likely that Prosecutor Rutkowski sought to avoid any suggestion that he or his office would 'go soft' on the child of the local judge or one of (the) employees," Vuletich added.

"Based on the suggestion that the sheriff and Prosecutor Rutkowski do not have a close and friendly relationship, there is less risk that Prosecutor Rutkowski or his office would fail to diligently and competently represent the people (of Huron County) in the case against the (sheriff's relative) ... An attorney may not have a conflict of interest at the beginning of a matter, but one may develop over time, which would then require withdrawal by the attorney," she concluded.
HURON TOWNSHIP -- A wind turbine blade near Lewisville broke in the Deerfield Wind Energy Project near the intersection of Kinde and Huron City Roads.

"The site's contained and Vestas is on site," said Jeff Smith, Huron County Building and Zoning director Thursday.

Vestas is the turbine manufacturer.

An official with the Deerfield wind park and a Vestas employee in Bad Axe both refused comment Thursday afternoon.

Adam Greene, site supervisor for Deerfield, suggested that the Tribune reach out to Vestas.

"I have no idea what's going on at this time," he said.

The turbines are owned by Algonquin Power, of Ontario, Canada, and they were built by Vestas.

Two blades in separate turbines similarly broke last October.

The two blades broke in half and dangled from their towers near the intersection of Redman and Iseler roads in Bloomfield Township.

Lack of adhesive was discovered to be the problem, according to officials from Algonquin and Vestas, who spoke at a Huron County Planning Commission meeting earlier this year.

Fifty blades in the 72-turbine park shared the flaw.

The blade on turbine No. 51 broke, Smith said.

It was not immediately apparent whether this was the flaw that caused Thursday's broken blade.

When the Tribune called Vestas' Bad Axe number, the woman who answered deferred to officials at the Portland, Oregon site and would not give her full name or comment.

Vestas officials in Portland did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment on when and why the blade broke, nor did a spokesperson for Algonquin.

Operations officials contacted Smith Thursday morning to report the issue.

Huron Township, however, is self-zoned, and not under county jurisdiction.
Hey Amazon, how about us?

The South Central Regional Council of Governments, along with the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, have come together to convince Jeff Bezos to locate Amazons second headquarters in this part of Connecticut.

Ginny Kozlowski, executive director of REX, which is the development arm of the SCRCOG, said its package submitted to the state Department of Economic and Community Development incorporates the 15 towns in its region, in addition to parts of Fairfield County extending to Westport with New Haven and Bridgeport the largest anchors.

DECD spokesman Jim Watson said they it has received 15 submissions from across the state, each detailing why they would be the best candidate for Connecticut to submit to Amazon in the bidding war for its $5 billion HQ2 headquarters.

The prize is 50,000 jobs and a footprint covering 8 million square feet of development by 2027. The first phase is 500,000 square feet of construction by 2019.

The key is working together, Kozlowski said of any effort from Connecticut. We recognize this is a team effort.

The proposals were turned around in a tight timeline with Catherine Smith, who heads the DECD, seeking plans from the interested municipalities on Sept. 11 with a meeting of the parties on Friday and packages sent by Tuesday.

Amazon needs them between Oct. 16 and Oct. 19.

Kozlowski said she believed DECD could make a choice from the Connecticut packages as early as Friday.

Everybody has jumped on this. It is a big deal, Kozlowski said

She said the directions from Amazon didnt rule out multiple campuses and its present headquarters in Seattle has more than 30 buildings spread out over several miles. If the physical locations here were Bridgeport and New Haven, thats a 15-mile ride.

Kozlowski said these merged New Haven and Fairfield markets have numerous educational assets from Yale University to Southern Connecticut State University, Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, the University of New Haven, as well as community colleges and nationally known prep schools.

We are fortunate to have such a strong university system, Kozlowski said of the combined private and public institutions of higher learning.

In addition she pointed to a population that has a high percentage of residents with advanced degrees to fill the legal, executive management, software engineering, accounting and administration jobs that are expected to pay an average of $100,000.

The combined markets would exceed the 1 million population required by Amazon, she said.

The transportation assets include the Shoreline East, the New Haven to Springfield rail line, Amtrak and connections through Metro North to New York.

The airports, however, are in New York or Windsor Locks, which gives the Greater Hartford region a boost in being chosen by DECD. Amazon is looking for a 45-minute commute to international air service.

Amazon set off a competitive frenzy on Sept. 7 when it said it was ready to invest $5 billion in a second headquarters and it issued a list of qualifications it was looking for.

Bridgeport officials did not return a call seeking comment.

Matthew Nemerson, New Havens economic development administrator, said landing Amazon will be the largest business deal of all time for the winning metropolitan area.

He said it was obvious that Hartford and Stamford were going to go on their own and teaming up as a region from Meriden to Milford and with Greater Bridgeport made sense for New Haven.

Nemerson said potential sites in New Haven could include property along Route 34 and the Downtown Crossing. He said there were several potential sites in Bridgeport.

Nemerson said Bezos, the Amazon owner who has made the re-industrialization of America a goal, could help achieve that by investing in urban centers and radically transforming areas that now suffer from income inequality.

The bidding war will include tax incentives from the state, in addition to meeting the mass transit requirements. Such a move by Connecticut comes at a time of a budget crisis and little appetite from lawmakers for corporate incentives.

Wisconsin is an example of the extent to which a state will go to land a large influx of jobs.

It has approved a $3 billion tax deal to bring the Taiwanese electronic manufacturer, Foxcon, to locate there with an initial 3000 jobs projected to grow to 13,000 over 15 years.

In various analyses of which cities are most likely on Amazons list, Connecticut has not made the cut.

David Cadden, an emeritus professor of entrepreneurship and strategy at Quinnipiac, said it doesnt appear that any one city in the U.S. can meet all the requirements set by Amazon, which means its decision will probably be based on who can offer the greatest monetary incentive.

If he were making the choice, Cadden said Chicago, Boston, Austin and Dallas would be on his short list.

Cadden said his grandmother would say if you live on hope, you die in despair. In his view Connecticut is living on hope.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com. Call 203-641-2577.
Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune...
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have backed off the campaign against ISIS since the overwhelming "Yes" vote in the non-binding independence referendum in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, a U.S. military spokesman said Wednesday.

"The focus is not on ISIS as it once was prior to the referendum," said Army Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.

"So there has been an effect on the overall mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq as a result of the referendum," Dillon said in a briefing to the Pentagon from Baghdad.

The Peshmerga had been expected to join with the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in the battle for one of the last strongholds of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in the north-central town of Hawija, but the Kurds have thus far stayed away from the initial stages of the fight, Dillon said.

He said the U.S. expected the Peshmerga might assist by holding to their defensive positions north of Hawija to prevent the escape of ISIS fighters.

Iraqi Kurds in the referendum held Monday voted 92.7 percent in favor of eventual secession from Iraq, according to results announced Wednesday. The vote was held despite opposition from the U.S., the United Nations, Iran, Turkey and the Baghdad central government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

At the State Department Thursday, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that the U.S. had repeatedly warned the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) that the independence vote would lead to instability in the region. "Unfortunately, that has been borne out. This is destabilizing," she said.

Kurdish President Massoud Barzani said that the referendum should not be seen as determining the borders of a future Kurdish state, but should rather lead to negotiations with the Baghdad government over the next two years on independence.

Abadi immediately rejected Abadi's proposal. The KRG must first "cancel the referendum and its outcome," he said. In the meantime, "We will impose Iraqi law in the entire region of Kurdistan under the constitution," he said.

Abadi also threatened to cut off flights into and out of the Kurdish region but Dillon said that U.S. military flights were continuing.

The immediate effect was that "prior to the referendum, there were no questions about where the focus was from the ISF," Dillon said.

"What I'll say now is there's a lot of posturing and a lot of things that have been said about what could or may happen," Dillon said, and "the focus which used to be like a laser beam on ISIS is now not 100 percent there."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
A U.S. V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft crashed in Syria Friday, causing minor injuries to two troops in a non-combat incident, military officials said.

A military statement from Baghdad said only that "two service members were injured after a coalition aircraft executed a hard landing" at an undisclosed location in the Mideast.

"The two were evaluated for non-life threatening injuries and quickly transported to a medical treatment facility where they were seen and released," said the statement from Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.

At the Pentagon, officials speaking on background said that the aircraft was an Osprey, but they would not confirm whether it was a Marine MV-22 Osprey or the Air Force version -- the CV-22. The officials also said the accident occurred in Syria, but they did not give a specific location.

Although the incident was described as a "hard landing," Fox News cited defense officials as saying that the aircraft was destroyed on impact and they expressed amazement that no other troops or crew on board were injured.

The Osprey, which takes off and lands like a helicopter and flies like a plane, is manufactured under a joint venture between Textron Inc.'s Bell Helicopter unit and the aerospace giant Boeing Co.

The U.S. has at least 500 troops, mostly Special Forces, in Syria and more than 5,000 in Iraq in train, assist and advisory roles for the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com.
Have you ever been drawn to nature? Have you had an urge to sit by the sea, hike in the woods or just stand barefoot in the...
ANN ARBOR, MI - Sonic Lunch sponsorship, employee wellness programs and what employees describe as a great company culture helped the Bank of Ann Arbor clinch a spot as one of American Banker's Best Banks to Work For in 2017.

Bank of Ann Arbor was ranked No. 27 out of 59 banks recognized in the United States with under $3 billion in assets this year. It is the third time the Ann Arbor-based financial institute has secured a spot among the rankings.

Overall, Bank of Ann Arbor was ranked No. 31 out of 75 banks across all categories recognized in the rankings.

Tim Marshall, president and CEO, said it is an honor for Bank of Ann Arbor to be recognized for the third time as one of the best banks to work for across the country.

"Even more gratifying were the comments from our colleagues which highlighted our strong culture and value system, wonderful benefits, terrific and collaborative team, unwavering commitment to the community, and a fun and great place to work," Marshall said in the statement.

The industry publication known as American Banker began calculating the rankings based on employee surveys in 2013 to recognize the best banks in the country.

The rankings are calculated through evaluation of participating companies' workplace policies, practices and demographics along with anonymous employee surveys.

More than 70 percent of Bank of Ann Arbor employees completed the questionnaire, highlighting company perks and programs like the free summer concert series known as Sonic Lunch and a culture that encourages healthy and engaged workers.

Some of the anonymous survey comments include:

"Offers free exercise classes and encourages a healthy lifestyle."

"From the top down, the leadership team is second to none, and they lead by example and provide excellent communication to all employees."

"Bank of Ann Arbor has a strong and positive culture that is embraced by the top, middle, and bottom of the organization. We all contribute to that culture and are proud to strengthen it."

"Hires friendly, helpful people who want to be empowered to make smart decisions in the best interest of both the bank and the client."

"The culture here is great. Everyone works together to provide the best possible service to our customers. People are happy to be here and happy to work as a team."

Bank of Ann Arbor was established in 1996 and now operates seven offices in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline and Plymouth, offering services such as personal banking and investment management.
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI - The American Center for Mobility is seeking proposals for a technology park, complete with offices and laboratories, near its autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility in Ypsilanti Township.

A statement from The American Center for Mobility (ACM) said the selected partner would conceptualize and develop a world-class tech park near the facility, which has been designated as one of 10 national proving grounds in the United States.

The autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility is taking shape on the former Willow Run site, about 10 miles outside of Ann Arbor, near the Willow Run Airport and the Yankee Air Museum.

It is currently under construction and the first phase of the facility is expected to be complete in December, officials said.

"It's exciting to take this next step and begin building out a tech park that will become a critical component for our testing, standards, and education programs at ACM," said John Maddox, president and CEO of ACM, in a statement. "The site at Willow Run offers an opportunity to create a future mobility ecosystem that will be a place where industry-changing innovation is driven."

ACM is a nonprofit created in January 2016 as a collaborative initiative between the State of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the University of Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan and Ann Arbor SPARK.

The partner would also be in charge of construction, which officials said would include a 45,000-square-foot headquarters for ACM and a 13,500-square-foot laboratory on the more than 500-acre site at Willow Run.

Specifics for the space include configurable meeting spaces, conference rooms, vehicle access and a rooftop event space. It would also include demonstration space planned for robotics and cyber competitions.

Ann Arbor SPARK is overseeing the Request for Partnership (RFP) process, which includes a Q&A session and tour Oct. 12 and a deadline for proposals by Oct. 30.

Companies looking for more information about the RFP should contact Phil Santer, chief of staff at Ann Arbor SPARK, at phil@annarborusa.org.

Both Toyota Motor and Ford Motor Co. have recently pledged support for the testing facility at Willow Run, with each company contributing $5 million toward construction costs.
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have already ruled out running back Dwayne Washington and offensive lineman Zac Kerin for Sunday's game against Minnesota, and face plenty of potential problems elsewhere as well.

Linebacker Jarrad Davis (brain), center Travis Swanson (ankle), receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring), safety Tavon Wilson (shoulder), defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (knee) and special teams ace Don Carey (knee) were all listed as questionable.

Davis and Swanson are the biggest concerns. Neither played last week against Atlanta, and Detroit missed them badly. The run defense was especially poor without Davis, and the Vikings feature the league's second-leading rusher in rookie sensation Dalvin Cook.

Elsewhere, the offensive line was a wreck without Swanson. That forced Graham Glasgow to slide over to center, and Zac Kerin was plugged in at left guard. But now Kerin's out with an injury of his own.

That means if Swanson can't go, the Lions will have no choice but to start Glasgow at center again and then play Tim Lelito at left guard. That'd be a tough assignment for Lelito, who would be facing one of the league's best and most creative defensive fronts just days after signing with Detroit.

The Lions also have problems at receiver, where Golladay has been trending the wrong way. He was limited by a hamstring on Wednesday, then out the last two days of practice for the week.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis is visiting the University of Michigan as part of the Penny Stamps Speaker Series.

Due to an emergency meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus, Lewis' previous appearance scheduled for Sept. 21 was postponed for its new date and a larger venue. Lewis will speak at 7 p.m. on Nov. 27 inside UM's Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Avenue.

The free public event offers open seating on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Lewis is a civil rights leader and an American politician, serving Georgia's 5th district since 1987. In 2013, Lewis co-wrote "March," a three-part graphic novel trilogy about the story of his civil rights activism. The novel is co-written with Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell.

Lewis, among the most revered leaders of the civil rights movement, suffered a skull fracture during the march in Selma, Alabama, more than a half-century ago and has devoted his life to promoting equal rights for African-Americans.

As a college student, Lewis fought to end legalized racial segregation as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and was one of the "Big Six" leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington.

The keynote talk is co-presented by the International Institute's Conflict and Peace Initiative and the King-Chavez-Parks Visiting Professors Program. The Conflict and Peace Initiative is funded by the International Institute Enterprise Fund. Its focus is to build a cross-disciplinary approach to peace and conflict studies that engages, challenges and inspires new audiences.

The Conflict and Peace Initiative will host meetups with Powell Tuesday, Nov. 28, as well as a series of fall 2017 social justice events, including a comics contest.
ANN ARBOR, MI - DTE Energy says it still has plans to facilitate a major redevelopment of a 14-acre vacant site it owns along the Huron River in Ann Arbor, but it's looking like it won't be in cooperation with the city's plans for a new train station now.



A new report released last week confirms the city -- working in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration -- has chosen a portion of Fuller Park in front of the University of Michigan Hospital as the preferred location for a new Amtrak station and related facilities, including a large parking garage that would be the dominant visual element.

What an $81M train station could look like and why Ann Arbor wants to build it

The new station would replace the current one on Depot Street, which sits across the tracks from DTE's property at 841 Broadway St., the location of a former coal gasification plant operated by the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company.



If the new Amtrak station and parking deck were to be built at the current location off Depot Street -- with a drive off Broadway Street -- it was expected part of the DTE property would be used.



DTE said last year it saw potential for synergy with a new train station next to a mixed-use development on its site, and the company hoped that option would be chosen. DTE has been working with an unnamed private developer and architect to come up with plans for a development that, as of the last time DTE spoke publicly about the project, would include a riverfront restaurant, hotel, office space and significant green space open to the public.

A map of the DTE-owned MichCon site along the Huron River in Ann Arbor.

DTE and its partners have been waiting for a determination to be made about where a new train station will go before finalizing plans.



Now that it's clear the city has its sights set on a new station in Fuller Park, away from the DTE site, DTE is getting ready to make an announcement about the plans for its property.

But the company isn't saying much yet.

"There is nothing new to report," said Colleen Creagh Rosso, a DTE spokeswoman. "DTE Energy and our partner continue discussions surrounding this transformational mixed-used development. We look forward to making an announcement soon."

Rosso said an announcement is expected in the coming weeks, sometime before the end of the year.

In the meantime, the city is seeking public comment on the plan for an $81 million train station in Fuller Park. Ann Arbor seeks input on plan for $81M train station by UMich hospital
DEXTER TOWNSHIP, MI - A ranch home near Hell was severely damaged in a fire Thursday, Sept. 28.

Dexter Area Fire responded to a report of a house fire on Anne Street, just off Dexter Town Hall Road in Dexter Township at 11:38 a.m. Thursday.

That's on Silver Lake, about three miles southeast of Hell.

The single-story structure was about 50 percent involved when firefighters arrived, said Dexter Firefighter Kyle Jones.

It took about an hour for firefighters to douse the fire, he said.

The home, which was burned inside and had smoke and water damage throughout, was likely a total loss, Jones said.

Dexter Fire doesn't yet know the cause, he said, but the fire started in a bathroom.

No one was injured.

Chelsea, Hamburg Township, Putnam Township and Scio Township fire departments assisted at the scene, while Ann Arbor Township Fire covered Dexter's station.

Helping Area Response Teams also provided assistance to the firefighters at the scene.
Before I start, lets do a level check. How many of us have walked into a building while having a phone call only to discover that the coverage internally is so bad that the call either dies or becomes a garbled mess? If this applies to you read on.

I had the good fortune to talk to Jeff Gudewicz of Wilson Electronics about their new passive DAS system. For Wilson Electronics, this is an expansion of the services that they normally provide with the signal boosters which are branded under the WeBoost name. While the WeBoost systems support a community of small businesses and consumers that need connectivity, there are many business environments that need greater coverage.

As the densification of 4G and the expansion to 5G gets rolled out, carriers are looking for Enterprises to provide the systems for accessing the cellular network within the building. For many companies, the employees are encouraged to bring their own devices to work. That usually means a diversity of carriers, which makes dedicated small cells costly. DAS systems can be deployed to support the carriers in the area.

Per Wilson Electronics analysis there are 5.5 million commercial buildings that have less than 200,000 sq. ft. and for almost every case a Passive DAS fits the requirements. Some of these building sites are not economical for the carrier because the traffic is light. For example, a warehouse or garage often has less than fifty people working in the facility and while the coverage may be critically important to the business, the carrier needs alternatives from their usual implementation strategies.

Pew Research confirms my personal experience as a BICS engineer for the phone company, that these buildings are often built with cellular connectivity as an afterthought. While cellular access boosts the value of the building by over 25 percent, according to Pew Research, few building owners verify where connectivity is available.

Wilson Electronics channel partners are trained to do a site visit and tune the exterior antennas to the carriers existing towers. In most of the country, the towers are shared leasing facilities meaning its rare that the engineering gets incredibly complex in supporting multiple carriers.

The Passive DAS systems are called WilsonPro with the range being covering anywhere form 25K to 100K sq. ft. and the system includes self optimizing software.

If you said yes to the starting question about losing calls when you come into your facility, go outside one last time because its time to reach out to Wilson Electronics.

Edited by Ken Briodagh
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Sub: Proceedings of the 13th Annual General Meeting held on Friday, September 29, 2017.Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 30 read with Schedule III of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, please find enclosed herewith the proceedings of the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Company held on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 12.00 PM at Gomantak Seva Sangh, 72/A Mahant Road Extension, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai - 400057.You are requested to kindly take the same on record.Source : BSE

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A high-level Indian delegation is visiting the US to forge partnership with America's food processing sector to bring the best practices of the world into India's food value chain.

Led by Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Indian delegation met officials from companies across the food value chain in Chicago and Washington DC.

The visit came ahead of the mega 'World Food India' trade show in New Delhi later this year.

"World Food provides a platform to companies which are looking at expanding their footprints outside their country to tap newer markets," Badal said.

India is looking at partnering with those companies to upgrade Indian systems and technologies and bring the best practices of the world into the food value chain, she said.

She said the trip has helped in sensitising people and across the food chain about the 'World Food India' and the opportunities that India offers.

Food processing industry, she observed, can play a vital role in doubling farmer's income and reduce the food wastage which in turn will ensure more food for the growing population.

"We have a huge raw material base, but we processed only 10 per cent, she said.

Badal said to control wastage, there was a need to increase processing levels.

And to increase processing levels there is need to create the infrastructure, she said.

"I want to bring in the best technology and the best of the know-how for the creation of that infrastructure," she said.

India has a USD 600 billion retail sector, of which 70 per cent is food retail. This is set to triple by 2020.

Badal said she is visiting the US to tell food processors, machine manufacturers, technology suppliers and refrigeration companies to come to India if they expand their footprint and increase their business.

"This is the area where we are investing. Bring your technology to India if you need to expand so that my people can pick up your technology and your machinery," she said.
By CNBCTV18.COM

"Investors have really gained confidence in oil, after the OPEC cuts that were originally discussed earlier in the year are starting to take shape here, and oil production is being curbed," Phil Streible, senior market strategist at RJO Futures, said Thursday on CNBC's "Trading Nation."

Crude oil is on pace to wrap up a strong September, having gained a little over 9 percent month to date.

Some see further gains ahead as much of the commodity's losses have been recouped.

"Investors have really gained confidence in oil, after the OPEC cuts that were originally discussed earlier in the year are starting to take shape here, and oil production is being curbed," Phil Streible, senior market strategist at RJO Futures, said Thursday on CNBC's "Trading Nation."

Further fueling the commodity's recent upside is the International Energy Agency having upped its demand outlook for the end of this year and into 2018, Streible said.

Due to this combination of production cuts and growing demand, oil could head up to its 2017 high, just above $55, or even $60 per barrel by year-end. A global supply glut has plagued the market for several years, and OPEC member countries and non-member producers have vowed to implement cuts to curb such oversupply.

His forecasts would imply between 7 percent and 16 percent of upside from current levels; crude oil has not traded at $60 per barrel since mid-2015.

At this point, traders should seek to remain long the oil market above $50 per barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil, Streible said.

"If we got a two-day consecutive close below the $50 level, use risk management. Take the position off. Otherwise, it could be a nice wild ride back to the upside, and we may even see $60 by year-end," he said, if economic data continues to be supportive.

WTI crude oil settled about 1 percent lower on Thursday, at $51.56 per barrel, slightly below its five-month highs.
Sebi Chairman Ajay Tyagi today took stock of functioning of securities markets at GIFT City International Financial Services Centre.

Besides, he promised full support for GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec) IFSC.

GIFT IFSC Chairman Sudhir Mankad and officials of stock exchanges and clearing corporations gave an update to Tyagi about the steps taken for more effective functioning and development of the securities market at the financial centre.

Tyagi reviewed "the progress made in the last six months towards effective functioning of securities markets in GIFT IFSC".

Further, he discussed the progress of the NSE IFSC, its growth plans and steps taken by it to attract market participants, the NSE said in a statement.

GIFT IFSC (International Financial Services Centre) has been set up to enable Indian entities to compete on an equal footing with offshore financial centres and provide facilities and regulations comparable to other leading international financial centres in the world. GIFT City is the first IFSC in the country.
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Prices of titanium di oxide (TiO2), the key raw material for paints, is firming up again on account of capacity shutdowns in China. Along with this, oil prices have added to the margin pressure for paint companies. Further, currency depreciation is also not helpful. In light of this, paint companies might face further margin headwinds.

TiO2  A market with limited supply

Titanium di oxide (TiO2) is a white powder pigment having its main application in paints, paper and plastics as it imparts whiteness and opacity to the final products. After the industry witnessed a recent consolidation, key manufacturers constitute 62 percent of the total production. That said, the bulk of the production share comes from small manufacturers based out of China. Recently, with China shutting down a number of companies on account of environmental concerns has led to supply constraints in the global TiO2 market.

Source: Cristal.com

Major manufacturers

Source: Venator

TiO2 prices

Along with the tightening of supplies following China closing down its companies, spot prices of TiO2 have started firming up recently.

TiO2 prices had earlier declined due to increased inventory levels and weaker domestic demand. However, a combined effect of more shutdowns of TiO2 production plants globally, raw material supply constraints (Ilmenite/rutile mineral ores and pet coke) are causing an uptick in prices.

China Titanium di oxide prices trend (USD/tonne)

Source: ICIS

Additional Chinese TiO2 capacity cut-down in the offing?

China is the second largest exporter of TiO2 pigments constituting 22 percent of global TiO2 export share (CY 2016) and therefore shutdown of facilities in China creates a global shortage. As per Ventator Corp, leading producer of TiO2, there have been 400k MT capacity cut-backs in China during the period 2015-17. In the near-term, further closure of 200k MT capacity is expected amounting to 3.3 percent of global demand (estimated 6155k MT in 2017).

TZMI, a management consultancy firm, estimates that TiO2 inventory in the value chain would be depleted by end of 2017 and hence the overall market would remain tight until new capacity comes in. Ventator mentions that it takes about 3-4 years for the new capacity to come online.

Source: Venator, TZMI

Source: Trade map

In case of India, Chinas contribution to our TiO2 imports have already shrunk in the first half of 2017. In H2 2016, China constituted 35 percent of total imports of TiO2 pigments in India which has reduced to 28 percent in H1 2017 (data till May 2017).

Not surprisingly, TiO2 price quotation from the sole manufacturer in India, Kerala Minerals & Metals (Kerala Govt. undertaking) is at Rs 205/kg which is 25 percent higher than the local price prevailing 12 months ago.

Pet coke price increase also impacts the TiO2 price

Pet coke prices, a key raw material used for the manufacturing of TiO2, has also firmed up. Chinese coke price is up 14 percent in last one month resulting in a raw material price increase for TiO2 production.

Chinese pet coke price trend

Source: sunsirs

Paint companies bear the cost pressure

TiO2 prices (~50 percent of the raw material cost) are not the only raw material prices which are of concern for paints companies. Surge in oil prices have increased the prices of oil derivative solvent prices as well. Cost pressures in the last one year have already impacted margins. Aggregate EBIDTA margin of paints companies at 18.9 percent has contracted by more than 300 bps on YoY basis.

Source: Capitaline

Asian Paints, in the last quarterly conference call, mentioned that it doesn't expect any substantial easing of TiO2 prices and supply tightness in this segment is expected to remain in near term. Further, recent depreciation of the Indian rupee would add to the cost as a majority of TiO2 is imported.

So overall, paint companies might continue to witness margin pressure in near term on account of higher raw material prices.

Follow @anubhavsays

For more research articles, visit our Moneycontrol Research Page.
As festive sale fervour catches up in India, employees at Noida-based Paytm Mall can be seen hopping from Los Angeles and Singapore to Dubai and Hangzhou.

Inside Paytm offices, these are not the names of the cities, but titles given to conference (nicknamed war) rooms

We are at the four-storeyed building of worlds Paytm in Sector 6 of Noida.

Enter Paytm office and you find a giant poster saying Go Big or Go Home on the ceiling.

It also says a quote: We will bring half a billion Indians to the mainstream economy. Thats our Wow. Thats our Game. Opposite that, is a poster showing an astronaut - It says: To Pioneer, Paytm is here.

The pioneer in financial wallets is now trying it bring online to offline (O2O) strategy home.

From office floors lined up with mattresses at night, to endless cups of coffee, employees at Paytm Mall are not leaving any stone unturned these days to give tough competition to the likes of Amazon and Flipkart in India.

Sinha takes us to a tour of the floor. Vashishtha, Dhindsa and Patil join us. We walk down the aisle which is lined up with artificial plants and the flooring is still in raw shape. The walls of Paytms new office have been given a smoothened brick feel, without paint.

This is where most of our tech team sits, Sinha points out to the floor housing close to 400 employees.

Paytm's senior leadership team: From left: Bhushan Patil (President - Paytm), Saurabh Vashisht (vice president - Paytm), Amit Sinha (Chief Operating Officer, Paytm Mall).

Paytm Mall is a late entrant in Indias e-commerce race as compared to rivals Amazon and Flipkart. The race has already seen a dead (or shall we say old) horse - Snapdeal - recusing itself leaving the third spot open for grabs.

And that is why Paytm Mall is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring an aggressive growthfrom offering a cashback of Rs 500 crore this festive season to announcing Rs 100 crore specifically on media campaigns ahead of the Diwali festival.

This financial year end, we are targeting an annualised run rate of USD 4 billion. During the Diwali season, we are targeting USD 0.5 billion and we are almost on track, says Sinha, an old timer at Paytms parent firm One97 Communications, who has spent almost a decade in the company.

In a recent report, industry tracking firm Redseer has said that Flipkart led the last weeks five-day festive sales with a 58 percent market share in the gross merchandise value of goods sold. It also said that Amazon India saw a decline in market share during the annual festive sales to 26 percent from last years share of about 32 percent. The report, however, doesnt even mention Paytm Malls share.

This perturbs Sinha who questions the methodology of RedSeer Consulting, saying it was not relevant for their model.

The way they track the number is mostly based on the number of shipments. For us, a large chunk of that is coming from the stores. So that is not there, he says.

Secondly, the way our sales are planned is across the month...we are not in an inventory-led model, we don't buy lakhs of phones and then sell them, he explains.

The company recently raised USD 200 million from Alibaba Group Holdings and SAIF Partners.

It is letting users book a mobile phone or even small ticket items such as grocery from their nearest kirana stores. This Paytm terms as the Online-to-Offline model.

Posters for shopkeepers to drive O2O strategy

Paytm vice president Saurabh Vashishtha then shows us bags of freshly printed posters of Paytm Mall which will be shipped to towns and cities of India. These posters have a space for a QR code, which a shopkeeper can just paste on the walls of the stores and start accepting payments.

On the whiteboards are scribbled names of retailers with a number of stores. These retailers will be shipped the posters for use at each of their store locations.

There are thousands of posters being printed that the company will send to the select stores. Many stores, according to Vashishtha will also print their Paytm posters by themselves.

For all the offline storesthe festive sale has just started to happen. Peak will be during the four-day weekendagain we dont know whether the four-day weekend will be picking up in Delhi because most people leave Delhi during festivals, many go to their hometown, says Sinha who himself hails from Dhanbad.

He, however, adds that in cities like Kolkata and Gujarat this is the peak season. Also while for automobile, especially bikes this is the peak season, appliances will pick up closer to Diwali, he says as we take a seat in a room called Beijing.

Capturing the heartland

Overlooking this building is the One 97 Communications building where chief executive officer Vijay Shekhar Sharma sits along with most of the corporate team including Sinha and Patil.

Looking down below from Beijing and we see a chaos of rickshaws and tempos honking in a traffic jam, even as a cow is roaming carelessly on the side - typical of an Indian street.

Unlike the glass skyscrapers where MNC companies have their offices, Paytms heart and soul lie with the shopkeepers and traders of small-town India - who drive most of the USD 630 billion retail business. The retail market in India is expected to double to USD 1.1 trillion by 2020.

Paytm which has captured the imagination of the local milk store, juice shops, and kiranas, now plans to capture the high-margin fashion and electronics retail business through Paytm Mall.

Whether Sharma and his team will be able to give Amazon and Flipkart a run for their money, only time will tell.
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nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Shares of Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Petroleum and UPL gained 2-4 percent intraday as investors cheered their inclusion into the Nifty index, which came into effect on Friday.

HPCL gained the most, around 4.4 percent, while Bajaj Finance rose around 2 percent.

Meanwhile, shares of Bank of Baroda, ACC, Tata Power and Tata Motors DVR too gained. These shares, from Friday, have been taken off the Nifty index.

ACC, Bank of Baroda, Tata Power and Tata Motors DVR were the ones to be moved out of the NSEs benchmark Nifty index. These firms would have been replaced by Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and UPL.

The changes were announced by India Index Services and Products (IISL), an arm of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), as part of its periodic review.

Besides Nifty 50, IISL has also decided the replacement of stock on various other indices including Nifty Next 50, Nifty 500, Nifty 100, Nifty Midcap 150, Nifty Smallcap 250, Nifty Midcap 50, Nifty 200, Nifty Smallcap 50 as well as sectoral indices like Nifty IT, Nifty Realty and Nifty PSU Banks.

The changes come in the backdrop of India Index Services and Products (IISL), a group firm of NSE, revising guidelines to rejig their indices, including the selection criteria.

At 14:05 hrs Bajaj Finance was quoting at Rs 1,866.10, up Rs 25.05, or 1.36 percent. It touched an intraday high of Rs 1,873.00 and an intraday low of Rs 1,849.95. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation was quoting at Rs 432.65, up Rs 17.55, or 4.23 percent. Meanwhile, UPL was quoting at Rs 785.30, up Rs 19.20, or 2.51 percent.
The government has carried out a series of reforms to increase the participation of mid-sized EPC players in the tendering process of construction contracts, Ind-Ra said.

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nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Shares of MEP Infrastructure Developers added 6.3 percent intraday Friday as it has won a contract for collection of toll at all entry points to Delhi.

The company has been awarded the letter of award by the office of the director local bodies (Toll Tax Department) to engage as the contractor for South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

The company will collect toll tax & environment compensation charge (ECC) at border points from specified commercial vehicles entering Delhi.

The commercial operations will commence from October 1, 2017 for a period of 5 years.

The contractual amount for the said project is Rs 1,206 crore per annum payable to SDMC on a weekly basis.

At 10:00 hrs MEP Infrastructure Developers was quoting at Rs 101.25, up Rs 4.55, or 4.71 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
Tourism Finance Corporation of India share price rallied 9.4 percent intraday Friday after a big block deal in early trade.

About 1.9 crore equity shares (representing nearly 24 percent of paid-up equity) traded on NSE & BSE at an average price of Rs 150 per share through block deals which were worth Rs 293 crore.

BN Nayak, CFO, IFCI confirmed that the company has sold 24 percent stake through a block deal today.

"We had a mandate to sell 24 percent and we have sold that," he said in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

The details of who bought the shares would be published with the stock exchanges, he added.

As of now there no decision has been taken on selling the 2 percent remaining stake, he said.

It has been the company's strategy to divest non-core assets and it is being done time to time at an opportune moment, said Nayak.

As per the latest shareholding details available on exchanges (as of June 2017), IFCI held 26.09 percent stake (2.1 crore equity shares) in the company.

Axis Capital was the broker to this block deal.

Meanwhile, Satpal Arora, MD, Tourism Finance told CNBC-TV18 that IFCI didn't involve the company in terms of stake sale. IFCI had 2 board seats, he added.

He said many non-banking finance companies were interested in buying company's stake. Some private equity funds from Singapore & US were interested, he added.

At 10:35 hours IST, the stock price of Tourism Finance Corporation of India was quoting at Rs 151.70, up 4.48 percent while IFCI was trading at Rs 23.50, up 2.62 percent on the BSE.
Flipkart

The past few quarters have been tough on India Inc which is battling the side-effects of the government's crackdown on black money, a slowing economy, demonetisation and boardroom tussles, among others. Unperturbed by such hiccups, the likes of Flipkart, Power Finance Corporation and Royal Enfield have emerged unscathed on brand value.

The Brand Finance India top 100 study reveals that Indias total brand value increased 15 percent in 2017. "68 of Indias 100 most valuable brands have grown in value this year, with 54 of those enjoying double-digit growth," it states.

Shining Bright

Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart's brand value grew 103 percent in 2017 in comparison to the previous year, according to a report by Brand Finance. For a company that highly relies on logistics, a sector highly hit by demonetisation, the e-tailer ranks 56th on Brand Finance India's top 100 most valuable brands list. It ranked 85th in the previous year.

The next success story comes from IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share. IndiGo's brand value grew 96 percent in 2017 translating into a jump (y-o-y) of over 30 places to the 62nd spot.

State-owned Power Finance Corporation, one of the largest lenders to the country's power sector, comes in next with 95 percent growth in brand value. It jumped to the 63rd spot this year from 95th position in 2016. Bike manufacturer Royal Enfield, Yes Bank and Apollo Tyres follow with around 76 percent brand value growth.

Adani Enterprises, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Hindustan Petroleum and HDFC too have grown over 60 percent in brand value, according to the report.

Losing Shine

Mobile manufacturer Micromax's took a major beating on brand value amid rising competition from Chinese companies. Micromax's brand value declined 39 percent in 2017, as the tech firm slid 38 places to the 95 spot in Brand Finance India 100 ranking. Bank of Baroda, BHEL and Punjab National Bank also fared badly on the brand value rankings.

The Usual Suspects

Tata Group continues to be Indias leading brand, according to the Brand Finance report. While the group has retained numero uno slot, its value fell four percent to USD 13.1 billion in 2017.

The boardroom battle between Ratan Tata and ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry is an unlikely culprit. The report points out that between 2015 and 2016, the Tata Group's value fell nearly 11 percent. The fall is likely due to challenging operating scenario, it said.

The second most valued brand in India is mobile operator company Bharti Airtel with valuation of USD 7.7 billion. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) ranks third with USD 6.8 billion.

IT firm Infosys lists of number four with valuation of USD 6.2 billion, a jump of one rank. Public sector unit State Bank of India has slipped to fifth rank from the third last year with USD 5.5 billion in valuation.

For this year, fast moving goods company (FMCG) ITC has been named the most powerful brand. It is Indias only AAA rated brand, with a Brand Strength Index score of 86, said the report.

There has been intense speculation as to whether brand value has fallen due to Tatas boardroom drama. In our view this is emphatically not the case. Tatas brand strength index score in fact improved significantly this year and its rating was upgraded from A+ to AA+, the report highlights.
The civil aviation ministry has agreed to allow some airlines to fly bigger aircraft for Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) flights adding that it may be more flexible in integrating these into routes and overall operations, as the Mint reported.

For hilly regions, UDAN will allow helicopters and four-seater aircraft to participate as well.

These changes will cater to better commercial flexibility, a government official said on the condition of anonymity.

This development has led to new bidding rounds that will start soon.

One of the rules that has been eased is  the airlines can now make UDAN destination part of a connecting flight.

This was not allowed earlier, the official was quoted as saying.

As a part of the connectivity scheme, the airline will have to declare 70% of seats on any flight as UDAN seats irrespective of the type of aircraft. But, these airplanes will only be paid subsidy for 40 seats.

Airlines usually use small 70-seater planes for regional flights but some smaller airports are equipped to handle bigger aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.

Aircraft pioneers, Indigo and Jet Airways, both hadnt participated in the first round of UDAN and are expected to participate in the next round. These two had specifically raised this query with the ministry.

The earlier stipulation that two airports should be 150 km away from each other to be a part of UDAN, has now been scrapped.

The ministry has kept the exclusivity clause intact  the bid winner will have exclusivity on the route for three years.

Turbo Megha, Air Odisha, Air Deccan, Air India and SpiceJet were given 128 routes to fly in the first round of UDAN in March.

The smaller airports connected in the first round are  Puducherry, Porbandar, Bathinda, Bikaner, Ludhiana, Kandla, Nanded, Gwalior, Kadapa.

Air India just started (flight to) Bikaner. SpiceJet is saying it will start (flight to) Jaisalmer from next month, another government official was quoted as saying.

Jaisalmer and Bikaner in Rajasthan are currently not connected to flights and are very popular with tourists.

Air Deccan, headquartered at Bengaluru, and Air Odisha, which is based out of Bhubaneswar, both have applied for commuter licences which are being processed.

The entry of bigger airlines in UDAN may pose challenges for the smaller players, experts noted.

The smaller players have been opposing such network relaxations. Big airlines can have economies of scale  they can use the same airport staff and other infrastructure for regional flights; commuter airlines have to start from scratch, third government official said in a statement.
India and Norway extended bilateral cooperation within the health sector through the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) for a period of three years starting 2018, the government said.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed the Letter of Intent with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of the Government of Norway here to this effect.

Health Secretary C K Mishra and Ambassador of Norway to India Nils Ragnar Kamsvag signed the letter that would allow cooperation between India and Norway to continue to be aligned with the development goals of the Indian government, as outlined in its National Health Policy 2017 for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The cooperation shall focus on global health issues of common interest.

The partnership shall also include areas related to reproductive, maternal, new-born, child, adolescent (RMNCH+A) health and health system strengthening, and shall build on experiences from NIPI phase I and II, it said.

"The cooperation will continue to focus on innovative, catalytic and strategic support, taking the Indian government's Intensification Plan for Accelerated Maternal and Child Survival in India as the starting point," the statement said.

The governments of Norway and India had agreed in 2006 to collaborate towards achieving MDG (Millennium Development Goal) 4 to reduce child mortality based on commitments made by the two prime ministers.

The partnership was based on India's health initiative, the National Health Mission (NHM), and aimed at facilitating rapid scale-up of quality child and maternal health services in four high focus states - Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the ministry said.

The main activities in Phase I (2006-2012) were home- based new born care (HBNC), Yashoda through State health system, establishing Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCU), techno managerial support, and providing strategic support for immunisation and Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

The governments of India and Norway decided to extend the partnership to coincide with the second phase of National Health Mission plan (NHM) for a period of five years (2013- 17).

Besides the four states already supported by NIPI, Jammu and Kashmir, was added as a fifth state with NIPI being the lead partner for RMNCH+A activities.

The NIPI through its work in the last ten years (2007- 2017) has resulted in newer initiatives. In addition to trying out innovations, NIPI has also supported NHM by providing credible technical support in the five states and at national level, the Health Ministry said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today promised to take strict action against those responsible for the tragic stampede in Mumbai that claimed at least 22 lives and announced Rs five lakh for the next of the kins of the deceased.

Fadnavis, who is on a two-day investor-interaction visit to Singapore, expressed condolences and said, "My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones."

He said he was saddened and shocked to know about the tragic stampede this morning on a foot over-bridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations in Mumbai.

"Enquiry will be conducted by Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways and necessary, strict action will be taken," he tweeted.

He announced Rs 5 lakh for the next of the kins of the deceased.

"All the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the Government of Maharashtra," he said.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has reached Mumbai and ordered a high-level inquiry into the stampede.

Fadnavis said he had spoken to Chief Secretary and city police commissioner and told them to reach hospital to monitor and ensure that everyone gets all the help.
No one knows exactly how and why this tragedy took place. But everyone knows it was inevitable. A six-foot-wide staircase, 30-odd steps  some broken  and hundreds of people cramped into that confined space. Something had to give, and it finally did on this fateful Friday.

Thousands of Mumbaikars climb this narrow staircase at Elphinstone Railway Station every day en route to their offices in Lower Parel, a hub of the city's business activity. Today, at least 22 of them lost their lives in a stampede at the foot of the staircase during rush hour. Some say it was the rain, some say it was a rumour of a short circuit, some say it was people in a mighty hurry. The truth is still to be told, but one thing is certain - while Mumbai's trains are notorious for being overcrowded inside the compartment, the world found out today that life outside the train can be equally dangerous.

Courtesy: @sant0nair

Two hours on, there are no signs of a tragedy. No blood and no tears. If anything, it's business as usual. Apart from the heavy police and media presence, a bunch of garlands lying on the grass below the stairwell is the only sign that something is amiss. A number of vendors from the nearby Dadar flower market were believed to be on the bridge at the time of the tragedy.

Commuters are sad but not surprised. For them, it was a disaster waiting to happen. They know full well that their own lives could have been at stake and are grateful that it wasn't them.

Every five minutes, a train pulls into the adjoining platform. And every five minutes, people alight and converge into a yet another narrow staircase. They have all heard about the disaster that transpired a stone's throw away. But it makes no difference. There is still shouting, screaming and pushing as each one jostles to reach the overbridge first. People have things to do and places to be - after all, this is the city that never stops.

They pause and stare at the police and relief personnel, but then proceed down the same set of stairs where their fellow citizens were crushed to death two hours ago.

"Kya karein?" says one office-goer with an air of acceptance. He says he has no choice but to risk his life every day to get to and from work. But it shouldn't be a risk. And in the aftermath of this disaster, it is one the many issues that the authorities will have to address. Mumbaikars will now keenly await the next course of action of Elphinstone Railway Station - will they get a wider staircase or will the signboards be changed to the recently-approved name of Prabhadevi?

Until then, life will go on in the city. It always does.
Representative Image

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has put the onus of the Rs 16,000 crore Delhi  Meerut Expressway scam on Uttar Pradesh government, where several officials were accused of illegally obtaining land from farmers at lower price and selling it to the state government at higher price.

An official from NHAI said that its a case for state government to look after.

We have acquired only that part of land which came under our alignment, said the official. Apart from that, we dont know what the officials involved have done Its a matter of state government.

The matter came to light when farmers from Nahal, Dasna and Kushaliya lodged a complaint with the state government stating that officials from Ghaziabad magistrate had acquired land from them, after the project was notified, in the name of their relatives and sold it to the government.

Also read: Phase I of Delhi-Meerut Expressway to be operational by December 17

Sale and purchase of land, for public project, is illegal after the notification. The Delhi  Meerut expressway was notified in 2012.

It has been alleged that the officials, whose names have not been disclosed, purchased land from farmers at the circle rate between Rs 1,700 and Rs 1,800 per square meter and sold it to the state government at Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per square meter.

Meerut divisional magistrate, Prabhat Kumar, had ordered probe into the case which found that as many as 450 deals happened after the notification, of which 20 could be fraudulent.

Land was acquired only for phase IV (of the Expressway) Land acquisition is the responsibility of the state, said the official.

He, however, said that NHAI will refer the case to state government if there is something wrong and if documents of NHAI have been tampered.

So far, there is nothing in our knowledge, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of the 14 lane, 74 kilometer long Expressway in December 2015 as a part of Centres initiate to decongest Delhi.
After a stampede on a railway foot overbridge during the morning rush hour claimed 22 lives, it has come to light that former Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had assured a Shiv Sena MP last year that a wider bridge would be built in its place.

In a letter dated February 20, 2016, Prabhu had written to Sena MP from Mumbai Arvind Sawant that the "construction of 12 metre wide new foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road was under the positive consideration of Railway Ministry."

Construction of the new bridge, connecting Western Railway and Central Railway after extension of Platform No 1 and 2 towards north side by 100 metres, was under "positive consideration" of the Ministry, Prabhu had written in the letter accessed by PTI.
Traders' bodies including the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), will soon hold a series of protests across the nation against the BJP-led government, the Hindu reported.

The protests will be held against the ongoing official discussions like that of liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy on Multi-Brand Retail Trade (MBRT) and difficulties relating to GST.

The CAIT is upset for many reasons  the NDA government hasnt paid heed to their proposals to boost the local wholesale and retail trade, they also wanted National Internal Trade (retail & wholesale) regulator, a comprehensive Domestic Trade Policy and a Board for Internal Trade, for starters.

Trader representatives recently met with NITI Aayog and the Department Industrial Policy and Promotion (or DIPP), to speak about their concerns.

We [traders] will be incurring huge losses in this festive season due to GST and huge discounts given by e-commerce players in violation of the FDI policy. They [the government] seem to be testing the limit of our patience. We are now seeing a clear shift in their stand on various issues including on the FDI policy, from what it was pre-2014 [general elections], CAIT national secretary general Praveen Khandelwal, was quoted as saying.

He also pointed out that the traders across the country wish to be a part of the nation wide protests, at a recent meeting of traders in Surat.

There are about 6.34 crore traders in the country. The trading sector employs 12 crore people, Khandelwal said.

We are morally with them [traders] on some of these issues and are strongly articulating them and has asked the government to address them, Ashwani Mahajan, National co-convener of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (an affiliate of the RSS) was also quoted as saying.
The US will "watch" Pakistan's choices on President Donald Trump's new Afghan and South Asia strategy to combat terrorism in its tracks, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said.

At the same time, Mattis also lauded India's commitment towards the development in Afghanistan.

Trump, while announcing the new strategy for Afghanistan, had accused Pakistan of harbouring "agents of chaos" and providing safe havens to militant groups waging an insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul.

Pakistan has opposed Trump's Afghan and South Asia policy, saying it ignored the country's sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

But, Mattis during a visit to Kabul said the new strategy was "not exclusive of someone".

It is inclusive for all responsible states that want to stop terrorism in its tracks and defend the innocent, he said.

Mattis, who was in India before arriving in Kabul, said the South Asia strategy announced by the president in August was an opportunity for Pakistan.

"I agree 100 per cent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign," Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghan, according to a Pentagon transcript.

Mattis said that the United States would "watch" Islamabad's choices.

Ghani echoed Mattis' views.

This is primarily because for the first time, the United States seeks to hold Pakistan accountable for its support to terrorist groups and organisation.

Trump's also policy seeks greater developmental role for India in this war-torn country.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with both Mattis and Ghani, saying that this is a regional approach, which includes both Pakistan and India.

Both of them have to be included in a mutual approach.

He urged all countries in the region to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Mattis said India has been "very, very generous" in its development assistance to Afghanistan.

India is committed to doing even more to help the people of Afghanistan, he said.
Moneyconrtrol News

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is all set to build an AED 500 million (Rs 895 crore) city to simulate life on Mars. The 'Mars Science City' project that was unveiled this week by the UAE government will include gigantic domes covering an area of 1.9 million square feet.



During the Annual #UAE Government Meetings, #UAE has revealed new AED 500 million project to build a city that simulates life on Mars pic.twitter.com/QBu5CK87YU

 Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 26, 2017

The futuristic city is coming up as part of the Mars 2117 project of the UAE government. Aimed at establishing the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by 2117, the project was unveiled in last February.

Once built, the city will house a team of researchers who will live there for a year. The researchers will carry out various experiments involving food, water and energy needs on the distant planet, said a report in the Mirror. The experiments are intended to aid the people who will settle down on the red planet by 2117.

Source: Dubai Media Office - Twitter

Source: Dubai Media Office- Twitter

Source: Dubai Media Office- Twitter

As part of the program, UAE is planning to settle six lakh people with all facilities on Mars within a hundred years. These human bases will have improved oxygen supply system and adequate arrangements for inner-city transportation.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, ruler of Dubai was quoted saying in the report, the landing of people on other planets has been a longtime dream for humans. Our aim is that the UAE will spearhead international efforts to make this dream a reality."

The emergence of UAE in the field will be an interesting prospect as it could lead to a race to mars between the oil-rich kingdom and the Elon Musk-run SpaceX, which is also attempting to establish a human colony on the red planet.
Some ideas may sound crazy, but not if SpaceX CEO Elon Musk utters them.

Speaking at a conference in Australia on Friday, Musk informed that his company has looked into the possibility of transporting people anywhere on earth within an hour. A rocket will be used to shoot passengers into space and then the spacecraft will land on a drone-ship present in the sea.

"The results are quite interesting," CNN quoted Musk speaking while a video played which showed a simulation of how it will work. "The great thing about going to space is there's no friction, so once you're out of the atmosphere...it'll be smooth as silk, there's no weather."

The video shows a rocket blasting off with passengers in New York and landing in Shanghai in 39 minutes. The maximum speed of the spacecraft while the passengers are in transit could be a whopping 27,000 kmph.

The video predicts journeys on most long-distance trips in less than 30 minutes. Hong Kong to Singapore will take 22 minutes, Los Angeles to Toronto will take 24 minutes, Tokyo to Delhi in 30 minutes.

SpaceX is currently working on a giant reusable rocketship for its mission to colonise Mars and most likely the construction of BFRBig Falcon Rocketwhich will be used in transporting people from city to city on earth will begin by 2018. Musk said that the company plans to land cargo ship on Mars by 2022.

However, he did not divulge when the ultra-high speed travel could become a reality.

Elon Musk had also envisioned the Hyperloop transport system which could travel people at the speed of more than 1,200 kmph.
For all the perks that go with it, the post of Chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman can be a thankless job. But the current incumbent, RS Sharma, is quite clear. He says the regulator is not in a popularity contest. He laughs but humbly answers when reminded that private sector incumbents blame the body he heads for the financial stress they find themselves in. In an interview with Moneycontrol's Dhirendra Tripathi, Sharma discusses TRAIs latest initiatives along with plans for the future. Edited excerpts:

What was the rationale of cutting interconnect usage charge to 6 paise per minute?

We still aren't ready for the Bill and Keep model. We have explained the situations in the exploratory memorandum as to why at this point in time we should continue with cost-based reimbursements of the IUC charges. And we have computed those costs. It came to 5.9 paisa. So, we said let it be 6 paisa after rounding it off. And, then, we also considered the issue of the growth, the way the networks are becoming data-centric.

The data-centric networks are very important and in a data network, the voice becomes merely an application and the cost of the voice becomes really insignificant. That is why we have said that once all these networks migrate to 4G, IP-based networks, the cost of handling others' voice will become very insignificant.

Bill and Keep is two words: bill and keep. Now when the bill itself is so insignificant, most probably you will not give it to the other guy. So you will keep it. So, Bill and Keep is not going to become a business architecture. It is actually driven by technology. The whole thing will become so insignificant that you will necessarily bill and keep because the cost of reconciliation, the cost of sending the bill, becomes very insignificant.

If that is the case, shouldnt the January 1, 2020 sunset period for expiry of IUC be a little advanced since all private sector incumbents have already committed to moving their network to 4G in a year or so?

We dont think so. We think its a fairly reasonable sunset period. It also gives regulatory certainty that we did not want to keep the question open. However, we have also said that we will see the situation soon after one year of operation. So that clause is there in the regulation. But we think January 1, 2020 is an appropriate timeline.

Incumbent private sector operators blame TRAI for some of the financial stress they find themselves in. One operator has blamed you for not considering spectrum costs while arriving at the new IUC charge. What do you have to say to that?

Operators blame TRAI for many of their troubles. Regulators are not liked by stakeholders in general. We are satisfied with the kind of views and thoughts of stakeholders have about us. We are not in a popularity contest. The second issue is that IUC has nothing to do with the financial stress. These are two independent issues.

IUC is essentially a cost which you charge for handling somebody elses call, so this should not be a profit-making exercise. You should be paid on the basis of the cost. Right? So thats one part.

Now, let me come to the question of why we didn't compute the spectrum cost. The methodology is actually used worldwide now. About 46 European countries are using it. It computes the minimum avoidable cost to handle somebodys call. It doesnt take into account the common costs. That is why spectrum is not taken.

Spectrum is largely now delivering data; nowadays marginal use of spectrum is data. Voice is a very small fraction of it. Therefore, you cant attribute the entire cost of the spectrum to the voice. Thirdly, spectrum is purchased by operators for satisfying your own customer; it is not purchased for satisfying other operators customers.

There are many reasons. The ITU and the EU both have explained the reasons as to why the spectrum cost should not be included in it.

Is TRAI aware that tariff plans have lost sanctity? One can call up the call centre of any incumbent operator and negotiate data plans. This puts the unaware customers at a disadvantage. Have you received complaints in this regard?

There are two angles to it. One angle is a consumer complaint redressal system. There is no fixed methodology. So, that is one part for which we have already made recommendations for an ombudsman office where there will be an independent consumer complaint redressal platform.

The second issue is that of negotiations...and it is a serious one. We have said the tariff plans have got to be very transparent and non-discriminatory. We have reiterated these principles also. So in case we get complaints, we will certainly look into that.

Set-top portability for cable TV and DTH subscribers has been a much-awaited introduction. How far are we away from seeing recommendations from TRAI on that?

I think the C-DoT, who is our technology partner, IIT-B0mbay and various other institutes...have done a wonderful job. We are now going to have pilots with some of these stakeholders who will see the robustness and reliability of this particular architecture and the prototypes of that architecture. I think we are fairly ahead.

Basically, what we are saying is there will be two parts. One is a standard box which will be manufactured by anybody. That will be independent of the service provider and the other will be this card. This card will be proprietary in some sense. The card will be the responsibility of the service provider who is basically the MSO or in this case the cable operator. So, you get the card. You can buy the set-top box off the shelf. Similar to when you buy a phone instrument from any shop, and you put a SIM and its starts working.

Net neutrality is another very sensitive subject that has a huge consumer and social aspect. When can we expect recommendations from you on that?

Net neutrality...we have completed the consultation process on it. We have had open house discussions. Three of them, one in Bengaluru, one in Mumbai and one in Delhi. We are now going to be writing down the recommendations. We are preparing the recommendations. I will think about it in a months time; we should be able to forward the recommendations to the Department of Telecom. It will be a comprehensive recommendation on net neutrality.

There is another consumer aspect very close to your heart. Broadband speed and mobile broadband speed. It remains very poor in India. What do you propose to do to address that?

We have already got a consultation paper on the measurement of data speeds. We are going to have an open house discussion also on that consultation paper very soon. Basically, we will find ways to bind the operators on to the data speeds which they claim to provide. We are interested in ensuring that when consumers are promised something, they also get that.
9/Since 2.15PM MR @PiyushGoyal is conducting emergency meeting w/ officials of Railways regarding various issues related to suburban section pic.twitter.com/Np6YK3P3pt

(@RailMinIndia) September 29, 2017

21:33 Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said that all suburban stations will be inspected over the next seven days to identify vulnerable issues. The ministry also plan to speed up work on foot-over-bridges.

Goyal also said that the employees of Mumbai Railways will not celebrate Dusshera in the wake of Mumbai stampede.



Employees of Mumbai Railways have accepted my request to not celebrate Dusshera in the wake of the #MumbaiStampede incident:Railway Minister pic.twitter.com/Nh69Oek40l  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017



21:04 Most of the 39 persons who were injured in a stampede on the footbridge between Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations here today morning are out of danger, authorities at the civic-run KEM Hospital told PTI.

The injured persons are still under observation as a precautionary measure and will be kept at the hospital overnight.

Of the 39 injured admitted at KEM Hospital, two are in critical condition. One of them is on ventilator.

The report also said that autopsies of the deceased were over and authorities have started handing over the bodies to families.

20:49 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to return to Mumbai tonight from Singapore. He is expected to visit the KEM hospital soon, reports CNN-News18.

20:44 Read  Elphinstone stampede: Festive cheer turns into forgotten cries for families of victims

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal carried out a review of suburban railway.

20:09 As the Elphinstone Road station accident today demonstrated, Mumbai still has miles to go before it resolves its infrastructure woes.

Read more: Maximum city, maximum accidents. Does Mumbai ever learn?

19:36 Union minister Ramdas Athawale demanded a judicial probe into the Mumbai stampede in which 22 people died and more than 30 injured, reports PTI.

"A judicial inquiry should be initiated into the incident as there are reports that rumours were being spread," the Minister of State for Social Justice said.

He also said that "maximum possible" compensation be given to kin of the deceased.

19:28 Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said that he had written to former Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu about the Parel bridge.

Speaking to the media, he today said that nothing has been done to improve situation for the 75 lakh commuters who travel by trains every day. There has been no mention of them in the budgets either.

The government is focusing more on Bullet train, but the priority should be local trains, he said.

19:21 Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today also announced a safety audit of all the foot over bridges across the suburban train network.

"Normally, it takes 20 days to come out with the report (of any incident), but for the auditing purpose of all the FOBs, we need to send technical experts and I guess that within 20 days we will have the audit reports of all the FOBs of the suburban trains," the minister said.

Improving the suburban train services is railways 'highest priority', he said.

19:04 Here are the new lists of injured and deceased persons in the stampede today.



7/ List of injured persons in the incidence of Stampede at Foot Over Bridge at Elphinstone Road pic.twitter.com/utoZkQ3Vrq  Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 29, 2017



8/List of deceased persons in the incidence of Stampede at Foot Over Bridge at Elphinstone Road pic.twitter.com/LccAkvWL1a Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 29, 2017

18:52 Commenting on today's stampede, Western Railways in a note saud that unprecedented rains caught people unawares. "As people weren't prepared for rains, sudden rain made people from approach road to take shelter at FOB & at staircase," WR said.

There was no structural damage to the foot over bridge, which can be attributed to the stampede, Western Railways told ANI.

18:40 An accidental death report has been registered at Dadar police station



#MumbaiStampede: Accidental Death Report (ADR) under sec 174 of CRPC registered at Dadar Police Stn. 22 people lost their lives, 39 injured pic.twitter.com/a3lw6JJSRo  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017



18:30 After the stampede, it came to light that the Former Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had assured a Shiv Sena MP last year that a wider bridge would be built in its place.

In a letter dated February 20, 2016, Prabhu had written to Sena MP from Mumbai Arvind Sawant that the "construction of 12 metre wide new foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road was under the positive consideration of Railway Ministry."

Construction of the new bridge, connecting Western Railway and Central Railway after extension of Platform No 1 and 2 towards north side by 100 metres, was under "positive consideration" of the Ministry, Prabhu had written in the letter accessed by PTI.

18:19 Shiv Sena today called the Elphinstone stampede as a 'public massacre'.

"The stampede on the foot over bridge at Elphinstone Road railway station is a public massacre of the people by the government," Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

18:10 A 12-meter new foot-over-bridge is already sanctioned for the Elphinstone road station in 2016-17. The bridge will link the Central and Western Railway.

The tender is uploaded and will be opened on November 9.



5/ New FOB of 12 meter width at Elphistone RD Stnsanctioned in 16-17 & will link CR and WR:Tender uploaded & will opened on 9th of Nov  Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 29, 2017



The Western Railway has released a list of persons injured in the Elphinstone stampede.

List of injured persons in incidence of Stampede at Foot Over Bridge at Elphinstone Road today ie 29/9/17 @PiyushGoyalOffc @RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/5xrY5sM5DK Western Railway (@WesternRly) September 29, 2017

18:01 Health minister JP Nadda also spoke to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss health of injured people & offered necessary assistance.

17:50 KEM Hospital says it now has enough blood.



Mumbai: KEM Hospital says it has received enough blood to take care of the injured in the #ElphinstoneStampede. Thank you, city.  Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) September 29, 2017



15:58 No one knows exactly how and why this tragedy took place. But everyone knows it was inevitable. A six-foot-wide staircase, 30-odd steps  some broken  and hundreds of people cramped into that confined space. Something had to give, and it finally did on this fateful Friday.

Mumbai stampede: Post-mortem of a tragedy defined by flowers, not blood.

Read the full story here.

15:21 Will bear costs for the injured people. Grievously injured to get Rs 1 lakh, people with minor injuries to get Rs 50,000 ex-gratia: Piyush Goyal

15:13



#UPDATE: Total 39 people injured in stampede at Elphinstone railway station's foot over bridge in Mumbai #mumbaistampede  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017



15:05 Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that most deaths have occurred due to asphyxiation and internal injuries.

15:02 Maharashtra CM Fadnavis promises strict action, announces 5 lakh compensation

Fadnavis

, who is on a two-day investor-interaction visit to Singapore, expressed condolences and said, "My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones."

Read the full story here.

#MumbaiStampede Helpline numbers: Churchgate station- 22039840, Mumbai Central station- 23051665 and Elphinstone Road station- 24301614 ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

14:57



My thoughts & prayers are with families who lost their dear ones in the Mumbais Elphinstone rly. station stampede. I pray for the injured.  Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) September 29, 2017



14:45 Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has visited the KEM Hospital.

"It is sad that such an incident happened today," he said after visiting the victims.

Speaking to the media, Goyal said that the railways will widen the necessary sections of the foot over bridge as soon as possible.

Goyal has announced Rs 5 lakh to the families of people who have died in today's stampede.

The railway minister also spoke of how he used to travel on the Mumbai Suburban railway as a student.

14:25 Here's the full statement issued by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Saddened to know about the #elphinstonestampede

Condolences to the families of commuters who lost their precious lives.  Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) September 29, 2017

14:12 Several people are still looking for their family members and friends at KEM Hospital.

14:10 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has told CNN News18, that the government and the railway authorities are taking the incident seriously and 'will do everything to rectify the problem'.

14:06 Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray has arrived at the hospital.

14:04 A -ve, B -ve and AB -ve blood is still required at the KEM Hospital.

14:03 There was a small protest outside KEM Hospital against Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

14:00 Heavy commotion is being reported outside the KEM Hospital as several ministers are visiting the victims.

13:51 Modi is building bullet trains, flying high. Come to reality, people need local train infrastructure: Arvind Sawant, MP, Shiv Sena

13:38 Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has expressed shock and grief over today's incident.

Goyal added that he has ordered an high level enquiry. The committee will also examine the station.

13:33



5 lakh announced for the next of the kins of deceased and all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by GoM.#Elphinstone  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 29, 2017



13:28 Arvind Sawant, Member of Parliament from Mumbai South constituency has demanded strict punishment.

13:23 KEM Hospital says injured toll at 33: 24 males and nine females.

Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways. Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 29, 2017

13:20



Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge.  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 29, 2017



13:19 Kirit Somaiya, Member of Parliament from Mumbai North East constituency has visited Elphinstone Road station.

Somaiya says that Railway authorities and government will work together to rectify the problem.

Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured  #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 29, 2017

13:11



Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017



My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017

13:10 Railway Minister has arrived in Mumbai and is expected to visit the KEM Hospital shorty.

13:06 BREAKING: The death toll has now risen to 27.

13:05 Central Railway services have resumed at Parel.

13:04 Speaking to CNN News18, Hemangi Worlikar, Mumbai's Deputy Mayor says that the railways have not acted in spite of repeated warning.

13:03



A -ve, B -ve and AB -ve blood is required in KEM hospital for those injured in #Elphinstone stampede . Please contact the blood bank at KEM  Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) September 29, 2017



If we focused on improving our stations rather than renaming them, this tragic stampede may not have happened #Prabhadevi #Elphinstone Sitaraman Shankar (@shankarsview) September 29, 2017

12:59 Mumbai's Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar tells CNN News18 that the incident is "unfortunate".

12:39 The BMC Disaster Management Cell has said the death toll from the Elphinstone Road Station stands at 22. Of this, 18 are male while four are female victims.

12:30 The footover bridge at Elphinstone station where the incident took place has been re-opened for commuters

12:15 Given the closeness of the Dadar flower market to the Elphinstone Road station, a number of vendors carrying huge bags of flowers were using the bridge at the time of the accident. Number of passengers arriving at the station too failed to evacuate due to the heavy rains, blocking the exit and resulting in a pile up. Now, as per the Western Railway PRO, R Bhaskar one of the passengers may have slipped on the wet staircase creating a domino effect.

12:08 15 dead, 20 injured in the stampede: Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai

12:04 Piyush Goyal on his way to Mumbai; To build a new skywalk at Elphinstone railway station: R Bhaskar, Railways PRO tells CNN-News18

11:58 3 ambulances at the venue as of now, KEM Hospital confirms 15 deaths

11:50 Casualties are being taken to KEM Hospital and other hospitals, 20 are seriously injured: Mumbai Police officer

No confirmation on deaths, but 50 passengers injured in a stampede at Elphinstone railway station, Mumbai, reports CNN-News18. The incident took place at 10:46 am on the footover bridge at the Dadar end of the station. All injured have been rushed to KEM Hospital. Railway officials said medical teams have been rushed to the area. Officials confirm that no part of the bridge has collapsed. The stampede was set off by a rumour of a short-circuit.
Some of the biggest names in the investment banking community attended the September 25 pre-bid meeting for the appointment of transaction advisors for divestment of governments stake sale in Air India, according to a person familiar with the development.

These included officials from KPMG, EY, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Rothschild & Co, McKinsey & Co, SBI Capital Markets, BNP Paribas, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Edelweiss Securities and ICICI Securities.

Two things will keep smaller names away. One is that this will be bigger than any other divestment carried out by any government so far. Also, the request for qualification for appointment of the advisor lays down the condition that the bidder should have handled a transaction of at least Rs. 4,000 crore during April 1, 2012 and June 30, 2017. Not many people would have done a transaction of that size, one of the interested bankers told Moneycontrol.

The government will appoint two transaction advisors for the divestment process. The last date to submit the bid is October 12.

Also read: Air Indias buyer may not get Nariman Point property and Vasant Vihar staff colony as part of deal

The government has in-principle decided to disinvest AI as a whole or its constituents fully or part thereof through strategic disinvestment with transfer of management control. The airline operator has five subsidiaries and one joint venture.

Also read: Cabinet gives OK to strategic sale of Air India, panel to study various options

The airline made a loss of Rs. 4,310.65 crores in 2015-16. This was on top of a loss of Rs. 6,280.42 crores in 2014-15. The wholly state-owned company is weighed down by a debt of around Rs. 52,000 crores.

The governments rules on foreign direct investment permit 100 per cent FDI in an airline with a foreign airline not allowed to hold more than 49 per cent in an Indian carrier.

So far, Interglobe Aviation which runs IndiGo, is the only carrier to have officially expressed its intent to buy the airline.

While the final contours of the divestment will be known only after all the stakeholders  the government, transaction advisor and interested suitors deliberate on buying the whole or parts of the airline  it is certain that the government will have to absorb AIs debt to have any private sector company acquire the loss-making airline. A special purpose vehicle will also be formed in which all the real estate and artefacts of the airline will be housed, according to a ministry official.
An Afghan hospital official says at least four people have been killed and 20 wounded in a suicide bombing attack outside a Shiite mosque in the capital Kabul.

Hospital program coordinator Dejan Panic confirmed the casualties from the attack on Friday.

Police officer Abdul Rahman says the attacker blew himself up on the street about 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) from the Hussainia Mosque. The attack took place just after today prayers as worshippers were on their way home.

A witness, Mir Hussain Nasiri, says the attacker was disguised as a sheepherder.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place two days before the Muslim holy day of Ashura.

An Afghan official says a Taliban attack on a police checkpoint has left five police dead in western Farah province.

Iqbal Baher, a spokesperson for the provincial chief of police, says two others were wounded when the militants launched their attack early Friday in Bala Bluk district.

Baher said reinforcements from the Afghan national army arrived after several hours of fighting and pushed the Taliban fighters out of the district.

He said the Afghan air force struck three Taliban vehicles as they tried to escape, killing at least 20 Taliban fighters.

There was no immediate statement from the Taliban.
Answer: Etihad Airways (Image: Reuters)

Moneycontrol News

An Etihad Airways cargo aircraft headed to Amsterdam from Abu Dhabi was forced to make an emergency landing in Kuwait after the pilot died en-route, as reports in local news agencies.

The aircraft, that was scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi at 5.20 a.m, was safely diverted to Kuwait.

"Etihad Airways is saddened to report the death of on its pilots onboard flight EY 927, a freighter service from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam," a statement from the aircraft read.

It also added: "After the captain became incapacitated early in the flight, the First Officer issued an emergency call and safely diverted the aircraft to Kuwait."

A medical team was waiting for the aircraft in Kuwait following the incident.

The statement also mentioned that the pilot was pronounced dead in Kuwait after the medical team tried to assist him once the aircraft landed.

The airline ended the statement by offering condolences to the pilots family. The airline did not disclose when the pilot died, and details such as his name, nationality.
The UN migration agency on Friday said that over 60 people are either confirmed dead or missing and presumed dead after a boat carrying Rohingya Muslims, who were fleeing from Myanmar to Bangladesh, capsized.

Spokesman Joel Millman of the International Organisation for Migration told reporters in Geneva that 23 deaths have been confirmed after eight more bodies were found overnight following an initial count of 15.

Based on interviews that IOM conducted with survivors, Millman said that 40 people were missing and presumed drowned. The boat in which they were travelling was thought to have been carrying about 80 people.

He said that he couldn't immediately say whether this was the worst death toll at sea since the exodus of Rohingya Muslims began on August 25 amid violence targeting them in Myanmar.

More than 500,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since then.

The "very tragic" accident involved a vessel that had been at sea for two days with no food and had faced choppy seas, Millman said. The Bangladeshi captain had not initially charged the passengers any fee for the transport and had been trying to avoid sea patrols or checkpoints, he said.

"The details are absolutely astonishing and remarkable," Millman said. "At one point, he (the captain) chose to anchor the vessel, but that proved to be a fatal mistake as the rough seas were much worse than he supposed. This was easily within sight of land."

"People were actually quite distraught that they had gotten so close to safety and yet drowned because the boat was destroyed by the high seas and the torrential rains and wind," he said.

The UN migration agency closely tracks death tolls worldwide of migrants at sea, and generally counts the missing as presumed dead in its tally because confirmation is all but impossible.

Its figures are a highly quoted source on issues like often-fatal journeys between Libya and Italy, currently the world's most-deadly sea route for migrants.
Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity
September 28, 2017

Storm Hits Foreign American Island - Reveals System's Failure

A new example of how little Americans know about their own country - Washington Post, September 28

Puerto Rico is not a foreign country, at least it isnt if you live in the United States. It is a U.S. territory, and those on the island who were born in Puerto Rico are American citizens (though, like denizens of the District of Columbia, have no voting rights in Congress). But a new poll by an outfit called Morning Consult, as reported in the New York Times, found that only 54 percent of Americans know that people born in Puerto Rico are American citizens.

Someone belonging to the 46% of uninformed Americans is headline editor for the print edition of the Washington Post.

bigger

(The print edition headline, Why cant we get out of here? asks stranded American, was changed to Why cant we get out of here? Airports in Puerto Rico, other islands, damaged and slow to recover for its online version.)

On September 20 Puerto Rico was hit by hurricane Mary, then a category 4 storm. The U.S. has a professional civil defense organization called FEMA. It seemed overwhelmed, which is normal in the immediate aftermath of a large devastation. But the hurricane hit Puerto Rico 8 days ago and it the event had been predicted several days before. There was ample time to prepare and to get ready for recovery action. Why were there no distributed emergency depots for food, gasoline and diesel? Now hospitals are still shut down for lack of emergency power.

The problem with FEMA, it is said, is that it is too centralized and bureaucratic. Local disaster managers need full authority and readily available goods and funds they can spend right away, without asking higher ups. Meanwhile there is enough aid on Puerto Rico, but for lack of available transport, it is stacking up at the harbor and the airport. Now, a week too late, the U.S. military gets called in. It is incompetent at winning wars, but it traditionally knows a bit or two about logistics. In a few weeks Puerto Rico will be swamped with military trucks.

On September 10 the category 5 hurricane Irma hit Cuba very, very hard. A week later MEDICC reported:

87% of the population affected now has both electricity and water. No outbreaks of infectious diseases are reported, and cleanup is prioritized in both the capital and hardest-hit central provinces. Food processing centers are operating in all these provinces, and cooked food is being distributed in shelters (where 26,000 remain of the 1.7 million evacuees) and in areas without electricity. Teaching activities have resumed throughout the country as of September 18, ...

Tarik Cyril Amar, of the history department of Columbia University, remarked today:

Tarik Cyril Amar @TarikCyrilAmar catastrophe in puerto rico reminiscent of late-Soviet chaos. Except, USA hasn't lost a Cold War and is much richer. How ARE they doing it?

In 1976 the French anthropologist Emmanual Todd predicted the fall of the Soviet Union. Fifteen years later his prediction came true. In 2001 he predicted the The Breakdown of the American Order:

Todd notes some disturbing American trends, such as rising stratification based on educational credentials, and the "obsolescence of unreformable political institutions."

Posted by b on September 28, 2017 at 22:50 UTC | Permalink

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A room filled with caring residents sympathetic to the plight of the homeless within Morgan Hill and throughout Santa Clara County absorbed the expertise of a diverse panel of advocates, law enforcement, city and school personnel during a Sept. 26 event hosted by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women.

The 75 or so audience members who packed the Morgan Hill Library conference room wondered what was being done to reduce the number of homeless, what support services were available for those without homes and how they can help.

After AAUW President Peggy Martin welcomed everyone in attendance and told them a little about her organizations goals of making a difference individually and in our community, fellow member Margaret McCann introduced the six panelists who each answered a set of prepared questions surrounding the homeless issue prior to any additional inquiries from audience members.

The panelists were: Jan Bernstein Chargin (chair of the Compassion Center in Gilroy), Andrea Bird (lead counselor for Morgan Hill Unified School District), Rebecca Garcia (housing manager for the City of Morgan Hill), Claire Murphy (an Oakwood High senior who founded a nonprofit called Manna), Cecilia Ponziini (founder of Cecilias Closet and the Edward Boss Foundation) and David Swing (Police Chief of the Morgan Hill Police Department).

A county homeless count report released earlier this year revealed a 13 percent increase in homelessness across the county since 2015, with a point-in-time census of 7,394. In Morgan Hill, the number of unsheltered homeless increased 379 percent from 81 in 2015 to 388 in 2017, according to the Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey Report.

These figures, as well as real-life visuals of a growing homeless population during a regional housing crisis, prompted AAUW members to provide a forum for discussion.

Affordable housing on the horizon?

Former Morgan Hill mayor (1983-84) Beth Wyman, also a homeless advocate, spoke briefly as well, detailing how the city handled the issue of homelessness over past decades. Wyman championed a local low-income project in the 1980s that rehabilitated dilapidated homes on Sanchez Drive in Morgan Hill and then held a lottery to fill them with qualified residents. She said those same two-bedroom, one-bath units are advertised on sale at more than $500,000.

Finding new creative ways to combat homelessness and generate affordable housing is in the wheelhouse of Bernstein Chargin, who has pushed for Measure A monies to go toward a village of tiny manufactured homes (400 square feet) for the most needy of residents.

We have to find a way to get affordable units built in the county, said Bernstein Chargin, who explained that twice as many jobs have been created than housing units since the recession.

As Measure A projects are proposed and you have the opportunity to oppose or support them, the best way to help is to support those projects, she continued. Right now people are living in their cars on the street, near creeks and in other unsanitary and unsafe areas.

The Compassion Center, located at 370 Tomkins Court in Gilroy (right across from the Social Services building), provides case managers to homeless and pays camping fees for them so they can have access to showers and bathrooms while they are waiting for permanent residences, Bernstein Chargin shared. She also touted the City of Morgan Hills safe parking program (called Focus) that provides eight homeless families with safe places to park their Recreational Vehicles and supply them with some basic essentials.

It returns human dignity to a difficult situation, Bernstein Chargin said. Right now, there isnt any place someone can afford to live if they are working 30 hours on minimum wage. We need to build housing that can be affordable.

Free transportation to schools

Bird, who heads up MHUSDs CARE program that caters to students who are homeless, in foster care and socio-economically disadvantaged, dropped a bombshell on the attentive audience by stating there are currently 652 homeless students in local public schools. She further explained, included in that count are students whose families live in RVs; double up with a handful or more of family members living in one room; and surfer students who are on the outs with their parents and sleep on couches at friends homes.

Bird said the district provides these identified students with free transportation to and from school and free meals on campus, as well as counseling at LIve Oak and Sobrato high schools and Britton Middle School. The best way for the public to help, Bird replied, was to offer an extra room they may have at their home to a family in need.

We need to open our hearts, she said.

Garcia summarized and touted the citys affordable housing program. She also mentioned they currently have a less than 1 percent vacancy rate. The median household income for a family of four in Santa Clara County is $113,400, she said. Affordable housing addresses varying levels of income below that median beginning at extremely low (0 to 30 percent of that average).

Morgan Hill has done a really great job at creating affordable housing, said Garcia, detailing that 8 percent of local developments are affordable housing at a variety of different income levels.

She reiterated the success of the safe parking program and told audience members the best way to help is to donate funds for car repair and gas cards.

Programs assist in helping homeless

Bringing some youthful resilience into the homeless issue, Murphy, a high school senior, founded Manna to help nourish young families, especially those headed by single mothers (63 percent of whom fall below the poverty line, she said). Murphy, along with some friends, interviewed some low-income families and found out that many must decide each month between paying rent, buying groceries or keeping current on their bills. In her conversations with homeless women, Murphy found they feel isolated and that no one cares about them.

Interactions with homeless individuals is part of the job for local police officersspecifically MHPDs Homeless Outreach Team, according to Swing. The police chief said officers carry backpacks in their patrol cars filled with toiletries and $7 in cash that they can distribute to homeless individuals they encounter.

Its something that can help get people back on their feet in some way, said Swing of the HOPE backpack program that his department is a part of. Its about dignity and trying to restore dignity in the lives of others.

He explained it is not a crime to be homeless or to hang out in public spaces, but when called upon, officers treat each incident on a case by case basis.

The police department and the city, along with other local organizations such as Ponzinis cache of humanitarian efforts, have helped get the pilot safe parking program off the ground. Ponzini has found success in many capacities with her No Child Goes Unfed program, which writes checks to schools so they can provide free meals to students, no questions asked. To date, 1,800 students have gotten free lunch through that program, Ponzini said. It started at Ann Sobrato High School and has spread to Live Oak High School, as well as both high schools in Gilroy.

The community has been very, very good to us, said Ponzini of the generosity of all kinds of donations received by her foundation over the years. She mentioned that gentle-used clothing as well as new socks and underwear remain priorities. They can delivered to 35 Peebles Avenue and information is provided online at edwardbossprado.org.

Audience members were able to ask questions to the panelists and then meet with them afterward to gain more insight. Questions surrounded issues including public health issues that are compounded with a lack of public restrooms for homeless to use and regulating the affordable housing system to weed out those taking advantage of it. Heartfelt stories were also shared as one man was trying to find housing for a schizophrenic homeless woman he befriended and another lady who helped prevent an eviction of a local needy family.
Morningstar's "Perspectives" series features investment insights from third-party contributors.

Pakistan has been a successful investment outpost for our Frontier Markets Equity strategy since its inception in 2014. We often ran an overweight position in this market over this period, in what was a positive transformative phase for the Pakistani economy. This culminated in the 2016 announcement from MSCI that the country would be reclassified as an emerging market  which occurred in May this year.

The overwhelming majority of our positions in Pakistan have since been offloaded, as the investment thesis on these positions played out  largely due to the strong rise for the market in the lead-up to its entrance to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

However, risks have been building in the country  in both the economic and political spheres. Unfortunately, our concern was warranted, with the countrys stock market sliding in recent weeks on a number of significant negative developments.

Deteriorating Economic Conditions

While GDP growth recently came in at a 10-year high  largely due to the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor  the broad economic picture in Pakistan is deteriorating. Firstly, Pakistans current account deficit more than doubled to $12.1 billion in the year ended 30 June, largely as a result of an overvalued rupee. Since peaking last October, foreign reserves have also fallen by a quarter to $14.3 billion. The country also faces a twin deficit, with the fiscal deficit blowing out to 6%  far higher than the government anticipated.

Thus far, the government has resisted calls to devalue its currency and economists are seriously questioning the stance taken by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Fears are also mounting that Dar is compromising the independence of the countrys central bank.

In addition to this, Pakistans largest bank Habib Bank has been fined $225 million for major anti-money laundering failings. The New York State Department of Financial Services had originally announced a higher penalty of $630 million late last month. While Pakistans central bank expressed it was confident the fine would not threaten the immediate health of Habib Bank or the wider Pakistani banking system, the fine still accounts for two years' worth of earnings for Habib.

Government Ousted from Power

While the economic developments were and continue to be troubling, the main catalyst for the downward pressure on the Pakistani market in recent weeks has come from the political sphere  with the recent ousting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Pakistan Supreme Court ousted Sharif in late July over disclosures uncovered by the Panama Papers, with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi taking over as interim leader until next years election.

Sharif has led the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), since he founded it more than 30 years ago and has served three terms as prime minister. His continued influence and control over the PML-N generally provides continuity in policy. However, it has boosted the prospects of the Imran Khan-led PTI opposition.

The negative political developments raise the likelihood of heightened tensions in the lead-up to Pakistans 2018 elections. The narrowing gap between the PMLN and PTI could result in a more heated political process  increasing the chances of violence. A PMLN victory next year is also likely to further ignite the agitation of PTI supporters.

A Reminder to Remain Vigilant

While Pakistan is no longer in our frontier markets benchmark, events such as what we have just witnessed in Pakistan reminds us that investing in the worlds most undeveloped economies can often present unique challenges. It also shows the merits of active management and the need to regularly undertake on-the-ground visits in these countries to try and be a step ahead of potential dangers on the horizon.

Disclaimer

The views contained herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Morningstar. If you are interested in Morningstar featuring on our website, please email submissions to UKEditorial@morningstar.com
Whisper it, but I actually have some sympathy for the people who run international airlines. Perhaps its because I no longer do much flying. But it has always seemed to me that it must be a nightmare trying to keep aircraft and air crew in the right places when so much disruption can be caused by one component breaking down or one pilot being taken ill.

All the more reason, then, not to suffer from self-inflicted wounds. I cant understand why something as heavy as a jumbo jet can be taken 30,000 feet up in the air, but Im even more baffled why shares in Ryanair (RYA) and International Consolidated Airlines (IAG), owner of British Airways, didnt tumble to earth when those airlines were faced with horrendous disruption.

When BAs computer system crashed, leaving staff unable to process tickets and leaving passengers stranded at airports around the world, the crisis seemed to drag on and BAs explanation that someone had switched off the power supply then caused a power surge by switching it back on did not sound entirely convincing. There was much talk of reputational damage hanging over the airline, with allegations it was not offering passengers the help and compensation they were entitled to.

At least that foul-up lasted only days. How much worse then, is the self-inflicted disaster at Ryanair, which will continue for months. While the Irish airline avoided a total shutdown, it has closed entire routes wholesale.

Again, the explanation sounds hollow. Weve all suffered computer crashes but a sudden discovery that the pilots holiday rota has been screwed up is really incompetence on a grandiose level. To make matters even worse, Ryanair has launched into a senseless attack on the pilots.

Despite the initial outcry and threats of never using the airline again, both BA and Ryanair will be protected by the feeling among passengers that most airlines are much the same in their treatment of passengers; in the same way that there is no point in switching your bank account because you wont get better service elsewhere.

IAG shares peaked around 630p in July and again in August. They have slipped back a little to around 600p but are still 2 up over 12 months. I cant understand why.

Ryanair has the advantage that it flies to places other international airlines shun, so there may be no alternative choice anyway. Thats why it got away with abusing its passengers in the first place.

At 16.14, Ryanair shares are hardly any lower than they were when the crisis broke. They are 4 higher than a year ago. As the cancellations drag on throughout the winter months they will surely slide further. The financial cost will presumably become clearer with half year results. I wouldnt want to be holding the shares when that announcement comes in early November.

Acquisitions and Dividends

On a happier note, plastics specialist RPC (RPC) said in a trading statement that revenue is well ahead of last year and profits will beat expectations. I bought shares after the last update, which I felt showed that the sell-off over the summer was misplaced.

There is a lingering concern that the acquisition spree has left management spread too thinly but there is no sign of that happening yet, as the latest acquisition, American food packager Letica, is fitting in well.

RPC generates cash and has increased its dividend for the past 24 years. The shares have recovered some but not all lost ground and are by no means expensive. Im more than happy to hold on.

Rodney Hobson is a long-term investor commenting on his own portfolio; his comments are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, nor are they the opinions of Morningstar.
Those in the oil market fearing a flood of OPEC supply next year will probably be better off preparing for a shortage, according to Citigroup.

Five countries in the group  Libya, Nigeria, Venezuela, Iran and Iraq  may already be pumping at their maximum capacity this year, Ed Morse, the banks global head of commodities research, said in an interview. Rather than a surge in output, theres a risk of a market squeeze emerging as early as 2018, driven by those nations because of weaker investment in exploration and development, he said.

Fear in the market has been that OPEC production will rise dramatically, said Morse. However, there could be a supply gap emerging, which could point to a tighter market, he said in Singapore on the sidelines of the S&P Global Platts APPEC Conference.

Crude is still trading more than 50 percent below mid-2014 levels amid concern over whether output curbs by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will be enough to eliminate a global glut. A gathering in Vienna last week between OPEC and its allies ended without a decision on an extension or deepening of the cuts beyond the first quarter of 2018, while the potential revival of U.S. shale production is also weighing on the outlook for prices.

If the output reductions are prolonged, that would only hasten the prospect of a tighter market, said Morse, adding that the source of the supply squeeze will probably be OPEC rather than producers outside the group. Theres no room for them to do more, he said, referring to the five nations.

Were seeing more and more evidence that its not the international oil companies, its not the independent oil companies that are lagging new investments, but its OPEC countries lagging, particularly those five, he said.

In Iran, investors may be vulnerable to U.S. sanctions on dealing with companies owned by the Middle East nations Revolutionary Guards, the premier security force that dominates the domestic services sector, said Morse. The OPEC producer is shipping a combined 2.6 million barrels a day of crude and the ultra-light oil known as condensate, and expects to export more at the end of 2017, according to the National Iranian Oil Co.

Morse said Iraqs contract terms werent competitive, while major energy companies such as Lukoil PJSC and Royal Dutch Shell Plc had either pulled out of projects or bemoaned the drop in investments. Libya and Nigeria have brought back as much production as they can, he said.








The Nonprofit Management Center hosted its annual Beacon Awards Luncheon Tuesday at Midland Country Club. The awards recognize outstanding volunteers and staff in the Permian Basin area.

The Judge Pat Baskin Family Volunteer of the Year Award honors residents of Midland County, while the W.D. Noel Volunteer of the Year Award is for Ector County residents.
GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
#PPP Ruling party chief slams list naming Itaewon tragedy victims Ruling party leader Chung Jin-suk condemned an online media outlet on Tuesday for disclosing a list of victims in the Itaewon crowd crush without the consent of bereaved families. ...

#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,...
KRESS  Thanks to its nomination by local farmer Johnny Reed and the grant writing of Superintendent Leah Zeigler, Kress Independent School District has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund through its Americas Farmers Grow Rural Education program.

The funds were presented by Tyson Shulte, district sales manager for Monsanto.

The grant will be used to purchase and install necessary equipment for the operation of a career and technical education course in Agricultural Mechanics and Welding.

According to Schulte, each year the Americas Farmers Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, awards $2.3 million to rural school districts across the U.S. Since 2011, Monsanto has been able to partner with farmers to award more than $9 million.

In January, the company invited farmers from across the country to nominate their local school districts for the Grow Rural Education grant program. Then their teachers and administrators wrote an innovative grant application that told Monsanto how they could use the funds to help their math and science departments.

The competitive merit-based grants are for $10,000 and $25,000. The program was established in 2011 and awards $2.3 million in grants to schools annual.

After a school district is first nominated, the Monsanto Fund notifies its officials and encourages them to submit a grant request to enhance math and/or science education within that district.

Once all the applications have been submitted, a panel of math and science teachers from ineligible counties review the applications and selects finalists. An advisory council composed of farmer-leaders reviews and selects the winning grant applications from that pool of finalists.

The grant applications are judged based on the merit of the application, need and community support.
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For 16-year-old Plainview High School sophomore Anson Washington, the South Plains Fair in Lubbock is for the birds. Backing in that assertion, Washington brought home seven trophies after the junior pigeon show on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Washington who has been raising pigeons for the past three years, entered 14 of his birds in this years fair in Lubbock from a variety of breeds  Homer, Runt, Frill Back, Rollers and German Beauties. And they all did quite well, as attested by the hardware he brought home.

His birds won trophies on Saturday for Best of Breed  Racing Homer, Best of Breed  Beauty Homer, Best of Breed  Giant Runt, Reserve Grand Champion  Utility, First Place Racing Homer, Second Place Racing Homer and Third Place Racing Homer.

This is the second time he has taken his pigeons to the South Plains Fair, explains his mother, Tylene Washington. His dad is Anthony Washington. Last year he won several ribbons, but this year they were handing out trophies.

His mother explains that Anson has always liked animals and was active in 4-H, but now is a member of the Pecos Valley Pigeon Club which includes members in Texas and New Mexico.

He does just about everything for his pigeons by himself, Tylene says, while admitting that her younger son, Alton, age 13, does pitch in to help Anson with the birds. Their older brother, Anthony Jr., age 20, suffers from allergies and as a result leaves the birds to his two younger siblings.

Anson has four coops that he built himself with his own money, Tylene explains. He was working at Amegos but switched to Tractor Supply, because he gets an employee discount on the feed and supplies he buys for the pigeons.

Anson was gathering pigeon eggs and trying to hatch them himself until his mother find the eggs in Ansons bedroom closest. Now he takes them to a man in Seth Ward that incubates the eggs for the teen. Ansons parents also has purchased property in Seth Ward for the teenagers birds.

In addition to the South Plains Fair in Lubbock, he has shown his birds at a contest that his club held in Dalhart, Tylene said. And he goes out and files them, too. He takes them out into the country where he releases them and they will fly back home.

The South Plains Fair accepts a wide range of species for its live animal judging, including pigeons and poultry, rabbits, dairy and beef cattle, swine, sheep and goats. There is both junior and open divisions.
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Deola Ali bought a house in Kingwood six years ago and didn't buy flood insurance after the his mortgage lender said he didn't need it because the property wasn't in a flood plain. But the house took on about three feet of water last month during Hurricane Harvey, causing more than $200,000 in damages.

Ali, a lawyer in Houston, is now suing the lender, JP Morgan Chase, alleging that the bank unlawfully engaged in the practice of insurance without a license when it made the recommendation. He is seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, including money to fix his home.

Now Playing: What's Your Point? Sept. 24, 2017 - Dave Martin Houston City Council- Kingwood Video: KRIV

"Everything is destroyed," said Ali. "A lot of people who don't have the expertise or background should not be advising people they are not in the flood zone."

The lawsuit, if successful, may provide a legal argument to recover property damages for thousands of Houstonians who were flooded by Harvey but didn't have flood insurance, legal specialists said.

"I can't see how a financial institution is giving insurance advice without the proper credentials to do so," said Dan Barton, an insurance trial lawyer in Houston. If the facts are true, Barton believes Ali has a compelling case that stands a good chance of prevailing.

Banks require borrowers to take out flood insurance if their homes are in the flood plain to protect the loans. But homeowners don't have to buy the special insurance coverage if their homes are outside of the federally-drawn 100 year flood zones.

Legal specialists predict that flooded homeowners will come up novel ways to bring flood claims against developers, lenders, government agencies and others who could be ultimately held responsible for damages.

When Ali bought his house six years ago, he submitted several insurance coverage plans, including flood insurance, to Chase Bank, the retail bank of JP Morgan Chase, according to the lawsuit. Ali removed the flood insurance protection when he was advised by Chase that the house was not in a flood zone, advice that Ali calls "false, misleading, and an unlawful practice of insurance," according to the lawsuit.

Chase declined to comment.

RELATED: Getting flood insurance money may be next hurdle

Ali alleges that Chase did not exercise reasonable care or competence in making the recommendation, according to court documents, and wrongly asserted that the home was not in a flood zone.
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Nearly 200,000 San Antonio jobs could be at risk if the U.S. pulls out of the North American Free Trade Agreement as President Donald Trump has threatened, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Friday during a trade panel discussion at St. Marys University.

Nirenberg said 63,000 jobs in San Antonio can be directly credited to the 1994 agreement that is undergoing new negotiations. Another 135,000 local jobs are indirectly tied to the trade pact, he added.

The end of NAFTA means the end of hundreds of thousands of jobs in San Antonio and Texas, the mayor told 160 people attending a policy discussion Friday on the trade agreement. The backdrop of the negotiations has been poisoned by national political rhetoric. That environment makes it difficult to negotiate.

Nirenberg said Mexico is a strong economic partner to the city because of the Mexican-made components, such as pickup truck chassis, that flow to San Antonios Toyota assembly plant. He cited the citys current ambition to attract a proposed Toyota-Mazda assembly plant the two companies have said will operate somewhere in the United States.

Toyota has expanded across North America, Nirenberg said. What makes San Antonio the strongest case (for the planned factory) is because we have that integrated supply chain with Mexico. The free movement of goods allows us to be competitive, he said.

The five-day third round of NAFTA negotiations concluded Wednesday in Ottawa, Canada, with up to six additional rounds or more to meet a deadline of March 30 for a completed pact to be sent to the U.S. Congress for approval. The Ottawa session discussed digital trade, telecommunications, regulations, government procurement and customs policies, according to a Canadian government announcement. The fourth round will be held Oct. 11-15 in Washington, D.C.

Mexicos Ambassador to the U.S. Geronimo Gutierrez and former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza expressed optimism that a revised and updated trade agreement can be achieved, but they raised concerns that could be stumbling blocks.

The truth is that we are looking at things so far where we have consensus. We will get to issues that are more difficult, said Gutierrez, a former managing director of the San Antonio-based North American Development Bank.

The first three session have been about settng the table for the tough issues. We will have no sense of where negotiations stand until we get to the fourth or fifth rounds, Garza said. He said the timetable theyve set for negotiations is too ambitious.

After the panel discussion, Gutierrez said the toughest issues will be addressing ways to narrow the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico, reportedly $64 billion a year in goods, and the NAFTA chapters on dispute resolution and protections for investments. He also criticized a proposal to add sunset clauses that could automatically terminate NAFTA every five years. That creates uncertainty, Gutierrez said.

Upcoming 2018 elections  a presidential election in Mexico and midterm U.S. elections  could add political pressures to the trade talks, making an agreement more difficult, Garza and Gutierrez said.

Mexico should not be blamed for lost U.S. jobs when companies move or expand operation to low-labor-cost nations, Garza added. Because of technology, jobs are at risk every day. Its easy to blame Mexico, Garza said.

Looking at the trade talks more broadly, Gutierrez said, The world is still a messy place, citing the Middle East. So why complicate North America? The United States has a good chance to assert leadership with a modernized NAFTA rather than ending the trade agreement, he said.

Garza encouraged companies to become active in organizations able to influence the trade talks. We are at the stage where the engagement of the private sector is absolutely essential. There is nothing about the process that is final, Garza said.

The series of panel discussions Friday was sponsored by St. Marys University, the Texas-Mexico Trade Coalition and the Rivard Report.

dhendricks@express-news.net
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San Antonios iconic Earl Abels Restaurant will serve its last fried chicken dinner on Austin Highway on Saturday.

The diner is closing that location as it prepares to move to 1639 Broadway near The Pearl, where it will reopen as soon as Oct. 15, owner Roger Arias said. The new location is the former home of Timbos burger joint, which closed in June.

The move will bring some changes to the 84-year-old business.

READ ALSO: 15 'hot and new' restaurants to try in San Antonio, according to Yelp

The restaurants celebrated fried chicken and pies will stay on the menu, but not everything will make the move, Arias said. Say goodbye to meatloaf, pot roast, turkey pot pie and green beans from a can. Theyre moving toward fresh vegetables and organic produce, he said.

Other favorites that will make the move? Burgers, roast turkey with cornbread dressing, chicken-fried steak and chicken and dumplings.

There will not be waitresses in the traditional diner sense. The new Earl Abels will be fast-casual, meaning customers will order at the counter, find a seat, then wait for runners to bring their food.

The new location wont be open for breakfast but will serve brunch on the weekends, Arias said. Hours at the new location will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Arias said the staff on Austin Highway has pared down by attrition from a high of 50 to 35. The Broadway location  which covers 2,800 square feet compared to the current 10,000 square feet  will employ 20 people, Arias said.

Eight to 10 staffers are likely make the move, he said. One of those Arias hopes to bring over is waitress Josie Garcia, whos been with Earl Abels since 1969. She wanted to retire; hes trying to talk her out of it.

The restaurant moved to its current location at 1201 Austin Highway in 2006 after 66 years at Broadway and Hidebrand. It started as a diner on North Main Avenue in 1933. The Abel family sold the business to Arias in 2006.

msutter@express-news.net

Twitter: @fedmanwalking
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A nationally acclaimed San Antonio restaurant landed in hot water this week when a health inspector noticed prepared foods without an expiration date, missing and cracked ceiling tiles and a dirty ice machine, among other things.

Lulu's Cafe, known for its giant cinnamon rolls, was one of 44 San Antonio spots that landed on this week's list of dirty restaurants, according to reports.

Elsewhere, a health inspector found a roach in a bin of rice at an area Chinese restaurant. At J. Anthony's Seafood Cafe on Loop 410, an inspector saw dead insects falling from an sticky trap onto items stored underneath it.

At Mad Dogs, a River Walk bar that's also one of the highest-earning in the city in terms of alcohol sales, a health inspector noticed a "heavy growth" inside drink guns and roaches throughout the establishment.

LAST WEEK'S RESTAURANT VIOLATIONS: San Antonio restaurant inspections: Sept. 22, 2017

To make the Express-News' list of dirtiest restaurants, an establishment must earn a score of 89 or below  or anything less than an "A"  during a random city health inspection.

See the other restaurants that landed on this week's list and their violations in the gallery above.

Also on this week's list were five restaurants in the zip code that encompasses Alamo Heights, 78209, including two spot at the Alamo Quarry shopping center.

Other crowd-favorite spots include Lulu's Cafe, Sanchos, Stella Public House and Two Step Restaurant and Cantina.

The San Antonio Express-News examines hundreds of restaurant inspections each week conducted by the San Antonio Food and Environmental Health Services division to bring you the eateries with scores of 89 or below.

Restaurants are graded on a 100-point system, where "100" is a perfect score, and demerits are based upon the number of violations found during a regular food establishment inspection. There are three categories of demerits and each are assigned a demerit score of 3, 2 or 1 points, according to the health division.

Scores and demerits listed are only representative of the state of the restaurant at the time of inspection and are surveyed at random.

erobinson@mysa.com | Twitter: @eeelizzzabeth
Spring High School will combine its Oct. 5 open house with a silent auction to raise funds for students and staff members who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Diaka Melendez, principal of Spring High School, said she and her staff are interested in the emotional wellbeing of everyone in the school.
BETHLEHEM (AP)  An Bethlehem woman is creating consternation online by using Facebook to try to sell a tombstone dating back to 1850.

Nicola Crowe says she found the gravestone buried and broken into three pieces while she was renovating the entrance to her home in the Albany suburb of Delmar. Spectrum News reports she has contacted local historical societies, who say the person whose name is on the stone isn't buried on Crowe's property.
What does the life of your dreams look like? Are you exploring the world and working from your laptop? Are you hanging out with celebrities at award shows? Are you at home spending time with your kids every day?

Its possible to engineer the lifestyle you want. You might not get every aspect of it, but dont confuse having everything in life with having the lifestyle of your dreams. You dont have to earn billions of dollars to have it. You dont need to come from the right pedigree. (I know I didnt.)

Related: Why It's Vital That You Plan Your Life

However, for this life-engineering to work for you -- you will need to put effort into the process. Understand this: It will likely take several years to accomplish the planning stage of these goals. What else will it take to engineer the lifestyle of your dreams? Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Clarity.

What is it that you actually want? You dont need to construct a vision board, just be honest with yourself. How much money will it take until you feel accomplished? What experiences do you want to have? Write it down if it helps you put it into focus.

Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University of California, conducted a study, and found that people who wrote down their goals on a regular basis were 42 percent more likely to achieve them.

Related: Setting Clear Goals

When envisioning what you want, dont confuse lifestyle with assets. You can drive a Maserati every day without ever owning one-if thats what you want. In other words, you can experience the lifestyle without the large price tag.

2. Time and effort.

There is this odd expectation that people can quit their jobs, launch a business and become overnight millionaires. Achieving anything extraordinary takes time.

Building a business or becoming an industry expert can easily take seven to ten years. You will likely spend several years experiencing incremental changes and iterating on these changes before you have a quantum leap.

Most successful people spend countless hours working and training to reach their goals. If you're not willing to clock in the time, then you shouldnt expect results.

3. Network.

A mantra that has been highly influential to my own lifestyle engineering is: The quality of our lives is defined by the people we surround ourselves with and the conversations we have with them.

In order to create the lifestyle that you dream of, you need to surround yourself with positive people that push and encourage you. Research by Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler found that our network-friends, colleagues, and family-influence our life.

Behaviors and emotions can be passed from person to person, even if it is a friend of a friend that youve never met. Your network has the power to influence everything from voting habits, obesity, divorce and even happiness, so choose your connections wisely.

Connect with key people. If you're an entrepreneur, you need to meet investors, potential clients and press years before you need their help. If your dream is to be a digital nomad and travel blogger, you need to develop connections with those in the industry to find out what separates the successful people from the wannabes

Related: Networking

When it comes to success and career, it is important to also have a diverse network that is made up of both strong ties (loved ones) and weak ties (acquaintances). According to research by Mark Granovetter, people are 58 percent more likely to get a job through a weak tie.

4. Continuous improvement.

Psychology Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi studied what top achievers and successful people have in common. He found that most are able to enter a state of peak human performance, otherwise known as flow state. Csikszentmihalyi claims that the key to happiness and success is flow, and to enter this flow state, you need to do something that is just outside of your skillset.

If it is too difficult, youre setting yourself up for failure. If its too easy, youll lose interest. Take on projects and work that you have the skills to handle, but that challenge you in new and exciting ways.

Most importantly, be patient. You dont need to fulfill your goals as quickly as possible. Instead, always have something that you are striving towards. Continual improvement is more realistic and rewarding than sudden success or stagnation.

Related: The Three Personal Development Goals Successful People

Designing your dream life takes patience, hard work and drive. You can expect to put in a significant amount of effort that yields little to no results in the beginning. However, dont give up. Eventually, all your hard work will pay off.

Related:



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Former president George W. Bush will headline two fundraisers in Virginia for for his one-time counselor-turned-GOP gubernatorial candidate, Ed Gillespie.

Bush will be the main atttaction at Oct. 16 events for Gillespie in Alexandria and Richmond, said Gillespie spokesman Dave Abrams.

A columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch first tweeted news of the fundraisers.

Bush tapped Gillespie, a longtime GOP operative, to lead the Republican National Committee between 2003 and 2005 and to serve as his White House counselor from July 2007 to the end of his term.

Bush previously attended a March fundraiser for Gillespie in Dallas. He has personally given $50,000 to Gillespie's campaign.

Bush was the last Republican to carry Virginia in a presidential campaign, which has swung Democratic for the last three cycles.

The fundraisers come as Gillespie lags behind his Democratic opponent Ralph Northam in campaign cash. The latest filings show Northam had $5.6 million heading into September, to Gillespie's $2.6 million.

Northam, the lieutenant governor, is also getting fundraising lift from one of his party's all-stars: Hillary Clinton is headlining an Oct. 4 fundraiser for him in New York.

Virginia does not place limits on campaign contributions, and is holding the nation's only competitive gubernatorial race on Nov. 7.
With just 52 active members across 400,000 square miles from Plainview to south of Midland and Odessa, this regions chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart has taken on a daunting task  to raise $750,000 for a memorial honoring the areas Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients as well as its Gold Star families.

The Monument of Courage will be constructed near Lubbocks War Memorial in Henry Huneke Park on 82nd Street with dedication targeted for Nov. 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 900, Ancile White VFW Post 2466 and American Legion George S. Berry Post 575, all of Lubbock, and a local advisory committee are sponsoring the fundraising and construction of the monument.

Steven Oien, commander of MOPH chapter 900, notes that a fundraising event is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 27 in the McM Elegante Hotel on Avenue Q in Lubbock. The Night of Courage will honor Texas Techs only Model of Honor recipient, George OBrien of Midland, along with area Gold Star families, Purple Heart recipients and veterans.

We are calling it a Night of Courage because six Medal of Honor recipients will be attending, along with Gold Star families and Purple Heart recipients, Oien explained during a visit to The Herald.

We are seeking table sponsors for the event, he adds. Table sponsorships range from $2,500 to $10,000. Veterans can attend for free.

We will have 240 seats set aside for area veterans and their spouses, Oien says. Anyone wanting to sponsor a table, or veterans wanting to attend, need to call 806-407-5231.

Also invited are members of the seven JROTC units in the chapters service area. There are two units in Midland, two in Odessa, two in Lubbock (Lubbock High and Estacado) and one in Plainview. Five of those units, including Plainview, will have representatives at the event. Two others will be busy with drills and competition.

Plainview has its own MOPH Chapter 900 member  Robert Owens. The 93-year-old World War II veteran received wounds when hit by shrapnel while serving in New Guinea in the Pacific. Oien, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served in Vietnam from September 1967 until Feb. 4, 1968, when it was injured during the Tet Offensive. He was hospitalized for eight months.

In 1782, Gen. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to set apart individuals  men and women of all ages  who were either killed or wounded in combat during our Revolution against the British, Oien explains. Today, the Badge of Military Merit is known as the Purple Heart Medal, and it is awarded in the name of our president to military members either killed or wounded in combat on behalf of our nation. All 931 soldiers named on the Lubbock War Memorials wall received the Purple Heart and had families left behind.

To follow in Gen. Washingtons footsteps, the Monument of Courage honors and remembers the other wounded veterans, the families who lost loved ones and our Medal of Honor recipients. Many struggle each day with memories of loved ones no longer here and remember at the Monument of Courage.

Those wanting to make tax deductible donations to the campaign can donate through GoFundMe by searching for MOPH, send contributions to Chapter 0900, MOPH, P.O. Box 64266, Lubbock, TX 79464, or visit the chapters webpage at LubbockPurpleHeart.com. The group is also selling memorial bricks.
On Valencia Street on a recent weekday, the neighborhoods creative melange that led The Chronicle to dub it the new bohemia in 1995 seems very much intact. Longtime Latino businesses, coffeehouses and bookstores, along with record and gift shops, dot the corridor from 14th Street to 24th Street. New stores are mixed in  some shiny, modern white boxes, but many wearing that worn-paint, hipster aesthetic that has been associated with the neighborhood for at least 20 years.

But look closer, and its clear the Mission aesthetic is now sleekly minimalist. Many storefronts that once housed accidentally kitschy junk shops are carefully curated affairs now; the wooden fruit crates displaying merchandise are part of a well-crafted scheme instead of genuine found objects.

The once new bohemia is now one of an ever-growing list of fauxhemias.

The twentysomethings out on the street midday in many ways resemble their twentysomething counterparts from back then, too: Women favor slip dresses or printed maxis with cut-off denim vests or baggy military jackets; the men wear flannel, hoodies or workman-style shirts over jeans. The look draws heavily from the thrift chic that Valencia author Michelle Tea says defined the era she wrote about in her 2000 novel.

I didnt buy a new piece of clothing the entire decade of the 90s, says Tea, who now lives in Los Angeles with her wife and son. I got all my clothes at Thrift Town or at Clothes Contact by the Pound, both closed in the past two years.

Even though the Mission was rough in the 90s, there were so many bars and cafes hosting poetry events and art shows, says Tea. Rents were cheap. Its where you lived to focus on your activism and art.

The people that were attracted to S.F. were part of various countercultures like skateboarding, punk or street art, retailer Benny Gold wrote in an essay for website Hypebeast last year, as he prepared to move from his 6-year old location on 16th between Valencia and Guerrero to a new location on Valencia.

But while the area continues to attract young urbanites, their demographics  and the businesses attracting them  have changed. The longtime working-class families and artists have been largely replaced by prosperous Millennial and Generation X creatives who can afford the neighborhoods apartments and new condos. A 2014 Chronicle story put retail rents on Valencia at more than $5 a square foot, about equal to rents in Union Square; prices have only gone up in the past three years.

And even though the Missions indie spirit seems to have been preserved, at least outwardly, that DIY ethos is now a commodity, as easy to purchase and consume as a $10 juice in a mason jar.

Nowhere is this more visible than on Valencia Street. A 10-block stretch is increasingly home to trendy businesses and Instagrammable boutiques, which invite browsing and photos.

I try my best to not judge people, but you can definitely spot a new S.F. resident from the back of any line at a hip Mission coffee spot, Gold wrote. Weve since traded in our band T-shirts and well-worn jeans for Google and Dropbox tees and a pleated pair of Dockers.

The news that San Franciscos ultra-popular online retailer Everlane, a Millennial favorite known for its unadorned wardrobe basics and price transparency, plans to open a full-fledged brick-and-mortar shop later this year at 461 Valencia St. underlines just how much the corridor is transforming, yet again. Its a move that would have been unthinkable in the nondigital, indie designer age of 10 years ago.

The story isnt unique to San Francisco: As with Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, or Mississippi Avenue in Portland, Ore., the Missions idiosyncratic aesthetic has evolved into a commercially viable, exportable lifestyle.

The surging tech industry in San Francisco has contributed to the neighborhoods ever-climbing residential and retail rents. The 2008 closure of New College of California (which occupied a trio of buildings on the street between 18th and 19th streets) and the rise of million-dollar corner-condo complexes have changed up the urban fabric, bringing in more ground-level services like mini-health clinics and banks. The pedestrian-friendly widened sidewalks and arty parklets, the recently renovated Dolores Park (the citys picnicking mecca) and, most recently, the Ford GoBike stations have all contributed to making the Mission even more popular, and some would say overrun, for locals and tourists alike.

Some pockets of the neighborhood can feel like a Millennial-oriented Neverland. Fast-casual dining options, with the boisterous noise-levels of dorm cafeterias, are packed most nights. Galleries and gift shops peddle twee wares like unicorn embroideries, ironic pinatas and appropriated holy candles bearing the images of pop culture icons instead of religious ones. Seemingly every other store sells some variation on the techie bro messenger bag, and there are so many ice cream spots that one wonders why the lines at Smitten and Bi-Rite are longer than ever.

Retailer and fashion designer Julienne Weston, who operated the Weston Wear boutique on Valencia between 16th and 17th streets for 12 years, has watched the neighborhoods transition up close.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

When we first opened here it was more of the smaller businesses like Dema and smaller dress places like BellJar, all the little boutiques, Weston says. I still see things along those lines emerging like Voyager and Mira Mira, but its a new generation. People shop differently; theyre all (shopping) on websites.

Weston recently announced that after 36 years in business she would be closing her Weston Wear line and the boutique at the end of September, not long after she expanded her boutiques inventory to include a high-end vintage clothing pop-up curated by Torso Vintages John Hadeed.

But for every store that closes, theres another retailer waiting in the wings.

Representative of a new breed of Valencia merchants is Catherine Chow. Chow, who owns two Azalea boutiques in the Bay Area, plus mens and womens designer boutiques, opened a third Azalea on Valencia in 2015. She took over a corner location from a vintage furniture store and is paying substantially more rent on what had been a relatively quiet block with many independent retailers.

The biggest surprise, she said, was how many customers were coming not from the neighborhood but from nearby Noe Valley  and looking for higher-end merchandise. We were expecting price points to be a lot lower than what we had in Hayes Valley, she says. Instead, she added designer apparel and denim, and a line of fine jewelry with diamonds that starts at $500, to meet the demands of an affluent clientele.

Were definitely seeing a lot more young families visiting, younger professionals in (their) late 20s and 30s  trying to buy denim that they can wear to work, on weekends, outfits that they can wear from day to night, Chow says.

Its not just about selling a lifestyle, but also about selling an experience, to these new Valencia shoppers. In fact, retailers are finding it an essential element of bringing customers into the stores.

Customers want things that are in the moment now, Chow says. The store has hosted events with nail artists, and with jewelry designers who created different color tassel earrings on the spot; other mini-workshops planned. Chow says the stores busiest time is between 6 and 7 p.m., as customers kill time waiting for restaurant reservations in the neighborhood.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Three years ago, Irene Hernandez-Feiks moved her gallery and boutique Wonderland SF from 24th Street near York to her present location on Valencia between 23rd and 24th streets. At first, she thought the rent would be out of reach given the difference even then in rents between 24th and Valencia. But her landlord worked with her because he wanted a local, not a big corporation, coming in here, and for the first three years he didnt start me at the highest rent, he gradually adjusted it.

But even with this support, she worries about Wonderlands future. Wonderland SF straddles a line between old and new neighborhood businesses. Although its not corporately backed or operating more than one location, the selection of limited clothing and jewelry by small-batch artists is in keeping with the perceived ethos of the new shoppers.

Still, Hernandez-Feiks is concerned that the new residents are not as much into fashion or buying things made by local artists. Its so easy for them to go to Amazon and not have that human connection.

She adds: I have to adjust how we bring people in the store. We started to barbecue on Fridays when its sunny and bring in DJs. You have to be creative. The 21-, 22-year-olds shop online but will come in for a DJ or window installation with live models.

Benny Gold tweaked his formula after moving his store. Faced with a big rent hike after six years on 16th Street, he considered various options before deciding to take out a substantial loan and move into the former Mission Creek Cafe space on Valencia Street.

Its important for the soul of our brand to have a physical space for people to gather and get excited about a new release or special event, Gold wrote in his Hypebeast essay.

The new Benny Gold flagship store at 986 Valencia St. opened in February 2017, adding coffee and tea to its offerings. Golds design studio is in the back, and he holds office hours where customers can run ideas by him.

Amid the changes, there has been tension as many longtime businesses are pressured by rising rents and shifting neighborhood demographics.

Steven LeMay, owner of the Retrofit vintage clothing boutique, has been at his location between 20th and 21st streets for 15 years. In the past two years, hes struggled with two different landlords to come to terms on a new lease on the space.

Its not a unique situation, says LeMay, whose store is known as a destination for performers and Burning Man revelers. The Mission was full of secondhand stores and was a haven for my type of business because of the old-hood demographics. All the vintage stores had longer leases now up for renewal, and now the buildings arent owned by individuals who will work with us; theyre owned by corporations who arent based here.

Landlords are more interested in turning over older leases and bringing in newer businesses like his year-old neighbor Reformation, which bought their way into the neighborhood, LeMay says. The Los Angeles company, which replaced the former Freewheel Bike Shop on Valencia, is a sustainably focused clothing brand that started online but now has eight other stores.

Businesses migration to the Mission shows no sign of slowing down, says Chow. It was interesting to see our (Hayes Valley) neighbors like Smitten and Souvla and competitors like Reformation all move in close to us, Chow says. Us being there at that location made everyone feel there would be a demand.

Once a neighborhood where trends were created, the Mission is now a destination for the trendy.

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com. Laura Compton is the San Francisco Chronicles Style editor. Email: lcompton@sfchronicle.com.
NEW HAVEN  A judge castigated Michael Torres for your barbaric act of holding a 4-year-olds hands over an open flame and sentenced Torres Friday to serve 28 years in prison.

Superior Court Judge Brian T. Fischers sentence also included prison time for forcing the 4-year-olds sister, who was 8, to hold her hands over the stoves flame. The older girl escaped serious injury by being strong enough to break free from Torres grasp.

Fischer noted the 4-year-old was so severely burned that four of her fingers had to be amputated.

The judge said adults are given the responsibility to love and to treasure children but that Torres actions were a shocking exception to this rule.

The prosecutors said Torres was mad at the kids for opening a window of the first-floor apartment, something he apparently had told them not to do.

Torres, 31, was living with his girlfriend, Natasha Figueroa, in the house on Orchard Street at the time of the crimes, Aug. 16, 2015. She had five kids, one of whom was Torres biological offspring. That child was not a victim of the burnings.

Figueroa, who testified against Torres during the trial as part of a cooperation agreement with the state, has pleaded guilty to risk of injury to a minor and is awaiting sentencing. The victims said she was in the kitchen at the time of the crimes and did nothing to stop it.

Commenting on Torres actions, Assistant States Attorney Karen Roberg told Fischer, Ive never seen such cruelty to a child.

Roberg noted that in addition to burning the two children and then not calling 911 to get medical help, he allowed those children to live in horrible conditions. She said the victims bedroom stank of menstrual blood, garbage, vomit and urine. Police reported insects were crawling throughout the apartment, which was quickly condemned after the arrests.

The children were placed in a foster home. Their foster mother, who was identified only by her initials, provided a victims impact statement that was read in court by Victim Services Advocate Beata Bagi.

What these children and their older sister experienced at the hands of Mr. Torres and his girlfriend is unconscionable and will forever impact the lives of these young girls, the foster mother wrote.

Instead of caring for these children, Mr. Torres offered frequent beatings, an environment of neglect (the children were starved, received inadequate medical/dental care, were left alone with no supervision, etc.), deplorable living conditions and repeated abuse by Mr. Torres himself and/or visitors in the home, the foster mother stated.

She said that after Torres held the 8-year-old girls hands over the gas stove flames, the younger girl was ordered to come into the kitchen. She had already heard her big sister cry out in fear and pain.

Its hard to imagine the fear she felt, knowing that she was next, the foster mother said.

She noted the 4-year-old spent about a month in a hospital burn unit and underwent multiple surgeries, skin graftings and physical therapy. The foster mother said that in addition to the amputations, the girl has extensive scarring on both hands and on her legs because of the skin grafting procedures. She still experiences pain and itching on her hands and will never recover full use of the most-damaged hand.

The foster mother said other kids often ask the girl: What happened to your hands? She said these questions and the disfiguring injury are a constant reminder of a childhood forever changed by a man who could not control his emotions.

The foster mother said that when she asked the children how they feel about Torres, they replied: Disappointed, awful, mad, embarrassed, afraid, scared, worried and unloved.

When the foster mother asked the two girls what personal messages they had for Torres, she quoted the older victim saying, Nobody likes you, dummy. How could you do such a thing?

The quote from the younger girl: I dont like you because you burned my hands and everybody asks how I burned my hands and now I have to reveal the secret of what you did. I hate you.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Maxine Wilensky told Fischer that after Torres burned the girls, he tried to cover up what he had done by telling police the children had accidentally burned themselves. He tried to get the girls to back up his story. Wilensky also noted the girls had to go into a courtroom during the trial and testify in a room full of strangers about what had really happened.

But Fischer heard a much different description of Torres when his mother, his pastor and a friend of the family gave their statements.

Torres mother, Jennie Villaneuva, disputed statements by those on the prosecution side that Torres is not remorseful. This does bother him. This does hurt him. Michael doesnt think about himself; he asks about the girls.

She said her son has heart and has often showed it. He wanted a family. Im not saying what happened should be taken lightly. But Michael fell in love with those girls. They never said, Im afraid of Michael.

Pastor Elijah Davis Jr. said Torres has been a contributing member of Davis church. He tried to help the underdog. Thats why he involved himself in that family.

He is not a deadbeat dad, Davis added. He is a loving, caring, responsible father. The crime does not fit the character of this man. There was only one episode of violence. Davis said he doesnt believe it was premeditated.

A third supporter, Verita Rudd, told Fischer: He was always taking care of those girls, even if there was a problem at school. He did make a great impact on their lives.

Defense attorney Wade Luckett asked Fischer to impose a minimal sentence. Luckett added, If you give him a lighter sentence, he wont be out in the streets, doing nothing. Hes worked his entire life, helping others. I think theres an extremely high likelihood of rehabilitation.

When Fischer gave Torres a chance to speak on his own behalf, he declined to say anything.

For the most serious charge, first-degree assault, Fischer imposed a sentence of 18 years. On the attempted first-degree assault involving the older girl, the sentence was 20 years, to be suspended after serving 10 years. The total effective sentence was 38 years, to be suspended after serving 28 years.

Torres was also sentenced on counts of second-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor and first-degree unlawful restraint. Fischer made those sentences concurrent with the other counts.

As the sentence was announced and after court adjourned, Torres mother cried loudly and was attended to by Torres other supporters.

Contact Randall Beach at 203-680-9345 and rbeach@nhregister.com
People like to complain about their families. But when it comes to making money, it's the family-owned businesses that seem to be doing it best.

That's the conclusion from a report issued this week by Credit Suisse. The report, surveying the principal members of 900 family-owned firms found that these firms made more money, generated more cash and generally performed better in the financial markets than their non-family-owned counterparts.

"Over time, family-owned companies very structurally outperform in every region, every sector, and for small and larger companies," Eugene Klerk, head analyst of thematic investments at Credit Suisse, told CNBC.

Credit Suisse's portfolio of family-owned companies have outperformed most other equity markets by an annual average of around 400 basis points per year, the report found.

What is considered a family-owned business? That's any company where a founder or their descendants owns 20 percent of the company's equity. But it's not just stock ownership. Credit Suisse's definition also includes those companies where families control more than 20 percent of the firm's voting rights, regardless of ownership. Why? Because family control through "day-to-day" management or board membership tends to be more important to the company's performance rather than the amount of stock held by family members, the report found.

Don't be misled. Many of us automatically think that family owned firms are mostly small businesses - and they are. But there are many larger, more well-known companies that also fall under this definition such as Alphabet (the owner of Google), Facebook and Alibaba.

Regardless of size, why are family-owned firms so much more successful?

Most of them, according to Credit Suisse analysts, are in it for the long term and aren't afraid to forego quarterly earnings targets to fund research and development for the future. More than 60 percent of firms separately surveyed by Credit Suisse tied executives' compensation to the organizations' multiyear revenue streams and earnings growth. In addition, firms in this category tend to self-fund rather than borrowing which strengthens their equity positions.

So sure, working with family can be trying at times. But you can't argue with the results.
Senate Republicans unveiled a fiscal 2018 budget resolution Friday that they intend to use to push through as much as $1.5 trillion of tax cuts in the coming months, but it won't allow the GOP to pursue a full repeal of Obamacare.

The budget proposal would still allow Republicans to pursue a much narrower attack on the Affordable Care Act, including repealing the individual mandate to purchase coverage. The resolution also would let the GOP use the fast-track process to open up drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The budget, authored by Senate Budget Chairman Mike Enzi, forecasts a balance in nine years through $5 trillion in largely unspecified spending cuts. Unlike the House budget proposed in July, Enzi's blueprint doesn't call for cuts to Medicaid or a partial privatization of Medicare.

"A pro-growth tax plan will move the U.S. economy forward and help to produce better jobs and bigger paychecks for every American," Enzi, of Wyoming, said in an emailed statement.

The Senate draft is to be voted on by the Budget Committee next week, with floor votes planned later in October and a conference to resolve differences with the House after that. The House plans a floor vote on its budget plan next week.

Once in place, the budget resolution would allow Republicans to bring up a tax-cut bill that would increase deficits by as much as $1.5 trillion, compared with a Congressional Budget Office baseline. Under the fast-track process, the GOP-controlled Senate could pass the proposal with no Democratic votes.

The budget sets a target for the Senate Finance to report back with its draft tax bill by Nov. 13.

"The Senate budget resolution drafted by Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi is a critical step to advance President Trump's agenda to provide tax relief for the middle-class and unleash economic prosperity for all Americans," said White House budget director Mick Mulvaney in a statement. "I urge the Senate to pass this resolution and come to a swift agreement with the House so President Trump can sign America-first tax relief into law this year."

President Donald Trump and Republican leaders announced a tax-cut plan Wednesday that would cut the top individual rate to 35 percent from the current 39.6 percent. It would let Congress decide whether to create a higher bracket for those at the top of the income scale. The rate on corporations would be set at 20 percent, down from the current 35 percent.Under Senate rules, any tax cuts that increase the deficit would have to expire in 10 years because the budget process can't be used for long-term deficit increases.

The provision making it easier for Congress to allow oil and gas drilling in part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was sought by Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan. Under the proposal, royalties from oil and gas production in the wildlife refuge would be raise revenue that could help offset at least $1 billion in tax cuts over a decade.

The proposal's instructions to the Finance Committee could allow a partial repeal of Obamacare, although panel Chairman Orrin Hatch has said he will keep that separate from a tax overhaul. Republican leaders have said they won't try again on the health-care law until fiscal 2019.

When Republicans attempted to use the 2017 budget process to repeal Obamacare earlier this year, they didn't provide a 10-year plan for reducing the deficit.

The new Senate plan proposes a balanced budget within nine years, while leaving it to other committees to figure out how to achieve that. The proposal calls for $4.8 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years and $1.635 trillion in revenue losses, including the tax cuts. Balance by 2026 is achieved by assuming $1.2 trillion in economic growth, in part due to the tax cuts. Enzi claims to achieve a $197 billion surplus in 2027.

The budget, unlike the one proposed by Trump in May, would hold defense spending at the current budget cap instead of the president's proposed $489 billion defense increase over 10 years. Non-defense discretionary appropriations -- which fund domestic agencies like the Agriculture Department and National Institutes of Health -- would be cut by $632 billion over 10 years compared with $1.6 trillion in Trump's budget request.

While the Trump and House budget proposals contain a number of nonbinding policy suggestions to carry out their spending cuts, Senate Republicans -- weary of policy infighting -- are keeping things vague.

The House budget seeks to make $203 billion in cuts in entitlements such as Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps, and it could be used to fast-track changes to the Dodd-Frank financial law. The Senate plan avoids those options.

The Senate proposal does allow adjustments to increase the defense spending caps. It also urges senators to revise the Children's Health Insurance Program, improve management of wildfire-prevention funding, prevent private-pension bailouts and improve services to veterans.

The budget resolution doesn't address Social Security, which will run a trillion-dollar-plus deficit in the coming 10 years. In the past, Republicans have sought to balance a "unified budget" that includes the program. This time, they are keeping it "off-budget."

The plan renews authority for the CBO and Joint Committee on Taxation to use so-called dynamic scoring when evaluating bills -- a move allowing lawmakers to assume that tax cuts will cause economic growth that would offset some of the revenue loss.

The Senate plan avoids other tricks. Enzi included provisions to keep appropriators from using phantom cuts known as "changes to mandatory programs" to offset discretionary spending increases.

The chairman also rejected pressure from some lawmakers to use a baseline number for tax revenue that would allow $450 billion in additional tax cuts. Instead, he stayed with the baseline used by the CBO.
A stampede at a railway station in the heart of India's financial capital, Mumbai, has left at least 22 people dead and 35 injured.

Eyewitnesses said a crowd of several hundred commuters gathered on a narrow footbridge to seek cover from the rain during the morning rush hour. The city's suburban railway carries 8 million people, equivalent to Switzerland's population, daily.

India's new Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, who on Thursday said passenger safety was his biggest priority, ordered a probe into the stampede. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to offer his "deepest condolences" to those who lost their lives and "prayers with those who are injured".

The crowded Elphinstone station connects office-goers to Lower Parel, which houses financial firms and large corporates. Television footage showed injured lying on the station's platform and police and railway personnel collecting shoes from the site of the stampede.

Mumbai, a city of more than 18 million people, is home to companies such as Reliance Industries and the Tata Group, India's two main stock markets and the country's film industry. It also houses one of India's biggest slums and a crumbling railway infrastructure that runs 2,813 trains everyday on a network stretching across 319 kms. The economy of the western state of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is capital city, is India's largest and ranks the highest in revenue collections and share of foreign direct investment.

Commuters at Elphinstone station, recently renamed Prabhadevi, have soared in the last decade after banks and companies moved offices from the congested and expensive Nariman Point area in south Mumbai to the city's center. Around 410 people have died this year alone after falling off Mumbai's crowded trains, the Mumbai Mirror reported.

Stampedes on rail platforms and religious gatherings aren't uncommon in the country with a population of more than 1.3 billion. A crowd surge at a railway station in northern India killed at least 37 people in 2013 as Hindu devotees drawn by one of the holiest days of the world's largest religious gathering rushed to board trains.
WASHINGTON - Bowing to pressure from Republicans on Capitol Hill and public criticism from President Donald Trump, Tom Price announced Thursday that he will partially reimburse the government for the costs of his flights on charter planes in recent months.

The Health and Human Services secretary is writing a check for $51,887 to the Treasury Department. He said he will no longer take private charters at taxpayer expense and plans to cooperate with the HHS inspector general, who last week launched an investigation into his travel practices.

The optics here are terrible. Price took a $25,000 charter flight from Dulles to Philadelphia when a round-trip train ticket would have cost $72. The government also paid for a private jet to whisk Price to a resort in Georgia where he owns land and to Nashville, where he lunched with his son.

-- It came out Thursday night that Price also used military aircraft for trips to Africa and Europe this spring, and to Asia in the summer, at a cost of more than $500,000 to taxpayers. Politico, which broke that story, notes that the reimbursements do not cover any military planes: "The overseas trips bring the total cost to taxpayers of Price's travels to more than $1 million since May. . . . Price's wife, Betty, accompanied him on the military flights, while other members of the secretary's delegation flew commercially to Europe. . . . But one of Price's recent predecessors, Kathleen Sebelius, who served for five years under President Barack Obama, said she never took a military plane on her many trips overseas; she always flew commercially."

-- A million dollars isn't nothing, but is it more scandalous than the New York Times's estimate that Donald Trump could cut his tax bills by more than $1.1 billion, including saving tens of millions of dollars in a single year, if Congress enacts the proposal he unveiled this week? We cannot know for sure how much Trump stands to gain personally because he's the first president since Richard Nixon who refuses to release his tax returns.

The national debt topped $20 trillion for the first time ever this month, yet Senate Republicans tentatively agreed last week to a budget deal that would allow them to pass as much as $1.5 trillion in tax cuts without spending reductions or revenue offsets to pay for them. "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has repeatedly called the debt 'unsustainable' and 'alarming,' even going so far as to say in 2013 that it 'makes us look a lot like Greece.' Yet McConnell was the one who held the meeting in his office to broker the red-ink deal," The Post's Heather Long notes.

Many of Price's charter flights, which numbered more than two dozen in total, were so that he could be the lead cheerleader for repealing Obamacare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill that passed the House in May, which Price aggressively advocated for, would have left 23 million more Americans uninsured by 2026 than under current law.

-- Price was also flying high on the taxpayer dime at the same time he was championing cuts in spending on scientific research, medical research, disease prevention programs and health insurance for children of the working poor.

The Trump administration's May budget called for cutting $1.2 billion from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is part of HHS, including an $82 million cut at the center that works on vaccine-preventable and respiratory diseases, such as influenza and measles. Price's budget proposed a cut of $186 million from programs at CDC's center on HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis prevention. There was also $222 million in cuts to the agency's chronic disease prevention programs, which are designed to help people prevent diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and obesity. The agency's center on birth defects and developmental disabilities saw a 26 percent cut to its budget. The experts there are still trying to understand the full consequences of Zika infections in pregnant women and their babies.

Price's first budget also sought $1 billion in cuts for the National Cancer Institute, $575 million in cuts for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and $838 million in cuts for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The administration asked Congress to slash the overall National Institutes of Health budget from $31.8 billion to $26 billion. These cuts went further than even some of the most conservative GOP lawmakers were willing to go.

-- All these numbers are far more consequential to the long-term health, both fiscal and physical, of the United States than Price's private plane habit. But they are also way more abstract, and thus less sexy, than a million bucks spent on airfare.

People are inclined to focus on relatively small expenditures because they sometimes struggle to wrap their heads around bigger numbers that underscore harder truths. A search of Lexis Nexis and Google News makes clear that Price's flights have garnered far more attention than the proposed HHS budget cuts in May or even the GOP's $1.5 trillion debt deal last week. Non-mainstream outlets like TMZ have seized on the plane story.

-- By no means is the point here that Price's travel is unworthy of coverage. His profligacy signifies misplaced priorities, demonstrates hypocrisy (he decried Democrats for flying on military aircraft when he was in Congress) and suggests that a culture of entitlement pervades the upper echelons of the Trump administration.

-- Drip, drip, drip: More stories continue to emerge about members of Trump's Cabinet flying private.

"Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke chartered a flight from Las Vegas to near his home in Montana this summer aboard a plane owned by oil-and-gas executives," The Post's Drew Harwell and Lisa Rein scooped Thursday night. "The flight cost taxpayers $12,375, according to an Interior Department spokeswoman. Commercial airlines run daily flights between the two airports and charge as little as $300. . . .

"Zinke and his official entourage also boarded private flights between the Caribbean islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix during a three-day trip to the Virgin Islands in March . . . The spring trip included an official snorkeling tour of the nearby Buck Island Reef National Monument . . . Zinke also attended a Virgin Islands GOP event and spoke on behalf of President Trump."

Taxpayers have spent more than $58,000 for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to take at least four noncommercial and military flights since mid-February.

The Treasury Department's inspector general is investigating Steven Mnuchin for his use of a government plane to visit Kentucky during the solar eclipse with his wife, as well as for a short trip from New York City to Washington.

-- Congressional Republicans are taking this seriously. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a proud penny pincher, called on Trump Thursday night to impose a governmentwide ban on the use of charter flights by administration officials. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has requested that more than 20 agencies provide details about the use of private, charter aircraft and government-owned aircraft by political appointees since January.

---

With Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve
WASHINGTON - Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said Thursday that he would reimburse the government for a fraction of the costs of his flights on charter planes in recent months, after coming under sharp criticism from members of both parties for the expensive practice.

"Today, I will write a personal check to the U.S. Treasury for the expenses of my travel on private charter planes. The taxpayers won't pay a dime for my seat on those planes," Price said in a statement, adding that he will no longer take private planes while serving as secretary. "No exceptions."

The move came as House and Senate investigators are pressing Price, as well as other Cabinet members, to disclose the extent to which they have relied on noncommercial travel to travel across the United States and overseas. The recent revelations about these costly trips on military and private aircraft, at a time when the same officials have proposed dramatic cuts in the agencies they oversee, has put the administration on the defensive.

Price has come under the most intense scrutiny - President Donald Trump chastised him publicly Wednesday and suggested that his job was no longer secure - but lawmakers are also demanding investigations into travel by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

And a private plane chartered this summer by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, for a flight from Las Vegas to near his home in Montana, cost taxpayers $12,375, according to a department spokesman. Zinke also used private flights during a trip to the Virgin Islands.

Pruitt has taken at least four noncommercial and military flights since mid-February, according to congressional oversight records, costing taxpayers more than $58,000. Mnuchin is under investigation by the Treasury inspector general for his use of a government plane to visit Kentucky in August, as well as for flying on an Air Force C-37 to Washington after visiting Trump Tower in New York City.

Last week, Price's office explained that he had turned to chartered jets when needed for the most efficient and effective travel in managing his department and maintaining contact with the public.

"This is Secretary Price, getting outside of D.C., making sure he is connected with the real American people," said Charmaine Yoest, his assistant secretary for public affairs.

An HHS official said Thursday that Price would write a check for $51,887.31, which appears to cover the cost of his seat on chartered flights but not those of his staffers. Politico, which first reported on Price's repeated use of chartered jets, has estimated the total expense of these trips exceeded $400,000 - and it reported early Thursday evening that his White House-approved flights on military planes to Africa, Europe and Asia had cost more than $500,000.

Yoest said in an interview that Price needed the military aircraft for secure communications during the overseas trips, which included roughly a half-dozen aides. His wife, Betty, also joined him, Yoest added, but Price covered the cost of her travel.

White House spokesman Raj Shah said using "military aircraft for Cabinet and other essential travelers is sometimes an appropriate and necessary use of resources" and such requests are closely reviewed. Officials have "limited support missions to travel that is central to the White House's mission."

Although Price said in his statement that his private-charter travel had been approved by legal and HHS officials, he added that he regretted "the concerns this has raised regarding the use of taxpayer dollars."

"All of my political career I've fought for the taxpayers," Price said. "It is clear to me that in this case, I was not sensitive enough to my concern for the taxpayer. I know as well as anyone that the American people want to know that their hard-earned dollars are being spent wisely by government officials."

Price said he will continue to cooperate fully with the HHS inspector general's office, which is reviewing the flights. He also said he has initiated his own departmental review to determine if any changes or reforms are necessary.

On Wednesday, Trump was noncommittal about whether he would ask Price to resign. Responding to questions from reporters at the White House, Trump said he was "looking into" details of the secretary's travels and that "personally, I'm not happy about it, and I let him know it."

It is unclear whether Price's gesture to defray part of the flights' cost will be enough to save his job; the White House did not comment on that matter after his announcement.

At a briefing before Price issued his statement Thursday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president and his aides were waiting to see what happened with the HHS inspector general's probe and other investigations also underway. House Democrats, who requested the inspector general's involvement, have said Price's flights appeared to violate federal law intended to ensure that executive branch officials use the most economical travel available.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asked Trump on Thursday to impose a government-wide ban on the use of charter flights by administration officials and to detail "what steps the administration has taken to ensure that cabinet secretaries use the most fiscally responsible travel in accordance with the public trust they hold and the spirit and the letter of all laws, regulations, and policies that apply."

That followed a request Tuesday by the chairman and ranking Democrat of the House Oversight Committee that Price and more than 20 other agency heads list all use of private, charter aircraft and government-owned aircraft by political employees since the president's inauguration.

The Treasury inspector general is reviewing all of Mnuchin's flights and his travel requests, including one his office made for a government jet to fly him and his wife, Louise Linton, on a honeymoon trip to Europe this summer.

"We're going through this process, we're going to do a full review and we'll see what happens," Sanders told reporters.

"To be clear, the White House does not have a role on the front end of approving private charter flights at agencies," she said. "That's something we're certainly looking into from this point forward and have asked a halt to be put, particularly at HHS, on any private charter flights."

Even some of Price's longtime allies have questioned his frequent use of private aircraft to journey to places where he owns property, such as St. Simons Island, Ga., and Nashville. One trip included a get-together with his son.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, said in an interview Wednesday that the juxtaposition of the secretary's lavish trips and the budget cuts he is seeking posed a serious problem.

"Optics matter in politics," Cole said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Lena H. Sun, John Wagner and Drew Harwell contributed to this report.
AUSTIN The state has recovered more than $280,000 in taxes and court-order restitution after securing more than 100 indictments against what Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar called tax cheats Thursday.

Among those is San Antonio car dealer Carlos Brun, accused of failing to remit thousands of dollars worth of motor vehicle taxes and other fees on 105 cars sold more than a year ago, the state agency said.
Defense attorneys for a former H-E-B executive, John Morgan Campbell, charged with possessing and sending lewd digital images of minor boys in 2014, failed to persuade a judge Thursday to suppress the photos as evidence on the grounds that their inflammatory nature would prevent a fair trial.

Campbell, 66, who has been widely credited with developing H-E-Bs upscale Central Market stores, is charged in a 53-count indictment with acquiring and possessing nude, sexually explicit photos and videos of males under age 18. Each second-degree felony count carries a possible sentence of two to 20 years in prison.
Everyone needs something, or someone, to believe in and for a Texas state park, that thing might be Bigfoot.

Daingerfield State Park, which sits a little southwest of Texarkana, captured what may possibly be Big Foot the mythical creature, who stands towering on two legs and appears to be covered in hair, only ever spotted running by surveillance cameras or caught as nothing but a blur in photos.
A driver was arrested early Friday after he allegedly T-boned a vehicle and fled into a far West Side neighborhood, where a K-9 unit eventually tracked him down.

The suspect, who has not been identified, crashed into the victim's car around 2:45 a.m. near Potranco Road and Clover Creek, about a mile east of Loop 1604.
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Multiple stakeouts by San Antonio police detectives resulted in the arrest of a suspected drug dealer with a long rap sheet.

Albert Araiza Garcia, 38, was arrested Thursday evening on a warrant for possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, a first-degree felony. His bond was set at $30,000.

RELATED: Off-duty police officer drives pickup truck into SE Side sinkhole

Detectives received information earlier this year that Garcia was selling heroin around the city, according to an arrest affidavit, so they began to conduct surveillance operations to watch him.

On several occasions, police said, they could see people walking up to Garcia's house and conducting a brief hand-to-hand transaction before leaving.

After they gathered enough evidence, police approached Garcia and told him about their investigation, according to the affidavit.

Garcia allegedly waived his Miranda rights, and told the police he had marijuana and heroin in his home.

RELATED: SAPD: Man shot with AK-47 pistol at South Side home

Garcia gave them consent to search his home, according to the affidavit, where police found 22.3 grams of heroin, 7.3 grams of marijuana, and a substance that Garcia allegedly told police is a cutting agent to blend black-tar heroin into "street ready" heroin.

Garcia has a lengthy rap sheet, according to Bexar County court records. He was previously convicted of possession with intent to deliver controlled substances in 2006 and sentenced to 5 years of prison.

He was convicted of the same offense in 2014, and subsequently sentenced to two years in prison.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA
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After a months-long investigation, authorities said they have the suspected cattle thief in custody.

On May 16, six head of cattle were stolen from a New Braunfels ranch on the corner of Morningside Drive and Rueckle Road. The theft was estimated to be worth roughly $10,000, according to a news release from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
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It's been more than two decades since 76 people died in a fire following a weeks-long standoff near Waco but the events will soon be back in the public eye as the subject of a Paramount miniseries airing in January.

For the city of Waco, the series is unnecessarily re-opening a wound, said Larry Holze, the city spokesman.

"Anytime you have the tragedy of death, especially of children, that's one of those things you hate to bring up," he said. "It's one of those sad parts of our history."

READ ALSO: Chip and Joanna Gaines announce plans to end 'Fixer Upper'

"Waco" is based on the 51-day standoff between federal agents and the Branch Davidians - which was accused of polygamy, sexual abuse, and possessing illegal weapons - in 1993. The miniseries follows cult leader David Koresh and the events that transpired 24 years ago.

In addition to needlessly bringing up a brutal moment in Waco history, Holze said the series does not include that the siege happened "11 miles outside of our legal jurisdiction," he said.

"That did not happen in Waco."

City officials were not privy to viewing the series early and Holze said he has not watched the trailer.

RELATED: 'Belligerent' Waco woman calls 911: 'I'm not going anywhere until I get my chicken nuggets'

"What good is it going to do?" he said.

With the success of "Fixer Upper," an HGTV home design show featuring Chip and Joanna Gaines who live in Waco, the city has become a tourist destination, one Holze said should remain despite the miniseries.

By the end of the year, an estimated 1.7 million tourists will have filtered through the Gaineses Magnolia Market Silos, he said.

kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5
WASHINGTON - In 2001, when surging budget surpluses fueled hopes of extinguishing the national debt, a pitched battle broke out over President George W. Bush's proposed $1.6 trillion tax cut. Never mind that the tax cut's 10-year tab was supposed to leave behind more than $3 trillion in surpluses - Democrats and some Republicans said that the tax cut was just too large.

Fast forward to President Donald Trump's Washington, where the budget deficit for this fiscal year is expected to near $700 billion and the federal debt has topped $20 trillion.

A new tax cut is emerging to rival those of the Bush years, and the deficit hawks have hardly peeped.

"It's a great talking point when you have an administration that's Democrat-led," said Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., and chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of about 150 conservative House members. "It's a little different now that Republicans have both houses and the administration."

A GOP seachange

For years, GOP lawmakers lamented the soaring national debt, pressing for spending cuts and clinging to the mantle of fiscal responsibility. But last week, Senate Republicans agreed to allow for as much as $1.5 trillion in tax cuts, betting that supercharged growth will make up for lost revenue, a potentially dubious prospect.

The tax plan outlined Wednesday by the White House and Republican leaders in the House and Senate could cost more than $2 trillion over the next decade, according to a preliminary estimate by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

This month, the majority of Republicans in the House and the Senate voted to raise the debt limit without doing anything to rein in spending.

Republican lawmakers are pushing to increase military spending by tens of billions of dollars, topping even Trump's request for a beefed-up military. Democrats are sharing in the fiscal intemperance, lining up behind a "Medicare for all" proposal.

And as Congress mulls large tax cuts, the tabs for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria keep rising.

When Bush took office and pushed for a big tax cut, the fiscal outlook was strong. The Congressional Budget Office in 2001 was projecting $5.6 trillion in budget surpluses over 10 years.

Trillions in deficits

Now, the budget office forecasts that deficits will total $10.1 trillion over the next decade. The deficit is expected to top $1 trillion a year in 2022 and keep growing from there.

"I think the greatest threat to our nation is us," warned Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and a member of the Senate Budget Committee. "It's not ISIS. It's not North Korea. It's not ascendant China. It's not Russia. We are the greatest threat."

But such voices are strangely quiet these days in Washington. Even Corker seems accommodating.

Last week, he reached a deal with another Republican on the budget panel, Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, to allow a tax cut of up to $1.5 trillion over a decade, helping pave the way for the overhaul of the tax code that is a top goal for Trump and congressional Republicans.

While Republicans denounced the ballooning debt when President Barack Obama was in office, they have much less of a political incentive to dwell on the issue now that their party controls the government.

"There's been less talk about it this year with a Republican-led administration than there has been the last seven or eight years," said Walker, who bristled at the Senate's plan that adds to the deficit.
Dear Aunty Lisa

I am having a serious issue with the relationship that I am currently in. I love and care for my girlfriend, but I dont think that she does the same for me.

The reason why I say this is because of her actions. The only thing that she really does for me is wash my clothes. She was sick with her foot at one point. I took her to the doctor, and helped her during treatment, she required dressing at nights.

I made it my point of duty, every single night, to make sure she was cared for up to this point. Praises be to God, her foot is now okay, and she is even playing netball again. We went out to the beach the other day, and from the moment we left the beach, I felt really sick. When we got home I went to lie down, and she stayed on the verandah for the entire time and did not even look at me. We went to bed, and from the moment she laid down, she started sleeping. I couldnt sleep because I was not feeling well.

At one point, I asked her for a bottle of water, and she didnt even turn. I got up and helped myself. In the morning, she got up then woke me up and said she was tired. I was feeling the same way. I asked her for only one cup of tea. She started to use her phone, and I had to go and make that tea myself.

She is 33 years old and her co-workers are far younger than her, but she is controlled by them. I really love her, but she does not give me attention nor communicate with me, and she does not respect me. Our sx life is very boring. Whenever it comes to sx, she just lies down, and that is it. I think she has another relationship, and each time I talk to her, she tries to argue. At one point, I could do anything on her phone, but these days her code is changed. Things are just not the same.

I have committed my life to her, but I dont think she sees that or is even interested in me. I keep talking to her about these feelings that I am having, and nothing is changing. Aunty please give me your advice, so I can know what to do. This minute I want to leave her, but the next minute when I remember the kind things that she has done for me at the beginning of the relationship, I cant leave her. But I cant take the disrespect, lack of attention and non-communication. She has never even asked me how work was or how was my day. When she gets home from work, she is on her phone and then to bed. There is no time for me.

Breaking News via Email
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly due to tender his resignation as the countrys leader in less than twelve months, to avoid a humiliating exit, after failing to resolve Zimbabwes economic crisis and suffering an alleged business fallout with a powerful military faction rooting for Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, to either take over or name a successor to finish off Mnangagwas term, Spotlight Zimbabwe, has exclusively been told.

Furthermore and exacerbating Mnangagwas political woes, a ruling Zanu PF faction opposed to his rule and believed to be in bed with the opposition MDC Alliance, is said to have elevated plans to impeach him and possibly call for his arraignment in the killing of innocent protesters in August 2018 and early this year, when the countrys main labour body, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) called for a three day stay-away.

Hitherto it was unbeknown in the public sphere, that Mnangagwa has also been dropped as the money man in businesses he was allegedly fronting for the army by securocrats aligned to VP Chiwenga, top level sources in government have revealed.

Mnangagwa is easily one of the richest man in Zimbabwe, according to Wikileaks cables written by a US envoy in 2001. The cables, however, do not provide an estimate of his wealth, but speculation is rife that his fortune could now be in the billion dollar club.

United Nations Security Council reports in 2002 and 2003, say Mnangagwas wealth was supplemented by his involvement as one of the illegal mineral exploiters in the Congo, through a company called Cosleg Private Limited. Cosleg is a joint venture company formed by a Democratic Republic of Congo-based entity Congo Comiex and the Zimbabwe Defence Forcess company Operation Sovereign Legitimacy (OSLEG). The firm was established for the purpose of pursuing business opportunities in timber and minerals found in the Democratic Republic of Congos Katanga Province.

The game is over for Mnangagwa, said a senior army officer based at Tongogara Barracks in the capital.

There are many factors at play, and although he might put up a brave face in public, things have reached a boiling point and hes going to be out very soon. Actually his resignation as Zimbabwe leader is to avoid a humiliating exit, because the top guns (military generals) are livid about his mortgaging of the countrys mineral wealth in opaque arrangements with foreign powers secretly hostile to this country. I can confirm that he has been given six months to wrap up his duties and step down no later than early 2020.

The officer said Mnangagwas dethronement could come early as military intelligence has gathered that the opposition intends to stage massive winter protests, and continue with a series of shut-down campaigns to set the stage for his impeachment over the worsening economic situation.

In October last year, opposition legislator for Chitungwiza North, Godfrey Sithole, pleaded with Zanu PF lawmakers to join hands with his party to impeach Mnangagwa so as to save Zimbabwe from total collapse.

Another source in the defence ministry said the real reason Mnangagwa was being pushed out is that he was now out of favour with China, which has reportedly been asked not to release any loans to Mnangagwas administration by Chiwengas military backers, pointing out that his tenure was coming to a close and that the army is replacing him with another leader, set to be in power between 2020 to 2023, when the next presidential election is due.

Mnangagwa the highly placed source said is being eased out of control of business deals and ventures involving the army, in which he played a pivotal role including diamond mining partnerships with the Chinese in Chiadzwa.

There is a misconception that Mnangagwa is the one who brought back the Chinese diamond company Anjin to mine diamonds in Marange after they were dismissed for corruption activity by President Robert Mugabe. It was the vice president (Chiwenga) who ordered for their immediate return after the 2017 November military intervention to remove Mugabe. Mnangagwa then conspired to bring in the Russians, through Alrosa diamonds and that did not go down well with the army leadership, as it was seen as a political checkmate attempt. You can also see the tug of war to control the countrys fuel supplies taking place behind the scenes. The military always wins, and Mnangagwa and his allies will be muscled out.

A prominent Zimbabwean banker with links to the ruling party, now based abroad said he predicts a violent and humiliating ouster for Mnangagwa, who he suspects will try to buy time, to regularise some of the deals he struck in Eurasia this year, which are still in the pipeline.

The president is living on borrowed time, he said. The mistake he made was to play poker face with China. They could have bailed him out with a massive economic package, but his finance minister was and is still negotiating with the IMF and World Bank for a similar package. The Chinese had planned to channel the Zimbabwe revival loan through BRICS, but with the Bretton Woods institutions which are rivals with BRICS coming into the countrys economic equation through the backdoor, Mnangagwa has sealed his own demise. The IMF will unfortunately at this moment not give us a cent, therefore he cant fix the economy. Thats Mnangagwas waterloo.

Our contacts close to the Office of The President and Cabinet (OPC) maintain that Mnangagwa has officially agreed to tender his resignation in private and that he will be out of office no later than May 2020.

Yes, he has six months to wind up as president and will likely tender his resignation at anytime after this grace period, they said. They have also discussed about his retirement benefits and pension. Although he would not have served a full term, we understand the army is willing to award him all full benefits and pension of someone who has served a complete term.

Ironically Mnangagwa himself in December 2017 gazetted pension and retirement benefits which a Zimbabwean former Head of State and Government should enjoy on retirement. The benefits were published in a Statutory Instrument of an Extraordinary Government Gazette in terms of Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits (Services and Facilities for Former Presidents) Notice, 2017. Former leader Mugabe is the inaugural beneficiary of the entitlements.

Officials at the information ministry said they could not comment on sensitive presidential matters last night, referring all questions to Mnangagwas spokesman, George Charamba, whose mobile phone went unanswered on numerous attempts.

 Spotlight Zimbabwe



Breaking News via Email
Central Intelligence Organisation Deputy Director, Mr Nickson Chirinda died after his vehicle was involved in a road traffic accident near Chinhoyi on Saturday night.

The accident occurred when Mr Chirindas Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle rammed into a haulage truck and got trapped underneath the trucks trailer.

It is understood that the accident happened moments after Mr Chirinda had left Orange Grove Motel for his home.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident and said it occurred at the 117km peg along the Harare-Chirundu Highway at around 10pm.

The accident occurred near Total Service Station when the haulage truck, which was heading towards Chinhoyi suddenly turned in front of oncoming traffic, leading to a collision that killed a senior official from the Presidents Office. The senior official died on the spot, he said.

Chief Supt Nyathi said it is disturbing that some motorists were recklessly causing accidents that cost peoples lives.

It is really disturbing that some drivers are exhibiting reckless conduct which is causing fatal road accidents. As ZRP, our messages have been very clear that drivers should observe road rules and regulations.

Some of these drivers are taking our messages for granted, he said.

Mourners are gathered at number 30 Angel King Road, Mzari in Chinhoyi.

Meanwhile, two people were killed while two others were seriously injured when a Toyota Regius they were travelling in collided with a bus along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway.

The accident occurred yesterday at around 1pm near the Masvingo-Bulawayo turn-off.

According to witnesses, the bus was travelling to Mutare while the Toyota Regius was heading towards Beitbridge town.

The small cars driver, whom we suspect was speeding, encroached onto the opposite lane resulting in a collision.

The driver and one passenger who was sitting in front died instantly while two other occupants were seriously injured, police sources said.

The injured were rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital.

All those on the bus escaped unhurt.

Matabeleland South Police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele was not immediately available for comment.

 Chronicle

Breaking News via Email
A 39-year-old private school teacher in Harare, seen in a circulating video allegedly attacking a pupil with a belt, has been arrested.

Michael Freeman Chingwaru (39) was by last night still assisting police with investigations and was expected to appear in court soon.

In the video, Chingwaru could be seen apparently hitting the boy with a belt, open hands and ordering him to sit down.

Desks and chairs were scattered all over the classroom while other pupils watched helplessly.

Chingwaru head-butted the pupil as if he was fighting an adult.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed the arrest of Chingwaru, a mathematics teacher at Harare Einstein Tuition Centre, on charges of assaulting a pupil aged 18 on Thursday at around 10:30am.

The Lower Sixth student was found in the O Level class seeing some movies during lesson time and ordered to go to his class. Instead, he went to a biology classroom and coincidentally met the same teacher where a harsh exchange of words occurred, resulting in the teacher assaulting the complainant. School authorities are urged to ensure that peace prevails in learning institutions at all times, he said.

Video footage of the brutal attack sparked outrage, with many people using social media urging the authorities to punish the teacher.

There were conflicting accounts on what triggered the assault, with some claiming that the pupil had been found being intimate with a girl, who is said to be the teachers daughter.

The boy was being intimate in class with a 14-year-old girl. The teacher overreacted and is now going to jail and the girl is said to be the teachers daughter, said one social media commentator.

Claims on the alleged se_xual act could however, not be independently verified last night.

Personally, Im inclined towards social control. Vana ngavapangike (Children should be disciplined), said another commentator.

A parent who condoned the assault said: The teacher has been arrested, but one day when the child becomes wild, the parents will complain that teachers were not enforcing discipline.

Most of us became morally upright because of corporal punishment. If children are not beaten up, they become thugs who could even kill.

This is not the first time Chingwaru has allegedly beaten up people. Recently, another video was circulating showing him allegedly assaulting Zesa Holdings officials in the city while holding a hoe and shouting obscene language.

In 2019, the Constitutional Court outlawed judicial corporal punishment, saying it amounts to inhuman and degrading punishment. Chief Justice Luke Malaba, sitting with eight other judges, ruled that such inhuman treatment had no place in a democratic society.

The court struck down Section 353 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which provides for the caning of juvenile offenders, saying it was in conflict with Section 53 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

 Herald

Breaking News via Email
RICHMOND, Calif.  The Richmond (Calif.) City Council has tobacco in its crosshairs with several measures, the Richmond Standard reports. The council is looking into banning the sale of flavored tobacco products and menthol cigarettes. In addition, the council might not license new retailers close to schools, plus prohibit the same of small packs of mini-cigarettes or -cigars.

The council asked city employees to draft the new regulations after the unanimous decision. Richmond isnt the only California city tightening restrictions on the type of tobacco sold. Already, El Cerrito, Los Gatos, Novato, Oakland and San Francisco, as well as Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Yolo counties, have enacted similar regulations.

In the Midwest, the St. Paul City Council decided to delay a vote on striking the sale of menthol cigarettes from convenience stores, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports. I think the four-week time period is a smart move for right now, to get us to a better place to figure out how were going to support those businesses, said council president Russ Stark.

St. Paul is considering allowing the sale of menthol and flavored tobacco products at adults-only tobacco outlets. The proposal would give retailers a year to comply. Nearby Minneapolis will move the sale of menthol, mint and wintergreen flavored tobacco to smoke shops and liquor stores starting in August 2018.
OAK BROOK, Ill.  If at first you dont succeed, try again. Thats what McDonalds is doing with chicken tenders after nixing the item from its menu four years ago. Now, its bringing Buttermilk Crispy Tenders back to stores, Nations Restaurant News reports.

Based on the success of its Buttermilk Crispy Chicken, which debuted in 2015, the chain branched out to the same recipe in chicken tenders. After testing the new item in Alabama and North Carolina this year, McDonalds announced this week it was adding it to the menu.

Our new buttermilk Crispy Tenders are another example of how were giving customers the food they love, said Michael Haracz, head of McDonalds. The white-meat chicken has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and come battered, breaded and seasons in four, six or 10 pieces. Customers can dip the tenders into nine different sauces: Creamy Ranch, Honey, Honey Mustard, Hot Mustard, Signature Sauce, Spicy Buffalo, Sriracha Mac Sauce, Sweet n Sour or Tangy Barbecue.

As part of its campaign to promote the new menu item, the chain is giving away limited-edition posters of each of the nine sauces at certain locations when purchasing chicken tenders. Limited-edition, illustrated, screen-printed posters have really taken off in recent years, expanding from music to TV to movies, games and now, McDonalds sauces, said Billy Baumann, co-owner of Delicious Design League, which designed the posters.
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
The village of Ballingarry is gearing up to host the 2017 National Famine Commemoration on Saturday at the 1848 Famine Warhouse national monument with guest of honour Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to lay a wreath on behalf of the Irish people.

The formal State ceremonial event will be hosted by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys in her role as Chairperson of the National Famine Commemoration Committee.

The event will feature performances by Clonmels Micheal OSuileabhain, Michael Coady, the Cecilian Choir from the Ursuline School, Thurles and Banna Cluain Meala.

It will also feature members of the local community including Dr Thomas Mc Grath, Carmel O'Brien and Aiden Mullally and Abaigeal Maher from the Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry.

SHUTTLEBUS FOR PUBLIC

This event, which starts at 3pm, is open to the public. Shuttle buses will be available from Ballingarry Village (from 12pm to 1.30pm) and the Commons (12.30 pm to 1.30pm) to transport those wishing to attend to the historic site, returning following the conclusion of the event at approximately 4.30pm.

I am very much looking forward to this years National Famine Commemoration. The Famine Warhouse 1848 is a unique venue for the Commemoration, and the local community and our colleagues in Tipperary County Council have prepared a powerful artistic programme to honour the memory of An Gorta Mor and its victims said Minister Humphreys.

The Famine Warhouse in Ballingarry has been recognised as a national monument and has a unique place in Irish history especially the dark years of An Gorta Mor.

This Thursday the local primary schools project will be launched at the Community Hall in Ballingarry.

Local artist Katy Goodhue has produced a series of 5 pieces of art reflecting the Famine in the local area. Based on her research over the summer for these pieces she has also gone to the 6 local schools and worked with the children to create an artistic response to the Famine in the area.

These works will be on display in the community hall and at the Famine Warhouse 1848 for the Commemoration itself. A short film by local filmmaker David Quin was also commissioned as part of the Creative Ireland programme by the Arts Office and Heritage Office, again as an artistic response to Famine in the local area. This will also be screened on Thursday evening. This event begins at 7pm.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials announced Thursday that agents arrested 27 allegedly undocumented immigrants in San Francisco and Santa Clara County in a four-day operation that ended on Wednesday.

Twenty-three of those arrested had previous criminal convictions for offenses such as driving under the influence, drug trafficking and assault, the agency said.

ICE spokesman James Schwab said the operation targeted San Francisco and Santa Clara County because they are so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honor ICE detainers or allow ICE agents to enter jails to interview suspected immigration violators.

Detainers are requests by ICE to local authorities to hold a person for two more days after release from jail.

The operation, known as Bay Area Safe City, was carried out by agents of ICE's San Francisco field office, whose territory stretches from Bakersfield to the Oregon border.

The home countries of those arrested are Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras, Schwab said.

He said that arrestees who have pending orders for deportation or who entered the United States illegally after being deported are subject to immediate removal.

Some others who are accused of other types of immigration violations are in custody but will be given hearings before an immigration judge, Schwab said.

Among those arrested is a Salvadoran man, who was apprehended in San Francisco. He entered the country illegally and has previous convictions for sex with a minor under the age of 16. He was released from local custody before ICE could assume custody, Schwab said.

A Mexican citizen arrested in San Jose overstayed his visa for more than 10 years and was previously convicted of drug trafficking and felony child abuse, Schwab said.

Eight of those arrested had previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In addition, there were in total two cases of drug trafficking convictions and one case each of assault, battery, burglary, contempt of court, cruelty toward a spouse, dangerous drugs, disorderly conduct, drug trafficking, drug possession, larceny, sexual assault, other sex offense, traffic offense and vehicle theft, according to ICE.

People with active status in the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program were not targeted, ICE said.

ICE Acting Director Tom Homan said in a statement from Washington, D.C., "ICE's goal is to build cooperative, respectful relationships with our law enforcement partners to help prevent dangerous criminal aliens from being released back onto the streets."
Sonoma County sheriff's deputies arrested a registered sex offender Tuesday after he was found in the girls' bathroom of an elementary school, a sheriff's sergeant said.

Alan Brelsford, 39, was found in the bathroom by a parent and staff member of the Redwood Adventist Academy elementary school around 8:25 a.m.

Brelsford, who is registered as a sex offender in Santa Rosa, said he was watching a helicopter when he felt the need to use the bathroom, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

He was escorted off the school campus at 385 Mark West Springs Road north of Santa Rosa, and staff members photographed his Chevrolet pickup truck with black rims, Crum said.

Brelsford slowly drove by the school again as sheriff's deputies were taking a report on the incident. His truck was stopped and he could not provide a good explanation for why he was in the girls' bathroom or at the school, Crum said.

Deputies determined he was a registered sex offender out of Sacramento County, where he was convicted in 2006 of exposing himself and masturbating behind the fence of an all-girls private high school in Sacramento, Crum said.

Deputies arrested him for violating the terms of his registration by being on an elementary school campus without lawful business, according to Crum.

Brelsford posted bail and was released from Sonoma County Jail.

The sheriff's office released his photograph because he is deemed a threat to public safety. Anyone who sees him on school grounds is encouraged to call their local law enforcement agency, Crum said.
Telecommunications companies are working together to restore service in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria damaged equipment at 90 percent of the islands cell sites, but they continue to be hampered by a lack of electrical power and other destruction.

Cell service has been restored to 28.5 percent of the island, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said on Thursday, mostly in the San Juan metropolitan area, up from 25 percent on Friday.

But the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority reported that nearly 100 percent of its customers were still without power Thursday morning with the exception of some critical facilities and those with generators.

The electric power grid in Puerto Rico is totally shot, President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday morning. Large numbers of generators are now on island. Food and water on site.

Hurricane Maria tore diagonally across Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, devastating the U.S. territory as it made landfall as a Category 4 storm on the main island, knocking out its power and water and destroying roads and bridges. Two weeks earlier, Hurricane Irma skirted the island but plunged more than 1 million people into darkness.

Residents have waited in long lines for fuel, water and cash and struggled to find areas with cell service.

The Federal Communications Commission said on Thursday said that 90.3 percent of the islands 2,671 cellular sites -- equipment that receives or transmits the signal from a cellphone -- were not functioning. A cell tower may contain multiple cell sites for different wireless providers.

The FCC is sending four people to Puerto Rico at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to coordinate an emergency response and conduct radio frequency assessments. The FCC said Tuesday it hoped to have the team on the ground by Wednesday. But on Wednesday, one week since the storm hit, the FCC said the personnel were still awaiting FEMA approval to deploy. It had said it needed to make sure its personnel would have lodging and other support.

The FCC deployed four people to both Texas and Florida after hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

I also reached out to FEMA Administrator Brock Long and his staff and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the delivery of fuel, generators and other equipment on the island to communications providers in order to get their networks up and running, FCC chairman Ajit Pai said Tuesday.

But Retired Rear Admiral David G. Simpson, who served as chief of the FCCs Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau under President Barack Obama, said that the challenges to restore services in Puerto Rico were magnitudes greater than in Texas and Florida. The Trump administration and the current FCC chairman had been slow to recognize the difference, he said.

The approach to recovery appears to have been resigned to a 'lag' effort (well wait till power is restored and minimum comforts are in place), Simpson wrote in a message. Telecommunications in our internet based economy should be a lead effort.

The need is not just for cellphones but also for ATMs and supplies for hospitals. Restoring the econonmy, now so dependent on electronic networks, requires investing in and restoring communications infrastructure.

The FCC should be on the ground with FEMA, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to triage the deployment of emergency communications for civilians, he said. It is uniquely suited to understand the commercial communications market, who the providers are and what options are available.

In Haiti, the FCC led a study to evaluate the companies providing communications services and their capacity to fund the restoration of their infrastructure, Simpson said.

This cant start soon enough in Puerto Rico, he said. If it doesnt, well leave Puerto Rico with telecommunications 'band aids' that arent ready for the next storm, further erode the lack of universal service on the island and dont support the affordable broadband service that Puerto Rican communities deserve.

Jose Otero, a wireless industry expert, said that restoring phone service should be a priority so that other relief efforts, including getting supplies from the ports and airports to where they are needed, can be coordinated.

Otero, the director of Latin America and the Caribbean for 5G Americas, a wireless advocacy organization, said his main worry was electric power.

The electricity before the first hurricane struck was in really bad shape, after years of lack of maintenance, and upgrades and modernization of the company, huge amount of debt and thats another crisis that Puerto Rico has and a lot of it is caused from that electric utility, he said.

AT&T, T-Mobile, Claro, Sprint and Open Mobile are the main mobile service providers in Puerto Rico, where government data shows a cellphone penetration rate of nearly 100 percent, according to Reuters.

Maria Victoria Cebollero, who is studying finance at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez campus, said via Facebook Messenger that she did not have cell service from her provider Sprint. However, the 20-year-old student does have Wi-Fi at home because her router is from Claro, the islands largest telecommunications services company.

Thanks to our land line and the Wi-Fi we receive from Claro, our house looks like a command center or an oasis of communication, she wrote. We have dozens of people in our house that get to use our signal to contact their loved ones in the United States or around the metro area.

She said neither Sprint nor T-Mobile had cell service on the west side of Puerto Rico.

The first person she was able to communicate with after the hurricane  on Saturday at 8 p.m.  was a friend who studies at Bowdoin College in Maine.

We were shocked, she said. We were overjoyed that we were able to hear each other and amazed that the call got through after trying to communicate with some in the U.S.

Facebook has sent its connectivity team to assist the island in getting back online.

And the FCC has helped to ensure that Claro Puerto Rico and Open Mobile received generators and other critical equipment, Pai, the FCC chairman, said.

Another resident, 52-year-old Maria Santiago, said that she never lost service or a Wi-Fi signal during or after the hurricane. Santiago, who is retired and who uses AT&T as her carrier, was able to update her Facebook status that she was safe and well. She also could make calls and texts to her relatives, especially to her daughter who is studying at graduate school in New York City.

I was able to get service throughout everything, although the service sometimes will sound poorly, she wrote.

By contrast, Michelle Pereira, a 23-year-old law student at the University of Puerto Rico, lost her AT&T cell service the day Maria struck. Pereira, who lives in Caguas, said that she was aware that AT&T had started restoring service, but said she had been unsuccessful whenever she tried to make a call or use the internet.

If youre lucky enough and you try many times, sometimes youre able to get a call through, she said on WhatsApp, using her neighbors Wi-Fi.

Security has been a problem at some cell towers. On Tuesday, the president of the Telecommunications Regulatory Board in Puerto Rico, Sandra Torres, denounced the theft of copper and fuel from power generators at signal towers. Torres said that she was working with the Department of Homeland Security.

This has become a vicious circle, she told the publication Primera Hora. After an effort was made to get the diesel, the drivers to transport it and the security measures to break through and carry fuel to the towers, they are stealing it and cutting the fiber.

Employees at Claro Puerto Rico are working around the clock to restore service, said its director, Ileana Molina.

We are going to connect Puerto Rico, she said.

Open Mobile had restored partial service, from 20 percent in San Juan to lower rates elsewhere, said Josue Gonzalez, the vice president of marketing. He said that while Hurricane Maria was a Category 5 storm  which it was before striking Puerto Rico  Puerto Ricans were a Category 10.

And he also urged the FCC to help with fuel and security problems.

We are working to open several stores next week so our customers can connect via Wi-Fi and can communicate with their loved ones, he said. In addition we will have solar chargers for cellphones for people who do not have charge to recharge their cellphone.

AT&T said that it had landed a large cargo plane in San Juan on Thursday with network equipment, including portable cell sites and satellite phones. It was sending another plane loaded with more portable cell sites and generators on Thursday and was planning additional supplies in the coming days.

AT&T will use the portable cell sites in areas that are without service, including the municipalities of Mayaguez, Ponce, Rio Grande, Humacao, Cidra and Aguadilla, Telemundo Puerto Rico reported.

More than 12,250 people have signed up for a website that allows anyone to register the cellphone number of a relative or friend who is an AT&T wireless customer in Puerto Rico. When the Puerto Rico-based customers cellphone connects to the network in Puerto Rico, the customer is notified that their family or friends in the U.S. have been trying to contact him or her.

T-Mobile is sending dozens of emergency and disaster experts, all of whom worked on hurricanes Katrina, Sandy and, more recently, Irma, and whose specialty is to fix communications systems after natural disasters. Its crews are trying to get generators to cell sites though it said that stolen generators and fuel have made security a concern.

In the meantime, T-Mobile is offering free calling, texting and data.

And Sprints first shipment of generators and parts required for restoration has arrived. Crews of engineers and technicians have joined the team on the island. Additional shipments and crew are on the way.

Its engineers are conducting a reconnaissance of sites both on the ground and from the air via helicopter, according to the company. Its towers are still standing and largely intact, and it will focus first on restoring power to the most populous areas and build out from there, it said. A cargo ship is on its way with fuel and the company has chartered another to transport additional fuel and larger power equipment early next week.

Two of the companies that own the islands cell towers, American Tower and Crown Castle, said that the majority of their towers are standing, but storm damage to carrier equipment and the loss of power had left few operational.

American Tower is performing full site audits on its 118 towers and identifying priorities, Matt Peterson, the vice president of communications, said in a statement. It is working with the FCC, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

We are in active discussions with all of our customers to determine their priority sites, he said.

Crown Castle, which has 262 towers on the island, is also still conducting inspections.

So far, we have found that our towers maintained their structural integrity and continue to provide the infrastructure required to host our wireless carrier customers, it said in a statement. While the towers are intact, unfortunately the hurricane damaged carrier-owned antennae mounts and other carrier-maintained equipment.

It said it was working to bring additional resources, equipment, water and fuel to the island but faced logistical challenges.
A local domestic violence service organization partnered with a Massachusetts community Friday afternoon for a candlelight vigil after the murder of a beloved school teacher.

Harbor Communities Overcoming Violence held the candlelight vigil at Revere City Hall at noon in memory of Vanessa MacCormack, who worked as a school teacher Lynn before she was found dead over the weekend.

Police believe the 30-year-old woman was strangled and stabbed to death by her husband Andrew MacCormack in the couples Revere home.



The vigil was attended by politicians, women's rights groups, and speakers against domestic violence.

"I am sad, I am frustrated, I am angry, " said House Speaker Robert DeLeo at the vigil. "I think about a beautiful member of our community who was taken much too soon... Let us today grieve together. Let us today unite against violence."

"We start today with the name of Vanessa MacCormack in our hearts... and then a rush of other names - 347 of them - women, men and children who have been killed in the commonwealth of Massachusetts by a domestic partner since 2003," said Toni Troop of Jane Doe Inc., a Massachusetts coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence.

Vanessa MacCormack's funeral is scheduled for next week.

Police said Andrew MacCormack called 911 Saturday afternoon, but he was arrested three days later and charged with murder. Prosecutors said surveillance video and cell phone records led to his arrest.

Authorities believe the couple's 1-year-old daughter was home at the time of the killing.

Investigators said the couple's relationship was very rocky, citing Andrew MacCormack's drug problem. In a text message, Vanessa MacCormack told Andrew "I hate you so much. You've ruined (our daughter's) life because she won't have her parents together. I'll talk to our (agent) tomorrow about listing the house and I'll look into divorce lawyers."

He responded by typing "you're crazy. I'm not signing anything to sell the house or get divorced."

Even with this evidence, defense lawyers said this was is not a case of domestic violence.

Andrew MacCormack is currently being held without bail.
Melania Trump has responded after a Massachusetts school librarian rejected a shipment of 10 Dr. Seuss books sent by the first lady as part of National Read a Book Day.

In a lengthy letter titled Dear Mrs. Trump posted to the Horn Book blog, Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro thanked the first lady for the note she sent to students at the school, but said she was returning the books because "...my school doesnt have a NEED for these books." She added, "Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities...?"

She also suggested that more thought could have gone into the selection of the books, saying that "Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche..."

The White House responded to NBC Boston's request for comment on Thursday afternoon.

"Mrs. Trump intends to use her platform as First Lady to help as many children as she can. She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to schools across the country is but one example," said Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's communications director. "Turning the gesture of sending young school children books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere."

Many in Cambridge said they agreed with the school librarian's decision to send back the books.

"The people in the White House need to do some homework on different topics, and Cambridge does not need extra books," resident Dan Trajman said.

"Perhaps the nature of the books that were selected could be a bit more thoughtful as well," noted Chris Walter, the parent of a Cambridgeport Elementary School student.

"Given that we are in Cambridgeport, I think thats to be expected that theyre going to make a political statement," said Natasha Ristivojevic, a Cambridge mother.



Still others were surprised that any school would turn away a cornerstone of learning.

"She should have said thank you to that, not sent them back," parent Renaud Vinson said.

"I think all books are readable," added Maeve Condon. "I think that no matter what your opinion is, if theres multiple, then thats great. That means two kids can take them out at the same time."

Cambridge Public Schools said they support their employees right to voice personal opinions, but noted, "We have counseled the employee on all relevant policies, including donations policies and the policy against public resources being used for political purposes."
What do Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Blue Ivy Carter, Howard Stern, RuPaul, Yoko Ono, Donald Trump Jr., Steve Bannon and "Harry Potter" transfiguration professor Minerva McGonogall all have in common?

Each of them got at least one write-in vote in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary.

The wrestler-turned-actor, famous daughter, reality stars and fictional character were among some of the most colorful of the thousands of write-in candidates in the certified results for the Democratic primary on Sept. 12. Mayor Bill de Blasio handily won that race, beating four officially declared primary opponents.

But that didn't stop voters from picking their own candidates -- including several former mayors. Michael Bloomberg, who served three terms as hizzoner from 2001-09, had 242 votes. His predecessors, Rudy Giuliani and David Dinkins, also got several votes.

Even Ed Koch, who died in 2013, and Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor during much of the Great Depression and World War II, got multiple write-in votes.

Other political figures also got write-in votes, including President Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, convicted former Congressman Anthony Weiner and former New York State Senate Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Plenty of celebrities were also represented: Bruce Springsteen (whose name was mispelled), Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, Bill Nye, Kanye West, former Knick Charles Oakley and Yankees legend Derek Jeter all also got at least one vote.

But there was one common write-in vote that didn't appear on a single ballot on primary day: Mickey Mouse.

See the full rundown of write-in candidates on the New York City Board of Elections' website.
A controversial nuclear power plant on Lake Michigan is staying open another four years after the plants owner and a utility agreed to continue with an existing power purchase agreement.

The Palisades Power Plant in Covert, Michigan, sits on the shore of the Chicago areas main source of drinking water. Plant owner, Entergy, previously announced that it would sell off its power contract to Consumers Energy and start the plants decommissioning process in 2018. The agreement was subject to regulatory approvals.

But Michigan regulators approved less buyout money than expected for Consumers Energy to buy out its contract with Entergy.

After careful review, Consumers Energy and Entergy have mutually agreed that moving ahead under the terms of our current Palisades Power Purchase Agreement through 2022 is the best path forward, said Katie Carey of Consumers Energy.

Entergy said it remains committed to its strategy of exiting the merchant nuclear power business.

Entergy will continue to make all necessary investments and maintain appropriate staffing, in accordance with strict licensing standards, said Charlie Arnone, Entergys top official at Palisades.

Still, activists who were pushing for the plants closure said the decision to keep the plant operating until 2022 puts the region at risk of potential public health and environmental threats.

Palisades has a recent history of reported leaks and shutdowns.

This is not a win for a region to carry the risk for a company that is allowed to continue operating an old and particularly unsafe reactor for energy that is over-priced and not needed, said Gail Snyder, board president for Nuclear Energy Information Service.

According to plant officials, the facility is safe and poses no danger to the public.
About a dozen Connecticut Air National Guardsmen loaded eight tons of water and several generators into a C-130 cargo plane and will head to Puerto Rico in continuing efforts to bring relief to the island and its residents.

Lt. Brian Hinckley, a pilot, is returning to the devastated island and bringing the crew straight to Ground Zero.

When a disaster like this happens, we have the opportunity to all come in and pitch in together, Hinckley said. You see Connecticut tails right next to Missouri and Kentucky and Georgia.

The crew on the ground will help control air traffic coming and going from the island, bringing supplies and volunteers.

The mission trip is the first for Master Sgt. Joshua Mead in his career.

You can spend your entire National Guard career and never have to be called up, so to be called up to support and help other people is truly, it makes you feel good inside, he said.

Master Sgt. Chris Fanelli, also a first-timer, is looking forward to the impact he and his team are about to make.

This is a brand new mission for the 103rd in Connecticut, and we couldnt be more proud or more excited to show what we can do, he said.

After the seven-hour flight ends, the crew will join the 13 other guardsmen who arrived in Puerto Rico last week. The cargo plane will pick up additional relief supplies in Savannah, Georgia, and return to the island.

Gov. Dannell Malloy toured the aircraft before take-off and wished the Guardsmen well. With a large Puerto Rican population throughout the state, Malloy said, I have no doubt, I have no doubt, that were going to see an influx of folks from Puerto Rico.

Malloy acknowledged that victims might relocate across Connecticut to stay with family  a reality he wants everyone to prepare for in the coming days, weeks, and months.

Well see some number of additional people attending our schools, attending our churches, looking for jobs and the like, Malloy said.

In the meantime, the deployed Guardsmen on the ground will be reporting for duty on the island for as long as theyre needed.
A North Haven family has serious concerns about ambulance response times after a 46-year-old father died from a heart attack in August.

What happened here on Aug. 3, was a perfect example of when theres a dire emergency in town and all your resources are used, Kara Keating said, theres no one left to help you.

On Tuesday night, the town of North Havens attempt to take over the Primary Service Area (PSA) contract with American Medical Response (AMR) was discussed at the Board of Fire Commission meeting.

We need change, we need a huge change in our town, Keating told NBC Connecticut, less than two months since the father of her two children Edward Wenzel passed away.

Were still completely heartbroken and devastated, she said.

Around lunchtime on Aug. 3, Keating said it too more than 20 minutes for the AMR ambulance to arrive at the home on Potter Road after her 20-year-old son called 911.

He told me that he had found daddy and that I needed to get home right away, she said, recalling the emotional call she got from her son.

Town officials said there were five incidents North Haven firefighters could not respond to on that day because of a significant fire.

It was a very poignant and emotional tragedy because we had a major fire in town and all of our fire department resources were at that major fire, North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda said.

The town is looking to take control of its ambulance service contract, similar to what the city of Milford did in the last year, Freda said.

Having tracked the ambulance arrival times for over a year, we do see multiple occasions where an ambulance has taken an excess of 15 to 20 minutes to arrive on scene, North Haven Fire Chief Paul Januszewski said.

The new contract would allow the town to have tighter control over ambulance response times, the fire chief said.

We define the terms, Januszewski said. Because we bid it out to a company quite frankly if they dont meet the terms of our agreement, we have the ability to rebid it a year later.

Let the residents decide who is going to control our emergency services, Keating said.

Keating said she believes her town needs to hire more first responders, but said a change in ambulance service is also needed to prevent another tragedy.

Theyre not doing the rollover calls to other ambulance services, she said of AMR. We have Nelson is at the end of my street, they should have been called and they werent.

AMRs Regional Director Chuck Babson released a statement to NBC Connecticut.

We hope to work with the North Haven fire department and town officials to understand what happened in this situation and how we can all work better together to improve any discrepancies in service and record reporting, Babson said, while continuing to provide exemplary medical services to the residents and visitors of North Haven.

Babsons statement also said our records show that from the time AMR received the call to Potter Road to the time of arrival on scene was 7 minutes 32 seconds. During this time, AMR was on the phone with the 911 caller, talking him through CPR and we remained on the line until help arrived.

Keating said she and her son checked phone records. She tells NBC Connecticut that under 8 minute response time was not the case.
A visit to learn about Amazon's technology and services in the current headquarters city of Seattle helps reveal why the company is growing so fast that it wants a second, duplicate headquarters location.

"Amazon is one of the most remarkable companies I've ever covered, and it's remarkable because it can surprise people so much," said Todd Bishop, a journalist with Geekwire in Seattle.

Since moving to its current Seattle headquarters in 2010, Amazon has assembled more than 40,000 employees with positions slated for 6,000 more as the current Seattle campus continues to expand.

"Just in the last three or four years you've seen this explosion of products and innovation from this company, and it's one of the most remarkable stories I would say of American invention and creation of a business," Bishop said.

Amazon started in 1994 as an online book seller, then introduced the Kindle reading pad device. Its products now include Fire Stick TV, and Amazon drone delivery is in the near future.

Bishop is currently testing a new product for which Amazon is sharing its Alexa speech recognition technology that originally appeared in Amazon Echo devices. A lamp from General Electric called Sol is using Alexa to provide search-question answers, which also illuminate the light ring.

Amazon gets strong support from many leaders in Seattle for bringing more than 40,000 high-paid tech workers and their spending power to that city just since 2010, but so much rapid growth has also increased traffic congestion and the cost of living in Seattle.

The recent acquisition of Austin-based Whole Foods demonstrates Amazon's expansion into brick and mortar retail locations.

"A lot of what they're doing is trying to bridge the digital and the physical world as far as retail, and that's what the Whole Foods acquisition is all about," Bishop said.

Amazon already offers home food delivery with Amazon Fresh in Seattle, as well as North Texas and a few other locations.

A test storefront location called Amazon Go is open only to employees for now at a building in the Seattle headquarters campus, but Bishop said it is intended to open to the general public soon. New technology will allow customers to walk in and grab what they want from convenient store shelves and automatically charge it to an Amazon account.

"It senses that you're there, and you don't go through a checkout line. It's checkout-less," Bishop said.

This month, Amazon announced it plans to duplicate its Seattle headquarters in another North American city to expand even further. With up to 50,000 workers in the second headquarters, Amazon plans to eventually fill the equivalent of four Bank of America Plazas, the tallest building in Dallas.

Matt McIlwain and his Seattle firm Madrona Venture Group were early Amazon investors.

"I like to think of them as an innovation factory," he said. "Talent congregates where talent is, and we've certainly seen them in the start-up community where Madrona, our firm, has been investing in start-ups, not only Amazon, but others, for a couple of decades now. You want to be able to have early access to talented people in where the next area of opportunities are."

Amazon's headquarters in Seattle is credited with fostering a vibrant, creative environment downtown -- something for North Texas to consider when bidding for the tech company's second HQ.

It benefits other businesses like restaurants that cater to the Seattle tech crowd.

Tom Douglas Restaurants has 17 locations in the Amazon Seattle campus area. Now with 1,000 employees of his own, owner Tom Douglas recognizes the changes Amazon has brought to his city and the business world.

"I don't think anyone realized how much you and I like shopping online. Look at the malls across America that are suffering. So this is all new stuff. This is all exciting. This is the way the world is headed," Douglas said.

Bishop believes Toronto, Canada, may have an edge in the North American HQ2 competition. He thinks Amazon looks at the situation as an engineering problem with the need for complete and total redundant back up, including a second country to keep serving customers in any situation.

"They do it with their data services. They create cloud servers all over the world," he said.

North Texas leaders are touting many possible locations for a second Amazon headquarters location in this region as they assemble a proposal for the company.

But Bishop also said Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has Texas connections, and Texas should not be counted out.

McIlwain said the intense HQ2 competition could net more than one winner.

"Maybe they decide that there's two or three cities that they put major presences in rather than call any one HQ2," he said.

While some traditional retail locations struggle, North Texas and other regions are lining up as Amazon suitors, envisioning the Seattle tech surge could happen to them.

Tour Amazon's Seattle HQ, Surrounding Area

Amazon's Request for Proposals:



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The Dallas Regional Chamber is beginning to pour over proposals from more than a dozen North Texas cities, each hoping to land Amazons $5 billion HQ2 campus.



We have communities from all over the region submitting, said Jessica Heer, the Regional Chambers senior vice president.



The Dallas Regional Chamber set Sept. 29 as the last day for cities to submit proposals, which will be included in the Chambers unified, regional pitch to Amazon.



We want to show that we have the variety and opportunity throughout the region, want to give them a lot of options, said Heer.



I think weve got a pretty good chance just with all of our growth in this region from talent to the variety of sites that we have, Heer said. Theyd be crazy not to look at us, right?



One proposal from Dallas would put Amazons HQ2 at the site of the old Valley View Mall, at the northwest corner of 635 and Preston Road.



I think we really do have a good shot, said Dallas Midtown developer Scott Beck.



Amazon could fit their entire five million square feet of space within just this site where the hundred acres of Valley View Mall sits today, said Beck.



At the Dallas Regional Chamber, we dont care where they land as long as they land, as long as its in the region, said Heer.



Dallas City Councilman Lee Kleinman believes North Texas has a good chance.



Were one of the fastest growing regions in North America, said Kleinman. People like being here, the weather's good, transportation is great. I mean we have two fantastic airports, theres a lot of encouraging and positive business environment here and theres a great technology environment here.



The deadline to get the Dallas Regional Chambers response to Amazon is Oct. 19.
It's opening day at the 2017 State Fair of Texas. Here's 5 things you need to know before heading to the fair on Friday.

The first 75 people at any of the seven Fletcher's Corny Dog stands will get one of the legendary corny dogs for free. It's all part of the Fletcher's 75th anniversary celebration at the State Fair of Texas. The giveaway will continue every Friday for the duration of the fair. The State Fair of Texas opening day parade will head through Downtown Dallas at noon. The parade starts at Main and Houston streets and will head East through downtown along Main Street to Good Latimer Expressway. It's Military Appreciation Day! All active military, retired military and veterans can show their military ID for free admission Friday. Military Spouses can also show their spouse ID for free admission. Accompanying children younger than 18 will also get free admission. Save on ticket prices! Just bring a full 20-ounce Dasani water (or any 20-ounce coke product) to the gate for a discounted admission price of $10. The donations will be given to the North Texas Food Bank. Stay late to see North Texan Maren Morris on the Chevrolet Main Stage. The Arlington native will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The best part, admission to the show is included with your daily state fair admission.
The Environmental Protection Agency says an unknown amount of a dangerous chemical linked to birth defects and cancer may have washed downriver from a Houston-area Superfund site during the flooding from Hurricane Harvey.

EPA said Thursday night it has ordered the companies responsible for the San Jacinto River Waste Pits site to immediately address damage to a protective cap of fabric and rock intended to keep sediments highly contaminated with dioxins from spreading. The companies, International Paper and the Waste Management subsidiary McGinnis Industrial Maintenance Corp., have made initial repairs to the underwater section of the cap where the protective rock was missing.

EPA said a sample collected by an agency dive team from the exposed area showed dioxin levels at 70,000 nanograms per kilogram -- more than 2,300 times the level set to trigger a cleanup. Dioxins do not dissolve easily in water but can be carried away with any contaminated sediments and deposited over a wider area.

Residents in nearby neighborhoods that flooded during the storm are now worried contaminated mud might have been washed into their homes, said Jackie Young, a local environmental advocate.

"For years we've told the EPA it's not a matter of if this area is struck by a hurricane but when," said Young, executive director of Texas Health and Environment Alliance. "The scary part about this is we have no way of knowing where all the contaminated material was carried by Harvey's floodwaters."

At least one dozen Superfund sites in and around Houston were flooded last month in the days after Harvey's record-shattering rains stopped. Associated Press journalists surveyed seven of the flooded sites by boat, vehicle and on foot, including San Jacinto. The EPA said at the time that its personnel had been unable to reach the sites, though they surveyed the locations using aerial photos.

The San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site is on and around a low-lying island that was home to a paper mill in the 1960s. The site was completely covered with roiling floodwaters when the AP surveyed it on Sept. 1.

About 16 acres of the site were covered in 2011 with an "armored cap" of fabric and rock intended to contain the contamination until it can be removed as part of a proposed $97 million cleanup plan. The cap was designed to last for up to 100 years, but it has required extensive repairs on at least six occasions in recent years, with sections becoming displaced or going missing.

In its statement, EPA did not disclose precisely when the damage to the cap from Harvey was first discovered. AP observed a dive team working from a boat over an underwater section of the site on Sept. 13. Workers began using heavy machinery to add layers of rock to the cap the week after the storm.

EPA said additional testing will now be needed to determine whether the contamination spread and to ensure that the exposed waste material is isolated.

Despite EPA's statement affirming that contaminated materials were exposed by the storm, International Paper and McGinnis said in a statement that "no evidence exists that there was any release of waste material to the environment as a result of Hurricane Harvey."

"The assessments also demonstrate that the existing armored cap performed well," the companies said.

San Jacinto is at least the second Houston-area Superfund site where contaminated materials may have been spread by Harvey's flooding. AP reported Sept. 18 that three separate spills were reported from flooded tanks at U.S. Oil Recovery, a former petroleum waste processing plant contaminated with a dangerous brew of cancer-causing chemicals.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has called cleaning up Superfund sites a top priority, even as President Donald Trump's proposed 2018 budget seeks to cut money for the program by 30 percent. Following AP's reporting on flooding at Texas Superfund sites, Pruitt flew to Houston and visited the San Jacinto site.

The AP was not notified about Pruitt's visit and was not able to attend or observe, but Pruitt spoke afterward to a local Fox affiliate.

"When you have a temporary situation like this, when you take rock and put in on top of a site to secure it, you have a big enough storm, something like this, that could cause a disruption of that rock and a release could occur," Pruitt said.

The San Jacinto River empties into Galveston Bay, where state health officials have long advised against regularly consuming fish and shellfish due to contamination from dioxins and PCBs.

Elena Craft, a health scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund in Austin, said EPA has been "woefully inadequate" in assessing environmental health risks as a result of Harvey. She called the prospect of a breach at San Jacinto a worst-case scenario.

"Dioxin is one of the most toxic substances known to man," Craft said. "They were slow to collect any samples, they made inappropriate statements on health risks before having any scientific evidence, and have not provided enough information on risks for anyone within the local communities to make informed health decisions."
Irene Hernandez is permanently disabled. Her mother, for whom she cares full-time, is struggling with dementia.

Despite their health challenges, Hernandez says there's one activity that helps both of them manage their ailments.

"I look for different places to go hiking. It's our physical therapy," said Hernandez. "It's how I deal with my pain. It gives my mom the best joy to be out in nature."

But Hernandez says she's now afraid to visit some of Southern California's most popular park areas. That's because she received a ticket for running a stop sign at Franklin Canyon Park and didn't even know it until it arrived weeks later in the mail.

"Apparently they recorded me blowing through a stop sign," Hernandez said. "There was nobody there. It was really quiet. Kind of a lonely location."

She wasn't ticketed by a law enforcement officer or a park ranger. In fact, no one who works for the park saw her roll through the sign. But the alleged violation was captured in photos and on video by an automatic camera mounted on the hillside near the stop sign.

"I was shocked that they would ticket me $100 for that kind of thing and that they would even be recording it because I didn't even think they were allowed to do that in California anymore," explained Hernandez.

For most of California, stop sign ticket cameras are not allowed under the state's vehicle code. But a little known agency called the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority or MRCA has its own set of rules. They use cameras to enforce some of the stop signs on their land; 73,000 acres of parks, trails and open space that includes portions of the Santa Monica Mountains.

"These are areas where we have high foot traffic," Supervising Park Ranger Jewel Johnson.

Currently, the MRCA operates 7 stop sign ticket cameras. Three of the cameras are in Franklin Canyon Park, one is at the top of Reseda Boulevard near the entrance to Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park, one is at the top of Topanga Canyon at a scenic overlook, and two are in Temescal Gateway Park.

"These are not city streets. You can't walk in the middle of Ventura Boulevard, but you can walk in the middle of our access roads because they are part of the trail system," said Johnson.

Johnson says the cameras are necessary because the MRCA's park rangers have a lot of responsibilities outside of traffic enforcement including fire protection. And she says the cameras serve as her eyes when she can't physically monitor the locations.

"This is a technology that helps us in maintaining the safety of the park," said Johnson.

But critics of the program disagree. They say the stop signs, let alone the cameras, are unnecessary because of their locations.

"They can see in all directions, there's no reason to come to a complete stop, they can certainly yield if somebody's there," said Jay Beeber, Executive Director of Safer Streets LA.

Beeber has been studying traffic and parking issues in Los Angeles for years and has testified in front of the state legislature about the issue. He believes the signs should be taken down or replaced with yield signs.

"Most of the stop signs that you'll see that are photo enforced from an engineering standpoint are not really necessary," said Beeber.

That's not just his opinion. It's also the opinion of a retired traffic engineer with 50 years of experience who Beeber asked to review some of the stop signs.

In an email, the engineer wrote, "it appears to be that, ...the three scenarios depicted in your memo violate the fundamental concepts of the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) and of sound Traffic Engineering [sic] in general."

"They place them in places where no stop sign is needed," said Beeber. "There's no evidence that the fact that somebody slowly rolled through a stop sign and their wheels didn't quite stop turning caused any danger to anybody."

Beeber points to the stop sign and camera on top of Reseda Boulevard as an example. The stop sign isn't at an intersection and the cross walk doesn't appear to go anywhere. Yet more than 2-thousand people got tickets at this stop sign in 2016.

Overall, according to data obtained by the NBC4 I-Team, more than 97,000 drivers have received a stop sign ticket from the MRCA since 2013. The program has generated almost $7 million dollars for the agency since 2012. The agency says most of the money goes to maintaining the park system.

Beeber says the signs and the cameras are not about safety but about making money for the MRCA and keeping people from using the roads to cut across town.

"The MRCA has never been able to show even one time that there's been any collisions, any accidents, any injuries, anything whatsoever, at any of these stop sign locations," said Beeber.

The NBC4 I-Team asked the MRCA for examples of accidents and incidents at the stop sign camera locations. They provided us with one incident report. The accident involved a car that hit a curb and went down the hillside at the top of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

According to the incident report, the driver "was found to be at fault in this collision by making an unsafe turning movement, which caused him to veer of the roadway..." The report does not cite any evidence of him running or ignoring a posted stop sign.

Ranger Johnson says the program is about preventing problems before they occur.

"I don't think the public wants us to take action after something tragic happens," said Johnson.

Hernandez says she never put anyone at risk when she drove slowly through Franklin Canyon. She decided not to pay the fine which unlike normal traffic tickets doesn't appear on your driving record. And tickets are issued to the owner of the car, not necessarily the person who was driving the vehicle at the time. MRCA says it is similar to a parking ticket.

"They are actually a ticket for disobeying park rules," explained Beeber.

That means the MRCA can't harm your driving record but they can send you to collections and even small claims court if you fail to pay the fine. They can also add late fees. That's what they did to Hernandez. The agency got a court judgment against her including late fees of several hundred dollars.

"I thought, oh my god, I cannot believe it's escalating to this point that they're actually taking me to small claims court," said Hernandez.

The MRCA says there is a process for challenging the tickets. You can go to a hearing conducted by an MRCA employee and pay to have your appeal heard in court.

"It's not fair, it's not right. I am holding fast to my principals and just resisting," said Hernandez.
With the investigation continuing, a Los Angeles police officer arrested for allegedly driving drunk and causing a triple-fatal crash on the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in Santa Fe Springs was released from jail Thursday.

Authorities said 26-year-old Edgar Verduzco of Santa Ana was speeding his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro in the freeway's carpool lane around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday just north of Washington Boulevard when he struck a 2014 Nissan and a 2010 Scion from behind.

The impact of the crash caused the Nissan to burst into flames, trapping the three occupants, who died at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol. They've been identified by relatives as Mario and Maribel Davila of Riverside and their 19-year-old son, Oscar.

According to a GoFundMe page created on the family's behalf, the Davilas were "members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine church, volunteers of the Riverside community, supporters of the arts, and all three of them had positive influences on those around them."

The driver of the Scion, 31-year-old Berly Alvarado of Wilmington, was taken to a hospital after complaining of pain.

Verduzco, who suffered "major" injuries was arrested and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs causing bodily injury. He was being held on $100,000 bail, but was released Thursday afternoon while CHP officials awaited the results of lab tests.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said Wednesday the department has begun an internal investigation and will cooperate with the CHP in its probe of the crash. He said the LAPD "has no tolerance for driving under the influence and holds its officers to the highest standards of professionalism both on and off-duty."

"It is particularly troubling when one of our own police officers violates drunk driving laws, which is why a drunk driving offense always results in a personnel complaint which can lead to dismissals," he said. "In instances where nobody has been injured, employees often receive suspension days and employees sign a contract in which an individual will submit to randomized testing, treatment programs and abstinence from alcohol as a condition of continued employment."

Beck said Verduzco has been with the department for just two years, but has a military background.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers, issued a statement expressing "deep sorrow over this horrible tragedy."

"There's never an excuse for driving under the influence, and if Officer Verduzco is found guilty of what he is accused of, then he should suffer the consequences for his reckless actions," according to the union.
A argument between a 56-year-old man and his 33-year-old daughter-in-law led to his fatal shooting and her being critically wounded Thursday in a vehicle in the Chantry Flats area of Angeles National Forest.

The woman drove the vehicle to the 300 block of North Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia, where she was able to get cellphone reception and called police, according to Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

The man was shot in the upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman was shot in the lower body and taken to a hospital, Navarro- Suarez said.

The woman was expected to survive, according Navarro-Suarez, who said the shooting occurred just after 2 p.m.

A handgun was recovered at the scene, she said.

Sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives were dispatched to the scene to assist Arcadia police with the shooting investigation.
A cross-country manhunt, extending all the way to Miami-Dade County, for a man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend has prompted authorities to ask the South Florida community for help.



Cornel Bell, 46, is wanted for the murder of his ex-girlfriend 33-year-old Michele Clarke, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Police in Massachusetts believe Bell may be in the Miami-Dade County area and consider him extremely dangerous.

Investigators are seeking the assistance of the community in locating Cornel Bell. Anyone with information of his whereabouts is urged to contact Crimestoppers at (305)471-TIPS (8477).
Florida Gov. Rick Scott traveled to Washington, D.C. Friday to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the governor's trip to Puerto Rico and the Hurricane Irma recovery efforts in Florida.

Scott said he had lunch with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, a day after he toured parts of Puerto Rico that had been devastated by Hurricane Maria.

"In Florida, we have the opportunity as Floridians that we can deal with different issues than probably the federal government can, we have similar departments like the department of education, or dept of transportation that does things similar to the territory of Puerto Rico," Scott said at a news conference at the White House. "We're going to do everything we can to help Puerto Rico."

Scott said he told the president that Puerto Rico needs more trucks and truck drivers to distribute needed supplies like fuel.

"They have the fuel, they just need to get it out of their ports," Scott said.

Scott also responded to criticism from a state senator who accused him of doing nothing more than photo ops when it comes to helping Puerto Rico.

"This is not a time for politics, this is a time to help people," Scott said.

Scott and Trump also discussed the Irma cleanup efforts in Florida, including repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike that surrounds Lake Okeechobee.

"I just want to make sure we accelerate everything we can to get the repairs to the dike done as soon as possible," Scott said.

Scott said that in addition to the destruction in the Florida Keys, housing problems and debris cleanup continue to be the main issues. Scott said the state is working with FEMA on the housing issues.

"Our state has come back strong, we have our power back, people are back in business," Scott said.


Florida Gov. Rick Scott visited hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico Thursday to help coordinate relief efforts on the island. Scott met with Puerto Rico's Gov. Ricardo Rossello to get a first-hand look at the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria.

Upon Scott's return to Florida, he held a press conference to discuss his visit. He said the main challenges on the island are communication and power, and he noted the major differences in relief efforts between Florida and Puerto Rico.

I could get thousands of people to drive here within a day or two. You cant get them there overnight. They gotta [sic] get there by boat or by plane, Scott explained.

The Florida governor traveled to the U.S. commonwealth at the request of Rossello. Scott said the government is having trouble moving fuel and aid from the port to the people.

"Its not easy to get into all these little pockets of people. We pulled into this one area and I think there was only one road in there. We dont really have those types of issues here, Scott said.

In response to the crisis in Puerto Rico, Scott has asked all Florida colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition for students from the island - a direct result of the devastation to schools that could be without power for months in addition to other issues.

He added that he's been in touch with representatives at Port Miami and Jacksonville to get more supplies shipped to the battered territory.

This week, Scott directed the Florida National Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to stand ready to assist Puerto Rico as soon as the government identifies their specific needs.
Help was needed around the world as victims of Hurricanes Maria and Irma, as well as victims of the earthquake in Mexico, all needed assistance.

Communities around the world all got together to donate money, their time and other necessary items to help the victims of these natural disasters.

NBC and Telemundo television stations around the country put their resources to work, and held phone banks to raise money for the American Red Cross.

In total, NBC and Telemundo stations raised $9.3 million for relief efforts to benefit victims of natural disasters in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Caribbean islands.

A phone bank was held in early September for Hurricane Harvey relief, which raised $5.1 million. Other phone banks were held to raise money for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Mexico earthquake relief, which raised $4.2 million.
Florida authorities said a Virginia woman arrested Tuesday in connection to a decades-old cold case dubbed the "Clown Murder" could face the death penalty.

Sheila Keen Warren, 54, has been indicted on a first-degree murder with a firearm charge in the May 26, 1990 killing of Marlene Warren, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said at a news conference Thursday.

Warren was arrested Tuesday in Washington County, Va., where she had been living with husband Michael Warren, who at the time of the shooting was married to Marlene Warren. Authorities said the couple married in 2002.



Warren could face life in prison or, potentially, the death penalty, Aronberg said, but noted that he won't make an announcement on whether the death penalty will be sought until Warren is extradited to Palm Beach County.

Detectives say on a May morning in 1990, Marlene Warren was at her Wellington home with her son and several of his friends when the doorbell rang, authorities said. Warren answered her front door to find a clown in an orange wig, red nose and white face paint, handing her carnations and foil balloons.

"How nice," she said.

The clown then pulled out a gun and shot her in the face, detectives said. Witnesses recalled hearing a gunshot and seeing Warren fall to the ground as the clown "calmly" walked back to a waiting car and drove away.

Marlene Warren was taken to a nearby hospital where she died two days later.

Authorities said the case was reopened in 2014. Detectives said advances in DNA technology, combined with evidence gathered decades ago, show Sheila Keen Warren was the killer.

At the time of the shooting, Sheila Keen was an employee of Marlene Warren's husband at his used car lot. The Sun Sentinel reports the two often took long lunches together. After she separated from her first husband Richard Keen in January 1990, Michael Warren reportedly paid her rent, according to the paper.

It had been rumored she was having an affair with Michael Warren but both denied being involved in a relationship, authorities said.

"This was a tenacious effort on the part of the cold case detectives and the people from the state attorney's office and the FBI," sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at Thursday's news conference.

Over the years, detectives say, employees at a local costume shop identified Sheila Warren as the woman who had bought a clown costume a few days earlier.

And one of the two balloons  a silver one that read, "You're the Greatest"  was sold at a Publix supermarket near Marlene Warren's home. Employees told detectives a woman who looked like Warren had bought the balloons an hour before the shooting.

Detectives said new examination of DNA collected in 1990 helped establish enough evidence to make the arrest. They did not give any details on the genetic material or where it was found.

"Technological advances helped crack this case and hopefully will bring justice to the family of Marlene Warren," Aronberg said.

Sheila Warren has waived extradition and is expected to be transfered to Palm Beach County. Attorney information wasn't immediately available.

Michael Warren, 65, has not been charged, but detectives said they have not ruled him out as a suspect and said he was interviewed again Wednesday.

"We don't know if there will be anyone else charged in this, that remains to be seen," Bradshaw said.
The road to recovery could be a long journey for the island of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria's widespread devastation.

Emergency supplies are on the U.S. territory, but distributing the food and first aid has been a challenge. Now, dozens of helpers are on their way.

An emergency deployment of nearly 70 officials with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are heading to the island and they will provide all types of aid to help with relief efforts. Everything from getting flight operations back up and running to help with shipping at the ports. They will depart from JFK Airport Friday.

Shipping at Puerto Ricos ports has become a growing issue for the last few days. The Trump administration temporarily waived the Jones Act -- one that requires only American ships to carry goods between U.S. ports.

Before that, the emergency supplies that have been shipped to San Juan werent filtering out to the rest of the island. Port Authority workers will help unload and prepare aid shipments at the port of San Juan.

The supply chain from the domestic carrier hasnt been the problem," Jose Ayala of Crowley Maritime, said. The problem is the distribution on the island.

People living on storm-hit Puerto Rico are running out of food and water and advocates in New York are fighting for help. Ray Villeda reports.

Meanwhile, a protest was held at the federal building in lower Manhattan Thursday. Nearly 300 people were calling on the Trump administration to provide more emergency assistance.

President Trump will head down to Puerto Rico next week.

In addition to the Port Authority emergency deployment leaving New York on Friday, 100 members of New York State Police and National Guard will also head to the island.

[NATL] In Photos: Total Devastation in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

Gov. Cuomo announced earlier this week that New York state was sending additional personnel and supplies to help Puerto Rico's recovery effort.


The mayor of Dr. Seuss' hometown fired back at a school librarian on Thursday who called the children's author's books "racist" and "cliche" in rejecting a donation of them from Melania Trump.

The comments of Cambridge Public Schools librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro were "political correctness at its worst," Springfield, Massachusetts, Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a statement.

"One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, I think her comments stink and are ridiculous towards our beloved Dr. Seuss," he said.

Dr. Seuss, whose real name is Theodor Geisel, was born and raised in Springfield. He wrote and illustrated dozens of rhyming children's books including "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham." A Dr. Seuss museum opened in the city earlier this year and the Democratic mayor notes that attendance has been "through the roof."

He said if Cambridge doesn't want the books, Springfield will take them.

Sarno also praised the first lady and invited her and Republican President Donald Trump to visit the Springfield museum.

The first lady sent Dr. Seuss books to schools across the country earlier this month to celebrate National Read a Book Day on Sept. 6.

A spokeswoman for Melania Trump said the Cambridge librarian's response was "unfortunate" and the first lady remains committed to children's causes.

Soeiro could not immediately be reached for comment. But in a blog post the librarian called Dr. Seuss a "tired and worn ambassador for children's literature"and said his illustrations are "steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes."

She also suggested that more thought could have gone into the selection of the books, saying that "Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche..."

The Cambridge school system distanced itself from Soeiro's opinions, saying her comments were "not a formal acceptance or rejection of donated books."
Mayor Jim Kenney is responding after about 100 people were arrested in Philadelphia during a four-day nationwide immigration sweep targeting so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, federal authorities announced Thursday.

As I have said many times before, such sweeping raids sow distrust and anxiety among members of our immigrant communities and make them less likely to trust any law-enforcement, including our police. Further, Operation Safe City proves that our welcoming policies for immigrants and non-immigrants alikedo not stop ICE from enforcing federal immigration law, as ICE has suggested in the past," Mayor Kenney said in a statement Friday.



Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said "Operation Safe City," which ended Wednesday, targeted people who have "violated U.S. immigration laws, prioritizing aliens with criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, known gang members and affiliates, immigration fugitives and those who re-entered the U.S. after deportation."

The agency noted that agents targeted regions "where ICE deportation officers are denied access to jails and prisons to interview suspected immigration violators or jurisdictions where ICE detainers are not honored."

"Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honor detainers or allow us access to jails and prisons are shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement and creating a magnet for illegal immigration," ICE Acting Director Tom Homan said. "As a result, ICE is forced to dedicate more resources to conduct at-large arrests in these communities."

Nobody registered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program -- which provides protection from deportation for people brought to the country illegally as children by their parents -- were targeted in the operation, officials said.

ICE officials said 107 people were arrested in Philadelphia, out of 498 nationally. Other raids were conducted in the Los Angeles area; Santa Clara County; Baltimore; Cook County, Illinois; Denver; New York; Philadelphia; Portland, Oregon; Washington, D.C.; and the state of Massachusetts.

Philadelphia had the most arrests, followed by Los Angeles with 101.

According to ICE, among those arrested in Philadelphia was a citizen of the Donminican Republic who entered the country illegally and has previous convictions for possession of firearms.

The 498 people arrested in the operation came from 42 countries and 312 of them had criminal convictions, according to ICE.
Eight days after Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, thousands of Americans living on the mainland have not heard from their loved ones on the island. Even elected officials do not know the condition of their friends and family.

Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, a Philadelphia native with relatives in Puerto Rico, is one of those people. She has only heard from a handful of loved ones, including a cousin who spent all day Wednesday trying to find cellphone reception. When she finally got through to Philadelphia, the 40-year-old woman cried wondering how her family will eat. They were running out of water and food, Quinones-Sanchez said.

Her first reaction was I gotta get off the island and my first reaction was No, youre 40. Youre young. You need to stay there, the councilwoman said.

The full human toll of Hurricane Maria remains uncounted because relief efforts have barely started. Frustrated by the governments slow response, Philadelphia City Council adopted a resolution Thursday urging immediate federal relief to support all aid efforts in Puerto Rico.

What weve done is not nearly enough, Mayor Jim Kenney said. The White House response to this devastating storm is already past due. Its important that we understand compassion.

City officials have stopped short of sharing any contingency plans should thousands of Puerto Ricans seek refuge in Philadelphia or other parts of Pennsylvania. Kenney has repeatedly said he would open all of the citys resources to victims, but no federal request been received.

At this point during Hurricane Katrina, there were 20,000 troops and 40,000 national guards on the ground. We are nowhere near that, Quinones-Sanchez said. People here are going to be more frustrated because they cant reach their loved ones.

Quinones-Sanchez worries Puerto Rico will experience a brain drain. Young people and those with financial means have already been fleeing the islands crumbling economy and resettling in places like Philadelphia where opportunities are more abundant. But without those residents, Puerto Rico could soon descend into a remote outlet for the sick and elderly, Quinones-Sanchez said.

Thats why its important the federal response provide hope so that people can stay and rebuild, she said. Theyve been in the middle of a fiscal crisis and 10,000 people were already voluntarily leaving the island every month prior to the devastation.

As of Thursday, only six post offices are open on the entire island. More than 40 percent of residents do not have drinkable water. Ninety-seven percent of people are without cell service and 100 percent are without electricity.

[NATL] In Photos: Total Devastation in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

There are people dying over there and that should stop right now, State Rep. Bob Brady said. We are the richest country  and we can help our own.

Brady stood side by side with Kenney, Quinones-Sanchez and other elected city and state officials. Their united front is just one of the many ways they hope to push President Donald Trump into a more robust response. He has yet to visit Puerto Rico, and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Frank will make her first visit to the island Friday.

Speaking in Philadelphia Thursday evening, Brady said fuel, gas and medicine is most needed to hurricane victims.

What we need is boots on the ground to protect United States citizens, he said. They are United States citizens.

Philadelphia is uniquely poised to help the Caribbean island. Puerto Ricans comprise 8 percent of the citys total population and 75 percent of Philadelphias Latino community, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The push to help hurricane victims goes beyond politics.

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle bsaid he received call from one of these local residents yesterday. Her grandmother had died in the wake of Hurricane Maria and she wanted to know how this could happen on American soil. All Boyle could offer was his condolences, but that didnt feel like enough, he said.

This administration has not shown commitment  to the people of Puerto Rico, he said. We have to make sure for everyone elses grandmother and family members that they do not experience a loss of life.
The city has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by a San Diego trash collector. The suit alleged missed meal breaks, unpaid overtime and doctored time cards that he said falsely made it appear like the city was providing adequate breaks.

The proposed settlement, announced Thursday, is in the amount of $500,000 and will be divided among the plaintiffs, all city trash workers. It still must be approved by a judge.



A May 23, 2014, complaint against the city alleges the city violated the labor rights of trash collector Thomas Perez and his coworkers.

The case, which involves about 220 trash truck drivers in the Citys Environmental Services Department, claims the city failed to pay overtime wages or meal breaks to employees working more than five hours and additional meal periods for employees working in excess of 10 hours from May 2011 to present.

The lawsuit also claimed the city doctored time cards to make it appear like the meal periods were taken. One of the issues, as stated in the lawsuit, is that trash collectors are responsible for their trash trucks and are required to stay on their collection routes during lunch.

The city does not admit fault in the settlement agreement.

The San Diego City Council is scheduled to approve the tentative agreement Thursday.

An attorney for the plaintiffs said he could not comment until the deal was finalized.

A spokesman for the City Attorney's office said this about the suit:

"The City disputes liability. Nevertheless the parties accepted a mediators proposal to settle for $500,000, inclusive of attorney fees and payments to drivers, to resolve the matter," said Gerry Braun from the City Attorney's office.



"In settling the City admits no wrongdoing; rather, the settlement avoids further risk and exposure to taxpayers."
A fire that ripped through a 120-foot-long fishing ship docked along downtown San Diegos waterfront sent a cloud of thick, black smoke billowing over the harbor Friday and continued burning into Saturday.

The fire began around 9:40 a.m. as the vessel was docked at 750 North Harbor Dr., about one-third of a mile from Seaport Village. The smoke moved quickly through the air and could be seen all along the San Diego Harbor and from some parts of downtown, including the towering One America Plaza building.

NBC 7's Mackenzie Maynard reports from the San Diego Harbor where a fishing vessel caught on fire Friday morning.

The sight caught the attention of locals and tourists walking along the waterfront, many of whom stopped to gaze as fire crews descended on the ship.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) spokesperson Monica Munoz said in the initial search of the ship, crews did not find anyone on board.

A fire ripped through a 120-foot-long fishing ship at the San Diego Harbor Friday, sending thick smoke into the air. NBC 7's Liberty Zabala reports.

Firefighters could be seen running up and down the dock as sirens blared in the background. At one point, flames were shooting from a porthole, with several firefighters surrounding it.

Raw video of a fire that ripped through a 120-foot ship at the San Diego Harbor on Friday.

Chris Weber, Assistant Chief of Emergency Operations with SDFD, said the fire appeared to have sparked in the ships lower deck levels. His crews were trying to gain access to those levels, which proved arduous.

Weber said the initial attack went well, but as the blaze intensified, firefighters had to back out, regroup and launch a coordinated attack. SDFD crews were being assisted by U.S. Coast Guard officials and crews from the Harbor Police Department who approached the burning ship from the water in their agencies emergency boats. Crews from other agencies were also en route.

[G] San Diego Fire-Rescue Crews Battle Ship Fire Near Seaport Village

About 45 minutes into the ordeal, Weber said close to 100 responders were battling the ship fire including a command staff and 20 to 25 fire apparatus. He planned to swap out crews as firefighters grew tired.

The assistant chief said ship fires are difficult to manage due to a number of challenging factors.

These ship fires are very dangerous, Weber told NBC 7. If you think about it, its almost like a high-rise building sitting on its side. We practice and train for it as part of our normal thing but, as you can see, they are difficult. We have to pull lines all the way down to the end of the pier so that they can get into the ship.

BREAKING: We're seeing flames shooting out of the side of the ship now. Several firefights on board. Stay w #NBC7 pic.twitter.com/cH3QTrdI4z  Liberty Zabala FOX 5 (@Liberty_Zabala) September 29, 2017

Weber said ladders were placed around the ship so firefighters could get on and off as needed. They also had to set up rescue crews in case a firefighter, outfitted with heavy gear, were to fall into the water.

[These ships] are a solid steel vessel, so its hard to breach doors and get through. And then youve got heat thats being channeled up through very tight ways, so the guys have to fight through all that heat to actually get down and put the fire out, Weber added.

As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, Weber said the conditions appeared to be getting better and that firefighters would soon gain the upper-hand.

About 40 minutes later, however, SDFD officials said they had decided to switch the attack strategy from offensive to defensive, and all firefighters were being pulled off the boat. News helicopter video showed fire crews spraying down the ship from aboard other vessels surrounding it in the harbor.

BREAKING @SDFD changing tactic once again battling Norton Sound fire. They are now removing firefighters from vessel, letting it burn #NBC7 pic.twitter.com/vsCIZdEHOT  Liberty Zabala (@LibertyNBC7SD) September 29, 2017

The blaze had been upgraded to a third-alarm response. In addition to the SDFD, Harbor Police Department and U.S. Coast Guard, crews from the Coronado, National City, and Chula Vista fire departments were also helping or heading to the scene.

Harbor Police Department Chief John Bolduc said the agencies made a unified decision to pull firefighters off the ship because it was no longer safe to fight the flames on board.

As of 11:40 a.m. Friday, the fire remained active inside, and Bolduc said officials hoped it would burn itself out within a few dozen hours.

More shots of the fishing boat fire near Seaport Village happening now. Second alarm fire that broke out at 9:31 this morning. pic.twitter.com/YWSLBZ0gL3  SDFD (@SDFD) September 29, 2017

Due to the water being sprayed on the vessel, Bolduc said the ship was beginning to tilt. Adding more water to the ship could cause it to sink, but Bolduc said crews would continue to find ways to cool the blaze from the outside. He said once the fire burns out, and it is safe to go in, firefighters will access the decks.

SDFD Chief Brian Fennessy said the fire was located too deep within the ship to safely send firefighters into those decks for the time being.

He said with the flames, smoke and surrounding steel materials combined, it was likely about 1,000-degrees inside the ship.

At around 3 p.m. Friday, the fire began kicking back up, with flames shooting through to the upper deck of the vessel and heavy, black smoke permeating the air. Burnt pieces of the boat could be seen falling into the water.

Video shot by NBC 7 of the fire on a fishing ship docked at the San Diego Harbor kicking back up at around 3 p.m. Friday. Burnt pieces of the vessel could be seen falling into the water at this time. Officials plan to let the blaze burn itself out.

Bolduc said the last time they let a boat burn itself out was about two years ago when a fire tore through a boat on a dry dock. That fire took 51 hours to burn out.

Weber said crews did not find anyone on board during a primary search of the vessel.

The blaze scorched the vessel overnight, as firefighters kept a watchful eye. Munoz said crews remained at the scene all night, rotating monitoring duties every three hours and checking mooring lines every hour to make sure they didn't burn.

SDFD officials would re-evaluate the situation at 6 a.m. Saturday and determine how to staff the fire at that time.

On Saturday morning, the blaze was still burning as heavy smell of smoke continued clouding the waterfront.

Some surrounding business in Seaport Village temporarily closed due to the smoke. SDFD and U.S. Coast Guard crews remained at the scene monitoring the fire. An agency, NRC, contracted by the Coast Guard was testing the water around the boat and looking into the air quality and possible environmental impact, if any, of the ship fire.

The ship is emblazoned with the name "Norton Sound," and appears to be a fishing vessel. The ship had been docked there for several months.

Weber said officials were trying to contact the ship's owners Friday. On Saturday, Munoz told NBC 7 that the owners of the ship had been notified and were en route to San Diego from Mexico.

NBC 7 reached out to Norton Sound Enterprises, LLC/E&E Foods on Saturday, a Seattle-based company that once held minority ownership on the vessel. The director of sales said the ship was sold this past spring to someone in Mexico, though he couldn't confirm the owner's name. The new owner brought the ship to San Diego and docked it at the waterfront.

The cause of the fire is under investigation; no injuries were reported.
Firebrand jurist Roy Moore won the Alabama Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, defeating an appointed incumbent backed by both President Donald Trump and deep-pocketed allies of Sen. Mitch McConnell.

In an upset certain to rock the GOP establishment, Moore clinched a nearly 10-point victory over Sen. Luther Strange to take the GOP nomination for the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Moore will face Democrat Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election.

Moore, 70, is the state's former chief justice who was twice removed from those duties after taking stands for public display of the Ten Commandments and against gay marriage.

"We have to return the knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress," Moore told a cheering crowd in his victory party in Montgomery.

Moore told The Associated Press that the victory tells the establishment in "Washington, D.C., that their wall has been cracked and will now fall."

The race has pitted Trump against his former strategist Steve Bannon who had argued Moore was a better fit for the "populist" movement. Introducing Moore, Bannon told a frenzied crowd that the victory was a repudiation of the "fat cats" of Washington who pumped millions into the Alabama race to boost Strange.

Bannon declared Moore's win a victory for Trump, despite the president's support for Strange. Moore said he supports the president and his agenda.

After the race, Trump tweeted his congratulations to Moore, noting that "Luther Strange started way back & ran a good race." Moore said Trump had called him, but he missed the call because he was out in the crowd greeting supporters.

Trump, after the results rolled in, also deleted at least three tweets he had previously posted in support of Strange: one from late Monday and two from Tuesday morning.



The Senate Leadership Fund, a group with ties to McConnell, had spent an estimated $9 million trying to secure the nomination for Strange.

SLF President and CEO Steven Law said Tuesday that Moore won the nomination "fair and square" and the group will now back him. Law says Moore "has our support, as it is vital that we keep this seat in Republican hands."

In a statement, McConnell congratulated Moore and said Senate Republicans are committed to keeping the seat in GOP hands.

Even though Alabama has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in two decades, Democrats are hopeful they have an opening in the December election against Moore.

Jones is a former U.S. attorney best known for prosecuting the Klansmen who killed four girls in a 1963 church bombing. He said Tuesday that he wanted to focus the race on the "kitchen table issues" that matter to all Alabamians, "health care, education for our kids, jobs and a living range."

Strange supporters were at least somewhat divided on how they will approach the general election in December.

"It will be closer than if Luther had won" the nomination, said Perry Hooper, a former state lawmaker who predicted some Republicans will stay home in December or even vote for Jones.

But Hooper, who served as Trump's Alabama campaign chief, said he's all in for Moore. "Ultimately, this is about helping the president," Hooper said. "This is a Republican state, and Roy will help the president."

Moore was twice elected chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and twice removed from those duties. In 2003, he was removed from office for disobeying a federal judge's order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state courthouse lobby. Last year, he was permanently suspended after a disciplinary panel ruled he had urged probate judges to defy federal court decisions on gay marriage and deny wedding licenses to same-sex couples. He denied that accusation.

Strange told his supporters that "we wish (Moore) well going forward." But he quickly shifted to his own bewilderment at the race he just finished.

"We're dealing with a political environment that I've never had any experience with," Strange said.

Strange also thanked Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for backing him. Trump, Strange said, may "be criticized" for coming to Alabama on his behalf. "Sometimes it's just about friendship ... a common goal to make the country better," he said.

Moore, propelled by evangelical voters, consolidated support from a number of anti-establishment forces, including the pro-Trump Great America Alliance and Bannon.

Moore led Strange by about 25,000 votes in the crowded August primary, which went to a runoff between the two because neither topped 50 percent in the voting. The low-turnout election gave an advantage to Moore as his loyal supporters flooded the polls.

Strange, the state's former attorney general, was appointed to Sessions' seat in February by then-Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned two months later as lawmakers opened impeachment hearings against him. Throughout the Senate race, Strange had been dogged by criticisms of accepting the appointment from a scandal-battered governor when his office was in charge of corruption investigations.

On the outskirts of Montgomery, 76-year-old Air Force retiree John Lauer said Trump's endorsement swayed him to vote for Strange on Tuesday.

"I voted for Strange. I'm a Trump voter. Either one is going to basically do the Trump agenda, but since Trump came out for Luther, I voted for Luther," said Lauer said.

Many at Moore's victory party had supported the former chief justice through the years in his stands over the Ten Commandments and other issues.

"I'm so happy. I prayed and God answered my prayers," Patricia Riley Jones of Abbeville said as she outstretched her arms to hold a Moore sign and America flags high aloft above her head. "He's a great Christian man. He stood up for God."
Editor's note: The body found on Friday, Sept. 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina, was identified as that of Ashanti Billie. Go here for the story on Saturday, Sept. 30.

--------------------

The family of a missing woman who was last seen at a naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, more than a week ago said they have been told a body was found Friday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The family of Ashanti Billie. 19. said in a statement that they do not know if the body if Billie's.

"As the family awaits further updates, we ask that you continue to keep us in prayer and pray this is not Ashanti Billie," the statement said.

The FBI, which has been searching for Billie, said there has been no positive identification of the body.

More than 75 volunteers combed two Norfolk, Virginia, neighborhoods Thursday, looking for any clues that would lead them to Billie, a Prince George's County native.

After a two-hour search, they returned with a pink shoe and a sweatshirt, The Virginia Pilot reported.

Billie was last seen about 5 a.m. on Sept. 18 entering Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Norfolk, where she is an assistant manager at a Blimpie sandwich shop. But police say she never arrived at work.

Her cellphone was found later that day in a dumpster nearly 3 miles away from the base. Neighbors spotted her car Sept. 23 on a dead-end road in the Ocean View section of the city. They told police the car had been there for several days.

On Thursday, a volunteer found a pink shoe near where Billie's car was found, The Virginia Pilot reported. According to the newspaper, a sweatshirt and phone charger also were found during the search.

It's not immediately clear if those items are related to her disappearance.



On the same day as the search, the FBI released a more recent photo of Billie -- a driver's license photo that recently was taken. In the photo, Billie has dreadlocks that are dyed multiple colors at the ends.

The agency took over the search for Billie on Monday, and offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to her whereabouts. Two days later, Blimpie, Billie's employer, matched the offer, bringing the total reward amount to $20,000.

We are very concerned about the disappearance of Ashanti Billie and we are working with the authorities to help find her and bring her home safely, said Jeff Wallace, vice president of operations for Blimpie. We are here to help support Ashantis family during this difficult time.

Billie's parents, Brandy and Meltony Billie, said they remain hopeful that she will be found.

"Just help me bring my baby, Ashanti, home, please," the missing woman's mother said through tears in a video posted to Facebook.

Brandy and Meltony Billie live in Maryland and are both veterans.

Ashanti Billie moved to Virginia Beach in August to attend culinary arts classes at the Art Institute of Virginia Beach. She graduated from Henry Wise High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in 2016.

Ashanti Billie is about 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds, an FBI spokesperson said. She has brown eyes and recently dyed her hair red.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI Norfolk Field Office at 757-455-0100.
Police are searching for the gunman who shot three people in Southeast Washington early Friday morning.

Officers were called to the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Avenue SE just before 3 a.m. Friday for a report of a shooting.

Police found three men injured at the scene. One man had been shot in hit upper body while the other two suffered injuries to their lower bodies. All of the victims were taken to the hospital and are expected to be OK.

No arrests have been made, but police say a blue Lexus was seen leaving the scene.
Police say a 21-year-old Reisterstown man was speeding when he crashed his car along a busy Anne Arundel road Wednesday evening, killing himself and injuring a 19-year-old passenger.

Rommel Reyes Benitez was driving in the southbound lanes of Interstate 97 when he crashed near MD-648. Maryland State Police say Benitez was speeding and driving recklessly prior to the crash.

When Maryland State Troopers arrived at the scene, they found Benitez and the 19-year-old passenger trapped inside the car.

Both men were taken to the hospital, where Benitez died. The passenger's condition is not known at this time.

The crash is still under investigation, police said.
"Bath-built is the best built." Thats the catchphrase at Bath Iron Works, and apparently the belief of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, who announced the Maine shipyards new contract to build two guided missile destroyers.

"We have great faith in Bath," said Secretary Spencer. "Bath-built, best built."

The secretary took a tour of the shipyard with Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, and Reps. Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin.

Sen. Collins announced Thursday that the Navy awarded BIW the contract for two DDG-51 destroyers, as part of a plan to increase the Navys battleships from 280 to 355.

Spencer said it will help the military respond to rising threats around the world.

"These threats, we dont see them diminishing," said Spencer. "The Navy marine corps team needs to have these platforms out there for power projection."

Spencer voiced confidence in the quality of BIW ships, at the same time the Navy is completing a review of two collisions involving Bath-built ships: the USS John McCain and the USS Fitzgerald.

He said they are still trying to determine where the McCain will be repaired.
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after being trapped in a 2-alarm house fire Thursday night in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Fire crews responded to the blaze on Huntley Road around 9 p.m. The woman was taken out in less than a minute, but transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Brewster Ambulance Service initially said the patient's injuries were potentially life-threatening, but they later said that was not the case.

Two other occupants were outside when fire crews arrived, but were not injured.
Massachusetts has all hands on deck to help with Puerto Rican aid and recovery efforts.

The Baker-Polito administration announced the mobilization of a unit of the Massachusetts National Guard (MANG) on Friday evening. The six-member MANG communications unit will be going to the island for up to 30 days to support rebuilding the mobile communications network, which has been devestated severely. Only 100 of the island's 1600 cell towers remain standing after the Hurricane, according to statements from the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. Ninety-one percent of the island remains without cell coverage.

"We are proud that members of the Massachusetts National Guard will mobilize to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery operations on the island where lines of communication have been badly damaged," said Gov. Charlie Baker. "Massachusetts is ready and willing to offer additional support to Puerto Rico with personnel and equipment as requested and is preparing to welcome disaster survivors seeking temporary or permanant residency in Massachusetts."

A new fund was also established on Friday in Massachusetts to help rebuild in Puerto Rico eight days after the island was devastated by Hurricane Maria.

Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico fund on Friday morning, and said the state and city are ready to help those who may be relocating from Puerto Rico to the Bay State.

The relief fund, which only existed for a day before its official announcement, has already raised $300,000 of its several million dollar goal to help the U.S. territory, which has a population of 3.4 million.

"Boston is ready to step up in any way," Walsh said, adding later, "Today is about unity, today is about all of us coming together."

Saying he was "thrilled" that the Trump administration suspended the Jones Act, a 1920 law that restricted shipping to Puerto Rico from international sources, Baker said Puerto Ricans are "in a world of hurt down there."

"We've already started to make plans for the fact that there are clearly going to be folks, once planes are flying again, who are going to be - who literally lost their home, lost everything, the school that their kids went to, probably the place they were employed - are going to be coming to places like Massachusetts to relocate, probably some on a temporary basis and maybe some on a permanent basis."

Plans to help Puerto Ricans relocate to Massachusetts include housing, employment and education resources.

Up to one third of the total funds raised will immediately be used for relief efforts, while the rest will be distributed over the next year for reconstruction and economy recovery projects in Puerto Rico and relocation efforts in Boston and Massachusetts.

The fund will also be managed by the Boston Foundation and hosted in partnership with the Latino Legacy Fund.

"The humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico is so severe that it will be months if not years before the island fully recovers," Paul S. Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation, said in a statement.

Massachusetts has the fifth largest population of Puerto Ricans in the continental U.S., and just over 25 percent of Boston's Latino population identify as Puerto Rican.

Leaders on the island have criticized the federal government's response, calling it disorganized as supplies start to run out, with one lawmaker calling the federal government's response "a disaster."
Heartbreak and isolation is how one New England native describes life on Puerto Rico in the days following hurricane Maria.

After dozens of canceled flights, Brittany Canner of Greenland, New Hampshire, finally caught a plane off the island and flew into Boston on Thursday night.

When I saw Boston flying in, I was like, Oh, I love that dirty water - Boston youre my home,'" she said, smiling. I was so happy!

Canner said it was truly a sigh of relief to escape what she describes as apocalyptic conditions on the island shes called home for the last two and a half years.

I felt like I was in a movie, Canner said in an interview with NBC Boston on Friday afternoon.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico overnight, and by morning, her tropical paradise was unrecognizable.

Its like a lake outside my apartment, Canner said. The water is brown - it used to be that gorgeous blue color.

She said debris-filled water flooded the streets, destroyed her favorite restaurants and damaged homes and cars across the island.

Im not kidding when I say eight to 10 hours is how long you could wait in a gasoline line, Canner said.

But she admits that her disappointment pales in comparison to those who grew up on the island.

I have friends whose homes are ruined, whose lives are completely ruined there, she said.

Whats worse, Canner said, is that Puerto Ricans have been left for days feeling hopeless and alone.

Just that feeling of, Where are the people who are helping us? she asked.

By the time Canner caught her flight out of a storm-ravaged airport on Thursday night, she was encouraged to see some aid coming in, but still frustrated that it didnt happen sooner.

I think that island is a bit of a forgotten place, she said. Theyre U.S. citizens, they should be getting just as much support as anyone else in the continental U.S. should get.

Canner said shes still trying to figure out if shell go back to Puerto Rico or if this trip home was her last.


New book fulfils Norwich minister's childhood dream New book fulfils Norwich minister's childhood dream

Mountain climbing, world events and indie rock and roll are just some of the experiences Norwich pioneer church minister Rev Tim Yau has written about in his contributions to a new national daily Bible study guide - Fresh from the Word 2018  achieving a childhood dream to be a published writer.
FILM REVIEW: Mother! Darren Aronofskys Mother! pushes horror to the extreme and its a tough watch

Mother! (18)

Running time 2hr 1min

Rating:*****

AUDIENCES will no doubt puzzle over Darren Aronofskys Mother! for years to come. Its profound sense of the uncanny and the monstrous has drawn comparisons with Luis Bunuels vicious satires on middle-class respectability, but this is a film that one pigeonholes at ones own peril  to snicker at its moments of absurdity (it affords us little in the way of comic relief) is to laugh in the face of an apocalyptic storm, the likes of which Hollywood is rarely brave enough (or mad enough) to evoke. It may well be a grotesque commentary on parental anxiety, or a comedy of manners disguised as a blistering art-horror flick, or an anti-Christian polemic, or even a perverse parable on the European refugee crisis but its most definitely the natural end-point of Aronofskys thematic career to date, taking the gothic body horror of Black Swan and Pi to its staggering, hyper-morbid conclusions, and all culminating in a shocking, Rosemarys Baby-esque atrocity that youll never quite forget.

I could summarise the plot, but to do so would only lay bare the movies narrative slenderness  this is very much a sensory experience, forfeiting any explicit pretensions to a philosophy or a storyline halfway through. Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem (Mother and He, respectively) play a married couple at a crossroads, the latter a struggling writer and the former an ailing bag of nerves, juggling mundane household commitments with the demands of an older, highly-strung husband. They live in a dilapidated mansion that ominously transcends time (Mother becomes visibly pregnant over the course of a few hours) and space (people appear and disappear without warning); only the intensity of the twos performances, coupled with the ambiguity of the screenplay, holds the scattershot patchwork together.

The arrival of Man (Ed Harris) and Woman (Michelle Pfeiffer), a pair of crazy fans curiously attached to Him, finally shatters any illusion of domestic harmony, as heirlooms are smashed, drinks are imbibed, and an inexplicable mob descend upon the pairs slice of grey idyll.

The photography, reminiscent of the Oscar-winning Holocaust drama Son Of Saul, offers us a window into Mothers private hell  were staring directly at Lawrences face for half of the film, but, far from drawing us into her bizarre and terrible

predicament, the effect is an ever-mounting sense of bewilderment and cabin fever. This is the Hunger Games stars

most extreme effort to date, one which saw her dislocate a rib on-set, and its easily as good as any among the more relatively dialogue-driven acts on show  never mind the screaming, her every mystifying wince and frown positively curdles the blood. Bardems troubled artist is no stranger to the big screen, but the actors demented rendition brings a freshness to this ancient archetype; as the end draws nigh, He betrays more than a hint of Anton Chigurh

But, my lord, is this a tough watch. Mother! is possibly the most controversial mainstream film of the last decade, its depraved final act featuring an orgiastic burst of appalling images that will torment even the most seasoned gorehounds; the barbed eeriness of the first section, by contrast, does little to prepare you for the ride (providing, of course, its not simply there to polarise and disarm viewers). Its hard to see how Aronofsky can now ever hope to top this visceral, unspeakably weird vision. On some level, we hope he never does.
Join one of today's events to raise money for Macmillan

THE annual Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning will take place today (Friday) across the area to raise money for the cancer charity Macmillan.

People have been encouraged to hold their own coffee morning with home-baked or faked cakes, tea and coffee, with donations being given to the charity.

M&S is the official partner for Macmillan and throughout September it has been selling cake products and cakes with a percentage going to the charity.

Tomorrow it will have a series of events taking place all day, including a bikeathon and fun games to participate in.

Head of partnership management at Macmillan Cancer Support Nicola Keith said: We want to thank everyone who has signed up to take part.

Whether youre faking it or baking it, celebrating at home or at your local M&S store, every slice of cake or cup of coffee helps us raise vital funds and makes a huge difference to those affected by cancer.

Newbury and surrounding area public coffee morning events include:

8am-2pm  Ninos, Reading Road, Pangbourne

8.30am-noon  The Ugly Duckling, Bartholomew Street, Newbury

8.30am-2pm  M4 Recruitment, Thatcham

9.30am-4.30pm The Real Macaron Company, Macaron House, Newtown Road, Newbury

10am  Regent Lettings Ltd, London Road, Newbury

10am  Cake + a Cuppa, Hambridge Road, Newbury

10am  The Rectory, Yattendon

10am-noon  Hungerford United Reformed Church

10am-3pm  M&S Parkway and M&S Retail Park

11am-noon  The Starting Gate, Speen

11am-noon  The Lodge Hotel, Newbury Racecourse

Macmillan is a national cancer charity which encourages people to hold a coffee morning to raise money for the cause.
Trade between South Africa and China has experienced phenomenal growth over the past decade, according to South African economic experts.

Cyril Prinsloo, a researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs, describes bilateral trade between the two countries as "phenomenal".

"This was especially important for South Africa in the period shortly after the global financial crisis, when some of the country's traditional trading partners experienced slow growth, while demand for goods from China was strong," Prinsloo says.

But it's increasingly evident that the nature of trade between the two partners is inequitable, he says. South Africa exports largely raw commodities to China, while it imports manufactured goods.

"In order to drive domestic industrialization and create more domestic jobs, the South African government is looking to address this challenge," he says.

Prinsloo believes this can be done partly by increasing direct investment, which in turn would spur the creation of more jobs and stronger value-chain linkages between the two partners.

During the ninth BRICS Summit, which experts agree was a powerful conduit for strengthening South-South cooperation, South African President Jacob Zuma spoke of an ambitious target of 5 percent growth by 2019 for South Africa.

"Our country is ready to advance an economic partnership with China in the pursuit of inclusive growth and job creation," he said.

During the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation two years ago in Johannesburg, the South African and Chinese governments signed 26 agreements worth 94 billion rand ($7.2 billion; 6 billion euros; 5.3 billion), adding fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Six priority areas were identified: alignment of industries to accelerate South Africa's industrialization process; enhancement of cooperation in special economic zones; enhancement of marine cooperation; infrastructure development; human resources cooperation; and financial cooperation.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen the joint working group, with emphasis on locomotive procurement, civilian nuclear energy projects, investment in renewable energy, investment cooperation in industrial parks, trade promotion specifically focused on South African product expos and Chinese trade missions, promoting the exporting of South African products to China and cooperation in the Black Industrialists Programme, visa facilitation, financial cooperation and the upgrading of the national electricity transmission and distribution system.

South Africa has also committed to the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University, Chinese investors have now developed a keen interest in South African real estate, which will further increase investment in the country.

Sifiso Ntombela, head of trade and investment intelligence at South Africa's Agriculture Business Chamber, says the country's agricultural exports to China have increased to a value of $428 million.

"This is equivalent to a 4.5 percent share of total agricultural exports to the world. Growing agricultural exports have, to a certain extent, assisted the sector in becoming a temporary savior for the South African economy, as was witnessed in the second quarter of 2017, when agricultural GDP grew by 33.6 percent, thus helping the economy to move out of technical recession."

In the past two years, Chinese direct investment in South Africa has expanded. Examples include the home appliance factory of Hisense Group, the cement production line financed by Hebei Jidong Development Group and the assembly plant of China First Automotive Works in Coega Industrial Park.

Hisense recently celebrated a significant milestone of producing its millionth television and millionth refrigerator at its factory in Cape Town.

The factory now employs more than 500 people on a full-time basis, with training and social improvement projects benefiting approximately 2,000 people in the community.

Hisense is exporting to 13 African countries from its Cape Town facility.

According to a report by the South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association, Chinese enterprises in South Africa are making positive contributions to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the country.

The NGO's report says there are more than 300 Chinese companies in South Africa, of which about 140 are medium-sized or large. These are involved in fields such as real estate, mining, automobiles, finance, construction, textile, logistics and household appliances.

By the end of last year, Chinese investment in South Africa reached about $13 billion. Chinese enterprises employed more than 26,000 people, of whom 24,000 were locals, the report says.

Unemployment in South Africa is at its highest level in almost 15 years, with nearly a half a million added to the list of the jobless, offsetting nearly 150,000 jobs added to the economy.

Jessie Duarte, deputy secretary-general of the African National Congress, in an opinion piece for a South African newspaper, said the government's relationship with its main trading partner China continues to create jobs in the local market.

She commended China for its training and teaching of South Africans.

In 2015, China trained more than 400 artisans, technicians and managers in South Africa.

At the end of last year, 10 students from South African universities were chosen to take part in Huawei's Seeds for the Future Program.

The author is an online editor of the South African newspaper Weekend Argus and is currently visiting China Daily as part of a fellowship program of the China-Africa Press Centre.

For China Daily

(China Daily European Weekly 09/29/2017 page7)
Nirupama Viswanathan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Hundreds of apartment complexes and hotels in the city, which generate over 100 kg waste a day each, will soon have to make arrangements to compost the garbage within their own premises, with the Greater Chennai Corporation issuing notices to these bulk waste generators. This is applicable to other bulk generators such as marriage halls, said the civic body, citing the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in the notice.

The idea is to reduce the garbage that is transferred to long distances, which is often reduced to stinking, putrefied organic matter by the time they reach the dump yards. On the other hand, while the non-biodegradable wastes are more problematic on the face of it, the commercial value of that waste ensures demand and hence disposal.

According to the Corporation, apartment complexes can compost the waste generated using mechanised shredding and composting assembly units that would cost around Rs 17 lakh for a fully automated unit, said Corporation officials. A 4 ft x 5 ft pit would be sufficient for apartment complexes to take up composting, said a senior official.

He added that the compost, known for being able to nourish the soil, could be used for gardening and other purposes within the premises. For those residential complexes that are looking to opt for mechanised composting units that can quicken the process, a link to the website of National Seeds Corporations has been included in the notice issued. The link to government's National Seeds Corporation Limited website, contains details of the range of mechanised composting units.

With Gandhi Jayanthi around the corner, the Corporation is all set to intensify its Swachh Bharat campaign, issuing notices for source segregation of waste. In areas under the Corporation, biodegradable waste will be collected every day while non-biodegradable waste will be collected on Wednesdays, the statement said.

Zone 2 (Manali) has proved to be a forerunner in source segregation with almost all residences following the practice. While biodegradable waste is composted in the same zone, recyclable waste is sold to the respective traders and materials like thin plastic go into laying tar roads, leaving only the remaining to be sent to the landfills.

CHENNAI: Hundreds of apartment complexes and hotels in the city, which generate over 100 kg waste a day each, will soon have to make arrangements to compost the garbage within their own premises, with the Greater Chennai Corporation issuing notices to these bulk waste generators. This is applicable to other bulk generators such as marriage halls, said the civic body, citing the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in the notice. The idea is to reduce the garbage that is transferred to long distances, which is often reduced to stinking, putrefied organic matter by the time they reach the dump yards. On the other hand, while the non-biodegradable wastes are more problematic on the face of it, the commercial value of that waste ensures demand and hence disposal. According to the Corporation, apartment complexes can compost the waste generated using mechanised shredding and composting assembly units that would cost around Rs 17 lakh for a fully automated unit, said Corporation officials. A 4 ft x 5 ft pit would be sufficient for apartment complexes to take up composting, said a senior official. He added that the compost, known for being able to nourish the soil, could be used for gardening and other purposes within the premises. For those residential complexes that are looking to opt for mechanised composting units that can quicken the process, a link to the website of National Seeds Corporations has been included in the notice issued. The link to government's National Seeds Corporation Limited website, contains details of the range of mechanised composting units. With Gandhi Jayanthi around the corner, the Corporation is all set to intensify its Swachh Bharat campaign, issuing notices for source segregation of waste. In areas under the Corporation, biodegradable waste will be collected every day while non-biodegradable waste will be collected on Wednesdays, the statement said. Zone 2 (Manali) has proved to be a forerunner in source segregation with almost all residences following the practice. While biodegradable waste is composted in the same zone, recyclable waste is sold to the respective traders and materials like thin plastic go into laying tar roads, leaving only the remaining to be sent to the landfills.
Zhang Guangqi has booked a trip to Japan for the upcoming National Day holiday, from Oct 1 to 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, according to Ctrip, China's biggest online travel agency.

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 by 12.8 percent, according to the National Tourism Administration.

Tourism income was 482.2 billion yuan ($73 billion; 61 billion euros; 54 billion), up by 14.4 percent.

For the coming holiday, the top destinations, according to Ctrip, are Hainan and Yunnan provinces, Beijing, Gansu province, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Sichuan and Fujian provinces, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Guangdong province.

Hainan has seen bookings surge by 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 marketing 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 to 50 percent higher than prices in nonholiday 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 accommodations," 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 four days.

Roughly 38 percent of them will spend more than seven days outside the country, according to Ctrip.

Those applying for visas through the travel agency grew by more than 50 percent.

Thailand, Japan, the United States, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Italy, Russia and Malaysia are the most popular destinations for the holiday, based on bookings.

Ctrip's individual trip bookings to Canada have doubled 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.

Visits to Australia, Singapore and Eastern Europe have also doubled.

The visa policies of Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia are likely to bring a surge in bookings to those countries, Shi says.

Zhang is looking forward to the October travel.

"It's been a long time since I could go out, and I'm sure it will help me blow off steam," he says.

yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 09/29/2017 page18)
PCD captures Division IV girls soccer title as Rogers comes up short

When the final horn sounded the Knights raced toward their keeper Sarah Howe and the celebration was on. It was a sweet win, one the Knights earned.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low near 30F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low near 30F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snowfall around one inch.
Apart from hosting and possible maintenance costs, there are not exactly downsides to having your own website. Even if its just a personal blog it can always become more useful down the line, if you utilize it in the right manner. In other words, more
New Delhi: US technology giant IBM may not be as American as one thinks. The company employs about 130,000 people in India, nearly one-third of its workforce, and much more than the around 92,000 employed in its country of origin.

IBM India, in the truest sense, is a microcosm of the IBM company, Vanitha Narayanan, chairman of the companys Indian operations said in an interview with The New York Times.

The work in the India offices spans from managing the computing needs of telecommunications conglomerate AT&T and energy, petrochemical group Shell.

IBM India also performs cutting-edge research in fields like visual search, artificial intelligence and computer vision for self-driving cars. NYT reports that a team is also working with the produces of Sesame Street to teach vocabulary to kindergarten students in Atlanta.

For a company that has reported 21 consecutive quarters of revenue decline, outsourcing is helping IBM lower their costs.

Despite outsourcing being a decade-old story, the tech giant's case is unusual as it employs more people in a single foreign country, as compared to its native nation.

Notably, NYT quotes research firm Glassdoor, which says that the salaries paid to Indian workers are one-half to one-fifth of their American counterparts.

This huge workforce in a foreign country has not gone unnoticed. US President Donald Trump, whose prime rhetoric during his election campaign was to "keep jobs in America", had during a really accused the company of laying off 500 Minnesota employees and moving their jobs to India, a claim denied by the company.

The Armonk-based company had, after Trump's victory, pledged to create 25,000 new jobs and has discussed plans to modernise government technology, while expanding tech training for people without four-year college degrees in the US.

The company had said that it was investing in the United States, including committing $1 billion to training programs and opening new offices.

IBM, which opened its first Indian offices in Mumbai and Delhi in 1951, is now spread across the country, including Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
Washington: A high-level Indian delegation is visiting the US to forge partnership with America's food processing sector to bring the best practices of the world into India's food value chain.

Led by Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Indian delegation met officials from companies across the food value chain in Chicago and Washington DC.

The visit came ahead of the mega 'World Food India' trade show in New Delhi later this year.

"World Food provides a platform to companies which are looking at expanding their footprints outside their country to tap newer markets," Badal said.

India is looking at partnering with those companies to upgrade Indian systems and technologies and bring the best practices of the world into the food value chain, she said. She said the trip has helped in sensitising people and across the food chain about the 'World Food India' and the opportunities that India offers.

Food processing industry, she observed, can play a vital role in doubling farmer's income and reduce the food wastage which in turn will ensure more food for the growing population.

"We have a huge raw material base, but we processed only 10 per cent, she said.

Badal said to control wastage, there was a need to increase processing levels.

And to increase processing levels there is need to create the infrastructure, she said.

"I want to bring in the best technology and the best of the know-how for the creation of that infrastructure," she said.

India has a USD 600 billion retail sector, of which 70 percent is food retail. This is set to triple by 2020.

Badal said she is visiting the US to tell food processors, machine manufacturers, technology suppliers and refrigeration companies to come to India if they expand their footprint and increase their business.

"This is the area where we are investing. Bring your technology to India if you need to expand so that my people can pick up your technology and your machinery," she said.
Chennai: Chief Minister E Palaniswami has called actor Prabhu and apologised in advance for not being able to attend the inauguration of Sivaji Ganesans memorial in Chennai scheduled for October 1. The AIADMK leader has told the actor that deputy CM O Panneerselvam would be present for the event.

Prabhu had earlier written to state Information and Broadcasting Minister claiming that he was insulted that both the CM and deputy CM had decided not to attend the event organised for his father.

State I&B Minister K Raju was scheduled to inaugurate the memorial after the CM had stated prior commitments over his absence.

In a statement here, Palansiwami said though he desired to inaugurate the memorial following a request made by the actor's family, he would not be able to do so as he would be out of town to take part in other functions that he had already agreed to attend.

He said he had issued orders that the memorial would be inaugurated on October one coinciding with the actor's birth anniversary.

"Though I was eager to inaugurate the memorial on my own, I will not be able to do so as I will be out of town to take part in other functions that I have already accepted. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will inaugurate the memorial on October one..," Palaniswami said.

Fisheries minister D Jayakumar will preside over the function along with the Information and Publicity minister, he said.

On August 4, 2016, actor Sivajis statue was removed from Kamarajar Salai in Chennai following the Madras High Court's directive asking the state government to shift the statues location.

The 28,300 sq ft memorial has been built by the Public Works Department at a cost of Rs 2.80 crore at Adyar here in the Dravidian style of architecture.

In 2015, then chief minister Jayalalithaa had announced in the Assembly that a memorial will be built honouring Sivaji Ganesan, who ruled the Tamil film world since 1950s.
Kolkata: The Indian Coast Guard braved rough seas and extreme weather to rescue a Romanian national suffering from gangrene on a transport vessel near Andamans, on Thursday.

Ghinea Virgili, was one of the chief engineers on the Italian merchant vessel, Paola Bottiglieri, which was on its way to Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh from Singapore with coal containers.

Ghinea had gangrene on his left foot, which was further worsened by him being diabetic. When his condition started deteriorating, the captain of the ship sent out a distress signal, which was picked up by the Coast Guard in Port Blair.

Our medical officers provided the crew with tele-medical advice, while our ship Rajveer was racing to help them, said Commandant Dalip Singh, PRO, Coast Guard Region (A&N).

We located the merchant vessel around 240 km west of Port Blair. In challenging visibility and rough sea conditions, the patient was successfully evacuated. Our medical team was quick to administer the patient with basic First Aid, added Singh.

The officer also pointed out that close to 200 ships transit daily through the channel south of Campbell Bay and providing such medical aid go a long way in projecting the image of the Indian Coast Guard as a saviour.
New Delhi: A Delhi woman has alleged that she was gang-raped by 23 men after they abducted her from the outskirts of Rajasthan's Bikaner district.

The 28-year-old woman had gone to Ridmalsar Purohitan, Bikaner, on September 25. She was in the city to check on a plot that she owns. She was allegedly dragged into an SUV by two men when she was waiting for transport near Khatu Shyam Mandir on the Jaipur Road, she said.

According to the complaint that she filed at the Jai Narayan Vyas Colony police station, the two men drove her around "some mines for several hours and repeatedly raped her in the vehicle". The woman also alleged that the two men called up 6 others who then assaulted her.

S Godara, Bekanaer SSP, told CNN-News18 that six people were arrested in connection with this case.

The woman was left abandoned at the same place in the wee hours of September 26 from where the two men had picked her up a day earlier in the afternoon.

Police have registered a case against the aforementioned two men and 21 others whose identity is yet to be ascertained. Sources told News18 that the woman may have been sexually assaulted, and the matter is being investigated keeping in mind its sensitive nature.

Rajendra Singh, the circle officer of Sadar, the investigating officer in the case, said that condoms were recovered from the spots the woman identified in her complaint. She has recorded her statement before a magistrate under section 164 of the CrPC and repeated what she wrote in the FIR, he added.
New Delhi: Delhi Jal Board on Friday decided to remove the restriction of ten water connections to residential multi-storey buildings.

Until Friday, buildings that had more than 10 flats were given a "bulk water connection" and were required to have an underground water tank.

It was also decided in the meeting, chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, that the DJB would give Rs. 10 lakh compensation to families of all sewer death victims since 1993.

This was the first major meeting of the DJB since Kejriwal took charge of the water resources ministry, a position earlier held by estranged Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kapil Mishra. Sources said that since Kejriwal took over the ministry on September 4, he has held almost daily briefings with DJB officials. During the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, piped water supply to all colonies was one of his biggest election promises.

"The Board removed the cap of 10-water connections in one building. There are several building in Delhi which have more than 10-flats and thus it was decided to do away with the cap to make every resident get a legal connection irrespective of the number of flats/connections in the building. This will not only help everyone get a valid water connection, but will also get huge number of consumers who were otherwise using illegal connections in the revenue net," a DJB statement said.

Till September 2015, there was a cap of six water connections per building. It was then that the cap was increased from six to ten by the DJB. On Friday, the cap was removed altogether.

The board also approved the setting up of 348 Mohalla Clinics, the AAP government's flagship healthcare programme, on DJB-owned land. It also approved the setting up of 93 decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), Hydro-power projects worth Rs. 10.49 Crore and the installation of new water and sewer lines in various parts of the national capital.
At least 22 people have been killed and 30 injured in a stampede at Mumbais Prabhadevi Railway Station, says Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The station was earlier known as the Elphinstone Road railway station.

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Islamabad: Pakistan has handed over a dossier to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on alleged human rights violations in Kashmir, the country's top security body was informed on Friday.

The National Security Committee in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was informed that the premier handed over a dossier documenting "the systematic human rights violations by India" in Kashmir to Guterres during the UN General Assembly.

Abbasi also urged the UN to appoint a special envoy to Kashmir.

The National Security Committee's meeting was attended by Minister for Finance, Minister for Foreign Affairs, all three services' chiefs and senior civil and military officials, according to an official statement.

"The Committee condemned human rights violation in Kashmir and expressed deep concern over the ceasefire violations across the Line of Control," the statement said.

The Committee was briefed that the prime minister and Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif had engaged the leadership of several important countries to share Pakistan's perspective on regional and global security challenges.

The outcomes of the prime ministers visit to New York for the UN General Assembly were shared with the Committee, the statement said.

Abbasi in his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, urged the UN to appoint a special envoy to Kashmir and warned India against pursuing the doctrine of "limited war" against his country, saying it will evoke a strong and "matching response".

He raked up the Kashmir issue, alleging that the struggle of the people in the Valley is being "brutally suppressed" by India.

The National Security Committee was also informed that the foreign minister had visited key regional countries, including China, Iran and Turkey to apprise their leadership about Pakistan's perspective on crucial regional and international issues.

The Committee also reviewed the current developments in the relationship with Afghanistan as well as common avenues for continued cooperation, especially border management and repatriation of refugees, the statement said.

The participants reiterated commitment for peace in Afghanistan through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

"The Committee expressed its unwavering resolve to keep Pakistans defence impregnable against all forms of external aggression," the statement said.
New Delhi: The government on Friday cited Afghanistan NSA's statement rejecting Pakistan's claim that it had received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist, to assert that it was another addition to Islamabad's "imaginary lies".

The reaction came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif suggested that he received the proposal to swap Jadhav with the terrorist, lodged in an Afghan jail, during his meeting with an NSA. However, Khwaja did not identify the NSA or the terrorist who was to be swapped.

Contradicting Asif's claim, the office of the Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar issued a statement saying there was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen during his meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister on September 21 in New York.

Asif had told a gathering at the Asia Society in New York on September 26 that Pakistan received a proposal to swap Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan.

Reacting strongly, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the statement by the office of the Afghan NSA suggested that the claim by Asif was one more addition to the long list of "imaginary lies" by Pakistani establishment.

The statement by Atmar's office said the two sides, during the meeting, had detailed discussions on variety of issues including bilateral cooperation.

The two sides also discussed sanctuaries in Pakistan and exchange of the top five Taliban leaders detained in Pakistan. There was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen," it said, adding Atmar was hopeful that the record of the meetings are reported accurately and facts are not misconstrued.

The MEA spokesperson also referred to Pakistan's use of a "fake picture" in the United Nations General Assembly recently, adding the Pakistan Foreign Minister's claim was another lie.

If you have gone through the press release (issued by Afghan NSA's office), it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies as stories which have been created by Pakistani establishment," said Kumar.

Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistan's Field General Court Martial on charges of his alleged "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against Pakistan.

In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the International Court of Justice had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.

The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the gruesome Peshawar school attack in 2014 in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.
New Delhi: A stampede claimed the lives of at least 22 people and injured at least 30 at a footover bridge between Mumbai's Elphinstone Road Railway Station and Parel Station on Friday morning.

The Mumbai Suburban Rail disaster forced Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who was in Mumbai on a scheduled visit, to cancel his program and order a high-level inquiry.

But since the incident, two social media posts have emerged that indicate that the ministry may have known about the footover bridge being in a bad shape.

Mumbai resident Chandan KK had tweeted to then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in July 2016. He tweeted, "@sureshpprabhu @narendramodi Is central mumbai station 'Parel' awaiting a stampede?"

Speaking to News18, Chandan said, "I travel on the Mumbai local train every day. I go to Elphinstone Road station twice a day every day, while coming from and going to work. The situation has been bad since 2009. It has always been overcrowded."

"In 2010, I even wrote to the Parel Station master, asking him to look into this footover bridge and take some action. It seemed like a disaster waiting to happen, but I received no response. On July 28, 2016, I tweeted to then railway minister Suresh Prabhu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Once again, I received no response. On the morning of the accident, I reached just 10-15 minutes after the stampede had taken place. The scenes I witnessed were chaotic."

Chandan even replied to Prime Minister Modi's condolence tweet.

Ur condolences are of no use.Reconstruct Parel and Elphinstone stations. It's a most dangerous point in Mumbai suburban network.Take action Chandan KK (@CKSquare) September 29, 2017

This was not the only social media post flagging the problem.

Santosh Andhale, another Mumbai resident, had warned of an accident just three days ago in a Facebook post. He had posted pictures of a packed foot overbridge and wrote, "#CentralRailway Pls do something ... Parel bridge connected to Elephinston road station. #MumbaiLife #EveryDayChaos #MinistryofRailways."

@PiyushGoyal sir pls do something related to this Parel bridge in Mumbai. Thanks @WesternRly pic.twitter.com/2FNJbDMnvV Santosh Andhale (@Santosh_Andhale) September 27, 2017

After the stampede, he wrote, "My fear turned true .... Three days ago I put on FB and Twitter ... It's very sad day."

When asked about these posts, Indian Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena said, I am not aware of the social media posts in question. We are doing a cause analysis of this stampede and will come out with the facts as soon as possible. Railway Minister has already instituted a high-level inquiry into this incident."

Piyush Goyal was in Mumbai on Friday and was scheduled to take a trip in the local train network from Vile Parle station to Churchgate. The incident took place when the Railway Minister was airborne on his way to Mumbai. Upon landing, he went to KEM hospital to meet the injured.
Mumbai: At least 20 people were killed and 30 seriously injured in a stampede at Mumbais Prabhadevi Railway Station on Friday morning, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

A Press Trust of India report quoted police sources as saying that a short-circuit accompanied with a loud sound near the footover bridge may have led to panic, resulting in the stampede.

The stampede occurred at 10:46 am along the narrow footover bridge leading to the exit of the station on the western railway of the Mumbai local train services.

Television footage from the spot showed people trying to climb over the railings on the stairway to escape the stampede.

The footover bridge links the Prabhadevi Railway Station and Parel suburban stations in Mumbai.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who hails from Maharashtra and is in Mumbai for a scheduled event, is likely to visit the spot.

Prabhadevi Railway Station, which was earlier known as Elphinstone Road Station, is located in the heart of central Mumbai, within walking distance of many corporate and blue-collar workplaces.

To the west of the station is the tony Worli district, home to some of the most expensive commercial and housing real estate. To its east lie the former textile mill heartlands of Lalbaug and Bhoiwada. The mills have been converted to super luxury malls.
Bengaluru: Father Tom Uzhunnalil, the Kerala priest who was released recently after more than 17 months in captivity in Yemen, reached Bengaluru on Friday, a day after he landed in India and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking the Don Bosco Church in the city, Father Tom said his captors were kind to him. I didnt cry. I didnt shiver. I wasnt scared for my life. They didnt torture me and gave me food. They were kind to me, he said.

Arriving in India on Thursday, Father Tom had thanked PM Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for their support.

The Ministry of External Affairs had been making all possible efforts to secure his safe release and was in constant touch with countries in the region which could help secure his release, the ministry said in a release.

"After the required rest and recuperation period in Vatican City, Father Tom returned home today. On arrival, he was received by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism K J Alphons. Father Tom also met Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister," Thursdays press release said.

Father Uzhunnalil was abducted on March 4, 2016, reportedly in an incident of a terrorist attack in Aden by an unidentified group and taken to an unknown place, the ministry said.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) why it had not challenged the trial court orders discharging senior IPS officials in the alleged fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati.

While hearing a revision application filed by Sohrabuddin's brother Rubabuddin Sheikh, challenging the trial court orders of discharge, Justice Revati Mohite-Dere said the CBI should be "equally aggrieved" with the trial court's order.

She hence, asked the probe agency whether it was planning to challenge the trial court orders of August 2016, and August 2017 discharging IPS officers Rajkumar Pandiyan, D G Vanzara, and Dinesh M N.

Justice Mohite-Dere also gave oral instructions to the CBI counsel to refrain from the framing of charges against any accused persons in the case until October 12, the next date of hearing in the High Court.

Rubabuddin Sheikh has filed separate petitions challenging the discharge of the above three officers from the case.

His counsel Gautam Tiwari also told the court today, that "citing the orders of discharge of the above three officials, several other accused persons too were securing discharge on the grounds of parity."

The Special CBI court in Mumbai that is hearing the case after the Supreme Court ordered the trial in the fake encounter case to be transferred out of Gujarat, had discharged the above three officials on the ground that the CBI had failed to get prior sanction or the special permission to prosecute them and hence, they could not be prosecuted.

Of the 38 people accused in the case, 15 have been discharged by the special court. 14 of the 15 people discharged are IPS officers.

The CBI has only challenged the discharge of one of these 14 officers -- N K Amin, one of the key accused in the case.

Justice Mohite-Dere however, questioned whether the lack of such sanction alone could be adequate reason to warrant an accused person's discharge from the case.

She also dismissed the CBI's argument that it had challenged the discharge of two Rajasthan police sub-inspectors Himanshu Singh and Shyam Singh Charan.

"You are opposing the discharge of sub-inspectors and constables. But what about the IPS officers? Can the sole ground of lack of sanction be a reason for discharge? All the IPS officers accused in the case have been discharged, only one has been challenged. The law is the same for all applicants. And you (CBI) must be as aggrieved as the applicant (Rubabuddin) with the discharge orders," Justice Mohite-Dere said.

Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kausar Bi were allegedly abducted by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad from Hyderabad on their way to Sangli in Maharashtra.

Sheikh was killed in an alleged fake encounter near Gandhinagar in November 2005, after which his wife disappeared.

Prajapati, an aide of Sheikh and an eyewitness to the encounter, was allegedly killed by police in Chapri village in Gujarat's Banaskantha district in December 2006.

Vanzara, who was heading the ATS at the time, was charged by the CBI for having conspired with the other accused officials to kill Sheikh and the other victims and pass the incident off as an encounter.
Remakes and sequels invariably come with a big risk of ruining experiences of cinegoers. Fortunately, Judwaa 2 doesnt come across as one of those horrid remakes that just couldnt live up to the original and made people wonder why the filmmakers even bothered. Instead, this remake maintains the benchmark.

Salman Khan starrer comic caper Judwa which released in 1997 was a typical David Dhawan film and was an offshoot of a celebrated form of filmmaking of that time.

After two decades, the Hindi film industry has evolved and for the better. Agreed, slapstick comedy still works, but only with original content. Honestly speaking, Judwaa 2 lacks that freshness. The film is an old wine served in an old style, just the ingredients are new, giving out the same flavour.

Raja (Varun) and Prem (Varun, again) are conjoined twins, who have similar reflexes. They are separated at birth by a smuggler, Charles (Zakir Hussain), who kidnaps Raja. The geek Prem grows up in the lap of luxury in London with his parents - the Malhotras; loud Raja finds shelter in a Mumbai's fisherman's colony. One is a 'gali ka tapori', the other praying for a miracle to save him from the college bullies. Circumstances lead to Raja's entry in London, and rest as one may say, is exactly what you saw in the original, yes, even the climax.

Talking about the performances, Varun has tried hard to fit into the shoes of Salman, however, the time fails him. He literally imitates Salman's style in certain sequences, notably when he says 'Prem Malhotra'. While Salman's antics were funny then, the same comedy and body language make you roll your eyes now.

Cinema has evolved, but David's character hasn't. Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu are just fine in their parts because the script doesnt demand too much out of them. None of the actresses are able to strike a chemistry with their lead man.

Anupam Kher's presence feels like a warm hug because he is the only actor that actually fits in that time frame.

The slapstick comedy throughout the film is borderline offensive. While we don't expect 'woke humour' from the Dhawan camp, a little awareness and evolution in the filmmaking won't hurt anyone. What appeared funny in the 90s, is largely unrelatable, superficial and juvenile in 2017. The year when we have seen better comedies like Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan, and even Newton, this one just feels out of its place and era. Varun is the only actor expected to pull this kind of humour off, but even he needs to understand that the charm will work only to an extent as his audience wants to see his real caliber, anytime now.

There are certain references to all actors' own films written as the punch line of extremely lame jokes. To make the script trendier, writers have actually inserted WhatsApp jokes, however, credit has to be given to Varun to pull it off with at least some dignity.

So is everything in the film that depressing? Absolutely not. The film is like a colourful nostalgia and certain moments will evoke chuckles. The setting of the film is vibrant and the songs add on to the energetic vibe. All this makes it a mass-appealing film that people would prefer to watch on a festive weekend.

David has never been a critic's director. His motive has always been to make a mass entertainer and he has done the same with Judwaa 2. While the informed audience may ridicule his craft, the larger fanbase of the original 1997 hit will have an enjoyable time inside the theaters, with sequence and background score ringing in the collective nostalgia. Salman's cameo adds on to the mass-appeal of the film. It's as bizarre and illogical as the entire film but exists only for the nostalgic factor.

Judwaa 2 is a dose of nostalgia that dumbs you down. It exists because of a mass-favorite film made 20 years ago and doesnt offer anything new to the audience. There is nothing smart about the film, and that's disappointing. We didn't go to the theatre expecting intelligent humour, but we didn't expect a crude and forced comedy either. Things could've been much better had the makers been a little awake during the transition of the film industry from 90's to the teens of the 21st century.

Rating:1.5/5
Lucknow: The fight for power and control over Samajwadi Party (SP) seems to be ceasing in the Yadav clan, as SP national president Akhilesh Yadav meets his father and founder of the party Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence in Lucknow, just days before the party's national executive meet in Agra.

According to sources, the meeting between the father son duo on Thursday lasted more than half an hour and Akhilesh invited Mulayam to attend the executive meet which is scheduled to be held in the historic city on October 5, 2017. It is believed to be the first meeting between the two in the last three months.

"Samajwadi Party national president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav met Neta Ji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and invited him to the SP national executive meet. We are hopeful that Neta Ji will attend the meet in Agra," said SP MLC, Sunil Singh Sajan. If Mulayam Singh accepts the invitation, this will be probably the first time since Akhilesh taking over as SP National president, that both Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh will be sharing the stage.

Around 15,000 SP workers from 25 states are expected to participate in the 10th SP national convention at Targhar Maidan in Sadar Bazar area of Agra. Akhilesh Yadav is set to be elected as SP national president for the next five years. Soon after Assembly election in March, he had revised the term of state and national chief from three years to five years.

The meeting between Akhilesh and Mulayam Singh has now sparked a new row and is seen as many believe a sign of truce between the two. Few days back Mulayam Singh had called a press conference and it was speculated that he might part his ways with his son and form a new political outfit along with his younger brother and arch rival of Akhilesh, Shivpal Singh Yadav. But, to everyone's surprise Mulayam chose not to form any new political party and said instead that his blessings are always with his son.

If sources in Samajwadi Party are to be believed, Akhilesh might invite his uncle Shivpal Yadav too for the executive meet in Agra to mend the fences between them, as per the wishes of his father Mulayam. Last week, SP patriarch, Mulayam Singh had replaced Akhilesh loyalist, Ram Gopal Yadav with Shivpal Yadav as the secretary of the Lohia Trust.

Mulayam's younger brother, Shivpal had announced in June this year that he would float the Samajwadi Secular Front "to fight communal forces". The power tussle between in the Yadav clan had cost them dearly in the state assembly elections this year as Mulayam Singh decided to stay away from the party activities. On the other hand, since taking over as National President and winning the party symbol 'bicycle', Akhilesh Yadav has been making his grip stronger with each passing day.
The editor-in-chief of Kremlin-backed media outlet RT said on Friday its purchase of advertisements on Twitter was a standard commercial practice that was being falsely presented as Russian meddling in U.S. affairs, RIA news agency reported. San Francisco-based Twitter said RT, also known as Russia Today, had spent $274,100 on Twitter advertisements and promoted 1,823 tweets potentially aimed at the U.S. market. Twitter, whose executives testified before U.S. lawmakers on Thursday, has suspended about 200 Russian-linked accounts as it probes alleged online efforts to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election by Moscow.

"Twitter has revealed some monstrous information in Congress: we spent money on our ad campaigns. Just as all the usual media organisations in the world do," RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency. "Now we have to go even further and admit sincerely: we spent on ads in airports, taxis, on billboards, the internet, TV and radio as well. Our commercials were even broadcast on CNN," she said. "Somehow it did not occur to us that, in a developed democracy, regular media advertising could turn out to be a suspicious and harmful activity," Simonyan said.

Watch Video: Xiaomi MI Mix 2 | Review | A Fascinating Smartphone Experience | News18 Tech
A Russian hacker arrested in Spain on a U.S. warrant said on Thursday he previously worked for President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party and feared he would be tortured and killed if extradited, RIA news agency reported. Peter Levashov was arrested while on holiday in Barcelona in April. U.S. prosecutors later charged him with hacking offences, accusing him of operating a network of tens of thousands of infected computers used by cybercriminals. Levashov's comments offered a rare glimpse into the relationship between cybercriminals and the Russian state. U.S. officials say Russian authorities routinely shield hackers from prosecution abroad before recruiting them for espionage work.

Russian hackers have been under intense scrutiny since U.S. intelligence officials accused Moscow of interfering in last year's U.S. presidential election. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied the allegations. U.S. prosecutors are seeking a 52-year jail sentence and Levashov, who denies the charges against him, is fighting his extradition from Spain. He told a court in Madrid on Thursday that he had worked for the United Russia party for the last 10 years. "I collected different information about opposition parties and delivered it to the necessary people at the necessary time," RIA quoted him as saying.

Levashov provided no further details about his work for the party, RIA reported, though said he was an officer in the Russian army with access to classified information. It was unclear if Levashov was a serving officer or an army reservist having completed mandatory military service. He also told the court investigators in the United States would torture him for information about his political work if he was sent there to face the charges against him. "If I go to the U.S., I will die in a year. They want to get information of a military nature and about the United Russia party," RIA quoted him as saying. "I will be tortured, within a year I will be killed, or I will kill myself."

Levashov has long been seen by cybersecurity investigators to be the person behind an online persona known as Peter Severa. Severa spent years listed among the world's 10 most prolific spammers, according to spam-tracking group Spamhaus. U.S. prosecutors have accused Levashov of running the infamous Kelihos botnet, a network of more than 100,000 infected devices used by cybercriminals to distribute viruses, ransomware, phishing emails and other spam attacks. Russia lodged its own request for Levashov's extradition last week, RIA reported.

Watch Video: Xiaomi MI Mix 2 | Review | A Fascinating Smartphone Experience | News18 Tech
Beirut: The Islamic State group released a recording Thursday of what it says is its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, calling on jihadists under pressure in Syria and Iraq to "resist" their enemies.

In his first alleged message in nearly a year and following reports of his possible death, the elusive jihadist leader called on his supporters to target the "media centres" of countries fighting his group.

The United States said it was verifying the recording, but also that it had "no reason to doubt" its authenticity.

"The leaders of the Islamic State and its soldiers have realised that the path to... victory is to be patient and resist the infidels whatever their alliances," Baghdadi allegedly said in the recording.

It was not clear when the message, released by the IS-affiliated Al-Furqan media group, was recorded.

In it, he lashed out at "infidel nations headed by America, Russia and Iran" who, along with their allies, have inflicted losses on the jihadists during separate offensives against IS in Syria and Iraq.

"We will remain, we will resist and be patient... We will not give in," he said, a day after Iraqi forces defeated IS fighters who had seized areas in a surprise offensive around Ramadi west of Baghdad.

The apparent IS leader called on "soldiers of the caliphate" to pursue their "jihad", or holy war, and attacks.

He urged his followers to "target the media centres of the infidels", without providing further details.

No verification yet

The voice said to belong to Baghdadi listed his group's defeats, referring to "blood spilt in Mosul, Ramadi, Sirte, Raqa and Hama".

IS lost Ramadi in February 2016, Libya's Sirte in December last year, and Iraq's second city Mosul in July.

In Syria, the group is facing ongoing offensives in its former de facto Syrian capital of Raqa and in the central province of Hama.

A US intelligence community source said they were examining the audio message.

"We are aware of the audio tape purported to be of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and are taking steps to examine it," the source said in a statement.

"While we have no reason to doubt its authenticity, we do not have verification at this point."

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP: "I have no information about this recording."

Thursday's was the first audio message said to be of Baghdadi since November 2016, when he spoke in a defiant tone in urging his supporters to defend the city of Mosul against a massive operation by Iraqi forces.

That recording, also released by Al-Furqan, was a rare sign of life from Baghdadi.

In July, Moscow said it was struggling to confirm if Baghdadi was dead or alive, a month after reporting his possible demise in a May air strike near the IS one-time stronghold of Raqa in Syria.

With a $25 million US bounty on his head, Iraq-born Baghdadi has successfully avoided an intense effort to seek him out for six years or more.

Rumours have abounded about Baghdadi's health and movements, but his whereabouts have largely remained unclear.

Still alive?

On September 1, a senior US general said Baghdadi was probably still alive and likely hiding in the Euphrates River valley stretching from Syria to Iraq.

A US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance and Russian-backed government forces are waging rival offensives against IS territory on either side of the Euphrates River in Syria's Deir Ezzor province.

In Iraq, US-backed Iraqi forces are pressing their battle to retake the northern city of Hawija and a section of the Euphrates near the border with Syria.

Shortly after the jihadists swept across swathes of Iraq in June 2014, Baghdadi appeared before thousands of faithful at Mosul's Great mosque of Al-Nuri to urge Muslims around the world to join his "caliphate" straddling Syria and Iraq.

The jihadists have since lost vast territory in both countries.

But US counterterrorism chief Nick Rasmussen warned on Wednesday the global threat posed by IS had not been diminished by its battlefield defeats in Iraq and Syria.

He said, using an alternative acronym for IS, there was "not, in fact, a direct link between ISIS' battlefield position in Iraq and Syria and the group's capacity to inspire external attacks."

Baghdadi's group has claimed its members were behind deadly attacks carried out worldwide, including in Paris, London and Barcelona.

Wednesday's operation near the Iraqi city of Ramadi was likely to have been an attempt to divert the security forces from an offensive they launched last week against the jihadists' last two footholds in Iraq.
Washington: US President Donald Trump congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her election victory in a telephone conversation on Thursday in which they also discussed the Iran nuclear deal, the White House said.

"The leaders discussed how to counter Iran's malign activities in the Middle East, and addressed the nuclear deal and Iran's missile programme, and its non-compliance with relevant United Nations resolutions," the White House said in a statement.

"I think they spoke either on Thursday morning or this morning. And we have a readout coming on that," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Thursday.

The White House did not immediately congratulate Merkel on her election, as is customary, after a campaign which saw Merkel implicitly criticise Trump.

"It's obviously been a complicated relationship," said Karen Donfried, president of The German Marshall Fund of the United States.

That is unlikely to change in Merkel's fourth term. "For her, clearly this is a critical relationship," she told AFP. "Merkel is still going to try to make the relationship work to the greatest extent possible."

"On Trump's side, my expectation is that he will stay very focused on his two big criticisms, one that Germany doesn't spend enough on defense and two that Germany has a 'massive trade surplus.'"
British Prime Minister Theresa Mays address to the 72nd Annual session of UNGA in New York was music to my ears. In an emotional speech Ms. May  whose country has become a victim of frequent acts of terror  reminded the world of her friend Benazir Bhutto who was martyred by terrorists a decade ago.

This year is the tenth anniversary of the death of the woman who introduced me to my husband, and who was known well to many of us in this United Nations. Benazir Bhutto was brutally murdered by people who actively rejected the values that all of us here in this United Nations stands for.

Recalling Bhutto, who was killed in a terrorist attack in December 2007, she stood aloft against terrorism in a country that has suffered more than most at the hands of terrorists. She was murdered for standing up for democracy, murdered for espousing tolerance, and murdered for being a woman.

Mays speech should serve as an eye-opener for the overly biased, anti-Bhutto PML-N leadership, including the establishment and others in cahoots with them. By mentioning the colossal Bhutto tragedy  elimination of Pakistans only internationally recognizable face -- Ms. May encapsulated ugly manifestations of terrorism and its catastrophic impact on human beings world over. There could not be a better exposition of the evil that threatens everyone where ever one is.

Pakistans run-away General Pervez Musharraf -- avoiding his arrest for alleged murders of Benazir Bhutto and Sardar Akbar Khan Bugti -- has exposed his devils workshop and his epileptic thinking recently by crudely shifting the blame of murder on her husband. There is not enough space to respond to his recent quixotic outbursts, one would suffice to repeat to him words of British Prime Minister that Benazir Bhutto was murdered for standing up for democracy, murdered for espousing tolerance, and murdered for being a woman.

What did Benazir Bhutto stand and struggle for all her life? Democracy, rule of law, freedom of expression, empowerment of the people irrespective of caste, creed, colour or gender especially of the less privileged, peaceful co-existence for all human kind whereas General Pervez Musharraf was an international pariah dictator that no one respectable leader would have wanted to shake hands with until 9/11.

As opposed to her higher ideals, General Musharraf had violated every one of those values that civilised world is defending against terrorism. He committed an act of treason by violating the Constitution of the country in October 1999, he had subverted democracy, rule of law and disparaged countrys highest judiciary. As regards women in Pakistan, he was brazen when answering a question regarding rape; he was inhumanly dismissive  such women get raped to seek a visa to go abroad and acquire a nationality.

As regards Benazir Bhutto  he felt like General Zia vis-a-vis Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He was scared of her that he would not let her return to Pakistan. He made it clear to her time and again, that Pakistan had no space for her as long as he was in power. Despite the best efforts of the foreign friends of Pakistan to whom GPM owed loyalty, he would not let Bhutto come back. When he met her in Abu Dhabi in January 2007, his mantra from start to end was, he would not let her return to Pakistan.

He opposed her participation in elections and threatened her with horrible consequences. His message was clear to her

Not only did he have the entire establishment, intelligence and security apparatus with him but close links with the jihadi terrorist networks, including Baitullah Mehsood.

His defence of Hafiz Saeed shows how deeply involved he is with such elements. At long last, Pakistans new Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has shown guts to accept that Hafiz Saeed and LeT are the ugly legacy of Musharraf era and needed to be discarded.

One single act of having the crime scene washed by fire tenders under his orders within minutes of her assassination is enough proof to indict him for Bhuttos murder. Brigadier retd. Javeid Iqbal Cheema, former director general of National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC), had told the Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) that he had received orders directly from the Presidency to have the area washed immediately.

It was, indeed, an intriguing coincidence that in Karachi (Oct 18, 2017), too, when her cavalcade was attacked by suicide bombers, fire tenders  as if they were standing nearby -- reached the scene of the crime first, much before ambulances could pick up dead bodies and take injured to the hospitals. She narrowly escaped in the attack aimed to kill her while over 150 of PPP jiyalas were martyred.

The crime scenes - if they were not washed - both in Karachi and Rawalpindi, according to experts, held the key to tracing those involved in the dastardly acts.

This could be judged from the fact that General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani as DG ISI investigated the attempt on President Musharrafs life, got to the bottom of the case through a telephone chip recovered from the scene of the blast.

In Bhuttos case, the all-powerful mastermind destroyed all the evidence. The desperate urgency shown in hosing the entire area instead of following the mandatory standard procedure of cordoning off the scene of crime identifies the murderer explicitly. And it was under General Pervez Musharrafs orders that the crime scene in Rawalpindi was washed.

Prime Minister Theresa Mays reference to the mother of all victims of terrorism  Benazir Bhutto  instantly got the global issue into focus with all its ugly manifestations. And if Pakistans Prime Minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi or Pakistans Permanent Representative too had mentioned the murder of Pakistans only iconic and internationally recognizable face, it could have been the most appropriate response to American Presidents recent warning to Pakistan for sustaining safe havens for terrorists.
Islamabad: Pakistan's premier investigation agency on Friday challenged the verdict of an anti-terrorism court in the murder case of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, arguing that the two convicted policemen, as well as the five men acquitted of all charges, deserve capital punishment.

On August 31, an anti-terrorism court sentenced two senior police officers to 17 years in jail in the Bhutto murder case, nearly 10 years after her assassination.

The court also declared Pakistan's former dictator Pervez Musharraf a fugitive and ordered the seizure of his property.

The court also acquitted five Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan suspects Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Rashid Ahmed and Aitzaz Shah.

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the anti-terrorism court's (ATC) decision.

The decision to declare five suspects innocent had invited criticism from various quarters, including the family of Bhutto.

Bhutto, the Pakistan Peoples Party chief, and a two-time prime minister was killed along with more than 20 people in a gun and bomb attack in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh during an election campaign rally on December 27, 2007. She was 54.

According to court officials, the FIA filed two petitions with the Rawalpindi bench of LHC. The first one argues that former city police officer Saud Aziz and former superintendent of police Khurrum Shahzad were not punished under the terrorism charges and the FIA demanded capital punishment for them.

The FIA in its second petition asked the court to overturn the acquittal of the five accused who confessed their involvement in the murder and sentence them to death.

The LHC accepted the petition, setting a date for the hearing of the case on October 2.

Officials said that Assistant Attorney General Faisa Mahmood Raja will be representing the FIA in the court.

Earlier, Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, also challenged the ATC verdict when he filed three petitions in LHC's Rawalpindi bench earlier this month.

He sought the death penalty for Musharraf and the two senior police officers. He also demanded conviction of five accused who were set free.

Zardari's appeals will be heard by Justice Tariq Abbasi and Justice Habibullah Amir on November 27.
Washington: The recently announced South Asia strategy by President Donald Trump is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in "counter terrorism campaign," US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said, as he praised India's commitment towards the development of Afghanistan.

The South Asia strategy is "not exclusive of someone", Mattis said in response to a question.

It is inclusive for all responsible states that want to stop terrorism in its tracks and defend the innocent, he said. As such, Mattis said, he sees the South Asia strategy announced by Trump in August an opportunity.

"I agree 100 percent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign," Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference in Kabul, according to a Pentagon transcript.

In what could come as a disappointment for Pakistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani echoed Mattis, as the latter travelled to Kabul directly from New Delhi, without going to Islamabad.

Pakistan, so far has resisted Trump's Afghan and South Asia policy.

This is primarily because for the first time, the United States seek to hold Pakistan accountable for its support to terrorist groups and organisation. And much to the inconvenience of Pakistan, Trump's policy seeks greater developmental role for India in this war-torn country.

"The reaction for the (Pak) government and the public at large was of utter disappointment, though not shocking.It was not unexpected but it was it was unpleasant," Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif told a New York audience this week. "We don't see any military rule or any strategic role of India in Afghanistan," the top Pakistani diplomat said.

So far, Pakistan appears to be resisting from implementing Trump's Afghan and South Asia Policy. Mattis told reporters in Kabul that the United States "will watch" Islamabad's choices.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with both Mattis and Ghani saying that this is a regional approach, which includes both Pakistan and India.

Both of them have to be included in a mutual approach. He urged all countries in the region to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Mattis said India has been "very, very generous" in its development assistance to Afghanistan.

India is committed to doing even more to help the people of Afghanistan, he said.

"Certainly, that cannot be seen as contrary to another nation's interest to help people who are working their way out of many, many difficult years since the Soviet invasion," the US defense secretary underscored.
Vatican City: If you ever wondered how to say "fake news" in Latin, it's "nuntii fallaces" - and Pope Francis is writing a document on just that.

Francis announced it himself in a tweet to his nearly 40 million followers on Friday, saying the theme of his message for the Roman Catholic Church's next World Day of Social Communications will be "The truth will set you free. Fake news and journalism for peace."

In Latin, one of the nine languages the pope uses to tweet, that would be "Veritas liberavit vos. Nuntii fallaces et diurniariorum opus ad pacem."

A Vatican statement said the issue was important enough for the pope to address because "fake news contributes to generating and nurturing a strong polarisation of opinions."

A distortion of facts, it said, can have "repercussions at the level of individual and collective behaviour."

Francis said in an interview last year that media that focus on scandals and spread fake news to smear politicians risk becoming like people who have a morbid fascination with excrement.

The Vatican statement said the leader of the 1.2 billion member Church wanted to offer "a reflection on the causes, the logic and the consequences of disinformation in the media, and helping to promote professional journalism, which always seeks the truth".

The Church's next World Day of Social Communications will be celebrated on May 13. The pope's message will be released on January 24, feast of St Francis de Sales, the patron of journalists.
Washington: Twitter on Thursday revealed that nearly 2,000 ads were placed on the messaging service in 2016 by a Russian media group suspected of trying to interfere with the US presidential election.

A Twitter statement said the social media company shared data with congressional investigators about ads from RT, a television group with links to the Moscow government.

Twitter said RT spent $274,000 in 2016 on Twitter ads that may have been used to try to influence the US election.

The news comes after Facebook acknowledged foreign entities linked to Russia paid to promote political messages on the leading social network, potentially violating US election laws.

A blog post by Twitter said its vice president for public policy, Colin Crowell, met with staff Thursday from two congressional panels investigating Russian interference in the election process.

"This is an ongoing process and we will continue to collaborate with investigators," the statement said.

Twitter said it examined efforts by foreign agents to interfere with the election after Facebook indicated it found 450 accounts that appeared to have been used for this purpose.

"Of the roughly 450 accounts that Facebook recently shared as a part of their review, we concluded that 22 had corresponding accounts on Twitter," the statement said.

"All of those identified accounts had already been or immediately were suspended from Twitter for breaking our rules, most for violating our prohibitions against spam."

'TEXT TO VOTE' SCAM

The statement added that RT, which was named in January in a US intelligence report on election interference, spent at least $274,100 in 2016 for 1,823 tweet ads or "promotions" that "definitely or potentially targeted the US market."

"These campaigns were directed at followers of mainstream media and primarily promoted RT Tweets regarding news stories," the statement added.

"We are concerned about violations of our terms of service and US law with respect to interference in the exercise of voting rights," the statement said.

Twitter said that during the election campaign, it removed tweets "that were attempting to suppress or otherwise interfere with the exercise of voting rights, including the right to have a vote counted, by circulating intentionally misleading information."

Twitter said some of the ads or promoted tweets, aimed to deceive voters by telling them they could "text to vote," which has no basis in fact.

"We have not found accounts associated with this activity to have obvious Russian origin, but some of the accounts appear to have been automated," the statement said.

"We have shared examples of the content of these removed tweets with congressional investigators."

Earlier this month, Facebook said it would turn over data on some 3,000 ads purchased by a Russian entity that appeared to inflame political divisions during the campaign. Some $100,000 were spent on the Facebook ads.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner called Twitter's presentation "deeply disappointing" and "inadequate."

Warner told reporters that the Twitter data was "basically derivative based on accounts that Facebook had identified (and) showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is, the threat it poses to democratic institutions, and again begs many more questions."

NEW RESEARCH ON 'BOTS'

US lawmakers, as well as a special prosecutor, are investigating whether Russia interfered with the election or aided Donald Trump's successful presidential campaign.

A study released Thursday meanwhile found the campaign to spread "junk news" during the 2016 presidential election via Twitter appeared to target key states that were the most contested.

The research paper by the Oxford University Project on Computational Propaganda suggested a sophisticated effort to spread disinformation using automated accounts, or "bots."

The researchers said that in the days leading up to the election, "Twitter users got more misinformation, polarizing and conspiratorial content than professionally produced news."

But in swing states, "average levels of misinformation were higher," even when weighted for the relative size of the state.

The study is just the latest to highlight the role of a disinformation campaign, widely believed to have been directed from Russia, to influence the election and help Trump while hurting his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

The Oxford researchers said the latest analysis suggests "strategically disseminated polarizing information" during the campaign.

A Twitter statement questioned the accuracy of the study, saying that research conducted by third parties about the impact of bots and misinformation on Twitter "is almost always inaccurate and methodologically flawed."

One of the reasons for the inaccuracy, Twitter said, is that just two percent of all tweets contain geolocation data.
Washington: The White House has launched an internal probe of the use of private email for official business by senior aides to President Donald Trump, news outlet Politico reported Thursday.

The administration is scouring the White House server for emails to and from private email accounts of these aides, Politico said, quoting four people familiar with the probe.

Politico said at least five current and former White House officials used private email to conduct government business: Trump's son in law and adviser Jared Kushner, daughter Ivanka, economic adviser Gary Cohn, former strategic adviser Steve Bannon and former chief of staff Reince Priebus.

Politico said the probe began this week after it reported private email use by Kushner.

The internal probe could take weeks or even months, it said.

Trump's White House legal staff is reviewing the accounts to see if any of the messages sent relate to the Russia probes being carried out by two congressional panels and special counsel Robert Mueller, Politico quoted one of its sources as saying.

As a candidate, Trump routinely attacked his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state, telling supporters "she has to go to jail" over the affair.

Politico reported Monday that Kushner used a personal account to send messages to senior White House officials and outside advisers about media coverage, planning events, and other issues.

There is no suggestion the emails contained highly sensitive information or were classified, it added, but they could fall foul of the Presidential Records Act, which requires all documents related to the president's personal and political activities to be archived.

Kushner's numerous responsibilities within the Trump administration include trying to broker peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In addition to the email controversy, Kushner is facing scrutiny over the Trump campaign's alleged collusion with Russia to interfere in the 2016 US election, which is the subject of the probes in Congress and by Mueller.
Commuters stand under a pedestrian bridge where the stampede took place at the Elphinstone local station in Mumbai, on September 29, 2017. The stampede broke out on a crowded pedestrian bridge connecting two railway stations in Mumbai during the Friday morning rush killing a number of people, police said. (Image: AP)
The move to jettison the age limit is widely seen as an effort by Museveni to extend his rule. (Photo: Reuters)
An $8.5 million bond request from Lynchburg College passed the first round of approval Thursday as the Campbell County Industrial Development Authority signed off on the funds.

Now the bond request will move forward to the Campbell County Board of Supervisors and Lynchburg City Council. Both must approve the bond request.

Though not located in Campbell County, Lynchburg College approached the locality with the bond request because of Lynchburg bond funds that currently are tied up with other projects, according to Al Knighton Jr., bond counsel for LC. Those commitments led the college to Campbell County since Lynchburg bond funds already are allocated.

Virginia law allows entities to request bond funds from other localities if monies are not available from its home community.

For Lynchburg College, this will provide funds to invest in a new campus management software system, renovations on campus and the refinancing of a prior bond disbursed to LC in 2013.

Campbell County can issue up to $10 million in bonds annually, with the recipient responsible for payment. According to Campbell County Economic Development Director Mike Davidson, no other government or nonprofit entities  which are eligible for bonds  had expressed interest in these funds.

According to Steve Bright, LC vice president for business and finance, $1.2 million will go to new campus management software, $1.5 million to the already-completed renovation of LCs dining hall and $950,000 for renovations to the Hall Campus Center Ballroom. Another $4.7 million will be directed toward refinancing a bond that established the School of Graduate Health Sciences facility.

Any remaining funds from the $8.5 million bond will go to other facility needs on campus.

The new campus management software will perform a variety of functions, but Bright emphasized the role of compiling data and then using that information to help students be more successful.

We knew that we needed to increase our use of data and that we needed to upgrade our software system, so that we were not only running good financial information but student information that we can leverage so that we can know what the trends are in our student body, Bright said.

The new system  provided by Campus Management, a Florida-based software firm  will capture aggregate and individual student data and be used for finance, human resources and payroll.

Bright noted the new campus software replaces an older system that is not as data-driven. He added LC hopes to leverage that data to increase student retention and graduation rates.

We are trying not only to upgrade our software but to leverage it so we can be a better educational provider for our students, Bright said.

The spending priorities for the bond request align with Vision 2020, the strategic plan adopted by the Lynchburg College Board of Trustees in October 2016, which aims to boost student engagement and achievement, add new academic offerings and address facility needs. LC is conducting a capital campaign to address other facility needs, such as renovations to academic and residential buildings.

Another part of Vision 2020 included the decision to change the schools name from Lynchburg College to the University of Lynchburg, a change coming in the fall of the 2018-19 school year.

According to Bright, the $8.5 million bond request will go before the Campbell County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 3 and Lynchburg City Council on Oct. 10 for final approval. The Campbell County Industrial Development Authority approved the request unanimously at Thursdays hearing.
A Chester resident pleaded guilty Thursday to twice raping a runaway 13-year-old Chesterfield County girl whom he promised to drive home but instead took to his apartment after finding her alone at a local convenience store.

Foruw B. Choo, 44, who is a native of Yap Island in the Federated States of Micronesia, entered his plea in Chesterfield Circuit Court. He assaulted the girl twice at his River Forest apartment in Chester after giving her alcohol and ignoring her cries and pleas to stop, according to evidence.

Chesterfield prosecutor Erin Barr said the girl lived with her parents in Midlothian and, after an argument, climbed out her bedroom window and ran away about 9:30 p.m. March 27. The family reported her missing the next morning.

The girl told police she first walked to a Walmart on Hull Street Road, then to a 7-Eleven and finally to a Wawa, where she sat down for a while as she contemplated returning home.

A man she later identified as Choo drove up to the store in a pickup truck and offered her a ride. She initially declined but then got into his vehicle after he promised to drive her back home.

The girl told Choo she was 13 years old, but Choo expressed disbelief at her age, the girl told police.

As they drove on, Choo diverted course, saying he first had to stop by his apartment. When they arrived, Choo encouraged her to go inside and gave her a brown liquid that burned when she drank it. He then raped her twice in the apartment, offering her cocaine before one of the assaults, which she declined.

Choo, who worked as a hibachi chef at a local restaurant, left for work the following day and told the girl that if she left the apartment, he would find her. Frightened, the girl stayed in the apartment until Choo returned.

At one point, the girl used Choos cellphone to contact a friend through social media, saying she had been picked up by a man and raped. She also sent a photo she took of the apartment building where Choo lived.

When Choo returned, he took the victim out to eat. While there, Choo advised her that when they returned to the apartment, she would have to sleep in his truck because his girlfriend was coming over that night.

Meanwhile, the victims friend contacted police about the message she received from the victim, and with the photo of the apartment building, police responded to the complex and interviewed several residents who lived there. Choo told an officer he had no knowledge of the girl.

Police returned to Choos apartment later that evening after determining that the Internet Protocol address the girl used in contacting her friend came from Choos service provider. But Choo again denied that he had ever seen the girl, the prosecutor said.

The next day, on March 29, the girls parents responded to the complex to conduct a search of their own and looked into vehicles in the parking lot. They spotted some clothes in a pickup truck  the vehicle turned out to be Choos  and when they knocked on a window, they discovered the girl inside when she woke up.

Police were called. The girl wasnt herself and appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the prosecutor said.

Choo was arrested and, during an interview with investigators, eventually admitted to having sex with the girl but claimed it was consensual. During the course of the interview, Choo referred to the victim as a little girl, the prosecutor said.

Choo, in responding Thursday to a list of standard questions by Chesterfield Circuit Judge David E. Johnson, told the court he was not a U.S. citizen. His immigration status, however, was not immediately known, including by his attorney.

After accepting Choos pleas and convicting him, the judge set sentencing for Dec. 27.
A civilian who held a top secret security clearance was sentenced to a year and a day in prison Thursday for using his government computer to view child pornography.

Anthony Thomas Macaluso, 54, who was fired from his position as a mathematician at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren, in Dahlgren, was also fined $50,000 by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne and ordered to undergo 10 years of supervision after his release.

The case  which was in federal court largely because the crime occurred on federal property  was unusual, if not unique, in that unlike in most federal child pornography prosecutions, Macaluso did not buy, download or forward any of the material he viewed.

He faced up to 10 years in prison, with federal sentencing guidelines calling for 30 to 37 months. Given the circumstance of the case, both the prosecution and the defense argued for a lighter term  the government, two years in prison, and his lawyer for supervised probation or home incarceration.

Payne agreed to a more lenient sentence than that called for by the guidelines and appeared to split the difference.

To protect the public, this defendant needs to go to prison, he said. He also imposed a fine 10 times larger than that sought by the government. Payne said he wanted Macaluso to experience being locked up to drive home his need to change. The judge said a longer prison term would only delay the treatment he needs.

Shortly before the sentence was imposed, Macaluso told Payne, I am truly sorry for committing the crime that I am about to be sentenced for.

Macaluso has no other criminal record and is in sex offender treatment. He is free on supervised release until he reports to prison Dec. 5.

In pleading guilty to possession of child pornography in July, Macaluso, an employee at Dahlgren for 25 years, admitted that he used his computer at work to access child pornography for two years. The government said his misconduct was uncovered in March 2015 when a routine security sweep of employee internet activity revealed he had accessed two suspected child pornography websites.

I cant think of any other offense where looking is a felony, Macalusos lawyer, Jacqueline M. Reiner, told Payne in asking for leniency. She said her client made a full and voluntary confession, cooperated with authorities and has accepted full responsibility for his misconduct.

In asking for a two-year prison term, Samuel E. Fishel, a special assistant U.S. attorney, wrote in a sentencing memorandum that Macaluso was a federal employee who worked on a military base in an area with access to highly sensitive information.

He abused this position of trust by expending federal resources and using his time on the public clock to access ... heinous images of children engaged in sexual conduct, Fishel wrote. He is a man who has over time accessed hundreds of images ... while at work.

A sentence of one year and one day enables Macaluso to earn so-called good-time credit under which hed have to serve only 85 percent of his term.
Late Friday night Danville police identified the woman who became the 12th homicide victim this year in Danville after authorities spent Friday scouring for clues when her body was discovered by a worker in a dumpster outside a Westover Drive business.

Tiffany Denise Coleman, 40, of Keeling was identified as the victim, and her vehicle is missing and being treated as stolen, according to a news release.

The vehicle is a white 2002 Chevrolet Impala with a Virginia license plate of KEU-2681.

Police said Coleman was last seen in the company of 27-year-old DQuinnton Averon Saunders. He has been charged with the theft of the vehicle and is currently wanted, the release stated.

Other cases have taken a back seat to this investigation, which is the 12th homicide in the city this year, and the second in a 12-hour period. Police discovered a man had been gunned down on Moffett Street at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

A sole employee on duty at Interstate Batteries at 1801 Westover Drive found the womans body around 7:30 a.m. after reporting suspicious conditions in the parking lot, Danville Police Department Capt. Matt Carter said. Those conditions included a lone flip flop, later marked by an evidence placard, and a trail that led to the small green dumpster that sat between Interstate Batteries and Hudsons Welding Shop.

Interstate Batteries owner Jeff Vine got a call after the body was discovered Friday morning and drove up from his home in Greensboro, North Carolina, to ensure his employees were OK.

The most important thing for me was the wellbeing of my employees, Vine said. He was fine, Vine said of the worker who found the dead body. That was the most important thing.

The manner of death and other details surrounding the investigation were not released Friday.

Danville Police Chief Philip Broadfoot was unable to be reached throughout the day Friday, and Carter would not answer further questions.

Most of the businesses nearby werent open when the body was discovered. Neighboring workers and homeowners said they were shocked to hear what had happened.

The welding shop was not included in the crime scene, but offered a place for employees and police officers to get out of the sun. Two men sat on the bench outside the pale blue door of the yellow building while police searched for more evidence Friday morning.

Authorities wrapped up probing the scene around noon Friday, towing the dumpster for crime scene processing in a private place. The body was still in the dumpster when it was transported by a First Piedmont truck.

Neighbor Taquinia Hairston came home after getting a call saying a body had been found in the dumpster across the street from where her kids catch the bus.

Hairston has never had an issue in the area, other than it being a busy street. An online Danville crime map only shows four incidents in the last month within a mile  three reported larcenies and one car accident.

Her 12- and 13-year-old kids catch the bus around the same time the call came in. Hairston said shes now afraid to send her kids to the bus stop by themselves.

It gets me to my soul, Hairston repeated. It gets me to my soul.
The director of the Virginia Sheriffs' Association has accused Gov. Terry McAuliffe of canceling a budget meeting in retaliation against sheriffs who have endorsed Republican Ed Gillespie for governor.

John W. Jones, the VSA's executive director, sent an email to his members Friday warning of a "significant development" in the organization's efforts to advocate on pay issues for deputy sheriffs. Jones said the annual meeting with McAuliffe, a Democrat, was supposed to take place Thursday.

"The governor canceled the meeting because a majority of sheriffs have endorsed Ed Gillispie[sic] for governor," Jones wrote. "The VSA does not endorse any candidates for elected office."

With polls showing a close race between Gillespie and Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who is running largely on McAuliffe's legacy, the dustup with the VSA is a sign McAuliffe may be growing frustrated by perceived allies throwing their support to Gillespie. On Thursday morning, the Gillespie campaign announced that Middlesex County Sheriff David Bushey had switched his endorsement from Northam to Gillespie.

McAuliffe's office did not dispute Jones' claim that the meeting was canceled due to political feuding, but said the governor has worked to give pay raises to sheriffs and state police and has invited the VSA to submit budget proposals without a face-to-face meeting.

"The governor is a huge supporter of Virginia law enforcement," spokesman Brian Coy said. "His record reflects that."

In his email, Jones said the scrapped meeting will put sheriffs at "a tremendous disadvantage" in the 2018 General Assembly session.

"As a result of this unfortunate development, it is now more important than ever that sheriffs and deputy sheriffs contact their legislators for support to increase salaries of our deputy sheriffs," Jones wrote.

The Gillespie campaign says it has endorsements from 64 of the roughly 120 sheriffs in Virginia.
The two joint ventures planning to route 42-inch diameter natural gas pipelines through forests and fields long to hear the whining roar and chatter of chainsaws felling trees.

Both the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline hope to start clearing trees in mid-November from construction rights-of-way for the buried pipelines. There is an urgency to get started: The projects plan to suspend felling trees after March 31 to comply with federal conservation guidelines tied to potential impacts to the Indiana bat, a federally endangered species, and the northern long-eared bat, a threatened species.

Restricting tree clearing to the period from mid-November to the end of March also protects some species of migratory birds that nest during other months of the year.

Aaron Ruby, a spokesman for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, said Wednesday that the projects timeline, and the project itself, could suffer if tree clearing activities dont get underway during this period, which could mean waiting until mid-November 2018 to fire up chainsaws and other tree-felling equipment.

Its important that we do all the tree clearing and grading this season, Ruby said. Its an important window and weve got a lot of work to do.

Each project plans to clear all vegetation from a temporary construction right-of-way that would be 125 feet wide in most terrain. The permanently treeless rights-of-way would be 50 feet in most places.

Both pipelines are interstate projects and thus require approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In a letter to FERC dated Sept. 7, top executives for three of the companies involved in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline asked FERCs commissioners to issue an order in September to approve the project so that initial construction activities and tree clearing can begin in November and conclude in early 2018 as described in the final [environmental impact statement].

Ruby said Wednesday that if Atlantic Coast isnt able to clear trees during the prescribed period this fall and winter, the project could miss its intended in-service target of late 2019. He said contractual obligations to begin supplying natural gas could be affected, as could contracts with construction companies lined up to build the pipeline.

Five of six shippers of natural gas on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline are affiliates of partners in the joint venture.

Catherine Hibbard, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the mid-November to late March window provides a time for tree clearing with less risk to the Indiana and Northern long-eared bats.

Those are the times when we would expect the bats to be in hibernation, Hibbard said. They would not be roosting in trees.

Mountain Valley Pipelines biological assessment reports that the company also would suspend tree clearing operations from June 1 through July 31 to prevent killing young bats not yet capable of flight.

Hibbard said northern long-eared and Indiana bats leave hibernation areas in the summer for wooded areas.

The females roost under the loose bark of dead or dying trees, where they give birth and raise their young, she said. Indiana bat females tend to roost in groups in maternity colonies, whereas northern long-eared bats roost in colonies or singly. Pups are nursed by the mother, who leaves the roost tree only to forage for food. The young stay with the maternity colony throughout their first summer.

Natalie Cox, a spokeswoman for Mountain Valley, said the company will begin clearing trees as soon as it receives the necessary authorizations.

These activities could begin as early as November 2017, in which case the majority of clearing is expected to be complete by March 31, 2018, Cox said in an email.

The 303-mile, $3.5 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline would begin in Wetzel County, West Virginia, and end at the Transco pipeline in Pittsylvania County. The 600-mile, $5.1 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline would begin in Harrison County, West Virginia, travel southeast through Virginia and proceed south to Robeson County, North Carolina. Each would transport natural gas at high pressure.

The deeply controversial projects have received support from Gov. Terry McAuliffe, business groups and some legislators. But they also have stirred fierce opposition because of concerns about impacts to the environment, property values and property rights. If FERC approves the pipelines  an outcome expected by most observers based on FERCs history of approving similar projects  the joint ventures will have access to eminent domain to acquire easements across private property.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has said limited tree clearing does not require its authorization.

In an email, Ann Regn, a DEQ spokeswoman, reported, Whether its MVP or ACP, hand clearing with chain saws and limited mechanical cutting depending on the type of equipment to be used is not considered land disturbing activity. Removal of cut trees, grubbing, clearing and grading activities is considered land disturbing activities and requires approved [erosion and sediment control plans].

Many observers had anticipated that FERC would act last week to grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity to the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The commission on Sept. 20 held its first public meeting since the departure of former chairman Norman Bay in February.

The commission regained a quorum in August after the U.S. Senate confirmed Neil Chatterjee, who became acting chairman, and Robert Powelson. Both men were nominated by President Donald Trump, and they joined Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur.

After the Sept. 20 meeting, however, an industry news site, Utility Dive, quoted Chatterjee saying hed prefer to wait for the full Senates confirmation of two remaining FERC nominees, Richard Glick and Kevin McIntyre, before tackling the most contentious issues facing the agency.

Chatterjee did not say whether he considers the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast projects to be among those contentious issues.

Tamara Young-Allen, a FERC spokeswoman, said Chatterjee was quoted accurately.

Opponents of both pipelines have said delays ultimately could help halt one or both projects.
Graces Mazowe empire already includes an opulent double-storey mansion on Mapfeni Farm, which can be seen from Manzou Farm where she has been evicting thousands of villagers since 2011 to establish a game park. There is also a dairy farm, orphanage and a school. Grace has also grabbed land which belonged to the former Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed agro-producer Interfreshs Mazowe Citrus Estate.
Evan Mawarires lawyer Harrison Nkomo yesterday trashed the State case during cross examination of the first witness in a trial in which the cleric is charged with attempting to overthrow President Robert Mugabes government.



Witness Edmore Muchineripi Runganga, who is the investigating officer in the case, had a torrid time justifying how Mawarire attempted to subvert a constitutionally-elected government and how he had incited public violence.



This was after four of Mawarires videos were played in court in which he urged people to stay at home during a countrywide shutdown that took place on July 6, last year.





Runganga accepted that in the videos there was nowhere where Mawarire had urged people to engage in acts of violence, arguing instead that this could have been a coded message, which probably meant people must engage in violence.



He, however, could not justify this, adding that it was mere speculation as there was no witness to confirm that assumption.



Runganga also said that Mawarires calls for a shutdown and calling people to resist the introduction of bond notes and the import ban ushered through Statutory Instrument 64/2016, was a clear sign that he intended to subvert a constitutionally-elected government.



After grilling by Nkomo, Runganga failed to qualify how Mawarire intended to subvert a constitutionally elected government with his Bible and a flag. He also admitted that police did not find anything after searching his house.



Why do you believe that a 40-year-old pastor with a Bible, a flag and records, videos in his house, has the capacity to subvert a constitutionally-elected government? Nkomo asked.

Runganga likened Mawarires #ThisFlag movement to Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram. He claimed that Mawarire is influential and had brainwashed his church congregants, which resulted in the creation of #ThisFlag movement.



Nkomo further asked Runganga to place evidence proving that the violence that took place on the alleged dates were a result of his videos and to produce the alleged property that was damaged, which the officer-in-charge for CID Law and Order Harare could not do.

Allegations against Mawarire emanates from last years July massive strike dubbed #Shutdown Zimbabwe.



Allegations are that between July 13, and December last year, Mawarire printed and used electronic media to incite Zimbabweans to revolt against the constitutionally-elected government.



He was arrested on February 1, 2017 at the Harare International Airport upon his surprise return to Zimbabwe from the US.



The popular clergyman had at that point helped to organise one of the most successful and peaceful strikes in the history of post-independent Zimbabwe, with long-suffering citizens heeding his call to stay away from work to protest the countrys worsening rot.



Last years crippling strike forced the panicking Zanu PF government to use excessive force to quell subsequent protests, as Zimbabweans agitated for change.



Mawarire is also facing a separate trial on incitement of violence charges after he joined demonstrating medical students at the University of Zimbabwe recently.



He was also removed from remand on Tuesday following his arrest on Sunday for recording a video complaining about fuel shortages. The court ruled that he had been over-detained. Daily News
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Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price is apologizing for taking costly charter flights on the taxpayer's dime and says he is cooperating with investigations into his travel. Price says he'll reimburse the government by writing a check Thursday to reimburse Treasury, and he's pledging not to take any more charters, the AP reports. He says he wasn't "sensitive enough" to the concerns the charters would create about the use of taxpayer dollars.

His statement comes after White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Donald Trump was not thrilled with Price's flights. Trump had publicly declared his displeasure a day earlier. Trump left open the possibility that Price would be fired, but Price said Thursday he thinks he still has the president's confidence. The brouhaha started with a Politico investigation into the flights. (Read more Tom Price stories.)
Michigan police say Rachel Piland didn't take her newborn daughter to the hospital despite the baby coughing blood and not eating, instead going to "listen to sermons," the Lansing State Journal reports. A day later, Piland allegedly wouldn't let her mother call for help when blood was coming out of her baby's nose and she was having trouble breathing. Four-day-old Abigail was dead within hours. Now Rachel Piland and husband Joshua Piland have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and face up to 15 years in prison over the result of their apparent belief in faith healing.

Abigail appeared fine when she was born at the Pilands' home in Lansing on Feb. 6. But the next day, police say a midwife warned Rachel Piland her baby had jaundice and should be taken to the doctor or a hospital. Piland allegedly declined and canceled a followup appointment with the midwife, saying, "God makes no mistakes." Police say Piland refused to seek help for Abigail as her symptoms worsened. The Pilands allegedly didn't try to get medical help even after Abigail was found lifeless Feb. 9, instead calling friends and church members to come over and pray for the baby. Police only learned about Abigail's death when Rachel's brother called from California. They reportedly arrived to find the Pilands and three other people praying over the dead Abigail. The Pilands are members of Faith Tech Ministries, a religious group with an apparent belief in faith healing. (Read more faith healing stories.)
The baffling injuries suffered by US diplomats in Cuba resulted in two big moves by the White House on Friday: The US is yanking more than half its staff from the embassy in Havana, leaving only "essential" personnel in place, and it's warning Americans not to travel to Cuba, reports the AP. The US has 21 confirmed cases over the past year in which people suffered ailments ranging from nausea to hearing loss to motor skills impairment after being exposed to something along the lines of noise or vibrations at their Cuban-supplied residences. Nobody's been able to figure out what's been happening, and Cuba has emphatically denied being responsible. Details:

Not Cuba? Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had considered shutting the embassy entirely, but he took a lesser step for now because the US is beginning to think that an unnamed third country is to blame for the apparent attacks, and not Cuba, reports the New York Times. A report at McClatchy quoted US sources saying the same. "No one believes the Cubans are responsible," says one.

No visas: The move means that Cubans looking to visit relatives in America are out of luck trying to get a visa, reports the Miami Herald. It's not clear how this will be resolved, but the US might somehow have them get visas from embassies in other countries.

The move means that Cubans looking to visit relatives in America are out of luck trying to get a visa, reports the Miami Herald. It's not clear how this will be resolved, but the US might somehow have them get visas from embassies in other countries. American tourists: The warning against travel could hit Cuba's tourism industry, notes the Washington Post. About 615,000 Americans visited last year, part of a general uptick in tourism in the nation. Because at least one of the "sonic" incidents happened at a hotel, the US doesn't consider the country safe for tourists, period.

The warning against travel could hit Cuba's tourism industry, notes the Washington Post. About 615,000 Americans visited last year, part of a general uptick in tourism in the nation. Because at least one of the "sonic" incidents happened at a hotel, the US doesn't consider the country safe for tourists, period. Tillerson meeting: A meeting this week between Tillerson and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla did little to ease American concerns, reports CBS News. "There is no evidence so far of the cause or the origin of the health disorders reported by the US diplomats," said a Cuban readout issued afterward. The readout also denied that Cuba had "perpetrated" any such attacks and said "third parties" would never be allowed to do so on Cuban soil either.

A meeting this week between Tillerson and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla did little to ease American concerns, reports CBS News. "There is no evidence so far of the cause or the origin of the health disorders reported by the US diplomats," said a Cuban readout issued afterward. The readout also denied that Cuba had "perpetrated" any such attacks and said "third parties" would never be allowed to do so on Cuban soil either. Rubio angry: Marco Rubio thinks the US is being too soft on Havana, tweeting that it was "shameful" the White House did not order Cuba to reduce its embassy staff in Washington. In another tweet, he blamed the Castro regime for allowing the attacks to take place.

(Read more Cuba stories.)
White House officialssurprised and angered by reports that several Trump advisers used private email accounts for government businesshave ordered an internal investigation of email use, Politico reports, citing "four officials familiar with the matter." The sources say investigators have been pulling emails from the White House server to and from the aides. They say investigators are paying particular attention to the private email domain of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner because they still work in the White House, unlike Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus, who are also believed to have used private email accounts.

"The White House has been clear and instructs all staff to fully comply with the Presidential Records Act," press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday, per Reuters. "All staff has been briefed on the need to preserve those records, and will continue to do so." CNN reports that Kushner failed to disclose his use of the personal account during his interview with the Senate Intelligence Committee. The committee's leaders have sent him a letter asking him to check all of his email accounts for documents that could be relevant to the Russia investigation. (Kushner may have made a big mistake on his voter registration form.)
Will President Trump meet his match in 2020? A tweet from Oprah Winfrey has revived speculation in conservative outlets including the Daily Caller and Washington Examiner that she is planning to seek the Democratic nomination. She retweeted a link to a New York Post opinion piece from John Podhoretz that called her the "Democrats' best hope for 2020." "Thanks for your VOTE of confidence!" wrote Winfrey, who said in March that Trump's win made her realize that lacking experience in government is no barrier to running for office. In June, however, she said she would "never run for public office."

Podhoretz praised Winfrey's moderation of a political discussion on 60 Minutes and said she was "uniquely positioned" to challenge Trump in 2020. "If you need to set a thief to catch a thief, you need a stara grand, outsized, fearless star whom Trump can neither intimidate nor outshineto catch a star," he wrote. "We're through the looking glass here. America is discarding old approaches in politics. Democrats will have to do the same to match the mood to the moment." He described Winfrey as "the mirror image of Trump, but more so." "She's Americas generous aunt and he's Americas crazy uncle," he wrote. Click for the full piece. (Read more Oprah Winfrey stories.)
A massive new rockfall hit Yosemite National Park on Thursday, cracking with a thundering roar off the El Capitan rock formation, injuring one person and sending huge plumes of white dust surging through the valley floor below. The slide came a day after a giant slab of granite plunged from the same formation, killing a British man on a hiking and climbing visit and injuring his wife, the AP reports. Climber Ryan Sheridan, who saw Thursday's rock fall from the top of El Capitan, says the new slide occurred in the same location as Wednesday's but was at least three times as large. "There was so much smoke and debris," Sheridan says.

Yosemite National Park officials say they closed the Northside Drive exit route from the park after the latest rockfall, the Los Angeles Times reports. The man killed Wednesday was identified as Andrew Foster, 32, of Wales. The park didn't identify his wife but said she remained hospitalized. At least 30 climbers were on El Capitan when a section gave way Wednesday. Foster and his wife were not on the cliff, however. They were hiking at the bottom of El Capitan, far from trails used by most Yosemite visitors, in preparation for an ascent when the chunk of granite about 12 stories tall broke free and plunged. (Read more Yosemite National Park stories.)
The illustrations of Melania Trump's favorite children's author are "steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes," according to an elementary school librarian who rejected a gift from the first lady. Trump sent 10 Dr. Seuss books to the Cambridgeport School in Cambridge, Mass., to mark "National Read a Book Day," but librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro told her the school would not be keeping them, the Washington Post reports. In an open letter, Soeiro thanked the first lady, but she then described Seuss as "a tired and worn ambassador for childrens literature" and suggested 10 alternative children's books.

The Seuss books were sent to one award-winning school in each state. In her letter, Soeiro suggested Melania send books to "underfunded and underprivileged communities" struggling under Trump administration policies instead of her relatively wealthy community. Parents picking their children up outside the school told CBS News they supported the librarian. The school system, however, said Soeiro was "not authorized to accept or reject donated books" and has been reminded of policies against "public resources being used for political purposes." Hot Air notes that both Barack and Michelle Obama are big fans of Seuss and read his books to children at several White House events. (Read more Melania Trump stories.)
A stampede broke out on a crowded pedestrian bridge connecting two railway stations in Mumbai during the Friday morning rush, and at least 22 people were killed in the crush while another 27 were injured, officials say. When falling concrete hit the bridge railing, people in the crowd thought the bridge would collapse and surged to escape, Mumbai police official Gansham Patel says. People had been crowding under the canopy covering the bridge to escape heavy rains, making the deadly tragedy worse, says lawmaker Shaina Nana Chudasama of the governing Bhartiya Janata Party.

Commuters often complain about street-sellers hawking their wares on the narrow overpass, the AP reports. The pedestrian bridge connected two local Mumbai railway stationsElphinstone and Parel. As Mumbai police appealed to citizens to donate blood to help the injured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those killed. "Prayers with those who are injured," he tweeted. Separately, in the southern city of Bangalore, two people were killed in another stampede as hundreds of people jostled to obtain coupons for free food offered by a local philanthropist, police say. The philanthropist has been detained for questioning. (Read more India stories.)
With three weeks to go until the end of the 2017 fiscal year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement had deported just 211,068 immigrants, roughly 30,000 less than in the 2016 fiscal year and nearly half of the 410,000 deported in 2012. But as of Sept. 9, ICE had made 43% more arrests year-over-year, reports the Washington Post. Why hasn't that translated into more deportations? According to ICE agents, policy experts, and immigration lawyers, illegal border crossings are down, reducing the number of would-be immigrants who can be more rapidly deported. There has also been a boost in financial support for advocacy groups offering free legal help for those facing deportation.

Of those arrested between Jan. 22 and Sept. 2, 28,000 are "non-criminal" violators, triple what it was for the same period in 2016. An Atlanta immigration attorney says the increase, and the overall increase in ICE arrests, shows ICE agents are targeting "low-hanging fruit": relatives of alleged violators and immigrants who've agreed to regular meetings with ICE. Arrests are ongoing. In a four-day span ending Wednesday, 498 people64% with criminal convictionswere arrested in a crackdown on so-called "sanctuary cities" like Los Angeles and Denver, reports the New York Times. Because of pro bono legal help from groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center leading to a backlog of cases, however, it could be years before detainees are deported, the Post reports. (Read more deportation stories.)
In a not-too-distant future, rocket ships will fly people around the world in a matter of minutes, according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. At the International Astronautical Congress in Australia on Friday, Musk opened up about SpaceX's progress on its BFR (Big F****ing Rocket) that he hopes will carry humans to Mars by 2024. "If you build a ship that's capable of going to Mars, what if you take that same ship and go from one place to another on Earth?" he asked, per Space.com. Think New York City to Shanghai in about 40 minutes, and LA to Toronto in 24 minutes. Coverage on this and other Musk-related news, including some involving his successful mother:

Maybe like this: Here's a video animation showing a BFR carrying travelers from New York City to Shanghai in 39 minutes at speeds of 18,000mph.

Here's a video animation showing a BFR carrying travelers from New York City to Shanghai in 39 minutes at speeds of 18,000mph. Buckle up: Musk did not comment on the turbulence to be expected when exiting and entering the atmosphere on a BFR, which will be roughly 30 feet wide by 350 feet long, per the BBC. Musk expects work on the first BFR to begin next year. The goal is to have two cargo ships travel to Mars by 2022, with two cargo ships and two crewed ships following in 2024.

Musk did not comment on the turbulence to be expected when exiting and entering the atmosphere on a BFR, which will be roughly 30 feet wide by 350 feet long, per the BBC. Musk expects work on the first BFR to begin next year. The goal is to have two cargo ships travel to Mars by 2022, with two cargo ships and two crewed ships following in 2024. How realistic? Well, don't hold your breath about all this. (Musk wants a base on the moon, too.) "Even the most ardent fans of Musk and his ambitions ... cannot really believe the BFR will land humans on Mars seven years from now," writes Eric Berger at Ars Technica. "We don't." But Musk's 40-minute presentation had enough "tidbits of plausibility" to make discounting his vision entirely seem "foolhardy."

Elon's mom: Musk's mother is 69-year-old Maye Musk, who is a dietitian and nutritionist with two master's degree. She also happens to have 50 years of modeling experience, and she just became a new CoverGirl model, only the latest achievement in an impressive run of late. The New York Times has a Q&A with her.

Musk's mother is 69-year-old Maye Musk, who is a dietitian and nutritionist with two master's degree. She also happens to have 50 years of modeling experience, and she just became a new CoverGirl model, only the latest achievement in an impressive run of late. The New York Times has a Q&A with her. No family privileges: Asked if she's scored a new Tesla 3 yet, she tells the Times, "Im at around 300,000. Even though I have good connections, I cant jump the line." (Her son, of course, also is CEO of Tesla.) Business Insider quotes a cousin of Elon Musk's who confirms that being related to the CEO brings no special favors when it comes to Teslas.

Asked if she's scored a new Tesla 3 yet, she tells the Times, "Im at around 300,000. Even though I have good connections, I cant jump the line." (Her son, of course, also is CEO of Tesla.) Business Insider quotes a cousin of Elon Musk's who confirms that being related to the CEO brings no special favors when it comes to Teslas. $50 million challenge: As of Friday, the clock is ticking on Musk's promise to build the world's largest lithium ion plant in Australia in 100 days, reports CNBC. Musk has promised to deliver in time or he won't charge the government a dime. It could cost him $50 million.

(Read more SpaceX stories.)
Wells Fargo is in the news again, though this time it's a rogue entity, not upper management, that's catching all the heat. Ex-bank teller Phelon Davis has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $185,000 from a bank customer over a two-year period, starting in October 2014, when the customer arrived with a trash bag filled with cash to deposit. It was then that Davis noticed the customer "had a surprisingly large balance with the bank," per a signed crime statement. What made that cash cache surprising, per the Washington Post: The customer was homeless and had long kept accounts with the bank, though some had gone dormant. Not long after that interaction, Davis set up a new account in the customer's name (as well as a linked ATM card and email that Davis controlled) and started siphoning money, per a court filing.

All told, Davis was said to have moved $177,400 into his fake account and withdrawn a total of $185,440. Per a release, Davis, 29, has pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of public property, a charge the Post notes was spurred by Davis taking at least $5,000 out of the account via ATMs in DC, then bringing the cash home to Maryland. He's accused of using the money to fund exotic Caribbean and Mexican vacations, as well as to pay down debt and cough up a home down payment. Meanwhile, the larger mystery remains: how the unnamed homeless victim came to be in possession of such a large amount of cash in the first place. "That's the million-dollar question," Davis' attorney says, adding his client "greatly regrets the decisions he made." Davis faces 10 years in prison and the payback of the entire $185,440. (Read more weird crimes stories.)
On Thursday, the acting Homeland Security chief declared that federal relief efforts in Puerto Rico amounted to "a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths that have taken place in such a devastating hurricane." On Friday, the mayor of San Juan begged to differ with Elaine Duke's assessment. "When you're drinking from a creek, it's not a good news story," Carmen Yulin Cruz told CNN, per the Hill. "When you don't have food for a baby, it's not a good news story." Cruz did praise the feds for getting "boots on the ground" and President Trump for calling, but she said the situation was increasingly dire for the 3 million Americans on the island struggling to find food and water.

"Dammit, this is not a good news story," she said, per the Washington Post. "This is a people-are-dying story." Trump, meanwhile, took to Twitter Friday to defend the White House response. "Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello just stated: The Administration and the President, every time we've spoken, they've delivered," Trump wrote. The president thanked FEMA, the military, and all first responders, and added: "The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!" Part of the problem in Puerto Rico is that relief supplies are piling up at ports instead of being delivered as authorities deal with a blizzard of logistics. (Read more Puerto Rico stories.)
An Iowa woman departed on a European vacation on Sept. 20 but allegedly left some rather important articles behind: her four kids. Erin Macke, 30, is accused of child endangerment after she allegedly left her kids home alone while she traveled to Germany. After receiving a call from the father of one of the kids, Johnston police say they visited Macke's home on Sept. 21 and found four childrenages 6, 7, 12, and 12alone. According to police, the kids said their mom had "left the country" and wasn't to return until Oct. 1. Police called Macke, who explained "all of her sitter options fell through, and she left the kids in the care of the two 12-year-olds," officer Tyler Tompskins tells KCCI. She "did not see it being a problem."

Tompskins says he knows of cases where parents left their kids alone for a few hours, or even a night. But "this, where a parent has left the country and left the kids home alone, I've never heard of it before," he tells KCCI. Police told Macke to return early, and she made it back to the US on Wednesday. On Thursday, she was arrested and charged with four counts of child endangerment and one count of making a firearm available to a person under the age of 21, reports the Des Moines Register. (The latter is because police say a handgun was left within reach of the kids.) Macke is being held in Polk County Jail and is not allowed to see her children, who are staying with family members. She appeared in court Friday and will return for a date on Oct. 9. (Read more Iowa stories.)
Democrats see the Senate seat held by Arizona Republican Jeff Flake as one of their few opportunities in 2018, and it looks like they'll be pinning their hopes on a centrist Democrat with a track record of reaching across the aisle, the Arizona Republic reports. US Rep. Kyrsten Sinema announced Thursday she will be running for Flake's seat. "I really feel like I have a duty to serve and give back to this country, which has given so much to me," Sinema says. She says her key issues in the campaign will be helping military veterans and easing regulations on businesses. Sinema's entry into the race makes things even harder for Flake, who's facing a tough primary challenge from former senator Kelli Ward. According to the Cook Political Report, a recent poll showed Flake down 27 percentage points to Ward and 7 points in a match up with Sinema.

Flake, who has faced criticism from conservatives for occasionally butting heads with President Trump, is attempting to paint Sinema as too liberal, with a spokesperson calling her "out of touch." It's a plan the National Republican Senatorial Committee is following. Sinema has more in common with the failed, radical leadership of Nancy Pelosi than she does with Arizonan families," states the NRSC, which accuses Sinema of voting in "lockstep" with Democrats. And while Politico reports Sinema was originally affiliated with the Green Party, accusations of being overly liberal aren't borne out by reality. Sinema didn't vote for Pelosi for House leader, skipped an Arizona rally for Hillary Clinton, and is a frequent cosponsor of Republican bills. She's voted with the Trump administration 49% of the time, making her the third most GOP-friendly Democrat in Congress since the election. (Read more Kyrsten Sinema stories.)
One of two Wisconsin girls charged with stabbing a classmate to impress horror character Slender Man will plead guilty in a deal that calls for her to avoid prison time and instead receive treatment for mental illness, attorneys announced Friday. The deal calls for doctors to evaluate 15-year-old Morgan Geyser and report to a judge to determine how long she should remain in a state mental hospital, the AP reports. Geyser's co-defendant, Anissa Weier, faces at least three years in a mental hospital after a jury this month determined she was mentally ill at the time of the attack on classmate Payton Leutner, who survived. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators. All three girls were 12 at the time.

"It's been a tragic experience for everyone," Geyser's attorney, Donna Kuchler, said after the brief court hearing. "Our hearts go out to the victim and her family. And we're very grateful that the district attorney's office gave this case the considering it deserves." Geyser and Weier were charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a possible sentence of up to 65 years in prison. Weier pleaded guilty to a reduced charge last month, and a jury then determined the sentence. Unlike Weier, Geyser will plead guilty to the original charge from prosecutors. But Geyser won't face a sentencing phase where attorneys would argue that she was mentally ill when the crime occurred and shouldn't face prison time. A plea hearing to formalize Geyser's deal is Thursday. (Read more Slender Man stories.)
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New Delhi:

Indian Armys fearless surgical strike in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir last year was live-streamed in the Army headquarters in Udhampur and Delhi, the officer-in-charge of the operation has revealed.

Former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Indian Armys Northern Command (retired) Lieutenant General DS Hooda in an interview with India TV said the commandos were sending live images of the entire operation back to Army headquarters.

Yes, we were getting the images live. I was sitting in the operations room in our command headquarters in Udhampur. I saw the entire operation live how our teams attacked the targets, and the entire live feed was being sent to Delhi Army Headquarters, Lieutenant General (retired) DS Hooda said.

However, Hooda didnt tell if the Home Minister Rajnath Singh and PM Modi were also watching the live streaming but confirmed the feed was also going to Delhi too.

I dont know who were watching in Delhi. In Udhampur, we were watching and the feed was going to Delhi too, Hooda said.

Also Read | From 1971 to 2016: History of surgical strikes in India

However, he refused to disclose as to whether the live streaming was done through satellite or some other technology.

Hooda also refused to reveal the technology through the liver streaming was done but revealed that the Army has the capability to see live streaming of such operations.

I cant disclose what technology we used, but the Indian Army has the capability where you can see live streaming of operation that was going on. We have the capability, Hooda said.

After the successful operation, teams of Armys Special Forces returned at different times and the last team reported back at around 6.30 AM.

Some teams arrived earlier. They had left earlier and had struck at targets soon after midnight, while some other teams went in later and returned late, he added.

Giving more insights of the surgical strikes, Hooda said the Army had also planned backup and teams were ready to go across LoC to retrieve and rescue in case any team failed to return.

There was panic in the ranks of Pakistani forces. In some places, they were firing randomly. We had also planned a backup. If any team failed to return, we had teams ready to go in, retrieve and rescue and bring them back, Hooda, who had planned the strikes, revealed.

Initially, the strikes on the terror launch pads in Pakistan were planned for September 27 but the final execution took place on September 28.

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New Delhi:

India has registered a significant decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). According to the just-released SRS bulletin, IMR of India has declined by three points (8% decline), from 37 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016, compared to two points decline last year.



According to the SRS Bulletin the gender gap in India for child survival is reducing steadily. The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced to <10%, giving a major boost to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme of the Government.



Not only this, India also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time come down to below 25 million. India has registered 90000 fewer infant deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015. The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down from 930000 (9.3 Lakhs) in 2015 to 840000 (8.4 lakhs) in 2016.

Read | Sex ratio 2016: 3 out of 100 women delivered kids in 2016 were 19 years and below



The results signify that the strategic approach of the Ministry has started yielding dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off, an official statement said.

Among the EAG States and Assam, all States except Uttarakhand have reported a decline in IMR in comparison to 2015. The decline is reported as 4 points in Bihar, 3 points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Rajasthan.

These remarkable achievements in merely one year is also the result of a countrywide efforts to increase the health service coverage through various initiatives of the Government that includes strengthening of service delivery; quality assurance; RMNCH+A; human resources, community processes; information and knowledge; drugs and diagnostics, and supply chain management, etc.

Read | Maharashtra: Newborn baby gets Aadhaar number within 6 minutes of birth

Highlights of the report:

#IMR of India has declined by three points (8% decline), from 37 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016, compared to two points decline last year.

#India also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time come down to below 25 million.

#India has registered 90000 fewer infant deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015.

#The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down from 930000 (9.3 Lakhs) in 2015 to 840000 (8.4 lakhs) in 2016.

#The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced to <10%

#The decline is reported as 4 points in Bihar, 3 points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Rajasthan.





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New Delhi:

The Shiv Sena on Friday hit out at ruling BJP for lapses in the stampede on a foot over bridge at Elphinstone railway station in Mumbai. The Sena called the incident a massacre.

Due to fears of a possible short circuit, a stampede took place on a foot overbridge near the Elphinstone station. As per last reports in, 22 people had died and more than 30 were injured.

This incident is a public massacre for which the government and railways are responsible. We have time and again demanded that the old and dilapidated foot overbridges be redeveloped but no action has been taken yet, Sena MP Sanjay Raut told.

While the government has no time to rectify the shortcomings in the present rail system, it wants to bring in bullet trains, he added.

Sena MP Arvind Sawant said instead of focusing on the high-speed rail project, the government should work towards providing basic infrastructure at stations and put in place a mechanism to control crowd.

The Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai South said he has raised the issue of local commuters plight from time to time in Parliament. I have repeatedly requested railway officials to look into the issue, but nothing has happened till now.

Suresh Prabhu, as railway minister, had announced elevated railway tracks. Where are they? he asked.

The Shiv Sena MP said several foot overbridges are in poor shape, but nothing is being done to improve their condition.

With PTI inputs

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New Delhi:

One year ago, Indian Army instilled fear in the hearts and minds of Pakistan-based terrorists running camps to infuse tension in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian soldiers crossed over the Line of Control and attacked specific targets to hurt the machinery that sponsors terrorism in India.



The surgical strike, which was launched in the response of the Uri attack, has been celebrated by the Modi Government as a major achievement in the war against terror.



Surgical strikes are military attacks which are intended to result in damage to the intended legitimate military target only with aim of minimum collateral damage induced in the nearby areas and civilians.



The neutralization of only the specific targets in this case also prevents the escalation of the military tensions to the scale of a full-blown war.

Read | One year of surgical strike: Reasons behind Army conducting operation along LoC



On its first anniversary, let's examine the history of surgical strikes by India:



East Pakistan, or current day Bangladesh (1971)



In 1971, the Indian Army closely collaborated with Mukti Bahini inside the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) state in the build-up to the 1971 Bangladesh war. However, this operation has not been officially acknowledged by the Indian authorities.



Kashmir (1971)



In 1971, the Indian Special Forces and the Ghatak platoons of infantry conducted tactical operations across the Line of Control in Kashmir, and caused small-scale damages across the border. By these strikes, the Indian Army was able to send a strong point across.



Myanmar (Apr-May 1995)



In 1995, India and Myanmar (then Burma) conducted a joint military operation blocking around 200 NSCN, ULFA and KLO militants moving through the Burma-Mizoram border. The militants were moving towards Manipur after picking up an arms consignment from Bangladesh.



Bhutan (2003)



In December 2003, the Indian Army conducted an operation, which is famously known as Operation All Clear, inside Bhutan to eliminate the northeastern militant groups. The operation was acknowledged by the Government. About 30 militant camps were targeted during this operation, including ULFA, NDFB and KLO hideouts, which lead to 650 militants being neutralized.

Read | Surgical Strikes First Anniversary: Know how Indian Army's Special Forces busted terror camps across LoC, avenged Uri terror attack



Myanmar (2006)



In January 2006, the Indian Army and security forces in Myanmar reportedly conducted joint military operations inside the territory of Myanmar, targeting local militants in lieu of the exchange of some military equipments to the Myanmar Army by India.



Myanmar (2015)



In June 2015, a team comprising of about 70 Indian Army commandos carried out surgical strike inside the jungles of Myanmar. The 40-minute operation took out 38 dreaded Naga militants and left seven injured. The strike was planned hours after the Naga militants killed 18 Indian soldiers in an ambush at the Chandel area of Manipur on June 4th, 2015.



Pakistan (September 29, 2016)



India claimed to have made surgical strikes against several militant bases, or terrorist launch-pads in the Pakistan-held territory and claimed to have killed 9 Pakistani soldiers and up to 50 militants.



Pakistan denied about the occurrence of any such strike and said that that Indian soldiers only fired upon the Pakistani soldiers, who then fired back. Pakistan also claimed that two of its soldiers were killed and that it had killed 8-14 Indian soldiers and captured one.



India acknowledged that one soldier had been injured, though none had been killed. India also acknowledged the capturing of one soldier by Pakistan, though not during its surgical strike.



Disputed surgical strikes



After the glorification of the surgical strike by Modi Government last year, former UPA Govt claimed that the surgical strikes happened frequently under the previous government, however, were not publicly acknowledged or promoted.



Former home minister P Chidambaram told media that Congress-led government sanctioned surgical strikes in 2013.



Tformer DGMO Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia rubbished Congress claims of 'surgical strikes' during the UPA governments tenure. He said the surgical strikes now and operations than "can't be compared" as they were mere cross-border actions.

Read | (Watch) India conducted deadliest surgical strikes across LoC in 2011, says report

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New Delhi:

Effectively combating terrorism was one of the major focus areas during the talks Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah had with Indian leaders as both sides emphasised the need to dismantle terror safe havens in the region.

Abdullah, who arrived here on Thursday, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj during which a wide-range of issues were discussed.

India and Afghanistan condemned the continuing acts of terror and violence in Afghanistan, including the recent attack at the Kabul airport which had delayed the arrival of Dr Abdullah to India, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He said both sides asserted that terror safe havens and sanctuaries need to be dismantled.

Kumar said both sides positively assessed the recent developments in bilateral relations, including the outcomes of the recently concluded meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council on September 11, which was co-chaired by the foreign ministers of the two countries.

Also Read | 63 presumed dead in shipwreck involving Rohingya Muslims: UN

India had already announced that it will implement 116 development projects in Afghanistan.

The New Development Partnership was described as paving the way for the new generation partnership in development cooperation between the two countries, Kumar said.

In the talks, the Indian leadership reiterated New Delhis support for all efforts to build a stable, secure, peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, he said.

A Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation on police training and development was signed and formally exchanged at the meeting between the Chief Executive and the Prime Minister.

This has created an enabling framework for training and capacity building of Afghan National Police personnel in various fields in addition to Indias ongoing assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, said Kumar.

He said trade and economic cooperation was also the focus of discussions and that better connectivity was emphasised upon by both the sides

In this context, both sides expressed determination to strengthen the Air Freight Corridor and also welcomed the steps being taken to operationalise the Chahbahar port, including the forthcoming supply of wheat to Afghanistan from October 2017, he said.

Kumar said Afghanistan was invited to participate in the International Solar Alliance Summit Meeting being held in India in December 2017.

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New Delhi:

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday reached on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir where she would review the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Valley and Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region.

She was received by Northern Army Commander and the Chinar Corps Commander at the Old Airfield. Sitharaman also visited one of the forward posts on the LoC in Kashmir.

Earlier, Sitharaman, accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, arrived this morning on her maiden visit to the state and straightaway went to Kupwara sector in north Kashmir for an on-ground assessment of the situation along the LoC., sources said.

The sources said senior army officials would brief the defence minister about the overall situation in the Valley, including counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration operations, upon her return from Kupwara.

Also Read: No troop contribution in Afghanistan: Nirmala Sitharaman to US counterpart

Sitharaman is scheduled to meet Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti later in the day, they said.

Also Read: Nirmala Sitharaman, US Defence Secretary James Mattis discuss cross-border terrorism

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New Delhi:

The Jammu and Kashmir Police suspect the slain Border Security Force (BSF) Trooper on leave at home was brutally killed by Lashkar-e-Taiba militants.

The slain BSF constable of 73rd Battalion Rameez Ahmad Parray was killed at his home in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipore district.

North Kashmir Inspector General of Police Nitish Kumar confirmed that the terrorists who first attacked Parray with knife and then fired indiscriminately at him.

Also read| Video: Unarmed BSF constable responded with Jai Hind while facing death at the hands of terrorists at home in J&K



He added, Around 9 o'clock Jawan Ramzan Parray who was on holiday in his hometown was attacked by terrorists.

Kumar added, The terrorist first attacked him with a knife and then indiscriminately opened fire on him.

The officer added that in the initial investigation they have learnt that Lashkar-e-Taiba's Mohammed Bhai and his aides were behind the attack.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir director general of police (DGP) SP Vaid had termed the jawans killing as barbaric and inhuman.

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Mumbai:

At least 27 people were killed and around 30 were injured in a rush-hour stampede on a foot overbridge (FOB) linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations in Mumbai, civic officials said.

The tragedy took place amid rain in the city around 10.40 am when the FOB was heavily crowded, a police official said.Police suspect a short-circuit with a loud sound near the FOB led to panic and people started running, resulting in the stampede.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) disaster control room, 22 people were brought dead to the KEM Hospital in Parel. Those injured were taken to various hospitals, he said.

Officials of the railway, police and fire brigade rushed to the site to carry out rescue operations.

The medical teams have also been rushed to spot, and rescue operations are underway. Accident Relief Medical Equipment Train reached & medical assistance being provided.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths caused by a stampede.

Naidu said he was shocked to learn about the incident. "My deepest condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their dear ones and wish a speedy recovery to the injured", he tweeted.



Prime Minister Modi tweeted " My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured".

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal ordered a high-level inquiry into a stampede.

Also Read: Elphinstone Stampede: Death toll in Mumbai rises to 27; Maharashtra Govt, Railway Min order probe

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New Delhi:

Twenty-two people including a child were killed and over 35 persons suffered severe injuries in a rush-hour stampede caused after rumours of British-era bridge collapse broke out in Mumbais Elphinstone Road station in Mumbai on Friday morning.

Prima facie rumours like falling of FOB led people to panic, leading to tremendous push from behind towards exit leading to stampede. There was no structural damage to the FOB (foot over bridge) which can be attributed to the stampede, said Western Railways.

The stampede took place around 10:30 am on the British-era made small bridge connecting Elphinstone Road station and Parel station. According to the Western Railways the bridge is five meters wide and 32 meters long having dual exits.

Also read: Papa, you go ahead, I will come, let the crowd thin out: Last words of Elphinstone stampede victim

"The overbridge of Elphinstone station was overcrowded and due to rain it got slippery too. This caused panic and resulted in the stampede," said Atul Shrivastav, inspector general of the Railway Protection Force.

According to an eyewitnesses, four trains rolled in at the same time. The bridge suddenly got overcrowded as hundreds had taken shelter to evade rains and hundred others were trying to make their way out or in through the decade old bridge.

Bridge-breaking rumour broke out after a loud banging sound, which started the chaos, said a witness who survived the stampede.

He added people were trapped and crammed tightly on the bridge that many suffocated to death.

In the videos and photos clicked by commuters watching helplessly from the station platforms one can see people trying to stand upright and many trying to escape by climbing over the bridge railing.

Several videos showed commuters were seen carrying bodies down the bridge or trying to revive the unconscious.

Also read| Elphinstone stampede: Opposition demands Railway Ministers resignation

A survivor, who identified herself as Shruti Lokre said, The crowd was increasing ...We couldn't breathe, we were falling on each other, there was panic. There was no exit. There was also a rumour that the bridge is falling, the bridge is breaking."

An Accidental Death Report (ADR) under sec 174 of CRPC has been registered at Dadar Police station. The police are investigating reports that a short-circuit caused a loud sound near the bridge and led to panic and chaos.

The Indian Railway and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced Rs 5 lakh each for the deceaseds relatives.

The oppositions across different party lines have demanded resignation of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

The Indian Army conducted surgical strike along LoC in the early morning hours of . Its been one year of that glorious operation which dismantled terror launch pads along the LoC. The brave soldiers pioneered clinical surgical strike where there were no casualties on Indian side whereas almost 40 terrorists were gunned down. It was out and out a successful operation.



Now, one year down the line, let us recall the reasons which forced the Indian Army to take this brave move:



# Uri attack: On , four terrorists executed one of the worst terrorist attacks on the Indian Army. On that horrific day, the terrorists killed 19 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmirs Uri in the rear office of Indian Army infantry installation. The attackers were believed to have come from Pakistan. Since the attack, Indian authorities had escalated the matter against Pakistan in international fraternity. The Indian Army took to surgical strikes to avenge the deaths of soldiers in Uri attack.



# Repeated terror strikes in India: Though there had been repeated terror attacks across India, Pakistan had never felt the need to act against terrorists operating from their soil. India has shared details about the terrorists originating from Pakistani soil but the neighboring country never acted against them. Rather, they supported the terror camps operating in their territory. The major terrorist attacks in India included 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Mumbai serial bomb blast, attack on Akshardham Temple in Ahmedabad, Delhi serial bomb blast, Bombay train blasts, attack on Indian Parliament, Pathankot Air Base attack, Uri attack.

Read more: Surgical Strikes Anniversary: How Indian army avenged Uri attack



# Increased infiltration from Pakistan: The infiltration had increased significantly since the time India had taken the matter internationally. Indian diplomats had been successful in isolating Pakistan on various platforms. Irked by the continuous isolation of Pakistan, the country had increased infiltration from their soil and also upped the export of terrorists to India. Seeing this problem, Indian Army decided to counter the terror the camps operating from Pakistani soil. Indian Army inflicted great damage to the future prospects of infiltration across LoC.



# Pakistans support to terrorism: There had been reports where it was claimed that Pakistani Army personnel were literally sitting in terror launch pads near the LoC. As per reports, at least 17 terror camps were operating in PoK with intent to push terror into India. Pakistan-run terror camps in PoK meant Pakistan-sponsored terror on Indian territory. When India sensed inaction from Pakistan, India decided to tackle the problem by own and launched surgical strikes along LoC to kill terrorists and dismantle terror camps.



# Islamabads indifference towards terrorist activities: India had been continuously and relentlessly urging Islamabad to take action against the terrorist organizations as they were a threat to security in India. India had proactively shared all the intelligence reports against the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in India. But, Islamabads approach had been to shield them from any action.

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New Delhi:

You cant teach an old dog new tricks and this idiom suits Pakistan very well when it comes to terrorism. The country known for being a "safe haven" for terrorists continued to provide assistance to them even after the September 29 surgical strike last year.

On September 29, 2016, Indian Army shocked the world including Pakistan by carrying out surgical strike and destroyed terror launch pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The fearless and retaliatory move by Indian Army came after four Pakistani terrorists attacked an Army Base in Jammu and Kashmirs Uri sector. The cowardice attackers killed 17 soldiers and injured 19.

After the Uri attack, the clamour for surgical strikes on Pakistan rose sharply and Indian Army did what the entire nation wanted to see.

However, Pakistan not learning any lessons continued to provide its support and assistance to terrorists. Attacks and infiltration didnt stop post-surgical strike.

Attacks and infiltration post-September 29 surgical strikes:

On November 29, just two months after the surgical strike two major attacks shocked the Jammu and Kashmir again. 7 Army personnel including a Major were killed while 8 others were seriously injured.

According to an RTI report, 135 terrorists killed while 43 security personnel were martyred in terror attacks till August 2017.

By June 2017, 22 infiltration bids were attempted and 34 armed intruders were killed by the security forces.

Umar Fayaz killing: A Lieutenant rank Kashmiri Army officer Umar Fayaz Parry was assassinated by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian district. Fayaz was on leave and gone to Shopian to attend a marriage ceremony when terrorists abducted him and murdered brutally.

Also Read | 2016 surgical strike on Pakistan live-streamed to Delhi Army headquarters

Amarnath Yatra attack: On July 10, Terrorists killed seven Amarnath pilgrims, including six women, and injured 19 others as they struck a bus in Kashmir's Anantnag district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2001.

According to an IndiaSpend analysis of data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), deaths due to terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir rose sharply post-surgical strikes on Pakistan.

From 246 in 2015-16 to 323 in 2016-17, deaths due to terrorism-related incidents increased by 31 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir in one year since Indian Armys surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

Earlier this week, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat hinted more strikes on Pakistan and said cross-LoC surgical strike last year was a message to the Islamabad.

"The strikes were a message we wanted to communicate. I think they understood what we meant. These things could follow, if required," General Rawat said.

His message was a clear indication that if the situation in Kashmir remains what it is now, India will again do what it does the best, retaliate strongly and aggressively.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Joint Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs, Dr Neena Malhotra, on Friday said that President Ram Nath Kovind will visit Ethiopia on October 4. She informed that this will be first overseas visit of President.

Malhotra said that it will be first visit to Ethiopia by an Indian President in 54 years.

"This is the first overseas visit of President after assuming charge, first visit by an Indian Pres to Ethiopia after almost 45 years," said Malhotra.

Malhotra said that Ethiopia is the largest recipient of concession by India. She added that India has given $ 1 billlion concession to Ethiopia in 3 sugar projects.

"President would be visiting from October 4th-6th, 2017; there is a business event and an interaction with Indian community," said Joint Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Friday said that India is focusing on providing humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh and extending support in handling the situation emerging out of Rohingya crisis.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday claimed that it is a mistake to consider Rohingyas entering India as refugees as they did not follow due procedure.

"We need to understand that Rohingyas who have infiltrated India are not refugees," Singh said during an NHRC programme.

The Minister argued that there is a set procedure to follow in order to acquire refugee status, hence the Rohingyas currently in India are illegal immigrants. Thus, human rights argument does not apply, he told media.

"India won't be violating any international law by deporting Rohingyas from India, as it isn't a signatory to 1951 UN Refugee Convention," the home minister added. "Principle of non-refoulement applies on those who have taken asylum in India. No Rohingya has applied for asylum in India till today."

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

As electoral campaign picks up pace for Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypolls, police have lodged a complaint against Sucha Singh Langah, a senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader, on charges of sexually exploiting a friend of his daughter for a decade.

Police said, the complaint has been filed by a friend of the SAD leaders daughter. The duo used to be classmate at Baba Nanki College in Gurdaspur.

According to the complaint, the 39-year-old woman, who is also a police constable, has also accused him of defrauding her.

The woman constable has accused the 61-year-old politician of forced her to make sexual relations with him for over eight years.

The woman has handed over a 20-minute long video that shows the SAD leader exploiting her.

Also read| Rajasthan: Woman allegedly gangraped by 23 men in Bikaner



We are probing the matter. The case is being investigated by deputy superintendent of police rank officer, said Gurdaspur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harcharan Singh Bullar.

Another police officer said that the case was registered against the SAD politician after consultation with the additional district attorney.

Police have booked the former agriculture minister under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 376 (rape).

According to the complaint filed by the victim, her nightmare began in 2009 after she and her relatives met the SAD leader at the Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh to seek a job on compassionate grounds after her husband a police constable passed away.

In the complaint she has mentioned that Langah, then a agriculture minister in the Akali Dal government, had asked her to meet him along after two day.

Also read| Tarun Tejpal rape case: Goa court frames charges, next date of hearing on Nov 21



The victim has mentioned in the FIR that she met the leader as it was important for her to get a job.

The victim further mentioned that as Langah allegedly made advances she begged the minister to spare her.

I reminded him that I was his daughters classmate so I am like a daughter to him. But he did not listen. He told me then having sexual relations with him was the only way to get a job, she said.

She also mentioned in the complaint that Langah would fix meeting with her in Chandigarh.

She further added that the former minister allegedly warned her of dire consequences and even threatened her death.

The victim also informed the police, I decided to shoot the video because I knew no one would believe me.

In the complaint she has also mentioned Langah of cheating her monetarily by selling off a plot of land that belonged to me in pretext of buying another plot for me in Chandigarh.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Two days after terrorists attacked Kabul airport with rockets, at least six people have been killed and dozen others have suffered injuries in a suicide attack carried outside a Shia mosque in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Friday.

According to Tolo News, the explosion occurred around 2pm (Afghanistan time) in Qala-e-Fathullah area of Kabul.

Spokesman for Ministry of Public Health told the media that six fatally injured in the explosion were taken to a state-owned hospital in the city.

Afghanistan Police said that a suicide bomber detonated himself as worshippers were leaving the mosque after weekly Friday prayers.

No group claimed has yet claimed the incident.

Also read: US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis was target of rocket attack, claims Taliban

In the incident at least 22 people have been killed, said a police officer to AFP.

Tolonews quoting Emergency Hospital officials wrote at least 19 people who were wounded in the blast were taken to the facility.

Soon after the incident, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and called it against humanity and religion.

He said, Such attacks will not affect the unity among Afghans. I wish swift recovery to those wounded in the explosion.

According to reports Afghan Police have arrested a suicide bomber from the incident site.

Also read: Kabul: After rocket attack on International Airport, three explosions reported in a span of 25 minutes

Police said, the suicide bomber carrying a sheep was looking for an opportunity to enter the mosque but on being identified by a police personnel detonated himself.

The attack came as Shia Muslims prepared to commemorate Ashura, one of the holiest dates in the Islamic calendar. It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed.

Terrorists attacked the Kabul airport and fired munitions a few minutes after US Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived at Afghanistan to pledge support for the government on September 27. Five people were killed in the attack. ISIS and Taliban active in the country had claimed the attack.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

An Iraqi government order that international airlines halt all flights in and out of the cities of Erbil and Sulaimaniyah in Kurdish territory is set to kick in on Friday.



Iraqs prime minister had on Tuesday ordered the northern Kurdish region to hand over control of its airports to federal authorities or face a flight ban, signalling a tough response to a landmark Kurdish independence referendum held the day before.



The Iraqi Kurdish leadership billed Mondays vote as an exercise in self-determination, but the Iraqi government is strongly opposed to any redrawing of its borders, and Turkey and Iran fear the move will embolden their own Kurdish populations.



Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis ultimatum came the day after the vote and ahead of the release of official results.



He said the ban would exclude humanitarian and other urgent flights.The vote was a historic and strategic mistake by the Kurdish leadership, Al-Abadi said during a press conference in Baghdad. I will not give up on the unity of Iraq, that is my national and constitutional duty.

Read | 92 percent Kurdish voters want Independence from Iraq



Regional authorities in Iraqs autonomous Kurdish north put the turnout at over 70 percent, but many voters reported irregularities, including cases of individuals voting multiple times and without proper registration.



Many expect a resounding yes vote when the official results are released, most likely tomorrow, according to the Kurdish electoral commission.



For decades, Kurdish politics have hinged on dreams of an independent Kurdish state. When colonial powers drew the map of the Middle East after World War I, the Kurds, who now number around 30 million, were divided among Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq.



After polls closed in Iraqs Kurdish region yesterday night, the skies above Irbil filled with fireworks and families flocked to the center of town to celebrate. Across the border thousands of Iranian Kurds held rallies in support.The vote has already ramped up regional tensions.



Iraqi troops began joint military exercises with Turkey along the border. Fearing the vote could be used to redraw Iraqs borders, taking a sizeable part of the countrys oil wealth with it, al-Abadi has called the referendum an act of sedition that escalated the ethnic and sectarian tension across the country.

In Iran, thousands of Kurds poured into the streets in the cities of Baneh, Saghez and Sanandaj yesterday night. Footage shared online by Iranian Kurds showed demonstrators waving lit mobile phones in the air and chanting their support into the night.



Some footage also showed Iranian police officers assembling nearby or watching the demonstrators.

Read | Kurdish independence vote: Iraq threatens flight ban

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

China on Thursday dismissed as groundless rumours the reports that authorities were seizing copies of the Quran and prayer rugs in Xinjiang as part of a crackdown against extremists in the restive province.



Asked about media reports circulating in the province, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters here that the situation in Xinjiang was sound and local people there are working and living in peace.



We hope relevant parties refrain from making groundless allegations and rumours, he said.



Reports in the official media in China on Wednesday said that the Chinese officials had tightened security measures in Xinjiang, apprehending militants of the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM).



Extending its crackdown against ethnic minority Muslims in the north-western region of Xinjiang, Chinese authorities have asked families to hand-over all the religious items including prayer mats and the holy Quran. Officials in the region have told the families and mosques that Uyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz Muslims must give up all these items or face punishment, a report said.

Read | Hope India-US military cooperation conducive to regional peace: Chinese Defence Ministry

"Officials at village, township and county level are confiscating all Qurans and the special mats used for namaaz[prayer]," a Kazakh source in Altay prefecture, near the border with Kazakhstan told Radio Free Asia. "Pretty much every household has a Quran, and prayer mats."



"We received a notification saying that every single ethnic Uyghur must hand in any Islam-related items from their own home, including Qurans, prayers and anything else bearing the symbols of religion," Spokesman for the exile World Uyghur Congress group, Dilxat Raxit said.



Explaining the step, the Chinese officials reportedly have said that they were removing all the Qurans published in the last five years, as they featured extremist content. This is a part of China's "Three Illegals and One Item" campaign, which bans numerous items owned by the Uyghursa, report said.



Also, items coming in from Kazakhstan or with anything in the Kazakh language or symbols have reportedly been banned.



In the year 2015, the nation invited ire when it forced officials in the Xinjiang region to swear that they will not fast during the holy month of Ramadan.



In some regions, officials had even been asked to give oral and written assurances that they "have no faith, will not attend religious activities and will lead the way in not fasting over Ramadan," Reuters reported citing state media.



The reports of ban on Quran and other prayer material comes ahead of the ruling Communist Party of Chinas meeting starting on October 18 in which Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to get a second term.



Officials have installed new high-tech body security scanner for road security checks to enhance security ahead of the Congress.



Xinjiang, bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan, is located in Chinas north western region.



China is battling ETIM militants in Xinjiang, who reportedly have links with Islamic State.



The province has seen protests by majority Uygur Muslims over increasing settlements of the Han community from other parts of China.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A 39-year-old man, arrested on Sept 5 for stalking a 27-year-old woman, has also been charged with indecently assaulting her while she slept in her apartment in Tokyoas Adachi Ward.

According to police, Takuji Nakajima, a demolition worker, broke into the apartment of the woman, who is a housewife, on the night of Aug 14, Fuji TV reported. He woke her up, put his hand over her mouth, told her she had a nice body and then fondled her breasts, police said.

Police said Nakajima intruded into the apartment a second time in August and had been stalking the woman on at least six occasions. Police said he followed her on her bicycle, was seen peeking in the apartment window and looking inside the woman's washing machine which is just outside the apartment's front door.

Police said Nakajima has only partially acknowledged the allegations against him and quoted him as saying, "I may have touched her body, but I can't definitively say." He also told police he first saw the woman at a local festival several years earlier.

Sep 29 (ANNnewsCH) - aaaaaaeaaaaaaaaeaaaaaaaaecaaaYaaaaiiacaaeaaaYacaaaaaaaaaaecacaSeaaYaaaaeaaaaaYa
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a male Mongolian national for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a woman in a parking lot in Edogawa Ward earlier this week, reports TV Asahi

On Monday night, the Mongolian, 27, allegedly embraced the woman, aged in her 20s, from behind and pushed her down. An officer tipped off about the incident arrived at the scene and apprehended the suspect.

The woman, who was not acquainted with the suspect, suffered injuries that are expected to require one week to heal.

The Mongolian generally admits to the allegations. "I was drunk so there are things I do not remember," the suspect told the Koiwa Police Station. "After following her from a convenience store, I kissed her and fondled her chest."

A similar incident involving another woman at a location near the parking lot took place last month. Police are investigating whether the Mongolian was also behind that case.

Sep 29 (ANNnewsCH) - aaYaaaeeSa a20aaaaaaaaaecaaaaaaaYaaaaaaaaaYaaa27aaaaaaacaeaaaaaYa


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Diane Sobolewski / Contributed photo

The grit and determination of American immigrants is explored through a joyous reimagining of the musical Rags, on stage at The Goodspeed, Friday, Oct. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 10.

Rags is the story of a young mother and her son, fresh from Ellis Island, who are searching for a new life and sense of home in America. The two find the streets of Manhattans Lower East Side may not be paved with gold, but theres opportunity and optimism.
BETHEL - A musicians decision to wear a hat bearing a Confederate flag patch during open mike night at a downtown coffee house  and an employees angry reaction to it  led to a visit from police and threats by some residents to boycott the business.

Stan Weston, a former Bethel resident who is stationed in Oklahoma with the U.S. Air Force, said he returned to town this week to visit his great-grandmother and decided Thursday evening to see old friends at Molten Java on Greenwood Avenue.

It was open mike night, and I was playing the banjo, so I didnt think much about wearing the hat, said Weston. Its just an old family heirloom. I wasnt wearing it as any kind of racial symbol. I just recently found it among some of the grandfathers old stuff.

During his performance, an old acquaintance walked up to him, removed the hat and walked off. Weston said he didnt think much of it, and assumed he would get the hat back after his set.

But a few moments later, in an incident captured on cellphone video, a coffeehouse employee walked up to the mike, held up the hat, brought out a knife and slashed it to pieces.

Weston tried to take the hat away, but pulled his hand back for fear of getting cut.

I used to go to Molten Java when I was younger, and it was always a very inclusive place, Weston said. People werent brandishing weapons back then. I was just shocked that someone took such a violent approach.

Police were called, but left after the employee agreed to apologize and give Weston $20 for the hat, said police spokesman Capt. Steven Pugner.

The employee was not identified.

Wendy Cahill, who owns the coffee house, said Friday she has yet to speak to the employee, adding that the woman was not on duty that evening.

What she did was wrong, Cahill said. If they had a verbal conversation about the hat, I would have supported her. The sentiment I agree with, but not her actions. Everyone is welcome here but they have to be willing to engage in civil discourse.

Weston said that he agreed at first not to press charges, but later reconsidered and went to the police department Friday to ask that the case be pursued.

They told me the case was closed and there was nothing more they could do, he said.

But several residents commenting on a Facebook post about the incident called for a boycott of the coffee house.

This has nothing to do with racism; its freedom of speech, said Mariah Vaughan, a friend of Weston who posted the video on Facebook. I think Wendy is an amazing woman, but this just doesnt make any sense.

Ive brought my kids in there before, she continued. Its supposed to be a family-friendly place. What if the knife had slipped from her hands and hurt someone? Its unbelievable.

dperrefort@newstimes.com
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WASHINGTON  Alan Arellano and Matt Taylor were hiking the Macricostas Preserve last weekend when Arellanos dog Ozzy had enough.

Halfway through the planned 3-mile hike, the dog turned back the way they had come.

He kinda said, You know what, guys? Im out of here, and boogied on out of there, Taylor said.

Taylor and Arellano gave chase, catching up with the 8-year-old golden retriever when the dog stopped and sat down.

Ozzy was suffering from heat exhaustion, in rough shape some 1.5 miles from the trailhead, Taylor said. Arellano called for help and Taylor went in search of it.

Within minutes of getting the emergency call, Fire Chief Darryl Wright was at the trailhead. Other firefighters arrived and headed up the trail, carrying a bag of ice, water and towels, Wright said.

Also on the way was an engine with pet oxygen masks donated last spring to the Washington Volunteer Fire Department. When the engine arrived at Macricostas, firefighters whisked the mask up the trail and gave Ozzy some oxygen.

The volunteers fashioned a stretcher from a blanket, brought Ozzy down the path and drove him to Aspetuck Animal Hospital.

Ozzy left the hospital that afternoon and was fine the next day.

Taylor and the firefighters credit Luke Cheney, a 2017 Shepaug graduate, with helping to save Ozzys life.

Cheneys generosity and his passion for firefighting  he became a volunteer on the force this summer  were the reasons his senior project focused on acquiring the pet oxygen masks he later donated to the department.

Cheney spent his senior year raising money and donated seven mask kits  one for each fire engine.

I picked pet oxygen masks because I love pets, Cheney said. I think its worth every penny that I spent. I helped save that pets life.

Taylor called the incident a wonderful story.

Everybody in that community just jumped right in, he said. I hope it encourages other young people to make a difference in any small way.

blytton@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3411; @bglytton
It's getting harder and harder to dismiss the experiential segment as a niche within the world of marketing. According to a 2017 Freeman study, more than one in three CMOs expect to funnel up to 50 percent of their budgets into brand experiences.

Those leaders have finally discovered what consumers could have told them ages ago: People don't want to be bombarded by ads. What they want are authentic, one-to-one interactions with the companies seeking their business. In other words, they want brand experiences.

Related: Behind a $100 Million Mattress Startup, Casper Co-Founder Shares Advice on Finding Success as an Entrepreneur

That's what experiential (sometimes called "event" or "participation") marketing comes in. The term refers to a marketing strategy that invites and encourages consumers to participate in the evolution of a brand.

But consumers aren't looking for something snooze-worthy -- at least not in the typical sense of the word. Mattress company Casper, for example, gave this year's SXSW attendees a rest they won't soon forget. In partnership with One:Night, Casper offered $99 hotel rooms outfitted with a Casper mattress -- and milk and cookies.

"Moms" were even on call to read bedtime stories to restless sleepers. Unsurprisingly, the rooms sold out instantly. The reality is that not all brands can afford to rent out an entire hotel, but that doesn't mean you should default to a low-cost activation.

Where should you spend?

While some marketers have managed to cut costs without curtailing the actual experience, they've likely found that spending a little more where it matters can mean the difference between a forgettable event, and one that leads to real ROI.

Where should you allocate your money for maximum impact? If you value results, don't skimp on any of these three:

1. People and training

When consumers interact with a brand, they're interfacing with a real person. No matter how great your product might look or taste, customers won't care about it if the brand ambassador was rude. All they'll care about is that they had a terrible experience.

Although sales and experiential marketing aren't one and the same, brand ambassadors and salespeople have similar roles. And in sales, 68 percent of consumers surveyed by Salesforce said that interacting with a salesperson who understands their preferences is absolutely critical or very important, according to Salesforce. So, even if brand ambassadors can't honor someone's preference -- say that the rason is because they didn't have any unsweetened tea on hand -- they can still create a happy customer by listening to that person's needs and offering an alternative experience.

The perfect representatives are created through a combination of equal parts hiring and training. During the hiring process, our company often interviews with a client on hand to ensure that applicants mesh with both our team and the brand they'll be representing. This way, we can gauge whether an applicant will be the right person to advocate for the brand when he or she interacts with consumers.

Consumers can tell when someone isn't a genuine advocate of the product they're pushing, so having a brand-lover is of the utmost importance.

Then, once youve found the right people, be sure to train them on answers to common questions -- no question is too "out there" to be asked. While they wont know the answer to everything, they should know what to do and where to go when that occurs.

Remember to train for extended engagement, too. Recently, reps of the Alabama Tourism Department visited New York City to showcase their states tourism offerings. Given that most New Yorkers aren't exactly experts on Alabama, it was crucial that representatives could communicate extensively about their home state.

2. Production

Aside from your people, your set build is one of the biggest takeaways from attendees at your activation. "Cheap" can be spotted from a mile away, and run-down, incomplete or simply boring builds communicate to consumers that your brand cuts corners. By building a high-quality display, you can diminish the natural wear and tear that occurs from one event to the next.

If you need to bring down the activation cost, scale back the footprint rather than compromising on materials or build quality. Great customer experiences, which Forrester data shows are a top priority for 72 percent of businesses surveyed, occur in great environments. And, for the most part, engagement levels don't shrink with footprint size -- but they sure do with build quality.

Related: You Sell Experiences Whether You Realize It or Not

If you can't decrease the footprint size, think about the less essential elements as places where you can find cost efficiencies. If a photo booth isn't critical to your experience, opt for the $10,000 booth instead of the $40,000 one.

Be doubly sure to spend adequately on the set build if the set itself is the experience. Last year, we hosted a snow day -- something unheard of in Phoenix -- for Sara Lee's Artesano bread. Cutting corners here would have quite literally melted the experience. But nobody batted an eye when the photo booth was a tad slow. Instead, we used the long lines as an opportunity for additional product education.

3. Measurement

Brands are becoming smarter with their marketing spend. According to eMarketer, 57 percent of marketers say their top priority for 2017 is cross-channel measurement and attribution. If a program can't show ROI, it -- and the marketers behind it -- may get axed from next year's budget.

Before the event begins, have at least one metric in mind that you'll use to measure success. Good benchmarks to measure against include brand-to-consumer engagements, social impressions generated during and after the campaign, the number of new users and the most important one: sales.

Related: How Do You Measure the Impact of an Experience?

Set up a live data feed, and monitor it during the event. If something isn't going well, you may have already invested in the physical elements, but you can use data to adjust everything else on the fly. You might need ambassadors to change up their engagement strategy, stock up on everyone's favorite product or shorten or extend the event.

Afterward, dig into the numbers. Did the annual festival sponsorship yield surprisingly little social sharing or sales? Stop wasting money on it. Instead, put the funds toward something consumers haven't seen before.

CMOs may be spending millions on experiential marketing, but those efforts don't have to be expensive. They just require the right people, a high-quality set build and measurable metrics. Without any of those things, the experience won't be worth having -- either for consumers or your company.

Related:



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Chief Executive of Afghanistan calls on the President of India

New Delhi, Fri, 29 Sep 2017 NI Wire

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (September 28, 2017).

Welcoming Dr. Abdullah to India, the President said that India considers him a very close friend. We admire the selfless leadership that he has given Afghanistan through difficult times.

The President said that India considers Afghanistan not just a strategic partner, but a country very close to our hearts. People to people exchanges have provided a very strong foundation to India-Afghanistan relations. Rabindranath Tagores Kabuliwala resonates in the heart of every Indian. Every Indian instinctively trusts a person from Kabul.

The President said that a new development partnership between India and Afghanistan has been announced earlier this month. Both sides are embarking on new generation development projects aimed at supporting socio-economic development in Afghanistan. India will continue to support Afghanistan in all possible ways.

The President said that India deeply respects the supreme sacrifice made by the Afghan National Defence and Security forces to fight the forces of terror. We are indebted to them for ensuring security of Indians and of our Mission and Consulates in Afghanistan. India strongly condemns the acts of cross border terror perpetrated against the people of Afghanistan. There is no doubt that the people of Afghanistan have suffered for a long time. Generations have been lost to terrorism. We empathise with their yearning for peace. We stand with the Government and people of Afghanistan in their quest for peace, stability and prosperity.

Source: PIB
OTTAWA, Sept. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), Louise Bradley, President and CEO, made the following statement.

"On Orange Shirt Day, Saturday, September 30, people from all walks of life will wear orange to honour and remember survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and reaffirm their commitment to reconciliation.

A former residential school student, Phyllis Webstad, had her prized possession, an orange shirt, taken from her on her first day of school. The shirt, a gift from her grandmother, has come to symbolize the tremendous losses endured by Indigenous peoples  the shattering of kinships, cultures and communities.

Today, we acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and the ongoing socio-economic disparities that persist among Indigenous children. Finally, the long journey to reconciliation has begun  with important first steps  as some underserved Indigenous communities are beginning to gain access to safe water and electricity. Though repairing the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples will take many forms, working in partnership to ensure these basic needs are met is intrinsic to fostering a culture of mental wellness.

At the MHCC, we continue on our own path to reconciliation. This year, our efforts included expanded Indigenous representation on our Board of Directors and reconciliation dialogue workshops for all our staff. We continue to look for ways to build cultural humility within our organization. On September 30, don an orange shirt and join us in recognizing Orange Shirt Day."

THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA

The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we create change. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.

www.mentalhealthcommission.ca | strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca

Sign up for the MHCC Newsletter

SOURCE Mental Health Commission of Canada

For further information: Helene Cote, Senior Communications Advisor, Public Affairs, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Office: 613.683.3952, Mobile: 613.857.0840, [email protected]

Related Links

www.mentalhealthcommission.ca


Hundreds of thousands of Canadians would be left behind

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Today's report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) on the cost of a national pharmacare program confirms that, even under the most optimistic assumptions, more than $19B in new federal spending would be required to move to a single payer national pharmacare program. At the same time, it will still not cover all the drugs to which Canadians already have access today.

"Canadians should be concerned about the enormous cost to taxpayers of a national pharmacare program that would also not cover thousands of drugs that Canadians currently have access to and may require," stated Stephen Frank, President and CEO of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA). As the PBO report highlights, roughly $3.9 Billion was spent on drugs that would not be covered by the proposed federal plan, leaving hundreds of thousands of Canadians to find alternative funding for drugs they are currently using.

Canadians that access prescription drugs through their employer benefit plans today have access to a wider variety of drugs than what is proposed in the PBO report. The life and health insurance industry is very supportive of initiatives already underway to reduce drugs costs in Canada including the proposed reforms to the PMPRB regulations.

"Prescription drug costs in Canada are too high and there are steps that can be taken quickly to reduce those costs," stated Mr. Frank. The industry continues to believe that the best system would be one that blends the strengths of both the public and private systems. "In that way all Canadians would continue to have access to a wider variety of prescription drugs while allowing Canadians to realize the savings identified in the PBO report," added Mr. Frank.

About the CLHIA

The CLHIA is a volunteer association whose member companies account for 99% of Canada's life and health insurance business. The industry provides a wide range of financial security products such as life insurance, annuities (including RRSPs, RRIFs and pensions) and supplementary health insurance to more than 28 million Canadians. It also holds over $810 billion in assets in Canada and employs nearly 155,000 Canadians.

SOURCE Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.

For further information: Wendy Hope, Vice President, External Relation, (613) 691-6001/[email protected]

Related Links

http://www.clhia.ca


MONROE  The candidates for Monroes open first selectman seat agreed on the importance of a business-friendly environment and easing the tax burden on residents.

But at their forum Wednesday, Democrat Dan Hunsberger, Republican Kenneth Kellogg and unaffiliated candidate Frank Bennett differed on whether now is the time for the town to hire an economic development director.

Hunsberger said he would make such a hire.

Were not enticing companies to come into town, he said, pointing out the impact of higher taxes on residents. I belive that person (the director) would be extremely important in helping the (Economic Development Commission to put Monroe on the map.

Kellogg pointed out that there has been commercial development in Monroe, citing Monro Muffler, Union Savings Bank and the new Goodwill and CVS. He said he wanted to focus on people, process and partnerships to continue development.

But Kellog said that while he wouldnt close the door on the concept of an economic development director, he didnt think now would be the time to fill the job, in light of proposed reductions in state aid by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Right now, I cannot support any new positions in Town Hall, particularly one that, if were doing it properly, should be a relatively well-paid position, Kellogg said. Wheres the money going to come from? Higher taxes? Further cuts in services?

Bennett also voiced money concerns.

Were in a very questionable budget situation right now, and to add personnel without seeing an immediate return is going to be difficult to sell, he said.

The Pizza and Politics event at Monroes Edith Wheeler Memorial Library filled up a room, as the three candidates expounded on topics ranging from economic development and road repairs to the fate of the shuttered Chalk Hill Middle School.

They are running for the position being vacated by First Selectman Steve Vavrek, who announced in January that he would not run for re-election.

Chalk Hill Middle was another subject that elicited differing views.

The school, which opened in 1969, sits unoccupied on Fan Hill Road. The Monroe School District hasnt used it since 2011, but it was used for classes for Sandy Hook Elementary School students after the December 2012 shooting.

All three candidates agreed they wouldnt want to see the school be demolished, but Hunsberger said finding a suitable tenant, would be best, while Kellogg and Bennett called for more resident input.

Hunsberger said the town could explore the idea of making Chalk Hill a satellite school of sorts.

Kellogg said that ultimately it should be up to the community to decide, and Bennett said opinions from residents were needed, to which Hunsberger said the conversation had been going on for years.
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NEW HAVEN  Earlier this year, the annual statewide Point in Time Count found 543 homeless residents living in the city.

City Homeless Coordinator Velma George said that figure includes homeless residents living inside and outside shelters. It was a drop from the 730 homeless residents counted in 2016, George said Thursday during the Board of Alders Human Services Committee meeting.

The public hearing was part of the committees agenda and sought to discuss the status of the citys 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness. The meeting was the first step in helping assess how the citys plan has developed. The plan was prepared by the Mayors Homeless Advisory Commission in March 2007 for then-Mayor John DeStefano Jr.

Despite the year-to-year reduction, committee chairman Alder Richard Furlow, D-27, balked at the claim.

It certainly doesnt look like it when you drive around, Furlow said, a sentiment later echoed by his colleague, Alder Evelyn Rodriguez, D-4, who added: Even though youre doing great work, its increasing.

The alders comments underscored how much work the city has left to do. Yet, Thursdays meeting clearly demonstrated there are numerous people  extra chairs needed to be brought to the alders table to accommodate all speakers  working toward providing permanent solutions.

Furlow had requested the meeting, seeking more information with temperatures beginning their slow decline with the changing seasons.

George was among several city department heads who spoke to the committee to update how the citys goal to address chronic homelessness is progressing. They were followed by a collection of local, private services assisting the regions homeless population. They too offered input on strategies that are working and other that could prove beneficial.

On the city side, George said a four-point approach was developed to address homelessness. She delivered a multi-page reports summarizing how the plan has developed and some of its results.

We all work in collaboration with a lot of partners here to address this important issue, City Community Services Administrator Martha Okafor said, adding the report delivered Thursday surmised what had been accomplished in the past four years under Mayor Toni Harp.

The citys first goal was providing permanent housing opportunities, which private sector services universally agreed is perhaps the most vital tool required.

We dont want more shelters, Columbus House CEO Alison Cunningham said.

There are 167 units available for homeless prevention from the citys housing authority, Elm City Communities, with an additional 370 housing vouchers made available for people at risk for homelessness. That is simply not enough, which is evident by the 10,000 person waitlist for their homeless housing, Elm City Communities executive director Karen DuBois-Walton said.

DuBois-Walton said federal funding is inadequate and wont support building additional public housing units.

Other ways George said the city opened a secured seasonal storage facility allowing homeless individuals to store clothing. Her office has also developed a database with information on homeless residents who use the citys services. She said they must also address subgroups within the homeless community, including younger individuals who may not be interested in housing or couples who wont stay at shelters if they are not allowed to stay together.

Providers are also suggesting providing more single-room occupancy and housing that is self-supportive.

Alder Anna Festa, D-10, stressed the sensitive topic of homelessness must be treated with humanity. Though she cautioned this is accomplished while considering concerns from residents.

We get calls from residents of our neighborhoods because its affecting their quality of life, Festa said. We have to look at both sides.

Perhaps nothing illustrates the clashing of these interests like homeless encampments. George said since April, the city has addressed 18 encampments that together were occupied 50 to 60 people.

Last December, the city razed a large encampment near the Mill River off of Interstate 91. Occupants had been given an eight-day notice to vacate.

Parks Director Rebecca Bombero said city crews removed 28 tons of trash from the site, requiring 150 staff hours. She likened encampment removal to playing a game of whack-a-mole.

Were kind of chasing our tails, Bombero said.

Wooster Square District Manager Lt. Mark O'Neil said calls from people on the City Green reporting homeless activity range from public drinking to aggravated assault to public defecation.

I would have never believed it until I saw it, ONeil said. These are the challenges Ive been facing the last few months.

Liberty Community Services Program Director Siliva Moscariello works for one of the organization partnering with the city. On Thursday, Moscariello praised the work homeless support organizations in the city are doing.

We are really in the cutting edge here in New Haven and we always have been, Moscariello said.

Amy Casavina Hall, chief impact officer at United Way of Greater New Haven, said their programs help, the most vulnerable folks.

We dont want people in shelters, we want them in a house  thats what ends their homelessness, Hall said.

Statewide, a report this year suggested homelessness is declining.

The report published in May by the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness said there was a 13 percent drop in homeless on the street or in shelter across Connecticut in 2017 compared to 2016. The figure is based on a Point in Time Count, which took place Jan. 24 and showed 3,387 people experiencing homelessness that evening.

Overall, 2017s total was 24 percent less than in 2007.

There are, smaller ways the city is trying to address homelessness.

A few days before the encampment in December was removed, the city launched a program installing colorful meters to raise donations for local organizations assisting the homeless. Their goal was twofold: In addition to providing donations, the city hoped it would help reduce panhandling.

New Havens Director of the Department of Transportation Doug Hausladen said Thursday theres four donation meters in the city. The meters are part of a campaign called Give Change to Make Change. Hausladen said the city has six additional meters they intend to install soon.

More money is needed, far more than what meters will be able to raise, but its a start. Festa said during Thursdays meeting that funding is clearly an issue that will require funding from the state, which shares responsibility in addressing the matter.

Its a state issue that seems to be a New Haven problem, Festa said.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901
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WINSTED - Residents gathered Thursday, drawn by their mutual love for animals, to remember the potential pets who remain in need of a loving home and honor those who have died.

The group gathered in East End Park to mark "Remember Me Thursday," an international day of remembrance for orphaned pets, with a candle-lighting ceremony.

Denise Evans organized the event - her first in Winsted, after recently moving to the community from Mississippi.

"We're basically trying to shine a light on those animals who are in pounds, city shelters, rescues even, that are still waiting," said Evans. "Some wait their whole lives and never get out."

Two local organizations involved in supporting and caring for animals attended the event.

Sherrie Gioia, the president of For The Love Of Jack, said she came out because of her work for animals, and her desire to be a voice for the voiceless.

For the Love of Jack helps sick, hungry and injured animals, tries to keep animals out of shelters and with their families, and advocates against animal abuse and neglect, among other roles, Gioia said.

Animals just mean the world to me, because somebody needs to speak up for them and to be their voice, and to protect them and do what's right for them, and keep them healthy, said Gioia. That's what we try to do.

Lilla Robin Cannamela, the co-founder of Desmond's Army, said she was thinking of her sister's dogs, who recently died, and Desmond, a dog who authorities said was beaten, starved and eventually strangled and dumped by his owner, according tothe New York Times, and hoping that animals find love during the ceremony.

(I'm) hoping that all animals find the love (that) we show all of ours, which is family  because pets are family, said Cannamela.

Connecticut passed Desmond's Law, in 2016; it prompts the state to appoint an advocate to represent cats and dogs harmed in animal abuse cases.

The group lit candles in remembrance, then gathered for conversation. Jayla Labbe of Thomaston laughed and shrieked with delight as she played with Orcha, Candace Bouchard's dog.

Bouchard said that she had adopted Orcha's mother after the dog was involved in a Norwich animal abuse case. The dog was pregnant, and Orcha was part of the litter.

Bouchard, part of Desmond's Army, said that the group attended court proceedings in support of animals involved in abuse cases.

It's really an act of humanity - helping those who can't help themselves, said Bouchard of the work.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
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NEW HAVEN  A 51-year-old man who allegedly shot his wife and two city police officers on Sept. 23 was arrested today on a warrant as he was discharged from Yale New Haven Hospital, according to state police.

Douglas J. Monroe, of 640 Elm St., had been hospitalized since that day. He was wounded after a SWAT team entered his house and encountered him in the basement with a long gun. Police shot him when he pointed the weapon at officers, police said.

The Connecticut State Police was alerted at 6:15 a.m. Friday by New Haven police that Douglas was scheduled to be released from the hospital. He was then taken into custody by state police detectives on a warrant charging him with first-degree assault. He was processed at New Haven Police Headquarters and later arraigned at Superior Court in New Haven. He was held in lieu of $900,000 bail.

The arrest warrant affidavit was sealed. The arrest was the result of a domestic violence incident in which he allegedly shot his 51-year-old wife multiple times inside their home. She survived the shooting and fled to a neighbors house.

At 10:20 a.m., police responded to the location on a report of gunfire. As two police officers entered the house, Monroe allegedly opened fire, wounding both in the arm. Officers Eric Pessino and Scott Shumway both were treated at the hospital and released. A message was left with YNHH seeking the condition of Monroes wife, who was more seriously injured and underwent surgery.

The shootings led to a standoff that lasted several hours into the afternoon. Police blocked off about an eight-block area and evacuated nearby residents using an armored vehicle. Police negotiators, meanwhile, tried for several hours to make contact with Monroe. Unsuccessful, the SWAT team entered the house at about 2 p.m., encountered Monroe with a weapon and shot him, police said.

Charges are pending against him for shooting the two New Haven officers and the attempted shooting of SWAT team members, state police reported in a news release.

Because the incident included an officer-involved shooting, the investigation was turned over to the Major Crimes Squad of Connecticut State Police.
MILFORD  A couple who own a local boutique have always loved the "vibe" at music festivals, so they are throwing one Saturday outside their "Bohemian High" boutique to benefit Hurricane Irma victims in Houston and Key West.

The event will include free yoga, Zumba, raffles, belly dancing, hula hooping, other activities and three live bands beginning at 3 p.m. Entry is by a suggested donation of $20.

Gloria and Richard Krouch have named the event "Irma Disaster Relief Squad" and will send 100 percent of the proceeds to the agency Direct Relief. Gloria Krouch said their research showed the organization has top ratings for using donations responsibly and providing full financial disclosure, Gloria Krouch said.

Gloria Krouch said having been through their share of storms in Milford  especially Superstorm Sandy in 2012, they were talking about the plight of Irmas victims after yoga class and decided they had to do something.

"Weve been there because of (Superstorm) Sandy. People are still trying to rebuild," Gloria Krouch said.

Richard Krouch added: "Whats the best way to get people together? Music."

A flier for the event shows a photograph of the Milford shoreline battered by Superstorm Sandy with the words, "Weve been there," next to a photo of Key West, battered by Hurricane Irma and the words, "Lets help them get through this."

The good times will start in the parking lot next to Bohemian High, 156 Bridgeport Ave. at 10:50 a.m. with Metta Meditation and then at 11 a.m., yoga led by Traci from WalkAboutYoga with teacher and students from Boom Yoga joining. At 12:30 p.m. it will be time for Zumba with Shelly from Zlife Studio, then at 2 p.m., yoga led by Joaquin from Boom Yoga, who will be joined by WalkAboutYoga. There will be other activities and music beginning at 3 p.m. with Giancarlo Berg, Creamery Station at 4:30, then Remember September at 7:30 p.m.

The Krouchs are also looking for sponsors to help cover the cost. Even if they dont cover their costs through additional sponsors, all money raised will go to the cause. Sponsorship comes with perks such as two free wristbands for entry, display of their banner and more, according o the amount of the sponsorship.

The couple also celebrated their recent hrand opening with a music festival.
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MADISON  A clear sky on a breezy, sunny day made for beautiful flying conditions as Capt. John Kelly landed an amphibious Cessna 208 Caravans airplane on the waters of West Wharf Beach Thursday, where people gathered to see the craft touch down.

Kelly is a pilot and co-owner of Shoreline Aviation, which is now offering a seaplane charter service from West Wharf Beach in Madison to Manhattan, the Hamptons and along the Connecticut coast. The eight-passenger seaplane can fly passengers from Madison to New York City in 40 minutes and take people on sight-seeing flights over the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.

On a beautiful day like this, its exciting, just majestic, and a nice memory for today, said Ray Horwitz, who watched the landing while having brunch at a nearby restaurant.

Shoreline Aviation, based at Tweed New Haven Airport, has roots in Madison where it once operated out of Griswold Airport. But Kelly said with these seaplanes, Madisons waters have become the new runway.

They can land just about anywhere in coastal Connecticut or on the Connecticut River that we want to land, he said. They also charter into Essex and as far up as Glastonbury and Middletown, he said, but most of their flights go to the Hamptons and Marthas Vineyard.

From now to Nov. 30, people can take a 30-45 minute flight along the Connecticut River to view fall foliage, or go across Long Island Sound over Montauk and The Hamptons along the South Shore. The sight-seeing flights start at $250 per person. To charter a flight to New York City and land at the 23rd Street Seaplane Base costs $2,995.

You can get there in 35 minutes and youve had a great ride, seen great sights along the shoreline, and got a great view of Manhattan, Kelly said. If a person needed to go in to the city for a quick meeting, he or she could be there in 30 minutes, then the plane would wait for them and have them back in Madison before they could even get there on the train, Kelly said.

Shoreline Aviation being a New Haven company, though, Kelly, a Guilford resident, likes offering the service locally, saying its great to offer a service to local people as well as New York.

Madison-based travel agency, Biehn Travel, will facilitate the charter and sight-seeing reservation process. The Madison Economic Development Commission and Beihn Travel also set up a partnership with the Madison harbormaster to make sure boats are always available to take people from the shore to the plane and back.

That is really the only missing link to do this anywhere along the Connecticut coast, Kelly said. Were always trying to find a way and once they have that in place then theres really no limit. A person could even charter the seaplane to a private dock on Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard, or wherever they live on the Connecticut coast.

Bruce Beebe, who lives in Madison and manages the docking and moorings (anchors for the boats) in the small harbor said he would like to see a dedicated dock so people could have access on a regular basis to the planes.

Penny Hein said its exciting the service has come to Madison. The travel time from Madison to Manhattan is three hours by train, so Hein, who lives in Old Saybrook, would like to try the convenience of chartering a flight instead.

Its a great idea and very entrepreneurial, she said.

mdignan@hearstmediact.com
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayoses declaration to run for Presidency on the platf...

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayoses declaration to run for Presidency on the platform of the party in 2019.

Fayose had yesterday in Abuja officially declared his intention to run for Presidency in 2019.





However, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, stressed that it is expected of all party members to comply with the partys National Convention which zoned the Presidency to the North.





Speaking with jounalists Adeyeye said, A decision was taken at the National Convention of the party, which is the supreme organ of the party. Any decision taken cannot be changed or queried.





It is binding on every party member. No matter your position in the party, it is expected of you to comply with the decision of the National Convention and that is our position.





On the possibility that Fayose was scheming to position himself for Vice Presidential candidate in 2019, Adeyeye said, That question should be directed to him, he is in the best position to react to that.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has called for unity among members ahead of the November 18 g...



National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has called for unity among members ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra.

He stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a reconciliation meeting with the partys former aspirants for the governorship position.





Former aspirants present at the meeting were George Moghalu, Madu Nonso, Bart Nwibe, Patrick Nwike, Chike Obidigbo, Johnbosco Onunkwo, and Uzoh Obinna.

Andy Uba, Paul Chukwuma and Adaobi Uchegbu were absent.





Oyegun urged the former aspirants to support Tony Nwoye, the partys candidate and the leadership to ensure victory at the election.





There is an incumbent governor in Anambra; we have all been through most exciting period of campaigning for the primaries, which is over now.





And, by divine mercy, we have a candidate, but a tree does not make a forest.





We are in politics and we recognise that each and every one of those who aspired for the office of the governor of Anambra, has a constituency.





It is important that we do everything we can, fair and square, to bring Anambra into the fold of the progressives for a lot of reasons.





Until we manage to bring few states into the mainstream of progressives politics, we may not see the end of this continued cry of marginalisation.





It is important that we work and work very hard to win Anambra, being a critical state in the South-East, Odigie-Oyegun said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said the easiest way for a Nigerian of Igbo extraction to become Nigerias president is for the people of the South-East to join the APC.Odigie-Oyegun said this during a parley with former aspirants and the inauguration of a 48-member campaign council for the APC candidate for the November 28, 2017 Anambra State governorship election, in Abuja, on Thursday.He said, We must change the narrative in the South-East and we must start with Anambra because the APC represents the most viable route for any South-East person to the presidency of this country.Odigie-Oyegun also used the occasion to welcome the former Deputy National Chairman to the Modu Sherrif -led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, into the APC.The party chairman said Ojougbohs presence in the Anambra campaign committee was an indication that the party recognised the fact that he had a lot to contribute to the development of the party.Meanwhile, Odigie-Oyegun has said the party needs to win the November 18, 2017 Anambra State governorship election to end the cry of marginalisation by the South-East.Odigie-Oyegun said this during a reconciliation meeting organised at the instance of the party leadership for aspirants in the recently concluded APC primaries for Anambra State.The reconciliation meeting was held at the partys National Secretariat, in Abuja, on Thursday.The party chairman, who described Anambra State as the gateway to the South-East, reiterated the partys desire to win the election.Odigie-Oyegun said, It is important that we do everything we can, fair and square, to bring Anambra State into the fold of the progressives for a lot of reasons.Until we manage to bring a few states into the mainstream of progressives politics, we may not see the end of this continued cry of marginalisation.It is important that we work and work very hard to win Anambra being a critical state in the South-East. It is not going to be a small political struggle. We must work hard with unity of purpose to break through to the South-East in a major way to win Anambra.We are in politics and we recognise that each and every one of those who aspired for the office of the governor of Anambra State has a constituency. Everyone has something very significant to contribute if we are to have hope of winning the governors seat in Anambra from an incumbent.He added, It is very important, essential and vital that we manage to hammer together not just a patch work of peace or make-believe kind of camaraderie but a very serious unity of purpose between all those who aspired to that office to act as a serious guarantee that we are indeed also serious in winning the Anambra governorship seat.
The Ekiti State Government has described the arrest of the State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo and the Accountant General, Mrs ...

The Ekiti State Government has described the arrest of the State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo and the Accountant General, Mrs Yemisi Owolabi by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a further demonstration of the anti-corruption agencys irresponsibility.

It said The EFCC is obviously living up to its status as the attack-dog of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, but Ekiti State government under Governor Ayodele Fayose cannot be intimidated.





Special Assistant to the State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement issued on Thursday that it is obvious that the hawks around President Muhammadu Buhari are afraid of Governor Ayodele Fayoses declaration to contest the presidential election in 2019, hence the usual panicky measure of arresting government officials in Ekiti on the day of his declaration, with the view to embark on another round of media trial against the governor and his government.





The government said it is funny that the EFCC, in the bid to carry out its usual hatchet job against Governor Fayose, failed to take into cognizance the subsisting court order, which forbids any official of the Ekiti State government from being arrested by the EFCC. Up till today, the court order has not been appealed and it subsists.





The government challenged the EFCC to tell Nigerians what had been done to the loads of petitions written against the immediate past APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi, stressing What has the EFCC done to those involved in the grass-cutting scam and the $43 million Ikoyi scam?





The government said: It is so funny and laughable that these

characters in the APC government cant even disappoint for once by being unpredictable.





Like we have said before, the game plan of those who want power in Ekiti State by force as well as those who do not want anyone to speak against President Buhari, that they see as a god, is to stifle Ekiti State government and make it impossible for the government to carry out its responsibilities.





However, the EFCC and its collaborators should know that we have threaded this path before and we, in the government of Ekiti State wont be intimidated by the irresponsibility of a federal government anti-corruption agency that has come to see itself as instrument of harassing, oppressing, intimidating and coercing perceived opposition figures.





On this one, let us tell these agents of the devil in the EFCC and those they are working for that as usual, they have taken on a wrong customer. This is because the more they run after Governor Fayose, the more they hit their heads on the Rock of Ages and get themselves fatally injured.
Speakers of the 36 states have passed a motion supporting President Muhammadu Buharis use of security agencies to checkmate activities of ...

Speakers of the 36 states have passed a motion supporting President Muhammadu Buharis use of security agencies to checkmate activities of Biafra agitators.

In a special session that took place at the Imo state House of Assembly, the Majority leader, Lugard Osuji, presented the motion which was sponsored by all the 36 Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly.





The House adopted the motion and passed a resolution which reads as follows:





The President is urged to direct all security agencies to monitor the activities of the groups and ensure that perpetrators of violence and breach of peace are promptly and decisively dealt with in accordance with the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.





The violent approach adopted by the members of the various ethnic, political and religious groups whose actions are threatening the unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria is hereby condemned.





Any ethnic group or persons that have complaints or grievances should channel such complaints or grievances through their elected representatives at the Federal or state levels.





All ethnic, political and religious groups, herdsmen, farmers, aggrieved ethnic groups and agitators are urged to stop all hostilities and any act that is capable of triggering crisis.





However, the Ondo State Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, expressed a contrary view when he requested that the reasons for the various agitations should be looked into;





He said: Why dont we ask why those people agitating are doing so? We must know their reasons, especially now that we are talking about power devolution.
The Coalition for the Defence of Nigeria Sovereignty, on Friday berated the United States, US, over its stance that the Indigenous People o...

The Coalition for the Defence of Nigeria Sovereignty, on Friday berated the United States, US, over its stance that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is not a terrorist organization.

The Coalition insisted that the stance of the US is highly condemnable in the light of the psychological and emotional trauma that this terrorist group has caused us collectively as a people.

It maintained that, every single thing that members of this terrorist group have done in recent weeks will lead to jail terms, in the United States.





The President of the coalition, Otunba Bolaji Alabi, made these remarks during a protest march to the US embassy in Lagos.





According to Bolaji, We are here today to protest against something that we know threatens not just our dear country, Nigeria, but also poses a risk to our culture as Yoruba. It is a culture we cherish as passionately as we respect our nationality as Nigerians.





Our compatriots in south-east Nigeria, our Igbo brothers, have a challenge on their hands by way of some errant persons that are advocating for a forceful breakup of Nigeria. They are pursuing this evil enterprise under the name of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which the Federal Government of Nigeria has properly designated to be a terrorist group. This decision has been confirmed by the court in accordance with what the anti-terrorism law prescribes.





We were taken aback when the United States of America said IPOB is not a terrorist organization. We find the position of the United States abhorrent and highly condemnable in the light of the psychological and emotional trauma that this terrorist group has caused us collectively as a people.





Even in the US, every single thing that members of this terrorist group have done in recent weeks will lead to jail terms.





The United States should desist from making decisions from the comfort of its echo chambers, in which it only hears itself without the benefit of appreciating what the end recipients of the situation under consideration go through.





This situation is unacceptable and we do not see why any country will offer support to a terrorist group that is responsible for human suffering on this scale.





We have decided as a people that our lot is in a united and indivisible Nigeria. It is inconceivable that we change who we are as Yoruba because some terrorists have been bolstered by the US. To be so insulted, derided, attacked and killed by IPOB terrorists for this conviction is unacceptable.





It was on this note that we commended the courts declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization; if the United States thinks and says otherwise then we have no option than to begin to treat that country as a state sponsor of terrorism.





May we also point out that stakeholder may know the start of this contention but no one knows where it would head or where it would end. IPOB is already exporting its violence as seen in Bengaluru, India on September 24, 2017 when violence by members of the terror group left one person dead and property destroyed.





The US is home to many Nigerians and it is a matter of time before IPOB export its violence to that country and we boldly warn the US to watch out in Houston, Texas, where IPOB has vibrant cells.





Our thoughts are that the United States corrects its mistake within reasonable time so that IPOB would not use its position as an excuse to spread its violence and hatred to other parts of the world.





We are closely monitoring to see how soon the US would do the right thing by distancing itself from a terror organization that has the Yoruba in its crosshair.
Jigawa State government has rejected the calls for the creation of additional states in Nigeria.

Jigawa State government has rejected the calls for the creation of additional states in Nigeria.

The state made its stand at the North West Zonal Public Hearing on True Federalism, held at the Coronation Hall, Kano State Government House.





It said push for the creation of additional states made no sense when most of the existing states were not viable.





Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadiri Fanini, who represented the governor supported the idea of independent candidacy in the political process and state police.





He said, it was well known that most state governments were providing huge support to the police in the area of equipment and logistics.





Jigawa also made a strong case for the devolution of the functions of the Federal Government in the area of agriculture, education, road construction and health while asking for increased allocation to states and local governments.
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has urged the Nigerian government to learn something positive from Spain.

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has urged the Nigerian government to learn something positive from Spain.

According to him, the people of Catalan in Spain have not been called terrorists, despite insisting on a referendum.





Fani-Kayode tweeted: The people of Catalan in Spain are insisting on a referendum. Their leader says he will declare independence if the yes vote wins. The Spanish govt. refuses to recognise the process but they have NOT called the people of Catalan terrorists or sent in the army. LEARN FROM THIS!





The Federal Government has gazetted the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and declared it a terrorist group.





The FG, through the Central Authority Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice, had commenced moves to notify banks, Nigerian embassies abroad and foreign missions operating in Nigeria from further relating with IPOB.





A five-page document was reportedly printed and published by the Federal Government Printer in Lagos on September 20, 2017. The document was signed by the AGF.
A member of House of Representatives, Mr. Ajibola Famurewa (Osun-APC) says Nigerians should celebrate 18 years unbroken democratic governance as part of 57th independence anniversary.Famurewa told newsmen in Abuja on Friday that though the country was facing challenges, there were a lot to celebrate for the anniversary.For us as a nation, we are celebrating 57 years of independence, and I think we have a lot of reasons to thank God.In the last 57 years, we have passed through a lot of situations and to the glory of God; we are able to overcome some of the challenges that came our way along the line.The challenges came from different angles. We talked about military incursion into politics or talk generally about our economy, security situations and all those things but we thank God that today we are still one.Famurewa said in spite of many agitations for secession, whatever right anyone had should be subjected to the larger interest of the nation.According to him, in spite of the fact that some people are agitating for secession. Personally, I believe that everybody is entitled to his rights.They have their own rights under the Constitution, but whatever the rights you have, you must subject it to the larger interest of the nation because we are in the territorial place called Nigeria.We have a Constitution that established and guides the nation and whatever you are doing out of your own personal freedom of speech, freedom of action, freedom of this or that.You need to subject it to the larger interest of the nation. So, to me I think we have a lot of things to thank God for, he said.The lawmaker said that developed nations went through challenges before attaining present heights, adding therefore, that Nigerians should be encouraged amid difficulties.I know we have some challenges, we have some problems, but if we consider ourselves with other advanced nations like the United States, they also passed through all these stages before achieving greater heights.This is the first time we are having 18 years of civilian rule without any interruptions; that alone is enough to thank God for. And, we believe we will still celebrate more years to come.We need to trace the history of Nigeria and look at where we are coming from.Let us assess how we actually got to where we are today. If you now examine it, to me, I dont see this nation as failing.Nigeria will remain Nigeria because those people that are agitating for crisis, to me, are calling for war.Maybe, they were too young or they were not even born when Nigeria fought the civil war, the war that claimed over two million Nigerian souls.If someone now comes today and sounds the same drum, I dont think that person knows what he or she is doing.
WEST WINDSOR -- Newly minted NJ Transit Police Officer Brian Morgenstern asked the Mercer County Police Academy graduation audience if they said what he did growing up: "I want to be a cop."

He asked the question several times in his address as class speaker Thursday morning at the ceremony at Mercer County Community College. At the end, he said he didn't need to say it anymore.

"I am a cop," he said to applause.

Morgenstern was one of 68 new officers to graduate, sent to the academy by several law enforcement agencies across central and north New Jersey.

"When the public perception falters due to the negative actions of a few, you go out of your way to show the compassion you hold and the desire to help the community," Morgenstern said in his address.

An assortment of local police officials, politicians and and other officials attended the graduation.

The officers are from the following police departments: Hamilton Police Dept., Ewing Police Dept., Freehold Borough Police Dept., South Amboy Police Dept., Perth Amboy Police Dept., Cinnaminson Police Dept., NJ Transit Police, Stockton University Police Dept. and Rutgers-Camden Police Dept.

And the sheriff's offices in Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon and Warren counties. Two officers went through the academy in the alternate route program.

- Staff Photographer Michael Mancuso contributed to this story.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
TRENTON -- A man who sexually assaulted a store clerk in 2014 while pretending he was a police officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday.

Gustavo Garcia, 57, of Trenton was sentenced in accordance to the plea agreement he accepted in November 2016.

In the plea, Garcia took responsibility for sexually assaulting the victim in the bathroom of the South Broad Street store, despite verbally telling the court the incident was consensual.

During the attack, Garcia, carrying a hand-held radio, had shown the victim a fake police badge before following her into the bathroom. After the attack Garcia told the store owner he was investigating a robbery.

Mercer County prosecutors argued that Garcia's lengthy criminal history, which included convictions in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania, and the effect the attack has had on the victim, justified the lengthy sentence.

"I'm no longer the same person," the victim wrote in a letter read aloud in court, "I may not be his last victim, he is a danger to society."

Garcia said he was sorry about what happened, but maintained his story that the victim was one of his girlfriends and that they were having an argument about money at the time of the attack.

Prosecutors maintain the victim did not know Garcia before the attack occurred.

Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier sentenced Garcia to a 15-year term in which he'll have to serve 12 years and 9 months before he is eligible for parole.

Garcia also has to register as sex offender under Megan's Law and is subject to Nicole's Law, which permits the victim of a sex offense to obtain a restraining order against the offender.

Garcia is from Cuba and will face action from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency upon release, officials said. His exact status in the country was not immediately clear.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook
NEW BRUNSWICK -- The computer network administrator of Bernards Township's Board of Education was charged Thursday with possession of child pornography, authorities said.

Brian Nielsen (Photo provided by the prosecutor's office)

Brian Nielsen, 55, was arrested Thursday at his home in Woodbridge, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said.

Nielsen has been employed at the Bernards Township Board of Education for more than 10 years, the prosecutor's office said. He is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center pending his first court appearance.

The investigation began as a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Carey said.

The FBI and Woodbridge police assisted in the investigation.

Authorities described the investigation as active. The prosecutor's office is asking anyone with information to call Detective Erik Larsen at 732-745-3263 or Detective Joseph Chesseri at 732-745-3287.

Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka.

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Correction: Based on incorrect information, a previous version of this story incorrectly described the officer's current status with the police department. Christian Pedana retired from the force in March.

EDISON -- A former township police officer accused of scheming to set fire to his captain's house avoided prison Friday after agreeing to testify against an ex-cop convicted in a series of vengeful plots.

Christian Pedana, 45, was fined $1,125 for obstructing the administration of law as part of a deal that Superior Court Judge Benjamin Bucca said could be perceived as a "slap on the wrist."

Although the plan never materialized, authorities said Pedana plotted to burn down Capt. Matthew Freeman's home in April 2013 with Michael Dotro, the former Edison cop who admitted to a series of misconduct charges, including setting fire to another supervisor's home.

"Your cooperation, ultimately, was the key moment in the successful prosecution of officer Dotro," Bucca said of Pedana's deal, which downgraded his initial charge of conspiring to commit an aggravated arson.

Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Russell Curley said Pedana's cooperation was integral to the county's case against Dotro, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison as part of a plea deal that wrapped up numerous misconduct charges against the former officer.

Pedana's defense attorney, Jeffrey Garrigan, said Pedana agreed to testify against Dotro at trial.

Pedana, who retired from the force in March, became aware that Dotro had "hatched some sort of scheme" to burn down his supervisor's home, but did not report the plan because he did not believe Dotro would go through with it, his defense team said.

The fire was never set and the supervisor was not injured.

When Pedana was questioned by the prosecutor's office, he was not forthcoming and obstructed the investigation, but later agreed to testify against Dotro, Garrigan said.

Pedana has suffered significant financial damage as a result of the case and may lose his pension, his defense team said.

Before he was sentenced, Pedana apologized to the court for his behavior.

Garrigan said Dotro manipulated Pedana, something with which the assistant prosecutor agreed.

When Dotro first appeared in court, the room was full of supporters from the force. But when he was sentenced in September after pleading guilty to attempted murder and arson, no one showed.

"When you see the aftermath of a tornado and the path of destruction that was left behind, anyone who was associated with Mr. Dotro is now living in the aftermath of that destruction," Curley said.

In a statement, the police department said Pedana was suspended from his $124,668 job after the prosecutor's office filed the charges. He voluntarily retired from the force March 1.

"With today's sentencing of this former officer finished, our police officers and command staff can now move ahead with rebuilding our public image, regaining public trust and focusing on our top priority: Improving public safety throughout our community," Edison police Chief Thomas Bryan said.

Staff writer Craig McCarthy contributed to this report.

Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka.

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PERTH AMBOY -- A former high school teacher who harassed his students with racial, religious and homophobic slurs has lost another bid to get back in the classroom after years of fighting authorities' decision to bar him from New Jersey public schools.

Emilio Perez, who taught at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High School, has his computer science technology teaching certificate revoked by the state board of examiners as of Sept. 15.

Perez was convicted on a number of harassment complaints, including telling a Jewish student to "go count your money, that's all you're good for," saying to an African-American teen "we all know that black people steal" and calling a student by a homophobic slur.

The courts ruled that Perez's harassment led to one student having suicidal thoughts and another to slit her wrists.

"There can be no argument that Perez' conduct, as evidenced by his convictions, amply demonstrates his inability to be a role model," the board wrote in its opinion.

Perez, who was permanently disqualified from holding a public position after his 2013 harassment conviction, had applied for duplicate teaching certificate that year and checked no to being convicted of a crime.

The former teacher has argued that his sentence was disproportionate to the level of his low-level conviction and has been appealing the ruling for three years.

The district also levied nearly a dozen complaints against the teacher, who got his license in 2002, including keeping porn in a locked cabinet in his classroom.

Perez could not be reached for comment Friday morning.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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TRENTON -- Four men arrested in what the state's attorney general described as the largest seizure of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl in New Jersey history were indicted on drug charges Friday.

Attorney General Christopher Porrino said the 45 kilos of the drug seized in the June bust "could have yielded enough lethal doses to kill the entire populations of New Jersey and New York City combined."

Three of the men -- Jesus Carrillo-Pineda, 31, of Philadelphia, and Jesus Yanez-Martinez, 22, and Daniel Vasquez, 28, both of Somerton, Arizona -- were indicted on charges including conspiracy and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

They were arrested on June 28 when State Police detectives allegedly caught them exchanging the drugs in a North Bergen parking lot.

Police said the haul was so large they initially thought it was heroin, but testing later found it was fentanyl, which can be 50 times more potent and has been blamed for the spike in overdose deaths in New Jersey and around the country.

Authorities claim that because a dose of just two or three milligrams can be deadly, the fentanyl cache contained as many as 18 million lethal doses.

The following day, detectives following up on the investigation searched the Willingboro residence of Omar Zeus Rodriguez, 38, where Carrillo-Pineda had been staying, authorities said.

They found nearly 80 kilos of suspected narcotics, police claim, including 40 kilos of heroin, five kilos of fentanyl and smaller quantities of methamphetamine as well as other substances used as "cutting agents."

Rodriguez was also indicted Friday on charges including conspiracy and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Attorneys for the four men could not immediately be reached.

Porrino said the fentanyl seizure was far bigger than the previous record-setting bust, in which 14 kilos of the drug were seized in Camden in March.

"Dealers lace heroin with this deadly poison to boost potency, and with these amounts of fentanyl being stockpiled in New Jersey, I am desperately urging heroin users to seek treatment now more than ever, as their next dose could be their last," the attorney general said.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The mayor of New Jersey's third largest city is expected to spend five years in prison after he and three public works supervisors pleaded guilty to corruption charges in an overtime scam.

Elsewhere, a man was arrested on drunk driving charges twice in the same day.

The two are among a group of people either charged with, indicted for, convicted of or sentenced in a wide array of crimes that made news across New Jersey in the past week.

Scroll through the gallery above to catch up on any law and order news you might have missed. Here's some of what's there:

Now former

In neighboring Clifton, a 31-year-old city employee who worked in a senior citizen's center was arrested on charges

In Ramsey, police

In Burlington County, a 28-year-old woman accused of holding a teenage girl against her will and f

In Gloucester County, a grand jury has indicted three men on charges they

A 58-year-old Little Egg Harbor woman

A financial advisor who told a client he would invest $890,000 in mutual funds admitted he took the money and

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
WASHINGTON - The United States is warning Americans against visiting Cuba and ordering more than half of its Havana embassy personnel to leave the island, senior officials said Friday in a dramatic response to what they described as targeted "specific attacks" affecting the health of U.S. diplomats.

The decision deals a blow to already delicate ties between the U.S. and Cuba, longtime adversaries who only recently began putting their hostility behind them. The embassy in Havana will lose roughly 60 percent of its U.S. staff, and will stop processing visas in Cuba indefinitely, the American officials said. Roughly 50 Americans are currently working at the embassy in Havana.

In a new travel warning to be issued Friday, the U.S. will say some of the mysterious attacks have occurred in Cuban hotels, and that while American tourists aren't known to have been hurt, they could be exposed if they travel to Cuba. Tourism is a critical component of Cuba's economy that has grown in recent years as the U.S. relaxed restrictions.

For now, the United States is not ordering any Cuban diplomats to leave Washington, another move that the administration had considered, officials said. Several U.S. lawmakers have called on the administration to expel all Cuban diplomats. In May, Washington asked two to leave, but emphasized it was to protest Havana's failure to protect diplomats on its soil, not an accusation of blame.

Almost a year after diplomats began describing unexplained health problems, U.S investigators still don't know what or who is behind the attacks, which have harmed at least 21 diplomats and their families, some with injuries as serious as traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss. Other symptoms have included fatigue, visual and balance problems, difficulty sleeping and dizziness.

Although the State Department has called them "incidents" and generally avoided deeming them attacks, officials said Friday the U.S. now has determined there were "specific attacks" on American personnel in Cuba.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made the decision to draw down the embassy overnight while traveling to China, officials said, after considering other options that included a full embassy shutdown and less significant personnel reductions . President Donald Trump reviewed the options with Tillerson in a meeting earlier in the week.

The officials demanded anonymity to provide the information because the moves have yet to be announced.

The United States notified Cuba early Friday via its embassy in Washington. Cuba's embassy had no immediate comment.

Cubans seeking visas to enter the U.S. may be able to apply through embassies in nearby countries, officials said. The U.S. will also stop sending official delegations to Cuba, though diplomatic discussions will continue in Washington.

The moves deliver a significant setback to the delicate reconciliation between the U.S. and Cuba, two countries that endured a half-century estrangement despite their locations only 90 miles apart. In 2015, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro restored diplomatic ties. Embassies re-opened, and travel and commerce restrictions were eased. Trump has reversed some changes, but has broadly left the rapprochement in place.

The Trump administration has pointedly not blamed Cuba for perpetrating the attacks. Officials have weighed the best way to minimize potential risk for Americans in Havana without unnecessarily harming relations between the countries. Rather than describe the action as punitive, the administration will emphasize Cuba's responsibility to keep diplomats on its soil safe.

To investigators' dismay, the symptoms in the attacks vary widely from person to person. In addition to hearing loss and concussions, some experienced nausea, headaches and ear-ringing, and the AP has reported some now suffer from problems with concentration and common word recall.

Though officials initially suspected some futuristic "sonic attack," the picture has grown muddier. The FBI and other agencies that searched homes and hotels where incidents occurred found no devices. And clues about the circumstances of the incidents seem to make any explanation scientifically implausible.

Some U.S. diplomats reported hearing various loud noises or feeling vibrations when the incidents occurred, but others heard and felt nothing yet reported symptoms later. In some cases, the effects were narrowly confined, with victims able to walk "in" and "out" of blaring noises audible in only certain rooms or parts of rooms, the AP has reported.

Though the incidents stopped for a time, they recurred as recently as late August. The U.S. has said the tally of Americans affected could grow.

Already, staffing at the embassy in Havana was at lower-than-usual levels due to the recent hurricanes that whipped through Cuba.

Though Cuba implored the United States not to react hastily to the reports of health attacks, it appeared that last-minute lobbying was unsuccessful in the highest-level diplomatic contacts between the countries since the start of Trump's presidency in January.

Last week, the Cuban official who has been the public face of the diplomatic opening with the U.S., Josefina Vidal, came to the State Department for a meeting in which the U.S. pressed its concerns. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez used his speech to the U.N. General Assembly to insist Cuba had no idea what was harming American diplomats, while discouraging Trump from letting the matter become "politicized."

As concerns grew about a possible embassy shut-down, Cuba requested an urgent meeting Tuesday between Rodriguez and Tillerson in which the Cuban again insisted his government had nothing to do with the incidents. Rodriguez added that his government also would never let another country hostile to the U.S. use Cuban territory to attack Americans.

Citing its own investigation, Cuba's embassy said after the meeting: "There is no evidence so far of the cause or the origin of the health disorders reported by the U.S. diplomats."
By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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President Donald Trump touts Republican efforts to overhaul the tax code and cut taxes as a boon for the middle class.

"My plan is for the working people, and my plan is for jobs," Trump told reporters before releasing the plan that has the backing of congressional Republican leaders.

Nevertheless, there are several provisions that primarily -- or exclusively -- benefit wealthy taxpayers like himself.

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President Donald Trump discusses his tax overhaul proposal in Indianapolis on Wednesday. (AP Photo | Alex Brandon)

Exactly what the impact of Trump's proposal on his own finances is unknown because he has broken with 40 years of tradition and refused to release his income tax returns.

"I don't benefit," Trump said. "I think there's very little benefit for people of wealth."

But from what is known about his finances, he will personally profit from several provisions in his tax plan.

Here are five of them:

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1. Repealing the estate tax

Trump and congressional Republicans have proposed eliminating the tax on multimillion-dollar estates paid by the uber-wealthy. Indeed, just two of every 1,000 Americans are rich enough to be subject to the levy.

But of the 5,400 estates projected to owe any tax -- those in excess of $5.5 million for individuals and $11 million for married couples in 2017 -- just 50, less than 1 percent, are family farms or small businesses, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive research group.

Trump has said his net worth is greater than $10 billion, ensuring his heirs will have to pay the estate tax unless he can repeal it.

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President Donald Trump addresses supporters in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Joshua Lott | Getty Images)

2. Ending the alternative minimum tax

Trump proposed eliminating the alternative minimum tax, designed to prevent the wealthy from paying nothing to the federal government by forcing wealthier taxpayers to eliminate some deductions.

Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, said at Thursday's White House briefing that the proposed elimination of the deduction for state and local taxes made the AMT irrelevant.

Nevertheless, the little bit of Trump's tax returns that have been made public show that he paid $38 million in federal taxes in 2005, more than $31 million of it due to the AMT.

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3. Lowering the top tax rate

Trump's tax plan would lower the top income tax rate, which would be paid by those making more than $418,400 in 2017, to 35 percent from 39.6 percent.

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President Donald Trump speaks on taxes in Indianapolis. (AP Photo | Michael Conroy)

4. Reducing business taxes

Besides lowering the corporate tax rate, the Republican proposal would levy a 25 percent rate on small businesses, certain corporations, partnerships and other entities whose income is passed through to individuals who declare that money on their personal tax returns.

Much of Trump's financial holdings are in such pass-through entities. He reported more than $67 million in income from partnerships, real estate and other sources on his 2005 tax return.

Don't Edit

5. A lower rate for capital gains

Trump reported more than $32 million in income from capital gains, profits from the sale of stocks, real estate or other holdings, on the 2005 return.

President Ronald Reagan's 1986 tax overhaul, achieved through negotiations with congressional Democrats, taxed income earned through investments at the same rate as income earned through work. Trump's plan keeps a lower rate for capital gains.

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President Trump on tax reform: "My plan is for the working people, and my plan is for jobs. I don't benefit" https://t.co/fEW6Y8FRft  NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) September 27, 2017

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The Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking site Politifact rated as "false" Trump's claim that he would not personally benefit from his tax plan.

"What is known about Trumps taxes suggests that his assertion is highly dubious," Politifact reported.

Don't Edit

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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
TRENTON -- He's got a double-digit lead in the polls and a wide gap in raising campaign cash.

Now it seems Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has yet another advantage over Republican opponent Kim Guadagno: more characters to use in a single tweet.

Twitter announced this week it's testing out expanding the number of characters people can use in one message from 140 to 280. The social media platform said a random group of users would try it out.

It appears Murphy was selected, but not Guadagno.

On Thursday, Matt Katz, a reporter with New York City public radio station WNYC, tweeted that Murphy was suddenly using the larger character pool:

Democratic nominee for gov in New Jersey gets 280 characters. Shouldn't @Twitter provide same to Republican @KimGuadagnoNJ? https://t.co/7QGwWIlkwB  Matt Katz (@mattkatz00) September 28, 2017

Daniel Bryan, a spokesman with Murphy's campaign, confirmed to NJ Advance Media that Murphy's account does indeed now have the ability to use 280.

NJ Advance Media reached out to Twitter to ask if the company specifically chose Murphy and if it also offered Guadagno a character bump.

Aly Pavela, a Twitter spokeswoman, responded via email that a "totally random group has access to the experience we are testing."

"The test will run for a number of weeks, then we will make a decision about if we are going to ship or not," Pavela added.

Ricky Diaz, a spokesman for Guadagno's campaign, confirmed that Guadagno's account remains at 140.

"It's not surprising that a Goldman Sachs millionaire like Phil Murphy is playing by a different set of rules than the rest of us," Diaz added. "Just hold on to your wallets because that's more space for him to propose even higher taxes."

Murphy, a former U.S. ambassador to Germany and former Goldman Sachs executive, is leading Guadagno, the state's lieutenant governor, in all public opinion polls. He also has a 5-to-1 advantage over her in matching public funds.

And as of early Friday, Murphy also led in Twitter followers: about 36,000 to about 9,500 for Guadagno.

The two square off Nov. 7 in the election to succeed Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who is limited to two consecutive terms. There are also five third-party and independents candidates running.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
TRENTON -- Democratic nominee Phil Murphy has now collected more than $5.5 million in public matching funds in the race to succeed Chris Christie as New Jersey's governor -- five times more than Republican opponent Kim Guadagno, according to the state's election watchdog agency.

The non-partisan New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission announced Thursday it was distributing another $559,832 to Murphy and $157,486 to Guadagno.

That brings Murphy's total public funds to $5.54 million and Guadagno's to $1.51 million, according to ELEC.

Under the matching funds program -- which began in 1974 -- New Jersey allows gubernatorial candidates to receive $2 in public money for every $1 they raise. The candidates must raise at least $430,000 to qualify, are eligible for up to $9.3 million in public funds, and are limited to spending $13.8 million in the general election.

The figures are a sign that Murphy, a former U.S. ambassador to Germany and ex-Goldman Sachs banking executive, holds a strong fundraising lead over Guadagno, the state's lieutenant governor.

Murphy also leads Guadagno by double digits in all public opinion polls.

The two will face off in the Nov. 7 election to succeed Christie, a Republican who is limited to two consecutive terms and is scheduled to leave office Jan. 16. There are also five third-party and independent candidates in the race.

None of those candidates -- Libertarian nominee Peter Rohrman, Green Party nominee Seth Kaper-Dale, and independents Gina Genovese, Matthew Riccardi, and Vincent Ross -- have raised enough private money to qualify for public matching funds.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
TRENTON -- Top Democrats in New Jersey -- including Phil Murphy, the party's nominee for governor -- quickly rejected a report released Thursday saying a law limiting the raises that police and fire unions can win in arbitration should be renewed in an effort to keep property taxes in check.

A spokesman for Murphy called the study a "political stunt" by appointees of Republican Gov. Chris Christie and said it would not sway the candidate to take a stance on the cap until a more thorough review is conducted.

State Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, D-Hudson, had a similar response, saying it was "not a complete report."

The 2 percent cap on raises -- enacted in 2010 -- is set to expire at the end of the year. And an eight-member task force, with four members appointed by Christie and four members by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, were charged with forging a report on the cap's effectiveness by Dec. 31.

Christie and other Republicans have called for months for the cap to be renewed. But Murphy and other Democrats -- who traditionally are bolstered by union support -- have said they are waiting to see the panel's report before they decide whether to back a renewal.

When the panel deadlocked 4-4 on releasing the report earlier this week, the four Christie-appointed members made it public Thursday. The study said the cap saved New Jersey property taxpayers nearly $3 billion and should be renewed.

But Derek Roseman, a spokesman for Murphy's campaign, called it "a transparent political stunt by the governor's appointees."

"It obviously does not represent a consensus of the entire task force," Roseman said. "Phil has said repeatedly that he will make decisions based on a full hearing from all sides, and of all facts, on all issues. We will not be party to a political stunt."

Christie has said he would sign a bill renewing the cap in the lame-duck session after Election Day. But both houses of the Democratic-controlled state Legislature -- the Senate and Assembly -- would have to approve such a measure.

Prieto said the task force "did not approve releasing a report, nor have I directly received a final and official report from the task force."

"I will not be making decisions that impact public safety based on random partisan press releases," he said. "I continue to await the release of an official, approved report from the full task force, and once that's received, I will review it and make a decision."

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, did not return a message seeking comment.

The law was extended, and tweaked, a first time in 2014. No lawmaker voted against it.

Christie has called Murphy a "coward" and a "political charlatan" for not taking a stance on the matter, suggesting he's attempting to cater to both taxpayers and public-worker unions who endorsed him.

Kim Guadagno, the Republican nominee for governor and Christie's lieutenant governor, slammed Murphy on Thursday for "ducking the issue."

"Phil Murphy is once again taking the side of the Trenton special interests over the hardworking taxpayers of New Jersey who already pay the highest property taxes in the nation," Guadagno said.

"If Phil Murphy is allowed to repeal the arbitration cap, our property taxes will go even higher, services will be cut and more of our friends, families and neighbors will be forced to move out of New Jersey," she added.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Track 5 in Hoboken Terminal, where an overcrowded NJ Transit train barreled into a station platform one year ago Friday, killed a woman waiting in the concourse, barely shows evidence of that harrowing morning.

Pascack Valley Line train 1614 approached the platform at Track 5 around 8:37 a.m., on Sept, 29, 2016. Engineer Thomas Gallagher blew the horn, turned on the bell and set the throttle to idle, as commuters in the four crowded cars prepared to get off the train on the last leg of their trip to work.

In less than a minute, normal turned to chaos.

The train accelerated from eight to 21 mph, twice the 10 mph speed limit. The emergency brake was applied, but only one second before the train plowed through a steel bumper at the end of the track. The lead car shot across the concourse, knocked down an overhead canopy and some steel beams, which pierced the roof of the car.

A woman waiting on the station concourse, Fabiola Bittar de Kroon, 34, of Hoboken, was killed by falling debris from a glass canopy. Inside the train, passengers, many who were standing, were thrown around the interior. A total of 110 people were injured, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The site of last years fatal NJ Transit train crash at Hoboken Terminal one year later.

Passengers, conductors, police and first responders helped people out of the train. The crash closed roads in Hoboken and Jersey City, caused PATH and NJ Transit rail service to be suspended and shook the confidence of commuters who considered trains a safer option than driving.

Sheldon Kest of Tenafly was riding in the middle of the first car when he heard two bumps and said the train was plunged into darkness.

"I knew I had no chance of escape, (because of knee surgery)" he told a legislative committee in February, investigating the crash. "A woman sitting next to me jumped out the window. Two (unidentified) men helped me climb out. I wish I could thank them."

Kest, who suffered a broken nose, lost part of his middle finger on his right hand and had a concussion, voiced safety concerns still on the minds of commuters today.

"I've been riding trains for 50 years. ... I don't know when I'll ever be able to board a train again," he said. "Why did this happen and who do we hold accountable so it never happens again?"

The "why" could be answered on Feb 6, 2018 in Washington, when the National Transportation Safety Board meets and is expected to reveal the cause of the crash and recommendations to prevent future incidents.

But the release of 79 documents on Sept. 21 points to the undiagnosed sleep disorder of the train's engineer. Gallagher was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in a sleep study he underwent after the crash. He told investigators he had no recollection of the crash.

Hoboken Terminal was closed for 10 days after the incident and permanent repairs won't be completed until 2019.

So far, the crash has cost NJ Transit a total of $7.75 million, $7 million for repairs to Hoboken terminal and equipment, $664,000 to cross-honor tickets while the terminal was closed and $91,000 to settle personal injury claims from crash victims, said Nancy Snyder, an agency spokeswoman.

Some lawsuits are still pending. The family of Bittar de Kroon filed a wrongful death suit in June, charging NJ Transit neglected to take precautions that could have prevented the crash. Bittar de Kroon had recently moved to New Jersey from Brazil. Kest also sued the agency, contending that NJ Transit is liable.

But the agency's problems didn't end with the crash. Several months of hearings by the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee revealed other problems at NJ Transit that affected safety. Officials confirmed that the agency had vacancies in key maintenance and safety jobs, had been citied for dozens of violations by federal officials before the crash and that its trains broke down more frequently than any other commuter railroad.

State Senator Robert Gordon, D-Bergen, committee co-chair, said he believes the hearings put pressure on NJ Transit to move forward on safety measures since the crash, but issues and reforms still remain.

"We learned last month they appear to be falling behind, jobs are not being filled, morale is down and people are quitting an organization that appears to be in chaos," he said. "I have to believe that has an impact (on safety)."

NJ Transit Executive Director Steven Santoro cited safety improvements made during the past year, such as progress to install a federally mandated Positive Train Control safety system by Dec. 2018. New bumpers at the end of the tracks in Hoboken are being designed, mandatory sleep disorder screening for train crews has been implemented and some vacant safety positions filled, he said.

While NJ Transit officials touted safety improvements since the Sept. 29, 2016 crash, many commuters who were asked about safety gave NJ Transit a no confidence vote.

"NJ Transit has been just as bad, or worse, in the past year. When it comes to safety practices, I haven't noticed any obvious changes," said Carlos Garcia, a Pascack Valley Line commuter. "I have no confidence in the (NJ Transit) top brass, or in the state to address issues before another major incident occurs."

An NJ Transit commuter for 17 years, Garcia said he's seen a definite deterioration in conditions, especially on the Pascack Valley line. That line is subject to constant delays and overcrowding, which he and other commuters said is a safety problem.

"If the train experiences a sudden stop, jolt, or suddenly starts moving, people are more likely to be tossed around," he said.

Passengers were standing on train 1614, which was one car short and overcrowded when it crashed last year. A conductor interviewed by the NTSB told investigators crowding prevented him from getting to an emergency brake, when he realized it was going too fast.

"It's a major concern. When a train is canceled, it forces two or even three times as many customers onto the next train. People are packed into the cars, standing in the vestibules, and crammed on top of one another," said Brian Guiney, a Pascack Valley line commuter. "Can you imagine what would happen on one of these trains if there was ever an emergency? It's unthinkable. But it's only a matter of time."

@CommutingLarry to your question, 363 days later nothing has changed. Overcrowding. Mechanical failures. Delays. This is 1612 right now. pic.twitter.com/kKQGLUYVPi  NJT PVL Warriors (@PVLWarriors) September 27, 2017

While transit advocates and experts praised recent safety improvements, they should have been done years ago, they said.

"While finally replacing bumper blocks and more closely looking at speed control and the other items is a welcomed sight, it's a shame that the moves had to come only after years of neglect and a lack of proper priorities at the agency," said Michael Phelan, New Jersey Commuters Action Network co-founder. "NJ Transit needs to begin to confront safety from a cultural and leadership perspective, as well as a nuts and bolts one."

Others criticized politicians for underfunding NJ Transit and causing the agency to put off needed infrastructure work.

"I think they made some headway, such as working on PTC, but that is mandated, so they have to move," said Len Resto, New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers President. "They've made progress, but it could be hastened by the legislature loosening the purse strings to bring things into good repair."

Resto also questioned the safety of NJ Transit's infrastructure after concrete from a retaining wall in Summit hit two trains last week.

"My fear is what happens if it collapsed while a train was passing or if a (large) piece of concrete made it derail?," he said. "They've got to keep on top of it."

Problems with aging infrastructure could be the next safety problem, commuters said.

"I haven't seen much of a change in terms of safety, but I do have some concerns that NJ Transit has been lucky with things, like the concrete wall incident along the Gladstone Branch not turning into a major accident," said Ramon Carreras, who rides MidTown Direct trains to New York..

Testimony at a legislative hearing by former NJ Transit Compliance officer Todd Barretta about corporate dysfunction within NJ Transit "haven't inspired any confidence about how NJ Transit will handle these issues," Carreras said.

Commuters on the Delayed on NJ Transit Facebook Group, asked by NJ Advance Media how safe they felt since the crash, weren't as optimistic as officials.

"The trains have continued to age and safety protocols like Positive Train Control, haven't been implemented," said Andrew Huzar, a Northeast Corridor Line commuter.

"I feel less safe. The trains get more and more crowded. Passengers often have to ride between cars," said Jess Massler, who commutes between Radburn and New York. "NJT says safety is a priority, but I don't really see them appropriately addressing it at all."

A few said commuting by train is safer than driving, Last year, 603 people were killed in fatal highway crashes, according to State Police statistics

"While NJ Transit is admittedly a mess, I still feel safer commuting into NYC by NJ Transit than by any other means." said Chuck Walsh.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.


A man attempting to cross Route 611 was struck by an SUV and killed Thursday morning in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast said.

The crash occurred at 10:18 a.m. in the 4800 block of the road, also known as South Delaware Drive, in Lower Mount Bethel Township.

The driver of the SUV, 54-year-old Phillipsburg resident Tammy A. Tartaglia, was headed north in a tan Ford Escape when she struck the man, identified as a 55-year-old man from Lodi, New Jersey, according to police.

Tartaglia was attempting to pass the bobtail cab of a tractor-trailer that was parked and partially blocking the northbound lane, police said.

As her SUV passed the truck, it struck the man as he attempted to cross the two-lane road, police said.

The victim was outside the truck in the northbound lane alongside the cab when he was struck, according to police.

He was taken to Easton Hospital in Wilson Borough, where he was pronounced dead by the Northampton County Coroner's Office of injuries suffered in the crash.

Police did not immediately identify the victim or indicate whether any charges were pending.

The coroner's office did not respond to a call for comment Thursday.

The incident closed Route 611 in the area of the crash for about four hours, until around 2:30 p.m., a Northampton County 911 dispatch supervisor said.

Authorities were continuing to investigate the crash and asked anyone with information to call state police at 610-759-6106. The incident number to reference is PA17-1050369.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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LaToya Cantrell hopes to move from the District B City Council seat to the mayor's office.(Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
Times Money magazine has named Council Bluffs among its top 100 Best Places to Live in America.

Council Bluffs comes in at No. 64 on the rankings  just ahead of No. 65, Papillion, Nebraska.

The magazine teamed with Realtor.com on the rankings, which used criteria including population, median home prices, median household income and weather.

Our people, Council Bluffs City Councilman Nate Watson said when asked why he thought the city is a great place. We go out of our way to help one another.

The ranking listed the median home price in Council Bluffs at $137,333 and median household income at $46,844, while noting the city has 216 clear days per year. Other factors in the ranking include an average commute time of 18 minutes and a high school graduation rate of 89 percent.

How exciting for Council Bluffs to be receive this designation and for a broader audience to learn what we already know, that children throughout our community have access to exceptional educational opportunities, said Council Bluffs Schools Superintendent Vickie Murillo. We all should be proud that Council Bluffs is a wonderful community that values education and focuses on student success.

Murillo mentioned Council Bluffs designation this summer as an All-America City, too.

We hope more and more families choose to call Council Bluffs home, she said.

Money and Realtor.com also listed projected growth in the city at -0.1 percent and the population at 63,642 as factors. The magazine pulled statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Education, Moodys Analytics and elsewhere.

I think Council Bluffs is finally getting due recognition on great things that are happening in the community, Mayor Matt Walsh said.

Walsh pointed to the city recently earning All-America City and Iowa Great Places designations.

I think it speaks volumes of the great things happening in Council Bluffs, he said. Were excited to be recognized. And think its long due.

Pottawattamie County Supervisor Scott Belt said the ranking benefits the city from an economic development standpoint, helping to encourage people to come and give a look at what we offer.

Any time you get that kind of exposure, it brings some additional visibility to you. Gives people an opportunity to look, he said. We have some things coming along in the right direction.

Belt is running against Walsh and Shawn Burgstrom for mayor.

The comparatively low cost of living in the Midwest and the low unemployment rate are probably two main factors for Council Bluffs, and other nearby cities, making the list, Burgstrom said. Its good to be recognized, but there is room for improvement.

The full list is available at goo.gl/An2Z9r.

Locally, La Vista, Nebraska  the city you immediately think of when you hear the word Papillion  was also on the list, at No. 69.

Three other cities in Iowa made the list. North Liberty, located just north of Iowa City, ranked No. 75. Two spots after that came Dubuque in north-central Iowa at No. 77. Urbandale  in the Des Moines area  clocked in at No. 87.

No. 1 on the list? Fishers, Indiana, a town of about 86,000 people 16 miles from Indianapolis.
THEDFORD  The featured artist at the Thedford Art Gallery in the Kiewitt room for September and October is Roberta Barnes of Halsey.

Barnes has been teaching art for almost 25 years, previously at Stapleton, now at Broken Bow. She has passed her love onto hundreds of youth. Her works can be seen in various galleries including the Burkholder Project in the Haymarket district of Lincoln. She also has painted or been a part of painting four of the fiberglass hearts on display in Lincoln, part of the states 150th celebration known as Nebraska By Heart. She is hoping through the Thedford gallery, her heart titled Western Gothic will be able to be purchased and returned to Thomas County.

Barnes mediums are varied, from oil to clay and in between. Her works at the Thedford Gallery include a mixture of the above as well as thread painting, mixed media and Swedish knot tapestry.

Barnes and her husband Randy live near Halsey on private ground, but its access is through the forest. They have four sons who are graduates of Sandhills High in Dunning.

The Thedford Art Gallery is open when there is a red/white feather flag outside. For those who want to see the gallery, call Tam at 308-645-7341, Paula at 308-645-2401 or Helen at 308-645-2489. In advance, contact Terri at 308-645-2436 or twlicking@ymail.com.
A century later, his memory fades in and out, but Dale Jergensen still has fond memories of his life.

Jergensen will turn 100 years old on Oct. 6. On Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m., Centennial Park Retirement Village, 510 Centennial Circle, will host a celebration of his life in the activity room.

My parents were immigrants and lived in Maxwell, Jergensen said. His father and his fathers brother had a blacksmith shop together, but the brother died in a flu epidemic. His dad then moved to North Platte and worked at the Union Pacific roundhouse.

My dad emigrated from Denmark and my mom from Sweden, Jergensen said. All my life Ive had a memory that was unbelievable; now I dont have that memory any more.

Jergensen got a job with Union Pacific after high school and then enlisted in the Navy and served as a Merchant Marine radio operator during World War II. In a conversation with his granddaughter Kristina Winchester, he remembered one time when he heard the Abandon Ship whistle, which turned out to be a mistake.

The signal was abandon ship. I was in my room. This was wartime. Naturally, I thought we were under attack, Jergensen told his granddaughter.

In that situation, the radio operators job was to get a transmitter, ascertain the ships location and start radioing for help. Radio operators could not leave with the rest of the crew.

I had to get my transmitter and get in position in a lifeboat, Jergensen told Winchester. My job is to turn on my transmitter and start calling and calling, telling people where we were. You never hear about that, but the radio operator goes down with the ship.

As he raced to the lifeboat with his transmitter, he met another operator who told him the signal had been a mistake.

It was stormy, a man was being blown off ship, so the mate ran over and blew abandon ship whistle, instead of man overboard, Jergensen said. We were told all the time you could only live in that water 15 minutes. They wouldnt turn the ship. It was too hard.

It turned out the man was able to hang on and did not go overboard.

After the war, Jergensen was going to stay in California. But I came back to visit my mother and found out I retained all my seniority with UP, Jergensen said. I was surprised at where I was on the board.

He and his wife, Mildred, were married 58 years. She died of cancer in 2008. They had three sons, Mike, Kent and Steve; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild on the way.

Hes always been an outstanding citizen, Mike said of Dale. He was always interested in his family, his community and his church. His mother was really a believer and he had a real Christian heritage.

Mike is a rural postal carrier in Curtis, and Kent is in Lexington and worked as a plumber for many years. He now does maintenance for the Lexington school system. Steve, a former pastor at First Christian Church in North Platte, died in April 2010.

He always emphasized learning, Kent said about his father. He always emphasized that I learn some skills. He taught me a lot of stuff when I was younger in working around the house. We worked on bicycles mostly and rebuilt some faucets.

One reason Kent said his dad has lived so long is his ability not to be concerned too much about lifes twists and turns.

He never stressed over anything, Kent said. Dont worry about it is probably the secret.

Dale said another reason for his longevity is his heritage. A couple of family members lived to 99.

And another part of it  I dont know, Jergensen said with a laugh. Just for a joke I always say, If I had any idea I was going to live this long, Id have taken better care of myself.
"We really stress community," he said. "We really invite the community to feel the freedom of creativity."

Promise You Art House is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and by appointment.

For more information, call 219-595-0097 or visit www.pyarthouse.com.
Pour House will bring the trendy self-serve craft beer bar concept to downtown Valparaiso when it opens at 4 p.m. Oct. 5.

Visitors to the new bar in the old Good to Go by Lucrezia space, 54 W. Lincolnway, will be able to pour their own beer from 24 different self-serve taps and pay by the ounce, similar to Brewfest in Highland, owner Kevin Eckley said. Pour House will offer an array of local, regional, nationally and international craft beers, as well as ciders, canned wines and domestic beers.

Initially, it will have brews by Three Floyds, 18th Street, Greenbush, St. John Malt Brothers, Evil Czech, Bell's and Rhinegeist from Cincinnati. Beers will be tapped in smaller barrels to ensure they rotate out frequently so it's always fresh and there's a lot of variety, Kevin Eckley said.

"We're trying to do local, and support local businesses and breweries," he said. "But we'll also have Coors, Miller Lite and Yuengling to appeal to everyone."

Pour House will employ about a half dozen workers and will seat around 40, with five to seven outdoor patio tables to be added on the Lincolnway sidewalk next year. It will have TVs, music, board games and a shuffleboard table in a vintage rustic space with Edison lights, corrugated walls, exposed bricks and "old school vibes."

"It's going to be laid-back," Eckley said. "We see it as a place for people to go before or after dinner, on their way to the Opera House or for a meeting downtown after work. It's a place to sit down with friends and try things that are different."

Since customers pay for beer by the ounce, they could just get small samples to see if they like beers they're unfamiliar with. It will rotate all types of beers and feature a lot of India Pale Ales, as well as stouts, amber ales and porters.

"We plans to do seasonal stuff like Oktoberfest-type beers and gingerbread and spiced beers around Christmas type," he said. "In the spring it will be more fruity. We hope to keep it weird but not too weird."

Pour House also will offer frozen pizza, but is generally BYOF, or Bring Your Own Food. It will let customers bring in pizza or other food from nearby restaurants.

"Downtown Valpo has a lot of foot traffic and it's growing," he said. "It's set up to be a destination with the pavilion and the festivals. We're near Elements (wine bar) and Aftermath (cidery and winery), and that area is hot right now."

Eckley wanted to bring the self-serve concept to Valpo first because it's been spreading so fast around the country.

"It's definitely something that's taking off," he said. "It's easier. You don't have to wait on somebody to serve you. You have the freedom to choose what you want, and how much you want without waiting to be served."

Eckley is focused on making the downtown bar successful, but said he might eventually expand the concept to other locations in Indiana.

Pour House will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. It will be closed Mondays.

For more information, call 267-1123 or visit facebook.com/valpopourhouse/.
Gary schools emergency manager Peggy Hinckley called the school district's $108 million deficit a "daunting" problem.

Hinckley met with about 35 members of the public Thursday evening in a townhall-style meeting at Trinity United Christian Church in Gary.

However, she talked about her vision for the school district which includes boosting the capacity at the Gary Career Center and focusing on career and technical education where students could learn a trade and working in cooperation with Ivy Tech Community College, which is adjacent to the career center, enabling students to earn associate degrees.

She said the Gary Fire Department is interested in working with the school district to offer an EMT program to give the department a pool of potential employees. She also talked about boosting total enrollment and attracting young teachers.

Hinckley said it's all going to take time.

"We're getting our house in order," she said. "Before we can talk about asking voters to support a referendum, we have to make sure that our house is in order."

The issue of a general fund or operating referendum surfaced when a resident asked if she would try for a third time. Hinckley said it's too early to say and there are many things that must be done before that happens.

In addition to making more than $500,000 in school repairs, Hinckley said some of the things that she has done so far include not approving any overtime unless absolutely necessary, something that she said was happening regularly before.

"All credit cards have been taken away," she said. "We'll be looking at staffing to see where we can be more efficient. We have to get the budget issues in order. The deficit is $108 million. I can't cut my way out of it."

Hinckley said she'd like to see the shuttered buildings sold but she's had many requests to "give them away." She said there will be a building assessment where they review all of the closed buildings and consider putting all of the school supplies and items that are spread out among several buildings in one of them.

Hinckley said there have been questions about the district's valuable art collection. She said it is "on loan" to a gallery in Chicago and is on display. She said because it was purchased with taxpayer dollars, the law requires that it must be auctioned. She said it's an asset and, if auctioned, that money might go to pay off the $8.2 million owed to IRS.

To questions about what would happen to Wirt/Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Center, Hinckley said the building is in bad shape and the roof there was among the "worst" at all the schools with leaks in several places.

She said the current population indicates the district should have only one high school but there have not been any decisions on what school would close.

"We will have hard decisions to make," she told the small crowd.

"We will not just be looking at the age of the building but also how much it's been kept up over the years and what it will take for repairs," she said.

Hinckley said some people have said that if the district regains Gary Roosevelt, it should be the lone high school to remain open. The Roosevelt College and Career Academy is currently operated by Tennessee-based EdisonLearning.

"I don't know what's going to happen to Roosevelt," she said. "It's been an interesting journey. It is still an F school. I believe I was told that if it remained an F for two consecutive years, it is returned to the Gary Community School Corp."
GARY  Yellow crime scene tape cordoned off parts of the city's Tarrytown neighborhood Thursday where a 33-year-old Gary man exchanged gunfire with police and injured two officers and a civilian before turning a gun on himself, police said.

Ned Brooks, of Gary, was identified Thursday afternoon by Indiana State Police as the suspect involved in the shootout with police following a controlled drug buy.

Police could be seen Thursday canvassing the area near 22nd Plaza and Willard Street, where the controlled drug buy took place.

Emotions were high near a second crime scene at 22nd Place and Morton Street as Brooks' family members arrived on scene.

About 30 people, including young children, stood outside the taped-off area, able to see the Lake County coroners van parked outside the home where Brooks body was found.

Is he dead? Thats my brother. Is he dead? one young woman asked police, pointing to a damaged white vehicle, its passenger door ajar. Another woman dropped to her knees and sobbed on the sidewalk as others comforted her.

A shirtless man could be seen pacing back and forth in the streets, screaming, at times, at officers to tell him what happened.

What happened? Talk to me. Tell me something! the man yelled as people tried to comfort him.

State police appeared calm, explaining they could not cross the crime scene tape.

Shortly after pulling a stretcher from the back of the van, coroner's officials backed the vehicle into the driveway to take Brooks' body away. The van cleared the scene at about 5 p.m.

How it unfolded

Shortly before 1:50 p.m., officers with a federal multiagency task force under the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a controlled narcotics buy near 22nd Plaza and Willard Street in Gary, according to a news release from Indiana State Police.

After stopping Brooks vehicle during the buy, he allegedly rammed his vehicle into several unmarked police cars in an attempt to elude officers, state police said.

His vehicle struck a civilian and an officer, injuring both, police said.

A second officer, who was seated in an unmarked police car, was also injured when the police car was struck.

Brooks began shooting at officers as he fled, prompting officers to return fire, state police said.

(Brooks) then abandoned his vehicle on 22nd Place and fled on foot, the release stated. He continued to shoot at officers, police said.

As the pursuit continued, officers converged in the area and located a dead Brooks in the backyard of a house in the 4200 block of West 22nd Place, with several weapons found near his body and in his vehicle.

While officers shot Brooks as he fled the scene, a preliminary investigation indicates Brooks suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, state police said.

The Lake County coroners office in a news release said Brooks manner of death is pending, but that he died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The cause and manner of death will be determined at an autopsy scheduled for Saturday, state police said.

Both officers suffered injuries that were not life threatening, but were transported for treatment, police said.

The civilian, an adult male from Gary, was transported to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary and later airlifted to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, state police said at the scene.

One woman who lives in the 4200 block of West 22nd Place said she was baby-sitting her three grandchildren when she heard a loud boom outside her home.

I was like 'What was that?' and then I thought 'OK, that was a gunshot,' so I jumped off the couch, snatched (a grandson) up and hit the floor, Shuntell Washington, of Gary, said.

When she went outside, she said she saw a white vehicle, later identified as Brooks' car, had driven partially into her front yard, a few feet from a child's inflatable swimming pool. The front windshield and drivers side windows were shattered. No one was inside.

Officers involved in the incident are with the Indiana State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Porter County Sheriff's Department.
CHESTERTON  A Michigan woman was airlifted to a South Bend hospital Thursday afternoon following a crash on Interstate 94 here.

According to the Indiana State Police, about 2 p.m. Thursday, a pickup truck pulling a 12 foot U-Haul trailer was eastbound on I-94 at the 27.4 mile marker, about 1.5 miles east of the Chesterton exit, when, for unknown reasons, the trailer began to jackknife.

The trailer was struck by a second vehicle driven by Carlos Salgado, 26, from Robbins, Illinois, causing the driver of the pickup truck, Gregory W. Swanson, 57, Livonia, Michigan, to lose control of his truck. The pickup truck then struck the right guardrail and continued over the guardrail.

A passenger in the pickup, Charlene M. Swanson, 53 also from Livonia, Michigan, had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Chesterton firefighters. Charlene Swanson was then transported by ambulance to the I-94 weigh station, where she was flown to South Bend for treatment of her injuries, according to police.
PORTAGE  A few months ago, Dr. Timothy Ames thought his idea to start a direct primary care practice, where he doesn't accept insurance and charges a monthly subscription for unlimited appointments, had run its course.

But then The Times profiled him earlier this month. The story went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of pageviews and becoming one of the most read articles at nwi.com. Ames got calls from around the country from people wanting to become patients or just learn more about the concept.

Now he believes the time for direct primary care has come, particularly with Congress discussing legislation that could affect the health care coverage of millions of Americans.

"With the events of the past six months, people have a lot more anxiety about the availability of health insurance in the future," Ames said at his office, which is located in the Porter-Starke Services building in Portage. "What are we going to do to provide people with care if the insurance system breaks down?"

Ames' solution is to charge a monthly fee for patients to have as many visits as they need  in person, by phone, text or email (his cellphone rang and dinged nearly nonstop during a recent interview with The Times). He doesn't take insurance  public or private  and is his own secretary and medical assistant. The lack of administrative burdens allows him to give his patients more attention, he says.

"Often people really like their physicians but hate the process of getting care," he said. "We've achieved a perfect outcome of everyone being perfectly unhappy."

Ames, who ran a traditional practice for 25 years, doesn't have to deal with insurance networks and prior authorizations and co-pays. He says his model is also viable at a time when many people have high-deductible plans and thus pay much of their health care costs out of pocket.

"I think people are now coming to the point of being dissatisfied with trying to take a problematic economic system, which is health insurance, and fix it through a number of patches," he said. "I think the response to the article is an illustration of that."

Direct primary care, also known as subscription medicine, is a small but growing part of the medical system. Roughly 3 percent of family doctors practice direct primary care, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

"People are realizing the old system cannot be meaningfully repaired," Ames said. "We have to think about how to do things fundamentally differently."

Ames, who may bring on a medical assistant to meet the increased demand, isn't under the illusion that his model can fix the health care system. But he says direct primary care is an option for people with little to no insurance and who need chronic disease management. He said consumers also want health care price transparency, which is nearly impossible to find.

"I consider it a goal to make what I'm doing unremarkable, to make it a normal way to practice," he said.
Attendees of a recent CPR training class learned the hit Bee Gees' song "Staying' Alive' is good for more than encouraging people to break out their best disco moves.

"The rhythm and the cadence of 'Stayin' Alive' is the perfect rhythm to perform Hands-Only CPR," explained Diane Kemp, executive director of The American Heart Association of Northern Indiana.

Kemp and association volunteer Debbie Mengel lead a CPR class Wednesday at The Times' Munster office. Seventeen employees of the newspaper participated in the 22-minute course, which taught the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR is an important lifesaving technique to help resuscitate someone whose heartbeat or breathing has stopped.

"We want to increase bystander awareness," Kemp said about the community classes.

The American Heart Association and The Times have collaborated on a challenge to train 5,000 Northwest Indiana residents in CPR. Kemp said the challenge began in January and runs through the end of the year. More than 4,000 individuals have been trained so far.

Lisa Vosburg, human resources generalist for The Times Media Co., said she worked with Times Editor Bob Heisse to host the training class at the newspaper's office.

"He had the great idea to bring the CPR training to our employees," Vosburg said. "We're going to continue to have training in October and November."

The Heart Association's Kemp told class participants that through a mere 22 minutes of training they would come away from the course "empowered."

"You're going to know how to perform CPR when you leave."

Kemp said research about CPR and its training techniques have shown that "if you can remove the component of fear" for the person who's called to administer the lifesaving technique, there's a greater chance they will confidently perform it on an individual and have success.

"We're going to be able to save more lives," she said about being trained.

Kemp said the underlying mission of CPR is to help a person live. She outlined the two important steps of Hands-Only CPR.

"Remember to call 911. And you need to push hard and fast," she explained. Kemp said a person should respond immediately after someone has a life-threatening situation and is unconscious. She explained a person can't go without oxygen for very long.

Kemp added some individuals may be afraid of hurting someone or being sued because they did something wrong in trying to save a person.

"There's a good Samaritan law that prevents that," she said.

The training course taught by Kemp during the recent class is essentially called the CPR Anytime training system.

In written material presented by The American Heart Association, the CPR Anytime training system has been "specifically designed to overcome several of the known barriers to learning CPR and performing CPR in a real emergency, especially panic and fear of not correctly performing CPR."

CPR Anytime is the only program in which the basic skills of bystander CPR are taught in 22 minutes, the association states.

"Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR and it is only recommended to be used when a teen or adult goes into sudden cardiac arrest. It can double or even triple a victim's chance of survival," according to The American Heart Association.

Kemp explained the course Times' employees took was "a lifesaving course and not a certification" class. For more information on both CPR Anytime or Certification training, visit heart.org/handsonlycpr or heart.org.
It's an obvious question after a rash of pipe bombs and bomb threats in our Region in recent weeks.

How well do our Region law enforcement agencies communicate with each other to get to the bottom of such investigations?

The answer is a reassuring one.

Most Region law enforcement officials agree communication among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies operating in Northwest Indiana is at an all-time high. It bodes well for connecting the dots  or dispelling links  between various crimes.

A Major Crimes Task Force combines the strengths of Region police departments in investigating any major crimes  often homicides but not always.

This is a major boost in resources to police agencies in smaller Region cities or towns that lack the manpower or expertise of larger urban agencies.

A High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area cooperative combines dedicated representatives of local police departments with federal law enforcement agents in fighting crime and solving cases.

Lake, Porter and LaPorte county agencies are part of HIDTA. So are Indiana State Police officers.

The U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Task Force helps publicize the identities of Region fugitives, among other functions.

Individual police departments, including those along Ridge Road in north Lake County, have formed their own crime-fighting cooperatives based on common borders.

For all of its early logistical challenges, the consolidated 911 emergency dispatch services in Lake County also literally have opened new lines of communication between Region police agencies. A similar consolidation in Porter County has been in operation for several years.

The list goes on.

In the case of recent pipe bomb incidents in East Chicago, Valparaiso and LaPorte  and in bomb threats made in Griffith, Highland and Munster  we know from Region police officials that police departments in those municipalities aren't investigating alone.

Police agencies can't always comment about all the intricate details when matters such as these remain under investigation.

But at least we know our Region has the law enforcement communications and cooperative networks in place for holistic and thorough responses.

In a Region in which municipalities and counties historically have been known for throwing up imaginary walls, our law enforcement agencies are showing us a much more sensible model.
New details are emerging about the teenager charged with murder in the Bronx school stabbing. Our Shannan Ferry was in the courtroom as he was arraigned.

As 18-year-old Abel Cedeno was arraigned Thursday on murder and assault charges, family and friends spoke out on his behalf. They said the teenager endured years of bullying and intimidation, before he allegedly stabbed two fellow students  one fatally  inside their Bronx school.

"I think he just felt no way out other than the way that he went," said Savannah Hornback.

Family friend Hornback says Cedeno's relatives are heartbroken by the killing, and do not condone it. But she also says he is a good person, who was pushed to the edge.

Hornback claims students bullied the suspect with homophobic and ethnic slurs at a series of schools for years, most recently at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation, where the killing occurred.

"The school was made aware and there was no action from the school, therefore he had to take things into his own hands unfortunately," Hornback said.

The NYPD's chief of detectives, Robert Boyce, says he was not aware of any plea for help.

"As far as I know, he did not reach out to anybody in the school," Boyce said.

Boyce says Cedeno claims the victims were throwing pencils and paper at him before he stabbed them with a switchblade he bought online two weeks ago.

In court, Cedeno's family and friends cried as he stood before the judge.

"Abel does not have any type of criminal record," Hornback said. "He's never been in trouble in school, so it's very hard right now, the family's also taking it very hard right now."

Boyce says Cedeno told cops he had been harassed at that school since classes began  but until Wednesday, not by the two students who were stabbed. Boyce also says Cedeno did not mention any harassment based on sexual orientation.

Cedeno is being held without bail. He is due back in court on October 3.

His mother may not be fully aware of what happened. She has been stranded in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria.
NEW YORK - More than 70 staffers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are flying out Friday to assist relief operations in storm-ravaged Puerto Rico.

The agency is sending staff from its Aviation Department to help their counterparts at San Juan International Airport and other airfields resume full flight operations.

They will also be on the ground to help re-establish shipping commerce and security initiatives.

Meantime, President Donald Trump is defending his administration's work in Puerto Rico, even as storm victims say they are not getting the help they need.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello just stated: "The Administration and the President, every time we've spoken, they've delivered......  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2017

...The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2017

On Twitter Thursday, the president said "FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico".

He went on to mention his upcoming visit to the island next Tuesday, and says "Wish press would treat fairly!"

But on the ground in Puerto Rico, many are still desperate for food, water, power, and medical supplies more than a week after Hurricane Maria struck the island.

The situation is particularly dire in rural areas outside the capital city of San Juan.

Storm response efforts are being hampered by logistical problems.

A lack of distribution support is leaving tons of relief supplies sitting on the docks, instead of reaching those in need.

A man charged with managing shipping containers says disorganization has led to more suffering.

At a news conference Thursday, House Democrats accused the Trump administration of dragging its feet in it's response to Puerto Rico.

They're demanding Congress pass a substantial aid package by next week.
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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Housing New Zealand picked up a $5.5 million bill to test for methamphetamine contamination, methamphetamine decontamination and property demolition, an Official Information Act (OIA) request from Fairfax Media has revealed.Housing New Zealand tested 640 of its Auckland properties for contamination during the 2016  2017 government financial year, of which 323 tested above the Ministry of Healths guidelines.These tests cost the New Zealand taxpayer $2.4 million.Out of the 640 Auckland properties, 278 underwent decontamination at a further cost of $2,728,576. Housing New Zealand added that 13 of these properties had to be demolished at an additional cost of $406,804, bringing the total bill taxpayers footed to $5.5 million.Housing New Zealand CEO Paul Commons said Housing New Zealand staff were trained to identify signs of potential methamphetamine use in its properties.We work closely with a range of agencies including Police and Oranga Tamariki, and we rely on and are guided by information from these and other agencies when it comes to suspecting a property may be contaminated with methamphetamine, Commons said.Housing New Zealand uses the methamphetamine testing and decontamination standards defined by Standards New Zealand, part of the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment  this national standard was launched this year on 29 June.Housing New Zealand stated that some of their properties were decontaminated in the 2017  2018 financial year, and are therefore not captured in the released data.
My friend had told me that after university, it would be job-hunting, work for a year or two and then settle to start a family.

I did not see any reason for waiting for a job yet I could get married and do the other things in reverse order. After graduation, therefore, I got married immediately. For my friends who had left university before they were hooked as we popularly referred to people in relationships, I was the envy of many.

This milestone was truly worth a celebration. I had never been as happy in my life. For all my past achievements, my parents seemed to be the greatest beneficiaries, or so it seemed to me.

I had been in school, worked hard and maintained good grades just as they wished. When it came to the course I would do at university, I chose Social Work and Social Administration because my father wanted someone to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately, the dice fell in my disfavor.

Social work is not what I would have wanted. I had seen my counterparts dream and work towards being lawyers, engineers and doctors. I did not have the luxury of dreaming big like my contemporaries. My destiny seemed to be pre-determined by my parents.

This probably explained the joy I felt on my wedding day. Finally, I was doing something that would benefit me, not any other person.

A few months into the marriage, I got bored with staying at home. Maybe, I was right. Why had I, after all, gone to school? So, I wanted a job more than anything else.

It is common knowledge that looking for a job in Uganda is a job of its own. I knew what awaited me was not an easy task. It was my time to envy my former college mates who were gainfully employed.

The thought of job-hunting was as traumatizing as the process was going to be. I had heard bizarre stories of employers who sought to first have sexual encounters with prospective employees. Others would shamelessly ask for bribes before one made it to the shortlist.

Making it to the shortlist was as difficult as the private members bill getting to parliaments order paper to discuss the removal of presidential age limits in the Ugandan Constitution.

All this was not news to me. Unemployment is a song whose lyrics are familiar to majority of the ordinary youth in Uganda. The demand for experience from almost all employers is another thing that needs amendment.

If I am failing to get an entry job into the market, how do you expect me to accumulate all those years of experience unless there is a school that solely specializes in job experience qualifications? I embarked on my job search journey. Days turned into weeks and before I knew it, I was counting months.

Lady Luck finally smiled at me. One day, I made it to the prestigious shortlist in one of the reputable organisations in town. I remember that phone call inviting me for the interviews.

I literally felt like I had received a call from God. Problem was that I was in my last trimester of my first pregnancy. I had also heard that employers were skeptical about employing pregnant women. That alone drained the excitement of my long-awaited miracle.

The day finally came for me to face the panel for my first job interview. The panel comprised about 12 people. A dozen of men and women, just to ask one human being whether she could do the job!

You look pregnant, why should we employ you? one slim woman asked.

The wicked smile on her face reminded me of the witch in the fairly tales book I read as a child.

I dont look pregnant. Im actually pregnant. I am a married woman maam, I muttered, with embarrassment written on my face.

A few more questions, and I was asked to leave; with a promise of being contacted in future. One year later, I am still waiting for their call. The wicked smile on that womans face and the unprofessional question relating to my pregnancy are traumatic experiences I am still nursing in my quest for a job.
On Wednesday, the commission of inquiry into land matters heard a startling testimony from Anna Kyohaire, whom residents in Mubende accuse of grabbing their 10 square miles of land with her husband, a Chinese national Martin Chang, through their company called Quality Parts Uganda Limited.

She denied allegations during cross-examination led by lead counsel Ebert Byenkya assisted by John Bosco Suuza. ALI TWAHA captured the proceedings.

Byenkya: Please state your full names for the record?

Kyohaire: My name is Anna Kyohaire.

Byenkya: How old are you?

Kyohaire: Im 47 years.

Byenkya: Where do you live?

Kyohaire: I stay in Najjanankumbi.

Byenkya: What do you do for a living?

Kyohaire: Im a businesswoman.

Byenkya: What sort of business do you do?

Kyohaire: I sell spare parts of motorcycles.

Anna Kyohaire during cross-examination

Byenkya: And do you do that in your individual capacity?

Kyohaire: I do it with Quality Parts Uganda Limited.

Byenkya: Who owns Quality Parts apart from yourself?

Kyohaire: It has two directors; one is myself and Chang, my husband.

Byenkya: The name does not seem to be Ugandan. What is the citizenship of your husband?

Kyohaire: He comes from Taiwan [China].

Byenkya: When was Quality Parts incorporated?

Kyohaire: In 2000.

Byenkya: Tell us who the shareholders are?

Kyohaire: My lord, I and my husband are the shareholders.

Byenkya: Can you tell us what the share capital of this company is?

Kyohaire: I have 55 per cent and my husband owns the rest.

Byenkya: So this company called Quality Parts seems to be a company that was set up to do business in spare parts.

Kyohaire: Yes, my lord.

Byenkya: Do you have a copy of the memorandum or articles of association. I didnt see that in the copies that you gave us?

Kyohaire: I have the certificate of incorporation; I can always bring the memorandum next time.

Byenkya: What other business does this company do apart from spare parts?

Kyohaire: Planting trees, my lord.

Byenkya: And where does it plant those trees?

Kyohaire: In Mubende district.

Byenkya: In which specific areas do you operate?

Kyohaire: In Namayende, Kidicho, Mutoro, Kichocholo, Nakasozi

Byenkya: Do you own land there?

Kyohaire: Yes, my lord.

Byenkya: Do you have titles?

Kyohaire: Yes.

Byenkya: Can you take us through the specific titles you have there? Give us the block, plot numbers and from whom the titles were obtained?

Kyohaire: Plot 29 measuring 64.75 hectares. It belongs to Quality Parts Ltd. We bought it from Alexander Ssimbwa.

Byenkya: And when was Quality Parts registered for that title?

Kyohaire: March 26, 2013.

Byenkya: Do you have the purchase agreement from Mr Ssimbwa?

Kyohaire: Yes, my lord. I have the copy with me.

Byenkya: Ok lets do the same thing with all the other titles.

Kyohaire: There is Plot 25. It has 259 hectares. Quality Parts bought it from Henry Kimera. It was registered March 26, 2013.

Byenkya: Next.

Kyohaire: There is plot 27. It measures 245 hectares. Quality Parts bought it from David Ssimbwa. Plot 37 measuring 259 hectares. Quality Parts bought it from David Mwenda. There is plot 39, my lord. It has 129.4 hectares bought by Quality Parts from Mwenda.

Byenkya: And you have the sale agreements?

Kyohaire: Yes, my lord.

Byenkya: Are those all the titles?

Kyohaire: Yes.

Byenkya: I see that in respect of plot 29 Mr Henry Kimera sold the land using powers of attorney from Alexander Ssimbwa. Do you have a copy of the powers of attorney?

Kyohaire: I have it but I did not come with it.

Byenkya: In respect of plot 25, I see that Henry Kimera sold as the administrator of the estate of Harold Kagolo Kimera. Have you brought the letters administration?

Kyohaire: I will crosscheck, my lord.

Byenkya: In respect of plot 37, I see that Brian Mugabi Iga is the one who sold as the registered attorney for Mwenda David Ssimbwa. Do you have that power of attorney?

Kyohaire: I have them.

Byenkya: For plot 39, David Mwenda Ssimbwa seems to sell it for himself without the requirement of an attorney. Did he sign for himself?

Kyohaire: It is true, my lord.

Byenkya: Do you have an explanation why in one agreement he needs an attorney and in another he doesnt?

Kyohaire: Where there was a requirement for powers of attorney, Mwenda David was not staying around. He stays in United Kingdom.

Byenkya: You seem to be the majority shareholder in this company. Is there a managing director?

Kyohaire: Im the managing director and Martin Chang.

Byenkya: You cannot be two managing directors. Is there one who has executive powers?

Kyohaire: It is Martin Chang.

Byenkya: The reason why Im asking is because when an agreement for plot 27 was signed, I see that the purchaser for the company signed in Chinese language. And then I see there is a witness who appears to be Anna Kyohaire.

Im wondering how you could be the majority shareholder yet when it comes to decisions of purchase and signing, it is the other way round. That the minority shareholder is the one who signs and the majority shareholder is only a witness

Kyohaire: I think thats a mistake, my lord.

Byenkya: Who is the financer of this company?

Kyohaire: There is nobody who funds us.

Byenkya: Who contributed the most capital for this company?

Kyohaire: The money came from the business that we do for spare parts.

Bamugemereire: And where did the capital for the spare parts business come from?

Kyohaire: Originally my husband had a business in Taiwan. He still has businesses there.

Byenkya: So, he basically brought the capital to start this company

Kyohaire: Yes, my lord.

Byenkya: Where you the majority shareholder from its incorporation?

Kyohaire: At the beginning, Im not sure. But I can crosscheck.

Byenkya: From when did you start to know that youre the majority shareholder?

Kyohaire: Around 2009.

Byenkya: Was that the time when you started to buy land?

Kyohaire: No, my lord.

Byenkya: The reason Im asking is because you know the kind of land that you hold. It is mailo. Do you and your husband also know that it is illegal for non-Ugandans to hold that land?

Kyohaire: Yes.

Byenkya: You bought land but I dont see anything which talks about Bibanja holders on the land..

Kyohaire: My lord, its true its not there.

Byenkya: When you were buying the land from what we have been hearing from a number of witnesses, that this land had been heavily occupied by people. Some of the testimonies talk of 1,400 people living in a number of villages. And these villages are so established that they have LC 1 and village councils. Were you aware of the presence of these people?

Kyohaire: They were in some parts and others were empty.

Byenkya: Since you knew that they were Bibanja holders on the land, Im wondering whether you took some legal advice by the time you were entering these agreements

Kyohaire: We tried to find out, my lord.

Byenkya: According to the law, any person planning to sell land must offer that land to the people occupying the land first. Did you take trouble to find out whether this requirement had been fulfilled?

.'To say the truth we told the people but

Byenkya: I need you to provide that evidence because according to the [law], this offer must be given with detail and clarity. And it must be set out in order for the person to whom the offer is made, to understand the offer and respond. And those people must be given three month. So, I expect you to produce a document where you wrote to each of those occupants and made them that proposal setting out that they can buy and how much they can buy. And even giving them the three months to respond

Kyohaire: The ones who sold to me told me they worked on it but they did not give me the documents.

Byenkya: But these are a lot of people. You didnt ask for it?

Kyohaire: I did not bother to ask.

Byenkya: And do I think that was in light of the agreement that was saying you are the one to take responsibility?

Kyohaire: My lord, I had the thought to speak to the Bibanja holders.

Byenkya: Let us talk about your methods of negotiations. Lets talk about Mr Sam Senkinga. Do you know him?

Kyohaire: I have heard of him.

Byenkya: What do you know about him?

Kyohaire: He was a resident on that land.

Byenkya: You have produced some agreements with a number of residents which you have submitted to the commission. Is Senkinga one of them?

Kyohaire: Yes, my lord.

Byenkya: Let us go to Senkingas agreement. You signed an agreement with Senkinga with a company called Quality Parts. Senkinga testified here and I have reason to believe that he is the same person. Because this is what he said when we asked him if he had land in Kichocholo.

He says he had approximately 16 acres of land, of which seven acres was a coffee plantation. He says he had four and a half acres of eucalyptus trees in his testimony. Your agreement [however says] he had 4 acres which is close. He talks of 4.5 acres of bananas. So, do you think we are talking about the same person [Senkinga]?

Kyohaire: Youre right, my lord.

Byenkya: So, is he one of the occupants that you talked to?

Kyohaire: Hes one of them.

Byenkya: Let me give you more details about Senkinga. He is a family man. He has two wives and 13 children. And he was living on that land with his people and all that property that you compensated. So, he says that sometime, in 2015, your company came and you have a manager called Steven and he was approaching people to buy. So, he says the Chinese [Chang], the wife to the Chinese [Anna] and the manager approached me but I declined to sell. Do you think they are talking about you there?

Kyohaire: [remains silent for a while, takes a long sigh] yes, my lord.

Byenkya: He said: Ann offered to buy every acre at Shs 600,000. I told her that I would only sell the entire Kibanja to her at Shs 100 million. Anna said that money would only buy land in Kampala. And he says your negotiations failed. What do you think of that evidence, is it truthful?

Kyohaire: That is not true, my lord.

Byenkya: What is not true? That you have never offered to buy his land?

Kyohaire: I have never met him.

Byenkya: Did you have a manager called Steven?

Kyohaire: Yes, my lord.

Byenkya: What were his full names?

Kyohaire: Steven Tumwine.

Byenkya: Senkinga says: after negotiations failed, I was approached by a manager called Steven. He said he had been sent by Anna to survey my Kibanja. And he thought you were going to pay him the money that he asked for but you surveyed the land and leftIs that also false?

Kyohaire: Its not true, my lord.

Byenkya: Let me tell you what happened on the March 17, 2016. He was leaving his home heading to Kabando. And he was riding on a Boda Boda. He was stopped by men. He says he knew those men because they were working for your company. He says: one of them lifted his panga and started cutting me. They cut my left hand, left leg and my head and they left me to die.

From there he was rescued by passers-by and taken to hospital where he spent about a month. And this is what he says about you Anna: He added: My father spoke to them urging them to pay my medical bills. They said they didnt have money. That if I wanted to sort my medical bill, the only way was to receive Shs 16 million for Kibanja. I initially refused as the value for my Kibanja was higher.

The wife of the Chinese said she had Shs 16 million. I eventually accepted to save my life. I was paid at my hospital bed by the Chinese wifes brother Abel and the manager, Steven Tumwine now deceasedthey came with their documents which I signed but they didnt give me a copy.  Lets go back to your agreement, I see someone whom he said for Quality Parts. Can you read that name?

Affected residents turned up in huge numbers

Kyohaire: Tweranaho Abel. He is my brother.

Byenkya: When I see this agreement, it upholds the story that Sam Senkinga told us. The figures are accurate. The people who participated in making the agreement are the same. And you can see when you look at the signature that he is not a literate person. How did you end up paying Senkinga money if his story was false?

Kyohaire: The father to Senkinga approached the manager and told him he wanted to sell his Kibanja.

Byenkya: Did they tell you that he was in hospital and a victim of a brutal beating?

Kyohaire: I heard about that.

Byenkya: Did you know that he was accusing your employees for putting him into that state?

Kyohaire: I heard of it.

Byenkya: So, how do you go into entering an agreement with a person in such circumstances?

Kyohaire: The relatives approached us that they wanted to be paid.

Byenkya: Dont you think that another party would look at it as taking advantage of what you had done?

Kyohaire: Its not like that.

Byenkya: Tell us about Steven Tumwine?

Kyohire: He was murdered.

Byenkya: Why do you think he was murdered? Do you think it has anything to do with activities of your company?

Kyohaire: I dont know.

Byenkya: Do you know if any people charged of his murder?

Kyohaire: They are some I heard of.

Byenkya: Were they residents of that area?

Kyohaire: The ones I heard of are residents.

Byenkya: Do some of them include leaders of the local people?

Kyohaire: [witness remains silent]

Byenkya: Ok, let me give you a name. Richard Semuwomba Ssalongo, a resident of Butolo. He was the LC I chairman until you put him in jail. He was serving the peopledo you know him?

Kyohaire: I have heard of him.

Byenkya: Let me tell you of another leader, Simon Ategeka, from Nakasozi. Is he one of those accused for the murdering Tumwine?

Kyohaire: I didnt know he is one of those accused.

Byenkya: If your activities are so innocent, how come that most people accused of murdering Tumwine are political leaders?

Kyohaire: I dont know why its like that.

Byenkya: The truth is; you have a war with the people. That war is because of the way you have approached them. It has resulted in the death of Tumwine. It has resulted in the disability of Senkinga. It has resulted into jailing of nine political leaders accused of killing Tumwine. And that war has created widowsin your statement youre saying everything is fine. Tell us how you want to talk to these people?

Kyohaire: All those things being said are lies.

Byenkya: Why are these people telling lies about you?

Kyohaire: I think they are people trying to fail the project. As residents they have no problem but there are leaders telling them not to negotiate.

Byenkya: So, you have been blaming the leaders?

Kyohaire: I dont blame political leaders but instead of telling them how to go about it, they try to make the project fail.

Byenkya: So, is it a coincidence that when Tumwine died, some of these political leaders were charged?

Kyohaire: Its not like that.

Suuza: How old is Chang?

Kyohaire: 65 years.

Suuza: When did he come to Uganda?

Kyohaire: Im not sure but I met him in 2000.

Suuza: When did you get married to him?

Kyohaire: 2005.

Suuza: What kind of marriage did you contract?

Kyohaire: We did introduction but we did not get a certificate.

Suuza: Would I be correct if I concluded that this firm wanted to find a lawful way of owning land and therefore not only are you treating the residents in an unlawful manner but your company owns this land illegally? Or you own it through a scheme that was purely contrived to defeat the laws of Uganda?

Kyohaire: Its not like that, my lord.

Commissioner Mary Ochan: When was your husband born?

Kyohaire: I dont remember.

Ochan: Your husband was born in September 4, 1943 according to records that you submitted. How old does that make him?

Kyohaire: [witness remains silent]

Ochan: Your husband is 74 years and not 65 as you testified. This makes me wonder how much of your husband you really know

Kyohaire: I really know him.

Ochan: What do you know about him?

Kyohaire: Im not sure about the time he came.

Ochan: You have been married for about 15 years and up to now you have not asked him when he came to Uganda?

Kyohaire: I had not bothered, my lord.

Ochan: Are you really married to him?

Kyohaire: Yes, I only made a mistake in years.

Ochan: You didnt know his age, birthday. But what worries me is that you not knowing when he came to Uganda. It seems your name was just put on this company to enable them get land

Bamugemereire: It has come to our attention that there is a likelihood that you have more titles that you have not declared or that the ones you have do not amount to the land you are using. Can you confirm that its only the five titles that you have?

Kyohaire: Those are the only ones we have, my lord.

Bamugemereire: Its most likely that youre entitled to 4.5 squares miles and youre using 10 square miles and you are harassing everybodyDoes a foreign investor has any involvement in agriculture?

Kyohaire: That I didnt know, my lord.

Bamugemereire: You cut down peoples plantations, demolished houses and wrecked havoc on the locals. You will do me a favour and go with my investigators and they take you through what happened in that area. Thank you.



alitwaha@observer.ug
The Idaho Dunes UTV invasion is one of the fastest growing UTV events in the country. Now in its fourth year, the event draws attendees from coast to coast to St. Anthony Idaho over Labor Day weekend to enjoy four full days of off-road related activities. From guided group rides with industry celebrities to live music and an expansive vendor area, the UTV Invasion offers something for everyone.

If You Build it They Will Come

Location poses one of the greatest challenges to executing a successful event in St. Anthony due to its distance from other popular dune locations like Glamis and the Oregon dunes. For that reason, organizers have worked hard to increase the value of the event and make it more worthwhile for attendees. There's no entry fee or cost to participate in any of the activities. While the event is hosted by Idaho Dunes RV Resort, anyone from any of the surrounding campgrounds is able to participate free of charge.

From opening ceremonies on Thursday morning to the charity raffle on Sunday afternoon, there's no lag in the excitement for anyone. Daily group rides are a fun way to connect with other enthusiasts and they provide a great opportunity for first timers to get acquainted with the dunes. This year all group ride participants were given a raffle ticket at the start of the ride with a prize drawing being held at the main stage at the conclusion of the ride. The raffle serves as a way to encourage people to participate as well as creates more value for attendees with the possibility of winning some prizes.

Two events that always draw a crowd are the Show-n-Shine and UTV teeter totter. The Show-n-Shine gives industry builders as well as weekend warriors a chance to show off their custom UTVs in front of a large audience. It's really impressive to see what some of these DIY guys who don't work in the industry are able to come up with.

The UTV Teeter totter is probably more for the spectators than it is for the contestants but that's part of what makes it so comical. Competitors inch their UTVs up the ramp attempting to find the perfect balance point that will level the ramp and then hold it for eight seconds. It's harder than it looks and it's easy to tell who knows what they're doing and who doesn't. Orange County California native Steve Watson ended up taking top honors for the second year in a row.

Another exciting thing about the UTV Invasion is the opportunity to meet industry celebrities like NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, Motocross and Supercross champion Damon Bradshaw and Hubert Roland, everyone's favorite redneck from the Nitro Circus, who all happen to be UTV enthusiasts as well. And they aren't just attending but actively participate in the event. For example Greg Biffle lead a group ride through the dunes and Damon Bradshaw served as a guest judge for the Show-n-Shine competition. Just one of the many ways the event brings people together from all walks of life and creates exciting experiences for attendees.

Connecting All Corners of the UTV Industry

Due to the rapid growth of the event and the number of companies eager to participate, organizers expanded the vendor area, increasing the outdoor portion as well as nearly doubling the size of the covered vendor mall. Having reputable aftermarket companies participate in the event not only gives them an opportunity to connect with consumers, but it adds value for attendees and really enhances the event atmosphere. Participation by OEMs has a way of legitimizing the event as well and for the second year in a row, Can-Am was on site allowing attendees to demo the new 2018 Maverick lineup.

Amazingly, the entire vendor area was sold out a month prior to the event with more companies trying to attend in the days leading up to the event. This certainly speaks to the popularity of the event as well as tells us we can expect to see it continue to grow.

Center Stage

Of course the main attraction at the UTV Invasion are the dunes themselves. Spanning over 10,000 acres and reaching as tall as 400 feet, St. Anthony offers some of the largest sand dunes in the world. To an off-road enthusiast, the dunes are really something to behold.

Choke Cherry Hill is a popular gathering spot to watch drag racers battle for bragging rights on what is probably the steepest sand dune in North America. Devil's Dune is another popular landmark where you will find countless ATVs, UTVs and sand rails carving around the massive sand dune experiencing the full weight of gravity. When the sun goes down, Thunder Mountain is the place to be as hundreds of machines congregate at the hill and put on a spectacular light show.

Giving Back

While most of the event revolves around having fun, an important aspect involves giving back to the industry. The benefit raffle on Sunday afternoon serves as the grand finale of the event as attendees are able to walk away with thousands of dollars in prizes with all of the proceeds going to a worthy cause.

This year's benefactor was Trevon McCuen, an attendee who was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year. McCuen and his family have been active participants in the UTV Invasion every year since its inception, making it an easy decision to support them with the proceeds from this year's raffle. Even kids were able to get in on the action as a separate kids raffle was held for the little tykes earlier in the weekend.

In terms of a family friendly UTV event with plenty to offer, we'd give the UTV Invasion five out of five stars. The dunes are an off-roaders paradise and when combined with several days of fun, food and enjoying all aspects of the industry with thousands of other UTV enthusiasts, it's easy to see why this event is becoming one of the must attend events of the year.




Agricultural News

Oklahoma Beef Council Offers Update on Melissa Morton Embezzlement Case



The following statement was received by the Oklahoma Farm Report on Thursday afternoon, September 28th and offers an update on the status of the ongoing legal proceedings against Oklahoma Beef Council former employee Melissa Morton, who has pled guilty to embezzling $2.68 million over a multi year period while working at the Oklahoma Beef Council. The statement is attributed to the Board of Directors of the Beef Council and their Executive Director Heather Buckmaster.





"The Oklahoma Beef Council is led by a voluntary board of beef and dairy producers, so we understand and appreciate the concerns recently expressed by some producers. In July 2016, OBC discovered one of its employees, Melissa Morton, had committed fraud against OBC and its board of directors, employees, and constituents. Since the fraud was discovered, we have worked tirelessly toward full recovery through every available avenue, and we are continuing to do so.



"Morton's crime occurred through an incredible abuse of trust and deceit that included falsifying financial documents, bank statements, and checks. Despite annual audits (and one year of multiple audits) by outside accounting firms, the fraud was never detected. It is still shocking that one of our long-standing, trusted employees would steal from OBC and the hard-working farming and ranching families we represent. But it's important to know the significant steps we have taken since the discovery.



"As soon as the fraud was detected, OBC immediately fired Morton and launched an in-depth forensic investigation, led by a respected and capable outside accounting firm. One of the primary purposes of the investigation was to determine the extent of Morton's fraud and to identify the steps needed to safeguard OBC from such conduct in the future. Additionally, we immediately notified law enforcement and have cooperated fully with federal investigators throughout their criminal investigation. At this point, Morton has pled guilty and is currently awaiting her sentencing.



"While Morton was the one engaged in the fraud, however, you should understand, we are aggressively engaged in additional recovery and restitution efforts including all legal remedies, and will continue those efforts until our organization has recovered as fully as possible.



"The beef producers of this state put their trust in OBC, and we take this trust extremely seriously. We have already taken steps to ensure the integrity of the Beef Checkoff in Oklahoma and a greater level of accountability generally. For example, we now work with a third-party accounting firm with circulating accountants and have instituted a five-step review process for monthly financials. We also utilize positive pay, an automated fraud detection tool, and have instituted an Audit/Risk Committee. Finally, we employ a director of compliance to provide oversight of the Beef Checkoff collections, and we continue to be audited annually by a reputable accounting firm.



"Through all of this, our staff and board have remained focused on the mission of OBC and moved forward with important programs, including beef nutrition outreach to Oklahoma physicians, digital marketing campaigns targeted at Millennials to drive more beef purchases, beef education in the classroom, and export promotions in Japan for US Beef. For a list of program highlights, please visit our website by clicking or tapping here.



"The Beef Checkoff is the only collective tool we have as farming and ranching families to continue promoting and protecting beef demand. It's essential to remember that for every dollar invested in the Beef Checkoff, the return to the industry is $11.20. As beef producers ourselves, we feel tremendous regret over Morton's fraud. However, addressing the situation head-on with integrity, resolve, and a commitment to the families we serve has been our priority from the beginning, and it will continue to be our priority moving forward. And, as devastating as Morton's actions were, we cannot allow one person's egregious acts to overshadow the years of important work that has been done and will continue to be done by the Oklahoma Beef Council because of the Beef Checkoff.



"As always, we look forward to serving the beef producer families in Oklahoma with the focused mission of driving beef demand and protecting our livelihoods."











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Top Agricultural News
Kiewit said it would bring 70 jobs to Omaha that will focus on purchasing equipment and materials for the construction and engineering companys projects.

The Omaha-based company said a centralized supply network would meet what it said was a growing demand. It said the positions would be mid- and senior-level jobs.

Kiewit has operations throughout North America, but weve been proud to call Nebraska home for over 130 years and have consistently grown our employment and contributions to our state, Bruce Grewcock, Kiewit chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.

The company said that since 2007 it has added more than 1,000 jobs to support expanded operations in Nebraska. Kiewit, which was No. 324 on Fortune magazines latest list of the nations 500 largest companies, opened its Kiewit University in north downtown in February; that facility provides training for Kiewit employees.

The company said it had about 1,900 full-time employees in Nebraska as of 2016, during which it had revenues of $8.6 billion.
BEATRICE, Neb. (AP)  Gage County has reserved beds at a jail across the state line in northern Kansas and at a jail in south-central Nebraska.

The Beatrice Daily Sun reported that the Gage County Board approved a contract Wednesday for 10 beds in the Washington County, Kansas, jail and five at the jail in Nebraskas Dawson County.

Both one-year contracts call for a rate of $45 a bed per day, regardless of whether theyre used by inmates from Gage County.

Contracting with other jails intensified this summer as the number of inmates reached double the Gage County Jails capacity of about 25.

The overflow inmates have been housed at up to seven different counties at a time, causing transportation problems for jail workers.
LINCOLN (AP)  Ten faculty members have called for a no-confidence vote in the leadership of the Doane University president.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported that a letter submitted to the Faculty Council on Tuesday asks Doanes teachers for a formal vote stating that they do not support President Jacques Carter. Hes in his seventh year leading the liberal arts college in Crete, Nebraska.

The eight-page letter says Carter has failed to follow through on strategic initiatives to raise enrollment, expand the university presence in Omaha and complete fundraising campaigns. It also says Carter has mismanaged personnel, citing incredible turnover in key academic leadership positions.

Carter didnt immediately return a call Thursday from the Associated Press. University spokesman Mike Lefler said Carter is out of the country and unavailable.
Fewer kids in the Omaha metro area applied to transfer between schools this year under revised rules for the 11 school districts in the Learning Community.

Lawmakers rewrote the transfer law in 2016, returning the districts to the option enrollment system used in the rest of the state. Since 2009, the districts in Douglas and Sarpy Counties had used an open enrollment system that provided free transportation for more children.

Some school officials say the less convenient application process for option enrollment and tighter limits on who gets free transportation are factors in the drop.

Under option enrollment, transfer students who qualify for free school meals are eligible for free transportation or reimbursement, but students who qualify for reduced-price meals  a lesser degree of poverty  no longer qualify.

The number of applications for transfers from one district to another was tracking about 25 percent below 2016-17 last month.

Schools report enrolling at least 1,500 students via option enrollment so far this year. Final transfer numbers wont be compiled until later this year.

Under open enrollment, new Learning Community transfers averaged about 2,100 a year.

Parents who applied last spring or summer to enroll their child for the 2017-18 school year had to comply with the new transfer rules.

Open enrollment, a transfer system unique to the Learning Community, had been designed to encourage students to transfer between school districts that had room for them in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. Students got higher priority and free transportation when their transfers contributed to the socioeconomic diversity at the destination school  and all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches got free transportation.

Open enrollment designers had hoped that by transferring poor kids to more affluent schools, and vice versa, poverty levels would be more level across Learning Community schools, instead of concentrated in certain schools.

Option enrollment has been in place for almost three decades in Nebraska. Under option, the parent or legal guardian of the option student is responsible for transportation, except when the student qualifies for free school lunch. Students who transferred under open enrollment before this year and received transportation will continue to receive it until they complete the grades at their school building.

Gretna Superintendent Kevin Riley said parents who want to transfer a child definitely have to make more of an effort under option enrollment. He said Nebraskas forays into school choice have proved that parents prefer their neighborhood school, even when transportation is provided.

Each time the state has launched a transfer system  first option statewide in 1990, then open in 2010 in the Learning Community and now back to option for the 11 districts  some people think kids will transfer all over the place, he said.

Thats never happened, Riley said.

Its possible this year that parents need time to get familiar with the rule changes, including the fact that free transportation is still available to the poorest students.

The high-poverty kids still have transportation paid for, and that was something that we wanted, as superintendents, to make sure that stayed in the law, Riley said.

The return to option enrollment also coincides with the rollout this year of a new student assignment plan in the Omaha Public Schools. That plan substantially changed school choices and busing options for OPS families with elementary and middle-school students.

Despite the drop in applications, officials in several districts say they are not having trouble filling open seats. Districts often receive more applications than they have room to accept, particularly at certain sought-after schools. There is some evidence, however, that the rule changes may be deterring some low-income students from applying.

Lawmakers approved the return to option enrollment as part of a Learning Community makeover that eliminated the common property tax levy.

School districts generally welcome transfers because they boost enrollment and help fill empty classrooms. But open enrollment was perennially under fire for its transportation costs.

Open enrollment, though hailed as a tool to relieve concentrated poverty, didnt live up to its billing. Children never transferred in sufficient numbers to cause a substantial shift in school poverty levels. But the system did provide a safety valve for poor kids to transfer from a school that didnt serve them well.

Option-enrollment rules still encourage socioeconomic diversity, but not to the extent open enrollment did. Students whose transfers would help a schools diversity are given higher priority for admission, and those in deepest poverty get free transportation or reimbursement.

In the Westside district, which embraces transfers as a way to keep schools open and sustain quality programs, applications last month were trailing about 23 percent behind last year.

I would say its almost entirely about ease of the process, said Alan Bone, Westsides director of student services.

Under open enrollment, parents could visit the Learning Community website and file one application to apply to multiple schools. District officials could log in and retrieve completed applications.

Before, people could get done in three minutes, Bone said. You got online, put your info in, listed the district or schools you wanted to go to, fired it off, and your application came to us right away.

Now, parents fill out the standard enrollment option form used statewide. It is on the Nebraska Department of Educations website and some district websites.

However, Bone said, the form must be downloaded and printed to fill it out, and then scanned and emailed, or printed and then mailed or hand-carried to the destination school.

In an ideal world, access would be easy for families, he said.

Annette Eyman, spokeswoman for the Papillion-La Vista Community Schools, said changes to transportation rules appear to be affecting transfers to her district. But, she said, her district is also running out of space to accept new transfers.

I think, honestly, were letting fewer and fewer kids in every year, Eyman said.

Last year, Papillion-La Vista received 511 open-enrollment applications, 41.3 percent from students who qualified for free or reduced-price school meals.

This year, the district got 401 applications through option enrollment, and 33.9 percent were poverty students. That poverty rate is closer to what districts saw before open enrollment.

I think transportation has a huge role in that, Eyman said.

The district ended up enrolling slightly fewer students this year: 303 versus 295.

Lorraine Chang, chairwoman of the Learning Community Council, said that although open enrollment was not as effective as hoped, it was one of two primary tools the entity had for promoting diversity. The other is the establishment of focus schools, such as the Wilson Focus School in OPS.

Chang said she believes that diverse schools are still good for kids.

Diversity didnt go away as a policy matter, she said. We just dont have very many tools to address it.

What the Learning Community concluded about open enrollment

 Neither a causal nor even a correlational relationship between the implementation of the open enrollment policy and student performance on Nebraska assessments could be shown.

 There was no evidence of any significant movement of students from high poverty schools to low poverty schools, or the reverse.

 It was impossible to conclude that such movement had a significant impact on overall student performance.

 There were too many intervening variables to offer any conclusions as to the academic benefits of open enrollment.

Source: 2015-16 Evaluation Report, Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties.
Omaha was jarred two years ago when a 23-year-old man forced open the door of his girlfriends town house and fired a volley of shots.

Dontevous Loyd shot dead Destacia Straughns 2-year-old daughter, then gunned down Straughn.

He also shot three of the womans friends, who survived.

On Thursday night, women who had been assaulted by men with whom they had been involved romantically rallied in downtown Omaha. There were also counselors who spoke of the help available to guide women who are suffering.

Heather Duhachek-Chase, who organized the sixth annual rally and founded Generation Hope, a counseling center, said much of her work is focused on breaking the cycle of abusive relationships that carry from one generation to the next. October is domestic violence awareness month.

Duhachek-Chase said her three children were present when she was attacked in March 2011 by a former husband, who she has said punched and stomped her.

Two of her children spoke at the rally Thursday.

Ten-year-old Jayden held a microphone and told of what he remembered.

I stood there and had no idea what to do, he said. The boy said his life had improved a great deal since and said change can happen.

Before the rally outside the Douglas County Courthouse, during which many held lit candles, participants gathered at the Douglas County Jail.

Congressional candidate Brad Ashford discussed his work on domestic violence when he served on the Judiciary Committee in the Nebraska Legislature.

It was not so easy in the 80s and early on, he said.

Buffy Bush, a case manager at the Siena-Francis House, said the homeless shelter offers assistance to women going through hard times made more difficult by domestic troubles.

We are a place, she said, for women and children to try to get to a better place in life.

Elizabeth Power of the Womens Center for Advancement told of its efforts to help women seeking protection orders and steer them toward rent assistance.

Know that there are people in Omaha who care, she said.
Ramps for Interstates 80 and 480 and U.S. Highway 75 in Omaha have reopened, the Nebraska Department of Transportation said Friday.

The reopened ramps are the westbound I-80 ramp to northbound I-480; the northbound Highway 75 ramps to westbound I-80; and the northbound I-480 and the F Street entrance ramp to northbound Highway 75.

The ramps were closed for several months for bridge-deck repairs, department officials said. The work included a 3-inch asphalt overlay and protective membrane layer, replacement of bridge approaches and remodeling of bridge abutments.

During construction, some traffic was detoured into Council Bluffs.

Also, work continues on the northbound lanes of I-480 that are being resurfaced from about Dewey Avenue south to the I-80 interchange. That project, which also will include some finishing work that began in April on the southbound I-480 lanes, is being done at night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The lanes are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At the same time, officials said, some night work has occurred on southbound Kennedy Freeway north of F Street.

Cramer and Associates Inc. of Grimes, Iowa, was awarded the contract for the ramp work  $9.8 million. The resurfacing contract  $5.9 million  went to Omni Engineering of Omaha.
The writer is a practicing anesthesiologist at Faith Regional Health System in Norfolk, Nebraska.

In order to fully understand the issues surrounding opioid prescribing practices, it is important to review a brief history of how these drugs came to market.

Opium is derived from the sap of opium poppies, whose growth and cultivation dates back to 3400 B.C. In the 18th century, physicians in the United States used opium for multiple ailments. Toward the end of the 18th century, the addictive qualities of opium became apparent, as well as the need for an opium alternative.

In 1805, morphine and codeine were isolated from opium, and morphine was subsequently touted as a cure for opium addiction. Morphines use increased in popularity as it has about 10 times more euphoric effects than the equivalent amount of opium.

As with opium, morphines addictive nature became obvious, as well as the need for continued research for alternative medications. Are you starting to see a pattern yet?

Heroin was first synthesized from morphine in 1874 and was made commercially available in 1898 by the Bayer Pharmaceutical Co. Considered a miracle drug, it was used to treat headaches, colds and other common ailments.

Heroin, ironically, was given to active morphine and codeine addicts as an alternative to  and as a solution for  their addiction. The unrestricted distribution of heroin led to an astronomical number of addicts and a rising crime rate.

As legal and mental health concerns began to grow throughout the United States, heroin was banned in 1924, just three decades after its introduction.

Since heroin was no longer a medical option, physicians reverted to prescribing morphine and codeine. Pharmaceutical companies went to work and developed other synthetic opioids as potent and addictive as heroin. Some of the synthetic drugs created were OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet.

Over the last 10 years, prescriptions for these medications have tripled. Just because heroin was banned does not mean that the currently available opioids are any less addictive or potent. On the contrary, the potency of synthetic opioids has increased dramatically.

We are now learning through pharmacogenetics that some individuals are predisposed to opioid addiction, just as they are with alcohol.

Studies report a wide range in the percentage of patients who become dependent on prescription opioids. Findings appear to vary based on how use is monitored, the condition requiring the prescription, the specific form of opioid and the prescribed dosage.

In some cases, the rate of addiction has been reported as high as 30 percent. Four out of five new heroin users started out misusing prescription painkillers.

Fifty years ago, the typical heroin addict was a poor teenage boy in the inner city. Now 75 percent of the almost 3 million opioid addicts are middle-class, young suburban 20-somethings and middle-aged individuals.

So how do we begin to address these opioid prescribing issues?

 Incentive payments from Medicare to hospitals based on a patients self-evaluation of pain must end. There is no doubt this program led to the overtreatment of acute pain in the hospital setting as well as lax prescribing practices in emergency departments.

 Non-opioid medications and alternative therapies should be used first.

 Educating patients that pain is a normal result of injury or recovery from surgery and that the expectation of being treated with opioids to achieve a painless state is not only unrealistic, but can be life-threatening.

 Educating primary care physicians that even small quantities of opioids prescribed for minor injuries increases the risk of long-term use.

 Educating specialists that prescribing opioids for hip, knee and back pain results in worse pain after surgery and the increased likelihood of long-term opioid use compared to those not taking opioids prior to surgery.

Lastly, remember heroin and your prescription narcotic are both opioids. So use as a last resort, for the shortest time and the lowest dose tolerable.
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by  Graham Pierrepoint



Fans of cellphones from years go by will likely be very aware of the Nokia 3310  its arguably the model which helped to kick-start popular appreciation of handheld communication  and it made its reappearance this year in a budget format for those phone fanatics who genuinely miss playing Snake 2 on a tiny green-and-black screen. The new Nokia 3310 was, of course, slightly more advanced than the model which came in over 15 years ago  but it looks like an even more advanced iteration is on the way  and yes, youll be able to use Facebook and Twitter on it.

The new, customizable 3310 is apparently arriving with 3G  which will, of course, enable the handset to connect to the internet and allow users to finally get onto social media. Itll even come fitted with color graphics, meaning that its a handset that is seeming less and less like the old-school model its hoping to resurrect love for. Will this be a problem for users? Probably not  but will it help the phone fly off the shelves? If the appeal in a new 3310 is in its retro appeal, adding limited versions of social media and basic browsing might not be in the best interests of the target audience.

However, this remains to be seen. On the face of things, the model seems to be a call-back to phones that came some time after the original 3310  with color screens, polyphonic ringtones and even basic internet access  meaning that the phone could well offer emulation of a slightly later period in the life cycle of the personal cellphone. Either way, it seems to be a bankable option if Nokia is keen to get in with the retro crowd  itll certainly appeal to the hipster demographic one way or another!

With Nokia looking to the past and Apple and Samsung looking to the future, where will the cellphone and smartphone craze end? Nokia are thought to be developing more advanced devices in the months to come, too  meaning that they wont just be putting the 3310 on the line as their flagship model. A much-loved device which is getting some serious reinvention this year, will it continue to pull in the button-pushers as the months go on? If youre a fan of retro gadgetry, it might just be worth a look.
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Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York:

The Securities and Exchange Commission's fraud case against investor Lynn Tilton was dismissed has been dismissed.

SEC administrative law judge Carol Fox Foelak ruled that the SEC had failed to provide enough evidence to back up its claims against Tilton and her firm. The regulator alleged that Tilton and Patriarch Partners had defrauded investors of some $200 million dollars after mispricing loans in the firm's credit strategy.

According to a Bloomberg report on the story, in her ruling, the judge noted that Tilton did provide complete disclosures to investors about the total costs of the loans including what interest was being paid.

Tilton had spent the past two years defending herself, but also attempting to move the trial into federal court. She argued that the SEC's administrative court was unfair to defendants. Her efforts to change the administrative format used by the SEC were unsuccessful.

In a statement to CNBC, Tilton said she felt vindicated that the charges against her had been dismissed and that she looked forward to returning entirely to focusing on the companies she's invested in.

......................

To view our full article Click here
By: Gregory Walker FCII, ANZIIF (Fellow), ARM-E, Walker Risk Solution Private Equity-firms are known to be calculated risk takers; and this approach has rewarded many of them and their investors. But how much risk are they willing to take when it comes to their firms liability? Or their own personal liability? Many partners engaged in Private Equity-firms (PE-firms) take comfort knowing they will be protected by indemnification from the fund, the fund management company or a portfolio company if they are sued while serving on its board. But even if the fund can indemnify the individuals, PE-firms may be reluctant to do so, as settlements divert money from the fund and negatively impact internal rate of return. This could lead to disputes with fund investors. Such disputes are fairly seldom in the PE/VC community, but when they happen, they rarely arise early during a funds life; rather they materialise when the fund is later stage and there is little capital left in the fund to satisfy indemnification obligations. Following the AIFMD1 (and its Swiss equivalent) the liability exposure for PE-firms from their operational risks needs to be backed either by additional equity or by insurance. Having a choice, taking out insurance may be better aligned with the investors interests: Invest Europe2 noted during the consultation process of the AIFMD, that professional indemnity insurance should be a far better policy instrument to meet the risks to investors from professional negligence than additional own funds. Requiring additional own funds reduces the ability of the owners of the AIFM (typically the senior management) to invest in the AIF. This has traditionally been a key mechanism, insisted on by private equity and venture capital AIF investors, for aligning the interests of investors and AIFM. The insurance market has responded to the needs of the PE/VC business by creating an industry-specific coverage (in the following called Venture Capital Liability Insurance  VCAP insurance) in order to transfer these liability exposures. A properly structured VCAP policy not only can provide for defence of certain claims up to final adjudication but can also keep things from getting to that point by providing a funding source for a settlement that doesnt impact the fund. Most importantly for those persons holding director positions within the investment structure, VCAP insurance can protect individuals in situations where they would not have the benefit of indemnification from the fund (e.g. when the lawsuit is a derivate suit initiated by the investors or a regulatory agency or when the partnership agreement does not permit indemnification). Liability claims against a PE-firm and its directors fall typically into one of the two categories: (1) Fund Management, creating an exposure to professional indemnity (PI) along the four stages of PE-investing as outlined below in section 1, and (2) Board Representation, a directors & officers liability exposure, which is examined in section 2. Next, section 3 illustrates how VCAP-insurance addresses these exposures and tells which pitfalls need to be avoided when implementing such insurance. Section 4 concludes. Liability Exposures During the Investment Phases Investors (the limited partners) expect the PE-firm (the general partner) to manage the fund according to guidelines outlined in private placement memorandums. When describing a typical investment process for direct investments, four stages with different core activities and their associated risks can be detected: Stage 1 - Fund Raising The solicitation process of institutional investors is started by presenting the investment strategy of the fund. It is key that all information needed to get a full and clear picture of the investments and the associated risks is presented to the potential investors. This presentation is done via road shows and outlined in writing in the prospectus or private placement memorandum (PPM). The main exposure of this first stage is the actual or alleged fraud or misrepresentation and incorrect or incomplete risk disclosure in the PPM or other information provided during the solicitation process. Stage 2 - Investing and Acquiring of Portfolio Companies (PC) Once the investors are on board and the necessary commitments have been received in the first closing, the fund manager enters into the stage of performing due diligence reviews of potential target companies. The selection of a PC as such, the chosen structure, the type of financing of the acquisition and other decisions taken in the context of the acquisition can be grounds for complaints by the investors. Whereby these allegations will be made by investors there is also a risk coming from another side: potential or future portfolio companies can claim compensation from the PE-firm or the fund manager for the failure to fulfil commitments to invest or acquire the portfolio company. Stage 3 - Creating PC Value The focus of the investment is to increase the value of the PC. The PE-firm will intend to do so by gaining influence on the business model of the PC sending employees to sit on the different board of directors. One person may hold between four to eight board seats. The PE-mandated directors are often directly engaged in strategic management decisions with the aim to make the PC more profitable and enhance their value. And, as directors, they are personally liable for wrongful management decisions. When the PC does not show the expected development and increase in value the range of potential allegations claiming wrongful management decisions or omissions is wide. The PEmandated director can consequently be facing allegations like any regular board member An additional risk, specific to the role as PE-mandated director, arises out of their double role which can lead to a potential conflict of interest: Being sent by the PE-firm to act as director to the PC, the employee is requested to act in the interest of the PE-firm (or the GP) whereas in the position as board member of the PC, the director has to act exclusively in the interest of the PC. In fact, allegations of conflicts of interests are widely seen in claims. Claims filed against board members of a PC can originate from various sources: the original founders of a PC, other members of the management, creditors, shareholders, competitors, suppliers, vendors, governmental/regulatory agencies or company employees. Even the PC itself can be the claimant and in such cases will not indemnify the director for the damages they claim. Stage 4 - Portfolio Company Exits There are a number of options available how the PE-firm can exit a PC: sale, IPO or - in case the investment did not develop well  close the doors (write down, liquidation, bankruptcy)  only to name a few. In the course of the divestment various aspects need to be monitored by the management of the PC. A potential breach of obligations can occur in different areas: a violation of applicable securities laws, misrepresentation or fraud in respect of the sale of a PC (potentially in a prospectus), non-fulfilment of contractual obligations of an M&A contract, duties of notification related to a bankruptcy proceeding of the PC, poor execution of the PC wind-down, negligence in respect of general reporting and information duties towards regulatory bodies or investors etc. with branch-offices and subsidiaries abroad, advising or managing offshore funds that hold SPVs and PCs in a variety of jurisdictions, and their directors have to comply with several legal and regulatory frameworks. Regulatory investigations and criminal prosecutions are often followed by civil law claims for compensation. In times when the company has financial problems, needs to be liquidated, a receiver is appointed or the company has already gone bankrupt, the management is facing a larger risk of being held personally liable for losses that shareholders, the entity or third parties have suffered. As the members of the management are thus putting their private assets at risk3 , such scenarios can turn into a very threatening situation.Even if the claimant has to prove that a wrong managerial decision or omission is the cause of such loss the manager will most probably defend him or herself immediately and incur substantial legal defence costs. Claims filed against board members of the PE-firm, of a fund or of a PC can originate from various sources: investors, competitors, suppliers, vendors, the PE-firm, the fund or the PC itself, its employees and management as well as other board members. Conclusions The liability risks a PE/VC-firm or their directors can be exposed to are many. As part of an enterprise-wide risk management, the directors of a PE-firm or a fund should evaluate how to mitigate these risks. This can be done by setting up a state of the art IT system, enhancing internal procedures and protection measures, training employees or adding audits. With respect to the residual risk after such mitigation efforts, a decision will have to be made on how much of the risk shall be transferred to external parties by e.g. concluding an insurance. For a director it is crucial to establish if the portfolio company, which he/she is joining as director, has D&O coverage in place. If in place, it is sensible to get specialist advisors to review and determine the coverage and the limits of liability provided. Alternatively, the director should request the PE-firm to arrange D&O insurance coverage extending to all mandated director positions on the board of multiple PC. With complex contracts, the devil is in the detail. Expert advice from an independent insurance broker is recommended. It is essential to have the terms of the insurance contract, definition of terms, exclusions, as well as obligations of the parties to the contract carefully reviewed in respect of the specific situation of the PE-firm. In addition to reviewing the policy terms and conditions, the board should take into consideration the insurers financial strength, underwriting expertise and claims-paying reputation. Editors Note: This article was abridged slightly for length. The full length article is available here.
Amie Kirkham of Conciliation Resources and former NCPACS student will present the Bougainville gender analysis project which attempts to find a deeper understanding of gendered dynamics in Bougainville related to political settlement and decision making from a Bougainville perspective.

The report provides recommendations in key areas where gender balance and a more inclusive political settlement can be promoted in Bougainville.

The report gives particular focus to the role that external actors can play in supporting these outcomes. This Bougainville project was one of three gender analysis projects, under a four-year political settlements research programme (http://www.politicalsettlements.org/).

The project explores political settlements beyond just elites, to look at how diverse groups in conflict-affected contexts understand and experience change and access social and political goods.

Date Monday, 2 October 2017 Time 12:00pm - 1:30pm Audience Public Event Category Humanities Event Type Open Seminar

Campus Dunedin Department National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies Location Centre for Sustainability Seminar Room, 563 Castle St Cost Free Contact Name Rosemary McBryde Contact Phone 64 3 479 4546 Contact Email peaceandconflict@otago.ac.nz

Save this event
The Otago Business School is pleased to host Te Papa's CEO, Geraint Martin for a Business School Open Lecture and Visiting Executive Programme seminar.

Geraint's talk is entitled "Leadership and Transformation - A How to Guide in seven videos, one quote and a washing machine.

All students, staff and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Date Tuesday, 3 October 2017 Time 11:00am - 12:00pm Audience Public,All University,Alumni Event Category Business Event Type Public Lecture

Open Seminar

Divisional Seminar

Campus Dunedin Location Archway 2 Cost FREE Contact Name Stephen Geddes Contact Phone 64 3 479 8696 Contact Email stephen.geddes@otago.ac.nz

Save this event
Saginaw native Samuel Clare Knights, one of 12 authors included in the inaugural edition of an anthology celebrating outstanding new fiction writers published by literary magazines around the world, will share his short story Oct. 5 at Creative 360.

Knights work "The Manual Alphabet" was printed in PEN America Best Debut Short Stories 2017, published in August by Catapult. The story, told partly in sign language, is about a hearing boy born to deaf parents. The reading begins at 7 p.m. at 1517 Bayliss St. in Midland. Admission is $8. Register online or call 989-837-1885.

Knights says the story is largely a nonfictional accounting of his own experiences growing up with deaf parents and learning to be bilingual. One language was used only at home, and the other used almost exclusively outside the home. His writing brings this duality to life with rich textual imagery and drawings of sign language within the text.

"I wanted to write about the experience of my first language, about learning how to ask through hands before words," Knights said.

The following excerpt provides a bit of insight into what this was like:

"Cow." C-O-W. Sign for cow: the thumb and pinky as horns twisting on a temple. Pull the airy udder for "milk." Each gesture possessed only the trace of a thing, in my mother's hands I saw quick palms that bent letters to their form; but especially the O, ringed and void, that made the fingers curve in around the microcosm of our living room -- where mine would crystallize a little bleached moon, only more like a shadow puppet that still shows the arm of the object that casts it -- her hands were the same ones that, before orbiting, patterned an entire world.

While the short story has been published and awarded, Knights continues to work on a book-length version. The manuscript is currently about 150 pages with more coming.

Knights holds a doctorate in creative writing and literature from the University of Denver and a master's degree from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University. He lives in Colorado and listens to the Grateful Dead every day.
The place to be Friday is downtown Coleman, with events including an emergency vehicle parade, annual fall walk through town, and a dinner to support a new community gazebo.

The fall walk features sidewalk specials from businesses, pony rides, face painting, games and activities for kids, live music by Exit 95, and Touch-A-Truck time at the fire station. The sidewalks are decorated with hay bale Minions, which children will recognize from popular recent movies.

"It's just kind of a nice little evening to get people out and about," Jack Tigner, president of the Coleman Business Association said of the night's festivities. "We want to make sure everyone knows it's a family event."

The first responders parade is set to start at 7 p.m. It will travel from the family center down Washington Street to Marsh Street, to Adams Street, Sixth Street and down Railway Street to the Coleman Fire Department.

Local clergy will conduct a blessing of the first responder vehicles just before the parade begins.

The City of Coleman and business association partnered on the gazebo project. It was built this summer at the corner of Forth and Railway streets.

The idea to build the gazebo is a bit of a replacement project, Tigner explained. A hundred years ago, the town centerpiece was a gazebo, which is featured in old photos. As time passed, the gazebo disappeared.

Building a new one has been a project on the back burner for about 20 years, he said, and now was a good time to make it happen.

"We needed a new little spot for downtown gatherings," Tigner said.

A large portion of the $55,000 project -- $40,000, in fact -- was funded by a grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation. The community is responsible for raising the remaining $15,000.

"We're still fund raising for that even though it's built," Tigner said, adding the grant was "a huge shot in the arm for us."

To that end, organizers have planned a dinner at the VFW on Friday, and are selling commemorative bricks to be placed on a sidewalk around the gazebo.

The 4-by-8 inch pavers can be engraved with names or a message, and cost $100 each.

"We're really trying to get the community aware of the brick selling," said Roxy Smith, secretary of the business association.

Tigner said order forms are available at city hall, and there will be a table with forms out along a sidewalk on Friday night.

"We've had quite a few people order them," he said, adding they still need more.

Additional events this fall in Coleman are the Coleman Community Variety Show, set for Oct. 14 at Coleman High School, and the second annual Chili Cook Off on Oct. 28.
Lions Clubs International announced another focus for its members to tackle -- diabetes. A local grant will help with that mission.

Lions are known for working to eradicate unnecessary blindness. What many people don't know is that diabetes can lead to blindness, the Lions stated. There are 1,052,000 people in Michigan with diabetes and 77,000 are children. More than 415 million worldwide have Diabetes, and one-third will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that can lead to visual impairment and blindness. An additional 259,000 people in Michigan have diabetes but don't know it, greatly increasing their health risks for heart disease, nerve damage sight issues and kidney disease, the Lions stated.

A $45,000 grant, one of 25 worldwide awarded by Lions Clubs International Foundation for diabetes work, was awarded to Michigan Lions District 11-E1, of which Midland, Clare and Isabella Counties are a part. "Defense Against Diabetes" is a program designed to help individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. Hospitals in Big Rapids, Cadillac, Clare, Ludington, Midland and Traverse City are participating in an effort to provide qualified individuals with services they need, such as A1C testing, diabetic retinopathy screening, nutrition programs and support groups. Diabetes management and training together can make a difference in decreasing the complications of diabetes, the Lions stated.

If you are concerned that you could be diabetic, contact your local Lions Club (Midland, Coleman, Mountt Pleasant and Harrison) or call the Hotline 888-659-3662. For more information, email dadgrant11e1@gmail.com.
Paducah, KY (42003)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
BLOOMINGTON  Lawyers for Donald Whalen will have access to an experts report on a bloody palm print used as critical evidence to convict him of his fathers murder 26 years ago, a judge ruled Thursday.

Whalen, now 60, is serving a 60-year sentence for the death of William Whalen, who was found beaten to death in 1991 inside the former Twenty Grand Tap, a bar he owned in downtown Bloomington.

On Aug. 1, Judge Scott Drazewski turned down a request from defense lawyer Elliot Slosar for access to the report because no legal action was pending at the time. But the filing of a new post-conviction petition on Aug. 17 by Slosar put the case on track for more proceedings.

In his ruling Thursday, Drazewski said the state is required to turn over all discovery materials they have access to, as long as they are identified in court documents by the defense. McLean County States Attorney Adam Ghrist told the court he had already come to an agreement with Slosar to allow the defense access to key material in the case.

According to the defense, the Illinois State Police lab scientist who examined a bloody palm print found on a broken pool cue at the crime scene may have altered his initial opinion that the print could not conclusively be linked to Whalen.

Such an opinion leaves open the possibility that the print could have matched the victim, or was unsuitable for comparison, said the petition filed by Slosar, a lawyer with the Chicago-based Exoneration Project.

At an earlier hearing, crime lab scientist John Dierker testified that the print could have not been made by anyone except (Don) Whalen, according to Slosar.

The new innocence petition also cites potential new evidence from a witness at Whalens trial who now says Whalen was carrying less cash than initially believed. Authorities theorized that Whalen killed his father for money he took from the bar to buy drugs in Chicago.

Results of DNA tests on knives collected from the bar that exclude Whalen as a contributor also are part of the defense motion for a new trial.

Around 6 a.m. on Feb. 28, 1984, Gary Sheppelman, 37, was found dead inside what was then known as Schenks Tavern at 1504 Morrissey Drive in Bloomington. He had been stabbed 26 times.

William Whalen was stabbed more than 20 times. In February 2016, police identified Aaron Patrick, who died in 1992 at the age of 51, as the man who killed Sheppelman.

We know that there were dozens and dozens of prints around William Whalens body that did not match Don Whalen, Slosar said Thursday. We would like to find out if any of the prints at the bar where he died matched any of the prints where Mr. Sheppelman died.

Ghrist said the McLean County States Attorneys office never prosecuted the Sheppleman case and, therefore, would not have much, if any, evidence available. Illinois State Police and other agencies such as the Bloomington Police Department may still have evidence, but it would be up to the defense to gain access.

That case is totally unrelated and any connection exists only in the counselors imagination, Ghrist said. We dont have any documents related to that case and it isnt up to our office to provide them. If they want that information, they could get it through a Freedom of Information Act through the other agencies.
Ten days after Hurricane Maria began to crash into Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm, the island is dealing with a humanitarian crisis as millions remain without electricity and water, and limited access to gas and cash.

The majority of the US commonwealth is without power, with the exception of people and facilities using generators, the US Energy Department says. Heavy rain is expected this weekend -- and that could make recovery efforts on the island of 3.4 million people even harder.

Puerto Rico is under a flash flood watch until late Sunday because of the predicted rain, which could be between 2 and 4 inches each day, the National Weather Service said.

"Soils are already saturated and most of the rivers and small streams are running above or well above normal levels," meteorologists said.

Still, military troops and disaster relief workers are improving supply chains, and "you'll see more presence, more equipment, in support of the municipalities" over the next few days, Federal Emergency Management Agency official Alejandro de la Campa told reporters Friday.

At least 16 people have died on the island as a result of the storm, the government has said.

Aid delivery

 About 3,000 crates of private-sector goods -- such as food meant for grocery stores -- have been sitting idle at the Port of San Juan, in part because not all drivers have reported back to work since Maria but also because of other logistical challenges, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said Friday.

 The government will call the private owners and ask whether they can pick up the goods. If they cannot, the government will require the owners to sell the goods to the Puerto Rican government so that it can deliver them to the people, Rossello said Friday.

 None of the idle containers carried aid sent by FEMA; that aid was continually distributed, FEMA officials have said.

 Rossello's count of the idle crates was lower than that of two shipping industry officials.

 Officials are sending aid to 11 distribution points, where mayors can arrange to pick up supplies and distribute them to their communities, FEMA's de la Campa said Friday. FEMA has sent aid directly to some communities that haven't been able to access distribution points, he said.

 Emergency workers have been to all 78 of Puerto Rico's municipalities and started coordinating with local leaders, de la Campa said.

 President Donald Trump on Thursday authorized a 10-day waiver of the Jones Act, a federal law that limits shipping to US ports by foreign vessels. Rossello and other US officials had argued that a waiver would expedite the shipping of supplies to the island.

 Nearly 1 million meals and about 2 million liters of water have been handed out as of Friday, according to FEMA.

Curfew hours reduced

 The government-mandated evening curfew instituted to prevent looting will now start at 9 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., Rossello said Friday. That gives citizens -- many of whom are spending hours in line at banks, fuel stations and groceries -- two extra hours to get tasks done. The curfews still end at 5 a.m.

 Truck drivers carrying essentials were declared exempt from the curfew Thursday.

Water

 Water service has been restored to about 45% to 50% of the island's customers, de la Campa said Friday. That's up from about 33% from Thursday, he said.

Hospitals

 Hospitals in Puerto Rico have been struggling to treat patients. Some don't have enough medication, while others have a shortage of fuel for generators.

 Officials have given conflicting information about the number of hospitals that are open. FEMA said Friday that 56 of the island's 69 hospitals are partially operational and one is fully functioning. Earlier, Rossello said 36 hospitals were open, with power delivered regularly or through diesel-powered generators.

 The US Army has been delivering fuel to hospitals as part of a rotation plan developed by FEMA to ensure the facilities have continuous power, officials said.

 Still many roads are impassable, preventing people from reaching medical facilities.

Gas stations

 Many Puerto Ricans are waiting in line for hours to get gas. There were about 100 cars backed up early Friday at one San Juan station. A man at the front of the line told CNN's Boris Sanchez he'd been there since 9 p.m. Thursday, and had slept in his car, waiting for the station to open.

 About 675 of the island's roughly 1,110 gas stations were working as of Friday evening, according to the Puerto Rican government's website for information on the recovery.

Bank closures

 Puerto Ricans are running low on money, and many businesses, such as supermarkets and gas stations, will accept only cash because credit card systems are down.

 At least half of all bank branches remain shuttered, in part because they can't get enough armored trucks with gas, or truck drivers, to deliver the cash safely.

 The roughly 90 open bank branches are limiting the amounts people can withdraw per day, the governor said Friday, to ensure everyone can get some cash, even if it might not be all they want.

 Banks are also struggling to get software and safety systems back online, according to Zoime Alvarez, vice president of the Association of Banks of Puerto Rico.

San Juan mayor: 'Damn it, this is not a good news story'

 San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz reacted with anger Friday to a statement from acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke, who had said earlier that the government's response in Puerto Rico "is really a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people."

 "Damn it, this is not a good news story. This is a 'people are dying' story. It's a life-or-death story," Cruz told CNN's "New Day" on Friday morning.

 Duke traveled to Puerto Rico on Friday. In San Juan, she told reporters that she is "happy" about how hard everyone is working but said that "there's much, much more work to do and we will never be satisfied" until people are safe and schools are open.

 Asked for her reaction to the mayor's rebuke, Duke said she was referring to how well everyone is working together: "The end of my statement about good news was, it was good news that the people of Puerto Rico, the many public servants of the US and the government of Puerto Rico are working together, and ... it's nice to see communities together trying to recover and support each other."

 Cruz, on "AC360," said there is a disconnect between the plan and what is happening. The mayor -- who was wearing a shirt that said "Help Us We Are Dying" -- said one of the problems is that FEMA wants people to use the Internet to register. She gave her FEMA supplies to another town, she told Cooper.

Other federal response

 The Pentagon has appointed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan to lead all military hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. Buchanan is commander of US Army North (5th Army).

 At least 10,000 federal relief workers are on the island, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Thursday.

 There are 4,400 active-duty US troops and about 2,800 National Guard forces in Puerto Rico.

Airports

 San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and eight other airfields are open or open with restrictions, FEMA said.

 The San Juan airport started allowing more than a dozen commercial passenger planes to fly in and out after air traffic control services were restored.

Seaports

The Port of San Juan and seven other ports were open Thursday, some with restrictions, the department said.

Rebuilding and moving forward

 The US Army Corps of Engineers have been assigned to help Puerto Rico rebuild its infrastructure, a FEMA deputy director said.

 The US Federal Highway Administration has announced the immediate availability of $40 million to help restore roads and bridges across the island and damage related to mudslides and flooding.

 The University of Central Florida and Miami Dade College are offering in-state tuition rates to displaced college students from Puerto Rico, officials said.

CNN's Tal Kopan and CNNMoney's Patrick Gillespie contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (AP)  Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner ended months of speculation Thursday and signed legislation allowing state health insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortions, a reversal of the first-term Republican's stance on the proposal last spring.

The Legislature, which is run by Democrats, approved the measure in May but delayed sending it to Rauner until Monday, in part because he has wavered on where he stands. As a candidate, Rauner supported expanding coverage for abortions, but in April said he opposed the legislation and Illinois should focus on economic issues.

Rauner's final word came at a news conference Thursday before signing the bill privately. He said while he'd talked to advocates on both sides, he always supported abortion rights and had to take action "consistent" with his views.

"The passions, the emotions, the sentiments on both sides of these issues are very powerful. I respect them very much," Rauner said. "I believe that a woman living with limited financial means should not be put in a position where she has to choose something different than a woman of higher income would be able to choose."

The law takes effect immediately.

Democrats argued all women should have the same access to abortion services. Republicans said taxpayers shouldn't be forced to fund a morally objectionable procedure, particularly when Illinois has major financial problems.

The annual taxpayer cost of abortions under the measure would be $1.8 million, according to Department of Healthcare and Family Services estimates.

The measure also removes language in Illinois law that states a desire to criminalize abortion if a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing the procedure is overturned. Democrats initially sold the bill as a means of keeping abortion legal if Roe v. Wade were dumped. President Donald Trump has promised to nominate Supreme Court justices bent on revisiting Roe.

The decision was politically difficult for Rauner, who's seeking re-election in 2018 and is considered among the most vulnerable governors nationwide.

The former venture capitalist won his first office in 2014, in part by getting support from independent suburban voters, especially women, with his pledge to have "no social agenda." Singing the bill earned him praise from top Illinois Democrats, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a onetime White House chief of staff under former President Barack Obama.

But criticism from conservatives and religious leaders who urged him to reject it poured in immediately.

Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, who ran with Rauner in 2014, said she disagreed with the governor as an anti-abortion Republican who was born to a teenage mother.

State Rep. Peter Breen, House Republican floor leader, called it a "breach of commitment" and said finding a primary challenger for Rauner "seemed inevitable."

"It's a betrayal," Breen said. "In politics you are only as good as your word."

Rauner said he tried to find a compromise but there wasn't support. He dismissed the impact on his political career.

The wealthy businessman with a massive campaign account is the main backer of the Illinois Republican Party. Several high-profile Democrats are vying for the chance to unseat Rauner, including billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker.

"Politics are politics," Rauner said.

Meanwhile, advocates for women's reproductive rights called Rauner's move an important step.

"Women across Illinois are empowered to make their own health care and life choices without interference from politicians," said Lorie Chaiten, director the reproductive rights project for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. "We are pleased the governor has stood with these women and made the right decision for our state."

More than two dozen states provide Medicaid coverage for abortions in cases of rape, incest or if the mother's life is in danger, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group supporting abortion rights. This is in keeping with the 1977 federal Hyde Amendment, which otherwise restricts federal funding for abortions.

But a state can use state-only funds from the state-federal program for women seeking abortions for other reasons. Seventeen states do that, 13 because of a court order.
Cheers

... to the family of Ken Radley of Bloomington, who recreated something he'd done in his neighborhood for years.

Radley recently died. Before his funeral a week ago, members of his family  daughter Brenda Koehler, son Russell, a granddaughter; a granddaughter-in-law and a great-granddaughter  did his "route" one last time, returning trash cans from curbside to his neighbors' homes.

After the funeral, 29 of his neighbors performed their own salute by lining up their cans in front of Ken's home in the Lake Ridge subdivision.

It was, as Maria Nagle's story put it, a poignant tribute to Mr. Radley, who said he did it every week to keep busy. He was not one to just sit around  even at the age of 85.

He will be missed.

Cheers

... to Habitat for Humanity of Logan County for marking its 25th anniversary of building homes for deserving families.

During that time, the organization has either built or renovated 22 homes and the 23rd home should be completed soon.

Cheers

...to Heartland Community Collge Presidenet Rob Widmer, who has been associated with higher education for four decades, including more than 20 at Heartland Community College, and who will retire as president of the Normal school next year.
Kudos to County Administrator Bill Wasson for bringing to the publics attention the necessity of creating one election authority for all residents of McLean County. After pointing out the confusion and inefficiencies of conducting elections by two separate agencies, the Bloomington Election Commission and the McLean County Clerk, Mr. Wasson went on to encourage the county board to participate in dialogue and work on a remedy for this problem.

The League of Women Voters of McLean County, after thorough study, reached a position several years ago that the best solution to this problem would be the creation of a county-wide election commission. The league does not favor consolidating elections functions into the county clerks office as we believe election functions should not be involved in party politics. McLean County does not need to look far for an example of this, as Peoria County created an election commission a few years ago.

The League of Women Voters of McLean County is looking forward to the beginning of this dialogue and is hopeful that the outcome will be a McLean County Election Commission.

Emily Vigneri, Bloomington

The writer is president, League of Women Voters of McLean County.
100 years ago

Sept. 29, 1917: Maj. Richard McCauley has died at Olney. From 1898 to 1912 he was in charge of the Soldiers Orphans Home (later ISSCS) in Normal. He was a veteran, a lawyer and Gov. Tanner had named him as a member of the Board of Pardons.

75 years ago

Sept. 29, 1942: The War Production Board has ordered 155 miles of the Illinois Traction Railroad scrapped, and its material given over to the war effort. ITR agreed, but was originally trying to end passenger service on the Peoria-Bloomington-Decatur line. This isnt over.

50 years ago

Sept. 29, 1967: Eureka got all dolled up as California Gov. Ronald Reagan returned to his alma mater to dedicate the Melick Library. Many merchants even repainted their storefronts for the occasion. Eureka, a town of 2,500, hosted a crowd estimated at 4,000 to 15,000 onlookers.

25 years ago

Sept. 29, 1992: From the Twin Cities to the Twin Cities: Northwest Airlink is adding daily flights from the Bloomington-Normal Airport to Minneapolis-St. Paul effective Nov. 16. Northwest already flies from Bloomington to Detroit.
Kemira Forms Joint Venture with Fatty Acid Chloride Producer in China Sept. 29, 2017 (Press Release) - Kemira has signed an agreement to form a joint venture - Kemira TC Wanfeng Chemicals Yanzhou ("NewCo") - with Shandong Tiancheng Wanfeng Chemical Technology ("Tiancheng"). NewCo will strengthen Kemira's position as the global leader in Pulp & Paper industry and supports the growth of water treatment. NewCo will mainly produce AKD wax and its key raw material fatty acid chloride (FACL). AKD wax, where the main component is based on renewable raw material, is a sizing chemical used in board and paper manufacturing to create resistance against liquid absorption. Kemira is the global market leader in sizing chemicals. In addition, NewCo plans to produce polyaluminum chloride (PAC) which is a coagulant for water treatment. Through the backward integration Kemira expands its position in the value chain. NewCo will provide a high-quality wax in the market at cost leadership position. NewCo creates globally the largest and most integrated AKD wax manufacturing unit and almost doubles Kemira's AKD wax capacity. NewCo's site is located in the same chemical park with Kemira's plant in Yanzhou, China and the proximity of the two sites results in savings from logistics costs. NewCo site also offers growth opportunities for other relevant chemicals. "The joint venture is a good strategic fit. We strengthen our position in the market with a quality asset and secure our supply of the key raw material for AKD wax. With the newly built site, we ensure our capacity utilization and support our customers better with our global delivery capability. At the same time, this enables us to grow even faster in APAC", says Kim Poulsen, President, Pulp & Paper. Kemira will have 80% and Tiancheng 20% of NewCo. Value of the investment for the 80% share is around EUR 55 million and Kemira will have an option to acquire Tiancheng's 20% in the coming years with pre-defined conditions. The deal is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2018. Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water-intensive industries. To learn more about Kemira, please visit www.kemira.com . SOURCE: Kemira
Hurrah, Danceteria, the Continental...Having worked the door at all those '80s haunts and more, Aleph Ashline was up in the grill of some wildly memorable nightlife. But the retired club worker from Santa Barbara made it through, thanks to a spiritual centeredness and a savviness as to when too much had gone too far. I caught up with Aleph for his remarkable story.



Hi, Aleph. It's been a while.

At least 35 years.

That's not much at all.

A drop in the bucket. By the way, I read the article about your accident. In it, you said you never want to miss an appointment. And you didn't. I'm impressed; it's 3:03 PM.

I actually waited three minutes so I wouldn't seem so pathetic. Anyway, what's the first club you did the door at?

Hurrah. I was working at Ruskay's, a restaurant on Columbus Avenue. Robert Boykin was one of the owners of Hurrah and would come in after work and flirt.

Did you sleep with him?

No, I didn't. He was definitely headed there, but it didn't ever end up there.

And how did he happen to offer you the job of doorman at Hurrah?

To the best of my recollection, it was force of personality. I had the lookspiky, white hair and whatever I was doing fashion-wise at the time. He had a penchant for blonde boys. He'd ask for me because I was one of the overnight waiters. I became his regular waiter. I was friendly with him and let him do cocaine at the table. They had mirrored tables! This was in 1979. After about a year, I went from there to the first Danceteria. Haoui Montaug and I had been at the door of Hurrah. I learned everything from Haoui. We became fast friends.

Hurrah had such a New Wave-y crowd that was very much of its time.

It was. Like B-52 ish.

And Talking Heads-y.

Yes. It was very fun. I met David Bowie and a bunch of other people. In those days, if you scored a job like thatI got paid $200 a night in cash, and that was four nights a week. That was $800 a week with no taxes. Of course I didn't save any money, but it was an amazing stroke of luck.

What did you spend the money on?

I just paid the bills and ate food and paid for my drugs when I had to. When one's a doorman, one does become a bit of a coke whore.

I've heard that. Did you get tips on top of the $200?

Usually it was in the form of drugs. Somebody would hand me a little vial. If anybody handed me money, I don't really recall that.

A lot of those New Wave-y people were very snooty, like they were too cool for school, no?

Yes. Even the punk rockers were snooty. I'm gregarious, so that uppity, strike-a-pose thing didn't sit well with me.

If someone gave you attitude, did you deny them admission?

Very easily, yeah. I'd already been waiting tables for years. I'd be like, "Don't take that tone with me, you little turd!" [laughs] Haoui was the same way. I was a little more blunt about it. But the people we turned away more were

Bridge and tunnel people?

Exactly right. Especially if they were all male. When I worked the Mudd Club, [owner] Steve Mass would say, "I don't want any groups of guys if they don't come with women." You'd see guys striking a deal with women in the street, to get them to come with them so they'd get in. We saw what they were doing, and wouldn't let them in. One guy at the Continental [an after-hours club] got so mad he threw a bottle at me from a car. Fortunately, it missed me.

What was the order of clubs you worked at?

Hurrah was first, then Danceteria, then AM-PMI was a running joke; "Where's Aleph working?"then Jefferson. Mudd was somewhere in there. I worked there after Gennaro Palermo, just for a couple of months. I was a blip on the Mudd screen. Some of them I was working simultaneously. When I was working at Continental, Bobby Bradley hired me for the Pyramid.

Who were your favorite people to talk to at the door?

Bowie was always relaxed. I met him three times. Your old pal [nightlife columnist] Stephen Saban was always one of my favorites. And [club major domo] Fred Rothbell-Mista, who I actually knew from Boston.

You always projected a personality that was sunny, not troubled. Maybe that's why some people tried to take advantage?

I'm not confrontational, but I have a low tolerance for too much bullshit. There was the time I wouldn't let David Lee Roth into AM-PM because he was such an incredible dick. He was drunk, he thought he was king of world, and he pushed people aside, shoving up to where we were standing. I didn't know who he was-- someone had to tell me. He was trying to tell me a "Do you know who I am?" kind of a thing. I don't think I knew who Van Halen was. That wasn't in our circle of things to care about. I still didn't let him in. He and his friends were getting pissed and looked like they were maybe gonna cause some violence. Kenny O'Brien, a girly gay guy with a raspy voice, who always wore leather, finally convinced me to let him in. [Manager] Vito Bruno came out and told me I shouldn't have let him in. But mostly it was very easy. For me, it was like hanging with the cool kids, which I never did in high school.

Were you spiritual? What was your world view?

It was and is pretty basic, like maybe Buddhist would be the closest thing. I grew up in California, so I had a good strong dose of all that, with LSD and everything. Live and let live, be tolerant and relaxed about everything.

But how did you rectify that with the fact that clubs are so frantic?

That's the Buddhist thing about staying in your center. I was calm. That's in my nature.

Even with David Lee Roth?

Even calm people can be provoked. [laughs]

Did you have a larger plan at the time that went beyond nightclubs?

No, and I wish I had. I started taking too many drugs because it was so easy. That leads up to when I left New York because I was partying along and then very stupidly I started using harder drugs. Right then in my head, it was "This is too far." I couldn't see how this could end well. This was '84. I went back to Santa Barbara, and never did another drug in my entire life. Without rehab. I don't think I was addicted in that intense way. I just stopped. It was very weird to leave New York. At that time it was very, very fun and Santa Barbara was not fun. The fun had to be found in a different way.

What club were you working at when you left New York?

The Pyramid was the last one. It was a drug den. I have some great memories of there too, one being the lovely [performance artist] Ethyl Eichelberger. Amidst all the drag queens, it can be quite catty and bitchy. She wasn't like that. She was more to my kind of personality of sort of floating around and allowing whatever was happening to happen without getting involved in the catty details.

And where are you today?

I live in Albany. I've been with my partner for 31 years. I'm retired, which is absolutely fabulous. I do art work for myselfI thought I'd be an artist, then decided I wasn't good enough to pursue it in a serious way, so I do it for myself. I sound like a housewife and I have three grandchildren as well.

Aleph today

Mudd Club doorman Richard Boch is also painting and living upstate.



We're artsy types.

When you were a popular doorman, were people throwing themselves at you for sex?

A little bit, but I didn't take anybody up on that. This was before AIDS. But because I got high with all these people, we'd go places afterwards, and one thing would lead to another. The actual stopping and having any kind of a relationship is what saved me from getting HIV. I was almost asexual during those times.

How did you meet your partner, Don Paul Shannon?

I met him in Santa Barbara through a mutual friend. It was a love at first sight thing. We still get along like gangbusters.

Oh, the stories you could tell him!

Splash photo by Emily Armstrong










After a mind-numbing summer of comic book-like films aimed at over-caffeinated 15- year-old boys it's a bit of a shock to be confronted with a wild array of sensational, unique, sometimes funny, occasionally confrontational, and poetically personal movies like the wonderful mix at this year's New York Film Festival. Aside from the great ones I've seen already, I'm still looking forward to some I haven't seen yet like Richard Linklater's road movie Last Flag Flying, Greta Gerwig's directorial debut Lady Bird, and the closing night film, Woody Allen's Wonder Wheel set in Coney Island in the 1950s with Kate Winslet and Justin Timberlake. But here are 10 I've seen and love:

Call Me By Your Name

Courtesy Sony Picture Classics/NYFF

Set in the north of Italy in 1983 at a sun-kissed villa, ripe with peach trees and mountain spring filled lakes, a professor (Michael Stuhlbarg) is awaiting his new assistant to help him for the summer. Oliver (a sensational Armie Hammer) arrives -- handsome, brash, smart, confident -- charming men and women alike. The professor's precocious 17-year-old son Elio (Timothee Chalamet) slowly discovers himself hopelessly lusting over him. Director Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love) is great at creating sensual environments to frame his dramas and this setting is romantically sumptuous. Based on a novel by Andre Aciman, it's an extraordinary, gorgeous, heart-shredding film with an astounding, utterly fearless, performance by Timothee Chalamet, whose awkward pangs of love are palpable.

The Other Side Of Hope

Courtesy Janus Films/NYFF

Director Aki Kaurismaki brings his mordant humor and humanity to this poignant tale of a Syrian refugee who attempts to find sanctuary in Finland. Actually, there are two stories that converge -- one about Khaled (Sherwan Haji) who smuggles himself in a ship's coal bin and then tries to navigate the legal system for asylum. The other story is about Wiksrom (Sakari Kuosmanen), who leaves his wife, sells his shirt business, and then buys a seedy bar/restaurant, inheriting the misfit staff. The small acts of kindness that Khaled encounters in his journey offsets the roving bands of racists that roam the streets menacingly.

The Florida Project

Courtesy Marc Schmidt and A24/NYFF

Director Sean Baker (Tangerine) has a sweet affection for the fringe people and disenfranchised. His new film focuses on the tawdry residents living in a strip of garishly colored motels just outside Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. But he does so without snark or imperious irony. But this story is really about the kids who have a great time every day around these motels -- exploring the abandoned houses nearby, causing mischief, eating ice cream, running wild. It's the Our Gang for the twenty tens, and you feel the exhilarating anarchy of youth in every frame. Willem Dafoe is just terrific as the stern, watchful-eyed motel manager. And Brooklynn Prince as 6-year-old Moonee is so natural and engaging and hilarious it propels this sensational movie into the stratosphere.

BPM (Beats Per Minute)

Courtesy The Orchard/NYFF

A devastating, profoundly moving film by Robin Campillo about the French Act-Up faction in Paris, France in the 1990s. In almost documentary style we are plunged into the testy meetings and newsworthy actions they plan to pull off, making sure lawmakers don't forget that people are dying and nothing seems to be getting done. This was right on the cusp of the breakthrough protease inhibitor treatment, but many of the group would tragically not live long enough to see this turning point. Much of the movie is about the new guy in the group Nathan (Arnaud Valois) and his love affair with funny, but very sick, rabble-rouser Sean (an astonishing Nahuel Perez Biscayart). We really feel the camaraderie and passions of this activist group.



Faces Places

Courtesy Cohen Media Group/NYFF

Famed Belgian director Agnes Varda teams up with JR (photographer/street artist) to travel along the French countryside, stopping along the way to interview and photograph people in a van capable of producing oversized pictures that are pasted onto the sides of buildings. Varda is in her late 80s and with vision problems, but she and the 34-year-old artist JR are like kids when they are together. Not only do they inspire each other and are creatively compatible, they truly enjoy each other's company. Varda also has a way of connecting with all the interesting people they come across. An ill-fated adventure to visit Jean-Luc Godard at the end is quite poignant. A joyous, delightful, experience.

Boom For Real: The Late Teenage Years Of Jean-Michel Basquiat

Courtesy Robert Carrithers/NYFF

One of the high points of this year's New York Film Festival is Sara Driver's exhilarating, sensational, documentary about the early years of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. New York in the '70s was in full economic blight. The Lower East Side looked like a post-war bombed-out cityscape but became a mecca for young artists, writers, musicians, and film makers. Using incredible archival footage and witty interviews with other artists, curators and friends of Basquiat, the film creates a rich portrait of this very young, ambitious, good-looking, practically homeless, but talented artist. From his early graffiti days and how his art evolved and deepened, the film follows his meteoric rise. It's also a loving portrait of those fabulously fucked-up bohemian days in the city.

Wonderstruck

Courtesy Amazon Studios/NYFF

Todd Haynes' transcendently beautiful new film has two storylines. One (shot in black and white) is in the '20s where a young deaf girl named Rose (Millicent Simmonds) runs away to New York City to see a movie star (Julianne Moore) who is performing on stage. The other thread is about a young boy, Ben (Oakes Fegley), in the 1970s who recently lost his mother and had his hearing impaired by a freak accident. He sets off to New York City, also, in search of a father he has never met. Seamlessly these stories eventually converge in a way that left me in quiet awe. A film as mysterious as it magical and infinitely moving.

Thelma

Courtesy The Orchard/NYFF

In Norwegian director Joachim Trier's simmering supernatural psychological drama, Thelma (Eili Harboe) is a lonely student at college in Oslo, raised by devoutly Christian parents, who strikes up a friendship with a fellow student Anja (Kaya Wilkins) and slowly falls in love with her. These powerful, deeply conflicting emotions cause her to have a series of epileptic-like seizures, coinciding with spooky flocks of crows racing towards the windows of her school. As the movie progresses and more secrets from her childhood are revealed, we discover Thelma has certain disturbing powers that have been dormant since she was little and are alarmingly returning with a vengeance.

Voyeur

Courtesy Netflix/NYFF

In 1980, respected journalist Gay Talese received an intriguing letter from Gerald Foos, a man who had a motel in Colorado that he had outfitted with hidden ceiling vents so he could spy on the guests. He kept detailed notebooks year after year which he considered his life's "research." Talese traveled to Colorado and, after joining Foos on a voyeuristic view of the motel's customers, decided to make this into a book. This is one of those rare documentary films that is so bizarre, creepy, and fascinating it's utterly riveting.



The Meyerowitz Stories (New And Selected)

Courtesy Atsushi Nishijima and Netflix/NYFF

Director Noah Baumbach has often told stories about scholarly parents and the emotional havoc they perpetrate on their children, but never as consistently funny or as intently poignant as this film. Dustin Hoffman plays patriarch Harold, a retired art teacher in New York and sculptor of some renown, who has always been rankled by the artistic acclaim his friends have received. His favorite son Matthew (an excellent Ben Stiller) is financially successful but conspicuously lives with his wife and child far away in LA. Danny (Adam Sandler -- never better), who was once musically gifted, has raised his lovely, filmmaker daughter (Grace Van Patten) who is just starting college at Bard. And then there's sadsack sister Jean (a sublime Elizabeth Marvel). Emma Thompson plays Harold's tipsy wife. An illness causes the family to congregate later in the film and all the harbored resentments spill out. But it's always really hilarious -- even the quick-cut editing (interrupting a shout) nails big laughs. But there is a real sting in some of laughter which is often thrillingly affecting. The movie keeps surprising you -- it's just the best.

Splash photo from Thelma courtesy The Orchard/NYFF


It's been a tough year for Samsung beyond having their top executive being found guilty in a corruption scandal. To start the year off Patently Apple posted a report titled "Reality Strikes Samsung as Smartphone Sales Drop to Lowest Level since 2011." A Telegraph report had shown that Samsung's smartphones fell to a five year low. Hopes were that the new Galaxy S8 would correct their woes but the Korea Herald reported in early July that S8 sales were down a whopping 20% in contrast to their S7 2016 model. By late July Patently Apple posted a report titled "While Apple is Still Holding on to Fifth Spot in China, Samsung has fallen from Grace with a Paltry 3% Market Share." The Nikkei Asian Review posted a report just yesterday titled "Samsung and Lenovo stumble in China's smartphone market."

In addition to falling smartphone sales, Qualcomm announced that they were switching to TSMC for certain 7nm processors and today we've learned that Samsung is being sued for patent infringement by Tessera, a subsidiary of Xperi Corporation.

Officially Tessera Technologies, Inc. ("Tessera") and certain of its subsidiaries filed legal proceedings today against Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. ("Samsung") and certain of its affiliates, alleging infringement of 24 patents that cover a wide range of semiconductor processing, bonding, and packaging technologies, as well as imaging technologies.

The legal proceedings were filed in the U.S. International Trade Commission, three U.S. federal district courts, and certain international jurisdictions, alleging infringement by Samsung's semiconductor products, its Galaxy S6, S7, S8, and Note 8 smartphones, and other products.

"Samsung has benefited from its use of our semiconductor technologies for 20 years, having entered into its first license with Tessera, Inc. in 1997.

Samsung has also been a customer of our FotoNation imaging technologies, and has expressed interest in certain of our other solutions. Samsung's most recent semiconductor patent license expired in December 2016, but we believe it is continuing to use our patented technologies without authorization, and without paying us fair compensation," said Jon Kirchner, the Company's CEO.

"We diligently tried to work through our differences with Samsung over an extended period of time, and while we remain in dialogue, unfortunately at this point the parties have not been able to come to an agreement."

"Although we always prefer to reach negotiated license agreements, Samsung has left us with no choice but to defend our intellectual property rights through these legal actions," Kirchner added. "We are confident in the breadth and quality of the proceedings we initiated today and we strongly believe these actions are in the best interests of the Company, our other licensees, and our shareholders."

The Company's affiliates filed a Total of 10 Legal Proceedings

Tessera Advanced Technologies, Inc. ("TATI") filed a complaint against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. with the U.S. International Trade Commission, and a corresponding complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging infringement of two patents relating to "wafer level packaging" semiconductor technologies. The patents at issue are U.S. Patent Nos. 6,954,001 and 6,784,557.

Invensas Bonding Technologies, Inc. (formerly Ziptronix, Inc.) filed an action against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging infringement of six patents relating to the Company's semiconductor bonding technologies. The patents at issue are U.S. Patent Nos. 7,553,744; 7,807,549; 7,871,898; 8,153,505; 9,391,143; and 9,431,368.

Invensas Corporation ("Invensas") filed an action against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Austin Semiconductor, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging infringement of two patents relating to semiconductor processing technologies. The patents at issue are U.S. Patent Nos. 6,849,946 and 6,232,231.

FotoNation Limited and DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS filed an action against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of eight patents relating to imaging technologies. The patents at issue are 8,254,674; 8,331,715; 7,860,274; 7,697,829; 7,574,016; 7,620,218; 7,916,897; and 8,908,932.

Invensas filed an action against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of five patents relating to semiconductor processing and ball grid array packaging technologies. The patents at issue are 6,849,946; 6,232,231; 6,054,336; 6,566,167; and 6,825,554.

TATI filed an action against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of two patents relating to wafer level packaging: U.S. Patent Nos. 6,512,298 and 6,852,616.

Invensas filed two actions in the Regional Court of Mannheim, Germany, one against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and another against Samsung Electronics GmbH, alleging infringement of the German designation of European Patent No. EP 1 186 034 B1 ("EP '034 patent"). The EP '034 patent relates to a patented semiconductor interconnect technology.

Invensas also filed an action in the District Court of The Hague, Netherlands, against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics Benelux B.V., Samsung Electronics Europe Logistics B.V., and two of Samsung's European distributors, Bol.com B.V. and Wehkamp B.V., alleging infringement of the same EP '034 patent.





About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
Patna: Top district officials in Patna on Thursday held a high-level meeting at the Gandhi Maidan to review preparedness for Dussehra and the ensuing 'slaying of Demon King Ravan' on Saturday to mark the end of the 10-day festival in the presence of an estimated crowd of five lakh.

In the joint briefing of the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj, Judicial Magistrates, Traffic SPs, and other senior officials, it was decided to allow entrance into the Gandhi Maidan around 1:00 pm on Saturday with the torching of Ravan taking place at around 5:30 pm.

All the gates will be open at all times to avoid any stampede at the end of the function, the District Magistrate Sanjay Agrawal said adding all the security officials and magistrates would take their place by 1:00 pm to monitor activities from all angles.

A watch tower to be manned by senior police officials has been installed at all gates. Equipped with public address (PA) systems and security cameras, these watch towers will monitor all activities throughout the event and will remain in touch with other officials and watch towers at all time in the event of an emergency.

Altogether 70 security cameras have been installed at the maidan and each gate will have the presence of a well-equipped ambulance manned by a senior doctor. The ambulances will be carrying emergency paraphernalia like oxygen tank, life-saving drugs, and para-medical staff and will remain in constant touch with the main control center set up at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

The administration has also issued a directive banning passing of immersion processions right after the 'Ravan Dahan' program.

"Until the entire crowd has gone from the Gandhi Maidan, no one will be allowed to take out immersion procession that must go through the maidan," the Traffic SP said.

To keep utmost control on the crowd heading for idol immersion, the administration has allowed the use of only six ghats and one pond including Digha Ghat, Collectorate Ghat, Kali Ghat, Gai Ghat, Bhadra Ghat, and Manikchand Pon, formerly known as the Mangal Talab.
Turkey Calls For Summit With Iran, Iraq Over Kurdish Independence Vote

09/29/17

Source: RFE/RL

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on September 28 that he wants to hold a summit with Iranian and Iraqi leaders to coordinate their response to the Kurdish vote for independence in Iraq. "We are planning to come together in the near future to coordinate the steps to be taken for the next period," Yildirim told reporters in Turkey. "We want a three-way summit," he said.

Yildirim's office said he discussed the referendum in a phone conversation with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on September 28.



Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey all have sizable Kurdish populations and have had to deal for years with Kurdish restiveness and calls for autonomy.



The biggest share of the approximately 30 million Kurds in the region live in Turkey, which for decades has battled the PKK Kurdish militant group fighting for independence within its borders.



Although the Kurdish region in northern Iraq already has a considerable degree of autonomy from Baghdad, its voters this week endorsed a nonbinding resolution calling for independence by a margin of 92.7 percent.



Baghdad, Ankara, and Tehran have refused to recognize the results of the vote and are now seeking to pressure the Iraqi Kurds to back down on their bid for independence by cutting economic ties and isolating the region.



Turkey has threatened to shut its border with Iraq's Kurdish region and halt the flow of oil from that region through a pipeline to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan.



Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi's office said on September 28 that Turkey also agreed to deal only with the Baghdad government in the future on crude oil exports.



Iraqi Kurdish officials say they can withstand an economic blockade because they are self-sufficient in power generation and fuel supply, and have fertile agricultural land.



They also say that most of the trucks crossing the Turkish border are only traveling through the Kurdish region on their way to territory controlled by Baghdad, so any blockade would hurt Turkey's and Iraq's economy as well as the Kurdish region.



With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

Copyright (c) 2017 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
Q&A: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's Husband Speaks Out About Dual National's Imprisonment in Iran

09/29/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran

The husband of imprisoned Iranian dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe speaks to CHRI about her case and their lives since she was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards in April 2016.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe never imagined she would be arrested and ultimately sentenced to five years in prison when she entered Tehran's international airport on her way back home to the UK after visiting her parents. But nightmare became reality on April 3, 2016 when the Revolutionary Guards' Intelligence Organization detained the London-based Iranian-British citizen, her baby in her arms.

Nazanin was denied access to a lawyer for the first 130 days of her detainment, which included extended periods of solitary confinement and repeated interrogations, her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) in an interview on September 21, 2017. The British passport of their 22-month-old daughter, Gabriella-whom Nazanin had just finished breastfeeding-was also confiscated and she was placed in the care of her elderly grandparents in Tehran.

"Gabriella has been calling her granny 'mom'... and that has been very hard for Nazanin," Richard told CHRI during a trip to New York amid the UN General Assembly. "Having her baby taken away from her has been like having part of her ripped away."

Three days before her trial, Nazanin, who worked for the charitable arm of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was allowed to meet with an Iranian lawyer for 30 minutes. She wasn't allowed to speak for herself or to anyone during the court session, in which she was issued a five-year prison sentence for "national security" charges that Richard says were never specified to Nazanin or the public. Her lawyer was also personally prosecuted for what he had written in her formal defense.

On September 28, the day after she was diagnosed with advanced depression, Nazanin was denied furlough. The temporary leave-typically granted to prisoners in Iran for a variety of familial, holiday, and medical reasons-is routinely denied to political prisoners as a form of additional punishment.

"She still goes up and down, and it's related to seeing Gabriella or not seeing her," Richard, whose marriage and fatherhood have been reduced to scant phone calls, told CHRI. "It's related to hope, of being promised things and seeing them taken away."

Can you tell us what happened with Nazanin and where her case is at today?

Nazanin was taken in April 2016 while she was on holiday with Gabriella, who was then just before her second birthday. She was taken down to Kamran Prison and later Evin Prison in Tehran and has been held at times in solitary confinement and now in the women's political ward and is currently still there.

I have been campaigning for her release for almost a year and a half now. This week I'm in New York for the UN General Assembly, to try and meet with different missions and country heads to advocate for Nazanin's case. We're saying it's outrageous that she has been held, that she was just [in Iran] for holiday, and has been kept for secret reasons. We also are saying that Nazanin's case is not unique; there are a number of other families who had people taken and this is a problem that not only Iran needs to address, but also the rest of the world.



Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with husband Richard Ratcliffe and daughter Gabriella



What kind of legal representation has Nazanin had in Iran and has she been fairly served?

Nazanin didn't have a lawyer for the first 130 days of her detention and was told she didn't need one at regular points. She was taken to court in August of 2016 and three days before her court case she was allowed to meet her lawyer for half an hour. On the day of the trial, she wasn't allowed to speak to her lawyer and she wasn't allowed to speak at all at her trial. Afterwards, Nazanin was allowed to prepare a written defense and to meet with her lawyer-before she was allowed to do that she had to sit blind-folded as her interrogators read her defense and decided whether she was allowed to share it and asked her questions while she was still blind-folded.

After that, her appeal hearing wasn't set for another three months. Her trial was in August 2016 and the appeal was in January 2017 and her lawyer was personally prosecuted-both times she was sentenced to five years in prison. A separate case against him was also raised. And she had a Supreme Court review, which her lawyer was able to present, but again that failed.

Nazanin's lawyer was personally prosecuted?

He was prosecuted for "unprofessionalism" in his defense of Nazanin. They had objected to things that were written in the papers. He has not met Nazanin since January 2017. She now also has a second lawyer.

How did the judiciary's decision to prosecute her first lawyer affect Nazanin's case?

It sent a clear signal of pressure to him as much as Nazanin having to sit blindfolded while she defended herself did. It's very clear pressure, and there have been a number of ways that the whole court process has been astounding to look at from the outside. I was amazed that Nazanin wasn't allowed to speak at her trial. Certainly her lawyer has been wary about speaking out in public and you can understand why.

How do you communicate with Nazanin?

Now Nazanin is in the political prisoner's ward with the other women, and she's allowed a weekly phone call. As time has gone on, she has been allowed an hour's call a week. So if another prisoner's slot is not used up, she can use their minutes to contact me. It could be one phone call, or split into different calls. That's a big improvement because three months ago there wasn't a phone in the ward. You had to be taken somewhere else, and so it was very infrequent. And for a long time she was blocked from calling me.

What do you and Nazanin talk about?

That has changed over the last nine months. When she was kept in solitary confinement, every phone call, which would be at the discretion of the Revolutionary Guards, they would be standing there. They were quite short phone calls, and very emotionally intense. We didn't do much apart from crying and saying 'I miss you.' When you haven't spoken for two months, that's all that really happens, just a reassurance that I'm still here. All the phone calls are recorded, but there's not someone standing there now. And I'll say what I'll say. There's nothing hidden about our campaigning.

Speaking to each other has become really important, as this has gone on so long now, the ease of which you can feel forgotten, and that nothing works and no one cares. It's very easy for her to get very low and that she's at the end of the world. So the fact that people care, follow her story, that we have a petition and people leave messages for her, it's all really important for her. It's also important for her that her family-me but also her wider family-is standing up for her.

There was that early period when her interrogators said, your husband has abandoned you, he has found another woman and is going to take your daughter away. And then she'd be on the phone, 'please don't take my baby away from me." So the campaigning was important, so she could know that was a lie, and her family is standing by her. And in the end, we will rebuild a life together.

We also did a play, based on my words and Nazanin's words, and it's incredibly moving. For Nazanin, the fact that people came and watched it, that sense that your story is still alive and you're not alone, is always the most important thing for me about campaigning. It's that, you know, if she feels that there are no other options and she has to take matters into her own hands-in Iran that means doing something very drastic to your health, liking stopping eating. Part of the campaigning is to say, you will come back and there will be a tomorrow. Part of it is also to say, I'm doing different things, don't lose hope.





Gabriella was so young when she was separated from her mother. How have they been faring?

Gabriella was 22-months-old when they were separated and Nazanin had only just finished breast-feeding her at that point, so before her arrest, they had not been outside of each other's company-just once, for one day. So that first 45 days where they didn't get to see each other were deeply traumatic for Nazanin in particular and for Gabriella as well and she certainly would have been waking up in the night crying, calling out for mummy.

Back then Gabriella couldn't speak Farsi or English, so her ability to communicate was very limited, but at least she knew her granny. Her grandma has been looking after her for the past year and a half now-so half of Gabriella's life now. Gabriella has been calling her granny "maman," so in a way, her grandmother has become her mother figure and that has been very hard for Nazanin. Having her baby taken away from her has been like having part of her ripped away.

So now Gabriella's a little Iranian baby. She's three and can speak Farsi fluently. She goes to nursery and she misses her mom, misses her dad, and does various things. She gets to visit Nazanin once a week, sometimes twice a week, and so those visits they're coloring, and they're discovering nice things to do as mother and daughter.

Three-year-old Gabriella goes to Evin Prison once a week?

Yes. Before she used to talk about prison as being mommy's bedroom. And now she knows it's Evin Prison and there are other children there she gets to see and if someone asks her in the park where's your mommy, she says she's in prison and then her grandmother has to explain, no, she's not in prison for the reason you think.

She knows she sees mommy in one place, and speaks to her daddy on the phone and in a different way. We've been separated now for 18 months and I maintain a relationship with Gabriella that is really around playing funny games with her and her dancing and Nazanin has a different way, which is around doing drawing together. So Gabriella will never dance in prison.

I can't speak Farsi and Gabriella now kind of understands English, but she has essentially lost her English and so it gets translated to her on Skype. The visual games, like "boo" still work, and now she goes to a nursery and they speak English, so she has an Iranian accent. The English will come back, I hope.

So that was very hard for me when I realized that last summer, that she was understanding English less and less and was adapting to just Farsi.





Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her daughter Gabriella



How is Nazanin's health?

Her health has gone through phases. She went in perfectly healthy and at times has been in poor health as a consequence of her treatment. She was interrogated fairly ruthlessly for the first month, they went through her personal online accounts, email, Facebook. She works for a media charity, so they asked her about its operations. It wasn't all day every day, but it would be for a few hours, and then you would be left alone.

She lost a lot of weight in that process, she lost 7 kilos; she was 52 when she went in and then dropped right down to 46, and clearly she was very traumatized. She was kept in a room without windows, not seeing anyone apart from her interrogators, if she cooperated, she would be allowed a phone call.

When she came out of solitary-she came out after we started campaigning-she couldn't walk without blackouts. During family visits, she didn't have the strength to stand; Gabriella had to be lifted onto her lap. And it took a long time for her family to share that with me, just how bad she was.

Obviously our understanding of her health was very sheltered at the time. And then I discovered she had been suicidal, that she had gone as far as writing a suicide note, and had gone on a hunger strike for five or six days in the Autumn of 2016. So her health was poor and desperate. And when she got moved out to the general cells, which was just after her appeal around Christmas time, there were a couple of weeks where she was okay, and then almost like a physical reaction to everything that had happened before, physically she seized up. She had neck and shoulder problems, and she had to just lie down due to the spasms. And she was just getting panic attacks and collapsed without any reason.

And then she was taken to see a neurological specialist who said she should be admitted to a hospital immediately and she wasn't. That never happened. What happened in the end was she was given some physiotherapy. The referral was in February 2017, she started in April, and she got 20 sessions. She's not perfect, but now she can do chores in the prison and move her hand.

She still goes up and down and its related to seeing Gabriella or not seeing her. It's related to hope, of being promised things and seeing them taken away.

After a long time she was allowed to see an outside psychiatrist and has had a number of sessions outside of the prison and accepted some medication because she was getting fixated on the injustice, thinking that this will never end, and so that calmed her down a bit. Just recently, she has been going down again. I can always feel when she's going down again, if I don't do something to give her hope again, then we're left in a dark place. There are scars there that will take time to heal.

What about you Richard? How have you been coping?

So all this has been a discovery, obviously, and a long journey, and it has gone through phases for me: shock, disbelief and disorientation. I didn't do anything for the first couple of weeks, I just thought it would sort itself out. I thought, this is Iran, things like this happen, and she hasn't done anything, so it will pass. And then for me the hard part was realizing I had done nothing while all of this was going on for Nazanin. I was unable to work, unable to sleep. But campaigning has been good for me. It has given me a way of telling her story, feeling like I'm doing something. It's not campaigning as therapy, but it is effective.

I am sure campaigning is the best way to get her home. Her father's not sure. We have tensions within the family. But campaigning is the only way we can say this is wrong, things have to change. Out of respect for Iran, I'm telling you [Iran], this is wrong. I'm not bluffing, I'm not lying and Nazanin should be immediately released.

The hard part about all this is that there is no roadmap. Different families struggle their way through it. You get different advice, even from within the same organizations. And it's all a bit arbitrary. Even why it started, and why it will end. But I learned to go with my gut instinct, to listen to people but go with my instinct and keep mindful of what's important for Nazanin now and in the future, and the rehabilitation. What's important is the rehabilitation.

What does Nazanin think about the charges against her?

Legally, she has never had charges presented to her, but they are national security related-issues. My understanding is that she was imprisoned for working for the Thomson Reuters Foundation's charity and before she worked for a different one, which was BBC Media Action. That translated into "membership in organizations working against the state."

She always thought it was nonsense. The truth is she was in Iran on holiday, and was taken. Now she feels a profound sense of injustice. Many Iranians want to just be normal, to go visit their family, and be proud of Iran, of all it is and all it could be. And she was sort of hopeful about the nuclear deal, thinking everyone can finally see what a great country Iran is. So there is bitterness really, like, 'how can you pick me out and create all these lies.' This is not the country I was proud of, the country that I wanted to show to my daughter, my husband, and my in-laws. And then there is the personal part, how can you keep me away from my daughter for so long? You know this is wrong. The whole world can see what you're doing.

And Nazanin was not political. You always have the illusion that people who get into trouble are in politics, and you believe that if you don't get involved in politics, you're safe. And that's not true. People have always said there's no smoke without fire, and they turned to crazy theories. And she really was just there on holiday, and wanted to show off Gabriella to her family in Iran. That was the purpose of going there. Before all this happened, we were talking about going to live in Iran for years. And that has all been taken away.
Iran may abandon nuclear deal if US withdraws: Foreign Minister

09/29/17

Source: Press TV

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran may walk away from the 2015 nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of countries if the US withdraws from the agreement. "If Washington decides to pull out of the deal, Iran has the option of withdrawal and other options," the Twitter feed of the Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera quoted Zarif as saying in an exclusive interview on Thursday.



Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

cartoon by Hossein Safi





The remarks came amid repeated threats by Washington to quit the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).



Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China - plus Germany signed the JCPOA in July 2015 and started implementing it in January 2016.



Under the deal, Iran applied some limits to its nuclear program in exchange for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against it.



The administration of US President Donald Trump, which took over in January 2017, one year after the JCPOA came into force, has been actively seeking a pretext to unilaterally withdraw from the deal or undermine it.



All the other parties to the deal have, in contrast, have stressed that the nuclear accord must be sustained.



Earlier this month, Trump said the JCPOA was "an embarrassment to the United States" and "one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into."



World against Trump's threats

cartoon by Iranian daily Roozan



The Trump administration has twice certified Iran's compliance with the deal in notifications to the US Congress under an American law. But it has signaled that a third verification - due in mid-October - would not be forthcoming.



Elsewhere in his interview, Zarif said, "Washington will be in a better position if it remains committed to the deal."



Last week, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned that any US move to scrap Iran's nuclear deal would discourage other countries from going to the negotiating table to discuss their nuclear activities.



European Union's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, also said last week that the nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries worked fine and belonged to the entire world, not just the United States.



"I have said many times that the agreement is working fine, [and] the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) [has] confirmed several times that Iran is fulfilling its obligations," Mogherini said.
Officials of Ports, Seamen, Maritime and Dockers Union (PSMDU), a rival union operating at PSC Tema Shipyard have denied allegations of assault against members of Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDU).



In a statement issued last Wednesday,September 20, 2017 PSMDU described the allegations against them as absolutely false and baseless.



It would be recalled that last week members of MDU in a statement alleged that two of their officials, Abdul Razark and Abubakari Salifu were assaulted by some members of PSMDU.



We are calling on the general public to disregard the allegations by MDU, the statement said.



Conversely PSMDU in the statement alleged that, in 2016, MDU encouraged and supported some Shipyard workers to attack and drive out some managers from the company.



Just to mention a few, the following managers were beaten and driven out of the yard Salim Bin kasim, Annuar Mohammed, Yew Bin Sin and Ismail Mohammed, all Malaysian managers.



Others were Ayiku, former head of training, E. B Musey former corporate Affairs Manager, and Mohammed Sayibu, former procurement manager. In 2017, Mr. Kwame Asare Duah, former head of finance was beaten and this led to management lock-out the entire junior staff in December, the statement said.



According to PSMDU, the attacks on Mr. Kwame Asare Duah and W.O Habada occurred when Faruk Abdul Razark and Abubakari Salifu were MDU organizers and Deputy Chief shop steward respectively.



This purported false attacks raised by MDU on their workers, has resulted in MDU calling on Ghana Port and Harbours Authority to relieve acting Chief Executive officer of PSC Tema Shipyard, Captain Francis K. B Micah, the administrator and Estate officer of PSC Tema Shipyard, Mr. Samuel A. N Adjar of their positions the statement added.



The statement further debunked claims by a purported resolution passed by the Tema District Council of the MDU on Thursday September 14, 2017, seeking that GPHA as a matter of urgency, relieve Captain Francis K. B Micah, acting CEO of PSC Tema Shipyard, and Mr. Samuel A. N Adjar, the administrator and estate officer of PSC Tema Shipyard of their positions.

Source: Today









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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.
The Akufo-Addo government is in the process of awarding contracts for the repair of some 253 roads which are believed to be in deplorable condition.



Government had earlier complained that it inherited an GHc11.6 billion debt in the road sector from the Mahama administration, hence there was no money to fix faulty roads or construct new ones.



The debt overhang in the Ministry is huge; close to GH 11.6 billion in commitments, all contracts put together and that is big, Anthony Karbo, a deputy Minister of Roads told Citi News in August.



In the latest development however, the Ministry of Roads and Highways in a public notice, announced that it has started receiving bids for the patching of potholes as well as sectional repairs on the 253 trunk roads nationwide.



The Ministry of Roads and Highways, acting through the Ghana Highway Authority, invites sealed bids from eligible bidders i.e. MRH Classes A3-A4, to carry out routine maintenance works listed hereunder, the Ministry stated.





Under the project, the Central and Ashanti Regions have the highest number of beneficiary roads with 52 slots each, followed by the Eastern Region which has 42 roads earmarked to be fixed.



Brong Ahafo Region has the third highest list earmarked roads of 24, Western Region, 16, Northern Region, 15, Volta Region, 15, Greater Accra, 14.



Upper West and Upper East Regions have the lowest number of roads under the project which are 12 and 11 respectively.



Government conducts roll call of road construction companies



This comes on the back of moves by government to compile the list of road construction companies in the country.



The Ministry of Roads about two weeks ago, began compiling names of prospective companies who have the expertise to undertake works in respect of the following activities: Road line marketing, construction of pedestrian guard rails, construction of crush barriers, maintenance of green areas, pot-hole patching and vegetation control.



Osafo Maafo laments inflated cost of road projects



The NPP government had accused the former administration of awarding road contracts through restricted tendering.



Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, also on Monday, September 25, 2017, bemoaned what he calls corrupt practices within the countrys road sector.



According to him, some road contractors intentionally inflate the cost of roads, adding that, such practices have had adverse effect on the countrys funding sources.



Speaking at an event to officially commence the upgrade of the Accra-Tema Motorway on Monday, Osafo- Maafo said the cost of road construction in Ghana must conform to international standards.



If you go to the score card of the Ghana Institution of Engineers, they describe the sources of our poor performance in the road sector. They talk about lack of adequate funds, technical know-how, but they also talk about corruption. Its something we should also pay attention to. We must have value for money in the road sector, he added.



Below is the full list of roads captured under the maintenance project:

Source: Citinews









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Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has expressed its desire to use paperless hospital administration and management software system by the close of this year.



The use of the software, among other initiatives, is expected to improve the operational efficiency of the hospital toward achieving greater value for investments.



Acting Chief Executive of the hospital, Dr. Oheneba Owusu-Danso, announced this at the opening of the KATHs 2017 two-day mid-year performance review workshop here, on Tuesday.



According to the Chief Executive, the hospital is best with a number of challenges which called for a completely new approach if we are to make significant progress in addressing them.



Key among the challenges, he indicated, included ageing and obsolete equipment and infrastructure, obsolete oxygen plant, inadequate space and facilities, low staff morale and very low and stagnant National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) tariffs.



However, he said, My vision is to make this hospital the preferred tertiary facility in this part of the country by enhancing the quality of clinical care and other patient-centered initiatives.



Dr. Owusu Dnaso urged all the directorates and units to continue to do their best to make their services a lot more patient-friendly, saying gone were the days when patients did not have a choice, but as a hospital we have no choice than to further lift our performance and quality of services rendered to our clients if the fortunes of the hospital are to be protected and even enhanced.



He stressed the need to work conscientiously to convince our patients to choose this facility as a first option and not as last resort for their care.



The new Board Chairman of the Hospital, Nana (Ambassador) Effah Apenteng, Paramount Chief of Bompata, said all efforts and networks would be used to ensure the operational activities of the hospital work to perfection fort eh betterment of clients and all and sundry.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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The Ashanti Regional Minister says he is worried about the trade of illegal mining business in the Asante Akim Central Municipality.



Simon Osei-Mensah revealed that, the illegal miners are now digging indigenes bedrooms to extract their gold.



The minister during a meeting with the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council noted that - despite President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos quest to fight illegal mining, the activities still goes on deep in the night.



Illegal mining activities have reduced drastically due to the efforts of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana and his able Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. Since the introduction of the Operation Vanguard, there has been a sharp drop in illegal mining in the region, he said.



Adding that , In spite of the efforts of Operation Vanguard, it is regrettable to say that some individuals and groups still continue to engage in illegal mining operations in the night. It is even shocking to learn that some unscrupulous people have resorted to in-house mining at the Asante Akim Central Municipality. They dig the pits in their own bedrooms which is dangerous.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia has revealed that party activist and serial caller, Frank Kweku Appiah aka Appiah Stadium, causes huge problems for the NDC with his utterances.



According to him, the avowed ex President Mahama loyalists continuous public commentary on what hes what hes received from ex President John Mahama for being his ardent supporter, leaves most of the NDC youth who have sacrificed their lives for the party all this while to feel theyve been hard done by.



Issues about Appiah Stadium has dominated the news headlines this week after he was arrested on Tuesday by the Kumasi Police for averring that the President smokes marijuana locally known as wee.



He was given a police enquiry bail Tuesday evening, having been picked up from his Kumasi base to the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters in Accra.



He has also apologised to the president over his outburst.



While commenting on the development, Johnson Asiedu Nketia whos also known as General Mosquito among other things said a large number of NDC members are very angry with Appiah Stadium.



The sort of things Appiah Stadium says publicly get several NDC members mad, so its not like hes said something terrible and because hes an NDC member Im defending him. Everyone knows that he joined the NDC from NPP, and on a daily basis what he says it that hes campaigning for ex President Mahama to once again become the NDC Flagbearer and ultimately the President because of the help hes gotten from him. His repeatition of such statement causes a large number of NDC members a lot of pain, becuase they feel theyve not benefited from their sweat and toil after fighting for the party over the years. Appiah Stadium always says, ex President Mahama has given him this, hes given him that, so a lot of party members are pained whenever they hear him say this.



Meanwhile, Appiah Stadium was met with a grand traditional music and dance[Kete] in Kumasi on Wednesday where he was seen dancing in style to the Kete after being freed by the Police on his drug addict comments made against President Akufo-Addo.



President Nana Akufo-Addo, according to a statement signed by the Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid said the he was not interested in taking up the matter against Appiah Stadium.

Source: kasapafmonline.com









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Samuel Abu Jinapor, Deputy Chief of Staff says he is not going to take any legal action against Kwame Asare, popularly known as A-Plus over the corruption allegation levelled against him.



Abu Jinapor and his colleague Chief of Staff, Francis Asenso Boakye were accused of being corrupt.



Controversial Musician, Kwame Asare Obeng affectionately called A Plus, alleged Asenso and Jinapor, the two deputy Chiefs of Staff, are corrupt. As a result, President Akufo Addo asked for thorough investigations into the matter in his resolve to fight corruption under his administration.



Subsequently, the Deputy Chiefs of Staff were cleared of any acts of corruption because the musician failed to substantiate the claims of corruption against them.



The Director of Police CID, COP Bright Oduro, stated in a final report that the claims were baseless and lacked merit, absolving the two appointees of any wrongdoing.



In an interview on Peace FM, Abu Jinapor said Ghanaians are discerning and they will be the better judge in this case so he is not going to sue.



I am not too sure about a suit but you may never know. Some of these things, if you want to follow, you will develop hypertension. we decided to speak because we were tired of issues arising and that is why we decided to speak out...we know no matter what people will talk about us especially as government workers...we were summoned to appear before the police so we did; and the police said the tape is doctored, we leave it like that 

















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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Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye has called for an establishment of a West African Electoral Commission to check electoral conflicts and discrepancies that characterize elections in Africa.



Delivering a speech on Africa's governance system under the theme Will a new concept of governance accelerate the prosperity agenda? Prof. Mike Oquaye noted that having this electoral commission will ensure "there is one credible international register" which will resolve any bone of contention in Africa's electoral body.



If we have a West African Electoral Commission, the [electoral] register which becomes a bone of contention can become international [because] you cannot be on the Cote dIvoire register, on the Ghana register and the Togo register at the same time because, there is one credible international register", he said.



To him, Africa's democracy "may not be sustainable until we have an answer to this.



If we had a powerful West African Electoral Commission they become themselves a regulatory body so that no person, [president] can do whatever he or she likes in his or her backyard", he added.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016 file photo, Gloria Steinem arrives at night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The Victim Rights Law Center says itAos presenting its 2017 Leadership Award to the renowned author, journalist and activist at the federal courthouse in Boston on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
Alberta Minister of Education David Eggen arrives for a cabinet meeting in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 28, 2015. Alberta's education minister says he plans to change the law to prevent conservative leadership candidate Jason Kenney from outing gay children. David Eggen says the province has been working for years on gay-straight alliances in schools and he says he won't let that process be undermined. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Hillary Clinton warns Canadians 'democracy is under attack'Hillary Clinton warned Canadians that "democracy is under attack" not just in the United States, but in Canada and around the world, and she told a Toronto audience Thursday night that she will do everything she can to fight against the forces trying to undermine it."Democracy is under attack everywhere. It's not only my country," Clinton told a packed hall of an estimated 5,500 at the Enercare Centre. She pledged to use her voice and platform to encourage people to get involved and help tackle the things that are challenging democracy in the U.S. and globally."I'm not going anywhere except right into the middle of the debates about our future," she told the sellout crowd.The Democratic presidential candidate who lost to Donald Trump last November was north of the border to promote her new memoir about the 2016 election, titled What Happened. She will also make appearances in Montreal and Vancouver in the coming weeks.Key lessonsShe outlined key lessons she says she wants Americans and Canadians to learn from the election. These lessons will help determine whether Americans can "heal our democracy and protect it in the future," said Clinton.She wrote the book with these lessons in mind because she wants future generations to know what happened, the former secretary of state said. "But I also want a concerned world to recognize that democracy is under assault," she said.
In this Nov. 15, 2016 photo, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the newly-elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, speaks at a news conference at the USCCB's annual fall meeting in Baltimore. DiNardo urged the Vatican to be "forthcoming with more details," on its recalling of one of its diplomats from the United States following a notification in August by the US State Department of a "possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images" by one of its diplomats. On Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 police in Canada issued an arrest warrant for the Vatican diplomat Carlo Capella in a child pornography investigation. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Keene Memorial Library in Fremont will host a presentation by New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger at 3 p.m. Oct. 7 in the librarys large meeting room.

Krueger will discuss the latest book in his Cork OConnor series, Sulfur Springs, and have books available for purchase and signing.

Refreshments will be served. The event is free to the public.
This illustration provided by Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) shows the proposed giant telescope on Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island. A long-running effort to build one of the world's largest telescopes on the mountain sacred to Native Hawaiians is moving forward after a key approval Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, reopening divisions over a project that promises revolutionary views into the heavens but has drawn impassioned protests over the impact to a spiritual place. Hawaii's land board granted a construction permit for the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope atop the state's tallest mountain, called Mauna Kea, but opponents vowed to keep fighting. Protesters willing to be arrested were successful in blocking construction in the past. (Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) via AP)
Chris Madsens sense of patriotism is something that knows no boundaries, something he wears on his chest and from which he wont shy away.

Now Madsen, chairman of the Avenue of Flags, is working in collaboration with several local veterans associations to raise funds to erect a veterans memorial in Fremont adjacent to Military Avenue, where hundreds of casket flags fly during Avenue of Flags events.

During Tuesday evenings Fremont City Council meeting, the council gave unanimous support in passing a resolution authorizing Fremont veterans to use an unused plot of space at Memorial Park to erect what is being called the Veterans Memorial Park.

The park will honor those from all throughout Dodge County who served their country, Madsen said during a speech before the Council.

The park memorial, which at this time is estimated to cost more than $250,000, will be situated in front of Sidner Ice Arena where the old Memorial Park was located. It will be an extension of the Eternal Flame Memorial on East Military Avenue.

Funding for the project will come from donations from businesses, organizations and private individuals as well as from the sales of veterans tiles.

A hexagon monument will be in the center of the memorials concrete oval-shaped base. The monument will include pictures and information about conflicts and wars in which the United States has been involved.

The photographs and graphics will be etched into the black granite monument with a laser. The memorial is being constructed by West Point Monument in West Point, Nebraska, which is owned by Earl Boston and his wife, Mary.

Madsen said West Point Monument was contracted for the job because they have previous experience and expertise with creating military monuments and memorials.

The memorial also will include six monoliths. Each monolith will represent a branch of the military and will include pictures and symbols, Madsen said.

In addition to the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force being represented, the Merchant Marines also will have a monolith. Fremont resident Chuck Folsom was the lone person at the Council meeting to speak against this, saying that the memorial should exclusively honor those who served in one of the traditional five branches of the Armed Forces.

The memorial will include and American Flag and benches, as well as a statue toward the front of the oval-shaped memorial that will be lighted at night. The statue will depict a solider holding a folded American Flag and kneeling at a Battle Cross  a cross with a fallen soldiers boots, helmet and rifle.

The memorial will sit west of the Eternal Flag, which rests on a concrete island. Flags representing the five branches of military and the Merchant Marines will call that island home.

On the opposite end of the Eternal Flame, near Military Avenue, will be what Boston described during a previous interview with the Tribune as Liberty Island. It will include a granite-shaped star coming out of the ground. Behind that will be one monolith featuring a laser-etched depiction of the Statue of Liberty. Near that will be a monolith with a depiction of the Liberty Bell.

The goal, Madsen said, is to complete project by Memorial Day 2018. For the memorial, three types of veteran tiles will be available for purchase. Veterans need not be deceased to have a tile purchased in their honor. Current military personnel can purchase a tile, too. When their end date occurs, it can be added later.

One type of tile will include the service persons name, branch of service, years served, which conflict/war they served in, if they were a prisoner of war and/or if the person was killed in action.

The second type will include this information, plus the veterans photo.

A third type  the website tile  will have the information and photograph along with a scan-able quick reference (QR) barcode that will link to the veterans own personal webpage, which can be updated with information and photographs for years to come.

Tiles range in price from $100 to $200. Order forms can be found on the City of Fremonts website atwww.fremontne.gov. Paper copies can be found on the second floor of the city municipal building on Military Avenue or by emailing Madsen atfremontavenueofflags@yahoo.com.

Donations for construction of the Veterans Memorial Park are being accepted. Checks should be made payable to Fremont Avenue of Flags, in care of Veterans Park. The checks can be mailed to: Fremont Avenue of Flags, Attn: Veterans Memorial Park, P.O. Box 532, Fremont, NE 68025.

The memorial, Madsen said, will serve the community in many ways. Its a place for people to reflect on sacrifice and what it truly means. It honors fallen warriors, and those veterans who still walk among us. Its a place that will serve as an educational tool for area youth and many others.

This location also serves as a place where people wont just glance at as they pass, its a place accessible for many people to stop and spend some time. Those funneling into the Sidner Ice Arena, YMCA or Heedum Field will inevitably pay a visit.

Madsen cited reading a letter from a fallen service member. While he wouldnt disclose what all was said in the letter, he did highlight one important line.

I wont disclose most of that letter because it was personal, but part of it was Dont ever have them forget me, he said. I take that to heart, this is why we do what we do here, this is why we do the Avenue of Flags and this is why this is the site it needs to be on.

This is a historical site, its on Military Avenue, in Memorial Park, next to the Eternal Flame, built right next to the home and birthplace of the Fremont Avenue of Flags, which is unlike any Avenue of Flags in this whole entire country.
WASHINGTON (AP)  With so many missing pieces, President Donald Trump's tax plan is what you make of it.

He's selling it as a relief package for the middle class. Democrats assail it as a sweet treat for the rich that slams everyone else.

And until Congress does the heavy lifting and fills gaping holes, no one is going to know the full picture.

Even so, some misfires could be discerned in the rhetoric that flew Wednesday when Trump came out with his plan.

A look at some:

TRUMP: "I think there's very little benefit for people of wealth"  to reporters Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Actually there's a clear and substantial benefit for people of super wealth: the proposal to eliminate the estate tax. Under current law, the first $11 million of an estate is exempt for a married couple, meaning only the wealthiest Americans pay it. Those super-rich would be off the hook. Also, business owners who report business income on their individual returns  as most do  would see their top tax rate drop to 25 percent from 39.6 percent.

Some of Trump's claim rests with the administration's own unique accounting. The administration has said it isn't including the estate tax when making calculations about which income groups would benefit from the plan. Nor is it clear how Trump officials are weighing the benefits of the lower corporate taxes  which would primarily help investors.

More generally, the plan has so many holes  left for Congress to fill in  that a full picture of who gains the most cannot be drawn at the outset. The plan could well benefit both the rich and the middle class, at the cost of national debt, but that remains to be seen.

TRUMP: As Indiana governor, Mike Pence "signed the largest income tax cut in the state's history"  Indiana speech introducing the plan.

THE FACTS: True, but it wasn't much of a cut.

The measure the vice president signed into law as Indiana governor in 2013 took effect in stages, gradually lowering the state's income tax rate to 3.23 percent this year from 3.4 percent.

That amounts to about $85 in savings a year for someone making $50,000 in taxable income, according to data from Purdue University economist Larry DeBoer, who has studied Indiana tax policy for about 30 years.

The only other income tax cut in state history was a 0.1 percentage point reduction in the 1970s, according to DeBoer's data. That rate was raised during the 1980s to 3.4 percent  where it remained until Pence won the new cuts.

Overall, Pence's income tax cut is far from the biggest tax cut in Indiana history. Statewide caps on property taxes enacted under Pence's predecessor as governor, Mitch Daniels, cut much more.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER, Senate Democratic leader: "Each of those proposals would result in a massive windfall for the wealthiest Americans and provide almost no relief to middle-class taxpayers who need it the most"  Senate remarks.

THE FACTS: "Each" is a stretch, given the scarcity of detail. He's referring to the proposed elimination of the estate tax, rate cuts on the top tier and on business income reported on personal returns, and an increase in the lowest income tax rate.

But he's playing without all the cards, just as Trump does when making the opposite argument that the rich won't benefit. The income levels at which the new tax rates would apply are not specified and there are no credible distribution tables showing how various income groups would fare.

Middle-income people could benefit substantially from lower tax rates and a near doubling of the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for families. But they might not, because they would lose many deductions. It depends in large measure on how the tax tables are drawn.

TRUMP on the estate tax: "The farmers in particular are affected"  Indiana speech.

THE FACTS: That assertion appears to be at odds with statistics. Only 1.7 percent of family-farm estates were required to file an estate-tax return in 2016 and only 0.4 percent ended up owing the tax, according to an analysis by the Agriculture Department. Overall, the very rich are affected in particular.



Associated Press writer Brian Slodysko in Indianapolis contributed to this report.
In general, men are twice as likely to cheat on a spouse than women are. That frequency increases over the lifespan, peaking among the elderly. Among men 18 to 29 who have ever been married, about 1 in 10 is
This barge at Penn Terminals in Eddystone will be loaded with shipping containers filled with food and water bound for Puerto Rico. Read more

Crews of stevedores are working around the clock at Penn Terminals in Eddystone, loading prepackaged food and water into metal containers that will sail Sunday on a barge, the Columbia Charleston, to Puerto Rico to help some of those in need after Hurricane Maria's devastation.

Eighty-six tractor-trailers filled with bottled water and another 86 containing ready-to-eat meals, like those the U.S. military uses in combat, began arriving Thursday at the privately owned Penn Terminals on the Delaware River near I-95.

Crowley Maritime Corp. of Jacksonville, Fla., usually operates nine barges on its Puerto Rico service between Philadelphia and other East Coast ports. "We've added an additional six," Crowley spokesman David DeCamp said.

A second barge, the Fortaleza, will leave Petty's Island in Pennsauken on Monday with 150 container loads of relief supplies, Crowley said. It will be a seven-day voyage to the Port of San Juan.

The relief effort is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The food and water trucked to Penn Terminals came from government warehouses in Alabama, Michael Bresnahan, FEMA team leader in Eddystone, said Friday.

Supplies included cereal, milk, breakfast bars, raisins, plus the ready-to-eat meals in lightweight packaging. "It's stuff that does not need refrigeration and has a very long shelf life," said Penn Terminals CEO John Brennan.

Despite reports that much-needed supplies have been sitting idle in the San Juan terminal, Crowley says the FEMA relief aid "is going out quickly."

"FEMA and our logistics are working together, and they have truckers lined up," DeCamp said. "So they are turning quickly out of the terminal. In our warehouse, we've cleared almost all the FEMA loads."

But on the commercial side, he said, trucking companies, distribution centers, supermarkets, and retailers were all damaged by the hurricane, and the supply chain was disrupted. "While trucks are available, there's a lack of trucking employees and diesel to move the loads," he said.

On Friday, stevedores at Penn Terminals were loading the water and food into as many as 180 40-foot containers that will be put on the barge, which will then be pulled by a tugboat to San Juan.

Since the Coast Guard reopened the Port of San Juan on Sept. 23, Crowley Maritime has handled about 4,100 relief loads at its terminal there. The company has bookings for more than 3,100 container loads of government relief cargo to be delivered to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Croix.

"We have 1,000 more ready to leave Jacksonville alone," DeCamp said.

Steven Trautz loads supplies into a shipping container headed for Puerto Rico from Penn Terminals.
A facsimile of a Pennsylvania drivers license. In 2005, at the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, the REAL ID federal law was passed, ordering states to upgrade drivers licenses to meet enhanced-security standards. Pa. licenses are not yet upgraded. Read more

As things stand right now, an extension granted to Pennsylvania by the Department of Homeland Security will expire Oct. 10, which means that in January, commonwealth driver's licenses will no longer be accepted as valid ID for boarding airplanes or entering federal facilities.

Should that happen, passengers will need a passport or some document like it. Pennsylvanians without such documents will be grounded, and fewer than half of Pennsylvanians have passports.

Why is this happening?

In 2005, at the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, the REAL ID federal law was passed, ordering states to upgrade driver's licenses to meet enhanced security standards.

There was going to be a slow rollout to give states time to implement changes. The reaction in Pennsylvania, the land that time forgot, was to pass a 2012 law to block the state from implementing REAL ID.

Some of the opposition came from Republican (and some Democratic) lawmakers who saw it as a costly unfunded mandate. Others, in tinfoil hats, feared a national registry of some kind, and a few felt it was fun to obstruct a Democratic president. Poisonous Politics 101.

Over time, however, the commonwealth's fabled legislature came to realize, "Hey, this could be bad for my constituents."

Pennsylvania then sought and received several extensions to the deadline for compliance with REAL ID. In May, Gov. Wolf signed legislation to bring Pennsylvania into line with federal requirements.

The latest extension, however, expires Oct. 10. Unless there's a fix, in January, state licenses will be useless as federal ID.

"This is going to create pandemonium," I was told by an airport source, who asked for anonymity. "People will go crazy when they find they can't board planes without a passport."

Pennsylvania sought another extension this month, I was told by PennDot spokesman Craig Yetter, but it hasn't heard back yet.

"If PA does not have an active extension by Jan. 22, 2018, PA licenses will not be sufficient when going through TSA," I was told in an email from DHS spokeswoman Justine Whelan.

So, the storm is gathering, but few people seem to be aware of it. What with hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wild fires, tweet storms from the president, and the Phillies not losing 100 games, we have been distracted.

As I poked around, asking different agencies different questions, I came up with a TSA spokesman who spilled some welcome beans.

"The extension has not been approved," he said, "but they are getting it. That's a foregone conclusion. The state will be good to go until 2020."

I asked him whether that was official. He said it was, even though he was not authorized to announce it yet, not even to PennDot. He believes it will be announced early next month.

Should that happen, PennDot estimates REAL ID driver's licenses will be available by March 2019, well ahead of the Oct. 1, 2020, deadline when all airports and federal facilities will demand REAL ID.

One final point: No one is required to file for the REAL ID license. You can opt for the current license and avoid the one-time fee (the amount has not yet been decided) that will be attached to the enhanced one.

If you go that route, you might want to have your passport ready to go.
Ron Chernow in his Brooklyn Heights home. The author of numerous lengthy biographies, most notably Hamilton, has written a 1,074-page book on Ulysses S. Grant. Read more

NEW YORK  Ron Chernow's timing is exquisite, even if it took six years and 25,000 index cards to get to this moment.

As Americans debate the continued reverence for Confederate general Robert E. Lee in the wake of the Charlottesville, Virginia, protests, the biographer of Hamilton  the Hamilton who inspired the theatrical juggernaut  delivers his latest brick of a book, Grant (publishing Oct. 10), to help rescue the Union commander and 18th president from the ash heap of history.

Ulysses S. Grant, you may recall, won the Civil War. He was the military architect who triumphed on multiple battlefields and vanquished Lee in Virginia after six other Union generals failed.

Yet after the South's defeat, "Lee was puffed up to almost godlike proportions, not only as a great general, but as a perfect Christian gentleman, this noble and exemplary figure and an aristocratic example," says Chernow, 68, sitting in his sun-splashed kitchen on the top floor of the 19th-century Brooklyn Heights brownstone where he rents two stories. "The glorification of Lee and the denigration of Grant are two sides of the same coin. We've created our own mythology of what happened."

Grant is Chernow's second successive book about an American general who became president, following the Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington (2010). It is also his first volume since Chernow became a household name  a claim few scholarly biographers can make.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's little play helped sell more than a million copies of Alexander Hamilton, making Chernow the rare historian of 900-page, footnote-saturated tomes who can claim that "teenagers all over the country want to take selfies with me."

Alexander Hamilton's fateful Maria-style hurricane: He wrote his way out

Now, he's moved from the Founding Fathers on the one- and 10-dollar bills to the Civil War victor on the 50, a man adored by Walt Whitman and Mark Twain.

Yet, "I'm giving you every reason not to buy this book," he admits, gesturing at the three-pound door stopper by his elbow. "It's $40. Its more than 1,000 pages."

It's 1,074 pages, to be exact. But he's grateful. "To my loyal readers, who have soldiered on through my lengthy sagas," the dedication reads.

"This is a story unlike any that I have written, maybe one more people can identify with," says Chernow, who has also written biographies of John D. Rockefeller (the masterful Titan), J.P. Morgan and the Warburg banking family. Those previous subjects, he says, "were built for success. They had a focus, a drive, an intelligence, and an ambition that when you begin the story, you know they're going to succeed."

Grant "goes through more failure and hardship and degradation I think than anyone else in American history who becomes president." He notes, "I was so moved by the pathos of the story, of a bright, hard-working and fundamentally decent man who again and again is defeated by circumstance and seems destined to a life of complete obscurity." Grant "becomes a hero despite himself."

Grant's grand ambition was to be a math professor  an assistant math professor  at the U.S. Military Academy, from which he graduated in the middle of his class. He was plagued by money woes until the end, fleeced by the Bernie Madoff of his day. Grant's wife, Julia, the daughter of an unrepentant slave owner, had a pronounced taste for status.

"The psychological portrait is at the center of all these books," says Chernow, a New York native  his schmear of an accent is a giveaway  with English degrees from Yale and Cambridge, who began his career as a freelance journalist. Most of his subjects had "an impossible parent." Grant was doubly cursed, with an impossible father and father-in-law, both of whom lived well into old age.

"This man who had been a clerk in a leather goods store in Galena, Illinois, a man who was almost 40 years old," Chernow says, a man no one marked for success. "And four years later, he's a general with a million soldiers under his command. Is there a more startling transformation in American history?"

Grant is remembered as a heavy drinker, a president riddled by scandal, scoundrels and nepotism, all of which Chernow addresses.

"It was always Grant, the drunkard. I felt they got it wrong," he says, describing the general as opposing two enemies during the war, the Confederacy and liquor. "He was Grant, the alcoholic."

As recently as 1996, a poll of historians ranked Grant as an abject failure, scraping the bottom of the presidential barrel along with Warren G. Harding, Richard Nixon and James Buchanan. That assessment has begun to change.

Grant was the two-term president of the Reconstruction, an era of extraordinary if fleeting gains for African-Americans. It was also a time of relentless violence fomented by the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups, which Chernow deems "the largest outbreak of domestic terrorism in American history, where thousands of people were killed." The Department of Justice, established during Grant's presidency, brought 3,000 indictments against Klan members and other agitators.

For many American students, the war stops cold with Lee's surrender at Appomattox and Lincoln's assassination days later, on April 15, 1865. "We historians, in the wake of the controversy over Confederate monuments, we have to use this as a teachable moment," Chernow says. "Reconstruction is the great black hole that remains to be filled. Even experts on the Civil War don't really understand its full significance."

Chernow's wife, Valerie, a community college professor, died in 2006. He still wears his wedding ring. He's "a pretty active cultural consumer," he says, of all things that New York has to offer: the Metropolitan Opera, film, theater, art, the Yankees.

Tidy, too. His immaculate study displays the thousands of 4-by-6-inch index cards, amounting to 22 boxes, that he compiled in researching Grant. The task did not daunt him. "There were 900 books on Washington when I began writing on him," he says.

"He's a very happy writer," says his friend, the financial writer Roger Lowenstein. "Ron often uses the phrase 'Never underestimate the laziness of your predecessors.' "

Nine years ago, Miranda prophetically purchased Chernow's Hamilton before going on vacation and envisioned  what else?  a hip-hop musical about the nation's first treasury secretary. He enlisted the biographer as the show's historical adviser. Chernow asked to experience the musical fully, to be as involved as he could be, to attend one performance seated in the orchestra pit and to sit in on the album recording. He estimates that he has seen the show "dozens of times," the young cast becoming a second family. (Chernow has no children.)

He spent his days with Grant, his nights with Hamilton. He's listed in the show's playbill and, though he demurs on the subject  "I don't go there"  he has a reported 1 percent royalty of the show's adjusted grosses, which amounted to an estimated $900,000 in 2016. This year, with three additional productions, his return is substantially larger.

After the musical's first week, Chernow called his longtime editor Ann Godoff and said, "Print up a lot of copies of Hamilton. Everyone's coming up to the theater and saying, 'Mr. Chernow, I loved the show. I was embarrassed to realize how little I knew about the history of the country.' "

Godoff, Penguin Press president and editor in chief, says, "I remember thinking, 'Ha ha ha.' Then we went to the Public Theater, and there were a lot of people crying, and I was crying for my author. What this meant, watching his whole career and life, was knowing that I was experiencing this transformative experience."

"Grant," Godoff says, is an entirely different biography. "You feel his vulnerability, as well as his successes. He feels a figure much more capable of our empathy."

Chernow hopes that with his book, people will reassess the hero of the Civil War and his presidency.

"There have been other good books on Grant, but in terms of dramatizing and humanizing this character, and making the character vividly come alive on the page, I feel that's my comparative advantage," Chernow says.

He only has to point to Hamilton to prove his point.
Group Doueh. It rhymes with "thruway." The family band led by guitar virtuoso Bameer Salmou is from Dakhla in the western Sahara. Hypnotic, modal music that gathers real force, sonically similar in some ways to desert blues bands such as Tinariwen, but with its own distinct, rugged identity. Oulaya's Wedding, a documentary that offers a glimpse at Saharan culture and features the band, will also be screened. Sunday at Underground Arts.

Chris Kasper, "City by the Sea." Gorgeously shot video from the peripatetic Philadelphia, Nashville, and Jersey Shore guitar troubadour who wears a flower in his fedora, a standout at the recent Philly Music Fest. Ventnor never looked so good. Playing Nov. 11 at Underground Arts.

Philadelphia Music Alliance Gala. This year's Walk of Fame inductees are Jill Scott, Sister Sledge, LaBelle, McFadden & Whitehead, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ruffhouse Records mahoffs Joe Nicolo and Chris Schwartz, and radio host Bob Pantano. They'll get plaques on Broad Street in the morning, followed by a gala awards show featuring live tribute performances by Schoolly D, Kindred the Family Soul, and CeCe Peniston, among others. Wednesday at the Fillmore.

Paul Weller. The Jam and Style Council founder affectionately known as "the Modfather" in his native England is on tour for his 13th solo album, the alternatively psychedelic and soulful A Kind Revolution, and he's also got a new EP out called Mother Ethiopia that finds him collaborating with musicians from that East African nation. Wednesday at the TLA.

Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus. Beavis and Butt-Head, King of the Hill, and Silicon Valley mastermind Judge turns his devious sense of humor to country music history in this half-hour series. It uses animated interviews with close associates of legends like George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Paycheck, and Jerry Lee Lewis for an unconventional music-doc approach that incorporates archival footage and doesn't stint on unexpurgated detail while treating its subjects with the respect they deserve. 10 p.m. Fridays on Cinemax.
Today, 9 million families are hoping for Congress to renew the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides access to health care and broad benefits designed for children, affecting more than 342,000 kids in Pennsylvania.

Despite the divisive political climate and the recent failure of the Graham-Cassidy bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, CHIP could be one piece of legislation to unite the interests of Congress. For two decades CHIP has been crafted and implemented with bipartisan support. CHIP provides vital health services for children 0-18 in families that may make too much money to be eligible for Medicaid and too little to afford health care through an exchange. Combined with premium and cost sharing protections, access to Medicaid and CHIP keeps coverage and care affordable for low-income families.

The federally funded program is matched by state funds from all 50 states. Pennsylvania is one of the 10 states expected to run out of funding for CHIP in December. Although individual states have increased flexibility to design benefits in separate CHIP programs, most offer more comprehensive benefits at a much lower cost to families than private coverage.

One thing is certain, the CHIP program works to improve access to medical and dental care (often excluded from private health insurance), early childhood screening and vital therapies for children with special needs.

From 1997, when CHIP was enacted, to 2016, the uninsured rate for children has fallen by more than half, from 14 percent to 5 percent. Access to health care from a pediatric provider helps families to comply with the recommendations of the American Association of Pediatrics of seven preventative appointments during the first year of life. As many new parents know, children are often seen many more times during for coughs, colds, rashes and bumps during that same time period. Each of these appointments offers an opportunity for continuous health surveillance during the most crucial and rapid period of child development, and is an ideal time for teaching.

Loss of access to these regular pediatric primary care visits denies children access to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT). Evidence has shown that regular medical, vision, hearing, and dental screenings as well as the services necessary to "correct or ameliorate" physical or mental health conditions in childhood allow for intervention early and often to provide the best opportunity for children to succeed at school and in life.

When children are under diagnosed and untreated they are more likely to experience health problems related to cognitive, behavioral, or physical disabilities, and to develop future conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Healthy children have the opportunity to grow up to be healthy adults especially when they miss less school, graduate and enter the workforce.

CHIP provides health care to children with special health care needs (CHSCN). Approximately 14.6 million children ages 017 years in the United States have special health care needs that put them at risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally and that may impact their daily functioning. About 65 percent of CSHCN experience more complex service needs that go beyond a primary need for prescription medications to manage their health condition. All CHIP programs cover physical, occupational, and speech and language therapies, often without limits.

Kaiser Family Fund recommends that Congress extend CHIP funding for five years, through 2022, keeping the maintenance of effort requirement and 23-percentage point increase in the CHIP federal match rate through 2022. These modest efforts would ensure that low- and moderate-income children retain access to affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage, maintaining the gain in coverage secured over the past 20 years.

Certainly, children need more than health insurance in order to grow into healthy adults. CHIP is one way to ensure that the most vulnerable children have access to the services they need to give them the best chance at achieving their healthiest potential in life.

Sunny G. Hallowell, PhD, PPCNP-BC, IBCLC, is an assistant professor at Villanova University's College of Nursing.
Shazia M. Siddique, M.D. is with the division of gastroenterology at Penn Medicine, and is a fellow at Penn's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Safety. Read more

I recently spent a day on Capitol Hill with my fellow gastroenterologists to advocate for our patients. I told lawmakers about Mr. J, who recently turned 50 and, just as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends, looked into getting his first colonoscopy, a life-saving cancer screening.

But first, he had questions: Is the colon cleansing preparation really necessary? Does his wife have to take time from work to drive him home? Are there less invasive options? If I get the colonoscopy, will my insurance cover it?

That last one was the easiest to answer, I thought. Yes, it will, I told him. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopies and at-home stool tests, is covered at no cost to patients. Insurers are now required to fully cover the costs for any USPSTF recommendation that is deemed highly beneficial, and this is certainly one of them.

It is hard to convince patients to get a colonoscopy, so I was happy that cost was no longer part of the equation.

Two weeks later, Mr. J's colonoscopy went smoothly. We found and successfully removed two polyps.

A few weeks later, Mr. J got a bill for $500. He called my office, furious.

He felt cheated. And so did I.

That's when I found out about the loophole.

This is how it works: A screening colonoscopy, done when a patient has no symptoms, is meant to look for polyps. If there are none, the procedure is billed as a diagnostic screening colonoscopy.

When we do find polyps, we remove them, because it's a simple matter in a patient who already is having a colonoscopy. This is also the reason this is a lifesaving test: We find and remove growths before they become cancerous.

But finding a polyp changes the billing code to a therapeutic colonoscopy, a reclassification that means it's not just a screening; it's an intervention. The new code means a bill is generated, and patients such as Mr. J were understandably outraged.

So were their physicians, and before long the Obama administration issued a clarification specifying that commercial insurers do not get to charge patients  not even a copay  simply because they got a polyp snipped out during a routine colonoscopy.

But that action didn't apply to Medicare, the government insurance for seniors and the disabled, and that's how Mr. J was covered.

There was nothing I could do to fix this for Mr. J, and he ultimately paid the $500.

I worry that the cost of this bureaucratic flaw is even higher.

Mr. J's polyps were precancerous, so he is at higher risk for cancer, and needs another colonoscopy in five years, not the 10 he could have waited if there had been no polyps. But will he return in five years? Will he come to see me if he has concerning symptoms? Or has this loophole damaged his trust in me, specifically, and health care providers, generally?

Unfortunately, Mr. J is not alone  my colleagues have told me similar stories.

The American Gastroenterological Association, and other advocacy societies, have tried to address this issue with Medicare, but learned that it will take an act of Congress to fix it. "The Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act" is the legislation we need, but we don't know whether it will get the attention it deserves.

Preventing cancer is a bipartisan issue. But the legislators I met pointed out that the entire climate around health care is so messy, even noncontroversial bills like this are sitting on the shelf. So while Congress is politicizing health care, Americans face a real barrier to cancer screening. Our voices need to be heard, and patients need to be put first.

So, what are you waiting for? When will you join us in demanding that your representatives fix this loophole, and provide free cancer screening, as the American people were promised?

Shazia Mehmood Siddique, M.D. is a third-year fellow in the division of gastroenterology at Penn Medicine, and is also a fellow at Penn's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, and the Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Safety
Most of us probably think of kids when we think of bullies. Patrick Arbore thinks of an old man he watched trip a frail old woman in the senior facility where they both lived. He also thinks of a group of women elsewhere who taunted a new resident for speaking Spanish, and of an elderly resident who made a manager's life so miserable that she quit. The bully smiled broadly when the manager announced her resignation.

"That teenage boy who was the terror in your high school grew up and he just got better at it," said Arbore, who spoke Thursday at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging's Regional Conference on Aging, a three-day event that drew about 600 professionals who work with older adults and their families.

Arbore, who grew up on a Western Pennsylvania dairy farm, also thinks of his father and grandmother, who he says were bullies. Exposure to them made him repress his own anger, and he became depressed and suicidal. But his experience also convinced him that both victims and bullies deserve compassion.

"Bullying is taught," he said, and it often stems from fear and inadequacy. "People who bully have an intense desire to be in control. What that reveals underneath is insecurity," said Arbore, founder and director of the Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief Related Services at the Institute on Aging in San Francisco.

Arbore said he confronted the man he'd seen trip his fellow resident. She'd managed not to fall, but her lunch went flying. She cried when she got to her table. The man refused to meet Arbore's eyes and denied that he had done anything. Arbore talked to him again later and his anger spilled out. He hated the woman, he said. He hated old people and he didn't want to be like her.

The man's actions revealed his "internalized ageism," Arbore said.

Americans have gotten better at acknowledging bullying in schools, but they've been slower to confront the reality of bullying among seniors, Arbore said. Ten to 20 percent of seniors reported exposure to aggression by other older adults, usually verbal abuse, one study found. He thinks the behavior is underreported. Seniors are afraid to tell, and staff may be afraid that bullies will focus on them. The bullies may also be cunning enough to ingratiate themselves with managers.

Senior victims are often smaller and frailer than their bullies. Some may have dementia or anxiety, or even a history of abuse. Bullying often occurs when the staff isn't watching, in dining rooms where newcomers are shunned at certain tables and communal areas where a bully controls the television. Even Facebook can be a forum for bullying and exclusion.

The abuse may leave victims depressed and isolated. Arbore said bullies are dangerous because they inspire more bullying and fuel hate.

While some victims can learn to be more assertive, others must rely on staff to create an environment where everyone knows that bullying is unacceptable, Arbore said.

Bullies often have no idea how their actions affect others, he said. Empathy can be taught. Sometimes it's helpful for a staff member to mediate a discussion between bully and victim, concluding with the bully agreeing to stop.

Staff, he said, can "teach that bully that there are other people and it's OK if they are different than you are, and you're not in charge of the moral compass."
The Conkling-Armstrong house was once the handsomest mansion on West Tioga Avenue. It was built by the owners of the Conkling-Armstrong Terra Cotta Co. and was a showpiece for its wares. Read more

Before sporting goods companies tattooed our apparel with Swooshes and stripes, and before movie stars blasted their images across social media, a Philadelphia manufacturer of architectural terra-cotta hit on a way to get its brand in front of the public. In 1898, the Conkling-Armstrong Terra Cotta Co. built an ornate twin house in the Nicetown-Tioga section that was encrusted with its products.

Today, the company is a memory, but its chateau-style demonstration house somehow hangs on at 2224-26 W. Tioga St. in North Philadelphia, even though it is currently unoccupied. As befits a three-dimensional building catalog, the facade is an encyclopedia of classical-style details rendered in terra-cotta, the relatively inexpensive, clay-based ceramic used for architectural decoration.

The material is layered on at every level of the three-story twin. Pairs of Corinthian columns scored with flowers and fluting hold up the porch's massive entablature, or lintel, which is itself a dense collage of scrolls, leaves, and dentil incisions. Diamonds and shields frame the two regal bay windows. The double-height dormer windows are treated like miniature versions of baroque churches. The house even has a few plain tiles corseting its corners.

This block of West Tioga, between 22nd and 23rd Streets, may seem today like an odd spot for such a grand promotional gesture. But when architect Edgar Viguers Seeler was hired, middle-class Philadelphians were flocking to newly fashionable Tioga. The block is still lined with handsome, well-kept stone houses, although none are as flamboyant as Conkling-Armstrong.

At the same time new neighborhoods were going up, the area around Nicetown and Hunting Park also began to industrialize. Ira L. Conkling and Thomas F. Armstrong arrived in 1895 and set up their terra-cotta factory about two blocks from West Tioga Street. It's not clear whether they lived in the house or merely used it as a showplace.

But they certainly prospered, as demand for middle-class houses boomed. Conkling-Armstrong became a major supplier of precast terra-cotta pieces that could be used to distinguish ordinary brick houses. They also began to supply major architects, like Horace Trumbauer and Cope & Stewardson, with custom pieces. The Witherspoon Building (also known as the Presbyterian Board of Publication) at Walnut and Juniper Streets virtually drips with terra-cotta from Conkling-Armstrong. Later, it became a major source for the ornament that enlivened art deco theaters, like the Anthony Wayne Cinema in Wayne.

The industrialization of the neighborhood proved a mixed blessing. The Budd Co.'s automobile plant opened a few blocks from the Conkling-Armstrong house in 1912 and soon grew into a sprawling, belching compound. As the area became Philadelphia's manufacturing heartland, big-name companies like Midvale Steel and Tastykake set up plants nearby. But with increasing suburbanization after World War II, industry and residents began migrating out of the neighborhood.

The house was acquired in 1945 by a couple who took in foster children, according to a 2014 account by Jennifer Robinson, then a graduate student in historic preservation at the University of Pennsylvania. It is now owned by one of those children, who lives next door.

Although she told Robinson she wanted to restore the house, it has clearly been slow-going. Trees sprout from the roof, and the bay on the west facade sags. "No trespassing" signs have been posted to deter scavengers. For all that, the house's distinctive charms remain intact. In a study of the neighborhood issued last year, the Planning Commission called out the Conkling-Armstrong house as a good candidate for historic designation.

It would be a great way to recognize the neighborhood's history. But there isn't much time left. The Conkling-Armstrong factory fell to wreckers in 2011. If this living catalog of its work also succumbs, we'll lose another crucial link to Philadelphia's great industrial past.
Jeanette Wakefield, a Center City real estate broker, was charged with murder in a Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, shooting death in her Fishtown apartment building. Read more

They fell in love quickly, but had their problems. Still, family members of Terry Corrigan IV couldn't have foreseen that Corrigan would be shot to death Wednesday morning, as police said, by his girlfriend in the hallway outside her Fishtown apartment.

Police charged Jeanette B. Wakefield, 37, who had recently worked as a Center City real estate broker, with murder and possession of an instrument of crime.

"Two young people with emotions, love, and a little bit of problems," Terry Corrigan III, 58, said in an interview Friday afternoon on the Kensington block where he and his 33-year-old son lived.

The father recalled how he and his son met Wakefield in early 2016 at the Planet Fitness in Kensington. "She was doing chin-ups, a good-looking girl," he said.

The elder Corrigan introduced Wakefield to his son. The two hit it off. They found out that she was a real estate agent, and Corrigan IV was a contractor who worked in roofing, and did cement work and carpentry. "Another week goes by, they're in love," the father said.

Wakefield, most recently affiliated with Coldwell Banker, lived with her children, a son and a daughter, at the Chandler apartment building, the site of a former school, along East Montgomery Avenue.

This past week, the younger Corrigan was scheduled to enter a residential rehab facility for his heroin addiction. On Tuesday, he and Wakefield went to his house on the 3300 block of Coral Street to gather some of his belongings, said his father, who lives in another house on the block.

Wakefield, too, had problems  hers was alcohol, the elder Corrigan and Wakefield's Fishtown neighbors said.

Corrigan IV's father said his sister had been on the phone with Wakefield around 3 a.m. Wednesday when she heard an argument erupt between the couple. According to his sister, Wakefield was in her apartment and her boyfriend, who had stepped out to smoke, wanted back in.

But Wakefield began arguing through the door, blaming him for breaking a table in her apartment. Then, the elder Corrigan's sister heard over the phone what sounded like two gunshots  or one gunshot and an echo.

The sister asked Wakefield if she shot Corrigan. After a pause, Wakefield allegedly replied: "Yeah, he's down. I got to call 911."

Officers found Corrigan on the hallway floor with a gunshot wound to his head. He was pronounced dead at 3:43 a.m.

Wakefield's children, ages 9 and 10, were in the apartment at the time, Homicide Capt. John Ryan said Friday. Police recovered her 9mm semiautomatic gun, which she had a permit to carry, Ryan said.

Susan Corrigan, the victim's mother, said it was her son who taught Wakefield how to shoot the gun about a month ago.

"She was a single mother living alone and she had a real estate license," Susan Corrigan, 54, said. "That's the ironic part of it  he showed her how to shoot it, aim it, hold it."

Terry was the second of her three children. He graduated from Northeast Prep and was nicknamed "Temp," his parents said.

"I forgive her," the mother said of Wakefield. "I have to forgive her to go on, but they were both battling their own demons."

On her Facebook and LinkedIn pages, Wakefield identifies herself as a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Preferred  Center City.

Roni Boyles, Coldwell Banker's director of public relations, said Friday that Wakefield was an independent contractor, not an employee. She "last did a deal with our company in July," said Boyles.

Neighbors, who did not want to give their name for fear of retaliation, described seeing Wakefield walking on their block drunk. They said Corrigan was addicted to heroin, but said he was not abusive to her. "One minute, they were lovey-dovey, the next day they were arguing, fighting," said one 55-year-old woman.

Wakefield, in custody at the Riverside Correctional Facility on State Road, faces an Oct. 18 preliminary hearing.

Court records indicated she had retained lawyer Timothy Tarpey on Friday. He could not be immediately reached for comment.
A Philadelphia judge Friday denied an attempt by the local police union to block a Police Department policy that allows officials to release the names of officers who shoot people within 72 hours  a long-standing debate that was rekindled last month when a group of protesters staged a profanity-laced demonstration outside an officer's Bustleton home.

The ruling from Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel J. Anders, which followed a hearing in City Hall, was applauded by attorneys for the city, who had argued that the policy was enacted in the name of public trust. Cities across the country in recent years faced waves of angry protests after delaying in identifying officers who fatally shot people. Sozi Pedro Tulante, city solicitor, said Philadelphia wanted to avoid such tensions.

"It's really important for the Police Department to have transparency," Tulante said.

John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, declined to comment after the hearing.

The union, however, released a statement Friday evening saying: "The standard for obtaining an injunction is high, and the judge felt that based on the evidence available  the standards for relief [were] not met."

Lawyers for the union, led by Marc Gelman, had sought to convince Anders that releasing the names of officers put them and their families in danger. They said that Officer Ryan Pownall  who fatally shot a man during a traffic stop in June  had received death threats over the summer, and that his wife feared for the safety of their children, particularly following the protest outside the Pownalls' home last month.

The issue of naming police officers following shootings has stirred debate nationally and locally for several years.

In 2015, just days after the Philadelphia Police Department announced it would release the names of officers involved in shootings within 72 hours, the FOP filed an unfair-labor-practice complaint to block the policy. That process is ongoing, with another hearing scheduled for December.

Also in 2015, the Republican governor of Arizona vetoed a bill that would have prevented departments from releasing officers' names for 60 days. Similar legislation was proposed but not passed in Oregon, and courts in Virginia and California have also wrestled with the issue.

Last fall, Gov. Wolf, a Democrat, vetoed legislation that would have delayed the release of officers' names for 30 days. A nearly identical bill  sponsored by Rep. Martina White, a Republican who represents a Northeast Philadelphia district where many police officers live  was overwhelmingly passed by the House in March, but has not yet been approved by the Senate. A spokesman for Wolf said Friday his opposition to the bill as currently drafted remains unchanged.

The debate in Philadelphia was renewed with added urgency last month after a small but raucous group of protesters staged a provocative demonstration outside the home of Pownall, who fatally shot David Jones in North Philadelphia on June 8.

Following that protest  during which demonstrators hung signs on lampposts calling for Pownall's arrest  the FOP filed suit in Common Pleas Court seeking an injunction that would block the department from employing the policy, citing safety concerns for officers.

Tulante countered that the city has released the names of 64 officers since it enacted the policy in 2015, and that the FOP had not identified any other cases where an officer had reported being in danger. Tulante also said the city provided round-the-clock protection for Pownall following the shooting of Jones, and placed a surveillance camera on his block.

Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, based in Washington, said that while there is no national standard regarding when or how to release an officer's name, most departments have leaned in recent years that "the sooner they get this information out, the better."

"Generally speaking, what police chiefs have learned is that the public has a right to know," he said.

Pownall last month was suspended from the force with intent to dismiss for exhibiting what Commissioner Richard Ross called "poor judgment" when firing at Jones. The Attorney General's Office is investigating for potential criminal charges.

Protesters, meanwhile, have said they might return to Pownall's block if he is not arrested.
Gabriel Kalmuss-Katz, left, a social worker at Pathways to Housing PA, accompanies Anthony Messina grocery shopping before he moves into his new apartment on Sept. 11. Read more

After 20 years on heroin and six years living on the street, Anthony Messina just moved into a home of his own: a small one-bedroom, comfortably furnished and completely free.

He's clean for now, but he's always realistic.

"I'm not going to tell you I'm never going to get high again," said Messina, 54.

But if he does, he won't lose his new place.

"We see housing itself as a health-care intervention," said Christine Simiriglia, president and CEO of Pathways to Housing PA, the nonprofit that runs a new city program that is helping people such as Messina. "If you are housed and healthy, you can move forward in life."

The Housing First model has been used for years to get chronically homeless people off the street. Many are seriously mentally ill, and quite a few are on drugs. Suburbs in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey have embraced it.

But Philadelphia's experiment is unusual: a team of professionals devoted exclusively to opioid users, set up in advance of the city's crackdown on the homeless heroin encampment along the Conrail tracks, and expanded since.

The concept: First provide housing, not in a shelter but a real apartment or a house. Then surround the newly housed with an intensive array of services  regular medical and psychiatric care, help with benefits, education, even showing them how to shop and do laundry. And treatment to stay off drugs.

The program is costly, but still far less expensive than the constant ER visits, hospitalizations, and prison stints common to people living on the street. It has money to house 75 people; so far, 53 are in their new homes.

40 percent in treatment

Just after 9 a.m., the members of Team 7  certified peer specialists, case managers, a psychiatrist  filled a conference table at Pathways' offices in north Philadelphia's Logan neighborhood. They zipped through updates.

A client had fallen. He'd be met at the hospital for an X-ray.

A woman's son had her SEPTA pass when he was arrested, so she couldn't get to the methadone clinic. A staffer got her some tokens but she needed a replacement pass.

Another woman had signed up to volunteer at a food bank, which seemed a smart way to get free food.

All clients are referred by the city; most of the funding comes from the state/federal Medicaid program and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Tenants pay 30 percent of their income toward rent and utilities, but most on this team  who have generally been on the streets for years  have no income at all.

Treatment is always a goal. More than 40 percent of Team 7's clients chose to start medication-assisted treatment, which studies indicate is the most effective option; the staff helped arrange it. And a third more have expressed interest.

"We'll take them at whatever stage they are at and work with them there," said Matt Tice, Pathways' clinical director. "If we push this group they are likely to shut us out, which ultimately becomes dangerous for them."

Every Pathways employee carries Narcan, the overdose-reversal drug, even when going to fix a broken toilet. They have never needed it for a client, but have revived others they've spotted unconscious on the street.

Three Team 7 clients have died of drug-related causes. Still, Tice said, if they had been homeless, "they easily could have died earlier."

This is what I own

Anthony Messina's slight body shows the wear of repeated injuries from hard living. His gray hair is in a short ponytail, his face unshaven. He smiles easily and moves deliberately.

Pathways allowed him $50 for food to get his kitchen set up. At a ShopRite en route to the apartment, he scrutinized the circular for specials. "I've always loved American cheese," he said, buying three pounds at $1.99. Then rolls, bacon, eggs, tuna, milk, ice cream.

Gabriel Kalmuss-Katz, a social worker helping him move, hung back but observed something missing: "Vegetables?"

"No. I didn't like vegetables as a kid, and not now."

Kalmuss-Katz asked whether he had anything to move in besides the groceries.

Messina pointed to his T-shirt and baggy pants. "This is what I own."

Other than prison  some five dozen arrests, mainly for shoplifting, selling small amounts of drugs, violating probation  Messina has rarely strayed far from where he grew up in South Philly, a few blocks from the tourist-clogged corner dominated by Geno's and Pat's King of Steaks.

He was living at home in 2011 when a perceived slight  something about dope and a favored sibling  led him to tell his mother to drop dead.

"I'm headstrong," he said. And, from that point, homeless.

He remembers standing under I-95 to get out of the rain and thinking there weren't as many rats as he'd expected. About 10 people stayed there. "I chose to live on the street. It is close to where I was panhandling," Messina said. "Dope motivated me."

This gives them a future

The city of Philadelphia oversees more than 10,000 housing units, from shelter beds to apartments. Some have bad reputations, others strict rules. Chronically homeless people often prefer to stay on the street. No one has turned down an apartment on Team 7, although some, such as Messina, wait until there's something available in a neighborhood they know.

A special team for opioid users made sense, said Liz Hersh, director of the city's Office of Homeless Services.

"Even if they tackle the addiction and are successful in their recovery, then what?" she said. On the street "there is no future. This gives them a future."



Pathways negotiates leases slightly below market price with landlords and property managers around the city, who can count on steady rental income. "And it makes them feel good" to help the homeless, said Sandra Romeo, who oversees the organization's day to day operations.

Each slot costs $28,500 a year, including housing, treatment, medical, psychiatric, and social services. Even so, studies have found that Housing First saves more than it costs.

Researchers reported in JAMA in 2009 that a Seattle program for chronically homeless people with severe alcohol problems cut the cost of government services by more than half after just six months compared with people still on the street.

Some small studies have found these housing initiatives also help people get clean. The most recent large analysis, from Canada, did not.

"Housing First was primarily designed to address a person's homelessness," said Ben Henwood, who helped set up Philadelphia Pathways in 2008 while in graduate school and now researches similar programs at the University of Southern California. "It doesn't really have a significant impact on substance use."

But with all its proven benefits, Henwood, like most in his field, supports the notion.

Perfect

Sept. 11 was move-in day for Anthony Messina, who was thrilled to be within a mile of his old neighborhood.

Up a dark set of stairs, his front door opens onto a kitchen/living area with a small table, chairs, love seat, and a new television. His bedroom was down the hall. The water pressure in the shower was good.

"This is like perfect for me. Perfect," he said.

"You can have a girlfriend. You've got a place."

A week later, an ex-girlfriend came for a couple of days. She stole his TV while he was out. He called the police.

Messina last shot heroin before a late-August jail stint on a contested probation violation. After being released, he stayed away from it.

He said he doesn't care for the heroin that is available these days. Sometimes mixed with the powerful opioid fentanyl, he finds it unsatisfying, not to mention potentially deadly.

"I gave it up because it ain't dope," he said.

He's on Suboxone, a medication that treats opioid addiction by helping him avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. For now.

"I'm willing to try it," he said. "The more I stay off drugs the clearer my mind is."
David D.J. Creato Jr., center, appears in court in this file photo. He will be sentenced Sept. 29 in the death of his 3-year-old son, Brendan, in Haddon Township. Creato pleaded guilty in August to aggravated manslaughter. Read more

David "D.J." Creato Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced later today for killing his 3-year-old son, Brendan, whose body was found in woods near his Haddon Township home in October 2015.

In a stunning move, Creato, 23, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge John T. Kelley in August to aggravated manslaughter. The plea agreement calls for a maximum of 10 years in prison. He will be required to serve 8 years before he can be paroled.

The plea came 2 weeks before Creato was to stand trial a second time for murder, on Sept. 11. In his first trial, jurors were unable to reach a verdict in May after three days of deliberations. During the 10-day trial prosecutors alleged that he killed the boy in a desperate attempt to prevent his girlfriend, who disliked Creato's having had a child from a previous relationship, from leaving him.

No specific cause of death was determined. Three medical examiners ruled that Brendan died of "homicidal violence" but could not determine whether he was drowned, strangled, or smothered. In court in August, Creato admitted that he "recklessly caused his son's death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by depriving Brendan of oxygen."

After prosecutors tried the case in May, 10 jurors said they believed Creato was guilty, but the remaining two jurors concluded there was not enough evidence to convict him.

During the trial, prosecutors presented numerous text messages and other communications between Creato and Julie Stensky in which she often expressed displeasure at Brendan's role in Creato's life. At one point, Stensky, who had left for college in New York, wrote online that the child was "a mistake" who would anchor Creato to New Jersey forever.

"I'm willing to do anything or change anything for you," Creato texted Stensky a week before Brendan died. The couple, who met on the dating app Tinder, exchanged more than 9,400 text messages, according to prosecutors. Stensky has not faced any charges.

The defense argued that Creato was the victim of a flawed police investigation and that authorities had only circumstantial evidence to link Creato to his son's death.

Creato called 911 around 6 a.m. on Oct. 13, saying that when he woke up he discovered Brendan was missing. The call followed a night during which he had argued with Stensky. There was no sign of forced entry to his second-floor apartment. Creato and the boy's mother, Samantha Denoto, shared custody but did not live together.

Brendan's pajama-clad body was found about three hours later, slumped over a rock and partially submerged in a creek in woods about three-quarters of a mile from Creato's apartment. The bottoms of the socks on his feet were clean, suggesting he had not walked there on his own, prosecutors pointed out.

Creato was arrested and charged with murder three months later and has remained in the Camden County Jail on $750,000 bail.
Mimma-Marie Cammarata in one of her Italian classes at Sterling High School September 27, 2017 where she is among 21 finalists for New Jersey Teacher of the Year for 2017-18. TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer Read more

When Mimma-Marie Cammarata was growing up, her parents gave her the nickname maestra. She thought it was their loving way of calling her bossy in their native Sicilian dialect.

She now believes that her parents had a premonition that she would eventually live up to the name and find her niche in a profession that she now adores: teaching. For 12 years she has been teaching Italian at Sterling High in Somerdale.

"I think they knew before I knew what I was going to be," Cammarata said in an interview in her classroom this week. "I can't picture myself doing anything else. I love coming to work."

Cammarata, 36, was selected by her peers as the Camden County Teacher of the Year for the 2017-18 school year. She is among a field of 21 teachers statewide vying for New Jersey Teacher of the Year, who is to be announced Oct. 4. Also in the competition are Sherrie Wilkins, representing Burlington County, and Domenick Renzi from Gloucester County. Wilkins is a fifth-grade teacher at Alexander Denbo Elementary in Pemberton Township. Renzi teaches basic skills at Wedgewood Elementary in Washington Township.

"New Jersey has many great teachers, and this award is a tribute to the talent, professionalism, and dedication of these 21 educators to inspire the children they teach," said state Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington. County teachers of the year are first selected as teachers of the year at the school level through the Governor's Educator of the Year program.

Cammarata is the only language teacher among the finalists. New Jersey requires high school students to complete at least five credits in a world language to graduate, and some colleges want students to take more.

"She's brilliant. It's lucky that we have her," said Sharon Galt, a Spanish teacher at Sterling.

Sterling High, which has nearly 1,000 students, also offers French and Latin. Cammarata, who joined the school in 2005 after graduating from Temple University, has become a student favorite. This semester, she has about 60 students enrolled in three classes, studying beginning Italian to advanced honors level.

"Le mando un e-mail subito."

"What are you doing?" Cammarata asked, pointing to the phrase displayed on a power-point screen decorated with signs and images of Italy.

"Sending an email," the class responded correctly.

"She's the best teacher ever," said Kevin Andrade, 18, a senior who has taken her class for three years. "I love this class."

Cammarata gave students a life lesson about dating that began with the question, Maria, ti va un caffe? (Maria, do you want to get coffee?)

A common but simple question in Italy, it should not be misinterpreted as expressing romantic interest, she said. That prompted a brief debate among students.

"It's coffee and I'll decide if I want to talk to you again," she explained. "It's like they are feeling you out."

Cammarata almost didn't become a teacher. As a youngster, she wanted to become a doctor, and then an interior designer. She changed her major to education with a specialization in Italian in her sophomore year in college after teaching English to young cousins during a family trip to Sicily, where her parents were born.

"I finally realized that my parents were right," she said.

She grew up in Cherry Hill. Her mother, also Mimma, came to the United States at age 2 and her father, Francesco, when he was 18. Sicilian was always spoken at home, but Cammarata had to learn standard Italian in college.

Cammarata says Italian is a logical course offering in New Jersey, whose 1.5 million Italian American residents make up 17 percent of the population. Elsewhere in South Jersey, Italian is also offered at Cherry Hill West, Triton Regional High in Runnemede, and in the Lenape Regional school district.

"I'm very passionate about what I teach," she said. "I'm bringing back the language skills that were lost when people emigrated to the United States."

Cammarata estimates that half of her students are Italian American. Craig Meyer, 16, a junior, said his grandfather was surprised when Meyer responded to a question in his native Italian.

"I didn't have to use a translator. It was me doing it," Meyer said. "It was a great experience."

Cammarata, who is widely traveled, uses those experiences and her heritage in the classroom. For a history lesson, she shared the story of her grandfathers, who were in the Italian army during World War II. Her goal, she says, is not just to teach students how to conjugate verbs but also to make them "culturally fluent."

Two years ago, Cammarata and her fellow Sterling world language teachers were profiled on "Classroom Close-up" by the New Jersey Education Association. She is a frequently requested speaker at education conferences.

"No matter how big the crowd, she always stands out," said principal Matt Sheehan.

A state panel of educators will select the state Teacher of the Year based on an application, video, and interview. The winner will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Unlike Cammarata, Wilkins, 35, of Willingboro, always wanted to be a teacher. She began her career as a teaching assistant and eventually landed a classroom job in 2007 in Pemberton Township, where she attended elementary and middle school.

"There are amazing teachers doing amazing things," Wilkins said of the other educators. "We love the kids."

Renzi, 45, a lifelong Washington Township resident, teaches at the same elementary school he attended in 1978. An educator for 22 years, he left the classroom for several years to become a principal, but he missed teaching.

"You don't get into education to win awards," Renzi said. "You get into education to help kids."
David "DJ" Creato is sentenced to a 10-year prison term for killing his 3-year-old son Brendan. Creato stands with his lawyer Richard J. Fuschino Jr. in Camden County Superior Court on Friday. Read more

Nearly two years after Brendan Creato disappeared from his South Jersey home, his father was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for killing the 3-year-old and dumping his body in the woods.

But how the toddler was killed remained a mystery, along with David "D.J." Creato's exact motive that October 2015 night. And while the 23-year-old pleaded guilty last month, family members insisted Friday he was innocent.

Creato showed no obvious emotion as he stood before Camden County Superior Court Judge John T. Kelley. In handcuffs, shackles, and a red prison jumpsuit, Creato declined the opportunity to speak before the judge imposed the sentence agreed upon in a plea deal.

When prosecutors showed a video montage of images of his son from birth to the end of his short life, Creato did not look at the screen. With the lights lowered in the hushed courtroom, photographs showed Brendan as a newborn, held closely in his mother's arms, sitting on steps with a pumpkin, and visiting with Santa Claus.

The video ended with a quote attributed to A.A. Milne: "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever."

"Brendan was well cared for and loved by many," his maternal grandmother, Danielle Collins, said in a statement read by a prosecutor. "A day doesn't go by that I don't miss him.  I lost a piece of me that I will never get back, my angel in heaven that I long to reunite with one day."

The boy's pajama-clad body was found slumped over a rock in woods near the Cooper River in Haddon Township on Oct. 13, 2015, hours after Creato called 911 and reported him missing. The bottoms of the socks on his feet were clean, suggesting he had not walked there on his own, prosecutors pointed out.

No specific cause of death was determined. Three medical examiners ruled that Brendan died of "homicidal violence" but could not determine whether he was drowned, strangled, or smothered. In court in August, Creato admitted that he "recklessly caused his son's death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by depriving Brendan of oxygen."

From the moment Brendan disappeared and residents joined police in a frantic search, the case riveted the region. Prosecutors said Creato killed his son in a desperate attempt to prevent his girlfriend from leaving him because she disliked Creato's having a child from a previous relationship.

In a surprise move, Creato pleaded guilty last month to aggravated manslaughter, avoiding a second trial. His first trial in May ended in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict. Ten jurors later said they believed he was guilty, while the remaining two said there was not enough evidence to convict him.

Outside the courthouse Friday, Creato's family members staunchly maintained his innocence and said they plan to hire a private investigator to find the real killer. Creato must serve at least 8 1/2 years before he will be eligible for release. With credit for the 627 days already spent in jail, he could be free in about six years, his attorney Richard J. Fuschino Jr. said.

"The wrong person is sitting in jail," David Creato Sr. told reporters. "Something happened to Brendan that night. He was stolen out of thin air. I won't stop until I find answers or I die."

Added Creato's paternal grandmother, Florence Creato, 78: "My grandson is not guilty."

Why did her grandson plead guilty? "Which would you rather," she said, "spend 10 years in jail or 30?"

During the trial, the defense argued that Creato was the victim of a flawed police investigation and that authorities had only circumstantial evidence. The defense suggested Brendan might have accidentally locked himself out of the apartment and wandered outdoors, where someone nefarious grabbed him.

Collins, in her statement, described Brendan as smart, charming, and loving, though stubborn.

"DJ, I hope that one day you are able to speak the truth about what happened on the evening of Oct. 13, 2015," Collins wrote.

Assistant Camden County Prosecutor Christine Shah made clear she believed authorities had charged the right person.

She asked the judge not to lessen the sentence, citing "all the things that Creato did," including hiding Brendan's body, lying to police and the boy's mother, and standing by while Haddon Township "conducted a desperate search for a child they all believed they would find."

During the brief proceeding, Brendan's mother, Samantha Denoto, appeared emotional as she sat a few rows from Creato. At times, she leaned on the shoulder of a family member. She left court without commenting.

Kelley said the plea agreement was "fair and in the interests of justice."

Creato's lawyer Fuschino said his client did not speak in court because "nothing he could have said would have changed the plea agreement."

Still, he said, "I don't think we are much closer [to knowing] what happened."

During the trial, prosecutors presented numerous text messages and other communications between Creato and girlfriend Julia Stensky in which she often expressed displeasure at Brendan's role in Creato's life. At one point, Stensky, who had left for college in New York, wrote online that the child was "a mistake" who would anchor Creato to New Jersey forever.

"I'm willing to do anything or change anything for you," Creato texted Stensky a week before Brendan died. The couple, who met on the dating app Tinder, exchanged more than 9,400 text messages, according to prosecutors. Stensky has not faced any charges.

Creato's 911 call followed a night during which he had argued with Stensky. Creato and the boy's mother, Denoto, shared custody but did not live together.

Creato was charged three months later.
Pennsylvania homeowners, lawmakers, and elected officials have long bemoaned the state's reliance on property taxes. This fall, voters could take a step toward changing it.

A November ballot question will ask voters whether local taxing authorities should be able to exempt residents from paying property taxes on their homes.

What it leaves up in the air, however, is how municipalities, counties, and school districts would make up for the lost revenue.

What would the ballot question do?

Nothing would change immediately if the ballot question passed in November. But school districts, counties, and municipalities would have the option to exempt taxpayers' primary residences from property taxes.

Commercial and industrial properties would still be taxed if a local government or school district enacted the exemption. Although it's unlikely that the exemption would be used anywhere until replacement revenue sources were found, advocates for property tax reform say the measure would be a significant step in implementing broader changes.

Currently, taxing authorities can choose to exempt taxpayers from paying up to 50 percent of the median assessed value of all homes. The proposed change would expand that exemption, making it possible for local governments to exempt all taxpayers from paying any property taxes on their primary residence.

The text of the question itself asks voters: "Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to permit the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing local taxing authorities to exclude from taxation up to 100 percent of the assessed value of each homestead property within a local taxing jurisdiction, rather than limit the exclusion to one-half of the median assessed value of all homestead property, which is the existing law?"

Why are lawmakers trying to change the tax system?

Rep. David Maloney (R., Berks), who sponsored the bill that created the ballot question, said he receives weekly  and sometimes daily  complaints about property taxes from his constituents, especially those who are retired and live on fixed incomes.

"I had an elderly lady walk into my office unexpected," he said. "She pulls out her property tax bill out of her pocketbook and said, 'Sir, I can no longer pay this. Do you know how to help me?' "

Other lawmakers in both parties, and even Gov. Wolf, have called for property tax reform.

"You could say the devil's in the details," Maloney said.

How did we get here?

In Pennsylvania, systems in place for property assessments and distributing school funding have sparked additional complaints about the real estate tax system. Property owners pay tax rates set by their county, school, and municipal governments.

School taxes account for the largest share of property-tax bills, and Pennsylvania's school-funding system has long been criticized. Wolf made the need to reduce property taxes part of his 2014 campaign, and the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a school-funding suit could proceed  but solutions have remained elusive.

How do Pa. property taxes compare with other states?

Statewide, property tax collections account for about 30 percent of local and state tax revenue, according to a study by the Tax Foundation. And its tax rates are among the highest in the country; Pennsylvania homeowners pay, on average, 1.46 percent of their home value in taxes, according to another Tax Foundation report, which ranks the state 10th nationwide for the highest effective tax rate. New Jersey, by comparison, has the highest effective tax rate of any state, at 2.44 percent.

In school property taxes alone, Pennsylvanians pay about $14 billion a year.

Taxes also vary by location. The owner of a home in Upper Merion with a market value of $250,000 would pay $3,437.57 in total property taxes this year. An owner of a home with the same value in West Chester would pay $4,234.57, and $7,867.11 in Cheltenham.

Who is pushing for tax change?

In recent years, a number of grassroots groups have added to pressure to eliminate or reform property taxes. Ron Boltz, president of the Pennsylvania Liberty Alliance, said he got involved in fighting property taxes after the tax bill on his Schuylkill Township home tripled because the school district appealed his assessment.

The Pennsylvania Liberty Alliance and other groups have pushed for legislation known as the Property Tax Independence Act, which would eliminate school property taxes by raising income and sales taxes.

Boltz is also encouraging people to vote "yes" to the ballot question this fall.

"It isn't the full deal," he said, "but it's certainly a sign that we are absolutely having an effect."

Does anyone oppose it?

School officials are also watching the debate closely. Jay Himes, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, said his group thinks the option to eliminate property taxes for primary residences is a good idea  as long as a sound revenue replacement is found.

But Himes and his association strongly oppose the Property Tax Independence Act and efforts to eliminate the school property tax. Under that bill, school districts would continue charging for property taxes to cover their existing debt until it is paid off, and county and local property taxes would remain the same. That would lead to even more unequal payments for homeowners depending on their school district, Himes said, and would not be total elimination of the tax.

School officials also oppose the loss of local school board control over education funding under proposals to eliminate the school tax.

"We don't have a perfect tax system in place for school districts and we haven't had one for decades," Himes said. "It, however, is an inordinately complex and difficult issue because otherwise we'd of had a solution by now."

What comes next?

If the measure passes, state lawmakers would need to find alternative sources of revenue before taxing authorities could move forward with enacting property tax exemptions.

Advocates for the Property Tax Independence Act say that the referendum could help them achieve the elimination of school property taxes.

Sen. David Argall (R., Schuylkill) is the prime sponsor of that effort, which has attracted support from both Democrats and Republicans. It was defeated after Lt. Gov. Mike Stack broke a tie vote on it in 2015.

Argall said that he is open to amendments to his bill, which still lacks enough votes to pass. If the measure passes this fall, for example, he could amend his bill to eliminate school property taxes only for primary residences rather than all properties.

"It gives us more flexibility," Argall said of the ballot question. "I believe it helps us to build some additional support for the concept across the state."
Graffiti loudly announcing the location of drug dealers popped up overnight on the 2200 block of Hancock Street Sunday after the pushers moved into the block to try and sell their wares. Read more

Drug dealers are fiercely territorial about their corners in Philadelphia. But some who tried to expand their reach recently found themselves painted into a corner when cheeky graffiti  including large arrows pointing to their perch  appeared overnight advertising their presence to police and passersby.

A photo posted on Reddit by user rubiredd  who asked that her real name be withheld  shows a shuttered dry-cleaning business on Hancock Street near Susquehanna Avenue in North Philly covered with graffiti that appears to indicate drug dealers tried to sling their wares on the business' steps.

"Some young entrepreneurs tried to open a new drug corner and the neighbors were not happy," she captioned her photo.

Along with the word "Drugs" in several places and nine arrows, the graffiti reads "30+ years no one sold drugs here" and "You could tell we brand NEW!" a comment apparently designed to mock the dealers' ignorance of the area.

Rubiredd said the graffiti appeared Sunday, the day she posted the photo to Reddit. By Thursday, it was gone from the wall, painted over by city workers.

Neighbors on the block, including Beverly Patrick, 52, said they don't know who put up the anti-drug graffiti.

"Everybody cheered them on, though, when they read it," said Patrick, who has lived in the area for 13 years.

The block, which is catty-corner to Norris Square Park, is quiet and well-kept. It's also home to a new mural that went up this year of a squirrel munching on a SEPTA token, because this is Philly.

Neighbors said there were few problems on the street.

A 40-year-old block resident who has lived in the area for 30 years described the street as relatively quiet, aside from a few "ups and downs" in the summer. The man, who declined to give his name, had theories about who may have painted the graffiti, but no solid leads.

Police have responded to the block 60 times so far this year, according to department data, mostly for minor disturbances. The last call for police on the 2200 block of Hancock Street came Sept. 20, for a disorderly crowd. Records don't indicate that police were called to the block this year for reports of drug dealing.

Rubiredd said two days after the graffiti appeared, someone used black spray paint to scribble the words out. She said not pictured in the original photo was additional graffiti that read, "don't even think about it." When the graffiti was scribbled over, she said, the scribbler left only three words visible: "think about it."

The day after the graffiti was crossed out, city workers painted everything over in beige. Mayoral spokeswoman Ajeenah Amir said workers with the city's Community Life Improvement Programs painted over the graffiti in response to a 311 complaint.

Nobody knows who put up the graffiti and nobody but the person who did it may ever know. But one thing is certain: Nobody has been seen sitting on those steps since it went up.

Patrick said she thought it was a "pretty cool" way to deal with a too-prevalent and dangerous problem without putting oneself in harm's way.

"It was probably somebody around the neighborhood and they ain't taking it," she said of the graffiti do-gooder. "They don't play like that."
Thousands of people evacuating Puerto Rico line up to get on a cruise ship in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. Read more

They dial the island, but no one ever answers.

They fill donation buckets in Kensington with nickels to pay for rice, though they barely eat themselves.

They drive themselves crazy imagining dehydrating cousins thrusting out their tongues to drink rainwater in the wrecked towns.

For the more than 134,000 people of Puerto Rican origin living in Philadelphia, as well as the 24,200 in Camden, daily life can be a torment as they fret over family and friends wallowing in the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

"It's awful," said Jose Ortiz-Pagan, 33, a Puerto Rico-born artist who came here seven years ago. He hasn't been able to speak with his father, grandmother, or cousins. "We can barely sleep, all day worrying."

Still, the people of the island diaspora say they never lost heart, taking pride in the popular hashtag proliferating on social media: #PuertoRicoSelevanta  Puerto Rico will rise again.

To aid the ascendance, people in one of the poorest stretches of the United States donated about $50,000 to Concilio, the oldest Latino nonprofit in Philadelphia, according to Bonnie Camarda, director of partnership for the Salvation Army in eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.

In Philadelphia, community groups including Concilio and Taller Puertorriqueno have joined forces under the banner of Unidos PA PR to gather donations and push for assistance to people on the island. Concilio, founded in 1962, has long been an advocate and voice for the community.

And Camarda's office on North Broad Street filled a shipping container donated by the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Co. with 20 pallets of water, ready-to-eat meals, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, and generators. The container supplies were underwritten by donations from people around Philadelphia, many from church organizations, according to Bob Myers, Salvation Army director of disaster services for eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Placed on a ship in the Philadelphia port Thursday morning, the material should get to the island next week.

The benefactors have little to spare. They help because "Puerto Ricans are some of the most prideful people, never giving up," said Julia Rivera, external affairs director of Congreso de Latinos Unidos in Kensington, a multiservice nonprofit that has set up buckets to collect money at the agency.

"Even the poor are trying to help," she said. "It's amazing that they give their coins, whatever they have."

Beyond money, people are willing to give of themselves. "My duty is on the island," said Charito Morales, a registered nurse who volunteers her time feeding drug addicts in Kensington. She said she and nine other nurses are on standby for flights to the island, where she was born and where an overflowing dam threatens her hometown of Quebradillas.

"I know my mother is alive, but I haven't heard from her," said Morales, who helped collect $2,016.43 in coins and small bills to help her people. She, like City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and others, is outraged that the U.S. government hasn't acted more quickly to help Puerto Rico.

"People are dying and starving, and Latinos are not being treated in the right way even though we're American citizens," she said.

Quinones-Sanchez, who held a news conference Thursday evening laying out problems with the federal response to the disaster, was even more blunt about what she sees as offhand treatment of island citizens: "This speaks to the attitude that Puerto Rico is just a colony of the United States, an island of 3.4 million who are brown and speak a different language."

She presented letters from members of Congress that, among other things, call for additional money for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund; criticize the Trump administration for declaring a disaster in just 54 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities; request an immediate increase of Department of Defense personnel on the island; and propose a one-year waiver of the Jones Act, which ensures that only American-built vessels manned with American crews trade from one American port to another. The administration announced Thursday a 10-day waiver of the act.

Activists were planning a Friday night rally in Center City to demand that President Trump and other federal authorities immediately provide supplies to relieve Puerto Rico. Diaspora in Action and Voces Del Barrio called for a 6 p.m. start near City Hall.

While the federal government dawdles, "Puerto Ricans are sticking out their tongues trying to catch a few raindrops," the groups said in a statement.

Aware of the complaints of slow progress in aiding his home island, Ivan Mejias, businessman and drag-race promoter, decided to act boldly.

Mejias, 57, who owns USA Auto Supplies in the Northeast, called for volunteers  Morales among them  to collect food, diapers, water, and other essentials to ship to Puerto Rico. People filled three large trucks, which Mejias then paid to have loaded into containers and placed on a ship in Pennsauken that's scheduled to leave Thursday night.

"I gave my credit card and booked it," Mejias said. "It cost a lot, but I won't say how much. This came out of my heart. I know my people are hurting. I also gave money to Houston for their hurricane. They are also Americans who got hit hard."

Money for the island continues to be collected all over.

College students across the United States, including groups at Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Bryn Mawr College, and Villanova University, have mounted an online appeal for Puerto Rico, raising $124,000 of a $150,000 goal in seven days.

Buffalo-based M&T Bank, with nearly 200 branches in Pennsylvania, announced it will make a $300,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricanes Maria and Irma and the Mexican earthquake.

Even restaurants are helping. Cuba Libre in Old City is holding an event called "Dine Out to Support Puerto Rico" on Friday, with 20 percent of proceeds from a $30 prix fixe meal going to help victims.

And Tierra Colombiana in North Philadelphia will provide the venue and food for a fund-raiser for the island as well as for Mexico. The restaurant expects to garner $30,000.

Ricky Cintron, the 26-year-old grandson of a man who came to Philadelphia from Puerto Rico in 1950, says it's great that people are putting dollars together to help. But still he struggles to concentrate, work, or to shed his worry about his family on the island  two aunts and uncles, his grandmother, and loads of cousins.

"It's extremely frustrating to not be able to do anything but sit and donate money," said Cintron, office manager for the Germantown Mennonite Church in West Mount Airy. "I've had friends asking every day, 'Have you heard anything?' I have no idea when I'm going to hear from them. It could be months."

For everyone, the waiting and watching have been excruciating.

But, said State Rep. Angel Cruz (D., Phila.), if possible, "people need to bring the anxiety down."

And, he added, "the best thing for all this is to pray."
U.S. pig farmers are running wild and now have a record number of hogs, according to a quarterly report from the USDA released on Thursday. Total inventories stand at 73.5 million animals, up 2 percent from last year, which knocked prices to the lowest level of the year, trading below $0.55 per pound this week.

For consumers, this abundance of pork should lead to lower prices at the store as well, giving savvy shoppers a chance to buy up cheap chops, hams, and bacon.

Healthier wheat harvest

U.S. farmers produced more wheat than expected this year, per the USDA. This summers drought in the Upper Midwest, especially North Dakota, damaged wheat production, but farmers likely produced a sufficient wheat crop.

In its quarterly report released on Friday morning, the USDA raised projections for the spring wheat crop and generally showed more wheat for this year than most analysts were expecting. This news knocked Minneapolis spring wheat values to $6.20 per bushel, near the lowest price since mid-June.

The same report showed smaller stockpiles of corn and soybeans, which helped boost those markets, which traded at $3.57 and $9.73 per bushel, respectively, on Friday.

Merkel misses the mark

German Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a major electoral setback this week, muddying the outlook for her rule and the future of the European Union.

Germanys two mainstream parties, the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democrats both lost substantial support to fringe parties, another sign of global desires for change. Especially shocking to many Germans was the rise of the right-wing Alternative for Germany Party, which placed third in the election.

Going forward, Chancellor Merkel must navigate a Parliament with six different parties, including significant forces that are opposed to immigration and greater integration with Europe.

Germany is the largest economy in the European Union, and potential discord there or a threat of less German involvement in the EU sent financial markets reeling. The eurocurrency fell to a six-week low near $1.17 and could fall farther if Merkel cannot cobble together a governing coalition.
Expect more Earth flyby images to be released every dew days. Sadly, the mission has no plans to release raw image data as past missions have done. However, Enos said they do plan on relatively rapid data release to the Planetary Data System, with quarterly deliveries of data from the period 3 to 6 months prior.

Since the Earth flyby there have been three five-hour periods of science observations, one just a few hours after closest approach, one on September 24 from a range of about 1.2 million kilometers, one yesterday from 3 million kilometers. One more, on October 1, will be at a range of 5 million kilometers. Why wait until they're so far away?

Remember what OSIRIS-REx was designed to do. It's supposed to map and then approach very closely to a very small object. Bennu's size is estimated at about 500 meters. The Moon is 7000 times larger than that, and Earth 26000 times larger. So take the distances OSIRIS-REx travels from Earth and the Moon before testing out its instruments, and divide them by 10000, and you get an idea of how Bennu might appear to OSIRIS-REx from different reasonable ranges. The four post-flyby observation periods at ranges of 100,000, a million, 3 million, and 5 million kilometers are like observing Bennu from ranges of 10, 100, 300, and 500 kilometers. (Remember this when you wonder why all of OSIRIS-REx's approach images of Bennu just look pointlike. Bennu is small.)

OSIRIS-REx has a lot of cameras. In anticipation of more pictures being released, here is a brief summary of their capabilities:

OCAMS is a suite of three science cameras: PolyCam, MapCam, and SamCam. All share a common detector design, 1024 pixels square. (Read more here.) PolyCam has highest resolution (0.0139 mrad pixel scale) and narrowest field of view (0.8 degrees). It will be first to spot Bennu. It is focusable from a range of 200 meters to infinity. It is black-and-white. Bennu will become more than a pointlike object to PolyCam at a distance of about 37,000 kilometers. MapCam is intermediate in resolution (0.068 mrad) and field of view (4 degrees). It can take panchromatic (black-and-white) images and also has a filter wheel with 4 color filters with blue, green, and near-infrared wavelengths, so it can produce approximately natural color images. MapCam images of Earth show continents red where you would expect green because chlorophyll is highly reflective in the near-infrared. MapCam is usually in focus from 125 meters to infinity, but one of MapCam's filter positions has a panchromatic diopter lens that allows it to focus at ranges between 25 and 35 meters (without color capability). Bennu will become more than a pointlike object to MapCam at a distance of about 7500 kilometers. SamCam has lowest resolution (0.354 mrad) and widest field of view (20.8 degrees). It will be used to photograph sampling activities. It is in focus from 3 meters to infinity, and has a diopter that allows it to be in focus at 2 meters. Although it has a filter wheel, the filter wheel is more like a dust cover -- it contains three identical panchromatic filters so that a new one can be rotated in place if one gets covered with dust, plus the diopter and two lens caps. Bennu will become more than a pointlike object to PolyCam at a distance of about 1400 kilometers.

is a suite of three science cameras: PolyCam, MapCam, and SamCam. All share a common detector design, 1024 pixels square. (Read more here.) TAGCAMS is a suite of three engineering cameras: two Navcams and a Stowcam. They have the same pixel format (2592 by 1944) and the same wide field of view, 44 by 32 degrees. (Read more here.) The Navcams have monochrome sensors and are focused at infinity. They are designed to image the asteroid and background stars down to 4th magnitude for navigation purposes. There are two for redundancy. Stowcam has a Bayer color sensor and is very nearsighted, focused at the distance of the sample return capsule from the camera. It is designed to document transfer of the sample to the sample return capsule.

is a suite of three engineering cameras: two Navcams and a Stowcam. They have the same pixel format (2592 by 1944) and the same wide field of view, 44 by 32 degrees. (Read more here.)

Finally, I'll share some images not taken by OSIRIS-REx, but rather, of OSIRIS-REx. Earth flybys are special in part because we get a brief chance to lay eyes on our precious deep space travelers, even if we can only see them as points of light among the stars. Here are a few such views:
Paying for it

In order to make the rocket affordable, Musk said SpaceX will rely on cost savings from reusability, as well as combining all of the company's vehicles into a single product line.

"We want to have one booster and ship that replaces Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon," he said. "If we can do that, all those resources can be applied to this system."

Musk said the larger transport ship would enhance the company's core business offering: launching satellites. He showed off an artist's concept of a Mars craft deploying a supersized-version of the Hubble Space Telescope into Earth orbit, and also said the transport ship could capture defunct satellites and other space debris for return to Earth.

Another possible SpaceX revenue stream is Moon landings.

NASA currently plans to construct a small space station in lunar orbit called the Deep Space Gateway that could serve as a jumping-off point for commercial or international partners interested in landing on the Moon. There is speculation the Trump administration might direct NASA to get more involved with surface operations, leading multiple companies to present lunar vehicle concepts that could compete for government funding. Notably, Lockheed Martin presented a Mars lander of its own earlier today, and said the design was flexible enough for lunar applications.

Musk also said a single tank of fuel, delivered in Earth orbit, would be enough for the transport ship to travel to the lunar surface and return, without any surface mining.

A final, wildly ambitious revenue stream for the project could be point-to-point Earth flights. SpaceX released a new video depicting a 39-minute passenger flight from New York to Shanghai.
Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr.

Massachusetts State Police troopers who fatally shot Jorge Zambrano, the man who killed Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. in May 2016, used appropriate deadly force, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said.

The conclusion by Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. was released Wednesday. Early states a thorough investigation into the shooting of Zambrano was conducted.

Police reports obtained by MassLive detail the numerous interviews with Zambrano's friends and family along with State Police STOP Team members who fatally shot Zambrano while he hid inside an Oxford duplex after the shooting.

Tarentino was fatally shot by Zambrano on May 22, 2016 after he stopped a vehicle driven by Zambrano on Rochdale Street in Auburn around 12:18 a.m.
A retired veteran Jacksonville sheriffs officer was injured Wednesday morning during a training exercise when a member fired a gun loaded with marking rounds at him, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Chip Williams was training 10 officers at the Criminal Justice Center next to Florida State College of Jacksonville on Capper Road when the incident occurred. Director Tom Hackney said Williams was working with a corrections officer in a use-of-force training event.

One of the students involved in this went up and took the blank gun  from the instructors waistband and placed that against the instructors back and fired, Hackney told Jacksonville.com. There is no projectile in that. It is just a blank. But it is gunpowder.
Immigration officials on Thursday announced hundreds of arrests targeting people in the United States illegally and living in so-called sanctuary cities that don't cooperate with federal immigration rules, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it arrested 101 people in the Los Angeles area, one of dozens of communities in California that have fought against the Trump administration crackdown on those in the country illegally. Arrests were also made in San Francisco and San Jose. Overall, ICE said it arrested nearly 500 people across the country over the last few days.

Federal authorities said the majority of those arrested had been convicted of crimes in the United States, while others were in violation of immigration laws.

ICE said participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program were not targeted.
At least one of the Facebook ads bought by Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign referenced Black Lives Matter and was specifically targeted to reach audiences in Ferguson, MO, and Baltimore, sources with knowledge of the ads told CNN.

Ferguson and Baltimore had gained widespread attention for the large and violent protests over police shootings of black men. The decision to target the ad in those two cities offers the first look at how accounts linked to the Russian government-affiliated troll farm known as the Internet Research Agency used geographically targeted advertising to sow political chaos in the United States, the sources said.

The Black Lives Matter ad appeared on Facebook at some point in late 2015 or early 2016, the sources said. The sources said it appears the ad was meant to appear both as supporting Black Lives Matter but also could be seen as portraying the group as threatening to some residents of Baltimore and Ferguson.

New descriptions of the Russian-bought ads shared with CNN suggest that the apparent goal of the Russian buyers was to amplify political discord and fuel an atmosphere of incivility and chaos, though not necessarily to promote one candidate or cause over another.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and the citys interim police chief have called for a third-party investigation into the departments handling of protests over the last two weeks.

They have pledged an investigation into complaints, but called on the U.S. attorney to conduct an independent probe, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The departments Internal Affairs Division has received a dozen complaints, a filmmaker couple and the ACLU of Missouri have sued over a controversial mass arrest on Sept. 17, and the Post-Dispatch has complained to the department about the arrest of a journalist covering the protests.

Protesters took to the streets when a judge found former police officer Jason Stockley not guilty of first-degree murder in the on-duty shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith.
MASON CITY | A Mason City man has been arrested for allegedly committing two robberies in in September 2016.

Gunnar Demetrius Flores, 18, allegedly robbed two men around 11:47 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2016, near the 700 block of North Commercial Alley in Mason City.

According to court documents, Flores is accused of stealing $3,500 in cash and a wallet from one man and caused him bodily injury.

Flores is also accused of stealing $600, a wallet, cell phone and belt from the other man.

He has been charged with two counts of felony second-degree robbery and is being held for $10,000 bond in the Cerro Gordo County Jail.

Flores initial appearance will be Oct. 6 in Cerro Gordo County District Court.

 Courtney Fiorini
Willoughby Hills, OH, police say two officers were injured during a shooting at a car dealership on Thursday.

Police Chief Christopher J. Collins says around 2 p.m., management at Classic BMW on Som Center Road called officers for a customer problem.

"Upon making contact, there was a conversation between the officers; at some point during that contact, he [customer] drew a handgun and shots were fired," Chief Collins told Fox8.

The chief says both officers are in stable condition; the suspect, who was also shot, is also in stable condition.
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Despite HHS Secretary Tom Prices attempt to put his travel scandal behind him on Thursday, it got much worse with new reporting that reveals he billed taxpayers more than $500,000 on international trips by flying on military aircraft instead of commercial flights.

According to Politico, the $500,000 cost of these international trips brings his total travel expenses to over $1 million over the course of his short time on the job.

More from the report:

Price pledged on Thursday to reimburse the government for the cost of his own seat on his domestic trips using private aircraft  reportedly around $52,000  but that would not include the cost of the military flights. Prices wife, Betty, accompanied him on the military flights, while other members of the secretarys delegation flew commercially to Europe. HHS spokeswoman Charmaine Yoest said Price has reimbursed the agency for the cost of his wifes travel abroad, but declined to say when he did so. Price has been under intense criticism since POLITICO revealed his extensive use of charter aircraft for domestic flights last week. His travel expenditures are subject to reviews by the HHS inspector general and the House Oversight Committee. Democratic and Republican senators have also demanded information about Prices travel expenditures.

To put it in context, former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who served for five years under Barack Obama, never took a military aircraft on her many overseas trips, Politico noted.

The new reporting comes after Price tried to put an end to the controversy today by announcing he would pay back some of the cost of his travels.

But as Jason Easley and Sarah Jones noted on Thursday, Price said he would only reimburse taxpayers $50,000  a fraction of $400,000 bill he racked up on private flights in just a few months.

Even without these additional revelations from Politico, Prices costly and wasteful travel habits were troubling enough, particularly in the context of his and Donald Trumps ongoing efforts to strip Americans of their health insurance.

With the new reporting on Thursday, Prices travel troubles got much worse, and his days squandering taxpayer dollars for personal comfort are likely numbered.
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By Mark Hosenball

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  The U.S. Justice Department and the FBI are resisting demands from a Republican lawmaker to hand over documents about a former British spys dossier on purported Russian support for Donald Trumps 2016 election campaign, because the FBI has its own open criminal investigation, officials said.

The U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee issued subpoenas in August seeking any and all documents about both agencies dealings with former MI6 officer Christopher Steele, according to a letter seen by Reuters from committee chairman Devin Nunes, a Trump supporter.

Steele compiled the so-called Trump dossier, which Trump was told by FBI director James Comey contained salacious material about the businessman-turned president. Trump and his associates have said the dossiers contents were false.

Law enforcement and congressional officials said that the Justice Department and the FBI were reluctant to comply with the demand for documents as the FBI had its own probe, under the supervision of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, into U.S. allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign to tilt the November election in Trumps favor.

Moscow has repeatedly denied meddling and Trump has denied any collusion between his campaign and Russian officials.

Two officials said Nunes met with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein behind closed doors on Thursday to discuss the subpoenas.

The Deputy Attorney General is meeting with Nunes as part of an ongoing negotiation over what information DOJ will provide or how it will be provided, a Justice Department official said.

The FBI declined to comment on anything to do with Nunes request. A spokesman for Nunes declined to comment.

According to a Sept. 1 letter Nunes sent to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the subpoenas demand that the department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation produce all documents related to their relationship with Steele and the so-called Trump Dossier.

Such documents, the letter said, would include any payments the FBI made to Steele, and any efforts the government made to corroborate the contents of Steeles reports.

Sessions recused himself earlier this year from the Russia investigation. Nunes publicly recused himself from leading the Russia probe in April following a secret visit he paid to White House officials.

Democrats on the committee said Republicans issued the subpoenas in an attempt to discredit Steele. Republicans say it is important to understand the genesis of the dossier and whether it was created to sabotage Trump during his successful campaign for president.

Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee has also been battling with the Justice Department for months over its request to interview two FBI officials about Trumps dismissal in May of Comey as FBI chief, according to letters from the committee and the department.

The department twice refused to allow them to testify, according to the letters. On Sept. 22, it agreed that it would be appropriate for the officials to testify provided that it would be in a classified setting and did not interfere with Muellers inquiry.

The Senate panels chairman, Charles Grassley, had told reporters on Sept. 20 that the committee had begun drafting subpoenas to compel the testimony. In another letter dated Sept. 27, the conditions of the testimony still appeared to be in dispute.

(Additional reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and Grant McCool)
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Its no wonder Russia was so successful. There is great power in appealing to peoples feelings that their government isnt listening to them, that they are disempowered. The Russians used these feelings to promote Trump and also to sow discord and division among liberals by promoting Jill Stein and Bernie Sanders.

A great example of just one way this was done (and is done) was shared today by former FBI Special Agent of the Counterintelligence Division and now CNN analyst and Editor at Just Security, Asha Rangappa.

Here's what an "interview request" looks like from radio Sputnik. A bunch of leading questions with seemingly preordained conclusions.  pic.twitter.com/NNIKC1sIrb  Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) September 29, 2017

Heres the part Im focused on, where they claim that to censure Russian propaganda is to deny freedom of speech and subvert the role of the 4th estate by asking if the license should only be given to those who support the state policy? Then further by moving the goal post now that the viewer is hooked, because the left especially will be drawn to the idea that of course we dont only support the state policy all ideas must be permitted, by asking should the Voice of America be banned in Russia?

The Voice of America, while funded by the U.S. government, whose goal is to broadcast accurate, balanced, and comprehensive news and information to an international audience, is not being used to sow discord among the Russians or promote a Russian candidate who will give the U.S. an international advantage.

Additionally, the U.S. has not been found by international intelligence communities to have interfered with the Russian elections like the Russians have been found guilty of doing to the United States, so these questions are based on a house of cards of faulty premises.

But these kinds of propaganda tricks work, even if there is someone there to try to point out the issues with the questions. Because people feel so disenfranchised right now, and have ever since the government responded to the Bush market crash by bailing out the big guys on the little guys back.

Their propaganda talking points are well thought out to feed the resentment of both the left and right. This could easily explain why and how the Russians targeted not only Trump-likely far right people on Facebook, but also Jill Stein and some Bernie Sanders supporters.

We know, for instance, that $100,000 was spent on Facebook linked to a Russian propaganda operation during the 2016 election cycle. We know, just as an example, Russian propaganda outlet Russia Today spent $274,100 on Twitter advertisements in San Fransisco and promoted 1,823 tweets. We know Russia used Facebook to organize pro-Trump rallies.

Twitter suspended Russia-linked accounts Thursday.

Lawmakers in both parties suspect social networks may have played a big role in Moscows attempts to spread propaganda, sow political discord in the United States and help elect President Donald Trump. Moscow denies any such activity, and Trump has denied any collusion.

Twitter said it had identified and removed 22 accounts directly linked to about 500 fake Facebook pages or profiles tied to Russia and that it unearthed an additional 179 accounts that were otherwise related. Reuters reported.

Politico reported that Russian-funded Facebook ads backed Stein, Sanders and Trump, At least one touted Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, who Clinton says may well have thrown the election to Trump.'

Republicans are trying to claim that since the Russians promoted Jill Stein and Bernie Sanders, they werent trying to just help Trump. That, of course, is ridiculous. There is no indication that Stein or Sanders knew the Russians were using them, a pattern has not been established of constant secret contact among their campaigns, and of course they were not offering the Kremlin anything, unlike the Russia-minded policy the Republicans adopted at their convention, and how easy Trump is to manipulate.

The Russians are more sophisticated than to try to alter the vote tallies after people voted. Their attack on the United States centered around creating and furthering divides. So they used Stein and Sanders to push the left away from Clinton, which helped Trump.

It should be noted that the Russians initially had little hope of Trump actually winning; they were trying to undermine Clinton so that she had less political capital with which to fight them and try to strengthen western democracy as she was set to do with things like her fight against Citizens United, Id guess.

This is powerful, heady, advanced stuff. It works. People on the left want to feel like theyre smart enough to value opposing opinions and to stand up to the government, so they are drawn to appearances of fairness like the Russian talking points in the interview questions.

Theres a saying that if you arent angry, you arent paying attention. There needs to be a warning about what to do with that anger and how not to be manipulated by it.
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President Trump tried to defend his botched response to the disaster in Puerto Rico by explaining to America what an island is.

Video:

Trump said, All appropriate parts of our government from Homeland Security to Defense are engaged fully in the response and the recovery effort probably has never been seen for something like this. This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water.

Surrounded by water, you say? That is usually how islands work.

Trump is making excuses for why he has slow-walked aid to Puerto Rico while at the same time defending his administrations response. It is a good thing that Trump wasnt president during World War II. His mind seems so blown by the existence of islands that the Japanese would have never been defeated.

It is not that hard for the disaster relief professionals to get assistance to an island. The problem is that the Trump administration wont allow them to do their jobs.

The lights are on with Donald Trump, but it is clear that no one is home. The fact that Puerto Rico is an island is no excuse for how his administration has failed to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis.

Trump is out of it, and all he knows that the Hispanics in Puerto Rico need help, and he has no interest in giving it to them.
Crazy race Competitors race in the Anything that Floats but a Boat contest at Dennis Dreyer Municipal Harbor on Saturday, Nov. 5. It was part of the Port A Days Festival, which celebrated the 112th birthday of Port Aransas. (More on Page 1B.)

City groups study STR, golf cart issues The City of Port Aransas Ad-Hoc Short-Term Rental Working Group and Ad-Hoc Golf Cart Working Group are focusing on key issues of vacation rental parking and occupancy levels and golf carts driving down State Highway 361 and underage golf cart drivers. Short-term rental parking concerns usually are when residents have...

Sign ups open for holiday drive-thru lights display Individuals, families, organizations and businesses are invited to take part in the Nautical and Nice Community Drive-thru Holiday Light Display to be set up at Roberts Point Park. Registration is open to reserve a cut-out for the displays. The event is sponsored by City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation...

EMS honor Christopher A. Morgan, center, a licensed paramedic with Port Aransas EMS, and Joshua Veracruz, right, an EMT basic with EMS, received recognitions of achievement from the City of Port Aransas during a City Council meeting on Oct. 20. Morgan has become a licensed paramedic and graduated with his associates degree...

Musicians, singers invited to record their holiday music Musicians and singers are sought to perform a seasonal song or two at the Chapel on the Dunes on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 29 and 30. The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association is planning to record the music to create a collection of holiday tunes. The recorded music will...

More electrical work planned south of town A power pole maintenance project in Port Aransas just wrapped up, but more electrical work is planned south of town. The outside northbound lane of 361 has been closed recently in Port Aransas between Beach Access Road 1A and the post office for electrical work. The project involved replacing distribution...

VFW auxiliary seeks military names for holiday Honors Tree Port Aransas folks who have family members who are past or present members of the armed forces are invited to honor them at the holidays. Members of the Moore-McDonald VFW Post 8967 Auxiliary are sponsoring a 2022 Honors Tree. To have service members represented on the tree, email their first...

Happy puppy Charles Benavidez, right, of Corpus Christi, adopts Romeo, a 5-month-old miniature pinscher at a free pet vaccination clinic that took place Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Coldwell Banker office in Port Aransas. Kylie Holt, left, of Port Aransas, fostered Romeo. Connie Beane, president of the Animal Friends of Port Aransas,...
EU gives ultimatum to Facebook, Twitter, Google on hate speech

The European Commission has given Facebook, Twitter and other social media companies an ultimatum: they either come up with something to rid their platforms of hate speech or face legal consequences.

The EU executive has presented guidelines and principles for online platforms to increase the proactive prevention, detection and removal of illegal content inciting hatred, violence and terrorism online."European regulators have been urging social media companies for years to remove violent, xenophobic and racist posts from their platforms in a timely manner for years, but their patience is running out.The aim of the new guidelines and principles is to increase the proactive prevention, detection and removal of illegal content inciting hatred, violence and terrorism online.The increasing availability and spreading of terrorist material and content that incites violence and hatred online is a serious threat to the security and safety of EU citizens. It also undermines citizens' trust and confidence in the digital environment - a key engine of innovation, growth and jobs," the Commission said in a statement on Thursday.

The Commission has decided to thoroughly tackle the problem of illegal content online. The situation is not sustainable: in more than 28% of cases, it takes more than one week for online platforms to take down illegal content

, commented Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society

"The rule of law applies online just as much as offline. We cannot accept a digital Wild West, and we must act"

, added Vera Jourova, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.She noted that the code of conduct she agreed with Facebook, Twitter, Google and Microsoft shows that a self-regulatory approach can serve as a good example and can lead to results. However, if the tech companies don't deliver, we will do it."Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter promised in May 2016 to review a majority of hate speech flagged by users within 24 hours and to remove any illegal content.The new guidance issued today calls on online platforms to further boost their efforts to prevent the spread of illegal content.Given their increasingly important role in providing access to information,, in particular in the area of terrorism and illegal hate speech - which is already illegal under EU law, both online and offline."The German government approved a plan in April to start imposingon social media companies if they fail to remove hate speech and fake news posts within 24 hours after being flagged. Other illegal content needs to be deleted within 7 days of reporting, CNN reminded.The Commission said it will carefully monitor progress made by the online platforms over the next months and assess whether additional measures are needed in order to ensure the swift and proactive detection and removal of illegal content online,

including possible legislative measures to complement the existing regulatory framework.

This work will be completed by May 2018.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 54F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 54F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
GARNER | A third person has been charged in connection with a Hancock County robbery and burglary case dating back to July.

Samuel Christopher Swanson, 18, who was extradited to North Iowa from Portland, Maine, is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on a $211,000 bond.

Swanson has been charged with seven counts of felony first-degree robbery involving eight men, one woman and one juvenile, according to court documents, as well as two counts of felony second-degree burglary, felony intimidation with a dangerous weapon and three counts of misdemeanor assault with a dangerous weapon.

The charges relate to several incidents during the late evening and early morning hours of July 30-31, Hancock County Sheriff Scott Dodd said.

Swanson was involved in a burglary where a structure in rural Garner was broken into and guns were stolen, Dodd said, and robberies during a party at a Klemme farm.

There were shots fired during the robbery but no one was injured, Dodd said, but one person was hit in the head with a gun and required stitches.

Personal items were stolen, including cash and possibly cell phones, according to Dodd.

Swansons arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Hancock County District Court.

Additional charges have been filed against two others allegedly involved in the case.

Kyren-Ray Daniel Valentine, 20, and Isaiah Zion Lewis, 17, were initially charged with felony first-degree robbery after law enforcement said they attempted to rob two men at gunpoint during the party. They were arrested in Britt July 31.

The Globe Gazette is identifying Lewis as he is charged with a felony in adult court.

Lewis is accused of tapping one person on the shoulder with an AR15-type rifle, court documents say, and Valentine is accused of putting a handgun in another persons chest.

Both victims were told to empty their pockets, the complaints state. Neither victim had any property on them.

Valentine and Lewis have now been charged with seven counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

Additionally, Valentine is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary while Lewis faces one count of second-degree burglary.

Valentine is being held on a $127,000 bond in the Cerro Gordo County Jail. Lewis is being held in Central Iowa Juvenile Detention in Eldora.

Both have entered written pleas of not guilty. A jury trial for Valentine and Lewis has been scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Hancock County Courthouse.
Doug Rozendaal has been flying airplanes for more than four decades, but when he took off from Mason City Airport on Friday it was a first for
It didnt make the biggest headlines, but the most important thing that happened today was the U.S. Supreme Courts granting of certiorari in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31. I wrote about the Janus case here:

The case raises issues substantially identical to those in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. In Friedrichs, decided last year, the Court split 4-4 following the death of Justice Scalia, and therefore left standing a 9th Circuit decision adverse to the plaintiff, a California school teacher. In Janus, like Friedrichs, plaintiffs are asking the Court to overturn the ruling in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education and bar public employees from being forced into unions, or from being required to support unions via the fiction of fair share contributions. It is widely believed that Rebecca Friedrichs would have won her case had Scalia lived, and that, with Neil Gorsuch now sitting in place of Scalia, Janus and his co-plaintiff will win, Abood will be overturned, and public sector unions will be dealt a very serious blow.

While rich leftists are often assumed to be the main supporters of the Democratic Party, it is public sector unions that provide the lions share of the Democrats funding. They take money involuntarily from their members, a large majority of whom have never even voted on whether to be represented by a union, and many of whom disapprove of the unions agenda, and recycle that money into left-wing causes, Democratic Party candidates, and inflated salaries for countless union officials. The entire system is the number one form of corruption in American public life.

If, as expected, Justice Gorsuch casts the decisive fifth vote in favor of Mark Janus, that cycle of corruption will come to a screeching halt. All public employees in the U.S. will, in effect, be treated as though they were in a right to work state. Those who dont want to be represented by the union, or support it, wont have to. The effect on the public sector unions, and the Democratic Party, will be devastating, as we have seen in Wisconsin. When teachers and other public employees arent required by law to support Democratic Party unions, they desert them in droves.

Although it was expected, unions have reacted hysterically to the Supreme Courts granting of cert in Janus. The countrys four largest public sector unionsAFSCME, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and SEIUissued a joint press release. It is over the top:

The Janus case is a blatantly political and well-funded plot to use the highest court in the land to further rig the economic rules against everyday working people. The billionaire CEOs and corporate interests behind this case, and the politicians who do their bidding, have teamed up to deliver yet another attack on working people by striking at the freedom to come together in strong unions.

There is much more in the same vein. For example, the President of AFSCME writes:

This case is yet another example of corporate interests using their power and influence to launch a political attack on working people and rig the rules of the economy in their own favor.  The merits of the case, and 40 years of Supreme Court precedent and sound law, are on our side. We look forward to the Supreme Court honoring its earlier rulings.

Leftists are selectively enthusiastic about stare decisisit is wonderful when they are trying to avoid reversal of the ill-advised Abood, not so wonderful when they are arguing for a brand-new constitutional right to, for example, gay marriage. The last thing the Democrats want is for public employees to be liberated to support the causes and politicians they believe in, rather than the ones the corrupt union selects.

Minnesota, where I live, is one of a number of states where public sector unions, especially teachers unions, are by far the most powerful political force. Conservatives who rely on voluntary contributions cannot begin to match the enormous revenues the teachers unions extract by force from people who are legally compelled to pay them. If the Supreme Court sides with the Janus plaintiffs, the political landscape in such states will be transformed.

The unions believe such a result is highly probable, which accounts for their hysteria. Our Never Trump friends should acknowledge that if Hillary Clinton had won the election, she would have appointed a justice to succeed Antonin Scalia who would have voted to keep public employees in a state of involuntary servitude to the unions, and the Democratic Party, forever.
Ammo Grrrll pays tribute to NANCY PELOSI: HOMESPUN PHILOSOPHER. She writes:

I suppose it is a matter of opinion whether or not it is constitutionally permitted to engage in Nancy Pelosis infamous shouting of Wolf! in a crowded theatre. Personally, I believe it is, although it may hinge on how the Wolf chooses to be addressed.

But I can promise you shouting Wolf or Javelina or Gnu is unappreciated once the feature film begins. Cellphone users and shouters of random animal names in a Minnesota theater  crowded or otherwise  are liable to meet with the Minnesota-approved severe half-turn with pursed lips, precursor to the dreaded full-turn with shaking head, more in sorrow than disapproval. Because the only sin in liberalism is being judgmental.

Mr. AG believes that I could match Mrs. Pelosi aphorism for aphorism as one of my lifelong favorites has always been Ill burn that bridge when I come to it, a reference to my habit of stomping off several jobs without having other employment lined up. Its probably hard for my loyal readers to imagine, but your Ammo Grrrll used to be something of a hothead.

Thank goodness I spent the last 30 years of my working life SELF-employed as an entertainer. I was born to be self-employed. And asked to become so on numerous occasions. And even then I failed to ever win Employee of the Month even once. Im so congenitally anti-authoritarian that I couldnt even take orders from myself. If I was supposed to write a new routine for a corporate banquet show by Saturday, and it was now late Thursday night, I would feel an urgency to alphabetize my spices instead.

But I digress from the topic at hand, which is the incomparable wit and wisdom of Nancy Pelosi. Fresh from her triumph as champion of illegal immigration until the Dreamers ran her off the stage, she opined that illegal immigration was an act of love if small children were involved. And how about armed robbery if you promise, swearsies, to buy toys for your kids with some of the loot? Lets take a stroll down Memory Lane of Nancys Greatest Hits.

In one famous YouTube presser two weeks into President Bushs second term, some Democrats were gathered in a diverse little clump, as is the custom. And Speaker Pelosi  front and center  said there was nothing, nothing which she could work on with the President because his promises were a hoax. A hoax. Even Mad Maxine Waters turned around to look at the colleague behind her with a WTF? look on her face.

Nancy has also gone charging to the other side of the famous aisle in order verbally to attack Congressman Tom Marino (R) Pennsylvania. She must have nearly capsized Sen. McCain (D-Arizona) whose chair is IN the aisle, the better to stroke Schumers, uh, hand. Nancy was shrieking repeatedly that Marino was insignificant. At which point she was restrained and removed by the Sergeant at Arms, who must get as much work as the much-ballyhooed Maytag repairman of yore.

These displays and many unhinged orations have raised serious questions about her mental or physical health. We may be looking at an entirely new definition of Nanny State, i.e., a Syndrome in honor of Nanny Pelosi, characterized by freezing up and repeating some mindless phrase like a broken Chatty Cathy doll whose string has been pulled too many times.

And so we look at some of Rich Nancys words of wisdom, fit for a Poor Richards Almanac. I stipulate in advance that some of the quotes may not be 100% accurate, a technique I learned is perfectly kosher from every single dealing Ive ever had with journalists. Some are direct quotes and some are what Im pretty sure she really meant. I also include a feature that Poor Richard missed, which is my own response to some of her real statements. So off we go, and enjoy!

The Boy Who Cried Wolf in a crowded theatre was eventually burned to a crisp when the firefighters never came because he had yelled Wolf instead of Fire too many times.

Building on her infamous We have to pass the Affordable Care Act to see whats in it, she later is reputed to have said, Lets buy that gazillion-dollar dress before we try it on.

If everybody had free health care, nobody would need to work and we could all become poets. Like that Emily Lazenfuss who built the Statue of Liberty and wrote that beautiful poem for it. Give me your poor, your tired, your tubercular masses and let them huddle in somebody elses neighborhood.

Its not the size of the Speaker of the House, its the size of the great big stupid gavel she is shlepping.

Remember, a frown would just be a smile upside down if it werent for Botox.

And by the way, THAT was an applause line. (Oh, honey, I learned the hard way that if you have to TELL your audience to laugh or applaud, you have already failedAG.)

The poorest people in America are infants and children! Infants and children! (Yes, Nancy, their net worth is appalling, and job discrimination against them is rampant, the infants in particular. AG.)

What a terrible thing it is to lose ones mind.

Oh waitthat was poor Dan Quayle having one of those brain-freeze moments we have ALL had, trying to remember the motto for the United Negro College Fund. Sorry, Nancy, you cant get credit for every great turn of phrase, though this one is a singularly appropriate classic. It now pretty much describes the entire Democratic Party.
The Book on Forgiveness

"Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you." Colossians 3:13

"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." Matthew 6:12 (our translation)

UNFORGIVENESS IS THE CAUSE...

When I was first ordained a priest, I believed that over 50 percent of all problems were due to unforgiveness. After ten years in ministry, I revised my estimate and maintained 75 to 80 percent of all health, marital, family, and financial problems came from unforgiveness. Now, after more than twenty years in ministry, I have concluded that over 90 percent of all problems are rooted in unforgiveness.

THE NECESSITY OF FORGIVENESS

If most problems come from unforgiveness, we can understand why Jesus emphasizes forgiveness to an extreme degree. When Peter suggested to Jesus that we should forgive seven times, he was correct (Mt 18:21). "Seven" in the Bible stands for an indefinite number of times; so Peter was saying we should forgive indefinitely. This is the correct answer but not the correct emphasis. Jesus proclaims we should forgive "seventy times seven," indefinitely times indefinitely (Mt 18:22). Jesus further emphasizes forgiveness by saying God's kingdom is a matter of forgiveness and those who do not forgive are handed over to torturers (Mt 18:23-34). When Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, He told them to pray that they be forgiven as they forgive (Mt 6:12). The Church calls this petition "astonishing" and "daunting" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2838, 2840). Prayer will hurt rather than help us if we do not forgive. This is the only point in the Lord's Prayer on which Jesus immediately commented (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2841). He reiterated: "If you forgive the sins of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you" (Mt 6:14-15, our trans). Jesus insists on forgiveness. We must pass on the forgiveness He has given us by the shedding of His blood on Calvary.

THE POISON AND TORTURE OF UNFORGIVENESS

Jesus insists on forgiveness because unforgiveness is poison. It is toxic waste. It is a "bitter root... through which many may become defiled" (Heb 12:15). Unforgiving people are like the carriers of a deadly disease. They should be quarantined until they forgive. Otherwise, others may buy into this unforgiveness and be contaminated. Unforgiving people are like drug dealers. Anyone who drinks of their cup of unforgiveness will "get high" only to be handed over to the torturers (Mt 18:34) and eventually cast into the depths of hell.

The verdict we pass on others is passed on us (Mt 7:2). Unforgiveness is a fatal poison which cuts us off from forgiveness (Mt 6:12,15), healing (Sir 28:3), prayer (Mk 11:24-25), and worship (Mt 5:23-24).

Then, when we are separated from these graces, we are handed over to the torturers (Mt 18:34). These torturers are not people, but worse. They are such experiences as fear, depression, frustration, anxiety, self-hatred and loneliness. As these and other torturers work us over, we deteriorate to a level of existence which is characterized by fruitless, compulsive, escapist activities.

THE MEANING AND THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is a decision to accept God's grace to let go of resentment due to sins committed against us and to express this by extending loving mercy to those who have sinned against us.

Forgiveness a decision, not a feeling. When Jesus hung on the cross, He kept saying: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34). Jesus was gasping for breath and bleeding to death while the onlookers spit at Him and blasphemed Him. Jesus felt worse than any person has ever felt. He didn't feel like forgiving us, but He made the decision to forgive us. Forgiveness is a decision to accept God's grace to forgive. It is humanly impossible to forgive. "To err is human, to forgive is divine." Only God can forgive. To forgive another is more miraculous than healing many people in the most advanced stages of cancer. However, God will do this miracle for us. Forgiveness is divine. It is a supernatural response to being sinned against. Naturally, when we are sinned against, we hold on to resentments and let go of the sinners by getting away from them or at least emotionally distancing ourselves from them. In the act of forgiving, we hold on to, embrace, and reach out to the sinners and let go of the resentments. Forgiveness is only in regard to sins (see Lk 11:4). Some Christians ask for the grace to forgive others for their attitudes, motives, and character. However, we sin when we judge others' attitudes, motives, and characters (Mt 7:1), although we must judge the morality of our and their actions (see Ez 3:18). If we are judging people rather than their actions, we don't need to forgive others. Rather we should repent of judging others. We need to be forgiven. Some Christians ask for the grace to forgive those who have hurt them. However, sometimes people hurt us without sinning against us. When we are hurt without being sinned against, we should overlook others' insensitivity, and should pray for healing. Some Christians ask for the grace to forgive others for their weaknesses, faults, and shortcomings. Weaknesses, faults, and shortcomings are not sins. They don't need to be forgiven. They should be overlooked. Moreover, others' faults can even be appreciated as opportunities for us to grow in holiness. In summary, Forgive sins only. Repent of judging others. Be healed of hurts. Overlook faults. Forgiveness is always expressed by acts of mercy, that is, by treating our offenders better than they deserve. Even if those who have sinned against us have died, the Lord will bring people into our lives who will stand in proxy for those to whom we need to show mercy. The Lord calls us to forgive affectionately, generously, and mercifully, as did the father of the prodigal son (Lk 15:20 ff).

THE FIRST GRACE OF FORGIVENESS

We naturally don't want to forgive, but the Lord changes our hearts by reminding us that He has forgiven us of an overwhelming debt of sin. We not only celebrate the Eucharist in memory of Jesus (see 1 Cor 11:24-25) but also forgive in memory of Him. God's forgiveness of us is the basis for the grace to forgive others. We forgive because He first forgave us (see 1 Jn 4:19). The Lord forgave us before we had ever forgiven anyone else. However, from then on He expects us to forgive before He forgives us. Jesus told the parable of the man who had been forgiven by his master but did not pass on this forgiveness. The master said to the unforgiving, forgiven man: "You worthless wretch! I canceled your entire debt when you pleaded with me. Should you not have dealt mercifully with your fellow servant, as I dealt with you?" (Mt 18:32-33) Pope John Paul II has taught: "God's forgiveness becomes in our hearts an inexhaustible source of forgiveness in our relationships with one another" (Message for the World Day of Prayer for Peace, Jan 1, 1997, section 1). To know we have been forgiven by God is essential for accepting God's grace to forgive.

Both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II have lamented that one of the greatest tragedies of our time is the loss of the sense of sin. If we deny that we have sinned, then we deny our need for God's forgiveness and deprive ourselves both of the grace to be forgiven and the grace to forgive. Nevertheless, those who have lost the sense of sin and are permissive, are deeply hurt by others' sins. However, they have no way to deal with this. They can't keep denying they are hurt by others' sins. So eventually those who have lost the sense of sin contradict themselves and become extremely intolerant and dictatorial. Over a hundred years ago, Pope Leo XIII observed that moral relativism especially in the context of democracy would breed totalitarian dictatorships very abusive to human rights (quoted in Splendor of the Truth, Pope John Paul II, 99). The author of the Book of Wisdom made the same point. The secular humanists of his day had lost the sense of sin. They said: "Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are real, and use the freshness of creation avidly. Let us have our fill of costly wine and perfumes, and let no springtime blossom pass us by; let us crown ourselves with rosebuds ere they wither. Let no meadow be free from our wantonness" (Wis 2:6-9). Then these sinners who denied sin proposed: "Let us oppress the needy just man; let us neither spare the widow nor revere the old man for his hair grown white with time. But let our strength be our norm of justice; for weakness proves itself useless. Let us beset the just one" (Wis 2:10-12). By losing the sense of sin, we are losing the grace to forgive. Consequently, a permissive society is unforgiving and unmerciful. Let us admit that there is sin and we have sinned. Then we can repent, be forgiven, and pass on that forgiveness to others.

FALSE FORGIVENESS

When we remember God's forgiveness of us and accept God's grace to be willing to forgive, then we can accept God's grace to replace false forgiveness with true forgiveness. The world, our flesh, and the devil try to deceive us into thinking we have already forgiven others. To make forgiveness look humanly possible we are tempted to re-define forgiveness as politeness, civility, or the control of hostile feelings. Although it is obviously good to be polite, civil, and self-controlled, these do not constitute forgiveness. The following diagnostic questions can help us know whether we've deceived ourselves about forgiving others.

Am I conscious that God gave me the grace to forgive and that I did not do it myself? If you are not aware that God did it, He may not have. Can I picture myself embracing the other person? (see Lk 15:20) Do I appreciate Confession (the Sacrament of Reconciliation) and celebrate it frequently? If we are forgiving graciously and lovingly, we are being forgiven in this way in the sacrament. This would attract us to Confession. Do I need to forgive myself? Not forgiving ourselves is a symptom that we have not forgiven someone else, although we may be deceiving ourselves through false forgiveness. 5. Have I forgiven but not forgotten? We have neither the power to forgive nor forget. If the Lord has given us the grace to forgive, we also have the grace to forget. This does not mean we have amnesia but the healing of memories. Pope John Paul II has taught: " 'To forgive and to be reconciled means to purify one's memory of hatred, rancour, the desire for revenge; it means acknowledging as a brother even those who have wronged us; it means not being overcome by evil but overcoming evil with good (cf. Rom 12:21)' (L'Osservatore Romano English edition, 7 October 1998, p. 2)." Pope John Paul II also teaches: "the truth is that one cannot remain a prisoner of the past, for individuals and peoples need a sort of 'healing of memories', so that past evils will not come back again. This does not mean forgetting past events; it means re-examining them with a new attitude and learning precisely from the experience of suffering that only love can build up..." (Message for the World Day of Peace, 1 Jan 1997)

If we have false forgiveness, we must replace it with true forgiveness.

FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

The essence of forgiveness by God's standards is the giving of mercy. Mercy means to treat others better than they deserve. When we extend mercy to those who have offended us, we kiss prodigal sons, give presents to offenders, and have special celebrations in honor of our enemies. These people don't deserve this, and that is what mercy is all about. We don't deserve the redemptive death of God's Son, the shedding of His blood, and the promise of eternal happiness, but He has given them to us anyway because of His mercy.

The Lord expects us to pass on to others the merciful forgiveness we have received from Him. We are reluctant to do this because of the high cost of extending mercy. Although Jesus has paid the price for mercy by His death on Calvary, He lets us share in His sufferings (see Col 1:24). For example, if someone hits your car, you can have mercy on them and pay for it yourself. That mercy may cost you $800.00. That is some of the cheapest mercy you'll ever give. What if your husband told you that he had committed adultery but that he would never do it again? He wanted you to take him back and help put your marriage back together. If you have mercy on him, you will take a tremendous emotional, psychological, and spiritual loss. Even if you don't have mercy, you will suffer. But perhaps you feel like making your husband pay for his adultery as much as possible because you don't have to pay for it as much if you take it out on him.

Mercy is so expensive that we don't want to think of it. Pope John Paul II taught: "The present day mentality, more perhaps than that of people in the past, seems opposed to a God of mercy, and in fact tends to exclude from life and to remove from the human heart the very idea of mercy. The word and the concept of 'mercy' seems to cause uneasiness in man" (Rich In Mercy, 2). In a world of gross injustices, we feel embarrassed to talk of mercy to victims of violence, rape, abuse, and racism. However, when we have mercy, we are not condoning sin but loving sinners. In fact, the more we love sinners, the more we hate the sin that degrades them. We must follow the example of Jesus, the most victimized Person Who has ever lived. He said: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34). Then He extended His mercy by promising the good thief that he would be in paradise that very day (Lk 23:43). Even as Jesus died, He poured forth the abundant stream of mercy.

In the Old Testament, the gold plate over the ark of the covenant was called the "propitiatory," or "mercy-seat." Here Yahweh sat in all His mercy. The New Testament fulfillment of the mercy-seat is the tabernacle. Come before the tabernacle, into the presence of the eucharistic Jesus. Ask for mercy to come to you and through you. You may even put out your hand and touch the tabernacle, the new mercy-seat. With that touch, you can receive what the hemorrhaging woman experienced when she touched the hem of Jesus' robe (see Lk 8:46). You will experience God's power and the miracle of mercy.

THE EMBRACE OF FORGIVENESS

The sign of forgiveness is outstretched arms. The forgiving father threw his arms around the neck of the prodigal son and kissed him (Lk 15:20). Jesus received the embrace and kiss of Judas, and forgave him (Mk 14:45). Finally, Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross and would have embraced us all if we had not nailed His arms to the cross. Right now, imagine yourself embracing each one you need to forgive. By God's grace and in His mercy make the decision to forgive each person for each offense against you. Now go, embrace these people. If this is impossible, call or write them without delay. If they are aware of problems in their relationship with you, apologize to them and ask them to forgive you for not forgiving them. Then give them a gift (see Lk 15:22 ff). Show the mercy of our forgiving Father.

FORGIVENESS, PASSIVITY, AND FREEDOM

Some people think that by forgiving others and showing them mercy we encourage them to continue to sin against us. They further think that by not forgiving others they can control these people and protect themselves. This very common, very wrong misconception is easily disproved by looking at our own lives. When we sense that someone is trying to control us by not forgiving us, do we refrain from offending him, or do we retaliate and act against him in ways that we wouldn't have done otherwise?

Then how do we protect ourselves from being sinned against? Like Jesus crucified, many times we should not protect ourselves but take up the cross. In doing so, we do not make ourselves "doormats," for the crucified Jesus was not a "doormat" but the strongest, most loving Person ever.

However, primarily for the sake of those offending us, and not only for our sakes, we sometimes need to stop a person from offending us or remove ourselves from this situation. We will make the right decisions and be acting with the right motives, only if we have forgiven. Unforgiveness puts a person in a self-made prison where they cannot act freely. Pope John Paul II has taught: "Forgiveness is the restoration of freedom to oneself. It is the key held in our own hand to our prison cell." Thus, contrary to popular opinion, many people become "doormats" not because of forgiveness, but because of unforgiveness. Unforgiveness results in co-dependence and in being trapped in abusive situations.

Forgive by God's grace, suffer with Jesus crucified, and be free to confront evildoers.

FORGIVENESS AND EVANGELIZATION

By forgiveness, we are not only free to make the right decisions for redemptive suffering and confrontation, but also for evangelization. For years I have taught seminars on evangelization. In my early seminars, I focused on information. I assumed that if we only knew that the Lord had commanded us to evangelize, we would evangelize, after learning a few techniques on how to share our faith. I was wrong. Next, I focused on motivation. I taught and participated in many seminars on evangelization where we were so fired up that we almost ran out of the upper room of Pentecost. But the enthusiasm wore off. Third, I realized the need to evangelize the evangelizers. If we can't share our faith, do we have the faith? This approach bore good fruit, as many shared their faith in Jesus. Nevertheless, there was not an "evangelism explosion." We did not see the Lord day by day adding to our "number those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). Finally, I stumbled on the most fruitful means of promoting evangelization. I discovered that when I gave seminars on forgiving others, more people seemed to be freed for evangelization. I discovered that unforgiveness was possibly the major obstacle to evangelization.

We all have a Jonah inside us. We often war against those we are called to evangelize (e.g. the Muslims and the Russians). We refuse to evangelize the Ninevites, not because of fear but because deep down we don't want them saved (see Jon 4:1-2). We all are tempted to be like the older brother of the prodigal son. We don't think it's good news when a certain brother or sister is forgiven and loved by the Father (see Lk 15:27-28). And if we don't think God's forgiveness and mercy are good news for everyone, then we have no good news to share with anyone. Most of us deny that there is a Jonah within us. This denial is part of the sin of unforgiveness. However, before dismissing the possibility of our unforgiveness we should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to all truth and convict us of sin (Jn 16:13, 8). Many of us will be surprised in the near future, as the Spirit brings to mind people we haven't truly forgiven.

When we have forgiven and are reconciled, we will no longer need to leave our evangelization at the altar (see Mt 5:24) but can go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

"MINISTERS OF RECONCILIATION"

The Lord calls us to both forgive and to lead others to forgive. We must be ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). The following fourteen questions can be used as a tool by which we can call others to forgive everyone immediately for every sin committed against them.

1. What is forgiveness?

Forgiveness is our decision to accept God's grace to let go of resentments due to sins committed against us and to express this by acts of mercy and love toward the offender (see Lk 15:20-24).

2. How often must I forgive?

70 x 7, that is, indefinitely, always (see Mt 18:22).

3. Are there any sins which I don't have to forgive?

No, the Lord calls us to forgive all sins  even rape, murder, abuse, adultery, etc.

4. When I forgive, am I condoning sin?

No, the Lord forgives all our sins and condones none of them (see Jn 8:11).

5. Must I forgive if the person offending me isn't sorry?

Yes, for -giveness is before -giveness  to give pardon before you are asked forgiveness or even if never asked forgiveness.

6. Must I forgive if a person continues to hurt me?

Yes, while hanging on the cross Jesus forgave His enemies while they continued to spit at Him and blaspheme Him (see Lk 23:34-35).

7. If I forgive a person, do I stay in an abusive situation?

No, you free yourself to obey God and remove yourself from an abusive situation until it is changed.

8. How do I forgive?

None of us can forgive by our own power. "To err is human, to forgive divine," and we are not divine. However, the Lord promised us His divine power to forgive. Therefore, forgiveness is our decision to accept God's grace to forgive.

9. What if I don't want to forgive?

We should pray to realize how much the Lord has forgiven us. Then by God's grace we must decide to accept the grace to pass on to others the forgiveness given to us.

10. How fast must I forgive?

Immediately (Mt 5:25). We're in a self-made jail and at a stand-still in our relationship with God until we forgive.

11. What if I forgive and not forget?

Forgetting sins committed against us is not to have amnesia. Rather, to forget sins means that there is no special sting in us when we remember sins committed against us. If it hurts us to remember these sins, either we need healing or have not truly forgiven.

12. How do I forgive myself?

Not forgiving ourselves is a symptom which will take care of itself if we truly forgive others and receive prayers for healing.

13. What if I don't forgive?

a. We "give the devil a chance to work on" us (see Eph 4:27).

b. We are handed over to the torturers (Mt 18:34). These torturers are such things as fear, loneliness, depression, frustration, anxiety, and self-hatred.

c. We cut ourselves off from receiving forgiveness (Mt 6:12, 15), healing (Sir 28:3), prayer (Mk 11:25), and worship (Mt 5:23-24).

d. If we persist in unforgiveness, we cut ourselves off from God forever and thereby damn ourselves.

14. How do I know if I have forgiven?

Forgiveness is not a feeling but a decision. Moreover, forgiveness is not only praying for those who have hurt us or treating them politely. We know that we have made the decision to forgive when we show it in acts of love and mercy to those who have sinned against us. For example, the father of the prodigal son threw his arms around his son, kissed him, gave him gifts, honored him, and celebrated his return (Lk 15:20-24). By God's grace, we must go and do likewise.

MARY, MOTHER OF FORGIVENESS

When Jesus was hanging on the cross and saw His apostles and disciples desperately in need of being forgiven and giving forgiveness, He told Mary to be the mother of all His disciples, represented by John. He told all of us to accept Mary as our spiritual mother. Mary is a minister of reconciliation (see 2 Cor 5:18) who will help us accept God's grace to forgive.

Mary is "Our Lady of Sorrows." However, she has been given a pre-eminent part in God's plan of salvation not merely through her sufferings but also through her loving forgiveness for those who have caused her Son's sufferings. Mary is the "Mother of Forgiveness." She prayed with her tortured and crucified Son: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34). She forgave each of us for our part in murdering her Son. This made it possible for her to obey the dying Jesus' command that she be our mother (Jn 19:26-27). Mary is the "Mother of the Church" because she is first "the Mother of Forgiveness."

Addressing Mary as the "Mother of Forgiveness," ask Mary to be your mother and to pray for you. Promote devotion to Mary under the title of "Mary, the Mother of Forgiveness." Pray the novena of "Mary, the Mother of Sorrows" and invite others to do the same. Pray the following prayer:

"Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I ask for the willingness to forgive and the grace to forgive immediately all who have sinned against me. On Calvary, You gave Mary the grace to forgive me for my part in killing her Son. Then you gave Mary the grace to become my mother (Jn 19:26-27).

Mary, Mother of Forgiveness, may I forgive others as you forgave me in imitation of your Son. Mary, take my hand and lead me as I decide to accept God's grace to forgive (name the person) for (name the sin), etc.

Jesus, thank You for giving me Mary, 'Mother of Forgiveness' to be my mother.

'Mary, Mother of Forgiveness,' pray for me."

DECIDE TO FORGIVE NOW

Right now, through the intercession of Mary, "Mother of Forgiveness", decide to accept God's grace to forgive all who have sinned against you in any way. Make the following statement: "By God's grace, I decide to accept the grace to forgive ______ for ______." Fill in the blanks and repeat this statement until you have forgiven everyone. Then thank Jesus forever for the miracle of forgiveness.

Excerpts from Scripture are taken from The New American Bible, copyright 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.

Nihil obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, February 6, 2000

Imprimatur: Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 10, 2000
Hearing God

"Anyone committed to the truth hears My voice." John 18:37

Your oldest son is rebellious and secretive. You're afraid he's ruining his life. What should you do? Ask God.

There's less and less communication in your marriage. Something's got to give. What's the answer? What's God saying?

The doctor discusses the possibility of surgery, but you feel apprehensive. Are you unnecessarily afraid, or is God warning you not to have the operation?

These are just a few examples which show the absolute necessity of hearing God. We either hear God, or our lives are guessing games. If we can't hear the Lord, how can He be Lord of our lives? And if He's not Lord in the practical details of our everyday lives, then our lives are not on the rock foundation of Jesus but on the sinking sands of self (see Mt 7:24-27). We must be able to hear Jesus.

BORN DEAF

"Some people brought a deaf man to Jesus." Mark 7:32 (our transl.)

We are born spiritually hard of hearing. This is part of our fallen nature. But after we are reborn in the waters of baptism, we can hear God. "Whoever is of God hears every word God speaks" (Jn 8:47).

However, even the baptized may be temporarily spiritually deaf because of sin. Every time we refuse to listen to God, we suffer a spiritual hearing loss. But if we make an act of faith in the Lord by repenting and asking His forgiveness, our spiritual hearing is restored.

PICKING OUT GOD'S VOICE

"After the earthquake there was firebut the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound." 1 Kings 19:12

If we are baptized, believing, and repentant, we can hear (1) God. But we can also hear (2) ourselves, (3) other people, and (4) the devil. These four voices or groups of voices compete for our attention. The situation is complicated because sometimes these voices combine. For example, we ask ourselves the question: "Is that just me or is that God?" It could be both God and ourselves as God speaks through us, or it could be only ourselves ignoring God. We need to be able to pick out God's voice from the other three voices. This comes from being familiar with God.

The sheep do not follow a stranger's voice (Jn 10:5). Hopefully, the voice of the devil has become strange to us, and the Lord's voice more familiar than our own or anyone else's. Just as a baby is born able to hear but only gradually learns to differentiate sounds, so we Christians have been "born again" able to hear the Lord but gradually we learn to pick out His voice. Just as a baby needs no techniques to learn to differentiate sounds, so we need no techniques. Like an infant with a parent, we merely need stimulation, interaction, and experience with God. In other words, we need a living, personal relationship with God. If we can't pick out God's voice, that says something about our relationship with Him.

GOD'S WAYS OF COMMUNICATING

"In times past, God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways to our fathers through the prophets; in this, the final age, He has spoken to us through His Son." Hebrews 1:1-2

Even when we have a good personal relationship with the Lord, we will still have some difficulty hearing God's message, because God is so great that He communicates in several ways simultaneously and in ways unimaginable to us. However, if we know the main ways He communicates with human beings, it will help us relate to Him.

The Lord communicates through people, especially through the Church. Each of us is only one part of the body of Christ. We need each other (1 Cor 12:21). We need the Church "the pillar and bulwark of truth" (1 Tm 3:15), and the Magisterium, the official teaching office of the Church. God chooses others to speak to us in His name. He calls brothers and sisters to affirm, confirm, heal, and command us. And when our Christian brothers and sisters pray for us, our hearing quickly improves a hundredfold.

Our Father speaks to us, His children, through His word. The Bible is the objective communication of God. It is our point of reference for distinguishing God's voice expressed in other ways. Knowing the Bible helps us hear God (see Rm 10:17). Thus, as St. Jerome says: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." When we look at the daily eucharistic readings, we often hear a prophetic word that speaks to our daily needs. Also, if we ask the Spirit to remind us of Scriptures that have meant something special to us, we will hear the voice of God. Furthermore, the Lord has probably capsulized our life's mission in one or two verses of the Bible. That mission-statement is God's voice echoing throughout our life.

The Lord communicates through prayer, especially listening prayer. We can learn to distinguish the voice of God by setting aside a daily quiet time when we don't do all the talking but let God talk.

The Lord also speaks to us through the events of our everyday lives. If we are under Jesus' lordship, everything has meaning. Even if we act independently of God, He will take over the situation, if we but repent. If others are acting sinfully, God will still turn it to our good, if we are living under His lordship (Rm 8:28).

HOW TO HEAR GOD

1. We hear God when we are committed to Him, His Church, and His word. Jesus said: "Anyone committed to the truth hears My voice" (Jn 18:37).

2. We hear God when we become quiet both outside and inside (Ps 131:2). We live in the noisiest world in history. We must turn down the world's volume and turn off the TV. When we stop for five or ten minutes each day at a set time, we will begin to hear the Lord probably within a week.

3. We hear God when we simplify our lives. Never before have people been able to indulge their carnal desires as much as we do (1 Pt 2:11). Our life-style distracts us from God. Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and even prescribed drugs may impede our hearing. When we simplify our lives, we seem to amplify God's voice. Simplify to amplify.

THE BETTER PORTION

Our Lord is the Super-communicator. Let us sit at His feet and listen to His voice (Lk 10:39-42). It is our joy and privilege to hear His voice (Jn 3:29).

Nihil obstat: Reverend Edward Gratsch, February 24, 1999.

Imprimatur:  Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 1, 1999.
MASON CITY | Kind-hearted, larger-than-life and funny is how those closest to Darryl Hensley, a well-known Iowa radio personality known as The Mad Hatter, will remember him.

Hensley, 79, died Wednesday evening in a bicycle-car crash in Henderson County, Illinois, while participating in a dinner ride with the Bike Burlington bicycle club.

Its been an emotional day, said Randy Chesterman, a friend and disc jockey. Its still kind of a shock to me.

Hensley was fatally injured after being struck from behind while turning east onto County Road 1100, according to an Illinois State Patrol news release.

Shawn Dunne, 57, of Burlington, was attempting to pass Hensley in her Chrysler when the collision occurred, police said.

Hensley, a member of the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, is probably most recognized in North Iowa for his influence on the area music scene through his Clear Lake radio station, KZEV, and founding the Winter Dance Party.

He put the Surf Ballroom and Clear Lake on the map, Chesterman said. (The Winter Dance Party) became the biggest Buddy Holly tribute in the world and still is today.

Chesterman, now residing in Dubuque, was hired by Hensley at KZEV in 1978, and over the course of several years disc jockeying together, the two became and remained good buds.

He said Hensley had God-given radio talent, never took life for granted and appreciated his friends and family.

And perhaps the greatest lesson, Chesterman, and anyone learned from Hensley, is that lifes too short to wear a frown.

The Winter Dance Party was started in 1979 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper who were killed in a crash just hours after playing at the Surf Ballroom on Feb. 3, 1959, in Clear Lake, and today the event remains a premier rock 'n' roll festival, said Jeff Nicholas, Surf Ballroom board president.

The Mad Hatter is a very big part of the Surf Ballroom family  He was a great guy, a great visionary and a great friend of the Surf, he said. Were going to miss him dearly.

Nicholas said, although details havent been finalized, the Surf Ballroom is planning on tribute to Hensley during the 2018 Winter Dance Party.

From Clear Lake, Hatter moved to Burlington where he owned another radio station. He sold that in the 1990s and took three years off to tour the U.S. before returning to the radio business in the Burlington area.

Sherry Wilcox-Wharam, whose husband was the late Jack Wilcox, who had a morning show with Hensley until the station was sold, recalled memories of Hensley making random phone calls on the air, including one to a pub in Ireland on St. Patricks Day.

He had the most awesome conversation (with the waitress), she said.

But aside from his presence on the radio, Wilcox-Wharam said Hensley took care of other people and was a good friend, remembering when she called him to say her husband was going into hospice, and although he said he couldnt make it, he came the next day.
ATLANTIC CITY  A former civilian tow lot manager for the Police Department has been accused of stealing about $80,000 in tow lot fees.

Dennis Bell Sr., of Laurel, Maryland, who formerly lived in Atlantic City, was charged with official misconduct and theft that took place over the course of two years, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner wrote in a statement.

Bell was responsible for processing storage fees. When the citys office of revenue and finance found discrepancies in the tow lot finances and reported it to police, a four-month investigation took place, Tyner said.

The prosecutors Official Corruption Unit and police found Bell stole nearly $80,000 in lot fees, Tyner said.

Bell had worked for the city since 2000 and has been suspended without pay. He submitted Thursday a letter of resignation to the city. He was released on a summons.

Anyone with information about serious crimes is asked to call the Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7800or go to the website to submit a tip at www.acpo.org/tips.

Information may be reported at Crime Stoppers, 609-652-1234 or 800-658-8477 (TIPS), or crimestoppersatlantic.com.  Erin Serpico
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  A township cafe was shut down Friday and its owners cited for operating without a mercantile license after police officers saw several animals running inside the kitchen and prep area, police said.

Police officers had been called to AJs Cafe on the Lake, 195 S. Old New York Road, in the Oceanville section of the township at 12:08 p.m. for an unrelated incident, police said.

While there, officers saw numerous animals, including three exotic birds and a cat.

Police found the restaurant was operating without a township mercantile license. The restaurant was made to close, and staff and customers were sent home.

The county health department was contacted.

The animals were gathered and kept safely while township code officials and county health inspectors closed the cafe, which was deemed unsanitary and unsafe, police said.

Police Chief Donna Higbee investigated the incident.

 Press staff reports

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the cafe was in Smithville. AJ's Cafe is located in the Oceanville section of the township.
MAYS LANDING  Two men were sentenced for their roles in the 2014 shooting death of a Vineland man, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced Friday.

Hykeem Martin, 25, of Buena Vista Township, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His cousin, Dominique Washington, 27, was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Both will have to serve at least 85 percent of their terms before becoming eligible for parole, according to a press release.

After a five-day trial in August, Martin and Washington were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder but acquitted of murder in the shooting death of Vincent Williams. The sentences were handed down by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury.

On July 3, 2014, State Police responding to a report found Williams lying on Ninth street in Buena Vista Township with a gunshot wound. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tyner said investigations identified Martin as the prime suspect. Martin was arrested Jan. 30, 2015, and has been held in the Atlantic County jail on $1 million bail. Washington was extradited from Pennsylvania in September 2016.

 Lauren Carroll
SOMERS POINT  A local physician was charged with aggravated assault on two police officers early Friday, police said.

Daniel Francis, 46, of Somers Point, was arrested after a taxi driver reported a man passed out in the back seat of his cab at 3:30 a.m., Chief Michael Boyd said.

Two officers tried to wake Francis and remove him from the vehicle in the 500 block of Bay Avenue.

Boyd said Francis assaulted the officers, who were treated at Shore Medical Center for injuries.

Francis was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on police, two counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Francis is a licensed osteopathologist and medical examiner, according to New Jersey medical records.

A representative from Shore Medical Center told The Press that Francis is not an employee of the hospital but is independently contracted through Shore Physicians Group and was informed he is not needed for any shifts at this time.

Francis was released pending a court date.
NJEA just wants past pension promises paid

Regarding the Sept. 7 editorial, NJ politics succeeds by getting self-interest to serve common good:

The actions of the NJEA regarding pensions are not, as the editorial claims, an example of steering N.J. government to their advantage. For two decades now, the New Jersey Education Association has been fighting to get the state to fund the pensions of teachers in exactly the manner that past state officials promised to do so.

Every year that the pension remains under-funded, the problem grows exponentially. When the pension fund does not receive its full contribution, it not only loses that contribution but also the gains that would have accrued over the years.

As to the merits of NJEAs support for Sen. Stephen Sweeneys opponent, they are certainly debatable. There have been some lively debates within the organization. The same is true for its endorsement of Chris Brown over Colin Bell.

The editorial is rather wishy-washy on that as well as on Sweeneys reasons for abandoning a vote on the constitutional amendment teachers wanted. Sweeney dropped his support when he was unable to pressure NJEA to support him on some other unrelated matters.

The editorial impugns teachers when it is the two decades of under-funding of the states pension obligations to them that is scandalous.

John Carlson

Egg Harbor Township

Kenya latest nation to ban disposable plastic bags

A very important event has received very little coverage. Kenya has joined other nations in banning single use plastic bags.

I am a patriot through and through, I love America. However, when a country we often view as Third World makes such an advanced decision, I question our priorities. The leaders of Kenya are not concerned about pressure from the plastic industry. Violators are looking at fines and prison time. These leaders know the bags are killing birds, marine life and the Earth.

It is predicted at the going rate of plastic bag use that there will be more bags than fish in the ocean by 2050. I respect the other countries (France, Italy, China and Rwanda) that have stepped forward with this ban. Do the leaders who could make a difference in this nation not hear the alarm?

Lisa Morrison

Port Norris

Backs Brown on clinics

As a young college student, I applaud Chris Browns tireless efforts to insure health care is available for women and I am grateful for his willingness to put the health of me and fellow women before politics and stand up to Gov. Chris Christie to keep local health clinics open for working families and college students alike.

Many families and young adults cant afford or have limited insurance coverage, Clinics help families have safe and healthy pregnancies and deliveries. I know there are families who would not know what to do without the care offered by the doctors and nurses at these clinics. Thats why I am supporting Brown for state Senate.

Katie Barakat

Northfield
MASON CITY | Smiles filled residents faces at IOOF Home & Community Therapy Center in Mason City during a pie-throwing fundraiser for the Alzheimers Association last Friday.

The residents reactions were so fun, said Megan Studer, the centers communications coordinator. They were the biggest smiles wed seen in a while.

Residents, employees and guests had the opportunity to purchase whipped pies  one for $2 and three for $5  to throw in the faces of Administrator Mike Davis, Director of Nursing Cassidy Schmidt and Maintenance Assistant Marc Blong, while raising money for the annual Walk to End Alzheimers on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Mason City High School.

Studer estimated about 60 pies were thrown in the faces of Davis, Schmidt and Blong to raise $100 for the walk.

They were really good sports, she said.

The pie-throwing fundraiser is one of several the IOOF Home & Community Therapy Center holds throughout the year to raise money for the Alzheimers Association  a cause its been passionate about for years.

We see it all the time how it affects them and family members, Studer said.

The 88-bed facility, including 29 memory care specific beds, provides out-patient therapy services as well as skilled-nursing, long-term and memory care.

Studer said each employee is required to have six hours of dementia-related training and are encouraged to participate in workshops and conferences to remain up to date on Alzheimers disease.

If we could put ourselves out of business, wed be happy, Studer said about finding a cure for Alzheimers disease.

Alzheimers disease, the most popular form of dementia, causes a slow decline in an individuals memory, thinking and reasoning skills. More than 60,000 Iowans 65 and older have the disease, according to the associations website. Currently, there is no way to prevent, cure or slow Alzheimers disease.

But theres hope that someday there will be, and thats why hundreds of thousands of people, including IOOF Home & Community Therapy Center employees, participate in the Walk to End Alzheimers annually.

Greg Woods, program and event coordinator for the Alzheimers Association in Mason City, said the Mason City walk is among more than 15 held in Iowa in September.

The Walk to End Alzheimers in Mason City raises money to keep dementia-related programs and services in  and around Cerro Gordo County  free. Last years event brought in a record $31,000. This years goal is to raise $37,500, and its currently raised about half.

Woods said 78 percent of the money raised during the walk goes to local programs and services and 22 percent goes to research on the national level.

Its not only our biggest fundraiser, but its also our biggest support group, Woods said.

Registration for the Walk to End Alzheimers in Mason City is free and starts at 8 a.m. There will be a silent auction, food, music and blood-pressure screenings available before the opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m.

After the opening ceremony, participants will embark on a two-mile route near the high school. An optional extra half-mile loop will be provided.

For those participating in the event, visit act.alz.org/masoncity.
DALLAS, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alerian generally does not comment on market rumors or speculation. However, due to an unprecedented spike in the number of questions from stakeholders, Alerian announced that C corporations remain ineligible for the Alerian MLP Index (AMZ), Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (AMZI), Alerian Natural Gas MLP Index (ANGI), Alerian MLP Equal Weight Index (AMZE), Alerian Large Cap MLP Index (AMLI), Alerian Mid Cap MLP Index (AMMI), and Alerian Small Cap MLP Index (AMSI).

Alerian also announced that it will update its index methodologies after market close on Friday, September 29, 2017, as part of its continual review process. The updated methodologies will be effective at the time of posting and available at alerian.com/indices. These changes are meant to, among other things, better capture the investable universe, reflect established guidelines for diversified portfolios, mirror industry trends, and minimize future index turnover. Notably, individual AMZ constituents will be capped at a 10% weight. A number of clarifications have also been made in response to stakeholder questions and comments since the last methodology update.

Consistent with industry practice, Alerian will continue to periodically consult with stakeholders for feedback regarding its indices. Alerian makes no guarantees nor is under any obligation to comply with any of the responses from these consultations, which may result in no changes or outcome of any kind. If Alerian decides to change its index methodology, an announcement will be posted on the alerian.com website.

About Alerian

Alerian equips investors to make informed decisions about Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and energy infrastructure. Its benchmarks, including the flagship Alerian MLP Index (AMZ), are widely used by industry executives, investment professionals, research analysts, and national media to analyze relative performance. As of August 31, 2017, over $16 billion is directly tied to the Alerian Index Series through exchange-traded funds and notes, separately managed accounts, and structured products. For more information, including index values and constituents, research content, and announcements regarding rebalancings, please visit alerian.com.

SOURCE Alerian

Related Links

http://www.alerian.com


These AmeriCorps members come from CNCS's elite, specialty-trained disaster response crews. Since August, teams from the Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, Florida Conservation Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, SBP, Southwest Conservation Corps, Texas Conservation Corps, Utah Conservation Corps, and Washington Conservation Corps, as well as AmeriCorps NCCC and FEMA Corps, also an AmeriCorps program, have been tapped to support national and local organizations in impacted areas. In the coming weeks, additional crews will deploy to aid in the ongoing recovery efforts.

AmeriCorps members are called upon to provide manpower for blue roof tarping, debris removal, chainsaw destruction of hazardous trees, and muck and gut operations. Their service also includes community outreach, damage assessments, operations and logistics, volunteer and donation management, and disaster survivor assistance. Locally-serving AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members in impacted areas are also supporting response and recovery efforts.

More than 40,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members were deployed in response to Hurricane Katrina. In the decade since, AmeriCorps teams have provided critical support after countless disasters, including Hurricane Sandy; the 2013 floods in Colorado; and tornadoes in Joplin, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Moore, Okla.

Following a disaster, national service acts as a force multiplier, providing key resources and significantly expanding the capacity of existing organizations on the ground. Through all its programs and initiatives, CNCS helps communities to prepare for, mitigate, respond, and recover from disasters.

Those interested in answering the call to serve, should consider applying for the AmeriCorps NCCC's winter 2018 class. These men and women will work in teams, traveling the country to address critical issues, including disaster response and recovery. The deadline to apply is November 15 and applications can be started by going here. Additional opportunities to join AmeriCorps are available at AmeriCorps.gov/Join.

Just last fall, AmeriCorps celebrated a major milestone for the national service program when it surpassed 1 million AmeriCorps members. Since 1994, AmeriCorps members have provided more than 1.4 billion hours of service and earned more than $3.3 billion in education scholarships, more than $1 billion of which has been used to pay back student debt.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation's volunteering and service efforts. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

SOURCE Corporation for National & Community Service

Related Links

http://www.nationalservice.gov


LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On early Thursday morning, First Liberty Institute attorneys filed for an emergency protective order in APRL v. City of Los Angeles on behalf of Orthodox Jewish congregations and their members. The action comes two weeks after the filing of a lawsuit seeking to compel the cities of Los Angeles and Irvine to prevent Orthodox Jews from participating in a millennia-old religious ritual while claiming the right to place individual kaporos participants under "private persons arrest" if the police will not. Last week, activists promised that Orthodox Jews practicing kaporos would not be physically assaulted or threatened with arrest.

Yet, Wednesday evening, the activists stormed onto the property of one First Liberty's clients, stole his chickens, and told him he would be placed under private persons arrest. Both the LAPD and Los Angeles Animal Services investigated the allegations of the activists and found First Liberty's client to be in compliance with the law.

"This kind of oppression by animal rights activists against the Orthodox Jewish community must stop," said Stephanie Taub, counsel to First Liberty. "No one should fear being placed under arrestby the police or fellow citizensfor peacefully exercising their religion."

Kaporos is a historic religious rite that takes place between the Jewish Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, where the atonement of sins is contemplated through prayer and the kosher and humane killing of a chicken.

"For several years, the Orthodox Jewish community of Los Angeles and Irvine has been forced to respond to lawsuits, trespassers, vandals, thieves, and now the prospect of being placed under arrestall during the holiest days of their religious calendar," said Taub. "No one should be forced to answer lawsuits, fend off vandals and thieves, or be subject to arrest while peacefully practicing of their faith."

Last year, First Liberty defended the Chabad of Irvine against two lawsuits brought by activists opposed to kaporos. Learn more about these cases at FirstLiberty.org/Chabad. An earlier suit brought separately by the same attorneys against specific members of the Los Angeles orthodox community and their synagogues (United Poultry Concerns, Inc. vs. Bait Aaron, Inc.), was dismissed outright, thanks to Aryeh Kaufman of the Law Office of Aryeh Kaufman, and G. Scott Sobel, of the Law Office of G. Scott Sobel, on freedom of religion grounds by the Los Angeles Superior Court.

First Liberty has moved to intervene on behalf of its clients for the sole purpose of obtaining a protective order to ensure the constitutional rights of their clients are fully protected.

Learn more at FirstLiberty.org/Kaporos.

About First Liberty Institute

First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.

SOURCE First Liberty Institute

Related Links

https://firstliberty.org


NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RiskPro announced another enterprising agreement unifying their innovative, front line technology with Capital Investment Companies of Raleigh, NC. The agreement will enable Capital Investments to consolidate multiple platform providers onto Capital's own platform, with RiskPro providing the key tools to enhance the Financial Advisors and client experience.

RiskPro's compliance and surveillance feature is enabling Capital Investments to monitor all portfolios daily for volatility and risk perimeter breaches. Asset management platform consolidation and surveillance makes the job of a B/D's Compliance Department much more efficient, effective and expansive.

As the fiduciary standard is adopted across the wealth management industry, RiskPro is providing Financial Advisors with a mathematically sound approach to serving clients by determining their risk profile and formulating an aligning portfolio. Advisors then have the ability to successfully manage clients' investment and financial strategies. This cutting edge, technological approach by RiskPro allows advisors to use their client's risk budgets with precision and prudence, enabling advisors to strengthen their client relationships.

Richard Bryant, CEO of Capital Investment Companies, noted, "RiskPro has revolutionized our ability to understand risk profiles and has enabled us to build portfolios that closely correlate with the client's stated risk tolerance. Because of RiskPro, our business is simpler; our advisors are better equipped; and our clients will be better served."

About RISKPRO

RiskPro was developed by ProTools, LLC, a technology company headquartered in Newport Beach, CA. RiskPro was designed by financial advisors and built by econometricians to serve as a revolutionary risk profiling and portfolio construction system, which enables financial advisors to improve the client experience. Through RiskPro, advisors can meet their fiduciary responsibilities to provide clients with prudent investment advice. For more information, visit: www.riskproadvisor.com

About Capital Investment Companies

Capital Investment Companies is one of the largest independent financial services and brokerage firms in the Southeast. They maintain only the highest degree of service, support, and courtesy to their customers and remain committed to their corporate goal  to not be the biggest, but the best. For more information, visit: www.captial-invest.com.

PACIFIC FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

Pacific Financial Group, LLC, an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is an affiliate of ProTools, LLC and the exclusive distributor of RiskPro. Pacific Financial Group, LLC is based in Newport Beach, CA.

SOURCE RiskPro

Related Links

http://www.riskproadvisor.com


QINGDAO, China, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ANSTER has begun the production of semi-trailers for OEM and ODM clients. To realize this achievement, the company has invested a lot in research to develop trailers that are tailored around customers' needs. Speaking of the recent developments, John, ANSTER'S marketing manager said, "We have designed many kinds of special vehicles with high quality and safety for the clients." ANSTER can customize the different material and structures based on the specific requirements of their OEM/ODM clients. In doing so, the company believes that it is offering working solutions for the semi-trailer and modular transporter requirements.

ANSTER Special Vehicles Limited ANSTER Special Vehicles Limited

Features to Expect with ANSTER Products

As of today, ANSTER prides in its ability to provide different kinds of trailers and modular transporters with military technology, including low bed trailer, RGN trailer and hydraulic modular trailer, SPMT. All these products have in-built features that enhance functionality and desired operating efficiencies for each of the applications. Customers have a variety of features to look out for when making a choice of the kind of product to purchase. Here are some of the features that customers can find with ANSTER Products!

Low bed trailer and RGN trailers with a load capacity of up to 150 tons.

SPMT's axles with a load capacity of up to 48 tons/axles

Modular trailer with a load capacity of up to 40 tons/axles

In its efforts to diversify, ANSTER also provides tank trailer for different fluids such as gasoline, diesel, CNG, LNG, LPG. Apparently, clients have a variety of options to go for based on the demands that their different applications require.

To enhance the reliability and performance of its products, the company has adopted strict quality control (QC) measures. These have been useful in making sure that the transporters meet different international standards. This has enabled the company to supply its products internationally. Up to date, ANSTER has provided products to its clients in dozens of countries around the globe.

Have Questions about ANSTER Products?

In order to let customers know more about products, ANSTER has provided a series of guidebooks. The guidebooks provide detailed information about features, capabilities and maintenance activities to be performed on each of products. Here is a list of books that have been written to help clients learn more about the different product types.

About ANSTER

ANSTER is a China based company that builds semi-trailers and modular trailers. For over 15 years now, the company has continued its operations as a military background supplier. Additionally, it has been able to provide many high tech special vehicles for both the aerospace and shipbuilding industry. The recent development is part of its company's growth plan aimed at diversifying and strengthening operations. Most importantly, entrance into this market provides a future for the company and its members.

Contact:

Name: John (Market Manager)

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86-17663925601

Website: https://www.anstertrailer.com/spmt-modular-trailer-transporter-guide/

https://www.anstertrailer.com/

SOURCE ANSTER Special Vehicles Limited

Related Links

https://www.anstertrailer.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) on September 25, 2017 granted Argentum Pharmaceuticals LLC's petition for inter partes review (IPR) against all claims of the last-expiring patent listed as covering Novartis Pharmaceuticals' AFINITOR (everolimus tablet) drug in the Food & Drug Administration's Orange Book. Argentum challenges claims 13 of Novartis's U.S. Patent No. 9,006,224, which the Orange Book states will expire in 2028. The PTO concluded that Argentum has established a "reasonable likelihood that [Argentum] would prevail with respect to claims 13" of the patent. The decision marks the beginning of an IPR trial that will be conducted by three specialist patent judges within the PTO's Patent Trial & Appeal Board. A final decision on patentability in the IPR is due within 1 year.

About Argentum Pharmaceuticals

Argentum is a generic drug company with core competencies in intellectual property and pharmaceutical operations. By working with branded and generic pharmaceutical companies and healthcare payors, Argentum intends to reduce the overall cost of prescription drugs by challenging patents that are not innovative and which artificially support high drug prices. http://www.argentumpharmaceuticals.com

SOURCE Argentum Pharmaceuticals

Related Links

http://www.argentumpharmaceuticals.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AsylumConnect (www.asylumconnect.org), a fiscally sponsored nonprofit helping LGBTQ asylum seekers find verified human needs resources, and One Degree (www.1degree.org), a technology-driven nonprofit that helps low-income families access resources to achieve social and economic mobility, today announced a partnership to build a national version of the AsylumConnect catalog. The AsylumConnect catalog, currently available on web and mobile devices for Seattle and Philadelphia, is the first online resource database for LGBTQ asylum seekers in the U.S. This partnership will enable the rapid growth of the AsylumConnect catalog to New York City, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco by November 2017.

Desktop mockup of search page for new AsylumConnect resource catalog powered by One Degree, launching in November 2017. Mobile mockup of search page for new AsylumConnect resource catalog powered by One Degree, launching in November 2017.

"This partnership is a big step forward for the communities we both serve," said Rey Faustino, founder and CEO of One Degree. "Together, our two organizations are breaking the mold of a nonprofit sector that is rife with fractured and duplicative solutions. By working together, we can scale our impact quickly and more efficiently."

Thousands of LGBTQ immigrants and asylum seekers come to the U.S. every year fleeing persecution in their home countries based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Yet upon arrival in the U.S., many do not know where it is safe to go for help.

The AsylumConnect catalog fills this gap. This groundbreaking database empowers LGBTQ asylum seekers to safely integrate into the U.S. by providing a platform for them to access resource information and referrals to meet their needs in key areas, including: housing, legal, food, medical, mental health, social support, employment, and education. To-date, the catalog has garnered positive feedback from LGBTQ asylum seekers and service providers. Asylum seekers have called the catalog "highly recommended," "easy to use," and noted they eagerly await expansion to other "local [organizations] and regions."

"My office is glad to learn that AsylumConnect exists," commented an immigration and asylum attorney focusing on LGBT/SOGI-minority claims. "So many asylum-seekers don't know where to turn and worry that 'help' will discriminate."

Now, building upon One Degree's powerful resource search and management platform, AsylumConnect will scale its service to all major U.S. cities.

"With One Degree's support, the AsylumConnect catalog will be able to reach its full potential," said Katie Sgarro, AsylumConnect Co-Founder and President. "Together, we can ensure that all LGBTQ asylum seekers in the U.S. have the information they need to finally live safe, healthy, and authentic lives."

The new resource catalog powered by One Degree will introduce additional U.S. cities, new technical functionality, as well as an improved user experience for both LGBTQ asylum seekers and service providers in the U.S. The launch will commence AsylumConnect's national expansion through opening up public resource suggestions to anywhere in the U.S. powered by One Degree's community submission tools.

One Degree, a nonprofit organization founded in 2012, will provide access to its open API, as well as consultation on technology and resource information management, which will enable AsylumConnect to rapidly accelerate its goal of creating a comprehensive online resource database for LGBTQ asylum seekers in the U.S. In turn, AsylumConnect will contribute to One Degree's resource database, which will become the new home of its catalog.

Media Contacts:

Katie Sgarro, Co-Founder & President

[email protected]

401-258-5857

Rey Faustino, CEO & Founder

[email protected]

888-799-7273

About AsylumConnect:

Co-founded in 2014, AsylumConnect is a fiscally sponsored nonprofit creating the first online resource database for LGBTQ asylum seekers in the U.S. The AsylumConnect catalog, available on web and mobile devices for Seattle and Philadelphia, helps persecuted LGBTQ people find verified human needs resources upon their arrival in the U.S. AsylumConnect has received recognition and support from the UN, MCJ/Amelior Foundation, Millennium Campus Network, Business Today, Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), and others. The organization's long-term vision remains to scale its catalog to all major U.S. cities and ultimately, streamline the safe integration of LGBTQ asylum seekers in the U.S. Learn more at www.asylumconnect.org.

About One Degree:

One Degree is a technology driven nonprofit organization that helps low-income families access the resources they need to achieve social and economic mobility and, ultimately, improve their lives. Its platform has become the go-to tool for help-seekers  and the people who support them, such as case managers and social workers  throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County. It currently operates two major products: One Degree and One Home. Thousands of people in the Bay Area and Los Angeles rely on One Degree's core platform (1degree.org) to access health care, food banks, employment services, and much more. Through One Home (OneHomeBayArea.org), they are working to ensure every family has a safe and stable home by making it easy to find and apply for affordable housing. One Degree is supported by the Knight Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Tipping Point Community, and many others.

SOURCE AsylumConnect

Related Links

http://www.asylumconnect.org


TUPELO, Miss., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BancorpSouth (NYSE: BXS) will release third quarter 2017 earnings on Wednesday, October 18, after the close of the financial markets. It will also hold its regularly scheduled webcast Thursday, October 19, beginning at 10:00 a.m. CST.

The webcast is live coverage of management's conference call with analysts and can be found by visiting: www.BancorpSouth.com/Webcast. This will be an interactive session between management and analysts; others may listen to the live broadcast as it happens. The conference will also be available in archived format at the same address.

BancorpSouth (NYSE: BXS) is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, with $14.8 billion in assets. BancorpSouth operates 234 full service branch locations as well as additional mortgage, insurance, and loan production offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including an insurance location in Illinois. BancorpSouth is committed to a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. To learn more, visit our Community Commitment page at www.bancorpsouth.com; "Like" us on Facebook; follow us on [email protected]; or connect with us through LinkedIn.

SOURCE BancorpSouth, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.bancorpsouth.com


The emergency relief program offers cash reimbursement to individuals who have incurred financial hardship as a result of the breach, for example, because they have been forced to move, or forced to incur other out-of-pocket expenses as a result of others learning that they are taking HIV/AIDS medication. In addition, the emergency relief program offers up to three free counseling sessions to individuals and their family members who request counseling as a result of the breach.

The emergency relief program was developed by Aetna with input from attorneys at the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, the Legal Action Center, and the Philadelphia law firm Berger & Montague, P.C., who together are prosecuting a class action case related to the privacy breach on behalf of approximately 12,000 affected individuals in the United States. That lawsuit, captioned Beckett v. Aetna, Inc., et al., No. 2:17-cv-03864-JS (E.D. Pa.), was filed on August 28, 2017 in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The emergency relief program grew out of the concern that the privacy breach may result in immediate harm to certain individuals that could not wait until the end of the lawsuit. "We view this emergency relief program simply as a way to reach Aetna members who, as a result of the breach, may need immediate crisis counseling or financial relief," said Ronda B. Goldfein, an attorney and Executive Director of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania. "The establishment of this program is the beginning and not the end of the case we are prosecuting. The program does not involve any legal releases of claims by participants. It is simply a way to address emergency needs of people harmed by the breach."

Because of the sensitive nature of the program and the fact that affected individuals may not want to deal with Aetna directly, the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania and the Legal Action Center have agreed to assist people in submitting requests for emergency relief. The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania and the Legal Action Center are nonprofit law firms that represent persons living with HIV/AIDS.

"Since the breach occurred in July 2017, we have heard from hundreds of people who have been harmed," Goldfein added. "We encourage anyone who received and would like to discuss Aetna's mailing to contact us, and we can advise them regarding their legal claims."

"We will continue to vigorously prosecute the class action lawsuit to ensure that the thousands of individuals harmed by this privacy breach receive justice," said Sally Friedman, Legal Director of the Legal Action Center. "Aetna's mailing caused serious harm and forever altered class members' relationships with family, friends, and neighbors."

New York residents who require emergency relief should contact the Legal Action Center at 212-243-1313 or [email protected]. All other affected individuals in the United States should contact the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania at 215-587-9377 or [email protected]. Importantly, participants who request and accept the immediate relief will not release any legal claims by doing so.

Founded in 1988, the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania (www.aidslawpa.org) is the nation's only independent nonprofit public-interest law firm providing free legal services to people living with HIV and AIDS and those affected by the epidemic.

Established in 1973, the Legal Action Center (www.lac.org) is the nation's only nonprofit law and policy organization whose sole mission is to fight discrimination against people with histories of addiction, HIV/AIDS, or criminal records, and to advocate for sound public policies.

Berger & Montague, P.C. (www.bergermontague.com) is a national plaintiffs' law firm headquartered in Philadelphia with additional offices in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. The firm has played lead roles in major cases for over 47 years, resulting in recoveries of over $30 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Attorneys Shanon Carson, E. Michelle Drake, Sarah R. Schalman-Bergen, and John Albanese are prosecuting the Aetna privacy breach class action case.

Additional information about Aetna's emergency relief program and the lawsuit is available at www.aidslawpa.org.

Contact:



Ronda B. Goldfein

AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania

215-587-9377

[email protected]

Sally Friedman

Legal Action Center

212-243-1313

[email protected]

SOURCE Berger & Montague, P.C.

Related Links

http://www.bergermontague.com


"Thanksgiving gives family and friends the chance to spend time together," said Chris Baldwin, president and CEO, BJ's Wholesale Club. "We're committed to letting our team members enjoy the holiday, and we'll be ready bright and early for our biggest Black Friday ever. Members who can't wait to take advantage of our Black Friday deals will be able to shop at BJs.com on Thanksgiving."

This year marks the eleventh consecutive year that BJ's clubs will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. BJ's clubs will open their doors on Black Friday, November 24, at 7 a.m., when members will be able to shop the largest amount of Black Friday doorbusters in BJ's history.

Members will be greeted with doorbusters on top-of-the-line electronics and appliances, the hottest holiday toys, unique holiday decor and fashionable apparel. Following Black Friday, BJ's will kick-off its extended holiday hours.

Members can pick up their Black Friday Savings Event handout in-club in early November to view all the upcoming deals, including exclusive Black Friday doorbusters.

BJ's Wholesale Club Holiday Hours:

Thanksgiving Day , Nov. 23 : Closed

, : Closed Black Friday, Nov. 24 : 7 a.m. open, normal closing hours

: open, normal closing hours Monday, Nov. 27 : Check with your local club for holiday hours

BJ's Wholesale Club will continue to offer members convenient shopping options during the holiday season including in-club shopping, BJs.com and its Pick Up & Pay service. Members hosting this holiday season can find added convenience with BJ's Perfect Party Planning Center, where orders can be placed online for deli and bakery platters and picked up in-club in as little as 36 hours. For shoppers not currently enrolled in Membership, visit BJs.com or your local club for information on current membership deals.

Shoppers can learn more about BJ's Wholesale Club by going to www.bjs.com.

About BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.

Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ's is the leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company currently operates 215 clubs and 133 BJ's Gas locations in 16 states.

BJ's provides a one-stop shopping destination filled with top-quality, leading brands, including its exclusive Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands, along with USDA Choice meats, premium produce and delicious organics, many in supermarket sizes. BJ's is also the only major membership warehouse club to accept all manufacturers' coupons and, for greater convenience, offers the most payment options.

Visit www.BJs.com, and for exclusive content find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

BJ's is wholly owned by affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners, CVC Capital Partners and its management team.

SOURCE BJ's Wholesale Club

Related Links

http://www.bjs.com


WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is pleased to congratulate Rackeb Mered on receiving the firm's 2017 Ethiopian Heritage Scholarship Award! Rackeb, who most recently attended Hayfield High School in Alexandria, Virginia, celebrated the announcement with the firm in August. The scholarship will aid her in her studies at Duke University this fall.

Created by the firm in 2008, the Ethiopian Heritage College Scholarship Fund supports college-bound high school seniors in the DC Metro area from newly immigrated Ethiopian families. In addition to applications, students must also write and submit an essay to be judged by a panel of CSCS representatives and selected by firm Partners.

As the recipient of this year's Scholarship Award, Rackeb impressed the panel and Partners with her qualified application and inspiring essay, where she discussed how her passion for public service was sparked by the loss of a family member. Inspired by her loved one's selflessness, she and her family created a foundation in his honor to help the homeless and others in need of guidance and basic necessities.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is proud to support Rackeb as she pursues her higher education and continues her mission to make a difference for others. You can read more about the award and read Rackeb's essay here.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is a Washington-DC based personal injury law firm with a national reputation for securing the justice and compensation victims deserve following injuries and losses resulting from negligence. For more than 45 years, the firm's caring, compassionate, and highly experienced lawyers have recovered over $250 million for clients. Learn more about the firm at www.chaikinsherman.com

SOURCE Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.

Related Links

http://www.chaikinsherman.com


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ChannelAdvisor Corporation (NYSE: ECOM), a leading provider of cloud-based e-commerce solutions that enable retailers and branded manufacturers to increase global sales, today announced it will expand its footprint with plans for a new office in Denver, Colorado. The Denver office will support additional members of the company's sales organization, an expansion designed to enable growth.

"Denver was recently ranked as one of the top 10 metro areas creating tech jobs1, so we're excited about accessing this new pool of talent," said Paul Forte, ChannelAdvisor Chief Revenue Officer. "Adding an office located more centrally in the US will also provide us greater proximity to customers and prospects."

According to U.S. News & World Report, Denver is one of the best places to live in the U.S in 2017,2 due to quality of life, job market strength and net migration, among other factors. "At ChannelAdvisor, we've worked to create a highly collaborative and innovative culture where we work hard, and encourage our employees to recharge often," said Amy Robertson, ChannelAdvisor Chief People Officer. "Denver provides a perfect backdrop for employees to thrive with access to parks, major league sports, amazing restaurants and a booming tech scene."

ChannelAdvisor most recently opened a development office in Madrid, Spain. With 11 global locations, ChannelAdvisor is well positioned to serve global demand.

The company is actively hiring for sales positions that would report in to the Denver office. For more information on career opportunities, please visit www.channeladvisor.com/careers

For a full list of ChannelAdvisor's office locations, please visit www.channeladvisor.com/about/our-locations.

About ChannelAdvisor

ChannelAdvisor (NYSE: ECOM) is a leading e-commerce cloud platform whose mission is to connect and optimize the world's commerce. For nearly two decades, ChannelAdvisor has helped retailers and branded manufacturers worldwide improve their online performance by expanding sales channels, connecting with consumers around the world, optimizing their operations for peak performance and providing actionable analytics to improve competitiveness. Thousands of customers depend on ChannelAdvisor to securely power their sales and optimize fulfillment on channels such as Amazon, eBay, Google, Facebook, Walmart and hundreds more. For more information, visit www.channeladvisor.com.

Media Contact:

Caroline Riddle

[email protected]

919-439-8026

1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2017/03/16/technology-jobs-2017-san-francisco-charlotte-detroit/#643d786138f6

2 https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2017-02-07/us-news-unveils-the-2017-best-places-to-live

SOURCE ChannelAdvisor

Related Links

http://www.channeladvisor.com


AUBURN, Ala., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only southern inspired, fast casual restaurant concept, announced today it will be expanding in Louisiana with its first location in Denham Springs. The new restaurant will open October 4 at 27306 Crossing Circle, Suite 270, marking the state's fifth location. The Denham Springs restaurant is owned and operated by multi-unit franchisee Beau Nicolosi, who pioneered Chicken Salad Chick's expansion into Louisiana by opening the brand's first location in Lafayette last year.

During grand opening week, guests will enjoy southern hospitality through giveaway and specials at the new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant:

Wednesday, October 4  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first guest will win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year; the next 99 guests receive a large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.*

 Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first guest will win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year; the next 99 guests receive a large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.* Thursday, October 5  Thirsty Thursday  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free large drink and Chick Coozie.

 Thirsty Thursday  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free large drink and Chick Coozie. Friday, October 6  The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free large Chick Cooler.

 The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free large Chick Cooler. Saturday, October 7  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a card for a free scoop of chicken salad, redeemable for their next visit.

Beau Nicolosi discovered the Chicken Salad Chick concept three years ago while on vacation in Destin, Fla. and immediately realized the potential of the unique brand. A lifetime resident of Lafayette, Beau Nicolosi partnered with his father, Pete Nicolosi, to bring the restaurant into the state of Louisiana.

"Chicken Salad Chick's high-quality food piqued my interest from the start, but once I opened my first restaurant, I realized the concept is about more than food, it's about creating an experience," said Beau Nicolosi, Chicken Salad Chick franchisee. "Relationships are made, memories are formed and it's all surrounded by the home-cooked, southern feel that is Chicken Salad Chick. I am proud to bring this unique culinary experience to more guests throughout Louisiana."

The Chicken Salad Chick concept, born in Auburn, Ala., was established in 2008 in the kitchen of founder, Stacy Brown. When Stacy discovered that the local county health department would not allow her to continue making and selling her delicious recipes out of her home kitchen, she overcame that obstacle by launching her first restaurant with the business expertise of her future husband and fellow founder, Kevin Brown. Together, they opened a small takeout restaurant, which quickly grew; the company now has more than 70 restaurants across the Southeast.

Chicken Salad Chick in Denham Springs will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:30 a.m.  8 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.chickensaladchick.com, or call 225-243-7524. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age, make a Chick purchase and are required to download the Craving Credits app. Redemption will start 10/9.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick puts an edgy twist on a Southern classic, offering guests a "custom fit" chicken salad experience, with over a dozen original flavors to choose from, as well as gourmet soups, flavorful side salads and freshly-baked desserts. Chicken Salad Chick serves southern style chicken salad with heart and strives to spread joy, enrich lives and serve others every day. Today, the brand has more than 70 locations across the Southeast, and has currently sold 146 franchises to be developed across the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas. The brand was recently named as one of FastCasual.com's top Movers and Shakers and one of NRN's 2017 Next 20 brands. Chicken Salad Chick also ranked #37 on Inc.'s annual list of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Corporate offices are located at 724 North Dean Road in Auburn, Alabama. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Nikki Rode

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

Related Links

http://www.chickensaladchick.com


Gov. Scott Walker has a track record of making big promises that he fails to keep.

As a candidate for governor in 2010, he promised to implement policies that would create 250,000 new jobs in his first term. After he was elected  with a massive boost from the out-of-state billionaires to whom he had pledged his truest loyalty  Walker immediately forgot about job creation and instead went to work attacking public schools, public services and public employees. He divided the state and stalled out the sort of meaningful growth that neighboring states such as Minnesota were experiencing.

As a candidate for governor in 2014, Walker promised to do better, to try to heal the divisions, and to finally get focused on a more-jobs and higher-wages agenda. After he was re-elected  with an even bigger boost from the out-of-state billionaires who imagined he might be their candidate for president  Walker immediately forgot about more jobs and higher wages and started attacking protections for workers (by backing a noxious "right to work" law that is really a "right to work for less" scheme) and higher education (with an attempt to assault the "Wisconsin Idea," which links the work of the state's great universities with the development and growth of our communities).

Now, after losing his bid to abandon Wisconsin and "go national" as a Republican presidential contender who ran to the right of Donald Trump, Walker is again a candidate for governor. And he is again making big promises. This time, his campaign scam is the Foxconn deal, which has the state promising almost $3 billion to a Taiwanese company if it invests in the state and creates jobs in southeast Wisconsin. In effect, Walker is trying to buy the jobs that he once promised to create with smart investments and policies.

The governor was so desperate to make some kind of deal with a big corporation that he entered into a crony-capitalist agreement with a firm that has a lousy record of keeping its job creation promises and that is in the forefront of replacing actual workers with robots. It is hard to imagine a worse company to bet on than Foxconn. But Walker has placed his bet  with taxpayer dollars.

The Foxconn deal is an admission of failure by Walker. Unfortunately, his failure will  because of shameful dereliction of duty by the majority of legislators in the state Assembly and state Senate  now cost every family in the state. The governor's plan is to run for re-election on the promise that Foxconn will create thousands of jobs, and that related development will create tens of thousands of jobs. But that promise will prove to be as empty as the promises he made in 2010 and 2014.

At The Cap Times Idea Fest last weekend, Congressman Mark Pocan, D-Town of Vermont, told the crowd that he believes the Foxconn scam will be the governor's undoing. And we tend to agree. Yes, Walker will do his best to spin the fantasy that having taxpayers buy jobs is some kind of economic-development strategy. Yes, the billionaires will be back to try to buy the governorship for Walker once more. But this is such a bogus deal that, as Pocan suggests, people from across the political spectrum are going to see through it.

Already, Madison liberals and rural conservatives, as well as northern and western Wisconsinites who wonder why their regions of the state are being neglected, have objected. And those objections will grow as Wisconsinites learn more about how Walker promises to use their tax dollars. They will ask the question that state Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, asked at the Idea Fest: If Wisconsin has an extra $3 billion, couldn't it be put to better use? By investing in education? By investing in infrastructure? By creating programs to help fund small businesses and farms that will stay in the state and make a long-term contribution to its economy?

When Walker looks at the voters of Wisconsin, he says to himself: "There's a sucker born every minute."

But we think Pocan and Shankland are right.

The phrase that comes to mind when we look at Wisconsin voters going into the 2018 election is: "Won't get fooled again."
PHOENIX, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission gave final approval today to a regulation heightening transparency in the Clean Elections Funding program by ensuring audits of every participating candidate. Until now, audits were conducted randomly. Twenty-nine candidates were audited in 2016. The new regulation is part of the Commission's ongoing effort to review and improve its regulations.

"Clean Elections Funding breaks the link between dollars and political favors, giving people from all over the state the chance to run or participate in political campaigns," said Chairman Steve Titla. "This rule demonstrates that with this opportunity comes additional responsibility."

Titla, a Globe attorney and enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, said that the Commission also proposed regulations to simplify the process of winding up Clean Candidate campaigns.

The transparency of the Clean Elections program is particularly important, as traditionally funded candidates and independent spenders face no additional auditing of their campaign finance reports, said Tom Collins, Executive Director.

"No other candidates spend as much time with voters, nor face as much public scrutiny as Clean Candidates," Collins, also an attorney, said. "Voters can have confidence that should these candidates attempt to avoid their responsibilities, they'll be caught. They will be held to a higher standard than traditionally funded candidates who aren't as closely monitored."

Candidates who participate in the Clean Elections funding program forgo special interest contributions in favor of smaller donations, principally from Arizona voters who reside in their district or the state.

The Clean Elections Fund, a dedicated funding source created by voters, is supported by surcharges on criminal fines and fees. No money for Clean Elections comes from the general fund, which pays for schools and other state needs.

"The voters recognize that the Clean Elections System requires dedicated funding and that is why they created the fund," Titla said.

The Clean Elections System is a comprehensive voter-centered program that involves Clean Elections funding, independent campaign finance law enforcement, and voter education. The program is administered by a five-member board consisting of two Republicans, two Democrats and one Independent, appointed by Governor Doug Ducey and elected Democratic leaders.

To learn more about the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, visit www.azcleanelections.gov.

SOURCE Citizens Clean Elections Commission

Related Links

http://www.azcleanelections.gov


RESTON, Va., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore, Inc. (OTC: SCOR) today announced that it has agreed to appoint new independent directors to its Board as part of a settlement agreement with Starboard Value LP, one of comScore's largest shareholders, with a 4.8% ownership position. The new independent directors, who were proposed by Starboard and approved by the comScore board, will be Wesley Nichols, Paul Reilly and Bryan Wiener. Another new independent director to be proposed by Starboard will be named shortly as well. The four new directors will join the five directors currently serving on comScore's Board.

Sue Riley, comScore's Board Chair, said, "We are pleased to welcome these highly respected, independent directors to our board, and to have reached an agreement with Starboard that we believe is in the best interests of all our shareholders. The new directors will bring valuable experience and fresh perspectives to our Company at an important time, and their addition represents another significant step forward as we seek to set a clear path forward for comScore. Having now substantially reconstituted the Board and reached an agreement with Starboard, we continue to be laser focused on resolving the Company's pending financial statement restatements and ensuring we deliver value to our shareholders."

Peter A. Feld, Managing Member of Starboard Value, said, "The appointment of these new directors will provide additional insights and valuable expertise to comScore as it continues to focus on profitability and growth. We are pleased to have worked constructively with comScore to reach this agreement, which we believe will further strengthen the Board of Directors. We are confident that the newly reconstituted board will enhance value for shareholders and improve the Company's financial reporting and operations."

Pursuant to the agreement, Starboard has agreed to dismiss its current litigation against the Company. Further, in connection with the agreement, the Company announced that its tax asset protection rights agreement has been amended to accelerate the expiration date to September 28, 2017.

The complete agreement between comScore and Starboard will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K.

King & Spalding served as the Special Committee's legal advisor in connection with the Company's settlement with Starboard and Jones Day served as the Company's legal advisor. Goldman Sachs served as the Company's financial advisor.

New Directors

Wesley Nichols is an industry authority in predictive analytics, AI/Machine Learning, and technology. He is currently a Board Partner at Upfront Ventures and an active technology investor and advisor. Most recently, he was the SVP, Strategy at Neustar, Inc., a leading company in authenticated identity for marketing and security, which was recently acquired by Golden Gate Capital. A year earlier, Neustar acquired his company MarketShare, where he was co-founder and CEO from 2005 to 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Nichols was President and CEO of TBWA's digital business at Omnicom Group and founder and CEO of Direct Partners, which was acquired by Omnicom Group. Mr. Nichols is a member of the Board of Directors of TrueCar, Inc., BJ's Restaurants, Inc. and the LAPD Foundation, and a Trustee of Randolph-Macon College. He is the author of the Harvard Business Review cover story, Analytics 2.0 and the 2016 winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Paul Reilly is a global strategist and seasoned financial executive with first-hand understanding of operating in the global marketplace. He is currently a member of the board of directors of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Assurant, Inc. Most recently, Mr. Reilly served as EVP of Arrow Electronics, Inc., a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions, until he retired in February 2017. Prior to that, he served in numerous senior executive roles at Arrow Electronics, including as EVP, Finance and Operations, CFO, SVP and Head of Global Operations. He joined Arrow Electronics in early 1991 and held various positions within the company prior to assuming the role of CFO in 2001. Before joining Arrow Electronics, Mr. Reilly worked in the business assurance practice of the New York office of KPMG Peat Marwick. He is a certified public accountant.

Bryan Wiener is an Internet entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience pioneering digital companies, and a track record for growing businesses in disruptive markets, including the rise of 360i as a leading digitally led advertising agency, where he currently serves as Executive Chairman (and previously served as CEO from 2005 to 2013). Prior to that, Mr. Wiener was Co-CEO of Innovation Interactive, the privately held parent company of 360i and digital media SaaS provider IgnitionOne, from 2004 until it was acquired by Dentsu in 2010. He also previously held a series of senior management positions at Net2Phone and as General Manager at TheGlobe.com. Mr. Wiener currently serves on the Advisory Board for IAB and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, where he was inducted into the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Hall of Fame. Mr. Wiener has been named a "Media Maven" by Advertising Age and to the "Mediaweek 50 List" (now part of Adweek).

About comScore

comScore is a leading cross-platform measurement company that measures audiences, brands and consumer behavior everywhere. comScore completed its merger with Rentrak Corporation in January 2016, to create the new model for a dynamic, cross-platform world. Built on precision and innovation, comScore's data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers' multiscreen behavior at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and a global footprint in more than 75 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. Shares of comScore stock are currently traded on the OTC Market (OTC: SCOR). For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com.

About Starboard Value LP

Starboard Value LP is a New York-based investment adviser with a focused and fundamental approach to investing in publicly traded U.S. companies. Starboard invests in deeply undervalued companies and actively engages with management teams and boards of directors to identify and execute on opportunities to unlock value for the benefit of all shareholders.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, comScore's expectations regarding the Company's financial re-restatement process, delivering and enhancing shareholder value and operational initiatives for growth. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations, including, but not limited to, the difficulty of predicting the timing of the completion of the Company's financial restatements and related audits, its impact on the Company's historical financial information, and the timing of the related filings; costs, risks and uncertainties associated with the restatements and audits; risks relating to the substantial costs and diversion of personnel's attention and resources deployed to address the financial reporting and internal control matters as well as risks and uncertainties associated with terminating the Company's tax asset protection rights agreement and other uncertainties arising out of the Company's settlement agreement with Starboard. For additional discussion of risk factors, please refer to filings that comScore makes from time to time with the SEC and which are available on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov).

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. comScore does not intend or undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Press Contact:

Andrew Lipsman

comScore, Inc.

312-775-6510

[email protected]

SOURCE comScore, Inc.
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate Fuel ("CF") today announced the closing of Community Fuel Investment Partners, a $35 million fund focused on investing in profitable businesses with exceptional management teams and strong growth prospects.

"With this latest fund we can continue to partner with great management teams to accelerate and grow businesses, helping them reach their full potential," said CF managing partner, John Simons. "Our investment strategy focuses on established and emerging businesses that have a proven and transformative product or service that is now ready to accelerate its growth. We decided to name this fund "Community Fuel" given that entrepreneurial companies generally bring services, products and jobs to their communities."

The fund seeks to partner with existing management teams in established operating businesses that have a successful growth history. They recognize that most companies in their targeted size range are led by exceptional management teams that have proven the ability to generate sales momentum but are often constricted by inadequate working capital, key employee vacancies, fundamental deficiencies in back-office support or other surmountable constraints. Corporate Fuel is happy to "roll up the sleeves" to help address those limitations.

"We are grateful for the continued support of many of our limited partners," added Russ Fein, who oversees the fund activities. "We generally take a very active approach to our investments, often providing key financial and operational support, so that our management partners can focus on what they know and do best, which is growing their business." While CF has an opportunistic approach to investments, they have had success in their first fund with life sciences, medical devices and business services, and the principals have had experience in value added distribution, technology and software services, so they will also be seeking investments in those sectors.

The investment team of John Simons, Charles Lachman and Russ Fein has been together since the formation of CF's first fund nearly ten years ago and was recently joined by investment professional Peter Lachman. The investment activities of CF complement the firm's investment banking practice (Corporate Fuel Advisors & Corporate Fuel Securities), which provides M&A and financial advisory services to middle market companies.

About Corporate Fuel Partners

Corporate Fuel Partners is a New York-based lower middle market private equity investment firm, acquiring profitable businesses with unique growth opportunities. It looks for established operating businesses with successful track records in expanding markets. It is currently investing out of Community Fuel Investment Partners, its second buyout fund and has a total of $55 million in assets under management. For more information, visit https://corporatefuel.com/community-fuel.

Media Contact

Russ Fein

646-572-0421

[email protected]

SOURCE Corporate Fuel Partners

Related Links

http://www.corporatefuel.com


BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 23rd, 2017, The Luxury Panel of the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards (SSLHLA) had selected Deer Jet as the most exceptional brand among nominees including Vista Jet and Qatar Executive in Athens.

At the Gala Ceremony in Athens Deer Jet received the "2017 Seven Star Private Jet Company" Special Award from the hands of Luxury Panel members HSH Prince Massimiliano della Torre e Tasso, SSLHLA Chairman, President and Founder Khalil El-Mouelhy, and celebrity Ms Ece Vahapoglu. The Special Awards were designed to identify and separate exceptional brands from amongst the very best.

SSLHLA Chairman, President and Founder Khalil El-Mouelhy said: "The 'Signum Virtutis' plaque, hand crafted in the UK, recognizes Deer Jet as a symbol of luxury and excellence. It is a reward to the company for its leading role in delivering the most exceptional products and services for the industry worldwide."

In 2016, Deer Jet introduced the world's first 787 Dreams Jet to the global jet charter market, setting service standards high above 5 stars hospitality through specialized training to certify its crew as "travel butlers". At the very same time, the company appointed the "Dream Team" to serve its sophisticated business travelers. Members of the "Dream Team" are very experienced pilots and crew, delivering unparalleled levels of safety, privacy and best-in-class services.

Deer Jet has a record of awards putting the company at the pinnacle of excellence. The company has been consecutively awarded "Leading Private Jet Charter" at the World Travel Awards since 2015. Deer Jet currently dominates over 70% of the Chinese private jet market, and has a vision of becoming a global leader by extending its service range worldwide.

About Deer Jet

With 22 years of expertise, Deer Jet started as the first private jet company in China and has rapidly evolved into the largest business aviation group in Asia. Deer Jet has a heritage of delivering bespoke services. The company operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of HNA Group, a Global Fortune 500 company.

SOURCE Deer Jet
On September 29, National Coffee Day, the company will kick off a weeklong promotion with the American Red Cross aimed at aiding those impacted by recent natural disasters. Through October 6, coffee lovers can show their support in several ways:

Buy Don Francisco's Coffee online at their company's website shopdonfranciscos.com using code: DFREDCROSS ; $1 of every Don Francisco's Coffee purchase will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Coffee online at their company's website shopdonfranciscos.com using code: ; of every Coffee purchase will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Enjoy Don Francisco's Coffee at the company's newly opened flagship cafe Don Francisco's Coffee Casa Cubana located in Downtown Los Angeles ; $1 of every cup of Don Francisco's brewed coffee sold will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Coffee fans can join the fun and show support on social media by sharing their National Coffee Day pictures and tagging @donfranciscos, using the #NationalCoffeeDay hashtag. Through October 6, five lucky coffee fans will be randomly selected daily to receive Don Francisco's coffee and swag.

"We have the privilege of celebrating coffee every day and have been doing it for 50 years  a milestone that would not have been possible without the support of our community, which is why we are always there to support them back," said Leonor Gavina-Valls, third generation coffee roaster and VP of Marketing, F. Gavina & Sons.

F. Gavina & Sons, Inc., makers of Don Francisco's Coffee, is a family, minority-owned roaster with a strong coffee heritage that dates back more than 140 years.

"The Red Cross is thrilled to partner with Don Francisco's Coffee to help those affected by these recent disasters," said Jarrett Barrios, CEO Red Cross Los Angeles Region. "These families are going through so much and these funds will assist them in getting them back to their lives. We truly appreciate Don Francisco's Coffee for all they are doing to provide this much-needed relief."

Follow the National Coffee Day conversation at @DonFranciscos, using hashtag #NationalCoffeeDay.

SOURCE Don Franciscos Coffee
SOMERSET, N.J., Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DR. FISCHER releases their top-of-the-line Comb & Care Leave-in Hair Detangler Spray For Kids. The Dr. Fischer (Sarekal) easy-to-apply 11.5 fluid ounce bottle needs no rinsing and can be used as daily hair hygiene. It is a natural alternative as a child's hair-lice repellent.

Since its launch, the DR. FISCHER Detangler Spray has received rave reviews while bringing satisfaction to parents and less bathtime stress for children worldwide. Containing rosemary and ProVitamin B5, it leaves hair tangle and rinse-free.

REMOVES KNOTS AND TANGLES EASILY: That detangling spray takes the tears out of combing for easily manageable hair.

What Consumers are Saying:

"I love DR. FISCHER products, they are truly the best. My daughter has beautiful curly hair, but it's very hard to comb so I went through different products until I found this and the search ended. It applies very well, and I don't need to use half the bottle for it to work. Great smell, and most important  lice repellent. It's great." Sabrina, NC, USA (05/15/2017)

"I have two kids who have super thick hair and this product was a godsend! You spray it on their dry hair and 'bam!' You can comb through it like butter. Perfect for those mornings when you have to rush to get them out the door for school. The smell is awesome as well." Ann Simpson, NJ, USA (08/26/2017)

"When we used it on our 4-year-old granddaughter's wet hair, we did not use a conditioner but only the spray and the tangles came out quickly and easily with no pain using a brush or comb." Conny, Oregon, USA (03/02/17)

About the Company:

Founded in 1965, DR. FISCHER (Fischer Pharmaceuticals) offers a large variety of innovative solutions for top-to-toe health care and wellness, with products designed for all in the family  from the very young to the most senior.

If you would like more information about this product, please contact DR. FISCHER at https://www.dr-fischer.com.

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Detangler-Dr-Fischer-rinse-Natural-Alternative/dp/B00AYKSQQ6

Related Images

image1.jpg

detangler spray

image2.jpg

hair detangler

Related Links

Home Site

Facebook

SOURCE DR. FISCHER (Fischer Pharmaceuticals)

Related Links

https://www.dr-fischer.com


ECFMG President and CEO, William W. Pinsky, MD, is proud of this accomplishment and of ECFMG. "We are a relatively small organization, but thanks to the dedication of our employees, we are making outsized contributions to the quality of healthcare being delivered around the world," he said.

In addition to considering the various benefits and training and development opportunities made available to employees, judges determined the winning workplaces based on employee survey responses. "I'm pleased that Modern Healthcare has recognized ECFMG as one of the top healthcare workplaces, and even more pleased to know that ECFMG employees agree," said Dr. Pinsky.

About the Contest

Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare is a nationwide competition that identifies the 150 top workplaces in healthcare, those that go above and beyond to support their staff, empowering them to provide patients and other customers with the best possible care, products, and services. The top 150 companies are divided between providers/insurers and suppliers. Within each group, five companies are recognized in the special categories of "Healthiest Workplace," "Most Family-friendly Workplace," and "Best Place for Millennials to Work."

About ECFMG

Established in 1956, ECFMG is a private, nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with more than 900 employees.

ECFMG is a world leader in promoting quality healthcareserving physicians, members of the medical education and regulatory communities, healthcare consumers, and those researching issues in medical education and health workforce planning. ECFMG's program of certification evaluates whether international medical graduates are ready to enter U.S. programs of graduate medical education, where they provide supervised patient care. ECFMG offers a variety of other programs for the world's physicians and related entities.

In partnership with ECFMG, its nonprofit foundation, the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), promotes excellence in international health professions education through programmatic and research activities.

CONTACT: Elizabeth Ingraham, 1-215-823-2108, [email protected]

SOURCE ECFMG

Related Links

http://www.ecfmg.org


BEIJING and SHANGHAI, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen Group China and eHi Car Services Limited ("eHi" or the "Company") (NYSE: EHIC), a leading car rentals and car services provider in China, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly explore luxury mobility-on-demand services in China. Both parties will leverage innovative technologies, rapidly developing mobile Internet and car connectivity to provide luxury mobile services to Chinese consumers. Entirely new on-demand services will satisfy diverse needs, and make luxury mobility more comfortable and more convenient.

Currently, popularization of mobile devices and Internet connectivity enable rapid innovations in China's mobility services market. Consumption upgrading and increasing business travel require more quality and customized luxury mobility solutions.

To address the huge market potential, a strategic partnership will be formed which combines the strengths of Volkswagen  a leading automaker with Audi, Porsche and Bentley luxury brands, a comprehensive range of exciting car models for every mobility need and long-established popularity in China, and the New York Stock Exchange-listed eHi's mobility services leadership in China, where it operates about 60,000 vehicles from more than 4,000 directly managed service locations in more than 250 cities.

Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft as well as President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said, "Volkswagen Group China understands the various needs for new mobility and sees clearly the trend of the transportation-on-demand business. This is the latest example of our strategy to work with outstanding Chinese companies to develop innovative concepts that can advance new mobility-on-demand services in China and provide well-matched mobility services solutions to customers."

Mr. Ray Zhang, eHi's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "China is facing a historic opportunity from consumption upgrade and economic transformation. At the same time, new mobility services are an essential part of the sharing economy, which is becoming more popular for hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers. We believe this cooperation with Volkswagen Group China will add an important new level to mobility services and support the ongoing development of China's mobility services sector."

About eHi Car Services Limited

eHi Car Services Limited (NYSE: EHIC) is a leading car rental and car services providers in China. The Company's mission is to provide comprehensive mobility solutions as an alternative to car ownership by best utilizing existing resources and sharing economy to create optimal value. eHi distinguishes itself in China's fast-growing car rental and car services market through its complementary business model, customer-centric corporate culture, broad geographic coverage, efficient fleet management, leading brand name, and commitment to technological innovation. eHi is the exclusive strategic partner in China of Enterprise, the largest car rental company in the world, and is the designated and preferred business partner of Ctrip, a leader in the online travel agency industry in China. For more information regarding eHi, please visit http://en.1hai.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein are "forward-looking statements" including, among other things, eHi's ability to support the ongoing development of China's mobility services sector. The expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements involve significant assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

eHi Car Services Limited

Tel: +86 (21) 5419-2093

E-Mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE eHi Car Services Limited
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ember Technologies, Inc. (Ember), the leader of consumer-facing temperature control technology, today announces the official launch of the limited edition 24k Gold Halo Lid in celebration of National Coffee Day. The release of the 24k Gold Halo Lid is in conjunction with Ember's marketing campaign, #FortheLoveofCoffee, which launches today on Ember's social media channels.

Ember Technologies (PRNewsfoto/Ember Technologies)

The 24k Gold Halo Lid is the ultimate accessory for the award-winning Ember mug  the world's first temperature control mug. Combining award-winning design and best-in-class engineering, Ember's patented technology keeps hot beverages at the perfect drinking temperature according to an individual's preference, thus greatly enhancing the flavor of coffee or tea. Ember's limited edition 24k Gold Halo Lid presses on to the top of the Ember mug in place of the travel lid, giving the mug an open design that indulges the senses by allowing users to smell the aroma of their favorite cup of coffee.

"At Ember, we not only obsess over every technical detail of our products, we also understand the importance of flawless design  every angle, every curve, the materials  down to the smallest detail," said Clay Alexander, Founder and CEO, Ember. "We designed the 24k Gold Halo Lid as a way for people to customize their mug, just as you may customize your mobile phone with a unique case," continued Alexander. "It's bold, highly designed and the perfect fashion accessory for the Ember mug. What better way to show our love for coffee than with 24k gold?"

The 24k Gold Halo Lid release is the first step in Ember's National Coffee Day launch. The company kicks off the #FortheLoveofCoffee social media campaign today, to celebrate coffee shops, owners and baristas across the country. Ember will launch today in Los Angeles, hitting the road with 24k Gold Halo Lids and Ember mugs, to highlight people and places that share the brand's love of coffee.

The 24k Gold Halo Lid is available now for a limited time, exclusively on ember.com, and retails for $99.95. Additional accessories are available on the site, including the Ember Ceramic Halo Lid and individual charging coasters. To follow the #FortheLoveofCoffee campaign, connect with Ember on Facebook.com/ember, Instagram.com/ember and Twitter.com/ember_tech.

About Ember Technologies, Inc.

Ember Technologies, Inc. is a design led temperature control brand whose mission is to revolutionize the way people eat and drink. Founded in 2012 by inventor and serial entrepreneur Clay Alexander, Ember creates, designs and develops household products that offer consumers complete customization of their food and beverage temperature. Ember's flagship product, the Ember mug, is the most advanced travel mug on the market, allowing individuals to set and maintain their preferred drinking temperature for hot beverages. Ember's world-class team consists of product designers and engineers formerly with Apple, Microsoft, Nokia and Amazon Labs. For more information, visit ember.com.

Media Contacts:

Jolene Abbott

Ember Technologies, Inc.

[email protected]

Emerald Stocker

TRUE Communications for Ember

[email protected]

SOURCE Ember Technologies

Related Links

http://ember.com


ENGLEWOOD, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ETI Tech, LLC, a Simon Group Holdings Company, has been awarded a $17,395,989, two-year base plus a one-year option contract through the Defense Logistics Agency for the production of passenger seats for the U.S. Air Force's C-5 Galaxy.

ETI and its predecessor have been long-time suppliers to the C5 program, having supported the C-5 upgrade and refurbishment program for over three decades. This C-5 initiative will require internal growth within the company; adding technical positions and expanding the production line.

"While ETI continues to expand its offerings within the defense community, our focus remains on providing our long-time customers with the finest products and support possible," commented Bill McLendon, President and CEO of ETI Tech.

In addition to providing quality products to their customers, ETI Tech's patriotic values have lent to their strong relationships with the U.S. government and the defense community. CEO Bill McLendon has been part of this community since he served as an Air Force pilot.

"We are very proud to support our war fighters in the C-5 program; a critical element in our nation's strategic airlift capability," said McLendon.

With its expertise in the aerospace and defense industry, Simon Group Holdings acquired ETI Tech in February of 2017 with the intention of growing the company exponentially.

"Bill's service to our country as well as his extensive experience in the aerospace industry, made him uniquely qualified to lead ETI Tech. We were confident that the company could grow while maintaining the exceptional quality, on-time delivery and customer commitment ETI is known for," commented Sam Simon, Founder and CEO of Simon Group Holdings.

About ETI Tech

Founded in 1996, ETI is a leading provider of more than 200 flight hardware parts for military aircraft and ground support equipment for the aerospace defense industry for fixed and rotary wing aircrafts, and unmanned aerial vehicles, including the F-35, C-130, F-16 and C-5B, among others. ETI was awarded by Lockheed Martin in 2012, 2013 and 2015 for their outstanding supplier relationship as well as superior quality and delivery ratings. As a Simon Group Holdings (SGH) company, ETI Tech lends to SGH's expertise within the aerospace and defense industry.

About Simon Group Holdings

Simon Group Holdings (SGH) was created in 1985 with the founding of Atlas Oil Company by Sam Simon. SGH has 120 companies and direct investments, 3,000 customers and 1,000 employees. Its growth is fueled through digital disruption and by investing in operationally experienced entrepreneurs who have a vision and hunger to reinvent their respective industries. SGH has interests in comprehensive energy solutions; fuel supply; oil field services; logistics and transportation; real estate; private equity; technology services; aerospace and defense; and turnkey modular solutions.

Related Links:

www.etitechinc.com

www.simongroupholdings.com

SOURCE Simon Group Holdings

Related Links

http://simongroupholdings.com


NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



MONTREAL, Sept. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitumen Capital Inc. (TSX-V:BTM.H) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the conditional approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") to close its Qualifying Transaction. The Company previously announced on August 1, 2017 a definitive acquisition agreement (as amended on September 22, 2017) with Goliath Resources Limited ("Goliath") pursuant to which the Company and Goliath will complete the transaction that will result in a reverse take-over of the Company by the shareholders of Goliath (the "Transaction").



The Company is also pleased to announce that it has posted a Filing Statement dated September 28, 2017 on the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) disclosing the details of the Qualifying Transaction.

The Qualifying Transaction is scheduled to close on or about October 11, 2017 and remains subject to final TSXV approval.

For further information: Mr. Richard Groome,

President and Chief Executive Officer,

Bitumen Capital Inc.

(514) 402 4405

ricktgroome@gmail.com

About Bitumen

Bitumen is a capital pool company listed on the NEX board of the TSXV. The Company is engaged in the identification and evaluation of assets or businesses with a view of completing a Qualifying Transaction. Bitumen is a "reporting issuer" in the Provinces of Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction 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 Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Cautionary Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Bitumen's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the Transaction and obtaining the requisite approval of the TSXV. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Bitumen. The material factors and assumptions include the parties to the Transaction being able to obtain the necessary director, shareholder and regulatory approvals; TSXV policies not changing; and completion of satisfactory due diligence. Risk factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking information include, among other things: conditions imposed by the TSXV, the failure to obtain the required directors' and shareholders' approval to the Transaction; changes in tax laws, general economic and business conditions; and changes in the regulatory regulation. Bitumen cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and Bitumen is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle OpenWorld -- This weekend, Oracle welcomes tens of thousands of customers and partners spanning 175 countries and over 18 million live-stream viewers to Oracle OpenWorld 2017. Located at San Francisco's newly redesigned Moscone Center, conference events will span multiple venues in the city's downtown from October 1-5. Heralded as the industry's most important business and technology show, Oracle OpenWorld delivers unprecedented opportunities to hear from the greatest minds across all event programming, including actor and director Joseph Gordon-Levitt, former United States Senator Barbara Boxer, Executive Consultant for the Los Angeles Clippers Jerry West, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and President of the Council on Foreign Relations Richard Haass.

On Sunday, Oracle CTO and Executive Chairman Larry Ellison opens the event with a special keynote showcasing all of the innovations delivered in the Oracle Cloud. Mainstage presentations will continue throughout the week, featuring Ellison, Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, and Oracle President of Product Development Thomas Kurian. Leaders from the world's most interesting brands, including Carbon, Trek, FexEx and Gap, will join Oracle executives on stage to discuss pressing topics impacting business and technology today and in the future.

This year, Oracle OpenWorld brings innovation to learning through a new series of session formats developed in collaboration with Stanford University, as well as reimagined exhibition halls. The conference's latest iteration of "Collective Learning" features cutting edge session designs, including: Brain Snacks, 1:1 conversations with fellow experts, and Make Your Case, hands-on workshops tackling the best Oracle case studies. Oracle OpenWorld Exchange, the conference's redesigned exhibition hall, debuts to foster community, spark learning, promote innovation, and unite our customers, partners, and attendees.

"As we raise the curtain on Oracle OpenWorld 2017, we welcome more than 60,000 customers and partners to learn about transforming their business with Oracle Cloud," said Judy Sim, Oracle's Chief Marketing Officer. "The event has evolved as our customers' needs have changed and is now one of the leading technology conferences in the world. Today, we are thrilled to bring a positive economic impact worth more than $3 billion to the City of San Francisco over the last 20 years."

To Learn and Explore:

Sessions : Tap into an elite network of world-class speakers totaling 67,500+ years of industry experience. Select from 2,311 sessions presented by 3,048 customer and partner speakers, more than 523 Oracle demos and case studies showcasing emerging technology, as well as hundreds of partner and customer exhibitions.

: Tap into an elite network of world-class speakers totaling 67,500+ years of industry experience. Select from 2,311 sessions presented by 3,048 customer and partner speakers, more than 523 Oracle demos and case studies showcasing emerging technology, as well as hundreds of partner and customer exhibitions. Oracle Keynotes : Sunday, October 1 , 5:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m. Oracle CTO and Executive Chairman Larry Ellison opens the conference with an inside look at the future of Oracle Cloud and its innovation path. Doug Fisher , Senior Vice President and General Manager, Software and Services Group, Intel, presents the power of data, and how data offers massive enterprise-class cloud computing opportunities. Monday, October 2 , 9:00 a.m.  10:15 p.m. Oracle CEO Mark Hurd reveals where we are now and where we are headed in a cloud foundational world. Joining him on stage will be leaders from Oracle customers Bloom Energy, FedEx and Gap. Tuesday, October 3 9:00 a.m.  11:00 a.m.  Oracle President of Product Development Thomas Kurian and Dave Donatelli , Oracle Executive Vice President, Cloud Business Group, showcase how Oracle Cloud is harnessing the power of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and blockchain to transform organizations of all sizes. They will be joined by Richard Noble , Director of the Bloodhound Project, an inspiring initiative that engages the next generation in science, technology, engineering and math by aiming to surpass the world land speed record. 2:00 p.m.  3:00 p.m.  Larry Ellison unveils the future of databases in the cloud, including Oracle Autonomous Database, the world's first "self-driving" database. Wednesday, October 4 , 9:00 a.m.  11:00 a.m. Oracle CEO Mark Hurd returns to the mainstage with NetSuite's Executive Vice President of Development Evan Goldberg and special guests, to discuss the role technology plays in getting ahead of the competition.

: Oracle's Leader's Circle : Connect with luminaries on industry trends, foreign affairs, economics and security at this exclusive, invitation-only executive program hosted by Oracle CEOs Safra Catz and Mark Hurd . Join Senator Barbara Boxer and Newt Gingrich , 50 th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for a provocative discussion about the future of the United States .

: Connect with luminaries on industry trends, foreign affairs, economics and security at this exclusive, invitation-only executive program hosted by Oracle CEOs and . Join Senator and , 50 Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for a provocative discussion about the future of . The Innovation Studio : Experience innovations from Design Tech High School students and Oracle Education Foundation. Meet startups from Oracle's Startup Cloud Accelerator, and talk with Oracle customers, partners, and industry business unit experts.

: Experience innovations from Design Tech High School students and Oracle Education Foundation. Meet startups from Oracle's Startup Cloud Accelerator, and talk with Oracle customers, partners, and industry business unit experts. Oracle Cloud User Experience Lab : Experience hands-on demos of the latest Release 13 Oracle Cloud Applications, and learn about Oracle's vision for the future of work, including experimental robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, chatbots, and more of the emerging technology tools in the smart UX toolkit.

: Experience hands-on demos of the latest Release 13 Oracle Cloud Applications, and learn about Oracle's vision for the future of work, including experimental robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, chatbots, and more of the emerging technology tools in the smart UX toolkit. JavaOne Developer Lounge : Use Oracle Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data technologies to brew your own beer. Create your own sculptures and furniture with a 3D printer. Relive "The Matrix" and shoot your own slow motion video with 60 Raspberry Pi cameras in the BulletTime Photo Booth. Interact with a cloud chatbot robot powered by the Oracle Intelligent Bots running on Oracle Mobile Cloud Service.

: Use Oracle Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data technologies to brew your own beer. Create your own sculptures and furniture with a 3D printer. Relive "The Matrix" and shoot your own slow motion video with 60 Raspberry Pi cameras in the BulletTime Photo Booth. Interact with a cloud chatbot robot powered by the Oracle Intelligent Bots running on Oracle Mobile Cloud Service. Oracle Code Event : Join developers from around the world in this one-day event covering machine learning, chatbots, cloud, databases, programming languages, DevOps, and much more.

: Join developers from around the world in this one-day event covering machine learning, chatbots, cloud, databases, programming languages, DevOps, and much more. Oracle NetSuite SuiteConnect: The best of SuiteWorld comes to Oracle OpenWorld for the first time. Held on October 4 , this program features NetSuite users, Oracle executives, product experts and partners.

To Support the Community and Environment:

Oracle Academy's JavaOne4Kids : Designed for children ages 10-16, attendees can use Raspberry Pi and Java programming to catch escaped Pokemon; create a robot and bring it to life; make computer games using Greenfoot and Stride; among other fun activities. Oracle Academy is one of Oracle's key investments in our collective future. In fiscal year 2016, the program impacted over 3.5 million students in 120 countries through $3.75 billion in direct and in-direct resources.

: Designed for children ages 10-16, attendees can use Raspberry Pi and Java programming to catch escaped Pokemon; create a robot and bring it to life; make computer games using Greenfoot and Stride; among other fun activities. Oracle Academy is one of Oracle's key investments in our collective future. In fiscal year 2016, the program impacted over 3.5 million students in 120 countries through in direct and in-direct resources. Plant a Billion Trees : Learn how The Nature Conservancy and Oracle Giving are helping to advance reforestation globally. As part of its participation in The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion trees initiative, Oracle has already achieved 41 percent of its goal to plant one million trees.

: Learn how The Nature Conservancy and Oracle Giving are helping to advance reforestation globally. As part of its participation in The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion trees initiative, Oracle has already achieved 41 percent of its goal to plant one million trees. Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International : Discover how Oracle Cloud is helping to save the gorillas. Get a sneak peek of an upcoming National Geographic three-part special on Dian Fossey's life and work as a gorilla conservationist. Hear from Tara Stoinski , President, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund about its 27-year partnership with Oracle, and how Oracle Cloud technology has enabled the organization to revolutionize its data management and make its database  the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of data on a wild great ape population  available to scientists, researchers and students without charge.

: Discover how Oracle Cloud is helping to save the gorillas. Get a sneak peek of an upcoming National Geographic three-part special on life and work as a gorilla conservationist. Hear from , President, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund about its 27-year partnership with Oracle, and how Oracle Cloud technology has enabled the organization to revolutionize its data management and make its database  the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of data on a wild great ape population  available to scientists, researchers and students without charge. Ride for a Reason: Support the victims of the recent hurricanes by choosing Lyft for Oracle OpenWorld transportation. Between October 1-5 , five percent of the cost of rides will be donated to the American Red Cross. Enter code OOW17 using a Lyft business profile.

To Connect and Play:

Oracle CloudFest.17 : Dance the night away with Grammy award winners The Chainsmokers and sing along with pop sensation Ellie Goulding at Oracle's legendary customer appreciation event taking place on October 4 at AT&T Park.

: Dance the night away with Grammy award winners The Chainsmokers and sing along with pop sensation at Oracle's legendary customer appreciation event taking place on at AT&T Park. SuiteConnect NextUp: Celebrate the day's experiences at a special concert with Royal Machines, joined by "special guests" on October 3 at Howard Street mainstage.

Supporting Resources

Live Stream keynotes from Oracle OpenWorld

Follow Oracle on Facebook and Instagram

Follow @Oracle on Twitter for the latest #oow17

About Oracle

The Oracle Cloud offers complete SaaS application suites for ERP, HCM and CX, plus best-in-class database Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from data centers throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

About Oracle OpenWorld

Oracle OpenWorld, the industry's most important business and technology conference for the past 20 years, hosts tens of thousands of in-person attendees as well as millions online. Dedicated to helping businesses leverage Cloud for their innovation and growth, the conference delivers deep insight into industry trends and breakthroughs driven by technology. Designed for attendees who want to connect, learn, explore and be inspired, Oracle OpenWorld offers more than 2,500 educational sessions led by more than 2,000 customers and partners sharing their experiences, first hand. With hundreds of demos and hands-on labs, plus exhibitions from more than 400 partners and customers from around the world, Oracle OpenWorld has become a showcase for leading cloud technologies, from Cloud Applications to Cloud Platform and Infrastructure. For more information; to register; or to watch Oracle OpenWorld keynotes, sessions, and more, visit www.oracle.com/openworld. Join the Oracle OpenWorld discussion on Twitter.

Trademarks

Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Oracle

Related Links

http://www.oracle.com


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria have caused historic destruction in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean. In early September, Farm Aid activated its Family Farm Disaster Fund to provide aid to organizations helping family farmers affected by Hurricane Harvey, and later expanded to include those affected by Hurricane Irma.

"Our hearts are with everyone affected by these devastating hurricanes. The most recent destruction wrought by Hurricane Maria on the 3.4 million residents of Puerto Rico is overwhelming, and it is Farm Aid's way to do what we can to help," said Farm Aid president Willie Nelson. "Puerto Rico is part of the United States and family farmers there are facing unimaginable losses. They need to know we stand with them."

Farm Aid has partnered with Visit Rico, a non-profit organization based in Puerto Rico. Visit Rico's mission is to strengthen Puerto Rico's agricultural economy through sustainable agritourism to achieve food sovereignty. Visit Rico has found that supplementing cash flow for farmers is the fastest way to help them get back on their feet to start planting seeds again. Visit Rico aims to temporarily replace the economic stability farmers had from their local farmer's markets, which must be rebuilt. To read more about their effort, visit gofundme.com/5markets.

Since activation of the Family Farm Disaster Fund following Hurricane Harvey, Farm Aid has raised more than $82,000. Farm Aid will utilize every dollar raised to distribute emergency funds to farm families affected by the hurricanes in partnership with local organizations working on the ground; to offer resources that help farmers navigate their farm recovery options, from mental health services to federal funding opportunities; and to advocate for needed disaster recovery funds and resources from the federal government.

Farm Aid is also working with partners in disaster-affected areas to determine the long-term needs of impacted farmers and ranchers. If you are a farmer and have been affected by these devastating hurricanes, additional tools are available at www.farmaid.org/disaster. To donate, please visit farmaid.org/hurricanes.

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
BOSTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- FinMason, a Boston-based FinTech and investment analytics firm, announced today that it has hired Jian Liu, Ph.D., CFA, FRM, as a senior data scientist. Liu is the ninth Ph.D. at FinMason, which has been building its team as the firm looks to expand their investment analytics platform. She will be joining their data science team and helping to bring the FinMason investment analytics offering from roughly 700 analytical endpoints to more than 1,400 in the coming months, including sophisticated analysis on private securities and global, multiasset portfolios.

"We have a sizeable technological lead over the competition, but it is really the quality of the people that make the difference. We don't want to just power a client's analytics, we want to be their analytical consultant and partner," said Kendrick Wakeman, CFA, the firm's CEO and founder. "Jian really helps to bolster our ability to serve the diverse and increasingly sophisticated needs of our clients."

Liu joins FinMason after gaining experience at some of the industry's most notable firms including UBS, CICC, CIPC, and most recently, State Street, where she was a quantitative risk analyst. She has a Masters in Quantitative Finance from MIT and a Ph.D. in Computational Mathematics from Peking University. She has 13 peer-reviewed publications and has earned both the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and the FRM (Certified Financial Risk Manager) designations. In 2011, Liu was named one of the Top 10 Scholars at Peking University, a school with 50,000 graduate students. She was the only graduate at Peking University in the mathematics field to be honored and one of only two women across the entire institution.

Liu began work at FinMason's Boston headquarters earlier in the week.

ABOUT FINMASON, INC.

FinMason is a Boston-based financial technology firm with one of the largest and most highly scaled investment analytics platforms in the world. FinMason's cutting-edge platform analyzes millions of global investments and delivers institutional-grade analytics in milliseconds via two core products: FinRiver-a lightning-fast API that delivers any analytics anywhere in your platform with just a few keystrokes; and, FinScope-a bulk processing platform that can analyze millions of portfolios every night for compliance screening and performance attribution. For more information, visit www.finmason.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jessica Taylor Shores

Impact Communications

913-649-5009

[email protected]

SOURCE FinMason

Related Links

http://www.finmason.com


DUBLIN, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fly Leasing Limited (NYSE: FLY) ("FLY"), a global leader in aircraft leasing, today announced the pricing of $300 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.250% senior unsecured notes due 2024. FLY plans to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem its outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due 2020, which FLY will call for redemption on December 15, 2017.

Jefferies LLC acted as the sole book-running manager and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acted as joint lead managers for the offering. This offering is being made only by means of a preliminary prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus, which have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus also may be obtained, when available, from: Jefferies LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Ave, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, or at 1-888-708-5831; Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or at 1-800-831-9146; or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: WFS Customer Service, 608 2nd Avenue South, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402, or at 800-645-3751 option 5, or [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About FLY

FLY is a global aircraft leasing company with a fleet of modern, high-demand and fuel-efficient commercial jet aircraft. FLY leases its aircraft under multi-year lease contracts to a diverse group of airlines throughout the world. FLY is managed and serviced by BBAM LP, a worldwide leader in aircraft lease management and financing.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for FLY's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially due to global political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors and risks. These factors include, but are not limited to those described under ''Risk Factors'' beginning on page S-17 of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the information described under ''Risk Factors'' under the heading ''Item 3. Key Information'' beginning on page 4 of FLY's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated in the preliminary prospectus supplement by reference, and any risk factors included or described in FLY's other periodic reports, and in other information filed with the SEC, from time to time, and incorporated by reference into the preliminary prospectus supplement. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of FLY's assumptions prove incorrect, FLY's actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. FLY expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in its views or expectations, or otherwise.

Contact:

Matt Dallas

FLY Leasing Limited

+1 203-769-5916

[email protected]

SOURCE Fly Leasing Limited

Related Links

http://www.flyleasing.com


Liu began her career at Southern Company in 1998 and has served in nearly a dozen roles with increasing responsibility, including senior vice president of finance for Southern Company Services and treasurer for Southern Company, vice president of finance for Southern Company Services and assistant treasurer for Southern Company, director of financial and corporate planning and assistant treasurer for Alabama Power, fuels environmental and compliance manager for Southern Generation, and others.

Most recently, Liu served as vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer for Gulf Power where she was responsible for overall accounting, financial planning and analysis, budgeting, treasury, internal controls, regulatory, rates and pricing, and forecasting functions.

Liu earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in finance from Renmin University of China and a master's degree in business administration from Emory University. She is a chartered financial analyst (CFA) and has completed two years in the economics Ph.D. program at Emory University. Additionally, Liu is also an International Woman's Forum Leadership Foundation fellow and has attended executive programs at Harvard University and INSEAD School of France.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power

Related Links

http://www.georgiapower.com


"Hikvision USA is pleased to partner with Vector Security for this event and to have a front row seat for one of the most popular pastimes in America," said Alex Asnovich, head of marketing, Hikvision North America.

Doug Fritz, BK Racing CMO, said, "We are excited to have Hikvision aboard for the Dover race weekend. Hikvision provides state-of-the-art technology for business security, and, in our opinion, is the best in the industry."

Vector Security has participated in the event before. "We are pleased to support BK Racing for the second year in a row, this time as a joint sponsor with Hikvision," said Michael T. Grady, executive vice president, Vector Security Networks. "The race at Dover International Speedway in Delaware is one of the few NASCAR events that takes place in the Northeast; we hope our customers and NASCAR fans in that region, as well as those who will watch from all across the United States, enjoy the race. We look forward to cheering for the BK Racing team as they compete in this exciting race."

About Hikvision

Hikvision is the world's leading supplier of video surveillance solutions. Featuring the industry's strongest R&D workforce, Hikvision designs, develops, and manufactures standard- and high-definition cameras, including a variety of IP cameras, analog cameras, and cameras featuring the latest in high-definition analog technology. Hikvision's product suite also includes digital video servers, hybrid and standalone DVRs, NVRs, and other elements of sophisticated security systems for both indoor and outdoor use. Committed to the utmost quality and safety of its products, Hikvision encourages partners to take advantage of the many cybersecurity resources Hikvision offers, including the Hikvision Security Center.

About BK Racing

BK Racing is a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Racing team headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team was founded in 2012 after owners Ron Devine and Wayne Press acquired Red Bull Racing. BK Racing's staff of highly skilled mechanics and engineers fields the No. 23 & 83 entries in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series as a Toyota Racing team. The 2017 season will be BK Racing's 6th consecutive full-time season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Visit us at BKRacingTeam.com

SOURCE Hikvision USA
HILLSDALE, Mich., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillsdale College is proud to open its 2017-18 Center for Constructive Alternatives (CCA) seminar series with lectures on Soviet Communism from October 1 through October 4. In recognition of the centenary of the Russian Revolution, the first of this year's four CCA events will explore the people, history and beliefs behind the Russian Revolution and the Soviet regime that followed.

The first in the CCA series will feature various scholars discussing Soviet Communism from diverse perspectives. Among the featured guest lecturers is author and historian Arthur Herman. Currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, Herman earned his doctorate in history and classics from Johns Hopkins University and is the author of several nonfiction books, including New York Times bestseller How the Scots Invented the Modern World, Pulitzer Prize finalist Gandhi and Churchill, and Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II, which was selected for The Economist's Best Books of 2012. Herman's lecture on October 1 is titled, "Lenin and the Russian Revolution."

Hillsdale's Center for Constructive Alternatives seminars gather students and visitors four times each year to hear from experts on a wide range of topics in one of the country's largest college lecture series. Instituted in 1972, CCA lectures have featured more than 1,300 speakers, including Ronald Reagan, Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Steve Forbes, Madeleine L'Engle and Stephen Ambrose, among many others. For more information, visit the Center for Constructive Alternatives website here.

About Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College, founded in 1844, has built a national reputation through its classical liberal arts core curriculum and its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. It also conducts an outreach effort promoting civil and religious liberty, including a free monthly speech digest, Imprimis, with a circulation of more than 3.7 million. More information is available at hillsdale.edu.

SOURCE Hillsdale College

Related Links

http://www.hillsdale.edu


IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jennifer Bermanan internationally renowned luxury real estate expert and sought-after host, keynote speaker and panel moderator with nearly 20 years of experience in sales leadership and strategic organizational developmenthas joined First Team Real Estate, having previously led a team of 130 agents at Hilton & Hyland Beverly Hills.

In her new role, Berman will lead First Team's Newport Beach office as Manager while spearheading luxury business development strategy across the organization as Luxury Business Development Director.

"Thanks in part to our affiliate partnerships with Christie's International Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International, we have grown our sales volume for property over $1 million by nearly 40% in 2017, per reporting by the CRMLS," stated Michael Mahon, President of First Team Real Estate. "Many competitors of ours rely on superficial branding tactics in an attempt to position themselves as authorities on luxury real estate, but given these strategic relationships, which leverage the largest collaboration of luxury brokerages in the world, First Team brings to the table exclusive resources and capabilities not found anywhere elsethat's why we offer a superior luxury experience along with superior results that are backed by data."

With experience hosting the Inman News Connect Conference, as well as an exclusive ambassadorship for Juwai, China's largest real estate website, Berman brings to the table an unmistakable ability to inspire and motivate, plus a penchant for leveraging international markets to bring opportunity to agents and clients alike.

"On behalf of the entire company, I am delighted to welcome Jennifer Berman back to First Team Real Estate," remarked Cameron Merage, First Team's Founder and CEO. "Her impressive track record with regard to building luxury teams, within our organization and beyond, places her in the industry's most elite tier of leaders. We are confident that she will accelerate First Team's trajectory with her penchant for strategic relationships, ingenious creativity, and unwavering work ethic."

"I am thrilled to be back at First Team Real Estate because I am passionate about the organization's core principles, which are very much in line with my own," added Berman. "I am now focused on helping the Newport Beach team reach even greater heights through teamwork and collaboration."

To learn more about First Team Real Estate, call 888.236.1943 or visit firstteam.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Mahon, President First Team Real Estate, [email protected].

SOURCE First Team Real Estate

Related Links

http://www.firstteam.com


TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. ("iSIGN" or "Company") (TSX-V: ISD) (OTC: ISDSF), a leading provider of interactive mobile advertising solutions that serves brands, commercial locations, retailers and service providers throughout North America, today announced the completion of a pre-production engineering demo unit housing its patent pending Push Sensor technology.

The Push Sensor builds upon the Company's existing patented technology to provide a non-app and non-download system for integrating messaging and coupon solutions with Google Chrome and Apple Passbook, with additional integration for Google Wallet and Apple Pay expected, when messaging/coupons drives purchasing. This system allows for seamless interaction with all mobile devices, especially Smartphones, including iPhones.

The Push Sensor is patent pending in Canada, and in process for the United States. Filings in additional countries will be undertaken as required.

The plan is to ultimately integrate and retrofit the Push Sensor technology into iSIGN's existing Smart Antennas and networks and integrate it with iSIGN's Security Alert Messaging ("SAM") technology.

A separate housing unit was required to enable the Push Sensor technology to be immediately and independently shown and demonstrated to interested parties.

Please click link below to view a brief Push Sensor video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2oPBm2aCvc&feature=youtu.be

Additionally, iSIGN has applied to the TSX Venture Exchange for approval to extend the exercise date for the 1,000,000 outstanding warrants issued on October 8, 2015 and the 9,499,999 outstanding warrants issued on November 8, 2013 in conjunction with private placements.

The 1,000,000 warrants due to expire on October 8, 2017 will be extended to October 8, 2018. There is no change to the original exercise price of $0.225.

The 9,499,999 warrants due to expire on November 7, 2017 will be extended to November 7, 2018. There is no change to the original exercise price of $0.45. Of this total, two Company insiders hold a total of 8,866,666 warrants.

About iSIGN Media

iSIGN Media, based in Toronto, is a data-focused, software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that is a pioneering leader in gathering point-of-sale data and mobile shopper preferences to generate actionable data and reveal valuable consumer insights. Creators of the Smart suite of products, a patented interactive proximity marketing technology, iSIGN enables brands to deliver targeted messaging, personalized offers and loyalty perks to consumers' mobile devices in proximity and with real-time proof of redemption. iSIGN's data gathering capabilities provide analytics on price points, typical purchases, in-store dwell time and other shopper metrics that identify emerging consumer behaviors. These insights enable smarter business decisions and provide increased ROI metrics for more transparent marketing. iSIGN delivers relevant, timely messages on an opt-in basis at no charge to consumers, transmitting rich media to consumer mobile devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity in complete privacy as opposed to iBeacons, apps, downloads and required surrendering of personal information. Proven to increase brand engagement and customer loyalty, iSIGN generates preference-based, predictive "clean data" without compromising consumer privacy. Partners include: IBM, Keyser Retail Solutions, Baylor University, Verizon Wireless, TELUS and AOpen America Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties associated with iSIGN Media's business and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect iSIGN Media's current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. iSIGN Media assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

 2017 iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

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 or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE iSIGN Media Solutions Inc.
TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation (the Company or BCC) (CSE:BCC) (OTC:CBICF) reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, ended June 30, 2017.

(CDN$) 3 months to

June 30, 2017 3 months to

March 31, 2017 Change Health for Life (H4L) dispensary cannabis

sales (grams) 267,927 266,587 0.5% Average price per gram (H4L cannabis sales) $14.76 $14.50 1.8% Wholesale revenues $1.4M Total Revenues $5.1M $4.4M 14.1% Gross Profit $2.7M $1.0M 166% Adjusted EBITDA $0.1M ($0.3M) $0.4M Net loss from Operations ($0.8M) ($3.8M) $3.0M

As the Companys activities are nearly exclusively related to cannabis assets owned in the U.S., which were acquired in calendar 2017 only, comparison to the financial performance in calendar 2016 is relatively without meaning. Hence, the Company has chosen to present the prior quarter, Q4 F2017, as the most meaningful comparable.

We recorded a solid quarter with double digit sequential revenue growth, driven by strong sales of high-margin concentrates, stated Scott Boyes, CEO of BCC. At the same time, we continued to execute on our aggressive expansion strategy. We are developing a new dispensary in the Greater Phoenix Area, which we anticipate to be operational by late November of this year. Development of our assets in Massachusetts is progressing well, and we anticipate cultivation to commence in the second calendar quarter of 2018, with up to three dispensaries to open the following quarter. Additionally, we continue to make good progress on the other potential acquisitions, and anticipate completing several of these shortly. Once all initiatives have been developed, we aim to have a total of 10 dispensaries through four states, 9 million grams per annum in cultivation and 1.2 million grams per annum in concentrates production capacity. We believe this will generate significant additional firepower to fuel further expansion, especially in combination with our proven access to capital. Finally, our joint venture with Panaxia provides important product differentiation into the pharma-grade products segment, unlocking new avenues to pursue revenue and margin growth.

Beth Stavola, President of BCCs U.S. operations, added, Our Health for Life dispensary brand and our MPX concentrates brand continue to resonate with the market. Growth was limited only through availability of product for extraction. We are addressing this through initiatives aimed at increasing our own production capacity, as well as a more aggressive purchasing policy with regard to third-party supply of trim. We are relocating and enlarging our Arizona production to the new Mesa North facility and we are in the latter stages of testing RotoGro, an innovative cultivation technology that we expect to substantially increase capacity and cost-efficiencies.

Q1 2018 and subsequent highlights

Operational

Total revenues of $5.1 million, consisting of:

- Health for Life dispensary sales of dried flower and concentrates of $3.6M

- Wholesale sales of MPX concentrates and dried flower of $1.4M

- Health for Life dispensary sales of dried flower and concentrates of $3.6M - Wholesale sales of MPX concentrates and dried flower of $1.4M In May 2017, the Company relocated its Mesa North Health for Life dispensary to a better location. The New Mesa North dispensary, which will form the blueprint for all the Companys dispensaries currently under development, continues to experience stronger sales than the original location.

Started development of a new dispensary following the PerkAZ acquisition (see below) in the Apache Junction suburb of the Greater Phoenix Area, which the Company believes is an underserved geography in terms of dispensary coverage. The Company anticipates this new facility to be operational in late November 2017.

The Company has been conducting cultivation tests on its newly installed RotoGro technology and anticipates results will be available shortly. Upon successful completion of the test phase and subsequent installation of additional units, Management anticipates significantly increasing cultivation capacity, as well as doubling concentrates production in Arizona to 1.1 million grams per annum.

Acquisitions

Completed the acquisition of a 51% interest in a management company supporting a cultivation and production facility and up to three dispensaries in Massachusetts, which has voted in favour of legalizing the adult use of cannabis. In consideration of the acquisition, BCC paid US$5.1 million in cash and 2,000,000 stock options at an exercise price of CAD$0.39 per common share.

Signed LOIs to complete the following acquisitions:

- GreenMart of Nevada, a Las Vegas-based cultivation and production wholesale operation

- A profitable fourth Arizona cultivation/production/dispensary operation

- Three licenses to develop and operate up to three dispensaries and one (of only 15 statewide) production licenses in Maryland

Partnerships

Signed a partnership with MJardin which will be providing cultivation services to certain of BCCs operations, the first of which will be in Nevada, subsequent to completion of the acquisition.

Signed a strategic partnership with Israeli pharmaceuticals company, Panaxia, for the formation of a Joint Venture whereby Panaxia will be providing proprietary, smokeless, pharma-grade cannabis-based products that have been proven to be in high demand, but have not been readily available in the U.S. These products will be sold through the Health for Life dispensaries, as well as wholesale to other dispensaries in the markets in which BCC is active. Revenues are to be shared on a 50/50 basis, with Panaxia taking on all CapEx and OpEx related to the building and operations of the assembly facilities within the footprint of BCC cultivation facilities. BCC will be providing the cannabis for extraction by the JV and assembly into the Panaxia products. The first production unit is scheduled to become operational in Arizona during the first quarter of 2018.

Financing

Completed the second US$2.3M tranche of an US$11.2M private placement of common shares priced at CA$0.50 per share.

Arranged a US$25M credit facility with Florida-based Hi-Med. To-date, no funds have been drawn down against the facility, with the maximum of US$25M remaining available to the Company to fund the execution of its growth strategy.

Financial overview

Below follows a summary of the key financial metrics for the Company. A more detailed discussion of these and other metrics, as well as operational events, can be found in the Companys Financial Statements, Management Discussion & Analysis filed on www.sedar.com

Revenues

Revenues increased by 14.1% to $5.1 million, as compared to the prior fiscal quarter (Q4-2017), attributable predominantly to increased sales of higher-margin concentrates products. During the three-month period ending June 30, 2017, the Companys Arizona dispensaries sold 267,927 grams of cannabis products, as compared to 266,587 for the prior quarter.

While the sequential change in grams of product sold is relatively negligible (0.5%), the Company was able to increase the contribution from higher-margin concentrates and derivative products, such as cannabis oils, shatter, wax and live resin. In total, the Health for Life dispensaries sold 220,366 grams of cannabis flower and 47,561 grams of concentrates and cannabis derivatives, as compared to 237,770 grams and 28,819 grams in fiscal Q4 2017, respectively.

The average retail selling price per gram at the Health for Life dispensaries increased from $14.50 for fiscal Q4 2017, to $14.76 (USD $10.97) in Q1 2018, driven by the higher contribution to revenues from concentrates and derivative products. Accessories, edibles and ancillary products contributed approximately $0.1 million, while wholesale operations contributed $1.4 million.

As the Company completed the acquisition of the Arizona assets in January of 2017, no contribution from these operations was recorded in the prior year, during which only minimal sales of nutraceutical products were recorded.

The Companys wholesale business in Arizona, which currently supplies over 40 Arizona dispensaries with its MPX branded products, generated $1.4 million in revenues, while ancillary products contributed $0.1 million to total revenues.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the period before adjustment for the unrealized gain in the fair value of biological assets was $1.9 million, which represents a gross margin of 37.5%. Gross profit after adjustment for the unrealized gain in the fair value of biological assets was $2.7 million, reflecting 53.6% gross margin, as compared to $1.0 million for Q4 2017.

Expenses

Expenses for the quarter were $3.2 million, as compared to $4.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The decrease in operating expenses was attributable primarily to a reduction in share-based payments and a decrease in professional fees expenses related to the business combination with the Arizona assets in January of 2017.

Net Operational loss and Adjusted EBITDA

The Company recorded a net operational loss of $0.4 million, as compared to an operational loss of $3.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. BCCs revenue base for the period under consideration was attributable 100% to its Arizona operations, while additional corporate expenses are related to the Companys expansion initiatives, which includes a strengthened corporate function and other overheads related to being a public company. Management anticipates that as additional assets, both in Arizona and in other states in which the Company operates become operational, revenue growth will outpace the related increase in expense.

Increased revenues from an improved mix of products sold in favour of higher margin cannabis concentrates resulted in Adjusted EBITDA of $0.1 million, as compared to a negative $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Financing activities

On May 5, 2017, the Company completed the second and final tranche of a private placement for gross proceeds of US$2.3 million through the issuance of 4,600,541 common shares.

The Company arranged a US$25 million revolving credit facility with HiMed, LLC. The funds drawn down against the line of credit will be earmarked specifically for making further acquisitions, as well as, where needed, the development of assets obtained in any transaction.

The principal amount remaining from time to time unpaid and outstanding shall bear interest at 7.0% per annum. The principal remaining, and any interest accrued, shall be repayable, in full, 36 months from the date of closing. In connection with the facility, BCC will pay a 2.0% arrangement fee on each advance made to the Company by the Lender.

The outstanding principal amounts can be converted into common shares of BCC, as follows:

up to an initial US$10 million of the principal outstanding, shall be convertible into common shares at a conversion price of CAD$0.50 per common share. any principal drawdown in excess of the initial US$10 million, and less than US$20 million, shall be convertible into common shares at a conversion price of CAD$1.00 per common share. any principal drawdown in excess of US$20 million, and less than US$25 million plus outstanding interest payable on the outstanding loan amount shall be convertible into common shares at a conversion price of CAD$1.50 per common share.

As of the date hereof, the Company has not drawn down any amount under the Hi-Med Facility.

Cash balance and liquidity

As at June 30, 2017, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $10.3 million, while current liabilities stood at $2.1 million as at this same date.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded net cash used in operations of $1.9 million and $8.9 million net cash used in investing activities (consisting mainly of acquisition related cash expenses). Net cash used in financing activities was $0.3 million.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its financial performance, operations and outlook.

Scott Boyes, President and Chief Executive Officer of BCC, and Beth Stavola, President of U.S. Operations (CGX) will host the call.

Conference Call Details:

DATE: Friday, September 29, 2017 TIME: 10:00 a.m. ET DIAL-IN NUMBER: 647-427-7450, 1-888-231-8191 (Canada and U.S.), 0-800-051-7107 (U.K.) CONFERENCE ID: 86155663 TAPED REPLAY: 416-849-0833 or 1-855-859-2056



Reference number 86155663



Available until Friday, October 6 at 12:00 midnight ET LIVE AUDIO WEBCAST: http://bit.ly/2wYZSJx

The webcast will be archived for 90 days

Additional Information

Additional information relating to the Company, including with respect to financial results, operational events, acquisitions and financings, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com in the Companys Audited Annual Financial Statements, Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) and CSE Form 2A - Listing Statement (the Listing Statement).

About The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation

BCC, an Ontario corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S., provides substantial management, staffing, procurement, advisory, financial, real estate rental, logistics and administrative services to two medicinal cannabis enterprises in Arizona operating under the Health for Life (dispensaries) and MPX (high-margin concentrates wholesale) brands. The successful Health for Life (H4L) brand operates in the rapidly growing Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) with a population of 4.6 million people. The award-winning Melting Point Extracts (MPX) brand is carried by over 40% of Arizona dispensaries. The Company also owns assets in Massachusetts, supporting cultivation, production and up to three dispensaries in Massachusetts, as well as is supporting development of a third licensed dispensary in Arizona.

BCC continues to expand its U.S. footprint, being in the process of acquiring a cultivation and production wholesale business in Las Vegas, Nevada, and three dispensaries and a production license in Maryland. The Company also leases a property in Owen Sound, Ontario, for which an application to Health Canada has been made for a cannabis production and sales license. In addition, the Company will continue its efforts to develop its legacy nutraceuticals business.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Transaction and BCCs objectives and intentions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in BCCs public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; and other matters discussed in this news release. Although BCC believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, BCC disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation

Scott Boyes, CEO

For further information please contact:



Scott Boyes, President and CEO

The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation

info@canadianbioceutical.com

www.canadianbioceutical.com

Marc Lakmaaker

NATIONAL Equicom

T: +1 416 848 1397

mlakmaaker@national.ca

The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation Interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position

(unaudited) (in Canadian dollars) June 30,

March 31, As at 2017 2017 Assets Current Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,259,337 $ 21,519,289 Restricted cash - 133,220 Accounts receivable 1,354,955 764,672 Inventory 1,650,127 1,339,937 Biological assets 685,395 596,191 Prepaid expenses 356,267 181,190 Right of first refusal 194,655 199,830 Due from related parties 2,463,469 - Asset held for sale 1,829,757 1,878,402 18,793,962 26,612,731 Non-current Property, plant and equipment 9,667,058 4,546,022 Intangible assets 37,757,895 28,514,977 Goodwill 12,841,071 12,857,390 Deposits 462,220 398,992 Total assets $ 79,522,206 $ 72,930,112 Liabilities Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,790,874 $ 1,624,425 Income tax (receivable) payable (173,930) 545,661 Current portion of promissory note 144,093 147,453 1,761,037 2,317,539 Non-current Term loans 12,977,000 13,322,000 Promissory note 1,259,639 1,303,526 Lease inducement 1,729,309 1,764,162 Convertible debentures 77,851 77,851 Option component of convertible debentures 85,807 185,274 Deferred income taxes 11,914,614 11,821,296 28,044,220 28,474,109 Total liabilities 29,805,257 30,791,648 Equity Share capital 51,271,770 49,147,583 Warrants 3,724,123 3,632,398 Contributed surplus 3,315,382 2,665,730 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (648,502) 595,434 Deficit (14,620,571) (13,600,869) Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company 43,042,202 42,440,276 Non-controlling interest 6,674,747 (301,812) 49,716,949 42,138,464 Total liabilities and equity $ 79,522,206 $ 72,930,112





The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation Interim condensed consolidated statements of net loss and

comprehensive loss (unaudited) (in Canadian dollars) Three months ended June 30, June 30, 2017 2016 Sales $ 5,105,123 $ - Cost of sales 3,306,660 - Gross profit before unrealized gain from changes in biological assets 1,798,463 - Unrealized gain from changes in fair value of biological assets 936,960 - Gross profit 2,735,423 - Expenses General and administrative 2,206,867 256,893 Professional fees 426,232 12,113 Share-based compensation 182,260 - Amortization and depreciation 397,166 - 3,212,525 - Loss from operations (477,102) (269,006) Other expense (income) Foreign exchange 53,755 (12,763) Interest income (67,136) - Accretion expense 2,127 1,905 Change in fair value of derivative liability (99,469) 42,466 Interest and financing charges, net 248,856 - Transaction costs 175,340 74,145 313,473 105,753 Net loss $ (790,575) $ (374,759) Income tax expense 243,481 - Net loss after income taxes $ (1,034,056) $ (374,759) Net loss attributable to: The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation $ (1,019,702) $ (374,759) Non-controlling interest (14,354) - $ (1,034,056) $ (374,759) Other comprehensive income Exchange differences on translating foreign operations $ (1,240,476) (7,813) Comprehensive loss for the period $ (2,274,532) (382,572) Comprehensive loss attributable to: The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation $ (2,260,178) $ (382,572) Non-controlling interest (14,354) - $ (2,274,532) $ (382,572) Loss per share, basic and diluted (0.01) (0.01) Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding 255,529,886 41,408,015




BOSTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the "Adviser") and subadvised by Wellington Management Company LLP (the "Subadviser"), announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.3760 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of September 11, 2017, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 1, 2017, and payable on September 29, 2017. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: September 2017

Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.3760

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 29, 2017, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

Source

Current

Distribution

($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions for

the Fiscal Year to

Date ($)1

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions

for the Fiscal

Year to Date1 Net Investment Income

0.1527

41%

0.4512

40% Net Realized Short-

Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Net Realized Long-

Term Capital Gains

0.2233

59%

0.6768

60% Return of Capital or

Other Capital Source

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Total per common share

0.3760

100%

1.1280

100%

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on August 31, 2017

9.02%





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2017

8.40%





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through August 31, 2017

11.04%





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2017

6.30%





1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2017, and will end on December 31, 2017.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the September 2017 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.3760 per share, which will continue to be paid quarterly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investments Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

Wellington Management Company LLP is an independent and unaffiliated investment subadviser to John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund.

About John Hancock Investments

John Hancock Investments provides asset management services to individuals and institutions through a unique manager-of-managers approach. A wealth management business of John Hancock Financial, we managed more than $144 billion in assets as of June 30, 2017 across mutual funds, college savings plans, and retirement plans.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$1 trillion (US$780 billion) as of June 30, 2017. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund
BOSTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Advisers, LLC and subadvised by John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0975 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of September 11, 2017, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 1, 2017, and payable on September 29, 2017. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: September 2017

Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.0975

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 29, 2017, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions for

the Fiscal Year to

Date ($)1

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions

for the Fiscal

Year to Date1 Net Investment Income

0.0279

29%

1.0718

100% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0696

71%

0.0000

0% Total per common share

0.0975

100%

1.0718

100%

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on August 31, 2017

11.23%





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2017

7.29%





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through August 31, 2017

7.70%





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2017

6.67%





1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2016, and will end on October 31, 2017.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the September 2017 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investments Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About John Hancock Investments

John Hancock Investments provides asset management services to individuals and institutions through a unique manager-of-managers approach. A wealth management business of John Hancock Financial, we managed more than $144 billion in assets as of June 30, 2017 across mutual funds, college savings plans, and retirement plans.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$1 trillion (US$780 billion) as of June 30, 2017. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
JONESBORO, Ark., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- During the storied years following 1946, when Juan Peron was first elected president of Argentina, he and wife Eva Duarte were often seen in parades where they were cheered by throngs of admirers. During that time, one of their favorite rides was a 1939 Packard Super Eight.

The story of the Perons became immortalized in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Evita, a massive hit on Broadway, and in the 1996 film starring Madonna. The auto will be sold at auction on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with SoldASAP conducting the event.

"The story of this car is almost as remarkable as that of the Perons," said John Malone, president of the auction company. After Peron was turned out of office in 1955, the Packard was sealed in a garage at a dog farm away from Buenos Aires, and ended up in an auction in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Raymond and Carol Plaster bought it in 1983. They stored it in the garage of their home in Bull Shoals, Arkansas, and began the restoration, which took 19 years and more than 7,000 hours.

"The authenticity of the Packard is well established by the body modifications, the presidential seal marks at the rear doors and the motor number," according to a 2004 article in The Packard Cormorant.

The auction will begin at 6:30 pm Central Tuesday, November 7, at the Nettleton Baptist Church, 7001 Johnson Avenue, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Bidders can bid live or online by visiting www.SoldASAP.com.

The auction will feature other collector classics, including 1929 and 1931 Model As, a 1919 Model T, a 1970 Corvette Stingray, and a 1956 VW Oval Ragtop Beetle and others.

Individuals seeking additional information, including documentation of the Packard's history, may visit www.soldasap.com or call 870-236-6117.

SoldASAP Auctioneers, based in Paragould, Arkansas, is a MarkNet Alliance member and markets real estate, vehicles, personal property and other items in live and online auctions.

For more information:

Carl Carter, 205-823-3273

SOURCE SoldASAP Auctioneers

Related Links

http://soldasap.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (Attorney Advertising) -- Keller Grover LLP is investigating recent reports that TRUEbenefits LLC, an insurance brokerage company, may have suffered a data breach involving its clients' patients' personal information, including sensitive information such as patient names, social security numbers, diagnoses and treatment information.

According to a letter sent to affected individuals, TRUEbenefits became aware of a data breach on June 26, 2017. The letter states that patient Protected Health Information was released when TRUEbenefits fell victim to an email phishing scheme. The Personal Health Information that was accessed included patient names, social security numbers, diagnoses and treatment information.

"Medical information is considered to be among the most personal and private of information under California law," says Keller Grover LLP attorney Eric A. Grover. "For that reason, healthcare providers are required to give patients timely notice of data breaches and the negligent release and disclosure of medical information can, under certain circumstances, give rise to claims by affected individuals for money damages."

Similar medical data breaches involving the failure to properly secure medical information have given rise to class action lawsuits. In 2016, for example, St. Joseph Health Systems finalized a class action lawsuit settlement valued at over $30 million involving St. Joseph's alleged failure to properly secure its network, allowing patient information to become publicly accessible on the internet.

If you have any information about the TRUEbenefits data breach or are a California resident that has been affected by a data breach and have questions, contact Keller Grover's attorneys at 866-663-3308 or by email at [email protected].

Keller Grover LLP is a leader in the field of medical information privacy litigation and has represented clients in numerous medical data breach class action cases, including lawsuits against St. Joseph Health Systems, Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, Health Net and 21st Century Oncology. Keller Grover will not charge you for reviewing your information and all information that you provide to Keller Grover in the process of seeking legal advice will be held strictly confidential.

Contact: Eric A. Grover, 888-535-5291

SOURCE Keller Grover LLP
RESTON, Va., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, today announced the recipients of the inaugural Supplier Innovation & Technology Symposium awards. The awards honor excellence in technology, collaboration, partnership and innovation. The companies were officially recognized at a September 28 ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Reston.

Leidos suppliers and subcontractors are critical to the company and customer's success. The winners highlight the diversity and commitment that encapsulate the Leidos mission to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through information technology, engineering, and science.

The winners are as follows:

Alliance Partner of the Year: Dell EMC

The Alliance Partner of the Year award recognizes a supplier that contributes to Leidos' success through a long-term relationships that support and advanced the company's strategic objectives. The awarded supplier has demonstrated the ability to work with Leidos to design, price, and implement unique solutions to support the mission at hand. These solutions go beyond the standard level of supplier integration typically seen within the supply chain, and have resulted in continuing revenue for both the supplier and Leidos.

Innovation Partner of the Year: ServiceNow

The Innovation Partner of the Year award recognizes a supplier who has consistently provided new ideas and solutions to Leidos, resulting in increased efficiencies throughout the organization. Their innovations enable Leidos to continue providing world-class solutions to customers while reducing cost. This supplier has presented and implemented a new piece of technology, created new ways to re-use existing technology in a manner new to Leidos, or provided continuous improvement of existing technology.

Small Business Value Added Reseller of the Year: COLAMCO, Inc.

The Small Business VAR of the Year award recognizes an organization who has helped Leidos go to market efficiently through innovative solutions resulting in effective bottom-line savings and increased revenue or performance outcomes. The organization has consistently demonstrated a collaborative business relationship with Leidos.

Emerging Technology Partner of the Year: Docker, Inc.

The Emerging Technology Partner of the Year award recognizes a supplier with outstanding product design and engineering in cutting edge technology products that help our customers achieve mission success. The award is presented to an organization that aligns with what we believe to be our technical core competencies as a global systems integrator.

"We are incredibly proud to recognize our suppliers and partners for these inaugural awards," said Leidos Vice President, Strategic Sourcing Bob Gemmill. "Their commitment to excellence, technical innovation, and collaboration enable Leidos to provide cutting-edge solutions to our customers."

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 science and technology solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 32,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $7.04 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2016. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 30, 2016, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

SOURCE Leidos

Related Links

http://www.leidos.com


INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced a number of leadership changes, promoting several experienced Lilly leaders to executive roles, effective in 2018.

Josh Smiley has been promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer and will become a member of Lilly's executive committee, effective January 1, 2018 . Lilly announced in June that Derica Rice , Lilly's current CFO, would retire at year-end.

has been promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer and will become a member of Lilly's executive committee, effective . Lilly announced in June that , Lilly's current CFO, would retire at year-end. Dan Skovronsky , M.D., Ph.D., has been promoted to senior vice president for science and technology and president of Lilly Research Labs and will become a member of Lilly's executive committee. This change is effective June 1, 2018 .

, M.D., Ph.D., has been promoted to senior vice president for science and technology and president of Lilly Research Labs and will become a member of Lilly's executive committee. This change is effective . Myles O'Neill has been promoted to senior vice president and president of manufacturing operations and will become a member of Lilly's executive committee, effective January 1, 2018 .

has been promoted to senior vice president and president of manufacturing operations and will become a member of Lilly's executive committee, effective . Aarti Shah , Ph.D., senior vice president and chief information officer, has been named an executive officer and will join Lilly's executive committee, effective January 1, 2018 . Positioning the information technology function as a direct report to the CEO is critical given the role digital technology and analytics will play in the future of healthcare.

"Joining our executive team are individuals who have the experience, expertise and leadership skills to build on our momentum of innovation driven volume growth," said chairman and chief executive officer, David A. Ricks. "Importantly, this team will help us maintain focus as we work to bring forward new medicines in diabetes, cancer, immunology, neurodegeneration and pain and change the path of serious disease."

"We are in a strong position today thanks to the incredible commitment from all three of our executives who are announcing retirements this year  Derica, whose retirement was announced in June, as well as Maria Crowe and Jan Lundberg," added Ricks. "They've been a key part of our success over the last decade and today."

Crowe, Lundberg to retire

In addition to the appointments being announced today, two senior leaders are announcing their retirement from the company.

Maria Crowe, president of manufacturing operations, will retire in December 2017 after 35 years of service. She joined Lilly in 1982 and since 2012 has led the company's global manufacturing network of 14 sites on four continents. Previously, she served as senior vice president global drug product manufacturing, which included emerging markets manufacturing, drug product operations and U.S. distribution. She also served as vice president for drug product manufacturing in the U.S. and Latin America; general manager of Lilly del Caribe in Puerto Rico; and general manager of Lilly's plant in Kinsale, Ireland.

"Maria has been a leader with tremendous impact throughout her career  affecting nearly every aspect of Lilly manufacturing," said Ricks. "She has helped Lilly earn the trust of our customers, making medicines with the highest levels of quality and safety, and turning our scientists' life changing ideas into a reality."

Jan Lundberg, Ph.D., executive vice president for science and technology and president of Lilly Research Labs, will retire at the end of May 2018 after eight years with Lilly. Prior to joining Lilly he served for 10 years as global head of discovery research at AstraZeneca. Lundberg's tenure marks a period of tremendous R&D output with Lilly poised to launch as many as 20 new medicines in 10 years. The company improved late-stage success rates and shortened the clinical development timelines under Lundberg's leadership.

"Jan's leadership has pushed Lilly to address some of the most challenging scientific questions head-on. Thanks to his determination and commitment as a scientist and leader, we've seen our pipeline of medicines grow significantly under his leadership," said Ricks. "Jan has positioned Lilly well for future success, giving tremendous hope for patients."

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and www.lilly.com/newsroom/social-channels. C-LLY

Refer to:

Kelley Murphy; [email protected]; (317) 701-4007 (Media)

Phil Johnson; [email protected]; (317) 655-6874 (Investors)

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

Related Links

http://www.lilly.com


PULASKI, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Physician Gigi Orgera spent 16 years acquiring and creating her 161-acre escape in Giles County, near Pulaski, including a luxury home, pasture, horse barn and land. Now, having returned to medical practice in North Alabama, she is selling the entire estate in an online auction.

McLemore Auction Company is marketing the property and conducting the auction. "This is an amazing estate, but it's just more than Dr. Orgera needs now -- too far from her Alabama home for a daily commute and too large for use as a weekend retreat," said Will McLemore, president of the Nashville-based auction company.

The property is being offered in eight tracts, with the 7,734-square-foot home, garage, storage building, pool and equine facilities on 57 acres. The home has such features as floors of hardwood and inlaid stone, eight fireplaces, and a 6,000-square-foot garage large enough for an RV or tour bus. It is located just east of Interstate 65.

"We wanted to offer this in tracts, so as many people as possible can participate. An eight-acre tract on Beech Hill Road also features a nice a single-family home with a detached workshop. In addition, we have land tracts along the road ranging from 5 to 28 acres, all with utilities available and excellent building sites," he said.

Orgera said estate reflects years of hard work. "Work really began on this way back in 2000. I was able to move into the home in 2012, and the pool and pavilion were finished in 2016. I have loved it, but it's too much for my needs at this point in my life," she said.

Detailed information is available at www.mclemoreauction.com, where bidding will continue until noon Thursday, October 26. Auction personnel will be available to accommodate inspections at 11 a.m. October 13, 20 and 25, or by appointment.

McLemore Auction Company, based in Nashville, conducts real estate and personal property auctions primarily in Tennessee and surrounding states, using both online and live auctions.

For more information:

Carl Carter, 205-823-3273

SOURCE McLemore Auction Company

Related Links

http://www.mclemoreauction.com


STEVENAGE, England, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- M Group Services ("the Company"), a 1bn turnover business that is a leading provider of services to the regulated infrastructure market in the UK, has today announced the acquisition of Magdalene Ltd. ("Magdalene"), a UK telecommunications infrastructure services provider. Upon completion, Magdalene will be the fourth acquisition made by the Company in the last year, significantly enhancing M Group Services' ability to provide complementary, critical support services for its clients.

Magdalene is a specialist provider of design, build, procurement, installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair support services to telecommunications carriers, equipment vendors and private enterprises in the UK and Ireland.

With its own purpose built network operations centre, Magdalene monitors and supports telecommunications networks to ensure optimum performance. It has the capability to offer the full network lifecycle, supporting the public and private, fixed and mobile networks.

M Group Services Chief Executive Jim Arnold commented: "Telecoms network infrastructure in the UK continues to attract significant investment. Magdalene is a specialist business that will complement our existing telecommunications services and present many growth and diversification opportunities for our combined businesses. With its longstanding, strategic relationships with OEMs and network operators across public and private sectors, Magdalene's service offering will significantly enhance the M Group Services scope of expertise. We are delighted to welcome Magdalene to the M Group Services family."

Mark Turner, Managing Director at Magdalene, commented: "Our acquisition by M Group Services signals the next exciting phase of our continuing growth. We are excited by the opportunities that joining a broader infrastructure service provider group will bring to our clients as we continue to grow our presence in the public and private telecommunications sectors. With our team of highly skilled technical telecoms specialists, along with our 24/7 carrier class network operations centre, we will continue to offer a premium service to our clients across the UK."

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close in September 2017.

About M Group Services

M Group Services is a leading service provider to the regulated infrastructure markets in the UK, including utilities, transport, telecom, and data capture. The Company operates through its subsidiaries that include Morrison Utility Services, Morrison Data Services, Dyer & Butler and M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions.

About Magdalene

Headquartered in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, Magdalene is a leading UK telecommunications infrastructure services provider offering specialist services to clients operating in the public and private, fixed and mobile segments of the telecoms market.

Press contact:

Paul Gilbert

Tel: +44 (0)1438 847275

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE M Group Services
AURORA, ON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in the KS Centoco Ltd. ("KS Centoco") legal proceedings. Under the settlement agreement, Magna will relinquish its 23% equity interest in KS Centoco and pay CAD$25 million in exchange for a full and final release of all claims. Although the full terms of the settlement agreement are subject to confidentiality restrictions, the impact of the settlement on Magna's financial condition and results of operations is not significant.

OUR BUSINESS (1)

We are a leading global automotive supplier with 327 manufacturing operations and 100 product development, engineering and sales centres in 29 countries. We have over 161,000 employees focused on delivering superior value to our customers through innovative products and processes, and world class manufacturing. We have complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing expertise, as well as product capabilities which include body, chassis, exterior, seating, powertrain, active driver assistance, vision, closure and roof systems and have electronic and software capabilities across many of these areas. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit our website at www.magna.com.

__________________________

(1) Manufacturing operations, product development, engineering and sales centres and employee figures include certain equity-accounted operations.

SOURCE Magna International Inc.

Related Links

http://www.magna.com


SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, McCombs Properties, the real estate arm of renowned San Antonio-based McCombs Enterprises and the largest developer of resort properties on the Central Texas Coast, announced rebuild efforts are underway at its Port Aransas and Rockport communities following Hurricane Harvey. Although the storm created widespread damage, historic flooding and the interruption of basic services across the state, McCombs quickly began recovery of its three coastal communities, continuing its commitment to residents and the entire Coastal Bend area.

"Immediately following this historic storm's passing, we were on the ground to assess damages and make decisions regarding the recovery of our communities," said Harry Adams, executive vice president of real estate development for McCombs. "We are thankful for how well our modern-engineered communities weathered the storm, but our hearts remain heavy for the greater coastal region. We have a long road ahead of us, but make no mistake: This is Texas, nothing will stop us, this is our Coast, and we will rebuild."

McCombs mobilized local recovery efforts within 48 hours of Hurricane Harvey's passing, allowing for stabilization of its property within the first week, with much of the initial clean-up complete. Beyond simple recovery of their communities, McCombs remains committed to supporting the greater local areas and helping lead the reemergence of the markets. The company has committed to not only rebuild its properties impacted by the storm, but also launch new phases of development at Palmilla Beach Resort and The Reserve at St. Charles Bay communities.

"Apart from simply rebuilding and lending help to our community, we are proud to bring new development to the market including new home sites, condos, homes and amenities," said Adams. "These features create opportunities for our owners, and bring new life, excitement, confidence and optimism for the future of the entire Coastal Bend area."

McCombs' role in reinvigorating the central Texas coast joined similar efforts by others in its industry. Together, with the surrounding community, the resources provided to ignite the economy and rebuild the area have been applauded by the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce.

"We are fortunate to have a world-class organization like McCombs and its talented team of professionals. Their commitment to working with and supporting the community in the arduous process of rebuilding Port A is vital to maintaining our status as a top-tier leisure destination in America," Jeff Hentz, president of the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce. "We know the team at McCombs shares the bigger vision for our region and the continued growth in tourism infrastructure and visitors to Port A and Mustang Island."

In the next 30 days, McCombs will begin new construction on two major development projects. The Reserve at St. Charles Bay in Rockport will receive a new-phase of waterfront cottages, creating 36 home sites and $30 million in finished property value. At Palmilla Beach in Port Aransas, McCombs will construct 70 new beachfront home sites and $75 million in finished property value.

"We care about our coast, we're proud of the residents and local leaders of the coastal towns, and are excited about working together to rebuild bigger and better than before," said Adams. "My challenge to all Texans, each to his own means, is to be part of making historywhether buying property, booking a vacation, taking a fishing trip, or coming down to help out. Do your part in rebuilding our coastnot tomorrow, but today."

About McCombs Properties

Red McCombs, the founder of San Antonio-based McCombs Enterprises, is a well-respected Texas businessman, auto dealer and successful investor. His real estate division, McCombs Properties, both self-develops and invests with development partners in all classes of real estate throughout Texas and Colorado. Assets consist of timber and ranch lands, office and retail developments as well as multi-family, second home and resort residential communities. Mr. McCombs and his handpicked managerial team bring a dedication to excellence, a detail-oriented approach, and extensive experience to every project.

Media Contact

Pat Stark, White Hat Agency

(512) 804-1455

[email protected]



SOURCE McCombs Properties

Related Links

http://www.mccombsproperties.com


Swedish English

Notice of extraordinary general meeting

Shareholders of Vitec Software Group AB (publ), 556258-4804, are hereby summoned to an Extraordinary General Meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at. 15:00 at Vitec's premises, Tvistevagen 47A in Umea.

The Board of Directors of Vitec Software Group AB (publ) has decided to summon an extraordinary general meeting to consider a proposal for Vitec Group to offer employees convertible bonds in the Parent Company. The purpose is to give more employees the possibility to become owners in Vitec. The convertible bond will not be listed at any market. At full conversion, the number of shares expect to increase by approximately 260,000. This corresponds to an increase in the share capital by SEK 26,000 and a dilution of approximately 0.9% of the share capital and about 0.4% of the voting rights.

"This will be the ninth time we offer our employees convertible bonds. We believe it is a good way to give all employees the opportunity to become a long-term shareholder in Vitec", says Lars Stenlund, CEO Vitec Software Group.

Registration

Shareholders who wish to participate in the meeting shall:

 be recorded in the register of shareholders held by Euroclear Sweden AB on Thursday, October 26, 2017 (see below for re-registration of nominee-registered shares) and,

 notify their intention to attend the meeting by Thursday, October 26, 2017. Notice of attendance can be done at bolagsstamma@vitec.se or by phone 090 - 15 49 00 weekdays 08: 00-17: 00.

When giving notice of attendance, please state name, personal- or corporate identification number, email, address, telephone number and the number of any accompanying assistants, but no more than two.

Notice may also be given in writing to;

Vitec Software Group AB

"Extraordinary general meeting"

Tvistevagen 47 A

907 29 Umea

Sweden

The meeting will be conducted in Swedish.

Shares registered in the name of a nominee

Shareholders whose shares are nominee registered must, no later than on Thursday, October 26, 2017, temporarily be entered into the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB in their own name in order to be entitled to participate in the meeting. A request for such re-registration should be submitted to the nominee well in advance of said date.

Proxy

Shareholders represented by proxy shall issue a power of attorney for the representative. A power of attorney issued by a legal entity must be accompanied by a copy of the entity's certificate of registration (should no such certificate exist, a corresponding document of authority must be submitted). In order to facilitate the registration at the meeting, the power of attorney in the original, certificate of registration and other documents of authority should be sent to the Company in advance to the address above for receipt by October 31, 2017. Forms of power of attorney is available on Vitec's website at, www.vitecsoftware.com/en/ir/extraordinaryGM.

Agenda

1. Opening of the meeting

2. Establishment and approval of voting rights

3. Election of Chairman of the Meeting

4. Approval of the Board's draft agenda

5. Selection of one or two protocol adjusters

6. Examination of whether the meeting has been convened properly

7. Decision

a. Issuance of convertible debenture loans to employees in Vitec

8. Other questions

9. Closing of the Meeting

Shares and votes

At the time of notice the company has 29 396 690 shares divided into 3 350 000 A shares with 10 votes each and 26 046 690 Series B shares with one vote each. The total number of votes amounts to 59,546,690. The company holds no own shares.

Documents

Full documentation at www.vitecsoftware.com/en/ir/extraordinaryGM. We will also send documents to shareholders who request it and provide their postal address.

Umea in September 2017

THE BOARD

For more information contact

For more information contact: Patrik Fransson, Investor Relations, patrik.fransson@vitec.se

Mobile: + 46-76-9428597

Disclaimer

This information is of such a kind that Vitec Software Group AB (publ.) is legally required to disclose pursuant to the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at 10:30 CET on Friday, September 29, 2017.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Customer experience solutions company McorpCX, Inc. (TSXV: MCX, OTCQB: MCCX) ("McorpCX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gregg Budoi as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Budoi will serve as the Company's Interim Chief Financial Officer until a permanent successor is named.

Mr. Budoi is an experienced executive leader with both public and private company experience including leadership in the SaaS software space, creating and leading a business with a half billion dollars in annual revenues from inception to buyout, and organically growing businesses across a variety of industries. In particular, Mr. Budoi has had exposure to all disciplines of business management with an emphasis on corporate strategy and finance, capital markets, business development and M&A activities.

Most recently, he was Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board of Directors for London Stock Exchange (AIM) listed SaaS software and consulting company Kalibrate Technologies Plc, which recently completed a successful going private transaction with the private equity firm Hanover Investors. Prior to that, he was a co-founder and former President and CEO of EZ Energy USA, Inc. a firm that grew in 6 years from inception to over $500 million in annual revenue. Mr. Budoi has also been Managing Director at Barnes Wendling Corporate Finance, LLC, where he established a corporate finance advisory services platform and completed several corporate restructurings as well as M&A and capital raising transactions, and was CFO, Vice President and Treasurer of Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc., where he led the strategic evaluation and recapitalization process for this publicly traded chain of over 850 convenience stores.

Mr. Budoi holds a BS in Business Administration/Finance from Ohio State University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Cleveland State University.

"The appointment of Mr. Budoi to our executive management team, along with the recent addition of Mr. Nii Quaye and Mr. Matthew Kruchko to our board of directors, even better positions us to execute on our aspirations and plans to grow our position in the fast-growing customer experience management marketspace. With his proven ability to assess and activate opportunity and enterprise value, I'm thrilled to welcome Gregg to our team, and look forward to leveraging his guidance and strategic counsel as we continue to focus on delivering value to our stakeholders," stated McorpCX CEO Michael Hinshaw. "I'd also like to thank our former CFO, Mr. Barry MacNeil, for his contributions to our Company. He'll be missed, and we wish him well."



About McorpCX

McorpCX (http://mcorp.cx) is a customer experience services company targeting the global Customer Experience Management (CEM) market estimated by marketsandmarkets1 to grow from USD 5.06 Billion in 2016 to USD 13.18 Billion by 2021. Customers range from Fortune 100 brands to fast-moving mid-market leaders and other customer-centric companies. McorpCX is focused on pursuing value-enhancing growth opportunities for its shareholders.

For more information, please contact:

General Information: 1-866-526-2655 toll free in the U.S., or +1-415-526-2655

Investors: [email protected]

Website: http://mcorp.cx

Twitter: @McorpCX (https://twitter.com/mcorpcx)

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States securities laws and applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements are, in effect, management's attempt to predict future events, and thus are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy and management's plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," and "intend" and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to the Company and its management are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that management's expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to the Company's business and operations as well as the anticipated growth Global Customer Experience Management (CEM) market. Such statements involve assumptions relating to the Company's business, the ability of the Company to execute on its business plan, the competitive environment of the Company's products and services and the future development and pricing of the Company's products and services. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these statements. Such factors include the following: general economic and business conditions, changes in demand for the Company's products and services, changes in the competitive environment and the introduction of competing software solutions by competitors, the Company's ability to complete any future required financing and the Company's dependence upon and availability of qualified personnel. In light of these and other uncertainties, the forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that its plans and objectives will be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

1 Customer Experience Management Market by Touch Point (Company Website, Branch/Store, Web, Call Center), Vertical (IT Communication Service Provider, BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Travel & hospitality), and Region - Global Forecast to 2021 by marketsandmarkets.com dated November 2016.

SOURCE McorpCX, Inc.

Related Links

www.mcorp.cx


BONN, Germany, September 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland the digital CRM technology provider artegic got the International Business Award in Gold for the TV NOW customer acquisition campaign for the best campaign of a media company. The video on demand service TV of the media has been bundling the eight free TV channels of the company since March 2016. Together with artegic, the subsidiary of Mediengruppe RTL - RTL interactive receives the "Marketing Campaign of the Year - Media Companies" award. The two companies had implemented an intensive digital customer acquisition campaign in the launch phase of TV NOW. Every year, a high profile, international jury, among others from Australia, the USA, China and South Africa, gives the International Business Award to the best marketing campaigns of the year. The International Business Award is already the fourth award for the campaign, following the German Stevie Award 2017, the Email Award 2017 and the Best Use of FastStats Award.

The core of the award-winning campaign of the RTL Mediengruppe was a multi-stage email campaign for the acquisition of new customers with partly automated multivariate tests with more than 150 communication variants. Numerous parameters identified successively the relevant criteria to customer acquisition. The goal was to inform existing email contacts about the advantages of the TV NOW Plus subscriptions and convince them of the program. The campaign introduced a new, patented solution developed by artegic for the efficient control of multivariate optimization. The method is based on artificial intelligence and uses the latest "Design of Experiment" methods.

"Direct contact with users via CRM is an important part of the success of TV NOW. From the beginning, artegic has supported us with their experience, not only in the field of expertise in digital customer communication but also with the necessary technical solution competence. The customer winning campaign of the TV NOW portal was very successful. We are delighted that this achievement is now underlined by the International Business Award ", Robert Dube, Head of Video on Demand at RTL interactive, summarized the cooperation of the TV NOW launch campaign.

"The project is a good example of how intelligent optimization can lead to very significant increases in outcome. By focusing on the most important, decisive parameters, you can reduce complexity, and get the full potential of multivariate tests. We are delighted that RTL interactive is not only a very exciting application for customer-centric CRM but also they use the latest optimization methods that will bring innovative and measurably better results for many future applications. The fact that we have now received the fourth overall award for this campaign with the International Business Award confirms that we are continuing to drive customer centrality in digital direct marketing forward by innovative methods, "said Stefan von Lieven, CEO of artegic AG.

Download

artegic AG - Know-how and Technology for Online CRM

artegic AG supports companies in the construction of loyal and profitable B-to-B and B-to-C customer relations via online channels. Our service portfolio includes strategic consulting, technologies and business services for online CRM and dialogue marketing via email, mobile and social media.

With the online CRM technology ELAINE FIVE, artegic offers a unique high-performance solution for the comprehensive realisation of campaigns, as well as marketing automation based on self-sharpening analytical customer profiles. artegic received the eco Internet Award for its trend-setting implementation of data privacy requirements.

Internationally, each month, approximately 2.7 billion emails, SMS and social media messages are sent via ELAINE FIVE. As an associated company of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, artegic draws on the know-how of the latter, as well as the expertise from long-standing best practice with renowned clients, such as RTL, PAYBACK, Web.de, REWE, maxdome, Hyundai and the German Federal Ministries of Finance and Justice.

artegic is certified company-wide by TUV Rheinland, according to the international standard for IT and Data Decurity ISO/IEC 27001.

Your contact at artegic:

Sebastian Pieper

artegic AG

Zanderstrae 7

53177 Bonn

Tel.: +49-(0)-228-22-77-97-57

[email protected]



SOURCE artegic AG
In addition to the new SCREAM album being released today, The Estate of Michael Jackson joined forces with world-renowned superstar producer DJ Steve Aoki to create an 'official' remix of Michael Jackson's "Thriller". The Michael Jackson "Thriller (Steve Aoki Midnight Hour Remix)" is out today as a standalone single; available for download and streaming here: https://MichaelJackson.lnk.to/scream_pl!pr "Thriller," written by Rod Temperton, is the title track from the best-selling album of all time. THRILLER is the first and only album to be RIAA certified 33x Platinum and has topped 105 million sales worldwide.

ABOUT SCREAM - The immersive "Scream" AR experience is like nothing fans have seen before. Reflective of Michael Jackson's own innovative thinking, Sony and the Estate have teamed with Shazam to make it possible for Shazam app users to just point the Shazam camera at the posters to launch the activation. It is the first time that Shazam has made an AR experience integrated with a CD or vinyl release available to its users; it also marks the very first global AR initiative for Shazam.

In addition, SCREAM billboards and posters will begin to appear in major global cities today which also include a Shazam logo that can be used to trigger a second augmented reality experience inspired by the album's cover artwork.

Sony and the Estate worked closely with the multi-platform creative studio Flight School to create this exclusive experience which incorporates audio from the recently released SCREAM bonus track, "Blood on the Dance Floor X Dangerous."

Video tutorial of the AR Experience here:

http://scream.michaeljackson.com

SCREAM is available now here: https://MichaelJackson.lnk.to/SCREAM!pr and for pre-order on collectible, glow-in-the-dark 2LP vinyl (out October 27): https://MichaelJackson.lnk.to/SCREAM_VINYL!pr

For future Michael Jackson and Scream news:

MICHAEL JACKSON:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

OFFICIAL SCREAM TRACKLISTING

1. This Place Hotel

2. Thriller

3. Blood On The Dance Floor

4. Somebody's Watching Me

5. Dirty Diana

6. Torture

7. Leave Me Alone

8. Scream

9. Dangerous

10. Unbreakable

11. Xscape

12. Threatened

13. Ghosts

Bonus Track: Blood On The Dance Floor X Dangerous (The White Panda Mash-Up)

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

Related Links

http://www.legacyrecordings.com


"We're very happy to award Bounce Imaging as our 2017 Miller Lite Tap the Future Winner," said Steve Canal, manager of national community affairs for MillerCoors. "For five years, Tap the Future rewarded entrepreneurs who hold true to an idea and believe in their business despite the challenges. Bounce Imaging proved to be this year's standout from an impressive pool of competitors. Like the winners before them, we're excited to make them apart of the Miller Lite Tap the Future legacy and we look forward to seeing the business grow and do well."

Twenty-five semi-finalists were chosen from a pool of nearly 7,000 applicants for a chance to impress Daymond John and other judges at live pitch events all over the country. Each of the five winning finalists from the first round received $20,000 and a chance at the grand prize of $100,000.

"We're honored to be selected as the winners from this amazing pool of companies," said Francisco Aguilar, CEO of Bounce Imaging. "This prize is going to help us continue to provide resources for first responders who put their lives on the line for us every day. We thank Miller Lite for the opportunity and we hope to make the Tap the Future program proud."

Each of the other finalists received a $20,000 prize. This year's finalists included:

Goodr Food Rescue  Food waste management mobile app that connects donors with food service programs.

 Food waste management mobile app that connects donors with food service programs. Lumenus  Company makes smart, wearable lighting for cyclists.

 Company makes smart, wearable lighting for cyclists. Orindi Ventures  A cold weather mask for industrial workers.

 A cold weather mask for industrial workers. Lithic Nutrition  Cricket-based food and nutritional snack company.

Miller Lite Tap the Future, the competition that looks for business owners with a relentless commitment to entrepreneurship, will return in early 2018 to search for the next great business idea. Entrepreneurs will be able to compete for a chance to win a portion of a six-figure prize pool and receive expert advice from Tap the Future inspirational judges and community partners.

To receive the latest news on Miller Lite Tap the Future visit MLTaptheFuture.com and follow Miller Lite at Facebook.com/MillerLite and @MillerLite on Twitter.

About Miller Brewing Company

Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 by Frederick J. Miller when he purchased the Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee, a city he chose as the best place for a brewery given its access to great water. Miller Lite, the original great-tasting light pilsner beer, (MillerLite.com, Facebook.com/MillerLite, @MillerLite on Twitter, YouTube.com/MillerLite) was introduced nationally in 1975 and is among the top-five selling beers in the United States. The brewery's oldest enduring beer is Miller High Life (MillerHighLife.com, Facebook.com/MillerHighLife, @MillerHighLife on Twitter). Known as the Champagne of Beers, it was introduced in 1903 and still is brewed with the same yeast strain that Miller carried in his pocket from Germany. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD.com, Facebook.com/MillerGenuineDraft, @Miller_Global on Twitter), introduced in 1986, is the original cold-filtered, packaged draft beer. Miller Brewing Company is part of MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at Facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.

SOURCE Miller Brewing Company

Related Links

http://millerlite.com


BOSTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Morgan Stanley neared completion of its consumer-relief obligations under its February 11, 2016, mortgage settlement agreement with the State of New York, receiving conditional approval for $34.43 million of credit for activities performed in recent months, Eric D. Green, independent Monitor of the settlement agreement, announced today.

The amount of cumulative credit conditionally validated now totals $373,353,040, or 93 percent of the $400 million worth of credited consumer relief required under the agreement, which settled claims that Morgan Stanley had violated New York State law relating to residential mortgage-backed securities.

"Nineteen months after the settlement agreement was signed, Morgan Stanley has nearly completed its obligation to provide relief to New York communities in need of housing assistance," Professor Green said today in his fifth report on the bank's consumer-relief activities. Professor Green is a Boston-based professional mediator and a retired Boston University law professor.

In its August 1, 2017, credit submission  covering the bank's activities through that date  Morgan Stanley claimed credit of:

$29,037,500 , for a grant to help stabilize New York City neighborhoods by assisting in the acquisition and remediation of non-performing loans on abandoned properties,

, for a grant to help stabilize neighborhoods by assisting in the acquisition and remediation of non-performing loans on abandoned properties, $4,312,500 for a grant supporting critical-need housing and associated services in Buffalo, N.Y. , and

for a grant supporting critical-need housing and associated services in , and $1,081,713 for grants to 15 municipalities or eligible agencies in New York State to support housing quality improvement and enforcement programs.

The Monitor's team of financial and legal professionals reviewed and validated the credit claims.

Today's report is available at the Monitor's website at: http://morganstanley.mortgagesettlementmonitor.com. The website provides further details about the settlement, plus contact information for Morgan Stanley, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman's office, and agencies that provide legal or tax advice to consumers.

The Monitor's mailing address is: Monitor of the Morgan Stanley Mortgage Settlement, P.O. Box 10300, Dublin, OH 43017-5900, and the e-mail address is [email protected].

SOURCE Monitor: Eric D. Green

Related Links

http://morganstanley.mortgagesettlementmonitor.com


FREEHOLD, N.J., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (NYSE:MNR) announced that it will present to the Philadelphia Securities Association (PSA) on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Monmouth Real Estate has been presenting to the PSA for more than 20 consecutive years. The Forum will be held at the Union League of Philadelphia, located in Philadelphia, PA.

Michael P. Landy, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present an overview of the Company followed by a question and answer session. It is a luncheon meeting that will start at 11:30am ET. The presentation will be available at the Company's website www.mreic.reit on the homepage.

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, founded in 1968, is one of the oldest public equity REITs in the U.S. The Company specializes in single tenant, net-leased industrial properties, subject to long-term leases, primarily to investment-grade tenants. Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation is a fully integrated and self-managed real estate company, whose property portfolio consists of 107 properties containing a total of approximately 18.6 million rentable square feet, geographically diversified across 30 states. In addition, the Company owns a portfolio of REIT securities.

SOURCE Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation

Related Links

http://mreic.com/


Inspirus Credit Union invited students to 'spin the wheel' for a chance to win a gift card of $10, $25, or $50 to the student bookstore. The gift cards were intended to offset the high cost of college textbooks. According to The National Association of College Stores, students spend an average of $655 on college textbooks each year. The high cost of college textbooks can be a burdensome to students who have also recently paid for tuition.

One student walked back to the Inspirus booth after visiting the bookstore, and with a confident voice said, "You helped me get the notebooks I needed for my technology classes, thank you."

"We believe in the lifelong learners of Washington, and want to empower student success in their education and beyond," said President and CEO of Inspirus Credit Union Scott Adkins. "For some students, this was a way to celebrate their first day of school, and to others, this was a day that allowed them to get the supplies they really need for the school year."

Green River College was one of three local college recipients where students were surprised with bookstore gift cards to offset the cost of college textbooks on the first day of school. Other gift card recipients were students at Everett Community and Highline Community Colleges.

"This was the second year Inspirus surprised our students at Highline with bookstore gift cards," said Highline Bookstore Manager Kristi Dopp. "Our students were welcomed back to school with a fun surprise that gave them both the resources they needed to purchase their school textbooks, and offered a positive outlook on starting the new school year."

About Inspirus Credit Union

Founded in 1936 by a Seattle math and journalism teacher, Inspirus serves 80,000 members across Washington who share a passion for education. With $1.2 billion in assets, Inspirus operates branches in Seattle, Spokane, and Lynnwood. Its philanthropy model includes education-giveback programs that allow members to direct charitable contributions to teachers and schools in their communities. Inspirus team members donate upwards of 1,000 volunteer hours each year in support of education. Inspirus Credit Union is a 2017 winner of Puget Sound Business Journal's Corporate Champion Awards, honoring their contributions to education. For more information, visit inspirusCU.org.

SOURCE Inspirus Credit Union

Related Links

https://www.inspiruscu.org


TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MyNorth.com, Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine and Lick the Plate have joined forces to bring the popular show to Northern Michigan and feature the talent behind the robust culinary scene in the area. The show will be distributed via digital and social media channels, will reside on the MyNorth website and launch October 13, 2017. Northern Michigan will be the fourth market for Lick the Plate, joining San Diego, Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Lick the Plate host David Boylan has a long history and connections in the Northern Michigan area with his family involved in cherry farming, as a longtime Great Lakes Surfer, First Mate on a corporate yacht through college, and as a judge in the Empire Asparagus Festival.

Lick the Plate is now in San Diego, California, Detroit, Michigan, Windsor, Ontario and Traverse City, Michigan

MyNorth Founder and Editor-in-Chief Deb Fellows is delighted to add Lick the Plate to the company's 37-year-history of covering the exploding Northern Michigan culinary scene though both print and digital publications. "Lick the Plate is another fabulous way for our audience of 2.4 million to engage in our region's world-class food and drink scene," she says. "The show really lets the guests' personalities shine and allows listeners to get to know their culinary influences, as well as the music that moves them, where they eat around town, and all about their restaurant or culinary endeavor. These are all elements that make up who these creative and talented folks are and our audience will love it."

Lick the Plate host David Boylan added, "This is an incredible opportunity for me to do what I love to do in an area that I adore and have a long history with. On top of that, the culinary scene here and the talent driving it is incredible. I've already featured a handful of chefs, owners, grocers, festival promoters and winemakers as part of my Summer in Northern Michigan series on 93.9 The River, so I've had a taste of it so to speak, and am really looking forward to diving in further."

Lick the Plate also airs on 93.9 The River in Detroit and Windsor, KSON, Sunny 98.1, FM94/9 in San Diego, Edible San Diego and The Coast News in Encinitas, California.

Media contact and sponsorship inquiries:

David Boylan  [email protected]

8583956905

About Lick the Plate

Lick the Plate has interviewed over 700 chefs, restaurateurs, growers, brewers and culinary personalities over the past 10 years as a column in The Coast News in Encinitas, California and in Edible San Diego. Its on-air and podcast presence began on 102.1 KPRI in San Diego in 2011, then in 2014 moved to the Entercom group of stations in San Diego that include KSON, FM94/9 and Sunny98.1 where it still resides. In 2015 it expanded to 93.9 The River in Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, and recently joined MyNorth.com, part of MyNorth Media in Traverse City, Michigan. Its unique format allows the radio audience to really get to know the culinary talent behind their favorite restaurants. Besides their culinary background and experience, guests share the road to their current position, music memories and dream concert lineup, where they eat and drink around town, and an in-depth look at their current menu. The original format has proven to be very popular with both the culinary community and their foodie audience. More at www.lick-the-plate.com.

About MyNorth & Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

MyNorth Media, founded as Prism Publications Inc. more than 36 years ago by Deborah Wyatt Fellows, publishes Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine, Northern Home & Cottage, MyNorth Vacation Guide and MyNorth Wedding, in addition to several other print and online publications. It also produces MyNorth.com, the online home of Traverse Magazine, ShopMyNorth.com and MyNorthTickets.com, Northern Michigan's ticket source. Traverse Magazine has been covering food since its first issue and prints a sought-after restaurant directory in every issue and online, and its free email newsletter, Food & Drink, reaches more than 70,000 inboxes.

MyNorth Media is also a proud producer of events including the inaugural MyNorth Beer Tour during Traverse City Beer Week, MyNorth Sweet Tooth Tour and the Northern Home & Cottage Tours in September and October. The privately held company is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan. More at MyNorth.com or call 231.941.8174.

SOURCE Lick the Plate

Related Links

http://www.lick-the-plate.com


WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Media accreditation is open for the launch of the eighth Orbital ATK cargo resupply flight to the International Space Station from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Orbital ATK is targeting no earlier than Nov. 10 for the liftoff of its Cygnus spacecraft on an Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's Pad-0A.

International media without U.S. citizenship must apply by Wednesday, Oct. 4, for credentials to cover the prelaunch and launch activities at Wallops. The application deadline is Nov. 6 for media who are U.S. citizens. Journalists should send their accreditation request to Keith Koehler at [email protected].

This will be the eighth planned cargo resupply mission by Orbital ATK for NASA under the agency's $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract with the company. Cargo resupply from U.S. companies ensures a national capability to deliver critical science research to the space station, significantly increasing NASA's ability to conduct new science investigations to the only laboratory in microgravity.

For questions about accreditation or additional information, contact Keith Koehler by email or at 757-824-1579.

To learn more about Orbital ATK, its Antares rocket and the Cygnus cargo carrier, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/orbital

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


HOUSTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NCI Building Systems, Inc. (NYSE: NCS) announced today Norman C. Chambers, Chairman of the Board since 2008 will step down as Chairman of the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2018. The Board of Directors has selected James S. Metcalf to succeed Mr. Chambers as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the company, effective January 2, 2018.

Mr. Chambers stated, "It has been my distinct honor to serve as the Chairman of the Board of NCI. I would be remiss if I did not convey how privileged I have been to be a part of the NCI team that worked to recover, grow and succeed over the past nine years. Like the rest of my fellow directors and in keeping with our succession plan, I am very pleased that Jim will succeed me as Chairman. With his career successes at USG Corporation, he brings exceptional strategic planning, financial discipline, innovation and a focus on customer excellence, which complement NCI's strategy."

"The Board of Directors of the company has expressed its gratitude to Norm for his years of service to the company. He has been a great mentor, friend and partner for me and, on behalf of the entire NCI Building Systems family, I want to wish him the best in all his future endeavors," commented Donald R. Riley, Chief Executive Officer.

James G. Berges, Chairman of the Company's Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and Lead Director commented that "We are very pleased to have someone of Jim's caliber to step into the important role. Jim has been working closely with the Company's management team, Norm and the Board to ensure a successful transition. His expertise and leadership will be particularly valuable as we continue to build the future of NCI."

Mr. Metcalf added, "I want to thank Norm for his continuous support and his leadership over the past months to ensure this smooth and seamless transition. NCI has gone through a time of significant reorganization over the last five years and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the management team and the Board to help deliver the next phase of the company's evolution."

Mr. Metcalf recently retired from a thirty-six year career at USG Corporation, an international manufacturer and distributor of building products. He served as Chairman, CEO and President from 2011 to 2016. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as the President and COO of the company from 2006 to 2011. Mr. Metcalf began his career at USG in 1980 and held roles in sales, marketing and strategic planning. From 2002  2006, he served as President of USG's Building Systems group and from 1998 -- 2002, Mr. Metcalf was President & CEO of L&W Supply, a division of USG Corporation.

Mr. Metcalf is a member of Tenneco Inc.'s Board of Directors and serves on its Audit Committee. He is also a Director of the National Association of Manufacturers and a member of its Executive Committee. Mr. Metcalf completed the Stanford Executive Program, earned an MBA from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University.

About NCI Building Systems

NCI Building Systems, Inc. is one of North America's largest integrated manufacturers of metal products for the nonresidential building industry. NCI is comprised of a family of companies operating manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, Mexico and China with additional sales and distribution offices throughout the United States and Canada. For more information visit www.ncibuildingsystems.com.

Contact

K. Darcey Matthews

Vice President, Investor Relations

281-897-7785

SOURCE NCI Building Systems, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ncibuildingsystems.com


English French

Paris, 29 September 2017

Coface appoints two new regional CEOs to lead Central & Eastern Europe and Northern Europe, effective November 1st 2017

Teva Perreau, CEO of Coface's Northern Europe region since 2014, has decided to pursue career opportunities outside Coface after a successful 7 year-long career within the Group.

As a consequence, Katarzyna Kompowska, who has been leading the Group's Central & Eastern Europe region since 2012, is appointed Regional CEO Northern Europe. Katarzyna, 54, holds a Master's degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Warsaw School of Economics. She joined Coface in 1992 to launch Coface's business in Poland, today a major player in the market, before expanding her scope to the Baltic countries. Since 2012, Katarzyna has successfully led the Group's 14 Central & Eastern European countries, building leading positions for Coface in several markets. Katarzyna is currently Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Coface Russia and Coface Factoring Poland. Katarzyna will be based in Mainz, Germany.

Declan Daly, 50, who holds a bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering from Dublin City University and an MBA from INSEAD, is appointed Coface Regional CEO for Central & Eastern Europe. Declan has a wealth of experience in financial services and manufacturing spanning the last 25 years. He started his career in Software Engineering with ABB in Ireland and Austria, before joining the General Electric Company in 2000. From 2002 he served as COO with GE Money Bank Switzerland and as CEO of GE Money Bank Austria from 2006. Declan then joined the leadership team of Western Union Financial Services where he spent 5 years as Vice President Europe, heading up the B2B business segment. Most recently, Declan was CIO and a member of the Executive Board of Semperit Holding AG. Declan will be based in Vienna, Austria.

Katarzyna Kompowska and Declan Daly are members of the Group's Executive Committee.

Xavier Durand, Coface CEO, commented: "As we focus on executing our strategic plan, Fit to Win, these appointments bring a wealth of experience that helps drive our ongoing revitalisation and transformation into the most agile global trade credit partner in the industry."

New Executive Committee of the Coface Group as of November 1st 2017:

Xavier Durand, Chief Executive Officer

Valerie Brami, Chief Operating Officer

Cyrille Charbonnel, Underwriting Director



Nicolas de Buttet, Deputy Underwriting Director

Nicolas Garcia, Commercial Director

Carole Lytton, General Secretary

Carine Pichon, Finance & Risk Director

Thibault Surer, Strategy & Business Development Director



Declan Daly, CEO Central & Eastern Europe Region

Bhupesh Gupta, CEO Asia Pacific Region

Katarzyna Kompowska, CEO Northern Europe Region

Antonio Marchitelli, CEO Western Europe Region

Fredrik Murer, CEO North America Region

Cecile Paillard, CEO Mediterranean & Africa Region

Bart Pattyn, CEO Latin America Region

MEDIA CONTACT

Maria KRELLENSTEIN - T. +33 (0)1 49 02 16 29 maria.krellenstein@coface.com
ATLANTA, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer may already be in the rearview mirror, but new research from Dealer.com revealed that consumers' car shopping interest remained heightened through August, as seen in slightly higher total traffic to dealer sites and through rising search advertising costs.

The September Dealer DataView index  which captures data through August 31, 2017  revealed that overall summer trends continued through August, with minor month-over-month shifts in dealer website engagement. Total traffic to dealer sites increased by .15 percent, with mobile accounting for 57 percent of visits  holding steady with recent trends. New vehicle detail page (VDP) views are up slightly month-over-month, rising to 45 percent of total VDPs, and used VDPs dropped slightly, to 44 percent. SUVs remained the most popular body style in terms of digital engagement.

Search advertising cost-per-click (CPC), another leading indicator of demand, continues its steady rise. Averaging $3.35 nationally in August, CPC is up 13 percent year over year  a steady increase which serves as a continued reminder that the market is becoming more competitive. Fall digital advertising investments may need to be adjusted to account for this trend and capture local demand.

"The key indicator we keep our eyes on with DataView reporting is the quality over quantity engagement metric, in which August's numbers pointed to a rise across dealer websites," said James Grace, Senior Director of Analytics Products, Cox Automotive Media Solutions. "With the current industry conversations around our challenging sales climate, the September reporting shows positive signs from U.S. consumers that there's intent to purchase a vehicle."

For more insights and to view the full September DataView report featuring detailed regional breakdowns. please visit: http://www.dealer.com/assets/Dealer-Data-View-September-2017.pdf.

To register for future DataView reports, visit http://www.dealer.com/dataviewsignup_teaser/.

About Dealer.com

Dealer.com provides an integrated platform of Advertising, Website and Managed Services products which allow OEMs, dealer groups, retailers and agencies to leverage advanced digital technology and data to better engage and connect with their customers. The company practices a deep commitment to its culture of innovation, with a focus on health and wellness, making it one of the most desirable places to work, and a valuable partner for automotive retailers. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Dealer.com is a Cox Automotive brand. For more information, visit www.dealer.com.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, financial, retail and wholesale solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, vAuto, Xtime and a host of other brands. The global company has 32,000-plus team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises' other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit www.coxautoinc.com.

SOURCE Dealer.com

Related Links

http://www.dealer.com


"As a farmer-owned business established almost 90 years ago, Ocean Spray is proud to carry on the cooperative model that allows us to focus on the unique heritage, taste and health benefits of the cranberry," shared Randy Papadellis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Spray, and Chairman of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC). "When consumers buy Ocean Spray products, they are in essence buying directly from the more than 700 farmers who pour their hearts into growing the fruit every day."

To help raise awareness and support for this unique business model, Ocean Spray will be updating its labels to call out 100% of profits going to its Farmer-Owners. The new callout is an update on the long running "heritage campaign" the Cooperative began in 2009 to highlight its agricultural roots and celebrate the family farm.

Ocean Spray will also harvest excitement at the first ever National Co-op Festival, which will take place on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The festival is hosted by The National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA). As the premier partner of the event, Ocean Spray plans to create a cranberry bog with a half-ton of fresh cranberries, which is guaranteed to immerse visitors in the taste, health, and heritage of the cranberry. Ocean Spray farmers will also be on hand to share the histories of their farms, families and one-of-a-kind cooperative culture.

The Co-op Festival will be a stop on Ocean Spray's 2017 Bogs Across America tour, which teaches people how cranberries are grown and harvested. The traveling display brings the rich story of the cranberry to hubs throughout the country. This year marks Ocean Spray's 13th anniversary of the tour.

For more information about Ocean Spray, visit www.oceanspray.com or www.oceanspray.coop. You can also follow the stops on the Bogs Across America tour and enjoy scenes from our Grower-Owners' farms during the harvest season on Instagram @oceansprayinc or Twitter @oceanspraycoop #eatmorecranberries. For more information about the Co-op Festival, visit www.coopfestival.coop

About Ocean Spray

Ocean Spray is a vibrant agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry growers in the United States, Canada and Chile who have helped preserve the family farming way of life for generations. Formed in 1930, Ocean Spray is now the world's leading producer of cranberry juices, juice drinks and dried cranberries and is the best-selling brand in the North American bottled juice category.

The cooperative's cranberries are currently featured in more than a thousand great-tasting, good-for-you products in over 100 countries worldwide. With more than 2,000 employees and nearly 20 cranberry receiving and processing facilities, Ocean Spray is committed to managing our business in a way that respects our communities, employees and the environment. For more information visit: www.oceanspray.com or www.oceanspray.coop.

SOURCE Ocean Spray

Related Links

http://www.oceanspray.com


INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OneAmerica announced the launch of a new Tax-Exempt Center of Excellence website to serve as a central location for plan sponsors to access educational resources and thought leadership news within the tax-exempt marketplace and assist them in retirement planning.

OneAmerica has been servicing tax-exempt retirement plans since the mid-1960s. This specialized segment within the retirement industry accounts for roughly 32 percent of the overall book of retirement business, and 40 percent of new business for the companies of OneAmerica. OneAmerica launched a similar tax-exempt site in 2016 to assist financial professionals.

"Tax-exempt is one of our specialty markets, and is a large part of our retirement business. We've designed this site to support and help address the hurdles non-profit organizations experience with their retirement plans," said Pat Foley, president of Individual Life and Retirement Services. "The new website is a testament to our continued dedication to this specialized market, and aligns with the very foundation of our business which is to serve those who serve others."

"Our focus on the tax-exempt market allows us the ability to help plan sponsors stay abreast of opportunities and issues impacting their employees' retirement readiness," said Kevin Kidwell, vice president, national tax-exempt sales. "Our online digital resource is filled with knowledge sourced by experienced professionals who've been handling retirement plans for tax-exempt organizations and are intimately familiar with their specific needs."

The website is here: www.oneamerica.com/403binformed

OneAmerica is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica.

Products issued and underwritten by American United Life Insurance Company (AUL), a OneAmerica company. Administrative and recordkeeping services provided by McCready and Keene, Inc. or OneAmerica Retirement Services LLC, companies of OneAmerica, which are not broker/dealers or investment advisors.

About OneAmerica

A national leader in the insurance and financial services marketplace for 140 years, the companies of OneAmerica help customers build and protect their financial futures. OneAmerica offers a variety of products and services to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and customers. These products include retirement plan products and recordkeeping services, individual life insurance, annuities, asset-based long-term care solutions and employee benefit plan products. Products are issued and underwritten by the companies of OneAmerica and distributed through a nationwide network of employees, agents, brokers and other sources who are committed to providing value to our customers. To learn more about our products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit oneamerica.com/about-us/companies-of-oneamerica.

SOURCE OneAmerica

Related Links

http://www.oneamerica.com


Stephanie Seliskar , Digital Creative Director at John Varvatos

, Digital Creative Director at John Varvatos Valerie Fischel , Executive Director of Creative Content at Clinique

, Executive Director of Creative Content at Clinique Liz Greenberg , Vice President of Ecommerce at Moret Group

, Vice President of Ecommerce at Moret Group Audrey Nizen , formerly C&A Global Director of Integrated Brand Marketing, and adjunct professor for NYU teaching the Business of Fashion

Tao is a fashion/celebrity photographer and director with a wide range of clients that includes Bergdorf Goodman, J. Crew, GQ and Banana Republic.

Voloshin is known for recent work such as "The Age of Misinformation," made in partnership with the Whitney Museum's 'Dreamlands' Exhibit and Audi and nominated for Best Experimental Film at the 2017 Fashion Film Festival Milano. Dedicated to empowering women, Liza works alongside brands including Audi, Nike, and Standard Hotels, and creative institutions such as the Whitney Museum, the Glass House, and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

"Created to Drive" panels are LIVE streamed discussions that will bring together some of the most notable and diverse women creators, makers and doers and brand executives. Fostering a direct conversation between brands and artists who have the common purpose of creating emotional connections with people, the panels will cover the challenges and opportunities of content creation as well as how brands can engage consumers through art and culture.

"We want to sustain and grow women in influential positions throughout the content creation community," said CreativeDrive CMO Amy Romero. "By bringing these exceptional brand-side marketers and content creators together, we are helping leading women inspire each other and the next generation, create meaningful content through collaboration and find new opportunities to reach consumers."

CreativeDrive will host the speakers' series with notable experts and influencers from a variety of fields who reflect the impact of bold change makers. Live audiences will include brands, media and other VIP guests. The conversation be streamed LIVE online on CreativeDrive Facebook page where the panel will field questions from the virtual audience.

Immediately following the panel there will be a party themed around Andy Warhol's Silver Factory and celebrating Sandbox's 25 years of working in beauty and fashion.

For further information on this and future panels, please visit here or email [email protected]

About CreativeDrive

CreativeDrive is an independent global media content creation company offering one of the leading studio networks in the world with an interconnected, dedicated team of accomplished creative directors, photographers, directors, motion graphic designers, artists and specialists. CreativeDrive combines technology and talent to offer custom solutions to clients while its proprietary platform and built-in end-to-end technology guarantees transparency and efficiency. Recognized as one of the first business models to actively challenge the status quo by consistently producing high-quality content with unparalleled speed and scale in any language, topic or format. CreativeDrive produces innovative, brand building content that can be scaled, repurposed and used across channels, ensuring content is fully utilized for the benefit of their clients' business growth and sales. The CreativeDrive network includes over 100 studios in the U.S., Latin America, Asia and Europe. CreativeDrive is a Bertram Capital Portfolio company.

For more information visit: www.creativedrive.com.

Contact:

Pat Sloan, [email protected]

646-673-4787

SOURCE CreativeDrive

Related Links

http://www.creativedrive.com


ATLANTA, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Car and Truck Rental and Leasing Association of Georgia (CATRALA) has named Sherrie Reish, Regional Account Sales Executive for PLM, President for a 2-year appointment. CATRALA is comprised of both regional and national professionals in the car and truck rental industry to monitor state and local legislation that affects the industry.

"We are proud of Sherrie's engagement in this association. 2017 marks her 20th year at PLM. It's an honor to see her recognized for her efforts and experience," Mark Domzalski, Senior Vice President of PLM Trailer Leasing commented. "We are confident her industry knowledge and recognition will help lead CATRALA."

PLM is an active supporter of national and regional associations that affect the Cold Chain. Through our affiliation with these associations, PLM team members are able to build relationships with industry professionals to ensure we meet the needs of our customers.

About PLM Trailer Leasing

PLM Trailer Leasing, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, is an industry leader and the only company with nationwide locations dedicated exclusively to the leasing, rental, maintenance and fleet management of refrigerated trailers in the Cold Supply Chain. PLM offers the largest selection of multi-temp, single-temp, and eco-friendly electric trailers from 28' to 53' in length.

For more information, please visit www.plmtrailer.com or call 1- 877-RENT-PLM (736-8756).

Media Contact

PLM Trailer Leasing

Nicole Greco

Marketing Manager

862-229-6480

[email protected]

SOURCE PLM Trailer Leasing

Related Links

http://www.plmtrailer.com


TOKYO, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- QUOINE Corporation ("QUOINE") is the first global crypto fintech company to receive an official license from the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA) on Friday, 29th September 2017. QUOINE operates QUOINEX, a cryptocurrency exchange and high performance trading platform that went global since May 2014. At its core, QUOINE is focused on stringent security measures on QUOINEX and prioritizes the safety of customers' assets.

Since the amended Payment Services Act came into effect on 1st April 2017 in Japan, QUOINE has worked closely with the Big Four audit and accounting companies, developing comprehensive AML countermeasures, internal audit, management systems, as well as communicating with the JFSA and Kanto Financial Bureau. In addition, QUOINE has also received a comprehensive review from one of the Big Four companies as part of the licensing process.

"As the first global crypto fintech company to be fully licensed with the JFSA, we will keep on working hand in hand with regulators and other stakeholders towards the healthy development of the cryptocurrency industry within Japan and on a global scale," said Mike Kayamori, CEO and Co-founder of QUOINE. "Protection of customers' assets is of the highest priority to us. With our JFSA license, this is a positive market signal that we are here to build a trusted exchange, with proper compliance measures in place to prevent security breaches and provide more asset protection for our customers."

To mark the success of QUOINE's licensing by the JFSA, QUOINE will launch a Zero Transaction Fee Campaign for all QUOINEX customers. Customers can now enjoy zero trading fees in spot and margin trading for all BTC, ETH and BCH pairs by logging onto https://quoinex.com. For more information, please see https://quoine.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013065688

ABOUT THE COMPANY

QUOINE is a leading global fintech company that provides trading, exchange, and next generation financial services powered by blockchain technology. With offices in Japan, Singapore and Vietnam, QUOINE combines a strong network of local partners with extensive team experience in banking and financial products to deliver best in class financial services for its customers. More information is available at www.quoine.com

In 2014, QUOINE launched Quoine Exchange, now known as QUOINEX, which became one of the largest bitcoin exchanges in the world by transaction volume. QUOINE offers powerful trading features, a sophisticated user dashboard, and secure regulatory compliance to individual and corporate customers. QUOINEX provides trading services for bitcoin and fiat currency pairs in Japanese yen, US dollar, Euro, HK dollar, Indonesian rupiah, Singapore dollar, Philippine peso, Indian rupee, Australian dollar, and Chinese Renminbi. QUOINEX has exceeded USD12 billion in transactions in the past two years. More information can be found at www.quoinex.com

In June 2017, QUOINE launched a fully digital cryptocurrency exchange and trading platform called QRYPTOS, exclusively for cryptocurrency trading in desktop version at www.qryptos.com.

CONTACT DETAILS

Contact Person: Katherine Ng

Email: [email protected]

Website:www.quoine.com

Twitter: @QUOINE_SG

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/6636706/

Facebook: www.fb.com/quoine.sg

SOURCE QUOINE

Related Links

http://www.quoine.com


PISCATAWAY, N.J., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reeves, the iconic British art brand with more than 250 years of heritage, has launched an extensive rebrand to empower everyone to unleash their creativity! Following a global relaunch, Reeves' will debut its "Show Your Colours" campaign in the U.S. to encourage millennials and fans of the brand to explore their inner artist, no matter where they are on their artistic journey.

Reeves, the iconic British art brand with more than 250 years of heritage, launched its Show Your Colours campaign at a rooftop party in Manhattan, where guests got a chance to celebrate creativity with experiential art stations alongside U.S. collaborator Llew Mejia.

Reeves has partnered with Llew Mejia, a New York-based illustrator who has designed for numerous national lifestyle brands, as its new U.S. collaborator. Mejia will lend years of experience with textile design, pattern-making and packaging to craft custom-designed art for Reeves. Last night, Reeves' launched its "Show Your Colours" campaign at a rooftop party in Manhattan, where guests got a chance to celebrate creativity with experiential art stations alongside Mejia.

"I'm stoked to work with Reeves and help bring this new, energetic campaign to life in the U.S.," said Llew. "I believe that art is for everyone no matter your age or experience. A quick sketch, a streak of color  we're all capable of unleashing creativity and expressing ourselves every day."

Reeves' re-energized look and feel is designed to spark imagination in anyone, from established artists to the occasional doodler. Regardless of skill or knowledge, all creativity can start with a pen, pencil or brush, and Reeves is on a mission to make art accessible to all. As part of the rebrand, Reeves has launched a bold, new logo featuring a symbolic 'r', which is certain to become its signature. A redesigned website and social channels feature how-to videos, product information, inspiration and more.

The rebrand also includes a refresh of Reeves' entire product portfolio, including new packaging for Paint By Numbers and Scraperfoils, providing the tools you need for your creative journey. Countdown to creativity and kickstart your passion for art with these new, imaginative coloring-in designs currently available at Reeves' retailers nationwide:

Reeves Colouring in Postcards  Perfect for creativity on-the-go, each Reeves postcard set features 20 modern designs. Relax and unwind with Colourful Cosmos featuring an uplifting collection of mindful mandalas or let your fingers (and your mind) take a walk on the wild side with the Urban Jungle set. Each come with six Reeves colouring pencils. ($12.99)

 Perfect for creativity on-the-go, each Reeves postcard set features 20 modern designs. Relax and unwind with featuring an uplifting collection of mindful mandalas or let your fingers (and your mind) take a walk on the wild side with the set. Each come with six Reeves colouring pencils. Reeves Colouring by Numbers  As easy as one-two-three! Discover your technicolor dreams with Flash Photography , where you can colour in rainbow backdrops behind black and white photography; or let your imagination wander the world's paths less traveled with the Traveller's Tales . Each book features 20 unique designs and comes with six double-tipped Reeves colouring pencils. ($15.99)

 As easy as one-two-three! Discover your technicolor dreams with where you can colour in rainbow backdrops behind black and white photography; or let your imagination wander the world's paths less traveled with the . Each book features 20 unique designs and comes with six double-tipped Reeves colouring pencils. Reeves Colouring in Poster  Looking for some larger-than-life inspiration? Reeves has poster-sized designs that are great for group creativity, so you and your friends can scale up your colouring! Choose the Big Wide World for a globe-trotting adventure as you map out the world or find your creative flow (peace out, colour in!) with Ultimate Zen. Each 33" x 44" poster comes with 12 Reeves colouring pencils. ($19.99)

"It's our goal as creative innovators to help people realize their full artistic potential by finding inspiration in their daily lives," said Mahogany Ligon, Brand Director for Reeves. "Art is as much about coloring outside the lines as in, and we want to break down the barriers between fine art and the everyday. Through our 'Show Your Colours' campaign, Reeves will continue to encourage each of us to unleash creativity."

To experience the new Reeves firsthand or to find a retailer near you, visit www.myreeves.com or @WeAreReeves on Instagram or Facebook. Share your Reeves masterpiece with the world using the hashtag #wearereeves.

About Reeves:

Reeves, part of the Colart group, is one of the world's leading creativity and lifestyle brands. Boasting a 250-year-old history of educating and inspiring artists across the world, Reeves' ambition is to cater for a broader audience, providing the tools and inspiration to unleash creativity across the world. Simply starting with a pen, pencil or brush, Reeves is on a mission to democratise art by making it accessible to all. Visit www.myreeves.com for more information.

About Colart:

The Colart Group is the global parent company of the world's most popular art material brands. Taking inspiration from artists to create innovative products, Colart fuels creativity not just for professional artists but for all creative industries and individuals. From supporting emerging artists through its residency programme to developing cadmium-free paint, Colart's mission is to provide sustainable, creative tools and services to release pure expression. The Colart group employs around 1,500 people in 16 countries and its products are sold in over 120 countries worldwide. Visit www.colart.com for more information.

SOURCE Reeves

Related Links

http://www.myreeves.com


Featuring an array of prominent Saudi artists, designers and writers, the event at the UN highlighted the way Saudi Arabia has steadily transformed over the past nine decades. Presentations highlighted the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and the country's ongoing societal developments.

"Saudi Arabia is embracing the opportunities delivered by rapid social change," said His Excellency Abdallah Yahya Al-Mouallimi, Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the U.N. "Today we celebrate the remarkable progress achieved, with the assurance of a bright and prosperous future ahead."

The evening featured exhibits from Islamic artist Dana Awartani, contemporary poet Abdullah Alothman, among other preeminent Saudi artists. The event, hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and Saudi Aramco, welcomed more than 500 attendees.

Saudi Arabia, its embassies and missions worldwide mark National Day each year on Sept. 23. The celebration commemorates the Kingdom's establishment by founder King Abdulaziz Al-Saud in 1932.

SOURCE Permanent Mission of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations
In the month of October, Sbarro customers will have the opportunity to make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in all participating Sbarro restaurants or at Pizza Cucinova. By making a $1 donation, customers will receive a voucher for $2 off their next purchase of at least $6. Sbarro will also make a $25,000 corporate donation in honor of their customers to support the St. Jude life-saving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.

"St. Jude is a remarkable institution that treats children from all 50 states and around the world," said David Karam, Sbarro CEO. "Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, because all families should have to worry about is helping their child live. We're honored to be a part of that mission and invite our customers to join with us in making a difference in their lives."

Find the Sbarro nearest you by visiting the Sbarro Location Finder.

About Sbarro

Since it first opened its doors as an Italian Salumeria in 1956, Sbarro today serves New York style pizza and other Italian favorites like Pasta and Stromboli to guests at more than 600 restaurants across 25 countries. An award-winning franchise organization, the brand is best known for selling their original XL New York style pizza by the slice featuring dough that is made in-house daily, freshly chopped vegetables and 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese. Sbarro is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

For more information visit our Web Page.

For Franchise interest visit our Franchising Web Page.

Or visit us on social media at Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram.

Contact Information

Rohan Shearer

Chief Administrative Officer

(614) 769-9929

SOURCE Sbarro

Related Links

http://www.sbarro.com


Seaborn's Seabras-1 provides the fastest route between the New York-New Jersey metro area and Sao Paulo. Aqua Comms' AEConnect provides the newest and most direct route between New York and London via Dublin. The two submarine cable systems will interconnect in Secaucus, New Jersey, in the location of Seaborn's primary network operations center. Both Seaborn and Aqua Comms offer geographically diverse backhaul and a variety of Points of Presence (PoP) locations in the metropolitan areas relating to their landing locations.

Customers will have the ability to contract through either Seaborn or Aqua Comms to receive the full benefit of this combined South America to Europe route.

This strategic alliance offers a number of benefits to customers, including:

consolidated capacity contracts and billing with industry-leading SLAs;

the newest network architecture with 100Gbps coherent technology on an end-to-end solution;

Seaborn's proprietary ultra-low latency solutions for financial institutions;

a direct relationship with the operators who built and operate the submarine cable infrastructure and backhaul routes for their respective systems, providing higher quality of service and improved information access; and

a route to and from South America that avoids the hurricane-prone areas of Florida , the Caribbean and Bermuda .

"We are extremely pleased to partner with Aqua Comms to offer this precedent-setting Europe to South America route," said Larry Schwartz, CEO, Seaborn Networks. "Our organizations are like-minded operators with a shared view of how to offer best-in-class solutions for telecommunications companies, content providers, ISPs, governments and enterprises."

"Aqua Comms and Seaborn share heritage and a common ethos for efficiently providing innovative, flexible and reliable connectivity solutions to the Atlantic telecommunications market," remarked Nigel Bayliff, CEO, Aqua Comms. "We both specialize in developing, constructing and operating modern, sophisticated submarine cable systems, and partnering will help us provide customers with the benefits of both conjoined networks."

The strategic alliance between Seaborn and Aqua Comms also relates to future systems and branches that either of the parties may subsequently build and operate, thereby offering maximum flexibility to the respective customers of each operator.

For more information about Seaborn Networks, visit www.seabornnetworks.com.

For more information about Aqua Comms, visit www.aquacomms.com/ or email [email protected].

About Seaborn Networks

Seaborn Networks is a leading developer-owner-operator of independent submarine fiber optic cable systems, including Seabras-1 between New York and Sao Paulo, and ARBR between Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires (projected ready-for-service Q4 2018). Seaborn was founded by successful submarine cable executives with experience in designing, building, financing and operating many of the world's largest submarine and terrestrial networks. To learn more about Seaborn Networks and its new Brazil  US subsea cable system, Seabras-1, visit www.seabornnetworks.com.

About Aqua Comms DAC

Aqua Comms DAC is the owner and operator of the transatlantic cable AEConnect and the Irish Sea cable CeltixConnect, and was established with a vision to build, acquire or merge with subsea fibre-optic cable networks to provide capacity networking solutions to the global media, content providers and IT companies. To learn more about Aqua Comms and its new transatlantic subsea cable system, AEConnect, visit www.AquaComms.com.

Media Contacts:

Kate Wilson, Seaborn Networks

Phone: +1 978 471 3169

E-mail: [email protected]

iMiller Public Relations for Aqua Comms

Tel: +1 866 307 2510

[email protected]

SOURCE Seaborn Networks

Related Links

http://www.seabornnetworks.com


Smart tourism platform connects merchants and partners from across the world with Alipay users

Alipay-based marketing services allow merchants to reach potential clients at lower cost with higher conversion rate

Agreements with official authorities in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Singapore bring smart tourism solutions to local merchants

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alipay, the worlds largest online and mobile payment platform, operated by Ant Financial Services Group (Ant Financial, Ant), recently announced an upgraded smart outbound tourist service platform at a meeting of ecosystem partners from over 20 countries and territories in Beijing.

The platform connects Chinese tourists with merchants, airports, travel agencies and other Alipay partners, giving users access to intuitive local offers and services, and merchants the ability to target potential clients.

With 98% of outbound Chinese tourists owning a smartphone, there is a clear opportunity for a mobile-based ecosystem to deliver a truly 21st Century travel experience, said Carl Su, Vice President of Ant Financial, at the 2017 Global Smart Tourism Ecosystem Summit in Beijing earlier this week. Alipays smart tourist service platform connects all kinds of overseas merchants with the right Chinese tourists, even before they depart. Merchants find that our digital platform lowers marketing cost and improves conversion rate, while tourists find that access to local services and products is easier than ever before.

Alipays outbound service platform allows users to download merchants coupons before or during their trip. Over 160,000 coupons are downloaded by users every day, among which 60% are redeemed when users pay via Alipay overseas.

Based on analysis of user preferences, Alipay recommends nearby merchants and even tips on itineraries. By paying with Alipay, users gain Alipay membership points that can ultimately gain them access to anything from better exchange rates and discount rates, to VIP lounge access at the airport.

The outbound tourism service platform also allows merchants and travel agencies to keep in touch with their customers online after the trip.

Alipay Expands Merchant Network in Nordic countries and Singapore

Alipay continues to expand its merchant network to provide better services for Chinese tourists wherever they travel. The payment platform is now accepted by more than 10 million merchants across China and by bricks-and-mortar shops in 33 countries and territories.

In September, Alipay signed Memorandums of Understanding with Finpro, Svensk Handel, and Scandinavian Tourist Board to promote Alipays smart tourism solutions to local merchants across the highly cashless Nordic countries. Alipay and the Singapore Tourism Board have also started to cooperate in the areas of data, marketing, service and products, which will deliver benefits to both Chinese tourists and local merchants in the near future.

In Singapore and Finland, Chinese tourists can now enjoy local experiences by relying only on their smart phones. Over 80% of Singapores taxis provide Alipay as a payment option. Alipay is also accepted at over 2,000 merchants, including Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Zoo, department stores under Metro and Robinsons, and a series of hawker centers. Instant tax refunds via Alipay will soon also be available at Changi Airport.

In Finland, Chinese tourists can use Alipay to shop in-flight, on cruises, and pay for saunas. The convenient payment experience starts when a Chinese tourist books his or her flight ticket and hotel room online, and continues with shopping on Finnair flights between China and Helsinki. On the ground in Finland, Chinese tourists can access everything from bus trips and sightseeing in Helsinki to shopping, dining, and even meet the Moomin in Naantali or Santa Claus up in Lapland. In-cabin sales on Finnair flights between China and Helsinki have doubled since Alipays service was launched in January 2017.

About Alipay

Operated by Ant Financial Services Group, Alipay is the worlds largest mobile and online payment platform. Launched in 2004, Alipay currently has over 520 million active users and over 450 financial institution partners globally. Alipay has evolved from a digital wallet to a lifestyle enabler. Users can hail a taxi, book a hotel, buy movie tickets, pay utility bills, make appointments with doctors, or purchase wealth management products directly from within the app. In addition to online payments, Alipay is expanding to in-store offline payments both inside and outside of China. Over 10 million brick-and-mortar merchants now accept Alipay across China. Alipays in-store payment service is covering more than 30 countries across the world, and tax reimbursement via Alipay is supported in 24 countries and regions. Alipay works with over 250 overseas financial institutions and payment solution providers to enable cross-border payments for Chinese travelling overseas and overseas customers who purchase products from Chinese e-commerce sites. Alipay currently supports 27 currencies.

About Ant Financial

Ant Financial Services Group is focused on serving small and micro enterprises, as well as individuals. With the vision bring the world equal opportunities, Ant Financial is dedicated to building an open ecosystem of Internet thinking and technologies while working with other financial institutions to support the future financial needs of society. Businesses operated by Ant Financial Services Group include Alipay, Ant Fortune, Zhima Credit and MYbank.

For more information on Ant Financial, please visit our website at www.antgroup.com; or follow us on Twitter @AntFinancial.

Media Enquiries

Ant Financial

Xinyun Yang

xinyun.yang@antfin.com

+86 138 1689 6301
BLOOMING PRAIRIE, Minn., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Quarter-mile tracks always make things interesting, but Saturday's Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series wreck at Highland Rim Speedway left a sold-out crowd speechless.

After several tight heat and challenge races, Mike Morgan (#88) and Allen Boles (#3) went all out to try and steal the $10,000 feature race check. Unfortunately, the two made contact in turn four and sent both trucks barreling into the wall, with Morgan's black Mack truck jumping the wall and snapping a pole before hitting the catch fence.

Trevor Kruckeberg (#63) fends off Mike Morgan (#88) and Justin Ball (#17) during the first heat race at Highland Rim Speedway on Saturday, September 23rd, 2017. Kruckeberg earned the checkered flag for his first win of the season.

Boles' Peterbilt rode the wall down the front straightaway before coming to a stop near the entrance of turn one.

Thankfully, both drivers were okay, but with the damage to the trucks and the track, officials had no choice but to cancel the rest of the race.

"My first thoughts were of the safety of the drivers and fans," Bandit Director of Operations Brian Madsen said. "Once I received reports of everyone being okay, we started seeing if the race could continue. Unfortunately, with the damage to the catch fence, we had to end it after seven laps."

A live stream cameraman nearly got in the path of destruction, but was able to jump out of the way moments before Morgan passed by on his way to the catch fence.

"It did exactly what it is designed to do  have the steel cables wrap the truck up and stop it from going any further," Madsen said. "The accident showed that all of the safety equipment, both truck and race track, performed exactly as designed."

Next up for the Bandits is a return to Florence Motor Speedway on October 7th.

"The Bandits will be racing for $50,000 at Florence," Madsen said. "We're excited to go back and I'm sure our fans will pack the house in Timmonsville!"

About Bandit Big Rig Series

The Bandit Big Rig Series returns big rig tractor truck racing to the short track in the United States. The series was designed to be affordable and accessible for anyone wishing to put together a race team.

For additional information, please contact Eli Van Sice at (248) 303-5931, or email [email protected].

About Minimizer

Leveraging more than 30 years of manufacturing expertise at its state-of-the-art facility in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Minimizer is not only the leader in poly semi truck fenders - we invented the category. Minimizer poly fenders and integrated bracket kits are nearly indestructible and are guaranteed for life.

Our research and development team constantly "tests and tortures" each of our products to make sure what goes on, in or is used to fix the truck meets the rigors of our tough industry.

We also manufacture industry-leading light kits, mud flaps, tool boxes, tire masking kits, work benches and other accessories. Our most recent innovations include the world's ONLY custom molded floor mats for semi trucks, as well as the revolutionary "whole body health" Minimizer Truck Seat System.

Minimizer has been family owned and operated for three generations. The company makes everything tough enough to please tough people in a tough industry.

Contact: Craig Kruckeberg

Bandit Big Rig Series

(612) 360-9936

[email protected]

SOURCE Minimizer

Related Links

https://www.minimizer.com


MARIETTA, Ga., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sellect Realty is excited to announce that we are expanding our operations to a new 3,500+ square foot facility in Marietta, GA. The move comes as the company has experienced record-setting growth for the third consecutive year in a row. Sellect Realty's new headquarters will be located across the street from Sprayberry High School at 1855 Piedmont Road, Suite 200, Marietta, GA 30066.

Our new office will feature a state-of-the-art conference room, classroom, agent meeting lounge, work rooms, and a dedicated production studio for agent marketing. All Sellect Realty agents will have access to career-advancing training from local and national experts, of which topics include: reducing client stress during the sale, minimizing client risk in contracts, and hands-on demonstrations with the newest marketing technologies.

About Sellect Realty:

Sellect Realty was founded in 2007 by Victor and Suzanne Higgins. The company has grown to sell over $115M worth of real estate annually over the last decade, with the most notable growth between 2015 and 2017. Sellect Realty is now led by our Principal Broker, Chris Lazarus, who has become a national speaker to real estate professionals. Sellect Realty has a significant role in the local operations of the Cobb Association of Realtors with leadership-holding positions on the Strategic Planning Committee and representation as Chair of the REALTOR Political Action Committee. The REALTOR Political Action Committee was instrumental in saving homeowners from a property tax increase in 2017. Learn more about Sellect Realty at www.sellectrealty.com.

SOURCE Sellect Realty

Related Links

http://www.sellectrealty.com


On September 29, Shenzhen Cantonese Opera Troupe, in collaboration with Shenzhen Media Group, will launch a National Day celebration show under the theme of "Welcome the 19th Party Congress, and Eulogize China with Cultural Shows", to celebrate the 68th anniversary of China and the country's 19th Party Congress.

The show brings together many Cantonese Opera artists, who will showcase the charm of Cantonese Opera to the audience through six highlights from Cantonese Opera. The event will be broadcast live on three major live streaming platforms: Jingchang Live, douyu.com and yizhibo.com, to let the audience experience the charm of Cantonese Opera, a World Intangible Cultural Heritage, through online and offline channels in person.

Charm of Cantonese Operatic Arts introducing the characteristics and role types of Cantonese Opera will be the opening performance of the event. It is a selection of the essence of various role types, including the graceful dancing of female roles, and strong and great postures of martial roles. The variety of wonderful performances such as fluttering ribbons, rising dragon roles and leaping tiger roles are stunning.

In addition to Charm of Cantonese Operatic Arts, five classic opera titles, including The Drunken Beauty, starring Zhuo Peili, renowned Cantonese Opera artist winning multiple awards including the Plum Blossom Prize; Cantonese Opera highlight Qingwen Repairing the Fur Coat, starring Feng Yigang, National Class-A Actor and Cantonese Opera master; and Zhao Zilong Urging Return, starring Huang Weikun, renowned Cantonese Opera actor and National Class-A Actor collected into the Who's Who in the World of Chinese Literature and Arts, will be also put on the stage.

Shenzhen Cantonese Opera Troupe has actively cooperated with TV media, online media and live streaming platforms in recent years, to spread Cantonese Opera culture through both online and offline channels, while providing fans quality Cantonese Opera performances, to make Cantonese Opera understood and enjoyed by a wider audience and improve the influence of this art. Link to live broadcast: http://www.jingchang.tv/play?id=1042029

About Jingchang Live:

Jingchang Live is a live streaming platform for enterprises, and specializes in providing enterprise users live broadcast and brand communication services in an industry-wide broadcasting scenario.

SOURCE Jingchang Live

Related Links

http://www.jingchang.tv/play?id=1042029


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigilon Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops immune-privileged living therapeutic implants, today announced that Devyn Smith, Ph.D., Sigilon Therapeutics Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Operations, will present an overview of the company's development programs at the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa to be held Oct. 4-6, 2017, in La Jolla, California. Presentation details are as follows:

Date: Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 Time: 1:15 p.m. PDT Location: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, La Jolla, California

About Sigilon Therapeutics

Sigilon Therapeutics is developing treatments for chronic diseases using new biomaterials developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that can shield implanted cells from immune attack. Treatments based on Sigilon Therapeutics' technology platform include cell implants that act as "protein factories" and responsive "living therapeutics," providing more natural control for diseases that are currently treated with intermittent injection or infusion. Initial areas of focus include hematologic, enzyme deficiency, endocrine and metabolic disorders. More natural control would restore health and free patients from the need for therapies that are disruptive to quality of life.

For more information please visit www.sigilon.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sigilon_Inc.

SOURCE Sigilon Therapeutics

Related Links

http://www.sigilon.com


SHANGHAI, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sino Fortune Holding Corporation (OTCQB: SFHD) ("Sino Fortune" or the "Company"), a leading online financial credit facility solution provider servicing SME and individual borrowers in China, today announced the change of its corporate name from Sino Fortune Holding Corporation to Hui Ying Financial Holdings Corporation ("Hui Ying"), effective September 29, 2017. The name change has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and is pending FINRA approval.

The name change does not affect the rights of the Company's security holders with common shares continuing to be quoted on the OTCQB. Following the name change, the stock certificates reflecting prior corporate name will continue to be valid. Certificates reflecting the new corporate name will be issued in due course as old stock certificates are tendered for exchange or transfer to our transfer agent.

About Hui Ying Financial Holdings Corporation

Hui Ying Financial Holdings Corporation, previously known as Sino Fortune Holding Corporation, is a leading online financial credit facility solution provider servicing under-served SME and individual borrowers in China. Through operating an electronic online financial platform, www.hyjf.com, the Company matches investors with SME and individual borrowers in China. The Company also sets aside risk reserve funds with the aim of limiting losses to investors from borrower defaults. In addition, the company provides investors with access to a liquid secondary market, giving them an opportunity to exit their investments before the underlying loans become due. For more information, please visit: ir.hyjf.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or our future financial performance. All statements other than present and historical facts and conditions contained in this release, including any statements regarding our future results of operations and financial positions, business strategy, plans and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). These statements are only predictions and reflect our current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risk and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

For investors and media inquiries please contact:

At the Company:

Ede Yang

Email: [email protected]

Investor Relations:

Tony Tian, CFA

Weitian Group LLC

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1-732-910-9692

SOURCE Hui Ying Financial Holdings Corporation
BOSTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Steward Health Care System LLC (Steward) has completed a previously announced agreement to merge with IASIS Healthcare LLC (IASIS). As the sole operator of the newly merged company, Steward will oversee 36 individual hospitals across ten states, managed care operations in Arizona, Utah, and Massachusetts, and has projected revenues of almost $8 billion in 2018, the first full-year of the consolidated company. In addition, Steward becomes the largest private hospital operator in the U.S. with approximately 37,000 employees, 1,400 employed physicians, and 4,700 integrated network physicians.

"This merger enables Steward to expand our successful, physician-led, integrated care model. We look forward to providing the highest quality of care through keeping patients healthy and being available with advanced care in their community, should they need it," said Dr. Ralph de la Torre, Chairman and CEO of Steward Health Care. "Steward will be introducing patients, physicians, and employees in six new states to our innovative programs and community commitment model."

With this acquisition Steward also expands its related businesses including a managed risk platform, Health Choice, which delivers managed care and health insurance services to more than 680,000 patients. The total number of covered lives within Steward's integrated care network and these insurance products is more than 1.1 million, with paneled lives estimated at 2.5 million.

Steward's integrated model focuses on the total patient and aims to keep patients healthy. Its hospitals regularly achieve the highest ratings of quality and safety. Steward pioneered its health care model in Massachusetts, where it turned around some of the state's most struggling hospitals and created a thriving health system that improved outcomes, lowered costs, and established lasting partnerships with local communities.

The 18 hospitals joining Steward Health Care are:

Arizona

Mountain Vista Medical Center ( Mesa, AZ )

) St. Luke's Behavioral Health Center ( Phoenix, AZ )

) St. Luke's Medical Center ( Phoenix, AZ )

) Tempe St. Luke's Hospital ( Tempe, AZ )

Arkansas

Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope ( Hope, AR )

Colorado

Pikes Peak Regional Hospital ( Woodland Park, CO )

Louisiana

Glenwood Regional Medical Center ( West Monroe, LA )

Texas

The Medical Center of Southeast Texas ( Port Arthur, TX )

( ) The Medical Center of Southeast Texas  Victory Campus ( Beaumont, TX )

 Victory Campus ( ) Odessa Regional Medical Center ( Odessa, TX )

) Southwest General Hospital ( San Antonio, TX )

) St. Joseph Medical Center ( Houston, TX )

) Wadley Regional Medical Center ( Texarkana, TX )

Utah

Davis Hospital and Medical Center ( Layton, UT )

) Jordan Valley Medical Center ( West Jordan, UT )

) Jordan Valley Medical Center  West Valley Campus ( West Valley City, UT )

) Mountain Point Medical Center ( Lehi, UT )

) Salt Lake Regional Medical Center ( Salt Lake City, UT )

Several of the hospitals joining Steward operate in partnership with physician owners.

The IASIS/Steward merger complied with normal regulatory approvals and adherence to closing conditions.

About Steward Health Care

Steward Health Care, the largest private hospital operator in the United States, is a physician-led health care services organization committed to providing the highest quality of care in the communities where patients live. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Steward operates 36 community hospitals nationwide that employ approximately 37,000 people and regularly receive top awards for quality and safety. The Steward network includes more than 26 urgent care centers, 42 preferred skilled nursing facilities, substantial behavioral health services, over 7,300 beds under management, and more than 1.1 million covered lives through the company's managed care and health insurance services.

Steward's unique health care service delivery model leverages technology, innovation, and care coordination to keep patients healthier. With a culture that prioritizes agility, resourcefulness, and continuous improvement, Steward is recognized as one of the nation's leading accountable care organizations. The Steward Health Care Network includes thousands of physicians who care for approximately 2 million patients annually. Steward Medical Group, the company's employed physician group, provides more than 1 million patient encounters per year. The Steward Hospital Group operates hospitals in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.

Additional information is available at www.steward.org.

Contact: Steward Health Care | 617-483-0203 | [email protected]

SOURCE Steward Health Care LLC

Related Links

http://www.steward.org


WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nationally syndicated radio talk show host, best-selling author, and Blaze TV host Dana Loesch will address the 12th annual Values Voter Summit  an event that draws thousands of grassroots activists to the nation's capital each year. A variety of speakers, including U.S. representatives, activists, and key thinkers and leading voices of the conservative movement, have been invited to speak at this event to discuss the fundamental issues driving social conservative voters today.

Confirmed speakers also include U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, along with Michele Bachmann, and Frank Wolf. Additionally, Dr. Bill Bennett, Todd Starnes, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Oliver North, Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson, Brigitte Gabriel, Kevin and Sam Sorbo, Dr. Carol Swain, David Daleiden, and Lila Rose are among many other speakers to address attendees.

The 12th annual Values Voter Summit will be held from October 13-15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. FRC Action's Values Voter Summit is co-sponsored by AFA Action, American Values, Christian Healthcare Ministries, Association of Mature American Citizens, The D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship, The Heritage Foundation, United in Purpose, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Family Research Council. An exhibit hall, book signings, radio row, media row, and much more will be packed into this three-day conference.

On Saturday evening, FRC will present the Vision and Leadership Award to Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Salem Media Group, Stu Epperson, at the Faith, Family, and Freedom Gala dinner. President and CEO of Rebecca Hagelin Communications and Marketing, LLC, Rebecca Hagelin, Host of The Hugh Hewitt Show, Hugh Hewitt, Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow Emeritus at The Heritage Foundation, the Honorable Edwin Meese III, Chairman of ConservativeHQ.com, Richard Viguerie, and by video the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Honorable Newt Gingrich, will be speaking in honor of Stu at the gala dinner.

For a schedule and more information on this year's Values Voter Summit, please visit: http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/

SOURCE Family Research Council

Related Links

http://www.frc.org


"Over the past few weeks, it has been heartbreaking to witness the level of devastation in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands," said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. "After assessing the damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we have increased our commitment in these areas by an additional $500,000. We will continue to work closely with our nonprofit partners to provide short-term relief and rebuilding efforts for those affected by these tragic storms and earthquakes."

The Home Depot Foundation will provide support in collaboration with several nonprofit partners including the American Red Cross, Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing, Team Rubicon and other local nonprofits. In addition, The Homer Fund, The Home Depot's employee assistance program, has helped nearly 5,000 associates affected by the recent disasters by providing urgent emergency financial assistance.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to improving the homes and lives of U.S. veterans and their families with a specific focus on combat-wounded, senior and homeless veterans. The foundation also provides cleanup and rebuilding support for communities affected by natural disasters.

Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested approximately $200 million in veteran-related projects, part of the foundation's quarter of billion-dollar pledge to veteran-related causes by 2020. In partnership with Team Depot, the 400,000-strong army of associate volunteers, the organization has positively impacted more than 33,000 veterans' homes and helped more than 2,000 communities.

To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation and see Team Depot in action visit homedepot.com/teamdepot and follow us on Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram @teamdepot and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/teamdepot.

For hurricane-related information about The Home Depot's operations, please visit corporate.homedepot.com/newsroom.

SOURCE The Home Depot Foundation

Related Links

http://www.homedepotfoundation.org


"It has been extremely special to see Tina's Wish become a common cause for so many bankruptcy professionals in a relatively short amount of time," said Mr. Kirpalani. "It really speaks volumes about what our community can do when it comes together. As Tina's Wish now commemorates its tenth year, it is the perfect time to look ahead and consider what is possible if we continue to devote more resources to finding an early detection for ovarian cancer. I firmly believe committing to collaboration and innovation will take us a long way in this battle against a truly insidious disease."

Tina's Wish honors the memory of Tina Brozman, former chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2007. Since its inception, Tina's Wish has raised over $9 million for its cause. Annually, Tina's Wish now funds $1.2 million of scientific research for the early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer.

Earlier this month, the Foundation announced that it awarded its second Consortium Grant to a team of four researchers from different institutions who will collaborate on the same project for three years. This team includes researchers from Penn Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Wistar Institute.

The majority of ovarian cancer patients are identified in advanced stages due to subtle symptoms and the lack of an effective early detection screening. Statistically, 27% of patients diagnosed during Stage III/IV will survive for only five years, compared to 92% of women diagnosed during Stage I, demonstrating that tools for early detection are critical to changing the global impact of the disease.

To see photos from the event, visit tinaswish.org/benefit17recap.

Contact: Beverly Wolfer

Executive Director

Tina's Wish

212.880.5757

[email protected]

SOURCE Tina's Wish

Related Links

http://www.tinaswish.org


WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Japan's agriculture officials must respect current market access between Japan and its trading partners, including the United States, when reviewing a list of geographical indications (GIs) proposed by the European Union (EU), or else risk disrupting one of the world's largest consumer marketplaces, the U.S. dairy industry urged today.

In a letter to the Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, leaders from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) said it is imperative that Japan "not overlook the enormous significance of the EU food name list for Japanese consumers and producers, and for your lasting relationships with key international trading partners."

The European Union is in the final stages of negotiating a free trade agreement with Japan, establishing the rules of commerce for hundreds of food products produced in each region. In doing so, the EU is seeking to monopolize a long list of common names under the guise of geographical indications in trade deals with Japan and other nations, including China and Mexico. This campaign attempts to restrict generic product names such as parmesan, feta and asiago to products made only by EU producers, and runs counter to international trade commitments.

The Consortium for Common Food Names and U.S. dairy groups have argued that this strategy is intended to deprive U.S. manufacturers of markets that local industries have developed. The EU's goal of co-opting these terms would limit sales from non-EU companies to benefit European marketers, thereby stifling healthy competition among food producers all over the world.

"This is a critical moment for Japan as your nation prepares to review hundreds of food and beverage terms; the decisions Japan makes will have lasting impact for years to come," the letter said. "We urge you to make sure that the steps you take do not unnecessarily limit healthy trade and competition within your market."

The letter cited Canada's decision to acquiesce to EU pressure, which has negatively affected its producers, consumers and trade partners The U.S. dairy leaders insisted that Japan can avoid this fate by helping to finalize a list of GIs that does not "encroach on generic names and terms." For example, "Parmigiano Reggiano" is an acceptable geographical term, but the common name "parmesan" is already used by non-EU producers and widely used in Japan.

"For the good of our trade relationship, it is imperative that Japan's efficient and transparent GI review process ensures that generic names and terms remain accessible to all," said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. "We encourage Japanese government officials to continue on this course, and to respect their own laws and international agreements with the United States."

"Wholesale acceptance of the EU's proposed GI list would not only unfairly limit the ability of U.S. and other nations' cheesemakers to do business in Japan, it would negatively impact Japanese consumers and cheese producers," said USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack. "We urge Japan to consider the confusion, marketplace disruptions and inflated prices that would ensue by restricting common cheese names as the EU desires."

IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., said, "American dairy companies shipped $117 million of cheese products last year to Japan, which is the third-largest market for U.S. cheeses. We believe that trade agreements should break down barriers, not erect new ones, and we urge Japanese government officials to reject the EU's attempts to block common food names and fair market access for U.S. companies."

The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), of which all three dairy groups are a part, has been instrumental in opposing any attempt to monopolize common food names that have become part of the public domain. It has been coordinating U.S. industry submissions to the Japanese government to defend common food terms that appear on the EU's GI list. CCFN seeks an appropriate model for protecting both legitimate geographical indications and generic food names.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, Va., develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of U.S. dairy producers and the cooperatives they collectively own. The members of NMPF's cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S, milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF's activities, visit www.nmpf.org.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders. Its mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and assist the U.S. industry to increase its global dairy ingredient sales and exports of U.S. dairy products. USDEC accomplishes this through programs in market development that build global demand for U.S. dairy products, resolve market access barriers and advance industry trade policy goals. USDEC is supported by staff across the United States and overseas in Mexico, South America, Asia, Middle East and Europe.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers with a membership of nearly 525 companies within a $125-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's nearly 200 dairy processing members operate more than 600 manufacturing facilities and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Visit IDFA at www.idfa.org.

SOURCE International Dairy Foods Association

Related Links

http://www.idfa.org/


Final design of Yara Birkeland, first zero emission autonomous container vessel, revealed

Successful seawater testing of Yara Birkeland model

Norwegian government (ENOVA) backs building of Yara Birkeland, covers about 1/3 of cost

Private-public collaboration (Yara, Kongsberg, Marin Teknikk, SINTEF, ENOVA)

Yara Birkeland revolutionizes seaborne transport, replaces 40,000 diesel truck journey a year



A six-meter long model of the final design of the autonomous and zero emission container vessel "Yara Birkeland" was launched in SINTEF Ocean's 80 meter long sea laboratory in Trondheim, Norway this week.In May, Yara announced the partnership with technology company Kongsberg to build the world's first electric container ship. Its design, developed by Marin Teknikk, has now been revealed."With this new autonomous battery-driven container vessel we move transport from road to sea and thereby reduce noise and dust emissions, improve the safety of local roads, and reduce emissions," says President and CEO of Yara, Svein Tore Holsether. "It was a special moment in Trondheim when, together with our partners -- Kongsberg, Marin Teknikk , SINTEF and ENOVA -- we witness the design and demonstration of a miniature Yara Birkeland for the first time."The cutting edge, six meter long and 2.4 tonnes heavy model with technology destined for the real ship, including a fully working thruster system designed by Kongsberg, will now undergo comprehensive testing at SINTEF's test tanks before construction of the full-scale vessel starts. The ship yard will be selected by the end of 2017."Initial tests of the model were successful, proving both concept and the technology," says Geir Hay, President and CEO of Kongsberg. "The testing at SINTEF Ocean marks an important milestone in the development. This vessel is important for the entire maritime industry, and Yara deserves praise for their initiative and commitment. Yara Birkeland is the start of a major contribution to fulfilling national and international environmental impact goals, and will be a global milestone for seaborne transportation."The Norwegian government enterprise ENOVA has granted NOK 133.6 million to Yara towards the construction of the world's first electric and autonomous container ship. This will cover about one third of the estimated cost."For the private sector, it is essential to have the government's support when we develop new technology and deliver bold innovations. It allows us to be daring," says Holsether."The interest in autonomous transport is great, but at the same time, many are skeptical and question the safety. The key contribution from this project is to demonstrate that autonomous and electric sea transport is feasible, and will deliver the results we want, "says Nils Kristian Nakstad, CEO of ENOVA, which is responsible for promoting and supporting environmentally friendly production and energy consumption.Yara Birkeland will be named after Yaras's founder, Kristian Birkeland, and will transport fertilizer from Yara's production plant in Porsgrunn to the container ports in Brevik and Larvik. By moving this transport from road to sea, Yara will remove 40,000 journeys with diesel-powered truck transport every year.The plan is to launch Yara Birkeland in the first quarter of 2019.Short video clip available here:

For more information

Kristin Nordal, Head of External Communications, Yara

Cell: +47 900 15 550

Email: kristin.nordal@yara.com





About Yara



Yara's knowledge, products and solutions grow farmers', distributors' and industrial customers' businesses profitably and responsibly, while protecting the earth's resources, food and environment.



Our fertilizers, crop nutrition programs and technologies increase yields, improve product quality and reduce the environmental impact of agricultural practices. Our industrial and environmental solutions improve air quality by reducing emissions from industry and transportation, and serve as key ingredients in the production of a wide range of goods. We foster a culture that promotes the safety of our employees, contractors and societies.



Founded in 1905 to solve emerging famine in Europe, today Yara has a worldwide presence, with close to 15,000 employees and sales to about 160 countries.

www.yara.com




"We have world leaders who are supposed to be setting an example for their nations on how to resolve issues in a peaceful way; but instead, they are showing how to bring more war. I want to show them the proper way to settle issues no matter the size," Yisrayl says.

Yisrayl is pleading with world leaders to stop now and take time to listen to a Perfect Biblical Plan to bring Peace between nations before actions are implemented that cannot be taken back. Yisrayl says Bible Prophecy shows that a time as no other in the history of mankind is upon us, and he will show in this letter what will take place and when. He says there is still time to repent and avoid any further suffering and leaves the door open to explain how this can be achieved.

"Yahweh created mankind to live in Peace. What we see going on now is the furthest thing from Peace you can have and it is going to get worse. It doesn't have to be this way. Contact us now and we will show you how to escape the dangers coming," Yisrayl adds.

Yisrayl asks that this letter be read by all and that all take heed to this final warning. He says the time to act is now.

To read this post, go to http://yahwehsbranch.com.

About Us

The House of Yahweh, fully recognized in 1983 as a non-profit organization in the United States of America, continues to this present day to fulfill its commissioned work of preaching and publishing the True Message of Salvation.

The House of Yahweh has correctly restored the Heavenly Father's Name and the Savior's True Name in the translation named in Scripture as The Book of Yahweh.

SOURCE The House of Yahweh

Related Links

http://www.yahweh.com


BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Zhaopin Limited (NYSE: ZPIN) ("Zhaopin" or the "Company"), a leading career platform[1] in China focused on connecting users with relevant job opportunities through their career lifecycle, today announced the completion of its merger (the "Merger") with Zebra Mergerco, Ltd. ("Merger Company"), pursuant to the previously announced agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated April 6, 2017, among the Company, SEEK International Investments Pty Ltd. ("Parent") and Merger Company. As a result of the Merger, Parent together with affiliates of Hillhouse Capital Management, Ltd. and FountainVest Partners acquired the Company and the Company ceased to be a publicly traded company thereafter.

As previously announced, on June 19, 2017, the Company declared the final amount of a cash special dividend (the "Special Dividend") of US$0.94 per ordinary share of the Company (each a "Share"), corresponding to US$1.88 per American depositary share of the Company (each, an "ADS") (each representing two Shares) as contemplated under and determined in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, payable to holders of record of issued and outstanding Shares and ADSs as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), subject to and conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger. The Special Dividend will be paid by the Company as soon as practicable and no later than three business days (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) following the Effective Time.

In addition, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which has been approved by the Company's shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on September 25, 2017, other than certain of the Company's ordinary shares described below, each Share that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger has been cancelled and converted into and exchanged for the right to receive US$8.16 (which represents US$9.10 per Share minus the US$0.94 per Share amount of the Special Dividend) (such amount, the "Per Share Merger Consideration"), and each ADS, together with the two Shares underlying each such ADS, has been cancelled in exchange for US$16.32 (which amount represents US$18.20 per ADS minus the US$1.88 per ADS amount of the Special Dividend) (such amount, the ''Per ADS Merger Consideration'') to be paid, net of the cancellation fee of US$0.05 per ADS, pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2014, among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the ADS depositary (the "ADS Depositary"), and the holders and beneficial owners of ADSs issued thereunder, in each case, in cash, without interest and net of any applicable withholding taxes.

The US$8.16 Per Share Merger Consideration, together with the US$0.94 per Share amount of the Special Dividend, will result in holder of Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time being entitled to receive a total of US$9.10 in cash per Share, and the US$16.32 Per ADS Merger Consideration, together with the US$1.88 per ADS amount of the Special Dividend, will result in holder of ADSs immediately prior to the Effective Time being entitled to receive a total of US$18.20 in cash per ADS, in each case in connection with the Merger.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Shares (including Shares represented by ADSs) were not converted into or exchanged for the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration or the Per ADS Merger Consideration described in the immediately preceding paragraphs:

(a) 54,503,586 Shares held by Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time, which are deemed "Continuing Shares" pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, which do not entitle Parent to payment of the Per Share Merger Consideration or the Per ADS Merger Consideration in respect therefor (but entitle Parent to payment of the Special Dividend in respect therefor), and were not cancelled and instead continue to exist without interruption, and each represents one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Class B ordinary share of the surviving company,

(b) ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs) held by the Company or its subsidiaries and the ADS Depositary and reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's share incentive plans immediately prior to the Effective Time have been cancelled and ceased to exist without payment of any consideration or distribution (including the right to receive the Special Dividend) therefor, and

(c) ordinary shares held by holders who have validly exercised and not effectively withdrawn or lost their rights to dissent from the Merger pursuant to Section 238 of the Cayman Islands Companies Law Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) have been cancelled at the Effective Time for the right to receive the fair value of such Shares determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 238 of the Cayman Islands Companies Law.

Shareholders of record as of immediately prior to the Effective Time who are entitled to the Per Share Merger Consideration will receive a letter of transmittal and instructions on how to surrender their Share certificates in exchange for the merger consideration. Shareholders should wait to receive the letter of transmittal before surrendering their ordinary share certificates. The Special Dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of immediately prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the Company's memorandum and articles of association, applicable law and the Merger Agreement.

ADS holders of record as of immediately prior to the Effective Time who are entitled to the merger consideration and the Special Dividend will automatically receive from the ADS Depositary, per each such ADS held by them, US$16.32 (less an ADS cancellation fee of US$0.05 per ADS) as the Per ADS Merger Consideration and US$1.88 as the per ADS amount of the Special Dividend, in cash, without interest and net of any applicable withholding taxes, in exchange for the cancellation of such ADSs. Payment of the net per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend will be made to such ADS holders as soon as practicable after the ADS Depositary receives the merger consideration and Special Dividend. ADS holders which hold their ADSs in "street name" through their broker, bank or other nominee will not be required to take any action to receive the net Per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend for their ADSs as the ADS Depositary will arrange for the surrender of such ADSs and the remittance of the net Per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend with The Depository Trust Company (the clearance and settlement system for the ADSs) for distribution to the applicable broker, bank or nominee on behalf of such beneficial owners. Any questions concerning the receipt of the Per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend from holders who hold ADSs in "street name" should be directed by such holders to their applicable broker, bank or nominee.

The Company also announced today that it requested that trading of its ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") be suspended. The Company requested that the NYSE file a Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") notifying the SEC of the delisting of its ADSs on the NYSE and the deregistration of the Company's registered securities. The deregistration will become effective 90 days after the filing of the Form 25 or such shorter period as may be determined by the SEC. The Company intends to suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by filing a Form 15 with the SEC in approximately ten days. The Company's obligations to file with the SEC certain reports and forms, including Form 20-F and Form 6-K, will be suspended immediately as of the filing date of the Form 15 and will cease once the deregistration becomes effective.

About Zhaopin Limited

Zhaopin is a leading career platform in China, focusing on connecting users with relevant job opportunities throughout their career lifecycle. The Company's zhaopin.com website is the most popular career platform in China as measured by average daily unique visitors in each of the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, number of registered users as of June 30, 2017 and number of unique customers[2] for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The Company's over 140.0 million registered users include diverse and educated job seekers who are at various stages of their careers and are in demand by employers as a result of the general shortage of skilled and educated workers in China. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, approximately 49.3 million job postings[3] were placed on Zhaopin's platform by 613,083 unique customers including multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises and state-owned entities. The quality and quantity of Zhaopin's users and the resumes in the Company's database attract an increasing number of customers. This in turn leads to more users turning to Zhaopin as their primary recruitment and career- related services provider, creating strong network effects and significant entry barriers for potential competitors. For more information, please visit http://www.zhaopin.com .

Safe Harbor Statements

This announcement may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will," "should," "may," "believes," "expects" or similar expressions. All of such assumptions are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond the Company's control. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

[1] Zhaopin's website is the most popular career platform in China as measured by average daily unique visitors in each of the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, the number of registered users as of June 30, 2017 and the number of unique customers for the three months ended June 30, 2017. [2] A "unique customer" refers to a customer that purchases the Company's online recruitment services during a specified period. Zhaopin makes adjustments for multiple purchases by the same customer to avoid double counting. Each customer is assigned a unique identification number in the Company's information management system. Affiliates and branches of a given customer may, under certain circumstances, be counted as separate unique customers. [3] Zhaopin calculates the number of job postings by counting the number of newly placed job postings during each respective period. Job postings that were placed prior to a specified period - even if available during such period - are not counted as job postings for such period. Any particular job posting placed on the Company's website may include more than one job opening or position.

For more information, please contact:

Zhaopin Limited

Ms. Daisy Wang

Investor Relations

(86-10) 5863 5888 ext. 68346

[email protected]

SOURCE Zhaopin Limited
TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CCRM, a leader in the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine technologies, cell and gene therapies and Affigen, a biotechnology company that is developing therapeutics that target cell lineage-specific tumor proteins, are pleased to announce a new partnership that will advance the creation and commercialization of a closed platform for the production of individualized, tumor-identifying therapeutics for the treatment of a range of currently incurable cancers.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e77bb19-2b27-4263-8c48-4cbb0d158b70

"Our mission at Affigen is to realize the full promise and potential of therapies that can target the molecules that make cancers unique, while sparing non-cancerous cells. We think this approach will ultimately prove essential to achieving safe, long-term remissions and cures," says Carlos Santos, Ph.D., CEO of Affigen. "Our first tumor targets include B-cell lymphomas and leukemias  these cancer types have long been known to harbour proteins that are unique to these tumors, and that are nearly ideal targets for immunotherapy. The historical challenge with drugging these targets has been that they are genetically random from patient-to-patient, which makes manufacturing a particularly difficult challenge to overcome."

Affigen has engaged CCRM to provide process development and optimization solutions in areas critical to the creation of a manufacturing platform that can produce single-patient batches of therapeutics in a clinically relevant timeframe and at a commercially viable scale and cost.

CCRM is excited to support Affigen in advancing the manufacturing of this treatment approach for people living with B-cell lymphoma and leukemia, says Michael May, Ph.D., President & CEO of CCRM. This partnership is an example of how CCRMs new facility and employees attract companies to our ecosystem, and the impact we can have in supporting the needs of industry to move discoveries into the hands of patients.

"Our team has unique experience and expertise in developing closed, highly-automated platforms for single-patient-batch therapeutics. As we looked for a process development partner that could allow us to scale and to meet our aggressive requirements and timelines, it became clear that CCRM was the perfect fit," continues Dr. Santos. "We are extraordinarily impressed with the scientific acumen and capabilities Dr. May and his team bring to bear, and we could not be more excited to be a CCRM launch partner."

CCRM will be conducting the work in its 10,000 ft (~930 m) development facility in the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto. Work related to the project is scheduled to be complete in early-2019.

About CCRM

CCRM, a Canadian not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and leading academic and industry partners, supports the development of regenerative medicines and associated enabling technologies, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy. A network of researchers, leading companies, strategic investors and entrepreneurs, CCRM aims to accelerate the translation of scientific discovery into new companies and marketable products for patients, with specialized teams, funding, and infrastructure. CCRM is the commercialization partner of the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the University of Torontos Medicine by Design. CCRM is hosted by the University of Toronto. Visit us at www.ccrm.ca.



About Affigen

Affigen (www.affigen.com) develops tumor-identifying therapeutics that target cell lineage-specific tumor proteins across a range of currently incurable cancers. The Companys growing team houses deep expertise in immuno-oncology, mass-personalized biomolecular engineering and complex therapeutic development, and is working to deliver a new class of therapeutics that maximize both anti-tumor activity and safety in patients with critically unmet medical needs. Affigen is headquartered in the Cortex Innovation District in St. Louis, Missouri.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Stacey Johnson

Director, Communications and Marketing, CCRM

Phone: 416-946-8869

Email: stacey.johnson@ccrm.ca
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Los Angeles, Sep 26 : Actress Brie Larson says she "didn't feel pretty enough" to pursue leading roles.

The 27-year-old always thought that she would end up playing supporting roles, reports dailymail.co.uk.

"I just didn't feel confident in myself, I didn't feel pretty enough. I thought I'd be a supporting character my whole life and I was struggling with the idea of being the star," Larson told The Edit magazine.

In the beginning of her career, Larson had small roles as a teenager in the 2004 movies "13 Going On 30" and "Sleepover". She then had supporting roles in "Greenberg", "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" and "21 Jump Street".

Larson, who won an Oscar for her role in "Room", said she has experienced sexism in Hollywood.

"I've been on sets where I didn't feel safe, I've felt objectified. But as I'm getting older I'm realising that I can value myself, I'm allowed to," she said.
London, Sep 26 : While agricultural insurance intends to protect farmers in developing countries from the effects of climate change, it can also have undesirable ecological and social side-effects, say researchers.

Agricultural insurance can change a farmer's land use strategies which can lead to unintended ecological consequences, according to the study published in the journal Global Environmental Change.

The researchers collected empirical and model studies from around the world to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential impact of agricultural insurance.

"Previous studies have concentrated primarily on economic aspects. Little attention has been devoted to the socio-ecological system as a whole," said Birgit Muller from Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research in Germany.

"But one thing is becoming clear: agricultural insurance can have a range of unwanted side effects, for example changes to farmers' land use strategies," Muller added.

The effects of climate change are felt particularly acutely in developing countries. A range of international initiatives develop and promote risk insurance. One example is the G7 climate risk insurance initiative InsuResilience, which aims to insure 400 million people in developing countries against climate-related risks by 2020.

The initiative includes "agricultural insurance", which is designed to insure farmers against major losses, for example as a result of extreme drought.

Small-scale farmers in developing countries traditionally grow a wide range of crops in their fields to ensure that at least one crop can survive a potential drought.

However, farmers are frequently reverting to monocultures because the agricultural insurance is often linked to specific crops and does not take effect if farmers cultivate a different crop.

And this has far-reaching ecological consequences: a decline in agricultural biodiversity, deterioration in soil quality, increased use of fertilisers and pesticides, which in turn increases the risk of water pollution.

However, even if agricultural insurance is not linked to specific crops, farmers with insurance cover may be inclined to grow riskier crops which promise high yields but also bring greater losses in an emergency.

Because the farmers have insurance, it is not absolutely necessary to adopt a sensible cultivation strategy.

Apart from ecological effects, the scientists also revealed some potential social side effects of agricultural insurance, such as the weakening of networks of small farmers in developing countries.

As a general rule, farmers help each other in the wake of major crop failures. Agricultural insurance can lead to an insured farmer no longer helping another farmer who could have taken out insurance.

"Agricultural insurance and the resulting changes in land use strategies can cause this kind of unintended ecological and social feedback, which can in turn lead to further problems and costs," Leigh Johnson from University of Oregon in the US said.

"In the long term, this could have a far-reaching impact on individual farms," Johnson said.

In their review, the researchers also put forward proposals on how to improve the design of agricultural insurance in future.

For example, the insurance policies should take effect only in emergencies such as extreme droughts.

Farmers should be allowed to deal with medium droughts using their own risk management measures, according to the study.
Bangkok, Sep 27 : Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who fled the country last month, was on Wednesday found guilty of dereliction of duty over a controversial rice subsidy scheme and sentenced to five years in prison in absentia.

Yingluck failed to appear on August 25 as hundreds of her supporters waited outside Thailand's Supreme Court for the scheduled verdict in the case, CNN reported.

At the time, an official in Yingluck's Pheu Thai party said she had fled Thailand just before the hearing and was "safe and sound" in Dubai. A warrant was issued for her arrest.

Yingluck faced up to 10 years in prison for her role in the rice-buying scheme, introduced in 2011, which pledged to pay farmers well above the market rate for their crops.

Critics said the programme wasted large amounts of public funds trying to please rural voters, hurting exports and leaving the government with huge stockpiles of rice it couldn't sell.

Yingluck said the subsidy scheme was "beneficial for the farmers and the country". She said the claims that the country lost billions of dollars due to the scheme were wrong and motivated by political bias against her.
New York, Sep 27 : Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif has claimed that an offer was received to swap Indian prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist behind the Peshawar army school attack in 2014, who, he asserted, was now in Afghanistan's custody.

"The terrorist who killed children in APS (Army Public School in) Peshawar is in Aghan custody. The NSA told me that we can exchange that terrorist with the terrorist you have, which is Kulbushan Jadhav," he said on Tuesday.

Jadhav is a former Indian navy officer who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for allegedly spying for India within Pakistan.

New Delhi has denied that Jadhav was working for India and has appealed to the International Court of Justice to stop the death sentence.

Asif, who was answering questions after a speech at the Asia Society here, did not specify which NSA he was referring to and did not expand the initials. From that vague reference, it was not clear if Pakistan's National Security Adviser had conveyed the offer or if it was made by an entity or individual in another country sharing the initials NSA.

He also did not identify the who the terrorist in Afghanistan's custody was.

The Afghanistan government had admitted that the Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan had safe havens in that country, Asif asserted.

The TTP has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack on the Peshawar army school in 2014 in which 132 children were killed.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians,in)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 28th Denver Gold Forum (DGF) http://www.denvergoldforum.org concluded proceedings this week at the Broadmoor Hotel & Resort in Colorado Springs. The annual event is presented by the Denver Gold Group (DGG) on behalf of its 180 member companies.



As the worlds premier precious metals equity event, the Gold Forum attracted 1,000 attendees who conducted a record 3,900 meetings. The audience skyrocketed to 11,000 users online generating 32,000 unique page views. The final audience is projected to increase three-fold as corporate presentation webcasts become available today (Friday, Sep. 29, 2017) for on-demand viewing.

Global media interest in this years Denver Gold Forum was notable, reaching its highest level since 2013, including coverage from several major media outlets and television networks.

"The mood at this years Denver Gold Forum was more optimistic than we have seen for several years, said DGG Executive Director Tim Wood. It was especially encouraging to see the growth in participation by high net worth investors and family offices.

Thanks to the members and sponsors of the Denver Gold Group, this years Gold Forum surpassed our expectations for meetings between investors and precious metals companies, commented DGG Chair Karli Anderson. Gold is an essential diversifier in an investment portfolio, and the independent, non-for-profit Gold Forum provides a unique platform to bring gold equity investing to a global audience, both in-person and online.

Gold Forum Corporate Presentation Webcast Links:

Company Ticker Webcast Corporate Profile African Gold Group AGG.V http://d44.us/?e40play309 http://d44.us/?p309 Agnico Eagle Mines Limited AEM.TO http://d44.us/?e38play3 http://d44.us/?p3 Alacer Gold Corp. ASR.TO http://d44.us/?e38play4 http://d44.us/?p4 Alamos Gold AGI.TO http://d44.us/?e38play5 http://d44.us/?p5 Alexco Resource Corp. AXU http://d44.us/?e38play6 http://d44.us/?p6 Alio Gold Inc. ALO.TO http://d44.us/?e38play136 http://d44.us/?p136 Almaden Minerals Ltd. AMM.TO http://d44.us/?e40play197 http://d44.us/?p197 Amarillo Gold AGC.V http://d44.us/?e40play302 http://d44.us/?p302 Americas Silver Corp. USA.TO http://d44.us/?e38play167 http://d44.us/?p167 AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. AU http://d44.us/?e38play10 http://d44.us/?p10 Argonaut Gold Inc. AR.TO http://d44.us/?e38play11 http://d44.us/?p11 Arizona Mining AZ.TO http://d44.us/?e40play294 http://d44.us/?p294 Asanko Gold AKG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play73 http://d44.us/?p73 ATAC Resources Ltd. ATC.V http://d44.us/?e40play12 http://d44.us/?p12 Atlantic Gold Corporation AGB.V http://d44.us/?e40play250 http://d44.us/?p250 AuRico Metals AMI.TO http://d44.us/?e40play15 http://d44.us/?p15 Auryn Resources AUG.TO http://d44.us/?e40play259 http://d44.us/?p259 Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. ASM http://d44.us/?e38play233 http://d44.us/?p233 B2Gold Corp. BTO.TO http://d44.us/?e38play20 http://d44.us/?p20 Balmoral Resources BAR.TO http://d44.us/?e40play211 http://d44.us/?p211 Barrick Gold ABX http://d44.us/?e38play22 http://d44.us/?p22 Beadell Resources BDR.AX http://d44.us/?e38play198 http://d44.us/?p198 Bear Creek Mining BCM.V http://d44.us/?e40play23 http://d44.us/?p23 Blackham Resources BLK.AX http://d44.us/?e40play301 http://d44.us/?p301 Brio Gold BRIO.TO http://d44.us/?e38play258 http://d44.us/?p258 Buenaventura BVN http://d44.us/?e38play25 http://d44.us/?p25 Caledonia Mining CAL.TO http://d44.us/?e38play239 http://d44.us/?p239 Calibre Mining CXB.V http://d44.us/?e40play255 http://d44.us/?p255 Centamin plc CEY.L http://d44.us/?e38play29 http://d44.us/?p29 Centerra Gold Inc. CG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play30 http://d44.us/?p30 Coeur Mining, Inc. CDE http://d44.us/?e38play34 http://d44.us/?p34 Condor Gold CNR.L http://d44.us/?e40play202 http://d44.us/?p202 Contact Gold C.V http://d44.us/?e40play306 http://d44.us/?p306 Continental Gold Inc. CNL.TO http://d44.us/?e38play36 http://d44.us/?p36 Corvus Gold Inc. KOR.TO http://d44.us/?e40play192 http://d44.us/?p192 Detour Gold Corp. DGC.TO http://d44.us/?e38play38 http://d44.us/?p38 Doray Minerals Ltd DRM.AX http://d44.us/?e38play213 http://d44.us/?p213 Dundee Precious Metals DPM.TO http://d44.us/?e38play39 http://d44.us/?p39 Eastmain Resources ER.TO http://d44.us/?e40play279 http://d44.us/?p279 Ely Gold ELY.V http://d44.us/?e40play300 http://d44.us/?p300 EMX Royalty Inc. EMX http://d44.us/?e40play214 http://d44.us/?p214 Endeavour Mining Corp. EDV.TO http://d44.us/?e38play41 http://d44.us/?p41 Endeavour Silver Corp. EDR.TO http://d44.us/?e38play42 http://d44.us/?p42 Erdene Resource Development ERD.TO http://d44.us/?e40play291 http://d44.us/?p291 Euro Sun Mining Inc. ESM.TO http://d44.us/?e40play27 http://d44.us/?p27 Evolution Mining EVN.AX http://d44.us/?e38play28 http://d44.us/?p28 First Majestic Silver Corp. AG http://d44.us/?e38play47 http://d44.us/?p47 First Mining Finance FF.TO http://d44.us/?e38play269 http://d44.us/?p269 Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. FVI.TO http://d44.us/?e38play49 http://d44.us/?p49 Franco-Nevada Corporation FNV.TO http://d44.us/?e38play50 http://d44.us/?p50 Fresnillo plc FRES.L http://d44.us/?e38play51 http://d44.us/?p51 GFG Resources Inc. GFG.V http://d44.us/?e40play283 http://d44.us/?p283 GoGold Resources GGD.TO http://d44.us/?e38play244 http://d44.us/?p244 Gold Fields Ltd. GFI http://d44.us/?e38play53 http://d44.us/?p53 Gold Resource Corporation GORO http://d44.us/?e38play54 http://d44.us/?p54 Gold Road Resources GOR.AX http://d44.us/?e38play243 http://d44.us/?p243 Gold Standard Ventures Corp. GSV http://d44.us/?e40play193 http://d44.us/?p193 Goldcorp Inc. GG http://d44.us/?e38play55 http://d44.us/?p55 Golden Predator GPY.V http://d44.us/?e40play284 http://d44.us/?p284 Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. GQM.TO http://d44.us/?e40play225 http://d44.us/?p225 Golden Star Resources Ltd. GSS http://d44.us/?e38play57 http://d44.us/?p57 GoldQuest Mining Corp. GQC.V http://d44.us/?e40play199 http://d44.us/?p199 Gowest Gold GWA.V http://d44.us/?e40play293 http://d44.us/?p293 Gran Colombia Gold GCM.TO http://d44.us/?e38play157 http://d44.us/?p157 Granada Gold Mine GGM.V http://d44.us/?e40play296 http://d44.us/?p296 Great Panther Silver Limited GPL http://d44.us/?e38play59 http://d44.us/?p59 Guyana Goldfields Inc. GUY.TO http://d44.us/?e38play62 http://d44.us/?p62 Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd. HMY http://d44.us/?e38play63 http://d44.us/?p63 Harte Gold HRT.TO http://d44.us/?e40play313 http://d44.us/?p313 Hecla Mining Company HL http://d44.us/?e38play64 http://d44.us/?p64 Hochschild Mining plc HOC.L http://d44.us/?e38play65 http://d44.us/?p65 IAMGOLD Corp. IMG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play66 http://d44.us/?p66 Independence Group IGO.AX http://d44.us/?e38play191 http://d44.us/?p191 International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. THM http://d44.us/?e40play68 http://d44.us/?p68 INV Metals INV.TO http://d44.us/?e40play295 http://d44.us/?p295 Kinross Gold Corp. K.TO http://d44.us/?e38play75 http://d44.us/?p75 Kirkland Lake Gold KL.TO http://d44.us/?e38play76 http://d44.us/?p76 Klondex Mines KDX.TO http://d44.us/?e38play217 http://d44.us/?p217 Leagold LMC.TO http://d44.us/?e38play292 http://d44.us/?p292 Lundin Gold LUG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play254 http://d44.us/?p254 Lydian International LYD.TO http://d44.us/?e40play80 http://d44.us/?p80 MAG Silver Corp. MAG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play81 http://d44.us/?p81 Mandalay Resources Corp. MND.TO http://d44.us/?e38play82 http://d44.us/?p82 Marlin Gold Mining MLN.V http://d44.us/?e40play277 http://d44.us/?p277 Midas Gold Corp. MAX.TO http://d44.us/?e38play185 http://d44.us/?p185 Mountain Province Diamonds MPVD.TO http://d44.us/?e38play264 http://d44.us/?p264 Mundoro Capital Inc. MUN.V http://d44.us/?e40play205 http://d44.us/?p205 Nevsun Resources Ltd. NSU.TO http://d44.us/?e38play86 http://d44.us/?p86 New Gold Inc. NGD.TO http://d44.us/?e38play87 http://d44.us/?p87 NewCastle Gold NCA.TO http://d44.us/?e40play222 http://d44.us/?p222 Newcrest Mining Ltd. NCM.AX http://d44.us/?e38play88 http://d44.us/?p88 Newmont Mining Corp NEM http://d44.us/?e38play89 http://d44.us/?p89 NGEx Resources NGQ.TO http://d44.us/?e40play216 http://d44.us/?p216 Nordgold http://d44.us/?e38play151 http://d44.us/?p151 North American Palladium Ltd. PDL.TO http://d44.us/?e38play90 http://d44.us/?p90 Northern Dynasty Minerals NDM.TO http://d44.us/?e38play219 http://d44.us/?p219 Northern Star Resources Limited NST.AX http://d44.us/?e38play186 http://d44.us/?p186 Northern Vertex Mining Corp. NEE.V http://d44.us/?e40play228 http://d44.us/?p228 NOVAGOLD NG http://d44.us/?e38play92 http://d44.us/?p92 Novo Resources Corp. NVO.V http://d44.us/?e40play321 http://d44.us/?p321 OceanaGold Corp. OGC.TO http://d44.us/?e38play93 http://d44.us/?p93 Orla Mining OLA.V http://d44.us/?e40play320 http://d44.us/?p320 Orosur Mining OMI.V http://d44.us/?e40play178 http://d44.us/?p178 Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. OR.TO http://d44.us/?e38play97 http://d44.us/?p97 Osisko Mining Inc. OSK.TO http://d44.us/?e38play299 http://d44.us/?p299 Pan American Silver Corp. PAAS http://d44.us/?e38play99 http://d44.us/?p99 Perseus Mining Limited PRU.AX http://d44.us/?e38play100 http://d44.us/?p100 Pershing Gold PGLC http://d44.us/?e40play226 http://d44.us/?p226 Platinum Group Metals Ltd. PTM.TO http://d44.us/?e38play103 http://d44.us/?p103 Polymetal POLY.L http://d44.us/?e38play104 http://d44.us/?p104 Polyus PLZL.L http://d44.us/?e38play105 http://d44.us/?p105 Precipitate Gold PRG.V http://d44.us/?e40play310 http://d44.us/?p310 Premier Gold Mines Ltd. PG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play106 http://d44.us/?p106 Pretium Resources Inc. PVG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play107 http://d44.us/?p107 Pure Gold Mining PGM.V http://d44.us/?e40play246 http://d44.us/?p246 Ramelius Resources Ltd. RMS.AX http://d44.us/?e38play266 http://d44.us/?p266 Randgold Resources RRS.L http://d44.us/?e38play111 http://d44.us/?p111 Regis Resources Ltd. RRL.AX http://d44.us/?e38play160 http://d44.us/?p160 Resolute Mining Limited RSG.AX http://d44.us/?e38play112 http://d44.us/?p112 Richmont Mines Inc. RIC.TO http://d44.us/?e38play113 http://d44.us/?p113 RNC Minerals RNX.TO http://d44.us/?e38play275 http://d44.us/?p275 Roxgold Inc. ROXG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play183 http://d44.us/?p183 Royal Gold Inc. RGLD http://d44.us/?e38play116 http://d44.us/?p116 Rubicon Minerals Corporation RMX.TO http://d44.us/?e40play117 http://d44.us/?p117 Rupert Resources RUP.V http://d44.us/?e40play318 http://d44.us/?p318 Rye Patch Gold Corp RPM.V http://d44.us/?e40play303 http://d44.us/?p303 Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. SBB.TO http://d44.us/?e40play118 http://d44.us/?p118 Sandstorm Gold SSL.TO http://d44.us/?e38play121 http://d44.us/?p121 Saracen Mineral Holdings Ltd. SAR.AX http://d44.us/?e38play122 http://d44.us/?p122 Seabridge Gold SA http://d44.us/?e38play123 http://d44.us/?p123 SEMAFO SMF.TO http://d44.us/?e38play124 http://d44.us/?p124 Sibanye-Stillwater SBGL http://d44.us/?e38play206 http://d44.us/?p206 Sierra Metals Inc. SMT.TO http://d44.us/?e38play230 http://d44.us/?p230 Silver Mines Limited SVL.AX http://d44.us/?e40play308 http://d44.us/?p308 Silvercorp Metals Inc. SVM.TO http://d44.us/?e38play128 http://d44.us/?p128 SolGold SOLG.L http://d44.us/?e40play290 http://d44.us/?p290 SSR Mining Inc. SSRM http://d44.us/?e38play126 http://d44.us/?p126 St Barbara Ltd. SBM.AX http://d44.us/?e38play131 http://d44.us/?p131 Stornoway Diamond SWY.TO http://d44.us/?e38play265 http://d44.us/?p265 Superior Gold SGI.V http://d44.us/?e38play305 http://d44.us/?p305 Tahoe Resources Inc. THO.TO http://d44.us/?e38play134 http://d44.us/?p134 Teranga Gold TGZ.TO http://d44.us/?e38play135 http://d44.us/?p135 TMAC Resources Inc. TMR.TO http://d44.us/?e38play247 http://d44.us/?p247 Toachi Mining Inc. TIM.V http://d44.us/?e40play319 http://d44.us/?p319 Torex Gold Resources Inc. TXG.TO http://d44.us/?e38play137 http://d44.us/?p137 Treasury Metals TML.TO http://d44.us/?e40play304 http://d44.us/?p304 Trek Mining TREK.V http://d44.us/?e40play79 http://d44.us/?p79 Victoria Gold Corp. VIT.V http://d44.us/?e40play141 http://d44.us/?p141 Vista Gold Corp. VGZ http://d44.us/?e38play143 http://d44.us/?p143 Wellgreen Platinum WG.TO http://d44.us/?e40play238 http://d44.us/?p238 Wesdome WDO.TO http://d44.us/?e38play145 http://d44.us/?p145 West African Resources WAF.V http://d44.us/?e40play280 http://d44.us/?p280 Western Copper and Gold WRN.TO http://d44.us/?e40play236 http://d44.us/?p236 Westgold Resources WGX.AX http://d44.us/?e38play263 http://d44.us/?p263 Wheaton Precious Metals WPM http://d44.us/?e38play127 http://d44.us/?p127 White Gold Corp. WGO.V http://d44.us/?e40play298 http://d44.us/?p298 Yamana Gold YRI.TO http://d44.us/?e38play147 http://d44.us/?p147

Note to editors:

About the Denver Gold Group

The Denver Gold Group, Inc (DGG) is a capital formation organization that has supported public and private gold and silver mining companies for nearly three decades. The Denver based not-for-profit association is owned by its members who control most of the worlds precious metal output and mineral assets.

As the only independent and not-for-profit investment platform, Denver Gold Group is dedicated to the exclusive support of precious commodity equities.
New Delhi, Sep 28 : The Bar Council Of India (BCI) on Thursday issued show cause notice to senior advocate Dushyant Dave for his "derogatory comments" and "reckless remarks" against the Chief Justice of India Dipak Mishra and the collegium.

Asking Dave to file his reply within four weeks, the BCI said it will decide its further course of action after receiving his reply to the notice.

"The personal attack smacks of some personal vendetta against the Chief Justice of India which amounts to gross misconduct," BCI said in a statement.

"The council may not agree with the decision of collegium with regard to Justice Jayant Patel and it may join hands with Gujarat High Court Advocates Association in the legal proceedings, but the baseless comments and statements of Dave on TV yesterday (Wednesday) in an attempt to malign the image of judiciary and the institution," it said.

Justice Patel on Monday resigned reportedly for not being elevated as Chief Justice.

It is believed that Justice Patel, who was Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court before being posted to Bengaluru, resigned in a huff over his transfer to the Allahabad High Court, where he would be the third most senior judge.

Lawyers of the Gujarat High Court went on strike on Wednesday in support of Justice Patel.

Justice Patel had not only ordered a CBI investigation in 2011 in the controversial fake encounter case of Ishrat Jahan but had also monitored the probe, which included looking into the role of officials of the Intelligence Bureau.

He was sworn in as a judge of Karnataka High Court on February 13 last year, while he was appointed the Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court on August 13, 2015.

Ishrat Jahan, 19, was killed by Gujarat Police in an alleged staged gunfight near Ahmedabad in June 2004.
Mexico City, Sep 29 : The Mexican government approved on Thursday the release of roughly $248 million to begin the task of rebuilding after the earthquakes that left 445 people dead.

The amount of money already spent responding to the massive temblors of September 7 and September 19 and the major aftershock of September 23 is likely in the area of $110 million, Finance Secretary Jose Antonio Meade said.

President Enrique PeAa Nieto said that the total bill for reconstruction in the areas of central and southern Mexico devastated by the quakes is expected to exceed $2.12 billion. Efe reported.

Officials still don't know how much of that amount will be covered by insurance, Meade said, though adding that the government will probably have "a much clearer idea" of the situation within the next two weeks.

Housing represents the biggest challenge, Meade said a day after Development Secretary Rosario Robles put the number of Mexicans forced from their homes by the earthquakes at more than 250,000.

The government will provide a detailed blueprint enabling the public to track where and how money is spent, Meade said, adding that his department will update the information on a real-time basis.

As if to underscore Meade's point about transparency, residents of a Mexico City housing complex damaged in the September 19 earthquake said that municipal officials are failing to keep them informed about the condition of their homes and the plans for reconstruction.

The city administration has not offered any details about Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera's strategy, the assembly representing the 500 families living in the Multifamiliar Tlalpan complex said in a statement.

One of the complex's 10 buildings collapsed in last week's quake.

The Multi-familiar Tlalpan assembly requested the creation of a panel of federal and municipal officials to brief residents on the plan for reconstruction and on the support available to them in the meantime.

Also Thursday, Mexico's head of emergency services said the confirmed death toll from the magnitude 7.1 temblor that struck the central part of the country last week had reached 343.

This capital accounts for 204 of those fatalities, followed by the states of Morelos, 74; Puebla, 45; and Mexico, 13, Luis Felipe Puente said.

Ninety-eight people perished in the southern states of Chiapas and Oaxaca as a result of the magnitude-8.2 earthquake of Sept. 7, whose epicenter was just off the Pacific coast.

The massive quake suffered by Mexico City in 1985 left at least 20,000 people dead.
Tripoli, Sep 29 : Italian Foreign Minister stressed his country's support to Libya`s border security and countering illegal immigration and human trafficking, during his visit in Tripoli on Thursday.

Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister, Fayez Serraj, met with Italian Foreign Minister, Angelino Alfano, in the capital Tripoli.

According to the Prime Minister's media office, the two officials also discussed other issues of mutual concern, such as solving the current political crisis in Libya, Xinhua reported.

"Cooperation between Italy and Libya is positive, not only on the issue of the management of migration flows. It will, in fact, contribute to gradually reinstating complete security conditions that will lead to social and economic development and the growth of your country," Alfano said.

Dozens of Libyan navy and coast guards members arrived in Italy recently to attend a training program to enhance the Libyan security against immigrant smuggling across the Mediterranean. The UN Support Mission in Libya said the programme will continue until November.

Libya is a transit country for thousands of migrants to reach southern shores of Italy through the Mediterranean Sea, given the insecurity and chaos in the north African nation.

The meeting takes place a few days after a UN-sponsored meeting of political factions representatives in Tunis to introduce amendments to the current political agreement, the first step of a road map proposed by Salame to end the country's political stalemate.

Alfano reiterated Italy's commitment to support efforts of the Special UN Representative to Libya, Ghassan Salame, and promoting dialogue between Libyan parties.

"Italy does not foresee any military solutions to the Libyan crisis. On the contrary, the anniversary of the signing of the Skhirat Agreement two years ago represents an opportunity to renew the collective commitment to a shared solution," Alfano said.
Washington, Sep 29 : The US is preparing to announce a major withdrawal of staff and family from the US embassy in Cuba following incidents that caused physical symptoms in Americans serving there, media reported on Thursday.

An internal memo was sent to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson suggesting a drawing down of personnel in Havana and that only essential personnel will be left at the embassy.

The US authorities confirmed last month that at least 21 Americans working at the US embassy in Havana suffered physical symptoms, Xinhua reported.

No details of the injuries have been released, but media reports said the affected Americans suffered a severe hearing loss and at least one victim suffered some "brain damage."

Earlier this month, Tillerson said the US was considering whether to close down its embassy in Cuba following the incidents.

On Tuesday, Tillerson met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez to discuss the incidents. It was the first highest-level diplomatic contact between the two countries since Donald Trump became US President in January.

US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said the two top diplomats had a "firm and frank" discussion of US concern for its employees.

"The Secretary conveyed the gravity of the situation and underscored the Cuban authorities' obligations to protect Embassy staff and their families under the Vienna Convention," said Nauert.

The US expelled two Cuban diplomats in late May over the incidents. Cuba said that it was investigating the "incidents."

"Cuba has never, nor would it ever, allow the Cuban territory to be used for any action against accredited diplomatic agents or their families," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The US and Cuba officially resumed a diplomatic relationship in July 2015, more than five decades after they severed it.
Bangkok, Sep 29 : Thailand's former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was currently in London and seeking political asylum in the UK, an informed source from her Pheu Thai Party has confirmed.

Thailand's Supreme Court convicted Yingluck on Wednesday of dereliction of duty over a controversial rice subsidy programme and sentenced her to five years in prison. The scheme cost the country billions of dollars, reports CNN.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Yingluck was in hiding in Dubai, where her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, another former Prime minister, lives in exile.

But the Pheu Thai Party source told CNN on Thursday night that Yingluck left Dubai for London two weeks ago.

The UK's Home Office, which deals with asylum applications, told CNN it does not comment on individual cases.

Having already fled the country, Yingluck was not present for the verdict and sentencing.

Yingluck -- ousted by a military coup in 2014 -- had been barred from leaving Thailand without court approval since 2015, when her trial started.

Her bail of 30 million baht ($900,000), posted when the trial began more than two years ago, has been confiscated.

When she was inaugurated in 2011, Yingluck became Thailand's first female Prime Minister and its youngest in over 60 years.

After the 2014 coup, she was impeached by Thailand's military-appointed National Legislative Assembly, CNN reported.

The ruling barred her from political office for five years.

Yingluck was investigated by Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) amid an outcry over the rice subsidy scandal, and put on trial. Proceedings have lasted more than two years.
United Nations, Sep 29 : The UN Security Council has widely condemned Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority, and also raised issues of terrorism and the attack on Hindus.

On Thursday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "In Myanmar, the situation has spiralled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency and a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

He also slammed the the Rohingya rebels for attacking police checkposts in Rakhine state killing 12 security personnel triggering the mass violence and the exodus of over 500,000 Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh.

"The current crisis has steadily deteriorated since the August 25 attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) on the Myanmar security forces... I repeat my condemnation of those attacks."

ARSA is a separatist organisation that wants to create an Islamic state in Rakhine and is led by Ata Ullah, a Pakistan-born ethnic Rohingya who has lived in Saudi Arabia.

The Security Council heard from all its 15 members and also Myanmar and Bangladesh, but did not take any action or pass resolutions.

Guterres said that the Myanmar military should immediately stop its operations, allow humanitarian aid to reach the affected people and allow the Rohingya Muslims to return home.

US Permanent Representative Nikki Haley accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing.

"We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority."

Most of the other Security Council members echoed her strong condemnation of the Myanmar government and Guterres's demands.

Russia's Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia said that according to reports, the ARSA was guilty of killing civilians and had forced Hindus flee to Bangladesh.

Zambrana, a delegate of Bolivia, called for investigation of all actions that exacerbated tensions and incited violence, noting that besides the Rohingyas there were other victims including Hindus.

Bangladesh Permanent Representative Masud Bin Momen said that reports of "Muslims killing Hindus" should be seen as the Myanmar government's failure to protect its people.

He added that allegations and counter-allegations of atrocities must be fully investigated by the Security Council.

Myanmar's National Security Adviser U Thaung Tun alleged that a large number of Hindu villagers have been massacred and buried in mass graves.

Egypt's Permanent Representative Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta said that backing the rights of the Rohingya Muslims did not mean supporting violence of any related groups.

"It is important to ask: What choice are we leaving to these people, other than taking up arms to defend themselves?"

U Thaung said that the root of the crisis was terrorism and not religion and "terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security".

He invited Guterres to visit Myanmar and said that diplomats and mediapersons will visit Rakhine next week.

Myanmar is ready to hold talks with Bangladesh on arranging the return of refugees, U Thaung said.

"Our stated willingness to discuss the issue of repatriation gives the lie to the assertion that there is a policy of ethnic cleansing on our part."

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)
San Francisco, Sep 29 : As the probe into Moscow's alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election intensifies, Twitter announced that it has deleted over 200 fake Russian accounts and identified Russia Today of buying bought ads targeted at American users' accounts.

In a closed-door meeting late Thursday, Colin Crowell, Twitter's Vice President for Public Policy, met with staff from Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to discuss the issue.

"This is an ongoing process and we will continue to collaborate with investigators. Twitter is in dialogue with congressional committees with respect to investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 US election," the micro-blogging platform said in a blog post.

Twitter also shared with committee staff ads that three Russia Today (RT) accounts targeted to the US market in 2016.

"Based on our findings thus far, RT spent $274,100 in US ads in 2016. In that year, the three RT accounts promoted 1,823 tweets that definitely or potentially targeted the US market," Twitter said.

These campaigns were directed at followers of mainstream media and primarily promoted RT Tweets regarding news stories.

"Due to the nature of these inquiries, we may not always be able to publicly share what we discuss with investigators.

"We know there is a huge appetite for more transparency into how Twitter fights bots and manipulative networks," the post said.

According to Twitter, Russia and other post-Soviet states have been a primary source of automated and spammy content on Twitter for many years.

"Content that violates our rules with respect to automated accounts and spam can have a highly negative effect on user experience, and we have long taken substantial action to stem that flow," it added.

Facebook is also facing intense fake news scrutiny after disclosing the details about the presence of Russian political ads worth $100,000 on its platform during the presidential election.

After an extensive legal and policy review, the social media giant announced that it would share 3,000 Russian ads with Congressional investigators.

Facebook and Google have also been summoned to testify before the US Senate Intelligence Committee regarding Russia meddling into US election.
San Francisco, Sep 29 : After the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai asked Apple to activate an FM radio in its iPhones for emergencies, Apple on Friday replied that its iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 devices do not have FM chips.

"Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted (activating the chips). But I hope the company will reconsider its position, given the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria," Pai said in a statement on Thursday.

Replying to Pai, Apple said: "The iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models do not have FM radio chips in them nor do they have antennas designed to support FM signals, so it is not possible to enable FM reception in these products."

"In recent years, I have repeatedly called on the wireless industry to activate the FM chips that are already installed in almost all smartphones sold in the United States.

"When wireless networks go down during a natural disaster, smartphones with activated FM chips can allow Americans to get vital access to life-saving information. I applaud those companies that have done the right thing by activating the FM chips in their phones," Pai added.

Smartphone manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Motorola and HTC have started selling their devices with the FM tuner enabled.

"That's why I am asking Apple to activate the FM chips that are in its iPhones. It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first. As the Sun Sentinel of South Florida put it, 'Do the right thing, Mr. Cook. Flip the switch. Lives depend on it'," Pai noted.
Mumbai, Sep 29 : At least three commuters were killed and 30 others injured in a Stampede that broke out on a railway footover bridge at the Elphinstone Road station here on Friday, police said.

At least 20 injured are in critical condition and have been rushed to the KEM Hospital in Parel.

The cause of the stampede which happened at 10.45 a.m. was being probed.

Emergency relief and medical teams were rushed to the station.
Jaipur, Sep 29 : Six persons have been arrested for gang-raping a 28-year-old woman after she was kidnapped near Bikaner this week, police said on Friday.

"She reported the crime on September 26. During investigation, we found that eight persons were involved. We have arrested six of them," Bikaner Superintendent of Police S.S. Godara told IANS.

As per the woman's complaint, she was abducted by two men on September 25 from a roadside around 30 km from Bikaner, after she had gone there from Delhi regarding a property matter.

After the two gang-raped her, police said, the culprits called at least six more persons who also sexually assaulted her.

She said she was subsequently taken to an isolated place where more men raped her. The victim claimed more then 20 persons were involved in the sexual assault.

"I was dropped the next day at the same place from where I was abducted," she said.

Informed sources said the woman has since got her statement recorded in a magistrate's court regarding the crime.
Lithuanian English

Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-09-29 13:37 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sales revenue excluding excise duty of AB Vilniaus degtine amounted to EUR 11,724.5 thousand in the six-month period of 2017 and increased by 11.6 percent, compared to the same time period last year (in 2016  EUR 10,505.4 thousand).

The Companys profit amounted to EUR 725,9 thousands in the six-month period of 2017 and decreased by 17.4 percent, compared to the same time period last year (in 2016  EUR 879 thousands).

EBITDA of the Company amounted to EUR 1,912.7 thousands in January-June 2017 and increased by 27.2 percent, compared to the same time period last year (in January-June 2016  EUR 1,504.1 thousands). EBITDA margin has increased from 14.31 percent to 16.31 percent during the year.

Export of products of Vilniaus degtine, AB to EU and third countries increased by 25.5 percent in January-June 2017, compared to the same time period last year.

Acting Director General

Raimonda Pilke

Phone: +370 5 213 3152
Srinagar, Sep 29 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived here on Friday on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir during which she will visit the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield.

The minister, who took charge earlier this month, will also visit forward posts on the Line of Control (LoC) along the Pakistani-administered Kashmir and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China in the Ladakh region.

Besides visiting Siachen, located at an altitude 5,400 metres above sea level, she will also review the security situation in the Kashmir Valley with Army commanders.

Her discussions will focus on military operations that have led to the deaths of several militants in recent months.

As Defence Minister, this is Sitharaman's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

The minister was received at the Old Airfield by the Northern Army Commander and the Chinar Corps Commander.
Islamabad, Sep 29 : Mobile phone services have been partially suspended in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan's Sindh province in view of strict security arrangements for Muharram processions.

According to reports, the Sindh government had requested the federal government to suspend cellular services in Karachi from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday (8th Muharram), especially in areas near the routes of processions, Geo News reported.

Internet services were also reported to have been disrupted in some areas of Karachi.

Cellular services will also remain partially suspended in major cities countrywide on Saturday and Sunday (9th and 10th Muharram).

The Sindh Home Department had requested blockage of cellular services in Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed, Benazirabad, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur and Jacobabad.

According to the letter, the law enforcement agencies had requested suspension of GSM services "as there are apprehensions of coordination of criminal activity by miscreants through the use of cellular phones/Internet during Muharram-related majlis (religious gathering) and processions".

Although the Sindh government had requested the suspension of mobile services along the routes of rallies, Karachi residents said on social media that they were not receiving signals even in the areas which were not in the path of procession routes.

Tight security arrangements were in place for Muharram processions with a large number of police and paramilitary troops being deployed, officials said.

Pillion riding was also banned across Sindh from Friday till Sunday.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said it will launch a protest campaign if Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) remained adamant on increasing the Metro fare.

Party leader Gopal Rai said that keeping in mind the issue of pollution in Delhi, the DMRC should drop the idea of fare hike and added that an AAP delegation would meet DMRC chief Mangu Singh on Monday.

The Delhi government had on Thursday told the DMRC to hold the impending fare hike till the government completes an enquiry into the proposed increase.

"But it has come in today's newspapers that from October 10 the fares will be increased," Rai said.

He said if people gave up Metro and started using private vehicles, the pollution levels in the city would further rise.

Rai said that if implemented, this would be the second fare hike in a year and added that Metro ridership had decreased since the fare hike in May.

In May, the minimum fare went up from Rs 8 to Rs 10 and the maximum from Rs 30 to Rs 50. DMRC has said the fares will now go up by a minimum of Rs 10.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal branded the proposed hike as "anti-people".

The DMRC was formed in 1995 with equal equity participation of the central government and the government of National Capital Territory of Delhi. After beginning its operations in 2002, the Delhi Metro now covers 218 km with 164 stations. The network is set to expand further.
Agartala, Sep 29 : Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy on Friday returned to the state capital from Kolkata after his 42-day leave for visiting the US was cancelled and he was directed to return to Agartala at once, a Raj Bhavan official said.

After his leave was sanctioned by the President, Governor Roy along with his wife Anuradha Roy had left for Kolkata on Sunday en route to the US.

The PMO (Prime Minister's Office) cancelled his leave and foreign trip on Wednesday and asked him to return to Agartala at once, the official added on the condition of anonymity.

Saying that he was "unaware" about the reason for the leave cancellation, the official said: "The Governor and his wife returned to Agartala on Friday afternoon. After his leave was sanctioned, the Governor had obtained the US visa for himself and his wife."

Roy said he was keen to go to the US to meet his two daughters and sons-in-law but refused to comment on the cancellation of leave.

Local media said the cacellation had come in the wake of political developments that culminated in the killing of local television journalist Shantanu Bhowmik, 28, on September 20 at Mandai in western Tripura by activists of an opposition tribal party.

Tripura Health and Public Works Department Minister Badal Choudhury said the state government was "not aware" about the cancellation of leave.

While ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders did not throw any light on the development, opposition Congress criticised the central government.

"The sudden cancellation of the Governor's leave and US visit is unprecedented and not above suspicion. The Centre's indecision has generated much speculation before Tripura assembly elections," Tripura Congress Vice President Tapas Dey told the media.

"Roy is more of a RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) 'pracharak' than a Governor. He will likely play a crucial role in Tripura in the run-up to the assembly elections," he added. The assembly elections are due in February 2018.

Roy, a former BJP West Bengal unit President, took over as the 16th Governor of Left-ruled Tripura on May 20, 2015.
Jammu, Sep 29 : After remaining missing for 20 years, a resident of Maharashtra returned home on Friday, thanks to the troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) guarding the international border in Jammu and Kashmir.

A police statement said in winter capital Jammu: "Hari Chand Yadav Rao Mahare, son of Yadav Rao Mahare of Chichala, Nagpur district in Maharashtra, returned to his family today (Friday) after 20 years."

The 50-year old Hari Chand was apprehended by the BSF near a ditch-cum-bund along the international border near village Allah in Arnia sector, Jammu, on Saturday.

"He was handed over to Arnia Police Station by the BSF. His family members were contacted and informed about him. On September 26, his son Ranjeet Hari Chand Mahare and brother Shiv Charan Mahare reached Jammu and met him.

"Today he reached his native village at Maharashtra and reunited with his family members on the auspicious occasion of Mahanavami and Dussehra.", the statement read.
Mumbai, Sep 29 : Hindustan Unilever on Friday said its board has approved its decision to divest its stake in Kimberly-Clark Lever (KCL) and focus on its core businesses.

According to the company, it has signed an agreement for divestment of its 50 per cent shareholding in KCL in favour of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, US.

"This decision is in line with the company's objective to focus on its core business," the company said in a BSE statement.

"Accordingly, KCL shall cease to be a joint venture of the company," it added. KCL makes and sells the "Kotex" and "Huggies" brands since 1995.

"The company shall work with KCC to ensure a smooth transition for the business," the statement added.
Apricot Lane (apricotlaneboutique.com) announced today that Patrick Stewart has joined the firm as President to further develop their growing portfolio of stores, enhance their brand and omni-channel presence, continuing Apricot Lanes growth and success providing franchise store owners the systems and support they need to deliver shoppers a truly "unique boutique" experience. He comes to Apricot Lane with over 20 years of experience in retail.

Ken Petersen, CEO of Apricot Lane's parent company Country Visions, Inc said, "Patricks wealth of experience and retail knowledge has already made him a key addition to Apricot Lane's leadership team. We view his appointment as a sign of our commitment to being the leader in the retail franchise industry. Our unique approach combined with the increasing demand for a shopping experience that truly delights customers, and the rapidly changing landscape of retail led us to look for a strong addition to our team who fits in with our culture and core beliefs. It is very fortunate that we could find someone of Patricks caliber to fulfill this key role. Im confident that he will thrive in providing and implementing high quality solutions for our clients.

Patrick Stewart said, "I am so excited to be a part of the Apricot Lane team! They are so well-respected in the retail community and pride themselves on delivering a world class level of customer service. It's a true honor and I look forward to helping them further expand the Apricot Lane brand profile, store and online presence, product lineup and marketing innovations.

Originally from St. Louis, Patrick was most recently Chief Marketing Officer at Sears Holdings, leading many business divisions. He joined them in 2014 as CMO of the $1B+ footwear division where he was instrumental in growing their dominance in key categories like work boots, launching new brands and pioneering various marketing best practices. Prior to 2014, Patrick was VP of Marketing for Crazy Shirts in Hawaii, leading their omni-channel expansion. From 2004 to 2011 he was VP of Marketing for The Walking Company in Santa Barbara, CA, where he was responsible for their web business, branding, and was instrumental in their rapid growth from 50 to 220 stores. Patrick earned his MBA from Webster University.

About Apricot Lane.

Apricot Lane Boutique (apricotlaneboutique.com) is the leading clothing boutique franchiser, offering franchisees support with fashion apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories, and gifts in the latest styles and current trends that customers are looking for. With over 25 years of franchise experience, Apricot Lane is committed to the support and success of franchisees.

More information on Apricot Lanes notable achievements, services provided, key leadership, or history can be provided here as well.

Photo Gallery Available: apricotlaneboutique.com/gallery

Contact Apricot Lane Boutique:

Scott Jacobs, Public Relations (707)-451-6890 x103  email: PR(at)apricotlaneusa(dot)com
Toronto, ON, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This weekend, the Federation will host the second national Racialized and Indigenous Student Experience Summit (RISE) in Toronto  the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, the Ojibway/Chippewa, and the Anishinabek people. For decades, post-secondary students across Canada have been at the forefront of organising against racism and colonialism on their campuses and in their communities. RISE presents the opportunity for over 150 racialised and Indigenous students to come together and work toward creating and sustaining inclusive, supportive and safer campuses for all to attend. Students will share and learn from each others experiences and further students vision for combatting racism and colonialism on and off campus.

In addition to open discussion spaces, we are proud to host the following panels and workshops:

Anti-Oppression Workshops

We Are All Treaty People

Surviving White Supremacy

Resistance 150

Solidarity Within BIPOC Communities

Islam on Campus: Muslim, Political and in Your Face

Intersections in Racialised and Indigenous Identities

Not My Rainbow: Challenging Homophobia and Transphobia Through a Pre-Colonial Lens

Le colonialism dans la communaute francophone au Canada

Campaigns for Racialised and Indigenous Students

The Filipino Canadian Community: History, Struggles and Resistance

Resisting Canada 150 and Backlash Against Indigenous Discourse

Race-based Data Collection

Implementing TRC Recommendations on Your Campus

Panel: We Will Win

Resisting Racism and Colonialism Through the Student Movement

We look forward to welcoming the many students, activists and community-based organisers from around the country. This years RISE Summit will build on the work of students so far and will continue to develop our national vision to decolonise and eradicate racism from our campuses and communities.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d52cf7b7-1ac0-4e18-91e9-da20b6612338
Advania Data Centers HPCaaS Cloud Cluster in Iceland During cluster verification and burn-in test I ran Linpack on 3200 cores and was able to achieve over 100TFlops, with a fantastic efficiency of 96%. I can state that our HPCaaS cloud performance is outstanding

Advania Data Centers has over the past years invested greatly in their Data Center and High Performance Computing capabilities. These investments have resulted in a compelling value proposition for HPC operators, where the company can offer modular offerings. These offerings cover anything from HPC cluster hosting to application support and licence management.



Advanias latest service is dedicated to HPC, where companies can outsource their HPC cluster to Advanias HPCaaS cloud, hosted in Advania Data Centers in Iceland. The HPCaaS cloud can accommodate hosted HPC clusters, as well as allowing users to scale up and down as needed, while only paying for what they use.

The scalability has been offered by others in the industry for some time now, but on demand resources have historically been expensive. Similarly, so has the cost of running HPC in a public cloud, whereas some HPC workloads are economical to run. Most, however, become way too expensive in the public cloud billing model, as well as some HPC jobs are not able to run in a public cloud because of technical or application licence issues.



Advania aims to address all these pain points with the new HPCaaS cloud, that has been developed in partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise.



We have developed a service and capabilities to address the needs of even the most demanding HPC operators and it has proven to deliver great value for our customers. Says Eyjolfur Magnus Kristinsson, Managing Director at Advania Data Centers. This expansion of our HPC platform is our next step to offer the HPCaaS cloud at scale to customers that demand increased flexibility and want to be able to scale their environments as needed. While we are not disclosing how large this expansion is, I can say that this step of the expansion includes thousands of cores.



This expansion includes the latest hardware from HPE, Intel and Panasas; purpose built for HPC workloads with high speed interconnect and flexible storage options suitable for most HPC operators.



We are extremely happy to be able to expand our HPCaaS platform this quickly and have already signed the first customers on to the HPCaaS cloud. Says Hans Rickardt, HPC Specialist at Advania. "The Cluster is built with HPE Apollo 6000 chassis and the servers are xl230a, configured with Broadwell E5-2683v4 2x16 core, 256 GByte memory, 1.92TB SSD, 10Gbit Ethernet and high-speed interconnect and 100Gbit Intel Omnipath. During cluster verification and burn-in test I ran Linpack on 3200 cores and was able to achieve over 100TFlops, with a fantastic efficiency of 96%. I can state that our HPCaaS cloud performance is outstanding".

About Advania

Advania is a leading Nordic IT company offering diverse services and solutions that include software, ERP systems, consulting, hardware, IT operations, HPC, hosting and data center services. Built on a solid foundation spanning 70 years of technology services, Advania has over 5,300 clients in public and private sectors in the Nordics and Europe.

Advanias staff of over 1300 employees across 17 offices located in three countries is committed to providing customers with the best possible service. Operations are certified according to international quality and security standard ISO 27001.
Aurora HDR 2018 for Mac and Windows

Over the past few years, Aurora HDR has become the industry standard for HDR photo editing on Mac. Today marks the beginning of a new era with the long-awaited release of Aurora HDR 2018 for Mac and Windows. Support for the Windows platform is a first for the 9-year old company, and a 14-day free trial is available at https://aurorahdr.com.

Next-generation tone mapping in Aurora HDR 2018 creates very realistic HDR images from the start, and makes it easy to achieve great results without any further editing. When merging brackets, the algorithm analyzes each image separately, automatically detecting dark and light zones and adjusting the level of detail which will produce a very natural looking HDR image. With single image processing, the tone mapping algorithm brings out colours and enhances dark and light zones.

Going further, the new HDR Enhance filter adds details and clarity to an image to make it more vibrant without creating artificial halos or overcooking the result. A completely redesigned user interface brings an efficient and joyful experience to HDR photo editing, and, along with overall speed gains, quicken the workflow and allow more time behind the camera.

The new version of Aurora HDR has garnered favorable early feedback from prominent HDR photographers around the world:

Trey Ratcliff, Co-developer of Aurora HDR, photographer, pioneer in HDR with over 16 million followers

Aurora HDR is the best software to create amazing and vibrant HDR images. Its your one-stop HDR solution and the new version will just blow your mind. I couldnt be more excited that the new Aurora HDR 2018 is now available for PC.

Scott Kelby, Photographer, educator, President and CEO of KelbyOne

Forget about all those oversaturated and unrealistic HDR images weve all seen  this is a new era of HDR, and Aurora HDR 2018 is the tool thats taking us there. Youll be amazed with how a subtle level of HDR can create a visually balanced and beautiful image  its what you always wished HDR would one day become, and thanks to Aurora HDR 2018, that day is finally here.

Serge Ramelli, Photographer and educator

I absolutely love the new Aurora HDR 2018. Its so much faster and the new interface looks really incredible. Im also a big fan of the new realistic tone mapping and HDR Enhance filter. HDR enhance brings all those nice details and creates a natural base for going as creative as you want to from that point.

Aurora HDR, a powerful all-in-one HDR editor, brings countless options to create perfect HDR photos - from one-click presets and advanced tone-mapping, to layers, noise reduction and powerful luminosity masking controls.

FULL LIST OF NEW & IMPROVED FEATURES OF AURORA HDR 2018:



NEW: Next-generation Tone Mapping

NEW: Mac and Windows versions

NEW: Lens Correction and Transform Tools*

NEW: Dodge & Burn Filter

NEW: HDR Enhance Filter

NEW: User Interface

NEW: History Panel

NEW: Touch Bar support for Mac

NEW: Image Flip and Rotate*

IMPROVED: New Structure Algorithm

IMPROVED: RAW handling

IMPROVED: Crop tool update

IMPROVED: Speed

Features available in the Mac version at launch, schedule to arrive for the PC version in a free update at the beginning of October. Other tools and features that are currently available only for Mac will be added to the PC version by the end of the year as free updates.

Pricing:

Mixed-computer households can share the same product key for Mac and PC which can be activated on 5 devices.



14-day free trial

$59 for current Aurora HDR users

$99 for new users

$5 from every Aurora HDR 2018 sale in September will be donated to support people affected by Harvey, Irma & Jose hurricanes.

--

Note To Editors:

Media kit: http://bit.ly/Aurora2018launch

About Trey Ratcliff, Co-developer of Aurora HDR

Photographer, pioneer in HDR with over 16 million followers

Treys images and stories capture the beauty of exotic travel destinations and the humor of the bizarre situations he often finds himself in. There is always something new, unexpected and beautiful to see.

About Macphun

Macphun is a California-based photo software developer with the mission to make complex photo editing simple and user-friendly. Thanks to its innovative approach and high-end proprietary technologies, Macphun photo editors have won dozens of various awards, including Best of the Year awards by Apple for 6 straight years. The companys Luminar product was awarded Best Imaging Software 2017 honors by TIPA.

To learn more about Macphun, please visit http://www.macphun.com.
The non-profit Chicagoland Food and Beverage Network (CFBN; Network) continues to grow fast, bringing together the regions premier food and beverage companies. The mission is to drive regional economic growth -- in the industry and for area residents. Since only April 2017, this Network now boasts nearly 40 members. Some members include: Dairy Farmers of America, Aryzta, Fairlife LLC, Miniat Holdings LLC, and The Kellogg Company (complete member list is below).

The Networks next annual, large-scale gathering is on October 4 from 4:30p - 7p at Kendall College. Network members, food & beverage leaders, and media are invited to attend the event and panel discussion. Whats Next in Food & Beverage features speakers from food service expert and consultancy Technomic, and food, nutrition gurus from consultancy FoodMinds.

We are excited for the potential the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network brings to link together the powerful food & beverage eco-system in our region and Kelloggs is proud to be a charter member, says Wendy Davidson, Kellogg Company Division President, US Specialty Channels. Its an unprecedented opportunity for us to collaborate across categories, brands and services to create the future for our industry.

Adds, Mike Loquercio, Director of Supply Chain and Logistics for D&W Fine Pack and Co-Chairman of the Networks Board of Directors, Chicagoland Food & Beverage Networks commitment to engage experts, support neighborhoods, and to bolster workforce development through training for growing job opportunities for Chicagoans were significant drivers for our involvement. We want to further our citys food & beverage innovation as well as spur economic vitality.

The Chicago areas food and beverage industry represents some 4,500 companies with 130,000 employees, representing $32B in annual sales. Food & beverage is a key player in this regions economy and is the second-largest industry industry eco-system of its kind in the U.S.

The Networks goal is to establish a training institute and establish certification programs for food & beverage manufacturing employees over the next five years. In partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino and support from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation (and an anonymous donor), the Network is already developing a comprehensive food manufacturing curriculum that will prepare more people for food and beverage careers.

The October 4 panel and networking event at Kendall College (Skyline Room, 900 N. North Branch Street, Chicago) will take place following a short board meeting. Admission is free, registration is required. Priority is given to Network members. Light refreshments are included. To RSVP, please email: info(at)chicagolandfood.org or register online at http://www.chicagolandfood.org/event/E642904390.

Current Network members include: Aryzta, Bader Rutter, Bluedog Design, Chicago Section IFT, Dairy Farmers of America, D&W Fine Pack, Edlong Dairy Technologies, Evans Food Group, Fairlife LLC, Family Farmed, Fifty Gazelles, Food Export Association of the Midwest, FONA International Inc, Freeborn & Peters, ICNC, IIT/IFSH, Imbibe, Instituto del Progreso Latino, The Kellogg Company, Kinsa Group, Miniat Holdings LLC, Nixon Peabody, Plante Moran, Precision Foods, Raymundo's, Rose Packing, Sethness Products Company, Surrender Brands, USI, and World Business Chicago.

To become a Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network member visit chicagolandfood.org. Memberships are available to all enterprises, from early-stage food & beverage entrepreneurs to large, established companies. Network membership benefits include: access to industry events, affiliate discounts, career center, concierge services, and supports to guide innovation and accelerate company growth.

# # #

For more information, please contact Orly Telisman, Orly Telisman Public Relations at orly(at)orlypr.com or 312-375-1230 and visit chicagolandfood.org
The Drucker Prize allowed us to reflect on our learnings and consider ways to continue innovating as an organization, giving voice to midwives, and support for mothers and babies around the world.

Today the Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University announced that We Care Solar is the winner of the 2017 Drucker Prize. The winners solar-powered suitcase provides lighting and electricity for nighttime obstetrical care in the developing world.

The Drucker Prize judges recognized We Care Solars impressive results, including the provision of life-saving labor and delivery procedures to nearly one million mothers and infants who would not otherwise have received them. The judges also recognized the organizations promise to further leverage the discipline of innovation.

At first glance, We Care Solar may appear to be a technology innovator, said Zach First, Executive Director of the Drucker Institute. But the thinking behind their solar-powered suitcase is first and always about the people who will use it. In fact, their greatest innovation may be in how well they identified and met what Peter Drucker called a process needwhere the only thing standing between caregivers and those in need was a little more light.

Dr. Laura Stachel, Executive Director and co-founder of We Care Solar, said that winning The Drucker Prize will help We Care Solar advocate for the right of all women to deliver safely in health facilities equipped with lighting and essential electricity. We are deeply honored and humbled to be selected for the 2017 Drucker Prize from among so many outstanding finalists, Stachel said.

Stachel added that the value of The Drucker Prize goes well beyond the $100,000 award: Applying for The Drucker Prize allowed us to reflect on our learnings and consider ways to continue innovating as an organization, giving voice to midwives, and support for mothers and babies around the world.

The Drucker Prize application process is itself a tool for nonprofits to learn Peter Druckers innovation principles and practices. A survey of those who completed the 2017 application found that 89% said that doing so would prompt them to explore additional opportunities for innovation. And, most significantly, 96% of the 50 semifinalists said the learning-centric second round of the process would help their organizations more effectively innovate.

All of the ideas and tools created for The Drucker Prize application process are now available for free in The Drucker Prize resource library. It features the timeless wisdom of Peter Drucker, videos showcasing insights from some of todays top thinkers on management and leadership, and other practical resources.

In addition to First, the judges for the 2017 Drucker Prize were: Jenny Darroch, Henry Y. Hwang Dean of the Drucker-Ito School of Management; Cecily Drucker, member of the Drucker Institutes Board of Advisors; Sumita Dutta, Managing Director at Golden Seeds; Kevin McCoy, President of National Office Furniture; C. William Pollard, Chairman Emeritus of ServiceMaster Co. and an emeritus member of the Drucker Institutes Board of Advisors; Theresa Reno-Weber, President and CEO of Metro United Way and a member of the Drucker Institutes Board of Advisors; Agnieszka Rykaczewska, Ph. D. Candidate in Evaluation at Claremont Graduate University; David Styers, Director of Learning and Development at the Presidio Trust; and Jocelyn Wyatt, Co-Lead and Executive Director at IDEO.org.

Administered annually since 1991, The Drucker Prize, formerly known as the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation, is given to a social-sector organization that demonstrates Druckers definition of innovation: change that creates a new dimension of performance. The judges look for programs that demonstrate a strong mix of current effectiveness and future promise.

About the Drucker Institute

The Drucker Institute is a social enterprise based at Claremont Graduate University. Our mission is strengthening organizations to strengthen society. Our programmingfor the corporate, nonprofit and public sectorsis built on a foundation of YESTERDAY/TODAY/MONDAY*. Yesterday refers to the fact that our work is grounded in Peter Drucker's timeless wisdom. Today speaks to the urgency that we know organizational leaders feel to successfully meet their greatest challenges and opportunities. And Monday points to our proven ability to help executives move quickly from ideas to action to results, just as Drucker urged his own consulting clients: Don't tell me you had a wonderful meeting with me. Tell me what you're going to do on Monday that's different. For more, visit http://www.drucker.institute.

About Claremont Graduate University

Founded in 1925, Claremont Graduate University is one of a select few American universities devoted solely to graduate-level education with more than 2,000 students pursuing graduate degrees in more than 20 distinct areas of study. The university belongs to a consortium of schools in Southern California that includes Pomona College, Pitzer College, Claremont McKenna College, Scripps College, Harvey Mudd College, and Keck Graduate Institute. Students are encouraged to look beyond the traditional disciplinary divisions and define their own unique program of studyCGUs transdisciplinary trademark. CGUs other distinctions include serving as the home of the Peter F. Drucker & Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management and the annual Kingsley and Kate Tufts Poetry Awards.
SourceMedia is quickly becoming an innovator in the industry. This award is another validation of the integrity of our direction and our vision of the business, and industry, in the future.

SourceMedia, a diversified digital B2B media company serving senior decision-makers in finance, technology and healthcare, was honored yesterday evening by Connectiv, the Business Information Association, with three Innovation Awards for the categories: Peoples Choice, Retooling the Business Model and Retaining Top Talent. The awards program is based on innovative solutions to the biggest problems facing the industry and the recipients were honored at the Connectiv Innovation Festival.

The Peoples Choice Innovation Award was created to make the Innovation Awards engaging and immediate. Attendees at the festival chose SourceMedia as the grand winner from among the 18 contenders by participating in simple, democratic, real-time judging at the venue.

For Retooling the Business Model, SourceMedia was recognized for diversifying the monetization of its products, specifically moving away from a reliance on ad revenue to account-based marketing and data-driven products. For Retaining Top Talent, SourceMedia was recognized for revamping its on-boarding process as well as its approach to creating employee engagement and retention through employee recognition programs.

There has been a growing perception change of the business, both internally and externally, said Doug Manoni, CEO of SourceMedia. SourceMedia is quickly becoming an innovator in the industry. This award is another validation of the integrity of our direction and our vision of the business, and industry, in the future.

The Connectiv Innovation Awards focus on innovation and imagination to recognize innovators in six categories, plus two leadership awards.

Innovation is the backbone of any successful organization. The Innovation Awards demonstrated that the business information industry is leading the way in transforming its business to be competitive in the digital economy, said Mike Marchesano, managing director of Connectiv. The winners reflect creativity and ingenuity in everything from new tech systems and processes to addressing the needs of a next-gen workforce who will lead these companies into the future. This is a signature program for Connectiv, which is an advocate for accelerating innovation in the business information industry.

About SourceMedia

SourceMedia, an Observer Capital company, is an innovative, growing digital business information and performance media company serving senior-level professionals in the financial, technology and healthcare sectors. Brands include American Banker, PaymentsSource, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning, Accounting Today, Mergers & Acquisitions, National Mortgage News, Employee Benefit News and Health Data Management.

About Connectiv

Connectiv (the Business Information Association), is the only global business information association that accelerates innovation for leading and emerging content, data and technology companies. Connectiv helps members move faster and smarter with collective knowledge, access and resources. We move business forward by providing the essential information and services that are pivotal for millions of global businesses to make the right decisions to drive commerce. Connectiv membership represents over 200 world-class business information companies who reach an audience of more than 100 million professionals. These companies drive more than $20 billion in annual revenues, and their collective industries represent a $400 billion global market. Connectiv is held by SIIA, is an umbrella association representing 800+ technology, data and media companies globally. For more information, visit connectivb2b.net.
This donation shows that we stand with those who were directly affected by the hurricanes, which includes our franchises in Houston and Florida.

Sir Grout made a donation to help those affected by hurricanes Irma and Harvey in Florida and Texas. The renowned hard surface restoration company wanted to step forward and take action to help the communities that were affected by these powerful storms.

"This hurricane season has brought devastation to our nation, but we've been in this kind of situation before and we always know how to stand up again. When these disasters happen, the American people unite and the country shows its strength. We're sure that our efforts and donations will contribute to helping torn communities get back on their feet," said Jeff Gill, Sir Grout's co-founder.

Another co-founder and franchisee, Tom Lindberg, also shared his thoughts on the matter. "As a franchisee, I'm proud to be part of this corporation that supports all members in good and bad times. This donation shows that we stand with those who were directly affected by the hurricanes, which includes our franchises in Houston and Florida. I put myself in their shoes; having your business and job at risk is not an easy thing to face. We hope more people continue to aid in this cause and, with hard work and dedication, both communities are restored soon."

These notorious hurricanes have seriously affected both Texas and Florida. There was intense flooding, power outages, and debris everywhere. Rebuilding both areas is an immense task, but the hearts of many Americans have joined aid efforts, and we know it is possible.

Sir Grout has been in the hard-surface restoration industry for over 13 years, offering excellence and dedication in every job it performs. This corporation invites its fellow citizens to contribute to this cause. For those interested in helping, here's a list of local charities:

Houston:

AirBnB: If you can offer a room locally for displaced residents and evacuees, AirBnB will help facilitate that.

texasdiaperbank.org: If you would like to donate diapers.

houstonspca.org: SPCA is an animal shelter and is also taking in stray or displaced pets.

homelesshouston.org: An umbrella organization coordinating shelters and organizations across Houston.

Florida:

miamifoundation.org: If you want to donate money for supplies.

jewishmiami.org: An organization dedicated to assessing the needs of local residents and institutions in order to mobilize volunteers and other resources where they are needed most.

unitedwaymiami.org: If you want to donate or volunteer to help.

To learn more about Sir Grout, you can visit its website at http://www.sirgrout.com or call (866) 476-8863.
Smart Factory Panelists: (L to R) Craig Todd, CEO, Amend Consulting, Tony Canonaco, President, Balluff, Inc., John Baines, President, HAHN Automation, Paul Miklautsch, Co-Founder,Start Something Bold

On Friday, August 25th, Tony Canonaco, President of Balluff, Inc., participated in Northern Kentucky Tri-ED's Smart Factory Panel Discussion. Canonaco was joined by John Baines, President of HAHN Automation, and Craig Todd, CEO of Amend Consulting, and moderated by Paul Miklautsch, Co-Founder of Start Something Bold. The discussion focused on how smart manufacturing, robotics, and automation are changing manufacturing in America.

The discussion opened up with the topic of how companies can benefit from automation. Canonaco commented, "If you look at our history, we started as a repair shop for sewing machines, bicycles, air compressors, those types of things. As Balluff progressed, we went into more sophisticated things that would add more value." Canonaco went on to add that automation has created a safer working environment for employees by automating some of the more dangerous aspects of manufacturing.

When asked about the importance of data and analytics in automation, Canonaco responded, "The more data points that you have, the more predictability that you can apply to your processes." In addition, Canonaco stated, "You may already have a lot of data points, so it is important to be smart about what data is the most important to your business."

The panelists were later presented with the topic of how to get more people engaged and interested in manufacturing. Canonaco acknowledged the fact that there are pre-conceived negative notions of what manufacturing is, and how the community views it. He went on to speak about Balluff's activities to improve the image of manufacturing, like an involvement with Manufacturing Day. Manufacturing Day is the first Friday in October where the public and students of all ages can visit Balluff to tour the warehouse, play games, and learn about modern manufacturing. Canonaco stated, "We believe that these kinds of events and activities effect people and help everyone realize what we in manufacturing have to offer as a career path."

To learn more about Manufacturing Day, please visit mfgday.com.

The Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED) blends public and private funds to enhance the business climate in and foster regional cooperation among Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. NKY Tri-ED works to market and promote Northern Kentucky on a national and international basis as a desirable location for new or expanding businesses, and assist existing local companies to expand operations and grow their customer base.

About Balluff Inc.:

Balluff Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Balluff GmbH, Neuhausen, Germany, is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of inductive, photoelectric, vision, capacitive and magnetic sensors as well as linear position transducers, RFID systems, and networking products. Balluff products for OEM and factory floor solutions are used to control, regulate, automate, assemble, position, and monitor manufacturing, assembly, and packaging sequences for industries including: metalworking, automotive, plastics, material handling, wood processing, aerospace, alternative energy, medical, electrical, and electronics.
D&K Engineering, FusionX Ventures and Rigado Partner to Accelerate Internet of Things Innovation Rigados highly flexible, low-power technology enhances our ability to provide IoT solutions for our clients and makes it easier for our clients to launch and scale product deployments quickly and maintain remote connectivity as their products and businesses evolve, said Scott Dennis, Chief Executi

D&K Engineering, together with its partner investment fund FusionX Ventures, today announced a collaborative alliance with Rigado, a Gartner Research-named 2017 Cool Vendor in IoT. Backed by the FusionX ecosystem and thematic investment model, the partnership brings together D&K Engineerings design, integration and manufacturing experience with Rigados integrated wireless solutions. Together the three companies will build, support and fund next-generation IoT companies as they develop and launch tomorrows smart machines.

D&K Engineering will integrate Rigados wireless modules, Rigado Wireless IoT Gateways, and over-the-air device management technology into its IoT reference architecture. Going forward, D&K will support Rigados current and future customers with product design, engineering, and global manufacturing. FusionX also joins the Rigado board as part of the agreement.

Rigados highly flexible, low-power technology enhances our ability to provide IoT solutions for our clients and makes it easier for our clients to launch and scale product deployments quickly and maintain remote connectivity as their products and businesses evolve, said Scott Dennis, Chief Executive Officer D&K Engineering.

Founded nearly 20 years ago, D&K Engineering is an international product design and contract manufacturing services company with a successful track record of partnering with hundreds of clients to create more than 500 patents enabling its clients to realize business outcomes of more than $5 billion. The company is headquartered in San Diego with additional sites in Singapore and Malaysia.

D&K is the exclusive design and manufacturing partner for FusionX Ventures an early stage venture fund founded two years ago to provide capital, business strategy, and an experienced advisor network to cloud-enabled Smart Machine companies.

Rigado has been on our radar for some time because of its explosive growth and impressive client portfolio, said Ken Hood, FusionX Ventures Managing Partner. This partnership adds advisory depth to their board and expands their reach on a global scale while giving us access to key technology and a new group of world-class clients  its a real win for all of us.

Rigado, who has developed wireless technology for more than 250 clients worldwide, recently secured seed funding to expand its global presence and continue development of its IoT connectivity product line.

Like Rigado, the team at D&K Engineering has years of working hand-in-hand with hundreds of IoT product teams, collectively giving us a rather rare understanding of the challenges that IoT product design teams face. As a result, we are excited at the spectrum of products and services this partnership will provide to our new and existing customers, said Ben Corrado, Chief Executive Office at Rigado. Demand for our modules, gateways and DeviceOps platform is particularly strong and growing in Europe and Asia, and were excited to develop those markets with the combined strength and networks of this partnership behind us.

About D&K Engineering

D&K Engineering is an international product design and contract manufacturing services company with a proven track record of turning innovative ideas into successful products and lines of business. Our capabilities span the entire product development life cycle, including requirements definition, systems architecture, concept creation, design, prototyping, manufacturing, and after-market support. Our clients leverage our proprietary Total Commercialization Solutions to evolve hardware, systems and content-based product ideas from initial design to manufacturing and into a sustainable line of business. Our experience-driven engineering, manufacturing and supply chain services get products to market faster with a lower overall cost of development providing our customers with significant competitive advantage. D&K Engineering is headquartered in San Diego, California and is also located in Singapore and Malaysia.

About FusionX Ventures

FusionX Ventures is an early-stage investment fund focused on helping companies build the next generation of cloud-enabled connected machines, including integrated cloud, e-commerce and analytics. We have a unique partnership with D&K Engineering, who specializes in class-leading product realization. FusionX helps companies reduce execution risk by combining thematic capital and advisor network with design, manufacturing, and commercialization management.

About Rigado

Rigados award-winning integrated wireless solutions help companies quickly develop and scale their connected products and services. Rigado offers certified wireless modules and configurable gateways that reduce cost and time to market, and its DeviceOps tools enable secure device updating at scale. More than 250 global customers rely on Rigado to power their consumer, commercial and industrial IoT solutions.
Attorney John Claypool I am excited for this opportunity to serve the families and students of Outagamie County in a capacity that I hope will improve the academic achievement and contributions of young people to our community

Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. of northeast Wisconsin is pleased to announce that John D. Claypool has accepted an appointment to serve the Outagamie County Truancy Court. Claypool is a partner at Herrling Clark and he concentrates his practice in the area of personal injury litigation.

The Truancy Court was created in 2008-09 in an effort to reduce truancy among students attending the four high schools in Appleton. Eventually the program was expanded to include the middle schools as well. The court partners with the Appleton School District, the Board of Education, the City of Appleton, the Appleton Police Department, and the Outagamie County Clerk of Courts and Sheriffs Departments to identify cases of excessive truancy, provide pre-emptive programming for the habitually truant, and provide guidance for at-risk students.

I am excited for this opportunity to serve the families and students of Outagamie County in a capacity that I hope will improve the academic achievement and contributions of young people to our community, Claypool stated recently.

Mr. Claypool graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota in 1984, and earned a J.D from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1988. He is an active member of the Wisconsin Association for Justice and previously served on its Board of Directors and is a Past-President. He also served on the Wisconsin State Bar Association Board of Governors, and served as a past president of the Outagamie County Bar Association.

Claypools reputation for professionalism and maintaining high ethical standards frequently results in his being asked to serve as a mediator in personal injury cases.

About Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd.:

For the past 50 years, Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. has provided clients living and working throughout northeastern Wisconsin with legal expertise in the areas of family law, personal injury, business law, and matters of estate planning. This team of experienced attorneys prides itself on a legacy of success in the courtroom, service to the community, and maintaining current knowledge of the latest legal developments and practices. The attorneys serve clients from four office locations in the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin, including Appleton, Green Bay, New London, and Oshkosh. Visit the Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. website or call 920-739-7366 to schedule an initial consultation.
Temecula Valley Wine Country As Temecula Valley Wine Country approaches its 50th anniversary, the new wine country impact report shows the vibrancy of our region as a true destination for quality wines, restaurants, lodging, and employment, said TVWA Board President Danny Martin.

The Temecula Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) has an annual economic impact of $78 million to the regional economy, and supports 4,800 jobs. Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) announces results of their 2016 Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country economic impact study.

Led by Dean Runyan Associates, a research services firm emphasizing travel and economic development, with input from Riverside Agriculture, the study tracks data pertaining to case production, revenue, employment and visitation gathered from 36 winery members of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA).

A sampling of wineries in the Temecula Valley AVA shows the region produced over 500,000 cases in 2016, yielding $65.3 million in annual revenue, up 6.2% from the previous year. While only 11% of Temecula Valley wineries are currently in distribution outside of the winery, the region supported more than 1.7 million winery visits last year. Riverside Agriculture reported 2,460 harvested acres in 2016, yielding 8,000 tons and $12.4 million in grape sales. The majority of growers farming Temecula Valley vineyards sell their wine grapes to Temecula Valley wineries.

As Temecula Valley Wine Country approaches its 50th anniversary, the new wine country impact report shows the vibrancy of our region as a true destination for quality wines, restaurants, lodging, and employment, said TVWA Board President Danny Martin.

Seventy-five percent of Temecula Valley wineries reported annual revenue of $1 million or more in 2016, with 35.7% reporting revenue above $3.5 million. Winery production varies in the region, with nearly 60% of Temecula Valleys wineries reporting they produce fewer than 10,000 cases annually. Visitation to the region is robust, with roughly half of the wineries reporting over 50,000 winery visits annually, and nearly 20% reporting visitation over 100,000.

Visitation is predominantly categorized as paid wine tastings and other visitors, which includes wine club tastings and events. The region also supported nearly 500,000 restaurant patrons and 32,000 overnight stays in wine country in 2016. Dining and lodging in wine country are unique features to the Temecula Valley, and key pillars of the regions tourism.

Temecula Valley is ideally situated within close proximity to all of Southern Californias major cities and airports, and offers several easily navigated trails of contiguous vineyards and wineries, said VTV President and CEO Kimberly Adams. This, combined with a Mediterranean climate and the laid back spirit of Southern California, makes Temecula Valley the ultimate destination for wine-related travel.

The full report, which can be viewed HERE, will guide and support comprehensive marketing and tourism planning efforts by Visit Temecula Valley and the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association.

ABOUT TEMECULA VALLEY WINE COUNTRY

Located within a 60-minute drive from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs, and within 90 minutes of Los Angeles, Temecula Valley is widely recognized as Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. The popular wine destination is southern Californias largest wine producing region by volume.

Both Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) and the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA) are 501 (c) 6 nonprofit regional organizations. Primary responsibilities of VTV (VisitTemeculaValley.com) include promoting Temecula Valley as a year-round travel destination and advancing the Temecula Valley visitor economy. The TVWA (TemeculaWines.org) is dedicated to promoting the making and growing of quality wine and wine grapes in the Temecula Valley A.V.A. (American Viticulture Area).
DETROIT, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compuware Corporation, the worlds leading mainframe-dedicated software company, is pleased to announce Day One support of IBMs new z/OS version 2.3 operating system. Compuwares products, including COPE, ThruPut Manager, Topaz and its COBOL and PL/I productivity tools, work with z/OS 2.3 to help customers manage higher transactional volumes while delivering applications faster and with greater quality. New operating system features including encryption-readiness technology and software installation improvements are also supported.



Digital transformation is driving higher transaction volumes and accelerating the rate of application changes made by enterprises. It also demands a higher level of data security than ever before, as code is developed and tested more frequently, says Christopher OMalley, CEO, Compuware. The IBM z14 is the ideal foundation for this environment, and the new z/OS and compatible applications are key to maximizing the platforms unmatched capacity, performance reliability and security strengths.

Building upon the already robust record of the mainframe and the z/OS operating system, IBM z/OS 2.3 provides enhanced data protection for z/OS data. This includes encryption-readiness technology that enables z/OS administrators to determine which traffic patterns to and from their z/OS systems meet approved encryption criteria. These new features can be combined with Compuware Application Audit, providing end-to-end visibility into privileged user behavior, to deliver superior protection against insider threats.

z/OS 2.3 also continues to lay the foundation for installation improvements through enhancements supporting a basis for a common software installation process. Compuware has been a leader in a multi-vendor effort to standardize product installation on the mainframe, which the company believes will strengthen the mainframe ecosystem and create a better future for mainframe customers and for the mainframe market overall.

Compuware worked in collaboration with IBM to ensure its breadth of solutions work seamlessly upon customer migration to the new z/OS 2.3 operating system.

Compuware Corporation

Compuware empowers the worlds largest companies to excel in the digital economy by fully leveraging their high-value mainframe investments. We do this by delivering highly innovative solutions that uniquely enable IT professionals with mainstream skills to manage mainframe applications, data, and platform operations. Learn more at compuware.com.

Follow us on:

Press Contact

Kristina LeBlanc, The Medialink Group, kristinawleblanc@gmail.com, (508) 930-5636

Mary McCarthy, Public Relations Manager, Compuware, mary.mccarthy@compuware.com, (313) 227-7088

For Sales and Marketing Information

Compuware Corporation, One Campus Martius, Detroit MI 48226, 800-521-9353, compuware.com.

Copyright  2017 Compuware Corporation. Compuware, the Compuware logo, and Topaz are registered or pending registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries.
EnsembleIQ announced today that Paula Lashinsky has been named vice president, brand director of Convenience Store News (https://csnews.com/). In her new role, she will be responsible for CSN sales and editorial efforts, along with all of the brands products, services, and events.

Ms. Lashinsky is a seasoned media professional with an extensive background in building, leading, and motivating high-performance sales and marketing teams. Having successfully navigated print to digital transformations in prior roles, she combines expertise in new business development, brand positioning, and financial management that is on trend with todays rapidly evolving media landscape.

Prior to joining EnsembleIQ, Ms. Lashinsky was part of the management team at Lebhar-Friedman, where she served as publisher of Retailing Today, followed by a four-year stint as L-Fs executive director of digital media and creative services. She served as SR VP at Informa, and was also the owner of PEL Consulting, where she developed and implemented marketing and business development initiatives for the software, consumer packaged goods, and professional services industries. Most recently Ms. Lashinsky served as brand director of EnsembleIQs RIS News.

Ms. Lashinsky will lead a seasoned CSN editorial teamled by Editorial Director Don Longo and Editor-in-Chief Linda Lisantithat has over 100 years of journalistic experience, as well as a sales team of convenience industry veterans, including Ron Lowy, Rachel McGaffigan, Kelly Fischer, and Terry Kanganis.

Convenience Store News is a leading information resource for the convenience industry, supporting c-store retailers and suppliers to the marketplace with insights, analysis, proprietary research, and business intelligence. With a recently relaunched website that was redesigned to cater to the unique needs of convenience industry stakeholders, a revamped and expanded portfolio of digital assets and live events, and a new, dynamic, behavior-driven database of over 800,000 retail personnel, CSN is poised to extend its position as a market leader.

Paula clearly has what it takes to lead the talented team at CSN, noted EnsembleIQ Chief Operating Officer/Chief Brand Officer Rich Rivera. Her broad range of skills, depth of experience, and high degree of professionalism make her the perfect choice for the role.

About EnsembleIQ:

EnsembleIQ is a premier business intelligence resource that exists to help people and their organizations succeed. It is structured to serve the business-to-business needs of retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, technology vendors, marketing agencies and retail service providers by using its integrated network of media and information resources designed to inform, connect and provide actionable marketplace intelligence. Learn more about EnsembleIQ at http://www.ensembleiq.com.
Strengthening our Employment, Business and Corporate Transactional, Real Estate, and Litigation Practices is a priority. Im sure that we have achieved this with the addition of these two ambitious, bright associates and these two very experienced and accomplished senior attorneys.

The Dallas office of Kane Russell Coleman Logan continues to grow with the addition of four attorneys. Emily Green, Harrison Papaila, Jacob Pritcher, Jr., and Ashley Veitenheimer join the Firms Dallas office, bolstering its Employment, Business and Corporate Transactional, Real Estate, and Litigation Practices.

We are pleased to welcome Emily, Harrison, Jay and Ashley to the Firm, said Joe Coleman, Director of the Firm. Strengthening our Employment, Business and Corporate Transactional, Real Estate, and Litigation Practices is a priority. Im sure that we have achieved this with the addition of these two ambitious, bright associates and these two very experienced and accomplished senior attorneys.

Emily Green joins the Firm as an Associate Attorney with the Employment Practice Group. She focuses her practice on the representation of clients in a variety of employment matters, including trade-secrets disputes, non-compete cases, and disputes arising under federal employment law. Emily studied law at Oklahoma City University, where she served as Managing Editor of the Oklahoma City Law Review, and held membership in several organizations, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg Inn of Court, American Association for Justice (AAJ), Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity, and Black Law Students Association (BLSA). During law school, she completed an externship with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, where she assisted with projects relating to the First Amendment, sentencing guidelines, and civil asset forfeitures. Emily also studied Comparative Corporate Law and Litigation in a Global Context with Cornell Law School at Universite Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne in Paris, France during the summer of 2015.

Associate Attorney Harrison Papaila practices with the Business and Corporate Transactional Practice Group, where he represents clients in commercial financing transactions, real estate transactions, and other business matters. Harrison was previously a Term Law Clerk for The Honorable Amos L. Mazzant III in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In this role, he assisted the Judge in drafting opinions for dispositive motions in various areas of law including securities, business torts, employment, intellectual property, antitrust, insurance and personal injury. Harrison graduated from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2016.

As Senior Counsel with the Firms Real Estate Group, Jacob Jay Pritcher, Jr. advises clients with the acquisition, development, and disposition of properties, including the negotiation of purchase agreements, leases, subleases and assignments, renewals and collateral documents. He regularly represents clients in the retail, restaurant and hospitality sectors in leasing and purchase matters. Jay has wide-ranging experience in real estate law, having spent more than a decade as a member of the Real Estate Group at a Dallas-based full-service commercial law firm and served as the Director of Real Estate Law for Home Depot.

Ashley Veitenheimer joins the Firm as a Senior Attorney in the Litigation Section. For more than a decade, she has represented clients in medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability, employment, and personal injury cases in all state courts in Texas, the Northern District Court, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to joining Kane Russell Coleman Logan, Ashley honed her litigation skills at a nationally-recognized plaintiffs firm. Ashley also spent seven years defending hospitals, nursing homes, manufacturers, and employers in a variety of liability and malpractice matters.

Kane Russell Coleman Logan is a full-service law firm with offices in Dallas and Houston. Formed in 1992 with five lawyers, today KRCL is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with more than 80 attorneys employed by the firm. The Firm provides professional services for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized public and private companies to entrepreneurs. KRCL handles transactional, litigation and bankruptcy matters in Texas and throughout the country.
Its our belief that with dentistry, theres always hope

Dr. Hal Kimowitz was recently named a New Jersey Top Dentist for 2017 by New Jersey Monthly. As a skilled and committed dentist in Denville, NJ, Dr. Kimowitz is proud of this honor. He continues to work alongside his partner and son, Dr. Adam Kimowitz, to provide leading and minimally invasive care, including laser gum surgery, family dentistry and Hybridge dental implants for missing teeth.

Patients searching for a compassionate and determined dentist in Denville, NJ, who can give them an initial or second opinion are welcome to visit Drs. Kimowitz at their state-of-the-art practice. Dr. Adam Kimowitz has been voted a New Jersey Top Dentist and Dr. Hal Kimowitz has been awarded Americas Top Dentist each year from 2005 to 2009. When speaking about patients who have been given poor diagnoses and little hope from other dental professionals, Dr. Hal Kimowitz says Its our belief that with dentistry, theres always hope Theres always a way for us to give [patients] back the form, function, aesthetics and phonetics they thought theyd never regain. To see them leave our office smiling is extremely rewarding.

Drs. Kimowitz frequently recommend dental implant restorations for patients with missing teeth. The Hybridge full-arch dental implant solution is designed to give patients who are missing a full arch of teeth a more permanent alternative to traditional dentures. The Hybridge system combines the convenience of natural-looking prosthetic devices with the reliability and bone-preservation benefits of dental implants. The Hybridge treatment option provides patients with a beautiful, stable and, with proper care, permanent smile. Hybridge also helps patients regain full dental functionality. The system can replace up to 12 teeth in either jaw and is secured by five or six implants. The entire placement process can be completed in as little as three to 16 weeks.

Patients with full arches of missing teeth are encouraged to find out if Hybridge dental implants are right for them. To schedule an appointment with an accomplished dentist in Denville, NJ, who has been named a New Jersey Top Dentist for 2017, individuals are invited to call Denville Dentist at 973-627-3363.

About the Practice

Denville Dentist is a general and cosmetic dental practice offering personalized dental care to patients in Denville, New Jersey. Denville Dentist upholds a philosophy of providing leading preventative care to ensure patients reach and maintain proper oral health. Dr. Hal H. Kimowitz is a Fellow and Diplomate in the International Congress of Oral Implantology, Diplomate in the American Society of Osseointegration, Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, graduate of the Misch Institute of Implant Dentistry and member of numerous professional organizations. Dr. Adam S. Kimowitz is a graduate, Alumni President elect and lecturer at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and founder and president of the Grassroots Dental Study Club. He is also a credentialed Fellow of the International College of Oral Implantologists and a credentialed Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Drs. Kimowitz offer the latest techniques in a variety of services including implant, cosmetic, and laser dentistry. To learn more about Denville Dentist, Drs. Kimowitz or the services they offer, visit http://www.denvilledentist.com or call 973-627-3363 to schedule an appointment.
Drs. R. Douglas Campbell, David Landau and Lawrence Addleson, Volunteer at San Diego Ronald McDonald House

The Art of Dentistry team recently held a new Community Team Event, September 15, 2017. This highly trained dental team donated four hours to volunteer with the Ronald McDonald House. Drs. Lawrence Addleson, R. Douglas Campbell and David Landau and their staff served lunch, crafted with the children, and held an ice cream social for families of hospitalized children. San Diego, CA dentists by trade, Drs. Addleson, Campbell and Landau offer skilled cosmetic dentistry at their cutting-edge practice.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families with children in need of long-term hospital care. Since its opening in 1980, the San Diego charity house has been keeping families together in its bed-and-breakfast-like atmosphere. Every year, the house impacts 1,200 families and serves 125,000 meals free of charge to family members. The charity house is supported by monetary and material donations, and dedicated volunteers like Drs. Addleson, Campbell and Landau and their staff.

The Art of Dentistry team frequently holds Community Team Events to give back through volunteer work. Drs. Addleson, Campbell and Landau practice general and cosmetic dentistry, but closed the office to donate their time to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. The team spent time serving lunch to guests before volunteering at the ice cream social and leading a crafting activity with the children.

The Art of Dentistry team is comprised of national award-winning cosmetic dentists. Focused primarily on cosmetic dentistry, this practice utilized advanced technology like CEREC for same-day restorations, crowns and bridges, and Invisalign clear aligners to help patients achieve beautiful, functioning smiles. The team also offers dental implant restorations, laser gum disease treatment, and sedation dentistry. Drs. Addleson, Campbell and Landau take pride in offering dental treatment that considers the art, science and biology of a smile for high-quality and predictable outcomes.

Drs. Addleson, Campbell and Landau are fully committed to bringing highly specialized cosmetic dentistry solutions for patients in the San Diego area. Focusing on a select few target skillsets, the team collaborates with specialists to offer customized and comprehensive treatment plans for long-lasting and exceptional results. In addition to routinely volunteering in the community, each member of the Art of Dentistry team continues to dedicate many hours a year to continuing education courses in their field and to hone their skills at a variety of world-renowned dental institutes.

Those in need of an experienced team of cosmetic dentists in San Diego, CA are invited to experience the Art of Dentistry difference. To schedule new patient appointment, call 619-291-4325 or visit their website at http://www.sandiegoartofdentistry.com.

About the Practice

Art of Dentistry is a cosmetic dental practice offering patients customized dental care in San Diego, CA. Applying a philosophy that considers the art, science and biology of a smile, Drs. Lawrence Addleson, R. Douglas Campbell and David Landau provide personalized care in a comfortable, family atmosphere. With combined experience of over 85 years, the Art of Dentistry team uses state-of-the-art technology and leading techniques to craft each healthy smile. To learn more about Drs. Addleson, Campbell and Landau or the services they offer, visit their website, http://www.sandiegoartofdentistry.com. To experience the Art of Dentistry difference, call 619-291-4325.
We are excited to move forward with Ruprecht as we work to grow the Tony Romas brand at retail establishments throughout the United States, and to ensure that our retail products live up to the highest standards of quality, the same standards we employ at our restaurants

Romacorp, Inc., parent company of Tony Romas, announces that the transition to their new strategic retail licensee, Ruprecht Company, is moving forward and will soon be completed. Ruprecht, the oldest and most renowned meat processor and food manufacturer in Chicago, has been providing center-of-the-plate protein items to the countrys finest food service and retail establishments for more than 150 years, and has been a trusted supplier to Tony Romas restaurants for more than a decade. Tony Romas branded ribs and BBQ meats available at retail are currently manufactured by CBQ, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carl Buddig & Company, through a short-term non-exclusive license. Romacorp worked with CBQ to ensure retailer demand was satisfied during the transition of the Tony Romas program to Ruprecht. When the transition to Ruprecht is completed, Ruprecht will be the sole supplier of Tony Romas branded ribs and BBQ meats at retail in the United States.

We are excited to move forward with Ruprecht as we work to grow the Tony Romas brand at retail establishments throughout the United States, and to ensure that our retail products live up to the highest standards of quality, the same standards we employ at our restaurants, said Bradley Scher, President and Chief Executive Officer for Romacorp, Inc. By leveraging Ruprechts restaurant quality meat production and working with Tony Romas award-winning culinary team, Tony Romas ribs and BBQ meats sold in USA retail channels will taste just like the world-class product sold in Tony Romas restaurants around the world.

Ruprecht Company uses Sous Vide technology, a cooking method which retains foods natural moisture, flavor, aroma, and nutritional content, produces meat tender enough to cut with a fork, and results in a longer shelf life product without the use of artificial preservatives and chemicals. The company operates with extremely high standards of safety, cleanliness and sanitation delivered through a newly constructed state-of-the-art processing facility. In addition, the use of sous vide technology improves product quality and consumer safety by pasteurizing the meat at precise temperatures and vacuum-sealing the product, ensuring the best tasting product and providing enhanced food safety.

"Ruprecht Company is thrilled to be working with such an iconic global brand to bring Tony Romas great flavors into retail, said Walter Sommers, President of Ruprecht Company. We have been a prime supplier to Tony Romas for almost 15 years, and we are looking forward to bringing Tony Romas classics and exciting new items to retail shelves across the country.

Celebrating its 45th birthday this year, an incredible milestone unmatched by any American casual dining restaurant chain, 2017 has been a transformational year for Tony Romas. Recent announcements include new licensing deals in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, renewed USA restaurant growth with new development and franchise agreements in Colorado, Idaho, Tennessee and West Palm Beach, Florida, accelerated international restaurant growth with new development agreements in Spain, Nicaragua and Bolivia, and the October 2016 launch of Tony Romas new global prototype restaurant in Orlando, Florida. With restaurants in more than 30 countries on five continents around the world, Tony Romas is the worlds largest casual dining chain specializing in ribs.

About Romacorp, Inc.

Romacorp, Inc., is the parent company of Tony Roma's restaurants, the world's largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Romacorp, Inc. has nearly 150 restaurant locations in more than 30 countries and is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. The first Tony Roma's restaurant opened 45 years ago in North Miami, Florida. Tony Roma's is also proud to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation (http://www.cnfl.wish.org), one of the world's leading children's charities, in an effort to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses across Central and Northern Florida. For more information about Romacorp, Inc. and Tony Roma's, visit http://www.tonyromas.com.

Please visit http://www.tonyromasfranchise.com or call (866) 981-0586 for information about Tony Roma's franchising opportunities.
With an eye on the future, yet greatly rooted to its traditions, The Larson Group (TLG) Peterbilt celebrates its 30th year in business this month.

With an eye on the future, yet greatly rooted to its traditions, The Larson Group (TLG) Peterbilt celebrates its 30th year in business this month.

Founded in September of 1987, TLG has grown from a small, regional group to one of the largest family-owned Peterbilt dealer groups in the nation. The organizations 30 years of innovation and steady growth is testament to its commitment to service excellence.

"We have achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication of our employees, and our culture of customer service that exists throughout all of TLG, President and CEO Glenn Larson remarked. We have dedicated ourselves to 30 years of service efficiencies and Peterbilt knowledge to provide our customers with nothing short of excellence.

Over the last three decades, the Larsons unparalleled dedication to the company, TLG has spanned to nearly 1,000 employees and a total of 20 locations across the Midwest and southeastern United States. It has also grown in key customer service aspects that have earned the organization many Peterbilt and Paccar awards and honors, including 37 Platinum Ovals, six Best in Class awards, and six North American Dealer of the Year awards.

With numerous achievements to look back on, the Larson family now looks toward the future.

For 30 years, TLG has provided exceptional service to help our customers meet their needs in an ever-changing industry, said Glenn. Throughout 2017 and 2018, we will be taking a look at where we started, what we have achieved, and what our plans are for everything to come. With our steady growth over time and commitment to betterment, we anticipate a continuing trend of prosperity for the next three decades, too.

In honor of its pearl anniversary, TLG will commemorate the occasion with a number of customer and internal promotional events and activities throughout the next twelve months. To kick off its celebration, TLG has published a special webpage that goes in-depth with the history of the organization through an interactive timeline, video testimonials and photo archives.

Page visitors will also have the opportunity to submit their story about their experience with The Larson Group, whether it be from a customer standpoint or an employees.

We encourage all our employees, new customers and customers weve done business with for the 30 years weve been operating to share their personal stories about The Larson Group, said Chief Operating Officer Kory Larson. Stories leave a lasting mark on TLG's evolving growth and success. We want you to have the chance to tell your story, and help us create the next 30 years.

History

Glenn and his father, Claire, took interest in ownership of a dealership and met with Peterbilt Motors Company headquarters in Denton, Texas throughout the summer of 1987. They discovered Peterbilt of Springfield was available, and a Midwest family already, they headed south and took charge of the dealership by September.

After a few years Peterbilt of Springfield was ready to expand. The family gained interest in the Joplin, Missouri area., and in 1989, TLGs first satellite store was open for business, nearly 80 miles west of Springfield.

By the 1990s, the trucking industry was booming and with the right strategizing, the Larsons went from selling 200 trucks in a single year to more than 400. Without hesitation, Kory and Kyle Larson, the youngest of the six brothers, headed to the Ozarks to be part of the family business.

The Larsons acquired another dealership in 1991 in OFallon, Missouri, which Kyle ran and is still involved with today. The facility was relocated in 1994.

By 1995, the Larsons and Mid-America Peterbilt earned their first national award from Peterbilt Motors Company. Further demonstrating their exceptional dedication to service, the dealership won an additional North American Dealer of the Year award in 2003, as well as several other awards from Paccar and Peterbilt.

The Larsons continued to receive awards, which made a positive impact on the reputation of TLG. As additional dealerships were constructed and organically acquired, Glenn and his brothers worked side-by-side with employees to emphasize the importance of industry-leading customer service. And today, TLG has a total of 20 locations throughout Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio.

###

About The Larson Group Peterbilt

The Larson Group has been providing quality Peterbilt products and exceptional service across the Midwest and southeastern United States for 30 years. TLG has built teams of qualified, highly-trained professionals to provide customers with the best service for their commercial transportation needs at 18 Peterbilt facilities located across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio.

For more information about The Larson Groups Peterbilt parts inventory or to experience its exemplary customer service first-hand, call 417.865.5355, visit TLGtrucks.com or contact Marketing Coordinator Stephanie London at slondon(at)tlgtrucks(dot)com.
We are inspired by the generosity of the community over the past three decades and thank the donors and their families who make donation possible

Donor Network West, the federally-designated organ procurement and tissue recovery organization for northern California and Nevada is celebrating three decades of healing lives. In the last 30 years the non-profit has developed novel business practices and expanded operations to better serve the community in its donation service area.

In 1987, an executive committee of hospital administrators of the major transplant centers in northern California came together to form an independent organ procurement organization (OPO) in response to the 1984 National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA). The piece of legislation was introduced to address the nation's critical organ donation shortage and improve the organ matching and placement process.

The resulting structure became known as California Transplant Donor Network (CTDN). The organization was established on September 24 of 1987 and recruited 15 employees that first year; the staff functions were a combination of hospital education and donor management.

In 2015, CTDN became Donor Network West, moved its headquarters from Oakland, California to San Ramon and relocated its Fresno office. Though the organization got a new name, its mission of saving and healing lives and its vision to be the premier community resource for organ and tissue donation in its service area of 40 counties, remained the same. Today Donor Network West has 300 employees and operates three regional offices: San Ramon and Fresno in California and Reno in Nevada.

In 2016, Donor Network West expanded its operations with the opening of a Clinical Center. Located steps away from the main office, the center has helped improve processes for the recovery of life-enhancing tissues. That same year, Donor Network West and San Ramon Regional Medical Center announced a partnership which has helped provide donor families a more certain time frame for the recovery of organs. The collaboration reduces the overall time between referral and recovery by allowing transplant teams to complete recoveries at the hospitals on-campus Ambulatory Surgery Center.

We are inspired by the generosity of the community over the past three decades and thank the donors and their families who make donation possible, says Cindy Siljestrom, CEO of Donor Network West. During this time we have seen many changes in our processes, have developed new partnerships and experienced significant growth, all with the goal of providing hope to the tens of thousands of people waiting for a second chance at life in our service area.

According to data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), Donor Network West has facilitated the recovery of 22,657 organs from 7,229 deceased donors in the last 30 years. In 2010, the organization completed the acquisition of three regional tissue bank recovery programs and has since recovered 30,211 tissue samples from 14,208 donors. Available Donor Network West tissue data dates back to 2009.

Donor Network West serves 175 hospitals and more than 13 million people within 100,000 square miles in northern California and Nevada. The organization works in close partnership with families, doctors, nurses, more than 500 funeral homes and 44 coroners and medical examiners to connect donors to recipients.

Of the 22,356 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in California and Nevada, 9,878 or 44% wait in Donor Network Wests service area. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and a tissue donor can heal more than 75 others. Anyone can register as a donor at DonorNetworkWest.org or at the DMV.

About Donor Network West

Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation. The organization was established in 1987, and is an official Donate Life organization accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). Federally designated to serve 40 counties in northern California and Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries. For information, visit DonorNetworkWest.org and find us on social media: @mydnwest
Lightspeed Systems Web Filter dashboard After a competitive process and vigorous review of available solutions, the Lightspeed Systems Web Filter was selected by the department to be implemented across 700 school sites.

Technology solution providers Lightspeed Systems and Pomeroy have partnered with the West Virginia Department of Education to deliver content filtering for the states public schools. After a competitive process and vigorous review of available solutions, the Lightspeed Systems Web Filter was selected by the department to be implemented across 700 school sites.

As part of the departments efforts to bring 21st-century learning opportunities to all West Virginia schools, the WVDE selected the Lightspeed Systems Web Filter to make safe, CIPA-compliant web access available to more than 273,000 students in the state.

The Lightspeed Systems Web Filter is the K-12 market leader in content filtering and designed specifically for the education environment. With powerful mobile filtering and reporting, Web Filter also features:



An adaptive AI database that leverages machine learning to accurately categorize the Web for education

Continuous identity management to seamlessly identify users as they change networks and devices

A dynamic reporting engine featuring live, drill-down reporting

Smart Play, a proprietary technology that makes more than 35 million education-appropriate videos available to schools while blocking inappropriate content

The West Virginia Department of Education understands the importance of giving students a safe environment for digital learning, says Lightspeed Systems President and CEO Brian Thomas. Were excited to kick off this partnership with Pomeroy and the WVDE to help West Virginia schools meet their technology goals.

To learn more about the Lightspeed Systems Web Filter, visit lightspeedsystems.com/products/web-filter/.

About Lightspeed Systems

Lightspeed Systems partners with schools to make learning safe, mobile and easily managed. Partnered with 6,500 districts in the United States and 25,000 schools around the world, Lightspeed Systems offers integrated solutions for smarter K-12 school networks: Web Filter, Mobile Manager, Management Bundle for Windows, and Relay for Chrome. To learn more, visit http://www.lightspeedsystems.com.

About Pomeroy

Pomeroy is a recognized industry leader in optimizing IT infrastructures with comprehensive solutions in three key areas: workplace, network, and data center services. Pomeroy helps maximize the availability, efficiency and productivity of companies IT infrastructures. Its experienced professionals and strategic partnerships transform IT environments to a future state centered on a pleasing end-user experience supported by advanced, cloud-based, on-demand technologies and services. Learn more at https://www.pomeroy.com.

About the West Virginia Department of Education

The West Virginia Department of Education is a government agency that oversees the public school system in West Virginia, which is responsible for the education of more than 273,000 students in more than 700 schools with 20,000 teachers. Based in Charleston, West Virginia, the departments goal is to provide a statewide system of education that ensures all students graduate from high school prepared for success in college and/or careers. Learn more at http://wvde.state.wv.us.
OBX Media developed a new online presence for Obx.com, the online resource for all things Outer Banks. Users can search for a rental home, research shops and restaurants, and plan their vacation. We explained our current website issues, how we wanted to modernize and beautify the website all the while making sure that we could make appropriate changes as needed in-house...in keeping with our vision and direction.

Outer Banks Media (OBX Media), a North Carolina-based digital marketing agency specializing in website design, search engine optimization and internet marketing, announces the website launch of Obx.com. Obx.com is a vacation and tourism website dedicated to providing Outer Banks visitors with information about local businesses, vacation rental houses, news, events and cost saving coupons.

Obx.coms vision for their new website was to stand out as an authority on Outer Banks news and information. OBX Medias design team achieved this by creating a brand image and website design that reflected the look and laid-back style of the Outer Banks. Coastal images, backgrounds and colors were used throughout the site to reinforce the unique Outer Banks aesthetic.

Working with OBX Media was an amazing experience. We sat down with the team and explained our current website issues, how we wanted to modernize and beautify the website all the while making sure that we could make appropriate changes as needed in-house, said Lynn Watson of Obx.com. Watson added, We had ideas of the look and feel we wanted and the team took our ideas and needs to heart. The team at OBX Media was open to suggestions, listened to our thoughts, and reigned us in where required. The website is now exactly what we wanted - beautiful, mobile-adaptive, user-friendly, and kept with our vision and direction. The continuing support we receive is deeply appreciated as well.

OBX Medias web development team also found a solution to improving the sites overall search options. To enhance the users online experience, multiple navigation options were added for Outer Banks information in whatever way they are most comfortable with. A navigation bar on the homepage allows users to perform a quick search by keyword, category, town or radius. Users are also able to search for Outer Banks businesses and attractions by town, lodging, shopping, dining, recreation, real estate, services, news and events through multiple site links.

We enjoyed working on a project that is a part of our community and brings visitors to the area. Vacationers are doing most of their research online well months ahead of their trip. Creating an attractive, easy-to-use go to resource, that works on all devices was crucial, said CK Evans, co-owner and Search Engine Optimization Director of OBX Media.

For more information about OBX.com, visit https://www.obx.com.

About OBX Media

OBX Media, a certified Google Partner Agency, provides marketing and advertising consultation services to small and large businesses all over the nation. OBX Media specializes in website design and development, managed website hosting, pay-per-click management, search engine optimization services, social media marketing, and an array of traditional marketing services. To learn how to increase web traffic and build online sales, visit https://www.outerbanksmedia.com or call 800-441-8274.
SMITHFIELD, Va., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce its employees efforts during Hunger Action Month, a time where all people across the country stand together with Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks to fight hunger. This month, Smithfield employees collected more than 14,000 pounds of food and volunteered at local food banks across the country.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52a10c39-ef7b-4c16-b2c4-d34a61dc4880

Smithfield, and its more than 42,000 U.S. employees, are passionate about fighting hunger, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. Were proud that so many of our employees stepped up this month to raise awareness about this issue and help their fellow neighbor become more food secure.

For ten years, Feeding America has organized Hunger Action Month to mobilize the public to take action against hunger in the United States where one in eight Americans face hunger each day. In addition to food collection and volunteer opportunities, Smithfield is engaging in this campaign by sharing information about this issue at its locations and across its social media channels.

For more than a decade, Smithfield has been a valuable supporter of Feeding America  a true partner in the fight against hunger, said Karen Hanner, Managing Director of Manufacturing Partnerships of Feeding America. Were humbled by their continued commitment to this cause and inspired by the widespread dedication of their employees.

In addition to employee efforts during Hunger Action Month, Smithfields hunger-relief initiative Helping Hungry Homes will donate more than 500,000 pounds of protein this September. These donations will go to local food banks in eight different states as well as recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

To learn more about Helping Hungry Homes or for a list of upcoming donation events, please visit HelpingHungryHomes.com.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About Feeding America

Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Contact:

Kathleen Kirkham

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

(757) 365-1965

kkirkham@smithfield.com
Eskaton, a nonprofit serving seniors throughout Northern California, will be presenting a traveling art show on Saturday, September 30, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Eskaton Village Grass Valley, 625 Eskaton Circle, Grass Valley, CA. The event will showcase artwork created by residents from Eskaton communities around Northern California.

We have a very popular art program at Eskaton Village Grass Valley that started five years ago, explained Michele Ozanich, Director of Resident Services. It is so inspiring to see what the residents can do.

For those who cannot attend the September 30 Sip & Stroll Open House, or want to further support Eskaton artists, there will be another art exhibition on Saturday, October 14, at Eskaton Lodge Gold River, 11390 Coloma Road, Gold River, CA, from 1-3 p.m. Both events include refreshments, hors doeuvres and surprises.

No matter someones age, seniors can continue to learn, encourage each other and inspire others, concluded Ozanich.

About Eskaton

Founded in 1968, Eskaton is now the largest nonprofit community-based organization serving seniors in the Greater Sacramento area. Our dedicated team members provide services and support for nearly 12,000 individuals annually who live in our communities or participate in our comprehensive Home Support Services. Eskaton's difference lies in our broad array of choices and affordable options to engage and support people living in their own homes, as well as those who choose to live in one of our communities. Our positive reputation extends to our signature life-enriching programs, innovative health and wellness initiatives, professional staff training and development and generous philanthropy. These, along with our nonprofit status, are Eskaton's distinguishing factors. For more information, please call (866) ESKATON, or visit http://www.eskaton.org.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Dallas plastic surgeon and renowned rhinoplasty specialist, Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, recently hosted a special edition of the Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium course before the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery at the 36th Jornada Carioca de Cirurgia Plastica in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The course material is based on the Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium, attended by rhinoplasty surgeons from around the world.

The Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium is an annual educational meeting for rhinoplasty surgeons that covers a wide range of special topics in rhinoplasty surgery from how to analyze the nose and plan a primary rhinoplasty to the fundamentals of successful secondary or corrective rhinoplasty surgery. Presentations focus on the latest refinements in surgical technique to ensure safe and reproducible results.

Dr. Rohrich, who chairs the annual event in Dallas, is also the editor-in-chief of the course texts, Dallas Rhinoplasty: Nasal Surgery by the Masters, now in its 3rd edition. It is a compilation of the best techniques, insights, and lessons from the Symposium over the years and has contributions from some of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in the world.

In his talks and live video demonstrations, Dr. Rohrich emphasized the role of the open approach to rhinoplasty which allows surgeons to easily see the underlying nasal structures of the nose to correct and reshape them with much better precision. In turn, this allows surgeons to avoid the use of visible grafts which can compromise success rates and result in unnatural looking noses which are not well harmonized with a patient's facial features.

Dr. Rohrich, who has pioneered many of the techniques and technology used in open rhinoplasty today, describes rhinoplasty as one of the most difficult procedures in cosmetic surgery. "Rhinoplasty is a surgery of millimeters, it truly epitomizes plastic surgery as a whole because it is a surgery of such great finesse and takes years to master," says Dr. Rohrich. "It is one of the most difficult procedures in all of plastic surgery, but also one of the most rewarding."

This is the first time that the Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium material has been presented internationally. Dr. Rohrich's presentation included panel discussions and Question/Answer sessions and unique, live rhinoplasty surgical demonstrations.

"Our goal is to teach rhinoplasty surgeons word wide that with the use of these new techniques and by using the open approach to rhinoplasty, we can dramatically reduce the revision or 'redo' rate in rhinoplasty," says Dr. Rohrich.

About Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is a board certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas. He is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Founding Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Rohrich graduated from Baylor College of Medicine with high honors, and completed his Plastic Surgery training at the University of Michigan Medical Center and fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard (hand/microsurgery) and Oxford University (pediatric plastic surgery). He is Chairman of the Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium, Founding Chairman of the Dallas Cosmetic Symposium, President and Founding Member of the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery, Editor in Chief of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, and a Founding Partner of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute.

Dr. Rohrich has also served as president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the largest organization of board certified plastic surgeons in the world. He repeatedly has been selected by his peers as one of America's best doctors, and on three occasions has received one of his profession's highest honors, the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes his contributions to education in plastic surgery. Dr. Rohrich participates in and has led numerous associations and councils for the advancement of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Attorney Steven Adair MacDonald There is a definite need for change and the political will to bring it about. I foresee it as a gradual transition, like the fall of the Soviet Union, when the dysfunction becomes too painful all around. Past News Releases RSS Attorney Steven Adair MacDonald...

Steven Adair MacDonald &...

MacDonald Firm Negotiates Sale of...

On Thursday, October 12, attorney Steven Adair MacDonald, founder of Steven Adair MacDonald & Partners, P.C., will be speaking at the Hanson Bridgett LLP sponsored Real Estate Roundtable about the current dilemmas and the future of rent and eviction control law in San Francisco. The event takes place at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The City Club of San Francisco, 155 Sansome Street, 9th Floor.

I predict the demise of San Franciscos strict form of rent and eviction controls, said MacDonald, who has 35 years of experience representing both landlords and tenants. With two levels of rents for residential tenants, that for long-term rent-controlled tenants and the much higher level for recent occupants, landlords are motivated to litigate against and even harass the lower-paying tenants until they leave. This creates a windfall for the owners.

It also creates enormous suffering for the now displaced, usually low-income tenants who may need to move far away to find affordable housing due to the huge rent increase they would be faced with in San Francisco. Furthermore, many landlords have borne the brunt and enormous costs of tenant lawsuits for running afoul of the local regulations.

There is a definite need for change and the political will to bring it about, concluded MacDonald. I foresee it as a gradual transition, like the fall of the Soviet Union, when the dysfunction becomes too painful all around.

Registration for the Real Estate Roundtable is no later than October 6. The event is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit. To register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/real-estate-roundtable-rent-control-in-san-francisco-the-current-dilemmasthe-future-tickets-37824665593.

About Steven Adair MacDonald & Partners, P.C.

The MacDonald firm represents both landlords and tenants in all forms of litigation in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area, and employs a team of aggressive landlord-tenant experts. The firm handles cases involving evictions, rent-control disputes, habitability issues, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, short-term-rental issues and more. For more information or a free consultation, please call (415) 956-6488, or visit http://www.samlaw.net. The law office is located at 870 Market Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Park College (NPC) began training for a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Apprenticeship Program last week. The Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship recently approved the program in July 2017.

The College established the program with feedback from local HVAC contractors who expressed the need for an apprenticeship model of training. We really need employees that can work during the day and go to school at night, stated Jason Vincent of Grisham AireCare, who is currently serving as Chair of the NPC HVAC Apprenticeship Advisory Committee. The apprenticeship model is beneficial to newer employees because they are getting not only classroom knowledge but hands-on experience in the field that reinforces what they are learning.

NPC decided to close its one-year HVAC technical certificate program after enrollment declined with plans to restructure the program to better meet the needs of local industry. We have been discussing the best format for this program with our local contractors for several months now, and everyone agreed that an apprenticeship model is the best way to ensure HVAC students receive the best possible training to prepare them for work in the field, stated Kelli Albrecht, Vice President for Workforce and Strategic Initiatives. We have received support from partners around the state, including our Department of Labor liaison, the state apprenticeship office, the state HVACR Association, and our local contractors. 

One unique aspect of this program is that pre-apprentices are allowed to participate in the classroom training, which means a student can begin classroom training before securing a job with a contractor. Local employers hope to use the program as a recruitment tool to hire apprentices.

Other opportunities may be incorporated for high school juniors or seniors that are interested in a career in HVAC and could include evening classes and hands-on experience with local contractors during the summer. Upon graduation, students could potentially work full-time while they complete the apprenticeship.

Currently, seven local HVAC contractors have agreed to send their newer employees to the HVAC Apprenticeship program, including Daniell Heat and Air, GTS, Grisham Air Care, City Plumbing, Heating and Electric, Climate Control Heating and Air Conditioning, Knox AC and Heating, and the Garland County Sheriffs Office. The program may expand in the future to include more experienced employees that could benefit from a national credential. Once a student completes the training they receive a national credential from the Department of Labor, stated Albrecht. This credential will allow students to work in any state as an HVAC Technician.

The apprenticeship model of training is a combination of on-the-job training and related instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Nationally, apprenticeship programs have been on an upward trend in recent years. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 1,700 new apprenticeship programs were established nationwide in FY 2016. Arkansas has 88 active apprenticeship programs and saw 21 new programs in 2016 alone.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts demand for qualified, well-educated HVAC technicians will grow to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to BLS. The BLS expects the demand will be driven by commercial and residential building construction, the growing number of sophisticated climate-control systems, and increased emphasis on energy efficiency and pollution reduction.

Enrollment for the NPC HVAC Apprenticeship Program will be ongoing throughout the year. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Contact Community and Corporate Training for registration information at 501.760.4393 or 501.760.4135.

Photo attached: Pictured left is first-year apprenticeship class instructor, Aaron Shaw who works as a mechanical inspector for the City of Hot Springs. Pictured right is HVAC apprenticeship student Billy Hicks from City Plumbing, Heating, and Electric.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c88ce0ab-5f7f-4d1b-b173-ced9719523c2

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9427b2db-8bf9-4b1b-9bdc-89031a25cbd4
LAFAYETTE, Ind., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC), a diversified industrial manufacturer and North Americas leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems, today announced the appointments of new group presidents, effective October 1, 2017.



Dustin Smith has been named Senior Vice President and Group President, Commercial Trailer Products. Mr. Smith previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Trailer Products, since October 2016. He joined Wabash National in 2007 and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility, including Director of Finance and Vice President of Manufacturing, Commercial Trailer Products. Prior to Wabash National, from 2000 to 2007, Mr. Smith held various positions at Ford Motor Company across both product development and manufacturing divisions.

Kevin Page has been named Senior Vice President and Group President, Diversified Products. Mr. Page joined Wabash National in February 2017 as Vice President and General Manager, Final Mile and Distributed Services. Prior to Wabash National, he was Interim President of Truck Accessories Group, LLC from 2015 to 2016, and Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development from 2012 to 2015. He served as President of Universal Trailer Cargo Group from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Page also had a long career at Utilimaster Corporation serving in various sales roles, including as Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Both positions report to President and Chief Operating Officer Brent Yeagy.

Our strategy to diversify and grow the company over these past several years has been highly successful, and we look forward to continuing that momentum, Yeagy said. These appointments capitalize on these leaders backgrounds and strengths, while aligning our structure at the senior level to meet our key business priorities. Im confident in their ability to keep our momentum going with continued deployment of the Wabash Management System and a commitment to our core values of safety, collaboration and innovation.

About Wabash National Corporation

Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC) is a diversified industrial manufacturer and North Americas leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems. Established in 1985 in Lafayette, Indiana, the company manufactures a diverse range of products, including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, truck-mounted tanks, intermodal equipment, aircraft refueling equipment, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade and pharmaceutical equipment. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National, Beall, Benson, Brenner Tank, Bulk Tank International, DuraPlate, Extract Technology, Garsite, Progress Tank, Supreme, Transcraft, Walker Engineered Products, and Walker Transport. Learn more at www.wabashnational.com.

Media Contact:

Dana Stelsel

Corporate Communications Manager

(765) 771-5766

dana.stelsel@wabashnational.com



Investor Relations:

Mike Pettit

Vice President  Finance and Investor Relations

(765) 771-5581

michael.pettit@wabashnational.com
LAKEWOOD, N.J., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reflecting its commitment to build on the proven strength of its literacy platform for PreK  12 and Adult Education, Achieve3000 today announced an innovative partnership with acclaimed educator and thought leader Dr. Douglas Fisher. Focused on accelerating learning gains for students and building capacity for educators, Dr. Fisher is working alongside Achieve3000 on new blended professional learning models and instructional routine in order to improve student achievement through improved classroom instruction.



A partnership with Dr. Doug Fisher will allow us to help even more students realize the greatest possible effect in reading growth, explained Chief Executive Officer Saki Dodelson. Students using Achieve3000 2x per week are already making two or more years worth of growth in a single year, and with the new Read Discuss Read instructional model, we believe we will see an even greater impact.

Through this partnership with Dr. Fisher, Achieve3000 is taking the best research from Dr. Fishers book Visible Learning for Literacy co-written with Dr. John Hattie and Dr. Nancy Frey to accelerate student learning with a new instructional model called Read-Discuss-Read, designed to increase student comprehension through repeated readings, classroom discussion and debate. These instructional methods are proven to yield significant gains in a school year (effect sizes ranging from 0.67 to 0.82). A second initiative is a video series - 30 Days to Improving Instruction. Over the course of 30 Days, Dr. Fisher will help teachers build their own skills and practice, enabling them to apply new strategies effectively in their classrooms everyday.

Achieve3000 has used decades of scientific research to develop its highly effective literacy platform, Dr. Doug Fisher stated, thats why it works. Dr. Fisher continued, The data is clear, when implemented correctly and used regularly, student literacy steadily improves. With this new 30-day professional learning opportunity, teachers will learn concrete ways to improve their classroom instruction, with the singular focus on student achievement.

Achieve3000 continues to offer the only literacy platform in English and Spanish that provides differentiated instruction with embedded assessments to automatically deliver grade-appropriate content at students individual reading levels, with editions that are customized for state, district or country curricula and assessments. The Achieve3000 platform is powered by built-in blended learning, actionable data and proven efficacy, ensuring equity of access to core instruction while accelerating student learning, improving performance on high-stakes assessments and preparing all students for college and career success.

About Achieve3000

Achieve3000 is the leader in online differentiated literacy instruction, serving nearly three students worldwide. For more than 16 years, Achieve3000s patented and proven literacy platform has been reaching students at their individual reading levels to deliver significant learning gains, often double to triple the expected gains in a single school year. Based on decades of scientific research, Achieve3000s solutions  Smarty Ants (grades PreK-2), KidBiz3000 (grades 2-5), TeenBiz3000 (grades 6-8), Empower3000 (grades 9-12), Spark3000 (adult learners) and eScience3000 (grades 6-8)  support core curriculum, Response to Intervention, English language learner and special education instructional models, as well as 21st-century education initiatives. From learning how to read to preparing for the workforce, Achieve3000 empowers all learners to develop the college and career literacy skills needed for academic, professional and personal success. Achieve3000 is based in Lakewood, New Jersey. Learn more at http://www.achieve3000.com or call 888-968-6822.

About Dr. Douglas Fisher

Douglas Fisher is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. He is a member of the California Reading Hall of Fame and was honored as an exemplary leader by the Conference on English Leadership. Dr. Fisher has published numerous articles on improving student achievement, and his books include The Purposeful Classroom: How to Structure Lessons with Learning Goals in Mind; Enhancing RTI: How to Ensure Success with Effective Classroom Instruction and Intervention; Checking for Understanding: Formative Assessment Techniques for Your Classroom; How to Create a Culture of Achievement in Your School and Classroom; and Intentional and Targeted Teaching: A Framework for Teacher Growth and Leadership.

Contact:

Josef Blumenfeld

EdTech180

Joe@EdTech180.com
Chicago - Pitney Bowes, a global technology company that provides innovative products and solutions to power commerce, is utilizing mapping data from HERE Technologies to help insurers better assess the risks of natural disasters and climate change.

HERE, a long-standing partner of Pitney Bowes, is now providing an expanded range of global mapping content as part of a new multi-year agreement between the two companies.

The agreement will benefit in particular customers utilizing Pitney Bowes' portfolio of GeoEnrichment products for assessing the risk of events such as floods and landslides. These products are now able to draw on a comprehensive array of HERE data, including roadway information, point addresses, political and administrative boundaries, and places.

"We've had a tremendous relationship with HERE over the course of the past 15 years," said Mike Ashmore, Director, Global Geocoding Product Management, Pitney Bowes. "The collaborative nature of our relationship and the high quality of HERE data has allowed Pitney Bowes to provide a true industry leading geocoding product in the enterprise space."

Media Enquiries

HERE media relations

https://here.com/en/company/newsroom/media-and-industry-analyst-contacts

About HERE Technologies

HERE, the Open Location Platform company, enables people, enterprises and cities to harness the power of location. By making sense of the world through the lens of location we empower our customers to achieve better outcomes - from helping a city manage its infrastructure or an enterprise optimize its assets to guiding drivers to their destination safely. To learn more about HERE, including our new generation of cloud-based location platform services, visit http://360.here.com and www.here.com
FORM 8.3

PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY

A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE

Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")

1. KEY INFORMATION

(a) Full name of discloser: OCTOPUS INVESTMENTS NOMINEES LIMITED (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):

The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:

Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Clinigen Group plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:

For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 28/09/2017 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?

If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" NO

2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

Class of relevant security:







Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:











5,123,021







4.45 (2) Cash-settled derivatives:



(3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:



TOTAL:







5,123,021







4.45





All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options)

Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:

3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a) Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security Purchase/sale



Number of securities Price per unit



0.1p Ordinary Purchase



19,050 10.93





(b) Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security Product description

e.g. CFD Nature of dealing

e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit





(c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type

e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii) Exercise

Class of relevant security Product description

e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit





(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security Nature of dealing

e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)





4. OTHER INFORMATION

(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:

Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"



None





(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:

(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or

(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:

If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"



None





(c) Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO

Date of disclosure: 29/09/2017 Contact name: Daryl O'Brien Telephone number: 0203 1400 942

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service and must also be emailed to the Takeover Panel at monitoring@disclosure.org.uk. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
MISSION, Kan., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Family Features) Corn may be the top crop in Iowa, but many consumers are not aware of corn oils heart-healthy benefits1 and its versatility in the kitchen.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d4c6428-3cf0-473f-8f9b-bb5fd052aabc

When cooking for your family, selecting the best ingredients for a heart-healthy meal can be challenging and there is one ingredient that is often the core of any recipe: cooking oil. However, navigating the cooking oil aisle can be confusing, so this guide breaks down everything the home chef needs to know about cooking with oil.

Heart-Health Focused

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important to your heart health, and when it comes to impact on cholesterol, not all cooking oils are created equal. Next time you find yourself reaching for extra virgin olive oil at the grocery store, consider swapping it out for corn oil, which a study shows can help lower cholesterol two times more than extra virgin olive oil2. Corn oil also has nearly five times the amount of polyunsaturated fats compared to olive oil3 and these heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats help reduce cholesterol levels in your blood4. Making a conscious effort to use ingredients like Mazola Corn Oil is a smart, heart-healthy choice for your family.

A Gut Decision

When it comes to lowering your cholesterol and staying heart healthy, go with your gut. Corn oil contains cholesterol-blocking plant sterols  plant-based micronutrients that help block the absorption of cholesterol in your gut and work to prevent bad cholesterol (LDL) from entering the blood stream5. Corn oil contains nearly four times more cholesterol-blocking plant sterols than olive oil, three times as many as vegetable oil and nearly 1.5x more than canola oil6.

Sourcing the Best Ingredients

Today, more and more families are paying close attention to where their food comes from and prefer locally sourced ingredients. Opting for local food can give you more confidence in the ingredients you use in your familys meals. Mazola Corn Oil is produced from corn in the Midwest, including corn grown in Iowa. A lot of olive oil is imported from the Mediterranean region, while most canola oil comes from our friendly neighbors up north in Canada. But, did you know that you can get heart-healthy corn oil thats grown and made right here in the US?

Multipurpose Functionality

Whether you fancy yourself a top-notch baker, grill master or just starting out, each ingredient selected plays an important role in obtaining the meals desired taste. Extra virgin olive oil has a strong flavor that can change the taste of the foods you cook. Corn oil is an all-purpose cooking oil with a neutral taste that lets the true flavors of your dish come through, making it the perfect ingredient for heart-healthy dishes like pan-fried salmon or in a salad dressing over a bed of spinach.

Corn oil can also handle the heat in the kitchen because of its high smoke point (450F), making it a great, all-purpose cooking oil for everything from grilling and sauteing to stir frying and baking. This is key for crafting quality meals at home because once a smoke point is exceeded, the food flavor and nutritional value are negatively affected. Find delicious recipes featuring Mazola Corn Oil at Mazola.com.

1Corn oil is a cholesterol free food that contains 14g of total fat per serving. See nutrition information on product label or at Mazola.com for fat and saturated fat content. Very limited and preliminary scientific evidence suggests that eating about 1 tbsp (16 grams) of corn oil daily may reduce the risk of heart disease due to the unsaturated fat content in corn oil. FDA concludes there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim. To achieve this possible benefit, corn oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day. One serving of this product contains 14 grams of corn oil.

2Maki KC, Lawless Al, Kelley KM, Kaden VN, Dicklin MR. Benefits of corn oil compared to extra virgin olive oil consumption on the plasma lipid profile in men and women with elevated cholesterol; results from a controlled feeding trial, J. Clin, Lipidol, January/February 2016 issue. Study sponsored in part by ACH Food Companies, Inc.

3USDA National Nutrient Database SR-28, 2016.

4http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Polyunsaturated-Fats_UCM_301461_Article.jsp#.WL8NsvkrJD8

510USDA and USDHHS 2010; FDA 2000, 2010; Wu et al. 2009; Demonty et al. 2008, Ellegard et al. 2008; Mensink et al. 2010

6Based on analysis of corn oil and 2016 USDA comparison of other cooking oils: Corn Oil has plant sterols content of 135.6 mg/serving vs. 30.0 mg/serving for Olive Oil, 40.8 mg/serving for Vegetable Oil, and 93.9 mg/serving for Canola Oil.

Michael French

mfrench@familyfeatures.com

1-888-824-3337

editors.familyfeatures.com

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate

Established in 1974, Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for print and online publications. Our articles, photos, videos and web content solutions save you time, money and help create advertising opportunities. Registration is fast and free  with absolutely no obligation. Visit editors.familyfeatures.com for more information.
SEATTLE, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glympse, a leading provider of location-powered customer experience solutions and Silver level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), today announced that its pre-integrated En Route solution is now available in the Oracle Cloud Marketplace, offering added value for Oracle Field Service Cloud customers. Glympse En Route enhances Oracles predictive approach to field service with practical insight that eliminates uncertainty, reduces field service friction, and respects customers time.



The Oracle Cloud Marketplace is a one-stop shop for Oracle customers seeking trusted business applications and service providers offering unique business solutions, including ones that extend Oracle Cloud Applications. Oracle Cloud is the industrys broadest and most complete public cloud, delivering enterprise-grade services at every level of the cloud technology stack including software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and data as a service (DaaS).

Oracle Field Service Cloud users can now personalize customer engagement by adding standard En Route capabilities powered by Glympses proprietary location platform, giving their customers:

Proactive channel-of-choice notifications

A central, interactive view of key appointment and service representative data

Options to change appointment details or connect with a service representative

Dynamic ETA updates culminating in a live map view of a field representative on the way

In addition to the Glympse Customer Journey featuring live technician location sharing, the complete En Route solution includes a mobile application for field employees, capabilities to collect and react to customer feedback, back office technician tracking, and customer engagement metrics dashboards.

The time between when a customer books their field service or delivery and when someone arrives on site is a critical window for brands to build a relationship and demonstrate their commitment. Yet its been plagued with uncertainty and friction for customers and service delivery teams alike, said David Troll, SVP, sales and customer operations, Glympse. Weve built a robust digital experience to address that gap, bringing clarity and flexibility to people trying to fit field service into their busy schedules. Combined with Oracle Field Service Cloud, the result is happier customers and more efficient field operations.

Troll continued, Glympses participation in the Oracle Cloud Marketplace further extends our commitment to the Oracle community and enables customers to easily reap the benefits of En Route. We look forward to leveraging the power of the Oracle Cloud to help us achieve our business goals.

The Oracle Cloud Marketplace offers an intuitive user interface to browse and search for available applications and services, as well as user ratings and reviews to help customers determine the best business solutions for their organization. With its new automated application installation features, customers can easily deploy provider business applications from a centralized cloud interface.

About Glympse

Glympse, which introduced location sharing in 2009, connects consumers, service and delivery organizations, retailers and the Internet of Things (IoT) through its global location platform. This platform provides a simple way to integrate location sharing and ETA management across a connected ecosystem of automobiles, maps, navigation systems, wearables, messaging applications, voice/AI devices, household electronics, smart appliances and more. Glympse En Route, the companys enterprise solution suite, helps field service, sales, and delivery teams around the world make contextual location data the focal point of their digital customer experience strategies.

Glympse partners with leading brands such as Amazon, BMW/MINI, Charter Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable), Comcast, Ford, Garmin, General Motors, Gogo Inflight, Google, IBM, Jaguar/Land Rover, Marken, Mercedes, NAVIGON, Pizza Hut, Rogers Communications, Samsung, SIG Ireland, Sky UK, TruGreen, Verizon and Vodafone. Glympse is backed by leading investors including Menlo Ventures, Ignition Partners, Verizon Ventures, and UMC Capital.

About Oracle PartnerNetwork

Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) is Oracle's partner program that provides partners with a differentiated advantage to develop, sell and implement Oracle solutions. OPN offers resources to train and support specialized knowledge of Oracles products and solutions and has evolved to recognize Oracles growing product portfolio, partner base and business opportunity. Key to the latest enhancements to OPN is the ability for partners to be recognized and rewarded for their investment in Oracle Cloud. Partners engaging with Oracle will be able to differentiate their Oracle Cloud expertise and success with customers through the OPN Cloud program  an innovative program that complements existing OPN program levels with tiers of recognition and progressive benefits for partners working with Oracle Cloud. To find out more visit: http://www.oracle.com/partners.

Trademarks

Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Kayleigh Halko

Glympse

(216) 534-6140

Kayleigh@glympse.com
This year duringthe summer, every National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School student entering eighth grade read "The One and Only Ivan," a book based on a true story about a gorilla named Ivan who lived in a shopping mall.

Kids spent their first days back at school completing assignments related to the book. But students who participated in STEM Middle School teacher Susan Hall's summer program went one step further -- they visited Ivan's birthplace deep in the Congo, where they saw other gorillas and learned about his habitat, all through virtual reality headsets.

"It was awesome," said Jonnaya Holmes, a 13-year-old who goes to the STEM Middle School, as she described the scenery of the forest. "It was really cool to see."

Thanks to the new STEM Teacher Resource Lab, around-the-world trips, robotic learning assistants and other novel STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning experiences will now be within reach of every student in the county.

Located in the downtown Akron-Summit County Public Library, the resource lab contains more than $8,000 worth of STEM learning equipment that teachers can check out to use in their classrooms. All they need is a teaching ID and an Akron-Summit County Public Library card.

The lab is a result of a partnership between the library, the EXL Center at the University of Akron, and the Akron Hub of the Ohio STEM Learning Network.

Last year, when Annie Hanson was the manager of the OSLN Akron Hub, she began coordinating with Ian Schwarber, the co-founder of the EXL Center, on how to combine resources from the two institutions.

"After talking to a lot of teachers, I found they really wanted to engage in STEM practices, but they didn't know where to start," said Hanson, who is now director of community relations and engagement at UA.

Hanson came up with the idea of lending equipment to teachers, and she and Schwarber coordinated with the library to help implement it. The idea became a reality even as Hanson and Schwarber moved out of their roles at those institutions and into new ones.

During the lab's grand opening, STEM educators tried out some of the equipment. Everything is now available to borrow from the library in person and on the website by searching "STEM kits" in the catalogue, which contains virtual reality headsets, engineering design challenges, listening devices, "lessons in a box" and more.

The idea is to get both STEM and non-STEM educators in the county to try new things while laying the framework of a lab that may be re-created in other areas, said Sam Crews, the current OSLN Akron Hub manager.

"We envision this being a national model," Crews said. "This is just the beginning of what we hope to curate."

Dozens of different kits that can be used for K-12 education were laid out on the tables during the opening, from simple building toys, like Legos, to more advanced technological equipment, like Ozobots _ tiny robots that look like mechanical cotton balls and teach kids basic coding lessons.

"All these toys really help students think outside the box," Hanson said.

Hall, a media specialist and fifth grade digital literacy teacher at the NIHF STEM Middle School, knows how STEM learning can get kids thinking outside the box, and even outside their own world. She's taken her students on virtual reality trips to different countries, underwater and even to Mars.

"This is probably the most exciting time ever to be in education. There are so many virtual opportunities," Hall said.

"I just see this being so important to teachers," she added. "[Teachers] don't have a lot of money, and this gives us the opportunity to test things ... that have been recommended and vetted."
URBANA, Ill. (AP)  A young man has been convicted in a fatal shooting during a 2016 party near the University of Illinois campus.

A Champaign County jury found 19-year-old Robbie Patton of Champaign guilty Thursday of first-degree murder in the killing of 22-year-old George Korchev of Mundelein. He also was convicted of three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.

Assistant Public Defender Tony Allegretti says investigators ignored leads that could have implicated someone else.

Sentencing is Nov. 8. Patton faces 45-85 years in prison on the murder charge and up to 30 years on the others.

Police say the shooting followed a disagreement over a spilled drink at a party in Champaign that led to a fight. None of the four victims were involved in the fight.
NASSAU, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Hurricanes Irma and Maria had a devastating impact on many parts of the Caribbean and on several southern islands of The Bahamas, including Ragged Island. The thoughts of all at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) are with those in our islands and throughout our region who were adversely impacted by these storms. However, it is important to communicate that The Bahamas major tourism centers were minimally impacted and are operating as usual.

Working with industry partners, the BMOTA has been aggressively reaching out to travel and lifestyle media, news reporters, meteorologists and travel trade media, among others, to provide regular updates following the storms. Updates to Bahamas.com and social media channels inform consumers directly about conditions in The Bahamas. Media outreach has spanned multiple continents with press releases and direct updates targeting the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and broadly in Latin America.

These press statements have related important information including key updates from airports, hotels, seaports and marinas. Further, post-Irma images showed newly arrived guests and the state of the product in main tourist hubs. Consumers in key markets are being targeted through digital content that will provide them an update on what they need to know about travel to The Bahamas now as the BMOTA works on multiple channels to counter the dominant story of Caribbean devastation.

BMOTA efforts in the coming weeks will continue to communicate through media outreach, media visits, media blitzes in key markets and digital and sales initiatives that the experiences that attract so many to The Bahamas  fishing, boating, beautiful beaches and leading hospitality  are unaffected. The media strategy aims to be research and data driven, highly targeted, intuitive, cutting-edge, consistent and effective. The launch of cutting-edge digital and social media campaigns, in key designated marketing areas will help inspire travellers to chose the Island Of The Bahamas.

Our marketing strategy across all mediums will be integrated and tailored towards the desires of past and prospective visitors. The campaigns, whether it is PR or paid media will be designed to inspire and to invite discovery of our 16 islands, our culture, heritage events, cuisine and natural wonders.

We are thankful that most of The Islands of The Bahamas escaped severe damage not once, but twice this month, said Hon. Minister Dionisio DAguilar. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with all those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, but we also realize that these hurricanes can impact us greatly if there is an inaccurate perception that we are not able to offer the hospitality so valued by our visitors.

Our southern islands sustained damage ranging from minor in places such as Crooked Island, Inaugua and Mayaguana, to more severe damage on Ragged Island and Acklins Island. The safety and well-being of residents and guests on these islands are of utmost importance.

Cooperation with destination partners continues to play a critical role in post-Irma and Maria communication and recovery efforts.

We are thankful that The Bahamas has generally weathered the storms well, but we continue to work closely with our industry partners to evaluate the conditions across all of our islands and gather updates for travelers, said Director General Joy Jibrilu.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

The Islands of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the worlds best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember Its Better in The Bahamas. For more information call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.



# # #

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4cd2905-31d9-4e16-9a1b-d205152b5daf
FLY London Suede Ankle Boots with Fringe - Yagi is rated 3.8 out of 5 by 12 .

Rated 5 out of 5 by ARayofLite from FRIIIIIIIINGE! The Yagi runs small, ordered one size up. They are so fun and comfortable!

Rated 1 out of 5 by Leilalu from Quality very disappointed I ordered in both colors. The black pair zipper was broken. How does this happen on a brand new shoe?? I purchased last winter at full price. When a customer purchases a pair of shoes at $215.00 they should not be broken...I also ordered a pair of the Yama ankle boots. When I received them they were not in a FLY box but in a white box. They appeared to be worn. I also paid full price. I ordered two pairs in this style. I ordered nearly 800 dollars worth of shoes; one pair broken the other appeared to be worn. Im not one to complain but this is unacceptable. I called qvc customer service and they were very helpful and I returned items but this should not happen. Because of this I will never buy FLY London shoes again. Quality is everything...

Rated 5 out of 5 by sasha57 from Favorite boots I had to exchange these boots for a size larger but now that I have the right size they are so comfortable. I feel so chic when I wear them. I am a lover of moccasins and these remind me of them but with heels. I love this brand!!!

Rated 1 out of 5 by gabsgirl06 from Sharp Boot, but the Zipper is Busted I was so excited to receive this boot, as I love Fly London shoes (I have 4 pair). Once I received the boot, I put it aside as one of my Christmas gifts. Once wearing them, the zipper came apart and gapped. Unfortunately, the boot was my only pair of dressy footwear that I took out of the town. So, for 3 days I had to watch that the zipper didn't total bust on me. I really didn't want to return them, as I this time of year its hard to find a boot in size 10 or 11. Plus, I've had such success with Fly London products, I just thought that zipper just needed a quick realignment. So, when I took them to my shoe shop that I use all the time, they said that it would be $25 per boot to reset the zipper. Thus, the boots will be returned.

Rated 1 out of 5 by greendragonfly from Cute but at least 1 size too small I wear an 8.5W - 9M and got these in a 40, which is supposed to accommodate up to a 9.5. No way! I barely fit in these, and they really hurt even without socks, and they pinched at the toes. A friend who wears size 8N did get in them. Sending back.

Rated 5 out of 5 by Annecatherine from Another Great Purchase from Fly I love these cute boot. Bought the camel in a size 40 which is up a size from my normal size. I am a true 8 1/2 or even 8 in some other brands that do not offer half sizes but ive been going up a size in Fly London shoes lately. My first pair was the yala perf was a size 39 in the silver color. I loved them so much I ordered them in blue and they were very narrow in the toe and I don't have a wide foot. So I returned them for a 40. Since then I've been ordering up a size. I have the yoll and the yumi in black both size 40 and now these beautiful boots also 40. When I first put them on they were roomy with no socks but put my socks on and they are perfect. I think they would have been tight in a 39. I love this brand the quality is very good you just have to be patient with on line ordering where you can't try them on first. So I own 5 pairs from this brand one in a size 39 and four in size 40. But they are worth the trial and error because they are special and I get complements all the time and not to mention the comfort.

Rated 5 out of 5 by 3girls4me from Fabulous Fly! This is my second pair of Fly London boots. I normally wear an 8 and my first pair I ordered a size up and they were a little loose (thick socks fixed that). These I ordered in size 38 and after wearing once, they fit great. I LOVE these boots- they are very, very comfortable even after wearing all day on a hard floor. And they look great as well. I can't recommend them strongly enough. They're fabulous!
The project is divided into three phases. The first involves the procurement of new trains for the standard-gauge Tunis - Goulette - Marsa (TGM) suburban line, which runs for 19km from Tunis Marine station to the coastal town of La Marsa. The line is equipped with 750V dc electrification and services are operated by a fleet of 25 EMUs built by MAN in 1979.

The second phase calls for the construction of a new tram depot in Manouba, while the third phase involves the refurbishment or replacement of Transtus fleet of Siemens trams, which were built between 1984 and 1997.

The remaining 140.2m required for the programme will come from the Tunisian government.
According to the ministry the order for 169 trains has an estimated value of around $US 2bn including spare parts and maintenance. Deliveries will begin in the second half of 2020 and are due to be completed in 2023, more than doubling the fleet of 1346 vehicles currently in service on the Buenos Aires suburban network.

The winning bidder will maintain the fleet for a period of at least 10 years at five new purpose-built depots.

The new trains will feature air-conditioning, passenger Wi-Fi, LED passenger information screens, CCTV, and real-time information on service status and train loading.

The trains will be designed in accordance with EN and UIC standards and each set will accommodate up to 2000 passengers.

The ministry says at least 20% of components will be manufactured in Argentina, creating up to 2000 jobs and $US 300m investment in the countrys rail industry.

To develop the specification for the tender, the ministry has held three technical consultation sessions with manufacturers and rolling stock experts. These events attracted representatives from 16 national and international companies and 580 questions were received and answered as part of the consultation process.

Companies participating in the consultation included Alstom, Bombardier, CRRC, Hyundai-Rotem, Mitsubishi, Stadler Rail, Matafer, Emepa, CAF, and Transmashholding.

Three meetings were also held with local rail sector SMEs as part of the Ministry of Productions Supplier Development Programme (Prodepro).

The RER project involves building of a north-south tunnel beneath the centre of Buenos Aires connecting the Mitre and San Martin lines into Retiro with the Roca and Belgrano Sur lines, which link Buenos Aires and Constitucion stations with the southern suburbs.

In the second stage of the project, an underground link will be constructed between Retiro and Once station, which will connect the Mitre and Sarmiento lines. In the longer-term, the government also proposes linking the metre-gauge Belgrano Sur and Belgrano Norte lines and incorporating them into the RER network.

When all phases are completed it is envisaged that the RER will reduce headways on the Buenos Aires suburban network from 10-15 minutes to just three minutes at peak times.
Lucas-Perez remembers her first attempt to order a cup of coffee at a Mcdonalds in Grand Rapids.

Cuando vinimos aqui no sabiamos ni donde podiamos preguntar por una tacita de cafe. Teniamos que apuntar con el dedito y si la cajera tenia paciencia entonces podiamos pedir pero si no, nos quedabamos calladitos.

Translation: When we first got here we didnt know how to even ask for a cup of coffee. We had to point with our fingers, and if the cashier happened to be patient, then we could order what we wanted--if not we just stayed quiet.

Liliana, Cyndi and Yulimar.

According to data from Grand Rapids Public Schools, there are a total of 75 students whose families have self-identified a Mayan language as their primary language. Out of these 75, the highest concentration of students is found at Cesar Chavez Elementary School (21 students).

Lucas-Perez continues, Aveces confunden Mam con espanol.

Translation: People sometimes confuse Mam with Spanish.



Lucas-Perez also adds that Mam does not employ female and male pronouns like he and she.

She explains that when she first arrived in 2000, it was a little easier because her partner Matias knew Mam, Spanish, and English well, and he could help translate for her. However, when Matias passed away in a tragic work accident three years ago, Lucas-Perez has had to raise their three young daughters on her own with few resources in her own native language.

Lucas-Perez explains,

Aqui estoy por mis hijas, porque yo quiero que sean doctores, enfermeras, licenciadas.

Cualquier profesion con que tengan una profesion.

Translation: I am here for my daughters because I want them to become doctors, nurses or some sort of professional. Any profession as long as they have one.

In spite of the language barriers Lucas-Perez has faced, she has persisted. She has made herself an integral part of the community on Grandville Avenue. The school staff at

Cesar Chavez

,

where her two youngest daughters, Yulimar and Sindi are enrolled,

knows Lucas-Perez as a volunteer extraordinaire, Lucas-Perez believes the only way she can ensure her community thrives is by remaining involved.

Domingo Hernandez-Gomez, the Director of the Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion at Grand Rapids Community College , explains that there is perceived negativity around speaking an indigenous language. Hernandez-Gomezs primary language is Tzeltal, a Mayan language spoken in five countries of Central America. Hernandez-Gomez spoke Tzeltal until he was eleven years old when he was exposed to Spanish in school.

In [an] indigenous population there is a feeling of shame when you dont speak Spanish, because of the fear

of being judged that you are not educated, or you are basically dumb, ignorant, says Hernandez-Gomez.

The Spanish language is not a native language of Latin America, but one brought by Spanish colonizers in 1492. Today it is the official language of many countries in Central and South America, and there has been very little acknowledgment of the indigenous communities and languages original to these lands.

Cuando yo estaba en Guatemala cada alumno tenia que llevar piedrecitas para hacer el muro de la escuela. Y los que tienen dinero pueden ir a la escuela y los que no tienen dinero entonces no es obligatorio ir a la escuela, says

Lucas-Perez.

Translation: When I was back in Guatemala every student had to carry their own bricks to build the walls of the school. It was not mandatory for kids to go to school, so only those who had money would go.

The access to opportunities for education is one of the reasons Lucas-Perez remains in the United States. If she had stayed in her village, she explains that her daughters wouldnt have been able to enroll in the kind of education they have here, let alone have access to learning three languages. All three of her daughters speak Mam, Spanish, and English. At home, Lucas-Perez speaks Mam with her daughters, except when they are working on their homework for school.

Yo me siento con ellas y ellas me ensenan lo que significa cada cosa que estan leyendo, explains Lucas-

Perez.

Translation: I sit with them while they are doing homework, and they also show me what each part of their reading means.

For Lucas-Perez, developing relationships with her community means being a bridge with other mothers who also dont speak Spanish as a first language. She believes that it is her duty to share her knowledge of resources with others.

Yo he ensenado a muchos como ir en el bus, como ir a la clinica Cherry, como ir a pagar la basura, como ir a inscribirse a la escuela, says Lucas-

Perez.

Translation: I have taught many how to ride the bus, how to go to Cherry Clinic, how to pay for garbage collection at the city building and how to register their kids for school.

Chad Patton, Director of Customized Workplace English at the

Literacy Center of West Michigan

explains that many people assume that members of the southwest community of Grand Rapids have 100 percent Spanish language proficiency and are able to read and write in this language. However, often that is not the case, explains Patton, as they have had little access to a formal education in the Spanish language.

According to Patton, our communitys overall misperception of the Latinx experience is part of the issue in the continued erasure of the experience of indigenous folks from Latin-America. Their identities as indigenous people do not necessarily mirror the typical Latinx experience portrayed in the media.

This past July, the Literacy Center of West Michigan began offering basic Spanish language courses for individuals in the community whose primary language is not Spanish.

We kept running into individuals who could not read or write in Spanish even though they spoke Spanish, and the best way to help teach them English was by helping them improve Spanish, says Patton.

The class is offered on Tuesday evenings at

Clinica Santa Maria

, located on

730 Grandville Avenue SW

. For those interested in attending, please register by calling Patton at:

616-459-5151 ext. 44

.

One of the ways, Lucas-Perez has been able to navigate resources is through her daughter Liliana, who has always been willing to translate for her mom when she doesnt understand. Liliana has learned Spanish and English through the bilingual immersion program at

Cesar E. Chavez Elementary

Fue gracias a Liliana que yo aprendi a montarme en el bus, y el horario, y ahora yo me voy en bus a recoger a Liliana de la City, says Lucas-Perez.

Translation: It was thanks to Liliana that I learned how to ride the bus and the bus schedule. Now I take the bus to pick up Liliana from her school at City Middle School.

Dominga Lucas-Perez plays a game of connect four with her three daughters at the Cook Library Center on Grandville Avenue.

Hernandez-Gomez explains that for most families like Lucas-Perez, their kids are their point of contact to the outside.

These families tend to rely on their kids to help them in the process of translation, and this can take a toll on the kids. This is why it is really important to have counseling resources and support for these kids. The easiest way to make others like Lucas-Perez feel welcome is to smile and use body language to communicate belonging", shares Hernandez-Gomez.

Saying Hi helps someone know that they are welcomed here, explains Hernandez-Gomez.

Lucas-Perez echoes Hernandez-Gomez sentiments, and says she is always interested in practicing her Spanish and English with native speakers.

Yo me siento orgullosa de mi. Si tu me dices Dominga no se dice eso en espanol se dice asi, y yo no me siento mal porque me estas haciendo un bien, says Lucas-Perez.

Translation: I am proud of myself. If you tell me Dominga that's not how you say it, and you correct me, I don't feel bad, because I know you are doing it for my own good.

Yo primero mi sueno pedirle a Dios que me de muchos anos mas. Yo quiero ver a mis hijas tener su graduacion, says Lucas-Perez.

Lucas-Perez persistence is a product of her need to fight against colonialism and structures built to erase indigenous voices like hers. Structures aim to center

whiteness. Lucas-Perez persists against these structures and fights to give her daughters the chance at better opportunities.





On The Ground GR



On The Ground GR is a Rapid Growth series. This series will highlight and celebrate the communities found touching along the Grandville Avenue of Grand Rapids.



Over the next few months, On The Ground GR journalists will be knocking on doors and getting to know the neighbors and community members. We will dive deeper into topics concerning this neighborhood's residents and stakeholders while celebrating the diversity and strength found in this area. We are on the ground listening and want to celebrate the community's unifying spirit of positivity and vibrancy.



You can follow On The Ground GR's work via Twitter (#OnTheGroundGR



On The Ground GR is made possible by



Photography by Dreams by Bella. On The Ground GR is a Rapid Growth series. This series will highlight and celebrate the communities found touching along the Grandville Avenue of Grand Rapids.Over the next few months, On The Ground GR journalists will be knocking on doors and getting to know the neighbors and community members. We will dive deeper into topics concerning this neighborhood's residents and stakeholders while celebrating the diversity and strength found in this area. We are on the ground listening and want to celebrate the community's unifying spirit of positivity and vibrancy.You can follow On The Ground GR's work via Twitter (#OnTheGroundGR @rapidgrowthmedia ), Facebook and Instagram . To connect with On The Ground GR's editor, Michelle Jokisch Polo (read more about Michelle here ), you can email her at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook and Instagram On The Ground GR is made possible by The Frey Foundation The Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Steelcase Foundation organizations working to guarantee all communities thrive.

Unlike Hernandez-Gomez, who had the opportunity to receive schooling, Lucas-Perez did not have the same kind of educational opportunities he had. She was only able to complete three years of school in her village in Todos Santos, and after third grade, she had to go work in the fields to help support her family. Lucas-Perez has always been passionate about education, but access to educational opportunities was not something her family could provide her.Translation: My dream is to ask God for many more years. I want to be able to see my daughters graduate.
Aivazovsky painting stolen from Russia in 1976 found in Switzerland

MOSCOW, September 29 (RAPSI)  A painting by famous artist Ivan Aivazovsky stolen from a Russian museum in 1976 has been found at a Swiss auction, Irina Volk, the official representative of Russias Interior Ministry, announced on Friday.

Aivazovskys View of Revel (originally titled Sea) was removed from the auction sale as a result of cooperation between Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) for Russia and authorities of Switzerland, the statement reads.

The work on returning the painting to Russia is underway.

The painting dated 1845 was stolen from the Dmitrov Kremlin Reserve Museum in 1976. The cultural values assessed cost is over $1 million.
Investigators seek detention of woman allegedly involved in high-profile bribery case

MOSCOW, September 29 (RAPSI)  A motion filed by investigators seeking to detain Anastasia Pestrikova, who is reportedly a girlfriend of Dmitry Zakharchenko, former Russian anti-corruption official charged with receiving a large-scale bribe, has reached Moscows Basmanny District Court, the courts spokesperson told RAPSI on Friday.

Pestrikova is suspected of embezzlement, according to the courts representative.

Earlier, authorities have seized about $16 million in bank accounts of Pestrikovas acquaintance Lilia Gorshkova as part of a criminal case against Zakharchenko. According to investigators, the accused Colonel gave illegally received funds to Pestrikova, who deposited the money in account opened by Gorshkova.

Ex-Russian anti-corruption official Dmitry Zakharchenko was arrested on September 8, 2016. During searches at the apartment belonging to Zakharchenkos sister law enforcement officers found around 9 billion rubles (about $156 million at the current exchange rate).

Zakharchenko himself denies any relation to seized funds.

Zakharchenko was charged with receiving a 7 million-ruble ($121,600) bribe from an unknown source. He has also been charged with abuse of office and hindering the conduct of preliminary investigation. On March 2, it was revealed that he is charged with two more instances of corruption crimes.

According to case papers, the father of Dmitry Zakharchenko, Viktor, is charged with being an accessory to embezzlement.

His father also pleads not guilty to embezzlement.
State Duma passes bill on visits for convicts in high security prisons

MOSCOW, September 29 (RAPSI)  The State Duma has passed in the third reading a bill on visits for criminals serving their term in stringent conditions in high security penal colonies and prisons.

To become a law, the bill is to be approved by the Federation Council and to be signed by Russian President.

The bill reads that these inmates are to receive a right to have one long-term visit a year. Other categories of convicts serving their term in stringent conditions will receive increased number of both short-term and long-term visits.

Earlier, Russian government submitted a bill that would allow life-term prisoners to have one prolonged visit a year from relatives. The bill was drafted by the Justice Ministry in compliance with the Constitutional Courts order.

In November 2016, the Constitutional Court of Russia published a regulation that allows prison inmates sentenced to life to receive at least one long visit from close relatives in the first 10 years of prison term.

The Court was reviewing Russian legislation regarding prison visits under the request of the Volgograd Regional Court regarding cases of convicts Anton Matsynin and Nikolay Korolev. Their wives tried to organize prolonged conjugal visits in the first 10 years of imprisonment but were denied.

Currently, prolonged visits for such inmates are only allowed when they are moved to less strict conditions, but those who serve life terms may be transferred to such conditions only after 10 years of prison time for good behavior.
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Damage caused by shady real estate developers in Russia reaches $83 million

MOSCOW, September 29 (RAPSI)  The Prosecutor Generals Office has estimated damage caused by unscrupulous real estate developers as far as 4.8 billion rubles ($83 million), the chairman for the State Dumas Committee on security Vasily Peskarev said on Friday.

He noted that 1.1 billion rubles (about $19 million) of that sum have been compensated to date. According to law enforcement agencies, they received 634 claims from private investors. As a result, 393 criminal cases were launched and 49 of those cases were submitted to courts. In 241 cases the authorities refrained from initiating criminal proceedings.

The State Dumas Committee has analyzed the road maps indicating 803 problematic construction objects, provided by the Construction Ministry. The documents list 36,198 private investors as ones deceived by real estate developers. The public report on the situation in the sphere of privately funded construction is expected to be released in December.
New York, NY, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sparta Commercial Services, Inc. (Symbol: SRCO) announced today that its Municipal Leasing Division will replace the citys police motorcycles with new BMW vehicles. This is the third time the company has performed the service.

Garcia Moto is the vender, and the Raleigh dealership has provided vehicles in five previous Sparta leasing transactions. Says Garcia Motos Dealer Principal, Garrett Garcia, "We teamed with Sparta's Municipal Lease Division several years ago to provide an efficient process for our police customers to acquire new motorcycles. Sparta has always made it a pleasant experience, and their program makes the process a 'win-win' for everyone."

Sparta's Municipal Leasing Program has become an important resource for cities and other municipalities across the country. The program offers a cost effective way of securing vehicles, other than standard up-front purchasing. The Sparta alternative permits the buyer to spread payments over time, making the budgeting process more flexible, which allows for the acquisition of equipment that would otherwise be unaffordable.

Sparta has serviced over a dozen North Carolina municipalities, including the cities of Charlotte and Greenville, and has recently contracted with the town of Candor for a Jet-Vac cleaning machine.

For more information about the Sparta Municipal Lease Program, visit www.spartamunicipal.com , or call 800-882-0778.

About Sparta Commercial Services, Inc.

Sparta Commercial Services, Inc. ( www.spartacommercial.com ), through its subsidiary, iMobile Solutions, Inc., is a leader, in developing, managing, and servicing custom mobile apps for vehicle dealers from Harley-Davidson to John Deere, automobiles and RVs, restaurants, liquor stores, clubs, and other businesses in 49 states and Canada. In addition to mobile apps, Sparta provides motor vehicle title history reports to dealers, insurance companies, credit unions, and consumers. The Company also offers vehicle and capital lease finance programs for municipalities.

iMobile Solutions, Inc. offers customizable mobile applications designed for vehicle dealers, providing for ongoing contact with their customers and communications of upcoming and ongoing promotions, special events, new and used inventory, and more, and for a wide range of other businesses and entities, offering a customized mobile app designed specifically for their purposes, at a fraction of the cost of both traditional and web marketing. iMobileApp, ( www.imobileapp.com ), is a custom, fully-branded app that is an extension of a businesss e-presence. In addition, the company offers complete website design, development, hosting, support and maintenance.

The Company also provides detailed used vehicle title history reports to dealers, insurance companies, credit unions, etc., as well as to consumers. The reports are trusted by industry professionals to provide buyers accurate, timely, and thorough title history reports. The Company targets four motor vehicle markets through http://www.carvinreport.com (automobiles and light trucks), www.cyclechex.com (motorcycles), www.rvchecks.com (recreational vehicles) and www.truckchex.com (commercial trucks).

Sparta's Municipal Leasing Division ( www.spartamunicipal.com ) offers and administers a specialized municipal leasing program for local and state agencies. The Company is dedicated to serving jurisdictions with small and growing vehicle fleets who seek a better and more economical way to finance their essential equipment needs - from police motorcycles and cruisers, to EMS equipment and busses, to virtually any type of equipment a municipality requires. The Municipal Leasing Division also works with larger jurisdictions to provide competitive leasing facilities for specific segments of their fleet portfolio.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are valid only as of today and we disclaim any obligation to update this information. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, competition, financing and commercial agreements and strategic alliances, seasonality, potential fluctuations in operating results and rate of growth, management of potential growth, system interruption, consumer and industry trends, limited operating history, and government regulation. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. Further information regarding these and other risks is described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available on its website at: http://www.sec.gov.

Company Contact:
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Please Read The Entire Auction Description Before Bidding! PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: 2.1 Acres of vacant land in Punta Gorda, Florida Charlotte County Real Estate Account # 422422177003 This property is zoned residential (current use) AND agricultural (future use) Plus it's large enough to allow for both! WOW Subdivided on both sides of the road with great access and plenty of frontage! Purchase Price and Conditions of Payment The total purchase price is $7,995.00 USD The opening bid of $250 is the ...

Price: $ 250 Seller State of Residence: Nevada Type: Vacant Land Zoning: Residential/Agricultural City: Punta Gorda State/Province: Florida Zip/Postal Code: 33955 Property Address: 33477 OIL WELL RD Location: 339**, Punta Gorda, Florida

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INVEST IN THE BEAUTIFUL GULF COAST NICE DOUBLE LOT IF YOU WANT TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE THIS IS YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY $75 PER MONTH + 0 % FINANCING = MAXIMUM LEVERAGE This property is seven miles from both the Gulf of Mexico and Saint Louis Bay. It is just south of Interstate 10 and about one miles north of Route 90 in Waveland/Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. You are just 60 miles east of New Orleans and it is all interstate driving. This street has people living on it and electricity is close by....

Price: $ 5 Seller State of Residence: Illinois Property Address: Road 556 and Fifth Street State/Province: Mississippi City: Waveland Zoning: Residential Location: , Waveland, Ms

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BEAUTIFUL LOT BACKING TO TRINCHERA CREEK!!! Please do your due diligence BEFORE bidding on this property. If you have less than 10 Feedbacks & 99% positive, then please call or text me BEFORE bidding. I can pretty much guarantee that you will NOT find a better value on a 5 acre lot with stream frontage anywhere else in the valley! Cash price for the lot is $6,954, but financing is available for just $142/month (60 mos) for this 5 acre lot...(a sales contract will be drawn up for all purchases - ...

Price: $ 75 Seller State of Residence: Colorado State/Province: Colorado City: Blanca Zoning: Vacant Land Type: Recreational, Acreage Zip/Postal Code: 81123 Location: 811**, Blanca, Colorado

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PLEASE READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM AND ONLY BUY AFTER YOU HAVE READ EVERYTHING AND ALL YOUR QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED CAN BUY IT NOW OR SEND ME A REASONABLE OFFER ****** GREAT TIME TO BUY ****** WANT TO MOVE/ RELOCATE TO FLORIDA? CONTACT ME, I HAVE SEVERAL PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN FLORIDA, I HAVE SOME STUDIO UNITS FOR SALE AT THE BEACH THAT CAN BE RENTED DAILY, GREAT INVESTMENT PROPERTIES IN FLORIDA!!! CALL ME, TEXT ME (954)554-8049 THIS AUCTION IS FOR A VACANT LOT IN PORT CHARLOTTE, ...

Price: $ 14,999 Property Address: 1198 UNDERHILL CIRCLE Seller State of Residence: Fl State/Province: Florida City: PORT CHARLOTTE Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Location: 330**, Hollywood, Florida

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On a recent trip to Chicago I was reminded that despite having made great progress in the past decades, as gun owners we still have a long way to go. Numbers of licensed CCW owners are at an all-time high, the ridiculous and oft-ignored Clinton-era scary black rifle ban is but a fading memory, and the arbitrary and capricious restrictions placed on us by the National Firearms Act of 1934 have been challenged by recent product innovation.

And yet, theres still a myriad patchwork of laws that seem to exist solely to ensnare the well-intentioned gun owner, or else demonstrate lawmakers almost complete ignorance of the subject at hand. Pro tip: When someone in public office claims a piece of legislation will send a message, they should be publicly tarred and feathered  grandstanding idiots should have no place in the halls of power of this great republic. Unfortunately, however, all too often the anti-gun media (but I repeat myself) overlooks and abets any trampling of Second Amendment rights.

Take for example the case of Avi Wolf, arrested in New Yorks La Guardia airport for the heinous crime of having an unloaded magazine, despite having declared it to security. According to John Stossel, Wolf was released after spending a day in jail and managed to plea bargain a felony charge down to one of public disorder after paying over $15,000 in legal fees.

Such a case is sadly far from unusual. The notoriously anti-2A fishwrapper, the NY Daily News, routinely reports on innocent Americans whose only crime is to mistakenly believe their constitutional rights extend to the five boroughs. Banner headlines that scream Woman arrested for loaded gun are almost always followed by uncritical reporting, noting that this particular public enemy was an out-of-stater returning home who declared her firearm at the ticket counter, per federal regulations. Under N.Y. law, having a gun and ammunition in the same bag is considered the same as if the magazine were inserted and a round chambered, hence the histrionic loaded gun headline. To say that these reporters have the same journalistic integrity as pond scum would be unkind to algae.

Of course, the cities of New York and Chicago stand as examples of the most egregious violations of civil rights, but there are many others. If youd like to see career politicians from both places foam at the mouth (and really, who wouldnt?), then its up to us to call our own representatives and tell them we support H.R.38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Lets stay on the offensive and keep Americas place as a beacon to the world and a city upon a hill. Check out RECOIL Issue 33.
French English

Montrouge, 29 September 2017

Credit Agricole S.A. announces it has signed an agreement to acquire more than 95% of the Cesena, Rimini and San Miniato savings banks

Credit Agricole S.A. announces that its subsidiary, Credit Agricole Cariparma SpA, has signed an agreement with the section "Voluntary Scheme" of the Italian Interbank Deposit Protection Fund (the "Schema Volontario"), Cesena savings bank (Cassa di Risparmio di Cesena SpA), Rimini savings bank (Cassa di Risparmio di Rimini SpA) and San Miniato savings bank (Cassa di Risparmio di San Miniato SpA) to acquire more than 95% of the capital of these three banks.

Constructive talks were held throughout the summer, in a spirit of mutual respect and shared engagement, with the Schema Volontario and the banks, with the active support of the Authorities involved. As a result, the conditions were met for the conclusion of this agreement, which sets out the structure and scope of the transaction, in particular the specific capital increases of each of the three banks and the conditions for the deconsolidation of the bulk of their non-performing exposures giving rise, among others, to an improvement in the group's risk profile in Italy.

The Schema Volontario will bolster the capital of the target banks before the transaction completion date in order to align their CET1 ratios with the criteria specified by the Credit Agricole Group; the portfolios of non-performing exposures, which amount to a gross value of around 3 billion, will be securitised with the help of the Fund Atlante II or sold to private investors. Credit Agricole Cariparma will pay 130m to the Schema Volontario for the acquisition of an interest of more than 95% in the three target banks.

The terms of the agreement will allow all three banks to enjoy a solid financial structure, a necessary condition for them to resume supporting the development of their respective territories, Credit Agricole Cariparma to contribute to the reinforcement of the Italian banking system and to close a transaction that will create value in the long term, in strict compliance with its investment criteria.

The transaction will be subject to the approval of the relevant supervisory and competition authorities. It is expected to be finalised by the end of 2017.

In accordance with the announcement in April 2017 on the opening of the negotiations, the impact of this transaction on the CET1 ratios of Credit Agricole S.A. and the Credit Agricole Group will be around 10bp.

CREDIT AGRICOLE S.A. PRESS CONTACT

Charlotte de Chavagnac + 33 1 57 72 11 17 charlotte.dechavagnac@credit-agricole-sa.fr

Alexandre Barat + 33 1 43 23 07 31 alexandre.barat@credit-agricole-sa.fr

Find our press release on: www.credit-agricole.com - www.creditagricole.info
Since the 1980s, Nancy Denson has been a staple in Athens-Clarke County politics. She was the first woman elected to the Athens City governmen
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Keith A. Perry, Medical Director of Precision Pain Treatment Clinic in Smithfield, Rhode Island, has been elected to join the American Health Councils Physician Board. With 27 years in the healthcare industry, including 4 in his current role, Dr. Perry is being commended for his expertise in Interventional Pain Management and Anesthesia.



Obtaining his MD degree from the University of Vermont in 1985, Dr. Perry became involved in his profession due to his inner desire to explore an interesting and important field. He harbors a love for the challenges faced every day and the opportunity to help others. Dr. Perry attributes his continuous success to his ongoing effort in helping people. His passion has helped him excel within his career.

At Precision Pain Treatment Clinic, Dr. Perry engages in daily responsibilities, including working with Pain Management clients, as well as performing diagnostic and therapeutic injections. Dr. Perry avoids prescribing opioids and muscle relaxers.

Dr. Perry has garnered numerous awards and honors, including being Chief Resident at Meridian Huron Hospital during his last year of Residency, and a Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesia at Buffalo Childrens Hospital. He is a member of the American Medical Association and Rhode Island Medical Society.

For the next 5 years, Dr. Perry anticipates instituting more treatment options with Regenerative Medicine. He would like to establish more efficient treatments that have the potential to heal and provide sustained functional improvements.

In his spare time, Dr. Perry enjoys kayaking and spending time outdoors, as well as donating to the Wildlife Fund and ASPCA.

About the American Health Council:

The American Health Council is the nations only organization with a constituency representative of all sectors of the healthcare industry. From the coasts to the heartland, the American Health Council has drawn Affiliates from major metropolitan hubs and small communities. These Affiliates span generations and have reached different stages of their careers  from recent graduates to retirees. More information about the American Health Council and its mission can be found at: http://americanhealthcouncil.org

Additionally, the American Health Council strives to provide recognition and support for those individuals and institutions making the difference in patients lives day in and day out. Throughout 2017, the AHC is honoring Americas Best Doctors and Nurses, as well as the nations best medical universities and hospitals. The American Health Councils Best in Medicine and Best in Nursing awards programs honor the individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to medicine and nursing, as well as the training and education of physicians and nurses. The most current selections for these honors may be viewed here: http://bestinmedicine.org and http://bestinnursing.org.

For more information, please contact:

Elizabeth Moore

American Health Council

Hauppauge, NY United States

Phone: 1-631-617-6590

Email: media@americanhealthcouncil.org
This November, registered voters in Athens-Clarke County will return to the polls to vote in the special elections to fill House District 117 and 119 seats, the city of Winterville council seats and decide on a proposed transportation sales tax.
Simplifying the processes will lead to greater efficiencies. Bad processes will not help even if implemented well, says T N C Rajagopalan.

It was clear by the end of August that the government had rushed into the goods and services tax (GST) regime without adequate preparation.

"In any large tax reform, unforeseen difficulties may arise," said Sumit Dutt Majumdar, former chairman of the Central Board of Excise and Customs.

"But the problems we have today are not unforeseen."

The GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network) had shut down on August 30 and 31.

Beginning September, taxpayers started filing returns for outward supplies for July in form GSTR-1. As their problems had not been sorted out, the government extended the last date for filing GSTR-1, 2 and 3 returns for July to September 10, 25, and 30, respectively.

But taxpayers continued to face difficulties and delays even as their frustration mounted because they could not file returns. But the government was in denial mode.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said apprehensions with regard to the GST regime had proved unfounded and a smooth transition had happened.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley made the same claims and said that Rs 92,283 crore GST had been collected in July against a target of Rs 91,000 crore.

Government officials chided the trade for filing returns on the last day, failing to appreciate that it was the government itself that had prescribed the last date and failed to enable taxpayers to file returns.

The new interim chief of the GSTN denied reports that the GST portal had crashed. Figures were thrown around to show that all was well, ignoring the stressful experience of the GSTN users.

The state finance ministers, however, refused to be taken in by propaganda as disturbing facts continued to emerge.

In the transitional credit form GST-TRAN-01, filed by taxpayers along with their maiden returns for July, businesses had claimed credit of more than Rs 65,000 crore for the excise, service tax and value-added tax paid before the GST roll-out.

The GST Council could understand that it had been misled on the readiness of the GSTN to cope with the work load. A fresh look was necessary.

So, the Council decided to allow amendments to GST-TRAN-01 returns and extend the last date for filing the July GSTR-1, 2 and 3 returns to October 10, 31, and November 10, respectively.

For August and subsequent months, it decided not to give any deadlines for filing returns. However, it maintained the last date of paying taxes on the basis of summary returns in form GSTR-3B by the 20th of the next month till December.

This means that exporters, who had been promised tax refund within seven days, have to now wait for almost four months. So, the Council decided to appoint a Group of Ministers (GoM) to look at the GSTN issues and a panel of bureaucrats to have a fresh look at the problems of exporters.

The GST Council's honest appraisal and willingness to recognise the ground realities and act expeditiously eased the immediate pressure.

The GoM, led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, got off to a quick start, meeting the top executives of Infosys, the vendor of the GSTN platform.

"It is like building the ship while sailing," said Modi, summing up the challenges. It asked Infosys to fix the glitches by October end.

The GSTN executives met several large enterprises including Unilever, and more than 80 tax officials in various states, and interacted with tax consultants who help the nearly 8.5 million taxpayers registered with the indirect tax system to file returns.

The worry now is that the GoM is merely looking at pushing the GSTN and not the processes.

Shailendra Kumar of taxindiaonline.com says that it would be unfair to blame just the GSTN when the flaw lies in the design of the business processes.

"GSTR-1, 2 & 3 are all very large containers of information. Their designs ignore the ground realities and shift the burden on the GSTN," he says.

Pratik Jain of PwC says: "Suspend the process of matching inward and outward invoices till the system stabilises. Give staggered time schedules for different classes of taxpayers. Simplify the returns for small taxpayers and those filing 'nil' returns.

"Allow transfer of cash balance from one state to another. Have a common CGST pool, instead of state-wise."

Dutt Majumdar says: "Give exemptions to small dealers with the threshold of Rs 20 lakh even for inter-state sales or supplies through e-commerce. Take away tax on the reverse charge mechanism on supplies by unregistered dealers. There is no need for e-way bills."

Simplifying the processes will lead to greater efficiencies. Bad processes will not help even if implemented well.

Sushil Modi should, therefore, take a holistic look rather than merely egging on Infosys. A hurried job will cause more pain later.

Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters
Agriculturally important UP, MP, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab received 20-30% shortfall in rain

After a three-week delay, the southwest monsoon has started withdrawing from the Northeast, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). There is an overall shortfall of 5 per cent in rain till now.

The retreat of the rains usually starts in the first week of September.

Till Wednesday, almost 34 per cent of the countrys 660 districts had received deficient rain; many of these were staring at a drought.

In view of the establishment of an anticyclone in the lower tropospheric levels, substantial reduction in moisture content and dry weather prevailing over the region, the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from some parts of Punjab, Haryana, most parts of west Rajasthan, some parts of Kutch and north Arabian Sea, today (Wednesday), the IMD said in its weather update.

According to the Met department, out of the 660 districts in the country, the southwest monsoon this year from June 1 to September 27 was normal, excess or large excess in 414 (around 66 per cent of them), while it was deficient in 216 of them.

There was no data available for 30 districts (around 34 per cent).

In 2016, the southwest monsoon was normal in 67 per cent of the 660 districts, while it was deficient in 34 per cent.

Overall, till September 27, India received around 827.4 mm rainfall since June 1. This was 5 per cent less than normal.

Agriculturally important Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab received 20-30 per cent shortfall in rain.

The monsoon started on a brisk note in June and maintained its pace in July, but thereafter it went for a big break over Vidharbha, parts of Madhya Pradesh, and also Uttar Pradesh, impacting the standing oilseed, cotton and pulses crop.

The shift in acreage due to better prices towards crops such as cotton was not expected to lead to any big jump in output, as the elongated dry weather impacted yields.

The ministry of agriculture in its first advanced estimate of 2017-18 kharif crops said foodgrain production is projected at 134.67 million tonnes, which is 2.77 per cent less than the fourth estimate of the last year, but around 0.26 per cent less than the first estimate of 2016-17, as uneven rains and floods pulled down output.

However, a clearer picture will emerge in the coming months, when final harvest starts hitting the market as the first estimate is just a rough calculation based on area covered.

The estimated production of most of the crops during current kharif season is estimated to be higher as compared to their normal production of last five years.

However, these are preliminary estimates and would undergo revision based on further feedback from the states, the government said in a statement released earlier this week.

In case of some crops like cotton, the total production is expected to be 2.47 per cent less than last year despite a higher acreage due to poor rains in main growing areas.

Production of pulses in the kharif season of 2017-18 as per the first advanced estimate is pegged at 8.71 million tonnes, which is 7.53 per cent less than fourth estimate of last year, but again less than a per cent lower than the first estimate of 2016-17.

In case of oilseeds, the kharif harvest is projected at 20.67 million tonnes, which is 7.72 per cent less than last year and 11.51 per cent less than the first estimate of 2016-17.

Among other crops, the advanced estimate showed that cotton production was projected at 32.27 million bales (1 bale = 170 kilograms), while jute output was pegged at 10.32 million bales (1 bale = 180 kilograms).

Cotton production was estimated to be 2.47 per cent less than the fourth estimated of 2016-17 and 0.46 per cent less than the first estimate of the same year.

Sugarcane production in 2017-18, as per the first estimate was projected at 337.69 million tonnes, which is 10.09 per cent more than the fourth estimate of last year and 10.63 per cent more than the first estimate of the same year.

The monsoon, which delivers 70 percent of India's annual rainfall, is critical for 263 million farmers and their rice, sugarcane, corn, cotton and soybean crops because nearly half of the country's farmland lacks irrigation.

The water levels in 91-odd reservoirs of the country till September 21  the last available data was 96.952 billion cubic meters (BCM), which was 61 per cent of total capacity.

Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters
It came as a huge surprise when Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 56, who has been famous for her roles in Veep and Seinfeld, announced she has breast cancer in a post on her official Twitter account. "One in eight women get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one," Louis-Dreyfus wrote.

The actress has just started her fight against all cancers and is trying to build awareness through her social media posts.

It's true that breast cancer can't be prevented, but some steps can be taken to help detect it early, when the cancer cells are small and haven't spread.

Read on to find out what one can do...

IMAGE: After learning she had breast cancer, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus wrote this on Instagram: "1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today I'm the one. The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union. The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let's fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality."

Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Meera (name changed), a bank manager in her late 30s, discovered a lump in her left breast while bathing in the morning. She ignored it as the lump was not causing her any pain.

She went to a physician for a general check-up after a few months.

During a mammographic screening, she was diagnosed with second-stage breast cancer.

The doctors told her she would have had a better chance of survival if she had come earlier for treatment.

Breast cancer develops from breast duct tissues and is one of the most common cancers among females.

Pregnancy after 30, no breastfeeding, obesity, late menopause, early onset of menstruation, smoking and alcohol consumption majorly contribute to the risk factors of breast cancer.

Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, fluid excretion from the nipple or a red scaly patch of skin.

In those with a distant spread of the disease, there may be bone pain, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breath or yellow skin.

Almost all breast cancer patients in India are detected with the disease when it is at an advanced stage.

IMAGE: Breast cancer survivors Tina Sharma and Mary Ann DAchille walked the ramp at the New York Fashion Week last week. Photograph: Kind courtesy @makingstridescentralpark/Instagram

Breast cancer can't be prevented, but some steps can be taken to help detect it early, when the cancer cells are small and haven't spread.

It is also easier to treat it successfully in the early stages.

Mammography is the most important screening test for detection of breast cancer.

The breasts are x-rayed to detect tumours even before they can be felt.

It is also important to know the signs and symptoms so that any time an abnormality is discovered, it can be investigated by a health care professional at the earliest.

To detect abnormalities in breasts, it is essential for adult women of all ages to perform a self examination five days after menstruation.

They can use the fingertips to check for lumps or hardened knots.

In case of any abnormalities, they shouldn't waste any time in consulting a health care provider.

These steps can help detect breast cancer early and prevent cancerous cells from spreading further.

Dr Ajay Bapna is senior consultant and head of department, medical oncology department, Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital, Jaipur.
'The Americans have apparently distanced themselves from Pakistan, for good.

'The Chinese are feeling the heat with the gradual rise in the number of nations viewing Pakistan as the nursery of global terror,' says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

Image used for representational purpose. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters.

Its not Pakistan, but the North Koreans who are garnering all the global attention, these days.

The testing of a whole family of missiles, topped up by a Hydrogen bomb has grabbed all the eye balls. But, nearer home for south and south Asian countries, another scene of an old play continues to be enacted.

Pakistan continues to calibrate terrorism in Afghanistan and India. A state has been reached where most of the world has begun to hyphenate Pakistan & North Korea together as rogue states.

In the case of North Korea, at least their internal situation is very much under control, be it by means fair or foul. However, in Pakistans case the internal situation is in turmoil.

For too long have they harboured too many terrorist organisations. Now, these establishments have found firm anchorage and challenge the authorities.

Their leadership roams at will, often makes statements to the press and seem to be unaffected by the law enforcement agencies or the honourable legal institutions that can otherwise get a Pakistani prime minister to resign.

Parallel with the tanzeems finding firm anchorage in Pakistan, has gone on this business of exporting terror to neighbours. The Afghans are fed up. India has been informing the whole world. The Americans have off late stated it loud and clear. Even its all-weather friend China joined the chorus in the BRICS summit on September 4 to name the terrorist organisations that operate from its soil.

The American Presidents speech on the new Afghan policy chastised Pakistan unequivocally. His stark statement conveyed that at least 20 organisations, in the American list of terrorist groups, operate from Pakistan.

Trump also promised to cut off aid that has so long been used to target American service personnel in Afghanistan. Pakistan, a nation living on doles even after seven decades of independence, has been justifiably shaken.

Pakistan has reacted to Trumps threat with varying tones, tenors and pitches. While the foreign minister talked about distancing themselves from terrorists, the defence minister reiterated the old parody; these organisations are the strategic partners of Pakistani Army. The new prime minister has kept his own counsel.

Perhaps an equally harsh blow was delivered in the BRICS meet in Beijing, when the joint statement of the participating countries named terrorist outfits operating out of Pakistan by name.

The role of honour included Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The fact of even China, Pakistans sole all-weather friend, teaming up with the rest, surely causes enough consternation at Islamabad.

In the recent past, the Russians have seemingly gone soft on Pakistan. The Indians leaning the American way may have been one of the primers. It surely is also driven by the desire to make Afghanistan more costly for the Americans.

However, its doubtful whether the correct payback time is now for all that the Americans did to them when they ran Afghanistan in the 1980s. The reasons are simple. The USSR broke up in part due to its overreach, with Afghanistan being the biggest bleeding wound. No one knows why not to get into Afghanistan, better than the Russians.

While relating with Pakistan, Russians will surely understand the losses it will incur in terms of its most lucrative arms market and a long history of a robust relationship.

Pakistan has been a frontline state in the US lead Global War Against Terror. For the frontline state to lose its pole position and being identified as being part of the problem, is a huge shift.

An equally big issue is the tap being closed for funds to flow. Pakistan received US $3.5 bn in 2011 as compared to less than US $1 bn in 2016. Other than West Asians donors, there is only China left to fund.

There are sound reasons for the Pakistani GDP growth rate to tumble. If the new American approach gathers momentum in the days ahead, Pakistan could be headed for sanctions that might just hasten the process.

If they do try and stage another major attack in India, the sanctions may not be too far away.

Image used for representational purpose. Photograph: Reuters.

In the interim, with American funding on the wane, Pakistan has opted for the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) bandwagon.

The China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) is the crown jewel of BRI. It passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory thats disputed between India and Pakistan, and then traverses across the length of Pakistan to terminate at the Chinese funded Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea thats been leased to a state run Chinese company for 40 years.

The Pakistani government has not been able to sell the CPEC concept to its people. Pakistanis are not inclined to believe that CPEC will prove to be a high octane growth driver for their economy.

On the contrary, they are worried about landing in a debt trap, losing their strategic autonomy, detrimental impact on social cohesion and aggravation of insurgent/ violent movements in Baluchistan and other regions that the CPEC arteries will pass through.

Of all CPECs impacts, the affect on an already fragile social cohesion is the most worrisome. As CPEC progresses, attacks on the assets being created will only increase, thus prompting the Pakistani state to respond in a heavy handed manner.

It will, sooner or later, initiate a vicious cycle of violence between government forces and Islamist tanzeems.

The Americans have apparently distanced themselves from Pakistan, for good. The Chinese are feeling the heat with the gradual rise in the number of nations viewing Pakistan as the nursery of global terror.

Pakistan, barely has any other staunch supporters other than USA and China. Under the circumstances, can sanctions follow, quite on the pattern that the other rogue state, North Korea faces. Such a step will only aggravate centrifugal forces in Pakistan; the existing fractures between Pakistans provinces will only run deeper and the chasms spread wider.

The writing is on the wall for Pakistan. Either they switch over to combating terrorism and stop aiding terrorist groups, or international opinion against them swells leading to greater isolation and measures being initiated to rein in a state identified as rogue.

For the world, the option that Pakistan decides to adopt is critical. At the end of the road, the stakes include the ownership of a nuclear arsenal that can cause havoc.
What does one deduce from this silence? That the minorities in the BJP era have been muted, perhaps even coercively, asks Sajad Ahmad Dar.

On August 7, 2017, a person named Suresh (a historysheeter) allegedly killed two brothers (Mohammad Wasim, allegedly with criminal antecedents, and Mohammad Aashu), with who he was otherwise acquainted.

This twin murder was carried out at one of the busiest places in Aligarh city, the Railway Road, in broad daylight.

Given the fact that the city is historically prone to communal violence, the incident, it was feared, was likely to degenerate into communal violence.

Fortunately, it did not.

The town has previously experienced several major communal clashes -- in 1961, 1971, 1978 and 1990-91.

However, since 1991, there has been no major communal violence in Aligarh (except a relatively minor clash in 2006), which in itself needs academic probing as to how and why this city, prone to communal violence, has remained peaceful for more than 25 years.

The United States-based political scientist, Paul Brass, in his book, Production Of Hindu-Muslim Violence In Contemporary India (2003), has written a comprehensive political history of communal violence in Aligarh.

The thrust of his argument is: The violence is politically engineered/produced, rather than spontaneous. He therefore classifies it into three stages: rehearsal/preparation, activation/enactment and explanation/interpretation.

But the question here is why did the twin killing of Muslims by a Hindu not degenerate/flare up into a riot? Was it because:

One of the victims was supposed to be a criminal? The victims resided in a Hindu majority locality in the city and hence did not have much clout within their co-religionists? The two killed did not belong to the community of Qureshis, the upwardly mobile community of Muslims who are supposed to be little more organised and assertive in retaliating in Aligarh, but to the non-Qureshi Pasmanda biradri (caste) of Muslims --- Bhishti (water-carrier), in their case? Fear that the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in power at both the Centre and in the state, may have instructed the police to repress the protests or the retaliation?

Elisabeth Mann, in her study of Aligarh, Boundaries And Identities (1992), identifies 24 Muslim biradris in the city, among which the most 'prominent', socially, economically and politically in her view are, the Qureshis (the meat-sellers), the Ansaris (the weavers), the Saifis (the ironsmiths) and the Pathans.

The first three would fall in the Pasmanda category, whereas the last would fall in the Ashraf category.

Of these, as said earlier, the Qureshis are supposed to have undergone 'rapid economic growth' and have produced Muslim politicians like Mohammed Sufiyan of the Janata Dal.

The Qureshis have often been at loggerheads in electoral politics with the Saifis, who are comparatively relatively backward in this part of the country. Yet, from the community of Saifis, Abdul Khaliq of the Samajwadi Party registered an electoral success in 1996 when he was elected to the state assembly.

The interesting thing about the incident on August 7 was that the Muslim communities of the town did not respond immediately. This inaction broke only after a statement came from the BJP MLA of Aligarh, Sanjeev Raja.

He justified the killings as an act of 'self-defence'.

Quite expectedly, his remarks were provocative enough to worsen the situation.

On August 11, a section of Muslim youth protested against his statement after offering the Friday afternoon prayers.

Raja's statement had created a strong apprehension among a section of Muslims in the city that the state machinery would be influenced to unduly safeguard the accused.

The protesters were also asking for a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the family of the deceased. Some of the protesters reportedly resorted to throwing brickbats. The police had to use lathi charge, teargas and chilli bombs to control the irate mob.

A host of questions arise from the criminal incident.

The accused, Suresh, reportedly fired four shots from a distance of about 50 metres, which clearly demonstrates that it was not an act of self-defence. The firing, to those present at the spot who insist on their anonymity, had no provocation nor had a scuffle taken place between the shooter and the deceased.

Sanjeev Rajas utterances re-confirm what Paul Brass had argued, that the promoters of violence recognise its illegitimacy by claiming that the aggressor community was only acting in 'self-defence'.

There is, however, more to the incident than meets the eye.

The victims are the only Muslim family living in what otherwise is a predominantly Hindu locality.

This takes us to the economics of a murder and also corroborates one of my interviewees views that the murders were carried out because Suresh was eyeing the property of the deceased.

Thus, one may argue that the murders were carried out in order to terrify or intimidate the family of the deceased and force them to leave the locality.

India, more specifically Aligarh, has a long history of cases where a minority is subjected to such tactics and forced to leave the place and go live in ghettos.

The most noticeable thing -- and which seems to have become a norm today -- is that while the SSP and the district administration should have taken action against the MLA for his provocative remarks, they instead were busy in lodging cases against those demanding action against the MLA and justice for the two deceased.

The protest by the community was video-graphed by the police. More than hundred Muslims have already been booked.

However, the district administration is hell bent upon adding more to the list.

The inaction against the BJP MLA sends a message that the enforcers of the law have chosen to act in a partisan manner. Yet, there has not been any protest and significant reportage about the role the police have played.

Even though an old, centrally funded, large, residential Muslim university is located in the city, quite intriguingly, hardly any voice of protest against the role of the police and the BJP MLA could be heard.

What does one deduce from this silence? That the minorities in the BJP era have been muted, perhaps even coercively?

But even in the pre-BJP era, there were instances of such silence.

For instance, the Muslim leadership did not ask for justice in the Aligarh riots of 1990-91, when a 'Muslim friendly regime' headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav was in power.

Similarly, the Muslim leadership hardly ever asked then chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to deliver justice by booking the culprits in the Bhagalpur riots (1989-90), and Sitamarhi-Riga riots (October 1992).

Even in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, the wilful failures of the Akhilesh Yadav regime in preventing, and controlling, the riots, in rehabilitating the victims and in bringing the perpetrators to justice has largely been ignored by Muslim politicians and the intelligentsia, as also by the liberal-left.

Unlike the 2002 Gujarat riots, the perpetrators and collaborating police officers have not been chased by civil society groups up to the higher judiciary. Let us recall that, in the case of Gujarat, some high-ranking police officers and even ministers have been incarcerated; some have even been convicted.

Usually, some of the vocal Muslims are co-opted by the 'friendly regimes' and this is how their silence on acts of injustice are, in a sense, purchased.

The only difference this time, in the era of BJPs dominance and hegemony, is that they have been muted without any favour being offered to individual elites of the community.

'Even the intelligentsia has become palpably partisan. They shout against the omissions and commissions of saffron establishments, but they choose to become less shrill and less strident when they are needed to speak against the non-saffron forces. The liberals, for instance, did not speak out against Akhilesh Yadavs regime whose police in Dadri (September 2015), in Muzaffarnagar (2013), and elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh failed to uphold Constitutional values,' Prof Mohammad Sajjad has argued on Rediff.com.

It may perhaps be argued that this kind of political practice in the past (in the 'pre-BJP era') has contributed towards a lack of confidence and moral courage in speaking out against such issues. Therefore, now, when more than 100 Muslims were arrested for protesting against the provocative remarks of the BJP MLA, it seems to have gone unnoticed by civil society.

This also raises questions about the political and intellectual efficacy of the Muslim university.

The Aligarh Muslim University Teachers Association, the Aligarh Muslim University Students Union, and informal students groups like the Aligarh Activists Society and the students of AMU, did not speak out on the issue.

Even the Urdu dailies did not carry opinion pieces on this kind of partisan administrative repression in Aligarh in August 2017.

Isnt it, then, time for deep introspection?

Sajad Ahmad Dar is pursuing doctoral research on the urban history of Aligarh in the 20th century, at the Centre of Advanced Study in History, Aligarh Muslim University.
'The flashpoint for the deeper battle over the soul of this country has come over Aadhaar. And that is because internal to Aadhaar itself, within the very design and usefulness of the project, lies the division between the clashing images of India,' says Mihir S Sharma.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com.

The judgment affirming that Indians do, in fact, have a fundamental right to privacy is momentous. It is among the most important constitutional decisions in decades; some have compared it even to Kesavananda Bharati in 1973, which decisively limited Parliaments ability to amend the Constitution.

The reason why it may be so important is that it is a reminder, one which was sorely needed, that India was conceived of as a nation that prioritised the individual over the collective.

It was a country where majoritarian sentiment  whether legislative or popular  would always have to respect the rights of the individual, and the choices that individuals wished to make.

This country has, for some years now, been slipping into a very different conception of itself. I do not need to spell out the lineaments of that self-image.

Certainly, dissent is not popular; distrust and caution about the State are discouraged; and the very notion of permanent and empowered minorities, whether of descent, belief or ideology, is considered troubling.

Respect for minority rights is, if the minority is religious, appeasement; if the minority is political, indecision; and so on.

This judgment by the Supreme Court tries admirably to address this slide. The degree to which it succeeds determines the degree to which the Court, and the Constitution that we gave ourselves nearly seven decades ago, has the power to restrain a turbulent majoritarianism at this very dangerous point in our history.

You would think that given this clash of perspectives about who we are and over what may underlie our Constitution was inevitable, it could have emerged through any policy disagreement.

I disagree, however. In some ways, it is no coincidence that the flashpoint for this deeper battle over the soul of this country has come over the Unique ID project, or Aadhaar. And that is because internal to Aadhaar itself, within the very design and usefulness of the project, lies this division between the clashing images of India.

Remember how Aadhaar was sold to us, back in the early days of the second United Progressive Alliance government? Think just of the words being used then: choice; voluntary; empowerment.

Now think of the words you associate with Aadhaar right now: mandatory; savings; database. It should be clear that the project has, in and of itself, two different faces, corresponding to these two ideas; and over time it has swung from one to the other.

The reason why Aadhaar was such an important development, why I and others welcomed it at the time -- and why it is still so important -- is that it has and had the potential to turn the petition seeker from the government into a full citizen with entitlements.

Rather than being someone who had to grovel to demonstrate identity and receive the services due to her, an Aadhaar recipient could -- together with justiciable right to services laws -- be able to demand them.

To those who cared about strengthening the individuals rights in India, this seemed paramount.

I also felt that Aadhaar, making the individual the eventual destination of welfare, allowing for the possibility of proper targeting of future welfare, would allow for the slow dissolution of the other networks that had been set up because of the imperfection of our welfare states.

Again, it would strengthen the individual with respect to the other groups.

It would be foolhardy today to suppose that Aadhaar, as it is currently being implemented, will still strengthen the individual. In fact, it has turned into a bureaucrats plaything. Rather than reducing barriers, it is increasing them. Rather than being seen as ensuring that Indians find it easier to access services, it is being seen as a way of ensuring that the State knows who is accessing its services.

It is being driven by the justifications of savings and exclusion, and not by inclusion. It should be clear how much the project has altered.

Many bear blame for this. The UPA government that pushed Aadhaar failed to put the robust systems into place that so many people warned them would be necessary if it was to not become just another, if far more powerful, tool for the State.

It was too slow, too divided, and too willing to compromise  there should never have been a demand, for example, for an address proof or some other form of identity at the time of registration.

Nandan Nilekani, who sold and implemented the project so well, has sadly failed to serve as a voice of caution when we needed him the most, over the past two years. And the less said about the current government, which has overused and thus debased Aadhaar, the better.

Even the Supreme Court has failed to ensure the implementation of its 2015 order reminding the government that Aadhaar was meant to be voluntary and not mandatory. Hopefully this judgment will be the beginning of a much needed course correction.
Parents of a class 4 student of Ryan International School in Jamalpur, Ludhiana on Thursday alleged that their son was brutally beaten with sticks by two school teachers.

Jaswinder Singh, father of the victim, said that his son Mansukh was allegedly beaten by the teachers after he got into a fight with a fellow student.

Singh said he was out of the town when his son called him up and narrated the entire incident after which the former urged the principal of the school to take cognisance.

Singh also accused the principal of turning a deaf ear to his woes.

After the reply of the principal, I asked my son to get a medical check-up. The teachers who thrashed my son have left the city, Singh said.

The principal told us to leave the matter, but we want to take action against them and will go to police, he added.

The 10-year old, Mansukh who has marks on his neck and back said that his Physical Training teacher Raman called him in the teachers room during recess and thrashed him with stick, along with another teacher.

I did not do anything. I just had a fight with another student of school, who pushed me and in return I pushed him too. His tooth broke during our fight, Mansukh said.

Meanwhile, the principal of the school, Gurpal Anand claimed that the child was not touched by any of the teachers.

However, Anand said that the child was suspended from the school for one month after he got into a brawl with another student.

The teachers are alleging they havent even touched the child, I can assure you. He was suspended from the school due to disciplinary action and now they have got frustrated due to this and doing such thing, which is very wrong, she said.

Anand even said that she herself met the child after he was suspended and told him that he was wrong by hitting another child and hence, was being suspended.

I met him in the afternoon; he did not say anything to me. If something like this would have happened he would have told me, she said.

The parents of the child have filed a case against the teachers in the Jamalpur Police station.

We have received the complaint and we will take action immediately. We have also received the medical report, the police inspector confirmed.

This is the third case against the Ryan International School.

Earlier in the January 2016, six-year-old Devansh Kacroras body was found unconscious and afloat at Delhis Ryan International School water tank.

Last month, the body of seven-year-old, a student of Class 2 of Gurugrams Ryan International School, was found inside the schools toilet with his throat slit.
Any provocative action by the Pakistani forces will be responded to with "equal and more measures", the Border Security Force told Pakistan Rangers on Friday as their senior commanders held a meeting against the backdrop of cross-border firing incidents.

The sector commanders of the BSF and Pakistan Rangers held a flag meeting, after a gap of about seven months, a BSF spokesman said in Jammu.

The meeting in Suchetgarh sector of the International Border, which lasted for about 105 minutes, took place on the request of Pakistan Rangers, the spokesman said.

Both sides agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity along the International Border, the spokesman said.

"The meeting was held in a cordial and positive atmosphere and both sides agreed to expedite the implementation of the decisions taken in an earlier meeting," he said.

However, the Indian side made it clear to the Pakistani delegation that "any provocative action would be responded to with equal or stronger responses."

The BSF strongly objected to the sniper fire from the Pakistani side in which its two soldiers -- constables Brijendra Bahadur and K K Appa Rao -- were killed, the spokesman said.

"The BSF also protested the unprovoked cross-border firing and shelling on a number of Indian border villages leading to the death of a woman in Arnia sector on September 4," he said.

Infiltration attempts at night were also discussed, the spokesman said.

"The Pakistan Rangers assured to take measures to maintain peace at border with a request that the BSF should also exercise restraint to ensure minimum loss of civilian lives on the Pakistani side," the spokesman said.

He said the two sides decided to re-energise instant communication between the field commanders to resolve petty matters.

The Indian delegation, comprising 17 officers, was led by BSF DIG-Jammu Sector P S Dhiman, while the 14-member Pakistani side was led by Sector Commander of Chenab Rangers-Sialkot Punjab Brig Amjad Hussain.

The last Sector Commander-level meeting between the two forces was held on March 9.

Image: DIG BSF Jammu Sector P S Dhiman with Brig Amjad Hussain of Pakistan Rangers at the sector commander level flag meeting in RS Pura sector in Jammu on Friday
India on Friday cited Afghanistan National Security Adviser's statement rejecting Pakistan's claim that it had received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist, to assert that it was another addition to Islamabad's "imaginary lies".

The reaction came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif suggested that he received the proposal to swap Jadhav with the terrorist, lodged in an Afghan jail, during his meeting with an NSA. However, Khwaja did not identify the NSA or the terrorist who was to be swapped.

Contradicting Asif's claim, the office of the Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar issued a statement saying there was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen during his meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister on September 21 in New York.

Asif had told a gathering at the Asia Society in New York on September 26 that Pakistan received a proposal to swap Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan.

Reacting strongly, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the statement by the office of the Afghan NSA suggested that the claim by Asif was one more addition to the long list of "imaginary lies" by Pakistani establishment.

The statement by Atmar's office said the two sides, during the meeting, had detailed discussions on variety of issues including bilateral cooperation.

"The two sides also discussed sanctuaries in Pakistan and exchange of the top five Taliban leaders detained in Pakistan. There was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen," it said, adding Atmar was hopeful that the record of the meetings are reported accurately and facts are not "misconstrued".

The MEA spokesperson also referred to Pakistan's use of a "fake picture" in the United Nations General Assembly recently, adding the Pakistan Foreign Minister's claim was another lie.

"If you have gone through the press release (issued by Afghan NSA's office), it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies as stories which have been created by Pakistani establishment," said Kumar.

Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistan's Field General Court Martial on charges of his alleged "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against Pakistan.

In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the International Court of Justice had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.

The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the gruesome Peshawar school attack in 2014 in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Marine Corps and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest leadership hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 28 celebrating the start of construction for an energy security microgrid at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, in San Diego, California. Black & Veatch and Schneider Electric, in a joint venture, are providing design and construction support on the project.



Once fully operational, the microgrid will provide resiliency, incorporate renewable energy, and allow operations at mission-critical facilities to continue if the utility power grid is compromised or damaged. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

Advancing this first-of-its-kind project to the construction phase is a significant milestone, said Greg Clum, President of Federal Services at Black & Veatch. Once commissioned, the microgrid solution will help achieve energy efficiency, reliability and cost-saving goals, and protect essential flight line operations.

MCAS Miramar is a proven leader in renewable energy deployment, said Daniel Vesey, U.S. Navy Global Account Manager, Energy and Sustainability Services, Schneider Electric. This project will not only enhance future renewable energy implementation, but help reduce utility demand charges by facilitating demand response programs and enabling better management of energy loads throughout the installation.

Construction will include the buildout of a new diesel and natural gas power plant and refurbishment of an existing building into an advanced energy and water operations center (EWOC). The EWOC will provide microgrid and plant operators, and base energy personnel with direct control of the integrated microgrid control system, utilizing Schneider Electrics OASyS SCADA software. The microgrid will also integrate existing power generated from renewable energy sources including biogas from a local landfill and solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, and future energy storage.

Editors Notes:

Contracting activity was performed through the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest (NAVFAC Southwest).

More than 15,000 service members and their families reside at MCAS Miramar, which is home to Marines and Sailors from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings mission is to provide combat ready expeditionary aviation forces capable of short notice worldwide deployment to Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) fleet and unified commanders.

The microgrid island at Miramar will cover more than 100 mission-critical facilities, including all flight line operations.

About Black & Veatch

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'I told my daughter to take shelter on the footsteps of the bridge as she would get wet.'

And that was the last time Kishore Varpe saw her alive.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com meets the families of the victims of the stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station.

IMAGE: Kishore Varpe, whose daughter died in the stampede, grieves at KEM hospital in Mumbai. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

At 10.30 am, when Kishore Varpe walked out of Elphinstone Road station with his 25-year-old daughter Shraddha, there was nothing unusual about their journey.

This was their routine for the last one year ever since Shraddha got a job in the Maharashtra Welfare Board where Kishore too is an employee.

Both father and daughter used to leave their home in Dombivli together for work.

On the morning of September 29, when both of them got down at Parel station on the Central Railway suburban network, as usual they crossed over to reach the exit of Elphinstone Road station on the western line.

The only surprise waiting for them at the foot over bridge was the heavy rainfall.

It started raining heavily when we reached Elphinstone station bridge, recalled Kishore Varpe sitting on a chair at the King Edward Memorial Hospital.

I told my daughter to take shelter on the footsteps of the bridge as she would get wet. Her friend Meena Valekar too was there. And I was standing at a distance of 30 feet from them as no one was moving on the bridge, recalled Varpe.

Suddenly, there was a chaos as someone slipped on the footsteps of the bridge as it became slippery in the rain. There was a stampede and my daughter died while I watched her scream helplessly, says Kishore, weeping inconsolably.

Meena Valekars brother sitting next to him too was inconsolable.

I cannot believe she is dead, he too burst out in tears even as relatives and friends reached out to both of them.

******

IMAGE: A relative of a stampede victim grieves at KEM hospital in Mumbai. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

Anand Mhatre, a regular commuter at Elphinstone Road was one of the witnesses to the horrifying incident in which 22 people died.

What is the point in talking now? Everyone knows this Elphinstone bridge is very small and congested. The government and railways never bothered to expand its capacity. If they had done that, we would not have seen so many deaths, said Mhatre.

I was at the station when the incident happened. I saw from the platform number 4 as people fell from the bridge. The worst thing was that people were taking videos of that tragedy rather than helping people. I shouted at some of them and told them to take the injured to a hospital rather than shooting on their phones. I personally put four injured people in a taxi, Mhatre recalled.

Gangubai, who stays in a hutment area nearby, too helped out.

She points out to the big towers that house Indias top finance companies and corporate houses near the stampede site.

You see these buildings. They spend so much money to make such buildings but they do not put in money to expand this bridge, says Gangubai.

There is so much rush every day on this bridge at peak hour. This disaster was waiting to happen and it is sad that no one noticed it, she added.

I gave my bed sheets and saris to cover the dead bodies of ladies whose clothes were completely torn in the stampede. Many people fell from the top of the bridge on the ground and died. What was their fault? They had left their homes to go to work to earn money and they ended up dead, Gangubai said.

Her anger was as much against the policemen, too.

They came very late. It was the local people who took all the injured and dead people to the hospitals, she said.

Mukul Jain, divisional regional manager of Mumbai Central region, Western Railway, told Rediff.com, We are likely to complete eight foot over bridges by this year on railway stations. We are going to do this soon on 14 other stations too. If you see two stations -- Dadar and Borivali -- we have made much bigger foot over bridges which is handling maximum crowds during peak hours.

BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who visited the stampede site, said, We have requested Piyush Goyal (Railway Minister) to speed up the project which has been pending for 15 years. Right now we have to stand with them in such a tragic moment and take the responsibility for their betterment. We will expand the bridges soon on a priority basis.

******

IMAGE: Footwear of the victims of the stampede are seen near a ticket kiosk at Elphinstone station. Photograph: Sahil Salvi/Rediff.com.

Friday was the last day one would hear the recorded announcement in three languages: first in Marathi, Pudhil station Elphinstone Road; then in Hindi, agla station Elphinstone Road; and finally in English, station, Elphinstone Road.

Elphinstone Road railway station is named after the British governor of Mumbai, Mountstuart Elphinstone, one of the founders of Bombay city in the days of the Raj.

The station has not changed in the last 20 years that I have been travelling by local train except for the fact that you now can get clean, cold water to drink, a facility provided by the railways, for Rs 2.

That is the only new development that one sees at the station, otherwise it still retains its British legacy.

From September 30, that legacy will vanish forever as the station changes its name to Prabhadevi following a decision by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Maharashtra.

IMAGE: Policemen inspect the site of the stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

That's not the only change that will no doubt improve the lives of railway commuters in Mumbai.

Currey Road station will soon be named as Lalbaug, Sandhurst Road station as Dongri, Reay Road as Ghodapdeo, Cotton Green as Kalachowki, Mumbai Central as Nana Chowk and Grant Road as Gaondevi.
With the stampede on a foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road railway station leaving Mumbaikars shell-shocked, parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party ally Shiv Sena on Friday attacked the government for its push for the big-ticket bullet train project amid lack of rail infrastructure.

At least 22 people were killed and over 30 injured in the rush hour stampede on a narrow foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations during heavy rain on Friday morning.

The Sena, which has been at loggerheads with the BJP, was the most vicious in its the attack, calling the incident a "massacre".

"This incident is a public massacre for which the government and railways are responsible. We have time and again demanded that the old and dilapidated foot overbridges be redeveloped but no action has been taken yet," Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

"The government has no time to rectify the shortcomings in the present rail system, it wants to bring in bullet trains," he added.

Referring to the tragedy, South Mumbai MP Arvind Sawant said the Sena has been justified in opposing the bullet train project.

"You cannot even operate trains running on land, then how are you supposed to run the trains in air? This (bullet train project) is a complete sham. This (Union) government is resorting to wrong policies which are against the common people," the Sena leader said.

Sawant shared his correspondence with former railway ministry Suresh Prabhu in which he demanded widening of the ill-fated overbridge.

The construction of a new bridge, connecting Western Railway and Central Railway after extension of Platform No 1 and 2 towards north side by 100 metres, was under "positive consideration" of the ministry, Prabhu had written in the letter accessed by PTI.

"The reality is that railway officers are not delivering. They are making various excuses under one pretext or the other (in executing work). They should be booked for this massacre," Sawant told reporters outside the KEM Hospital.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who visited the hospital, said, "Whatever happened is very bad...I will look into it".

Meanwhile, angry Sena activists raised slogans against Railway Minister Piyush Goyal outside the hospital and demanded his resignation.

A similar demand was made by the Nationalist Congress Party, with the party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Majid Memon terming the incident as a "multiple homicide".

"This is nothing but a multiple homicide that occurred due to carelessness, recklessness and total negligence. The officers should be booked for criminal negligence and the railway minister should resign," he told reporters outside the hospital.

State Samajwadi Party unit president Abu Asim Azmi said the railway officials should be held "accountable" for the tragedy.

Taking a swipe at the Centre, he said the government only knows how to change names of railway stations.

"I hold railway officers and the government responsible for this disaster. This government knows only to change the names of old stations, but does nothing to improve the infrastructure. The government changed the name of Elphinstone Road railway station to Prabhadevi, but did nothing for its face-lift. Had they done their work, this tragedy could have been averted today," Azmi said.

Terming the incident "unfortunate", the Congress said this was not the time to play politics.

"This is really unfortunate that we have lost 22 innocent people and several are injured. But this is not the time to play politics. Rather, I would advise the government to introspect where its policies are heading," Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Chavan said.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said the tragedy has shaken the conscience of the nation as it exposes the lacunae in the rail safety infrastructure.

Angry Mumbaikars are questioning BJP Government's "incapability" to provide additional railway infrastructure to the city, she said.

The Congress leader said while Goyal is on a 'name-changing', 'ribbon-cutting' spree, people are anguished and demanding answers.

"It is almost a criminal negligence leading to manslaughter," she said, adding that a person had tweeted sometime ago about the state of the overbridge but the Railways did not take any action.

Dev accused the prime minister of a "huge dereliction of duty" by not according top priority to Railway safety.

"We demand an impartial judicial enquiry by a sitting judge in the entire accident," she said.

"The Prime Minister should apologise to the people of Mumbai for absolutely no infrastructure development in the city in the last 3 years," she said.

"PM Modi should give real solutions to the Railway Ministry rather than changing rail ministers."

Dev also said there should be a safety audit of all foot overbridges, platforms and overhead bridges of the entire Mumbai Suburban Railway System and the report should be presented in the Parliament.

The recommendations of the Bibek Debroy and Anil Kakodkar Committee on Railway Safety be implemented, she said.

The Modi Government, she alleged, has "misplaced" priorities. Instead of spending money on bullet trains, it is high time this money is spent on improving basic infrastructure, she said.

"You are a complete failure on good governance and at the cost of repeating I will tell the Prime Minister whether he will now remove Goyal," she asked.

She also raised the issue of the merger of Railway budget with general budget and said the BJP government is diminishing the status of railways and endangering lives of common people.

She said 259 passengers were killed, 973 injured in 29 major rail accidents since the Modi government assumed office.

India has led the world in rail accidents by recording the maximum number of causalities and accidents in 2016, she said.

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of the Congress said he had written to the railway ministry last year seeking a meeting of public representatives with the minister to solve the issue of overcrowding at stations in Mumbai.

"This incident should be treated as a case of murder. An FIR under IPC section 302 (murder) should be lodged against railway officials," the senior Congress leader said.

"Had the administration worked towards providing basic facilities to commuters, instead of renaming the railway station (Elphinstone) as Prabhadevi, so many lives would not have been lost," Vikhe Patil added.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said the government, instead of bringing in bullet trains at this stage, should focus on developing stations and improving passenger safety.

Image: Policemen stand outside Elphinstone railway station's foot over bridge in Mumbai on Friday. Photograph: PTI Photo
'The animosity in the BJP against Swamy continued for more than thirty years.'

'It was only after herculean efforts by a reconstituted and more just RSS that Swamy was finally inducted into the BJP in 2013.'

A fascinating account of Subramanian Swamy's years in the wilderness, by someone who saw it all upclose: His wife Roxna Subramanian Swamy.

IMAGE: Dr Subramanian Swamy, then with the Janata Party, addresses a rally in Gandhi Maidan, Patna, February 1984. Photograph: Rediff.com Archives

Subramanian Swamy was, is and will always be the stormy petrel of Indian politics.

Possibly among the most qualified Indian politicians -- how many can boast of a PhD from Harvard! -- he has been considered by his admirers as the best prime minister India never had.

And that must owe to his inability to suffer fools, and an extraordinary talent for speaking his mind -- which is not something politicians are known to do.

Which explains his stints in various political parties, fallout with associates, and implacable enmities.

Nothing epitomises it better than his tempestuous relationship with the RSS-Jan Sangh-BJP.

And who better to chronicle it than his wife, Roxna Subramanian Swamy, who has finally put down in book form what has been an extraordinary life:

In 1980, former Jan Sangh members split away from the Janata Party and formed a rival party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (the BJP).

(Atal Bihari) Vajpayee was, of course, the unchallenged leader of the BJP; and he made it clear that he would not tolerate the presence of Swamy in the BJP.

The RSS fell in line with Vajpayee with the result that Swamy, who had great faith in the RSS steadfastness, was let down.

A fellow member of Parliament, Shri Yagya Dutt Sharma, was sent to tell Swamy that they did not want Swamy in their new party and that if he wished to retain any goodwill in the BJP, he should be prepared for a long 'vanvas' in the boon docks.

'Vanvas', by the way, is a truly evocative Sanskrit phrase referring to the fourteen year exile that Shri Ramachandraji undertook.

The same 'vanvas' was offered to at least two other persons, close friends of Swamy, whom the jealous Vajpayee regarded as possible rivals: Nanaji Deshmukh (the organiser par excellence of the Jan Sangh and its powerful treasurer and liaison with the business world) and Dattopant Thengadi, (who had selflessly developed the Jan Sangh's labour wing, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh).

Nanaji and Dattopantji, two disciplined RSS workers since their boyhood, fell in line and left Delhi to work selflessly in the mofussil.

Swamy, who had no such constraints, continued defiant in the Janata Party.

The real sufferer was me who discovered that most of our RSS friends and their families with whom we had developed friendships over the years of togetherness simply walked out on us.

IMAGE: Dr Swamy in this photograph from November 1980. Photograph: Rediff.com Archives

To understand the extent of the loss one has to know and experience, (as we had done throughout the 1970s) the intimate ties and warm hospitality within Jan Sangh families.

India is huge and to keep in touch with the whole country, in any political party, there is much travel throughout the length and breadth of India; and in the Jan Sangh it was customary to put up visiting party workers in the homes of local party supporters. (I am told that this was also the custom in Congress families in the freedom struggle days).

It was not just that there were less streamlined hotels and guest houses available in those days; or that what was available would have been hard on the party's small budget; but this was also a wonderful way for like-minded people and families to get to know each other.

That Swamy, who had so much to educate party workers in, (especially because his views gelled with theirs), should have been made welcome in people's homes, might not have been so surprising.

But in those days I travelled a lot with Swamy; and even though it was not so usual for wives to turn up, and even though sometimes the welcoming committee was somewhat puzzled by Swamy's short tressed companion who did not wear bangles and a bindi, I was always welcomed and made to feel part of the family.

Whether it was Ujjain or Surat or Dharwad or Lucknow or Chandigarh or Bhavnagar or even Madras, it was so heartwarming to be welcomed and looked after in people's homes and to mingle with their wives, children and grandchildren.

One might think that I, with my rather anglicised ways and rather stilted Hindi and very little experience of the concerns and traditions of orthodox Hindu ladies, would have been looked at a little askance by my hostesses.

But it was not so: I made friends with these families and would meet them again and again wherever the Jan Sangh had its sessions, and exchange notes on children and grandchildren.

There were also regal families, like Rajmata Scindia and her children who had been unfailingly charming, kind and hospitable. Such bonds were further cemented during the dark Emergency years when I experienced their caring supervision.

I remember with deep affection Chamanlalji, my contact. He was a simple dedicated and sincere Swayamsevak who before Partition had brought up a whole generation of young lads in the North West Frontier Province and later in Delhi, all of whom remembered him with deep reverence.

I do not think he ever became their guru only because he had no intellectual pretensions at all: Some of his protegees later rose to high places but they never forgot their initial upbringing by him.

In his simple sincere, dedicated, selfless way, he represented to me the best of the RSS system -- I do not believe that the Communist or Maoist cadres, with their cold commissar outlook no matter how dedicated and self sacrificing, can produce great humans like him.

He was old by the time the Emergency broke up the RSS karyalaya that was his home; but he did not hesitate to go out into the cold world; and carry out whatever odd jobs the organisers wanted of him.

He would stand for hours at some designated corner waiting to deliver a letter to or receive a letter from me; or tell me little jokes to keep my spirits up.

He was unfailingly caring with no concern for his own comfort or prestige.

But he was obedient and disciplined; and I do not think I met him ever again after the break.

Suddenly, with Vajpayee's ukase, all this simple warmth with our RSS friends, was cut off.

And so peremptorily and decisively that for instance, when in 1982 Swamy and I went to cast our votes in the MLA assembly elections in the Bombay North East constituency, (we had intended to vote for the BJP candidate), we discovered that even friends and party workers in Bombay with whom we had stayed for years, and who had always safeguarded our election cards, made all sorts of excuses but would not give us the election cards or even tell us which booths we were registered at.

It was almost like being thrown out of a medieval caste set-up, with 'hookah pani bandh'.

Which is why now I am wary of reposing the same trust and friendship ever again. Swamy has long since reconciled to them; and they, finding him useful and like-minded, are warm and supportive.

As for me, appreciative as I continue of their high moral character and ideals which I do share, I am, as I said, wary.

During that period from 1981 onwards, I feel that there has been a terrible tragedy perpetrated on so many of the young idealists who emerged from the RSS school and were absorbed into the BJP cadres.

I knew so many of these young persons during and immediately after the Emergency years: Youth with nothing much more than an education, a couple of sets of spare clothes on a string clothes line and a khatiya in one corner of an RSS karyalaya; and it has pained me to see them metamorphise, under Vajpayee's tutelage and example, into enormously wealthy and powerful individuals, bereft of their earlier moral moorings and often of vicious habits.

Perhaps the old Gandhian freedom fighters, seeing the post Independence change in the Congress party, might understand my feelings.

The animosity in the BJP against Swamy continued for a good more than thirty years.

Even after Vajpayee was felled by a stroke in 2009, the animosity against Swamy was continued and stoked by Vajpayee's sidekicks; and it was only after herculean efforts by a reconstituted and more just RSS, that Swamy was finally inducted into the BJP in 2013.

Most recently I saw a Vajpayee-like ploy on Swamy slickly and effectively carried out by one such sidekick, now a power in his own right having slithered his way almost to the top of the greasy pole, without benefit of a single contested election win under his belt.

In the 2014 general election prelude, it was universally expected that Swamy would be given a ticket to contest; but (as we had discovered in 1977) all the likely tickets were gradually distributed elsewhere.

Finally he was promised the BJP Lok Sabha ticket for the New Delhi constituency.

The announcement was delayed day after day even though the then president of the Delhi BJP kept personally assuring Swamy that he was the unanimous choice of the New Delhi BJP, that it would be given to him alone and had even urged him to start campaigning in the constituency.

Finally, on the last night of ticket distribution, the sidekick saw to it that the ticket went elsewhere: On the insulting plea that the nation's capital must be represented only by a Punjabi! A true pupil of his master.

Excerpted from Evolving with Subramanian Swamy, A Roller Coaster Ride by Roxna Subramanian Swamy, with the author's kind permission.
August will be life-changing for Krishna Gulwani.

The seven-year-old boy will undergo a bone marrow transplant surgery; his second attempt after the first went horribly wrong.

After the first surgery on December 6, the little boy contracted a urinary infection.

His condition deteriorated so badly that he needed one bottle of blood a day for two months, which would drain out every time he needed the bathroom.

It nearly killed him.

But the boy was resilient, and he recovered.

Now, it's time to do it all over again, but the doctors are more hopeful this time.

The child, who has been kept in quarantine since December, can get a second chance of life. But the second surgery costs Rs 78 lakh.

The family is short of Rs 6 lakh. Will You Help?

Krishna is like your average seven-year-old boy, the mischievous kind.

He finds it difficult to sit still, and constantly whispers to his sister, 10-year-old Kanisha. When he's done with that, he starts play fighting with her, his small fists landing soft punches on her.

Then, he starts making mewing sounds near the recorder, and laughs hysterically when he sees the reaction of those around him.

His mother tries to quieten him, but she cant help break into a smile at his antics.

But Krishna is not your average seven-year-old boy.

He has Thalassemia Major, a severe genetic disorder that causes excessive destruction of red blood cells leading to a life-threatening form of anaemia.

It means he needs blood transfusion every 21 days. As he grows older, the time-frame will reduce.

Doctors in India seem to have lost hope, and have asked his parents to "keep him happy" and "give him what he wants."

But fate may have big plans for him.

***

Jitendra and Vaishali Gulwani first learnt of their son's condition when he was six months old.

"He was normal when he was born," his mother says. "When he was six months, he got a fever. The doctor asked us to get a CBC (Complete Blood Count) done. That's when we discovered his condition. He needed blood transfusion since then."

The family later learnt that all three, the parents and Kanisha, were Thalassemia Minor, a less serious form of the disorder that does not require blood transfusions.

"First, he needed blood every 41 days. Then, it became monthly. Now, its 21 days," his mother adds. "The time period is becoming less. Now, he requires one pouch of 200 ml. Then, we will need two, then three."

His father explains the procedure.

"First, the doctor takes a blood sample, does a cross matching and then the transfusions happen," he says.

At first, they went to Hinduja hospital in Mahim, central Mumbai, for the blood transfusions.

But Jitendra, who works at a chemist shop in Dadar, also in central Mumbai, and earns a monthly salary of Rs 15,000, found it too expensive. The bills would go up as high as Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000.

So they went to the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Mandir hospital, an NGO of the Maharashtra government. The procedure was free here, and they would only be charged Rs 200 for the bed.

It did not work out in the long run, as the family lives in Chembur, north east Mumbai, and the hospital is in Bandra, north west Mumbai. School timings would also clash.

These days, they go to the Sarvoday hospital in neighbouring Ghatkopar.

But there are other complications.

"(Due to the blood transfusions) The Ferritin level in the blood is very high, which is very harmful for his life. It is 3,400 (the normal range is 7 to 140 nanograms per millilitre. The high Ferritin level is harmful for vital organs like liver, heart, brain, pancreas and lungs. Over time, this iron can build to toxic levels that can cause diabetes and damage or even destroy an organ)."

Krishna can't have too much of his favourite food: Spinach (yes, would you believe it!) because it is rich in iron.

"But he loves dosas and idlis," his mother says. "He doesn't like his vegetables much. He refused to have bhindi right from the beginning! He's never even tasted it."

Jitendra has always been looking to cure his son for good.

That's when fate stepped in.

***

Helping Jitendra in his endeavour is his employer Ajit Shah who mostly leads a retired life.

He has been involved in Krishna's case from the time it was diagnosed.

Shah has met doctors in Pune, Ahmedabad and Vellore, trying to get a bone marrow match for Krishna. He has also helped the Gulwanis financially, as they have already spent Rs 20 lakh on Krishna's treatment so far.

In fact, he says Jitendra -- a trusted employee -- can help himself to the shop's cash register on days when he really needs money.

By coincidence Shah's nephew met a gentleman at the Jupiter hospital in Thane, the township near Mumbai, who was also looking for a bone marrow match for his son.

They kept in touch.

Later, he informed the family that he got a match in Taiwan.

"He had met a doctor in Pune who had met Dr Tang-Her Jaing in Taiwan. That doctor asked him to meet Dr Jaing," he says.

Dr Jaing is a paediatrician in umbilical cord blood transplantation, and has been working at Chang Guing's Children Hospital for 25 years.

In 2003, he performed the first successful transplant of unrelated umbilical cord blood for a child with Thalassemia Major in Taiwan, and has been doing so since then.

The gentleman found a match for his son and got the transplant done in June 2016.

"It so happened that we contacted him last December and he told us about his son's transplant. He asked us to meet him," Shah says.

So the family packed their bags and went to Taiwan on May 23. They met Dr Jaing the next day, gave him a blood sample, and returned to India.

Krishna's ears prick up as we talk about the flight.

It was his first trip abroad.

What did he do on the flight?

"Maja aaya! (I had fun!)," he exclaims. "TV dekha, cartoons dekha. I love Doraemon and Chota Bheem. Wapas jana hai, in the window seat!"

***

Nothing, of course, is ever simple.

The family needs to raise Rs 80 lakh to fund the trip to Taiwan, the surgery and the six-month stay in isolation there.

They have collected Rs 52 lakh so far, and paid the first deposit of Rs 11 lakh. The stem cell and surgery costs Rs 57 lakh, but they will get a surgery scheduled only after the money has been paid in full.

Jitendra is now contemplating selling his chawl in Chembur to meet the expenses.

Mother and son will go to Taiwan for the treatment while Jitendra will stay back with his daughter.

Ajit Shah hopes to go to Taiwan as well, in order to raise more money.

"We will stay in the hospital for three months, and then stay in an apartment for three more months," he says.

When they return, Krishna will have to be kept in isolation for another six or seven months.

***

Krishna may be getting ready for the biggest battle of his life, but he remains cheerful.

He says proudly that he doesn't cry during the transfusions, even during those injections.

"First, he used to cry a lot. Now, he's become strong. He doesn't cry anymore," his mother says.

"The transfusion lasts the whole day. We have to go to the hospital by 8 am, and we return at 6 pm. The transfusion takes four hours," she adds.

These days, he plays games on the mobile to pass time.

"There's no problem in his daily life. But when the blood goes down, we can see the change in him. He's active now, but that becomes less. He stops eating, and becomes low. Then, we have to take an earlier appointment," she says.

"He would always get gold stars in kindergarten," Vaishali says proudly, explaining that gold stars were earned by the top scorers of the class. "In his first terminal examinations in Std 1, he got A and A plus grades."

If you would like to help Krishna, his bank details are: Krishna Jitendra Gulwani

State Bank of India

Branch No 4205

A/C no: 37061654007 (Savings account)

IFCS code: SBIN0004205

Krishna Jitendra Gulwani

SVC Co-Operative Bank Ltd (Savings account)

Dadar East (MICR: 400089073)

IFSC code: SVCB0000083

Phone numbers: Jitendra Gulwani: 9820145832

Ajit Shah: 9820775152
English French

Press release

Paris, September 29, 2017

Results for the first nine months

Strong sales and financial results, strengthened financial structure

Full-year targets confirmed





Key components

of sales activity (9m 2017, compared with 9m 2016)







Housing Unit Orders Value: 1,166.7 million(+15.0%) including VAT



Volume: 5,879 housing units (+12.5%)



Marketing period 6.1 months compared with 7.2 months

(on a12-month rolling basis)







Key financial data (9m 2017 vs 9m 2016)







Revenues:

947.9 million (+13.5%) With Housing Units: 820.8 million (+18.5%)



Gross margin:



181.8 million compared with 158.3 million over 9 months in 2016



Adjusted EBIT:

80.6 million compared with 70.9 million over 9 months in 2016



Attributable net income:

33.2 million compared with 27.8 million over 9 months in 2016



Net financial debt:



35.0 million compared with 85.1 million at the end of 2016







Key growth indicators

Overall backlog:

1,728.0 million (+13.1% vs. 9 months 2016) Of which Housing Units:

1,529.9 million (+19.3% vs. 9 months 2016) Housing Property Portfolio:

28,167 units (+17.0% vs. 9 months 2016) Kaufman & Broad SA today announced its results for the first nine months of the 2017 financial year (fromDecember 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017).

Nordine Hachemi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kaufman & Broad, said:







"The results for the first nine months of 2017 confirm the strong momentum shown in the past four years.







The value of housing unit orders grew by 15.0% and volumes by 12.5%. This increase was mainly driven by first-time buyers (+16.0% by volume). The increases in the land reserve and in the backlog confirm our strong long-term growth capacity.







Lastly, Kaufman & Broad has, with SERENIS, a company specialized in senior managed accomadations and health infrasructures, created a joint venture to develop residences for seniors. This initiative reaffirms the Group's commitment to the booming managed accommodation segment.







During the third quarter, Kaufman & Broad registered for  110M in orders in the Commercial Property Segment.







Our capacity to maintain a significantly smaller marketing period compared to the market allows us to manage our working capital requirements and our margins. It results into a reduction of the net financial debt and a strengthening of shareholder's equity.

Those different indicators show our capacity to deliver high quality goods with relevant pricing considering our customers bargaining power.







As expected, french government have recently announced the upkeep of current arrangements for purchasing and rental proprety investment in areas with housing shortage. This leads us to confirm our perspectives for the year in a stable market.







Thus, we confirming a growth around 10% for 2017 revenues. Gross margin and adjusted EBIT should remain around 19% and 8.5% respectively. Net financial debt will continue to decline relative to 2016 to around 50 million."

Sales activities

Housing Segment

In the first nine months of 2017, orders for housing amounted to 1,166.7 million (including VAT) in value terms, up 15.0% on the same period in 2016.

In volume terms, orders for housing totaled 5,879 units, up 12.5% on the same period in 2016.

The marketing period for projects was 6.1 months on a rolling 12-month basis, a decrease of 1.1 months compared with the same period in 2016 (7.2 months).

The commercial offer, at 92.2% in housing shortage areas, amounted to 4,487 units at the end of August 2017, up 5.3% on the end of 2016.

Breakdown of the customer base

In the first nine months of the year, orders from first-time buyers accounted for 16% of sales by volume, and those from second-time buyers 6%. Orders by investors accounted for 48% of sales (Pinel arrangements alone 35%) and block sales 29%.

Commercial Property segment

In the first nine months of 2017, the Commercial Property segment recorded 108.6 million (including VAT) in orders.

During the summer, Kaufman & Broad (through its specialist subsidiary Concerto) signed an off-plan sale (VEFA) and a promissory off-plan sale for two logistics platforms totaling more than 100,000 sq.m, representing some 110 million excluding VAT of orders, in line with the 150 to 200 million target announced last July.

At the end of August 2017, the Commercial Property backlog totaled 194.7 million (excluding VAT).

Forward-looking indicators for the sales and development activity

At August 31, 2017, the Housing backlog amounted to 1,529.9 million (excluding VAT), i.e. 15.4 months of business. Kaufman and Broad had 238 housing programs on the market at the same date, which represent 4,487 housing units, compared with 208 programs representing 4,739 housing units at the end of August 2016.

The Housing property portfolio, 98% of which is in housing shortage areas, amounted to 28,167 units, and was up 17.0% compared with the portfolio at the end of August 2016. This corresponds to potential revenue of close to 4 years of business, stable relative to November 30, 2016 (4.1 years) and to August 31, 2016 (4 years).

In the 4th quarter of 2017, the Group is planning to launch 50 new programs, including 15 in the Ile-de-France Region, representing 1,466 units; 34 programs in the French Regions, representing 2,907 units, and 1 Commercial Property program.

Financial results



Business activity

Total revenues amounted to 947.9 million (excluding VAT), up 13.5% compared with the same period in 2016.

Housing revenues amounted to 820.8 million (excluding VAT), compared with 692.5 million (excluding VAT) in 2016. They accounted for 86.6% of the group's revenues.

Revenues from the Apartments business were up 20% compared with the first nine months of 2016, and amounted to 792.6 million (excluding VAT).

Revenues from the Commercial property segment totaled 122.9 million (excluding VAT), compared with 137.8 million (excluding VAT) over the same period in 2016.

The other businesses generated revenues of 4.3 million (excluding VAT).

Profitability highlights

The gross margin for the first nine months of 2017 totaled 181.8 million compared with 158.3 million in 2016. The gross margin ratio was 19.2%, or slightly higher than in the same period of 2016 (19.0%).

Current operating expenses for the first nine months amounted to 106.4 million (11.2% of revenues), versus 92.5 million for the same period in 2016 (11.1% of revenues).

Current operating profit totaled 75.4 million, compared with 65.8 million in the first nine months of 2016. The current operating margin was 8.0%, compared with 7.9% in the first nine months of 2016.

The Group's adjusted EBIT amounted to 80.6 million in the first nine months of 2017 (versus 70.9 million in the same period 2016). The adjusted EBIT was 8.5% (stable relative to the same period in 2016).

Attributable net income amounted to 33.2 million, compared with 27.8 million for the first nine months of 2016.

Financial structure and liquidity

Net financial debt amounted to 35.0 million at August 31, 2017. Cash assets (available cash and investment securities) amounted to 214.7 million, compared with 118.1 million at November 30, 2016. Financing capacity totaled 314.7 million (218.1 million at November 30, 2016).

Working capital requirement amounted to 118.9 million (8.8% of revenues on a 12-month rolling basis), compared with 129.2 million at November 30, 2016 (10.4% of revenues). The tight control on working capital primarily relies on the very short marketing period for the Group's programs.

Offer reserved for employees

Pursuant to a decision by its Board of Directors on July 10, Kaufman & Broad launched a subscription offer for new shares reserved for group employees, from September 21 to October 1 inclusive, representing a maximum total of 1.7% of the share capital at August 31, 2017. Subscribed through the corporate mutual fund (FCPE "KB Actions 2017"), the shares will be unavailable until July 1, 2022 unless released early where permitted by applicable regulations.

The main objective is to link employees more closely to the future of the business by allowing them to subscribe to shares on preferential terms. Currently holding close to 12.4% of their company's capital, employees are now the largest shareholder in Kaufman & Broad. A policy of strong employee shareholding is a guarantee of independence and stability for the company, as well as an opportunity for every employees to benefit from its growth.

2017 outlook

The group believes that the increase in its revenues over the 2017 fiscal year should be in the order of 10%, despite the wait-and-see attitudes to government land tax announcements. The gross margin and adjusted EBIT ratios should remain around 19% and 8.5% respectively. Net financial debt will continue to decline relative to 2016 to around 50 million.

This release is available on the www.kaufmanbroad.fr website

Next regular publication date:

Second half of January: 2017 Annual results (after market close)



Contacts

Chief Financial Officer



Bruno Coche







+33 (0)1 41 43 44 73



Infos-invest@ketb.com Press Relations



Marianne Cruciani



Corporate Communication

Emmeline Cacitti Burson-Marsteller



+33 (0)1 56 03 12 80



contact.presse@ketb.com



(+33) 1 41 43 44 17



ECACITTI@ketb.com





About Kaufman & Broad - Kaufman & Broad has been designing, building and selling single-family homes in communities, apartments, and offices on behalf of third parties for almost 50 years. Kaufman & Broad is one of the leading French Property Development & Construction companies due to the combination of its size and profitability, and the strength of its brand.

The Kaufman & Broad Registration Document was filed with the French Financial Markets Authority ("AMF") under No. D.17.0286 on March 31, 2017. It is available on the AMF (www.amf-france.org) and Kaufman & Broad (www.kaufmanbroad.fr) websites. It contains a detailed description of Kaufman & Broad's business activities, results, and prospects, as well as of the related risk factors. Kaufman & Broad specifically draws attention to the risk factors set out in Chapter 1.2 of the Registration Document. The materialization of one or several of these risks may have a material adverse impact on the Kaufman & Broad Group's business activities, net assets, financial position, results, and outlook, as well as on the price of Kaufman & Broad's shares.

This press release does not amount to, and cannot be construed as amounting to a public offering, a sale offer or a subscription offer, or as intended to seek a purchase or subscription order in any country.

Glossary

Backlog: For off-plan sales (VEFA), it covers housing ordered but not delivered for which the notarized sale deeds have not yet been signed, and housing ordered but not delivered for which the notarized sale deeds have been signed but not yet posted to revenue (for a program that is 30% completed, 30% of housing revenue for which the notarized sale deed has been signed is accounted for as sales, 70% is included in the backlog). The backlog is a summary at any given time that allows an estimate of the remaining revenue to be recognized in the months ahead and that serves as a basis the group's forecasts. It should be noted that a degree of uncertainty exists when converting backlog into revenue, especially for orders not yet officially notarized.

Off-plan lease (BEFA): an off-plan lease involves a customer leasing a building before it is even built or redeveloped.

Marketing period: the inventory marketing period is the number of months required for the available housing units to be sold, if sales continue at the same rate as for the previous units, or the number of housing units (available supply) per quarter divided by the orders for the previous quarter, and divided by three in turn.

Adjusted EBIT: corresponds to income from current operations restated for capitalized "IAS 23 revised" borrowing costs, which are deducted from the gross margin.

EHU: The EHUs (Equivalent Housing Units) delivered are a direct reflection of business volumes. The number of EHUs is obtained by multiplying (i) the number of housing units in a given program for which notarized sale deeds have been signed by (ii) the ratio between the Group's property expenses and construction expenses incurred on said program and the total expense budget for said program.

Gross margin: Gross margin corresponds to revenues less cost of sales. Cost of sales consists of the price of land parcels, the related property costs (taxes, etc.), commissions paid to developers and to Kaufman & Broad sales staff, as well as fees and commissions provided for in the agency agreements executed by Kaufman & Broad in order to sell its real estate programs, construction costs and borrowing costs that may be directly attributed to program development.

Commercial offer: is represented by the total inventory of housing units available for sale at the relevant date, i.e. all housing units that have not been ordered on that (minus the sales tranches that have not been released for marketing).

Property portfolio: represents all of the land for which any commitment (contract for sale, etc.) has been signed.

Orders: measured in volume (Units) and in value terms; orders reflect the Group's sales activity. Their inclusion in revenues is conditional on the time required to turn an order into a signed and notarized deed, which is the triggering event for booking the income. In addition, in the case of multiple-dwelling programs that include mixed-use buildings (apartments, business premises, retail space, and offices), all of the floor space is converted into housing equivalents.

Land reserve: This includes land to be developed (otherwise known as the "land portfolio"), i.e. land for which a deed or contract of sale has been signed, as well as land still being surveyed or assessed, i.e. land for which a deed or a contract of sale has not yet been signed.

Marketing period ratio: the marketing period ratio represents the percentage of the initial inventory that is sold on a monthly basis for a property program (sales per month divided by the initial inventory), i.e. net monthly orders divided by the ratio between the opening inventory and the closing inventory, divided by two. NB: The inverse of the take-up rate (1/Te) gives the projected duration (in months) of the marketing of a program, i.e. the take-up period. For example, a 4.0% take-up rate corresponds to a projected duration of 25 months of marketing.

Units: units are used to define the number of housing units or equivalent housing units (for mixed programs) in a given program. The number of equivalent housing units is calculated as a ratio between the surface area by type (business premises, retail space, or offices) and the average surface area of the housing units previously obtained.

Off-plan sale (VEFA): anoff-plan sale is an agreement via which the vendor transfers their rights to the land and their ownership of the existing buildings to the purchaser immediately. The future structures will become the purchaser's property as they are completed: the purchaser is required to pay the price of these structures as the works progress. The vendor retains Project Management powers until the works are accepted.

APPENDICES

Financial data

Key consolidated data*

 '000s Q3 2017 9M 2017 T3 2016 9M 2016 Revenues 320,264 947,940 260,504 835,304 Of which Housing 285,855 820,820 240,960 692,529 Of which Commercial Property 35,850 122,866 17,527 137,766 Of which Other 1,529 4,254 2017 5,009 Gross margin 61,859 181,762 49,372 158,338 Gross margin (%) 19.3% 19.2% 19.0% 19.0% Current operating profit 26,630 75,380 20,163 65,793 Current operating margin (%) 8.3% 8.0% 7.7% 7.9% Adjusted EBIT** 28,498 80,597 21,465 70,902 Adjusted EBIT margin (%) 8.9% 8.5% 8.2% 8.5% Attributable net income 13,048 33,200 9,609 27,756 Attributable net earnings per share (/share)*** 0.63 1.59 0.46 1.33

Unaudited and not approved by the Board of Directors.

Adjusted EBIT corresponds to income from current operations restated for capitalized "IAS 23 revised" borrowing costs, which are deducted from the gross margin.

***Based on the number of shares that make up Kaufman & Broad S.A.'s share capital, i.e. 20,839,037 shares.

Consolidate income statement*

 '000s Q3 2017 9M 2017 Q3 2016 9M 2016 Revenues 320,264 947,940 260,504 835,304 Cost of sales -258,405 -766,178 -211,132 -676,966 Gross margin 61,859 181,762 49,372 158,338 Selling expenses -9,196 -27,082 -7,231 -23,329 Administrative expenses -15,408 -47,949 -12,643 -40,082 Technical and customer service expenses -4,454 -15,044 -4,611 -14,404 Development and program expenses - 6,171 -16,306 -4,724 -14,730 Current operating profit 26,630 75,380 20,163 65,793 Other non-recurring income and expenses - - - - Operating income 26,630 75,380 20,163 65,793 Cost of net financial debt -1,266 -3,397 -1,016 -2,410 Other financial expenses and income - - - - Income tax -7,407 -20,773 -5,529 -20,435 Share of income/loss

of equity affiliates and joint ventures 709 507 -67 -187 Net income of the consolidated entity 18,666 51,717 13,552 42,761 Non-controlling interests 5,617 18,517 3,943 15,005 Attributable net income 13,049 33,200 9,609 27,756

*Unaudited and not approved by the Board of Directors.



Consolidated balance sheet*

 '000s August 31, 2017 30 Nov 2016 ASSETS Goodwill 68,661 68,661 Intangible assets 88,659 87,570 Property, plant and equipment 8,149 7,449 Equity affiliates and joint ventures 12,008 5,634 Other non-current financial assets 1,752 2,504 Deferred tax assets 2,613 - Non-current assets 181,842 171,818 Inventories 379,918 371,381 Accounts receivable 317,201 375,669 Other receivables 147,313 159,772 Cash and cash equivalents 214,745 118,108 Prepaid expenses 1,337 1,345 Current assets 1,060,514 1,026,275 TOTAL ASSETS 1,242,356 1,198093 LIABILITIES Share capital 5,418 5,418 Premiums, reserves and other 124,983 79,119 Attributable net income 33,200 46,035 Attributable equity capital 163,601 130,571 Non-controlling interests 13,905 15,196 Equity capital 177,506 145,767 Non-current provisions 22,746 23,229 Borrowings and other non-current financial liabilities

(portion maturing in > 1 year) 248,319 191,362 Deferred tax liabilities 64,037 45,471 Non-current liabilities 335,102 260,062 Current provisions 1,441 1,499 Other current financial liabilities (portion maturing in < 1 year) 1,435 11,841 Trade payables 641,660 675,146 Other payables 84,777 97,382 State - current taxes - 5,858 Deferred income 435 539 Current liabilities 729,748 792,264 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,242,356 1,198093

*Unaudited and not approved by the Board of Directors.



Operating data

Housing Q3 2017 9M 2017 Q3 2016 9M 2016 Revenues ( million, excl. VAT) 282.9 820.8 241.0 692.5 Of which Apartments 272.7 792.6 229.7 660.6 Of which Single-Family Homes in communities 10.2 28.2 11.3 31.9 Deliveries (EHUs) 1,800 5,271 1,446 4,244 Of which Apartments 1,746 5,135 1,396 4,105 Of which Single-Family Homes in communities 54 136 50 139 Net orders (in number) 1,779 5,879 1,711 5,228 Of which Apartments 1,664 5,669 1,684 5,093 Of which Single-Family Homes in communities 115 210 27 135 Net orders ( millions, excl. VAT) 381.9 1,166.7 340.9 1,014.5 Of which Apartments 341.2 1,105.3 333.6 979.0 Of which Single-Family Homes in communities 40.7 61.3 7.3 35.4 Commercial offer at end of period (by number) 4,508 4,739 Backlog at end of period In value terms ( million, excl. VAT) 1,529.9 1,282.9



1,245.8







37.1







14.9







24,077 Of which Apartments 1,459.2 Of which Single-Family Homes in communities 70.7 In months of business activity 15.4 Land reserve at end of period (by number) 28,167
Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadas unique, annual, fashion fund-and-awareness raiser for breast cancer research, The White Cashmere Collection 2017 (video link), returned to the runway yesterday, September 28, 2017, for its 14th consecutive year. The ultimate expression of fashion with compassion, this years collection took place the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, and featured a national student design competition that awarded 16 emerging fashion design stars across Canada the opportunity to showcase their design talents to the Canadian fashion industry, while supporting a collective vision of a future without Breast Cancer.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3520ea7-2775-4595-b469-40d89fe2db14

The worlds first and only fashion collection crafted in luxuriously soft Cashmere Bathroom Tissue (BT)  Canadas best-selling brand  the annual White Cashmere Collection unites the softness of Cashmere with support for Canadian fashion designers and the Canadian Cancer Society. More than 150 students from 11 schools across Canada took part in the competition. This years remarkable 16 finalists were challenged with designing BT Couture reflecting true Canadian style, honouring Canadas 150th birthday. #Cashmere17s line-up includes: Lesley Hampton and Juwyriya Hersi (George Brown College, Toronto); Adrian Arnieri and Van Yanez (Ryerson University, Toronto); Charlotte Li and Nagat Bahumaid (Seneca College, Toronto); Chen Chen and Vita Nikitenko (College La Salle, Montreal); Marie Pier Bergeron (Cegep Marie-Victorin, Montreal); Chelsea Cox (Kwantlen Polytechnic University, British Columbia); Asli Katina Bozdag (Blanche Macdonald Centre, British Columbia); Kel Dumana and Zohre Alipour (Visual College of Art and Design of Vancouver, British Columbia); Katie Stutheit (Lethbridge College, Alberta); Kayley Champagne (Olds College, Alberta); and Brianna West (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design).

With Glowing Hearts We See Three Rise:

An elite panel of esteemed judges joined this years White Cashmere Collection in pursuit of cultivating the next generation of emerging Canadian design talent and crowned three winners who received Cashmere Fashion Bursaries.

Standing out from the crowd of 16 inspiring finalists was Kwantlen Polytechnic Universitys Chelsea Cox who was named the winner of the 2017 Student Design Competition and a $4,000 bursary. No fewer than 9,689 tubular beadsactually tiny hand-rolled strips of Cashmere bathroom tissue sealed with clear tapeyield the shimmery herringbone effect of Chelsea Coxs update on the iconic Hudsons Bay coat. Ryerson Universitys Adrian Arnieri took home the second place $2,000 prize with his galactic riff on Canadas traditional winter protector: the fur coat. The third place $1,000 winner went to Seneca Colleges Charlotte Li showcasing her Cashmere BT garment inspired by the 63-year-old widow, Annie Edson Taylor, who successfully barrelled over Niagara Falls in 1901.

Judges included: Canadian Fashion Patron Suzanne Rogers; Leading fashion designer and Cashmere Alum David Dixon; Susan Langdon, Executive Director, Toronto Fashion Incubator; Jeff Rustia, Founder and Executive Director, Toronto Womens Fashion Week and Toronto Mens Fashion Week; and Lolitta Dandoy, famed Quebec blogger and breast cancer survivor.

Im truly impressed by the depth and scope of design talent we saw from right across Canada. It was amazing to see the design creativity and design-savvy required to make Cashmere BT Couture, said Susan Langdon, Executive Director, Toronto Fashion Incubator. It was a really tough decision, but after long deliberations our judging panel chose Chelsea Cox of Kwantlen Polytechnic University as the winner of the White Cashmere Collection 2017: Student Design Competition, because of her impeccable craftsmanship, technical proficiency and beautiful homage to our nations 150th birthday.

Nothing Feels Like Making a Difference

More than 275 invited guests, including Canadas top fashion industry leaders, influencers, designers and the media attended #Cashmere17s annual live runway show, an eagerly anticipated event on Canadas fashion calendar. Produced by Kruger Products L.P., maker of Cashmere, the collection highlights the Canadian companys commitment to supporting a vision of a future without Breast Cancer and nurturing the nations fashion design community.

Launched in 2004, the White Cashmere Collection has featured more than 165 top Canadian fashion designers including Marie Saint Pierre, Greta Constantine, Denis Gagnon, Joseph Helmer and Paul Hardy, as well as served as a launch pad for several now big names. The annual kick-off to October Breast Cancer Month, the collection heralds the return of limited-edition Cashmere in support of Breast Cancer efforts at the Canadian Cancer Society. With twenty-five cents from the sale of every package going to the cause, limited-edition Cashmere gives Canadians an opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of Canadian woman and their families affected by breast cancer.

The White Cashmere Collection serves to discover, support and promote Canadian designers, both in Canada and around the world. Todays collection is focused on the future  not only the future of Canadian fashion but a future without breast cancer, said Nancy Marcus, Corporate Vice President, Consumer Marketing at Kruger Products. All of us know, or have known someone affected by breast cancer, with one in eight Canadian women being diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. Our commitment to this vital cause only strengthens as the collection moves into the future, providing continuous support for breast cancer research and awareness.

Make a Difference - Vote Couture for the Cure:

Cashmeres Vote Couture for the Cure social-fundraising contest is back at www.Facebook.com/Cashmere and all Canadians from coast-to-coast are invited to vote for their favourite Cashmere BT Couture garment. Cashmere will donate $1 for every vote cast between September 28 and October 26, 2017, up to $10,000, to the Canadian Cancer Societys breast cancer efforts in the winning designers name. In addition to supporting an important cause, voters will also be entered into a lucky draw for four weekly prizes of $250, with the ultimate chance to WIN the grand prize of a $1,000 Cashmere shopping spree.

Capturing Breathtaking Cashmere Couture:

The White Cashmere Collection 2017 was photographed by Canadian high-fashion photographer Katherine Holland, with cutting-edge hair and makeup by long-time collection partners Marc Anthony Salon and MAC Cosmetics, showcasing global beauty and hair trends from runways across the world. Shoes were kindly provided by Town Shoes, with glittering jewels by Swarovski.

Final Sashay Down the Runway

All 16 garments from #Cashmere17 will make a special one-time-only appearance at the Royal Ontario Museums Friday Night Live on September 29th beginning at 7:00 p.m. The official kick-to #FNLROMs 12th season. For information or to purchase tickets, click here.

About Cashmere and Kruger Products LP

Cashmere, Canadas best-selling bathroom tissue, reflects Kruger Products commitment to providing the finest quality tissue products to Canadian consumers. Kruger Products is Canadas leading tissue manufacturer and serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere, Purex, SpongeTowels and Scotties, as well as away-from-home products for industrial and commercial use across Canada and the U.S.



About Breast Cancer and the Canadian Cancer Society

This year, it is estimated that 26,300 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One in eight Canadian women will be diagnosed with this disease in her lifetime.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer.

CCS has invested more than $100 million in breast cancer research. These research investments combined with early detection, increased screening rates and better treatment therapies for breast cancer have resulted in a 44% decrease in the breast cancer death rate since the late 1980s. More work needs to be done as breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among women in Canada. Money raised through this partnership will fund breast cancer research, education and awareness activities. For more information, please visit cancer.ca/breastcancer.

Media Materials, Fashion Show Photography and Editorial Images are available for downloading here!

The White Cashmere Collection 2017 is showcased at Cashmere.ca. Check out the Cashmere Facebook Fan Page at Facebook.com/Cashmere and tweet the White Cashmere Collection on Twitter using #Cashmere17.

Nancy Marcus, Corporate Vice President, Consumer Marketing at Kruger Products; and Farley Chatto, Artistic Director for the White Cashmere Collection 2017 are available for interviews.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Shane McKenna or Brittany Arnold at Strategic Objectives

Tel: 416-366-7735

Email: shane.mckenna@strategicobjectives.com, brittany.arnold@strategicobjectives.com
Cambridge, ON, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) is proud to congratulate BWXT Canada Ltd. (BWXT) for the completion and delivery of Retube Waste Containers for the Ontario Power Generations Darlington Unit 2 Refurbishment Project.

The Retube Waste Containers are designed to safely store intermediate level radioactive waste components being removed from the Darlington Unit 2 reactor as part of the Refurbishment Project. The containers feature 11-inch thick, high-density concrete encased with steel-plate shielding and were manufactured in BWXTs Cambridge facility by members of United Steelworkers Local 2859. The BWXT manufacturing facility features an automated concrete plant, robotic weld machines, and large boring machines that help manufacture the 48-tonne containers. The Retube Waste Containers contract was awarded to BWXT in April 2014 by the SNC-Lavalin / Aecon joint venture and shipments to OPG will begin in early November 2017.

The refurbishment of OPGs Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is Canadas largest clean energy project and is supporting 14,000 jobs across Ontario. Hundreds of the projects suppliers are located in Ontario, including BWXT in Cambridge. The 10-year, $12.8 billion refurbishment is on-time and on-budget and will ensure a safe, clean and reliable energy supply for the next 30 years.

Quotes:

BWXT is a leading example of the many nuclear equipment designers and manufacturers in Ontario, says Dr. Ron Oberth, OCNI President and CEO. Theyre part of a vibrant nuclear supply chain of companies that create highly skilled jobs supporting Ontarios nuclear fleet and also compete in the worldwide nuclear market.

We are pleased to be recognized by Ontario Power Generation and the SNC-Lavalin / Aecon Joint Venture for our contribution to the largest clean energy project in Canada, said President of BWXT Canada, John MacQuarrie. These unique storage containers and other products and services weve been fortunate to supply for the Darlington Refurbishment Project allow us to maintain high-skilled, high-paying jobs for our local community, while helping support the generation of low-cost and clean energy for Ontarians.

Local MPP for Cambridge the Hon. Kathryn McGarry noted that nuclear power is and will continue to be an important part of our supply mix, thanks to our nuclear refurbishment program. The Darlington refurbishment is progressing well and the economic impact of this investment is being felt in communities across the province. Ontario's nuclear energy sector, including companies like BWXT Canada, supports nearly 60,000 jobs and is providing us with the specialized products and services we need to make our refurbishment program a success and build the clean, low-carbon economy of tomorrow.

MP for Cambridge Bryan May noted that BWXT is such an integral part of our community, from the jobs it provides to the local community, to the expertise it shares with all of Canada. The work of BWXT literally helps keep our lights on, and our community moving forward. I am excited to see their contributions to Darlington and the nuclear industry in Canada continue. I cant wait to see whats next.

BWXT has been a prominent member of the Cambridge community since it was founded in 1844, and were proud of the companys contribution to the Darlington Refurbishment Project, said Mayor of Cambridge, Doug Craig. Were pleased this project has enabled BWXT to continue offering high-skilled and long-term employment for many in our local community, as this has a significant and lasting socioeconomic impact.

"Refurbishing Darlington Nuclear is Canada's largest clean energy project that will ensure a clean, safe and reliable source of energy for the next 30 years, said Marc Paiment, Project Manager at Ontario Power Generation. This investment in clean air and lower energy prices is creating 14,000 jobs across Ontario, including in Cambridge. BWXT is one of hundreds of Ontario companies supporting this made-in-Ontario project where 96 per cent of project expenses are spent in Ontario."

BWXT plays an important role as an integral supplier. We trust their workmanship and reliability to deliver critical components for all four Darlington units to ensure success for the refurbishment said Preston Swafford, Chief Nuclear Officer and Executive Vice-President, Nuclear, for SNC-Lavalin.

Our partnership with leading suppliers such as BWXT creates skilled jobs in Ontario and their work is instrumental in delivering Darlingtons Unit 2 Refurbishment Project on-time and on-budget, said John M. Beck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aecon Group Inc.

About BWXT Canada Ltd.

BWXT Canada Ltd. has over 60 years of expertise and experience in the design, manufacturing, commissioning and service of nuclear power generation equipment. This includes CANDU  and Pressurized Water Reactor steam generators, nuclear fuel and fuel components, critical plant components, parts and related plant services. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, BWXT Canada has approximately 850 employees at locations in Cambridge, Peterborough, Toronto and Arnprior, Ontario. BWXT Canada is a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BWXT). BWXT is a leading supplier of nuclear components and fuel to the U.S. government; provides technical, management and site services to support governments in the operation of complex facilities and environmental remediation activities; and supplies precision manufactured components, fuel and services for the commercial nuclear power industry. Learn more at www.BWXT.com.

Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) is an association of more than 200 Canadian suppliers to the nuclear industry that employ more than 12,000 highly skilled and specialized engineers, technologists, and trades people. OCNI companies design reactors, manufacture major equipment and components, and provide engineering services and support to CANDU nuclear power plants in Canada as well as to CANDU and Light Water Reactor (LWR) plants in offshore markets.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f25056d-f06b-409a-8b38-449fdf048c95

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4460398e-4834-439c-9ab2-1d6802c30314
NEW HAVEN  A man was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to seven years of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a securities fraud scheme, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Damian Delgado, also known as Michael Neumann, 44, of Orlando, Florida, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and tax evasion, the release said.

Between 2009 and July 2016, Delgado conspired with others, including Christian Meissenn and William Lieberman, to defraud investors through a stock pump and dump scheme. He and his co-conspirators induced investors to purchase securities by making false and misleading representations, causing the price to become falsely inflated. The issuing companies, which were essentially shell companies with virtually no legitimate business activities, were controlled by Lieberman and others.

Delgado used pseudonyms in his communications with investors to conceal his prior felony convictions and his permanent bar by the Securities and Exchange Commission from participating in any offering of penny stocks, according to the press release. His numerous misrepresentations induced investors to purchase securities, causing the share price to become artificially inflated. Delgados co-conspirators then sold their own preexisting positions at a profit, which caused the price to fall. Investors were left with worthless and unsalable stock and lost millions of dollars.

The release stated Delgado received approximately 25 percent of all money he induced individuals to invest, which totaled $346,652.18. He disguised the income by having the funds flow through the trust accounts of various attorneys, including Corey Brinson, of Hartford, to bank accounts in the name of family members and various shell entities. His failure to pay taxes on this income resulted in a loss of $54,080 to Internal Revenue Service.

A restitution order will be issued after further submissions by the parties. In addition to making restitution, Delgado is required to pay back taxes, interest and penalties to the Internal Revenue Service, the release stated.

Delgado, who was released on bail, was ordered to report to prison on Nov. 8.

Meissenn, Lieberman and two other individuals involved in this scheme have pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax offenses and await sentencing. Brinson pleaded guilty to engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity and was sentenced to three years of imprisonment.

Anyone with information that may be helpful to this ongoing investigation, or anyone who might have been victimized by this scheme, is encouraged to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 203-777-6311.




ATLANTA, September 29, 2017 - The Board of Directors of Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI; "Company") today declared a quarterly dividend of 13 cents per share. The dividend is payable on November 1, 2017 to stockholders of record on October 18, 2017.

The Company will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders at 11:00 a.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Four Seasons Hotel, 75 Fourteenth Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia.

About Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is the North American market leader and one of the world's leading providers of lighting and building management solutions. With fiscal year 2016 net sales of $3.3 billion, Acuity Brands currently employs approximately 12,000 associates and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with operations throughout North America, and in Europe and Asia. The Company's products and solutions are sold under various brands, including Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Peerless, Gotham, Mark Architectural Lighting(TM), Winona Lighting, Juno, Indy(TM), Aculux, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, American Electric Lighting, Carandini, Antique Street Lamps(TM), Sunoptics, Distech Controls, Acuity Controls(TM), nLight, ROAM and Sensor Switch. Visit us www.acuitybrands.com.

# # # #

Company Contact:

Dan Smith

Acuity Brands, Inc.

404.853.1423
New Haven  Six years after he shot Daryl McIver in a late-night ambush, Jermaine Harris has been sentenced to serve 80 years in prison for murder and other charges.

McIver died on his 20th birthday.

Harris trial two months ago was filled with testimony about a series of shootings in the summer of 2011 between members of two rival street gangs, the Bloods and the Crips. Police said McIver was a Crip and Harris was a Blood.

A Superior Court jury convicted Harris, 30, of Asylum Street, of murder, first-degree robbery and carrying a pistol without a permit. The sentence was left in the hands of Superior Court Judge Jon C. Blue, who presided over the trial and could have imposed a prison sentence of up to 145 years.

After studying the pre-sentence investigation, Blue imposed a sentence of 60 years for murder, 20 years for first-degree robbery and five years for carrying a pistol without a permit. Blue made the sentence on the third charge concurrent with the other two consecutive sentences, for a total sentence of 80 years.

During the trial, prosecutors Stacey Miranda and Karen Roberg documented five gang-related shootings that occurred between July 22 and Sept. 16 of 2011.

In the first one, Jason Roman, a Blood, was shot and wounded. Police identified McIver as a suspect.

According to trial testimony, McIver, Harris and Tevin Williams, who also was a Blood, were walking around New Haven July 30, 2011, when McIver bragged to Harris that he had shot Roman.

Harris reportedly then said to Williams, Im going to kill him and followed through on his threat as the three men were taking a shortcut through a fence companys property on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.

The jurors watched the companys surveillance tape showing McIver being ambushed from behind at about 2:15 a.m. It was too dark to see their faces but Williams, who had signed a cooperation agreement with the state, testified the tape showed Harris firing several times at McIver.

After McIver fell to the ground, Williams said, Harris took McIvers gun off his hip and shot him a few more times with that gun.

Defense attorney Michael Dwyer had told the jurors in his closing argument of the trial that they should be skeptical of Williams testimony because he was hoping to receive a shorter prison sentence in exchange for his cooperation. Williams is still awaiting sentencing.

During the sentencing hearing, which drew about 12 of McIvers family members and supporters to the courtroom, Blue heard victim impact statements from McIvers mother, Mary Hilton, his cousin, Nathania Blackmon, and Donna Santiago, a friend of the family.

Hilton thanked Blue, the prosecutors and their associates for their hard work on the case. She referred to Harris as the demon that took my first-born son.

She remembered his birthday celebration as a beautiful blessing day but said it turned into a dark, gloomy, ugly, painful, heartfelt night. So much pain in the air.

My son just turned 20 years old, 20 years old, she said. Daryl was so excited, just smiles.

Hilton added, His dad and I loved the fact of him being such a loving, caring big brother. My sons miss their brother and friend.

She concluded, I miss my baby wholeheartedly. My son will be forever with his family. Love never dies.

Blackmon told Harris in her written statement, I know I must not live daily with hatred for you and that God will have the last say on judgment day. But she said she still cant believe that someone who had claimed to be his friend thought it was necessary to take his life.

Santiago, who attended the entire trial, called Harris nothing more than a menace to this society. She said, He deserves nothing but pure punishment and sleepless nights.

In addition to going through years of pretrial proceedings in the case, McIvers family had endured a mistrial in January 2016 when the jurors could not unanimously agree on a verdict.

Harris still faces a separate murder charge for the 2010 shooting of Edmund Jackson outside Humphreys Bar on the corner of East and Humphrey streets. Prosecutors have not said whether they will put Harris on trial in that case.

Contact Randall Beach at 203-680-9345 or rbeach@nhregister.com or randall.beach@hearstmediact.com
The Post reports:

"The Trump administration announced new restrictions Sunday on visitors from eight countries - an expansion of the pre-existing travel ban that has spurred fierce legal debates over security, immigration and discrimination.

"In announcing the new rules, officials said they are meant to be both tough and targeted. The move comes on the day the key portion of President Trump's travel ban, one which bars the issuance of visas to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries, was due to expire. . . .

"Three new nations were added to the list of countries whose citizens will face the restrictions: Chad, North Korea and Venezuela - although the restrictions on Venezuela are narrowly crafted, targeting that country's leadership and their family members.

"One country, Sudan, fell off the travel ban list issued at the beginning of the year. Senior administration officials said a review of Sudan's cooperation with the U.S. government on national security and information-sharing showed it was appropriate to remove them from the list.

"The new restrictions will be phased in over time, officials said, and the restrictions will not affect anyone who already holds a U.S. visa. For those visitors affected by the changed restrictions, the new rules will go into effect Oct. 18, according to the proclamation."

The new ban creates innumerable questions:

 What becomes of the case pending in the Supreme Court on President Trump's second version of the travel ban?

 What evidence has the administration compiled to justify these bans? ("In explaining how the administration came to single out these eight countries, officials said many governments already met U.S. requests - using secure biometric passports, for example, and willingly passing along terrorism and criminal-history information," The Post reported. "Others agreed to make changes and share more data. But some were either unable or unwilling to give the United States what it needed, officials said." It remains to be seen whether this is true.)

 What objective criteria were deployed, and how did six of the original majority-Muslim countries remain on the list?

 How can the administration continue to justify restrictions on refugees "indefinitely" given the exacting nature of the vetting they undergo?

 Why aren't countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Afghanistan on the list?

 What exceptions are to be made, and how will they impact hospitals, universities and other institutions that bring people in from the banned nations?

The most significant takeaway from travel ban 3.0 is confirmation that the first two bans were shoddily constructed initiatives, which could not be justified on available data. They were, just as critics claimed, designed as blatantly political documents playing to Trump's anti-Muslim base.

Will this ban last any longer than the last two, or is it also tainted by the president's racist appeals? The American Civil Liberties Union isn't buying the new iteration. "Six of President Trump's targeted countries are Muslim. The fact that Trump has added North Korea - with few visitors to the US - and a few government officials from Venezuela doesn't obfuscate the real fact that the administration's order is still a Muslim ban," it said in a written statement. "President Trump's original sin of targeting Muslims cannot be cured by throwing other countries onto his enemies list."

The move highlights a truism about this administration: It is as incompetent as it is mendacious. Had it from the beginning exercised care, conducted an appropriate review and narrowly tailored its ban for legitimate national security interests, Trump might have garnered public support and gotten the stamp of approval from the courts. Now, however, he risks losing once again in the courts if for no other reason than his credibility is shot. His deep devotion to race-baiting calls into doubt even legitimate national security goals.

Courtesy of The Washington Post
Billings, MT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/29/2017 --It cannot be denied that for all homeowners, the kitchen is rightfully termed as the heart of one's home. It is the place where the finest meals are being prepared and the family bonds. Modern kitchens are no longer the place where meals are cooked. The new designs have enabled many homeowners to change their kitchens in a way that are aesthetically beautiful and yet functional. While getting a kitchen re-designed, or a new kitchen is getting designed, one has to choose the elements with care. The colors and style that one chooses talks a lot about the homeowner, and that is why all of it matters so much. Cabinet Works is one company that provides the services and products that clients' rightfully look forward to. The best thing about working with them is they have options for all budgets, which means that if one intends for a high design, it won't rip anyone off their money. From custom kitchen designs to kitchen remodel ideas, their expansive array of cabinetry, countertops, appliances, flooring in Billings and Hardin, Montana, and interior design makes it possible for their clients' to express the unique style in creating one's dream kitchen.



Cabinet Works specializes in complete customer service from the design phase to absolute completion. The products and services that Cabinet Works supplies all come from reputed vendor partners who are well known for creating quality products.



Homeowners can look forward to something versatile, long-lasting and durable as far as countertops from Cabinet Works are concerned. They give a long list of choices so that homeowners can find the perfect match. High-quality quartz countertops in Billings and Hardin, Montana are available from all the leading manufacturers. With the choices available, it is easier to find the right surface at the right value, but that is custom tailored to one's needs. Countertops are available from top manufacturers, which includes DuPont Corian and Zodiaq, LG Hi-Macs, LG Viatera, Vetrazzo Recycled Glass, Cambria, Hanstone, Silestone and more.



Call 406-655-8955 or visit http://www.kitchenofdreams.com/ for more details.



About Cabinet Works

Cabinet Works is a trusted name when it comes to offering custom bathroom and kitchen cabinets, closet design, granite countertops, kitchen appliances, window blinds and more in Billings, Hardin, and Laurel, Montana.
Lake Park, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/29/2017 --Kasper Electrical, a premium Palm Beach, Florida-based company, is dedicated to providing residential electrical services to people in their area. For those who live anywhere in Palm Beach County or Martin County, they can count on this company for quick and efficient electrical services. Established in 1978, Kasper Electrical has grown from strength to strength, serving the community with professional integrity and excellence. As a family owned and operated business, they take their work quite personally. They are going to satisfy customers with the perfect blend of technical expertise and professional commitment. They truly value their clients, and they go the extra mile to provide safe, effective, and affordable electrical services. For all residential electrical repairs and services, one can call the expert residential electricians in Delray Beach and Wellington, Florida.



While fixing any specific electrical system, they can utilize modern, advanced diagnostic equipment to identify the source of the problem quickly and efficiently. Once they know exactly what is wrong, they can explain the options about repair or replacement. They are also upfront with their customers, and they will make sure that their customers can make full and informed decisions.



Apart from extending service if a specific problem arises, they can also be called upon to upgrade existing systems that are working inefficiently. Plus, they specialize in electrical work for new construction projects in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and the surrounding areas. No residential electrician job is too big or too small for Kasper Electrical.



While handling any project, big or small, the experts at Kasper Electrical place emphasis on customer communication from the initial point of contact. They listen to their customers attentively and know their residential electrical needs. From outlet and fan installations to panel change, they can assist the customers in every possible manner.



For more information on marine electronics in Lake Park and West Palm Beach, Florida, call them now at 561-845-1660 or visit: http://www.kasperelectricinc.com/marine-electric-marine-electronics-services/.



About Kasper Electrical

Kasper Electrical has been satisfying customers in this area since 1978, and they continue to build on their reputation each and every day. The company is family owned and operated, and they take a great deal of personal pride in the work that they do for their clients. The electricians that comprise their team are experienced, dedicated professionals, and they complete their work in a safe, timely, and efficient manner.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BC Premier John Horgan pledged to work together with local governments to tackle the provinces tough challenges during his address to delegates at the annual convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalitiesand CUPE members in British Columbia are looking forward to the work ahead, CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies said today.



We heard a call to action for everyone in BC to collaborate in delivering solutions to make life better for British Columbians, said Davies, who attended todays UBCM convention closing speech. I believe CUPE members all across the province can look forward to seeing real positive changes in their communities for their families, friends and neighbours.

Horgan focused on the rebuilding and recovery needed after the unprecedented wildfire season in the interior, the urgent action needed to solve the drug overdose crisis thats claiming on average four lives every day, building housing to address homelessness and affordability for all BC families, and taking advantage of BCs position and prosperity to build a strong economy with good high paying jobs.

CUPE members know first-hand the struggles faced by residents in the hundreds of communities where our members work, said Davies. We heard today the Premiers strong desire to work with all levels of government to get the job done on behalf of British Columbians, and CUPE members are ready to help.

I am especially glad to hear Premier Horgans commitment to provide assistance to the recovery efforts after this summers devastating wildfires, said Davies. Many CUPE members in the Cariboo and Interior opened their hearts and homes to help those in need and we need all levels of government committed to restoring those communities.

CUPE BC represents more than 87,000 workers across BC, working in sectors including public education, colleges and universities, community social services, transportation, health care, including more than 25,000 members working for municipalities and regional districts.
Carthage, MO -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/29/2017 --For many farm owners, having farm insurance might not be necessary, but with life's uncertainties, it is hard to say when life will give you a bad surprise. Insurance of any kind, be it for home, business or life and health, gives one protection. That is why one looks forward to having insurance in Joplin and Sarcoxie, Missouri at affordable rates, Southwest Agency Incorporated is the best place to be. They are a full-service insurance agency who are extremely dedicated to their cause. The insurance agents extend their helping hand to their clients all the time and make sure that all details related to the insurance policy are taken care of in time. They will not only offer assistance but also advice on which insurance policy will be good for the client. The idea is to help and secure their future so that no financial crisis can stop them from living their life.



As an insurance agency with many years of experience in the industry, Southwest Agency Inc., understands the importance of having farm insurance in Joplin and Sarcoxie, Missouri. They understand the dynamics and the risks that are involved for those whose livelihood depends on the farm. They will help one to safeguard the very means that is the reason for one's sustenance. Those who are unknown to the advantages of owning farm insurance, the insurance agents will talk to them about the farm or agribusines.



Southwest Agency Incorporated offers a full scope of farm and agribusiness insurance that covers Grain Elevators-Bonds, Worker's Comp, Livestock Auctions-Bonds, Fertilizer Dealers-Package, Livestock, Equine-Breeding Coverage, Indoor Arenas, Mortality, Feedlots-Package, and more.



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Southwest Agency Incorporated is a full service insurance agency that offers a wide range of insurance in Joplin and Sarcoxie, Missouri. From farm insurance to life and health insurance, homeowners and car insurance, they provide it all at the most affordable rates.
Leaders pose for photographs during a Belt and Road Forum hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping near Beijing, May 15, 2017.

Chinas new maritime cooperation policy is getting mixed reviews from experts.

The policy would in theory reduce the overfishing and environmental degradation that Chinese fishermen have caused close to their own shores and as far away as Africa.

Some experts say that Beijing is getting more serious about protecting the worlds marine environment. But they also note that China has had regulations calling for such protections on the books for many years.

The governments enforcement of these regulations, they say, has at least until recently been lacking.

Some note that the maritime cooperation policy introduced through a policy paper in June, is tightly linked to Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) Initiative. This could mean that Beijing is giving economic goals the highest priority.

That would leave the marine environment as a secondary concern as China builds new Silk Road trade corridors from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean and beyond.

The official title of Chinas policy paper is Vision for Maritime Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

It calls for a number of land and sea trade corridors connecting China with the rest of the world.

These corridors will require the construction of roads, railroads and, deep-water ports, so the costs will be considerable. Some analysts say that investments in OBOR may eventually run to more than 1 trillion U.S. dollars.

But a word of caution is needed here. The details of how OBOR will work remain almost as unclear as when China first unveiled its overall policy goals four years ago, according to Peter Fuhrman, the founder and chief executive officer of the investment bank China First Capital.

In an analysis published by The Financial Times on Sept. 25, Fuhrman lists a few of the key unanswered questions about OBOR:

How much cash China will invest or loan? Where are the first-order priority projects located? Will any of the spending achieve commercial rates of return?

Chinas most ambitious project brings challenges

Whats clear is that OBOR remains President Xi Jinpings most ambitious foreign policy effort to date, as The Economist described it in the spring of this year.

If it succeeds, the magazine said, it could one day rival transatlantic trade in importance.

For those familiar with the ancient Silk Road connecting China with Europe via caravans, this is a much larger undertaking than that earlier network of trade routes which brought silk and other luxury items to Venice and Rome.

The Silk Road, made famous by the 13th century Venetian merchant Marco Polo, linked Xian in Central China with Europe via then-thriving trade hubs in Central Asia and the Middle East.

President Xis OBOR, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) encompasses all of these trading hubs plus many more.

Its calls for a China-Indian-Ocean-Africa-Mediterranean-Sea Blue Corridor running westward from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean and connecting with a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and a Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor.

Another economic passage would lead to Europe via the Arctic Ocean.

Nothing can be achieved without many roads, railroad links, and ports.

And following the typical Chinese pattern in dealing with major infrastructure projects overseas, Chinese workers probably will do most of the necessary construction work.

China will no doubt also use its new connections to mine resources such as gold and tungsten, which are still plentiful in Central Asia and Africa. This will provide employment for Chinese miners as China reduces its coal mine production at home in line with its climate change pledges.

Its useful to look at Chinas construction projects already in place in Africa to see what could go wrong with all of this.

Although some projects in Africa appear to have gone well, such as a Chinese-built railroad in Ethiopia, others have been subject to a diversion of funds to the corrupt local officials charged with arranging the acquisition of land and licenses.

Some of the 60-odd countries expected to benefit from the BRI are also among those with the worst ratings on Transparency Internationals corruption perceptions list of nations.

China prides itself on not interfering in the internal affairs of foreign nations, but stricter oversight than business as usual will now need to be applied in order to benefit the poorest of the poor in these countries.

Record of overfishing

Chinas Vision for Maritime Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative includes, among its loftier goals, promoting development and eradicating poverty.

And China, it says, is prepared to provide technical assistance to countries along the Road.

But its not clear how this will work out for the marine environment in some key regions, such as the South China Sea, where millions of people depend heavily on protein provided by fish.

Chinese overfishing in the South China Sea has brought some fish species to the brink of collapse. And Chinese fishing fleets in the region far outnumber the fleets of Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The good news for the region was a Chinese decision early this year to enforce regulations calling for a halt to the harvesting and processing by Chinese fishermen of giant clams in the South China Sea.

The giant clams are embedded in coral reefs that protect small fish from predators. The coral reefs also play a role in replenishing fish stocks.

In another potentially positive development, Chinese officials have stated that Beijing has plans to radically reduce the size of Chinas huge distant waters fishing fleet, which would amount to a major benefit for fishermen in Vietnam.

Until recently, Vietnamese fishermen have reported that Chinese fishermen backed by Coast Guard vessels have been seizing their fish catches.

Zhang Hongzhou, a research fellow at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, says that his general impression is that the Chinese government is getting more serious about protecting the marine environment and addressing the fishing issues.

Various programs have been introduced, he says.

Nevertheless, Zhang adds, implementation is a challenge, and whether these efforts can be sustained is an important question.

John McManus, a professor of marine biology and fisheries at the Rosenthiel School of the University of Miami, also takes a more positive view.

McManus, who documented the destruction of coral reefs by Chinese fishermen searching for giant clams, says that the policy paper from China looks promising.

But he also notes that China has continued with dredging and filling in a contested portion of the South China Seas Paracel Islands, probably for military purposes.

This would indicate that China has no intention of dismantling the military facilities that it has constructed on a number of disputed islands in the South China Sea. And dredging has been one of several sources of environmental degradation in this vast sea.

On a cautious note, Jay Batongbacal, an associate professor at the College of Law at the University of the Philippines, says that its really too early to tell whether any serious steps have been taken toward either stopping the overfishing, undertaking any joint development, or proposing environmental (protection policies) either in relation to the BRI or the South China Sea.

No actions have been taken so far that can be characterized as firm indicators that the BRI is taking off in the Philippines, says Batongbacal, who heads his universitys Institute for Marine Affairs.

Bill Hayton, a journalist who has closely studied South China Sea developments in recent years, says that yes, there have been some noises about controlling bad fishing practices.

But at the same time, Hayton says, the Chinese government is still subsidizing fishing crews to do the stuff that they apparently want to control.

Sun Yun, a senior associate at the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Stimson Center, contends that Chinas actions run counter to the environmental sustainability goals outlined in its vision statement.

She says that the glossy rhetoric of sustainable and equitable development isa ploy to achieve more favorable Chinese access to markets across the globe.

Dan Southerland is RFA's founding executive editor.
North Korean hostesses wait for customers at the entrance to a North Korean restaurant in China's border city of Dandong, in a file photo.

U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines on Nov. 3-14 amid an increasingly tense standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons, as Beijing ordered all North Korean-owned businesses within its borders to close by early January.

"The president's engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the White House said in a statement on Friday.

Trump will attend regional summits and discuss trade and the North Korean nuclear threat. The announcement comes as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson prepares for a second trip to China, as Trump and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un trade increasingly hostile rhetoric.

China has ordered all North Korean-owned businesses in China to close by January, in a bid to shut off foreign revenue streams for Pyongyang under United Nations sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile programs.

Companies, including joint ventures with Chinese firms, have 120 days to close from Sept. 11, the date the U.N. resolution was adopted, China's commerce ministry said on Thursday, in a move which will likely affect around 100 restaurants run by North Koreans, a quarter of which are located in Beijing.

Meanwhile, Tillerson will meet with his counterpart Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders on Saturday, where he will call on the ruling Chinese Communist Party to take further steps on limiting crucial oil supplies to North Korea, as well as pressing for the full implementation of existing United Nations sanctions.

"The major tasks of his visit to China are exchange of in-depth views on ways to strengthen China-U.S. relations, in particular President Donald Trump's state visit to China ... and on major international and regional issues of common concern," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular news conference in Beijing.

But he declined to comment further.

"If there is further information we will provide it in a timely fashion," he said.

Properly enforced restrictions

U.S. officials say that if restrictions on trade in textiles, coal and other commodities are properly enforced, North Korea will lose the vast majority of its export revenue.

China accounts for about 90 percent of North Korea's foreign trade, and Washington sees it as pivotal to putting pressure on Pyongyang to disarm.

U.S. officials have lauded recent measures by Beijing, while Trump recently said that China had ordered its banks to stop dealing with North Korea, although no public announcement has been made.

Chinese analysts, whose thinking often informs and reflects policy in Beijing, are skeptical, however, while officials have repeatedly called for a return to the negotiating table and a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Wu Fei, senior fellow at the Chinese public diplomacy and international relations think tank Chahar Institute, said there may be limits to the pressure such sanctions can exert on North Korea.

"They have no industrial products to speak of, and their harvest is pretty much gathered in now," Wu said. "Their demand for basic resources will be pretty low for the next six months or so."

"They don't rely on the outside world for much, and that includes China. North Korea wants to show the rest of the world how independent it is; this is the impression they want to create," he said.

"I reckon they can hold out for another six months or so."

However, Chinese journalist Xu Xiang said public opinion in China is swinging firmly against its isolated Stalinist neighbor.

"This policy of opposing the U.S. and supporting North Korea: What have we gotten in return for the blood spilled by our fathers' generation [in the 1950-1953 Korean War]?" Xu said. "All it's done is turn the Kim dynasty into even worse bandits than they were before."

"As Chinese citizens, we feel pretty unsafe," he said.

But Xu added that China doesn't believe it has the key to the North Korean nuclear crisis.

"The only country that can solve this is the United States, and only military force is going to sort this out properly," he said.

U.S.-based retired Toledo University professor Ran Bogong said the ruling Chinese Communist Party is still hoping to force some concessions out of Pyongyang, however.

"China is hoping now to force Kim Jong Un into making some kind of compromise vis-a-vis the U.S.," Ran said. "The U.S. and China need to work closely to ensure that when Trump visits, there is some kind of definite result."

"Neither Beijing nor Washington wants to see the North Korean issue create further conflict between them."

Reported by Lin Ping and Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
A Chinese journalist who wrote an article about dozens of university students who have gone missing in recent years in the central city of Wuhan has been detained on suspicion of "rumor-mongering."



The 39-year-old journalist, identified only by his surname Wang, has been detained on suspicion of "faking the facts and spreading rumors" after he wrote an article titled "32 Students Mysteriously Disappear in Wuhan," featuring interviews with their family members, the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported.



Wuhan police issued a directive on Thursday saying that the content of his article was inaccurate and had been deleted at the request of the father of missing Wuhan student Lin Feiyang, the paper said.



It said police in Wuhan's Jianghan district had detained a male, 39 years old, surnamed Wang, under administrative detention.



"When our son had just gone missing, he interviewed me, and the report came out around the same time," Lin Feiyang's father Lin Shaoqing told RFA on Friday. "Everything [in the article] was factually correct."



Lin went missing after his China Southern flight from Moscow to Wuhan landed in the city in November 2015.



Parents of the missing students say police have been reluctant to accept missing persons reports in such cases, arguing that the students are legal adults who have the right to disappear if they want to.



'They didn't bother looking'



Lin said police had initially run a search of surveillance footage, but investigators had lost track of his son after he entered a blind spot not covered by the city's cameras.



"They didn't bother looking after that, and now the recordings no longer exist, because it was too long ago," he said. "The police claim that there wasn't enough evidence that harm had come to him."



An official who answered the phone at the Wuhan municipal police department confirmed that no missing persons report had been filed.



"There wasn't enough evidence to file one in the Lin Feiyang case," the officer said.



Asked if China's "Skynet," a nationwide urban surveillance network with artificial intelligence capabilities, couldn't have picked him up by now, the official replied: "If you want to find out what happened, you'll have to come here and do it."



Dozens missing



Dozens of university students have disappeared in Wuhan between 2013 and 2016, according to campaigning relatives.



The majority were young men of around 20 years of age, with excellent academic records and measuring around 1.8 meters tall, sparking fears that they were being preyed upon for a specific purpose.



Many went missing near the banks of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, according to the father of Xiao Pengfei, who disappeared during his fourth year as a prize-winning scholarship student of bioengineering at the Wuhan University of Science and Technology.



Xiao left his college campus by the back gate on Dec. 31, 2014, made a 10-minute journey on foot to a park on the river embankment, and hasn't been seen since.



"We were able to trace my son leaving the campus and spending some time by the riverside, but I couldn't see anything, because it was dark," Xiao's father told RFA.



"Some of the parents of the missing students are beginning to think that their organs were taken and their bodies disposed of later," he said. "They all went missing in the same area, on the edge of the Yangtze River bridge."



Warnings against interviews



Shuai Jinfu, father of Shuai Zongbin, a fourth-year student at the Wuhan University of Technology, also stood by Wang's article, saying he knows of at least a dozen families with missing Wuhan university students.



"The police are saying that this is rumor-mongering now, but it isn't," Shuai told RFA. "There are 17 or 18 families in our group chat for people with missing kids [in Wuhan],"



"We went to the police at the time, wanting them to search phone records or [social media], but they refused to accept the case, or they couldn't find him," he said.



"The whole group went to petition at the Hubei provincial government in March, and we were received by a couple of department heads, but nothing has happened since," Shuai said.



Police have already warned some family members of missing persons not to give interviews to overseas media.



"They won't let us give interviews," one family member said when contacted by RFA on Thursday.



Reported by Xin Lin for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Siu-san and Wen Yuqing for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.




Myanmar National Security Adviser Thaung Tun speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss recent violence in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state at the United Nations in New York, Sept. 28, 2017.

Despite heavy condemnation by the international community and vivid evidence of atrocities, Myanmar on Thursday defended its handling of the crisis in Rakhine state, insisting that there has been no ethnic cleansing of the regions Rohingya Muslim population and dismissing media reports of army abuses as malicious and unsubstantiated chatter.

The common thread that runs through the commentaries is the allusion that something is rotten in the state of Rakhine, Thaung Tun, Myanmars national security adviser, told a U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in Myanmar, the first such public meeting to be held on the Southeast Asia nations in eight years.

Assertions in the media that a campaign of terror has been unleashed in northern Rakhine and that unspeakable crimes have been committed against innocent people have only served to heighten the concern of the international community, he said.

While such assertions might appear reasonable at first glance to a lay observer, expert observers with knowledge of the history of Myanmar and exposure to the propaganda tactics of terrorists will see such comments for what they really are  malicious and unsubstantiated chatter, he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Myanmar to cease its military operations in northern Rakhine state, allow humanitarian access to the violence-ridden area, and allow the Rohingya Muslims to return home from neighboring Bangladesh where more than 500,000 have sought refuge in recent weeks.

The situation has spiraled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare, he said.

During the meeting, however, the Security Councils 15 member countries did not agree on a joint resolution, with the U.S., France and Britain calling for an immediate end to the violence, and Russia and China throwing their support behind Myanmars government.

In Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday, the U.N. Human Rights Council decided to extend the mandate of a fact-finding mission in Myanmar by six months until September 2018, despite objections by Myanmar, China, and the Philippines.

The Myanmar government has blocked the commissioners from entering the country by refusing to issue them visas.

Since Aug. 25, about a half-million Rohingya from northern Rakhine have fled to Bangladesh to escape a brutal offensive that the Myanmar military launched following deadly attacks on police outposts by the militant Muslim group the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

Rights groups, nongovernmental organizations, and the United Nations have accused the army of committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in northern Rakhine amid numerous reports by Rohingya of security forces indiscriminately killing civilians, burning villages, torturing people, and raping girls and women.

The Myanmar government has denied the charges and said that Muslim militants set Rohingya and minority Hindu villages ablaze and killed civilians.

Ethnic cleansing and genocide are serious charges, and they should not be used lightly, Thaung Tun said. It would be a sad commentary of our times if we allowed emotions to cloud our view and assert that what is happening in Rakhine is ethnic cleansing without first undertaking a legal review and making a judicial determination.

I can assure you that the leaders of Myanmar, who have been struggling so long for freedom and human rights, will never espouse a policy of genocide or ethnic cleansing, and the government will do everything to prevent it, he said.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at a UN Security Council meeting to discuss recent violence in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state at the United Nations in New York, Sept. 28, 2017. Credit: AFP A brutal, sustained campaign

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., also accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing and called on all countries to stop supplying weapons to the Myanmar military until it is held accountable for its brutality against the Rohingya.

We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority, she said.

The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed, she said. We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens.

Meanwhile, Rohingya refugees continue to flow into Bangladesh where another 400,000 already live in displaced persons camps in the southeast after fleeing previous rounds of violence in Rakhine state.

Despite claims otherwise, the violence has not ceased in northern Rakhine state, neither has the exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh, said Masud Bin Momen, Bangladeshs ambassador to the U.N., at the Security Council meeting.

He said 20,000 more Rohingya entered Bangladesh on Wednesday. The same day, at least 23 people drowned and 40 others went missing and are feared dead when a boat transporting Rohingya families to neighboring Bangladesh capsized within sight of the Bangladesh coast.

Momen noted that as the exodus continues, the Rohingya have said how the military burned their villages, raped women, looted their property, and committed other forms of abuse.

He called for the establishment of safe zones in northern Rakhine for Rohingya still in the region and for guarantees that they will receive unhindered humanitarian assistance.

[T]he immediate priorities should be to cease all forms of violence and ensure protection and humanitarian assistance for those affected or vulnerable in Rakhine state, he said.

Adding to the condemnation from foreign governments, a group of nearly 90 nongovernmental organizations called on U.N. member states to take urgent action to address crimes against humanity.

As more evidence emerges, it is clear that the atrocities committed by Myanmar state security forces amount to crimes against humanity, said a joint statement from the groups, which included Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the AFL-CIO.

In particular, we call on all states to immediately suspend military assistance and cooperation with Myanmar, said the NGO statement released by Human Rights Watch.

Thaung Tun repeated the Myanmar governments previous assertion that the military operations in northern Rakhine ended on Sept. 5 and that those who fled to Bangladesh did so out of fear caused by the terrorists.

The government has noted that the majority of Rakhines 1.1 million Rohingya still live in the region, despite the recent violence.

At the Security Council meeting, Guterres also warned that the crisis in Rakhine could prompt a further exodus of Rohingya and cultivate radicalization in the area.

The failure to address this systematic violence could result in a spillover into central Rakhine, where an additional 250,000 Muslims could potentially face displacement, he said.

The crisis has generated multiple implications for neighboring states and the larger region, including the risk of intercommunal strife, he said. We should not be surprised if decades of discrimination and double standards in treatment of the Rohingya create openings for radicalization.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lloyd I. Miller, III announced the acquisition of ownership, control or direction over net US$250,000 principal amount of Senior Secured Convertible Debentures due 2020 (the "2020 Convertible Debentures") of Gran Colombia Gold Corp. ("Gran Colombia") through the acquisition of US$1,000,000 principal amount of 2020 Convertible Debentures and the disposition US$750,000 principal amount of 2020 Convertible Debentures. The 2020 Convertible Debentures are convertible into approximately 128,205 common shares of Gran Colombia, representing an increase in Mr. Miller's securityholding percentage of approximately 0.30% of the outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis taking into account only the outstanding Common Shares, as reported by Gran Colombia, and the 2020 Debentures over which Mr. Miller exercises control or direction and no others. Mr. Miller acquired the 2020 Convertible Debentures through Lloyd I. Miller SEP IRA, a personal account, and disposed of 2020 Convertible Debentures through LIMFAM LLC and MILFAM III LLC.



Prior to the acquisition, Mr. Miller redeemed US$1,127,131 principal amount of 2020 Convertible Debentures. In addition, Gran Colombia completed a consolidation of its shares and in connection with the consolidation, the exercise price of the 2020 Convertible Debentures increased from US$0.13 to US$1.95 in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2020 Convertible Debentures. Following the foregoing redemption, Mr. Miller's securityholding percentage decreased from 34.36%, as previously reported, to 31.50% on a partially diluted basis, taking into account only the outstanding Common Shares, as reported by Gran Colombia, and the 2020 Convertible Debentures over which Mr. Miller exercises control or direction and no others (20.69% of the outstanding Common Shares taking into account the outstanding Common Shares, as reported by Gran Colombia, and all of the outstanding 2020 Debentures on a fully converted, partially diluted basis). As a result of the net acquisition described herein and assuming the conversion of all 2020 Convertible Debentures over which Mr. Miller has ownership, control or direction, Mr. Millers securityholding percentage increased to 31.80% on a partially diluted basis, taking into account only the outstanding Common Shares, as reported by Gran Colombia, and the 2020 Convertible Debentures over which Mr. Miller exercises control or direction and no others (20.97% of the outstanding Common Shares taking into account the outstanding Common Shares, as reported by Gran Colombia, and all of the outstanding 2020 Debentures on a fully converted, partially diluted basis)

The transactions that resulted in the net acquisition of 2020 Convertible Debentures were completed through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange and Pure for total net consideration of US$234,625, which based on the Bank of Canada noon exchange rate on September 27, 2017 equals approximately CDN$291,217 in total net consideration.

The net acquisition of 2020 Convertible Debentures was completed for investment purposes. Depending on the evolution of Gran Colombias business, financial condition, the market, if any, for Gran Colombias securities, general economic conditions and other factors, Mr. Miller and his joint actors may acquire additional securities of Gran Colombia, or sell some or all of the securities they hold, in the open market, by private agreement or otherwise, subject to their availability at attractive prices, market conditions and other relevant factors.

For inquiries or a copy of the related early warning report required under Canadian provincial securities legislation, a copy of which has also been filed on www.sedar.com, please contact:
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The BC Achievement Foundation announced today the recipients of the 2017 BC Creative Achievement Award for First Nations Art.



By honouring the best in First Nations art, we celebrate the inheritance of a rich cultural tradition, said Scott McIntyre, Foundation Chair. The 2017 award recipients are exemplary standard-bearers for all BC artists, and provide inspiration for those who will follow.

Delores Purdaby, a master basketry artist from the Secwepemc-Neskonlith community, will receive this years Lifetime Achievement Award, an honour bestowed on individuals who have made a profound contribution to their First Nations culture.

Following the establishment of the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist Award at last years presentation ceremony, Danika Naccarella  an emerging Gwasala-Nakwaxdaxw and Nuxalk artist  will be honoured as the inaugural recipient of this award.

The annual BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations Art celebrate artistic excellence in traditional, contemporary or media art. The 2017 recipients chosen by the jury panel are:

Corey Bulpitt  Haida

Kevin Cranmer  Kwakwakawakw-Namgis / Mamalilikala

Steven Davies  Snuneymuxw

Danika Naccarella  Gwasala-Nakwaxdaxw / Nuxalk

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas  Haida-Canadian

The 11th annual celebration of the awards will take place later this fall at a ceremony in Vancouver.

McIntyre acknowledged the ongoing commitment of Polygon Homes as the lead sponsor of the award program, We thank Polygon Homes, its Chair, Michael Audain, and its President, Neil Chrystal, for their tremendous support of the BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations Art.



Members of the jury panel included: Sonny Assu, a Li g wilda x w / Kwakwakawakw interdisciplinary, award-winning artist and past recipient; Nika Collison, Haida artist and curator of the Haida Gwaii Museum at K ay Llnagaay; and Xwalacktun, an internationally recognized and award-winning Coast Salish / Squamish / Kwakwakawakw artist and past recipient. Special advisors to the jury include Emily Carr University Aboriginal Program Director, Brenda Crabtree, a member of the Spuzzum Band with both Nlakapamux and Sto:lo ancestry; and the UBC Museum of Anthropologys Curator Emeritus, Bill McLennan.

The BC Achievement Foundation is an independent foundation established and endowed by the Province of BC in 2003 to celebrate community service, arts, humanities and enterprise. For information on British Columbia Achievement Foundation, visit www.bcachievement.com.

Detailed information about the 2017 recipients and a list of past winners is posted on the foundations website at www.bcachievement.com.

Contact:

Cathryn Wilson

Executive Director

BC Achievement Foundation

604-261-9777
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES, ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW



TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. (TSXV:LPC) (LPCP) announced today that it has signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) to purchase all of the outstanding securities of Crestridge Asset Management Inc. (Crestridge), an independent portfolio manager based in Toronto (the Transaction).

Crestridge provides discretionary investment management and wealth management services for individuals, trusts and foundations, with clients across Canada. As of August 31, 2017, Crestridge had approximately $120 million in assets under management.

We are confident that we have found a new partner in Crestridge that shares similar perspectives on investment management and a commitment to delivering tailored investment solutions to affluent families, commented Robert Sewell, Chief Executive Officer of LPCP and Bellwether Investment Management Inc. (Bellwether), its operating subsidiary.

This acquisition enhances our scale within the investment management industry by providing us with a broader suite of investment solutions and additional resources that will benefit our clients, said Jeffrey Black, President and Chief Investment Officer of Crestridge.

With the addition of Crestridge, the combined firm will add to our presence within the GTA with an office in downtown Toronto. The addition of the Crestridge team will allow us to better serve all of our clients and work more effectively with our advisor partners, said Steve Meehan, Chairman of LPCP and Bellwether.

Transaction

The SPA provides that LPCP will acquire all of the shares of an indirect parent company of Crestridge in exchange for consideration of $1.35 million, to be paid by LPCP as follows: $500,000 in cash and 500,000 common shares of LPCP, issued at a deemed issue price of $0.40 per common share upon closing; $300,000 in cash and $200,000 in common shares of LPCP issued at the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price (VWAP) of the LPCP common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) upon the first anniversary of closing; and $150,000 in cash on the 18-month anniversary of closing, in each case subject to adjustment as provided in the SPA.

The Transaction is expected to close on or about October 2, 2017, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of the approval of the TSXV and applicable securities regulatory authorities. On or after closing, LPCP expects that Crestridge will amalgamate with Bellwether, and Crestridge will continue as a division of Bellwether.

The Transaction is at arms length and does not represent a reverse takeover of LPCP nor a fundamental acquisition under TSXV policies and no change of control of LPCP will result from the Transaction.

About Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc.

LPCP was created to bring together boutique investment management and wealth advisory firms in order to deliver robust, cost effective investment solutions to affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts. LPCPs unique strategy creates better alignment between investment managers and wealth advisors while providing them with additional resources to accelerate their growth.

About Bellwether Investment Management Inc.

Bellwether is a boutique investment manager that offers tailored investment solutions for affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts utilizing its proprietary Disciplined Dividend Growth Investment Process. Bellwether provides discretionary investment management focused on North American Dividend Growth investing and is dedicated to serving the distinct needs of affluent families. Bellwethers suite of investment solutions includes Canadian, US and global equity and fixed income strategies. Bellwether is a subsidiary of LPCP, and is registered a portfolio manager in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, an exempt market dealer in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and an investment fund manager in Ontario and Quebec.

About Crestridge Asset Management Inc.

Crestridge provides discretionary investment management for individuals, trusts and foundations. Crestridge manages client portfolios utilizing an investment philosophy which utilizes equity and fixed income investments as well as Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Crestridge is registered as a portfolio manager in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Sewell

Chief Executive Officer

Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc.

bob.sewell@lpcp.ca

(905) 337-2227

Cautionary Notes

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, plan, and other similar expressions. Forward looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, the terms, timing, and completion of the Transaction; the amalgamation of Crestridge and Bellwether; and LPCPs objectives, goals and future plans. Forward-looking information addresses possible future events, conditions and financial performance based upon management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In particular, the forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects assumptions about the timing and results of negotiations, due diligence, and regulatory approvals. Management of LPCP considers the assumptions on which the forward-looking information contained herein are based to be reasonable. However, by its very nature, forward-looking information inherently involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Such risks include, without limitation, discovery of, or failure to discover, material issues during due diligence; the failure to agree on the final terms of definitive agreement; breach of contract; failure to obtain regulatory approval; and changes in economic conditions, applicable laws or regulations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. LPCP disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
By Gregory Wilson and Joseph H. Maroon

As Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice consider curbing Clean Water Act lawsuit settlements that incorporate payments from polluters into environmental remediation funds, it is instructive to look at the history of an environmental disaster that happened right here in Virginia. Nowhere will you find a more compelling example for allowing such settlements than that of Allied Chemical and the illegal discharging of the pesticide Kepone into the James River.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the settlement with Allied Chemical that included a fine and payment of $8 million into a fund that established the Virginia Environmental Endowment. The Kepone case shaped environmental progress in Virginia for decades to come, and underscores the need for vigilance when it comes to protecting public health and the environment from toxic substances.

Allied Chemical created Kepone, the brand name of the pesticide chlordecone, in the 1950s. An endocrine disruptor and carcinogen, Kepone stays intact in the environment for long periods of time, accumulating in the fatty tissue of fish and other creatures that ingest it. Allied Chemical and its affiliate, Life Science Products, produced Kepone in Hopewell from the late 1960s until 1974. Some Kepone went into insect traps in the United States, but most went overseas for use in Eastern Europe and the tropics.

Kepone entered the public eye in July 1975 when Virginia public health officials discovered the pesticide had poisoned Life Science workers exposed to the chemical. Of the 75 workers affected, 29 were hospitalized with varying degrees of body and hand tremors, dizziness, rapid eye movement, headaches, chest pain, and nervous conditions.

Consequently, state health officials shut down the facility and Kepone production in the U.S. ceased. Overseas production and use continued until the United Nations included Kepone on an international list of banned chemicals.

Further investigations by Virginia revealed illegal dumping of waste laden with Kepone into Hopewells sewer system and the waters of the James River. The widespread contamination led former Virginia Gov. Mills Godwin to issue a ban on fishing in the James River  a ban that lasted in various forms for 13 years, impacting recreational and commercial users.

In 1977, federal judge Robert R. Merhige Jr. imposed an initial fine of $13.24 million against Allied Chemical for violating the Clean Water Act, but lowered it when Allied entered into a settlement agreement that established the Virginia Environmental Endowment with an $8 million investment.

Judge Merhige sanctioned precisely that which Congress and the Department of Justice may now prohibit.

The Kepone settlement agreement was a landmark decision. Rather than the fine going to the federal treasury and having no certain impact on Virginia, the case gave birth to a grant-making foundation designed to help Virginias citizens and environment. Over the past 40 years, the Virginia Environmental Endowment has awarded $29 million in grants to nearly 500 organizations, universities, schools, and communities, leveraging the $8 million it received from the original settlement to achieve more than $80 million for environmental improvement.

Impacts from Kepone pollution remain  a fish consumption advisory is still in effect and recent sampling by scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science revealed continued contamination at trace levels in 65 percent of the fish sampled in the river, four decades after production of the chemical ceased. Yet the James River is much healthier than it was in the mid-1970s. According to the James River Association, the measured health of the James River has increased remarkably, making it arguably the most improved river in the nation.

Kepones history serves as a compelling reminder of both the human and environmental consequences of unchecked pollution and the value of the use of settlement funds to catalyze environmental progress.
Empty properties

cost taxpayers dearly

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Your recent article announcing the proposed Matoaca megasite in southern Chesterfield featured a list of six similar industrial properties that dot the commonwealth. Quick research revealed that four of the sites have not snagged a single business tenant. One still-empty location has been available for more than four years.

While these industrial centers court tenants, the taxpayer continues to pay for development of roads, water system upgrades, and permit-ready sites. The successful sites with tenants still cost taxpayers via a variety of tax and utility subsidies, among other generous benefits.

South Carolina took on $218 million in debt and offered 10 years of tax incentives to help Boeing expand there. Just as willing to take on such debt and give away tax dollars, localities in the commonwealth continue to carve out acreage to build their field of dreams.

Chesterfield will not be outdone, so it now positions itself to find a heavy manufacturing firm to nestle itself into a patch of neighborhoods. The lesson of Tranlin Paper is destined to be lost on them. County residents have little idea how much that stalled project has already cost them.

At least South Carolina had a big fish on the line. Chesterfield has no prospect. Everyone will be paying for phantom jobs.

Julie Ranson.
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ECONOMY

U.S. economy grew at fast clip in spring

WASHINGTON  The U.S. economy grew at an upgraded annual rate of 3.1 percent in the spring, the fastest pace in more than two years. But growth is expected to slow sharply this quarter in the wake of a string of devastating hurricanes.

The April-June expansion in the gross domestic product  the economys total output of goods and services  is up slightly from a 3 percent estimate made a month ago, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. It is the strongest performance since the economy grew at a 3.2 percent pace in the first quarter of 2015. The upward revision reflected larger farm stockpiles.

The year started with a lackluster 1.2 percent gain in the first quarter.

u.s. debt

More falling behind on student loans

More student debtors are falling behind on their federal student loans, after three years of declines in late payments.

The share of Americans at least 31 days late on loans from the U.S. Department of Education ticked up to 18.8 percent as of June 30, up from 18.6 percent the same time last year, new federal data show. About 3.3 million Americans have gone more than a month without making a required payment on their Education Department loans-up about 320,000 borrowers.

The rise interrupts a period of 12 straight quarters of declines in delinquency rates, according to numbers dating to 2013.

autos

CarMax cars rife with unfixed recalls

A review of eight CarMax Inc. locations by safety advocates found more than one in four vehicles reviewed had unrepaired safety recalls, including some with air bag inflators linked to deadly malfunctions.

A total of 461 vehicles contained at least one outstanding safety recall that had not been repaired, 41 of which had recalls for which no repair was available, the review by safety advocates found. The study looked at the recall status of about 1,700 used autos listed for sale at eight CarMax dealerships in three U.S. states.
Jefferson College of Health Sciences announced Friday that undergraduate students in the biomedical sciences program were co-authors on a peer-reviewed paper published in an international journal.

This marks a first for the program's undergrads.

Associate professor Jayasimha Rao led the team of students and colleagues studying the genetic basis for a drug-resistant strain of bacteria that increased suddenly in a tertiary care hospital in Virginia from 2009 to 2010 and to examine whether such strains are commonly encountered in the hospital setting.

Their research, Tn2008-Driven Carbapenem-Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from a Period of Increased Incidence of Infections in a Southwest Virginia Hospital, appears in September 2017 edition of The Journal of Global Antimicrobials and Resistance.

The students have graduated and are working in the area, the college said in a news release. They are Johnathon C. Childress, Michael C. Mitkos, Joshua K. Brima and Samuel N. Pearce.

The research project was a collaboration between Jefferson College, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Carilion Clinics infectious diseases section and Tech's biochemistry department.
BLACKSBURG  Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands gave his second annual State of the University speech Friday, but it was temporarily interrupted by a group of students who decried the school for employing a man they allege to be a white supremacist.

About 10 minutes into Sands address, one student in the crowd stood up, waved his arms and yelled President Sands! Why do you employ a white supremacist? The student then yelled again, asking why the man is being allowed to work at Tech.

The Roanoke Times is not naming the employee in question because the newspaper had not independently confirmed his identity as of Friday evening.

Seconds after the first outburst, another pair of students rose from their seats on the opposite side of the Moss Center for the Arts auditorium and held a banner with the phrase Nazis get off our campus.

As Sands attempted to power through his speech, they shouted over him and threw tiny white pieces of paper containing information on the employee.

As the group of about five students were escorted out of the auditorium by university security, they chanted. No Nazis! No KKK! No Fascist USA!

Among them was Tori Coan, who has filed a formal complaint against the man with the universitys Division of Administrative Services.

We have spent a month talking to administration, asking them where are our answers, Coan said. We havent had any action and we felt like the student body and the campus community had a right to know.

When Sands stopped his remarks, he said: This is not the time or place for this, as the protesters were being escorted out of the arts center by security.

During his speech, Sands praised the schools community partners, boasted increased applications and enrollment numbers and pledged for a better and bright future of innovation.

There are many reasons to be excited about Virginia Tech in 2017, he said. Freshmen applications are on the rise. We have set records each of the last three years. This is because we are getting the word out. The outcomes for our graduates are outstanding, and we are offering degrees and student experiences that are tailored for this century. For example, we are leading Virginia in STEM-Health graduates, with 24 percent of the total for the state. This record interest has yielded a record entering class  bigger than we expected.

In a meeting with reporters after his speech, Sands confirmed he was previously aware of the protesters concerns, but did not discuss what action the university may or may not take to address them.

I understand the conflict of the principles that they are raising. I feel the same way, Sands said. The specific concerns that they raised have to do with an individual who has professed on his own time through media his opinions, which are in stark contrast to our principles of community. Were working through that process.

Continuing, Sands said there is also the issue of freedom of speech.

Certainly free speech, we all value that, he said. We also want to maintain an inclusive campus. We have our principles of community that nobody signs on to. They are just principles. Those principles and the First Amendment sometimes collide. What better laboratory to work all this out than a university campus?

But for Coan and the others who made a scene at the presidents big event, such a collision is too dangerous to stomach.

Did we learn nothing form Charlottesville? Coan asked. How can we stand here as an institution talking about post-Charlottesville? Charlottesville is here.

Did we learn nothing from Charlottesville? How can we stand here as an institution talking about post-Charlottesville? Charlottesville is here. Tori Coan | protester
Gerry Ciaffone kneeled down to get eye-to-eye with the culprit.

It was subtle but it was there  a slight wiggle lurking just along the outermost edge.

I think were going to need another rock, he concluded, a big one.

Set within the woodlands of Carvins Cove, a crew of volunteers has been working inch-by-inch to carve out a new stretch of trail that showcases both the rollercoaster flow of the mountainside and its craggy terrain.

The Rock-N-Roll Trail project, as its been christened, is an ambitious addition to a trail network in Botetourt and Roanoke counties that relies on volunteers for its expansion and upkeep.

Saturday, organizers are gearing up for a work day blitz to mark National Public Lands Day, when volunteers across the country will be pitching in for their public trails and parklands.

Carvins Cove, home to one of the Roanoke Valleys reservoirs and the largest conservation easement in Virginia, currently has over 55 miles of trail and supporters hope to one day break the 80-mile benchmark.

The network is the biggest and most diverse in the valley with trails shared by mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.

Rock-N-Roll will be the destination points first true flow trail  a path distinguished by a smooth, rolling rhythm that allows those traveling by bike to flow through its ebbs and turns.

I call it a flight simulator, said Yad Jabbarpour, an avid biker who, like many other cove regulars, already has tried out the mile-long section of the trail that crews have finished to date.

Once you hit the corner, there is such a flow to this thing that it feels like flying, it really does, he said. Its a blast.

The trail, which follows the contours of Tinker Mountain, also draws inspiration from the mountainside. When faced with the question of how to bridge a creek that trickles through the woods, project leader Brian Batteiger proposed creating a stone crossing using immense slabs of rock re-purposed from the mountain.

My first thought was no way, said John Coles, whos been volunteering as a trail builder for the past year.

But it worked. It was amazing.

For the last six months or so, teams have painstakingly maneuvered the hefty rocks  some of which weigh up to 1 ton  into place using a system of rolling logs, hand pulleys and winches, with a hydraulic jack used to make the final big lift into place over the creek.

We used a lot of Egyptian methods, said Ciaffone, a retired teacher whos been volunteering for the last two years.

It really is an engineering feat, he said. And at the end, youve got something to show for it thats pretty darn cool ... This is something that is going to last.

The crossing is now largely complete. During a work day Sunday, Ciaffone, Coles and others worked to pack down crevices in the surface with clay and sounded out the overall landing to ensure there was no give.

When a wiggle is found along one edge, more rocks are added to the support structure underneath, after some quick debate about the geometry of the formation to determine the best placement and angle.

Once the crossing is complete, the trail project will continue its push further into the forest. The first phase calls for a two-mile length of trail  half of which is now in place  that connects the existing Arrowhead and School House trails to create a larger, connected loop.

Long term, the plan calls for the trail to extend all the way down to the reservoirs boat dock area, an additional distance of about five miles.

The timeline for reaching that goal will depend heavily on factors such as how many volunteers the project continues to draw, said Batteiger, whos been a volunteer trail builder for over 15 years.

An electrical engineer in his professional life, he designed the layout of the Rock-N-Rock Trail and is guiding its construction as a project leader for Pathfinders for Greenways, a local nonprofit dedicated to building new trails across the region.

Its something I really enjoy, he said of the work of shaping the valleys trail network. Its a matter of creating something, something that will last and that people will get to enjoy.

Plus, I like being out in the forest. Its a pretty nice way to spend a day.

There is no minimum time commitment or prior experience required to volunteer. To date, more than 160 people have helped out on the Rock-N-Rock Trail across a series of weekend work days.

Help needed runs the gamut of skill and difficultly levels  from moving hefty rocks to restoring disrupted areas by replacing ground cover or replanting flora.

Roanoke Parks & Recreation is organizing its National Public Lands Day event around Carvins Cove and the Rock-N-Roll Trail. Volunteers are invited to come out Saturday morning to tackle a variety of tasks along the trail.

We can find a job for everybody based on what theyre interested in, said Renee Powers, trails and greenways supervisor for the department.

This type of community support is a vital part of Carvins Cove, Powers added. New trail construction at the cove is done exclusively by volunteer groups.

Our volunteers are what have allowed us to have bike access and public trail access at Carvins Cove, Powers said. The value of what they do is astronomical.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 45 people in New York City over the course of the four days ending Wednesday, according to a press release published Thursday afternoon.

The arrests are part of a national "Safe City" operation targeting jurisdictions where local police limit their cooperation with federal immigration agents, a broad category known as sanctuary cities, according to ICE.

"Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honor detainers or allow us access to jails and prisons are shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement and creating a magnet for illegal immigration," said ICE acting director Tom Homan in a statement. "As a result, ICE is forced to dedicate more resources to conduct at-large arrests in these communities."

Since 2014, New York City has refused to detain immigrants in city precincts or jails at ICE's request, under most circumstances. However, ICE has the legal authority to conduct raids and detain immigrants in New York City, regardless of NYPD cooperation. Under President Obama, ICE agents conducted hundreds of raids in the city, at courthouses and private residences.

NYC also cooperates when ICE is seeking an individual convicted of any of 170 crimes deemed "violent or serious," and City Hall reiterated as much this week.

"We will continue to voluntarily cooperate on requests from federal immigrant enforcement within the parameters of our local laws," said Rosemary Boeglin of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Of the total 498 detainees arrested nation-wide this week, 181 do not have a criminal record, according to ICE. This means roughly 36 percent of immigrants picked up in the sweep are being held for their undocumented status alone. This category of non-citizens was considered a low priority in the latter years of the Obama administration, but President Donald Trump has widened the dragnet.

In addition to the New York arrests, there were 28 in Baltimore; 30 in Cook County, Illinois; 63 in Denver; 101 in Los Angeles; 107 in Philadelphia; 33 in Portland; 27 in Santa Clara County, California; 14 in Washington, D.C.; and 50 across Massachusetts.

Of the 387 with criminal records, top convictions include negligent manslaughter with a vehicle (one person) and sex offense against a child (ten people), as well minor crimes like disorderly conduct (seven), trespassing (three), and shoplifting (two). The largest category is driving under the influence (86 people).

"If you look at shoplifting, or damage to property, or disorderly conduct: are these crimes? Yes," said Camille Mackler, director of legal initiatives for the New York Immigration Coalition. "Do you need... exile from your country and your family being devastated because of this? No."

ICE spokeswoman Rachael Yong-Yow declined to provide a breakdown of charges specific to the 45 New York City arrestees. "I do not have stats available for the charges specifically for the New York arrests," she said via email, adding, "you would have to FOIA for that information."

"We are disappointed to yet again see over broad ICE enforcement, including nearly 200 arrests of residents nationwide with no criminal convictions whatsoever," said Boeglin, the City Hall spokeswoman.

ICE's apparent targeting of individuals with low-level convictions has bolstered critics of broken windows policing, which disproportionately targets low-income New Yorkers of color for minor offenses like turnstile jumping. Mayor de Blasio has defended the practice, which hinges on the logic that policing minor crimes prevents major ones.

Nationally, ICE arrests jumped nearly 40 percent between January and April of this year: 41,318 people, up from 30,028 people between January 24th and April 30th, 2016. Of the total arrested, more than 25 percent have no criminal record.

In New York State, overall arrests increased about 31 percent in that period, from 523 to 687. Within that group, non-criminal arrests more than doubled, from 77 to 156.

"There's this feeling in our communities that [ICE is] looking and waiting for us," said Scott Hechinger, senior staff attorney and director of policy at Brooklyn Defender Services. "But it's not only that they're targeting individuals, it seems like they are targeting and punishing jurisdictions for standing up to ICE."




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Lets face it, being single in the city aint easy. There are humans literally everywhere, but finding one youre actually into is tricky business.

How many times have you been on a date and realized halfway through that you have nothing in common? Well, other than the area you live in and your shared hatred of the subway (which says nothing, other than that youre both New Yorkers). Now imagine if you went on a date with someone whose conversation wasnt limited to terrible small talk. What if you could meet someone who shared your abnormal obsession with dollar slices, 90s RnB and the smell of old books at Strand Bookstore? (Dont judge).

Turns out theres an app that brings you closer to people who share your interests and lifestyle, by connecting you through the places you have in common. Its called Huggle.

Huggle lets you discover and connect with people who go to the same places as you. Its aim: to match users who have common ground, stemming from the idea that we are more likely to get along with someone who shares our lifestyle and interests. It makes a lot of sense!

Since its launch, Huggles grown rapidlywith a total of 45 million places logged onto the app! It first gained popularity in London and now New Yorkers are ditching the competition for it. So how does it work? Huggle automatically checks you into the locations you visitthis can be anything from your favorite restaurant to your regular yoga class. Once Huggle has added your place(s), you can either tap to reveal who goes there or swipe through peoples profiles who you have places in common with.

Whats also great is you can use Huggle for finding friends, dates or both. So if youre sick of going on dead-end dates or just want to network, Huggle is the perfect app to use, as youll only match with people who share your interests and lifestyle.

No more boring small talk. No more time wasting. Plenty more sniffing old books & listening to Mary J Blige with your Huggle match (or whatever it is youre into). (Again, no judgment please!)

If you fancy checking out Huggle, or if you simply want to see if that hottie at the bar is on the app, download it here.

This post is brought to you by Huggle.
A county Democratic chairman resigned in protest Thursday over what he described as misinformation, lack of communication and shabby treatment of rural voters from the Democratic Party of Virginia.

By Friday, the Democratic Party of Virginia had agreed to do better and he agreed to remain as chairman.

Inaction by the party in rural Virginia is hurting Democratic candidates in this years election, said Jay Clarke, the chairman of the Rockbridge County Democratic Committee.

Somebody needed to throw a firecracker into their campfire of contentment, he said Thursday of the party brass in Richmond. After talking to party officials, he said Friday that he would stay on as chair and I am sure that things are going to work out well.

Emailed resignation

It all began Thursday afternoon when an exasperated Clarke emailed his resignation to Susan Swecker, the state party chairwoman, and other Democratic committee chairs.

As far as I know, no door-to-door canvassing has yet taken place in either Rockbridge, Lexington, or Buena Vista, Clarke wrote in the email. The DPVA stands condemned for leaving the energy, talent, and public-spiritedness of our Democrats on the table, unconsumed. He lives in Lexington and has been the local party chair for 18 months.

His email continued: The DPVA through its malevolent neglect is chasing away the voters of western Virginia and threatening Democratic success in future elections. Electing Democrats is essential to Virginias future. I have no tools left in my bag except the faint hope that my resignation might stir the DPVA to change its behavior.

Clarke said in his email that his requests for help and guidance for how to mobilize in this years campaign have mostly been ignored by the party.

On Nov. 7, Virginians will vote for governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates.

The race for governor between Democrat Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie is considered close, with not just the executive mansion but also the power to control legislative district lines at stake in the redistricting that will follow the 2020 census.

In a telephone interview Thursday, Clarke said his frustration over the partys neglect of Western Virginia has been building since May.

This is in no way meant to criticize our three candidates, he said, referring to Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, and Justin Fairfax, the nominee for lieutenant governor. This is solely directed at the party organization.

He said he has Democratic volunteers eager to knock on doors, make phone calls or do whatever they can to help the statewide ticket. But he said he cant get any help or guidance from the party, and emails have gone unanswered.

A field director who works for what the Democrats call the statewide coordinated campaign comes by the office once a week but is unable to help because he doesnt have information, Clarke said.

Use the talent, the experience, the hard work of my people, he said. Dont let them just lie there doing nothing. And thats what happened.

Party voter lists sent to Rockbridge County  which were supposed to be for Democrats  were inaccurate and instead led volunteers to Republican doors, he said.

Passed-up parade

Clarke said he thinks the Democrats are making a mistake by ignoring Western Virginia. Specifically, he said, the decision by the three statewide candidates not to march in the Buena Vista Labor Day parade has become a weapon in Republican hands.

Northam, Herring and Fairfax attended a breakfast in Buena Vista before the parade but then left in helicopters. That afternoon the Democratic candidates attended the annual Labor Day picnic in Newport News hosted by Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News.

Frankly, the Democratic Party lost votes that day, Clarke said. Its going to be a close election. Weve got the votes out here. Why are we being ignored?

Northam, a native of the Eastern Shore with a rural upbringing, represented the countryside as a state senator and did well in Republican areas of the Shore and Mathews County.

He has focused his campaign for governor on Virginias urban crescent  the populated and more Democratic-leaning areas from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads.

Gillespie touted himself as a statewide candidate Wednesday during a speech in Richmond to ChamberRVA. He predicted victory.

I will be a governor for all Virginians. I take my campaign to every corner of the commonwealth and to every voter in Virginia. There is nowhere in the commonwealth I will not go, because there is no one in the commonwealth I will not serve, Gillespie said. I go places not just a lot of Republicans dont go. I go places a lot of Democrats dont go. Ill go anywhere. Ill serve anyone.

Officials interviewed

In response to Clarkes resignation, DPVA spokesman Kevin Donohoe arranged interviews for the Richmond Times-Dispatch with three people: Newport News Democratic chairman Gene Magruder, the chair of the Virginia Association of Democratic Chairs; Toni Radler, chair of the Hanover Democratic Committee north of Richmond; and Vee Frye, chair of the state partys rural caucus.

Magruder said Clarke has a few valid points but said all campaigns have communication problems that need to be resolved.

Its not a perfect science. Nobody runs a perfect campaign for either side, he said.

Radler said she found Clarkes resignation email confusing and said Hanover County Democrats have only had positive experiences with the party leadership.

I dont really know whats happening to that particular person and that particular area, she said. I think its getting late in the campaign. People may be getting tired.

Frye said Northam helped create the rural caucus and said she was surprised by Clarkes resignation email.

I have not seen the lack of support so that is a bit of a surprise to me, she said.

She lives in Bristol but travels for campaign work and said shes on the phone daily with Northams political director. We are one of the few states that has a rural caucus and there has been a really big push.

After those interviews, the DPVAs Donohoe said he thought Clarke wanted to talk to The Times-Dispatch again.

The Rockbridge County Democratic Committee executive committee is starting a process by which they will formally reject my letter of resignation, Clarke said during a follow-up interview.

He said hes confident things will improve. And he planned to send an email to all the party chairs Friday updating them and suggesting that rural chairs should be aware that the party heads in Richmond have promised better coordination.

Chair critical of policy

Taikein Cooper, chairman of the Prince Edward Democratic Committee, backed up Clarke in a phone interview Friday. He said hes had his own issues with unresponsiveness from the party in Richmond, and also is concerned about the lack of attention to rural voters.

He said he brought up concerns Sept. 23 in Fredericksburg at a meeting of party chairs.

It seems like DPVA has an unwillingness to try to be competitive in rural Virginia, Cooper said.

Both Cooper and Clarke said the Clinton-Kaine presidential tickets focus on urban areas nationally should serve as a warning to the party.

They kind of abandoned rural America and it came back and hurt us, Cooper said.

Cooper said he joined the advisory board of a new outlet called Democratic Promise, which he thinks can help overcome party shortcomings in rural areas.

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, helped launch the program earlier this month as way to link rural voters who need help to government services. The goal is to rebuild the Democratic Partys brand in rural Virginia.
Last night saw the return of the venerated Miss Subways Pageant, a contest held from 1941 to 1977 that invited lady straphangers to compete for the chance to have their photo and bio published in subway ads (and a bracelet with a gold-plated subway token). Though the pageant has long been out of fashion, Albany's apparent reluctance to improve subway service inspired transit activists to bring it back as a fundraiser of sorts, and what they ended up getting was a pretty good dive into New York's weird, artsy, beautiful heart.

Hosted at the City Reliquary in Williamsburg, the event invited 14 prospective Miss Subways onstage to vie for the title, performing songs, stand-up, dancing, and telling stories to prove their worth. Four judgesJaneane Garofalo, famed NYC art star Reverend Jen Miller, NY1 reporter Roger Clark, and comedian Baratunde R. Thurstonweighed their merit, the bar hawked NYC-centric drinks like nutcrackers and Brooklyn Lager, and transit advocate group Riders Alliance handed out membership forms to folks who wanted to join the movement to fix the subways.

Also, faux "Cuomo" and faux "de Blasio" battled over who was responsible for the MTA, to the tune of "So Happy Together."

Contestants included horror filmmaker Dylan Mars Greenberg, who performed a rousing song about the G train, complete with backup dancers; Hedra, a.k.a. Miss Derailment, who provided the audience with a frighteningly accurate subway delay announcement; Suzq, who taught lady straphangers how to strip on the subway without taking their clothes off ("Be the trash that you want to see on the subway," she said); the Lady Aye, who swallowed a sword; Glace Chase, a drag queen who sang about finding a husband on the L train; and Lisa Levy, a 61-year-old Bushwick artist who used blown-up childhood photos to illustrate her lifelong relationship with the MTA.

Though the show, whose proceeds benefitted both the Riders Alliance and the City Reliquary, was intended to spread awareness about the debilitating subway system, contestants also used it as an opportunity to demonstrate their love for New York. "I'm a third generation New Yorker. I've lived off the 6 train my whole life. I was born at Lenox Hill, I still live a few blocks away," the Lady Aye, real name Ilise S. Carter, told Gothamist. "I'm from New York, I love New York, I live here and work here." Carter, who's been riding the subway for decades, described its current status as, "the best of times and the worst of times."

"I've seen men get into, no joke, nunchuck fights. I've seen the doors open and thought, Oh god, please let that be punch and not blood,'" Carter said. "So it's definitely improved."

Out of the 14 contestants, judges selected 4 finalistsHedra, Greenberg, Chase and Levyasking each how they'd respond to subway-specific scenarios, like Showtime dancers and public masturbators. Unfortunately, Glace Chase stumbled in her response to a question about what she'd do if she spotted retired dermatological star Dr. Zizmor on the subway. "Who the fuck is Dr. Zizmor?" Chase asked. The audience was aghast, and it cost Chase in the endshe was awarded runner-up, with Lisa Levy winning the coveted Miss Subways title.

"How the f-ck did this happen?" Levy said as she was crowned with a crown crafted by Rev Jen. She later told Gothamist, "It's pretty f-cking thrilling. I did not expect to win in the least. I did not sing or dance, I never expected to be a contestant, so I really spoke from the heart I guess."

Chase, meanwhile, told Gothamist she was "devastated" by the loss. "It was a strong competition, and unfortunately in that final round I tripped. I did not know who that guy was," she said, referring, of course, to Dr. Zizmor. " I thought it was a pretty tough question, to be honest."

For shame, Glace Chase. FOR SHAME.
Next Match: Sacramento State 9/30/2017 | 7:00:00 PM Next Match Full Schedule Sep. 30 (Sat) / 7:00:00 PM Sacramento State

SR S Erin Clark recorded her team-high sixth double-double with 38 assists and 12 digs.

recorded her team-high sixth double-double with 38 assists and 12 digs. SR DS/L Tasha Bojanic recorded a team season-high 22 digs.

recorded a team season-high 22 digs. SO OH Toni McDougald matched her season high with 11 kills and hit a career-high .500 (11-0-22).

matched her season high with 11 kills and hit a career-high .500 (11-0-22). Portland State is 12-3 for the second time in its Division I history (2008).

Portland State has won its last 22 matches against Montana State.

Portland State is 12-0 when it wins the first set.

Portland State is 11-0 when winning the first two sets.

Portland State is 12-0 when it outhits an opponent.

Portland State is 4-1 on the road this season.

Portland State is 8-3 in three-set matches.

Portland State is 10-2 in the month of September.

 The Vikings kept their winning streak rolling Thursday night with a straight-set win over the Montana State Bobcats in Bozeman, Mont. Portland State extended its winning streak to six matches, all via three-set sweeps.Portland State (12-3 overall, 3-0 Big Sky Conference) took the match by scores of 25-13, 27-25, and 25-18. The Vikings extended their winning streak against Montana State (4-8, 0-3) to 22 matches.The win also matches the Vikings' best record through 15 matches since moving to the NCAA Division I level prior to the 1996 season. Portland State went 12-3 to open the 2008 season.SO OHled the Vikings with 11 kills, while hitting .500 (11-0-22). She gave the Vikings an offensive spark and came up with some big kills just when they needed them. SO OHadded 10 kills, four digs, and combined on three of the team's nine blocks.Solid play at the net has been a staple for the Vikings over their current six-match winning streak. They have tallied 55.0 blocks for 3.06 blocks per set over that stretch. Leading the way has been JR MBwho has assisted on 27.0 (1.50 blocks per set).FR OHadded nine kills while middle blockersand Sych each added seven kills apiece.SR Sspread the ball around nicely with a match-high 38 assists. She added 12 digs for her team-best sixth double-double of the year. SR DS/Lput together a tremendous defensive effort with 22 digs (7.33 digs per set).Portland State tallied just one service ace but served Montana State tough all match long. The Vikings kept the Bobcats off-balance throughout and held them to an .088 hitting mark, while hitting .296.The score stayed within a point through the early stages of the opening frame before the Vikings went on a 5-0 run to go up 11-6, which forced a Bobcats timeout. Montana State ended the run with a kill coming out of the timeout.The Vikings were not phased and rattled off four more points to extend their lead to 15-7 on a 9-1 run before Montana State called its second timeout of the set. The run extended again to 12-2 after the timeout as the Vikings built an 18-7 lead.After going up 19-8, Montana State recorded three-straight points before a kill from Webb made it 20-11. Portland State closed it out and took the first set 25-13.The Vikings hit .407 for the opening frame while the Bobcats had a negative hitting mark of -.056. Webb led the Vikings with four kills, while hitting .600 (4-1-5). The Vikings tallied a pair of block and were aided by nine unforced hitting errors by the Bobcats.After the score bounced back and forth to start the second set, Montana State took its first lead of the match before going up 8-6. The Vikings scored four-straight points to retake the lead and go up 10-8. Montana State tied it at 10-10 before trading points to 11-11.Montana State was forced to call a timeout after Portland State went on a 5-0 run to go up 16-11. The Bobcats came out of the timeout on a 5-1 run to pull within one at 17-16. MSU came back and tied the set at 18-18 on a kill from Katie Rutecki.The teams traded points to 23-23 before the Bobcats got their first set point of the day after a kill put them up 24-23. Wilson came right back with an attack from the middle to tie it at 24-24. Another MSU kills gave the Bobcats the 25-24 lead. McDougald tied the set at 25-25 before a big block from Sych and Clark gave the Vikings their first set point of the second.The Vikings went right back to McDougald who hit it high off the block for her ninth kill of the match to give the Vikings the 26-24 win in the second.The third set picked up right where the second left off. The score bounced back and forth with neither team scoring more than two points in a row before the Bobcats rattled off three-straight to take a 9-7 lead.Down by one at 11-10, the Vikings rattled off four straight to take a 14-11 lead, which forced the Bobcats to use a timeout. They scored four of the next five points to tie the set at 15-15.After trading points to 16-16, three-straight unforced attacking errors by the Bobcats gave the Vikings a 19-16 lead. After a Montana State timeout, another MSU attacking error made it 20-16. Rutecki ended the Vikings run with a kill but it did not slow them down. They rattled off four-straight points to go up 24-17.After the Bobcats staved off one set point, Webb's ninth kill of the match gave the Vikings the 25-18 win in the third to complete their sixth consecutive sweep.The Vikings have a quick turnaround as they return home to take on the Sacramento State Hornets Saturday, Sept. 30 on the campus of Concordia University in North Portland. It will be a battle between the only two 3-0 Big Sky South Division teams. Sacramento State defeated Montana in straight sets at home Thursday night.
Christies and de GRISOGONO will present: The Art of de GRISOGONO, forming a partnership that will bring to auction the most exquisite diamonds ever offered to the market, with Christies forthcoming auction season in Geneva highlighting the very best of de GRISOGONO by presenting a unique necklace suspending a 163.41-carat, D colour, flawless, IIA type diamond.

Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christies Jewels commented: Over our 251-year history, Christies has had the privilege of handling the worlds rarest and most historic diamonds. The sensational 163.41 carat perfect diamond suspended from an elegant emerald and diamond necklace propels de GRISOGONO into a class of their own.

Established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1993, de GRISOGONO was founded by Fawaz Gruosi on three pillars: craftsmanship, innovation and creativity. On the eve of the 25th anniversary year of de GRISOGONO, the founders vision is to expand his fine jewellery collection by working exclusively with a handful of the largest flawless diamonds of perfect polish and symmetry. Combining these unparalleled stones with years of craftmanship, the first exceptional jewel has been created around the largest D colour, flawless diamond ever to come to auction, a 163.41 carat stone, cut from a 404 carats-rough, which was discovered in early February 2016 in the Lulo mine, located in the Lunda Sul Province in Angola.

Image courtesy of Christie's



The 4 de Fevereiro rough is the 27th biggest rough white diamond ever discovered and the largest in Angola. The rough was analysed in Antwerp and cut in New York, where a team of 10 diamond-cutting specialists were involved in mapping, plotting, cleaving, laser-cutting and polishing the rough 404.20 carat into a unique 163.41 carat emerald-cut stone. The first cut was done on 29th of June 2016, when the 80-year-old master diamond cleaver performed a cut along a grain line to cleave the crystal in two. After 11 months of work the polished 163.41-carat stone was ready to be send to the GIA in late December 2016. To date this is the largest D flawless diamond ever to appear for sale at auction.

Image courtesy of Christie's



In Geneva at de GRISOGONO, Fawaz Gruosi, together with his team created 50 different designs around the 163.41-carat stone and in early February 2017, coinciding with the first anniversary of its discovery, the final choice of the design was made: an asymmetric necklace with the 163.41-carat diamond as the centrepiece, trailing on the left side 18 emerald-cut diamonds and to the right two rows of pear-shaped emeralds, offering a fresh contrast to the cool white diamonds as well as a nod to Mr. Gruosis superstition - green means good luck  and hence, emeralds take a central part in his collections. No gold is visible between the emeralds as each gem is perfectly matched with its neighbour and the metal is darkened to create the chiaroscuro effect that is so characteristic of de GRISOGONO. The prongs holding in place the 163.41 carat diamond disappear under four baguette-cut diamonds creating an effect of dazzling brilliance. The reverse side of the gold basket is engraved with the diamonds weight and set with yet more diamonds.

Image courtesy of Christie's



It took over 1700 hours to create this unique jewel and involved a team of 14 craftsmen and their know-how as well as love for perfection for each detail in the necklace.

Christies is honoured to present to the world this masterpiece of unparalleled beauty and exquisite workmanship during their preview exhibitions in Hong Kong, London, Dubai, New York and Geneva. The necklace will be offered in the Magnificent Jewels auction taking place on 14 November in Geneva at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues.




The CIBJO European Jewellery Guild, a new body of leading associations from across the continent, has been formally established within the World Jewellery Confederation to advocate for the common interests of European based participants in the jewellery and gemstone industries, and to represent them in contacts with officials, departments and agencies of the European Commission, European Parliament and European Council.

The new body was created and held its inaugural meeting at the VICENZAORO jewellery show in Vicenza, Italy. Among the organizations represented were Union Francaise de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfevrerie de Pierres & des Perles (UFBJOPP), from France; the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and ARS NOBILIS, from Belgium; Confidustria and Assogemme, of Italy; BV Schmuck & Uhren and Fachvereinigung Edelmetalle, fom Germany; as well the safety and standards organisation UL. UBOS from Switzerland and the National Association of Goldsmiths from the United Kingdom were represented by proxy. The meeting was chaired by CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri.

At the proposal of the Dr. Cavalieri, the meeting officially approved the establishment of the CIBJO European Jewellery Guild, with the organisations represented at the meeting in Vicenza recognized as its founding members. All other associations and organisations operating in Europe that are already members of CIBJO's will automatically become members of the new body.

The participants also unanimously approved Dr. Cavalieri's nominations of CIBJO European Jewellery Guild office holders. The president of the new body is Bernadette Pinet-Couq, Executive President of UFBJOPP, who to date has also served as chair of the European Jewellery Federation, which is a body uniting jewellery associations from France, Belgium, Italy and Portugal. The nominations of four vice presidents were approved, including Dr. Stefano De Pascale, Director of Confidustria; Michael Bloch, Vice Charmain of ARS NOBILIS; Guido Grohmann, Managing Director of BV Schmuck & Uhren; and Charles Chaussepied, a UFBJOPP board member and former chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Ms. Bernadette Pinet-Couq outlined the challenges facing the body. They include the lack of balance in tariffs between Europe and its primary jewellery trading partners, harmonizing the often widely divergent thresholds for cash payments between different countries within Europe, the establishment of a compulsory "Made in Europe" seal for jewellery produced in Europe, and addressing issues related to the introduction of recently passed conflict minerals legislation by the European Parliament.

"It is clear that we have a significantly greater chance of addressing our position in Europe if we are united, speaking with a one clear voice. This is most definitely the case when interacting with the various branches of government in the European Union, not only in addressing the challenges that face us, but also in projecting our position as ethical business leaders, and as a major resource of prestige and export revenue," said Dr. Cavalieri.



Alex Shishlo, Editor of the Rough&Polished European Bureau in Brussels




Petra Diamonds has received approval from the Tanzanian government to resume diamond exports and sales from the Williamson mine.

It said in a statement Wednesday that the exact timing and process for the next diamond parcel export to its office in Antwerp, Belgium and subsequent sale would be finalised together with the government.

However, no resolution had been reached with regards to the parcel of 71,654.45 carats from Williamson that was blocked for export on August 31.

Tanzania claimed that the diamonds were worth $29.5 million, but Petra had under-declared the stones for export.

It even said that the diamonds would be nationalised.

Petra, which owns a 75 percent stake in Williamson Diamonds, said that it was not responsible for the provisional evaluation of the stones.

Petra is not responsible for the provisional valuation of diamond parcels from Williamson before they are exported to Antwerp; this is carried out by the government's diamonds and gemstones valuation agency, it said earlier this month.

This provisional valuation is used to calculate the company's provisional royalty payments to the government, however adjustments to final royalty payments based on the actual sales proceeds for the diamonds, once sold in Antwerp, are then made at the end of the tender process.

President John Magufuli had since ordered a review of Petra Diamonds contract as officials claimed that the country was likely losing more than $46 million each year from the export of under-cleared diamonds.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




After a harsh internal review on Tuesday, there was very little hope of PTC Therapeutics' (PTCT) Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug Translarna being recommended for approval by the panel of outside experts convened by the FDA on September 28, 2017.

As expected, yesterday, the FDA panel voted 10-1 that the data provided by the Company was inconclusive to recommend approval of Translarna. The panel also stated that the Company needs to provide more data to prove the drug's efficacy.

Translarna, also known as ataluren, is designed to treat certain nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (nmDMD) patients.

Despite a failed phase III clinical trial of Translarna in DMD patients, the Company went ahead in seeking approval of the drug in January of 2016. But the FDA refused to even review the application then by issuing a Refuse to File Letter last February. And in October 2016, the Company's first appeal of the refuse to file letter was also denied by the Office of Drug Evaluation I of the FDA.

Escalating its appeal to the next supervisory level of the FDA, PTC filed the NDA for Translarna using the FDA's "file over protest regulations", and it was accepted for review in March, 2017.

In June of this year, the regulatory agency notified the Company that a panel of outside experts will be reviewing the Translarna NDA before a final decision is made.

Now that the panel has voted against approval of Translarna, it's now over to the FDA. The FDA usually follows the advice of its advisory panels although it is not obliged to do so.

So, is the writing already on the wall for Translarna or like in the case of Sarepta Therapeutics' DMD drug Exondys 51, will the FDA disagree with the panel's recommendation? We will know that by October 24, 2017 when the FDA's final decision will be announced.

Translarna is approved within the European Union (EU) Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Israel and South Korea. Ever since its launch in December 2014, Translarna has had substantial year-over-year net sales growth.

Sales of Translarna, which were $34 million in 2015, more than doubled to $81 million in 2016. Looking ahead to full-year 2017, the Company expects Translarna to bring home sales between $120 million and $140 million.

PTCT closed Thursday's trading at $17.46.

Now, let's take a look at some of the biotech stocks that grabbed headlines this week.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Elon Musk, the chief executive officer of SpaceX and Telsa Inc. (TSLA), has unveiled ambitious plans to establish a human base on Mars by 2024 and land at least two cargo missions on the red planet just five years from now.

Speaking at the International Astronautical Congress or IAC in Adelaide, Australia on Friday, Musk provided an update to his 2016 presentation regarding the long-term technical challenges required to be solved to support the creation of a permanent, self-sustaining human presence on Mars.

To take humans to mars, Musk said that SpaceX intends to develop the "BFR" system, which includes a reusable rocket that will be powered by 31 engines and a 48-meter-tall spacecraft.

The spacecraft will be able to hold 100 people and also have the capability to be refueled in space. In addition, the BFR system could be used for city-to-city travel on Earth, reducing the time taken for intercontinental flights to less than an hour.

The two cargo missions to Mars in 2022 would be able to confirm sources of water and identify any potential hazards, along with building power, mining and life support infrastructure for the first settlers projected to arrive by 2024.

This will be followed by two crew ships and two cargo ships to Mars in 2024. The first wave of human travelers will be able to set up the base to prepare for future settlers. The proposed base on Mars has been dubbed the "Mars City".

Musk noted that SpaceX could start construction of the first BFR spacecraft around the second quarter of 2018.

"I feel fairly confident that we can complete the ship and be ready for a launch in about five years. Five years seems like a long time to me," Musk said.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Nevada's big bet on recreational marijuana is paying off, with the first month of legal sales of recreational marijuana generating $3.68 million in tax revenue for the state. First legal sales of recreational marijuana began in Nevada on July 1.

Dispensaries in Nevada sold $27.1 million of recreational marijuana in the month of July. This is almost double of the sales of about $14 million each in Colorado and Oregon during their respective first months. Washington sold $3.8 million in its first month.

According to the Nevada Department of Taxation, which is tasked with regulating the fledgling industry, marijuana sales generated a total of $10.2 million in revenue for the state in July. Of this, $3.68 million came from tax revenue, while $6.5 million came from marijuana license and application fees.

The total tax revenue, which includes revenue from both both medical and adult-use marijuana, is from two different taxes.

The 15 percent wholesale tax, which is paid by both medical and adult-use (recreational) cultivators, brought in revenues of $974,060 for Nevada in July. It is projected to generate revenues of $56.2 million over the next two years.

The revenue from this tax will go to Nevada schools through the distributive school account, after administrative costs for the Department and local governments.

The 10 percent retail tax, which is applied to sales of adult-use marijuana to consumers, generated revenues of $2.71 million in July for Nevada and is expected to generate $63.5 million over the next two years. This revenue will go to the state's rainy day fund.

In addition to the above tax revenue, the Department reported that license and application fees paid by businesses that are obtaining licenses to operate adult-use marijuana establishments have generated $6.5 million in state revenue, to date.

The Department of Taxation received a total of 333 applications for adult-marijuana establishment licenses and has issued 250 licenses. The application fee for the licenses is $5,000, while the license fees range from $10,000 to $30,000.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The Police have been blamed for the failure of a man accused of a sex crime to appear in Court.

Toetu Telea, accused of having sexual connection with a girl under 12 years old, was scheduled to appear for mention before Supreme Court Justice Mata Keli Tuatagaloa on Tuesday.

Prosecutor lawyer, Lucy Sio, of the Attorney Generals Office informed the Court that the defendant was on his way from Faleolo. Your Honor, we have been advised by the Faleolo police that the defendant is on route from Faleolo at the moment, said Ms. Sio.

We are asking if this matter can be stood down to 12noon today (Wednesday) to wait for the defendant to arrive.

Justice Tuatagaloa granted the request to delay the matter for an hour.

I have a commitment at 12 noon but I will have it called before me at 11 oclock so one hour, she said.

The defendant did not arrive at all and the matter has been rescheduled for today.

An official who spoke to the Samoa Observer on the condition of anonymity said the Faleolo police did not summoned the defendant.

There was no proof of a summon, said the source.

Despite the many follow-ups by the prosecution of where about they are.

They have been sent a letter from the prosecution ages ago to summon the defendant but come the day for the defendant to appear and yet he is not here due to the laziness of the police officers to do their job.

The source went on to say that this is not the first time this has happened.

This happens so many times which is very unprofessional, said the source.

This is why the court orders a warrant of arrest against the defendants for their non-appearance and yet its not the defendants fault it is the police officers.

They are not doing what they are supposed to do.

Justice Tuatagaloa adjourned the matter to Friday 29th September for the defendant to appear for mention.

Attempt to get a comment from Superintendent Tagaloa Tipasa Matamu who is in-charge of Faleolo Police Office was unsuccessful.

Police officer who answered the call said he Tagaloa came in the morning to town for a meeting and hadnt returned.
Maryanne was all smiles by the pool at Taumeasina Island Resort.

The Australian had every reason to be because the night before, her long time partner Sash surprised her with a proposal of marriage.

Sash admitted to Dear Tourist that he was super nervous but that he was so happy that she said yes.

Now, Samoa will forever be etched in Maryannes mind as the place where her husband-to-be surprised her with a marriage proposal.

Turning to Sash, Dear Tourist asked him for a play-by-play account of how he pulled it off, without sounding the alarm bells.

It turned out well because she planned to come down to Samoa and I was planning to propose and she had no idea.

So if I had planned this holiday she would have suspected something was going to happen, he said.

With the help of the Taumeasina staff. He planned a romantic setting for the proposal.

A couple of weeks ago, I was emailing the staff here at Taumeasina.

I emailed Marley and asked her what they could do to help me with the proposal and they suggested to me that they could build a little hut on the beach and serve us with a nine-course meal with a butler to attend to us.

So they organised that for me, they were great.

I was very nervous all day, you can ask her how I was all day.

Maryanne laughs as she recounts how unusually jumpy her fiancee was the day before.

I had no idea he was going to do this but I noticed that he was nervous the whole day and I couldnt figure out why, she said.

I kept asking him if he was alright and he would say, yeah Im fine.

Sash told me we had reservations for dinner and I thought how wonderful so we got ready for dinner.

We walked down and I saw the hut and I thought wow, how wonderful and cute. It was through the second course that he pulled out a ring and I was like.... Oh my God.

Everyone knew but me, Maryanne continued, all the staff knew, I thought that was really cute.

We rang up our parents and told them the news and they already knew but they cried any way.

The happy newly engaged couple planned to spend the rest of their day relaxing before venturing out for further exploration.

Maryanne, who is Greek, explained that Samoa was recommended by her cousin who is married to a Samoan and that she had raved about their holiday here. After just a couple of days on the island she can understand why her cousin was smitten with Samoa.

Its so beautiful, she said. Absolutely beautiful. Its so, so friendly and hospitable, everyone smiles and wants to know your name. Its very clean, so clean. I love it. I would absolutely come back.
Fighting broke out in Uganda's parliament for a second day between lawmakers pushing for a change in laws to remove age limits for presidential candidates and those opposing it, a Reuters witness said.

The Telegraph reports that a Reuters journalist who was present in parliament said he saw microphone stands being used as weapons, and at least two female lawmakers being carried out after collapsing. People exchanged blows and kicks after security personnel were called in to remove lawmakers who had been ordered out of the chambers.

At least 25 MPs opposed to the legislative move had been ordered by the speaker to vacate the chambers after being suspended for involvement in fighting on Tuesday.

Under the existing constitution, eligibility to stand as a presidential candidate has an age ceiling of 75 years. That makes President Yoweri Museveni, 73, in power for more than three decades, unqualified to seek re-election at the next polls in 2021. Removing the age cap would clear that hurdle.

The proposal to change the constitution - echoing steps by veteran leaders elsewhere in Africa to void legal limits on their rule - has stirred widespread opposition from rights activists, the political opposition, religious leaders and from some members of Museveni's own ruling party.

The fighting first broke out in parliament on Tuesday, leading Uganda's communication regulator to ban live broadcasts of events "inciting the public".

In a notice on Wednesday, the Uganda Communications Commission said radios and television stations should stop live broadcasts of events that "are inciting the public, discriminating, stirring up hatred, promoting a culture of violence ... and are likely to create public insecurity."

No station aired Wednesday's proceedings, but some posted clips of the brawls on their Twitter feeds.

Uganda's two major privately owned TV stations, including a local unit of Kenya's Nation Media Group, and some radio stations carried Tuesday's proceedings live.
Yesterday, Samoa paused once more to pay tribute to the work of the public service. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi led the tribute with an inspirational speech we have published on page 7 of the newspaper you are reading.

In the speech, some very inspirational remarks were delivered. Coming from the countrys leader and most importantly the head of the Public Service, they inspire hope.

Said Tuilaepa: I strongly encourage you to serve our country with professionalism, in a truly coordinated manner, ensuring that you as individuals be held accountable for your actions. You must strive to become the solution and not the problem, to be facilitators rather than encumbrances.

Tuilaepa went on to remind that public servants provide the solid and firm foundation upon which all the three prongs of government rely and depend on. He then delivered a very important point.

Perhaps at times you may feel that your services have been taken for granted, that they go unrecognized and often criticized, he said.

As public servants, we are just those  servants of the public, and while we may think that such a calling is demeaning, I believe that if you have the heart of God, you will find the grace to serve from a Godly perspective and with Godly humility.

Today is without a doubt, a noble cause worthy of recognition and I thereby wish to express on behalf of the Government and the people of Samoa their congratulations and heartfelt gratitude.

Well here at the Samoa Observer today, we join Prime Minister Tuilaepa and the rest of Samoa to congratulate all the public servants for their work.

From our standpoint, while our role in the media is as the watchdog of the government and the public service, which often means we play the unpopular part in this love/hate relationship, there is a time for everything.

There is a time and day where appropriate acknowledgement must be made to appreciate good honest hard work. Today we recognise and acknowledge the important role public servants play in the development of Samoa. They are at the coalface of policy development, service delivery and when things dont go well, they cop a lot of flak. Many of them are often the unsung heroes; their roles largely go unnoticed and unappreciated.

The fact of life is that as public servants, they will always be on the firing line when it comes to the negative backlash  and in some cases deservedly so.

But lost in the criticism is the fact there are also a lot of great things done by certain individuals who deserve credit and recognition. Were talking about public servants who walk an extra mile to help and provide the services they are paid to offer. Were talking about public servants who exceed and go beyond the call of duty to serve their people and country.

Today is an opportunity for all of us to say thank you. Today is an opportunity to give praise where it is due and acknowledge their work. From the least important person in the office to the highest ranked official. They all have a role to play.

Last year in this column, we reminded that public servants are accountable to the public. Its a point that is again being stressed by P.M. Tuilaepa on the front page of the newspaper you are reading.

Its unfortunate that most of the criticisms leveled at public servants for the wrong or the good they didnt do, are sometimes due to the apathy and corruption of their political masters. It doesnt help that public servants are subject to the systems controlled and put in place by these very same people.

But here is what is most encouraging. Wed like to think that a growing number of them are smarter and more ethical.

As weve said before, there is nowhere in this countrys belief system where it says public servants should serve to the point where they leave their brains at the door and blindly follow the instructions they are given from higher up.

Today, we want to encourage all those public servants that you always have a choice to speak up against corruption and all manner of dishonest practices you know is happening under your noses in the places where you work.

Its not easy and there will be a price to pay but if you want to make a difference, the people of this country will thank you one day.

In the words of Parliamentarian Edmund Burke, The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Keep that in mind. Have a wonderful weekend Samoa, God bless!
The government needs to address the high cost of living. That is the belief of Vaa Foloi of Neiafu Savaii.

The 57 year old is quite disappointed and sad about the current situation whereas everything is expensive.

I read the Samoa Observer newspaper and sometimes I read about the reality some people are struggling in the Village Voice section of the newspaper.

It is heartbreaking, and I can relate to that reality, she told the Village Voice.

Savaii may be far away from Upolu but we are still one country and I argue that the government must help these people.

I can understand the pain they are going through just to make ends meet and I tell you; its not something that anyone wants to experience.

You know back in our days; it was easy to get a can of fish for just $1.50 and now look at today; most of the time we cannot afford that because its $4+ is the current price.

Nobody wants to live on just faalifu taro and lemon leaves (laumoli) tea day in and day out.

As humans we crave for other foods but sadly most of the time, what we want to eat is expensive.

If other people can afford good food then dont you think other people deserve this chance as well?

Looking at the prices of the chickens and muttons and sometimes I just sleep to avoid being hungry, she said.

Vaa also stressed another critical issue is the lack of employment.

We know today that its hard to find jobs.

I mean even if you hold a certificate; its not really that easy to get a job anymore.

And when we dont have jobs, we dont have money.

What happens if we dont have money?

We cant afford to pay for our own survival, said Vaa.

I know most of us turn to the lands for help but you dont just throw a cucumber seed on the ground and then it grows immediately, no.

For everything to grow it needs a lot of work and it needs chemicals.

All of that involves money and we deserve easy access to programmes that can help us develop our plantations.

What Im trying to say, is that it is the governments duty to provide more job opportunities for our people because that is where is money is made.

If the cost of living is high, if the work we do is hard, we deserve to be treated fairly and we deserve good paying jobs, said Vaa.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has demanded that public servants perform their roles with highest level of integrity.

He also asked them to become part of the solution, rather than being the problem.

The Prime Minister delivered the message yesterday during the celebration of 2017 Public Service Day. The celebration was held in front of the government building, attended by hundreds of public servants.

Advancements in technology to date has meant greater scrutiny of Government service delivery, he said (see his speech in full).

Public servants are therefore required to undertake the execution of our duties and our decision-making in workplaces with the highest level of integrity."

He reminded about the importance of accountability.

I strongly encourage you to serve our country with professionalism, in a truly coordinated manner, ensuring that you as individuals be held accountable for your actions, he said.

You must strive to become the solution and not the problem, to be facilitators rather than encumbrances."

You as public servants provide the solid and firm foundation upon which all the three prongs of Government rely and depend on.

As the Head of the Public Service, Tuilaepa said their work is often taken for granted, unrecognised and criticised.

As public servants, we are just those  servants of the public, and while we may think that such a calling is demeaning, I believe that if you have the heart of God, you will find the grace to serve from a Godly perspective and with Godly humility, Tuilaepa said.

Today is without a doubt, a noble cause worthy of recognition and I thereby wish to express on behalf of the Government and the people of Samoa their congratulations and heartfelt gratitude.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says the tension between North Korea and the United States of America has reached a critical point.

So much so the threats to explode nuclear weapons  including a hydrogen bomb  in the Pacific Ocean should be taken very seriously.

Its a critical matter, he said.

There is a threat to test a hydrogen bomb by the North Korea and an equally strong response from the United States of America. It may get to the point where there is no going back."

So the concern is shared amongst the Pacific leaders."

On top of that, these hydrogen bombs and its effect on the people and our environment, is critical. The issue at hand is that once they release the hydrogen bomb that is it."

They have started the last World War and there is no going back. That might be the end of the world.

The Prime Minister said Samoa couldnt have endorsed the Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons at a better time.

The treaty was signed in New York during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly meeting.

This is a call from all the Heads of Governments not to use any nuclear weapons, not only for war but also for testing. There is also the need to destroy these nuclear weapons, said Tuilaepa.

The Treaty  adopted on 7 July this year at a U.N. conference in New York by a vote of 122 in favour to one against (Netherlands), with one abstention (Singapore)  prohibits a full range of nuclear-weapon-related activities, such as undertaking to develop, test, produce, manufacture, acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as well as the use or threat of use of these weapons.

There are 42 United Nations member countries whom have signed the Treaty, with more expected. The Treaty will enter into force 90 days after it has been ratified by at least 50 countries.

According to the Prime Minister, the war can start with the press of a button by either the President of North Korea or the President of the United States of America.

But it appears that its more of just threats and I hope that it will not escalate, he said.

In New York last week, Tuilaepa stated at the signing of the treaty will demonstrate Samoas unequivocally and the aspiration to have a world without nuclear weapons.

He told the United Nations General Assembly in his address.

The conventional narrative that the possession of nuclear weapons will act as deterrent to make the world a safer place to live, is not borne out by the current realities otherwise the developments in the Korean peninsula would not have happened at all.

Tuilaepa reiterated that Samoa firmly believe that possessing nuclear weapons and adding new nuclear powers only make our world less safe, less secure and less peaceful - hence the need to rid our world completely of all nuclear weapons.

No matter the noble goal for having such arsenals, availing them to the wrong and unprincipled hands is a recipe for doom and mayhem, as people, after all, are human and mere mortals, he continued.

We cannot help but watch with trepidation and uneasiness the global dynamics nudging our world perilously close to a potential catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

As small island Pacific countries, we are no longer protected by our isolation - we are bystanders but with the greatest to lose in the unfolding power drama being played out in the Korean Peninsula.

We pray for visionary leadership with sound moral judgment on both sides to ensure we give peace a chance, said Tuilepa.
Samoa paused yesterday to honour the work of public servants.

A half day was declared for the public service as a part of an effort to recognise their work and contribution to the development of Samoa.

The event started with a parade on beach road attended by hundreds of public servants different government bodies.

The theme for this years commemoration was Celebrating the Public Service of Samoa.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, said the Day is to honour, reflect, celebrate, learn and inspire.

Today, we reflect not only on the quality of public service weve managed to deliver over the years, but also the commitments weve made to ensure we continue to aspire to be better than our best, he said.

I believe the public service stands or falls with the calibre of the people who work in it, and the way in which we, as public servants, succeed in addressing todays challenges.

The 6th Samoa Public Service Day also remembered and honoured many of those who had retired from the service and have passed on.

As we observe this significant event, we pause to remember and honour the memories of those public servants who have passed on and are no longer with us."

We salute and acknowledge their important contributions and valuable achievements which no doubt lent to the improvement of public service performance while upholding the values and ethics of a truly accountable and transparent Samoa Public Service."

He reminded public servants to provide the solid and firm foundation upon which all the three prongs of Government rely and depend on.

Perhaps at times you may feel that your services have been taken for granted, that they go unrecognized and often criticized."

As public servants, we are just those  servants of the public, and while we may think that such a calling is demeaning.

I extend to all the public servants of Samoa, which incidentally includes all of us, former and current, old and young, my own best wishes for all your various achievements  past, present and future, in the numerous endeavours you have and continue to be engaged in.

Culminating the event was the presentations of the Public Service Innovation and Excellence Awards.

The 2017 Public Service Innovation and Excellence is the fourth of its kind for the Samoa Public Service.

This also provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate and recognize individuals and teams contributions that they have made to the development of Samoa and to meeting the needs of citizenry.

It is in the hope that the awards not only showcase and reward those that contribute their individual and team contributions but to also motivate existing Public Service employees and agencies to further promote innovative ways of providing a professional and competent Public Service that provides quality and coordinated service delivery to the people of Samoa.

Individual Award Categories were, Public Awareness Initiatives, Community Participation Initiatives, Organisational Development and Capacity Building Initiatives, Environmental Friendly and sustainable Development Initiatives, Customer Service/Service Delivery Initiatives, Inspirational Leadership and Recognition of Long Service and Peoples Choice.

Team Awards Categories; Public Awareness Initiatives, Community Participation Initiatives, Organisational Development and Capacity Building Initiatives, Use of Technology/Information Management Systems Initiatives, Environmental Friendly and sustainable Development Initiatives, Customer Service/Service Delivery Initiatives, Peoples Choice, Chairman of the Public Service Commission award for service delivery sector assessment, Most effective collaborative partnership with private sector organisation and Most effective collaborative partnerships with a non-governmental organisation.

2017 PUBLIC SERVICE INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE AWARDS AWARDEES FOR INDIVIDUAL AWARDS;

Individual Awards,

Public Awareness Initiatives - Folole Alapati & Katie Pogi  Meteorology Division.

Community Participation Initiatives - Leuluaialiiotumua Faagutu Samuelu  Vaatolu  ACEO Corrections, Enforcement & Maintenance Division, MJCA.

Organizational Development and Capacity Building Initiatives - Leota Aliielua Salani  ACEO Finance Statistics Division, Samoa Bureau Statistics.

Inspirational Leadership - Fuiavailili Egon Lincoln Keil  Commissioner, Ministry of Police

Recognition of Long Service- Marie Margaret Ripley  2nd Secretary to the Minister of MNRE

Peoples Choice - Leuluaialiiotumua Faagutu Samuelu  Vaatolu  ACEO Corrections, Enforcement & Maintenance Division, MJCA.

Team Awards;

Public Awareness Initiatives  Firearms Amnesty Team

Community Participation Initiatives  PEN FaaSamoa Team  Ministry of Health

Organisational Development and Capacity Building Initiatives  Meteorology Division team -of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Use of Technology/Information Management Systems Initiatives - Digitisation Projects for the Lands and Titles Court Records  Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration.

Environmental Friendly and sustainable Development Initiatives, Customer Service/Service Delivery Initiatives  Shipping and Marketing Team  Samoa Shipping Corporation.

Peoples Choice - Probation and Parole Service  Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration.

Chairman of the Public Service Commission award for service delivery sector assessment - Telephone Spot Checks - Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Most effective collaborative Partnership with a Private Sector Organization - One Scrap Metals nominated by the Samoa Shipping Services.

Most effective collaborative Partnership with a Non Government Organization - Samoa Victim Support Group  nominated by the MJCA.

Appreciations awards for Recognition of service;

Tauloa Auvae Lui, Tauo Mulifusi Togafau, Tunumafono Sinapi Tautala Tovala Sapa, Taealio Vaai, Fuatino Faatuuala, Luamanuvae Gaugau Mateo, Time Kolone, Fauono Talalelei Tapu, Leiataua Aviga Salale, Fuatino Tofi, Siavata Gale, Vipula Maiava, Metita Vaafusuaga, Ma Fulu Aiolupotea, Seiuli Vaifou Aloaina-Temese, Naumati Vasa, Silafau Dr Sina Vaai, Tuatu Kalepo and Senara Teo.
Think a minuteBen Banneker was a respected African-American scholar who became a brilliant mathematician, designer and engineer. In fact, Ben was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of State to a top team of engineers to design the master plan of a modern city. The group of international engineers was led by French architect Charles LEnfant, whose grand plan was to be used for this modern masterpiece that included both artistic beauty and the latest technology in transportation and communication.

Unfortunately, for this genius architect LEnfant, he soon was accused of trying to control the plan for his own purposes. So before the land had even been surveyed, the chief engineer and architect returned to France, taking the governments plans with him.

With their city plans gone, the U.S. Secretary of State called an emergency meeting of all the city commissioners and engineers, including Ben Banneker. In the meeting, Ben shocked them all by assuring them that he had thoroughly studied LEnfants maps and plans and Ben was quite certain he could remember every detail.

At first, the committee did not believe that anyone could keep in their mind all the complex designs and drawings of an entire large city! To memorize the architectural details of just one building would be amazing enough. But Ben began to precisely draw all of the original plans he still had in his mindand that beautiful modern city was built entirely from Bens memory, which Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson had trusted. In fact, you may have even visited this city. For the plans that Ben Banneker carried in his mind were for Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.

Did you know that your Maker has a brilliant and beautiful master plan for you? Hes just been waiting for you to come home to Him, so with His help you can start building the life He made you for. Once and for all, wont you ask Jesus to take full charge to begin changing your mind and heart? Then you can start living the true, right and best life He custom-designed for you. Just think a minute
Its been just shy of a decade since a series of massive and deadly wildfires scorched San Diego County but a decision on whether San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will get approval to charge ratepayers $379 million from costs associated with the October 2007 fires has still not been made.

Why has it taken so long for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates the states utilities, to resolve the matter?

Its tedious, its arcane, but so is the rest of the law, said Michael Picker, president of the CPUC, moments after commissioners wrapped up a rare meeting in the San Diego area Thursday.

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Were not like most regulatory agencies, were more like a technical court, so procedural things matter, Picker said. You have people here challenging us to be open, transparent and to fully consider things, well that comes along with that.

Originally, the agenda for Thursdays meeting at the Chula Vista city council chambers included a potential vote on the SDG&E request. But late last week the item was postponed, with a CPUC spokesperson saying the issue was getting further consideration.

The vote by the CPUCs five commissioners is now scheduled for Oct. 12 back at the CPUCs headquarters in San Francisco.

And even that later date could get pushed back. The commissioner assigned to the case, Liane Randolph, said Thursday the CPUC will allow additional comments from both sides.

The discussion will involve what is called inverse condemnation  a California constitutional claim that requires payment of just compensation when property has been taken or damaged for the public use.

The item is somewhat technical but crucial to determine if SDG&E is allowed to recover $379 million in expenses related to the Witch, Rice and Guejito wildfires that killed two and destroyed more than 1,300 homes.

The postponement of a vote rankled some.

The community is very disappointed that this agenda item has been held, that we cant see you with our own eyes vote on this, said Maris Brancheau, who lived in Borrego Springs in 2007, during the public comment period. We ask you, do not turn your backs on us by going back to San Francisco and approving for the investor-owned utility what we consider a large windfall.

Last month a pair of CPUC administrative law judges recommended commissioners reject SDG&Es request, saying SDG&Es management and control of its facilities leading up to the wildfires was imprudent and unreasonable.

Commissioners are free to accept, reject or alter any recommendation made by CPUC administrative law judges.

SDG&E officials strenuously disagreed with the administrative law judges, insisting the wildfires occurred due to circumstances beyond the utilitys control.

SDG&E has pointed to decisions by California courts, which have ruled that utilities can spread their costs of damages to ratepayers. SDG&E has estimated its proposal would cost the average ratepayer $1.67 more per month over the space of six years.

Instead of a vote Thursday, commissioners held a public comment session and listened to advocates on each side of the SDG&E request argue their cases.

If this commission votes out this (proposed decision) as written, we will have to re-evaluate whether we lower the standards for shutting off the power in our back countries, said Lee Schavrien, SDGEs chief regulatory officer.

We will have to consider whether we remove trees instead of trimming them, Schavrien told the five commissioners. We will have to consider purchasing insurance that is not economical and have to put forth applications before the commission that would cost billions of dollars.

Former San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre, representing a ratepayer advocate challenging SDG&E, disputed the utilitys claims and said the commission should have voted against SDGEs request on Thursday.

These (administrative law judges) should be respected by you, Aguirre said. We should not be here right now. This is a travesty  Youre making a mockery out of the CPUC.

Joe Craver, retired CEO of the American Red Cross San Diego-Imperial Counties, said the conditions surrounding the wildfires were unprecedented. This was by no means an ordinary Santa Ana (wind) event, said Craver, a former Air Force pilot.

Gary Hurst, a Ramona resident and commercial pilot whose property was burned, was much less forgiving.

San Diego Gas & Electric customers were not parties to any of the risk management decisions made by SDG&E and should not have to pay one penny for the cost of damages, Hurst said.

Of the 29 people who took part in the public comment period, 10 spoke regarding the SDG&E case. Seven criticized the utility while three spoke in support.

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rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski
Escondido Mayor Sam Abed pointed to the numbers Wednesday as he talked about the citys unfunded pension liability during a workshop on the looming financial crisis.

We are facing a $4.5 million deficit next year, $8.3 million the next year, Abed said. These are real numbers. They are reality. Twelve million in 2020 and $15.5 million (the year after that).

If we dont do anything today, the city needs to come up with $40.3 million (over the next five years) to maintain the citys services at todays levels.

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For a couple years now, Abed and the majority of the City Council have said the pension crisis is of paramount importance. Recently, it was the driving force in a controversial decision to outsource the citys library services to a private company  a way to reduce the number of city employees and the future pensions they will receive. The city has said it will be examining every department, other than police and fire, to see where else savings can be had.

I will not give up on addressing this issue, Abed said. I want to continue to make sure our city will continue to provide basic services.

City Manager Jeff Epp said after the Tuesday workshop that while little concrete action was taken during the informational workshop, decisions are looming.

The only theme is we have a huge bill to pay, Epp said in an email.

The council agreed to begin the process to establish something called a Section 115 Pension Trust where the city could safely set aside funds separate from the states retirement system in a tax-exempt, irrevocable trust to reduce pension liabilities and stabilize costs.

Epp said it also appears obvious that when one-time money becomes available  such as when a department spends less than was budgeted  some of that cash should be put toward the pension issue.

The question is, how much? If we use more, we might not have to make as negative a budget assumption or take such a hard-line position with the labor groups. Or, maybe we need to use all the one-time money and go five years with no raises to cover the gap. Or a lot of scenarios in-between.

He said he and city staff will be bringing suggestions and proposals to the council for action in the months ahead.

The more than 700 city employees are members of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), which is a defined benefit pension plan. There are more than 900 former employees now receiving a pension, and they are living longer and therefore collecting benefits longer.

Both CalPERS and numerous financial experts agree that due to funding shortfalls in recent years, plan design changes had to be made. In 2013, California pension reform became law under the Public Employees Pension Reform Act, which reduced pension benefits of newly hired employees.

However, savings from the reform will take many years to be realized. Meanwhile, the amount of money the city needs to put into the CalPERS system to address the unfunded liability issue and the pension plans future stability for promised benefits is increasing rapidly, in part because of underperforming investments made by the pension plan in past years.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
A military-themed film fest with short World War II flicks and a free preview screening of Thank You for Your Service is set for Oct. 19 in Carlsbad.

The event is part of the GI Film Festival San Diego, running Oct. 18-22. The Carlsbad lineup begins at 5 p.m. Oct. 19 with World War II Remembered  Part 1, a collection of short films that pay tribute to the stories and sacrifice of service members. The films include West Coast premieres and award-winning documentaries, ranging from All American, Happy and The Riflemans Violin to We Can Do It: Stories of Rosie the Riveter.

At 7:30 p.m., a preview screening of DreamWorks Pictures Thank You for Your Service will be shown. The film follows a group of American soldiers returning home from Iraq who struggle to adjust to civilian life, while living with the memory of war. The cast includes Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Joe Cole and Amy Schumer. The rated-R film is scheduled to open in theaters nationwide in late October. Admission is free, but registration is required at GIFilmFestivalSD.org.

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Tickets for the 5 p.m. screenings are $8 for active-duty personnel and veterans. General admission is $10.

The film festival is at Regal Carlsbad 12 at 2501 El Camino Real in Carlsbad.

Visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
Two 15-year-old San Pasqual High School students were charged Thursday with selling drugs to classmates after five freshmen and sophomores were treated for symptoms apparently caused by the drug Xanax last week.

The five students, all boys ages 14 or 15, were treated at Palomar Medical Center on Tuesday, Sept. 19, after complaining of nausea, dizziness and lethargy, Escondido Police Lt. Justin Murphy said. Based on their statements and symptoms, officials concluded they had taken Xanax, a prescription anti-anxiety drug, Murphy said.

All five of them were taken by ambulance to the hospital for observation and treatment, he said.

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Officials dont know how much of the drug they took but none experienced life-threatening symptoms, Murphy said.

The students became sick at various times of the day, but Escondido Fire Department paramedics received a call of a possible drug overdose at 10:50 a.m. and transported one of the students to the hospital shortly after 11 a.m., Fire Capt. Bill Atkins said.

All five students were suspended for five days and ordered to undergo drug treatment, Escondido Union High School District Spokeswoman Karyl OBrien said.

On Tuesday of this week, police arrested two other 15-year-old male students for allegedly selling the drug to their classmates.

They were arrested and booked into juvenile hall, Murphy said. It is the assumption at this point that they were selling the drug, which we assume was Xanax based on statements. We dont have any of the actual substance that we were able to recover.

The two students were released after their bookings Tuesday, and were charged Thursday with sale of a controlled substance on school grounds, a potential felony, he said. Police dont know how they obtained the drug, but are continuing to investigate, he said. Murphy said hes not aware of any similar incidents at San Pasqual or any other Escondido campus.

OBrien said she doesnt know what disciplinary action the students who allegedly sold the drugs will face. But the school handbook prohibits students from taking or possessing any drugs without doctors orders and their parents consent. Students charged with selling drugs also face a mandatory five-day suspension, and can be expelled for a year if theyre found guilty.

School officials notified parents throughout the district about the incident on Sept. 19, and Principal Martin Casas sent an additional message to families of San Pasqual students notifying them of the incident and encouraging them to discuss drug abuse with their children.

Earlier this evening, you received a message from our district office about the increase in the use of prescription drugs, such as Xanax, in our community, Casas stated. Unfortunately, our school and some of our students have been directly impacted by this. We are actively working with the Escondido Police Department, Palomar Hospital and our district PAD (Prevention and Diversion) program to help our students, and to ensure a safe learning environment.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
For more than a decade, designers and contractors have been ripping out gold-toned faucets, shower enclosures, door handles and other relics of past eras. Maybe youve done so yourself. Brushed nickel, polished chrome and stainless steel have been the dominant finishes for years. Well, guess what? Gold is back with a vengeance.

In its dramatic reappearance, it is both shiny and matte, polished and brushed, antique and modern. Its yellow, tan, even pink. And its everywhere! Youll see gold, brass and rose gold tones for just about every application, sometimes mixed with other finishes for greater interest. Here are some applications  from small to large  that might fit your home.

1. Atlas Homewares Tableau Cabinet Hardware

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One of the easiest, most affordable ways to update a room is with new cabinet hardware. This clever series allows you to mix and match shapes and finishes to mix in just as much gold as you want to create updated, personalized looks. (Note: To simplify a cabinet pull swap, choose new pieces with the same hole spread  distance between screws  as your existing models.)

MSRP: Handles $5.45, bases $6.25

Website: atlashomewares.com

2. Crossville Sideview Glass Mosaic Tile Collection

Gold is showing up in tile, too, and can really dress up a room. Since this is a fairly permanent element of your home, be confident that youll love it for the next decade at least before incorporating it into your space. Gold tile can go large with an accent wall or small with dramatic inserts into neutral field tile. Always check with a professional on the specifications of the material for your project!

MSRP: From $9.95 per accent piece to $36.95 per sheet

Website: crossvilleinc.com

3. Umbra Cappa Single Brass Adjustable Curtain Rod

Drapery hardware, like drapes themselves, can be a simple style swap. You can easily (and often affordably) modernize a room with an updated rod in an updated finish.

MSRP: $40 to $50

Website: Umbra.com

4. Room & Board Manhattan Frames in Gold

Artwork should always be framed to match the piece, not the surrounding decor, but that doesnt mean it wont look good in these modern pieces. Consider creating a small gallery of black and white photos from your summer vacation or first day of school shots for personalized style.

MSRP: $79 to $99

Website: roomandboard.com

5. California Faucets Wave Style Drain in Satin Bronze

If youre remodeling your shower, consider a deco drain in place of a standard model. It will elevate the utilitarian and create an unexpected style spot in your bathroom.

MSRP: $280 premium finish (trim only)

Website: calfaucets.com

6. Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting Estee Chandelier in Aged Brass

Just about every room needs lighting of some kind to be functional. Theres nothing that says it cant look good in the process, too. A new light fixture can create new style in a room, as well as illumination, as this contemporary ceiling fixture shows.

MSRP: $598

Website: mitzi.hudsonvalleylighting.com

7. Hurom HZ Rose Gold Slow Juicer

Countertop appliances are a great way to add new capabilities to your kitchen. They can also add a new finish, as this rose gold juicer does. Always consider performance first, of course, but theres no reason why you cant add some flair to the space at the same time.

MSRP: $599

Website: hurom.com

8. Brizo Litze Single-Handle Lavatory in Luxe Gold

Dont underestimate the power of a faucet at your bathroom or kitchen sink to upgrade a space. It can add new features, water savings and definitely style in a single spot. These replacements are relatively easy if youre staying with the same format, (e.g., widespread, single hole, etc.).

MSRP: $654

Website: brizo.com

9. Made Goods Camilla Mirror

Mirrors add brightness and beauty to a room. They reflect sunlight and personal style. They can be splurge elements, like the model shown here, or simple upgrades replacing standard builder-grade bathroom models with fresh style.

MSRP: $2,200

Website: madegoods.com

Add cooking and style power to a room with a statement range. (Photo Courtesy of Christine Donner Designs / Nancy Elizabeth Photography)

10. Ilve Majestic Series 48 Inch Freestanding Dual Fuel Range

Youre not going to replace a major appliance because its handles are dated or boring, but if you are remodeling your kitchen, why not consider a statement piece that adds style along with performance? Naturally, youre going to want to be certain youve loved this look forever before making the investment, but if you have, this is a powerful way to upgrade.

MSRP: $15,168 (Smaller models available)

Website: ilveappliances.com

Last words

Like any trend, going full bore will date your home quicker than blending in a few new looks with time-tested favorites. Choose pieces you love in looks youve loved for years, rather than giving in to the temptation to design an entire room around a showroom display, magazine spread or Pinterest board.

Please note that the pricing above does not include tax, shipping or any promotional discounts. Check for those, as well as local shopping locations, on the company websites.

Gold is a San Diego-based independent kitchen and bath designer and the author of New Kitchen Ideas That Work and the New Bathroom Idea Book (both from Taunton Press). Her website is jgkitchens.com.
America loves dogs, but many veterans have an extra bond after serving with canine units on the battlefield and increasingly depending on service dogs back at home.

Now the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and some of the nations largest veterans groups are in a scrap with a government watchdog organization and some in Congress over VA medical research programs that inflict harm on mans best friend in the name of science.

A VA investigation found problems at a Richmond, Virginia, program where researchers do heart surgery on dogs to study the development of cardiac abnormalities.

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Techniques include inserting pacemakers and catheters into the hearts of dogs, destroying heart tissue and creating heart attacks by injecting liquid latex into an artery. At the end, dogs are killed and their tissues studied.

One of the reasons that dogs are considered good for these experiments is they are easy to train to run on a treadmill while their hearts are monitored.

As a result of botched procedures, one lead researcher was removed from the studies this spring and the VA tightened its research protocols at Richmonds Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, one of at least three sites nationwide where the VA does invasive medical research on dogs.

Changes include additional reviews by the VAs chief veterinarian of proposed dog research, more stringent scientific scrutiny of VA funding requests involving dogs and increased frequency of site visits for VA programs that have canines, a VA official told The San Diego Union-Tribune.

These moves come atop questioning of research at the Los Angeles VA on narcoleptic Doberman pinschers. The approved protocol called for dosing dogs with antidepressants or methamphetamine, then killing them and studying how the drugs affect their brains.

Now, at the highest levels, the VA is battling to save its canine research programs, which have come under assault in Congress.

Part of our mission is to push the envelope constantly in search of medical advancements that will help improve the lives of disabled veterans, VA Secretary David Shulkin wrote in an opinion piece this month in USA Today.

If this legislation passes  it would stop potential VA canine research-related medical advancements that offer seriously disabled veterans the hope of a better future, wrote Shulkin, a practicing physician.

A spending bill that unanimously passed the House in July would ban funding for two categories of invasive dog experimentation at the VA in the coming fiscal year.

Separately, the PUPPERS Act (Preventing Unkind and Painful Procedures and Experiments on Respected Species) would permanently ban money for invasive dog research by the VA.

Rep. Dave Brat, the Virginia Republican who sponsored the act, called the experiments in Richmond horrific and inhumane in a statement.

These dog testing experiments at the VA are consuming limited taxpayer dollars, medical staff time and office space that could be better utilized to deliver health care for veterans, Brat said.

But the VA has rallied an important chunk of the veterans community to its defense.

The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Vietnam Veterans of America have written letters to Congress in support of the VAs canine research.

There are many pet owners and animal lovers in the American Legion, the legions statement said. Sometimes animal research is needed for the greater good of protecting human life.

The executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America said hed like to see Congress strike a balance on the issue.

On one hand, understand and acknowledge the tremendous gains in medicine and treatment, said Sherman Gillums Jr., in response to a query from the Union-Tribune. On the other hand, if it is warranted, Congress should call for greater accountability and transparency to confront waste and deviation from humane protocols in scientific research funded by taxpayers.

Dogs accounted for less than 0.05 percent of animals used in VA research in 2016, an official said. Almost all are mice or rats.

Not all veterans agree with the nations most established organizations.

Im not going to say canine research should or shouldnt be done at all, I just dont think the VA should do it, said Ben Krause, creator of the contrarian website Disabledveterans.org. VA has a hard enough time not withholding health care from veterans on a regular basis.

A major player in this conflict is White Coat Waste Project, a four-year-old Washington, D.C. nonprofit group whose philosophy is a marriage of fiscal conservatism and animal protection sentiment. The group offers $1,000 rewards to whistleblowers with evidence of animal abuse or wasteful spending at VA dog labs.

Founded by a Republican strategist, the group argues that taxpayers are spending over $15 billion a year on wasteful dog, cat, monkey and other animal experiments that are irrelevant, slow and expensive.

It was White Coat Wastes complaint in March that spurred the VAs investigation of the Richmond facility. The group filed Freedom of Information Act requests for records from the McGuire VA.

We had known that the VA was one of the few agencies conducting painful experiments on dogs. And through our research into the details of those projects, we uncovered these series of violations at Richmond, said Justin Goodman, White Coat Wastes vice president.

According to Goodman, the VA has 79 sites that do animal experiments, but only three are doing significantly painful research on dogs.

Aside from Richmond, the others are Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland and Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Milwaukee.

In Milwaukee, according to the watchdog group, the VA is using 150 dogs, including beagle puppies, for lung research that includes collapsing the dogs lungs and dissecting their necks and heads.

The use of dogs has been decreasing in the United States, Goodman said this week.

Most people would probably be alarmed that, in 2017, there are still 60,000 dogs being used in experiments. I think that for many people, even one dog being used in an experiment that they are forced to pay for is too many, he said, adding that research outside of federal agencies is often funded by government grants.

One expert said the VAs research is not an anomaly in the biomedical industry.

Work with dogs is happening all over the place, said Cindy Buckmaster, chairwoman of Americans for Medical Progress, a nonprofit group that advocates for the role of laboratory animals.

Any time they are the optimal model, they are part of the study, said Buckmaster, also a Ph.D. at Baylor University College of Medicine.

She said researchers are required to give dogs pain medication during invasive procedures, just like in human surgeries, but the majority of animal subjects are eventually killed as part of the study.

Thats because the answers are in the tissues, Buckmaster said.

The VA argues that its animal research has saved lives and will save more in the future. It issued a list of past accomplishments: development of the cardiac pacemaker, the first liver transplant, the nicotine patch, the discovery of insulin and, most recently, the first FDA-approved artificial pancreas.

White Coat Waste disputes that list as ancient history, saying the artificial pancreas is the only 21st century accomplishment of the bunch.

A University of California San Diego pathology professor said experts are going to disagree about whether dog research, and animal research in general, is effective. Dr. Lawrence Hansen, who is involved with White Coat Waste, led a successful campaign nearly 15 years ago to end surgery on dogs as a mandatory part of the medical schools curriculum.

We have created creatures that are hard-wired to love and trust us, Hansen said. It is a betrayal to then turn around and keep them in cages, cut them up and kill them.

To him, it comes down to an ethical question: If dog research does work to expand science, is it worth it?

Its a question Congress may take up in the coming year, with the plight and opinions of Americas veterans as added weight.

Current VA research using dogs

Studying ways of preventing lung infections in people with spinal cord injuries because they are unable to cough effectively

Developing glucose sensors that diabetic human patients can wear to allow continuous monitoring and insulin delivery

Understanding and treating dysfunction in the brain circuits that control breathing

Meeting a congressional mandate to establish scientific evidence as to whether service dogs reliably reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

Gaining insights into narcolepsy through studies of a unique colony of naturally narcoleptic dogs

Studies to develop novel treatments for human heart conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure

Source: VA

Military Videos  On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France  at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal

jen.steele@sduniontribune.com

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Six months after an earlier trip was scrapped for lack of funding, about 80 local World War II veterans flew to Washington D.C. Friday morning for an all-expenses-paid tribute to their military service.

The so-called Honor Flight, the 18th flown out of San Diego in the past seven years, left San Diego at about 8 a.m. The vets and their guardians will spend Saturday touring war memorials and other sites around the National Mall. They will return Sunday night to San Diego International Airport, where the public is invited to be part of the homecoming.

According to trip organizers, the group includes 78 veterans from World War II and one from the Korean War. Three of the veterans are more than 100 years old, and five are women. Two are twin brothers who both served during the war, and two others have been best friends for 90 years.

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Honor Flight started in Ohio in 2005 as a way to thank members of the Greatest Generation by taking them to see the newly opened World War II Memorial. The idea spread to more than 100 cities, including San Diego, where the branch has organized trips for more than 1,000 vets.

In April, a trip planned for the following month had to be canceled for financial reasons. Each trip costs about $250,000, which pays for a charter flight, hotel rooms, meals and ground transportation for the vets, and subsidizes the expenses for their guardians, who are often relatives. Because the vets are in their 90s or older, they often require wheelchairs to get around, and the guardians push them and provide other support.

Coverage of the groups struggles by the Union-Tribune and other news organizations helped spur donations that are funding this weekends trip. Honor Flight San Diego hopes to take another group to Washington next spring.

Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 550,000 are still alive, which is one of the reasons those who make the trip to D.C. are treated as heroes. Strangers applaud, ask for autographs and pose with them for photos.

The return to San Diego is also emotional. Hundreds of people, including active duty military, are usually at the airport, many of them waving handmade signs and cheering. The flight Sunday is expected to arrive at Terminal 2 at 8:30 p.m.

john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com
A new report urges better coordination and planning among federal agencies and local border communities and environmental groups to lessen the impacts of future border security projects.

The report is from the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, an organization created by Congress in 1992 that issues an annual report on the need for environmental and infrastructure projects along the southwest border.

This years report looks at the past decade of environmental protection and security along the border with Mexico.

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Security improvements, including hundreds of miles of fencing and other barriers, as well as roads and other infrastructure, have improved security but there has been a downside.

While increased security has in some cases had a positive effect on the environment, in many other instances more intensive security operations and security-related infrastructure have had, and continue to have, substantial negative environmental impacts, board Chairman Paul Ganster wrote in a letter to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan.accompanying the report.

Ganster urged extensive and ongoing talks with local communities affected by border security construction.

The Board remains convinced that it is possible to achieve the security objectives we all desire and minimize environmental impacts through careful and thorough planning to identify the ideal design and technology required for diverse border landscapes, he wrote.

The report makes several recommendations, including calling on government agencies to reduce the environmental footprint of border security projects,using technology like sensors and camera to reduce environmental impacts, and protecting wildlife habitat and migration corridors by working with stakeholders to ensure species can move back and forth across the border.

The GNEB is a nonpartisan advisor to the U.S. President and Congress to and makes recommendations as to how the federal government can improve conditions along the U.S.-Mexico border. It includes representatives of the border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Twitter: @gregmoran

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com
The California bullet train project, already mired by major delays and rising costs, is facing $1.7 billion in cost overruns on a 119-mile segment currently under construction through the Central Valley, a 27% jump over the original estimate, according to new documents

The increase reflects difficulties officials have encountered over the last five years, including buying land, moving underground utilities and negotiating agreements with freight railroads.

The Central Valley construction and planning is now projected to cost $8 billion, based on a quarterly report  known as the funding contribution plan  that was issued in June but not made public until this month. Work on the track, originally scheduled to be finished this year, is about seven years behind schedule.

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The latest overruns could have larger consequences. If the reasons for the Central Valley increase also affect other parts of the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco project, then it could drive up the price for the entire $64-billion system by billions of dollars.

Critics long have forecast that the final tab could top $100 billion. But supporters of the bullet train  the nations largest infrastructure project  reject those assertions, saying the rail line will become a cornerstone of the states transportation system and that such cost increases should be taken in stride.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority said it has been transparent about the cost pressures, reporting to a joint budget committee in the Legislature in December that the tab for the Central Valley segment had hit $7.8 billion. That report, however, included signals, electrical systems and a maintenance facility that were not part of the Central Valley construction programs original scope, which was priced at $6.3 billion.

We put our best estimates forward, rail authority spokeswoman Lisa Marie Alley said . There are going to be cost increases, but there could be cost decreases.

The funding contribution plan was posted on the authoritys website after a Bay Area watchdog group, Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design, filed a public records act request.

Officials have disputed outside estimates that indicate the projects price tag is growing  including one in December by the Federal Railroad Administration that cited a cost of $9.5 billion to $10 billion. In 2015, the authoritys main consultant, WSP, also had said in an internal assessment that costs were rising.

The rising total could challenge California to find new sources of revenue to complete the project even as Gov. Jerry Brown, its biggest proponent, serves out his last 15 months in office.

The large number of changes that have been made to the scope of project since its inception make cost comparisons problematic. The rail authority added 2.7 miles of track and structures from Madera to Merced, but reduced 8 miles near Shafter that included a long viaduct through the city.

It also had to increase safety barriers that would prevent freight trains from crashing into bullet trains where the tracks come within 102 feet of each other, adding tens of millions of dollars in costs.

Alley noted that the cost increases have not all come at once, and that the rail authority has and will continue to properly report them.

We are looking at the scope, schedule and budget for the 2018 business plan, which will be out in February, she said.

The cost pressures have been building from a variety of sources: property values are increasing; the number of parcels needed to complete the project has grown; officials faced more work than expected with utilities; and other so-called third-party and railroad negotiations were difficult.

A lot has happened over the years, Alley said. We are always mitigating and looking for ways to reduce costs.

But those costs could go even higher.

One of the states major contractor teams  led by the Spanish construction giant Dragados  is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in additional payments, rail authority officials said during a recent public meeting. Dragados was selected in December 2014 to build a 65-mile section south of Fresno for $1.23 billion. So far, it does not appear that construction has started.

According to an update this month, the rail authority is looking for ways to contain costs through, among other things, instituting better management controls, reducing the scope of the project and planning early minimal operations once the rail system is up and running.

How that translates into actual changes to the project is not yet clear.

One concrete example to lower costs cited by the documents is, rather than building multimillion-dollar safety barriers, by running trains slower in urban areas.

Such a change would affect travel times.

Under the 2008 bond act that voters approved to help fund the bullet train, the system has to be designed to get between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2 hours and 40 minutes. A number of experts doubt the project can meet the requirement once it is built, given the many political compromises that already will mean reduced speeds in various parts of the state.

If we reduce peak speeds, well have to make up the time somewhere else, Alley said.

ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @rvartabedian
Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego took the first step toward suing the federal government to stop wastewater and raw sewage from continually pouring over the border from Tijuana into San Diego County.

Flows have continued to pollute the Tijuana River Valley every month this year and a massive sewage spill in February fouled beaches as far north as Coronado.

The port and the two cities filed a notice of intent to sue this week against the U.S side of the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC, which oversees water treaties between Mexico and the United States and facilitates funding for infrastructure projects along the border.

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The commission now has 60 days to come up with a plan that satisfies local officials or it could face a lawsuit alleging violations of the federal Clean Water and Resource Conservation and Recovery acts.

Were going to be as aggressive as possible in stopping the flow of this toxic water and waste, said Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina. This lawsuit is the last resort we have. Its our hail-mary pass for clean water.

Imperial Beach, which stretches past the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge to the Mexican border, has had sections of its shoreline off-limits to swimmers for more than a third of the year on average in the last decade, according to county records.

The IBWC officials said they needed more time to review the notice before issuing a comment.

Amid recent criticism, the federal agency has pointed to its ongoing efforts to secure millions of dollars for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plan that serves Tijuana, improvements to the binational sewage spill notification protocols and a recently drafted plan to map key sites prone to spills.

The Veolia Water North American, a private company that maintains the treatment plant and a series of culverts along the border designed to capture polluted flows, was also named in the legal action. The company didnt respond to request for comment.

On Thursday, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, as the chair of the State Lands Commission, announced his support for the efforts by local officials in San Diego to address the situation.

Pollution in our coastal waters poses an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment, while causing economic losses to communities in South San Diego, Newsom said in a statement. I personally applaud these local authorities for holding accountable those whove failed to comply with requirements to treat wastewater and ensure safe water quality.

Coronado also agreed to reimburse cities up to $50,000 for any lawsuit that result.

The local Border Patrol union has said its also considering filing a lawsuit, alleging that its members have come down with respiratory problems and other illnesses while tracking down illegal crossers through polluted mud and water in the river valley.

Elected officials are concerned that the currently proposed federal budget will cut funds for the agencies and programs aimed at addressing cross-border pollution.

An April investigation by the IBWC found that more than $500 million in repairs are needed in Tijuana to sewage pipes and water collectors.

In earlier this month, the House sent a spending package to the Senate on a party-line vote that would eliminate the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Grant Program, which has helped facilitate upgrades to prevent sewage spills in Tijuana.

Shortly after, Reps. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, and Darrell Issa, R-Vista, introduced a bill to direct the Army Corp of Engineers to create a blueprint for updating, among other things, wastewater treatment facilities, aging pipes and systems to capture spills before they contaminate beaches. The congressmen said the efforts would help streamline funding for the region.

On Thursday, in Washington D.C., Issa met with Geronimo Gutierrez, the Mexican Ambassador to the United States, and they discussed the pollution and other matters of interest to both countries.

Ambassador Gutierrez expressed his shared commitment to work with us to prevent further pollution of the Tijuana River Valley, as well as his focus on strengthening the United States and Mexicos trading relationship, Issa said. The congressmans office said they discussed what types of infrastructure improvements are needed to address spills.

While local officials hope to avoid a repeat of last winter, when heavy rains left pipes bursting and manhole covers bubbling over with polluted water, significant upgrades could take years or even decades.

Before the two countries spent billions of dollars to construct treatment plants on both sides of the border, around 10 million gallons of raw sewage a day flowed down the Tijuana River and into San Diego County.
The recent crackdown on large sidewalk homeless camps in downtown San Diego has forced people without shelter into Balboa Park and other parts of the city.

For the first time during the day, Im seeing people sleeping in the colonnades, said Balboa Park Conservancy Director Tomas Herera-Mishler, who also said hes seen shopping carts for the first time in the park recently.

More homeless people have also been seen in Embarcadero Marina Park South behind the San Diego Convention Center.

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The dispersal follows a crackdown on downtown tent sites on 17th Street, Commercial Street, National Avenue and other places. That action was part of the citys effort to curb a hepatitis A outbreak that has left 17 people dead and more than 300 hospitalized over the course of the monthslong outbreak.

The virus is spread through fecal matter, and steps to stop the outbreak have included installing restrooms and hand-washing stations downtown and using a bleach solution to power-wash sidewalks where homeless people have set up tents.

Lt. Scott Wahl, public information officer with the San Diego Police Department, said clearing large downtown tent sites was part of the steps to stop the spread of the virus.

This is not an attack on the homeless, he said Thursday. This is to protect the homeless. Weve had 17 deaths.

City crews already had been cleaning up trash on downtown sidewalks on a weekly basis where homeless people camp. Notices about the cleanups were posted at the sites 72 hours in advance, and homeless people usually pack up their tents and return later in the day after crews have left.

On Monday, police were on hand at the large campsite on 17th Street to tell the people not to return. Wahl said that most people were cooperative, but there also were arrests in the days after the crackdown.

Bob McElroy, president and CEO of the Alpha Project, which provides housing and other services for the homeless, said the eviction caught him and his crews by surprise. On Thursday, he said he still didnt know where everybody had gone.

The homeless didnt disappear from downtown, however. The sidewalk outside the Neil Good Day Center on 17th Street was bustling with homeless people and shopping carts filled with their possessions Thursday.

People are allowed to walk and use the sidewalk, Wahl said. Its not quarantined.

Wahl also said the crackdown was focused on areas with the highest density of tents, but other areas were left alone. On Thursday, tents still could be found on Commercial Street near 17th Street, on Newton Avenue and 16th Street and other places.

Herera-Mishler said he has seen the homeless population in Balboa Park grow over the past two weeks when crackdowns on some homeless camps downtown began.

I saw three homeless people sleeping when I was giving a tour, he said, adding that hes seen people in front of the Casa de Prado Museum and Mingei International Museum as well as in canyons around the park.

Herera-Mishler said hes most bothered that there are no services for homeless people in the park, as there are downtown. However, the city recently opened more park restrooms 24 hours a day.

Quarlo McSwain of the Alpha Project regularly checks on the homeless people in some downtown areas, including the park behind the Convention Center.

We have some regulars, but not that many, he said about homeless people in Embarcadero Marina Park South. Since Monday, weve had about 15. 

Among the people at the park was a man who gave his name only as Jackie. He said he and some friends, who on Thursday had set up a new site complete with solar panels for electricity under a gazebo at the bayside park, had been staying around 17th Street until police arrived Monday and began arresting people.

They pulled up ... they took one of our friends to jail, he said. Its been really bad lately, and honestly I think the police have a chip on their shoulder because 10 of us got together and we have a civil action lawsuit against the city. Ever since then, they seem to be on a mission.

Jackie was referring to a lawsuit filed in July by attorneys Kath Rogers Scott Dreher, who are arguing that the city has unfairly been ticketing homeless people by using a law intended to prevent businesses from encroaching on the right-of-way with trash cans or planters on sidewalks.

Wahl said encroachment citations have increased by about 65 percent in the East Village area where police have been connecting people with services or evicting them for cleaning.

Since January, police have given out about 30 tickets a week for encroachment. Between Sept. 11 and Thursday, which is when officers stepped up enforcement, tickets have increased to about 50, he said.

We understand how difficult that is for homeless people to pick up and move, but this is a matter of life and death, the lieutenant said.

Those numbers do not include other arrests police make while clearing an area, such as arrests for an existing warrant or drug-related charges. It also doesnt include occasions when a homeless person is taken to a mental-health facility, which does involve handcuffing the individual, Wahl said.

He said police are also continuing to talk with the homeless community about available shelters and services. They have seen a slight uptick in the number of people who are asking to be connecting with services, from about 15 percent to about 18 percent.

Anthony Brown, another homeless person at Embarcadero Marina Park South, said he also moved from 17th Street because of the eviction Monday.

There were about six (police) cars, and they told everybody they had to leave that area, he said. Nobody knows where they all went. They all just seemed to have gone underground. People camp wherever they can now.

Reporter Lyndsay Winkley contributed to this article.

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gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

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Fire gutted much of the interior of a 130-foot fishing and research boat docked north of Seaport Village Friday, then continued to smolder into Saturday, drawing crowds of onlookers taking cellphone photos and video.

No one was found on board when firefighters searched quickly through the vessel  the Norton Sound  along Harbor Drive near G Street, officials said.

One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was treated at a hospital. He was released Friday evening, a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokeswoman said.

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The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Fire Chief Brian Fennessy was the first one to call in the two-alarm fire about 9:30 a.m.

He said he saw billows of black smoke while he was leaving a Red Cross ceremony honoring heroes, held at the U.S.S. Midway Museum, just a short distance south along the Embarcadero.

He said he parked, walked to the end of the pier and shouted toward the boat to find out if anyone was onboard.

No way was I going to make entry, he said, adding that he got no answer and knew that if anyone was on board, they would not likely have survived.

Fennessy described the smoke from the stern as dark, hot and nasty; it was angry. Black smoke also poured out of every porthole.

Fire crews began dragging hoses down to the pier and boarded the ship, but they were soon driven back by the intense heat.

After about 30 or 40 minutes, we pulled everyone out, the chief said.

Fennessy said firefighters worked valiantly to extinguish the flames, but the fire was too well-established deep into the boats interior. The Harbor Police department sent three fireboats that begin drenching the exterior of the ship with water.

Harbor Police Chief John Bolduc said it was better to cool off the hull to prevent the steel from melting than to fill the interior with water that would cause the boat to sink.

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted with the incident.

The acrid smoke blew toward Seaport Village, sending many visitors out of restaurants and shops until it cleared.

Harbor Police crews stopped shooting water at the boat around noon, as most of the flames appeared to be out and there was considerably less smoke.

Bolduc said the fire could smolder for a day or more.

Flames rekindled in the afternoon, and firefighters planned to monitor the ship overnight and check the dock lines to ensure they dont burn.

A Port of San Diego official said the north side of the pier, where the Norton Sound was docked, is used by fishing boats. The south side may be used by excursion boats, research vessels and the Coast Guard.

The Norton Sound, built in 1944, is registered in Alaska as a fishing and research boat, according to several marine vessel websites. Bolduc said it hadnt moved from the dock for several months.

The owner was coming from Tijuana and will be responsible for removing the boat from the dock, he said.

Firefighters were pulled back off the burning ship and Harbor Police boats took on drenching the Norton Sound fire. (Pauline Repard/SDUT)



dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield

UPDATES:

6:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 10:05 a.m.
San Diego Countys huge defense industry has pulled in more than $590 million from the Defense Department this month to work on everything from unmanned aircraft to warships to bomb testing systems.

Roughly $305 million of the work was awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GAAS) in Poway, primarily for research, development and service on two of its unmanned aircraft systems, Gray Eagle and Reaper.

The single largest contract was $163.2 million for production hardware for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, which can be used for surveillance, communications and to deliver weapons. The contract was awarded on behalf of the Army.

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Among the other contracts, RQ Construction of Carlsbad is getting $59.5 million to design and build Navy SEAL operation facilities in San Diego that will support SEAL teams Five and Seven.

Cubic Global Defense of San Diego will be given up to $61 million to do combat and tactical training systems work on behalf of the Air Force. The Defense Department also awarded Cubic $9.9 million to develop systems to help the military deal with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threats.

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration was awarded nearly $64.5 million to design, build and sustain the Bomber Armament Tester, a testing system that can be used B-2A, B1-B and B-52H aircraft.

BAE Systems ship repair unit in San Diego will receive about $24.5 million to perform upgrades and repairs on the Gabrielle Giffords and the Omaha, a pair of littoral combat ships.

Del Rey Systems & Technology of San Diego will get $26 million for a variety of command, control and communications systems for the Navy.

UC San Diego is getting nearly $15.4 million for ocean acoustics research that will be done on behalf of the Navy.

Northrop Grumman Systems of San Diego will receive $7.5 million to perform upgrade work on the E-6B aircraft on behalf of the Navy. And Cox Construction of Vista is getting $17.8 million to build transient training barracks at Camp Parks, east of San Francisco.

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Twitter: @grobbins

gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com
Camp Pendleton officials swear that the water consumed by 55,000 Marines and their families is safe, despite a pair of scathing state and federal investigations indicating chronic problems in the treatment systems at the sprawling military base.

Water safety inspectors visiting Camp Pendleton over several days in late June uncovered rats rotting on a reservoir gate, a desiccated frog clinging to a reservoir ladder and another rodent carcass floating in treated water.

They also interviewed base workers listed on paper as water treatment supervisors who didnt know they were supervisors.

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On Thursday, the Marines and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entered into a consent decree designed to force the base to follow federal clean water regulations.

Public water systems must meet all state and federal requirements to provide safe drinking water to their customers, said Alexis Strauss, EPAs Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. Our priority is to ensure the base achieves compliance promptly, to serve those who live and work at Camp Pendleton.

EPA officials told The San Diego Union-Tribune that after the Marines failed the June inspections, workers removed all animal remains from the system, cleaned the reservoirs, began routine testing of the water for Coliform bacteria and chlorine levels and pledged to keep surveying water quality to ensure it was safe to drink.

Simply put, the water is and has been safe to drink. Camp Pendleton is committed to providing safe and compliant drinking water. This is a duty and responsibility that we take very seriously, said base spokesman Carl Redding in an emailed statement.

On Thursday, Marine leaders began circulating a notice conceding that state and federal investigators identified vulnerabilities in the condition of our physical plant with specific emphasis on our 34 treated drinking water reservoirs across the base.

The memo insisted that there was no emergency or immediate health risk and said residents didnt need to boil water or take other corrective actions.

The state and federal investigators, however, found significant deficiencies at both systems that comprise the bases total treatment program, including a failure to inspect and maintain equipment, which led to foundational cracks and inadequate seals in the reservoirs. Problems with animal remains in the reservoirs dated to 2015, according to the reports.

Some reservoirs on base had not been cleaned since 2009, nearly three times as long as they should have gone without a proper scrubbing. The reservoir with rodents rotting on a mesh grate had not been cleaned within the last three years, a violation of the bases own standard operating procedures.

One reservoir  an elevated tank  was in such poor condition that workers feared an inspection might not even be feasible.

John Simpson, the director of Camp Pendletons Water Resources Division, pointed investigators to larger problems in the bases treatment system that likely wont be quickly solved.

They include a six-year lag between Congressional funding for new plants and breaking ground on construction projects; treatment operators working 12-hour shifts who make $20,000 less per year than employees at neighboring water districts, hampering hiring and staffing; and a lack of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquistion system for monitoring water treatment and sensors to measure reservoir levels from remote locations.

The base once had a partially functioning control system, but it fell into repair because of lack of maintenance, wildfires and the loss of Marine Corps cybersecurity accreditation, investigators found.

A planned $3 million system could be installed within the next two years, and Simpson promised that his department will do everything to ensure it does not lose cybersecurity accreditation.

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cprine@sduniontribune.com
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. As elected leaders and community advocates, it is our duty to improve the quality of life for all San Diegans; not just the few. This is why I introduced a resolution to oppose President Donald Trumps proposed border wall.

San Diego benefits economically from the binational bond we have with Mexico. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to protect that bond by resisting moves to further divide us. Instead, we should focus on improving our cross-border infrastructure.

In 2006, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) commissioned a study showing that delays at the border cost the San Diego-Tijuana region $7.2 billion in lost revenue. The study also noted that those costs were expected to double if the crossing is not made more efficient. Over the years we have seen some progress, but now the Trump administration is wasting our tax dollars on an ineffective border wall construction instead of capitalizing on the economic potential between San Diego and Tijuana.

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As councilwoman, I am fortunate to represent one of the most diverse districts in San Diego. District 9 represents the beautiful unity and multiculturalism of our city, state and nation. People come to San Diego from all over the world and many have made my district home. Their rich cultural heritage and strong entrepreneurship have uplifted the quality of life for many who live in historically disenfranchised communities. They call San Diego home and, like you and me, seek to make their home better for their children and future generations. When we focus on building barriers and fences we are simply dividing our communities and creating separation.

The presidents rhetoric of us versus them sends a message that our neighbors are not welcome here. That message is contrary to the very fabric that makes this nation and San Diego great.

I am standing up and making our voice heard. Regardless of ones political beliefs, the proposed border wall is a direct attack on all San Diegans. This is why San Diego cannot support the proposed border wall and related actions to fund its construction as proposed in House of Representatives Bill (H.R.) 1813 and Executive Order 13767.

H.R. 1813, known as the Border Wall Funding Act of 2017, proposes a tax increase on all remittances headed south of the U.S. border to partially fund the wall. This is a tax increase on Latino families.

Approximately 54 percent of San Diegos immigrants are from Latin America. These are San Diegans, and Americans, unjustly targeted by H.R. 1813. These taxpayers contribute to our economy and provide tax revenue, which the city depends on to fix potholes, streets and many other pressing issues. Increasing the cost for them to support their families is wrong and goes against our American ideals.

The wall will also negatively affect our citys trade and tourism revenue. Our tax dollars should be invested in supporting our ports of entry that create jobs and further generate economic benefits. We should not waste funding on an unnecessary wall that would cost our region jobs and revenue, or damage our environment.

On Aug. 1, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security triggered a waiver allowing the department to bypass environmental and other land protection laws in order to begin building and testing the new border wall. The waiver applies to San Diego where, earlier this week, weve become the stage for a competition to build and test prototypes of the wall.

At the base of our Statue of Liberty, the poem reads, Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. This is the foundation of America. A border wall goes against these ideals and is contrary to what it means to be American.

It is our duty to stand on the right side of history and reject harmful and hateful measures that divide our communities. I am proud to have led our City Council in sending a strong message to the nation; that hate and divisive politics are not welcomed here.

Gomez represents District 9 on the San Diego City Council.

RELATED | The U-T editorial: San Diego City Council border wall resolution: wrong priority, wrong time
Super-funny captions scurried our way this week, but we liked David Gees the pest. Congratulations, sir, for winning the top spot. He will receive Steve Breens signed original in the mail. Thanks to all those who participated.

Next weeks cartoon is below. Please remember to limit your submissions to three and keep em brief. Good luck!

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Winner

We think its better not to leave the lights on for you. David Gee, San Diego

Finalists

Welcome to the Pest Western. Ellen Meier, Carlsbad

Welcome to Baits Motel. Pat Foley, Homer Glen, Illinois

Howd you get in through the striped tent covering the outside? Noah Mationg, Imperial Beach

As a matter of fact, I would like to buy a carving knife. Debbie Mitton, Lakeside

like to buy a carving knife. Sorry, the cats away. Leonard Ruffalo, Valley Center

Ill give you half off your room rate if you have a snake in that suitcase. Gloria McCaffrey, Carlsbad

Bedbugs? Why would you ask if we have bedbugs? Charlotte Quincy, San Diego

Yes, sir, we have cheap rates. In fact, well pay you to stay here. Dan Dreger, Carlsbad

to stay here. They keep our guests from worrying about the citys hepatitis outbreak. Karen Coombs, Lake San Marcos

We add an 18 percent rat-uity to all bills. Matthew Thomas, Fallbrook

The Wi-Fi and cable TV are free, but the cat is extra. Joe Silverman, San Diego

If youre here to escape the rat race, youve come to the wrong place. Joseph Puzo, San Diego

Our complimentary breakfast really seems to draw em in. Susan Gale Wickes, Richmond, Indiana

Our hotel is pest-friendly. Jordan Levin, San Diego

K-12

There was a typo in the brochure. It was supposed to say competitive rats. Anya Ash, sixth grade, Dana Middle School

Are you the human test subject? Sean Power, eighth grade, Correia Middle School

Between you and me, Id pass on the room service. Finnian Ogden, sixth grade, Dana Middle School

Mr. Squeakers, please take his luggage to room 201. E.J. Kovacs-Morgan, fifth grade, Torrey Pines Elementary

Unsurprisingly, were vacant. Rebecca Damsky, eighth grade, Correia Middle School

Next weeks cartoon

To enter, email entries to cartooncontest@sduniontribune.com by 10 a.m. Tuesday. Please remember to limit your submissions to three and keep em brief. View last weeks winners.
A string of bizarre injuries to U.S. diplomats and their families in Cuba has left at least 21 people with a variety of ills including permanent hearing loss, fatigue, dizziness, visual and balance problems and sleeping difficulties, and is now being called an attack by the U.S. government. Its unclear who is behind all of this.

The mysterious injuries, which date back to 2016, prompted the U.S. on Friday to take the serious step of removing more than half its embassy staff from the island and warning Americans to avoid traveling there.

In addition to the travel warning, the U.S. embassy in Cuba will also stop processing visas indefinitely, U.S. officials said, according to the Associated Press. The reaction from authorities comes months after U.S. and Canadian diplomats alike began reporting loss of hearing, brain injury and other symptoms.

Here are a few answers to questions readers may have about this escalating problem and mystery.

Is there any idea whats causing these injuries?

Diplomats were said to have reported hearing loud noises or feeling vibrations in Cuban hotels, at times they reported walking in and out of blaring sounds in certain rooms or parts of the rooms, the AP reported.

There had been no reports of suspected sounds heard at the U.S. embassy in Cuba where 50 Americans are currently working. The State Department issued its travel warning because some of the attacks have happened at hotels in Cuba.

When did all this occur and who is being targeted?

Officials told the Associated Press that diplomats began reporting these injuries in the fall of 2016. Canadian diplomats in Cuba also reported similar injuries in March 2017.

Those reports, however, did not surface until August when authorities began to suspect the use of an advanced covert sonic device. The Cuban government was among the first suspects, and in retaliation, the U.S. expelled two Cuban diplomats from their embassy in Washington, D.C. in May.

The Cuban government has denied any role in these attacks and the source remains a mystery. FBI investigators and other agents searched and found no devices at the homes and hotels of U.S. diplomats.

Do authorities have any theories about the cause?

U.S. authorities first suspected a supersonic device as the cause of the injuries, but investigators have not found any concrete evidence of such. Theories about possible covert weapons used are flying around the internet but no U.S. officials have been able to confirm those theories.

How have U.S. officials and leaders reacted?

The injuries rattled U.S. lawmakers so much in mid-September that a group of five senators called on state secretary Rex Tillerson to expel Cuban diplomats and shut down their embassies in the U.S. At the time, Tillerson said that option was under review.

Its a very serious issue with respect to the harm that certain individuals have suffered, Tillerson said on CBS Face the Nation. Weve brought some of those people home. Its under review.

The Cuban embassy in Washington remained in place, however, despite criticism from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, who on Friday said in a tweet that it was shameful that @StateDept withdraws most staff from Cuba but Castro can keep as many as he wants in U.S.

President Donald Trump has not specifically addressed the mysterious attacks on U.S. diplomats there, but he has repeatedly said it was a terrible and misguided deal for former President Barack Obama to reinstate travel to Cuba in 2015.

How are others reacting to the travel advisory?

For the better part of the last two years, Americans have been able to travel to Cuba thanks to a pact reached between the U.S. and the Cuban government in 2015. The U.S. governments issuance of a travel warning and a freeze on visas in Cuba is making some observers recall the days the two countries distrusted each other while others are saying theyve visited Cuba recently and would gladly do so again without fear.

Could these mysterious attacks put a damper on U.S.-Cuban relations? Should the Trump administration do more  potentially punish Cuba  to protect Americans on the island? Can Cuba be trusted or do you suspect another country may be involved? So many questions.

Share your thoughts as we keep an eye on developments on this bizarre story.

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.
MONTICELLO  Two Decatur residents gave the biggest donation to Allerton Park & Retreat Center since it was donated to the University of Illinois in 1946.

Dave and Debbie Rathje provided $1 million to improve accessibility for those who visit the grounds in Monticello. The park is visited by more than 100,000 people every year.

In 1953, the university installed the main parking lot where it currently is, but there has never been an accessible link to the mansion, he said.

In 1897, Robert Allerton, the son of First National Bank of Chicago founder Samuel Allerton, came to live near Monticello on the land he referred to as The Farms. Construction on the mansion began in 1899. Allerton designed and created a space of natural and man-made attractions.

The European-style estate was donated to the university when Robert Allerton moved to Hawaii in 1946. Weddings, concerts, classes and tours are held there.

The money will pay for a 22-foot concrete driveway, improved lighting and walkways surrounding the mansion. The couple previously donated $156,000 for a tent and other improvements to the site.

For over 60 years, the Rathjes visited the park but had never been in the mansion until 2014. He is the founder and former CEO of Bodine Electric and Kelly Construction in Decatur.

We hadnt been inside because we didnt know it was open, Debbie Rathje said in a statement. "The mansion is a beautiful building, architecturally, and it is sad people dont get to see it. A road leading up to it will let visitors know that its open.

A groundbreaking for the David J. and Debra C. Rathje Allerton Mansion Grand Entrance Drive was held Friday afternoon at the 515 Old Timber Road site. The completion date is scheduled for May 2018.

The couple hopes the project will generate interest and donations from others, Dave Rathje said in a statement.

I love the place, and I want it to last for future generations, he said.
DECATUR  The first phase of the Macon County Beltway project could begin as early as next spring after the county reached a tentative agreement for the purchase of land necessary to begin.

Macon County Highway Engineer Bruce Bird confirmed Friday that the county and the landowners, Craig and Jill Wynne, reached an agreement on Wednesday that would allow the county to acquire 8.3 acres of land just south of Brush College Road and Illinois 48.

Bird and county Board Chairman Jay Dunn said the tentative agreement was close to the countys last offer, which Dunn said was $26,000 an acre.

The land would be part of a connector project that would act as the starting point for the long-discussed Macon County Beltway, a 22-mile stretch of road to allow traffic to loop around the east side of Decatur.

We are pleased we reached an agreement with the owners, and we look forward to getting the project started, Bird said in an email.

The Wynnes could not be reached for comment. They have not responded to previous requests for comment about the matter.

The plan is to close on the deal in the coming weeks, Dunn said. Once finalized, he said, they would likely put the project out to bid early in 2018.

I had been wanting to get it started this year, Dunn said. "But were hopeful we can get started on this by spring.

The county made its original offer of $17,000 an acre to the landowners on Jan. 12, based on an appraisal completed by Webster & Associates last fall. Both sides have been negotiating since spring.

A finalized agreement will terminate the countys "quick-take" authority, which was granted to them in early August by Gov. Bruce Rauner and the General Assembly. Under quick-take, a formal process of eminent domain, the county could take possession of the land at a "fair monetary value" before negotiations are completed. That value is set by a judge.

The cost to redevelop the intersection is covered by a $10 million investment given to the county in 2014 by former Gov. Pat Quinn.

The site has been on the county's radar for more than a year. The redevelopment of the intersection near Brush College Road and Illinois 48 has been called everything from the 'first piece of the puzzle' to the 'key that opens the door' for the construction of the beltway.

The northeastern portion of the beltway would provide 6.2 miles of four-lane road between Illinois 48 near Interstate 72 and Illinois 105, or William Street Road. The proposed bypass would continue south, widening existing roads as much as possible, and stretch around Mount Zion before connecting with U.S. 51 in Elwin.

The project is seen by city, county and business leaders as critical to the expansion of Decatur's Midwest Inland Port, a transportation hub that uses the city's vast rail network and nearby highways to move goods throughout the region and country. Both aim to increase truck access to Archer Daniels Midland Co.'s intermodal ramp, a key aspect of the port, and assist with the attraction of businesses to the community that want to take advantage of the transportation network.

But there has been some push-back as the beltway, which for more than a decade has been nothing more than a oft-discussed pipe dream, moves closer to reality.

The Macon County Farm Bureau announced in August that they were opposed to the project as currently planned since it would take up valuable farm grounds. Officials from the Farm Progress Show, which makes its biannual home in the northeast part of Decatur, said they were concerned that the current path of the beltway cuts the show in half.
A new study led by University of Adelaide researcher Jeremy Austin traces the history of Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) populations over the last 30,000 years.

The thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) was a carnivorous marsupial about the size and shape of a medium-to-large size dog, but had tiger-like stripes running down its lower back and an abdominal pouch. It is one of only a few marsupials to have a pouch in both sexes.

Thylacines once lived across most of the Australian mainland, but by the time Europeans arrived in the late 1700s they were found only in Tasmania, Dr. Austin said.

They became extinct about 150 years later, with the last of the species dying in Hobart Zoo in 1936.

But the reasons for their disappearance from mainland Australia and continuing survival in Tasmania has remained a mystery. Climate change, increased human activity and the introduction of the dingo are the three main causes debated.

Dr. Austin and his colleagues from the University of Adelaides Australian Centre for Ancient DNA generated 51 thylacine mitrochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome sequences from fossil bones and museum specimens  the largest dataset of thylacine DNA to date.

We wanted to understand why thylacines went extinct on the mainland, but survived in Tasmania, said PhD student Lauren White, first author of the study.

The team found genetic evidence that mainland thylacines had contracted into separate eastern and western populations in southern Australia before the last Ice Age peak (25,000 years ago), and that the ancient western population was larger and more genetically diverse than the historical Tasmanian population.

A large and genetically diverse population of thylacines lived in western regions of Australia right up to their extinction from the mainland around 3,000 years ago, separated from the eastern population, the scientists explained.

The ancient mtDNA tells us that the mainland extinction was rapid, and not the result of intrinsic factors such as inbreeding or loss of genetic diversity, Dr. Austin said.

Climate change from about 4,000 years ago, in particular more drought-prone seasons caused by the onset of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), was the likely main cause.

We also found evidence of a population crash, reducing numbers and genetic diversity of thylacines in Tasmania around the same time.

At the time of European arrival, Tasmanian thylacines had limited mtDNA diversity, possibly resulting from a bottleneck event broadly coincident with an ENSO-associated climate event, the researchers said.

The findings are published in the Journal of Biogeography.

_____

Lauren C. White et al. Ancient mitochondrial genomes reveal the demographic history and phylogeography of the extinct, enigmatic thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus). Journal of Biogeography, published online September 27, 2017; doi: 10.1111/jbi.13101
[NEW DELHI] A deeply conservative lot, Indias public-sector scientists chose to sit out the global March for Science on Earth Day, 22 April. But, four months later, many of them left their labs and took to the streets to join a nationwide march to demand a better deal for science, scientists and scientific institutions.



Indias scientists, particularly those attached to government departments or laboratories, have traditionally been happy to leave science policy decisions to the bureaucracy or the politicians, explains D. Raghunandan, president of the All-India Peoples Science Network and member of the Delhi Science Forum, which helped organise Indias own March for Science on 9 August.



The event saw thousands of placard-carrying researchers, teachers, students and scientists marching through the streets of the major science hubs of Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune and about 25 of the smaller urban centres.



Drastic cuts lead to march



So, what changed? While Indias public-funded scientific establishments were served notice two years ago to raise money to support their research projects, it took until May 2017 before the government began cracking the whip.



Many of the marchers were from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), established 75 years ago as an autonomous body. CSIR currently runs 37 top-notch laboratories and employs 17,000 scientists and personnel, accounting for about 10 per cent of Indias scientific output. CSIR specialises in a wide range of areas covering biotechnology, food, agriculture, generic drugs, chemicals, materials, mining and aeronautics.



In June, CSIRs director-general Girish Sahni applied the squeeze through a circular to lab chiefs advising them to change their mindsets and produce value from R&D, in keeping with the CSIR mandate. The circular warned that there was just US$32 million available for new projects in the current fiscal, against the normal annual allocation of about US$220 million.



Many of those who participated in the 9 August march were young scientists whose research projects were facing termination for lack of funds, said a mid-career government scientist who cannot be named because of service rules. Either that or they were senior scientists on the verge of retirement and couldnt care less.

Once the funding stops the work done previously goes unfinished and wasted Chetana Sachidanandan

Key research in jeopardy



At the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), a major CSIR laboratory located in New Delhi, the despair and frustration were such that several researchers and scientists defied an official circular specifically warning against participation in the march.



It is true that many projects are facing closure for lack of funds, senior IGIB scientist Chetana Sachidanandan tells SciDev.Net. Once the funding stops the work done previously goes unfinished and wasted. We know that there arent enough funds to run the institute and pay fellowships  never mind the projects, she says.



Sachidanandan, who is also assistant professor at the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, says her own work in rare genetic diseases has been in jeopardy after government funding expired on 31 March. She and her team have not been able to find alternate funding sources as mandated.



That CSIR scientists, long dependent on government funding, were incapable of making money from R&D became clear when CSIR-TECH  modelled on the lines of the UKs Imperial Innovations  shut shop in February, after failing to commercialise research output.



CSIR-TECH was created seven years ago by Shiv Ayyadurai, an India-born US scientist and entrepreneur who was invited by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to help commercialise research output. But, Ayyadurai was forced to resign within five months of his appointment.



Before returning to the US and resuming his job as a lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ayyadurai published a hugely controversial report calling for a major overhaul of the CSIR. He squarely blamed the organisations indifferent performance on a medieval, feudal working environment.



Manmohan Singh, an internationally known economist, was aware of the adverse working environment that Ayyadurai described in his report. "I am concerned about the tyranny of bureaucracy and the quality of output of our scientific establishments. Have we allowed patron-client relationships to stifle creativity? Are we scaring the young away with our hierarchical systems?" Singh said, addressing the Indian Science Congress in 2006.

A decade later, the marchers echoed the same sentiments when they demanded that project approvals be carried out by scientific panels rather than left to bureaucratic whims and political patronage.Says Raghunandan: Ministries are now openly declaring that they will only fund research projects that highlight the success of government policies and programmes such as on solar panels, water harvesting and cleanliness drives. In this situation, researchers and academic institutions can attach no value to independent, evidence-based research.The marchers primary demand is that the government invests in science before expecting returns. Government spending on R&D has remained stagnant at 0.8 per cent of GDP for several years now, says Prabir Purkaystha, a leading member of the DSF. In contrast, China spends two per cent of GDP on R&D.The present policy, which regards science as business that should pay for itself through research, is completely flawed and unsuited to a country of Indias size and at stage of development, where government support for science is vital, Purkayastha adds.The writer contacted the CSIR for reactions but they declined to comment.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Asia & Pacific desk.
It's rare when a public hypocrisy smacks people so quickly. But Illinois Republicans are feeling that smack today.

Last week, Gov. Rauner signed into law a controversial measure to expand taxpayer-subsidized abortions. Rauner had earlier vowed to veto the bill. His signature drew some stinging criticism from Illinois lawmakers.

One called Rauner a "failed governor." Another said the decision would guarantee Rauner would be a one-term leader. He is now lying to us, said another.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider injected some unintended humor to the fallout when he accused Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan of being responsible for the veto in order to divide Republicans and elect Madigan's choice for governor, whomever that might be.

I cannot adequately express how disappointed I am with Gov. Rauner. He told House Republicans last spring that he was going to veto this bill and that turned out to be a falsehood, said Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth.

That's the same Bill Mitchell who crossed party lines to support a tax hike to help settle the state budget impasse. The same Bill Mitchell who, almost immediately after that vote, announced he wouldn't be running for another term.

Rauner says he signed with his conscience. A Republican who vowed to constituents and lawmakers that he would veto the bill changed his mind and signed it. Republicans like Mitchell who are expressing outrage are reminiscent of the gendarme in Casablanca who, even as he is pocketing winnings while closing down Rick's cafe. Asked on what grounds he's closing the club, Captain Renault says, I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!

It's never fun when someone backs out on a promise. It's quite contradictory, though, to complain about a reversal just weeks after you've done the same.
It will be held just before the annual Australian Tourism Exchange in Adelaide April 15-19.

SPTE combines sellers from the South Pacific Tourism Organisations 17 member countries, including shore excursion providers, with buyers from around the world.

It was launched in Auckland in 2014 and has since been held in Melbourne (2015), the Gold Coast (2016) and Sydney (2017).

To coincide with the announcement of the 2018 event, the SPTO has developed a new SPTE logo highlighting the new look and rebranding of the organisation which was unveiled in the Cook Islands in October 2016.

The SPTO ceo, Christopher Cocker, said the new logo reflects the drive of the brand South Pacific IslandsOurs is Yours.

Cocker said a key focus for SPTE 2018 will be the inclusion of a wider variety of tourism products to meet the increasing demand for new products by international buyers.
It is proposed that the asset-backed notes will be categorised into the senior class and subordinated class.

The senior class notes will account for 80.23% of the proposed issuance and will be sold to qualified investors in China. The subordinated class notes will account for 19.77% and will be subscribed by Cosco Shipping Leasing.

The proceeds from the proposed issuance will be used for the business development and the repayment of loans of Cosco Shipping Leasing, CSDC stated.

The asset-backed notes will have a term of not more than four years and will be backed by the creditors rights and collateral interests of Cosco Shipping Leasing pursuant to certain finance leases, CSDC added.
Founded in 1943, The Institute of Physiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, in Yerevan, is a research center waiting for its innovations to see the light of day.

The lack of adequate government support and the reluctance of some in the sciences to reinvent themselves and their institutions to meet a host of modern day challenges are a large part of the problem.

Renamed in 1959 to honor the work of the prominent scientist Levon Orbeli (creator of the theory of evolutionary physiology) in establishing the institute, it is now trying to recoup some of its former prominence of the 1970s and 1980s.

Doctor of Biological Sciences Naira Ayvazyan has been the institutes director for the last five years. Her term has expired, and shes going to run in the upcoming elections for reappointment.

Levon Orbeli's legacy

The founding of the institute is closely tied to Levon Orbeli. Ayvazyan says that there were very good schools in Armenia in the 1940s. That was when Levon Orbeli came to Armenia together with his younger brother Hovsep and decided to establish the Armenian branch of the Soviet Academy. Several scientific institutions were included in the academy, one of them being the Institute of Physiology.

Since Levon Orbeli was mostly staying in St. Petersburg, the Institute of Physiology was lead more by his pupils. The Armenian Physiological Society then sent a letter to the academy asking for a permanent director. In response, one of Orbeli's pupils was sent to Armenia, and the institute was also provided with modern technical assistance.

Ayvazyan says thats when the institute started to prosper. In the 1980s, the Orbeli Institute was the leader of the neurophysiological research in the USSR. In those years, the institute had more than 250 employees, but after the collapse of the USSR, in the 1990s, there was some decline.

Ayvazyan says that though their database became outdated, they attempted to solve advanced scientific issues, and they succeeded due to their links with scholars and post-graduate students who had moved abroad.

In the last 7-8 years, the institute has been able to restore its previous academic ties with its foreign partners, and has succeeded in equipping the institution with some unique equipment via local and international grants.

Reduced staff, unused capacity, minimum wage

The institute is located on Yerevan's Orbeli Brothers Street. It moved there in the late 1950's.

When the staff expanded in the 1980's, a new building was built next to the old one. The institute has a vivarium where mice, rats, rabbits and frogs are stored for experiments. They used to experiment on dogs, too.

Armenias government has now allocated four floors of the 1980s building to the State Committee of Science and the National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance Foundation.

"We no longer experiment with dogs, as European ethical norms do not allow it. It is possible, but the requirements and permits are too strict. However, there is no need any more, because now there are tissue cultures and other models that can show the same effect. " Ayvazyan says.

To take part in grant projects, the vivarium should be licensed. The director says this is one of the reasons for Armenias research and experimental institutes falling behind in grant schemes.

The institute has been renovated over the past five years, and now has central heating.

The number of employees has dropped from 250 in the 1980s to 115 today. The director says the number of employees has increased during the last five years, and theyve tried to hire young people.

"We prefer to take interns from the universities, to make them specialists, because our universities do not give the basics for a person to become a valuable employee," Ayvazyan says.

Some 80% of the employees receive a minimum monthly wage of 55,000 AMD ($114). The director receives 98,000 AMD, the highest monthly salary. Despite the meagre wages, young people come to apply for various grants and get training abroad.

In 2016, the government of Armenia allocated 127,309,000 AMD ($266,320) for infrastructure maintenance and development, and 13,400,000 AMD for targeted research programs.

The institute also receives grants from local and foreign organizations.

2014- 36,312,600 AMD (7 items)

2015- 25,788,400 AMD (6 items)

2016- 25,401,400 AMD (5 items)

The grants were given by German Volkswagen Stiftung Foundation, the EU TEMPUS Project, the SCA and the Armenian National Science and Education Foundation (ANSEF).

Scientists are in idea business

Ayvazyan says that scientists are underestimated in Armenia.

In response to the observation that the government does not know what's happening in this area and that science is somewhat isolated, the institute director says that while there perhaps is a shortage of scholars in Armenia, it is also necessary to understand the mentality of those engaged in science. She claims many are "repressed and want to deal with their work solely, rather than writing papers and opening doors to different recipients.

Armenias current prime minister, for example, periodically argues that science should give practical results.

While Ayvazyan agrees that science should serve people, but if the fundamentals do not develop, the application does not have any grounds. Accordingly, the number one goal of a scientist is an idea, that is to say, of course, the institute can also have a small workshop and produce products, but that is not the function of an academic scientific institution.

Ayvazyan cites the example of the Weizmann Institute in Israel, some of the scientists of which have received Nobel Prizes. "They develop a prototype and give it to a pharmaceutical company, which makes the prototype a product and produces. It's a normal process.

The Institute of Physiologys innovations - artificial skin, lie detector and antivenom technologies

Director Ayvazyan says that if theres appropriate funding, they can produce artificial skin that can help in case of different pathologies such as trophic ulcers. The innovation can be useful for the army. Ayvazyan says several projects have been submitted to the government and they have also applied to different funds to try all the options.

One of the institute's twelve laboratories examines human psychophysiology. They use a polygraph device, known as a lie detector, to test the reactions of individuals.

"The device takes the physiological data of a human being and creates a psychological picture," says Ayvazyan. "We can perform a professional fitness examination, which is very important for sportsmen and military pilots." They tested it with a number of cadets, expecting further cooperation, and they also cooperate with the Institute of Physical Culture.

The Laboratory of Toxicological Research, also headed by Ayvazyan, works on producing a snake antivenom. Common throughout the world, it has never been produced in Armenia.

There are snake species native to Armenia, but antivenom is brought from Uzbekistan, where the venomous vipers are different. Uzbek antivenom is polyvalent: its not only used for viper bites, but also for other types, such as cobras, which doesnt exist in Armenia.

Ayvazyan says that the creation of antivenom specific to Armenias snake species is near completion and funding.

She says that it would cost $200,000 to launch an antivenom project that would take care of Armenias needs.

Ayvazyan adds that the government has been offered two options: either establish a proper modern production to benefit the state, or start small-scale production at the institute.

An outside observer notes challenges faced by sciences in Armenia

Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology Narine Sarvazyan (George Washington University, U.S.) has come to Armenia for four months to conduct practical English language courses at the Institute of Physiology.

Sarvazyans lab at the universitys School of Medicine and Health Sciences, is interested in the basic mechanisms of arrhythmias, tissue engineering, and stem cell based cardiovascular repair.

Professor Sarvazyan, who left Armenia in 1991, says the lack of science funding in Armenia is a well-known fact.

For example, a young scientist who earns 70,000 drams must find another two or three jobs to live a normal life, while young scientists in the U.S. are engaged in science most of the day.

Along with the need for new equipment, Armenia faces the challenge of employing younger scientists. Many established older professors do not want to make way for a new generation of scientists. They prefer to go on occupying their positions and getting a salary

"The next important issue is school education, says Sarvazyan. Especially in the provinces, there are often no qualified teachers of mathematics, physics and chemistry. When a child doesnt learn these subjects at school, it presents problems later. The government also needs to support teachers. I do not think that we have problems with the gene pool in Armenia. The problem is how to effectively manage the resources at hand. It will be more effective to give young people the opportunity to work because they have a greater desire and drive.

Photos: Narek Aleksanyan
- Djanik, what village did you first work in?

- What village? In Aragats.

- No. The first one.

- In our village. In Jrapi.

Hasmik Baghdasaryan, a former Armenian language and literature teacher, repeats each of our questions into the ear of her husband, Djanibek Mkrtchyan, who taught physics and math.

Hasmik apologizes, saying that her husband is hard of hearing. We smile. So does Djanibek.

The old woman asks what we plan to write about them. Arent there more interesting people to interview, she asks. Djanibek is lost in thought, gazing at the apple trees in the distance. The harvest this year has been bountiful.

The couple taught at the Aragatsavan village school in Armenias Talin region. Back then, some 300 pupils attended the school.

For one year, they lived in the school, in a room provided them. They had a one-year- old daughter at the time. They took shifts caring for the little girl. Once, Hasmik had to leave the girl unattended. Her husband was later in returning, but Hasmik had a class to teach. She was adamant about never missing a class.

The couple taught in Aragatsavan for more than forty years. Today, in retrospect, they say they would do it all over again.

They hail from Armenias Shirak Province. Hasmik is from the Gyumri area, and her husband, from around Ani.

After graduating from the Leninakan Teachers Institute, Hasmik taught at the Lousaghbyur village school. She boasts that her husband graduated from two institutes in Yerevan. A neighbor confirms that Djanibek is indeed an intelligent individual.

- How did the two of you meet?

- I met Djanibek at a conference. We had gone to collect books for the pupils. Where was that conference?

- In Maralik, and then in Talin. (Djanibek responds)

- Right. We met at that conference.

They both smile when I ask if it was love at first sight.

- No. I wasnt smitten by him at first. He wrote me a letter afterwards, describing his history. He proposed marriage. I refused. I was 27 at the time and had decided never to marry. Our parents got involved, we met, andNo, I have no regrets. I thought I was too old to marry. I was working. There were five girls in our family; no boys. I thought I would stay with my parents at home and work as a teacher.

After living in the school for one year, the couple moved into the schools workshop. They built their present house in the 1970s.

The couple has fond memories of their years as school teachers. Hasmik says teachers were well respected back then, both by parents and pupils.

A teacher must love the school experience and relate to the kids. The pupils loved me. While I was at home, during the summer vacation, my pupils would visit. We had a good group, Hasmik says.

Things were simpler back then, she continues. Hasmik says she never thought about what to wear or how her hair was styled before entering the classroom. Such artificial conventions, so in vogue today, were far from her mind. School was a place for learning, and not a place for social status exhibitions.

While diplomatically averting my questions about the teaching profession today, Hasmik advises teachers to love their pupils and to make their classes as engaging as possible by incorporating issues from present-day life.

Hasmik retired from teaching in 1998, at the age of 67. Her husband retired a year earlier. No one told me it was time to leave. I was less mobile and kind of felt out of place amongst all those young people. After retiring, I would weep. The school staff visited me several times, requesting that I return. I didnt. I felt uncomfortable. My hair was white and my face wrinkled, Hasmik recounts.

I ask her to show some photos from her years as a teacher. Hasmik garbs a thick photo album and opens it. Turning the pages of mostly black and white photos, the couple reminisce and smile.

Its important to work conscientiously and with dedication. Thats what we did. We wanted our pupils to learn, says Djanibek.

None of the couples three children and seven grandchildren have chosen teaching as a profession.

Even today, the couples former pupils still visit as a sign of respect. Sometimes, if they see Hasmik or Djanibek by the house, former pupils will stop the car and get out, just to say hello and ask them how theyre doing.



Photos: Hakob Poghosyan
AFRICA

Burundi

Expected Council Action

In October, the Secretary-Generals Special Envoy, Michel Kafando, will brief the Council on the situation in Burundi.

Key Recent Developments

The security and political situation in Burundi, which deteriorated sharply after April 2015 when Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would run for a controversial third term, remains dire. Serious human rights abuses continue to be committed daily with impunity, mainly by the government and the Imbonerakure, the youth group of Nkurunzizas party.

The overall level of oppression and state control over Burundian society remains high, manifested by persistent arbitrary deprivations of life, enforced disappearances, cases of torture and arbitrary detention. These actions are taking place in an environment where the freedoms of expression, association and assembly are virtually non-existent.

An estimated 400,000 people have fled the country since the beginning of the crisis, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). On 31 August, Burundi, Tanzania and UNHCR reached agreement on the voluntary repatriation of 12,000 refugees by the end of the year from Tanzania, which hosts 280,000 Burundian refugees. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) reported that on 15 September, Congolese military killed at least 38 Burundian refugees in South Kivu, when they were protesting the arrest and expected repatriation of other Burundians. One soldier also died. The DRC government said it will investigate the incident.

The Council adopted a presidential statement on Burundi on 2 August. During negotiations, Council members were split over whether the mandate of the UN police componentauthorised in resolution 2303 for a period of a year to monitor the security situation and support human rights monitoringrequired renewal as the police deployment had not taken place.

To sidestep the issue, the presidential statement expressed the Councils support of the Secretary-General in his efforts to engage the government of Burundi on the modalities of the implementation of resolution 2303 without explicitly calling for the deployment of the police component. The statement further expressed concern over the political situation, the lack of implementation of resolution 2303, and the lack of engagement by the government of Burundi in that regard.

The statement also supported the AUs call for the rapid signing of the memorandum of understanding which would allow AU human rights observers and military experts to operate fully in the country in fulfilment of their mandated responsibilities. (This deployment was authorised by the AU Peace and Security Council in a 17 October 2015 communique.)

Meanwhile, there seems to have been little headway in the Inter-Burundian dialogue, led by the East African Community and facilitated by former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa. Media reports indicate that talks are scheduled to resume in October. The Ombudsman for Burundi, an official elected by the National Assembly to investigate violations of civil rights by state officials, Edouard Nduwimana, said that only actors recognised by the government will be allowed to attend. The opposition has criticised Nduwimanas election, claiming he had undermined civil society when minister of home affairs. The opposition has also been critical at times, of Mkapa, accusing him of siding with the government.

The Council last met to discuss the situation in Burundi on 26 July. Kafando and Ambassador Jurg Lauber (Switzerland), the chair of the Peacebuilding Commissions Burundi configuration, briefed the Council. Members then met in consultations. (Mkapa was also due to engage with Council members but was unable to do so for personal reasons.)

Human Rights-Related Developments

In his opening statement at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 11 September, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein noted, The human rights situation in Burundi has in no way improved, with continuing reports of disappearances and killings, arbitrary arrests, detention and torture of perceived opponents. Most opposition parties, independent NGOs and media have been banned or suspended, leaving virtually no space for civil liberties and open debate.

During the session, the HRC held an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, established by HRC resolution 33/24 of 30 September 2016, and considered its report. The report documents extrajudicial executions; arbitrary arrests and detentions; enforced disappearances; torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and sexual violence in Burundi since April 2015. The report also recommends that the Security Council take account of the commissions conclusions, as well as the persistence of gross violations of human rights, in any discussion on Burundi; refer international crimes committed in Burundi to the ICC; and impose individual sanctions on the principal alleged perpetrators of gross human rights violations and international crimes in Burundi.

Key Issues and Options

The ongoing and pressing issue is ensuring that the situation in Burundi does not descend into chaos and further violence, including ethnically-motivated violence, and finding a way to move beyond the fragile status quo in the country.

As part of its attempt to make headway in Burundi, a main issue for the Council is finding an avenue for renewed and productive engagement between the UN and Burundi in order to solve the political crisis. In a related issue, the Council must address Burundis refusal to implement resolution 2303, which stands as a dead letter. The Council may consider engaging with Burundi on other ways to fulfil the role envisaged for the police component, for example by supporting an expanded role for the AU in human rights monitoring and by taking a more forceful stance on ensuring the full deployment of its personnel.

Finally, a major issue is the lack of accountability for potential international crimes over the last couple of years in Burundi. In light of the gravity of the report of the Commission of Inquiry, the Council may consider whether it has a role to play in ensuring accountability for the crimes enumerated therein.

One possible way to address these issues is to impose targeted sanctions against spoilers of the political dialogue, those responsible for human rights violations, and those who block the implementation of resolution 2303.

Council Dynamics

Burundi remains entrenched in its opposition to the implementation of resolution 2303 and the conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry, which reflects its overall position on the international communitys involvement in the crisis. The Council, meanwhile, is at an impasse with respect to its engagement with the country, split between those who view the situation as an internal political issue lacking a pressing security dimension, and those who view the situation as volatile and closely related to international peace and security, threatening the viability of the 2000 Arusha Accord, which put an end to civil war and ethnic violence in the country. For these latter Council members, there is a creeping fear that the current state of affairs in Burundi has become a tolerable status quo for the international community as its attention shifts elsewhere. However, they view the situation as fragile and unsustainable and hope that the commissions report may bring focus to the situation even if Council action is unlikely.

France is the penholder on Burundi.

UN DOCUMENTS ON BURUNDI

The Council established a UN police component in Burundi of 228 officers for an initial period of one year. This was a statement on the political situation and ongoing violence in Burundi which strongly urged the government and all parties to immediately cease and reject such violence. This was a briefing on the situation in Burundi from Special Envoy Michel Kafando and Ambassador Jurg Lauber of Switzerland, the chair of the Peacebuilding Commissions Burundi configuration. This was the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, established by HRC resolution 33/24 of 30 September 2016.
AFRICA

Central African Republic

Expected Council Action

In October, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix will brief the Council on the latest UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) report.

The mandate of MINUSCA expires on 15 November 2017.

Key Recent Developments

The security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) has worsened as clashes continue among the Muslim-dominated ex-Seleka factions. Since November 2016, two factions in particular, the Union for Peace in the CAR (UPC) and the Popular Front for the Renaissance in the CAR (FPRC), have been involved in heavy fighting amidst attempts to reunite the ex-Seleka. In addition, there has been continued fighting between ex-Seleka factions and Christian-dominated anti-Balaka armed groups, and anti-Balaka attacks against civilians and MINUSCA.

The deterioration in security has resulted in an increase in civilian casualties and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, increasingly along sectarian lines. On 22 August, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen OBrien briefed Council members under any other business on his recent visit to the CAR, lamenting that he has witnessed early signs of genocide in the country.

There are 600,000 people who are internally displaced, and roughly 450,000 have fled to neighbouring countries. The situation in Basse-Kotto is of particular concern; the UPC has been directly targeting civilians there since May, causing several hundred deaths, according to Amnesty International. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on 13 September that armed groups killed at least 25 people around the country in the span of a week. In Bangassou, 2,000 Muslims have taken refuge in a church because they fear local anti-Balaka rebels.

Humanitarian assistance in the country has been hampered by the violence and in some places has completely halted. On 3 August, six ICRC workers were killed in an attack on a health centre.

The government, led by President Faustin Archange Touadera, has minimal control outside the capital, Bangui, which is relatively calm. Disarmament efforts have made only limited progress, and factions of the ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka groups remain armed and in control of large areas of the country.

Touadera sacked his defence minister, Levy Yakete, in a move reported to be related to the growing violence. Yakete is on the CAR Sanctions Committee list for his role in the violence during the ex-Seleka coup.

MINUSCAs roughly 10,000 military troops have been partially successful in protecting civilians but are stretched thin, and the level of performance between contingents has varied. They have also been directly targeted by rebel groups, resulting in the death of three Moroccan peacekeepers in two attacks in July. During his monthly luncheon with Council members on 17 August, the Secretary-General asked them to authorise an immediate increase in troop levels to help address the security situation. The US conditioned additional troops on the development of clear benchmarks for the performance of MINUSCAs contingents. In addition, the US insisted that the Secretariat demonstrate concrete plans to address the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers in the CAR. The Secretariat has informed Council members that in its next report it will provide them with more information regarding the troop increase and the issues raised by the US.

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 6 September, the CAR Sanctions Committee held a briefing open to the full UN membership to discuss the midterm report of the Panel of Experts assisting the committee. The report itself was submitted to the committee on 21 July. The report noted that illegal exploitation of natural resources remains a major source of income for armed groups, both for ex-Seleka factions in the east and local anti-Balaka groups in the west. In addition, the report found that implementation of sanctions remained weak. Travel ban violations by people on the sanctions list continued, including travel by former President Francois Bozize. National authorities have failed to implement the assets freeze, and several listed individuals still collect government salaries. CAR officials continued to criticise the arms embargo, claiming it prevents the rearmament of national security forces. Noting that CAR may still arm its national forces by applying for exemptions from the committee, the panel maintains that some use this argument to blame the UN for the ongoing insecurity.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In his opening statement at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 11 September, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein expressed alarm over deteriorating security conditions in the CAR and the persistent reports of atrocity crimes, which have pushed the country very close to a complete breakdown along religious and ethnic lines. Intensifying violence has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee, and increasing attacks against aid workers have forced a number of humanitarian organisations to suspend life-saving activities, he said.

During its 36th session, the HRC held an interactive dialogue with the independent expert on the situation of human rights in the CAR, Marie-Therese Keita Bocoum, and considered her report (A/HRC/36/64). The report, covering July 2016 to June 2017, concluded there was an increase in human rights violations, mostly perpetrated by ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka armed groups, including killings, acts of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, sexual violence, abductions, deprivation of liberty and arbitrary arrest, extortion and looting, recruitment and exploitation of children, the occupation of schools and health centres and attacks on them, and denial of humanitarian assistance.

Key Issues and Options

The immediate priority for the Council is to respond to the increased fighting between rebels, attacks against civilians along sectarian lines and the targeting of MINUSCA personnel and other UN and humanitarian personnel.

The Council could authorise additional troops for MINUSCA as an immediate response to the violence prior to or during MINUSCAs mandate renewal in November. During this process, Council members could request the Secretariat to report on actions taken to improve the performance of MINUSCAs contingents.

The Council could also consider acting through the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee, listing additional individuals and entities, particularly those with links to recent attacks, in an effort to curb violence. To improve sanctions implementation, the Council could call on countries in the region to cooperate with each other and implement the sanctions regime in order to eliminate arms trafficking to rebel groups and the funding of their operations through illicit exploitation of natural resources.

Council and Wider Dynamics

The deteriorating security situation and the governments inability to project law and order beyond Bangui continue to concern all Council members.

Every Council member has expressed support for an increase in MINUSCA troop levels. In contrast to the US position, however, several Council members, including those that are troop-contributing countries, reject steps that they perceive as singling out contingents and publicly shaming them. Moving forward towards MINUSCAs mandate renewal, any language with respect to benchmarks for the assessment of MINUSCAs performance will be contentious and will require careful negotiation.

France is the penholder on the CAR, and Ukraine is the chair of the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON THE CAR

This resolution renewed the CAR sanctions regime until 31 January 2018 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 28 February 2018. The Council renewed the mandate of MINUSCA until 15 November 2017. This was a presidential statement that expressed concern at ongoing clashes between armed groups in the CAR and the targeting of civilians from specific communities, UN Peacekeepers and humanitarian workers. The members of the Security Council condemned the attack on MINUSCA peacekeepers in Bangassou (Mbomou) on 25 July by suspected anti-Balaka elements, which resulted in two Moroccan peacekeepers killed and one injured, two days after the attack that led to the death of another Moroccan peacekeeper. This was a press statement condemning the attack on a MINUSCA convoy in Bangassou (Mbomou) on 23 July by anti-Balaka elements that resulted in one peacekeeper killed and three injured. This was a press release drawing attention to the recommendation contained in the midterm report concerning exemptions from sanctions. This was a press release concerning the committees 21 July meeting with its Panel of Experts, where the panels midterm report was presented the committee. This was a midterm report of the CAR Sanctions Committee.
THEMATIC ISSUES

Children and Armed Conflict

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council will hold an open debate to discuss the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict. France, the president for October, has indicated an interest in also having a discussion during the meeting on the Paris Principles and Commitments to protect children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces and groups. A presidential statement, which would be drafted by Sweden, the penholder and chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, is a possible outcome. At press time, the annual report had not yet been published.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba and a civil society representative are expected to speak.

Key Recent Developments

There has been heightened interest in the two annexes in the Secretary-Generals report, which list parties that have committed either one or more of the violations against children that can lead to this listing, i.e. recruitment and use, sexual violence, killing and maiming, attacks on schools and hospitals, and abduction. Last year, then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon removed from the listing, pending a review, the Saudi-led coalition, which had been listed for the first time for the killing and maiming of children and attacks on schools and hospitals in Yemen. This raised questions about the integrity of the listing mechanism. Earlier in the year, there had been indications that the report, which was due out in August, might be delayed to give the Saudi-led coalition more time to show progress or that the listings would be frozen so that there would be no change from 2016.

Gamba and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng briefed Council members on 6 July under other matters on the impact on children of the conflict in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On 26 July, Ntabo Ntaberi Cheka, leader of the Nduma Defence of Congo/Cheka, surrendered to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Mutongo, North Kivu. Chekas militia and two other armed groups were implicated in the rape of at least 387 civilians, including 55 girls and nine boys, during the attacks on 13 villages in Walikale territory between 30 July and 2 August 2010.

On 15 September, the Civilian Joint Task Force in Nigeria signed an action plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children, making it the 29th party to sign such an action plan.

On 21 February, a conference was held in Paris to mark the tenth anniversary of the Paris Principles. Myanmar became the 107th country to sign the Paris Principles.

Developments in the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict

Since January, the Working Group has negotiated and adopted conclusions on the Secretary-Generals reports on Colombia, the Philippines, Somalia and Sudan. There have generally been two rounds of negotiations with adoptions about every two months. The Working Group is currently negotiating its conclusions on the first report on children and armed conflict in Nigeria. Ahead of negotiating the Sudan conclusions, the Working Group was briefed on 2 May via video teleconference by the co-chairs of the Sudan Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting on the situation of children and armed conflict in the Sudan. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, also attended the meeting.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue is how to use the children and armed conflict monitoring and reporting mechanism and the Secretary-Generals annexes as tools for engagement and prevention of conflict. How children in post-conflict situations fit into the sustaining peace agenda should be further explored.

A related issue is assessing whether the children and armed conflict mechanism is equipped to address todays complex conflict situations. A lessons-learned study of ten years of the functioning of the mechanism might help illustrate its strengths and weaknesses. A rigid work cycle, based on the reports on the situations in the annexes, makes it difficult for the Working Group to react swiftly to a deteriorating crisis. An option for the Working Group in this context would be to seek regular briefings from the Special Representatives office and relevant UN agencies, to provide information that could be conveyed to the Council.

Deepening relationships with regional and sub-regional organisations is a continuing issue. Options include an Arria-formula meeting with representatives from regional and sub-regional organisations or inviting them to brief the Council.

Denial of humanitarian aid to children needs further discussion, along with the possibility of adding humanitarian access as a trigger for listing in the Secretary-General annual report.

A continuing issue is the implementation of action plans and of Council resolutions. High-level UN engagement, focused Council attention, and bilateral representations might encourage parties to move on action plans.

An issue for the Working Group is ensuring a steady stream of reports. The next report, which is on children and armed conflict in Myanmar, has been delayed.

Council Dynamics

Sweden has brought new energy to this issue since taking on the chair of the Working Group in January. Negotiations of the three conclusions documents this year have gone relatively smoothly, resulting in a significant increase in the output of the Working Group. Members appear more open to the need for up-to-date information from the field as evidenced by the video teleconference with the Sudan country team. The negotiations on a Council outcome for the debate will reveal positions on potentially sensitive issues, including the importance of the monitoring mechanism and listings, as well as whether a new approach to the mandate is needed.

UN DOCUMENTS ON CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT

This was the Secretary-Generals report on children and armed conflict in the Philippines. This was a report by the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Sudan. This was an open debate on children and armed conflict. This was the conclusions on the Philippines. This was the conclusions on Sudan. This was the conclusions of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict on children and armed conflict in Somalia. This was the conclusions on Colombia.
AFRICA

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council will be briefed on several reports on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that are due by the end of September.

Maman Sambo Sidikou, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), will brief on the latest MONUSCO report. Said Djinnit, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region, may brief on the latest report on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework Agreement.

The Council will also be briefed on the strategic review of MONUSCO requested in resolution 2348 of 31 March.

At press time, it is unclear if the Council will conduct a review of the sanctions regime in October. (Resolution 2360 of 21 June called for the review since it was adopted before the final report of the previous Group of Experts, which was delayed because two of its members were murdered while conducting investigations for the report.)

MONUSCOs mandate expires on 31 March 2018.

Key Recent Developments

The violence in Kasai, the area in south-central DRC, continues. Intercommunal conflict and clashes between militias and government forces in the region began in August 2016 when the leader of the Kamwina Nsapu militia was killed in fighting with the DRC police. Violence continues in the east as well. On 17 September, a Tanzanian peacekeeper was killed in clashes with armed groups in North Kivu. Council members condemned the incident in a press statement on 21 September.

On the political front, the DRC electoral commission has said that elections will not be possible by the end of the year, the timeframe set in the 31 December agreement, citing logistical difficulties with voter registration, including the challenging conditions in Kasai. President Joseph Kabila, whose second andunder the countrys constitutionlast term in office ended in December 2016, remains in power, and his opponents accuse him of purposely stalling elections.

Felix Tshisekedi, the head of the opposition Rassemblement coalition, has called for widespread civil disobedience from 1 October, asserting that Kabila has lost all credibility in the eyes of the public and that elections must be held by the end of the year. In lieu of elections by then, Tshisekedi called for Kabila to step down, to be followed by a six-month transitional period. Kabilas allies have said that he should be part of any transitional arrangement.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a summit on 19-20 August in which it decided to appoint a Special Envoy to help the DRC prepare for elections. A SADC statement commended Kabila and other stakeholders for progress made in implementing the 31 December 2016 agreement and noted the challenges that have made it unrealistic for the DRC to hold elections by December 2017. The AU Peace and Security Council held a meeting on the DRC on 23 August after which it adopted a decision welcoming the SADC statement.

As a follow-up to the conclusions of the Secretary-Generals Board of Inquiry regarding the murder in March of two members of the DRC Sanctions Committees Group of Expertspresented to Council members under any other business on 22 August by Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security Peter Drennanthe Secretary-General has reportedly decided to send a team of experts to join DRC efforts to investigate the incident.

On 15 September, Congolese military killed at least 36 Burundian refugees in South Kivu who were protesting the expected repatriation of some of their compatriots. One soldier also died. The DRC government said it will investigate the incident.

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 7 September, the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee met with the newly appointed Group of Experts assisting it to discuss their programme of work and priorities before their departure for the DRC. The committee also discussed the tentative plans of its chair, Ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta (Egypt), to undertake a visit to the DRC in October. Additionally, he may travel to Brazzaville to attend a meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the PSC Framework Agreement, and to Dubai to discuss ways to tackle the illegal exploitation and smuggling of gold from the DRC and its sale in markets in the region.

Human Rights-Related Developments

During its 36th session in September, the Human Rights Council considered the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in the DRC (A/HRC/36/34). The report, covering June 2016 to May 2017, documented an alarming deterioration in the human rights situation, with violence in the Kasai region resulting in the deaths of at least 596 people, including 153 children, and the displacement of more than one million people. In the provinces of Kasai, Tanganyika, North Kivu and South Kivu, the number of militias and armed groupsincluding self-defence groupshas increased, and inter-ethnic tensions have resulted in a number of attacks on civilians, the report said.

Key Issues and Options

The key issue for the Council remains the implementation of the 31 December 2016 agreement. Another important issue is addressing the continuing violence in the east and the increasing violence in Kasai.

In the longer term, the Council will need to assess the findings of MONUSCOs strategic review, particularly in light of the security and electoral challenges.

The Council may choose to send stakeholders in the DRC key messages and adopt a resolution or a presidential statement that:

calls on stakeholders to cooperate and swiftly implement the 31 December 2016 agreement and resolve all outstanding issues so that timely, free and fair elections can be held in accordance with the agreement;

condemns the mass violence in Kasai and elsewhere and calls for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law; and

threatens the imposition of targeted sanctions against those identified as having failed to implement the 31 December 2016 agreement.

Council Dynamics

Council members remain concerned about the ongoing political crisis and agree that the publication of a clear timetable for elections is vital and necessary to avoid further tensions and possible escalation of violence.

There are divisions, however, on the importance of holding elections in 2017 as stipulated by the 31 December 2016 agreement. Some Council members, such as France and Italy, emphasise the potentially dire consequences of further delaying elections and will likely continue to insist that they be held by the end of the year. They maintain that the regional organisations should be asserting more pressure on Kabila to hold timely elections. The US has publicly stated that sanctions may be called for to spur actors to push for elections. Nevertheless, these Council members are aware that elections in 2017 seem highly unlikely. Other Council members, such as Russia and Egypt, assert that the timing of elections is less important than ensuring that they are peaceful and inclusive, and that Kabila and the opposition need to agree on a new realistic timetable.

The expected delays in the electoral process and continuing violence in parts of the country will also affect the content of MONUSCOs strategic review and its implementation. During negotiations over resolution 2348, many Council members were of the view that plans for downsizing MONUSCO and an eventual exit strategy are premature prior to the successful implementation of the 31 December agreement. However, the US insisted on a shorter time schedule to advance discussions of the future of MONUSCO.

France is the penholder on the DRC, and Egypt chairs the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON THE DRC

This renewed the DRC sanctions regime and the mandate of the Group of Experts. The Council renewed MONUSCOs mandate until 31 March 2018. This was a report on the implementation of the political agreement of 31 December 2016. This was a letter from the Secretary-General containing the executive summary of the Board of Inquirys report on the murder of two members of the DRC Sanctions Committees Group of Experts. This condemned the attack in North Kivu that led to the death of a Tanzanian peacekeeper.
Famine

Expected Council Action

In keeping with the Security Councils August presidential statement on famine, a Secretariat official is expected to provide in October an oral briefingon country-specific impediments to an effective response to the risk of famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria and to make specific recommendations on how to address these impediments. No immediate Council outcome is anticipated.

Key Recent Developments

On 21 February, the Secretary-General sent a letter to UN member states highlighting the global food crisis and the risk of famine in north-east Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. He noted that without decisive action over 20 million people in these countries faced the risk of famine within six months. While maintaining that the UN and its partners had comprehensive programmes, clear strategic plansand strong teams on the ground, he underscored the importance of further voluntary contributionsto meet the unprecedented scale of needs across the globe.

On 10 March, then-Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen OBrien briefed the Council on the visit he had recently completed to Yemen, South Sudan and Somaliacountries that he described as facing, or at risk of, famineand on the outcome of the 24 February Oslo donor conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. OBrien told the Council that the world was facing the largest humanitarian crisis since the UNs establishment. He commended donors who had pledged a total of $672 million for humanitarian aid at the Oslo conference and urged others to contribute as well.

Several Council membersEgypt, Ethiopia, France, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Sweden, the UK and the USco-hosted an Arria-formula meeting on 16 June on the risk of famine in conflict-affected areas in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and north-east Nigeria that was open to the wider UN membership, civil society and the media. It featured briefings by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed; Franck Bousquet, senior director of the Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group of the World Bank; and Andrea Tamburini, CEO of the NGO Action Against Hunger. During the meeting, discussion highlighted the hindrance of relief efforts due to access constraints caused by ongoing violence and restrictions imposed by belligerents, as well as shortages in humanitarian financing.

Following the Arria-formula meeting, Sweden prepared a draft presidential statement to cover key points from the session and further actions, with input from the other co-conveners. After several weeks of negotiations, the presidential statement was adopted on 9 August. It expressed grave concern about the unprecedented level of global humanitarian needs and the threat of famine presently facing more than 20 million people in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria. The statement noted that ongoing armed conflict and violence are a major cause of famine in these situations. It reiterated the Councils calls on all parties to allow safe, timely and unhinderedaccess for humanitarian assistance and to facilitate access for essential imports of food, fuel and medical supplies into each country and for their distribution.

On 21 September, OCHA and the World Bank co-hosted a high-level event on famine prevention and response on the margins of the General Assembly General Debate. During the meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that since his call for action in February to respond to the threat of famine in north-east Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, 60 percent of the $4.9 billion needed for urgent humanitarian operations had been received. However, he added, peoples needs in each of these countries had increased, more funding was required, and efforts needed to be made to influence the parties to conflict to allow for safe humanitarian access.

Key Issues and Options

A major issue for the Council is that the humanitarian needs in north-east Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, largely generated by conflict, remain significant. While the famine declared in Unity State in South Sudan earlier this year was halted, severe food insecurity continues to face some six million South Sudanese. Millions of people also continue to be at risk of famine in north-east Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen.

Since the Secretary-General is expected to provide specific recommendations on how to address impediments to effective responses to the risk of famine in these four situations, the most likely option for the Council is to wait for the briefing and to consider how to respond to his recommendations.

Another important issue is how to create synergies between the work of the Council and other UN entities addressing famine in conflict-affected areas. This issue could be raised in the informal expert group on the protection of civilians, for which OCHA serves as the lead within the UN system, under the broader context of improving humanitarian access. Members could also hold another Arria-formula meeting on the risk of famine in conflict-affected areas, to take stock of how the UN and humanitarian organisations have addressed food insecurity in the relevant conflict-affected countries since the 16 June meeting, explore best practices and shortcomings in their approaches, and develop strategies for the way forward.

Council Dynamics

The humanitarian impacts of conflicts have long been a major focus of the Councils work and are especially relevant today given the enormous global needs. However, dynamics on the relationship between conflict and famine are complex. Although the link between conflict and famine is a widespread concern, asserting this causality in the Council is sensitive to some members, as factors other than conflict and not related to maintaining peace and security, such as drought and poverty, also contribute to famine. For example, during the negotiations on the 9 August presidential statement, Russia expressed concern about whether famine was an appropriate issue for the Council and was uncomfortable with the initiative to pursue the presidential statement. This created a temporary impasse in the negotiations. However, Russia agreed to reengage on the draft statement after the UK and the US suggested that instead of a presidential statementwhich requires consensus to be adoptedthey would seek a resolution and thus compel Russia to either abstain or veto.

UN Documents on Famine



This was on the threat of famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and north-east Nigeria. The Council adopted a presidential statement expressing its grave concern about the threat of famine presently facing more than 20 million people in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and north-east Nigeria. This was a briefing on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Lake Chad Basin.
AMERICAS

Haiti

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council will receive a report of the Secretary-General and hold a debate on Haiti. The Council, through resolution 2350, decided unanimously on 13 April to phase out the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), draw down its military component by 15 October, and replace the mission with a new entity, the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). MINUSTAHs mandate expires on 15 October and MINUJUSTH begins operating on 16 October.

Key Recent Developments

On 12 July, the Secretary-General transmitted his report on Haiti, requested by resolution 2350, in which he detailed the process of drawing down MINUSTAH and transitioning to MINUJUSTH. He said that the final withdrawal of the military component would begin on 15 August and that force headquarters would remain operational after the repatriation of the last troops, set for 1 to 5 October, until the last day of the MINUSTAH mandate, 15 October. He reported that MINUSTAH leadership consulted closely with the government and high-level commanding officers of the national police to ensure that adequate security arrangements were being put in place, in particular in areas where MINUSTAH troops and police are withdrawing.

The report also outlined MINUJUSTHs key functions. In accordance with its mandate, MINUJUSTH will support and strengthen the accountability and oversight mechanisms in the justice sector, the Superior Council of the Judiciary, and the Inspection Unit of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and will also advocate the completion of key legislative reform processes. In addition, MINUJUSTH will provide capacity-building and advisory support for the effective functioning of the police, criminal defence and justice and corrections institutions, with particular emphasis placed on improving Haitian ownership.

The human rights component of MINUJUSTH will focus on strengthening the capacity of the national human rights institution, the Ombudspersons office, to operate as a reliable human rights accountability mechanism vis-a-vis all state institutions. This will include supporting the Ombudsperson to effectively and independently investigate systematic human rights violations and carry out public reporting functions. The mission will provide technical assistance and support for the capacity of civil society with regard to advocacy and reporting to human rights mechanisms.

MINUJUSTH will maintain a focus on the institutional and professional development of the Haitian National Police, within the framework of the polices strategic development plan for the period 2017-2021. The mission will provide expertise to senior and midlevel management of the national police. The seven formed police units remaining in MINUJUSTH will provide continued operational support to the national police in the maintenance of law and order throughout the country, includingwithin the limits of their capabilitiesthe protection of civilians. According to the report, the ongoing withdrawal of the MINUSTAH military and police components, including the closure of military bases in the northern departments and Cite Soleil and the gradual transfer of security tasks to the Haitian National Police, has not affected the overall security situation.

On 13 July, the General Assembly adopted without a vote a resolution titled The new United Nations approach to cholera in Haiti, in which the Assembly welcomed the Secretary-Generals intention to invite member states to voluntarily direct their share of the unencumbered balance and other income of MINUSTAH to the UN Haiti Cholera Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

The trust fund is part of the UNs new two-track approach to cholera in Haiti, which was the subject of a 3 May Secretary-Generals report to the General Assembly. Track one involves intensifying the UNs support for efforts to reduce and ultimately end the transmission of cholera by improving access to care and treatment and addressing the longer-term issues of water, sanitation and health systems in Haiti. Track two involves developing a package of material assistance and support to Haitians most directly affected by cholera, drawing on contributions from member states.

In the report, the Secretary-General called on member states to voluntarily allocate assessed contributions amounting to $40.5 million to a trust fund to support his new approach. The funds will remain unspent after MINUSTAH closes in October and would otherwise be returned to states. At press time, Belgium, Canada, Cuba, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovak Republic, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Uruguay had pledged to divert the unspent funds. The Secretary-General has estimated that the new approach will cost $400 million, but the effort remains severely underfunded. During a 14 June informal briefing of the General Assembly, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that because of insufficient funding, cholera response and control efforts cannot be sustained through 2017 and 2018. Mohammed used the opportunity to call on member states to contribute resources that would enable implementation of the new approach to cholera.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 5 July, the Human Rights section of MINUSTAH and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released their final joint annual report. The report highlights a lack of accountability, in particular the failure to systematically investigate the use of force and widespread illegal or arbitrary arrests by police. It also considers the vulnerable situation of women, children, LGBTI individuals, people with disabilities, and people of Haitian origin returned or deported to Haiti. In a statement on the reports release, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein called on the government to continue addressing human rights challenges in the country, in particular cruel and inhumane conditions in prisons and the reform of the judiciary.

Key Issues and Options

An ongoing issue for the Council is the need for MINUJUSTH to develop further the capacity of the Haitian National Police and to address the lack of progress in the areas of rule of law and human rights-related reforms, in particular with regard to criminal justice and ensuring accountability for past abuses, within its projected two-year operating period. The Council may need to closely monitor developments during that period to steer the mission to completion of its mandate.

Another issue is the lack of funding for the new approach to cholera and the implications for the credibility of the UN presence in Haiti. The Council could issue a statement encouraging member states to fund the new approach and call on relevant members to voluntarily donate to the new trust fund their share of assessed contributions that will remain unspent after MINUSTAHs closure.

Council Dynamics

Council members seem content with the progress Haiti has achieved recently. The presidential, legislative and municipal elections were all held in a peaceful manner and without major threats to overall security. Earlier this year, a new president, Jovenel Moise, was inaugurated, marking the restoration of constitutional order. This was the backdrop for the Councils adoption of resolution 2350, which authorised the gradual drawdown and closure of MINUSTAH by 15 October followed by the establishment of a much smaller successor mission, MINUJUSTH. While the Council voted unanimously in favour of resolution 2350, some members expressed concern regarding certain aspects of the resolution. Most notably, explaining their votes, Russia and China objected to the inclusion of a human rights mandate for the successor mission and its being established under Chapter VII. Bolivia also expressed reservations regarding invoking Chapter VII in the resolution, noting that this does not reflect the reality in the ground. Furthermore, Russia has also argued that some of the aspects of the MINUJUSTH mandate are not clear and would be difficult to implement in practice.

Council practice is that draft resolutions on Haiti are negotiated and agreed among the Group of Friends of Haiti, which comprises Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Guatemala, Peru, the US and Uruguay, before being circulated to all 15 Council members by the US, as the penholder.

UN DOCUMENTS ON HAITI

This was a resolution extending MINUSTAHs mandate for a final six-month period until 15 October and authorising the establishment of a smaller successor peacekeeping mission, the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). This was the Secretary-Generals report on MINUSTAH. This was a Secretary-Generals report that provided updated information on the implementation of the new approach to cholera in Haiti. This was a meeting on Haiti during which the Council adopted resolution 2350. This was a General Assembly resolution that welcomed the Secretary-Generals intention to invite member states to voluntarily direct their share of the unencumbered balance and other income of MINUSTAH to the UN Haiti Cholera Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon

Expected Council Action

In October, Council members expect to receive the semi-annual briefing on the latest report on the implementation of resolution 1559. Adopted in 2004, resolution 1559 called for the disarmament of all militias and the extension of government control over all Lebanese territory. This briefing has always been held in consultations.

Key Recent Developments

After somewhat contentious negotiations on the draft, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2373 on 30 August, which extended the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year. In the weeks leading up to the resolutions adoption, the US and Israel publicly criticised the work of UNIFIL and its leadership for overlooking the alleged upsurge in Hezbollah activity and an increase in the flow of weapons into southern Lebanon. Although UNIFILs mandate was not altered, the resolution instructed the UN mission to take a more proactive approach in ensuring that the missions area of operation is not used for hostile activities. In addition, the resolution requested the Secretary-General to explore ways to enhance UNIFILs efforts by increasing the missions visible presence, including patrols and inspections.

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca briefly addressed the situation in UNIFILs area of operations during the Middle East briefing on 22 August. He noted that military operations on the border with Syria continued and that a number of militants and refugees from Arsal in Lebanon had been evacuated to some areas in Syria.

On 19 August, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) launched an offensive on positions held by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in north-eastern Lebanon, while Hezbollah and the Syrian armed forces launched a simultaneous offensive on ISIL positions on the Syrian side of the border in that region. After several days, the remaining ISIL fighters were surrounded by Hezbollah and the Syrian army on one side of the border and the LAF on the other side.

In an agreement brokered on 27 August, the LAF, Hezbollah and Syrian government forces allowed safe passage for about 300 ISIL fighters and their families from the north-eastern border between Lebanon and Syria to ISIL-controlled areas in eastern Syria in close proximity to the border with Iraq. In exchange for this safe passage, ISIL was supposed to hand over the bodies of nine Lebanese soldiers who were kidnapped in 2014 and later killed by the group and to also release some Hezbollah and Syrian army prisoners. The US-led anti-ISIL coalition, which was not a party to the agreement, sought to disrupt the passage of the convoy carrying ISIL fighters towards eastern Syria. The US coalition did not strike the convoy directly because of the presence of civilians but destroyed the road the convoy was supposed to take while attacking some ISIL fighters and their vehicles as they attempted to assist the passage of the convoy. For several days, the convoy was stranded on Syrian territory between government- and ISIL-controlled areas. The government of Iraq and the US-led coalition have publicly criticised the agreement to provide safe passage for ISIL fighters, saying it would undermine collective efforts to fight the terrorist organisation. On 8 September, the US-led coalition stopped monitoring the convoy following a Russian government request to allow Syrian forces supported by Russia to make advances into ISIL-held territory in the area. Media reports have indicated that the convoy reached its final destination in Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria on 13 September.

After a military campaign in the north-eastern part of the country ended on 30 August, Lebanese President Michel Aoun declared victory over ISIL. Several days later, the commander of the LAF, Joseph Aoun (no family relationship between the two men), announced that the LAF would be deployed along the eastern border with Syria in areas that have recently been recaptured from ISIL. Furthermore, Hezbollah apparently confirmed that it would hand over the territory it controls along the border with Syria to the LAF.

On 5 September, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a massive ten-day military exercise in the northern parts of Israel close to the border with Lebanon and Syria. The military exercises involved some 30,000 IDF personnel from various branches of the military. The aim of the exercise was to simulate the response of the IDF to a potential attack by Hezbollah.

Issues and Options

There are several interrelated issues for the Council, with the main one being the weaponry that Hezbollah and other non-state actors possess and the flow of arms through Syria to Hezbollah, which directly hinders the ability of the government to exercise full authority over its territory.

The ongoing crisis in Syria, with Hezbollahs involvement on the side of the government, has contributed to this flow of arms. These circumstances pose a threat to Lebanons sovereignty and stability and contravene its obligations under resolutions 1559 and 1701, the latter of which called for a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. The situation also generates concerns about tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with the continuing threat of a resumption of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

Should the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel flair up, the Council could work towards defusing tensions by issuing some form of outcome that calls for restraint by the parties. Members could also request a briefing by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations that focuses on the impact that a more proactive approach by the mission to implementing its mandate as outlined in resolution 2373 would have on the security situation.

Lebanons burden in hosting more than one million refugees from Syria is also of deep concern, and in that regard, the Council could request a briefing by OCHA on how member states can enhance services to refugees.

Council Dynamics

The Council continues to demonstrate unity in its support of Lebanons sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, and of its efforts to insulate itself from the damaging effect of the Syrian conflict. The Council has been united in repeatedly calling on all Lebanese parties to recommit to Lebanons policy of dissociation from the Syrian crisis and to desist from any involvement there. As was evident from the latest negotiations on UNIFILs renewal, the US has expressed some criticism of the mission due to differing views on the threat posed by Hezbollah. The US has been advocating for a more proactive role of the mission in confronting the threat of Hezbollah. Furthermore, the US has been increasingly vocal about what it believes is the rising threat of Hezbollah and its proliferation of weapons. Most other Council members, including France which is the penholder and Italy which is a major troop contributor to UNIFIL, seem to be wary of the prospect of a more proactive approach by the mission, tending to believe that this could threaten the fragile calm in southern Lebanon that has been maintained for the past ten years.

UN DOCUMENTS ON LEBANON

This resolution renewed UNIFILs mandate for another year. This resolution urged withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, extension of the Lebanese governments control over all Lebanese territory and free and fair presidential elections. This resolution expanded UNIFIL by 15,000 troops and expanded its mandate. This was a meeting on the situation in Israel/Palestine.
AFRICA

Libya

Expected Council Action

The Council is expected to renew the authorisation for member states to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya that they have reasonable grounds to suspect are being used for migrant smuggling or human trafficking.

The Council is also likely to express its support to the action plan presented by the Secretary-General in late September and follow closely the UN efforts to jumpstart the political process in Libya.

Key Recent Developments

The central Mediterranean route from Libya to Italy continues to be the most active route into Europe for migrants and refugees. According to a 7 September report of the Secretary-General, the UN has recorded over 2,410 deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean Sea and 123,994 arrivals in Europe by sea in 2017. Since its establishment, EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia has rescued some 40,000 persons in the Mediterranean. Many search and rescue operations are conducted by international NGOs despite pressure from the Libyan coast guard and efforts to constrain their work, including through an EU proposal to enact a code of conduct that has been condemned by human rights organisations.

The Libyan coast guard, which receives training from Operation Sophia, has been criticised by OHCHR, UNSMIL, and the Panel of Experts of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee for its responsibility for human rights violations and even the involvement of some of its members in smuggling activities. Aggressive interception attempts by the coast guard have resulted in the capsizing of several boats.

On 25 July, the EU Council extended the mandate of Operation Sophia until 31 December 2018 and decided to set up a monitoring mechanism for trainees that would, among other things, ensure the long-term efficiency of the training of the coast guard, as recommended by a 13 December 2016 report by OHCHR and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

At a 20 September meeting on the margins of the high-level segment of the General Assembly, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined a comprehensive strategy and an action plan for the engagement of the UN system in Libya. The plan includes a proposal to agree in the following sequence upon:

a political package that addresses the amendments required to the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA);

the organisation of a national conference to consult with the largest spectrum of Libyan perspectives and consensually fill important positions;

agreement on a constitution once changes have been made to the current draft in light of the discussions at the national conference; and

holding parliamentary and presidential elections within one year.

This is in line with the issues that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNSMIL, Ghassan Salame, identified as outstanding in his 28 August briefing to the Council. In particular, he stressed the need to amend the LPA and reach an agreement on the legal and political significance of the end of the transitional period outlined in the LPA in order to avoid an institutional vacuum. The elements that would need to be addressed have to do with the mandate and structure of the Presidency Council (PC), the establishment of a national unity government separate from the PC, the authority of the supreme commander of the armed forces, and the role and membership of the High State Council.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In his opening statement at the 36th session of the Human Rights Councils (HRC) on 11 September, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein said that he is appalled at the horrific abuses migrants face after being intercepted and returned to Libya. Extrajudicial killings, slavery, torture, rape, human trafficking and starvation are only some of the abuses reportedly inflicted on migrants in both official and informal detention centres in the country. During its 36th session, the HRC received an oral update from the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in the country.

Key Issues and Options

Given the reports from different UN entities regarding the violations of the rights of refugees and migrants transiting through Libya, when renewing the authorisation, the Council could emphasise language regarding the protection of human rights, as well as respect for international refugee law.

The Council, which is expected to throw its weight behind the action plan, could discuss and devise ways in which Council members could support, collectively and bilaterally, the UN-led mediation efforts. The Council could also decide to follow one of the conclusions of the strategic assessment review of the UN presence in Libya and allow Salame enough political space to engage in good offices to bring about a settlement. Member states pressure to rush an agreement with imposed deadlines has not brought about progress in the past.

Council and Wider Dynamics

While the Council has expressed its unanimous support for efforts to reach a political settlement within the framework of the LPA, its members have so far been divided over the way forward to achieve a solution. In the absence of progress in the political process, several member states undertook initiatives to bring some of the key stakeholders together. With the momentum created by those meetings, the appointment of Salame and the increased engagement of the Secretary-General, in September, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2376, which supported the Secretary-Generals call to consolidate the various initiatives under the leadership of the UN and underscored the central role of the UN in facilitating a Libyan-led political solution.

Speaking at the 14 September meeting of the Council, Ambassador Elmahdi S. Elmajerbi (Libya) highlighted the need for international support to address the smuggling of migrants and expressed his countrys frustration at the fact that the need to tackle the root causes of the crisis was not included in resolution 2376.

The UK is the penholder on Libya, and Sweden chairs the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON LIBYA

This extended UNSMILs mandate until 15 September 2018. This was a resolution that renewed the provisions of resolution 2240 aimed at disrupting human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants on the high seas off the coast of Libya. This was on the implementation of resolution 2312. This was Secretary-Generals report on Libya. This was the meeting at which resolution 2376 was adopted. This was a briefing by Salame.
AFRICA

Mali

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council expects to receive a briefing from the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, followed by consultations.

MINUSMAs mandate expires on 30 June 2018.

Key Recent Developments

Although the two-year interim period established by the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali has elapsed, key provisions remain unimplemented. The interim authorities of the five northern regions are not fully operational, and mixed patrols of combatants belonging to the Platform and Coordination coalitions of armed groups along with the Malian Defence and Security Forces (MDSF)which have only deployed in Gao so farare not able to carry out their functions regularly. Increased tensions between both coalitions have led to repeated ceasefire violations in the north. On 20 September, the two coalitions signed a definitive cessation of hostilities accord and committed to agree on a timeline for the full implementation of the 2015 agreement. Little progress has been accomplished on key areas such as reform of the security sector and the cantonment, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process of former insurgents.

Contributing to the polarisation of the political landscape, a proposal by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to revise the constitution to strengthen the powers of the presidency was withdrawn in mid-August after weeks of protests. The constitution needs to be revised in order, among other things, to establish an upper legislative chamber and lay out a framework for institutional, security and justice reforms as stipulated in the 2015 agreement. As part of the forthcoming electoral cycle, Mali is expected to hold district, regional, legislative and presidential elections, as well as municipal by-elections.

On 29 June, the Council adopted resolution 2364 renewing the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The resolution did not substantively change the mandate of the mission, its posture or its troop ceiling. However, it incorporated some recommendations from the Secretary-Generals June report related to extending the good offices mandate of the Special Representative to support the electoral process and the constitutional referendum, as well as the establishment and operations of the international commission of inquiry, which was envisioned by the Ouagadougou Agreement in 2013 but has yet to be created. The resolution also specified the details of an already existing task related to MINUSMAs support to the redeployment of the MDSF.

A ministerial meeting on Mali took place on 20 September, on the margins of the general debate of the UN General Assembly. Participants at the meeting, which included Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President Keita and other high-level officials from member states and regional organisations, stressed the importance of sustained support by the international community for the implementation of the 2015 agreement and deplored the delays in its implementation, which negatively impact the regional security situation. (For more information regarding the operationalisation of the joint force of the G5 Sahel, please refer to the Sahel brief in this Forecast.)

On 5 September, the Council adopted resolution 2374 establishing a targeted sanctions regime on Mali. The resolution, which was adopted unanimously, imposes a travel ban and assets freeze on individuals and entities engaged in actions or policies that threaten the peace, security or stability of Mali (to be identified by the sanctions committee established under the resolution). This initiative is aimed at pressuring the parties to adhere to the letter and spirit of the 2015 agreement through the increased scrutiny that will result from the establishment of the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts.

Terrorist groups that are now part of the coalition Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin have carried out attacks against MINUSMA and French and Malian forces in the centre, south and north of Mali. Since the mission was established in 2013, at least 83 peacekeepers have been killed as a result of hostile acts, including six since June.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In his opening statement at the Human Rights Councils 36th session on 11 September, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein spoke about Mali: Any effective strategy to combat violent extremism must seek to address underlying factors such as poverty, lack of basic services, corruption, marginalisation and discrimination, and human rights violations committed by institutions that are mandated to protect the population. He also emphasised the need for all members of the joint force of the G5 Sahel to abide by human rights due-diligence principles.

Key Issues and Options

The Council has consistently expressed concern at the slow implementation of the agreement and the potential for a relapse into conflict. The Council could hold a frank and unscripted discussion, inviting the Secretariat, the mission leadership and Algeria, to garner support around a common political strategy.

Divisions within the armed groups and between the parties hamper the implementation process. During the visiting mission to the Sahel planned for October, which includes Mali, Council members could prioritise engaging with the CSA and, separately, with the parties, to convey a strong, unified message about the need to deliver in good faith on the commitments made in the agreement, as well as to explain the working methods of the 2374 Sanctions Committee.

The gap between MINUSMAs current mandate and the missions insufficient capacities and resources continues. A Council debate on strategic force generation planned for October constitutes an opportunity for the Council to continue its engagement in support of the Secretariat on this front. (For more information on this debate, please refer to the strategic force generation brief in this issue of the Forecast.)

In order to tackle the terrorist threat, the Council could add terrorist groups operating in Mali, such as Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, to the list of the 1267/1989/2253 Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Daesh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee.

Council and Wider Dynamics

Article 54 of the peace agreement included language inviting the Security Council to adopt measures against those undermining the implementation of the agreement and the pursuit of its objectives. While the Council had repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions, it had failed to have a unified position until recently. Despite the penholders readiness to table such a resolution in early 2017, only after the government of Mali sent a letter to the Council on 9 August requesting the establishment of a sanctions regime did some Council members decide to support this endeavour. Eventually, the resolution was adopted unanimously. In explaining its vote, Russia expressed its support for the resolution, although it noted its concern about the usefulness of sanctions and the risk of antagonising the parties to the conflict.

France is the penholder on Mali. The chair of the 2374 Mali Sanctions Committee is Sweden.

UN DOCUMENTS ON MALI

This established a targeted sanctions regime on Mali. This was a resolution renewing MINUSMAs mandate for an additional year. This was the meeting at which resolution 2374 was adopted. This condemned the attack against a MINUSMA convoy in the region of Gao, which caused the death of three Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured four others. This condemned an attack against MINUSMA near Aguelhoc, which killed two Chadian peacekeepers and injured two others. This was a statement on the terrorist attack against the MINUSMA camps in Douentza, Mali.
PEACEMAKING, PEACEKEEPING AND PEACEBUILDING

Peacekeeping Operations: Strategic Force Generation

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council is expected to hold a debate at the initiative of France and the UK on strategic force generation in peacekeeping operations. Expected briefers will include Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and a representative from a major troop-contributing country. No outcome is anticipated.

Background and Key Recent Developments

Strategic force generation for UN peacekeeping operations has been a longstanding challenge. The 2015 report of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (HIPPO) observed that the UNs force generation approach has struggled to get sufficient forces on the ground quickly enough and relies on under-resourced uniformed capabilities with little or no interoperability and weak command and control. It further noted the difficulties of mobilising specialised capabilitiesfor example, engineers, medical personnel, and aerial capacitiesprior to the deployment of infantry units. The report offered specific recommendations to the Council on this matter, urging members to support actively and through all diplomatic channels the Secretary-Generals efforts to generate troops and police. It further encouraged members of the Council who possess the requisite resources, including the permanent members, to offer troops in order to enhance mission capacities.

Institutional reforms in the UN Secretariat were launched in mid-2015 in an effort to address capability gaps, with the establishment of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS) and the Strategic Force Generation and Capability Planning Cell in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The PCRS was created with the goal of generating more predictable and collaborative engagement between the Secretariat and troop/police contributors through a clear process for pledging and preparing for deployment. The Strategic Force Generation and Capability Planning Cell was established to engage actively with member states to address key capability gaps and increase female participation; to ensure that deployments occur more quickly; to widen the base of troop/police contributors; and to improve the performance of peacekeepers.

Since 2015, pledges of troops and equipment have been made in different peacekeeping conferences to address force-generation gaps. Notable in this regard have been the Leaders Summit at UN headquarters in New York on 28 September 2015 and the UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial Conference in London on 7-8 September 2016. Pledges are also anticipated at the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial Conference, scheduled to take place in Vancouver 14-15 November.

With regard to Mali in particular, where the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali has faced considerable shortfalls in troops and enablers, a force generation conference took place in New York on 22-23 May that resulted in commitments from some troop- and police- contributing countries to address gaps.

On 20 September, the Council held a high-level open debate on reform of UN peacekeeping that included briefings by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the AU Commission; and Jose Ramos-Horta, who chaired the HIPPO. During the meeting, the Council adopted resolution 2378, which underscored the need to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of UN peacekeeping by improving mission planning, increasing the number of relevant capabilities, and reinforcing peacekeeping performance through training and the fulfilment of outstanding pledges of personnel. The resolution requested the Secretary-General to provide comprehensive annual briefings to the Council on peacekeeping reform, including updates on efforts to fill gaps in force generation, capabilities and other areas to enable more effective response to peace and security challenges. The resolution further requested the Secretary-General to provide the Council with recommendations within 90 days for filling these gaps, including through more effective and efficient training and capacity-building.

Key Issues and Options

One key issue is whether the Council can play a more proactive role in strategic force generation. Several current Council members are significant troop contributors, and some have conducted important peacekeeping conferences related to capacity-building. A possible option moving forward is to use the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations or an informal meeting format to discuss how members can work in a complementary and coordinated way to generate more peacekeepers and enablers and to enhance their capacities.

Another important matter is ensuring that missions are given realistic mandates, that they are supported by the necessary resources, and that the gap between expectations and resources is bridged. These have been key elements in the discussions related to peace operations reform since at least 2000. And yet, by and large, they have been given short shrift. As recommended by the HIPPO report, sequenced and prioritised mandates could be given greater consideration, where appropriate, when evaluating existing UN peace operations or establishing new ones and would help to fill the divide that often exists between resources and needs.

Council Dynamics

Although political, financial and bureaucratic impediments at times generate obstacles to strategic force generation, many Council members frequently express concern about ensuring that peacekeeping operations have the requisite capacities to achieve their mandates, an issue that was raised in the 20 September open debate by a number of members. Senegalese President Macky Sall emphasised the importance of well-staffed and equipped missions, especially in peace enforcement environments. UK Prime Minister Theresa May referred to the upcoming Council debate on strategic force generation, underscoring that not only is it important to secure more peacekeepers and equipment but also to ensure that the peacekeepers who are deployed have the right skills for the job at hand. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian emphasised that peacekeeping missions must be accorded the necessary resources to respond to crises.

UN Documents on Peacekeeping Operations



This was a resolution on UN peacekeeping reform. The Council took note of the recommendations of the HIPPO report and the Secretary-Generals implementation report. This was the Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations recommendations. This was a high-level open debate entitled Reform of UN peacekeeping: implementation and follow-up.
Sahel

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council plans to undertake a visiting mission to Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso to assess the operationalisation of the joint force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel), or FC-G5S. The mission will be co-led by Ethiopia, France and Italy.

Upon returning to New York, the Council expects to hold a ministerial-level meeting to discuss ways the international community can support the FC-G5S. At the meeting, the Council will receive a briefing from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discuss his report on the activities of the FC-G5S, including the challenges encountered in its operationalisation and possible measures for further consideration. The discussion will be chaired by Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Key Recent Developments

The Sahel region continues to experience instability. Over the past year, terrorist and violent extremist groups have increasingly spread from Mali into north-east Burkina Faso and western Niger. On 13 August, 18 people were killed in a terrorist attack at a restaurant in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and at least 18 were injured.

The G5 SahelBurkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Nigercontinue to work on the deployment of a joint force aimed at addressing the impact of terrorism and transnational organised crime. It was authorised by the AU Peace and Security Council in April, and the first joint operations are expected to start in October.

Resolution 2359, adopted on 21 June, welcomed the establishment of the FC-G5S, which is to deploy along the Mali-Mauritania border; the Liptako Gourma border region between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger; and the Niger-Chad border. The resolutions adoption followed a difficult negotiation over whether the Council should authorise the force and envisage the possibility of using UN assessed contributions to support its budget. Neither was included in the final text. The resolution merely welcomes the deployment of the force and encourages bilateral and multilateral partners to support it, including by convening a planning conference to ensure the coordination of donor assistance that is expected to be held in December.

Although the FC-G5S is anticipated to cost 423 million euros per year, so far only a quarter of that has been pledged by the EU, G5 Sahel countries and France. On 15 August, El-Ghassim Wane, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, briefed Council members on the forces outstanding needs, not only in terms of funding but also with regard to force generation, training and equipment, tactical support, intelligence and communications technologies, medical evacuation capabilities, and force protection. Other challenges include the potential impact of force generation efforts on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the definition of certain aspects of the legal framework and compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law. Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Permanent Representative Anne Gueguen (France) stressed how UN support for the force would be vital to ensure that the force carries out operations in a sustainable and effective manner.

On 9 September, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita inaugurated the headquarters of the force, in the town of Sevare in central Mali. On 18 September, a high-level meeting about the force took place on the margins of the UN General Assemblys general debate. With Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presiding, the meeting included heads of state of the countries involved in the force, French President Emmanuel Macron and high-level representatives of the AU and the EU. Participants insisted on the importance of delivering on the pledges made in order to make the force operational.

Key Issues and Options

The visiting mission is expected to travel to Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso in an effort to evaluate what the Council can do to further support the work of the joint force. Given that the US prevented the Council from authorising the force and that several Council members are opposed to using UN assessed contributions to finance it, the visiting mission is devised to make the case for increased UN support in order to address current challenges.

Resolution 2359 expressed the Councils intent to review the deployment of the joint mission in October. While there has been no significant change in Council dynamics, the visiting mission could improve some Council members understanding of the mandate and limitations of the force. The Council could consider issuing a statement that welcomes any progress reported on the establishment of the joint force and commends the commitment of the G5 Sahel countries and the support provided by the EU and France.

Council and Wider Dynamics

While members support this initiative to tackle the regions security threats, the Council is divided over the UNs role in funding the force. During negotiations on resolution 2359, the US and several other major financial contributors objected to authorising the force, in part because they considered it unnecessary but also out of concern about the financial obligations such an authorisation could imply. France, which maintains Operation Barkhane in the Sahel, supports the position of the G5 countries and the AU that the UN should consider providing assessed contributions. Among the permanent members, this position is also supported by China.

A 26 May Secretary-Generals report endorsed in principle a proposal for a process of joint UN-AU planning and consultative decision-making and oversight processes. While the Council has not embraced this option, resolution 2378 adopted on 20 September during a high-level open debate on peacekeeping, noted the need to further develop this work, in consultation with the AU.

France acted as penholder on resolution 2359.

UN DOCUMENTS ON THE G5 SAHEL

This welcomed the deployment of the G5 Sahel force. This report was on options for authorisation and support for AU peace support operations. This was a meeting on the joint force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5). This was the meeting during which the Council adopted resolution 2359.
AFRICA

South Sudan

Expected Council Action

In October, Security Council members expect to receive a briefing on the Secretary-Generals monthly assessment of the deployment and future requirements of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) and impediments to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in carrying out its mandate. The briefing will be followed by consultations.

The mandate of UNMISS expires on 15 December.

Key Recent Developments

The security situation in the country remains a cause for serious concern while the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. Violent clashes persist in almost all areas of the country despite the limited mobility imposed by the rainy season, in particular in the Upper Nile region and around Pagak, the de facto headquarters of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army-In Opposition, as well as in the Equatorias.

According to OCHA, the number of South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries now exceeds two million, and another 1.87 million people remain internally displaced. About 11,000 internally displaced persons have left UNMISS civilian protection sites since the start of the year, but UNMISS continues to shelter some 213,000 people at seven sites. The situation for humanitarian aid workers remains extremely dangerous, with 18 aid workers killed since the start of the year.

Deployment of the RPF, which was initially authorised in August 2016, is continuing. So far, approximately 650 of the authorised 4,000 RPF troops have arrived in the country. Ethiopian troops who will participate in the RPF are expected to arrive in October. Despite the South Sudanese governments stated consent to the deployment of the RPF, critical issues have yet to be resolved, including continued government resistance to the RPFs mandated role to support the protection of Juba International Airport. In this context, Special Representative and UNMISS head David Shearer met with President Salva Kiir on 6 September and emphasised the need for UNMISS and the government to work together and establish clear lines of communication.

South Sudan was one of three situations on the agenda at the 11th joint consultative meeting between members of the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Addis Ababa on 8 September. At the meeting, members of both Councils were in general agreement that the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan needed to be implemented before elections could take place. They were also supportive of the convening of the High Level Revitalization Forum by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), expected in October. According to the 12 June communique of the Extra-Ordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State held in Addis Ababa, the purpose of the forum is to discuss concrete measures to restore a permanent ceasefire, advance implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement, and develop a revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards a democratic election at the end of the transition period.

On 20 September, OCHA, Norway and the AU convened a high-level humanitarian event on South Sudan. On 21 September, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres co-chaired with the AU and IGAD a closed high-level meeting on South Sudan in the margins of the General Assembly to consider the revitalisation of the political process in the country.

On 26 September, Special Representative Shearer and Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairman Festus Mogae (via VTC) briefed the Council. Shearer emphasised the need for international actors to engage South Sudan with a unity of purpose to support the peace process. Mogae said that little substantial progress had been made in the implementation of key provisions of the August 2015 agreement, and spoke about preparations for the Revitalization Forum.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In his opening statement at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 11 September, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein remarked that [t]he country is being quite simply destroyed. He said that there is a critical need for accountability for violations and expressed concern over appalling levels of violence and sexual violence by all parties to the conflict [and] reports of arbitrary detention of people perceived to be critical of the government. He added that the Hybrid Court for South Sudan must be established and welcomed the HRCs decision to charge the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan with gathering evidence with a view toward prosecuting perpetrators. During its 36th session, the HRC held an enhanced interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.

Key Issues and Options

The immediate issue for the Council is how to support IGADs efforts to revitalise the political process, either by exerting pressure on the South Sudanese government and opposition to implement a ceasefire and embrace an inclusive process or by combining both incentives and disincentives, which has so far proved difficult.

Another issue is how much impact the deployment of the RPF, which is mandated to provide a secure environment in and around Juba and other areas in extremis, will have on improving the security environment in South Sudan.

The Council could consider adopting a presidential statement that:

strongly condemns violence perpetrated by government forces and armed groups in South Sudan and calls for an immediate ceasefire;

reminds the government of its responsibility to protect civilians, especially from atrocity crimes;

condemns restrictions on the freedom of movement of UNMISS personnel and obstacles to humanitarian access; and

emphasises the Councils support for regional efforts in pursuit of a mediated solution to the conflict, including its support for the High Level Revitalization Forum.

Council Dynamics

The Council remains divided on its approach to South Sudan. While there is general agreement on the gravity of the situation and the need for a political solution to the crisis, there does not seem to be a unified strategy for how to exert leverage on the parties. Some Council members, such as France, the UK and the US, believe that the situation requires a firm response, including the imposition of an arms embargo and targeted sanctions. In its remarks at the Security Councils consultative meeting with the AU PSC in Addis Ababa on 8 September, the US said that the IGAD revitalisation process was the last chance for salvaging the peace agreement and reiterated that if the situation in the country did not change, further targeted sanctions and an arms embargo may be needed. Russia, however, made clear at the same meeting that it did not think this would be particularly effective.

On 6 September, the US placed sanctions on three individuals: Deputy Chief of Defense Force and Inspector General of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) Malek Rengu, South Sudanese Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth, and former Chief of Staff of the SPLA Paul Malong.

The US is the penholder on South Sudan while Senegal chairs the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee.

UN Documents on South Sudan

This extended the mandate of UNMISS for one year and reauthorised the Regional Protection Force. This resolution authorised the Regional Protection Force. This statement emphasised the need for a political solution to the conflict in South Sudan. This was the 90-day report on UNMISS. This was a briefing by UNMISS head David Shearer.
Status Update

DPRK

On 4 September, the Council was briefed by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on the DPRKs 2 September nuclear test. On 11 September, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2375 expanding sanctions to additional sectors of the North Korean economy in response to the nuclear test. The resolution prohibits the import of textiles produced in North Korea, bans gas exports, and sets a limit on the exports of petroleum products and crude oil to that country. It also includes new tools to stop high seas smuggling of prohibited goods. Furthermore, it strengthens prohibitions on employing North Korean workers abroad and demands the closing of joint ventures with North Korea, with certain exceptions to be determined by the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee. In addition, the resolution freezes the assets and imposes a travel ban on one individual and three entities. Following the launch by the DPRK on 14 September of a ballistic missile which flew over Japan, the Council held consultations on 15 September. In the press statement, members of the Security Council strongly condemned the recent launches, condemned further the DPRK for its outrageous actions, and demanded that it immediately cease all such actions and comply with all UN resolutions. It expressed grave concern that by conducting such a launch over Japan, as well as its recent actions and public statements, the DPRK was deliberately undermining regional peace and stability and these actions are not just a threat to the region, but to all UN member states.

Visiting Mission to Addis Ababa

On 5 September, Council members left for a three-day visiting mission to Addis Ababa for the 11th joint consultative meeting between members of the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC). Ahead of the joint consultative meeting, the Council delegation had an informal briefing in Addis Ababa by Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the AU Haile Menkerios, Special Representative for South Sudan David Shearer, Special Representative for Somalia Michael Keating and Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Nicholas Haysom. On 7 September, the members of the Security Council and the PSC held informal consultations, which focused on the partnership between the AU and the UN, funding for AU peace and security activities, and post-conflict peacebuilding. The 11th joint consultative meeting took place on 8 September and covered Somalia, South Sudan and the Lake Chad Basin. The Council delegation also met with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, and with senior officials from the UN Office to the AU and the AU Commission. On 12 September, Ambassador Tekeda Alemu briefed the Council on the visiting mission to the AU.

AU-UN Cooperation

On 12 September, the Council was briefed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the AU and head of the UN Office to the AU Haile Menkerios on a 30 August report of the Secretary-General on strengthening the partnership between the AU and the UN on peace and security.

Lake Chad Basin

On 13 September, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman briefed the Security Council on the Secretary-Generals 7 September report on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin region. Fatima Shehu Imam, the Director of the Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, also addressed the Council, speaking via video teleconference. On 21 September, a high-level event was held on the humanitarian situation in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region as part of General Assembly high-level week.

Somalia

On 13 September, the Council received a briefing on Somalia from Special Representative and head of UNSOM, Michael Keating, on the Secretary-Generals 5 September report on Somalia and from Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for Somalia and head of AMISOM, Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira. Both Keating and Madeira briefed via video teleconference.

Guinea-Bissau

On 13 September, the Security Council adopted a presidential statement that, inter alia, called on the leadership of Guinea-Bissau to implement the 14 October 2016 Conakry Agreement. One day earlier, 12 September, the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee met to consider the Secretary-Generals 23 August report on progress made with regard to stabilisation and restoration in Guinea-Bissau. Committee members received briefings from Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS Modibo Toure and Kelvin Ong from Security Council Affairs Division.

Myanmar

Council members were briefed on 13 September by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman under any other business on the deteriorating situation in Myanmars Rakhine state. Following the meeting, press elements were issued in which Council members expressed concern at reports of excessive violence by security forces following the 25 August attacks by Rohingya armed groups on police border posts and called for immediate steps to end the violence in Rakhine, de-escalate the situation, re-establish law and order, ensure the protection of civilians, restore normal socioeconomic conditions and resolve the refugee problem. They also called for the government to facilitate humanitarian assistance and to fulfil commitments to provide aid to all displaced people. On 26 September, Council members were briefed again by Feltman under any other business. On 28 September, the Council was briefed by the Secretary-General in a public meeting.

Sudan (Darfur)

On 14 September, Jeremiah Mamabolo, the Joint Special Representative for UNAMID, briefed the Council on the Secretary-Generals recent report on UNAMID. The briefing was followed by consultations.

Colombia

On 14 September, the Council adopted resolution 2377 approving the Secretary-Generals recommendations regarding the size, operational aspects, and mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, contained in his 30 August report .

Peacekeeping

On 20 September, the Security Council held a high-level open debate entitled Reform of UN peacekeeping: implementation and follow-up, chaired by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, briefed the Council, along with Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Chair of the 2014-2015 High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. The open debate was based on a concept note circulated by Ethiopia. The Council adopted resolution 2378 during the debate.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

On 21 September, the Council held a ministerial-level briefing on the threat posed by the proliferation of WMDs and their delivery systems. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu briefed. All Council members spoke and most expressed concerns regarding escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and a spread of WMDs. In addition, Nakamitsu and other speakers at the briefing addressed Irans nuclear issue, resolution 1540, and other initiatives aimed at curbing the proliferation of nuclear arms.

Iraq

On 21 September, Council members issued a press statement expressing concern regarding destabilising effects of the referendum on independence organised by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for the following week. Council members urged both the federal Government and the KRG to resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution and through dialogue. On 21 September, the Council adopted resolution 2379 on accountability for crimes committed by ISIL in Iraq. The resolution established an investigative team tasked with collecting, storing and preserving evidence of ISIL crimes in Iraq which could later be used in criminal proceedings in Iraqi national-level courts.

Afghanistan

On 25 September, the Council held its quarterly debate on Afghanistan (S/PV.8055) which focused on the most recent UNAMA report (S/2017/783). Special Representative Tadamichi Yamamoto briefed the Council on the report and most recent developments. In his briefing Yamamoto noted that there is a renewed interest in Afghanistan in political engagements for peace. However, he also stressed that the security situation as well as the impact of violence on the civilian population remain the major concerns for the mission.

Counter-Terrorism

On 27 September, the Council was briefed on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts: aviation security by Fang Liu, the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and by Ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta (Egypt), who chairs the Counter-Terrorism Committee (S/PV.8057). On 28 September, Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, the head of the newly-created UN Office of Counter-Terrorism; Aboulatta and David Scharia, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate Deputy Head of the Assessment and Technical Assistance Office briefed the Council (S/PV.8059). On 11 September, the Council issued a press statement condemning the terrorist attack that took place earlier that day, near Al Arish in Sinai, Egypt, where at least 18 policemen were killed and three were injured.
AFRICA

Sudan/South Sudan

Expected Council Action

In October, Council members are expected to be briefed on the second of two reports requested in resolution 2352 on the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Members will also be briefed on the Secretary-Generals report on the status of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), also requested in resolution 2352. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Nicholas Haysom will brief on Sudan/South Sudan issues as well during the month.

UNISFAs mandate expires on 15 November 2017.

Key Recent Developments

The Sudanese and South Sudanese governments have made no recent progress in resolving the status of Abyei, the disputed territory along the Sudan/South Sudan border, which remains in administrative and political limbo. In the absence of large-scale clashes and displacements, the security and humanitarian situation has continued to remain relatively stable in Abyei.

With the failure to implement the 20 June 2011 agreement, which established temporary arrangements for the administration and security of Abyei pending resolution of its status, criminal incidents, intercommunal tensions, and the proliferation of arms create a continued risk to the relative calm in the area. The institutions called for by the agreement, including the Abyei Area Administration, the Abyei Area Council and the Abyei Police Service, have yet to be established.

In August, South Sudan declined to take part in a meeting of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) organised by the AU in Addis Ababa. Bimonthly meetings of the AJOC were agreed to in an outcome document signed by both parties in May, the first time the AJOC had met after more than two years of suspension, but to date no such meetings have taken place.

Against this backdrop of political paralysis, UNISFA continues to maintain law and order and a measure of stability in Abyei. Given the absence of the Abyei Police Service, the UNISFA police component has continued its efforts to support the maintenance of law and order through community-based interactive patrols and continued capacity-building of community protection committees.

There has still been no progress in agreeing on the removal of armed Sudanese police from around the Diffra oil facility, as required by several Security Council resolutions that have called for the demilitarisation of Abyei (with the exception of UNISFA peacekeepers and the yet-to-be-established Abyei Police Service).

On 15 May, the Council adopted resolution 2352, renewing the mandate of UNISFA until 15 November, while warning that support would be withdrawn unless Sudan and South Sudan complied fully with their obligations. In particular, the resolution decided that the extension of support for the JBVMM would be the final such extension unless both parties demonstrate through their actions clear commitment and steadfast guarantees for implementation of the JBVMM. The resolution requested the Secretary-General to report by 15 October on the mechanisms status and whether it had reached full operating capability.

Council members were last briefed in consultations on the issue on 9 August by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations El Ghassim Wane.

Key Issues and Options

The key issue facing the Council is whether Sudan and South Sudan have made any progress towards operationalisation of the JBVMM and the full implementation of the 20 June 2011 agreement required by resolution 2352 in order to continue the support for JBVMM. A related issue is whether the Council should move to add any additional pressure on Sudan and South Sudan in the absence of such progress.

One option is for the Council to issue a presidential statement reiterating its intent to alter the UNISFA mandate should the parties fail to demonstrate a clear commitment to resolving the current impasse. Another option is for the Council to take a more conciliatory approach, reiterating the Councils willingness to remain engaged.

Council Dynamics

Negotiations on the renewal of UNISFAs mandate in May revealed a divide in the Council between the US and Ethiopia, the primary troop-contributing country for UNISFA, on the current mandate and troop ceiling for the mission. The US appears to have been concerned that UNISFA is persisting longer than intended for an interim force, and that Sudan and South Sudan are taking advantage of the relative stability UNISFA provides to delay attempts to resolve the status of Abyei. During the May negotiations, Ethiopia, supported by a number of other Council members, argued that a reduction in the troop ceiling would undermine the effectiveness of the mission. This difference in perspective is likely to be reflected in any meetings in October on Sudan/South Sudan.

The Councils focus on Abyei has been limited in recent years, largely overshadowed by its ongoing and intensive engagement on South Sudan and, to a lesser extent, on Darfur. However, the upcoming renewal of UNISFAs mandate in November, and the focus on the JBVMM following the adoption of resolution 2352, presents an opportunity for Council members to direct renewed attention to the issue.

The US is the penholder on Abyei.

UN DOCUMENTS ON SUDAN/SOUTH SUDAN

This was a resolution that extended UNISFAs mandate until 15 November 2017. This resolution added a border-monitoring support role to UNISFAs mandate. This was the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abyei. This was a special report of the Secretary-General on the review of UNISFAs mandate.
MIDDLE EAST

Syria

Expected Council Action

In October, Council members expect to receive the monthly briefings on political and humanitarian developments in Syria and on chemical weapons.

Key Recent Developments

During their last round of talks in Astana on 14-15 September, Iran, Russia and Turkey agreed to the delineation and monitoring mechanism for a de-escalation zone in the north-eastern region of Idlib. While the details for its operationalisation are yet to be defined, agreement on this area had proved difficult given its geostrategic interest. Among the key challenges in Idlib is the difficulty of separating armed groups protected by the 30 December 2016 ceasefire agreement and other groups affiliated with Council-listed terrorist organisations, such as Jabhat Fath al-Sham. Three other de-escalation areas have been established since Julyin the south-western region, Eastern Ghouta and Homswith varying degrees of adherence by the parties. Another de-escalation area is being negotiated near Afrin. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has repeatedly emphasised the need to ensure that the de-escalation areas are a temporary measure and has highlighted the importance of preserving the national unity and territorial integrity of Syria. In September, Russia circulated a draft resolution among the permanent members of the Council to welcome the outcome of the talks in Astana.

Briefing the Council on 30 August, de Mistura expressed the need to extend the cooperation among external and internal players on the de-escalation areas into the political realm. He briefed the Council on how members of the opposition groups (the High Negotiations Committee and the Moscow and Cairo platforms) met in Riyadh in late August to develop common negotiating positions and explore the possibility of forming a single delegation. He warned that the government has sent strong public signals that indicate an exclusively military approach and a dismissal of the prospects for any meaningful political negotiation. He emphasised that only political dialogue can turn military advances into a sustainable post-conflict situation. De Mistura is expected to convene a new round of the intra-Syrian talks in late October or early November in Geneva. France had proposed the creation of a contact group made up of the permanent members of the Council and regional actors to support UN efforts to broker a political settlement, but disagreements over its composition led to a meeting of only the P5 on 21 September.

Regarding efforts to eliminate Syrias declared stockpile of chemical weapons, preparations are under way to confirm the condition of the last two stationary chemical weapons production facilities included in Syrias initial declaration. On 16-18 September, high-level consultations were held between the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Syrian government aimed at clarifying all outstanding issues regarding Syrias initial declaration. While the mandate of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism expires on 17 November, the US has expressed its intention to negotiate the renewal of its mandate before the release of the final substantive reports on two recent attacks, expected in late October.

Stephen OBrien, then-Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, briefed the Council on Syria for the last time on 30 August. In his statement, OBrien urged Council members to find a way to stop the Syrian people from paying the price of political failure. According to a 21 September Secretary-Generals report, the trend toward ceasefire agreements and the establishment of de-escalation areas has contributed to a notable reduction in civilian casualties in areas where agreements have been put into effect. However, violence against civilians persists, and military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor continue to have a major impact on civilian populations.

The offensive by the government and its allies on ISIL-held areas in eastern Hama has recently intensified. The security situation, administrative impediments imposed by the government, other deliberate restrictions by the parties, and the removal of medical items by the government continue to hamper the delivery of humanitarian aid, particularly to besieged and hard-to-reach locations. Russia has requested the UN to intensify the delivery of humanitarian aid to de-escalation areas. On the margins of the UN General Assembly, the EU convened a meeting to address resilience and stabilisation efforts in Syria and support for the humanitarian needs of civilians. At press time, the newly appointed Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, and de Mistura were expected to brief the Council on 27 September.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In his opening statement at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 11 September, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein remarked that the conflict in Syria has redefined the meaning of the word horror [and that] the continuation of this nightmare will forever darken the legacy of this generation of world leaders. He stated that OHCHR has documented hundreds of airstrikes and ground-based strikes in 2017 which have killed thousands of civilians across the country, at least a quarter of them children. Across the country, thousands of people have been deprived of their liberty and are held in facilities run by the government or armed opposition groups, where they are frequently subjected to torture or cruel treatment, including sexual violence. During its 36th session, the HRC held an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria and considered its report (A/HRC/36/55). The report, covering March to July, concluded that civilians throughout the country continue to account for the overwhelming majority of casualties; children and internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain among the most vulnerable to violence, such as in Al-Rashidin, Aleppo, where a car bomb in April targeted IDPs and killed 96 persons, including 68 children. According to the report, government forces continued the pattern of using chemical weapons against civilians on at least four occasions, including a sarin attack in Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, which killed more than 80 civilians, the majority of whom were women and children. The report urged the Security Council to support its recommendations, include regular briefings by the Commission of Inquiry as part of the formal agenda of the Security Council, and to use its influence with all relevant actors and stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive and all-inclusive peace process that maintains due respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. It also recommended that the HRC transmit the report to the Secretary-General for the attention of the Security Council.

Key Issues and Options

More than six years since the start of the war, the essential issue is whether the Council can rise above P5 divisions and exert leadership in efforts to reach a political solution. However, those divisions limit the options at the disposal of Council members.

The ceasefire and de-escalation initiatives have raised the expectations of many inside and outside Syria. A key priority of the international communitys engagement appears to be to ensure that these expectations are fulfilled, and that they improve the living conditions for the 13.5 million civilians in need without promoting a de facto partition of the country. As Council members decide whether to put its weight behind a resolution endorsing the decisions made in Astana, they could be informed about the operationalisation of the ceasefire and de-escalation agreements and consider whether the Council has any role to play in supporting the monitoring mechanisms needed to enforce the de-escalation agreements.

As international efforts against ISIL continue, an important issue is to ensure the coherence of stabilisation initiatives with UN efforts aimed at brokering a political settlement, so as not to create conditions on the ground that undermine those efforts. Some regional and international actors prioritise expediting the return of refugees to Syria. The Council could hold a session to hear directly from refugees and UNHCR and reaffirm the right of all Syrians to seek asylum and enjoy refugee protection until conditions are conducive for voluntary return in safety and in dignity.

Council and Wider Dynamics

As has been the case in the past with regards to Syria, Council members engagement has been limited to following the lead taken by key actors outside the Council. In late September, Russia circulated a draft resolution among the permanent members of the Council to welcome the outcome of the talks in Astana. When Russia previously circulated a draft resolution in May welcoming the memorandum agreed to in Astana, several Council members voiced concerns regarding the limited information available to them in order to make a decision, including on the monitoring mechanisms and the role of the guarantor countries in the enforcement of the ceasefire. While some of these details have been agreed to since then, some Council members are still likely to raise questions regarding the scope and functioning of the de-escalation areas in negotiating the draft circulated by Russia in September. The US has consistently expressed its concern regarding the role of Iran as a guarantor in this process and sees its own initiative in bringing about the south-western de-escalation area as separate from the Astana process.

UN DOCUMENTS ON SYRIA

Welcomed efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart a political process. Renewed the mandate of the UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism for a further year. This resolution was adopted unanimously by the Council and required the verification and destruction of Syrias chemical weapons stockpiles, called for the convening of the Geneva II peace talks and endorsed the establishment of a transitional governing body in Syria with full executive powers. This was the first resolution focused exclusively on a political solution to the Syrian crisis. It was adopted unanimously. This was on the humanitarian situation. This was an OPCW report on progress in the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons programme. This was a briefing by OBrien and de Mistura.
UNDOF (Golan Heights)

Expected Council Action

In October, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations will brief Council members in consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). No outcome is expected.

UNDOF was established in 1974 to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Its mandate expires on 31 December.

Key Recent Developments

While the ceasefire between Israel and Syria is being maintained, the environment in the Golan Heights remains volatile because of the ongoing Syrian conflict. On 15 September 2014, the majority of UNDOF peacekeepers relocated from the Bravo (Syrian) side to the Alpha (Israeli) side of the area of operations after the Al-Qaida affiliated Al-Nusra Front overran Syrian government forces in August 2014 in Quneitra, a Syrian district close to the Israeli-occupied Golan. On 14 November 2016, the UN reported an initial return of 150 troops to Camp Faouar on the Bravo (Syrian) side. A majority of peacekeepers remain on the Alpha (Israeli) side with limited mobility and insufficient equipment to carry out fully its monitoring tasks.

Violations of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces continue. On 19 September, Israel said it shot down an unmanned aircraft that entered the airspace over the Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it believed the aircraft was an Iranian-made drone operated by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which has been fighting alongside Syrian government forces. It was not clear if the drone entered Israeli-controlled airspace deliberately. In April, Israel shot down an unmanned Syrian aircraft after it entered the airspace over the Golan Heights. It also attempted to intercept a drone that entered Israeli airspace last year.

According to the 8 June report of the Secretary-General, which covered the period from 2 March to 16 May, military activity across the ceasefire line increased during the reporting period. On 13 May, UNDOF observed three armed IDF personnel in a vehicle in the area of separation near the Mount Hermon complex, which constituted a violation of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement. There was one incident of spill-over fire across the ceasefire line during the reporting period: on 21 April, UN personnel observed a high explosive impact approximately two kilometres north of the UN position. Evidence indicated that the impact was likely to have been a 105 mm or 120 mm calibre artillery shell from the Bravo (Syrian) side. According to Syrian officials, the IDF responded to the spill-over fire with air strikes across the ceasefire line in the Khan Arnabeh region. Also during the reporting period, open and government sources reported several additional alleged incidents of Israeli air strikes or air activity in the Syrian Arab Republic.

On 29 June, the Council adopted resolution 2361, which extended the mandate of UNDOF for an additional six months. In the resolution, the Council condemned the use of heavy weapons by both the Syrian armed forces and armed groups in the ongoing Syrian conflict in the area of separation between Israel and Syria, and underlined that there should be no military activity by armed opposition groups in that area. The resolution also urged member states to convey strongly to the Syrian armed opposition groups in UNDOFs area of operations that they should halt all activities that endanger UN peacekeepers and accord them the freedom to carry out their mandate safely and securely.

Key Issues and Options

Considering the security situation in the Golan, the full return of UNDOF to the Syrian side seems unlikely in the foreseeable future. This is a significant issue in as much as it constrains the missions ability to carry out its monitoring tasks.

An ongoing issue for the Council is the violation of the ceasefire on numerous occasions, including the presence of Syrian heavy weapons in the area of separation monitored by UNDOF, and Syrian and Israeli airstrikes. No military forces other than those of UNDOF are allowed in the area of separation.

The Council is, however, rather limited in its options for UNDOF. It was established as a Syria-based mission, and how it operates, including the use of enhanced equipment or new technologies, is subject to the disengagement agreement. Any changes require agreement by Israel and Syria, which is unlikely, as is any outcome in October.

Council Dynamics

There is general agreement within the Council that UNDOF contributes to stability in the region, given the absence of a peace agreement between Israel and Syria. The missions observation role has been limited since its September 2014 relocation to the Alpha (Israeli) side of the ceasefire line. However, the missions liaison function continues to be considered important in avoiding further negative developments in the region.

Israel and Syria value UNDOFs presence and want to see the mission return to the Bravo side. At the moment, the security situation on the Syrian side is still not conducive to full redeployment of UNDOF troops. Council members continue to support the eventual complete return of UNDOF to the Bravo side. However, they are mindful that this would require a favourable security environment, which is important for maintaining the confidence of UNDOFs troop-contributing countries.

Council members have expressed concern regarding the fighting in the area of operations as well as the tension between Israel and Syria along the ceasefire line, which has been exacerbated by the presence of Hezbollah.

Since June 2012, Russia and the US have been the co-penholders on resolutions renewing UNDOF.

UN DOCUMENTS ON UNDOF

This was a resolution renewing UNDOFs mandate for an additional six months. This was the Secretary-Generals report on UNDOF.
AFRICA

Western Sahara

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council will receive a briefing in consultations on Western Sahara. It will be the second of the Secretary-Generals semi-annual briefings on the situation in Western Sahara this year. While at press time the briefers had not yet been confirmed, typically the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General conduct the briefing.

Key Recent Developments

The new Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Horst Kohler, took up his functions on 8 September in New York, where he held meetings and consultations until 16 September. Mr. Kohler met with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and senior UN officials, representatives of the parties and neighbours, other member states and the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security. In a 17 September statement, the Secretary-General welcomed the intention of his Personal Envoy to travel to the region and stressed the importance of the visit to help re-launch the political process with a new spirit and dynamic, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2351. The Secretary-General had sent a letter to the Council on 30 May expressing his intention to appoint Kohler as his new Personal Envoy. Kohlers appointment, however, faced delays due to administrative difficulties and his appointment was finally announced on 16 August. On 7 March, it had been announced that the Secretary-Generals previous Personal Envoy to Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, had offered his resignation after serving in the position for eight years.

On 28 April, the Council adopted resolution 2351, which renewed the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2018. The resolution called on the parties to the conflict to resume negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith to facilitate a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution. It also called on the parties to cooperate fully with the operations of MINURSO and to take the necessary steps to ensure the unhindered movement of UN personnel in carrying out their mandate. The resolution reaffirmed the need to fully respect military agreements reached with MINURSO on the ceasefire and called for full adherence to those accords, and it recognised that the crisis in the Guerguerat buffer strip that began in August 2016 raised fundamental questions about the ceasefire and related agreements. The Council called upon the parties to demonstrate the political will to work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to resume negotiations and to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions, and it emphasised the importance of their commitment to continuing the preparations for a fifth round of negotiations.

The resolution also requested the Secretary-General to update the Security Council within six months of the appointment of the new Personal Envoy on ways in which the Personal Envoy, working with the parties, was progressing towards a mutually acceptable political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara; how MINURSOs performance measures were being developed and implemented; how structures and staffing could be reorganised to achieve mission goals efficiently; and how new technologies were being considered to reduce risk, improve force protection, and better implement the mandate of MINURSO.

Key Issues and Options

The main issue is that the parties to the conflict remain deadlocked and the political process has stalled because the parties respective proposals for the basis of a political solution as outlined in 2007 are mutually exclusive. The Council may consider ways in which it can support the new Personal Envoy in his endeavours to convene a fifth round of talks between the parties. Council members may consider how they can encourage the parties, collectively or bilaterally, to approach such talks in good faith.

Another issue is that the parties have significantly divergent interpretations of the mandate of MINURSO. In Moroccos view, the missions role is limited to monitoring the ceasefire, supporting demining, and assisting the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with confidence-building measures in the event that such activities resume after their interruption in July 2014; it does not encompass contact with civil society or other civilian actors. By contrast, the Polisario Front maintains that organising a referendum on self-determination remains the central element of the missions mandate, with ceasefire monitoring and other activities being subordinate to that aim. The Council could attempt to clarify the objectives and mandate of the mission, but this is unlikely as Council members themselves diverge on this question.

Council Dynamics

Council members are deeply divided on how they view the conflict. These divisions have rendered the Council largely unable to agree to outcomes on Western Sahara, even during successive recent crises. Following Moroccos expulsion of MINURSOs civilian component in March 2016 and the crisis in Al-Guergarat that August, the Council remained mostly silent because of the insistence of some members, notably permanent member France, which staunchly supports the Moroccan position concerning Western Sahara.

The African members of the Council do not have a common position. Egypt and Senegal have in the past worked to protect Moroccos interests in the Council. Ethiopia recognises an independent Western Sahara and supports the positions of the AU.

Among other members, Uruguay, which recognises an independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), has attempted to enhance the Councils role and oversight of the situation by requesting ad hoc briefings. Bolivia also recognises the SADR. The parliament of another member, Sweden, voted to recognise Western Sahara in 2012, but the Swedish government has not implemented this.

The US is the penholder on Western Sahara, and resolutions on Western Sahara are initially discussed among the Group of Friends (France, the UK, the US and Russia, joined by Spain, the former colonial power).

UN DOCUMENTS ON WESTERN SAHARA

The Council adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of MINURSO for one year. This was a letter from the Secretary-General expressing his intention to appoint Horst Kohler as his new Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. This was a letter from South Africa to the Council transmitting the Polisario plan. This was a letter from Morocco to the Council transmitting the Moroccan plan.
THEMATIC ISSUES

Women, Peace and Security

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council will hold its annual debate on women, peace and security and the Secretary-Generals annual report, due on 1 October.

France, as president of the Council in October, is expected to circulate a concept note ahead of the debate. At press time, a resolution was a possible outcome.

Key Recent Developments

The Council has continued to work towards implementation, to varying degrees, of the recommendations of the three UN peace and security reviews conducted in 2014-2015 on peace operations, peacebuilding, and implementation of resolution 1325. All three reviews underlined the need to increase and enhance the participation of women in peace and security decision-making. Resolution 2242, adopted on 13 October 2015, included practical actions to improve the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda in several areas.

Thus far in 2017, the 2242 Informal Expert Group (IEG) on Women, Peace and Security, established after the adoption of resolution 2242, has held meetings on the Lake Chad Basin (27 February), Yemen (23 March), Mali (4 May), and Iraq (14 June), with the next meeting expected to be on the Central African Republic. The meetings on the Lake Chad Basin and Yemen were the first 2242 Group meetings on those situations, with the others constituting the 2242 Groups third meeting on the respective situations since its establishment. The UK is the P5 co-chair of the 2242 Group, along with elected members Sweden and Uruguay. A summary of every 2242 Group meeting is sent from the co-chairs to the Secretary-General as a document of the Security Council.

In line with resolution 2242which expressed the Councils intention to invite civil society, including womens organisations, to brief the Council on country-specific situationscivil society representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, and the Lake Chad Basin have briefed the Council during country-specific briefings thus far in 2017. This is in stark contrast to only one such briefing in 2016.

Relevant developments this year regarding mandates of peace operations include the renewal of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan through resolution 2344 where most of the language on womens rights and participation was removed. By contrast, in resolutions renewing mandates of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (resolution 2351), the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (resolution 2352) and the AU Mission in Somalia (resolution 2372), new language was added on the importance of womens participation.

Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed briefed the Council on 10 August, following her 19-27 July joint visit to the DRC and Nigeria with the AU Commission Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Bineta Diop, Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten. Mohammed described the trip as the first of its kinda high-level mission focused entirely on women, peace, security and developmentwith the goal of promoting peace by advancing the equality, empowerment and well-being of women.

The ownership of the pen on the women, peace and security agenda within the Council has not been shared with an elected member and remains with the UK, and with the US in relation to conflict-related sexual violence. However, the inclusion of Sweden and Uruguay as co-chairs of the 2242 Group has helped to expand elected members voices in the shaping of the women, peace and security agenda in the Council.

Key Issue and Options

The key issue for the Council is how it will continue to take forward actionable recommendations from the 2015 peace and security reviews to achieve fuller implementation of the women, peace and security agenda in its own workin particular, how gender is incorporated into the mandates of peace operations and how gender issues are reported to the Council.

During the open debate, some Council members could focus on different aspects of implementation of previous decisions and how to achieve:

regularly inviting the head of UN Women to brief, in particular when considering a mandate to support post-conflict structures that should ensure broad participation and decision-making by women;

inviting womens civil society representatives to brief at country-specific meetings;

ensuring that the women, peace and security agenda is integrated into the Councils thematic work on counter-terrorism;

improving the quality of gender analysis by calling for gender expertise in all UN-led commissions of inquiry, transitional justice mechanisms, mediation processes and peace operations; and

expanding the designation criteria in relevant sanctions regimes where sexual and gender-based crimes and specific attacks against women are persistently perpetrated.

Council Dynamics

Familiar divisions in the Council emerged during the negotiations on resolution 2242 in October 2015, and in subsequent negotiations in 2016 on Council outcomes on human trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse, and on womens role in conflict prevention in Africa. China and Russia have typically resisted many elements that they interpreted as an expansion of the women, peace and security agenda, or perceived as infringing on state sovereignty or the competencies of other parts of the UN system. In this context, some Council members may be wary of whether a new resolution is necessary, given the adoption of resolution 2242, and whether it could potentially lead to another acrimonious round of negotiations.

Most Council members view this Octobers open debate as an opportunity to reflect on the advances and challenges that have emerged since the adoption of resolution 2242 and to advocate ways to consolidate gains.

UN Documents on Women, Peace and Security

The was a resolution that addressed womens roles in countering violent extremism and terrorism, improving the Councils own working methods in relation to women, peace and security and taking up gender recommendations made by the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations and the Global Study. This was the report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security. This was a summary of the 2242 Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security meetings. This was a summary of the 2242 Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security meetings. This was a summary of the 2242 Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security meetings. This was a summary of the 2242 Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security meetings. This was a briefing by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed following her 19-27 July joint visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria with Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Bineta Diop, Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten. Ambassador Tete Antonio, Permanent Observer for the African Union, also briefed. The Secretary-General and the head of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, briefed the Council at the annual open debate on women, peace and security where member states considered the Secretary-Generals latest report on the issue.
Press Release

September 28, 2017 IFRC EYES HUMANITARIAN PARTNERSHIP WITH ASEAN - GORDON To ensure humanitarian help for the most vulnerable when disaster strikes in any Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has proposed to forge a partnership with the ASEAN and seeks to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions. Senator Richard J. Gordon, currently the chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine Red Cross, said this was the highlight of the 14th Annual South East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent Leaders' Meeting held on September 21 and 22, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Gordon said the IFRC is proposing to enter into a partnership with the ASEAN, adding that they are now in close coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat to get the approval of the ASEAN Heads of State. The Philippines is this year's host of the ASEAN Summit, which coincides with the 50th founding anniversary of the regional organization. "With the intensity of disasters that hit our region, it would be to the benefit of the member-countries of the ASEAN to institutionalize the partnership with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. We would like the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to be the 'Partner of Choice' of ASEAN member countries during disasters," Gordon said. "We are hoping that the ASEAN will include in its Statement the approval or endorsement of the said Memorandum of Understanding during the 50th summit, which will be held here," he added. During the Vietnam trip, Gordon joined the ASEAN Red Cross Red Crescent leaders who paid a courtesy call on Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang during which the two leaders discussed the Philippine Red Cross and how it developed into the Partner of Choice in the Philippines. "It was a pleasure meeting Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang and discussing the stories of PRC and how it became the partner of choice," he said. ASEAN is a political and economic union of countries. It was established in August 1967 with just five members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Today there are 10 member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. ASEAN has since matured into a community focused on economic integration and growth, and consensus-building.
AKBAYAN SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS ON SENATOR VILLAR'S ACCUSATIONS AND DZMM RADIO INTERVIEW

Sobrang nakakagulat. Sa isang banda, nakakatawa ang akusayon. It's almost flattering if not for the fact that it is patently false. Sa kabilang banda naman, nakakalungkot dahil ang walang basehang paratang ay nanggaling pa mismo sa isang kapwa senador.

Paano ko sisirain ang Senate majority? Ako ay isang neophyte Senator na kasapi ng minority. Anong kapangyarihan na mayroon ako para gawin yon? It defies logic and reason.

As a first-term Senator, I treasure the partnerships I have built and sustained with my fellow senators regardless of membership to the majority or minority. I will not let some silly internet meme ruin that.

I emphatize with my fellow Senators who are the subject of attacks and ridicule in the social media. Ako mismo ay paulit-ulit na biktima ng mga online trolls dahil sa aking mga paninindigan. Let us collectively deal with the problem of fake news. Accusing fellow senators of baseless charges is unproductive. It is barking up at the wrong tree.

Itigil na ang mga walang batayang akusasyon na yan. Unless they can be substantiated with evidence, these accusations must stop. The sources of the intrigue are the ones destroying not only the Senate majority but the harmony between and among majority and minority senators.

I also believe that this could just be a distraction from the bigger and more important issues that the Senate has to address such as extrajudicial killings, police abuse, teen slays and charges of corruption. Sa mga issues na yan tayo mag-diskurso, maglaan ng oras, sipag at dedikasyon.
Press Release

September 29, 2017 Legarda: National Greening Program Should Support Industries, Provide Livelihood for Communities Senator Loren Legarda urged proponents of the National Greening Program (NGP) to support the weaving and biofuel industries in the Philippines by producing our own silk, cotton, and nipa mangroves in the country. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made the statement during the budget hearing of the proposed 2018 budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the implementing agency of the program. As of 2016, the NGP had already rehabilitated 1.66 million hectares of denuded and degraded forest areas and had planted 1.37 billion seedlings for agroforestry. "I would like to see the full potential of our National Greening Program. More than a reforestation initiative, it should aim to reduce poverty by helping provide livelihood opportunities to our communities. I would like to push it even more by addressing our need for silk and cotton--materials that we still have to import for our weaving industry," Legarda said. The Senator said that the DENR should cultivate partnerships with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) to produce cotton for our weavers; and the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) for our silk industry to prosper. Legarda also said to support the research undertaking of the Mariano Memorial State University (MMSU) on nipa mangroves--the sap of which is used for biofuels that could reduce up to 40 to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions when added to diesel. "We should be propagating our own materials in order to meet the demands of our own industries and research undertakings. The DENR should be converging with various agencies and consulting the communities on how the program could help stimulate growth at the local level," Legarda said. She urged DENR to look into how the program could help the indigenous peoples and mining communities, especially in providing alternative livelihood opportunities. She also encouraged the agency to look into establishing clonal nurseries in state universities and colleges (SUCs), where applicable. "The NGP could pave the way to attaining inclusive growth within our communities. The rehabilitation and poverty reduction aspect of the program should address the needs of our communities and reflect their aspirations in order to foster ownership and ensure progress," Legarda concluded.
Press Release

September 29, 2017 CLARIFICATION ON SENATE RESOLUTION 516 FROM ATTY. HERMINIO BAGRO III, CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF SEN. KIKO PANGILINAN Senate Resolution 516, that urges the government to exercise its power to stop the spate of killings, especially of young people, in the country, was signed by 16 senators as of Wednesday last week, September 20. The resolution can be accessed by the public at the Senate website (http://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2677823004!.pdf). As Senator Pangilinan wanted to gather more signatures, on Thursday, September 21, at 12 noon, we sent the copy through the publicly available (http://senate.gov.ph/senators/sen17th.asp) and official email of Senators Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Cynthia Villar, Miguel Zubiri, and Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III. This was done to inform them about the resolution and to show the number of signatures, and to ask them if they want to sponsor it. (See attached email screenshot.) Senator Gordon acknowledged receipt of the email on the same day. On Monday, September 25, we filed the resolution at 5:33 p.m. This was more than three (3) days since it was emailed to the above senators. On Tuesday, September 26, it was read on the floor, stating the title of the resolution and the names of the 16 co-authors. It should be noted that no one manifested desire to be a co-author of the measure. Senate President Pimentel referred it to the committee of Senators Hontiveros and Lacson. Clearly there was no attempt to keep or withhold the resolution from the seven senators. The Senate rules were followed. And most importantly, the Senate is showing that it cares to find justice for victims of all extrajudicial killings.
Press Release

September 29, 2017 'Extra judicial funding' needed to fight crime, boost rule of law-- Recto One way to fight crime and keep communities safe is through "extra judicial funding" which will modernize courts and equip public attorneys and prosecutors with the resources that will reduce case backlogs and move the wheels of justice quickly, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said today. Recto said "manpower and material" lack in the judiciary and in the Department of Justice should be addressed "if we want to bolster the rule of law, which is now being threatened by people and institutions tempted to embrace illegal means in seeking justice." Recto said the fast disposition of cases will also prevent congested jails from turning "into corporate headquarters of crime syndicates and as masteral schools for their members." And because it now costs taxpayers about P82,000 to house, feed, and guard one inmate a year, a higher case resolution rate will result in huge savings which can be spent for social services, he pointed out. He cited the backbreaking caseloads of Justice department prosecutors and public attorneys "as the best arguments on why their offices should be given a budgetary raise." "One prosecutor handles about 403 criminal cases. He or she attends to three court hearings a day, in addition to preliminary investigations, retrials, witness deposition, mediation, among others," he said. A public attorney, on the other hand, assists some 5,237 clients a year, and, at any given time, has 504 cases in court. "All of them lack computers, paralegals, law books and comfortable offices. Most use their own computers and often use their own money to reproduce the briefs they have prepared," Recto said. While there are 1,657 vacant prosecutorial posts, and the present number of 1,668 PAO lawyers is below the authorized ceiling, "there are no takers because of the low pay for the hard labor, and the only bonus one gets are 'unli' death threats." Courts are not faring well either in their running battle against lack of resources, Recto said. "Courts literally grapple with mountains of paperwork. Far from being magisterial, many courthouses now have the look and smell of an old bodega de papel," he lamented. Aggravating this is the lack of equipment in salas, Recto said. "Data processing, storage and retrieval systems are outdated. Support personnel are lacking as well." He said that based on the data released last year, only 373 of the 479 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts were functioning; of the 253 Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, 201 were operational; of the 367 Municipal Trial Courts, 289 were occupied; and of the 1,229 Regional Trial Courts, 166 were vacant and 204 have yet to be organized. Recto said equipment and building lack in both the judiciary and the DOJ is addressed in the 2018 budget, "but the proposed allocations are not enough." "There are many sectors competing for scarce government resources. There are needs like medicine, books, crimefighting equipment, which, in the belief of many, have to be attended to first," he said. Of the judicial branch's proposed P33.7 billion budget for next year, P2.85 billion is for capital outlay, which is the government budgeting term for new buildings and equipment. And of the DOJ's proposed P17.2 billion 2018 budget, P260 million is for capital outlay.
Press Release

September 29, 2017 Villar seeks DFA's help for OFW scalded with boiling oil; foresees deployment of first-time migrant domestic workers will breach the 300K-mark by end of 2017 Senator Cynthia Villar urged the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment to enhance welfare protection for overseas Filipino workers especially domestic workers bound for abroad citing the case of OFW Joramie Garcia Torres who was scalded with boiling oil and beaten up by her Malaysian employer. Villar urged the DFA to extend legal and humanitarian assistance to OFW Joramie Garcia Torres as she attends court hearings and pursues a criminal case against her employer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "We all should be proud and supportive of Joramie because she is intent on seeking justice under Malaysian law. While she cooperates with the Malaysian government, I hope that the DFA and DoLE can also assist her indigent family," Sen. Villar said. The senator noted that Torres was a grade school teacher prior to applying to work abroad as a domestic worker in Malaysia. The OFW is now under the care of the Malaysian government while charges against her Malaysian employer are pending in court. The Malaysian employer was arrested but was able to post bail. "I hope that the P1-billion in Assistance-to-Nationals Fund of the DFA can be used to better protect and help our OFWs especially hundreds of thousands of domestic workers living and working under vulnerable conditions world-wide," the senator said. Meanwhile, the senator expressed dismay over the unprecedented increase in the number of Filipinos being deployed overseas as domestic workers. "Why are we sending more domestic workers now than ever before? Last year, the records of the POEA showed that we have almost breached the 300,000-mark in terms of newly hired migrant domestic workers. We should focus our attention more in offering women workers decent local jobs rather than facilitating their deployment to foreign households under slave-like conditions," Villar stressed. According to POEA data, the Philippines deployed 275,073 first-time domestic workers overseas, compared to 194,835 in 2015 and 183,101 in 2014. "For the first semester of 2017, the POEA has processed the contracts of 124,969 first-time migrant domestic workers. This means we may be sending 300,00 new-hires as overseas domestic workers by the end of the year. I find this quite alarming because the intention of our President has always been to find better and safer means of local employment especially for our women," Villar said. Villar said cases of inhumane treatment and forced labor trafficking such as that of Joramie Torres underscore the need for the government to review its policy on overseas domestic work. "Are we sending out more domestic workers than we can protect? The Department of Labor and Employment through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration would have to review their existing policies on household workers because we cannot afford to see more "Joramies" stripped of dignity by foreign employers who think of our women as their slaves." Villar said she intends to file a Senate resolution calling for an inquiry into the rising number of migrant domestic workers and instances of abuse and maltreatment concerning these workers on a per country basis. "Indonesia has stopped sending domestic workers to the Middle East despite pressures from other governments. What exactly is the Philippine policy in relation to the deployment of overseas domestic workers? This is something that needs to be discussed because right now, the figures are quite alarming."
Political events in the Bay Area

Veg fest: The 18th World Veg Fest promotes health, social justice and sustainability through vegetarian eating. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 Ninth Ave. at Lincoln in Golden Gate Park. Tickets $5 to $25, children 12 and younger free. http://bit.ly/2xgD7A9

Grace Cathedrals Forum: Bay Area novelist and essayist Ayelet Walden will discuss the occupation of the West Bank as she describes in her upcoming book, Kingdom of Olives and Ash: Writers Confront the Occupation. The event will also include the photographic exhibit Palestine: Unlimited. The free event will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Grace Cathedrals Gresham Hall, 1100 California St., San Francisco. http://bit.ly/2xLk1mr

Politics and media: Longtime San Francisco journalist Tim Redmond discusses media coverage and the Trump administration. Event begins at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Richmond Meeting Room of the Sen. Milton Marks Branch Library, 351 Ninth Ave., San Francisco. http://bit.ly/2wJub72

Climate change: Monthly meeting of the San Francisco Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby will focus on how citizens can get involved in working to solve climate change. Begins at 9:45 a.m.

Black Panther history: Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin Jr., authors of Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party, discuss their book at the San Francisco Main Librarys Koret Auditorium. 1 p.m. Oct. 29. Information about this event and others noting the books selection in the One City One Book program: http://bit.ly/2eTr1mz

To list an event, email Annie Ma at ama@sfchronicle.com.
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Melvin Meyer stepped out of his Bernal Heights home Thursday morning, hopped into his car, and moved it around the corner so his wife could squeeze into the space in front of their driveway and unload some groceries.

Its a complicated situation, he said of parking in the neighborhood. We have people coming here and parking for various events, and a lot of the time we cant find parking. We drive around a lot looking for parking.

Bernal Heights is not one of the 29 areas covered by San Franciscos residential parking permit program, which was created 40 years ago to make it easier for people to park near where they live.

The program has barely been touched since it was created even as the number of people  and cars  in the city has swelled. But that may be about to change.

The citys Municipal Transportation Agency, after a couple of years of research, plans to test changes in two neighborhoods: northwest Bernal Heights, where Meyer and his wife live, and the rapidly developing Dogpatch. The MTA Board of Directors will consider approving a two-year experiment, and, if it works, the reforms could go citywide by 2020.

One change would reduce the number of permits allowed in each household. Currently, each residence can have up to four permits, though people can apply for waivers that allow them to have more. The MTA plans to reduce the number of residential permits to two per household and one per licensed driver.

The intent is to reduce the number of vehicles residents can park in their neighborhood. The MTA issues 95,000 residential parking permits a year in the 29 zones where a majority of neighbors have signed petitions requesting the program. Roughly 78,000 spaces are available in those zones and 153,000 households are eligible for permits.

There are too many cars and not enough curb in the city, said Kathy Studwell, residential parking program manager for the agency.

In Dogpatch, a former industrial zone undergoing a surge of residential and retail development, planners also want to test a mixture of residential permit parking with paid parking that would have no time limit for visitors on designated blocks. Under the current program, visitors to residential permit zones have to abide by posted time limits, typically two hours. The goal is to set the fee for permits sufficiently high to discourage commuters from using the spaces daily.

Bruce Huie, president of the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association, said the neighborhood supports the idea of paid parking on some blocks but prefers time limits to keep the flow of available parking, he said.

The residential parking permit experiment, which coincides with an overall parking plan being developed for the entire Dogpatch, may be controversial in a once-rough-and-tumble neighborhood unaccustomed to regulation.

Its all about the expansion of parking availability, Huie said. but weve always been sort of the Wild West out here with 24/7 free parking.

Other changes to be tested in the two neighborhoods include changing the way an area becomes a residential parking zone. Neighbors are currently required to collect signatures of 50 percent of households to join the program or from 250 residents in larger areas.

The MTA will eliminate that mandate and instead allow residents, businesses or transportation officials to start a process involving planning studies and other potential parking changes.

In Bernal Heights on Thursday, some residents, workers and visitors said they werent sold on the experiment but thought it was worth trying.

Ani Huayta, 35, a nanny who cares for two children in the neighborhood, said the program could be helpful to families and child-care providers who are able to get permits. Sometimes, she said, she takes Uber or Lyft to work because its too hard to find parking.

Any way they can make it easier for families to stay in San Francisco instead of moving to Oakland or the suburbs would be great, she said.

As for Meyer, who said hes opposed past efforts for residential parking, he shrugged.

I dont know if it will work, he said. Well have to see.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com twitter: @ctuan
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The enormous chunk of granite that broke off the face of El Capitan on Wednesday, killing a climber from Britain and seriously injuring his wife, marked the first rockfall fatality in Yosemite in 18 years, a fact that obscures how frequently the towering cliffs offload their deadly quarry.

The sheet of rock that landed on the two climbers at 1:52 p.m. was the first of seven rockfalls over four hours near Horsetail Fall, just west of the East Buttress of El Capitan, that rained 1,300 tons of debris into the valley and sent up a giant dust plume, park officials said.

The 130-foot-long, 65-foot-wide flake  between 3 and 10 feet thick  fell 650 feet before slamming into the cliff and breaking into boulders. Park rangers and a rescue team rushed to the scene and found a man and a woman lying at the base of the cliff, where they had apparently been walking as they moved toward or away from the access point for a popular climb known as the Waterfall Route.

In a separate incident at 3:21 p.m. Thursday, a person was injured in a rockfall on the southeast face of El Capitan, near the site of Wednesdays tragedy, park officials reported. The rockfall was significantly larger than Wednesdays incidents, and geologists are assessing its size and weight. The victim was flown out of the park to receive medical care at a nearby hospital.

The man killed Wednesday has been identified as Andrew Foster, 32, of Wales. His wife, who has not been identified, is being treated at a local hospital.

The victims, a couple visiting the park from Great Britain, were in the park to rock-climb but were not climbing at the time of the initial rockfall, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said. The male was found deceased, and the female was flown out of the park with serious injuries.

Foster was the first person to die in a rockfall-related accident in Yosemite since climber Peter Terbush was killed on June 13, 1999, as he stood below Glacier Point belaying his partner on a route called Apron Jam. There have been 16 fatalities and more than 100 injuries from rockfalls in Yosemite since 1857, according to the park.

Now Playing: A rockslide in Yosemite National Park on El Capitan killed one climber and injured another. Video: KCRA

The slab came loose 1,800 feet above the valley floor, about halfway up the granite monolith. It was not a recognized feature on any climbing route, but the accident happened at the height of the Yosemite climbing season, in front of several frightened rock climbers. One man, who was on the wall at the time with two others, told a rock-climbing forum that he watched in horror as a sheet of rock about 100 feet square flew by.

Greg Stock, the park geologist, said the slab that initially fell loosened the rock above it, causing smaller chunks to periodically break off throughout the day, with the last one cracking loose around 5:45 p.m.

What happened was fairly typical for what we call progressive rockfalls, said Stock, who worked with the U.S. Geological Survey to investigate the exfoliated area by helicopter. Sometimes that process can go on for days or weeks or even months.

Stock said a 2009 rockfall on a cliff north of the Ahwahnee Hotel, now known as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, loosened rock in such a large area that granite continued to tumble down for some 15 months.

The cause of the latest fall is under investigation, but Stock said it probably had something to do with the cold weather last week and warm weather this week. Swings of temperature, water getting into cracks, and ice melting and freezing all cause rock to expand and contract, producing fissures.

Stock said about 80 rockfalls a year are confirmed in Yosemite, with countless others unreported. El Portal Road, near the western entrance to the park, was blocked June 12 by a larger rockfall, though nobody was hurt.

The scariest rockfall may have been one that occurred on the morning of Oct. 8, 2008, when a slab of granite crashed into Curry Village, now known as Half Dome Village, flattening tents, snapping trees and forcing hundreds of campers to run for their lives in underwear and nightclothes as boulders bounced around them like hail.

Miraculously, nobody was killed, but park officials subsequently tore down or relocated more than 230 cabins.

Just the following year, there was a rockfall in that area, where boulders were falling within the footprint of where cabins were once located, Stock said.

He said there isnt much anyone can do when a rockfall happens other than run or take shelter behind the largest boulder available.

Rockfalls are a common natural process here, and they can happen at any time, Stock said, so people should be aware.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite
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Michael Stewart endured three months of night sweats, vertigo and weight loss before he finally went to a free health clinic in San Francisco.

Blood and urine tests showed nothing, so the clinic staff sent him to San Francisco General Hospital. Thats when the bills began accumulating  blood test, X-ray, endoscopy, two colonoscopies, two MRIs, two CAT scans and 10 days in intensive care. And the 48-year-old Stewart didnt have health insurance.

The full-time actor was thousands of dollars in debt before he even received his diagnosis: stage three colon cancer.

What he did next is something researchers say has become almost routine among the medically uninsured: He turned to a popular fundraising website to raise money.

His first pitch was 811 words.

My living expenses soared this year, he wrote on GoFundMe, the San Diego crowdfunding platform that helps people raise money for everything from art projects to cancer treatments. I come to this site as a last ditch effort to keep surviving this.

Nora Kenworthy, a researcher at the University of Washington who, along with colleague Lauren Berliner, has studied hundreds of GoFundMe medical campaigns, said the cost of health care is driving more people to fundraising sites.

There are a lot of people cobbling things together to make ends meet, Kenworthy said. The social safety net is not quite catching everyone.

Medical and health-related causes are the most popular category on GoFundMe, with more than $930 million raised from 2010 to 2016.

Weve now reached a point in popular culture where GoFundMe has become shorthand for help, Rob Solomon, GoFundMes CEO, wrote in his annual year-end letter on the site. What do you do when your neighbor has fallen on hard times or your childs classroom needs books? You start a GoFundMe.

YouCaring, a crowdfunding website in San Francisco, is the second most popular site for medical campaigns. YouCaring executives said they have seen a 25 percent increase in medical campaigns on their site since 2014. Jesse Boland, YouCarings online marketing director, projects the same growth for next year.

Stewarts first acting role was as an extra for the 2011 film Contagion. When the shoot ended, he walked back to his car and knew acting was for him.

I was pounding the steering wheel, saying, I got to do this again, he said.

When he got home that evening, he Googled how to be an actor in San Francisco and found SF Casting, a network of actors, directors and producers that post audition opportunities. Stewart applied and applied again until he started picking up regular gigs.

Acting totally changed my life, he said. All of the things I wanted to be as a kid, Ive gotten to be.

Stewart was virtually broke as he worked to make ends meet as an actor. Eventually, his medical insurance premiums got too high and he decided to drop the insurance. He had never been seriously sick before and didnt think he would need it, he said. So when he started experiencing symptoms in November, he waited.

Leah Millis/The Chronicle

The first time I had a symptom, if I had coverage, I would have gone straight to the doctor, he said. I was hoping it would go away in a week or two.

When his health started seriously deteriorating this year, Stewart stopped picking up acting roles. And when a few months later he couldnt walk without getting winded, or couldnt climb the ladder to his bedroom loft, he moved back in with his parents.

Now, Tom and Pat Stewart take care of their son full time. They drive from their home in Morgan Hill to San Francisco General, where Stewart has been hospitalized for about three weeks. They attend nearly all of his appointments and cook homemade meals to bring his weight back up. Hes lost about 75 pounds, leaving him just over 100 pounds.

If he wasnt my son and I just saw him, I wouldnt know who he was, his mother said. He looks so different.

Tom and Pat Stewart are retired teachers, living on fixed incomes and Medicare. When their son received his diagnosis, they didnt know what to do.

There was no way we were going to be able to financially help him, his mother said.

So when their son told them he was considering a GoFundMe page, they encouraged him to do it.

At first, donations poured in. He raised $7,000 in the first 10 days. All of the donations, ranging from $5 to $500, came from friends or family. People from his past chipped in  kids he grew up with in Florida and the South Bay, friends he hasnt seen for years, and fellow actors.

But now, two months later, donations have tapered off to just one every few days.

Ive been trying to explore other ways of marketing myself, he said. Ive more or less marketed myself to death to my friends.

Researchers say once a campaigners network runs dry, the only place to turn is strangers, and thats when the market for sympathy can get competitive. Because as the number of campaigns increases, theres going to be even less money to go around, Berliner said.

Seeming worthy of a donation can come down to how compelling a persons story is or the quality of his or her pictures. Crowdfunding websites include tips on how to have the most successful campaigns: an interesting video, frequent updates, a catchy title. These can often be the difference between a campaign raising $100 or $1,000.

Berliner and Kenworthy saw these factors play out in their study of GoFundMe medical campaigns. Successful campaigns were largely based on the strength of the persons network  how many people they knew and how many friends and acquaintances were willing to share the campaign on their own social media. And those who could describe their medical needs in not only a clear way, but in an interesting way, received the most money.

San Francisco resident Dennis Disbot positions himself in the successful category. He raised more than $50,000 on YouCaring after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer in 2015.

He had a compelling story to start. Hours before his scheduled surgery to remove his tumor, his pregnant wife went into labor. After he rescheduled it a few days later, his newborn son, Theo, was admitted to the hospital for jaundice. Disbot finally checked into the hospital for his surgery as his wife and son were leaving from Theos stay.

After doctors removed his tumor, Disbot started chemotherapy to clear the cancerous cells in his bloodstream. Bills were piling up when he started his fundraising campaign in November 2016.

A friend who worked for a film crew offered to create a video to tell their story. The professional quality of the video paired with Disbots story is what made the campaign so successful, he said.

Donors connected with him through the video, which was shared widely on social media. Disbot did have health insurance, but the campaign helped cover unforeseen costs  hearing aids when the treatment caused a constant buzzing in his ears, and child care when he and his wife couldnt be there for Theo.

Before we went to YouCaring, we were scraping the barrel, he said. I only wish I had asked for help sooner.

Not only did Disbots video help connect him with strangers, it also added veracity to his campaign. With multiple cases of people using crowdfunding to make money from fake illnesses or projects, donors could be more sure Disbot was telling the truth.

Crowdfunding websites GoFundMe and YouCaring do not guarantee that all campaigns are legitimate. Both websites rely on users to flag campaigns they find suspicious, but state directly on their websites there is no way to completely verify the truthfulness of a users claims.

GoFundMes website states that fraudulent campaigns make up less than one-tenth of 1 percent of all campaigns  a minuscule portion of the hundreds of thousands of campaigns on the site.

When Stewart updates his GoFundMe page, he almost always includes a picture from before this all started. Photos of him as a baby, sailing on a boat in Hawaii, or when he was on set, acting in San Francisco.

Im a little slow and (it) takes some effort to rise out of chair, climb the stairs or get out of a small car, Stewart wrote in his seventh update. But that will change.

Below it is a photo of Stewart from 2011, when his 6-foot-2 frame weighed 180 pounds, not 104. In the picture, roles are reversed. He stands over a hospital bed wearing scrubs and a stethoscope instead of lying on it under a thin, white blanket.

Leah Millis/The Chronicle

Its hard to ask for help, he said. Swallowing your pride and holding out your hand isnt easy. But Stewart felt he had few options.

He recently applied and was approved for Medi-Cal, but is unsure how much it will cover. Meanwhile, he has raised almost $9,000 of his $35,000 goal.

Ive reached the end of my audience, Stewart said. At least I know that the amount Ive raised right now will take a lot of weight off my back for the next few months.

The money will not only pay for his treatment but also help him keep his apartment on Potrero Hill. Rent and other basic expenses cost him about $1,750 a month.

He has had chemotherapy but needs radiation therapy. Complications  a blood clot, a burst abscess and emergency surgeries  have delayed the start of his radiation. He is recovering at San Francisco General Hospital from a bone-deep wound after an abscess burst near his tumor. And more charges add up every day.

Any amount is appreciated as always and thank you for all those that showed their support and generosity, he wrote in his latest GoFundMe update.

The photo underneath shows a 25-year-old Stewart looking into the viewfinder of a camera. He has long, blond hair and a white bandanna around his head. The camera lens is pointed at lava flows in Hawaii, where he worked as a volcano photographer in the 1990s. He bought a one-way ticket at 22 and he didnt leave for 20 years.

He said those years were the best of his life  before he worried about cancer, radiation treatment or how hes going to pay for it all.

And its where he plans to go when he beats the cancer.

Alison Graham is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: agraham@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @alisonkgraham
San Francisco lawmakers are beginning to take a hard look at the long-term consequences of the citys abundant use of budget set-asides  voter-approved ballot measures that mandate how the government spends money on specific projects.

Since the mid-1990s, the amount of money San Francisco has allocated based on voter-adopted initiatives has ballooned dramatically, according to a report compiled by the city controllers office. That has alarmed some city supervisors.

In the next five years, the report said, San Francisco will spend $1.6 billion on set-asides 30 percent of the citys $5 billion general fund, its primary source of discretionary funding. Self-supporting departments such as the airport comprise the remainder of the citys $10.1 billion budget.

Thats a sharp increase from just over a decade ago. By comparison, in the 1994-95 fiscal year city spending on set-aside initiatives was $200 million, according to the report.

At a hearing before the Budget and Finance Committee Tuesday, Supervisors Katy Tang and Aaron Peskin expressed concern about constraints the set-asides place on policymakers as budget priorities shift year to year.

While set-asides provide a fixed amount of funding for essential city services, like transportation and libraries, once funding is locked up by the voters, city officials are essentially powerless to make adjustments, Tang said.

Future boards of supervisors and mayors essentially have their hands tied for many of these measures, she said. We dont have the ability to be flexible in these funding decisions.

San Francisco currently has 19 set-aside mandates, far more than any other large city in the state, according to the controllers office. In fact, local governments in the rest of California have a total of 10 similar funding requirements.

For comparison to other cities, Los Angeles has two adopted requirements, San Diego has one and San Jose has none, the controllers report said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Most of San Franciscos set-aside requirements  nearly $418 million  are allocated for the Municipal Transportation Agency.

All of the set-asides are for remarkably worthy causes, but it really constrains the city, the Board of Supervisors and the mayor from being able to make tough decisions on an annual basis, Peskin said. Its the easy way out  it doesnt require us to look for new sources of revenues and it constrains the ability to govern and allocate money in the best and most mature way thats most responsive to the needs of the day.

City officials on Tuesday briefly discussed placing expiration dates on all existing set-asides, which would allow legislators to reconsider spending mandates after a period of time. Such a move would have to be approved by voters. Currently, only 10 of the citys 19 set-asides have fixed expiration dates.

My goal is to work on a set of policies to address our spending set-asides, Tang said.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa
Furniture giant Ikeas decision to buy the popular on-demand service TaskRabbit may seem like a natural move: Ikea sells furniture that needs to be built, and TaskRabbit offers the people to do it.

But analysts say this deal, which was confirmed by the companies Thursday, tells a deeper story about what retailers need to do to survive as more people shop online.

Ikeas reasons for purchasing TaskRabbit may go well beyond the gains of having that company in-house for purposes of delivery and assembly, said Ryan Calo, an assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Law, who has written about the sharing economy.

You never know what these new marriages with tech companies are going to yield, he added.

San Franciscos TaskRabbit, which allows users to pay for other people to do tasks like building furniture or standing in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, is one of the best-known startups in the gig economy, in which companies connect independent workers to jobs.

It already had a partnership with Ikea, which is Swedish, to offer furniture assembly to its customers in Britain. But this deal, which is expected to close next month, will give Ikea total ownership. In a statement, Ikea CEO Jesper Brodin said it will help make customers lives a little bit easier.

We will be able to learn from TaskRabbits digital expertise, while also providing Ikea customers additional ways to access flexible and affordable service solutions to meet the needs of todays customer, Brodin said.

The specifics of the deal  including the price  were not immediately available. But Ikea said TaskRabbit will become an independent subsidiary, and that CEO Stacy Brown-Philpot and other employees would remain in San Francisco.

Competition has been mounting for Ikea from rivals such as Amazon, which has also ramped up its offerings in home goods and installations.

The acquisitions marks the latest alliance between brick-and-mortar companies and those that offer on-demand services. Countless brick-and-mortar retailers have partnered with delivery startups, such as Postmates and Instacart, to ease online shopping and home deliveries. Restaurants and fast-food chains have partnered with delivery services like Uber Eats, Grubhub and Doordash to offer home and office deliveries. In June, Amazon upended the grocery world by announcing it would buy Whole Foods; that deal was finalized in August.

I see the acquisition of TaskRabbit by Ikea as part of a broader trend, where firms enhance the value to their customers by offering additional services, with these services provided by a third party, said Saif Benjaafar, director of the University of Minnesotas Initiative on the Sharing Economy.

With this acquisition, Ikea may now have access to TaskRabbits trove of data and information on user behavior. Its like buying a thousand anthropologists, who can say things like, It looks like this population of urban, women Millennials are always asking for this task  could we sell a product that meets that need? Calo said.

Bob Hetu, a research director for Gartner focused on the retail industry, said deals between retailers and tech startups will likely become increasingly common.

The idea here is that retailers need to offer more services for consumers, and there are logical extensions to that service environment, Hetu said. Its a good illustration of where were going.
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If a major disaster were to hit San Francisco, wed probably first turn to our phones  our hyperconnected link to the outside world.

Yet for a number of all-too-human reasons, those devices may prove far less useful in an emergency than they could be.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Thursday pointed out a flaw in Apples iPhones: The phones cannot receive FM radio signals and Pai believes Apple is refusing to activate a chip that would enable the feature. It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first, Pai said.

Currently, local officials tool for sending out urgent messages to smartphones is the federal Wireless Emergency Alert system. Distinct from text messages and app notifications, the alert system lets officials target warnings to specific geographical areas. The system is also used for Amber Alert missing-child warnings.

While its not affected by network congestion caused by a flood of calls or text messages, the system relies on the existing infrastructure of cellular towers, which is vulnerable to storms and physical damage. St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands lost Internet access and phone service this week after a generator powering a cell phone tower was stolen.

In disaster zones and rural areas, radio broadcasts could reach people when cellular networks are weak or missing, officials involved in emergency preparedness say.

Even when cell phone networks are working well, theres another obstacle that those responsible for managing emergencies may create themselves: People may turn a deaf ear to too-frequent or ill-conceived alerts  or turn them off altogether.

Smartphone owners can opt out of almost all government alerts. Only messages sent by the president can override that choice.

The pressure on Apple and other phone-makers to add radio support comes as parts of the nation reel from devastating storms, prompting discussions about improving communications with people in danger.

In hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, radio broadcasts are playing a vital role, said Joe Hillis, operations director for the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center. One Univision radio station in Puerto Rico continued to broadcast even as Hurricane Maria tore the roof off its building.

Emergency instructions such as whether to shelter in place or evacuate an area could mean the difference between life and death, Hillis said in an email.

Local radio also provides information to people traveling through an unfamiliar area, such as flooded roads, said Dianna Bryant, an associate professor of crisis and disaster management at the University of Central Missouri. Global Internet radio stations mostly playing music wont do that, she pointed out.

Many smartphones have radio tuners inside them, but some manufacturers  Apple is the most notable  have refused to support them in the phones hardware and software. Several major Android smartphone makers, including Samsung, HTC and LG have activated the FM chips in their phones.

Apple said in a statement that its newer iPhone 7 and 8 models lack chips and antennas to receive FM signals. It is not possible to enable FM reception in these products, Apple said. The company did not address whether earlier models have an FM chip. Its not clear if Apple could turn on a radio feature in those models through a software update or if changes to the hardware would be necessary to add radio.

Some experts speculated Apple may be skipping FM radio because it might discourage people from signing up for Apple Music, its $9.99-per-month service that streams songs over the Internet.

The last thing they would want is to create a competition in a space where they think they can own it, said Paul Brenner, president of NextRadio, maker of a free app that connects users to local radio stations.

If wireless networks are down, users can still use NextRadios app to access the radio tuners in their smartphones. Brenner says usage went up in the areas affected by the recent hurricanes.

San Francisco faced a tempest-in-a-text-message emergency of its own making on Wednesday when the city sent, for the first time, emergency alerts to tens of thousands of mobile phone users warning them about a hardly menacing heat wave, when the weather was a full 20 degrees cooler than the Sept. 1 record-setting 106-degree scorcher.

Not all residents were thrilled to get the message.

Got an EXTREME TEXT ALERT, annoying sound and all, warning me about the heat in SF, tweeted Ryan Scott, an editorial director at Geekbox Media on Wednesday, saying the high temperature was 87 degrees where he was located. Yall are lightweights, Scott commented.

Some residents complained on Twitter that they got the alert more than once. Officials with the citys Department of Emergency Management said they were looking into the cause.

Whenever you trigger some sort of system ... the receptiveness of it varies according to a persons needs, said Kristin Hogan, a department spokeswoman. The aim of sending the alert was to encourage people to check on their neighbors and reach people who might not be aware of the heat danger, she said.

Theres some evidence that the alert was counterproductive. On Google, searches in the Bay Area for turn off alert and turn off Amber Alert surged Wednesday morning right after the heat warning was sent.

Hogan said the city does not want people to opt out of receiving emergency alerts.

Part of the challenge is figuring out the appropriate balance for how often people want to receive emergency information, said Bryant, the Missouri professor.

Too frequently means that people are irritated and they dont like it, Bryant said. If they are not frequent enough, you dont know what it is.

Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @thewendylee
A 14-year-old student was stabbed in San Jose Thursday morning at Overfelt High School, and two youths were quickly arrested in connection with the attack, authorities said.

The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
A 36-year-old former youth probation counselor for Santa Clara County was arrested Thursday on suspicion of having sex with two inmates at a boys ranch in Morgan Hill.

Tricia Caparra will be charged with 15 felonies counts in connection with the assaults last year on the two teenagers  one of them a minor  at William F. James Boys Ranch, according to a statement from the probation department.

Chief probation officer Laura Garnette said she was appalled to learn of this employees alleged abuse of a minor in our care.

According to the probation department, Caparra was placed on leave last year after allegations of the assault were reported. She resigned in July.

This employee violated the trust placed in our department. This will not be tolerated, Garnette said. Our probation staff have worked compassionately to support both of these youth throughout this ordeal.

The charges include having sex with a consenting adult inmate or ward, having unlawful sex with a minor and oral copulation with a minor. In addition, she will be charged with illegally obtaining computer data, according to a statement from the Santa Clara County district attorneys office.

Caparra, a nine-year veteran with Santa Clara County who earned $101,000 last year as a probation counselor, will be arraigned on the charges Friday afternoon in San Jose, the district attorneys office said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The probation department said it is taking steps to prevent similar sexual assaults, but did not say what they were.

The James ranch has 96 beds and offers work programs, job training and counseling.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF
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As Sunsara Taylor stood on the steps of Sproul Hall on UC Berkeleys campus Sunday, she held a protest sign high above her head.

Police officers circled Taylor and two others, forcing them to the ground as Taylor and her companions chanted in unison.

No fascist USA. No fascist USA. No fascist USA.

Taylor, who was wearing a tank top with NO! printed on the front, was ejected from Sproul Plaza  for allegedly sitting on a barricade  shortly before Milo Yiannopoulos 15-minute appearance, his most masterful troll yet.

But I didnt see Taylors ejection as it happened.

Taylor showed me the video of her brief detention, which didnt lead to an arrest, days later on her phone. She scrolled through her Twitter feed to find it as we sat in Old Brooklyn Bagels & Deli on College Avenue earlier this week.

I know why some conservative speakers, white supremacists and the presidents supporters flock to Berkeley, and it has nothing to do with free speech. What they want to do is normalize hate and spread it on college campuses.

But Im curious why groups like Refuse Fascism, recently one of the most visible groups organizing in Berkeley, choose to confront the divisive cadre of the presidents supporters in Berkeley when they know there wont be constructive dialogue?

Refuse Fascism describes itself as a national movement of people from diverse political perspectives who believe the U.S. president and vice president pose an existential threat to humanity. It was founded by supporters of the Revolutionary Communist Party in December and has chapters in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the Bay Area and other cities. Refuse Fascism wants the president and vice president thrown out of office.

At least for the much-hyped Free Speech Week, Taylor, a Refuse Fascism co-founder who lives in New York, said she flew here to combat his vile, divisive and hate-filled commentary with her message: This nightmare presidency is normalizing fascism and white supremacy and it must be stopped.

But she also came to drum up support for her organizations future plans: Refuse Fascism is organizing daily nonviolent protests against the current White House administration that are scheduled to begin Nov. 4. Taylor expects several thousand people to participate in demonstrations in the Bay Area and in cities such as Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

You read that right  daily protests.

The people have to be the ones that drive them from power, Taylor said about the administration, which she referred to as a regime. You cannot wait it out. You cannot try to weather the storm.

Taylor said her movement isnt about suppressing free speech by conservatives.

No, were holding (speakers) accountable for what (theyre) advocating, she said of speakers like Yiannopoulos.

This week isnt the first time Taylor has come to Berkeley. She was here in May to give a speech on campus about driving fascists like Ann Coulter, whom Taylor said promotes xenophobia, unvarnished white supremacy and hatred of women, off campus.

Theres been a whole concerted assault on Berkeley the city, on Cal the campus, because these are sites and symbols of opposition to everything that this whole rising fascism in America stands for, and now theres a fascist regime in power, she said.

She said fascism more than 20 times during our hour-long conversation. She refused to share much about her life. She wouldnt tell me her age or her backstory, but she said shes originally from the Midwest. She wouldnt tell me how Refuse Fascism or her travel is funded.

My concern with people booking flights to protest in Berkeley is that most of them have no investment in the area, and no accountability for the conflict they leave behind because they dont live, work or hang out here.

But Taylor, who identifies as a communist revolutionary and has some radical views and ideas that I dont support, such as revolution that completely disrupts government, certainly isnt wrong about what Berkeley represents: a battleground for political messaging.

And I believe shes here for the right reasons.

Theres a lot of attention paid to giving a foothold for white supremacy and fascism on the campuses in general, because campuses, theyre not as the right wing portrays them, she said.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr
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.
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San Franciscos modern restaurant scene is a transient place. Cooks regularly move from post to post, freely dropping their knives in one kitchen only to pick them up days later in another. Sommeliers shuffle into new environs to sip and suggest. Its not uncommon for a chef to open a new restaurant clearly influenced by a recent place of employment.

Movement is part of the industry, but a legal battle involving one of San Franciscos top restaurants may call into question the point at which valuable professional experience crosses into the realm of trade secret violations and unfair competition.

In a complaint filed with San Francisco Superior Court, SoMas Saison restaurant is accusing its former hospitality director, Matthew Mako, of defamation, unfair competition, violation of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act and a breach of fiduciary duty and duty of loyalty, among other allegations. The restaurant is seeking damages in excess of $500,000, according to the filing.

In the filings, Saison describes its menu, recipes and sales data as valuable assets that should be recognized as trade secrets. The confidential files are kept in what the restaurant calls The Handbook and employees are prohibited from disclosing the information without authorization from the restaurant.

Saison alleges Mako used his employment at the restaurant to help create the foundation for his own project. The complaint states that Mako signed and then violated an agreement not to solicit any of Saisons current or prospective customers, clients, vendors, suppliers, business partners, investors, employees, consultants, or independent contractors. It alleges Mako made direct contact with the restaurants investors and customers to engage in deceitful, wrongful, and unlawful acts to further his own economic gains and to harm Saison.

Mako would not comment directly on the allegations. He described the most recent round of filings in the case as frustrating because he believed Saison had planned to drop the suit.

Such disputes within the restaurant industry happen more often than the public might think, said Gwyneth Borden, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association.

People stealing peoples business plans is fairly common, said Borden, who pointed out that nondisclosure agreements and trademarks are the best way to combat such potential problems.

But she added that many restaurants have overlapping attorneys, investors or even business templates. There are some things that are formulaic about restaurants, that can easily translate from one place to another, that are not super unusual or unique.

Saison, led by chef-partner Joshua Skenes, has gained global acclaim for its upscale tasting menu, which starts at $398 per person. It is one of three restaurants in San Francisco to hold the highest rating of three Michelin stars.

Mako was employed by Saison for nearly 4 years, including as Director of Hospitality from October 2016 to April 2017. He is currently running RTB, a fine-dining pop-up restaurant at the former location of Mosu, on Fillmore Street, in partnership with chef Rodney Wages. RTB serves $89 tasting menus featuring intricate dishes such as poached oysters with charred onions and cauliflower, and tortellini with smoked foie gras and bacon broth.

Mako and Wages plan to open a permanent restaurant at the location later this year.

Mako previously worked at San Franciscos other Michelin three-star restaurants, Benu and Quince, while Wages resume lists the likes of the French Laundry, Benu, Saison and Atelier Crenn. Wages is not named in the Saison lawsuit.

Its not uncommon for restaurant workers and managers to change jobs on a regular basis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the turnover rate for the overall hospitality sector in 2016 was 72.9 percent year over year. Turnover is higher in the Bay Areas restaurant industry, according to job-search website Instawork, which in July 2017 reported that the rates were 90 percent and above for kitchen staff and up to 80 percent for front-of-house employees.

Last month, the Saison team said the suit against Mako, originally filed in May, was being dissolved. Around the same time, Mako said, he was told by the restaurant the legal process would not be moving forward. Then, on Sept. 5, a more detailed complaint was filed by Saison against Mako in Superior Court.

On Sept. 12, a series of discovery requests was filed by Saison, including a five-page request for the production of documents associated with the suit, a two-page request for admissions about certain facts in the case, and a 21-page interrogatories request, which included written questions for Mako to answer.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

A representative for the Saison team said that Mako, Skenes and their respective legal teams have been working together to resolve the situation, and that both remain committed to getting this matter resolved.

I appreciated my time a lot at Saison. I felt I came there knowing a lot, and I had the opportunity to implement the things that I had learned, said Mako. Its that small of a city. We share a lot of knowledge.

Chronicle staff writer Paolo Lucchesi contributed reporting.

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: phillips@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @JustMrPhillips.
Richmond police arrested a woman Thursday on suspicion of a hit-and-run incident a day earlier that sent a 3-year-old boy to the hospital.

Police said the woman is a receptionist at an auto repair shop and had driven a customers red SmartCar after the customer dropped it off for servicing Wednesday. The customer picked up the vehicle later without knowing that it had been used by the receptionist, police said.
Americans attitudes toward immigrants are not what you might think. Unlike their president, Americans have generous views about immigration.

The Trump administration has moved on dark campaign promises. President Trump has stepped up immigration enforcement, is still pushing for a wall, wants to shrink the legal immigrant population, pardoned former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, has upended Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and is making the travel ban permanent.

But as Trump makes life miserable for immigrant communities and the people connected to them, hes acting in contradiction to how Americans view these issues. I dont mean the protesters out in the streets. I mean everyday Americans living life beside immigrants all across the country, including in Silicon Valley.

Polling on immigration is clear. A large share of Americans support allowing the Dreamers to stay in the country legally  87 percent, according to a recent CBS News Poll. An NBC/Survey Monkey poll found that 71 percent think that immigrants in general living in the U.S. without authorization ought to have a chance to legalize, a view that Americans have held for years. In some polls, even a majority of Republicans feel that way.

As for deportations, a large majority of Americans have views that are out of step with the administrations policy. In a CNN/ORC poll, 71 percent of Americans believe that the government should not try to deport all unauthorized immigrants.

What about the wall? A CBS News poll shows that more than 6 in 10 Americans oppose it.

The same is true of the original travel ban, though a slimmer majority of registered voters express opposition.

And unlike Trump, Americans on the whole dont want to shrink the legal immigrant population. According to Gallup, 62 percent want the immigration rate to increase or stay the same.

Now, the usual partisan divide shows up on this issue, with Republicans favoring harsher immigration policies and Democrats expressing more accommodating views. That said, Americans are generally not that concerned about immigration  only 11 percent thinks its the nations most important problem. And the balance of American opinion tilts toward accommodation.

Why do Americans appear comfortable with their immigrant neighbors? The immigrant population, including the undocumented, is more settled. Their children and even grandchildren assimilate in ways that look a lot like historical assimilation patterns. Across the generations, there is an increase in education, income, neighborhood integration, political participation and intermarriage, and virtually all the children of immigrants speak English.

As immigrant groups assimilate, Americans are making their own adjustments, including coming to softer views about immigration. My research team and I did a deep dive to see how that plays out. We spent hours upon hours talking to almost 200 people in Silicon Valley. They are established residents  U.S.-born citizens of U.S.-born parents  in a place where more than half of the population is a diverse set of immigrants or the children of immigrants, and where 7 percent of the total population is undocumented immigrants. We spoke to people from a range of class, racial and age backgrounds. They told us in detail about their experiences living with first- and second-generation immigrants as neighbors, co-workers, schoolmates, spouses and extended family members.

We found that the assimilation that immigrants experience  that sense of gaining new opportunities and losing some traditions  was mirrored in the established individuals who live among so many foreign-born people.

Even in California, this bluest of states, the people we spoke to struggled with their views of unauthorized immigrants. In the abstract, they didnt like that there were so many. But the experience of the undocumented is braided into daily life, leading the people we interviewed to reject mass deportations. An upper-middle-class college student understood that you cant let every single person into the country. But the fact that his childhood friend overstayed his visa, and the parents of his closest friend, whom he met at college, are undocumented led him to conclude that sending everyone back is just wrong.

They thought immigrants had to speak English if they wanted to be American. And yet they saw value in speaking more than one language. The large immigrant population could make established residents sometimes feel like strangers in their own land. But they also saw benefit in the diversity that immigrants bring. An African American home health care aide told us, there would be more togetherness without immigration, but noted on the other hand, we would miss a lot of learning experience  that we have learned how to get along. On this score, Silicon Valley is in tune with whats going on in the rest of the country. Immigrants and established populations are figuring out how to get along across the nation  even in the reddest of places.

This is cold comfort to immigrants whose livelihood is threatened by Trumps policies. And his rhetoric and actions inflame a dangerous anti-immigrant backlash among a hard right that shares his vision. But this much is clear: The noise the president is making on immigration doesnt speak for America. Not even close.

Tomas R. Jimenez is an associate professor of sociology and comparative studies in race and ethnicity at Stanford University. He is author of The Other Side of Assimilation: How Immigrants Are Changing American Life. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters.
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Antibiotics can shield both man and beast from disease. But dousing patients and livestock with infection-killing medicine may also be self-defeating as resistant strains emerge, worsening the goal of better health.

That problem sits at the heart of a modest proposal by San Francisco Supervisor Jeff Sheehy and Mayor Ed Lees Department of the Environment. A plan taking shape this week would require major supermarkets to report levels of antibiotics in meat and poultry. The public would get a look at which businesses are heeding the message that less use is better. In a health conscious city, its a sensible step.
Max Jennifer is a true believer in life on other planets. Now if only he could get a life on his own planet, where he has been waiting for his wife to come back home.

She was abducted by aliens, you see.

Max (Adam Scott) and Leroy (Craig Robinson), a former LAPD cop whos now a mall cop, are recruited by a secret government organization called the Bureau Underground to rescue a guy whos been Ghosted, in the delightfully loopy Fox comedy of the same name premiering on Sunday, Oct. 1.

The series is one of the brighter lights in the comedy field this fall, but more importantly, it shows that you can make a crazy idea work if you have the right cast, writer and director on the same page.

The single-camera sitcom is directed by Jonathan Krisel, who brings appropriate experience, writing and directing Portlandia and Tim and Eric Awesome Show on Adult Swim.

Max and Leroy dont know each other when they are separately zapped unconscious, thrown into the back of a van and transported to the super-secret headquarters of Bureau Underground. They were chosen for a single mission to rescue a secret agent who has been abducted by mysterious forces. Turns out, the agent actually believes Maxs theory of multiple universes. Max wrote a book on the subject when he was teaching at Stanford, before his life and career crumbled and he ended up working in a bookstore.

The Bureau is run by the no-nonsense Captain Ava Lafrey (Ally Walker) with the assistance of Barry (Adeel Akhtar), a kind of Marty Feldman type.

The script is loose, chatty and casual, but its the chemistry between Scott and Robinson that seals the deal on the comedy. The plot is only minimally important, at least in the pilot episode. It does what a first episode should do, which is to establish the situation. But more importantly, we get a taste of how well Scott and Robinson play off each other, like a modern-day Laurel and Hardy. That gives it more than a ghost of a chance of working well in the Fox Sunday night lineup.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

Ghosted: sitcom, 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, Fox
Jane Sadler isnt a candidate for mother of the year. Shes not even a candidate for a Worlds Greatest Mom coffee mug. But when her daughter disappears, we should begin to sympathize with her just a bit.

At first, though, thats just about all the sympathy she inspires: a bit.

Kyra Sedgwick plays Sadler, a workaholic television producer who makes somewhat of an effort to be an attentive single mom to her daughter, Lake (Abigail Pniowsky), in the tension-filled ABC drama Ten Days in the Valley, premiering on Sunday, Oct. 1.

While theres no question Jane loves her daughter, Lake is also a pawn in the ongoing antipathy between Jane and her ex-husband, Pete (Kick Gurry). That is why when Jane discovers her daughter missing late one night, she immediately concludes Pete took her.

As the cops, led by John Bird (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), descend on Janes house in the valley, she quickly tidies up, throwing her baggie of recently purchased drugs out of sight.

Its understandable that Jane would lie about the drugs and the visit earlier that night from her teenage dealer P.J. (Mark L. Young), but she continues to lie even after it seems unlikely that Pete abducted his own daughter.

At this point, in the second of two episodes made available to critics, the credibility of Tassie Camerons drama seems to wobble a bit. For one thing, she works a bit too hard to set up secondary characters as potential kidnappers. And then, of course, we have to wonder why Jane is still lying to Bird and not more desperate to get Lake back. Is it a flaw in the character or are we, instead, projecting our desire for Janes maternal instincts to kick in and her presumed better nature to lead her in the right direction to get her daughter back?

Sedgwicks performance not only anchors the series, but works to feed our skepticism and curiosity about Jane Sadlers true nature, at least through two of the 10 episodes. There is no question that Jane is a flawed personality, but exactly how flawed? And how much of her potentially dangerous myopia is attributable to the intensity of her job focus and her use of drugs to keep her energized?

The shows appeal rests on the fact that Jane is an enigma. As quick as she is to judge, to insist, to order, to remonstrate, who is she really? Sedgwick makes us want to know, even if we dont always think we much like the character.

In a way, the character is much like Walter White. We are so used to meeting characters on TV who are who they are and remain so. But with Breaking Bad, Vince Gilligan created a character whose deeper nature would evolve with time. Cameron seems, at least, to have done the same thing with Jane. The difference is that, with White, the bad side emerged later on, while in the case of Jane Sadler, were hoping for a good side to emerge. Sedgwick is so good, I wouldnt place any bets one way or the other.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

Ten Days in the Valley: dramatic series, 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, ABC
A UC Berkeley Republican group that sued the university over restrictions on a planned speech in April by conservative commentator Ann Coulter has failed  at least for now  to point to any facts showing discrimination by campus officials, a federal judge said Friday.

While U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney said she planned to dismiss the suit by the Berkeley College Republicans against the university and its leaders, she said they could refile the suit within 30 days if they presented plausible assertions that UC officials were ideologically biased or imposed unnecessary restrictions on Coulter and like-minded speakers. A lawyer for the group said the task wont be difficult.

UC Berkeleys failure to accommodate Coulter and other conservative speakers in recent months, and its closure of half the seats in Zellerbach Hall before a speech by author and talk-show host Ben Shapiro two weeks ago, show animus in the university with regard to conservative positions, attorney Harmeet Dhillon told reporters after the 90-minute hearing in San Francisco.

Coulter, invited to speak by the College Republicans, canceled her appearance and said the university had refused to make a campus building available. University officials said they never got a request from the campus group, had no safe sites available on short notice and were turned down by Coulter when they proposed later dates for her appearance.

Now Playing: As free speech week is preparing to kick off Sunday at UC Berkeley, it's still unclear who will be speaking. Video: KTVU

Other conservative groups have promoted appearances by far-right speakers on the left-leaning campus and blamed the university for their cancellation. A four-day free speech event, scheduled to start last Sunday, dwindled to a brief campus appearance Sunday by Milo Yiannopoulos, who spoke to a handful of supporters amid tight police security.

At Fridays hearing, Dhillon said the events reflect a long-standing policy at UC Berkeley to impose restrictions on speakers they dont like. She said the universitys new guidelines for sites and security at speeches on campus, issued after the suit was filed, amounted to a couple of tweaks to make (the policy) look more attractive to the court and to the media.

Bryan Heckenlively, a lawyer for the university, said the policy provides neutral standards for reserving indoor forums for speakers, based on reasonable forecasts of the need for security.

Chesney said the claims of bias would have to address the fact that UC Berkeley offered the controversial Yiannopoulos a great venue and time for a speech that was scheduled in February but never took place because of violent clashes.

At this point, the judge said, the College Republicans have not alleged any facts that would show that UC Berkeley imposed restrictions on Coulter and other conservatives because they disagreed with the speakers, or that the university had other sites available. But she said the case wasnt over, and Dhillon said considerable evidence has come to light of one-sided policies and practices.

Dan Mogulof, a spokesman for the university, said that although the case is not over yet, we welcome the courts ruling that the campus is complying with its First Amendment obligations.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
It was a chance discovery, but one that is leading to the publishing of a lost Mark Twain story more than a century after the author's death.

A 16-page manuscript containing notes about a bedtime story Twain told his daughters in Paris was discovered in 2011 by a scholar named John Bird visiting UC Berkeley's Mark Twain archives. Now, with the help of two Caldecott Medal winners, Philip and Erin Stead, the story has been adapted into a 152-page, 11-chapter illustrated storybook called "The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine."

According to the book's publisher, the story is about a boy who eats a flower that grew from a magical seed. The flower enables him to talk to animals, so he and his new wild friends take off on an adventure and rescue a prince who was kidnapped along the way.

As the Steads, who are married, told NPR, Twain's story didn't initially have an ending. Whether or not that's because Twain didn't have one or he simply didn't write it is unknown, but the new authors ran with the tale nonetheless. In their version, they added their own details, like changing some of the animals into others, and modeling the main character, Johnny, after a real boy that they know.

The general editor of UC Berkeley's Mark Twain Project, Robert Hirst, says that the find is quite special, because Twain's bedtime stories were never meant for the masses, and were barely ever written down.

"As far as I know, it's the only one we have," Hirst told ABC 7. "We don't know what the other stories were like or what they said."

"The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine" is out now.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.


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When the Book Shop closed its doors in February after 56 years in business, Hayward suddenly found itself without a bookstore.

Thats no longer the case. Books on B, a new independent bookstore in downtown Hayward, is opening on Saturday.

Its a kaleidoscope of emotions, said Renee Rettig, the stores owner. Overwhelmingly though, gratitude: to my community, and to my trade, that I get to continue being of service in the best way I know how, and live out my days with a society that understands what value the culture of reading and readers brings to this world.

Before becoming the proprietor of the new store, Rettig was the manager of the Book Shop, where she had worked since helping out there during college in the summer of 1995. The Book Shop  which was on the same street, B, as Books on B  closed after its owners retired.

Rettig, who has lived in nearby San Leandro her entire life, said she hopes to continue the Book Shops tradition of new and used, quirky and rare books.

Rettig said the store will be indispensable to its city of 150,000, with a robust calendar of events, live music, artwork, storytelling. She also plans to work with the local library to bring in literary luminaries, both local and national.

Originally the home of Abreu Pharmacy (1927), then Goldhors Optometry (1960), the shop is a cozy 900 square feet, with 16-foot ceilings and a skylight. The store will eventually hold about 12,000 titles and also has a gallery space that Rettig says will feature a rotation of work by local artists.

To cover the cost of renovations, Rettig raised $70,000 through an Indiegogo campaign .

In half the projected time, Id met my goal  humbling, she said. Its perfectly Stone Soup  everyone did what they could, even finding the occasional crumpled bill through the mail slot in the morning! I feel incredibly fortunate; the campaign is still active, and book lovers continue to contribute to the cause.

Rettig said shell be the stores Jill of all trades. Shell train an intern on Monday and will otherwise rely on the kindness of volunteers.

Books on B will officially open Saturday  from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Friday, a music- and cake-filled ribbon cutting featured remarks from Hayward Mayor Barbara Halliday and Assemblyman Bill Quirk, D-Hayward, and Hayward Poet Laureate Bruce Roberts read a poem  all in celebration of Hayward getting back a bookstore.

John McMurtrie is The San Francisco Chronicles books editor. Email: jmcmurtrie@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @McMurtrieSF
They said it

Not so long ago, some experts argued that personal computers would never be adopted, and that tablets would only be used as expensive coffee trays, so I think it may not be wise to dismiss virtual currencies.

 International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde on bitcoin and other digital currencies, at a conference Friday. Her remarks contrast with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon , who recently called bitcoin a fraud.

That really bugs us

An analysis of more than 70,000 Mac computers being used in businesses and organizations has revealed a dangerous vulnerability, according to security researchers. The flaw involves a system that helps Apple computers boot up. Its not always updated, Duo Securitys researchers found, and machines running Microsoft Windows that use the same system could be affected. Because all subsequent hardware and software operations depend on the boot-up process, it could prove disastrous if hijackers gained control.

Also really Bugs us

Volkswagen warned Friday that its third-quarter profit would be hit by unexpectedly high costs for repairing diesel cars in the U.S. that were equipped with emissions-cheating software, part of its efforts to resolve the scandal. The carmaker said it would set aside an additional $2.9 billion to cover extra costs to comply with a legal settlement. Volkswagen has agreed to pay nearly $23 billion to settle a class-action suit by owners, as well as civil and criminal proceedings by the U.S. government and individual states.

Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 San Pablo Police Department / / Show More Show Less 2 of 5 San Pablo Police Department / / Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Show More Show Less 5 of 5









Two suspects were arrested Thursday, one on a BART train, in connection with a homicide this month in which a 22-year-old man was gunned down in the driveway of a San Pablo home, officials said.

BART police arrested 24-year-old Ignacio Sanchez-Gomez on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. while he was on a train at the Concord Station. San Pablo police arrested 20-year-old Jose Maravilla near 14th and Willow streets in Oakland later in the day.
LOS ANGELES  The line stretches down the block before the sun rises in Los Angeles for immigrants seeking help to renew their work permits under a 5-year-old program that has shielded them from deportation but is now nearing its end.

Ivan Vizueta, a 25-year-old from Long Beach, brought a folding chair and music to pass the time while waiting to renew the papers that enable him to work for a plumbing company. The lines have been a regular occurrence in recent days, with some people camping out as early as 3 a.m.

I have to do this so I have another two years of safety, said Vizueta, who was brought to the country nearly two decades ago from Mexico and hopes to run his own plumbing business someday.

For immigrants like Vizueta, its a race against the clock as they rush to renew their permits ahead of a looming Oct. 5 deadline set by the Trump administration. After that date, no one else can renew under a program that has let nearly 800,000 immigrants brought to the United States as children work even though they lack legal papers.

The work permits have been a lifeline for many young immigrants who have been educated in American schools and know no other home than the United States. The program created by President Barack Obama in 2012 also protected these immigrants, many of them in their 20s, from being deported to countries they hardly remember. Critics call it an illegal amnesty program that is taking jobs from U.S. citizens.

When President Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program this month, he gave Congress six months to draft a more lasting fix. Democratic leaders and Trump said they have reached a deal to protect the immigrants, but Congress has since turned its focus to health care and overhauling the tax code. Democratic congressional leaders say they are waiting on the White House to craft a legislative proposal.

Meanwhile, immigrant advocates around the country have been urging the Trump administration to extend the Oct. 5 deadline and holding legal clinics and donating money to help immigrants cover the $500 renewal fee.

In Las Vegas, fewer than 30 people have asked for a service provided by the Immigration Clinic at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, causing alarm among organizers who are fearful immigrants are staying in the shadows or waiting too close to the deadline. The government must receive the renewal paperwork by Oct. 5, meaning it needs to be sent in most cases by this weekend.

Amy Taxin and Astrid Galvan are Associated Press writers.
Federal immigration officials in the Bay Area arrested 27 people this week, most with past criminal convictions, as part of a national sweep targeting cities that prohibit cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency said Thursday.

The arrests in San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale and Morgan Hill  and more than 100 in Los Angeles  were part of a four-day sweep that began Sunday. Overall, ICE officials acting in eight states and Washington, D.C., arrested 498 people from 42 countries who were in the United States illegally.

Of those, 181 had no previous criminal conviction, according to ICE. The remaining 317 had been convicted of crimes ranging from trespassing to rape, with the largest single offense driving under the influence.

Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not honor (detention requests) or allow us access to jails and prisons are shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement and creating a magnet for illegal immigration, ICE Acting Director Tom Homan said in a statement. As a result, ICE is forced to dedicate more resources to conduct at-large arrests in these communities.

Charles Reed / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 2017

The arrests come as California Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign SB54, which would prevent police from arresting people for immigration violations without a warrant, among other prohibitions. But the law would let police notify ICE before releasing people convicted of a serious or violent crime so that felons can be deported.

The expected new state law follows several cases in which people in the country illegally have committed heinous crimes after police let them go, though ICE asked to detain them. In each case, the cities argued that without an arrest warrant, they had no legal grounds to keep the people in custody.

In San Francisco, Jesus Perez-Araujo, 24, is accused of killing Abel Enrique Esquivel Jr. on Aug. 15. Three months earlier, police had charged Perez-Araujo with misdemeanor possession of brass knuckles and released him, though ICE had asked that he be detained.

In Santa Rosa, Nery Israel Estrada Margos is accused of killing Veronica Cabrera Ramirez on Aug. 18. Days earlier, Margos had been arrested on suspicion of abusing Ramirez, and police obtained an order barring him from contacting her. He then was released on bail, though ICE wanted to deport him back to Guatemala.

A third case cited often by opponents of sanctuary laws is that of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, also known as Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, who is accused of killing Kate Steinle in 2015 in San Francisco. He, too, was wanted by ICE.

The cities argue that cooperating with ICE would lead to deporting noncriminals  such as Maria Mendoza-Sanchez, an Oakland oncology nurse, and her husband, Eusebio Sanchez, a truck driver, who were deported to Mexico on Aug. 16.

The federal government continues to harass and target members of our immigrant communities, Deirdre Hussey, a spokeswoman for San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, said Thursday. If the federal government believes there is a need to detain a serious offender, they can obtain a criminal warrant, which we will honor, as we always have.

In San Jose, Zulma Maciel, director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, said such raids create tremendous fear in the community, making people less willing to assist local police.

Bay Area arrests in this weeks raid included four people who had no criminal convictions. The other 23 had previous convictions that included disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, sexual assault, battery and burglary.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
1 Stabbing plot: One of two Wisconsin girls charged with stabbing a classmate to impress horror character Slender Man will plead guilty in a deal that calls for her to avoid prison time and instead receive treatment for mental illness, attorneys announced Friday. The deal calls for doctors to evaluate 15-year-old Morgan Geyser and report to a judge to determine how long she should remain in a state mental hospital. Geysers co-defendant, Anissa Weier, faces at least three years in a mental hospital after a jury this month determined she was mentally ill at the time of the attack on classmate Payton Leutner. All three girls were 12 at the time. Weier and Geyser lured Leutner into the woods at a park in Waukesha. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators. Leutner survived the attack.

2 Officer killed: One police officer died and another was wounded after they were shot Friday while approaching a stolen car in Georgia, officials said. Barry Atkison, assistant county manager for Polk County, said two suspects were arrested in the shootings about 60 miles northwest of Atlanta and a third was still being sought by police. Atkison said the officers were responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle that had been reported stolen. One officer had called the other to serve as backup and both were shot as they approached the vehicle, he said. The wounded officer was shot in the chest, but appeared to have only a minor injury as the bullet struck the officers protective vest, Atkison said.
MIAMI  A 12th patient has died after being taken from an overheated Florida nursing home that lost its air conditioning during Hurricane Irma, officials confirmed Friday.

Dolores Biamonte, 57, died Thursday night, according to a statement from the Broward County Medical Examiners Office.

Hollywood police are treating all 12 deaths from the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills as part of a criminal investigation, spokeswoman Miranda Grossman said in a statement.

Eight patients died Sept. 13, three days after the storm knocked out the nursing homes air conditioning. Others died in the following days. Some who died had body temperatures as high as 109.9 degrees Fahrenheit.

Investigators want to know why the patients died after the storm even though a fully functioning hospital sits just across the street from the nursing home, Grossman said.

Since the storm, Gov. Rick Scott gave nursing homes and assisted living facilities 60 days to comply with new rules that require them to have generators capable of providing backup power for four days. The home has been shut down.

Biamontes niece, Roberta Biamonte of Fort Lauderdale, told the Sun Sentinel she spent time with her aunt and said her goodbyes late Thursday, just before the woman died.

Its sad, but shes not suffering anymore, Roberta Biamonte said. Shes missed deeply.

She said her aunt suffered from a lifelong disease that affected her vision and ability to walk. She had been at the Hollywood facility for more than three years and had been in hospice care since the nursing home evacuation.

The dead range in age from 57 to 99. No one has been charged.

The death toll, though large, is exceeded by some other deadly incidents at nursing homes in the U.S.

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005, 34 elderly patients drowned in floodwaters after the owners of the St. Ritas nursing home failed to heed warning to evacuate the facility. Husband and wife owners Salvador and Mable Mangano were acquitted in 2007 on charges of negligent homicide and cruelty.

Freida Frisaro is an Associated Press writer.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said California was among the 21 states targeted by Russian hackers in their attempt to sway the 2016 presidential election.

On Wednesday, the office of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla reported that the Department of Homeland Security had retracted its previous conclusion.

The hacking attempt actually occurred at the California Department of Technology. (Department spokesman Bryce Brown said, 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.)

California voters can further rest assured that the California Secretary of State elections infrastructure and websites were not hacked or breached by Russian cyber actors, Padilla said in a statement Wednesday.

But even with the caveat that voter data werent compromised, this news should be a wake-up call to California election officials.

We agree with Padilla that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be more forthcoming with state and county governments about potential hacking attempts. But California needs to do more to secure its own system, too.

The hacking attempt was a scan  an unauthorized attempt to find weaknesses in a secure computer or network. And earlier this year, a leaked document from the National Security Agency detailed a Russian effort to hack into voter registration systems by sending phishing emails to employees at a company that provides state and local election offices with voter registration systems.

Cyberattacks arent just an attack on government systems  theyre also an attack on voter trust.

Since many cybersecurity experts have warned that Russias election-related hacking in 2016 could easily be repeated in years to come, California needs to be doing everything it can to secure our systems.

Of particular concern is AB840, a bill on the governors desk that clarifies the rules for how county election officials are allowed to conduct the manual audit of 1 percent of precincts. The bill states that the audits only have to include ballots cast on or before election night  and cybersecurity experts are concerned this creates an easy target for hackers.

While Padillas office and the counties have insisted the bill merely codifies matters as theyve historically been conducted, new times may call for new security measures. Gov. Jerry Brown needs to ask both Padillas office and the county registrars some hard questions before he signs this bill.
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The victim tragically crushed to death by Wednesday's rockfall in Yosemite was identified as Andrew Foster, a 32-year-old Welsh climber.

Foster and his wife, who is in critical condition, were hit by a massive slab of rock that broke off the world's largest granite monolith.

While Yosemite did not release his wife's name, British media have identified her as Lucy Foster, 28.

The couple, from Cardiff, Wales, were experienced climbers on a dream holiday of adventure. The London Guardian reports that they met at Cardiff University, married in August 2016 and were visiting Yosemite for their one-year anniversary.

The two had a blog called Cam and Bear. Its opening message reads: "We are a young married couple who enjoy nothing more than getting out and having adventures in the mountains together. This blog is a record of our thoughts on those adventures and an unbiased view on the equipment that allows us to have them."

The post goes on: "We are not extreme athletes and describe ourselves simply as passionate weekend warriors. While our blog is just a log of what we have done we do hope that it will inspire other people to get out and experience the natural world. We also hope that our experience from years of working in the outdoor industry helps in creating useful, informative and non-biased gear reviews."

More for you How could anyone survive? Photos show magnitude of Yosemite rockfall

The Fosters hadn't published any stories or photos from their Yosemite trip; Andrew's most recent blog post is dated July 6, 2017, and in it he writes about a kayaking trip:

"As we go climbing every weekend (weather permitting) Lucy informed me she wanted to do something different for at least one day of her birthday weekend, so I started racking my brains and came up with the idea of getting some sit on top kayaks and going for a paddle around the Pembrokeshire coast for the day."

The BBC reports that Andrew worked for Patagonia International and Lucy works for the international engineering company AECOM.

Patagonia issued a statement reading, "It is with much sadness that we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague Andrew Foster, who was killed in a tragic accident in Yosemite. Andy was a sales representative working in our UK team and had been with the business for five years. He was a much-loved member of our team and a passionate climber, mountaineer and skier who loved being in the outdoors. Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Lucy and their families. We offer them our deepest sympathies."

The park indicated that seven rockfalls occurred during a four-hour period Wednesday on the southeast face of El Capitan. On Thursday, another massive hunk of granite broke off, injuring an older man and sending out huge plumes of white dust.

Falling rocks are a common hazard on the world-renowned park's climbing routes; they break loose and crash down about 80 times a year. The elite climbers who scale the park's sheer cliff faces know the risk, but also know it's rare to get killed by one.

The last time a climber was killed by a rock falling at Yosemite was in 2013, when a Montana climber fell after a rock dislodged and sliced his climbing rope. It was preceded by a 1999 rockfall that crushed a climber from Colorado. Park officials say rockfalls overall have killed 16 people since 1857 and injured more than 100.

The rockfalls came during the peak of the climbing season for El Capitan, with climbers from around the world testing their skill on the granite crags. At least 30 climbers were on El Cap when the section gave way Wednesday.

Foster and his wife were not on the cliff, however. They were hiking at the bottom of El Capitan far from trails used by most Yosemite visitors in preparation for an ascent when the chunk of granite about 12 stories tall broke free and plunged, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Democrats and Republicans are poised for a Supreme Court fight about political line-drawing with the potential to alter the balance of power across a country starkly divided between the two parties.

The big question at the heart of next weeks high court clash is whether there can be too much politics in the inherently political task of drawing electoral districts. The Supreme Court has never struck down a districting plan because it was too political.

The test case comes from Wisconsin, where Democratic voters sued after Republicans drew political maps in 2011 that entrenched their hold on power in a state that is essentially evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

It could portend massive changes in our electoral system, Washington lawyer Christopher Landau said, if the court for the first time imposes limits on extreme partisan gerrymandering, or redistricting. Courts have struck down racially discriminatory maps for decades.

Wisconsin Republicans controlled the redistricting process that followed the once-every-decade census because they held the governors office and both houses of the Legislature. They worked in secret to fashion precise, computer-generated maps and won approval on a party-line vote.

The results in three elections held under those maps have almost perfectly aligned with their predictions, even in 2012, when Democratic President Barack Obama carried the state. Democratic legislative candidates won a majority of the vote statewide then, but wound up as the minority party in the state Assembly.

I dont want anybody, any party, to be in full control, said Emily Bunting, an organic farmer from western Wisconsin who joined the lawsuit. I want fair elections, is what I want. I dont think a Democratic gerrymander is any better than a Republican one. I think that issue needs to be addressed.

A handful of Republican elected officials, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, have joined in the call for the court to rein in extreme partisan gerrymandering.

From our vantage point, we see wasted votes and silenced voices. We see hidden power. And we see a correctable problem, McCain and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said in a Supreme Court brief.

But the parties are otherwise sharply divided, with Republicans arguing that courts should not be involved in the competition between the parties to wring gains out of redrawn electoral maps. Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller told the justices that political competition is a necessary component of legislative-controlled redistricting.

A three-judge court in Wisconsin, though, agreed with the Democratic voters that there was too much politics in the Wisconsin maps. The redistricting packed Democratic voters into some districts and scattered them across others, with the aim of limiting how many seats Democratic candidates could carry, even in a good year for Democrats.

The case will be argued before the nine justices on Tuesday, although the arguments will be tailored to just one, Anthony Kennedy.

People on both sides of the case widely anticipate that the four liberal justices will side with the voters who sued. Conversely, the four conservatives probably will think these disputes should be resolved by the political branches, not the courts.

That leaves Kennedy, who has left the door open to court challenges to extreme partisan redistricting, but has never found a satisfactory way to measure it.

The legal team representing the Democratic voters is saying, Justice Kennedy, we have found the shiny holy grail you said was lacking, Landau said. He was describing the test that the three-judge court used to establish the districting plans discriminatory intent, its likely durability over its 10-year life and the inability to explain it other than for partisan advantage.

Gerald Hebert, who directs voting rights and redistricting litigation at the Campaign Legal Center, said the case his team is making is not a partisan one, even though the center represents Democrats in the case.

If were going to get Justice Kennedys attention, we have to make sure he really understands this is not just a Democratic problem. It happens to be right now that Republicans control way more legislatures. But ... in states where Democrats control the entire redistricting process, the districts also are gerrymandered, Hebert said.

Other lawsuits challenging maps are ongoing in Maryland, where Democrats hold all but one of the states eight seats in the House of Representatives, and North Carolina, another narrowly divided state in which Republicans nonetheless hold commanding majorities in the legislature and the states congressional delegation.

Defending the maps in the Supreme Court case, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, a Republican, said courts would be overwhelmed with partisan redistricting lawsuits if the high court rules against the state.

The Supreme Court has never permitted a map to be struck down when you followed traditional redistricting criteria and these maps do, Schimel said.

Thirty-one years ago, in an earlier case about partisan redistricting, it was the Republican National Committee that pointed to the dangers when one party held too much sway over map-making.

The new technology available to redistricters provides those in the majority with a very tempting means of discriminating against any minority, political or otherwise, the RNC wrote, concluding that the vitality of Americas political parties, and the integrity of our representational government, are at stake.

Associated Press reporter Carrie Antlfinger contributed to this report.
Booming Los Angeles has seen a bloom in new hotel construction in recent years. As readers may recall, I was there in June for the opening of the citys tallest hotel the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.

Last week, I checked in to check out the brand new-from-the-ground-up, 216-room Kimpton Everly Hotel,located a few blocks uphill from the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Plus I was there for a handful of meetings and to see other new hotels and hotspots. [More...]

Whats best about The Everly (aside from the fact that its a Kimpton, and only about six weeks old) is its location.

If like me, you have business meetings all over town, its perfectly positioned. Need to head up to the Valley for a healthy business lunch at Hugos in Studio City? Just jump on the 101 freeway the entrance is a block away from the front door. Need to go downtown to the Convention Center or poke around DTLA? Just walk down to Hollywood and Vine and jump on the Metro Red Line.

Meeting with your agent for breakfast in West Hollywood (at Butcher, Baker, Cappuccino Maker) or lunch in Beverly Hills (at Jean-Georges)? Maybe youll get invited to have dinner with a member of the showy, private Soho House. Or a little late night fun at Giorgios at MMHMMM at the Standard hotel. Lyft or Uber is easy to call (about $12 with tip between Hollywood and WeHo) just budget enough time to be stuck in the areas famous traffic jams where a 15-minute ride can easily bloat into a 45-minute slog.

(I did all of the above packed into a busy three-day trip! See more photos here)

Rates at the Everly are decent for a four-star hotel in a good location they start at around $259 per nightand vary based on demand. (I accepted a media rate of $190 per night for my stay.)

What else did I like about this hotel? Its full of tall windows, high ceilings and plenty of light. Which brings me to another big plus: the views! Wow! I stayed at the Everly for two nights. On the first night from the 9th floor I looked south over the cranes and construction of Hollywood and the W Hotel tower. On the second night from the 14th floor I looked north over Beachwood Canyon with the clearest view of the Hollywood sign Ive ever had. Wow! So if you like views, be sure to ask for a room on a high floor.

Theres an outdoor pool on the fifth floor looking out over Hollywood, which gets southern exposure, perfect for picking up some rays- so pack your sunglasses.

The lobby is bright and lively, filled with mid century modern vibe, comfy furniture, a pool table and a big busy bar. Its a nice place to spend a few hours in the late afternoon when the wine is on the house and tasty snacks are lined up on the bar.

As usual for most Kimpton hotels, the Everly gets all the little things right. Wi-fi is fast, easy to sign on and free for Karma members. Members also get a $10 Raid the Bar credit for mini bar purchases. In the bathroom, there are full sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower get that are plainly marked. Lights are bright and beds are covered in Frette linen.

Click here to check out the full trip report and more photos on TravelSkills.com
BAGHDAD  The rift between the Iraqi government and Kurdish leaders vying for independence grew wider Friday, with Baghdad imposing a ban on international flights to airports operated by the Kurds.

The ban was the first major step taken by Iraqs central government to express its outrage over a referendum Monday on independence. Nearly 93 percent of voters in the Kurdistan region approved taking steps toward declaring an autonomous Kurdish state in northern Iraq.
Nine Wisconsin public schools, including Shorewood Hills Elementary in Madison, have been named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education for overall academic excellence or progress in improving their student academic achievement.

Shorewood Hills Elementary in the Madison School District is one of 342 public and private schools nationwide to be named a Blue Ribbon School for 2017. The school at 1105 Shorewood Boulevard is in the West High attendance area.

Over the past 35 years, more than 8,500 schools have received the honor. To be considered for the program, public schools must be among the top schools in the state for overall achievement on statewide assessments or for closing achievement gaps between student groups.

State Superintendent Tony Evers nominated the eight public schools last fall, with the one private school nominated through the Council for American Private Education. Each school will receive a plaque and flag, and a principal and teacher from each will attend a November recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Nationwide, only a few schools achieve Blue Ribbon status each year, Evers said in a statement. The Blue Ribbon program recognizes the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in striving for solid student academic achievement in a safe and supportive learning environment.

The states other winners were: Mountain Bay Elementary in D.C. Everest Area School District in Weston; Blessed Sacrament School in La Crosse; Robinson Elementary School, Laona School District; Oriole Lane Elementary School, Mequon-Thiensville School District; Elmwood Elementary School, New Berlin School District; Phillips Elementary School, Phillips School District; West Salem Elementary School, West Salem School District; and Washington Elementary School, Whitewater Unified School District.
1 Russia politics: Police in Moscow detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny for most of the day Friday in an apparent bid to prevent him from joining a rally that he organized in another city, where several people were also detained. Navalny had planned to travel to Nizhny Novgorod, where he was to lead a rally, the latest in a series of demonstrations he has organized across Russia, when he was detained early Friday. He was kept at a Moscow police station until late evening. The Interior Ministry said in a statement Friday that Navalny was detained because of his calls for unsanctioned rallies.

2 Syria fighting: Opposition activists say air strikes hit towns and villages in northern Syria on Friday, killing and wounding dozens. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes were concentrating on Idlib, Hama and Aleppo provinces. Rami Abdurrahman, the Observatorys chief, said 42 towns and villages were bombarded, killing at least 12 and wounding 31. Opposition activists say Syrian and Russian warplanes have been bombing northern Syria for nearly a week, killing as many as 150.
MANILA  The Philippine government has denounced 39 mostly Western nations, including the United States, Britain and France, which have urged it to end thousands of killings under President Rodrigo Dutertes antidrug crackdown and allow investigations in cooperation with the international community.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday that its diplomats told the countries, which issued a joint statement in Geneva expressing serious concern over human rights conditions in the Philippines, to respect Manilas domestic processes.
The United States issued an ominous warning to Americans on Friday to stay away from Cuba and ordered home more than half the U.S. diplomatic corps, acknowledging neither the Cubans nor Americas FBI can determine who or what is responsible for months of mysterious health ailments.

No longer tiptoeing around the issue, the Trump administration shifted to calling the episodes attacks rather than incidents.

The U.S. actions are sure to rattle already delicate ties between the longtime adversaries who only recently began putting their hostilities behind them. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba will lose roughly 60 percent of its American staff and will stop processing visas for prospective Cuban travelers to the United States indefinitely, officials said. Roughly 50 Americans had been working at the embassy.

President Trump said that in Cuba they did some very bad things that harmed U.S. diplomats, but he didnt say who he might mean by they.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who reviewed options for a response with Trump, said, Until the government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel.

In Fridays travel warning, the State Department said U.S. personnel first encountered unexplained physical effects in Cuban hotels. Though American tourists arent known to have been hurt, the agency said they could be exposed if they travel to the island.

At least 21 diplomats and family members have been affected. The department said symptoms include hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping.

Still, the administration has pointedly not blamed Cuba for perpetrating the attacks, and officials have spent weeks weighing how to minimize the risk for Americans in Cuba without unnecessarily harming relations or falling into an adversarys trap.

If the attacks have been committed by an outside power such as Russia or Venezuela to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Cuba, as some investigators have theorized, a U.S. pullout would end up rewarding the aggressor. On the other hand, officials have struggled with the moral dimensions of keeping diplomats in a place where the U.S. government cannot guarantee their safety.

Josh Lederman and Matthew Lee are Associated Press writers.
In a report that could be a sea change for how City Hall handles the business end of city affairs, an outside consulting group said this week that Santa Fes municipal government is at dramatic risk for fraud. The financial controls that are present at all are almost completely useless, the report said; so much so that it may be impossible to know if city employees have committed fraud and, if so, how much.

At a press briefing Wednesday, City Manager Brian Snyder said of Santa Fes financial processes, We have lots of things in place, but [together] they really dont make sense.

Its like the illusion of controls, Finance Director Adam Johnson added.

In February, after four months on the job, Johnson raised a series of red flags about Santa Fes financial practices. Worried about inadvertent errors or potential fraud, Johnson approached Snyder and asked for a review. The city hired McHard Accounting Consulting, an Albuquerque firm, to analyze the citys systems. The cost was $50,000. While city leaders may consider it money well spent, the resulting report is sour.

For years, reviewers said, both internal and external auditors failed to pick up on obvious problems that were compounded with each passing audit. Some employees have had virtually unfettered access to computer systems and authority so broad, consultants likened it to the keys to the kingdom.

The citys assistant finance director, for example, has access that would enable her to assume human resource functions to create new employees, set rates of pay, adjust leave timeeven generate a paycheck. But the access hasnt stopped there. The assistant finance director has also been able to change any transaction without supervisory approval, the report said, as well as write checks and adjust outgoing wire transfers in any amount, payable to anyone.

There was no safety net, consultants said, to ensure mistakes werent made or to detect fraud.

McHard recommended a detailed forensic accounting investigation be conducted, but warned the inquiries will be difficult. Snyder said Wednesday the city plans to begin a search for forensic auditors. The city manager also said he had already placed some employees on paid leave pending the outcome of the citys review.

City processes and software are antiquated, McHard found, and to make the many different systems compatible, employees often have to hand-enter data. That practice once more opens up taxpayer dollars to mistakes and fraud.

We need to examine how internal and external controls and audits that we rely on to sound the alarm missed these problems, Mayor Javier Gonzales said in a statement. We need to find out if actual fraud took place or if there was only the risk of fraud. And we need to know that the changes in systems, trainings, and staff are made to protect our taxpayers from fraud and our employees from accusations of fraud.

Fixing whats wrong is already underway, city leaders said. Many city employees are using an automated timecard system, and police and fire departments will soon join them. The city is in the process of rolling out a new enterprise resource planning systemessentially the heart of city financial tracking. That new system will, leaders said, finally enable the citys varied money-handling software systems to talk to each other without manual manipulation by city employees. And the city plans to restrict access to that system, only allowing employees to access necessary parts of the citys financial structure. By January of 2019, Snyder and Johnson said, the city hopes to have a completely new system in place that will not only guard against mistakes and fraud, but improve the way Santa Feans interact with their government.

Its not a park, its not a road, its not something that people really get to enjoy or use, but it is the guts of how the city operates. And it must be fixed, Johnson said.

Wednesday afternoon, city councilor and mayoral candidate Joseph Maestas called for a ballot measure to ask voters in the next city election to create an Office of the Inspector General to independently review fraud, waste and abuse in city government. In a statement, Maestas criticized a good-old-boy system [that] creates and perpetuates a culture of negligence where real checks and balances are never really implemented.

Over the years, Johnson, Snyder and City Attorney Kelly Brennan said Wednesday, the citys bureaucracy had developed a dangerous system of creating vendors to pay out money for everything from legitimate city contracts to travel reimbursements to credits for overpaid water utility accounts. The city, with a population of about 84,000 people, has roughly 93,000 entities listed as vendors.

City leaders shied away from broadly criticizing front-line employees for finding workarounds to a clumsy system, instead saying the city had let them down by implementing a broken framework and cutting money for training.

Miles Conway of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union that represents many city workers, said the union is generally supportive of using new systems, provided the city doesnt try to do it on the cheap.

Santa Fe should be a model employer that retains and invests in its existing workforce, Conway said in an email to SFR. The report recommends seeking outside professional managers for some facilities. Instead, a greater emphasis on workforce development and advanced training opportunities can help grow our existing pool of public employees to be leaders.

The city forwarded a copy of the McHard report to the Office of the State Auditor. Justine Freeman, deputy chief of staff for the office, told SFR the report hadnt been reviewed for accountancy standards, but that the office appreciated the citys efforts to review managment of taxpayer dollars.

Santa Fe Reporter
A Chinese-born New Zealander has been fined $5.3 million, ordered to pay costs, and been prevented from continuing to provide financial services in the country's first award of financial penalties for breaches of the four-year-old anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism regime.

Ping An Finance, a company that facilitated remittance of foreign funds and operated out of offices in central Auckland, "failed abysmally" to meet the rigorous reporting and monitoring requirements of the regime in transactions totalling $105.4 million, said Justice Kit Toogood, who described a pattern of "calculated and contemptuous disregard" for the law as "a cultural norm" in the company.

The breaches were pursued under the civil rather than criminal provisions of the law, which require a less demanding level of proof than prosecution seeking a prison sentence. The Department of Internal Affairs investigation that uncovered the breaches found failure to "keep appropriate records of 1588 transactions, the identity and identification of 362 customers, and the establishment and continuation of 122 business relationships".

There was evidence of "unnecessary use of several transactions to pay or receive funds from a single customer on a single day or within a short period; the presence of very large transactions; and significant high-value cash deposits".

There had been "serious, systemic deficiencies in complying with a multiplicity of obligations under the Act" resulting in "widespread contraventions across several key areas which were not isolated or infrequent".

Xiaolan Xiao had also misled the authorities by claiming his company would cease trading from April 1 2015, when there was clear evidence that it had continued to do so, including channelling funds through personal bank accounts.

The $5.3 million penalties were split into five categories: $1.5 million for failing to conduct due diligence on customers, $575,000 for failing to adequately monitor transactions, another $575,000 for "entering into or continuing a business relationship with a person who does not produce or provide satisfactory evidence of the persons identity, $1.2 million for failing to keep records and a further $1.5 million for failing to report suspicious transactions.

Xiao had shown a "complete disregard for the Act's requirements, if not a wilful intention to flout them". It was aware that such obligations existed because it prepared documentation intended to indicate compliance.

"Ping An has never taken responsibility for its manifold breaches of obligation, nor offered cooperation in rectifying them," Justice Toogood said in a 50-page judgment made public today. "The absence of any acknowledgement of the compliance failures, lack of contrition and failure to cooperate are best considered as the absence of mitigating factors, rather than aggravating factors."

The penalties were intended to be "so significant as to deter and denounce non-compliance" and Justice Toogood interpreted the relevant legislation, passed in 2009 but only in force since 2013, as allowing him to ban Ping An Finance and Xiao himself from continuing to offer financial services "until further notice of the court".

Apparently taking its trading name from one of the world's tallest buildings, the Ping An Finance Center in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, the business recorded its registered office at 220 Queen Street, according to the Companies Office, whose records show Xiao as its sole current director and shareholder and that it changed its name from Forex Finance in 2014. A second director, Xiaoxi Xu, who is listed at the same residential address as Xiao, was removed as a shareholder in 2013 but is referred to in the judgment as having been involved "in the activities giving rise to suspicion".

(BusinessDesk)

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An East Side gyro shop where an employee allegedly shot a man Monday after a drug deal went bad is condemning the violence.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, Spartan Gyros said the actions of temporary employee Eric C. Howard, who allegedly shot a man as he fled the store at 2702 E. Washington Ave. after not paying for cocaine, are in no way approved or allowed by our corporation in any way.

Howard, 37, has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and carrying a concealed weapon.

On Monday afternoon, a man went into Spartan Gyros, which adjoins a Capitol Petro gas station, to buy a kilo of cocaine, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday. When the man bolted toward the door without paying $1,300 for the cocaine, Howard shot him in the back, the complaint alleges.

We condemn his action and do not approve of it. We are still investigating the matter legally and with the Madison police, the companys post said.

The company continued by saying it will work with its human resources department to check prospective employees backgrounds more stringently and encouraged people with cooking experience to apply at its new locations.

A man who answered the phone at Spartan Gyros on Thursday afternoon referred any questions to Giesen Law Offices, but added, I personally, and a lot of workers who work here, never saw a kilo of cocaine as the police are saying, so until then, lets see what the judge of course is.

Police executed a search warrant Monday and found a bag of cocaine, a digital scale, two 9mm handguns and ammunition stashed in the shop, according to the complaint.

On the day of the shooting, a Facebook post from Spartan Gyros said it was closed because unfortunately we got robbed today.

Attorney Charles Giesen said the matter is still being investigated by the law firm.

He said the shops owner was out of the country at the time of the shooting, but did not know the owners name as his law partner Jessica Giesen was taking most of the responsibilities of the case.

Online state records name Kathy Phouthavong as the registered agent of the business, while city food inspection records have a contact person listed as Kathy Phoutovong, a different spelling of the last name.

Messages left for a Kathy Phouthavong on Thursday were not immediately returned.

Andrew Erlandson, an attorney representing Capitol Petro, said in an email that the gas station owns the building and Spartan Gyros has been renting space in it since June 2016.

He said employees at the gas station have not noticed suspicious activity occurring at the adjoining business.

Capitol Petroleum, which owns the Capitol Petro brand and other Madison area gas stations, is facing separate legal problems.

The state Department of Justice sued Capitol Petroleum and its owner Farooq Shahzad in June 2016 for allegedly selling synthetic marijuana at its stores. In 2015, nearly 40 pounds of synthetic marijuana was seized from the Capitol Petro next to Spartan Gyros and a CP Mart at 3505 E. Washington Ave.

Erlandson said Capitol Petroleum or Shahzad own no interest in Spartan Gyros, and the companys management monitors sales actively by employees at its locations to ensure that only authorized products are sold.

Johnny Koremenos, a spokesman for the DOJ, said a judge ruled in the states favor this summer that Capitol Petroleum and Shahzad had violated the law by selling the product. But the number of offenses that have occurred and the amount of monetary penalties are to be determined later, leaving the case pending, he said.
After high levels of lead dust were found in areas of Agriculture Hall, UW-Madison is testing several areas in the building and outside a neighboring preschool in Nancy Nicholas Hall.

Dr. William Kinsey, director of medical services at University Health Services, said contractor Structurewerks removed lead paint in Agriculture Halls northeast emergency stairwell over the summer, and testing showed that lead dust escaped the work enclosure.

The university conducted the tests after employees reported finding dust in areas directly outside the construction zone, Kinsey said.

Our hope is that its contained to just those adjacent areas, he said.

Nicholas Hall houses the School of Human Ecology Preschool Lab. Kinsey said the preschools playground as well as Nicholas Halls rooftop terrace are being tested for lead. Those areas have been closed out of an abundance of caution pending the results of the testing, he said.

Lead is a toxin that, even in small amounts, can damage multiple organ systems, Kinsey said. The main concern of lead poisoning is its effects on the brain.

The safety of our employees and children who attend our Preschool Lab is our most important concern, he said. We are in the process of taking all possible steps to remedy the situation. We will share updates and information as soon as we have it.

The preschool itself will not be closed. Kinsey said the preschools routine cleaning practices would be sufficient to clean up any small amounts of lead that might have traveled that far.

Preschool students parents and Agriculture Hall and School of Human Ecology employees who might have been affected were notified of the lead dust and additional testing.

Employees with offices in the east wing along the north and east side of the building will have their work spaces relocated or have the option to telecommute. Employees can also schedule an appointment for a blood level test by calling 608-265-5610.

The university said it is unsure if the Preschool Labs playground was affected, but test results are expected next week.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Slowly but surely, Rep. Daniel Donovan is getting closer and closer to holding a town hall.

The Republican announced Friday that he will hold a series of sit-down events with the public, deemed "Coffee with your Congressman" both on Staten Island and in the Brooklyn portions of the district in October and November.

Constituents can attend and discuss issues with Donovan, and while RSVPs (on the the congressman's website) are encouraged, they're not required.

While the rallies have quieted down, earlier this year, the congressman was criticized for refusing to hold a town hall.

Protesters gathered regularly outside his Staten Island and Brooklyn district offices with signs and chants.

Donovan had spoken at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce event previously, and was shouted down by protesters in the crowd. After that experience, he said it wouldn't be productive to hold a public town hall.

Instead, he held a few tele-town halls, during which automatic calls went out to several thousand constituents, and questions from those people were selected.

Donovan also held a sit-down with the Advance, during which he answered questions from people watching live on Facebook.

He has also said that he meets regularly with any constituent who makes an appointment to meet him in his office.

About the upcoming coffee meetings, Donovan said, "There is nothing more important to me than hearing directly from the people of Staten Island and South Brooklyn about issues impacting individuals, families and businesses in our community. This coffee tour is a great opportunity for me to answer your questions, listen to your ideas, and hear directly about issues that matter to you. We have a lot of work to do in Washington, and I look forward to using the insights from these events to deliver continued results for the people of New York's 11th congressional district."

Here's the schedule, subject to change, for Donovan's coffee meetings:

Staten Island

-South Shore (Annadale Terrace)

Saturday, Oct. 28 - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

-Mid-Island (Colonnade Diner)

Saturday, Nov. 4 - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

-North Shore (King's Arms Diner)

Sunday, Nov. 19 - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Brooklyn

-Greater Gravesend Area (TBD)

Sunday, Nov. 12 - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

-Dyker Heights (Dyker Heights Library)

Saturday, Nov. 18 - 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

This story has been changed to update with different locations for Brooklyn.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A gun in a car got him two years behind bars.

That was the net result Friday for Mariners Harbor resident Mark Bajandas, who was busted 14 months ago when cops stopped the car in which he was riding in Port Richmond and found a loaded gun.

Officers pulled over the vehicle just after midnight on July 23, 2016, at the corner of Decker Avenue and Catherine Street, said a criminal complaint.

They discovered a 9 mm Smith & Wesson handgun with a bullet in the chamber and eight rounds in the magazine, the criminal complaint said.

Bajandas, 23, was among six people inside the car, said cops.

Despite Bajandas' attempt to claim responsibility for the gun, all six individuals were charged with weapon possession and firearm possession because they were all inside the vehicle, the complaint said.

"Whatever you found, it's mine," he allegedly told police.

In March, Bajandas pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to attempted second-degree criminal weapon possession. Besides prison time, he was sentenced to two years' post-release supervision.

The sentencing doesn't end the defendant's troubles with the law.

He still faces felony and misdemeanor drug possession charges in Criminal Court stemming from an arrest on Aug. 12.

Bajandas was free on $50,000 bond in the gun case when he was arrested on the gun charges.

Attorney Anthony Katchen represented the defendant.
Programming note: I will be traveling during the day on Friday, and as a result new posts wont appear here until Saturday night. As is often the case while I am away from the computer, additional appellate-related retweets may appear on this blogs Twitter feed.







One Notable Cost of Fidelity to Smith (re: Masterpiece Cakeshop): Jim Oleske has this post at the Take Care blog.







Looking Ahead at the Supreme Court: American Universitys Washington College of Law has posted on YouTube the video of this event from earlier today.







Supreme Court to decide on gerrymandering, religious liberty, with Justice Kennedy holding key votes: David G. Savage of The Los Angeles Times has this report.







Appeals court order blocks enforcement of D.C.s strict concealed carry law: Ann E. Marimow of The Washington Post has this report. You can view todays order of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denying rehearing en banc at this link.







Lessons From a Travel Ban Clash That Wasnt: Linda Greenhouse has this essay online at The New York Times.







Save the date: 4 October will see first ever Supreme Court case heard by more than one woman; Lady Hale and Lady Black to rule on case about ethnic minority barristers discrimination claim. Katie King has this post at the Legal Cheek blog.







Broadband Providers to Seek Supreme Court Review on Net Neutrality: Greg Stohr and Todd Shields of Bloomberg News have this report.







Like President, Like Justice: Neil Gorsuch just showed his commitment to racial equality is about as strong as Trumps. Mark Joseph Stern has this jurisprudence essay online at Slate.







Why does the Supreme Court care so much about wedding cakes? How bakery case at Supreme Court will frame future religious freedom debates. Kelsey Dallas of The Deseret News has this report.







Stand Your Ground may protect you from criminal charges  but not lawsuits: David Ovalle of The Miami Herald has an article that begins, Beating a criminal rap thanks to Floridas controversial Stand-Your-Ground law doesnt automatically shield you from civil lawsuits. That was the decision Thursday by the Florida Supreme Court, which said that immunity granted by criminal-court judges dont apply to lawsuits filed in civil court. You can access todays ruling of the Supreme Court of Florida at this link.







Chief Justice John Roberts visits Mississippi for bicentennial: Geoff Pender has this front page article in todays edition of The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Mississippi.







What Is The Governments Word Worth In Court? (Part I) Leah Litman has this post at the Take Care blog.







GOP Approval of Supreme Court Surges, Democrats Slides: Justin McCarthy of Gallup News has this report.







Gorsuch at Trump hotel is wasted chance to show Supreme Court leadership; With all the partisanship in Washington, wouldnt it be nice if liberal justices addressed conservatives and conservatives talked to liberals? Gabe Roth has this essay online at USA Today.







When Not Guilty Is a Life Sentence: What happens after a defendant is found not guilty by reason of insanity? Often the answer is involuntary confinement in a state psychiatric hospital  with no end in sight. Mac McClelland will have this article in the October 1, 2017 issue of The New York Times Magazine.







Sonia Sotomayors Message of Hope to Puerto Rico: You Are Not Alone.' Cristian Farias has this post at the Daily Intelligencer blog of New York magazine.







From her dads killing during the crack epidemic to a Supreme Court clerkship: John Woodrow Cox of The Washington Post has this report.







Access todays Order List of the U.S. Supreme Court: At this link. The Court granted review in 11 new cases that will result in nine hours of oral argument.







Gorsuch Gives Conservatives Edge in Momentous High Court Term: Greg Stohr of Bloomberg News has this report.






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A 40-year-old Canberra man who died in a Hume Highway crash on Wednesday has been described as "a lovable bloke" by his father.

Christian Vidler, a father of four, was a passenger in a northbound Hyundai when it crashed into the rear of a B-double, some 10km north of Marulan at Paddys River at 5am Wednesday.

Sydney man Gary Vidler has paid tribute to his son, Christian, killed in a car accident on Wednesday. Credit:Goulburn Post

Police said the the passenger's side crashed into the driver's side of the truck's B-double trailer. The car's driver, Mr Vidler's 46-year-old brother, Patrick, also from Curtin, ACT, suffered minor facial injuries while a 14-year-old male passenger was not injured. The truck driver, a 65-year-old man from Newcastle was also uninjured. Both drivers were taken to Goulburn Base Hospital for mandatory testing.

Patrick Vidler was in a stable condition in Goulburn Base Hospital on Thursday.
A Navy sailor used his mobile telephone to film a woman in the shower aboard an Australian vessel.

The prosecution of the sailor was a military first for the use of tougher laws covering voyeuristic conduct  introduced only weeks before the offence.

Prosecutions for low-level sexual misconduct by men on subordinate women in the Defence Force had spiked in recent years.

Prosecutions for low-level sexual misconduct by men on subordinate women in the Defence Force had spiked in recent years, the Director of Military Prosecutions, Jennifer Woodward, CSC, said in a report.

The junior member of the Royal Australian Navy targeted the subordinate sailor while she showered in March 2015.
Hugh Hefner, the founder of the Playboy empire who died on Thursday at the age of 91, leaves behind a brand worth millions and a fortune that accumulated, and dissipated, over decades.

Hefner's wealth was widely estimated to be about $US50 million ($63.7 million) at the time of his death, though market researcher Wealth-X told Business Insider that Hefner was worth at least $US110 million, with roughly $US45 million in liquid assets.

According to London's The Daily Telegraph, at the height of Playboy's success in the early 1970s, Hefner was reported to be worth about $US200 million for the men's magazine that he founded in 1953.

The outlet reported that Hefner owned 35 per cent of the Playboy brand at the time of his death.
The unfolding saga of the Masters collapse has taken a new twist with diversified property fund Charter Hall Group seizing control of a portfolio of six former Masters stores worth around $180 million.

Charter Hall will take over the Bunnings-leased properties in Western Australia, NSW and Queensland in a deal that will return a significant chunk of capital to the consortium of wealthy families who last year outlaid $830 million to scoop up the former Masters stores from retail giant Woolworths.

Charter Hall, led by David Harrison, has long coveted Masters' assets.

It steered a consortium of property heavyweights that included Bunnings, Harvey Norman and US retail titan Costco in a failed bid to snare the former hardware chain's entire portfolio of 61 stores and 21 development sites when they were being offloaded by Woolies.
Australian forces participating in the US-led war against Islamic State fighters in Iraq have been involved in two serious intelligence failures resulting in airstrikes that killed or injured civilians - at least one of them, a child.

The two fatal incidents, one on March 30 and another on June 7 this year, saw guided bombs dropped on buildings in the heavily built up urban areas of west Mosul after civilians were wrongly identified as Islamic State fighters or were not known to be present in buildings from which enemy combatants were firing.

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet in Iraq in 2014. Credit:SGT Mick Davis

The first error occurred as coalition forces supporting the Iraqi army on the ground were moving through west Mosul clearing the territory street-by-street when they identified enemy fighters about 300 metres away.

Chief of Joint Operations Vice-Admiral David Johnston said the group was "positively identified as a group of Daesh fighters, and based on that information, an airstrike was authorised and tragically, seven civilians were unintentionally killed or injured in that strike".
Desperate Pacific islands at risk of sinking beneath the sea say Australia is "stuck in the Dark Ages" by relying on fossil fuels, in response to alarming data showing this nation's energy emissions have hit record highs.

The outcry from Australia's smallest neighbours comes just weeks after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Samoa and reportedly promised Pacific leaders that he understood "very clearly" the threat of sea level rise to low-lying islands.

As Fairfax Media reported on Friday, a national audit prepared for The Australia Institute by energy analyst Hugh Saddler shows Australia's emissions from energy combustion reached a record high in the year to June, driven largely by petroleum, and specifically diesel, consumption.

The audit showed the increase in Australia's annual retail diesel emissions in the year to June on its own exceeded the total annual emissions of any Pacific nation.
But in reality, nobody is proposing legislation that would restrict the religious. Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have made it clear they won't countenance that. And there are already two bills drafted by Liberals - George Brandis and Dean Smith - that provide extensive exemptions for people of faith. That is before you consider the wide-ranging exemptions churches already enjoy from anti-discrimination laws (and taxation). What we're talking about, then, is actually winding back anti-discrimination law. At the Press Club, Okotel spoke of a Christian baker in Ireland who unlawfully discriminated against a customer by refusing to make a pro-gay marriage cake. As an example of the tyranny of same-sex marriage, however, it is far from compelling - because it actually occurred in Northern Ireland, the only part of Britain that doesn't allow same-sex marriage. The proprietors of Ashers Bakery were ordered to pay 500 ($855) compensation, though this could be overturned at an appeal next month. And the law they breached had nothing to do with same-sex marriage but was, in fact, a provision of the Equality Act of 2006 - which pre-dates Britain's same-sex marriage legislation by seven years. Northern Ireland's chief justice pointed out that making a cake did not necessitate endorsing the cake's message - just as baking a Halloween cake did not mean that the baker supported witchcraft.

At any rate, bakers in Australia already have to deal with our anti-discrimination laws, which forbid refusal of service on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. It gets trickier if the customer is straight but ordering a product or service for a gay wedding. Some experts say such a person would probably be considered an agent of the gay couple, rendering it discrimination, but it hasn't been tested in court. Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow says the existing laws are clear: "Unless you're a religious organisation, you can't refuse a service to someone because of your religious or other belief." 2. Freedom of speech is endangered At the official launch of the Coalition for Marriage in Sydney, several speakers claimed that if same-sex marriage were to be legalised, the mere expression of the view that marriage should be between a man and a woman would become unlawful. The evidence hinged on the case of Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous, who was caught up in anti-discrimination proceedings in 2015 over a booklet titled "Don't Mess With Marriage". The complainant, transgender activist Martine Delaney, particularly objected to claims about nuclear families being the better environment for raising kids. "Messing with marriage, therefore, is also messing with kids," the bishops wrote. Relative to some of the claims now made in the postal survey campaign, this seems rather benign and unlikely to wind up before a court - which, in fact, it never did.

Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commission agreed the bishops might have a case to answer and, as is customary, facilitated conciliation between the two parties. Those talks broke down and Delaney ultimately withdrew the complaint, saying she didn't see the point of taking it further. As left-wing commentator David Marr wrote in The Guardian, the church won "hands down". It was a victory for free speech, not a threat. The postal survey debate has generated some heat on the streets. Credit:Rohan Thomson However, the heat of the postal survey has given the "No" side some free ammunition on this point. A young party entertainer in Canberra had her contract terminated over a Facebook post opposing gay marriage. Madlin Sims, the business owner, dubbed it "hate speech" and said it didn't align with her company's brand. Sims' decision was petty, if not potentially unlawful, and fell foul of the spirit of "respectful debate". Okotel also deployed the example of a British social work student expelled from university over Facebook posts "about marriage". In fact, the posts called homosexuality sinful and an "abomination". Whether the university was right to eject him is questionable and will indeed be interrogated in court. But these are all problems that exist already when an individual's speech comes into conflict with an organisation's values - not consequences of changing marriage laws. US rapper Macklemore found himself at the centre of Australia's same-sex marriage debate. Credit:AP

And same-sex marriage opponents showed their own censorious side this week in calling for US rapper Macklemore to be banned from performing one of his signature songs, Same Love, at the NRL grand final. "It's interesting, isn't it," observed Brandis, "that the first person that has called for something to be banned is Tony Abbott." 3. Parents will lose their rights The Coalition for Marriage's prime-time television advertisements concern children. They galvanise residual fears about the Safe Schools program, the anti-bullying initiative which seeks to foster greater empathy with gay, lesbian and transgender kids. Some of the program's additional resources explore ideas that challenge simplistic understandings of gender. In particular, The Gender Fairy tells children: "Only you know whether you are a boy or a girl. No one can tell you." To some, that is a "radical" and inappropriate notion for minors to consider. For others, it's an affirmation of the simple, scientific truth: transgender kids exist. Reverend David Kim with one of the ACT Christian Democratic Party's anti-Safe Schools signs after it had been vandalised. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

The "No" campaign knows Australians are not as relaxed about transgender issues as homosexuality. Not yet, at least. But while it stands to reason that advocates for same-sex marriage would support Safe Schools, that doesn't make them a "package deal", as Shelton often insists. In an interview this week, Sky News' Tom Connell put the obvious to Shelton: we already have Safe Schools without same-sex marriage. Indeed, it was subject to a review at the insistence of conservative Coalition MPs, urged on by the Murdoch press, and essentially given the all-clear. Shelton's best response was to point out that Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was a prominent backer of both Safe Schools and same-sex marriage. Okotel told the Press Club of an Orthodox Jewish school in London facing closure for neglecting to teach students about homosexuality and gender. "Because same-sex marriage is legal," she said, the authorities declared the school was failing to provide a full understanding of British values. But a reading of the inspector's findings reveals same-sex marriage was not mentioned at all. The school was pinged for failing to adequately teach students the "personal, social, health and economic" curriculum, including respect and tolerance for people of different sexual orientation. This stemmed from legislation introduced in 2010, before same-sex marriage was legalised in Britain. Indeed, the school also failed its inspections on a number of other counts, including facility maintenance, medical rooms and drinking water - problems which it has now rectified. But none of this made its way into Okotel's presentation.

The broader point is that Western countries have moved towards greater acceptance of LGBTI people, whether at school or in marriage laws. The Coalition for Marriage hopes for no less than to halt this trend worldwide. As spokeswoman Sophie York told the Sydney campaign launch to thunderous applause: "I truly believe we Aussies can start a push back." 4. Equality already exists Abbott and others have argued that de facto gay couples already enjoy the same legal rights as married ones. Indeed, Labor figures also made this point when they removed discriminatory laws under the Rudd-Gillard governments. Why, then, the need to adopt the symbolism of marriage? For the most part, federal laws do grant gay couples equal rights. One notable exception was highlighted in a recent decision of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which rebuked Australia for preventing same-sex couples who marry overseas from accessing divorce proceedings in Australia. This breached Australia's human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. There are other areas of inequality which sit just outside or adjacent to the law. The ABC's 7.30 this week told the story of Joe and Greg, a gay couple together for 14 years. Greg has Parkinson's disease, and in preparing to have his superannuation transferred to Joe, discovered his scheme did not accept "binding nominations". Instead they have to prove their relationship, and the fund will only make a decision once Greg dies.

Law professor Hannah Robert told 7.30 that although "technical equality" existed in most areas, "when it comes to actually accessing your rights, that's not necessarily the case". As she wrote for this newspaper last week: "While married and de facto relationships largely have equal standing before the law, only marriage is immediate and incontrovertible." A marriage certificate is also easily recognised and accepted overseas in a way de facto relationships are not. 5. The 'Yes' side is rich Shelton likes to frame the debate as a David-and-Goliath battle, especially when discussing campaign finances. Of course, both sides reckon they're David. The "Yes" campaign says its opponents are showered in money from the churches, while the "No" campaign points to corporate Australia's overwhelming support for marriage equality. However, that support is mostly in kind rather than cash. The biggest reported donation to the Equality Campaign was a personal gift from Qantas boss Alan Joyce of $1 million. Otherwise, the campaign says it has struggled for corporate donations above $10,000. The vast majority of its money comes from individuals.
Pita interpreted this extreme direction by creating a cleverly pinned short cut. He took the models' hair, twisting and pinning the back section into submission and using his Recast Tinted Oil Spray Glaze and Climate Change Humidity Blocking Hairspray to create textured hair on top. The end result was hair that looked seriously cool.

According to hair stylist Orlando Pita,"Tom wanted to cut all of the girls' hair off; this was my solution."

A major hair chop can be a real transformer and when Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Grace Hartzel sashayed onto Tom Ford's spring summer runway it looked as if they had all taken the plunge.

Pita went on to say that the thing he likes about this hair style is that it will hopefully entice some real life chops.

"That's the point; we want to inspire you to actually cut all of your hair off." Australian hair stylist Anthony Nader worked backstage with Pit and gave us the blow-by-blow description on how to get the 'no-chop-chop' look.

Nader described the look as "dangerously sexy and very Tom Ford".

The overarching brief was that Ford wanted "the models to look confident and strong with a little boyish attitude thrown in for good measure."

"This hairstyle was a hit," says Nader, "as everyone thought all the models had their famous locks chopped off when really they didn't. It was really great and this style only took 15 minutes to produce back stage."
A toddler has become the unlikely star of the volleyball at the Invictus Games, after sneaking a few pieces of popcorn from Prince Harry.

Emily Henson, 2, was seated next to the prince while watching a match between the UK and Denmark on Thursday.

The toddler, who is the daughter of former Invictus Games athlete  and Harry's friend  David Henson, was shown on television coverage of the match taking no fewer than six pieces of popcorn from the Prince's box, before he realised.

And good on her, to be quite honest. Her parents' taxes paid for that popcorn. She deserves it. What good is financially maintaining a family for generations if you can't take their popcorn every once in a while?
The legal beefing between Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna isn't over: It's just been inflamed with a new lawsuit in which Kardashian and sister Kylie Jenner accuse Chyna of assault, battery and extortion.

The siblings filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday accusing Chyna (real name Angela White) of being a "ruthless" and drunken "money-hungry, shameless pseudo-celebrity" who beat him up regularly and became pregnant with their 10-month-old baby, Dream, as a means to "extort" his mega-rich family of reality-TV stars.

Blac Chyna shared this picture of herself with Rob Kardashian and their daughter, Dream, for US Father's Day this year. Credit:Instagram/blacchyna

The lawsuit is the latest clash in the legal jousting between Kardashian and Chyna this year, following her accusations of domestic abuse and a just-settled custody dispute over Dream.

Kardashian and his sister, who owns the house where "physical altercations" between Kardashian and Chyna allegedly took place, state their dramatic accusations on the second page of their suit.
You'd be forgiven for thinking Fashion Week was back and in full swing with the amount of fashionistas spotted clutching skinny lattes and sauntering towards the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park on Wednesday morning.

Of course they were on their way to a photo shoot  but this time to include more than 300 of Sydney's most well-heeled creatives, including actors, models, PR, media and influencers, who wanted to show their support for a yes vote in the same-sex marriage postal survey by being part of a real-life rainbow flag.

Richard Wilkins with Virginia Burmeister (to his left), Nat Grosby (far left) and Mark Obitz (far right) at Sydney's Lyric Theatre last Saturday. Credit:Ken Leanfore

Organised by two of Sydney's best-known and influential PR mavens  Adam Worling of AWPR and Marie-Claude Mallat of MCMPR  meant it would be hard to find a creative organisation not represented on the day with the likes of IMG models, Black Communications, and Vogue and InStyle  to name but a few  all showing their support.

Other well-know faces included A Place to Call Home star Marta Dusseldorp, Love Child's Miranda Tapsell and her co-star Sophia Forrest, daughter of mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, former Seven newsreader Chris Bath, Love it or List it's Neale Whitaker, and Sydney MP Alex Greenwich.
Often, your attention touches on the momentary things that catch your interest - an interesting film or article, an engaging conversation. Today, though, you're more concerned with ongoing projects and the enduring structures in your life. Put some time and attention into building up your close, long-term relationships, your finances or your career. These are the constants in your life -- the people and systems you may sometimes take for granted.

By Kelli Fox, The Astrologer

What do the rating, intensity, keywords, mood words mean?
It all started with a tweet. "One school in SA now has a 'wear a dress day'," Conservative senator Cory Bernardi informed his followers last Wednesday. "This gender morphing is really getting absurd."

I'd just come home from a dinner with colleagues at One Girl  the organisation behind the Do It In A Dress campaign  to find my phone and social media blowing up. Everyone wanted to know had I seen it and what were we going to do. I stared at the screen and thought, how are we going to respond to this?

Senator Cory Bernardi's tweet. Credit:Andrew Meares

As it turns out, we didn't need to worry. Thousands of Australians took it upon themselves to respond for us by standing up for the truth and throwing their support behind Craigburn Primary School, which on Friday is celebrating its Wear A Dress day after a week of controversy. Children and parents did the school drop-off in dresses on Friday morning, and will be joining their principal Paul Luke and teachers wearing dresses throughout the day.

The criticism of Craigburn's school fundraiser for Do It In A Dress was way off the mark. I actually facepalmed when I saw that tweet because it was so far from the truth.
ABS data from 2016 show that one in five victims of sexual assault are male. Yet recent Australian research has shown that men and women are equally likely to report being a victim of image-based abuse. The US research showed 3% of male and 5% of female internet users has suffered non-consensual image sharing. The extent of revenge porn A search of the Factiva media search engine using the term "revenge porn" shows that in 2012 there were eight stories in the international media. Just three years later, there were 3,176. The rise of revenge porn has been facilitated by our ability to create content and distribute it. This ability has been multiplied by professional facilitators and technology, such as porn sites hosting, which can reach much larger audiences. In 2014, at least 3,000 porn websites around the world featured the revenge genre. A 2016 study by the US Data and Research Institute showed one in 25 online Americans has been a victim of someone posting, or threatening to post, nearly nude or nude images of them without their permission. In Australia, research has shown 23% of those aged 16 to 45 have been subjected to image-based abuse.

The new laws Australia now has more states and territories with specific revenge porn laws than those without. Queensland, Tasmania and the NT remain without such laws. This move to specific laws reflects overseas trends. In the US, 38 states (plus Washington DC)have criminal laws against revenge porn, with legislation pending in additional states. The UK, Canada, New Zealand and Japan are just some of the countries to adopt specific revenge porn laws. Many of these laws extend revenge porn from distribution of an intimate image to include the creation of, and threats to distribute, those images. In 2016, 206 people were prosecuted under UK laws for revenge porn. Data obtained from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency shows that since the implementation of revenge porn laws in 2015, until July 2017, there have been 415 reports of offences of threatening to or intentionally distributing an intimate image. Some 13% of those cases remain unsolved and 117 people have been charged under those laws.

Current status of specific and non-specific revenge porn laws in Australian states. Credit:Author Are existing laws sufficient? In Australia, the current Commonwealth law to deal with revenge porn covers using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. It relies on the prosecution showing that the effect of releasing the image is that a reasonable person would regard it as being menacing, harassing or offensive. Women's Minister Michaelia Cash has noted: Under this offence, there have been a number of successful prosecutions for revenge porn.

One example is the Queensland woman who was in a relationship with a married man. The relationship ended and the man returned to his wife, after which he was instructed to destroy intimate images of the victim. The man did not, and his wife posted them on Facebook. The wife was charged under the Commonwealth legislation and convicted. WA has limited revenge porn laws for domestic relationships, using them as part of family violence restraining orders. The WA attorney-general, Michael Mischin, argued the Victorian laws were targeting the wrong offenders: So it's stupidity, naivety and immaturity rather than criminality and that's not quite what we're driving at. The Victorian Crime Statistics Agency data show that between June 2015 and June 2017, 23% of male offenders were aged between 10-19 years of age. Females made up 13% of offenders.

But not all states are rushing to implement specific laws, given that existing laws are adequate and those being targeted by the laws may not be those intended. Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath is still examining whether existing laws needed to be strengthened. Where to from here? There is insufficient evidence from the current laws' success rates to justify a move to specific laws. There has also been a failure to show how these new offences are effective in tackling other deficiencies identified in responses to revenge porn offences. These issues include ensuring we have effective victim responses to revenge porn, such as strategies to increase ease of reporting and reduce under-reporting.
Australia's largest super funds are rapidly working their way up the world rankings by size, but where does that leave the members of minnow funds?

Research indicates that larger funds often produce better returns than smaller ones.

Our biggest super funds are getting bigger by world standards, which bodes well for their members

And a report by Willis Towers Watson shows 16 Australian funds were among the largest 300 super funds in the world it covered, with 12 local funds improving their ranking during 2016.

The biggest movers include the not-for-profit industry funds Hostplus, Rest, Sunsuper and Hesta.
Boys who have personality traits associated with psychopathy do not laugh along with other children, new research has found.

When exposed to laughter, the boys at risk of developing psychopathy reported less interest in joining in and showed less activity in the emotional centre of the brain.

Kindergarten students enjoying a laugh. A child disinclined to join in could have signs of psychopathic traits. Credit:Nick Moir

The study's lead researcher Essi Viding said such children did not experience the world in the same way as other children.

"That does not mean that these children are destined to become antisocial or dangerous," she said. "Rather, these findings shed light on why they often make different choices from their peers."
A new "mega" ageing and dementia research centre aims to dramatically bolster Australia's response to the rapid rise of the elderly population and growing burden of cognitive decline.

World leader in dementia research Professor Kaarin Anstey will head up the multidisciplinary team working to radically change the way Australians think about ageing and tackle dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The ambitious joint initiative between the Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW announced on Friday will drive a fundamental paradigm shift from viewing dementia as purely a health burden to exploring ways of boosting "cognitive currency", and safeguarding the freedom and independence of older Australians, Professor Anstey said.

By 2050, people aged 65 and over will outnumber youth across the globe for the first time in human history, with double the number of children under five years of age (15.6 per cent versus 7.2 per cent).
Twelve Australian police officers, killed in the line of duty have been remembered during the National Police Remembrance Day ceremony in Canberra on Friday.

The 12 names will be added to the National Police Memorial, one of whom lost their life in the past year.

The National Police Memorial at Kings Park, Canberra. Protective service sergeant Stuart Williams holds the flag. Credit:Jamila Toderas

An engraved touchstone has been added to the wall to commemorate Senior Constable Brett Forte, who was killed after a gunman fired on him and his partner in May.

He was awarded the Queensland police service valour award posthumously for his bravery in protecting his colleagues and the community.
A young British tourist is facing charges after a car crash left a teenage girl dead and two people with serious injuries on the NSW Mid North Coast.

The horror smash occurred when a Mitsubishi van and a Toyota Prado carrying a family of seven collided on the Pacific Highway south of Port Macquarie just before 11am on Thursday.

The van driver, 20, from Britain, has been charged with negligent driving causing death and not giving way.

He has been granted conditional bail and will appear in Port Macquarie Local Court on Friday.
A child is in a critical condition after a near drowning in a river in north-west Sydney.

The two-year-old girl was found unresponsive on the banks of the Hawkesbury River in North Richmond at about 3pm on Friday.

It's understood she had been playing in Hanna Park, a picnic spot on the edges of the river. Footage from the scene showed police attending the scene which includes a playground near the water's edge.

Witnesses said the young child was missing for 15 minutes before she was located face down.

CPR was performed at the scene by a witness and continued when paramedics arrived.
Townsend's book is full of affectionate nods to London, including its Tube network. Credit:AP "Originally it was part of a different story I was plotting out and that was going to be about a little girl who went to live with her aunt Morrigan, who was this slightly magical strange, eccentric and interesting woman," Townsend says. "As I started to write little bits and pieces I realised actually the aunt was much more interesting than the niece. I started to think what her childhood would have been like and how she grew up and what turned her into this interesting person. I let that incubate for a while. The Harry Potter comparison is oft-used, but Townsend has publisher Hachette very excited. Credit:AP "When I was 22 I moved to London. I needed to place the story somewhere that was big and bizarre and slightly frightening to explain why this character did grow up so peculiar. It was the matching of the character and this bizarre place that became Nevermoor."

Even without the children's fantasy genre connections, comparisons have been drawn to the Harry Potter series. Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow was 10 years in the making. Morrigan is the neglected/unloved/marked child with a noble quest to fulfil, unknown enemies stalking her every movement, unaware of a hidden world that lies beyond her understanding. Townsend has something of Rowling's knack for memorable characters, of balancing darkness with whimsy and building from scratch the geography and politics of an immersive fictional world. The Brolly Rail and Courage Square of the Free State, an alternate London, are affectionate nods to the Tube and Trafalgar Square.

"I grew up in this beach town on the Sunshine Coast and when I moved to London that was the first time I had lived in a city and it was a pretty crazy city for your first city life experience," Townsend says. "It's such a nerdy thing to say but I love the Tube, because where I'm from you basically have to wait an hour for the bus to come along. "Think about the mechanics of it. Around 7 million people ride the Tube every day, or something ridiculous like that, it criss-crosses undergrounds and overgrounds and all these other lines. "Didn't you think it was weird when you were on the platform and the little sign would come and it would say, 'Seven minutes to the next train', and everyone would groan and it was the worst thing. And I would be thinking: 'Are you mad people? This is a public transport miracle'." Such is Hachette's faith in Nevermoor, the publisher has embarked on an unusual publicity campaign.

In advance of its release, Hachette Australia's joint managing director, Louise Sherwin-Stark, sent out signed uncorrected proofs to booksellers pronouncing Nevermoor to be the "biggest Australian publishing story in a decade, perhaps longer", comparing Townsend's international reach to Man Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan, Tim Winton, Graeme Simsion and Liane Moriarty. The first Sherwin-Stark heard of Nevermoor was from publishing director Fiona Hazard, on the ground at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Word had got around that Townsend, an Australian debut author, was attracting serious global attention. "Within the first few lines, I was transported from a white box room in Sydney to Jessica's completely immersive and magical world," Sherwin-Stark says. "Within a page, I was captivated by her lead, Morrigan Crow. By the next chapter, I knew that we had a very special book on our hands. Nevermoor already feels like a classic." Hachette made an offer too good to refuse the same day.

Amelia Lush, manager of Better Read Than Dead, Newtown, was the first bookseller in the country to read Nevermoor, having arrived at her house as an unmarked manuscript with no synopsis and no age recommendation. ''I am not prone to hyperbole, nor do I pay much attention to publisher hype  and as you can imagine, the Harry Potter comparison is oft-used and has little impact these days. "Nevermoor is definitely one of, if not the most worthy, cases for such a claim." Townsend says her writing bears the influence of everything she has ever read, including the Harry Potter series, which she devoured when she was 13 and 14, the 1980s movie thrillers Willow and Return to Oz that scared her witless but had her coming back for more, as well as John Marsden's Tomorrow series. "I really did write the thing I most wanted to read. I was that really annoying kid who constantly had a book in their face  getting out of the car in the morning, crossing the road to school, nearly getting run over because I was reading as I was going along." Townsend was seven when she made the connection that books were not created by magic and writing was a job to which you could aspire.

"That's when I decided I was going to write," Townsend said. "I did it because I loved it and it never occurred to me to stop writing stories, even if I wasn't showing it to anyone and they would languish in a drawer for the rest of my life." It was only when Townsend came to live in London that she got serious about her story of Morrigan Crow. Even then, progress was slow. "I know there are writing classes but I never really took any. It was reading books and picking that up through osmosis and learning what I like to read that taught me how to write a book, although I'm not entirely convinced I know how. I ask that of myself every day - 'Do you know how to do this Jez?'" The second book in the Nevermoor trilogy has been all but written ahead of an international publicity tour that will take Townsend around the country, to the US and Britain. Seven more books have been plotted out in her head. Creating a spreadsheet of agents to send her book to three years ago, Townsend was prepared for rejection. Her "very far-fetched" dream was to quit her job in insurance and become a full-time writer, and that happened within a month of the auction.
A 19-year-old Lake Macquarie man has died of complications from influenza A after he was put into a medically induced coma four weeks ago.

Nathan Brown was on life support at the John Hunter Hospital, where his family and friends had been keeping a bedside vigil for the past month as he battled acute pneumonia, a staph infection, collapsed lungs, kidney failure and fluid on his heart.

Lake Macquarie man Nathan Brown has died from flu. Credit:Facebook

His uncle, Peter Brown, told the Newcastle Herald that Nathan had died on Friday morning.

Mr Brown said the distraught family had been praying their "very sick young man" would pull through.
A neo-Nazi who fantasised about shooting up a shopping centre has been sentenced to at least four and a half years in jail for weapons and child pornography offences, with a judge pointing to his obsession with "sex, guns and death".

Michael James Holt, 27, pleaded guilty to stockpiling an arsenal of replica pistols, homemade shotguns, slingshots and knuckledusters at his mother's house in Windsor, his grandfather's house in Hobartville and at the Tall Timbers Hotel in Ourimbah.

Michael James Holt with some of the weapons seized.

Police also uncovered child abuse material when they raided the three premises in August 2015 following a tip-off, including sexually explicit conversations with a 14-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl and naked images that he sent to them.

Judge Jeffrey McLennan spent more than 10 minutes describing the individual weapons and materials found in boxes, fridges, cupboards and garages seized from the three locations. A sheriff began to yawn.
Twenty years of deafening military fly-overs, pumping music, spring night skies being transformed into colourful canvases will be celebrated on Saturday night.

This weekend marks the 20th Sunsuper Riverfire. To commemorate the milestone there will be about 20 minutes of fireworks, a mix of retro music from 1998 to today and a new military jet will make its Riverfire debut.

Sunsuper Riverfire celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday.

Riverfire is Brisbane and Queenslands largest annual public celebration and the fourth-largest annual fireworks show in Australia. This year there will be 11 tonnes of fireworks, which will be fired from six barges, two pontoons, high-rise buildings and the Story Bridge.

It all kicks off at 7pm and will be held at the South Bank Cultural Forecourt, but there are several viewing areas around the city to watch the display.
Jenny Moncur used to believe euthanasia was a sin, but more than 40 years working as a nurse and a paramedic, and a broken promise, has changed that.

When her husband Royce was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she was confident that she would be able to ease his suffering.

Paramedic Jenny Moncur has spoken about the death of her husband Royce. Credit:Justin McManus

Jenny had always considered providing pain relief to be among the most important parts of her job. She had cared for hundreds of dying people over the years. Royce was to be her most important patient.

"I had good help from palliative care, I had a good range of medications to help him with his pain, I wasn't afraid of using the medication. I was happy to give him injections," Jenny said.
Anti-terror bollards along the grand final parade route and outside the MCG are part of a heightened security presence across the city this grand final weekend.

Concrete bollards will be installed along the Brunton Avenue entrance and other thoroughfares leading to the MCG in a bid to protect against vehicle attacks.

Anti-terror bollards have been set up along the grand final parade route on Spring Street. Credit:Eddie Jim

Temporary bollards have already been installed on Spring Street and other points along Friday's grand final parade route.

Victoria Police assistant commissioner Stephen Leane said a new security overlay had been designed for the event.
Everyone agrees the end of the Eastern Freeway is the worst pinch point on Melbourne's freeways, but nobody can agree on how to fix it.

The Liberals argue that only the East West Link will unblock the traffic bottleneck; the Greens want Doncaster rail; and Labor says upgrading four intersections along Hoddle Street and Punt Road will ease the problem.

Morning congestion on the Eastern Freeway. Credit:Eddie Jim

Now the Andrews government  which cancelled the East West Link contract when it came to power  has killed off another proposed solution.

In May, public transport company Transdev pitched a plan to build and operate Melbourne's first "bus rapid transit" system  a dedicated, high-speed busway between Doncaster and Southern Cross Station.
Police have seized a haul of drugs and weapons including knives, guns and ammunition after stopping a car in East Perth overnight.

Regional Operations Group officers have charged an 18-year old Applecross man over the discovery after they apprehended him at an East Perth service station on East Parade at about 11.20pm.

A silencer was among the items police found in the car. (File image). Credit:iStock

Police say as one of their officers approached the man's vehicle, he spotted a rifle and a silencer in the driver's side foot well.

The man was then arrested after a short struggle.
Just after breakfast on a warm May day in 1990, a Chrysler LeBaron pulled into Marlene Warren's driveway in Wellington, Florida, and a clown emerged from the white convertible.

The clown - dressed in an orange wig, with a red bulb nose and a painted-on smile - carried a bouquet of flowers and two balloons. One said: "You're the greatest!"

The clown offered the flowers and balloons to Warren, witnesses said later, then pulled out a gun and shot her in the face.

As Warren crumpled to the ground, the clown calmly walked back to the car.
Genetic data from the skeletal remains of seven people who lived centuries ago in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province is offering intriguing new evidence that our species, Homo sapiens, is older than previously believed.

Scientists have sequenced the genomes of the seven individuals including a boy who lived as a hunter-gatherer at Ballito Bay roughly 2000 years ago. In doing so, they were able to estimate that the evolutionary split between Homo sapiens and ancestral human groups occurred 260,000 to 350,000 years ago.

A composite reconstruction of early Homo sapiens fossils from Jebel Irhoud, based on microcomputed tomographic scans of multiple original fossils. Credit:Max Planck Institute

Until recently, the prevailing belief was that Homo sapiens arose about 200,000 years ago. The new study and fossil discoveries from Morocco announced in June indicate a much older origin.

Homo sapiens emerged on the African landscape following millions of years of human evolution, including a split 600,000 to 700,000 years ago from the lineage that led to the now-extinct Neanderthals. The period from that split until the advent of our species was a critical one.
Moon said his government was accelerating work on three military programs: a pre-emptive strike system known as Kill Chain that would target North Korean missile sites; an air and missile defence system; and a program devised to launch devastating strikes against North Korea's military and political leadership should it start a war.

He has also renewed his call for the armed forces to become more independent from the US.

South Korean Air Force Black Eagles aerobatic team perform during a commemoration ceremony on Thursday. Credit:AP

He said a more self-reliant military could make itself stronger and more feared by North Korea. But he also said the South should strengthen its alliance with Washington. An aide to Moon said this week that the allies were working on ways to move strategic American military assets into the region more frequently, to help deter North Korea.

"The top priority is to secure abilities to counter the North Korean nuclear and missile threats," Moon said.

And he said he would push for the South to move more quickly to retake wartime operational control of its military from its US ally. Since the Korean War in the early 1950s, the terms of the countries' alliance have called for an American general to command the South's 650,000-member military should war break out.

Moon and other liberals have campaigned for South Korea to play a greater role in the alliance, and they have long called for the country to resume responsibility for wartime command as soon as it can feasibly do so. But the idea has gotten more public support as remarks by US President Donald Trump have led many South Koreans to doubt his commitment to defend their country.
Washington: The United States has ordered 60 per cent of its staff to leave the US Embassy in Havana because of "specific attacks" on diplomats and will warn American tourists that some attacks have occurred in Cuban hotels, the Associated Press reported on Friday, citing unidentified senior officials.

The embassy will stop processing visas and will issue a new travel warning on Friday, the officials told AP.

US and Congressional officials told Reuters on Thursday the United States was crafting a plan for a drawdown of staff from the embassy in Havana in response to the unexplained incidents that have harmed the health of some US diplomats there.

US officials say 21 US diplomats and family members have been afflicted by health problems of unknown origin, including hearing loss, dizziness and nausea. Several Canadians have also been affected in Cuba, a Canadian official has said.
UTRECHT, Netherlands:--- The Cooperating Foundations for the Caribbean of the Dutch Kingdom donate an amount of Euro 500,000 for emergency relief to the Red Cross for the by hurricane Irma affected Dutch Caribbean islands St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. The funding organizations watched the devastation that Irma caused with horror. There is no option of sitting back and wait as in these circumstances currently funded Caribbean social initiatives financed by Cooperating Foundations cannot continue and proceed with their current important work. Because the Cooperating Foundations do not have the infrastructure for emergency relief help, they decided to make this amount available to the Red Cross.

In addition to this grant, Cooperating Foundations want to assist in the reconstruction of the affected islands. Currently, a procedure is being developed whereby a more simple application form for social initiatives will facilitate an accelerated application process for financial support for among others materials and means.

Cooperating Foundations (Samenwerkende Fondsen) Press Release
We all know being a woman is the best thing on earth, but having a womb and a lack of Y-chromosones can make the world a pretty tough place at times, and although things have improved, there's still a hella long way to go before we're totally equal in education, business and beyond. But chin up ladies because I'm here to tell you that its not ALL doom and gloom out there for us, and here's why. Who run the world?

Firstly let's all give ourselves a well deserved pat on the back, we females are amazing. From growing actual humans in our bellies, to slaying successful careers, there's nothing we can't do. But with all the prejudice against us it can be easy to believe otherwise.



BUT the world is wising up to the fact that taking care of society means taking care of women and men equally, so to celebrate this fact weve done some digging into the nations that do really well by women.

While they may not have perfect policies in every area, these countries are already taking the right steps towards making life as a woman that much better, leading the way for everywhere else to follow. Girl power!

1. Iceland

The fact that Iceland has made our list is hardly surprising; theyre one of the only countries in the world taking a real look at the negative effects of the sex industry and doing something positive about it. Not only did Iceland outlaw strip clubs back in 2010, but it's the only country to do so for support of women rather than religious reasons.



What's more, it was announced that Iceland will be looking into tighter controls on censoring, and even banning, Internet pornography after carrying out extensive research into its negative effects on the women it objects, and the men who are subjected to it. While this might seem pretty out there (some may even consider it a breach of Internet freedom) for a government to recognise the harm of sadistic pornography and put their money where their mouths are to target one of the biggest industries in the world, is actually pretty impressive.



Iceland is one of the many countries that has a woman as it's leader too, plus almost half of the parliamentarians in Iceland are female. We're tempted to move there tbh.

2. Finland

Whoever said good things come into (relatively) small packages must have known about Finland's feminist focus, and for that alone it's just shot straight to the top of our wanderlust list.



It's so advanced in it's stance on equality that in 2016 Finland was voted second (only to Iceland, of course) in the Global Gender Gap Index, and like its Nordic neighbours, is a firm champion for womens rights. Not only is gender equality enshrined in their constitution, but there is the Equality Act on Equality between Women and Men which enshrines the basic values of equality between the sexes in every aspect of life. On top of this there are four separate bodies working for the promotion of gender equality around the clock. YAS.



Parental leave is 263 days in Finland, with shared responsibilities, public childcare and state-funded school meals, which means that it's a lot easier for women to return to work after pregnancy too! As well as this, education in universities is particularly interesting, with women making up 32% of students studying mathematics and computer science  well above the OECD average.



To top all that off, Finland was also the first country in the world to grant unrestricted rights to the vote and run for parliament in 1906! We salute you.

3. Sweden

Having long been a pin up for womens education and childcare support across the globe, Sweden is seen by many as one of the most equal societies in the world, and, alongside its neighbour Finland, was named by the United Nations as one of the exemplary countries in terms of gender equality.



It also ranked fourth in the world for positions held by women in national parliament due to an unofficial quote system, while 77% of the working population is women. According to the stats, women also generate nearly 60% of value from foreign trades - and why the hell shouldn't they?



Sweden has one of the worlds most flexible and tolerant attitudes to parental leave, with an awesome 69 weeks maternity leave for women. This also goes a step above maternity leave as it can also be shared with your spouse too.

There is also state-subsidised pre-schools and special protection for part-time workers.



On top of all of this there are government run bodies like the Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality and the Secretariat of Gender Research to make sure equality is priority numero uno the entire time. We LOVE.

4. Norway

Everyone knows how spectacular your northern lights are, but we have to say your womens rights aren't looking too shabby either Norway! Yep, it was the first country in the entire world to pass a law on Gender Equality - way back in the seventies. As part of this law, an ombudsman was appointed to enforce laws on gender equality in business, politics and at home  along with a complaints committee to see issues are dealt with.



The ratio of womens earnings to men is the highest IN THE WORLD at 77% - still pretty bleak we know, but at least it's a start - and women represent about 40% of the government  there are quotas to meet both.



Norway's policies on childcare are pretty brilliant too; it makes up the handful of Nordic countries that blow the rest of the worlds childcare policies out of the water, being one of the only countries to top the Save The Childrens Mothers Index for two years running back in 2011. This means that fathers get a whopping 12 weeks of flexible paternity leave to take whenever they want and all citizens get access to Norways top state nurseries.

5. New Zealand

Did you know that New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote? We didnt either! As far back as 1893 women won the right to vote, a whopping 25 years before the UK! In fact, New Zealand has a pretty impressive history of being female friendly. It might sound like a long time ago now, but in 2000 the five most important positions under the NZ Constitution  including the Queen, Governor, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and President of the Supreme Court  were all held by women. If that isn't girl power we don't know what is!



Feminist icon Sheryl Sandberg frequently says that New Zealand is one of the best, more forward-thinking countries for equality. In 2012 it ranked 6th in the world in the Global Gender Gap Index, which takes into account everything from education to empowerment. Looks like we could learn a lot from those kiwis.

6. United Kingdom

Ah good old Blighty. There may still be a long way to go with the policies towards women here, but if you look at the wider picture, we do actually have it quite good - starting with the NHS. Not only is the UK one of the few places you can get your health covered by the government  think giving birth and youll be grateful immediately  but because of this state-funded superhero weve got one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world.



Want an education? No problem! The rate of girls excelling in education is one of the best too with around 55% of undergraduate applications coming from girls! If you look at sexual violence, (although this is still a huge issue in the UK and one that law enforcement can definitely improve on) the rate of conviction is one of the best in the world.



Weve also got such great feminist organisations having our backs nationally and internationally. Did you know that the UK is one of the biggest backers in the UN program fighting genital mutilation? Being a woman in the UK means that not only can you thrive but you have a greater opportunity to help others internationally too, and that's pretty bloody brilliant.

7. Canada

First off let's get to grips with these slut walks. Back in 2011 Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto police officer, made some pretty misguided statements about the ins and outs of rape, to directly quote him: "Women should avoid dressing like sluts [to avoid rape]". UGH.



To show Sanguinetti just how unbelievably wrong he was, women took to the streets dressed in next to nothing to reinforce the idea that actually it does not matter how you dress, rapists will rape whatever the dress code. It was a roaring success, and the slut walks went global; everywhere from Rio to London to Jerusalem took part to show just how this victim-blaming culture needs to stop. Amber Rose's annual slut walk is just as popular today.



Women make up 37.9% of the upper houses of Canada's government, one of the top Western countries, with its own federal funded tool specifically designed to advance gender equality in Canada  the GBA.

8. USA

Despite the many inequalities of the USA (not to mention Trump as president) like not getting paid maternity leave or access to health care funded by the state, the USA isnt such a bad place to be if youre a woman. The average number of women in high achieving jobs is above countries like Sweden and Finland, and women also represent the majority of college graduates and advanced-degree holders.



Women are much more likely to hold those blue collar jobs than say in Sweden where most women still make up 'pink-collar' jobs traditionally held by women. It might be initially hard to get there but if you want a high-paid job, the playing field is left wide-open to you.



Another amazing jewel in America's crown is that the child mortality rate is also one of the lowest in the world - turns out theres a lot going for the old stars and stripes after all.

9. The Netherlands

The Netherlands are a pretty female friendly place to be, especially if you are LGBT. From 2011 the government has set out a special initiative to make sure that LGBT people can get the freedom they deserve and the emancipation of women will be fully achieved.



Before this, the emancipation policy of 1978 ensures that parental leave, care, income, power, decision, education and salaries should remain equal between men and women - the rate of women resigning from their jobs post-pregnancy is on the decline at around 10 percent as a result. Plus women actually outperform men in education once again, with the vast majority of higher-level qualifications going to women. Go us!



Interested in politics? You might just wanna move to The Netherlands then as there's a strong chance you could succeed with policies dating back to 1992 helping to boost the amount of women MPs.

10. Australia

In Oz, The Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act) replaced the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999, and the strengthened legislation aims to improve and promote equality for both women and men in the workplace. Womens health is also top of the agenda in Oz, with new policies in 2010 coming into play to specifically help poorer women in Australia at the greatest risk from bad health. Educational factors look pretty good too with girls being the majority of higher education and salaried workers!



If youre looking for a female role model then look no further than former female Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Eileen Gillard (below). Not only have situations vastly improved for women in Australia since her appointment but she was also the first woman to become PM  go Julia!



It's fair to say Australia still has a long way to go though - the violence experienced by women is still shockingly high, especially for minority groups like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women or women in rural areas, but there has been greater call to stop this, especially with Australias close relationship with the UN. Its baby steps but they're still making progress.

Do these results surprise you? Let us know your thoughts @SoFeminineUK

You might also like:

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The post-Civil War hunting preserve of Confederate General E.P. Alexander of Gettysburg fame, South Island belonged to Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey when this photograph of the South Island Ferry was taken in 1944. The island is still reached from the mainland by the ferry.
Mazie Graham, owner of Oasis Residential Home and Adult Day Care on Prince Street in Georgetown, chats with Matt Wesolowski of First Citizens Bank about funding for an expansion during the Small Business Lender/Borrower Matchmaking event in Georgetown on Sept. 26.
We are gathering information for the 2022 general election. On desktop, click "election information" on the right side of this pag...
That, though, will likely be the last easy decision for the two. Because in reality, they have contradictory viewpoints on several issues, not least on the reasons for their comparatively poor election performances. Seehofer believes the primary reason has to do with Merkel's refugee policies. The chancellor, for her part, believes that conservatives would have done better on Sunday if the CSU hadn't constantly pounded away on the refugee issue during the campaign.

The competing views make it difficult to go into the talks with the FDP and Greens with a unified approach. Seehofer himself has said that the CDU and CSU would first have to find common ground before coalition talks. The two parties weren't able to do so before the election and now it promises to be even more difficult.

Seehofer in particular finds himself in a tight spot. A handful of party officials and parliamentarians, particularly those in the orbit of Seehofer's primary inner-party adversary Markus Soder, have already demanded that Seehofer step down from his party leadership position. On Wednesday, at a meeting of the CSU group in Bavarian state parliament, Seehofer was able to delay a deeper discussion of his role in the party until a CSU convention scheduled for mid-November. That, though, will only help him if central CSU demands find their way into a possible coalition agreement. Internal adversaries like Soder won't shy away from reminding him of that fact. One of those demands is that of establishing a hard upper-limit on the number of refugees Germany accepts each year and in an interview this week with DER SPIEGEL, Soder said that the issue was critical for his party's credibility. The problem, though, is that Merkel is against such a limit as are the Greens and FDP.

Many within the CDU, though, agree with Seehofer's analysis as to what went wrong on Sunday. Even enthusiastic Merkel supporters were dumbfounded when she said on the Monday after the election that she didn't know what she could have done differently during the campaign. One member of the party's parliamentary leadership spoke of a "complete denial of reality."

Hard Cap Compromise?

Merkel and Seehofer know how difficult it will now be to find a common position on immigration. At the same time, though, both are convinced that the coalition talks have to be successful -- new elections, after all, would likely only help the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The chancellor's camp appears ready to compromise. "Seehofer will get something," says a close confidant of Merkel's. That could, for example, come in the form of an increase to pensions for mothers who choose to stay at home to raise their children. It is something that is near and dear to the CSU leader, though it could cost billions.

A compromise might even be found when it comes to the question of a hard cap on refugees. Seehofer is willing to consider a European solution, something that would require the development of a joint EU asylum policy whereby each member state would be assigned a specific number of refugees. That, though, is a significant hurdle -- nor is it clear that his own party would agree to such a plan. The Greens, too, could put up a fuss.

It's Tuesday and senior Green Party politician Renate Kunast is standing in front of a meeting room in the Reichstag telling a story about pears. In 1989, the Greens negotiated a governing coalition for the city-state of Berlin with SPD-member Walter Momper. Laughing, Kunast notes that the Greens of the time were still unsure "if they should be part of a government at all." It was long ago.

Momper had invited the Greens to preliminary talks to determine whether a coalition would even work. It was slow going, with the Greens harboring doubts and listing their conditions. Meanwhile, Mompert just sat there, Kunast relates, stoically peeling pears. He then quartered them and distributed the fruit to all those seated at the table. "That's when we knew that he was serious," Kunast says. The moral of the story? "Coalitions don't fail due to issues, rather they fail when those involved can't get along," Kunast says. You have to learn to approach things from a different perspective, she adds, then even a Jamaica coalition could work.

If that is true, there are decent chances that the coming coalition negotiations will find success. Green Party lead candidate Katrin Goring-Eckardt gets along well with the chancellor and party co-head Cem Ozdemir is friendly with FDP head Christian Lindner.

In the Greens' parliamentary group, though, the mood isn't quite that cut-and-dried. On the contrary. When the lawmakers gathered on Tuesday for their first post-election meeting, almost all of them believed that a Jamaica coalition should be seriously explored. But optimism regarding the ultimate success of such talks varied significantly depending on which wing of the party they belonged to. The Fundis say it is hard to imagine forming a political alliance with the FDP, much less the CSU, while the Realos tend to think that enough joint projects can be identified if everyone negotiates in good faith.

That is also the approach taken by the Green Party economics minister in the state of Hesse, Tarek Al-Wazir. "Jamaica is now the only possibility to assemble a governing majority, so we have to try it," he says. If the Greens negotiate well, he says, the alliance presents an opportunity. "We didn't go into the campaign to demand nice things from the opposition benches," he says. "We want to change things in reality."

'Just Stupid'

But Realos like Al-Wazir push for progress in the talks, the more mistrustful the Fundis become. Such as when Goring-Eckardt says: "Everyone involved know that they have to make compromises." Or when Winfried Kretschmann, the Green Party governor of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, says that the party has no red lines going into the talks -- ignoring the fact that one is written into the party's campaign platform: Refugees cannot be deported into regions of conflict, like Afghanistan.

Leading Fundis can hardly believe the degree to which the party's Realos are trying to curry favor. "It's just stupid," says one. "You can't go into preliminary talks in a weaker position than that." And, the person adds, there are of course elements of their program that the Greens cannot sacrifice. After all, the results of the talks have to be approved by the Greens' left-leaning parliamentary group and the coalition agreement is to be voted on by party members.

It won't be enough, the critic continues, for the Greens only to push through a few items pertaining to the environment and global warming. There also have to be successes on issues such as social equality and the European Union. "If we are duped on our core issues, then we can just stop now," says a Green parliamentarian from the left wing of the party.

That, the left-wing parliamentarian says, could lead the Greens to the same fate experienced by the FDP. In 2009, the FDP joined a coalition with Merkel's conservatives, only to be steamrolled throughout the legislative period. In 2013, the party didn't win enough votes to surmount the 5-percent hurdle necessary for parliamentary representation.

It has been three years since FDP leader Christian Lindner experienced a rather unique form of deja vu. Freshly in office at the time, Lindner had invited representatives of the Dutch economically liberal party D66 to FDP headquarters in Berlin. The politicians from The Hague had once experienced a collapse similar to the one the FDP had just suffered through, going from 15.5 percent in 1994 elections to just 5.1 percent eight years later.

When their Dutch political allies explained the cause of their collapse, Lindner grinned knowingly. The politicians from the Netherlands said their party had made several promises during the campaign, but ultimately the D66 leader at the time was only interested in becoming Dutch foreign minister and deputy head of government. The comparison to Guido Westerwelle, who led the FDP into that 2009 coalition with Merkel, was unavoidable.

A Model for Renewal

Among the leaders of the parties that might join forces in a Jamaica coalition, Lindner's position is unique. No other party leader's position is as undisputed within their party as his, the product of Lindner having led the FDP back from the political desert to a more-than-respectable 10.7 percent result last Sunday. At the same time, Lindner has to defeat a unique enemy: his party's own past. The FDP leadership still has traumatic memories of that 2009-2013 alliance with Merkel.

The party is thus determined to do everything differently in the upcoming negotiations than they did eight years ago. Under no circumstances do they want the foreign minister position, because while it tends to make the occupant of the office popular, it does nothing for the party. In 2009, the FDP took over five ministries because they came along with several well-paid jobs for party members, but political achievements did not result. This time, they have their sights set on only three ministries, but are prioritizing those that conform to the core issues they campaigned on: education and digital issues, for example, and the Finance Ministry, of course. Lindner believes the latter is the only ministry that is "at eye level with the Chancellery."

Most of all, though, the FDP would like to change the organizational structures in a coalition government in order to limit Merkel's power. The party would like to see the most important decisions not made in cabinet meetings, but in regular gatherings of coalition party and parliamentary group leaders. In a coalition government, says an FDP negotiator, "the responsibility for determining policy does not lie with the chancellor but with the parties involved."

It is very possible that the FDP will find agreement for this proposal from at least three of the four parties involved.

Many in Germany are currently looking to the small northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, where a Jamaica coalition was installed following state elections earlier this year. Governor Daniel Gunther, of the CDU, says that during the campaign, he had initially been hoping for a pairing with just the FDP, but now the 44-year-old emphasizes: "I have an extreme amount of appreciation for this coalition."

A Blueprint

While the government hasn't even been in office for 100 days yet, Gunther already believes that it has a future, potentially even beyond the five-year legislative period that just started. The coalition has focused on future-oriented projects such as digitalization, including "Smart Farming," and making Schleswig-Holstein "the most family friendly" state in Germany, with a focus on day care and education. The coalition agreement likewise includes support for gay marriage, even though Gunther had once opposed it, and the government even plans to explore the legalization of marijuana. On refugee policy, the state is also seeking a more liberal policy when it comes to issues such as refugee family reunification, for example.

"It shows that Jamaica can lead to progress in our society," says Eka von Kalben, Green Party floor leader in state parliament. "To solve future problems, it is no longer enough for each party to cower in its corner."

Can the Schleswig-Holstein coalition become a blueprint for the national government? The chancellor believes it can. Merkel has already indicated to her would-be coalition partners how she hopes to avoid potential conflicts from arising in the first place. She intends for each to have its own area of authority where it can largely determine policy. For the FDP, that could be the digital economy while for the Greens, it could be climate, energy or transportation. The advantages to Merkel of this approach are obvious: Her coalition partners would be able to engage on and shape issues that are important to their own constituents. And they would be responsible should things go wrong.

At the same time, deputy FDP head Wolfgang Kubicki, who leads the party's parliamentary group in Schleswig-Holstein, would like to see the coalition partners agree on joint principles for the most important policy areas. "Jamaica has to become a joint project under a single heading," he says. "The modernization of Germany could be such a heading."

A first step should involve representatives of the Greens and FDP meeting separately to agree on a joint position on energy and economic issues, for example -- the fields where the contrasts between the two parties seem largest.

When it comes to energy issues, FDP member Stefan Kapferer believes that compromise is, in fact, possible. Kapferer was once a state secretary in the Economics Ministry and is now director of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries and he notes that all of the parties that might become part of a Jamaica coalition "clearly threw their support behind the Paris climate goals." That means, he says, that the incoming coalition must reduce CO2 emissions and close down coal-fired power plants at a more rapid rate than has thus far been the case. The only questions then left to answer pertain to the precise timeline for the complete elimination of coal and the degree to which plant operators should be compensated.

'Start Talking'

There will, though, be significant differences on social issues. The CSU, for example, is likely to encounter vehement opposition to its multi-billion-euro plan for expanding pensions for stay-at-home mothers. The Greens, meanwhile, are fighting for a major overhaul to Germany's health insurance system which would do away with private insurance policies altogether -- a political no-go for the conservatives and the FDP.

As such, not even the outlines have emerged of what a Jamaica coalition might look like. If the parties involved are unable to find common positions, the alliance could collapse even before it is formed. If they are, however, it could pave the way for progress on such issues as climate and digital issues.

As such, many of those in favor of the Jamaica alliance believe it is imperative to begin talks as soon as possible. Earlier this week, though, party leaders for the conservatives, the Greens and the FDP agreed to wait to begin talks until after October 15 state elections in Lower Saxony.

Deputy FDP leader Kubicki believes that is a mistake. "I think it is wrong to wait until after Lower Saxony to begin negotiations," he says. "It would make sense for at least the Greens and FDP to start talking."

By Annette Bruhns, Jan Friedmann, Ann-Katrin Muller, Ralf Neukirch, Christian Reiermann, Michael Sauga, Cornelia Schmergal, Christoph Schult and Gerald Traufetter
The unique programme, which is now known as Business Support for Young People, has in that time ensured that 76 young people in Cumbria and The Yorkshire Dales have followed their dream and started the process to set up or develop a farming related business. On completing the programme, many have created new businesses and most of these are still going strong. Now the Princes Trust has offered a further two years financial support up to July 2019.

The programme is offered to 18-30 year olds who have a farm-related business idea but are limited by the resources or opportunities available to them. It comprises a short course on the basics of business planning, one-to-one support from an experienced farm business adviser and the chance to apply for a low interest loan and training grant, plus ongoing support from a volunteer business mentor.

Kate Gascoyne has project managed the scheme for several years. She says;

The types of new business ventures we have supported has been quite varied across Cumbria and The Yorkshire Dales. To date they include brand new beef and sheep enterprises, agricultural engineering and repairs businesses, sheep contracting services, cheese production from home produced milk, commercial duck egg production and others.

Rob Hitch, chair of the programmes business launch group said, The Farmer Network has a proud track record delivering business support for young people. The extended Princes Trust funding has ensured that during this difficult time leading up to Brexit, young people can still proceed with a good farm business idea, and will be supported to do so. The wider benefits will be felt across the industry and in local communities as these start-up businesses look to flourish in the future.

The new funding has already kicked in and The Farmer Network will be hosting an Explore Enterprise session in the coming months for any new applicants.

Case Studies

Graham Smith, from near Skipton was working full time for a motorsport fabrication company and using his welding skills to maintain and repair farmers equipment on evenings and weekends. After much deliberation, he took the leap and left full time employment with the intention of being a subcontract welder. A few months after I had started self-employment I heard about The Farmer Network programme and decided to apply. After attending the weekend workshops, I worked with a business adviser to help produce a business plan to develop my agricultural implement manufacture and repair business. John, my adviser was a tremendous help and I still use or reflect on his comments and advice to guide me. In many respects, the advice I had was more valuable than the loan I received. I used the business plan to apply for funding and was offered a loan and grant to help me develop the business. The funds enabled me to invest in new products, new ideas and promote myself more than I could have done without it.

Tony Clifton, Nidderdale, is not from a farming family, he studied for a National Diploma in Agriculture at Bishop Burton and worked on a sheep and beef farm in New Zealand afterwards. I moved to Upper Nidderdale and heard about the Farmer Network Programme from a farmer who I was lambing for at the time. At age 23, I thought that it sounded like a way of progressing my long-term idea of becoming a farmer in my own right. Last year I was working for several local farmers regularly, as well as running my own expanding flock of horned and mule sheep. I was aiming to run 150 ewes by the end of the year, as a step towards a farm tenancy in the long run. Since then, I have had to reduce the flock because most of the grazing I had suddenly became unavailable and it will take a while to build up again. As with most business plans and life, nothing works out exactly like youd hoped, but I feel that doing the course and the planning helped me to become more self-reliant and able to adapt. Breeding my own flock replacements, building a regular farm-work base and shearing with another contractor has given me further business experience. The Explore Enterprise course explained the paperwork and planning that goes with running a business. I also found it helpful talking to others on the course to test out ideas and pick up new ones. My allocated business adviser helped me to think through and plan a way forward, and gave me confidence. The Princes Trust loan process was testing, but very straightforward and I would recommend it to other young people wanting to get on and take opportunities that are just out of reach from their present circumstances.

James Lund (23) wanted to develop a livestock rearing enterprise using some buildings that are part of, but separate from the family business, to build up some stock and develop his farm business skills. The Explore Enterprise course in 2015 gave me general information about running a business and my allocated business adviser, John Pedley, really helped me to plan out my ideas. The loan and grant that I was awarded have enabled me to rear 40 calves a year for the past 2 years. I have reared different kinds of calves for different markets as well as doing self-employed work for other farmers to help me pay off the loan. I was allocated Ted Ogden from Craven Auction as a business mentor, because the buying and selling are crucial to my business.
The call to action follows detailed investigations carried out in British woodlands into the population makeup of the Hymenoscyphus fraxineus fungus that causes ash dieback.

While the findings bring some hope for the future of ash tree populations in Great Britain and continental Europe, the authors warn that further introductions of variants of the fungus from its native East Asia must be prevented.

Professor James Brown from the John Innes Centre, one of the authors of the peer review paper in the journal Plant Pathology, said:

What this study shows is that once the ash dieback fungus arrived in Europe, it spread to Britain both by wind-borne spores and by trade in plants. Other alien diseases could spread in the same way. Because of this, disease control must operate on a European scale. Above all, we should prevent diseased plants getting into Europe.

The research team from the John Innes Centre and Forest Research carried out genetic tests on fungal samples found on ash leaves and stems collected from infected woodlands in England and Wales.

Three of the woodland study sites in Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent in the east of England contained ash populations believed to have been infected by windborne fungal spores that travelled from diseased woodlands in continental Europe.

Two further English sites, in Devon, Derbyshire and one in Carmarthenshire, Wales, were selected because they were presumed be infected from ash trees planted in the last 10-20 years from nursery stock from continental Europe.

The aim of the research was to determine if the mode of arrival of the fungus had an impact on the genetic diversity of fungal populations and how they were adapting to local population of ash.

A range of lab and field techniques revealed that numerous infections had established many strains of the pathogenic fungus at each location. There was considerable genetic diversity within pathogen populations in all the sites, regardless of mode of arrival.
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STAMFORD  HealthCare Royalty Partners opened this month an office in London as the investment firm aims to build its presence in the European market.

The new office in Londons financial district, which is run by managing director Paul Hadden, reflects Stamford-headquartered HCRs commitment to a regionalization strategy. The firms potential European partners are primarily located in the United Kingdoms Golden Triangle  between London, Cambridge and Oxford  and other parts of northern Europe.

Europe as a whole has been responsible for a meaningful portion of HCRs invested capital, and in our view, worth the investment of Paul relocating, said Clarke Futch, HCR co-founder and managing partner. While we are not necessarily expecting an increase in deal flow, we would like to potentially see an increase in the quality of deals that fit our investment mandate.

Hadden is HCRs sole representative at the Snowden Street address, which also serves as the London headquarters of HCR affiliate Cowen & Co. The latter firm has some 50 employees in the complex.

HCR opened an office earlier this year in Boston and another in San Francisco in 2015, moves that HCR officials said have produced significant deal flow opportunities.

We embarked on somewhat of an experiment by opening our San Francisco office, Futch said. The thesis was that being closer to our target counterparties would allow us to strengthen our relationships and improve our chances of sourcing transactions on a proprietary basis. That initial experiment surpassed all of our expectations, and hence we have followed suit with Boston and London.

Founded in 2006, HCR now operates with a team of 31, including 21 based at the headquarters at 300 Atlantic St.

The firm has raised $3.5 billion of committed capital since its founding. Among recent deals, it closed in February on a $150 million deal with South San Francisco, Calif.-based Portola Pharmaceuticals.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
Anyone who's been on the receiving end of a sales cold call, which is virtually everyone with a phone number, can attest to how annoying these unsolicited sales attempts often are. Even if you stay on the line long enough to hear what the caller is selling, your first question probably isnt, Can you please tell me more?

Its more like, How did you get my number? Or maybe, Can you please remove me from your calling list?

Yet cold calling has been a widely used sales tactic for decades, and is often considered a rite of passage for veteran salespeople. But its high time for that to change. There are simply more efficient and effective ways to sell products in the digital age.

Related: Not Good at Sales? Here Are 5 Easy Ways to Get More Clients.

Time not well spent.

Cold calls generate follow-up conversations only 10 percent of the time, according to a Harvard Business Review study. The other 90 percent of the time, theyre most likely alienating potential leads, even the ones who may actually benefit from the product or service being sold.

Moreover, not even 2 percent of sales calls lead to an in-person meeting, according to HubSpot research. That means you have to spend a lot of time on the phone before you get the chance to make an in-person pitch.

All of that time spent researching prospects, refining sales scripts and training your sales team to pitch your product on the phone, drives up your cost of customer acquisition immensely. Not surprisingly, HubSpot also reports that cold calls cost roughly 60 percent more per lead than acquisition methods like email marketing and social selling.

Cold calling is an aggressive approach, and todays consumers dont want to be pressured into making a purchase, they want to buy into your product and your company on their own terms. The internet has changed how consumers make buying decisions, and buyers now want to be in charge of the purchasing process.

Related: 4 Outdated Tactics That Sabotage Your Sales

Instead of interrupting customers with annoying sales calls, rely on the following three guidelines to build a better sales strategy:

1. Start With Inbound Marketing.

The guiding principle behind any successful inbound marketing program is to provide value first and sell second. If customers understand the value that your company is offering, theyll be far more likely to do business with you.

HubSpot helped pioneer this approach, and now companies like Sapper Consulting are taking it to the next level where they combine precise targeting and unique, creative email content with the insightsgenerated by big data to help companies get B2B leads and secure high-quality meetings with decision makers.

A successful inbound marketing campaign is based on a specifically defined audience or a set of customer personas. Companies like HubSpot and Sapper help people target content directly to your personas and establish a voice that resonates with them. According to a study by marketing company Captora, 61 percent of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from companies that use custom content to reach them. Clearly, knowing your audience is key.

2. Dont be afraid of public speaking.

The popularity of TED Talks and similar forums is evidence of the fact that people want to hear what experts have to say, either in person or over video. But even if you dont consider yourself an expert yet, public speaking can help you achieve that status.

By speaking at industry-relevant meetings and events, you can start developing brand recognition and a unique perspective on topics related to your business. Plus, you can repurpose speeches as content to use in your future inbound marketing efforts.

Related: 4 Great Summer Books for Sales Executives

A well-delivered speech can be one of the most effective ways to generate sales because youll often have prospects in the room when youre speaking. Grab their attention during your speech, and youll likely be handing out business cards afterward.

3. Keep an eye on ROI.

Content marketing is only effective if you actually use your content. In 2013, SiriusDecisions reported that somewhere between 60 and 70 percent of B2B content goes completely unused. Thats a problem. It shows that many companies are essentially throwing away time and money and calling it content marketing.

Instead of wasting precious resources on your content marketing efforts, clearly define the business objective you hope to achieve with each piece of content you createbeyond page views and click-through rates.

Work to understand the ROI you're getting out of each piece of content. Quantify your customers pain points and create a sales strategy around the solution to those pain points.

Thought leadership and content campaigns will also help you engage with consumers and get a better sense of how your content is contributing to sales. Then, repurpose high-performing content and update content that becomes dated to continue attracting new leads.

Likewise, you should keep content that demonstrates your companys capabilities and other valuable knowledge gated so that youre not giving away intellectual propertysuch as industry analysis, buying guides and RFP templatesfor free.

Cold calling is a time-honored practice, and its likely not going away anytime soon.

But with these tactics, youll have much more success acquiring new customers and gain a big advantage over competitors still glued to their phones.

Related:

'Remember the Ladies': 5 Reasons Your Sales Team Needs (More) Women

3 Strategies for Closing Sales Without Picking Up the Phone

3 Steps to Blowing Up Your Business



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Here's the problem, and it happens a lot: Job-seekers find an opening and immediately research the employer. They visit the company website, along with LinkedIn and Glassdoor.

Related: Who's Managing Your Online Reviews?

And that's when they spot it: the negative employee review.

Bad reviews can impact a company and make talent recruitment hard. In fact, a January 2017 report from Glassdoor found that of the 238 job-seekers who participated in the study, those who'd seen a bad review of their prospective company asked for a salary bump, on average, 55 to 60 percent higher than that from their current company. By contrast, those who'd seen neutral employer reviews wanted a pay raise 45 to 50 percent higher.

And those who'd seen a positive review? A raise of 35 to 40 percent.

This problem is ubiquitous. Carol Lee Andersen, president of Questback, an enterprise-feedback and management-solution company, in The Woodlands, Texas, says that every company gets bad reviews.

"Asking if a company has ever had a bad review online is like asking if someone's ever been on a bad date," Andersen said via email. "In an ideal world, neither would exist. But that's not reality. Negative reviews may be unavoidable. But the real loss for a company is not learning and growing from the insight, so that today we can become better employers than yesterday."

When employers take the time to study those negative reviews, they can find ways to improve the workplace and the employee experience.

Always respond respectfully.

It could be tempting to deny or fight back against a review that seems unfair or even made up. However, this can make matters worse and hurt a company's reputation.

When Kristina Groves, an account executive for the PR firm Volume PR, in Denver, Colo., worked as a recruiter at a direct sales company, she found a disgruntled summer intern's review on Glassdoor complaining about compensation. The problem: The company didn't have an internship program.

Related: 6 Ways to Make Online Reviews Work for Your Business

"I responded to the review on the website," Groves told me via email. "I was very straightforward, honest and humble, and I thanked [the writer] for taking the time to write a review. Then, I stated that we had never had an intern in our company and maybe they were confused. And I addressed the accusations.

"Never mind that this was a phony review. Recruits were reading it and needed to know that we are genuine and straightforward about commissions . . . that we had successfully hired and helped other people grow to their goals, and that we were equal opportunity."

By responding respectfully, employers show job-seekers that they are working on making things better.

Encourage positive reviews.

Bad reviews should lead to positive change. As employers make improvements, they should encourage happy employees to leave positive reviews.

Sterling Snow, the marketing communications director at Jive Communications, a cloud-based phone systems and Unified Communications services company in Orem, Utah, recalled how his social media strategist wanted to improve the company's online employer brand.

"He realized we hadn't been keeping up with our employee reviews," Snow said via email. "HR sent out surveys asking employees for input on our company culture, as well as suggestions on how they felt the company could improve. This internal audit led to many great changes for us."

Jive Communications began using yearly goals and monthly meetings to build a sense of unity and encourage transparency. After these changes,it sought still more employee feedback. "We found that the majority of people were very pleased with the changes made," Snow said. "So, we encouraged them to write their own reviews."

As Snow pointed out, happy employees rarely take the time to share their perspective, but they should. While positive reviews won't undo the negative ones, they will show that negative reviews no longer represent what the company is really like.

Perform an exit survey.

Sometimes, disgruntled employees just want a way to vent. Then, once they've aired their grievances, they move on.

Don Rheem, the CEO of E3 Solutions, a management-consulting firm in Washington, D.C., said employers need to take a lesson from companies like United Airlines and Marriott that intercept negative consumer reviews by immediately asking for feedback.

"If an employee is upset, is there a way to safely register that concern internally?" Rheem said via email. "I don't mean the old-fashioned suggestion box, where the submission seems to evaporate, but a viable process where the offered ideas are acknowledged and responded to in a timely way. When people feel helpless regarding their concerns, that negativity can grow and fester."

Conducting an exit survey can keep negative reviews in-house. This way, instead of employees posting complaints online, they can have a productive, two-way conversation.

Honor anonymity.

Even if a company is able to figure out who left a negative review, it's important not to talk to that person directly about the review. The best feedback comes in because people feel safe being honest.

As the CEO of Talmetrix, an employee-feedback and insights solution company in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chris Powell knew who'd posted a negative review about him.

"I personally received a bad review from an employee I was managing when I was the head of HR at another company," he said via email. "I received the review through anonymous feedback, and even though I knew who it was, I had to honor that process. I couldn't address the employee directly, but I took it into account going forward. Now, whenever I have to make a controversial decision, I clearly explain my reasoning for my actions and address employee concerns."

Related: 5 Surefire Ways to Improve Your Site's Online Reviews

If employees think their boss will know the negative things they want to say, they'll keep it to themselves. Then, the company will never receive valuable feedback about what needs to be improved. Don't let that happen to you: Be comfortable with anonymity and the voice it encourages.

Related:

Respect People's Right to Review Your Company Online, Even When There's Bitching Involved.

Damage Control: 6 Ways to Respond to Negative Reviews

The Secrets to Successfully Managing Your Company's Reputation



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


. 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.
CHAMPAIGN - In response to HB 40 becoming law, AG candidate Erika Harold sent out the following press release, presented in its entirety. She says she will enforce "all the laws of the state," which, after Thursday will include defending the state law forcing taxpayers to pay for elective abortions in Illinois.
More responses coming in Friday about Governor Rauner's signing of HB 40. This from the Illinois Federation of Republican Women:

After yesterday's disappointing news that Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB 40, Susan Wynn Bence, president of the Illinois Federation of Republican Women, released the following statement:



"As the president of the largest Republican women's organization in the state of Illinois, it is disappointing that Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB 40 without heeding the guidance of our organization and its members. An organization that values life. Not only is this bill contentious by all accounts, but the fiscal ramifications of the bill are still unknown. The focus should be on guiding Illinois to a solid fiscal footing; instead, democrats continue to push divisive policies that endanger our state and its fiscal viability."
We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken that our Governor went back on his promise and signed the extremely out-of-touch, abortion-expanding bill, HB40, said Rosemary Hackett, President of Illinois Right to Life.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner broke his promise to not sign House Bill 40 . This bill will force taxpayers to cover the cost of providing free abortions for those on Medicaid and for state employees.

CHICAGO - Illinois Right to Life provided a response to Governor Rauner signing House Bill 40 into law Thursday, saying the new law will add to the 39,856 abortions already performed in Illinois each year.

Right now, Illinois Right to Life and pro-life advocates throughout Illinois can only feel betrayed and deeply saddened for the thousands of additional unborn babies lives that will be lost each year because of Governor Rauners action. We are beyond disappointed that our governor is willing to ignore the voices of his states citizens and every member of his political party, and expand abortion in Illinois at taxpayer expense.

Once it becomes law, HB40 will force every Illinoisan to pay for free abortions for those on Medicaid and state employee health insurance, through the full nine months of pregnancy and for any reason, even when the latest scientific research has shown that the unborn child can feel pain and survive outside the womb.

Last April, Rauner promised that he would veto HB40, saying he recognized that there were sharp divisions of opinion over taxpayer funding of abortion in Illinois. He also promised during his 2014 campaign that he would have no social agenda. In signing HB40, Governor Rauner has directly gone back on his promises.

It has long been the policy of the state of Illinois, like the majority of other states in America, that its citizens should not be required to pay for other peoples abortions. Illinois current Medicaid program covers abortions in the rare cases of rape, incest, and when there is a threat to the health and life of the mother. In its current form, HB40 expands the Medicaid coverage to abortions for any reason.

By signing this bill, it is projected that 12,000 or more additional babies will be aborted every year. This is based on data from the last period during which there was unrestricted Medicaid funding of abortions in Illinois. That will add to the 39,856 abortions per year already performed in Illinois.

There is no cap on the number of abortions that could be covered under Medicaid and no cap on the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on these procedures. Based on figures from the last time Illinoisans financed unrestricted Medicaid funded abortions, at the current rate, state government spending could range anywhere from $1.8 million to $21 million.

According to political analysts, Rauner will be the first governor in the country to initiate state taxpayer funding of abortion. This bill was deemed so extreme that every Republican member of the General Assembly voted against it, as did several Democrats.

With a swipe of his pen, the Governor has begun to change the character of Illinois and potentially America, added Hackett. Those who oppose abortion do so because science says abortion ends the life of an unborn child - something no American should have to pay for. Our country does not take pride in abortion, celebrate it, or work to increase them. Illinois is poised to be the first state in the country to unravel it all.
CHICAGO - Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric J. Scheidler said no pro-life voter will vote for Governor Rauner's re-election in 2018 after he signed a bill into law forcing taxpayers to fund low income and state employees abortions.

When he was running for governor, Bruce Rauner insisted he had no social agenda. But now, by signing HB40, he is forcing Illinois taxpayers to pay for abortions," Scheidler said in a statement. "This measure is conservatively predicted to increase annual abortions in Illinois by at least 3,800. That means 3,800 unborn children will die because Bruce Rauner lied to us and signed this bill. What pro-life voter will stand by him in 2018? None.

Scheidler said on his Facebook page Thursday that he does not regret voting for Rauner in 2014.

"Believe it or not, I do not regret that vote. If Pat Quinn had won re-election, he would have immediately signed HB40, and we would already be funding abortion in Illinois," Scheidler wrote. "Instead, it took the abortion lobby 4 months to get Rauner's signature. During that time, at least 1,250 unborn children were NOT aborted because this law was not in force. I think my vote worth the lives of those 1,250+ children."

Scheidler said in 2018 he will urge fellow pro-lifers to not vote for Rauner - "even if that means we get a stronger abortion supporter in the Governor's Mansion.

"This kind of political and moral betrayal cannot be tolerated. Period....Rauner will lose the election without our support. And he'll know why."

The Pro-Life Action League is calling for Illinoisans that oppose Governor Rauner signing HB 40 into law Thursday to join Students for Life in a protest at noon Saturday in front of the Thompson Building on Randolph Street.
Thomas Allan Heimbuch of Plano TX, passed into the arms of God on Sept.7,2017. He was born Aug. 8,1963 in Alliance,NE. He attended school and was graduated from Alliance High School in 1982 and then was graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1986.

His engineering career started with Texas Instruments, followed by doing sales for several fortune 500 corporations. This lead to an ultimate achievement of being named International Salesman of the Year by Logitech Corp. at their sales meeting in Malta. He continued to travel extensively in Europe and Asia until his latest and last challenge was forming his own faith based company, 360 Foundation Repair. His ads always featured one of his dogs in a clever pose.

Thomas is survived by his parents, Dr. Floyd and Sharon {Meininger} Heimbuch,brother, Paul and sister-in-law, Patti, nephew, Ryan Heimbuch and wife Jessica all of Texas. Nephew, Nathan Heimbuch resides in Port Orchard, WA.

He was preceeded in death by his Grandparents, Fred and Elizabeth Meininger and Lydia Heimbuch Jordon.

He was a member of the Nebraska DeMolay, Delta Tau Delta, Better Business Bureau, several Engineering groups and the United Methodist Church.

A memorial service at St. Andrew United Methodist Church will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established for PATRIOT PAWS a service dog training center for returning disabled wounded warriors. Contributions can be sent to:

PATRIOT PAWS

c/o Sharon Heimbuch

4224 S. Capistrano Dr.

Dallas, TX 75287
This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page

Published: 29 September 2017

General government deficit 1.8 per cent and debt 63.1 per cent relative to GDP in 2016

According to the revised preliminary data reported by Statistics Finland to Eurostat, general government deficit was 1.8 per cent relative to gross domestic product in 2016. Thus, the deficit was below the reference values of the European Unions Stability and Growth Pact, which is three per cent relative to gross domestic product. General government EDP debt, or consolidated gross debt, was 63.1 per cent at the end of 2016 relative to gross domestic product, that is, over the reference value of 60 per cent.

General government EDP debt relative to GDP

Consolidated general government gross debt (EDP debt) amounted to EUR 136.0 billion at the end of 2016. The debt grew by EUR 2.8 billion in 2016. Compared to the preliminary data released in March, the ratio of debt to GDP was now updated 0.5 percentage points lower, and was thus 63.1 per cent in 2016. The change was almost entirely caused by the revision of GDP. At the end of 2015, the GDP share of the EDP debt was 63.6 per cent. The EDP debt describes general governments debt to the other sectors of the economy and to the rest of the world, and its development is influenced by changes in both the unconsolidated gross debt and the internal general government debt.

General government EDP deficit (-) relative to GDP

In 2016, general government deficit, or net borrowing according to national accounts, was EUR 3.8 billion. The financial position improved by EUR 1.9 billion from the previous year. Compared to the preliminary data released in March, the deficit for 2016 diminished by EUR 325 million. Of general government subsectors, the biggest updates concerned local government where deficit decreased compared to March by EUR 175 million to EUR 864 million. The updating of data was due to revised source data.

Eurostat will verify the deficit and debt figures reported by the Member States over the following weeks. In this process, changes may be made to the figures reported by Statistics Finland. In that case, the updated figures will be released on the pages of these statistics on the same day that Eurostat publishes the data (preliminarily on 23 October).

About the content and concepts of the statistics

General government surplus/deficit refers to net lending/borrowing according to the sector accounts of national accounts, which is the difference between the total revenue and expenditure. For instance, in the case of local government, the concept differs from the surplus/deficit of the accounting period according to the profit and loss accounts of municipalities and joint municipal authorities included in the sector. The key difference concerns investments, which are recorded in national accounts as expenditure as such.

In general government accounts, the European Financial Stability Facility EFSF is, based on Eurostat's decision, handled so that the EFSF's borrowing is recorded as part of the gross government debt of the countries that have provided guarantees. The loan received by the beneficiary country from the EFSF is recorded as if it had been received from the countries in the euro area that have provided guarantees and these countries in turn owe the corresponding amount to the EFSF. As a result, the EDP gross debt of the countries that provided guarantees grows but the net debt remains unchanged because the countries have a similar receivable from the beneficiary country. The gross government debt to be recorded for each country on the loans granted by the EFSF is calculated by dividing the loan granted to the beneficiary country by the contribution key (based on the share in the ECB's capital of each country participating in the support operations).

At the end of 2016, Finland's general government debt includes EUR 3,401 million of debt granted by the EFSF to beneficiary countries. At the end of 2015, the amount was the same. Corresponding treatment does not apply to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

Central government's EDP debt differs as a concept from the central government debt published by the State Treasury. Central government's EDP debt includes loans granted to beneficiary counties by the European Financial Stability Facility EFSF, received cash collateral related to derivative contracts, the capital of the Nuclear Waste Management Fund, debts generated from investments in central government's PPP (public-private partnership) projects, and coins that are in circulation. In national accounts, central government is also a broader concept than the budget and financial economy, in addition to which it includes, for example, universities, Solidium, the Finnish Broadcasting Company and Senate Properties. When these differences are taken into consideration, we reach the central government non-consolidated gross debt in accordance with the EDP concept (Appendix table 2). In 2016, the State Treasury's central government debt EUR 102.4 billion + conceptual differences of the debt EUR 10.1 billion + differences caused by the sector delimitation EUR 3.2 billion = central government gross debt EUR 115.7 billion. The valuation principle for both debt concepts is the nominal value, where the effect of interest-rate contracts and currency swaps is taken into account.

A list of units belonging to general government (only in Finnish) can be found at http://www.stat.fi/meta/luokitukset/_linkki/julkisyhteisot.html .

Decisions on major sector classification cases (only in Finnish) are available at http://www.stat.fi/meta/luokitukset/_linkki/soveltamisp.html .

Source: General government deficit and debt. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Niina Suutarinen 029 551 2307, Atte Virtanen 029 551 3685, financial.accounts@stat.fi

Director in charge: Ville Vertanen

Publication in pdf-format (239.3 kB)

Updated 29.9.2017

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): General government deficit and debt [e-publication].

ISSN=1799-5914. 2016. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 15.11.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/jali/2016/jali_2016_2017-09-29_tie_001_en.html
This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page

Published: 29 September 2017

General government debt decreased slightly in the second quarter of 2017

General government EDP debt, or consolidated gross debt at nominal prices, totalled EUR 135.9 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2017. From the previous quarter, debt decreased by EUR 0.4 billion. These data derive from Statistics Finland's statistics on general government debt by quarter.

General government debt by quarter

Central government debt decreased by EUR two billion in the second quarter. The decrease in debt was mainly caused by net amortisations of EUR 4.2 billion in central government bonds. At the end of June, the nominal value of central government bonds in circulation was EUR 98.6 billion. The stock of debt instruments with short maturity periods of under 12 months grew at the same time on net by EUR 2.9 billion and that of transferrable deposits and other deposits by EUR 0.2 billion. In addition, short-term loans decreased by a total of EUR 0.9 billion. The combined debt of the local government sector grew during the second quarter by EUR 0.8 billion mainly as a result of the growing stock of long-term loans. In addition, the stock of short-term and long-term debt securities grew in total by EUR 0.2 billion. The debt of social security funds grew during the second quarter by EUR 0.3 billion due to the growing stock of received cash collateral related to employment pension schemes' derivative contracts and securities lending, which are classified as short-term loans.

General government EDP debt describes general governments debt to other sectors of the national economy and to the rest of the world, and its development is influenced by changes in unconsolidated debt and internal general government debts. Consolidated general government gross debt is derived by deducting debts between units recorded under general government from unconsolidated gross debt. For this reason, general government debt is smaller than the combined debts of its sub-sectors.

The EDP debt of general government differs conceptionally to some extent in the case of central government, from the central government debt published by the State Treasury. Central government's EDP debt includes loans granted to beneficiary counties by the European Financial Stability Facility EFSF mentioned above, received cash collaterals related to derivative contracts, the capital of the Nuclear Waste Management Fund, debts generated from investments in central government's PPP (public-private partnership) projects, coins that are in circulation, and the deposits of the European Commission. In National Accounts, central government is also a broader concept than the budget and financial economy (http://www.stat.fi/meta/luokitukset/_linkki/julkisyhteisot.html). The valuation principle for both debt concepts is the nominal value, where the effect of currency swaps is taken into account.

Source: General government debt by quarter, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Timo Ristimaki 029 551 2324, Henna Laasonen 029 551 3303, rahoitus.tilinpito@stat.fi

Director in charge: Ville Vertanen

Publication in pdf-format (216.1 kB)

Updated 29.9.2017

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): General government debt by quarter [e-publication].

ISSN=1799-8034. 2nd quarter 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 15.11.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/jyev/2017/02/jyev_2017_02_2017-09-29_tie_001_en.html
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.
By MARK EVANS mevans@stegenherald.com Westover and Smith roads, on the far western edge of the county, will get paving priority for 2023. Country commissioners and Scott Schmieder, county road and bridge foreman, decided at last Thursdays commission meeting to go ahead and seal up that corner of the county. That way, graders will not have
Apparently, the sudden change in plans resulted from the governor signing into law a measure Thursday that would require taxpayers to pay for abortions for low income women and state employees.

PALOS - Despite being featured as a main attraction for weeks, Governor Rauner won't be attending Saturday's Southwest Suburban Republican Picnic after all, says Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison.

Governor Rauner had committed to attending our Republican Family Picnic several weeks ago," Morrison told Illinois Review. "In lieu of Thursday's bill signing, it was agreed that the governor's attendance would only serve as a distraction to our goal of a Republican family values event.

The featured speaker at the Village Green in southwest suburban Palos Park from noon to 3:00 PM will now be IL GOP primary candidate Erika Harold.

Morrison made clear his disagreement with Rauner on House Bill 40.

I am very disappointed in Governor Rauner's decision to sign HB 40. Illinois taxpayers should not be funding abortions. No matter your political views, allowing taxpayer dollars to fund abortions - especially for a state like Illinois which is billions and billions of dollars in debt - is an unacceptable use of taxpayer money, Morrison said.

Rauner was expected to be greeted by pro-life protesters at the picnic on Saturday. Since Rauner will no longer be appearing, protest organizer John Ryan says he'll be encouraging those frustrated with Rauner to attend the Students for Life protest downtown at noon on Saturday.

Or, Ryan encourages people that want to speak up locally to go to the SW GOP picnic and enjoy a family-friendly event. "Don't hesitate to express the need to leave Rauner behind and move in a pro-life direction," Ryan said in an email. "I'm quite sure they will find themselves in good company!"

Before Thursday invite said:

After Thursday:
The progresses recorded by Romania in digitization were highlighted in Tallinn, Estonia by President Klaus Iohannis, who launched the invitation for an informal Summit to be organised in central Sibiu, in 2019, on a subsequently decided-upon topic. "A theme important to us, too is the digitization of the public services, of the services offered by the central, local administrations, in a nutshell a field where everybody wishes to find improvement methods. And I can tell you that Romania is among the ones with best performances. I used the opportunity of this summit to take over a challenge launched by President Juncker in his speech referring to the state of the Union and I've launched after a talk with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, an invitation for 2019 to Romania, in Sibiu, to organize there an informal summit on a topic, that of course will be decided subsequently. I believe it is important that we already have now, in 2017, a very clear perspective for a summit we shall organise in 2019 when we'll chair the Council of the Union," Klaus Iohannis told a news conference.

According to the president, the theme debated at the Tallinn's Summit, the single digital market, is extremely important and drew attention that it is not possible that the state develops all of the networks that are afterwards used by both the citizens and the companies, that a partnership and a tight correlation among the state, the administrations, the private businesses and the networks' providers, is necessary.

Agerpres.
The Romanian Ambassador to the U.S., George Cristian Maior, on Thursday had a meeting with Senator Ron Johnson, the head of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the U.S. Senate, who received the National Order Romania's Star, in rank of Commander, occasion on which the U.S. congressman declared his support for Romanian citizens becoming part of the Visa Waiver programme, informs the Romanian Embassy to Washington.

During the meeting, Ambassador Maior offered the National Order Romania's Star, in rank of Commander, to the U.S. official, as bestowed by President Klaus Iohannis, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States of America, as a token of high esteem for his personal involvement in the development of the excellent bilateral cooperation between the two countries, on political, military and economic level.

Romania's Ambassador highlighted our country's commitment to a solid transatlantic relation, as well as to a robust cooperation in the defence area, also consolidated by the presence of the U.S. troops in Romania and in the region. Moreover, Maior reiterated Romania's legitimate interest in its inclusion in the Visa Waiver programme, while kindly asking Senator Ron Johnson to identify such legislative instruments that will facilitate this desideratum of the Romanian citizens and authorities. Senator Ron Johnson declared his support for the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver programme, while highlighting the political and economic importance of this programme for the consolidation of relations between USA and the participating states. Moreover, the American official said that Romania's inclusion will lead to an increase in the security level of the two countries.

Agerpres.
The Senate's President, Calin Popescu-Tariceanu accuses the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis that the latter is a "power-blinded" political person, the like of Traian Basescu, declaring himself an opponent of the "occult power system" in Romania and of Klaus Iohannis. "I see you as a power-blinded political person (like former president Basescu), who is trying to further sell the Romanians the illusion that the cuffs' directed show is in fact the anti-corruption fight when it is a fight against democracy and the rule of law. And yet the illusion you try to maintain is in great danger for today's Romania. Which is why I'll continue to unveil it and I'll continue to act according to the liberal principles I believe in, and the citizens' freedoms protection comes first. This makes me the opponent of the occult power system and as a consequence your opponent. Only I hope that in the future you'll have the courage to personally sustain your viewpoints, and not through intermediaries," Tariceanu wrote on Friday on his Facebook page.

The Senate's President says that the head of state is worried with the Romanians' fate only when he likes it, to criticise the current gov't. According to Tariceanu, Iohannis became a beneficiary of an occult power system, its champion, with the goal to ensure himself a second mandate to Romania's residency. "What seems to me way much serious, because it has to do with the constitutional responsibilities you've got, is the encouragement of the abuses and excesses of an occult power system at the force institutions's level. In the past, you were only satisfied with being the beneficiary of these excesses and abuses, when in an undemocratic manner you have installed your Government. Now, from beneficiary you have become the champion of this system and its main advocate. Why's that? It's simple: because it is the only way you consider you would win the second mandate. You showed all Romanians that you've failed in choosing the Ciolos Government, which represented a disaster for Romania, generated by incompetence and ill-will. Then, you've shown you've failed in reforming your party, too. All the Romanians remember when you were encouraging the parties to bring new, "clean" people, meaning obedient pawns of the occult power system. The PNL has played as the president wanted it and harvested an electoral disaster in 2016. Two scathing failures, following which you've remained to sell the Romanians one single illusion: of the anti-corruption fight," Tariceanu says.

"The big problem is that the illusion you try to keep alive is commencing to unweave, and you pedal in the vacuum, detached from the Romanians' reality and from what they want. Most of the Romanians want the abuses and excesses in the judiciary to cease, that the anti-corruption fight is not used anymore as a screen for the elimination of the political opponents. Most of the Romanians want that the DNA head defies the Parliament no more and say publicly the truth about the 2009 presidential election's night. As regards all of these essential aspects for Romania's future, you are against the Romanians' opinion. Most of the Romanians and more and more honest magistrates want a reformed judiciary," Tariceanu says, reaffirming his support to the Justice laws proposed by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader.

The Senate's President believes that the head of state is upset because through these laws the latter couldn't appoint anymore the Justice heads - The Prosecutor's Office and the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) -, thus diminishing his power and political influence. "What really bothers you to these laws its the fact that you won't be able anymore to decide, as a politician, who will be the heads of the Prosecutor's Office and DNA. More precisely, you are bothered because you will have less power and political influence. It's true, there will be less well for you, but it will be much better for the judiciary, which will have an additional chance to get healed. This way, the power will not stay anymore in the pen of a single person, and the election of the heads of these structures will be accomplished after debates and vote within the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM). Moreover, I deem that additional legislative initiatives are needed, so that we make sure that the Romanians' rights and freedoms are observed. Those rights and freedoms you are willing to tread so you could win a second mandate. There are laws I will advocate as it is the one regarding the establishment of an independent agency that will guarantee that no abuse could happen again in wiretapping citizens' phones," Tariceanu explains.

The President of the Senate also tells Klaus Iohannis that the two of them are on "irremediable opposite" positions. "I'm backing democracy, the citizens' rights and freedoms. You're backing an occult power system and turn a blind eye to abuses. I sustain a strong Parliament. You sustain a Parliament subordinated and controllable through the cuffs' televised show," mentions Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.

Tariceanu's assertions come after Thursday's affirmations when he told president Iohannis that the latter is championing the occult system of Romania and is attacking the current gov't to replace it with a technocratic Executive instead. Subsequently, the spokeswoman of President Iohannis, Madalina Dobrovolschi told Calin Popescu-Tariceanu that the head of state wishes the Government to have good results for Romania.

Agerpres.
The US Ambassador in Bucharest, Hans Klemm, on Friday stated in an interview granted to Agerpres, that the progress made by Romania in fighting corruption can be quantified, while the current proposals to modify Justice laws could drag down the judiciary institutions of the country, to a point where the county didn't look so good in terms of anti-corruption fight and the rule of law. "He is correct. I do not have a formal legal training. However I do have formal training in economics (...) very much a work based on fact and statistics; our concern about the progress of the rule of law in Romania is not just based on feeling, nor is it based on a lack of knowledge of what has occurred in Romania," said the diplomat.

Klemm also underscored that the "progress that has been achieved in Romania regarding the country's fight against corruption, regarding its efforts to ensure the independence of the judiciary, regarding its work to consolidate its institutions of democratic governance, but also of the rule of law is very much appreciated by the United States." "And this progress can be quantified," he pointed out.

"The World Bank, for example, maintains indicators on governance for every country that is part of the World Bank, including Romania. And if you look at their world governance indicators - there are six of them, but two of them have direct bearing on this question, one of them being they monitor control of corruption, and they monitor the rule of law. And if you look at the World Bank statistics over the period 2004 to 2015, the latest that they have, Romania's position under control of corruption has increased by 20 percent. On strengthening the rule of law, it has increased by 30 percent," said Klemm.

He also talked about Transparency International, a highly respected international NGO based in Berlin that conducts an annual survey on perceptions people have regarding corruption in the country, noticing that Romania has managed to jump 30 places in this ranking. "Romania's rank jumped 30 places during this time; it has improved 30 places. There is only, I think, two or three other countries that have a similar increase. So, this is a quantification of the substantial improvement in Romania's fight against corruption and the strengthening of the rule of law," said the American official.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Energy said on Friday it has offered an additional loan guarantee of up to $3.7 billion to companies building two nuclear reactors at the Vogtle plant in the state of Georgia.

The conditional loan guarantees were in the amounts of $1.67 billion to Georgia Power Company, a subsidiary of Southern Co., $1.6 billion to Oglethorpe Power Corp. and $415 million to three subsidiaries of the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who has remarked he wants to make nuclear power "cool again," said in a statement that the "future of nuclear energy in the United States is bright" and that he looks forward to "expanding American leadership in innovative nuclear technologies."

U.S. nuclear power has been struggling in the face of competing power plants that burn plentiful, low-cost natural gas and stagnant electricity demand.

The 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan has also dimmed interest in nuclear power. The Vogtle project is the first new U.S. nuclear power plant to be built since the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.

And billions of dollars in cost overruns at Vogtle helped push its main contractor, Westinghouse Electric Co. LLC, a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp. of Japan, into bankruptcy in March.

Vogtle and V.C. Summer, a similar double reactor project in South Carolina, were approved a decade ago, and were seen then as helping to launch a U.S. nuclear renaissance.

The projects, using AP1000 reactors, were designed and being built by Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse.

In July, the V.C. Summer project was killed by its owners SCANA Corp. and state utility Santee Cooper.

The DOE has already guaranteed $8.3 billion in loans to the companies to support construction of Vogtle reactors. Vogtle had initially been expected to begin generating power in 2016, but now the reactors are expected to be completed around the end of 2022.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri has three fewer aircraft in its fleet following the auction of a trio of State Highway Patrol surveillance planes Thursday.

After three weeks on the auction block, the mid-1980s single engine Cessnas sold for a total of $199,500.

The 1985 model sold first. Bids started Thursday morning at $46,250 and ended up selling for $72,250. The buyers name was not disclosed.

A 1984 model received 79 bids and sold for $68,250, while the 1986 plane sold for just over $59,000.

Those prices appear to be a decent deal for the buyers. A check of online aircraft sale websites shows similar models from that era selling for between $80,000 and $100,000.

All were running on rebuilt engines and had less than 11,000 hours of flight time.

The sale marks the fourth aircraft jettisoned from the state fleet since Gov. Eric Greitens took office in January. In April, for example, the state sold a 1999 Beechcraft King Air C90 through the same auction service for $627,500. It had been used to ferry state officials to various destinations, but was deemed no longer necessary.

Along with getting money from the sale, the reduced number of aircraft means less money being spent on maintenance costs. There are no plans to replace the airplanes.

The state still has four helicopters, five single-engine Cessnas and the one remaining King Air.

In Illinois, Gov. Bruce Rauner oversaw the 2015 sale of four aircraft and one helicopter for a total of $2.5 million.
Intertrust and Bitmovin Forge Strategic Partnership to Provide Secure Media Players

Intertrust and Bitmovin Forge Strategic Partnership to Provide Secure Media Players

Sunnyvale, CA( )

Intertrust Technologies Corporation and video infrastructure provider Bitmovin today announced a strategic partnership centered around Intertrusts ExpressPlay media monetization and content protection platforms. Together, Intertrusts cloud-based platforms and Bitmovins end-to-end content delivery solution provide customers (such as media companies and broadcasters) with a one-stop solution for content protection and monetization.

Bitmovin offers a video player solution for Web and mobile devices as well as cloud-native video encoding software that runs anywhere. Intertrusts ExpressPlay combines Intertrusts world-leading multi-DRM service with Personagraph, Intertrusts consumer data platform, creating a unique value proposition for broadcasters who wish to deploy and monetize protected video streams via paid distribution or advertising.

The partnership provides a one-stop solution enabling digital business models including sell-through and subscriptions, and end-to-end ad insertion into protected premium content streams. The solution supports both client player and server-side ad insertion as well as integrations with demand-side platforms and exchanges. It offers robust ad tracking mechanisms that are resilient to ad blocking. It also includes comprehensive audience intelligence without requiring clients to share any first party data. The ExpressPlay DRM platform supports all popular DRM formats including Open Standard Marlin DRM, Microsoft PlayReady, Apple FairPlay, Adobe Access, and Google Widevine.

Were living in an incredible time for Internet media distribution, said Talal Shamoon, Intertrust chief executive officer. Broadcasters, operators, and device makers now have great options for encoding, content distribution, advertising, and digital rights management  were thrilled to partner with Bitmovin to provide a unified end to end solution for this market.

Intertrust's legacy of innovation, and its contributions in the areas of content protection and monetization are globally recognized, said Stefan Lederer, co-founder and CEO of Bitmovin. Making paid distribution and advertising work for millions of viewers, across hundreds of platforms isnt easy, not to mention the complexity of streaming premium quality video to these viewers over available bandwidth. Thats where Bitmovin comes in. Our proven technology eliminates all the back-end complexity to reach those devices, saves bandwidth and lets Intertrust enable digital business models for premium and ad-supported content."

About Intertrust Technologies Corporation

Intertrust provides trusted computing products and services to leading global corporations  from mobile and CE manufacturers and service providers to enterprise software platform companies. These products include the worlds leading digital rights management, software tamper resistance and privacy-driven data platforms for AdTech, DNA storage, and IoT.

Founded in 1990, Intertrust is based in Silicon Valley, with regional offices in London, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. The Company has a legacy of invention, and its fundamental contributions in the areas of computer security and digital trust are globally recognized. Intertrust holds hundreds of patents that are key to Internet security, trust, and privacy management components of operating systems, trusted mobile code and networked operating environments, web services, and cloud computing. Additional information is available at intertrust.com, or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

About Bitmovin

Bitmovin API based products help developers around the world solve the most complex video problems with cloud native software that runs anywhere. Bitmovin API delivers a comprehensive video infrastructure solution by integrating all aspects of the adaptive streaming workflow into one easy to use interface for Encoding, Player and Video Analytics.

Bitmovin was founded in 2013 by the co-creators of the MPEG-DASH video streaming standard, used by industry leaders like Netflix and YouTube and currently accounts for 50% of US peak internet traffic. The company is laying the groundwork for a cross-platform future dominated by video content. Bitmovin, Inc. is based in San Francisco, CA, and Klagenfurt, Austria and is privately owned. Investors include Atomico, YCombinator (YC S15), Dawn Capital, SpeedInvest, Constantia New Business and a number of angel investors, including the former VP Engineering of Netflix, the former CTO of Cisco and the founder of Unity. For more information, visit www.bitmovin.com
Former patients of Auckland and Coromandels Westpac rescue helicopter service will get another chance to meet those who helped them in their time of need when the trust holds its second Rescue Reunion event on November 5.

The 2015 Rescue Reunion was well received by the Greater Auckland, Gulf Island and Thames/Coromandel communities, with a full house attending.

Among those first attendees was Drury resident Steven Cunha. On February 17, 2013, Steven was participating in a local motocross event when his bike fell short of a jump.

My bike wheel clipped the back of the landing but didnt quite make it, sending me tumbling to the ground 70 feet below. I hit the ground first with the bike landing on top of me, completely separating my shoulder joint.

Steven also suffered multiple broken ribs, punctured lungs, a lacerated liver, and extensive internal bleeding.

The most severe injury though was to the left side of my brain. It left me unconscious on the ground.

Four and a half years on from the accident, Steven is doing as well as expected.

Im trying to get my life back together and on track. My recovery is an ongoing thing but, with time, I am improving.

Steven says meeting and chatting with the crew who helped save his life was a highlight of the Rescue Reunion.

It was good hearing from others too who had also needed the service, he says.

Intensive Care Paramedic Rob Gemmell, who also attended the first event, says the Rescue Reunion provides an opportunity to close the loop between crew and patient.

The Rescue Reunion allows the crew to see the full outcome and effect our job has on the lives we save, says Rob. And, in a therapeutic sense, provides some closure for the patient.

Hillsboroughs Doreen Nuttall, who was winched off a boat on the Manukau Harbour because she was severely ill, was one of the patients Rob was able to catch up with. Rob, who is on duty on the day of the second event, is looking forward to attending again, provided he isnt tasked to a mission.

Reunions with patients dont happen very often, says event organiser Kerrie Spicer. Often the last crew see of a patient is when theyre passed into the care of the hospital.

Kerrie says plans for this years event are coming together nicely.

The afternoon will include a light lunch, followed by talks from past patients, rescue crew demonstrations, and other fun activities.

Kerrie says its important that former patients contact her to reserve their place.

Wed love to accommodate the thousands of patients weve helped over the years but due to our limited hangar space, and in the interest of safety, we can only welcome a strictly limited number of guests. Attendance will be on a first in/first served basis and guests must RSVP by Friday October 20 to reserve their place and for catering purposes.

For more information and/or to register, please contact Kerrie on 09 950 7222 or email kerrie@arht.org.nz
As the surviving political parties negotiate with Winston Peters over forming a government, Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless is hoping at least one of New Zealand Firsts pre-election policies survives the process.

Thats the policy of returning the tourism GST to the regions from which it came. For Tauranga that means about $22 million every year, says Greg.

If you take Tauranga as an area, last year there was $171 million spent by international tourists in Tauranga city. The GST on that is about $22 million. Thats every year.

Councillors have been talking for a long time about the difficulty of funding things from just rates. And the government has had record revenues from things like tourism and none of that gets back to us to pay for all the infrastructure that makes it nice for tourists.

These are things like visitor information centres; potentially museums, cycle ways, parks, reserves, and roading, and maybe even roadside parking and toilets.

We have to police all that now because of the government actions over freedom camping, So we have to police all that and we get nothing for it.

The city has no direct income from tourism, says Greg. Some people pay rates who are involved in tourism, but there are a lot that dont.

They just come in and do tours and disappear, says Greg. So I just see that as a great opportunity to get alternative funding that shouldnt affect the government at all. Its just part of their revenue stream that they have been really enjoying rapid growth in.

I think that is a good policy and I hope that is part of any government agreement. It would enable us to do a lot of things.

The main point if it is us locals would benefit. We would want to encourage tourism because the more tourists we got the more money would come specifically into this area to build amenity for ourselves, not just tourists.

Hes expecting it. Its a New Zealand First policy and as they are going to choose the government, they have the power to do this, says Greg.

Im pretty hot on people keeping their promises.
One of the worlds leading ambassadors of environmental sustainability, stability and conservation, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco brings a new level of attention to the immediate situation facing the worlds natural order. Joining us on board Jubilee at the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show, we discussed how the Principality of Monaco is setting a global example in sustainability, and how our industry, culture and the rest of the world can follow suit.

The platform of the Monaco Yacht Show, much like the Principality in which it lies, is a reflection of change and has become part of the Monaco DNA. Speaking about the show, we learned of its long history and the part it plays in the wider picture of the region.

This yacht show is so much part of the contemporary image of Monaco now, explains H.S.H. Prince Albert II. Its really ingrained into the fabric of the community and internationally, I think its really helped in the promotion of the Principality. The fact that weve been able to associate different types of awards to the yacht show in terms of sustainability and encourage that; also the Wood Forever pact that weve introduced to the yachting industry and, of course, the fact that this show is carbon neutral, makes it overall not only about the beautiful yachts [] but a great ambassador for the Principality in terms of prestige and showcasing Monaco as a centre for the yachting industry.

The superyacht industry is always looking to become greener and more sustainable, driven by the designers, builders and new wave of owners behind it. The ocean is, after all, our playground and something which has been in the spotlight of the yachting community more and more each year. Monaco is the heart of that community, and with a global sustainability leader promoting, and even enacting, positive change; change and evolution is inevitable.

For a deeper understanding of the drive behind Monacos ever-increasing focus on sustainability, the initiatives behind the New York UN summit and the efforts underway to counteract climate change, watch the full video above.
Born in Bilbao on 29 September 1864, Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo was a Spanish essayist, poet, playwright and philosopher. His most famous novel, Abel Sanchez: The History of a Passion, was considered a modern reworking of the Cain and Abel story.

One of his key works was published in 1914. Our Lord Don Quixote was perceived one of the earliest works applying existential elements of Don Quixote. Unamuno felt that Cervantes had not told the story very well and he believed that his version was the way it should have been written. He also believed he was far superior to Cervantes, who was born on the same day as Unamuno in 1547.

Unamuno's theatre was schematic, focusing only on the conflicts and passions that affect the characters, an austerity influenced by classical Greek theatre. Unamuno's works opened the way for the renaissance of Spanish theatre undertaken by the likes of Federico Garcia Lorca.

Unamuno was a well-respected connoisseur of Portuguese language and culture and he believed it was important for Spaniards to become familiar with the masters of Portuguese literature. He was also a supporter of Iberism, an ideology that developed during the beginning of the twentieth century and supported the federation into a single state of Portugal and Spain.

He was a member of the Generation of 98, a group of well-known Spanish intellectuals active in Spain at the time of the Spanish-American War.

In addition to his writing, he played an important role in the intellectual life in Spain and served as rector of the University of Salamanca. He first acquired the post in 1900, but was removed from the position by the dictator, Miguel Primo de Rivera, in 1924.

He lived in exile in Fuerteventura and from there escaped to France, living in Paris for one year. He then moved to Hendaye, a border town in the French Basque Country, in order to be as close to Spain as possible.

Unamuno returned to Spain after the fall of General Primo de Rivera's dictatorship in 1930 and took up his position again as rector at Salamanca University. It is claimed that the day he returned to the University, Unamuno began his lecture by saying As we were saying yesterday...

Unamuno gradually became convinced of the universal values of Spanish culture, feeling that Spain's essential qualities would be destroyed if influenced too much by outside forces. It was for this reason that he initially welcomed Franco's revolt as necessary to rescue Spain; however, the harsh tactics employed by the Francoists caused him to oppose both the Republic and Franco.

Shortly afterwards, Unamuno was removed for a second time from his university post and placed under house arrest. He died in his sleep on 31 December 1936.
Carlos Fernandez, the former Marbella town councillor who has been on the run from the Spanish authorities since 2006, now faces extradition from Argentina to answer charges in at least four corruption-related cases.

On Thursday the Malaga prosecution department called for Fernandez to be extradited in connection with his pending charges in the Malaya corruption case in which he was accused of embezzlement and accepting bribes, as well as another two cases. It was during the Malaya police operation, which led to several former councillors being handed prison sentences, that Fernandez escaped arrest and left the country.

This decision comes two days after Spain's high court, the Audiencia Nacional, said that it would call for Fernandez's extradition - which still depends on the decision of the Argentinian authorities - in connection with another case, known as Saqueo 2. In this case the former councillor is accused of embezzlement and falsification of official documents.

Behind bars

Fernandez was arrested in Argentina on 15 September and has been held in prison since then, awaiting a decision on his possible extradition.

According to his lawyer and brother, Antonio Fernandez, he made his whereabouts known intentionally in order to bring an end to his more than ten years as a fugitive. The lawyer maintains that the legal period within which all of the crimes he is accused must be taken to court has expired, meaning that he could no longer be tried or sentenced.

His provoking his own arrest was a way, said his lawyer, of forcing the courts to declare that he could no longer be brought to justice, allowing him to return to Spain.

In the Malaya case however, which involved widespread planning corruption at Marbella town hall, the public prosecution has said that the charges of bribery against Fernandez could still be answered in court. They expire, said the prosecution after 15 years, not ten as his defence believes. The former councillor could face a jail sentence of between two and six years.

In Saqueo 2 it is the magistrates at the Audiencia Nacional who have requested the former councillor's extradition. In this case, whose trial in 2013 resulted in 13 prison sentences being awarded, Fernandez faced nine years behind bars. He was also ordered to pay 7.8 million euros to cover the damages caused to the town hall.

The offences date back to the mid-nineties when the GIL group, for whom Fernandez was initially a councillor, was in power. Some 70 million euros were siphoned off from the town hall coffers via public companies.

Now the extradition request has to be approved at a cabinet meeting before evidence is sent to Argentina and defended by public prosecutors at a hearing.
Two weeks after Carlos Fernandez was remanded in custody in the province of San Juan, Argentina, it is still not known exactly how his arrest was made and what kind of police operation led to his capture.

According to his defence lawyer and brother, Antonio Fernandez, the former councillor handed himself in to the Argentinian police as part of a strategy designed to end 11 years as a fugitive. In fact his arrest came just a day after it was revealed that his brother had been asking for the courts to confirm that, due to the expiry of the statute of limitations, he could no longer be tried.

However the Argentinian federal police say that Fernandez was arrested as part of an operation after at least a week's surveillance. When reporting the arrest the police released a statement with two photos, one of Fernandez standing between two officers and another of him being escorted by them. In neither image is he seen wearing handcuffs. Another two photos were later released and published, however. In these the detainee's face is covered and the trousers are different to those worn by Fernandez in the first images.

The police deny that Fernandez, who had married and formed a family in Argentina, was expecting his arrest as he had been feeding the authorities information about his own whereabouts.
People across Spain were waiting nervously this week to see what will happen in Catalonia on Sunday (1 October) when the banned referendum on independence organised by the regional government is due to take place.

Eleventh-hour attempts by national government to prevent the vote, which has been subjected to repeated legal attempts to disrupt it, appeared to have been ignored.

National minister for Security, Jose Antonio Nieto, said on Thursday that today everyone has called for peaceful coexistence, amid fears that scenes could turn violent outside the planned polling stations.

Regional police dilemma

Nieto was speaking in Barcelona after the Catalonian president, Carles Puigdemont had summoned a rare meeting of the Catalonian joint security committee, which includes national government representatives. The meeting was seen as an attempt to clarify the increasingly tense security situation as firstly local public prosecutors, and later Catalonian judges, ordered police forces to take all necessary measures to prevent public resources being used to set up and run Sunday's vote.

Particularly controversial was the difficult position of the regional police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, who would normally follow the pro-referendum Catalonian government's instructions, but whose officers are also constitutionally obliged to obey any court order.

The Catalonian interior minister, Joaquim Forn, admitted on Thursday that now the courts were involved it was hard for a Mossos regional police officer not to comply with a judge's order. However he added, There's something more important than obeying the law and that's public safety.

On Thursday local Barcelona police took up guard at the depot where the city's stock of ballot boxes is kept to prevent them being used.

Nine million ballot papers were seized last week, but on Thursday Twitter footage emerged apparently showing them being reprinted.

Some 5,000 extra police officers have been sent to Catalonia from across Spain to provide more support.

There was uncertainty as to what will happen after Sunday. Carles Puigdemont has said that a unilateral declaration of independence isn't on the table but other separatist allies are calling for one. Some commentators believe this could lead to a split in the pro-independence coalition and new regional elections being called soon afterwards.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy paid a flying visit to Washington DC this week to meet with US president Donald Trump at The White House.

During the first official meeting between the two, the leaders took questions from the press. Asked for his view on the planned banned Catalonian referendum, Trump said that Spain was a historic country that should stay united.
OWEGO, N.Y. -- An Oswego County man who died after getting pinned by a trailer in a Southern Tier scrap yard has been identified.

David Kotwas, of Oswego, died Wednesday after an accident at Upstate Scrapping in Owego, said the Tioga County Sheriff's Office. He was 48 years old.

Kotwas, an employee of Riccelli Enterprises in Syracuse, drove to Upstate Scrapping at 1 Recycle Drive to deliver a load of scrap metal, deputies said. He pulled his tractor-trailer into the yard and parked next to another truck.

The second truck, owned by McFarren Trucking of Hudson Falls, had its trailer raised in the air dumping its load at 11:12 a.m. when the trailer tipped over, deputies said.

The trailer fell onto the Riccelli tractor -- pinning Kotwas inside, deputies said.

Upstate Scrapping employees moved the trailer off the tractor, allowing Campville and Owego firefighters to free Kotwas, deputies said. Firefighters and a Guthrie Air Medical crew then rushed the critically injured man to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Pennsylvania.

Kotwas was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The driver of the McFarren tractor-trailer was not injured, deputies said. The driver's name was not immediately released.
DEWITT, N.Y. -- A vehicle went rogue Thursday night in DeWitt, crashing into a nearby home, police said.

No one was injured and the owner of the vehicle was not issued any tickets, said Sgt. Brenton White of the DeWitt Police Department.

Officers were called to Sewickley Drive in DeWitt at 10:27 p.m. for reports of a car hitting a house. The road is a narrow residential street off East Seneca Turnpike.

The front end of a black car came to a stop against the brick wall of a residence near the Derringer Drive intersection. It appeared to have gone about 20 feet across the home's front lawn before hitting the building. Police were seen checking the inside of the house for damage with flashlights.

The vehicle was manual and had been parked up the street at the top of a hill, White said. The vehicle somehow popped out of gear, causing it to roll down the street and crash into the home.

The owner of the car was found and was on scene cooperating with police, White said. No tickets have been issued.

The DeWitt Police Department spearheaded the investigation, with the sheriff's office and a state trooper also called in, a dispatch worker said. The Jamesville Fire Department and American Medical Response ambulance were also called.
UPDATE: Uber calls incident with SU student 'deeply upsetting,' removes driver's access

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse police are investigating a report that an Uber driver attempted to sexually assault a Syracuse University student in a parking lot.

The incident was described in a Facebook post put up by Charlene Reese, who identifies herself an administrator for the Syracuse University Parents 2021 Group. She said she was sharing a note from another SU parent, who wished to remain anonymous, whose daughter was the victim.

The incident happened around 3 a.m. on the weekend of Sept. 16 and 17, according to the Facebook post.

"My daughter was out with friends at a party and ended up taking an Uber home alone -- not the best decision," said the SU parent, according to the Facebook post. "Needless to say the driver didn't take her back to her dorm but took her to a parking lot on the outskirts of the campus."

The Uber driver, a male, stopped the car, reached in the back seat and started to touch the student while "saying some pretty vile things to her," the post said.

The student jumped out of the car, ran towards the dorms and called her roommate for help. At her dorm room, the student called the Syracuse University Department of Safety.

Contacted by Syracuse | The Post-Standard, the campus police declined to comment on the incident stating that "this is an active investigation, we cannot comment at this time."

An SU spokesman later released this statement: "We are aware of the incident, which occurred off campus. The incident is currently under investigation by the City of Syracuse Police Department."

Syracuse Police Sgt. Richard Helterline said the department's Abused Persons Unit was investigating the reported incident.

"At this time the investigation is active and open," said Helterline, a department spokesman.

Helterline declined to discuss details from the case, but warned that some details posted on social media were inaccurate.

"No arrests have been made at this point," Helterline said. Comments online indicated that a person was arrested.

Helterline said the public will be alerted if there's an arrest made.

The Facebook post, which was deleted Friday afternoon, had been shared nearly 500 times since it was posted on Sept. 22.

"We are so grateful that nothing terrible happened - because this could have ended very badly," the parent said in the post.
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The idea that Google might be becoming a national threat is what struck me when I read a Washington Post column by Zephyr Teachout, who currently is an associate professor of law at Fordham University. (As a side note, Teachout would seem to be an ideal name for a teacher.)

She makes a compelling argument that Google has reached a point where it no longer allows dissent outside the company  though, given the recent firing of a Google engineer, that may be true inside the firm as well.

Apparently, Google has been funding an organization that is set up to fight monopolies, but when that organization called it out, Google allegedly orchestrated the termination of the group. Given that it appears much of the money that used to go to fund journalism now goes to Google, and also that Google has been found by the European Union to behave badly, having Google use its impressive might to kill dissent is problematic.

Ill close with my product of the week: a nice-looking wood veneer cover for your high-end laptop, smartphone, tablet or game machine.

Google vs. Open Markets

It kind of amazes me how often Im seeing this now. A firm funds an effort against a large competitor, then grows, and finds that effort has become focused on it. Back in the 1990s, Sun, Google and Oracle aggressively pushed the EU to go after Microsoft with significant success. Sun eventually went under; Oracle tried to buy the company, only to find it was under painful scrutiny by the same group.

Google recently got fined, in much the same way Microsoft did, for similar bad behavior. Companies often dont get that unless you buy the politicians, a political organization is free to do to them what it wanted the organizations to do to their competitors. Some of these folks likely should learn the old phrase what comes around, goes around  and that using a government agency is almost always a dual-edged sword.

In this case, it looks as though Google was funding Open Markets to get its support in going after major competitors  likely Microsoft, but it could have been Amazon as well, or both. However, when the EU fined it, the organization that was focused on stopping firms like Google from misusing their monopoly power called Google out. Then, according to the column, Google got everyone fired.

Now the New American president did denounce this story and claimed that the head of the organization was fired because he wasnt open or collegial. Still, having been on the other side of this type of activity, that often is the language that is used when a researcher, when pressured by a major funding entity, is fired for refusing to toe the line. In my own case, I resigned  but the timing alone would be highly suspicious.

The Real Danger

Now Teachout makes some excellent points tied to Google shutting down dissent, but I dont think this is the big problem at all. We are now seeing a pattern of abuse of power  first with Googles heavy ties to the Obama administration, then with the EU fine, and most recently with the move to eliminate a group that spoke out against its power.

Folks have been calling out Googles dangerous ethics for a while now. One of the most interesting accusations is that it altered search results to favor Hillary Clinton (didnt appear to have helped much, however).

By the way, I searched on both Bing and Google for Eric Schmidt scandal and got the same sordid results. That guy really gets around, suggesting that Google either isnt doing this now, at least for him, or it really doesnt like its chairman much (or maybe Google is proud of that behavior, which is really concerning when it comes to ethics).

Googles financial resources are almost unmatched. It controls most of what you see and hear on the Web, it has been highlighted as a potential kingmaker in the past, and it apparently has been funding groups that otherwise might speak out against it  and, at least in this instance, it may be ensuring that anyone who might flag its bad behavior becomes unemployed.

Wrapping Up: Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

When a firm like Google gets the kind of power Google has, it typically misbehaves. There is an impressive list of firms that were broken up, shut down or massively fined to get them to behave once they reached a fraction of the power that Google now has. I think it is both fascinating and incredibly dangerous that firms that initially seem to want to break the monopoly power of another then use their win to create an even bigger problem.

One final thought: If you search for Trump scandal on both Bing and Google, you will see a difference. Both show highly negative results, as youd expect, but there are some positive stories on the first page of the Bing search, while Google has none of that. (If you try this yourself, youll see no Fox News and a lot of Mother Jones on Google, while youll see a bit of Fox and a little Mother Jones on Bing. It looks a ton more balanced.)

We live in dangerous times. Increasingly, the information we receive is curated by others, and if those others continue to trend toward evil, we eventually will be totally screwed. Hmm given the world as it is, I may need to reconsider the word eventually. Google may be, or perhaps already is, a national threat.

I like to one-up my peers, so at the AMD event last week I pulled out my Surface Laptop to astonished looks. My laptop looked very different from theirs, and I proceeded to tell the following story: I said, You know the Surface folks make up a special laptop for Bill, and this time they decided to use wood, but Bill doesnt really like wood, so they asked me if I wanted it and I, of course, said yes. Then after a flurry of envious comments, I came clean and told them that Id used Toast to create a veneer cover for my laptop, and that really is what happened.

ToastLaptop Veneer

I worry a bit about wood, but aluminum is soft as well and I take good care of my hardware, so this thing still looks as good as when I first installed the wood cover. I now have a laptop that looks very different from anyone elses, and the thing is, Toast makes covers for most of the major high-end laptop offerings, including Apples.

Personally, Id prefer something a tad higher-tech, like carbon fiber, but right now the offerings are in a variety of woods and they dont just apply to laptops either. You can get them for high-end smartphones, Xbox and PlayStation 4.

The cost is around US$70 for a laptop top, $34 for the bottom, and $24 if you want to do the inside (I wouldnt, given how much wear youll put on the wrist rests). You apply the veneer yourself, and you do have to be careful to line up the parts correctly. It isnt hard, but a steady hand helps a ton. Make sure you pre-fit the parts  otherwise, you might put them on upside down. So, for about $100, I got a custom version of my laptop and pulled a prank on my peers. As a result, the Toast veneer is my product of the week.
Scientists who embarked on an expedition to explore Zealandia, Earth's "lost continent" that lies underwater, have returned with information that unveils some of the region's secrets.

Lost 8th Continent

Zealandia, which encompasses New Zealand and lies just east of Australia, is a sunken mass of land about as big as India. Earlier this year, scientists argued that this narrow strip of land, whose landmass mostly lies 3,280 feet below the sea, could be the long-lost brother of the seven known continents.

In February this year, GNS Science geologist Nick Mortimer and colleagues contended why Zealandia qualifies as a continent.

"Its isolation from Australia and large area support its definition as a continent  Zealandia. Zealandia was formerly part of Gondwana. Today it is 94% submerged, mainly as a result of widespread Late Cretaceous crustal thinning preceding supercontinent breakup and consequent isostatic balance," the researchers wrote in GSA Today.

Expedition To Study Zealandia

For two months, 32 scientists from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) explored the region. The researchers drilled into the seabed to retrieve sediment cores, which contain records of life dating back millions of years and offer clues as to how volcanism, geography and the climate of Zealandia have evolved over time.

"Zealandia, a sunken continent long lost beneath the oceans, is giving up its 60 million-year-old secrets through scientific ocean drilling," said U.S. National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences program director Jamie Allan.

Discoveries

Zealandia is thought to have submerged when it broke off from Antarctica and Australia about 80 million years ago but it is now clear that later events helped shaped the continent that exists today.

New fossil discoveries revealed that Zealandia has not always been as deep under the waters as it is today. The microscopic shells of organisms that live in warm and shallow seas, and the spores and pollen of land plants, likewise revealed that the climate and geography of Zealandia were dramatically different in the past.

Scientists also found evidence suggesting that the formation of the Pacific Ring of Fire between 40 and 50 million years ago caused dramatic changes in volcanic activity and ocean depth, as well as buckled Zealandia's seabed.

Scientists said that the big geographic changes may help shed light on how animals and plants spread and evolved in the South Pacific. The discovery of shallow seas and past land revealed pathways that plants and animals used to move along.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai has requested Apple to activate the disabled FM radio chips found in iPhones in the wake of the string of hurricanes that ravaged the United States in recent weeks.

FM radio signals are easier to receive and transmit during times of emergency compared to online services enabled by cellular networks. However, there is one major problem with Pai's request in relation to the new iPhone models.

Pai Renews Call For FM Radio Activation In Smartphones

Back in February, Pai said that he wanted smartphone manufactures to activate the FM radio chips of their products. Pai pointed to the fact that most smartphones in the United States have FM radio chips inside their LTE modems, but only 44 percent of the top-selling smartphones have activated them.

Pai had advocated for FM radio chip activation in smartphones for years, with public safety as one of the cases for enabling the feature.

Several months later, Pai has renewed his call, this time directly naming Apple in his request to activate FM radio chips in the name of public safety.

"It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first," Pai wrote in his statement.

Manufacturers and mobile carriers were said to have disabled the FM function, as, being a free alternative, it might pull customers away from using services that require mobile data. However, companies such as Samsung, Motorola, HTC, and LG have started selling more smartphones with the FM radio chip enabled, with the four major carriers providing a certain amount of support.

Apple, however, has resisted the trend, which is probably why Pai singled out the company in his statement.

Apple Continues Resistance, Reveals Problem With New iPhone Models

Apple responded to Pai's calls by downplaying the need for the activation of FM radio chips. In a statement, the company said that in times of crisis, owners can access the "modern safety solutions" found in their iPhones.

These solutions include the ability to dial emergency services directly from the iPhone lock screen and the enabled emergency notifications from the government, which include AMBER alerts and weather advisories.

It is unclear if the FCC has the authority to require smartphone manufacturers such as Apple to activate the FM radio chips. Nevertheless, the agency will run into a problem with Apple's 2017 iPhone models, namely the iPhone 8 and the upcoming iPhone X. This is because the smartphones have dropped the FM chips and have no antennas that can support FM signals, which means that there is no way to enable FM reception in the products.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
What's in a name? "Starlink" is the potential title for SpaceX's massive satellite network to deliver high-speed Internet access, reports Florida Today. The company has filed two trademarks for Starlink with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, one applicable to satellite communications and research into the field and the other related to hardware, including satellites, ground terminals, and satellite Earth stations to control the network.

SpaceX's Starlink network would be composed of an initial 4,425 satellites put into orbit by 2024, plus another 7,518 satellites to add more bandwidth in the future, according to media reports and testimony to Congress. CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk believes a massive, low-flying satellite communications network can offer speeds competitive with or even better than terrestrial fiber optic cabling, since signals would be moved in a point-to-point fashion and transmitted between satellites via laser without the delays introduced by moving light through glass. Existing fiber optic network rely on sending signals through cables that follow the curves and rights-of-way where they have been put, with switches and routers adding additional delays.

Musk isn't planning to build such a network simply out of the goodness of his heart. He needs a continuing revenue stream to fund plans for ultimately putting a colony on Mars, with broadband services being a big piggy bank. SpaceX's current launch services business is very lean, with proceeds redirected into improving the companies lines of Falcon 9 rockets and Dragon spacecraft.

Launching satellites is expensive, but SpaceX has demonstrated the ability to land and reuse the expensive first stage of the Falcon9. The company has over a dozen "flight-proven" Falcon 9 first stages today, with more expected to be added to its inventory in the future. With a fleet of reusable rockets, SpaceX essentially will have "surplus" launch capacity it will use to put up its satellite communications cloud.

SpaceX is also positioning its future satellite service to qualify for government funds. The company asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider it as a potential Connect America Fund award recipient, according to Space News. The Connect America Fund is designed to support broadband build-out to around 23 million Americans who lack access to high-speed infrastructure in urban and rural areas, with up to $198 million in subsidies expected to be provided to voice and broadband carriers over the next decade.

Low-latency satellite would provide a perfect solution for rural consumers seeking high-speed internet access. SpaceX wants to make sure it can participate in the Connect America Fund once it gets Starlink open for business, indicating the company is thinking long-term and working "the system" as needed. I'm wondering if we'll see a SpaceX Starlink presence at CES 2018, but that may be too soon.
The Livingston Parish Council may take a second swat at killing mosquitoes.

Livingston-area Councilman Garry "Frog" Talbert on Thursday night introduced an ordinance to form a mosquito abatement board, with the intention of proposing a tax to pay for a program to spray nuisance and disease-carrying mosquitoes.

There has been no parish-wide mosquito abatement since 2015 when revenue for the program stopped after voters rejected proposed property taxes to pay for it. Prior to that time, the program was funded through a fee that proved difficult to collect.

Talbert told the council he is hearing from constituents, "'The mosquitoes are getting out of control and we've got to do something."

The proposed ordinance says the board would consist of all nine members of the parish council and would meet on the second Tuesday of each month. Talbert said the board would listen to experts about the best way to kill mosquitoes and formulate a budget for a parish-wide program.

Talbert said he favors designing the tax as a set fee to be assessed per tax bill and collected by the assessor's office, as opposed to a property tax. He argued it would be more fair  and more likely to pass.

"It doesn't matter if you live in a $25,000 house or a camp on a river," he said. "When a mosquito bites you, it bites you. And if it's packing a disease, you're going to be impacted by it."

Department of Health reports West Nile case in East Baton Rouge Parish, two in Livingston Parish There is one reported case of a person contracting West Nile virus in East Baton Rouge Paris

Both the nine-member board and the fee assessment would need special approval from the legislature, but only the tax would go on the ballot, he said.

The proposal was met with lively debate, though most members of the council appeared in favor of the proposition, which will get a public hearing during the next council meeting on Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.

Denham Springs-area councilman John Wascom said he would vote to establish the board, but expressed some skepticism about the effectiveness of mosquito spraying, especially for people who live back from the road. He also questioned whether it's a good idea to reintroduce a tax similar to one that voters already rejected in 2012 and 2013.

+7 Tax fatigue considered a factor in defeat of Livingston tax renewals Livingston Parish leaders mostly blame a lack of voter awareness for the recent failure of t

"I just know that sometimes government can ask the people, and they voice their opinion. So, they didn't like the result, so they ask them again and they get the same answer. And then government keeps asking until sooner or later they get what they want," he said. "I really ask that we go slow and think about this before we commit 100 percent and force this on the people."

Livingston Parish had mosquito abatement from 2004 to 2015 that was paid for by a $30 fee billed to each person who received an electric bill. That funded a $1 million a year program with chemicals, equipment, drivers and staff biologist to set traps and check complaint areas.

As Livingston Parish ends its mosquito control program, four municipalities plan their own wars on the winged pests As Livingston Parishs mosquito abatement program winds down, a handful of municipalities ar

The program struggled to collect money because there was no penalty for failing to pay the fee. So, the mosquito district sought a property tax when the fee was up for renewal. When the property tax failed twice, the program shut down and sold its equipment to other parishes and to the municipalities in Livingston Parish. The equipment continues to be used in the cities, including Denham Springs, where city gas workers spray for mosquitoes at night.
The area will be scaffolded, and the government says what the community will see is mostly just the plastic cover.

Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said the removal company, Caylamax, would access the first floor space from behind, setting up a decontamination chamber at the back first-floor entry to the building. Fully-suited removalists would enter and leave the flat through the decontamination chamber, which would ensure no asbestos fibres left the building. The loose-fill asbestos would be double-bagged, removed the same way, and taken to the Mugga Lane tip.

Jeff Darwin, owner of the corner building at the Ainslie shops: Work starts on Tuesday to clear the first floor above Edgar's Inn of loose-fill asbestos. Credit:Jamila Toderas

Edgar's Inn on the ground floor will close for two weeks after this weekend's trading while the 10-day removal is underway.

Asbestos removalists will encase the first floor and roof space of a building at the Ainslie shops in plastic on Tuesday to remove the dangerous loose-fill asbestos that has tainted the building for almost 50 years.

Mr Jones said the inside of the first-floor would be stripped, including carpet, internal walls and ceilings, which would be taken to the West Belconnen asbestos dump site. The wall cavities would be cleaned, and the cavities between the corner building and the neighbouring building would be cleaned from the inside. Equipment would allow removalists to vacuum down the wall cavities, then cameras would be lowered to check on the success of removing fibres, he said. Work on Fluffy-contaminated houses has shown extensive contamination in wall cavities and sub-floors.

The internal surfaces of the cleaned flat would be sprayed to catch remnant fibres, then the building would be tested - including testing downstairs at Edgar's - before it would be declared safe for use.

Negative-air suction units would be set up to ensure no fibres or dust escaped the building during the clean-up, he said, insisting that neighbouring businesses, local residents and visitors could continue to use the shops as usual in complete safety. Air monitoring would be done inside and outside the building and if any abnormal readings were recorded work would stop.

"There is no risk to those people in that area or those tenants and customers next door," Mr Jones said on Friday.

The clean-up process was the same as being used in the demolition of the more than 1000 Fluffy asbestos-contaminated houses in Canberra, Mr Jones said. "The principals and the processes are exactly the same," he said.
A Canberra man is behind bars after a jury found him guilty of raping the mother of his two young children.

The man, 30, had pleaded not guilty in the ACT Supreme Court to six offences allegedly committed against the woman during their five-year relationship.

The woman's family wept as a jury found him guilty of rape, sexual assault and an act of indecency after about five hours of deliberations on Friday.

He was acquitted of two other rape charges and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Acting Chief Justice Hilary Penfold revoked his bail and he was led from the court in handcuffs.
Departing Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ian Narev will not be eligible to earn new long-term bonus shares this financial year.

In a note to shareholders before next month's annual general meeting, at which CBA will try to avoid receiving a second "strike" on executive pay, chairman Catherine Livingstone said Mr Narev's exit from the bank was behind its decision on long-term incentive shares.

It came as the banking industry warned of serious gaps in the government's planned laws to make senior bankers more accountable, saying the proposed changes were poorly defined, and could even affect large numbers of mid-level and junior executives.

CBA has said Mr Narev will leave the bank by the end of next June, and Ms Livingstone said the board had started an "extensive" search for a replacement.
The consortium of private owners who in May demolished St Kilda's historic Greyhound Hotel have listed the site for sale, targeting developers.

The "iconic bayside corner", as a For Sale billboard brands 1 Brighton Road, is offered with a valuable but controversial redevelopment permit, issued by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, for an eight-level complex with 37 flats and ground-floor shops.

The former Greyhound Hotel in St Kilda. Credit:Pat Scala

The parcel, on a 911-square-metre block at the south-west corner of Blessington Street, is expected to sell for about $7 million, which would reflect a sizeable capital gain for the vendors who paid $2.1 million in 2006 for what was at the time a high-profile drag venue and gay bar.

Over the subsequent 11 years, the owners  one of whom managed the Greyhound Hotel  faced what they called an "uphill battle" with the City of Port Phillip to make the business more profitable. At various stages, the council refused applications to extend the Greyhound's trading hours, increase capacity, or refit the upper level as a gay sauna.
Anybody who still needs to be convinced the same-sex marriage debate is now seriously weird need look no further than the confected outrage over Sunday's NRL grand final performance by US rapper Macklemore.

The popular entertainer, whose 2012 pro-gay marriage song Same Love has suddenly been deemed controversial, would have been booked for tomorrow's gig long before it was known the postal survey would be running at grand final time.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg summed it up when he told the media: "We try to get the world's best artist to come to Sydney this weekend and play his hits and that's exactly what he will do on Sunday."

To invite Macklemore and then tell him not to play one of his best songs would be like inviting Springsteen and telling him not to play Philadelphia.
With the elections scheduled to be held in Gujarat next month, one of the key issues affecting Bassu village in the state is unemployment. Many educated youths here are dissatisfied with the 'Gujarat model' as they are sitting at home without jobs. These youths will play a crucial factor in deciding if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home turf remains saffron or not.
Kathryn Kelly (Letters, September 27) takes a very one-sided and historically inaccurate view of the situation in Korea. She claims that "North Korea was devastated by the US in the early 1950s", completely ignoring the fact that it was the UN (of which the US was just one of about 30 contributing nations) that was responding to an unprovoked invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces on 25 June 1950. She also implies that North Korea is justified in feeling threatened by the US forces arrayed against it. But not a word about how South Korea might feel threatened by having over a million men, 4000 tanks and 13000 gun/rocket launchers just 70 kilometres from their capital  all pointed south. And of course, now nuclear weapons.

Given that North Korea invaded the South and has maintained that warlike stance for over 60 years, perhaps Ms Kelly might care to consider just who is responsible for the ongoing tensions on the peninsula, unless her preferred outcome is that the South simply acquiesces and its people get to share the lifestyle of their northern cousins. Kym MacMillan, O'Malley Band-Aid solution to problem The reported undertakings by the gas producers "to provide enough gas to cover a predicted shortfall in 2018 and 2019" sounds like an excellent outcome ("PM guarantees supply", September 28, p14). But it is just a Band-Aid to the gas supply problem and electricity supply in general.

The supply agreement, as stated, has a ceiling. If, once again, domestic needs expand, there is no guarantee of supply despite the implication that the increased domestic demand will be met by increasing production. The industry undertaking to regularly report supply details to the ACCC are inadequate. The changing maximum flow and processing rates, transport capacity, and also the estimated reserves for each site are essential to enable realistic national planning. Moreover, the intelligence from your editorial of September 26: "Having entered into long-term and fixed-price agreements with other countries in order to guarantee their energy security for at least a generation, the Howard government and its successors painted themselves into a corner" remains unaddressed. As written, supply agreements to other nations (China and Japan) are not commercial contracts but sovereign treaties. Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor

Credentials in tatters With the government, by its own figures, managing to spend $400,000 per offshore detainee per year, it has now cost us $192million to prolong the suffering of the 120-strong Rohingya contingent among the 2000 languishing on Manus and Nauru for four years. Compare that to the $20 million Australia has offered in emergency aid for the current Rohingya exodus from Myanmar ("Australia softens Rohingya UN resolution to accusations of 'whitewashing"', canberratimes.com.au, September 28). And then, unbelievably, the Rohingya contingent appears to have been been offered $25,000 each to resettle in the places they fled. Australia's human rights credentials are in tatters.

Tim Macnaught, Narrabundah Politicised by both sides Same-sex marriage is an ethical/human rights issue, not intrinsically a political issue. Unfortunately it is being politicised by religious conservatives on both sides of politics. Susan MacDougall, Scullin Unholy hypocrites

The reciting of the Lords Prayer by our politicians is a total farce. ("Time to end parliamentary prayer", September 25, p.19. Re: The Our Father "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Either heaven is also corrupt and greedy, or Christian prayers haven't been working for the last two thousand years. Re: "Give us this our daily bread". Our daily bread seems to be greed, lust, lies and materialism.

Foreign aid is being constantly cut by our current government. Re: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against." I don't see too much forgiveness around. Refugees and our indigenous people aren't being given too much. The unemployed are seen as the product of their own making.

There is no forgiveness there. Re: "And lead us not into temptation." The western economy is based on temptation. Re: "Deliver us from evil. Amen." Sorry not working. Still our politicians go through this meaningless ritual every morning.

The religious lobby really should have more respect for their "Lords Prayer". Hypocrisy abounds. Patrick O'Hara, Isaacs Turning up the temperature on weather records for September It is not true that maximum temperature on Saturday, September 23 (30.2oC) was Canberra's "hottest ever September day"; or that "a 52-year record was smashed" ("Canberra records its hottest ever September day", canberratimes.com.au, September 23).

The weather station site at Canberra airport has moved at least four times since records commenced in 1939. Average September maximum temperature at the original RAAF-base site to 1972 (when it moved south to the middle of the airport) was 15.8oC; from 1973 to 1996 (when it moved north to the met-office) it is 16.0oC; from 1997 to 2004 (when it moved south to the current site) it is 17.3oC; and at the current site it is 18.0oC. No valid trends are evident in maximum temperature data at any of the four sites. However, due to site changes alone (and not the climate), average September Tmax has shifted-up by 2.2oC! Unless site changes and other factors are accounted for (the changeover to the automatic weather station and small Stevenson screen in 1996; and placement of vertical wind-profiler radar arrays on concrete or gravel beds too close to the screen in 2005, and at the current site in 2010); there is no valid record September temperature and no valid climate-related trend in maximum temperature data.

Dr. Bill Johnston, Cook Faulty reading I write in response to the letter from James Bodsworth ('Reading, not understanding', September 27). I live in a complex of 75 units comprising four buildings. The account from ActewAGL for the quarter ending August7 for common area lighting for Building D was four times the amount for the same period in 2016. The managing agent queried this account; the meter was reread and the original reading was confirmed. The executive committee then checked the meter reading and this showed the ActewAGL reading was incorrect.

A phone call was made to ActewAGL Customer Service and following a discussion with a staff member it was agreed that an email would be sent from the executive committee with a photo of the current meter reading attached. An adjusted account was issued promptly, a difference of almost $2000. S. Campbell, Chifley Citizenship question John Warhurst, writing on the dual citizenship tangle in parliament ("Celebrating the magnificent seven", September 28, p.18), concludes that "the positive lesson regarding their personal circumstance should strengthen our understanding and appreciation of Australian multiculturalism".

That's nothing more than a woolly pup to chew on. The present nonsense of eligibility for office could be satisfied by legislation which, upon a candidate's election, automatically abrogates the holding of other citizenship: Upon entering Parliament they have legal allegiance to Australia alone; and yes, exiting Australia on a foreign passport is denied. Itinerants apart, what Australians aren't migrants or their descendants? (Original Australians, tenured for 60,000 years, sensibly viewed themselves and the land as one). Our culture is continuously changing; very rapidly so over the past two centuries. Distasteful cultural practices have been winnowed out along the way, especially in relation to their impacts on women.

Warhurst built his article towards a finale: "Australian multiculturalism". This is both a distortion and a distraction; and does he imply that our culture may be under threat from a lessening of net migration? Crosspollination, good and bad, thrives in Australia's cross-border traffic, be it transient or permanent. Is Warhurst promoting ever-increasing numbers, countering Dick Smith's plea for rational debate on the population issue? If so, and if he has an open mind, Doug Cock's People Policy should interest him. It still presents well-credentialed social/economic/ecological options for the dilemma of Australia's future.

Colin Samundsett, Farrer Advance issues By striking out the appeal against using the advance to the Minister of Finance, the High Court has once again given money powers to the government at the expense of parliament. It now seems that the definition of "urgent", a necessary condition to be met if the advance to the Minister for Finance was to be used to fund the same-sex voluntary survey, is entirely in the hands of the government. The funding was urgent, according to the Minister for Finance, and according to the High Court, merely because the government wanted the survey results before the end of November.

Why that date was so urgent was not explained. Nor did the High Court ask. Why the government did not seek an additional appropriation to fund the survey  it certainly had time to do so  was also not explained. Although the answer is easy: the government knew a bill of this sort would not be accepted by the Senate. As is well known, parliament was originally established to control the king's spending.

That seems to have been forgotten by our High Court. The court should have realised that spending is urgent when the need is pressing and the government does not have the opportunity to obtain parliament's approval for that spending. Tony Harris, Narrabundah A simple solution I note that our PM is blaming everyone for the shortage of gas ("PM pressures gas companies  Energy Crisis growing as States take the heat", September 26, p.1).

Perhaps our PM should examine the geology below his Sydney Harbour-side house for an easy solution. Some of Australia's best quality (clean) coal seams lie at shallow depths below Sydney Harbour and the CBD. The coal is ideal for coal seam gas (CSG) or (coal bed methane  CBM) and even underground coal gasification (UCG) exploitation  of course all aided by fracking technology. If CSG and fracking is good enough for Chinchilla then surely it should be good enough for Sydney. Or is there a NIMBY problem? P. R. Temple, Macquarie TO THE POINT

DOUBLING UP OR DOWN So Twitter is apparently going to "double down" with 280 characters rather than 140. Will this mean President Trump's tweets will have details rather than rants? Will the English language regain the use of vowels? Will the tweets have enough room to convey messages of value or just rhetoric? Will we just get twice as much to ignore? I can hope for a better world now. Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic OFF LIKE A CRACKER

Here's hoping Kim Jong-un calms down before Guy Fawkes Night. M. F. Horton, Adelaide, SA FED UP WITH PREACHING The AFL decided to change their logo in support of gay marriage and were surprised many people objected, reversing the decision after one day. The NRL followed with the dumb decision to politicise its biggest event of the year with some obscure American rapper promoting gay marriage. I am fed up with the preachiness that has crept into my once apolitical pastimes and I know I am not alone. H. Ronald, Jerrabomberra, NSW

ABBOTT AND HIS ANTICS Tony Abbott is a passionate advocate of free speech, as long as he agrees with what's in the speech. Thos Puckett, Ashgrove, Qld BUDDHISM A PHILOSOPHY Many thanks to Alastair Stewart, (letters, September 28), for reminding us that Buddhism does not recognise a single God or god-like being, and therefore should not be listed as a religion. I was aware that it is really a philosophy but I was quoting Hugh Mackay from his recent article in the latest issue of the magazine of St James' Church, Sydney.
This is because it was the headline finding of a much-publicised 2015 report by the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia. Got that? Forty per cent of jobs will disappear. So when Australians aged 18-36 were asked about their work futures, guess what proportion thought that automation posed a threat to their jobs? Forty per cent, according to the Deloitte Millennial Survey this year. Similar studies of the job-stealing potential of robots and artificial intelligence in other countries have come to similar conclusions. Forty, fifty, sixty per cent of jobs will be displaced by smart machines and self-teaching software. Barack Obama's farewell speech in January stoked the fear: "The next wave of economic dislocation won't come from overseas," he intoned. "It will come from the relentless pace of automation that makes a lot of good, middle-class jobs obsolete." "Intelligent machines: The jobs robots will steal first" was the headline on a BBC story, typical of the genre, that ran earlier this month. It ran through a list - factory worker, doctor, cocktail waitress, journalist, taxi driver. The anxiety is building. Techno-panic beckons. But is it well founded? Gittins pointed out the flaw in any economic modelling - your results are only as good as your assumptions. In other words, "garbage in, garbage out". He cited economists shooting holes in the basis of the CEDA research. And research by the Paris-based OECD estimated that, across the developed countries, a much smaller 9 per cent of jobs were vulnerable. But this is such a speculative exercise that you can choose your study and pick your number. The McKinsey Global Institute, for instance, estimates that only 5 per cent of occupations will be able to be fully automised by 2065. But it reckons that about half of the activities within occupations will be automatable. So, 95 per cent of occupations will remain but the work within will change. Over the next half-century. You can see why this study didn't get as much publicity as the apocalyptic ones - jobs will change over the next 50 years, nothing too shocking, not many hurt. Hardly a sexy news story. But the most important counter to the panic is the evidence of the past three centuries. As each wave of technological change has hit, from the agricultural revolution to the industrial to the digital, many job categories have indeed been wiped out. But many more have been created. So that there has been a net gain every time.The simple fact is that we can always see jobs disappearing but we can never imagine the jobs that will arise in their place.

Australia should be able to take further reassurance from its recent experiences. Two in particular. First was the 1980s wave of economic reform under the Hawke-Keating governments. As they tore down the tariff wall that had protected Australian industry for a century, we were beset by hysteria. It would mean the death of Australia's manufacturing sector and national ruin. And the end of protectionism did wipe out great swathes of Australia's factories, jobs lost by the tens of thousands. Manufacturing's share of the economy today is half its level of the Hawke-Keating revolution. But rather than national ruin it led to national rejuvenation. Paul Keating was asked in 2000 what he'd say to blue-collar workers who lost their jobs as a result of his reforms. "What do I say: What is your new job like? One of the 2.5 million created since the early 1980s. People have found better jobs. I mean, did we ever hurt anybody liberating them from the car assembly line?" Second was the mining boom that ended some four years ago. Every previous Australian mining boom has ended in a bad bust, a national recession. The mighty convulsions in an economy riding a mining boom are like a cowboy trying to hang on to a wildly bucking brumby. This latest boom was the biggest in two centuries of European settlement yet it was the first that did not end in a bust. The newfound flexibility of the economy allowed a smooth dismount. Australia has now enjoyed 26 years of unbroken growth, a record for any developed nation. Ah yes, say the prophets of doom, but the tech transformation that is about to hit is unique. This time it's different, they tell us. A book on the subject published this week by a federal Labor MP, Jim Chalmers, and the former head of the NBN, Mike Quigley, tells us so. How? "Earlier evolutions replaced human effort" but "this one goes a step further to directly challenge some some intrinsic traits that make us human - thinking, problem-solving and decision-making", they write in the book titled Changing Jobs: The Fair Go in the New Machine Age. Gratefully, however, this isn't an exercise in extended hysteria. Chalmers, the shadow finance minister, and Quigley don't waste their book making the ahistorical argument that this time, unlike all other experience, Chicken Little will be proved right and the sky truly will fall. They point out that the world's top experts are split down the middle on whether the new robotics will mean breakdown or boon for the next generations. They cite a survey of 1900 experts by the well-regarded Washington research institute, Pew. Of the experts, 48 per cent saw net job destruction, worsening income inequality, big pools of unemployable people and a breakdown in the social order in just the next eight years. So this time the revolution will be different, in their view.

And the other 52 per cent? They foresaw people displaced from some jobs but that human ingenuity would produce new jobs and new industries. In other words, this time it's not different at all. Chalmers and Quigley have chosen not to take sides. Instead, their book, cogent and clear, takes a "no regrets" approach to the future. They set out 33 policy recommendations that are designed to make Australia a better place regardless of whether the new robots turn out to be benign or bastards. Most of their recommendations are sensible and can indeed be taken up with "no regrets". They advocate that we should train more teachers in the STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths. And that all states should take up Queensland's "digital solutions" curriculum. Refreshingly, they urge that we sharpen communication skills and critical thinking by promoting debating, drama and advocacy. More venturesome ideas are that Australia should implement lifelong learning accounts, lifelong learning programs like Singapore's SkillsFuture initiative, portable worker entitlements and "income smoothing" to better distribute our incomes across our working lifetimes. Some of their suggestions merely show up the failures of Australia's dismal politics - they recommend, for instance, the implementation of universal high speed national broadband and the introduction of needs-based schools funding. Both of these were supposed to have been substantially delivered already and might have been but for the awful partisan politics of Canberra. Loading
It says something about the fractious nature of the current debate over same-sex marriage that we can almost look back fondly to the good old days of the Coopers marriage video. You know the one  where two pollies with opposing views disagreed so happily over a beer.

How tame it was; a tip of the hat to an Australia we like to think we are. Apparently we're not that place any more.

How swiftly retribution was heaped on the family brewing company (apparently, an unwitting participant). Boycotts. Accusations. A social media storm. How swift the corporate response as this Christian family company signed on to the "yes" case  perhaps not an outcome the Bible Society anticipated.

From the bullying of Coopers, to the criticism of IBM for daring to employ an executive with Christian convictions, through to the dismissal of a children's party worker because of a Facebook post in favour of the "no" case, this social experiment was never going to go well.
Tony Booth, the actor, who has died aged 85, was best known as the abrasive "Scouse git" of a son-in-law who got under Alf Garnett's skin in the BBC comedy series Till Death Us Do Part; in later life he sometimes performed the same function for his real-life son-in-law, the former prime minister Tony Blair. Booth, who had more than a little in common with his most famous television character, spent most of his career pursuing what he described as "boozing, arguing and crumpeteering". A heavy drinker, he once mistook the prime minister of Luxembourg for a wine waiter at a party given by Harold Wilson. Booth told the visiting politician to "make himself useful" by filling the empty glasses. "I'll say this for the guy," Booth recalled. "He came back with two full glasses. He had style."

Basil Gogos, who painted penetrating and chilling colour portraits of movie monsters like Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Phantom of the Opera, and imbued Frankenstein's monster with notable compassion, died on September 13 at a hospital in Manhattan. He was 88. In Gogos's 1969 portrait of Frankenstein's monster, as played by Boris Karloff, his eyes are downcast, his demeanour sorrowful. The background is dramatically illuminated by a single glowing candle. "He loved that monster," Linda Touby, his wife and only immediate survivor, said in a phone interview. "He felt it wasn't the monster's fault that nobody wanted anything to do with him, or that he was made ugly. He felt he was a victim."

In Passing Credit:Fairfax

Barbara Blaine, who was sexually abused by a Catholic priest as a teenager and went on to found the nation's most potent advocacy group for abuse survivors, died on Sunday in St George, Utah. She was 61. Blaine, a lawyer with a degree in theology, served for nearly 30 years as president of the group she founded, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP. She stepped down this year and had recently started a new international organisation to hold the Vatican and church officials overseas accountable for covering up abuse cases. "She was relentless in the cause of justice," said Jason Berry, who was among the first journalists to break news of the abuse scandal. "I think the damage she did to the hierarchy and its credibility was enormous, because she kept demanding that they be truthful."
"All your pleasures," diminutive Mexican healer Beatriz accuses towering real-estate tycoon Doug Strutt, "are built on others' pain." It's the pivotal moment of the film Beatriz at Dinner but it goes, too, to the heart of our exploitative (white male) culture; our testosterone-laden attitudes to nature, our cities, and each other. In particular, it illuminates the latest announcement of "priority precincts" for Turnbull-Berejiklian Sydney.

Priority? The dictionary defines priority as "prime concern, matter of greatest importance". But in Turnbull-Berejiklian Sydney, priority is the last thing you want. Just as in NSW planning-speak "biodiversity" now means clear-felling and "sustainable" now means profitable, "priority" means huge upzoning, developer free-for-all, wholesale demolition. Priority means death.

Illustration: Simon Bosch

Every week the list lengthens. Some of it is familiar, like the so-called north-west (Schofields, Kellyville) and south-west (Leppington) growth sectors, announced back when Craig Knowles was planning minister. But add to that the entire metro route, running from Rose Hill via Chatswood into the city, then south-west along the so-called Sydenham-to-Bankstown route, bringing high-rise clusters up to 25 and 30 storeys around almost every station.

Then add unconnected extras like Frenchs Forest (massive), Rhodes (even more massive), Glenfield, Homebush, Strathfield, Burwood and  weirder still  Anzac Parade. Add as well the blanket high-rise from Central to the airport, and neighbourhoods like Haberfield, Rozelle, Newtown and St Peters in the path of the WestCONnex stupidity and the Rockdale-Kogarah destruction for the F6, and you start to get the picture.
One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has insisted his case is stronger than other federal MPs caught up in the dual citizenship debacle.

In a submission to the High Court published on Friday, Senator Roberts argued his case was different to others facing the court because while he had a subjective belief he was only Australian, he alone "sensibly appreciated the possibility he might be wrong".

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts leaves court in Brisbane last week. Credit:Regi Varghese

"The fundamental fact remains he did not know or believe he was anything other than Australian," his submission argues.

Section 44 of the constitution prohibits dual citizens from serving in the Parliament.
 cup fresh chicken stock

1. Heat half the oil in a wok and, when just smoking, add the scallops. Stir-fry for 2 minutes or until almost cooked. Remove and set aside on a plate.

2. Add the zucchini and mushrooms to the wok and stir-fry for 2 minutes, then remove and set aside. Put remaining oil into the wok, then add the ginger, garlic and white shallot slices. Fry until fragrant (1-2 minutes).

3. Return the scallops, the zucchini and mushrooms to the wok with the shaoxing wine, salt, soy sauce, sugar and stock. Cook for 1 minute to allow the flavours to mingle.

4. Using a slotted spoon, pile all the ingredients, except the sauce, onto a large platter. Bubble the sauce over a high heat until it has reduced and thickened slightly. Add shallot greens, then pour sauce over the dish.
Aman Siddique, the painting restorer. Credit:Jason South His boss could turn up at any moment and he didn't want to be caught looking at this place that had always been off-limits. He went back downstairs and got to work. But he could not put those paintings out of his mind. What reason could there be for them? Should he confront Siddique? It wasn't a crime to copy an artist's work, was it? Later that day, after Siddique had turned up, Wimhurst went back upstairs and saw that the storeroom was once again locked. He told no one what he had seen. Had he been right to say nothing? Should he have given Siddique the chance to explain? Wimhurst began to be suspicious about other goings on at Easey Street: the arrival of timber panels of various sizes, some huge, others smaller. A group of these had been stacked up against Siddique's desk. Siddique had brushed off his questions about why they were there. They belonged to Melbourne art dealer Peter Gant, Siddique had said, referring to a man who was often around. Why, then, had they been delivered to Easey Street? They were doors for Gant's house, Siddique told him. Was Gant building a house for dwarves? Wimhurst had cheekily asked. Siddique chuckled and said no more. The doors disappeared soon after. Wimhurst was not alone in knowing that Whiteley would sometimes paint on smooth-faced wooden doors. Peter Gant, the art dealer who was at the centre of the fraud case. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer A few weeks after finding the storeroom unlocked, Wimhurst's workmate, Guy Morel, showed him something that added to his disquiet. Morel was a bookbinder and paper conservator who worked upstairs at Siddique's studio. Born in the Seychelles, Morel was a big-hearted man with a nervous manner; he had the trace of a French accent and would stutter when anxious. He had first met Siddique in the 1980s, when Siddique was working as a painting conservator in the regional Victorian town of Ballarat. In the early 2000s, Siddique invited Morel to set up a workspace at his Easey Street studio. Morel would divide his time between Easey Street and his home studio in Brunswick. The two were always bickering about money.

On this day, Wimhurst was working upstairs when Morel called him over. "Have you seen this?" he asked, holding out a scrap of paper filled with the signature of the Australian painter Fred Williams, as if someone had been practising the name again and again. The sight of these signatures made Wimhurst break his silence. "I just said to him, 'Have you seen the Whiteleys floating around?' Because, you know, if there was nothing to be ashamed of, they should have been out at some point. And he hadn't seen them. So that's when I told the story." Art's a fantastic vehicle for shifting money. And a lot of bad money has come into the art world in recent years. Morel decided to look for himself. The storeroom's 2-metre walls did not reach to the top of the warehouse ceiling, so Morel placed a chair on the workbench adjoining the locked storeroom. Digital camera in hand, he climbed onto the chair and hung his camera over the edge of the storeroom walls. When he looked at the camera's screen he saw what had been troubling Wimhurst for weeks. Whatever was happening at Easey Street, Wimhurst wanted nothing to do with it. His artistic career was on the brink of taking off, and he needed a bigger home studio. He reasoned that he could use this excuse to depart without giving his real concerns to Siddique. By the start of spring in 2007, Wimhurst had left Victorian Art Conservation and moved to the country with his partner. Morel stayed on and promised to "keep an eye on things". Wimhurst's departure, however, did not quarantine him from the activities at Easey Street. "I wasn't completely surprised when I got the call," Wimhurst tells me at the Melbourne cafe. "I had a feeling something would happen at some time, if what I saw was what I thought it was. And I always hoped it would never surface, and I was wrong."

The call came in 2014. Siddique phoned Wimhurst to tell him he might soon be hearing "bad things" about him, and that the police might visit. Wimhurst asked what he should do. Siddique answered: "Tell the truth." After Wimhurst's departure from Victorian Art Conservation, Morel did exactly as he had promised. He kept an eye on things. For three years, from 2007 to 2010, he hung his Nikon compact camera over the wall of Siddique's locked storeroom to record what was going on below. On one occasion, Siddique left the key in the storeroom door and Morel was able to open the sliding doors and take photographs front on. He documented the successive creation of three large paintings in the style of Brett Whiteley: a big blue painting of a harbour scene in late 2007; an orange harbour painting created in late 2008; and a third painting, of the harbour viewed through a window, produced in mid-2009. Whiteley had died in 1992, but in Siddique's Collingwood studio, he was being resurrected. Detective Sergeant James Macdonald took the call that launched the investigation into Australia's biggest alleged art fraud. It came at 10am on September 4, 2007, from an anonymous male with a "soft French accent" and a tendency to stutter when excited. The man wanted advice on reporting "a large-scale art fraud". In an email sent several weeks later, the man revealed his name: Guy Morel. "Investigation" is perhaps too strong a word. It implies a thorough, well-organised, concerted effort to crack a case. There is no art fraud squad in Australia, let alone Victoria, and as Macdonald discovered, his superiors weren't that interested in the activities at Easey Street. Despite the indifference from above, Macdonald pressed on alone. On October 5, 2007, the detective went undercover and met Morel at the Easey Street workshop. Morel told him to act like a "client" if anyone else turned up. But the two had the place to themselves and Morel gave the detective a tour, showing him the contents of the storeroom. In his witness statement for the later committal hearing, Macdonald described what he saw inside that room: a large unframed Whiteley, which he assumed was original, depicting a view of Sydney Harbour through a window with a white vase shape on the base of the window frame; a smaller, similar style of painting with a white vase shape, lying on the floor of the storeroom; and a larger painting in progress, also in the style of Whiteley, with blue water, white buildings, a pier and three palm trees. This last work was balanced on two large cans on the storeroom floor.

On March 5, 2014, Aman Siddique and art dealer Peter Gant were arrested for their part in an alleged $4.5 million art fraud involving three Whiteley-style paintings. A committal hearing the following year resulted in them being sent to trial on charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception and attempting to do so. The three paintings at the heart of the trial, Big Blue Lavender Bay, Orange Lavender Bay and Lavender Bay Through the Window, were all purported to have been painted in 1988 by Whiteley. Big Blue had been bought in 2007 by investment banker and Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham for $2.5 million, while Sydney car dealer Steven Nasteski had paid $1.1 million for Orange Lavender Bay in 2009. Gant had been the source of both paintings, and had given Lavender Bay Through the Window to Melbourne cafe owner Guy Angwin as security for a $950,000 debt some time after 2009. The painting Credit:Justin McManus We go back a long way, Peter Gant and I. You wouldn't exactly call it a friendly connection. For me it was work  I first wrote about him in 2008. For Gant, I was a nuisance. In 2011, he sued The Age over articles I'd written. And yet, when I asked to speak to him after the committal hearing and before the trial, he agreed. His eagerness to talk was one of his many contradictions. We were about to be reacquainted at one of his preferred haunts, Jimmy Watson's Wine Bar, on the northern edge of Carlton's "Little Italy", the watering hole of choice for many a Melburnian of learned, literary and left-wing persuasion. The University of Melbourne is nearby, a reliable source of clientele. On this balmy November evening, Lygon Street was alive with chatter. The night was conducive to socialising: people sat at footpath tables, sipping pre-dinner drinks, the city softening into a warm, mellow spring. Gant was already there when I arrived, sitting at a private nook by the window, a glass of white on the go. He was facing in, back to the window, and looking a lot more spruced up than in court during the committal hearing: his blue-and-white striped shirt seemed freshly ironed, and his silver hair had the spiky impudence of a new cut. He looked like a man who'd made an effort. Our meeting felt like an awkward first date: we were both a little on edge. Gant's face was lightly tanned, glowing  a by-product, perhaps, of his frequent trips to Thailand. He'd be off again in a few days. Were the trips art-related? "Yeah, I sort of hate Australia now." Because of the upcoming trial? "No, not just that, the way things work here." Politically? "Everything. I did say once  I actually swore on the Bible  if the Liberal Party ever get into power in Victoria again I'm going to leave. And they got into power and I never left."

Gant has a slightly high-pitched voice and an impishly upturned nose. He has the twitchy energy of someone younger than his 60 years. He offered to buy me a drink  I ordered a gin and tonic, hoping to stay sharp. I know he can hold his drink. I know I can't. The man before me appeared guarded, understandably so. He alternated between fingering his wine glass and crossing his arms. His eyes constantly flitted to the side, as though he was anticipating something, or evading it. And yet he didn't hesitate in letting me record our conversation. "I've got a few questions for you, too," he said, before we launched in. I asked him to tell me about his interest in art. When did it begin? In childhood, he said. He liked painting and drawing, and was good at it, but then at the age of 14 or 15 realised he was "'terrible at it". "But I always liked visual things," he said. After a long chat about his childhood, the conversation moved to the artist at the heart of the impending trial: Brett Whiteley, a man who seemed to provoke as much controversy in death as he did in life. "He's an incredibly beautiful draftsman," Gant said. "I love his drawings. Some of his paintings from the late 1960s and early '70s are fantastic. The stuff that we're talking about, it's mediocre, made for the market. "The blue one's really average  the orange one's really nice, I like it, but it's like 15 years too late," he said, referring to the suspect Orange Lavender Bay's supposed date of creation in 1988. Gant maintained the three paintings at the centre of the upcoming trial were authentic. "The great Lavender Bays were probably 1974 or something like that." On the one hand, Gant professed indifference to the upcoming trial; on the other, he raged against those who would testify against him. Was this the fury of an innocent man?

Did he know Morel well? "Know him really well. It shows what a bad judge of person I am. I thought he was a lovely guy. Turns out he's been working for the cops for years against Aman, who's been so generous to him. I can't believe what he's done to Aman. There's things I'd love to say to you which obviously I can't but, um, those photos are so staged. Now, whether that will ever be picked up by a jury I don't have a clue, but they are so staged it's a joke. Book here, paint there," he said, laughing. So Aman was set up? "Yeah, big time. Look, anyway, we'll see what happens. It's just another court case. That's all I seem to have, court cases." Detective Senior Constable Justin Stefanec (who took over the investigation from James Macdonald), and the author check out Credit:Kate Ballis Five weeks before the trial, on March 1, 2016, Gant and I were again sitting in a cosy nook at Jimmy Watson's. With the academic year just begun, Jimmy's was frisky with students savouring the last of the heat, summer creeping into the first day of autumn. Gant had his sailboat shirt on again, teamed with beige shorts, a combination suited to the hot, humid night. He arrived straight from a small gig at the University of Melbourne, showing a group of Chinese students around the campus. They'd succumbed to his charms, asked him to pose for selfies at tour's end, unaware of his petty fame. He'd earnt $50 in cash for his efforts, presented to him in a beautifully folded and decorated envelope. "Tight-arse fing Chinese," he laughed, showing me the envelope and his spiky sense of humour. So he wasn't really making enough money to fund a legal case? "No, I'm not, definitely not," he said, still laughing, revealing small, spaced-out teeth. Well, what did he do with all the money he made as an art dealer? "I don't know, that's what my wife keeps asking." What happened? "I've got no fing idea. I really don't know. I think money and I just don't mix. I just spend it."

I asked Gant about his first cousin, Christopher Skase. He stopped laughing. "Now who told you that?" he asked, warily. Lots of people. His mother's sister, Audrey, was Christopher's mother. Gant conceded. "Yeah, he was one of my closest friends. Yeah, I loved him. His mum's still alive." Skase was Gant's "favourite cousin", one of those guys "who always made you feel important". Charismatic. Young Peter would go on holidays with Skase and his parents, Charles and Audrey. One year, when he was about 12, and Skase about 20, the entrepreneur-to-be set Gant on a mission. He asked his young cousin to pick the most beautiful of all the girls he knew. "So we spent the whole summer holidays with him ferrying me around in this blue Morris Minor, introducing me to females between the ages of 18 and 20 and I had to score and the winner got a date with Chris," Gant said, laughing long and hard at the memory. "That was great. Chris was a lovely, lovely man." That's not how many people remember him, I suggested. Most of the people who knew him, really knew him, liked him, Gant said. "Port Douglas wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Chris, wouldn't even be there," Gant said, referring to the luxury resort, the Sheraton Mirage, that Skase opened in 1988, transforming the sleepy seaside town in Far North Queensland into a holiday magnet for supermodels, rock stars and Hollywood actors. "He wasn't obsessed with making money by ripping things apart and shredding them and selling them up. He was obsessed with building things," Gant said. He didn't mention the $177 million Skase owed creditors when he booked a one-way ticket to the Spanish island of Mallorca after his business empire collapsed. Skase remained in exile in Spain for a decade, refusing to return to Australia and face 60 criminal charges related to the collapse of the Qintex group and alleged misappropriation of more han $10 million from shareholders. The Commonwealth criminal charges were withdrawn when Skase died in Mallorca on August 5, 2001. Gant told me that his father, Austin, turned Skase on to the stockmarket. Skase would visit Austin in the Gants' home town of Kyneton for tips. Perhaps Austin wasn't the best teacher: his own investments in the stockmarket didn't thrive. "No, he was terrible, he lost it all," Gant laughed.

Our conversation soon shifted from the stockmarket to the art market. I mentioned Robert Hughes's famed quote about the art market being the biggest unregulated market in the world, bar that for drugs. Gant wholeheartedly agreed. "Oh yeah, art's a fantastic vehicle for shifting money, it always has been. And probably always will be. And a lot of bad money has come into the art world in recent years, in particular when art became expensive. Art's a great commodity for hiding money. It doesn't come with a certificate of title, and therefore it can't be regulated. It can't be documented, it can't be taxed." Not that he was in favour of increased regulation. "We should get back to a situation where art is just art  and it's not a commodity," he said. I was astonished to hear this. Gant traded in art; he bought and sold with the intention of turning a profit. He treated art as commodity. "Oh yeah, I'm a complete fing hypocrite, I agree," he said with such candour that I couldn't help but laugh. He returned to one of his favourite themes: how did you value art, and who was to say what is good and what is bad? Market value isn't necessarily a reflection of quality. Certain artists were pushed, demand was created for their work, prices were ramped  it was artifice. These Whiteleys at the centre of the art fraud case, for example, they were just "potboilers", he said. They were not great Whiteleys. But they were genuine, he insisted. "The paintings are fine and I've always been confident. If we go down, we go down. If it doesn't go my way, it means the jury have made a terrible mistake." We'd been talking for almost two hours, and it was time to give it a break. He kissed my cheek goodbye and left me a little something to ponder: "What's best for your book? Innocent or guilty?"
At a charity football match in June. Credit:Getty Images But that is to oversimplify. Hers is a rags-to-riches story: a childhood below the poverty line in Nizhny Novgorod, a bleak industrial city in western Russia. She and her mother, Larissa, were abandoned first by her father, then her stepfather after her half-sister Oksana was born with autism and cerebral palsy. By 11 she was selling fruit by the side of the road. Cold, hunger, survival  these were not alien or romanticised concepts. The mark of poverty is still on her, she says, most explicitly in her understanding of the "shame" that surrounds it. When I ask if she can see it in others, she surprises me: she starts to cry. It touches something visceral. "It's a very emotional question. For those simple families who nobody cares about, really living with that stigma [for example] of disability, then even if I give them money, it's not enough. The best thing I can do is spend time with them."

She says shared traumatic experiences such as living in poverty or losing someone to cancer transcends friendship, nationality, blood "or any other bond". In an ideal world, she says, we would draw on our experiences to comfort one another more often. "We have blind corners  we may have next door someone who we could understand." I'm sure psychologists could find an unconscious link between the hardship of childhood and her attraction to extremely rich men. But one driving, and very conscious, ambition has been to improve her mother's life. "And I have succeeded. My mother has a little business and is independent. She can buy me presents that I did not pay for." She says Larissa instilled in her two things: self-reliance and a steely drive. ("I tell myself this is the heritage I am leaving my kids: a work ethic.") "My mother was in a desperate situation, working four jobs, raising kids alone. From a young age she taught me, 'Only rely on yourself. You have to be strong. You have to do it for yourself.' "And she lived it. For me, the government was a faraway thing that did not affect me, touch me or help me." Of course, her children are growing up in a different universe, with easy proximity to the government. She has met French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.

We sidetrack to discuss the age difference of 25 years between Macron and his wife, and Natalia gives a Gallic shrug and says this is not unusual in Paris. "I often see it where you have this incredibly handsome young guy with this beautiful older woman  and obviously much older. It's quite common. If he wasn't the president, no one would blink." We are sitting in the showroom of made.com on Rue Etienne Marcel surveying yet another of her projects combining tech and fundraising, a children's furniture range she has designed for the online company co-founded by her friend Brent Hoberman of lastminute.com fame. A bedroom scene  bed, wardrobe, bookshelves decorated with matryoshka dolls  has been set up in a little tableau vivant beside us. Natalia tells me she met Hoberman through the online community of tech entrepreneurs, Founders Forum, and he insisted she get involved, which wasn't a chore as she loves tech. Importantly, all proceeds go to Naked Heart. She takes me through the detail  the pull holes for drawers to stop little fingers getting trapped. "This is a phobia for me because when I was five someone closed the door on my finger. I still remember the pain." So what was her own bedroom like growing up? "I didn't have a bedroom," she says.

In 2015 with her children by ex-husband Justin Portman: Lucas, Neva and Viktor. Credit:Getty Images "Every single one" of her children  Lucas, 16, Neva, 11, Viktor, 10, with Portman; Maxim, 3, and Roman, 1, with Arnault  have just done a publicity shoot here and "loved it", she says. She softens when she talks about her kids, flipping one thigh-high boot over the other, her rod-straight back dissolving a little. They were all breastfed, "which is very, very tiring. None of my children slept, so for 15 years I've been up every night twice at least." She has help  "of course, or I wouldn't be here"  and keeps tabs on each of the children by carving out one-on-one time. "I have moments where I feel I'm losing control  that's motherhood." They don't complain, although recently she overheard the youngest of the Portman brood saying to the eldest, "Yes, but you had Mummy to yourself for four years."

The three eldest moved to Paris from a rural house in England's West Sussex in 2012. "Of course, they left friends behind and I do sense that they miss the pleasures of the countryside because they don't have this in Paris. But they've settled well. And now they speak another language." Are they very Parisian now? She smirks. "No, they are still very English." Paris was the first European city the 17-year-old Natalia experienced on arriving from Russia as a fledgling model. "I spent one year here as a girl with no money, going on the Metro, really discovering the city. And it's probably the city I know the most, apart from my home town." At 18 she moved to New York, where she threw herself into work. And it was there she met the sybaritic Portman, an artist and prince charming with a taste for models (he's recently been dating Ukrainian Anna Shut, 23). Natalia could have lived happily ever after if her happily ever after had been going to parties, looking pretty and staying up late. She once said that "the biggest differences between England and France is royalty versus republican, and my marriages reflect that. My first husband was a member of the aristocracy, did not work, but was a walking encyclopaedia. My second husband is a workaholic." I ask her to elaborate. "I am a workaholic as well," she says brightly. "That's why it didn't work with my ex-husband. We loved each other but we were just very " She searches for the elusive word. "Our rhythm of life was different."

In the past she has described Portman's parenting as 'hands-off'. "With Antoine, we love to get up in the morning, be with the children, then go to work." The British aristocracy, she says, was "another world", not necessarily welcoming to outsiders. "It's a beautiful world, yes. But if you haven't been born into it, it can be difficult to be part of. I was born into a working-class family." By age 19, she was married to Portman and had her first child. She stepped back on the runway 10 days after giving birth. "[Portman] had all this free time to follow me and our baby around in my crazy career. At the time I thought I knew everything. I thought that it didn't matter that we were so different because we had complicity elsewhere. In emotional ways we were very supportive of each other." On returning to England, they bought a country house and filled it with children and animals. But the "glue" of their relationship began to come apart and Natalia's patience with Portman's partying wore thin. She first met Arnault in 2008 at a shoot for Louis Vuitton, although she doesn't remember it. They met again in 2011, and after two dates she was smitten. Moving her three children to Paris wasn't difficult, as Portman spends so much time wrapped in a sarong on a sprawling estate in Uruguay.

But shortly after they separated, Portman wrote a post on Facebook saying that his life was not in "synchronicity" with her "fashion" life. He claims she was embarrassed by him, treated him like an "old Louis Vuitton handbag" and that after a stint in rehab she didn't receive him home with any warmth. She describes the 40-year-old Arnault  chief executive of menswear brand Berluti and the chairman of Italian cashmere company Loro Piana  as "always happy to go to work: very driven and very hardworking". She continues, "We are very well balanced. He inspires me and I think I inspire him because of the same energy I give, but to philanthropy. "He is an incredibly compassionate person. But like any man his view is, 'Make your own money first, secure your career, your wellbeing, the wellbeing of your family  and then you think of everything else'." She says she feels guilty about working so hard, "especially when, in principle, I don't have to work any more". Loading
Former Don Dale detainee and centre of an explosive Four Corners report Dylan Voller says he won't be silenced after being arrested at a protest in Alice Springs.

The 20-year-old and his mother Joanne Voller were among eight people apprehended after marching from the local courthouse to protest against youth prisons and Indigenous deaths in custody on Friday afternoon, Northern Territory Police confirmed.

"We had a protest here and the police went to grab mum and slam her on the ground so I just went to walk over and then they jumped on me," Voller said in a video posted from his cell in Alice Springs.

"They just chucked me in the paddy wagon and brought me to the watch house and then when we got out they said [it was] for disorderly behaviour."
By India Today Web Desk: Indian film actor Aamir Khan will reportedly be returning to the small screen soon with a brand new season of the show Satyamev Jayate. According to a report by DNA, the actor and the makers are in talks about a fresh season of the successful show.

"The show got rave reviews and garnered a lot of goodwill for Aamir and the channel. It's a concept that the makers want to revive. It was always in the pipeline, but Aamir who works only on one project at a time was busy with his films. However, now talks are on for the show's next season. Currently, the actor is shooting for Thugs Of Hindostan, but once he wraps it up, he is likely to focus on his show before starting his next film. The team has started doing the research for the topics that will be covered in the upcoming season," DNA quoted a source as saying.

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Satyamev Jayate is likely to air early next year, according to the same report.

Other big names from Bollywood who will soon be seen on TV are Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan, with The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, Bigg Boss 11, and Ted Talks India, respectively.

--- ENDS ---
Larry Anthony addresses the Nationals' federal conference, which he chairs. The conference floor voted to freeze and then phase out renewable energy subsidies. Credit:Patrick Griffiths One company, Indue, operates the cashless welfare card being trialled in several states in an attempt to reduce gambling and alcohol spending. Indue has won government contracts worth tens of millions of dollars since 2009 and a group of Nationals MPs is pushing for a widespread rollout of the welfare card. Mr Anthony, a former minister responsible for Centrelink, served as deputy chairman of Indue until 2013. Another client, Santos, was among the energy providers that met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this week to strike a deal on domestic gas reservation.

Mr Turnbull and National Party leader Barnaby Joyce called on the NSW government to expedite a major coal seam gas project Santos hopes to build at Narrabri, National Party heartland in the state's north. Meanwhile, Delta Electricity plans to build a solar farm but also expand its coal-fired power generation, arguing that Mr Turnbull should pressure banks to lend money for the extension of coal-fired plants. The government is struggling to devise a clean energy policy that would keep the peace between Liberal Party factions while also satisfying the National Party. After a federal conference debate moderated by Mr Joyce and Mr Anthony this month, the Nationals passed a motion urging the government to freeze and then phase out renewable energy subsidies. Opening the conference, Mr Anthony thanked corporate sponsors, saying they and regional Australia backed the party "because we are focused and we deliver, we are transparent, and non-factionalised, we are loyal to our leaders, and ministers of the day".

"This is what sets us apart from other major political parties," he said. When he became party president in 2015, Mr Anthony was criticised for lobbying for the Shenhua Watermark mining project. At the time, he said he had removed himself from lobbyist registers and had no conflict of interest. "We do a lot of things aside from government relations  media, communications, stakeholder relations, et cetera," he said. "But executive director? Yes, I might have to come off that." Two years later, he remains an executive director. The SAS Group website has promoted the fact Mr Anthony attended the Liberal National Party's Queensland convention in July. Asked whether his party presidency helped to attract clients, Mr Anthony said: "I don't know about that, but my name is synonymous with the National Party."

His father, Doug, served as party leader from 1971 to 1984 and his grandfather, Larry snr, was a Country Party minister. Until this year, SAS Group listed its Canberra office as in the same building as National Party headquarters, John McEwen House, a low-rise office building a few streets from Parliament House. Mr Anthony said that in 2014 SAS was one of a number of companies that rented space in the building, at commercial rates, but it moved out the next year. Fairfax Media could find no former lease for SAS on the historical title deed. The proprietor of the building, John McEwen House Pty Ltd, also acts as a fundraising vehicle for the party, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Trading as the National Policy Forum, the company advertises seats at National Party events in corporate membership packages that cost up to $55,000.

Mr Anthony sits on the fundraiser's board, while SAS Group clients Santos and National Trunk Rail have attended its events. When SAS Group chief executive Peter Costantini attended one he was photographed separately with Mr Anthony and Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker. "When I took on the National Party job a couple of years ago I came off the lobby registry, so I'm not directly a lobbyist, although I am still clearly an owner of the company," Mr Anthony told Fairfax Media. He said he managed staff and provided general advice to clients, but advisers handled "direct engagement with government". As for the Nationals' policy committee meetings, he said he could not remember attending any.

"I don't blend the two," he said of his political and commercial work. "We do take [the lobbyist code of conduct] very seriously and we comply with it to the letter." The code prohibits lobbyists from being a member of a party executive. It also requires anyone who lobbies or employs lobbyists to register on a public database. University of Melbourne politics lecturer George Rennie said even if Mr Anthony had not technically breached the code, his failure to appear as a registered lobbyist "so undermines the intent of the code, as to make it nearly useless". "Being a part-owner and director of a lobbying firm, while concurrently serving as president of the National Party, creates a clear conflict of interest," Mr Rennie said. When asked whether Mr Anthony may be conflicted, a spokesman for the parliamentary leader Mr Joyce said "not at all because Mr Anthony isn't involved in any way with the decisions of government or cabinet".

"The policy committee is just that," the spokesman said. "They are not government. They do not craft or have any input into cabinet submissions upon which ministers make decisions." Delta Electricity spokesman Steve Gurney said: "We're not making any comment about SAS." Santos and Indue did not answer directly when asked whether Mr Anthony had facilitated access to government representatives or provided other lobbying services. "We draw on SAS's energy sector experience, so we've had very little interaction with Mr Anthony," a spokeswoman said. "We have supported the Nationals' National Policy Forum for a number of years, and we are even-handed when it comes to supporting the policy forums of political parties that support gas development."
A Crown prosecutor, a high-powered commercial litigator and two barristers who assisted the Trade Union Royal Commission are among a select group of Sydney barristers elevated this year to the prized rank of senior counsel.

The list of senior counsel appointments - known as silk, in a nod to their silken robes - was released on Friday by the NSW Bar Association.

The list of new silks is the smallest in NSW since 1993. Credit:Tanya Lake

The modest list of 11 appointments, from a pool of 92 applicants, is the smallest list of new silks in the state since 1993 when 10 silks were appointed from a pool of 77 applicants.

Michael Elliott and Richard Scruby, both of whom appeared as junior counsel assisting the Trade Union Royal Commission headed by former High Court judge Dyson Heydon, are among those who will be upgrading their barristerial wardrobe.
A Korean woman attacked in Brisbane's CBD may have "drowned" in her own blood after sustaining horrific facial injuries, a court has heard.

Alex Reuben McEwan, 23, is on trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to murdering 22-year-old Eunji Ban in the early hours of November 24, 2013.

The body of South Korean student Eunji Ban was found in a Brisbane park in 2013.

Pathologist Alex Olumbe examined Ms Ban's body the next day and testified on Friday that she sustained crushed nasal bones, jaw fractures and a lost tooth, among other injuries.

The court heard her cause of death was primarily by facial injuries as a result of multiple blunt traumas.
A distraught Alex McEwan told his mother he needed help with "spirits" in the weeks leading up the alleged murder of a South Korean woman in Brisbane's CBD, a court has heard.

The 23-year-old is on trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to murdering 22-year-old Eunji Ban in the early hours of November 24, 2013.

The family of murdered South Korean student Eunji Ban at the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday. Credit:Darren England/AAP

Mr McEwan's mother sobbed as she walked to the witness box on Friday, later telling the court her son came into her room a few days before and spoke of a "sphere or ball rolling around in his head".

He seemed distraught, desperate and was crying on the floor, Ruth McEwan recalled.
SpaceX founder and billionaire Elon Musk has revealed that people could be transported around the world on most long-distance trips in under one hour using a new spacecraft he's designed and codenamed "BFR", understood to stand for "Big F---ing Rocket".

Musk's plan was unveiled in a highly-anticipated public presentation he gave in Adelaide on Friday afternoon at the International Astronautical Congress, in which he updated the world's space industry on his plans to build a colony on Mars and a lunar base on the Moon.

The congress, the 68th time it has been held and the second time in Australia, is a meeting of the minds for the world's space industry.

Earlier in the day defence contractor Lockheed Martin presented its plans to rival SpaceX on Friday morning flagging the prospect of a Mars base, beating Musk to the punch.
Australia's most notorious Islamic State fighter is a liar and his court apology is a self-serving ploy, political leaders say.

Neil Prakash, the bayside boy from Melbourne turned dangerous jihadist, told a judge in Turkey on Thursday he was "sorry for the trouble I have caused the world".

Neil Prakash in a still from an IS propaganda video.

It's an apology that Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville said was a court strategy.

"I don't think we would take that very seriously," Ms Neville said on Friday.
Mr Topal faced Melbourne's Magistrates Court this week accused of breaching his bail and refusing them access to seven mobile phones police seized when they arrested him.

Last Friday, it went from "Blue Steel" to boys in blue for the chisel-featured 27-year-old, when he was arrested by the anti-bikie Echo taskforce.

Hasan Topal in a photo from last year. Credit:Instagram

Hasan Topal was signed to Chadwicks modelling agency, and, police allege, the Comancheros.

Is this Australia's best looking bikie?

Hasan Topal was on the books for elite modelling agency Chadwicks. Credit:Instagram

Police allege Mr Topal was involved in a wild Comanchero-on-Comanchero shirts-off brawl at Capital Men's Club, a strip club in Canberra, while on a national run last month.

Mr Topal is captured on CCTV footage smashing glass into his own forehead and taking off his T-shirt before re-entering the fight where he punched and kicked a semi-conscious associate, Detective Senior Constable Courtney Hughes told the court.

He said club national president Mick Murray can be seen in the footage standing in the background watching the affray and making no attempt to control the situation.

"The fight continues in the background until a female can be heard repeatedly screaming loudly over the fighting males 'F---ing stop!'," Detective Senior Constable Hughes said.
Jenni Woods has had a tough life, but hoped a veterinary nursing course would set her up for a bright future.

The 58-year-old has severe epilepsy and when her symptoms subsided in May 2014 she enrolled in a course at Open Colleges.

Jenni was slugged $5487 for a course at a private college that she never started, Credit:Joe Armao, Fairfax Media.

"I love animals," she said. "I just wanted to do something with my life."

But her seizures worsened days before the course was due to start and following her doctor's advice, she withdrew.
Beijing: Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen has marked out a set of key policy differences with the Turnbull government on Asia, arguing Australia "isn't keeping up" with fast-changing Asian economies.

In a speech to the Asia Society in Sydney on Friday, Mr Bowen argued a "step change" was needed, because future economic growth depended on significantly improved links with Asia. So far, Australia was only paying lip service, he said.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is marking out a clear policy difference on China Credit:Josh Robenstone

It was "a travesty" that the study of Asian languages in schools had fallen backwards, as Labor programs had been closed. The US government, by contrast, had the goal to have a million Chinese speakers in American schools.

Asian business literacy among senior business people was "lamentable", and needed to be addressed at a board level, in the same way as the gender imbalance was being tackled, he said.
European Union nations led by France and Ireland have proposed postponing a farm trade offer to South America's Mercosur bloc until rules are agreed to avoid unfair competition, diplomats said on Thursday, creating a potential obstacle to a deal.

In a letter to the European Commission, the countries said they were particularly vulnerable to imports of beef, ethanol, sugar and poultry from Mercosur and said an EU offer of import quotas would be "untimely" until a "level playing field" could be agreed

Stop-start-stop negotiations with the EU began in 1999 but have faced resistances on either side. Credit:Cody Whiteman

The EU farm offer was due to be delivered next week during negotiations in Brasilia. Resolution of the differences over agriculture is crucial if the two sides are to reach a political framework accord by the end of the year, which is Mercosur's goal.

The letter seen by Reuters seeking a postponement was signed by Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
By Geeta Mohan: Afghanistan's chief executive Dr. Abdullah who ended his visit to India on Friday after addressing a gathering at ICWA, highlighted the importance Afghanistan attaches to ties with India but also reminded the gathering that Afghanistan's friendship doesn't come at the cost of compromising on their sovereignty.

To a pointed question from an Afghan student Rustam from South Asia University on if Afghanistan should balance its ties between India and Pakistan and that Pakistan "afflicts" more damage than the help India provides, Dr. Abdullah asked, "Had we shut our doors to India things would have been fine?"

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Further explaining, Dr. Abdullah said, "The simple math would say that if there is a country that is helping you in education, health, capacity building, infrastructure and offering you better lives then why should we reject the hand of friendship" Emphatically saying, "What we won't compromise on is our sovereignty for which we have made many sacrifices. We will never give up our right of veto. We would want others to respect our sovereignty. If India in exchange would have asked us to shut our doors to pak then it would have been very difficult for us. We are not giving right of veto over in foreign policy to any country."

Afghan chief executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a week-long visit during which he will held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, looking to strengthen business ties between the two countries and as Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday, both sides "condemned the recent terror attack, especially the rocket attack at Kabul airport. Issues of safe heaven and terror sanctuaries were discussed.

Dr. Abdullah in his interaction at Sapru House in Delhi, largely spoke on the challenges faced by Afghanistan, particularly one that both India and Afghanistan face from Pakistan. ''The fact that there are groups based in Pakistan which are threatening the security of Afghanistan and (they) continue to receive support and continue to embark upon destabilizing activities and acts of terror in Afghanistan. That is a very serious challenge for us and for the whole region". He said countries needed to decide that "terrorism would not be used as a tool for foreign policy" .

The Afghan Chief Executive also reiterated an often repeated stand not only of his nation but also of India and of the entire international community that there are no "good" or "bad" terrorists. That countries like Pakistan can't be selective in fighting the menace of terrorism. He said "terror is terror" and that there should be no differentiation when it comes to terror: "good and bad terrorist groups". Adding, "But our wisdom says that human dignity will prevail and acts of terror would be condemned to fail."

Finally, while he spoke of the historic ties between the two nations he also mentioned the importance of connectivity and India's initiative with the Chabahar project that Abdullah said Afghanistan could be a "bridge" between South Asia and Central Asia. "We are working together - India and Iran have taken lead - towards operationalisation of Chabahar. We hope, as India has announced, it would contribute further that one year target of full operationalisation of Chabahar would be met."

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Iran, Afghanistan and other countries would benefit from this. Iran's Chabahar port could make this region easily accessed from India's western coast, by passing Pakistan.

WATCH VIDEO | Seek friendly ties with neighbours based on mutual respect: Afghan Chief Executive

--- ENDS ---
Paramilitary officers warn a motorcyclist in Menanga from entering the danger zone as Mount Agung threatens to erupt. Credit:Kate Geraghty "The fact the quakes keep occurring shows Mount Agung really is in a critical condition, we are just waiting for the d-day it erupts," Gede Suantika from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation tells Fairfax Media. "Satellite images show there are changes of solfatara [a natural volcanic steam vent] and there are cracks on the bottom of the volcano." Ketut Setiari, right, bathes her 115-year-old great grandmother Nengah Brata in a tent at an evacuation camp in Klungkung, Bali. Credit:Kate Geraghty Mr Suantika said white steam was rarely seen last week from monitoring posts 12 kilometres away but this week could be seen if the sky was clear.

"In the last three days in particular the steam looks higher like a cloud of smoke from a factory funnel," he said. Komang Monda entertains himself amongst the tents at an evacuation camp in Klungkung city, home to thousands of peole who have been evacuated from red zones in preparation for the eruption of Mount Agung, Bali, Indonesia. Credit:Kate Geraghty The Volcanology Centre issued a statement saying if an eruption did occur - which it said was more likely than not - it was most likely to be small at first, although a large eruption could follow. "The size of future eruptions cannot be determined with certainty." The last time Mount Agung blew in 1963 the eruptions lasted for a year. Pande Togi (left) and Komang Irvan (right) come down the steps after praying at the Besakih Mother Temple inside the 9km danger zone despite Mount Agung threatening to erupt. The Besakih Mother Temple is a famous Balinese tourist spot attracting hundreds of tourists a day. Tourists are staying away as Mount Agung threatens to erupt. Bali, Indonesia. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The statement said Bali was still safe for travel but visitors should not enter the restricted area, within 12 kilometres from the volcano. However the head of the Bali Tourism Board, Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, said tourist operators were concerned about the next six months, including the Christmas and New Year period. Made Sigi at his home in Menanga village after returning to the red zone to feed his cows as BRIMOB paramilitary officers on patrol warn people in Menanga village from entering the 9km danger zone as Mount Agung threatens to erupt, in the Rendeng area, Bali, Indonesia. Credit:Kate Geraghty "It seems the travellers or travel agents are doing the 'wait and see' for Christmas and new year," he said. "We need to take care of that. We plan to talk to the government about lowering the alert. It's been a week since the highest (volcano) alert system was imposed and the situation is still the same." All flights to Bali's international airport are proceeding as normal although the airlines are closely monitoring volcanic activity.

Jetstar said a handful of customers had requested changes to their travel dates, which the airline had accommodated with no change fee. Virgin Australia also says passengers can cancel their flight without a cancellation fee and be provided with a flight credit to be used at a later date. It says as there is no visible ash cloud flights are planned to operate as scheduled but there may be some delays with some Bali flights making fuel stops in Darwin as a precautionary measure. Kuta Seaview Boutique Resort, a beachside hotel popular with Australians, said less than 10 per cent of its guests had cancelled bookings between now and the end of October. Those that had the jitters included Australians, Chinese and Koreans.

One of the most popular tourists destinations in Bali is Pura Besakih - the largest and holiest Hindu temple in Bali - which is in the heart of the danger zone on the slopes of Mount Agung, Now it is eerily silent with kiosks boarded up and rubbish drifting along the ground. A white cat slinks past. Pak Wayan has returned to fetch his children's school uniforms from nearby Besakih village and check on his shop, which sells drinks, instant noodles and cigarettes. He normally earns 50,000 to 200,000 rupiah a day ($5-$20) but is now utterly dependent on government handouts at an evacuation centre. "Everyone in Bali wishes the mountain would subside," he says.

Remarkably Pura Besakih survived the 1963 eruption with the lava flows missing the temple by metres. "It was believed to be both a miracle and because of the strategic location of the temple," the head of the Bali Hindu Association Gusti Ngurah Sudiana tells Fairfax Media. He said the gods had provided spiritual guidance on the most strategic location to build the temple. Mr Sudiana's father survived the 1963 eruption and was attending a Hindu ceremony when the sky began raining stones. "He said the rocks only fell on those using an umbrella."
Election Commission will hear the AIADMK's two leaves symbol case on October 6. While EPS-OPS camp says it is confident of claiming the sign, the Dinakaran faction has accused its rivals of filing bogus affidavits.

By Shalini Lobo: The tussle to claim the AIADMK's 'two leaves' symbol among rival factions of the party continues with more affidavits reaching the Election Commission's doorstep.

As the poll panel's deadline to submit documents in favour of their claims over the election symbol ended on September 29, the EPS-OPS camp and Dhinarakan faction fired fresh salvos against each other. While the EPS-OPS group is fully confident of winning the claim over the two leaves symbol, the TTV camp has termed the former's affidavits bogus and appealed to the poll panel to conduct a probe to ascertain the authenticity of the documents.

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The Election Commission will hear the case of the 'two leaves' symbol on October 6. This comes after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court instructed the poll panel to put forward a decision regarding the disputed frozen party symbol by October 31.

AIADMK leaders stating their claims included members of the party's general council, executive committee, office-bearers and all MPs and MLAs. The TTV Dhinakaran camp asked for a 15-day extension of the deadline, but was denied the same.

DETAILS OF AFFIDAVITS FILED

The TTV Dhinakaran faction submitted over a thousand documents on Friday. Affidavits from 27 districts out of 55 were submitted before the EC. The EPS-OPS camp has filed affidavits from across several states and union territories, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, New Delhi and Andaman and Nicobar. Their affidavits include 115 from their party MLAs, 44 from MPs, 52 from district secretaries, 126 from town secretaries and more than 1,200 from village secretaries. These affidavits reached the Election Commission's office in a truck, literally.

Tamil Nadu Ministers Jayakumar, CV Shanmugham, Dr. V Maitreyen, Manoj Pandian and KP Munuswamy approached the poll panel on behalf of the EPS-OPS camp.

"We are 200 per cent sure of our victory and we know that 98 per cent of our MPs and MLAs are with us", said AIADMK MP Maitreyen. On the other hand, Advocate Raja Senthoor Pandian, who came to file affidavits on behalf of the Dhinakaran camp, said, "Several documents filed by the EPS-OPS camp are bogus and an inquiry needs to be carried out to ascertain whether they are real. Many affidavits are filed with fake names. We have asked for three days' time to file the rest of our documents and the Election Commission has assured that they will accept our documents on Monday as well".

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | EPS faction of AIADMK to file 1.5 lakh affidavits for party's two leaves logo

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Ajay Kashyap, a 1985 batch IPS officer, was today appointed as the new Director General (DG) of Tihar jail, according to an order issued by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

He was currently posted as the Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in the Delhi Police.

Sudhir Yadav, an IPS officer of the same batch as Kashyap, retired as the DG (Tihar) today. He had taken over the post in May last year.

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A farewell parade and a function was held at the jail complex for Yadav. PTI SLB KJ

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Made of Spain Art Edition sleeve for Licor 43

Zamora Company, a premium wines and spirits producer, has unveiled special edition packaging for its Licor 43 Original, a first that will be available internationally.

The Made of Spain Art Edition bottle will be available from early October 2017, initially in global travel retail in Dufry stores for three months before rolling out across international domestic markets and other duty free operators in 2018.

Licor 43 Made of Spain Art Edition pays tribute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Spanish artists and aims to become an iconic series with an annual release in years to come celebrating Spanish identity through art. This 2018 edition is inspired by Antonio Gaudis use of the traditional trencadis mosaic technique to build the most iconic landmarks of Catalonian Modernism, such as in Barcelonas Park Guell.

With its colourful, mosaic sleeve, the Made of Spain Art Edition sits on the shelf between Licor 43 Original and Licor 43 Orochata inviting consumers to experience the brand and its Spanish heritage.

Dufrys global category head of liquor, David de Miguel comments: Licor 43 is an iconic Spanish brand and this new packaging demonstrates that. With standout presence on shelf, this new packaging will generate shopper interest and provide a point of difference in this channel.

Zamora international director global duty free, Antony Kime says: Bright, bold and eye-catching, the mosaic bottle is ideal for the duty free channel where consumers are looking for a piece of Spain to bring home. Demand for Licor 43 has grown consistently in recent years and this special edition bottle will heighten awareness and recruit new consumers as well as attract existing Licor 43 fans, fuelling its continued global success.

The Zamora family has been producing spirits since 1946. Licor 43 is crafted from a Spanish family recipe of Mediterranean citrus fruits infused with selected spices and botanicals. Careful maceration and blending gives it a golden colour with a smooth texture and layered flavours of vanilla, caramel and citrus, making it exceptionally versatile offering a range of signature serves.

Licor 43, which is a top selling Spanish liqueur brand in European duty free, has an ABV of 31%. The Made of Spain Art Edition 1ltr bottle retails in travel retail at 17.50 and 19.90, the same price as Licor 43 Original.

Licor 43 is available in over 70 markets and is becoming a brand leader in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, the US and Mexico. It is now the fastest growing liqueur in the world with around 700,000 cases sold worldwide in 2016.

29 September 2017 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor in chief
Cynthia Rodriguez hasn't spoken to her parents since Sept. 19, the night before Hurricane Maria ravaged their home in Puerto Rico.

"It's hard to focus at work. It's hard to go day-by-day thinking of the ones you have over there, just wondering if they are able to eat or have water or, I mean, survive," she said. "I don't know basically anything."

The College Station resident said she knows her parents are OK because her best friend checked in on them Saturday, but she hasn't been in contact with them herself. She has been watching from afar the destruction on the island where she lived for the first 34 years of her life, unable to directly help the friends and family still there.

Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, skirted Puerto Rico in early September, leaving more than 1 million people without power. Then Hurricane Maria passed directly over the island, leaving a path of destruction across its 3,500-square miles of land. The Category 4 storm made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sept. 20; rain fell by the foot as 150 mile-per-hour winds wrecked the U.S. territory's land and infrastructure, putting in jeopardy 3.4 million Americans' access to water, food, cash and medical supplies.

The Associated Press reported Monday that almost all of the 1.6 million electricity customers do not have power, though a fortunate few do have generators. Public Affairs Secretary Ramon Rosario said power will not be fully restored to Puerto Rico for months.

Zuleika Carrasco, who has lived in Bryan for 32 years but spent the first eight years of her life in Puerto Rico, has communicated with one of her cousins every day since the storm.

"Since the hurricane hit, AT&T has become my best friend," she said.

Carrasco has so many family members still in Puerto Rico that she had to clarify if she should include second, third and fourth cousins when asked to estimate how much family she still has there.

"It's a pretty big family," Carrasco said of the cousins, aunts and uncles still in Puerto Rico, passing the time by playing dominoes and cards, resting and cleaning the yard.

She has been able to communicate with her family because some of them have generators. One of her cousins and an uncle lost their homes. Another cousin's roof was damaged. But every member of her massive family survived.

"They're alive. That's the most important thing," said Carrasco.

Many Texans are still reeling from the calamity of Hurricane Harvey, but more assistance is needed in Puerto Rico.

Rodriguez organized a local donation drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Kemp Elementary School, located 750 Bruin Trace in Bryan. Suggested donations include batteries, flashlights, deodorant, soap, canned goods, toothpaste, garbage bags, diapers and toilet paper; a flyer calls for "basic essentials."

Carrasco said the donated supplies will be taken to a Fiesta Mart in Houston. There will be more donation drives hosted by The Puerto Rican and Cuban Festival production teams at multiple Fiesta Marts in the Houston area, as well as in locations across the state. Carrasco said the Bryan donations will be driven to the closest Fiesta Mart accepting donations Saturday, after which PRC Festival officials will deliver the donations to Puerto Rico by sea or air, depending on how much money they can raise through a GoFundMe, which can be found at www.gofundme.com/UnidosPorPuertoRico.

"We're doing this because it's going to help us mentally," said Carrasco. "We need to do something to help our people."

Rodriguez said it wasn't her first choice to help her family -- "I want to get in a plane right now and fly there, but it is not possible," she said -- but "that's the only thing I can do right now to help not only my family, but everybody."

Wilmarie Marrero came to Brazos County in 2012 to earn a PhD in chemistry from Texas A&M University. Before that, she lived in Puerto Rico. Her entire family is still there, but because they live close to the airport, she was able to speak with her parents for 10 minutes Sept. 22 before the phone reception got spotty. "They told me by word of mouth that everybody is OK," she said.

Marrero said she worried about the impact the storm would have on public health, since a lack of electricity means medications such as insulin that needs to be refrigerated cannot stay cool. Also concerning is the general inability to communicate and a lack of water.

"If we can get at least potable water and cell phone communication, everyone can be a bit more relaxed and healthy, as well, because they wont run into a sanitation problem," she said.

Carrasco said "Facebook has been a lifesaver" by connecting members of the local Puerto Rican community -- she estimates there are more than 100 in Bryan and College Station -- and spreading news about the storm and its aftermath.

"Our island isn't the same anymore, and that's what hurts," Carrasco said. She's glad Puerto Ricans who are still there can't see the extent of the damage to their island, like Americans in the continental U.S. can, thanks to news reports and the internet.

"I'm grateful my family can't see the extent of damage we can," she said as she cried. "My heart is in Puerto Rico right now."
Authorities called to Northpoint Crossing apartment parking garage late Tuesday said a woman likely jumped to her death.

Bryan resident Michelle Alarcon-Trejo, 18, died at the scene at 1501 Northpoint Lane. Authorities said the evidence points to a suicide.

The six-building complex is at the corner of University Drive and Texas Avenue and provides student housing for Texas A&M students. College Station police said Alarcon was not a student at the university.
Seven prominent academics from across the country are set to become the latest faculty fellows at the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M.

The 2017-2018 class of faculty fellows, along with a Nobel Prize-winning distinguished lecturer, were announced in the Jack K. Williams Administration Building on the A&M campus Thursday afternoon.

Founding director of John Junkins said accomplishments of the institute thus far has "proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that faculty, the administration and the Aggie network can work together and do some great things."

The institute, which welcomed its first class of faculty fellows in 2012, has brought 52 prominent academics -- including its latest class -- to the university.

It was renamed in honor of class of '58 graduate Jon Hagler in February after the alumnus gifted the institute with a $20 million gift to provide the program with long-term funding to continue its mission.

A&M President Michael K. Young said he views the institute as one of the best investments the university has made in its future thanks to the high caliber of knowledge across a broad range of disciplines it has made available to the resident faculty and students.

"We want to make a home where inquiry is not only welcomed and encouraged, but supported," Young said. "...When the history is written, this will be a pivotal moment in the history of this university."

In one of her first public appearances, Provost and Executive Vice President Carol Fierke -- who started in her position earlier this month -- praised the institute as one of several initiatives at A&M that is helping the university to elevate its status on the national stage.

"I'm really excited to be joining Texas A&M at this time -- this is a university that is striving to get better through past efforts and current momentum, and with initiatives such as the Hagler Institute, it is well-positioned as a leader in higher education," Fierke said. "...Every Aggie should take pride in what the Hagler Institute has accomplished and what it will achieve in years to come. I'm really looking forward to seeing the future of this institute and the positive effects it will have on all areas of the university."

The seven new faculty fellows, their respective disciplines and their university of residence are included below:

Vijay K. Dhir, distinguished professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Richard A. Dixon, distinguished research professor and director of the BioDiscovery Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas.

Richard A. Epstein, the Laurence A. Tisch professor of law, New York University School of Law.

Thomas B. Ginsburg, the Leo Spitz professor of international law and Ludwig and Hilde Wolf research scholar in the University of Chicago Law School and professor of political science at the University of Chicago.

James E. Hubbard Jr., Samuel P. Langley distinguished professor in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, and director of the Center for Adaptive Aerospace Vehicle Technology and the Morpheus Laboratory, National Institute of Aerospace.

Thomas J. Stipanowich, professor and holder of the William H. Webster Chair in Dispute Resolution and associate dean of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law.

Jerry Tessendorf, professor of visual computing in the School of Computing at Clemson University.

They will be joined by distinguished lecturer for the 2017-2018 class Steven Chu, the William R. Kenan Jr. professor of humanities and sciences and professor of physics and molecular & cellular physiology in the Medical School at Stanford University and former secretary of energy under President Barak Obama. A&M officials said he was a co-recipient of a 1997 Nobel Prize for Physics for his contributions to the practices of laser cooling and atom trapping. He is expected to serve as a keynote speaker during an upcoming symposium hosted by the institute.

The new class of faculty fellows will be officially inducted at the institute's annual gala early next year.

For more information on the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, visit hias.tamu.edu.
By India Today Web Desk: TV actress Neha Saxena, who will soon be seen in the show Siddhivinayak, is making her return to TV after quite a while. Neha was also in the news recently for her alleged break-up with partner Shakti Arora.

Neha and Shakti got engaged a while ago, and were meant to tie the knot last winter, but the marriage was postponed due to demonetisation. And since then there have been numerous speculations regarding their relationship status.

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While Shakti had stated that there is no trouble in paradise a couple of months ago on social media, Neha told The Bombay Times that they are very much together.

"I couldn't stay beyond a month in Jakarta with Shakti (he has professional commitments there) because of visa restrictions. I guess that's what led to the speculation that I had left abruptly following a nasty tiff. Every couple fights; we fight, too, but we haven't split. I was upset when people started judging us as a couple, and that's what prompted Shakti to take to the social media," the actress said.

Both Neha and Shakti are busy with their work, and have not really decided when they want to have the wedding.

--- ENDS ---
It might be argued that the aim of the festival  to promote a love of science and spread knowledge  is more important than the choice of sponsors. And after all, companies work within the legal framework they are given by governments. Should campaigners not take their concerns there instead?

Certainly BAE Systems does not believe it should consider the morality of its customers' actions. When questioned at the company's 2016 AGM about the uses to which BAE's weaponry is put, chairman Roger Carr said, "We are not here to judge the way that other governments work, we are here to do a job under the rules and regulations we are given."

Interestingly, New Scientist magazine has taken a position on this. "It's time we all burst our carbon bubbles" they declared in a leader published on 5 July, advising readers to divest their current account and pension from fossil fuels.

The world economy is heavily, almost suicidally, invested in the future discovery and exploitation of oil and gas reserves, they point out. Readers might have been surprised at the choice of Shell as a sponsor for New Scientists flagship event a couple of months later.

Exploring Big Ideas

The New Scientist Live festival encourages people to explore big ideas, looking more deeply into things to see how they work. However the problem with sponsors Shell and BAE is that they present information in a way that closes off important lines of investigation, such as the morality of technology being used to create ever more sophisticated weaponry.

Or the science which shows that delaying our withdrawal from fossil fuels are putting us on a path not to a 1.5C increase in planetary temperature (the aspiration in the Paris climate agreement) or well below 2C which governments are supposed to be targeting, but something more like 4C.

The narrative presented by companies such as Shell is that oil and gas are a cleaner alternative to coal. But are they really the good guys? An in-depth report by investors Schroder makes sobering reading. The main message is that we are failing to cut emissions, but that progress is uneven across different sectors.

While there were some positive elements, such as a reduction in coal burning and an increase in renewable energy capacity, the failure to curb oil and gas investment and production was identified as a serious problem. Considered in isolation, this would put us on a trajectory to 5.3-7.8C warming.

It is unlikely that this is something that will be discussed by Shell as they talk about their multitude of bright energy ideas at New Scientist Live. The positive, upbeat messaging about their role leaves this information out, and greenwashes their image.

A risk of self-censorship

By making Shell the official sponsor of the Earth zone, New Scientist is effectively endorsing Shells approach to climate change, in a context where the emphasis on science bestows a high degree of trust and credibility.

So will visitors to New Scientist Live learn about the radical changes in energy use that the science demands or will Shells information lull them into complacency?

Fossil fuel companies such as Shell may publically express support for the Paris climate agreement, but they refuse to consider any scenario that does not involve dependence on fossil fuels for decades to come as realistic or worth aiming towards. At Shell's 2017 AGM, a motion was rejected to set emissions targets for the company in line with the Paris climate agreement.

Shell has been accused before of trying to influence content and activities as a sponsor of the Science Museum. But in fact, there doesn't need to be explicit pressure. If the New Scientist event organisers wish the relationship with Shell to continue, there is a risk of self-censorship about uncomfortable facts.

Allowing corporations with vested interests to shape the conversation takes us back to the argument that moral decisions should be left to government. Because here again, companies can shape the conversation in uncomfortable ways.

Links with politicians

A revolving door between government and big industry, for example, can create a cosy relationship so that the need for government support to create jobs or for the economy is unquestioned. This is true both for fossil fuels and the arms industry.

Although internal documents show that Shell was fully aware of climate change risk as early as 1986, it went on to fund for three decades trade associations and industry groups seeking to block climate action. Under public pressure, it withdrew from one of these, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), in 2015.

However it is still a member of the American Petroleum Institute (API), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA). Shell has not taken any steps to distance itself from climate disinformation spread by these groups.

Here in the UK we have not quite reached the level of the US, where Republican members of Congress have each been receiving on average something like $60,000 annually from oil and gas corporations.

But analysis of Treasury meetings under George Osborne showed that over nine months 70 meetings were held to discuss energy. The vast majority were with oil and gas companies or industry bodies; just two included representatives of the renewable energy sector.

The corridors of Whitehall are a long way from New Scientist Live, a fun, family-friendly event, but the concern is the same. By giving fossil fuel companies and arms companies undue influence we are not opening up debate and research about big ideas, we are closing it down. Unchallenged, they will keep us on the same narrow track where the new ideas desperately needed to avoid climate change and conflict are silenced.

The Campaign against Climate Change, Campaign Against Arms Trade, Scientists for Global Responsibility, Medact and Art Not Oil are calling on New Scientist Live to address these concerns by adopting an ethical sponsorship policy for future events.

This Author
A unit of Assam Rifles allegedly first littered a school in Nagaland's Mokukchung district, only to clean it later.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: It seems for some people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat campaign has just become an affair for scoring brownie points and reducing the drive to a mere photo op.

A controversy has broken out on the issue as a unit of Assam Rifles allegedly first littered a school in Mokukchung district of Nagaland, only to get it cleaned later by the officers and troops.

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However, the local citizens and teachers of the school not only objected to the littering exercise being done allegedly by the jawans of the 44 Assam Rifles, but also recorded it and made it viral on WhatsApp and Facebook.

According to the video, the Assam Rifles jawans got permission from the local school to clean the premises with the help of the students on September 28, and soon after, spread pieces of paper and other waste before the cleaning exercise under the 'Swachhata hi Sewa' campaign. In the video, a Junior Commissioned Officer of the Assam Rifles can be seen negotiating with the local school authorities (who were objecting) and telling them that they have done similar exercises in other schools as well. But the authorities did not relent.

The school teachers also made the Assam Rifles troops clean the mess that they had created in the school and the students, who were standing with brooms and other cleaning material were sent back to their classes.

'COURT OF INQUIRY ORDERED'

It is come to notice that the matter has been taken very seriously by the Assam Rifles authorities as under the campaign, the force is supposed to clean the already dirty places but not to dirty localities first and then clean it.

When the video was brought to the notice of Assam Rifles chief Lt Gen Shaukin Chahuan, he told Mail Today that the "issue had been brought to my notice and immediately I had ordered a Court of Inquiry into the matter."

Meanwhile, due to the anti-cleanliness campaign being run by both serving and retired officers for involving uniformed troops on social media, army formations have issued directives to the units that no uniformed personnel should be clicked while cleaning duties.

Officers, mainly the retired ones, have termed the Prime Minister's initiative to involve army as a step to degrade the dignity of uniformed personnel by involving them in cleanliness drives.

VIDEO: Actor Rajinikanth has expressed his "full support" for PM Modi's Swachhata Hi Seva mission.

--- ENDS ---
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Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who died Wednesday at age 91, left behind not just a publishing empire but an iconic piece of Los Angeles property, in the form of the fabled Playboy Mansion.

With Hef moving on to the Great Grotto in the Sky, what happens now to the mansion, the site of numerous celebrity-studded parties as well as the location from which Hefner oversaw his girlie-mag empire?

The property, which Hefner had resided in since 1971, was purchased for $100 million in August 2016 by Hefners neighbor Daren Metropoulos, previously the co-owner and co-CEO of Pabst Brewing Company, and current co-owner of Hostess Brands. Metropoulos is the son of former Greenwich billionaire investor C. Dean Metropoulos, who now lives in Florida.

Also Read: Let's Stop Calling Hugh Hefner a Feminist Hero

As part of the deal, however, Hefner was allowed to live in the mansion, located in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles, for the remainder of his life. According to the Los Angeles Times, Playboy Enterprises agreed to lease the property from Metropoulos for $1 million a year.

A spokesperson for Metropoulos declined to answer TheWraps request for information regarding if or when the Hostess honcho planned to take up residence in the mansion, or what renovations he had in the works, noting that Metropoulos thoughts are with Mr. Hefners family right now.

Metropoulos did issue a statement on Hefners passing, noting, Hugh Hefner was a visionary in business, a giant in media and an iconic figure of pop culture whose legacy will leave a lasting impact. I was fortunate to know him as a neighbor and friend and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.

Also Read: Hugh Hefner Sex Diaries: Who Gets Mythical Videotapes, Logs of Mansion Romps?

However, an announcement of the purchase last year laid out a detailed plan for the mansions future. The announcement noted that Metropoulos intended to connect the mansion with his property next door, which he purchased in 2009, to create a 7.3 acre compound.

I feel fortunate and privileged to now own a one-of-a-kind piece of history and art, Metropoulos added. I look forward to eventually rejoining the two estates and enjoying this beautiful property as my private residence for years to come.

Beyond connecting the two properties, which according to the Times were both designed by Arthur R. Kelly, it doesnt appear that Metropoulos plans drastic renovations to the mansion. The Twinkie mogul went on at length about the mansions design and heritage following the purchase.

Also Read: Hugh Hefner's Young Widow Crystal Harris 'Won the Jackpot,' Say Twitter Trolls

For the last 45 years, Mr. Hefner has imbued the estate with a rich and storied legacy, Metropoulos said in a statement. The propertys heritage is not only that of a famous address; it is a true masterpiece in design, constructed by a noted architect for a family who played an important role in the development of Los Angeles in the early 20th century.

Given the presumed decades of decadence that the mansion has been witness to, Metropoulos might want to have a cleaning crew go through the place before he moves in, though.

Read original story Hugh Hefner Death: What Happens to the Playboy Mansion Now? At TheWrap
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When Republicans moved to slash $300 million from the University of Connecticut in their now-vetoed budget, it wasnt the first time that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Drew protested a money grab from the states flagship college.

As a UConn senior in 2002 and editor of The Daily Campus student newspaper, the Middletown mayor appeared on The OReilly Factor to defend the free speech rights of a student-run television show called, I Did Your Mother.

The eight-minute YouTube clip of a 22-year-old Drew with a boy band haircut debating Bill OReilly is raising eyebrows of Republicans, who have been critical of the compensation of UConn administrators and faculty in their protracted budget battle with Democrats.

OReilly questioned Drew, along with the shows host, Peter Pietro, why taxpayers should be forced to foot the bill for raunchy content. He showed a clip of Pietro bantering with his co-host about spanking two female students.

Drew, we dont have to accept gross-out humor that diminishes and denigrates women and gays and everybody else if were paying for it, do we? Is that part of the deal? said OReilly, who was fired by Fox News in April after a series of sexual harassment allegations were made against him.

Well, of course you dont have accept it, but if you dont want to accept it, dont turn it on, Drew said.

But Im paying for it, OReilly interrupted.

Youre paying for it, but if you stop paying for it given the system, given the way the university works, then what happens is once its cut off, once students are allowed to cut it off because they dont like the content, then youre really getting into freedom of speech issues and youre violating Mr. Pietros First Amendment rights, Drew said.

State GOP Chairman J.R. Romano said Drew has a double-standard when it comes to free speech.

There is some irony that he defends a show called, I Did Your Mother,  Romano said. He defends their freedom of speech, but condemns every Republican as racist. It just goes to show how vapid his character is. When you compare that to how hes treated Republicans, you just have to laugh at him at this point. Its no surprise that his moral compass is all screwed up.

Drew, 37, who is in his third term as Middletowns mayor and is a front-runner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, stood by his remarks to OReilly.

I will defend the First Amendment until my dying breath, Drew said. Defending the First Amendment and endorsing the show and its content are two different things. The show was a piece of garbage. It was craven. It was disgusting.

Drew said Republicans have busted out the clip in the past to try to smear him.

If this is the garbage that J.R. is peddling, I think it says something about the sad state of a affairs of the Connecticut Republican Party, he said.

As long as a student activity doesnt promote violence or oppression, he said, the U.S. Supreme Court has found that regulating content by pulling funding is unconstitutional.

That means very often, not just sometimes, having to listen to views that you find abhorrent, but having to listen to views that make your blood boil, he said.

One thing in the video still haunts Drew, however.

The only thing I regret about that video is my haircut, Drew said.

http://twitter.com/gettinviggy; nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436
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University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst has warned that the Legislatures budget would be devastating, and might cause UConn to close some of its regional campuses.

On Saturday, two UConn students considered that prospect as they studied near a Stamford campus cafe.

Keren Chen and Kailin Zheng came to the U.S. for master of science degrees in risk management, and said the program in which they are enrolled is offered only at UConns Stamford and Hartford campuses.

That makes me nervous, Zheng said.

We came here to the United States about one month ago to complete this program, which takes 15 to 19 months to finish, Chen said. What will we do if this campus is shut down while were studying the program?

UConn was recently ranked the 18th top public university by U.S. News & World Report. But Herbst said the university could not maintain its offerings if the Legislatures budget were to take effect.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has pledged to veto the budget.

In an email message, Herbst said cuts in the budget lawmakers approved on Sept. 16 could force UConn to make some closures. The university has regional campuses in Stamford, Hartford, Waterbury and Avery Point, as well as its main campus in Storrs, a law school in Hartford and UConn Health in Farmington.

State budget cuts, Herbst said, would reduce UConn funding by roughly $309 million over two years, $185 million of which would be cut directly from the university and its campuses. She said $124 million would be cut from UConn Health.

Zheng said she remembered the presidents email, which she said the entire student body received. However, she said, she didnt initially grasp its seriousness.

At first I didnt even really read the whole thing, Zheng said.

Chen said she breezed through the email at first, but went back to it later.

What if its our major, what were studying? she said.

Zheng and Chen said another big concern is whether their tuition would go up.

For the 2017-18 academic year, UConn tuition for graduate programs at regional campuses is $13,553 for nine or more credits. The two women said they do not receive scholarships or financial aid.

We pay for ourselves, for our tuition. If tuition goes up Chen trailed off, shaking her head.

But Chen and Zheng said they would remain at the Stamford campus  as long as it is not shut down  even with a tuition increase.

Were going to stay here, Zheng said. We are going to finish our program and get our M.S. degree.
NORWALK  Preservation advocates on Thursday released maps which they say demonstrate the federal governments intention to run a high-speed rail line through the heart of Norwalk and Darien.

The NEC FUTURE plan would run 29 miles of new rail lines, between New Rochelle, N.Y., and Greens Farms, under preliminary plans released by the Federal Railroad Administration last year.

On Thursday, SECoast released maps showing new rail rights of way, which it claims would harm historic National Register districts in downtown Greenwich and Cos Cob, the National Historical Landmark Bush-Holley House, the Mianus River and its embankments, and residential neighborhoods in Darien, Flax Hill, Golden Hill and East Norwalk, as well as commercial real estate in Old Greenwich and Stamford.

The group said it made the maps based on government maps prepared from the FRAs own GIS route maps.

In Norwalk, the maps show the high-speed rail running south of Interstate 95 with various construction types  aerial structures, embankments, trenchs and tunnels  employed along the new rights of way. David Westmoreland, Norwalk Historical Commission chairman, said the commission will review the images.

More News Westport to review federal plan to bring high speed rail to...

We need to review the maps in detail to determine whether or not any historic structures are potentially affected, and the Historical Commission will decide on whether or not to take a position on this issue, Westmoreland said. The apparent impact to many residential homes is concerning.

Ownership disputed

The FRA on Thursday rejected that it created the maps.

The maps posted by SECoast were not produced by FRA, said Warren Flatau, a spokesman for the federal agency.

SECoast, however, maintains the government maps were withheld from the public despite a Freedom of Information request submitted by the group to the FRA in April 2016. The government maps have been freely shared among state and federal agencies for months, according to SECoast Executive Director Greg Stroud.

We have always suspected that state agencies in Connecticut have had access to these high-quality maps, Stroud said. Now we know for certain that a number other states along the Northeast Corridor have had access to these maps since at least January. You have to wonder what legitimate purpose our own government has for keeping these detailed maps from the public.

Flatau said the FRA is advancing the NEC FUTURE program concurrent with the state Department of Transportations replacement of the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River.

The replacement of the Walk Bridge in kind (with four tracks), as proposed by FTA and ConnDOT, is consistent with the NEC FUTURE Selected Alternative, Flatau said. Future capacity requirements identified as part of NEC FUTURE are not precluded in the proposal being advanced in the Walk Bridge replacement project, as within the 2040 timeframe or beyond, increased capacity in this area may be achieved with new segments.

Several residents questioned the relationship of the two rail projects during a DOT public information meeting on the Walk Bridge replacement at Norwalk City Hall on Wednesday evening.

Serious concerns

Mayor Harry Rilling said the city is monitoring both projects.

Weve been meeting with our our senators and the Western Council of Governments, and this has been a subject of discussion, Rilling said of NEC FUTURE. Weve expressed our serious concerns about the impact on our community. We will strenuously object to any disruption of our neighbrohoods, and well probably at some point look with other communities along the rail line to form a collaborative effort to make sure that we protect our cities.

SECoast partnered earlier with the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation to lead opposition to similar high-speed rail lines in southeastern Connecticut and southern Rhode Island.

Stroud said preservationists have no interest in delaying sensible solutions and improvements for the Northeast Corridor, but he added they cannot support the NEC FUTURE plan without more information.

We all agree that rail travel is vital for the economy of Connecticut, and for Fairfield County in particular, Stroud said. But how can we support a plan, when the crucial details and impacts are kept from us?

Last December, the FRA released a Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement for its Preferred Alternative route. The report showed a new, two-track infrastructure running from Westchester County, N.Y., through coastal Fairfield County. The new line would parallel I-95  typically on embankment or aerial structure  through Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk.

Stroud said preservationists are working with local officials and groups, including Greenwich Preservation Trust, to identify key impacts and areas of concerns, but added, were just scratching the surface.

On Monday evening, the town of Westport and the Westport Historical Society will host a public meeting on the NEC FUTURE plan, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium, 110 Myrtle Ave.
Gerry Brooks has seen it all during a broadcasting career that started at New Haven radio station WAVZ in 1974.

But starting in late November, the NBC Connecticut anchorman is going to see less time on the air. Brooks announced Wednesday via social media that he is reducing his on-air schedule to just the 6 p.m. newscast.

Brooks said he considered retiring outright, but was able to work out a mutually beneficial deal with station management that allowed him to reduce his schedule. He was working three newscasts Wednesday that had him working the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. shows.

Ive lost a lot of friends in the past year, people who didnt reach 65, Brooks said. That was not lost on me.

Brooks, who is a Massachusetts native, said he plans to travel more once his reduced work schedule starts.

My wife is a retired flight attendant and she gets very generous travel benefits, he said. Ill be 66 within the next year and weve always wanted to travel more.

Brooks had a bit of health scare in late 2014 when he was operated on for prostate cancer. But he said that wasnt as much of a factor for reducing his schedule as having his friends die.

Brooks said he is taking it one year at a time, before deciding whether to retire completely. He has been at the West Hartford-based station since 1993.

Before joining the NBC affiliate, Brooks worked at WFSB from 1979 to 1993. In addition to WAVZ, he also spent four years at Hartford radio station WPOP in the 1970s.

That was back when radio stations still had newsrooms, Brooks said.

Steve Kalb, an adjunct professor with the University of Connecticuts journalism department and a former broadcast newsman, said Brooks has had a long and laudable career in the nations 30th largest television market.

The 6 p.m. newscast at television station is its signature broadcast, Kalb said. He is a seasoned and consummate professional. But were all getting older and its not surprising that anyone who has been in the news business this long would want to start winding things down.

Filling Brooks seat in the 11 p.m. anchor chair opposite Keisha Grant should not be difficult for NBC Connecticuts management, Kalb said.

WVIT (the stations call letters) has built a strong stable of mid-career professionals that can move up, he said. There will also be new people coming into the market.

Brooks said the toughest story he has ever had to report was the December 2012 mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Gunman Adam Lanza killed 20 children and six adult staff members.

It was difficult to get past the slaughter of such young children as we were reporting it, Brooks said. It rattled my psyche, my very foundation.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
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STAMFORD  A city man has maintained his story about feeling threatened before opening fire into a crowd of people in Columbus Park that will keep him in prison for the next decade.

A judge called the July 2014 shooting horrendous before sentencing Dayron Wills, 25, on Thursday to 13 years in prison for wounding five people. Wills, who has been jailed since his arrest, will serve nearly 10 more years before hes eligible for parole.

Wills faced 20 years in jail if he was convicted at trial, but pleaded guilty last year to four counts of first-degree assault.

Wills, a former security guard, received his permit to carry just days before shooting four men and a woman between the ages of 19 and 28 years old because he felt someone was going to kill him.

I was scared for my life, Wills said at Thursdays sentencing, explaining why he began blasting his .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and fired off every bullet in the guns 10-round magazine.

Wills was caught on video firing the gun as a nightclub fight moved toward him on West Park Place.

Defense attorney Stephan Seeger argued his client did not have a criminal record and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from being wounded in a drive-by shooting in Stamford the year before the Columbus Park incident.

Mr. Wills knows what a gunshot feels like and he immediately took responsibility for the shooting, Seeger said. He was in fear for his life and trying to protect himself and made a stupid decision to pull his gun out, Seeger said.

Hes not a gang member, Seeger told White while arguing his client had a mental condition that affected his response that night and should only receive a 10-year sentence.

But Senior Assistant States Attorney Joseph Valdes argued the defendant should receive all or most of the 15 years he faced. Valdes said the victims will carry scars for the rest of their lives and one man still has a bullet lodged in him.

Valdes said the video showed a brawl behind Wills, but no one was closer than 10 feet from him when he fired the gun.

(The victims) were completely innocent, Valdes said. Like everybody else, they were trying to have a good time that night.

Valdes said none of the victims appeared in court Thursday because the sentencing had been rescheduled so many times.

Linda Wills said she hoped Judge Gary White would be more lenient on her son.

I was hoping the judge would come down a little more than he did, she said. My health is not getting better and he used to take care of me. There is nobody to help me now.
NORWALK  Weary from months of construction work, and unsure if his investment in the dilapidated house at the corner of Chestnut Hill and Pumpkin Lane was worth the headache, Michael Gurnari was on the verge of giving up.

But one June evening, he walked across the road and stood next to the street sign marking the intersection. When he looked up at the big white house, no longer hidden by overgrown trees and shrubbery, he was overcome with emotion.

I was so overwhelmed at a period of construction, where I was just tired and I didnt know if it was the right deal, Gurnari said, the memory of that emotion creeping up again. And then after me and my carpenters put up all the shutters, it was in late June, and I came back here and it was just like, Wow. It made you feel like it was not a good job, it was a great job. Thats what really gave me the effort to continue on. ... I did a lot of building in my 40 years, and unless you restore an old house like this, they just dont build them like this anymore. People really appreciate it.

Gurnaris ownership and restoration of the house was no accident. He was hand-selected by the family that owned and lived in the house for nearly 50 years to save it from certain doom  it was destined to be a tear-down until Gurnari entered the picture.

The house was here since 1850 and its a part of Norwalks history, said Kevin Shea, who grew up in the house and sold it to Gurnari in 2016. We discussed it as a family and we said, We want to preserve this at any cost. So we werent interested in someone making a quick dollar or building a McMansion or anything else. This house should be in Norwalk for other people to enjoy it.

Sheas parents purchased the house in 1967, and the home quickly became the neighborhood hangout spot, Shea said. His parents were teachers  his mother at Silvermine Elementary and his father at Wilton High School  and with five children, there was no shortage of activity around the house on the hill. The 3,300-square-foot home sits on just over an acre, enough room for a batting cage, tire swing and yard to spare. It was the quintessential New England American home, filled with love and memories.

Built in 1850, the Sheas were not the first to call 250 Chestnut Hill Road home, though. It was originally built by the Fillow family (of Fillow Street fame), before it was sold to the Kolliker family in the 1930s. The house sat vacant prior to the Shea family buying and fixing it up. The Sheas occupied the house until Kevins father moved out just before Superstorm Sandy nearly five years ago. The house was vacant once again until the family made the decision to sell it in 2016. With broken windows, falling shutters and overgrown vegetation, the house was an eyesore.

However, Gurnari saw the opportunity to bring it back to life. He has been restoring historic houses in Norwalk for nearly 40 years, and immediately saw the potential in the old family home.

It was a match made in heaven, Gurnari said. It would have been torn down. Even all my friends that remodel, they told me I was crazy, but ... Ive restored a few houses around this area, so I figured Id take this one on. It was a little more than I thought, once I got into it, but there was no turning back and I had to do it the right way to bring it back to the exact same period of time.

He purchased the home, originally planning to restore and live in it. Now that it is done, he and his wife have decided it would be better off in the hands of a family, and have listed it for $949,000 through William Raveis Real Estate.

Gurnari spared no expense in his renovation, doing hours of research and contracting the skills of his son, Mike Gurnari Jr., to recreate the historic details of the home. Everything  from the baseboards to the crown moldings  have either been preserved in its original state or recreated to match perfectly.

Its a lot of hard work, Gurnari said. You have to do it correctly. You cant skimp on the high baseboards, the trims. Its very expensive stuff and you cannot skimp. The (door) knobs are $100 a piece, versus $20 slate-lock that you could almost have got away with, but nah, you cant. So you think about it for a minute, and you do it the right way.

The whole project took seven months, eliciting stares, applause and thumbs-up from neighbors, thrilled to see the home restored to its original glory, no longer blocked from view.

People stop dead and they make a quick turn to look at the house. People beep the horn all day long, giving me the thumbs-up. All the neighbors have been over, just so thankful that I restored it.

While the memories remain  evident in the emotion that emerges as Shea tours the restored house, sharing stories of his childhood  most remnants of the Shea family were lost in the restoration. But on the Chestnut Hill side, two new magnolia trees have been planted, Gurnaris ode to the Shea parents.

Its very emotional, Shea said. Its emotional and, Im sending my siblings the pictures and theyre just amazed at the work Mike has done. ... Its hard to describe until you see it.
At about 3:00 pm Friday, the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre received a call from regarding massive flooding on a barge - MT Ellysia - located 10 kms off Mumbai coast.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: In a swift response, alert Indian Coast Guard ships on patrol averted a major accident off the Mumbai harbour on Friday.

At about 3:00 pm Friday, the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre received a call from regarding massive flooding on a barge - MT Ellysia - located 10 kms off Mumbai coast.

The Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Mumbai then diverted interceptor boat ICGS C-154, which was on patrol, and ICGS Sankalp, which was at sea, to provide immediate assistance to the distressed barge.

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Within half and hour, the interceptor reached reached the distressed barge, and a team of Coast Guard personnel disembarked with de-flooding equipment.

The barge's engine room was reported to have been flooded. The ship's seven screw members were rescued and the Coast Guard team began de-flooding operations.

Meanwhile, ICGS Sankalp too arrived and a team from the ship disembarked the supplement the de-flooding operations.

The barge was successfully flooded and was towed to safe waters for further assistance.

Also Watch : Mumbai: 22 dead, over 30 injured in stampede at Elphinstone station.

--- ENDS ---
WOOD RIVER  U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse announced that a member of his staff will be hosting a mobile office on Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Wood River.

The mobile office will be from 2 to 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 108 W. 10th St.

These office hours will provide Nebraskans with a face-to-face opportunity to speak with a member of Sasses staff about federal government-related issues. A constituent services representative will be on hand to offer guidance and aid to Nebraskans who require help navigating Washingtons federal bureaucracy.

The same services are offered by the Senators staff in each of his state offices. Constituent services representatives can be reached at (402) 476-1400.
A farmer, ragged and barefoot, was standing on the steps of his shack. A stranger stopped for a drink of water and asked: How is your cotton coming along?

Farmer: Aint got any.

Stranger: Did you plant any?

Farmer: Nope, afraid of boll weevils.

Stranger: Well, hows your corn?

Farmer: Didnt plant any, afraid there would be no rain.

Stranger: Well, how are your potatoes?

Farmer: Aint got any, scared of the potato bugs.

Stranger: Really, what did you plant?

Farmer: Nothing, I just played it safe. (Thanks to the Rev. Liz Edwards)

At best I think that would be fuzzy thinking. We might call it a distorted view of the world. There are many people who have problems with vision. I was disappointed to hear my eye doctor tell me many people need bifocals after the age of 40. I think he told me after 50 many people gradually start to get cataracts. Im not looking forward to that.

A cataract is a clouding over of the lens of the eye. It will cause distorted or fuzzy vision. This sounds like a blind man Jesus healed in the Book of Mark, Chapter 8, verses 22 through 36. This started in a reverse sort of way. The man Jesus healed started out blind. Jesus healed the man but at first his vision was fuzzy. He could see people but they were blurred. They looked like trees walking. Jesus touched the man a second time and then he could see clearly.

There are several special themes in this short story. We could zero in on the love and compassion of Jesus, and how Jesus was especially thoughtful to take this man out of the village to quieter and peaceful place. A man who had been blind all his life needs some privacy and time to adjust. Jesus gave his time and energy to heal many people who came to him.

A second theme might be the need for the second touch of Jesus. After Jesus touched the man the first time the man could see but it was fuzzy. The man needed a second touch by Jesus. Im so glad for this story in the Bible because of a lot of us need a second touch for spiritual cataracts. Spiritual 20/20 vision doesnt come instantly.

United Methodist Bishop Hazen G. Werner wrote a book called No Saints Suddenly. Pastor Jim Moore of Texas was commenting on this whole theme. He recalled a conversation with a college sophomore from his church. The student was home for spring break and came to Pastor Jims office. He said he had some questions about religion after his first rear and a half of college.

He said, I dont want to scare you, Jim, but suddenly I have all these questions about religion now.

And Pastor Jim said to him, The person who scares me is not the one who suddenly has questions. The person who scares me is the one who suddenly thinks he has all the answers. Thats the scary guy.

One more thing in this story, its the difference in our own lives after we meet the Master. Meeting Jesus makes life better. He heals us; He gives us a new lease on life. Jesus makes us whole.

Prayer: Our Lord, please touch us a second time and more until our fuzzy, distorted vision becomes clear. Amen

The Rev. Dan Safarik recently retired as a full-time pastor at St. Luke Methodist Church in Lincoln and now serves part time at St. Marks UMC in Lincoln. Email him at debsafarik@gmail.com.
Acts of Kindness Week will be celebrated in Grand Island during the week beginning Sunday, marking the 20th anniversary since Gloria Wolbach created the AOK Ladies in 1997.

The AOK Ladies are devoted to helping better the community of Grand Island through simple and meaningful acts of kindness. In 2002, former Mayor Ken Gnadt changed Grand Islands motto from Third City to Grand Island, City of Kindness.

Both Gnadt and the governor of Nebraska issued proclamations declaring Grand Island the City of Kindness.

AOK Week officially started in 1999, although the AOK Ladies are dedicated to randomly doing good deeds and spreading kindness throughout the community during the entire year. There are currently 77 active members of the AOK Ladies.

As always, the AOK Ladies are enlisting the help of numerous community partners to help celebrate the week. Those partners include:

 The Grand Island Police Department and Hall Countys Sheriffs Department, whose officers will be handing out pink Acts of Kindness Citations whenever they see somebody doing something kind.

 The Grand Island Library, whose employees will be forgiving late book fines during the coming week. Instead, employees will hand out No Late Book Fine Today cards to encourage people whose fine has been waived to perform kind acts for other people.

 Sutter Deli will be randomly handing out free lunches during Acts of Kindness Week, along with a pink card saying, Its An Act of Kindness, pass it on.

 Arbys of Grand Island will be giving out free lunches randomly, also with the pink card saying, Its An Act of Kindness, pass it on.

 Starbucks Coffee and Baristas Coffee will be giving out the pink cards and free coffees at random to customers going through the drive-through lane, with the AOK Ladies interested in seeing how long people will keep passing the card back to the people who are behind them in the drive-through lane.

 Grand Island residents and visitors will be reminded of AOK Week by banners that will be hung over downtown streets and by AOK Week signs posted in local stores, banks, restaurants, churches and yards throughout Grand Island.

Wolbach, who died in 2014, was inspired to create the AOK Ladies after hearing former Gen. Colin Powell speak about the importance of volunteering. She then invited women to two coffees, where she explained her ideas about creating the AOK Ladies, with 50 women signing up to be part of the new organization. Wolbach also created an AOK Lady logo, as well as the bright pink AOK calling cards.

Kim Rerucha of the AOK Ladies said the informal organization is dedicated to doing Random Acts of Kindness year-round. She said Walnut Middle School students set up a store in the school each December that allows kids to pick out donated items as Christmas presents for family members. She said all the women in the AOK Ladies participate by gift-wrapping the presents that students have chosen.

We try to bring in as much wrapping paper and as many boxes as we can, Rerucha said.

She said that for the third year in a row, the AOK Ladies will provide a light supper for Grand Island Senior High teachers as part of parent-teacher conferences. She pointed out that teachers are at school all day and then almost immediately begin parent-teacher conferences, which means it is often 9 p.m. before the teachers are finished with their work day. That 9 p.m. end to the work day would often be the first time the teachers have an opportunity to eat supper.

We set the supper up as school is getting done and before they get into conferences, Rerucha said. We do supper sandwiches and cookies and the school itself provides the water.

The teachers really appreciate it, she said.

Rerucha noted a group of about eight to nine women each month gets to choose its own Random Act of Kindness.

It can be giving hot chocolate to crossing guards, she said. We had a mom who did not have any money, so the group got together to buy diapers and baby clothes. There was a new organization that was formed to help stop human trafficking. We helped support that. Its just random, different things that people decide to do throughout the year. There is something going on all year.

On Monday, the AOK Ladies will be at Seedling Mile Elementary, where they will read a book about kindness to the students. On Friday of next week, the AOK Ladies will return to Seedling Mile to talk with the young people about what acts of kindness they did during the week. Each student will get to keep a book about kindness and a pencil with the inscription: I participated in Acts of Kindness.

The AOK Ladies cooperate with the two restaurants and two coffee locations that participate in Acts of Kindness Week, Rerucha said. The AOK Ladies have given each of the four businesses a set amount of money, with each of the locations providing a matching amount of money to randomly give free meals and free drinks to their customers.

She said the AOK Ladies informal treasury has grown to the point to create another annual tradition: two $1,000 scholarships for local high school graduates. She said any graduate from any Grand Island high school can apply for the scholarships from the AOK Ladies.
HASTINGS  The Jackson Dinsdale legacy at Hastings College continues to grow.

A little more than a year after the opening of the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center (JDAC) on campus, Kim and Tom Dinsdale have made a gift to the College in honor of their late son, Jackson. The $8.5 million endowment legacy gift from Jacksons estate  the largest in the colleges history  is designed to support all facets of the educational experience, as well as the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center and its related programming.

We have an incredibly strong belief in Hastings College, its mission and the opportunities it creates for students, said Kim West Dinsdale, who is also a member of the colleges Board of Trustees and chair of the Hastings College Foundation Board of Directors. This gift from Jackson is a way to share his generous spirit while helping generations of students and the college be successful.

Hastings College President Dr. Travis Feezell said the gift to Hastings College is a wonderful way to continue to honor Jackson and what he believed in.

It comes at an exciting and transformational time for the college as we build momentum for our future, a future built around specialized student experiences and an expanded personal approach that Hastings is famous for, he said.

Indeed, the gift comes just after Hastings College completed a review of where it is successful and where it can grow, and after the college balanced its budget and laid down a plan for the future. It also grows the Hastings College Foundation endowment to more than $85 million.

We are going to change the conversation about what it means to be an exceptional college with a student-centered experience, Feezell said. The Jackson Dinsdale Fund is a shot in the arm, and we are making it part of a larger, exciting college-wide initiative. This is the right time to elevate who we are and what we do; its time to reimagine the Hastings College experience. I thank Kim, Tom and Jackson Dinsdale for their support and for their willingness to believe in our vision.

Jackson West Dinsdale was completing a major in studio art at Hastings College when he died May 3, 2014, of an accident. The Jackson Dinsdale Art Center was made possible thanks to a $5 million legacy leadership gift announced by Jacksons parents, Kim and Tom Dinsdale of Grand Island. The JDAC opened on August 20, 2016, and Jackson was awarded an honorary degree on that day.
CBSD to hire law firm to investigate ACLU complaint

Central Bucks school board President Dana Hunter announced Monday the district would consider hiring lawyers to investigate ACLU complaint on Tuesday.
Professor Royona Singh, the first woman to be appointed the chief proctor at the restive Banaras Hindu University (BHU), has declared that there will be no ban on dress or alcohol for the women students.

By India Today Web Desk: Professor Royona Singh, the first woman to be appointed the chief proctor at the restive Banaras Hindu University (BHU), has declared that there will be no ban on dress or alcohol for the women students, whose agitation for equal rights has turned into a massive showdown with the university administration.

In an interview to The Times of India, Singh, who said she is named after a French town, said, "I was born in Europe. I frequently travel to Europe and Canada. Putting a dressing restriction on girls would be like imposing it on myself. You start your day at 6 am and end at 10.30 pm, and if you still can't wear what you feel comfortable in, then it is a shame in this era."

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The professor of anatomy at the 101-year-old institution said she finds it strange "when boys use the words 'skimpily clad'". "If a girl feels comfortable in what she wears, what's their objection?" she asked.

Singh claimed the university has never imposed any curbs on women and has no plans to do so in future. "As far as drinking is concerned, all girls here are above 18, why should we even impose such a thought on them?" she said.

On Thursday, the BHU appointed its first woman chief proctor after her predecessor ON Singh resigned, taking moral responsibility for the recent violence on the campus, in which policemen had baton-charged female students following their protest over the molestation of a girl on campus.

Royana Singh said she has "zero-tolerance" towards sexual harassment and that she was "away when the incident took place". "I was away when the incident took place. I have zero tolerance towards such acts and will ensure nothing of this sort is repeated on campus," she told news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, a viral video showing BHU's controversial Vice-Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi warning female students on campus against talking about sexual harassment openly. "Why did you protest and bring dishonour to the university?" he is seen chastising a group of women he recently met.

"Teachers had called you for a discussion, but you did not come. Only those should talk about duty who follow their own duty," he could be heard saying in a video recorded by one of the students.

And then came the shocker from Tripathi, who has made similar remarks in the past: "Ek ladki ki izzat baazar mein leke nikle tum log. Yeh sahi hai? (You sold the modesty of a woman with your protests. Is this right?)."

ALSO WATCH | BHU protest: Five key questions about the unrest

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Ika Krismantari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017

Here we go again, its the time of the year when the ghost of the past returns to haunt us. And this nightmare is far from over  its central scene being the murder of six generals and a captain in an attempted coup blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) on Sept. 30, 1965.

Few know that millions were either murdered or prosecuted without trial, banished into exile or suffered discrimination for their alleged association with the PKI.

More than five decades later, people still dont know the complete history of the 1965 tragedy. School textbooks hardly mention the communist purge. Efforts of rehabilitation, let alone attempts at reconciliation are next to nowhere, as all parties believe they are the victims.
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Linkedin KEMENKO PMK (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Sat, September 30, 2017

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani recently attended a high-level United Nations meeting in New York on the impacts of hurricane Irma when it tore through the Caribbean to demonstrate Indonesias solidarity with the victims.

On Sept. 6, hurricane Irma tore through the Caribbean and hit the state of Florida in the United States, wreaking havoc in places around the area. At least 35 people died in the disaster, with significant material losses being recorded.

Furthermore, the hurricane has stopped water and electricity supplies and the flow of goods to the two areas. Barbuda Island was the worst hit by the hurricane, with 95 percent of its total area completely devastated. Most of the buildings on the island were destroyed by the hurricane.

As an archipelagic country situated in a disaster-prone area, Indonesia really understands the vulnerability and tragedy that has befallen Caribbean nations as a result of the hurricane, Puan said on Sept. 18.

In response to the disaster, the Foreign Ministry instructed the Indonesian ambassador in Caracas, Venezuela, to evacuate seven Indonesian citizens living in the British Virgin Islands, which have been affected by the hurricane. The seven Indonesians have been safely returned home to Indonesia after being temporarily relocated to the Indonesian Embassy in Caracas.

Puan said the tragedy should remind everyone about the importance of national adaptation and resilience in the face of global climate change through proper disaster mitigation strategies.
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Linkedin A. Kurniawan Ulung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 09:28 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a228c314 4 Art & Culture spice-island,Banda-Islands,history,#history Free

Bandanese people living in the capital city flocked to the National Gallery of Indonesia in Central Jakarta on Wednesday evening for the opening of Banda, Warisan untuk Indonesia: Pala and Perjanjian Breda 1667-2017 (Banda, Heritage of Indonesia: Nutmeg and the Treaty of Breda 1667-2017), an exhibition that runs until Oct. 4.

Among them was Ramli Sondakh, 64. Bringing his nephew, he was excited to talk about the background story of a photograph showing Bandanese people from Maluku clad in the Cakalele war dance costume.

They have five types of war dances. During the era of Dutch colonialization, they had no fear. But, they were afraid of only one thing: pigs blood. If there was a pig present, they would run away, he said, pointing to the black-and-white photograph.

The exhibition commemorates the 350th anniversary of the Treaty of Breda, signed on July 31, 1667, which ended the second Anglo Dutch war (1665-1667).

Opened by the Culture and Education Ministrys director-general of culture, Hilmar Farid, the exhibition showcass at least 57 items, ranging from maps, photographs, books, paintings and installations.

We want to look at the history of what happened 350 years ago to see into the future. In the past, people came to Banda due to the stories of nutmeg. The function of nutmeg has changed in world trade, but Banda still has extraordinary stories, Hilmar said.

Hallucinogenic by Titarubi (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)

Before the Treaty of Breda, the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) and the British East India Company (EIC) competed to control nutmeg production in the Banda Islands, which consists of 11 islands, including the tiny islands Ai and Run.

The VOC, who entered the Banda Islands after the Dutch conquered Ambon in 1605, wanted a worldwide monopoly of nutmeg  which at the time was the worlds most valuable commodity after gold  by forcing the Bandanese people to sell the commodity to them exclusively.

However, they did not comply and continued to sell the commodity to the English, who had fortified trading posts on Ai and Run islands. For the Dutch, the English  who paid higher price for the nutmeg  were a threat to their monopoly. Their rivalry escalated, leading to the Amboyna Massacre, which was the killing of EIC workers in Ambon.

In 1621, Governor-General Jan Pieterszoon Coen sailed to Banda with 2,000 well-armed soldiers, killing thousands of people in the villages that resisted the VOC.

Almost 2,000 people from the Banda Islands were brought to Batavia, now Jakarta, as captives, but hundreds of them managed to escape later on. Only around 1,000 people (less than 6 percent of the initial population) remained on the islands.

The Treaty of Breda, ended the rivalry between the VOC and EIC. The English gave up their claims on Run and Suriname to the Dutch. In return, the English were given New Amsterdam, now New York, from the Dutch.

Pride: An old photo depicting Bandanese people wearing Cakalele war dance costumes. (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)

Under Dutch rule, the Banda Islands were also used as a place of exile for leading Indonesian figures, ranging from Tjipto Mangoenkoesoemo, Iwa Koesoemasoemantri, Sutan Sjahrir and Mohammad Hatta, who later became the countrys first vice president.

In the exhibition, two letters written by Hatta in 1937 to ask for a number of books during his years in exile are on display.

There is a photograph of Sjahrir, who stood in front of his car with his wife, Poppy Sjahrir, and his adopted children from Banda in 1946 in Jakarta. This picture showed the deep relationship between him and the Bandanese people before and after he became vice president.

Other photographs showcase the raw beauty of the Banda Islands, including the photo series I Love Banda by Isabelle Boon from the Netherlands.

There is also a beautiful installation called Hallucinogenic, a look-alike statue dressed in a robe made of gold-plated nutmeg, with two hands that respectively hold a gold plated book and burnt wood.

Created by artist Titarubi, the installation is named Hallucinogenic because nutmeg can cause hallucinations. Other side effects include headaches, nausea, dry mouth and memory disturbance.

The nutmegs are covered with gold to underline the fact that in the 16thcentury, European colonizers traveled all the way to Banda to hunt for nutmegs that were like a golden treasure for them. Meanwhile, the gold plated book symbolizes the peoples knowledge about nutmeg that they thought was worth gold during the era of Christopher Colombus.

History revisited: A visitor enjoys photographs related to the history of the Banda Islands. (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)

The burnt wood is a symbol of the pain of the Bandanese people, who were killed and enslaved by the Dutch. The large size of the shinning robe, which is larger than the size of the human body, symbolizes the arrogance of human beings over the knowledge they have.

Artist Made Wianta also delivers a similar message through his artwork called Treasure Islands, which comes in the form of orange and gold buffalo leather that is shaped to resemble the Banda Islands. Decorated with mirrors and nails, the work aims to remind people of the barren landscape on the islands after its treasure, nutmeg, was taken away by the colonizers. The gold color itself refers to the color of the spices.

Dutch curator Sadiah Boonstra, who is a member of the curatorial team, hoped that the exhibition, which was preceded by years of research, would make people more curious about the history of the Banda Islands.

The Treaty of Breda is a starting point for us to revisit, rethink, reinterpret and even rewrite the history of Banda. We are trying to provide multiple perspectives on this history, she said.

Supported by the Dutch cultural center Erasmus Huis and Balai Arkeologi Maluku, the exhibition also aims to connect the past to the present because the treaty had a long-lasting legacy that people still experience today, she added.

Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Rob Swartbol said that the Banda Islands were renowned for producing spices and as an international trading hub, long before the arrival of the Portuguese, who were the first Europeans on the islands.

The Dutch introduced nutmeg to the Netherlands in the 17th century. Trading spices made the Netherlands rich and encouraged the Dutch to continue exploration of the world. This exhibition gives us facts and new interpretations about what happened back then, he said.
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Linkedin Agus Dermawan T. (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 09:05 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a22893ae 4 Art & Culture Chinese-culture,Chinese-Indonesian-residents,painting,1965-mass-killing,#1965Tragedy,history,#history,New-Order Free

The dark cloud of Indonesian politics in 1965 buried the brightness of Chinese visual art, including Yin Hua, a fine art organization that helped enrich the countrys cultural tapestry.

Chinese visual art, flourishing since 1950, was on the wane following the Sept. 30, 1965 movement. Entering the era of independence, the government realized that Indonesians of Chinese descent had the potential to enrich the mosaic of national arts.

The government vision stemmed from historical facts showing the ethnic Chinese populations role in culture through various industrial products. The film industry gave rise to top stars like Riboet Rawit, Tan Tjeng Bok and Fifi Young. The publication industry was spearheaded, among others, by Kwee Tek Hoay, Liem Kim Hoo and Soe Lie Pit, who contributed to the development of the informal Malay language.

In the fine art sphere, a painting organization, Yin Hua, was established in Princen Park (now Lokasari) in West Jakarta in 1955. Yin means Indonesia and Hua China.

The ethnic Chinese art association was founded by Lee Man Fong, assisted by painters Ye Thay Hua and Ling Nang Lung, who also worked as executives. There was also CM Hsu, a writer and cultural observer. Yin Hua members frequently gathered at Tati photo studio in Mangga Besar, that was owned by Lee Man Siong a relative of Lee Man Fong.

At the time, president Sukarno was pleased with this association so much so that on Dec. 18, 1955, Yin Huas members were invited to attend a dinner at the Bogor Palace.

Yin Huas first exhibition, opened by the president on Jan. 7, 1956, was held at Des Indes Hotel in Jakarta. It later became Duta Merlin shopping center in the 1990s and Carrefour in the 2000s. Several years later, a sister organization, Chin Nien Mei Shu Yen Tsiu Hui, was founded by young Chinese painters.

Yin Huas activities in Jakarta inspired Liem Kwee Bing to set up Mung May in Malang, East Java. With both associations, ethnic Chinese visual art became more prominent and even became stronger in other areas.

Satay Seller by Lee Man Fong (JP/Agus Dermawan T.)

Artists like Siauw Tik Kwie (Otto Suastika), Liem Tjoe Ing and Siauw Swie Tjhing (Chris Suharso), for example, became well known in Surakarta in Central Java, while Bandung in West Java had Lim Wasim and Huang Wei Hsing (Anton Kustiawijaya).

The government and fellow visual artists, who were proud of the heterogeneity and pluralism of that time, warmly welcomed Yin Hua. Its exhibitions, regularly organized at the Chineesche Handels Vereniging(Chinese Business Association) in Molenvliet West 175 (later known as Candranaya building on Jl. Gajah Mada in West Jakarta), were always crowded with visitors and government officials.

As expected, the paintings created by Yin Hua members were dominated by the Chinese painting style. The themes presented derived from the settings of Indonesia as a culturally rich tropical country.

According to Claire Holt in her book Art in Indonesia-Continuities and Change, Yin Huas achievements also attracted the attention of the Chinese government on the mainland. Yin Huas works were even exhibited in Peking (now Beijing) and Canton.

Sukarno described Yin Huas paintings, exhibited in China, as Indonesias cultural emissary. Painter Lim Wasim said the presence of Yin Huas paintings in China marked the start of strong bilateral cultural ties, which would later be called the Jakarta-Peking Axis.

Yin Huas artists took pride in their performances, feeling that they were truly Indonesian, although some of the painters were still citizens of China. They were even more elated when, in 1962, Sukarno named Lee Man Fong a presidential palace painter and Lim Wasim as his assistant.

The appointment was made when Dullah, who served from 1950 to 1960 as the presidential palace painter, resigned. After his appointment Lee Man Fong was promptly granted Indonesian citizenship.

President Sukarno was highly impressed with Lee Man Fong and Lim Wasim as palace artists especially after they completed the Puspita dan Margasatwa Indonesia (Indonesian Flora and Fauna) mural in the Ramayana Restaurant at Hotel Indonesia. The mural still hangs in the Hotel Indonesia Kempiski.

The glory days did not last long though as the dark cloud of Indonesian politics, in 1965, overshadowed the brightness of Chinese visual art. The Sept. 30 coup attempt, allegedly backed by the communist government of China, brought dire consequences to Chinese culture in the country.

In the post-1965 period, all Chinese cultural and linguistic expressions were eliminated from Indonesia by the New Order government under President Soeharto. Yin Hua was disbanded after Mung Mays earlier disappearance.

Under such circumstances, painters of Chinese descent, who were politically naive and unwilling to engage in politics, felt that they were being intimidated and feared for their lives. They eventually fled the country.

Lee Man Fong fled to Singapore, poster painter and book illustrator Wen Peor moved to Hong Kong; Tjeng Tjiam Hwie lived in solitude in Malang; Siauw Tik Kwie, the painter and creator of the comic strip Sie Djien Koei in Star Weeklymagazine, became an author of the Javanese philosophy of Ki Ageng Suryomentaram; young painter Tio Tjay fled to Brazil and Lim Kwee Bing worked as a trader.

Kho Wan Gie, who illustrated the cartoon Put On, was gone, only to emerge under the pseudonym Sopoiku. Lim Wasim remained a presidential palace painter until 1968. After quitting the palace, he wasnt active as a painter for 10 years and disguised himself as a bread seller.

The suffering endured by the ethnic Chinese visual artists ended in 1998 after Soeharto stepped down.
According to reports, Hiten Tejwani will be seen as a contestant in Bigg Boss 11.

By India Today Web Desk: Remember Kutumb actor Hiten Tejwani? Well, he is apparently making a comeback to TV with popular reality show Bigg Boss.

Yes, you read that right. According to a report by BollywoodLife, the actor, who has been in the industry for 16 years, will be seen in the show this season. However, nothing has been confirmed by the channel or the actor.

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A while ago, four celebrities were confirmed for Bigg Boss 11; Niti Taylor, Hina Khan, Vikas Gupta, and Priyank Sharma. And now it is being said that Hiten is another celebrity who will feature on the show. Hiten was last seen in Ganga, and had even participated in dance reality show Nach Baliye.

The launch of reality show Bigg Boss was held in Mumbai a while ago.

Bigg Boss Season 11 will be hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. The show will premiere on October 1 on Colors TV.

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 08:00 1873 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a22885cf 1 City utility,cable,electrocution Free

Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat plans to order all utility cable providers to install cables into ducts following the death of a resident electrocuted on Jl. Percetakan Negara in Central Jakarta.

Next week, all utility [cable] providers will be gathered to make a joint commitment that all cables must be installed into ducts, Djarot said on Thursday, as quoted by kompas.com.

He added that the plan to gather the providers had been initiated long before the accident, because cables must be installed in ducts for the safety of residents, especially during the rainy season. The ducts usually run beneath sidewalks.

Forty-nine-year-old Suriyah died on Wednesday after she was electrocuted by a power pole while taking her granddaughter to school. There was reportedly a leakage of electricity from the poles because of rain that day. Her granddaughter was unharmed.

Suriyah was taken to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta after the electricity in the area was cut. (wnd)

Topics : utility cable electrocution
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 17:05 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a229d3c5 1 City rally,bogor,communism Free

The Bogor chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged residents in the regency to refrain from joining the Friday rally in Jakarta, a senior cleric has said.

The chairman of MUI's Bogor chapter, Ahmad Mukri Adji, said that the council, along with the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the Muhammadiyah, the two largest Islamic organizations in the country, preferred that residents conduct mass prayers in mosques rather than join the rally.

"It's better to hold istighosah [mass prayers] and dzikir [chants] at our nearest mosques," the cleric said after meeting with the West Java Police chief at the Bogor Police headquarters on Thursday.

"We, Islamic organizations in Bogor, have agreed to not go to Jakarta," he said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

The 299 rally, named after the date of the protest on Sept. 29, was held in front of the House of Representatives complex in Jakarta. Its participants claimed there was a revival of communism and the disbanded Indonesia Communist Party (PKI). Concerns related to the issue resulted in a mob attack on an office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) last week.

Meanwhile, West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Agung Budi Maryoto said that clerics in the province had urged residents to pray in their respective areas, instead of joining the rally in the capital. (fac)

Topics : rally bogor communism
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29 2017

Governor-elect Anies Baswedan and his deputy Sandiaga Uno are set to take up their new positions at City Hall in the near future.

However, as of Thursday, the inauguration date has not been set.

[The date was] not yet set. A team from the city administration is still working on it, said Sandiaga as quoted by tempo.co on Wednesday evening.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29 2017

About 20,000 security personnel will secure Jakarta on Friday when a Muslim anti-communist group plans to protest in front of the House of Representatives.

The forces are made up of members from the Jakarta Police, the National Police and the Indonesian military (TNI), Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said on Thursday.

Argo said they expected about 15,000 people to take part in the rally, which has been granted permission by the National Police.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 18:00 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a229bf2e 1 Business BJ-Habibie,R80-plane-development,fund-collection Free

Former president B.J. Habibie has invited Indonesians to contribute financially to the development of an 80-seat passenger plane, the R80, which he had designed.

As part of the program, PT Regio Aviasi Industry (RAI), a company established by Habibie and his son, Ilham Habibie, is cooperating with digital platform kitabisa.com.

If we failed to develop the R80, it would be the end of our aircraft industry; there would be no human resources because [the people] are not motivated, Habibie said in Jakarta on Thursday as reported by tempo.co.

Construction of the propeller-driven aircraft will reportedly involve around 1,000 engineers.

Kitabisa.com CEO Alfatih Timur welcomed Habibies invitation to collaborate.

We are enthusiastic because it will show that we still have the spirit of gotong royong [teamwork], Alfatih said.

In an effort to attract participants, the names of those who contributed Rp 100,000 [US$7.42] to the project will be placed on the prototype of the aircraft.

After three weeks, the campaign has so far collected Rp 425 million, but Alfatih said that donations were not the main source of funding for the project.

RAI president director Agung Nugroho said the R80 was currently in the preliminary design phase and needed about six years of development before it could fly.

Then the planes will go through various tests for about two years. We can start selling the planes in 2025, Agung said.

Habibie is among the main founders of state-owned aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI). (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 12:37 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a22925d1 1 Business BJ-Habibie,plane,production Free

PT Regio Aviasi Industri (RAI), a company founded by former president B.J. Habibie and his son Ilham Habibie, will produce 80-seat passenger planes -- R80 planes -- in 2024.

The plane is designed by Indonesias third president.

RAI president director Agung Nugroho said in Jakarta on Thursday that currently the plane was in the phase of preliminary design and would be continued with full-scale development.

We will develop the planes at full scale. They will be tested both in the air and on the land. We will construct four planes  two for flight tests and the two others are for land tests, said Agung as reported by kompas.com.

After the completion of the prototypes, Agung added, his company would seek certificates from the Transportation Ministry before entering into mass production.

We need about six years to make the planes fly. Then the planes will go through various tests for about two years. We can start selling the planes in 2025, said Agung.

He said the planes, for the time being, would be constructed at a factory owned by state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia.

The company is currently preparing a facility located near the Kertajadi International Airport in West Java.

He said four airline companies had expressed interest in buying the R80 places. They are Kalstar, Nam Air, Trigana Air and Aviastar. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 17:29 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a229afe6 1 City hate-speech,Jonru-Ginting,social-media Free

The Jakarta Police have named Jonru Ginting, a social media persona, a suspect for spreading hate speech.

His status was increased from a witness to suspect after the police grilled him for 15 hours on Thursday.

We obtained evidence in the form of statements from witnesses and experts before naming him a suspect, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

Argo said the police had decided not to detain Jonru, who was still being interrogated.

Jonru has been charged under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law concerning hate speech.

He was reported to the police by a lawyer, Muannas Al Aidid, on Aug. 31, after appearing on a TV talk show on Aug. 29, during which he admitted to writing a post questioning the identities of President Joko Jokowi Widodos parents.

Jonru claimed that Jokowi was the only president whose parents identities were unclear, criticizing people who elected him to such an important position.

However, during the show, Jonru said he did not mean to offend Jokowi.

Muannas said a lot of Jonrus posts on social media had incited hatred related to ethnic, religious, racial or societal groups (SARA).

On Sept. 4, a lawyer named Muhamad Zakir Rasyidin reported Jonru for the same reason.

Muannas reported Jonru to the police again on Sept. 19 for a comment on social media, in which he allegedly misspelled Muannas' last name Aidid as Aidit on purpose, referring to the late DN Aidit, a senior leader of the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). (cal)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 17:55 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a229b225 1 City rally,anti-communist-movement Free

Residents of Tangerang in Banten refrained from participating in an anti-communist rally in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) complex on Friday, the police claim.

The so-called 299 rally, named after the date, Sept. 29, was held against the perceived revival of communism and the long-disbanded Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), an issue that sparked a mob attack on the Jakarta office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) last week.

"No Tangerang residents are participating in the rally," Tangerang Police spokesperson Comr. Triyani said on Friday as quoted by tempo.co.

Based on their monitoring, the police said there had been was no mass movement of people heading to the capital.

Fridays rally was also held to protest a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on mass organizations, which was used by the government to ban Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), an Islamist organization that sought to establish a caliphate.

Previously, the Jakarta Police said 20,000 security personnel, comprising police and military personnel, would be deployed to safeguard the rally, which involved conservative Muslim groups that rallied against former Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama to demand his incarceration for blasphemy last year. (fac)
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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 18:32 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a229d093 1 Politics setya-novanto,KPK,pretrial-motion Free

Setya Novanto, the embattled House of Representatives speaker and Golkar Party chairman, has succeeded with a pretrial motion filed against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in the high-profile e-ID card case.

South Jakarta District Court judge Cepi Iskandar declared that the court approved Setyas pretrial motion challenging his suspect status.

We declare invalid the suspect status against Setya Novanto [] dated July 17, 2017, Cepi told the court on Friday, referring to the date of the letter ordering the start of the investigation or Sprindik.

The KPK had named Setya a suspect in the massive e-ID card project on July 17, accusing him of playing a leading role in a scheme to swindle funds earmarked for the project.

KPK legal bureau head Setiadi said he respected the verdict but added that the judge might not have been meticulous in making the decision.

However, he said the agency would study the verdict and hold a meeting with the commissioners and investigators on the next step for the antigraft body to take.

He said the KPK would refer to a 2016 Supreme Court regulation that allows investigators to issue a new letter ordering the start of an investigation after a suspect status is canceled in a pretrial hearing.

But we need to coordinate first on the next steps we will take, he said.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 19:59 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a229e44a 1 City drug-abuse,police-officers Free

Jakarta Polices narcotics unit has nabbed three police officers for allegedly abusing drugs, an official said on Friday.

"There are police personnel found carrying drugs," Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said, according to tempo.co.

Argo revealed that the three officers were Adj. Sec. Insp. Doni Kuswijayanto, First Brig. Chairul Nasirudin and chief Brig. Eri Dadang Nuryadi.

During the arrest, the police found a pipe, which is commonly used to consume crystal methamphetamine.

"Based on urine tests, they tested positive of consuming methamphetamine and amphetamine," Argo said.

He said they would carry out further investigations before charging the three. (fac)
Bikaner police says that the suspects in the alleged gangrape of a 28-year-old Delhi woman in the city on Monday afternoon have called her a sex worker.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: After the six people arrested for allegedly gangraping a 28-year-old Delhi woman in Rajasthan's Bikaner were sent to 3-day judicial custody, police say that the suspects are now claiming that the woman is a sex worker.

However, the police have said at the same time that they won't heed the version given by the accused and instead act according to the statement given by the Delhi-based woman under Section 164 before the magistrate.

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Talking to India Today, Bikaner Superintendent of Police Sawai Singh Godara said, "The woman in her statement said, 'I had gone for inspection of my plot. Two men came up to me in a Bolero car and asked me where (do you) have to go. I replied that I have to go to Bikaner city. They gave me a lift. Instead of taking me to Bikaner city, they took to a secluded place and then raped me there. After that, their other friends came and gangraped me. The next morning, they dropped me.' In this case, after registering a case, investigation has been done. The probe has revealed that she had gone with some men, who gangraped her later. We have so far identified eight suspects and arrested six of them. Efforts are on to nab the other two. After arrest, it also came out in the investigation that she agreed to go as a sex worker. Her statement before the magistrate has been recorded, her medical examination conducted. Following the investigation, whoever's found involved in this, will be arrested."

The accused were produced in the chief judicial magistrate's court today after which they were sent to police custody.

The victim, in her complaint, had alleged that she was gangraped by 23 men. As per the FIR, the woman is based out of Delhi's New Friends Colony and was in Bikaner in connection with work related to her residential plot. A case had been registered in Bikaner's Narayan Vyas Colony police station.

"Eight people have been identified by the woman, of which six have been arrested," Bikaner SP, Sawai Singh Godara, told India Today earlier today.

Bikaner police has formed two teams who are on the lookout for the other accused.

As per the complaint, the woman was offered lift by two men in a Bolera SUV at the Jaipur highway. When she refused, she was forcibly dragged into the car. She claimed that she was taken to Palana village by two men Raju and Subhash and raped. The woman alleged that six other men joined Raju and Subhash.

As per the complaint, she was taken to another place and was repeatedly raped by the men. After the gang-rape, the woman was thrown near the same temple from where she was picked.

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ALSO WATCH | Haryana: Girl alleges rape by school staff in letter to PM Modi

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Karanganyar, Central Java  Fri, September 29, 2017 09:49 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a228f6d6 1 National Mapala-UNISI,UII-Yogyakarta,hazing-in-school Free

The Karanganyar District Court has declared two defendants guilty of being involved in hazing practices that led to the death of three freshmen students at the Yogyakarta-based Indonesian Islamic University (UII).

Presiding judge Mujiyono handed down the verdict to Muhammad Wahyudi and Angga Septiawan in a trial on Thursday. The defendants were sentenced to five years and six months in prison and six years in prison, respectively.

They were involved in abuse that led to the deaths of three students, he said at the trial.

The two defendants were proven to have violated article 351 of the Criminal Code on assault.

The trial delivered evidence that the two committed assault by kicking, hitting and slapping the freshmen, Mujiyono said.

The sentences were lighter than eight-year sentences sought by prosecutors.

The judges argued that Wahyudi and Angga played different roles in the assault, and hence deserved different sentences.

The week-long orientation program held on the slopes of Mount Lawu in Central Java in January turned violent. Three people passed away in the program and 14 other students were injured.

Eight people have been tried in the case. The legal process for six other defendants in the case is still ongoing. (rin)
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Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, September 30 2017

To willingly give up the chairmanship or be forcibly ousted are the two options given to Golkar Party Chairman Setya over the fate of his leadership of the second biggest party in the country.

After the South Jakarta District Court ruled in favor of his pretrial motion on Friday, Setya now must face another trial: one by Golkars executive board and its 34 provincial leaders who will vote to determine the fate of his leadership on Monday.

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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Fri, September 29, 2017 16:01 1872 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2299866 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Thailand Free

During a meeting with Indonesian ambassador for Thailand Ahmad Rusdi, tourism minister Arief Yahya asked the Indonesian embassy (KBRI) in Thailand to learn about the way Thailand manages its tourism.

[Learn to] understand the greatness of Thailand in handling security, culinary, street food and homestay, Arief said at the KBRI office in Bangkok on Sept. 28.

Arief mentioned that the culinary and street food of Thailand is very famous in the world, theres always a Thailand restaurant in every country in the world and its always crowded with visitors. Thailand offers dishes that are suitable for Asian, European, Australian and American tastebuds.

We have to learn from the success of Thailand because weve set them as our professional enemy, added Arief.

Read also: Three must-visit places in Chiang Rai

Arief also encouraged Indonesian diaspora and KBRI to learn about the security in Thailand after hearing two of his friends talking about how good the service and safety in that country, Please study this, we are willing to learn. The person-in-charge of this is Kiki [the ministry's Southeast Asia tourism promotion assistant deputy, Rizki Handayani], he said.

President Joko Widodo has set tourism as one of the nations economic cores, for the past three years tourism has been the leading sector and in 2018 it will be one of the three main prioritized industries besides agriculture and fishery.

We will gladly help, last year Thailand welcomed 32 million overseas tourists, said Ahmad.

According to The Telegraph, Indonesia is included in the Top 20 Fastest Growing Travel Destinations in the World.

The growth rate of overseas tourists in Indonesia is close to 24 percent whilst the growth rates for both ASEAN and global at six percent.

By the end of the discussion, Arief requested for the formation of a special team who will learn about the Thailand tourism industry. (asw)
On September 10, BJP president Amit Shah asked the youth of Gujarat not to fall prey to 'anti-BJP propaganda' being promoted by the Congress on social media. "I appeal to the youth not to blindly believe the anti-BJP propaganda being spread on WhatsApp and Facebook," he said. "Before making any judgment, you need to do an analysis of what Gujarat was before the BJP came to power and what is the situation today," said Shah.

Shah was reacting to a popular social media campaign by the Congress, 'Vikas gando thayo chhe (Development has gone crazy)', which took potshots at the BJPs' much-vaunted 'Gujarat model of development'. The campaign featured a series of photos of damaged roads, broken bridges and unfinished construction. Its effectiveness can be gauged from the fact that Shah went on the defensive: he promised the roads would soon be repaired.

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"We don't have the money power of the BJP and we started late but we have a dedicated social media team, of which 85 per cent are women, working 24x7 for the party in the digital world," says Divya Spandana, social media head of the Congress. The effectiveness of the team is evident. Rahul Gandhi's Twitter account gained about a million followers between July and September, the fastest spike in his social outreach since he joined Twitter in April 2015. That said, it's still just a tenth of the 34 million followers PM Narendra Modi has on Twitter, where he has been active since 2009.

Congress leaders believe that Rahul will soon catch up despite the late start. Sources say the Gandhi scion has come to understand the importance of delivering his message via social media, resulting in an active and aggressive online presence. For instance, soon after foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said at the UN General Assembly that successive Indian governments had built IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, putting India on the path of growth, Rahul offered her a backhanded compliment by thanking her on Twitter for acknowledging the Congress's contribution to the country.

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Former US Vice President Joe Biden has shown his support for Veep actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus following her announcement that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Louis-Dreyfus, 56, shared the news on Instagram and Twitter and made a public plea for universal health care.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Strauss/Invision/AP)

The Seinfeld star plays Vice President Selina Meyer in comedy series Veep and she and Mr Biden did a spoof of the show together in 2014 at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner.

We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia. pic.twitter.com/JP0c2wtrJ6  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 28, 2017

Sharing a picture from their comedy stunt on Twitter, Mr Biden wrote: We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia.

Louis-Dreyfus replied writing: Yes we do. Love back to all of you.

In her cancer announcement, the actress wrote: 1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, Im the one.

The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union.

The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so lets fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality.

She posted the typed and hand-signed statement with the caption: Just when you thought.

Her Veep co-star Timothy Simons, who plays Jonah Ryan in the series, praised her for using her announcement to help other people.

He tweeted: Julia is one of the most talented, most giving, most empathetic people that Ive had the pleasure to meet.

That she takes this news and turns it to help others is of no surprise. Get well, Boss. We love you.

Political comedy Veep is the brainchild of Scottish writer Armando Iannucci and is often described as the American counterpart to his hit UK series The Thick Of It.

Former First Lady Hillary Clinton also sent her wishes to Louis-Dreyfus.

Julia, you're in our thoughts and our hearts. Inspired but not surprised to see you using your platform for good in this difficult moment.  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 28, 2017

She tweeted: Julia, youre in our thoughts and our hearts. Inspired but not surprised to see you using your platform for good in this difficult moment.

Hollywood actress Christina Applegate, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, also reached out to her.

Mama, find me. Let's talk if you want  christina applegate (@1capplegate) September 28, 2017

Mama, find me. Lets talk if you want, she wrote on Twitter.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill tweeted: Ive loved you since SNL, but need decades more, please. #KickCancersAss, while Girls writer and actress Lena Dunham wrote: I love @OfficialJLD, shes one of the strongest people I know and cancer is gonna be real sorry it tried any weird moves on her.

I've loved you since SNL, but need decades more, please. #KickCancersAss  Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) September 28, 2017

I love @OfficialJLD, she's one of the strongest people I know and cancer is gonna be real sorry it tried any weird moves on her.  Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 29, 2017

Louis-Dreyfus has two sons, Charles and Henry, with her husband of 30 years, Brad Hall.
More young people are attending university than ever, according to statistics released by the Department of Education.

49.3% of people are now likely to go to university before they turn 30 an increase of nearly 10% in as many years.

This in spite of further increases to tuition fees at the beginning of this year.

This does not mean that rising university expenses arent a deterrent to prospective students though. The steady increase in university admissions among young people was stunted briefly only in 2012, the year in which fees were increased to three times their previous amount.

The continued increase in numbers can partly be attributed to 2015s lifting of student number controls in England, which meant that for the first time universities were free to accept as many undergraduates they wanted.

Its not all good news though  some critics fear that many young people only go on to university because they dont see another choice. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, chair of the Independent Schools Council Barnaby Lenon said that private school pupils are wrongly coerced into going to university because other options are seen as a disgrace or failure.
Budapest is a great place to visit if you're on a budget.

After visiting the city for the second time the other week I realised that a large proportion of the attractions and activities that we did during our trip were free. H

ere's what you should be visiting if you're in the city

Buda Castle

This is a must visit whilst in Budapest. When you arrive at the foot of the Castle Hill you'll find a long line of tourists, all queuing for the funicular railway; however to save a bit of cash you can walk to the top of the Castle Hill. It may look high up and far away, but the path up to the top is not too steep, and the walk up takes you through parts of the Castle Wall and offers great views along the way.

Fisherman's Bastion

This is a beautiful piece of architecture, that boasts an equally beautiful view of the Pest side of the city and Hungarian Parliament. You can pay a small fee to walk along the top of the attraction. However, personally I think that you can get the same experience without paying. Also, try visiting at sunset, when you'll get an almost completely different experience as the Fisherman's Bastion somehow looks even more stunning.

Danube Bank

Shoe's on the Danube bank is a memorial to honour the people who were killed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen in Budapest during World War II. The memorial is free and located on the bank of the Pest side of the River.

Visit a ruin bar or pub

Ruin pubs are free and amazing places to drink in the evening and throughout the night. Even if you're not planning on having a heavy night out they are great places to visit whilst in Budapest.

Elizabeth Square
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The blast hit the Qala-e Fatehullah area of the city near the Hussainya mosque while the security forces were on alert for possible attacks during Ashura.

Afghan security forces inspect the site of a suicide attack near a Shi'ite mosque in Kabul. Photo: Reuters.

By Reuters: Suicide attackers hit the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday near a large Shi'ite mosque causing several casualties, officials and witnesses said.

The blast hit the Qala-e Fatehullah area of the city near the Hussainya mosque while the security forces were on alert for possible attacks during Ashura, the holiest celebration in the Shi'ite religious calendar.

Security officials said, at least two attackers were killed as they carried out the operation and apparently intended to hit the mosque. Just a month after 20 people were killed during prayers at another Shi'ite mosque in Kabul.

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A hospital run by Italian aid group Emergency said that five wounded had been brought after the blast but a witness at the scene said eight or nine people had been wounded or killed.

The local affiliate of Islamic State has claimed several attacks on Shi'ite targets in Kabul in recent years and the government has allowed the Shi'ite community to place armed guards near mosques.

Also Watch : Trump slams Pakistan for harbouring terrorists, seeks bigger role for India in Afghanistan

--- ENDS ---
It started as a simple comic book storyline: Steve Rogers, unable to fulfill his duties as Captain America, passes on the mantle to his best friend of many years, Sam Wilson (The Falcon). But after an unexpectedly fierce backlash from readers, the story morphed into a thinly veiled social commentary on the moral decline of one of the world's most powerful nations.

The first volume of Sam's foray into the role was collected into a graphic novel titled Not My Captain America -- borrowed from a direct quote from the thousands of comments and letters that poured in before the first issue was even available. There have been many Captain Americas besides Steve Rogers, but none received a fraction of the hate mail that Wilson did. The reason: while all of the other Captains had been white, Sam Wilson was black, and took on the iconic costume amid the backdrop of Barack Obama becoming the first black president of the US. So, writer Nick Spencer brought back the original blond, blue-eyed hero in Captain America: Steve Rogers -- as a Hydra agent. It read like an in-joke: 'You racists want white Captain America back? Okay, here he is? AS A NAZI.' But when the US elected its first president in a generation to be openly endorsed by neo-Nazis and the KKK, the joke turned out to be horrifyingly prophetic.

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Then, in April this year, Marvel launched Captain America: Secret Empire. Get this: an evil, fascist Captain America takes over the US, fills his cabinet with Nazi super villains and proceeds to wipe out every trace that the heroes ever existed. (Although he can't quite seem to erase the memory of black Captain America, Sam Wilson.) But the ending last month was decidedly un-heroic, and prompted by the economics of the real world.

Marvel had, in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential election, suffered a slump in sales and stock price. Responding to a question by comic industry blog ICv2 on that issue, David Gabriel, vice-president of sales at Marvel, said: "What we heard (from retailers) was that people didn't want any more diversity." Donald Trump's victory, it seems, had appeared as a rebuke of Obama's presidency and a clear indicator of America's current moral tenor. Amid fears of damage to the franchise, Marvel rushed Secret Empire to a speedy end this August-substituting what appears to be a hastily rewritten resolution to cater to the white fear of demographic change. Though the obvious choice to defeat Nazi Steve Rogers would have been Sam Wilson, the writers instead bent time and space to pit the 'true' Steve Rogers against himself.

Isn't that how evil wins?

--- ENDS ---
By Mail Today: To improve their efficiency and assess their performance and service, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will conduct a survey across eight major airports, including Delhi and Mumbai.

As part of the feedback survey, the passengers will be asked to respond to a few questions relating to services rendered by the force at these airports.

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In a month-long exercise, passengers will be asked to fill feedback survey, which will be carried out at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Cochin and Guwahati airports and will be analysed and worked upon to improve the services.

Apart from four parameters - the feeling of being safe and secure, waiting time at security inspection, thoroughness of security inspection and courtesy and attitude to help - response of various initiatives, such as the removal of baggage tag stamping has also been included in the questionnaire, a senior CISF official said.

This is the first time in four years that the CISF is conducting such a survey. In the survey carried out in 2013 across the 59 airports under CISF security cover, the overall rating had stood at 4.49 out of 5 points on four parameters.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Varanasi, Sep 29 (PTI) The Crime Branch has begun a probe in the violence in the BHU campus and has issued notice to 20 members of the proctorial board, including the former chief proctor, asking them to record their statements, officials said today.

A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a baton-charge by the police in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus where a protest last week against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent.

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SP (Crime) Gyanendra Prasad said the investigation into the violence had begun and they are perusing the CCTV footage.

He said a cyber team had also been engaged in the case and a dozen mobile numbers that were active near the incident spot, when the alleged eve-teasingtook place, had been put on surveillance.

He said notice has been served to nearly 20 proctorial board members, including former chief proctor O N Singh, who were on duty on the day of incident. They have been askedto record their oral or written statement before the Crime Branch within three days.

Any person having information regarding the incident can also give details to the Crime Branch in its office or on phone, he said adding, their identity would be kept secret.

He said information is also being collected about anti- social elements residing in and around the campus and those who frequently visit there.

Senior Superintendent of PoliceR K Bhardwaj had transferred the investigation of all cases related to the violence in the BHU campus, one of the 43 central universities in the country, to the Crime Branch and the Lanka Police was also assisting in the probe. PTI CORR AAR

--- ENDS ---
Delhi's PWD has issued a show-cause notice to the Aam Aadmi Party on the issue of the allotment of its party office. The party has been asked to reply within seven days.

By Kumar Kunal: Taking the fight between Delhi Lieutenant Governor and AAP government to another level, the public works department of Delhi government - on the advice of L-G Anil Baijal - has once again cancelled and revoked the allocation of Minister's Bungalow at 206, Rouse Avenue as the party office of Aam Aadmi Party.

Apart from this, the Kejriwal government's PWD has also issued a show-cause notice to the Aam Aadmi Party on the issue of the allotment of party office.

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This notice has been issued after the Delhi High Court passed an order on August 23 to set aside the order issued by the PWD revoking the order issued on April 12, 2017, in which it revoked the allotment of bungalow number 206, Rouse Avenue to the Aam Aadmi Party.

The court has also remanded the matter to Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to consider the issue again and passed a reasoned order after hearing the Aam Aadmi Party.

In another big revelation, the recent notice also said that the Aam Aadmi Party was offered a plot of land by the land and development office, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India for allotment of office use on February 10, 2014 and the offer was reiterated on September 8, 2014.

The party, while making an application for allotment to the Delhi government's urban development department, neither disclosed the information nor brought it to the notice of Baijal, for reasons best known to the party.

SHOW-CAUSE NOTICE

Now, considering all the facts pertaining to the issue, the PWD - on the advice of Delhi LG - had on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to the national secretary of Aam Aadmi Party, Pankaj Kumar Gupta.

Ashok Kumar, special secretary in the PWD, has asked the Aam Aadmi Party to explain why the allotment should not be revoked for the 11 reasons which have been provided in the show-cause notice.

The notice has also asked the party to explain why the market rent (/penal rent) for the illegal allotment and unauthorised occupation should not be recovered from the Aam Aadmi Party. The party has been asked to reply to the show cause notice within seven days.

The notice also mentioned that AAP may appear in front of Baijal before October 10 through an authorised representative. The notice has been issued with all the details consisting of the communication and details of orders passed in this matter till now.

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On the basis of these orders and communications, the department has prepared a reasoned order on how the government residential bungalow at Rouse Avenue, which has been earmarked for allotment to Delhi government ministers, has been allotted to the AAP in violation of existent rules and laws.

--- ENDS ---
Established in 1924, Delhi's oldest Ramlila celebration turns 94 this year and is known for having prime ministers and presidents in attendance every year without fail.

By Arpan Rai: It is no longer just an enactment of the Ramayana at Madhavas Park in front of Delhi's iconic Red Fort, but a tradition, performed for almost a century now.

Established in 1924, Delhi's oldest Ramlila celebration turns 94 this year, and is known for having our prime ministers and presidents in attendance every year, without fail.

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From Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh to Narendra Modi, every PM has brought his or her schedule to a halt and come down to Red Fort only to watch Dharmik Committee's Ramlila.

This year as well, President Ramnath Kovind and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu have decided to attend the celebrations, organised by a rather ordinary troupe from Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, which has also seen Shashi Tharoor, Maneka Gandhi and other parliamentarians' presence.

TWO LAKH PASSES SOLD EVERY YEAR

Many can argue how the urban glitz and life on fast track has no space for Indian mythology, but what the 10-day-long celebration of moral values - victory of good over evil, duty of a son towards his father, wife and family - has to offer is enough to prove that these values are deeply intact in us even today.

Performed by a team of 45 artists, Ramlila by Shri Dharmik Leela Committee sees a footfall between 20,000-25,000, and over two lakh passes are sold every year.

"Script for the play, resourced carefully from Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas, has not changed in last 50 years," explains Pradeep Sharma, secretary of the committee.

Little does the audience know that 28-year-old Ram, Anuj Saxena, in real life is a business manager, Sita is a first year student of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Moradabad and Raavan is a government employee with the state health department.

The grand show put on by the artists is devoid of any modern technology, and is now finding its way into Ramlila shows across the country. It has just two to three voice over artists, behind the stage, providing voice to actors present on the stage.

--- ENDS ---
A look at the major stampedes in India over past five years.

By India Today Web Desk: As per the latest data available with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) - Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2015, at least 26,066 people died in 2015 in railway related incidents in India. In 2014, 17,581 people had died in railway related accidents.

In 105, 3,304 people died in Mumbai in accidents related to local trains. Every day, nine persons lose their lives due to fall from Mumbai Local. Elphinstone Road station stampede has added at least 22 more to the number of people losing their lives on Mumbai railways network.

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Like railways related accidents, stampedes are also quite common and too frequent in the country. Here are some of the major stampedes in India in the last five years:

2017

When?

January 15, 2017

Where?

Kachuberia jetty in Sagar Island, South 24 Parganas, Gangasagar Fair

Died: 6

Injured: 10

Why?

Several people trying to board a vessel back to Kolkata from the Gangasagar fair

2016

When?

October 15, 2016

Where?

Baba Jai Guru Dev near Malviya Bridge, Ram Nagar police station, Varanasi

Died: 25

Injured: 80

Why?

Stampede took place during a 'Shobha Yatra'

When?

October 9, 2016

Where?

Kansiram Smarak Sthal, Old Jail Road, Lucknow

Died: 2I

njured: 23

Why?

Stampede occurred during a BSP rally

When?

September 9, 2016

Where? Malad, Mumbai

Died: 0Injured: 4

Why?

During a recruitment drive in INS Hamla

When?

May 5, 2016

Where?

Simhastha Kumbh, Ujjain

Died: 6

Injured: 40

Why?

Incident occurred due to uprooting of 'pandals' by thunderstorm and lightening

2015

When?

October 18, 2015

Where?

Deshopriya Park, Kolkata

Died: 0

Injured: 22

Why?

Stampede occurred in Durga Puja pandal

When?

August 10, 2015

Where?

Deoghar district, near Belabagan (Jharkhand)

Died: 10

Injured: 30

Why?

Stampede occurred when people started trying to jump queue in order to get closer to the Baidyanathdham temple

When?

July 18, 2015

Where?

Puri District, near Marichikot Square (Odisha)

Died: 2

Injured: 6

Why?

Stampede occurred during pulling of chariot of Lord Balabhadra on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra celebration

When?

July 14, 2015

Where?

East Godavari district (Andhra Pradesh)

Died: 27

Injured: 44

Why?

Stampede occurred due to heavy rush to enter ghat of river on the occasion of Godavari Mahapushkaram

When?

April 4, 2015

Where?

Allahabad district, Sangam area, Daraganj (Uttar Pradesh)

Died: 0

Injured: 8

Why?

Stampede occurred at Bade Hanuman Temple on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti

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2014

When?

October 4, 2014

Where?

Jagdalpur, district Bastar (Chhattisgarh)

Died: 1

Injured: 1

Why?

Stampede occurred during Dussehra chariot pulling ceremony near Maa Danteswari temple

When?

October 3, 2014

Where?

Devaragattu village, PS Holagunda, district Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh)

Died: 1

Injured: 42

Why?

Stampede occurred during traditional mock-fight on the occasion of 'Banni Festival' in Male Malleswaraswami temple

When?

October 3, 2014

Where?

Exhibition Road, district Patna (Bihar)

Died: 33

Injured: 29

Why?

Stampede occurred among spectators of Dussehra celebration near Sir Ram Gulam Chowk while they were returning from Gandhi Maidan

When?

August 25, 2014

Where?

Chitrakoot area, district Satna (Madhya Pradesh)

Died: 10

Injured: 10

Why?

Stampede occurred at Kamathgiri temple

When?

August 4, 2014

Where?

Singur, district Hooghly (West Bengal)

Died: 1

Injured: 36

Why?

Stampede occurred while crossing the railway gate at Kamarkundu by the pilgrims (devotees of Tarakeshwar Shiv Temple)

When?

February 4, 2014

Where?

Pratappur district Surajpur (Chhattisgarh)

Died: 8

Injured: 1

Why?

Due to collapse of 'Bildwar Gufa' (Lord Shiva cave), many devotees were buried alive, of whom eight were found dead

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When?

January 18, 2014

Where?

Malabar Hills area, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Died: 18

Injured: 59

Why?

Stampede occurred due to rush among followers who had assembled to pay last respects to Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, head priest of Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community

2013

When?

October 13, 2013

Where?

Ratangarh district Datia (Madhya Pradesh)

Died: 121

Injured: 150

Why?

Stampede and drowning in river Sindh occurred following an alleged rumour about damage to the railing of a bridge

When?

October 4-5, 2013

Where?

Tuljabhawani temple, PS Tuljapur, district Osmanabad (Maharashtra)

Died: 1

Injured: 17

Why?

Stampede occurred when police tried to control pilgrims

When?

March 10, 2013

Where?

Lodheshwar temple, PS Ramnagar, district Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh)

Died: 2

Injured: 5

Why?

Stampede occurred due to heavy rush on the occasion of 'Mahashivratri'

When?

February 10, 2013

Where?

Allahabad Railway Station

Died: 37

Injured: 43

Why?

Stampede took place due to overcrowding on the over bridge between two platforms

--- ENDS ---
"I stand up and announce that his best mate's got to sit down and shut up or bugger off.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Former Army chief Dalbir Singh today lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a "very bold decision" of approving surgical strikes in Myanmar and Pakistan in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

One of the aims of the surgical strikes was "deterrence", Singh said, and the goal was achieved after the 2016 operation.

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Singh, who was the Army chief when both the strikes were carried out, added that there has not been any major incident in Jammu and Kashmir after the daring operation.

"In June 2015, we conducted surgical strikes in Myanmar, and again in September 2016, we conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan. Both strikes were very successful without any loss of life...no casualty to our people.

"It was a very bold decision of our prime minister to approve the surgical strikes. So, the credit firstly goes to our prime minister. The credit also goes to my subordinates, my able commanders and brave soldiers who executed these surgical strikes," Singh told reporters.

The 2015 strike in Myanmar was carried out by the Army following the killing of 20 soldiers by Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction (NSNC-K) in Manipur. The 2016 strike was carried out on the intervening night of September 28-29 in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after an attack on an Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that had killed 19 soldiers.

"We are grateful to the prime minister for reposing faith and confidence in the Indian Army and the armed forces. And we lived up to the expectations of the nation," he said.

Singh said after the Army conducted surgical strikes in Myanmar, he had decided that the forces will retaliate in a similar way if there was any such attack in future.

"What we did in Myanmar...it was decided that if any such major incident (like the killing of soldiers in Manipur) takes place in future, I did not have any doubt that we had to undertake such an exercise. We started a lot of preparations after the Myanmar strike. And we got a lot of time in training to ensure success," Singh said.

When asked whether he believes that India could have a policy against terrorists hiding at all locations where the armed forces can go, Singh said it is a political decision which the government has to take. PTI PR SK

--- ENDS ---
The election of a new director general for the World Health Organization (WHO) brings with it a set of expectations for a new era. This election is especially interesting because the chosen man is the first African to ever hold the position. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is both the former Ethiopian health minister and foreign minister. He has also served as the chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

The WHO serves as a technical and normative leader in global health. Not only does the organization provide healthcare services all over the world in times of emergency, it also sets the global health agenda. The organization was formed after World War II as a replacement for the health organization that existed under the League of Nations. As the official UN health organization, the WHO has 194 member states and legitimacy unmatched by other health organization. For the first 50 years of its existence, the WHOs legitimacy over the international health agenda was never challenged, at least not until the emergence of new global health organizations primarily funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation (BMGF). These organizations include GFATM, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).

Although the WHO is the most powerful and recognized international health organization, the new global health players have far more consistent funding. The strength of the WHO lies in its political power and international recognition, but its dependence on these factors is also its greatest weakness. Because 194 nations are members of the WHO, the member states must agree on the agenda set every year while also fulfilling their financial obligations, a task easier said than done. As Tedros steps into his new position, the global health arena is nearly unrecognizable from what existed in the formative years of the WHO. Regardless of the challenges ahead, Tedros impeccable background remains undeniable, making him well-suited for his new role.

When I was abroad, I had the pleasure of watching the debate among the three final candidates for the director general position at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. As a part of my global health course, all students in the class were required to watch the debate, which was followed by a class debrief. I must admit that when I first walked in, I had my own image of how a male African politician operates. I wasnt sure how I would react to Tedros opinions. I decided to go in with an open mind, with a willingness to be swayed by whoever would emerge as the best candidate. I am very glad he proved me wrong. Out of the three candidates (the other two were Dr. David Nabarro and Dr. Sania Nishtar), Tedros ended up being the candidate who appeared most natural and approachable. He engaged well with the audience, offering several anecdotes about how he came to hold certain opinions on healthcare. Global health diplomacy ties health and diplomacy together to develop a more efficient global health system. Tedros had the rare privilege of being both health and foreign minister. In todays world, where global health diplomacy is an actual emerging field, he truly appears to be the perfect fit.

The WHO is continuously criticized for its bureaucratic weaknesses, but the necessity of its existence is not up for debate. It is the only health organization that can mandate countries to work for the production of global health structures, such as universal health coverage and the containment, prevention and cure of diseases. What does Tedros African identity mean for peoples expectations? He has had a phenomenal career in Ethiopia, but now he is in a whole other ball game. I dont think his Ethiopian or African identity will cause him to work any differently in comparison to the efficient director generals of the past. We are all rooting for him.

 Aminata Kinana 18
Caryn McKechnie

mckechni@grinnell.edu

Last Friday Sept. 22 , Dr. Umesh Gaur presented a Faulconer Gallery talk titled Many Visions, Many Versions: Art from Indigenous Communities in India. Gaur and his wife, Dr. Sunanda Gaur, own what is reputably the largest collection of contemporary Indian art in the United States. During the talk, Gaur discussed the new Faulconer exhibit, which features indigenous art created in post-independence India.

Our rapidly growing collection of this genre focuses on the art of Gond and the Warli tribes, women artists in the Mithila region of Bihar and the narrative scroll painters of West Bengal, Gaur wrote in an email to The S&B. Our collection consists of more than 300 paintings, drawings, prints and photographs. My personal favorite painting in this exhibition is Jangarh Singh Shyams [(Untitled)] Tree and Panther. Some of the major artists in the exhibit include Jangarh Singh Shyam, Jivya Soma Mashe and Venkat Raman Shyam.

Previously, the Gaurs did not think that indigenous or folk art could constitute high art and hold a place in a museum. However, in 2005, they encountered contemporary Indian art at an Asia Society exhibition called Edge of Desire, which had gained great renown.

The Grinnell exhibition reflects our relatively recent interest in collecting contemporary indigenous art from India, Gaur wrote. Growing up in India, we were always surrounded by folk arts and crafts. We grew up around hand-painted pottery, carved furniture and hand-knitted rugs in our homes. On religious holidays, our mothers and aunts would draw ritualistic images on the walls and floors to prepare the house for festivities. While all these folk arts and crafts were vibrant and decorative, we never considered them as collectible fine art.

Umesh and Sunanda Gaur have collected art since 1995. He remembers the inception of his collecting vividly.

We walked into the preview of Sothebys inaugural auction of modern and contemporary Indian art in New York. The artworks on sale immediately appealed to us at a visceral level, and before we knew it, we were owners of a rapidly growing collection of modern Indian art.

As the partners continued to collect art, they discovered they enjoyed making it accessible to a larger viewership, especially, working with museums in promoting modern Indian art in America, Gaur wrote.

In 2002, the two curated a multi-collector exhibit at Rutgers University, in their neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. From there, the collections have traveled all over, from Fairfield University to the University of Pennsylvania and the Georgia Museum of Art.

Over the years, the Gaurs collecting has culminated in a gallery of their own, the BINDU Modern Gallery. This gallery presents exhibitions of their collected art on rotation. According to Gaur, BINDU serves as a nucleus from which we promote modern Indian art with our engagement with museums, art scholars and the community.
Hallela Hinton-Williams

hintonwi@grinnell.edu

The HAZE, a one-woman show performed by Heather Marlowe about the aftermath of her rape and her interaction with the police, will be performed at Grinnell in Sebring Lewis Hall this Friday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The Haze is a performance of humor, sadness and outrage in response to the systematic re-victimization of abuse victims in the legal system.

The motivation behind the piece came from a need to draw attention to Marlowes case after she was dismissed by the police.

I felt that it was necessary to be public about this, and the skillset that I had in terms of being public was in theater and performance, because I had been studying it at the time, Marlowe said.

Marlowes show is a piece of performance art that informs and questions audiences. The myriad of emotions that an audience member experiences allows for a deeper connection, beyond the politics of the situation.

My first goal was to impact my audience, not on an educational level, but a visceral level. My audience should be provoked in ways that might be uncomfortable, Marlowe said. I want them to feel a range of emotions and challenge themselves about their own ignorance and complacency in this issue. I want to create a dynamic piece of art in the hour you have with me on stage.

Marlowe has been touring her show since 2015 on college campuses. It allows her to connect her experience with the ones seen all over the nation on these campuses.

While I was working in a more activist role in my case, it occurred to me there is a whole movement of rape cases being ignored. There are a lot of barriers of getting any sort of process on campuses, she said. There were a lot of parallels between my experience and how rape often manifests itself in college culture.

By visiting college campuses where sexual assault is a major issue, Marlowe is able to meet a large group of people who have been victimized by either the legal system or the college administration.

The reactions on college campuses have been overwhelmingly supportive, in terms of students who have either experienced interpersonal sexual encounters, or domestic violence. There is a comradery, I suppose, in the feedback I get, Marlowe said. That is also coupled with outrage and education in the issue of law enforcement mishandling and ignoring rape complaints. Its a combination of supportiveness and thank you so much for educating me that goes on.

Marlowe sought to develop a well-crafted play that made the audience reflect upon themselves and connect with her on stage; however, the play quickly became an effective avenue to educate and motivate a population on an issue that is deceptively political.

When I first started out, I wanted to get attention to my case and find out more information. I had no idea how political this issue is, Marlowe said. There are so many politics  I have become sort of overwhelmed with all of it. I would encourage people to come, if at all possible, with a mindset that is not political. I want people to come because it is a captivating compelling story that connects on a deeper level to our collective humanity. Its why I do it over and over again  to connect with the audience.

Marlowes performance is a personal expression of her experience. Beyond that, however it is also a startling reflection of the experiences of thousands of other people.
By: Emma Friedlander

friedland@grinnell.edu

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) issued forth new Title IX guidance as they rescinded 2011 and 2014 Obama-era Title IX guidelines. The Grinnell College Title IX office released a special campus memo later that day, assuring the campus community that Grinnell Colleges Title IX adjudication process will remain largely unchanged by the new guidance. Additionally, the memo noted that the College will look into informal resolutions like mediation in Title IX cases, which is newly allowed with the guidance changes.

In particular, the new guidance allows colleges to determine the standard of evidence in Title IX cases, meaning they may now require clear and convincing evidence instead of a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). Grinnell emphasized in the special campus memo that it would continue to judge cases according to a preponderance of the evidence, the standard for all civil cases. Additionally, the new guidance permits colleges to pursue informal resolutions such as mediation, establishes an appeals process for disciplinary sanctions and establishes more protections for accused students. It also rescinds the Obama-era guidance that required Title IX cases to reach a conclusion within a 60-day period or else provide a strong reason to extend the case. Finally, the new guidance permits colleges to only address incidents that occur on campus, whereas previously colleges also needed to consider events off-campus and prior to a students enrollment in college.

The main focus of the new guidance and the rescinding of the old guidance is looking at the disciplinary process, said Angela Voos, Grinnell Colleges Title IX coordinator. Our disciplinary processes already addressed the issue that theyre looking at  that is, do you have a fair and thorough and impartial way of investigating and adjudicating.

The new guidance, initiated by Secretary of Education Betsy Devos, does not require colleges to change their policies or practices. Instead, Voos emphasized, most of this guidance is about choices. Its permitting some scaling back  were not going to scale back.

Although the DOE largely decreases the accountability for colleges and protections for complainants with these new measures, Grinnell College affirmed that it will continue to operate under the Obama-era guidance.

I think colleges have to be accountable, and I think that was a very positive outcome of the Obama administrations guidances, Voos said. It put a spotlight on colleges and universities to make sure that the processes were fair and prompt, and that colleges understand their responsibility and accountability.  [The Trump] administration is focusing a lot on the adjudicative process, to make sure that due process is being served.

The new guidelines raise questions as to how the recommended practices might play out on college campuses. In particular, the provision for informal resolutions such as mediation, wherein a mediator assists the complainant and the respondent in reaching a mutual resolution in a case of sexual assault or sexual violence, has stumped college administrators and students alike.

The 2011 Dear Colleague Letter said [mediation] is not appropriate even on a voluntary basis, and now theyre saying it could be used, said Deputy Title IX coordinator Bailey Asberry.

Although the College will be looking into the implications of mediation as a practice for Title IX cases, Voos assured that the College will not actively pursue mediation. A formal notice-and-comment period is expected to soon follow the new regulations, during which the College will hopefully clarify the significance of the mediation provision.

In our policy [mediation] is just not available, and we wont use it for sexual violence, Voos said. The guidance is saying you could. So well think about that. At this point  we would still choose to not use mediation for allegations of sexual violence.

For student activists who have dedicated themselves to Title IX cases and survivors rights, the mediation provision is especially troubling. Leah Barr 18, a previous co-leader of Dissenting Voices who has done extensive research on the handling of Title IX cases at Grinnell College and Carleton College, explained why mediation has typically been strongly discouraged.

The fear for me in mediation is that the respondent and the complainant will have to be face to face, and you were not allowed to do that under the guidance from the Obama era, Barr said.

Although Barr was somewhat reassured by the Colleges memo reaffirming their dedication to the Obama-era guidance, she expressed concern that the Grinnell Title IX office has not been following those measures in the first place.

I think they werent using that standard before, Barr said about the preponderance of the evidence standard in particular. I knew about specific cases where there was so much evidence and people were still not being found responsible. But at least the school is recognizing that the standard of evidence is important.

In addition to the standard of evidence, Barr listed Grinnells failure to issue timely Clery warnings and Vooss additional position as Chief of Staff to the presidents office as examples of the Colleges failure to conform exactly to Obama-era Title IX guidance.

Should the DOE release mandatory new policy, the College will keep the campus community aware of any impacts to Title IX at Grinnell. In addition, the Grinnell Title IX office will soon be releasing an updated version of its Title IX policy, which does not make any policy changes but instead clarifies the adjudication and informal resolution process to the reader. This policy will be released as soon as an additional party has looked over and approved its contents.

aIts permitting some scaling back  were not going to scale back.

Although the DOE largely decreases the accountability for colleges and protections for complainants with these new measures, Grinnell College affirmed that it will continue to operate under the Obama-era guidance.

I think colleges have to be accountable, and I think that was a very positive outcome of the Obama administrations guidances, Voos said. It put a spotlight on colleges and universities to make sure that the processes were fair and prompt, and that colleges understand their responsibility and accountability.  [The Trump] administration is focusing a lot on the adjudicative process, to make sure that due process is being served.

The new guidelines raise questions as to how the recommended practices might play out on college campuses. In particular, the provision for informal resolutions such as mediation, wherein a mediator assists the complainant and the accused in reaching a mutual resolution in a case of sexual assault or sexual violence, has stumped college administrators and students alike.

The 2011 Dear Colleague Letter said [mediation] is not appropriate even on a voluntary basis, and now theyre saying it could be used, said Deputy Title IX coordinator Bailey Asberry.

Although the College will be looking into the implications of mediation as a practice for Title IX cases, Voos assured that the College will not actively pursue mediation. A formal notice-and-comment period is expected to soon follow the new regulations, during which the College will hopefully clarify the significance of the mediation provision.

In our policy [mediation] is just not available, and we wont use it for sexual violence, Voos said. The guidance is saying you could. So well think about that. At this point  we would still choose to not use mediation.

For student activists who have dedicated themselves to Title IX cases and survivors rights, the mediation provision is especially troubling. Leah Barr 18, a previous co-leader of Dissenting Voices who has done extensive research on the handling of Title IX cases at Grinnell College and Carleton College, explained why mediation has typically been strongly discouraged.

The fear for me in mediation is that the respondent and the complainant will have to be face to face, and you were not allowed to do that under the guidance from the Obama era, Barr said.

Although Barr was somewhat reassured by the Colleges memo reaffirming their dedication to the Obama-era guidance, she expressed concern that the Grinnell Title IX office was not following those measures in the first place.

I think they werent using that standard before, Barr said about the preponderance of the evidence standard in particular. I knew about specific cases where there was so much evidence and people were still not being found responsible. But at least the school is recognizing that like the standard of evidence is important.

In addition to the standard of evidence, Barr listed Grinnells failure to issue timely Clery warnings and Vooss additional position as Chief of Staff to the presidents office as examples of Grinnell Colleges failure to conform exactly to Obama-era Title IX guidance.

Should the DOE release mandatory new policy, the College will keep the campus community aware of any impacts to Title IX at Grinnell. In addition, the Grinnell Title IX office will soon be releasing an updated version of its Title IX policy, which does not make any policy changes but instead clarifies the adjudication and informal resolution process to the reader. This policy will be released as soon as an additional party has looked over and approved its contents.
By Gabe Loewenson



loewenso2@grinnell.edu

Wilson Okello, doctoral fellow and instructor at Miami University in Ohio, came to Grinnell on Thursday, Sept. 28 to give a convocation lecture about how to affect change in society and how to live in the wake of crisis.

Okello specializes in using poetry to generate critical self-reflection, inspire confidence and achieve agency. A large portion of his speech consisted of poetry rather than prose, and he often switched from one to another in the midst of discussing a particular topic. He especially focused on the importance of learning from the past in order to avoid repeating its mistakes.

One of the things I appreciate the most about literary minds is their ability to  provide us with rich archives to trace and visit, so that our future and our present need not be out of touch with the currents of our past.  As the old adage goes if you dont learn from your history then youre destined to repeat it.

Another primary talking point was the importance and the radical nature of defining oneself as one actually is, rather then what society expects one to be.

One of the most radical, one of the most profound things that we will ever do is to define ourselves in a world that has already determined who we are and what well do.

This year, a theme of many events by the office of intercultural affairs is the individual in comparison with the collective.

I met Wilson I want to say two years ago  he came to another institution that I was working at, and he came at a time when our students were very much trying to figure out what is my voice. Because there were a lot of different things that were happening and they were trying to find their voice, and we actually brought him to campus. The power that he had on  the way in which I saw students move afterwards, I thought, Grinnell definitely needs that.

Wilson said that he first obtained the idea to use poetry to inspire change about twelve years ago.

Twelve years ago, when I went on the mic the first time, at an open mic, that was the moment when I realized, this isnt just about me  that my public testimony could have a powerful influence on people who were here.

Although Wilson has not always written poetry, words have always been a valuable part of his life.

Ive always been interested in the arrangement of words and ideas, and the way they might be able to stir people,  but I dont know that I ever thought about what the oral tradition could do to evoke meaning for people. Thinking back, that time at open mic really brought close two ideas together for me: that writing didnt just have to be creative writing, but that it could do something powerful in this world. So long before [that first open mic] but that moment still has really important meaning for me.
RETURN OF THE ECONOMISTS

Is it the end of bureaucrats and politicians framing economic policy? You'd be excused if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's revival of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) on September 25 led you to think so. To be headed by Bibek Debroy, who was formerly part of NITI Aayog, and to include economists such as Ratan Watal, Rathin Roy, Surjit Bhalla and Ashima Goyal, the EAC might take over policy-making from both the finance ministry and NITI Aayog. It was Arvind Subramaniam, who recently got a year's extension as Chief Economic Advisor, who urged the PM to revive the EAC, an idea the NDA-II government had abandoned.

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BREAKFAST DIPLOMACY

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan to badminton star PV Sindhu, they have all sat around it - Pinarayi Vijayan's breakfast table at his official residence Cliff House. So where were the Kerala chief minister and his wife Kamala when Sheikh Sultan Muhammad Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah, where five million Malayalis have (presumably) paying jobs, came calling for a five-day official visit? Waiting at their breakfast table, of course.

SWEET TOUCH

Didi sure knows how to have people eating out of her hands. When she heard a team of diplomats was pandal-hopping in Kolkata in the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, Mamata Banerjee insisted they drop by at her modest two-room house in Kalighat. When they did, Mamata personally served them narkel naru, or coconut laddu for the uninitiated.

HEADLESS IN HYDERABAD

The occasion was to be a momentous one-the centenary of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in Hyderabad. But then Union health minister J.P. Nadda called off plans to visit NIN, ostensibly because he was dismayed to find the institute had not had a full-time head in the past five years. In fact, eight of 31 institutes under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) do not have a full-time director. No wonder a parliamentary committee noted that ICMR institutes together have only 43 patents and 1,685 papers published in the past two years.

LOYAL NO MORE?

In November 2015, Bihar Congress chief Ashok Choudhary preferred to receive Rahul Gandhi at the Patna airport first, escorting him to the venue before taking oath as education minister. Now, with some AICC leaders accusing him of splitting the party in favour of Nitish, Choudhary has asked the leadership whether it wants him to continue in the post. Looks like Rahul Gandhi may have to visit Patna again.

(Sandeep Unnithan with Anshuman Tiwari, Amarnath K. Menon, Jeemon Jacob, Romita Datta, Amitabh Srivastava)

--- ENDS ---
The gait of technology in the last decade has seen a greater rise, signifying the future as prophesied by George Orwell in his famous novel 1984. Otherwise called as the Midas touch, anything touched upon by technology undergoes rapid transformation and the sector of legal advice and assistance has been no stranger to it.

The services were never considered as an industry, as it only constituted of work offered by lawyers to clients. Yet, the technological influence has helped the sector gain an industry status in itself. These are no longer restricted to person-to-person, but come armed with an intermediary who acts as a service provider connecting the clients to lawyers, pumping in several benefits to both parties in the transaction. The rapid evolution of technology has helped law firms to provide better, faster and affordable service to their clients.

Several of the leading law firms have recognised this and are investing substantial amount of money and resources in developing client facing digital workspaces and collaborative applications to implement this practice. Technology and digitalisation have left a piercing impact on the way people consult lawyers, avail legal advice and administer contracts, documents and all corporate necessities. Any person with access to Internet connection can visit the websites of online legal platforms, and choose lawyers at his/her discretion.

Apart from providing the option to choose, it significantly decreases the timeframe while eliminating the requirement of personal meeting with lawyers and replacing it with the simpler process of posting an online query. Although it would be presumptuous to assume a complete transformation, it is certain that a bracing change has taken over the way legal consultation is done in India, although at a gradual pace. An increase in awareness amongst people is inevitable, and the benefit accrues to those who require legal assistance at a location different from where they are.

Online assistance has come especially to the aid of overseas clients in matters like disposing of property, without having to come down solely for that purpose. Same goes for those caught up in busy schedules of work, but requiring legal assistance in drafting a notice, reviewing their contractual agreement, or looking to buy property; all they need to do is approach a reliable online legal platform, and thereon rest assured that the latter would take care of all the rest. Technology has taught humans to seek assistance at every juncture of life and same holds true for legal sector. Integration of technology widens the scope of its functioning opening a plethora of avenues that previously was not possible.

Initiatives taken by online legal platforms in spreading awareness amongst people, while bringing legal aid to their fingertips helps in quick resolution of legal problems. This is leading to greater democratisation of the industry and the constant search for better and more efficient ways of providing legal services. These trends are bound to continue as legal resources and intelligence are becoming increasingly accessible through various technological advances which will lead to relentless changes in configurations and reconfigurations.

(The writer is founder, Legal Resolved)
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia conducted a raid at municipal school in Kalyanpuri late on Thursday night after receiving complaints that the guard had been renting out classrooms at night. The two persons who were found staying at the school illegally during the raid were arrested by the police.

Addressing a press conference, Sisodia expressing his dismay said that he has directed the chief secretary to investigate the entire matter with the help of municipal commissioner and submit a report. The Minister said that he has also directed the education secretary to check all schools in the city to make sure that such thing is not repeated anywhere else.

Sisodia, who holds the Education portfolio, said that it is gross violation of safety norms and the government will not tolerate such acts that put students life in danger.

It is a serious matter. Two unidentified men were found living in the classrooms for the last three to four months during night. They were even cooking food inside the classroom, he said, adding that it is not possible that the school authorities were not aware of such happening.

I have information that the same is happening in few other schools as well, Sisodia said.

Sisodia accompanied by AAP councillor Kuldeep Kumar from Kalyanpuri ward along with the local police, searched the entire school premises and caught the two people living in the classrooms.

The Minister also uploaded the videos of the raid on micro-blogging site Twitter. The videos show clothes laid out on benches, while cooking gas, bag of sharp carpenter tools and other food items strewn on the floor.

The Delhi government has already conducted a massive police verification of all the staff in both government and private schools after the heinous killing of a seven-year-old schoolboy at neighbouring Gurgaons Ryan International school followed by a rape of a five-year-old girl at a private school in northeast Delhi.

Sisodia said during his meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, he told him that the police has already completed verification of 20,000 staff working in various schools in the capital.
Six people were arrested after a Delhi-based woman lodged a complaint with the police alleging that she was raped by 23 men on the outskirts of Bikaner, the police said on Friday.

According to police officials at the Jain Narayan Vyas Police Station, the Delhi-based woman filed a complaint on 27 September stating that she was allegedly raped by 23 men after being abducted from Bikaner-Jaipur highway, where she had gone to attend on a property she owns.

The woman originally hails from Kerala and lives in Delhi with her husband. She often visits Bikaner to trade in bangles and claimed to have bought a plot there two years ago, SP Bikaner Swai Singh Godara said.

Two of the six men arrested have divulged crucial details in the case, the SP claimed.

The six accused were identified as Bhanwar Lal (27), Subhash Lal (27), Manoj Ram (23), Raju Ram (20), Madan Lal (22) and Jugal Kishore (24) of Bikaner district, he said.

DSP Sadar Rajendra Singh, said, Those arrested will be produced before the court today.

A few more arrests are likely in the case, he added.

According to the First Information of Report (FIR), the woman while waiting for a transport at the outskirts of Bikaner, two men in a car abducted her and allegedly raped her multiple times.

The men then called six more people who took turns to assault and rape her. She was then taken to a government building in Palana village, where more men sexually assaulted her.

In her police complaint, the woman has alleged that about 23 men raped her and they later dumped her at the same location from where she was abducted on September 26.

An FIR was lodged at Jai Narayan Vyas Colony police station under Indian Penal Code sections 376 D (gangrape), 366 (kidnapping), 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

The woman has recognised two suspects and we have arrested them along with four other suspects, the police said.

Further investigations are underway in the case, the police said.

(With agency inputs)
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Effectively combating terrorism was one of the major focus areas during the talks Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah had with Indian leaders as both sides emphasised the need to dismantle terror safe havens in the region.

Abdullah, who arrived here yesterday, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during which a wide-range of issues were discussed.

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"India and Afghanistan condemned the continuing acts of terror and violence in Afghanistan, including the recent attack at the Kabul airport which had delayed the arrival of Dr Abdullah to India," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He said both sides asserted that terror safe havens and sanctuaries need to be dismantled.

Kumar said both sides positively assessed the recent developments in bilateral relations, including the outcomes of the recently concluded meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council on September 11, which was co-chaired by the foreign ministers of the two countries.

India had already announced that it will implement 116 development projects in Afghanistan.

"The New Development Partnership was described as paving the way for the new generation partnership in development cooperation between the two countries," Kumar said.

In the talks, the Indian leadership reiterated New Delhis support for all efforts to build a stable, secure, peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, he said.

A Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation on police training and development was signed and formally exchanged at the meeting between the Chief Executive and the Prime Minister.

"This has created an enabling framework for training and capacity building of Afghan National Police personnel in various fields in addition to Indias ongoing assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces," said Kumar.

He said trade and economic cooperation was also the focus of discussions and that better connectivity was emphasised upon by both the sides

"In this context, both sides expressed determination to strengthen the Air Freight Corridor and also welcomed the steps being taken to operationalise the Chahbahar port, including the forthcoming supply of wheat to Afghanistan from October 2017," he said.

Kumar said Afghanistan was invited to participate in the International Solar Alliance Summit Meeting being held in India in December 2017. PTI MPB TIR

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences to the families of the people who died in Mumbai stampede and also prayed for speedy recovery of injured persons on Friday.

In a tweet, Bengal CM said Saddened at the loss of lives in Mumbai. Prayers for the injured to recover. Condolences to the families who lost loved ones.

Saddened at the loss of lives in Mumbai. Prayers for the injured to recover. Condolences to the families who lost loved ones  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 29, 2017

At least 22 persons were killed in a stampede on a narrow railway foot-over bridge connecting the Parel-Elphinstone Road stations of Western Railway in Mumbai on Friday morning.

The cause of the stampede was not known, but eyewitnesses claimed that a sudden rumour of a suspected electrical short-circuit sparked off a panic.

(With agency inputs)
he Delhi High Court has reduced the jail term of a man convicted for kidnapping and raping a minor girl in view of her testimony that he had physical relations with her consent.

Justice Pratibha Rani handed the man five years jail term for raping the 14-year-old girl, reducing the sentence of seven years awarded by a trial court.

The court absolved him of charges of kidnapping on the ground that both of them were staying together at Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, from where the mans father brought them to Delhi and produced them before the investigating officer (IO).

Neither of them tried to run away anywhere except to settle at the native place of the appellant nor showed any resistance when father of the appellant wanted them to accompany him and produced them before the IO as an FIR was registered in this case.

Thus, it is a case where no offence of kidnapping can be said to have been proved against the appellant. Hence, he is acquitted of the above charges, it said.

The man had moved the high court against the trial courts May 2016 verdict.

Opposing his appeal, the Delhi Police counsel had said that the girl being minor at that time, her consent, if any, was immaterial.

The police had also submitted that during her examination before the court she had specifically stated that the physical relations with her were without her consent.

Whereas, the man had claimed that the girl left the house as her father wanted to sell her to some other person but she was in love with him.

Fearing that she might be sold to a stranger, she left her house of her own to perform nikaah with the man and had consented to have physical relations with him, the convicts counsel had submitted in the high court.

To this, the high court observed that the girls statement before the court was in contrast to her version before the magistrate.

Referring to her statement before the magisterial court, the high court observed that she had stated that she had physical relations with him with her consent and wanted to live with him but her parents were against the nikaah.

They had even gone to the court but she being below 18 years of age, their court marriage could not be solemnised.

She specifically stated that physical relations were made by the appellant/accused with her consent.

In the facts and circumstances of the case and the view taken by the coordinate benches of this court in the decisions referred to above, while maintaining the sentence of fine of Rs 2,000, the substantive sentence of seven years awarded to the appellant for committing the offence under section 376 (rape) of IPC is reduced to five years, the court said.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said he had called a meeting of all four BJP MLAs in Delhi to discuss a Bill meant to regularize guest teachers.

Sisodia tweeted that he had sent out the invitations to the BJP leader in the House, Vijender Gupta, and his three colleagues to discuss the Guest Teachers Regularization Bill at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, the Delhi Cabinet had approved the Bill to make 15,000 guest teachers in government schools permanent. It is to be taken up at a special session of the Delhi Assembly on October 4.

But the Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered status quo till October 11, the next day of hearing on a petition filed on the teachers appointment.

A Delhi government official said that the Assembly will discuss whether the court order will affect the Bills implementation.

The Bhratiya Janata Party is the only opposition in the 70-member Delhi Assembly where the Aam Aadmi Party has an overwhelming majority.
India will host the 14th India-European Union (EU) Summit in New Delhi on 6 October that will see the two sides declaring their resolve to combat terrorism and intensifying economic cooperation.

The summit will be attended by European Council President Donald Franciszek Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

According to a statement of Ministry of External Affairs, Tusk and Juncker will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini.

An India-EU Business event will also be organised on the sidelines of the Summit with Juncker as the keynote speaker on October 6, the statement said.

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will lead the Indian delegation at the summit.

The summit could see the PM taking up bilateral and global issues including the situation in Afghanistan, North Koreas missile programme and the Rohingya crisis with the EU.

India and the EU will also review the progress in the negotiations over a free trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated by the two sides for over a decade.

The 13th India-EU Summit was held in Brussels on March 30, 2016.

(With agency inputs)
The BSF on Friday denounced the killing of two of its troops by Pakistani snipers along the Jammu and Kashmir border, officials said, adding Pakistan Rangers promised to maintain peace on the troubled frontier.

The Border Security Force lodged its complain at a meeting of its sector commanders with those of Pakistan Rangers on the international border in Suchetgarh area of Jammu district.

The meeting lasted one hour and 45 minutes and was held at the request of Pakistan Rangers, a BSF statement said.

At the meeting, the BSF strongly objected to the dastardly acts of sniping by Pakistan Rangers of two BSF soldiers on September 24 and August 25 along the border security fence and the unprovoked cross-border firing and shelling on many Indian border villages.

The BSF officers made it clear that such provocative acts wont be tolerated and that the BSF shall respond with equal and more measures.

They also strongly objected to allowing armed militants close to the international border at night so that they could sneak into Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan Rangers (promised to take) required measures to maintain peace at the border and also requested that the BSF should restrain as much as possible in counter measures to see that no civilian loss is caused on the Pakistan side, the statement said.

The two sides decided to re-energize instant communication between field commanders, when required, to resolve petty matters.

The BSF said the meeting was held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere and both sides agreed to expeditiously implement the decisions taken in the earlier meetings and promised to maintain peace on the border.

The BSF delegation of 17 officers was led by P.S. Dhiman, the Deputy Inspector General of Jammu sector. Brigadier Amjad Hussain, Sector Commander of Chenab Rangers led a delegation of 14 Pakistani officers.

The previous meeting of sector commanders was held on March 9.

Fridays meeting follows heavy shelling and firing on the international border this month in which the BSF gave strong calibrated reply to Pakistan Rangers.

During this period, the BSF foiled successfully a number of infiltration attempts from Pakistan soil including killing of an intruder on September 4 in Arnia sector, it said.
The surgical strike carried out in 2016 across the LoC in Pakistan-administered Kashmir was aimed to deter (the enemy), and it was a success since there has not been any major incident since then, former Army chief General Dalbir Singh said on Friday.

Singh headed the Indian Army when the surgical strikes were carried out along the Myanmar border in 2015, and later across the Line of Control on September 28-29 night in 2016. He gave credit for the decisive stand on the strike to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What is the aim of a surgical strike? First, that we cause casualty, much more, manifold, than what they caused to our brave soldiers it was also to make sure we create a sense of insecurity that they are themselves insecure in their own land, Singh said on the sidelines of the launch of book Securing India The Modi Way by Nitin A. Gokhale.

What is also important is the impact of such strike. The impact of these strikes is deterrence  in the last one year we did not have any major terror incident, the retired General said.

It was a very bold decision of the Prime Minister to approve the surgical strike. So, the credit firstly goes to our Prime Minister for the strike, he said.

The credit also goes to my able commanders and brave soldiers who executed these surgical strikes. I would say we are grateful to the Prime Minister for reposing faith and confidence in the Indian Army and we lived up to his expectations. With these surgical strikes, Indias image has gone very high, national as well as internationally, Singh said.

The September 28-29 night strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir came after a terror attack at an Indian Army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 19 soldiers were killed.

In June 2015, the Indian Army carried out the surgical strike along the India-Myanmar border on camps of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) militants, days after an ambush in which terrorists killed 18 Army men in Manipur.
On the first anniversary of Indias surgical strike in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to target terror launch pads, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Friday review the the preparedness of the soldiers on borders and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sitharaman will visit Srinagar on Friday and Siachen on Saturday, officials had said on Thursday.

Defence Minister will visit Srinagar on September 29 and Siachen on September 30. During her visit, she will meet senior commanders and take stock of security situation, an official statement said.

Sources in the ministry said Sitharaman will visit forward posts on the line of control (LoC) in the Valley, the line of actual control (LAC) between India and China in the Ladakh region and the Siachen Glacier  worlds highest battle field at an altitude 5,400 metres during the visit.

Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat is likely to accompany the Defence Minister during her J&K visit, sources said.

She will also review the security situation in the valley with top army commanders focusing on anti-militancy operations those have taken a heavy toll of militants during the recent months.

Almost all top commanders of various militant outfits have been eliminated since operation All Out was started by the security forces.

Anti-militancy operations will be reviewed by the defence ministry during her stay in the state, sources said

Since her appointment on 3 September, Sitharaman has regularly interacted with the soldiers and officers of the armed forces with her visits to the headquarters of western Command at Chandimandir military station, the field firing range in Pokhran and the Goa naval area among others.

(With inputs from agencies)
President Ram Nath Kovind will be visiting Ethiopia from 4-6 Octoberhis maiden trip abroad as President, officials said on Friday.

Highlighting that this will be the first visit by an Indian President to Ethiopia after 54 years, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Ethiopia was the largest recipient of concession by India.

This is the first overseas visit of President Kovind and the first visit to Ethiopia by an Indian President in 54 years, Joint Secretary of MEA, Neena Malhotra said.

Ethiopia is the largest recipient of concession by India. We have given $ 1 Bn concession to Ethiopia in three sugar projects, she added.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its nod for signing an agreement with Ethiopia on cooperation in the field of information, communication and media.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer of Western Railways in the stampede at Parel railway station that has claimed 22 lives.

Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge. Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways, Goyal tweeted.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured persons, he said in another tweet.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Goyal would himself monitor the situation closely.

My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured, Modi tweeted.

Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance, he added.

At least 22 people lost their lives in a stampede that occurred on a foot-over bridge at Parel railway station in Mumbai, police said on Friday adding that 30 people were injured.

The accident occurred on the bridge connecting Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations at around 10.30 am during peak rush hour, police added.

The cause of the stampede on the narrow footover bridge was not known, but eyewitnesses claimed that a sudden rumour of a suspected electrical short-circuit sparked off a panic.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said government officers should never harbour ego and utilise the opportunity to serve the humanity.

Addressing the probationers at the Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, Singh said: As officers you should never harbour ego. Ego is like a decimal point which if added before a number reduces the value of that number.

God has given you this opportunity to serve the humanity and common citizens of this country. You should empathise with those who come to you with their problems. You should not try to postpone the resolution of their problems, he added.

He further said that the officers can be an inspiration for others if they adhere to high moral values.

You will become role model for others only when you adhere to high moral values. You should always be cautious in public life, he said.

I am confident that you will be able to help in realising our Prime Ministers dream of New India, added Singh.

You need to work hard to help the people. You have to create a sense of confidence among the people with your hard work, he said further.
"We should turn the old page and start a new chapter with the same pace and same direction," said Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui, at an event commemorating the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

By Geeta Mohan: The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi celebrated the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Friday, just weeks after the resolution of the Doklam border stand-off.

The celebratory mood was incomparable. Embassy staff, including Ambassador Luo Zhaohui's wife, danced to Hindi and Bollywood numbers. Indian classical dancers danced to the tune of Chinese music.

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Luo Zhaohui said in his remarks that India and China "should dance together. We should "make one plus one eleven"."

The message was certainly not lost on anyone.

Zhaohui said the message from the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xiamen, China, was one of "reconciliation" and "cooperation".

He said New Delhi and Beijing "should turn the old page and start a new chapter with the same pace and same direction."

CHINA PITCHES FOR BULLET TRAINS

Speaking on the importance of trade and cooperation in international and regional affairs, the envoy emphasised joint efforts and a focus on cooperation to "handle the difference properly, enhance mutual trust, and move forward our relations to a new height,"

Luo Zhaohui also made a strong pitch for Chinese high-speed trains. This comes after India signed one of the biggest contracts for high-speed rail or bullet trains with Japan.

He said that right now, "the world is talking about China's four inventions", referring to the high speed train from Beijing to Shanghai (hose speed was increased from 300 to 350 kmph), Alipay (similar to PayTM in India), bicycle-sharing and online shopping.

Ambassador Zhaohui highlighted the fact that China is the second largest economy in the world and "everyone is working hard to make life better and make more dreams come true."

ZHAOHUI IN PUDUCHERRY

China and India's cultural and academic ties are well known and historic.

Zhaohui said he visited Puducherry last week because one of his teachers, Professor Xu Fancheng, lived in the Aurobindo Ashram and was one of the "bridges between our two nations."

VIDEO: Earlier this month, the five-member BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping issued a declaration that for the first time highlighted its shared concerns on terrorism emanating from Pakistan-based terror groups.

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Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Defence Minister, held hour long discussions with Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar on Friday.

Accompanied by Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat, she was received by the Governor on her arrival at the Raj Bhavan.

Governor and Sitharaman discussed several important inter-related issues concerning effective management of internal and external security, particularly in the context of increasing attempts at infiltration, the ongoing anti-terrorist operations, and sustained terrorist attacks on Security Forces personnel in the Valley.

Among the various matters discussed with her, the Governor stressed the crucial need for urgent enlargement of Border Roads Organisation and very significant strengthening of its resources for ensuring the maintenance of vital road networks and strategic connectivity in J&K, particularly in the Ladakh region.

The Governor also sought Sitharamans personal intervention for the return of certain pockets of land to the State Government which were no longer required for military purposes, about which he had earlier held meetings with former Army Chief and Defence minister.

He informed Sitharaman that despite the increasing activities along the International Border and LoC the officers and men of the Army, particularly of the Chinar Corps, had been discharging their duties with exceptional devotion, under very difficult circumstances.

He also lauded the Northern Armys working in total coordination with the Civil Administration, State Police and Central Armed Forces.
In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday expressed the hope that the United Nations would take a categorical stand against terrorism and isolate countries that fund and harbour terrorists.

He also said that terror had no religion, but religion is being used to influence young minds, and the world should take a stand against it.

I am happy that the issue of terrorism is at the forefront of the governments foreign policy world over. Now, everybody is realising the pain. I hope the United Nations will take a categorical stand against terrorism and countries which are aiding, funding, training and harbouring terrorists. They (the countries) should be discouraged and identified, and the world should isolate them, the Vice President said, at the launch of a book Securing India The Modi Way written by Nitin A. Gokhale.

Naidu said that India was earlier struck with terrorism with lot of pain caused by meaningless and absurd policies of others. Now, those countries are also affected, the West, the Europe and others. They are now feeling the pain with a broad consensus emerging.

He also sought some major steps against terrorism and securing of the border in the interest of security and development of the nation.

If there is tension inside or on the border, there cannot be attention on development. Please understand. Tension and attention cannot go together. You must have attention towards development which is expected from a government in a democratic country.

It is not only simply securing the border for nation but also securing the citizen for their right and bettering their livelihood opportunities, providing them enough opportunities worldwideIf you want to focus on development then you need to really divert your attention from those (terrorism). If you want to divert the attention, you must have to secure your border, the Vice President said.

He also said that terror did not have any caste, creed or religion, but religion is being used to influence young minds.

Terrorism has no religion, unfortunately some people are trying to link up terror to religion by their own narrow political intent. It has to be understood terrorism has no religion, it has no creed, it has no sex also, there are even women terrorists also.

Religion is used to influence, to mislead the younger generation we should be wary of this and we should educate the younger people what are the evils of terrorism, how much it costs. Every country should speak in one voice, and political parties within the country also speak in one voice, they should not try to score brownie political points, Naidu added.

The book, which was released by Naidu, has contains inside stories of the two surgical strikes in Myanmar and across LoC, the attack on the Pathankot airbase, the recent stand-off between India and China at Doklam, and an overall analysis of Indias security policy under the Modi government.
Doctors say that one in five women suffer from UTI at least once in their lifetime. The risk prevails right from birth  paediatricians often advise parents to look out for their baby girls from contacting UTI.

In women, the urethra is shorter than in men, and is closer to the anal opening. So they are more prone to infections, urologist Jaswant Patil said. Improper cleaning techniques and exposure in an unhygienic swimming pool can increase chances of infection, he added.

Gynaecologist Priti Vyas said chances of UTI increase with advancing age. More women than men suffer from UTI and the numbers do not neutralise with age. In fact, as women reach peri-menopausal and menopausal stage, their estrogen levels in the vagina dips, thereby making the urethra more prone to catching urinary tract infection, Vyas told this correspondent.

Similarly, lower estrogen levels in the very young makes baby girls more susceptible to such infections.

Clothes can also play a big role in making for a perfect breeding ground for infections. Gynaecologist Ranjana Das said that tight clothing that traps moisture increases chances of UTI.

We see a lot of young college-going girls complaining of UTI. Wearing tight-fitting jeans that go unwashed for days is a big culprit because it does not allow ventilation and makes a conducive environment for bacterial growth. Using unclean washrooms is another reason, the doctor said.

Avoiding public washrooms may not be possible, especially while travelling or at work. Even so, a lot of people, especially women, hold their urine for a long time when faced with the prospect of using public loos. This, Vyas said, also leads to UTI. Hence many people are now opting to carry toilet seat sanitisers.

Vikas Bagaria and his wife Srijana, co-founders of one such product, PeeSafe, said that they realised its need after Srijana was hospitalised with a high-grade fever and acute UTI while on a road-trip.

We had to cut-short the road-trip in Rajkot and fly back to Delhi where Srijana was hospitalised. It was then she thought of a product that would keep women safe while using public washrooms, Vikas said. They discussed the idea, and he finally came up with the product that is now exported to different countries like Australia, Nigeria, Kenya and Singapore.

Coming back to clothing, Patil also said that tight clothes compromise blood circulation which leads to lowering of local immunity and makes one prone to infections. Women with menstrual problems are more prone and should be cautious, he added.

Nylon undergarments should also be avoided.

To tackle the problem or keep risk at bay, doctors advise consumption of plenty of fluids  although one may not feel as thirsty during the monsoon  and alkaline food like fruits, vegetables and legumes. In hot and humid weather, the urine becomes more acidic and concentrated, and therefore chances of inflammatory UTI and then secondary infection spikes, which fluids can help avoid.

Vyas also has a word of advice against certain products. Female hygiene sprays, scented douches and scented bath products can sometimes cause severe inflammation and irritation; so they should be avoided, she said.
Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday challenged the verdict of an anti-terrorism court in the assassination case of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, arguing that the two guilty policemen as well as the five men acquitted of all charges deserve capital punishment.

The anti-terrorism court in its August 31 verdict had acquitted five Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan suspects and announced 17-year imprisonment for two former police officers.

The court had also declared former President Pervez Musharraf an absconder in the case.

The FIA moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the sentence through two separate petitions submitted on Friday. The counsel for the agency also said that the anti-terrorism court passed the verdict in a hurry without fulfilling legal requirements, Dawn online reported.

According to the petition, the two police officers  former Rawalpindi Central Police Office Saud Aziz and former Rawalpindi Town Superintendent Khurram Shahzad  were sentenced under only two clauses each, whereas several other clauses, including terrorism, were also part of the case.

The petition said that the 17-year imprisonment for the two police officials was much less than what they deserved, demanding capital punishment for them.

The second petition stated that the five accused who were set free had also confessed to their involvement before a magistrate, so they also deserved rigorous sentences.

Bhutto, the Pakistan Peoples Party chief and a two-time Prime Minister, was killed along with 21 people in a gun-and-bomb attack outside Rawalpindis Liaquat Bagh during an election campaign rally on December 27, 2007.

The FIA asked the LHC to overturn the anti-terrorism courts decision and the court, accepting the petition, will hear the case on October 2.

PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari also challenged the anti-terrorism courts verdict in LHCs Rawalpindi bench earlier this month, seeking death penalty for Musharraf and the two senior police officers.

A bench will hear Zardaris appeals on November 27.
A Chinese envoy to the UN on Thursday called for patience with the situation in Myanmars Rakhine State, saying the issue is rooted in a nexus of complex historical, ethnic and religious factors.

Many of the differences and antagonisms have been building up over a long time. There is no quick fix, Wu Haitao, Chinas deputy permanent representative said.

China condemns the recent violent attacks in Rakhine State and supports Myanmars effort to keep its domestic situation stable, he said.

We sincerely hope that order will prevail again as soon as possible so that no more harm will come to the innocent civilians, and so that social stability, unity among ethnic groups and economic development in Myanmar will be sustained, he added.

Wu asked the international community to view the difficulties and challenges confronting the Myanmar government through objective optics, exercise patience, and provide support and help.

A viable solution will be one that goes in tandem with the reconciliation process in Myanmar, said Wu.

China has taken note of a series of measures taken by the Myanmar government to ease tension in Rakhine and restore stability. The measures are conducive to a search for a long-term solution to the issue, he said.

As we speak, the situation on the ground is beginning to move toward stability. All parties should work constructively to help reinforce this momentum, de-escalate the situation and alleviate the humanitarian condition step by step, said Wu.

China is ready to work with all parties concerned to contribute to the restoration of order and the return of peace and stability in Rakhine State, he said.

China commends Bangladeshs efforts to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground and welcomes the Myanmar governments cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international bodies in humanitarian operations, said Wu.

The international community should encourage dialogue and communication between Myanmar and Bangladesh so that they can properly address the mass exodus of Muslim populations seeking refuge in Bangladesh and find a once-and-for-all solution, he said.

China, as a friendly neighbuor both to Myanmar and Bangladesh, has been actively engaging with both countries to influence them positively and encourage them to address the issue through dialogue and consultation, he said.

China has provided and will continue to provide assistance to accommodate the displaced people, he said
The Hindus in Nagaland are celebrating Durga Puja with religious fervour and fanfare while worshippers are thronging the pandals to offer prayers to the goddess.

Magnificently decorated puja pandals have been erected  especially in Kohima and Dimapur  the two districts having sizeable population of Hindus from the rest of India.

Several cultural programmes are also being held in the puja pandals surrounded by stalls selling sweets and other savouries.

The Gorkha Public Panchayat, Kohima, organised the festivities at Chandmari ground, while observing the great sacrificial day or Mahabali, on Friday.

On the occasion, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya extended puja and dussehra greetings to the people of the state.

The festival signifies virtue to fight against all evils and the triumph of righteousness over evil, said the governor in his message.

The festival embodies the power ethical and moral value systems that are embedded in our culture and tradition, he said

It is the foundation for peace, prosperity and amity in the society, the governor said while expressing hope that Durga Puja and Dussehra will inspire all to follow the path of virtue and usher in place and happiness.
Thailands former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was currently in London and seeking political asylum in the UK, an informed source from her Pheu Thai Party has confirmed.

Thailands Supreme Court convicted Yingluck on Wednesday of dereliction of duty over a controversial rice subsidy programme and sentenced her to five years in prison. The scheme cost the country billions of dollars, reports CNN.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Yingluck was in hiding in Dubai, where her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, another former Prime minister, lives in exile.

But the Pheu Thai Party source told CNN on Thursday night that Yingluck left Dubai for London two weeks ago.

The UKs Home Office, which deals with asylum applications, told CNN it does not comment on individual cases.

Having already fled the country, Yingluck was not present for the verdict and sentencing.

Yingluck  ousted by a military coup in 2014  had been barred from leaving Thailand without court approval since 2015, when her trial started.

Her bail of 30 million baht ($900,000), posted when the trial began more than two years ago, has been confiscated.

When she was inaugurated in 2011, Yingluck became Thailands first female Prime Minister and its youngest in over 60 years.

After the 2014 coup, she was impeached by Thailands military-appointed National Legislative Assembly, CNN reported.

The ruling barred her from political office for five years.

Yingluck was investigated by Thailands National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) amid an outcry over the rice subsidy scandal, and put on trial. Proceedings have lasted more than two years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Ankara on Thursday for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on issues of bilateral ties, Syria and Iraq.

The two leaders held face-to-face talks late Thursday at the presidential compound in Ankara.

They were expected to discuss topics related to the bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, especially the Syria and Iraq issues, Xinhua reported.

The de-escalation zones in Syria established after the recent Astana talks, the independence referendum by the Kurds in northern Iraq, and the fight against Islamic State (IS) will be on top of their agenda, an official statement said.

Putin was welcomed by Erdogan on Thursday afternoon with an official ceremony at the presidential compound.

The two presidents were also scheduled to hold a joint press conference after the talks.

The Turkey-Russia ties have grown closer recently as Ankaras relations with the US and Europe are strained due to differences on human rights amid the Wests criticism of Erdogans crackdown on dissidents following last years failed coup.

Though being a NATO member, Turkey signed a deal recently with Russia to buy the S-400 air-defence systems, in a move that has angered the US and other NATO allies.
Turkey and Russia confirmed on Thursday to continue close cooperation for solution of Syrian dispute and the two countries will focus on confidence building measures as part of Astana process.

We have decided to work intensely on de-escalation zones in Idlib, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Turkey and Russia have repeated their joint will for political resolution of the Syrian problem, he noted.

His Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin said both leaders have discussed coordination of joint steps aiming to solve the Syrian crisis.

We have agreed to jointly work on the implementation of the de-escalation zones, Putin stressed, informing that diplomats, intelligence and military officials from Russia, Turkey and Iran will continue to work to this end.

He applauded Erdogans efforts for realising cease-fire over Astana process.

The process was difficult for all parties of the Syrian dispute and for the guarantor countries, but an important success was achieved by Erdogans initiatives, Putin said.

Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the boost of bilateral trade volume in 2017, which has risen by 22 per cent in 8 months of this year. The number of Russian tourists to Turkey increased 11 times in comparison to last year.

We have removed almost all trade restrictions on Turkish agricultural products. The export of Turkish agricultural products to Russia increased 58 per cent in the first half of 2017, Putin said.

Erdogan said that Turkey and Russia aimed to reach $100 billion trade in the near future.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) It is time India and China turn the old page and start a new chapter, Chinese envoy to India, Luo Zhaohui said today, adding the countries have made a lot of progress at bilateral level.

He said Chinese President Xi Jinping met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen earlier this month, and the two leaders sent a clear message of "reconciliation" and "cooperation".

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"We should turn the old page and start a new chapter with the same pace and direction. We should dance together. We should make one plus one eleven. China is the largest trading partner of India. We have made a lot of progress at the bilateral level, as well as in international and regional affairs," Luo said.

The Chinese envoy was speaking on the 68th anniversary of founding of the Peoples Republic of China.

His comments come in the backdrop of the disengagement of Chinese and Indian troops in Dokalam, where the army of the two nations were locked in a stand-off for over two months.

India and China, who went to war in 1962, share an uneasy relationship with territorial dispute being a major bone of contention between the two countries.

The Chinese diplomat also recalled one of his teachers, Prof Xu Fancheng, who lived in Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry from 1945 to 1978. Xu is known for his work of translating Upanishad, Bhagawad Gita and Shakuntala from Sanskrit to Chinese.

"In our bilateral engagement, there have been thousands of prominent persons like Prof Xu Fancheng, (Buddhist monk) Bodhidharma, Faxian (a Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled to India in the 3rd century) and Rabindranath Tagore.

"We should never forget their contribution and legacies. The history could do a lot of things. Standing on their shoulders, we should do more today," Luo said.

The Chinese envoy added that the speed of Chinese high speed trains from Beijing to Shanghai was increased from 300 kmph to 350 kmph two weeks ago.

"We have started the feasibility study of hyper loop trains at the speed of 1,000 to 4,000 kmph," he said.

He added that the high speed trains were one of the four latest inventions of China. PTI PR SRY

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) India and the European Union will hold their 14th summit talks on October 6 during which both sides are expected to discuss a host of key issues including ways to remove hurdles for the long-pending free trade agreement.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MAE) said the president of the European Council, Donald Franciszek Tusk, and the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, will be here on a working visit from October 5-7 for the summit.

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President Tusk and President Juncker will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

"The 14th India-EU Summit aims to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and advance collaboration in priority areas for Indias growth and development," said Kumar.

The EU is Indias largest regional trading partner with bilateral trade in goods at USD 88 billion in 2016.

The EU is also the largest destination for Indian exports and a key source of investment and technologies.

India received around USD 83 billions of foreign direct investment from Europe during 2000-17 which constituted approximately 24 per cent of the total FDI inflows into the country during the period, said Kumar.

India and the EU have been strategic partners since 2004. The 13th India-EU Summit was held in Brussels on March 30 last year during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit.

The summit last year had failed to make any headway on resumption of long stalled negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Launched in June 2007, the negotiations for the proposed EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) have witnessed many hurdles with both sides having major differences on crucial issues like intellectual property rights, duty cut in automobile and spirits.

The issue is likely to figure during the upcoming summit talks. PTI MPB RT

--- ENDS ---
The Congress on Friday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as synonyms of economic mismanagement.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "The truth is people are tired of Modinomics and Jaitleynomics, because they have wrecked India's economy. Now the economic mismanagement has become synonymous with Prime Minister Modi and Jaitley."

Reacting to the finance minister's remarks on BJP veteran Yashwant Sinha, Surjewala said the former's statements were marked with disdain, arrogance and 'jumlas'.

"What the finance minister said today was merely, arrogantly mocking at his predecessor Yaswant Sinha, who is the senior party leader of the BJP," he said.

Taking on Jaitley over the present economic crisis, the Congress leader said, "He did not utter a single word about jobs, about GDP growth that is reducing from 9 to 5.7 per cent, about falling exports, about falling investments, credit growth, about revenue being collected from petro taxes."

"The entire country hopes that the prime minister and the Union finance minister would provide a meaningful way out of the economic crisis and economic downturn that is hurting India's economy on account of their mismanagement and complete dejection of economy," he added.

Meanwhile, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken expressed happiness over Yashwant Sinha's remark over state of economy.

A day after Sinha castigated Finance Minister Jaitley of making a mess of the Indian economy; the latter on Thursday defended the government policies and said he does not have the luxury of being a former finance minister.
In a tragic development, 22 commuters lost lives following a stampede at Elphinstone road railway bridge in Mumbai.

A spell of very heavy rain is said to have caused rumours of a short circuit among thousands of commuters who were on the railway bridge after alighting the suburban railway network. The rumours led to a stampede as everyone made a rush to escape from the bridge. At the time of filing this report, 22 commuters had lost lives and 40 more were rushed to nearby KEM hospital with serious injuries. Bodies of 17 were identified. Among the dead 14 are men and the rest are women.

According to Sada Sarvankar, local Shiv Sena legislator who was among the first to visit the accident spot along with Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, there were rumours of short circuit and bridge collapse which caused major panic among commuters.

To understand the scale of this tragic incident, one has to first understand the design of Elphinstone Road and Parel railway stations on western and central railway, respectively. A single bridge links the northern end of western railways' Elphinstone Road station and southern end of Parel railway station of the central railway. Thousands of commuters use this bridge daily as many prominent office complexes like One Indiabulls, Indiabulls Financial Centre and group headquarters of Motilal Oswal are situated nearby.

Elphinstone Road has just two platforms and only slow trains stop at this station. Similarly, Parel, too, is mainly the halt station for central railway's slow trains. The bridge is very narrow and the staircases are narrow, too. In peak office hours, the stations and the bridge are choc-a-bloc with people. Incidents like asthma attacks are routine for commuters on the bridge because of crowding.

Today, prior to the incident, four slow trains came to Parel and Elphinstone Road railway stations, simultaneously. Two of the trains were travelling to CSMT and Churchgate stations, while the other two were going in the northern direction to suburbs on central and western railway. Due to heavy rain in the morning, the bridge was already crowded with commuters waiting for the rain to stop. Passengers from the four trains also started waiting on the bridge. The crowd soon became unmanageable. Media reports suggest that a part of the tin roofing sheet collapsed during the crowding, triggering rumours of bridge collapse and short circuit.

Railway commuters have been demanding widening of the existing bridge and staircases as well as construction of another bridge in order to make the commute easy. In fact, when Suresh Prabhu was the railway minister, a commuter had asked him about widening of the existing bridges on Elphinstone Road, Parel and Currey Road stations. Prabhu told the commuters that this was an operations related issue and he could comment only on policy related issues.

"The shifting of commercial offices from South Mumbai to Central Mumbai on mill land has increased the density of people in this area without commensurate increase in entry and exit options for those using mass transport, unlike at the CST and Church gate in South Mumbai where there are multiple options. As a result, such disaster was just waiting to happen and will continue to remain a hanging sword till relevant entry-exit infrastructure is not upgraded," said Kailash Rajwadkar, a senior communications professional and a regular commuter of Mumbai suburban railway network.

The area where the tragic accident took place today is situated in Shiv Sena bastion. Sena has already expressed firm opposition to the Bullet Train project. There is anger among Sena legislators and corporators in BMC that their demands of improving existing infrastructure have not been heard. Shiv Sena is terming the incident as a man-made disaster. Sarvankar has now demanded that railway administration should be booked for the death of commuters.

Union railways minister Piyush Goyal has, meanwhile, landed in Mumbai and cancelled all his planned engagements. He is rushing to KEM hospital and will then visit the accident spot.
Pakistan, one commentator notes, "teetered on the verge of being designated by the US government as a state that supported terrorism in 1993." Since then, the spectre of this designation and its new avatar 'terrorist state' has haunted Pakistan. In this interregnum, the country has been directly involved in numberless terrorist operations in which US lives have been lost. European and Afghan lives, too. And many Indian lives, of course. And yet, Pakistan remained a 'major non-NATO ally' in Washington's designation, and a recipient of liberal military and developmental aid.

A succession of initiatives in the US Congress has now interrupted the gravy train of aid (Pakistan received over $33 billion since 2002). This had reduced to a trickle by 2016 (at just over $1 billion) as a result of the US Department of Defense not certifying that Pakistan had done enough to neutralise the Haqqani network. A slew of proposed legislation to sanction Pakistan and to declare it a terrorist state is also pending in Congress and, crucially, President Donald Trump and top members of his administration have become increasingly blunt in their criticism of, and warnings to, Islamabad and its two-faced policy supporting 'agents of chaos'.

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Significantly, a growing identity of perspectives between Washington and New Delhi came into focus at the UN General Assembly, where Sushma Swaraj, India's external affairs minister, excoriated Pakistan as a university for jihadis, while Trump threatened "to expose and hold responsible those countries who support and finance terror groups like Al-Qaeda that slaughter innocent people".

There are, of course, a number of countervailing influences that may put off the inevitable declaration of Pakistan as a terrorist state. US interests in (but declining dependence on) maintaining supply lines through Pakistan for coalition forces in Afghanistan are among the most significant factors, but there are also fears of a nuclear-powered state going rogue, or the degradation of state institutions resulting in the transfer or leakage of weapons of mass destruction to Islamist terrorist formations. Most of these are nightmares of our own invention, enthusiastically exploited by the Pakistan establishment. Nevertheless, the direction of US-Pak relations is abundantly in evidence in the slowly tightening vice of restrictions, and their culmination in fullest sanctions is inevitable, unless Islamabad completely reverses policies.

Some suggest that such sanctions will have little impact on Pakistan since its financial and military dependence on the US is already at an extraordinary low (Rawalpindi now sources over 70 per cent of its weaponry from China). This is a misunderstanding. Pakistan's dependence on aid from a number of international institutions controlled by Washington is near absolute, its foreign borrowings are crippling and current account deficit unsustainable. China has emerged as an eager alternative source of weaponry and enthusiastic commercial partner, but Beijing gives nothing for free. As they combine with a burgeoning population (Pakistan's current 208 million will grow to well over 230 million by 2025), comprehensive US sanctions, backed by European partners and international organisations, would hobble the economy, paralyse development efforts and increase popular discontent against ruling elites.

This can only bring good news to Raisina Hill. Despite India's own reluctance to evolve an enduring strategy of harm against Pakistan, successive regimes in New Delhi have been eager to have others fight their battles. The others, in turn, have been less than willing to do so. Accidents of history have, however, imposed a measure of overlap, though not convergence, in US and Indian concerns over Pakistan-backed terrorism; at the same time, they have placed a rage-driven administration in Washington that will have the arrogance, if not the wisdom, to do what its predecessors baulked at. The wrong motives are likely to produce actions long overdue. There will, however, be no quick solution to the mess built up over the decades, particularly since the Trump administration has shown little proclivity for strategic thinking. The US and India are, however, likely to lurch erratically towards uncertain, but broadly positive, futures.

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(Ajai Sahni is executive director of Institute for Conflict Management)

--- ENDS ---
Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has exhorted followers across the world to wage attacks against the West and to keep fighting in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere.

The message released on Thursday was his first purported audio communication in almost a year during which his jihadist group lost much of its self-proclaimed caliphate.

The audio, partly dedicated to religious scriptures, came after several reports Baghdadi had been killed. His last recording was in November 2016, two weeks after the start of the battle to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS).

Oh Soldiers of the Caliphate, fan the flames of war on your enemies, take it to them and besiege them in every corner, and stand fast and courageous.

Beware of retreat, or the feeling of defeat, beware of negotiations or surrender. Do not lay down your arms, Baghdadi said, referring to followers in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, North Africa and elsewhere in Africa.

The date of the 46-minute recording, released via the Al-Furqan news organisation, was not clear. But in it, Baghdadi makes an apparent reference to recent events including North Korean threats against Japan and United States and the recapture two months ago of Mosul by US-backed Iraqi forces.

Since Baghdadi proclaimed the caliphate stretching across Iraq and Syria in 2014, Iraqi forces have retaken a string of cities in western and northern Iraq including Mosul, where Baghdadi made his announcement from the citys El Nuri mosque.

Western-backed Syrian forces are also thrusting into the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa, Islamic States operational headquarters from where it plotted many of the attacks that have killed hundreds of people around the world.

Baghdadi also called for attacks on Western media, saying: Oh soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centres of the infidels, from where they wage their intellectual wars, among the targets.

Continue your Jihad and your blessed operations and do not let the crusaders rest in their homes and enjoy life and stability while your brethren are being shelled and killed.

The fall of Mosul in July effectively marked the end of the Iraqi half of Baghdadis caliphate even though Islamic State continues to fight in some territory outside of Mosul, the largest city they came to control in both Iraq and Syria.

An IS branch in Libya was also defeated last year in the city of Sirte, where they had set up a North African beachhead in 2014. In Egypts northern Sinai, another affiliated militant group is still fighting Egyptian military forces.

With Gods will and his strength, we are staying determined, patient...The abundance of killing will not stop us, Baghdadi said in the audio recording.

Officials have said they believed it could take years to capture or kill Baghdadi as he is thought to be hiding in a vast swathe of sparsely-populated desert between Mosul and Raqqa, where attacking drones are easy to spot.

The United States has offered a $25 million bounty for information that would locate Baghdadi.

Russias defence ministry said earlier this year it might have killed Baghdadi in an air strike on a gathering of IS commanders on the outskirts of Raqqa. But US officials said they could not corroborate the death and other Western as well as Iraqi officials were sceptical.

Reuters
Pakistans interior ministry has called for the electoral commission to bar from politics a new party backed by an Islamist with a $10 million US bounty on his head, a government document showed on Thursday.

In a letter dated September 22, the ministry recommended that the Election Commission of Pakistan reject the newly formed Milli Muslim Leagues (MML) application to become an official party as it is affiliated with Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT), a militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

The registration of MML is not supported, the ministry said in the two-page document.

Spokesmen for the election commission and the interior ministry acknowledged the correspondence and confirmed that the letter was authentic.

The United States has designated LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, who currently heads the Jamaat-ud-Dawa Islamic charity, a terrorist. It views him as the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his imprisonment.

Saeed is currently under house arrest. Pakistans reluctance to press charges against him has been a sore point in relations with Washington and India over the past decade.

The ministry said MML is ideologically of the same hue as LeT and its affiliated charities Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insanyat Foundation (FIF).

Tabish Qayyum, a spokesman for the MML, said in a statement that the ministrys letter was unlawful.

MML isnt a bus or truck which needs registration, he said, denying that MML had links with any banned militant group.

The ministrys stance appears at odds with what political sources and a retired army general have said is a plan proposed by the militarys Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to mainstream some Pakistan-based anti-Indian militant groups as part of deradicalisation efforts by bringing them into politics.

The interior ministrys letter was written a week after MML caused a stir by winning five per cent of votes in a parliamentary by-election in Lahore on September 17.

The document said foreign countries have raised diplomatic objections to MMLs existence and the interior ministry has sought the opinions of intelligence agencies on the group.

One of the agencies, the ministry said, has warned against letting proscribed and monitored organizations enter politics with a view to gaining legitimacy.

The interior ministry said the security agency has informed it that given the clamour, philosophy, outreach and modus operandi to operate, it is difficult to believe that MML will tread its own path completely at variance with its mother organization.

Therefore, they have recommended that since the registration of such groups would breed violence and extremism in politics, as such registration of such groups be avoided.

In the Lahore by-election, Yaqoob Sheikh, who swears loyalty to Saeed, stood as an independent candidate but was backed by MML and had Saeeds colleagues running his campaign.

Saeeds portraits adorned posters promoting Sheikh, who the United States has also designated a terrorist and a senior LeT commander.

Reuters
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 29 (PTI) A high-level Indian delegation is visiting the US to forge partnership with Americas food processing sector to bring the best practices of the world into Indias food value chain.

Led by Union Food Processing IndustriesMinister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Indian delegation met officials from companies across the food value chain in Chicago and Washington DC.

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The visit came ahead of the mega World Food India trade show in New Delhi later this year.

"World Food provides a platform to companies which are looking at expanding their footprints outside their country to tap newer markets," Badal said.

India is looking at partnering with those companies to upgrade Indian systems and technologies and bring the best practices of the world into the food value chain, she said.

She said the trip has helped in sensitising people and across the food chain about the World Food India and the opportunities that India offers.

Food processing industry, she observed, can play a vital role in doubling farmers income and reduce the food wastage which in turn will ensure more food for the growing population.

"We have a huge raw material base, but we processed only 10 per cent,? she said.

Badal said to control wastage, there was a need to increase processing levels.

And to increase processing levels there is need to create the infrastructure, she said.

"I want to bring in the best technology and the best of the know-how for the creation of that infrastructure," she said.

India has a USD 600 billion retail sector, of which 70 per cent is food retail. This is set to triple by 2020.

Badal said she is visiting the US to tell food processors, machine manufacturers, technology suppliers and refrigeration companies to come to India if they expand their footprint and increase their business.

"This is the area where we are investing. Bring your technology to India if you need to expand so that my people can pick up your technology and your machinery," she said. PTI LKJ NSA

--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, 7 Tishrei 5778, in Jerusalem, met with US President Donald Trumps special envoy, Jason Greenblatt, and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer also attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister raised the issue of the Palestinians refusal to condemn yesterdays terrorist attack, the Palestinian call to try Israelis before the International Criminal Court in The Hague and the Palestinian accession to Interpol  a step which violates signed agreements with Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu told envoy Greenblatt and ambassadors Friedman and Dermer that the actions of the Palestinian leadership in recent days severely impairs the chances of achieving peace and added that the Palestinian diplomatic warfare would not go unanswered.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A number of violent confrontations erupted between practitioners of the Kapparos custom across Israel and those who feel that the custom is inhumane. Protestors against the custom of using live chickens to do Kapparos fought with Charedim who were trying to uphold the centuries-old custom.

According to reports from numerous first response agencies, 6 people were treated for injuries following a violent confrontation that took place on Menachem Begin Boulevard in Hadera on Thursday afternoon. The injured parties were taken to Hillel Yaffe hospital for treatment. Among the injured was one man and 5 women, all of whom are vegan.

In Jerusalem, numerous vegan protesters held signs near Kaparos centers, some with quotes from the Rashba deriding the custom. A police spokesperson relayed that Violence erupted near the Olga interchange, between community members and dozens of protesters who came without prearranging the protest with police. The social advocates were protesting the opening of a makeshift slaughterhouse that is being used to accommodate the influx of chickens coming from all over the country following the Kapparos ritual that takes place before the holiday of Yom Kippur.

As a result of the violence that ensued during the protest, some 4 people in their 20s ad 40s were lightly injured. As of yet, there have not been any formal complaints or charges pressed in either direction.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Oil exploration and development, as we know, is a 'hit or bust' affair, and this week demonstrated the binary nature of the sector.

Nostra Terra Oil & Gas added almost 50 per cent to its share price after it secured a hedging facility with industry giant BP.

The company  which has a portfolio of assets in the US and Egypt  said it intends to use the hedging facility in conjunction with a senior debt facility to fund the development of its assets.

Energy boost: Nostra Terra Oil & Gas added almost 50 per cent to its share price after it secured a hedging facility with industry giant BP

'This is a significant endorsement of both Nostra Terra's strategy and asset portfolio,' said Matt Lofgran, chief executive of NTOG.

The markets were suitably impressed, with NTOG rising 49.6 per cent to 1.9p.

It was a different story for US-focused peer Nighthawk Energy though, which is still losing money.

Results for the first half of the year at least indicated the losses are narrowing  to $2.81million from $3.05m the year before.

Perhaps of more concern was this note from the auditors: 'The group's cash flow forecasts indicate that its ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due for next 12 months is dependent upon securing alternative funding.

'These conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt as to the group's ability to continue as a going concern.'

That uncertainty spooked a few investors, with shares down 22 per cent over the week to 0.4p. They have fallen 69 per cent in the year to date.

On to something a little sweeter and AIM-listed luxury chocolatier Hotel Chocolat gave shareholders a taste of the good stuff with its full-year results.

We already knew that sales would smash through the 100m mark but the group, which floated last May, managed to translate that to the bottom line as well, with pre-tax profits doubling to 11.2m.

Hotel Chocolat is also taking action to open up its offering to a wider audience after it signed deals with Amazon and Ocado which will now stock its products.

Sweet success: Hotel Chocolat is taking action to open up its offering to a wider audience after it signed deals with Amazon and Ocado which will now stock its products

Even a cautionary note about the UK consumer outlook couldnt dent confidence, with the share price surging 19.5 per cent to 306.5p.

Subtitling and TV content specialist, ZOO Digital, also lifted shareholders spirits with an upbeat statement ahead of its annual general meeting on Monday.

The company said it expects to report first half revenues in excess of $12m after sales in its ZOOsubs subtitling division doubled year-on-year.

To put that in perspective, ZOO could only muster $7.8m in revenues in the first half of 2016.

Given that the 'pipeline remains strong' as well, ZOO now expects full-year revenues to be 'well ahead' of its previous forecasts. Shares added a third to 38p.

Overall it was a decent week for junior stocks, with the AIM All Share rising 0.6 per cent, or 5.8 points, to leave it just over the 1,000 mark.

Shining bright: Botswana Diamonds had a shine about it this week as it bathed in the news of a huge diamond sale in the country

That wasnt enough to beat the blue chips though; the FTSE 100 gained 0.84 per cent, or 61.5 points, across the week to 7,372.2.

Botswana Diamonds had a shine about it this week as it bathed in the news of a huge diamond sale in the country.

The worlds second-biggest diamond, the Lesedi La Rona, found two years ago from Botswanas Karowe mine, was sold for $53m to a luxury jeweller yesterday.

That got investors excited, as did an update from the company on Ontevreden - its new kimberlite discovery and part of the BODs Vutomi Joint Venture in South Africa.

John Teeling, Botswana chairman, said: 'The exciting new kimberlite discovery at Ontevreden continues to entice.

'Samples from the surface contain significant quantities of G10 and G9 garnets - high quality diamond indicator minerals frequently found at high-grade kimberlite pipes.'

That sent shares soaring 16 per cent to 1.88p.

What Mobile Streams would give for some of that sparkleThe app and content provider saw more than a third of its value disappear down the toilet after a disappointing trading update yesterday.

As a result of worsening trading conditions in Argentina and India, the firm expects both revenue and earnings for the current financial year to be materially lower than market expectations.
The future of Ford's factory in South Wales was thrown into doubt last night after Jaguar Land Rover ended an engine contract three months earlier than planned.

Jaguar Land Rover will stop buying petrol engines from Ford's plant in Bridgend, creating uncertainty over 750 jobs  around half of the total workforce.

Some 145,000 engines are built there out of about 650,000 used every year by JLR. The deal to supply engines will now end in September 2020 rather than at the end of that year.

Jaguar Land Rover will stop buying petrol engines from Ford's plant in Bridgend, Wales (pictured)

In 2014, JLR, which is owned by India's Tata Motors, opened an engine plant near Wolverhampton.

The following year it announced plans to double its size, taking total investment to about 1billion.

A spokesman for Ford said: 'Given our long-established and successful relationship in the delivery of world-class engines, this is disappointing news for the Ford Bridgend Engine Plant.'

Ford said it would 'continue to look at other high-technology opportunities for Bridgend in the future'.

It added: 'Ford has been, and remains, an important strategic supplier to Jaguar Land Rover under an agreement negotiated to support our business until the end of the decade.'
By PTI: By Aditi Khanna

London, Sep 29 (PTI) The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency today launched a new Green Masala Bond on the London Stock Exchanges new International Securities Market to raise funds to finance renewable energy projects across India.

The five-year dated bond raised approximately USD 300 million (Rs 19.5 billion), with a coupon of 7.125 per cent, and became the first Green Masala Bond to be listed on the International Securities Market (ISM).

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"Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is fully committed to helping achieve Indian Governments vision of 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022. The Green Masala Bond is a significant milestone for IREDA in this regard, as we embark on the next phase of renewable and sustainable energy led expansion," said Kuljit Singh Popli, Chairman and Managing Directorof IREDA, at a special market opening ceremony at the London Stock Exchange.

Popli described the listing as a step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to the Paris agreement on Climate Change.

"The overwhelming response to the issue is a testament to the confidence of global investors in IREDA and the Indian renewable sector in general," he said.

IREDA, a state-owned non-banking financial institution, has a remit to promote, develop and extend financial assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency conservation projects in India.

The company provides financing for hydro, wind and solar energy projects, new and emerging technologies and for bio energy sectors.

"The IREDA Green Masala Bond illustrates government of Indias commitment towards fostering the renewable and sustainable energy sector. Renewable energy will increasingly become the dominant force in energy generation, as we strive for Electricity for All and achieve our mandate of 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022," said Anand Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Advancements in technology and a drop in the price of solar and wind energy have set India on the course to not only achieve its renewables target, but exceed it, he noted.

The new green bond is certified by Climate Bonds Initiative, an international, investor-focused not-for-profit, which helps build robust and transparent assurance frameworks around green bond investment.

It marks the fourth green bond by an Indian issuer to be issued on London Stock Exchange.

Axis Bank and NTPC joined in 2016, raising respectively USD 500 million and USD 300 million equivalent.

In June this year, the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) raised USD 450 million.

London Stock Exchange claims to be the largest Masala Bond centre globally, with 42 bonds listed in total with an equivalent value of over USD 6 billion.

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"There is an indisputable shift in momentum in green and sustainable financing across the world and London Stock Exchange Group is proud to be spearheading the growing global green and sustainable financing movement, developing innovative products and services in partnership with our customers," said Xavier Rolet, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group.

"The London Stock Exchange is the largest, and greenest, in Europe and has helped position Britain as a world-leader in green finance," said Jo Johnson, UK Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.

PTI AK MRJ

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Online estate agent Purplebricks has said it is on course to more than double its half-year revenue in the UK after making strong progress over the last few months.

The group, which recently launched in the US, is expected to book UK sales of more than 36million in the six months to October.

Purplebricks also said that turnover in Australia will be many times ahead.

Revenue boost: Online estate agent Purplebricks has said it is on course to more than double its half-year revenue in the UK after making strong progress over the last few months

For the full year, the company is expected to meet revenue guidance of 80m in the UK and 12m in Australia.

In a statement issued ahead of todays AGM, the firm added that the US launch date was ahead of plan and has gone smoothly.

The company has set up shop in Los Angeles and will extend across California, with plans to open in other states as it looks to tap the $70billion (52bn) property market.

The firm said the initial response to its US TV advertising campaign has been encouraging, with the volume of website visits and valuations booked exceeding both the UK and Australia at the same period in their development.

Boss Michael Bruce said: Launching into the US market is an important and proud moment in the company's three-year history.

The level of hard work, commitment and dedication from the team to achieve this, while continuing to deliver on UK and Australian expansion, is testament to the culture and breadth of talent within our business.

We will continue to invest in infrastructure and teams to support our rapid growth, while our focus will remain on providing an excellent customer experience.

Going Stateside: Purplebricks boss Michael Bruce has commended the company's work following its US launch

Considerable progress has been made across the group in the financial year to date and we are confident in our future and in meeting the board's full year expectations.

Purplebricks has also hired an extra 100 Local Property Experts in the UK, bringing the number to 640, and 23 more in Australia, taking it up to 100 over the same period.

The company is also in a strong cash position with more than 64.9m in funds and it had no debt as of August 30.

Despite positive the firms trading update, its share price has fallen almost 30 per cent in the last two months.
By Suhani Singh: Director: David Dhawan

Cast: Varun Dhawan, Taapsee Pannu, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rajpal Yadav, Zakir Hussain, Sachin Khedekar, Anupam Kher, Upasana

Rating: (1.5/5)

Judwaa 2 is the kind of the film that makes you feel you are stuck in the worst phase of 1980s and 1990s Hindi cinema wherein the female characters have no job but to be silly and smiling pretty little things, the jokes are crass and the search for logic and narrative is an exercise in futility. Judwaa 2 wears the label of brainless comedy proudly on its sleeves and it doesn't even entertain as it goes about humiliating its plethora of characters. David Dhawan revisits one of his many 1990s hits this time around with his son. You'd think that two decades later he'd feel the need to update the sequel to reflect changing trends in society and even Indian cinema but that's wishful thinking. Instead what we get is bum smacking, groping, forceful kissing and other forms of tacky behaviour.

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Subtlety isn't a word in David Dhawan's dictionary which means that Varun Dhawan exercises no restraint as he plays Raja, Versova's street-smart Bappa devotee. Given his appalling antics and tight-fitted, more Lokhandwala-appropriate, coloured jeans, the Mumbai suburb's residents would look to sue for maligning its image. On the other end is Prem Malhotra (also played by Dhawan), a bespectacled, soft-spoken mommy's dearest who has lived a plush life in London. Separated at birth by Charles (Zakir Khan), the best worst villain out of a 1980s flick (he comes with diamonds and a time bomb vest), the brothers grow up unaware of each other's existence. But when Raja lands in London, Judwaa 2 gets to play on how the erstwhile conjoined twins are still emotionally connected - they repeat each other's actions and suffer each other's pain.

That's the first half where Prem gets into repeated trouble because of Raja's propensity to fight and indulge in public display of affection. The perennially excited and annoying Jacqueline Fernandez and a miscast and uncomfortable Taapsee Pannu play Raja and Prem's love interest respectively. Their most noteworthy act here is to dance raucously to two hits "Tan Tana Tan " and "Oonchi Hai Building" in the tiniest clothes possible. The rhymes are contrived and tasteless - "Pehle line mein honesty, doosre mein molesting". It's hilarious that it comes from a hero whose own behaviour is guilty of latter.

Repeated instances of mistaken identity means scene after scene showcases Raja's alpha male status and Prem's lack of it, even though his sculpted six-pack physique suggest otherwise. Rajpal Yadav is the stammering sidekick of Raja who provides the rare few half-baked laughs while Kapil Sharma alumni Ali Asgar and Upasana along with Manoj Pahwa get to contribute briefly to a film full of nonsensical shenanigans. The less said about Anupam Kher as Jacqueline's father the better it is. This is a Dhawan show and the actor here makes a case for why he is billed as the leading young performer with mass appeal going all out from running in his boxers on the streets of London and mimicking Shah Rukh Khan to turning into a feckless fool. Unlike Ranbir Kapoor's besharam act, he seems more at ease and standing next to a listless Salman Khan he seems even more of an heir apparent. But even Varun Dhawan 's high-octane performance which includes many digs at the film industry can't hide how David Dhawan's idea of funny is loud, sexist, mostly cringe-worthy and frankly too outdated.

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ALSO WATCH: Varun Dhawan on nepotism, Judwaa 2 and how to woo a girl

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MBABANE  She was reportedly going through an emotionally energy sapping period as a result of her divorce proceedings which resulted in her being severely depressed and she has now lost her job.



This is the poignant story of a Nedbank Swaziland employee who has been dismissed from work for gross negligence, which resulted in the bank losing over E412 000 through an alleged cybercrime.



Sylvia Williamson was dismissed after appearing before a disciplinary hearing but she successfully appealed the decision of the chairman.

She had worked for the bank for close to 20 years. The chairman of the appeal, Musa Hlophe, overturned the dismissal and replaced it with a final written warning.



This, however, did not go down well with the management of the bank as it declined to accept Hlophes recommendations and findings but instead ordered that the sanction of dismissal, should stand.

In overturning the dismissal, Hlophe recommended that the bank should consider its decision of dismissing Williamson.



At the time of committing this unfortunate act of gross negligence, she was going through an emotionally and energy sapping period as a result of her divorce proceedings which were both acrimonious and excruciating in her life as well as being stressed because of the way her first lawyer had betrayed her by colluding with her husbands attorney in order that she could lose the case, noted Hlophe.



During the initial hearing, Williamson mitigated that this incident happened on a day when she had gone to see her new attorney.

The initial attorney was reportedly unwilling to release the divorce file to the new lawyer, claiming payment of E30 000, notwithstanding the fact that Williamsons husband had admitted to allegedly having bribed him with E40 000.
MANZINI - An unfinished bridge at Ngwane Park has been turned into a sex den as ratepayers collect used condoms almost every day.



The matter was raised by a resident of Ngwane Park, Jorge-Antonio Inalda, during the Municipal Council of Manzinis Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was held at The George Hotel yesterday.



She said she wanted to know what was preventing the council from finishing the Samuels Bridge in Ngwane Park, because it had been turned into a sex den where people park their cars and engage in sexual acitivies.

She said she had learnt that the material to construct the bridge was available but does not know why it was not being

completed.



It concerns me because I usually pick up about four or five packs of used condoms almost on a daily basis at the bridge, she alleged.

Bonginkosi Simelane, the City Engineer, said the completion of the bridge was stalled by the fact that the council was trying to minimise costs.

He said in the previous financial year, the council put the project for tenders but the costs appeared to be high as it was three times the amount they had set aside for the bridge.



He said they hope the project would be completed during the current financial year.

Meanwhile, former Councillor Sibusiso Lukhele, who thanked the council for improved services in terms of grass-cutting and maintenance of drainages, called upon the municipality to prioritise infrastructure, especially one that would accommodate people living with disabilities.
MBABANE  The future looks very bright for previously convicted individuals as their fingerprints will now have an expiry date.



This is particularly good news to child convicts whose criminal records shall no longer be valid after the last day of serving a sentence.

This is according to the report from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs portfolio committee on the Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Amendment) Bill No.8 of 2015.



The report was tabled in the House of Assembly by the Deputy Chairperson of the committee, Lobamba MP Michael Masilela.

The amendment of Section 287 (3) by the committee on records of previous convictions, states that; The record of a previous conviction of a child offender shall not be valid after the last day of serving a sentence.



The committee also proposed that for purposes of education and employment, a record of a previous conviction of a child shall not be used. In simpler terms or as an example, a person who applies for a job whether in the security forces or looking to further their studies in an institution of higher learning, shall not be crucified for crimes they committed as minors.



Many people who while they were children committed minor offences have found themselves unable to achieve much in life because their previous records would come back to haunt them.

On the issue of adults, the committee has proposed that a record of previous conviction of any offender shall be valid for a year after the sentence imposed by the courts.

This for example means that if a person was convicted to two years, the criminal record would only be valid for three years and thereafter it is expected to be removed.investigation of an offence and for the use in prosecution even after serving a sentence.
PIGGS PEAK  Government has found itself facing a rather unusual demand for compensation; a son.



This comes after a teacher and his wife lost their only son two hours after birth at the Piggs Peak Government Hospital in August 2015.

They are blaming the government health institution for their sons death, though this allegation is yet to be verified as the Ministry of Health is still investigating the matter and no one has been charged or arrested.



The couple, that has two daughters, was apparently ecstatic when they found out that their newborn child was a boy, only to have his life cut short before his parents could watch him grow.



As it is, the couple now wants government to compensate them, not with money, but through ensuring that the wife undergoes the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) process and guarantee that the child will be a boy.



The teacher, Goodwill Simelane, still carries with him a picture of his newborn son who only lived for a few hours.

He mentioned that he was no longer bitter regarding the circumstances surrounding his sons death at the health institution.

Most of what allegedly happened cannot be printed because the allegations are yet to be proven.



All Simelane could say was that negligence led to his sons death.

The incident is a subject of investigation by the Ministry of Health, though some nurses are said to be unhappy about it and are accusing the ministry of harassment. They are wondering why the matter was not investigated at the time that it happened two years ago.



Simelane said his family did not hold any grudges against the hospital but all they wanted was for government to help them get a baby boy using the IVF process.
Varun Dhawan attempts to recreate the 90s magic in his latest Bollywood outing. Watch the film only for Varun Dhawan who tries his best to save this second-rate, duplicate Judwaa, says our review.

By Samrudhi Ghosh: Somewhere in the first half of Judwaa 2, Raja (Varun Dhawan) calls out a bunch of rowdies for being "molesty" and proceeds to beat the living daylights out of them. The same Raja, who can't stop himself from spanking the butt of any woman, old or young, who bends in front of him. Not just that, he does not think twice about forcibly kissing a girl (several times) without her consent. You realise that irony just died a thousand deaths.

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Judwaa 2 is a reboot of David Dhawan's 1997 hit Judwaa. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, identical twins Raja and Prem were separated at birth, thanks to the bad guy, Charles. So while Prem grows up in London, Raja grows up in aamchi Mumbai. They are as different as chalk and cheese - Raja is your boisterous, street-smart tapori characterised by machismo and violence, while Prem is your soft-spoken guy who can't fight to save his life.

Raja flees to London, trying to escape the henchmen of Alex (Vivaan Bhatena), who he has seriously injured in a fight. The twins end up in the same city, and thus begins a case of mistaken identity, also involving their ladyloves, Samara (Taapsee Pannu) and Alishka (Jacqueline Fernandez).

David Dhawan has tried to be faithful to the plot, for the most part. Some of it works, much of it doesn't. For instance, those who have watched the original Judwaa will remember the two policemen, played by Anupam Kher and Satish Shah, who were on the hunt for Raja. They were constantly trying to one-up the other in the attempt to catch him and get a promotion. In Judwaa 2, that subplot falls flat. Pavan Malhotra and the lady officer don't even come close to the original duo and their chemistry, and the subplot ends bizarrely (the lady officer morphs into Taapsee during the Tan Tana Tan song, and then there is no mention of the police angle ever again).

Varun Dhawan, who is often called the new-age substitute of Salman Khan and Govinda of the 90s, does not disappoint. His energy and comic timing is on point, but it is the outdated script that drags him down. It is the two Varun Dhawans that save the day, when many of the supporting cast are strictly average. Jacqueline Fernandez plays her usual bubbly girl, nothing we haven't already seen before. Ho-hum. Taapsee Pannu glams it up for Judwaa 2 and is not half bad.

Judwaa 2 manages to make you laugh in parts. Watch out for Varun Dhawan's Shah Rukh Khan impression - "Ammi jaan kehti thi..." Johnny Lever's comic timing steals the spotlight from Varun Dhawan in the scenes they had together, but unfortunately, he is on screen for a mere five minutes.

Expect lots of seeti-worthy dialogues. However, Judwaa 2 is a huge letdown in the music department. The revamped songs are not a patch on the original, whether it is Oonchi Hai Building or Tan Tana Tan.

Fans of the 1997 film have something to look forward to, though. The "original Judwaa" Salman Khan makes a guest appearance at the end of the film. All four Judwaas grooving to Tan Tana Tan? Check.

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As the villain in the film keeps saying, "Let's come straight to the point." And the point is this: Judwaa 2 is meant to be old wine in a new bottle. But this is no ageless wine, and maybe, David Dhawan should have checked the expiry date before making the film.

ALSO WATCH: Varun Dhawan talks about nepotism, Judwaa 2 and how to woo a girl

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By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 29 (PTI) The confirmation hearing of Kenneth Ian Juster for the post of US Ambassador to India will be held on October 3, a Senate committee has said.

The scheduling of confirmation hearing by Senate Foreign Relations Committee comes less than a month after US President Donald Trump nominated Juster, 62, as his top envoy to India.

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Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee would preside the hearing at the Senate Dirksen building on October 3.

If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Richard Verma as the top American diplomat to India.

The position has been vacant since January 20 after Verma put in his papers as Trump took over as the US president.

Juster served as the undersecretary of commerce for industry and security from 2001 to 2005 and was also the deputy assistant to Trump for the International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of National Economic Council from January-June this year.

Verma told Forbes that Juster will carry on the tradition of bipartisan support to India-US relationship.

"Hes a real professional, and I know he will be warmly welcomed in India. I also know he is the right person to drive the partnership to the next level," he was quoted as saying.

"All Americans should be happy that President Trump has chosen Ken to represent him and the United States in New Delhi," former US Ambassador to India, Frank Wisner, told Forbes. PTI LKJ ARK

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Albany

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is trying to do a little housecleaning to make way for some new tenants it wants to land for its $324 million NanoFabX building.

It hasn't been easy. SUNY Poly is trying to get rid of $115 million worth of one-of-a-kind pieces of manufacturing equipment for computer chip factories that don't even exist yet.

The machines, known as "tools" in the industry, were once part of the Global 450 Consortium.

The G450C as it was known was a five-year, $1 billion research program put together by SUNY Poly and the world's largest computer chip companies to study making chips on 450 millimeter diameter silicon wafers that are twice the size of the standard 300 mm wafers used today.

The G450C program ended last year after its members, including Samsung, GlobalFoundries and Intel, decided that the time wasn't right to move to 450 mm wafers even though they are eventually expected to offer huge costs savings to the industry.

Ever since then, SUNY Poly and the Research Foundation for SUNY, which owns the tools, have been trying to make space for potential new tenants.

'They (the G450C tools) are still in the same place in NanoFabX," said Paul Kelly, associate vice president for consortia and initiatives at SUNY Poly. "They're idling or they were shut down completely. We're now at a point where we're going to move the tools out."

SUNY Poly and the Research Foundation have given the tool manufacturers first crack at buying the equipment back, but there have been no takers.

"For the most part these are alpha tools, first of their kind tools," Kelly said. "But most of them (the tool makers) aren't rushing to get their tools back."

After offering the tools to research partners and other SUNY schools, the tools will be offered for sale per state guidelines.

Don't expect there to be a windfall. The tools' uniqueness has driven their value to "significantly less" than the purchase price of $115 million, although such write-downs are not uncommon with cutting edge research equipment.

That doesn't mean the G450C was a bust either. Kelly said that the industry was able to create an entire 450 mm wafer manufacturing line at NanoFabX, a first. And the chip makers were able to advance 300 mm chip making as well, Kelly said.

"The program was an enormous success," Kelly said.

Earlier this month SUNY Poly's research arm was awarded a $38.5 million grant to help pay down the debt on the NanoFabX building and get it ready for new tenants.

Half of the building is used for the Center for Semiconductor Research, a partnership between IBM, SUNY Poly and other chip companies to shrink the size of chip transistors to close to the atomic level. Earlier this year, the CSR announced it had made a transistor measuring 5 nanometers, the smallest ever.

Former SUNY Poly president Alain Kaloyeros had been expecting a phase 2 to the G450C that would have have potentially brought in more than $1 billion to the school and kept NanoFabX full for another five years. But his arrest on criminal bid-rigging charges a year ago resulted in that deal and others falling through.

That has led to financial troubles at SUNY Poly that also resulted in the school obtaining a $30 million loan from the SUNY system to get it back on solid footing. The $38.5 million from the state came from a $207 million stabilization fund created for the school in the most recent state budget.

Kelly is hopeful that SUNY Poly will soon have a new tenant or tenants for NanoFabX, although neither he nor other school officials have said who might be interested.

The irony is that any new tenants would be working on 300 mm chip making, or even 200 mm chip making, which is an older wafer size that has seen a resurgence with demand for new chips in cars and other internet connected devices.

GlobalFoundries, which employs 3,000 people at its chip factory in Saratoga County, runs a former IBM chip factory in Vermont that uses 200 mm wafer tools.

SUNY Poly and General Electric are also making power electronics chips using silicon carbide wafers that are processed on 200 mm tools.

"There's been a rebirth of 200 mm technology," Kelly said.
Two hundred years ago this past July, a humble shovel heaved up the inaugural lump of dirt on the country's first major public-works project: the Erie Canal.

No one knows what became of it  the shovel, that is. No one bothered to preserve it. No one understood, at the time, that the Erie Canal would become the Erie Canal, the waterway that would revolutionize commerce, alter society, accelerate time, seep into culture, inspire song and break open the American Midwest.

"They didn't know. ... They believed in themselves, but they didn't know for sure," said Brad Utter, the State Museum historian who curated "Enterprising Waters: New York's Erie Canal," a new exhibit running now until October 2019. Faced with skepticism from all sides, the planners and politicians behind the canal didn't want to oversell it, so they barely sold it at all. "It was not seen as this huge event. It barely got a mention in the papers."

That pioneering shovel is lost in the mists of time, along with many other tools and detritus from the canal's eight-year construction. "Once it was done, it was done  and there aren't really a lot of artifacts from the actual canal," Utter said. "But it's what was around it  and that's what we've been able to focus on, especially with the commercial side of it, and the social side of it, and the politics of making it happen."

More Information If you go "Enterprising Waters: New York's Erie Canal" Where: State Museum, 222 Madison Ave., Albany When: Through October 2019; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday Admission: Free Info: 518-474-5877; nysm.nysed.gov See More Collapse

Phase one of the exhibit is up now. Phase two, due to open sometime next year, will take a look at the waterway's growth from the mid-19th century onward, immigration along its length, the development of the lateral canals and barge canal  and other aspects of its effects and operation. "We bring it right up into today, as best we can," Cutter said.

The exhibit is a salmagundi of items, images and text chronicling the canal's construction and its impact along the route. The centerpiece, which commands the exhibition hall from every angle, is a gargantuan wooden windlass that once lifted and lowered all sorts of heavy goods at the canalside warehouse of H. G. Root and Co. Warehouse  a "forwarding agent" that housed and shipped products "similar to a FedEx" today, Cutter said. Fourteen feet in diameter, the windlass hangs on a frame built to evoke the original warehouse, which was dismantled in 1971. It's filled with goods typical of the 19th century: barrels, stoneware crocks, iron stoves, pickles. (But yes, the pickles are fake.)

Some bits, like the section devoted to the Second Great Awakening and religious "camp meetings" that sprang up along the Erie, convey the movement of people instead of goods. Some, like the sections devoted to the women's movement, the Underground Railroad and the evolving push for reform, use individual tales to tell broader stories from the waterway: Consider the sturdy-looking chair built by William "Jerry" Henry, the escaped slave rescued by abolitionists in an 1851 Syracuse episode known as the "Jerry Rescue."

Federal marshals  slave-catchers  had snagged him, put him in custody and planned to return him to slavery when an anti-slavery continent sprang him from jail. "A mob came together and saved him," Cutter explained, "and ushered him up the Oswego Canal to Canada." He made and gave the chair in thanks.

What motive prompted the creation of DeWitt Clinton's big black writing chair is less clear, but it's in the exhibit, too. So is a 1940 casting of an 1825 bust depicting Clinton as a conquering Roman general, decked out with chest plate and a fine swoop of fabric over the shoulder.

"Once the canal was a success, you know, the public loved him," Cutter said. For yet more proof, check out the commemorative black vest covered in diagonal patterns proclaiming: "DEWITT CLINTON AND THE GRAND CANAL."

Yep. Erie Canal merch.

The museum partnered with more than 20 institutions and people in assembling the exhibit, which supplements artifacts from its own collection with items from the New York Historical Society, other assorted associations and institutions across the state and a few farther-flung locales. Among the visiting items: a portrait of Benjamin Wright, the first chief engineer of the canal and the father of American civil engineering, on loan from his family in Maryland.

From Canada  in its inaugural public exhibit  comes a portrait of Jesse Hawley, the flour merchant from Geneva who "was the first to publicly call for a Canal from the Hudson to Lake Erie," Utter said. For that foresight and forthrightness, he's now a hero of the canal's early history. The calls for a watery byway to Buffalo were met with skepticism and, at times, outright mockery from a several quarters, the White House include.

Thomas Jefferson was among those who considered "Clinton's Ditch" a nutty idea. The Feds refused to fund it, punting all responsibility for this long, pricey, complicated bushwhack. "You know, you're going through virgin wilderness and swamps, and there's no real labor force  and going into some areas that were really sparsely settled at most. So they were dreamers," said Cutter of the masterminds behind the Erie. ''Whether it could be done or not was the dream. And they believed in it."

The canal took eight years to build, an engineering feat realized by workers who arrived from around the country and the world. Unlike its under-the-radar construction kickoff of 1817, the completion in 1825 was cause for pomp and circumstance: In a ceremonial act dubbed "the Wedding of the Waters," Clinton poured a barrel from Lake Erie into the Atlantic. A NYHS replica of that barrel sits in the State Museum, due to be replaced by the original for a three-month stint, once the second phase opens next year.

Also on display is the original, engraved capstone from Lockport, where builders conquered the Niagara Escarpment and completed the canal. After nearly two centuries exposed to the elements, the weathered hunk of rock is illegible now. "It's hard to read. That's part of the challenge. It's almost 200 years old, and it sat outside."

The museum provides the text, a pithy and punctuation-free declaration that concludes with an all-caps shout-out of state pride: "The Erie Canal 362 Miles In Length Was commenced on the 4th Of July 1817 and Completed In The Year 1825 at an expense Of About $7,000,000 and was constructed exclusively by the Citizens Of the STATE of NEW YORK."

Paired with this limestone marker  in their first reunion, ever  is the celebratory trowel awarded to one of the canal masons at the opening of the Lockport Flight of Five. Unlike that groundbreaking, history-changing, utterly unsung and long-lost shovel from 1817, the trowel survives. But by 1825, the Erie Canal had dug out a strip of the American landscape, staking its claim to history.

abiancolli@timesunion.com  518-454-5439  @AmyBiancolli
Fulton Fryar was 17, just a kid from North Carolina with dreams of being the next Mario Lanza, when he first attended the Seagle Music Colony's esteemed summer vocal academy in Schroon Lake.

He loved to sing. Wanted to be a tenor, though his voice hadnt fully changed -- and camp director John Seagle pegged him as bass-baritone. He studied, ate meals with his fellow campers, performed in recitals, took part in productions at the camp theater. Got cast as Lescaut in Massenets Manon.

And then, at the end of each day, as all the other kids bunked down in dorms, he repaired to a tiny, stand-alone room behind the dining hall, maybe 12-by-6  a space so cramped he nicknamed it the Closet.

Because they were white. He was black. And it was 1957, three years after Brown v. Board of Education but still the formative years of the Civil Rights era -- and a time when the habits and strictures of segregation still held sway across layers of society.

I didnt pay that much attention to it, because I had grown up in segregation  and my home town was segregated, said Fryar. I went to an all-black school. I went to the theater and had to sit in the balcony. . . . so I was familiar with that kind of a lifestyle.

It was Wednesday afternoon, and Fryar was chatting in the peculiar September heat at the Seagle Colony, his first return to the camp since 1958 -- his second and final summer there. He and his wife, Barbara, had come up from Willingboro, N.J., after learning of plans to move, preserve and display the Closet at the Adirondack Experience (formerly the Adirondack Museum) in Blue Mountain Lake.

This is such an incredible piece of Adirondack history, said Seagle director Darren Woods. Especially the African-American experience during those years, when segregation was still a very real thing.

Fryar never thought of himself as a trailblazer. Until a few days ago, he didnt even realize he was the first black student at Seagle. The discriminatory boarding never crossed my mind, he said. What was on my mind was to come here and glean what you can, and try to bring yourself to a higher level. He was all about focus. When you want to get something done, my uncle would say, you put blinders on.

That said, finding segregation up north caught him off guard. When I came here, one thing I wasnt expecting was that it would be in New York state. I had heard about this place being so integrated. . . but it wasnt so. I went into town, and a little kid came and just stared at me.

His instructors  including Seagle, who taught voice -- were helpful and inspiring. His fellow campers were cordial. . . they didnt look at me funny. We had conversations. About music, principally. So we didnt have problems communicating with each other  I would imagine so long as we stayed within the confines of what we were here for.

At Seagle he studied technique, learned stage presence, took part in camp life. But every night he returned to his Closet, adorning it with spryly decorative paintings and text. No one stayed there after Fryars departure in 1958. From that point onward, African-American students were fully integrated with the other campers -- and the Closet just sat there, never renovated or razed, never again occupied, a cheerfully painted time capsule of discrimination tucked away in the woods.

It decayed. Finally, last winter, an insurance rep said the structure had to go. But a friend of Woods named Jonathan Green happened to visit, checked out the room, latched onto its story, tracked down Fryar and helped find the Closet a home.

Woods isnt sure why, exactly, John Seagle placed Fryar in a separate building, but the presence of several students from the South undoubtedly factored in. That, and the hard truths of race and segregation in an era when even Marian Anderson  one of the great American sopranos of the 20th century -- was refused admission to the Lake Placid Club. I think there was anticipated pushback, Woods said.

It was, in a way, a foot in the door to integration. Remarked Pete Seagle of his father's decision: My dad wanted (Fryar) to come here, and was figuring out a way to make that possible.

Soon to reside in Blue Mountain Lake, the Closet now stands as a testament to history. It stands, too, as a reminder of just how recent that history is. Society might have a habit of forgetting, but wood and paint remember all.

Always WELCOME to The Closet The Home of Fulton Fr -- , declares the salutation in red and green, the last three letters rubbed away by time. Inside, a quote from Tennyson graces the wall: Sunset and evening star / And one clear call for me   Renderings of music and a Bible decorate the bookshelf.

Depending on what was going on, I didnt spend a lot of time in there, Fryar said, noting that he never told his wife about the Closet. Yes, she knew about his summers at a voice camp in New York, but in 33 years of marriage, his segregated rooming arrangements never came up.

When I first saw the Closet, it made me very sad, she said. I wanted to cry. Yet her husband never complained. That wasnt something he talked about, and I guess he didnt see it this way  I guess he was glad for the opportunity to go to school.

He replied: Amen.

For Fryar, the return to his old stomping grounds is cause for gratitude. Healing, even. He never pursued a singing career  something he still regrets  and this gives him a chance to make peace with that disappointment. It has better meaning now. This is going to be something that I can share with my babies, he said, meaning his kids, his grandkids, his great-grand-kids.

After the summer of 58, John Seagle arranged for Fryar to enroll free of charge at Trinity, the white college in Texas where he taught. He found off-campus housing for him, also free. Fulton just had to maintain a C for one semester at a college in North Carolina, and he was in.

But life took other turns. Midway through his semester, he had trouble singing  I couldnt push a note out. He started to drift, joined the Air Force, served for almost five years, got out and went to work -- settling into a job, and eventually a career, at St. Agatha, a Catholic-run institution for children in Nanuet, Rockland County.

When he first received word of the Closets preservation, It overwhelmed me, he said. Because I didnt really believe it at first. Because I hadnt heard from anybody for almost 60 years. I said, Oh my God. And it was able to lift some of the disappointment that I had for not having pursued (singing) further.

These days, he sings a bit in church -- but not much, nothing complicated and not too often. Asthma doesnt help. But his return to the Seagle Colony inspires him a little, makes him think about singing a little more. Maybe hell get back to it, he said. Im not sure. But I would hope so.

Returning to Schroon Lake has been a healing turn in his life. This brings me so much joy, yes  to walk up on that stage up there and look around  and remember that I helped put scenery there. It was not even singing, but its art.

And music works wonders. Even now. Music itself is healing for me. I play piano by ear. Some songs I can play, some songs I cant. But I can sit. I can have a bad day and sit at the piano and play some things  and all of that goes away. The music takes it away, he said. Still. Still.
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Every time I flee Latham Circle, I'm pulled back for a new addition to top the area's cheap-eats list. How else could we end up with Celadon Thai and A La Shanghai within spitting distance, an outpost of Rensselaer's Sri Siam and now Zaitoon Kitchen, an Afghan takeout with enough spin sauce to fuel an army of halal carts and a modern aesthetic to put other fast-casual concepts to shame?

Zaitoon Kitchen is brilliant in style and as a softly tweaked spin on Afghan food. It's one of two locations  the other is on a NATO military base in Kandahar, Afghanistan, so this is likely the only one you'll try. Sourcing ingredients there has its challenges; here, Zaitoon's commitment to quality is chalked on blackboard walls where graffiti outlines the benefits of antibiotic-free, cage-free, veggie-fed, halal meat.

Its boxy, white shape could be any American takeout, and the unglamorous view beneath Coca-Cola patio umbrellas is of Troy-Schenectady Road, with accelerating traffic  the poor man's ocean  a constant roar. Inside is neat as a pin: faux wood tiles and green shrubbery adorn the walls beside wood-grain print tables and brushed pleather chairs. Owners Zeb Neyazy, a Siena College alum, and his brother Sal designed it for broad appeal, and a snapshot at lunchtime reflects local diversity: families, business suits, spandex-clad cyclists, some women in hijabs or saris, others not.

The simple menu has familiar Mediterranean, Pakistani and Turkish elements, dishes that migrated and morphed along spice routes. Of course, silky hummus and smoky baba ganoush are there, as is pillowy, hand-stretched naan; there are no gyros, but handcrafted and spit-roasted chicken or beef kebabs, and ground meats aromatic with cumin and spice, disappear into the soft folds of warm, blistered naan. Delicate mantu dumplings filled with onion and crumbled ground beef and scattered with mixed veg are hand-pinched (if you've never made mantu, you can't imagine how time-consuming this is), and their delicate shapes cup the garlic-scented tomato and strained garlic yogurt sauce. Kadu veers sweeter with roasted squash crescents slipped beneath a spiked tomato sauce tangy with vinegar and the subtle sourness of Afghan sumac.

The family behind the business has 20 years of restaurant experience downstate; an uncle bottles the famed halal food cart spin sauce ("spin" means "white" in Pashto) in three levels of heat: mild, with dill and American mayonnaise mixed with traditional yogurt; medium, the original spin laced with cayenne; and hot, a ferocious cayenne blast. Spin sauces, like salted yogurt chaka and cilantro chatni, add dimension across each dish.

The grass-fed New Zealand lamb is spectacular. Seasoned to their mother's recipe and tender enough to pull softly from neatly frenched bones, the lamb is cut in-house and served as four petite chops over a mound of basmati rice. At $13, it's easily better than many in pricier steakhouses for twice the price. Get this dish, my fellow upstaters. Order it. But request Kabuli topping for $1 more, so caramelized grated carrots and raisins fragrant with cardamom, cumin and cinnamon can transform loose, broth-seasoned basmati rice into Kabuli pulau, the sweet-savory national dish of Afghanistan.

More Information Zaitoon Kitchen 471 Troy-Schenectady Road Latham Phone: 518-785-3600 Web: www.zaitoonkitchen.com Cuisine: Afghan-Mediterranean mix of kebobs, salads, naan wraps. Ambiance: Stylishly modern counter-service takeout with clean, modern seating and an outdoor patio. Price: $-$$ Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Delivery coming soon. Credit cards: All major. Parking: Off-street lot. Handicapped accessible: Yes. Price ratings for inexpensive eateries based on average of entree costs: $: $9.95 and less $$: $9.95-$15.95 $$$: $15.95 and higher See More Collapse

Whether you pick juicy bone-in chicken pieces called jujeh, the edges lightly charred from the grill and flesh stained yellow with turmeric; or lamb marinated overnight; or falafel (the lone purveyor product), which are dry orbs best deeply dredged in spin sauce, you face a choice: Seasoned rice or naan wrap? Plain salad or fattoush? The latter is crafted with thick-cut lettuce and cucumber tossed in olive oil, lemon and salt  is there any better way?  crowned in golden, baked naan chips.

I'm surprised not to find doogh, the refreshing Afghan yogurt-and-mint drink, though I'm told it will come. A cup of green tea works beautifully as a pick-me-up with honey-soaked baklava, and those still denying summer's end should try faluda, a popular Iraqi and Pakistani dessert of rose syrup, basil seeds and pink vermicelli noodles spilled over vanilla ice cream. Like rose-flavored Turkish delight, it's something to love or hate.

Don't get too hung up on how closely Zaitoon's food reflects Afghan cuisine. Recipes are Americanized in the way most of us immigrants adapt: One part Old World, one part New. There are subtle shifts in seasoning, a softening of heat. Latham Circle is increasingly home to good, ethnic eats if you find yourself that way, but Zaitoon Kitchen has enough merit to justify a trip.

Lunch for four  including two kebab platters, one falafel-fattoush salad, a kebab wrap, two small plates and tea  came to $55.62 including tax. They do not take tips. Naan wraps are $7 to $9; rice plates, $9 to $13; small plates and sides, $1 to $6.

To comment on this review, visit the Table Hopping blog, blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping.
The deceased has been identified as AK Dass of E/110 Battalion of CRPF posted at grid station.

By India Today Web Desk: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan on Friday shot himself in Pampor town of South Kashmir.

The deceased has been identified as AK Dass of E/110 Battalion of CRPF posted at grid station.

Dass shot himself using his INSAS weapon. The reason behind the suicide is yet to be known.

After the incident, ,Station House Officer (SHO) Pampore, Adil Rashid, told media persons that the body will be handed over to the family after completion of legal and medical formalities.

--- ENDS ---

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Albany, N.Y.

There's something about me you don't know. I was raised by a pack of wolves.

I've hesitated to mention this before because it isn't actually true. But it is increasingly obvious that anyone can claim to be whatever they want, as evidenced by something the governor claimed this week.

"I am an immigrant," Andrew Cuomo said on MSNBC, while discussing hurricane devastation in Puerto Rico.

More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse

The timing was odd, given that Puerto Ricans are Americans. When they move to the mainland, they are not immigrants.

But Cuomo has made this claim before.

"You want to deport immigrants?" the Democrat asked last year in a speech directed at Donald Trump. "Start with me because I am an immigrant."

Cuomo was born in Queens. His parents were also born in New York. He is not, therefore, an immigrant.

I understand why a politician might want to be an immigrant. It provides immediate street cred. It makes you a man of the people, even if you were a child of privilege who lives in a fancy part of Westchester County.

It is also cool to have been raised by wolves. That doesn't make it any more true, at least in my case.

I asked a spokesman for the governor about the immigrant claims, and he implied I was taking Cuomo too literally.

"He routinely makes the point that unless you are Native American, we are all immigrants," Richard Azzopardi said in an email. "It's part of the diversity that gives this state and this nation its strength, and the recent debate over immigration is really about demonization  about using diversity, this strength, against us."

The first part of that statement is dubious, but I largely agree with the second part. Immigrants and refugees, legal or not, have been demonized by President Trump and his allies  blamed without evidence for flat wages and higher crime, among other alleged sins.

The fear among immigrant communities is clear if you go to places like Roxham Road, the isolated byway in Clinton County that is drawing a flood of refugees seeking asylum in Canada.

As I wrote in a column last month, the scene where Roxham meets the border is remarkable. Taxis and cars arrive at all hours, unloading migrants from around the country who believe they no longer have a future in the land of the free.

"People feel compelled to jump ship because the port in the storm they thought they had found looks like it might be flooding," said Paul Clarke, executive director of Action Refugies Montreal, which aids people seeking asylum in Canada.

In January, at the start of the Trump presidency, 245 asylum seekers crossed into Quebec, a number that surprised officials at the time. By July, the number had grown to almost 3,000 asylum seekers  and 5,300 crossed in August, almost all at Roxham Road.

Yet the numbers don't reveal the real drama of the scene: The frightened children. The exhausted fathers. The old women clutching their few belongings.

On the Canadian side, authorities have erected a processing center and tents where the refugees sleep on cots. Many are later moved to Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

What does Cuomo think of all this?

We don't know, because he hasn't said anything about it. That's remarkable  a dramatic, heartbreaking scene has unfolded for about nine months in his state that spotlights the fears of immigrants and refugees, and the governor has ignored it.

It's especially remarkable given that Cuomo has been such a loud critic of Trump on immigration, threatening to sue if so-called Dreamers are deported and forbidding state employees from asking about someone's immigration status.

Keep in mind that many of the Roxham Road crossers are New Yorkers, including Sam Addey, a native of war-ravaged Syria who told me he had been working in the fashion industry until his work permit was not renewed.

"I came here for protection, but I'm not protected," Addey said. "I'm not sure Mr. Trump will give me citizenship."

Granted, the situation is complex. Many of the refugees are Haitians facing the January expiration of Temporary Protected Status granted after the island's devastating 2010 earthquake. They have built lives here and fear being sent back.

Should their protected status be extended? Should we be encouraging them and other refugees to stay, despite an uncertain future here? Should we be warning them that Canada may deport them?

"Do Americans want them to stay?" Clarke asked.

These are controversial and politically difficult questions. They are easy to ignore, just as Azzopardi, the governor's spokesman, ignored my questions about Roxham Road and the status of Haitians. There are not easy answers.

It's easier to say silly things: "I am an immigrant."

Meanwhile, real immigrants keep arriving at Roxham Road, prepared to leave the state and country behind.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
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Two reports out Friday criticized state oversight agencies for slow responses to allegations against nurses and nursing homes that have the potential to impact the safety of patients and residents.

An audit from the state comptrollers office found New Yorks Education Department took on average five times longer than it should have to investigate complaints of serious offenses by nurses  including sexual or physical abuse, or working under the influence of alcohol.

And a federal report on states response to complaints against nursing homes found that New York topped other states in its number of late investigations into high-priority allegations of harm to residents, accounting for one-fifth of delayed investigations in the nation.

Officials from both state agencies said they have made improvements since the periods studied in the reports.

SEDs Office of Professions monitors nursing licensure and practice, including investigating complaints and prosecuting misconduct.

More for you Discipline for nurses often delayed, denied

SED is expected to investigate the most serious complaints against nurses, designated priority 1, within 42 days. The comptrollers audit, covering the period from April 2014 to February 2017, found it took on average 228 days for these investigations to be complete. One case was open for 866 days  more than two years  by the end of the audit period.

SED failed to follow up in a timely way on many alleged lower-level offenses as well, auditors found. Of more than 8,000 investigations of various degrees of importance open during the audit period, more than 2,000, or 25 percent, were not conducted within the departments established 180-day time frame.

Confidentiality laws prevented auditors from independently determining what led to the delays, the comptrollers office said.

In a response to the audit, SED Deputy Commissioner Sharon Cates-Williams said obstacles to investigating priority 1 cases include a lack of available records or ongoing criminal investigations that prohibit SED interference. She also said the department is hampered by an antiquated computer system and reduced staffing as the number of applicants for nursing licenses has increased.

The audit confirmed findings of a 2016 ProPublica report on investigations into nursing misconduct. The nonprofit journalism outlet found SED often failed to act even when informed that other agencies had disciplined a nurse, as in the case of a nurse penalized by the state Health Department in 2014 for administering an overdose of insulin that nearly killed a patient. In another case, it took SED a year and a half to revoke the license of a Bronx nurse caught sexually assaulting a patient in 2014.

Separately, a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General found that in 2015, the states Health Department let 976 high-priority complaints of potential harm to nursing home residents linger beyond the 10-day timeframe for looking into them. That number was more than double the 448 high-priority cases uninvestigated after 10 days in 2011.

High-priority complaints reflect the second most serious types of accusations against nursing homes. The highest level is called immediate jeopardy. Physical or sexual abuse might be considered a high-priority complaint for instance, but it would rise to the level of immediate jeopardy only if the threat of abuse was ongoing, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Of the 1,961 investigations into both immediate jeopardy and high-priority complaints in 2015, New York affirmed 11 percent of them, below the national average of 30 percent.

An advocate for nursing home residents was concerned about both the lag in investigations and the low rate of substantiations.

Richard Mollot, executive director of the New York-based Long-Term Care Community Coalition, said his organization has been concerned for at least 15 years about the Health Departments response to complaints. Families do not typically bring complaints to the state until problems rise to a critical level, he said. That makes him question why the state isnt substantiating more of the claims.

This is a long-standing problem that we earnestly urge the Department of Health to look at and address, Mollot said. How are we helping residents and families who encounter serious problems get them resolved?

The state Health Department stated that it has sped up the resolution of complaints and was recognized by CMS in May for doing so.
The 59-year-old man accused of having sexual contact with children at a McDonald's restaurant in Watervliet pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday.

Kelley Tremblay's attorney, Terence Kindlon, entered the plea on his behalf during an appearance in front of state Supreme Court Justice Roger D. McDonough.
Carolyn Thompson

ITHACA (AP)  A New York man has been found guilty of fatally stabbing a college student during a fight after a party on the Cornell University campus last year.

The jury in 24-year-old Nagee Green's second trial convicted him Thursday of a murder charge for killing 19-year-old Anthony Nazaire, of New York City, in late August 2016.
Albany

A Saratoga Springs judge is among nine defendants in a federal lawsuit filed by a New York City lawyer who contends he was maliciously prosecuted in the 1990s because opposed Brooklyns powerful Democratic machine.

Saratoga Springs Judge Jeffrey Wait was a state Board of Elections deputy counsel when he made several trips at the time from Albany to Brooklyn as part of an investigation into whether activist John OHara used a fake address when he registered to vote.

In 1997, OHara was convicted of false voter registration and illegal voting after then-Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes found he registered to vote at a girlfriends address that was 12 blocks from his official residence. He was also stripped of his law license. The charges followed several years of investigations by Hynes and his staff.

But this past January, OHara was cleared of the charges and his conviction was vacated.

The court system in 2009 had already restored OHaras law license. A special hearing commission concluded in court papers that the Brooklyn Democratic party machine went gunning for him, because of his long opposition to the partys hand-picked candidates.

It was a real Irish grudge match, OHara said with a chuckle, referring to the years of conflict between Hynes and himself.

Nor is it over.

OHara's federal claim alleges malicious prosecution and denial of due process among other charges. Hes seeking $25 million in damages.

OHara had long tangled with Hynes although they initially were allies. According to the complaint, Hynes, in the late 1980s, told OHara he would back him in a Democratic primary for state Assembly. But he ended up supporting James Brennan instead.

Brennan, who was well-known for his work in mental health and housing issues, was in the Assembly from 1985 until his retirement in 2016.

As for Waits role in the affair, OHara said he made trips to Brooklyn in an effort to find out where he was actually living.

While memories of the case have faded over the decades, Wait said he was acting in his position as deputy counsel for the BOE.

I was an employee of the state Board of Elections. I was doing my job, Wait said.

The attorney generals office will defend Wait in the civil suit since he was working for the state government at the time.

Generally, the BOE investigates complaints and, if the state election commissioners agree, can pursue a case and refer it to a local district attorney, which is what happened in OHaras case.

The effort to show that OHara had two residences was extensive, with surveillance and investigators even getting his tax records, O'Hara's complaint states, adding that Brennan had a role in that.

Neither Brennan nor Hynes could be reached for comment.

OHara noted that the episode cost him thousands of dollars and he spent 15 years without his law license.

I was cleaning garbage in the park, he said, explaining that he was sentenced to 1,500 hours of community service, which included picking up trash in Brooklyns parks.

He claims the politically motivated investigation consumed countless man-hours and involved the deployment of investigators who would normally probe more serious crimes, including drug cases and homicides.

In addition to Hynes, Wait and Brennan, six others are named in the lawsuit: Brooklyn Assistant District Attorneys John OMara, Angelo Morelli, Dino Amoroso, Investigator Allen Presser and Brennan staffers John Carroll and John Keefe.

OHara said his 1997 conviction was just the second time that someone was convicted of illegal voting in New York. The other was in 1873 when suffragette Susan B. Anthony was arrested  before women had the right to vote.

OHara hasnt given up his political activities. He made an unsuccessful primary bid earlier in 2017 for a civil court judgeship in Brooklyn.

He compared the boroughs politics as something akin to a Third World dictatorship or an old Soviet satellite.

The winners take office, the losers go to jail, he said.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
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Washington

Executives of the social media giant Twitter spoke with House and Senate investigators Thursday at the Capitol about Russian interference in the 2016 elections and anonymous "bots" that can spread misinformation.

Twitter executives visited both the Senate and House intelligence committees, briefing staff members in closed-door meetings that lasted several hours. The executives included attorney Elizabeth Banker; Emily Horne, global policy communications director; Carlos Monje, the company's director of public policy and philanthropy and Colin Crowell, a vice president of public policy, government and corporate philanthropy.

The meetings come after similar briefings from Facebook earlier this month. The House and Senate panels have invited both tech giants, along with Google, to appear at public hearings this fall.

The committees are scrutinizing the spread of false news stories and propaganda on social media, to what extent Russia was involved and whether anyone in the United States helped target those stories.

Unlike Facebook, which has said phony accounts on its platform attempted to stir up divisiveness in the election, Twitter has remained mostly silent. The two social media companies have different types of platforms, as Twitter allows users to register anonymously and has more public accounts than Facebook. Many lawmakers have expressed concerns about the proliferation of the anonymous "bots."

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence panel, said Wednesday that he hopes Twitter will be forthcoming.

"They have obviously a different business model, and also they've never tried to prevent fake accounts, use of bots," Warner said, comparing the company to Facebook. "They don't deny they have allowed more anonymity. So they've got a different business model, we've got different questions for them."

Still, Warner said, the investigation is ultimately up to how people manipulated both of those platforms.

"People deserve to know," Warner said.

Twitter last week confirmed that officials would be meeting with the Senate panel and issued a statement pledging to improve defenses on its platform.

"Twitter deeply respects the integrity of the election process, a cornerstone of all democracies, and will continue to strengthen our platform against bots and other forms of manipulation that violate our Terms of Service," the company said in a statement.

Staff on both panels are likely to ask Twitter about the bots, and also about some of the potential vulnerabilities in terms of tracing potential foreign intrusions. There have been concerns among some lawmakers that the company doesn't move quickly enough to remove posts and isn't able to track the original postings that were spread and retweeted.

Twitter, Facebook and Google haven't yet said whether they will accept the invitations to testify publicly before both intelligence committees. The House intelligence committee is planning to hold a hearing in October and the Senate intelligence committee has invited witnesses to appear on Nov. 1.
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National Coffee Day is Friday, Sept. 29. To celebrate, coffee shops and bakeries in the Capital Region and across the country are offering free or discounted beverages to loyal customers.

Click through the slideshow for our readers' favorite coffee shops in the Capital Region and read below for a list of local deals:

Cumberland Farms: Text the word FREECOFFEE to 64827 on Sept. 29 to receive a mobile coupon good for a free Farmhouse Blend or Bold coffee in any size (hot or iced). Cumberland is also bringing back its "Free Coffee Friday's" beginning Oct. 13th  and every other Friday throughout the month  where customers can stop by any of the brand's nearly 600 retail locations across the Northeast and Florida for a free cup of coffee, in any size.

Dunkin' Donuts: Get one free medium-sized hot coffee with the purchase of a medium, large or extra large cup of hot coffee.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: In celebration of National Coffee Weekend, Krispy Kreme is offering guests one free cup of coffee each day, Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 1.

Saratoga Coffee Traders: Get a free 12-ounce cup of Death Wish Coffee.

The Happy Cappuccino: In honor of the shop's six-year birthday and National Coffee Day, buy one free hot or iced small cappuccino and get one free.

Stewart's Shops: Receive a free hot, iced or cold brew coffee from noon until close.

Pilot Travel Centers: Get a free small cup of coffee or any small hot tea or cappuccino with this coupon.

Cinnabon: Get a free 12-ounce cup of coffee.

Tim Hortons: Download the Tim Hortons app and get a free original blend, dark roast, decaf or iced coffee in any size between Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.

McDonald's: Get any small McCafe beverage for $2.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Ram Nath Kovind will visit Djibouti and Ethiopia from October 3 on his maiden trip abroad as president during which a number of agreements, including one on economic cooperation, are expected to be signed.

During his four-day visit to the two African nations, the president is expected to sign agreements on institutionalisation of foreign office consultation and greater economic cooperation with Ethiopia, said Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

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Press Secretary to the President Ashok Malik said Djibouti is an important Indian Ocean partner country with whom Indias bilateral trade stands at USD 284 million in 2016-17.

"The president is looking forward to the visit. He recognises that the Africa and Indian ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit," Malik told reporters here.

Malhotra said this will be the first visit by an Indian president to Ethiopia after 45 years. The last visit was by President V V Giri in 1972.

She said there will be a business event and an interaction with the Indian community there.

"The first visit by the president to Africa shows the importance of the Africa for the current government. The Prime Minister had declared that Africa is a priority for Indian foreign and economic policies," she said.

Indias bilateral trade with Ethiopia in 2016 was nearly USD 1 billion. The country is among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia with an approved investment of 4 billion dollars.

Malik said India has extended a line of credit of USD 49 million to Djibouti, mainly for constructing a cement plant. It is a strategically located country just off the Gulf of Aden.

Asked whether India will sign any pact with Ethiopia on import of pulses, Malhotra said India imports pulses from four African countries -- Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and Ethiopia.

"This year we had a bumper crops so I think our import from Africa including Myanmar, Australia and Canada will also come down drastically. We are not contemplating signing any agreement as far as pulses is concerned," she said.

Asked about China establishing a military base in Djibouti, Malik said Indias relations with the nation stands on its own footing which goes back to many years.

"India is not a stranger to this country, economically or politically. What other countries do is entirely the business of these countries. We dont need to comment on that. As far as defence agreement with Djibouti is concerned, there is nothing scheduled yet," he said.

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In both the countries the president will interact with the members of the Indian community. PTI ACB BSA

--- ENDS ---
John Carl D'Annibale

I welcome the hydrofracking ban by the Delaware River Basin Commission as reported in "Panel closes in on fracking ban" (Sept. 14). Certainly, the reservoir for New York City needs to be protected. According to the commission, fracking "presents risks, vulnerabilities and impacts to surface and ground water resources across the country."

Meanwhile, not far away in Albany, the state plans to build a new gas power plant for the Empire State Plaza that would be fueled by this very same fracked gas from Pennsylvania.
It happens every day: Public health workers protect the health of people and the communities where we live, learn, work and play. Improving access to vaccines, planning for public health emergencies and preventing infectious disease outbreaks, lead poisoning and injury are all led by our public health workforce and contribute to better health for us all.

But public health needs strong investments to continue to protect our health and well-being. Unfortunately, the fiscal year 2018 budget proposal recently unveiled by President Donald Trump would put the progress we've made at risk. The president's budget slashes $54 billion from nondefense discretionary spending which funds critical activities like public health, environmental protection, housing and transportation.

Specifically, the president's budget calls for cutting 18 percent from the Department of Health and Human Services and 31 percent from the Environmental Protection Agency, and would eliminate more than $400 million in funding to train health professionals and nurses.

"Accidents," suicides, homicides and disasters remain the leading cause of preventable childhood deaths. And, injury prevention adds years of productive life by limiting devastating fiscal and emotional personal, family and societal losses In my public health career I have seen successful injury prevention of motor vehicles accidents, burns, and ingestion of household toxic substances ingestion.

And much of that injury prevention success has be the result of innovative collaborations of community, government, insurance and industrial leaders.

In addition to the president's budget cuts, we've seen public health programs at the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration and other public health agencies impacted by existing spending caps and austerity measures that also limit our ability to continue proven successful local and state efforts such as reducing drug deaths, infant mortality, tobacco use and obesity rates. Without these necessary resources, it is hard to maintain the work currently being done and nearly impossible to support new programs to keep pace with the evolving needs of our communities. What's more, historically, deep cuts to the federal budget are often compounded by reductions to state and local budgets. Our nation's potential to thrive is undermined when communities are not healthy.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

Adequately funding our public health system is critical to protecting Americans' health every day, and it saves millions of lives. The future of our nation's health depends on a strong and properly equipped public health infrastructure at the community level in cities and towns across the country. Prevention is cheaper than later impacts, especially to the national budget.

It's time that our nation's health is made a priority. For our Congress and president, the message is clear: Your commitment to increasing investments in public health is fundamental to our pursuit of achieving a healthier, economically strong nation.

Les Fisher of Delmar is an archivist and historian in the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section of the American Public Health Association.
The 2017 National Famine Commemoration will take place at 3pm on Saturday next, 30th September 2017 at the Famine Warhouse 1848 in Ballingarry, County Tipperary. The Warhouse has been recognised as a National Monument and has a unique place in Irish history especially the dark years of An Gorta Mor.

The Commemoration will be hosted by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys T.D. in her role as Chairperson of the National Famine Commemoration Committee. The Guest of Honour will be An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. who will also lay a wreath on behalf of the Irish People.

The formal State ceremonial event, which includes and wreath laying ceremonies will be preceded by a community programme culminating in an address by An Taoiseach.

The community programme will feature performances by Micheal OSuileabhain, Michael Coady the Cecilian Choir from the Ursuline School, Thurles and Banna Cluain Meala. It will also feature members of the local community including Dr Thomas McGrath, Carmel O'Brien and Aiden Mullally and Abaigeal Maher from the Presentation Secondary School Ballingarry.

This event is open to the public. Shuttle Buses will be available from Ballingarry Village (from 12 pm to 1.30pm) and the Commons (12.30 pm to 1.30pm) to transport those wishing to attend to the historic site, returning following the conclusion of the event at approximately 4.30pm. There will be a marquee on site to protect those attending the event from the rain.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister Humphreys said:

I am very much looking forward to this years National Famine Commemoration. The Famine Warhouse 1848 is a unique venue for the Commemoration, and the local community and our colleagues in Tipperary County Council have prepared a powerful artistic programme to honour the memory of An Gorta Mor and its victims.
Fianna Fail's Cllr Mattie Ryan has called on Tipperary County Council to set up a fulltime rural development office with its own director of services.

Cllr Ryan says the department could help draw up a plan to stem the demise of rural Ireland.

It could be tasked to foresee the future needs of the rural parishes in Tipperary and to provide some sort of operational support that would work with the different Government departments, such as Finance, he says.

Among its remit could be relaxing planning laws where possible so that young people could build their homes in their own locality.

This measure, if nothing else, would relieve the pressure for houses in cities and towns, says Cllr Ryan, who has put the proposal to Tipperary County Council by way of a notice of motion.

Cllr Ryan also states that the lack of proper broadband in rural Tipperary is a major stumbling block.

Many people tell me they would be able to work from home if the broadband system was up to the required standard, he says.

With continuing problems with the rural schoolbus system, Cllr Ryan says that the lack of school transport in some areas is another factor in the decision making of many couples as they plan where to set up home and start a family.

One example is, when Curreeny school closed in 1965 the parents were assured that the children would be transported by bus to Templederry. This service is no longer available, he says.

Adding to rural decline is the continued closure of post offices.

Following the closure of schools and creameries, this is also having an enormous effect on the life of rural villages, many of which were vibrant communities a few years ago, says Cllr Ryan.

Another stumbling block to maintaining rural communities, he says, is the lack of a proper sewage system in 39 villages.

Kilcommon village is a case in point, and it is a factor in the decline of the population there. Prior to my becoming a member of the county council there was not a local authority house built in Kilcommon for 80 years, he says.

However, Cllr Ryan praises the foresight of those who devised the Community Housing Scheme, saying that in, Kilcommon, for example, it has allowed the elderly and some young families to remain in their local village. To date that organisation has built 19 dwellings.

I want to acknowledge too the support given by those in the council housing section to this group. We must acknowledge also that Brian Beck and his team in the planning section are now allowing houses to be built on half-acre sites in rural villages, says the Fianna Fail representative.

While acknowledging the work done by those in the Community Watch Scheme, which, he says, offers hope and confidence to the most vulnerable, Cllr Ryan laments the closure of rural Garda stations, saying this has left many, especially the older people, vulnerable in their own homes.

He is urging a scheme where farmers would organise a neighbourhood watch where each would check on others to ensure their safety, especially for farm safety in cases where farmers are working alone.

Cllr Ryan further acknowledges the work of Tipperary CEO Joe MacGrath, who said on his appointment that he would set up a section on tourism to promote Tipperary as a major tourist attraction.

The fruits of that appointment saw Tipperary win the All-Ireland trophy for tourist promotion. Indeed, receiving that award, was a proud moment for myself, Cllr Phyll Bugler and Aine McCarthy, he says.

Calling for support for his motion, Cllr Ryan points out that Clare County Council has already launched a rural development strategy and Government has appointed Michael Ring as Minister for Rural Development
[September 29, 2017] ION Solar Recognized Among Emerging Eight On Utah Business' Fast 50 List Which Showcases Utah's Fastest Growing Companies

PROVO, Utah, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ION Solar, the 4th largest residential solar company in the nation, today announced it has been recognized by Utah Business magazine as an Emerging Eight on their annual Fast 50 list. Each year Utah Business magazine ranks the fastest growing companies in Utah, which have been in business a minimum of five years, based on revenue growth and total revenue. Companies who haven't been in business for the required five years but are already making a significant impact are recognized among the Emerging Eight. "2017 is proving to be a remarkable year for ION Solar and we couldn't be more honored about being recognized as a Utah business to watch out for here in our home state," said Jimmy Slemboski, President of ION Solar. "In just a few short years we've grown to become the 2nd largest residential solar company in Utah, 4th in the nation, and just recently ranked #24 on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fatest growing private companies with three-year sales growth of 9,507%-- the highest ranked Utah company on this year's list. We're proud of our Utah roots and honored to be among so many great Utah businesses on this year's Fast 50 list," Jimmy continued.



Other 2017 accolades include: #24 on the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies (Inc Magazine)

#2 in Utah on the list of Top 500 Largest Residential Solar Companies (Solar Power World) #4 Nationwide on list of Top 500 Largest Residential Solar Companies (Solar Power World) About ION Solar ION Solar is a premium, full-service solar provider. ION offers affordable solar solutions that give customers the benefits of solar with little or no up-front costs. Full-service includes a custom-designed system, all permitting, installation, inspection, and system maintenance. Using all premium equipment. ION's large install area covers Utah, California, Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico. For more information visit ionsolar.com. Contact:

Travis Thornton

888-781-7074

[email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ion-solar-recognized-among-emerging-eight-on-utah-business-fast-50-list-which-showcases-utahs-fastest-growing-companies-300528051.html SOURCE ION Solar

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[September 28, 2017] Arkansas Animal Hospital Opens, Thanks to $20K Small Biz Grant

Arkansas veterinarian Dr. Richard Hughes (News - Alert) has opened Hughes Animal Hospital in Malvern, Arkansas, thanks in part to a $20,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Southern Bancorp. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170928006395/en/ Local leadership joined Dr. Richard Hughes and bank representatives at the grand opening of Hughes Animal Hospital today after a $20,000 Economic Development Program Plus grant from Southern Bancorp and FHLB Dallas helped the veterinary clinic open in Malvern, Arkansas. (Photo: Business Wire) A loan from Southern Bancorp, which was funded by an Economic Development Program (EDP) advance from FHLB Dallas, helped pay for a new 4,800 square-foot building for the veterinary practice. An accompanying $20,000 Economic Development Program Plus (EDPPlus) grant helped the veterinary practice operate from a temporary building and purchase equipment such as an X-ray machine, surgery tables and instruments. Local leadership joined Dr. Hughes and bank representatives at a ribbon cutting and grand opening event today. "This community's history and economy are rooted in agriculture so there is a great need for the service Dr. Hughes provides in this area," said City of Malvern Fire Chief Jeremy Harper. "This grant allows Hughes Animal Hospital fulfill a great need in our community and stimulate the local economy." Noncompetitive EDPPlus grants are awarded in conjunction with EDP advaces through FHLB Dallas members, like Southern Bancorp. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis to promote and enhance small business development and job creation. As a result of the grant, Hughes Animal Hospital will hire three full-time employees.



Dr. Hughes said he learned about the loan and grant program from Southern Bancorp. "The bank was very good to work with. When word got out that I was coming back to town to open a new clinic, Brian Coston called me," Dr. Hughes recalled. "We had lunch, put together a plan and I applied for the grant."

Southern Bancorp Senior Vice President Brian Coston said the EDP advance and EDPPlus grant program are useful tools for the rural development bank. "The grant feature of the EDP package provides a boost our customers need to get their businesses going," said Mr. Coston. "Dr. Hughes provides a great service to the community and we care about the success of his practice." In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded $1 million in EDPPlus grants in conjunction with EDP advances to 48 businesses in FHLB Dallas' five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. FHLB Dallas has made available $750,000 in EDPPlus grants through its members this year. "The EDP advance and EDPPlus grant programs help our members support economic development and stimulate the economy," said Gustavo Molina, SVP and chief banking operations officer at FHLB Dallas. "We're thankful for Southern Bancorp's partnership and commitment to the community." Dr. Hughes said he is happy to have his own practice again. He sold his original practice after 24 years to pursue activities within various trade associations, such as American Brahman Breeders Association. Dr. Hughes, who owns a ranch and tends to his own 80-head herd of cows, said he is excited to be back in business. "I'm 57 years old and still have a lot of years left," said Dr. Hughes. "I'm excited to pursue my livelihood in this new building." About Southern Bancorp Southern Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company; Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a tax exempt lending and development organization; and Southern Bancorp Bank, one of America's largest rural development banks were founded in 1986 by then Governor Bill Clinton, Wal-Mart Chair Rob Walton, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and others who were concerned about the economic decline of rural Arkansas. All three are U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) collectively known as "Southern." With $1.2 billion in assets, 80,000 customers at its 44 locations in Arkansas and Mississippi. On the web at banksouthern.com & southernpartners.org. 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/20170928006395/en/

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[September 28, 2017] NPL Re-launches to Accelerate UK Industry

LONDON, September 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New approach informed by government priorities, consultation with industry, and a century of expertise NPL, the UK's National Measurement Institute, will re-launch this month to apply the latest advances in measurement science, engineering and technology to fast-track growth in key sectors of the UK economy. The new approach focuses on areas with the potential to provide major social and economic benefits - advanced manufacturing, digital, energy and environment, and life sciences and health - to help the UK take a leading share of future markets and become a world-leader in commercialising research. The re-launch is in direct response to government policy, including the Industrial Strategy, as well as extensive consultation with industry on key economic drivers such as big data, automation, environmental regulation, the digital economy and personalised healthcare. Drawing on a century of expertise and world-class facilities across the UK, the re-launch will see NPL forge a stronger link between lab and market, creating new measurement standards, skills and technologies to support trade and innovation across the commercial world, from Industry 4.0 to drug development. It will also further NPL's pioneering work saving lives, protecting the environment and enabling citizens to feel secure. Its four new focus areas are: Growing the economic impact and competitiveness of UK manufacturing, by helping businesses big and small to harness the potential of the digitally-enabled supply chain and take advantage of new materials and processes, like composites and additive manufacturing, to become more responsive, sustainable, and efficient

by helping businesses big and small to harness the potential of the digitally-enabled supply chain and take advantage of new materials and processes, like composites and additive manufacturing, to become more responsive, sustainable, and efficient Unlocking new digital opportuities, by testing and validating new technologies, such as quantum devices and 5G, to protect consumers and provide a competitive edge to industry, and transforming the way we collect, connect and comprehend data

by testing and validating new technologies, such as quantum devices and 5G, to protect consumers and provide a competitive edge to industry, and transforming the way we collect, connect and comprehend data Paving the way to a greener future, by working to make every stage of energy generation and transport more efficient, safe and affordable, accelerating the uptake of new green technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells, and providing confidence to take effective action to mitigate climate change and air pollution

by working to make every stage of energy generation and transport more efficient, safe and affordable, accelerating the uptake of new green technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells, and providing confidence to take effective action to mitigate climate change and air pollution Working to tackle some of the world's biggest health challenges, by standardising and improving diagnosis and treatment techniques to help all UK NHS hospitals provide world-class cancer care by 2020, and reducing attrition rates in drug development, as well as working on new therapies like novel antibiotics, to get them to patients more quickly



Peter Thompson , CEO of NPL, said: "Many people are unaware of the scope, scale or quality of work that NPL delivers, or the part that it has played in some of the biggest discoveries in modern history. The effects of the science, technology and engineering that NPL delivers are felt by everyone, everywhere. After a century as the silent partner to industry, we are proud to re-launch NPL, to ensure it can further accelerate UK industry and deliver extraordinary impact on our economy and quality of life for many years to come. Whether it's making UK business more productive, harnessing the power of big data, tackling climate change, developing the next generation of mobile technologies, services and applications or improving the treatment of the world's most prevalent diseases, you'll be amazed at how NPL is working to solve the greatest challenges and meet the biggest opportunities facing society today."

Measurement is vital in taking an idea or finding, and turning it into a product or service that can be reproduced or manufactured at scale, more efficiently, safely and cheaply than before. Measurement is also crucial in expanding our understanding of, and confidence in, the performance of technologies and processes, ensuring consumers know what they are getting, and industry can exploit them to their full potential. Responsible for maintaining the UK's primary measurement standards since 1902, NPL has performed a vital role across the entire technology lifecycle, from research science to product development and commercialisation, for over a century. The first accurate caesium atomic clock, that led to the redefinition of the second 50 years ago this October and whose descendants now underpin GPS and telecommunications, was created at NPL. As was packet switching, the forbearer of the internet which facilitated the worldwide exchange of data across digital networks, and radar, which revolutionised navigation and defence. For more information visit: http://www.npl.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NPL

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/npldigital

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-physical-laboratory Alex Cloney

AprilSix Proof on behalf of NPL:

+44(0)20-3141-2970

[email protected]

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The negative comments directed at Mahira Khan after pictures of her and Ranbir Kapoor went viral have reportedly taken a toll on her health.

By India Today Web Desk: Last week, pictures of Mahira Khan chilling over a smoke with Ranbir Kapoor took the internet by storm. It did not take too long for a section of netizens to start trolling her, although she also found support in some fans and colleagues. If a report in Pinkvilla is to be believed, all the negative comments directed at Mahira have taken a toll on her.

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A source told the publication, "Mahira has faced severe criticism for her pictures with Ranbir Kapoor, on social media, much more than Ranbir, because she is a woman. Some feel the pictures were leaked out deliberately by a Bollywood celeb." Apparently, Mahira has been "quite depressed" since the pictures hit the internet, in spite of her friends and colleagues coming to her defense.

The Raees actor has fallen ill and has not been able to shoot for her upcoming film due to all the stress, according to reports. Meanwhile, Ranbir Kapoor turned a year older on Thursday and had a lavish party at his residence to celebrate the occasion.

The source added, "People have been speculating whether she wished Ranbir on his birthday but while one doesn't know whether they spoke to each other, the fact is, she has been too unwell, so it seems highly unlikely."

ALSO WATCH: Pakistani actor Mahira Khan condemns terror attacks, hopes and prays for peace

--- ENDS ---
[September 29, 2017] CISOSHARE Partners with Identillect to Broaden its Security Services by Helping Organizations Combat Email-Borne Cyber-attacks

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Identillect Technologies Corp. (the "Company" or "Identillect") (TSX-V:ID) (OTCQB:IDTLF) (Frankfurt:8ID) announces its new partnership with CISOSHARE to provide their valued clients with Delivery Trust, Identillect's award winning email encryption plug-in, which gives users complete control of their emails and combats the ransomware epidemic affecting a growing number of businesses worldwide.

Delivery Trust aligns with CISOSHAREs mission to help companies build and maintain a comprehensive cyber security management system from start to finish including policy, processes, and people. CISOSHARE services a wide array of organizations in the healthcare, government, financial, cloud based sectors. For 20 years, weve been helping companies build the best IT security programs in the market by helping them integrate protection against the latest threats, said Mike Gentile, President and CEO of CISOSHARE. With ransomware and other email-borne attacks growing in number, email encryption has become a vital tool our clients can use to protect their data. Identillect CEO Todd Sexton states, "Identillect is pleased to be the chosen email security provider of CISOSHARE. Their decision underscores CISOSHAREs commitment to protect clients from becoming the next victims of ransomware. Email encryption is part of the layered security every IT manager should embrace because hackers are getting more aggressive and posing a greater threat than ever before. According to Dattos State of the Channel Ransomware Report released this week, small and medium businesses in the U.S. (SMBs) paid ransomware hackers $301 million in 2016 to decrypt critical files. The report also found 99% of companies surveyed predict these attacks will continue to rise in the next two years. The report found the greatest financial strain caused by ransomware is not the ransom itself but the result of downtime and data loss. The industries targeted most often by cybercriminals were construction, manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, and finance. The report also found Software as a Service (SaaS) applications are a growing target for attack, no companies are immune including industry giants such as Microsoft Office 365 and G Suite. Mobile and tablet attacks are also on the rise, according to te report; these platforms can increase security with the Delivery Trust email encryption plug-in.



About the Email Security Industry

As the growing threat of cyber-attacks fuels the growth of the cyber security industry, the email encryption market will grow as well, estimated to be worth more than 4.21 Billion USD by 2020. Email-borne cyber-attacks are the second most common type of cyber security breach according to the Identity Theft Center with the average cost of a data breach now estimated at more than $3.62 million. Despite the growing threat to businesses, nearly 60% of U.S. companies do not encrypt their emails. As the number of attacks increases, this demand for a reliable email encryption provider will grow, with an estimated 4 billion individuals online requiring security by 2020.

About CISOSHARE

CISOSHARE specializes in improving an organizations Information Security Program through a suite of Information Security Services. Our services help solve the common issues that security leaders face each day regarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. CISOSHARE has over 20 years of expertise in providing cybersecurity solutions around the globe. From working with large organizations in highly-regulated industries to smaller organizations with specific security concerns, we are able to customize solutions to provide each client with exactly what they need to stay abreast of the latest security threats. About Identillect

Identillect Technologies is the leading provider of email encryption service Delivery Trust, empowering enterprises of all sizes to protect their business and their clients critical information against cyber security attacks. Delivery Trust is an award -winning, multi-platform plug-in, which gives users complete control of their emails, for one low price. One simple integration complies with all regulations and most importantly provides peace of mind. For more information, or your free trial, please visit www.identillect.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors of: IDENTILLECT TECHNOLOGIES CORP. Todd Sexton

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (949) 468-7878

Email: [email protected] Investor Relations:

Arlen Hansen

Kin Communications

1-866-684-6730

[email protected] Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

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[September 29, 2017] Compuware Announces Day One Support of the IBM z/OS Version 2.3

DETROIT, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compuware Corporation, the worlds leading mainframe-dedicated software company, is pleased to announce Day One support of IBMs new z/OS version 2.3 operating system. Compuwares products, including COPE, ThruPut Manager, Topaz and its COBOL and PL/I productivity tools, work with z/OS 2.3 to help customers manage higher transactional volumes while delivering applications faster and with greater quality. New operating system features including encryption-readiness technology and software installation improvements are also supported.

Digital transformation is driving higher transaction volumes and accelerating the rate of application changes made by enterprises. It also demands a higher level of data security than ever before, as code is developed and tested more frequently, says Christopher OMalley, CEO, Compuware. The IBM z14 is the ideal foundation for this environment, and the new z/OS and compatible applications are key to maximizing the platforms unmatched capacity, performance reliability and security strengths. Building upon the already robust record of the mainframe and the z/OS operating system, IBM z/OS 2.3 provides enhanced data protection for z/OS data. This includes encryption-readiness technology that enables z/OS administrators to determine which traffic patterns to and from their z/OS systems meet approved encryption criteria. These new features can be combined with Compuware Application Audit, providing end-to-end visibility into privileged user behavior, to deliver superior protection against insider threats.



z/OS 2.3 also continues to lay the foundation for installation improvements through enhancements supporting a basis for a common software installation process. Compuware has been a leader in a multi-vendor effort to standardize product installation on the mainframe, which the company believes will strengthen the mainframe ecosystem and create a better future for mainframe customers and for the mainframe market overall. Compuware worked in collaboration with IBM to ensure its breadth of solutions work seamlessly upon customer migration to the new z/OS 2.3 operating system.

Compuware Corporation

Compuware empowers the worlds largest companies to excel in the digital economy by fully leveraging their high-value mainframe investments. We do this by delivering highly innovative solutions that uniquely enable IT professionals with mainstream skills to manage mainframe applications, data, and platform operations. Learn more at compuware.com. Follow us on: Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

Inside Tech Talk

Google + Press Contact

Kristina LeBlanc, The Medialink Group, [email protected], (508) 930-5636 Mary McCarthy, Public Relations Manager, Compuware, [email protected], (313) 227-7088 For Sales and Marketing Information

Compuware Corporation, One Campus Martius, Detroit MI 48226, 800-521-9353, compuware.com. Copyright  2017 Compuware Corporation. Compuware, the Compuware logo, and Topaz are registered or pending registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries.

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[September 29, 2017] Achieve3000 Partners with Renowned Education Innovator Dr. Douglas Fisher to Deliver Industry-Leading Teacher Development and Instructional Practice

LAKEWOOD, N.J., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reflecting its commitment to build on the proven strength of its literacy platform for PreK  12 and Adult Education, Achieve3000 today announced an innovative partnership with acclaimed educator and thought leader Dr. Douglas Fisher. Focused on accelerating learning gains for students and building capacity for educators, Dr. Fisher is working alongside Achieve3000 on new blended professional learning models and instructional routine in order to improve student achievement through improved classroom instruction.

A partnership with Dr. Doug Fisher will allow us to help even more students realize the greatest possible effect in reading growth, explained Chief Executive Officer Saki Dodelson. Students using Achieve3000 2x per week are already making two or more years worth of growth in a single year, and with the new Read Discuss Read instructional model, we believe we will see an even greater impact. Through this partnership with Dr. Fisher, Achieve3000 is taking the best research from Dr. Fishers book Visible Learning for Literacy co-written with Dr. John Hattie and Dr. Nancy Frey to accelerate student learning with a new instructional model called Read-Discuss-Read, designed to increase student comprehension through repeated readings, classroom discussion and debate. These instructional methods are proven to yield significant gains in a school year (effect sizes ranging from 0.67 to 0.82). A second initiative is a video series - 30 Days to Improving Instruction. Over the course of 30 Days, Dr. Fisher will help teachers build their own skills and practice, enabling them to apply new strategies effectively in their classrooms everyday. Achieve3000 has used decades of scientific research to develop its highly effective literacy platform, Dr. DougFisher stated, thats why it works. Dr. Fisher continued, The data is clear, when implemented correctly and used regularly, student literacy steadily improves. With this new 30-day professional learning opportunity, teachers will learn concrete ways to improve their classroom instruction, with the singular focus on student achievement.



Achieve3000 continues to offer the only literacy platform in English and Spanish that provides differentiated instruction with embedded assessments to automatically deliver grade-appropriate content at students individual reading levels, with editions that are customized for state, district or country curricula and assessments. The Achieve3000 platform is powered by built-in blended learning, actionable data and proven efficacy, ensuring equity of access to core instruction while accelerating student learning, improving performance on high-stakes assessments and preparing all students for college and career success. About Achieve3000

Achieve3000 is the leader in online differentiated literacy instruction, serving nearly three students worldwide. For more than 16 years, Achieve3000s patented and proven literacy platform has been reaching students at their individual reading levels to deliver significant learning gains, often double to triple the expected gains in a single school year. Based on decades of scientific research, Achieve3000s solutions  Smarty Ants (grades PreK-2), KidBiz3000 (grades 2-5), TeenBiz3000 (grades 6-8), Empower3000 (grades 9-12), Spark3000 (adult learners) and eScience3000 (grades 6-8)  support core curriculum, Response to Intervention, English language learner and special education instructional models, as well as 21st-century education initiatives. From learning how to read to preparing for the workforce, Achieve3000 empowers all learners to develop the college and career literacy skills needed for academic, professional and personal success. Achieve3000 is based in Lakewood, New Jersey. Learn more at http://www.achieve3000.com or call 888-968-6822.

About Dr. Douglas Fisher

Douglas Fisher is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. He is a member of the California Reading Hall of Fame and was honored as an exemplary leader by the Conference on English Leadership. Dr. Fisher has published numerous articles on improving student achievement, and his books include The Purposeful Classroom: How to Structure Lessons with Learning Goals in Mind; Enhancing RTI: How to Ensure Success with Effective Classroom Instruction and Intervention; Checking for Understanding: Formative Assessment Techniques for Your Classroom; How to Create a Culture of Achievement in Your School and Classroom; and Intentional and Targeted Teaching: A Framework for Teacher Growth and Leadership. Contact:

Josef Blumenfeld

EdTech180

[email protected]

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[September 29, 2017] WGU Texas Celebrates Sixth Annual Commencement as 1,995 New Grads Earn Their Degrees

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the past six years, WGU Texas has significantly grown the number of college graduates in the Lone Star State by offering high quality, competency-based, online education that is affordable and accessible for non-traditional students. Since the university's launch in Texas in 2011, more than 7,100 graduates have earned their undergraduate or graduate degrees, helping address the state's critical workforce needs in high-demand fields such as IT, healthcare, business, and education. On Saturday, Sept. 30, 1,995 Texans will join the ranks of WGU Texas alumni, during the university's annual commencement ceremony at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin where graduates, along with their friends and family will cheer them on. "Today, many Texans juggle full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and limited budgets, making higher education something that's simply out of reach," said Dr. Steven Johnson, WGU Texas Chancellor. "We've helped change that as WGU Texas continues to deliver high-quality higher education solutions that meet the needs of our diverse Texas population. This year's graduates are a strong testament that higher education is within reach." Just as Texas is diverse, so are this year's graduates: Nearly 40 percent are first-generation college graduates.

The average age is 40 years old, the oldest graduate is 85 years old, and the youngest is 20 years old.

From this class, the average time to complete a bachelor's degree was two years and seven months, while completing a master's degree took about one year, nine months. Dr. Marni Baker Stein, who joined WGU in August as Provost and Chief Academic Officer, will deliver the keynote address and closing remarks. Inaddition, the WGU Texas Commencement ceremony will feature four graduate speakers:



Toni Marek (Victoria) is a single mother who served eight years in the Army Reserves, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Northeastern University as the only student in her graduating class to earn a 4.0. Marek, who earned her MS in Management and Leadership, landed her dream job as a patient experience director in a local hospital. Marek says, "I don't dream of success; I earn it." Rachel Blust (Pflugerville) is a psychology buff who loves the behavioral side of education and teaching. Blust, a special education teacher, described WGU Texas as a "great fit" for those juggling work, family, and other commitments that may make traditional brick and mortar universities more difficult to attend. Blust earned her B.A. in Special Education and is student teaching.

Clinton Metu (Houston) is Nigerian-born, arriving in the U.S. when he was seven. After attending a health care magnet school in Houston, his family encouraged him to pursue a health care career. But, it was clear that Metu's passion and future rested in computers and technology. Metu said, "WGU Texas treated me like an adult and a professional, and the acceleration of the program helped me meet my academic goals." Metu earned his B.S. in IT Security. Christopher Ray (Mesquite) went from truck driver to nurse. After dropping out of high school, Ray married at 19 to start a family. WGU Texas helped Ray pursue his dream of a B.S. in Nursing, and earn a promotion to ER charge nurse at a Dallas hospital. He is most proud that his WGU Texas capstone project idea on roles and values in the ER was implemented in his workplace. Ray plans to pursue a Family Nurse Practitioner program. Follow the 2017 Commencement online using hashtag, #WGUTX17. For information about WGU Texas degree programs, please visit http://texas.wgu.edu. About WGU Texas

WGU Texas is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Texans' access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership between the state of Texas and nationally-recognized Western Governors University, WGU Texas is open to all qualified Texas residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high-demand career fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. Follow WGU Texas:

http://www.facebook.com/WGUTexas

http://www.linkedin.com/companies/western-governors-university

http://twitter.com/wgutexas Contact for media inquiries:

Kathy Koza, PR Manager

512.225.6644 or 214.674.8057 (c)

[email protected]

Contact for enrollment information:

877.214.7011

texas.wgu.edu View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wgu-texas-celebrates-sixth-annual-commencement-as-1995-new-grads-earn-their-degrees-300527932.html SOURCE WGU Texas

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[September 29, 2017] Computers for Schools program has delivered 1.5 million computers to Canadians

Minister Bains celebrates major milestone in program that equips next generation with digital skills for future jobs MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - In today's digital economy, the demand for employees with digital skills continues to grow. The Government of Canada is committed to making sure all Canadians are equipped with the right skills for the well-paying jobs of today and tomorrow. That was the message delivered today by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Minister Bains was joined by Sven Spengemann, Member of Parliament for MississaugaLakeshore, to celebrate a major milestone in the Computers for School (CFS) program: 1.5 million computers have been delivered across Canada. The celebration took place at Homelands Senior Public School in Mississauga and involved several CFS partners and recipients. The Government of Canada's CFS program refurbishes donated computers and distributes them to schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous communities across Canada. It has employed more than 6,900 youth interns across Canada and has helped divert millions of tons of e-waste from landfills throughout the country. CFS is one of many digital skills programs focused on providing all Canadians with computer and Internet access and the skills to use digital technologies. The program aligns with the Government's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying, middle class jobs. Quotes "My congratulations to everyone involvd with Computers for Schools. This is a big milestone, and it marks another important step in creating the innovation culture that will sustain our job growth and ensure our success in the digital age. We especially need more women and other under-represented groups to learn the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. Canada will only succeed if we use everybody's talents to their full potential."





"Our government recognizes that it is vital for young people across Canada to develop the skillset to excel in today's modern, digital and knowledge-based economy. I am proud to celebrate the efforts of all those involved in making the Computers for Schools program a success."

 Sven Spengemann, Member of Parliament for MississaugaLakeshore

"The real impacts of the Computers for Schools program are seen in the creativity, skills and expansion of minds that are happening in our classrooms, in our non-profit sector, in our CFS workshops and in our communities. Thank you to the Minister and the Government of Canada for supporting Renewed Computer Technology in delivering over 458,400 computers in Ontario and for helping us empower youth in the technical field to pursue their career goals."

 Shauna L. McCaffrey, Executive Director, Renewed Computer Technology "The CFS program is a Canadian success storya multi-sector partnership of public, private and not-for-profit organizations focused on digital inclusion and innovation. Today's celebration of the delivery of 1.5 million computers by program affiliates in every province and territory over nearly 25 years is a moment to reflect on Canada's leadership in developing clean technology, essential digital skills and economic opportunities."

 Toby Harper-Merrett, Executive Director, Computers for Success CanadaOrdinateurs pour l'excellence Canada "An ever-changing world requires teachers and educators to be willing to innovate our practice in response to the needs of modern learners in a dynamic, global context. Contributions like these help schools prepare our students for the world they will inherit."

 Peter Joshua, Director of Education of the Peel District School Board Quick facts Since 1993, the Computers for Schools program has delivered more than 1.5 million refurbished computers to schools, libraries, registered not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and refugees across Canada , and it has employed more than 6,900 young Canadians in all regions.

, and it has employed more than 6,900 young Canadians in all regions. The CFS program minimizes governments' and businesses' impact on the environment by reusing and recycling computer equipment.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada works with provincial and territorial governments, not-for profit organizations, the private sector and volunteers to deliver this program. Associated links Computers for Schools

Innovation and Skills Plan Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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[September 29, 2017] Electrical Safety Authority Hosts 2017 Ontario Electrical Safety Awards

CF Industries, City of Timmins, Waterloo North Hydro and Honda of Canada recognized for excellence in electrical safety MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Yesterday, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) held its Annual Meeting and Ontario Electrical Safety Awards to celebrate achievements in electrical safety. The award recipients  a municipality, utility, manufacturing and automotive companies, and a fire chief  illustrated that electrical safety is a shared responsibility that touches all individuals and organizations across the province. The Awards were presented by Brian Bentz, Chair, Electrical Safety Authority Board of Directors, and Kevin French, Deputy Minister of Government and Consumer Services in the categories of Worker Safety, Consumer and Home Safety and Powerline Safety. This year Scott Saint, ESA's Chief Public Safety Officer, gave special recognition to Honda of Canada for its long-term commitment to improving electrical safety for its workers and facility visitors. The 2017 award recipients are: Worker Safety: CF Industries, Courtright  for its commitment to keeping workers safe by installing Infrared Scanning windows on all electrical equipment. The scanners perform required routine maintenance on electricalequipment, which eliminates exposure to arc and shock hazards and helps to ensure a safer work environment for employees.



Consumer and Home Safety: Waterloo North Hydro  for its dedication to improving electrical safety in its community through the Electrical Safety Community Outreach program. The program uses both active and retired employees to deliver safety messages to its communities and includes Electrical School Safety, First Responders Electrical Awareness and the Electrical Safety program. Powerline Safety: The Corporation of the City of Timmins  for identifying a safety risk with its snow removal dump trucks and taking action to reduce the risk of powerline contact. The City of Timmins has installed box buzzers on all city-owned dump trucks, and contractors hired for snow removal are required to have a box buzzer system in their trucks. A box buzzer alerts a dump truck driver when the box on the truck is raised and continues to sound until the box is fully lowered. This feature reduces the risk of a raised box contacting a powerline.

Chief Public Safety Officer's Special Recognition Award: Honda of Canada  for its long standing commitment to workplace safety in its Alliston, Ontario facility including the implementation of the Z462 Workplace Standard. Honda of Canada is focused on continuous improvement and the company's commitment to safety has been embraced by employees and contract personnel who work in the plant. All employees are expected to follow the safety protocols and continually work to maintain the safety standards that have been established. ESA also presented an Honourable Mention distinction to a well-deserving safety partner: Fire Chief Brian Wilson, Clarence-Rockland Fire, for his efforts to ensure homeowners received important flood safety information as they faced the potential for many electrical hazards as a result of the severe flooding that occurred in the region in May 2017. "All of us at ESA know that to achieve a more electrically safe Ontario, we can't do it alone," says Scott Saint, Chief Public Safety Officer, ESA. "That's why we're so grateful for, and so impressed with this year's winners. They have shown incredible leadership to systematically address electrical safety issues. By celebrating their accomplishments, we hope to inspire others to meet the high bar set by these organizations." The Ontario Electrical Safety Awards were established in 2010 to formally recognize the important contributions of individuals and organizations toward achieving ESA's vision of an Ontario where people can live, work and play safe from electrical harm. In addition to the awards, ESA's Board Chair, Brian Bentz, and Chief Executive Officer, David Collie highlighted ESA's fiscal year accomplishments as part of its current corporate strategy: the Harm Reduction Strategy 2.0. For ESA's annual report, visit esasafe.com. About the Electrical Safety Authority

The Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA's) role is to enhance public electrical safety in Ontario. As an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety. ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province on education, training and promotion to foster electrical safety across the province. More information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found at www.esasafe.com, through https://twitter.com/homeandsafety and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElectricalSafetyAuthority. SOURCE Electrical Safety Authority

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[September 29, 2017] Computers for Schools program delivers 1.5 millionth computer

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, celebrated the delivery of 1.5 million computers across Canada by the Computers for Schools program at a special event at Homelands Sr Public School in Mississauga. Shauna L. McCaffrey, Executive Director of RCT, thanked the Minister and the Government of Canada for the continued support of this important program and of the Computers for Schools Affiliates who help to deliver the program nationally in every province and territory. "The real impacts of the Computers for Schools program are demonstrated by the advanced skills and creativity that the students have demonstrated here in the classroom today, the youth that are sharing their skills by refurbishing the donated computers, and the heartfelt feedback that we receive from low income families, schools and non-profits." "RCT is proud do have delivered over 458,400 computers throughout Ontario, in addition to the 3,093 laptops to Syrian Refugee families as part of the #WelcomeRefugees intiative, to enable them to achieve and gain the skills that are needed to succeed in the workplace, in the classroom, and in their communities ".



Quote: "My congratulations to everyone involved with Computers for Schools. This is a big milestone, and it marks another important step in creating the innovation culture that will sustain our job growth and ensure our success in the digital age. We especially need more women and other under-represented groups to learn the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. Canada will only succeed if we use everybody's talents to their full potential."

 The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development About the CFS program CFS is a national program that refurbishes computers donated from government, private business and individuals for use by schools, libraries, registered not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous communities. About RCT Renewed Computer Technology (RCT) is a not-for-profit charitable organization that empowers learners, educators, low income families, youth, and non-profit organizations with increased access to information and communications technology (ICT), skill development and learning opportunities, in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. RCT operates the Computers for Schools program in Ontario. RCT expands minds by extending technology. RCTO.ca / Twitter: @RCTontario For more information: Computers for Schools

Renewed Computer Technology SOURCE Renewed Computer Technology

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[September 29, 2017] Softheon to Chair and Present at the 2017 Managed Care Conference

STONY BROOK, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Softheon, a proven leader in cloud-based health insurance exchange integration and remediation, will play a major role at the 2017 Managed Care Conference being held at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, FL, October 2-3. Bringing together policymakers, scholars, thought leaders, and industry stakeholders, this year's national conference will be an excellent opportunity to advance ideas on Medicaid reforms, cloud-based technology, and the future of Medicaid. Regarding Medicaid expansion, 32 states (including Washington, DC) have expanded Medicaid, and 36 states have received 1115 waiver approval to deliver and pay for Medicaid and CHIP healthcare services. Softheon's Vice President of Government Solutions, Michael Sasko, will be providing the opening remarks on both days. Sasko plans to set the tone of this year's event with opening statements regarding state innovation in the form of CMS 1115 waivers. As national politics dominate the conversation, states are quietly transforming Medicaid though the use of these waiver pilots. To follow, he plans to discuss the Medicaid Administration Software as a Service (SaaS) and Business Process as a Service (BPaaS), new models for the execution of Medicaid health plan technology and operations. "Global Media Dynamics is pleased to have Softheon's Vice President of Government Solutions, Michael Sasko, as the conference Chairperson. Michael's experience and insight, coupld with Softheon's commitment to fully serve the evolving needs of health plans are an excellent fit for the 2018 Medicaid Managed Care Conference," says Debra Davis, Director of Business Development at Global Media Dynamics.



In addition to managing the success of this event, Sasko will also moderate the opening panel and act as chairman of the event. This discussion will explore recent trends, patterns, and best practices impacting the Medicaid managed care system: Panel Discussion: Best Practices & Trends in Medicaid Managed Care

October 2nd, 10:30 AM

"We were thrilled with our enrollment of nearly 40,000 members," stated Ken Janda, President and CEO, Community Health Choice. "Softheon has become an essential part of our administration in this line of business," Janda added. As the chosen solution for Medicaid implementation in four states so far, the 100% U.S. based company is uniquely qualified to share relevant expertise and thoughts during this event focusing on Medicaid Managed Care. Softheon's MITA 3.0 compliant Medicaid Administration Cloud platform is designed for states and MCOs to execute financial management, delinquency & reconciliation, SSNRI, and WRAP program management. Members of the Softheon team will be present at this year's conference, eager to demonstrate Softheon's proven solutions in the exhibit hall. About the 2017 Medicaid Managed Care Conference Global Media Dynamic's 2017 Medicaid Managed Care Conference will bring together Medicaid leaders from states, health plans and Managed Care Organizations nationwide, as well as government leaders and policy makers to discuss national trends and initiatives being used across the country to optimize growth potential of this important sector. Join us and be an innovator in healthcare delivery system reform. Through comprehensive case studies, you will learn about innovative programs states and health plans are working on to best serve the growing Medicaid population, key strategies to reduce program costs and better manage utilization of health services, improvements in plan performance, healthcare quality and outcomes, insights on new managed care regulations, and more. About Softheon At Softheon, we strive to create simple solutions to complex problems. Our turnkey Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Business Process as a Service (BPaaS) solutions have provided end-to-end tracking, monitoring, and reporting of business activities for over 15 years. We are proud to be a trusted vendor in executing CMS 1115 Waiver approvals, including Indiana Health Insurance Plan (HIP 2.0); Arkansas Private Option (PO); New Hampshire Premium Assistance Program (PAP) and State of New York Basic Plan (BP). Our MITA 3.0 compliant Medicaid Administration Cloud platform is designed for states to execute financial management, delinquency & reconciliation, and WRAP program management, and recognized by IDC, AHIP, ACAP, and HCEG. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/softheon-to-chair-and-present-at-the-2017-managed-care-conference-300528342.html SOURCE Softheon

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[September 29, 2017] Government of Canada Supports Clean Technology and Training in Mapping Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

More than $450,000 from the Government of Canada will support Geoscience BC Society's Emission Measurement System project. VANCOUVER, Sept. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - BC's clean technology industry will benefit from over $450,000 in funding from the Government of Canada to support Geoscience BC Society's new atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measurement system. The system uses an Open-path Laser Optical Spectrometer (OPLS) developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The sensor will be connected to a small unmanned aerial vehicle (sUAV)also referred to as a droneto accurately map and record the location of fugitive GHG emissions by flying over location sites and recording emission levels. The funding was announced today by Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention. The funding will also support training for staff to survey and interpret the GHG emissions data. The ability to map site-specific GHG emissions will help Geoscience BC to develop the first location-based Canadian GHG inventory, providing data for research and stratgic emission reduction efforts.



This investment is being made through the Western Diversification Program, the main program through which WD makes strategic investments in initiatives that enhance and strengthen the economy of Western Canada. Quotes

"Our government believes in using evidence-based decision making to create policies that benefit all Canadians. This includes our approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are proud to support made-in-Canada solutions that bolster industry, create highly skilled jobs and protect our environment. Congratulations to Geoscience BC for its efforts to make Canada a global leader in innovation and the fight against climate change." - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada "Independent scientific data is essential in making informed decisions relating to natural resource development. The potential for future commercialization of this impressive technology means sharing a wealth of information to the rest of Canada and the world. Thanks to the support from the Government of Canada, this technology will be used to map greenhouse gas emissions in Northeast British Columbia and beyond to help the resource sector, First Nations, governments and communities to make more informed resource management decisions." - Carlos Salas, Geoscience BC Vice President of Energy Quick Facts Through the OPLS/sUAV technology, Geoscience BC will help create the first Canadian greenhouse gas inventory based on real-time data.





This technology monitors greenhouse gas emissions in real time and in high definition.





Once testing is complete, the technology will be commercialized to help industries detect and fix leaks in containment systems, which can help increase productivity and output while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Stay Connected

Twitter: @WD_Canada

Website: WD Homepage

WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)

TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388 SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

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[September 29, 2017] Diabetic Footwear Market - Drivers and Forecasts by Technavio

Technavio analysts forecast the global diabetic footwear market to grow at a CAGR of almost 8% during the forecast period, according to their latest report. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005426/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global diabetic footwear market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global diabetic footwear market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, Technavio analysts have used the revenue generated from the retail sale of diabetic footwear. The market is segmented based on geography (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC) and distribution channel (retail outlet and online retail). A common medical advice to people with diabetes is exercise, especially walking. Walking is beneficial for diabetic patients as it decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood sugar levels, and improves circulation to the legs and the feet. A diabetic walker needs to pay attention to walk-related foot problems such as blisters and calluses, which usually arise due to either the wrong type of footwear or poor fit. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. Technavio analysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the global diabetic footwear market: Rise in income level of consumers

Increase in elderly population

Increasing demand for diabetic footwear among women 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. Rise in income level of consumers

The per capita disposable income exhibits low volatility in developed countries because of a spike in double-income households. This increases the purchasing power of such households. The disposable income is increasing globally, especially at a fast rate in developing countries such as India, China, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Amber Chourasia, a lead health and wellness research analyst at Technavio, says, "Likewise, there is also an increase in the disposable income of people in developed countries such as the US, one of the reasons being an increase in working women. For example, in 2015, more than 57% of women were working in the US, creating a financial boost in the overall household income. This increase in disposable income results in the rise in purchasing power, which further increases the demand for a variety of healthcare products such as diabetic footwear." Increase in elderly population Increase in median age due to the increase in life expectancy has resulted in an increase in the elderly population. One reason for the rise in life expectancy is due to the shift in the cause of death from acute to chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Further, new medicinal treatments have resulted in longevity. "The US and Europe are experiencing a demographic shift toward older age groups, which are likely to require more healthcare services. In developing countries, increased consumption of unhealthy food and sugar may lead to increasing cases of obesity, which leads to diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. The rise in elderly population has resulted in an increase in expenditure on healthcare for health check-ups, disease diagnosis, and treatment globally," adds Amber. Increasing demand for diabetic footwear among women On a comparative scale, women are more concerned about their physical appearance than men. Hence, female diabetics are likely to constitute a larger end-user segment than the male. Also, the need to look good in the past was not as acute as it is today. Earlier, diabetic footwear was worn only for therapeutic purposes, style or fashion was not taken into account. Today, individuals demand for fashionable diabetic footwear. Vendors are manufacturing attractive as well as customized footwear to suit the individual needs of the customers. Top vendors: Aetrex Worldwide

DARCO International

OrthoFeet

Podartis Browse Related Reports: Global Adult Stores Market 2017-2021

Global Electric Oral Care Market 2017-2021

Global Biological Safety Testing 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/20170929005426/en/

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Mohit Raina's birthday wish for Mouni Roy was short, simple, yet profound.

By India Today Web Desk: Mouni Roy and Mohit Raina have never come out in open about their relationship. Yet, their fans know for a fact that the two are dating, and very much in love.

Even before they could officially confirm their relationship, their breakup rumours started doing the rounds, few weeks back.

But all this has been rubbished by beau Mohit Raina with the help of a simple yet loving Instagram post that says it all. In the stunning backdrop of a rising sun, mountains and crystal clear waters, birthday girl Mouni is gazing into the slightly clouded sky. Mohit captions the pics as--"Happy birthday. Fly."

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There were reports that Mohit was feeling insecure after Mouni bagged the Akshay Kumar-starrer Gold . But he has made it clear with this post that he wants his ladylove to fly high.

Happy birthday ???????. FLY A post shared by Mohit (@merainna) on Sep 28, 2017 at 4:12am PDT

Mouni Roy posted this stunning picture on the eve of her birthday.

Click my picture, I feel beautiful tonight ... #birthday?? A post shared by mon (@imouniroy) on Sep 27, 2017 at 1:54pm PDT

--- ENDS ---
[September 29, 2017] /DISREGARD RELEASE: Western Economic Diversification Canada/

We are advised by Western Economic Diversification Canada that journalists and other readers should disregard the news release, Government of Canada Supports Clean Technology an Training in Mapping Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, issued Sept. 29, 2017 over CNW.



SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada



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[September 29, 2017] Ghana Wins Maritime Boundary Dispute Against Cote d'Ivoire

A Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has determined the maritime boundary between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, adopting the boundary line claimed by Ghana and rejecting that proposed by Cote d'Ivoire. Ghana was represented by a team of international lawyers led by Professor Philippe Sands Q.C. of Matrix Chambers (London) and Paul Reichler of Foley Hoag LLP (Washington). The case was widely followed because of the abundant oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Guinea off the southern coast of the two neighboring African States. Ghana laid claim to and began to exploit all of the deposits to the east of an equidistance line that it long considered the de facto boundary between the two States. Cote d'Ivoire challenged Ghana's claims and threatened to prosecute international oil companies drilling in the disputed waters. In early 2015, th two States agreed to submit the dispute for binding resolution by ITLOS.



In its ruling, the tribunal unanimously agreed with Ghana that the boundary should follow an equidistance line, and that Ghana acted lawfully in its drilling and extractive activities on its side of that line. The boundary that was adopted is a line extending from the coast to the southwest at an angle of 191.8 degrees. The tribunal rejected Cote d'Ivoire's claim that the boundary should run to the southeast along an angle of 168.7 degrees. Over 9,000 square nautical miles of sea and seabed were disputed. All were awarded to Ghana. These include the oil and gas fields known as TEN (Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme) which are estimated to hold 2 billion barrels of oil and 1.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

In addition to Sands and Reichler, Ghana's legal team included Foley Hoag attorneys

Clara Brillembourg, Tafadzwa Pasipanodya, Nicholas Renzler and Alejandra Torres Camprubi; Alison Macdonald Q.C. (Matrix Chambers); Anjolie Singh; Professor Pierre Klein (Universite Libre de Bruxelles); Daniel Alexander Q.C. (8 New Square Chambers); and Fui Tsikata (Reindorf Chambers - Accra). Ghana's Agent was Attorney-General Gloria Afua-Akuffo. "The final boundary line was a 100 percent victory for Ghana, which is very rare in maritime delimitation cases," Reichler said. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005776/en/

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The Mumbai stampede tragedy has left over 22 people dead and several others injured. The commuters had repeatedly alerted the authorities about the chances of a tragedy, even warned them, but to no avail. People are of the view that the tragedy was inevitable.

By India Today Web Desk: Something as ordinary as catching a train served death to as many as 22 people today in Mumbai.

Other than those who lost their lives, at least 35 people have been injured in a stampede on a foot-over bridge at the Mumbai's Parel Railway Station, that connects Western line's Prabhadevi (formerly Elphinstone Road) and Central line's Parel suburban stations.

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Dr Pravin Bangar, a senior medical officer at Mumbai's KEM Hospital said that 15 people were brought dead.

According to some eye-witnesses, the panic kicked off due to the arrival of two trains at the same time on opposite tracks.

THE INEVITABLE MUMBAI STAMPEDE

The tragedy at Parel-Elphinstone Road over-bridge was inevitable according to several people.

The area is served by Parel and Currey Road stations on the Central Railway and Elphinstone Road, Lower Parel stations on the Western Railway.

These stations were built during the first phase of railway construction in India in the first half of the 20th century.

However, as the area changed with it becoming a business hub, it saw many people crossing the Parel bridge connected to the Elphinstone Road station.

As many shared photos and updates of the tragedy on social media platforms, there are people who have been talking about the problem since the last two years.

@sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia Parel bridge. Bridge will fall or ppl will fall on tracks before anything is done. pic.twitter.com/jN7eOhfk10- rashmi (@TweetsOfRashmi) November 8, 2016

Twitter user Rashmi wrote today, "I've been writing to railway minister for the last two years regarding Parel bridge. This was bound to happen. Only one very narrow bridge. I use it daily."

I've been writing to Rail Min for last 2 yrs for Parel bridge. This was bound to happen. Only one very narrow bridge. I use it daily.- rashmi (@TweetsOfRashmi) September 29, 2017

Another Facebook user Santosh Andhale posted a status update on Facebook on Wednesday asking Central Railway to do something about the Parel bridge connected to Elphinstone Road.

Santosh also tweeted tagging Minister of Railways of India Piyush Goyal.

@PiyushGoyal sir do something related Parel bridge connected to elephinston road station. It's a very dangerous. Thanks pic.twitter.com/f1NklA45Rd- Santosh Andhale (@Santosh_Andhale) September 27, 2017

Twitter user Manjul shared photos showing the only staircase which people use to exit and enter the station.

Pre-rush hour Parel station. The only staircase which people use to exit and enter the station. A major accident is waiting to happen. pic.twitter.com/FWMrTboh4a- MANJUL (@MANJULtoons) February 1, 2017

In July, 2016, Twitter user Chandan tweeted that Parel is awaiting a stampede.

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Commuters who use Parel and Elphinstone Road stations have been going through the chaos for a long time now. For them, every day is a stampede-like situation there.

It is a muddy lane with garbage bins in the vicinity. Several religious edifices connect the station to the roads leading to the office complexes.

Parel station has not been remodeled but authorities have been talking about it for decades.

Tweeted this 2-3 days back and today 3 people are reportedly dead and several injured. #Elphinstone #Parel station @RailMinIndia https://t.co/f67LCOVAFl- Aparajita (@aparajita_k) September 29, 2017

--- ENDS ---
Today's Mumbai Elphinstone Road station stampede has added more deaths to Mumbai railway network accidents which have claimed lives of more than 3,880 people in the last year.

By India Today Web Desk: The Mumbai stampede tragedy has left over 22 people dead and several others injured.

The commuters had repeatedly alerted the authorities about the chances of a tragedy, even warned them, but to no avail. People are of the view that the tragedy was inevitable.

Other than those who lost their lives, several people have been injured in a stampede on a foot-over bridge at the Mumbai's Parel Railway Station, that connects Western line's Prabhadevi (formerly Elphinstone Road) and Central line's Parel suburban stations.

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According to some eye-witnesses, the panic kicked off due to the arrival of two trains at the same time on opposite tracks.

MUMBAI LOCAL TRAINS AND ACCIDENTS

Accidents on India's rail networks have claimed over 3,800 lives between January 2016 and July 2017. According to a news report, these accidents claim more lives in a year than the countless terror attacks across India.

If Maharashtra Railway Police is to be believed, 3,880 people were killed due to railway accidents this year in Mumbai.

Commuters falling off crammed coaches - 981 fatalities.

Commuters run over at line crossing - 1,126 fatalities.

Commuters electrocuted - 53 fatalities.

Commuters slipping into platform gap traps - 21 fatalities.

Commuters being struck by track-side poles - 14 fatalities.

Commuters plunging from overbridges - 10 fatalities.

Hands down, Mumbai's suburban system is one of the deadliest systems in the world. It has claimed more lives than terrorism in our country.

According to a report by the US State Department, last year, as many as 3,202 people were killed in various railway accidents and during the same period, 337 people were killed and 636 were injured in terror attacks in India

WESTERN AND CENTRAL LINES

Maharashtra Railway Police compiled data on train fatalities. The computer programme logs and studies every detail of an accident. This very information will help managers of Western and Central Lines to direct resources to locations where most lives are lost.

The Andheri section of WR is second on the list with 33 deaths followed by CR's Masjid-Sandhurst Road stretch with 27 deaths.

The patch between Andheri and Vile Parle is the most dangerous in terms of passengers falling off overcrowded compartments. As many as 28 people died there between January 2017 and July this year.

Of the 21 deaths put on gap traps, seven occurred at Kalyan station, four at Thane and two each at Dadar and Churchgate.

MUMBAI ELPHINSTONE ROAD STATION STAMPEDE

The area is served by Parel and Currey Road stations on the Central Railway and Elphinstone Road, Lower Parel stations on the Western Railway.

These stations were built during the first phase of railway construction in India in the first half of the 20th century.

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Commuters who use Parel and Elphinstone Road stations have been going through the chaos for a long time now. For them, every day is a stampede-like situation there.

Parel station has not been remodeled but authorities have been talking about it for decades.

MINISTERS CONDOLE MUMBAI STAMPEDE DEATHS

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the next of the kin of deceased. He said all medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the Maharashtra government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured."

My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured.- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017

President Kovind also tweeted, "Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured - #PresidentKovind"

Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured - #PresidentKovind- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 29, 2017

--- ENDS ---

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Witnesses, security guard, do nothing to help woman being sexually assaulted Update: Since this story aired, Fox 4 has learned that the security guard has been fired. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A disturbing sexual assault in Kansas City was caught on camera. The attack happened outside a shopping plaza at 31st & Prospect Monday.

Mobile phone video captures apathy in the midst of junkie crime in Kansas City's urban core. To be fair, most people would probably be better off avoiding alleged drug addict confrontation. Here's the update:
Updated list of demands include St. Louis mayor's resignation, dropping charges against protesters Activists put forth an updated list of demands Thursday, including that new St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson resign. But Thomas Harvey, the head of ArchCity Defenders, told St. Louis Public Radio that the main thing protesters want is simple: "Stop killing us."

In the aftermath of another uprising on the East side of the State. Check the list of social justice stipulations:
This is the eighth installment in a monthly series reporting on political crowds in the United States. Each month, the Crowd Counting Consortium will post updates about trends and patterns from the previous month as recorded by our volunteers. Find all the previous posts in the series here.
Another Kansas City Booze Fest Tonight

Westport hosts its first ever Oktoberfest KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the first time ever, German heritage is taking over Westport for a four-day Oktoberfest event. The rest of the weekend has activities for the whole family. To see the full schedule of events planned click here. The celebration will wrap up Sunday with a " Lederhosen Lap" 5k.

Kansas City Digging Deep

J. Rieger and Co.'s intriguing excavation project By Paul Thompson Northeast News So you've recently unearthed a sealed passage in the more than century-old building that houses your distillery, at the site of the former Heim Brewery bottling facility in Kansas City's East Bottoms. What do you do? If you're J. Reiger and Co., you find a shovel and start digging.

Local Work For The Holidays

FedEx to add 1,500 seasonal positions to KC area as holidays approach KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- FedEx is hiring people for 1,500 open seasonal positions in Kansas City. The openings include package handlers and other support positions. This is part of a network-wide effort to hire 50,000 people as the busy holiday season draws nearer.

Football Distraction Cont'd

ESPN to host 'Tailgating Hour' Monday night at Arrowhead The tailgating scene at Arrowhead Stadium is a magical one, especially before primetime games. Anyone who has been there can recall the smoke that creeps through the air, the scent of barbecue overwhelming each person's senses, and the variety of music blasting behind the laughter of diehard (and sometimes intoxicated) fans.

New & Improved NKC???

North Kansas City residents invited to experience Armour Road improvements in advance North Kansas City is undergoing a temporary transformation today. Proposed improvements are in the works for Armour Road to make it more vibrant and safe. Wednesday temporary bike lanes, open space seating and gathering areas are being constructed at Armour and Fayette.

Dead-Tree Dictates Neighborhood Policy???

This playhouse is an ailing little girl's quiet place. The HOA wants it gone You can see the bright pink playhouse from Missouri 7, across a soybean field on the edge of a neighborhood called Rockhill, near the border of Blue Springs and Independence. The 8-by-8-foot house has a porch with real flowers in pots and bird feeders. It has shingles and windows with screens.

Kansas City Movie Coming Soon

Hometown Filmmaker Brings Hollywood Ideas To Kansas City, And Questionable Love Ensues What does it mean for a film to be "a love letter to the Heartland"? That's how " Different Flowers" is being pitched. Director Morgan Dameron grew up spending summers at her grandparents' farm in Moberly, Missouri, and last summer the Kansas City native spent 18 days shooting her first feature film here.

Lots of stuff to consider this afternoon in addition to contemplating the lady who usesas a stage name. Here's a quick rundown of the top news stories right now . . .And this is thefor right now . . .
Let's set the record straight...

The local controversy over municipal subsidy of a movie house is interesting for a lot of reasons that are slightly more captivating than Youtube videos. We talked this controversy in relation to tech trends but now it's only fair that we offer a Council Dude his say:Jeff Vaught was absent at the meeting and didn't even vote. Dan Pflumm was also absent but he likely would have supported the project since he knows the owners and recommended they approach the city for assistance in the first place.The vote was 5-1 (the only NO vote was Mike Kemmling, but he praised the project even as he voted no, on principle, as he usually does with financing of these types of projects, which he always explains why very well). Eric Jenkins also voted YES and spoke in support of the project. The Mayor also supported the project. Dave Myers also said after the meeting he would have supported the project.Several of us had issues with the cost and scope of the original proposal, as well as lack of clawbacks and recovery options, which is why the investors went back to the drawing board and the new proposal includes protections that ensure the city recovers all funds in the event of a sellout or if operations cease for any reason. The funding was also scaled back by half. Eric and Stephanie proposed further changes to ensure the city would be protected in the event of a bankruptcy and recover the full $250K if the theater sold to new ownership.This building would likely have remained vacant for another decade or two at least, not generating any revenue and impeding downtown's ability to remain viable and retain and attract new business. Also, this theatre will be showing classic films, foreign language films, and independent films and may have the ability to support live, dramatic performances as well. The Shawnee downtown business community was very supportive of this project and we heard from several of them.I had 11 total phone calls and emails on this project and only one opposed the funding for it.Have a great day,#########This one is interesting because we normally don't often see suburbanites so voraciously defend the cinemathe discussion reveals that the debate over "creative class" subsidy is now moving to the suburbs.Developing . . .
"Kansas City residents voted 51 percent to 49 percent in support of a petition initiative from streetcar opponents. The vote was 17,344 to 16,492 in favor of reining in the citys participation."

KANSAS CITY IS SO CORRUPT THAT ELECTIONS DON'T REALLY MATTER!!!

SHOULD PREZ TRUMP FUND THE KANSAS CITY TOY TRAIN STREETCAR DESPITE A CITYWIDE VOTE TO SLOW DOWN THE PROJECT AND THE LEGAL FIGHT AGAINST THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THIS EFFORT???

Back in August Kansas City voters approved Question 1 - An effort toQuick reminder of Democracy in action . . .However . . .In the meantime, the toy train streetcar effort chugs along . . .Not really surprising and it's propaganda not news . . . But it does beg an interesting question:Given that Prez Trump wanted to cut federal transit Tiger Grants from the new GOP budget. It might be a tough sell.You decide . . .
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City man is facing robbery and assault charges after police say he attacked a KCATA bus driver. Brandon McDaniel is accused of assaulting and robbing the driver back in March. According to court documents, the KCATA bus driver says he picked up another man, who asked to be dropped off in the area of U.S.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB) reached a compromise on Thursday on how to evaluate the capital adequacy of Greek banks before the end of the current programme in August 2018.

Poul Thomsen, Director of the IMFs European Department, noted that an ECB proposal to frontload a scheduled round of stress tests on Greek banks - instead of a full asset quality report demanded by the IMF - was constructive, making the following statement at the FT Investment Management Summit in London:

"On the subject of the Greek banking system, let me emphasise that we see no financial stability concerns at all in Greece. The issue is that we need to be sure that there is a strategy to deal with Greeces exceptionally high level of nonperforming loans over the medium term. In this regard, we had suggested to update the 2015 asset quality review (AQR) by next spring. The ECB has instead proposed bringing forward the already scheduled stress tests and undertaking targeted asset reviews, suggesting that this will allow us to gather the information necessary to assess whether the current strategy for ensuring the soundness of the banking system is adequate, without having to go through a full asset quality review (AQR). We think that this is a constructive proposal that achieves the same broad objectives, and we are now discussing the exact modalities with our colleagues at the ECB."

A disagreement between the IMF and ECB started in the summer, after the IMF demanded an AQR and stress tests on Greek banks ahead of the end of the current programme, adding that Greek banks should use money already approved by a third bailout program should any capital needs prove necessary.

Greek banks underwent a stress test and asset quality test in the second half of 2015 - in the framework of the third programme - and completed their recapitalisation. The ECB stressed that the four systemic banks needed capital worth 4.4 billion euros under the basic scenario and capital worth 14.4 billion under the adverse scenario.

ECB expressed its disagreement with the IMFs demands, while the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) said that, as an independent body, it was not prepared to accept directions from either institutions, EU bodies, governments or any other organisation. The SSM noted a round of stress tests on Greek banks was scheduled for the second half of 2017.

Nevertheless, ECB head Mario Draghi, speaking in the European Parliament on Monday, said that the SSM had informed the IMF that the stress tests would be brought forward in 2018. Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Wednesday said that the stress tests on European banks would be held as scheduled but their results would be announced ahead of the end of the Greek programme.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Source: capital.gr
UK-based Petrofac, a global provider of oilfield services, has been awarded a front end engineering design (FEED) modification contract for Kogas Akkas Nasiriya gas treatment plant (GTP) in southern Iraq.



Petrofacs scope of work includes the modification and application of an existing field design to meet the needs of the Nasiriya GTP, and an estimation for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) costs in line with the revised design requirements.



Steve Webber, senior vice president, Engineering & Production Services East, said: This award is testament to our engineering design capabilities, as well as our deep understanding of the market and supply chain in Iraq. Kogas is a new client for us in a core market and we look forward to further developing our relationship through the successful delivery of this scope.



Throughout the project, we will provide a robust FEED package for the execution of the Nasiriya GTP in alignment with Kogas expectations, to ensure that it can maximise the total value of the field, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Two-thirds of IT decision-makers in Saudi Arabia rank cybersecurity as their top IT priority, according to research from VMware, a global leader in cloud infrastructure and business mobility.



However, the current levels of cybersecurity investment alone may not be enough.

About half (46 per cent) of Saudi organizations still expect to be hit by a cyber-attack, almost three times the amount of respondents in the wider Europe, Middle East, and Africa region (16 per cent), VMware announced on the sidelines of the IDC CIO Security Summit 2017 Saudi Arabia.



As Saudi organizations drive digital business competitiveness in support of Saudi Vision 2030, connecting applications and devices to networks is exposing them to more and complex cyber-threats, from malware to advanced persistent threats.



As a result, research from VMware finds that two-thirds (64 per cent) of Saudi organizations rank cybersecurity as their top IT priority, with businesses in the region increasing funding for cybersecurity solutions across data backup (74 per cent), encryption (66 per cent), threat monitoring (64 per cent) and firewalls (60 per cent).



Despite increased spending on cybersecurity, traditional security models need to change. To better protect business brands and customer trust, IT departments should shift their spending focus to securing applications, which are at the heart of business success and competitiveness. That is why we have added VMware AppDefense to our security transformation portfolio, to enable organizations to further secure the interactions between users, applications, and data, said Jean-Pierre Brulard, senior vice president and general manager, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, VMware.



VMware is committed to helping organisations through their transformation journeys and we are delighted to be announcing our expanded presence in the region with a new office opening in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this year.



Experts agree that staff training on cybersecurity is important as well. Over half (52 per cent) of Saudi respondents said the threat of cyberattacks has caused a high or very high impact on investment in technology without awareness or education. As a result, the greatest threats in the Kingdom are the use of non IT validated cloud services (44 per cent) and bring your own device (42 per cent) employees (40 per cent).



Cybersecurity has moved from an IT team discussion to a boardroom discussion, with every employee being responsible for protecting their organization from cyber-threats. Saudi organizations are among regional leaders in recognizing the importance in delivering end-to-end cybersecurity strategies. By leveraging security across the cloud, mobility, and data centre, CIOs can embed security in the IT infrastructure, and keep their employees up-to-date on the best practices and methods on how to protect their data, said Ahmed Auda, managing director, Middle East and North Africa, VMware.



Having a new office in Riyadh will enable us to better service our customers here in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and we look forward to that opening later this year.



For the IDC CIO Security Summit Saudi Arabia, VMware is serving as Platinum Partner, and presented on digital transformation and how Good Technologists Solve Problems. Great Innovators Create Opportunities.  TradeArabia News Service


The Ministry of Railways is yet to act on Kokodkar Committee's recommendations on commute's safety. Upgradation of tracks and elimination of level crossings are a few recommendations.

By Kiran Tare: The stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station on Friday was waiting to happen as the Ministry of Railways has been sitting on the plans of modernisation of the station as well as the experts' recommendations on the commuters' safety.

The stampede at a foot over bridge which connects Elphinstone Road station on Western Railways to Parel station on Central Railways claimed lives of 22 commuters. At least 39 commuters have been injured. Five of them are critical.

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Then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in 2016 had sanctioned a proposal building another foot-over bridge at Parel station. A year after the proposal was cleared the ministry is still at the stage of clearing tender for the work.

A committee under scientist Anil Kakodkar had recommended various measures towards commuters' safety in 2012. The committee had recommended removal of external interference such as encroachments and sabotage, upgradation of tracks and bridges and elimination of level crossings. The recommendations have not been followed as far as Elphinstone Road and Parel stations are concerned.

Shiv Sena MP from South Mumbai -- Arvind Sawant -- alleged that the Railways were not serious on expanding the Parel foot over bridge.

"I have suggested them four spots where the foot-over bridge could be expanded. I also had offered them to complete the work from my funds. They just neglected my suggestions," Sawant said.

On his maiden visit to Mumbai as Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal visited the KEM Hospital to inquire about the injured.

A police officer present there claimed that Goyal admitted the negligence of his ministry while talking to the officials of state government. "He said the Railways are lagging behind on the front of commuters' safety and infrastructure," the officer said. Goyal has ordered a high level inquiry into the stampede.

An eye witness Dhananjay Sahani told reporters that the scene at the foot over bridge was horrifying.

"People were lying in a pool of blood. Many of them had suffered a mental shock," said Sahani, who works at the nearby Indiabulls Financial Centre.

Another commuter Sharayu Gavde suffered from chest pain and vomiting because of the stampede. She was later admitted to KEM Hospital.

The Railways have filed an accidental death report at the Dadar Police Station without blaming anyone for the stampede.

--- ENDS ---
Viva Bahrain, a top telecom provider in the region, has tested and deployed the world's first ATCA-NFV hybrid cloud core network with Huawei, as a further step in its vision towards advanced mobile network services technologies.



As early as 2016, Bahrain Viva worked with Huawei to deploy a unified cloud platform which lays a solid foundation for the future of network development.



On one hand, with the rapid development of 4G network in these years, bearing 4G voice service over the IMS has become a consensus. On the other, Vivas traditional IMS and EPC network must keep up with the explosion in mobile data demand.



After meticulous evaluation to understand the unified cloud platform advantages, Viva created the "One Cloud" core network construction plan, which overlays the existing Huawei's open and unified cloud platform with a cloud IMS and cloud EPC network without affecting live network services.



Since service networks are hosted on a unified cloud infrastructure, resource utilization and O&M efficiency are improved and TTM is shortened. In addition, the addition of cloud IMS, cloud EPC worked in a hybrid pool with traditional ATCA platform to provide services simultaneously which meet the needs of the network growth and the investment continuity at the same time.



Bahrain Viva has completed the launch of unified CloudIMS, CloudDRA, and CloudEPC and successfully pool with traditional network delivering superior user experience through smooth network deployment and service migration.



Commenting on the One Cloud project, Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, CEO of Viva Bahrain said: Viva Bahrain has consistently been at the forefront of pushing latest technologies beyond just mere enhancements to approaching capabilities closer to 5G.



Through this NFV Cloud achievement, we are laying the foundation for further milestones in preparation for the network slicing technology to serve the next generation network in 2020, along with our partner Huawei Technologies, where the achievement has been complemented by introducing a new business model that allows Viva to accommodate the massive demand of data from its end users with smooth investment every year.



Viva Bahrain is committed to contributing to the Kingdoms future vision by introducing the latest technologies and new immersive experiences to Bahrains community. We will continue to deliver new technologies, which is an essential basis for the premium mobile experience, he added.



Network Function Virtualization offers efficient use of the core network infrastructure compared to other platforms, creating more space to provide agile network and services, and delivering a better network experience overall, said Paul Fengnan, CEO of Huawei Bahrain. The rapid and successful delivery of the world's first hybrid cloud core network is the best proof.  TradeArabia News Service
The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) will be hosting a panel discussion on September 28 under the theme Sustainable Tourism  A Tool for Development.



The event is being hosted to coincide with World Tourism Day, which is being celebrated today (September 27).



The panel discussion will be attended by multiple stakeholders from the tourism industry. Guest speakers will include: Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, general manager of Peninsula Farms; Nada Al Alawi, Founder of Annada; Ahmed Khalfan, Head of Marketing at Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Development Co.; and Nayef Al Alawi, the CEO of City Limo.



The panel discussion comes in-line with the appointment of BTEA as a member of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organizations (UNWTO) for the period 2018-2021. This appointment is the result of BTEAs efforts in developing the local tourism sector and furthering the kingdoms ability to represent the Middle East region as a paradigm of tourism developments.



World Tourism Day 2017 celebrates sustainable contribution towards the development of the tourism industry and marks the significant influence of sustainable tourism to the economy, the society and the environment.



According to UNWTO, sustainable tourism is a positive tool to eradicate poverty, and protect the environment, as well as improve the quality of live especially in developing countries. - TradeArabia News Service


FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Rethinking Pre-Trade: Brokers re-write the rules of pre-trade cost analysis

Its time for change.

When evaluating the trade process, the brokers and now independent vendors are carefully helping the buyside dissect each piece to see where the best value, highest alpha and least amount of risk lay. It has undergone significant change in the last several years. But one thing remains  the importance of performing a thorough pre-trade examination.

Pre-trade checks, as always, are about understanding all the dynamics at play that drive price discovery for any given order, including liquidity characteristics of the instrument itself and similar influences at the sector and market level, said Frank Freitas, Pluribus Labs CEO and formerly Global COO at Instinet. The scope of information that goes into this understanding has increased steadily with time.

Pluribus distills powerful predictive analytics from a variety of unstructured data sources. According to the firm, their solutions add significant value to a variety of portfolio management and trading workflows.

As an example, in Pluribus own research, the firm sees real and systematic intraday linkages between conversations about securities on social platforms and trading behavior of those securities. Back in 2005, social media was in its infancy and with the trading world largely ignoring the medium and platforms when it came to discussing trade ideas or companies. As a matter of fact, Twitter, one of the biggest social media platforms and is in heavy use by traders, wasnt founded until March 2006.

The challenge is to consume these disparate sources in a streamlined workflow that enables strategy selection and order entry in a timely, efficient manner, Freitas said.

This article originally appeared in the September 2005 issue of Traders Magazine

Rethinking Pre-Trade: Brokers re-write the rules of pre-trade cost analysis

By Peter Chapman

Trade cost prediction doesn't get much respect, but that isn't stopping the Street's equity shops from rolling out new models. This summer, three of the largest institutional brokers launched efforts to bring the nascent science of pre-trade transaction cost analysis to their buyside customers. Credit Suisse First Boston, Piper Jaffray and Lehman Brothers are all debuting new systems and/or integrating their technology with buyside order management systems.

None of the three claims to have come up with a methodology that forecasts a trade's cost with 100 percent accuracy, but all say they have improved upon the status quo.

"The general impression in the industry is that the practice of estimating transaction costs is not very worthwhile," says Piper exec David Mortimer, "so we do it differently."

Execs at CSFB echo Mortimer's comments. "Most of the models I've seen are not based on any scientific research," comments Merrell Hora, a quant in CSFB's advanced execution services group. "They are just assumptions that are convenient for computation. It's garbage in; garbage out. That approach gives you the results we hear about."

Those results are believed by the experts to be in the 11 percent to 12 percent range. That means that a pre-trade cost estimate is accurate no more than 12 percent of the time.

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Railway employees in Mumbai will not celebrate Dussehra on Saturday following the deaths of 22 people in a stampede at the Elphinstone Road station in the city.

By India Today Web Desk: Railway employees in Mumbai will not celebrate Dussehra on Saturday following today's deadly stampede at the Elphinstone Road suburban railway station.

At least 22 people died and another 30 were injured in a rush-house stampede that took place on a narrow foot overbridge that connects Elphinston Road on the Western Railway to Parel on the Central line.

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The stampede took place between 10.30 am and 11 am, a time when a large proportion of Mumbai's population is on the city's 'lifelines', the local trains, heading to work.

The Western Railway, in a statement issued late Friday evening, blamed incessant rains, overcrowding on the bridge and a panic caused by the spread of a rumour for Friday's stampede in Mumbai.

Following the stampede, railway employees in India's financial capital will forgo celebrating the festival of Dussehra, which falls on Saturday. Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, who was in Mumbai, suggested that he was the one who had mooted the idea of railway employees not celebrating the festival.

"Employees of Mumbai railways have accepted my request to not celebrate Dusshera in the wake of the Mumbai stampede incident," Goyal, who recently took charge of the Railways Ministry, was quoted as saying by ANI.

Employees of Mumbai Railways have accepted my request to not celebrate Dusshera in the wake of the #MumbaiStampede incident:Railway Minister pic.twitter.com/Nh69Oek40l- ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

Goyal, who was supposed to flag off new suburban services in Mumbai (the event was cancelled following the stampede), also said that a safety audit has been ordered to indentify "vulnerable issues" and that pending work relating to foot overbridges will be sped up.

"In next 7 days, all suburban stations will be inspected to identify vulnerable issues; will speed up work on FOBs (foot overbridges)," Goyal said.

Following the stampede in Mumbai on Friday, the Railways came under criticism for not acting speedily enough to prevent the tragedy.

Multiple reports pointed out how commuters had warned on Twitter about an impending stampede that could strike the Parel-Elphinstone Road foot overbridge.

Two Shiv Sena Members of Parliament too had written to the Railways Ministry, highlighting the need for a new, wider railway bridge at the Elphinstone Road station.

The Railways had responded by sanctioning the construction of a new foot overbridge to replace the five-meter-wide FOB where 22 people died. The work was sanctioned in 2016, under then Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, and the project remains in the tender process.

--- ENDS ---
Malawian Style have created two incredible off-season safari tours which they want guests to experience for less than the advertised price. Make them an offer they cant refuse! And remember: the more in the group, the lower price per person they can accept - so get your friends and family on safari this winter!



(TRAVPR.COM) UK - September 28th, 2017 - Malawian Style have created two incredible off-season safari tours which they want guests to experience for less than the advertised price. Make them an offer they cant refuse! And remember: the more in the group, the lower price per person they can accept - so get your friends and family on safari this winter!

To see the full itineraries and make a bid, visit the Malawian Style website and select either the Mid Range or In Style tab.

The first, Mid-Range itinerary, an 11-night tour which starts off at Lilongwe International Airport, begins with a stay at Kumbali Lodge. Though only 10 minutes away from the capital, the lodge is stylish, relaxed and informal and much more than just another Lilongwe Hotel.

The following three days will see guests jump over the border to Zambia for their safari experience in South Luangwa National Park, staying in rustic en-suite chalets by the banks of the Luangwa River.

After 3 days in the bush, its time to visit Lake Malawi. Two nights at Kumbali Lake Retreat will give guests a home away from home experience with comfort and nature being the main focus. When rejuvenated after breakfast on the final morning at Kumbali, the incredible Mvuu Camp in Liwonde National Park awaits. Activities at Mvuu include boating trips on the Shire River and game drives. Nature walks or bike rides are also available around the park.

Finally, to end what will have been a thrilling adventure, a two night stay at Domwe Island at Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi, will give the opportunity to live authentically alongside nature. Travel to the island is by boat or by kayak (a 45-minute task). Domwe Island is designed to relax. Sunbathe on a private beach, kayak around the island, and dive the depths of Lake Malawi to discover the millions of cichlid fish.

The 12-day tour comes to an end with a transfer back to Lilongwe International Airport.



The second itinerary In Style will see guests arrive at Lilongwe International Airport with an overnight stay at Kumbali Lodge much like the first itinerary. After a comforting stay, guests will depart for South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, just over the border.

It is here where guests will be welcomed to the serene Mfuwe Lodge set inside the park. Beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany, its thatched buildings are arranged around the banks of two lagoons where an endless stream of wildlife will see guests enthralled as they lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool.

As guests depart on Day 5 and head back to Malawi, the luxury Blue Zebra resort at Senga Bay on Lake Malawi will accommodate for two nights. Blue Zebra is situated in the Lake Malawi National Park on Nankoma Island which forms part of Marelli Island Archipelago. It offers 8 exclusive tented en-suite chalets each overlooking the lake with views of the crystal clear waters. The chalets are set in an unspoiled environment and guests are surrounded by nature and luxury.

It is now time for more adventure as guests depart and head for the Malawian bush at Mvuu Lodge within Liwonde National Park for game drives, boat rides and to discover Malawis wide selection of wildlife. The Lodge is of top quality with very classy luxury safari tents overlooking the lagoon, the food is exceptional and the package includes sunset river cruises and early morning game drives.

To end the incredible journey across the southern Malawi, a peaceful stay on the deserted tropical Mumbo Island will complete the experience. With amazing underwater boulders and around 800 species of colourful cichlid fish, the Lake Malawi National Park offers what many consider the best freshwater snorkelling and SCUBA diving in the world.

A transfer back to Lilongwe International Airport ends the tour.

For more details, and your chance to bid for the tour, visit the Malawian Style website and click the In Style tab to view.

If you would like to book or tailor this tour, or you simply want to know more, please email info@malawianstyle.com and one of the team will get back to you, promptly.

Remember, you can bid on this safari! So let them know how much you want to pay  they might accept it!

###
The Parel-Elphinstone foot-over-bridge in Mumbai is incapable of handling rush-hour Mumbai local crowds - that is what a Shiv Sena MP told the Railway Ministry two years ago.

The narrow Parel-Elphinstone bridge in Mumbai where more than 20 people died following a rush-hour stampede (Photo: Reuters)

By Poulomi Saha: 'This was an accident waiting to happen'. That was the most common refrain among Mumbaikers on Twitter after a deadly stampede on a foot-over-bridge connecting Parel and Elphinstone suburban stations killed at least 22 people (read our live coverage here).

Little did those citizens on Twitter know how close they were to the truth. Documents accessed by India Today show that the Ministry of Railways was warned that the Parel-Elphinstone bridge was not wide enough to handle rush-hour Mumbai crowds.

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The ministry was told about this in 2015 - a full two years before today morning's deadly tragedy on Mumbai's suburban railway service.Two Shiv Sena Members of Parliament, in separate, letters warned the Railway Minister that the Parel-Elphinstone bridge was incapable of handling passenger traffic.

Responding to one of the MPs, the Railways Ministry, under Suresh Prabhu moved a proposal to construct a new foot-over-bridge at the Elphinstone Road railway station. The new bridge to connect Elphinstone Road on Western Railway to Parel on Mumbai's Central line would have been 12-meter wide, documents accessed by India Today show.

The proposal for the new bridge was mooted in 2016 and was stuck in the tender process.

Click here to Enlarge A Railways Ministry document on the proposal to build a new foot-over-bridge at Elphinstone Road railway station in Mumbai

MPs, PEOPLE WARNED ABOUT BRIDGE

Arvind Sawant, a Shiv Sena Member of Parliament, had red-flagged the issue of the foot-over-bridge at Elphinstone Road being incapable of bearing the burden of the burgeoning passenger footfalls.

Sawant had requested that a new 12m wide foot-over-bridge be constructed at Elphinstone Road station to connect the Western Railways station to Central Railways' Parel.

Local commuters in Mumbai too had warned of an impending stampede at Elphinstone Road thanks to the narrow foot-over-bridge connecting the railway station to Parel.

Rahul Shewale, another Shiv Sena MP, too had warned of the same. Shewale, in a letter dated April 2015, demanded that the Elphinstone-Parel bridge be widened to accommodate the heavy flow of passenger traffic.

Shewale's letter, which India Today has accessed, was received by the Railways Ministry in may 2015.

PRABHU RESPONDS

Suresh Prabhu, who was until recently was the Minister of Railways, responded to Sawant's letter on the state of the Parel-Elphinstone bridige, India Today was able to confirm.

India Today accessed a letter written by Suresh Prabhu in his capacity as the Railways Minister on February 20, 2016.

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In his letter, Prabhu said the Indian Railways was facing one of its toughest years due to adverse effects of global slowdown.

Click here to Enlarge (L) Letter written by Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale and (R) Suresh Prabhu's response to MP Arvind Sawant

"Most of the requests which are received reflect the genuine needs and demands of the people and it is always our endeavour to agree to many requests as possible. However, sometimes due to the paucity of finances, operational constraints or other compelling circumstances agreeing to the request may not be possible," Prabhu wrote.

While the then Railways Minister did not explicitly say so, it was clear that he said that Sawant's request that a new foot-over-bridge be built at Elphinstone Road station could not be fulfilled due to lack of funds.

Prabhu added that "even under these challenging times [your request] is under our positive considerations".

WHAT HAPPENED?

At around 10.40 am today, the Parel-Elphinstone foot-over-bridge in Mumbai was heavily crowded. People were standing on the Parel-Elphinstone bridge waiting for the rains to stop.

The unceasing rains resulted in hundreds of rush-hour commuters piling on without anyone leaving the foot-over-bridge that connected the Elphinstone and Parel suburban railway stations.

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Suddenly a woman standing in the front row slipped on the rain-drenched stairs. Three-four others commuters also slipped and this led to a pandemonium, first on the Parel-Elphinstone bridge, and then on the Elphinstone Road station.

This snowballed into a a stampede, that ultimately killed more than 20 people and injured another 30.

Police suspect that a short-circuit with a loud sound near the foot over-bridge created panic causing the first few victims slip causing alarm and people started running as if to escape some calamity.

(This story has been updated to reflect that the Ministry of Railways had moved a proposal in 2016 to construct a new foot-over-bridge at the Elphinstone Road railway station)

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: heroes

Srinagar, Sep 29 (PTI) There was no fanfare on the first anniversary of the surgical strikes by Army on terror launchpads across the LoC in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) with the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps putting out a solitary tweet to celebrate the unprecedented military action.

"We are proud of the valour & indomitable spirits of surgical strike heroes," Chinar Corps Commander, Lt General J S Sandhu, tweeted.

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The official handle of the Chinar Corps also put up a verse, and its translation, from Jnanpith awardee, poet R S Dhinkar, which read: "In reality, the gleam of modesty lies in ones power and capability! Only peace talk of the one is reputable Who is capable of victory!"

Defence officials here have not linked Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamans first visit to Jammu and Kashmir with the surgical strike anniversary but her presence on this day in the valley is not seen as a mere coincidence.

The Army carried out surgical strikes this day last year on seven terror launch pads across the LoC inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK, 11 days after militant attack on Uri army base that left 19 soldiers dead and several others injured. PTI MIJ ZMN

--- ENDS ---
S Nihal Singh

S Nihal Singh

MS Sushma Swarajs speech to the UN General Assembly is a game-changer in Indias relations with Pakistan. Despite New Delhi exercising its right of reply to Pakistani accusations, the External Affairs Minister launched a full-scale attack on Pakistan.

The speech was cleared by the countrys top leadership and had two objectives. First, to use Pakistan as a tool in campaigns leading to the general election of 2019 thus postponing prospects of serious talks until after a new government is formed. Second, with the Modi government becoming increasingly vulnerable to the darkening economic picture, it needs an evocative issue to push for votes.

In the process, Prime Minister Modi is willing to sacrifice his countrys world standing by devoting the bulk of his Foreign Ministers address to its neighbour, rather than dwell on the countrys approach to issues of war and peace in the region and the world. Two crises on the front burner are the threat of a war over North Koreas nuclear programme and US President Donald Trumps threat to end the nuclear deal with Iran.

Mr Modi and his team are painfully conscious of the harm to BJPs carefully built image of a dedicated hardworking corruption-free government doing its best for the country the economy could cause. The governments failures in two key areas of creating jobs and seriously resolving farmers misery are an open book. With the GDP plunging in the last quarter, a drastic new campaign is the need of the hour.

It came in the form of a jumbo televised BJP national executive meeting in New Delhi to put a brave face on the governments economic stumbles. The official credo is still to sing praises of demonetisation, almost universally condemned by economists as counter-productive, and dismiss problems in implementing GST, a good idea in itself, as temporary glitches.

In the meantime, the independent-minded BJP leader and former Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, took aim at his party leadership. He called Mr Arun Jaitleys Cabinet appointment reprehensible on moral grounds because he lost his 2014 Lok Sabha contest. Further, he charged that official figures of growth were cooked up and it would take a miracle to turn the economy around by the time of the 2019 election.

An enterprising reporter has counted that Mr Modis name appears 191 times in the national executives resolutions passed. In any event, nobody doubts that he is in complete control of the party, assisted by his fellow Gujarati aide Amit Shah in key areas, and the sycophantic label once applied to Indira Gandhi of India is Indira, and Indira is India is more appropriate in relation to Mr Modi today.

Apart from elevating Mr Modi to a higher pedestal, the national executive meeting was notable for postponing the partys Ram Rajya vision, including the doubling of farmers income, to 2022, beyond the 2019 election. The Prime Ministers slogan of nation first, party second did not jell because the whole tenor of speeches and resolutions took a highly self-congratulatory tone. The only concrete promise was to reach electricity to all the countrys villages before the general election.

To the credit of Mr Modi, he understands well that after mastering his party, he needs to employ modern technology, including trolling on the Internet, and employing the army of RSS workers to induce voters to vote for the BJP. And he is indefatigable in using his histrionic abilities to woo and retain voters.

As Mr Modi must have been informed by his advisers, everything is not going his way. A remark made to me by a small businessman is more representative of many sections of society. He told me, People are fed up. Here he is extolling the virtues of bullet trains forgetting the situation on the ground.

For hard-headed reasons, the PM has decided to concentrate on domestic problems, rather than grandstanding on the international stage. He sent his Foreign Minister to the UN General Assembly session, an event of importance in the diplomatic calendar. The BJP has the ambition of coming to power in the remaining states either under its own steam or in coalition arrangements. It has already demonstrated its penchant for converting minorities into a workable majority.

Perhaps Mr Modi believes that after the general election he can repair the damage caused to Indias aspirations in the region and the world by pursuing a hectic round of whirlwind diplomacy. His two standing commitments for the remainder of the year are the visits of French President Macron and Ms Ivanka Trump, the influential daughter of the US President.

Among the self-congratulatory themes of the national executive was how Mr Modi handled the Doklam crisis with China. He himself alluded to it in his remarks. But it seemed to be more as an image-building exercise than a discussion on the standoff in itself. Obviously, relations with China and Pakistan have to figure prominently in looking at the neighbourhood.

Indeed, the one conclusion one can draw from these developments is the early start for the general election campaigning. All energies in the BJP are devoted to winning the election at a time the the Opposition has secured a bonanza in the form of the governments economic problems. That the Opposition itself is hopelessly divided is another story.

The Modi government and the BJP might be loath to say it, but the parameters of the countrys foreign policy were laid out by Nehru. Apart from the mistakes he made on China and the irrelevance of non-alignment with changing times, Mr Modi must build on the solid foundations Nehru laid.

The new dispensations problem is that it wants to transform Nehrus secular India into a Hindu rashtra emphasising the virtues of native values and myths and is desperately promoting Deen Dayal Upadhyaya as the new icon of an advancing nation. This scheme of things impinges on a foreign policy otherwise guided by realpolitik. Its battle today is to revive the era of fast growth achieved for the most part by the Congress-led coalition.
Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29

The Congress and the INLD have announced to launch a stir over the scrapping the Dadupur-Nalvi canal project. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced to participate in the dharna being staged by farmers at Yamunanagar on October 2, while Dushyant Singh Chautala, INLD MP from Hisar, said his party would hold a protest at Shahbad on October 3. He said the INLD would decide the next course of action at Yamunanagar on October 4.

The state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had, on Wednesday, decided to denotify 1,019 acres acquired for the project and decided to return the same to the farmers.

The government had said it had not found the project feasible after the enhancement of the compensation to the farmers following a May 2016 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

This is entirely an anti-people decision of the state government. Lakhs of hectares falling in three districts of the state will be hit by the decision. These villages come under the dark zone and water table has fallen to as low as 400 ft here. Dadupur-Nalvi, which is not a regular canal but carried excessive waters of the Yamuna during the rains, helped in recharging the groundwater, alleged Hooda.

On the state governments logic that the project had been scrapped in view of the enhancement ordered by the HC, Hooda said governments job was not to earn profits, but to work in the interest of people.

Dushyant alleged that the scrapping of Dadupur-Nalvi project was the biggest fraud played with the farmers.

The government wants farmers to pay 15 per cent interest on the payment received by them as compensation. But will the government compensate them for the loss of returns from the land all these years?  Dushyant asked.

Meanwhile, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, former minister, said he held the irrigation portfolio when the Dadupur Nalvi project was started. I have spoken to Ashok Tanwar, state Congress chief, and the party will soon launch an agitation on the issue, Yadav said.
Tribune News Service

Panipat, September 29

A suspected case of honour killing has been reported in the district. Acting upon an anonymous telephone call, a police team recovered samples of bones and ash from the pyre today.

The deceased was identified as 17-year-old Ravina of Joshi village in the Madlauda area of Panipat. The matter came to light this morning when a call was received at the police control room.

The police were told that the girl was killed by her parents and was being cremated in the wee hours today. Samalkha DSP Bali Singh said the girl had been killed by her parents by electrocution.

Madlauda SHO Narender Dahiya and a forensic team reached the cremation ground, but the body had been fully burnt by then.

The forensic team collected some remains and bones from the pyre and sent these to the forensic laboratory, said the DSP.

We have registered a case and arrested Ravinas father Suresh and uncle Shyama, he said. The girl had gone out with someone around 10 days back, but her parents did not contact the police, he added.

He further said they brought the girl back three or four days back and killed and cremated her this morning. The accused would be produced in court tomorrow, he said.

Police sources said the girls death and cremation in the wee hours caused suspicion. Relatives gave varying statements about her death. An intensive probe was launched to unearth the truth, he asserted.
Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29

The Advocate General (AG) has advised the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) to initiate move to recover stamp duty of Rs 87.03 crore from Rapid MetroRail Gurgaon Ltd (RMRGL) and Rapid MetroRail Gurgaon South Ltd (RMRGSL), which they had earlier evaded while signing a concession agreement.

In his opinion, the AG has said, HUDA must approach the revenue authorities in Gurugram to refer and examine the concession agreement and to ascertain the extent and value of the stamp duty to be levied thereon and issue appropriate notice to the concessionaire to pay and deposit the same as per law.

The RMRGL and RMRGSL entered into two concession agreements with HUDA (now it is being dealt by Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HSRTC), a branch of HUDA) worth Rs 760 crore and Rs 2,143 crore on December 9, 2009 and January 3, 2013, respectively on build-own-transfer basis for 98 years.

Both these agreements were signed on stamp paper of Rs 50 each while as per Section 35 of the Indian Stamps Act, these attracted 3 per cent of stamp duty which works out to be Rs 87.09 crore on the total amount of Rs 2,903 crore, alleged Harinder Dhingra, an RTI activist from Gurugram.

Dhingra lodged a complaint at the CM Window alleging evasion of stamp duty and asked the government to collect Rs 87.03 crore along with penalty from the companies.

The CM office asked the HSRTC to do the needful, which in turn sought legal opinion from the AG.

The AG cited several judgments of the courts and gave the opinion that the concession agreement signed between the two parties was in fact a lease document and hence attracted stamp duty under the laws.

I am of the considered opinion that the concession agreement executed by parties is in fact a lease within meaning of Clause (16) in Section 2 of the Indian Stamps Act and has accordingly got to be executed on a stamp paper of the requisite value. I am thus of the opinion that the complaint is justified, opined the AG.
Manpriya Singh

Its almost a royal send-off to Ravana (Doesnt he go up in flames spectacularly?). If the 10-headed demon king could see from the blazing furnace of hell (thats the most conservative description of hell), who knows the devil might be smug over the entire hullabaloo in his name. Larger-than-life effigies, choppers to throw in the posters and the fireworksbut Dasehra is not even about Ravana! It is essentially about the crowds gathering to collectively rejoice in humanitys universal faith. Good wins, evil loses. And hope lives on!

While hob-nobbing with the multi-cultural diversity of India, relentless noise, endless crowds, the hawkers, the carts. With community grounds earmarked to celebrate the festival in almost every sector, we zero-down a few places in Tricity to go and get a feel of Dasehra. Just carry an open attitude and a dash of humour thrown in for good measure.

Brothers in arms

Sector 32

Expect a Ravana effigy as tall as 70 feet at Sector 32 Dasehra ground! One of the most visited and popular places for the celebration of the festival. Whats more? There is not an iota of exaggeration in the size of Ravana. Khan brothers have been in the business of making effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakaran since their grandfathers time now.

Operating out of a small temple in Industrial Area, the duo, comprising Sonu Khan and Sher Khan, are in the middle of preparing several effigies for Sector 32, Sector 7 and Ram Darbar. These will be installed on 29th itself and they will be looked after by the security guards appointed for the same, shares the two, while pointing to all the things that go behind making of an effigy. We use bamboo, rope, newspapers, decoration paper, maida and paint. And to actually see it all go up in smoke?

Crowded corner

Sector 46

At the 20th Dasehra celebrations by Sanatan Dharam Dussehra Committee, Sector 46, there will be a helicopter distributing posters, asking everyone to take pride in the girl child; overlooking a crowd of over a lakh-and-a-half people. We have Muslim craftsmen from Moga who have come to prepare the 83-feet tall Ravana, and Meghnad and Kumbhakaran, both 70 feet each, Chief patron of the committee Jatinder Bhatia apprises us of the preparations. We have even installed Lanka and elephants at the entrance in sync with ceremonial elephantine welcome. He adds, The effigies cost us around Rs 1, 60,000 but then there will be a crowd of equal number of people to view them.

Truly traditional

Ram Darbar

If you are in pursuit of typicality, there are Dasehra festivities at Ram Darbar. Picture the vendors selling Diwali wares, clay pots, toys (read teer kamaan with glossy paper, Hanumans gadda in every size, toy guns, whistles, caps, maskstruly at the end of vocabulary). Welcome to the Dasehra ground earmarked in Ram Darbar. Adjoining citys Industrial Area, the place each year gathers incredible number of people and for several reasons.

Popularity factor

Sector 17

With most of the places being just where the Ramlila happens in the evenings, there are more than 20 places to choose from within the city itself! Amidst all the places mentioned, how can citys central point of Sector 17 be left behind? Where one of the biggest, popular and quite-written-about Dasehra happens! Each year, the festivities are inaugurated by a UT Administration official.

All over the town

The list is not exhaustive with some of the other significant sectors being 2, 24, 34, 40, 43, among others. There is smoke and fire, and a good amount of pollution thrown in too. But together, we as a human race, rejoice in the holy pyre. May all evil things be met with the similar fate and may all things good win!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Bye-bye air, noise pollution

Shoppers need a reason for retail therapy and a national holiday is the reason perfect enough. How about some festivities thrown in for good measure? In place of effigies and fumes, how about a digital Dasehra? Elante goes eco-friendly by engaging its visitors on Facebvook to consign a Digital Ravana to flames through stimulating messages, symbolizing the spirit of the festival. Well, the two-day digital Dasehra celebrations will also offer hourly prizes for participants who come up with best messages.
Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 28

The functioning of the Power Department, headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, is in the spotlight again, with chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) Jagjeet Singh raising a red flag over the procedure followed for the setting up of eight mini hydropower projects in the state.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

In a dissenting note that forms part of an order of approval to purchase power from the proposed eight projects on the Kaushalya and the Ghaggar in Chandigarhs vicinity, Jagjeet Singh said: Lack of transparency in the selection of developers and verification of hydrological data by an independent agency have put public interest at risk, and, therefore, it needs further deliberations.

The note further reads: It appears that all projects have been proposed by the same party, along with family members, and divided into various projects of 100-KW to gain capital subsidy.

The Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC) had moved HERC, seeking approval for the power purchase agreement and issuing of letter of intent that would make them eligible to get subsidy running into crores from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

While two HERC members  MS Puri and Debashish Majumdar (both with an RSS background)  approved the power purchase from the eight projects, Jagjeet (a technocrat with background

in the power sector) put his foot down, wanting additional information/clarification for consideration of the commission before deciding the case. The beneficiary firms  RS Power Consultant and Engineers-Zirakpur, APG Constructions-Panchkula and Prem Sagar Hydro Consultants and Government Contractors  have been given the go-ahead to develop mini hydropower projects by the Haryana Energy Development Authority.

During three years of the BJP government, the Power Department headed by the CM has repeatedly been in the news for the wrong reasons. This includes alleged irregularities in the purchase of meters, conflict of interest in the appointment of officials linked to suppliers and buyers, including an independent director in discoms, and appointment of an IPS officer close to the CM as the CMD of both discoms whereas in the past this has been a cadre post held by an IAS officer.

The alleged irregularities in the department have also been highlighted before the CM by BJPs own MLAs and Cabinet ministers.
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, September 29

Twenty-two people  eight women among them  suffocated to death in a stampede at Mumbais Elphinstone Road on the Western Railway, police and Government Railway Police officials said.

Another 39 people suffered serious injuries, railway officials said. Authorities have yet to identify three out of five victims, including three women, since their identity documents were lost in the melee.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The mishap occurred at around 10.45 am when office-goers crammed together on a foot over bridge to escape from sudden rain, police said. The problem was worsened after water began to leak from the roof of the bridge causing electric wires overhead to spark. One woman lost her balance and fell on the slipper stairs tripping several of those on the bridge, a Government Railway Police official said.



Commuters who couldn't get off the bridge were seen clambering over the railings to jump off the bridge to prevent being suffocated.

Read: Prabhu had assured Sena MP that bridge would be renovated

Rain, loud thud and thousands on 6-8 ft overbridge: Stampede witnesses

Regular commuters told reporters that the foot-over bridges at Elphinstone Road railway station were too narrow to handle the number of passengers.

With the textile mills of old outside the railway station making way for swanky offices, the number of commuters have increased while the infrastructure did not keep pace, observers felt. The number of commuters on the FOB that connects Elphinstone Road on the Western Railway line to Parel on the Central Railway line increased suddenly

when four trains arrived at the station simultaneously, officials said.



The mishap happened amidst tight security since Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was scheduled to rename Elphinstone Road railway station as Prabhadevi. Goyal was also scheduled to flag off 60 new train services in the city. The programmes were cancelled following the accident.



Later in the afternoon, the minister said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.



Angry commuters took to social media to say that their calls to the railway helpline did not result in any assistance for more than 30 minutes though railway police personnel were present a few metres from the bottom of the bridge.



Mumbai's mayor V Mahadeshwar told reporters in the afternoon that nine women and 21 men have been admitted to hospitals with serious injuries and requested people to donate blood at various hospitals.



Quick to grab some political mileage, local MLA Ajay Chowdhary of the Shiv Sena blamed the central government for the mishap. The railways ministry is responsible for the mishap. Instead of giving us enough facilities you are selling us dreams of bullet trains, Chowdhary said.
By PTI: Mumbai, Sep 28 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today highlighted projects undertaken by his government in various fields and said only investment-based agriculture can be sustainable in the long term.

Fadnavis, who is visiting Singapore, said metros with a capacity to handle mere 7 million passengers were created in the last 60 years.

"Only 7 million metro passenger capacity has been created in 60 long years. We are adding 9 million passenger capacity in just 4 years," Fadnavis said.

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He was speaking on the topic, Infrastructure-led Growth: Maharashtra - Indias Engine of Development, at a function in Singapore.

The event was organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) in association with the National University of Singapore and apex Indian industry body CII.

He spoke about better coordination between the Centre and states under the NDA government and maintained this is facilitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modis monthly video conference held under the Pro-active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) initiative.

Union secretaries of various ministries and chief secretaries of the different states regularly take part in the video conference.

"Through the Maharashtra Samruddhi Corridor, we are connecting the logistic hub of India, Nagpur, to the port city Mumbai," he said.

The Samruddhi Corridor is an ambitious infrastructure project of the Fadnavis government that proposes to connect Nagpur and Mumbai through a 700km expressway.

Fadnavis said while relief and rehabilitation are important for the agriculture sector, it is not sustainable in the long run.

"Relief and rehabilitation are important for agriculture but not sustainable and thus we are going for more and more investment."

"Maharashtra contributes to 40 per cent of the total dams in India but gives only 22 per cent irrigation cover. Jal Yukt Shivar (a water conservation scheme) is making villages water neutral.

"Through the scheme, we have achieved climate mitigation measures too. Only investment-based agriculture can be sustainable," he said.

Fadnavis and his delegation also visited Changi Airport, touted as one of the worlds best airports and a mega transportation hub in South East Asia.

The chief minister also held round table discussions with business leaders in the city-state.

"Executives of Singapores top companies discussed various issues, understood the investment/expansion opportunities from the CM," a released issued by the CMO in Mumbai stated.

Fadnavis is visiting South Korea and Singapore to hard sell his state as an investment destination. He has already completed the South Korea leg of his visit. PTI MM RSY

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi, September 29

Chief Executive of the National Unity government in Afghanistan Dr Abdullah Abdullah today welcomed Indias stabilising efforts in his countrys rebuilding as well as US President Donald Trumps South Asia Policy.

Addressing the Indian Council of World Affairs in Delhi on Regional Peace Building the leader was asked if the diplomatic math was wise enough since price being paid by antagonising Pakistan seemed heavier than development projects undertaken by India in the country. Abdullah replied by asking a question in return: Mathematically, if we had shut our door to India, would it have solved our problems?

He said: Nations have certain principles to observe. We have not excluded any country but we have not and will not give the right of veto over our foreign policy, which is built on our national interests.  TNS
Varanasi, September 29

The Crime Branch has begun a probe into the BHU campus violence and has issued notice to 20 members of the proctorial board, including the former chief proctor, asking them to record their statements, officials said on Friday.

A number of students, including girls, and two journalists were injured in a baton-charge by the police on the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, where a protest last week against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent.

SP (Crime) Gyanendra Prasad said the investigation into the violence had begun and they are perusing the CCTV footage.

He said a cyber team had also been engaged in the case and a dozen mobile numbers that were active near the incident spot, when the alleged eve-teasing took place, had been put on surveillance.

He said notice has been served to nearly 20 proctorial board members, including former chief proctor O N Singh, who were on duty on the day of incident. They have been asked to record their oral or written statement before the Crime Branch within three days.

Any person having information regarding the incident can also give details to the Crime Branch in its office or on phone, he said adding, their identity would be kept secret.

He said information is also being collected about anti- social elements residing in and around the campus and those who frequently visit there.

Senior Superintendent of Police R K Bhardwaj had transferred the investigation of all cases related to the violence in the BHU campus, one of the 43 central universities in the country, to the Crime Branch and the Lanka Police was also assisting in the probe. PTI
Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 29

The Chinese Embassy in Delhi celebrated the 68th anniversary of the Founding of Peoples Republic of China with much enthusiasm and colour.

With the bilateral tensions over the Doklam standoff resolved for now, Ambassador Lou Zhaohui recalled the prominent persons, including Bodhidharma and Tagore who had served as bridges between India and China through history.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Talking about one of his teachers Professor Xu Fancheng who lived in Sri Aurobindo Ashar, from 1945 to 1978, the envoy who visited the ashram in Puducherry last week said, He was one of the most famous Chinese scholars translating the Upanishad, Bhagwat Gita and Shakuntala from Sanskrit to Chinese. He also introduced Sri Aurobindo to China.

History could teach us a lot of things. Standing on their shoulders, we should do more today, added the envoy. The Ambassador hoped that with joint efforts the two Asian Giants could handle the differences properly and enhance mutual trust.

Recalling the message of reconciliation and cooperation delivered by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi during the BRICS meeting in Xiamen, ambassador Zhaouhui said, We should dance together. We should make one plus one eleven.

A colourful cultural performance, including acrobats, magic and dance was at display. The Ambassadors Wife Counselor Jang Ili herself took to the stage to perform to a Chinese song as well as Hindi movie song Navrahi Majhi, enthralling the audience.
Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 29

As External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed the UN General Assembly last week for the third consecutive year, Indias disappointment at the slow pace of the Security Council reforms could be sensed.

On September 18, there was a meeting here on UN reform. I participated. I witnessed an evident desire for change, to do something. But I do want to remind you that at the 2005 World Summit, there was a consensus that the early reform of the Security Council is an essential element of our overall effort to reform the UN, said Swaraj.

It has now come to light that an upset India was unwilling to co-sponsor the political declaration of the UN Reform Meet called on September 18 in New York.

A diplomatic note dated August 30 issued by the US mission to the UN that The Tribune accessed read: The United States mission to the UN presents its compliments to permanent missions to the UN and has the honour to invite, in collaboration with the permanent missions of Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Uruguay, each mission to join the UN Reform Political Declaration supporting the Secretary-Generals reform efforts.

The note added: Heads of delegation of the member states who join the UN Reform Political Declaration will be invited to attend a UN Reform Event on the morning of Monday, September 18.

Indian official sources say the US wanted the meeting to focus on UN and not Security Council reforms, to which India objected. India had issues with the agenda for the meet not being circulated for consultation. New Delhi thereby intimated that it would participate in the meeting but not be a co-sponsor to the declaration.

A subsequent revised diplomatic note (EXEC 2017-40) was then issued by the US mission to UN dated September 12, with all previous countries mentioned in the first note as co-sponsors, barring India and China.

In fact the 10-point political declaration spoke of strengthening the Secretary-Generals office, cooperation between member states, but had no mention of expediting the Security Council reforms.

President Donald Trump has talked of restricting US aid to the UN and the need for the global body to be reformed and streamlined. But for countries like India, aspiring for a seat on the high table, any reforms will be meaningless without an expansion of the Security Council to reflect the changed global realities.

Swaraj underlined the same in her UNGA speech. Efforts at text-based negotiations on the reform and expansion of the Security Council were initiated in the last session and over 160 nations expressed support for this effort. If we are serious, then the least we can do is produce one text that can be the basis for negotiation. I hope that under your enlightened leadership, Mr President, this will become a priority, she had said.

UN, not UNSC, reform on agenda
Hyderabad, September 29

A video purportedly showing a woman police constable assaulting a female bus conductor inside a bus in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana has gone viral on social media, prompting the police to order an inquiry.

The incident took place on September 27. The woman police constable, G Rajitha Kumari, was travelling in a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus from Mahabubnagar depot, when the conductor asked her to buy a ticket. When the constable showed her a photocopy of her ID card, the conductor asked for the original ID card, the RTC staff said.

The video clip of the incident, filmed by a passenger, was aired by some TV news channels. It shows that after a brief argument between the two, the woman constable pushed aside the conductor and repeatedly hit her, even as fellow passengers intervened.

Condemning the incident, a group of employees of the TSRTC held a demonstration and later took out a protest rally in Mahabubnagar town on Thursday.

They further demanded suspension and stern action against the police woman at the earliest.

When the conductor asked the woman constable for a ticket she refused to buy it, they alleged.

Mahabubnagar Superintendent of Police B Anuradha said a detailed inquiry had been ordered and stringent disciplinary action would be initiated against her once they received the inquiry report.

The constable has been attached to the Mahabubnagar police headquarters, the SP said. PTI
Gopis attempt to flee abroad thwarted

Amritsar, September 29

Gangster Gopi Ghanshampuria was preparing a fake passport to flee abroad before he was reportedly arrested. The revelation came during the interrogation of Gurjit Ladda, a notorious gangster brought on police remand here. He was recently arrested in Rajpura.

Ladda had also masterminded the kidnapping of Dr Munish Kumar, who runs a private hospital in Ajnala. He was also a key accused in the Nabha jailbreak.

Police sources said Laddas interrogation revealed that Gopi was hiding in UP and getting a fake passport made in the name of Surjit Singh. Ladda had also got a fake passport and travelled to Dubai once.  TNS
Washington

Genetic data from seven humans who lived 2,500 years ago in South Africa suggest that Homo sapiens arose 350,000 years ago, much earlier than previously thought, a new study has revealed.

Swedish and South African scientists managed to identify the genetic sequence of the remains of three hunter-gatherer individuals who lived between 2,300 and 1,800 years ago and four peasants who lived between 500 and 300 years ago, reports Efe news.

All of them lived in the present province of KwaZulu-Natal, on the Indian Ocean coast of South Africa.

Scientists concluded that the evolution from archaic humans to Homo sapiens occurred between 350,000 and 260,000 years ago, rather than 180,000 years ago that previous studies had posited based on remains found in East Africa.

The authors of the study, from the University of Uppsala (Sweden), the University of Johannesburg (South Africa) and the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), consequently supported the Pan-African origin theory of Homo sapiens, with simultaneous evolutions throughout the continent.

In fact, in June fossils of more than 300,000 years old found in Morocco suggested that the evolution of archaic man to Homo sapiens could have occurred much earlier than what has been established to date.  IANS
Geneva, September 29

The UN migration agency said Friday more than 60 people are either confirmed dead or missing and presumed dead following the shipwreck of a boat carrying Rohingya Muslims who were fleeing from violence in Myanmar to Bangladesh.

Spokesman Joel Millman of the International Organisation for Migration told reporters in Geneva that 23 deaths have been confirmed after eight more bodies were found overnight following an initial count of 15.

Based on interviews that IOM has conducted with survivors, Millman said, "We believe 40 are missing and presumed drowned" on the vessel, which was thought to have been carrying about 80 people.

He said he didn't have information immediately about whether it was the worst death toll at sea since the exodus of Rohingya began August 25 amid violence targeting them in Myanmar.

More than 500,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since then.

The "very tragic" accident involved a vessel that had been at sea for two days with no food and had faced choppy seas, Millman said. The Bangladeshi captain had not initially charged the passengers any fee for the transport and had been trying to avoid sea patrols or checkpoints, he said.

"The details are absolutely astonishing and remarkable," Millman said. "At one point, he (the captain) chose to anchor the vessel, but that proved to be a fatal mistake as the rough seas were much worse than he supposed. This was easily within sight of land."

"People were actually quite distraught that they had gotten so close to safety and yet drowned because the boat was destroyed by the high seas and the torrential rains and wind," he said.

The UN migration agency closely tracks death tolls worldwide of migrants at sea, and generally counts the missing as presumed dead in its tally because confirmation is all but impossible.

Its figures are a highly quoted source on issues like often-fatal journeys between Libya and Italy, currently the world's most-deadly sea route for migrants.  AP
A recent tweet by Oprah Winfrey has raised speculations that she might be run for the post of the US President in 2020.

By India Today Web Desk: Could Oprah Winfrey succeed Donald Trump as the President of the United States? Will the media tycoon take the reins of the most powerful military on Earth from the former reality television star and real estate baron? Can she do what Hillary Clinton couldn't - become America's first woman president?

When one of the world's best-known public figures tweets this in response to an endorsement in the New York Post, such questions don't seem too far-fetched.

@jpodhoretz Thanks for your VOTE of confidence!Democrats' best hope for 2020: Oprah | New York Post https://t.co/tvt82v8cMH- Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) September 28, 2017

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"If you need to set a thief to catch a thief, you need a star - a grand, outsized, fearless star whom Trump can neither intimidate nor outshine - to catch a star," John Podhoretz wrote in the New York Post.

He penned his piece after Winfrey, 63, spoke to fourteen Americans about the Donald Trump presidency on the CBS show 60 minutes. Podhoretz said her performance was "dazzling."

Reactions to Winfrey's cryptic tweet were mixed. Here's a sample.

If she can win, let her run. We need a Democrat who can win. Full stop.- Tracey Gaughran (@traceygaughran) September 29, 2017

You seem like a smart, sincere person, but we kinda need people with experience in government and public service.- John Lamb (@johnl2112) September 29, 2017

If Oprah becomes the Democratic nominee for president in 2020, I quit the Democratic party. I give up.- Sarah Waites (@Addicted2Poli) September 29, 2017

No offense, but after Trump lets not. Democrats want be able to undo the affects he has had and this means they need legal expertise for it- Nathan (@nathansappp) September 29, 2017

M'am, I love you dearly, but please run for congress or senate and get some experience.- Susan Lewis ???????? (@kitty62862) September 29, 2017

But if you think President Oprah would be a fantastic idea, don't get too excited yet.

A CNN report said in July that the billionaire had told The Hollywood Reporter she "will never run for public office."

She ruled out running for office in January too, on a talk show hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert. Her "NE-VERR." was rather emphatic.

However, in March, she did suggest that Trump's election had caused her to reconsider her perception that she didn't have the experience or the knowledge she needed for the job, according to another CNN report.

But what about the tweet? How about now? Will she? Won't she?

One thing's for sure. In 2015, Trump himself thought she was ready for the White House. He said Winfrey would be a "great" running mate.

--- ENDS ---
London, September 29

A Birmingham-based Muslim 'Imam', on trial to be extradited to Spain where he is wanted on terrorism charges, has told a UK court that he is an "anti- terrorist preacher".

Tarik Chadlioui, accused of being a recruiter for the Islamic State (ISIS) through extremist videos, was one of six people arrested across Europe in June as part of a Spanish investigation into support for the terrorist group.

Spanish authorities allege Chadlioui made three videos for extremist forces in Syria, during two visits to Mallorca in 2014 and 2015.

The 43-year-old faces a charge of collaboration with, or membership of, an armed group for which the maximum sentence is 20 years' imprisonment.

"He has uploaded thousands of videos to YouTube. This is what he does, he is an anti-terrorist preacher," Malcolm Hawkes, Chadlioui's barrister, told Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Friday.

Chadlioui, a Belgian national of Middle Eastern origin, moved to the Sparkhill area of Birmingham in 2015, where he lives with his family comprising eight children.

He is fighting against his extradition on the grounds that it will be "a clear interference with his right to a family life".

Spanish authorities believe he is behind the radicalisation of one of the Paris attack terrorists  Omar Mostefai  who killed 89 music fans at the Bataclan theatre in November, 2015, before blowing himself up.

He has also been linked with Anjem Choudary, a radical Muslim cleric currently in a UK jail for supporting ISIS.

Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot adjourned her ruling on the extradition case till Tuesday, until which time Chadlioui has been remanded in custody. PTI
Islamabad, September 29

Pakistan's interior ministry has asked the country's elections overseeing body to ban from politics a new party backed by Islamist Hafiz Saeed, who carries a $10 million US bounty on his head for alleged involvement in 2008 terror attacks in India.

Haroon Shinwari, a spokesman at the Election Commission of Pakistan, said on Friday that they would assess the status of Milli Muslim League party next month.

The MML party is headed by Saifullah Khalid, a friend of Saeed, who is the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group.

India accuses Saeed of links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 160 people, and he has been designated a terrorist by the US government.

Saeed is currently under house arrest in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore.  AP
Manila, September 29

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a fierce critic of the United States, is now singing Washingtons praises for helping him fight pro-Islamic State group militants.

There are so many factors involved. But Id rather be friendly to them now, Duterte told residents of the central town of Balangiga during a visit, according to an official transcript released on Friday.

Islamic militants waving the black IS flag occupied the southern city of Marawi on May 23, and have fought off a US- backed military assault for more than four months.

The US deployed a P-3 Orion spy plane and provided other intelligence inputs to Philippine forces trying to retake the city in fighting which has left more than 900 people dead.

I would not say that they were our saviours, but they are our allies and they helped us. And even today, they have provided the crucial equipment to our soldiers in Marawi to fight the terrorists, Duterte said yesterday.

So without their help also, we would be having a hard time, he said. So we thank you.

Duterte marked the start of his six-year term last year with foul-mouthed rants against the US as he steered his country away from the decades-old alliance while chasing trade and investment from Washingtons rival Beijing.

During a visit to China last October Duterte announced his separation from the United States, stating he was realigning with China and Russia instead.

Duterte explained that at the time, he was angry at then US president Barack Obama for criticising his centrepiece war on drugs, which has since seen at least 3,850 suspects shot dead by the police and thousands more killed by suspected vigilantes and others.

He had also denounced the US government over its bloody colonisation of the Philippines in the 1900s.

But these are all water under the bridge, Duterte said, citing the US alliance against Japans occupation army during World War II.

Manila won independence in 1945 after the war, with the two countries also signing a mutual defence treaty in 1951.  AFP
Lodhi, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, held up a photograph of an injured Gaza girl on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, and said she was a Kashmiri pellet gun victim.

By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan on Thursday dodged a question on top diplomat Maleeha Lodhi's lie at the UN General Assembly, saying the incident can't be used to deny an "indisputable fact" that Indian security forces were using pellet guns in Kashmir.

Lodhi, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, held up a photograph of an injured Gaza girl on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, and said she was a Kashmiri pellet gun victim. Paolomi Tripathi, the junior-most diplomat in India's mission to the United Nations, later responded to Lodhi by showing the UNGA a picture of Lt Umar Faiyaz, a young officer from Jammu and Kashmir who was killed by Pakistan-supported terrorists.

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When asked about the incident, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria side-stepped the question. He blamed Indian security forces for blinding Kashmiris.

"India cannot deny around 80 Kashmiris completely blinded deliberately by its forces and blinding of over 200 innocent Kashmiris in one eye," he claimed.

"India cannot deny injuring thousands of Kashmiris using pellet guns... It is an indisputable fact," Zakaria claimed.

During the unrest that broke out in Kashmir after Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed by security forces last year, injuries and cases of partial or complete blindness caused by pellet gun use did attract strong criticism. But the woman in the picture Lodhi used was not one of the victims.

ZAKARIA ON INDIA'S ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN

Zakaria also accused India of playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan and of using the country's soil to carry out subversive activities inside Pakistan, under the garb of development assistance

"We have evidence to this effect, which was shared with the US, the Secretary General of the UN and also with the Afghan authorities," Zakaria said.

(Inputs from PTI)

VIDEO: This was India's response to Maleeha Lodhi's lie.

--- ENDS ---
OKLAHOMA CITY  The House Rules committee met and advanced a controversial Medicaid bill on Thursday, while the rest of a special legislative session remained deadlocked over how to fix a $215 million hole in the state budget.

House Bill 1093, by Rep. Terry ODonnell, R-Catoosa, would impose additional eligibility checks for Medicaid recipients. The bill, similar to one that failed during the regular session, is sponsored by a Florida advocacy group represented at the Capitol by former Seminole lawmaker Tom Newell.

Advocates say the measure will root out unqualified Medicaid recipients, while opponents point out it will cost at least $1.2 million to implement and say it is unlikely to recover that much in improper payments. They are also critical of a provision that allows the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to contract for the services, which they say is likely to lead to people being bounced from the program for minor technical violations like late paperwork.

ODonnell said on Thursday he expected the Health Care Authority to exercise some discretion in determining eligibility.

Not verifying the eligibility of Medicaid recipients is dereliction on our part, he said. No one is talking about reducing Medicaid. This is about making sure people receiving Medicaid are eligible.

The committees three Democrats said HB 1093 was poorly thought out, and noted Oklahoma already has one of the lowest Medicaid error rates in the nation.

From a business standpoint, I think this proposal is flawed, said Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa. Theres not been enough due diligence. It appears to be theoretical, not practical.

The committee also passed HB 1074, by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City. It excludes trucks of 55,000 pounds or more laden weight from the higher excise tax on vehicle sales adopted during the regular session.

Echols, who carried the vehicle excise tax bill during the regular session, said it was not his original intention to include the larger trucks.

The vote on both bills was 6-3 along party lines.

Except for the hour-long committee meeting, the Capitol was quiet as House and Senate members met in their respective caucuses.

Gov. Mary Fallin called lawmakers into special session to address the budget hole created when the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the process by which a new cigarette fee was adopted during the regular session.

The fee has been reintroduced as a tax, requiring three-fourths majorities in both legislative chambers. It doesnt have those votes in the House, where Democrats and Republican factions are at loggerheads over the best way to fund state government.

Twitter: @rkrehbiel

Twitter: @bhoberock
OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahoma will receive $16.5 million in federal funds to open and expand charter schools across the state, a funding boost that will significantly increase the number of new charter schools opening in the coming years.

Oklahoma is home to one of nine state entities that were notified Thursday of the Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, which is the specific local entity awarded the grant, will receive $16.5 million over the next five years.

"This is pretty big," said Brent Bushey, executive director of the OPSRC, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit that works with charter schools and traditional public schools. "The amount for the size of our state is pretty large."

For more of this story, click here.
By PTI: leadership

By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 28 (PTI) In an unusual move, the Pakistani embassy in the US has removed the portrait of its former top envoy Husain Haqqani who has been critical of Pakistans military and political leadership.

Haqqani was Pakistans Ambassador to the US from May 27, 2008 to November 22, 2011, which is considered as one of the most tumultuous period of the US-Pakistan relationship.

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The 61-year-old diplomat has been critical of Pakistans military and political leadership.

The report of removal of his portrait from the Pakistani embassy here first appeared in Pakistani media and soon caught the attention of social media.

However, the Pakistani embassy website continues to have his name on the list of envoys posted in Washington.

The Pakistani embassy did not respond to a question by PTI in this regard but Haqqani said removal of his portrait in no way would "erase" the three years from history. In a tweet, he described this move as "juvenile".

This "would not stop me" from criticising "disastrous policies" of the government, Haqqani said.

Haqqani now heads the South and Central Asia division of Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank.

Early this year, Haqqani along with Lisa Curtis of The Heritage Foundation, another top American think-tank, had co-authored a report on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

A few months later, recommendations of this report became the basis of the new Afghanistan and South Asia policy of the Trump administration.

Curtis now heads the South Asia division of the White Houses National Security Council.

Soon after Trump announced his Afghanistan and South Asia policy, in which he sought more accountability from Pakistan, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused Haqqani of being behind the tough American policy against Pakistan.

Author of several books including Pakistan Between Mosque & Military and Magnificent Delusions, Haqqani has been a harsh critic of some of the policies of Pakistani Army, in particular use of terror groups and support to religious fundamentalists. PTI LKJ UZM

--- ENDS ---
STILWELL  D.W. Lee said his goal, like perhaps thousands of others, is to find Bigfoot.

What I would like to have is undeniable proof of Bigfoot so that people dont think Im crazy, said Lee. It started out as a hobby. It has become more than that.

Lee, called Dark Wing by his friends, is head of the Mid-America Bigfoot Research Center, the sponsor of this weekends Oklahoma Bigfoot Symposium.

The two-day event at CC Camp, about six miles south of Stilwell, will attract about 100 members of the Mid-America Bigfoot Research Center and upwards of 400 total attendees.

The Honobia Bigfoot Festival, another event celebrating and researching Bigfoot information, will be held Oct. 6-7 near the tiny town of Honobia, 15 miles southwest of Talihina.

Many of those who will attend the upcoming events will be drawn to the great unknown, the search for the so-called Bigfoot. Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a creature of American folklore that many believe lives in American forests.

Bigfoot is usually described as a large, human-like figure covered in hair.

There are a lot of people, and a lot of organizations, who believe in its existence, said Lee. We all believe it to be out there, but we all dont always agree on where it is or what it is.

Lee, a computer analyst by trade, has been fascinated by the possible existence of Bigfoot since childhood.

In 1977, near Stilwell, there was an alleged sighting of Bigfoot that later proved to be a hoax.

However, the story of Bigfoot sparked Lees imagination.

Ive been interested in it ever since, said Lee, who was 13 years old at the time. I lived close to the woods where this sighting was supposed to have occurred. So I was always looking out toward those woods wondering what was out there.

Lee got out of the Army around 1991 and watched Legend of Boggy Creek, a 1972 docudrama about the Fouke Monster, a Bigfoot creature seen around Fouke, Arkansas, since the 1950s.

The movie really fascinated me, said Lee. Fouke (near Texarkana) wasnt that far away from where I was here in Stilwell.

So I went to Fouke, and Ive been hooked ever since.

Over the past 26 years, Lee has literally gone into the woods of far eastern Oklahoma about 4,000 times in search of Bigfoot.

He has recorded what he considers to be about 26 encounters.

Thats less than 1 percent of the time, said Lee. But that doesnt stop me from looking.

In fact, his latest encounter was near the CC Camp where the upcoming symposium will be held.

Weve been doing this symposium about six years, said Lee. But weve been having symposiums over here for a lot longer. Before Mid-America, there were other Bigfoot organizations (like Honobia).

In fact, there are a number of Bigfoot organizations around the country, though many seem to be concentrated in the Pacific Northwest or in a four-state area that includes Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

He said there are scientific reasons for those two areas dominating the hunt for Bigfoot.

Obviously, it needs to be heavily wooded land so that the animal has a lot of cover, said Lee. Plus, you have to make sure that area has an ample water and food supply.

Our area here near Stilwell is a great area. We have a lot of wildlife and plenty of water sources. And the woodlands around here are very thick.

He expects sightings of Bigfoot to soar in the future as more and more people move into the woods, he said. Were already seeing that. There are more and more people moving to the woods, and they are having encounters.

The symposium will feature dozens of Bigfoot hunters who have accumulated a number of audio recordings, photos and plaster casts of footprints and handprints.

I hunt for Bigfoot with a camera and audio equipment, said Lee. If there is a sighting, I run toward it.

For years, there have been reports of Bigfoot sightings all over eastern Oklahoma. Lee has searched in almost of all of those areas.

He said the area near the Arkansas border is fertile hunting grounds for Bigfoot.

Ideal is huge tracts of heavily wooded land, and we have a lot of that in southeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas, he said. We hear about sightings all of the time over here.

However, a lot of times, the people who tell us about sightings dont want it publicized. They tell us so we can investigate, but they dont want their fellow workers or bosses to know. So we go check it out.

Lee expects a lot of Bigfoot researchers will be in the woods near Stilwell this weekend.

This is a great area to look for Bigfoot, said Lee. The camp is in prime area. So we will have a lot of folks looking this weekend. It could get exciting.
A former principal in a Tulsa Christian home-school alliance expressed remorse Thursday before a federal judge sentenced him to a two-year prison term for accessing child pornography.

Jeffrey Richard Goss, 57, said he would humbly accept the consequences for his actions and vowed to take the steps necessary to ensure that this never again is an issue in my life.

U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan said the terms of a plea agreement between Goss and prosecutors, which called for him to serve a two-year prison term, were reasonable.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal Hong, in explaining the agreement for a two-year term, said Goss case was different in that he cooperated with investigators and agreed to take a polygraph test after his arrest.

Hong said Goss passed a test that had focused questions on whether he had ever engaged in any illegal hands on behavior with children.

Goss faced up to 87 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.

A grand jury indicted him April 4 on one count of receiving child pornography.

Prosecutors identified Goss as part of a criminal probe into the use of a video chat service that enabled users to access and share child pornography.

Goss was a principal of Christian Education Alliance, a ministry of Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene. He has since been fired.

Eagan also approved a measure in the plea agreement that called for Goss to forfeit a 2014 Ford F-150 pickup to the federal government and pay $18,483 in lieu of forfeiting his family home.

The pickup was used to transport a computer that was used to view child pornography that he would watch, in secret, at home and at work, according to court documents.

In addition to the prison term, Eagan ordered Goss to serve seven years of post-custody supervised release. She granted a request from Goss that he be permitted to report to prison Nov. 29.

Goss was one of two Tulsa-area men who were charged with using the video chat service to access child pornography.

Ronald Eugene Robinson, a Turley minister, pleaded guilty in May to receiving child pornography and was sentenced in August to a 57-month prison term.

Federal prosecutors said that while Robinson also agreed to take a polygraph test, the examiner concluded that Robinson was being deceptive when he answered no to the question of whether he had had any sexual contact with a child in any way.
A Vinita man arrested Wednesday night in connection with a south Tulsa bank robbery earlier in the day has confessed to four Tulsa-area bank robberies and one in Pennsylvania, police said.

The man, identified as Victor Alan Siegrist, went on to claim responsibility for 44 more robberies throughout the U.S., a Tulsa police officer wrote in a probable cause affidavit.

Siegrist, 54, is accused of robbing two Tulsa banks within a week  a Commerce Bank branch at 5314 S. Yale Ave. on Sept. 22 and a Bank of Oklahoma at 7121 S. Sheridan Road on Wednesday.

Police arrested Siegrist at the River Spirit Casino in south Tulsa.

The surveillance was reviewed from both bank robberies, the affidavit states. Both robberies were committed by the same person.

At Commerce Bank, the robber entered the building and asked questions about the ATM as he was casing the scene, the affidavit says.

Later that day, the robber followed a delivery driver into the bank, where tellers have to buzz-in visitors. He demanded money from the till before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The robber was wearing a casino T-shirt during the Commerce Bank robbery, investigators said.

At the Bank of Oklahoma, the robber entered the building about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and demanded money from a specific till, police said. He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Afterward, detectives distributed surveillance images and suspect information to area casinos.

Siegrist was detained at the casino Wednesday night by Muscogee (Creek) Nation tribal police. City police then arrested him on two complaints of robbery by force or fear for his alleged connection to the two Tulsa robberies.

Police say Siegrist admitted to robbing the two Tulsa banks and also confessed to two bank robberies in Broken Arrow last October and one robbery in Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Siegrist is also charged for his alleged role in a 2014 bank robbery in Muskogee, according to documents filed in Muskogee County District Court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Oct. 23 in that case.

Siegrist was booked into the Tulsa Jail on two robbery complaints involving the Tulsa banks. He is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

harrison.grimwood @tulsaworld.com

Twitter: @grimwood_hmg
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Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page?
50 years anniversary of Simula, the first object-oriented programming language

Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first object-oriented programming language, Simula. It was solemnly marked by the unveiling of the IEEE milestone plaque  the first of its kind to be awarded to a Norwegian institution. A great honor for the University of Oslo and for the Department of Informatics!

Adm.dir. Lars Holden (Norsk Regnesentral), rektor Svein Stlen (UiO) og viseformann Kaveh Niayesh (IEEE Norway) ved IEEE-plaketten.

The story of Simula goes more than fifty years back, and it is one of the greatest innovations from the University of Oslo. The story cannot be told without telling the story of two extraordinary men, Kristen Nygaard and Ole-Johan Dahl.

In the early 1960s Kristen Nygaard worked as Research Director at the Norwegian Computing Center. He was involved in projects that required advanced mathematical simulations and soon realized that it was difficult to formulate these problems using any of existing programming languages at that time. At the end of the 1950s Kristen was employed as a mathematician at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, where he met and cooperated with Ole-Johan Dahl, who underwent his compulsory military conscription at their computing office. Kristen persuaded Ole-Johan to join him at the Norwegian Computing Center to help developing a simulation language.

This was the start of Simula, which evolved into a full-fledged programming language with language constructions that would turn out to be extremely versatile and robust. The central concepts in the language were called objects and inheritance, and provided a way of organizing and building software that should turn out to be revolutionary.

Ole Johan Dahl, Simula og Kristen Nygaard.

Simula version 1.0 was presented in 1967, 50 years ago. However, it took quite some time before the community realized the significance of the simulation language The term "object-oriented programming" was not coined and did not become generally known and appreciated among computer scientists until the 1980s. Object-oriented programming has been the prevailing paradigm for computer programming since the 1990s. Today, the most popular and wide-spread programming languages use an object-oriented programming model.

In 1968 Ole-Johan Dahl became a professor at the University of Oslo, and was paramount to the establishment and development of the Department of Informatics (which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year). Later Kristen Nygaard also became a professor at our department. Kristen Nygaard and Ole-Johan Dahl received the Rosing Honorary Award in 1998, as the very first to receive this award. In 2000 they were appointed Commander of the Order of St.Olav. They received the John von Neumann Medal in 2001 and the Turing award ("the Nobel Price for informatics") in 2002.

Simula represents a proud part of our history, marking a turning point for informatics and data security. The department of informatics is today ranked as number 12 in the global Shanghai ranking. Quite an accomplishment! The legacy of Ole-Johan Dahl and Kristen Nygaard is nurtured, and used as an inspiration both for the department and for the rest of our university.

The department is characterized by high quality research, and recently celebrated its 100th female Ph.D. candidate. Should I suggest an ambition for the department to take with them into the future, it might be to increase the amount of female professors.
The Pakistani Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif had suggested he had received a proposal to swap Kulbhushan Jadhav with a terrorist lodged in an Afghan jail.

By Press Trust of India: India on Friday cited Afghanistan NSA's statement rejecting Pakistan's claim that it had received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist, to assert that it was another addition to Islamabad's "imaginary lies".

The reaction came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif suggested that he received the proposal to swap Jadhav with the terrorist, lodged in an Afghan jail, during his meeting with an NSA. However, Khwaja did not identify the NSA or the terrorist who was to be swapped.

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Contradicting Asif's claim, the office of the Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar issued a statement saying there was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen during his meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister on September 21 in New York.

Asif had told a gathering at the Asia Society in New York on September 26 that Pakistan received a proposal to swap Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan.

Reacting strongly, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the statement by the office of the Afghan NSA suggested that the claim by Asif was one more addition to the long list of "imaginary lies" by Pakistani establishment.

The statement by Atmar's office said the two sides, during the meeting, had detailed discussions on variety of issues including bilateral cooperation.

"The two sides also discussed sanctuaries in Pakistan and exchange of the top five Taliban leaders detained in Pakistan. There was no mention or reference of India or an Indian citizen," it said, adding Atmar was hopeful that the record of the meetings are reported accurately and facts are not "misconstrued".

The MEA spokesperson also referred to Pakistan's use of a "fake picture" in the United Nations General Assembly recently, adding the Pakistan Foreign Minister's claim was another lie.

"If you have gone through the press release (issued by Afghan NSA's office), it seems this is one more addition to the long list of imaginary lies as stories which have been created by Pakistani establishment," said Kumar.

Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistan's Field General Court Martial on charges of his alleged "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against Pakistan.

In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the International Court of Justice had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.

The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the gruesome Peshawar school attack in 2014 in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.

--- ENDS ---

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| By Office of Communictions and Public Affairs

Families caring for premature infants or children with pediatric cancer face many challenges. While they strive to help their children achieve optimal health outcomes, families from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods face additional social obstacles. This story is the same whether they reside in Brazil or in Baltimore.

Reduced access to maternal education, unemployment, lack of transportation, food insecurity, poor access to health care, and inadequate and unstable housing all increase the risk of adverse outcomes for mothers and their children. However, access to critical social resources can help families overcome these challenges and significantly improve health and quality of life for ill children and their families.

University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) students accompanied Yolanda Ogbolu, UMSON assistant professor and director, Office of Global Health, to Brazil to assess the Saude Crianca Association (ASC), which aims to improve quality of life for impoverished families by addressing the social determinants of health.

Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD 11, MS 05, BSN 04, CRNP-Neonatal, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) assistant professor and director, Office of Global Health, and three students in UMSONs Global Health Certificate program spent time in Rio de Janeiro this summer, attempting to better understand these issues. Students Trish Milburn, DNP, CRNP; Oriyomi Dawodo, MS; and Martine Kirwin, BSN, accompanied Ogbolu to Brazil to assess the Saude Crianca Association (ASC), which aims to improve quality of life for impoverished families by addressing the social determinants of health. Ogbolu and the students sought to strengthen the partnership between UMSON and ASC and to explore the possibility of designing a cultural adaptation study model for Baltimore.

Saude Crianca, which means Healthy Children, is a 25-year-old program replicated across 31 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America; it empowers families to address the social determinants of health for children with chronic diseases. It also builds family capacity by developing a family action plan that leverages family strengths in five key areas: education; global citizenship (psychosocial and legal factors); health (food, medicine, and nutrition); housing; and income generation.

This program truly addresses the social needs of families with sick children, Ogbolu said. Many families of critically ill children in Baltimore and Brazil suffer from similar challenges and could benefit from a culturally adapted model that leverages the strengths of the family to address their social challenges while at the same time providing direct assistance with transportation, housing, education, professional training, and legal issues over an extended period of time. Empowering families for the long term and allowing them to have sustainable transformations that can strengthen their families and brighten their futures is the ultimate outcome.

The certificate students spent 10 days learning how ASC helps families improve health outcomes by addressing social factors including breaking away from poverty through professionalism training to develop skills that will allow them to secure a job, legal support, and access to nutrition and medications. The students collected qualitative and quantitative data for a baseline analysis of the program, listened to first-hand accounts from families about how the program helped them overcome challenges, interacted with interprofessional health and public health staff, and used the data that was collected to make recommendations to improve Brazils program.

Since nursings inception with Florence Nightingale, who identified the correlation between living conditions and disease, nurses have been striving to provide comprehensive care to the infirmed through evaluating social, political, and economic factors that contribute to or affect health outcomes, student Milburn said. These factors not only impact health and care delivery in the United States but on a global level. We anticipated that health care providers in Rio de Janeiro face similar challenges as do practitioners in Baltimore. The successful comprehensive approach that Saude Crianca developed helped inform us on how to develop a similar program and modify it to fit our health care challenges.

The students will give presentations about their experiences in Brazil on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 4-6 p.m. at the School of Nursing in Room 730.
Suruz Jahan, 75, receives a UNHCR tarp in Kutupalong refugee camp.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

KUTUPALONG REFUGEE CAMP, Bangladesh  Reed thin, barefoot and fragile, refugee grandmother Suruz Jahan trekked for days through the rain to escape violence in Myanmar.

After reaching Bangladesh under threatening monsoon skies, the 75-year-old was first in line to collect a tear-resistant tarpaulin  a vital first step to putting her life back together at this fast-growing refugee camp.

Its like Ive found my father and mother again."

Its like Ive found my father and mother again, said Suruz, in a faint voice, weeping softly. Now I have shelter, I can start looking for food.

In a massive effort to cut the time Rohingya refugees like Suruz spend in the open, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, this week started giving plastic sheeting to them the moment they arrive at refugee settlements in Bangladesh from Myanmar.

Rohingya refugees have been fleeing Myanmar at a staggering rate (Roger Arnold and Ismail Ferdous, camera / Boris Weber, producer)

Teams are also scouting known crossing points on the border with Myanmar, to hand plastic sheets and other aid to refugees like Suruz, her son and two grandchildren, as soon as soon as they enter the country.

With these harsh weather conditions, the idea is that we will be able to provide them, on arrival, at least with something to cover their heads, said Felipe Camargo, who is leading UNHCRs emergency response in Bangladesh.

There are an estimated 501,000 women, children and men who have arrived in this South Asian country in the last month, and the number is growing by the day, Camargo said.

Abdu Sukkur, 18, receives a UNHCR Tarp in Kutupalong refugee camp.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

The vast majority live in informal camps and roadside settlements in southeast Bangladesh, where large family groups, often from the same villages in Myanmar, frequently group together to maintain their ties.

To ensure that the aid ripples swiftly through these communities in exile, Camargo has instructed UNHCR field workers to hand out two or three tarps at a time to individuals.

There is a very strong community solidarity mechanism  so this is a way to ensure that as many people as possible receive what is needed, he said, adding: If the plastic is not used for the roof, it will be used for the floor.

This will spare us from the rain."

Among those picking up the tarps under a lowering monsoon sky was 18-year-old new arrival Abdu Sukkur.

This will spare us from the rain  and help us to get started, Abdu said.

As the tarp distribution picks up pace, the 2,000-acre (809 hectare) Extension Site on the outskirts of Kutupalong Camp is already becoming more organized.

To make it easier to bring aid into Kutupalong Extension Site , the Bangladeshi Army started constructing a road this week.

The UN Refugee Agency is also urgently shipping in 23 vehicles to assist in aid efforts led by Bangladeshi authorities, including 10 pick-up trucks that will be donated to the government.

Your support is urgently needed to help the children, women and men refuges in Bangladesh. Please give now.
Burundian refugees anxiously wait to board buses from the border transit camp in Nyanza to Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda's Eastern Province.  UNHCR/Anthony Karumba

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for stronger international support for Burundian refugees and their host communities, as chronic underfunding severely hampers the humanitarian response in countries of asylum.

More than 420,000 Burundian refugees remain in dire need of humanitarian assistance and support in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania. As the number of Burundian refugees in host countries still remains high, it is vital that adequate resources are provided for ongoing life-saving humanitarian activities. A revised humanitarian funding appeal of US$429 million for Burundian refugees in neighbouring countries is only 19 per cent funded.

Underfunding has severely hampered reception capacities and strained asylum space, as well as the quality of protection rendered by host countries. Refugees continue to live in overcrowded and congested camps, facing insecurity, deterioration of emergency shelters, shortages of water and food, and oversubscribed health and education services. Provision of protection and assistance for Burundian refugees has not yet reached acceptable standards, despite efforts by the host government, UNHCR and partners.

Many refugee hosting areas are at risk of communicable diseases like malaria and acute watery diarrhoea. There is an urgent need to expand the availability and quality of health services, including the creation of new structures, hiring of well-trained staff, and procurement of equipment and medical supplies.

Underfunding for the World Food Programme (WFP) has forced the agency to cut monthly food rations to 60 per cent in Tanzania, which hosts the majority of Burundian refugees.

Only 56 per cent of identified survivors of sexual and gender-based violence have received comprehensive assistance and services.

Provision of water is adequate in only two of the four major asylum countries and only 17 per cent of refugees across the region have an upgraded family latrine.

Tents provided during the peak of the emergency are dilapidated and most families could not be supported with transitional shelters due to limited resources. In Rwanda, one third of some 88,000 refugees are still living under plastic sheeting, vulnerable to heavy rains and storms. Shelters need to be immediately built, upgraded and rehabilitated.

Tens of thousands of children have been enrolled in school but classrooms are overcrowded and additional schools and learning spaces are needed to decongest educational infrastructure.

While some returns of refugees are taking place, UNHCR is not promoting return to Burundi as conditions for large-scale organized repatriation are not yet in place. Burundian refugees are still in need of international protection and informal surveys indicate that the vast majority are not yet planning to return. However, UNHCR will continue to assist those refugees who have expressed a desire to voluntarily return home.

UNHCR also calls upon all governments to continue to maintain open borders for asylum-seekers from Burundi and to ensure there is no forced return.

It is vital that funding for the refugee response increases to benefit refugees and the communities that host them. It is also crucial that, in the context of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), additional funding is invested in refugee-hosting areas. This will support local governments to include refugees in their development plans.

Tanzania  which is formally applying the CRRF  is the largest host country for Burundian refugees, with 246,000. Another 88,000 are in Rwanda, 40,000 in DRC, 37,000 in Uganda, 7,000 in Kenya, and over 1,000 each in Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar arrive on fishing boats in the Teknaf area of south-east Bangladesh on 6 September 2017.  UNHCR/Vivian Tan

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is saddened to have learned of a tragedy in the Bay of Bengal in which 14 Rohingya refugees are reported to have drowned when their boat capsized on Thursday trying to reach safety in Bangladesh.

Among the dead were five girls, four boys and five women from northern Rakhine State. Among the 27 survivors are eight women and seven children; 12 people were taken to local hospitals.

It is saddening that refugees fleeing violence drowned in sight of the land and safety they were desperately searching for, said UNHCRs Director for the Asia and Pacific region, Indrika Ratwatte. The number of women and children involved highlights how the most vulnerable are often the most affected in these tragedies. he added.

UNHCR staff returning from refugee camps in the south-east of Bangladesh late Thursday afternoon came upon local people as they rescued 27 Rohingya refugees as the boat on which they fled from Myanmar had capsized close to the shore. The bodies of 14 people were also recovered on Inani Beach, a sharp coral stone beach south of Coxs Bazar.

Survivors could not say how many people in total had been on the boat, which survivors said had set sail from Myanmar on Wednesday night. The Bay of Bengal was whipped by high waves and heavy winds on Thursday afternoon and the boat was blown off course. According to our staff on the spot the boat was very close to shore  at a place where refugees do not normally land  when it capsized.

UNHCR mobilized ambulances, police and medical authorities to respond.

There are unconfirmed reports that a second boat is missing.

Media contacts:
After fleeing violence in Burundi, Charlene Natete, her husband Jean-Marie and their two children, Alice, 7, and four-year-old Vestinne, are relieved when they finally reach Mahama refugee camp in Rwandas Eastern province. But, even here, their worries are far from over. All they own now is contained in a single bag.

Before leaving Nyanza reception centre in southern Rwanda a day earlier, Charlene had gathered firewood and other supplies for their new home. We only brought a few clothes with us, she says. You couldnt take anything much with you.

Violence broke out back in Burundi in 2015 after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office. The constant threats and inability to meet militias' demands for money forced the family to escape one cold night in June this year.

Now, Charlene and her family are among over 400,000 Burundians who have become displaced across the region in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the crisis started in 2015.

We only brought a few clothes with us."

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partner agencies have today (Sept 29) launched an urgent appeal for US$429 million to help meet the needs of refugees like Charlene across the region. Of the requested amount, only 19 per cent funding has been received, making the Burundi situation one of the least funded refugee crises in the world.

The chronic underfunding for the Burundi refugee situation has severely hampered reception capacities and the quality of protection rendered by host countries, said Catherine Wiesner, UNHCRs Regional Refugee Coordinator for Burundi, at the launch of the revised inter-agency regional refugee response plan in Nairobi, Kenya.

Refugees continue to live in overcrowded and congested camps, facing insecurity, deterioration of emergency shelters, shortages of water and food, and oversubscribed health and education services. Many refugee hosting areas are at risk of communicable diseases, including, malaria and acute watery diarrhoea, added Wiesner.

Charlene and her family at Nyanza reception centre in southern Rwanda.  UNHCR/Anthony Karumba

Charlene collects firewood for her family's new shelter at Mahama refugee camp.  UNHCR/Anthony Karumba

Charlene sits in a UNHCR-chartered bus along with her husband (behind) and their two children.  UNHCR/Anthony Karumba

Charlene stands in her new shelter with her son at Mahama refugee camp.  UNHCR/Anthony Karumba

Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda.  UNHCR/Anthony Karumba

In Mahama, the impact of the huge gap in funding is evident as UNHCR and aid agencies struggle to meet minimum standards for refugees.

Funding is a major challenge in terms of being able to construct shelters and respond to all the needs of Burundian refugees, says Janet Pima, UNHCRs Protection Officer in Mahama. Because we keep on receiving new arrivals that means the needs are increasing every day.

In Rwanda, more than 85,000 refugees live in cities such as Kigali and in Mahama. For a country as small as Rwanda, such numbers place a huge strain on resources and Mahama camp is already at breaking point.

We have around 54,000 refugees in the camp and the space we have has already been occupied by semi-permanent shelters, adds Pima. We dont have any more space which is the main challenge we have for now. We will not be able to relocate any new arrivals until we have an extension of the camp.

We dont have any more space."

New arrivals have to wait for weeks, sometimes months, before they can be relocated.

UNHCR is negotiating with the Rwandan government and local communities that own the land around the camp. However, with every refugee that enters the country, more pressure is added to already strained resources.

In Tanzania, where the majority of Burundian refugees are hosted, small numbers of refugees have already undertaken to return home spontaneously. A tripartite meeting was concluded between UNHCR and the governments of Burundi and Tanzania at the end of August 2017. Since then, plans have been put in place to assist an estimated 12,000 Burundian refugees to return home in the last quarter of the year.

Buregeya Leonidas left his home in Burundis south eastern province of Rutana in October 2015 for Nduta camp in Tanzania with his wife and seven children.

I have strongly desired to return home since April 2017 and I have waited until this day to fulfil my dreams, says the 40-year-old farmer.

A tripartite meeting that was concluded between UNHCR and the governments of Burundi and Tanzania at the end of August 2017 paved the way for refugees like Buregeya to return home. Since then, plans have been put in place to assist an estimated 12,000 Burundian refugees to return home in the last quarter of 2017.

Buregaya returned home with two cherished items - a solar panel and a radio he bought with his savings while in Tanzania. He is ready to resume farming and will use the cash grant he received as seed money to start a small business.

However, unlike him, the majority of Burundian refugees like Charlene and her family are not yet planning to return. For now, the relocation to Mahama is welcome and offers the chance to start afresh. The family has been registered, allocated a shelter, food and other supplies giving them hope that they will be able to resume a normal life. I think we will get used to things here as we can see things are okay, says Charlene.

UNHCR continues to work with the government and partner agencies to receive and care for new arrivals despite the challenges, but the need for more support is crucial.

If we dont get the space soon, refugees will be congested in the shelters or they will have to remain in the reception centres for quite a long time, says Pima. We are appealing for more funding to help Burundian refugees.
The Central American country of Panama wants to develop its pharmaceutical industry to meet a growing local demand for over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines. It also has ambitions to become a pharmaceutical hub for the region.

Panamas economy grew a blistering pace during a boom that saw gross domestic product increasing by an average rate of 8% per year between 2004 and 2012. In recent years, the growth rate has slowed but it is still among the fastest in the region, supported by construction projects and activity related to the expanded Panama Canal.

The strength of the economy has allowed public funding for healthcare services and medicines, currently worth over US$3bn a year. Now, Panama is looking to increase access to healthcare for the whole population under a universal healthcare policy, which will encourage the growth of the segment in coming years.

In May 2017, Panamas Minister of Health, Miguel Mayo di Bello, visited the headquarters of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna to discuss cooperation, in particular, ways to develop the countrys pharmaceutical sector and produce medicines for the local market.

UNIDO organized a field trip for the Minister, taking him to different Austrian pharmaceutical institutions to explore the possibilities offered by clustering and learn more about the logistical and organizational issues. He also visited the Austrian subsidiary of Shire, a multinational bio-pharmaceutical company, and the Vienna BioCenter, one of the worlds leading international biomedical research centres.

Following the Austrian visit, the Minister also participated in the UNIDO Latin America and the Caribbean/Russia event Strengthening International Alliances between Latin America and the Caribbean and Russia Week", in St. Petersburg. This event opened up new opportunities for cooperating with the Russian Federation in the medical sector.

In a subsequent interview, the countrys ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, Paulina Maria Franceschi Navarro, said that the visit had given the minister good perspectives on this matter and that he is optimistic that Panama can develop a pharmaceutical cluster in the future.

She said Panama wanted UNIDO to continue providing information regarding potential partners in the pharmaceutical industry, adding, UNIDO is already playing a leading role in developing a pharmaceutical industrial hub in Panama and will play a major role in the design and monitoring of a master plan to ensure that Panama becomes a global player by 2030.

Franceschi said, We strongly support UNIDO's mandate particularly within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 9. UNIDO can play a role, particularly in economies which are very highly specialized, like the Panamanian economy which is a service economy.

Remarking on her involvement with fostering cooperation with UNIDO, she said, My role has been to spot the opportunities and to bridge them and to engage potential stakeholders, in my country as well as to engage UNIDO officials here, with the idea of developing something together in Panama. I think my country can offer a great potential, because Panama has been fostering its natural legacy of connecting.

Currently the market for OTC and prescription medicines in Panama is dominated by multinational companies such as Bayer, Merck and Sanofi, amongst others. The Ambassador sees clear benefits from developing national pharmaceutical production. Panamanian society will benefit tremendously. It will fulfil a need for access to basic medicines and biotechnology clusters can foster innovation. In addition, and most importantly, it will provide employment opportunities for biologists, pharmacists, chemists, engineers and so on.

In early July 2017, a UNIDO mission to Panama, led by Carlos Chanduvi, Chief of UNIDOs Latin America and Caribbean division and Ambassador Franceschi, conducted discussions with all stakeholders about the creation of a pharmaceutical hub.

By Charles Arthur and Eugenia Coman
Priyanka Chopra posted pictures and videos of her chilling in the pool with her girlfriends.

By India Today Web Desk: After hosting the Global Citizen Festival in New York, Priyanka Chopra is currently in Los Angeles. The actor is currently neck-deep in work, but she sure knows how to unwind! Priyanka had a pool party with her girlfriends, Yasmine Al Massri and Mubina Rattonsey, and took to Instagram to share picture and videos of all the fun.

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Priyanka looked gorgeous in a black monokini, and seemed to be having a blast as she frolicked in the water. If her captions are anything to go by, she doesn't need to wait for the weekend to have fun.

Sunny LA.. the silence and I... ??this #iphone8 pic credit- @jazmasri A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Sep 28, 2017 at 7:09pm PDT

.. Going into the weekend be like... oops its still Thursday... @jazmasri @mubinarattonsey #LAlife #friendsforlife chk our the ?? A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Sep 28, 2017 at 9:23pm PDT

And then you smile... because sometimes you just do. #thursdayisthenewfriday gn world A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Sep 29, 2017 at 2:10am PDT

Yes..She don't need that dress anymore... ??? Paying homage with my @priyankachopra ???? #versaceonthefloor we love @brunomars @zendaya A post shared by Yasmine Al Massri (@jazmasri) on Sep 28, 2017 at 9:53pm PDT

On the work front, Priyanka was last seen on the big screen in her Hollywood debut, Baywatch, in which she played the antagonist Victoria Leeds. She has two other Hollywood films, A Kid Like Jake and Isn't It Romantic? in the pipeline. There were rumours that Priyanka has signed her next Hindi film, but her mother, Madhu Chopra, confirmed that she has no time for a Bollywood project this year.

ALSO WATCH: I wanted to be seen as a modern actor, says Priyanka Chopra

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NEW YORK, 21 September 2017  African leaders, UN officials, and representatives of international finance institutions and of the private sector met today at the United Nations Headquarters to reaffirm their commitment to a broad-based international partnership to industrialize Africa in a socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable manner.

Unemployment and poverty are serious concerns for the continent, where more than 70 percent of the working age population is unemployed or has no job security, prompting the UN to declare 2016-2025 as the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III).

We all have to acknowledge a simple fact: Africa is growing, said Miroslav Lajcak, President of the General Assembly, at the high-level event on IDDA III. He noted that this is true for the continents economy, with successive growth recorded since the early 2000s, as well as for its population, particularly in relation to its youth. This growth presents great opportunity. It could lead to the eradication of poverty and an improvement in livelihoods. But, for this to happen, growth must be inclusive. And it must be sustained, he stated. Industrialization has the potential to drive this kind of growth.

The President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, said, My government is proud to be associated to this event and values the role played by organizations such as UNIDO and other government partners which seek to work closely with Africa to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development in the continent.

He added: Over the past two decades, the African continent has witnessed significant changes in policy orientation with more emphasis placed on building productive capacities in order to take advantage of opportunities emerging from the global economy. Many African countries have restructured their economies and have embraced liberal economics and trade policies to support development strategies. However, these reforms have come with their own challenges, including the influx of imported commodities and unfortunately closure of industries with consequential job losses.

During todays meeting, African leaders and development partners reiterated the importance of industrialization to eradicate poverty and to ensure that Africas fast-growing population yields its demographic dividend. Ethiopias Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, said, The lack of skills is the major problem in Africa. With an integrated industrial strategy, African states will hopefully mobilize funds, build the capacity of local employment and promote small, medium enterprises with domestic development projects.

The African Unions Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Albert M. Muchanga, said, "Let me stress that, in line with the theme of this event - from political commitment to action on the ground - and the underlying principle of inclusiveness, it is my expectation that resources mobilized under the Third Industrial Development Decade will be deployed so as to significantly show benefits accruing to the ordinary Africans on the ground through decent employment, and access to high-quality, safe and affordable manufactured goods that are made in Africa, among other direct and tangible benefits.

The fact that 16 African countries were among the worlds top 30 fastest growing nations was highlighted by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. Last year, the 10 fastest growing African economies posted GDP growth rates exceeding 5 per cent. At the same time, continued commodity dependence  coupled with fluctuations in commodity prices  makes African economies vulnerable and hampers their ability to create decent jobs and effectively tackle poverty.

Hence the need for African countries to take further action to advance inclusive and sustainable industrial development, Amina Mohammed said. She appealed to all partner institutions to use their influence and expertise to promote industrialization and inclusive and sustainable development that will benefit all the nations and people of Africa.

The Vice President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, underscored its governments full support to the Decade and urged development partners to ensure the realization of the goal to industrialize Africa by the year 2030, the time prescribed to attain the 17 Goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which is tasked with leading the implementation of IDDA III, proposed to implement its new innovative approach to bring about the necessary structural transformation. The approach is based on a country-owned model known as the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) that leverages financial and non-financial resources, promotes regional integration and mobilizes co-operation among Africas development partners.

UNIDO Director General, LI Yong, said, It is high time to move the IDDA III agenda steadily forward in order to foster inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Africa. Todays presence of high-level participants from the public and private sectors, development financial institutions, the United Nations system, and bilateral and multilateral institutions confirms that Africas industrialization is of global importance.

A joint communique was agreed by leaders of UNIDO, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Office of the UN Special Advisor on Africa (OSAA) and acknowledged that the implementation of the ambitious goals of the Decade will require the mobilization and deployment of significant amounts of resources and expressed their support for scaling-up the PCP in the context of IDDA III.

Amadou Hott, AfDB Vice-President, Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, said, The African Development Bank recently adopted an ambitious Industrialize Africa strategy, developed together with UNIDO and UNECA, which aims at more than doubling industrial GDP of the continent within the next decade. We strongly believe that partnering with governments, the private sector, regional organizations and other development partners is key to address the major bottlenecks in the area of industrialization for a more prosperous Africa.

The World Bank Group also announced its strong support for the implementation of the Decade.

Participants agreed on the importance of strengthening private sector engagement, in view of its fundamental role in driving growth, creating jobs, generating income and wealth, and contributing to fiscal revenue.

For more information please contact:

Edme Koffi

Chief of Regional Division - Africa

UN Industrial Development Organisation

Email

Mercy Wambui

Chief, Communications Section

Public Information, Knowledge Management Division

UN Economic Commission for Africa

Email

Christiane Yanrou-Matondo

Principal Communications Officer

Bureau of the Chairperson

African Union

Email

Jennifer A. Patterson

Acting Editor-in-Chief

Communications and External Relations Department

African Development Bank Group

Email

Ben Idrissa Ouedraogo

Economic Affairs Officer

Office of the Special Advisor on Africa

Email
The Western Railway explained what happened in Mumbai today where 22 people died following a deadly stampede on a railway foot overbridge connecting the Eliphinstone Road and Parel stations.

Rains resulted in overcrowding on the Parel-Elphinstone bridge in Mumbai, the Western Railway said (PTI photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Mumbai was today struck by a horrible tragedy that saw 22 people dying following a stampede at the Elphinstone Road station on the Western Railway.

The stampede, which injured nearly 40 other people, took place on a foot overbridge that connects Elphinstone Road on the Western Railway to Parel on the Central Railway.

The stampede struck Mumbai on a particularly rainy day, a factor that the Western Railway said played a major role in 22 people dying on the foot overbridge.

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In a press note the Western Railway issued late evening, the rail division explained what went behind today's deadly stampede in Mumbai, a city that sees 10 people die in rail-related accidents every day.

The Western Railway said that the rains in Mumbai today were "unprecedented" and that people at the Elphinstone Road station "were caught unawares".

Railway commuters, 'unprepared for the rains', gathered on the Elphinstone-Parel foot overbridge, using the bridge's roof to shelter themselves from the sudden rain, the Western Railway said.

What exacerbated the situation was people on the Elphinstone Road station's approach road also gathering near the foot overbridge's exit to take shelter from the rains.

At the time of the tragedy, the foot overbridge was overcrowded.

The deadly stampede was sparked after a rumour floated that the foot overbridge had collapsed or was collapsing. This resulted in panic among the commuters on the station and the bridge.

Throngs of commuters charged towards the foot overbridge's exit causing the stampede that ultimately killed 22 people and injured 32 others.

Click here to Enlarge The narrow bridge that connects Elphinstone Road to Parel; a stampede here killed 22 people today (Photo: Reuters)

Among the dead were 14 males and eight females, Western Railway said adding that 23 men and nine women had been injured.

The Western Railway clarified that rumours of the Parel-Elphinstone foot overbridge collapsing were just that. "There was no structural damage to the FOB (foot overbridge) which can be attributed to the stampede," the Western Railway said, noting the bridge was five meters wide.

The rail division also did not address earlier reports that said that a suspected electrical short-circuit had triggered the fatal panic.

AFTERMATH

Today's Mumbai stampede has brought the Indian Railways, already grappling with a spate of derailments, under the spotlight once again.

Soon after the stampede, it emerged that the Railways had been warned about the condition at the Elphinstone Road station - commuters had warned of an impending disaster on the narrow foot overbridge on Twitter while Shiv Sena MPs had written to the Railway Ministry, asking for a new bridge.

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In 2106, then Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu sanctioned the construction of a new, 12-meter-wide foot overbridge to connect Elphinstone Road to Parel.

That project remains at the tender stage.

Responding to the stampede, Piyush Goyal, who recently took over as the Railways Minister said that widening of foot overbridges, wherever required, will be done on high priority.

Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways.- Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 29, 2017

Goyal, who was in Mumbai for an unrelated event (he was to flag off 60 new suburban train services in the city today), also ordered a high-level probe into today's stampede.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those who condoled the deaths in Mumbai. "My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured," PM Modi tweeted.

WATCH VIDEO | Mumbai: Railways blames Elphinstone stampede tragedy on rains, overcrowding on bridge

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By PTI: Kolkata, Sep 29 (PTI) Occasional heavy rain failed to deter the spirit of revellers on Mahanavami - the penultimate day of the four-day Durga Puja festival - as they took to the streets in large numbers today, making a beeline at popular pandals.

The main rituals for Mahanavami, or the ninth lunar day, began shortly after Sandhi Puja was performed on Mahashtami, considered the most auspicious of the four days, last night.

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Popular puja pandals witnessed long queues as people defied the intermittent showers to wait patiently to view the intricate artworks, which were a result of months of hard work by the community puja organisers.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also greeted people on Mahanavami in a Tweet.

According to the MeT department, occasional heavy rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at most places over Gangetic West Bengal today. Moderate to heavy rainfall has been reported in various parts of Bengal since last night.

Restaurants and eateries across the city were also on their toes today, catering to large groups of people, who love eating outside during Durga Puja.

Kolkata Police personnel, along with those of the city civic police and other volunteers, has been deployed near popular community pujas and busy intersections to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the puja days. PTI PNT RBT RG

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The Rohingyas are an ethnic Bengali-speaking minority who have been living in Myanmar's state of Rakhine for several generations although there may be some recent immigrants from across the border in Bangladesh. Myanmar does not acknowledge them as bonafide citizens. The latest bout of violence against this minority is by no means new.

Shyam Saran

Over the past several years there have been eruptions of ethnic violence against this community, in which the Myanmar Army, the local Burman population and particularly the militant Buddhist clergy have been complicit. When I was serving as Indian ambassador in Yangon, I had visited a UNHCR camp near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, where several Rohingya families were being sheltered after their houses were burnt and they had to flee their villages, being targeted by their Burman neighbours. What is different this time is the scale of the violence and the numbers who are fleeing across the borders, mainly to Bangladesh, but some to India, Thailand and Malaysia.

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The other new element is that this is happening under a government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK), who is, therefore, held to a much higher standard when it comes to upholding human rights. People, particularly in the West, want her to behave like a statesman and not just a politician, neglecting, of course, to acknowledge their own dismal and indefensible record in closing their doors to refugees from the civil war in Syria which they did much to stoke in the first place.

ASSK is behaving like any politician for whom political survival is paramount. She has to contend with a powerful military which is still unreconciled to having to share power with her and it is to her credit that she has, little by little, tried to consolidate democratic processes and to pursue reconciliation among the country's fractious ethnic minorities. On the Rohingya issue she has virtually no room for manoeuvre, given the hostility of the Army, the influential clergy and the Burman majority, against the Rohingyas. To make matters worse, the relentless persecution of the Rohingyas has spawned violent groups supported by the usual suspects, that is, radical groups based in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

The latest outbreak of violence was triggered by an attack on Myanmar security posts by Rohingya militants. Against this background, for ASSK to take a contrary position and voice sympathy and support for the Rohingyas is equivalent to committing political suicide, which may win her kudos from her erstwhile supporters in the West but will do little to improve the situation. She is truly between a rock and hard place and one should at least understand the dilemma she confronts.

In a sense India, too, finds itself between a rock and hard place. We would like ASSK to continue to lead Myanmar and to consolidate the as yet fragile democracy in the country. Joining the chorus of condemnation of her inaction, would only add to her troubles. On the other hand, India has important stakes in the Rakhine state. It is building a new and modern port at Sittwe and a highway from Sittwe into Mizoram. The port could become the centre of a new economic zone which India could help establish. It is Rohingyas who have been the majority of workers on these projects and these repeated bouts of violence have adversely affected the completion of these projects. It is in our interest that the Rohingya issue is resolved peacefully. Furthermore, India has painstakingly established a very positive and productive relationship with Bangladesh. There is a growing sentiment in Bangladesh that India is siding with Myanmar and ignoring the burden which Bangladesh has had to bear with the influx of a very large number of refugees. The Indian government's statements that it will deport the Rohingys who have sought shelter in India due to security concerns, have sharpened these negative sentiments. Much of the diplomatic gains we have made in our relations with Dhaka over the recent years may be quickly eroded.

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What is the best approach for India ? One, we should not deport Rohingyas who have sought shelter in India; this would be contrary to our humanitarian traditions. There may be risks of some radical elements slipping into the country with the refugees and this risk must be confronted and minimised as much as possible. But blanket deportation is not justified.Two, we should use our good offices with both Myanmar and Bangladesh to try and defuse the situation but our efforts will have to be discreet and mindful of the compulsions both countries face.

Three, we should deploy a significant effort to extend humanitarian assistance to the displaced families, in particular women and children and the sick and the needy. We could work together with UN agencies and other friendly countries like Japan to deliver prompt and effective assistance. We should not end up alienating both our important neighbours.

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(Shyam Saran is a former Foreign Secretary and Senior Fellow, CPR.)

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Guterres told the UN Security Council during its first public meeting on Myanmar in eight years, that the violence had spiraled into the "world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

Rohingyas are fleeing Myanmar in the wake of violence in Rakhine state. (Photo: Reuters)

By Agencies: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the violence against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims in the northern part of Rakhine state could spread to central Rakhine, where 250,000 more people were at risk of displacement.

Guterres asked that Myanmar stop military operations, the news agency AFP reported. His comments came on a day when the US, in a first, echoed the UN's accusation that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State was ethnic cleansing.

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Guterres told the UN Security Council during its first public meeting on Myanmar in eight years, that the violence had spiraled into the "world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

"We have received bone-chilling accounts from those who fled - mainly women, children and the elderly," he said. "These testimonials point to excessive violence and serious violations of human rights, including indiscriminate firing of weapons, the use of landmines against civilians and sexual violence."

"This is unacceptable and must end immediately," AFP quoted him as saying.

HALF A MILLION ROHINGYA FLEE

More than 500,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in the past month since insurgents attacked security posts near the border, triggering fierce Myanmar military retaliation that the United Nations has branded ethnic cleansing.

Sweden, the United States, Britain, France, Egypt, Senegal, and Kazakhstan requested Thursday's council meeting.

Guterres demanded immediate humanitarian aid access to areas affected by the violence and expressed concern "by the current climate of antagonism towards the United Nations" and aid groups.

"The failure to address this systematic violence could result in a spill-over into central Rakhine, where an additional 250,000 Muslims could potentially face displacement," Guterres said.

"The crisis has generated multiple implications for neighboring States and the larger region, including the risk of inter-communal strife. We should not be surprised if decades of discrimination and double standards in treatment of the Rohingya create openings for radicalization," he said.

US SLAMS 'ETHNIC CLEANSING'

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Thursday called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against Rohingya Muslims until the military puts sufficient accountability measures in place.

It was the first time the United States called for punishment of military leaders behind the repression, but stopped short of threatening to reimpose US sanctions which were suspended under the Obama administration.

"We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be - a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority," Haley told the UN Security Council.

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VIDEO: The Narendra Modi government recently told the Supreme Court that Rohingya refugees pose a big security threat, as many of them have links with terror organisations and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.

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The victim's parents said that he was not willing to talk about the beatings, however, the incident came to light after they spotted red marks on his back.

By India Today Web Desk: The spate of incidents of atrocities against children in schools refuses to abate. In what can be called fresh trouble for Ryan International School, a parent from its Jamalpur branch of Ludhiana has come forward and alleged that teachers brutally thrashed his son.

On Wednesday, the victim, a 10-year-old student, told his parents that he got into a brawl with another student in the campus. Jaswinder Singh said that his son Mansukh, a class 4 student, was beaten up by a male and female teacher after the brawl.

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According to Jaswinder, the two teachers beat Mansukh with sticks. He added that after the children got into fight, their mothers were called. However, on Thursday the two teachers allegedly beat up Mansukh. The victim's parents said that he was not willing to talk about the beatings, however, the incident came to light after they spotted red marks on his back.

According to Mansukh's family, the female teacher even threatened him of dire consequences if he revealed anything about the incident. Jaswinder said that when they asked him about the incident, Mansukh broke down. He said that the teachers beat him on his legs, hands, back and chest.

Following the incident, the child underwent a medical check-up and the parents also gave a written statement to the Jamalpur Police. Although the school authorities denied the incident, the family said that they want stringent action against the perpetrators. The parents also alleged that the school principal was turning a deaf ear to their complains.

ALSO WATCH | Haryana: Girl alleges rape by school staff in letter to PM Modi

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illustration photo

According to Le Ba Long, head of the Drug Crime Investigation Department of the provincial Border Guard Command, a transnational drug ring was detected transporting drugs from Udomxay Province to Muong May District in Phoong Sa Ly Province of Laos, and then selling them in Viet Nams ien Bien Province.

Two suspects were found to be travelling from Muong May District to Viet Nams Tay Trang border gate in ien Bien Province. One of them, named Cu Chan Ly, was arrested while in possession of 24,000 amphetamine pills, while the other escaped. The detained suspect, a Lao national, born in 1996, said he and the other suspect bought the drugs and intended to sell them in Viet Nam, according to the police.

The case is under further investigation.
ADB, the World Bank, and the IMF all lauded Vietnam's budgetary efforts

In its update on the Vietnamese economy released a few days ago, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated that the government has achieved good results in reducing state budget deficit, and that the state budget revenue has been strongly increasing.

Like in 2016, total budget revenue rose 18.2 per cent in this years first half, thanks to a hike in revenue from value-added tax, corporate income tax, personal income tax, and non-tax sources, said the report.

ADB also stated that amidst rising budget revenue, the government has done a very good job in tightening spending, which increased by less then 10 per cent in this years first half.

The General Statistics Office (GSO) reported that between January and September 15, 2017, state revenue hit $33.5 billionhigher than the $30.2 billion last yearwhile expenditure stood at $38.7 billion, slightly higher than the $37.2 billion in the same period last year.

Thus between January-September 15, 2017, Vietnams budget deficit totalled at $5.2 billion, lower than the $7 billion in the corresponding period last year.

As revenue growth exceeds expectations, the governments target of trimming the budget deficit to the equivalent of 3.5 per cent of the GDP in 2017 and 4 per cent in 2018 looks broadly attainable, said Eric Sidgwick, ADB country director for Vietnam.

However, he also stressed, This will depend on further efforts to enhance revenue collection and stricter control of spending on wages and salaries and other recurrent expenditures. After three years of lower infrastructure spending, redirecting the 2017 budget toward capital outlays should help achieve this badly needed adjustment to public expenditure.

Statistics from the Ministry of Finance showed that nominal capital spending has been flat for the last five years. As a result, the share of capital spending in the total budget has fallen to 16 per cent in this years first half from the nearly 30 per cent in 2011.

However, since 2010, Vietnams nominal recurrent spending has more than doubled, driven by rising wage and salary costs, along with health and education spending.

Currently, Vietnam has about 11 million people on the states payroll.

Recently, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund also commended Vietnam for its efforts to control rising public debt. The World Bank said in its update on Vietnams economic situation that Vietnam has been showing early signs of fiscal consolidation.

The government has reinforced its commitment to rein in the fiscal deficit over the medium term in order to contain further increases in the public debt-to-GDP ratio. Fiscal consolidation is crucial to contain the fiscal deficit and stabilise public debt over the medium term, said Sebastian Eckardt, lead economist and acting country director for the World Bank in Vietnam.

Vietnams medium-term financing plan for 2016-2020, adopted by the National Assembly in November 2016, envisages a gradual fiscal adjustment over the next four years. The plan aims to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3.5 per cent of the GDP by 2020.

According to a document produced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Vietnams economic situation released two months ago, the IMF executive board considered the tightening of the fiscal stance as appropriate and welcomed the authorities intentions to ensure that consolidation is growth-friendly. They also concurred with the intention to reduce the deficit to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2020 and to maintain public debt below the legal limit of 65 per cent of GDP.

According to the National Assembly Economic Committee, by late March 2017, Vietnams public debts hit 61.5 per cent of the GDP. It is expected that by late 2017, the rate may reach about 64.6 per cent ($141 billion) of the GDP, almost hitting the 65 per cent limit set by the National Assembly.
For its 2018 season, the airline will operate two direct services a week between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This will be the third consecutive year of Vietnam operations.

Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said that there has been a huge appetite for travel to Vietnam by Kiwis since the airline introduced a direct seasonal service to Ho Chi Minh City from Auckland in 2016.

Its been fantastic to see so many travelers enthusiastic about Ho Chi Minh as a destination as its a great gateway to Vietnams tourism experience. Demand for travel to Vietnam has been particularly strong in the July school holidays, Wallace said.

Vietnam is one of the most affordable destinations for Kiwis and offers a memorable experience whether you are flying solo, as a couple, a family or a group of friends. Its not surprising to us that it is starting to become a popular hot spot on the holiday calendar, he said.

According to Vietnam's tourism statistic, in the first seven months of 2017, the number of Kiwis travelers to Vietnam is 27,203 which increases 119.5 per cent year on year. Meanwhile, number of Vietnamese visitors to New Zealand has also been growing rapidly throughout the years with more than 6,000 arrivals by 2016. This shows a strong connection between the two countries and great potentials for the flight route between New Zealand and Vietnam.

Air New Zealand touches down in Vietnam Air New Zealand officially opened the first direct air link between New Zealand and Vietnam on June 5.
Carlsberg and Habeco have been embroiled in a pricing drama

Carlsberg argues price

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is pushing its divestment efforts at two leading breweries Habeco and Sabeco in October and November. The Ministry plans to give up its entire 81-per-cent ownership at Habeco, as well as withdrawing 53.59 per cent of its 90-per-cent stake at Sabeco. The deadline for both sales is December.

Carlsberg, which is currently Habecos major shareholder with 17 per cent, has expressed interest in rising its ownership to 51 per cent.

Vuong Toan, deputy CEO of Habeco, said that the firm will submit its negotiation plans with Carlsberg to the prime minister before November 15.

As the deadline is drawing nearer, Carlsberg and Habeco has yet to reach an agreement after nine rounds of negotiation. One problem is that besides beer production, Habeco also operates in agriculture and real estate, areas where foreign ownership is limited at 49 per cent of the outstanding shares.

However, the bigger issue lies in pricing. Habecos shares are trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange at VND124,000 ($5.28). This is twice the quote on Habecos first trading day and 1.5 times higher than the initial public sales price, which took place nine years ago. Despite this surge, Carlsberg offered to buy in Habeco at VND48,000 ($2.11).

The reasoning behind the offer, according to Carlsberg, is that Habecos business has slowed down by 11.6 per cent since 2014. Due to this decline, Habeco has also lost its second position in the Vietnamese beer market.

Despite the arguments, it is apparent that Carlsberg is still eager to dominate Habeco and take over the Vietnamese beer sector. Specifically, if the Danish brewery manages to seize control, it will boast a 30-per-cent market share in Vietnam and put hands on well-known local beer brands like Hanoi Beer, Huda, and Tuborg.

Analysts at Ho Chi Minh Securities said that the price has not been finalised and it can be lower than market expectations.

Reports from FPT Securities and VCB Securities also pointed out that Carlsbergs offer does not follow market prices and an undervalued sale will negatively affect the state budget. Previously, Carlsberg was accused of buying under the market price when it acquired 50 per cent of Huda Beer.

Pricing must follow market regulations

In reality, despite experiencing slowing business, Habeco remains the champion of the northern Vietnamese market. In 2017, the brewery aims to produce 542 million litres of beer, up 3 per cent year-on-year.

Revenue is expected to reach VND8.8 trillion ($387,200), a 9 per cent increase. The dividend ratio is likely to stand at 20 per cent.

Viet Capital Securities reports pointed out that the growth potential of Habeco and Sabeco is still immense, thanks to Vietnams ever-growing beer market.

In 2016, Vietnam consumed 3.8 billion litres of beer, stumbling behind Japan and Korea in terms of per capita consumption. On average, each Vietnamese person drinks 41 litres of beer a year, and beer takes up the vast majority of alcoholic beverage consumption in Vietnam.

After listing, Habeco is now one of the largest companies in the Vietnamese stock market, capitalised at VND24 trillion ($1.05 billion).

Sabeco is also doing well, as its market capitalisation only stands behind dairy giant Vinamilk. Lots of foreign investors are lining up to buy stocks at these firms, including Asahi, Thai Beverage, Singha, Kirin, and Heineken.

Favourable market conditions have allowed the government to list and divest Habeco and Sabeco. However, from drama with Calsberg, experts warned that the government should be extra careful in asset valuation and pricing.

State-owned assets like the two beer firms should not be sold under value, and market price on the stock exchange must be taken into account when developing a divestment plan.

Moreover, experts asserted that the sale must be widely promoted to attract attention from both Vietnamese and overseas investors.
Great success comes only when boat sets sail towards the open sea. No success will come of anchoring on a river. On the open sea, there is no guarantee against a severe storm. The challenge lies in navigating the boat through the hazards of thunderstorms. - Uyen Phuong

The prime minister has recently issued Decree No.71/2017/ND-CP on new corporate governance rules for public join stock companies in Vietnam, specifically stipulating the fact that there must be independent members participating in the board of directors of these companies. As a billion-dollar private enterprise, will Tan Hiep Phat ever wish to attract more investors to become a public company and adopt a new management model?

In 1992, the presence of private enterprises helped the business sector prosper. In 1994, the centrally-planned economy was opened to a considerable degree for the establishment of private enterprises. In 1995, the United States lifted the embargo after 20 years, allowing Vietnam to open up trade with international partners. Entrepreneurs were confident in reinvesting their profits into long-term projects. This was also the time Tan Hiep Phat was officially born.

Tan Hiep Phat aims to contribute to the prosperity of society through the production of the countrys leading beverage brands. Our goal is to become one of the leading Asian corporations in the food and beverage industry.

In order to realise this goal by improving corporate governance, we have adopted numerous management practices in accordance with international standards.

For example, we have been leading the application of the advanced ERP management system, innovative reporting and internal control systems, the ISO 9001:2000 quality management system, the ISO 14001:2004 and HACCP environmental management systems developed by international agency DET NORKE VERITAS (the Netherlands), as well as the HACCP management for food hygiene and safety standardsjust to name a few items on a very long listalong with raising employees ownership in the group.

As such, having an actual stake in the company is the perfect way to build a responsible and dynamic corporate culture.

"Our goal is to become one of the leading Asian corporations in the food and beverage industry" - Uyen Phuong

At present, Tan Hiep Phat is still a family company in general, with the participation of independent members in the board of directors who are in charge of independent financial supervision as well as other activities. Anyone who loves Tan Hiep Phat and wishes to join us to realise our goal of becoming one of the leading companies in Southeast Asia is welcome.

I have always wished to build a great team to support our vision. It is difficult for someone to change the world on their own, but with the proper team for company, nothing is impossible. An excellent team can definitely help overcome any challenge.

Having studied at some of the worlds most prestigious schools for corporate governance, then returning to Vietnam and joining the management of Tan Hiep Phat, can you talk about your work on applying modern governance principles in the Vietnamese environment?

An issue all businesses face is that they need long-term management to achieve their ultimate goals, but must frequently adopt short-term management practices. Therefore, applying governance principles to harmonise short-term and long-term goals is a challenge for any corporate executive.

The application of modern governance principles to a business operating in Vietnam has been experiencing certain difficulties. This may stem from the limitations on the internal capabilities of the enterprise itself or negative external factors caused by an incomplete regulatory framework or the existence of disadvantageous business conditions that inevitably impede or create an unfavourable environment for business development.

In your recently released book, The Story of Dr. Thanhs Family, you gave a detailed account of the companys triple crisis in 2014, when a financial crisis, a product boycott, and Dr. Thanhs poor health pushed Tan Hiep Phat to its limits. If you could return in time, what would you do differently?

Everyone can fail, but there are lessons in every failure. The question is whether we have learnt anything from this failure. Great success usually comes with high risk, that is how the founder of Tan Hiep Phatmy father, Tran Qui Thanhexplained everything. Great success comes only when boat sets sail towards the open sea. No success will come of anchoring on a river. On the open sea, there is no guarantee against a severe storm. The challenge lies in navigating the boat through the hazards of thunderstorms.

In 2014, the Tan Hiep Phat family went through very hard times. It was also a year for me to experience and grow a lot. You can try reading the book to learn about the incidents and try on the pressure on our shoulders back then.

Dr Thanh with his two daughters

What helped us overcome the crisis was tremendous and unyielding effort every day and every hour to consistently realise the groups mission: providing customers with healthy products at international-standard quality. We have boldly publicised transparent information and opened our factories to the public so that each customer can be a judge and evaluator.

Particularly, besides sticking to our long-established core values, the unity of all people at Tan Hiep Phat, not only family members but also employees and partners, has given us the confidence and the strength to calmly face and address each issue, and ultimately overcome the storm and step forward.

Seeing as you arrived with sizeable knowledge learnt from school and hefty entrepreneurial experience learnt from Dr Thanh himself, which one did you find more useful in helping Tan Hiep Phat flourish?

By putting more factories in operation, such as the Number 1 Factory in Ha Nam and the Number 1 Factory in Chu Lai, we expect to cover the market demand.

We will step on to a larger playing field rather than only aiming at Asian markets, and we are trying to become a $3-billion enterprise by 2030.

The Vietnamese market has great potential and we strongly believe that we can do it. We want to reinforce our position as a billion-dollar enterprise over the next five years.

A factory of Tan Hiep Phat Group

Reality is the best school. School is the best place to train your analytical abilities, but real-life practice, performance, and the achievement of goals depend on a number of other factors, of which attitude is the most important. I have learnt from my fathers views on life and everyday difficulties. His way of perceiving things always showed me new directions and pushed the organisation to new heights.

Actually, my father gave me a choice between inheritance and succession, but I straightout refused inheritance. In the family, we understand that inheritance is a responsibility and an obligation, not a right.

My father put out a request that after his retirement all assets and profit of Tan Hiep Phat be transferred to his successors, the next generation of the family. I believe we can and will do our best. I want to highlight that the highest positions at Tan Hiep Phat are not occupied by family members only, we are always looking for other candidates around the world to achieve our goals.

Being an emotional and knowledgeable woman, how do you see success as a businesswoman? Where is the balance between work and family life, according to you?

To me, true success is to create positive values for the people around me.

My father and I are constantly argueing about the balance between work and personal life. The concepts of concentration and balance are polar opposites. It is also a given that if we want to reach the pinnacle or the end of anything, we must stay focused. This rings true for life too.

I have not heard about a single great man who managed to be successful both in their career and family life, even Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein. Most of them would spend all their time on one thing and do the best they can. But this is an argument between me and my father, I am sure everyone will have different views.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks as the Security Council holds a meeting to discuss the violence in Myanmar at the United Nations in New York. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks as the Security Council holds a meeting to discuss the violence in Myanmar at the United Nations in New York. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP)

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres decried the humanitarian "nightmare" faced by Myanmar's Rohingya on Thursday (Sep 28) and demanded that the government end military operations and open humanitarian access to its conflict-wracked western region.

"The situation has spiralled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare," Guterres said in a speech to the UN Security Council.

More than 500,000 Rohingya refugees have flooded into neighbouring Bangladesh. The exodus came after attacks by Rohingya militants on security posts prompted a Myanmar military crackdown last month.

The UN has received "bone-chilling accounts" of refugees being subject to "excessive violence and serious violations of human rights, including indiscriminate firing of weapons, the use of landmines against civilians and sexual violence," Guterres told the public session of the council.

"This is unacceptable and must end immediately," he added.

Myanmar's military has been accused of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims.

Guterres called on Myanmar to halt military operations, allow "unfettered access" for humanitarian aid, and the "safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin."

"The reality on the ground demands action - swift action - to protect people, alleviate suffering, prevent further instability, address the roots of the situation and forge, at long last, a durable solution," he said.

The UN chief noted that the "systemic violence" could cause unrest to spill into the central part of Myanmar's Rakhine state, threatening 250,000 Muslims with displacement.

Guterres said a donors' conference would be held on Oct 9, without specifying the location.
By India Today Web Desk: Following in the footsteps of parents - Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, Sara Ali Khan too decided to give Bollywood a try. And it didn't come as a surprise when she expressed her desire to become an actor. And after months of speculation, she finally signed her Bollywood debut with Abhishek Kapoor. Sara has already begun shooting for her dream debut with Sushant Singh Rajput in Uttarakhand, and her dad Saif is more than happy for his daughter.

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However, the 47-year-old actor is little worried too. For somebody who has been in the industry for more than two decades, he has seen all the ups and downs in Bollywood. As his daughter takes baby steps into the film industry, he is a little anxious.

In an interview to Mid-Day, Saif said, "I am concerned for her, which is pretty normal for any father. But, I wouldn't say I am nervous because I am not living vicariously through her. What worries me is the kind of relationships she is going to have. Or for that matter, how she will deal with failure - will she get upset and cry about them? These are things that niggle at me."

However, the doting dad is happy that his daughter has chosen her maiden project independently, without much of his guidance. "She simply came to me and told me that she is doing Kedarnath. We never discussed the script in detail, as I don't think my opinion matters. Since it is her independent decision, she is happy to either fly with it or go down with it," added Saif.

On the work front, Saif is currently awaiting the release of Chef.

ALSO WATCH: Star kids are B-Town's next big thing, Priyanka meets PM Modi

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The second phase of the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) project was launched by the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) and the US Red Cross in Hanoi on September 28, targeting the four central provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Ha Tinh and Quang Tri.

With a budget of more than US$1.5 million, the second phase, to be carried out until September 2018, will help the local communities manage natural disaster risks and adapt to climate change effectively and sustainably while improving essential services and infrastructure for locals. It is expected to benefit about 240,000 people.

VRC Vice President Tran Quoc Hung said this phase will focus on community-based natural disaster prevention by establishing technical support and community groups, providing training in community-based management and assessment of natural disaster risks, and devising natural disaster prevention plans in the targeted localities.

Local authorities will also be assisted to integrate outcomes of reports on community-based natural disaster assessment into annual local socio-economic development plans, and seek resources to materialise these plans.

At the same time, the project will upgrade early warning systems in families and schools, and raise public awareness of natural disaster response.

The first phase of the project, from October 2015 to June 2017, was carried out in 28 wards and communes of the four provinces at a total cost of US$2.5 million, helping improve the capacity to fight natural disasters of local authorities, community and schools through similar activities.
Vimico and VVMI are both promising investment opportunities (Illustration image)

At present, Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) owns a 98.06 per cent stake in Vinacomin Minerals Holding Corporation (Vimico) and a 98.19 per cent stake in Vinacomin-Vietbac Mining Industry Holding Corporation (VVMI). According to Vinacomins divestment plan, it will divest 33.06 per cent, equaling 66.12 million shares, from Vimico and 33.19 per cent, equaling 34.84 million shares, from VVMI.

VimicoVietnams largest copper mining firm

Vimico completed the equitisation in 2015 and its shares were listed on UpCOM in 2016.

The company, which is considered one of the key subsidiaries of Vinacomin in the mineral mining sector, specialises in exploiting a variety of mineral reserves, including gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, and zinc. Copper is the primary item in the companys diversified portfolio.

According to Nguyen Tien Manh, general director of Vimico, the company is one of the few enterprises holding copper mining rights. Vimico currently owns the mining rights over Vietnams largest copper reserve, the Sin Quyen copper complex that holds a reserve of 19.26 million tonnes of ore, and Vi Kem copper mine, which holds 5.15 million tonnes.

The Sin Quyen copper complex started operations in 2006 with a total investment capital of VND1.3 trillion ($56.7 million). The complex sorts ores containing more than 0.8 per cent copper with a recovery rate of 92-97 per cent due to cutting-edge technology and synchronous equipment.

Besides, Vimico owns controlling or partial stakes in 15 other mineral mines, many of which have long-term mining rights for precious metals.

As the selling price of metals have been recovering since 2006, Vimico has been reporting sparkling results. Notably, in the first eight months of this year, Vimico acquired VND3.54 trillion ($150.6 million) in consolidated revenue and VND150.3 billion ($6.56 million) in consolidated pre-tax profit, signifying increases of 46 and 75 per cent, respectively.

Vietcombank Securities Limited Company (VCBS) considers Vimico to have massive development potential due to the increasing demand for metal in general and copper in particular. VCBS expects that in 2017 Vimico will see soaring revenue and profit, expecting VND5.44 trillion ($237.4 million) in revenue and VND263 billion ($11.5 million) in profit.

VVMIthe corporation holding the rights over two-thirds of domestic coal reserves

The company is one of the four leading coal exploitation enterprises of Vinacomin, carrying the chartered capital of VND1.05 trillion ($45.8 million).

It specialises in coal, cement, construction materials, mechanical businesses. It currently manages and exploits three large-scale coal mines, making up two-thirds of Vietnams coal reserves, namely Na Duong in the northern province of Lang Son, Nui Hong and Khanh Hoa in the northern province of Thai Nguyen.

According to Tran Hai Binh, general director of VVMI, these three coal mines are included in the Vietnam coal industry development planning to 2020 with vision to 2030. 80 per cent of VVMIs annual exploited coal volume is served for thermal power plants, namely Na Duong, Cao Ngan, and An Khanh, and another 10-15 per cent goes to cement manufacturing factories, namely La Hien, Quan Trieu, and Tan Quang.

Thanks to the recovering selling prices of coal and cement, VVMIs business results have been improving since 2015. Notably, in the first six months of this year, VVMI has earned VND1.88 trillion ($82.1 million) in consolidated revenue and VND30.7 billion ($1.34 million) in consolidated pre-tax profit. The figures are expected to reach VND4.3 trillion ($187.7 million) and VND93.8 trillion ($4.09 million) for the whole year.

According to VCBS expectations, along with VVMIs stable output of over 80 per cent of the exploited coal volume, the companys long-term development potential are shown by commitments of launching Na Duong 2 mine by 2020 as well as increasing the exploitation capacity of Khanh Hoa mine.
We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library and Books! Books! Books! Explore the Amazing Collection of the British Library.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota is anything but a circus, despite its familiar name. Found in a remarkably gorgeous, serene setting on the Intracoastal Waterway amidst banyan trees that are themselves works of art for their endlessly intricate branches, the museum campus is a natural attraction. Inside, the 21 original galleries built by the famed circus man are a source of never-ending change and wide-eyed wonder. Dont take our word for it, though; The Ringling is a State Art Museum of Florida and part of Florida State University. And the facility itself is on the National Register of Historic Places. John Ringling built the museum in Sarasota because he wanted Sarasota to be a great American city. When he moved to town in 1912, there was little here aside from its proximity to the beach. In his mind, what made a great American city was that it had museums.

- Bill Serne - Bill Serne

John and Mable Ringling loved traveling to Italy and that countrys influence can be seen and experienced by young and old at the couples museum. Before even entering its main doors, guests traverse a courtyard full of Greco-Roman statuary, all under the watchful eye of a 17-foot-tall, 5.5-ton bronze replica of Michelangelos David. Once indoors, most tours  whether docent-guided or solo  start with Ringlings signature collection of Rubens works, which include many original, massive Spanish wall paintings and a few examples of the tapestries that were made from them. When you look at Ringlings Baroque paintings, its easy to recognize that the circus impresario loved the big, the bold, and the colorful. Art doesnt get bigger or more in your face than these, so you can look at it and think, Oh, I get it! Ringling was a natural born showman; in business and in his personal life, he surrounded himself by things that made an impact. Rubens exemplifies everything considered great from the Baroque period, displayed in lush colors and dramatic scenery. The Ringling owns five of the seven paintings in Rubens Triumph of the Eucharist series and entering the room where they are housed can be overwhelming. Several rooms at The Ringling showcase European Old Masters and classical antiquities. In addition to Rubens, visitors will be captivated by the work of Gainsborough, Tiepolo, Velazquez and Veronese. Some of the artists produced extremely dour, serious works  think TVs Game of Thrones; others are lighter (Harry Potter-ish), even evincing dollops of wry humor. The rooms themselves reflect the art; some are painted dark colors, others lighter, befitting the mood of the pieces they house. Some people will visit for the classic European art alone, perhaps unaware that The Ringling has much more to offer. Every few months, there is something new and unique to be seen and experienced. For example, in addition to paintings, sculpture and mixed media art, The Ringling also has a collection of 10,000 photographs that rotate in and out of display. John Ringlings original mission was that his would be an encyclopedic collection. He largely acquired European art, but his collection began with Cypriot art and ended with a multitude of Asian pieces before he died. He envisioned his museum in Sarasota as a repository of everything, classic to contemporary. While the museums founder gathered the classics, modern-day curators use the 20,000-square foot Searing Wing to regularly offer special exhibitions, some curated by the museum itself, some from touring shows borrowed from other major institutions such as Bostons Museum of Fine Arts, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, and Baltimores The Walters Art Museum.

- Bill Serne The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has a mansion and 21 galleries. - Luis Santana for VISIT FLORIDA
After attending her farewell parade in Delhi, Archana Ramasundaram said dealing with cross-border trafficking crimes, especially involving children, was certainly a challenge.

By Pooja Shali: Setting a benchmark for women across India, first woman Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Archana Ramasundaram attended her farewell parade in Delhi today and spoke about the initiatives during her tenure.

"I am aware I have broken a glass ceiling for women in the force. I was initially apprehensive about the challenges and expectations but the tenure has been satisfactory. I have had the cooperation of my officers", said the DG.

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After a career spanning 37 years as a police officer, Ramasundaram bade farewell as the first woman chief in any Central Armed Police Force, which includes the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and the SSB.

Ramasundaram said the responsibility of tackling infiltration and trafficking were certainly challenges she faced at the border areas.

"Apart from border security, we have now also moved to border management. Also, dealing with trans-border crimes is now on our agenda. Four integrated checkposts have been included in Bihar and West Bengal for this purpose."

Archana Ramasundaram attending her farewell parade.

PROMISE OF SETTING UP INTELLIGENCE WING FULFILLED

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had promised the setting up of an intelligence wing and that was fulfilled this year.

The SSB guards the India-Nepal border (1071 kms) and the India-Bhutan border (699 kms).

Perhaps, the biggest achievement for the force has been the recognition of a strong intelligence wing of 650 posts to gather inputs against suspicious movements. Three posts of DIG have also been sanctioned and in operation.

"This had been a long-pending demand, especially for the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) areas. We required our own setup. The MHA had promised this and I am glad Home Minister Rajnath Singh fulfilled the demand."

Six battalions of SSB have also been deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, where frequent incidents of violence are reported, including heavy stone pelting.

Speaking about the response of the personnel deployed on the ground, the DG maintained, "There is a pre-induction workshop and an orientation course in coordination with the state police when personnel are deployed in areas such as Kashmir. They are given training on response and reaction during such incidents and how they must manage the situation."

'TRAINING FOR DIFFERENT REGIONS DIFFERENT'

However, the DG added, "We do not intend to keep our course theoretical and therefore are focussed on adding more to our training methods. For every region, the induction programmes are different. Training has been an area of focus."

With the appointment of the first woman as chief, female personnel reached out to Ramasundaram over the last 20 months and conveyed their requests and grievances, especially regarding transfer and leave applications. The DG assured that all of them were being considered.

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Acknowledging the challenges of stress and frustration among jawans working away from family, the DG said, "In Lucknow, 418 quarters have been set up for families and we have also now been granted land in Hyderabad where families can come and stay with the personnel. Also, there was another grievance of promotions having either been stopped or put on hold for years. Therefore, we have pushed those cases for clearance."

The promotion of 6,000 officers and personnel of various ranks has been carried out and includes the up-gradation of 4,095 constables to the rank of head constables.

SSB's SUCCESS STATS

According to official statistics, in the last two years, the SSB was successful in ensuring the surrender of 51 Naxals. In total, 125 weapons, 1372 ammunition, 135 kgs of explosives, 64 kgs of IED (Improvised Explosive Device) were seized from apprehended Naxals.

Apart from terrorism, the SSB holds an important responsibility to stop human trafficking, especially of children across borders. During 2016, the force rescued 503 victims and arrested 147 traffickers. In 2017, 472 victims were rescued and 132 traffickers detained.

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"Our attempt is to maintain people-friendly borders but we have to ensure that undue advantage is not taken of open, porous borders. Trans-border crimes are a challenge and the force has carried out rescue work on a large scale. We also speak to victims who reveal a lot about such traffickers. We organise theatre sessions for and by children (as counseling and awareness measures)." Archana Ramasundaram is a 1980 batch IPS officer from Tamil Nadu cadre. A post-graduate in Economics from the University of Rajasthan, she joined the force as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Coimbatore, and then was posted in Madurai and Salem. She was awarded the Police Medal in 1995 and the President's Police Medal for her distinguished service in 2005.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Terrorists attack SSB camp in Srinagar, 1 jawan martyred.

--- ENDS ---
Clockwise from top-left: Baby Driver, Get Out, The Salesman, The Beguiled, and Personal Shopper.

This list has been updated to include October releases.

This year has already seen one attempt at crowning a best film go awry, but we wont be deterred: With 2017 more than halfway over, its time for us to take stock. Here are the best movies Vulture has reviewed, according to our movie critics David Edelstein and Emily Yoshida.

(A quick note about our methodology: Weve restricted this list only to films that have had an official release in the first seven months of 2017, though we will continue to update it throughout the year.)

All I See Is You

Blake Lively gives her best film performance to date in Marc Forsters strange and ultimately gripping psychological drama. She stars as Gina, a blind woman living with her husband (Jason Clarke) in Bangkok, who undergoes experimental surgery to partially restore her vision. What she sees (literally) fundamentally changes her marriage, but Forster isnt content to let his film look like a standard domestic drama, and he and cinematographer Matthias Koenigswieser make All I See is You one of the loopiest and expressive exercises at the movies this year, a meditation on sight itself thats ultimately in service of a not-half-bad potboiler.

All This Panic

An unusually rich and suggestive documentary directed by Jenny Gage and centering on a group of teenage Brooklyn girls who confront (writhe about, squirm over, wrestle with) matters of identity, family, love, and their place in the world. That sounds a little broad, especially for a movie that runs a scant 79 minutes, but the filmmakers obviously shot a ton of footage, and what they chose has a fullness that can be loosely called Chekhovian. The title itself is one of those accidents that come from casual conversation  how a girl named Delia describes the start of a new school year. Its so offhand and so comprehensive.

Baby Driver

Ansel Elgort is the beautifully stringy, poker-faced youth who wears earbuds and drives the getaway car for an increasingly psychotic gang of bank robbers (among them Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm) at the behest of the icy Doc (Kevin Spacey). The 43-year-old U.K.-born Edgar Wright is just about the perfect 21st-century genre director. He has a fanboys scintillating palette without a fanboys lack of peripheral vision. And he choreographs car chases dazzlingly  and without CGI. Its a joyride.

Beatriz at Dinner

Salma Hayek and John Lithgow face off in what feels like a battle for the soul of the world in this deceptively small-scale dinner party drama. Hayek is Beatriz, a physical therapist and healer who finds herself sitting across the table from a man who represents everything she opposes. This is the fast-acting version of writer-director duo Mike White and Miguel Artetas HBO series Enlightened: a bitter, often quite raw depiction of what it means to speak truth to hopelessly entrenched power.

The Beguiled

Sofia Coppolas hushed, atmospheric remake of the 1971 Don SiegelClint Eastwood Civil Warera drama focuses on a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) who takes refuge in a southern girls boarding school, where the staff and small group of students debate whether to turn him over to the Confederate army. Siegals version had a gothic horror kick  a primal male dread of being torn apart by females. In Coppolas take, the primal threat is to women. The antebellum manor is here a beacon of civilization in an ugly (male) world, and the man introduces dirt, blood, flesh  and earthy desire. Even hobbled, he exercises power. It would be fascinating to watch the two films back to back.

The Big Sick

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordons leisurely paced, consistently funny portrait of the unusual beginning of their relationship is the kind of movie that sneaks up on you. Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan star as himself and Emily respectively, a Pakistani comedian and a grad student who fall in love, break up, and then go through a life-threatening emergency together. Its a comedian movie that never feels desperate, and it handles its culture-clash themes with a personal, non-message-y touch. Ray Romano and Holly Hunter are as good as youve heard as Emilys frazzled parents.

BPM

The title  from beats per minute  suggests a heartbeat or a discotheque, both of which figure in Robin Campillos starkly fictionalized story of the French branch of the ACT UP movement in 1989, when the government and Big Pharma seemed to be taking their sweet time as people died by the tens of thousands. The members devise disruptive stunts and then meet in a vertical classroom to discuss  as civilly as they can manage the next stage in the ongoing war against the people and institutions who are supposed to be helping them. The first half is chill and impersonal, but a central pair of lovers emerges, one a fierce man whose first gay encounter would prove to be fatal. The movie is vital for the history it depicts, but also important in the here and now, as a testament to public action. It forces you to ask, How disruptive are we willing to be?

Brads Status

Its like a dramatized first-person short story, narrated by a man (Ben Stiller) being eaten away by envy  mainly but not entirely of four college buddies who got rich and/or famous and left him behind. Stiller once directed and starred in a grandiosely sentimental adaptation of James Thurbers The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and this is like a grim meditation on the same themes. Stiller, with his zest for humiliation, fits the role of Brad so well that hes hard to watch. But writer-director Mike White has empathy for people on the outside looking in, and he finds his way to a humane  if not entirely conclusive  resolution. Fine supporting performances by Austin Abrams, Luke Wilson, and Michael Sheen.

Dunkirk

Half a great movie. The 1940 Allied retreat from the beaches of France as the Nazis close in is stark and harrowing, but muddled by Christopher Nolans signature Nolan Time, that arty temporal scramble that he thinks is more illuminating than it is. Three time periods with different main characters (Tom Hardy in a flight mask, Mark Rylance on a boat, and a bunch of look-alike soldiers on the mole) finally sync up in the lump-in-the-throat climax while General Kenneth Branagh wipes away a tear. People talk about seeing Nolans movies being so rich they have to see them twice. Maybe its because his storytelling is so convoluted. Hans Zimmer supplied the effective, unresolved (until the end) score.

The Florida Project

Sean Bakers near-perfect follow up to 2015s breakout hit Tangerine is an ode to childhood, shot in vivid, Floridian panoramas. Unforgettable newcomer Brooklynn Prince stars as Moonee, who lives in a long-term stay motel in the shadow of Walt Disney World with her young mom Halley (the also-great Bria Vinaite.) As with Tangerine, the would-be desperation of the milieu could be relentless downer, were it not for Bakers insistence that joy, no matter how fleeting, be accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status. Willem Dafoe is a standout as the stoic but loving proprietor of the hotel, who looks out for Moonee and her friends when their parent cant or wont.

Get Out

Jordan Peeles breakthrough is a satire of liberal racism in which black men go to the suburbs with their white girlfriends, meet their hearty families who say they voted for Obama, and turn strangely docile, like Stepford Blacks. Its a ludicrous paranoid fantasy  and a just-about-perfect horror film. Peele uses the wide screen like John Carpenter in Halloween, to throw you off center. You jump, laugh at your jumpiness, and jump again.

A Ghost Story

Dead Casey Affleck visits the land of the living with a sheet over his head and sad-sack eyeholes in David Lowerys pretentious but often affecting drama. He remains in his old house even after his widow (Rooney Mara) drives into the sunset and new people move in  and out. Theres a party scene in which Will Oldham delivers a monologue about humans vaporous legacies while the ghost leans in to listen. The image of Affleck under that sheet while the movie goes on around him is indelible, and Lowery evokes the passing of days, months, and years with real lyricism.

Girls Trip

Behold, the hard-R ensemble comedy of 2017 that actually overdelivered. Girls Trip never claimed to be more than a bawdy girls night out, but the chemistry of its four leads makes it something more than that, a cathartic dose of female-driven silliness and camaraderie thats confident enough to not devolve into winking self-parody. Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Jada Pinkett Smith are a delight to watch let loose, but Tiffany Haddish is the comic revelation of the year.

Good Time

Robert Pattinson gives a career-best performance as Connie, a small-time Queens criminal trying to get his brother out of prison over the course of one crazy night. Josh and Benny Safdie (the latter of whom co-stars as Pattinsons brother) never let their foot off the pedal, and their gorgeous, neon-tinged nightscapes are as thrilling to take in as Daniel Lopatins seething, hyperbolic score. What makes the thrill stick, though, is the Safdies portrait of pure, but ultimately destructive brotherly love.

Jane

Newly discovered footage of primatologist Jane Goodall in Gombe is the core of this captivating documentary: Goodall, all of 26, looks as if theres nowhere shed rather be than perched in her shorts behind trees, gazing for hours on wild chimpanzees. Shes both the image and the essence of humans desire to understand what Goodall calls the great mystery. Director Brett Morgen fudges the chronology, tarts up some of the visuals, and uses an exciting but thoroughly un-apt score by Philip Glass. But he does a fine job filling in and rounding off Goodalls life story, which moves fluidly from her observation and understanding of chimpanzee society to her fierce conviction of ways for all species to live lightly on the Earth.

John Wick 2

A superior sequel to the hit revenge film in which Keanu Reevess title character fights off a horde of would-be assassins on two continents. Director Chad Stahelski is a former stunt double, and he choreographs the action in breathtaking long takes, as if to create a Rite of Spring for gore-hounds, each kill more convulsive than the last, each attacker a nastier gag sprung by sonofabitch gods. The palette is so evocatively tragic that you could fool yourself into thinking its more than a great splatterfest  but alas, its not.

Lady Macbeth

This icy, formalist British psychodrama is not really from Shakespeare but Nikolai Leskovs Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, the story of a provincial woman who becomes an adulteress and then a murderer. It has been transplanted to northern England, where a 17-year-old (Florence Pugh) is essentially bought from her working-class parents by an elderly northern England industrialist to marry his 40-year-old stick insect of a son. She doesnt accept her subjugation for long. William Oldroyds film (from a script by Alice Birch) teases you with the idea its protagonist is an early feminist, but soon this woman with little power is victimizing people (blacks, to be specific) with even less. It eats into the mind with its vision of evil as a contagion that transforms victims into oppressors.

Last Men in Aleppo

Dreadful, essential. Syrian director Firas Fayyad focuses on the White Helmets, who are emergency volunteers in Syrias largest city  now leveled by President Assads bombs as well as those of his Russian allies. The White Helmets arent soldiers. Theyre mainly rubble divers. A bomb falls in the distance, they race to the scene, and they comb whats left of buildings. Occasionally they find a survivor. Occasionally. After you watch what these men do, footage of distant, falling bombs will never seem so abstract, so far removed from the hell that they bring.

Lemon

Janicza Bravos debut feature feels like the work of someone with four or five films under her belt, mostly because of its assured sense of style and hilarious, fearlessly bleak script. Bravos co-writer and husband Brett Gelman stars as Isaac, the titular dud of a human, a failed actor looking for love after his blind girlfriend (Judy Greer) dumps him. But make no mistake: This is not the flailing-white-male Sundance dramedy it looks like on paper, and Bravos not here for silver linings. Nia Long and a sublimely hilarious Michael Cera co-star.

The Little Hours

A deliciously deadpan sex farce set in a medieval Tuscan monastery and castle, very loosely adapted by Jeff Baena from Boccaccios The Decameron. The locations and score have a splendid period accuracy, but the nuns (among them Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, and Kate Micucci) have 21st-century Americanese potty mouths. Among the casts great clowns are Dave Franco (as the stud who pretends to be a mute), John C. Reilly (the gentle stumblebum padre), Fred Armisen, and Lauren Weedman. The more matter-of-fact the lunacy is, the more screamingly funny.

Logan

Most peoples reaction to this R-rated Marvel X-Men spinoff is a series of four-letter words exclaimed at regular intervals. Its staggeringly violent and incredibly bleak. Director James Mangold and his co-screenwriters plainly arent sanguine about the future: The X-Men are dead or incapacitated, the government is exterminating the rest, and the military and Big Pharma are doing hideous experiments on Mexican women. The middle-aged Hugh Jackman is still muscled-up and ropy, the veins standing out in his arms and chest as if theyre pumping acid. He gives his last stand as Wolverine everything he has, from animal rage to mute despair.

The Lovers

Debra Winger and Tracy Letts are a long-married couple headed for splitsville, each with a passionate younger lover. They know their time is over, but after years of speaking in chill monosyllables they begin to regard each other as a blessed  and sexy  relief from those overemphatic kids. Writer-director Azazel Jacobs has made a very smart movie about a very dumb idea. The charm is from the farcical symmetry and waltz-like score and the sight of Winger and Letts gazing at each with crazy indecision.

Marjorie Prime

In the near future, people with money can own computer-generated holographic doubles  Primes  of their dead loved ones, which ends up not so much giving comfort as opening the floodgates for emotions never resolved when the people were alive. Director Michael Almereyda adapted this near-perfect chamber drama  a ghost sonata  from a play by Jordan Harrison, and his reflections and refractions and cool framing devices bring us closer to his subjects instead of distancing us. The lead quartet is stunningly good: Jon Hamm, Geena Davis, Tim Robbins, and Lois Smith as Marjorie.

The Meyerowitz Stories

Noah Baumbach returns to territory that made him a star in 2005s The Squid and the Whale, but with a newfound maturity and tenderness that suits him and his stellar cast extremely well. Through a series of increasingly connected vignettes, we are introduced to the Meyerowitz clan: the three adult children (played by the excellent Elizabeth Marvel and Ben Stiller, and a best-in-years Adam Sandler) of Dustin Hoffmans bitter, never-quite successful artist. A crisis looms on the horizon, and after all the blow-ups and fights go down, Meyerowitz is not afraid to let its characters hug and learn. This is a cozy, ultimately uplifting film that doesnt sacrifice an ounce of Baumbachs signature acerbic wit to get there.

Nowhere to Hide

Some great documentaries cut through inessentials and help you make sense of an apparently senseless world. Others shock you into an even greater confoundment. This ones in the latter camp. Its told from the perspective of a central Iraq medic who accepts a camera from a departing documentary crew when the U.S. withdraws, agreeing to document what he thinks will be the rebuilding of his country. The grueling 80-plus minutes that follow span four years of increasing disintegration and flight. He cant make sense of the horror he sees, but he knows he must keep filming it.

Okja

Like his English-language debut Snowpiercer, Bong Joon-hos wackadoo creature feature feels like its been beamed in from an alternate Hollywood. The bighearted, foulmouthed story of a girl (Ahn Seo-hyun) on a mission to rescue her giant pet super pig from conflicting nefarious forces, particularly Tilda Swinton as the braces-and-couture wearing CEO of a Monsanto-like corporation. Its off-kilter and occasionally maddening, but inevitably just a big fun blockbuster that an American studio would never make in a million years.

Personal Shopper

Kristen Stewart is an American in Paris who buys clothes for a rich woman and spends her days mourning her dead twin brother, who might or might not be reaching out from the beyond. The director, Olivier Assayas, is a demon for beautiful actresses in tune with a certain kind of spiritual indefinition  a vacuum that drives them into perilous psychological (and often physical) realms. Assayas flirts with the thriller and horror genre but is too pretentious to deliver the full climactic payload. You might be disposed to forgive his arty withholding for the pleasure of watching Stewart through his eyes.

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

This sweet and radically traditional biopic is ostensibly about the creator of DC Comics leading lady, but the titular wonder women are the real stars. Though the film tells the story about Wonder Woman creator William Marston (Luke Evans) and his polyamorous relationship with his wife, Elizabeth, and their lover Olive Byrne, theres no bawdy nudge to be found, only a sweeping, old-fashioned kind of romance. The central cast is excellent  particularly Rebecca Hall as the whip-smart Elizabeth. Through writer-director Angela Robinsons eyes, the threesomes relationship  and how they tried and often failed to make it work in the real world  represents nothing short of the essence of creativity. Its also, for what its worth, pretty hot.

The Salesman

Iranian director Asghar Farhadis Oscar winner, in which an actress in a production of Death of a Salesman is sexually assaulted in her new rental apartment by someone likely looking for its previous occupant. Her increasingly fevered husband (who plays Willy Loman onstage) goes on the hunt  with first satisfying and then tragic consequences. The parallels between the action of the film and Arthur Millers play arent visible until the end, and even then slightly murky. But Farhadis mix of clinical detachment and humanism is enormously powerful. (The film is excellent, but its Oscar might be at least partially due to Academy voters knowledge that Trumps travel ban would keep Farhadi from the ceremony.)

Spettacolo

The story of a small Tuscan town that produces a yearly play written and performed by the townspeople is one of the better portraits of contemporary Europe this year, a Friday Night Lights with Italians and theater swapped in for Texans and football. The tradition, which has gone on uninterrupted for the past 50 years, is under threat as its regular participants age out and die, and the younger generation is uninterested in filling their shoes. The Teatro Povero (poor theater), as its called, comes to represent arts ability to reflect our experiences and attitudes back to us  and how indispensable and human that pursuit is.

Super Dark Times

Maybe its all the Upside Downs and killer clowns weve seen lately, but part of the thrill of Kevin Phillipss riding-on-bikes-and-coming-of-age fever dream is the feeling that reality may give way to something supernatural at any moment. The atmospheric mid-90s period piece focuses on a group of friends who are driven apart after a violent accident, and the fallout compounded with the existing nightmare of being an awkward teen. Phillipss debut feature is impressively strong, as is the cast of young newcomers.

Trophy

Shaul Schwarzs documentary focuses on big-game hunting, breeding, and conservation in Africa, and will leave most viewers angry and confused. Animal-rights groups will detest it for entertaining the idea that ranching rhinos for their horns (which will grow back in two years) is the best way to save them from extinction. Hunters will detest it for showing big-game trophy hunters who are fundamentalist, right-wing assholes. No one will enjoy watching a young elephant die at the hands of a rich, inept marksman who was led right to his kill  and whose money will maybe keep other elephants safe. Everyone has his or her own set of values and every value is in conflict. The movie is richer for its tangled sympathies.

Valerian

If you go in expecting an uneven (to be generous) script, you wont be disappointed by one of the sci-fi events of the year: Luc Bessons daft, virtuosic epic, based on a much-loved series of French comic books. The plot centers on Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as agents looking for  something. Let it go. Instead, watch what happens when an artist with an unfettered visual imagination gets hold of the latest computer technology and goes all-out, choreographing teeming, high-speed ballets of actors and bizarro creatures and sci-fi gizmos, any minute of which features more cinematic magic than the last four Star Wars movies combined.

Wind River

Taylor Sheridan, the writer of Hell or High Water and Sicario, makes his directorial debut with this uneven but potent mystery-thriller set in Wyomings Wind River Reservation, where impoverished Native Americans struggle with staggering rates of crime and drug addiction. When a young Native American woman is found frozen in the snow, a ranger (Jeremy Renner, superb) and an FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) roam among the dilapidated dwellings talking to people worn down (or made violent) by the atmosphere of malign neglect. Although the bloody climax is well-staged, the resolution to the mystery wouldnt do credit to a third-rate thriller. Still, long after the gunshots fade, you might think you can still hear the cries of the dead.

Your Name

What this film has to say about how we experience time and loss overpowers the demands of logic. Perhaps a less uplifting ending may have seemed more honest. But director Makoto Shinkais a romantic at heart, and its infectious.
Blade Runner 2049. Photo: Alcon Entertainment/Warner Bros.

At the early screening of the breathlessly awaited Blade Runner 2049, a publicist asked the assembled press on behalf of the director, Denis Villeneuve, to reveal nothing about the plot, so that audiences could be surprised in the same way we were about to be. All right, then.

Good night, thank you, be sure to tip your server.

Well, I can reveal that its quite long: two hours and 43 minutes, and you feel every one of them. Villeneuve (Arrival) maintains a deliberate pace, with every revelation a long time coming. He likes mist and fog more than the original Blade Runner director, Ridley Scott, did, so the look is less hard-edged, with figures melting slowly out of yellow smog. The corroded downtown L.A. cityscape  with its giant, beckoning Japanese female holograms  seems more like San Francisco here. San Diego, meanwhile, is depicted as a waste-dump for L.A. with huge flying garbage scows. The Central Valley is monochromatic and de-vegetated. The Golden State has gone gray.

I can quote the IMDb synopsis: A young blade runners discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, whos been missing for thirty years. I obviously cant disclose that long-buried secret, but can say that it has something to with Deckard (Harrison Ford) and someone else youll recall. And its big, so big that the officer running the LAPD blade runners, Lieutenant Joshi a.k.a. Madame (Robin Wright), thinks this world built on a wall will lose said wall and the subsequent war could wipe out their society. Shes concerned.

Let me tiptoe a little further into the plot. Ill be careful, I promise.

Ryan Gosling plays the new blade runner, K, a hunter of artificial life forms  replicants  who is himself a replicant, only a more advanced model than in the 1982 film. He hunts the old models. Youll remember the problem with those replicants was theyd developed feelings, which made it difficult to enslave them and also made them conscious of  and pissed-off about  their built-in expiration dates. Replicant Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) in particular was angry enough to take down his creator, Dr. Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel) of the Tyrell Corporation. Battys subsequent demise was traumatic enough to leave the bloodied Deckard in a blue drizzle, feeling blue. Disgusted with the world, he flew off with his replicant girlfriend.

Just a few more details about Blade Runner 2049: When K laments his childhood memories are implanted and that he doesnt have a soul, Madame says, Youve been getting along fine without one. But one look at Goslings melancholy peepers and you know shes way, way off. (Gosling does a lot of eye acting. He can make his orbs look soft and moist and innocent, and he can make them smile.) If K doesnt have a soul, he certainly has the accoutrements of one. In his apartment, he plays Sinatras A Summer Wind while his holographic girlfriend, Joi (Ana de Armas), leans on him, reading Nabokov. They have deeper conversations than most married couples I know.

Jared Leto is in the film and hes even more repellent than as the Joker. Thats not necessarily an insult. I mean, it is from my perspective, but Letos nature is to want to make audiences uncomfortable, at which hes a roaring success. He plays the new and much crueler Tyrell figure, Niander Wallace, who has ragged holes instead of eyes. He longs to know the secret of the aforementioned secret and turns to his glamorous female replicant aide, Luv (Sylvia Hoeks), whos good with a knife and lethal with her hands.

Its permissible to answer the question, Does Blade Runner 2049 have any more connection to the paranoid visionary Philip K. Dick and his novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? than Blade Runner? A bit. Its a little less noir, a little more philosophical. Dick didnt think Blade Runner was very Dick-ian. He didnt live to see the movie (he died of a stroke at 53 in 1982), but he got hold of the script after Ridley Scott said in an interview that hed found the novel too difficult to read.

Dicks approval of the screenplay had more than a touch of irony. It was terrific, he wrote. It bore no relation to the book. Oddly, in some ways it was better. What my story will become is one titanic lurid collision of androids being blown up, androids killing humans, general confusion and murder, all very exciting to watch. Makes my book seem dull by comparison. He added, As a writer, though, Id like to see some of my ideas, not just special effects of my ideas, used.

I think Dick would have liked the character in Blade Runner 2049 whose origins are, indeed, in his ideas. Shes a sad young woman (Carla Juri) living in a climate-controlled holo-chamber whose job is to manufacture memories for implantation. K travels to see her to determine if one particularly nagging orphanage memory of his is real or comes from her head. I cant reveal the answer, but the scene slots neatly into Dicks conviction that all memories are questionable and all identities mutable. He thought that humans were losing their empathy and becoming more mechanical while machines were evolving to meet them halfway.

Dick probably wouldnt have liked the films heavy dose of sentimentality, especially the ending, which is also unsatisfying. But maybe hed have been happy to see old Harrison Ford looking so fit. I think hed have hoped, along with the audience, that this wouldnt be the second iconic Ford character in the past year to get skewered.

What more will Denis Villeneuve let me say? Dave Bautista has an affecting scene  its the movies first, actually  in which K comes a-calling. Barkhad Abdi has a nice bit as a vendor who can maybe help K keep ahead of the police state. People will be talking about the three-way inter-dimensional sex scene. The sound mix is very detailed and very, very loud  the metallic groans make your eardrums quiver.

I imagine most audiences will like the film, though it has nothing as striking as Hauers morbid majesty or the screaming-dervish demise of Daryl Hannahs Pris. Theres nothing close to the shock of seeing Blade Runners Tokyo-influenced futuristic dystopia  a dismal mix of high-tech and corrosion  for the first time. I thought it was okay.
Zeta-Jones. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Does your living room need a little more of all that jazz? And by jazz, we mean new sheets, towels, and faux-fur throws. Because the one and only Catherine Zeta-Jones, Oscar- and Tony-winning star of Chicago and A Little Night Music, proud Welshwoman, and wife of Michael Douglas, is here to provide for all of your home needs. After weeks of hype, Zeta-Jones premiered her QVC home goods collection, Casa Zeta-Jones. Seemingly every bit of promotion has involved Catherine Zeta-Jones reclining on couches, and let me tell you this all looks as luxe as possible.

Zeta-Jones premiered her collection with two delightful segments on QVC yesterday. A key centerpiece of the Casa collection is The Audrey, a 50-by-70-foot faux-fur throw. Theres nothing fake about this, Zeta-Jones says.Its just as gorgeous and sumptuous as [the] Audrey that she was named after. And, as the QVC host points out, its machine washable!

there are a lot of subtle power dynamics at play in the arranging of this faux fur throw pic.twitter.com/sX6BVe1w6Y  Jackson McHenry (@McHenryJD) September 29, 2017

If thats not your style, you could always purchase the Casa Zeta-Jones floral reversible comforter set, which comes with an accent pillow, and which Catherine Zeta-Jones says that she has in every color at her home. Catherine Zeta-Jones runs her hands slowly over the fabric, noting that this is one of her favorite parts of Casa Zeta, which sounds a lot like a college sorority.

best ASMR videos on the internet pic.twitter.com/zlnVHmBSgM  Jackson McHenry (@McHenryJD) September 29, 2017

In a segment advertising the Casa Zeta-Jones six-piece cotton embroidered towel set, Catherine Zeta-Jones described how much she loves putting this collection together: Creatively, this is like therapy for me.

Towels! Catherine Zeta-Jones's favorite towels! What more could you want? pic.twitter.com/5iZPx1QI2s  Jackson McHenry (@McHenryJD) September 29, 2017

Long live Casa Zeta-Jones, a QVC home goods line that I will probably never spend money on, but which has already brought so much joy to the world.
Fallons excellent music performances got lost in the shuffle. Photo: Getty Images

Jimmy Kimmel might have won the ratings race on Monday and Stephen Colbert got the flashier exclusive performance of a new song from Chance the Rapper, but Jimmy Fallon had an equally great start to the fall TV season that got lost in the shuffle, though not entirely because of Fallon. Credit should also go to the Tonight Show talent bookers, Fallons house band the Roots, and the whole teams willingness to get a little weird on late-night for giving Fallon the consistently best musical performances of the week.

Instead of churning out the conventional taped performance  an act promoting their new single in front of a small, usually bored studio audience  Fallons guests this week each took turns filming what read like stand-alone minimusic videos. Similar to Spike Jonzes cinematic direction of Lakeith Stanfield and Mia Wasikowskas dance performance on the show a couple weeks ago, every performance got to be an original experience, seemingly created for the show. Lets revisit some of the best.

Tyler, the Creator and Kali Uchis

Sometimes, all it takes is switching up the camerawork to boost a performance from good to great. The bulk of Tyler, the Creator and Kali Uchiss duet on Fallon is shot close-up, with the camera panning to Uchis in front of a cloudy backdrop so that Tyler is out of frame, then back to him widening the shot. It ends with both performers offstage, focusing instead on the orchestra Tyler brought with him, plus the Roots, backlit by a sunset. A few simple tricks made the performance that much more effective.

Charli XCX

Charlis unabashedly lusty video for Boys starred many famous boys, who definitely werent all going to be available for her Fallon performance, so instead, she improvised. Charli brought along a new, arguably better squad of boys in all-white uniforms to chill on the bleachers behind her, slowly, casually playing with their millennial pink roses, selfie sticks, teddy bears, and hair dryers. One boy is touching up his drag makeup. He is the best boy, and this is the best way to bring the Boys video to life.

G-Eazy and Cardi B

G-Eazys new song No Limit involves the rapper repeating how hed pipe a woman and a lot of other things that wouldve made this performance missable. However, to spice it up, the shows producers threw a grainy black-and-white filter on it and some visual effects that resemble an old film roll skipping. This does not improve the song, but it does at least make the whole thing look significantly cooler. Did we mention Cardi B showed up for her verse dressed in shades, a fur-lined leather coat, a platinum-blonde lace front, and thigh-high boots like a woman well-aware shes No. 1?

Camila Cabello

Give the lighting people a raise! I dont know what the Tonight Shows electric bill must look like, but creating the illusion that Camila Cabello was performing Havana under the Havana sun on the show will have been worth every penny. A round of applause for the trumpet player and for whoever coordinated this performances monochrome color palette.
TRL is coming back older, but absolutely not any wiser, mom! In an interview with The Fader, showrunner Albert Lewitinn made it clear the MTV reboot would court 2017s youths with 1998s shamelessness. When the magazine asked Lewitinn if he thinks Donald Trump will watch the new show, or if hes open to Trump making an appearance, Lewitinn said hes down. I would love both. Hes welcome to hashtag us and @TRL. Hes the president of the United States, Lewitinn, a veteran of CBS News, said. Of course we would welcome him on. Hes the president of the United States. Whether the show will host other controversial figures like XXXTentacion, who has a duet with one of the reboots first guests, Noah Cyrus, and is awaiting trial on charges of domestic violence, Lewitinn demurred, Cant tell you that part. Surprise, surprise.
Photo: Chris Haston/NBC

Life after an era-defining sitcom is never easy. For every Woody Harrelson, there is a Kristin Davis. For every Tina Fey, there is a David Schwimmer. The point is, sitcom stars might go on to lucrative second acts, but sometimes they fade into the background to collect residual checks and occasionally make a bad show about a restaurant in the Bronx. (Even then, theres still a chance theyll surprise: Schwimmer got himself an Emmy nod for his role in The People v. O.J. Simpson!)

The quartet behind Will & Grace are no exception to this pattern. By looking at their careers since 2006, when the hit sitcom first went off the air, we can see both sides of the spectrum. Ahead of W&Gs return to NBC on Thursday night, lets take a look at how each of the four stars have fared.

4. Eric McCormack

Things have not gone especially well for Americas favorite queer sitcom roommate. His biggest postWill & Grace forays into TV were both on TNT: Trust Me fizzled out during its sole season in 2009, and Perception languished for three years before its 2015 cancellation. Hes done the usual guest spots  The New Adventures of Old Christine, Monk, Law & Order: SVU, The Mysteries of Laura  and the odd Lifetime movie, but nothing very popular or memorable. McCormack also produced a couple of shows, like Lifetimes Lovespring International, but none of them really connected. Thank God we finally have him back as Will.

3. Megan Mullally

Her forays into starring roles havent been all that great, with parts in the short-lived sitcoms In the Motherhood and the second season of Breaking In. (Yeah, I didnt remember those either.) But Mullally has kept her visibility high with memorable roles in the best sitcoms of the last decade: She did recurring guest spots on 30 Rock, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Parks and Recreation, playing the ex-wife of her real-life husband Nick Offerman. Shes also been a part of some serious cult favorites, like Bobs Burgers, Party Down, Web Therapy, Trophy Mom, and Childrens Hospital. Mullally even showed off her singing chops in the Broadway production of Young Frankenstein. Not a bad run! But the less said about her self-titled talk show, the better.

2. Debra Messing

She was the most famous of the bunch going into Will & Grace (shout out to Ned & Stacy!) and shes decidedly the most high-profile going back into it. Shortly after W&G, she was nominated for an Emmy for her work on USAs The Starter Wife. Then she moved on to become the worlds most prominent bad-scarf model on NBCs cult hit Smash. Then she had a couple more years on your aunts favorite show, The Mysteries of Laura. And now, after tweeting up a storm in support of Hillary Clinton, shes back where she started at 155 Riverside Drive.

1. Sean Hayes

You might be thinking, Seriously? I havent seen him in anything but Hairspray Live! and that crappy sitcom that got canceled. But Sean Hayes is the only Will & Grace star that The Hollywood Reporter says took over Hollywood. Thats because Hayes has been working behind the scenes at his production company Hazy Mills Productions, which he started with his college best friend Todd Milliner. They not only made Sean Saves the World, a one-season sitcom on NBC, but a slew of hit shows, including Betty Whites comedy Hot in Cleveland, Cedric the Entertainers The Soul Man, NBCs long-running sci-fi show Grimm, game show Hollywood Game Night, and the documentary The History of Comedy. As an actor, his biggest movies have been a role in The Three Stooges and a voice in The Emoji Movie, but hes lapping the rest of the cast as a Hollywood player.
Will and Grace 11 Years Later Season 9 Episode 1 Editors Rating 3 stars * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Chris Haston/NBC

Welcome to the Will & Grace of 2017, where there is a Caitlyn Jenner joke in the first 30 seconds and a Grindr-is-gross joke in the first minute. Nothing makes Jack look like a middle-aged homosexual more than his app-based sex-negativity and online slut-shaming. Luckily, he makes up for it by doing his best Kylie Jenner duck-lips face for a new profile picture before the teaser is even over. And, you know, spending the weekend getting jiggy with a gay Secret Service officer.

But other than that, nothing has really changed with this new Will & Grace. In fact, the first several minutes spend more time erasing the disastrous history of the series finale from 2006 than they do reintroducing the characters or telling us what has been up in the meantime. They soothe a disoriented Karen just like they soothe the audience, by letting us know that everything is the same.

Some of those jokes Karen makes after she wakes up from her dream wont even make sense unless people remember that final episode from 11 years ago. In it, we learned that Will and Grace have a huge fight and spend decades not talking to each other until their kids meet and fall in love in college and bring them back together again. Since were squarely in those decades where they shouldnt have been talking, that fact poses quite a bit of a problem to the shows very existence. 11 Years Later easily elides over it all using the Bobby Ewing strategy, where a character wakes up and reveals that everything that happened previously was just a dream.

There we have it: Will and Grace are once again living together, single and childless. Jack still lives across the hall. Karen is still rich, inappropriate, married to Stan, and willing to grab a boob just to get a laugh. Its shocking how little has changed or been updated for this new season. The apartment looks like it was preserved in amber. The only notable addition is a photograph of a headless male torso perched over Wills dining-room table. The funny thing is, it looks like an excerpt from the A&F Quarterly from 2006. But I guess gays these days just follow Nico Tortorella on Instagram and call it a day.

While were talking about the opening, I would be remiss if I did not mention Jacks dated sweater-vest and the unexplainable scarf that Grace is wearing around her neck. Is it to cover a vampire bite? Did she get a chemical peel that hadnt fully healed yet? Is this an homage to all of the awful scarves that she had to wear on Smash?

Well never have an answer for that, but we do know what the writers of this show have had on their minds for the past 11 years: Donald Trump. Yes, there are more Trump jokes on this show than at a Bernie Sanders family reunion. From stem to stern, this episode is like one long exhale for the pent-up liberals who have been glued to outrage Twitter and mainlining Rachel Maddow since the election. Or even before it, judging by the Trump-centric election episode of Will & Grace launched last year.

The plot of 11 Years Later is that Karen, a close friend of Melanias, gets Grace a job decorating the Oval Office. Meanwhile, Will books a trip to D.C. with Jack to visit Steve Sandoval, a hunky gay congressman who wants to roll back environmental protections. (Please. Find me one district thats liberal enough to elect a gay representative, but also conservative enough to not believe in climate science.) Both of these stories leave us plenty of political opportunity to pluck the lowest-hanging fruit. And judging by both of their tailoring, I guess Jack is the more hung of the hanging fruits.

The jokes that land best are the ones that use Trump as a lens to make fun of our fearless foursome, like when Karen tells Grace that Melania asked if Grace was pretty and she replied, Shes no threat. Or when Karen was in the Oval Office and asked the waiter to fill up her martini glass. Dont give me the Laura Bush pour. I want the full Pat Nixon. The cheapest shots are things like Trump having a Russian-to-English dictionary on his desk or having the complexion of Cheetos  two jokes that are so stale that, if they were crackers, not even a starving pigeon would eat them off the street.

The best scenes during the gangs Acela trip to the nations capital are between Jack and Lenny, his hunky Secret Service lover. Even today, its a treat to see someone with a voice, build, and profession that no one would assume belongs to a gay man and then find him willing to kiss Jack on the lips in public. Welcome to 2017, people, where we can have dudes kiss each other on the lips on a network show and not one station threatens to air reruns of Dateline NBC instead.

But Lenny is mostly the straight man (pun intended) to Jack being outlandish and telling him about all of his failed businesses  including an energy drink called Jacked Up, a fitness regime called Jack Be Nimble, and a pumpkin-carving business named Scary Hornballs. The best joke is saved for the end, when Karen catches Jack and his paramour on a love seat in the hallway. She asks Jack, Did you get serviced? and Jack replies, Shhh, its a secret. That is the kind of cheesy old sitcom joke you can see coming from a mile away and, even still, it will make you LOL IRLz [laugh until youre crying emoji].

But the episode isnt long enough to contain everything. Sadly, we get but a short introduction to Tony, Graces rather handsome new assistant who swears he isnt being harassed by Karen and must be lying like Don Jr. under oath. (Oh, man, its contagious.) Its also unfortunate that the episode drops Wills love affair with the gay congressman as powerful as Anderson Cooper, but who cant fill out a tight black T-shirt quite as well. Maybe hell be back in the future? I think he would be a good foil for this foursome.

Also, sadly, we skip away so that the political can become personal: Will and Grace, newly moved-in together after Graces divorce, wonder if they can handle all the drama of living together again. They briefly decide that they cant, following a somewhat lame pillow fight in the Oval Office, only for them to decide a scene later that they always bring out the best in each other.

It will be different this time, Will says to Grace about living together. All the other times we thought it would be different, but it wasnt. This time its going to be exactly the same. The same could be said about these new episodes. Although its like going back in a time machine, its a past I certainly wont mind visiting for the next few months  or at least until Trump gets impeached.
By PTI: Jaipur, Sept 29 (PTI) Six people have been arrested after a Delhi-based woman alleged she was raped by 23 men on the outskirts of Bikaner, the police said today.

According to the officers at the Jain Narayan Vyas Police Station, the 28-year-old woman lodged a complaint on September 27 alleging that she was raped by 23 men after being abducted from Bikaner-Jaipur highway, where she had gone to check on a plot she owns.

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"The woman originally hails from Kerala and lives in Delhi with her husband. She often visits Bikaner to trade in bangles and claimed to have bought a plot there two years ago," SP Bikaner Swai Singh Godara told PTI.

Two of the six men arrested have divulged crucial details in the case, the SP claimed.

"Two men, during their interrogation, said that they had offered to drop her to the city and a deal, involving a middleman, was fixed at Rs 2500. Apart from the middleman, the names of eight accused have surfaced in the case," Godara said.

The six accused were identified as Bhanwar Lal (27), Subhash Lal (27), Manoj Ram (23), Raju Ram (20), Madan Lal (22) and Jugal Kishore (24) of Bikaner district, he said.

DSP Sadar Rajendra Singh, said, "Those arrested will be produced before the court today."

A few more arrests are likely in the case, he added.

According to the FIR, the woman was waiting for transport near Khatu Shyam Temple on the Jaipur road at 2.30 pm when Subhash and Raju Ram allegedly dragged her into an SUV.

She claimed that the two men drove her around for several hours and repeatedly raped her in the vehicle. Later, they called in six others who also assaulted her, the woman said.

She was then taken to a government power sub-station in Palana village where more men allegedly assaulted her, the FIR stated.

Two men dropped her around 4 am the next day at the same spot from where she was picked up a day earlier, the FIR added. PTI AG RMS AAR

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: It was in April this year that Soha Ali Khan was spotted with a baby bump , and the speculation of her going the family way started doing the rounds. Soon enough, her husband Kunal Kemmu confirmed the news that Soha is pregnant and that the couple is excited to have their first child.

Kunal told Pinkvilla, "Yes it's true. Soha and I are very happy to announce a joint production coming later this year - our first child! We feel blessed and thank you all for your good wishes."

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And now, Soha and Kunal have become proud parents to a baby girl.

Kunal took to Twitter to make the announcement. He wrote, "We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day Thank you for the love and blessings. (sic)"

We are over the moon to share we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl on this auspicious day Thank you for the love&blessings- kunal kemmu (@kunalkemmu) September 29, 2017

Soha completed two years of marriage with Kunal Kemmu in January this year.

On the work front, Soha was last seen in the film 31st October with Vir Das. Reports were doing the rounds that she will be seen with her husband Kunal in the Go Goa Gone sequel.

ALSO WATCH: Saif-Kareena become proud parents to a baby boy, Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: counter terrorism: Mattis

By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 29 (PTI) The recently announced South Asia strategy by President Donald Trump is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in "counter terrorism campaign," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said, as he praised Indias commitment towards the development of Afghanistan.

The South Asia strategy is "not exclusive of someone", Mattis said in response to a question.

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It is inclusive for all responsible states that want to stop terrorism in its tracks and defend the innocent, he said.

As such, Mattis said, he sees the South Asia strategy announced by Trump in August an opportunity.

"I agree 100 per cent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign," Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference in Kabul, according to a Pentagon transcript.

In what could come as a disappointment for Pakistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani echoed Mattis, as the latter travelled to Kabul directly from New Delhi, without going to Islamabad.

Pakistan, so far has resisted Trumps Afghan and South Asia policy.

This is primarily because for the first time, the United States seek to hold Pakistan accountable for its support to terrorist groups and organization.

And much to the inconvenience of Pakistan, Trumps policy seeks greater developmental role for India in this war-torn country.

"The reaction for the (Pak) government and the public at large was of utter disappointment, though not shocking.It was not unexpected but it was it was unpleasant," Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif told a New York audience this week.

"We dont see any military rule or any strategic role of India in Afghanistan," the top Pakistani diplomat said.

So far, Pakistan appears to be resisting from implementing Trumps Afghan and South Asia Policy.

Mattis told reporters in Kabul that the United States "will watch" Islamabads choices.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with both Mattis and Ghani saying that this is a regional approach, which includes both Pakistan and India.

Both of them have to be included in a mutual approach.

He urged all countries in the region to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Mattis said India has been "very, very generous" in its development assistance to Afghanistan.

India is committed to doing even more to help the people of Afghanistan, he said.

"Certainly, that cannot be seen as contrary to another nations interest to help people who are working their way out of many, many difficult years since the Soviet invasion," the US defense secretary underscored. PTI LKJ ARK

--- ENDS ---

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A visit to the Uri brigade headquarters, where 19 soldiers had been killed in a terrorist attack, was when then Army chief General Suhag realised that his force would have to launch cross-LoC surgical strikes.

By Sudhi Ranjan Sen: On the evening of September 18, 2016, then Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag was in Uri. Earlier in the day, terrorists had attacked the brigade headquarters there, leading to the deaths of 19 Indian Army soldiers.

It was in Uri that General Suhag realised the need to carry out a cross-LoC operation of the kind never launched before. The general was clear that the deaths of his soldiers had to be avenged.

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The usually taciturn general, who retired from service last December and who has so far refused to speak on the surgical strikes, revealed this and much more as he broke his silence on the topic in an interview with India Today.

The retired general also reveled that the 2016 surgical strikes operation, which targeted terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was one-of-a-kind in that it was the first such operation to receive "political clearance". Previous operations were localised in nature and did not need government clearance, Suhag explained.

The general said that last year's surgical strikes were not comparable to other such strikes that had been undertaken by the Army before. "Earlier strikes did not [have] political clearance," Suhag said, explaining that those operations were part of simple, localised action.

#IndiaFirst The first thing that striked my mind on visiting Uri was we have to avenge this incident: Gen(R) Dalbir Singh Suhag pic.twitter.com/QkmQGdGU4W- India Today (@IndiaToday) September 29, 2017

However, "never before" had simultaneous strikes been conducted wherein multiple targets were hit across "an an arc of about 250 kilometers", Gen Suhag said as he explained what set last year's cross-LoC strikes apart.

While the offensive was launched in direct retaliation to the September 18 Uri attack, planning for the surgical strikes had begun much earlier, General Suhag revealed.

The former Army chief said that preparations for surgical strikes across the Line of Control had begun immediately after the cross-border strikes on NSCN (K) camps in Myanmar in 2015. That year, Indian Special Forces were sent across the border to strike Naga rebels after militants ambushed and killed 18 Army soldiers in an attack.

Gen Suhag said that the operation in Myanmar had made it clear to him that the Army could be asked to launch similar strikes across the LoC in Kashmir in the event of a terrorist attack.

"It was clear to me, that we would be expected to carry out a similar action in case there was [a] terror attack," Suhag said, adding, "[I] immediately asked my Northern Army Commander to prepare a plan [for such strikes] and start training."

MOMENT OF RECKONING

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So, what was the moment when General Suhag realised that his force would have to launch cross-LoC strikes in enemy territory? It was when he visited the Uri brigade headquarters after the attack there.

"I was clear that [the deaths of] my soldiers will have to [be] avenged," Gen Suhag said. And so, the Army prepared a number of options that were later reviewed by the Modi government, including the prime minister himself.

PM Modi was presented with these options at a briefing at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi. The biggest concern for PM Modi and the government was getting "all soldiers back... if there was a casualty we couldn't have left him [the soldier] behind", Gen Suhag said.

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government "took a bold decision in allowing the strikes and trusting the army", Gen Suhag said.

The surgical strikes, launched on September 28-29, were more complicated and difficult compared to the operation carried out across the Myanmar border in 2015, Gen Suhag revealed.

"The strikes in Pakistan was [sic] more complicated and difficult. Troops are deployed eyeball-to-eyeball along the India-Pakistan border, it is never easy to insert troops [across the LoC] and bring them back," Gen Suhag said.

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Did the surgical strikes achieve the desired impact? They did, Gen Suhag said. "[India] introduced an element of uncertainty" with last year's cross-LoC strikes, the general said, adding that since last year's surgical strikes, no major incidents have taken place along the LoC.

Suhag ended the interview echoing current Army chief Bipin Rawat by saying, "India can again carry out surgical strikes in Pakistan, if required."

Watch full interview: Gen (retd) Dalbir Singh Suhag breaks silence on surgical strikes

--- ENDS ---
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  SpaceX chief Elon Musk's elaborate plan for a mega-rocket to carry astronauts to Mars may have some down-to-Earth applications.

At a conference in Australia on Friday, Musk said if you build a ship capable of going to the moon and Mars, why not use it for high-speed transport here at home. He proposes using his still-in-the-design phase rocket for launching passengers from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes flat.

Los Angeles to New York, or Los Angeles to Honolulu in 25 minutes. London to Dubai in 29 minutes.

"Most of what people consider to be long-distance trips would be completed in less than half an hour," Musk said to applause and cheers at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide.

A seat should cost about the same as a full-fare economy plane ticket, he noted later via Instagram.

Friday's address was a follow-up to one he gave to the group last September in Mexico, where he unveiled his grand scheme for colonizing Mars. He described a slightly scaled-down 348-foot-tall (106-meter-tall) rocket and announced that the private space company aims to launch two cargo missions to Mars in 2022.

"That's not a typo," he said, pausing, as charts appeared on a large screen. "Although it is aspirational."

Two more cargo missions would follow in 2024 to provide more construction materials, along with two crewed flights. The window for launching to Mars occurs every two years.

For the approximately six-month, one-way trips to Mars, the SpaceX ships would have 40 cabins, ideally with two to three people per cabin for a grand total of about 100 passengers. Musk foresees this Mars city growing, and over time "making it really a nice place to be."

Scott Hubbard, an adjunct professor at Stanford University and a former director of NASA's Ames Research Center, calls it "a bold transportation architecture with aspirational dates." A demonstration of some sort in the 2020s will add to its credibility, he said in an email. And while more details are needed for life-support systems, "Kudos to Elon and SpaceX for keeping the focus on humans to Mars!"

Former NASA chief technologist Bobby Braun, now dean of the college of engineering and applied science at the University of Colorado at Boulder, also sees Musk's plan as a step in the right direction, building on technologies SpaceX already has demonstrated, like reusable rockets.

"While the timeline and capabilities are certainly ambitious, I'm bullish on U.S industry's ability to carry out challenging and far-reaching goals," Braun wrote in an email. "It's great to see the private sector lead in this way, and I hope we see more of it."

NASA is charting its own path to what it calls the "Deep Space Gateway," beginning with expeditions in the vicinity of the moon in the 2020s and eventually culminating at Mars. The space agency has handed much of its Earth-orbiting work to private industry, including SpaceX, Orbital ATK and Boeing.

Earlier Friday in Adelaide, Lockheed Martin presented its vision for a "Mars Base Camp" in partnership with NASA. Astronauts could be on their way in about a decade, the company said. This first mission would orbit the red planet, rather than land.

Musk intends to finance his $10 billion Mars endeavor by using a rocket that's smaller than the one outlined last year. Fewer engines would be needed: 31 versus the originally envisioned 42. Its lift capability would be 150 tons, more than NASA's old moon rocket, the Saturn V.

He wants one type of booster and spaceship that can replace the company's current Falcon 9 rocket, the soon-to-fly Falcon Heavy rocket designed for heavier satellites, and the Dragon capsule presently used to deliver cargo to the International Space Station, and, as soon as next year, station astronauts.

That way SpaceX can put all its resources toward this new system, Musk said. Revenue from launching satellites, and sending supplies and crews to the space station, could pay for the new rocket, he said.

Musk said the same spaceship for moon and Mars trips  long and cylindrical with small shuttle-like wings  could fly to the space station. He said the mega-rocket could be used to establish a lunar settlement, with spaceships being refueled in Earth orbit versus creating a vital fuel depot at Mars.

The mega-rocket doesn't have a name but for now is called BFR. The B is for big; the R for rocket. As for the F, well, you get the idea.



Online:
Come November, three transgenders will join the Tamil Nadu police force as constables.

By India Today Web Desk: In a first, three transgenders will officially join the Tamil Nadu police force.

Dhakshayini of Cuddalore, Prabha Mohan of Krishnagiri and Jagadeeswaran alias Nazriya of Ramanathapuram qualified to join the police force after Tamil Nadu Police started the process of including the third gender into the force earlier this year, The Hindu reported.

According to reports, around 50 people applied out of which the three were chosen and will be joining as constable in the Tamil Nadu Police soon. The three candidated scored well in the written as well the physical examination.

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A fourth candidate was disqualified at the physical examination stage for not performing that well.

Earlier, there have been instances of transgenders joining the police force as females, many would be disqualified after their genders would be revealed.

The Hindu reported that a Police Training college is also preparing facilities for the third gender. They will be given the training that is given to female candidates.

The Tamil Nadu police is also going to open 10,500 posts for men in the force. People of the third gender are eligible to apply for these posts as well. Although, they'll have to fulfill the physical criteria in the men's category.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Afghanistan

New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Slamming Pakistan for its support to various terror groups, Afghanistan said today that the time has come for taking a "fundamental" decision that no country should be allowed to use terror as an instrument of foreign policy.

Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah said his country has a "serious challenge" in ties with Pakistan and that terror networks based in that country continue to indulge in activities to destabilise Afghanistan.

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"The forces of darkness and evil cannot prevail forever. But at the same time they can create hindrances, they can create headaches. These are the realities of life," Abdullah said, in an address at the Indian Council for World Affairs, a leading think tank.

He said a decision must be taken once and for all that terrorism will not be used as an instrument of pursuing foreign policy objectives in any part of the world.

That is the "fundamental decision" that has to be taken for the region and beyond, he said, asserting that the global community must show the resolve in the determination to deal with terror.

Talking about the peace process, he said the Afghan government has never closed its doors for talks and negotiations, and it was working to bring lasting peace to the country.

Speaking at the event, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar articulated various facets of Indias engagement with Afghanistan and said New Delhi remains steadfast in its commitment towards the country.

The Afghan CEO also hailed Indias contribution towards Afghanistans reconstruction and said the assistance is making a huge difference to the lives of millions of people in his country.

He also mentioned that 116 new development projects were to be implemented by India and particularly talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modis "passion" to help his country.

Identifying terrorism as the main threat facing the region, Abdullah said there cannot be any classification of terror groups as "good or bad terrorists".

Referring to Pakistan, he said living in denial from the reality will complicate the situation.

"We have some serious challenges in our relations with Pakistan. There are (terror) groups which are threatening security of Afghanistan and based there and continue to be based there...That is a very serious challenge for us. That is a big challenge for the whole region," said Abdullah.

Talking about Afghanistans diplomatic engagements and its ties with Pakistan, the Afghan Chief Executive, at the same time, said his country will not allow any country to dictate terms over its foreign policy.

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"No country has the right of veto over our relationship" with another country, he said.

"If India comes to Afghanistan and says, we will build you this clinic but please do not have friendship with Pakistan, our answer would be the same," he said, giving an example.

The Afghan Chief Executive said the response would be same in case of the US or Iran, which are close friends of Afghanistan.

Abdullah also welcomed the policy announcements by the Trump administration for Afghanistan and the South Asian region, indicating that there is a message in it for Islamabad. He said the policy reflects a rightful role for India in the region.

"I want to tell that Afghanistan wants friendly relations with all countries. The terror groups are threat to all of us and not just Afghanistan," he said, adding that some of the terror groups had turned against those who created them.

On Afghanistans ties with China, Abdullah said the relationship has been good.

Referring to the delay in his arrival in New Delhi following the terror attack in Kabul airport, he said a tiny minority of terrorists are trying to disturb the opportunities the people of the region have.

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"They could cause us some delay. But they cannot stop us. That is my message," Abdullah, who arrived here on a six-day visit yesterday, said.

He also exuded confidence that the region will be able to overcome the challenge of terrorism and radicalisation.

"I do not have any doubt in my mind. Wisdom will prevail. Human dignity will prevail. Acts of terror will be condemned and it will be condemned to failure," he said.

Talking about importance of connectivity, Abdullah said work is going on a number of transport projects.

The Chabahar port project will significantly enhance trade among India, Afghanistan and Iran, he noted. Abdullah said that Afghanistan will receive the first shipment of wheat through Chabahar in a few days time.

Asked whether the Afghan government had taken up with Pakistan the issue of overland transit facility from Afghanistan to India through Pakistan, he said the matter has been discussed with Islamabad. PTI MPB PYK ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Umaria (MP), Sep 29 (PTI) A male tiger cub was found dead in the Dhamokhar Range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh today.

A leopard is suspected to have killed the cub, which was about two years old, said BTRs joint director Rishi Mishra.

"Our team was patrolling on elephant-back today to keep an eye on the movement of T-43 tigress in Dhamokhar Range when they spotted a leopard holding a tiger cub between its teeth. When the team started following the leopard, it ran away leaving the dead cub behind," Mishra said.

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There were injuries on its neck and mouth. It is suspected that the leopard killed it, he added.

On September 25, a two-year-old female tiger cub was found dead in a well at village Milli in the BTR. PTI COR ADU KRK

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 29 (PTI) US President Donald Trump will make his maiden visit to Asia in November with stops in five countries -- Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, the White House announced today.

During his trip from November 3 to 14, Trump will participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral and cultural engagements.

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Trump will attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, demonstrating his continued commitment to the alliances and partnerships of the US in the region, the White House said.

Trump will discuss the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region to Americas prosperity and security, it said.

Among other things, he will also emphasise the importance of fair and reciprocal economic ties with US trade partners.

"The presidents engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula," the White House said in a statement.

Trump?s maiden Asia trip comes amidst increased tension in the Korean Peninsula and South China Sea.

After being sworn in as the US President in January, Trump has hosted several top Asian leaders at the White House or his summer home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

He also met many of them on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York early this month or in Europe on the margins of G-20 and G-7 summits this summer.

While he has not described his Asia policy as "Asia Pacific Rebalance" as was the case with his predecessor Barack Obama, the Trump administration has made special effort to strengthen its relationship with Asian countries.

In June, Trump hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.

He hosted the Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a- Lago residence in the early part of his presidency and met the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Trump Towers in New York as the president-elect.

On October 2, Trump will welcome Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand to the White House. PTI LKJ PMS AKJ PMS

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Bollywood actor Vidya Balan, who is gearing up for the release of her next film Tumhari Sulu , recently met with an accident. According to a report in DNA, the 38-year-old actor was on her way to Bandra for a meeting when another car rammed into her.

Though, the car was damaged badly, the actor escaped the accident without any injury.

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A source was quoted as telling the daily, "She is fine and has not sustained any injuries. It was a minor accident that led to car damage and thankfully no one is injured."

On the work front, Vidya will be next seen in Tumhari Sulu. After almost a decade, Vidya will be back as a radio jockey on the big screen. It's been a while since Vidya serenaded Bollywood fans with 'Good Morrnniiing Mumbaiiii' in Lage Raho Munna Bhai, and now she will be a back as a RJ in Suresh Triveni's film, but with a twist. The film is set to hit the screens on November 24.

ALSO WATCH: Vidya Balan walks out of film over director Kamal's stand against national anthem in theatre

--- ENDS ---
Delhi BJP leader and its ultra Hindutva face, Tajinder Bagga has said that he will be in Kolkata today to attend at least two immersion events.

By Anindya Banerjee: Kolkata is yet to see an end to the immersion row triggered by the Mamata Banerjee government first announcing a ban on Durga idol immersion visarjan on October 1 and later saying that immersions can only happen after police go-ahead.

October 1 also happens to be the day of Muharram and the West Bengal government had cited the possibility of communal clashes to ban Durga idol immersions on the day.

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The ban was later lifted by the Calcutta High Court. Following the court's order, the Mamata government declared that Puja organisers who want to perform immersions on October 1 will have to seek police permission.

Now, Delhi BJP leader and its ultra Hindutva face, Tajinder Bagga has said that he will be in Kolkata today to attend at least two immersion events.

One of the events will take place on October 1. Bagga announced his decision to go to Kolkata with a tweet that said, "This dashami I will be in Bengal and let me see who can stop me from Visharjan (Durga idol immersion)".

Speaking to India Today, Bagga said, "What Mamata Banerjee is doing is anti-Hindu. The Calcutta High Court rapping the West Bengal government over the issue was definitely a victory for us".

Bagga plans to lead a Durg idol immersion procession on Sunday evening from the popular Paddapukur Puja Balak Sanghas Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Bagga's plans have invited opposition from some quarters, with political leaders like Congress's Sharmishtha Mukherjee saying that 'people from outside Bengal' are coming to 'create tensions'.

But, the West Bengal BJP believes that Bagga's actions will only work in the party's favour. The local party unit's thinking is that if Bagga reaches the immersion point without any incident, he would have defied the Mamata Banerjee administration.

On the other hand, if Bagga is arrested, the West Bengal BJP will be able to carry on the narrative that Mamata survives on minority appeasement politics.

--- ENDS ---
The 33rd annual Skittles Waco Wild West Ride will start at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 at Heritage Square.

Numerous streets and roads in the downtown Waco area will be closed or have restricted access from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, roads around Waco Regional Airport, China Spring, Crawford, Speegleville, Oglesby, Woodway, Hewitt, Lorena, Robinson and Mother Neff State Park will be affected.

There are 10-, 26-, 67- and 100-mile bicycle courses. To register for the event or view the routes, visit wacowildwest100.com.

For more information, call 405-2518 or 405-5113.

Hewitt Dog Days

The city of Hewitt will host its annual Dog Days event Saturday at Hewitt Park, 801 S. Hewitt Drive. Attendance is free, but parking costs $2.

Events include a performance by chicken dog, a service dog ceremony, a kid zone and plenty of activities including a petting zoo.

The Hewitt Police Department and Hewitt Animal Control are sponsoring 75 free microchips for dogs belonging to Hewitt residents. The cost is $15 for all others.

For more information, call 666-6272.

Sweet Sounds

Meals on Wheels Waco will have its annual Sweet Sounds fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business at Baylor University, 1621 S. Third St.

Cost is $65. For more information, call 752-0316.

Livestrong registration

The YMCA of Central Texas is conducting registration for Livestrong at the YMCA 1K, 5K, and 10K runs, scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 at Woodway Park.

To register, visit http://bit.ly/2w6gED8 or the Waco Family Y, 6800 Harvey Drive.

For more information, call Carla Browning 776-6612, ext. 316.

La Vega Pirate 5K

The La Vega Pirates Education Foundation will host the La Vega Pirate 5K and 1 mile fun run and walk at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 at La Vega Stadium. Participants can walk or run one or both courses for a single $20 fee. Refreshments will be provided at the stadium and on the course. All proceeds benefit the La Vega Pirates Education Foundation.

The 5K starts at 8:15 a.m. All participants will receive a T-shirt, and winners in all age categories will receive medals. Visit www.piratesfoundation.org to download a copy of the registration form.
A married couple was arrested at their Waco home Thursday morning after Waco police investigated sexual abuse claims from two young children, Officer Garen Bynum said.

Billy Joe King, 46, and his wife, Monica Renee King, 39, were arrested after investigators determined Billy King had been sexually abusing the two children for the past three to four years and Monica King was aware of the abuse, Bynum said.

The couple lived in Marlin before moving to North Waco, but it remains unclear whether the abuse had started before they moved, Bynum said. It was not immediately clear whether any sexual abuse allegations are being investigated in Marlin.

Bynum said the victims are under the age of 14, and Monica King did not report the abuse or stop it despite being aware it was happening.

Billy King was arrested by Waco police on two first-degree felony charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child. He remained in McLennan County Jail on Friday afternoon with bond listed at $800,000.

Monica King was arrested on two state jail felony charges of endangering a child. She remained in McLennan County Jail on Friday afternoon with bond listed at $50,000.
U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, took aim at Senate Republicans on Thursday, blaming the upper chamber for its latest failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act. At the same time, Flores is pressuring his party to follow through with an overhaul of the federal tax code.

The future of advancing the agenda that the American people voted for last November is contingent upon the behavior of the 52 GOP senators, said Flores, the former chairman of the influential House Republican Study Committee. They control all of our collective destinies in their hands. Thats the reason Im hopeful that, again, they will start reflecting on what the American people told us they wanted done when they went to the polling booths last November.

Outside of the Capitol this week, the largest Republican caucus promised to repeal, this year, President Barack Obamas signature legislation that gave millions of Americans access to health care and accompanied an increase in individual-market premiums.

Flores said he is exceptionally disappointed in Senate Republicans, who did not take the latest health care bill authored by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, and Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, to a vote. At least three Republican senators indicated they were against the bill.

Flores, who has said Obamacare must be repealed without bipartisan support, would have supported the bill alongside House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin. He called on the Senate to end the 60-vote filibuster rule and pass the legislation with a simple majority.

Theres an institutional process over there that has gotten between doing what the American people want, and instead it gives preference to the rules of the Senate, which are from the 1800s, Flores said. I, like most people in District 17, think thats very frustrating.

The House of Representatives should pass laws repealing the Affordable Care Act piece by piece, Republican Study Committee Chair U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, R-North Carolina, told reporters this week in a televised press conference.

The House is doing what were supposed to be doing, Flores said Thursday, comparing the Houses accomplishments to the Senates. Its working like its supposed to. Unfortunately, the American people dont really appreciate the fact that one part of Congress is getting its work done and the other doesnt. They look at Congress as a whole, and Congress as a whole is failing because of the Senates inability to move forward.

The Study Committee also plans to lead a House push to send legislation bolstering border security and reforming tax policy to President Donald Trumps desk.

Flores said the GOP tax plan revealed Wednesday is focused solidly on working-class Americans that are living paycheck to paycheck, that are worried about their futures, that think theres no opportunity left for them.

This b.s. about it being a tax plan that favors the rich is just beyond the pale. That doesnt line up with reality, Flores said. I will pay a lot more under this tax plan than I do today. And Im fine with that because, at the end of the day, were all going to be better off because the working class group, which is the largest population in this country, is going to have more money to spend to grow the economy.

The top individual income tax rate, which Republicans would cut from 39.6 percent to 35 percent, would result in the wealthy contributing more because state and local tax deductions will no longer be available, Flores said. The corporate tax rate, slashed from 35 percent to 20 percent, would attract more American job opportunities, he said.

The plan would also eliminate the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax, both of which affect upper-income Americans. Dale Mantey, a Rockdale native seeking to unseat Flores next year, said he doesnt know anyone who is eligible for the estate tax.

This tax plan will not increase the paycheck for any teacher in Central Texas, Mantey said. It will not increase the paycheck for any electrician or welder or any working-class person in Central Texas. That is a fact. It is not political spin.

Mantey, a Democrat, said the GOPs repeated failure to repeal Obamacare, a law he wants to see improved, represents a lack of leadership in the party.

When it comes down to actually doing things and passing legislation and the actual workings of government, they have no idea what theyre doing, Mantey said.

Because leaders in the House, the Senate and the White House have fingerprints on the plan, Flores believes the tax plan has a better chance of passage than Republicans health care attempts. Meanwhile, he is not optimistic Democrats will support the tax reform bill as Republicans look to bridge the party divide on an issue Ryan has called the most important thing we can do to restore confidence to this country.

Ideologically, (Democrats) are just having trouble finding things to be happy about in terms of what Republicans are doing, Flores said. If they look at what this does for working-class Americans, they should want to vote for this.
Joseph Barcomb, 87, of Waco, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at Waco Memorial Park, with Pastor David Cozart officiating. The family will receive visitors 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco.

Joe was born December 4, 1929, in East Hampton, Massachusetts, to Willard and Edith Barcomb, and was one of eight children. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. Joe worked as a carpenter most of his life in commercial and residential construction. He loved his family very much and was especially crazy about his grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Martha Barcomb; and his parents.
The US has issued arrest warrants for former Commonwealth Bank IT executive Jon Waldron and a former contractor to the bank over their alleged involvement in a bribery scheme.

A US grand jury indicted Sydney-based Mr Waldron and California technology executive Eric Pulier on Wednesday.

Former Commonwealth Bank executive Jon Waldron has been charged in the US with five counts of fraud and one count of conspiracy.

Both Mr Pulier and Mr Waldron have been charged with five counts of fraud and one count of conspiracy. Mr Pulier faces nine additional charges relating to the alleged bribes.

Mr Waldron is already facing charges in Australia over the alleged payments. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The affluent beachside council of Cottesloe has become the first in Western Australia to ban the release of helium balloons.

The council unanimously passed the ban on the release of helium-filled balloons, along with smoking in council-owned public spaces, after viewing evidence of the potential harm to wildlife.

Cottesloe has banned the release of balloons and smoking in public spaces. Credit:Erin Jonasson

Mayor Jo Dawkins said there had been no negative feedback in the 18 months the proposals were open for public comment.

AAP
Two Perth men who murdered, dismembered, set alight and buried a fellow methlyamphetamine user have failed in their bid to overturn their convictions and sentences.

Daniel Marchesano and Ben Mansfield were convicted in 2015 in the WA Supreme Court of murdering Michael Pruiti two years earlier, and were respectively sentenced to at least 23 and 26 years behind bars.

Michael Pruiti was lured to his death.

Marchesano lured Mr Pruiti, 31, to isolated bushland in Perth's Hills region where Mansfield shot him in the head.

During appeal hearings in April, Marchesano's lawyer Sam Vandongen said Mansfield had fired a gun at his client's family home shortly before Mr Pruiti arrived, so he didn't have time to think about contacting police.
As part of its Capacity Building programme, the WCO organized a Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshop from 11  22 September in Maputo, Mozambique. Twenty senior and promising middle managers of the Autoridade Tributaria (AT) of Mozambique were inspired to strengthen their leadership and management capacities, as well as their personal effectiveness to drive reforms within their organisation.

In the LMD workshop participants learned that knowing yourself and self-awareness, strategic and people management, outstanding communication skills, negotiation skills and change management are very important to address the organisations future challenges. The participating managers represented very different areas and different levels of the organization, including personnel from Customs and Excise Departments. All of them shared their willingness to learn and improve. It became clear that participants will have a very challenging task to change and modernize the management culture of their organization. Especially replacing the friendly but somewhat autocratic way of managing, by a method based on self-management and influencing and impacting others through better understanding of the other, were intensely discussed and reflected upon.

During the LMD Workshop first drafts of the future vision statement of Autoridade Tributaria were discussed. It became clear that AT is not only modernizing the revenue collection side, but also ready to improve facilitation, service delivery and internal effectiveness and efficiency. Many of the foundations and requirements to get there were discussed at several moments during the workshop, especially on the topic of integrity. Participants understood the importance of improving their managerial skills to face the increasingly challenging and changing international trade. They understood very well that it is people who build the organization and that they, as public officials, have a great responsibility for their country and its citizens.

The Director of General Services of the AT, Mr. Venancio Francisco, attended the closing ceremony of the workshop. He stressed the importance of improving leadership and management skills for driving ATs reforms. During the closing ceremony, the participants shared their personal take-aways from the workshop in a very personal way.

This workshop was co-funded by the WCO-Norad Customs Capacity Building Project 2012-17 which aims at delivering technical assistance to seven countries: Timor-Leste, Liberia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Tanzania and Vietnam. For more information, please contact the Project Manager, Ms. Andrea Hampton (Andrea.Hampton@wcoomd.org).

For more information on the WCO Leadership and Management Development Programme, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org
This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.

by Jeffrey Tucker

The point was to contain the carnage that results from violent conflict.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has called Trump a mentally deranged U.S. dotard, a frightened dog, a rogue, and a gangster. This is his response to Trump's having called the Rocket Man an obvious madman.

This conflict could result in mass death.It sounds like the usual Twitter war. Or think of any other normal conflict in your life. You have coworkers who are fighting, family members who are squabbling, neighbors who you dont like and dont like you. In an ideal world, we would all get along. Sadly, that ideal will always be elusive.

Whats the difference in the case of Trump vs. Kim? They are both heads of state. Each is holding their civilian populations hostage to the prospect of nuclear war. That raises the stakes to a huge extent. This conflict could result in mass death.

Is there a better way? Consider the duel.

Pistols Not Bombs

Back in 1992 when George H. Bush had a conflict with Saddam Hussein over Iraqs invasion of Kuwait, the vice president of Iraq suggested that they have a duel and leave everyone else out of it.

"Bush wants to attack the whole Iraq, the army and the infrastructure," the Iraqi VP said.

"If such a call is genuine, then let the American president and a selected group with him face a selected group of us and we choose a neutral land and let [U.N. Secretary-General] Kofi Annan be a supervisor and both groups should use the same weapon. A president against a president and vice president against a vice president, and a duel takes place, if they are serious. And in this way we are saving the American and Iraqi people."

Notice the VPs focus on the rules here. The rules of engagement are traditional with duels. They must be agreed upon ahead of time: weapons, paces, time of day, and so on. In fact, many duels in the past did not happen precisely because the parties to the conflict could not agree on the rules. Both kept their pride and walked away.

If they could agree on the rules, it took place and one person died. Conflict over.

RegardlessI dont think the proposal was entirely in jestthe White House was outraged. This is an "irresponsible statement," a spokesman said, that did not justify a "serious response."

Rethinking the Duel

The duel was really about the need to contain the damage that results from human conflict.Really? The costs of the subsequent quarter century of war are incalculable, but they include not only mass death on all sides and vast property destruction but destabilization of the entire region, a horrifying refugee crisis, and the rise of ISIS.

No question that the duel is a terribly violent tradition and the liberals of the 19th century were right to shame it into near non-existence. But look at the costs of what has replaced it! If we were really pressed to choose between a duel with one death (of a person party to the conflict) or war with millions dead (none of whom are responsible for the conflict), it isnt really a choice. By comparison, the duel seems positively civil.

Plus, dueling between politicians in the United States was extremely common in the past. The most famous one of all was the one between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. But at all levels of society, hundreds were taking place: between statesmen, families, business competitors, and so on. The liberals of the time inveighed against them on the solid grounds that society was increasingly discovering more peaceful methods of resolving disputes. Surely it is time to give up these premodern practices!

Forget two dudes on a field firing after 10 paces. Now we have millions rounded up and slaughtered. That seems like a good idea until you consider what replaced it after the duel went away. It began with the Great War, the first total war in history in which politicians determined the fates of whole civilian populations in countries not in their jurisdiction. It is a level of horror that anti-duel liberals like Mark Twain could never have imagined.

Then it got worse as weapons became more powerful. Forget two dudes on a field firing after 10 paces. Now we had millions rounded up and slaughtered by millions of others who were drafted to fight politicians wars, while those party to the conflict luxuriated in bunkers and gave orders. Talk about violence! Talk about injustice!

Dueling Had Social Utility

When you look at this situation, you can see that there was perhaps more to the duel than we knew. Indeed, Peter Leeson had done incredible work on the social utility of duels.

It wasnt really about some mystical idea that cosmic justice is realized when fate takes down one man and leaves another standing. It was really about the need to contain the damage that results from human conflict, over ownership rights in the Middle Ages and, as time went on, over petty personal disputes later. Heres the thing: only those who partake in conflict risk life and limb. Why should this involve anyone else?

If those who start and feed conflicts risk paying a personal price, maybe they can be incentivized to chill out and figure out a peaceful resolution. Maybe that is precisely what the institution of the duel ended up achieving. Its an interesting speculation: we usually think of the duel as evidence of a violent past whereas it might actually have been a practice that gradually caused humanity to become more peaceful.

Conflict resolution doesnt have to take any violent form at all. Lets modernize the duel: choose your gaming platform and just settle the issue in a virtual world in which no one gets hurt.

In all seriousness, we do need completely to rethink the ethics and efficacy of allowing personal insult to end up in the incineration of people who have nothing to do with the conflict to begin with.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 29, 2017 | 07:05 AM | MAYFIELD, KY

A Graves County elementary school has been honored by the U.S. Department of Education.

Central Elementary School has been named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School. Central is one of only nine Kentucky schools honored this year.

"Kentucky's Blue Ribbon Schools are great examples of school success in the Commonwealth," Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt said. "These schools are models for others across Kentucky and serve as proof of what can happen when schools create a culture of high expectations for students and staff, encourage excellent teaching, support the learning needs of each child and adopt a mindset of continuous improvement."

Pruitt continued, "For the Blue Ribbon winners, this award affirms the hard work of their educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master rigorous and engaging content and leave prepared for success at the next level."

In all, 342 schools across the country received the award.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
By The Associated Press

By The Associated Press Sep. 28, 2017 | 09:34 PM | WASHINGTON, DC

It's flu shot time, and health officials are bracing for a potentially miserable fall and winter.

The clues: The Southern Hemisphere, especially Australia, was hit hard over the past few months with a flu strain that's notorious for causing severe illness, especially in seniors.

And in the U.S., small clusters of that so-called H3N2 flu already are popping up.

Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases calls that flu strain "the bad actor."

Dr, Daniel Jernigan of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there's a chance the flu season in the U.S. could be similar to Australia's, but health officials can't say for sure.

Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated.
By The Associated Press Sep. 28, 2017 | 09:40 PM | FORT CAMPBELL, KY

An Army specialist has pleaded guilty in the killing of a Fort Campbell soldier and could face life in prison without parole.

The Leaf-Chronicle reports that Spc. Charles Robinson III pleaded guilty at his court-martial Thursday to murder, conspiracy and obstruction of justice in the death of Pfc. Shadow McClaine. The post on the Kentucky-Tennessee line houses the 101st Airborne Division.

Robinson said he was supposed to be paid $10,000 by McClaine's ex-husband to kill her and help hide the body. Robinson said he used a box cutter and a knife to kill her but Sgt. Jamal Williams-McCray paid him only $200.

McClaine went missing in September 2016. Her remains were found in January and flown home to Yuba City, California, in February. A court-martial hasn't been set for Williams-McCray. It wasn't known if he had a lawyer who could comment.
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Sergio Aguero was involved in a car crash in Amsterdam on Thursday night that has reportedly left the Man City striker nursing a fractured rib.

The Argentinian was in the city on his day off, attending a concert as a special guest of Colombian pop star Maluma.

Agueros last pre-crash social media update shows the pair posing for a photo in the back of a taxi on the way back to the airport

@maluma . Gracias por la invitacion !!  A post shared by Sergio Leonel Aguero (@10aguerosergiokun) on Sep 28, 2017 at 10:49am PDT

While initial details are a little vague, its being reported by Roy Nemer of Mundo Albiceleste that Aguero suffered a rib injury and will possibly be sidelined for up to two months as a result.

It would appear, at least if the photos from the scene are anything to go by, that Agueros taxi left the road and collided with a street light, causing the airbags to go off.

Sergio Aguero reportedly suffered fractured ribs in a car accident late Thursday night in Holland. pic.twitter.com/TpjW6KdM9K  Soccerlens (@soccerlens) September 29, 2017

Man City released a statement on Friday morning confirming that their club doctors are now on the case, though stopped short of confirming the extent of the forwards injuries or the potential time frame set for his convalescence:

Sergio Aguero will be assessed by club doctors today after being involved in a road accident on Thursday. The City forward was in Holland on his day off and has sustained injuries. He will return to Manchester this morning and his status will be checked ahead of tomorrows Premier League clash at Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola is now due to give a press conference later this morning in which a little more detail might be offered up.

We shall see, but in the meantime, heres wishing Kun all the best.
Authorities say a 101-year-old suburban Boston woman died when a stovetop fire spread through her kitchen and ignited her clothing.

The Massachusetts Fire Marshal's office and the Middlesex District Attorney's office didn't release the victim's name. She died Wednesday in her home in Melrose, about 10 miles north of Boston.

Melrose Fire Chief Christopher Leary offered his department's condolences in a statement lamenting "a sad end to a long, vibrant life."

Leary says firefighters found the woman's body on the ground floor of the two-family home. She was alone and appeared to have been cooking herself a meal.

Officials say the residence had no working smoke alarms.

State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey says it's the second fire death this year involving an elderly woman who was cooking.
In general, Minnesota Schools have struggled with teacher and substitute teacher shortages the last few years.

Locally, however, thats not exactly the case.

Winona Area Public Schools registered number of substitutes sits at 75 to start the school year, up from 64 last year. By the end of the 2016-17 school year the district had 102 registered substitutes.

Pat Blaisdell, human resources coordinator for the district, said they cant predict where the number will stand by the end of the 2017-18 school year.

Starting the school year with 75 substitute teachers is the highest weve had in the last four years, Blaisdell said. We can always use additional substitutes.

The fill rate (how often substitute teachers fill in for an absent teacher) for the district is 90 percent and depends largely on the availability of registered substitutes. That number may seem adequate, but Blaisdell said its still below where the district would like to be.

Ninety percent isnt high enough, she said. We would like it to be 100 percent, absolutely. ... If we could be in the high 90s Id be more comfortable.

Blaisdell said the number of registered substitutes doesnt necessarily determine the fill rate for teacher absences. The district could have 50 registered substitutes available to work every day, or 200 with limited availability.

Not all substitutes are interested in working every day, she said. Some are, but many are not.

Some registered substitute teachers also work in other districts, Blaisdell said, including Lewiston, Houston, Rushford and La Crescent, which sometimes stretches their availability.

For the most part, the district is able to find a substitute when a teacher is absent  whether its due to illness, meetings, staff development, etc.  but when an absence goes unfilled it creates a disruption among staff and faculty because the absence must be filled regardless.

There will be disruption because they have to fill those classrooms somehow, Blaisdell said. Any unfilled absence is a difficult task for us to handle.

Winona benefits from Winona State University and Saint Marys University being in town, Blaisdell said. Theres a good number of students in the education programs at each university, and substituting provides opportunity to garner experience while they search for a full-time position.

Not all rural towns have the benefit of two institutes of higher learning churning out future educators looking for experience to build their resume.

We are always looking for qualified substitutes, Blaisdell said. We appreciate the difficult job they do.
The Winona Public Library hosted a panel on banned books on Thursday night as part of the national Banned Books Week.

Five panelists, led by a moderator, spent an hour discussing the nature of banned books and Banned Books Week, censorship, the First Amendment, and the impact on free speech of challenging or banning books.

Mark Lundberg, the moderator of the panel, has spent 50 years avidly collecting and reading comic books, a genre among the first to be challenged in some capacity  be it for sexually explicit content inappropriate for children, political views or vulgar language.

Do you think there are actually any legit reasons out there a book should be banned? he asked the panel.

The consensus was no. The panelists did agree, however, that disclaimers and self-censorship are important to keep in mind, especially when it comes to what is and isnt appropriate for children to read.

Ingrid Ogren, a librarian at Winona Public Library, said staff can move books to different sections if a parent finds a book ill-suited for kids, but outright banning books isnt necessary.

Theres an extensive application process to challenge a book, which deters a lot of people with actually taking any action, she said. Its a lot easier to just ask for a book to be placed in a different part of the library.

Banned Books Week also brings to the forefront the fact that hundreds and hundreds of books are still challenged to this day.

One panelist, Heather Betthauser, works at Jimmy Jams, a store that sells comics, graphic novels and games in Winona. She said she wasnt even aware of the fact that there are banned books before Lundberg asked her to be a panelist.

I had to go do some research about it, Betthauser said.

Betthausers research led her to discover that a number of some of the most popular books in existence have been either challenged or banned before including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Catcher in Rye and 1984.

Daryl Lunds, owner of Chapter 2 Books in Winona, said Banned Books Week is a great way to bring things like censorship, free speech and the First Amendment to the forefront of peoples attention.

Not only that, but a lot of books that get publicity for being challenged usually end up becoming more popular, Lunds said. Its like that old saying that any publicity is good publicity.

Ogren said the value of disagreeing with one another is also important in the scope of books and literature because it creates dialogue around the reason for challenging or banning a book.

Its a really good way to create conversation centered on sensitive issues people face in everyday life, she said.
There seems to be no end to nuclear crises these days.

As North Koreas Kim Jong Un plays nuclear chicken with the great powers, another dangerous moment is approaching. The world awaits President Trumps decision  due Oct. 15  on how he will handle the 2015 deal with Tehran that curbed Irans nuclear program in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

In his U.N. speech, Trump called the deal one of the worst hes ever seen. And it does indeed contain big flaws, most notably its failure to constrain Iranian missile development, and a sunset clause that frees Iran to resume uranium enrichment and centrifuge production in a decade.

Trumps disdain for the deal has raised speculation he will trigger a process that could lead to its termination. Another opponent of the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called for the global community to Fix it or nix it with an emphasis on Nix it.

But Fix it is the option Washington and its allies should be addressing. Indeed, there is surprising agreement from both security moderates and hawks  including Israeli military and intelligence brass  that scrapping the deal would be the worst option of all.

To understand why, one needs to look back at the situation prior to the negotiation of the Iran deal under President Barack Obama. At that time, Iran had amassed all the accoutrements  thousands of centrifuges, enriched uranium stockpiles, plutonium production  of a bomb.

No matter how harsh the international sanctions, Iran had made clear it wouldnt abandon its weapons program. With Israel in the lead, war talk was building.

But U.S. and Israeli security experts believed that bombing Iran would not have eliminated secret nuclear sites or prevented Irans eventual reconstitution of its nuclear program free of any international inspections. It would, however, have embroiled the United States in another major Mideast war.

So, if war was not an option, the need to stop Iranian nuclear progress by other means was urgent. There is no debating, I was told in 2015 by Ami Ayalon, a former head of the Shin Bet, Israels domestic intelligence service, that Iran was two to three months from having enough (fissile) material to make a bomb.

Under the nuclear deal, Tehran had to store centrifuges  under regular international inspection  and ship fissile material out of the country. The deal pushes Iran back for the next 10 to 15 years from when they will have that material, Ayalon said at the time.

So in the short term the world was definitely better off, even if the deal was imperfect. As Efraim Halevy, a former director of Mossad (Israels CIA) put it, In the Middle East, a decade is eternity. According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Israeli military and intelligence officials still oppose a U.S. withdrawal from the accord.

True, in the long run, Iran will be free to resume its program (although the U.N. inspections would continue for decades). But that leaves time to try to rectify some of the deals omissions.

Unlike the crisis with North Korea, the moment of truth is not upon us  unless, that is, Trump decides on an approach that kills the Iran deal outright, which would leave the United States diplomatically isolated. We dont need another nuclear crisis at the moment, and (scrapping the deal) would have no international support outside Israel and the Gulf, says the Brookings Institutions Robert Einhorn, whose nuclear expertise extends back four decades.

There is a near consensus among skeptics and supporters, adds Einhorn, that the deal is imperfect and has shortcomings we have to correct, (especially) the sunset provisions.

So the big question is how to rectify those shortcomings. (Note: Dealing with Irans bad behavior in the Mideast was never part of the nuclear accord and must be countered by separate efforts from Washington and its allies.)

Trumps preferred approach is to renegotiate the treaty. But efforts by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week to persuade European allies to try this were rebuffed; nor would Russia or China (who were also party to the pact) be interested. And Iranian leaders say they wont go along.

Trump may take another path, and refuse to certify by an Oct. 15 deadline that Iran is meeting its treaty obligations. Such decertification would free Congress to pass new Iran sanctions in violation of the agreement  which would mean the United States was walking away.

However, this would put the onus for sinking the accord squarely on Washington, since even Tillerson has admitted Iran has been technically in compliance with the deals requirements. In this case, neither the Europeans nor Russia or China would be likely to renew sanctions. And Iran would be free, if it so chose, to resume its production of fissile material suitable for bombs.

Far better to take the approach of French President Emmanuel Macron, who said at the United Nations: Terminating (the deal) today with nothing to replace it would be a grave mistake.

Instead, Macron proposed that the allies work on a possible second accord with Tehran that would address two crucial flaws in the 2015 agreement: controlling Irans development of ballistic missiles and how to curb Irans nuclear program after 2025, when key limitations expire.

Of course, exerting unified leverage on Iran for a second deal would be tough, and Tehran resistant, but the allies should be focused laserlike on this issue, and also on how to intensify international monitoring of the treaty.

We need to be more demanding but not cast aside what we have reached in previous agreements, Macron said. Maybe he can persuade his new buddy, Donald Trump.
There probably wont be many college students who read this but Im going to write it anyway.

The critical question. What is your major or what do you plan on majoring in? First, you need to understand that, in many of our colleges and universities, literally over half of the disciplines you can major in offer absolutely zero employment opportunities in any place other than in colleges and universities themselves. If you are the child of wealthy parents who will be able to comfortably live the rest of your life on trust funds, these majors might be for you.

If you are not a trust-fund child, blow these majors off. I know, you will be told over and over that it isnt all about the money, that there are far more important things to consider. If a comfortably tenured professor tells you this, pay no attention. Because if you dont have any money or enough of it, I will guarantee, it will, for you, be all about the money.

Most of you will want a job that pays well enough for you to afford a car, a spouse, family, and a decent house for starters. Fill-in-the-blank resentment studies wont get you there. Therefore, you must major in something that will provide you with the opportunity to do and have these things.

Pick a career you love and you will never have to work in your life. Heard that before? That is another loser aphorism. There is no such thing as job that you will love all of the time. Most jobs require hard work and some of it is not at all fun. Find a fun job? No, find one that is satisfying, however you define that, and one that keeps you out of the poor house and keeps you from going back to live in your parents basement after you graduate.

Now about that major. Or a better question. Why are you going to college in the first place? Because you wish to have a piece of paper that gives you some sort of status and says you are educated? That is no longer possible. Todays sheepskin tells the world you have been indoctrinated mostly in lefty nonsense. And unless you have a degree in which you can find a job outside of a college or university, it doesnt say much else. Most people dont need a useless affirmation like this. Most need a skill.

After I retired from the military, I went to school for eight years. I enrolled in technical disciplines and no, the GI bill did not pay for the majority of it. These years also allowed me to get to know some genuinely great young people. What surprised me about many of them though was that their high school grades were not good at all. But many had really fine minds. They were very quick to pick-up and handle challenging material. It makes me wonder how many very smart young folks there are like these. The education system has completely failed them.

But, you say, I am not sure what I want to do. Unfortunately, there are people who live their entire lives trying to figure that out. If you dont know what you want to do, my answer to that is, learn a skill, any skill. By the way, there is no such thing as dishonorable work or jobs that are beneath you. As long as it is honest. And, if, after you have completed some sort of training, you still dont know what you want to do, at least you have an ability to keep you from being dependent on your parents, or worse, the government.

Pick up a book, or go on the internet, and research careers for dummies if nothing else. The opportunities are endless. I went fishing in Alaska this year and encountered a welder and another fellow who was diesel mechanic. To say they were well-paid is an understatement. The welder was making $120 an hour; close to a quarter of a million per year. If I remember correctly, there are something like 84 different welding processes and disciplines. Because of the skill levels required, some of these jobs pay unbelievably well. Girls can weld too.

The diesel mechanic worked at Dutch Harbor. Thirty days on, 30 days off. He lives very comfortably. I took a diesel program a few years ago and at the time, Australian cruise ship lines were paying their mechanics $100K a year. Two weeks on and two weeks off.

Both the military and civilian world are desperately short of pilots. You can major in aviation in any number of colleges and universities. Or you can attend a two-year program that will provide a flying career for you. Dakota County community college has one, I believe.

You can also become a pilot through a whole number of flight schools that do nothing but teach flight training. It will cost about $50,000 to $60,000 or so to do that. Four years of college cost how much?

You can also be a drone pilot. The Air Force now offers that opportunity and it is based on its Under-Graduate Pilot (UPT) training program. Hard to do any better.

Electricians? Over the road truck drivers? We need more of them. The same with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technicians and a whole bunch of other careers.

One thing seldom discussed is that a technical skill can open opportunities to go into business for yourself. Which leads to me to something Ive come to wonder about. That is, I dont understand why schools providing technical training dont require at least one business course oriented towards starting and running ones own business. I think that ought to be a minimum requirement.

But you say, if I dont attend college I wont be educated. I have news for you. Most of you wont be educated when you graduate from college either. That comes after you have read a few hundred non-fiction books and a few thousand articles.

Do yourself a favor. Dont major in a worthless discipline and graduate only to find that you need to know only one useful phrase to be employed. That is, do want fries with that?
Most people would be surprised to learn I used to vote Republican. What changed? The party did. But I didnt start paying attention until after Scott Walker was elected Wisconsins governor.

Id worked in human resources, job placement, customer service and marketing but, whenever I could afford it, I worked in schools. I saw how teachers spent thousands of their own dollars to supply their classrooms. I saw buildings with outdated plumbing, heating and cooling systems (if they were lucky enough to have air conditioning) and how hard school maintenance staff worked to keep things going. I witnessed how passionate and dedicated teachers and other staff were and the challenges they face every day.

When Gov. Walker and his enablers drastically cut funding for education, took away teachers voices and an average of $500 a month in their take-home pay and, on top of all that, implied they were thugs, I looked much closer at the Republican Party.

I soon realized it wasnt just Wisconsin politics that was concerning; it was every state and the federal government which were being taken over by lawmakers who favor the rich, keep workers wages low and care more about their own campaign coffers than about the citizens who put them in office.

By and large, those lawmakers are Republicans. The thing is, the Republican Party is much different than it used to be. President Eisenhower, whod been the supreme commander during the World War II invasion of Europe, warned against the military-industrial complex and ordered complete desegregation of the armed forces. He favored labor unions, signed two civil rights acts, increased the minimum wage, and expanded Social Security. President Nixon oversaw the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, which the current administration wants to abolish. President George H.W. Bush rightly called the current GOPs favorite trickle-down economics (giving huge tax breaks to the rich and assuming the benefits would trickle down to the workers) voodoo economics. He was the last Republican president who had integrity, compassion, intelligence and common sense. Our current president has none of those qualities and neither do the current GOP leaders who enable him.

Once I started tracking lawmakers votes, it became clear: the current Republican Party doesnt care about the majority of Americans. Its statements on family values and benefits of local control are pure hypocrisy because the bills they write and pass result in the opposite.

I finally admitted it was mainly Democratic lawmakers who care about average workers. For years, theyve tried to pass laws that guarantee living wages, fair taxation and affordable healthcare. They want to protect the quality of our air, land and water and vote against laws that threaten those precious resources. But, since Republicans have majorities in Wisconsin and in Congress, the bills Democrats propose rarely pass.

Not one Republican candidate would be elected if they admitted what they plan to do or have already done: cut funding for public schools and universities, suppress wages to please their big donors, spend huge amounts in subsidies and tax breaks for rich corporations, take away the right for local communities to protect their air and water, give more money for students to attend private, for-profit and religious schools than to attend public schools, protect and support fraudulent loan companies and universities, encourage companies to move overseas by giving them tax deductions for the costs of doing so, and much more. If people who voted for Republicans realized how theyve been fooled, theyd be protesting in the streets.

How are Democratic lawmakers different? A look at their votes and party platform tells the story. Theyre fighting for affordable health care; living wages; fair taxation; well-paying jobs; protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security; supporting small businesses; protecting our air and water. They want to reduce the prices of prescription drugs, fix the broken financial system thats still vulnerable to another crash, change the way campaigns are financed and draw voting districts so everyones voices can be heard. They want to fix our aging roads and bridges and encourage clean energy jobs.

These are not radical ideas. Democrats are just as concerned about debt and wasteful spending as Republicans. Look at the national debt under all recent presidents, and its clear which party is more fiscally conservative. Most Republicans dont know that in the most recent administrations, debt was lowest under President Jimmy Carter and highest under President Ronald Reagan.

The Republican Party is not one most of our fathers would recognize. More people are starting to wake up, track how lawmakers vote and see the truth behind the deceptions they use to fool us. Lets hope the peoples awakening brings changes that help everyone.
Beaver Dam Unified School District will honor Mary Pflum Peterson as the 2017 Outstanding Alumni at the 12th annual Wall of Fame Dinner on Nov. 5.

The Outstanding Alumni Award is given annually to a graduate of BDUSD in recognition of the honorees exceptional accomplishments.

Peterson has won multiple Emmy Awards as a television journalist and is a New York Times best-selling author and an acclaimed public speaker. She graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1990 as valedictorian of her class, earning numerous awards, including a four-year scholarship. While a student at Beaver Dam High School, Peterson was the co-editor of the school newspaper, and the Daily Citizen sent her to the Columbia University Journalism Camp for high school students.

Peterson went on to attend Columbia University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude in 1994. She interned at the Daily Citizen during her freshman year of college and wrote for her college newspaper. Peterson earned an internship with CNN during her junior year, which solidified her journalism ambitions.

Peterson spent several years as a reporter and producer with CNN, including an assignment with the CNN Berlin Bureau in Germany and later serving as the CNN Turk Bureau Chief in Turkey. She returned to the United States to work for ABC News and as a producer for Good Morning America.

In 2016, Peterson joined NBCs Today show. During her reporting career, she has covered war zones in Afghanistan, royal weddings, a papal funeral in Rome, Hurricane Katrina, Opera Balls in Vienna and presidential elections and worked backstage at the Oscars. She has interviewed politicians, world leaders and movie stars.

In addition, Peterson is an accomplished writer. Her work has been published in various magazines and newspapers. In 2015, she published her poignant memoir, White Dresses: A Memoir of Love and Secrets, Mothers and Daughters, which shares the message of the complicated lives of three generations in her family. The book is critically acclaimed and is a New York Times best-seller.

Peterson is also an inspirational public speaker, often speaking to book clubs, organizations and at church and community meetings.

Peterson has received numerous awards including multiple Emmys, a duPont Award, a Peabody Award, a Writers Guild of America Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards.
1967

An open house at the new Farmers Union Central Exchange feed manufacturing plant will be held on October 5 and 6. The plant located in the Columbus Industrial Park produces 25,000 tons a year of 40 different types of animal feed. Located on an 11-acre site, the 20,000 square foot building includes an office, mill, warehouse and an all-weather truck and rail loading facilities.

Twenty one students from Columbus and vicinity are attending the Madison Area Vocational School with a total enrollment of 2,100 students in the new district.

1977

New owners of the Country Inn, south of Columbus on Highway 151, are the Jan and Hadi Pankow family.

The Columbus City Council will consider a request for the capping of all city parking meters for a trial period.

1987

Board of Directors of the 1987-88 United Fund included Dennis Breslow, Doug Beard, D.D. Mortimer, Fred Lueders, Ruth Nordal, Claire Sampolinski, and Deb Chase.

Arlene Mae Schumann and Bonnie Miles were honored with awards for 20 and 10 years of service respectively at Schumann Printers.

1997

The Columbus Fire Department debuted its new 100-foot aerial fire truck at the Columbus High Schools homecoming game. The state of the art aerial platform can hold 1,000 lbs. at angles from 5 to 75 degrees.

Bonnet Prairie Lutheran Church of rural Rio celebrates its 150th anniversary on Oct. 19. The Bonnet Prairie Congregation was established March 28, 1947 with the first service taking place under a large oak tree near the present site of the stone church building, which was built in 1867.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's health secretary resigned Friday, after his costly travel triggered investigations that overshadowed the administration's agenda and angered his boss. Tom Price's regrets and partial repayment couldn't save his job.

The Health and Human Services secretary became the first member of the president's Cabinet to be pushed out in a turbulent young administration that has seen several high-ranking White House aides ousted. A former GOP congressman from the Atlanta suburbs, Price served just eight months.

Publicly, Trump had said he was "not happy" with Price for repeatedly using private charter aircraft for official trips on the taxpayer's dime, when cheaper commercial flights would have done in many cases.

Privately, Trump has been telling associates in recent days that his health chief had become a distraction and was overshadowing his tax overhaul agenda and undermining his campaign promise to "drain the swamp" of corruption, according to three people familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The flap prompted scrutiny of other Cabinet members' travel, as the House Oversight and Government Reform committee launched a governmentwide investigation of top political appointees. Other department heads have been scrambling to explain their own travel.

Price's repayment of $51,887.31 for his own travel costs and his public expression of regrets did not placate the White House. The total travel cost, including the secretary's entourage, was unclear. It could amount to several hundred thousand dollars.

An orthopedic surgeon turned politician, Price rose to Budget Committee chairman in the House, where he was known as a fiscal conservative. When Price joined the administration, Trump touted him as a conservative policy expert who could write a new health care bill to replace the Obama-era Affordable Care Act.

But Price became more of a supporting player in the GOP's futile health care campaign, while Vice President Mike Pence took the lead, particularly in dealing with the Senate. The perception of Price jetting around while GOP lawmakers labored to repeal "Obamacare" including a three-nation trip in May to Africa and Europe raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill. Price flew on military aircraft overseas.

Although much of Trump's ire over the health care failure has been aimed at the Republican-controlled Congress, associates of the president said he also assigns some blame to Price, who he believes did not do a good job of selling the GOP plan.

A Pence protege, Seema Verma, has been mentioned as a possible successor to Price. Verma already leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which runs health insurance programs that cover more than 130 million Americans.

Another possible HHS candidate: FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who won some bipartisan support in his confirmation and is well known in policy, government and industry circles.

Trump named Don J. Wright, a deputy assistant secretary of health, to serve as acting secretary.

Price, 62, was seen in Congress as a foe of wasteful spending. As HHS secretary, he led a $1 trillion department whose future is the key to managing mounting federal budgetary deficits. As secretary, Price criticized the Medicaid health program for low-income people, saying it doesn't deliver results commensurate with the hundreds of billions of dollars taxpayers spend on it. As a congressman, he favored Medicare privatization.

But Price's image as a budget hawk took a hit when reports of his official travel started bubbling up. Price used private charter flights on 10 trips with multiple segments, when in many cases cheaper commercial flights were available. His charter travel was first reported by the news site Politico.

On a trip in June to Nashville, Tennessee, Price also had lunch with his son, who lives in that city, according to Politico. Another trip was from Dulles International Airport in the Washington suburbs to Philadelphia International Airport, a distance of 135 miles.

The reports triggered a review by the HHS inspector general's office, which is looking into whether Price's travel violated federal travel regulations. Those rules generally require officials to minimize costs.

The controversy over Price was a catalyst for Congress launching a bipartisan probe of travel by political appointees across the administration. The House oversight committee has requested travel records from the White House and 24 federal departments and agencies.

Initially, Price's office said the secretary's busy scheduled forced him to use charters from time to time.

But later Price's response changed, and he said he'd heard the criticism and concern, and taken it to heart. His office said it would cooperate fully with investigators and he'd cease using charter flights while the inspector general investigated. Finally, he offered regrets and a repayment of his own costs, and said he'd stick to commercial flights.

Trump on Friday called Price a "very fine person," but added, "I certainly don't like the optics."
A Sun Prairie man is facing up to 25 years in prison after an arrest by an undercover agent Tuesday, accused of dealing cocaine in the town of Arlington.

Antjuan Redmond, 27, is charged with three felony counts of manufacturing and delivery of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of methamphetamine.

The defendant delivered 1.7 grams of cocaine to an undercover agent for $200 and had another 2.7 grams in his vehicle, and packaging and methamphetamine in his pocket, District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said at Redmonds bond hearing in Columbia County Circuit Court in the town of Arlington.

Redmond was arrested late Tuesday afternoon when, according to court documents, he met an undercover agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justice who had reportedly made an arrangement to buy from Redmond $100 of cocaine and $100 of heroin at the All Stop Mobil station.

Leading up to the meeting, Redmond and the agent were in contact as Redmond allegedly explained that he was unable to deliver the heroin, but could to provide cocaine worth $200. The agent and Redmond met, parking next to each other in the stations parking lot, followed by deputies with the Columbia County Sheriffs Office converging on Redmonds vehicle.

Redmond was taken into custody and a search of the vehicle turned up additional cocaine, a .40 caliber bullet, two cellular phones and $200 in cash. When Redmond was searched, officers reported finding methamphetamine in his pants pocket.

Following Kohlweys recommendation of a $5,000 cash bond, defense attorney Amanda Riek requested a more manageable amount of $750, explaining that Redmond had been on probation over the past year and was on a probation hold following his arrest.

In 2012, Redmond was sentenced to nine months in jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor intimidation, coming after a string of convictions in Dane County relating to thefts and burglaries beginning in 2007.

Obviously given the nature of the allegations, everyone agrees that a significant cash bond is appropriate, said Judge W. Andrew Voigt. In this case, given what we are talking about, I am going to order a $1,000 cash bond.

Redmond is scheduled to next appear in court for a Jan. 5 return hearing.
Students at Merrimac Community Charter School are working as junior scientists as they help tag and track monarch butterflies this school year.

The students are learning from a curriculum through Monarch Watch, a cooperative network of students, teachers, volunteers and researchers dedicated to the study of the Monarch butterfly.

Merrimac teacher Jenna McCann said the school starts with the study of monarchs every year.

We start with caterpillars and chrysalises, McCann said. Its something the whole school can participate in. And its just a good way to start the year.

This year they decided to take things a little further by introducing the students to the process of tagging for migration through Monarch Watch.

These scientists at Monarch Watch have been gathering data for years to learn about their migration and tracking it, McCann said. It helps to keep tabs on the Monarchs population.

In real estate its location, location, location and for monarchs and other wildlife, its habitat, habitat, habitat, said Chip Taylor, Director of Monarch Watch stated in a news release on monarchwatch.org.

The program began in 1992 as an outreach program to engage the public in studies of monarchs and is now concentrating on the species conservation efforts.

Taylor said while the U.S. has a lot of habitat, its rapidly declining due to development at a rate of 6,000 acres per day. Chemicals such as herbicides used along roadsides and other places rich with monarchs, pollinators and other wildlife are turning into grass-filled landscapes that support very few species.

In addition, the adoption of genetically-modified soybeans and corn have further reduced monarch habitat.

If these trends continue, monarchs are certain to decline, threatening the very existence of their magnificent migration, Taylor said.

McCann said the tagging process involves putting a little sticker on the butterfly, and each tag has an email and ID code.

Old ones from like 10-20 years ago had mailing address on them, McCann said. Then wed fill out an accompanying data sheet, indicating whether the butterfly was male or female, what day we let it go, where we let it go, etc.

The data sheet will then be sent to Monarch Watch.

Were having kids be student scientists, McCann said. This is one thing kids can do and be part of gathering data and help protect a species.

Monarch Watch is based out of the University of Kansas. Typically, a Monarch butterfly will migrate to Mexico, winter there, reproduce and eventually die.

The butterflies that return in the spring are actually the grandchildren of the ones we let go, McCann said. There are protected sanctuaries.

The data collected by Monarch Watch will help scientists with data that could tell more about the species flight pattern and what possible impact weather has on its migration, in addition to other key findings.

Merrimac students such as Astrid Thompson like to see the Monarchs fly.

My favorite part about doing the Monarch project was when they flew away and started their flight to Mexico, Thompson said.

In addition to tagging and migration tracking, the school recently got its monarch habitat certified by Monarch Watch. Merrimacs butterfly habitat includes milkweed, nectar plants and other things butterflies need.

Monarchs migrate in the spring and fall, McCann said. Now they can stop here and have everything they need.

McCann said participating in the Monarch project seemed especially important this year with the significant population loss reported.

We have their curriculum; its called Monarchs in the Classroom, McCann said. Theres so much we could do. Its nice that they make it accessible for teachers and citizen-scientists who want to help.
A suspected bank robber was taken into custody by Lake Delton police the morning of Sept. 28 without incident following a brief standoff at a village apartment complex.

Alex Melton, suspected in the robbery of a Sun Prairie bank the afternoon of Sept. 27, was apprehended at 10:50 a.m. at the Arbor Glen Apartments near County Road A in Lake Delton. He was booked into Sauk County Jail on an outstanding felony warrant pending charges connected to the bank robbery, according to village Police Chief Daniel Hardman.

Acting on a tip that Melton had been seen crawling into the window of an Arbor Glen apartment unit, Lake Delton police established a perimeter at the complex and were joined by units from the Wisconsin Dells Police Department, Sauk County Sheriffs Office and Wisconsin State.

Officers quickly located Melton inside another unit, and Lake Delton Detective Lucas Killick contacted the suspect on his cell phone and negotiated a peaceful surrender.

Detective Killick talked him out of the apartment, and he was taken into custody without incident, Hardman said.

Lake Delton Police Sgt. Steve Smith managed the multi-agency effort, which Hardman called good police work.

Im proud of my guys for the swift work, and Im really happy with the teamwork with all the outlying agencies who came to assist, Hardman said. Interagency cooperation is really important in solving crimes, and this is another example of it.

Some of the money taken in the robbery also was recovered at the scene, Hardman said.

Melton is suspected of walking into the Bank of Sun Prairie at approximately 4:30 p.m. Sept. 27 and passing a note to a teller demanding money.

The suspect then ran across the street from the bank into an Aldi Food Market, and local police surrounded the building before determining he was no longer in that building. Authorities believed he might end up in the Dells-Delton area, where he reportedly resides.

A person matching the suspects description was seen by a Lake Delton police officer earlier in the morning of Sept. 28, but that person fled on foot.

A tip to Lake Delton police regarding Meltons possible whereabouts came in at approximately 10:50 a.m., Hardman said.
W&M hosting conference on race, memory and digital humanities

Keynote speaker Gabrielle Foreman of the University of Delaware (left), is co-founder of the Colored Conventions Project, which won the best electronic resource prize from the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association. She will deliver the conference's closing keynote speech on Saturday, Oct. 28. Courtesy University of Delaware

Pamela Z Media artist Pamela Z, a composer and performer, will conduct an artists talk at 10:15 a.m. Friday then perform at 7:30 that night at the universitys Ewell Hall. Photo by rubra (courtesy of Ars Electronica) Photo - of - Hide Caption

Elizabeth Losh, associate professor of American studies and English at William & Mary, recently wrote that from digitizing records on slavery, colonialism and 19th-century political organizing by free and fugitive Blacks to composing Afro-futurist science fiction, digital music, and hashtag activism, the contributions of scholars of African-American history and culture to the digital humanities have been significant.

To explore and celebrate those contributions, William & Marys Equality Lab will host a conference titled Race, Memory, and the Digital Humanities from Oct. 26 to 28. Losh, who specializes in digital journalism, electronic literature, and gender and digital culture, said the event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The deadline to register is Oct. 6.

Among those supporting the event, which is part of the universitys 50th anniversary commemoration of African-American residential students, are Kate Conley, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Dennis Manos, Vice Provost for Research and Graduate/Professional Studies, the American studies program, the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, the Sharpe Community Scholars program, the departments of English and History and W&M Libraries.

Panels and roundtables scheduled include sessions on Race, Digital Humanities, and the Region, Trust, Memorialization, and Community Participation, Colonial and Postcolonial Digital Humanities, American Studies and Digital Humanities, and Queer Digital Humanities.

Jessica Marie Johnson, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, and P. Gabrielle Foreman, professor of English, history and Africana studies at the University of Delaware, will deliver opening and closing keynote addresses.

Johnson is the author of Black Women, Intimacy, and Kinship in New Orleans Atlantic World. A curatrix of the African Diaspora Ph.D. blog and co-organizer of the Queering Slavery Working Group, she explores ways digital and social media disseminate and create historical narratives, in particular, comparative histories of slavery and people of African descent.

She will focus on the ways enslaved and free people of African descent developed their own technologies for fighting slavery stereotypes and how those technologies impact modern black digital practice.

Foreman has published extensively on issues of race and reform in the 19th century with a focus on the past's continuing hold on todays world. She is the author of several books and editions including Activist Sentiments: Reading Black Women in the Nineteenth Century .

She will focus on the claims for justice by 19th-century Black Americans who, from 1830 until 35 years after the Civil War, organized state and national Colored Conventions in which they advocated for educational rights, labor equity and voting and civil rights.

In addition to the keynote speakers, Marcia Chatelain of the Ferguson Syllabus will speak. In 2014, Chatelain, associate professor of History and African-American Studies at Georgetown University, organized fellow scholars in a social media campaign  #FergusonSyllabus  in response to events in Ferguson, Missouri, where protests roiled for weeks after Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer.

The campaign has led to similar initiatives online and has shaped curricular projects in K-12 settings, as well as academia. She is the author of South Side Girls: Growing up in the Great Migration.

Among the other highlights of the conference will be two appearances by Pamela Z, a composer, performer and media artist who makes solo works combining a wide range of vocal techniques with electronic processing, samples, gesture-activated MIDI controllers and video. Her work has been presented at venues and exhibitions including Bang on a Can, the Japan Interlink Festival, Other Minds the Venice Biennale and the Dakar Biennale.

Z will conduct an artists talk at 10:15 a.m. Friday then perform at 7:30 that night at the universitys Ewell Hall.

W&M faculty participating in the conference are Kara Thompson, assistant professor of English and American studies; Leisa Meyer, director of American studies and professor of gender, sexuality and womens studies; Karin Wulf, director of the Omohundro Institute; Hermine Pinson, professor of English and Africana studies; Hannah Rosen, associate professor of history and American studies and Jacquelyn McLendon, founding director of black studies and professor of English, emerita.

We are very fortunate to have some of the countrys foremost scholars on race and digital technology coming to this conference, Losh said. I am certain this will be a robust, lively and informative three-day conversation open to the public.




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Palisades to operate to 2022

29 September 2017

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Entergy Corporation has reversed its December 2016 decision to close the Palisades nuclear power plant in 2018, the company announced yesterday. The Michigan plant will now operate under an existing power purchase agreement (PPA) with Consumers Energy until the spring of 2022.

Palisades (Image: Palisades Power)

The earlier decision to close the single-unit 798 MWe pressurised water reactor plant was linked to the early termination of the PPA, which had been due to expire in 2022. The closure decision, and the termination of the PPA, were both subject to regulatory approvals.

The Michigan Public Service Commission on 22 September approved Consumers Energy's request to the early termination of the PPA, but granted it recovery of only $136.6 million of the $172 million it had requested for the buyout. Palisades site vice president Charlie Arnone said the two parties have agreed to terminate the buyout transaction in light of the commission's decision.

"We greatly appreciate the continued patience of our employees and the local community in Southwest Michigan throughout this regulatory process, and we will continue to focus on the plants safe and reliable operations," Arnone said, adding that Entergy will continue to "make all necessary investments and maintain appropriate staffing" at the plant in accordance with licensing standards.

Palisades was built by Consumers Energy and was connected to the grid in December 1971. Entergy purchased the plant in 2007 for a total of $380 million - $242 million for the plant itself, $83 million for nuclear fuel stocks and $55 million for other assets such as spare parts. At the same time, it entered into the PPA committing it to selling back the plant's output to Consumers Energy until April 2022, a period of 15 years.

By December 2016 the two companies had decided the remaining cost of the Palisades PPA was higher than the projected costs of purchasing energy on the market. This led to their agreement to terminate the PPA in 2018, with Consumers Energy compensating Entergy for the early termination. Upon termination of the contract, Entergy would shut down Palisades in October 2018. At the time, Entergy estimated that closure of Palisades would result in expected savings of $344 million between 2018 and 2022.

Entergy's generating portfolio includes ten nuclear units in seven states. The company is committed to a strategy of exiting the merchant nuclear power business, in which the short-term nature of deregulated electricity markets, coupled with competition from low-cost gas and federally subsidised wind power, have left some otherwise well-performing US nuclear plants at risk of premature closure for economic reasons.

Palisades is currently licensed to operate until 2031 and is the smallest of Michigan's three operating nuclear power plants. The others are the two-unit DC Cook, owned and operated by American Electric Power, and DTE Energy's single-unit Fermi 2, operated by Detroit Edison.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

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Tianwan 3 attains first criticality

29 September 2017

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Unit 3 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China's Jiangsu province today attained a sustained chain reaction for the first time. The Russian-supplied VVER-1000 is scheduled to enter commercial operation next year.

Tianwan unit 3 (Image: CNNC)

Following approval to load fuel into the unit by China's National Nuclear Safety Administration on 9 August, the process to load a total of 163 fuel assemblies got under way on 18 August. This process was completed ahead of schedule, Russian state nuclear company Rosatom noted.

The start-up process began at 7.27pm on 27 September, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said, with the reactor achieving criticality at 1.51am today.

A series of critical tests will now be carried out at Tianwan 3, after which the unit will start producing power and grid connection tests will be carried out on the turbo-generators. Following that, a series of commissioning tests will be conducted at the unit, including a load test run and other relevant testing before entering full-power demonstration operation. The unit is expected to be connected to the grid by the end of this year, with commercial operation planned to begin next year.

Tianwan 3 and 4 are AES-91 VVER-1000 units designed by Gidropress and supplied by Rosatom. AtomStroyExport is the main contractor, supplying the nuclear island. First concrete for unit 3 was poured in December 2012, while construction of unit 4 began in September 2013. Two similar VVER-1000 reactors (units 1 and 2) began operating at the site in 2007.

Valery Limarenko, president of Russia's ASE Group, said: "Today has seen a key event in the construction of the second phase of the Tianwan plant. Tianwan unit 3 has been brought to the minimum controlled level of power, to be followed by the power start-up of the reactor."

He added, "This demonstrates that the first two units we constructed in cooperation with Chinese colleagues are being recognised as among the best in the country. At Tianwan, we introduced our state-of-the-art developments and technologies in the field of nuclear power and construction management. We hope that the second phase of the Tianwan plant will also serve the Chinese people effectively, thus strengthening cooperation between our countries."

The State Council gave its approval for the third phase of the Tianwan plant (units 5 and 6) - both featuring Chinese-designed 1080 MWe ACPR1000 reactors - on 16 December 2015. First safety-related concrete was poured for unit 5 later that month and for unit 6 in September 2016. Unit 5 is expected to enter commercial operation in December 2020 and unit 6 in October 2021.

The Tianwan plant is owned and operated by Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation, a joint venture between CNNC (50%), China Power Investment Corporation (30%) and Jiangsu Guoxin Group (20%).

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by World Nuclear News

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Nuclear regulators debate new challenges

29 September 2017

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International cooperation is high in the nuclear industry, but harmonising regulatory processes remains a challenge, delegates heard at the World Nuclear Association's annual symposium held in London recently. In addition, regulatory bodies face new tasks - licensing advanced reactor technologies, enhancing public confidence and assisting newcomer countries.

The regulators panel at the symposium (Image: World Nuclear Association)

The symposium's first-ever regulators panel, which took place on 15 September, was chaired by Ho Nieh, head of the Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation at the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). It included Christer Viktorsson, director-general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) in the United Arab Emirates; Marc Leblanc, commission secretary at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC); Richard Savage, chief nuclear inspector at the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR); Petteri Tiippana, director-general of Finland's STUK; and Alexey Ferapontov, deputy chairman of Russia's Rostechnadzor.

Nieh said: "We've witnessed over the last decade an evolution in the nuclear energy landscape. We saw a period of renaissance in the mid-2000s to the recent downturn in nuclear expansion and new-build activity. Nevertheless, in other parts of the world, nuclear expansion and new entrant activities are still on track and what has remained constant in this period is the need for competent, credible and independent regulation. In combination with the good overall safety performance of the nuclear industry, strong regulators play an essential role in building the trust of government policymakers and also of the public.

"The nuclear supply chain is very international and today we see a very high level of international cooperation among the industry as well as among regulatory bodies, and between the industry and regulators. Programs such as MDEP [Multinational Design Evaluation Program] have been very effective in leveraging resources to have more effective regulatory reviews and, also, to help harmonisation of regulatory practices and standards. Other organisations, like NEA and the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] have many programs to facilitate international cooperation between governments. The NEA has a committee in nuclear regulatory activity, which helps regulators come together to solve problems with practical solutions."

New nuclear versus upgrades

In 2015 and 2016, 20 new nuclear power reactors started supplying electricity. Around 10 GWe of new nuclear capacity was added to the grid each year, which is a higher amount than seen over the preceding 25 years. But the World Nuclear Association's latest Fuel Report projections, released during the symposium, suggest that - unless action is taken - the pace of growth in nuclear generation will slow.

One of the success stories for new build is the UAE.

South Korea's first APR1400 unit entered commercial operation in December 2015, while four such reactors are due to start up at Barakah in Abu Dhabi, by 2020. The Barakah plant is being built for Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) by a consortium led by the Korean Electric Power Company (Kepco). Barakah 1 is in the commissioning phase and Viktorsson said FANR expects to issue an operating licence for the unit next year.

Canada, however, has seen upgrades in favour of new build.

About 16% of Canada's electricity comes from nuclear power, with 19 reactors mostly in Ontario providing 13.5 GWe of capacity. All are Candu (Canada deuterium uranium) reactors. The country had plans to expand its nuclear capacity over the next decade by building two more new reactors, but these have been deferred.

Leblanc noted that Canada is "facing a lot of uncertainties" when it comes to new nuclear power plants. After many years of the Nimby (not in my back yard) attitude, the need for a 'social licence' is "very much in the limelight", he said.

"Much of the focus in Canada since Fukushima has not been on new build, but rather on refurbishment, decommissioning, waste management and now small modular reactors. The issue of severe accident and emergency management has also been at the forefront," he said.

Point Lepreau completed refurbishment two years ago; Bruce, one of the largest nuclear facilities in the world, has refurbished four units and has now applied to refurbish its other four; the Darlington facility has already started the refurbishment of the first of four units; and the CNSC last month received an application for the renewal of the Pickering facility until 2028 - eight years beyond its scheduled closure date.

The UK has 15 reactors generating about 21% of its electricity but almost half of this capacity is to be retired by 2025. One is a pressurised water reactor (PWR), while the rest are all advanced gas-cooled reactors.

The first of some 19 GWe of new-generation plants is expected to be online by 2025. EDF Energy and China General Nuclear are building two EPRs at Hinkley Point C in Somerset and plan to build new plants at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex, the latter using Chinese reactor technology; Horizon Nuclear Power - the UK subsidiary of Japan's Hitachi - plans to deploy the UK ABWR (advanced boiling water reactor) at two sites - Wylfa Newydd, which is on the Isle of Anglesey, and Oldbury-on-Severn, in South Gloucestershire; NuGeneration (NuGen) - the UK joint venture between Japan's Toshiba and France's Engie - plans to build a nuclear power plant of up to 3.8 GWe gross capacity at Moorside, in West Cumbria using AP1000 nuclear reactor technology provided by Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba.

Savage said the UK program is "busy, challenging, inspiring and changing".

"Construction at Hinkley Point C has started, we issued a licence back in 2012. This year, in March, the AP1000 completed the Generic Design Assessment (GDA). The UK ABWR is nearing the end of the GDA process and is on scheduled for completion at the end of the year. And the UK HPR1000 entered the process earlier this year and is scheduled to complete around 2021," he said.

Finland has four nuclear reactors, providing nearly 30% of its electricity, while a fifth reactor is under construction and another is planned. This will take the nuclear contribution to about 60% and replace coal. Loviisa and Olkiluoto use, respectively, VVER-440/V-213e and BWR technology.

Tiippana said he expects an operating licence will be issued next year for Olkiluoto 3, which is an EPR.

Russia has 35 operating reactors of the following designs: VVER-440/230, VVER-440/213, VVER-1000 and VVER-1200 PWR; RBMK light water graphite reactor; graphite-moderated BWR reactor; and BN-600 and BN-800 fast neutron. It also has over 20 nuclear power reactors confirmed or planned for export construction.

Ferapontov said the symposium was one of only a few opportunities for regulators and industry to discuss the various aspects of harmonisation of regulatory processes.

"In Russia, there is strong interaction between the industry and the regulatory body and we can find this in TK322," he said. TK322 is the Technical Committee for standardisation of nuclear engineering, which is a forum for Rostechnadzor, Rosstandart (the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology) and Rosatom, the state nuclear corporation.

Harmonised regulatory processes

The World Nuclear Association's working group on Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing (CORDEL) promotes the achievement of a worldwide regulatory and industry environment where internationally accepted standardised reactor designs can be widely deployed without major design changes, except those dictated by site specific and minor local necessities.

Nieh asked the panel about the World Nuclear Association's Harmony initiative, which includes the aim of harmonised regulatory processes.

Tiippana, who is chairman of the MDEP Policy Group, said the industry has "a lot of expectation" for harmonised licensing. Administered by the NEA, MDEP is a program through which national regulators are working to share technical data and standardise regulations and practices in order to avoid duplication of work.

"The bad news first: to have an international licence for nuclear power plants so that, for example, a licence in Russia could be used in other countries, we are pretty far from that," Tiippana said. "But what we can do in MDEP is enhance our cooperation in design licence reviews."

MDEP has recently decided to establish a "specific working group on the Chinese design", he said, which "can model ways of working together on technical issues". It has also decided to "document the review results more systematically and thoroughly in future", he added. "That documentation will certainly help new countries making their own licensing of a design," he said.

MDEP's "bottom-up approach" to assessing the technical differences between reactor designs, whether these are raised by customers or regulators, leads to "common positions that have an impact when we update the regulatory plans".

MDEP feeds its findings to different organisations that have a role in setting safety standards, such as the IAEA, he said, but MDEP "could do better on the interface between regulatory codes and standards" and on enhancing its cooperation with industry.

Viktorsson said FANR welcomes sharing experience with regulators from other countries.

When the UAE government established FANR in 2009, it stressed that it must adhere to the "transparency principle", he said, which includes interaction with the international community. The second condition is to use the highest safety, security and non-proliferation standards, on which FANR works with the IAEA and other "recognised and developed" regulatory bodies, he said, to "build a national capacity" to manage the UAE's nuclear program.

FANR signed agreements with the ONR and CNSC during the IAEA's 61st General Conference held in Vienna last week. The 'information exchange arrangement' signed with the ONR aims to exchange information on matters related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It covers legislation, regulations, licences as well as construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear installations. The agreement with the CNSC covers the exchange of safety and regulatory-related information. This includes the regulatory aspects of the safety and security of nuclear power plants and sources of radiation, safety-related research in connection with licensing, and regulatory control of nuclear facilities and other aspects.

It is essential for a regulator to "avoid surprises", Viktorsson said, and so FANR uses IAEA safety and security standards, requirements and recommendations as the bases for its legally binding regulations.

FANR also studied international best practice among other regulators, which led to its adoption of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) 'standard review plan', which NRC staff use when reviewing proposed licensing actions.

"This is a very transparent way of analysing and demonstrating safety for a dialogue with the industry," Viktorsson said.

FANR put more than 1000 questions to Enec before it issued a construction licence for the Barakah plant, he noted. "Everything is documented, which is important for us because we have to transfer the knowledge to the next generation," he said. "In the operating licence phase, where we are now, we have 1600 questions and we are at the end, so I would say that we have succeeded extremely well in this dialogue. Moreover, we haven't delayed construction because the licensing process is going in parallel with the construction," he said. FANR's "two-step licensing process" enables construction to start while it finalises the design and works on issuing the operating licence.

"We have worked extensively in the atmosphere of MDEP, and worked with the Koreans and the NRC because it had already certified the basics of the reactor design and the Koreans developed this further for Shin Kori 3 and 4. We have learnt from them all," he said. "This has allowed us to focus on site-specific things, on the other challenges that we've faced to build a power plant in the specific environment that the UAE presents. These have included design modifications with the electrical system and with cooling," he added.

Two particular challenges FANR faces, he said, are the "long supply chain" and "operational readiness". FANR and Enec "need to work together more" on ensuring that the "safety message gets through to everyone in the supply chain", he said. In May last year, Enec established Nawah Energy Company to operate and maintain Barakah units 1-4. FANR is working with Nawah to "make sure they understand our requirements for operational readiness", he added.

The ONR's Savage said there is a "considerable degree" of standardisation in the nuclear industry, "but this really exists in terms of design safety outcomes". He added: "We stopped short of the standardised regulation of reactor designs."

He outlined three essential steps in the ONR's approach. "The government will need to be convinced that the benefits more than compensate the costs. What I mean by that is harmonised approaches in some way either delivering better standards or cheaper plants and that will need to be offset against a loss, or perceived loss, of potentially national decision-making ability. Secondly, the public will want to see what might this mean to bring better standards and security. Some might be persuaded by cheaper electricity. There's a need for coherent argument in the public domain explaining the benefits of a move to an increased harmonised approach. And thirdly, the regulator really has a key role to play because its staff are independent advisors into government and are trusted with the public."

He added: "As a regulator, I need to be convinced about the net benefit to safety and security, but you can move forward in steps and say, harmonisations could be large and small. In the UK, we have some good experience - our safety assessment principles are benchmarked against IAEA standards. The position statements out of MDEP are really good steps. Inter-regulator stress tests, corporate and peer reviews are all good harmonisation steps."

Licensing new technologies

The panel also discussed how advanced technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), may offer an opportunity for regulators to work together.

Ferapontov said Rostechnadzor and Rosatom aim to "finalise the first steps" in new regulations on lead-cooled fast reactors by the end of 2018/beginning of 2019. With SMRs, he said, "we must take into account those organisations that have no experience of building nuclear facilities" because it will be a "challenge for regulators to prepare them for working with SMRs".

Tiippana said the IAEA is working now on safety standards for SMRs and that MDEP is waiting for these. SMRs offer the possibility for harmonisation among regulators, he added.

Nieh added that there have "already been conversations between designers and regulators" and that there is a "need to ensure regulatory frameworks can be ready, rather than stopping for change".

SMRs are "small miracle reactors", Leblanc said, "given all the hope that's being put into their success, but I'm a regulator and what I really want to know is the obstacles to licensing them."

He added: "There are several indicators that all regulators should get ready for deployment of advanced reactor technologies. Over the last few years, there has been significant interest from the industry and governments on the deployment of SMRs. Specifically, reactor vendors have approached the CNSC to better understand our requirements and expectations, and the licensing process in Canada."

To date, seven vendors have applied to the Canadian regulator for vendor design reviews for SMRs. Utilities have "expressed interest" in either purchasing large SMRs or a series of SMRs, he said, while some operators have been "active in providing advice to vendors and to us". And just recently Canadian Nuclear Laboratories "issued a request for expression of interest in relation to SMRs with the stated intent to host R&D services and a prototype demonstration facility within the next ten years," he said. CNSC has received more than 70 indications of interests from vendors and suppliers.

The key, Leblanc said, is to "do of all this early in the design process" because, for a regulator, advanced reactors present "very different challenges".

"The obvious difference is that they are technologically different - they claim to make benefits and improvements in safety performance, but to do so they introduce a significant number of novelties. Some of these are often common to other industries, but not necessarily to reactors - for example, the extensive use of automation. New coolants, such as molten metal, sodium, gas for molten fuels, are being proposed and in many cases, they are looking at extensive use of passive features and a level of integration of all these innovations results in significant challenges in modelling and demonstrating the safety case, which is really key to us.

"The second area is approaches to deployment because the proposals are in many cases different. For instance, reduced staffing or remotely operated reactors; transportable or relocatable reactor concepts; security by design, meaning unmanned; and different fleets of reactors presenting challenges on licensing. There are construction challenges in terms of the licensing approach for a demonstration reactor. What about reproducibility, meaning using the same technology again and again. And licensed to operate challenges in terms of the management system, the minimum shift complement, increased use of automation, and financial guarantees."

Lack of opex



Historically, the regulatory framework has evolved alongside technologies, and there will necessarily be a shift back to this approach, he said.

"This is not limited to Canada. Early reactor designs were informed by the science and the experience of the day. At that time, at the beginning, more reliance was given to professional judgement. The tools were good, but they were quite elementary. Safety margins were large due to uncertainties in the modelling. And regulations were mostly objective-based. Opex was either not available or quite limited," he said.

"As the next generation of reactors was produced, the regulatory frameworks evolved as opex was acquired. Regulatory requirements became more prescriptive and specific to the technologies. In Canada, we're very good with the Candu, but we have had major challenges with all the other technologies. And for the designers and operators this resulted in more regulatory uncertainty.

"Today, with respect to advanced reactor technologies, we may be back to the past. We are being faced with a situation where opex again is limited. We are then faced with challenges on modelling capability. Now the question is to what extent we need to go back to objective-based rather than prescriptive regulations," he said.

The CNSC plans to produce a report on developing a licence application guide for SMRs in the next few weeks. It is also developing an internal committee to provide senior management leadership to set the foundation for the regulation of advanced modular reactors.

"So, even though we are going to be objective-based, we're going to provide some certainty by publishing a regulatory guide on how to apply for a licence for SMRs. This will be part of our 58 such regulatory documents that cover the whole spectrum of our regulatory activities. This is down from 280 documents a few years ago, so we are really trying to streamline the regulatory process," he said.

Public confidence

The Pickering licensing process, expected in the spring and summer of next year, "promises to be the most controversial in Canada", Leblanc said, not least because of the age of the facility. The plant's eights units were built between 1971 and 1986.

The transparency of the regulator is therefore key, he said.

"Tens of billions of dollars will be spent in Canada in the coming years to modernise and refurbish the existing facilities, but new build projects are currently on the shelf. The Commission, as a quasi-judicial and administrative tribunal and regulatory organisation, has been a very transparent regulator since its creation," he said. "It continues to conduct public hearings and meeting where members of the public, indigenous people, environmental groups, industrial associations, labour unions and academics can participate in the environmental assessment and licensing decisions."

Savage said public confidence and trust are "vital to a sustainable and productive nuclear sector".

This requires three things: a responsible industry with robust internal regulation; a strong and independent regulator; and having an informed public. This is the "triple-lock", he said.

"Openness doesn't necessarily mean transparency. Putting as much information into the public domain as possible can actually make it more opaque and harder to understand. True transparency is not only making things available but also presenting it in a language that is accessible. It's also about answering the public's questions," he said.

"On the matter of the industry or regulator being the advocate - if you're doing building work at home, the recommendation of a friend goes a long way. There's something about advocates and this is very much in ONRs consciousness because one of our strategic themes is to inspire a climate of stakeholder trust, respect and confidence. So, it's very much in our DNA, in our regulatory focus, and we do have a policy of publicly disclosing information about our activities and we have direct engagements with the public."

FANR introduced a "transparency principle", Viktorsson said, because "we can see there is a lot of curiosity about the benefits and risks of nuclear power, about what FANR is doing in order to protect the public".

It holds meetings for the public and for the industry around the UAE and this practice "will need to continue the closer we get to operation because of the more questions we will probably get", he said. "The government stakeholders are well informed because they are key - they have a lot of influence on the public. And we have a lot of MOUs with many national organisations, including customs, defence, security and environmental agencies, and the health authorities, in order to promote the notion that FANR is there to ensure safety."

Assisting newcomers

Newcomer countries "must realise the importance of having the necessary infrastructure", Ferapantov said, and a key area of this is a robust regulatory safety system. "Practice shows that it is impossible to do this without studying the experience of countries with an existing nuclear infrastructure and regulatory framework," he added.

The IAEA's Regulatory Cooperation Forum is performing essential work, he said, to coordinate efforts to support national regulators as they take their first practical steps towards creating the right conditions for overseeing the safety of a new nuclear power program, he said.

It is crucial, he added, that a regulator with no previous experience of nuclear power plant licensing and the various stages of the nuclear lifecycle "pays special attention" to regulatory authorities in the country supplying the technology on everything from licensing and assessing the safety of a reactor design, to construction and operation.

Rostechnadzor is "fully involved", for example in assisting regulatory authorities in Bangladesh and Belarus, where Rosatom has new-build projects.

Viktorsson stressed how the UAE government had required a "reference plant", meaning a reactor design that had been licensed before by a recognised regulator and which had already been put into operation.

"This has been done with the APR1400," he said, "and we developed a system where we have a secondee in our office who is the link between us and KINS [Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety] and NNSC [Nuclear Safety and Security Commission]."

South Korea's APR1400 advanced PWR design gained design certification by KINS in 2003. Kepco and KHNP then began the process of seeking US regulatory approval for the design in 2013 and the NRC accepted their application in March 2015.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The adult and community learning school in Tallahassee had a lot to celebrate Thursday.

Students at the ACE Adult and Community Learning School were welcomed their new school Thursday with a ribbon cutting.

The new school is at Appleyard Drive right beside Lively Technical School.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna said that decision was a sound decision because students can leave ACE and go right over to their vocational training.

Two students were selected to cut the ribbon along with Hanna. They said that the teachers selected those students from their biggest programs, GED and ESOL, which teaches English as a second language.

Both students said that ACE has not only helped them grow academically, but also helped them grow as a person.

"It's really helpful," said Jameeal Pye, a GED student. "They understand you as soon as you come in the door. The teachers, they are so helpful."

There are 11 locations plus online school and about 2,000 students per year are learning thanks to ACE.

ACE offers a variety of services in the community. If you'd like to find out more or even volunteer with any of them, dial 850-717-2020.
MACON, Ga. (AP) - The body of a man shot in the head and left on a remote dirt road between Forsyth and Gray 33 years ago has been identified as a missing Florida man.

The Telegraph reported that a DNA analysis of the mans remains, completed earlier this year, matched that of William Maholland, who was reported missing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in June 1984.

Maholland, who was 28, is thought to have been killed a month earlier and dumped in Jones County, nearly 600 miles north of his hometown. A fisherman found the body in the Oconee National Forest.

Investigators suspected that the man was from out of town because of his Bermuda shorts and a belt with swordfish on it. Authorities estimated that he had been dead about a week.

The case went cold in 1987. Jones County sheriffs investigator Earl Humphries thought the chances of identifying the slain man were slim.

You dont ever give up hope, Humphries said.

In 2006, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation exhumed the mans body and collected DNA.

At some point, Fort Lauderdale police took a DNA sample from Mahollands mother and entered it into the National DNA Index System.

In November, forensic scientists at the University of North Texas matched the deceased mans DNA with the sample from his mother.

In March, a GBI agent called Humphries and gave him the news.

Its still a cold case, Humphries said. Weve just gotten one step further now that we know who the victim is.

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Tons of supplies are being collected in the Capital City to help victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Gisela Rodriguez and David Medina put out the call to the community and the community answered.

They collected enough supplies to fill four moving trucks.

They're trying to do what they can from Tallahassee to help their loved ones and others on the island.

The supplies will be shipped Sept. 29, Friday. Plans may be made to fill a fifth truck.

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
FLORIDA (WTXL) - Anti-fraud investigators are being deployed across Florida in an effort to minimize the amount of insurance and repair fraud taking place following Hurricane Irma.

Ranging from overbilling insurance companies to being unlicensed contractors, scam artists often attempt to take advantage of consumers following a disaster. Many times an insurance policyholder does not understand the paperwork they are signing when repairs begin.

In an attempt to spot and stop the fraud, Florida's Department of Financial Services is sending several employees to areas most impacted by Irma, including Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys along with Lee and Collier counties in southwest Florida.

Evangelina Brooks is the chief of the department's bureau of insurance fraud.

"Do your research. Make sure that the company you have invited into your home to do repairs on your home is licensed and insured. That's important," said Brooks. "For us, we want to be proactive and educate consumers to the potential scams and frauds that are out there."

Brooks says insurance adjusters and repair companies who are pushy or give quotes that seem too good to be true may be a warning sign that you need to look elsewhere.
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - Two Valdosta State University professors are suing Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney General Christopher Carr in response to the open carry law on college campuses.

A VSU staff member spoke with a reporter about the lawsuit.

There are two separate documents filed with the Fulton County Superior Court.

One is a verified complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief, and the other is a plaintiffs motion for an injunction and memorandum in support.

Both claim that the Constitution of the State of Georgia grants the Georgia Board of Regents vested management of the University System of Georgia and that the decision to approve the Campus Carry Bill usurped the Board of Regents.

The University System of Georgia issued a statement saying that USG is not a party to the lawsuit.

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Governor Rick Scott will travel to Washington D.C. Friday to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House.

According to Governor Scott's press office, the two will discuss Scotts trip to Puerto Rico as well as ongoing Hurricane recovery efforts including repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike that surrounds Lake Okeechobee.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Kansas man is behind bars in Tallahassee, accused of trying solicit sex from an undercover officer posing as family of three online.

According to a probable cause document, the Leon County Sheriff's Office was conducting an undercover operation, code named Operation Cupid's Arrow, into people using online chat rooms to arrange for sexual contact with children.

The undercover officer wrote that while in one chat room back in February, they received a private message from a user with the name "family." The officer noted that the user was led to believe the officer was a father with two underage children.

The conversation between the two moved to a private chat room, where the user stated that he was the father of an underage child and asked if he and his child could meet with the officer and his "children" to have sex.

The document says the user also sent the officer a picture of a female child in June, but a reverse search of the image revealed that it was a picture pulled from a website.

According to the document, the officer was able to identify the suspect as 37-year-old Christopher Lang of Topeka, Kansas.

In July, an FBI agent spoke with Lang at his job, telling him that she needed to take his cellphone to which he complied.

"Lang spontaneously uttered his life was over," the officer wrote, "and volunteered there would be images of child pornography on the phone." Lang also consented to a search of his truck and luggage, though officers didn't find anything of note.

When Lang was interviewed, he admitted to participating in the chats with the undercover officer, saying the comments he made were a "fantasy" he would never act on.

Lang was taken into custody and transported to the Leon County Jail on Thursday. He is charged with obscene communication/using computer to solicit parent/guardian consent.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Last week, WTXL told you about a Tallahassee woman studying in Dominica as a category five hurricane battered the Caribbean Island.

Casey Carlberg is safe back home in Tallahassee after a terrifying experience with Hurricane Maria. She shared some incredible pictures and stories of how she survived and reunited with her family.

For Casey Carlberg, the wrath of Maria was something she'll never forget.

"It jumped from a 3 to 5 within two hours in the middle of the night, and there was just nothing that you could prepare for," said Casey.

The Ross University student lived in a concrete apartment building. That's where she stayed with a generator and a closet full of supplies as Maria made landfall.

"The whole building would shake, almost kind of like an earthquake, and I was like, 'Don't collapse. Just don't collapse,'" Casey recounted.

She said water poured into her apartment. The wind, louder than she's ever heard.

"I could just hear the tin roof ripping off of the house next to me and just flying off and hitting things," said Casey.

This used to be the view from her apartment but this is what it looked like after Maria.

"You could start seeing things that you couldn't see before," said Casey.

The day after our report with her parents, she was able to call them.

"It was just such a relief, because the school can tell you your child is okay, but when you hear her voice..." said Robin Carlberg, Casey's mother.

"She sounded positive. She's like, 'We're going to do this, we're going to do this.' Because an experience like this will make you or break you," said David Carlberg, Casey's father.

Casey had to wait several days for a cruise ship to take her to St. Lucia, where she was able to catch a flight back to the U.S.

"I was trying not to cry when we were landing, and then, when I saw them, I just lost it," said Casey. "My dad came up -- because he saw me first -- and he gave me a huge hug, and we just stood for like 10 minutes just hugging each other."

Casey says she does plan to go back to Dominica to finish her education. She says the people there need help with the recovery.
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a man has been arrested after he fought a driver who fatally struck his 10-year-old nephew.

The TC Palm reports 31-year-old Calvin Johnson was arrested and charged with battery and violation of probation after the driver struck and killed Antzavious Ellison on Wednesday night. Authorities say Ellison died in a hospital Thursday morning.

Fort Pierce police spokesman Ed Cunningham says Johnson and the boys aunt were crossing the street when Ellison got ahead of them and was hit.

Cunningham says Johnson then attacked the driver, punching him and knocking him to the ground.

Authorities say they are investigating, but do not anticipate charges against the driver.

Its unclear if Johnson has a lawyer.

___

Information from: The Stuart (Fla.) News, http://www.tcpalm.com

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
Bank of China launches 1st mobile application in Malaysia Bank of China Malaysia (BoCM) on Thursday launched its first mobile application in Malaysia in a bid to better develop its retail banking business in the country.

Mobike enters the United States Mobike, one of China biggest bike sharing brands, announced its entry into the U.S. market Wednesday in a company statement.
The cutter honors the Coast Guards only Medal of Honor recipient, Douglas Munro, of South Cle Elum, who was fatally wounded in Guadalcanal in 1942.
At the end of a months-long struggle, an agreement was signed Friday between the disability organizations and government representatives to raise disability pensions.

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The agreement was reached after 12 hours of arduous negotiations held at the offices of Israel's national trade union center, the Histadrut.

The meeting was attended by the six heads of organizations chosen to represent the handicapped, Histadrut chairman Avi Nissenkorn , coalition chairman MK David Bitan (Likud), Ilan Gilon (Meretz) and Prof. Avi Simhon, a government representative who endorsed the recommendations of Dr. Yaron Zelekha's report on disability pensions.

The negotiating teams after the agreement was reached (Photo: Histadrut)

The Histadrut said that the agreements reached were in accordance with the policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon.

The agreement further stipulates that the disability pension will be linked to the state's median wage, and not to the consumer price index as is currently the case.

The maximum amount one can be paid at work while still maintaining the full amount of the pension will also be increased from NIS 2,800 to NIS 4,000 in January 2018, and again to NIS 4,300 in January 2019.

It was agreed that the effect of raising this amount would be examined, and if found to be positive, the government would consider a further increase of up to NIS 5,300.

In addition, NIS 150 million will be allotted to increase disability benefits for children, an additional NIS 300 million will be allotted to the maintenance of old-age disability pensions, which would prevent the disabled from having to choose between maintaining the disability pension and waiving the old-age pension, or vice versa, and an additional NIS 75 million will be allotted to encourage employment of the disabled.

Disabled protestors outside the Knesset (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

The increase in the disability pension will be carried out in four stagesfrom January 2018 to January 2021, in amounts estimated between NIS 700 and NIS 1,800 per month.

The most severely handicapped, who need close supervision, and those entitled to the special services allowance at the two highest rates of disability, will receive about NIS 4,500 a month.

The average amount to be received by any disabled person unfit to work will be set at about NIS 4,000, give or take depending on each person's disability rate.

The total cost of this raise is estimated to be around NIS 4.2 billion a year.

Disabled protestors blocking Ayalon Highway (Photo: Avi Hai)

Histadrut chairman Avi Nissenkorn said at the end of the negotiations that they have "made history" and thanked all those involved in making the agreement come into fruition.

Chairman of the organization "Disabled, not half a person" and the initiator of the struggle, Alex Friedman, said at the end of the meeting: "At the end of a two-and-a-half year struggle, we reached a historic day when the weakest sector of the public received NIS 4.2 billion in benefits. This is a happy day for Israeli society, a day when society has become more egalitarian and healthy."

"The disabled organizations welcome the historic agreement that was signed tonight," said Naomi Moravia, chairwoman of the Disabled Struggle Campaign.

Coalition Chairman MK David Bitan said that "this is an achievement that raises disability allowances and enables disabled people to return to earning a decent living without losing their disability pension."

However, the organization "Disabled Panthers," which has been carrying out most of the roadblocks in recent months as part of the struggle, said that they oppose the agreement and will continue the struggle.

"We do not accept any agreement that was not signed by all representatives of the disabled, and will not include a clause equating disability pensions to the minimum wage," they stated.
Six animal rights activists were injured Thursday night after a fight erupted between them and a group of mostly non-religious people on Menachem Begin Boulevard in Hadera over the Kapparot ritual, practiced mainly by Ultra-Orthodox Jews on the eve of Yom Kippur.

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The activists were protesting the use of chickens as sacrifice in the ritual.

Footage of the altercation

X

Magen David Adom Paramedics gave medical treatment and evacuated six activistsfive women and a manwho suffered light wounds and bruises to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center for treatment.

"We came to demonstrate against the despicable and barbaric practice that was conducted in front of children, which is also opposed by rabbis," recounted Tal Gilboa, founder of the Israeli Animal Liberation Front, on Friday morning.

"Within a minute, we were attacked, mainly by secular people. They beat us, threw stones, wooden planks and iron bars at us. One plank hit an activist in the chest and she lost consciousness. One of the attackers sprayed foam at us from a fire extinguisher, and later he also threw the fire extinguisher at us.

"Even after we went back, they continued to attack us. It was a lynching. If they had knives they would have killed us."

An attacker throwing a chair at an animal rights activist

According to Gilboa, the activists called the police but claimed that it took them a long time to arrive.

"Even when police arrived, stones were still thrown at us. The policemen stood by and did nothing. They did not arrest any of the attackers, took two of them aside and released them.

"We were told by the police to come to the station to file complaints. We arrived and then they told us there was only one investigator and that it would take hours. So we left."

The Kapparot ritual (Photo: AFP)

The police reported that "at the Golesh Junction, a fight broke out between the residents of the neighborhood and several dozen demonstrators (not licensed) who came to protest against the operation of an improvised chicken slaughterhouse in the neighborhood, opened ahead of Yom Kippur for the Kapparot ritual.

"Some of those involved were lightly injured. No complaints have yet been filed. The police opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident."
Turkey's state-run news agency says authorities have issued detention warrants for 117 military officersmost of them on active dutyas part of an ongoing investigation into last year's failed coup attempt blamed on a US-based Muslim cleric.

Anadolu Agency said police had launched operations in 45 provinces to catch 98 active officers and 19 others who were previously purged from the military, over suspicion that they secretly communicated with members of cleric Fethullah Gulen's movement through payphones.

The agency said the suspects were allegedly given instructions during those calls.

Turkey launched a large-scale crackdown against Gulen's movement after the July 2016 coup attempt, dismissing more than 110,000 people from government jobsincluding the militaryand arresting more than 50,000 people.

Gulen denies involvement.
The Turkish military killed three Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in a clash in northern Iraq near the border with Turkey on Thursday evening and one Turkish soldier was also killed, security sources said.

The sources said four Turkish soldiers were also wounded in the firefight in the Kanimasi area of Iraq's Dohuk region, across the border from Turkey's Cukurca district.
YORK  The York County Commissioners will likely move forward with an agreement involving the railroad that would move forward a plan to put automated signals at the crossing on Road J.

However, they will likely sign their own version of the agreement after having reservations over vague language regarding future easement needs.

They tabled the matter two weeks ago, asking York County Highway Superintendent Harvey Keim to check with the railroad about their concerns.

This matter started last October when York County Highway Superintendent Harvey Keim was contacted by Nebraska Department of Roads officials who said they wanted to install a warning device at that crossing, due to visibility issues.

The cost share of the project is 95 percent on the state and 5 percent being the responsibility of the county.

I was curious about potential easements, said Commissioner Randy Obermier, noting that there were no specifics in the agreement, which leaves the county pretty open-ended as far as what might be financially required in the future. And Harvey, youve said that you dont know their plans yet.

No one has approached me about easements yet, Keim said.

Well, if 5 percent is our cost, I would like to know if that is going to happen and what it would be, Obermier said.

I dont know why they would need more easement there, Keim said.

But if we dont know that part, we are leaving this agreement open ended, Obermier noted. If we have to obtain more land, that could delay it, it could cost money and I just think we need to know that.

I can talk with the railroad to see what is going on and then report back in two weeks, Keim said.

And he did just that.

This week, he told the commissioners that he checked with the railroad.

They said the language is just the same in all their agreements. They said they have no plans to acquire more right-of-way and they will not need more right-of-way, Keim reported.

So could the agreement just state that? asked Commissioner Kurt Bulgrin. Why have that language in that agreement if they dont intend for that to happen?

We could certainly ask, Keim responded. I suppose its because theres always that chance.

We could pass the agreement, striking that language, Commissioner Obermier offered.

We could do that, you guys could readdress it at your next meeting and strike that part if you want, Keim said.

I get it, that they could hit a snag and need more right-of-way, Bulgrin said. But they would need to pay for it. Im pretty sure they can afford it.

So this is just really an issue of whether you trust them (the railroad) or not, commented Commissioner Jack Sikes.

Well, it is the railroad and I dont trust them at all, Bulgrin responded.

I agree with Kurt (Bulgrin) that this needs to be addressed, commented Commissioner Bill Bamesberger.

We could make our changes, pass that agreement, send it back to them and negotiate from there, Bulgrin offered.

The board members agreed. They will make the changes they see fit and pass their version. Then it will be presented to the railroad to see if that organization accepts it.
YORK  Allison Tietjen, a senior at UNL, is a staunch supporter of veterans. One other thing about Tietjen; she is also Miss Nebraska 2017.

Tietjen was the special guest of local veterans for their annual steak fry Wednesday night at the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds.

The small town girl from Chester chatted with veterans and their wives before the rib-eyes were served up, spoke from the podium after the meal and then remained following the festivities to visit awhile longer.

The evening included a slide presentation and narrative by Rich Hankel from the recent Vietnam Honor Flight in which York-area veterans participated.

Hankel said the 653 vets were taken to visit their monument in Washington, D.C. aboard four airplanes. The rent of $87,500 per airplane in addition to other expenses of the adventure was all covered by more than $1 million in donations.

The Nebraska invasion of D.C., said Hankel, is the largest single group of vets to have ever visited the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

During the evening Vic Michel was applauded for his accomplishment of 75 continuous years as an American Legion member.

Tietjen, only a few weeks distant from representing Nebraska at the Miss America competition in Atlantic City, N.J., won the 2017 Miss Nebraska title last June in North Platte.

She was first in the evening wear competition for her selection of a full-length, white gown bejeweled in gemstones. Tietjen also won the talent contest for her rendition of Phantom of the Opera at the piano.

Her pageant platform, United We Stand, Honoring our Military, pays homage to her late grandfather, a U.S. Marine who served proudly in Korea.

Then just 16 years old, Tietjen learned of plans for an honor flight out of Omaha for Korea veterans and began raising money among high school students in the state to send another grandpa because her own had just passed away, missing his own opportunity to visit the moving memorial to his war.

Tietjen raised $4,000 for the flight and, by then age 17, was honored herself to be invited aboard to make the trip as a guardian assistant.

More recently as a pre-Miss Nebraska college student she solicited donations via emails to about 500 high school principals, receiving responses from about 15, she said with a laugh.

All totaled Tietjen has personally raised donations, accompanied and assisted veterans on three honor flights and a fourth in-state flight just for kids.

Her choice of platform was an easy decision to make, she told her York audience, I wanted to honor the men and women who made America so great.
YORK  Damien Hartman, 24, of York, will be re-resentenced on Nov. 27 after not complying with the terms of his probation set forth on a conviction of failing to comply with reporting requirements as a registered sex offender.

In April, 2013, he was sentenced to a term of 2-5 years in prison after being convicted of third degree sexual assault of a 3-year-old child. He was released from prison in the spring of 2016.

According to court documents, the York Police Department received reports that Hartman was living in a short-term apartment/motel facility in York. They began to look for him after finding he had not registered his address as required and that he had told people he was planning to move to Florida.

They found Hartman was staying at the local mission and he was arrested for non-compliance.

In December of 2016, Judge James Stecker sentenced Hartman to three years of traditional probation.

But this week, he was back in District Court, facing allegations that he had violated the terms of that probation.

You were charged with making terroristic threats and domestic assault (for which he was then convicted), you havent been employed, you are not in treatment, you failed to show up for testing four times and you admitted to using marijuana six times, Judge Stecker said to Hartman. The court could revoke your probation and then sentence you to a term of 0-2 years in prison, a $10,000 fine and 9-12 months of post-release supervision.

Hartman admitted to all the violations.

During factual basis proceedings, York County Attorney Christopher Johnson reiterated the details about Hartmans law violations in June. He did not have a job as required, he didnt participate in programming and during all home visits (by probation) he was sleeping. He failed to show up for testing and admitted to using marijuana.

Judge Stecker noted that he will also be sentencing Hartman in an unrelated case in Seward County on Nov. 20.
This has been a long time in the making, but in our continuing pursuit to bring only the best of firearms, 2nd Amendment and defence related news to our readers, we are very excited to announce the next step in our evolution as a company.

As of 2020, Minuteman Review is now the proud owner and operator of Your Defence News, a website with a long history of breaking huge news stories and investigative journalism.

We hope you are equally as excited as us.

This means that now the teams of Minuteman can combine with the firepower of Your Defence News to stay at the absolute forefront for our readers.

Keep an eye. Big things are coming soon. We couldn't be more excited.

In the meanwhile, here are some of our most popular posts and categories to keep you busy.

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As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More
Border News

Tucson, Arizona - Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended a Mexican national Wednesday morning for illegally entering the United States and later discovered he was convicted for multiple aggravated felonies in the state of Washington, including rape of a child.

While processing Fernando Lopez-Delacruz, 42, Nogales Station agents conducted a records check and learned he was convicted in Adams County of first degree rape, attempted second degree rape of a child. He was sentenced to 71 months in prison.

Lopez is being held in federal custody pending prosecution for criminal immigration violations.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - The Arizona Western College Culinary Arts Program presents their formal dinner offerings that include an appetizer, soup or salad, a main dish with sides and dessert. The students in the program create the menus and serve the meals. The funds raised are used for the students and their program necessities.

A grilled salmon dinner is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, 2017 from 6 to 8 pm in the Learning Resources (LR) Building-Room LR109 at the AWC Yuma Campus. (Except for Finals Buffet: in Frances Morris Boardroom, Dr. Schoening Conference Center).

Additional dinners will be offered every two weeks, on Thursdays. Each dinner will feature a different menu.

Thursday, 10/5, Salmon $30

Thursday, 10/19, Brazilian $30

Thursday, 11/2, Armenian $30

Thursday, 11/16, Beef Tenderloin $35

Thursday, 11/30, Vegan $25

Thursday, 12/7, Finals Buffet (students choice), $20

Tickets cost $20-$35 per person depending on the dinner. Season tickets are available for $160 that covers all seven events. Tickets may be purchased in advance through the AWC Business Office on main campus. For payment by phone, please call (928) 317-7666. Proceeds generated from the dinners help fund scholarships.

Please contact Sheranne Dampier, AWC Professor of Culinary Arts, for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (928) 344-7737.
Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday dodged a question on the recent photograph gaffe by its top diplomat in the UN General Assembly, saying the incident cannot be used to deny an "indisputable fact" that Indian security forces were using pellet guns in Kashmir.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, held up a photograph of an injured Gaza girl whose face was peppered with alleged pellets and portrayed it as a Kashmiri pellet gun victim.

Asked about his reaction to the gaffe, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafess Zakaria side-stepped the question at the weekly briefing here and instead blamed Indian security forces for blinding Kashmiris.

"India cannot deny around 80 Kashmiris completely blinded deliberately by its forces and blinding of over 200 innocent Kashmiris in one eye," he claimed.

"India cannot deny injuring thousands of Kashmiris using pellet guns... It is an indisputable fact," Zakaria claimed.

He also accused India of playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan and under the garb of development assistance using the country's soil to carry out subversive activities inside Pakistan.

"We have evidence to this effect, which was shared with the US, the Secretary General of the UN and also with the Afghan authorities," Zakaria said.
New Delhi: Elimination of duty on gold could become a sticking point in the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the EFTA group, government sources said.

India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries -- Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein -- are in the process of putting in place the free trade agreement, officially known as the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

India is in a spot as it is already grappling with a surge in gold imports from its FTA partners, including South Korea and Asean member Indonesia.

In the EFTA bloc, Switzerland is a major exporter of gold items, including gold bars.

Given a significant increase in imports of the precious metal from some of the free trade pact partners, it will be a little tricky for Indian negotiators to agree to complete elimination of duties on gold from the EFTA group, the government sources pointed out.

Switzerland is a leading centre in the world for gold refining and India remains one of its major export destinations.

India is the world's second-biggest gold consumer after China. The imports mainly take care of demand by the jewellery industry.

The two-way trade between India and EFTA slumped to USD 19 billion in 2016-17, from USD 21.5 billion in 2015-16. The trade gap is highly in favour of the EFTA.

Under a free trade pact, partners offer market access to each other by eliminating or significantly reducing duties with a view to promoting bilateral trade in goods. Besides, both sides liberalise norms to enhance trade in services and shore up investments.

The government has put in restrictions on imports of gold items from South Korea to check spurt in the in-bound shipments of precious metals from that country.

Similarly, the government is exploring ways to curb increase in the imports from Indonesia, which crossed 600 kg during July-August.

Increase in gold imports puts pressure on the country's current account deficit (CAD), which in turn affects the value of the rupee.

Currently, there is a 10 per cent Customs duty on gold imports, in addition to 3 per cent Integrated GST (IGST).
Sydney: An Australian university study published on Friday found a number of errors in the way the age of sharks and rays have been measured, and which actually live 18 years longer than previously estimated.



James Cook University researcher Alastair Harry conducted a study on 53 sharks and rays after which it was discovered that a bull shark can live up to the age of 40, twice as long as had been estimated earlier, reports Efe news.



A majority of the scientists usually measure sharks' age by counting the rings in their vertebrae injecting them with a fluorescent marker or by measuring carbon accumulated in the animals from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the 1950s.



The expert explained that errors in the age calculation appeared to have occurred owing to the growth rings ceasing to form or becoming unreliable beyond a certain size or age.



"Across the cases I studied age was underestimated by an average of 18 years and up to 34 years in one instance. From the amount of evidence we now have it looks like the problem is systemic," the researcher said.



Age calculation for these animals, which often end up trapped in fishermen's nets, is important for the management of marine resources.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday started its initial investigation against Dera Sacha Sauda under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation.

ED has started the investigation on the directions issued by Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday.

According to ED sources, the amount spent on Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim`s films will be probed.It will also investigate the foreign funding received by the Dera chief.

In its probe, the ED is likely to question the self-proclaimed godman, who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was convicted in two rape cases.

Also, Dera`s Charted Accountant and Honeypreet Insan, the adopted daughter of Ram Rahim will be questioned.

Earlier in the day, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower Ramchandra was arrested by Haryana Police on the charges of instigating violence in Panchkula post conviction of Ram Rahim by special CBI court.
Dreaded gangster and underworld don Iqbal Kaskar, who has been arrested by the Thane police in an extortion case, has made some startling revelations about the D-company.

The latest on the list of revelations made by him is about the code words used by Dawood-run D-Company while carrying out criminal operations.

Kaskar has claimed that D-company uses codes like 'Modi' and 'Delhi' for 'Chhota Shakeel' and 'Karachi' and respectively.

As per another report, code 'Bade' was used for its chief Dawood while 'Dabba' was used for 'police van' by the powerful criminal organisation.

'Ek dabba' code has replaced 'ek peti' to represent Rs 1 lakh and 'ek box' is used in place of 'ek khoka' (Rs 1 crore), Kaskar reportedly said.

The underworld company used these code words while talking to its operators.

Apart from this, Kaskar has also confirmed that his brothers Dawood and Anees Ibrahim are in Pakistan. According to him, they travel to Dubai without papers to avoid being tracked by intelligence agencies.
New Delhi: Unfazed by the government's rebuttal of his criticism of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on the state of the economy, including his Union minister son Jayant, BJP veteran leader Yashwant Sinha on Thursday stuck to his guns and hoped the Centre would do some course correction.

Sinha, who had on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Jaitley that set off a political storm, said he had sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year so he could flag the issues, which he did through an article in a national English daily, but got none.

"I found the doors were shut for me. Therefore, I had no option but to speak up (in media)...I am confident I have worthwhile suggestions to make (to the prime minister)," he told national TV channels.

Sinha said any government of the day "should listen" when people like former prime minister Manmohan Singh or ex-Union finance minister P Chidambaram, considered experts on financial matters, speak up, and advised against dismissing their views as "political rhetoric".

The BJP leader, without naming the previous UPA government, said it "cannot be blamed" for the tardy implementation of central projects as the NDA has been in power for the last 40 months.

Replying to a question about whether his "disgruntlement" led him to criticise the government, Sinha hit back, saying it was the "cheapest accusation" that could be levelled against him. He insisted he "technically" continues to be a member of the BJP as the party has also not "thrown me out".

Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, who made a stout defence of the government's economic policies, got a lot of stick from his father.

Referring to his son's defence of the government, seen as a counter to his criticism of the Centre's handling of economy, Sinha sought to know why Jayant was shifted from the finance ministry "if he was so competent" to answer the concerns raised by him.

Jayant, who defended the government's policies in an article in a leading English daily today, was shifted out of the finance ministry in July last year.

"There is a decline in the growth rate quarter after quarter. I decided to speak up when the problems in the economy were multiplying...I hope the government even now will take steps to correct the situation which has arisen," he said.

Sinha said he did not flag the issues out of "personal rancour".

He said the purpose behind highlighting the concerns about the economy through an article in another leading English daily was to bring certain issues in public domain so that the government does a course correction. Sinha said he did not expect his article to create "such a furore".

Responding to Jayant's criticism of his views, the 84- year-old IAS officer-turned-politician said that only the minister concerned or the government's spokesperson should have commented on them.

"But if they (the government) thought he (Jayant) was very competent to reply to the points which I have raised, then my question is why was he shifted from the ministry of finance?" he asked.

Sinha said both he and his son were doing their "dharma" (duty). He insisted that the issue should not be seen as one between "father and son".

"If someone has asked him (Jayant) to write the piece, then it is a cheap trick to play...I have not spoken to him (on the issue). Will do it some time to find out (what exactly happened)," Sinha said.

Sinha, who was finance minister in the first NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said policy paralysis and corruption resulted in projects not moving forward under the previous UPA dispensation.

With the BJP-led NDA returning to power over three years ago, he said, there was hope that the situation would improve.

"We did move forward (with the projects) to some extent. But not at the desired pace. And we can't blame the previous government for this after being in government for 40 months because we got complete opportunity," he added.

Jayant, in an apparent reference to his father's critical piece, said several articles have been written on the challenges facing the Indian economy.

"Unfortunately, these articles draw sweeping conclusions from a narrow set of facts, and quite simply miss the fundamental structural reforms that are transforming the economy," he said.

"Moreover, one or two quarters of GDP growth and other macro data are quite inadequate to evaluate the long-term impact of the structural reforms underway," he said.

Jayant also said these structural reforms were not just desirable, they were necessary to create a 'New India' and provide good jobs.
New Delhi: It is time India and China turn the old page and start a new chapter, Chinese envoy to India, Luo Zhaohui said on Friday, adding the countries have made a lot of progress at bilateral level.

He said Chinese President Xi Jinping met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen earlier this month, and the two leaders sent a clear message of "reconciliation" and "cooperation".

"We should turn the old page and start a new chapter with the same pace and direction. We should dance together. We should make one plus one eleven. China is the largest trading partner of India. We have made a lot of progress at the bilateral level, as well as in international and regional affairs," Luo said.

The Chinese envoy was speaking on the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

His comments come in the backdrop of the disengagement of Chinese and Indian troops in Dokalam, where the army of the two nations were locked in a stand-off for over two months.

India and China, who went to war in 1962, share an uneasy relationship with territorial dispute being a major bone of contention between the two countries.

The Chinese diplomat also recalled one of his teachers, Prof Xu Fancheng, who lived in Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry from 1945 to 1978. Xu is known for his work of translating Upanishad, Bhagawad Gita and Shakuntala from Sanskrit to Chinese.

"In our bilateral engagement, there have been thousands of prominent persons like Prof Xu Fancheng, (Buddhist monk) Bodhidharma, Faxian (a Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled to India in the 3rd century) and Rabindranath Tagore.

"We should never forget their contribution and legacies. The history could do a lot of things. Standing on their shoulders, we should do more today," Luo said.

The Chinese envoy added that the speed of Chinese high-speed trains from Beijing to Shanghai was increased from 300 kmph to 350 kmph two weeks ago.

"We have started the feasibility study of hyperloop trains at the speed of 1,000 to 4,000 kmph," he said.

He added that the high-speed trains were one of the four latest inventions of China.
New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday condoled the deaths that took place in a stampede in Mumbai and said such "man-made" disasters could have been avoided by proper planning and concern for safety.

In a statement, she hoped that a proper inquiry would be conducted to fix responsibility and accountability for the tragedy in which 22 people were killed.

Wishing an early recovery to the injured, Gandhi conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

"Terming the tragedy as a man-made disaster and expressing concern over rail safety, Gandhi said that such accidents could have been avoided, had there been proper planning and concern for safety," said a statement issued by the Congress.

Congress Vice President Rahul also expressed pain over the stampede deaths.

"Deeply pained to know about the tragic stampede at #Elphinstone station. My thoughts with the families of the victims," he tweeted.

Sonia Gandhi hoped that railway authorities and local administration would be undertaking the relief operations expeditiously besides providing medical help to the injured.

She also asked the regional and Pradesh Congress Committee and Congress workers to contribute in providing assistance to the families of the bereaved, the statement said.

At least 22 people were killed and over 30 injured in a rush hour stampede on a narrow foot overbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban stations during heavy rain today morning.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut backed party mouthpiece Saamna article which supported former finance Minister Yashwant Sinha's comments on the economy, saying that they have been saying the same thing for nearly a year now.

"It is not about today. Since the time of demonetization and Goods and Services Tax (GST) happened, the Indian economy is suffering and we have been speaking against it," he said.

He added, "Yashwant Sinha has put forward this today but we had been saying this since a long time that it will affect the economic condition and it already has."

Raut also said that the Shiv Sena did not aim to target its ally party and was only speaking the truth.

"We have not targeted the BJP government. It is a crime saying the truth but we are still doing it. Yashwant Sinha or anyone else are saying the truth and we cannot neglect this," he said.

He went on to say that the economic matter of a country cannot be the internal matter of a state and said that a committee needs to be set up to look into this.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena backed former Minister of Finance Yashwant Sinha's criticism of the economy and said that the BJP needs to prove that the claims by Sinha are wrong.

Backing Sinha's backlash at demonetization and the downward spiralling agricultural sector, the editorial in Shiv Sena mouth-piece 'Saamna' said, "Sinha has also focused on the conditions the country faced after demonetization. He has compared it to a situation of adding fuel to fire as the country was already moving in a downward spiral. Many of the government programmes like Make in India have failed. People are continuously losing their jobs. The prices of petrol and diesel are increasing. It was never this bad in the past two decades. Even the agricultural sector is struggling."

Shiv Sena also urged BJP to prove Sinha's comments as false claims, adding that even many BJP leaders know the truth but won't speak up out of fear.
New Delhi: It's past midnight. The moon -- just a sliver in the inky sky -- watches as elite commanders billow out of choppers into enemy land. Four hours later, they are back in India, having razed seven terror camps.

Just what the director or the author ordered. The surgical strike -- which the Army executed on the night of September 28 last year, when Indian commanders paratrooped into Pakistan and killed 50 terrorists -- has all the ingredients that make for a successful potboiler: suspense, action, bravery and patriotism.

The strike that followed a terror attack in an Indian Army camp in Uri in Kashmir has spawned its share of books and films.

Around this time next year, a Hindi film on the subject will be screened in a hall next to you. And two books are already out that delve into the operation.

Tomorrow, Nitin A Gokhale's "In Securing India the Modi Way: Pathankot, Surgical strikes and More" will be launched in the Capital.

"India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes" by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh is another recent literary manifestation of the event, with a chapter devoted to the strike.

The film "Uri", produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP, is to be directed by Adia Dhar and stars actor Vicky Kaushal as a commander, who leads a group of paratroopers across the border, 11 days after a Pakistan-based terror outfit attacked the Uri camp.

"I was really thrilled about it because this is one story that I feel everyone needs to know -- one of the fantastic Army operations that the Indian army has conducted and with great efficiency," Kaushal told PTI.

Gokhale's book sheds light on some national security and foreign policy initiatives, including the surgical strike, of the Modi-led NDA government, while Singh and Aroor's book includes the story of a commander who was a part of the operation.

"It (surgical strike) is important because it is a milestone, a small one, in the way the government has dealt with insurgency, terrorism and Pakistan. The strikes helped unshackle the military thinking and sent multiple messages to Pakistan and the rest of the world," Gokhale told PTI.

On the other end of the spectrum is a film by now convicted self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim. "MSG The Lionheart: Hind Ka NaPak Ko Jawab", released in February, is also believed to have been inspired by the Army operation.

In the US, Geronimo - the operation that led to the killing of Osama Bin Laden - sparked a number of fictional and non-fictional accounts.

Is this India's Geronimo moment?

Not quite, says social scientist Shiv Visvanathan.

"The strike is a way of saying that we have replied to Pakistan and that we are strong. It is an example that our Army is hero unlike in Kashmir. So 3-4 films aayega (there will be three or four films). That's the end of it," he said.

"After Jai jawaan jai kisaan, you have the surgical strikes," he said, referring to a popular slogan of the sixties that paid homage to soldiers and farmers.
New Delhi: Union minister Jayant Sinha on Friday rejected suggestions that he wrote an article in an English daily disputing his father and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha's contentions on the state of India's economy at anybody's bidding, insisting it was "absolutely out of his own conscience".

Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, also said his difference of opinion with his father was "very serious discussion" and that it should not be seen "in a personal way".

"It was absolutely my own conscience... I reject any such charge that I was asked to write the article. I wanted to write the article," he told a television channel, a day after Sinha Sr. Kicked up a storm by criticising Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the economic "mess" in the country in an article in another national English daily.

"It is a very serious discussion about the future of the economy and it should not be seen in a personal way," Jayant said, adding the economy is shifting gears, and that it has slowed down a little bit so it can accelerate further.

Today, Jayant offered a stout defence of the government's economic policies in another national daily which many saw as an attempt by the Modi dispensation to have Sinha Sr. Cornered by his own son.

"The discussion we are having through newspapers and television is a discussion I have been having with my father for many many weeks and months in the meetings I have with him. He asks difficult and tough questions as he should as somebody who knows the economy well," Jayant said.

Yashwant Sinha, who was finance minister in the first NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, while sticking to his guns about his criticism of Jaitley and the government, had earlier in the day said a response to his article should have come from the minister concerned or a spokesperson for the government.

Referring to his son's defence of the government, seen as a counter to his criticism of the Centre's handling of economy, Sinha sought to know why Jayant was shifted from the finance ministry "if he was so competent" to address the concerns raised by him.

Jayant got a lot of stick from his father, who spoke to several TV channels, over his defence of the economic policies of the government.

Sinha, however, said both he and his son were doing their "dharma" (duty). He insisted that the issue should not be seen as one between "father and son".

"If someone has asked him (Jayant) to write the piece, then it is a cheap trick to play...I have not spoken to him (on the issue). Will do it some time to find out (what exactly happened)," Sinha said.

Jayant was shifted out of the finance ministry in July last year.

"It is the prime minister's prerogative to decide (where) is it that you can make the most important contribution. Certainly, at the civil aviation ministry, we have an important set of things to do," Jayant said.

About the article, Jayant said, "We welcome all opinions, suggestions, criticisms whether they come from my father, (former finance minister) Chidambaram or anyone else... I welcome my father's suggestion".
New Delhi: Targeting former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, BJP MP and President of the party's Kisan Morcha Virendra Singh Mast on Thursday sought to know Sinha's own achievements as the country's Finance Minister.

"The concerns Yashwant Sinha has raised (on NDA government's economic policies) are baseless. He should remember his own terms as the country's Finance Minister. What were his achievements," Mast said.

"As Finance Minister in the Chandra Shekhar government, he is known for pawning India's gold. In the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, his performance was such that Dattopant Thengadi (RSS ideologue and founder of Swadeshi Jagran Manch) called him 'anartha mantri' (disaster minister)," Mast said.

Mast said Sinha's "allegations" about farmers were unfounded.

"Farmers' problems are not new. As a farmer and President of BJP's Kisan Morcha, I can say that this is the first government which has done so much for farmers' welfare," he said.

In an editorial page article in The Indian Express on Wednesday, Sinha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "claims he has seen poverty from close quarters (and) his Finance Minister is working over-time to make sure that all Indians also see it from equally close quarters".

"Agriculture is in distress, construction industry -- a big employer of the workforce -- is in doldrums, the rest of the service sector is also in the slow lane, exports have dwindled, sector after sector of the economy is in distress," Sinha wrote.

On Thursday, Yashwant Sinha's son Jayant Sinha, a junior minister in the Narendra Modi government, wrote a piece in the Times of India defending the government on economic decisions.

Mast said it was strange that father and son were "communicating with each other through newspapers".

"The father writes a piece in a newspaper. Next day, his son writes a piece countering father's narrative. Baap aur bete mein samachar patro ke madhyam se samvad hona chahiye kya (Should father and son exchange views through newspapers)," Mast said.

He refused to comment on whether senior Sinha's piece blasting the government may have a negative impact on Jayant's future prospects in the government and party.

"This is for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide who he wants to keep in his council of ministers," he said.
New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is visiting Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to review the preparedness of the soldiers on borders and security in the hinterland.

Sitharaman, accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, arrived here this morning on her maiden visit to the state and straightaway went to Kupwara sector in north Kashmir for an on-ground assessment of the situation along the LoC, defence sources said.

The sources said senior army officials would brief the defence minister about the overall situation in the Valley, including counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration operations, upon her return from Kupwara.

Sitharaman is scheduled to meet Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti later in the day, they said.

She is scheduled to visit Ladakh region tomorrow where she would take stock of the situation along the LAC, the sources said.

They said Sitharaman might either visit Siachen base camp or carry out an aerial tour of the glacier which is known as the highest battlefield in the world.

The Siachen leg of the visit would depend on the weather conditions, they added.
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind today expressed condolence over the deaths caused by a stampede in Mumbai.

"Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured," Kovind said in a tweet.

At least 22 people were killed and several injured in a rush-hour stampede on a foot-over-bridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations in Mumbai this morning.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
At least 27 people were killed on Friday in a stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station. Those injured are being treated at the KEM hospital in Mumbai. However, due to a sudden surge of patients, the hospital is short of blood. Doctors have been urging people to come forward to donate blood in huge numbers.

There is an acute shortage of A Negative, B Negative, and AB Negative group blood in the hospital while AB positive and O negative blood groups are also needed. Those ready to donate blood can do so at the KEM hospital or can even go to adjoining hospitals.

Also Read: The bridge is collapsing: Eyewitnesses recall Mumbai stampede horror

The stampede on Friday took place on foot-over bridge, linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations. The station, on the Western Line of the Mumbai suburban rail network, also connects to Parel station on the Central line.

Also Read: Mumbai railway station stampede: Know what led to the mishap

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his condolences over the tragedy and announced 5 lakh ex gratia for the next of the kins of deceased, stating that all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by Government of Maharashtra.

Here are the helplines for the number.

KEM Hospital: 022-2417000

Mumbai Railway Control room: 022-23081725

Central Railway police number: 022-24150620

Western Railway Control room: 022-23070564, 022-23017379
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tonight visited the civic-run KEM Hospital here where those injured in the deadly stampede at Elphinstone Road station footbridge have been admitted.

Fadnavis, who returned to the city from a three-day tour of South Korea and Singapore this evening, met the injured persons and also spoke to the hospital authorities.

"Not only Maharashtra but the whole country is in a shock over this tragic incident. Twenty-two people have died while 39 are still admitted in the hospital, out of which one person is critical," Fadnavis said, speaking to reporters outside the hospital.

"The railway ministry has ordered a thorough probe into this incident. The guilty will be strictly punished. It is important to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future and hence an audit of all the bridges has been started by the railway ministry. All necessary work will be done on the war-footing," he added.

Fadnavis said he has also informed the railway ministry that the state government and the local administration will do whatever is needed on their part.

"We will ensure such incidents are not repeated in future," the chief minister said.
Mumbai: After touching a record high, the foreign exchange reserves declined marginally by USD 262.3 million to USD 402.246 billion in the week to September 22, due to fall in foreign currency assets, the RBI data showed.

In the previous week, the reserves had touched a life time high of USD 402.509 billion after rising by USD 1.782 billion.

The foreign currency assets (FCA), a major component of the overall reserves, decreased by USD 259.3 million to USD 377.751 billion, the data showed.

Expressed in US dollar terms, the FCAs include effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro, the pound and the yen held in the reserves.

Gold reserves remained unchanged at USD 20.691 billion. The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declined by USD 1.2 million to USD 1.512 billion.

The country's reserve position with the IMF declined by USD 1.8 million to USD 2.291 billion, the apex bank said.
Mumbai: The newly launched iPhone 8 and 8 plus will be supporting Hindi dictation, the tech giant's Chief Executive Tim Cook said on Friday.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will be available for Rs 64,000 onwards.

"We got a new keyboard for India and we now support 11 local languages. The iPhone now takes dictation in Hindi," he said in a video message.

The message from Cook was played at an event at Reliance Jio's corporate headquarters here, where the Mukesh Ambani-led company announced a slew of offers for the latest series of iPhones.

Jio launched a buyback scheme, offering a 70 per cent discount for customers to upgrade handsets after a year.

"We promise a 70 per cent buyback for iPhone 8, 8+ and 10, after one year," Jio's director, and Ambani's son, Akash Ambani, said at the launch.

This offer can be availed by customers opting for a plan of Rs 799 per month or above.

"This offer not only makes the device much more affordable but also enables customers to upgrade to newer models after utilising the buyback schemes," a company statement said.

In a video message, Mukesh Ambani said Jio's partnership with Apple will deliver "best value" and a better customer experience.
Mumbai: At least twenty two people have been killed in a stampede at Elphinstone railway station's foot-over bridge in Mumbai that took place on Friday morning. Over 30 people have been injured in the incident. Medical teams have reached the spot. Those injured have been rushed to KEM hospital.

Commuters claim that the foot-over bridge at Elphinstone was narrow and is always crowded during the peak hours. In videos emerging from the incident, people can be seen trying to climb over the railings of the stairway to escape the stampede.

The helpline numbers are:

KEM hospital: 022-24107000

Western Railway control room: 022 - 23070564, 022-23017379, 022-23635959

Mumbai railway control room: 022-23081725

Traffic helpline WhatsApp no: 8454999999

Churchgate station- 22039840,

Mumbai Central station- 23051665

Elphinstone Road station- 24301614

Here are the latest updates:

- Compensation of 5 lakh each will be given to kin of those dead. State government will bear the medical expenses of the injured: Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde

- Enquiry will be conducted by Maha government and Railways Ministry and necessary, strict action will be taken: CM Devendra Fadnavis

- Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has reached Mumbai and will be visiting the spot soon. "Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured persons," he tweeted. He also added that a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways has been ordered into the mishap.

Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge.  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 29, 2017

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. "Piyush Goyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance," he added.

My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017

Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2017

- 'The bridge is collapsing': Eyewitnesses recall Mumbai stampede horror

- President Ram Nath Kovind extended his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives

Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured  #PresidentKovind  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 29, 2017

- Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, who visited the scene, said it was the responsibility of the Western Railway authorities to ensure commuters' safety.

- Eyewitnesses have slammed the police for reaching late and have blamed the railway authorities for the incident.

#WATCH: Local voices concerns after death of 22 ppl in stampede at Elphinstone railway station's foot over bridge in Mumbai #mumbaistampede pic.twitter.com/xygnf4uX9N  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

Full Video Of Stampede at a mumbai railway-station: https://t.co/7eSFamOLyO via @YouTube  Srtime (@srtimelive) September 29, 2017

- The death toll has risen to 22, BMC disaster control room has confirmed.

- TV footage showed commuters trying to revive the injured by pumping their chests and also carrying some down the stairs to street level.

Three dead, more than 20 injured in a stampede at Elphinstone railway station's foot over bridge in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/EipEENFNaI  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

- Medical teams have urged people to come out and donate blood. There is an urgent need of A- blood, doctors have appealed.

- Niket Kaushik, GRP Commissioner has confirmed that out of those injured, 20 people have suffered serious injuries.

- Shiv Sena MLA Ajay Choudhary hit out at the government over the stampede. "Govt not able to provide basic facilities and services at stations but dreams of bullet trains," he said.

- Know what led to the mishap

- More people were gathered at the place due to the rain which might have led to the incident. An investigation into the mishap has been ordered: Anil Saxena, DG Railway, PRO

- Commuters claim that on several instances in the past, people have reached out to the authorities to bring to their notice how unsafe the bridge is.

- Train operations which were initially affected have been brought back to normal. However, authorities have requested commuters to avoid the railway station for at least a few hours

- Western Railway PRO called this an unfortunate incident and added that the incident took place at a time when it was raining and people were not moving.

- New skywalk will be made at this station soon: Railway PRO

- The death toll is likely to increase. The hospital has confirmed that 15 people have died in the incident

- Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will be visiting Mumbai today and is likely to visit the spot soon

.@RailMinIndia @WesternRly this is parel / elphinston bridge. We heard People died due to stampede ? Good returns of my tax! @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/Yj0tySttCo  Chirag Joshi (@chiragmjoshi) September 29, 2017

- All required agencies have been mobilised for the rescue and relief work: BMC's disaster management unit said

- As per reports, heavy rains led to the stampede

- The stampede took place over rumours that a foot-over bridge at the Elphinstone railway station collapsed

- The incident took place at around 10.30 am on Friday
There has not been any confirmation so far on the cause of stampede at Elphinstone station in Mumbai that killed at least 22 people and injured more than 30 others. But according to eyewitnesses, it was a rumour that triggered the stampede.

It was a rumour of bridge collapse that led to the stampede at one of the busiest stations in Mumbai. One of the eyewitnesses said that he saw people trying to cross the railing of the footover bridge and jump to save their lives.

The eyewitness said that he heard people screaming that the bridge was collapsing. This screaming sparked panic and people ran over each other to save themselves, leading to loss of lives.

In videos emerging from the incident, people can be seen trying to climb over the railings of the stairway to escape the stampede.

Another eyewitness said that it was a tin portion of the bridge that broke and led to the scare of the collapse.

The bridge near the Elphinstone station is very narrow and is overcrowded everyday especially during office hours. According to one of the locals, this disaster was waiting to happen.

Even the railways conceded that there were too many people in a cramped space.

The construction of a new overbridge has been a long standing demand but no action has been taken in this regard.

Meanwhile, medical teams have urged people to come out and donate blood. There is an urgent need of A- blood, doctors have appealed.

There was no end to politics over the incident as well.

Shiv Sena MLA Ajay Choudhary hit out at the government, saying, "Govt is not able to provide basic facilities and services at stations but dreams of bullet trains."

Helpline numbers:

KEM hospital: 022-24107000

Western Railway control room: 022 - 23070564, 022-23017379, 022-23635959

Mumbai railway control room: 022-23081725

Traffic helpline WhatsApp no: 8454999999
New Delhi: Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma was recently nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign). She even took to Twitter to share the good news with her fans and felt 'honoured' for being part of the noble cause.

Happy Birthday to our honourable PM @narendramodi ji.Thank you Sir for the invitation to join the #SwachhataHiSeva movement (1/2)  Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) September 17, 2017

I am honoured to be a part of #SwachhBharat campaign and will do my best for the noble initiative of #SwachhataHiSeva (2/2) pic.twitter.com/SrSt2GKBWF September 17, 2017

The talented young star has kept her word and started off by heading to the Versova beach in Mumbai. She cleaned the beach and shared pictures on Twitter. She tweeted: "An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching"- Mahatma Gandhi ji #SwachhBharat #SwachhataHiSeva.

"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching"- Mahatma Gandhi ji #SwachhBharat #SwachhataHiSeva pic.twitter.com/UfhB3sfRpy  Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) September 29, 2017

The actress is one of the celebs who have been nominated by the PM. Names such as SS Rajamouli, Varun Dhawan, Sachin Tendulkar, Rajinikanth and many more received the letter from PM in order to do their bit in creating awareness about the Clean India Campaign or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Way to go, girl!
Mumbai: Its been about a week or so, pictures of Mahira Khan and Ranbir Kapoor taking a smoke break in New York City went viral. The Pakistani beauty drew massive criticism for wearing short clothes and smoking but Ranbir escaped the backlash, probably because of his gender!

However, a number of celebrities in India and across the border came out in support of Mahira, after she was trolled for her choice of dress and smoking.

Also, she was linked to the Bollywood star, with him she was spotted even at the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Awards event.

And the latest that we are getting to hear is that the Raees actress is unwell. In fact she has been ill since the photographs got leaked online. A few reports suggest that she is in depression.

According to a report in India.com originally attributed to Pinkvilla, a source said, Mahira has faced severe criticism for her pictures with Ranbir Kapoor, on social media, much more than Ranbir, because she is a woman. Some feel the pictures were leaked out deliberately by a Bollywood celeb.

Mahira couldnt even make it to the sets of the Mira Sethis film with Karachi Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui, because of illness.

Adnan Ansari, one of Mahiras dearest friends and celebrity makeup artist took to Instagram last week to support the actress. He wrote: She is the kindest strongest person I know. Everybody who knows her respects and love her. Stop judging, one picture vs her whole career (sic).

She is the kindest strongest person I know. Everybody who knows her respects and love her. Stop judging, one picture vs her whole career. #mahirakhan @adnanansariofficial @adeelansariofficial @hairandmakeupbyadnanansari A post shared by Celebrity Make up Artist. (@adnanansariofficial) on Sep 23, 2017 at 2:14am PDT

Mahira made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees earlier this year. Her chemistry with the Badshah of Bollywood was appreciated and so was her performance.
Chandigarh: Punjab`s former Akali Minister Sucha Singh Langah was booked on Friday on charges of rape, extortion and cheating on a complaint by a woman government employee, police said.

The case was filed against Langah at the Gurdaspur City police station after the woman, a widow, complained that he had been raping her since 2009. No arrest had been made till the time of filing of this report.

Langah, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal`s Gurdaspur district unit, was booked under Sections 376 (rape), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police sources said the woman attached a video clipping along with her police complaint to substantiate her claim.

She alleged that Langah cheated her by selling off her properties and extorted money from her.

Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police Harcharan Singh Bhullar said an inquiry had been marked into the complaint following which the ex-Minister was booked.

The registration of the case comes days ahead of the October 11 by-election to the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, an alliance partner of the Shiromani Akali Dal, is trying to retain the seat that fell vacant following the death of veteran actor and Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna in April.
Jaipur: Six persons have been arrested for gang-raping a 28-year-old woman after she was kidnapped near Bikaner this week, police said on Friday.

"She reported the crime on September 26. During investigation, we found that eight persons were involved. We have arrested six of them," Bikaner Superintendent of Police S.S. Godara told IANS.

As per the woman`s complaint, she was abducted by two men on September 25 from a roadside around 30 km from Bikaner, after she had gone there from Delhi regarding a property matter.

After the two gang-raped her, police said, the culprits called at least six more persons who also sexually assaulted her.

She said she was subsequently taken to an isolated place where more men raped her. The victim claimed more than 20 persons were involved in the sexual assault.

"I was dropped the next day at the same place from where I was abducted," she said.

Informed sources said the woman has since got her statement recorded in a magistrate`s court regarding the crime.
Jaipur: In a shocker from Rajasthan, a woman hailing from Delhi was allegedly gangraped by at least 23 men in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, ANI reported.

As per a report, the woman had come to Bikaner to check her residential plot that she owns.

On her way back, she was forcibly dragged inside a car by two men after she refused a lift. The men then raped her for several hours inside the car. The woman alleged in her complaint that the accused called six more men who also assaulted her sexually.

Afterwards, she was taken to another secluded place in Palana village where more men joined and repeatedly raped her.

The FIR mentioned that the victim was then dropped back on the next day, on September 26, at the same point from where she was picked up.

The police have registered a complaint against two suspects and 21 unidentified others.
Mythology has varied interpretations and tends to tell a lot about one's rich culture and heritage. Our land is blessed with several mythological tales and folklores weaving the traditional threads together and forming a solid base in shaping our religion. And what better than talking about Lord Rama and Ravana as the festival of Dussehra is here.

While we all know this by heart that Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of good over evil and how Ravana was killed by the virtuous Rama, in some parts of the world the former is hailed and considered supreme.

Yes, it might come as a surprise to many but even in India, there are places where Ravana is hailed as the tragic hero and revered. A village named Bisrakh in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh is one such place.

It is believed that Ravana was born here and later he went on rule the golden citySri Lanka. The people of Bisrakh idolise Ravana and mourn our country's two biggest festivalsDussehra and Diwali as a mark to pay respects to the Maha Brahmin.

They mourn Ravana's death on these two festivals while the rest of the India burns the ten-headed Brahmin's effigy along with Meghnath (his son) and Kumbhkaran (his younger brother).

According to local legend, Ravana was born to Vishrava and Kaikesi. He was the grandson of Pulastya. It is believed that Bisrakh derived its name from Vishravas, Ravana's father, who worshipped Lord Shiva. He even spent his childhood in the village.

The legend has it that Vishravas once found a linga in the forest and established the Bisrakh Dhaam, also known as an abode of God.

Vishravas, a Brahmin was married to Kaikesi a rakshasa princess. Vishravas' elder son by the first wife was Kubera, better known as the god of wealth, who ruled Lanka until Ravana became the king.

Interestingly, as per local belief, fire sacrifices or call it yajnas as you may please, are held during the festival of Navratri, praying to Lord Shiva's linga form as a homage to Ravana.
New Delhi: While the overall Internet penetration in India is 33 percent, it is only 16 percent in the rural areas, a report released at the `India Mobile Congress 2017` here said on Friday.

According to the Cellular Operators` Association of India (COAI) IMC-Deloitte report, India currently ranks 36th, globally, in Internet inclusion based on availability, affordability, relevance and readiness.



India lags behind many countries in broadband penetration with only 23 per cent, which comes to around 310 million subscribers as of August, 2017.



The rise in broadband penetration, which is considered a key element in achieving a country`s socio-economic objectives, to 60 per cent could translate into a 5-6 per cent increase in the GDP.



"The telecom industry is contributing significantly to the Indian economy. The industry has ensured that the government`s Digital India programme reaches the farthest corners of the country," said Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI.



"With the lowest call rates in the world and affordable access to data the industry truly is at the cusp of revolution," he added.



Some of the key recommendations in the report for building connectivity-infrastructure for billions included `setting aspirational goals`, `increasing planned budgetary allocation and effective usage of Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)`, `implementing policies and guidelines to standardise deployment of infrastructure`.



The report also noted Net Neutrality as a continuous area of debate. It also underlined the need to define the regulatory guidelines towards new emerging technologies which are giving rise to new use cases.



"Telecom is redefining mobility, work, governance, etc. and will promote geographical, financial and social inclusion and enable the interplay of technologies and industries for exponential growth propelling India towards a $5 trillion economy," added PN Sudarshan, Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP.



The report also addressed the need and implementation status of smart cities, smart healthcare, smart money, smart energy and smart agriculture.
[September 28, 2017] California Tortilla Selects PAR's Cloud-Based Brink POS Software

ParTech, Inc. (PAR), a leading global provider of point of sale (POS) and workforce efficiency solutions to the restaurant and retail industries, announced California Tortilla has selected PAR's Cloud-Based Brink POS Software and EverServ 8000 terminals for all 51 locations, with plans to open 6 more restaurants by the end of 2017. Cal Tort's menu features chef-created dishes that blend flavors from around the world with the best of Mexican cuisine, giving guests addictive flavor combinations like the Honey Lime Burrito, Korean BBQ Tacos and 'California Sunset Bowl'. ParTech, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE: PAR). Prior to Brink, Cal Tort was using a server-based point-of-sale system commonly used in the industry that required inefficient, standalone support and could not efficiently integrate with emerging technology. These difficulties caused the support team to spend hundreds of hours trouble-shooting and supporting franchisees, which was disruptive to the business. With plans for growth, Cal Tort sought out a cloud solution that was more robust and would allow them to expand their number of outlets proficiently. "It's important for Cal Tort to be up to date with POS technology, now and in the future. Our aging POS system was fast approaching the end of its usefulness and was becoming disruptive to the oveall operations of the business," said Brian Chase, Director of Franchise Operations, California Tortilla. "Our franchisees couldn't be happier with our selection to go with PAR's Cloud-Based Brink Software."



After doing extensive research, Cal Tort selected PAR's cloud-based Brink POS Software. Brink has allowed for the flexibility with Cal Tort's loyalty program, online ordering, menu management, and overall better support for all locations. Being a cloud solution, sales are no longer being lost due to system errors and breakdowns, and order input will improve greatly. "We are pleased that California Tortilla has selected Brink for their growing business," said Paul Rubin, Chief Strategy Officer, ParTech, Inc. "The issues they were looking to resolve is exactly what Brink was built for - business efficiency, seamless integration, and ease of use."

ABOUT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA Founded in 2002, fast-casual leader California Tortilla serves fresh, made-to-order burritos, bowls, street tacos, quesadillas and salads grounded in a foundation of Mexican cuisine and combined with imaginative flavor combinations. Best known for farm-fresh ingredients, unique recipes and customizable options, California Tortilla locations feature a Wall-of-Flame containing 75 spice options ranging from mild to extreme. Based in Rockville, Maryland, the national franchise has over 50 locations across the East Coast and three international locations in Qatar. For more information visit www.californiatortilla.com. ABOUT PAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION PAR Technology Corporation's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PAR. PAR's Restaurant/Retail segment has been a leading provider of restaurant and retail technology for more than 30 years. PAR offers technology solutions for the full spectrum of restaurant operations, from large chain and independent table service restaurants to international quick service chains. Products from PAR also can be found in retailers, cinemas, cruise lines, stadiums and food service companies. PAR's Government segment is a leader in providing computer-based system design, engineering and technical services to the Department of Defense and various federal agencies. For more information, visit https://www.partech.com/ or connect with PAR on Facebook and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170928005239/en/

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Beirut: The Islamic State group killed at least 58 Syrian government troops and militia as the jihadists put up fierce resistance to a Russian-backed offensive against some of its last bastions, a monitor said on Friday.

Most of yesterday's dead came south of the desert town of Sukhna, east of the ancient city of Palmyra, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

IS put out a statement claiming to have killed scores of regime fighters in the area and also released what it said was an audio recording of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi urging resistance, the first such intervention in nearly a year.

Syrian troops pushed through the vast desert that separates the main cities of the west from the Euphrates Valley this summer and broke a three-year IS siege of government enclaves in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor earlier this month.

Yesterday's attacks targeted government forces around Deir Ezzor and on their supply lines through the Sukhna area from the west, the Observatory said.

"The first attacks were carried out against checkpoints manned by loyalist troops in Al-Shula," a village near Deir Ezzor, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

"IS then carried out a series of attacks against checkpoints along the length of the motorway from Al-Shula to south of Sukhna."

Syrian state media made no mention of the army's losses, but said its troops "confronted an attack by the terrorist Daesh group on the highway between Deir Ezzor and Palmyra, deep in the Badia desert."

State news agency SANA said the army had "inflicted heavy losses on the ranks of the terrorists," adding that army units were "currently working to clear remaining Daesh terrorists from the area and secure the highway for traffic."

The attacks by the jihadists came as they face multiple offensives against the last bastions of their self-proclaimed caliphate -- by US-backed fighters and Russian-backed government forces in Syria and by troops and paramilitaries in Iraq.
Beirut: The Islamic State group killed at least 58 Syrian government troops and militia as the jihadists put up fierce resistance to a Russian-backed offensive against some of its last bastions, a monitor said Friday.

Most of Thursday`s dead came south of the desert town of Sukna, east of the ancient city of Palmyra, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

IS put out a statement claiming to have killed scores of regime fighters in the area.
Beirut: The Islamic State group has killed at least 73 Syrian government troops and allied fighters in surprise attacks on their positions in a desert region, a monitor said on Friday.

The deaths came in yesterday attacks launched as the jihadist group faces a Russian-backed regime offensive against some of its last bastions.

The extremist group claimed the attacks against several positions south of the town of Sukhna in central Homs province, saying its fighters had killed dozens of regime troops.

The attacks come a day after IS released what it said was an audio recording of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the first in a year, in which he urged resistance.

Syrian troops pushed through the vast desert that separates the main cities of the west from the Euphrates Valley this summer and broke an IS siege of nearly three years on government enclaves in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor earlier this month.

Yesterday's attacks targeted government forces around Deir Ezzor and on their supply lines through the Sukhna area from the west, the Observatory said.

"The first attacks were carried out against checkpoints manned by loyalist troops in Al-Shula," a village near Deir Ezzor, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

"IS then carried out a series of attacks against checkpoints along the length of the motorway from Al-Shula to south of Sukhna."

Syrian state media made no mention of the army's losses, but said its troops "confronted an attack by the terrorist Daesh group on the highway between Deir Ezzor and Palmyra, deep in the Badia desert."

State news agency SANA said the army had "inflicted heavy losses on the ranks of the terrorists", adding that units were "currently working to clear remaining Daesh terrorists from the area and secure the highway for traffic".

The Observatory said at least 45 IS fighters had been killed in the fighting.

The attacks by the jihadists came as they face multiple offensives against the last bastions of their self-proclaimed caliphate.

In addition to the Russian-backed government offensive, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters is battling the group, which is also under attack in neighbouring Iraq.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has called German Chancellor Angela Merkel to congratulate her on election victory and discussed how to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions and 'malign' activities in the Middle East.

Trump during the call wished her well in the formation the government for the fourth time, the White House officials said.

He underscored the deep ties that bind the two nations, their joint efforts to promote peace and prosperity, and US commitment to their longstanding, strong alliance with the German government and its people.

Among other things, they discussed how to counter Iran's 'malign' activities in the Middle East.

The US accuses Iran of spreading terrorism in the Middle East.

Trump has been criticising Iran and the landmark 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama in conjunction with other world powers.

The agreement curtailed Tehran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for lifting punishing Western sanctions. Trump has called the deal "an embarrassment."

Trump and Merkel also addressed the nuclear deal and Iran's missile programme, and its non-compliance with the UN.

Trump has until October 16 to certify to Congress that Iran is complying. Then Congress would have 60 days to decide whether to reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

They also affirmed the importance of achieving the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the White House said.

Trump and Merkel frequently talk to each other on a wide range of bilateral and global issues.

Trump had called her before the elections to wish her. Over the weekend, Merkel, 63, won her fourth consecutive election.

The win solidifies her position as the defacto leader of Europe. Before joining politics, she was a scientist in East Germany. She has a PhD in quantum chemistry.
Bangkok: Thailand`s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was currently in London and seeking political asylum in the UK, an informed source from her Pheu Thai Party has confirmed.

Thailand`s Supreme Court convicted Yingluck on Wednesday of dereliction of duty over a controversial rice subsidy programme and sentenced her to five years in prison. The scheme cost the country billions of dollars, reports CNN.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Yingluck was in hiding in Dubai, where her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, another former Prime minister, lives in exile.

But the Pheu Thai Party source told CNN on Thursday night that Yingluck left Dubai for London two weeks ago.

The UK`s Home Office, which deals with asylum applications, told CNN it does not comment on individual cases.

Having already fled the country, Yingluck was not present for the verdict and sentencing.

Yingluck -- ousted by a military coup in 2014 -- had been barred from leaving Thailand without court approval since 2015, when her trial started.

Her bail of 30 million baht ($900,000), posted when the trial began more than two years ago, has been confiscated.

When she was inaugurated in 2011, Yingluck became Thailand`s first female Prime Minister and its youngest in over 60 years.

After the 2014 coup, she was impeached by Thailand`s military-appointed National Legislative Assembly, CNN reported.

The ruling barred her from political office for five years.

Yingluck was investigated by Thailand`s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) amid an outcry over the rice subsidy scandal, and put on trial. Proceedings have lasted more than two years.
Baghdad: In what may put all the speculations about the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to rest, the Islamic State group released a new audio indicating that its top leader is still alive and healthy.

The recording was released by the IS-run al-Furqan outlet on Thursday and the voice sounded like previous recordings of the reclusive leader, who has only appeared in public once. The date of the audio recording, released via the Al-Furqan news organisation, which is linked to the jihadist group, however, was unclear.

In his 46-minute tape, the ISIS leader, Baghdadi made reference to North Korean threats against Japan and United States and the recapture two months ago of Mosul by US-backed Iraqi forces.

"Beware of retreat, or the feeling of defeat, beware of negotiations or surrender. Do not lay down your arms," Baghdadi said, referring to followers in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, North Africa and elsewhere in Africa.

"Oh Soldiers of the Caliphate, fan the flames of war on your enemies, take it to them and besiege them in every corner, and stand fast and courageous."

"With God's will and his strength, we are staying determined, patient...The abundance of killing will not stop us," Baghdadi said in the audio recording.

Baghdadi also referenced Western media, saying, "Oh soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centres of the infidels, and where they wage their intellectual wars, among your targets."

Since Baghdadi proclaimed the caliphate stretching across Iraq and Syria in 2014, Iraqi forces have retaken a string of cities in western and northern Iraq including Mosul, where Baghdadi made his announcement from the city's El Nuri mosque.

Western-backed Syrian forces are also thrusting into the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa, Islamic State`s operational headquarters from where it plotted many of the attacks that have killed hundreds of people around the world.

The fall of Mosul in July effectively marked the end of the Iraqi half of Baghdadi's "caliphate" even though Islamic State continues to fight in some territory outside of Mosul, the largest city they came to control in both Iraq and Syria.

An IS branch in Libya was also defeated last year in the city of Sirte, where they had set up a North African beachhead in 2014. In Egypt's northern Sinai, another affiliated militant group is still fighting Egyptian military forces.

The audio has come after several reports that Baghdadi was killed. The last purported audio message from al-Baghdadi was released in November 2016.

The United States is still trying to verify a purported recording of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who had been rumoured to be dead, but suggested the tape released Thursday could well be real.

"We are aware of the audio tape purported to be of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and are taking steps to examine it," an intelligence community source said in a statement. "While we have no reason to doubt its authenticity, we do not have verification at this point."

In June this year, Russian officials said that there was a high probability that al-Baghdadi died in one of its airstrikes on the outskirts of the Syrian city of Raqqa.

However, the US top officials said that they believed that he was still alive. Officials have said they believed it could take years to capture or kill Baghdadi as he is thought to be hiding in thousands of square miles of sparsely-populated desert between Mosul and Raqqa, where drones are easy to spot.

(With Agency inputs)
London: Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci drew a hitherto unknown 'nude version' of his famed 16th-century masterpiece 'Mona Lisa', experts have claimed.

Researchers at the world's largest art museum The Louvre in France reportedly claim that he drew the naked version after studying a charcoal sketch.

It was earlier believed that 'Monna Vanna', the nude version, was drawn by da Vinci's students. The painting has been preserved in France's Conde Museum since 1862.

Louvre's sensational revelation has hit the world headlines and comes after 500 years of speculation that da Vinci may have made other versions of his famous painting.

Citing Conde Museum curator Mathieu Deldicque, the news agency AP reported that there are signs that it was painted by da Vinci himself.

Also, the drawing is almost the same size as Mona Lisa, Britain's Daily Mail added, citing Deldicque.

'The drawing has a quality in the way the face and hands are rendered that is truly remarkable,' he said.

'It is almost certainly a preparatory work for an oil painting,' Deldicque said, suggesting there is a close connection to the Mona Lisa.

Louvre conservation expert Bruno Mottin said 'Monna Vanna' dates back to da Vinci's lifetime at the turn of the 15th century.
Topeka: Two police officers fatally shot a man near a park in Kansas' capital city, saying he was armed with a handgun and struggled with officers.

Topeka police said the shooting occurred after officers responded to a report of a disturbance and shots being fired near the park last morning and encountered the man, whom they described as "a suspicious person." He later was identified as 30-year-old Dominique Tyrell White, of Topeka.

"While fleeing from officers, the individual reached for the pocket containing the firearm, causing the officers to fire their weapons," police Lt. Colleen Stuart said in a video statement. "The individual's gun was recovered from the scene."

White was identified by police in Lawrence, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) to the east, who took over the investigation of the shooting because Topeka officers were involved and authorities in Topeka wanted the probe handled independently. Neither police department released the names, races or other information about the officers involved. They also did not disclose White's race or other personal information about him.

Lawrence police said both officers fired their guns immediately after White's struggle with them. White was pronounced dead at a Topeka hospital after being taken there by ambulance.

Officers from the Kansas Highway Patrol and Shawnee County Sheriff's Office also arrived at the scene as dozens of people gathered in the area, some of them agitated, according to local media. The crowd dispersed quickly.

Asalean Netherland, 67, who lives in a nearby apartment, criticized police after the shooting.

"That boy was killed innocently, no reason, just by not stopping," Netherland said in a video posted online by The Topeka Capital-Journal.

But she also said people must obey officers' commands. "They need to stop whether you wrong or right you're going to be caught anyway," she said.
Pyongyang: North Korea on Friday accused the US of exploiting the death of Otto Warmbier, the American student who was held prisoner in Pyongyang for over a year.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman accused Washington of lying about the case, after forensics results, released on September 28, failed to clarify the causes of the 22-year-old Warmbier's death or confirm whether he was tortured in North Korea, a hypothesis defended by his family and the White House, reports Efe news.

"The fact that the US even employs a dead man for its conspiracy campaign aimed at the international community to increase pressure on North Korea shows the viciousness of its hostility towards us.

"The American doctors, who performed the medical examination on Warmbier last June in our country, and even others who did so after his return to the US, recognized exactly that there was no `torture` in this case," the spokesman added.

Pyongyang stresses that Warmbier "was a criminal who was sentenced to reform through labour on March 16, 2016" under the North Korean law for committing "hostile acts" directed by Washington.

However, the North Korean authorities provided "sincere medical care" to the student because of his failing health, released him and allowed him to return to his country "on humanitarian grounds," the text added.

North Korea claimed that the manipulation of Warmbier`s case is another provocation by "the old lunatic Trump and his riff-raff" who "slandered the sacred dignity of our supreme leadership, using bogus data full of falsehood and fabrications," and warned that this only serves to "redouble the surging hatred of our army and people towards the US and their will to retaliate thousand-fold."

The US coroner`s report did not clarify the causes of Warmbier`s death from lack of oxygen and blood in the brain, following an external examination of the body, as the parents did not want a complete autopsy.

Warmbier was arrested in North Korea in January 2016 while visiting the country as a tourist and was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for attempting to steal a political propaganda poster from a hotel in Pyongyang.

He had been in a coma for more than a year when he was released in June 2017, and a week later he died in his home country.

Pyongyang claimed Warmbier had contracted botulism and was given a sleeping pill, but he did not wake up again.
Amid the war of words between US President Donald Trump and North Korea, a former senior Pentagon official has warned that Australia could be struck by a North Korean weapon. According to Dr Brad Roberts, former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for nuclear and missile defence policy has said that attacking Australia is a choice that North Korea leader Kim Jong-un would make, without anyone having a say in it.

Currently in Australia, Dr Roberts said that Kim might target Australia in a bid to separate US allies from the US. According to him, Kim would make countries fearful so that they dont stand up to his threats.

This comes even as United Nations nuclear watchdog chief warned that the isolated nation is posing a new global threat. Pointing to the sixth nuclear test by North Korea, International Atomic Energy Agency director Yukiya Amano expressed fear on the country making very rapid progress.

He asserted on the need for the international community to unite.

Meanwhile, The Independent reported that the Chinese government had ordered all North Korean companies functioning in the country to shut businesses. The decision was taken by China in wake of the recent sanctions imposed on the isolated country by the United Nations over its latest nuclear test.

China has even set a deadline of 120 days for the North Korean companies.

US President Donald Trump had on Wednesday said that he was prepared for a military option on North Korea, warning that the move would be devastating.

The statement by Trump was in retaliation to North Koreas threat of shooting down US bombers. North Korea had also accused Trump of declaring war against the country.
[September 28, 2017] StormGeo Technology Takes Guesswork out of Navigating Tropical Cyclones

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- StormGeo's shipping division (formerly AWT), the leading provider of fleet optimization services, fleet performance and onboard voyage management software, announces a new multi-model technology enabling ship captains to make better routing decisions around tropical cyclones. StormGeo's Tropical Cyclone track uses multi-model ensembles and advanced analysis to narrow the "cone of uncertainty," the area extending out from a storm on a forecasting map that projects a cyclone's path. In order to improve decision-making for crew and cargo safety, the new Tropical Cyclone Multi-Model (TCMM) track technology is included in the latest versions of the onboard BVS and Routing Advisory Service. In addition, StormGeo's clients will also receive color-coded graphics, four times a day, to quickly assess where the most likely racks will occur.



"Understanding the likelihood of encountering a tropical cyclone on a given shipping route days in advance of the occurrence and having the benefit of time necessary to navigate away from the dangerous situation are vital for safe operations," said Richard Brown, StormGeo ship operations CEO. "With our new technology, captains have information to help them make better decisions in the face of inherently erratic weather conditions." The industry-standard "cone of uncertainty" concept was generated by The National Hurricane Center (NHC) using historical data to demonstrate forecast error. However, this method is limited in its ability to display multiple possible tracks because the cone dimensions do not vary based on forecast uncertainty or confidence level. StormGeo's TCMM technology offers significant improvement, indicating the most likely path of a tropical cyclone and providing a range of possible alternate routes.

"Our customers rely on StormGeo for the most innovative products in the industry, and our new technology delivers on our promise," concludes Brown. "The data on which the system is built was collected from four major weather agencies' ensembles, and 94 algorithms were created to parse the data into one multi-model ensemble. This is a leading edge, advanced weather and navigational achievement with great potential for improving shipping safety." About StormGeo StormGeo is a world leading weather forecasting service company with 23 global offices and operating several 24/7/365 weather centers for customers in Shipping, Oil & Gas, Energy, Media, Aviation and Cross Industries. For more information visit www.stormgeo.com. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stormgeo-technology-takes-guesswork-out-of-navigating-tropical-cyclones-300527737.html SOURCE StormGeo

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Ankara,: Turkey and Russia confirmed on Thursday to continue close cooperation for the solution of Syrian dispute and the two countries will focus on confidence-building measures as part of Astana process.

"We have decided to work intensely on de-escalation zones in Idlib," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

"Turkey and Russia have repeated their joint will for a political resolution of the Syrian problem," he noted.

His Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin said both leaders have discussed coordination of joint steps aiming to solve the Syrian crisis.

"We have agreed to jointly work on the implementation of the de-escalation zones," Putin stressed, informing that diplomats, intelligence and military officials from Russia, Turkey and Iran will continue to work to this end.

He applauded Erdogan`s efforts for realising cease-fire over Astana process.

The process was difficult for all parties to the Syrian dispute and for the guarantor countries, but an important success was achieved by Erdogan`s initiatives, Putin said.

Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the boost of bilateral trade volume in 2017, which has risen by 22 percent in 8 months of this year. The number of Russian tourists to Turkey increased 11 times in comparison to last year.

"We have removed almost all trade restrictions on Turkish agricultural products. The export of Turkish agricultural products to Russia increased 58 percent in the first half of 2017," Putin said.

Erdogan said that Turkey and Russia aimed to reach $100 billion trade in the near future.
Members of our United States military are afforded very little input when it comes to decisions that significantly impact their lives and the lives of their family members. Decisions such as where to live, when to move, where to seek medical care, and even when to take vacation, are made for you. So wouldn't it be great if the government allowed military families the opportunity to choose the education they feel best suits their child's unique needs?When a man or woman takes the Enlistment Oath, they make a commitment to go wherever they are sent and to do whatever they are commanded (within Uniform Code of Military Justice) for the sake of our nation's security. This praiseworthy allegiance however, does not come without costs, both to the service member and his or her spouse and children.As the wife of an active-duty soldier and the daughter of a thirty-year Army veteran, my children and I have experienced first-hand the secondary effects of a serviceman's Enlistment Oath. And I wouldn't change it for the world. Yet, in order for our government to maintain these commitments in the long-term it is imperative that the unique education challenges of military families be taken into consideration.Heritage Foundation policy analysts Leslie Burke and Anne Ryland have extensively researched the challenges of meeting the educational needs of military families. In a 2017 report they cited a Military Times survey that found "35 percent of respondents said that dissatisfaction with their child's education was a 'significant factor' in their decision to remain in or leave military service." With 43 percent of active-duty service members parenting school-aged children, it is clear that this is one issue capable of impacting combat readiness.Access to quality education options doesn't need to be a make or break issue for service members, and state legislators can play an integral role in ensuring that it isn't. The North Carolina General Assembly has already taken encouraging steps towards making school choice for military-connected children a reality.On the whole, military families relocate approximately ten times more often than civilian families, according to CNN Education research suggests that student mobility can significantly impact academic achievement. This location fluidity is one of the many reasons active-duty families in North Carolina stand to benefit from provisions in the 2017-2019 state budget to allow children whose parents or legal guardians are active duty military personnel to be eligible for up to $9,000 to be deposited into an Education Savings Account (ESA). An ESA is an account established to help families pay for such items as private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring and other educational expenses.According to the Heritage Foundation report , the cost of administering Department of Defense schools is just over $26,000 per student. Yes, you read that right, $26,000! It's well above the North Carolina state average of $8,887 per pupil, and even eclipses New York's average expenditure of $20,000 per pupil . The expenses associated with keeping these DoD schools afloat are enormous. Justification for sustaining this excessive spending behavior falls flat when compared with the opportunity to provide military families with common-sense education options for their children.By contrast, $9,000 per student will generate significant savings, while empowering families with the opportunity to choose the best educational option for their child.It is my hope that North Carolina continues to lead the way in offering military families real choices. The successes that can spring from these state-funded ESAs will provide a real example of cost-savings, while at the same time empowering those who serve us to access the best education for their children. These days there is a lot of talk about helping military families, but actions will always speak louder than words, and the General Assembly's budget actions give many military families cause for hope.
A new online program launched this semester by ECU's College of Nursing is poised to help the region address its shortage of mental health care professionals. Graduates of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program will earn a Master of Nursing Science (MSN) degree or a post-master's certificate as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, of the nearly 234,000 nurse practitioners in the United States, only 1.8 percent are certified in psychiatric and mental health care. In 2012, the North Carolina Medical Journal reported that 95 percent of all North Carolina counties had an unmet need for medical providers who can prescribe psychiatric medications - a deficit that psychiatric nurse practitioners are able to fill.For patients enrolled in government sponsored health insurance programs such as Medicare or Medicaid, it can be even harder to access mental health care. The National Council for Behavioral Health reported in March that 40 percent of psychiatrists do not accept third-party reimbursements.said Wanda Lancaster, the director of the new program.Lancaster said the program will have a special emphasis in treating patients that suffer from substance abuse, severe and persistent mental illness, and PTSD. Several of the students will be placed in Veterans Affairs hospitals to complete their clinical hours as well as area state psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and detox centers.said Lancaster.Lancaster said completing ECU's new program gives students an opportunity to gain an in-depth education and clinical experience in psychiatric care thatThis will enable students to take the national certification exam, which ensures quality and competence and is now required for reimbursement in this specialty.The program is only open to residents of North Carolina and admission preference is given to those currently practicing in mental health settings or who plan to deliver direct mental health care upon graduation. Currently, there are 13 post master's certificate students and nine MSN students enrolled in the program.For more information about the program visit http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/nursing/masters_pmh.cfm
Dr. Darrell Neufer (from left), Dr. John Thyfault and Dr. Chien-Te Lin examine muscle tissue under a microscope. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

Millions of people in the U.S. take statins, a class of drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and other health problems. Now, researchers at East Carolina University and the University of Kansas are taking a closer look at one of the side effects of statins in order to better understand the potential impact of daily usage.Dr. Darrell Neufer, director of the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and Dr. John Thyfault, associate professor of physiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, have been awarded a five-year, $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to evaluate the impact of statins on mitochondrial function in muscle tissue.Previous studies in mice suggest that statins might negatively impact the function of mitochondria - the parts of cells that break down nutrients to create energy - in muscle, Neufer said. And research published by Thyfault found that patients taking statins while starting an exercise program didn't see the full benefit of the exercise.Thyfault said.Neufer and Thyfault, who were both mentored by Dr. Lynis Dohm at ECU earlier in their careers, decided that a comprehensive study in humans was needed. They conducted a pilot study with patients starting a high-dose statin regimen; biopsies were taken before starting the regimen and at two weeks, one month and two months.Neufer said.Such a drop in mitochondrial function could have important implications including muscle pain, increased risk for diabetes and decreased response to exercise.Neufer and Thyfault are careful to note that they don't want to dissuade people from taking statins.Neufer said.Neufer said that patients who have already had a cardiovascular event should certainly be on a daily statin treatment, because it lowers the risk of having another event. But there may be cause for restraint in using them as primary prevention - that is, prescribing them to people who have not had a cardiovascular event but may have elevated risk factors.Neufer said.The grant-funded project has two objectives. The first is to test the impact of different doses of statins on mitochondrial function and cardiorespiratory fitness (compared to a control group taking a placebo) over one-month, six-month and 12-month periods. The second is to follow up on the interaction between statins and exercise.Thyfault said.The multi-institutional collaboration will provide more subjects and more lab space than either institution would have on its own, as well as increasing the diversity of the population.Ultimately, said Neufer,The research will help inform who should and shouldn't be on statins, at what doses, and improve the medical community's understanding of the risks and side effects.If you are between the ages of 35-60 and are potentially interested in participating in the study, please contact Gabe Dubis at dubisg@ecu.edu.
Publisher's note: The press release was sent to me by Ben Shapiro , who represents the Daily Wire, and since this is the most topical news event of the day, it should be published on BCN.byOn Thursday (September 28, 2017), conservative commentator Steven Crowder released an undercover video (below) exposing the violence-embracing leftist movement Antifa. In the video, two undercover reporters are embedded with the "anti-fascist" leftist group for a few weeks and capture on video Antifa members discussing the violent tactics they plan to use as well as weapons they plan to carry, including combat knives, AK-47s and other weapons, in order to disrupt an event featuring Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro.Crowder begins the expose by explaining that his team of reporters has been "infiltrating this organization for a long time, hard." The result is evidence that is so damning that the authorities ended up thanking Crowder and his team for their work."Are they really an inconsequential group of rabble rousers?" asks Crowder of the group that has been championed by so many on the Left. As the video shows, and as so many around the country have learned over the last year, the answer is a resounding no.One of the reasons they are so influential, Crowder explains, is their broad support base on the Left . "Antifa is in a PR battle, so what they claim and what they do is very different," says Crowder. But behind the scenes, they are organizing and planning - as his undercover operatives found out firsthand - to enact violence.Despite some politicians and celebrities on the left publicly distancing themselves after Antifa's egregious acts of violence became too politically toxic to openly endorse, Crowder notes, "Antifa has never operated alone. They've been actively supported by professors and other leftists and student organizations." Crowder provides the example of current Utah State faculty members who "encouraged and emboldened students to disrupt the Ben Shapiro event and create chaos."One of the self-described "anti-fascists," going by the pseudonym "Clark," explains in an audio recording that his Utah-based group specifically asked the violent Antifa activists to show up in their masks and black clothing to supposedly provide "safety." Antifa is not "one static organization," he says, but more of an "ideology, a movement, a stance." Asked what the difference between Antifa and other leftist organizations is, Clark replies matter-of-factly, "The difference between them and other activists groups is the willingness to respond with violence."One of Crowder's undercover journalists finds himself in the middle of a discussion with Antifa "activists" on Utah State campus prior to Shapiro's speaking event. The discussion with the militant Antifa members goes so far in its threat-level that the reporter wisely chooses to get out of there.Crowder says they immediately gave the police the video evidence of the violence the Antifa members were planning. But when Crowder tried to get some of the media to find out more about what his team uncovered, reporters were strangely uninterested in learning about the violent leftist group. Crowder concludes the video by asking, "Is the media complicit in all of this, or do they just suck at their jobs?"
A cop injured during a protest sued DeRay Mckesson, Black Lives Matter and a hashtag. His suit was tossed by the judge this week.

The officer argued Black Lives Matter was a "national unincorporated association" and called Mckesson its leader and co-founder. He claimed the activists had gathered in Baton Rouge to incite violence against police and that Mckesson was responsible for the actions of the unidentified demonstrator who hurled the rock. The judge disagreed.  The judge also denied the officer's attempt to add the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter to the suit, writing that "a hashtag is patently incapable of being sued."

Cops and other government entities trying to sue protestors is an emergent free speech problem. Thankfully, Jeff Sessions will be fighting tooth and claw for minority activists' rights in the coming three years.
Republican Governor Susana Martinez of New Mexico allegedly dashed on her bill at a burger restaurant Wednesday in what her office is calling a "super-sized nothing burger."

The manager of Five Star Burgers in Santa Fe said that when separate bills came for the to-go order, Martinez "crumpled" hers and threw it in the trash, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. A few hours later after reports broke about the incident, the man Martinez ordered with came back and paid for her $17 Bison Burger meal, a server said.

Martinez's office said the incident was simply a misunderstanding. "The governor pays for her meals, including this one, and attempting to exploit an obviously honest misunderstanding just demonstrates how petty our politics have become," a spokesman for the governor said.

Image: New Mexico State Government
Learning How To Draw

Master The Art Of Drawing With This Essential How-To Guide

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

My artistic ability is far from Pablo Picasso. In third grade, my art teacher Mrs. Green assigned us a writing project to draw our family. My family ended up looking more like a group of pigs standing on their tiptoes.

After college when I worked in marketing, wed draw wireframes and sketch photography setups and mine were always the worst on the team. I resorted to laying mine out in PowerPoint instead.

So, when my editor asked me to write a piece explaining the different ways to learn how to draw, I thought itd be the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill. I enrolled in e-learning courses on Udemy and spent hours watching the videos and practicing my new craft with vigor.

During the process, there were a few things I learned along the way:

Prepare to set aside ample time to learn: I didnt realize how much time it takes to learn how to draw! Not only do you have to watch classes and read books, but you also have to practice. Sometimes it means having to stop a video and rewatch a section or use your eraser liberally to redo portions of the drawing.

Stay motivated: As with learning anything, its easy to get burnt out or discouraged. I found sharing my drawings with friends gave me a much-needed ego boost to keep on with my artistic quest.

Just do it: At first, I had beginners paralysis. Did I have the right paper and pencils? What about using my tablet, should I go digital instead of old-school sketch paper? I found that I enjoyed mixing both digital and traditional mediums, but the most important thing to do is just start. Theres something exciting about a fresh sheet of paper and an assortment of pencils waiting to be used.

Tools/Materials

While you could grab a piece of paper from the printer and your trusty No. 2 pencil, theres something invigorating about buying fresh supplies to prepare for a new project. I already owned an iPad Pro, and I found drawing on it to be an engaging experience. But, some artists prefer the old-fashioned method of sketching on real paper. Regardless of if youre digitally inclined or not, Ive included a few tools you might find useful in your drawing journey.

Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads

This is the granddaddy of sketchbooks. Its 400 sheets of delicious paper that meld perfectly with your pencil graphite. Its big enough to practice with, yet not heavy or bulky, making it easy to throw in your bag. The Strathmore Paper Company brand is well-known and liked in artist circles, and with 4.8 stars on Amazon with 1,270+ reviews, its a solid choice for traditional paper and pencil sketching.

$10.48 at Amazon.com

Shuttle Art 136 Colored Pencils Pencil Set

Your 12-year-old self would have loved this colored pencil set. Paint the rainbow with 128 bold colors and eight metallic colors. The smooth lead is perfect for shading and sketching masterpieces. The pencils come packaged in a clear storage box with a handle, ensuring that they stay organized and safe during travel.

$39.00 at Amazon.com

iPad Pro

For the serious artist, many people recommend the 10.5-inch iPad Pro for its multitude of drawing apps (including the one below), and ease of import/export for print and online uses. Paired with the Apple Pencil ($130) its the perfect creation companion.

$699.99 at Amazon.com

Procreate

One of the iPads most robust drawing and editing apps, Procreate is a digital sketchbook paired with the power of Photoshop. From charcoal to pastels, drawing to painting, create masterpieces that can be exported in PDFs, JPGs, and PNGs to be shared online or printed.

$6.00 at Itunes.com

Goals

Its important to realize up front that if youre coming from an artistically starved background, you wont become Vincent van Gogh overnight. I found that drawing in a sketchbook was a helpful way to gauge progress and celebrate the successes like when I drew my first human eyeball that actually looked semi-realistic and not just a cartoon blob.

Set aside 30 minutes each day to practice drawing, and youll start to see results. Dont expect that youll be drawing masterpieces. Instead, focus on the drawing techniques, like shading, proportions, and scale. The better you become at the fundamentals, the easier more complex drawings will be.

E-Learning Platforms

For busy guys on the go, online courses can be the perfect way to learn how to draw. Most courses offer a variety of tutorials and projects to practice drawing techniques. With Udemy, youre able to access them on your computer, tablet or phone, making it easy to learn anywhere you are. However, if youre the type of learner who needs a lot of personal feedback, these courses probably arent a good fit as most instructors dont have time to give feedback on every project. And, they can be expensive, ranging to more than $100. So if youre looking for a cheap way to learn how to draw, you might want to consider workbooks instead.

The Ultimate Drawing Course-Beginner to Advanced

Best For: The Professional Wannabe

With 62 video lectures and 11 hours of content, this class is packed with tutorials and lessons. During the course, you work on 50 projects like how to draw an eye,  and drawing animation styled art. What makes this course unique is the instructors personal attention. He messages each participant and is available on-demand to provide tips and feedback, adding an extra dimension to pre-recorded online class.

$150.00 at Udemy.com

The Secrets to Drawing

Best For: The Beginner

The Secrets to Drawing is the perfect class for someone who has no prior drawing or art experience and wants to learn the fundamentals quickly. Its only 5.5 hours of instruction but covers everything from lines and shapes to creating space and drawing perspectives. It also includes a primer on different drawing mediums, like graphite, oil pastels and ink, and the techniques used with each method.

$30.00 at Udemy.com

Drawing and Painting on the iPad with Procreate

Best For: The Digital Maven

If you have an iPad Pro, this class is the perfect way to learn the Procreate app and start producing professional art. It has garnered a 4.7-star review and reviews have applauded the instructors clarity and entertaining teaching style. It doesnt require any previous knowledge about drawing, but its advised that you know how to use your iPad.

$20.00 at Udemy.com

Discover How to Draw and Paint Comics

Best For: The Comedian

This Udemy course will teach you the skills to start drawing comics from your imagination. The videos start with learning about perspective and lighting, then transitions into using those techniques in drawing the human form. The course also expands into painting and editing in Photoshop to bring drawings to life.

$65.00 at Udemy.com

Books

In addition to watching video classes online, workbooks and print tutorials can be a great way to learn how to draw or even supplement an e-learning course. However, theyre not as portable as their digital counterparts, and you miss out on the interaction with others, like discussion boards or instructor feedback (albeit limited).

Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner

Best For: The Drawing Newbie

If youve never picked up a pencil, this book is for you. From learning how to hold a pencil to drawing reflections, Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner teaches it all. As one review notes, it is a very encouraging book and doesn't overwhelm you with too much information!

$19.99 at Amazon.com

The Big Book of Drawing: An Introduction to Essential Materials and Techniques

Best For: The Aspiring Artist

This 240-page book is packed with step-by-step demonstrations and drawing instructions. Youll learn everything from crosshatch shading to drawing tips using charcoal, pastels, and pencils. It also features work by some of the greatest artists like Rembrandt and Degas when demonstrating techniques.

$19.85 at Amazon.com

You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less

Best For: The Impatient Illustrator

Promising that youll be a pro in just 20 minutes a day for a month, You Can Draw in 30 Days is a beginner favorite. It not only includes step-by-step instructions on how to draw more than 500 line drawings but also features tutorials on how to draw in 3D. The book has garnered a 4.6-star review on Amazon by 559 people, and most customers have noted it lives up to its promise.

$19.00 at Amazon.com

In-person Classes

While books and online classes can be great, theres something special about learning in a classroom. By attending an in-person class, you can make new friends and learn a new skill at the same time. Plus, you get immediate access to valuable instructor feedback. However, theyre often time-intensive and require fitting classes into your schedule. They take commitment and more effort than the options above, but can often be the most rewarding. It doesnt take being accepted into a degree program to learn how to draw; there are a variety of common resources in your city to find drawing classes.

Local Universities / Community Colleges

Check with your local university or community college. Sometimes you can audit an art class, or they might offer evening classes that are designed for hobbyists rather than students.

Art Museums

Check the programming calendar at local art museums. For example, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Boston Museum of Fine Art both offer workshops to hone your sketching skills.

Groupon

Dont forget to scour deals sites like Groupon, which usually offer up discounts on art classes. Snag a $40 2-hour drawing class at the Nloyko Art School in Brooklyn, New York, or four 2-hour drawing classes for $87 in Austin, Texas. Plus, you dont have to go alone. You can buy two Groupons and bring a friend for moral (and artistic) support.

Practice

As with every creative endeavor, practice makes perfect. If youre limited on time, I practiced some of my skills while talking on the phone or an airplane. Its like Queen says, Don't stop me now, I'm having such a good time.

You also might find it helpful to do a combination of methods that we mentioned above, like taking an e-learning course, practicing with a workbook and bringing a friend along to an in-person class.

Learning a new skill doesnt have to be a chore, and drawing is a natural gateway to other art skills like painting. With time and dedication, you might just become the next Picasso.

Related Readings

Five Life Lessons You Didn't Learn In School

The Most Useful Languages To Learn

How To Learn Sign Language

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Mounting fears over reports of the detention of scores of gay and transgender people in Azerbaijan are prompting some LGBT people to flee the central Asian country, activists tell CBC News.

Over the past week or more, as many as 100 people have been arrested or detained by authorities in the capital city of Baku.

"In the beginning it was just sex workers who got arrested, and then day by day the arrests growed (sic) and others got arrested," said Javid Nabiyev, president of the Nefes LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance.

Nabiyev now lives in Dusseldorf, Germany, where he says he was granted asylum after his work as an activist made it impossible for him to stay in Azerbaijan.

He told CBC News gay people in the oil-rich, mainly Muslim country have been subjected to occasional harassment in the past, but a systematic effort to detain people is unprecedented.

Homosexuality is not illegal in Azerbaijan, but it is not widely accepted.

"Detainees were subjected to beatings, verbal abuse and forced medical examinations," Naviyev wrote in a report posted on his group's Facebook page Thursday.

"Many were released only after giving up addresses of fellow members of the LGTB community, who were then in turn arrested and subjected to the same treatment," said the report.

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Internal Affairs was quoted by a local news agency saying that the raids had "nothing to do with anyone's sexual orientation." Instead, the ministry accused the detainees of being engaged in prostitution.

The detentions in Azerbaijan have prompted comparisons to the situation in nearby Chechnya earlier this year.

Human rights groups said dozens of gay men were rounded up and held in prisons for days, humiliated, starved and tortured.

The international organization Human Rights Watch said men were outted to their families, and relatives were encouraged to carry out "honour killings."

Canada has since granted asylum to dozens of gay men from Chechnya, a federal republic of Russia.

Story continues

On Saturday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Randy Boissonnault, the prime minister's special adviser on LGBTQ2 issues, released a statement saying that Ottawa "is concerned by the recent reports of arrests, detentions and violence" and calling for "the protection of all people in Azerbaijan whose sexual orientation makes them a target for persecution."

Nothing as severe as the Chechnya crackdown has been reported in Azerbaijan, but Nabiyev says people there are clearly concerned it could happen.

"Some people have already left the country," he said. "Most of them are going to Georgia or Turkey, because we don't need a visa."

Tanya Lokshina, with Human Rights Watch in Moscow, said the "anti-gay purge" in Chechnya may have emboldened those with homophobic views in other nearby predominantly Muslim countries where homosexuality is not widely accepted.

"People are effectively on the lookout for gays," she told CBC News.

"They're whispering behind his back, 'What about his hairstyle, what about his clothes, is there a possibility?' and so forth. It's not something that was likely to happen before the purge when the issue was taboo," she said.

"But it's extremely dangerous for gay people there now."
[September 28, 2017] BP Logix Announces Process Director 4.5 Update

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BP Logix, provider of BPM solutions for enterprise digital transformation, today announced the availability of the latest update to the Process Director platform. This update enhances many of the innovations introduced in version 4.5 of the flagship product, including advances in development methodology, giving organizations more control, more capabilities, and a smoother implementer experience than ever before. The updated release of Process Director 4.5, in both on-premise and Cloud versions, is now available. Process Director 4.0 transcended organizational boundaries, tying together an organization's business ecosystem with sophisticated, code-free workflow applications. Featuring smart web forms, advanced graphical analytics, and the unique Process Timeline workflow engine, Process Director 4.0 asserted its leadership in BPM-enabled rapid workflow app development. Process Director 4.5 is positioned to further revolutionize the practice of producing custom applications within the enterprise, supplanting costly programming efforts in favor of configurable, BPM-driven apps that are easier to build, manage, and update. The new update enriches the implementer's experience, improvig Process Director 4.5's data flow analysis tools that enable implementers to visualize data flows between objects. Working with an online form designer that permits forms to be created from any browser, digital application developers enjoy with enhanced form styling and visual customization. The modernized UI offers a contemporary look-and-feel, along with a modernized user interface for electronic forms themselves. The update also boasts enhanced web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and compatibility with Section 508, enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology for people with disabilities.



Process Director is an easy-to-deploy BPM solution that is business-friendly, allowing business analysts and other non-programmers to create custom, end-to-end digital applications. The product's no code/low code rapid development environment lights the path for companies engaged in finding their own digital journey in the era of digital transformation. "Customers will benefit from Process Director's flexibility and rapid time-to-value," stated Jay O'Brien, CEO of BP Logix. "Our goal is to provide the lowest time-to-value and the highest utility for the business, while also meeting the governance and oversight requirements of IT. Enabling business analysts to develop applications that address the processes and systems with which they are most familiar will ensure faster time to completionand a clear competitive advantagefor our customers," he concluded

About BP Logix, Inc.

BP Logix makes innovative and intelligent software that drives digital transformation in organizations across North America and around the globe. Process Director, the company's award-winning business process management (BPM) solution, is a powerfulyet easy to usehigh-productivity, rapid application development platform for building, deploying, and enhancing digital applications. Customers include Abbott Labs, the City of West Allis, IDEX, Leo Burnett USA, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, MultiPlan, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Vulcan Materials Company. These organizationsand hundreds of othersrely on Process Director for its unique ability to fuse business groups, customers, and suppliers together into a single efficient, compliant, customer-delighting machine. The BP Logix name and logo are the registered service and trademarks of BP Logix, Inc. Media Contact:

Ingrid Andrews

CMG Delivers

[email protected]

or

Marti Colwell

BP Logix

760-643-4121 ext. 3250

[email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bp-logix-announces-process-director-45-update-300527975.html SOURCE BP Logix

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Hillary Clinton warned Canadians that "democracy is under attack" not just in the United States, but in Canada and around the world, and she told a Toronto audience Thursday night that she will do everything she can to fight against the forces trying to undermine it.

"Democracy is under attack everywhere. It's not only my country," Clinton told a packed hall of an estimated 5,500 at the Enercare Centre. She pledged to use her voice and platform to encourage people to get involved and help tackle the things that are challenging democracy in the U.S. and globally.

- OPINION | Hillary Clinton won't go away. Good

"I'm not going anywhere except right into the middle of the debates about our future," she told the sellout crowd.



The Democratic presidential candidate who lost to Donald Trump last November was north of the border to promote her new memoir about the 2016 election, titled What Happened. She will also make appearances in Montreal and Vancouver in the coming weeks.

Key lessons

She outlined key lessons she says she wants Americans and Canadians to learn from the election. These lessons will help determine whether Americans can "heal our democracy and protect it in the future," said Clinton.

She wrote the book with these lessons in mind because she wants future generations to know what happened, the former secretary of state said. "But I also want a concerned world to recognize that democracy is under assault," she said.

Clinton writes in her book that her campaign made mistakes and she takes responsibility for them, but she spreads the blame around too, and spoke about that on stage.



A political press obsessed with her emails and the "unprecedented intervention" of former FBI director James Comey were factors that contributed to a "perfect storm," said Clinton, but she spent a good portion of her remarks talking about Russia and the "successful information warfare waged from the Kremlin."

Story continues

'Clear and present danger'

Clinton said Russia's ability to spread lies and misinformation online about her that reached and affected American voters is something Canadians should be worried about.

"It's a clear and present danger to our democracy and I think to any democracy in the West," she said. The ongoing threat from Russia's efforts to undermine democracy "requires us to act and act decisively," said Clinton.

She said she is warning Canadians, and anyone, anywhere, running for office that they too can be victims of misinformation and propaganda campaigns.

"That's one of my pleas to everybody  we have to pay attention to this and we need to find solutions to it," she said.

Assange does Kremlin's 'bidding,' Clinton says

She also took sharp aim at Wikileaks and its founder Julian Assange, describing him as a puppet of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and accusing the website of making stories up.



"Assange is somebody who I think is very much in the orbit, maybe even the control, of the Kremlin, doing its bidding," said Clinton.

Russians aren't the only ones spreading misinformation though, Clinton said, referencing Trump and his White House staff who talk about "alternative" facts and deny plain truths.



"We are living through an all-out assault on truth and reason," she said.

Rallying cries

The former New York senator offered rallying cries to the audience, encouraging them to speak out in the face of sexism, racism and bigotry and to stand up for human rights. She encouraged them to hold elected leaders and the media accountable "when they do not perform on behalf of truth and accuracy."

She talked about sexism in politics in her hour-long talk and said the best way to get rid of it is to elect more women. She said she applauded when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chose a gender-balanced cabinet.

Clinton also gave a nod to Canadians she said she met on her campaign trail who came south to help her attempt to become the first woman president in the U.S.

Walks and Chardonnay

She said the post-election period when she was writing the book and reflecting on what went wrong was "painful." So was listening to the news as Trump did, said or tweeted something controversial on an almost daily basis, she said. Walks in the woods and glasses of Chardonnay helped her cope.

Clinton ended her Toronto event on an encouraging note, saying she's optimistic but realistic about tackling the big issues that her country is facing.

"That means that I am going to get up every day trying to figure out how to do what I say is resist, insist, persist and enlist," she said.
By Nadine Awadalla and Eric Knecht CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has exhorted followers across the world to wage attacks against the West and to keep fighting in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. The message released on Thursday was his first purported audio communication in almost a year during which his jihadist group lost much of its self-proclaimed "caliphate". The audio, partly dedicated to religious scriptures, came after several reports Baghdadi had been killed. His last recording was in November 2016, two weeks after the start of the battle to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS). "Oh Soldiers of the Caliphate, fan the flames of war on your enemies, take it to them and besiege them in every corner, and stand fast and courageous." "Beware of retreat, or the feeling of defeat, beware of negotiations or surrender. Do not lay down your arms," Baghdadi said, referring to followers in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, North Africa and elsewhere in Africa. The date of the 46-minute recording, released via the Al-Furqan news organization, was not clear. But in it, Baghdadi makes an apparent reference to recent events including North Korean threats against Japan and United States and the recapture two months ago of Mosul by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces. Since Baghdadi proclaimed the caliphate stretching across Iraq and Syria in 2014, Iraqi forces have retaken a string of cities in western and northern Iraq including Mosul, where Baghdadi made his announcement from the city's El Nuri mosque. Western-backed Syrian forces are also thrusting into the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa, Islamic State's operational headquarters from where it plotted many of the attacks that have killed hundreds of people around the world. Baghdadi also called for attacks on Western media, saying: "Oh soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centers of the infidels, from where they wage their intellectual wars, among the targets." "Continue your Jihad and your blessed operations and do not let the crusaders rest in their homes and enjoy life and stability while your brethren are being shelled and killed." The fall of Mosul in July effectively marked the end of the Iraqi half of Baghdadi's "caliphate" even though Islamic State continues to fight in some territory outside of Mosul, the largest city they came to control in both Iraq and Syria. An IS branch in Libya was also defeated last year in the city of Sirte, where they had set up a North African beachhead in 2014. In Egypt's northern Sinai, another affiliated militant group is still fighting Egyptian military forces. "With God's will and his strength, we are staying determined, patient...The abundance of killing will not stop us," Baghdadi said in the audio recording. Officials have said they believed it could take years to capture or kill Baghdadi as he is thought to be hiding in a vast swathe of sparsely-populated desert between Mosul and Raqqa, where attacking drones are easy to spot. The United States has offered a $25 million bounty for information that would locate Baghdadi. Russia's defense ministry said earlier this year it might have killed Baghdadi in an air strike on a gathering of IS commanders on the outskirts of Raqqa. But U.S. officials said they could not corroborate the death and other Western as well as Iraqi officials were skeptical. (Additional reporting by Mostafa Hashem; Writing by Patrick Markey and Samia Nakhoul; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
A ruling is expected Friday in the trial of the RCMP related to the shootings of 2014, when three Moncton Mounties lost their lives at the hands of gunman Justin Bourque and two others were wounded.

As the trial drew to a close in July, after weeks of testimony, Judge Leslie Jackson said he would carefully weigh arguments presented by both sides in what's considered a precedent-setting case.

- RCMP 'played the odds' with officer safety and it proved fatal, Crown argues

Though the question of whether frontline RCMP officers were sufficiently armed has come up before  after the Mayerthorpe, Alta., tragedy in 2005, for instance  this was the first time the national police force was actually sent to trial accused of failing to keep its officers safe.

"You have to understand the RCMP were always perceived to be untouchable," said Gilles Levasseur, law professor at the University of Ottawa.

Whatever the decision Friday, Levasseur said, it will send an important message to police forces across the country.

"It's giving a clear indication to the rest of Canada, to the police authorities, that there's a minimum requirement," he said.

The trial, which began in April, heard from 30 witnesses, including responding officers, giving the public its first real look since the shooting at what it was like on the ground that night.

Many of them explained, often through tears, how they could have taken down Bourque with better weapons, before he got to all five Mounties.

High-powered carbines, and why the Moncton Mounties didn't have them in June 2014, were at the centre of testimony, with the Crown alleging the organization "grossly mismanaged" the issue and "played the odds" with officer safety.

At the end of it all, the RCMP's former top boss made a surprise appearance and disputed statements of all the officers who testified.

Bob Paulson said he wasn't convinced bigger guns for all officers should be part of policing in Canada.

Story continues

He also alluded to budget constraints the force was under, a point the defence has tried to stress throughout the trial.

'Above and beyond reproach?'

For Brian Sauve, co-chair of the National Police Federation, a non-guilty ruling would be "a sad state of affairs" for the membership and the families affected by the tragedy.

"They will see it as the government of Canada, and the RCMP, are not being held accountable for safety measures that they could have implemented," Sauve said.

"So, are they above and beyond reproach? That's dangerous territory to get into."

Sauve hopes the case will be a wakeup call for the organization.

"The RCMP has for years been run on a shoestring budget," he said. "And that shoestring is extremely frail. We don't have the resources  to continue on with the mandate we've been given.

The RCMP is charged with violating four provisions of the Canada Labour Code, each one carrying a maximum fine of $1 million.

Levasseur said he "would not be surprised" if there were convictions, though de doubted the maximum penalty would be applied.

The four charges are:

- Failing to provide RCMP members with appropriate use of force equipment and related user training when responding to an active threat or active shooter event.

- Failing to provide RCMP members with appropriate information, instruction and/or training to ensure their health and safety when responding to an active threat or active shooter event in an open environment.

- Failing to provide RCMP supervisory personnel with appropriate information, instruction and/or training to ensure the health and safety of RCMP members when responding to an active threat or active shooter event in an open environment.

- Failing to ensure the health and safety at work of every person employed by it, namely: RCMP members, was protected.

No individual RCMP manager or supervisor is named in the charges.
In just two years working as a bus driver for the Toronto Transit Commission, Shawn Bredin has been assaulted three times.

The first time, he was slashed with a knife and held at gunpoint.

"I didn't know that this was a lot more than somebody would see in 30 years," he told CBC Toronto.

The other two attacks happened within the last month. In one instance, a man threw water in Bredin's face. In the other, Bredin was pepper-sprayed, then repeatedly hit in the face.

As a result, the union representing TTC employees is calling for a full safety audit  and Bredin is asking for more respect.

"The general public doesn't view us as human beings," he said.

"We're only shown in the media when we have done something wrong, when TTC is at fault. People don't know what we go through on a daily basis. This becomes frustrating for us."

Held at gunpoint

Bredin's first assault, the most serious of the three, happened Aug. 27, 2016. It was midnight at Eglinton Station and he had gone into an employees-only area to use the washroom.

"When I opened the door and stepped out, before I even had a chance to fathom what was going on, I had been sliced in the stomach and punched in the face," he said.

What saved his life, Bredin said, was the back brace he wears while driving after sustaining a back injury in 2013. The knife cut through his shirt, but the brace protected his skin.

After that, Bredin says he threw himself at the man, landed on top of him and started swinging.

"I thought he had passed out or I knocked him out, so I stood up and reached in my pocket to get my cell phone," he said. "Before I could get it to my ear he jolted awake, reached into his pants and pulled a gun."

"I took a couple steps backwards, he held the gun to my face for what felt like a long time  it was probably only a few seconds  and he just told me to get back into the washroom."

Story continues

When the door closed, Bredin noticed he had also been slashed in the face. Doctors told him he was lucky he didn't lose an eye.

All three attacks against Bredin happened at Eglinton Station.

"The number one problem is that it's Yonge and Eglinton," he said. "It's one of the biggest intersections in the city, and west of the entrance and the south entrance are completely open. Even when the station is shut down at 2 a.m., anybody at any time can just walk in and do what they feel like."

Bredin said the assaults have taken a toll on his mental health. At times, he feels afraid to go to work.

Kevin Morton, the secretary-treasurer for the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, said the TTC needs to look into how safe each station is  particularly for employees.

"The TTC has so much construction ongoing that the safety integrity of these stations has been compromised," Morton said. "They've changed openings, they've changed walkways, they've changed entrances, they have all kinds of scaffolding... and the areas that used to be considered safe or at least protected are open.

"It's just crazy. We've got to do something."

TTC response

Stuart Green, a spokesperson for the TTC, said a transit employee is assaulted every one to two days. Those assaults include everything from having coffee thrown on them, being spat on, or being punched.

Bredin said verbal assault is even more common.

"If I'm not verbally assaulted 15-20 times a day then it's been a really slow day," he said.

Green said several measures are in place to protect employees. Older models of streetcars and buses have driver shields, collector booths are made of bullet-proof glass, and transit enforcement officers are assigned to various routes.

He said operators' safety is of paramount concern.

"The last thing we want to see is any of our operators be assaulted."

Bredin said the TTC has been "great" in their response to his assaults. But when it comes to a permanent solution to the problem of violence against operators, he's not sure what that could look like.

One thing is clear to Bredin, though.

"We need the same respect our passengers want."
Lawyer says Vatican diplomat wanted for child porn offences should be sent back to Canada

A London, Ont. lawyer says it's time for the Vatican to "put its money where its mouth is" and send Monsignor Carlo Capella back to Canada where he faces child pornography charges.

"If Pope Francis has been nothing but a PR exercise this will prove it," said Robert Talach with Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers.

Reports in American media state Capella, a high-ranking Catholic priest, was recalled to the Vatican after rumours U.S. authorities were planning to charge him with possession of child pornography began to swirl earlier this month.

On Thursday, Windsor police issued a Canada-wide warrant alleging a 50-year-old man named Carlo Capella committed child pornography offences at an area church during the Christmas holidays.

He is wanted for accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography.

The Diocese of London has confirmed it assisted in an "investigation around suspicions involving Msgr. Capella's possible violations of child pornography laws by using a computer address at a local Church," according to spokesperson Nelson Couto.

A Sept. 15 statement from the Vatican explains a "member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See" who was working in Washington was brought back to the city where the "Promoter of Justice opened an investigation and has already commenced international collaboration to obtain elements relative to the case."

Talach said the role of the London Diocese should stretch beyond assisting with the investigation.

"It should be making demands of the Vatican to send this guy back to face the music," he said.

When questioned about whether or not the diocese had contacted the church in Rome about Capella and requested he be returned to Canada, Couto said: "The Diocese of London can't comment on the Vatican investigation."

The Vatican hasn't commented beyond its initial statement, or even officially identified Capella as the recalled diplomat. Several U.S. church officials have complained that the Vatican was being less than transparent about the case.

Story continues

The diplomat's recall comes ahead of an international conference next week at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome on protecting children from online sexual exploitation, pornography and abuse.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and Capella's boss, is set to deliver the keynote speech Tuesday on "The Holy See and its commitment to combating sex abuse online."

Panelists at the conference, which was organized months ago, are to include top law enforcement and academic experts in the field of child protection and cybercrimes, with an entire morning devoted to "Child Sexual Abuse Online: Who are the offenders?"

Vatican has protected priests before

Talach, whose specialties include cases involving sexual abuse by the clergy, said the fact Capella was whisked away by the church shouldn't come as a shock.

"I'm probably the least-surprised person in the world right now," he said. "There are lots of examples of hiding either offenders or people under investigation within the walls of the Vatican."

Talach cited Bernard Prince, a Canadian priest who was promoted to a top Vatican position despite sexual abuse allegations, as an example of the church's efforts to protect itself from scandal. Prince was living in the Vatican when accusations of abuse began to circulate, but he was eventually sent back to Canada, where he was convicted in 2008 of sexually abusing more than a dozen boys over a 20-year period.

He was defrocked by the Catholic Church in 2009.

"He was able to live and work and take refuge within the Vatican for a number of years," said Talach, adding the same luxury shouldn't be available to Capella.

"He's wanted in a criminal matter involving children and he should be sent back for prosecution. Period."

Correction : A previous version of this story stated that Monsignor Carlo Capella would be part of a conference in Rome next week about protecting children from online sexual exploitation, pornography and abuse. In fact, he was never involved with or invited to the conference.(Sep 30, 2017 9:26 AM)
Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Algemeiner.com..28 September '17..After the Oslo Accords were signed, Australian journalist John Lyons believed that the world was on the brink of resolving one of the most relentless conflicts in history. In 2009, he arrived in Jerusalem, where he spent six years as the Australians Middle East correspondent.is Lyons memoir of his deepening disenchantment with the Jewish state.An obsession with occupation through settlements frames the indictment of Israel that guides Lyons narrative. According to Lyons, his transformation on Israel began more than a decade earlier, during his first visit to Hebron. Drawn to the raw conflict in that ancient Jewish city  the burial place of the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs, and the site of King Davids first capital  Lyons fixates on Israeli cruelty. In the most prosperous West Bank Arab city, inhabited by 200,000 Palestinians and several hundred Jews, he focuses on the occupying Israeli army that protects their tiny enclave, which was decimated by Arab rioting in 1929, and rebuilt after the Six-Day War.
Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Joya Black by Joya de Nicaragua in the Robusto Size size. This is a cigar we assessed back in November 2016 in the Toro size.

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Joya de Nicaragua SA)

Robusto: 5 1/4 x 50

In 2016 Joya de Nicaragua released the Joya Black. The Joya Black is a maduro offering that was the second installment of the Joya line. It was back in 2014 when Joya de Nicaragua launched the Joya line with the Joya Red. The Joya line was meant to bridge Joya de Nicaraguas rich history with the modern contemporary cigar enthusiast in mind. Last year we assessed this cigar in the Toro size. Today we look at it in the Robusto size.

Joya Black is a significant release for Joya de Nicaragua in that it utilizes a San Andres Maduro wrapper. While Joya had produced San Andres wrapper offerings for other companies (e.g. 2015s Fratello Bianco), this is the first Joya de Nicaragua branded cigar to utilize the wrapper. Joya Black also incorporates all-Nicaraguan tobaccos for the binders and filler. The line is offered in four sizes (Robusto, Doble Robusto, Toro, Nocturne (Corona Gorda)) The Robusto size we are looking at today measures 5 1/4 x 50.

The flavor profile of the Joya Black Robusto was in line with its Toro sibling. This was a cigar that delivered notes of coffee, maduro sweetness (cross of natural tobacco and dried fruit), classic wood, cedar and white pepper. Early on, I found the maduro sweetness to be the primary note. By the latter stages of the first third, the coffee notes made their way into the forefront alternating with the maduro sweetness as to what had the edge. There also was a layer of white pepper on the retro-hale which would vary in intensity throughout the smoking experience.

By the last third, the wood and cedar were the primary notes. In the background, the coffee and maduro sweetness were also contributing to the flavor profile. The pepper notes had also slightly intensified.

Overall the flavors of the Joya Black Robusto started out medium-bodied, but progressed to medium to full-bodied by the last third. Simultaneously, this was a cigar that delivered medium strength from start to finish.

My thoughts on the Joya Black Robusto are quite similar to the Toro. This is not a San Andres wrapped blend that is going to deliver a radically different profile compared to many other comparable cigars. However this is a cigar that delivers excellent flavor at an excellent price ($7.00). Its a cigar Id recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast and a great cigar for a novice to graduate to something medium/medium plus. As for myself, Id smoke this again and its worthy of a box split.

Summary

Key Flavors: Coffee, Maduro Sweetness, Classic Wood, Cedar, White Pepper

Burn: Very Good

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium+

Strength: Medium

Body: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Last third)

Finish: Very Good

Rating

Assessment: 3.5-Box Split

Score: 90

References

Previous Assessment: Joya Black Toro by Joya de Nicaragua

News: Joya de Nicaragua to Launch Joya Black

Price: $7.00

Source: Joya de Nicaragua

Brand Reference: Joya de Nicaragua
The restoring of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States has hit another roadblock. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning that urges Americans not to travel to Cuba. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba will reduce its staff significantly and will stop processing visas. The action is a response to a series of mysterious acoustic attacks on several Americans located in Cuba.

Back on September 17th, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated that closing of U.S. Embassy in Cuba Under Evaluation. This followed a letter sent to Tillerson by five U.S. Senators urging him to close the Embassy.

At least 21 Americans in Cuba have been diagnosed with the onset of physical problems such as speech difficulty, hearing loss, headaches, and even concussions. After investigation by U.S. officials, it has been concluded the problems were caused by exposure to a high frequency, inaudible ultrasonic sound. It is not known whether this was engineered by the Cuban government or some other group. While the Cuban government has denied involvement with such an operation, the U.S. has stated it holds the Cuban government responsible for getting to the bottom of who is responsible. This past May, two Cuban diplomats were asked to leave the U.S. and it is widely believed it is related to these incidents.

Travel is a key part of the Cuban economy. The reduction of embassy staff and the recent travel warning is the latest complication in the road to fully restored diplomatic relations and ending the U.S. embargo in Cuba.
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New York, September 29, 2017Moroccan authorities should lift any restriction on journalist Saeed Kamali Dehghans ability to travel to the country, and allow all journalists to report freely on matters of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Plainclothes policemen on September 27 detained Dehghan while he was reporting on the anti-corruption Al-Hirak al-Shaabi (The Peoples Movement) in Moroccos northern Rif region, and yesterday expelled him from Casablanca, according to news reports.

Instead of demonstrating a commitment to press freedom, Morocco is doubling down on its effort to silence journalists, CPJs Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said from Washington D.C. We call on Moroccan authorities to lift any restrictions on Dehghans ability to enter Morocco, and to allow all journalists to report freely on protests in the Rif area.

The journalist, a British citizen, arrived in Morocco on September 25 to cover the Women in Africa summit in Marrakesh, according to news reports. On September 27, he travelled to al-Hoceima in Rif to interview activists in Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, independent journalist Imad Stitou, who spoke to his colleague before the arrest, told CPJ via email, an account confirmed in news reports. Dehghan was interviewing local activists at the time of his arrest, one of those activists, El Mortada Iamrachen, told the French language local news website Tel Quel.

CPJ was unable to determine how authorities transported Dehghan 364 miles from al-Hoceima to Casablanca.

The Guardian released a statement yesterday confirming that Dehghan arrived safely in the United Kingdom, and that the paper is looking into the circumstances with more detail, the journalist posted on Twitter. The statement did not provide any information about the reasons behind the journalists expulsion.

The Guardian told CPJ in an email that it had nothing to add to its statement.

Government spokesman Mustapha Khalfi did not immediately respond to CPJs email requesting comment. Tel Quel cited an unnamed Moroccan government official as saying that authorities deported the journalist because he failed to obtain required credentials.

In July, Moroccan authorities arrested and deported Jose Luis Navazo, director of the Spanish publication El Correo Diplomatico and a reporter for the site Fernando Sanz, while reporting on Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, CPJ documented at the time. Authorities also deported Djamel Alilat, a reporter for the daily Algerian newspaper Al-Watan, after he covered protests in Al-Nador in June, also in the Rif region, according to media reports.

Northern Morocco has been the site of protests since October 2016, when a fishmonger was crushed to death inside a garbage truck while trying to retrieve fish that police had confiscated from him, according to news reports.
India and Norway sign Letter of Intent to bilateral extend health cooperation

Published: September 29, 2017

India has signed Letter of Intent (LoI) with Norway to extend cooperation within health sector through Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) for period of three years starting from 2018.

Through this LoI, cooperation between both countries will continue to be aligned with development goals of India as outlined in its National Health Policy, 2017 for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Facts

The cooperation will also focus on global health issues of common interest. It will include areas related to reproductive, maternal, child, new-born, adolescent health and health system strengthening to be build based on experiences from NIPI phase I and II. The cooperation will continue to focus on innovative, catalytic and strategic support, taking Indias Intensification Plan for Accelerated Maternal and Child Survival in country as starting point.

Background

The Governments of Norway and India had agreed in 2006 to collaborate towards achieving MDG 4 to reduce child mortality. The partnership was based on Indias health initiative, National Health Mission (NHM) and aimed at facilitating rapid scale-up of quality child and maternal health services in four high focus states  Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan.

The main activities in NIPI Phase I (2006-2012) were home-based new born care (HBNC), establishing Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCU), Yashoda through State health system, techno managerial support and providing strategic support for immunization and Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives. India and Norway had decided to extend the partnership to coincide with Phase II of NHM plan for period of five years (2013-17). Besides four states supported by NIPI, Jammu & Kashmir was added as fifth state with NIPI.

NIPI through its work in last decade (2007-2017) has resulted in newer initiatives. It has also supported NHM by providing credible technical support in five states and at national level. It has resulted in development and release of multiple policies and guidelines for NHM.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2017

Topics: Health Sector  India-Norway  National  Norway India Partnership Initiative  Odisha  Public health

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Claims he burned dozens of holy books accidentally



The jailing of former Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama earlier this year on blasphemy charges that many believe to have been heavily politicized has led to renewed criticism of the The jailing of former Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama earlier this year on blasphemy charges that many believe to have been heavily politicized has led to renewed criticism of the countrys harsh blasphemy laws





A soldier in Jayapura, who yesterday was found guilty of defaming religion by burning holy books, is the latest blasphemer to be thrown into an Indonesian prison under questionable circumstances.





Yesterday, a panel of Judges of the 3rd Military Court of Jayapura sentenced Second Sergeant Bangun Ahmad to 2.5 years in prison and dismissed him from his military unit for having been legally and convincingly proven to defame religion.





Bangun Ahmad, who was a member of the border security task force, was accused of burning dozens of holy books on May 25 in a garbage bin located near his barracks.





The former soldier said in his defense statement that he had taken the initiative to clean the warehouse and while doing so had found a pile of books in a box that he then immediately burned. He claimed not to know that there were holy books inside (reports did not say which holy books).





The judges clearly did not buy that defense and after a five-hour trial featuring 19 witnesses, delivered the sentence of 2.5 years in jail (higher than the two years requested by the prosecution).





Pastor Dora Balubun of the Synod Church of Jayapura expressed his gratitude for the sentences handed down by the judges after the trial, telling Kabar24, Justice must be upheld even if we have given forgiveness, and we hope this incident does not happen again in the future.

 | 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
Iran Human Rights (SEPT 26 2017): A prisoner was executed at Yasuj Central Prison on murder charges.





According to IRIB News Agency, on the morning of Tuesday September 26, the execution of a prisoner who was charged with murder was carried out at Yasuj Central Prison.





The prisoner was identified as M., 27 years old, who had run over a person with his car over a tribal dispute.





The chief of police of Choram County said, After the execution was implemented by the judicial authorities of the province, some members of the murderers clan tried to cause chaos which was averted by the police and the security forces.





Rahimi added, Currently the tension in the city has calmed down and law enforcement forces are sent to the main areas of the city.





According to the annual report on the death penalty report by Iran Human Rights, 142 of the 530 execution sentences in 2016 were implemented due to murder charges.





There is a lack of a classification of murder by degree in Iran which results in issuing death sentence for any kind of murder regardless of intensity and intent.

 | 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
Under President Trump, the United States of America is firmly committed to the cause of human rights -- because we are committed to keeping the peace, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence recently told the U.N. Security Council. Vice President Pences words highlighted a call for needed reforms in the United Nations Human Rights Council or UNHRC.

The United Nations, he said, is bound by its charter to foster international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamentalfreedoms for all:

As we look at the membership of the council today, we see nations that betray these timeless principles upon which this institution was founded. Today, the United Nations Human Rights Council actually attracts and welcomes many of the worst human rights violators in the world.

Vice President Pence noted that Cuba sits on the Council, despite its record of repression. Another member, Venezuela, undermines democracy and imprisons political opponents to its regime.

Vice President Pence also called for reform of the UN Human Rights Council agenda item on Israel, recalling that it is the only country with an agenda item dedicated to it.

In addition to his call for reform of the Human Rights Council, Vice President Pence asked the United Nations Security Council and all nations to call out human rights abuses with action, courage and conviction. In particular, he called on the security forces of Burma to stop the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim people that has driven them from their homes in the hundreds of thousands. He called on the UN Security Council to act swiftly to bring the crisis to an end.

Through reform of our efforts and reform of this institution, through renewed courage to speak and act whenever and wherever the unalienable rights of innocent people, or the peace of the world, is at risk, said Vice President Pence, We will create, as our President said, a more safe and peaceful future for all mankind.
Despite measures being taken by the Spanish justice system and the authorities to prevent a planned illegal referendum on Catalan independence from taking place on Sunday, the regional premier, Carles Puigdemont, was determined on Thursday night that the poll would go ahead.

The plastic containers that the Catalan regional government plans to use as ballot boxes on Sunday. Andreu Dalmau (EFE)

At a meeting with representatives from the regions education sector, the politician stated that schools would be opened on Sunday as polling stations, so as not to back down a millimeter in terms of fundamental rights. The regional police in Catalonia, the Mossos dEsquadra, have been given orders from the public prosecutor to seal off education centers in order to prevent the vote from taking place.

He went on to say that there would be a lot of difficulties on Sunday, but added that: For every difficulty, there are two solutions, and for every fear, three hopes.

For every difficulty, there are two solutions, and for every fear, three hopes Carles Puigdemont, Catalan regional premier,

The Catalan regional government is determined to hold a referendum vote on independence on Sunday, despite the Constitutional Court having suspended the poll and the fierce opposition of the central government in Madrid. Thousands of police and Civil Guard officers have been drafted in from all over the country in order to prevent the poll from taking place.

On Friday, representatives from the regional government held a press conference at which they presented the ballot boxes that will be used for the vote on Sunday. They are translucent plastic containers and carry the logo of the Catalan government. They will be sealed with orange zip ties. One of the challenges for the regional authorities has been how to secure such ballot boxes, given that they have not been granted access to the usual clear boxes used at regular elections, and have been precluded from contracting the services of a supplier.

Despite the pressure, political parties in the region and pro-independence organizations are due to hold a final rally from 8pm today to close the campaign. The event, which will take place in the Font Magica (Magic Fountain) in the Montjuic neighborhood, will aim to offer an image of unity and hammer home the message that the vote will take place on October 1. As well as Puigdemont, also in attendance will be the deputy premier Oriol Junqueras, and a number of other key pro-independence figures.

The regional government will today present its preparations for the referendum. It will do so in a private press center, managed by multimedia communications group MediaPro, which will charge journalists 10 for access.

The secretary of state for security and the Civil Guard are coordinating an operation to stop the vote

For its part, the central government of Popular Party (PP) Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy used a security council meeting with the regional government on Thursday to put on pressure for the vote to be canceled. After the meeting, the secretary of state for security, Jose Antonio Nieto, complained of the regional governments refusal to suspend the referendum. Given this situation, he explained that the aim of the ministry, which is coordinating an operation in the region via Civil Guard Colonel Diego Perez de los Cobos, would be for the law to be observed and that the vote would not go ahead on Sunday.

We have repeated our total commitment so that the aim of defending the law is met, as well as the defense of the rule of law and the guarantee of peaceful coexistence, he added. He went on to say that the authorities would act with total determination so that an act that has been declared illegal by the Constitutional Court is prevented from taking place.

The secretary of state for security also called for no police authority to be a protagonist on Sunday of any incident other than guaranteeing that Barcelona or any other area has a day of festivities and celebration. On Sunday, he said, there can be celebration. Anyone can do so however they like, in some cases with a picnic. But this will not be done at the cost of breaking the law.

While we dont reject what the judge has ordered, what is important is to safeguard the coexistence of citizens Joaquim Forn, Catalan regional interior chief

The Interior Ministry believes that the National Police force and the Civil Guard will be forced to act to guarantee that voting centers will not open. The Mossos dEsquadra have objected to instructions to ensure that schools, medical centers and other public locations are not used for voting stations on the basis that this could cause public order problems. The ministry, however, has interpreted this objection as a way for the regional force to ignore the instructions, which were issued by the Catalonia regional High Court (TSJC).

The Catalan regional interior chief, Joaquim Forn, who was also present at the security meeting, stated afterward that the vote would happen. We will not stop the call to [vote in the] referendum, he told reporters, adding that he was disappointed to see that the police had been put in the middle of the debate. With reference to the orders from the TSJC, and how the Mossos will react, he stated that while we dont reject nor avoid what the judge has ordered, we want to make clear that what is important is to safeguard the coexistence of citizens.

Forn insisted that officers from the regional force would observe the orders from the judge, but that they would act with criteria of proportionality, opportuneness and coherence. His statements implicitly suggested that the Mossos would not close schools if they believed that doing so would lead to a serious public order issue. Bigger problems than those that are trying to be avoided cannot be created, he said.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Salaries in the Balearic hospitality sector will increase by 17% between 2018 and 2021. The increase directly affects 137,000 workers on the islands, but its message has greater reach: the boom in the tourism industry , a key driver of economic growth and job creation, should also lead to higher salaries. The agreed increase, which we be 5% in the first year, is well above the figure in the previous collective bargaining deal, where the increase agreed upon until August was 1.3%. The new deal also makes it harder to cut labor costs through subcontracting.

A waiter in Palma this Thursday. Tolo Ramon

The debate in the Balearic Islands on whether to raise wages and by how much  thus adding to the economic recovery  was encouraging. And it was based on action, not just theory. Trade unions and employers in the Mediterranean island chain, as well as regional employment authorities, signed the agreement which plumps for improved employment quality in the tourism sector.

Salaries will rise 5% in 2018, 5% in 2019, 3.5% in 2020, and 3.5% in 2021

The highlight of the agreement is the fact that salaries will rise 5% in 2018, 5% in 2019, 3.5% in 2020, and 3.5% in 2021. That is a total of 17% in four years. The basis for calculating the increase will be the salary agreement for this year, which the Balearic government estimated at about 1,350 a month.

The deal, which is an extension of the 2014 agreement, but also makes strides in terms of making it harder for the sector to outsource. In that 2014 deal, subcontractors were forced to ensure that their wages were the same as those specified in the agreement. Now that condition has been extended to cover working hours and breaks. This discourages the hiring of multi-service companies for the purpose of reducing labor costs.

The deal signed Thursday is a great moment for the hospitality sector in the midst of the tourist boom, and comes in the wake of a heated debate in Spain about the negative effects of an industry that makes up some 11% of GDP. Between 2014 and 2017, the wage increase was set at 1.125% per year. Starting next year, this amount will quadruple for cooks, assistants, waiters, housekeeping staff, and receptionists, among others.

The new deal in the Balearics also reflects calls from economy ministry, the Bank of Spain, and national employers organization, the CEOE who agree that collective bargaining should take into account each industrys situation in regards to business profits, job creation, and productivity.

The redistribution of wealth begins in the hotel sector Iago Neguruela, Balearic Employment Minister

Weve been saying that GDP figures were good in recent years, and the redistribution of wealth begins in the hotel sector, said the Balearic employment chief, Iago Neguruela, at the announcement of the agreement.

For employers on the Mediterranean islands, the deal was not easy to strike, according to the president of the Hotel Business Federation of Mallorca, Inmaculada Benito. In fact, representatives from Menorca and Ibiza have not yet signed, although Benito explained that it is likely that they will do so soon. The organization met to review the agreement and approval was not unanimous, although a majority were in favor. Benito highlighted the efforts of business owners in terms of accepting this increase in salaries.

English version by Debora Almeida.
These are the responsibility of the editor and convey the newspaper's view on current affairs-both domestic and international

The tensions between pro-Catalan independence forces and the rest of society were contained over recent years, albeit while still being obvious to everyone. But for some time now these excesses have no longer been unusual and the passions of the former have derived into harassment, finger-pointing, insults, exclusion and abuse of the latter  all of which must immediately cease.

Hundreds of people congregate at a courthouse in Barcelona, and one person holds up a photo of Franco. Marta Perez (EFE)

In a democracy, the coexistence of different ideas should have a place, within a framework of mutual respect. But there are now too many signs of abuse on the part of pro-secession leaders, Catalan public media outlets and pro-independence associations such as Omnium and the National Catalan Assembly (ANC) in the creation of a hegemonic discourse, which has diminished the possibilities of disagreeing, and expelled from the public sphere those who do not share the same views.

It is the responsibility of the Catalan government to calm spirits and work against affronts

The question is often asked as to why the silent majority that opposes independence stays quiet. The answer is obvious: it is due to the harassment these citizens have been subject to by part of this hegemonic discourse. Many institutions, including universities, public media and forums within society, have been captured by the independence movement, turning them into propaganda instruments serving the cause, excesses that have reached the point whereby public radio network Catalunya Radio is calling on citizens to report on the movements of Civil Guard patrols in the region.

This hate and tension are the perfect breeding ground for an accident, and once an incident like this takes place it will be difficult or impossible to get things back on track. Fortunately, nothing serious enough to be irreversible has taken place yet  if we ignore the general tainted climate. But it is the responsibility of the Catalan regional government, as well as the associations that it has given such prominence, to calm spirits and work against affronts such as those of regional parliamentary speaker Carme Forcadell, who claimed that supporters of the conservative Popular Party (PP) and emerging center-right group Ciudadanos were not real Catalans.

The attitude of the regional government and the pro-independence parties does not give way to much optimism, given that, in the face of the ever-fewer logistic possibilities of holding their referendum, are turning their frustration into calls to occupy the street and institutions. Without a doubt, they will be judged by history for the drift toward hatred that has stemmed from their ranks. The independent media outlets that do not follow the instructions of the government have often been the target of this hatred, as the international organization Reporters without Borders has denounced.

A quiet nationalism should not be inflamed to combat another inflamed nationalism

Fortunately, significant expressions of rancor have not been seen in the opposite direction. And we hope that this continues to be the case  that the small displays of irritation that have been seen in recent days in some Spanish citizens do not give way to something greater: that fire is not fought with fire, that a quiet nationalism is not inflamed to combat another inflamed nationalism.

On the final straight of this race that was started by the regional government, when energies should be expended on the search for solutions and in favoring more reasonable conduct for October 2, it is advisable and urgent to assume responsibilities so as to avoid passions from running so high to the point of causing an incident. Lets hope that no one ends up regretting not having done enough.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Parents associations in Catalonia have taken the initiative to keep schools open from today until Sunday, with the aim of letting them be used as polling stations for the illegal referendum on independence to be held in the region on October 1. These associations have announced camp-outs and pajama parties for schools over the weekend to circumvent the Catalan High Court, which has ordered the closure of authorized poll places.

Alex Castillo of the Federation of Parents Associations in Catalonia.

At the Bages School in the Catalan city of Manresa, the parents association has organized a back to school party with activities throughout the weekend, camping included, on school premises. The Pedra Blanca School in Girona, has also prepared cultural and social events for this weekend, where families are invited to a pajama party with children on Friday and Saturday nights. At the Encants School in Barcelona, a father was handing out fliers at the gates, calling for the occupation of the school via the holding of family leisure days throughout the weekend.

The only thing we have asked of associations is that they act in the defense of democratic rights Alex Castillo, spokesman for FAPAC

Spokesperson for the Federation of Parents Associations in Catalonia (FAPAC), Alex Castillo, said on Thursday that the act of keeping schools open this weekend was significantly important, although he did not specify how many schools were involved.

FAPAC represents 76% of Catalan parents associations. Castillo said the federation would respect all the parents associations decisions, whether that means opening schools or not. The only thing we have asked of associations is that they act in defense of democratic rights, he said.

The Catalan regional High Court has ordered the sealing of the centers designated as polling stations to block the illegal referendum from going ahead. Faced with the possibility of a police intervention to evict people from these centers, Castillo was blunt: To say that children are being used as human shields is ridiculous. Children are not at risk because we trust in peoples judgment to assess when there are risks, he said.

School principals concerned

Despite the parent associations initiatives to circumvent judicial instructions, school principal remain uncertain. As the central government has warned them, they are responsible for what happens in their education centers.

Be free from that responsibility. It is me and my ministers who are responsible for making sure we reach the finish line, said Catalan regional premier Carles Puigdemont yesterday.

Puigdemonts words, however, have not convinced some unions and the association of school directors (Axia). We are defenseless. Everything needs to follow protocol. If a parents association wants to hold activities in the school, the directors have to authorize it and sign a form, explained Axia president Isabel Sanchez.

School principals want the regional government to assume de facto responsibility for using the schools as polling stations

Axia is demanding that the regional government assume de facto responsibility and has urged regional education chief Clara Ponsati to temporarily remove all principals from their roles and take over the leadership of the schools.

The regional government sent a letter to the directors last Wednesday exempting them of any responsibility, but that is not enough for the unions and Axia. That letter is only a statement of intent. It does not help us, says Manuel Pulido, with the CCOO general workers union. A spokesperson for the regional government said they had already done all they could to reassure school principals.

English version by Debora Almeida.
PARIS -- Members served by EnerStar Electric Cooperative will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of solar energy thanks to a new program announced by EnerStar in partnership with Wabash Valley Power Association (WVPA), EnerStars not-for-profit wholesale power supplier.

According to a press release, CEO Mike Clark said that under the Co-Op Solar program, EnerStar members can receive energy from a new community solar program that offers members an easy way to participate in solar energy.

Our new program allows members the opportunity to purchase solar energy from a cooperative-maintained facility, eliminating individual installation concerns such as shaded roofs, maintenance, and landlord restrictions, said Clark. He added that those who rent their homes will have an opportunity to participate as well.

Co-Op Solar is part of a larger-scale local solar program from WVPA. It consists of five solar arrays located in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana that will generate up to 1.7 MW of renewable solar energy. The Illinois array is located adjacent to the cooperatives headquarters in Paris.

Spreading the arrays out over a 3-state geography gives members the best opportunity for capturing the most sun due to weather diversity, and allows the arrays to produce the most electricity collectively, stated Andrew Horstman, project manager for WVPA. It may be raining on the arrays in Indiana, but the sun may be shining in Illinois or Missouri.

To learn more about Co-op Solar, members should contact Tim Haddix at 1-800-635-4145, or visit powermoves.com/solar.

EnerStar Electric Cooperative is a member of Touchstone Energy  an alliance of 750 local, consumer-owned electric utilities around the country. EnerStar Electric Cooperative is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 5,254 meters over 1,500 miles of line in parts of Clark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar and Vermilion counties. For more information visit www.enerstar.com.

Known for its deliberately different approach to powering the Midwest, Wabash Valley Power is a not-for-profit electric cooperative and wholesale provider of electricity to 23 locally owned distribution co-op members serving 290,000 residential and 18,500 commercial and industrial members in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Founded in 1963, it has grown to become the 15th largest generation and transmission cooperative in the nation. Learn more at WVPA.com.

Wabash Valley Power is a founding member of the National Renewable Cooperative Organization (NRCO) and the companys CEO, Jay Bartlett is the current President of NRCO.
At a press conference in Barcelona today, the Catalan government laid out its plans for a referendum in the northeastern region on independence scheduled for Sunday, and which has been declared illegal by the Spanish Constitutional court.

From left to right: Raul Romeva, Oriol Junqueras and Jordi Turull at Fridays press conference. CARLES RIBAS

Despite mounting pressure from the central government in Madrid and the courts aimed at shutting down the poll, the regional government defiantly announced on Friday that a total of 2,315 polling places would be operating throughout the region, with 6,299 voting stations and 7,235 people involved in guaranteeing that the day passes without incident, Catalan government spokesperson Jordi Turull explained to reporters.

On Sunday there will be a vote, people will be able to do so from 9am until 8pm

Regional spokesperson Jordi Turull

On Sunday there will be a vote, people will be able to do so from 9am until 8pm, he added. Turull stated that a total of 5,343,358 people had been invited to participate. Everyone should stay calm  we will be able to vote, he explained. A total of 207 polling places will be located in the Catalan capital, Barcelona.

The presentation took place at the International Press and Broadcasting Center (IPBC), a private international press center that is charging journalists 10 a day for entry to attend press conferences about the referendum. The result of the poll is also due to be announced there on Sunday.

Also making a surprise appearance at Sundays press conference were deputy regional premier Oriol Junqueras and regional foreign chief Raul Romeva. The politicians also presented the ballot boxes that are to be used at the polling stations. If anyone tries to stop a station from operating, citizens will also be able to vote, Junqueras stated several times.

The deputy premier said that after the referendum, there will have to be respect for the mandate of citizens, but did not specify how many votes and how many active polling stations would be sufficient for the vote to be considered valid. The referendum law that was fast-tracked through the regional parliament earlier this month states that the Catalan government will declare independence if there are more yes votes than no.

The referendum law states that the Catalan government will declare independence if there are more yes votes than no

One of the key obstacles faced by the Catalan regional government has been how it will source ballot boxes for the vote, given that it is unable to access the usual, see-through boxes used in regular elections in Spain. That problem appears to have been solved by turning to a Chinese company, Smart Dragon Ballot Expert, which manufactures the translucent plastic containers that were presented to reporters on Friday.

The white box with black lid displayed by the politicians carried the logo of the regional government, and was shown along with red zip ties that will be used to seal them.

According to Sally Liang, a sales representative for the Chinese company, the firm recently sent 10,000 boxes to France, but not to Spain. The company has supplied ballot boxes since 2008 for countries such as Australia, Chad, Ghana and Nigeria. The only European country with which it has worked is Lithuania.

The decree containing complementary laws for the holding of the referendum published by the regional government on September 7 did not specify that the ballot boxes had to be transparent.

Data-protection fines

Meanwhile, on Friday the state Data Protection Agency warned Catalan citizens that anyone manning polling stations at the illegal referendum on Friday would face fines for possible infractions related to the fraudulent handling and assignment to third parties of the electoral census.

In a statement, the agency pointed out that those manning polling stations would not be considered members of an electoral body, given that the vote has been suspended by the Constitutional Court. They would instead be receiving information about the census as private citizens.

The Data Protection Agency pointed out that the treatment and assignment of data without permission can incur fines of between 40,001 and 300,000

The Data Protection Agency pointed out that the treatment and assignment of data without permission [] can incur fines of between 40,001 and 300,000.

The state agency  which is independent from the government, but linked to the Justice Ministry  issued the warning given the requests for information received by citizens who have been summoned [by the regional government] to man the polling stations.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Catalan Regional Premier Carles Puigdemont and his deputy Oriol Junqueras.

In a suffocating climate of unprecedented harassment created by the independence movement, journalists are being abused and threatened online, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international non-profit organization that defends press freedom and promotes a safe working environment for journalists around the world.

The continual pressure from the regional government on the local and foreign press, the abuse from pro-independence hooligans on social networks against critical journalists and the intimidating behavior from crowds of demonstrators against TV reporters has created a toxic atmosphere working against press freedom, says the organization.

In its determination to get across its version of events, the regional government has crossed a red line Pauline Ades-Mevel, RSF

The RSF published the report just three days before the independence referendum in Catalonia  declared illegal by Madrid and suspended and Spains Constitutional Court.

Pauline Ades-Mevel, head of RSFs EU-Balkans desk, described freedom of the press in Catalonia as tremendously compromised by the extreme polarization of Catalonias politics and society, adding, the determination of the regional government to get across its version of events to the local, Spanish and international media has crossed a red line, and the threatening maneuvers of the central Spanish government havent helped.

The brunt of the abuse is directed at local journalists critical of the independence movement and the RSF cites cases involving a number of EL PAIS reporters. Cristian Segura was accused by the the Catalan left-wing, pro-independence CUP party of sowing hatred and Brussels correspondent Claudi Perez, was ticked off by the regional governments foreign communications department for publishing uncomfortable truths about those in favor of independence.

As soon as you tweet an article, either your own or someone elses, you have the whole world on your back Bea Navarro, journalist

In a bid to influence the foreign press, the regional government was toying with the idea of creating a group of pro-independence foreign reporters. I have had access to a document by people in charge of communications that included a list of foreign correspondents in Spain and comments such as sensitive to the Catalan issue or very critical of independence, says Henry de Laguerie, correspondent for Frances Europe1 Radio  a practice more appropriate to totalitarian regimes than democracy, as RSF points out.

Everything is more aggressive and unpleasant on social networks, says de Laguerie. But particularly (the debate around) independence because its an emotional issue and the press war, particularly the one waged in the foreign press, is considered crucial.

Singling out journalists for abuse by cyber-hooligans is also prevalent in Brussels, according to the RSF. The possibility that Catalonia might be left out of the EU should it win independence is a thorny issue for the Catalan regional government, which at times has resorted to killing the messenger.

The brunt of the abuse is directed at local journalists critical of the independence movement

This withering tweet was directed, for example, at Bea Navarro, journalist with La Vanguardia: What Juncker says and thinks is what Bea Navarro says that he says and thinks.

According to Navarro, As soon as you tweet an article, either your own or someone elses, you have the whole world on your back, especially independence supporters but also people who are strongly against it. And they are equally unpleasant.

If you are on Twitter or another social network, dialogue with readers or followers is part of the deal, but it has to be carried out in a polite and respectful way, Navarro added.

English version by Heather Galloway.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

The Republic of Azerbaijan recognizes and fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, said Spokesman of Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev in response to Trends inquiry on referendum in Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government.

Azerbaijan supports the peaceful resolution of matters between the Central Government of Iraq and Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government within the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq through the mutual understanding and dialogue, noted Hajiyev.

It should be recalled that Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government held a referendum on Sept. 25 that was not recognized by the international community.
Details added (first version posted on 12:31)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

The Republic of Azerbaijan recognizes and fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, said Spokesman of Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev in response to Trends inquiry on referendum in Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government.

Azerbaijan supports the peaceful resolution of matters between the Central Government of Iraq and Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government within the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq through the mutual understanding and dialogue, noted Hajiyev.

It should be recalled that Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government held a referendum on Sept. 25 that was not recognized by the international community.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey is investigating the visit of its citizens Ufuk Uras, Ali Bayramoglu, Said Cekinoglu and Erol Katircioglu to Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, a source in the Turkish Ministry of Justice told Trend Sept. 29.

After investigating this issue, the Turkish side will inform Azerbaijan in detail, according to the source.

Without documents and consent from relevant executive authorities, Turkish citizens Ufuk Uras, Ali Bayramoglu, Said Cekinoglu and Erol Katircioglu crossed the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan avoiding checkpoints, that is, deliberately traveled from territory of Armenia and illegally arrived in occupied Khankendi and other settlements on September 22.

Grave Crimes Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office filed a criminal case under Criminal Codes Article 318.2 (illegally crossing Azerbaijans state borders). All four individuals are accused under the abovementioned article. A measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen against them. They were declared internationally wanted.

An appeal was sent to the Turkish law enforcement to detain the four individuals.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

Azerbaijans Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli took part in the closing ceremony of the joint flight and tactical exercises, dubbed TurAz Qartal-2017, held in Azerbaijan, the countrys Defense Ministry said in a message Sept. 29.

Having met with the flight and technical staff, and also having examined the combat aircrafts, the defense ministers inquired about their tactical and technical characteristics.

The activities of the flight and technical staff, as well as aviation assets were analyzed, the progress achieved during the exercises was brought to the attention of participants and the planned joint work was discussed during the event dedicated to the results of the joint drills.

The two ministers highly appreciated the results shown by pilots, who professionally fulfilled all the assigned tasks during the flights conducted by using the superior qualities of the tactical and technical characteristics of combat aircrafts.

It was noted that the systematic conducting of joint exercises by the Air Forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey will create possibilities for improving the abilities and practical skills of pilots of the two countries, planning joint activities, combat coordination during operations, as well as carrying out other tasks.

During the event, demonstration flights of military aircraft of the air force were conducted.
Baku. Trend. Sept 30

Trend:

Illegal visit of Turkish citizens to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan does not reflect the official policy of Ankara, Turkish Foreign Ministry's spokesman Huseyn Muftuoglu said on Sept. 30.

"Turkey will continue to support Azerbaijan's fair position on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict", said in a statement.

Without documents and consent from relevant executive authorities, Turkish citizens Ufuk Uras, Ali Bayramoglu, Said Cekinoglu and Erol Katircioglu crossed the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan avoiding checkpoints, that is, deliberately traveled from territory of Armenia and illegally arrived in occupied Khankendi and other settlements on September 22.

Grave Crimes Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office filed a criminal case under Criminal Codes Article 318.2 (illegally crossing Azerbaijans state borders). All four individuals are accused under the abovementioned article. A measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen against them. They were declared internationally wanted.

An appeal was sent to the Turkish law enforcement to detain the four individuals.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to provide funding for organizing a shopping festival in Baku.

Under the presidential order, one million Azerbaijani manats are allocated from the Presidential Contingency Fund to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for holding the shopping festival.

Aimed at developing tourism in Azerbaijan, the festival will take place from October 15 to November 15.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

Caspian European Club and Caspian American Club hosted the first CEO Lunch Tbilisi in Georgia Sept. 29.

CEO Lunch Tbilisi has been held with participation of Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili within the framework of the official ceremony marking the resumption of activities of Caspian Energy Georgia.

First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of Georgia Dimitry Kumsishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia, State Governor of Kvemo-Kartli region Grigol Nemsadze and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Georgia Dursun Hasanov attended CEO Lunch as honourary guests.

Kvirikashvili hailed establishing of Caspian Energy Georgia, noting that this organization will play an important role in the development of Georgia-Azerbaijan trade and economic ties.

Kvirikashvili added that against the backdrop of the wide range of opportunities such meetings acquire a special sounding and enable business representatives to get to know each other better, to discuss joint promising projects.

The Georgian prime minister also thanked the organizers of today's meeting, stressing that from now on such meetings will be hosted on a regular basis.

This will boost a birth of new business initiatives, expand contacts not only between businessmen of Georgia and Azerbaijan, but also representatives of other countries, he said.

Speaking about bilateral relations, the prime minister said that Georgia and Azerbaijan are not only the strategic partners.

By cooperating in many large projects, we together are building even more stable and developed region, he said. We are also contributing to ensuring the energy security of Europe, connecting regions and markets. These ties and cooperation are a springboard for economic revitalisation and prosperity, and stability well as.

Also Kvirikashvili noted that the government of Georgia spares no effort to facilitate attraction of investments into the country and Georgia is always open for Azerbaijani entrepreneurs.

I expect the Georgian businessmen to expand their activities in Azerbaijan, the prime minister said.

CEO Lunch Tbilisi hosted today is the first event within the framework of resuming activities of Caspian Energy Georgia, First Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Caspian European Club and Caspian American Club Telman Aliyev said.

He added that the 5th International Caspian Energy Forum will take place in March 2018 with the support of the governments of Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the Caspian European Club.

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili is expected to attend the opening ceremony.

Telman Aliyev said the next CEO Lunch Tbilisi is scheduled for October 27, 2017 and will be held every last Friday of the month.

CEO Lunch is one of the key tools for networking and is hosted with the aim to create opportunities for CEOs to communicate in an informal enviroment and establish new contacts.

He noted the Caspian European Club and Caspian American Club host CEO Lunch events with participation of top managers of the CEIBC member companies every third Wednesday of the month in Baku and every last Friday of the month in Tbilisi.

The presentations of PASHA Bank Georgia and Debet Georgia were held for the events attendees. Problems facing entrepreneurs were discussed in an informal environment. Issues concerning business doing in different regions of the country, as well as proposals on expansion of cooperation in different sectors of economy were touched upon.

Certificates were given to companies which joined and extended their membership in the Caspian European Club and Caspian American Club.

Telman Aliyev recalled that the Caspian European Club was established in June 2002 with the support of the largest oil and gas companies operating in the Caspian-Black Sea region.

Telman Aliyev added that since the very establishing the Caspian European Club has promoted attraction of revenues from the oil industry for the development of the non-oil sector.

Caspian European Club, which brings together more than 5,000 member companies and organizations, operates in 50 countries around the world and is active in supporting the dialogue between the government agencies and the private sector.

Caspian Energy, Caspian Energy Forum, Caspian Energy Award, Caspian Energy Club, Caspian European Club, Caspian Business Club, Caspian American Club, Caspian American Forum, CEO, CEO Lunch, Brand Award, and many others are the registered trademarks and belong to the Caspian Energy International Media Group.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

Kazakhstan will annually increase gas production by four percent on average, said the countrys Deputy Energy Minister Magzum Mirzagaliyev at a press conference at the Central Communications Service, according to a message from the Kazakh Energy Ministry.

The expected average annual growth rate of gas is expected to stand at 4 percent until 2040. About 30 percent of 46 billion cubic meters of produced gas is used for domestic needs, 30 percent  for export and the remaining volumes are pumped back into the reservoir, noted the deputy minister.

The main share of gas production is provided by large deposits: Karachaganak (49 percent), Tengiz (31 percent) and Kashagan (14 percent).

It is planned to produce more than 48 billion cubic meters of gas in 2017 in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan ranks 22nd in the world and 3rd among CIS countries after Russia and Turkmenistan for its approved gas reserves, said Mirzagaliyev adding that the recoverable gas reserves are approved at 3.9 trillion cubic meters, including associated gas  2.6 trillion cubic meters, natural and free gas  1.3 trillion cubic meters.

The Kazakh ministry is deliberately pursuing a policy to reduce the volume of gas flaring at oil and gas fields, he said.

The deputy minister added that one of the priorities for the industry is the development of new transport routes and the development of the countrys export potential.

Three years ago, the linear part of the Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent gas pipeline was commissioned. The full completion of the project with bringing the capacity up to 10 billion cubic meters per year, is planned for this year after the completion of the construction of two compressor stations, Bozoi and Karaozek, said the official.

Foreign investments were attracted for the construction of the gas pipeline. The built international gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China allowed expanding the transit potential of the country and creating opportunities for the export of Kazakh gas to China, said Mirzagaliyev.
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Potable Water Supply Operators Association (IPWSOA) recognized eight outstanding professionals in their individual categories of service. These operators produce and supply drinking water for Illinois public water supply consumers.

Drinking water professionals and guests of the Illinois Potable Water Operators Association honored Don Denault, Aqua Illinois -- Kankakee, as Surface Water Operator of the Year. David Basham, City of Mattoon, and Joe Hagstrom, City of Quincy, were named runners-up for the top spot. All three individuals were recognized for their outstanding work in supplying safe drinking water on a daily basis to consumers, as well as their contributions to the industry and community. Operators are rated on the day-to-day operation and maintenance of their facilities.

Basham, Water Plant Superintendent for the City of Mattoon, has 31 years of experience in the water industry and holds a Class A Water Supply Operator Certificate. He is responsible for all daily operation and maintenance activities associated with the Mattoon water plant. Bashams nominator wrote, David takes pride in the product he produces and presents a good image to the public with his facilities.

The Mattoon facility treats and distributes approximately 2 million gallons of water per day to 5,000 service connections. The facility utilizes a conventional lime softening treatment process.

There are approximately 4,000 certified drinking water operators in the State of Illinois. These operators were nominated by owners, operators and other professionals in the drinking water industry. Finalists are then reviewed by other certified drinking water operators who serve on the Operator of the Year Nomination and Final Selection Committees of IPWSOA.

Operators of the Year and nominees were honored during the Association's 86th annual conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Members from all areas of the state met to stay current on new industry regulations, equipment and processes. Winners of the 2017 awards were announced and received their plaques during the three day event.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.29

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

A working group has been created for the Vertical Gas Corridor project during the high-level group meeting of the Central and South-Eastern European Gas Connectivity (CESEC) in Bucharest, Romania, said the message on the European Commissions website.

The meeting also saw the launch of two new working groups of the gas transmission system operators: one on the implementation of reverse flow on the Trans-Balkan pipeline system, and the other on the so-called "Vertical Corridor" between Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Hungary; both to be facilitated by the European Commission,said the message.

The Vertical Corridor will provide an opportunity to obtain Caspian gas using the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

The throughput capacity of the Vertical Corridor pipeline will be 3-5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

In July, Greek, Bulgarian, Romanian and Hungarian gas transmission companies DESFA, Bulgartransgaz, Transgaz and FGSZ and ICGB AD consortium, the contractor for the Greece-Bulgarian Interconnector (IGB) pipeline project, signed a memorandum of understanding on the Vertical Gas Corridor project.

TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor which is one of the priority energy projects for the EU.



TAP project envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to the EU countries.



The pipeline will be connected to the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.



TAPs shareholders are: BP (20 percent), State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (20 percent), Snam (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).

TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 km, Albania 215 km, Adriatic Sea 105 km, and Italy 8 km). Its highest point will be 1,800 meters in Albanias mountains, while its lowest point will be 820 meters beneath the sea.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Azercell Telecom LLC, which has conducted a number of successful projects aimed to promote the culture of reading in the country, has joined V Baku International Book Fair with Bookmate project.

The company takes part in the exhibition with Bookmate, a unique project which has raised great public interest in the country. Azercell representatives are informing the visitors of the company stand about the mobile application and procedure to activate it. The visitors showing special interest to the application are granted one-month subscription code as a present. Culture and Tourism minister Abulfaz Garayev visited the fair in the opening day and got familiar with the application. The minister uploaded the application to his mobile phone with the help of company representatives and highly evaluated the possibility of reading e-books in Azerbaijan. A number of honored cultural and art workers also got familiarized with the application and underlined its contribution to the development of literature and science. It should be noted that Azercell is the only mobile operator to take part in the book fair.

Bookmate, a mobile application launched in 2015 for book lovers was developed to read thousands of books in electronic devices. The books in Bookmate are available in Azerbaijani, as well as Russian, English and Turkish language. Subscribers may get bestselling, mostly read and famous classic and contemporary works and other pieces of art in the e-library which includes eight hundred and fifty thousand books. With the subscription fee of AZN 3.5 per month, Bookmate users can read and download any book to mobile devices. Another important point is that the readers will be provided not only with foreign literature, but also works of Azerbaijani authors. Next important advantage of the service is that you do not need regular internet connection for Bookmate library since any book downloaded is available anytime, anywhere, i.e. in the underground and airplane. Furthermore, it does not matter which device you have got in hand  phone, tablet or computer, as the book is downloaded to your personal library, not the device.

Baku International Book Fair will last till September, 30. Azercell Telecom calls everyone to take active part in the fair and invites you to visit Azercell stand and learn more about Bookmate.

The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory and 99,8% of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, 24/7 Customer Care, online customer services, GPRS/EDGE, M2M, MobilBank, one-stop- shop service offices Azercell Express, mobile e-service ASAN signature, etc. Azercell deployed first 4G  LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Sept. 29

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman, who arrived in Ashgabat and took part in the celebrations dedicated to the closing of 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the countrys state news agency reported.

Miroslav Jenca noted that Turkmenistans relations with the United Nations have been developing steadily in all these years. The UN General Assembly adopted a series of resolutions initiated by President Berdimuhamedov that are of great importance to the entire world community, he noted.

Jenca introduced the newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman to the Turkmen president.

The sides discussed the priority aspects of interaction in a wide range of areas. In this context, the relevance of international initiatives put forward by the head of the Turkmen state, including in the field of formation of a new architecture of global energy security, universal disarmament, peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan and the economic revival of this country, addressing the issues of efficient use of transboundary water resources and environmental protection.

During the meeting, the parties focused on the challenges facing the UNRCCA. Meanwhile, they noted the importance of effective use of the existing infrastructure of Turkmenistan for activating the activities of various UN structures directly in the regions of Central Asia and the Caspian basin.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Sept. 29

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to Turkmenistan on October 2.

The visit will take place at the invitation of Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, says a message posted on the Turkmen governments website.

Turkmenistan and Russia hold close positions on such key issues of global agenda as preservation of universal peace and stability, countering the threats of international terrorism and extremism, disarmament, and addressing the situation in Afghanistan.

Both countries cooperate effectively in a wide range of areas, including trade and economy, energy, transportation and communication sectors, and others.

After the upcoming high-level talks, it is planned to sign bilateral documents aimed at further intensification and expansion of mutually beneficial partnership in priority areas.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

Afghanistans President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said that the exact date of the visit hasnt been determined yet, podrobno.uz news website reported.

The two sides intend to discuss the issues of economic cooperation and the possible participation of Uzbekistan in several joint projects, including in the field of transport communications.

Uzbekistan supports the political settlement of situation in Afghanistan, reiterated Kamilov adding that the parties will exchange views on this issue, strengthen mutual understanding on political arena.

The minister thinks that Afghanistan should not remain isolated from the region, and should become a part of the process of establishing peace, stability and prosperity.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

Trend:

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan intend to reach new agreements on water issues and delimitation of the state border during the visit of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to Tashkent, podrobno.uz news website reported.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said that during the recent visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kyrgyzstan, a number of very important and serious documents were signed, especially on the delimitation of the state border.

We have practically described about 85 percent of our joint state borders. Currently, the work continues. If we have time, of course, we will sign a new agreement. We, perhaps, will reach new agreements on the use of water resources jointly with Kyrgyzstan. During the visit, we also hope to hold a big Kyrgyz-Uzbek exhibition of goods manufactured in both countries, and to exchange opinions in general, noted the foreign minister.

The exact date of Atambayevs visit will be announced soon, added Kamilov.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 28

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

After a $5 billion deal with Iran to develop its southern gas field, South Pars, reached in July, Total is now preparing to conclude another huge agreement with the Middle Eastern nation to develop its petrochemical industry.

Movaied Hossaini Sadr, an advisor to Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, said that the French giant has expressed interest in investing $10 billion in Irans petrochemical industry, the state-owned news channel IRINN reported.

"The investment deal is going through the final phases and will be signed soon," he said.

The official added that Germanys BASF and Linde as well as a Japanese company are also in talks with Iran to cooperate in the countrys petrochemical industry.

He further touched upon forecasts on reduction of gas reserves in Saudi Arabia and described Iran as a serious source of feedstock for petrochemical plants.

Irans current capacity for producing petrochemical products stands at 60 million tons and the country is drawing up plans to boost the figure to 110 million tons.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Iran Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization has temporarily banned carrying oil products to Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government.



A directive by the organization has also barred carrying oil products from the Iraqi region to Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.



The directive addressing Iranian cargo transportation firms has said that the decision was made following the recent developments in the region.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 28

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Once the Iranian government set up the Free Trade and Special Economic Zones it was seeking to increase the countrys exports, but the critics of the plan now say the organization has failed to meet its goals.

The critics of the performance of the Free Trade and Special Economic Zones believe that the organization has led to a dramatic hike in the amount of the goods smuggled into the country.

"The latest reports and analysis prove that the free trade zones have turned into a hub for organized smuggling of goods into the country," Mehrdad Seyed Asgari, a Norway-based Iranian financial analyst, told Trend.

Seyed Asgari added that the idea behind forming the Free Trade and Special Economic Zones in the country was to contribute to the exports of domestic goods and commodities.

Hassan Hossein-Shahroudi, the secretary of Irans parliamentary commission for economy, also suggests that a considerable amount of goods are smuggled into the country through the official checkpoints, in particular the free trade zones.

The new Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari earlier said that about 90 percent of foreign goods offered in the Iranian market have been smuggled into the country.

However, the secretary of Iran's High Council of Free Trade and Special Economic Zones, Morteza Bank, earlier said the volume of goods exported from Iranian free trade and special economic zones has increased by 25 percent over the current fiscal year (started March 20), to reach $1 billion.

Back in May, the Iranian central task force for combating smuggling of commodities and currency has said that about $12 billion worth of goods were smuggled into the country over the last fiscal year.

Irans total non-oil exports (including gas condensate) in the first five months of current Iranian fiscal year stood at $17.193 billion, which indicates a fall by 5 percent year-on-year.

Iran imported 14.225 million tons of goods, worth $19.442 billion during the five-month period, which indicates a 7.1 and a 16.5 percent rise in terms of volume and value, respectively, compared to the same period of preceding year.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 27

By Fatih Karimov Trend:

Iran enjoys huge reserves of mineral and hydrocarbon resources that have made the country to an attractive market for foreign investors.

Proved oil reserves in Iran, according to its government, rank fourth largest in the world at approximately 158 billion barrels as of 2013. The country is also the worlds biggest gas reserve holder (33.5 trillion cubic meters, 18 percent total).

The Islamic Republic is among the 10 major mineral-rich countries. It possesses 7 percent of the worlds total mineral deposits with about 68 kinds of commercially valued minerals, including gold reserves. The volume of Irans minerals is estimated at 57 billion tons.

Such reserves present a unique opportunity for the countrys development, but they can also be seen as a negative factor, if the administration is encouraged to gain huge money through sell of raw materials.

In particular when the governments, confident with the billions of revenues through selling huge reserves, prefers to mobilize more supporters via populist money-draining policies such as giving social subsidies rather than directing the revenues to infrastructural, value-add projects.

We have witnessed this policy in the last decades in Iran, in particular under the populist president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013).

Lack of long-term planning and constructive cooperation with the world has made the economy of the Islamic Republic highly dependant to selling raw materials in particular hydrocarbon reserves.

A look at the list of Irans top exports indicates that raw materials share the dominant part of Irans non-oil export basket. Gas condensates, propane, butane and some other raw petroleum products - which Iran puts in the non-oil exports basket - made the countrys top exported goods during the first five months of current fiscal year(started March 20).

The existing table of exporting semiprocessed goods however is contradicting with objectives of the current governments economic policies. The government tries to benefit from the removal of the international sanctions, attracting foreign investments to form a more diverse and globally competitive economy and safeguard the economy against future shocks and restrictions.

However the country can make its raw material reserves an opportunity to attract foreign investors. Mining and mineral industries are suitable grounds for attraction of investment and Iran has defined some $30 billion worth of projects in mining and mineral industries such as steel, copper, aluminium and gold, according to local officials.

Foreign investors are also well-aware of the Iranian mineral markets benefits. A visiting French official involved in plastic industry, who has attended the Iran Plast Exhibition in Tehran, described the abundant raw materials as the main reason behind the interest of the Europeans to cooperate with Iran in this sphere.

There is a painful but brilliant path ahead of the Iranian administration, to revise its regional policies, expand cooperation with the globe, to gain trust of the foreigners for investment, in order to revive the countrys sanction-hit economy.
MATTOON -- More than 1,500 junior and senior high school students will have the opportunity to meet with more than 40 college representatives this year at the annual College Fair and Career Day, held Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Field House on the campus of Lake Land College.

College and university representatives will be in attendance to share information on opportunities in higher education.

Additionally, faculty and staff from Lake Land College will be in attendance to offer direction to students interested in the various educational opportunities Lake Land College offers. Participants can attend sessions taught by Lake Land faculty where they will answer questions about their respective fields of study. Participants will have a chance to ask questions about the education needed for a particular career and the work itself.

Students who are interested in career day are encouraged to talk to their guidance counselor about attending the event.

The following colleges and universities will be present at the event:

Aurora University and George Williams College of Aurora University

Barnes-Jewish College

Blackburn College

Bradley University

Columbia College Chicago

Eastern Illinois University

Eureka College

Greenville University

Illinois College

Illinois State University

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Illinois Wesleyan University

Indiana State University

Kansas State University

Lakeview College of Nursing

Lincoln Christian University

Lincoln College

Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University  Belleville

MacMurray College

McKendree University

Methodist College

Millikin University

Murray State University

Northern Illinois University

Olivet Nazarene University

Parkland College  Institute of Aviation

Quincy University

Ranken Technical College

Southeast Missouri State University

Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

St. Ambrose University

St. Louis College of Pharmacy

University of Evansville

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois at Springfield

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of MissouriSt. Louis

University of Saint Francis

University of Southern Indiana

Western Illinois University

William Woods University

For more information about career day and the Illinois Regional College Fair, contact Pam Hartke, admissions representative at 217-238-2705 or phartke@lakelandcollege.edu.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 28



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Although uncertainties about the future of Irans nuclear deal has cast shadow over Tehrans plans to renew its aged aviation fleet, the next year appears to be a great chance to acquire modern planes.



Following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA/ nuclear deal) last January, Iran concluded deals to acquire 100 planes from Airbus, 80 from Boeing and 20 from ATR.



The giant aircraft manufacturers have already delivered nine planes, including three Airbus and six ATRs as two new ATR 72-600 planes were the latest ones to touch the ground at an airport in Tehran this morning.



However strained relations between Iran and the US as well as the aggressive rhetoric of President Donald Trump against the Islamic Republic have caused concerns over the prosperity of aviation deals between Iran and the European and US manufacturers.



While the leading manufacturers require licenses from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to complete the sales to Iran, the US House of Representatives earlier in September voted in favor of new measures that block sales of commercial aircraft to the Islamic Republic, which means that the bill, once signed into law by President Trump, would prevent OFAC from clearing licenses to allow the aircraft sales.



Although Iranian officials sound confident that the manufacturers would continue to fulfill their commitments under the existing deals, an official with ATR appeared hesitant about the capability of his company to materialize the commitments, watering down Irans plans to renew its aviation fleet.



The ATR representative during a ceremony held for marking the delivery of new aircraft to Iran in Tehran said that the manufacturers have an OFAC license which covers 2018. Therefore, the company will make efforts to deliver as many aircraft over the next year as possible.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Iranian police killed two criminals following an armed clash in the southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan, authorities said.



The clash occurred in the early hours of Friday in Iranshahr city, local media outlets reported.



According to the reports, the two criminals had undermined security in the region through taking hostages.



The officials seized four AK-14 rifles and ammunition, following the clash.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

By Alan Hope  Trend:

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Book of Isaiah 5:20

Environmental crimes are defined as illegal acts directly harming the environment, including, but not limited to, the illegal wildlife trade, smuggling of ozone depleting substances, dumping and illicit trade in hazardous waste, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, and illegal logging.

Beyond their immediate impacts on nature itself, environmental crimes are affecting the resource base of local communities, resulting in theft of the sovereign natural capital, while a sustainable development, livelihood, good governance and the rule of law are all being threatened.

Characterized by transnational trafficking, a criminal supply chain and links with other such facilitating and accommodating crimes as fraud, document falsification, money laundering and corruption, environmental crimes have long become an international security issue.

Overshadowed by the drug and human trafficking, as well as the illegal trade of firearms, and perceived as victimless, the environmental crimes were failing to prompt the required law-enforcement response on the international and even regional levels for a long while.

Nonetheless, crimes against the environment, the consequences of which span environmental, economic, social and security issues, have, in the past decade, become the most of any serious international criminal activity affecting the global community.

Terrorists too?

Being trans-boundary by their very nature, environmental crimes, incorporating organized networks, porous borders, irregular migration, money laundering, corruption and the exploitation of disadvantaged communities, had gradually become one of the prime sources of financing for criminal and terrorist organizations.

These types of crimes, generating globally a yearly turnover of more than $250B, were assimilated by the criminal syndicates and terrorist groups actively seeking to diversify their operations and increase control on a much wider range of commodities. Environmental felons are just as ruthless as any other, using intimidation, human rights abuse, impunity, murder and violence as essential tools of their tradecraft.

What about the officials?

In line with the criminals perception of the environmental crimes, individuals in corporate or official positions of authority and power view these types of crimes as an easy option for the pursuit of [their own] happiness. These officials participate in the criminal activities utilizing the institutionalized corruption tools, such as turning a blind eye, protectionism, document forger and logistical support, cocooned with the familiar bureaucracies, weak legislation and poor enforcement activities. Far more serious, and yet just as common, is the complicit, long-term involvement of individuals from the police, army, government and intergovernmental organizations, which prevents the true cost and extent assessment of the crimes and limit the option for countermeasures.

Where do animals come into the picture?

The greatest practitioner of nonviolence, Mohandas (Mahatma  Great Soul) Gandhi, had stated, The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. These words are even more appropriate today, in light of the ongoing global cruel mistreatment and abuse of the Earths fauna and right-out barbarous way of dealing with its flora.

Why bother?

As such, we dedicate a series of articles, with the intention of raising the awareness and hopes of bringing the culpable parties to justice, addressing the case study of the environmental crimes committed in a single country (Armenia).

The study will be concentrated on a documented series of meticulously calculated inhumane crimes, fueled and motivated mostly by greed rather than the common sense and committed in full disregard of the crimes outcomes and impacts on the environment and the society.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

By Alan Hope  Trend:

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

Book of Proverbs 12:10

George Orwells 1936 essay Shooting an Elephant, describing an experience of the English police officer called upon to kill an aggressive elephant in Burma (Myanmar), though widely regarded as the authors metaphor for his outrage at the British Colonialism, in its essence is a penitence of the guilty narrator, plagued by his conscience for repeatedly shooting, maiming and finally resulting in a horrific slaughter of a peaceful creature, driven to rebellion by its mistreatment.

Disturbingly similar, yet far more horrifying, is the unique and tragic faith of the Indian elephant called Vova, that was initially shot and then squashed to death by a tank on the orders of the Armenian authority in Yerevan (the capital city of Armenia) on June 28, 1970.

Disneys true-life Dumbo and more

Vovas story began, when just like Disneys Dumbo, a one-year-old calf was separated from his mother and delivered from India to Stalins Soviet Union to be trained as a circus performer. Initially sheltered in Russia Vova was transferred to the zoo in Ukraine that specialized in the organization of circus performances. Unfortunately, his keeper Ivan Sherbans above the call efforts were in vain, for Vova didnt possess any extraordinary artistic talent and learned to perform only the most primitive of circus tricks. Nonetheless, the affinity of their interactions had kindred the foundation for a sincere and long-lasting friendship between an animal and man, later on strengthened by the war and its hardships.

The War

USSR's entrance into the World War II had forced mass evacuations, including the residents of the Ukrainian zoo. As the zoo animals were rushed away to the far-away-from-the-frontline cities of the Soviet Union, Vova, due to the lack of the necessary vehicle to transport this gentle giant, was left behind in Ukraine. Thus began Ivan and Vovas long journey, as they had literary walked on foot through the war ravished country to the haven in the Southern Caucasus.

The Long Journey

Along the way, these kindred spirits strangely travelling together had faced many hardships of the war, including sleepless cold nights, hunger and deprivations. They had even come under the fire of Hitlers Air Force at one point, when Vova had protected his friend from the Nazi bullets by covering Ivan with his massive body.

The final destination

Their incredible journey had come to an end several months and thousands miles later, as Ivan and Vova had reached the Armenian capital city in the fall of 1941. Vova was settled in the half-built Yerevan zoo, freely roaming the grounds since the construction of his habitat wasnt finished. Meanwhile, Ivan was conscripted and sent to the frontline, only to promptly return due to the elephants refusal to obey anyone else, reuniting two friends.

Freedom of the war years

Throughout the war years Vova had led a relatively free lifestyle at the Yerevan zoo. Hauling the heavy materials for the builders he had played an essential role in the construction of the zoo. He had acquired a sort of a hobby, finding a pleasure in assisting stalled cars by pushing them up the steep hill by the zoo. Vova had become zoos main attraction, entertaining its visitors and giving children rides on his back.

Years of Slavery

Nonetheless, all of the liberties, so much enjoyed by Vova, were stripped away as a consequence of the completion of his habitat, in the construction of which he had, ironically, played a major role. From that point on the Indian giant was locked-up in the small apartment, which seriously limited his ability to get the much needed exercise. Along with the motion constrictions, the ever growing elephant was gravely suffering from the malnutrition, driving him mad and desperate.

The hunger

At first Vova had eaten all the surrounding vegetation at the trunks length of his entrapment. When all of it was gone the elephant had made his first attempt for a salad bar nearby, going a-wall from the zoo by breaking the cage to reach the grass pasture at the hill nearby. On top of the obvious signs shown by the mammal, Vovas actions should have had prompted an immediate response from the zoo authorities. Instead, the head of the zoo, Tadevos Yeganian, relating the refusal for the ration increase to the budgetary issues, had graciously allowed the broken part of the cage to stay as is, thus providing for Vovas access to the pasture.

The family to be not

Rather than to tend to Vovas mounting medical and nutritional needs, zoo authorities, though stated to the contrary, were more concerned with the possible financial gains to be acquired from the elephants procreation. Thus, the situation had deteriorated drastically in 1953, as Vova had started to share his habitat with the female elephant called Ticky, expropriated from the Germany as wartime reparation. Up until Tickys death, some 15 years later, the pair, anguished by the motion suppression and undernourishment, had tried, to no avail, to produce an offspring.

Vovas final day

Finally, Vovas ongoing misery had reached its tragic and yet so predictable conclusion, culminating by his refusal to return to the prison compound on the sunny morning of June 28, 1970. While the zoo staff was trying to get the runaway elephant back into the enclosure with help of a fire engine, Vova had broken the heavy chain tied to his leg and had started trunk-beating of the surrounding cages and fences, sweeping away any obstacles on his path to the zoo exit.

Once outside of the zoo, Vova had noticed a parked bus with passengers still inside. The good-natured creature had probably thought of the people in distress, just like the ones back in the days when he favored the hobby of towing the stalled cars up the hill by the zoo, thus, urging him to push the bus forward. On the other side, the bus driver, overwhelmed by the occurrence, had pushed the pedal to the floor, taking off from the bus station in a hurry, while Vovas tusk was broken. Meanwhile, the snowballing crowd of bystanders stood oddly still, mesmerized by the bizarre scene, still not realizing the degree of the terrible pain being suffered by the injured elephant.

By this time, the gray giant, driven by the mayhem caused by the crowd that had continuously stoned him to wave off the already enraged animals irrational movements, was heading towards Yerevans main railroad bridge.

Already informed Armenian authorities, without any consideration of the alternatives, such as the use of a stun gun, supposedly stated later on as unavailable at the time, or any other countermeasure present in the Soviet arsenal, had dispatched the military personnel, stationed in Yerevan, to the expected intercept point with the direct shoot-to-kill-at-the-sight order. Ivan, who had ignored Vova for some time prior to the described events, had arrived at the bridge as well.

Just like the Orwells shot-down and maimed elephant, Vova had received several (this time machinegun originated) bullets to the head from a real-life firing squad, and just like his literary counterpart didnt pass right away.

Instead, the maimed elephant was subjected to further torture at his last stand at Alamo, as he faced the refurbished to a mechanized military carrier, remnant of the WWII (either the lend-leased Sherman or the Russian-made T-34) tank. Needless to say that Vova, taking on the tank, has lost the battle and, as consequence, his life, when the man-lead tank had ruthlessly squashed the poor animal, ending his misery once and for all.

Fraternal friends faith

Witness to the grotesque outcome of the events, Ivan, afterwards falling sick for many months ahead, had fainted at the time of Vovas death. The tragedy had a follow-up, as not too long after his friend, Ivan had shared Vovas faith, as he was crushed to death by his Vovas replacement at the zoo several years later.

Fact turned urban legend

In spite of the fact that many of the Yerevan city residents had bared a witness to Vova's actual demise, the Armenian press of the time, reporting on the incident the following day, had claimed that "the runaway elephant was safely returned to zoo.

In the truth-absent environment of then Soviet Armenia, the story had turned into an urban legend, growing in details of its story-tellers as time went on. Those details had even went as far as to include the claims of Vovas corps being stripped down for barbeque meat for the Armenian elite, bearing yet another similarity to Orwells essay.

The unfortunate Result

Notwithstanding, the abovementioned events serve as a proof of the fact that the Armenian authorities, starting from the Soviet times, had unjustifiably sanctioned the commitment of a cruel act of final violence against the poor animal enraged by the human mistreatment.
Moscow expects the Unit One of Turkeys Akkuyu nuclear power plant (NPP) to be launched within a shorter timeframe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday evening, TASS reported.

"We expect to build and launch the Unit One of the [Akkuyu] nuclear power plant within a shorter timeframe," he said.

"Naturally, this would require a coordinated effort from us and our Turkish partners, including timely issuance of all the necessary permissions, documents and licenses," Putin added.

According to the Russian leader, joint Russian-Turkish energy projects - the Akkuyu NPP and the Turkish Stream gas pipeline - were discussed in detail during his talks with Erdogan.

The leaders of Russia and Turkey have recently attended the ceremony to launch the construction of the Turkish Streams deepwater section.

All work on the project is being carried out "in strict accordance with the schedule," Putin said.

Erdogan, in his turn, said that Ankara "placed special emphasis on [projects in] the energy sector, especially the the Akkuyu and the Turkish Stream projects."

"We are ready to give them a boost," he said, adding that the two states aim to bring annual bilateral trade turnover to $100 billion.
Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman was approved as the US ambassador to Moscow by the US Senate on Thursday, TASS reproted.

The vote took place at the end of the session and was held under a simplified procedure.

The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Tuesday approved Jon Huntsman Jr as US Ambassador to Moscow on September 26.

During his nomination hearings, held on September 19, Huntsman said the United States had no other choice but to interact with Russia in solving a number of global issues. He also said he was set to discuss with the Russian authorities the issues of anti-terrorism, arms control and non-proliferation, as well as political settlement of the Syrian conflict and the Ukrainian crisis.

Huntsman, 57, served as the governor of the US state of Utah between 2005 and 2009. He speaks Chinese and is a father of seven children. The politician became the youngest ambassador over a century in the countrys history, when in 1992 he was appointed the US ambassador to Singapore at the age of 32.

Former US President Barack Obama appointed him the countrys ambassador to China in 2009 and he served in that post until 2011. Financial magazine Forbes estimated his wealth in 2016 at $1 billion.

Huntsmann will replace John Tefft, who was appointed to this post in July 2014.

More:

http://tass.com/world/968033
A car bomb has exploded near a marketplace in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, killing at least seven people and wounding several others, PressTV reported.

A spokesman for Mogadishus mayor, Abdifatah Omar Halane, said the blast took place alongside a densely-populated road near Hamarweyne market in the capital on Thursday.

"The blast was caused by a luxurious car loaded with explosives, which was detonated at a civilian, densely-populated area, and seven people were killed and several others wounded," media outlets quoted the spokesman as saying.

Abdinasir Mohamed, a witness to the blast, gave a slightly higher death toll, saying, "There were eight people killed and most of them died in a civilian minibus which was passing by the area where the vehicle went off."
KYODO NEWS - Sep 29, 2017 - 17:24 | All

U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty indicated Friday that the possibility is low for now that the administration of President Donald Trump will take military action against North Korea despite growing tensions.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other senior U.S. officials "know the consequences of war," Hagerty said at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

Hagerty also said the U.S. government has increased pressure on North Korea "very systematically," and expressed hope that economic sanctions will curb the country's nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions.

Since July, North Korea has twice test-fired ballistic missiles thought capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, and on Sept. 3 the nation carried out its sixth nuclear test and of what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb.

In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly earlier this month, Trump referred to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as "Rocket Man," said he was on "a suicide mission," and Trump declared he was prepared to "totally destroy" the country if the United States is forced to defend itself or its allies.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho subsequently slammed Trump's remarks as a "declaration of war" against Pyongyang, although the White House called that "absurd."

Hagerty is a Tennessee businessman who served as a key member of Trump's transition team and used to work in Japan.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 29, 2017 - 08:26 | All, World

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged Myanmar on Thursday to end military operations against Rohingya Muslims and allow humanitarian access to its strife-torn western region.

"The situation has spiraled into the world's fastest-developing refugee emergency, a human rights nightmare," he said in a speech to the U.N. Security Council during a meeting on Myanmar.

Guterres said Myanmar must halt military operations, allow "unfettered access for humanitarian support" and ensure the "safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin."

"The reality on the ground demands action -- swift action -- to protect people, alleviate suffering, prevent further instability, address the roots of the situation and forge, at long last, a durable solution," he said.

The remarks came after the United Nations said earlier in the day that the number of Rohingya who have fled to Bangladesh since late August, when violence broke out in Myanmar's Rakhine state, has topped 500,000.

Guterres said Myanmar authorities must fulfill their obligation to ensure the safety and security of all communities in the Southeast Asian country without discrimination.

"We have received bone-chilling accounts from those who fled -- mainly women, children and the elderly," he said. "These testimonies point to excessive violence and serious violations of human rights, including indiscriminate firing of weapons, the presence of landmines and sexual violence."

"This is unacceptable and must end immediately," he added.

The Rohingya -- a persecuted, stateless minority in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar -- have fled to Bangladesh in recent weeks amid reports of atrocities being committed by security forces and villages being razed.

The latest round of violence in Rakhine State broke out on Aug. 25 when Rohingya militants attacked dozens of security outposts. The military retaliated by launching clearance operations that have led Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.

"We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to be -- a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority and it should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma," said U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley, calling Myanmar by its previous name Burma.

She was apparently referring to what many criticize as the inaction of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently the country's State Counsellor and de facto leader.

Seven members of the 15-member Security Council -- Britain, Egypt, France, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Sweden and the United States --pressed to have the open briefing, which is the first of its kind addressing concerns in the country since 2009.

Despite harsh allegations, Myanmar's National Security Adviser Thaung Tun denied that ethnic cleansing or genocide had taken place.

"I wish to stress there is no ethnic cleaning and no genocide in Myanmar. Ethnic cleansing and genocide are serious charges and they should not be used lightly," he said in the chamber.

"I can assure you that the leaders of Myanmar who have been struggling so long for freedom and human rights will never espouse (a) policy of genocide and ethnic cleansing, and that the government will do everything to prevent it."

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the United Nations Masud Bin Momen said, "Despite claims otherwise, violence has not ceased in Northern Rakhine state neither has the exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh." He noted that just the night before 20,000 had entered his country fearing for their lives.

He emphasized that the council "has a responsibility to examine whether military operations and consequent developments in Northern Rakhine state point to any threat to peace and breach of the peace and what could be done to restore peace."
KYODO NEWS - Sep 29, 2017 - 15:15 | All, World

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang exchanged congratulatory messages on Friday to mark the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, in the first such communication in a decade, amid increasing signs of rapprochement between the Asian powers.

Abe and Li both expressed hope for a "stable" development of relations, despite some differences over wartime history and a small group of islands in the East China Sea.

"We would like to build a stable friendship by promoting cooperation and interaction in various fields," Abe said in his message, adding that he is looking forward to meeting with Li by the end of this year in Japan for a trilateral summit, also involving South Korea.

Li, for his part, said the "current circumstances present new opportunities as well as challenges" and he hopes that Tokyo can meet Beijing "halfway to jointly safeguard the political foundation of their relations and properly manage and control their contradictions...in the spirit of learning from history while looking to the future, to push for (their) stable improvement and development," according China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Japan and China last exchanged similar messages in 2007 to celebrate the 35th anniversary. They did not do so in 2012 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary because of a flare-up in a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands.

The Japan-controlled uninhabited islets are claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu.

On Thursday, Abe attended a ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, despite his tight schedule after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier the same day for a snap election.

During the event, Abe voiced his eagerness to visit China again and invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to come to Japan in the near future.

Japan is hoping to make faster progress on improving bilateral ties after China's Communist Party finishes holding its politically-sensitive twice-a-decade congress -- which starts on Oct. 18 -- and by capitalizing on next year's 40th anniversary of the two countries' treaty of friendship and peace.

Abe's participation in the ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary and China's national day was reported as big news by China's official media.

China Daily, which ran a front-page story Friday on Abe's attendance, highlighted the fact he was the first Japanese prime minister in 15 years to put in an appearance at the embassy's annual gala and that he said "good evening" in Chinese.

The 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China falls on Sunday.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono told reporters on Friday that Tokyo wants to deepen cooperation with Beijing to tackle not only regional issues but global matters such as climate change.

Kono also exchanged congratulatory messages with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
MATTOON -- Rural King is interested in purchasing the Cross County Mall and moving its Mattoon-based corporate offices into part of this shopping center.

Chief Executive Officer Alex Melvin made this announcement Thursday during a Mattoon Emerging Leaders luncheon that Rural King hosted at its corporate offices, currently located on the property of the Rural King store and distribution center at 4216 DeWitt Ave. in Mattoon.

Speculation about Rural King possibly purchasing the Cross County Mall, 700 Broadway Ave. East, had circulated in recent days in the community. News about the Rural King's interest in this shopping center spread quickly after the luncheon on Thursday.

During an interview Thursday afternoon, Rural King Vice President of Human Resources Ladena Lambert said the company is interested in the Cross County Mall property and excited about the prospects there.

"We are early in the process and nothing is finalized yet, but see it as a fitting opportunity to continue investing in the local area and would love to see the vacated Sears building filled with people once again," Lambert said.

Lambert said Rural King has a contract to possibly purchase the Cross County Mall property, is doing its due diligence research, and will likely make a decision within 30 days on whether it will purchase this property. She said it is too soon to say how much of Cross County Mall that Rural King's corporate offices would use or if Rural King would open a retail location there.

"We are now considering all the options, so we can't say at this point," Lambert said.

Mattoon Emerging Leaders President Alex Hagen said Melvin's announcement that Rural King's corporate offices have grown to the point that it is considering purchasing the Cross County Mall and moving these offices there generated excitement among the more than 40 local business leaders at Thursday's luncheon.

"It will be interesting to see what they do with the mall," Hagen said. He added that Melvin did not detail Rural King's plans for utilizing the mall.

Hagen said Melvin was a guest speaker for one of the professional development luncheons that are held periodically by the Mattoon Emerging Leaders group, an offshoot of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce. He said Melvin also talked about the history of Rural King, the core values of this company, and its future plans, including its goal of operating 250 stores.

Rural King, which was founded in 1960 in Mattoon, reports that it currently has more than 100 stores in a 12-state area.

Mattoon Chamber Executive Director Ed Dowd said he is excited about the possibility of a Mattoon-based company becoming the owner of the Cross County Mall. He said local ownership will be invested in keeping and recruiting retail merchants at the mall. He said mall merchants will benefit from having a potential influx of shoppers from the Rural King corporate offices "right at their doorsteps."

"I would be thrilled if Rural King would be there," Dowd said of the mall. "I think that would be fantastic for the community."

The Cross County Mall is owned by Regis Property Management Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas. According to county property assessment records, the market value of the Cross County Mall building is about $4.2 million.
John Hope Bryant in South Africa



For the past week, John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE has been in South Africa at Essence Festival Durban 2017 as part of an Andrew Young Foundation delegation. Essence Festival Durban focuses on global business, technology, and empowerment. Bryant spoke before South African government ministers, and met with entrepreneurs, and other influencers and thought leaders on the award-winning HOPE Inside model. This week also represented week 2 of the launch of The Memo: Five Rules for your Economic Liberation. The new book already has South Africa buzzing.Below are a few images from the trip.
Saturday, Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day  the most popular of the coffee holidays. This is the day when most national coffee chains (and many local ones) show appreciation for their customers by handing out free coffee. However, some require coupons or a purchase.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has been criticized for his agencys response to recent hurricanes, and on Thursday Pai tried to shift some of the attention to Apple. But the nations top communications regulator may have been making demands of Apple that are technically impossible to fulfill.

In his statement, Pai demanded that Apple aapl activate FM radio capabilities in iPhones so that people in areas where wireless networks have been knocked out due the hurricanes could at least get access to information about disasters on the radio.

I am asking Apple to activate the FM chips that are in its iPhones, Pai said. It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first.

The problem is that models of the iPhone 7 and new iPhone 8 dont have FM chips that can be activated, according to Apple. iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models do not have FM radio chips in them nor do they have antennas designed to support FM signals, so it is not possible to enable FM reception in these products, the company said in a statement to the site Macrumors.com.

And earlier models that have the chip dont have antennas to pick up FM radio signals nor the capability to be activated by Apple, according to sources who spoke to Apple columnist John Gruber.

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Wireless networks in many areas were knocked out of commission by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The FCC said this week that 91% of the wireless network in Puerto Rico was still out, for example. After storms in prior years, the FCC held hearings to look into the repair efforts, but has not yet scheduled any following the recent storms. That prompted critical comments from FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. After Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy @FCC held hearings to address network recovery, Rosenworcel tweeted earlier this week. Why wont agency do it for Harvey, Irma & Maria?

On Tuesday, Pai responded, saying he had visited some areas hit by the disasters and been in contact with wireless carriers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, among others. While the FCC at some point will need to study what happened to better prepare for future emergencies, at this very momentour primary focus must continue to be on recovery, he said.
(Adds investment details, separate Ternium investment)

MEXICO CITY, Sept 28 (Reuters) - ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, will invest $1 billion in Mexico over the next three years, in part to boost its North American trade operations, the company said on Thursday.

Mexico is a key production platform for the company. During the first half of 2017 AreclorMittal produced nearly $12 billion of steel in North America while shipping about $11 billion from the three-country region linked by the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which is currently being renegotiated.

"I am delighted to announce a $1 billion investment in Mexico over the next three years so we can meet Mexican demand for steel products, which is growing rapidly," the company's chairman and chief executive, Lakshmi Mittal, said at an event in southern Chiapas state attended by President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The event launched the government's new special economic zones in southern Mexico, the country's poorest region, in a bid to attract infrastructure investment.

Indian steel magnate Mittal said that "starting immediately" ArcelorMittal will modernize assets at the Pacific coast port of Lazaro Cardenas, one of Mexico's busiest commercial hubs, as well as "downstream operations" aimed at meeting Mexican consumer demand.

Lazaro Cardenas is home to ArcelorMittal's primary steelmaking operations in Mexico.

The investment covers construction of a new hot strip mill, which upon completion in about three years will allow production of 2.5 million tonnes of flat rolled steel.

"Coils from the new hot strip mill will be supplied to domestic, non-auto, general industry customers," the company said in a statement.

The spending will also boost ArcelorMittal's Mexican mining operations and will "support ArcelorMittal's NAFTA operations by providing high-quality semi-finished steel slabs," the company added.

There was no further detail on how the investment will boost trade within the NAFTA block, and the company's press office did not immediately return an after-hours call for comment.

Story continues

ArcelorMittal operates six facilities at three ports in Mexico.

ArcelorMittal currently produces about 4 million tonnes per year, but after the investment is completed, annual production is seen growing by about a third to reach 5.3 million tonnes.

In addition to flat rolled steel, the company expects to produce about 1.8 million tonnes of long steel and 1 million tonnes of semi-finished slaps, according to the statement.

In 2007, ArcelorMittal bought a $1.4 billion steel plant at Lazaro Cardenas, alongside another plant it already owned at the port.

Separately on Thursday, Mexican steelmaker Ternium announced plans to build new facilities in Mexico and Colombia.

Ternium's Mexican plans include a new hot rolling mill with an investment of $1.1 billion. The facility's annual production capacity will be 3.7 million tonnes and it is scheduled to be operational by the second half of 2020, Ternium said in a statement.

The plant will produce products for the auto sector as well as other industries including construction, energy and home appliances. (Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz, Frank Jack Daniel and David Alire Garcia; Editing by Phil Berlowitz and Leslie Adler)
The bitcoin market today woke up to the news that the South Korean regulators have banned the issuing of ICOs. This brought back the spectre of a similar ban from the Chinese just a few weeks back but unlike the Chinese news, the impact on the bitcoin prices through this news has only been limited so far. South Korea had emerged as one of the biggest markets for cryptocurrencies in recent times and the bitcoin exchanges in that country had been pretty active of late, maybe due to the Chinese moving to these exchanges once the Chinese exchanges were shut down.

Get Into Bitcoin Trading Today

Bitcoin Prices Fall Towards $4000

Also, unlike the Chinese ban, this ban in South Korea is only for new ICOs and does not specify anything about the funds that were collected through the older ICOs. This should prove to be a bit of a relief for many but it shows the continued crackdown from several governments on the bitcoin industry which is likely to keep the bitcoin prices under pressure. So far, the prices have managed to stay above the $4000 region but it remains to be seen whether there will be a strong test of this region once the rest of the world wakes up to the news.

Bitcoin 4H

The Ethereum market has also been hit hard by the news and the magnitude of the fall so far has been larger in the Bitcoin market than in the ETH market. This is understandable as most of the ICOs have Ethereum as the underlying and a ban on these is likely to affect the demand for ETH. The prices have since dropped below $300 and are likely to stay weak for the short term as the market digests the news.

Forecast

As for the rest of the day, as we have mentioned above, we have to wait and see how the rest of the markets wake up to the South Korean news but we believe that they are unlikely to take it kindly and this is going to keep both the ETH and the bitcoin markets under a lot of pressure during trading today.

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A Blackberry smartphone is displayed in this illustrative picture taken in Bordeaux, Southwestern France, on August 22, 2016. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau//Files

By Alastair Sharp

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's BlackBerry Ltd (BB.TO) reported stronger-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as high-margin software sales hit a record, boosting investor confidence in its turnaround and sending shares up 14 percent.

Software and services revenue rose 26 percent to $196 million in the second quarter ended Aug. 31 from a year earlier, above the average forecast of $175 million of two analysts polled by Reuters.

The results bolstered hopes that Chief Executive John Chen was succeeding in rebuilding BlackBerry, whose revenue has declined for seven years as its smartphone business collapsed. Chen has discontinued handset manufacturing and focussed on selling software to industrial companies, governments and corporations.

"Obviously a very good quarter for the software business, which is a good sign for BlackBerry," said Nicholas McQuire, an analyst at CCS Insight.

The company reported quarterly profit of 5 cents a share, excluding special items, versus a break-even forecast by analysts.

Quarterly software and services revenue was buoyed by a sharp increase in licensing fees, to $56 million from $16 million a year earlier.

Licensing will eventually contribute about as much revenue as BlackBerry's larger enterprise software business, Chen said in a call with reporters, according to Bloomberg News.

Chen told BNN television that the company hoped to close another autonomous-vehicle software deal directly with an unnamed carmaker later this year, which would follow a deal inked with Ford Motor Co (F.N) last October that has started to produce revenue for BlackBerry.

"There's some exciting growth opportunities," Morningstar analyst Ali Mogharabi said, citing progress in getting BlackBerry technology into self-driving cars.

The company said on Sept. 20 that it would partner with auto supplier Delphi Automotive Plc (DLPH.N) on a software operating system for self-driving cars, sending its shares up 9 percent that day.

Story continues

BlackBerry could earn licensing fees of $5 to $25 per car with advanced self-driving technology, up from the $1.50 to $5 it earns for just providing infotainment systems, Chen said on an analyst call.

Some investors said it was too early to call the turnaround a success.

"The company is at the intersection of some interesting trends ... but it's still early days for them," said Lori Keith, a portfolio manager at Parnassus Investments, which does not own BlackBerry shares.

Waterloo, Ontario-based BlackBerry said it expected adjusted full-year revenue of $920 million to $950 million. Analysts on average had forecast $924.4 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. It also forecast meeting its software sales growth target of 10 to 15 percent.

Licensing revenue for its software and brand name include royalties on BlackBerry-branded devices sold by China's TCL Communication Technology Holdings Ltd and Indonesia's BB Merah Putih.

BlackBerry also said on Thursday it signed a new deal for a Chinese manufacturer to sell BlackBerry Secure-branded devices starting early next year.

The company posted quarterly net income of $19 million, or 4 cents per share, compared to a loss of $372 million, or 71 cents a share, a year earlier. Total revenue excluding items fell 29 percent to $249 million.

BlackBerry's Canadian-listed shares were up 12.5 percent at C$12.98 after rising as high as $13.47. Its U.S.-listed stock (BBRY.O) rose 13.2 percent to $10.45, the highest since June.

(Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Richard Chang)
As soon as the Universal logo flickers and switches to its retro 70s look and the disco music starts to play, jazzing up Jimmy Carter speeches and old news footage, we know what were in for with the cocaine-smuggling adventure American Made. This is a romp and a half. Maybe even three.

Director Doug Liman has never been a minimalist filmmaker, and American Made just might be his most maximalist film yet. It skitters and jumps, shivers and boot-scoots, never, ever sitting still. You could say its like Blow, on well, blow. But theres a breezy sunniness to this film, which looks like a faded snapshot reclaimed from an 80s photo album. VHS lines and time stamps crackle effervescently.

American Made casts a nostalgic golden filter on what was admittedly a rather dark and dramatic period in U.S. history. Drug cartel-related violence plagued the Southeast while the first lady urged everyone to just say no. Meanwhile the American government was essentially allowing the illegal import of cocaine while providing guns to the rebels fighting the Communist Sandinista army in Central America.

This is all told through the true life story of pilot, drug smuggler and informant Barry Seal (Tom Cruise). Hotshot flyboy Seal is Maverick gone a bit soft, a commercial TWA pilot who takes up with the CIA and Medellin cartel because hes got mouths to feed and an elastic moral compass.

Through Barrys perspective, American Made, which is written by Gary Spinelli, is the Iran-Contra Affair for Dummies, explained in simple terms and sometimes animation via Barrys voiceover (a framing device has him telling his life story into a VHS camera in late 1985, early 1986). With a Louisiana drawl, Cruises Barry joshes about how his top secret CIA gig taking surveillance photos of the Communist armies turned into delivering Soviet AK-47s to rebel fighters, and returning with thousands of kilos of cocaine, dodging DEA and FBI planes along the way. All the while, he was raking in more cash than he could keep track of.

Magnetically energetic as always, Cruise merely serves as the star vessel through which this story passes. The supporting actors steal the show, including Caleb Landry Jones as his redneck brother-in-law, and a fantastically smarmy Domhnall Gleeson as Barrys CIA contact Schafer. Jesse Plemons is also predictably great in a small role as a naive small town sheriff.

But this is Barrys film from first frame to last. Some (OK a lot of) creative license has been taken for dramatic effect, but when it comes to the governmental machinations, thats all pretty real. It feels at times that American Made has too light a touch on this material, and the actual bad guys only take a few real shots for their responsibility in these events. Our sense of President Ronald Reagan here is as a cultural figure, the Gipper, rather than political actor.

American Made has some glorious moments when its firing on all cylinders at once, but it cant sustain that throughout. It shows its references, a combination of Goodfellas, Blow and Scarface, but never achieves the internal consistency of those films. This is far more roughshod. But somehow, despite its jitters and at times herky-jerky awkwardness, American Made has an undeniable shaggy-dog charm.
(Adds sanitary status of Santa Catarina in paragraph 4, data on global pork trade, data on Brazilian states production)

SAO PAULO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - South Korea has authorized three plants in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina to export pork to the Asian nation, opening a market in the world's fourth largest importer of this type of meat, local industry group ABPA said on Friday.

It said BRF SA, Cooperativa Central Aurora Alimentos and Pamplona Alimentos each had one meatpacking factory cleared for pork sales to South Korea.

The three plants are located in the southern Santa Catarina state, Brazil's largest pork producer and the only one in the country holding an international certificate of free of food and mouth disease with no vaccination required.

BRF said this is the first time in history that Brazilian producers will be allowed to sell pork to that country. If competitive, shipments out of Santa Catarina could fight with United States, Canada and Chile producers for that market.

In 2015, South Korea imported about 30 percent of its pork by volume from the United States, followed by Canada and Chile, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. The Asian nation imported a total of 460,000 tonnes that year worth $1.36 billion.

In 2016, Brazil's pork exports totaled 733,000 tonnes, a 32 percent rise from the previous year, ABPA data showed.

Brazil's government has a plan to gradually end foot-and-mouth disease vaccination in the country, aiming to allow other states to obtain the same sanitary status achieved by Santa Catarina and potentially boosting export prospects. (Reporting by Ana Mano, Roberto Samora and Marcelo Teixeira; Editing by W Simon and Lisa Shumaker)
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bank of England's independence, in the City of London, September 28, 2017. REUTERS/Mary Turner

By William Schomberg and David Milliken

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May told U.S. planemaker Boeing (BA.N) on Thursday that its behaviour in a trade dispute with Canada's Bombardier (BBDb.TO) was undermining its commercial relationship with Britain.

May intervened in the trade row between Canada and the United States after a complaint by Boeing led to the U.S. Department of Commerce imposing a preliminary 220-percent duty on Bombardier's CSeries jets.

The U.S. ruling puts as many as 4,200 jobs at risk at a plant in the British province of Northern Ireland, where the jets' carbon wings are made.

"We have a long-term partnership with Boeing in various aspects of government and this is not the sort of behaviour we expect from a long-term partner and it undermines that partnership," May said in response to a question at a Bank of England event.

Boeing, the world's biggest plane maker, has said it is committed to the United Kingdom.

May's criticism of Boeing indicates the importance of the plant to the small Northern Irish political party on which her government has relied since she lost her parliamentary majority in June following a botched election campaign.

Britain would nevertheless find it difficult to unpick its relationship with one of its most important defence equipment suppliers.

May also needs U.S. President Donald Trump's support as Britain prepares to sever ties with the European Union. She has pitched a new trade deal with the United States to cushion the impact of leaving the EU's tariff-free single market.

But May could find it difficult to convince Trump, who has made "America First" a theme of his administration, to get a titan of U.S. industry to back off from defending what it views as its trade rights.

May, who had raised the issue with Trump, said she would try to work with Canada to stress the importance of Bombardier to Northern Ireland.

CONTRACTS

Canada's Liberal government is refusing to go ahead with a planned purchase of 18 Boeing Super Hornet fighter jets until the U.S. company drops its challenge.

Story continues

"We can't do business with companies that treat us in this manner ... we are actively looking at other options," Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan told reporters on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Boeing said it had listened to Britain's concerns but gave no indication that it might change tack.

Boeing said that since 2011 it had tripled its spending in the United Kingdom to 2.1 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) in 2016, while the firm and its suppliers accounted for more than 18,700 UK jobs.

British defence minister Michael Fallon has also criticised Boeing. He ruled out cancelling existing orders with Boeing for nine P-8 spy planes and 50 Apache helicopters, but added the U.S. firm was seeking other UK contracts.

Boeing has risen since 2000 from a relatively minor defence supplier to become one of Britain's top five following the purchase of C-17 transporters and Apache attack helicopters, according to defence analyst Francis Tusa.

Possibilities for reprisals are relatively limited in the short term but further ahead, potentially valuable requirements include the replacement of the Boeing-built Chinook helicopter.

Britain could also consider moving lucrative maintenance and support work for the C-17 transport plane from the United States to Britain, he added.

"What is going to be fascinating is that the Bombardier case will open the eyes of senior service chiefs to the fact that Britain is less important to the United States," Tusa said.

May's comments came in a question and answer session after she had delivered a robust defence of capitalism and free markets in a speech designed to halt the rising popularity of a more radical interventionist economic model espoused by her political opponents, the Labour Party.

Labour said the trade dispute should be referred to the World Trade Organization, and criticised May for "threatening to victimise Boeing."

(Additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Writing by William James and Tim Hepher; editing by Catherine Evans and Adrian Croft)
Chevron Is Getting a New CEO Early Next Year

Chevron Vice Chairman Mike Wirth will become chief executive next February, replacing the retiring John Watson, the oil and natural gas producer said on Thursday.

The transition brings an executive with experience in the cost-cutting world of refining to Chevrons corner office as the industry emerges from a two-and-a-half year rout in crude prices that has squeezed revenue.

Reuters reported the change of leadership last month, citing a source close to the matter.

Wirth, an engineer by training, has worked at Chevron since 1982 and previously ran the companys pipeline and chemicals and refining businesses.

Mike was chosen for his track record of accomplishment, Watson said in an interview. He is well known for his time in our downstream portfolio and his work on cost control.

The move copies rival Exxon Mobil, which this year named refining expert Darren Woods as its CEO, a step seen as prioritizing cash generation to protect payouts to shareholders above pricy exploration projects.

The CEOs of rivals Total and Royal Dutch Shell also have experience in refining.

Chevrons cvx board officially voted on Wednesday to give Wirth the CEO post in addition to the role of chairman.

Watson said he told the companys board late in 2016 he was thinking of retiring as large expansion projects near completion in Australia and Kazakhstan and the company taps more of its low-cost shale acreage in the Permian Basin.

$50 oil is not easy. But were as well positioned as anyone else, Watson said.

Chevron declined to make Wirth, 56, available for an interview.

Watson, who will not hit the companys mandatory retirement age of 65 for another four years, became CEO in 2010.

The companys growth under him has not been painless. Chevron has struggled with cost overruns at two Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.

Its fair to say weve done some things well and theres areas we can improve, he said. But weve dramatically outperformed our peers.

Story continues

He pointed out that Gorgon, one of the LNG projects, was already profitable and the other should be as it comes online later this year.

Wirth will also have to contend with growing uncertainty about Chevrons operations in strife-torn Venezuela, where it is the only remaining major U.S. oil producer.

We have every intention of staying there, Watson said. Venezuela is among the leaders in (oil) reserves worldwide.

Watson said he had no plans to work for the U.S. government or elsewhere in the oil industry after retirement. He declined to say what he would do next, though said he was considering options.

Last year, Watson earned $24.6 million in pay, share options and bonuses, up from $22 million in 2015. Wirth was paid $9.1 million last year, up from $8.1 million in 2015.

Shares of Chevron were up 0.4% at $117.91. The company is set to report quarterly earnings on Oct. 27.
A Chevron gas station sign is seen in Del Mar, California, in this April 25, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Mike Blake/Files

By Ernest Scheyder

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Chevron Corp (CVX.N) Vice Chairman Mike Wirth will become chief executive next February, replacing the retiring John Watson, the oil and natural gas producer said on Thursday.

The transition brings an executive with experience in the cost-cutting world of refining to Chevron's corner office as the industry emerges from a two-and-a-half year rout in crude prices (CLc1) that has squeezed revenue.

Reuters reported the change of leadership last month, citing a source close to the matter.

Wirth, an engineer by training, has worked at Chevron since 1982 and previously ran the company's pipeline and chemicals and refining businesses.

"Mike was chosen for his track record of accomplishment," Watson said in an interview. "He is well known for his time in our downstream portfolio and his work on cost" control.

The move copies rival Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N), which this year named refining expert Darren Woods as its CEO, a step seen as prioritising cash generation to protect payouts to shareholders above pricy exploration projects.

The CEOs of rivals Total (TOTF.PA) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) also have experience in refining.

Chevron's board officially voted on Wednesday to give Wirth the CEO post in addition to the role of chairman.

Watson said he told the company's board late in 2016 he was thinking of retiring as large expansion projects near completion in Australia and Kazakhstan and the company taps more of its low-cost shale acreage in the Permian Basin.

"$50 oil is not easy. But we're as well positioned as anyone else," Watson said.

Chevron declined to make Wirth, 56, available for an interview.

Watson, who will not hit the company's mandatory retirement age of 65 for another four years, became CEO in 2010.

The company's growth under him has not been painless. Chevron has struggled with cost overruns at two Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.

"It's fair to say we've done some things well and there's areas we can improve," he said. "But we've dramatically outperformed our peers."

Story continues

He pointed out that Gorgon, one of the LNG projects, was already profitable and the other should be as it comes online later this year.

Wirth will also have to contend with growing uncertainty about Chevron's operations in strife-torn Venezuela, where it is the only remaining major U.S. oil producer.

"We have every intention of staying there," Watson said. "Venezuela is among the leaders in (oil) reserves worldwide."

Watson said he had no plans to work for the U.S. government or elsewhere in the oil industry after retirement. He declined to say what he would do next, though said he was considering options.

Last year, Watson earned $24.6 million in pay, share options and bonuses, up from $22 million in 2015. Wirth was paid $9.1 million last year, up from $8.1 million in 2015.

Shares of Chevron were up 0.4 percent at $117.91. The company is set to report quarterly earnings on Oct. 27.

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Susan Thomas)
From Sean Brodrick: Oil prices are surging. The bulls are back in the drivers seat, impatiently honking the horn and barreling down Wall Street.

Fundamental drivers include OPEC and Russia making deeper cuts to output, strong global demand and the threat of Middle East disruption.

Speaking of OPEC: They have a secret weapon that will probably shock you.

More on that in a minute. First, let me give you the rundown on whats turning up the heat in the oil markets.

Adding gasoline to the flames, Turkeys Islamic ignoramus and brutal boss man, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has threatened to turn off the taps on the pipeline that carries oil from northern Iraq to the outside world if the Kurdish independence referendum goes the wrong way.

Well, the vote went the wrong way for Erdogan. About 90% of Kurds said yes to independence.

So, for many reasons, including cyclical reasons, the physical crude market is tightening. Front months are now more expensive than months in the future. This is pushing oil prices and oil stocks higher. Look at a recent chart of the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), the benchmark oil stock ETF.

Permalink

You can see the XLE was recently up 17 out of the past 18 trading days since Aug. 30. Its in a new uptrend.

Ive put an indicator on the bottom called The Force Index. It combines price action and trading volume. And it shows buying interest is strong and getting stronger.

My price objective on the XLE is $79. When we get there, well see.

We got more fuel for the fire at OPECs meeting in Vienna last week. Harold Hamm, CEO of Continental Resources (CLR), the biggest leaseholder and producer in the Bakken oil basin, gave a presentation at the meeting.

He told OPEC members that the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is wildly overestimating U.S. oil production growth this year 

Source

Bloomberg reports that:

While official Department of Energy forecasts as recently as last month showed U.S. crude production reaching 9.82 million barrels a day by December 2017, the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance  a group representing domestic onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production, chaired by Hamm  sees it at 9.35 million.

Story continues

You see, U.S. production is highly responsive to market conditions. Therefore, U.S. producers are pulling in their horns in face of prices under $60. Thats more fuel for a price surge. So, when you get down to it, OPEC has a secret weapon all right. And thats the fact that U.S. oil production is way too price-sensitive for the good of U.S. oil consumers.

The cartels secret weapon is the U.S. oil market itself.

Some people will say that OPEC can and will always pump more. After all, no one knows how to let greed get the better of them than OPEC.

But that view would be wrong. WRONG!

In fact, five OPEC members  Iraq, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, and Venezuela  may already be pumping at their maximum capacity. Thats according to a new report from Citigroup.

Citigroup believes this fact is sowing the seeds for oil prices to squeeze higher  potentially much higher  as soon as 2018.

Meanwhile, speculative demand for fuel and products hit a new record in the week of Sept. 19.

How about total global demand? That is projected to grow by from 1.7 million- to 1.8 million-barrels-a-day this year. Thats 400,000- to 500,000-barrels-per-day more than expected at the start of the year.

The bottom line: This rally isnt just based on speculation. Its based on fundamentals. When we get pullbacks, buy those pullbacks.

But smart speculators should be aware that this market is going to be volatile. Ill explain why.

Enter the Four Horsemen

There are a few aspects to this that could send this market zig-zagging wilder  and wider  than most investors can imagine. Four horsemen, if you will, that could ride through the market and send expectations scattering.

Energy producers dont believe this rally. They are hedging (selling forward production) in a hurry. This is to lock in forward profits. Producers are often right. On the other hand, theyve been trapped in an abusive relationship with oil prices for a long, long time. Their disbelief is understandable.

Hamm told OPEC a new U.S. oil peak is coming. He said that without technological innovation to overcome dwindling reservoir pressure, production from the Permian Basin could peak as soon as 2021. And its true that total production-per-rig is falling in major American oil fields (see below). However, I can make a strong case for American innovation rising to the challenge. Also, more rigs at work is great news for oil-services companies.

Source

Black swans breed in oil fields. In other words, we never know what unexpected event is going to flip the table on oil producers.

The rise of the electric car. In about five years, we are going to see electric vehicle (EV) use rise enough to start affecting global oil demand. In 10 years, there will be definite effects. And by 2030, the effects will be huge.

In the short term, however, pullbacks can be bought. This rally hasnt gotten anywhere near the top.

How You Can Play It

You can just buy the XLE. I showed you a chart and gave you a price target.

However, thats not what Im recommending to my Supercycle Investor subscribers. Why? Because there are BETTER ways to play this rally.

I just gave them three hot picks. And I plan to give them more.

Whatever you do, do your own due diligence. Buy something youre comfortable with.

But you better buckle up. Get comfortable. Because the bulls are in the drivers seat. And theyre shifting into higher gear.

The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was trading at $68.50 per share on Thursday morning, up $0.07 (+0.10%). Year-to-date, XLE has declined -7.88%, versus a 12.86% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

XLE currently has an ETF Daily News SMART Grade of B (Buy), and is ranked #15 of 36 ETFs in the Energy Equities ETFs category.

This article is brought to you courtesy of The Edelson Institute.

You are viewing an abbreviated republication of ETF Daily News content. You can find full ETF Daily News articles on (www.etfdailynews.com)
The Equifax hack that compromised 143 million Social Security numbers didnt just destroy the countrys trust in credit bureaus; it also most certainly killed the use of SSNs for security and identity authentication.

The nine-digit SSN has been used for this purpose for years. Typically, the last six digits of a SSN are used because the first three digits correspond to where in the U.S. you were born.

For a security mechanism, it was an easy default, but that number is now, thanks to Equifax, pretty much obsolete to things other than [receiving] Social Security [payments], said Ira Rheingold, executive director of National Association of Consumer Advocates. To consumer advocates like Rheingold, thats probably not a bad thing, since it probably should never have been used for that purpose. Anyone who uses that for security is crazy, he said.

The Social Security Administration told Yahoo Finance that the purpose of the number is to report earnings and track benefits. It was not intended to serve as a personal identification document, said Darren Lutz, an agency spokesperson. The Administration does not endorse any other use of SSNs.

Social Security numbers are everywhere and extremely unsecured

Thinking about the 143 million SSNs floating around on a hackers server reminds us of how easily these numbers can be surfaced. SSNs have been widely accessible for a number of years, mostly because so many companies and organizations request the number, or at least a part of it.

Think about how many times youve had to provide your SSN, said Alex Hamerstone, governance, risk, and compliance practice lead at TrustedSec. Every time you go to a new doctor or start a new job, when you apply for a home, car or student loan, when you set up utility services  the list goes on and on.

Furthermore, some Departments of Motor Vehicles would use SSNs as drivers license numbers. Colleges sometimes used SSNs as student IDs, and would even post them publicly. Hamerstone recalls his university doing this.

Story continues

Weve been really bad at securing SSNs for decades, and now that all of this data is being stored online, the problem is becoming significantly worse, he said. The bottom line is that the authentication-by-SSN model that weve relied upon since the 1940s is essentially broken.

Its easy to buy Social Security numbers on the dark web

Many people would be surprised at just how easy it is to purchase SSNs online, said Hamerstone.

According to Hamerstone, many of these sites even offer customer service. With just a little know-how, anyone can go to the dark web and buy SSNs and other personal information just as easily as they would order a toaster from Amazon.com, he said.

The level of stolen data that can be pinched and put up for sale is massive and can lead to elaborate fraud schemes such as someone claiming a tax refund for someone they have no relationship to. Its not just SSNs that are available on the dark net; many sites offer fullz packages that bundle complete dossiers of personal information including birth dates, credit card and banking account numbers, and mailing addresses. Sometimes they even package the SSNs of all members of a family, Hamerstone said.

Dont give out your SSN just because someone asks

According to the Social Security Administration, you are not required to give out your SSN except to employers and financial institutions, which use them for tax reporting purposes.

Giving the number is voluntary even when asked for the number directly, the SSAs Lutz said. He noted that if requested, the Administration suggests that consumers ask why and how the number is needed, what happens if they refuse to provide it, and whether theres a law requiring them to give it.

The answers to these questions can help people decide if they want to give out their SSN, Lutz said. The decision is theirs. However, they should know that refusing to give the number might mean doing without the purchase or service for which the number was requested.

The obvious problem with this, however, is that now another identification system needs to be put in place to replace the SSN. That new system would also need to be secured and will likely face similar challenges.

But new technology like blockchain could provide a solution. Estonia, for instance, has established a digital identity system for its citizens. For now, though, it is important to practice good credit hygiene and utilize AnnualCreditReport.com on a regular basis. Experts recommend pulling one credit report every four months to make sure nothing fishy is going on.

Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Confidential tip line: emann@oath.com.

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Sumptuously shot, beautifully acted and told from upstairs/downstairs perspectives, Viceroys House is an unmistakable BBC take on Indias transition to independence and the partition of the country that led to thousands of deaths and millions of refugees streaming in two directions.

Not that any of the Hindu-versus-Muslim sectarian violence is seen on screen -- Viceroys House is too measured and cultured for that. Rather, its dealt with from the distance of news reels and verbal reports to Lord Louis Mountbatten, the viceroy in charge of handing over India to its people after 300 years of British colonial rule.

Well played by Hugh Bonneville of Downton Abbey, Mountbatten is an aristocrat whos a military man at heart, dedicated to fulfilling his mission. His wife, Lady Edwina (Gillian Anderson) is, in his words, more of a liberal, who dedicates herself to meeting and trying to do the best for the Indian people by influencing her husbands work.

Pulling him in the opposite direction is Gen. Lionel Ismay (Michael Gambon), a power-behind-the-throne type, subtly pushing an agenda that isnt fully revealed until late in the film.

Thats the upstairs part of Viceroys House.

The downstairs story personalizes the religious conflict in the form of a romance between Hindu manservant Jeet Kumar (Manish Dayal) and a Muslim woman Aalia Noor (Huma Qureshi), who knew each other in the Punjabi and meet again in the viceroy's palace.

Aalia, however, is promised to another man, who just happens to be the driver for Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Denzil Smith), the leader of the All-India Muslim League, who is pressuring Mountbatten to approve a partition of India, giving nearly half the country to Muslims to create the nation of Pakistan.

On the other side of that dispute is Jawaharlal Nehru (Tanveer Ghani), the Hindu leader who would become Indias first prime minister. In between, arguing for a solution that would prevent cutting the country in pieces is Mahatma Gandhi (Neeraj Kabi).

Director/co-writer Gurinder Chadha, who made Bend It Like Beckham, brings the two stories together in predictable fashion, the film playing like a standard costume drama until the painful partition takes place.

Then it becomes a short look at the impact of a country torn apart on its former rulers and through the couple, people who are forced to choose homeland or religion to the detriment of both.

That had to be personal for Chadha, whose grandmother was one of the post-partition refugees. But the pain of the partition and of those who lived through it is universally conveyed through the film, which, while formulaic, is well enough acted and written to be effective and emotionally satisfying.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants Apples help with hurricane relief efforts in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

The tech giant should remotely activate the FM radio frequency chips in its customers iPhones so that they can get access to news through FM radio while damaged cellular towers are being repaired, FCC chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement on Thursday. The chips have been turned off in iPhones for years, but in areas where cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity is down, they could be critical for getting information.

When wireless networks go down during a natural disaster, smartphones with activated FM chips can allow Americans to get vital access to life-saving information, Chairman Pai said in a statement. However, he noted that Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted doing so, and called on Apple to turn on the feature in its iPhones.

Get Data Sheet, Fortunes technology newsletter

The U.S. has been rocked by three massive hurricanes that have left millions of people without homes, electricity, and other critical infrastructure. Puerto Rico was hit especially hard.

Smartphones generally rely on cell towers, many of which have been destroyed or taken offline by the hurricanes. As an alternative, people could use their phones like portable radios to get access to information.

Its unclear why Apple AAPL , unlike many other companies, has not turned on the feature. The company did not immediately respond to a Fortune request for comment on the matter. However, Pai said the company needs to act swiftly.

I am asking Apple to activate the FM chips that are in its iPhones, Pai said. It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first.
By Andrea Shalal

BERLIN, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Germany has asked the U.S. military for classified data on two Boeing fighter jets as it looks to replace its ageing Tornado warplanes from 2025, giving a boost to the U.S. company locked in a trade dispute with Canada and Britain.

A letter sent by the German defence ministry's planning division, reviewed by Reuters, said it had identified Boeing's F-15 and F/A-18E/F fighters as potential candidates to replace the Tornado jets, which entered service in 1981.

A classified briefing is expected to take place in mid-November, following a similar briefing provided by U.S. officials about the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet in July.

The ministry has said it is also seeking information from European aerospace giant Airbus, which builds the Eurofighter Typhoon along with Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo.

The development is a boost for Boeing at a time when it is under fire from Canada and Britain after its complaint prompted the United States to impose a preliminary 220-percent duty on CSeries jets built by Bombardier.

Boeing said it was working with the U.S. government to provide the information that Germany had requested.

Germany, due to decide in mid-2018 about how to replace the Tornado planes, announced plans in July to build a European fighter jet together with France. But the new jet is unlikely to be available by 2025, when Germany's fleet of Tornado fighters are slated to start going out of service.

Sources familiar with the process said Germany was pursuing a two-pronged approach under which it would buy an existing fighter to replace the Tornado, while working with France on a new European jet to replace its Eurofighters at a later point.

Analysts said the Tornado replacement order could be worth tens of billions of dollars, although Germany is still reviewing how many jets to buy and at what pace.

The letter said a formal request for information about the pricing and availability of all three U.S. fighter jets was being compiled and would be issued by the end of the month.

Story continues

BOEING UNDER FIRE

Britain told Boeing this week that future defence contracts could be in jeopardy because of its trade dispute with Canada's Bombardier, noting that U.S. tariffs would put up to 4,200 jobs at risk at a plant in the British province of Northern Ireland that makes the CSeries jet's carbon wings.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also said he will not go ahead with plans to buy 18 Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet jets unless the dispute is dropped.

Any move by Germany to buy a U.S. warplane could run into political resistance from strong labour unions and Airbus, which has also raised concerns about the ministry's plans to choose between two U.S. helicopters for its heavy lift programme.

Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and Italy - key NATO allies of Germany - are already buying the F-35 fighter jet to replace their current aircraft, and other European countries such as Switzerland, Belgium and Finland are also looking at purchasing the fifth-generation warplane at time when tensions with Russia are running high.

Military sources say buying a U.S. jet could make sense for Germany given technical challenges with the Eurofighter. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Mark Potter)
After the success of its urban electric scooter-sharing pilot program in Taiwan back in 2015, Gogoro planned expansions into other cities, making its way to Berlin last year and Paris this summer. Next on its list: Japan. Gogoro is partnering with business conglomerate Sumitomo to launch its service under the new brand 'GoShare' there later this year.

The endeavor will start with a pilot program on the southern Japanese island of Ishigaki and then expand to other cities and markets in 2018. It hinges on the Gogoro Energy Network, a series of charging stations (potentially their new solar-powered ones) for users to drop off their scooter's depleted batteries (two at a time) to swap in new ones. Per the press release, GoShare seems to be both an efficient transit solution and a way to saturate Japan with electric vehicles: The release even mentions potentially using Gogoro's batteries and stations to power "compact four-wheel vehicles in the future."

"I am excited for Sumitomo Corporation to start collaborating with a technology innovator like Gogoro to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles," Masaki Nakajima, executive officer and general manager, Automotive Division, No.1, Sumitomo Corporation, said in the press release. "The opportunity to expand Gogoro's smart energy system for vehicles and other applications is significant."

The release didn't note how many scooters would be coming to Japan, nor how quickly it would expand to other areas, and didn't give a launch date. But folks looking for quick, nimble personal transport around the island nation's metropolitan areas might look forward to GoShare -- and whatever other vehicles might harness its battery-swapping stations in the future.
elon musk spacex mars colony rocket spaceship bi graphics 2x1

Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of SpaceX, has presented an updated plan for colonizing Mars with 1 million people.

The International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, hosted Musk's presentation on Friday, and SpaceX streamed video of the event via a YouTube Live feed. (You can rewatch the 42-minute talk here.)

Musk tweeted on Monday that he'd unveil "major improvements" and "unexpected applications" in the talk, which is an update to his one-hour presentation at last year's IAC in Guadalajara, Mexico  where he revealed his gigantic Mars vehicle plans.

"This should be worth seeing," Musk tweeted before his IAC 2017 talk. "Design feels right."

Here are the highlights of Musk's latest presentation.

Musk started off by teasing a big improvement in cost.

elon musk mars spacex iac talk

First, Musk opened his talk with some inspirational words.

"Fundamentally, the future is vastly more interesting and exciting if we're a space-faring civilization and a multi-planet species than if we're not," he said. "I can't think of anything more exciting than going out there there among the stars."

But he quickly got down to business outlining the updates to his IAC 2016 talk in Mexico.

"I think the most important thing I'm going to convey in this presentation is that I think we've figured out how to pay for it," he added, referring to the launch system.

Musk previously called it the "Interplanetary Transport System" or ITS, but this year he re-adopted an older name: the BFR, which is short for "Big F---ing Rocket."

"We're still searching for the right name," he added.

Musk said the goal of the BFR is to replace all of SpaceX's current launch and spaceflight systems, including its 229-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket, the upcoming Falcon Heavy rocket, and its spaceship for NASA, the Dragon.

This is a developing story. Click here to refresh for new updates.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: SpaceX released a new video that shows 'epic explosion footage' of its first rocket landings





More From Business Insider


Kurdish women hold balloons to protest against the flight ban issued by the Iraq federal government outside the Irbil International Airport in Iraq, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Many travelers boarded the last flights out of the cities of Irbil and Sulaymaniyah as an Iraqi government order to halt all international flights in Kurdish territory was set to kick in on Friday. (AP Photo/Bram Janssen)

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) -- Iraq's military was preparing to take control of the international borders of the northern Kurdish region as a flight ban halted all international flights from servicing the territory's airports on Friday as the central government in Baghdad stepped up moves to isolate the Kurds following their vote on independence earlier this week.

Iraqi troops now in Turkey and Iran would start on Saturday morning to enforce control over the border crossings out of the Kurdish region, Iraqi officials told The Associated Press. They will not enter the Kurdish region, but instead Iraqi customs administrators backed by the troops will set up control points just outside the Kurdish border stations, the officials said.

The step will be the first movement of troops  outside of joint military exercises held by Turkey, Iran and Iraq  in response to this week's referendum in which Kurds voted by more than 90 percent to back independence from Iraq for their self-rule zone and other areas they have captured the past year.

The escalation feeds worries in the United States, a close ally of both the Kurds and Baghdad, that the referendum vote could lead to violence, setting off an unpredictable chain of events.

Two U.S. officials said Washington was concerned about possible operations involving Iraqi, Iranian or Turkish forces, or a combination thereof. Behind the scenes, the United States has strongly been advising against any military incursion into the Kurdish region, and believes none of the players will do so, according the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The nonbinding referendum  in which the Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Iraq  will not immediately result in independence. But Kurdish leaders have said they will use it to press for negotiations on eventually forming their own state.

That has set off alarm bells in Baghdad, where the government has said it is determined to prevent a break-up of the country, and in Iraq's neighbors, Iran and Turkey, which fear the vote will fuel similar ambitions among their own significant Kurdish populations.

Story continues

So they have moved to isolate the region. Iran on Friday announced a ban on oil imports and exports with the Iraqi Kurdish region, the state news agency announced.

At Irbil International airport, hundreds of passengers lined up for flights out of the Kurdish region in the hours before the central government's flight ban took effect Friday evening. Baghdad had demanded the region hand over the airport to its authority or else face a ban.

Talar Saleh, the general director of Irbil International Airport, says Kurdish authorities had attempted to meet with officials from the central government to comply with the demand. But "so far, up to this moment, there is no reply from Baghdad," she said at a press conference held at the airport.

While Baghdad controls the airspace over the Kurdish region, immigration and security inside the airports are controlled by local Kurdish region officials and security forces.

Many of the hundreds of people traveling Friday afternoon were foreigners ordered to leave the region by the companies they work for.

"Of course we don't want to leave," said Joao Gabriel Villar, a Brazilian doctor working for a non-governmental organization that helps people displaced by the conflict with the Islamic State group.

"We had only just arrived," he said. "We could have helped many more people if we stayed."

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the flight ban was not intended to hold the Kurdish region captive.

"Central government control of air and land ports in the Kurdistan region is not meant to starve, besiege and prevent (the delivery of) supplies to the citizens in the region as alleged by some Kurdistan region officials," he said in a statement from his office.

Similarly, Baghdad's move to control the borders did not so far mean closing them. At crossings into Turkey and ran, Iraqi border officials backed by Iraqi troops would set up stations facing the Kurdish-run border stations inside the self-rule territory  presumably either in no-man's-land or in Turkish and Iranian territory.

That way all traffic passing back and forth would have to go through them. The officials could also collect customs duties and taxes from those crossing. Doing so avoids direct confrontation with Kurdish forces over control while making a demonstration of central government authority.

Plans for the border move were confirmed by three Iraqi officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the plans.

U.S.-led coalition spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon told reporters at the Pentagon on Thursday the Kurdish independence vote has diminished the military's focus on fighting IS.

"The focus, which used to be like a laser beam on (IS), is now not 100 percent there. So there has been an effect on the overall mission to defeat (IS) in Iraq as a result of the referendum."

The loss of focus, Dillon said, is "across the board," including Iraqi security forces, Kurdish fighters, known as the peshmerga, and U.S. military planners and advisers.

U.S. military planners have had to spend time to "play out the what-ifs" resulting from assessing the political and military implications of the referendum, he said.

At Friday prayers from the holy city of Karbala, Iraq's top Shiite cleric issued his first comments following the referendum, warning the Kurdish vote will lead to internal and external reactions, in comments read by cleric Ahmad al-Safi.

The fallout will have consequences on our "dear Kurdish citizens and could have more dangerous repercussions," Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said.

One U.S. official said the Kurdish referendum is likely to severely set back hopes for Kurdish independence. Perhaps, indefinitely.

The prevailing international understanding was Kurdish independence was only a matter of time, said the official. Now, the Kurds face potentially hostile actors on their borders and nations around the world determined to prevent a declaration of Kurdish independence  and the larger crisis that would risk triggering.

___

Abdul-Zahra reported from Baghdad. Associated Press writers Bradley Klapper and Robert Burns in Washington D.C. contributed to this report.
(Updates with more quotes)

* Elusive jihadist leader urges followers to "stand fast"

* Baghdadi's first audio message in almost a year

* IS ousted from Mosul, hub of caliphate, since last message

By Nadine Awadalla and Eric Knecht

CAIRO, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has exhorted followers across the world to wage attacks against the West and to keep fighting in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere.

The message released on Thursday was his first purported audio communication in almost a year during which his jihadist group lost much of its self-proclaimed "caliphate".

The audio, partly dedicated to religious scriptures, came after several reports Baghdadi had been killed. His last recording was in November 2016, two weeks after the start of the battle to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS).

"Oh Soldiers of the Caliphate, fan the flames of war on your enemies, take it to them and besiege them in every corner, and stand fast and courageous."

"Beware of retreat, or the feeling of defeat, beware of negotiations or surrender. Do not lay down your arms," Baghdadi said, referring to followers in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, North Africa and elsewhere in Africa.

The date of the 46-minute recording, released via the Al-Furqan news organisation, was not clear. But in it, Baghdadi makes an apparent reference to recent events including North Korean threats against Japan and United States and the recapture two months ago of Mosul by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces.

Since Baghdadi proclaimed the caliphate stretching across Iraq and Syria in 2014, Iraqi forces have retaken a string of cities in western and northern Iraq including Mosul, where Baghdadi made his announcement from the city's El Nuri mosque.

Western-backed Syrian forces are also thrusting into the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa, Islamic State's operational headquarters from where it plotted many of the attacks that have killed hundreds of people around the world.

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Baghdadi also called for attacks on Western media, saying: "Oh soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centres of the infidels, from where they wage their intellectual wars, among the targets."

"Continue your Jihad and your blessed operations and do not let the crusaders rest in their homes and enjoy life and stability while your brethren are being shelled and killed."

The fall of Mosul in July effectively marked the end of the Iraqi half of Baghdadi's "caliphate" even though Islamic State continues to fight in some territory outside of Mosul, the largest city they came to control in both Iraq and Syria.

An IS branch in Libya was also defeated last year in the city of Sirte, where they had set up a North African beachhead in 2014. In Egypt's northern Sinai, another affiliated militant group is still fighting Egyptian military forces.

"With God's will and his strength, we are staying determined, patient...The abundance of killing will not stop us," Baghdadi said in the audio recording.

Officials have said they believed it could take years to capture or kill Baghdadi as he is thought to be hiding in a vast swathe of sparsely-populated desert between Mosul and Raqqa, where attacking drones are easy to spot.

The United States has offered a $25 million bounty for information that would locate Baghdadi.

Russia's defence ministry said earlier this year it might have killed Baghdadi in an air strike on a gathering of IS commanders on the outskirts of Raqqa. But U.S. officials said they could not corroborate the death and other Western as well as Iraqi officials were sceptical. (Additional reporting by Mostafa Hashem; Writing by Patrick Markey and Samia Nakhoul; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
Sen. John McCains (R-Arizona) daughter Meghan McCain spoke out against President Donald Trump on Wednesday after a report claimed the president had been physically mocking her father behind closed doors.

This is abhorrent, Meghan said Wednesday in a tweet that also had the report's link.

Meghans tweet referred to an Axios report published the same day, which said POTUS had been physically mocking McCain by imitating the thumbs down gesture he made on the Senate floor last month before voting against the Republican partys plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. The report also said Trump mocked McCains slumped shoulders and lethargic body language.

McCain, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer, recently stated his prognosis was very poor. He also suffers from permanent injuries he had sustained during his time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. The tweet prompted many responses with people condemning Trump for the comments.

After her fathers diagnosis, Meghan has tweeted several times in support of her father, criticizing those who mocked him. Recently, she tweeted against lawmaker Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) after he told a group of voters that he did not believe McCain would vote in favor of the latest attempt to overhaul Obamacare because "he's staring death in the face right now."

"But, man, something tells me McCain, he's staring death in the face right now, so he's probably going to make good choices and he's not going to bend to political pressure, he said, to which Meghan replied in a tweet:

The president was seen mocking McCain on another instance by tweeting a video that showed various old clips of the senator criticizing Obamacare and echoing calls to repeal and replace the law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. The tweet came after McCain opposed the latest version of the bill, the Graham-Cassidy Bill.

Story continues

My oh my has he changed-complete turn from years of talk! the tweet read.

However, the tweet brought Trump severe rebuke, evoking a strong reaction from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) as he said McCain has earned the right to "do whatever the damn hell he wants to."

"To any American who has a problem with John McCains vote, all I can tell you is John McCain was willing to die for this country, and he can vote any way he wants to, and it doesn't matter to me," Graham said.

Trump also infamously commented in 2015 that McCain was not a war hero because he was captured. Hes not a war hero. Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured." However, the remark did not go down well with the Republican Party. "Senator McCain is an American hero because he served his country and sacrificed more than most can imagine. Period. There is no place in our party or our country for comments that disparage those who have served honorably," the Republican National Committee said in a statement.

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More posts by this contributor

Since the term Internet of Things, or IoT, was coined in 1999, the industry has had its share of hype, consternation, successes, and now even twitter parody accounts (@InternetOfShit).

Although large-scale advertising campaigns for the IoT have become mainstream (seen any IBM Watson, Ring, or GE Digital ads lately?), recent news that GE had throttled growth expectations for its Predix IoT platform begs the following questions.

What is the current state of Industrial IoT? Where are the areas of opportunity and what will emerge as winners?

As an Entrepreneur in IoT for the last decade helping to find product/market fit for companies like Greenwave Systems and August Home, I believe there are significant opportunities in the Industrial IoT segment, a less visible, but a significantly larger compliment to Consumer IoT.

Leveraging the baseline of consumer IoT and widespread adoption of Smart Grid and Telematics technologies, new Verticalized IoT startups  those attacking a specific industry vertical with an offering tailored to their unique requirements - will power the next wave of our industrys evolution.

Where at we at with Industrial IoT?

Case studies have begun to quantify the early impact of Industrial IoT deployments. The city of Barcelona saves $37 million a year, thanks to smart lighting. Hershey used IoT sensors and Microsoft Azure algorithms for machine learning to improve production efficiencies on a Twizzler candy line. Each 1% change in sizing (i.e. from 2.02 oz. to 2.00 oz.) for Twizzlers in a 14,000-pound holding tank resulted in a savings of $500,000.

OSI Soft, a leading enterprise infrastructure system to connect sensor-based data, systems, and people helped #2 Gold Producer Barrick save over a $1 million/mo in just one plant by optimizing oxygen consumption for production.

Story continues

Large companies such as GE, IBM, and Verizon, and startups like Relayr, Greenwave, and Sight Machine have begun to partner accelerate overall adoption. Strategic partnerships, large marketing campaigns, and early successes have led to some lofty growth projections:

McKinsey & Co. estimates a potential economic impact of IoT systems of as much as $11.1 trillion per year in 2025. Approximately 70% of the value is derived from B2B applications.

GE believes the IoT will add $10 to $15 trillion to worldwide GDP growth by 2030the equivalent of Chinas entire current economy.

Intel forecasts 200 billion connected devices by 2020, nearly 25 connected devices for every person on earth.

IBM believes that making sense of data embedded in intelligent devices is creating a significant market opportunity that is expected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2020.

Despite these compelling statistics, there are problems with current approaches. For example, IBM believes almost 90 percent of the data captured via the IoT is never acted upon.

McKinsey also found that currently only 1% of sensor data from an oil rig with 30,000+ sensors is examined.

Why is that?

Consumer IoT will continue to move forward as a vertical opportunity (subject to a separate post) but the Enterprise will need better tools, newer methods to extract industry insights, and the ability to benefit from the information that the IoT enables.

Other Factors for Success

Attacking the Seam of Incumbents  In cases where target customers do not want larger system integrations and consulting spend, new "seam startups have appeared. Seam startups focus on specific industries and/or segment opportunities so they can fill gaps within the current offerings.

As these specialized seam startups begin to scale, they can partner more deeply with the large platforms and receive strategic investment dollars, but may ultimately choose to compete directly against the platforms. In a recent LinkedIn post, GE CEO John Flannery reiterated his commitment to the GE Predix platform but discussed how their industry focus was going to center around a narrower band of vertical industries:

Our strategic focus is on our verticals. We will leverage what we do best in energy, oil and gas, aviation, healthcare, rail, and mining, and draw on our core assets and equipment to deliver the best value and execution. We will broaden and strengthen our partner relationships to create a strong Predix ecosystem. - John Flannery, CEO, GE

Software focused  As physical hardware becomes price pressured and more ubiquitous connectivity options are available to connect, new companies will be formed with a software focus. Resting on top of these connectivity/collection solutions, new software offerings in processing & analysis utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning will deliver insights that will impact these industries.

Application software opportunities also exist within the enterprise. Does hardware truly become a commodity? Absolutely not! Hardware, if executed correctly, will create a moat around software and reinforce the differentiation of a verticalized IoT startup.

SaaS / PaaS business model  Given the perceived risk many large companies face as they transition from physical to digital processes, SaaS business models are ideal. Target customers may lack the capital budgets to purchase, maintain, and secure a new IoT offering and SaaS offers the financial benefit (operating expense vs. capital expense) that has made it so prevalent in todays enterprise. Additionally, look for outcome-based business models where efficacy for the engagement can be measured in expense savings, increased revenue, or higher uptimes.

Repeat Performers  According to the Kauffman Foundation, Entrepreneurs who succeeded in a prior venture have a 30% chance of succeeding in their next venture. First-time entrepreneurs only have an 18% chance of succeeding. Repeat entrepreneurs whove experienced applying communications networking technology to industry have the benefit of IoT experience and rolodexes. Narrow opportunity windows for seam startups will require laser focus and rapid execution.

What Comes Next?

The next 6 -18 months will be critical in our industry. Can Industrial IoT leverage successes across smart cities, connected homes, and quantified factories to meet these lofty analyst projections? Will we as an industry fall into the trough of the hype cycle?

The sheer inevitability of IoT technologies is without debate but the realization of the opportunity takes collaboration among a myriad of sometimes-competitive stakeholders; practitioners, entrepreneurs, regulators, and investors. We believe that Verticalized IoT startups will play a major role to awaken the enterprise and deliver on the promise of Industrial IoT.

What are your thoughts? What industries do you think are most likely to embrace verticalized IoT? What are IoT approaches that have delighted your customers or helped you gain velocity? Who are the early leaders? Wed love to continue the conversation, please tweet us at @KPCB @naywilliams.
Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Trump, on Thursday said that the middle class will benefit the most from President Trumps tax reform proposal.

This will be a middle class tax plan, that brings major cuts of a generation or two, something we havent seen in 36 years, she told FOX Business Lou Dobbs on Lou Dobbs Tonight.

Conway discussed why working with job creators and small businesses is very important for the success of Trumps tax reform plan.

We have the support of a lot of the small business groups and job creator groups on the outside. Weve been working very diligently with them because we know that this is a grassroots engineered effort. We want this to bubble from the bottom up, she said.

Conway believes that lowering the corporate tax rate to 20% will keep companies in the U.S. and in turn will benefit the middle class.

In the past when job creators have received a major tax reduction they have invested that money by in large back into their companies. They can give their employees raises and they ought to, she said. If we make job creators more competitive, that helps everyone. If you are that welder or that carpenter or that factory worker, worried about keeping your job or looking for a new job, when you reduce the tax burden on Americas job creators, you encourage them to stay here.



Related Articles
A judge has dismissed the Tilted Kilt franchise from lawsuits filed by former servers at the Lincoln restaurant that closed in 2014, who sought to hold the company liable for a manager recording them undressing.

The women's lawsuits still are pending against Dustin Lindgren, the manager, who got probation and jail time for unlawful intrusion, as well as the franchisee, Famous Brands, and MLogic Holdings, which later acquired its assets.

The lawsuits claimed the sexually charged atmosphere at the chain and a policy that required employees to change on-site enabled Lindgren to do what he did, and that corporate and local ownership failed to properly investigate and allowed Lindgren to continue working after they were told about the recording.

In a court filing Friday, Lancaster County District Judge Darla Ideus said the issue raised was whether the franchisor could be vicariously liable for an employee's conduct.

Attorneys for Tilted Kilt argued that it could not be.

The judge agreed and dismissed the company from the case, noting "the absence of Nebraska authority addressing this question." Ideus said she looked to other jurisdictions to reach her conclusion.

Her order was entered into the court record as a confidential document not accessible to the public, but some information on her decision was noted in a different court filing.

The women are appealing the decision.

In February 2014, a Tilted Kilt server told Lincoln police she caught Lindgren recording her and other servers in a restaurant locker room. He had hidden his cellphone in the pocket of his jacket and left it hanging in the dressing room.

One of her co-workers had confronted Lindgren about a week earlier for doing the same thing.

The police investigation turned up about 10 secret videos of women undressing before and after work at the Gateway Mall restaurant between Jan. 1 and Feb. 10, 2014.

The restaurant closed later that year.
FILE PHOTO - A combination photo of a Boeing 737 MAX Before the opening of the 52nd Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport near Paris, France, June 16, 2017, and shareholders line up to view Bombardier's CS300 aircraft following their annual general meeting in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada April 29, 2016. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/Christinne Muschi/File Photo (Reuters)

By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The best hope for shielding Canada's Bombardier Inc <BBDb.TO> and its CSeries jetliner customers from massive trade duties imposed by the Trump administration is a little-known commission tucked away next to an expressway in Southwest Washington, DC.

The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday slapped preliminary anti-subsidy duties of 220 percent on the jets, which could effectively shut Bombardier out of the U.S. market if upheld, after rival Boeing Co <BA.N> launched a trade challenge accusing Canada of unfairly subsidizing the aircraft.

The U.S. International Trade Commission could effectively throw out the Commerce Department's anti-subsidy duties against Bombardier if it finds that Boeing did not suffer the injuries it has alleged.

The case is outside the parameters of disputes normally handled by the ITC and could test the bipartisan panel's ability to withstand political pressure, U.S. trade experts say.

The preliminary duties imposed by Commerce were far above the 79 percent sought by Boeing and more in line with duties against Chinese state-owned enterprises. The department has more leeway in determining duties against nonmarket economies such as China.

"This should be seen in the context of an administration that really likes protectionism, so the higher, the better," former ITC chairman Dan Pearson said of Commerce duty finding against Bombardier. "They decided to pile it on."

The ITC has rarely ever heard an aircraft case and not one of this magnitude. Normally, the commission deals with trade enforcement cases where a pattern of below-market pricing and injury has been well-established, such as through a flood of dumped imports and lost revenue or closed factories, such as in the steel sector.

"It's very far out of the norm. You're deciding this case on the basis of zero imports," said Georgetown University law professor Jennifer Hillman, a former ITC commissioner and World Trade Organization Appellate Body member.

Story continues

In the Boeing-Bombardier case, the aircraft in question have not been imported into the United States yet - only ordered by U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines Inc <DAL.N>.

A key question the ITC will need to answer is whether the 108-133 seat CS100 competes directly with Boeing's 737-700, which seats 126-149 passengers. Bombardier and Delta argue that Boeing did not offer the 737 for the Delta order.

But the larger 130-160 seat CS300, for which Delta holds options, is closer to the capacity of Boeing's 138-172 seat 737 MAX7 jetliner, according to literature from both companies.

The ITC is normally seen as immune from political influence, with a total of six commissioners who are equally split between Democrats and Republicans. However, the panel currently has only four members, who are scrambling to cope with a bigger workload this year.

The Commerce Department notes in its press releases that it has launched 48 percent more anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations under the Trump administration this year compared with last year.

A PANEL OF SPECIALISTS

All the commissioners are seasoned trade lawyers appointed by former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Chair Rhonda Schmidtlein, a Democrat, and two other commissioners have experience working at the U.S. Trade Representative's office, while Republican David Johanson was the international trade counsel with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

President Donald Trump has nominated Jason Kearns, a USTR veteran who is now trade counsel to Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, to the ITC for a term expiring in 2024, but no confirmation hearing has been scheduled yet. Kearns had been previously nominated by Obama late last year.

Pearson, a trade consultant who recently left the libertarian Cato Institute, said the commissioners will hear arguments from Boeing that he believes will be "pushing the limits" of the ITC's authority.

Past aircraft trade dispute cases have been brought to the World Trade Organization, including years-long fights between Boeing and European rival Airbus SE <AIR.PA> and Bombardier and Brazilian rival Embraer SA <EMBR3.SA>.

"This is outside the normal way of dealing with trade friction in the aircraft sector, where all of the major producers have gotten subsidies," said Chad Bown, a senior fellow and trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

"It kind of escalates the need for a grand bargain between companies and countries to limit international aircraft subsidies."

(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
A boat sails on the water where a floating casino hotel is planned to located in Macau, China October 8, 2015. Picture taken October 8, 2015. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

By Farah Master

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Macau company and Thailand-based firm are looking to raise more than $300 million through what would be the world's largest crypto currency initial coin offering (ICO), according to a document seen by Reuters, to fund the construction of a floating casino hotel.

The document shows an agreement signed by Thailand's Wi Holding and Macau's China Kingdom Group this week outlining plans to issue virtual tokens that represent equity in the project over the next six to 12 months.

Wi Holding did not respond to a request for comment. China Kingdom Group could not be reached for comment.

The deal comes just three weeks after China banned the practice of raising funds through launches of token-based digital currencies. ICOs were targeted after they fuelled a rapid ascent in the value of crypto currencies this year that has triggered fears of a bubble.

Chakrit Ahmad, chief executive of Wi Holding, said on CNBC this week that the fundraising would not be affected by China's ban as tokens were being issued in Hong Kong, which has not banned ICOs.

Tony Tong, founder of cryptocurrency investment company Pacific Financial Services, had seen the document and said Wan Kuok-koi, chairman of Macau's World Hongmen History and Cultural Association, was a co-investor in the ICO.

Wan, whose nickname in Macau is "Broken Tooth", was released from a Macau prison in 2012 after serving 14 years for attempted murder, loan sharking and money laundering.

Wan was pictured in the company document reviewed by Reuters holding the agreement. He could not be reached for comment.

Separately, Milos Andric, the chairman of Norwegian maritime design firm Brova Idea, told Reuters his company had been contracted to construct an eco-friendly floating casino hotel in China's southern territory of Macau that would be sent to the former Portuguese colony in 2020.

Andric said his company was in the process of conducting engineering for the floating project.

Story continues

He declined to reveal the identity of his client, citing confidentiality reasons, although a Brova company video seen by Reuters showed its partners as Wi Holding and China Kingdom Company together with a company called Dragon ICO.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said it could not comment on individual cases, but said investors needed to understand that a cryptocurrency trading platform "may be unregulated and located overseas, so investors may risk losing the entire investment if one ceases operations."

Macau's monetary authority told Reuters it had reminded banks and payment institutions in Macau on September 20 not to participate in or provide directly or indirectly any financial services for related Bitcoin activities.

The ICO would be the largest such offering to date when compared with past transactions listed on research site Cointelegraph. However, virtual currency investors remain sceptical about the prospects of such a deal being completed.

Leonhard Weese, president of the Hong Kong Bitcoin Association, said the ICO space was becoming exuberant and questioned the fundraising for the floating casino. He said such an offer was equivalent to about one percent of Bitcoin supply and, in terms of relative market impact, compared it to buying 1,800 tons of gold.

(Reporting by Farah Master; Additional reporting by Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Sam Holmes, Greg Mahlich)
A school librarian in Boston rejected a box of Dr. Seuss books sent from First Lady Melania Trump, saying the choice of literature was cliche and her school was not in need of them.

The Office of the First Lady announced on Sept. 6 that in honor of National Read a Book day, Melania Trump would send Dr. Seuss books to schools across the country that had been recognized for educational excellence. One school in each state received a package of 10 books. Liz Phipps Soeiros school was the Massachusetts recipient, and she wasnt satisfied.

School libraries around the country are being shuttered, Soeiro, a school librarian in Cambridge, wrote on the Horn Books Family Reading blog. Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control? Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos?

But Soeiro also criticized the First Ladys choice of literature, calling Dr. Seuss a bit of a cliche and arguing that the late authors illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes. She did, however, suggest a list of 10 books that she hoped would illuminate the impact she said the Trump Administrations policies were having on certain children.

That list is comprised of stories about immigration and overcoming racial segregation and gender inequality. Titles include Edwidge Danticats Mamas Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation, and Duncan Tonatiuhs Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Familys Fight for Desegregation.

You and your husband have a direct impact on these childrens lives. Please make time to learn about and value them, Soeiro wrote.

The First Ladys office said it was unfortunate that Soeiro had politicized the gift.

Mrs. Trump intends to use her platform as First Lady to help as many children as she can. She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to schools across the country is but one example, her spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail to Fortune. Turning the gesture of sending young school children books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) CEO James Gorman sees more potential in bitcoin (Exchange: BTC=) and other digital currencies than his counterpart at JPMorgan. Cryptocurrencies are "certainly something more than just a fad," Gorman said at a Wall Street Journal event Wednesday. That contrasts with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon's remarks earlier this month that bitcoin is a "fraud" and the mania around it "won't end well." Gorman also took a different position from Dimon on the relationship between governments and digital currencies. While Dimon said earlier this month that governments will eventually crack down on cryptocurrencies, Gorman pointed to how broader technological trends may actually force authorities to adapt. "None of us operate in isolation in the ecosystem in which we live," Gorman said. "If banks behave badly, the government says, 'Raise more capital.' We say, 'Gee, that makes us less profitable,' and they say, 'That is now your problem.'""If [cryptocurrencies] are operating by enabling people to transfer more money, the government can say, 'We're not going to allow that anymore,'" he said. "So there is a sort of government risk factor to it."The Wall Street Journal discussion did not specifically mention bitcoin, the digital currency with the largest market capitalization. The value of more than 1,000 digital currencies listed on CoinMarketCap is now above $140 billion.Bitcoin topped $4,000 Wednesday, up more than four times in value this year. The digital currency is still about $900 below its all-time high hit earlier this month, before a Chinese crackdown on digital currencies.Gorman added, in response to a question, that he doesn't think cryptocurrencies should be illegal."I haven't invested in it," he said. "I've talked to a lot of people who have, and it's obviously highly speculative, but it's not something that is inherently bad. I think it's a natural consequence of the whole blockchain technologies, as I understand it," he added. Listen to the full Wall Street Journal interview here.  CNBC's Catherine Campo contributed to this report. Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) CEO James Gorman sees more potential in bitcoin (Exchange: BTC=) and other digital currencies than his counterpart at JPMorgan. Cryptocurrencies are "certainly something more than just a fad," Gorman said at a Wall Street Journal event Wednesday. That contrasts with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon's remarks earlier this month that bitcoin is a "fraud" and the mania around it "won't end well." Gorman also took a different position from Dimon on the relationship between governments and digital currencies. While Dimon said earlier this month that governments will eventually crack down on cryptocurrencies, Gorman pointed to how broader technological trends may actually force authorities to adapt. "None of us operate in isolation in the ecosystem in which we live," Gorman said. "If banks behave badly, the government says, 'Raise more capital.' We say, 'Gee, that makes us less profitable,' and they say, 'That is now your problem.'" "If [cryptocurrencies] are operating by enabling people to transfer more money, the government can say, 'We're not going to allow that anymore,'" he said. "So there is a sort of government risk factor to it." The Wall Street Journal discussion did not specifically mention bitcoin, the digital currency with the largest market capitalization. The value of more than 1,000 digital currencies listed on CoinMarketCap is now above $140 billion. Bitcoin topped $4,000 Wednesday, up more than four times in value this year. The digital currency is still about $900 below its all-time high hit earlier this month, before a Chinese crackdown on digital currencies. Gorman added, in response to a question, that he doesn't think cryptocurrencies should be illegal. "I haven't invested in it," he said. "I've talked to a lot of people who have, and it's obviously highly speculative, but it's not something that is inherently bad. I think it's a natural consequence of the whole blockchain technologies, as I understand it," he added. Listen to the full Wall Street Journal interview here.  CNBC's Catherine Campo contributed to this report.



More From CNBC


FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack pumps oil in a field near Calgary, Alberta, Canada on July 21, 2014. REUTERS/Todd Korol/File Photo

By Christopher Johnson

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Thursday, backing off from earlier gains spurred by tension around northern Iraq following the Kurdistan region's vote in favor of independence.

Crude has risen sharply in the last two-and-a-half weeks, in anticipation of renewed demand from U.S. refiners in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and expectations for ongoing efforts by major world producers to limit supply.

However, both benchmarks are near overbought levels, based on an index of relative strength, which measures the speed and magnitude of price movements. U.S. crude has gained 9 percent in the last 14 trading days, while Brent is up 7 percent in that time period.

"We've made a really impressive run here and I do think we're due for a pullback," said Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

U.S. crude (CLc1) fell 26 cents to $51.88 a barrel by 11:34 a.m. ET (1534 GMT) after reaching a five-month intraday high of $52.86.

Brent (LCOc1) was down 13 cents at $57.76 a barrel, after hitting a more than two-year high of $59.49 on Tuesday after Monday's referendum vote prompted Turkey to threaten to close the region's oil pipeline.

"Kurdistan and northern Iraq now export 500,000-550,000 barrels per day (bpd). That would be a big loss to the market," said Tamas Varga, analyst at brokerage PVM Oil Associates.

Iraqi Kurdistan voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence, prompting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to say he could use force to prevent the formation of an independent Kurdish state and might close the oil "tap".

Turkey promised on Thursday to deal only with the Iraqi government on crude, "restricting oil export" operations to Baghdad, the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.

Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal analyst for the Middle East at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said there was a roughly 20 percent chance that the pipeline linking northern Iraq and Ceyhan in Turkey would be shut.

Story continues

Brent's premium over U.S. crude (WTCLc1-LCOc1) widened to a more than two-year high this week, in part due to reduced demand stemming from Harvey, but it has since narrowed and could tighten further in coming weeks due to higher margins for refined U.S. products.

Yawger noted that a sharp drawdown in U.S. distillate inventories - diesel and heating oil - ahead of the busy winter season should spur demand for crude in coming weeks, keeping any selloff modest.

(Additional reporting by Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo; Editing by Dale Hudson and Marguerita Choy)
PGT Innovations, Inc. PGTI provided a preliminary update on its operations following Hurricane Irma and reported that its facilities and inventories remained unaffected. The company is also offering assistance to its employees, customers and communities, providing them immediate aid to cope with damages inflicted by the storm.



Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful tropical storm which followed cyclone Harvey. The storm caused catastrophic damage in many parts of the United States as a Category 5 hurricane.



To recover from these damages, PGT Innovations has undertaken a number of initiatives. In line with this, the company has created an assistance center in the Naples area to provide essential supplies, including generators, chain saws and water. It has also provided online hurricane relief resources to gather requests from people across affected Florida communities. PGT Innovations has partnered with WorldVision to coordinate collecting required supplies and area volunteers.



Its CGI facility in Miami, WinDoor facility in Orlando, and PGT facility in Venice has resumed production. The company is in the process of assessing the financial impact of the storm and will provide an update once completed.



PGT Innovations belongs to the Building Products industry. Though many industries have felt the impact of Irma, home-improvement companies are poised to benefit. As home owners face damaged properties, the likelihood of rebuilding efforts will gain momentum. This, in turn, will drive demand for home-improvement equipment and materials.



Home building and furnishing retailer Home Depot Inc HD is one such stock that is expected to benefit from repair activity. Several Home Depot stores throughout Florida will receive additional inventory to help those preparing for Irma. The company also has long been on a solid growth trajectory, backed by its spectacular surprise history and robust growth strategies. The stock has surpassed earnings expectations in each of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.77%.



Owens Corning OC, the OH-based company develops, manufactures and markets insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites, will also benefit from rebuilding activity. The company has a strong earnings track record, having surpassed expectations in each of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 20.17%. TopBuild Corp. BLD, Daytona Beach, FL-based company, is the leading purchaser, installer and distributor of insulation products to the U.S. construction industry. The stock has surpassed earnings expectations in each of the last four quarters with an average surprise of 10.42%.



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LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that Boeing is undermining its relationship with Britain by its behaviour in a dispute with Canadian rival Bombardier that has put 4,200 jobs at risk in Northern Ireland.

"What I would say in relation to Boeing is that of course we have a long term partnership with Boeing in various aspects of government and this is not the sort of behaviour we expect form a long term partner and it undermines that partnership," May said when answering a question at a Bank of England event.

The U.S. Department of Commerce on Tuesday imposed a 220-percent duty on Bombardier's CSeries jets, whose wings are made at a plant in Belfast, following a complaint by Boeing which accuses Canada of unfairly subsidising Bombardier. (Reporting by William Schomberg and David Milliken, writing by Andy Bruce, editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Sept 29 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories from selected Canadian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

** U.S. President Donald Trump's negotiators tabled stringent Buy American demands at the NAFTA talks in Ottawa that would drastically curtail bidding by Canadian companies on U.S. government-funded infrastructure projects. https://tgam.ca/2hA4VdC

** Unifor officials and senior General Motors Co executives held what a union leader called a productive two-hour meeting Thursday in Detroit in an attempt to end an 11-day-old strike at the auto maker's Cami Automotive assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. https://tgam.ca/2hAU3MC

** The reborn Stelco Inc plans to return to profitability by muscling back into the market for automotive steel, but its attempt to grab back auto business comes as vehicle sales and production begin sliding from their current peak. https://tgam.ca/2hC0ZZC

NATIONAL POST

** Polls by Forum Research suggest Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne's ongoing war on economists is paying dividends. http://bit.ly/2hASw9e

** The number of public proxy contests undertaken in Canada may be on the decline, but that doesn't mean activism is having less of an impact on Canadian companies according to a report by Kingsdale Advisors. http://bit.ly/2hBMbuh

** Internet experts are questioning Canada's new funding framework for the cultural sector. Experts are skeptical of the announcement which was made by Canada's Heritage minister Melanie Joly as it lacked any funding for news organizations. http://bit.ly/2hCdbtj (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)
Twitter took to Capitol Hill Thursday, sharing its insight into the Russian interference that took place during the 2016 presidential election in a closed door session with the Senate Intelligence Committee. And after the discussion of fake news, Russian accounts, and bots on President Trumps favorite social network ended, Twitter updated the public on its efforts to get to the bottom of the abuses of its systems.

The biggest news in their disclosure was that Twitter, working alongside , identified more than 200 fake accounts, which it is has since suspended. Twenty-two of the accounts had presences on both social networks. But the public reckoning also left out important details that will have both the sites users and political activists undoubtedly wanting to know more.

Due to the nature of these inquiries, we may not always be able to publicly share what we discuss with investigators, said the company in its blog post. We know there is a huge appetite for more transparency into how Twitter fights bots and manipulative networks.

In addition to the more than 200 accounts it banned for violation of the companys terms of service, Twitter also revealed the extent to which Russian government-linked media outlet RT used the social networks ad platform to amplify its messages on the site. RT accounts spent $274,100 on U.S.-targeted Twitter ads in 2016, promoting 1,823 tweets about news stories towards users who follow of mainstream media accounts. Twitter did not reveal which news topics RTs ads targeted.

Much of Twitters update on Russian interference actually highlighted the progress the social network has made since the election, specifically in detecting and blocking fake accounts and bots. Twitter says its systems catch more than 3.2 suspicious accounts per week (double the amount of last year) and 450,000 suspect logins per day.

However the company admitted its future fight may not be with bots as much as with human users.When large numbers of human-directed accounts act in coordinated fashion, it can have an effect similar to that of spam, the company said. It's much trickier to identify non-automated coordination, and the risks of inadvertently silencing legitimate activity are much higher.

Story continues

Also notably missing from Twitters update Thursday was any mention of the recent Twitter-fueled controversy of standing or taking a knee for the U.S. national anthem. According to Oklahoma Senator James Lankford, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee--the body that Twitter met with--Russian troll farms are responsible for sparking this controversy in recent weeks. Twitter has not commented on that statement, Lankford has not provided any evidence to corroborate his claim.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
Businessman and TV personality Robert Herjavec, best known as an investor on the hit show Shark Tank, is helping bring the American Dream to middle America in Season 2 of Small Business Revolution.

The show, which airs on Hulu, centers around getting small communities to rally around their local businesses.

In small towns, small businesses are really struggling to survive, Amanda Brinkman, the shows co-host and the chief brand and communications officer at Deluxe, told Yahoo Finance.

Youre seeing third generation mom-and-pop shops having to close, Brinkman added. Its because they struggle to compete. You have big-box retailers and national restaurant chains moving in, and its hard for those little guys to compete with that national budget.

In this season, Herjavec and Brinkman provide small businesses in Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, with tips and tools to succeed.

Yahoo Finance asked Herjavec how small businesses can protect themselves in a time where cyberattacks frequent the headlines.

Gosh. If big companies cant do it, how do I do it as a small business? So, what I say to small businesses, its cloud computing, Herjavec said. You can outsource all of that today. Just like you dont have to do your own marketing, you can outsource that to Deluxe. You can outsource that to public companies. Dont buy your own firewall. Put that in the cloud.

NEW YORK, NY  APRIL 26: TV personality Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank visits LinkedIn for an Interview with Daniel Roth at LinkedIn Studios on April 26, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

A secure site is attainable, but its not possible to be 100% un-hackable, he said.

It is possible to create a system where if you know something has happened you can respond to it quickly. Equifax is not in trouble because they got hacked. Equifax is trouble because they got hacked eight months ago and during that time people stole 143 million records. If they got hacked and within a day or 30 minutes they figured that out, the damage would have been less.

Herjavec, an immigrant and Canadian, still sees opportunity in America for small businesses.

The state of the American Dream, regardless of what you hear, is alive and well. Still the greatest country in the world to start a business and be successful, Herjavec said.

Story continues

The new Republican tax plan could help small businesses, according to Herjavec.

I mean, you can argue all kinds of things about the administration. But if this is the one thing the current administration gets through and is known for its fantastic.

He continued: Fundamentally, I believe in peoples desire to better their life. And if you can lower taxes and give me the ability to become rich, I think the average person will take advantage of that and do better for themselves. And I think a lot of people misunderstand that. They think when I want to become rich means I just want to splurge money and do all kinds of things. If I have more money, Im going to invest more in business, Im going to employ more people, Im going to help my family, Im going to send my kids to private school. Thats what gets the economy going. Big fan.



Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.

Read more:
By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday gave itself another chance to decide an issue that could choke off a vital source of money for unions around the country representing police, teachers and other government employees. The justices agreed to hear a case brought by a non-union government employee in Illinois that targets fees that his state and many others compel such workers to pay to unions in lieu of dues to fund collective bargaining and other organized labor activities. The state employee, Mark Janus, is appealing a lower court ruling that rejected his claim that such fees violate free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution. Janus is a child-support specialist at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. "We are now one step closer to freeing over 5 million public-sector teachers, police officers, firefighters and other employees from the injustice of being forced to subsidize a union as a condition of working for their own government," said Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, an anti-union legal activist group that represents Janus. The high court heard a similar challenge out of California in January 2016 and had appeared headed toward ruling the fees unconstitutional. But conservative justice Antonin Scalia died a month later and the short-handed court ended up with a 4-4 split in April 2016 that left the law intact but set no nationwide precedent. Scalia has since been replaced by another conservative, Republican President Donald Trump's appointee Neil Gorsuch, who legal experts believe would be sympathetic toward the challenge and likely to rule against the Illinois law. The court has a 5-4 conservative majority. "The Janus case is a blatantly political and well-funded plot to use the highest court in the land to further rig the economic rules against everyday working people," leading public-sectors unions including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which is the defendant in the case, said in a joint statement. The Illinois case will be one of the most important that the nine justices will decide during their new term that begins on Monday and runs through next June. Ending the so-called agency fees at the heart of the case has long been a goal of U.S. conservatives. Unions tend to support Democrats in elections, although agency fees are not used for political activities. The case takes aim at a decades-old practice in many states allowing public-sector unions to collect fees from workers who do not want to the belong to the union as long as the money is not spent on political activities. Organized labor has expressed concern that a ruling throwing out the fees would give employees less incentive to join public-sector unions because they would still be represented by the union in collecting bargaining and receive the benefits from that without having to pay for it. The case stems from a fight between Illinois Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and public-sector unions over his 2015 executive order to stop the fees. Rauner asked a federal court to declare the fees unconstitutional and support his authority to issue the order. U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman in Chicago dismissed Rauner's complaint, ruling that the governor had no legal standing to bring the case and that the court lacked jurisdiction to decide the matter. But Gettleman allowed state workers who pay agency fees to sue public-sector unions. Gettleman dismissed the workers' complaint in 2016, and the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his decision in March. A loss for unions representing teachers, police, transit workers, firefighters and other government employees would deprive them of millions of dollars annually and diminish their political clout. LABOR LAW PRECEDENT The Illinois case offers the justices a chance to overturn a significant labor law precedent from 1977. In the case Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, the high court held that such payments to unions by non-members did not violate the Constitution's First Amendment free-speech guarantee because non-members otherwise would benefit from collective bargaining at no cost. Twenty-two states have not banned agency fee requirements, covering about 5 million public-sector workers. Twenty-eight states have so-called right-to-work laws under which fees are not required. In those states, unions still represent workers but membership rates are lower. Federal employee unions cannot collect such fees. The Supreme Court case does not affect private-sector unions. Under the agency fee system, workers who do not join the union must pay a fee equal to union dues. Non-members can then seek a refund of the portion the union spent on lobbying and activities unrelated to collective bargaining or contract administration. The conservative-majority Supreme Court has signaled dissatisfaction with the Abood ruling in two prior cases in recent years. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Additional reporting by Robert Iafolla; Editing by Will Dunham)
Nvidia shares climb on bullish call

Citi maintained its buy rating on Nvidia (NVDA) while raising its price target from $185 to $210 a share, implying the stock could rally nearly 20% from Thursdays closing price. Analyst Atif Malik noted Nvidias position in artificial intelligence, deep learning and self-driving cars as future catalysts for the stock. Nvidia shares have jumped about 66% so far this year.

Walmarts Jet.com getting into the grocery business

Walmarts (WMT) Jet.com is entering the online grocery war, going head-to-head with Amazon. The company is reportedly planning to introduce a line of private-label food and other grocery and household items this year. Walmarts stock is up nearly 14% since January 1.

Whole Foods reveals data breach

Amazons (AMZN) Whole Foods said it suffered a data breach at some of its taprooms and full table-service restaurants located in its stores. After learning of the breach, Whole Foods said it launched an investigation and has obtained the help of a leading cyber security forensics firm. The company said the investigation is ongoing and will provide additional updates as it learns more. Amazon shares were up 0.5% as of 11 a.m. ET Friday.

Homebuilders jump on KB Home earnings beat

Homebuilders are posting gains after KB Home (KBH) topped earnings and revenue expectations in the third quarter. The company reported earnings per share of 51 cents on revenue of $1.14 billion. Analysts were expecting a profit of 46 cents and sales of $1.12 billion. On the earnings call, KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger apologized again for insulting comedian Kathy Griffin. He also added, The board of directors has already taken action as the company has disclosed and I and the KB Home team are fully focused on leading this company into the future.
President Donald Trump speaks about tax reform at the Farm Bureau Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers released details of their long-awaited tax reform overhaul on Wednesday, but while they say it is aimed at helping the middle class, some say average Americans will be dealt a financial blow by eliminating state and local tax deductions (SALT).

The impact of eliminating SALT will not only be felt at the kitchen table, it will be felt in our states and local communities. This plan threatens necessary infrastructure investments and vital state and local public services, including education and public safety, that benefit all Americans, Americans Against Double Taxation said in a statement.

SALT allows individuals to deduct state and local taxes on their federal returns. State and local taxes have been deductible since 1913.

Eliminating the popular deductions could increase federal revenue by $1.3 trillion over the next decade, according to the Tax Policy Center. However, as a result, about 24% of taxpayers nationwide would see an increase in taxes, the Tax Policy Center said. Those increases would be outsized for residents in high-tax states such as New York and California, where resident taxpayers would pay more than 30% of the tax increase from trashing the deduction. Additionally, individuals with incomes in excess of $100,000 would have the largest tax increase in both dollars and as a percentage of income  paying 90% of the increase associated with eliminating SALT.

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) said on Twitter Wednesday that any tax reform package approved must not tax individuals in his state twice.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.), agreed, calling it a bad deal for New York, saying it would cost 3 million New Yorkers more than $17 billion.

Even U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who has lived in both New York and California, admitted on FOX Business on Thursday that it would be a very bad thing for him. However, he said its time to even the playing field among different states.

Story continues

I think we should get the federal government out of the business of subsidizing states. The federal government has no business subsidizing states from a tax standpoint, Mnuchin told FOX Business Maria Bartiromo of Mornings with Maria.

Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) said, taking into account the entirety of the tax proposal, what taxpayers fork over to the government will ultimately even out.

"I bet you 98% of the people in my district are going to take the standard deduction," Collins said, according to Business Insider. "So theyre not going to lose anything."

President Donald Trump has insisted his plan is aimed at boosting the financial position of the working class, saying in a speech on Wednesday in Indiana it was time to begin a middle-class miracle.

On Wednesday, a senior administration official said U.S. workers will benefit largely from the corporate tax rate increase, which will raise equity prices and lead to fuller pension plans. They will also receive an individual tax cut, with the three set brackets at 12%, 25% and 35%. The plan will also nearly double the standard deduction.

Related Articles
James Ho, a partner with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Dallas, and Justice Don Willett of the Texas Supreme Court

President Donald Trump has nominated two Texans to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: Dallas attorney James Ho, who would be the first Asian-American to sit on the appellate court, and the Texas Supreme Court's Tweeter Laureate of Texas, Justice Don Willett.

Ho, currently a partner in the Dallas office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, is a former Texas solicitor general who served as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. He is well known in the Texas appellate law world and has argued over 25 cases before the Fifth Circuit and the Texas Supreme Court.

Willett has served on the Texas Supreme Court since 2005 and was named as one of Trump's potential picks for the U.S. Supreme Court while he campaigned for president. Willett's frequent and often humorous use of social media earned him the Tweeter Laureate title, and he even made fun of Trump several times in posts last year.

Neither Ho nor Willett immediately returned calls for comment.

However, in an extensive interview with Texas Lawyer, Willett said his tweets about Trump were all in good fun.

I've always considered my jovial tweets on the passing scene to be more observational than political, Willett said. Anyone who follows me knows that I'm waggish and jocular, with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Ho and Willett were among a group of six conservative lawyers and judges who were vetted by Texas Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz for the two vacant seats on the Fifth Circuit.

Ho and Willett's nominations were well-received by Texas appellate attorneys who believe their appointments will strengthen the Fifth Circuit's reputation as a conservative court.

I think it's safe to say they're pretty strong conservatives so they'll add to the conservatism of the Fifth Circuit, said Dallas appellate attorney Jason Steed. No disrespect to the other contenders, but I do think those two were the most qualified.

Story continues

Dallas appellate lawyer David Coale was pleased with Trump's picks for the Fifth Circuit.

They are two class acts all the way and they will be real assets to the court, Coale said. If you polled a bunch of lawyers, those would be two names who came up.

While Ho has no judicial experience, Willett has more than a decade of decisions for senators to weigh during confirmation hearings.

And appellate lawyers believe Willett is certain to be questioned about some of his more controversial decisions, including a 2014 decision that struck down the state's regulation of eyebrow threading. Some appellate lawyers believe that decision indicates that Willett is wistful for the so-called Lochner era of the U.S. Supreme Court near the turn of the 20th century in which the high court stuck down government regulations in favor of private contract rights.

Contact John Council at jcouncil@alm.com.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with members of the House Ways and Means committee in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump said Wednesday Republicans will have the necessary amount of votes to pass health care reform, though it wont be this week.

We will have the votes for Healthcare but not for the reconciliation deadline of Friday, after which we need 60. Get rid of Filibuster Rule! Trump said in a tweet Wednesday morning.

Trump said he was optimistic that other lawmakers would support the legislation, though he did not specify who he was talking about.

With one Yes vote in hospital & very positive signs from Alaska and two others (McCain is out), we have the HCare Vote, but not for Friday! the president said in a tweet Wednesday.

The presidents claims come just one day after Senate Republicans confessed that their bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare would not have the enough votes to pass.

"We haven't given up on changing the American health care system. We are not going to be able to do that this week," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters after a lunch with fellow Republican lawmakers on Tuesday. "But it still lies ahead of us, and we haven't given up on that."

On Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a partial score of the Graham-Cassidy bill, saying it would save billions over a 10-year period, but leave many uninsured.

Over the 2017-2026 period, CBO and JCT [Joint Committee on Taxation] estimate, the legislation would reduce the on-budget deficit by at least $133 billion and result in millions fewer people with comprehensive health insurance that covers high-cost medical events, the non-partisan agency said.

Making matters more difficult for GOP lawmakers looking to push the bill through, in order to repeal former President Obamas signature health care law, was the opposition they faced from those within their own party. Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Kentuckys Rand Paul and Susan Collins of Maine all said they would vote no on the Graham-Cassidy bill, with Collins decision ultimately ending all hope to pass the legislation. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, both were not on board with the bill either.

Story continues

Right now they don't have my vote, and I don't think they have [Sen.] Mike Lee's [R-Utah] either, Cruz said Sunday at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin. Now, I want to be a yes, I want to get there because ObamaCare is a disaster.

Related Articles
Stocks are struggling to end the week on a positive note, but there were solid gains during the month of September overall. Meanwhile President Trump is expected to drum up support today for his massive tax plan. Yahoo Finances Alexis Christoforous, Jared Blikre, Justine Underhill, Seana Smith, Rick Newman and Dan Howley discuss the big stories of the day.

Todays topics:

Trump to promote tax plan in speech to manufacturer group Friday

Dollar set for biggest weekly rise this year

Breaking down consumer spending and inflation

Hacked: Whole Foods restaurants and taprooms

Tyson soars on positive outlook, job cuts

Volkswagen charged $2.9B to cover more emissions scandal costs

Google is building an Echo Show competitor: TechCrunch

Zogenix up triple digits on successful drug test

Global IPOs on course for the busiest year since 2007: EY

South Korea to ban initial Bitcoin offerings

Elon Musk wants to travel anywhere on Earth within an hour

Musk unveiled a new plan to visit Mars within a decade

NFL players, staff link arms during Thursdays national anthem

SNES Classic on sale today

Which smartphone camera is best?

TWITTER POLL:

Where would you rather go with $1,000 if @elonmusks space travel becomes a reality?

-Anywhere on Earth in 1 hour

-Mars

-Ill stick to airplanes
Washington (AFP) - The US Supreme Court announced Thursday it will hear a challenge to mandatory fees for public-employee unions, with the conservative majority-bench set to make a ruling that could cripple organized labor.

The question before the court is whether public-sector unions can require non-member workers to pay dues. If the court rules against the practice, unions would lose a significant revenue source.

In a 1977 decision, Abood v Detroit Board of Education, the high court had found that workers did not need to pay for the union's political activities, but non-members could be required to pay for its collective bargaining efforts, in order to reduce the incidence of so-called "free riders."

The case the justices will examine in the coming months concerns Mark Janus, who works for the Illinois state government and sued the union, claiming he should not be forced to pay its fees as he disagreed with its positions.

A similar case was heard last year, but the Supreme Court at the time was shorthanded, operating with a vacant ninth seat and thus evenly divided between progressive and moderate justices.

The ruling issued in March 2016 was evenly split, setting no new legal precedent and leaving the existing system in place.

But President Donald Trump's conservative pick, Justice Neil Gorsuch, has since filled the vacant seat, and he is expected to bring the long-awaited fifth conservative vote that could strike a death blow to public-employee unions.
By Amanda Becker WASHINGTON (Reuters) - High-income Wall Street financiers could be unintended winners from a section of U.S. President Donald Trump's tax-cut plan that is meant to help mostly small, "mom-and-pop" businesses. Trump called on Wednesday for a new "pass-through" tax rate of 25 percent that could mean big savings for owners of sole proprietorships and partnerships who now pay 39.6 percent. But it could also mean a windfall for partners in private-equity, venture-capital and hedge funds, unless Congress can figure out a way to block them from taking advantage of the new rate. Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, said Democrats supported a pass-through rate for small businesses, such as "a cleaner, a garage, a restaurant." He said Trump's plan, however, would create "a whole new set of wealthy individuals being able to dodge their taxes through this new provision." At issue is the taxation of the roughly 95 percent of American businesses that are not public corporations. Non-public pass-through businesses, such as sole proprietorships, limited liability companies and partnerships, pay no income tax themselves. Instead their profits "pass through" directly to their owners, who pay tax on them at the individual tax rates. A small fraction of those business owners pay the top individual tax rate of 39.6 percent, higher than the current top corporate income tax rate of 35 percent. Those business owners have long complained that the disparity is unfair, especially in view of the fact that many multinationals pay much less than the 35 percent statutory corporate tax rate by exploiting abundant loopholes and tax breaks available to large, global corporations. Republicans have been eager to address the issue. Trump's plan proposes a new tax rate of 25 percent for the pass-through income of "small and family-owned businesses." The problem, according to the plan's critics, is that financial entities such as private-equity, venture-capital and hedge funds are all partnerships whose wealthy partners would see substantial tax savings on large portions of their income unless congressional tax writers find a way to exclude them. 'GOOD' VERSUS 'BAD' PASS-THROUGH INCOME The White House document that spelled out Trump's plan signaled that the administration was aware of the potential problem but would leave addressing it up to Congress. The document said: "The framework contemplates that the (congressional tax) committees will adopt measures to prevent the recharacterization of personal income into business income to prevent wealthy individuals from avoiding the top personal tax rate." Trump's plan also proposes cutting the top corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent and cutting the top individual tax rate to 35 percent from 39.6 percent. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said two weeks ago that the administration would ensure partners at services firms such as accounting, law and financial firms would not benefit from a new, lower pass-through rate. A Treasury Department spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the pass-through rate or plans to exempt certain categories of firms. Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness, a liberal advocacy group, said the idea that a new pass-through rate would help small business was "simply a hoax." Tax experts said it would be difficult for congressional tax writers to exempt partners at services firms from using the new pass-through rate. "There has always been talk of how to carve out 'good' pass-through income from 'bad' pass-through income. The problem is it's exceedingly hard to do and there is no way to draw clear lines that won't be manipulated," said Seth Hanlon with the Center for American Progress, a liberal group. Victor Fleischer, a law professor at the University of San Diego, agreed it would be "challenging." "Still, I think it can probably be done," Fleischer said. (Reporting by Amanda Becker; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Peter Cooney)
PERTH, Australia, Sept. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bannerman Resources Limited (ASX:BMN) (NSX:BMN) (Bannerman or the Company) announces that Mr David Tucker has advised of his intention to step down as a Non-Executive Director at the Companys Annual General Meeting in November 2017.



Mr Tucker has served Bannerman in this role since March 2008. Over this time his combined 40 years of experience as an exploration geologist and in senior corporate affairs roles has provided critical insights for the Company to the benefit of all stakeholders. Mr Tucker was also instrumental in laying a strong foundation for the Company in Namibia by providing hands-on assistance with community relations and instilling the open and transparent approach to community engagement for which Bannerman remains well regarded.

Bannerman Chairman, Mr Ronnie Beevor, acknowledged Mr Tuckers extensive involvement, David has made an outstanding contribution to Bannerman and its Etango Uranium Project over his journey with the Company. Amongst many things, he can take significant credit for the foundational strength of Bannermans local stakeholder relationships in Namibia. I would like to take this opportunity to thank David for his hard work and diligence on behalf of the Company and to wish him all the very best for his future endeavours.

Mr Tucker expects to continue dedicating a substantial amount of his time to Bicycles for Humanity, of which he is the Western Australian (WA) Chapter Chairman. This is set to maintain his connection with Namibia where the WA Chapter has sponsored several Bicycles for Humanity community centres.

Bannerman remains committed to strong corporate governance principles and an enduring process of board renewal. Mr Tuckers resignation, and the fairly recent appointment of Mr Mike Leech as a Non-Executive Director of Bannerman and Chairman of the Companys Namibian subsidiary, are in-line with this commitment.

For further information please contact:

Brandon Munro

Chief Executive Officer

Perth, Western Australia

Tel: +61 (8) 9381 1436

info@bannermanresources.com.au Robert Dalton

Company Secretary

Perth, Western Australia

Tel: +61 (8) 9381 1436

info@bannermanresources.com.au Michael Vaughan (Media)

Fivemark Partners

Perth, Western Australia

Tel: +61 422 602 720

Michael.vaughan@fivemark.com.au

About Bannerman - Bannerman Resources Limited is an ASX and NSX listed exploration and development company with uranium interests in Namibia, a southern African country which is a premier uranium mining jurisdiction. Bannermans principal asset is its 95%-owned Etango Project situated near Rio Tintos Rossing uranium mine, Paladins Langer Heinrich uranium mine and CGNPCs Husab uranium mine. A definitive feasibility study has confirmed the technical, environmental and financial (at consensus long term uranium prices) viability of a large open pit and heap leach operation at one of the worlds largest undeveloped uranium deposits. From 2015-2017, Bannerman conducted a large scale heap leach demonstration program to provide further assurance to financing parties, generate process information for the detailed engineering design phase and build and enhance internal capability. More information is available on Bannermans website at www.bannermanresources.com.
karna2129 wrote:

Hi Mike,



I have been your keen follower.

The above question is of the 650-700 level.I just wanted to understand in a bit detail about how GMAC actually fixes the level of the question.I mean is it through some sort of Percentile analysis related to that question.



Thanks for responding in advance.



Regards,

KB

karna2129

Computer Adaptive Testing

all

for you.



Magoosh Test Prep





Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.  William Butler Yeats (1865  1939) Mike McGarryEducation is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.  William Butler Yeats (1865  1939) Signature Read More

DearI'm happy to respond.First of all, please understand: any difficulty estimates given here in GMAT Club are complete guesses, pure estimates. Invest them with absolutely no validity whatsoever. I wrote this particular question, but is it a 650 question? a 700 question? To be perfectly frank, from the question itself, I have no idea. Absolutely no one can look at a question and predict with complete precision the level of difficulty of a question.Now, for this particular question, I happen to know that since we released it in our product in , almost 2000 users have answered it, and approximately 44.7% of them have answered the question correct. Now, are users a good estimate of the entire GMAT taking population? I don't know. I do know that when GMAC tests experimental questions, it gets tens, even hundreds, of thousands of responds: by comparison, fewer than 2000 responses is a relatively small sample.Let's assume that, of all test takers, 44.7% of them got the question correct. Well, looking at the GMAT percentiles:If 44.7% get the question right --- that's a percentile that corresponds to about a 560 GMAT score. This is a rough idea. One might call this a "560-question," although that is problematic.Notice, that even with a great deal of numerical information, the upper reaches of the percentile information become very tricky, because even when people are randomly guessing on five-choice multiple choice, they still have a 25% chance of guessing correctly. If only, say, 3% of the population can actually compute the answer to a question, this small percentage will be hard to separate from all the random guesses who simply, by pure chance, happened to guess correctly. One needs some very sophisticated statistical analyses to make discerning distinctions in that upper part of the Bell Curve.Keep in mind --- this entire idea of attaching a particular point value to a question is highly suspect, at a number of levels. Notice that GMAC itself doesn't even touch this with a ten-foot pole. GMAC has absolutely no interest in assigning point values to questions, because it's such an inherently dubious business. It's one of these ideas to which student attach considerable importance without fully understanding how logically shifty it is, so we folks who work for private companies and answer student question have to discuss it, and in doing so, we convey the mistaken impression that the entire idea holds any water at all. It's an idea that has gained a great deal of currency, not because it's inherent sound, but only because students mistakenly imagine that such information is critically helpful to them. In any teacher-student relationship, ideas that arise primarily on the student side rather than the teacher side overwhelmingly tend to be considerably less helpful in the long run to the students than they might have imagined. Just because an idea is popular doesn't mean it's good!For example, suppose one gets this question and questions as hard as this correct, and suppose one gets, say, a 27 on Verbal. Well, as you well know, a 27 on Verbal could be paired with a 15 on Quant or with a 51 on Quant --- those different Quant scores would have virtually nothing to do with one's verbal abilities, but would result in vastly different GMAT scores. If we start comparing difficulty on Verbal vs. Quant questions, we are comparing apples to oranges, because different segments of the population excel at these different tasks. Furthermore, one's GMAT score is not at all a simple thing to understand: the GMAT uses a mind-bogglingly difficult algorithm in the, and those of us without Ph.D.s in Psychometrics could not hope to understand all the nuances, even if we were allowed to see the process they are using. (In fact, that entire algorithm is proprietary knowledge of GMAC, and those of us on the outside know nothing about it!) One's GMAT score in fact depends both on the difficulty of the questions one gets correct and the difficulty of the questions one gets wrong: that's part and parcel of how the CAT calculates your score. If one getsthe questions of this difficulty correct, vs. half of them right and half of them wrong, those two scenarios would result in very different scores. Performance on one question, in isolation, is virtually meaningless. See:I would say: a discerning approach would be to abandon any thought of attaching particular GMAT-scores to particular questions. Through keeping a log of your own mistakes, get familiar with the patterns and with what is hardKnowing your own weaknesses is considerably more important than knowing overall statistical trends.Does all this make sense?Mike_________________
doe007 wrote:

It is ok to say:

(1) Last week, I visited the museum in Italy.

(2) Last week, I visited the museum in Italy and in Germany.

(3) Last week, I visited the museum in Italy and the museums in Germany, France, and Belgium.

(4) I want to drive each of the cars of George and Bill.



However, it is not ok to say:

(5) Last week, I visited the museum in Italy and the museum in Germany, France, and Belgium.

(6) Last week, I visited the museum in Italy and in 5 other countries.

The point here is, the same common word cannot refer to singular noun and plural noun (or the sense of plural) at the same time.

doe007

the museum in Italy

Last week, I visited the parliament building in Italy

Last week, I visited the parliament building in Italy and in Germany

Last week, I visited the parliament building in Italy, in Germany, in France, and in Spain

Last week, I visited the parliament building in Italy and in three other countries

Last week, I visited the parliament building in Italy and in twenty other countries

doe007 wrote:

For this reason, I conveyed that the sentence " (12) I would like to drive the car of my neighbor and of each one of his friends. " is incorrect

But, the following sentences of your examples are grammatically correct.

(13) Last summer, I visited the Ben & Jerry's shop in Brattleboro and in Burlington.

(14) I have great appreciation for the car of each one of my five friends.

(15) I have great appreciation for the car of my five friends.

each one

[singular object]"of"[singular individual]"and of"[singular individual]

the car of Lydia and of Hilda

the car of Lydia and of each one of her 27 friends

doe007 wrote:

Now, back to the original sentence: Recent findings lend strong support to the theory that a black hole lies at the center of the Milky Way and of many of the 100 billion other galaxies estimated to exist in the universe .



Structure of the original sentence is:

..... a BH lies at the center of X and of Y estimated to exist in the universe.



If the sentence were as follows, I would have agreed that the parallel structure was maintained.

..... a BH lies at the center of X and of Y .

Here Y = "many of the 100 billion other galaxies"

To maintain the parallelism, we cannot break down "many of the 100 billion other galaxies" into two parts.



With reference to the original sentence:

What is "estimated to exist in the universe"? -- the answer is "100 billion other galaxies". This makes "100 billion other galaxies estimated to exist in the universe" one indivisible phrase.



Now see, we have two indivisible parts "many of the 100 billion other galaxies" and "100 billion other galaxies estimated to exist in the universe", and there is a overlap between these two parts. This situation creates the following two alternatives for us to consider:

1) Parallelism prevails: "the Milky Way" is parallel to "many of the 100 billion other galaxies", and "estimated to exist in the universe" is dangling after the parallel parts.

2) Modification prevails: "100 billion other galaxies estimated to exist in the universe" is indivisible. In that case, "the Milky Way" is not parallel to "many of the 100 billion other galaxies estimated to exist in the universe" in the perfect sense.

As "estimated to exist in the universe" is in non-underlined part, we need to treat second scenario above as our case.

Now at this point, I see that we may not agree on the same point and it is ok to leave the matter if you wish so.

of the Milky Way

of many

subgroup modifiers

of many

of the Milky Way

of many of the 100 billion other galaxies

(C)

(C)

Published in Harlem, the Messenger was owned and edited by two young journalists, A. Philip Randolph, who would later make his reputation as a labor leader, and Chandler Owen



Magoosh Test Prep





Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.  William Butler Yeats (1865  1939) Mike McGarryEducation is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.  William Butler Yeats (1865  1939) Signature Read More

DearWith all due respect, it seems to me there's an inconsistency between what you say and sentence #2 ---- if #2 is correct, then there's no reason that #6 shouldn't be correct.The phrasing "" sounds a little funny to me, only because there are so many museums in Italy you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one. I'm going to change "museum" to "parliament building", which presumably is something unique in each country. Then, I would assert(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)I'm sure we both agree #7 is correct. If you accept #2 above as correct, then you would have to accept #8 as correct, and probably #9 as correct as well. But #10 is just a more concise way to say #9, so if #9 is correct, how can #10 not be correct? Finally, once we accept that a number is correct, then it is immaterial what number it is, so #11 would have to be correct also. I would assert all five are correct. I would be very curious to know where you think the correct sentences end and what you use as your criterion. Strictly, if using a singular for multiple referents is always incorrect, then not only #8-11 would be incorrect, but also your #2. If you allow #2, I think you have to allow all the rest. What do you think?Hmm, #15 now strikes me as way too ambiguous, though grammatically correct. I don't understand your criterion --- if you think #13 & #14 are correct, how can you say #12 is incorrect? The words "" indicates a singular individual --- indefinite, but singular. Therefore, it is of the formeither to say(16) ........or(17) ........If you allow #16, there's no reason to reject #17.I admit, this question is not ideal, but you seem to have it in for this question. The conflict you spell out between parallelism and modification seems entirely non-existent to me.Strictly, the parallelism is between "" and "". Here, we get into an issue that likes to call "." The latter term, "", makes no sense without making clear the larger group."//"That's the parallelism. Now, as it happens, the second term of the parallelism has modifier, even though the first one doesn't. This is 100% legal, and appears in correct answers in the .For example, consider OG13 SC #110 --- here's the OA, choiceThe two individuals named, A. Philip Randolph and Chandler Owen, are in parallel, and only the first one has modifying clause. There's absolutely no problem with that.Does all this make sense?Mike_________________
Fran94 wrote:

Hi Fran94 , thanks for reaching out and I will address your profile below.

This is a great score and will help to lessen the impact of the 2.5 GPA on your application- so feel good about that! The other thing- if you are applying to a US MBA program it may not be as bad as if you had this gpa from a US school as often times US business schools don't have to report international GPAs (hard to have an apples to apples comparison). Any context you can provide to how you ranked to other classmates- if well- could help and so could using the optional essay to not make excuses- but to just give some context around why the grades were lower.

strong work experience- and also the longer you are out working and doing well, the less the grades matter.

I'm not sure which college you are looking at for MBA- are you looking at US programs- if so I think if you take some ownership but offer that you can do better in optional essays that your GMAT and work strength could still make you a viable candidate. There is a lot that matters in the quality of your application overall- and if you want us to review your profile on a free consult and discuss how we could help- reach out for a free consult here: https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com ... b-visitor/

Hi everyone, welcome to my post. I am requesting for a profile evaluation please.I have a low GPA so I would like to get an expert's point of view.GMAT - 710 (49Q)Age: 25Argentina, Business AdministrationCollege: University of Buenos AiresGPA: 2.5Work experience: Worked 6 years at IBM, where I currently hold a leadership role. (2 years leading a team)Other extra curriculars: Programming skills. Fluent in three languages: Spanish, english and portugueseCareer Goals: Post MBA, I would like to work at consulting or strategy.Do i stand a chance in getting into this college or what do you suggest I should enhance?Thanks for your help.
Residents in some states in Nigeria have reported cases of blackout in their areas.

The residents made the news of the blackout known on Twitter. It was reported that power supply suddenly went dim and went out totally.

Some Nigerians who experienced the blackout associated the power outage to the end of time.

Although, some Nigerian Twitter users said they did not experience power outage in their areas and hoped they would not experience.

Others expressed that the blackout is a result of bad governance in the country.

Read tweets below:

READ ALSO: Communities calls herbalist to block entrance gate of SHELL for refusing to obey court order (photo)

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ News App

Meanwhile, watch Legit.ng TV video on what Nigerians think about 24-hour electricity in Aba market.

Source: Legit.ng
A Nigerian mother identified as Franca Nwosu has shared her success story of how she trained five of her children in school with money she made from her yam business.

In an Interview, the mother of nine who sells roasted yam along Shinroro road in Niger state, explained that she started her business over fifteen years ago.

Nwosu said the business lifted her family from poverty, adding that the business has always been good for her and her family.

She said: I started this business over 15 years ago and with the proceeds, I was able to train five graduates. So, as far as I am concerned, the business is booming, no matter the hardship in the country, people must eat, you cannot avoid food.

Meet mother of 5 who financed her children's education roasting yam for a living Photo Source: The Punch

The hardworking woman further noted that she started the business to support her husband who is a welder.

Nwosu said: My husband is a welder by profession but with the current situation of things in the country, what he is getting cannot sustain the family; so, I engaged myself in the yam roasting business to support him so that our family will not suffer.

According to The Punch, the roasted yam business serves customers such as motorcyclists and artisans.

READ ALSO: Inspiring story of a successful Lagos-based puff-puff seller (photos)

It was gathered that Nwosu starts her business as early as 7:00am every day. Nwosu usually roasts about 150 tubers of yam in a day.

Some of her customers who patronise her daily praised her service. Read what they said below:

Samuel Edom said:With between N50 and N100, I can feed myself and this is far cheaper than eating at a restaurant where a plate of food would cost me between N300 and N400. Almost all the Okada riders in town have their lunch at her spot. Leave home early for my Okada business, so, most times, I have no other choice but to patronise the roasted yam seller because I cannot afford to go back home for a meal.

Abubakar Mohammed said: I patronise Madam Nwosu because I can afford roasted yam compared to other foods in town. We (Okada riders) are comfortable with her roasted yam; most of us eat there two times a day and she sometimes sold on credit to us, she is our mother in town.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ News App

Meanwhile, watch Inspiring story of a successful Lagos-based puff-puff seller below:

Source: Legit.ng
Legit.ng came across what appears to be a harsh exchange of words between the South African minister of police and a Twitter user who chose to troll him.

The minister of police, Mbalula Fikile, decided to respond to an internet troll who chose to use his pictures to show the 'difference' between being ugly and being broke.

According to the troll identified as @danielmarven, you only have to come into money to be able to 'upgrade your looks'. He explained this by sharing a post that said "you are not ugly the thing is you haven't been a minister."

Minister Fikile spotted the post and decided to put the troll in his place, telling him "Its good cameras and filters Chief. You should know this with your sunny with chances of clouds area weather forecasting face."

The exchange between the minister and the troll. Photo: Twitter

READ ALSO: Nigerian lady who wants to become president replies internet trolls

See their posts below:

READ ALSO: Uche Jombo replies rude fan who insulted her dress sense

See the minister's response below:

LOL! Who won this 'fight'?

Meanwhile, watch this video to see what Nigerians answered when asked "is the police your friend?"

Source: Legit.ng
The Reuters report made note of the trilateral developments taking place alongside the Iraqi delegations visit. Following the referendum vote, Turkey has reportedly carried out joint military drills with both Iraq and Iran, on the borders of the Kurdistan region, which spans parts of all three countries. Al Jazeera adds that Tehran has vowed to stand by Turkey in its confrontational response to the referendum. The Iranian military has also reportedly installed missile batteries near the Kurdish region. This, however, is nothing new, as there are periodic reports of violent clashes between Iranian armed forces and Kurdish separatist groups.

Still, Irans new escalation of these tensions may be intended to reinforce the regimes message to Turkey, which has separately threatened sanctions that could potentially cut off the flow of upwards of 70 percent of the goods that Turkish Kurdistan relies upon. In addition to helping back this threat up militarily, Iran could somewhat mitigate the negative effects of Turkey ending economic transactions with the oil-rich Kurdish region.

Subsequent to the 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers, Tehran has already used its newly expanded oil supplies and revenue streams to expand its influence in the region. Particularly notable is the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and some of its Gulf Arab neighbors, which was evidently sparked by a lack of Qatari commitment to the Saudi Arabian-led strategy for opposing the expansion of Iranian regional influence. Subsequent to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain cutting off political and trade ties with the nation of Qatar, the Iranians took the opportunity to deepen that influence by sending food supplies and giving Qatar further incentive to stand by its position favoring reconciliation with the Islamic Republic.

That situation goes to show that the boundary lines of regional conflicts are apparently in flux, and Iranian-Turkish relations are arguably evidence of the same. This was the feature of an article that appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on Tuesday and questioned the extent to which Turkey  a longstanding NATO ally  is strategically pivoting toward Iran and, by extension, Russia.

The article notes that the issue of Kurdish separatism, as well as drawing Turkey and Iran closer together, is also driving a further wedge between Turkey and the US. As Syrian rebel groups began to deteriorate that had been supported by both the US and Turkey, American policy surrounding that countrys civil war began to focus on arming and supporting a Kurdish fighting force, instead. This shifted Turkeys priorities away from pushing for the removal of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and toward constraining the growth of Kurdish power, which the Turks feared could fuel the separatist movement.

Furthermore, the CS Monitor article points out that the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is upset that the US withdrew an arms deal with Erdogans presidential security detail after 15 members were indicted for assaulting protestors during a visit to Washington in May. This has helped to fuel the growth of anti-Americanism, pushing Turkey to turn east, for instance by pursuing an agreement to purchase the advanced S-400 missile defense system from Russia.

The article notes that that deal could still falter, and regarding the general Turkish shift, it argues that the recent actions may be purely tactical and thus short-lived, because Ankaras interests diverge sharply from those of Tehran and Moscow. It bears noting, however, that much the same argument was made by numerous analysts about the past two years of growth in military and political cooperation between Iran and Russia.

Since Russia became involved in the Syrian Civil War, it was speculated that Moscow could be persuaded to rein in or act against its Iranian allies, because the Russians had less incentive to support the Assad regime, provided that they could keep their military bases in Syria. But whether because of firmer-than-realized Iranian-Russian commitments or because of lack of relevant strategy from the US and its partners, these supposedly divergent interests never fully manifested, and Russia continued to support Iranian activities in Syria throughout the height of the war. Both nations are now working together to establish and enforce ceasefire agreements, along with former local adversary, Turkey.

There is little doubt that the United States still sees great incentive to try to exploit divergent interests between Iran and both Turkey and Russia. Indeed, this may be necessary in order to curtail the growth of Iranian influence there, while the US also tries to reassert its influence in places like Iraq. The Iranian regime is reportedly striving to use recaptured areas of Syria as links in a chain leading from Tehran to Damascus and to Lebanon, where the Iran-backed paramilitary Hezbollah is based.

On the other hand, an article that was published in the Washington Post on Wednesday suggested that Iran may already be entrenched in Syria, where the Syrian armed forces are increasingly organized under the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and a planned US-led buildup of coalition forces did not come to fruition in the strategically important region of Deir el-Zour. The article points to these factors in order to criticize the Donald Trump presidency for an apparent lack of established policy in Syria, but it also conveys National Security Advisor HR McMasters observation that the Assad-Iranian-Russian push into southeast Syria is hugely problematic in the long term and must be addressed.

But pending a coordinated, strategic response from the US and its allies, it seems clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to bolster its own presence in Syria and to use this as a focus of propaganda as it pursues a broader sphere of influence in the Middle East as a whole. The propaganda element of this situation was made clear once again in an International Business Times report that described a gathering that took place on Wednesday to commemorate Mohsen Hojaji, an IRGC soldier who was beheaded by Islamic State militants in Syria in August.

The ceremony was attended by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei himself, who described Hojaji as a dear martyr and an example of numerous young people who are willing to fight and die on behalf of the Iranian theocracys vision for Islam and the Middle East region.

While this sort of propaganda serves the general purpose of boasting of Iranian influence, it also comes in the midst of other propaganda that is clearly aimed at presenting that influence specifically as a bulwark against Western influence in the same region. The ceremony came just days after Tehran falsely claimed to have tested a newly developed ballistic missile capable of traveling more than 1,200 miles. The missile was also put on public display in Tehran as part of Defense Week, which ostensibly commemorates the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War but also serves as an outlet for hardliners anti-American rhetoric.

On Wednesday, Newsweek reported that Tehran further expanded upon the missile claims by saying that the countrys armed forces were planning to construct nuclear submarines and a new, advance naval destroyer. The report also notes that these threats come in the midst of increased tensions between Iran and the US. For the White House, at least, those tensions remain focused on the 2015 nuclear agreement, as evidenced by President Trumps speech to the United Nations General Assembly last week. But that speech also made clear reference to Irans overall contribution to regional instability, suggesting an American commitment to curtailing Iranian influence in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere.
The Iraqi government has placed a ban on international flights to airports in the countrys Kurdish area.

The flight ban is the clearest evidence of increased tensions between Iraqs central government and the Kurdish area. On Monday, Iraqi Kurds approved a referendum on independence which the central government strongly opposes.

The Kurds have ruled an autonomous area within Iraq since a United States-led coalition ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003.

In the referendum on Monday, 92.7 percent of voters supported a measure proposing creation of an independent Kurdish state. The results are not binding, but they are the first step in a process that leads to independence.

Two days later, Iraqs parliament called the referendum vote unconstitutional.

The lawmakers asked Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to send troops to Kurdish-held Kirkuk to take control of its oil fields. They also urged him to enforce a decision to dismiss Kirkuks governor for holding the vote.

The Iraqi parliament told the 34 countries with diplomatic offices in Kurdistan to close them down. It also called for the deployment of forces to areas that had been under Iraqi government control before Islamic State (IS) forces captured Mosul in June 2014.

We will enforce federal authority in the Kurdistan region, and we already have started doing that, the prime minister said.

The Iraqi government had given the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) until 1800 hours, local time, to surrender control of its international airports at Irbil and Sulaimaniya. But KRG officials said they would not obey the order.

The Reuters news agency reports that at least two European carriers, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, will be cancelling flights to Irbil this weekend.

But the Associated Press reports that the director of Irbil airport said military, humanitarian and diplomatic flights from the airport will continue.

Humanitarian workers say the flight cancellations could harm the areas 1.6 million refugees and displaced people.

In a statement, Abadi said central government control of air and land ports in the area is not meant to starve and prevent the delivery of supplies to the Kurds.

In recent days, the prime minister has said he received calls from leaders from Britain, France, Iran and Turkey. His Twitter account said they all expressed support for Iraqi unity.

Turkey faces armed opposition from Kurdish separatists at home. The Turkish government has threatened to restrict oil sales to the Kurdish area, a move that could hurt its economy.

The United States has said the Kurdish movement in Iraq could destabilize the area and hurt the war effort against IS forces.

Im Susan Shand.

This story first appeared on VOANews.com. Susan Shand and George Grow adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow and Mario Ritter were the editors.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

authority  n. having the power to control something or someone

destabilize  v. to cause something to be unable to continue to work or to exist

autonomous  adj. having the power or right to govern itself.

referendum  n. an election in which the people in an area vote for or against an issue of public concern

delivery  n. the act of taking something to a person or place

binding  adj. requiring someone to do something
Chinese officials in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region have ordered Muslim families living there to turn in all religious items, Radio Free Asia reported this week. This includes prayer mats and copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

An ethnic Kazakh living in Xinjiangs Altay area told RFA that officials have been confiscating the religious items. Pretty much every household has a Quran, and prayer mats, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Dilxat Raxit, spokesperson for the World Uyghur Congress group, said similar reports have come from Kashgar, Hotan and other areas.

He said, We received a notification saying that every single ethnic Uyghur must hand in any Islam-related items from their own home.

Raxit said police are making the announcements on the social media service WeChat. And people must hand over these items voluntarily or they will face punishment.

Raxit said, "The announcements say that people must hand in any prayer mats of their own accord to the authorities, as well as any religious reading matter, including anything with the Islamic moon and star symbol on it."

Earlier this year, Xinjiang officials began confiscating all Qurans published more than five years ago because of what they described as extremist content.

The Qurans were taken as part of a Xinjiang-wide campaign that bans illegal publicity materials, religious activities and religious teachings that officials consider to be tools of terrorism.

RFA and VOA are both part of the U.S. government-supported Broadcasting Board of Governors.

Radio Free Asia reported and wrote this story. It was adapted for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

mat - n. a small piece of material used to cover the floor or ground

confiscate - v. to take (something) away from someone especially as punishment or to enforce the law or rules

on their own accord - phrase.  done because you want to, not because someone has asked you or forced you to do it

anonymity - n. the quality or state of being unknown to most people
President Donald Trump plans to sharply reduce the number of refugees permitted in the United States.

The move comes at a time when humanitarian groups say more people than ever should be admitted.

The Trump administration said in a report to Congress Wednesday that the U.S. plans to admit no more than 45,000 refugees during the coming year. That would be the smallest number in more than 35 years.

Former President Barack Obama had proposed that 110,000 refugees should be admitted during the next year.

Trump is expected to announce the new plan soon. The limit of 45,000 refugee admissions would be in effect during the governments new fiscal year, which begins on Sunday, October 1. It is lower than limits set in any year since the U.S. refugee program was established in 1980.

Officials estimate about 54,000 refugees will have been admitted to the country during the 2017 fiscal year, which ends on Saturday.

In the 2016 fiscal year -- the last full year of Obamas presidency -- the U.S. welcomed almost 85,000 refugees.

Immigration experts noted that the 45,000 limit is a cap  the highest number of refugees that can be admitted during the next 12 months. They said the number of refugees actually admitted by September 30, 2018, could be much lower.

A person must meet several criteria to be considered a refugee in the United States. The government also has certain limits for different areas of the world. For example, 42 percent of all admitted refugees can come from Africa, and 39 percent can come from the Middle East and South Asia, according to the administrations report to Congress.

Those numbers generally have not changed since Obamas time in office, experts say.

Aid groups have sharply criticized Trumps decision to reduce the number of refugees. They say that, because of worsening refugee crises in places like Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, the United States must do more.

Bill OKeefe is with Catholic Relief Services.

With historically high numbers of innocent people fleeing violence worldwide, the United States response cannot be to welcome a historically low number of refugees into our country, he said.

Administration officials said the new refugee limit will improve national security and the countrys ability to properly examine and take in refugees.

In his speech to the United Nations, Trump said, for the cost of resettling one refugee in the U.S., we can assist more than 10 in their home region.

Worldwide, there were 22.5 million refugees last year, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. That number does not include the many people who were displaced within their own countries because of war, violence, poverty or natural disasters.

Im Phil Dierking.

VOA News reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

fiscal - adj. of or relating to money and especially to the money a government, business, or organization earns, spends, and owes

cap - n. a limit on the amount of money that can be spent, given, charged, etc., for something

criteria - n. something that is used as a reason for making a judgment or decision

region - n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way
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A Human Rights Lawyer Lifts the Communist Partys Spell

Teng Biao completely renounces the Chinese Communist Party

On March 14, 2016, at the UNs Palais des Nations in Geneva, I joined a forum to commemorate the second anniversary of the death in custody of human rights defender Cao Shunli. I couldnt help but vent my anger at what a criminal gang the Chinese Communist Party is.

The same day I received the following email: Teacher Teng: As ratified by the law schools Communist Party committee, the Chinese University of Political Science and Laws (CUPLs) Party branch will on March 16, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. hold a general assembly on campus in Room 211 to reach a decision on the question of Teng Biaos voluntary resignation of Party membership. You are hereby requested to attend.

The note was signed by Party Committee of the Chinese University of Political Science and Law, Legal Studies Party Branch.

I didnt attend the meeting, but I now feel the need to give the Communist Party a piece of my mind.

Most Peculiar Creatures on Earth

Almost every child born in the so-called New China is full of boundless enthusiasm and worship for the Chinese Communist Party. As the official propaganda would have it, in all emergencies and matters of life and death, its always Communist Party members who rush to the fore.

Those who save the children on the train tracks, those who go to silence the enemy guns during combat, those who drown themselves to safeguard national assetseven if theyre not Party members, on the verge of death it will be revealed that they had written out a pledge that they had wanted to join the Party. Or if no such pledge can be produced, theyll be posthumously recognized as Communist Party members.

This brainless, crazed enthusiasm for the Communist Party isnt inculcated in a day or two. This has been a process requiring the assiduous efforts, passion, and imagination of countless authors, engineers of the soul, political commissars, historical fabulists, visual propagandists, musicians, and brainwashed parents.

Related Coverage The Journalist Who Served the Party Until He Was Driven to Kill Himself

Members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are among the most peculiar creatures on earth. They are said to grasp the truth of the universe, the laws of history; they possess the ultimate ideals of mankind; and they are determined to establish heaven on earth.

They never seek to benefit themselves, but always to help others. They fear neither gods nor karmic retribution. Theyll kill their own family members if justice demands it. They all think with a single mind, and every Party member is an incomparably pure and innocent saint.

The moment a bad element sneaks into the Party, theyll be expelledthis is what guarantees the Communist Partys purity and advanced nature. Every time the Party makes a mistake, it simply turns out to be proof that the Party has an extraordinary ability at self-correction and stands as a testament to how the Party is great, glorious and correct. And this is why we know the Party so loves to make mistakes.

Joining the Party

I myself am an exemplar of the CCPs system of education (or brainwashing). From primary school to middle school to when I matriculated at Peking University, I was always the most obedient student. I never contradicted my teachers, I never cut class, I always got good grades. My ideals were Party Red, and I had a pile of certificates and awards. In other words, I was almost ruined. I had never used my own mind to think.

The process of escaping this state of brainlessness was arduous, complex, and subtle. It required an understanding of the psychology of totalitarianism, the genealogy of propaganda and brainwashing, educational anthropology, social epistemology and political aesthetics. What affected me most personally were Peking University, some professors, some student friends, some books, some underground films, and a number of incidents I went through.

In elementary school and middle school, only the most outstanding students were allowed to enter the Young Pioneers and Youth League. Those who were backward in their thinking were left out. At university, the competition to join the Party was fierce, and I gave up on it. During graduate studies, the competition wasnt as intense, and in fact there werent many lagging elements who hadnt joined.

The Party Branch had me write an application letter, the meaning of which I apprehended fairly quickly: first, they wanted to see you express your trust in the organization. Secondly, they thought: Youre Peking University talent, so if you dont join the Party and serve the Party, have you got a problem with the Party? Who are you serving?

I was half willing and half doubtful. At that point I was in the stage of my rapid awakening to the world, and I already loathed and felt estranged by the Partys organizational form, speech style, and dogma. On the other hand, Id never met anyone who joined the Party because they actually believed in it.

In two years Id be out looking for work, so joining didnt have any disadvantages, nor did I need to take it as a big psychological burden. And at the time I also harbored a rather naive thought: intellectuals in the 1980s often said that the easiest way to bring down a fortress is from the inside, so to a degree I actually thought that I would get myself into the Party with the noble mission of opposing the Party.

So I dug up a Party application template, copied it, and was admitted to the Party. But I was firm that I would not swear the admission oath. There were 40 or 50 new Party members that were to engage in a collective oath-swearing ceremony. The leader said that the TV station would also come, and everyone would go onto the lawn to swear their oaths while it was recorded. I hated the idea and slipped away.

Reform Versus Alienation

I want to address that naive sentiment I had, that joining the Party provides the opportunity to reform the Party, or even oppose it, from the inside. But in fact, the Partys crimes are far too numerous, it has no will to change, and to this day its still going further along down the road to perdition.

I also realized that this Partys survival mechanisms are adaptive; it has its own essence, and those who dont go along with it essentially have no chance inside the Party. Anyone who can reach a high rank in the Party either comes from a top Party family, or knows how to pull strings and manipulate people, or is corrupt, or lies, or begs, or kills.

So there is not only an extremely small chance that a sincere and honest person will reach a high level in this system, but in the process, to use a Marxist term, they will be alienated. By the time theyre a bureau chief or a provincial governor, their human nature will have been corroded almost entirely by the Partys nature.

If you want to be an element in the system, then everything of yours will have come from dictatorship. You will have found it impossible to not get involved in evil on the way up; you wont be able to escape having safeguarded the Party-state system. And then even if you put up with it all and become a bureau chief or a provincial governor, you still have no ability or opportunity to change the system.

Quitting the Party

My wish to quit the Communist Party arose not long after I joined it in 1997. Anyone with eyes to see would have noticed the following phenomena in society: forced demolitions, torture, black jails, corruption, miscarriages of justice, collusion between officialdom and organized crime, controlled elections, willful slaughter of innocents, forced abortions, religious persecution, literary inquisitions, violent urban enforcers (chengguan), secret police, internet censorship, tofu dreg buildings, poisoned milk, contaminated vaccines

The more I understood about the innumerable crimes of this gang of bandits, the stronger was my determination to overthrow the government. Once, while talking and drinking with Liao Yiwu, I said that the reason I hated the Party was aesthetic rather than political.

Everything the Party does is just so uglyfrom their Politburo reports to the behavior of Party officials around the banquet table; from their materialist dialectics to their hammer and sickle flag; from the tone of News Simulcast to the Peoples Daily editorial page; from the Spring Festival Gala to the red songs and dances in public plazas.

Its all utterly ridiculousreeking of blood, numbing the spirit, and acting uncouth. From the beginning, I refused to join in almost all the Partys mobilization events. Though my body was in the bandits den, my spirit had long been in rebellion.

In 2003 when I became a professor at the Chinese University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), I thought my opportunity had finally arrived. Peking University informed me that I needed to submit a request to transfer my Party affiliation. I refused to do so and stopped paying Party dues.

I thought this would be sufficient to cut off Party ties. It never occurred to me that a year later, the Party branch at CUPL would seek me out asking for Party dues. I asked them: havent I already left the Party organization? The woman said: How could that be? The Organization continued your membership, so come on now and pay your Party dues.

I was shocked. I told her that I wouldnt pay. The young woman didnt understand what I was talking about. I explained again: Tell your superiors that Im not paying Party dues. I havent been to Party organization life events in years. This is how I want to quit the Party. But it didnt work. They started deducting the Party dues from my salary.

You Are the Communist Party Member

Beginning in 2003 I was involved in human rights law full-time: there was the Sun Zhigang incident, founding the Open Constitution Initiative, the Chen Guangcheng, Gao Zhisheng, Hu Jia cases, defending Falun Gong, prosecuting child slave labor brick kiln operators, poisoned milk powder, participating in the Beijing Bar Associations elections, Charter 08, the Tibet 314 incident in 2008, the commemoration of the June 4 massacre with Beijing intellectuals in 2009, the Three Fujian Netizens case in 2010, the Jasmine Revolution in 2011, the New Citizens Movement in 2012, a speech in Hong Kong in 2014, and more.

Anything that made the Party angry, I loved to get involved in. The Communist Party also kept up its end of the bargain: I was blocked in the media, had my classes suspended, put under house arrest, had my law license canceled, had my passport confiscated, was expelled from CUPL, kidnapped, disappeared, tortured, and saw my family members treated as guilty because of my actions. My trip down the road to being an anti-Party reactionary didnt happen in one or two days.

The email requesting my attendance to discuss my voluntary resignation from the Party that I received not long ago was a reminder: Id once had an indecent relationship with that Party.

This is how I understand what an appropriate relationship with the Party and Party members is: Party members have the right to vote in direct elections for secretaries and general-secretaries at every level; they ought to know how their party dues are being spent, or if the dues have been embezzled; the goal of a party is to seize political power, but this should be conducted through competitive elections with other political parties, not through locking up the members of competing political partiesthat way of winning is too shameless.

Now I wonder whether there has ever been a CCP member to have a normal relationship with this, the biggest political party on earth.

The CCPs email to me also came at a time when they had just conducted the mass arrest of lawyers on July 9, 2015.

Though it wasnt in the least funny, it put me in mind of a joke: An old fellow riding the bus saw a pregnant woman standing and offered her his seat. She thanked him profusely, then asked: Youre a Communist Party member, right?! The old fellow was flustered and responded: Whos a Party member? Youre a Party member! Your whole family are Party members!

Im very interested in how real Communist Party members interpret this joke. This is how I understand it: The Party hasnt changed, but peoples attitudes toward it have changed. Theyre no longer interested. The gang that has stirred up so many revolutions using the people is now facing being overthrown by the people.

In the past, people joined the Party because of their faith in communist ideology. Even though it led to ideological madness and barbarism, it still retained some form of cohesion. But now, people join the Party for power, wealth, sex, or a better jobso even the cohesion that once held it together is no more.

The internet and market forces are increasing the Chinese publics general knowledge and understanding on a daily basis, as well as increasing the conflicts between the officials and the public. On top of that are the global processes of increased democracy and freedom. All of these are exerting centrifugal force on the CCP.

This essay serves as my own, official lifting of the Partys spell, and my complete renunciation of the Communist Party organization. I was once a member of this evil gang, and I once proactively, and later passively, paid party dues to support them doing evil. These are stains I carry, and which I will make up for from now into the future.

Related Coverage President Trump Says Socialism and Communism Lead to Devastation

Of course, I am putting the matter in the starkest termsfor years now already Ive done a great many things to oppose the Party. When the Hong Kong journalist Jiang Xun was accused of being a Communist Party member, Jiang sued and was awarded 850,000 yuan (US$128,000) in compensation.

If anyone calls me a Communist Party member now, even though I wont sue them, I will make a sharp retort: You are the Communist Party memberand your whole family are Communist Party members!

Translated by Matthew Robertson.

A resident of the United States, Teng Biao was most recently a fellow at Princeton Universitys Institute for Advanced Studies. For his work as a human rights lawyer and activist in China, he has received the following awards: China Aids Religious Freedom and Rule of Law Defender (2012); the China Democracy Education Foundations Prize For Outstanding Democracy Activist (with Jiang Tianyong, 2011); Human Rights Watchs Hellman/Hammett grant (2010); National Endowment for Democracys Democracy Award (with several Chinese activists, 2008); and Frances Human Rights Prize (with Mo Shaping and Li Jingsong, 2007).
North Koreas Communist Regime Confused by Trump Military Threat

A threat by President Donald Trump to use overwhelming force against North Korea if the United States has to defend itself or its allies has rocked the communist dictatorship.

For decades, North Korea has been able to reach deals with U.S. presidents only to break them. The result has been the regimes successful development of nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them.

With Trump in the oval office, North Koreas communist leadership has clearly been thrown off stridestate-controlled media have responded in disbelief at Trumps threat to destroy the country and are speculating on whether the president was just bluffing.

North Korean leadership has had such a hard time understanding Trump that, according to The Washington Post, its officials have sought contact with Republican-linked analysts for advice. They cant figure him out, the Post cited someone familiar with the outreach saying.

In this handout photo released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, South Koreas missile system is firing a Hyunmu-2 missile into the East Sea during a drill aimed to counter North Koreas missiles, on Sept. 15, 2017, on the east coast of South Korea. (South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images)

Trump has taken a no-nonsense approach to North Korea, demanding the denuclearization of the regime, while pursuing diplomatic options and also preparing military options.

Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 19, Trump called on all nations to work together to isolate the Kim regime until it ceases its hostile behavior.

It is time for North Korea to realize that the denuclearization is its only acceptable future, Trump said.

The president also said that Rocket Man is on a suicide mission, referring to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, and that the United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.

North Korean media reacted with shock to the statement, with several articles published by state media saying they had not received such a threat before from previous U.S. administrations.

One has never heard this from any of his predecessors, one article read in reference to Trumps statements.

Other articles called Trump a liar and incompetent saying that the earth can never exist without the DPRK. One article went as far as citing a North Korean farmer calling for Trump to be beheaded.

Ever since North Korea started pursuing nuclear weapons, U.S. presidents have been unsuccessful in stopping it.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton reached an agreement with the reclusive communist regime, which provided them with two light-water nuclear reactors financed by several countries, as well as 500,000 tons of heavy oil annually, in exchange for the North ceasing its nuclear program.

North Korea eventually broke the agreement and was able by 2006 to conduct its first nuclear test. Similar efforts by George W. Bush also failed to prevent the reclusive regime from obtaining nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

Trump has been a fierce critic of the U.S. response to North Korea for years.

Our President must be very careful with the 28-year-old wack job in North Korea. At some point we may have to get very tough-blatant threats, Trump tweeted on April 6, 2013.

Since becoming president, Trump has criticized previous administrations for their failure to prevent North Korea from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Koreas a situation that should have been handled 25 years ago, 20 years ago, 15 years ago, 10 years ago, and 5 years ago, and it could have been handled much more easily, Trump said at a press conference on Sept. 26.

Closer to the Bomb

North Korean state media said on Sept. 26 that it is impossible to check or stop its advance close to its victory, in referring to its nuclear program.

A B-1B long range strategic bomber in a file photo. In July this year the U.S. flew two of the bombers over the North Korean peninsula in a demonstration of force. (Courtesy of USAF/Getty Images)

It also threatened the United States again, saying the mainland U.S. and its military bases in the Pacific operational theater within their [North Korean missiles] firing range.

U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said earlier this month that the United States has a variety of military options against North Korea, and has the ability to completely destroy the country if necessary.

U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley has said that she will continue to seek a diplomatic solution but that Gen. Mattis will take care of it if that doesnt work.
President Donald Trump walks to the South Lawn of the White House to board the Marine One on Sept. 26, 2017. Trump offered some of the first details of his tax reform plan in Indianapolis, Ind., on Sept. 27, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Under New Tax Plan, Corporate Tax Rate Would Be Cut to 20 Percent

Biggest winners will be the everyday American workers, says Trump

President Donald Trump announced the details of his tax reform plan on Sept. 27.

The Trump administration, the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the Senate Committee on Finance released the framework for tax reform, with Trump offering some of the first details of the plan during remarks in Indianapolis, Indiana.

According to the plan, the top corporate tax rate will be cut from 35 percent to 20 percent. This is higher than the 15 percent proposed by Trump earlier but still below the 22.5 percent average tax rate of the industrialized world, Trump said.

This is a revolutionary change, and the biggest winners will be the everyday American workers as jobs start pouring into our country, as companies start competing for American labor, and as wages start going up, he said.

Trump told reporters as he departed Washington for Indiana that a 20 percent corporate tax rate was his red line and not negotiable.

For small businesses, the tax rate on the profits of pass-through businesses would be capped at 25 percent.

This will be the lowest top marginal income tax rate for small and mid-sized businesses in this country in more than 80 years, Trump said.

The plan includes the repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax, or AMT, which is a complex parallel tax system allowing fewer exemptions and deductions than the standard tax system for certain taxpayers.

For the next five years, businesses will be allowed to write off or expense the cost of new investments immediately. And interest deductibility will be partially limited.

The committees will be looking to repeal some of the business tax credits with the exception of the R&D credit and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit.

There will be a shift from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system to bring corporate income parked overseas back to the United States. Under the current worldwide system, U.S. multinational corporations pay domestic tax on foreign earnings, which creates a competitive disadvantage for them.

Our current tax system makes us one of the few developed nations in the world to punish our companies when they bring wealth earned overseas back into our country, said Trump.

Under the territorial system, American companies will be able to bring those profits back to the country without paying additional taxes. This will level the playing field for U.S. companies, according to Trump.

As a transition to the territorial system, there will be a one-time tax payable on profits that have already accumulated overseas. Two different tax rates will be applied: one for cash and cash equivalents, and another, lower rate for illiquid assets.

The plan will also include base erosion rules to prevent companies from shifting profits artificially to tax havens. The committees will determine these rules.

According to Trump, one of the cornerstones of the plan is to create tax relief for middle-class families, mainly through tax cuts, higher standard deductions, and a larger child tax credit.

According to the plan, the zero-tax bracket will be expanded and standard deductions would nearly double in size to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples.

The current seven brackets will be compressed down to three: 12 percent, 25 percent, and 35 percent. The committees will be given the flexibility to add a fourth-rate above the 35 percent on wealthy taxpayers.

Under current law, nearly 70 percent of taxpayers claim the standard deduction, while the remaining 30 percent itemize their deductions.

The plan will eliminate most itemized deductions, which will affect mostly the wealthiest families, according to Trump.

The plan also provides a larger child tax credit for families with children under the age of 17. Families get up to a $1,000 credit per child under current law. Although the exact amount is not specified, it will be substantially higher than $1,000, according to the plan.

Our framework includes our explicit commitment that tax reform will protect low-income and middle-income households, not the wealthy and well-connected, Trump said.

Tax deductions for home mortgage interest and charitable contributions will be retained.

The plan repeals the individual AMT that exists under current law.

The AMT will make even less sense because we are repealing many of the special interest tax breaks that it was designed to deal with, Trump said.

The plan will also end the estate tax, which is a tax on the transfer of the estate of a deceased person.

These changes will help eliminate the complexity of the code and allow taxpayers to file their taxes on a single sheet of paper, Trump said.

Over the next few months, the House and the Senate will build on this framework and produce legislation.

Tax reform has not historically been a partisan issueand it does not have to be a partisan issue today, Trump said.

Democrats and Republicans in Congress should come together finally to deliver this giant win for the American people and begin a middle-class miracle.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated which tax credits the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance will be looking to repeal. The committees will be looking to repeal some of the business tax credits with the exception of the R&D credit and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Credit: Universiteit van Amsterdam (UVA)

How do children construct views of themselves and their place in the world? Children's social relationships turn out to be critical. For example, children develop higher self-esteem when their parents treat them warmly. But they develop lower self-esteem when their parents lavish them with inflated praise. These and other findings are included in a special section edited by Eddie Brummelman (University of Amsterdam) and Sander Thomaes (Utrecht University) and soon-to-be published in the journal Child Development. In a series of articles, now available online, the researchers share the results of research on the origins of the self-concept in children.

Who am I and what is my place in the world? Children are born without an answer to these pressing questions. As they grow up, though, they start to formulate answers seemingly effortlessly. Within a few years, they recognise themselves in the mirror, refer to themselves by their own name, evaluate themselves through the eyes of others and understand their standing in a social group.

Research by Christina Starmans from the University of Toronto shows that even toddlers have an idea of what it means to have a 'self." Young children see the self as something that is unique to a person, separate from the body, stable over time, and located within the head, behind the eyes. Research by Andrei Cimpian (New York University) and his colleagues shows that even toddlers have the cognitive ability to form self-worth (i.e., how satisfied they are with themselves as individuals).

Social relationships

Over time, pronounced individual differences arise in children's self-concept. Some children like themselves, whereas others feel negatively about themselves. Some children see themselves as superior and deserving special treatment, whereas others consider themselves to be on an equal plane with others. Some children believe they can grow and build their abilities, whereas others believe their abilities are fixed and unchangeable. Where do these individual differences come from? What leads children to see themselves the way they do? "Surprisingly little is known about the origins of children's self-concept," says Brummelman. "It is important that we shed more light on this important subject. With this collection of articles, our aim is to showcase emerging research on this subject."

"What these articles reveal is that children form their self-concept, at least in part, based on their social relationships," Brummelman continues. For example, research by Michelle Harris (University of California) and her team shows that children develop higher self-esteem when they receive warmth from their parents. Warm parents show an interest in their children's activities and share joy with them, which makes children feel noticed and valued. Brummelman's own research shows that children may develop lower self-esteem and sometimes even narcissism when their parents give them lots of extremely positive, inflated praise, such as "Wow, you did incredibly well! Such inflated praise may give children a sense of grandiosity but at the same time also make them worry about falling short of the standards set for them.

Encouragement

Previous research has shown the importance of having a growth mindset  the belief that you can develop your skills through effort and education. Children with a growth mindset are eager to take on challenges, persist when the going gets tough, and see failure as opportunities for growth. In a theoretical article, Kyla Haimovitz and Carol Dweck (Stanford University) describe how parents can foster a growth mindset by praising children for effort instead of ability (for example, "You worked so hard!") and by teaching children that failure isn't harmful but actually benefits learning and growth. Parents can encourage children to ask themselves: why did I get such a low grade, and what can I do differently in future?

All 10 articles in the special section study various dimensions of children's self-concept, including self-esteem, self-compassion, mindsets and self-perceived ability. "What these articles show is that children construct their self-concept based on the social relationships they have, the feedback they receive, the social comparisons they make, and the cultural values they endorse. This underlines the deeply social nature of children's self-concept," says Brummelman.

More information: Eddie Brummelman et al. How Children Construct Views of Themselves: A Social-Developmental Perspective, Child Development (2017). Journal information: Child Development Eddie Brummelman et al. How Children Construct Views of Themselves: A Social-Developmental Perspective,(2017). DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12961
Credit: King's College London

A revolutionary new blood test for detecting a heart attack could speed up diagnosis and save the NHS millions of pounds every year, according to new research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The blood test, developed by a team from King's College London and tested across Europe, is quicker than the standard test and can rapidly rule out a heart attack in more people. This could reassure worried patients in Accident & Emergency departments, free up bed space and save hundreds of thousands of pounds per UK hospital every year.

It is estimated that over two thirds of people who attend A&E complaining of chest pain have not had a heart attack. But all will receive two tests: a heart test called an ECG and a blood test to measure the levels of a protein called troponin.

Under current guidelines, people suspected of having a heart attack are tested for high blood troponin levels as soon as they arrive in an A&E, and again after three hours. Depending on the type of troponin test used, up to 85 per cent of people will need to remain in hospital for further tests in order to rule out a heart attack.

The new test uses similar technology to the troponin test, but analyses the level of a protein called cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC). Levels of cMyC in the blood increase more rapidly after a heart attack, and to a higher extent, than troponin, meaning that the test can rule out a heart attack in a higher proportion of patients straight away.

The international team carried out blood tests for troponin and cMyC on nearly 2000 people presenting with chest pain at hospitals in Switzerland, Italy and Spain. Compared to troponin, the cMyC test correctly excluded a heart attack in up to twice as many people.

At St. Thomas' Hospital in Central London, where the UK side of the research team are based, they carry out 7,800 heart attack tests each year. If rolled out widely, cMyC could save the hospital over 800,000 by reducing admissions and free up nearly 2,500 bed-days every year.

Dr Tom Kaier, one of the lead researchers, funded by the British Heart Foundation at St. Thomas' Hospital, London said:

"It is important for both patients and doctors to work out early who has had a heart attack and who hasn't.

"We often see patients in hospital who have to stay for further tests as a result of a mildly abnormal blood test  this is stressful and often unnecessary.

"Our research shows that the new test has the potential to reassure many thousands more patients with a single test, improving their experience and freeing up valuable hospital beds in A&E departments and wards across the country."

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said:

"Big heart attacks are often easy to diagnose with an ECG but smaller heart attacks, which are more common and also life-threatening, are more challenging. The troponin test has been used for around 20 years and is currently the most powerful tool we have for diagnosing such heart attacks, but there is always room for improvement.

"These initial results with the cMyC test look very promising for patients, who could be more quickly diagnosed and treated or reassured and sent home. This test could also allow hospitals to save hundreds of thousands of pounds by freeing up valuable hospital beds. However further research is necessary before it can be recommended as a replacement for the troponin test."

Professor Mike Marber, funded by the British Heart Foundation and head of the UK side of the research, said:

"This research is the first of its kind for cMyC. We've shown that this test is not only just as good as the current test for working out who has had a heart attack, but it's also much better at working out who hasn't.

"We would love to see this new test rolled out in hospitals in the next 5 years."
At a swine farm with pigs carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, levels of MRSA among 95% of visitors became virtually undetectable only two hours after exposure. MRSA in the nasal passages was associated with exposure to airborne MRSA and not directly on physical contact with the animals. The research is published September 29th in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

The study was designed to measure how much MRSA volunteer subjects carried after spending time in contact with MRSA-carrying pigs on a farm. "Most Danish swine farms are now MRSA-positive and thousands of farmworkers are exposed to MRSA daily," said corresponding author ystein Angen, DVM,PhD, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark, explaining the rationale for the study.

In each of the four trials, the volunteersmost of them students of veterinary medicine or animal husbandryspent an hour at a MRSA-positive swine farm. Each volunteer spent two trials as an "active" participant, catching and constraining the pigs, and taking samples from them. In the other two trials, as "passive" participants, volunteers simply stood around in the same room as the pigs. That structure is called "crossover;" this was the first crossover study to examine livestock to human transmission of MRSA.

"The volunteers in the active group had a significantly increased airborne exposure and nasal carriage level of MRSA compared to the passive volunteers," according to the report. Interestingly, "Direct physical transfer between the hands and the face could not explain the higher nasal carriage level in the active group."

"Transmission of livestock-associated MRSA to humans is of great concern in Europe, due to the implications for human health and the healthcare system," said Angen. A better understanding of transmission routes is needed to guide rational interventions to protect farm workers and visitors, and reduce the risk of transmission to society, he said.

Nonetheless, the authors concluded that the risk that farm visitors might transmit MRSA to others off the farm "is most likely negligible due to the observed decline to unquantifiable levels in 95% of the nasal samples" two hours post exposure.

Several investigations had previously tried to map transmission dynamics. These had used indirect measures for physical contact, including time spent working, and work location. But they had failed to present conclusive evidence of transmission routes.

MRSA was first described in humans in 1961, but was not discovered in pigs until 2005. But since then, there has been a steep increase in livestock associated MRSA in people in Denmark. Since 2012, patients with regular contact with livestock who are admitted to hospital for any reason have been tested for MRSA, and if positive, have been isolated until negative. However, one third of human cases of livestock associated MRSA in Denmark are not associated with contact with livestock.
Netflix recently announced its partnership with Kwese Media in South Africa, the first official partnership of its kind in the country.

Kwese is a subsidiary of Econet, the company which owns Liquid Telecom.

The companies said it will be a long-term partnership spanning sub-Saharan Africa, aimed at making it easier for users to enjoy Netflix.

Kwese will also develop partnerships with telecoms operators across sub-Saharan Africa to distribute Kwese TV and Netflix.

The first partnership activity was the launch of Netflix on the Kwese Play streaming box.

Although Netflix does not have a physical presence here, its services have been available to South Africans since its global launch.

Subscriptions are $7.99, $9.99, or $11.99 per month, depending on the package you choose. One challenge, however, is that you needed a credit card or PayPal account to subscribe to Netflix.

The partnership with Kwese changes that, with integrated billing in rand available on the Kwese platform.

More users on Netflix

Chris Whiteley, a business development director at Netflix, told MyBroadband that the partnership will open the way for more South Africans to get Netflix.

He said Netflix would like to add more local currencies to make it easier for people to join Netflix, and will rely on partnerships to localise its offering in African markets.

Netflix currently has no plans to add support for rand outside the partnership, however, or to offer a cheaper subscription fee in South Africa, said Whiteley.

Bigger catalogue

Many South African subscribers who joined Netflix, using VPNs, before it was available globally have complained that the local version of the service does not have the same variety of content as in the US.

These subscribers expressed frustration that Netflix charges the same prices in South Africa as it does in the US, despite the smaller catalogue.

Whiteley told MyBroadband that due to video content licensing, Netflix cannot offer all the content in all the countries it is available.

That is part of the reason Netflix has focused on producing original shows and movies, as it can release these globally at the same time.

This includes upcoming films such as Bright, starring Will Smith, which Whiteley said will challenge conventional wisdom on theatrical movie releases.

Whiteley said they are also putting consumers interests first, as Netflix consumers fund the movie, so they shouldnt have to wait to see it.

Whiteley said Netflix will continue to add new content to its service, some of which may be available in South Africa but not in the US  like Star Trek.

A new show based in the Star Trek universe called Star Trek: Discovery started airing on Netflix outside the US from 25 September  due to CBS holding onto its rights to broadcast the series on its streaming platform.

Whiteley added that instead of reducing the price of Netflix in markets like South Africa, its strategy is to continually add more great shows and movies  offering increased value for money.

Now read: Favourite ISPs and Internet connections of Netflix users in South Africa
In September, MyBroadband conducted mobile network drive tests in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo  which showed that South Africans enjoy world-class mobile networks.

The testing started on 21 September, and as it was a work day, my wife had to be online.

She worked on her laptop using a mobile hotspot created by my smartphone on the Vodacom network, and we headed off to Nelspruit.

The hotspot did not lose connectivity throughout the trip, which included meandering through Emalahleni, Middelburg, and Nelspruit.

Considering that we often travelled on rural roads as part of the tests, it shows that Vodacom has great data coverage in South Africa.

Even the Long Tom Pass between Sabie and Lydenburg was well covered, despite the challenges mountainous areas pose for network operators.

Excellent results

The official drive tests, using a test bench with five Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphones and the MyBroadband Speed Test App, confirmed that Vodacom and MTN have excellent mobile networks.

MyBroadbands five days of testing took us to many remote areas, and there was not a single location where we could not connect at reasonable speeds (multiple Mbps download speeds).

All towns and cities had LTE coverage, and in rural areas there was near-ubiquitous HSPA coverage.

Even on a farm where we stayed, which was far from the main road between Dullstroom and Lydenburg, we enjoyed good HSPA speeds.

The average download speeds on our trip, where most of the tests were conducted in rural areas and smaller towns, was 26Mbps for Vodacom and 20Mbps for MTN.

This is impressive, and the operators should be commended for bringing broadband to remote areas of South Africa.

The tests

The map below shows where MyBroadband conducted its drive tests in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.

Now read: Best ADSL and Fibre ISPs in South Africa
South Korea has banned raising money through virtual currencies  also known as initial coin offerings  reported Reuters.

Its Financial Services Commission said ICOs will be banned, and virtual currency trading needs to be monitored and tightly controlled.

The crackdown follows a similar move by China, which led to the declaration that cryptocurrency exchanges must cease operations in the country.

The Securities and Exchange Commission in the US has also ruled that some coins are securities and subject to its scrutiny.

South Korea warned that heavy penalties would be levied against anyone involved in the issuing of an ICO.

It said it will monitor virtual currency markets to see if additional regulations are needed.

Now read: Cryptocurrency market could become similar to Wall Street
Uber can be a great way to make money while working flexible hours, but drivers are required to meet stringent requirements.

Prospective drivers must undergo a thorough screening process prior to gaining access to the Uber app.

They will need to meet all vehicle, licence, permit, and background-check requirements to become driver partners, and must maintain high quality levels to use the platform.

An outline of the requirements for becoming an Uber driver in South Africa is below.

Requirements

Not considering vehicle categories, the basic vehicle requirements are:

4-door sedan or minivan

Model year 2013 or newer

Good condition  no cosmetic damage

No commercial branding

No hatchbacks

Drivers will require a professional drivers permit (PrDP), roadworthy certificate, and double disk and operating permit (or receipt thereof).

Drivers are also required to have comprehensive vehicle and third-party insurance, a minimum of R50,000 personal accident cover per passenger, and passenger liability cover of R5 million per annum.

Uber said it has partnered with several companies to provide competitive insurance and car rental rates for its driver partners.

Background check

Signing up to become an Uber driver is simple and can be done through the Uber website.

The first step is to create an Uber driver account and upload a copy of your PrDP.

After providing Uber with your ID and licence number, it will verify the information and notify you when approved.

Drivers will also need to provide a screening check document to Uber, proving they are clear of any criminal record.

If a driver has a criminal record which cannot be expunged, they cannot become an Uber driver.

Prospective drivers with criminal records may qualify for expungement if they were convicted for a minor crime, provided they meet a number of SAPS conditions.

Safety screening

After successfully signing up, applicants will need to complete a background check, safety screening, and evaluation before they can begin driving.

The background check examines the applicants fingerprints against the criminal database, and costs R120 to complete.

The driving evaluation tests the drivers ability in a vehicle provided to them, measuring whether they drive safely and according to road regulations. The driving evaluation costs R130.

Applicants are then required to complete a 15-minute online questionnaire, after which they are activated as Uber drivers.

Maintaining your rating

Meeting Ubers requirements does not stop there, however, and drivers will have to maintain a certain rating or face action.

Drivers are required to maintain a minimum average rating depending on the number of trips they have completed.

The required average driver ratings based on trips completed are detailed below.

Trips Completed Average Rating to Maintain 20 Rated Trips 4.0 40 Rated Trips 4.2 60 Rated Trips 4.2 80 Rated Trips 4.35 100+ Rated Trips 4.4

An Uber driver whose rating falls below this threshold must attend retraining.

Drivers are given two opportunities to attend retraining and recover their rating. If their rating falls for a third time, the driver will be suspended from the platform.

Making money

Keeping up with the stringent requirements does have its rewards, though, and Uber drivers can make good money.

According to the companys driver portal, Uber drivers in Johannesburg can expect to make between R80 and R120 per hour, and R4,000-R9,000 gross earnings per week.

Weekends are the busiest time for Uber and the best places for drivers to find riders include Sandton, Fourways, Illovo, Johannesburg Town, and Parkhurst.

Uber drivers can also choose their own hours, which allows them to hold down other jobs or devote time to other activities.

Now read: Gauteng to clamp down on illegal Uber and metered taxis
Steve Jobs' sandals sold for more than $200,000

Armenian PM accuses Azerbaijani leader of terrorizing Armenian civilians

Azerbaijan shells Armenian positions on border again

OPEC downgrades its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2022

White House: Biden and Xi Jinping agree on Blinken's visit to China

CNN: CIA chief Burns meets with SVR director Naryshkin in Ankara

Turkish FM Cavusoglu thanks Ararat Mirzoyan for condolences

Putin signs decree allowing stateless persons to serve in Russian army

Airbus CEO: There is no question of them breaking off trade ties

Armen Grigoryan receives Igor Khovayev

Britain and France sign agreement on strengthening cooperation on illegal migration

US updates its sanctions list for Russia: Milur Electronics LLC, an Armenian company listed

Potatoes prices grow by 20%: expert claims agriculture collapse in Armenia

Peskov says Russian-American talks in Ankara initiated by Washington

Morgan Stanley: UK and euro zone economies are likely to face recession

Xi Jinping hopes for comprehensive dialogue between NATO, the EU and the US and Russia

Japan proposes to deploy Australian nuclear submarines

Biden calls talks with Xi Jinping at G20 summit frank

WB: Debt levels among low- and middle-income countries soared in 2021

Xi Jinping: China does not intend to challenge the U.S.

Scholz: Adopting a joint G20 summit statement is a tough task

Biden and Xi Jinping oppose use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine

Nikol Pashinyan receives Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group

IMF head warns of risks for world economy because of rivalry between China and US

Irakli Garibashvili: Georgia is ready to promote in every possible way the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Red Wings airline launches direct flights from Makhachkala to Yerevan

Olaf Scholz: EU should expand its cooperation with Southeast Asian countries

Global Leadership Foundation will visit Armenia

Kurdistan Workers' Party denies its involvement in Istanbul terrorist attack

NATO Secretary General says they must not make mistake of underestimating Russia

IRGC resumes strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan

French and German central bank heads call for speeding up EU capital markets union

Control of U.S. House of Representatives depends on several tight races

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

Xi Jinping and Joe Biden begin first face-to-face meeting in Bali

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
YEREVAN.  As the new US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Andrew Schofer will continue to represent the United States in the OSCE Minsk Group process.

The US Embassy in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, noted the aforesaid in response to a request by Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The embassy said the US supports the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, it will continue to work actively with the parties to this conflict.

Also, the embassy noted that the respective long-standing US policy is that a fair settlement to this conflict should be based on international law, which includes the Helsinki Final Act, and the precepts of non-use of force or threat of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights and self-determination.

The US Embassy in Yerevan added, however, that ultimately, the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan bear the responsibility for peace upon their shoulders.
One Internet headline called him "the rock star activist leading the resistance." Faiz Shakir, national political director of the American Civil Liberties Union, shakes his head at both those descriptors.

At 37, Shakir, the slight man with big ideas and sizable experience, has racked up degrees from Harvard and Georgetown University Law Center, spent time as adviser to former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, and helped to build a progressive think tank.

Add to that a stream of interviews on major television networks.

Inside Capitol Hill with Pelosi and Reid, he said, he learned how government works, and what goes wrong when it doesn't.

Since January, Skakir has been in the locus of a national organization that has been buoyed financially and by an activist mindset with the election of President Donald Trump; one that's getting more attention for its fights on key political issues: voting rights, immigration, election and redistricting reform, and reduction of mass incarceration.

The battle has moved from Congress to empowered people, he said last week at a stopover in Lincoln.

"I just wanted to suit up and be part of an organization that was going to be front-row engaged in that."

So with the ACLU, Shakir is on the move.

In a recent week he was in Denver, New York, Lincoln, New York again, and headed to Kansas this week.

In Lincoln last week, he spoke to the Journal Star before the ACLU of Nebraska's annual event, in which attorney Herb Friedman was presented the Robert M. Spire Founders Service Award and Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas the Defender of the Bill of Rights Award.

This week in Kansas  Kris Kobach country  he's preparing to roll out a major national voting rights volunteer activist program.

Kobach is the vice chairman of the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity, Kansas secretary of state and a columnist for far-right Breitbart.com. He claims there has been widespread voter fraud.

Kobach has been in Nebraska, too, as the architect of a controversial housing ordinance in 2010 targeting illegal immigrants in Fremont, and again that year as the attorney behind a lawsuit in Jefferson County that claimed taxes from Fairbury residents were being used to support the state's immigrant-tuition law in violation of federal law.

Voting rights protectors have been playing defense, Shakir told mcclatchydc.com last week. But with this newest ACLU campaign it goes on the offense.

Kobach responded: No matter how much money the ACLU spends, I will fight to ensure that Kansas elections are the safest in the country, with photo ID when voting and proof of citizenship when registering.

One of Shakir's first projects was to build a volunteer organizing platform called People Power, to enhance what local ACLU groups  many of them with small staffs  can do.

The first call to action was asking people to meet with their local law enforcement officials and city council members to talk about making their cities more welcoming to immigrants.

Now, the ACLU's voting rights initiative will target each state and their priorities to advance those rights. In Nebraska, one priority would be removing the two-year delay to allow ex-felons the right to vote upon finishing their sentences, said ACLU of Nebraska Director Danielle Conrad. The Legislature passed the bill (LB75) last session, but came up short on overriding Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto.

The ACLU campaign gives volunteers something meaningful to do, that really has a chance to work, Shakir said. Making calls to Congress, marching and rallying is important, he said. But this allows them to figure out the process of making changes locally and to build on that into the future.

"I could have easily said, hey, just call your member of Congress and ask them to disband the Kobach commission. Everyone would have been happy with that ... 'cause it's politically easy," he said. "But I would know, for myself, that I would be telling activists to do something that isn't worthy of their time."

ACLU membership has grown, and with it the money. After Trump's election and the travel ban aimed at Muslim-majority countries, it experienced two huge waves of donations. Just after the travel ban, it took in $24 million in 24 hours, Shakir said.

Some know the organization as left-leaning and partisan, but the ACLU's fervent defense of the Constitution is not about partisan politics or Trump, he said.

"If Elizabeth Warren had enacted a Muslim ban, I guarantee this organization would have fought Elizabeth Warren in court," he said. "There's no doubt about it."

In the past, the ACLU has supported free speech and privacy issues for the likes of a Confederate veterans' group, the Ku Klux Klan and Rush Limbaugh. It has stood up for students organizing pro-life clubs. And it challenged former President Barack Obama on use of drones, indefinite detention and Guantanamo, ICE detainers, deportations without due process, and expanded surveillance.

"I could go through a whole list of ways in which I have upset members of the Democratic Party," he said.

But with Trump's election, Shakir said, support increased for the constitutional principles the ACLU has always had.

"It's almost like we were just sitting here with the flag in the sand, and people weren't with us. And then they saw it and they just came running when Trump was elected," he said.

"But we haven't moved. We're still here with the flag in the sand."
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Ara Babloyan received on Friday the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin, National Assembly press service reported.

Ara Babloyan expressed conviction that the OSCE representatives visits to the region would give an opportunity to get acquainted with the regional problems, and get an unbiased picture about them. In Ara Babloyans word, Armenia supports the OSCE position and called on his all colleagues to act according to the OSCE principles and international norms. The RA NA Speaker expressed regret that the OSCE Office terminated its activities in Yerevan, expressing hope that the organisation would find new ways for closely contacting and cooperating.

Touching upon the Karabakh conflict settlement, the Speaker reaffirmed the position of Armenia, noting: To us human being is a greatest value: everything is created around human being. The protection of human rights is also important. As a doctor, who has fought for saving the human lives, I am equally sorry for the young people from the both Armenian and Azerbaijani sides.

He highlighted the right of the human beings to live secure and in peace, opining that the two peoples would like to establish peace and not to have victims on the line of contact. According to the RA NA Speaker, the NK conflict should be observed not only with respect of the regional, but also the human rights view, honouring Artsakh peoples right to self-determination and to live free.

Touching upon the ongoing reforms in Armenia, Ara Babloyan has noted that Armenia is the bearer of the European values, and ready to negotiate and have dialogues over the problems of the region.

The Speaker has noted that Armenia is ready to continue the cooperation with the OSCE and reopen the Office in Yerevan.

Kristian Vigenin thanked Ara Babloyan for the reception and also expressed regret with the relation to terminating the activities of the OSCE Offices. In the word of the OSCE PA Special Representative, the goal of his mission is to promote the dialogue between the countries of the region, the establishment and preservation of peace. He highlighted the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in the solution of the conflicts.

According to Mr Vigenin, the conflicts shall be solved through peaceful means, because not only the countries, but also the ordinary citizens pay high price for them.

Regarding the ongoing reforms in Armenia, Kristian Vigenin has noted that one of his goals must be to make Armenia recognizable not only by the NK conflict, but also as a country, where there is democratic progress, and constitutional reforms have been held.

At the end of the meeting Kristian Vigenin expressed hope that in the course of time it would be possible to restore the OSCE presence in Armenia, noting: It will be fine to be created a situation, where it will not be necessary to have the OSCE presence in the region.
President Trump is making us ill. He's also driving us crazy.

Since I wrote last week ("Is Trump ruining your health?" Sept. 22) about the possibility that Trump is literally killing me (in the form of high blood pressure), the reaction has been, as the kids say, sick.

From the left came a flood of responses from people experiencing all manner of symptoms, real or imagined, of what I called Trump Hypertensive Unexplained Disorder.

Disturbed sleep. Anger. Dread. Weight loss. Overeating. Headaches. Fainting. Depression. Irritable bowel syndrome. Tightness in the chest. Shortness of breath. Teeth grinding. Stomach ulcer. Indigestion. Shingles. Eye twitching. Nausea. Irritability. Racing pulse. Shaking limbs. Hair loss. Acid reflux. Deteriorating vision. Stroke. Heart attack.

It was a veritable organ recital.

From the other side came a similar profusion of responses, in email, on Facebook and from the cesspool known as Twitter, of people wishing me dead. "Hurry up and die already! .?.?. DO US ALL A FAVOR AND JUST CURL UP AND DIE !!!!!!!!! .?.?. With any luck at all Milback (sic) will succumb. .?.?. just see a dr. You know, Dr Kevorkian." One wrote to my wife to say it gave him "endless satisfaction" to report that my death is likely.

Then there was somebody under the Twitter handle @deacongfrost: "I HAPPILY KILL YOU."

I wrote the original piece half in jest, but the response showed something deeper: A large number of people reporting stress-reduced illnesses in the Trump era, and another large number of people so consumed by political disagreement that they desire the death of someone who has different views. Clearly, Trump is causing, or at least aggravating, mental-health problems on both sides.

A timely new paper discusses this phenomenon in the Trump era and the challenge it has caused to the mental-health profession, which is moving toward giving political views a more prominent place in psychotherapy. The paper, by New York analyst Matt Aibel, will be published in January in the journal "Psychoanalytic Perspectives." Aibel, a college friend of mine, gave me an advance copy.

"Since the start of Trump's rise to power," Aibel writes, analysts "have become acutely attuned to traumatic arousals" in patients from the political environment. "Several colleagues have shared that many formerly eating disordered patients were retriggered to bulimic episodes that hadn't occurred in many years until Trump's candidacy.

"... In the run-up to the election, mental health providers of all stripes were reporting 'a striking number of anxious and depressed clients who are fixated on the election, primarily fearful of Trump.' Since Election Day, such colloquialisms as Trump Slump, Trump Anxiety and Trump Affective Disorder achieved cultural and perhaps even clinical currency (in an informally diagnostic sense, of course) along with increases in reported incidents of bullying" and the like.

Those on the right might label this "Trump Derangement Syndrome," much as I and others detected an "Obama Derangement Syndrome" previously. But the mental trauma caused by politics has reached a point, Aibel argues, where psychoanalysts must rethink how they do things.

"Freudian psychologists had little interest in the political. But the profession is coming to realize that 'the personal' and 'the political' are in reality not distinct," as Aibel puts it. In our current us-vs.-them, zero-sum politics, "dearly held self-representations distort perceptions, alter judgment, resist disconfirming factual evidence and remain impervious to rational argument, a phenomenon well-documented in the political and social science literatures ... and disconcertingly demonstrated by the Trump faithful's clinging to their 'alternative facts.'"

Aibel acknowledges the unique difficulty in getting people to examine the unconscious parts of political perceptions, because of the "strong pulls of tribalism and moral certitude," but it must be attempted.

Partisanship drives so much of our lives: where we live, who our friends and spouses are, where we worship and go to school. Mental-health professionals can't expect to understand or help their patients if they don't take into account the sociopolitical beliefs that determine so much about who we are and how we think.

I hope the new approach works, though I fear that those most likely to subject themselves to psychotherapy are not the ones who send social-media messages wishing for my death.

As the mental-health professionals sort this out, I'll be contemplating the many suggestions helpful readers sent in for treating my own Trump-induced illness: acupuncture, Himalayan herbs, vitamin supplements, yoga, flossing, playing with puppies -- and the most common suggestion, unplugging from the news. If only I could.
YEREVAN.  The Azerbaijani side indulges in wishful thinking by misinforming its own society in connection with the participation of the ombudsman of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the work of the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI).

The General Assembly of this structure held a meeting in Bucharest, which was attended by ombudsmen of Armenia and Karabakh not for the first time.

Coming back home, the Azerbaijani ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova, known for her doubtful statements and misreporting, has tried to convince the Azerbaijani media that she managed to prevent Ombudsman of Karabakh, Ruben Melikyan from speaking and even revoked his membership in the organization.

In this regard, Ruben Melikyan told Armenian News - NEWS.am that the statement is false.

I actively and rather effectively participated in the event, Ruben Melikyan said.

Meanwhile, there is footage of a meeting, which shows that Karabakh ombudsman raises a very important issue of education of the disabled children. The ombudsman of Azerbaijan, indeed, tries to interrupt the speech, raising the issue of territorial integrity. However, the presidium immediately reminds her that it was not worth politicizing the meeting.

It is also worth mentioning that there is special section of the Karabakh ombudsman in the organizations website where his reports, including report concerning Azerbaijani April aggression, are published.
Armenia president Serzh Sargsyan received on Friday OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin, who is in Armenia on a regional visit, presidential press service reported.

Greeting the guest, the President stressed that another visit of the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus to Armenia documents that the Parliamentary Assembly is interested in developing political dialogue with Armenia, including in the context of the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The President noted that Armenia, too, is interested in activating that dialogue and attaches great importance to political diplomacy.

To the conviction of Serzh Sargsyan, the visit of the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus is a good opportunity to exchange ideas on the existing state and development prospects of the cooperation between Armenia and the OSCE PA, as well as on other issues of mutual interest.

Serzh Sargsyan assessed the OSCE PA an important platform for discussing security issues of the OSCE area, including in the South Caucasus, and for dialogue, assessing one of the priority issues of the representatives chosen by peoples to foster confidence building and interactions between societies, creating by that favorable conditions for exclusively peaceful settlement of complex problems, including conflicts.

According to President Sargsyan, the parliamentarians should be maximally cautious in the implementation of that mission and concentrate efforts on making use of platforms for dialogue, but not for reciprocal insults, finding edges for reconciliation.

The President noted with pity that even the best platforms sometimes are used for deepening xenophobia, which is inadmissible.

The OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus thanked for the reception and stressed that the Parliamentary PA has very good relations and cooperation with Armenias parliamentary delegation at the OSCE PA. Kristian Vigenin briefed the President on the goals of his regional visit and results of the meetings.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the negotiation process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. President Sargsyan introduced to the guest the efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries for the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
A small tweak made to voting for Lincoln High Schools homecoming royalty has made it more inclusive for all students.

By removing gender from the homecoming ballot and allowing finalists to express their gender identity to school officials before narrowing the top four male and female vote-getters in each grade, the school took a small step to ensure students felt comfortable and fairly represented.

This is no earth-shattering move. Students still voted for eight of their peers per grade, just without gender distinctions on the nominations. The winners still retain the traditional titles of king and queen for the senior class winners and other titles for underclassmen.

It only applies to the very small number of students who identify as transgender  meaning they identify as a gender that doesnt match their biological sex. And the lone change for those who have earned a place on the homecoming court is giving them the choice of how they want to be classified.

For those who might be confused or offended by the switch, rest assured. The 2017 homecoming royalty at Lincoln High would have been indistinguishable from those in previous years.

But the first such deviation from the traditional homecoming court at any high school in Lincoln represents how stumbling blocks caused by traditional gender labels can easily be overcome.

Lincoln Highs subtle change reflects that the age-old model of electing one boy and one girl for roles of homecoming king and queen doesnt apply uniformly to entire student bodies anymore. Simply keeping the practice  or any practice  alive because things have always been done that way may be the worst reason to do so.

Some schools, including the University of Nebraska at Omaha, have entirely done away with gender labels for their homecoming winners. The top two vote-getters at the Omaha campus are named homecoming royals  regardless of gender, meaning the winners could be any combination of male, female or transgender students.

Instead, we must realize that a small but growing slice of America doesnt conform to long-held gender norms. A study released last year by the University of California at Los Angeles estimates 1.4 million Americans, or 0.6 percent of the countrys adult population, identifies as transgender.

That figure comes to roughly 5,400 people in Nebraska, or 0.4 percent of the states residents. Though small, this population must be welcomed and included in the Good Life, too  and Lincoln High has taken a positive step in that direction for its homecoming court.

Lincoln Highs new homecoming voting went off without a hitch. They had a coronation and a dance. Students, regardless of their gender identity, were able to participate in both  as the school displayed admirable inclusiveness.
MADISON  Gov. Scott Walkers job creation agency met behind closed doors to discuss a contract with Foxconn Technology Group but didnt take any action.

The company wants to build a flat-screen plant in southeastern Wisconsin, and indications point western Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant as being eyed for the facility. The Legislature passed a $3 billion incentives package for the plant this month. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is now working with Foxconn on a contract to executive the packages provisions.

WEDC spokesman Mark Maley says agency CEO Mark Hogan updated WEDCs board on negotiations during a closed meeting Thursday in Wauwatosa, but the board didnt vote to accept any terms.

Maley declined to comment on the negotiations. The agency had hoped to complete the contract by the end of September, but Maley says theres no firm deadline and WEDC officials want to get it right.
Yaaaaaaas! Penis! Penis! Gimme all the penis! I always stan for penis!

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You are a certified dick deamon, sir

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Hmmmt. Nice girth.

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Mte. I wanna choke on it

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Nah I'd push back on it.

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I wanna sit on it

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looks so juicy and beautiful. i want to gag on it tbh

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Where's the link???

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Where can I watch the videos of Cody Christian?

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woke up to a text this morning from my friend about this so I'm slightly surprised it took you so long to post it LOL



Honestly, it's not the nudes that's embarrassing, but the dirty talk.

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There's nothing worse than bad dirty talk in bed



Porno has some of these men so fucked up

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Bless you for mentioning there was dirty talk so I could mute my comp first.

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No! Listen! It's funny. Lol

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My computer was muted when I watched b-but... oh no. D:

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The dirty talk isn't that bad. Sounds like stuff you say in a LDR fantasy sex scenario. Speaking for a friend.

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I feel like all dirty talk is awkward as hell unless you're actually having sex.

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Lmao, well fuck me then, cause I liked the dirty talk.

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I had a good laugh at the dirty talk

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It's not that bad. The way I dirty talk in videos this one guy pays me for must be SO ROBOTIC and stiff and awkward but that's what he wants.

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that was actually therapeutic. muted, of course.



Edited at 2017-01-14 11:09 pm (UTC)

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He would never

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mte.



but when we getting those Posey nudes that are allegedly low key making the rounds but nobody sharing.



add Hoechlin nudes to that wishlist list tbh. oh and Zefron...!

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Wouldve taken literally any other guy from the show over him jfc



also the whispery dirty talk is killlllllllling me

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LMAO same. I had to pause so I could laugh.

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I was laughing too damn lol

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it turned out that wasn't him tho

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There's a pic of his ass somewhere from his uni days

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I heard Poseys nudes are going around on the downlow, people are paying to see them. It's only a matter of time before some charitable soul goes public.



My god, how is this what we're chomping at the bit for, myself included.



Edited at 2017-01-15 12:20 am (UTC)

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Seriously, any of the next gen replacement cast is a letdown.

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La La Land screener is out!

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i feel like not seeing that movie in a theater cuts the appeal in about half tbh

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i totally agree, it's a movie for the big screen

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It really does. It's made for the big screen.

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Yasss now I know what I'm going to watch when I get home. Is it on prime wire?

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lmao at how OT this comment is from this post.

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I really wanna watch the Hidden Figures screener that's out too but I'll wait until I can see it in theatre next week.

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bless, I checked earlier today and it wasn't

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Man I came here an hour late to say this lmao gonna see how inferior it is to moonlight.

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I'm cackling @ dis ot comment rn

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Is it streaming somewhere and if so, can you pm me a link?

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woohoo, 7 euros saved!

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Little short. Nice girth though. That dirty talk is not hot. At all.

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The talking ruined it.

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Dude didn't ask for them to be made public, but since he is a guy, it's ok right?

ONTD Logic..

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right

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You know damn well that logic is lost here

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you right

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The ONTD bylaws explicitly state that logic is forbidden here

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Also let's not forget that it was the nude leak of a male celeb that put this website on the map!

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I was thinking about how I shouldn't click and once I did, I felt instantly bad. Because leaked nudes are an invasion of privacy.

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There it is.

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mte there's such a double standard here lol

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Bloop there it is. I didn't even know this had happened. I'm happy the fandom is actually protecting it as much as possible. When female nudes leak I always see them even when I'm not looking.

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mte, I'm not a BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MEN person at all and even I am like this is shitty. I do feel it's worse for women because they have to deal with getting slut shamed for daring to have sex/be naked ever but this is a massive invasion of this guy's privacy

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I can't look. This is little Gilbert.



Woops. Wrong tv little brother. Still not looking.



Edited at 2017-01-14 11:57 pm (UTC)

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couldn't even get to the dick, the intro is too cringey

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yes lmao

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Dang. I already nutted about 20 min ago. Now just the title alone is getting me back In mood 

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Usually im not fond of white dicks but this one is  The head isn't too pink

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he was a misogynist

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I dont think so.

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He likely plied women with drugs and alcohol until they were unable to content to sex, or at least he provided and encouraged that atmostphere so that other men could take advantage of and even rape women.

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This gif never ceases to be perfect, lmao.

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She was actually 10 and I think that whole shoot was set-up by Garry Gross. Brooke tried to get the photos banned when she was 16, but the court denied her because she didn't own the photos herself

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:( that's horrible

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OMG I didn't know some of the details before. :( UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH!!

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wtf, just because she didn't own the photos herself they wouldn't let her ban them? even though she was a literal child at the time? what kind of argument is that?

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wtf

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Didn't he also lure Traci Lords as well?

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Men can seem like the most enlightened people, but most of them are chauvanists at heart.

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"Before most people?" whites seriously believe humanity begins & ends with them... pic.twitter.com/mcfYmTublc  Jumi (@JumiWasHere) September 28, 2017

He gets way too much credit for civil rights work.

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I'm a bitch I'm a mother I'm a child I'm a lover I'm a sinner I'm a saint

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Most people are walking contradictions, not to mention everyone is a hypocrite to some extent?

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"The difference between liberal men and conservative men is that conservative men want women to be private property and liberal men want them to be public property."



Most men in the "sexual liberation" movement back then were exactly like Hugh Hefner. Shit did not come from a pure place.

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I'd be willing to bet he ONLY supported causes like that to ensure that he was seen as a good and decent gentleman who was empowering women instead of exploiting them.



sldfjlsdkfjlskjde I hate the way this man is getting glorified. He was scum sldfkjsldkjf

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you're giving him way too much credit.

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There was a headline earlier today about how his legacy has a "dark side". Like, he built an empire around his misogyny--his legacy is all dark side.

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One of my old college professors was praising/defending him on Facebook today, and it was shocking because he's usually so on point. I was going to comment, but I don't feel like getting into arguments with a bunch of randoms I don't know. But it annoys me so much that I'm probably going to unfriend him.



I don't know how you can be so obtuse. A couple men posted under his status about how they're going to trust the women who dislike him over any man's opinion, and his response was that some women who knew him ~personally~ are devastated. Uh, so? Some women would vouch for Trump and cry over his death and swear he was a good guy. Doesn't prove anything.

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I mean, it's kind of necessary to thank donors for their support in order to get their money again. She knew what she ws doing. Get it, RBG.

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lol writing thank you letters to donors was the bane of my undergrad existence

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Boo hoo, he was self conscious about his looks. Well he liked to photograph and rate every woman that came to his house with a letter grade



I'd say he gets an D- on his looks and I'm being generous

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He always looked like an old man. Even in pictures of him from the 50's he looks old.

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can't wait for the lionizing of kissinger when he finally croaks

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i mean, he already has a noble peace prize

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"he had a lot of glaring contradictions. he was a terrible president but prior to this he was a democrat and supported a lot of good liberal candidates like cory booker and the clintons"

- liberals in a near future

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i feel bad for people who were busted even when they were young and fresh

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this comment with that icon has me dying

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FUCK HIM.

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this is so fucked up, men know no bounds

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I had no idea that those photos were released without her consent. What a reprehensible piece of shit.

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Or if you passed away before he pulled that shit, make sure to haunt his ass forever and torment him. >:D

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reading this was so creepy, he was so obsessed with her and never even knew her.

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Ugh this was so gross when I read it in the last post and it just gets worse when I reread it. :(

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Disgusting

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wtf?! ugh what a POS!! poor marilyn, i feel bad that she was always reduced and treated as a sex object (in life and death)

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He would not have the empire he did if it weren't for Marilyn. fuck him.



Edited at 2017-09-29 05:27 am (UTC)

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hef never even met her yet needed to be burried next to her. men are insane.



wish the estate would move her remains away from these creeps.

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My dumbass got into It with people in a comment section yesterday. So many people thought that was such a sweet story. Meanwhile, they never even met! I really wish people would educate themselves before they speak. Smh

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Indianapolis Shines for NSC 2017

Indiana's capital city was a fine choice to host the National Safety Council's annual conference.

INDIANAPOLIS  This city proved to be an excellent choice to host the 2017 National Safety Council Congress & Expo this week.

For many exhibitors and attendees, Indianapolis was just a few hours' drive or a short flight away.

The downtown area of Indiana's capital city is walkable and filled with attractions, from public parks and museums to monuments, the state capitol building, and Lucas Oil Stadium right next door to the Indiana Convention Center. It's no wonder that those facilities will host almost 20 conventions of at least 10,000 attendees in the next two years, according to their online upcoming events calendar.

Multiple hotels are within walking distance from the convention center and connected to it via skywalks, and there are numerous restaurants and bars near the convention center where exhibitors held evening events after the first and second days of the 2017 NSC expo.

Really, the only difficulty during NSC 2017 seemed to be the heat wave during the event  making the skywalks an even better option for reaching the venue.

It's easy to see why FDIC International, one of the largest U.S. fire shows, always takes place here. (FDIC International 2018 will be April 23-28.) The 2017 FDIC brought 798 exhibitors and 33,979 attendees to the city, including 1,550 international attendees from 58 countries, according to the show's website.
Some Keynote Speaker Suggestions for NSC 2018

Looking ahead to the 2018 Congress, who might be a good choice for the big-name speaker in Houston?

INDIANAPOLIS -- Houston has world-class medical care and museums, infuriating traffic snarls, and its metropolitan area is home to a host of major oil and gas companies. Texas' largest city, it also is recovering from the area's worst natural disaster since the 1900 Galveston hurricane killed thousands.

The 2017 National Safety Council Congress & Expo here adopted a "Racing to Zero" theme and featured auto racing star Kyle Petty as the Opening Session keynote speaker, fitting choices for the city that hosts the Indianapolis 500 race every Memorial Day weekend. Looking ahead to the 2018 Congress, who might be a good choice for the big-name speaker in Houston?

An astronaut, current or former, could be a good choice. One of Houston's claims to fame is the Johnson Space Center, the control center for NASA's manned space missions to the moon.

John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, also would be a smart choice. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sept. 7 announced the formation of the Governor's Commission to Rebuild Texas, headed by Sharp, to oversee the response and relief effort in the state following Hurricane Harvey. The commission also is involved in the rebuilding process, focusing on restoring roads, bridges, schools, and government buildings in impacted communities. "Although the storm is over, the recovery process is just beginning, and it will require a Texas sized response," Abbott explained. "This new commission, led by Chancellor Sharp, will ensure victims get everything they need, and seamlessly provide resources to these devastated communities. Texas will not rest until this process is complete, and I thank Chancellor Sharp for his leadership on this commission."

Or the council could ask Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner or Fire Chief Samuel Pena to speak about the city's emergency response efforts during the hurricane and recovery work afterward.

Finally, a Houstonian with a big heart -- Jim McIngvale, known as "Mattress Mack" to locals -- is a possibility. Not only did he open his two Gallery Furniture stores to house Harvey victims, but he continues to help the community, offering free cleaning supplies at one of the stores this week.
Its National Coffee Day, so theres no better time to give in to your love for coffee.

Sure, you can grab your favorite cup of joe  or latte  or espresso at your favorite coffee shop, but here are five other less traditional ideas that might just give your Friday a nice boost.

1. Liquid brunch from Fuel Cafe on 5th

Fuel has great (strong) coffee. But, it also boasts a collection of fun, "coffee inspired" cocktails. One, called liquid brunch, is the sort of drink you can really enjoy any time of the day. In terms of flavor, the sweet concoction  made with Stone Creek cold brew, house coffee brandy and, Brown Jug Maple Bourbon Cream  is reminiscent of a more coffee-heavy white Russian. But, its way more fun, largely due to the completely gratuitous bacon garnish, which provides a crisp snack to nibble while youre imbibing.

2. Bourbon barrel aged cold brew from Hawthorne Coffee Roasters

If you love your coffee iced, theres nothing better than cold brew. And if youre looking for something distinctly different, the Bourbon Barrel Aged Cold Brew at Hawthorne is where its at. Aged in bourbon barrels for a minimum of 28 days, its robust and smooth with a distinct bourbon flavor. Definitely a step up from your usual brew. The cold brew is available by the pint for $4.75 or in a growler for $16 (includes cost of growler). Growler refills are just $8.50.

Note: Although the BBA cold brew is available year round, its in high demand. So, if theyre out of it on your next trip to the shop, dont hesitate to grab a glass of their regular cold brew, which is equally as smooth and easy drinking, just without the bourbon.

3. Espresso truffles from Indulgence Chocolatiers

Theres nothing like a nip of chocolate to cure what ails you. Combine that with a bit of espresso and youve got a recipe for something special; after all, the espresso enhances the depth of the chocolates flavor, while giving you a bit more caffeine in the process.

Indulgence Chocolatiers offers three truffles featuring espresso: classic espresso, blackberry espresso and caramelized white chocolate and malted espresso crunch. Each truffle is $2.

Bonus: If youre suffering from an autumn cold, these truffles might also help with your cough. Researchers at London's Imperial College found that theobromine, an alkaloid in cocoa, suppresses coughs better than codeine, a common ingredient in cough medicine.

4. The Jazz Estate Old Fashioned

You can get a classic brandy old fashioned anywhere. But, at Jazz Estate, their signature old fashioned is a step up. Made with Averna (an Italian bitter digestif), Hawthorne Coffee Roasters cold brew, Old Forester bourbon and Jazz Estates own bitters blend ($9). Its hands-down one of my favorite cocktails in the city.

5. Hot coffee drinks from Mason Street Grill

PHOTO: Mason Street Grill

Its getting to be that time of the year when theres often a chill in the air. But, you can warm up (and get a dose of caffeine) with one of the new coffee drinks from Mason Street Grill. Choices include the Snow Cap with vanilla vodka, Frangelico, coffee, whipped cream and cinnamon or the Bavarian Coffee with peppermint schnapps, Kahlua, coffee and whipped cream (both are $9 each).

If caffeine in the evening disturbs your sleep, you can always opt for a tea cocktail like their Rum Mint Tea with dark rum, mint tea and a sugarcane stick or the Spiced Chamomile Hot Toddy with bourbon, honey, lemon, chamomile tea and a cinnamon stick.

6. Espresso ice cream from Purple Door

Hit that craving for something sweet and creamy head on with Purple Door espresso ice cream. Theres almost always a pint to be had in the Purple Door scoop shop in Walkers Point. And, if youre lucky, youll also find it behind the counter. If you do, you can order up one of my favorite indulgences: an espresso shake. Its an amazing afternoon pick-me-up that will transform even the crummiest of days.

7. Espresso Bellavitano from West Allis Cheese Shoppe

If youve never tasted Sartori Bellavitano, theres every reason to make it your National Coffee Day resolution to find some and give it a try. This delicious cheese defies description; but if you like Cheddar and love Parmesan cheese even more, youre likely to be a fan. Bellavitano comes in a variety of flavors, but you cant go wrong with this variety, which is hand-rubbed with fresh espresso beans, giving it an earthy nutty flavor that pairs impeccably with dry, fruity red wine, Scotch or stout beer.

8. Stylish commuter mug and punch card from Tre Rivali

If you live or work in the Third Ward, you might just love this brand new offering at Tre Rivali: a great new program featuring a copper core commuter mug and coffee punch card.

The snazzy commuter mug features a copper core that keeps your beverage hot (or cold, if you prefer). Its available for $15, and all refills are offered at 25% off. Pair that with the punch card (with which every eighth coffee is free), and youve got a pretty great coffee deal.

Tre Rivali serves Caffe Vita Coffee, a pioneer coffee company of the Farm Direct Movement. The coffee is available as drip coffee and cold brew, as well as cappuccinos, lattes, Americanos and espresso.
When the musical "Rent" comes to the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts next week for its 20th anniversary tour, Aaron Alcaraz will play the beloved character Angel.

Angel is one of the main roles in the musical and for many, the favorite of the show. The kind and comical character is either a transgender woman or a drag queen  its unclear and fans differ in opinion  who is a street drummer and HIV+.

A retelling of Puccini's "La Boheme," "Rent" takes place in New York City in 1989 when the AIDS epidemic was catastrophic. The story follows Angel, along with six other artists who, despite struggles, are living a life of love.

Alcaraz, who is 23, joined the touring cast very recently and says he never imagined hed get to play his dream role so early in his career. OnMilwaukee had an inspirational chat with him earlier this week.

OnMilwaukee: Where did you grow up and when did you start performing?

Aaron Alcaraz: Im from Los Angeles, which is where I lived until I went to Ithaca College (in New York) where I just graduated with a BFA in musical theater. I always loved to sing and was in choir, but it wasnt until high school that I fell in love with musicals.

What was your first musical?

My first musical was "High School Musical" and I still love everything about it. It was after my second musical, "The Wizard of Oz," that I knew I wanted to do this professionally. I was in the ensemble for both shows, but the director of "Oz" saw something in me and pulled me aside and invited me to audition for an acting group he had put together. I auditioned and I got in and then had acting classes for the first time. I was very lucky to have this experience.

Were you a fan of "Rent" before getting the gig as Angel?

Absolutely. I grew up watching it and it was one of the first movie musicals that captured me. Before I was involved in musical theater I was in choir and for two concerts we sang material from "Rent" and I loved it.

The character of Angel always spoke to me the most. Such a strong character full of joy and love and life. It was always a dream role of mine. I really didn't think I'd get this opportunity so soon after graduating from college. I am so happy to be here.

How long have you been on tour with "Rent?"

Not very long. Im very new. Were in Charlotte (N.C.) right now and this is only our second week of the show. Its been great so far.

Considering youre so new to professional theater Im wondering if you've been interviewed before?

Actually, this is my second interview. My first was earlier today.

Wow, youre a natural. Extremely well spoken!

Thanks.

So how did you prepare for the role of Angel?

The biggest thing was the heels. I had never worn heels before. Even during the audition I didn't wear them, but once I found out I had the job I went out and bought myself a pair of affordable heels and started walking around everywhere in them. I was so thankful that I did, because by the second rehearsal they had me jumping on and off tables in heels. Im really happy I took time for the "training heels" first!

What is your favorite part of the show?

My favorite part is performing "Seasons of Love." It starts off the second act and its one of the more well-known songs from the show. Its my favorite because the audience is waiting for it. We come out, line up in the front of the stage and get the chance to look out at the audience and make connections with different audience members while singing. Its so nice to see and hear to see their reactions. I've seen people crying, singing along, hugging in their seats. Its such a unifying moment between the audience and the cast. A really beautiful moment.

Even though Rent takes place in the late 80s/90s and AIDS survival rates are, thankfully, much higher, how is the show still relevant today?

No matter what time period  and especially today  a show with a diverse cast speaking about love and acceptance and living each day to its fullest is something everyone can appreciate. I think people today, based on the political climate, appreciate this message more than ever.

How do you personally relate to Angel?

I connect with the aspect of joy that Angel brings everywhere. Hes also very empathetic and caring and brings a good time to everyone around him. I aspire to be like that in my life. And I also aspire to have the amount of confidence that Angel has. He knows who he is and what he wants and the kind of energy he wants around him. Whether drumming on the street or dressing up and being fabulous, he brings so much joy and light and confidence into the world and it helps me, as Aaron, to strive to be more like Angel in everything I do.
In a city with a burgeoning cocktail scene, its worthwhile to take note when the U.S. premiere of a cocktail-related film comes to town. And, if you have a penchant for well-made tipples, its also worthwhile to consider a film that features a world-renowned bartender as he explores some of the worlds best cocktail bars.

Plus, our own Matt Mueller (who knows a bit about movies), puts the film right at the top of his list of must-sees.

But, if you still need convincing, here are five good reasons to get to the theater and take it all in.

1. Charles Schumann is a cool cocktail dude

Hes stylish. And seasoned. And  in Europe and beyond  Charles Schumanns name has become synonymous with cocktails. Hes written about them, influenced them and served them at his now-legendary bar, Schumanns in Munich, Germany.

Karl Georg Schumanns career began in Switzerland where he fell in love with the hospitality industry while studying hotel management. From there, he made a name for himself  literally  working in a variety of nightclubs in the South of France, where he became known as "Charles." By the early 1970s, he returned to Germany, where he began tending bar at Harrys New York Bar in Munich. Nearly a decade later, he opened Schumanns American Bar at the Maximilianstrasse 36 in 1982.

On the side, he earned a living as a model, working for the likes of Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garcons and as the face of Baldessarini, Hugo Boss's luxury menswear line. And you need to do little more than Google his name to find hundreds of dashing images.

2. You might learn something.

Schumann is a man filled with opinions, particularly when it comes to cocktails. His best-selling cocktail book, "The American Bar,"  which is both a reference book and collection of anecdotes  has wielded influence among bartenders across the world. And it was, in its time, declared "the drink-mixers bible" by by The New York Times. Its the sort of thing thats earned Schumann respect and honors, including a 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.

Among other things (like his motto: "Do it completely or not at all; there is nothing in between.") Schumann is known for cocktails like his gimlet, the Gin Dandy, which  even 15 years ago  was made with freshly squeezed lemon juice. However, hes also known for his approach behind the bar, which relies on keen observation and skill in predicting exactly what his customers want to drink.

Schumann's Bar Talks - TRAILER from Autlook Filmsales on Vimeo.

3. Its a global affair

Among the bars visited by Schumann in the film are New York's Dead Rabbit (World's Best Bar 2016), the Victoria Bar in Berlin, the Hemingway Bar in Paris, Floridita in Cuba and the High Five Bar in Tokyo. The film is augmented with bartender interviews, and cinematic flourishes related to the making of cocktails.

4. You can say you saw it first

Milwaukee Film Festival has nabbed the U.S. premiere of the film. So, you can see the movie before all of your cool bartender friends in other more snooty cocktail cities and gloat about it on social media.

5. You can enjoy a cocktail afterward

Milwaukee is still a largely hidden gem for craft cocktails. But, thats OK. We all know what weve got, even if the rest of the world is yet to discover it. And you can revel in that fact while sampling drinks from some of the best bartenders in the city during a post-film event on Sept. 30 called "The Craft of the Cocktail" during which the former laundromat at 1924 E. Kenilworth Pl. is transformed into a cocktail lounge by Relics Vintage Rentals.

During the event, cocktails will be slung by bartenders from Bryant's Cocktail Lounge, Goodkind, Dock18 Cocktail Lab, Boone & Crockett, Badger Liquor, Story Hill BKC, The Jazz Estate, Vermuteria 600 and Sprezzatura.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 (cash only at the door) and includes drink sampling and appetizers. A cash bar will also be available.

Schumanns Bar Talks screens at the Oriental Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 4:30 p.m. and at the Downer Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Sometimes going to the corner store can feel like crossing a river of alligators, except the alligators are covered in plates of armor and traveling at speed. Other times going to the park feels like running across a shooting range, except some of the shooters have their hands in a bag of chips, or are looking down to select a new song while firing.

And try as you might, these situations are hard to avoid, because we've built communities that necessitate and rely upon these rivers and ranges. American societies must have unobstructed roads to get far distances quickly, must have convenient parking to participate and, because providing these conveniences is expensive, we must do it as cheaply as possible.

This leaves little room for people outside of cars. This year, 17 pedestrians have been killed in Milwaukee by drivers of motor vehicles, an increase of nearly 143% over last year. This many fatalities has not been seen in five decades.

In response, the Share & Be Aware program developed by the Wisconsin Bike Fed is declaring October to be Walktober and is taking to thee streets with a month of pedestrian safety memorial events.

Starting October 1, every day the Walktober event will erect a first-of-its-kind memorial at each crosswalk where one of the 17 pedestrians were slain.

According to a press release from the Wisconsin Bike Fed:

Share & Be Aware Ambassadors hope to highlight the growing Pedestrian fatality issue with "Remember Pedestrians" by putting Ghost Shoes and memorial signs on display, the first of its kind in the country. The shoes will serve as temporary memorials, similar to Ghost Bikes, which have been used around the world to signify the death of a vulnerable road user. These memorials serve as reminders of the tragedies that take place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, a reminder to drive safely, and as a statement in support of the right to safe travel for people who walk. Share & Be Aware will set up the small and somber memorials with support from the nearby community, and in some cases, the family members of the victims. We invite everyone to join us.

"We are experiencing a pedestrian safety epidemic that is in our hands to stop. When driving, we must look for and yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Our neighbors and children are crossing the street and deserve to do so safely. We invite the community to join us at 'Remember Pedestrians' crosswalk actions," says Jessica Wineberg, Share & Be Awares Program Director.

Click here for the Walktober memorial schedule.

People in motor vehicles must surely improve their pedestrian awareness, but better road designs, clear markings and decreased distance between safety points are also necessary for mitigating driver "creativity" which is often just dangerous, non-standard movement.

17th St. and Vliet St.

Take a look at this intersection at 17th and Vliet where the wheelchair-bound Denice J. Fells was killed: 17th St. and Vliet St. (ORIGINAL PHOTO: Google Maps)

A person must cross the equivalent of seven car lanes and two bike lanes worth of traffic. The road is wide open, and the only thing preventing a person from driving recklessly is a posted speed limit.

Even the "safety island" in the middle is whittled down to negate pedestrian safety and make turning at dangerous speeds a viable option.

Fond du Lac Ave. and 21st St.

Look at this six-point intersection at Fond du Lac and 21st Street: 21st St. and Fond du Lac Ave. (ORIGINAL PHOTO: Google Maps)

People who drive are sometimes responsible for maneuvering a two-ton tour de force over three crosswalks at one time. People crossing the intersection must scramble across the equivalent of seven lanes of traffic coming from four or more directions. It is very easy to lose track of who is going where.

34-year-old Joshua G Walters was killed here.

Oklahoma Ave. and 44th St.

Here is the intersection at Oklahoma and 44th Street: Oklahoma Ave. and 44th St. (PHOTO: Google Maps)

Its doesnt take much to imagine the dangerous stunts a motorist can pull in this wide open, unmarked plaza of creativity.

60-year-old James Husted was killed here.

National Ave. and 23rd St.

Even the narrower residential neighborhood thru-ways could be improved to enhance the experience for neighbors, rather than enhancing the speed of the people moving through them.

Take this intersection at National and 23rd street, where 68-year-old Jane E. Hoyt was killed: National Ave. and 23rd St. (PHOTO: Google Maps)

It is among the less offensive intersections as seen above, but there is still room for tremendous improvement that would reduce driver speed, distraction and creativity by using road narrowing techniques, beautification, clearer signaling and better protected lane boundaries. Imagining an improved intersection with considerations for beauty and safety, instead of speed. (ORIGINAL PHOTO: Google Maps)



School children, disabled veterans, grandmothers and other vulnerable road users could cross more safely if these considerations were implemented.

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) does understand this and recently have been making strides towards improving safety for everyone, such as the Fratney Neighborhood Greenway project. This year, non-fatal crashes are down by almost 25%. One possible explanation may be due to this type of traffic calming effort undertaken by DPWs Neighborhood Traffic Management Program.

So when you participate in the Walktober events, make sure to look at each intersection, envision how they could be made safer so these deaths dont happen again and work with your elected officials and DPW staff via that program to implement solutions for these intersections.

Click here for the Walktober memorial schedule.

In the meantime, Share & Be Aware asks all road users to remember these three laws:

Slow down and drive the speed limit. Look for and stop for people crossing the street at all intersections, whether marked or unmarked. Dont be a distracted driver. Focus on the road and those who are sharing the road with you.

About Share & Be Aware

Share & Be Aware is a statewide program to improve the safety of people walking and biking using a data driven approach and educating all road users. Share & Be Aware Ambassadors are available for free education. You can get more information at ShareAndBeAware.org.
RACINE  The city on Saturday is releasing an app that will allow people to pay for and monitor parking meters.

In a Thursday release from interim Mayor Dennis Wisers office, city staff announced Saturdays debut of PassportParking, an app designed to pay for parking in Downtown, Uptown and West Racine. The app, available for free from the iPhone App Store or from Google Play, will also allow shoppers and patrons to add time to their meter without an extra trip back to their cars.

With the PassportParking app, residents and visitors have an easier way to pay for parking as they visit our stores and restaurants. said Mike Maierle, the citys transit and parking system manager.

Kelly Kruse, Downtown Racine Corporations executive director, said the apps launch is welcome news.

Our Downtown merchants are extremely excited to add this to the shopping and dining experience, she said. No one has to leave a store or risk a ticket to take care of their meter.

According to the release, the app can be used with a credit card or pre-loaded with funds. Frequent parkers can benefit by loading the digital wallet, which provides a 15-cent savings on the convenience fee for each parking session.

The app monitors parking sessions so that shoppers or diners can be alerted when their meter is low and can extend time remotely, according to the release. Users also can receive receipts via email and view payment history for tax or business purposes.

The app works for all city parking meters in Downtown, Uptown and West Racine, whether on-street, in a surface lot, or in McMynn parking ramp. Customers who park in two-hour marked spaces will be able to extend their parking session to four hours and users parked in four-hour spots will be able to extend to eight hours, according to the release.

Other Wisconsin municipalities, including Appleton and Green Bay, as well as many Chicago area communities, use the app, the release states.

For more information on the PassportParking app, visit https://passportinc.com/consumers/.
Aerial view of the polynya in the Southern Ocean. Credit: Jan Lieser, ACE CRC, Australia

In the mid-1970s a large ice-free area in the Weddell Sea east of the Antarctic Peninsula was observed by satellites during winter. Now, 40 years later, the phenomenon shows up again. Its recurrence supports climate model studies by a research group at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, who identified the so-called polynya as part of natural climate variability and explained its causes and effects in several publications in recent years.

Currently, winter has still a firm grip on Antarctica. At this time of the year, the Weddell Sea usually is covered with a thick layer of sea ice. In spite of the icy temperatures in the region, satellite images depict a large ice-free area in the middle of the ice cover. The area of the hole in the ice is larger than The Netherlands and it fascinates climate and polar researchers worldwide. Scientists from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel are closely monitoring the developments. "For us this ice-free area is an important new data point which we can use to validate our climate models. Its occurrence after several decades also confirms our previous calculations," says Dr. Torge Martin, meteorologist and climate modeler in the GEOMAR Research Division "Oceans Circulation and Climate Dynamics".

Polar researchers refer to a large ice-free area in otherwise frozen seas with the Russian word "polynya". In the Arctic and Antarctic, polynyas occur regularly, but typically in coastal regions. They play an important role in the formation of new sea ice and deep water. In the open ocean, however, polynyas are rare. The so-called Weddell Polynya only once has been observed during the satellite era, namely in the mid-1970s. "At that time the scientific community had just launched the first satellites that provided images of the sea-ice cover from space. On-site measurements in the Southern Ocean still require enormous efforts, so they are quite limited," says Dr. Martin.

Map of the sea ice distribution around Antarctica on Sept. 25, 2017, derived from satellite data. The red circle marks the actual Weddell Polynya. Credit: meereisportal.de

Nevertheless, the Weddell Polynya is reasonably well understood. "The Southern Ocean is strongly stratified. A very cold but relatively fresh water layer covers a much warmer and saltier water mass, thus acting as an insulating layer," explains Prof. Dr. Mojib Latif, head of the Research Division at GEOMAR. Under certain conditions, the warm water of the lower layer can reach the surface and melt the ice. "This is like opening a pressure relief valve - the ocean then releases a surplus of heat to the atmosphere for several consecutive winters until the heat reservoir is exhausted," adds Professor Latif.

Yet two major questions remain: how often does the polynya occur and does climate change influence this process? "If there are hardly any observations, computer models help to simulate the interactions between the ocean, the atmosphere and the sea ice," explains Dr. Annika Reintges, first author of the most recent study by the Kiel group about this topic. The models apply fundamental physical laws to simulate climate. Real data such as the bathymetry and actual climate observations used as a starting point provide a framework in which the models run.

However, data uncertainties lead to a range of results. "Therefore, we are always trying to compare the simulations with real phenomena to improve the models. Unfortunately, many data series are too short to evaluate the simulated climate variability with periods of several decades. We therefore also compare the models with each other," says Dr. Reintges.

Simulated temperature development in the area of the polynya. Clearly marked are the cold isolating surface layer (blue) and the warm water (red) below that releases head to the atmosphere on decadal cycles. Years with polynyas are marked by a black bar at the upper boundary. Credit: Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

US-American scientists have calculated that the Weddell Polynya would probably not occur again because of climate change. Higher precipitation levels in the region and melting ice would decouple the surface from the deeper water layers. However, in several studies applying the "Kiel Climate Model" and other computer models, the research group in Kiel described the polynya as part of long-term natural variability, which would occur again sooner or later. "The fact that now a large, ice-free area can be observed in the Weddell Sea confirms our theory and gives us another data point for further model studies," says Dr. Martin.

In general, the climate scientists at GEOMAR, like many colleagues around the world, are keen to differentiate natural climate variability from manmade changes. "Global warming is not a linear process and happens on top of internal variability inherent to the climate system. The better we understand these natural processes, the better we can identify the anthropogenic impact on the climate system", resumes Professor Latif.

More information: Mojib Latif et al, Southern Ocean Decadal Variability and Predictability, Current Climate Change Reports (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s40641-017-0068-8
A push by France and Germany is part of a wider EU onslaught on Google and other US tech behemoths as Europe seeks ways of more tightly regulating Silicon Valley

The EU will propose a new tax on tech giants such as Google and Facebook next year despite opposition by several states that fear a blow to their economies, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday.

Championed by French President Emmanuel Macron, the new tax on digital multinationals will target revenue generated in an EU country, instead of on profits that are booked in a low-tax EU headquarters, often Ireland or Luxembourg.

The hope is to have a formal proposal by EU ministers in December, that would become a draft law by the commission, the EU's executive arm, in 2018.

"Tax has to be paid where it is due, be it offline or online," Juncker said after an EU summit in Tallinn, Estonia.

"The commission will propose next year new rules on fair and effective taxation that provides legal certainty and a level playing field for all."

Juncker made the commitment after Macron pressed the issue at the second day of the summit, where the leaders discussed the opportunities and dangers of the digital economy.

The push by France, already backed by powerful Germany, is part of a wider onslaught by the EU on Google and other US tech behemoths as Europe seeks ways to regulate Silicon Valley more tightly.

In a closely watched speech on Europe Tuesday, Macron thundered against high tech companies that had become the "freeloaders of the modern world."

So far about a dozen of the EU's 28 member states have signed on to the idea, though many urge action to take place on a global level, such as the G20, instead of just in Europe.

Europe-wide tax reform is a huge headache in the European Union, requiring unanimity of all 28 states, which has proven nearly impossible on tax issues.

Already smaller EU states have expressed strong resistance to the idea, which they say will chase US tech giants from their shores, especially Ireland that serves as a low-tax hub for Apple, Facebook and Google.

"If we want Europe to become digital leader, the solution isn't more taxes and more regulation, it's actually the opposite," said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

 2017 AFP
Mark Okerstrom sat 6 feet to the right of his boss, Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, for more than five years.

The two didn't even have a wall between them in their Seattle-area office. The two even dressed as ketchup and mustard in matching Halloween costumes one year. Khosrowshahi - who left in August to run Uber - said in a company statement that Okerstrom has been "by my side through every major milestone in this company for much of the last 11 years."

But when Khosrowshahi left for Uber, Okerstrom was doing more than moving 6 feet to the left. He was succeeding the man who took his company from Expedia.com to Expedia Inc., with 17 brands and websites that include Hotels.com, Trivago, Orbitz, Travelocity and HomeAway. Under Khosrowshahi's leadership, Expedia doubled its pretax earnings and quadrupled the gross values of its hotel and travel bookings.

"Dara was the founder of Expedia Inc.," Okerstrom said. "Being the founder, you're in an elevated position right from the start."

Everyone at Expedia says Okerstrom will carry the company in the same direction it's been going - expanding the number of hotels they book in Europe, Asia and Latin America, acquiring more brands and websites, and staying on the edge of technology - especially in the expanding home-sharing market, where Airbnb currently dominates.

The board didn't even consider any other candidates, Expedia Chairman Barry Diller said in a statement.

"This transition is as natural as water flowing down a snowpacked mountain," Diller said.

But Expedia's fleet of websites doesn't have open waters ahead of it. Priceline Group - owner of Booking.com, Priceline.com and Cheapflights - started outpacing Expedia in 2010, and by 2014 was bringing in almost $2.7 illion more in revenue.

Expedia has since managed to close some of that gap, but if it wants to compete overseas, where Priceline's websites get most of their revenue, Okerstrom will be playing in his rival's court.

There's also competition from outside the hotel space - namely Airbnb, the home-sharing startup that has disrupted the hotel sector. Expedia is reaching into this market with its acquisition of HomeAway, which has an online marketplace similar to Airbnb's, in 2015.

But Okerstrom is measured and undramatic about these showdowns.

"At the end of this, we're both going to have all the hotels," Okerstrom said.

It will be the quality of Expedia's customer service and its bundles - customers can use Expedia.com for the flights, Trivago for the hotels, CarRentals.com for getting places, Expedia Local Expert for recommendations, and Traveldoo for expensing it all - that will by used by Expedia to pull ahead of its competition, Okerstrom said.

In the same way, Okerstrom doesn't like characterizations that Expedia and Priceline are in a fight with hotels for revenues - even though hotel chains like Hyatt have been trying to launch their own online booking services.

"We're just in different businesses," Okerstrom said. "Our customers are on expedia.com because they're not sure which hotel they want."

Okerstrom sees his relationship with hotel chains as symbiotic: Expedia can encourage its customers who liked their hotel to sign up for a loyalty program with that chain, or at least try it again next time.

This kind of measured, details-oriented approach - where everything works out because all the parts work together - is the attitude Okerstrom brings to everything.

The son of two teachers, Okerstrom grew up in Vancouver, B.C. He earned an MBA at Harvard University and then returned to Canada for a law degree from the University of British Columbia.

He joined Expedia in 2006; before that, he was a consultant with Bain in Boston and San Francisco, and worked for investment bank UBS in London.

When a recruiter called him about a position at Expedia, he took the job because of the deals and acquisitions Expedia was making.

Within five years, he was in the C-Suite, making millions: Okerstrom's total compensation for 2016 was $18.2 million, with $1.5 million in cash and the vast majority in Expedia option awards from the company, according to its regulatory filings.

Okerstrom and Expedia haven't disclosed yet what he'll be paid as CEO. Former CEO Khosrowshahi received nearly $91 million in Expedia option awards, rocketing him for one year to the spot of nation's highest-paid public-company CEO.

But Okerstrom doesn't like the characterization that he's a "safe" choice or that he won't take risks. Running a diverse, interconnected string of companies like Expedia's requires experimentation to emerge on top.

For instance, Expedia is hoping HomeAway can edge out Airbnb with instant booking. One of the downsides to booking an Airbnb versus a hotel is that the hotel can tell you right away whether or not a room is available. On Airbnb, you have to wait for the host to say yes - and sometimes, they don't.

HomeAway's instant booking feature is trying to work around this, but it's gotten pushback from homeowners and property managers who want to see who's going to be living in their home before saying yes.

Okerstrom also wants to offer more to the homeowners renting out their houses on HomeAway so they can see what similar properties are charging and eventually what hotels in the area are charging.

Another big change Okerstrom will oversee is Expedia's move from suburban Bellevue to the Interbay neighborhood in Seattle - a shift of thousands of jobs. He says the first wave should come in late 2019, with around 5,000 Expedia employees moving to the north end of Seattle's waterfront.

"We're going to really beautify that area of Interbay," Okerstrom said.

That move will change the Interbay area - especially if, as forecasts say, the company grows almost 20 percent in the next five years.

Okerstrom said he's made mistakes in his time at Expedia. When he came on as CFO, he didn't take a close enough look at Expedia's consumer protection, leaving the company unprepared for a rise in credit-card fraud.

"Sometimes when you make a miss and you don't focus on the right things ... it doesn't mean that you're not the best person to solve the problem," Okerstrom said. "Sometimes if you can just put that pit in your stomach aside, that feeling of 'Damn, I really screwed up' aside, you're, in many cases, the best person to solve it, and if you can put that behind you ... you can turn lemons into lemonade."

2017 The Seattle Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
With growing evidence to support increased health, productivity and learning when in nature, should the outdoors be our new office?

At the end of August, I borrowed a friend's campervan and moved to the forest.

For a week, my office was a picnic table. I met with clients at an eco cafe in a nearby town. I tethered my phone with my computer for internet access and got power provided by the campsite.

Why? Because I wanted to see if it was practically possible to work from the forest. But more importantly, I wanted to test my hunch that it would make my work better. I've been into bush walks and camping my whole life. In recent years, whenever I'd take the weekend off to go camping, I'd notice a huge improvement in my mood. I'd sleep better. I'd have more energy.

Then I discovered that not only was my experience a thing, but a thing supported by science.

Shinrin-what?

I stumbled upon shinrin-yoku or Japanese forest bathing. Shinrin-yoku is the practice of going into nature to improve one's mental and physical health.

Between 2002 and 2012, the Japanese Government's forestry agency spent US$4 million researching the science of shinrin-yoku. Here are some of the highlights from those and related studies:

A 2007 study found that shinrin-yoku was not only effective at reducing chronic stress but made an even bigger difference for people experiencing higher stress levels.

A 2009 study found that phytoncide (chemicals given off by trees to protect themselves from insects) boosts the immune system by increasing human natural killer (NK) activity.

A 2010 research review of 24 separate studies across Japan reported numerous health benefits from shinrin-yoku including lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity and lower sympathetic nerve activity than in city environments.

Just released research from WA is building on the work of Japanese scientists.

In May, Curtin University researchers published a paper in the Cambridge Journal of Education showing that children are more creative when they learn in nature.

The research saw students in Australia and the UK writing poetry outside. According to Dr Paul Gardner, one of the study's coauthors, "There was a much higher and richer level of imagery amongst the poems crafted by the 'outdoor' groups compared to the 'indoor', which suggests that learning in natural environments could enhance creativity and language development."

Sonja Kuzich, who also coauthored the study, reported, "Some of the students' descriptions about their natural experiences included 'it was like walking on marshmallow ground', 'sharp pine cones like grenades' or 'crows that bark like a dog'."

Forests as innovation spaces

Despite extremely high population density, 67% of Japan is still forest. Among developed countries, this puts Japan second only to Finland in terms of forested land area. One of the key reasons for this is that they see the value of forests for human health, creativity and innovation.

We need to learn from this.

In WA, we have Nature Play WA, which has a variety of programmes to get kids playing in nature to increase their resilience and creativity.

What if we did this for adults? What if we had coworking spaces and innovation hubs that were embedded in natural environments? Spaces that encouraged working outside or walking in nature as a tool for brainstorming. It would not only help us preserve our precious remaining natural areas but also ensure a bright and innovative future for WA.

Provided by Particle

This article first appeared on Particle, a science news website based at Scitech, Perth, Australia. Read the original article.
Visitors gather around a chocolate fountain at the opening of the fourth national cocoa and chocolate days in Abidjan

The cocoa crop of Ivory Coast, the world's biggest producer, increased 28.5 percent to a record 2.15 million tonnes in the 2016-17 season, the national Coffee and Cocoa Council said Friday.

Exports increased by 23.3 percent to 1.9 million tonnes, helping to raise the overall gross income of the country's producers by 28.6 percent to 2.013 trillion CFA francs (3.2 billion euros, $3.8 billion), compared to 1.565 trillion the previous season.

But the year was "marked by a deep crisis," said Lambert Kouassi Konan, chairman of the board of directors at industry regulator Coffee and Cocoa Council, because world prices of "brown gold" fell by more than a third.

Konan took stock of the year's crop in the capital Abidjan on Friday at the opening of the fourth national cocoa and chocolate days, which run until Sunday and also marked the opening of the 2017-18 season.

While the minimum price guaranteed to farmers was 1,100 CFA francs per kilo at the start of the 2016-17 season, the Ivorian government had to lower the price to 700 CFA francs in April due to falling prices in international markets, which was linked to overproduction in relation to demand and aggravated by the weakness of the pound against the euro, Konan said.

The pound is the main currency used for cocoa trading, which is mainly done in London.

Konan also mentioned problems with inventory management and failures of operators to explain the year's difficulties, as well as mutinies in the Ivorian army that scared markets earlier in the year.

The price guaranteed to Ivorian cocoa producers for the 2017-18 season will be revealed on Sunday, Konan said.

The cocoa industry, which accounts for 15 percent of GDP and more than 50 percent of export receiptsas well as two thirds of jobsis absolutely vital to the country's economic welfare, according to the World Bank.

 2017 AFP
ESA Astronauts training in terrestrial lava tubes in Lanzarote during the PANGEA 2016 course. Credit: ESA/S. Sechi

Lava tubes, underground caves created by volcanic activity, could provide protected habitats large enough to house streets on Mars or even towns on the moon, according to research presented at the European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) 2017 in Riga. A further study shows how the next generation of lunar orbiters will be able to use radar to locate these structures under the moon's surface.

Lava tubes can form in two ways: over-crusted tubes form when low-viscosity lava flows fairly close to the surface, developing a hard crust that thickens to create a roof above the moving lava stream. When the eruptions end, the conduit is drained leaving a tunnel a few metres beneath the surface. "Inflated' tubes are complex and deep structures that form when lava is injected into existing fissures between layers of rock or cavities from previous flows. The lava expands and leaves a huge network of connected galleries as it forces its way to the surface. Lava tubes are found in many volcanic areas on Earth, including Lanzarote, Hawaii, Iceland, North Queensland in Australia, Sicily and the Galapagos islands. Underground networks of tubes can reach up to 65 kilometres. Space missions have also observed chains of collapsed pits and "skylights" on the moon and Mars that have been interpreted as evidence of lava tubes. Recently the NASA GRAIL mission provided detailed gravity data for the moon that suggested the presence of enormous subsurface voids related to lava tubes below the lunar maria, plains of basalt formed in volcanic eruptions early in the moon's history.

Now, researchers from the University of Padova and the University of Bologna in Italy have carried out the first systematic comparison of lava tube candidates on the Earth, moon and Mars, based on high-resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTM) created from data from spacecraft instrumentation.

ESA Astronauts training in terrestrial lava tubes in Lanzarote during the PANGEA 2016 course. Credit: ESA/L. Ricci

"The comparison of terrestrial, lunar and martian examples shows that, as you might expect, gravity has a big effect on the size of lava tubes. On Earth, they can be up to thirty metres across. In the lower gravity environment of Mars, we see evidence for lava tubes that are 250 metres in width. On the moon, these tunnels could be a kilometre or more across and many hundreds of kilometres in length," says Dr Riccardo Pozzobon, of the University of Padova. "These results have important implications for habitability and human exploration of the moon but also for the search of extraterrestrial life on Mars. Lava tubes are environments shielded from cosmic radiation and protected from micrometeorites flux, potentially providing safe habitats for future human missions. They are also, potentially, large enough for quite significant human settlements  you could fit most of the historic city centre of Riga into a lunar lava tube."

The work by Pozzobon and colleagues is already being used in the European Space Agency's astronaut training programme. The teams lead a planetary geology training course called PANGAEA for the European Space Agency's astronauts and engineers. The PANGAEA project has included a field trip and a test campaign in lava tubes in the Canary Island to familiarise the astronauts with geological research they could carry out during future missions to the moon or Mars, as well as to test technical and operational systems. In particular, PANGAEA has focused on using laser technologies to characterise the Corona lava tube, an 8-kilometre long tunnel on Lanzarote.

However, analysis of lava tubes with DEMs requires that a collapse or a puncture from a meteorite reveals the presence of the hidden tunnel. Conventional remote sensing instruments cannot detect and characterise the lava tubes, as they cannot acquire measurements beneath the surface.

Checking the mineral composition of some weathered rocks with the HaloSpec Spectrometer during ESA astronaut PANGEA training course in terrestrial lava tubes in Lanzarote. Credit: ESA/L. Ricci

In a separate talk at EPSC, Leonardo Carrer and colleagues of the University of Trento presented a concept for a radar system specifically designed to detect lava tubes on the moon from orbit. The radar probes beneath the lunar surface with low frequency electromagnetic waves and measures the reflected signals. This radar instrument could determine accurately the physical composition, size and shape of the caves and obtain a global map of their location.

"The studies we have developed show that a multi- frequency sounding system is the best option for detecting lava tubes of very different dimensions. The electromagnetic simulations show that lava tubes have unique electromagnetic signatures, which can be detected from orbit irrespective of their orientation to the radar movement direction. Therefore, a mission carrying this instrument would enable a crucial step towards finding safe habitats on the moon for human colonisation," says Carrer.

Artists impression of the radar instrument to probe for lava tubes beneath the lunar surface. Credit: NASA/U. Trento

Artists impression of the radar instrument to probe for lava tubes beneath the lunar surface. Credit: NASA/U. Trento

Provided by Europlanet
The MATISSE instrument is ready to be sent to Chile, where in the next few weeks it will be installed on the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the world's most powerful astronomical observatory. This achievement is the outcome of fifteen years of development, including a final year of testing at the Laboratoire J.-L. Lagrange (Observatoire Cote d'Azur/CNRS/Universite de Nice Sophia-Antipolis). The instrument, for which France is responsible under the auspices of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), is international in scope. By observing the protoplanetary disks that surround young stars, the MATISSE project should improve our understanding of the formation of the Earth and of planets in general.

MATISSE is one of the few projects for which France has responsibility under the auspices of the ESO. In early October 2017, the MATISSE (Multi AperTure mid-Infrared SpectroScopic Experiment) instrument will travel to the Atacama desert in Chile to be installed on the ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT), the world's most powerful astronomical observatory. Eight to ten months' performance validation observing the sky under real conditions will then be required before the instrument is made available to the international astronomical community.

With MATISSE, one of the major goals of researchers is to observe protoplanetary disks in order to understand the formation of our own planet and that of planets in general. To achieve this, the instrument will enable astronomers to observe the sky with unprecedented resolution in the mid-infrared regionat wavelengths of 3 to 13 micrometersand to combine the light from four of the VLT's eight telescopes at Cerro Paranal, Chile, including the four large eight-meter telescopes. Using the instrument it will be possible to observe the dust and gas surrounding young stars that make up the basic building blocks from which planets form. The environments of stars younger than our own Sun, which have been difficult to observe until now, should shed light on the conditions under which different types of planets form: gas giants like Jupiter, and smaller rocky planets like Earth.

MATISSE will operate in the same range of wavelengths as the James Webb Space Telescope, which will be launched in 2018 by NASA, and to which it is complementary. NASA researchers are already collaborating with the MATISSE consortium in order to step up joint research.

Provided by CNRS
Computer models of chromosomes and the experimental Hi-C maps shown below them reveal the central role of cohesin in folding the genome into distinct domains (highlighted in blue, green, and pink). When cohesin is depleted experimentally and in simulations, domains unfold and intermix (right). Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A molecular "motor" that organizes the genome into distinct neighborhoods by forming loops of DNA has been characterized by researchers at MIT and the Pasteur Institute in France.

In a study published in 2016, a team led by Leonid Mirny, a professor of physics in MIT's Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, proposed that molecular motors transform chromosomes from a loosely tangled state into a dynamic series of expanding loops.

The process, known as loop extrusion, is thought to bring regulatory elements together with the genes they control. The team also suggested that DNA is decorated with barriersakin to stop signsthat limit the process of extrusion.

In this way, loop extrusion divides chromosomes into separate regulatory neighborhoods, known as topologically associating domains (TADs).

However, while the researchers suggested that a ring-like protein complex called cohesin was a likely candidate for these molecular motors, this had yet to be proven.

Now, in a paper published in the journal Nature, a team led by Mirny and Francois Spitz at the Pasteur Institute, have demonstrated that cohesin does indeed play the role of a motor in the loop extrusion process.

"Each of these machines lands on the DNA and starts extruding loops, but there are boundaries on DNA that these motors cannot get through," Mirny says. "So as a result of this motor activity, the genome is organized into many dynamic loops that do not cross the boundaries, so the genome becomes divided into a series of neighborhoods."

The researchers also discovered that a different mechanism, that does not use cohesin, is at work organizing active and inactive regions of DNA into separate compartments in the cell's nucleus.

To determine the role cohesin plays in genome formation, the team first deleted a molecule known as Nipbl, which is responsible for loading cohesin onto DNA.

They then used an experimental technique known as Hi-C, in which parts of DNA that are close to one another in 3-D space are captured and sequenced, in a bid to measure the frequency of physical interactions between different spots along chromosomes.

This technique, which was pioneered by Job Dekker, a professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, has previously been used to demonstrate the existence of TADs.

The team first used the Hi-C technique to assess the organization of chromosomes before removing the Nipbl molecule from mice. They then removed the molecule and performed the same measurement again.

They found that the neighborhoods had virtually disappeared.

However, the compartmentalization between active and inactive regions of the genome had become even more marked.

The team believes the cohesin motors allow each gene to reach out to its regulatory elements, which control whether genes should be switched on or off.

What's more, it appears that the cohesin motors are stopped by another protein, CTCF, which demarcates the boundaries of each neighborhood. In a recent study in the journal Cell, the Mirny lab, in collaboration with researchers at the University of California at San Francisco and the University of Massachusetts Medical School has demonstrated that if this demarcating protein is removed, the borders between neighborhoods disappear, allowing genes in one neighborhood to talk to regulatory elements they should not be talking to in another neighborhood, and leading to misregulation of genes in the cell.

"Cohesin is central for gene regulation, and we emphasize that this is a motor function, so it is not just that they (genes and their regulatory elements) find each other somewhere randomly in space, but they were brought together by this motor activity," Mirny says.

This paper provides important new molecular insights into the mechanisms by which cells fold their chromosomes, according to Dekker, who was not involved in the current study.

"In this work the Mirny and Spitz labs combine mouse models with genomic approaches to study chromosome folding to reveal that the machine that loads the cohesin complex is critical for TAD formation," Dekker says. "From this and another previous study, a molecular mechanism is coming into view where TADs form by cohesin and Nipbl-dependent chromatin loop extrusion, which is blocked by sites bound by CTCF."

The researchers are now attempting to characterize how the absence of the molecular motor would affect gene regulation. They are also carrying out computer simulations in a bid to determine how the cohesin-based loop extrusion takes place at the same time as the genome is undergoing the independent process of segregating into active and inactive compartments.

"It's like two pianists playing on the same piano," says Nezar Abdennur, a PhD student in the Mirny lab, who took part in the study alongside fellow PhD student Anton Goloborodko. "They interfere and put constraints on each other, but together they can produce a beautiful piece of music."

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
The AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on Hurricane Lee (right) and Tropical Storm Maria (left) on Sept. 28 at 1:05 p.m. EDT (17:05 UTC). Strongest storms appear in purple. Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen

NASA and NOAA satellite imagery show Hurricane Lee has been on a weakening trend as wind shear is battering the storm. The National Hurricane Center expects Lee to weaken quickly and its remnants to bring gusty winds to Ireland and the United Kingdom over the weekend of Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

NASA's Aqua satellite and NOAA's GOES satellite provided different views of Hurricane Lee that showed the storm was being adversely affected by wind shear and is not as strong and organized as it was earlier in the week.

The AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Maria on Sept. 28 at 1:05 p.m. EDT (17:05 UTC). The infrared data was showing the strongest storms being pushed southeast of the eye.

In a visible image from NOAA's GOES East satellite on Sept. 29 at 10:15 a.m. EDT (1415 UTC), wind shear's effect on the storm is evident. The National Hurricane Center said "Lee's low-level center is partially exposed along the northern edge of the convective canopy due to almost 40 knots of northerly shear." The image shows that the bulk of clouds associated with the hurricane have been pushed to the south and southeast of the eye.

At 5 a.m. EDT/AST (0900 UTC) on Sept. 29 the National Hurricane Center reported that the center of Hurricane Lee was located near 38.3 degrees north latitude and 52.4 degrees west longitude. That's about 810 miles (1,305 km) northeast of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the northeast near 25 mph (41 kph). An acceleration toward the northeast is forecast to continue through Saturday.

This visible image from NOAA's GOES East satellite on Sept. 29 at 10:15 a.m. EDT (1415 UTC) shows how wind shear is now affecting Hurricane Lee by pushing the bulk of clouds southeast of the center. Credit: NOAA/NRL

NHC said "Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 mph (120 kph) with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast, and Lee is expected to become a tropical storm later today. Lee will then dissipate by Saturday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 987 millibars."

NHC noted that global computer model guidance indicate Lee will dissipate in the fast flow ahead of an approaching cold front by 36 hours (on Sept.30 by 5 a.m. EDT). NHC said "Even after Lee's circulation opens up, a swath of strong winds will likely continue eastward toward Ireland and the United Kingdom by days 2 and 3."
Natural deposits of helium gas  best known for its use in party balloons  could help aid the safe production of shale or coal gas, research suggests.

The discovery of high levels of helium in UK coal seams could help scientists to monitor the secure recovery of coal or shale gas from underground sites. Any gas leaks from deep underground would be accompanied by a rise in helium levels, which could be easily detected.

Their discovery could aid secure fracking  in which rocks below ground are split with high-pressure fluids  or extraction of methane gas from deep coal beds.

Scientists say their findings could be used alongside a chemical test to monitor whether methane at gas extraction sites has escaped from deep shale.

Together, the methods could help address public concerns over perceived contamination risks associated with the technologies.

In addition, scientists say their discovery may enable large volumes of helium gas to be recovered for sale. This valuable commodity is used in medical scanners and large-scale experiments such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre sampled deep methane gas from an exploratory coal bed methane field in central Scotland and disused coal mines in central England. They found high levels of helium gas at each site.

They analysed the methane samples to identify tiny traces of inactive natural gases and different forms of carbon and hydrogen. These vary depending on the depth and origin of methane gas, enabling scientists to fingerprint and distinguish each source of methane.

If, following industrial exploration, methane or helium levels in groundwater at extraction sites are found to have changed, analysis could determine whether the gas is natural or a leak from deep shale.

Their research, published in Chemical Geology, was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, the Scottish Government, the University of Edinburgh and SUERC.

Professor Fin Stuart, from Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre in East Kilbride, said: "The presence of such high amounts of helium in the natural gases intrigues us. It implies that the natural gas itself is ancient, and leads to the conclusion that the Scottish coals may not have lost much of the natural gas produced since it was deposited in Carboniferous times.

"Exploiting this high helium content to trace the leakage of deep gases into shallow groundwaters will lead us on a new journey to perfect ways of measuring small amounts of helium in natural water in real-time."

Dr Stuart Gilfillan, of the University of Edinburgh's School of GeoSciences, who led the project, said: "Measuring the high helium levels in these deep sourced UK coal gases will enable shale gas exploration and extraction to be carried out responsibly, and help to address public concerns over this activity.

"Providing that helium levels in groundwaters are found to be low prior to exploration taking place, any presence of deep gas following shale gas activities will increase helium levels and allow robust detection of any contamination."

More information: Domokos Gyore et al. Fingerprinting coal-derived gases from the UK, Chemical Geology (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.09.016 Journal information: Chemical Geology
MOUNT PLEASANT  Some much needed assistance may soon come to areas in the village affected by bluff erosion on Lake Michigan.

Rosalind and Bryn Mawr avenues in the Lake Park area are being threatened by the erosion and village officials hope to begin remedial construction by early winter.

On Monday, the Mount Pleasant Village Board unanimously approved using funds targeted for road repairs in 2018 to help with erosion controls. Contracts have not been bid out yet, but estimates by Terracon, which has been evaluating the erosion, peg the cost somewhere between $650,000 and $1.2 million.

Something has to be done now, Village Trustee Sonny Havn said. We have to do something, we cant put it off any longer.

Trustee John Hewitt said the work is not going to be the ultimate fix, but its a start.

The ultimate fix, we hope, will come from the Army Corps of Engineers  and what this fix is, is to fix more of an immediate area for the protection of infrastructure and the citizens down there, Hewitt said. This isnt just a haphazard, throwing some concrete down the bluff or anything, for protection. This has been designed by professionals to stabilize it until the long-term permanent fix can be made.

Havn said the village has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which the village hopes will provide a more permanent solution.

What were going to do down there ... its going to be a Band-Aid of sorts, Havn said. With the hurricanes and everything going on, were not sure what the Army Corps is going to do, but in the meantime we have to do something.

Erosion affecting roads

Trustee Gary Feest agreed some kind of short-term project needs to be done to prevent further erosion, but wanted more clarity on when the road work money will be replaced.

I understand this is a time-sensitive issue, Feest said. We fight every year on roads. Its one of those knock your head against the wall issues, so here were finally getting some money for the roads and were borrowing right off the bat.

Feest suggested that the borrowed money should be replaced as soon as possible. He also questioned if the design would shift the erosion to other neighboring areas.

I know its a very difficult thing, but if were going to do something I dont want it harming the private residences just so we can save our sewer lines, its got to be better than that, Feest said.

Steve Houte, public works manager for the village, said the officials are aware that there could be an adverse impact to surrounding areas, but are working to minimize any additional damage.

Were not just saving out utilities, we actually have a portion of the road that has left the bluff, Houte said. Were already losing infrastructure. The intent of the design is to do the full length between the described locations.
If you're worried about carbon monoxide poisoning, you might purchase a detector for your home. But what if your house itself could sense carbon monoxide and other potentially harmful gases  nitrogen oxides, natural gas, formaldehyde  without the need for a separate device for each chemical?

And what if all these sensors spoke to each other through a single interface, a sort of super-thermostat?

This vision could be realized one day using sensor technology currently being developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Md. The techniques make use of photonics  measurements made by manipulating light.

"We want to get away from the idea of having one sensor for one thing" and another sensor for another, says Zeeshan Ahmed of NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). Instead, he says, a network of sensors could be spread throughout a building, integrated into the walls. They could even be built into roads and bridges, to monitor the health of these structures in real time.

Furling Fibers

To create light-based chemical detectors, the NIST team of researchers has been experimenting with commercially available optical fibers, similar to the ones that are becoming ubiquitous in network communications. Thinner than a human hair, the fibers have a grating inside them, a pattern etched into their glass cores, that allows only certain wavelengths of light to pass through.

NIST researchers are testing a new kind of humidity sensor: an optical fiber that curls in dry air and straightens in moist. This video shows the experimental setup, with clips of the fiber curling and straightening (sped up hundreds of times). Sensors like these could be built into bridges and buildings for real-time monitoring of humidity, which affects the aging of these structures. Credit: National Institute of Standards and Technology

Deforming the fiber  perhaps by bending, expanding, or compressing it  changes the wavelengths that make it through the grating. That change in wavelengths is a signal that can be matched up to changes in the environment that caused the deformation.

To turn a fiber into a humidity sensor, for example, the researchers have tried coating it with materials that are sensitive to water. The one that works best so far is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a compound with a honey-like viscosity. CMC absorbs water vapor like a sponge, explains NIST guest researcher Matthew Hartings, who is also an assistant professor of chemistry at American University in Washington, D.C. When saturated, it expands, and the fiber straightens. But when the coating dries, it shrinks, and that puts a strain on the glass fiber, which bends to accommodate it.

"It turns out that by putting a small amount of material on the fiber you get a huge mechanical deformation" in just seconds, Ahmed says.

Right now, the researchers are trying to maximize the bending effect by changing the thickness of the coating and how uniformly it is applied. But detecting water is just the beginning. Coating the fiber with a different material could make it sensitive to something else. The team plans to explore other kinds of coatings, in the hopes of finding ones that will swell in response to carbon monoxide, airborne formaldehyde, and other potentially harmful gases.

Crushing Concrete

Bridges and roads get a lot of abuse from the heavy loads they support. Integrating photonic sensors into these structures would allow engineers to monitor the structures to determine whether they are degrading over time. As a proof-of-concept experiment, and working with NIST's Engineering Laboratory (EL), the PML team recently showed that their sensors could be used to measure the pressure being applied to concrete.

In this video, NIST scientists crush a pillar of concrete to test a new kind of sensor that can measure changes in pressure using light. First, researchers glue an optical fiber -- thinner than a human hair -- to the outside of a concrete cylinder sitting in a press. Light flows through the fiber. As pressure is applied to the concrete, the fiber bends and compresses, which changes the signal of the light flowing through it. Measuring the changes in the light's signal allows researchers to determine how much pressure was applied. Credit: National Institute of Standards and Technology

Even on initial tests, the fiber sensors could detect changes in load in real time, says NIST's Kevin Douglass. The researchers were also pleasantly surprised to find that they didn't have to embed the sensors in concrete to see a pressure change. Simply gluing the sensor onto the concrete's surface was enough, meaning that fiber sensors like these could be added to existing infrastructure to monitor cracks and other kinds of structural degradation.

By distributing multiple sensors via optical fiber within and along the outside of structures, photonic devices could "provide rich information on the spatial variation of strain, as well as other quantities, such as temperature and humidity," says EL's Joe Main. In particular, the ability to make humidity measurements within concrete could be used to detect the infiltration of water, "which results in corrosion of reinforcing steel, accelerating the degradation of a structure."

Ahmed says the team has used the sensors to measure changes in temperature and humidity inside concrete as it sets, too, which could help materials researchers design better recipes for concrete.

"If you understood the chemistry better, you could optimize the concrete you're making to get something that would last for thousands of years," Hartings says.

Moving forward, the researchers hope to find ways to streamline the sensors so that they could be commercialized, and used by people who aren't Ph.D. physicists. "Making it cheaper and easier to use is our big focus," Ahmed says. "How do you develop techniques that someone who hasn't spent years and years learning these can use it?"

They will also experiment with photonic sensors built into chips. Instead of having several different fibers each tuned to a different property, a single chip could have all the different sensors built into it. "It's a much more holistic way to look at things, to really capture what's going on in an environment," Hartings says.
The number one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal is to eliminate poverty, leaving nobody behind. Researchers in the United Kingdom are harnessing the large-scale data-processing power of Microsoft Azure to map the location of every person on Earth to provide the accurate population statistics needed to achieve this international humanitarian goal.

"There are about 2 billion people in the world today who are so poor that they earn less every day than the price of a cappuccino," explains Claire Melamed, Executive Director of The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.

For decades, poverty has been the premier predictor of the general health and economic development needs of the world's most vulnerable populations. Conventional means of assessing poverty, such as national census and household survey data, cannot provide the necessary detailed situational views in a timely manner for aid providers to be fully effective. In 2012, for example, one of the world's largest foundations funded the distribution of polio vaccines in northern Nigeria using 2006 census data. Workers either ran out of vaccines or returned with unused supplies due to the lack of more detailed population information.

The WorldPop research team at the University of Southampton, U.K., provides critical data for tracking the UN Sustainable Development Goals by counting every person on Earth, where they are and who they are. The team does this using novel data science techniques and cloud computing to combine large datasets drawn from census, surveys, satellite, GIS and other sources to provide governments and NGOs with extremely detailed spatial and temporal mappingssome with resolutions down to 100 meters square. "The datasets can be so large and complex that it's impractical or impossible to build them on a single workstation," says Andy Tatem, a professor of geography and environment at the University of Southampton and the director of the WorldPop initiative. "But now our researchers are able to cut them down to size with the compute clusters and parallel computing that Microsoft Azure provides."

For example, consider WorldPop researcher Maksym Bondarenko. He is working on an ambitious global analysis project to draw a range of insightful predictions and calculations from geospatial data for every country in the world at a resolution of 100 square meters, which involves processing 800 million cells of data. Bondarenko built a high-performance computing (HPC) cluster on Azure, using A8-A9 virtual machines that support ultrafast InfiniBand network connections. This high-performance networking is used in many supercomputers, and is necessary to scale beyond a few machines.

"Azure was the only cloud that gave us true supercomputing performance," says Tatem.

Credit: Microsoft Research Blog

The team does much of their analysis using the R programming language, and Microsoft's open source capabilities are ideal for this. "With Azure HDInsight, we also used open source R programming with Microsoft R Server for hosting and managing parallel and distributed workloads of R processes on the VMs," Bondarenko says. "We then output our results to a Random Forest tree-based machine learning model. This approach can enable predictive models and map nonlinear relationships quite well."

Using Azure, WorldPop Research Fellow Jessica Steele has the computing power she needs to analyze how poverty and gender inequality are related to how people live and move. "Poverty is absolutely gendered," she says. "We know women are more likely to be poor and more susceptible to falling into poverty."

Azure is helping Steele achieve more when analyzing large population datasets. "Running statistical models of poverty is a very iterative process. Being able to parallelize and speed up the process using Azure makes that iteration process shorter. This lets us get results back faster, talk to team members more quickly, and make decisions about how to move forward," she says.

WorldPop Research Fellow Dr. Chigozie Edson Utazi provides another example of how Azure helps facilitate the organization's research projects: he uses the cloud computer infrastructure to seamlessly scale his R analysis that provides data for measles vaccination programs in Africa.

"I grew up in Nigeria, and it's amazing that I can sit here help improve the lives of people in my country with this research," he says. "I use R for all my statistical analysis. These datasets cover entire countries sometimes. And you could have millions of grid cells in just one of them. The data is too big, and my computer doesn't have enough memory to handle it. So I would require a bigger computer, a high-performance computer, to be able to do that. It would be nightmarish to do this without Azure. So it's refreshing to use Azure because I don't have to wait in a queue, and I get my code run very quickly, and I have some results back in a very timely manner."

Easy, anywhere access to the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform, combined with its power, versatility and scalability, has changed how the WorldPop research team does their spatial and temporal mapping research.

"At WorldPop, we're shaving as much as 90 percent off our calculation run-times using Microsoft Azure," Tatem says. "This frees us to focus more on data science, to improve the quality of our population mapping and ultimately to help governments and aid providers target poverty issues more efficiently and effectively."

Provided by Microsoft
This handout photo made available on August 31, 2017 by Greenpeace shows their activists hanging in trees to stop logging in Poland's Bialowieza Forest. A case is now in the European Court of Justice

Poland on Friday rejected evidence put before the European Court of Justice to prove illegal logging in the Bialowieza forest, a protected UNESCO site that includes Europe's last primeval woodland.

During a court hearing in Luxembourg on September 11, the European Commission's representative showed satellite images of Bialowieza to show that Warsaw is defying the court's temporary injunction to suspend logging there.

Poland has "found that the documents brought by the Commission have no value as evidence given their poor quality," the environment ministry said in a statement.

The satellite images are "imprecise and there's no way of verifying when and where they were taken, which calls into question their reliability", it added.

The ministry sent a version of the statement to the ECJ and maintained that it is obeying the injunction issued in July and is only felling trees for public safety reasons.

Poland has also requested that the court's vice-president Antonio Tizzano be removed from the case for allegedly taking sides at the last court session, ministry spokesman Aleksander Brzozka said, according to the Polish news agency PAP.

Bialowieza, which straddles the border with Belarus, includes one of the largest surviving parts of the primeval forest that covered the European plain 10 thousand years ago.

The vast woodland is home to unique plant and animal life, including 800 European bison, the continent's largest mammal.

The Polish government began logging in May last year, saying it was clearing dead trees to contain damage caused by a spruce bark beetle infestation, as well as to fight the risk of forest fires and preserve road traffic.

Scientists, ecologists and the European Union protested and activists now allege that it is being used as a cover for commercial logging.

The ECJ is expected to give its final ruling in early October.

 2017 AFP
Soon Polish citizens will be able to carry ID cards on their phone

Polish citizens will be able to carry around electronic versions of their ID cards on their mobile phones starting next year, Digital Minister Anna Strezynska said Friday.

"I hope that Poles, who are known in Europe for their open-mindedness regarding new technology, will be leading users" of the system, Strezynska said, as quoted by Polish news agency PAP.

She spoke during a visit to the southern town of Nowy Wisnicz, one of the locations where the technology is currently being tested.

Ministry spokesman Karol Manys told AFP that similar systems already exist in a few other EU member states including Austria and cyber-savvy Estonia.

He added that the government is preparing changes to current legislation so Poles will be able to pull out their mobile phones when they need to show identification to police officers and others.

The new system will be rolled out gradually, starting with young people. Mobile phone versions of driving licences, vehicle registration papers, student cards and other documents will follow, according to Strezynska.

Citizens of the country of 38 million people will see their ID cards stored in the cloud and will be able to call up the documents on their mobile phones using a code received by text message.

 2017 AFP
When will we see a woman or a man walk on Mars? Credit: www.shutterstock.com

In front of a huge SpaceX multimedia slide presentation, the company's founder Elon Musk today said that in 2022 he will send cargo missions to Mars, and manned missions by 2024.

"We've already started building the systems. Five years seems like a long time to me."

Just a few hours earlier, Lockheed Martin unveiled its highly anticipated lander, the newest element of its Mars Base Camp Deep Space Transport program enabled by NASA's exploration vision. The company hopes to use it "in about a decade".

Both groups were attending the 2017 International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, South Australia.

But how important is it when big names come to scientific conferences and describe their big vision projects? Would it matter if they didn't show up?

"I have been 'doing' Mars for about 15 years, and I know that my colleagues of all ages involved in Mars research would carry on regardless  Mars itself is the inspiration," said University of SA Associate Professor Graziella Caprarelli.

"But somebody with the vision and drive of Elon Musk will certainly be inspirational to younger generations and generate more interest in the topic across broader sections of the public."

"It's about believing in the future."@elonmusk shares why we must explore at #IAC2017 pic.twitter.com/o5ozRktfB8  Planetary Society (@exploreplanets) September 29, 2017

Postdoctoral researcher Eriita Jones, a colleague of Caprarelli's, agrees.

"Seeing money being injected into space, and particularly planetary exploration definitely encourages me to be hopeful about career opportunities in the future," she said.

"Those of us in the Mars research field are blessed both with a wealth of data from the many successful missions to the planet (NASA, ESA and others), and with a generally high level of public engagement with our research."

Jones said it was exciting to see entrepreneurs like Musk championing the importance of Mars exploration.

Caprarelli said SpaceX activities do rely on a scientific foundation.

"The success of the Falcon 9 rocket program is proof - it does not happen by chance," she said.

"I have met SpaceX team members who come to our scientific meetings to engage with scientists, and sometime propose collaborations."

TUNE IN: We're debuting our Mars Lander concept at #IAC2017. US: 9/28, 6 pm ET; ACST: 9/29, 7:30 am. https://t.co/3PfvUUiiC6 pic.twitter.com/ZU3KWDg8Ny  Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) September 27, 2017

But many challenges still remain.

"Can we provide sufficient resources to support an initial human presence on the surface?" asks Jones.

"Can we transport humans from Mars safely back to Earth if they wish to return? And, what are the ethical implications of placing consenting human beings in such a high risk scenario while all of planet Earth watches on?"

Other considerations include the risk of contaminating the martian environment with Earth biology, which may undermine future experiments conducted on Mars, particularly our ability to answer the question of whether life ever arose or currently exists on Mars, said Jones.

Another big question is budget.

Musk opened his presentation with a statement on the Mars project,

"I think we've figured out how to pay for it."

The room laughed.

But then he came full circle after 50 minutes of sotto voce technical details. Musk finished his presentation with a new vision.

"If you can build a ship that's capable of going to Mars, then what if you take that ship and use it on Earth? Most long-distance trips around the world can be completed in less than 30 minutes. "

SpaceX will use a commercial, Earth-based model of its transport systems to fund interplanetary exploration.

Sydney to New York in half an hour? That was a vision the IAC2017 audience loved.

Sarah Keenihan, Section Editor, Science and Technology, The Conversation

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Noncovalent interactions. Credit: Kamran Makhmudov

An international group of scientists including visiting foreign professor from RUDN University Kamran Makhmudov has analyzed chemical bonds in proteins based on sulfur and other elements from the 16th group of the periodic table. Such atoms are called chalcogens, and the bonds are known as chalcogen bonds. The results were published in Dalton Transactions, and will be presented at the International Chugaev Conference on Coordination Chemistry to be held from October 2 to 6 in Nizhny Novgorod (Russia).

"Over the past two years, more than 100 research papers on chalcogen bonding were published every year in the scientific database Web of Science," Kamran Makhmudov, the lead author of the work explains. "Interest in this topic has been growing exponentially for a decade, but surprisingly, there was no generalized article on the use of chalcogen bonds in synthesis, catalysis and materials design relevant for modern chemistry. We believe that this perspective that systematizes existing information on the applications of chalcogen bonding will fill this gap and draw more attention to this new growing field of research."

The arrangement of atoms inside a molecule is determined by covalent bonds. They are formed when atoms share pairs of electrons. When it comes to protein molecules, covalent interactions between atoms determine the primary structure of the molecule (the "chain" of amino acids).

Along with covalent bonds between atoms and polyatomic particles, there are noncovalent interactions. Noncovalent bonds (aerogenic, halogenic, chalcogenic, pnictogenic, tetrel and icosagen) are formed by the elements of the 13th to 18th groups in the periodic table: hydrogen, halogens (such as chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine), chalcogens (elements of the oxygen and sulfur subgroup), pnictogens (arsenic, antimony, bismuth). The atoms of these chemical elements have a positive electrostatic potential. In other words, these atoms get a positive charge that attracts negatively charged atoms of chemical elements. This is the working principle of Lewis acidstheir acid center attracts negatively charged molecules (enriched by electrons which give them this negative charge).

"It is due to noncovalent interactions that clusters of atoms or molecules can exist in a condensed statein the form of a liquid or a solid. These interactions play a large role when we deal with polymers," said Kamran Makhmudov. "In particular, different protein complexes are combined through noncovalent interactions either with each other or with nucleic acids to form ribosomes, chromatin, viruses, or with lipids to make up lipoprotein membranes. Thus, noncovalent interactions form the basis for important biological structures and their role in biology is particularly important."

Scientists have discovered how chemical elements from the chalcogen group form noncovalent chemical bonds. This group includes oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), polonium (Po), and artificially produced radioactive Livermorium (Lv).

Chalcogen bonding is one of the types of noncovalent interactions. A chalcogen atom is tied to a molecule by covalent bonds, but it has one or more positively charged areas. Due to the attraction of positive to negative charges, the chalcogen atom attaches to other parts of the molecule that have negatively charged areas. This is how the chalcogen bond is formed. This is one of the mechanisms of protein molecule folding which holds its shape.

Chalcogen bonding is usually observed in substances in the solid state. But in several studies, the chalcogens were also active in a solution. This is a very important property, since it makes chalcogens useful for analytical chemistry and medicine. Moreover, it is already known that the chalcogen bonding (mainly the interaction between sulfur and oxygen) plays an important role in biological systems. Scientists believe that we should start thinking about including chalcogens in drug design. With the help of multiple chalcogen bonds between the centers of sulfur, selenium and tellurium, we can create nanotubes that will contain other molecules.

"We hope that these examples and related discussion will draw more attention to this exciting field of practical application of chalcogen. Moreover, we can expect chalcogen bonding to be recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in the near future," the scientist concluded.

More information: Kamran T. Mahmudov et al, Chalcogen bonding in synthesis, catalysis and design of materials, Dalton Trans. (2017). DOI: 10.1039/c7dt01685a Journal information: Dalton Transactions
This image shows message sending from Vienna to Beijing through space-ground integrated quantum network. Credit: PAN Jianwei's group

The first quantum-safe video conference was held between President Chunli Bai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and President Anton Zeilinger of the Austria Academy of Sciences in Vienna as the first real-world demonstration of intercontinental quantum communication on September 29th.

Private and secure communications are fundamental human needs. In particular, with the exponential growth of internet use and e-commerce, it is of paramount importance to establish a secure network with global protection of data. Traditional public key cryptography usually relies on the perceived computational intractability of certain mathematical functions. In contrast, quantum key distribution (QKD) uses individual light quanta in quantum superposition states to guarantee unconditional security between distant parties. Previously, the quantum communication distance had been limited to a few hundred kilometers due to the channel loss of fibers or terrestrial free space. A promising solution to this problem is exploiting satellite and space-based links, which can connect two remote points on Earth with greatly reduced channel loss, as most of the photons' propagation path is in empty space with negligible loss and decoherence.

A cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional team of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Professor Jian-Wei Pan, has spent more than 10 years developing a sophisticated satellite called Micius for quantum science experiments, which was successfully launched on 16 August 2016 from Jiuquan, China, orbiting at an altitude of ~500 km.

The satellite is equipped with three payloads: a decoy-state QKD transmitter, an entangled-photon source, and a quantum teleportation receiver and analyzer. Five ground stations were built in China to coordinate with the Micius satellite, located in Xinglong (near Beijing, 4023'45.12''N, 11734'38.85''E, altitude 890 m), Nanshan (near Urumqi, 4328'31.66''N, 8710'36.07''E, altitude 2028 m), Delingha (3722'44.43''N, 9743'37.01"E, altitude 3153 m), Lijiang (2641'38.15''N, 1001'45.55''E, altitude 3233 m), and Ngari in Tibet (3219'30.07''N, 801'34.18''E, altitude 5047 m).

Within a year after the launch, three key milestones toward a global-scale quantum internet have been achieved: satellite-to-ground decoy-state QKD with kHz rate over a distance of ~1200 km (Liao et al. 2017, Nature 549, 43); satellite-based entanglement distribution to two locations on the Earth separated by ~1200 km and Bell test (Yin et al. 2017, Science 356, 1140), and ground-to-satellite quantum teleportation (Ren et al. 2017, Nature 549, 70). The effective link efficiencies in the satellite-based QKD were measured to be ~20 orders of magnitudes larger than direct transmission through optical fibers at the same length at 1200 km.

The satellite-based QKD has now been combined with metropolitan quantum networks in which fibers are used to connect many users inside a city with a distance scale of ~100 km. For example, the Xinglong station has now been connected to the metropolitan multi-node quantum network in Beijing via optical fibers. Very recently, the largest fiber-based quantum communication backbone was built in China by Professor Pan's team, linking Beijing to Shanghai (going through Jinan and Hefei, and 32 trustful relays) with a fiber length of 2000 km. The backbone uses decoy-state protocol QKD and achieves an all-pass secure key rate of 20 kbps. It is being tested for real-world applications by government, banks, securities and insurance companies.

The Micius satellite can be further exploited as a trustful relay to conveniently connect any two points on the Earth for high-security key exchange. Early this year, the Chinese team implemented satellite-to-ground QKD in Xinglong. After that, the secure keys were stored in the satellite for two hours until it reached Nanshan station near Urumqi, by a distance of ~2500 km from Beijing. By performing another QKD between the satellite and Nanshan station, and using one-time-pad encoding, a secure key between Xinglong and Nanshan was then established. To test the robustness and versatility of the Micius, QKD from the satellite to Graz ground station near Vienna was carried out successfully this June as a collaboration between Professor Pan and Professor Anton Zeilinger's group. Future experiments are also planned between China and Singapore, Italy, Germany, and Russia.
Credit: University of Michigan

University of Michigan researchers have developed a laser-based method that could be used to detect chemicals such as explosives and dangerous gases quickly and accurately.

Eventually, this method could be used in systems placed in airports, for the environmental monitoring of pollutants or even in battlefields, said author Steven Cundiff, physics professor in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The study, conducted by physics research fellow Bachana Lomsadze, publishes today in Science.

Lomsadze and Cundiff's method combines two techniques that speed up laser-based detection of chemicals while doing so accurately. The first technique is based on the same idea as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which uses radio frequencies to identify the structure of molecules. Here, the researchers use a method called multi-dimensional coherent spectroscopy, or MDCS. MDCS uses ultrashort laser pulses to read types of gases like a bar code. When the scientists bounce the laser pulses through the mixture of gases, those pulses can "read" the specific wavelengths of lightor colorthat specific gases absorb.

"If you have light going through the gas, and, for example, you use a prism to separate white light into colored light, in the rainbow spectrum you'd see there'd be black stripes," Cundiff said. "Where the black stripes are almost gives you a barcode that tells you what kind of molecule is in the sample."

Scientists have been working on similar, simpler methods. Many important molecules have a very rich spectra for certain colors of lightalthough the "colors" may actually be in the infrared, so not visible the human eyewhich makes them easily identifiable. But this becomes difficult when scientists try to identify gases in a mixture. Previously, scientists relied on comparing what they measured against a catalogue of molecules, a process that requires high performance computers and a significant amount of time.

"It's like trying to look at three people's fingerprints on top of each other. This is a stumbling block for using these methods in a real-world situation," Cundiff said. "Our method takes about 15 minutes to a few hours using traditional approaches to MDCS."

To speed up the process while preserving its accuracy, the U-M researchers combined MDCS with another method called dual comb spectroscopy.

Frequency combs are laser sources that generate spectra consisting of equally spaced sharp lines that are used as rulers to measure the spectral features of atoms and molecules with extremely high precision. In spectroscopy, using two frequency combs, known as dual comb spectroscopy, provides an elegant way to rapidly acquire a high resolution spectrum without mechanical moving elements such as a "corner cube," which is three mirrors arranged to make one corner, used to reflect a laser beam directly back on itself. This element usually limits how long it takes for the researchers to measure a spectrum.

"This approach could allow the method of multidimensional coherent spectroscopy to escape the lab and be used for practical applications such as detecting explosives or monitoring atmospheric constituents," Cundiff said.

Lomsadze and Cundiff applied their method to a vapor of rubidium atoms that contained two rubidium isotopes. The frequency difference between absorption lines for the two isotopes is too small to be observed using traditional approaches to MDCS, but by using combs, Lomsadze and Cundiff were able to resolve these lines and assign the spectra of the isotopes based on how the energy levels were coupled to each other. Their method is general and can be used to identify chemicals in a mixture without previously knowing the makeup of the mixture.

Next, the researchers plan to add a third laser that could even greater speed up their ability to identify gases. They also plan to use lasers based on fiber optics so that they can look further into infrared light, which would expand the number of chemicals they would be able to identify.

More information: Bachana Lomsadze et al. Frequency combs enable rapid and high-resolution multidimensional coherent spectroscopy, Science (2017). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi  1126/science.aao1090 Journal information: Science
Uber's new boss hopes to "make things right" with London's authorities

New Uber boss Dara Khosrowshahi will visit London on Tuesday to meet with the city's transport chiefs "to make things right" following their decision not to renew the firm's licence, the company said.

Khosrowshahi will meet Mike Brown of Transport for London (TfL) as the ride-sharing service attempts to overturn the ban.

"Our new CEO is looking forward to meeting with the commissioner next week," said an Uber spokesman.

"As he said on Monday, we want to work with London to make things right."

A TfL spokesman responded: "Following an approach from Uber, and at the mayor's request, London's transport commissioner will meet with Uber's global CEO in London next Tuesday."

TfL highlighted the company's approach to reporting serious criminal offences and to obtaining criminal record checks for drivers as factors in its decision.

Uber, which has about 40,000 drivers and some 3.5 million customers in the British capital, has 21 days to lodge its appeal and can continue to operate until that process has concluded.

Khosrowshahi apologised on Monday "for the mistakes we've made" and insisted "we will appeal this decision on behalf of millions of Londoners, but we do so with the knowledge that we must also change."

The capital's mayor, Sadiq Khan, welcomed the apology.

"Obviously I am pleased that he has acknowledged the issues that Uber faces in London," he said in a statement.

More than 800,000 people have signed an online petition launched by Uber urging TfL to reverse its decision.

The company is having regulatory issues in several countries, and threatened on Tuesday to stop services in Canada's Quebec province in mid-October, saying proposed new ride-sharing rules aimed at levelling the field with taxis are too onerous.

 2017 AFP
Credit: University of Western Ontario

It was a stroke of serendipity that led to Michael Zanetti's discovery of the hottest rock on Earth.

In 2011, Zanetti, now a postdoctoral researcher in Earth Sciences at Western, was on an analog mission with Earth Sciences professor Gordon Osinski at 28-kilometre-wide Mistastin Lake crater in Labrador  a Canadian Space Agency (CSA)-funded endeavour using the impact structure as a test bed for exploration strategies and field equipment for use on the moon and Mars.

A PhD student at Washington University in St. Louis at the time, Zanetti's eye honed in on something that stood out within the crater.

"My role was basically to assist the mock astronauts and take notes. Being a wide-eyed graduate student, I kept my eyes open for interesting rocks and things like that," he said.

"Being an impact crater guy and being in one, I was super excited. When I was out there, I found a rock that didn't look in place. It was essentially glass  which, in geotechnical terms, is a rock  that didn't have any crystals in it. It melted. Before it had a chance to form any little crystals in it  which form slowly as things cool  it cooled rapidly and quenched a glass," he explained.

When a city-sized asteroid hits the ground at 15 km/second, an enormous amount of energy is released, like "a billion hydrogen bombs worth of energy," Zanetti said.

This produces a lot of heat  so much heat, you could vaporize rocks. The rapid cooling that follows impact 'freezes' in place whatever is inside the rock. In the case of the glass rock that caught Zanetti's eye, small zircon grains from the host rocks were frozen in place.

Zircon  a mineral known by many as a cheap diamond substitute  doesn't break easily and doesn't melt, even at temperatures hot enough to melt surrounding rocks. Instead, the zircon grains present in host rocks recorded the heat at the time of the asteroid's impact 38 million years ago.

Michael Zanetti, now a postdoctoral researcher in Earth Sciences at Western, was on an analog mission with Earth Sciences professor Gordon Osinski at 28-kilometre-wide Mistastin Lake crater in Labrador, when he discovered a rock that records the hottest temperature on Earth. Credit: University of Western Ontario

The rock Zanetti found recorded the hottest temperature in a rock formation on Earth as a result of the asteroid impact  a whopping 2,370 C.

"The big picture here is this  very hot temperature is at the centre of the Earth; it is unusual here. There are hot temperatures and high pressures down deep in the Earth but not at the surface of the Earth," Zanetti said.

"You've got these little zircons floating around (in this rock). They're feeling the effects of this heat and one of the effects of this very high heat on zircon is to change its crystal structure to cubic zirconia. This little zircon inside this little sample I found records that; it got frozen in place by quenching to glass halfway through. If it had gone on another couple of seconds, the heat might have just completely engulfed this grain. But this is just kind of a rare happenstance that it got frozen halfway completed."

An analysis of the rock, and this record-breaking temperature, led by Nicholas Timms at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, co-authored by Zanetti and colleagues in Switzerland and the United States, was recently published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

The crux of the science behind this discovery is that it closes the gap between computer models, Zanetti explained.

"We can do the math on what happens, and how much energy is really released when a giant asteroid hits the ground really fast, and we can get estimates on what these temperatures should be, and where in the crater these temperatures should be found. But what we have now is an actual hand specimen that we can say, 'This came from this place and it got this hot," he said.

The entire reason this rock was found was because of a Western-led CSA-funded expedition for something completely unrelated, Zanetti stressed.

"I didn't set out to find a hot rock. The other part of this is how lucky things can get. One, I was lucky to get on that mission, lucky to get this rare sample, lucky when I cut into it that I cut across one of these rare zircons, lucky that I was with a team of people who could identify it for what it was and lucky to find the right people to analyze it," he noted.

"Sometimes it takes just a bit of happenstance to find some cool things."

More information: Nicholas E. Timms et al. Cubic zirconia in >2370 C impact melt records Earth's hottest crust, Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.08.012 Journal information: Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Australian opposition party leader extends Dashain greetings

Australias opposition Labour Party leader has extended greetings on the occasion of Nepali festival Bada Dashain.
Credit: National Research University Higher School of Economics

The Grit Scale questionnaire has gained popularity over the past decade, not only in research but also in practical psychology and in employee selection. The questionnaire is used to measure grita personality trait combining perseverance in reaching goals and the consistency of one's interests over time. HSE researchers have found a way to prove that grit is not a single personality trait and the Grit Scale measures two independent constructs. Their findings are published in the European Journal of Psychological Assessment.

About 10 years ago, American researcher Angela Duckworth added a new term to psychology: grit, meaning hardiness of character and perseverance. Together with her colleagues, Duckworth developed the Grit Scale. It turns out that individuals who score high on the Grit Scale demonstrate greater achievement in various fields, including military training, medicine, science and competitive sports, than do others of equal intelligence and social status who have lower grit scores. Indeed, in certain cases, grit proved to be more important for academic and professional success than intelligence.

The test immediately gained popularity. Over the past 10 years, the Grit Scale has been widely used in research, and different types of achievement and success have been explained by grit. In psychology, the term has become part of the everyday vocabulary of practitioners as well as academic researchers. The questionnaire is freely accessible and quite simple, consisting of 12 statements in the long version and six in the short versionyet another factor for its popularity. In a series of publications, the authors of the concept demonstrated the reliability and internal validity of their questionnaire in measuring grit as a single personality trait. In other words, they showed that the two components of gritperseverance of effort and consistency of interests over timeare sustainably manifested together.

However, new data emerged calling into question the existence of grit as a single trait. Based on a sample of students from the Philippines, Jesus Datu and colleagues showed that while the Grit Scale does measure both consistency of interests and perseverance, these are two distinct and independent traits that do not form a single overarching construct. According to Datu, only perseverance of effort predicted academic engagement, success and subjective well-being, while consistency of interests did not. Indeed, in his study, consistency of interests was even more common in students with low academic engagement. Datu et al. suggest that since Duckworth's study used samples from Western societies, her findings may not fully apply to the collectivist Filipino culture. Other studies conducted later on different cohorts, including Americans, also indicate that perseverance of effort and consistency of interests manifest themselves as two different constructs rather than a single one. However, explaining why the results were different from those found by Duckworth's team was still problematic.

Incidentally, physiological data proves that perseverance and consistency of interests do not necessarily correlate. When trying to solve a difficult task, mutual activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems was observed in people with high perseverance scores, while high consistency of interests was associated with low activation of the sympathetic system and showed no correlation whatsoever with the parasympathetic system activation.

According to the HSE researchers, a major limitation of earlier studies was their approach to data analysis. "Their authors relied on classical test theory methods, which, despite their advantages, are unable to distinguish between the characteristics of the test and those of the subjects, while this distinction is essential," says Yulia Tumeneva, co-author of the study and senior research fellow of the International Laboratory for Education Policy Analysis. "For example, if we give a test in mathematics to a group of subjects and they get low scores, does it mean that the test was too difficult or the subjects had poor knowledge of mathematics? To answer this type of question, item response theory (IRT) can be used. IRT methods are more complex, and require special software and training in their application, but they allow us to draw a distinction between the test and subject characteristics."

The problem with grit was exactly thatwhether a characteristic does not exist, or does not get captured by the questionnaire. So the HSE Institute of Education researchers applied IRT methods to a fairly large sample of high school students from a recently launched longitudinal panel study of educational and occupational trajectories using the Grit Scale.

Following a complex, multi-stage analysis, the researchers found no evidence to support the existence of grit as a single personality characteristic. Instead, the Grit Scale appears to measure two independent characteristics, perseverance of effort and consistency of interests.

These traits can, indeed, occur togetherjust as in some people, health can go together with kindness, or intelligence with an attractive appearance. Someone having both perseverance and consistency of interests will strive for one goal without losing interest in it over time. However, the same personality traits can also occur separately. Some people may have perseverance in reaching a certain goal, but then lose interest in it and reach out to another goal with the same perseverance, while other people may be interested in one and the same thing over years, but never set specific goals nor show perseverance in reaching them.

The so-called "Gritty person" of a specific interest of employers, for instance, is no more than a fortunate composition of two traits. So the results are rather about the accuracy of psychological terms. Practically, it means that test users have no reason to combine the scores of these two traitsperseverance of effort and consistency of interestsinto an overall "grit" score, because no specific entity exists under this modern label. At the same time, it is still worthwhile to seek out tenacious and motivated workers with stable interests in your domain.

More information: Yulia Tyumeneva et al, Grit, European Journal of Psychological Assessment (2017). DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000424

Provided by National Research University Higher School of Economics
Doctors call off strike after 4-pt deal with govt; hospitals reopen across country

The nationwide strike called by the doctors ended on Friday after the agitating Nepal Medical Association (NMA), the umbrella body of Nepali medical practitioners, signed a four-point deal with government.
ToysRUs, Inc. Selects Mirakl to Launch Online Marketplace

Wayne, NJ  September 29, 2017  ToysRUs, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Mirakl, the leading global marketplace solutions provider, to support the creation of a new online marketplace for the ToysRUs and BabiesRUs businesses in the United States and Canada. The platform, set to launch in 2018, will enable ToysRUs to increase its product selection and decrease time to market for new merchandise, as part of the companys commitment to serve its customers whenever, wherever and however they want to shop.

As the leading toy and baby retailer, customers expect us to have the latest and greatest assortment of products available. The marketplace model provides the opportunity to accomplish just that, said Lance Wills, TRU Global Chief Technology Officer. We look forward to working with Mirakl, and its experienced team, to bring this user-friendly shopping option to our customers.

Beyond enhancing its breadth and depth of selection, the online marketplace will allow ToysRUs to leverage data from third-party products and sellers to identify potential, new retail partners and influence the companys in-store offerings.

When we met with the ToysRUs team, it was evident they have a clear vision for the future of their business, said Adrien Nussenbaum, U.S. CEO and co-founder, Mirakl. We are confident in our ability to support their growth objectives with our Mirakl Marketplace Platform, and we are honored to become one of their trusted partners. Were thrilled to help ToysRUs successfully launch and operate its marketplace and bring joy to millions of more consumers.

About ToysRUs, Inc.

ToysRUs, Inc. is the worlds leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 885 ToysRUs and BabiesRUs stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in more than 810 international stores and over 255 licensed stores in 38 countries and jurisdictions. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com, the company provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. ToysRUs, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, NJ, and has nearly 65,000 employees worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Over the past three decades, the Company has given more than $100 million in product donations to childrens charities. Since 1992, the ToysRUs Childrens Fund, a public charity affiliated with ToysRUs, Inc., has also donated more than $130 million in grants. For more information, visit Toysrusinc.com or follow @ToysRUsNews on Twitter.

About Mirakl

Mirakl gives retailers and brands a fast path to increase customer value by launching an online marketplace. The increased value exceeds customer expectations by providing more products, at better prices, with superior service. The Mirakl Marketplace Platform automates the hard things: Seller onboarding, product data management, service quality control, and order distribution; on an API-based solution thats modular and easy to integrate. Over 100 customers operating marketplaces in 40 countries trust Mirakls proven expertise and technology including Hewlett Packard Electronics, ToysRUs, 1-800-Flowers, Urban Outfitters, Best Buy Canada, Carrefour, Darty, Galeries Lafayette and Halfords. Founded in 2012, Mirakl helps companies provide a better customer experience as part of their omni-channel strategy. For more information: www.mirakl.com

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Additional Microsoft 365 Options Coming Next Week

Starting in October, Microsoft 365 will cover a larger swath of customers with extended licensing options.

Microsoft first unveiled the Microsoft 365 brand in July as a broad bundle of Office, Windows and various management and security capabilities. It's often described as a combination of Office 365, Windows 10 and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS). In practice, what's included varies considerably depending on the package. The original version was Microsoft 365 Enterprise, announced at Microsoft Inspire and consisting of a relatively straightforward repackaging of Secure Productive Enterprise that included Office 365, Windows 10 Enterprise and the EMS suite.

In August, Microsoft launched a public preview of Microsoft 365 Business, intended for organizations with fewer than 300 users. That bundle begins to reveal the variation of the Microsoft 365 offerings. While it broadly addresses productivity, client, management and security licensing, the specifics of the bundle consisted of Windows 10 Pro upgrade rights, Windows Defender, Office, 1TB of file storage, a 50GB mailbox, online meetings, Microsoft Teams, Outlook Customer Manager, Bookings, MileIQ and additional security and management features.

A number of additional versions were unveiled this week at Microsoft Ignite, including Microsoft 365 F1 for so-called "firstline workers" and two new Microsoft 365 versions for education.

With its term "firstline workers," Microsoft is trying to create a term for employees who don't need a computer of their own in the course of their regular work. "They are the people behind the counter, on the phone, in the clinics, on the shop floor, and in the field. They are often the first to engage customers, the first to represent a company's brand, and the first to see products and services in action," said Bryan Goode, general manager for Office 365, in a blog post announcing the F1 SKU. Goode estimated that there are 2 billion firstline workers worldwide.

If the concept sounds familiar, Microsoft has previously offered kiosk licenses with a similar story, although now Microsoft is tying the idea into its current digital transformation theme. "Microsoft is in a unique position to help companies tap into the potential of their Firstline Workforce with our commercial product offerings, spanning Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Microsoft IoT, Microsoft AI, and Microsoft HoloLens and the Windows Mixed Reality ecosystem," Goode said.

Components of Microsoft 365 F1 overlap with an Office 365 F1 SKU, which includes Office Online, 2GB of e-mail, SharePoint, Yammer, Groups, instant messaging, Teams, enterprise video, PowerApps, Flow and StaffHub, an app for clocking in/out and task tracking. Beyond the Office 365 capabilities, Microsoft 365 F1 includes Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics, Windows Defender Antivirus, Device Guard, Azure Active Directory, Windows Hello, Credential Guard, Direct Access, Microsoft Intune, Windows Information Protection and BitLocker.

For teacher and students, Microsoft is rolling out Microsoft 365 Education in two SKUs on Oct. 1. Broadly, the offer covers Office 365 for Education, Windows 10, EMS and Minecraft: Education Edition. Specifically, the education offering is available as Microsoft 365 A3 and Microsoft 365 A5.

Noting the popularity of free usage of Office 365 for Education for teachers and students, Anthony Salcito, vice president, education at Microsoft, promised in a blog post that there are no changes being made to that existing offer. "Microsoft 365 Education builds on that free service with advanced communications, management and security features. In addition, you can provide many of the advanced features found in Microsoft 365 Education to students at no additional cost with the student use benefit when you purchase for faculty and staff," he said.

Features exclusive to the A5 edition include PSTN Conferencing, Cloud PBX, Advanced Threat Prevention and some higher-level EMS functionality.
Working Holidays & Other Ways Singaporeans Can Live and Work Abroad Without Going Broke

Take a walk around Raffles Place during lunchtime, and youll see grim looks on the faces of harried office workers as they rush to and from the office.

Just going by their facial expressions, youd think none of them actually wanted to be there.

And youd be right. A 2016 online study showed that 42% of Singaporeans want to migrate, while a 2017 survey conducted by the World Economic Forums Global Shapers community found that about 7 in 10 Singaporean millennials are willing to move abroad to advance their careers.

But many Singaporeans see working overseas as something thats reserved for upper middle class kids whose parents can afford to send them abroad for their studies.

Not so. Heres how you can enjoy an overseas stint without paying obscene amounts of money.

Get a degree in a country where university education is free

Studying at a local university is now quite expensive. So expensive, in fact, that it might actually be cheaper to study in a country where university education is free, even when you take into account rent and other living costs.

Singapore citizens admitted to NUS in 2017 will generally pay annual fees of about $8,150 to $12,950 a year. Note that this is just school fees and doesnt account for the cost of transportation and, well, being a university student with a social life.

By contrast, if you were to study at a free university in, say, Berlin, youd be looking at an annual cost of about 13,300 to 21,000 SGD. That includes the cost of accommodation, food and pocket money. Click here to see how we arrived at that calculation.

Working holiday in Australia or New Zealand

The Singapore government has been famously reluctant to set up working holiday agreements that enable Singaporeans to work abroad, while at the same time running a Work Holiday Programme so that foreigners can come and work here.

So we were surprised to hear that Singaporeans under 31 will now be able to take part in Australias Work & Holiday Visa Programme. Youll have 12 months to enter Australia and look for a job, and happily youll discover that even blue collar jobs can pay quite handsomely there thanks to the minimum wage.

Story continues

There is one other working holiday visa open to Singaporeans going to New Zealand, although the requirements are much more stringent. To qualify for the Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa, which is valid for 6 months, you must be no older than 30 and either still a student or have graduated no more than 3 years ago.

Volunteer overseas

Medium- to long-term volunteer stints can give you the chance to live in a country for free, and in exchange you might even be paid a small stipend that can cover your living expenses.

While thats certainly not going to make you rich, it can be a great way to contribute to a community and experience their way of life without having to spend loads of money.

The Singapore International Foundation matches volunteers with overesas positions that range from a few days to several months long. Right now theyre looking for a volunteer English teacher in Laos for a 6 month assignment.

You can also look for volunteer opportunities with organisations that operate in the country you wish to visit. For instance, if youd like to volunteer in Chile, English Opens Doors is an organisation that recruits volunteers and trains them to teach English as a foreign language.

Do an internship

Getting a job abroad isnt that easy, especially if youre not exactly some software engineering whiz.

But getting an internship, on the other hand, is a bit easier, even more so if you can afford to accept an unpaid one.

Organisations see you as less of a risk since youll only be there for a few weeks or months, and you wont need as much experience as you would for a full blown job.

Have you ever lived or worked overseas? Share your experiences in the comments!

The post 4 Ways Singaporeans Can Enjoy an Overseas Stint Without Going Broke appeared first on the MoneySmart blog.

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More than 60 Rohingya refugees are feared dead after a boat carrying them from Myanmar capsized, leaving distraught relatives to hold burials on Friday in squalid Bangladesh camps which the Red Cross says are tipping into a health crisis. Half a million Rohingya have crushed into settlements in Bangladesh in just over a month, fleeing a Myanmar army campaign and communal violence that the UN describes as "ethnic cleansing". They have poured over on foot or crossed the Naf river which bisects the two countries in overcrowded boats. One of these vessels capsized in rough waters on Thursday agonisingly close to the shore, survivors said, as the Bangladeshi captain lost control after pushing far out to sea for two days to avoid patrols. The bodies of 23 people have been retrieved so far but the death toll is expected to surge to around 60, with many of the dead likely to be young children too weak to swim through the churning water. "Forty are missing and presumed drowned," International Organization for Migration spokesman Joel Millman told reporters in Geneva. Survivor Abdus Salam told AFP the boat hit trouble within striking distance of the Bangladeshi coastline. "He didn't see a rock underneath the water and we hit it." Refugees on Friday held funerals for loved ones -- among them children -- who had hoped to find sanctuary from violence that has cut through their homeland in Rakhine state. A woman carried a small white bundle to a grave for a Muslim burial, while male relatives wept at a school building where bodies had been laid out. "My wife and two boys survived, but I lost my three daughters," Shona Miah, 32, told AFP. - One toilet for hundreds - Those who have made it to Bangladesh have been squeezed into a vast makeshift refugee settlement that has become one of the world's biggest in a matter of weeks. Relief groups are overwhelmed by the numbers of hungry and traumatised Rohingya and medical staff say the camps are in imminent danger of disease outbreak. "Our mobile clinics are treating more people, especially children, who are very sick from diarrhoeal diseases which are a direct result of the terrible sanitation conditions," said Mozharul Huq, secretary general of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. In some of the camps hundreds of refugees are sharing a single toilet, said Martin Faller, of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). "The conditions for an outbreak of disease are all present - we have to act now and we have to act at scale," he added. The UNHCR says nearly one in five of arrivals is suffering from "acute malnutrition", while aid groups have pledged to deliver 900,000 doses of cholera vaccine to Bangldesh within a fortnight. Worsening conditions are compelling Rohingya to try to move out of the wedge of land Bangladesh has set aside for the new arrivals. But Bangladesh police have stopped more than 20,000 Rohingya from going inland, a senior official said Friday, after authorities imposed travel restrictions on the refugees fearing they will move further into the country. Bangladesh has urged Myanmar to allow a safe return for the Rohingya. Myanmar says it is ready to begin repatriating refugees to a camp in the Maungdaw district of northern Rakhine. But rights groups say the criteria for return is convoluted and carefully crafted to take back as few of the minority as possible. Many Rohingya do not possess the requisite documents to be allowed back or are unwilling to return to villages that have been burnt to the ground. The Muslim minority are loathed in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship and are instead branded "Bengalis" -- or illegal migrants who do not belong in the Buddhist-majority country. - UN warnings - Attacks on police posts in Rakhine by Rohingya militants on August 25 set the crisis in motion. The kickback by Myanmar's army killed hundreds and left scores of Rohingya villages in ashes. Rohingya who fled say they survived slaughter by soldiers and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists who were once their neighbours. Ethnic Rakhine and Hindus have also been displaced inside Rakhine, accusing Rohingya militants of atrocities. Rohingya are still on the move and UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned that the "systemic violence" could spill further south to the central part of Rakhine, threatening a further 250,000 Muslims with displacement. Nearly 90 non-governmental organizations, including Amnesty International, have issued a joint statement denouncing "crimes against humanity" against the Rohingya in Myanmar and calling on the international community to immediately end military assistance to the country. On Thursday the UN Security Council failed to agree on a joint resolution, after China and Russia supported Myanmar. But the UN Human Rights Council said Friday it would extend an international fact-finding mission into abuses in Myanmar by another six months. Access to the violence-stricken part of Rakhine is tightly controlled by the military, preventing international aid groups reaching desperate Rohingya or independent reporting on the crisis. burs-apj/eb-klm
Kathmandu streets wear a deserted look during Dashain (in pictures)

Roads of Kathmandu known for often crowded streets with traffic congestion and movement of hundreds of thousands of people wore a deserted look during Dashain festival. This is an unusual scene in Kathmandu streets as a large number of people have left the Capital Valley to celebrate the annual Dashain festival.
Photo: Getty Images

Over six months, a couple inflicted horrific injuries on their Indonesian maid who had her left ear permanently disfigured and teeth knocked out, and was scarred all over her body including her scalp.

Zariah Mohd Ali, a 56-year-old Singaporean woman, would abuse Khanifah, 37, while the maid was doing household chores. Zariah would violently assault the maid with items such as a hammer, a bamboo pole, a scissors, and a pestle. Zariah would accuse the maid of not cleaning fast enough, or not doing her job well, before striking her, often to the extent that Khanifah bled.

The maid was not given the chance to treat her wounds, resulting in permanent disfiguration on her ears, scalp and shoulders.

A trial judge found Zariah guilty on 12 charges of voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt to Khanifah in 2012 on Friday (29 September). Zariahs husband, Mohamad Dahlan, was also convicted on one charge of causing hurt to Khanifah by hitting her head with the cover of a frying pan. The couple have a daughter, Atiqah, and a son, who would only return home on the weekends due to National Service.

Khanifah first came to Singapore in November 2011 and started her first employment stint here with Zariahs family shortly after. Her relationship with Zariah, who suffered from a stroke and was paralysed on her left hand, was good for the first six months of Khanifahs stay with the family in their Woodlands home. Zariah would only scold Khanifah if the maid made mistakes in her work.

However, the relationship soured as Khanifah entered the sixth month of her employment. From June 2012 to December 2012, Zariah would scold the maid frequently and subject her to physical abuse with her right hand.

On five occasions, Zariah assaulted Khanifah with a hammer. During the first incident, Khanifah was cleaning the toilet in Zariahs bedroom when the employer scolded the maid for not cleaning enough and for working too slowly.

With a hammer in her right hand, Zariah hit Khanifah on the back of her head very hard with the blunt side of the tool while the latter continued cleaning. Khanifah shouted in pain and her head began to bleed. She went to the toilet to clean the wound with water and later used a small towel to dress the wound but was unable to stop the bleeding.

Story continues

In response, Zariah gave Khanifah a sanitary pad to staunch the bleeding. Khanifah did not treat her head wounds and it took months for the bleeding to stop.

When Zariah hit Khanifahs head with a hammer again on other occasions, Khanifahs old wound reopened and bled, but her employer would again toss her a sanitary pad to dress her wound. As a result of the injuries, Khanifah sustained permanent scarring on her head and her hair had not grown back by July 2013.

Zariah also used a hammer to hit Khanifahs mouth on two occasions. The first time, Khanifah was cleaning the front of the door of Zariahs bedroom when her employer began scolding her.

Zariah then told Khanifah to bare her teeth in a grin before striking her mouth with the blunt side of the hammer. This caused the victims gums to bleed, her lips to swell, and her teeth to loosen from the gums. Again, apart from washing her mouth, Khanifah did not treat her injuries as she lacked medication.

The second time the incident happened, two of Khanifahs bottom two teeth fell out and two middle teeth from the top broke. Khanifahs lips were also deformed.

Zariah also attacked Khanifah with a short bamboo pole that was used to hang clothes on more than twice. She swung the bamboo pole down on Khanifah, clipping the top part of her left ear. Her ear swelled and began to bleed as a result.

The second time the incident happened, the bamboo pole broke upon impacting Khanifahs left ear, which became deformed after the incident. Zariah also struck Khanifahs forehead with a stone pestle more than five times, causing swelling and bruises. The employer also used sharp objects on Khanifah.

Zariah stabbed Khanifahs shoulders with a pair of scissors more than five different times. The attacks would leave holes in Khanifahs shirt sleeves and cause her shoulders to bleed.

On one occasion, Zariahs husband Dahlan asked Khanifah about the holes but showed no reaction upon hearing his wife was the cause of it. Zariah later gave Khanifah new shirts to wear.

Zariah also slashed Khanifah with a chopper as the maid was cleaning fish. She cut into Khanifahs left forearm, exposing her flesh, according to court documents. Even then, Zariah only gave Khanifah a plaster to stop the bleeding. As the plaster was insufficient, Khanifah resorted to using a plastic and scotch tape to cover the wound. The wound swelled and bled over time.

Zariah also hurt Khanifahs hand by using a piece of tissue to pull Khanifahs little finger backwards. She did this to the point that a clicking sound was heard. As a result, Khanifah is no longer able to straighten her little finger, said the prosecution.

As they were abusing Khanifah, the family made effort to conceal the signs of their assault and made sure that Khanifah had no means of escape.

When Khanifah accompanied Atiqah for grocery shopping, she would be made to wear a long-sleeved sweater to conceal the injuries on her arm. She was also required to wear a tudung, which she had not worn when she first came to Singapore.

While Khanifah was in the flat, the doors and windows would be locked. The employer also threw away Khanifahs diary of telephone numbers and told the maid that her house telephone was locked.

The incidents of abuse were eventually discovered by Khanifahs family members when she returned to Indonesia on 19 December 2012. Khanifahs husband informed her agent in Indonesia and a counsellor with the Indonesian embassy filed a police report on 11 April 2013.

In delivering the verdict, District Judge Luke Tan said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He noted that Khanifah was in a vulnerable position and had no one to turn to and no means of escape from the couples flat.

DJ Tan found that Khanifah gave a coherent and convincing account of the abuses, which were corroborated by witnesses, photos and medical reports. He agreed with the prosecution that an adverse inference should be made on Zariah, who declined to take the stand during the trial.

The couple, who are represented by lawyer Rajwin Sandhu, will be back for their sentence on 23 November.
A former Mexican governor detained in Panama pending extradition proceedings on graft charges is on a hunger strike to protest violations of his human rights, one of his lawyers said Wednesday. Roberto Borge, the 37-year-old ex-boss of Quintana Roo state, is the sixth Mexican former governor under arrest in Panama or elsewhere for alleged corruption, fraud, money-laundering or involvement in organized crime. His lawyer, Carlos Carrillo, said Borge's rights were infringed upon from Thursday of last week, when he was transferred from a prison on the banks of the Panama Canal to police headquarters in Panama City because of suspicion he was an escape risk. Last week Carrillo said his client suffered a lack of medical attention after he arrived in court with eyes affected by a possible allergic reaction. Borge also suffered a cardiac ailment, he said, and needed special care. Borge was arrested June 4 in Panama when he tried to board a flight to Paris. He stands accused in Mexico of selling state-owned real estate at one percent of its market value, as well as money laundering. He governed Quintana Roo -- the southern state that features many of Mexico's most famous Caribbean beaches, including Cancun -- from 2011 to 2016 for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The PRI, which has governed Mexico for 76 of the past 88 years, has been mired in a series of corruption scandals involving its governors. Five of the six governors currently in jail hail from the PRI. The sixth is from the right-wing National Action Party.
Trials of Boko Haram suspects in Nigeria will take place behind closed doors with no media present, a justice ministry official with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Friday. The move was made on security grounds following discussions between the government and the Department of State Services intelligence agency. "There will be no access to the media," said the official, who asked not to be identified. "The decision was based on the need for confidentiality because of security issues that may come up during the trial." The justice ministry announced last week that the trials of more than 1,600 suspects were scheduled to begin from October 9. It blamed delays in prosecution on poor investigation techniques such as lack of forensic evidence, "over-reliance on confession-based evidence" and logistical problems. As of September 11, only 13 cases linked to the eight-year insurgency had been concluded, with nine convictions, according to the government. Human rights groups have criticised Nigeria's military for the arbitrary arrest of civilians and detention of suspects for lengthy periods of time without access to legal counsel. The announcement that due process was finally to begin was given a cautious welcome but a ban on media access will likely raise concerns about transparency. The ministry source said the British High Commission and US Embassy in Abuja, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Red Cross would be given "observer status". "They will be able to monitor how proceedings are carried out and obviously the suspects will be given legal representation," he added. The trials will take place in military detention facilities in Kainji, Kogi state, and New Bussa, in Niger state, both in central Nigeria. Hearings will also be held in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, where Boko Haram was founded in 2002 and which has been at the epicentre of the long-running violence.
The US ambassador in Tel Aviv has angered Palestinians with a comment downplaying Israel's 50-year occupation of the West Bank, the second such spat in a month. In a video interview with Israeli news site Walla, broadcast in full on Friday, ambassador David Friedman said the Jewish state is "only occupying two percent of the West Bank". It brought an angry response from Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary general Saeb Erekat after an excerpt from the interview was aired on Thursday evening. "Israel is internationally recognised as the occupying power over 100 percent of Palestine, including in and around occupied east Jerusalem," Erekat said. He said Friedman's latest comment was "not only false and misleading but contradicts international law, United Nations resolutions and also the historical US position". "It is not the first time that Mr David Friedman has exploited his position as US ambassador to advocate and validate the Israeli government's policies of occupation and annexation," Erekat added. - Settler praise - The Yesha Council, which represents settlers across the occupied West Bank, welcomed the ambassador's comments. "Ambassador Friedman should be commended for using facts to describe the reality" in the West Bank, it said in a statement. It said that the area taken up by settlements and their roads totalled less than two percent of the ground, but it did not refer to the military occupation which covers the entire territory. Early in September, Friedman caused a stir when in an interview with the Jerusalem Post he referred to the "alleged occupation". A US official told AFP then that the ambassador's comment "does not represent a shift in US policy". This time too, the State Department appeared to distance itself from its envoy. "His comments... should not be read as a way to prejudge the outcome of any negotiation that the US would have with Israel and the Palestinians," spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters in Washington on Thursday. "It should not be read as a change in US policy." Israel occupied the West Bank in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. More than 600,000 Israelis now live in settlements in the territory which are regarded as illegal by most of the international community. US President Donald Trump is seeking to restart frozen peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Friedman said the president remained committed to a peace agreement but had not set any formal timeframe. "I would expect (a deal) within months," he said. "But we're not going to limit ourselves to any hard deadline. We're trying to get it done right, not done fast." The Palestinians have grown increasingly concerned by Trump and his team -- including Friedman -- who have yet to publicly commit to the idea of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, the so-called "two-state solution." "I think that phrase has lost its meaning," Friedman told Walla. "It means different things to different people." Asked by the interviewer what the phrase meant to him, Friedman replied, "I'm not sure. I'm not focusing on labels I'm focusing on solutions."
By Matthias Williams and Pavel Polityuk MELITOPOL, Ukraine (Reuters) - Russia has left troops behind after staging war games in Belarus despite promising not to, Ukraine's Commander in Chief Viktor Muzhenko told Reuters. In an interview on a military plane on Thursday evening, Muzhenko said Russia has withdrawn only a few units from Belarus and had lied about how many of its soldiers were there in the first place. His comments could increase tension between the two neighbours and contradict the Belarussian defence ministry spokesman, who said the last train of Russian troops and equipment had left Belarus on Thursday. Russia's defence ministry did not respond to an immediate request for comment. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said the scale and scope of the Zapad exercises appeared to have "significantly exceeded" what Russia had announced prior to the drills. Relations between Kiev and Moscow nosedived after Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and the outbreak of a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,000 people. Ukraine sees itself as being at war with Russia and has accused Moscow of sending troops and hardware to fight in the Donbass region, which Moscow denies. There are frequent casualties despite a notional ceasefire agreed in 2015. The Zapad wargames, held by Russian and Belarussian troops on territory in both countries in September, are a new source of concern for neighbouring Ukraine and NATO member states on Europe's eastern flank. Russia has said the exercise was to rehearse a purely defensive scenario, that the scale of the wargames was in line with international rules, and that allegations it was a springboard to invade Poland, Lithuania or Ukraine were false. But Muzhenko said the wargames were of an offensive nature. Ukraine staged its own drills in northern Ukraine in response to Zapad and built up troops there. "I wouldn't say that the tension has lessened. We can say tension is building up or rising," he said. "We had information that they had withdrawn only a few units of the declared 12,500 troops, of which 3,000 were Russians, but there were significantly more of them there." Lungescu said by email that NATO was conducting its own assessment of the Zapad wargames and that "early indications are that the scale and geographical scope... significantly exceeded those announced by Russia before the exercise". "The Russian Defence Ministry has announced that Russian troops who took part in ZAPAD 2017 are leaving Belarus, and we will be monitoring whether all forces and equipment are withdrawn," she added. Ukraine is not a member of the U.S.-led alliance but it held drills along with NATO member states including the United States, Britain and Turkey in the west of the country that coincided with Zapad. Muzhenko said the Russians had withdrawn air units from Belarus to make a show of leaving. "Russia demonstrated, and it was primarily a demonstration, the return of aviation units -- they took off from the airfields and flew to airfields in Russia. But we understand that 300-400 km for aviation is a distance that can be overcome in a very short time," he said. The 55-year-old, who became Chief of the General Staff in 2014, said Ukraine was still outgunned in terms of its air defence capabilities in the Donbass war and needed air reconnaissance and anti-missile systems. Kiev is hoping to receive lethal defensive weapons from U.S. President Donald Trump. Muzhenko said talks had been concluded. "We expect the corresponding decision because all negotiations are over and the relevant issues have been agreed -- on the list and types of weapons -- and we expect only the political decisions of our partner countries," he said. (Additional reporting by Sergei Karazy in Melitopol, Andrei Makhovsky in Minsk and Margarita Popova in Moscow; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said he was detained by police on Friday as he left his home in Moscow, hours before he was to hold a banned rally. "They have detained me in my building's entrance hall. They are taking me somewhere 'to give explanations,'" Navalny said on Twitter. Navalny has declared his intention to stand for president in next March's polls, but the electoral authorities have said he is not eligible because he is serving a suspended sentence for fraud. The 41-year-old anti-corruption campaigner and fearless Kremlin critic was leaving to get a train to the provincial city of Nizhny Novgorod to hold a rally at 6 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday. The Nizhny Novgorod authorities said they have refused him permission to hold the event but his supporters have vowed to go ahead anyway. A Moscow police spokesman told Interfax news agency that "Navalny was detained over multiple calls to participate in an unauthorised public event." Navalny later wrote on Twitter that he had been taken to a police station but had not been told the reason for his detention. "I am sitting in a police station. They don't say why I was detained or what they have against me," Navalny wrote. He linked his detention to the planned rally, saying "The Kremlin sees my meetings with the electorate as a huge threat and even an insult -- after no one goes to their rallies without being paid." "They've said for a long time that the opposition has no support in the regions and now it hurts them to see our rallies." He is gathering supporters at cities across Russia, with recent rallies in the far Eastern cities of Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. Navalny had been detained before he even arrived at his last two rallies in Moscow on March 26 and June 12, both of which were not authorised by the authorities. He served sentences of 15 days and 25 days in police cells for organising unauthorised protests. President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to run in and win the March vote.
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in South Africa in May 2017. File Photo: Reuters/Rogan Ward

Singapores mainstream media is not the heavily-controlled media that some critics caricature it to be, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday night (28 September).

Tharman was clarifying comments that he made during the first Majulah Lecture organised by the Nanyang Technological University on 20 Sept. During the lecture, the Deputy Prime Minister was asked for his thoughts on the lack of independent media in Singapore and whether the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP) resorted to personal attacks during the 2016 Bukit Batok by-election.

He said that the media doesnt wait around for instructions, and it doesnt excuse everything government does. He added, In my opinion our media does a better job at advancing the collective interests of Singaporeans than that in several other Asian countries, where the media has added to a divisiveness in society not seen in a long time.

Tharman pointed out that the mainstream media carries important news from both sides of the political debate and that it is not a good strategy to blame the mainstream media for electoral losses.

We should keep this going  the mainstream media as responsible players in our democracy, helping to move it forward. We should hope too that the middle in the social media gets stronger, for Singapores good, he said.

No gutter politics

Tharman also clarified that he did not say during the lecture that the Peoples Action Party (PAP) engaged in gutter politics during the Bukit Batok by-election last year. He said that the PAP contrasted Dr Chee Soon Juans character with that of Murali Pillai in the Bukit Batok by-election, and highlighted how Dr Chee had said he was proud about his past.

He added that the accusation of engaging in gutter politics was the Singapore Democratic Partys position.

He said, If Singaporeans ever come to ignore the track record and integrity of politicians, in the PAP or any other parties, it is Singapore that will end up in the gutter. That has been the story of many nations.

More Singapore stories:
By Feisal Omar and Abdi Sheikh MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Al Shabaab fighters killed at least 15 soldiers in an attack on a military base near Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, the militant group and Somali officials said on Friday. The militants used guns and car bombs to take control of the base and a nearby town, Barire, 50 km (30 miles) southwest of Mogadishu, in an early-morning attack. The fighters also took 11 pickup trucks mounted with machine guns, known as "technicals", said Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaabs military operation spokesman. "The other soldiers ran helter-skelter into the woods. We now control the base and the village," he said. A Somali military officer put the number of dead at 15; al Shabaab said 21 were killed. The government and al Shabaab often give differing accounts of death tolls. "There was a battalion of soldiers but it was a fierce fighting; twin suicide car bombs and hand-to-hand fighting," Captain Osman Ali told Reuters. "The attacked soldiers were Somali military and the special forces trained by the U.S. called Danab. There were neither AMISOM nor other foreigners there," Ali added, referring to African Union peacekeeping troops. Reinforcements were being sent, he said. Al Shabaab aims to topple the government in Mogadishu and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam. Somalia has been at war since 1991, when clan-based warlords overthrew dictator Siad Barre and then turned on each other. The al Qaeda-linked group was driven out of the capital in 2011, but it still carries out frequent attacks on security and government targets and African Union peacekeeping troops. Civilians sometimes get caught in the crossfire. Ali Nur, the deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region where Barire is situated, confirmed the fighting. So did local residents. "First we heard two huge blasts at the base and then heavy exchange of gunfire followed. Now it looks like the fighting died down," Ali Farah told Reuters from Barire village. Two weeks ago, al Shabaab attacked an army base at a town near the border with Kenya. Three weeks ago they struck another in the southern port city of Kismayu, killing a total of at least 43 people in the two attacks. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar; Editing by George Obulutsa, Larry King)
By Panu Wongcha-um, Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Donna Airoldi BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, marking an upgrade of ties between traditional allies that had become strained after a 2014 coup. Washington was critical of Prayuth's May 2014 coup, which ousted a civilian government led by a populist premier, Yingluck Shinawatra, and downgraded joint military exercises with Thailand. Some training, including the annual Cobra Gold military exercise, Asia's largest, continued on a smaller scale. The White House meeting will underscore Trump's willingness to embrace authoritarian leaders and regimes at the expense of human rights concerns, rights groups say. Trump welcomed Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi earlier this year, drawing criticism from rights groups who say Sisi has overseen a draconian crackdown on activists, something the Egyptian strongman denies. Bangkok's ties with North Korea, Thailand's trade surplus with the United States and defence issues will be high on the agenda for the White House meeting, Thai government and senior Thai military sources told Reuters. The visit will be an opportunity for the Americans to highlight North Korean business operations in Thailand after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Thailand to shut down North Korean businesses during a visit to Bangkok last month. A senior military source, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said Thailand will also discuss new defence purchase deals and finalise existing ones, including the delivery of four Black Hawk helicopters Thailand agreed to buy from the U.S. before the 2014 coup. 'FREEZING OUT' N.KOREA Washington says it wants Thailand to take a diplomatic lead in the region in "freezing out" North Korea, which has an embassy in Thailand. In response to U.S. pressure, Thailand last month said trade between North Korea and Thailand had dropped by as much as 94 percent this year. But information on the ground paints a different picture. Reuters visited seven businesses jointly or party owned by North Koreans out of 12 businesses listed in the Thai commerce ministry's business directory last month. At least two people involved in those North Korean businesses who spoke to Reuters said there was no pressure from the Thai authorities. Another said indirect pressure meant he could no longer ship directly to North Korea. All three declined to be named. The Bank of Thailand has no policy to close down accounts owned by North Koreans in Thailand and an official at the central bank declined to comment about its regulations regarding North Korean-owned businesses and bank accounts. The matter is a acutely sensitive for the Thai government which last month denied that Tillerson had raised North Korea during his Bangkok visit. In August, Thai media reported that Prayuth had ordered news organizations to stop "digging" into North Korean businesses in Thailand. Prayuth's visit will be the first official visit by a Thai prime minister since 2005. 'INTENSIFIED REPRESSION' Thailand's military has banned protests, jailed critics and ramped up prosecutions under the country's strict royal insult law since toppling an elected government in 2014. "Get ready for PM Gen. Prayuth to crow long and hard that this invite means he now has Washington's full seal of approval, and that Trump agrees with whatever comes next," Brad Adams, Asia Director of Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. "Doubtless Trump fails to realize that this propaganda victory for Prayuth ... will come at the expense of the people of Thailand who will pay for it in the form of intensified repression," said Adams. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a spokesman for the Thai government, declined to comment when contacted by Reuters about the U.S. trip. U.S. pressure over the size of Thailand's trade surplus with the United States is also on next week's agenda. Thailand was the United States' 25th-largest goods export market in 2016, but the U.S. maintains an $18.9 billion goods deficit with Thailand, the country's 11th largest. Thailand's commerce ministry has said it hopes a narrowing trade gap would reduce the risk of Thailand being labelled a currency manipulator by Washington. Prayuth and Trump have at least one thing in common. Both have a history of lashing out at the media, with Prayuth infamously warning in 2015 that he has the power to execute reporters. The visit also gives the outspoken former army chief a chance to burnish his leadership credentials amid signs he may be seeking to stay in power after an election tentatively scheduled for next year. (Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Suphanida Thakral; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
Nepalis in UK provide financial assistance for flood victims

The Nepalis in the United Kingdom have provided financial assistance worth Rs 132,125 for the relief operation to the flood survivors in Terai.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Thursday slammed a bid by Russia to shield Iran from inspections by the United Nations nuclear watchdog relating to a specific section of a landmark 2015 deal restricting Tehran's nuclear activities. Iran agreed to the nuclear deal with six major powers in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Compliance with the nuclear restrictions is being verified by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency. Haley has infuriated Iran by saying the IAEA should widen inspections to include military sites, but diplomats say Russia has been trying to restrict the agency's role by arguing it has no authority to police a broadly worded section of the deal. "If the Iran nuclear deal is to have any meaning, the parties must have a common understanding of its terms," Haley said in a statement. "It appears that some countries are attempting to shield Iran from even more inspections. Without inspections, the Iran deal is an empty promise." Haley issued the statement in response to IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano telling Reuters that major powers needed to clarify the disputed section of the deal, which relates to technology that could be used to develop an atom bomb. That section bans "activities which could contribute to the development of a nuclear explosive device." It lists examples such as using computer models that simulate a nuclear bomb, or designing multi-point, explosive detonation systems. Unlike many other parts of the deal, the provision, known as Section T, makes no mention of the IAEA or specifics of how it will be verified. Russia says that means the IAEA has no authority over it. Western powers and the agency disagree. U.S. President Donald Trump has called the Iran nuclear deal - reached by predecessor Barack Obama - "an embarrassment to the United States." Trump has hinted that he may not recertify the agreement when it comes up for review by a mid-October deadline, in which case the U.S. Congress would have 60 days to decide whether to reimpose sanctions waived under the accord, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). (Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Francois Murphy; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
By Matt Spetalnick and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is crafting a plan for a drawdown of staff from the American embassy in Havana in response to still-unexplained incidents that have harmed the health of some U.S. diplomats there, U.S. and congressional officials said on Thursday. The State Department's plan, which was being finalised and could be announced within days, would call for the departure of non-essential staff and diplomats' families, the sources said. But it was unclear whether leaving the island would be voluntary or compulsory, and one U.S. official said some details were still being worked out. U.S. officials say 21 U.S. diplomats and family members have been afflicted by health problems of unknown origin, including hearing loss, dizziness and nausea. Several Canadians have also been affected in Cuba, a Canadian official has said. The Cuban government has denied any role and is conducting an investigation. But it has so far said it has been unable to determine the cause. Proposals for a drawdown have moved forward since U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the case, which has been threatening the already fragile detente between the two former Cold War foes. The State Department is expected to stop short of saying it will close the recently reopened embassy because of the mysterious affair, despite Tillerson having said last week that such a move was under consideration. But a partial evacuation, even one depicted by the Trump administration as a safety measure, would also send a message of U.S. displeasure over Cubas handling of the matter and deliver another blow to Obama-era engagement policies with Havana. CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS BRIEFED U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters Thursday that Tillerson  who is now on his way to Beijing - was reviewing all of his options for how to best protect our American personnel in Cuba and that she was not ready to announce any decision. But congressional staffers were briefed on the plan on Thursday, two congressional sources said. Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a harsh critic of the Cuban government, hinted at the State Departments coming decision. Any reduction of Americans from @USEmbassyHavana should also require equal number of Castro employees leaving regime's embassy in U.S., he said in a message on Twitter. The State Department declined comment. McClatchy news service was the first to report this week that the United States would soon begin a major withdrawal of Havana staff. Depending on how many diplomats leave, the Havana embassy  the main point of contact for U.S. citizens visiting the island as well as American companies doing business there  could be left with more of a skeletal staff to handle responsibilities. Though Washington has not cast direct blame on Cuban authorities, the State Department said Tillerson reminded Rodriguez at Tuesdays meeting of Cubas obligation to protect diplomats and their families. In the highest-level U.S.-Cuba meeting since President Donald Trump took office, Rodriguez warned the United States against taking hasty decisions and urged Washington to cooperate with its ongoing investigation. Washington earlier this year expelled two Cuban diplomats over the alleged incidents. The case has brought simmering tensions between the two countries since Trump took office to the boil. Trump, who in June vowed to partially roll back the detente with Cuba agreed by his Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama, called the Cuban government "corrupt and destabilizing" in his address to the United Nations General Assembly last week. He said he would not lift the U.S. trade embargo on the Caribbean island until it made "fundamental reforms." Cuba described his comments as "unacceptable and meddling." (Reporting By Matt Spetalnick and Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by Sarah Marsh in Havana; Editing by Sandra Maler)
By Rahul Bhatia, Tommy Wilkes and Serajul Quadir DHAKA/KUTUPALONG, Bangladesh (Reuters) - How do you feed and shelter nearly half a million traumatised people who have made their way, over the course of just one month, to a spit of monsoon-soaked land where 300,000 refugees are already living in squalor? That is the challenge for aid workers scrambling to help the Rohingya Muslims now crowded into the Cox's Bazar region of southern Bangladesh after a spasm of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state sent them fleeing across the border. "Nothing comparable, in terms of the number of people arriving in such a short space of time, has happened since 1994 in Rwanda," said Christopher Lom, Asia-Pacific spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). About 480,000 men, women and children have arrived in Cox's Bazar since the end of August, according to United Nations estimates. Most came with nothing more than the clothes they wore. Nearly 200 of the women have given birth since they arrived and another 20,000 are pregnant. Meeting the needs of such a vast number - indefinitely, because there is nowhere else for them to go - in one of the poorest regions of a poor country is a logistical nightmare for the Bangladesh government, U.N. agencies and aid organisations. There was a taste of what was to come in October and November last year, when a smaller outbreak of violence brought and influx of 80,000 Rohingya. That prompted improvements in infrastructure and coordination in Cox's Bazar, said the United Nations' local chief coordinator, Robert Watkins. "It was working extremely well," he said. "And then we got this wave of humanity, and we were overwhelmed." "A RECIPE FOR DISASTER" U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said after a visit to Cox's Bazar this week that the most urgent needs were shelter, clean water and sanitation. "Really the first order of business, the first challenge, is to get people out of the mud and the despair in which they are finding themselves into a place where organised relief can be provided," he told a news conference in Geneva. "The combination of limited health facilities, poor sanitary and hygiene conditions and overcrowded sites ... is a recipe for disaster in terms of possible epidemics." So far 475 tonnes of aid have arrived at Chittagong airport north of Cox's Bazar, much of it from Muslim-majority countries shocked by the killings and torching of villages in northwestern Rakhine, which U.N. officials have branded ethnic cleansing. While the initial response was chaotic, say aid experts, due to the sheer volume of people arriving, Bangladesh has since won some praise for improvements in organisation. At a Sept. 14 meeting in the prime minister's office in Dhaka, the authorities made 22 decisions to remove logistical hurdles. According to a document reviewed by Reuters, these included building 14 storage warehouses, regulating aid distribution, protecting orphans, building roads and power infrastructure, and setting up shelters for more than 500,000 people. Mohammad Shah Kamal, Bangladesh's secretary of disaster management and relief and the main coordinator of the aid effort, said the armed forces were scanning shipments of aid and transporting them from airports and ports to Cox's Bazar, where local officials take charge of distribution. "I think everyone has been surprised at the Bangladeshi government," said Karim Elguindi, a senior World Food Programme official in Cox's Bazar, noting that it was "fast-tracking everything", had offered police support and helped with customs delays. But the Inter-Sector Coordination Group, which is leading the humanitarian response to the influx of Rohingya, said in a recent update that basic coordination was still lacking because staff and agencies had not been assigned to specific camps. SCRAMBLE FOR AID Bangladesh hopes to make room for new arrivals by building a 2,000-acre camp in the Ukhia area of Cox's Bazar. The U.N. says much of this area is not suitable for habitation because it lacks water, sewerage and roads, but many refugees are already settling there anyway. Complicating aid efforts are private civic and religious groups that throw food and clothes off the back of trucks, which experts say is no way to get relief to the neediest. Thousands of tarpaulin shelters that refugees have built in recent weeks stretching across dozens of small hills and rice paddies are only accessible by long walks across flimsy bamboo bridges. Families in one of the most remote parts of the sprawling Kutupalong refugee camp, a 40-minute walk from the nearest official distribution point, said they mostly rely on handouts from relatives to survive. Mushtaq Ahmed, 66, a religious teacher, sheltering from the rain under a tarpaulin, said he has resorted to begging to buy rice for his children and grandchildren. He has tried to throw himself into the scramble for aid thrown from trucks but comes away with nothing. "There are too many people rushing," he said. "I am too weak to get it." (Additional reporting by Nazimuddin Shyamol and Tom Allard; Editing by John Chalmers and Alex Richardson)
President Trumps tax-reform rollout came stumbling out of the gate this week. And much of the blame belongs to the clumsy, hacky salesmanship of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council Chairman Gary Cohn, who fumfered his way through an awkward White House press briefing. When asked if he could be sure no middle-class American would get a tax increase, Cohn said, I cant guarantee anything.

On the one hand, sending out two men who used to work at Goldman Sachs to sell a plan designed to massively cut taxes on the wealthy might seem ill-advised. But the problem, Id argue, isnt that they worked at Goldman. Its that neither of them actually ran Goldman Sachs as CEOunlike Robert Rubin (who served as NEC Chairman and Treasury Secretary under Clinton) and Hank Paulson (Treasury Secretary under Bush). Those guys knew how to sell a policy. These guys do not.

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This may seem like a distinction without a difference, but it is meaningful. When youre CEO of Goldman Sachs or any other major Wall Street bank, you have to be an economic and industrial statesman. You develop a certain comfort talking to the public. On investor calls, on CNBC, with journalists, youre forced to think on your feet and interact with skeptics. You appear on panels at the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Peterson Institute, and the World Economic Forum. There may even be people on those panels who challenge you and say youre wrong. You have to be conversant in the intricacies of policiesand understand the ways policies are discussed. You have to nod sagely and at least fake some noblesse oblige when the conversation turns to climate change, diversity, and poverty in the developing world.

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Sure, there is a lot of BS in all of these forums, but participating in them actually forces CEOs to develop certain muscles that their underlings dont have to. Neither Mnuchin nor Cohn has that experience.

They were enormously successful at Goldman (and, in Mnuchins case, Hollywood).

But they thrived largely as behind-the-scenes dealmakers, traders, and producers, not as leaders. Each has managed to make it well into his 50s without having thought deeply about policy, without talking to a hostile press, without having to publicly negotiate with critics. To a degree, Mnuchin and Cohn simply dont know how to carry themselves on the public stages onto which theyve been thrust.

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Now, there is a language a reasonable person might use to talk about why cutting taxes on capital and income is a good idea, and why eliminating certain deductions might be a positive. (You might listen to someone who served in the Bush administration, like Greg Mankiw of Harvard.) And, if youre insanely rich yourself, it helps to do so with a degree of self-awareness.

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But Gary Cohn doesnt know that language. And so he speaks about taxes and incentives the way senior people at Goldman speak to one another about taxes and incentives. He makes the subtext text. Defending the abolition of the estate tax (which actually only helps really rich people), he argued that rich people dont pay the estate tax because they can finagle their way out of it through trusts and the like. (I mean, thats part of the point of being a private banking client at Goldman.) Defending the potential erasure of a chunk of the mortgage deduction, he said that people dont make home purchases based on the mortgage deduction. Which, again, is entirely true at the upper echelons of Goldman. You can only deduct the interest on the first million dollars of debt. So if youre buying a $10 million co-op or an $8 million summer house in the Hamptons, the deduction actually doesnt really matter.

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When describing how middle-class people would benefit, Cohn noted that a typical household making $100,000 (about twice the actual median income) would get a $1,000 tax cut, enough to buy a car or renovate a kitchen. Which, no. And when a reporter asked him precisely how it would cut taxes on the middle class, he responded the way he would to a junior banker questioning a deal: I told you that it would. And so on.

Steve Mnuchin is, if anything, simultaneously slicker and more callow than Cohn. Its clear he hasnt thought or written or spoken much about tax policy and economics in his professional life. And so he routinely pulls things out of his rear. He promised Congress in February that tax reform wouldnt benefit the rich. Now thats just an objective. He said the tax cut would more than offset set its cost and reduce the debt because it would stimulate 10 years of growth at 2.9 percent. Nobody actually believes that.

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Mnuchin insisted that a corporate tax cut would lead to higher wages, since workers bear the cost of corporate taxes. Most economists believe that over 70 percent of corporate taxes are paid for by workers, he said.

At the same time, a Treasury paper that concluded that, actually, labor only winds up paying 18 percent of corporate taxes was removed from the departments website. (Like nobody would notice?)

Its a little like someone whos played some softball stepping into the batters box against a major league pitcher in a huge stadium. They swing and miss, and look clumsy doing so. And then they step back in the batters box again.
Robert Ellis considered a long list of business ideas before starting Bavarian Clockworks, a business that makes cuckoo clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany.

Learn more about the business and how it operates in this very specific niche in this weeks Small Business Spotlight.

What the Business Does

Sells authentic Black Forest cuckoo clocks.

Ellis told Small Business Trends, Our clocks are made by clockmakers in the Black Forest region in southwestern Germany, an area with over 300 years of history producing authentic cuckoo clocks. Wood carvers and clockmakers in the Black Forest are considered the best in the world.

Business Niche

Offering attention to detail and top notch customer service.

Ellis says, We want our customers to be blown away when doing business with us. We want them to be so happy with their purchase that they decide to recommend our company and products to their friends and family. As a small business, we want each of our customers to feel like their experience with us was personal and unique. We believe the personal touch and connection with each customer is something larger competitors cant offer.

How the Business Got Started

As a niche passion project.

Ellis explains, Before starting Bavarian Clockworks I ran an insurance business. Although it was a profitable, it did not move me anymore. I had lost the passion. I wanted to begin a new venture and challenge. My goal was to start an ecommerce company in an industry that was large enough to support a growing company and that was not saturated with competition. After analyzing a variety of different markets, I decided upon the cuckoo clock industry.

Biggest Win

Finding the right suppliers.

Ellis says, Establishing those relationships and getting preferred pricing has allowed us to compete on a global scale rather than just the US market. That took a lot of work and did not happen overnight but it took our business to a new level.

Biggest Risk

Starting the business in the first place.

Ellis says, I had already been running a successful insurance agency, which I decided to sell. It was a big risk to take, especially considering Bavarian Clockworks was nothing more than an idea at the time. Most people become more risk averse as they move later into their career. However, that hasnt been the case for me. Ive always had the entrepreneurial itch.

Lesson Learned

Progress over perfection.

Ellis explains, I would have spent a lot less time trying to make everything perfect out of the gate and just gotten on with the operation. Since you cant plan for all contingencies anyway, you are better off starting out with a good foundation and making adjustments quickly and decisively as you grow. Our early revenue would have been better for it.

How Theyd Spend an Extra $100,000

Expansion and security.

Ellis says, I would continue expanding inventory and fulfillment capacity and by doing so negotiate more favorable price terms with suppliers. I would also fortify our cash position in order to weather any potential storm.

Company Mascot

Wally the dog.

Ellis explains, He is a loyal Mini-Schnauzer that as a puppy slept at my feet as I developed our brand from an idea. Since he was there supporting the business from the beginning I decided to make him a permanent fixture on our site. He can be seen on the homepage of our website and even has a section highlighting his favorite clocks, all of which have dogs on them. Wally is German, fiercely loyal, intrigued by cuckoo clocks, and has spent many hours patrolling the shop. He is a great companion and protector of our brand.

Favorite Quote

The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed.  Henry Ford

* * * * *

Find out more about the Small Biz Spotlight program
Slovaks showed interest in the church after Prince Charles visited it.

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The Church of Saint Matus in Zolna from the 13th century is considered to be one of the oldest preserved buildings in the Zvolen region. After years of reconstruction, it should be open to visitors in the coming months.

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The Roman Catholic parish office in Zvolen that maintains the building gained a grant of 19,900 from the Ministry of Culture to renew the exterior.

The exterior of the church has been in reconstruction since 2011 when the parish gained a grant of 7,000 for its renovation. The money was aimed towards restoration research for stone features and historic plastering on the church facade. The research was followed by other phases of reconstruction, for which the church gained more than 50,000.

From the money the church gained this year, the facade of the churchs tower should be renewed; it is currently in reconstruction. Despite the work being done, the church is frequently visited by tourists and local believers.

The church had not been in use since the Second World War because it was hit by a bomb and damaged significantly. After many years, Mass was first held there again in 1992. After the services, the interior was reconstructed, interesting not only because of its architecture but also medieval frescos from the 15th century that picture Saint George fighting with dragons. Since 2011, the exterior of the building has been under renovation.

Slovaks started to show their interest in the church when Prince Charles visited it on November 1, 2000, accompanied by Viliam Pichler, the head of the Centre of Scientific Tourism of the Institute of Forest Ecology of SAV (Slovak academy of sciences).
One dead, two injured in tractor accident

A person died while two others were injured after a tractor they were travelling on met with an accident at Marthi in Badganga Municiplaity-11 in Kapilvastu district on Thursday evening.
PulteGroup, Inc., through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West, and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods brand names. As of December 31, 2021, it controlled 228,296 lots, of which 109,078 were owned and 119,218 were under land option agreements. In addition, the company arranges financing through the origination of mortgage loans primarily for homebuyers; sells the servicing rights for the originated loans; and provides title insurance policies, and examination and closing services to homebuyers. PulteGroup, Inc. was formerly known as Pulte Homes, Inc. and changed its name to PulteGroup, Inc. in March 2010. The company was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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.
Montana Brown has put herself forward to replace Caroline Flack as host of Love Island.

Montana, who appeared on this years series of the ITV2 show, said that taking over hosting duties would be a dream.

That is the aim, Montana told the Huffington Post. I want to go back for starters, and I think it would be good for a presenter to know how it feels and know their problems and know the issues.

That would be amazing, long-term wise. Caroline has got some competition.

In a chat with Star magazine, Montana added: That would be the dream. I can empathise with the contestants and I feel Id be perfect for it.

Love Island: Montana

Unless youve done it, you dont understand how intense it is in there.

However Montana went on to insist there was no real rivalry between her and Caroline, praising the lovely TV presenter.

Shes phenomenal. You need [support] in there  you need some hope! Montana said of Caroline, who has fronted Love Island since 2015.

Meanwhile, Montana revealed that as well as hosting, shes also up for more reality TV.

I wouldnt do Big Brother but Id love to go into the jungle  come at me! she explained. And Strictly Come Dancing, although Im such a bad dancer, so Im not sure that would be a very good idea!

Montana, who split from her Love Island boyfriend Alex Beattie just after the series finished, previously admitted she had only gone on the show to launch a media career.

Love Island 2017: Montana

Following Julys final, Montana made an appearance on ITVs Loose Women and revealed: I just thought it would be a really good platform for me to do what I want to do.

I dont know what that is yet, but I just thought it would open some doors and maybe some opportunities as well.

She added: To be in the public eye, I feel like it gives you a great platform to influence the public in a good way.
* Saudi Aramco unit to trade non-Saudi crude

* Iraq creates trading venture with Russian firm

* Kuwait and Abu Dhabi study trading operations

By Rania El Gamal

SINGAPORE, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Middle East oil producers are venturing into trading crude as three years of weak oil prices has encouraged them to find new sources of income beyond the business of exporting their output.

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, is among those making the shift. A subsidiary of state-owned Saudi Aramco plans to start trading non-Saudi crude, according to sources familiar with the issue.

Other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are joining in as oil prices remain at roughly half their levels of mid-2014.

Iraq has teamed up with a Russian firm to set up a trading venture, while Abu Dhabi and Kuwait are studying trading plans.

"They are trying to become more flexible and to capture extra margin within the market," David Fyfe, chief economist of commodities trading firm Gunvor, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC) in Singapore.

Till now, the oil trade has been dominated by international traders, such as Vitol, Gunvor, Trafigura and Glencore (Frankfurt: 8GC.F - news) , as well as energy majors, like BP and Shell (LSE: RDSB.L - news) .

"It is all about optimisation," said a senior oil source familiar with developments at Saudi Aramco, which is planning to launch an initial public offer (IPO) next year.

Aramco set up a unit, Aramco Trading Company (ATC (Shenzhen: 002227.SZ - news) ), in 2012 to market refined products, base oils and bulk petrochemicals.

Crude trading was not initially in its mandate, but ATC now plans to trade non-Saudi crude mainly to feed Aramco's international joint ventures, such as its U.S. Motiva refinery and S-Oil in South Korea, industry sources said.

The initiative fits into Saudi Aramco's stated aim of becoming the worlds largest integrated energy firm, with plans to expand its refining operations and petrochemical output.

Story continues

"COMPETITIVE SECTOR"

"Moving into trading is a logical progression to Aramco's strategy to capture value across the entire oil and products chain," said Sadad al-Husseini, a former Aramco executive.

"It is a very competitive sector and Aramco's entry is bound to be prudent and strategic," he said. "It will focus on the products and markets that suit its interests and this means it must inevitably handle non-Aramco oil and product barrels as well as its own."

A trading source said ATC's crude trading would be handled mainly through its Singapore office, where ATC aims to have 10 to 15 staff by the end of the year.

Oman was the first Middle East producer to shift into trading, setting up a 50:50 venture with Vitol last decade.

OTI, which trades Omani crude, products and liquefied natural gas (LNG), was then bought out by the government and is now fully owned by state-run Oman Oil.

Other Middle East producers are now catching up. State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is considering setting up a trading unit.

"In line with ADNOC's strategy to stretch the commercial value of every barrel that we produce, we are in the early stages of exploring non-speculative, asset-backed trading and are in discussion with various potential industry partners," an ADNOC spokesman said.

Iraq's state oil marketer SOMO has teamed up with Russia's Lukoil in a venture in Dubai to trade crude, industry sources said in May. The venture might expand later into refined products and petrochemical trading, the sources said.

Kuwait is studying establishing a new firm to market refined products. The firm would help Kuwait sell products mainly from its refining venture at Duqm in Oman, an official from Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC (Shanghai: 600422.SS - news) ) told Reuters. (Reporting by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Edmund Blair)
By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) - Denmark's business minister was meeting financial technology firms in London on Friday as part of a two-day drive to lure them from Britain after Brexit. Cophenhagen faces fierce competition from Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg and Dublin in the battle to attract firms needing an EU base after Britain leaves the bloc in 18 months' time. "That's a tough game," Danish business minister Brian Mikkelsen said in a telephone call from Level39, the fintech hub in London's Canary Wharf financial district. "We are going to make it cheaper and easier to be in Denmark." Denmark, which has already begun a review of regulation and taxes to remove burdens on financial companies and staff, is meeting 25 firms in London, including Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, State Street and BlackRock. "We would like to be the northern European hub for the financial sector," Mikkelsen said. He said Denmark will launch a "sandbox" to allow fintech firms to experiment with new apps on actual customers without having to go through burdensome licence applications and regulatory approvals first. Sandboxes were spearheaded by Britain's Financial Conduct Authority and are being quickly copied across the world by governments keen to attract fintech firms along with the jobs and growth prospects they bring. Mikkelsen said no financial firm from Britain had applied for a licence in Denmark, which is mainly focussing on fintech and asset managers, rather than seeking big lenders, pitting it against smaller rivals such as Dublin and Luxembourg, rather than Paris or Frankfurt. "Our aim while we are here is the asset managers and fintech start ups. We have a very well educated and flexible labour force and in Denmark we are very digitised." (Reporting by Huw Jones)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines will be cancelling flights to Erbil this weekend, falling into line with other foreign carriers, a spokesman for Lufthansa Group said on Friday. "Due to the current airspace closure for Erbil by the Iraqi central government, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines flights will be cancelled starting Saturday, 30 September 2017 until Sunday 1 October 2017," he said. The ban, imposed after the Baghdad government retaliated against a vote for independence that has drawn opposition from foreign powers, was set to come into force at 6.00 p.m (1500 GMT) on Friday. Lufthansa flies to Erbil twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while Austrian flies daily. (Story corrects last paragraph to say Lufthansa flies to Erbil twice a week, not once a week.) (Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Douglas Busvine)
By Estelle Shirbon LONDON (Reuters) - A Polish man accused of being part of a plot to kidnap a British model in Milan should be extradited from Britain to Italy, a London judge ruled on Friday. Model Chloe Ayling, 20, has told Italian police she was lured to a photo shoot in Milan in July, abducted and held captive for six days. Her lawyer said the plot was to sell the model for sex in an online auction unless a ransom was paid. In a ruling at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court, Judge Paul Goldspring said Michal Herba, 36, the brother of the model's alleged kidnapper, should be extradited to face charges in Italy. "I find that the request is both proportionate and ... is not an abuse of process," Goldspring said. In court documents, Herba denied any involvement, saying Ayling was an "attention seeker". His lawyer George Hepburne Scott has said the case is a sham and there was no evidence against his client, who would appeal against the ruling. The main suspect in the case is Herba's brother Lukasz, 30, who was arrested by Italian police in August. British police arrested Michal in an apartment he shared with his brother in central England shortly afterwards. Florence Iveson, the prosecutor acting on behalf of the Italian authorities, said the two brothers were accused of abducting, kidnapping and detaining Ayling between July 11 and 17 and demanding a ransom of 300,000 euros (264,766.61 pounds). Since returning to Britain, Ayling has given a number of media interviews in which she said she was drugged, gagged, bound, stuffed into a bag, put into the boot of a car and driven to a village near Turin in northwest Italy. She denied suggestions the kidnapping was a hoax after it was reported she had gone on a shopping trip with her alleged captor. Herba's lawyer told the extradition hearing on Monday there was reason to suspect it was a publicity stunt and there was a "unique set" of anomalies which "may lead to the conclusion that the Italian authorities have been duped". In a written statement to the court released to media on Friday, Herba said he had met his brother in Milan on July 10 and had only found out about the kidnapping later from newspapers. "I also met Chloe Ayling who was free, chilled and relaxed," the statement said. "She seemed like an attention seeker." Hepburne Scott said Herba would launch an appeal on Monday at London's High Court. "The world has become fascinated with the riddle and mystery of this case," he said. "To many it is an enigma; to Michael Herba it is simply a nightmare." (Writing by Michael Holden; editing by John Stonestreet)
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. The Assisted Living and Memory Care segment owns or leases communities consisting of freestanding multi-story communities and freestanding single-story communities, which offer housing and 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living for the Company's residents. This segment also operates memory care communities for residents with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The CCRCs segment owns or leases communities that provides various living arrangements, such as independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing; and services to accommodate various levels of physical ability and healthcare needs. It also manages communities on behalf of others. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned 347 communities, leased 299 communities, and managed 33 communities on behalf of others. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Ecopetrol S.A. operates as an integrated energy company. The company operates through four segments: Exploration and Production; Transport and Logistics; Refining, Petrochemical and Biofuels; and Electric Power Transmission and Toll Roads Concessions. It engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas; transportation of crude oil, motor fuels, fuel oil, and other refined products, including diesel, jet, and biofuels; processing and refining crude oil; distribution of natural gas and LPG; sale of refined and petrochemical products; supplying of electric power transmission services; design, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of road and energy infrastructure projects; and supplying of information technology and telecommunications services. As of December 31, 2021, the company had approximately 9,127 kilometers of crude oil and multi-purpose pipelines. It also produces and commercializes polypropylene resins and compounds, and masterbatches; and offers industrial service sales to customers and specialized management services. It has operations in Colombia, the United States, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, South America, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos and changed its name to Ecopetrol S.A. in June 2003. Ecopetrol S.A. was incorporated in 1948 and is based in Bogota, Colombia.
Red Hat, Inc. provides open source software solutions to develop and offer operating system, virtualization, management, middleware, cloud, mobile, and storage technologies to various enterprises worldwide. It offers infrastructure-related solutions, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, an operating system platform that runs on hardware for use in hybrid cloud environments; Red Hat Satellite, a system management offering that helps to deploy, scale, and manage in hybrid cloud environments; and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, a software solution that allows customers to utilize and manage a common hardware infrastructure to run multiple operating systems and applications. The company offers application development-related and other technology solutions, such as Red Hat JBoss Middleware, a solution for developing, deploying, and managing applications; integrating applications, data, and devices; and automating business processes in hybrid cloud environments; The company's application development-related and other technology solutions also includes Red Hat cloud offerings, a software solution that enables customers to build and manage various cloud computing environments; Red Hat Mobile, a software development platform that enables customers to develop, integrate, deploy, and manage mobile applications for enterprises; and Red Hat Storage, a software solution that enables customers to manage large, unstructured, or semi-structured data in hybrid cloud environments. It also provides consulting, support, and training services; and realtime operating system, distributed computing, directory services, and user authentication. Red Hat, Inc. has collaboration with Juniper Networks Expand to provide a unified solution for enterprises designed to manage and run applications and services. The company was formerly known as Red Hat Software, Inc. and changed its name to Red Hat, Inc. in June 1999. Red Hat, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) announced she will run for U.S. Senate in 2018. This gives the party a high-profile candidate in their efforts to unseat incumbent Republican Jeff Flake. While Arizona hasn't had a Democratic Senator in over 20 years, next year's race is expected to be highly competitive. The Democratic nominee may even be favored if Flake loses a primary to former State Senator Kelli Ward. A recent poll by GBA Strategies showed him losing to Ward by a 58-31% margin.

Flake's national visibility was raised earlier this summer with the publication of his book "Conscience of a Conservative", which harshly critiqued President Trump and his own party. Needless to say, this hasn't helped his standing with Arizona Republicans. The GBA Strategies poll gave Flake just a 25% approval rating among Republican primary voters in the state.

In her first run at U.S. Senate, Ward lost the Republican primary to Sen. John McCain in 2016.

Sinema becomes the 26th House member to pass on running for reelection to the House in 2018. The next such announcement is likely to come from Tennessee, where Republican Marsha Blackburn is likely to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Bob Corker.

The Arizona Senate race is currently considered a toss-up, while Tennessee is very likely to remain in Republican hands.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico got a soaking this week with Albuquerque and more than a dozen other communities racking up record rainfall totals.

Albuquerque International Sunport picked up 0.8 of an inch of rainfall on Wednesday, which beat the record of 0.25 of an inch for Sept. 27 set in 1941.

Rain spread its bounty across a wide swath of New Mexico this week as a low pressure system over Utah drew moisture into the state from the east.

The states wet spot was Las Vegas, which observed a record 2.87 inches of rain on Wednesday at the citys municipal airport.

Thursday brought some additional rain to the state, and New Mexico can expect one more wet day today before the state begins drying out on Saturday.

We will continue to see scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms linger into Friday, said David Craft, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque.

Adding to the mix was a cold front that pushed into New Mexico from the northeast earlier this week.

A 50 percent chance of thunderstorms is forecast for Albuquerque today, with a high of 71 and a nighttime low of 48.

Then some drier air will begin to work its way into the state from the south and southwest on Saturday, Craft said.

The chance of rain in Albuquerque tapers off to 40 percent on Saturday and 20 percent Sunday morning, with skies clearing later Sunday.

Temperatures in Albuquerque are expected to rise through the weekend to a high of 81 on Sunday.

Statewide, 19 locations observed one-day rainfall records on Wednesday. Rain favored communities in central and western New Mexico sorely in need of moisture.

Eastern New Mexico received more than its share of rainfall in recent weeks, while western areas in particular have remained parched, said Kerry Jones, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

At the Albuquerque airport, Wednesdays rainfall bought the total for the year to 6.33 inches, or nearly an inch below normal, Jones said.

Gallup racked up a record 0.83 of an inch of rain on Wednesday, which lifted total rainfall for the year to 8.73 inches, or just short of the normal 8.92 inches.

Meanwhile, many communities in eastern New Mexico have enjoyed rainfall totals well above normal for the year.

Clovis has recorded its ninth-wettest year on record this year, Jones said. The city racked up a total of 19.39 inches of rainfall through Wednesday, well above the normal 14.31 inches.
One person is dead after a deputy-involved crash midday Thursday in Placitas, according to a New Mexico State Police spokesman.

Officer Ray Wilson said police were called to investigate a fatal crash on Trail W, around 1:30 p.m., that involved a Sandoval County deputy and a pedestrian.

Wilson said New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau and Crash Reconstruction Unit is on scene conducting the investigation, which is ongoing.

State Police did not say what led to the crash, identify the victim or say if there were any other injuries.
City voters have their last opportunity Friday to vote early in the 2017 Albuquerque election.

Early voting locations will remain open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at 12 sites around Albuquerque.

Eight mayoral candidates will appear on the ballot, although Ricardo Chaves dropped out on Thursday.

Also at stake in the Oct. 3 election are five City Council seats, 11 general obligation bond questions and a proposed sick-leave ordinance, also called the Healthy Workforce Ordinance.

City Clerk Natalie Howard said she has heard no complaints about long lines at any of the early voting locations, but some sites are busier than others.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, 29,247 voters had cast early votes, Howard said. That figure is somewhat larger than the 26,035 people who voted early in the 2013 mayoral election, she said.

Among the busiest early voting sites are Daskalos Plaza, 5339 Menaul NE; and Caracol Plaza, 12500 Montgomery NE, she said.

Less crowded sites are Alamosa Community Center, 6900 Gonzales SW; Cesar Chavez Community Center, 7505 Kathryn SE; and city of Albuquerque Records Center, 604 Menaul NW.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico climbed to the No. 1 spot among U.S. states when comparing property crime rates last year, according to data released by the FBI on Monday.

And it had the second highest rate for violent crime, following Alaska.

Although it can be difficult to rank states with varying characteristics and demographics against one another, the data does tell New Mexicans that the crime rate is something to be concerned about, said Paul Guerin, a senior research scientist at the Center for Applied Research and Analysis.

When you look at crime itself, and look at these rates it tells a story that New Mexico is higher than other places, he said. But it doesnt tell us why.

But Guerin said there are many factors that can be used to help explain why the crime rate is so high  including substance abuse, socioeconomic issues, and even the fact that the state is crossed by major interstates leading to the West Coast and to Mexico.

He added that many more factors remain that need to be studied to determine why crime has spiked dramatically, particularly in Albuquerque, over the past couple of years.

Much of New Mexicos reported crime is driven by Albuquerque, the states largest city. About 27 percent of the population calls Albuquerque home, but the city was home to 42.7 percent of violent crime and 47 percent of property crime in New Mexico.

Many of the states other cities  including Carlsbad, Taos and Las Cruces  showed declines in crime, although the rates increased slightly in Santa Fe.

In 2016, New Mexico law enforcement agencies reported 81,931 property crimes and 14,619 violent crimes throughout the state, according to the FBIs Crime in the United States. Thats a rate of 3,937.1 property crimes and 702.5 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Across the nation the property crime rate per 100,000 residents was 2,450.7 and the violent crime rate was 386.3.

The District of Columbia reported more crimes in both categories, but it is not a state.

Guerin warned that the reported data can give a skewed picture of each state because different agencies may classify crimes differently.

Aggravated assault in Colorado is not always the same in Idaho or Montana, he said. Thats one of the cautions the UCR makes.

New Mexicos high ranking comes on the heels of 2015, when the state was ranked No. 3 for violent crime and No. 2 for property crime. Violent crimes include murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes include burglary, larceny and theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

More than 65 percent of stolen vehicles were reported stolen from Albuquerque in 2016, which had an increase of 49 percent over 2015.

A previously released report using 2016 data from the National Crime Information Center, found that the Albuquerque area  including Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia Counties  ranked No. 1 in the nation for auto thefts.
The triumph of Judge Roy Moore in Alabamas Republican Senate primary was a ray of sunshine for those of us whod like to restore stoning to our legal system and remove the curse of profanity once and for all from our country. Scripture is very clear: Thou shalt not swear. But Gods chosen party, the Republican Party, has waffled on this issue, as it has on the issue of adultery and obedience to parents and observance of the Sabbath and the engraving industry. And that is why our country today is on the verge of destruction. The signs are everywhere. Judge Moore is the only man who dares say so.

In Deuteronomy, God makes it clear that a rebellious child should be brought before the elders and stoned to death. Its there in black and white. We ignore these things at our peril. Establishment Republicans and a great many Christians have adopted the leftist Let him who is without sin throw the first stone approach to the law, which would produce utter anarchy  sinlessness as a requirement for service on a jury  and Judge Moore of Alabama is a prophet in our time, calling us to return to Gods Word.

Democrats are fine with the Beatitudes  Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and all that  but blessing people is no substitute for upholding Gods standards, and there are people in spiritual poverty who express that by taking the Lords name in vain, or by shopping on Sunday, or disobeying their parents, or by coveting their neighbors wife, and if we dont punish sin, then sin will overrun the nation, as it has done already. That is why Judge Moore is not a Beatitudes guy, but a Ten Commandments man. The law is the law.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. It couldnt be clearer. And our country is flooded with them. Currency, photo IDs, the Sunday rotogravure, high school yearbooks, television and movies, National Geographic. And the iPhone, an abomination to the Lord. Liberal theologians can try to talk this away, but God has made it clear that when you print, or engrave, a picture, you are violating His law. You can draw or paint whatever youd like, but when you make copies, your soul is in danger. Xerox, beware.

Judge Moore has taken the high road on the issue of homosexuality. The establishment churches have turned a blind eye, and he has been a voice in the wilderness. But that is only one evil and there are a host of them, profanity being one of the most prevalent and insidious.

We have weapons we can use in the war against profanity, if we choose to use them. The very same algorithms that produce graven images on iPhones can be reversed and used to detect cursing anywhere nearby. The phone can be programmed to sound an alarm and to send powerful electrical currents into the body of the malefactor, and render him or her inert and insensate so that he or she can be handed over to the elders for stoning. Your establishment Republicans believe in light stoning, using handfuls of gravel, but Scripture is clear about this: we must use rocks so that the stoning results in death.

If we create stoning grounds in the centers of our cities and we publicly execute those guilty of rebelliousness, adultery, engraving, shopping on Sunday and cursing, you will see America become great again, assuming you are not one who will be executed.

Let us be honest here. There are too many people in this country. You know it and I know it. When we reduce the excess population by stoning and become a nation of 10 million or 15 million, this country will be a paradise. Youll be able to drive and not languish in traffic. No waiting for tee times. Our enemies will be gone, all of them, bonked to death, and we will gain their homes and their wives and their cleaning ladies. It will be perfect.
A cybersecurity breach at Equifax exposed sensitive personal data  including Social Security numbers, birth dates and addresses  potentially impacting 143 million Americans.

Hackers using the handle Dragonfly 2.0 reportedly targeted dozens of U.S. energy companies last spring and summer, gaining access to utility networks and, in some cases, control over grid operations.

And hijacked emails of a presidential candidate, along with more recent allegations of Russians hacking U.S. election systems last year, have roiled the political world.

How worried should we be about cyber attacks that have the potential to steal our identities and life savings, paralyze our power infrastructure and threaten our system of democracy?

You have to be worried, said Jorge Crichigno, who heads the Information Engineering Technology program at Northern New Mexico College.

A recently accredited program backed by a $433,000 grant from National Science Foundation and partly supported by Los Alamos National Laboratory aims to create a workforce to protect against cyber threats.

The three-year grant will introduce some aspects of cybersecurity in starting level classes and create a higher-level Applied Cybersecurity class to begin next year. A 400-level Information Assurances and Security class, supplemented with virtual laboratories, or vLabs, will assist students in applying the fundamental principles theyve learned about cybersecurity.

Internships, including 10 already being offered by LANL, are also part of the program.

The full framework will be in place by 2019, Crichigno said.

Students could cover the course work in two years and graduate with a bachelors degree in Information Engineering Technology with a concentration in cybersecurity.

And they may well end up with a well-paid job with a government agency or in the business world.

For instance, LANL posts entry-level jobs in cybersecurity that pay annual salaries in the $70,000 to $80,000 range. Crichigno says mid-level jobs in the industry approach $200,000 and go up from there.

And thats all over the country, he said. Theres so much demand. But thats a positive thing for our graduates.

Nothing like it

Student James McKeough says earning a degree in cybersecurity is job security.

Ive seen the tech boom  the dot coms and applications. All those applications need to be secure. All those websites need to be secure. I dont see anything going on in the world today thats bigger than this, he said.

Hes impressed by the program NNMC is offering because he says it mixes database content with computer science, something he said you dont normally get until graduate level.

I dont see anything like it anywhere else, he said.

McKeough, 32, has bounced from job to job over the years. He says he did construction and delivery work for prominent Espanola businessman Richard Cook for some time, later managed a hardware store, and helped open everything from tattoo shops to a chain of art galleries.

A high school dropout, he got his GED at Northern when it was still a community college and now has his sights set on what he believes will provide him with a secure career.

McKeough is attracted by the pay, but also the opportunity to travel. He says he wants to work in the corporate world  perhaps the airline or oil industries  and relocate to somewhere like Dubai or Singapore.

Another student, Ronald Weese, was introduced to computers  the Commodore 64  when he was in eighth grade and later operated a Digital Message Device, sending two-way encrypted communications, when he joined the Army after graduating high school in 1985.

Back then, the only people I knew that used computers were in the Army, he said. Today, computers have reached into every aspect of our lives.

Weese moved to New Mexico in 1991 (a two-week ski trip turned into a permanent move from Dallas). He, too, has held various jobs  from starting a dry cleaning business in Albuquerque to apartment maintenance and management positions  and enrolled in classes at NNMC in 2013 because it was 12 miles from his home in Pojoaque.

Youre never too old to learn, said the 51-year-old.

Weese returned to school after 20 years, having previously taken classes through the University of Phoenix. What he likes best about Northern is all his instructors have either Ph.D.s or masters degrees.

A new trade

Crichigno, a native of Paraguay, got his Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico and came to NNMC in 2009 to join the fledgling College of Engineering and Technology, which now has an enrollment of about 1,300, 120 of them engineering students.

He has helped build the program, and is credited with helping secure the National Science Foundation grant and getting the program accredited through ABET, a nonprofit accrediting agency for programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. The accreditation process alone took a year, he said.

He also spent six months on sabbatical last year working at the Florida Center for Cybersecurity on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa. He jokes that he was kept so busy there he never had the opportunity to go to Disney World.

That experience gave him what he needed to write the grant application, and help prepare curriculum and training materials for Northerns cybersecurity program, operated in conjunction with USF, using standards set by the National Security Agency and the Committee on National Security Systems.

NNMC College President Rick Bailey is a former Air Force commander who has written about cyber power, including co-editing and authoring the introduction to a book titled Strategy: Context and Adaptation from Archidamus to Airpower. Prior to coming to NNMC, he also served as professor of security and strategy studies at the USAFs School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.

The development of the cybersecurity program pre-dates his arrival at the college a year ago, but hes glad that NNMC now has it to offer.

It (cybersecurity) is something that Ive been thinking about a lot the past several years, so Im personally excited, he said of the program. In my academic background, I have done some research on strategy in cyberspace and how we have to think strategically about computer science, and how as a society as we become more strategic we also become more vulnerable. We need to be very, very diligent about how we think about security.

Bailey said cybersecurity has become a new trade and the college is in good position to exploit it.

Its a growing field and we are excited about the possibilities  and the economic development possibilities  that it could bring to northern New Mexico, he said. To offer a two-year degree where graduates can start jobs that pay in the 80s ($80,000s), thats a game-changer for us.

Other collaborators in the development of the cybersecurity program are the Western Academy Support and Training Center in California and the Network Development Group in North Carolina.

Partners include Cisco Systems, Palo Alto Networks and the Los Alamos lab.

Crichigno said that when he wrote the grant, he earmarked money to pay for student internships, but LANL stepped in and said it would offer paid internships in information technology, cybersecurity and communications.

Whats nice about it is our students are local and can work 10 or 20 hours a week at the lab. What they like is these are local students that they can retain, he said.

Crichigno said students going through the program dont just learn cybersecurity, they also learn cyber infrastructure, which is a totally different field.

The advantage is that they will be familiar with all these things when they graduate and, by the time they graduate, they are trained and they are ready, he said.
SANTA FE  Board members for one of New Mexicos two large public retirement systems voted Thursday to hire an outside investigator to look into whether one of their own violated state law by traveling to an out-of-state conference earlier this year and possibly getting some of her expenses covered.

After a heated discussion, the Public Employees Retirement Association board voted 7-3 to approve hiring the outside firm, Universal Investigation Services, to investigate the travel of board member Patricia French of Albuquerque.

In March, French attended a conference in California of the National Association of Security Professionals. On the day of the conference, a PERA committee approved a $150 million investment deal with one of the conferences sponsors.

Some board members called the investigation unnecessary, pointing out that French has publicly acknowledged traveling to the conference and acting as a moderator in a panel discussion.

I, for one, think its a waste of money and time  to persist in this behavior, board member Cathy Townes said.

However, other members said the board, which is self-policing, has a duty to investigate the matter, even if doing so is uncomfortable.

The PERA board voted in June to authorize an investigation, but subsequent attempts to hire an outside vendor to do the work had stalled since supporters could not round up the seven votes necessary to do so.

Thats what we asked for, and thats what we should move forward on, said board member Claudia Armijo, who was among the seven members voting in favor of hiring the outside investigator.

Rosario Vega Lynn, an attorney representing French, called the investigation an attempt to distract from management of the pension fund, which covers about 90,000 active and retired state, county and municipal employees.

It was not until after Ms. French spoke loudly and repeatedly about the gross retirement fund mismanagement that (the PERA board chairman and executive director) convinced current board members to spend thousands on a witch hunt over an event that cost less than $500, Vega Lynn told the Journal.

The price tag for the outside investigator will be limited to slightly more than $6,000, and it could end up costing less, according to PERA. Once the contract is completed, the outside investigator will have 30 days to conduct its probe and schedule a briefing with the board.

French is a longtime PERA board member and former board chairwoman. She is also active in the Democratic Party of New Mexico and is listed as the secretary of the partys State Platform and Resolutions Committee.
With the clock about to run out on the Albuquerque city election, theres been a flurry of activity in the mayors race and from supporters and opponents of the proposed sick leave law.

Here are some of the highlights.

Bernalillo County Commissioner Wayne Johnson has launched an attack ad targeting fellow Republican Dan Lewis, a city councilor.

They talk like John Wayne but vote like Barney Fife, the voice-over begins, as images of Lewis, state Auditor Tim Keller and attorney Brian Colon pop up on the screen. Like Dan Lewis  voted to spend $13 million on the ART project instead of hiring more police, and Lewis didnt even bother to show up for the sanctuary city vote.

Johnson then pops up on the screen, Ill stop the criminal justice revolving door, and Ill hold judges accountable and Ill end sanctuary city policies, he says.

Johnson throughout the campaign has accused Lewis of voting for the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project before voting against it.

My opponent Wayne Johnson doesnt seem to know who the real enemy is in ABQ  the criminals, thugs, and thieves who terrorize our neighborhoods and our families, Lewis posted on Facebook this week. Its sad to see that he would rather spread lies about my record than talk about the serious threats facing our city. Frankly, Im embarrassed for him. I know voters are smart enough to see through these petty political games.

Keller and Colon, both Democrats, and Lewis have been leading in the polls.

D.C. group: A new political action committee dubbed ABQ Working Families, meanwhile, has sent out a mailer attacking Colon. More than half of the groups funding comes from Washington, D.C.-based Civic Participation Action Fund, which is supporting Kellers mayoral bid.

We have a major crime problem, and we need changes at APD, the flier says. But we cannot trust Brian Colon to bring the change we need. Hes too well-connected to APD insiders.

The mailer goes on to allege that Colons law firm defended Ray Schultz, a former police chief who was the target of a state investigation into a sole-source, $2 million contract the city awarded Taser International to equip city police officers with on-body lapel cams.

Brian Colon cant change APD  his law firm protected those at the top, the mailer says.

Colon, a former Democratic Party chairman, and an attorney with Robles, Rael & Anaya, blasted the fliers.

These dishonest, last-minute attacks confirm what everyone knows: We have the momentum going into Election Day, he told the Journal in a statement. We are running a positive, forward-looking campaign to find common ground and smarter solutions. Public safety is priority number one. Im not sure what these attacks on Ray Schultz have to do with me. He has never been a client of mine.

Its not the first time Colon has defended his association with the Robles law firm.

During a police union event in Albuquerque, he addressed the issue.

Thats the law firm that stands beside officers when theyre in their deepest and darkest days, Colon told officers. When theyve been involved in use-of-force cases, our law firm has stood tall by them, and Ive got competitors in this field that like to use that against me and say that my firm has stood with law enforcement when theyve shot innocent Albuquerque citizens. I wear this as a badge of honor. I was proud to stand with APD the last decade; Ill be proud to stand with APD as mayor of our beautiful city of Albuquerque.

NRA backs Lewis: The National Rifle Association has endorsed Lewis for mayor.

In a letter, the organization said its decision is based on Lewis strong leadership in the local fight to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners and your proven record of support for the Second Amendment during your tenure on the Albuquerque City Council. The group said Lewis record includes votes against anti-gun city resolutions urging the Legislature to pass restrictions on private firearm sales at gun shows and to repeal the firearms preemption clause in the state constitution.

Pro-sick leave: The Democratic Party of New Mexico this week endorsed the Healthy Workforce Ordinance.

Democrats support policies that keep our families healthy and employed, said party Chairman Richard Ellenberg, in a news release. The community has an opportunity to ensure Albuquerque workers are treated fairly, and we are encouraging voters to vote yes on the paid leave ballot initiative. Keeping employees and families healthy makes good business sense  healthy families mean a healthy workforce.

If approved by voters, the ordinance would require employers to offer employees paid sick time off. It would apply to full-time, part-time and temporary workers at any business with a physical presence in Albuquerque, and it would allow workers to take paid sick time to deal with domestic violence or sexual assault.

Domestic violence and rape survivors held a news conference earlier this week to discuss how important the ordinance is to helping survivors and vulnerable families escape violent situations.

We believe it is necessary that victims of violent crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence be able to call in sick for work without having to explain to their employer what happened to them, said Liza Wolff from Casa Fortaleza, a group that supports survivors of sexual violence.

Anti-sick leave: Opponents of the Healthy Workforce Ordinance, meanwhile, say that the proposed initiative would hurt workers and businesses, and they have also ramped up their campaigns.

Americans for Prosperity-New Mexico has mailed out fliers likening the Healthy Workforce Ordinance to a wolf in sheeps clothing.

A truly healthy workforce is an employed workforce, AFP-NM state Director Burly Cain said in a news release. This ordinance would hurt small businesses, putting thousands of jobs at risk. It comes with a $100 million price tag for small business but creates loopholes for unions and the well-connected. On Oct. 3, Albuquerque voters should not fall for this wolf in sheeps clothing, but should reject this attempt to rig the system.

The Albuquerque Coalition for a Healthy Economy has also been distributing fliers.

The proposed ordinance will result in fewer jobs and is going to be especially hard on small businesses that are struggling to make ends meet, the fliers say.  We should take the time to design a sick leave policy that will work for all of Albuquerque.

Election day: Election Day is Tuesday.

The Healthy Workforce Ordinance requires a simple majority for approval. Eight mayoral candidates are on the ballot, although Ricardo Chaves dropped out of the race Thursday. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff on Nov. 14. Five City Council seats are also up for grabs on Tuesday.

Martin Salazar: msalazar@abqjournal.com
LONDON  Londons transport authority said Friday its commissioner will meet with the chief executive of Uber next week.

The meeting with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi comes after London transit authorities decided to strip the ride-hailing service of its license to operate in the British capital.

Uber said its new chief executive was looking forward to the meeting in London and wanted to work with city authorities to make things right.

The citys transportation agency, Transport for London, said last week it would not renew Ubers license when it expires Sept. 30, citing a lack of corporate responsibility. Among the factors considered by the regulator was Ubers approach to reporting serious criminal offenses and its use of software designed to evade the authorities.

Uber has said it plans to appeal the ruling and accused Londons regulator of caving in to special interests who want to restrict consumer choice.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump pledged to spare no effort to help Puerto Ricans recover from Marias ruinous aftermath Friday even as San Juans mayor, her voice breaking with rage, accused his administration of killing us with the inefficiency.

Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz implored Trump from afar to make sure somebody is in charge that is up to the task of saving lives, while the president asserted that U.S. officials and emergency personnel are working all-out against daunting odds, with incredible results.

Trumps acting homeland security secretary, Elaine Duke, visited the island Friday, surveying the ravaged landscape by helicopter in an hourlong tour, driving past still-flooded streets, twisted billboards and roofs with gaping holes, and offering encouragement to some of the 10,000 emergency personnel she says the U.S. government has on the ground.

Duke tried, too, to move on from the remarks she made a day earlier in which she called the federal relief effort a good-news story. But on that front, she ran into winds as fierce as Maria.

We are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency, Cruz said in a news conference. I am begging, begging anyone that can hear us, to save us from dying.

Thousands more Puerto Ricans got water and rationed food Friday as an aid bottleneck began to ease. By now, telecommunications are back for about 30 percent of the island, nearly half of the supermarkets have reopened at least for reduced hours and about 60 percent of the gas stations are pumping. But many remain desperate for necessities, most urgently water, long after the Sept. 20 hurricane.

Trump said Puerto Rico is totally unable to handle the catastrophe on its own. They are working so hard, but theres nothing left, he said. Its been wiped out. He said the government is fully engaged in the disaster and the response and recovery effort.

Trump said he was not aware of Dukes good-news remark.

I havent heard what she said, he told reporters. I can tell you this: We have done an incredible job considering theres absolutely nothing to work with.

Yet even in voicing solidarity and sympathy with Puerto Rico, he drew attention again to the islands pre-hurricane debt burden and infrastructure woes, leaving doubt how far Washington will go to make the U.S. territory whole.

Ultimately the government of Puerto Rico will have to work with us to determine how this massive rebuilding effort  it will end up being one of the biggest ever  will be funded and organized, and what we will do with the tremendous amount of existing debt already on the island, he said. We will not rest, however, until the people of Puerto Rico are safe.

Earlier he tweeted: The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!

Speaking to the press, and taking no questions, Duke said neither she nor Trump will rest until displaced Puerto Ricans are back home, schools, hospitals and clean water are back and the islands economy is moving again. Duke said she is aware people are suffering and clearly the situation in Puerto Rico after the devastating hurricane is not satisfactory.

Trump weighed in on his way to New Jersey for the weekend.

He praised his emergency management director, Brock Long, for doing a fantastic job, pointed out that Duke is serving in an acting capacity and said shes working very hard.

During this seasons trio of monster hurricanes  Harvey, Irma, Maria  Trump and his administration have drifted into the perilous territory of premature self-congratulation in the face of unfolding catastrophe, seemingly unmindful of the Brownie moment that scarred George W. Bushs presidency.

Bush famously told his emergency management director, Michael Brown, Brownie, youre doing a heck of a job during what proved to be a tragically inept federal response to deadly Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Trump has repeatedly boasted about the positive reviews he said his administration is getting from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for its relief effort, even as people in remote towns struggle to find food, water and other basics. Then Duke said before leaving Washington that the federal relief effort was a good-news story because of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths.

Let me clarify, she said Friday upon her arrival in San Juan. She said she meant it was good news that people of Puerto Rico and many public servants of the United States are working together.

Cruz responded, This is a people-are-dying story.

Trump is expected to survey the damage Tuesday.

___

Lugo reported from San Juan.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

A burglary investigation in an upscale subdivision in Placitas took a tragic turn Thursday afternoon when police say a Sandoval County deputy on his way to another call backed over a 68-year-old woman, fatally injuring her.

Linda Baragiola was taken to the hospital, where she died.

Neighbors say Baragiola had lived in an adobe house on the corner of Trail Road West and U.S. 165 for about 20 years. They said she and her late husband, Eddie, a former New York City police officer, were very gregarious and well-liked.

They would have a few parties here and there, and neighbors would be invited, said Jim LaPrelle, who said he had known the Baragiolas for many years. They liked to socialize. They were very involved in the homeowners association.

He believed Baragiola had lived alone in the house since Eddie died several years ago. She was the aunt of former Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office undersheriff Sal Baragiola.

Around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, a Sandoval County Sheriffs deputy was called to the neighborhood to investigate a burglary alarm at a nearby house. While the deputy was investigating the alarm, he got a call about another burglary, said officer Ray Wilson, a New Mexico State Police spokesman.

Thats when the deputy backed up his marked Dodge Ram pick-up truck, and struck Baragiola, knocking her down, Wilson said.

The deputy then inadvertently drove over the pedestrian with the vehicles right rear tire, Wilson wrote in a news release.

Witnesses told police Baragiola had been standing behind the deputys truck and had possibly been talking on her cellphone when she was hit.

The Sandoval County Fire Department responded to the scene and transported Ms. Baragiola to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque where Ms. Baragiola succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased, Wilson said.

Few other details were available Friday night and Wilson said the investigation is ongoing. Neither he nor a State Police spokeswoman responded to questions about the burglary investigations. They did not say whether Baragiola had talked to deputies at the scene before the crash.

State Police did not identify the deputy.

Lt. Keith Elder, a Sandoval County Sheriffs Office spokesman, said he did not know if the deputy had been interviewed about the crash or if he had been put on administrative leave.

By Friday afternoon, the subdivision was quiet.

LaPrelle said he and most of the neighbors consider Baragiolas death a horrible accident.

As for the deputy, Im sure hes tremendously traumatized by what happened, LaPrelle said. And her losing her life. Everybody thinks its a terrible tragedy all the way around.

He said Baragiolas death comes in the midst of a recent increase in property crimes in the area.

Its usually a pretty quiet community, LaPrelle said. But it seems like lately in last year or so there have been more burglaries than I can recall.
White Sands Missile Range will open Trinity Site to the public for the second of two annual open houses on Saturday.

Trinity Site is where the worlds first atomic bomb was tested at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time July 16, 1945.

The open house is free and no reservations are required. At the site visitors can take a quarter-mile walk to ground zero where a small obelisk marks the exact spot where the bomb was detonated. Historical photos are mounted on the fence surrounding the area.

Visitors can also ride a missile range shuttle bus two miles from ground zero to the Schmidt/McDonald Ranch House. The ranch house is where the scientists assembled the plutonium core of the bomb. Visitors will also be able to experience what life was like for a ranch family in the early 1940s.

The simplest way to get to Trinity Site is to enter White Sands Missile Range through its Stallion Range Center gate. Stallion gate is five miles south of U.S. 380. The turnoff is 12 miles east of San Antonio, and 53 miles west of Carrizozo. The nearest city to make hotel reservations is Socorro. The Stallion Gate is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors arriving at the gate between those hours will be allowed to drive unescorted the 17 miles to Trinity Site. The road is paved and marked. The site closes promptly at 3:30 p.m.
Eleven North Carolina health systems have finalized a partnership with Presbyterian Healthcare Services, which seeks to serve the Tar Heel States Medicaid beneficiaries.

The business deal, first announced in March 2016, will see Albuquerque-based Fluent Health, a subsidiary of PHS, performing Medicaid managed care services across the country from New Mexico. Those tasks will include customer service, claims processing, member outreach and care management.

The fledgling health plan will be owned by the nonprofit North Carolina health systems and Presbyterian Healthcare Services.

Prompted by Medicaid reform efforts in North Carolina, Presbyterian is a minority shareholder in the enterprise, though not a newcomer to the world of Medicaid managed care. The plan, which will bid on serving North Carolinas Medicaid patients, has filed for an insurance license and must also get the approval of federal regulators, said Jack Towsley, president of Fluent Health.

Towsley said the goal for the plan is to bid on providing care for 500,000 of North Carolinas 1.6 million Medicaid population. When the initiative was announced, Presbyterian executives said the goal was to go live with the North Carolina enterprise by the 2019 Medicaid enrollment year. The reformed Medicaid plan was expected to take up to three years to implement.

It takes a while to move all the pieces together, said Towsley, referring to the onerous task of wrapping up a deal with 11 health systems, and obtaining approvals from state insurance regulators as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The parties have a goal of going live by the 2019 enrollment year, said Towsley, who oversees the 750-person Fluent workforce in New Mexico.

Presbyterian was one of three vendors bidding to provide Medicaid managed services for the North Carolina venture.

Towsley said Presbyterian is leveraging its 30-year experience for the North Carolina initiative, which is expected to create new jobs in New Mexico and in North Carolina to support the new business line.

One of our key advantages (as a partner) is our experience and expertise in an integrated system that handles both the financing and delivery of healthcare, he said of the New Mexico health care organization, which comprises hospitals, medical clinics, physician groups and insurance plans.

Towsley said Fluent Health is seeking other business opportunities to help Presbytertian capitalize on its expertise.

Lisa Farrell, previously president of Presbyterian Health Plan, now is president and CEO of the 11 health system plan, which includes Carolinas Health Care System, Duke University Health System, and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico  Thousands of Puerto Ricans were finally getting water and food rations Friday as an aid bottleneck began to ease, but many remained cut off from the basic necessities of life and were desperate for power, communications and other trappings of normality in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

There were many people across the island, especially outside the capital, unable to get water, gas or generator fuel. That was despite the fact that military trucks laden with water bottles and other supplies began to reach even some remote parts of Puerto Rico and U.S. federal officials pointed to progress in the recovery effort, insisting that more gains would come soon.

In some cases, aid that was being distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency was simply not enough to meet demand on an island of 3.4 million people where nearly everyone was still without power, half were without running water in their homes and the economy was still crippled from the effects of the storm that swept across the U.S. territory as a fierce Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 20.

I havent seen any help and were running out of water, said Pedro Gonzalez, who was clearing debris to earn some money in the northern coastal town of Rio Grande. Increasingly desperate and with a daughter with Down syndrome to support, he had already decided to move to Louisiana to stay with relatives. Were getting out of here.

FEMA sent Rio Grande officials shipments of food and water for the past three days and arrived Thursday to help distribute meal packets, water and snacks in one community. But people in nearby neighborhoods complained that they werent told about the aid.

This has been a complete disaster, said 64-year-old retiree Jenny Cordero as she filled plastic trash cans with water at the home of a neighbor who was among the lucky ones to have service restored.

Those who made it, however, were grateful. This will help somewhat, so we dont starve, said Anthony Jerena, a 33-year-old father of two teenagers who managed to get two boxes of water, each containing 24 bottles and, three packages of meals-ready-to-eat.

Yolanda Lebron, a spokeswoman for the Rio Grande mayor, said they used a car with a loudspeaker to announce that FEMA would be registering people for aid, but did not mention there would be food and water given out. We didnt dare, she said. We didnt know if we were going to have enough.

Gov. Ricard Rossello and other officials said they were aware of peoples deepening frustration and of the difficulty, and danger, of living on a sweltering tropical island with no air conditioning and little to no water. He blamed some of the delay on the logistical challenge of getting aid shipments out of the seaports and airports, which were knocked out of commission in the storm, and then distributing the supplies on debris-strewn streets.

Rossello said Friday that the government would seize all food still sitting in containers at the port that private business owners had not yet claimed and would distribute it to people for free. He said the government would use FEMA funds to repay the owners.

He said operations were also ramping up at the airport and that the government had requested drivers and other workers from various federal agencies to help distribute aid, which he expected to begin flowing within the next several days. We know we have to do more, he said. Were still not getting at the optimal point. But it has been a limitation on logistics and as soon as we get those assets we are going to put them on the ground.

The governor also said he would shorten the nightly curfew by three hours, requiring people to be off the streets by 9 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., and would end a ban on alcohol sales that was in place since before the storm.

He spoke after touring the island with Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, who drew criticism from the San Juan mayor and others for describing the recovery effort as a good-news story. She sought to clarify the statement, saying she intended to praise the cooperation among the federal and local authorities in responding to a crisis.

Clearly the situation here in Puerto Rico after the devastating hurricane is not satisfactory, but together we are getting there and the progress today is very, very strong, she said.

There were signs that the island was slowly emerging from the disaster.

Telecommunications were back for about 30 percent of the island, giving some people the critical ability to call relatives and others for help. Nearly half of the supermarkets had opened, at least on reduced hours, and about 60 percent of the gas stations, though it could take hours to buy a rationed amount. In San Juan, the news that a laundromat had reopened cheered some, as did the news that some buses and the rideshare service Uber would be back online in San Juan.

Meanwhile, FEMA officials said the agency had distributed 2.5 million liters of water and 2 million meals at 11 distribution centers including the nearby islands of Culebra and Vieques. Nearly 1,700 Department of Defense personnel were on the island and 3,000 more were expected in upcoming days.

Despite the easing of the aid distribution bottleneck, water was the greatest need cited by nearly everyone. Those lucky enough to have had service restored to their homes said it was sporadic so that authorities could ration it around the country.

In the southern coastal town of Santa Isabel, 60-year-old Lebron Eduardo said he came each day to a pumping station at the water agency for supplies. Its not reaching the neighborhood, he said.

Nearby, 25-year-old Jorge Ortiz was taking a shower on the side of the road using well water. People come to get water for their families. The children are bathing and neighbors are cooking, he said. Apart from the bad experience of the hurricane, is something that is uniting us.

___

Carlos Rivera Giusti contributed from Santa Isabel.
Albuquerque neighborhoods atop an underground fuel plume caused by a massive leak on Kirtland Air Force Base can expect to host more monitoring wells in the new year, officials said during a public meeting on the leak Thursday evening.

Swiftly rising water table levels underground have taken 53 of about 150 of the existing wells out of commission, according to the New Mexico Environment Department.

There is a crucial need to install groundwater monitoring wells and sentinel wells to be able to provide continued confidence in the EDB (ethylene dibromide) extent, said Diane Agnew, a hydrologist with the New Mexico Environment Department.

More than 150 wells have been dug on and around the plume to measure levels of the toxic chemical EDB, which floats atop the groundwater.

The water table was previously rising at two to three feet per year, Agnew said.

It has now risen five feet in the last six months, she said.

If the devices in the wells that test EDB levels are too far underwater, theyre no longer effective.

Kate Lynnes, senior advisor on the clean-up for the U.S. Air Force, said there are still enough working wells to monitor the plume for now.

Theres still an adequate network, Lynnes told the Journal on Friday. If the water continues to go up at this rate, were going to need some new ones.

Lynnes said the work plan for new wells has not been completed, but she estimated that theyll need to put in around 10 more sentinel wells, which sit outside the plume area and are used to determine whether the plume is spreading.

She was unsure of how many monitoring wells would be needed. Those sit atop the plume and measure EDB levels.

Lynnes said drilling of those wells may start at the beginning of 2018.

The majority of Thursdays meeting was spent discussing two recently submitted reports, which largely detail information that was already suspected or known about the leak and resulting plume.

Lynnes detailed the findings of the Risk Assessment report, which analyzed potential adverse health effects of the leak. It found no current or future health concerns on- or off-base for workers and residents of the area.

The report examined possible pathways to humans through groundwater, soil and soil vapor. While groundwater is contaminated above legal drinking water limits, there is no way for it to get to humans at this point, Lynnes said.

Were here to commit to cleaning this plume up. Thats why were here, thats what were going to do, Lynnes said. But we wanted to show that youre safe while were doing that.

The other report, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Investigation, is a 4,000-page document containing detailed data taken from the leak.

The reports will be used in eventually identifying final corrective actions for the leak.
New Mexico National Guard Assistant Adjutant General Eric T. Judkins was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in a Friday afternoon ceremony in Albuquerque.

Judkins has been a member of the New Mexico National Guard since June 2000, according to a news release from the Guard.

He served in the 1st Battalion, 202nd Field Artillery Regiment in Las Cruces and transitioned to the 200th Light Infantry Battalion in June 2004.

He led New Mexicos Hurricane Katrina relief task force  a unit of more than 400 guardsmen  in 2005 and led a National Guard battalion on the Mexico border in Operation Jump Start. That operation, ordered by President George W. Bush, aided U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2006 with border enforcement.

Judkins began his military career at West Point, graduating in 1986 with a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering.

He served on active duty in Germany and in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

He left active duty in 1997 to work for Honeywell Defense Systems in Albuquerque.

Judkins also holds masters degrees in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and strategic studies from the United States Army War College in Pennsylvania.
AKAI India has announced the appointment of Neeraj Sethi as the Director of India Sales and Operations. With over two decades of experience in setting and scaling up businesses of top consumer durable brands, Neerajs appointment is pivotal to the companys upbeat in the Indian consumer electronics market. Neerajs role will hold key importance to AKAIs conscious decision of not just playing the price warrior card to sustain in this competitive segment.

Speaking about Neerajs appointment, Anurag Sharma, Director, AKAI India said, Excellence in Customer service and trust are two broad pillars on which rests our vision of becoming one of the top 5 brands in India by 2020. I am confident that Neerajs rich and diverse experience in operations, innovation in consumer centric space, coupled with his excellent track record in leading and growing large businesses, makes him apposite to spearhead this position.

Neeraj has a comprehensive success story with leading brands with recognized and strategic contribution to create niche in market. Before joining AKAI India, Neerajs significant contribution had been crucial to the operations of a number of consumer durables giants including Philips Electrolux Electronics (PE Electronics), Eureka Forbes Ltd., Videocon, LG, Samsung.

Neeraj has an extensive experience of over 20 years in setting and scaling up business of top consumer durables brands in India. He has a proven track record of delivering comprehensive marketing solutions for a number of consumer durables giants through his promising leadership.

Following his appointment, Neeraj Sethi said, With vigorous expansion plans and some very innovative offerings, it feels great to be a part of a young and highly motivated team. AKAI already has a strong brand recall in the Indian consumer electronics market and the re-entrance is a testament to the continued legacy of the company as it plans to expand its product portfolio. I am looking forward to work cohesively across board to further develop the existing business and boost companys presence in the region.

AKAI is targeting a turnover of Rs 2,000 crore by 2020. Having launched operations in the 9 states of India earlier this year, Akai is now planning to expand its consumer electronics product portfolio with the launch of 50 inch 4K ULTRA HD Smart LED TV and 7.5kgs fully washing machine to cash in on the upcoming festive season.
Hindustan Unilever introduced their skincare brand Citra in India through a spectacular launch event graced by its brand ambassador Pooja Hegde in Mumbai. Crafted with some of natures most potent skincare ingredients, Citra has journeyed across the world over the last 33 years. The range consisting of a face cream and a facewash was unveiled through an immersive and engaging zone called the Citra World that narrated the ingredient story, at Taj Lands End.

Over the last three decades, Citra has brought natures best kept secrets from the corners of the world and has carefully created products using unique ingredients like the Korean Pink Pearl and the Japanese Green Tea.

Pearls have been known for their concentrated source of Calcium and they also contain many other minerals. These are known to promote collagen production and the regeneration of new cells, making the skin smooth, fine, elastic and naturally beautiful. They help activate natural antioxidant enzymes and reduces marks, dark spots on the skin. Its natural vitamin and mineral complexes gives the skin a smooth texture resulting in glowing skin.

Green teas most potent healing powers come from its anti-oxidants known as catechins that are known to fight sun damage. The catechins helps reactivate dying skin cells and reduce blemishes and dark spots. Its antibacterial properties help reduce inflammations and fight pimple causing germs. It helps oily and dry skin in maintaining a healthy skin balance by preventing pimples and future breakouts.

Pooja Hegde, Brand Ambassador, Citra, says, It gives me immense pleasure to be associated with Citra in India as I have always believed in the potential of natural ingredients when it comes to skincare. From the current range of Citra products, I love the Citra Japanese Green Tea facewash, that not only helps remove impurities but also ensures I have clean and pimple-free skin. The Citra Korean Pink Pearl face cream too is a favorite already, as it is very light on the skin and gives me a healthy glow.

Prabha Narasimhan, Vice-President, Skincare & Colours Hindustan Unilever said, We are excited to introduce Citra to the Indian consumer. Citra is a brand that comes with a great heritage of over 30 years and has made its mark in natural skincare across many Asian countries already.
Red FM has now taken up the civic issue of open urination on walls that is a common sanitation problem. Almost every street in Delhi NCR  big or small, famous or infamous  has a wall made for overflowing bladders to relieve themselves. To embarrass such miscreants, Red FM put up walls of revenge termed as Ek Number Walls  the wall that throws back water on the person who pees on the wall. Every time someone came to pee on the wall, a surprise was showered back and the wall sprays back water on them.

These Ek Number Walls are spread across different locations in Delhi NCR basis feedback from the listeners that these walls have offensive pee stench. Red FM intends to take this initiative across its key stations in the network in the coming weeks.

Commenting on this initiative, Nisha Narayanan, COO, Red FM, said, Ek Number Walls is yet another innovative and disruptive initiative the content and marketing team has come up with. It truly reflects what Brand Red stands for and is Bajaate Raho to its core. Even with new sanitation facilities available, the menace of peeing on the walls is rampant in Delhi-NCR. So, Red FM decided to take up this civic issue and bring it to the fore in an interesting manner, converting some of these infamous walls into Ek Number Walls, which pee back water on the person who pees on it.

Earlier this year, Red FMs campaign against the menace of potholes had gained huge traction. Red FM RJ Malishkas Mumbai tula BMC var bharosa nahi ka song hit out at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for not being able to improve road conditions in Mumbai, especially during the monsoons.
This time around Ramleela in Lucknow will be about overcoming fear as Star Bharat launches the on-ground activation of its campaign - Bhula de darr at Aishbagh maidan, home to one of the biggest and distinguished Ramleela functions organized in UP. Lakhs of visitors from UP and across India come for this event in Lucknow. The lead cast from Star Bharat show Saam Daam Dand Bhed will be present for the finale of this unique on-ground initiative on the auspicious day of Dussehra 30th September 2017.

Lead actors Bhanu Uday (Vijay Naamdari) and Sonal Vengulkar (Mandira) of the channels popular show Saam Daam Dand Bhed that traces Vijays transformation from a carefree youngster into a political leader and becomes an inspiration to many, will encourage the spectators to overcome their fears by burning them to actualize their dreams. The entire Ramleela ground will have campaign posters encouraging each one present to pen down their fears on a piece of paper. In a grand finale Star Bharat will recreate the dehen by burning the fears, penned by the masses along with 121 feet statue of Ravana.

Fear is an impediment to progress in life, says Star Bharat spokesperson At Star Bharat we want to inspire people to understand that they are in charge of their destinies and have the ability to reach for the stars if only they get rid of their fears. This event we feel will bring home the message in a palpable manner.

Star Bharat recently unveiled a star studded brand film -Burn your Fears with MS Dhoni, Mithali Raj and Ajay Devgn. The film showcases national icons voicing how they overcame fear and achieved their dreams ultimately burning fear as a symbol of their win over fear.
The Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, His Excellency Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, today confirmed the appointment of Tony Douglas as Group Chief Executive Officer, who will join the company in January 2018.

Mr. Douglas joins Etihad from the United Kingdoms Ministry of Defence, where he has served as CEO of the Defence Equipment and Support department, responsible for procuring and supporting all the equipment and services for the British Armed Forces.

In the UK, he held senior positions with airport operator BAA, and as Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Executive designate of Laing ORourke. His roles under airport operator BAA included Managing Director of the Heathrow Terminal 5 project, Group Supply Chain Director, Group Technical Director, and CEO of Heathrow Airport.

Previously, Mr. Douglas held senior positions in the UAE, most notably as CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company and as CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Company where he was responsible for the successful delivery of Khalifa Port.

H.E. Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of Etihad Aviation Group, commented: We are delighted to have Tony return to Abu Dhabi to lead Etihad. He has guided the transformation of large organisations in the UAE and the UK, and he understands the UAE and the region. He is also deeply knowledgeable about commercial aviation and keenly familiar with Etihads challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing industry.

As Group CEO, Mr. Douglas will work with the Board and leadership team to expand and implement a range of strategic initiatives to position Etihad for sustained success in an increasingly competitive regional and global aviation market.

Mr. Douglas commented: Etihad is a force in global aviation that must continue to adapt and evolve on its own and with industry partners. It is an economic and employment engine for the UAE and the region. With new infrastructure and attractions like the expanded airport, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi Global Market, Etihad has a central role in supporting the UAEs position as a global hub of transportation, tourism, commerce, and culture.

Ray Gammell, who has served as Interim Group CEO since May 2017, said: Etihad and its talented workforce have helped to reshape global and regional aviation. With new challenges and new opportunities, Tony will guide the company into the next phase of its development.

Mr. Douglas will be supported by an experienced group leadership team which includes Ray Gammell, who will return to his position as Group Chief People & Performance Officer; Ricky Thirion, Interim Group Chief Financial Officer; Kevin Knight, Group Chief Strategy & Planning Officer; Mana Mohamed Saeed Al Mulla, Chief Group Support Services Officer; Henning zur Hausen, General Counsel; and Amina Taher, Vice President Corporate Affairs.

The divisional CEOs will report directly to Mr. Douglas, including Peter Baumgartner, CEO of Etihad Airways; Chris Youlten, Managing Director of Etihad Airport Services; Abdul Khaliq Saeed, CEO of Etihad Airways Engineering; Gavin Halliday, Managing Director of Hala Group; and Robin Kamark who joins as CEO, Airline Equity Partners in October 2017.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the federal government's ongoing recovery efforts, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the agency for service and volunteering, has committed more than 2,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members to communities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Since August, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps disaster teams have been dispatched to Texas, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

CNCS has activated seven teams to support Hurricane Maria recovery operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes four Strike Teams from the agency's elite AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team that will establish volunteer and donations management operations. AmeriCorps members serving with FEMA Corps will assist with logistics, support for responders, warehouse and facilities, and survivor outreach and assistance. In coordination with its local partner, the Puerto Rico Commission for Volunteerism and Community Service, CNCS has tapped locally-serving AmeriCorps programs to offer services to citizens impacted by the storm.

The agency has also provided more than $2.8 million in new, one-time, additional funding to AmeriCorps and Senior Corps organizations in impacted areas to support long-term recovery efforts. This includes $225,000 to the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, a grantee in Houston that sponsors more than 750 Senior Corps volunteers and has been an active part of the Hurricane Harvey response.

Also included is $1.8 million that supports approximately 175 new AmeriCorps positions through awards to existing AmeriCorps programs: Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, SBP, and the Utah Conservation Corps. This package of funding also included nearly $800,000 in resources for Governor-appointed state service commissions in impacted areas and was awarded to the One Star Foundation, Puerto Rico Commission for Volunteerism & Community Service, United Way Association of South Carolina, Volunteer Florida, and the Volunteer Louisiana Commission.

To date, more than 1,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps volunteers have responded to Hurricane Harvey, providing volunteer and donations management, disaster survivor assistance, damage assessments, and muck and gut operations. Approximately 200 additional AmeriCorps members serving with AmeriCorps disaster teams from around the country will join the effort in the coming weeks.

In response to Hurricane Irma, more than 800 Senior Corps and AmeriCorps members have provided disaster survivor assistance, support for logistics, and implemented child-friendly spaces in shelter environments across impacted areas in Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. AmeriCorps disaster teams have been deployed to provide manpower for blue roof tarping, debris removal, chainsaw destruction of hazardous tress, and muck and gut operations. AmeriCorps members serving with FEMA Corps are supporting FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance efforts throughout Florida.

Following a disaster, national service acts as a force multiplier, providing key resources and significantly expanding the capacity of existing organizations on the ground. More than 40,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members were deployed in response to Hurricane Katrina. In the decade since, AmeriCorps teams have provided critical support after countless disasters, including Hurricane Sandy; the 2013 floods in Colorado; and tornadoes in Joplin, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Moore, Okla.

To learn more about the agency's work in response to Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria, visit NationalService.gov/2017Disasters.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation's volunteering and service efforts. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

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SOURCE Corporation for National and Community Service
We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain.
The LG V30 Plus is hitting Sprints stores on October 13th, the fourth largest wireless carrier in the United States announced on Friday, adding that the device will also be part of a BOGO deal of sorts when tied with the Sprint Flex leasing plan. The Overland Park, Kansas-based mobile service provider is quick to point out that its the only telecom giant in the country thats offering the high-end variant of LGs latest Android flagship, whereas Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are all set to sell the regular V30 at launch. The wording of Sprints announcement suggests that this state of affairs may change in the future and that the LG V30 Plus (stylized as the LG V30+) could eventually make its way to other carriers in the U.S. but for the time being, consumers looking to purchase the most capable LG V30 model on a plan have no other choice.

Apart from Sprints own online store which can be accessed by following the banner below, the LG V30 Plus will also be sold at all of the wireless carriers brick-and-mortar locations from mid-October, as well as via phone, the company confirmed, adding that its sales division can be contacted by calling 1-800-SPRINT1. Existing Sprint customers who choose to upgrade to the LG V30 Plus can save $30 by doing so online, with both new and present users of the firms network being able to lease one device for free by leasing another one on the Sprint Flex plan. In total, this will amount to a monthly bill of $38 for both devices not including tax. As always, after you pay your first bill, Sprint will start adding free credit to your account within two invoices. Like other attractive offers from U.S. carriers, this one is open exclusively to customers with well-qualified credit and requires at least one new line coupled with an upgrade, or two new lines. The 18-month lease will eventually end with you being able to purchase the devices or upgrading to a couple of new ones, as is always the case with smartphones obtained on the Sprint Flex plan.

Sprint confirmed that a free Daydream View headset with a VR content bundle is part of the package for people who purchase the LG V30 on its network for a limited time, adding that those looking to take advantage of the promotion must activate their device by the end of the year and redeem the offer by January 15th, 2018. While the company didnt clarify on the matter, one previous leak suggested that the Daydream View unit in question is a second-generation device that has yet to be announced by the Alphabet-owned tech giant, with its launch being expected to happen on October 4th. Apart from offering double the storage space of the regular LG V30 which comes with 64GB of internal flash memory, the LG V30+ is also the only member of the new Android flagship family which ships with the LG QuadPlay earbuds.
HMD Globals General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Mark Trundle, has just confirmed that the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 will get updated to Android 8.0 Oreo before the end of this year. HMD Global actually confirmed a while back that all of Nokias Android-powered phones will receive such an update, but he did not specify when, well, now we know that it will arrive in the near future.

Having said that, Mr. Trundle confirmed this in an interview with GadgetGaul, an interview which is available down below (embedded video), just in case youre interested in checking that out. Having said that, the Nokia 3 is the cheapest of the Nokia-branded Android handsets at the moment, at least until the Nokia 2 arrives, and even that handset will get updated to the latest version of Android, and if HMD Global manages to keep its word, that will certainly be a good self-promotion for the company. The Nokia 8, HMD Globals flagship Nokia phone, was not mentioned by Mr. Trundle in his interview, but that phone will definitely get the update as well, though it might arrive a bit later than an update for the three aforementioned, Nokia devices, simply because it arrived a bit later than the three phones Mr. Trundle mentioned.

Now, all of HMD Globals Nokia-branded Android phones ship with a relatively clean build of Android OS, which means that the company did not include a skin on top of Android, or anything of the sort. That is, actually, one of the reasons why HMD Global is able to deliver Android 8.0 Oreo sooner than most other companies out there, and it also helps with the performance of HMD Globals Nokia devices. This update will bring a number of new features to HMD Globals handsets, including new battery management, and the so-called Picture-in-Picture mode which Google talked quite a bit about when the company was announcing Android 8.0 Oreo. Some notification shade-related improvements are also coming, and a number of additional changes. If youd like to know more about Android 8.0 Oreo, follow this link, theres plenty to read about, even though Android 8.0 Oreo is definitely not a complete revamp of the OS, but it brings a ton of new features and improvements in general.
A new rumor suggests that Google could end up launching a $159 pair of Bluetooth earbuds at its October 4th event next week Wednesday. The earbuds would be wireless thanks to the Bluetooth technology, but the rumor also notes that the pair of buds would still be connected by a wire between them instead of being truly wireless like Samsungs second-generation Gear IconX earbuds, and the many others which have been announced over the past 9 months from brands like Bose, JBL and others.

In addition to these earbuds potentially coming to market from Google with an unveiling next week, its suggested that they could also come integrated with Google Assistant and feature a dedicated button that would allow users to interact with it by pressing said button, though Assistant would still be capable of being activated through voice like with any other product that its been integrated into. Whats more, 9To5Google reports that a similar sounding pair has potentially already been in development. Since this is still just a rumor though there is every possibility that Google may not release them, especially considering they would be competing with a number of other earbuds products which are truly wireless. As noted Samsung is already on route to launching its second pair of truly wireless earbuds, and one of Googles other biggest rivals, Apple, already offers a pair as well, so Google would be launching a product that would be competing with technology thats more advanced.

The benefit to having something like this from Google might be the Google Assistant action button, but the nice thing about other truly wireless earbuds that are already available is that many if not all of them will already support the use of Google Assistant through voice by way of the integrated earbud mic, so long as Google Assistant is available on the connected phone itself, meaning consumers already have a number of choices for Bluetooth wireless earbuds that can interact with Assistant for tons of hands-free functionality. Whether or not Google does plan to unveil its own pair of Bluetooth earbuds with Google Assistant onboard is still unclear, but the event is just days away so more information may pop up before long. Another thing to consider is that Google could always end up announcing a pair of Google Assistant-powered earbuds at some point further down the road.
Samsungs mixed reality headset designed for Windows computers is real, as suggested by its listing in the database of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which was spotted on Thursday. The product was certified by the agency bearing the model number AA-HC1HULB, with this particular mark being attached to what Samsung refers to as the SAMSUNG HMD Odyssey Controller Left. A top-down photograph of the controller pulled from the FCCs database can be seen below, whereas HMD is likely an acronym for a head-mounted display, more commonly called a headset. Each controller is equipped with a 190mAh battery and was manufactured in China, presumably together with the headset itself, the listing claims.

The name Odyssey isnt a new one, with the moniker circulating the industry since the summer of 2016 and industry insiders previously associating it with a standalone virtual reality headset. The South Korean original equipment manufacturer trademarked the term Samsung Odyssey in several jurisdictions last year but contrary to previous reports, the firm is now said to be preparing to launch a headset meant to be used with Windows 10 computers instead of a completely standalone device. The head-mounted display leaked in several high-resolution renders earlier this week but no firm details about its potential availability have been provided by the source, with some industry watchers speculating about whether the device even exists. Those questions have now seemingly been answered, with sources further speculating that the Samsung Odyssey will be officially unveiled at some point next month. Samsungs yearly developer conference is taking place in San Francisco this October and will be preceded by Microsofts latest Mixed Reality hardware event on Tuesday, October 3rd, with both of those happenings being seemingly apt opportunities for the Samsung Odyssey to be announced.

The product itself will supposedly boast integrated headphones made and tuned by AKG, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics-owned Harman International Industries which already contributed to the development of several Galaxy-branded devices like the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Tab S3, and the Galaxy S8 lineup. The launch of the Samsung Odyssey will mark Samsungs first major VR move made without Oculus, the maker of the Rift HMD and Facebooks subsidiary whose technology is powering the Gear VR headset series.
Samsung Electronics is working on two members of the upcoming Galaxy S9 family, industry sources said on Friday, claiming that the South Korean original equipment manufacturer already started the development of the firmware for its 2018 Android flagship duo. The stock firmware being in the works at Samsung is reportedly marked by the build numbers G960FXXU0AQI5 and G965FXXU0AQI5, with the former presumably denoting the smaller device and the latter likely referring to the larger one. In other words, the international variant of the Galaxy S9 is said to feature the model number SM-G960F, whereas the same edition of the Galaxy S9 Plus (possibly stylized as the Galaxy S9+) will also be known as the SM-G965F. This development would be in line with Samsungs previous product naming practices as the companys Galaxy S8 carries the model number SM-G950X and the Galaxy S8 Plus is alternatively identified as the SM-G955X.

With the Galaxy S8 lineup launching in late March and being commercially released in the second half of April, news of the firmware development for the Galaxy S9 devices already starting may suggest that the upcoming duo will debut earlier in the year than its predecessors did. Samsungs Galaxy S-series handsets traditionally debut in late winter or early spring, often at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. This year marked a notable exception to that pattern as the Galaxy S8 lineup was reportedly delayed following the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, prompting Samsung to dedicate more time to make sure that its next two premium smartphones are as safe as possible. Its currently unclear whether the company is planning to revert to its previous Android flagship release schedule next year but if it is, starting related firmware development in early fall would be in line with such a strategy.

The Galaxy S9 series is largely expected to be powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 845 and Samsungs own Exynos 9810 SoC, depending on the region, in addition to featuring 6GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage space at a minimum. The transition to a two-sensor imaging system introduced with the Galaxy Note 8 will presumably translate to two rear cameras on the back of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus, and the same goes for the relatively bezel-free design characteristic of Samsungs recent Android flagships.
Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi is coming to London next week after the company was denied an operating license and Transport for London essentially signaled its looking to kick it out of one of the largest and richest cities on the planet, the competent agency confirmed on Friday. Transport Commissioner Mike Brown is hence set to meet with Mr. Khosrowshahi on Tuesday at a specific request of London mayor Sadiq Khan. Mr. Khan himself supported the TFLs decision to deny Uber an operating license renewal, stating that the company needs to abide by all the rules that apply to its competitors but subsequently urged for additional dialogue on the matter.

Earlier this month, the TFL deemed Uber unfit to hold a private hire operator license and accused the company of a lack of corporate responsibility, arguing that the San Francisco, California-based ride-hailing service provider offers inadequate working conditions and doesnt do enough to ensure customer safety, in addition to mentioning a number of other issues. While Uber struggles to remedy the situation and find a way to have its license renewed, its largest domestic competitor Lyft is reportedly considering an international expansion starting with London and has already held several talks on the matter with local officials. Uber entered London in 2012 and paid only 3,000 pounds for a five-year operating license, whereas a hypothetical renewal would now set it back almost $3 million under the new licensing system which went into force earlier this month. The company previously said it agrees with paying higher fees given the sheer volume of its operations.

Uber presently remains in London where it operates with a four-month private hire operator license which was given to it in late May when the company applied for another five-year renewal and is expiring tomorrow. The TFL initially refused issuing a second long-term license as it was then still in the process of designing a new license fee system which is now in force. The firm has two more weeks to officially appeal the TFLs decision and has previously confirmed it will exhaust all of its legal remedies before agreeing to leave London. In the meantime, the ride-hailing giant is legally allowed to continue operating in the city even after its license officially expires, so long as its appeal is being reviewed by competent authorities.
By: Dezan Shira & Associates

The Philippines has announced the implementation of Circular 91-2016 resuming field audits and other field operations of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). With effect from September 1st, the circular overrules a previous suspension of BIR field capabilities issued on July 1st under Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 70-2016.

Understanding the Previous Suspension

The suspension has been touted as a means of fine tuning the BIRs capabilities and increasing government revenue. Outlined under RMC No. 70-2016 the suspension has by all accounts been used to address lengthy processing times for audits and investigations, as well as a chance to investigate claims that authorities within the BIR were abusing their positions for financial gain. While suspension of audits and investigations were rolled out as part of this internal review, administration officials have constantly maintained that they have not been canceled outright.

Field Capabilities of the BIR

With the ban lifted, companies operating in the Philippines should assess their current state of compliance with Philippine taxation and understand that the capabilities of the BIR, which will once again be permitted. Key capabilities to be aware of include:

Issuance of Letters of Authority (LOA) : the official document which empowers a Revenue Officer to examine and scrutinize a Taxpayers books of accounts and other accounting records. LOAs may be delivered in person or via electronic means.

: the official document which empowers a Revenue Officer to examine and scrutinize a Taxpayers books of accounts and other accounting records. LOAs may be delivered in person or via electronic means. Issuances of Letters of Notice : prior to the issuance of an LOA, the BIR utilizes letters of notice to inform companies of an impending investigation. Following the receipt of a letter of notice, companies are prohibited from amending previous filings and returns.

: prior to the issuance of an LOA, the BIR utilizes letters of notice to inform companies of an impending investigation. Following the receipt of a letter of notice, companies are prohibited from amending previous filings and returns. Issuances of Mission Orders : allow regional tax offices to assign personnel to specific localities for the purpose of conducting spot checks on corporate tax compliance.

Implications for Tax Compliance

From the perspective of investment, resumption of tax audits should be viewed with cautious optimisim. While the tactics of the Duterte adminsitration have been critized as overhanded, the administrations commitment to reform has thus far proven genuine. Those conducting business in accordance with Philippine law will likely find the BIR to be more responsive following the internal review.

For those with open and pending BIR investigations, or otherwise unsure of the legality of their current state of compliance, it is highly recommended that a review of operations be conducted, and relevant government bodies be consulted with pertinent questions. Given the Duterte administrations propensity for shock and awe tactics and commitment to cracking down on tax evasion, it is likely that resumption of auditing could create serious liabilities for a select few.

For more information on the lifting of the BIRs audit ban or for assistance regarding taxation within the Philippines, please email asean@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email asean@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

Annual Audit and Compliance in ASEAN

For the first issue of our ASEAN Briefing Magazine, we look at the different audit and compliance regulations of five of the main economies in ASEAN. We firstly focus on the accounting standards, filing processes, and requirements for Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. We then provide similar information on Singapore, and offer a closer examination of the city-states generous audit exemptions for small-and-medium sized enterprises.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership and its Impact on Asian Markets

The United States backed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) includes six Asian economies  Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, while Indonesia has expressed a keen willingness to join. However, the agreements potential impact will affect many others, not least of all China. In this issue of Asia Briefing magazine, we examine where the TPP agreement stands right now, look at the potential impact of the participating nations, as well as examine how it will affect Asian economies that have not been included.

An Introduction to Tax Treaties Throughout Asia

In this issue of Asia Briefing Magazine, we take a look at the various types of trade and tax treaties that exist between Asian nations. These include bilateral investment treaties, double tax treaties and free trade agreements  all of which directly affect businesses operating in Asia.
By: Dezan Shira & Associates

The Philippines Finance Secretary, Carlo Dominguez, has recommended a corporate income tax rate of 25 percent, reduced from the current 32 percent.

The proposal would be implemented as part of the Governments Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP). Dominguez made the announcement at the 5th Manila Times Business Forum in Davao last Friday.

RELATED: Pre-Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates

Dominguezs language was bullish: We are going to do that not only because it was a campaign promise, but more importantly, because it makes good economic sense.

Several other measures are included in the CTRP bill, which is pending in congress, including the adjustment of excise duties on fuel and automobiles as well as the expansion of the VAT base. Dominguez was also critical of the size of the current tax net, saying that the country only had a large taxpayer base of about 3,000 individuals and corporate companies in a population of about 100 million, and that tax collection remained one of the lowest in Asia.

Dominguez pointed out that the massive investment program planned by the government requires serious tax reform to fund it. The minister estimated this program would require US$18 billion over the mid- term, equivalent to about three years of the countrys GDP revenues. Dominguez expects the government to raise these funds by widening the tax base, as well as the VAT base.

RELATED: Investing in The Philippines  What To Expect in 2017

Aside from tax reform, the countrys economy is set for between 6.5 to 7.5 percent GDP growth during 2017. This growth is mainly a result of infrastructure projects.

The Philippines economy achieved a 7 percent GDP growth rate in the first three quarters of 2016, hitting the upper end of the governments official target of 6 percent to 7 percent. This was faster than growth rates inChina, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In addition to infrastructure spending, foreign investment in the BPO services sector has been on a high upward growth curve, in addition to textiles and furniture manufacturing.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email asean@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2016

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2016 introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment and taxation. We also include the latest development news in our Important Updates section for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each.



Human Resources in ASEAN

In this issue of ASEAN Briefing, we discuss the prevailing structure of ASEANs labor markets and outline key considerations regarding wages and compliance at all levels of the value chain. We highlight comparative sentiment on labor markets within the region, showcase differences in cost and compliance between markets, and provide insight on the state of statutory social insurance obligations throughout the bloc.
Stretching eastwards from Myanmar through Thailand and Cambodia to Vietnam, the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) aims to further integrate the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by improving connectivity and trade. In Cambodia, new clusters are growing around border towns and in existing industrial hubs along the route of the SEC. Foreign businesses are investing in Cambodia, benefiting from both the countrys cheap labor pool as well as the improved connectivity brought on by the SEC.

SEC: A snapshot

The SEC is one of the many development projects initiated in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The GMS is a natural economic area loosely connected by the Mekong River  the 12th longest river in the world. The GMS spans an area of 2.6 million square kilometers and a total population of 339 million people, as of 2015. In 2015, trade within the GMS amounted to US$444 billion.

In partnership with the Asian Development Bank, the GMS Program for subregional cooperation was established in 1992 to facilitate economic cooperation and growth between Cambodia, Chinas Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The SECs principle route extends eastwards from Dawei (Myanmar) and passes through Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) before terminating at Vung Tau (Vietnam). Additional sub-routes bring improved connectivity between Cambodia and its neighbors:

With Laos through Dong Kralor

With Thailand through Poipet and Cham Yeam

With Vietnam through An Dong Pech, Bavet, and Kep.

Additionally, a SEC subroute connects Cambodias capital Phnom Penh with the countrys Sihanoukville Port.

The SEC (one of the three ongoing economic corridor projects in the region) will make it easier for both domestic and foreign businesses to do business and access markets along its route.

Improved infrastructure and connectivity

Though still vulnerable to occasional adverse weather conditions, Cambodias highways now facilitate direct overland connectivity between Thailand and Vietnam. According to a 2014 study, freight travel from Bangkok to Phnom Penh through the SEC takes approximately 24 hours while passenger travel takes 11 and a half. Freight travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City takes roughly 14 hours whereas passenger travel takes 5 and a half.

The Phnom Penh aiport has already undergone upgrades, increasing its capacity to 5 million annual passengers. The airport at Sihanoukville  an important port city connected by a sub-route to the SEC is currently undergoing upgrades to increase its capacity to 500,000 annual passengers.

The Neak Loeung Bridge (otherwise known as the Tsubasa Bridge) is the latest in improvement in connectivity with the SEC. Completed in April 2016 with development assistance from Japan, the Neak Loeung Bridge spans the Mekong River,connecting Cambodias Kandal and Prey Veng provinces while drastically improving the ease of traveling from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City.

Why Cambodia?

Cambodia is an ideal location for labor intensive and export-oriented manufacturing. Cambodia benefits from the European Unions Everything But Arms Scheme which allows underdeveloped nations duty free access to the EUs market for all export goods.

Cambodias garments industry, for example, has attracted the attention of major players such as Adidas, Armani, the Gap, and Marks & Spencer. Cambodia possesses a large and low cost workforce. A garment workers monthly income in Cambodia, for instance, averages at US$153.

Cambodia remains dependent on imported inputs for manufacturing. Factories located near borders, or else on the SEC, can benefit from Cambodias relatively cheap labor and export incentives while easily sourcing inputs from neighboring countries.

In the first four months of 2017, investment in Cambodias construction sector increased by 43.3 percent. Cambodias growth is accelerated by industrial clusters near its borders which optimize Cambodias potential.

Growing industrial clusters in Cambodia

Poipet

Originally a small Cambodian border town and gambling hotspot for Thai nationals, Poipet is expanding with ambitions of becoming an automotive parts manufacturing hub.

Automotive manufacturers (predominately from Japan) are establishing factories in Poipet  taking advantage of the readily available low-cost labor and cheap electricity imported from Thailand.

Poipet currently possesses three special economic zones (SEZs): the Poipet ONeang SEZ, the Sanco Poipet SEZ, and a new Poipet branch of the Phnom Penh SEZ.

Poitpet is located only 240 kilometers from Thailands Laem Chabang Sea Port  itself an important part of Thailands own Eastern Economic Corridor.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is a major destination on the SEC. Phnom Penh specializes in light labor-intensive industries such as garments and footwear, food and beverage, and consumer products.

However, the new Kerry Worldbridge SEZ  situated just 20 kilometers away from Phnom Penh  aims to create a logistics hub and encourage more automotive and value added electronic production. The Kerry Worldbridge SEZ is a US$100 million project built on 155 acres of land.

The main SEZ in Phnom Penh as well as the most developed SEZ in Cambodia is the Phnom Penh SEZ (PPSEZ). The PPSEZ currently has an estimated 80 tenants and 15,000 employees. Notable corporations already present in PPSEZ include Coca-Cola, Toyota, and Yamaha.

Bavet

Bavet is situated along the Cambodia-Vietnam border and is located only 80 kilometers from Vietnams main commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City. Aside from being a center for the readymade garment (RMG) industry, Bavet is also becoming a cluster for the production of watches. Companies engaged in manufacturing watches  whether the band or bezel  are clustering together to turn Bavet into a watch village.

Bavet currently possesses three principle SEZs: Manhattan SEZ, Tai Seng, and Dragon King. Though smaller, these border SEZs benefit from ease in ability to trade and source materials. Their proximity to Vietnams Vung Tau Port further increases their international reach.

Cambodia: Thailand plus one?

The establishment and ongoing improvements to the SEC are nurturing manufacturing clusters that benefit from improved logistics and connectivity.

Foreign businesses looking to establish manufacturing facilities in Southeast Asia can avail from incentives in Cambodia while simultaneously taking advantage of reliable sourcing of inputs and electricity from neighboring countries.

Furthermore, the success of the SEC will stimulate intra-ASEAN trade  creating new access to an array of emerging markets. With increased activity along the SEC, Cambodias clusters will continue to grow, making Cambodia a new manufacturing hotspot of ASEAN.
An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2022 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in Singapore, compiled by the professionals at Dezan...
The Easiest Languages To Learn

Looking To Learn A New Language? Start With One Of These

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

If you travel anywhere in the world, youll find countless people who can speak more than one language. In fact, if you check in with a research organizer like Quora, youll discover more than half of the human beings breathing, thriving and surviving on this planet, as you read these very words, speak at least two languages.

The Chinese speak both their official national language and several regional dialects. Millions of Europeans speak the mother tongue of their home countries and at least one (often two or more) additional languages (usually including English). Youll find the same if you roam anywhere near a decent sized town in Japan, Thailand, Russia, Norway, etc.

Monolingual countries are a sad minority, and the United States is the greatest offender. According to Gallup, only 25% of Americans can carry on a conversation in a language other than English  and a majority of those are immigrants who came to the USA and learned English as their second tongue.

If you stumble through life armed with the knowledge of but a single language and would like to expand your verbal horizons, the following exploration of possible languages to study will be of great assistance. Once youve chosen the foreign speech to conquer, look for a collection of suggested learning tools waiting to teach you.

Spanish

Best For: Global And Regional Popularity

With the exception of the dialects of Portuguese spoken in Brazil, Spanish is the language of the entirety of Central and South America, Puerto Rico, Spain, many Caribbean Islands, and it is widely spoken around the US. Its popularity ranks it as the second most-spoken tongue on Earth behind Chinese  due to that countrys population of almost two billion.

Most experts agree the best way to learn a language is to speak it regularly. Many bilingual people (even those gifted enough to speak three or more languages well) report that their knowledge and mastery of a language fades somewhat if theyre away from regions or environments in which they can engage with other speakers. The popularity and widespread use of Spanish offers would-be learners plenty of chances to exercise their new language skills.

For some students, Spanish might seem intimidating because of the alacrity native speakers display. While its fair to assume a newcomer will have to wait through a couple years worth of practice before being able to speak it with the same speed, the structure of Spanish makes it reasonably easy to pick up for students.

The languages Latin roots give it a strong structure. Generally, every vowel is a syllable, and the verb conjugations and tenses remain consistent. There are challenges in taking on new vocabulary, but every language requires that.

Beyond a software package or language class, the most effective way to learn Spanish is to get out in the community and find places to practice. You can make it clear to anyone that youre working to learn the language, and most good folks will accommodate your lack of speed and spotty vocabulary. Speak it to learn it. In the end, you will end up with the use of the second most used language in the world, and a tongue thats becoming more popular in English speaking regions.

Rating:

Speaking: ****

Grammar: ***

Spelling: ****

Similarity to English: ***

Useful: *****

Final Score: 19/25

French

Best For: International Travel And Legal Work

While it may serve as a tired cliche, French is widely considered a language of love. However, its also traditionally the language of the law. Consider the popular legal terms: judge, jury, allegation, accuse, appeal, prison, judiciary, client, acquittal, and void dire. Theyre all either directly French or of strong French origins.

Still, all of that legality doesnt limit the artistic, romantic natural sound of the language. The flowing vowels, the use of rounded tones off the back of the palette, and the flow of one word into another lends its speech a natural intellectual quality. Its a language that you want to be able to speak when you hear others conversing in it.

French is used commonly throughout Europe, ranking behind only English, Spanish, and German as the continents most used language in urban environments. Itll also serve you well in Canada and some parts of the Caribbean and North Africa.

A common trick for working your way into any new language  especially those with Latin or Germanic roots shared with English  is to start out by reviewing words shared directly between languages. There are more than 100,000 French words that live peaceably within English, and more than 25% of English words have French roots. For example, consider any word ending with tion. You get the idea. Blame centuries of war between England and France, and its various conquerings and defeats for that. Before using self-teaching software or attending your local language classes, study how French vocabulary sounds, and how its vowels function in words youve been using for years.

Rating:

Speaking: ****

Grammar: ****

Spelling: ****

Similarity to English: ***

Useful: ***

Final Score: 18/25

German

Best For: Communicating Throughout Europe And Enhancing Use Of English

While French is a gateway language to travel and business in Europe, German is the most widely spoken native language in the continent of Europe. It is also one of the official languages of the European Union.

Meanwhile, while the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW have created a gimmick around German design and engineering, scientists, engineers, and other such professionals would actually be well-served learning German for various terminology and professional opportunities.

Anytime learning a foreign language assists in the mastery of English, its a double-barreled success for any student. While Latin-based languages like French greatly influenced the native tongue of the UK and America, English is still a Germanic language at its core. The similarities in structure can also make German a little easier to learn for English speakers.

Still, there are some tricks inherent in picking up German. Capitalizing nouns is easy enough to grasp, but shifts in tenses and some unfamiliar vocabulary structures can trip up English speakers coming to German.

Finally, as with French, theres an inherent sophistication hovering behind German. While it can seem a bit harsh tripping from behind the teeth in popular culture, its smoother in conversation.

Rating:

Speaking: ***

Grammar: ***

Spelling: **

Similarity to English: ***

Useful: ****

Final Score: 15/25

Japanese

Best For: International Work And Cultural Opportunities

Japanese is an admittedly tricky inclusion as the concept here is to recommend languages that are easy to learn, and Japanese offers the greatest challenge of any of these choices. Still, the possible advantages of mastering the tongue outweigh the potential difficulties.

As the only Asian root language found on this list, Japanese packs more challenges in vocabulary and structure for English speakers than Latin and Germanic languages. Fortunately, there are extensive resources to learn this powerful tool. With Japan as a leading force throughout the world in technology, business and innovation, every major software package and adult language school offers lessons in Japanese.

Its also interesting to consider that Chinese almost took this spot in the top five for the same reasons that put Japanese on the team. However, the extensive variations and dialects found in Chinese make it too big a challenge to be considered easy to learn.

Rating:

Speaking: *

Grammar: **

Spelling: ****

Similarity to English: *

Useful: *****

Final Score: 13/25

Latin

Best For: Mastering Other Languages

Some might question the wisdom of studying a 'dead language.' Outside of the occasional High Mass at the Vatican now and again, no country on Earth still uses Latin as a primary language, and its been that way for centuries. However, Latin lives on through the multiple languages it spawned and influenced. Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, French, and Romanian all grew directly from Latin. And, since so much of English also grew from other tongues, Latin lords over that as well.

Latin is a language that can act as a springboard to learning multiple other languages, making it a valuable tool for anyone interested in branching out into more than one additional tongue.

For a dead language, Latin can prove easier for English speakers to learn. Latin's structure is consistent and ordered. Tenses and conjugations remain constant and predictable, and students will find many echoes of words they already know in the vocabulary. The challenge can come in finding ways to learn it. Outside of high schools and colleges, there arent scores of language schools specializing in Latin. However, You can find software packages online that will carry you through the process.

Finally, parents should consider letting their kids pick up Latin when available in school to aid them in their mastery of English and the Latin languages.

Rating:

Speaking: *

Grammar: ***

Spelling: ***

Similarity to English: ****

Useful: *

Final Score: 12/25

Language Learning Tools

Rosetta Stone

Its become the go-to software for language education. Offering home education courses and apps for Apple, PC and Android operating systems, Rosetta Stone offers learning opportunities in 25 languages from around the world. Sold as an education subscription, the service is available in three month to 24 month stretches.

Rosetta Stone language packages include a wide array of tools to aid in your second language education. From accent assistance software to games and voice-activated tests, their lessons include everything you need to achieve fluency in a new language.

$59.00 to $179.00 at Rosettastone.com

Coursera

Coursera has become a leading website for e-learning in all areas, including languages. On this platform, courses are taught online by some of the leading professors from top universities like Penn, Stanford, and Duke. Whether you are looking to earn a certificate, or complete a degree you can do it all through Coursera.

One of their top language courses includes: Learn Spanish by UC Davis, which is a specialization program. When searching for a course you can find information on everything from the syllabus, to the number of projects involved, and what type of time commitment is required. This way you can assess how serious you are about learning a language and decide whether you want to commit to a course for a few years or a few weeks. Coursera has received great reviews for their ability to bring the university experience into your home.

Prices range from free to +$3000.00 at Coursera.com

Udemy

Udemy has quickly become one of the most popular resources for e-learning on a budget. On the Udemy platform, you can find over 55,000 courses, many of which fall under the $50.00 price point. Udemy has a large array of language courses to choose from, and thanks to their budget-friendly pricing you can easily tackle more than one language.

Prices range from free to $300+ at Udemy.com

Babbel

The name Babbel (Note the -el spelling as -le will take you to a Disney-mommy blog) honors both the biblical story of men looking to build a tower to their deity, and the Douglas Adams and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy concept of a fish placed in the ear to translate all galactic speech. On this world, its an online monthly subscription service available via computer, phone or tablet that will carry you along to learn 14 different tongues. The app provides intermittent review sessions to reinforce everything you've learned, and since lessons are only 10-15 minutes, you can easily fit a daily lesson into your schedule.

$6.95 to $12.95 per month at Babbel.com

Duolingo

An app available for iOS and Android, Duolingo offers a free tool to learn a language via repletion and the combination of visualization, pictures, speaking, and listening. Customers can opt for an ad-free version. This tool is an excellent way to stay on top of your language learning on the go.

Free with ads at Duolingo.com

Fluenz

Offering courses in seven languages. Fluenz specializes in programs for academic and government training use. Still, that doesnt stop any interested individual learner from taking on its thorough techniques. Offering both CDs and immediate download packages, Fluenz is no casual language learning tool. Its a serious kit. The Fluenz structure is built specifically for English speakers learning a second language, so they utilize the commonalities of the languages to aid in the learning process.

$368.00 to $177.00 at Fluenz.com

Pimsleur

Named for Paul Pimsleur, a world-renowned scholar in linguistics, this is an impressive set of online services to teach more than 50 languages. While thorough and academic in its techniques, Pimsleur is also far and away the most expensive online language product amongst its competitors. Through well-established research, this program follows an intuitive process combined with useful vocabulary to get you speaking right from the first day. All Pimsleur courses feature real-world context and flexible vocabulary enabling you to learn your new language in a fluid, natural way.

$100.00 to $1199.00 at pimsleur.com

Closing Tips

While languages are precise in their function and construction, theyre subjective when it comes to learning and using another possible form of speech. For every potential student, a different language will seem easier to pick up, more interesting to explore or most useful. By exploring a different culture through its speech, to burning new neural pathways through the old noodle, taking on additional languages with any of the methods above can only serve to enhance your intelligence, quality of life, and sense of accomplishment.

Related Readings

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AWD

AMG

The rumor mill talks about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which uses the W177 codename, being set to land in March next year, at the Geneva Motor Show.One word that will perfectly describe the all-new A is "diversity". For instance, the entry-level Mercedes-Benz is expected to follow the example of the C-Class and offer up to four headlight designs, obviously according to how much you're willing to pay for the car.The outgoing A-Class, which may regard as the first incarnation of the car to be fully worthy of the three-pointed star badge, has its limitations in terms of cabin space and the newcomer is set to address this.As for the cabin, a previous spy session has allowed us to take a peek inside the compact and we've added the shots of the dashboard to the image gallery above.In the powetrain department, we're looking forward to a few important changes. At the bottom of the oil-burning lineupo, the Renault-borrowed 1.5-liter four-cylinder will be replaced the French carmaker's more advanced 1.6-liter mill. As for the aging 2.1-liter diesel, this will make room for the transverse-mounted 2.0-liter diesel that made its debut on the new W213 E-Class As for the bulk of gas-engined models, these will be animated by upgraded versions of the current 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter units.The W177 A-Class will also offer multiple hybrid configurations, from mild-hybrid hardware to one that will also be able to drive under electric power alone.As for the Affalterbach side of the equation, the range-topping A45 will develop into a hyper-hatch, one that will mix north of 400 ponies with all-wheel-drive and uber-wide tracks, all with the aim of dominating the Audi RS3 and the rumored BMW M2 CS. Further down the power line, we'll find a nine-speed dual-clutch tranny and ansystem with a more neutral torque distribution (torque vectoring will also be on the menu).Mirroring the scheme offered for larger models, where the Mercedes-43 models accompany the fully-grown 63 cars, we'll also be treated with an A32/A36/A40 super-hatch, one whose output will sit at around 320-340 hp.You will have to brace yourselves for the moment when the financial side of the generation change is announced, though, with all the upgrades above obviously set to come at a price.
Like other land speed records, the Bloodhound SSC is indeed a rocket, but there's more to it than that. The title mentions a jet engine firing up, so there has to be one tucked away somewhere in that 12.9-meters (42 feet) long pencil-shaped body.Indeed there is. Originally found on a Eurofighter military jet, the EJ200 engine will be used to take the Bloodhound to 300 mph (480 km/h), at which speed the rocket kicks in and takes over until the planned 1,000 mph speed is reached.This is the first time the jet engine is spooled to life while actually mounted on the vehicle, and it's just in time. The Bloodhound SSC is scheduled for a few mild test runs next month where it's supposed to reach 200 mph (320 km/h) toward the end of October on the runway of the Cornwall Airport.As you'd expect, the jet engine sounds like a jet engine. The real treat here is listening to its high-pitched whirl while looking at something that's not designed to fly. It's like staring at a kitten yawning with tiger roars pumping in the headphones. Or something.The record run that will attempt to break the 1,000 mph barrier will take place at the Hakskeen Pan, the mud-and-salt-flat in South Africa next year. Driving the thing - or fighting for his life, if you will - will be wing commander Andy Green, the man who currently holds the land speed record after his 763.035 mph (1,227.99 km) run in the Thrust SSC in 1997.The wheels you see in the clip - and the tires, prompting a short "sponsor moment" - are going to be used for the low-speed attempts in the UK. When going at full blast, the SSC will put on its all-aluminum 36-inch discs, designed to deal with the heat and physical punishment during the test run.
EV

Like others, China is also considering a ban on all fossil fuel cars at some point in the future, but it hasn't penned a clear schedule so far. We'd like to remind you that France gave manufacturers that want to sell gas-powered cars within its borders until 2040, with the United Kingdom and Scotland following suite.More recently we've heard the U.S. state of California mulling a similar decision, but it's still early for any specifics. Whatever the case, it's clear the days of the combustion engine are numbered, even though they're still in the thousands for now.China, however, can't afford to sit idle and wait for a distant date to arrive before it amplifies its efforts to shift the balance of the vehicles on its street toward those with zero emissions. That's why it has announced today a measure similar to the Californian ZEV mandate.The decision forces manufacturers that want to build fossil fuel-powered cars to first get an energy vehicle score by producing low-emission and zero emission vehicles (EVs or PHEVs). They need to have a 10 percent score by 2019, and then raise the bar by another two percent for the next year.China was forced to push the new set of rules back by one year after the automakers complained the initial timeframe was unrealistic. The restrictions only apply to carmakers that look to build over 30,000 units a year, so the low-volume companies will not be affected.Political considerations must have weighed in on the decision to delay the commencement date by a year, said Cao He, chairman of Quanlian Auto Investment Management Co, quoted by Bloomberg . Local automakers will likely benefit from this as they will have more buffer time to get ready on the technology front.With almost every major manufacturer having a strong presence in the Chinese market, these measures will surely impact their lineup. Some of them are already selling certain market-specific models there, but most are working on newmodels anyway with release dates that coincide with the new timeline on the rules.
The second generation of the GT arrived after a long hiatus and it saw customers having to go through an unprecedentedly complicated, social media-fueled selection process And yes, the machine, which was developed as a racecar and then adapted for the kind of things that happen on public roads, saw its circuit incarnation grabbing the champagne at Le Mans. But we're not in the 60s anymore and we dare say that the supercar clientele won't respond to such track laurels as it did back in the day. So when you add a third aspect to the two mentioned above, namely the half-a-million price tag of the thing, is the Blue Oval halo car really worth all the sacrifice one has to go though in order to bring it into the garage?Well, if you ask Chris Harris, the answer is a big, fat "yes". The British journo has just released his European drive of the 2017 Ford GT and it's enough to count the times he mentions the word "love" throughout the 5:42 clip to figure out what he thinks of the newcomer.As you can imagine, the no-longer-independent reviewer (he's a Top Gear star now, remember?) drifted the hell out of the twin-turbo V6 supercar. Don't worry, though, he also went for a few reasonable laps of the track while inside the GT.Alas, the video showcasing Harris getting his giggles from the Ford GT can't be embedded, so you'll have to head over to the TG website for the clip.
$20 billion in losses later, Groupe PSA plans to keep costs under control by changing Opel from its foundation. The solution? "We will gradually start using PSA platforms and engines for the Opel model lineup," said Gilles Le Borgne to Automotive News . "This won't happen overnight. It will take a few years, concluded the development chief of the French juggernaut.Probably the most telltale sign Groupe PSA wont take any chances with Opel is the following line, coming from Peter Fintl, the director of technology and innovation at the German subsidiary of French development services provider Altran: "PSA doesnt need Opel s conventional technology. Apply cold water to burn, then start wondering what does this mean for Opel in the long run.Reading between the lines, the German automaker and its British sister brand will slowly but steadily embrace hybrid and electric vehicle technology from Groupe PSA. One such building block is the Common Modular Platform, which prides itself on an electrified version in the form of the e-CMP . According to PSA, the e-CMP is designed to offer 450 kilometers (280 miles) of range.In regard to conventional engines, the PureTech and BlueHDi families have won plenty of awards and are generally regarded as being very economical for their respective displacements. In the long run, adopting Peugeot-Citroen powerplants puts many jobs at risk in Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Austria.From the report: It is also uncertain whether PSA will continue to need the 3,000 Opel engineers that have mainly worked on GM projects until now.
The press barely had time to dry after Porsche's record run on the legendary Nurburgring circuit, setting the best time for a production car in a 911 GT2 RS with a staggering 6 minutes and 47.25 seconds, and now we get another one for the annals of history.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price has apologized for taking charter flights costing taxpayers more than $400,000 and announced he will reimburse taxpayers for "my seat" on those flights by writing a "personal check." He will also be flying commercial from now on, "no exceptions."

"I regret the concerns this has raised regarding the use of taxpayer dollars. All of my political career I've fought for the taxpayers. It is clear to me that in this case, I was not sensitive enough to my concern for the taxpayer."
Politico has now detailed over $1 million in taxpayer-funded non-commercial flights taken by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, with new revelations of $500,000 in military flights to Africa, Asia and Europe. The White House signed off on the military travel.

Where things stand: Earlier today, Price said he'd personally refund the cost of "my seat" on the charter flights he took within the US.. (Politico puts that cost at around $52,000) but that doesn't include the military flights. Axios' Jonathan Swan reports President Trump is "enjoying torturing" Price, with his job security hanging in the balance.
The White House counsel's office started an investigation into private email use earlier this week in the wake of the news that Jared Kushner and several other senior White House officials had used private accounts to conduct government business, Politico reports in partnership with the nonprofit watchdog, Project on Government Oversight, citing "four officials familiar with the matter."

Why it matters: The probe was launched to determine if any of the emails sent are related to the Congressional and Special Counsel investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Government officials are supposed to use their government emails so their communications are stored, and for security purposes.

A White House spokesperson declined to comment for Politico but said staff should "fully comply" with the Presidential Records Act. Per Politico, the probe could take weeks or even months.

The officials listed: Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Gary Cohn, Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus, per the NYT. Politico reports the particular focus of the probe is on Kushner and Ivanka.

Go deeper: Report: Bannon, Priebus, Ivanka used private email in White House
29 September 2017 13:01 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Armenia records a decline in almost all sectors of the economy, which is no surprise to anyone. However, the deepening crisis in the agriculture sector caused heated discussions in Armenian society.

Most recently, Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev mentioned that Russia needs about 1.5 million tons of vegetables, and the country imports this huge amount from Azerbaijan, Morocco, Uzbekistan, China, Israel, etc.

Armenian media and experts resented on the fact that the list includes Azerbaijan, but not Armenia, which is along with Russia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Eurasian Customs Union.

Such outrage and grudge against Russia continues in Armenia for many years, but the fact is that Armenia has nothing to present to Russia, as the Armenian agriculture sector cannot even meet domestic demand.

In terms of agriculture, todays Armenia is a country without agricultural machinery (the youngest harvester was produced in 1941), a country where the level of manual labor got stuck somewhere in the 19th century, Armenian media note.

Armenia pinned high hopes on agricultural exports when it was joining the Eurasian Economic Union. However, three years have passed but nothing has changed- the agriculture of the country has not progressed.

It has even deteriorated and statistics confirm this: this August the volume of gross output of agriculture decreased by 25 percent compared with August 2016. In the first half of 2017, the gross harvest of cereals decreased by more than half  53.2 percent year on year. Potato harvest fell by 23.7 percent.

Moreover, the volume of agricultural exports fell. The Customs Service informed that the volume of food exports made about $21 million in the first half of 2017. These are potatoes, tomatoes, bean, cabbage, carrot, fruits, etc. However, in the same period last year, exports of these goods were over than $34 million. Thus, there has been a serious decline of $13 million, or about 40 percent.

Meanwhile, Armenia increased imports of agricultural products. The volume of these goods import in Armenia made $80 million in the first half of this year, while it was $63.5 million last year. The increase amounted to $16.5 million, or 30 percent.

The reason of these horrific numbers is the wrong policy of the Armenian Agriculture Ministry and leadership. In the absence of the state support for agricultural programs, the countrys rural population, farmers leave their villages and move to the cities of Armenia or abroad.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
29 September 2017 10:06 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 134 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported on September 29.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
29 September 2017 18:19 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Armenia is facing an unprecedented growth in prices of goods and services.

The price for gasoline, meat, air transportation and other services rose in August, according to media reports.

Armenian farmers also suffered from the rise in prices  the forage price tripled in August 2017 compared to last year. If last year farmers could buy a bale of hay for $1-2, now it costs $3-4.

Moreover, the price for pork jumped by 38 percent, for lamb  by 15 percent, and by 13 percent for oil. The number of cattle in the country decreased by 40,000 heads, and many experts suppose that this number will reach 100,000 by the end of the year.

Armenian officials, as always, will prepare dozens of excuses in order to explain their failures. However, the population does not believe them anymore. People are well aware that the same problem remains in the country for years everything is monopolized in Armenia. The monopoly, of course, leads to the lack of competitiveness and to consequent rise in prices.

Meanwhile, wages and pensions of the population do not seem to rise in anytime soon. This is not provided in the draft state budget of Armenia for 2018, as Finance Minister Vardan Aramyan told journalists on September 28.

We need to stabilize our economic opportunities and potential, thereby we do not take on new social responsibilities which can become a new burden for the state, he said.

Aramyan added that if the government does not manage to provide 4-5 percent of GDP growth, new social obligations will have to be covered by attracting loans.

It would be unfair to the population  to attract loans for the issue of higher pensions and salaries, he said.

Thus, the prices in Armenia go up almost every month, but the salaries remain unchanged and even fall. Armenians risk turning into a population of beggars.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
29 September 2017 17:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Alan Hope/ Trend

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

Book of Proverbs 12:10

George Orwells 1936 essay Shooting an Elephant, describing an experience of the English police officer called upon to kill an aggressive elephant in Burma (Myanmar), though widely regarded as the authors metaphor for his outrage at the British Colonialism, in its essence is a penitence of the guilty narrator, plagued by his conscience for repeatedly shooting, maiming and finally resulting in a horrific slaughter of a peaceful creature, driven to rebellion by its mistreatment.

Disturbingly similar, yet far more horrifying, is the unique and tragic faith of the Indian elephant called Vova, that was initially shot and then squashed to death by a tank on the orders of the Armenian authority in Yerevan (the capital city of Armenia) on June 28, 1970.

Disneys true-life Dumbo and more

Vovas story began, when just like Disneys Dumbo, a one-year-old calf was separated from his mother and delivered from India to Stalins Soviet Union to be trained as a circus performer. Initially sheltered in Russia Vova was transferred to the zoo in Ukraine that specialized in the organization of circus performances. Unfortunately, his keeper Ivan Sherbans above the call efforts were in vain, for Vova didnt possess any extraordinary artistic talent and learned to perform only the most primitive of circus tricks. Nonetheless, the affinity of their interactions had kindred the foundation for a sincere and long-lasting friendship between an animal and man, later on strengthened by the war and its hardships.

The War

Russias entrance into the World War II had forced mass evacuations, including the residents of the Ukrainian zoo. As the zoo animals were rushed away to the far-away-from-the-frontline cities of the Soviet Union, Vova, due to the lack of the necessary vehicle to transport this gentle giant, was left behind in Ukraine. Thus began Ivan and Vovas long journey, as they had literary walked on foot through the war ravished country to the haven in the Southern Caucuses.

The Long Journey

Along the way, these kindred spirits strangely travelling together had faced many hardships of the war, including sleepless cold nights, hunger and deprivations. They had even come under the fire of Hitlers Air Force at one point, when Vova had protected his friend from the Nazi bullets by covering Ivan with his massive body.

The final destination

Their incredible journey had come to an end several months and thousands miles later, as Ivan and Vova had reached the Armenian capital city in the fall of 1941. Vova was settled in the half-built Yerevan zoo, freely roaming the grounds since the construction of his habitat wasnt finished. Meanwhile, Ivan was conscripted and sent to the frontline, only to promptly return due to the elephants refusal to obey anyone else, reuniting two friends.

Freedom of the war years

Throughout the war years Vova had led a relatively free lifestyle at the Yerevan zoo. Hauling the heavy materials for the builders he had played an essential role in the construction of the zoo. He had acquired a sort of a hobby, finding a pleasure in assisting stalled cars by pushing them up the steep hill by the zoo. Vova had become zoos main attraction, entertaining its visitors and giving children rides on his back.

Years of Slavery

Nonetheless, all of the liberties, so much enjoyed by Vova, were stripped away as a consequence of the completion of his habitat, in the construction of which he had, ironically, played a major role. From that point on the Indian giant was locked-up in the small apartment, which seriously limited his ability to get the much needed exercise. Along with the motion constrictions, the ever growing elephant was gravely suffering from the malnutrition, driving him mad and desperate.

The hunger

At first Vova had eaten all the surrounding vegetation at the trunks length of his entrapment. When all of it was gone the elephant had made his first attempt for a salad bar nearby, going a-wall from the zoo by breaking the cage to reach the grass pasture at the hill nearby. On top of the obvious signs shown by the mammal, Vovas actions should have had prompted an immediate response from the zoo authorities. Instead, the head of the zoo, Tadevos Yeganian, relating the refusal for the ration increase to the budgetary issues, had graciously allowed the broken part of the cage to stay as is, thus providing for Vovas access to the pasture.

The family to be not

Rather than to tend to Vovas mounting medical and nutritional needs, zoo authorities, though stated to the contrary, were more concerned with the possible financial gains to be acquired from the elephants procreation. Thus, the situation had deteriorated drastically in 1953, as Vova had started to share his habitat with the female elephant called Ticky, expropriated from the Germany as wartime reparation. Up until Tickys death, some 15 years later, the pair, anguished by the motion suppression and undernourishment, had tried, to no avail, to produce an offspring.

Vovas final day

Finally, Vovas ongoing misery had reached its tragic and yet so predictable conclusion, culminating by his refusal to return to the prison compound on the sunny morning of June 28, 1970. While the zoo staff was trying to get the runaway elephant back into the enclosure with help of a fire engine, Vova had broken the heavy chain tied to his leg and had started trunk-beating of the surrounding cages and fences, sweeping away any obstacles on his path to the zoo exit.

Once outside of the zoo, Vova had noticed a parked bus with passengers still inside. The good-natured creature had probably thought of the people in distress, just like the ones back in the days when he favored the hobby of towing the stalled cars up the hill by the zoo, thus, urging him to push the bus forward. On the other side, the bus driver, overwhelmed by the occurrence, had pushed the pedal to the floor, taking off from the bus station in a hurry, while Vovas tusk was broken. Meanwhile, the snowballing crowd of bystanders stood oddly still, mesmerized by the bizarre scene, still not realizing the degree of the terrible pain being suffered by the injured elephant.

By this time, the gray giant, driven by the mayhem caused by the crowd that had continuously stoned him to wave off the already enraged animals irrational movements, was heading towards Yerevans main railroad bridge.

Already informed Armenian authorities, without any consideration of the alternatives, such as the use of a stun gun, supposedly stated later on as unavailable at the time, or any other countermeasure present in the Soviet arsenal, had dispatched the military personnel, stationed in Yerevan, to the expected intercept point with the direct shoot-to-kill-at-the-sight order. Ivan, who had ignored Vova for some time prior to the described events, had arrived at the bridge as well.

Just like the Orwells shot-down and maimed elephant, Vova had received several (this time machinegun originated) bullets to the head from a real-life firing squad, and just like his literary counterpart didnt pass right away.

Instead, the maimed elephant was subjected to further torture at his last stand at Alamo, as he faced the refurbished to a mechanized military carrier, remnant of the WWII (either the lend-leased Sherman or the Russian-made T-34) tank. Needless to say that Vova, taking on the tank, has lost the battle and, as consequence, his life, when the man-lead tank had ruthlessly squashed the poor animal, ending his misery once and for all.

Fraternal friends faith

Witness to the grotesque outcome of the events, Ivan, afterwards falling sick for many months ahead, had fainted at the time of Vovas death. The tragedy had a follow-up, as not too long after his friend, Ivan had shared Vovas faith, as he was crushed to death by his Vovas replacement at the zoo several years later.

Fact turned urban legend

In spite of the fact that many of the Yerevan city residents had bared a witness to the Vova's actual demise, the Armenian press of the time, reporting on the incident the following day, had claimed that "the runaway elephant was safely returned to zoo.

In the truth-absent environment of then Soviet Armenia, the story had turned into an urban legend, growing in details of its story-tellers as time went on. Those details had even went as far as to include the claims of Vovas corps being stripped down for barbeque meat for the Armenian elite, bearing yet another similarity to the Orwells essay.

The unfortunate Result

Notwithstanding, the above mentioned events serve as a proof of the fact that the Armenian authorities, starting from the Soviet times, had unjustifiably sanctioned the commitment of a cruel act of final violence against the poor animal enraged by the human mistreatment.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
29 September 2017 14:18 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Russian Minister of Economy Maksim Oreshkin stressed the importance of removing restrictions and barriers in bilateral trade between Russia and Azerbaijan.

Oreshkin made the remark at the 8th Russia-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum in Stavropol, Russia on September 28. The forum, organized by the Economy Ministry of Azerbaijan and the Economic Development Ministry of Russia, was attended by a delegation including 120 people, led by Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

An increase in trade turnover in export and import of goods between Azerbaijan and Russia has been observed for the first time since 2015, Oreshkin said. In January-July 2017, the trade turnover between the countries amounted to $1.5 billion and increased by almost 80 percent compared to the same period of 2016.

The minister further said that the pharmaceutics is one of the promising spheres of cooperation. Hayat Pharm joint pharmaceutical company is being established in Azerbaijan. The total preliminary investments there exceed 70 million euros, he reminded.

Stressing that the Russian economy is recovering and the correct dynamics of domestic demand positively affects bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, Oreshkin noted that a representative office of the Russian Export Center Groupis expected to be opened in the country by the end of 2017.

Russian Export Center JSC was established as a specialized organization representing a "single window" for working with exporters in the field of financial and non-financial support measures, including through interaction with profile ministries and agencies that carry out functions to develop Russia's foreign economic activity.

Earlier, it was reported that a representative office of the Russian Export Center Group should be opened in 2018.

Mustafayev also expressed satisfaction with the current bilateral relations in the economic sphere.

The minister stated that the adaptation of the Azerbaijani economy to the new economic conditions is under completion, adding that the Azerbaijani government expects the economic recovery and its sustainable growth.

This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, he stressed. During this period, our relations have steadily developed. These relations were brought up to the level of strategic partnership due to the efforts and political will of the presidents of the two countries.

The minister further mentioned that the sides signed over 200 different agreements during the period of cooperation.

Trade relations are an important sphere of our cooperation, he said. Russia is one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan. For this reason, Azerbaijan established its first trade representative office in Russia, which testifies to the great importance that we attach to our relations with Russia.

Today around 700 companies with Russian capital are operating in the country. Russia has recently invested over $3 billion in the Azerbaijani economy, while Azerbaijan has invested more than $1 billion in the Russian economy.

There are 650 joint companies operating in the Azerbaijani market, such as Lukoil Overseas, AvtoVAZ, Kamaz and VTB. There are agreements between Rosneft and Azerbaijans energy giant SOCAR for joint exploration and production of oil and gas.

Further Oreshkin said that Russia and Azerbaijan are negotiating the possibility of increasing gas exports from Russia to Azerbaijan.

In September 2015, Gazprom began deliveries of natural gas to Azerbaijan under a contract concluded for five years with the possibility of extension. The contract provides for the supply of up to 2 billion cubic meters of gas to Azerbaijan per year. At the end of 2015, the parties discussed the possibility of increasing supplies, taking into account the prospects for growth in gas consumption in Azerbaijan.

Governor of the Stavropol region Vladimir Vladimirov, taking his turn, emphasized that Russias Stavropol region can double the supply of agricultural products to Azerbaijan up to 3-4 million tons of products per year.

Azerbaijan is our long-term and reliable business partner, Vladimirov said. The total turnover [between Azerbaijan and Stavropol region] is a little over $130 million a year but I am sure that is not the limit."

Further he touched upon tourism adding that more than 100,000 Azerbaijanis rest in the Caucasian Mineral Waters, which is 6 percent of the total tourist flow.

Talking about the cooperation in the sphere of tourism, Mustafayev confirmed that many Azerbaijanis visit the Stavropol Krai, they know very well the mineral and healing waters of this region.

He went on to say that Azerbaijan may start supply of mineral water from the Stavropol Krai of Russia.

Mustafayev said the latest technology was introduced at the Rokadov Mineral Water OJSC. Azerbaijan can become a consumer of this water, added the minister.

Azerbaijani Ambassador Polad Bulbuloglu, addressing the forum, stressed that the Azerbaijani and Russian presidents are paying big attention to development of relations between the two countries regions.

Azerbaijan and Russia are neighbors; they have lived, live and will always live side by side, the ambassador said. It is not a secret that both peoples are linked by centuries-old traditions of friendship. A big Azerbaijani diaspora lives in Russia and the biggest Russian diaspora in the Caucasus lives in Azerbaijan, he added.

Further the sides signed five documents: Memorandums on Intentions to Implement an Investment Project on Construction of a Greenhouse Complex for Production of Vegetable Products, Intentions to Implement an Investment Project for Establishment of a 400-room Sanatorium-Hotel Complex, and Intentions to Implement an Investment Project for Construction of Rusel Sanatorium.

An agreement on cooperation between the government of Astrakhan Region and the Executive Power of the Narimanov District of Baku, as well as an agreement on cooperation between the Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council and the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Stavropol Region were also signed at the forum.

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29 September 2017 17:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Belarusian pharmaceutical plants will supply medicines worth $7 million to Azerbaijan.

The supply of medicines will be realized upon the contracts signed among Azerbaijani companies and Belarusian pharmaceutical plants "Belmedpreparaty" and "Borisov Plant of Medical Preparations".

The contract was signed during the 23rd Azerbaijan International Healthcare Exhibition, BIHE-2017, which kicked off at Baku Expo Center on September 28.

Earlier, Belarusian Minister of Health Valery Malashko stressed that Azerbaijan and Belarus are interested in expanding relations in the pharmaceutical area and establishing a joint venture.

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, in turn, noted that Azerbaijan pays special attention to development of the pharmaceutical industry, adding that for this purpose, the Pirallahi Industrial Park has been established.

The Pirallahi Industrial Park was created by the order of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in September 2016 and specializes in the production of pharmaceutical products.

Currently, three pharmaceutical plants are being constructed in the Pirallahi Industrial Park.

Cooperation of Belarus and Azerbaijan in the economic sphere has been developing dynamically over the past decade.

Belarus mainly exports to Azerbaijan the production of machinery, woodworking, tires, foodstuff, medicine, household appliances, dishes and other goods, meanwhile Azerbaijan exports to Belarus the products made of aluminum, products of petrochemistry, engineering and agriculture.

Azerbaijans first Trade House was opened in Belarusian capital Minsk, on May 26.

Trade House in Minsk has signed deals with a number of major Belarusian trade companies to organize sale of Azerbaijani products in the country.

As of August, the Trade House has contributed to export of 84 tons of fruit and vegetable products, including 8,000 bottles of olive oil, 2,700 bottles of pomegranate juice and more than 1,200 boxes of tea, to Belarus.

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Belarus amounted to $79.08 million in January-July 2017, $8.25 million of which fell on exports from Belarus, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee.

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29 September 2017 11:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani brand "Salamakhina" has been presented at Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018.

Stunning dresses made by designer Alexandra Salamakhina featured national patterns, Azertac reported.

Models presented Salamakhina's dresses under the sounds of Azerbaijani folk song "Sari Gelin " (Yellow Bride).

"Salamakhina" brand entered the fashion world in 2012 with a collection of silk-wool and fur collection.

The brand aims to create rich, colorful and detailed prints that will stand out immediately and add the striking detail to your look.

The designs are inspired by nature of Azerbaijan, as well as ancient and modern art, including architecture, interior decoration, carpet motives and national clothing elements.

Paris Fashion Week is a series of designer presentations held biannually in Paris, France with spring/summer and autumn/winter events held each year.

The most authoritative event of the fashion industry is organized twice a year - in early March and in late September - early October.

---

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29 September 2017 15:46 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The Royal Castle in Warsaw has hosted a gala concert dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the world-famous cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.

The concert was attended by government officials and members of the Polish government, including Deputies of the Sejm and Senate, heads and members of diplomatic missions accredited in the country, international organizations, prominent public and political figures, scientists and cultural figures, members of the Azerbaijani community, businessmen and journalists.

Artistic director of Warsaw`s Royal Castle, Alexandra Bushta, spoke about the life and creative path of the great musician, adding that she was happy to welcome guests from Azerbaijan.

Then pianist Murad Huseynov, honored artist, tar player Sahib Pashazadeh and, cellist Alexei Miletich performed on the stage, Trend Life reported.

The works by J. Bach, R. Schumann, F. Chopin, S. Rachmaninov, Me.Hajibayli, G. Garayev, O. Zulfugarov, T. Guliyev, A. Badalbeyli, A. Sabirova, F. Badalbeyli and other composers sounded at the event.

After the concert, music lovers approached the performers with questions about Azerbaijani music, mugham, folk instruments. Azerbaijani musicians were invited to perform in concert in other countries.

The event was co-organized by Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Azerbaijani Embassy in Poland.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding events dedicated to the 90th anniversary of legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropovich in February, 2017.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism was instructed to prepare the plan of events.

Born in Baku, Azerbaijan Rostropovich was internationally recognized as a staunch advocate of human rights, and he was awarded the 1974 Award of the International League of Human Rights.

He inspired and premiered over 100 pieces and formed long-standing artistic partnerships with such prominent composers as iDmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutosawski, Olivier Messiaen, Luciano Berio, Krzysztof Penderecki, Alfred Schnittke, Norbert Moret, Andreas Makris and Benjamin Britten.

A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has become one of the West leading conductors.

He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, who was named a People's Artist of the USSR in 1966.They performed together regularly.

---

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29 September 2017 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli



The photo exhibition of Belarusian photographer Olivera Jankovic will be held in Landmark, Baku on October 2-9.

Olivera Jankovic was born in Belgrade where she accomplished elementary and high school.

She graduated from Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, and at the same Faculty obtained specialization in medical biochemistry, and also the master in pharmaceutical sciences. She worked in Clinic Dr Dragisa Misovic and Clinical Center of Serbia.

Her interest in photography last for more than 15 years. She likes to take photos of towns, sea and specially sky before and after rain, as well as sunset.

She is the member of Serbian society of self-educated artists and winner of the Society silver medal. In 2016 she was decorated with golden medal of Serbian society of culture and education. She had nine individual, and five collective exhibitions. For her work she uses D5500.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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29 September 2017 10:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Another small French town, influenced by the Armenian lobby in France, signed a declaration of friendship with the illegal regime in Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

The delegation of the French town Decines-Charpieu led by Mayor Laurence Fautra illegally visited the town of Chartar in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and signed the declaration of friendship with the Azerbaijani town now occupied by Armenians.

Obviously, the French delegation was paid a good financial reward for this violation of international norms and law.

Baku has repeatedly warned foreign officials and diplomats of illegality of visits to its territories that are occupied by Armenia, calling them contradictory to international law. The country warned that such kind of steps may also result in criminal responsibility.

This is not the first time when some French officials act against the position of their government, which supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Two years ago, the mayor of a small French town of Villeurbanne mostly populated by Armenians received the head of the separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan. At the meeting they signed an agreement between Villeurbanne and the Azerbaijani town of Shusha, which is still under Armenian occupation.

It is clear that all such visits and fake agreements are well paid by the Armenian Diaspora of France.

However, it is outrageous why the French government, the country that is involved in efforts to find a peaceful resolution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group, allows its low-level officials to violate international norms and commit such provocations against Azerbaijan.

Back in 2014 the French Foreign Ministry tried to smooth out an awkward situation, when Marlene Mourier, mayor of Bourg-les-Valence town, made an illegal visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and signed a declaration of friendship there. After that, the French Foreign Ministry made a special statement on support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

But still some French politicians risk reputation of Paris and dare to violate the international laws.

French officials should finally understand that they must stop making fake agreements with Armenians signed on behalf of the occupied Azerbaijani towns. This is an insult to the Azerbaijani refugees who had to leave their homes in the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia, and also obstacle to the process of a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

---

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29 September 2017 12:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The United States supports the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and will continue to work actively with the parties as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia told local media on September 28.

The Embassy noted that the United States adheres to the policy adopted by the Minsk Group  a just settlement must be based on the provisions of international law: the Helsinki Final Act, principles of non-use of force or threat of force, territorial integrity, and right of peoples to self-determination.

The embassy added that Andrew Schaeffer, the newly appointed U.S. co-chair of the Minsk Group, will continue to represent the United States in the process of the MG activities.

The U.S, Russia and France are the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group established to broker a peace to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.

The Minsk Group organized a meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in New York on September 23. At the meeting, the parties discussed the current situation in the conflict zone and exchanged views on the settlement of the conflict. They also mulled the organization of a meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in the near future.

U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta has recently noted that the U.S. is committed to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and that a visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region is expected in the near future.

The American co-chair Andrew Schaefer, also noted that he hopes to visit the region in the coming weeks.

---

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29 September 2017 17:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Baku has sharply reacted to violation of its laws by Turkish citizens, who colluded with individuals in Armenia and in occupied Azerbaijani territories.

The Prosecutor Generals Office reported that four Turkish citizens Ufuk Uras, Ali Bayramoglu, Said Cekinoglu and Erol Katircioglu without documents and consent from relevant executive authorities crossed the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan avoiding checkpoints on September 22. That is, they deliberately traveled from territory of Armenia and illegally arrived in occupied Khankendi and other settlements of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

The Grave Crimes Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office has already filed a criminal case under Criminal Codes Article 318.2 (illegally crossing Azerbaijans state borders) against the Turkish citizens. They have been declared in the international wanted list. A measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen against them.

The Azerbaijani side also sent an appeal to the Turkish law enforcement agencies in order to detain the four Turkish citizens. Necessary investigative activities on the criminal case continue, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office noted.

Unauthorized visits to Nagorno-Karabakh and other regions of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia are considered illegal, and any individuals paying such visits are included in the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's black list. The Ministry and diplomatic missions pay special attention to the illegal activity in the occupied areas of the country.

Baku has repeatedly warned foreign officials and diplomats of illegality of visits to its territories that are occupied by Armenia, calling them contradictory to international law.

The Turkish Embassy in Baku reported that those, who visited the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, are former Turkish MPs from the opposition and oppositional journalists.

This group has made this trip on their own initiatives without informing Turkish official bodies. Our state strongly condemns this visit, the Embassy told Report.az. The visit has nothing to do with Turkey's state policy and its official position.

Goksel Gulbey, head of the International Association to Fight Unfounded Armenian Allegations the (ASIMDER), in turn, told Trend that the four Turkish citizens should be prosecuted and extradited to Azerbaijan.

ASIMDER condemns the visit to the occupied Azerbaijani territories, he said.

Ufuk Uras, Ali Bayramoglu, Said Cekinoglu and Erol Katircioglu have been operating in Turkey with the support of the Armenian lobby for many years, Gulbey noted, adding that they published books to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide.

With the support of the Armenian lobby in Turkey, they publish books against the country, accusing their people in the fictional Armenian genocide, he said.

The visit of these persons to Nagorno-Karabakh in anticipation of the launch of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is not a coincidence and it was organized deliberately, given Azerbaijans sensitive attitude to this issue.

Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

For more than two decades the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict fails to be resolved due to Armenias unconstructive position and unwillingness to engage in negotiations with Azerbaijan.

Turkey contributes to efforts aimed at the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty through peaceful means.

Ankara has repeatedly stated that the OSCE Minsk Group needs to intensify the search for solutions to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and offered its assistance in this matter.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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29 September 2017 18:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Turkey is studying the issue of the visit of Turkish citizens Ufuk Uras, Ali Bayramoglu, Said Cekinoglu and Erol Katircioglu to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkeys Ministry of Justice told Trend that after verifying this issue, the Turkish side will inform Azerbaijan in detail.

Earlier in the day, Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office reported that the four Turkish citizens without documents and consent from relevant executive authorities crossed the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan avoiding checkpoints on September 22.

That is, they deliberately traveled from territory of Armenia and illegally arrived in occupied Khankendi and other settlements of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, thus violating Azerbaijans borders by colluding with individuals in Armenia and in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

The Grave Crimes Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office has already filed a criminal case under Criminal Codes Article 318.2 (illegally crossing Azerbaijans state borders) against the Turkish citizens. They have been declared in the international wanted list, and the Azerbaijani side also sent an appeal to the Turkish law enforcement agencies in order to detain the violators.

Unauthorized visits to Nagorno-Karabakh and other regions of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia are considered illegal, and any individuals paying such visits are included in the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's list of undesirable persons. Baku continues the work to prevent such illegal actions, and the foreign citizens should keep their eyes peeled in order not to be deceived by Armenian occupiers.

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29 September 2017 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Honey is an excellent choice for those looking for a healthy and all-natural sweetener. It contains the right amount of antioxidants and nutrients to help keep your mind and body at its peak. But where can you find the best raw honey?

The Traditional Baku Honey Fair is the very place where one can taste and purchase the sweetest honey varieties.

Honey Fair, first held in 2009, is one of the largest fairs organized in the capital city, with hundreds of bee keepers offering their honey to guests of the event.

The month-long honey fair will run at the Amay Trade Center from October 10 to November 5 (address is Novel Avenue, 23).

The fair will bring together 324 honey producers from throughout the country, said Badraddin Hasratov, the Chairman of the Beekeepers Association of Azerbaijan.

Last year, only 256 beekeepers participated in the fair, but this year their number increased to 324. Currently, the quality of the honey is being analyzed, therefore it is difficult to name the exact volume of products that will be allowed to participate, he said.

Beekeepers from all regions of Azerbaijan convene at the Fair, where every barrel of honey is thoroughly examined by specialists.

Hasratov noted that the quality checks are conducted with anonymity of the participants.

During the quality check, complete anonymity is observed. Honey is assigned with special codes and numbers, he explained.

Hasratov added that buyers will also be able to check the quality of the purchased products.

A special laboratory will be installed at the fair to check the quality of the purchased products. If buyers doubt the quality of the purchased honey, they will be able to check it in this laboratory, he said.

Widespread in the mountainous regions and adored for the nutritional and therapeutic qualities of honey, apiculture is a rapidly developing sector of the Azerbaijani economy. Domestically produced honey is renowned for its high quality and unique taste.

The country is home to one the most famous bee species in the world  the Mountain Grey Caucasian Bee  which can fly at 6 degrees below zero C and has the longest proboscis for sucking up nectar.

The government freed farmers engaged in apiculture from taxes until 2019, besides the land tax. Moreover, the government gives subsidies, preferential loans to the farmers to facilitate growth in the sector.

--

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29 September 2017 09:19 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

A criminal case was filed against the Turkish citizens who violated Azerbaijans borders by colluding with individuals in Armenia and in occupied Azerbaijani territories, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office said in a message on September 28.

Without documents and consent from relevant executive authorities, Turkish citizens Ufuk Uras, Ali Bayramoglu, Said Cekinoglu and Erol Katircioglu crossed the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan avoiding checkpoints, that is, deliberately traveled from territory of Armenia and illegally arrived in occupied Khankendi and other settlements on September 22.

Grave Crimes Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office filed a criminal case under Criminal Codes Article 318.2 (illegally crossing Azerbaijans state borders). All four individuals are accused under the abovementioned article. A measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen against them.

An appeal was sent to the Turkish law enforcement to detain the four individuals.

---

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29 September 2017 12:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan and Turkey have agreed to further boost cooperation in military sector, putting accent on the military industry.

The high-level talks were held during a meeting of Turkeys National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli and Azerbaijans Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov on September 28.

Hasanov first congratulated Canikli on his appointment as Turkeys National Defense Minister, further noting that Caniklis first visit to Azerbaijan as a minister is a clear example of the two countries bilateral military cooperation.

Hasanov reminded that the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey is carried out both bilaterally and within the framework of peacekeeping operations led by NATO. Hasanov said a strategic partnership built on friendly and fraternal relations is constantly developing.

Touching upon the military-political situation in the region, Azerbaijans Defense Minister told his Turkish counterpart that the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a serious threat to regional stability.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, the Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. Today, Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Azerbaijani lands.

Hasanov further noted the importance of the joint military exercises conducted in recent years in Azerbaijan and Turkey with the participation of various branches of the two countries Armed Forces. The minister particularly emphasized the importance of increasing the number of such exercises in the future.

So far, the Azerbaijani and Turkish armed forces have hold regular drills, featuring various tactical and combat tasks both on Turkish and Azerbaijani territories. This May, joint exercises of the two countries Armed Forces were held in Azerbaijan. Later, in June, the two countries had military exercises in Nakhchivan.

Currently, the two countries' Air Forces are engaged in TurAz Eagle  2017 joint flight and tactical exercises in the Azerbaijani territory. The exercises that started on September 18 and will wrap up on September 30 involve up to 30 aircrafts of the Air Forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey, including MiG-29, F-16, Su-25, C-130 Herkules, CASA CN-235 aircrafts, as well as Mi-35, Mi-17 and Sikorsky S-70 helicopters.

Nurettin Canikli, in turn, spoke about his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev earlier in the day, and noted that the ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey are based on ancient historical roots and friendly relations. He also stressed that Turkey is an important partner of Azerbaijan.

By and large, the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Turkish military leaders discussed the prospects for military ties, development of cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres and in the field of military education and medicine, the expansion of activities within the framework of the High-level Military Dialogue. The ministers also mulled the development of joint plans, organization of mutual visits of expert groups, and other issues of mutual interest.

Today, the Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation continues and both countries are looking forward for an even deeper collaboration in this sphere in future.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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29 September 2017 13:25 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Azerbaijan recognizes and fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq, said Spokesman of Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev.

Azerbaijan supports the peaceful resolution of matters between the Central Government of Iraq and Iraq Kurdistan Regional Government within the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq through the mutual understanding and dialogue, noted Hajiyev in response to Trends inquiry on referendum in Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government.

The Kurdish Regional Governments (KRG) held a controversial independence referendum in northern Iraq, including areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, on September 25.

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani announced that Kurds had voted yes to independence in a referendum held in defiance of the central government in Baghdad

Along with Baghdad, Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have all spoken out against the poll, saying it will only distract from the ongoing fight against Daesh and further destabilize the region.

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29 September 2017 12:38 (UTC+04:00)

A farewell ceremony is being held at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) for world-renowned Azerbaijani scientist Lotfi Zadeh.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is attending the ceremony, Azertac reported.

Lotfi Zadeh, the creator of fuzzy logic, passed away on September 6, at the age of 96.

The world-renowned scientist was a professor emeritus of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, and the director of the Berkeley Initiative in Soft Computing.

Lotfi Zadeh is best known for proposing the fuzzy mathematics in the 1960s.The theory of fuzzy logic caused a revolution worldwide and entirely changed the concept of cybernetics and played an important role in space satellites, cognition and the study of images, the Earth and the Universe, and in research into UFOs.

He also developed the theories of system and optimal filters. The theory of optimal filtration is a new step in modern mathematics, cybernetics and computerization, and is valued not only for its scientific originality, but also its practical results.

The theories of multiple valued optimization and impressions in dynamic systems were also developed by Zadeh.

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29 September 2017 14:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Ministry has denounced a resolution by the Senate of Michigan, U.S., which recognizes a separatist regime created by the Armenian armed forces in Azerbaijan`s occupied territories.

The US foreign policy is set by the federal government, which, in line with its international commitments, recognizes and supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders, said Hikmat Hajiyev, the ministry`s spokesperson.

He mentioned that the US Government expressed this attitude in the final statement adopted during the meeting among the GUAM Foreign Ministers Council and the US held on the sidelines of the 72th session of the UN General Assembly on September 22.

The statement reaffirmed the US`s commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the GUAM member countries in accordance with the Helsinki Final Act , Hajiyev added.

The statement also expressed concern over the threats of the use of force against the GUAM member states. Instead of contributing to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through substantial negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and the promotion of sustainable peace in the region, the Armenian lobby in Armenia and in the US and certain persons influenced by the Armenian lobby continue to be ridiculously engaged with such unnecessary activities.

Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

For more than two decades the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict fails to be resolved due to Armenias unconstructive position and unwillingness to engage in negotiations with Azerbaijan.

---

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29 September 2017 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

A solemn ceremony marking the 25th jubilee of Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee (NOC) has been held at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

President of Azerbaijan, President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and family members attended the event, Azertac reported.

The event participants warmly welcomed President Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva.

The head of state Ilham Aliyev made a speech at the event.

President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Janez Kocijancic then addressed the event. He presented the EOC's special awards on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of NOC to President Ilham Aliyev, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and vice-president of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade.

Then President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer addressed the ceremony. He presented the highest award of the International Judo Federation, the Gold Medal, to President Aliyev.

The head of state thanked Janez Kocijancic and Marius Vizer for the high awards.

The event also featured a concert program.

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29 September 2017 15:47 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans prominent scientist Lotfi Zadeh was laid to rest at the First Alley of Honors in Baku on September 29.

State and government officials, scientists and representatives of the general public attended the funeral, Azertac reported.

A wreath was laid at the late scientist's grave on behalf of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Lotfi Zadeh, the creator of fuzzy logic, passed away on September 6, at the age of 96.

The world-renowned scientist was a professor emeritus of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, and the director of the Berkeley Initiative in Soft Computing.

Lotfi Zadeh is best known for proposing the fuzzy mathematics in the 1960s.The theory of fuzzy logic caused a revolution worldwide and entirely changed the concept of cybernetics and played an important role in space satellites, cognition and the study of images, the Earth and the Universe, and in research into UFOs.

--

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29 September 2017 18:12 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli took part in the closing ceremony of the joint flight and tactical exercises, dubbed TurAz Qartal-2017, held in Azerbaijan.

Having met with the flight and technical staff, and also having examined the combat aircrafts, the defense ministers inquired about their tactical and technical characteristics, the Defense Ministry reported on September 29.

The activities of the flight and technical staff, as well as aviation assets were analyzed, the progress achieved during the exercises was brought to the attention of participants and the planned joint work was discussed during the event dedicated to the results of the joint drills.

The two ministers highly appreciated the results shown by pilots, who professionally fulfilled all the assigned tasks during the flights conducted by using the superior qualities of the tactical and technical characteristics of combat aircrafts.

They noted that the systematic conducting of joint exercises by the Air Forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey will create possibilities for improving the abilities and practical skills of pilots of the two countries, planning joint activities, combat coordination during operations, as well as carrying out other tasks.

During the event, demonstration flights of the military aircraft of the air force were conducted.

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29 September 2017 17:19 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

World oil prices show different tendencies on Friday, as traders fear the possible developments around oil exports from Iraqi Kurdistan and assess the Energy Information Administrations (EIA) data on the U.S. stocks.

Brent crude futures are at $57.2 per barrel, up 0.07 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures at $51.51 per barrel down 0.1 percent, according to RIA Novosti.

The situation around the export of oil from Iraqi Kurdistan supports oil prices.

Following the referendum on independence, Turkey stated that it will cooperate exclusively with the central government in Baghdad in the matter of oil exports.

Kirkuk, controlled by the Kurdish forces, produces close to 400,000 barrels a day, which makes up almost 10 percent of total Iraqi oil production. The KRI is said to hold 45bn barrels of crude reserves, or around a third of Iraqs total reserves.

Turkey repeated a threat to cut off the pipeline that carries 500,000-600,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude from northern Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

This potential loss, combined with 1.8 million bpd of output reductions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC producers, raised concerns of tighter supply.

No rapid solution to the crisis can be expected, which should continue to lend support to the oil price, analysts at Commerzbank wrote.

Moreover, investors continue to win back data from the EIA, according to which commercial oil reserves in the U.S. (excluding the strategic reserve) for the week ended on September 22, decreased by 1.8 million barrels, or 0.4 percent - to 471 million barrels. At the same time, analysts predicted an increase in inventories of 3.422 million barrels, or 0.72 percent - to 476.222 million barrels.

Market participants expect the publication of Baker Hughes data, a GE Company (BHGE) on the dynamics of the number of drilling rigs in the United States for the week. Earlier, the number of drilling rigs in the U.S. decreased by eight, or by 0.85 percent, to 936. In annual terms, the number of drilling rigs increased by 430 units, or 1.85 times.

OPEC and 11 major oil producers, including Russia, have committed to output cuts of 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) until March 2018 to help global supply align with demand.

The oil nations decided to extend production cuts till March 2018 in Vienna on May 25, as the oil cartel and its allies step up their attempt to end a three-year supply glut that has savaged crude prices and the global energy industry.

The next JMMC meeting is scheduled for the day prior to the full ministerial meeting on November 30 in Vienna.

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29 September 2017 09:24 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Irans Dana Energy company signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to carry out studies for development of two oil fields.

The deal was signed by Gholam Reza Manouchehri, deputy head of NIOC, and Mostafa Khoee, head of the private energy company, on September 25, the official website of Irans oil ministry reported.

Under the MoU, Dana Energy will undertake studies in Irans Sepehr and Jofeyr oilfields in southern Khuzestan Province.

Sepehr Oilfield is a reservoir in the West Karoun oil block in Khuzestan which holds 2 billion barrels of crude oil. According to estimates, Iran needs to spend between $500 million $600 million to tap into the field's 300 million barrels of extractable reserves.

Jofeyr field is located at 50 kilometers west of Ahwaz city and also contains some gas deposits. Latest NIOC data show the combined output of Jofeyr and Sepehr fields is below 2,000 barrels per day.

Jafirs development is aimed at extracting 25,000 bpd of crude.

The Islamic Republic has intensified efforts to attract foreign oil and gas majors in its key oil and gas projects after the removal of international sanctions in last January. In recent months Iran has handed over the study of several oil and gas fields to foreign companies under non-disclosure agreements (NDA). Total, Shell, Gazprom, Schlumberger, Pertamina and Petronas are among the oil majors studying Iran's hydrocarbon reservoirs.

However, major Iranian companies also insist to take part in the new oil and gas development opportunities. Ghadir Investment Company, a major Iranian conglomerate, government-owned IDRO (Industrial Development & Renovation Organization), Pasargad Energy Development Company and Tenco, a subsidiary of the IRGCs Khatam-al-Anbiya construction group are among the domestic companies which have signed similar deals with NIOC to study oil and gas fields.

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29 September 2017 09:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkey and Russia support the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan said on Thursday at a news conference he addressed together with Russian President Vladimir Putin, TASS reported.

"Turkey will continue close cooperation with Russia for attaining political solution to the crisis in Syria," Erdogan said.

He also said it was essential "to prevent the government of Iraqs Kurdish autonomous region from making a still graver error."

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29 September 2017 14:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on September 28. Ankara and Moscows positions on Syrian issue, situation in Iraq, mutual trade as well as energy issues topped the agenda of the talks.

Following the top level meeting, Turkey and Russia agreed to closely cooperate on putting an end to Syrias civil war.

Moscow and Ankara will work to deepen coordination on ending the six-year-old Syrian war, Putin said at a joint press conference with Erdogan, who in turn noted that Turkey will continue close cooperation with Russia for reaching a political solution to the crisis.

Erdogan also announced that both sides will "pursue more intensely" the creation of a de-escalation zone in Idlib Province.

"Readiness was confirmed to comply with the final agreements on creating four de-escalation zones, including the biggest of them in Idlib Province," Putin added.

It was agreed to continue close contacts through the ministries of foreign affairs, military and special services with a view to deepening the coordination of joint actions to resolve the crisis in Syria and other regional problems.

Turkey together with the U.S. backs the rebel side in the Syrian war while Russia supports Bashar al-Assads regime. However, Ankara has increasingly been co-operating with Russia and Iran to stabilize the country.

Russia, Turkey and Iran - had agreed on May 4 in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to establish "de-escalation zones" in war-torn Syria. The zones would cover the city of Idlib and certain parts of Latakia, Homs, Aleppo and Hama as well as Damascus, Eastern Ghouta, Daraa and Quneitra.

Erbil referendum in Iraq

Putin's official visit to Ankara came three days after the two leaders held a telephone conversation during which they discussed the controversial independence referendum in Iraqs Kurdistan.

Presidents of Russia and Turkey reinforced their support for the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria.

Today we discussed Syria and Iraq and agreed on the need to preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria. The referendum has no legitimacy. The authorities of Northern Iraq made a big mistake. No one has the right to turn our region into a burning one," Erdogan told journalists.

The Kurdish Regional Governments (KRG) held a controversial independence referendum in northern Iraq, including areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, on September 25. Election authorities in Kurdistan announced that the independence referendum passed with 92 percent support.

Iraq, Iran and Turkey - countries with Kurdish minorities - have all denounced the referendum as a threat to the stability of a region already beset by conflict, while the United States has expressed similar disquiet.

However, the Kremlin has not explicitly condemned the referendum, stressing instead the importance of maintaining Iraqs territorial integrity.

Economy issues

Both presidents vowed for progress in trade and economic relations, while Erdogan said that the two states aim to increase their trade turnover to $100 billion a year.

Putin noted that Russia and Turkey will continue to lower trade barriers.

He said Russia has already lifted most of its restrictions on Turkish agricultural products, resulting in a 58.7 percent surge in imports of Turkish fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products in the first half of the current year.

The Russian leader said that when the trade restrictions were in place last year, overall trade fell by 32 percent. But with the lifting of many restrictions, so far this year trade restored by 31.5 percent, according to Putin.

Press Secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov noted that tomato supplies were also discussed at the recent meeting.

Previously, the Russian Agriculture Ministry has submitted to the Government its proposals on the mechanism for the resumption of tomato imports from Turkey.

Russia levied an embargo on the imports of certain products from Turkey because of the jet-downing crisis in late 2015. Many have been resolved, except the tomato ban, which is the most serious for the Turkish suppliers.

After the tomato ban, the amount of Turkish tomato exports to Russia decreased by 10.3 percent while their value dropped by 34.3 percent in 2016.

Turkey exported 541,000 tons of tomatoes to Russia in 2015, however, the amount fell to 486,000 tons. The value of tomato exports to the country was $365.3 million in 2015 and later decreased to $239.9 million, Daily Sabah reported.

However, during the first seven months of the current year, the amount of tomatoes exported to Russia increased by 9.4 percent and the value of tomato exports also surged by 24.7 percent.

Energy sector

The Turkish Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey and the Akkuyu nuclear power plant (NPP) being built in Turkey with Russian collaboration are of high importance for both countries energy sector.

"One of the main branches of cooperation between our countries is energy. We place great importance on the realization of these projects swiftly," Erdogan said noting that they are ongoing, and we are ready to give them acceleration."

Moscow counts on the launch of the first power unit of the Akkuyu NPP in Turkey in a short time, Putin highlighted.

"Of course, this will require coordinated actions from us and our Turkish partners, including the timely receipt of necessary permits, documents and licenses," he added.

Akkuyu is the world's first nuclear power plant project implemented on BOO ("build-own-operate") basis. In accordance with this model, Russia will build, own and operate the plant.

The plant will have a capacity of 4,800 megawatts in four units and a working lifetime of 8,000 hours per year. In its first phase, two units with a capacity of 2,400 megawatts are planned to be completed by 2023.

The Turkish side expects the first unit of Akkuyu NPP to start generating electricity on October 29, 2023 on the centennial anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

Putin also recalled that just recently the laying of the deep-water part of the TurkStream gas pipeline was started and currently "all construction works are being carried out strictly on schedule."

The Turkish Stream envisages the construction of a gas pipeline along the seabed of the Black Sea to Turkeys European part and further on to the border with Greece.

The first stretch will be intended for the Turkish market and the second will supply natural gas to countries of South and Southeast Europe. Each stretch will have a capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. The pipeline is expected to annually pump 31.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Its total cost was estimated at $12.9 billion.

Gazprom launched the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipelines offshore section near the Russian coast of the Black Sea on May 7.

Missing points in discussions

The agenda of the upcoming meeting was expected to include Turkey's purchase of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia which sparked displease among Turkey's Western partners.

However, the sides haven't touched upon this issue during the press conference and even haven't even mentioned the deal.

Turkeys decision to buy a Russian missile-defense system posed a question on Turkeys position in the NATO.

The deal on S-400 raised eyebrows among Ankaras fellow NATO members and caused concerns as they are supposed to only buy compatible weapons systems from other members.

Turkey explained the move saying that the country has to ensure it security and no other country from the NATO alliance has agreed to provide it with necessary arms.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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29 September 2017 11:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Uzbekistans electronic business portal Uztrade and the US electronic commerce and cloud computing company Amazon signed an agreement on cooperation, podrobno.uz news website reported.

According to Board Chairman of Uztrade Sharof Rakhmanov, the Uzbek side is well aware of all the advantages of e-commerce, especially in the face of the huge distance between the two countries.

The warehouses of our trading house in New York have been handed over for holding the products of Uzbek entrepreneurs and companies. We put it on the electronic trading platform, said Rakhmanov.

Meanwhile, main task of this trading house is to ensure the promotion of products of small business and private entrepreneurship on the US market, said Uzbekistans Minister of Foreign Trade Elyor Ganiev.

During the visit of Uzbek president to the United States, contracts were signed for the supply of products of small business worth more than $20 million, noted the minister.

There is interest in Uzbek products on the US market, he said adding that Uzbek goods can be competitive on this market.

Amazon is currently considering several options for cooperation with Uzbekistan. For example, its subsidiary, Amazon Web Services, can start building data centers using solar panels in Uzbekistan, and also provide web services through its platforms for local users.

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29 September 2017 13:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Anti-Iranian rhetoric continues to prevail in the United States as Washington decided to push for harder pressure on the Islamic Republic.

The House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. Congress approved two bills aimed at toughening sanctions against Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, RIA Novosti reported.

The first bill provides for amendments to the already existing law on financial sanctions for relations with the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which is listed in the U.S. as a terrorist organization, according to the website of the committee.

The amendments specifically tighten the existing sanctions against Iran, which is considered to be the main supporter of Hezbollah movement, according to the committee.

Another bill provides for sanctions for participation or involvement in Hezbollah's actions to use civilians as a human shield.

After the bills entry into force, the U.S. president will have to submit a list of persons who use civilians as human shields and those who help them to the Congress within 120 days.

The long list of U.S. claims to Iran includes support for Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic Palestinian Jihad, threats to Israel and stability in the Middle East, support for Syrian authorities and Husit rebels in Yemen as well as developing a ballistic missile program.

Therefore, the U.S. seeks for tougher policy against Iran. The presidential administration was previously instructed to review its policy on Iran, not only looking at Tehran's compliance with the nuclear deal but also its behavior in the region.

Washington insists on inspections of Iran's military facilities by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the country's permanent representative to the UN, Nikki Hailey, said while criticizing Russia for allegedly defending Iran.

"If the agreement on Iran has any significance, the parties must have a common understanding of its terms. Iran's officials have already said they refuse to allow inspections to military facilities, even if the IAEA says there should not be any difference between military and non-military facilities. It seems that some countries are trying to protect Iran from large inspections. Without inspections, the deal with Iran is an empty promise," Hailey said.

The Iran nuclear deal was negotiated in July 2015 between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany. By ratifying the plan, Iran agreed to scale down its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

At the same time, the U.S. retains sanctions against Iran on the missile program, human rights and on suspicion that Tehran sponsors terrorism.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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29 September 2017 15:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Uzbekistan and Russia have agreed on attracting Russian funding for a number of major investment projects worth more than $3 billion in the oil and gas sector.

Currently, the parties are working out specific mechanisms for investing in a number of joint projects and organizing export financing, as well as insuring Russian banks through the Russian Agency for Export Credit and Investment Insurance (EXIAR), podrobno.uz reported.

Recently, a large Uzbek-Russian forum was held in Tashkent. The Russian delegation was headed by the General Director of Russian Export Center JSC, Peter Fradkov. Representatives of Gazprombank, EXIAR and a number of major manufacturers, such as the United Engineering Works Group, Silovye Mashiny, United Metallurgical Company, REP Holding JSC and others also joined the forum.

The Russian side noted the presence of favorable factors for increasing cooperation, especially in the oil and gas industry of the country.

Previously, Uzbekistan, Gazprombank and the Russian Export Center signed a framework agreement on joint implementation of investment projects in the oil and gas, chemical, mining and metallurgical sectors of the country.

Gazprombank will finance the project to create a synthetic liquid fuel production based on the refined methane of Shurtan GCC and fund the export of the air separation units produced by Russian Cryogenmash PJSC.

In addition, the document provides for the financing the construction of a plant for the production of sheet metal with a capacity of up to 500,000 tons per year by Gazprombank and the organization of deliveries of excavator equipment for the needs of the mining industry of Uzbekistan in an amount not less than 44 units with a total value of at least $155 million in 2017-2021.

In 1991-2016, total investments in the oil and gas industry were $30.7 billion, including direct investments and loans worth more than $17 billion, according to Uzbekneftegaz.

Russia is one of the leading trade partners of Uzbekistan. In 2016, bilateral trade exceeded 4 billion US dollars. Uzbekistan exports natural gas, cars, chemical, textile, fruit and vegetable products to Russia. Black and nonferrous metals, wood, oil and oil products, electrical engineering, paper products and pharmaceuticals are imported from Russia.

There are 961 enterprises in Uzbekistan with participation of Russian capital and 569 enterprises created with participation of investors from Uzbekistan in Russia.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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29 September 2017 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to Turkmenistan on October 2.

Putin will pay a visit to Ashgabat upon the invitation of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, according to the message of the Turkmen government.

Key issues of development of bilateral cooperation in political, trade-economic, scientific-educational and cultural-humanitarian spheres between the two countries will be considered at the meeting, the Kremlin press service reported.

In addition, the leaders of the two countries will discuss topical regional problems.

Following the high-level talks, a solid package of bilateral documents aimed at further activating and building up a mutually beneficial partnership in priority areas is expected to be signed.

Turkmenistan and Russia have close positions on such important issues of the global agenda as the preservation and maintenance of universal peace and stability, countering the threats of international terrorism, extremism, disarmament issues and the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.

Both countries cooperate effectively in a wide range of areas, including the trade and economic sphere, energy and transport and communication sectors as well as the agro-industrial complex.

Russia holds a leading position in the ranking of Turkmenistans biggest foreign trade partners. In recent years, cooperation at the regional level has intensified, including with Tatarstan, St. Petersburg, Astrakhan, Sverdlovsk regions of Russia.

More than 190 enterprises with the participation of Russian capital are registered in the Turkmen market, and they execute more than 240 investment projects.

Gas supply was one of the strategic areas of partnership between Turkmenistan and Russia until recently. But in 2016, Russia - a traditional buyer - has stopped the purchase of Turkmen gas.

In 2015 bilateral trade volume between two countries decreased by 21 percent to $0.97 billion compared to $1.23 billion in 2014. Turkmen exports to Russia fell to $0.07 billion (by 20 percent) while imports fell to $0.90 billion (by 21 percent).

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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29 September 2017 16:09 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said that the exact date of the visit hasnt been determined yet, podrobno.uz news website reported.

The two sides intend to discuss the issues of economic cooperation and the possible participation of Uzbekistan in several joint projects, including in the field of transport communications.

Uzbekistan supports the political settlement of situation in Afghanistan, reiterated Kamilov adding that the parties will exchange views on this issue, strengthen mutual understanding on political arena.

The minister voiced that Afghanistan should not remain isolated from the region, and should become a part of the process of establishing peace, stability and prosperity.

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29 September 2017 17:36 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Moscow, Tehran and Ankara maintain regular contacts aiming to reduce political and military tensions in Syria.

Despite the large-scale efforts of hardliners in Syria to violate the agreements reached in the international arena in Astana and the resumption of hostilities, the situation in the country is stable, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova said, IRNA reported.

Peace guarantors in Syria- Russia, Turkey and Iran- are constantly in contact to coordinate efforts to reduce tensions related to the actions of the An-Nusra terrorists, according to the official.

"To prevent threats and new provocative measures, Russian aerospace objects were used to stop terrorist operations in Syria and to inflict a heavy blow," she said, noting that successful efforts are being taken and terrorists are suffering great losses.

The Russian official also called on all countries to establish real coordination and cooperation against terrorists in order to achieve cooperation for a diplomatic settlement of the Syrian crisis on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254.

"Moscow is ready for such a move and has repeatedly proved its claims," Zakharova added.

She also urged the relevant parties to help in restoring the civilian infrastructure in the country and to prepare the grounds for the return of refugees and IDPs.

To date, six rounds of negotiations on the ongoing Syrian conflict were held in Astana.

Guarantors of a nationwide Syrian ceasefire regime - Russia, Turkey and Iran - had agreed on May 4 in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to establish "de-escalation zones" in war-torn Syria. The zones would cover the city of Idlib and certain parts of Latakia, Homs, Aleppo and Hama as well as Damascus, Eastern Ghouta, Daraa and Quneitra.

The establishment of the fourth one in Idlib province was the spotlight of the sixth meeting on Syria in Astana and Putin-Erdogan recent talks.

While the Astana process is separate from the UNs Geneva talks on Syrian crisis, the attendance of the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura links the Kazakh platform to broader international efforts.

Syria has been locked in civil war since March 2011. According to UN's special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, around 400,000 people have died in the conflict while half the population has been driven from their homes.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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The Salem Professorship in Global Practice was established in 2014 through a major gift from Boston College Trustee Navyn Datoo Salem 94, H 12 and her husband Paul J. Salem. The endowed professorship supports a scholar whose work is international in scope.



"Finding innovative ways to address global challenges is both a personal and a professional passion for me, said Navyn Salem. That is why Paul and I are so honored to establish the Salem Professorship in Global Practice at the School of Social Work, and to welcome Theresa Betancourt to the faculty. Our hope is that with her critical research and expertise, the School of Social Work will lead the way in offering substantive practical applications to ameliorate global challenges, particularly those that affect the most vulnerable members of our society. I can think of no better place to accomplish this goal than Boston College, which remains committed to helping all members of the human family to flourish.



Betancourt has written extensively on mental health, child development, family functioning and resilience in children facing trauma and adversity, including articles in publications that include Child Development, Lancet Global Health, the Journal of the America Medical Association, the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Social Science and Medicine.



In 2016, Betancourt received the T.H. Chan Schools Alice Hamilton Award, which recognizes the impact in public health and the future promise of a woman faculty member. Her work has focused as much on interventions to help traumatized children as it has revealed the depths of that trauma.



Working from available evidence, Betancourt devised her own child protection framework, known as SAFE. The model reflects the basic security needs and rights that are central to promoting child protection, specifically Safety from harm; Access to basic needs such as food, shelter and medical care; Family or connection to attachment figures; and Education and economic security. The framework has been employed by Betancourt in India, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and northern Uganda, as well as by other researchers in Haiti and Lesotho.



Its about interrelatedness, Betancourt told Harvard magazine. Kids need attachment figures. If theyre not finding it from their immediate family, theyre going to find it somewhere.



Betancourt serves on the American Association for the Advancement of Science Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility, the Academic Steering Committee of the Center for Refugee Trauma and Resilience at Boston Childrens Hospital and on the International Advisory Board of the Peter C. Alderman Foundation, which has dedicated itself to addressing the consequences of trauma globally. She collaborates frequently with non-governmental organizations such as CARITAS and the International Rescue Committee.



A graduate of Linfield College in Oregon, Betancourt earned a masters degree in expressive art therapy from the University of Louisville and a doctorate in maternal and child health and post-doctoral training in psychiatric epidemiology and biostatistics from the T.H Chan School.





Ed Hayward | University Communications


Margaret Chappell, RN, senior vice president of operations for Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America, has seen the ASC industry undergo tremendous changes throughout her career. She was a staff nurse at an ASC for several years, accumulating a wealth of knowledge in areas such as patient selection, anesthesia provider contracting, physician recruitment and retention, among several others.

Becker's ASC Review spoke with Ms. Chappell on where ASCOA, an ASC management company, is concentrating its efforts and how the company is keeping pace with the many forces at play in the industry.

Note: The following responses have been slightly edited for style and clarity.

Question: How long have you been with ASCOA and how has your role as SVP of operations evolved over the years?

Margaret Chappell: I've been with the organization for nine years and I have been in my current role for six years. We have taken on more responsibility as the landscape of the industry has changed. Now, we are working more on an individual basis with our payer contracting representatives, physician recruitment, development and marketing. We don't focus on just general operations anymore.

[In the past,] we have had a team of analysts helping with our financials. At this point, we are taking on a greater level of that responsibility. I do believe this is a result of the changes that we see everyday in the healthcare industry. Patients are better educated on their healthcare in terms of the quality of care they receive and the financial aspects of their care, and how this affects them. This [has resulted in] us becoming increasingly accountable to our patients, physicians and payers.

Q: Where is ASCOA focusing its efforts now?

MC: We are opening a surgery center in Naples, Fla., one of the ambulatory surgical centers [I oversee]. We have 14 physician-surgeon investors and we expect to have that center open in the next six weeks. ASCOA is actively pursuing purchase and development of new centers in all areas of the country.

[As an organization,] we continue to work with our centers and are actively developing centers and enhancing current relationships. ASCOA is doing recruiting for our centers and trying to provide the highest quality of healthcare at a high level of efficiency. Hospitals purchasing physician practices is a key factor that is making it increasingly difficult to recruit [physicians]. I do detect a change and some hospital-employed physicians are dissatisfied with their conditions of employment. Recruitment for us will increase if those physicians look at ASCs to work in and seek sound investments, like being an investor at an ASC.

Q: How is ASCOA keeping tabs on industry trends?

MC: We network with our physicians, their practices and other physicians in each market. All markets are different, but it is important for us to stay 'in the know' in each of those regions. We see what practices are going away because they are being bought out by hospitals and see why they chose to [pursue] that. We encourage our investors and surgeons that are performing cases in our centers to let us know what they know. I personally go out and meet with any physician in my markets that accepts an invitation to see me.

Q: What are some challenges planners face in launching a de novo ASC?

MC: There is a great deal of red tape that we have to work through in any community, no matter the region or state. One of the greatest challenges is to determine how to get through that red tape as quickly as possible.

You have to get out there and meet the people in the community who make decisions. Meet people who decide on things like building, codes and permits. Develop great relationships with your architect, construction company and licensing agency.

Q: Where do you see the ASC industry trending?

MC: I think ASCs are growing and payers are recognizing the savings they can pass on to their insured patients by using an ASC. As ASCs are being recognized as high quality, cost effective and safe sites of service by all in the healthcare industry, we are seeing more complex surgical cases daily moving into the ASC.

Margaret Chappell is among the key speakers at Becker's ASC 24th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs. Click here to learn more and register!
Fifty-six percent of hospitals have incomplete or non-existent enterprisewide data governance processes in place, according to a survey by business intelligence solutions provider Dimensional Insight.

For the survey, Dimensional Insight polled 104 hospital CIOs and chief medical information officers about their data governance, or the practices they use to ensure information integrity and access are appropriately managed.

Here are the top six challenges hospital executives whose facilities employ data governance strategies identified as barriers to implementing the processes.

1. Lack of resources: 70 percent

2. Variance in leadership buy-in: 50 percent

3. Discrepancy in defining data measures: 49 percent

4. Interdepartmental conflict: 37 percent

5. Lengthy implementation time: 31 percent

6. Additional associated costs: 29 percent

Click here to view the full survey.
The following hospital and health system credit rating and outlook changes and affirmations took place in the last week, beginning with the most recent.

1. Moody's affirms 'Baa2' rating on The Washington Hospital

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Baa2" rating on The Washington (Pa.) Hospital's outstanding debt, affecting $32.4 million.

2. Moody's affirms 'A2' on Northwest Community Hospital

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "A2" rating on Arlington Heights, Ill.-based Northwest Community Hospital, affecting $204 million of debt.

3. Moody's affirms 'Aa2' rating on Advocate Health Care Network

Moody's Investors Service affirmed the "Aa2" on Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care Network, affecting $1.5 billion of debt.

4. Moody's affirms 'Baa2' rating on Major Health Partner's bonds

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Baa2" rating on Shelbyville, Ind.-based Major Health Partners, affecting $53.5 million of debt.

5. Moody's assigns 'A3' to Parkview Medical Center's revenue bonds

Moody's Investors Service assigned its "A3" rating to Pueblo, Colo.-based Parkview Medical Center's proposed $17.3 million series 2017 revenue refunding bonds.

6. S&P revises Jefferson Regional Medical Center's outlook to negative

S&P Global Ratings affirmed its "A" rating on Pine Bluff, Ark.-based Jefferson Regional Medical Center's series 2011 revenue bonds and revised the outlook to negative from stable.

7. Moody's affirms 'Aa3' rating on Children's Hospital & Health System

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Aa3" rating on Milwaukee-based Children's Hospital and Health System's bonds, affecting $253 million of debt.

8. Fitch downgrades DeKalb Medical Center's revenue bonds to 'BB'

Fitch Ratings downgraded Decatur, Ga.-based DeKalb Medical Center's series 2010 revenue anticipation certificates to "BB" from "BBB-," affecting $178 million of debt.

9. Fitch affirms 'BBB' rating on Holy Redeemer Health System's revenue bonds

Fitch Ratings affirmed its "BBB" rating on Meadowbrook, Pa.-based Holy Redeemer Health System's series 2016A and 2014A revenue bonds, affecting a total of $117 million of debt.

10. Fitch affirms 'BBB-' rating on Oaklawn Hospital's bonds

Fitch Ratings affirmed the "BBB-" rating on Marshall, Mich.-based Oaklawn Hospital's series 2016 revenue bonds, affecting $63 million of debt.
Here are 17 revenue cycle management portfolio expansions involving healthcare vendors and providers in September.

1. MRI of Woodbridge, an Avenel, N.J.-based freestanding imaging center, picked Healthcare Administrative Partners, a Media, Pa.-based provider of revenue cycle management solutions, to administer radiology RCM services.

2. Recondo Technology, a revenue cycle management solutions company based in Denver, will host a complimentary webinar on how hospitals can automate prior authorization requests to payers.

3. Minneapolis-based health IT company Ability Network introduced a Medicare analytics and benchmarking app for long-term post-acute care organizations, such as home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities.

4. St. Joseph, Mo.-based Mosaic Life Care launched a new patient payment option.

5. Knack Global acquired the revenue cycle management and compliance services business of CS Eye, the trade name for Compliance Specialists, or CSI.

6. Continuum Health, a Marlton, N.J.-based management services organization, is the revenue cycle management partner for Adfinitas Health, a Hanover, Md.-based private hospitalist group.

7. Roswell, Ga.-based MediStreams expanded its online Configuration Engine tool for revenue cycle management.

8. Boca Raton, Fla.-based Revenue Maximization Group will provide practice management and revenue cycle management services to Cuero (Texas) Health System.

9. Los Angeles-based MedInformatix will implement a revenue cycle management solution for Bay Medical Management, a Walnut Creek, Calif.-based management services organization, and BMM's radiology services provider, Bay Imaging Consultants.

10. Salt Lake City-based Aviacode, a provider of medical coding and compliance services, and Watertown, Mass.-based athenahealth, a provider of medical record, revenue cycle, patient engagement, care coordination and population health services, partnered to offer medical coding services.

11. Duluth, Ga.-based Navicure and Louisville, Ky.-based ZirMed signed a definitive agreement to combine their revenue cycle management offerings under one company.

12. Effy Healthcare, a Washington, D.C.-based data analytics platform, launched in the U.S.

13. Marlton, N.J.-based Zinserv Healthcare, a provider of interim revenue cycle professionals and accounts receivable management, revealed its onsite revenue cycle training & development solution.

14. Navicure, a Duluth, Ga.-based claims clearinghouse and revenue cycle management vendor, integrated its patient payment solution with Epic.

15. Philadelphia-based Rothman Institute will implement a revenue cycle management solution from Allscripts.

16. The Georgia Hospital Association via its Georgia Hospital Health Services subsidiary joined Windham Brannon's Revenue Cycle Consortium, comprised of revenue cycle management leaders nationwide.

17. Chicago-based South Shore Hospital signed a contract to purchase cloud-based automated pre-bill code auditing technology from Streamline Health Solutions, an Atlanta-based revenue cycle management solutions provider.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., seeks information from CMS and eight states related to "escalating" Medicaid costs.

In a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, the senator says he wants to know why Medicaid spending exceeds initial projections.

"Federal Medicaid expenditures totaled $246 billion in fiscal year 2009, increased to $299 billion in fiscal year 2014 and are projected to rise 96 percent to $588 billion by 2025. A primary cause of this increase is the ACA Medicaid expansion," he wrote. "Current CMS and other data show original Medicaid expansion per-enrollee spending and overall enrollment projections were significantly understated. In 2014, CMS predicted per-enrollee spending on newly eligible adults in 2015 would be $4,281, but the actual amount was $6,365 (49 percent higher). Accordingly, CMS increased per-enrollee projections for fiscal year 2023 from $5,076 to $7,027 (38 percent higher)."

Sen. Johnson, who also is chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, also noted enrollment has "significantly" exceeded initial projects in many Medicaid expansion states, and that "costs per-enrollee are on the upswing in virtually every expansion state."

"The escalating costs to federal taxpayers could stem from the Medicaid expansion's reimbursement formula, which gives states a financial incentive to categorize people as newly eligible to obtain more federal money," he wrote. "I am seeking to better understand these rising costs, higher-than-expected enrollment and potential eligibility mistakes, especially in states where costs or enrollment are increasing especially quickly."

Sen. Johnson sent similar letters to governors of the following eight Medicaid expansion states: Hawaii, Michigan, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, West Virginia and California.

Read the full letter here.
Strata Decision Technology CEO Dan Michelson recently sat down with Advocate Healthcare CIO Bobbie Byrne, MD, for a "fireside chat" on her views of current challenges, changing roles and consumerism in healthcare today.

Dr. Byrne, who began her career in pediatrics and holds a master's degree in business administration, is one of healthcare's most innovative leaders. Before joining Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate, Dr. Byrne was executive vice president of consumer-driven health and chief medical and quality officer for Edward-Elmhurst Health, three-hospital system in the Chicago suburbs. During Dr. Byrne's tenure, two hospitals in the health system were named to Hospital & Health Networks' list of the Most Wired Hospitals & Health Networks in 2014 and 2015. Dr. Byrne was also named to Becker's Hospital Review's 2015 list of 130 women hospital and health system leaders to know; 25 female hospital and health systems CIOs to know; 100 hospital and health systems CIOs to know; and 10 physician CIOs to know. Also in 2015, Dr. Byrne was named by HealthData Management Magazine as a recipient of its inaugural Women in Healthcare IT and as one of its 50 Top Healthcare IT Experts. Dr. Byrne is board certified in pediatrics and clinical informatics.

The conversation took place Sept. 22 at Becker's Hospital Review's 3rd Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference in Chicago.

Here are some highlights from the discussion, edited for clarity and length:

On switching from a pediatric practice to an administrative role. Dr. Byrne says she loved working with children and families, but found day-to-day practice unfulfilling. Instead, she went on to earn a business degree at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she had previously earned her medical degree.

"I realized I was more interested in the business of medicine and I didn't have the lexicon. For people who are clinicians, you feel like there's a secret language that administration and industry is talking, and you know how to treat high blood pressure, but you don't know how to read a balance sheet. So, I went back and I ended up getting my MBA. The funny thing is then you learn that really the only strategic advantage is culture. Yes, you learn the business of medicine, you learn a little bit of the lexicon. I feel I can actually discuss with business people what their factors are, how they think. There's a great book out, How Doctors Think, which gives insight into how people are trained and how they approach problems when you're trained as a physician, and I think I can that it's the same thing for business. You have to understand how people are trained so you know how to approach problems."

On why there is a disconnect between clinical and administrative roles, including the CIO. Dr. Byrne says the only way to truly understand the complexity of the clinical workflow is to work in that environment.

"What people who are not clinicians may intuitively think about the different parts of clinical workflow may or may not be true. For me, if I need somebody to work on technology and workflow, I almost always need to have a clinician or a nonclinical person who's worked in that clinical environment. For example, most people will think physicians would be more time pressured in the intensive care unit than in a primary care pediatric office, right? Because in that ICU, the patients are so sick, they could die any minute. But, the ICU is so controlled. Typically, patients are on lots of monitors and there's staff around. If the physician wants to examine the patient first and then go talk to the nurse and then go call a colleague, that's probably okay. Or if the physician wants to do it in a different order, that's okay. In a primary care pediatric office on a busy Monday morning, you're seeing patients every seven minutes, you are very time pressured. So, even though the patients aren't as sick, the way the workflow has to be for the clinician is very different, and that flexibility is very different. So when someone asks: 'What do you know about being a clinician that informs your IT decisions?' It's everything. It's just years and years of experience."

On bridging the cost information gap so physicians have a better understanding of the cost of supplies and devices. Dr. Byrne shared an example of a colleague who used a particular type of bag during procedures with a 15 percent ineffective rate. The surgeon, attempting to keep costs down, continued using the bag. As it turns out the type of bag that sometimes broke was more expensive than the type that didn't break.

"Physicians make a lot of decisions at the point of care, and how do we get that information through either the ordering process or their prescribing process. How do we deliver care so that the physician knows if he's referring to this cardiologist versus that cardiologist, not only what are the total costs of care that cardiologist would have, but what's their quality and how do you balance that. Physician referrals are really, really very uninformed."

On how hospital and health system leadership will change and what the CIO role will look like five or 10 years from now. Dr. Byrne says hospital and health systems leaders face new challenges. Their organizations are not competing against like organizations, but against disruptive forces. These outside organizations are opening stand-alone services that compete against most hospitals' profit centers. "Put on some roller skates, this is going to be tough," she said.

Specifically, Dr. Byrne sees a major movement in population health management.

"I think we scratched the surface in population health in some parts of the country more than others. But truly understanding the total cost of care for our patients, truly understanding social determinants of health  how do we bring that data into our workflows, and into the clinicians' hands, or the hands of people who can really do something about it? I think that we're going to have to focus on this a lot more."

On how she has been able to accomplish so much in her career, while raising triplets, who are currently attending Northwestern, her alma mater. Dr. Byrne says she learned from her mentor at Edward-Elmhurst Health, recently retired CEO Pam Davis, an accomplished long-time healthcare leader.

As a leader and mentor, Dr. Byrne says she's never unwilling to ask for help.

"It's really actually very powerful to walk into someone's office and say, 'You know, I could really use some help on this.' You've kind of handed that person this big opportunity. It's amazing what people will do."

On how the compensation system drives complexity and dysfunction in healthcare. Dr. Byrne says the compensation system plays on the innate desire for individuals to act in their own best interest and contributes to the dysfunction. Dr. Byrne says an underlying cause has been using physician notes as billing documentation.

"There are decisions that get made that we don't understand the implications of until later. What probably was a small decision that had huge implications for medical records is when the physician note, which is supposed to be communication to caregivers and notes to themselves, then became the item that was audited for a bill. So now what we've done is we've perverted physician documentation and made it into billing documentation."

On whether healthcare management could be more effective if most administrators have clinical backgrounds. Dr. Byrne says she sees more physicians, nurses and other clinicians in administrative roles. But she says a medical background is not a prerequisite.

"You don't have to have a clinical background to be a great hospital administrator. Having a mix I think is really nice. It's about having a culture where everybody brings their domain of expertise, whether it's clinical or finance or marketing, etc., to the table."

On addressing the technology barriers older patients face in healthcare. Byrne referenced a past advertising slogan used by fast-food retailer Burger King: "Have It Your Way," meaning giving customers options for condiments on their sandwich.

"That's what's going to have to happen with technology. There's not going to be one way that we connect with anybody. My 92-year-old mother is not really that tech savvy. So, it's how do you provide proxies for that individual? We in healthcare just have to understand, it's not like there's one patient engagement strategy, there's a million of them, and we've got to hit all of them."
During a keynote panel discussion Sept. 22 at Becker's Hospital Review 3rd Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference in Chicago, speakers discussed various ways to ensure return on investment from health IT.

Panelists included:

Robin Sarkar, PhD, CIO, Lakeland Health (St. Joseph, Mich.)

Mark Jacobs, MHA, CIO, Delaware Health Information Network (Dover)

Theresa Hiltunen, associate CIO, entities, Penn Medicine (Philadelphia)

Vince Panozzo, head of enterprise solutions, Outcome Health (Chicago)

Impediments to change

Dr. Sarkar observed the greatest challenges to IT integration are primarily nontechnical, meaning technology itself usually isn't the most difficult element. Rather, he noted people's inherent distrust of processes different from their familiar way of doing things; cultural resistance to change; and passive resistance to using new technology were the most significant obstacles.

"It's human nature," Dr. Sarkar said. "We tend to back away from the unfamiliar."

Routine and protocol are especially difficult to change in healthcare, Ms. Hiltunen agreed. She suggested that because of this resistance to change among medical providers, getting clinicians to actively engage in the implementation process is particularly important.

"We are partnering without clinical folks and wanting them to feel an ownership in [the technology] so they don't become passive and they can bring their ideas forward to us," Ms. Hiltunen said.

Gaining physician buy-in

A key part of fostering clinician ownership in IT is building clinician buy-in. Mr. Panozzo has observed healthcare organizations that appoint an internal IT champion are more likely to succeed at building clinician support.

"Having someone who can support that initiative internally and be your champion and be willing to be held accountable is pretty integral," he said. "A lot of people want to participate [in IT adoption] but no one is willing to be the tip of the spear."

The most successful IT leaders appeal to physicians personally and emotionally to gain their investment in IT.

"We try to do things in a way that generates emotional commitment and passion from clinicians," he said. "We are in the business of compassion and care we try to touch the hearts of our providers. When we bring new IT we ask, 'How can we help [the clinicians] save time and save lives? When you talk about garnering buy-in, you have to capture their hearts first, then their intellects follow."

Characteristics of valuable health IT

Part of what makes health IT valuable and compelling to clinicians is the potential to simplify their work lives and drive patient outcomes.

"A trait of valuable IT is it brings back the joy of practicing medicine to physicians," Mr. Panozzo said. "Physicians chose to work in medicine to have an impact on humans. But today some of the joy is gone. IT can help  relieve that [administrative] burden to enable joy to flourish."

Dr. Sarkar noted simplifying clinicians' workflow is one way to bring back the joy of medicine. Hospitals and health systems often don't need expensive or complicated technology to achieve this end.

"One of the challenges in our health system was all of the [patient] information was hidden in a box and not visible," Dr. Sarkar said. His organization drew inspiration from the airline industry and made patients' health statuses visible on large TV screen in a secure clinician area to overcome the need to login to the EHR for every patient update. "We grabbed one of the large TV screens and hooked it up to our EHR, and we significantly helped our nursing and operational teams. IT doesn't have to be expensive; simplicity can often drive the best outcomes."

Ms. Hiltunen agreed. "That IT is making physicians' lives more complicated is a common complaint at our system because it inhibits workflow," she said. "Especially as physicians become increasingly mobile, they need tools that support and enable that mobility. [Valuable IT] is about understanding physician challenges and working to support that, that's how to drive physician satisfaction."

The "wow" factor

Panelists weighed in on which technology he or she believes has the greatest potential to drive change moving forward.

"I firmly believe  we are just scratching the surface of telemedicine and understanding the power of it," Ms. Hiltunen said. "Patients may have a particular oncologist who they like, but there may be impediments [to seeing them]. Just being able to schedule a visit might be several months down the road. Telemedicine can change that dynamic."

Mr. Panozzo also expressed excitement about technologies that improve physician-patient connection. "I'm excited technologies that help to facilitate better communication between patients and physicians. IT that can help patients navigate complicated treatment decisions and recommend treatment protocols to help people choose the option that's best for them is really promising."

Mr. Jacobs noted the potential to drive patient engagement using technologies that securely share personal health information. "How do you liberate data [from the EHR] to get that [high level] of patient engagement? That's been our biggest challenge," Mr. Jacobs said. "One of the things we're doing is providing the personal health record to patients, so we're experimenting with blockchain to do that."
Shreveport, La.-based Willis-Knighton Health System will lay off 55 employees immediately and eventually cut another 177 jobs via retirement and attrition.

Hospital officials attributed the job cuts to quick Medicaid expansion in the state without sufficient state funding for the widened coverage.

"This has caused problems for many hospitals, and for Willis-Knighton, one of the largest providers of services to Medicaid patients in the state, it has resulted in an approximately 40 percent increase in unfunded costs from last year," they said in announcing the job cuts.

The system said it is committed to supporting the affected employees.

More articles on leadership and management:

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 3 others ask OIG to probe scheduled HealthCare.gov maintenance

Viewpoint: $60B in improper Medicare payments deserves greater government attention

HHS releases strategic plan for 2018-22: 5 things to know
Here are 17 key notes on orthopedic and spine device companies from the past week.

Zimmer Biomet is off the hook for now as after a federal jury rejected a former sales rep's claim he was wrongfully terminated for raising concerns about an orthopedic surgeon customer's practices.

The Federal Trade Commission approved Integra LifeSciences request to purchase DePuy Synthes' Codman Neuro division.

Hurricane Maria, which hit Puerto Rico last week and wreaked considerable havoc on the island's infrastructure, damaged medtech facilities located on the island including a Medtronic facility.

SI-Bone reported one-year results from the iMIA clinical trial, which shows that the iFuse system is safe and effective for patients with chronic low back pain due to SI joint dysfunction.

SeaSpine reported the full commercial launch of its Shoreline Anterior Cervical Standalone System.

Equipped with the CE mark, Mazor Robotics can now push its Mazor X platform to boost orders.

Expanding Orthopedics received FDA approval the FLXfit15 part of the FLXfit 3D Expanding Cage System portfolio.

Providence Medical Technology received FDA clearance for its ALLY Posterior Fixation System.

Mortise Medical received FDA clearance for its LigaMetrics Suture Anchor System.

Benjamin Taylor, MBBS, performed a first-of-its-kind 360-degree spine surgery leveraging a customized combination of Medicrea's proprietary UNiD ASI system technology.

Kingsley R. Chin, MD, implanted the AxioMed Freedom cervical disc during a procedure in Kingston, Jamaica.

More than 100 surgeons across the U.S. have used Stryker's Serrato Pedicle Screws since receiving FDA approval on Aug. 16.

VirtaMed will introduce the first virtual reality simulator for ankle arthroscopy in December.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Implanet two additional patents for the company's Jazz platform.

OrthAlign raised $10 million in a series D financing round.

Conventus Orthopaedics named Richard Mott to its board of directors, effective immediately.

Onkos Surgical is launching a new service platform to improve preoperative surgical planning Precision Oncology.
By Bonnie Blankinship

Dr. Julia Wildschutte, an assistant professor of biological sciences, is taking a new look at the canine genome, and her research is beginning to reveal that some long-held held beliefs about what it contains may not be entirely accurate.

A specialist in virus-host interactions, Wildschutte has a $300,000, three-year Academic Research Enhancement Award from the National Institutes of Health to study "The Properties and Impact of Endogenous Retroviral Elements to the Canine."

When a retrovirus infects a cell, it integrates a DNA copy of its genome, or provirus,' into the nuclear genome of that cell. This means that if a retrovirus is able to infect a germ cell, the provirus may inadvertently be passed onto offspring. And this unlikely scenario has happened a lot in mammalian evolution. Fully 8 percent of the human genome is derived from retroviruses. In mice, its about the same. But dogs are interesting, she said. In dogs, its only .15 percent. How did it happen that dogs have missed such a rich history of retroviruses infecting their germ line? she said.

Its such an unexpected finding, and theres so much that I expect will come out of this work from both a scientific view and from a biomedical view.

Wildschutte became interested in these elements, termed endogenous retroviruses,' during her doctoral work at Tufts University, and continued in the field as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan. There, she was part of a three-university team examining a type of endogenous retrovirus in human genomes known as HERV-K, which is thought to have possible roles in certain diseases. In evolutionary terms, HERV-K is relatively young, having infected our ancestors in the last 150,000-200,000 years. The team found a completely intact provirus, along with numerous other bits of ancient retroviruses, within human DNA genomes. Wildschutte was co-first author on a paper the team published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences about their discoveries and characterizations of HERV-K.

Endogenous retroviruses have been part of the human genome for millennia. Once a retrovirus has inserted itself into a cells genes, if it survives, a copy of it can be passed down forever in every single cell of an offspring, Wildschutte said. But far from them always being harmful, during human evolution we have borrowed elements of the retroviruses for useful purposes, and now these ancient HERVs play important roles in everything from implantation of the embryo into the uterus to regulating the enzymes needed for specific tissues.

These retroviral remnants are evolving as part of us, Wildschutte said. Some of the integrations are amazing.

Endogenous retroviruses that have entered the germ line at some point in evolution also contribute to genetic diversity, she said. Her postdoctoral research team looked through global distributions of 2,500 individuals from a global sampling and indigenous genomes for evidence of variable presence of these HERV insertions and compared them against the human reference genome. The insertions leave an identifying signature on the DNA sequence.

Some individuals have a subset of some HERV insertions and other individuals have another subset, Wildschutte said. For example, individuals from African ancestry tend to have a more widespread and larger repertoire of these insertions. Because of their ancestry, their genomes tend to have a much higher level of diversity than, for example, someone of Caucasian background from Eastern Europe.

She has expanded her interest in host-virus interaction and retroviruses to a different model system  the canine  and has applied the sophisticated techniques and analysis that her former team performed on human virus genomes to the canine and other species in the canidae line, which includes wolves, jackals, coyotes and other related groups. What she found has only deepened the mystery and further intrigued her.

How could this be? Wildschutte said. Dogs dont have any retroviruses that we know of. We humans have circulating retroviruses: We have HIV, we have HTLV which causes leukemia. Species that dogs prey on, like mice, have circulating retroviruses. Mice have a leukemia virus and one that causes mammary tumors or breast cancer; cats have FELV and FIV; birds have ALV, but we dont see any currently circulating retroviruses in dogs.

This raises the possibility that canines, and their ancestors, are somehow able to evade such retroviruses, and we dont know why. Not a lot of research has gone into that yet. Thats something that is really interesting to me. I foresee some of research going in that direction.

Nonetheless, evidence that retroviruses did indeed exist in canine ancestors can be inferred by examining the genomes of contemporary canids for the presence of endogenous retroviruses. She and her team searched through roughly 350 canid genomes, including DNA from breed dogs (pets), village dogs (scavengers), wolves, coyotes, jackals and other outgroups.

They found an unexpectedly high amount of genetic variability and insertions of endogenous retroviruses in those samples. In addition, these insertions were obviously from an evolutionarily recent circulating virus, within the last several hundred thousand years, she said. It was a very similar analysis to our HERV-K that previously infected human genomes.

She is preparing to publish the findings from this first round of discovery.

This was something in the field that was unexpected, and people really didnt expect to find this high variability of these endogenous retroviral insertions in dog genomes, Wildschutte said. Plus, they had the signature of being fairly new. Its sort of like a new lineage and it is seems to be specific to the canidae lineage.

But if the retroviruses are there in the genes, why are they not circulating in the dogs? And why are they not having an effect?

Based on her recent findings, its possible they are, Wildschutte said.

Though never explored, there have been inklings over the years of possible endogenous retroviruses in dogs.

There were a few reports, maybe 15 or 20 in all, of observations of retrovirus-like particles (not infectious) in some dog tumors and in tissues from dogs that had lymphoma or leukemia, she said. Other groups have reported either seeing the particles or having detected reverse transcriptase activity encoded in the virus and expressed. Once the virus infects, its the enzyme that converts the RNA genome to a double-stranded DNA copy. They reported having detected these signatures of a retrovirus. But it really wasnt substantiated and observations were never strongly followed up.

I think its possible that the expression people observed in those dogs and other signatures of a retrovirus having been present are from this group of endogenous retroviruses weve just characterized.

In humans, this most recently infecting HERV-K is upregulated in several different types of cancers and diseases. Its not entirely clear what consequence this has, Wildschutte said, but this is an active area of research.

The regulation of the endogenous retroviruses in diseased tissues is very different that you would observed in otherwise normal cells, Wildschutte said. So a question is: Are the retroviral proteins contributing to that state, or is the expression just a consequence, or even if it is, does it still have an impact?

This dog group is very new, and while I wasnt expecting to find so much variability of insertions in dogs, its there. What Im interested in now is to investigate the prevalence and patterns of these elements and their expression in canine tissues.

Wildschutte said she has a talented graduate student, Abigail Jarosz, in her lab, who will also be staying at BGSU for her Ph.D. Jaroszs masters degree project is looking at canine tumor tissue, extracting RNA and genomic DNA from the cell lines, genotyping the cell lines and cloning RNAs expressed from the new group of endogenous retroviruses, and starting to build phylogenies based on the genes that shes cloning from these viruses. This will help identify and group similar gene sequences and help reveal which endogenous retroviruses are being expressed in which different types of tumors and in nonrelated tissues. We have also begun examining the individual viral genes and what their functional potential is, Wildschutte said.

Also on the project is undergraduate researcher Malika Day, who performed much of the sequencing and validation of results.

Wildschutte sees this as the beginning of a long line of research possibilities.

Its such an unexpected finding, and theres so much that I expect will come out of this work from both a scientific view and from a biomedical view, she said.
By Bonnie Blankinship

Little did pianist Solungga Liu dream seven years ago when she released a CD of music by the late composer Charles Griffes that it would result in her being invited to perform at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. But on Nov. 4, Liu, a professor of music performance studies at Bowling Green State University, will not only give a concert there but will also premiere a Griffes work never before performed in public.

Part of the mission of the concert series is to feature works housed in the library, Liu said. The intimate, 500-seat concert hall in the stately Thomas Jefferson Building has been the site of many eminent premieres, including Aaron Coplands Appalachian Spring.

Lius recording of music by the early 20th century American composer Griffes was admired by a concert manager who serves on the program committee of the library, which houses the manuscripts of the work, and when this years performance schedule was being planned, unbeknownst to Liu, he recommended she be included.

The committees initial reaction was negative, she later learned, since the library typically only invites very prominent performers and rarely individuals from academia. But the concert manager persisted and played them the CD. That promptly changed their minds, and Liu was invited, joining a group of world famous musicians on the series.

This is one of the reasons why I love this country so, so much, said Liu, who is from Taiwan. Its not because of my hierarchy or my age, if they respect you they give you the opportunity. I am treated the same as the other musicians, and I am very honored to be invited. When I received the invitation I was so surprised and happy, and Ive been nervous for nine months, but I wasnt allowed to release the information until they did.

She also had freedom to set the program, which will feature three of her favorite composers who represent different aspects of Romanticism: Griffes, Amy Beach, and Cesar Franck.

Griffes is so unique its hard to describe, she said. Its a combination between Romanticism, Impressionism and later even a little bit of atonal. He caught the 1918 Spanish influenza, he struggled and then died in 1920.

He only lived 35 years but he wrote many amazing works. He experimented with everything within 10 years, and then he died. He was born in 1884, before Amy Beach, but he died long before she did.

One of the most important aspects about this concert series is that they highlight works in the library, and this turned out to be very significant in terms of Griffes, she said.

The composers 1915 transcription of the second movement of Claude Debussys orchestral work Iberia  Les Parfums de la Nuit  had only been performed once, at Schirmer Music Publishers in New York, for an audience of two editorial staff, but never publicly because of copyright law at the time, even though Griffes very much wanted to publish it. Long held by scholars and later in textbooks to have been lost, the original manuscript was rediscovered in the Library of Congress.

Actually, it didnt disappear, its in the library, Liu said. They told me, We have it, do you want to play it?

I couldnt sleep for several days because of this, she said. Griffes the composer and his work mean so much to me, and now I have this significant connection to him: I have his manuscript! The national library of the most powerful country in the world, its just so generous, and they made an engraved copy for me, and I can read it.

Beach, who bridged the very grand late Romanticism and Impressionism during her long career, was celebrated in her time despite the considerable constraints upon women in public life, but, like Griffes, has fallen somewhat into obscurity. Liu welcomed the opportunity to bring her work back to the concert stage to mark the 150th anniversary of Beachs birth with a performance of two of her evocative piano works, including the Ballade.

The program will conclude with Francks famous Prelude, Choral et Fugue.

Thats a piece that I love so much, Liu said. His work is chromatic; its very difficult to play because its contrapuntal, its almost like sacred church music, and if you miss a note you can get lost. The manuscript is also in the library and its one of their treasures, Liu said.

Though unexpected, the timing was of Lius invitation to the series was fortuitous. She was on sabbatical last year when she learned of it. She spent the time in Melbourne, Australia, where her sabbatical project was to prepare a CD of music by Beach, comprising her solo piano quintet and pieces of chamber music.

I had a quiet year in isolation and silence to prepare for the concert, she said, although she also did collaborate with Australian colleagues there while working on her projects. I came back a better teacher because of the year.

The time to concentrate was welcome, she said. Solo pianists perform without the aid of sheet music, so not only must they perfect their interpretation and rendition of the pieces, but also memorize every note.

It involves the brain, the physical and the courage to perform onstage. Thats how I teach my students, Liu said.

Getting ready for a major performance, You must train like an athlete, and develop your stamina and your focus. You have to eat well, exercise and sleep, but at some point it becomes more mental. But once I get onstage, I forget about everything and its all music. The nerves only make me extra focused.

She will have the support of BGSU while on the Library of Congress stage, since in the audience will be a contingent of University alumni, College of Musical Arts faculty colleagues, current and former students and friends.

Before her Nov. 4 concert in Washington, Liu will have the chance to perform the program, with the exception of the Griffes premiere, at the Musical Arts Series at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in October.
Yamaha has introduced a special edition of the YZF-R15 V3.0 in the Indonesia market. This version is all about cosmetic enhancements.

This midnight edition gets a black paint scheme with gold-painted wheels. The body work also gets gold sharp decals that enhances the overall look of this 150cc fully-faired motorcycle. Rest of the bike is exactly like the standard model.

The Japanese manufacturer has been selling this bike in Indonesia for several months now. The introduction of a special edition is definitely going to help the company garner more sales. Inspired from the YZF-R6, the third iteration of the R15 is a major improvement over its predecessors. The 150cc liquid-cooled motor has been revised to churn out more power at 19bhp. It also gets upside-down front forks, aluminum swingarm and larger front brake discs. Slipper clutch is standard in this motorcycle.

Yamaha India has been postponing the launch of the latest R15 as the V2.0 still sells in considerable numbers. The company plans to launch the V3.0 when the demand for the second iteration goes down.
Bajaj will start exporting its motorcycles to Australia soon and plans to begin with its flagship motorcycle, the Dominar 400.

According to sources, the homologation process has begun and the launch is slated for November 2017. The manufacture already exports the Dominar to markets in South East Asia and Latin America and looks to find a niche market in Australia as well.

The Dominar 400sports a detuned version of the 373cc single-cylinder engine used in the KTM 390 Duke. This unit produces 34.5bhp and 35Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox. The bike could be targeted as a learner bike in Australia as its power output fits in the countrys A2 license law.

Bajaj, which recently started exporting to Thailand, seems to be creating a global footprint. Their recent tie up with Triumph will ensure a hold in European markets as well. Meanwhile in domestic markets, the manufacturer has seen a dip in sales as a result of demonetisation and the move to BS-IV emission norms. However with a healthy monsoon this year, the manufacturer is expecting the numbers to bounce back this festive season.
Importance Of Celebrating Dussehra Festival Faith Mysticism oi-Lekhaka

Hinduism believes in polytheism. It has many gods worshipped by the people. Each god is celebrated on a particular day, according to the Hindu calendar. This results in Hindu festivals being celebrated throughout the year.

While many festivals are celebrated in our country, one of the most significant one is Dussehra. It is celebrated for 10 continuous days marked with lots of poojas, celebrations and grandeur, the last day being the most prominent one. There is an immense importance of celebrating Dussehra festival in India.

People observe fasts and gorge on delicious festival food. Families, big and small, come together to take part in the festivities. Even people from other religion do take part in the festivities. This shows that there is unity even in diversity in our country.

Significance Of Dussehra

Dussehra is very important in Hinduism. The festival comes alive through the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Dussehra marks the War between Lord Ram and the evil King Ravana.

The evil king Ravana had kidnapped the lord's beloved wife Sita. Thus, Lord Ram waged a war against him. The fight went on for ten days, at the end of which, Lord Ram emerged victorious. This day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi, marking the victory of Good over Evil.

On the day of Dussehra, Ravana's effigies are burnt everywhere, signifying the victory of Good over Evil.

Most Read: How To Do Ayudha Puja

Another legend about Dussehra is as follows:

There once was a man who performed rigorous penance to please Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma became impressed on him and granted him a wish. The person wished to become the most powerful being on the lands and the skies. He wished to be undefeatable by anyone.

Thus, the great 'Mahishasura' or the Buffalo-king was born. No sooner was he granted his wish than he started pillaging the earth and killing innocent lives. This unsettled the Gods but they could not do anything. The Gods wanted to get rid of him.

They created a Woman with superpowers from all of the Gods put together. She was a Goddess of power and light. She possessed the most powerful weapons gifted to her by each of the Gods. She was the great Goddess Durga, who had ten hands and infinite prowess combined with an unmatched beauty. She defeated the Evil Mahishasura and gained victory over him.

This is the reason why Goddess Durga is also worshipped during Dussehra, besides prayers being offered to Lord Rama. It is said that Lord Rama had offered prayers to the Goddess before heading on to battle with kind Ravana, and thus achieved victory. Invoking her powers through prayer is said to remove all the obstacles in the worshipper's life. She is the epitome of triumph of good over evil. Her divine presence helps her worshippers obtain immense power.

With the essence being the same, the festival is celebrated with a little variation throughout the country.

The entire India, especially the northern regions celebrate Dussehra by staging plays based on the events of Ramayana. In Gujarat, all the nine days of Navratri are grandly celebrated by wearing colourful costumes and playing garba. West Bengal sees major worshipping of all the avatars of Maa Durga on each day of the Navratri.

South India celebrates the festival by dedicating three days each for Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga, who are the Goddesses of Wealth, Knowledge and Power respectively. The Mysore Dussehra festival is famous throughout the whole country with the royal family carrying out grand processions with pomp and grandeur. People from near and far come to witness this exotic display of religion and culture.

Dussehra :         ? Interesting Fact |  | Boldsky

No matter what the festival, the whole country comes to celebrate it and this is exactly what makes the festivals of India unique and popular throughout the world.
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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/09/2017 (1873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While most people were stressing out about planning their summer vacations this year, 28-year-old Julia Stoneman-Sinclair was gearing up for the toughest fight of her life.

Tests confirmed the worst, that Stoneman-Sinclair had colorectal cancer, a diagnosis usually reserved for patients more than double her age. As a mother to two young girls  Shaynen and Naira  the news was devastating.

Shes such an incredible person, friend and Brandon University colleague Michelle Bessette said. The more we can rally around her, the better.

Submitted Julia Stoneman-Sinclair with her two children, Naira and Shaynen. Stoneman-Sinclair was diagnosed with cancer earlier this summer. She hopes to go to Minnesota to be treated at the world-class Mayo Clinic.

Stoneman-Sinclairs journey started in July, when just days after her initial diagnosis, doctors were forced to perform an emergency surgery to remove a tumour and 35 of her lymph nodes. While recovering, her medical team planned two more surgeries and an aggressive chemotherapy and radiation schedule, which was expected to start this month.

That schedule was thrown into turmoil, however, when Stoneman-Sinclair was forced to have a surgery unrelated to cancer in mid-August. The unforseen surgery meant her upcoming treatment schedule and a PET (positron emission tomography) scan designed to further evaluate the cancer were pushed back.

Last week, Stoneman-Sinclair was finally cleared for her scan. At the time this article was written, the results were still unknown. However, the oncologist had prepared her for two possible outcomes.

When the results do come back, Stoneman-Sinclair is expected to hear that the cancer is either stage 3 and that she is expected to have a 50 per cent survival rate five years from now; or that the cancer has progressed to stage 4, which comes with a 12 per cent survival rate five years from now. Those results are based off patients who are usually considerable older than Stoneman-Sinclair.

As a result, Stoneman-Sinclairs pre-diagnosis life has ground to a halt as she has put her employment at Brandon University on hold, as well as a research project for her masters thesis in rural development.

And yet through it all, Bessette said Stoneman-Sinclair is staying positive.

She has such a good outlook, Bessette said. We all have our bad days, but she has worked hard to stay positive. I know that she has been inspired by the way the community has rallied around her and the community support that she has received.

Regardless of the diagnosis, Bessette said Stoneman-Sinclair intends to get treatment from the Mayo Clinic. The Minnesota-based clinic boasts leading-edge technology and world-class physicians that specialize in unique cases like this.

The next step in Stoneman-Sinclairs medical journey  whether in Manitoba or Minnesota will not come without substantial costs. Recognizing this, Bessette established a GoFundMe campaign (gofundme.com/juliastonemansinclair) designed to offset medical and travel expenses, including protecting her dream of a large family.

Submitted A letter written from Shaynen to her mother Julia Stoneman-Sinclair, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this summer.

Julia hopes for a big family and is opting to freeze eggs prior to treatment, Bessette said, pointing out that chemotherapy and radiation treatments can negatively affect fertility.

More than anything, however, Bessette wants to continue to see the community rally around her friend, who has poured her heart and soul into Brandon after moving here from Lynn Lake.

Julia has devoted her life to Indigenous advocacy and education, giving so much to our community, she said.Now its time for our community to walk with Julia on this journey and support her fight against cancer. And most importantly please keep Julia and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

 ctweed@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @CharlesTweed
The area of farmland under partial or full Chinese ownership has dramatically increased over the past year as the level of American and British interests has fallen.

Official figures released on Friday showed that 50.5 million hectares of Australian farmland was foreign owned or part foreign owned at the end of June.

The area of farmland under Chinese ownership has increased. Credit:James Davies

The figure is down from 52.1 million hectares one year earlier but the figures show that Chinese interest in Australian farmland has surged to 14.4 million hectares, up from 1.46 million hectares a year earlier, thanks to some major deals.

One of these was the sale of the outback cattle empire owned by S Kidman and Co to Australian Outback Beef, in which Chinese investors have a 33 per cent interest.
Iconic Australian engineering company, SMEC, has had five of its subsidiaries banned by the World Bank after its anti-corruption taskforce discovered evidence linking SMEC to suspected "inappropriate payments" in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The World Bank action is a bitter blow for the company which started out as the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation.

Dam and water storage for the hydro scheme in the Snowy Mountains.

The scandal adds SMEC to the list of well-known Australian companies to have been mired in foreign bribery allegations including BHP Billiton, Tabcorp, Tenix and CIMIC, formerly known as Leighton Holdings.

A long-running investigation by the World Bank implicated SMEC International Pty Ltd and four other subsidiaries based in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in a scandal involving suspected improper payments or other inappropriate practices connected to World Bank-funded projects.
Ursula Barwick's simple decision to change her name for her new city life allowed her to disappear in 1987. But that new moniker also provided a hint about her whereabouts.

"It was like she was leaving little clues for us," her cousin, Melissa Pouliot, says.

Melissa Pouliot, left, with her cousin Ursula Barwick, who went missing in 1987, aged 17.

Barwick had moved to Sydney to find work and visit friends. But the city lifestyle wasn't the only change for the 17-year-old country girl from Quirindi, on the NSW north-west slopes, who adopted the name Jessica Pearce.

She was with her new friends  who knew her only as Jessica  when she died in a car accident on the Hume Highway, near Tarcutta, in October 1987.
A man charged with the suffocation of his former partner on the NSW Central Coast has been found dead in his prison cell, just hours after his former partner died from her injuries.

Lance Pearce, 34, was arrested on Tuesday evening after allegedly strangling and suffocating his former partner Blair Dalton, 35, in the Ettalong Beach home she shared with her young children.

On Thursday night, she died in Gosford Hospital.

Late on Friday, Mr Pearce was found unresponsive in his cell. It's understood he died by suicide.
The former chief operating officer of Queensland Rail, Kevin Wright, says he was made a "scapegoat" for the so-called "rail fail" nearly a year ago.

Timetable pressure behind the scenes at Queensland Rail was exposed by the addition of the Redcliffe line, which led to 100 services being cancelled in October 2016.

That was followed by a number of other timetable collapses, most notably on Christmas day 2016, and eventually an inquiry and restructure of QR.

As a result of the debacle, QR CEO Helen Gluer, QR Board Chairman Michael Klug and Mr Wright all resigned.

Former transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe also eventually resigned over the issue.
Shares in WA gold hunter De Grey Mining have been placed in a trading halt on the ASX after the company's share price rocketed on the back of a significant gold discovery at its Pilbara Gold Project

In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange on Tuesday, De Grey revealed it had found 91 gold nuggets - of mostly "watermelon seed" shapes - at an outcropping conglomerate called "Loudens Patch" at its Mt Roe Basalt site.

De Grey's shares soared after it showed off samples of its new gold discovery. Credit:De Grey Mining

The company had gone into a trading halt the previous Friday, and emerged from the suspension to make the announcement, which saw its share price soar 150 per cent.

The discovery led De Grey's to announce on Thursday the overall resource at its Pilbara Gold project had increased by twenty per cent, then the company initiated another trade halt.
The boundaries for 18 federal electorates would be shifted under a proposed shake-up released on Friday.

The Australian Electoral Commission's report proposed boundary changes for 18 of Queensland's 30 seats in the House of Representatives, but there would be no name changes.

The Australian Electoral Commission has proposed changes to the boundaries of 18 federal electoral divisions in Queensland. Credit:Max Mason-Hubers

It comes after the Queensland state electoral boundaries were redrawn earlier this year, which also included increasing the number of state seats from 89 to 93.

Labor member for Blair Shayne Neumann would gain the suburbs of Chuwar, Karana Downs, Kholo and Mount Crosby from the division of Ryan, held by the Liberal National Party's Jane Prentice.
States that fail to permit coal seam gas mining would be penalised under a fresh proposal from the Grants Commission to change the method of distributing goods and services tax revenue.

The adjustment would hurt Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, each of whom has complete or partial bans on coal seam gas exploration or development or has a moratorium on fracking.

The proposal, in a position paper prepared for the commission's review of the principles behind the GST distribution, is to treat royalties from coal seam gas in the same way as taxes on gambling. It would apply from 2020.

States that choose not to allow poker machines and collect poker machine revenue are regarded as having voluntarily forgone income and not compensated for earning less than the states that do.
London: Peter Dutton says rising support for high-skilled migration in Australia is an example to the rest of the world that voters will accept immigrants if they believe the system is being run fairly.

Speaking to an audience of about 50 at the Policy Exchange in Westminster, Mr Dutton said immigration concerns had been at the heart of the Coalition's victory in 2013, Brexit, the election of Donald Trump and the surge of support for the far-right AfD in Germany.

UKIP, and  for a short time  the Leave campaign, advocated an "Australian-style points-based" immigration system as a way of "taking back control" of Britain's borders. However the policy was not adopted by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Arguing that people would embrace immigration if it was done "fairly", Mr Dutton cited the 2016 Scanlon report, which found the lowest recorded number of Australians  34 per cent  considered Australia's immigration intake was "too high".
Two weeks ago in New York it felt like 2016 all over again. Hillary Clinton was about to release her election memoir, What Happened, and it was making people  well, men mostly  uncomfortable. "She should have called it If I Did It," tweeted one well-known journalist, referring to O.J. Simpson's 2007 best seller in which he described how he "hypothetically" would have carried out a double murder. Another prominent political reporter asked, "Has anybody teased out what exactly Clinton is trying to accomplish with this book?" And on a liberal late-night talk show, a proudly progressive author  one who's written many books about his family  dismissed What Happened as a "therapy session".

Really? This was the craziest election in US presidential history, including the time in 1800 when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in electoral college votes. (The House of Representatives selected the winner, but as the musical Hamilton reminds us, the candidates ended up settling the score later with a duel.) Clinton was the first woman from a major party ever to run for president; Trump was the first to boast a line of branded steaks. And Clinton lost by a mere 80,000 votes, even though she received almost three million more than her competitor in total.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, centre, greets people who waited in line for a signed copy of her book "What Happened" at a book store in New York. Credit:AP

Love her or hate her  a phrase all ruminations on Clinton must include  that's a pretty interesting set of circumstances. Yet in talking about the book, pundits obsessed over whether she should be speaking, and if she had displayed sufficient remorse for losing. I'm not even talking about the media's loony right wing. These were instead journalists not prone to wearing tinfoil hats. From Vanity Fair ("Hillary Clinton's Memoir Lives Up to Its Title for All the Wrong Reasons") to BBC News ("The Long List of Who Clinton Blames"), to The New Yorker ("Hillary Clinton Looks Back in Anger") and even Clinton's home-state newspaper the Chicago Tribune ("Hillary: How Can We Miss You When You Won't Go Away?"), what it all amounted was a Boston daily's diagnosis that "Hillary just won't leave quietly."

There's no escaping that hers was a monumental defeat. As Barack Obama said, Clinton was the most qualified presidential candidate ever. It's also true that she lost to the most unpopular candidate ever. But it was interesting to watch another failed politico also make the rounds that week. While no one was exactly thrilled to hear from him, no one was telling him to shut up, either. Steve Bannon was Donald Trump's chief strategist, and although his strategies for banning Muslims and dismantling the administrative state both failed spectacularly, Bannon nonetheless took a victory lap on the TV interview show Charlie Rose.
Washington: A key senator investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election sharply criticised Twitter on Thursday for failing to aggressively investigate the Russian misuse of its platform after the company said it had largely limited its own inquiry to accounts linked to fraudulent profiles already identified by Facebook.

The senator, Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called Twitter's briefing for congressional investigators "very disappointing," and accused company officials of ignoring extensive evidence of fraudulent Russian activity.

The company's presentation "showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is, the threat it poses to democratic institutions and again begs many more questions than they offered," Warner said, adding, "Their response was frankly inadequate on every level."

Company representatives met with both House and Senate intelligence panels behind closed doors on Thursday. Twitter said it shared a roundup of advertisements by RT, a TV network funded by the Russian government that was formerly known as Russia Today. RT spent $US274,100 in US ads in 2016, according to Twitter, which said it was still reviewing its internal data.
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A 31-year-old man will spend 25 years behind bars for brutally slaying the landlord of his Kensington apartment with a samurai sword in 2014.

A Brooklyn Supreme Court judge sentenced Rasel Siddiquee on Thursday after the Bangladesh native pled guilty to the crime earlier this month.

Siddiquee rented a basement apartment on McDonald Avenue near Avenue C from another Bangladeshi man, Mahiuddin Mahmud, who temporarily leased the unit to his killer as a favor, according to a spokesman for the district attorneys office.

But on Jan. 8 2014, the pair fell into a dispute after Siddiquee accused his landlord of withholding a pedicab license that he was expecting in the mail, which resulted in Siddiquee attacking the man with the sword, hacking at him numerous times and slashing his throat with a blow that nearly decapitated him, according to the district attorneys spokesman.

Following the incident, police tracked Siddiquee via his credit card purchases  which showed he bought a plane ticket to Bangladesh  and cops cornered him at John F. Kennedy Airport on Jan. 8 as he attempted to flee the country.

Siddiquees sentence also comes with five years of post-release supervision, the district attorneys spokesman said.
Honored for building and expanding the U.S.-led program that provides HIV treatment to more than 11 million people worldwide living with HIV

HIV treatment is life-saving therapy. So I, and all of the people I work with, have the opportunity to make an enormous impact. Its a privilege to spend my life doing this work.  Tedd Ellerbrock M.D., HIV Care and Treatment Branch Chief

CDCs Division of Global HIV & TB

The Partnership for Public Service has named Tedd V. Ellerbrock, M.D., HIV Care and Treatment Branch Chief in CDCs Division of Global HIV & TB, the 2017 winner of the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for Career Achievement in recognition of the vital role he has played in building, expanding and improving the U.S.-led program that provides life-saving HIV treatment to more than 11 million people living with HIV around the world.

Each year, the Partnership for Public ServiceExternal presents this prestigious award, known as the Sammies, to a small group of federal employees whose professional contributions exemplify the highest attributes of public service. The awards were presented September 27 at the organizations annual gala in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Ellerbrocks distinguished career has spanned 30 years.

Over the past 14 years, Dr. Tedd Ellerbrock has played a central role in the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history.

We are where we are today because of Dr. Tedd Ellerbrock and people like Tedd around the globe, said Ambassador Deborah Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. He has worked tirelessly to help change the course of the pandemic.

Launching PEPFAR in 2003, former President George W. Bush announced the U.S. Governments commitment to put two million people living with HIV in resource-limited countries on antiretroviral treatment (ART). At the time, only 50,000 people in all of sub-Saharan Africa were on life-saving ART. This ambitious goal required a 40-fold increase in the number of people on treatment in just five years.

Dr. Ellerbrock was chosen to lead the rapid scale-up on CDCs behalf. His efforts to exponentially increase the U.S. governments work to prevent HIV infection and control the epidemic in high burden countries has not only saved millions of lives, but has also helped revive national economies where HIV was ravaging families and communities, comments Dr. Rebecca Martin, Director of CDC Center for Global Health.

During PEPFARs first years, Dr. Ellerbrock designed and led the program that treated 1.4 million people at 1,300 facilities across 13 countries  laying the foundation for expansion of the ART program. He did something that had never been done before, said Dr. Shannon Hader, Director of the CDCs Division of Global HIV & TB. He figured out how to roll out safe and effective treatment programs in developing countries at unprecedented scale, for unprecedented impact.

Years later, Dr. Ellerbrocks sustained leadership continues to drive the success of PEPFAR efforts worldwide. Recent studies show that ART not only restores health to those taking it, but also dramatically reduces the likelihood of HIV transmission to others. Thus, HIV treatment has become central to PEPFARs strategy for achieving epidemic control.

As CDCs chief for global HIV care and treatment, Dr. Ellerbrock has been at the forefront of these efforts  building international partnerships and overseeing evaluations in 20 countries to identify gaps and recommend solutions.

The number of people receiving ART supported by the U.S. government has grown dramatically under PEPFAR. The CDC supports 6.4 million of the 11.5 million people receiving treatment through PEPFAR, as of September 30, 2016.

This is life-saving therapy, explains Dr. Ellerbrock. So I, and all of the people I work with, have the opportunity to make an enormous impact. Its a privilege to spend my life doing this work. I cannot tell you how proud I am of what Ive been able to do and the joy I feel each day.

Learn more about CDCs work to scale up life-saving HIV treatment globally.

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Discussion

Influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women in 201617 was 53.6%, similar to coverage in the 201213 through 201516 influenza seasons. Similar to the past three seasons, 67.3% of pregnant women in 201617 reported receiving a provider recommendation for and offer of vaccination. Although the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice (4) support recommendation for and offer of influenza vaccination, the percentage of currently or recently pregnant women who reported receiving a provider recommendation and offer has not changed during the last four influenza seasons. This might be partly attributable to differences in perception among patients and providers of a recommendation for or offer of vaccination. In a recent survey of obstetric care providers conducted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), all surveyed providers reported that they recommend influenza vaccine to their pregnant patients; however, only 85% of patients surveyed at the same practices reported receiving a recommendation for vaccination, suggesting that although providers believe they are giving a recommendation for vaccination, the recommendation might not be communicated effectively (5).

Vaccination differences were seen by race/ethnicity, concerns about vaccination and influenza, insurance status, and number of provider visits. As has previously been observed, black women had lower vaccination coverage and Hispanic women had higher vaccination coverage compared with white women, despite similar percentages among each racial/ethnic group reporting a provider recommendation for and offer of vaccination (3). One study found that racial differences in vaccination coverage among pregnant women persisted after adjustment for a provider recommendation for or offer of influenza vaccination, insurance status, and demographic factors (6), and another study suggests that racial disparities might be caused by differences in sociocultural norms, misperception of effectiveness and safety of vaccination, and vaccination resistance and hesitancy (7), or could be modified or confounded by other factors such as age, education, or insurance status.

Although many women reported concerns about the safety or effectiveness of vaccination, these women were more likely to be vaccinated when there was a provider recommendation and offer compared with women with vaccination concerns who did not receive a vaccination recommendation from their provider, underscoring the need for providers to educate and counsel all pregnant patients. Although vaccination coverage increased with number of provider visits, 37% of women who had more than 10 visits were not vaccinated, indicating missed vaccination opportunities. Assessing vaccination status at every clinical encounter and providing an effective recommendation for and offer of vaccination can help ensure that more pregnant women receive influenza vaccine during pregnancy (4). ACOG has developed a toolkit to assist providers in integrating vaccination services and effective recommendations into their practice, including communication strategies and other resources.***

In this report, vaccination coverage was lower among pregnant women with public health insurance than among those with private or military insurance, at each level of provider recommendation for or offer of vaccination; frequency of provider recommendation or offer was similar for women with public and private or military insurance. This was also found among women with less than a college degree compared with women with more than a college degree. Lower vaccination coverage has been reported among pregnant women with public insurance (8) and women with lower levels of education (3). Further work is needed to understand and address barriers to receipt of influenza vaccination by pregnant women covered by public insurance and with less than a college degree.

The findings in this report are subject to at least four limitations. First, a nonprobability sample that did not include women without Internet access was used in the analysis; therefore, results are not generalizable to all pregnant women in the United States. Second, vaccination status was self-reported and might be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias. Third, because the Internet panel survey is an opt-in survey, estimates might be biased if a womans decision to join the internet panel or participate in this particular survey were related to receipt of vaccination. Vaccination coverage estimates from the Internet panel survey have been consistently 510 percentage points higher than estimates from the less timely probability-based National Health Interview Survey. However, both surveys have found similar stable trends with no increasing coverage. Strengths and limitations of the Internet panel survey compared with probability sampling surveys can be found elsewhere (9). Finally, the composite variables computed for attitudes toward influenza vaccination and infection were not validated.

Findings in this report support evidence that a providers recommendation for and offer of influenza vaccination to pregnant women is associated with receipt of vaccination. Women who were referred to another provider for vaccination were more likely to be vaccinated than women who did not receive an offer or referral. The Standards for Adult Immunization Practices call for all providers to strongly recommend needed vaccines and either administer vaccines or refer patients to a provider who can administer them (4). ACOG and Text4Baby provide resources to ensure recommendations are provided effectively to help women receive influenza vaccination as early as possible during pregnancy. Vaccination coverage of pregnant women can be increased by a combination of 1) implementation of evidence-based practices (e.g., provider reminders and standing orders for vaccination) to ensure that influenza vaccination is recommended and offered at each visit before and during pregnancy or that the patient is referred to an influenza vaccine provider, and 2) clinical education about the risk for influenza infection and safety and benefit of influenza vaccination (10). Further work is needed to understand differences in vaccination coverage among women who were offered vaccination by a provider.
INSEE lay foundation stone for Galle grinding station

29 September 2017

The foundation stone has een laid for INSEE Cement's new vertical mill that will be the main part of the company's US$14m grinding plant in the port of Galle, Sri Lanka.

INSEE Cement CEO, Nandana Ekanayake, said: "The new plant will be the first vertical cement grinding plant in the southern province and also for the company. It is the companys first big investment since the acquisition in Sri Lanka by Siam City Cement Public Company. This is another milestone in our ambitious mission to build and contribute to the nations future prosperity."

The plant will be completed by 1 June 2018 and will have a capacity of 450,000tpa of cement. The company will further invest US$3m in initiatives to safeguard the surrounding environment with assistance from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.



Technical consultant for the project is CemCon AG, a Swiss company, which will provide support in machine selection, onsite factory acceptance testing as well as pre-installation and post-commissioning testing.



The new plant will open up employment opportunities for over 100 persons during the construction phase while over 50 persons in the vicinity will gain full time or contract employment once the plant is completed.

Published under
First Anglican same-sex marriage in UK takes place in Scotland

The first same-sex wedding in an Anglican church in the UK has taken place in Edinburgh.

Peter Matthews and Alistair Dinnie were married at St John's in Edinburgh, part of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

The ceremony took place shortly before next week's Primates' meeting in Canterbury, when the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is attempting to heal divisions over sexuality with a gathering of Anglican archbishops from around the world.

Some conservatives are boycotting the meeting over the issue because they say the 'consequences' applied to liberal provinces on the gay issue after the last meeting have not been maintained.

Last year, Dinnie was commissioned as the Scottish Episcopal Church delegate to the Anglican Consultative Council in Lusaka.

Dinnie's marriage to Matthews was possible because the Scottish Episcopal Church voted at its last general synod meeting in June to amend canon law and allow same-sex marriage.

A spokesman for Gafcon told Christian Today: 'Mr Alistair Dinnie made his position on same-sex marriage well known prior to attending ACC-16 in Lusaka, Zambia, and is one of the revisionists whom The Episcopal Church voted onto the Standing Committee. It is tragic that the President of the Anglican Consultative Council, Archbishop Justin Welby, allowed this nomination and election to move forward, but this is symptomatic of the ecclesial deficit in the Anglican Communion, and a situation that the Primates will need to address.'

Rev Markus Dunzkofer, Rector of St John's, told The Times: 'I have blessed marriages in other Anglican provinces and always had to stop short of the vows. It is the first gay wedding to be held in a church in the UK. It felt like something was cut off, like something wasn't right.

'Finally being able to do the whole thing felt like the fulfilment of where the Spirit had been telling us to get to. It completely made sense, it all came together.'

An Anglican Communion spokesman declined to comment.
#ThisFlag pastor Mawarire back in court for 'subversion'  faces up to 20 years jail

#ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire has been back in court in Zimbabwe on subersion charges that could see him jailed for as long as 20 years.

Earlier this week, a magistrate in Harare threw out new charges against him when he was arrested after preaching at his church on Sunday. He had been attacking Robert Mugabe's government for the return of food and petrol shortages.

But these earlier charges which saw him court again yesterday date from events in January this year and July last year.

He posted on Facebook: 'Quick update. I'm at the High Court today for continuation of my trial on 2 counts of subversion (attempt to overthrow the government) and 2 counts of inciting public violence. These charges arise from last year's call to stay away from work and school on 6 July 2016 and my participation at a peaceful legal demonstration in New York at the United Nations general assembly 2016. I ask for your prayers that all will be well. My release on Tuesday after the state tried to bring false charges against me after having arrested me on Sunday at church, is testament to my innocence and more so the blatant attempt by the state to try to silence the citizen's voice. God bless you as we stand peacefully for a better Zimbabwe #ThisFlag.'

Mawarire's #ThisFlag campaign has captured attention worldwide after he attacked Mugabe and his government while draped in the flag.

David McGuire, of the US embassy in Harare, said in a statement: 'The United States is monitoring the trial of Pastor Evan Mawarire, and calls for an end to arbitrary arrests and intimidation for political purposes. We support freedom of expression and the right of peaceful assembly. We call on the government of Zimbabwe to respect and to protect the human rights of all persons in Zimbabwe, consistent with international human rights norms.'

Mawarire quoted Psalm 121 in court:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
World Relief slams Trump plan to cut refugee intake to 'historic low'

A leading Christian aid and development organisation has condemned reported plans by Donald Trump to set the maximum number of refugees the US will take in Fiscal Year 2018 at an 'historic low'.

World Relief said it was 'very disappointed' at the reported figure of 45,000 and urged the administration to allow at least 75,000 people in during the new year beginning on October 1.

It said: 'At a time of unprecedented forced displacement, World Relief has worked with hundreds of US churches that are ready and willing to welcome as many refugees as our government will allow.'

World Relief president Scott Arbeiter said: 'The refugee program has been a lifeline of protection for persecuted individuals, in particular, persecuted Christians, around the world. We should take every opportunity to protect them, including through the strategic use of resettlement.

'A refugee admissions ceiling of 45,000 is extremely troubling, especially as the persecution of many religious minorities, including Christians, is on the rise globally.

'World Relief is grateful for the President's strong statements of commitment to stand with persecuted Christians and we had hoped he would set a refugee ceiling that would allow more  not fewer  persecuted Christians along with other persecuted religious minorities to find safety and rebuild their lives in the US.'

The average ceiling since 1980 has been 95,000, World Relief said, with Presidents Reagan and George HW Bush setting it at 140,000 and 142,000 respectively.

Arbeiter continued: 'Setting the refugee admissions ceiling at 45,000 will have devastating consequences in some of the most fragile regions around the world.' He added: 'The United States should lead a more robust refugee response especially as there are more refugees in the world now than ever in recorded history.'

Of the world's 22.5 million refugees fleeing torture, rape and religious or political persecution, the UN estimates that 1.2 million are in critical need of resettlement in 2018 because they face extreme vulnerabilities or family reunification needs. World Relief's CEO Tim Breene said: 'Such a severely limited refugee ceiling for FY18 will have ripple effects all around the world and keep refugees who have nowhere to go in constant risk.'

He added: 'Hundreds of churches in the US are eager and willing to welcome and serve refugees in partnership with the US government, and a dramatically reduced refugee ceiling will limit their ability to live out their faith in this way. We're deeply saddened by such a low ceiling and urge the President to use refugee resettlement as a foreign policy tool to promote our values abroad, while also providing refuge for those fleeing persecution to rebuild their lives in the US.'
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.

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Donald Trump again scrubbed his Twitter account this week, deleting tweets supporting defeated Alabama Senate candidate Luther Strange. The president isnt fooling anyone: Countless online observers, from ProPublica to an army of Twitter bots, had already scooped up the tweets and preserved them for posterity.

But beyond the dubious public-relations value of deleting tweets, the move has reopened a legal debate the media has variously called intriguing, heated, and ambiguous. So does Trump have the right to hit the delete button? CJR set out to explore that question, with particular attention to laws governing presidential speech.

Is Trump breaking the law when he deletes tweets?

No. The debate here isnt so much about the act of deleting tweets, but whether Trump keeps the deleted tweets archived somewhere. It doesnt matter that journalists and amateur Twitter hacks are keeping copiesthe 1978 Presidential Records Act, passed in response to Watergate, puts the responsibility to make a permanent copy of records squarely on the shoulders of the president. One good way of doing this, experts say, would be through the National Archives, the agency that keeps and organizes federal records.

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So is Trump archiving his deleted tweets?

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In a statement to CJR, a spokeswoman for the National Archives says theyve been told the White House is backing up Trumps deleted tweetsfrom both his personal and official Twitter handles. But the Trump administration hasnt done much to prove that. (CJRs requests for comment from the White House Press Office were not returned.) The White Houses online privacy policy states that tweets, direct messages, and Twitter mentions are automatically archived. But that language was crafted by the Obama administration, and only applies to official White House accountsso presumably not @realDonaldTrump.

So if Trump isnt archiving his deleted tweets, is he breaking the law?

Thats the crux of the debate, and the answer hinges on whether his tweets are considered to be presidential records under the Presidential Records Act. In April, the National Archives advised the White House to treat them as such and back them up. The Archives dont have the power to define what constitutes a record, but their official word carries a lot of weight. The PRA itself contains a pretty exhaustive definition of what constitutes a presidential record. As Nate Jones of the National Security Archive, a nonprofit focused on government secrecy, puts it: Generally, I think theres extremely little question that tweets are considered presidential records.

But the PRA was passed in, what, 1978? Twitter wasnt around back then

That doesnt really matter. As Jones notes, The PRA didnt use to say the word email but they were defined as records as well. The original act actually does contain language around the digitization of documents. And in 2014, the law was updated to explicitly include electronic records.

Thats not to say everyone thinks tweets always fall in the purview of the PRA. In an email to CJR, Corey Goldstone, a spokesman for the Campaign Legal Center, says the law was designed to reduce secrecy, but in this case, President Trumps position on the Alabama Senate race was publicly reported and in no way a secret. But according to the letter of the law, it seems far more likely than not that tweets do count as presidential records.

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So thats that.

Not quite. The PRA only covers records that relate to the constitutional, statutory, or other official or ceremonial duties of the President. That wording is ambiguous, but its certainly possible that tweets supporting a Senate candidate dont fall into one of those categories.

But Shontavia Johnson, a law professor at Drake University, says excluding that type of tweet from the definition of a presidential record would be creative. The way [a record] has been interpreted is to include things that have historical or informational value or significance, she says. Courts are hesitant to tell the president what to do, but courts also err on the side of archiving as much information as possible.

And Trump has deleted tweets before that came much less ambiguously under the umbrella of his official duties, including one in February about a meeting with generals at Mar-a-Lago.

Just tell me already: Is Trump getting impeached over this?

Almost certainly not. He says hes archiving his deleted tweets, and its not clear who has the authority to ask him for supporting evidence. And theres probably enough legal ambiguity in presidential records laws to protect him, in any case.

So should we all stop worrying about this?

Definitely not. The National Security Archive, where Jones is a senior researcher, is suing the Trump administration over broader breaches of records lawsnot just deleted tweets, but encrypted messages on apps like Signal. And records retention isnt the only legal question hanging over Trumps continued use of his personal Twitter account.

The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University reported Wednesday that the White House will not contest its claim that Trump has blocked users for criticizing the president and his policiesthe heart of the institutes court push to establish that the presidents personal Twitter is a public forum. A bedrock principle of First Amendment law is that the government cant restrict speech based on viewpoint, says Katie Fallow, a senior staff attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute, in an interview.

Away from the legal realm, the president trying to alter the historical record on his own presidency just isnt good practice. For people to have trust in the government there needs to be a clear record of what did and didnt happen, says Jones. Its never good when the government tries to rewrite history.

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
When Hurricane Harvey struck Houston late last month, the Texas Monthly team was in the third week of its four-week production cycle. Usually, thats when the magazine wraps up the issue. But the story of the storm was too big and too important not to tell. It became increasingly clear that we could not in good conscience not do something big on this, says Editor in Chief Tim Taliaferro.

So on Monday, August 28, Taliaferro called an emergency editorial meeting. He and his staff scrapped the entire feature well of its music-themed issue and spent the next 10 days putting together an issue mostly dedicated to Harvey. Texas Monthlys October issue, Unsinkable: How We Defied Hurricane Harvey, hit newsstands late last week.

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It was a question of, What could we pull off? Taliaferro says. He and his fellow editors came up with something no one else had: an exhaustive oral history. The resulting feature, Voices from the Storm, became the backbone of the issue.

Over the years, oral histories have become a signature of Texas Monthly. One in 2006, led by former executive editor Pamela Colloff, reflected on the 40th anniversary of the Charles Whitman shootings at the University of Texas Tower. For Voices from the Storm, Taliaferro deployed several reporters across different geographies, from Houston to East Texas to the coastline. He thought Texas Monthly could build on great local coverage including in the Houston Chronicle and Victoria Advocate.

The 13,000-word feature included firsthand accounts from 28 Texans, collected and compiled by a 19-person team. The Texas Monthly team spend the whole week gathering the oral histories of more than 60 people. Their approach was straightforward. They asked residents what happened, chronologically: where they were during storm, what decisions they made (and why), and, of course, to share anecdotes. Something felt dignified about letting people tell their own story, Taliaferro says. The resulting story told through the people who experienced it is just richer than anything we could have reported out and written for the magazine.

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It was a Herculean effort from the magazines staff of more than 50 people. One reporter, R.G. Ratcliffe, offered to rent a car and head straight to Rockport, where the storm came ashore. Another, Leif Reigstad, left for Port Arthur and Beaumont shortly after. Texas Monthly already had three reporters based in Houston. The remaining reporters and editors were assigned different cities and towns affected by the storm, as well as tasked with following up on leads from reporters in the field. Interns transcribed the interviews at a furious rate. The point people for the package, Jeff Salamon, deputy editor, and Dave Mann, features editor, compiled, edited, and structured the interviews into a larger narrative on the fly. A draft was ready by Friday, September 1, and by the following Tuesday, it was finalized. Usually, features are edited and ready for fact-checking two to three weeks before deadline, Mann says. In this case, our feature was edited and done three days before.

Taliaferro also assigned ancillary stories as to complement the oral history. Mimi Swartz, in addition to contributing to Voices, penned an essay about how Texans need to plan for the storms to come. Tom Foster compiled a reported Q&A on why another Harvey is likely to happen in the future. And Taliaferro himself reworked his editors note into an explainer of the Harvey-centric issue. All these stories were sent off to the printer on Thursday, September 7. Meantime, the Texas Monthly team churned out stories about Harvey for its website.

We wanted to memorialize the damage that it had done to the state, but also to memorialize the way Texans responded to the storm, Mann says. Theres something about the character of the state that came out in this tragedy and we wanted to show that.

Editorial content wasnt the only challenge; coming up with new advertising, art, and design elements also posed problems. The sales side had to revisit all its advertisers for the planned issue and tell them the music theme was being scrapped. Taliaferro says advertisers can get skittish when it comes to disaster coverage (though only one pulled its ad from the issue). At the same time, the creative team scrambled on a new cover, plus layouts and art for the feature well. The Voices spread spanned 20 pages, interspersing photographs of the storm among the oral histories. As you scroll through the story online, photos of people, destruction, and relief efforts pop up, alongside a chronology of the oral histories from August 20 through 29. Emily Kimbro, the magazines design director, relied on photography from outlets like Getty and the Associated Press, as well as original visuals captured by freelancer Darren Braun.

For the cover, the magazine wanted to capture both the devastation and how people responded to it. Some people really lost everything, and we didnt want to cheapen that by sounding insensitive, Taliaferro says. On the other hand, it really was an incredible moment. Texas Monthly turned to one of its regular illustrators, Dirk Fowler, to memorialize the event. After many conversations and mockups, they settled on a straightforward, symbolic design.

In the span of four days, Fowler crafted an illustration with a lone star floating over a body of water. The intended message? Texas is unsinkable. To emphasize that, he paired the minimalist design with the words, Unsinkable: How We Defied Hurricane Harvey. Its an aesthetic both tragic and empowering, much like the situation in Texas.

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Meg Dalton is a freelance journalist and audio producer based in Connecticut. She's reported and edited for CJR, PBS NewsHour, Energy News Network, Architectural Digest, MediaShift, Hearst Connecticut newspapers, and more. Follow her on Twitter: @megdalts. Find her on Twitter @megdalts.
The Pentagon appointed a senior general on Thursday to oversee military relief operations in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico , even as President Donald Trump's administration faced calls from lawmakers for a far more robust response to the disaster.

Telesforo Menendez surveys the damage in his neighborhood September 24, 2017 in Hayales de Coamo, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through.

The U.S. territory of 3.4 million people is reeling from Hurricane Maria, which struck on Sept. 20 as the most powerful storm to hit the island in nearly 90 years, causing widespread flooding, completely cutting power and heavily damaging homes, roads and other infrastructure.

The storm claimed more than 30 lives across the Caribbean, including at least 16 in Puerto Rico. Governor Ricardo Rossello has called the scope of the island's devastation unprecedented.

The U.S. military, which has poured thousands of troops into the relief effort, named Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan to oversee its response on the island.

Buchanan, Army chief for the military's U.S. Northern Command, was expected to arrive in Puerto Rico later on Thursday. He will be the Pentagon's main liaison with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. government's lead agency on the island, and focus on aid distribution, the Pentagon said in a statement.

FEMA has placed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in charge of rebuilding the island's crippled power grid, which has posed one of the island's biggest challenges after the storm.

In yet another move raising the administration's profile in the crisis, acting U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke, whose department includes FEMA, will visit Puerto Rico on Friday with other senior government officials to meet with the governor, local authorities and federal relief workers, her office announced.

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Trump again praised the government's performance, saying FEMA and other first responders were "doing a GREAT job."

But he complained about media coverage, adding, "Wish press would treat fairly!"

He later added another tweet after he spoke with the governor of Puerto Rico, saying " Puerto Rico is devastated. Phone system, electric grid many roads, gone. FEMA and First Responders are amazing. Governor said 'great job!'"



Donald J. Trump: FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico. Massive food & water delivered. Docks & electric grid dead. Locals trying....

Donald J. Trump: ...really hard to help but many have lost their homes. Military is now on site and I will be there Tuesday. Wish press would treat fairly!

Donald J. Trump: Puerto Rico is devastated. Phone system, electric grid many roads, gone. FEMA and First Responders are amazing. Governor said "great job!"

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, like Trump a Republican, had earlier called for appointment of a single authority to oversee all hurricane relief efforts, and said the Defense Department should mostly be in charge.

"I'm arguing that at least when it comes to logistics the federal government is going to have to lead, and they're going to have to put someone there with the authority to make these decisions and execute on them fairly quickly," Rubio told CNN.

Democratic U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said the crisis was shifting from a natural disaster to a man-made one, adding that the government's response had been "shamefully slow and undersized and should be vastly upgraded and increased."

Speaking on the Senate floor, he called for as many as 50,000 troops "not to occupy the island, not to enforce martial law" but to coordinate logistics and the delivery of aid and basic necessities.

Even as FEMA and the U.S. military have stepped up relief efforts, many residents in Puerto Rico have been frustrated over the prolonged lack of electricity, drinking water and other essentials.
WHEN: Today, Thursday, September 28, 2017

WHERE: CNBC's "Squawk Box"

Following is the unofficial transcript of a FIRST ON CNBC interview with National Economic Director Gary Cohn on CNBC's "Squawk Box" (M-F, 6am-9am ET) today, Thursday, September 28, 2017. Following is a link to the interview on CNBC.com: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/09/28/watch-cnbcs-full-interview-with-necs-gary-cohn-on-tax-reform-framework.html.

ANDREW ROSS SORKIN: JOINING US NOW, FIRST ON CNBC, GARY COHN, NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL DIRECTOR. GOOD MORNING TO YOU, GARY.

GARY COHN: GOOD MORNING, ANDREW, HOW ARE YOU?

SORKIN: I'M GREAT, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GOT A CHANCE TO HEAR WHAT YLAN JUST SAID, BUT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF THIS AND WHAT IT MEANS. $2.2 TRILLION, DO YOU THINK THAT'S RIGHT?

COHN: WE DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. WE DONT THINK THAT'S RIGHT AT ALL. YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE COME OUT WITH THE NUMBERS THEY TAKE A STATIC VIEW OF WHAT THE TAX REFORM MEANS. THEY DO NOT INCORPORATE GROWTH. WE THINK OUR TAX PLAN WILL HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GROWTH IN IT. WE THINK YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT AND GUESTS IN YOUR SHOW WILL UNDERSTAND WHEN WE DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH BY BRINGING BUSINESSES BACK TO AMERICA BY MAKING OUR BUSINESS TAX SYSTEM VERY COMPETITIVE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, WE THINK WE CAN DRIVE A LOT OF BUSINESS BACK TO AMERICA, WE CAN DRIVE JOBS BACK TO AMERICA AND WE CAN MAKE OURSELVES VERY COMPETITIVE. THAT GROWTH IS NOT FACTORED INTO THOSE NUMBERS.

SORKIN: GARY, INTERNALLY, WHATS YOUR ESTIMATE? WHAT'S THE NUMBER IN TERMS OF PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH THIS WILL CREATE?

COHN: WE THINK WE CAN PAY FOR THE ENTIRE TAX CUT THROUGH GROWTH OVER THE CYCLE.

SORKIN: I  I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IN TERMS OF THE GROWTH RATE THAT YOU THINK THIS WILL CREATE IN TERMS OF PAYING FOR IT.

COHN: SO, LOOK, ANDREW, AS YOU KNOW LAST QUARTER WE WERE ABOUT A 3% GDP GROWTH. THIS QUARTER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME STRANGE DATA BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANS AND THE WAY THE HURRICANES EFFECT. WITHOUT THE HURRICANES WE WERE TRACKING OVER 3% GDP GROWTH PER QUARTER. WHEN WE CAME INTO THE WHITE HOUSE EIGHT MONTHS AGO PEOPLE WERE RIDICULING US TO HAVE A 3% GDP GROWTH IN OUR FORWARD FORECAST. NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 3% AS GROWTH TARGETS WE'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW. OUR PLAN WAS BASED ON A 3% GDP GROWTH WE THINK WE CAN BE SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE 3% GDP GROWTH WITH WHAT WE'RE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH ON DEREGULATION AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH TAX REFORM.

MELISSA LEE: SO TO GET TO THOSE TARGETS, GARY, AND TO HAVE THE WHOLE THING PAY FOR ITSELF OVER THE COURSE OF THE CYCLE, WHAT ARE THE LINCHPINS TO THAT PLAN? WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN ORDER TO GET TO THOSE END GOALS?

COHN: LOOK, AS I SAID, DEREGULATION IS IMPORTANT AND WE'RE RUNNING DOWN THAT PATH. WE'RE MAKING IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSES TO OPERATE AND EXPAND IN THE UNITED STATES. MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR TAX PLAN WILL DRIVE GROWTH. IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO INVEST CAPITAL IN THE WORLD OR LOOKING TO START A BUSINESS AND YOU LOOK AT OUR 35% CORPORATE TAX RATE VIS-A-VIS THE REST OF THE WORLD, YOU WOULD NOT CHOOSE TO INVEST IN THE UNITED STATES TODAY. IF WE LOWER THAT TO 20%, YOU START WITH A 15% TAX ADVANTAGE WHERE WE ARE TODAY. THAT BECOMES MUCH MORE ENTICING FOR YOU TO WANT TO OPERATE OUT OF THE UNITED STATES. WHEN YOU OPERATE OUT OF THE UNITED STATES, YOU HAVE TO HIRE COMPETE FOR LABOR. WHEN YOU GO OUT AND COMPETE FOR LABOR YOU HAVE TO HIRE PEOPLE. YOU HIRE PEOPLE AND ATTRACT PEOPLE BY OFFERING THEM HIGHER WAGES THAN THEY HAVE NOW, SO YOU SEE HIGHER WAGE GROWTH. WHEN YOU SEE HIGHER WAGE GROWTH YOU SEE HIGHER CONSUMPTION. YOU SEE HIGHER ECONOMIC GROWTH. ALL OF THESE THINGS LEAD TO HIGHER GDP. WE THINK THIS IS VERY, VERY ATTAINABLE.

JOE KERNEN: GARY, IN NEGOTIATING NORMALLY FOR A HOUSE OR SOMETHING, THERE'S A NUMBER YOU WANT TO END UP BUT YOU ALWAYS START -- IT'S JUST THE WAY IT'S DONE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT HELPS. DOES 20 MEAN 22? IF YOU REALLY WANTED 20 WOULDN'T YOU HAVE DONE 15 TO END AT 20 OR IS 20 THE LAST NUMBER THAT YOU'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT? I THINK THE PRESIDENT REALLY DID WANT 15, I THINK YOU WANTED 15 SO 20 IS ALREADY GIVING UP SORT OF YOUR SIDE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IS THAT THE FINAL NUMBER? YOU'RE NOT GOING ABOVE THAT?

COHN: SO, JOE, GREAT QUESTION AND THANK YOU CAN FOR THAT. WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE GONE LOWER, WE REALLY WOULD HAVE BECAUSE THE LOWER WE GO WE THINK THE MORE ATTRACTIVE THE UNITED STATES BECOMES. THIS DOES BECOME A REALITY OF MAKING THE BUDGET BALANCE AND MAKING THE ECONOMIC REALITIES OF THE UNITED STATES WORK. WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE STARTED LOWER AND GIVEN OURSELVES NEGOTIATING ROOM. WE ARE AT 20. 20 IS A BRIGHT LINE TEST FOR US. THE PRESIDENT SAID IT, HE SAID IT YESTERDAY AND HE'S BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT IT. WE ARE NOT GOING OVER 20. 20 IS THE TOP OF WHAT WE'RE WILLING TO GO ON THE CORPORATE TAX RATE. WE HAVE MADE THAT CLEAR TO THE LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE. THEY UNDERSTAND THAT. WE TOLD THEM IF WE START AT 20 WE'RE ENDING AT 20 AND THERE'S NO ROOM TO NEGOTIATE THAT.

SORKIN: GARY, I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL TAX RATES. I KNOW YOU MADE A COMMENT YESTERDAY ALLUDING TO THE IDEA THAT THERE COULD BE A SURCHARGE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE HIGHEST  WHAT WOULD BE THE NEWER LOWER RATE BUT A HIGHER RATE THAN 35%. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US THERE?

COHN: LOOK, WE'VE GIVEN THE TAX WRITERS BOTH IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE THE ABILITY TO PUT IN A FOURTH RATE IF THEY NEED IT TO MAKE THE PROCESS WORK. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS ABOUT MAKING THE PROCESS WORK AND GROWING THE ECONOMY. WE ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT GROWING THE ECONOMY, BRINGING BUSINESS BACK TO AMERICA AND GIVING HARDWORKING EVERYDAY AMERICANS A TAX BREAK, ALLOWING THEM TO KEEP MORE OF WHAT THEY EARN, ALLOWING THEM TO SPEND MONEY, ALLOWING THEM TO BUY WHAT THEY NEED TO BUY. GO OUT AND BUY A NEW CAR, REMODEL THEIR HOUSE, GO ON VACATION, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. IF CONGRESS NEEDS A FOURTH TAX RATE FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION, WE'VE GIVEN THEM THAT LATITUDE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVEN'T DECIDED IF THEY'RE GOING TO USE IT BUT WE'RE TRYING TO WORK  WE'RE NOT TRYING, WE ARE WORKING VERY COLLEGIATELY WITH THEM AND WE WANT TO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO DELIVER A BILL THAT WILL GET THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SORKIN: JUST TO PUT A FINE POINT ON IT, IN TERMS OF THE LATITUDE, WHAT INCOME STRATA ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

COHN: LOOK, ANDREW, WE HAVEN'T AGREED UPON THAT, BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY HIGH INCOME EARNER BRACKET. IT'S GOING TO BE ONE THAT AFFECTS VERY FEW INCOME EARNERS.

SORKIN: BUT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT OVER $500,000 OR OVER $5 MILLION?

COHN: I THINK IT'S A NUMBER BETWEEN THOSE TWO, HOW'S THAT?

KERNEN: HE NEEDS TO KNOW AN EXACT NUMBER, GARY. I THINK 

LEE: HE JUST ASKED YOU A SPECIFIC QUESTION, ANDREW.

KERNEN: TALKING ABOUT HIM  WE NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY ON THIS.

COHN: AND ANDREW, I'LL HELP YOU OUT I KNOW THERES A LOT OF 500,000 AND 5 MILLION.

LEE: JUST SAY YOU'RE ASKING FOR A FRIEND ANDREW AND ASK THE EXACT QUESTION. NO, WE'RE JUST JOKING.

SORKIN: LET ME ASK YOU A DIFFERENT QUESTION. WE WERE TALKING TO LARRY KUDLOW EARLIER THIS MORNING WHO I THINK SOME OF HIS BLUEPRINT HAS BEEN WORKED INTO WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE PUT OUT YESTERDAY. WHAT WAS THE THINKING IN TERMS OF RAISING THE LOWEST RATE FROM 10 TO 12?

COHN: SO I THINK YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT WRONG WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE PACKAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY. WHAT WE DID IS WE DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT PEOPLE PAY ZERO TAXES ON. SO WE'VE TAKEN THE STANDARD DEDUCTION AND DOUBLED IT. SO FOR A MARRIED COUPLE, THEY NOW GET $24,000 OF INCOME AT A ZERO TAX RATE. THEN WE TOOK THE 15% TAX RATE AND LOWERED IT TO 12. SO WE HAVE REALLY HELPED OUT LOWER INCOME EARNERS BY DOING THAT IN THAT PACKAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THEN YOU LAYER ON TOP OF THAT THE CHILD CREDITS THAT WE'RE INCORPORATING, THE INCREASED CHILD CREDITS. WE ARE DOING AN AWFUL LOT TO HELP HARDWORKING AMERICANS. I THINK WHEN PEOPLE SEE THE FINAL, FINAL DETAILS THEY'LL BE PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR WORKING AMERICANS.

KERNEN: GARY, DURING THE REPEAL AND REPLACE OF OBAMACARE, OBVIOUSLY YOU SEE A LOT OF RHETORIC FROM THOSE OPPOSING LEGISLATION LIKE THAT. IN THE MEDIA YOU HEAR A LOT OF NEGATIVE THINGS. IT'S STARTING ALREADY WITH THIS TAX BILL. BUT REPUBLICANS THOUGHT, HEY

THEY'VE GOT THE SENATE AND HOUSE. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU HEAR THIS RHETORIC AND YOU CONTROL BOTH CHAMBERS. THIS SHOULD GET DONE. BUT NOW WE KNOW, SOME OF THESE REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THEY'RE NOT COMPLETELY COMMITTED TO - OR MAYBE THEY'RE IN A STATE THAT'S BLUE OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU CAN'T COUNT ON THEM. DO YOU THINK IT'S DIFFERENT FOR THIS ONE? I MEAN, I'M SEEING THE RHETORIC ALREADY. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE, ABOUT HOW THERE'S NO MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUTS HERE, IT'S ALL A GIVEAWAY TO THE RICH. ARE SOME OF THE WAIVERING REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE GOING TO NOT HAVE THE BACKBONE TO PASS THIS HOW MANY CAN YOU LOSE, ONE OR TWO?

COHN: JOE, NOTHING IS EASY IN WASHINGTON. WE UNDERSTAND THAT BUT WE ARE CONVINCED BY HAVING WORKING WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP ON DELIVERING A FRAMEWORK THAT WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE. WE'VE GIVEN THE TAX WRITERS IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE LATITUDE TO BRING THEIR MEMBERS ALONG. WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE TO DO THIS IN REGULAR ORDER TO GET THE VOTES WE NEED TO GET THIS PASSED. I THINK MOST OF THE MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO GET OUR ECONOMY GROWING AND KEEP SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH. AND SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE IN THE COUNTRY.

SORKIN: GARY, ONE LAST QUESTION. I'D IMAGINE  WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS OURSELVES, ENDING THE CARRIED INTEREST TAX BREAK, SOMETHING THE PRESIDENT TALKED A LOT ABOUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. THIS PLAN SEEMS TO BE SILENT ON THAT THUS FAR. IS THERE SOMETHING COMING?

COHN: SO, THE PRESIDENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO ENDING THE CARRIED INTEREST DEDUCTION.

SORKIN: IN WHAT FORM? ARE WE GONNA SEE THAT IN SOME WAY WE HAVEN'T YET?

COHN: AS WE CONTINUE TO EVOLVE ON THE FRAMEWORK THE PRESIDENT MADE IT CLEAR TO THE TAX WRITERS IN THE CONGRESS THAT THAT IS HIS POSITION, THAT WAS HIS POSITION DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND HE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE POSITION THAT CARRIED INTEREST IS ONE OF THE LOOPHOLES WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GETTING RID OF LOOPHOLES THAT AFFECT WEALTHY AMERICANS. THAT IS ONE OF THE LOOPHOLES THAT WE'RE REFERRING TO.

LEE: ONE LAST QUESTION, I KNOW WE'VE GOT TO GO, WHEN IT COMES TO THE FRAMEWORK, ARE THERE OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE IN YOUR VIEW NON-NEGOTIABLE?

COHN: WE HAVE TO GIVE EVERYDAY HARD-WORKING AMERICANS A TAX CUT. THIS HAS TO BE GOOD FOR AMERICAN WORKERS. IT HAS TO BE GOOD FOR EVERYDAY AMERICAN CITIZENS. IF WE DON'T DO THAT WE HAVENT ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING.

SORKIN: GARY COHN, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING TIME WITH US THIS MORNING ON "SQUAWK BOX."

COHN: MY PLEASURE, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

SORKIN: SEE YOU SOON. YOU BET.

About CNBC:

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Every wondered where highly successful leaders get their inspiration? Look no further. Self-made billionaire Richard Branson has overseen more than 60 businesses and he's worth an estimated $5.1 billion, according to Forbes. Branson has a history of sharing his leadership tips. In March, Branson wrote an emotional farewell letter after announcing the closing of the Virgin America brand in 2019. The letter contained three key lessons all business leaders can learn: "Know when to fold 'em, love the journey and stay positive."

Sir Richard Branson speaking at the Innovation Summit in Brooklyn, New York on July 14, 2017. Adam Jeffery | CNBC

The serial entrepreneur once again discussed what inspires him to be a great leader in a recent blog post. "At Virgin it's all about putting your people first and having a desire to want to change the world of business for the better," says the billionaire. But the lessons don't end there. The business magnate explains that his company has focused on the "leadership theme" for the month of September. This got him thinking about his favorite quotes from some of the world's most "inspiring change-makers," who run the gamut from historical figures to technological pioneers. Here is the full list of Branson's top 10 quotes on inspiring leadership: 1. "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."  Thomas A. Edison 2. "Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."  Barack Obama
In the decades following World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union raced to stockpile nuclear weapons, fighting for supremacy in a self-protective move aimed at thwarting mutually assured destruction. In 2017, the world is staring down the beginnings of a similar scenario  but the next generation nuclear arms race will be a race for dominion over artificial intelligence. So says Ryan Holmes, the founder and CEO of social media management company Hootsuite, which serves over 80 percent of Fortune 1000 companies among its more than 15 million users. Holmes is also an investor and self-described "future enthusiast."

Ryan Holmes, founder and CEO of Hootsuite Photo courtesy Hootsuite

"In the same way that nuclear [fission] was a game-changer and nuclear weaponry was a game-changer, the actors that harness AI first are going to have an immense amount of power," Holmes tells CNBC Make It. "We have a nuclear club and we have seen how hard some people want to try to get into the nuclear club. ... There will be a similar, I believe, AI club," says Holmes. Others share his point of view. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a similar sentiment: "The one who becomes the leader in this sphere will be the ruler of the world," Putin said recently. Tech titan Elon Musk has also warned that governments will "will obtain AI developed by companies at gunpoint, if necessary," and that the global race to stockpile AI technology will cause a third world war.

Just what artificial intelligence will be able to do in the future is almost impossible to know. But there is an urgent sense that its potential could be dangerous. "Right now we are trying to fathom what the impact of it will be," Holmes says to CNBC Make It. "We need to be very careful in terms of who achieves this and how they harness it and what that looks like," he says. Private companies are already investing deeply in developing artificial intelligence and they will continue to do so. "I think there is a strong probability that these AIs fall into the hands primarily of the major technology players, so you know Google will have a flavor of AI, as will Facebook, as will Microsoft, IBM, you know, all have bids in this," says Holmes. Indeed, Facebook already uses artificial intelligence to determine what to show users in its main news feed and to filter out spam from chat messengers. It has also started using artificial intelligence for speech recognition. And Google's People + AI Research (PAIR) program aims to improve interactions between humans and AI. Regardless of where the different technologies ultimately germinate, it is the responsibility of inventors to teach AI to make decisions according to some moral code, says Holmes. Robots can not learn ethics from a data set  even a very large data set, he says. "If we set AI against what is the biggest data set out there right now which is social [media] data  we have billions of people contributing their feelings, thoughts and experiences into social data right now  and if we run AI across that and say, 'This is the human experience. Now, go and be a human.' Or, 'Try to translate what it means to be a human,' I think there is a big risk."

We have to train the AI in the same way that we train children. Ryan Holmes founder and CEO of Hootsuite

Indeed, without ethical guidelines, AI can adapt the worst parts of humanity. Microsoft's bot "Tay," for example, learning from the comments of online trolls, famously started tweeting racist responses and had to be shut down, according to reporting from Motherboard. And Google's DeepMind AI bots became aggressive when they were set to compete against each other, according to Quartz. The "smarter" the bots became, the more they aimed to attack their opponent, Quartz says. Consider how a child would develop if they only watch the news, suggests Holmes. "You have a child, you have a baby, and you lock it in a room and you put food through the door and all you do is let it look at the news channel. What do you think that human would look like? You would think my god that poor baby would be so distorted in its perception of the universe and the world," says Holmes to CNBC Make It. "It would be like they are an alien visiting from another planet  and how can we have an expectation that if we did the same for AI that AI would just come out and be a well-formed Buddha and understand what humans really mean and what we are all about? I think it would be a very unrealistic in that belief." Imbuing artificial intelligence with ethics is a process requiring nuance and sophistication. "We have to train the AI in the same way that we train children. They start with an empty vessel and we put our ethics into them and talk to them about and guide them as to what is appropriate behavior," says Holmes. "If we don't think about AI in the same way, I think we have the risk of creating a hugely powerful force that doesn't have an ethical grounding or frame work." See also: Elon Musk: 'Robots will be able to do everything better than us' A lesson in leadership: Elon Musk spends weekend responding to Tesla customers, admits 'foolish oversight' Elon Musk: Governments will obtain AI technology 'at gunpoint' if necessary
With hard work, perseverance and luck, four men who worked as janitors early in their careers became self-made millionaires. While the job was a choice for some, it was a necessity for others, but being janitors taught them the keys to success and gaining wealth through smart investing, creating opportunities and making each day count. Here are their inspiring stories.

1. Tony Robbins

At the Iconic Tour in Los Angeles, Tony Robbins discussed how he had no trouble cleaning floors and putting in a little extra elbow grease into his work while young, especially if it meant one thing: freedom. "I used to work as a janitor and I picked that job not because I like janitoring but because I could do it literally from 10 to 2 in the morning," Robbins says. Being a janitor allowed him to not only work more, but also faster and better. "I also had the free time to think and feed my mind," he says.

watch now

By working the part-time janitor job making $40 a week, Robbins was eventually able to invest in himself and form a billion-dollar empire through being a founder or partner at over a dozen different companies. "I think if you can find a place where you can do something that gives you freedom and gives you a chance to really take control of your own time, it leads toward the idea of maybe owning your own business," Robbins says.

2. Sean Conlon

An immigrant from Ireland, Sean Conlon arrived in Chicago with $500 and started out as an assistant janitor. Back home, his family hadn't had much. Once, a bank had even tried to repossess his family house, which may have inspired Conlon to become a real estate mogul (and the star of CNBC's "The Deed: Chicago"). Conlon worked hard to save money, which he eventually used to buy his first apartment. He began selling real estate at night, and ultimately became one of the top real estate brokers in the country.

And he credits much of his success to the possibilities in the United States. "I understood fairly quickly that real estate is a tangible path to wealth," says Conlon. "I was an ordinary person who did some fairly extraordinary things. It's America. You can still do those things."

3. Ronald Read

Once a janitor and gas station attendant, Vermont's Ronald Read quietly became a self-made millionaire without a hefty annual salary. Read, who passed away at age 92 in June 2014, put together an $8 million portfolio, one even his family didn't know about until his death.

I knew I was going to be great a long, long time ago. Steve Hightower CEO of Hightowers Petroleum

He reportedly had at least 95 stocks when he passed away and was said to live a frugal lifestyle. Read gave most of his wealth to the hospital and library in Brattleboro, Vermont, where he lived his entire life.

4. Steve Hightower

Originally from Ohio, Hightower worked nights and weekends for his family's cleaning business. He continued working as a custodian in college as well. Now Hightower has his own oil and transport business, which he started in 1981. In 2017, the company aims to make $500 million.

watch now

watch now
South Korea's financial regulator on Friday said it will ban raising money through all forms of virtual currencies, a move that follows similar restrictions in China on initial coin offerings.

The Financial Services Commission said all kinds of initial coin offerings (ICO) will be banned as trading of virtual currencies needs to be tightly controlled and monitored.

"Raising funds through ICOs seem to be on the rise globally, and our assessment is that ICOs are increasing in South Korea as well," the regulator said in a statement after a meeting with the finance ministry, the Bank of Korea and the National Tax Service.

"Stern penalties" will be issued on financial institutions and any parties involved in issuing of ICOs, the statement added, without elaborating further on the details of those penalties.

The decision to ban ICOs as a fundraising tool was made as the government sees such issues as increasing the risk of financial scams. The decision tracks similar announcements in the U.S. and China where increasing trading volumes of cryptocurrencies are sparking concerns.

It added Friday's announcement doesn't mean the government has implicitly accepted trading of virtual currencies as part of its financial system, and will continue to monitor markets to see additional regulations are needed.
We all care about what others think of us and want to be liked (despite what rebellious 15-year-old you might have said). The basics of getting people to like you are obvious  be nice, be considerate, be a decent human being. Those things are all true. However, there are also many smaller, more discreet things you can do that can have a huge effect on how others perceive you. More from Larry Kim:

4 things investor rejection letters taught me

These 8 success factors are even more important than IQ!

7 simple daily habits to sharpen your intelligence



Most of these tips are little techniques you can implement every day. They may seem insignificant or even silly, but give them a try and you might find yourself becoming exponentially more popular.

1. Use a person's name

Let's face it  we're all huge narcissists and we all love the sound of our own name. Learn names and make use of them. Always use an individual's name in a conversation. A classic from Dale Carnegie's famous book "How to Win Friends and Influence People," this tried-and-true technique is sure to increase your fan base.

2. Smile  with feeling!

Although we live in a digital age that increasingly substitutes technology for human interaction, we are still at our cores very social creatures. As humans, we use social interaction as a tool for feedback, and we make a lot of conscious and subconscious choices based on how others engage with and respond to us. When someone offers a huge grin brimming with authenticity, happiness rubs off on its receivers. There have been many studies showing how mood, whether positive or negative, spreads between individuals. If your positive attitude brightens someone else's day, that person will love you for it.

3. Listen (not just with your ears)

It's probably a no-brainer that people will like you more if you listen to them. This starts with ignoring your Twitter feed while out to dinner with friends, but goes a lot further than that. You can show you're listening to someone through body language (positioning your body to face someone and mirroring his or her stance), eye contact (giving plenty of it), and verbal confirmation (we'll talk more about this next).

4. Use verbal confirmation

Most psychology books refer to this technique as "active listening." Active listening revolves around demonstrating your listening skills by repeating segments of what an individual has said to you. For example: Mark: I went to this awesome beer tasting event over the weekend  I got to try a ton of great local beers from all over the state.

You: You got to try a lot of different beer, huh?

Mark: Yes, it was really fun. My favorite was the Pretty Things Magnifico.

You: The Magnifico was your favorite?

Mark: Yeah, it tasted great.

While in text form this looks like a strange conversation, in speech this kind of dialogue can actually go a long way to make people like you more. It makes the other individual feel as though you really are paying attention. Plus, people love to hear their own words echoed back at them as it pats their egos a bit.

5. Conversation recall: Prove you're paying attention.

We've already discussed how important it is to show people that you're listening to them. Snoring during a speech or getting a glazed look in your eyes doesn't result in fast friends. To really show someone you've been paying attention, try bringing up a topic that the person mentioned earlier. Did your co-worker talk about working with his son on a science fair project last week? Follow up and ask how it went. Did your friend say she was going to paint her kitchen a new color over the weekend? Ask how she likes the new color on Monday. They don't have to be big, life-changing events. In fact, sometimes it says more that you can recall and show interest in even the small happenings in another person's life.

6. Sincere compliments and plentiful praise

As noted again by the famous self-improvement expert Dale Carnegie, individuals crave authentic appreciation. This is very different from empty flattery, which most people are adept at detecting. No one likes a brown-nose, and most people don't particularly love being pandered to. What people really want is sincere appreciation  to be recognized and appreciated for their efforts.

In addition to giving people sincere appreciation, it's also important to be generous with your praise. People love being praised, and is it any surprise? It feels great to be told you've performed a job well. When an individual does something right, say so. It won't be forgotten.

7. Handle criticism with tact

In the same vein, while you want to be generous with your praise, be stingy with your criticism. People have delicate egos, and even a slight word of condemnation can wound someone's pride. Of course correction will be necessary at times, but it should always have a purpose and be handled with care. If someone makes an error, don't call that person out in front of a group. Be discreet, be delicate. Consider offering up a compliment sandwich  a deliciously effective strategy that involves dishing out praise before and after a criticism. For example: That newsletter template you sent over looks great, good work. So it looks like there were a few numerical errors in that recent report you sent over  just be sure to double check those numbers. I also wanted to tell you to keep up the great stuff you've been posting in Facebook  I've been seeing a big boost in engagement. Your goal should really be to get the other person to recognize the mistakes without you pointing them out. Even in the example above, you could simply say, "I saw a few numerical errors in that recent report you sent over," and wait for a response. If the individual responds apologetically and promises to try harder, you don't need to drive home the subject. Tell them not to worry, that you're sure they'll get the hang of it, and move on. The less finger-pointing, the better. Another strategy for diplomatically dispensing corrections is to begin by discussing your own mistakes before digging into someone else's errors. Ultimately, aim to be always gentle with criticism and only offer it when it's truly needed.

8. Avoid issuing orders ask questions instead

No one enjoys being bossed around. So what do you do when you need something done? The truth is that you can get the same result from asking a question as you can by giving an order. The outcome may be the same, but the individual's feeling and attitude can vary greatly depending on your approach.

Going simply from, "Jim, I need those reports by tonight. Get them to me ASAP" to "Jim do you think you could send me those reports by this afternoon? It'd be a huge help," makes a world of difference.

9. Be a real person, not a robot

People like to see character and authenticity. While classic business doctrine pushes the importance of an alpha male stance (shoulder back, chin up, strong handshake), it's easy to go overboard and come off as fake. Instead, try to be confident but respectful. Some cooperation experts suggest stepping toward a person and bending slightly forward when you're introduced, in a gesture of a bow. These kinds of gestures can go a long way toward making people think more highly of you.

10. Become an expert in storytelling

People love a good story, and great stories require sophisticated storytellers. Storytelling is an art form that requires understanding of language and pacing. Master the fine oral tradition of storytelling and people will flock to you like you're The Bard.

11. Physical touch

This one's a bit tricky, and I hesitate to even mention it because obviously it needs to be done in a certain manner. This isn't an invite to give shoulder rubs to your coworkers. However, it has been shown that very subtle physical touch makes individuals feel more connected to you. A great example is gently touching someone's forearm (with your left hand) while shaking hands (with your right hand)  it's a great way to finish up a conversation. Not everyone will feel comfortable with this strategy, and if it's not for you, that's fine.

12. Ask for advice

Asking someone for advice is, somewhat surprisingly, a great strategy for getting people to like you. Asking for advice shows that you value the other individual's opinion and demonstrates respect. Everyone likes to feel needed and important. When you make someone feel better about himself or herself, that person will most certainly end up liking you for it.

13. Avoid the cliches

Let's face it  most of us don't like boring people. They are snores and horrifically uninteresting. Instead, we like the unusual, the unique, sometimes even the bizarre. One great example of situations in which it's important to avoid cliches is in interviews. Rather than parroting the "nice to meet you"s at the conclusion of an interview, add some kind of variation to make you memorable, even in a tiny way. Try something like "I've really enjoyed talking with you today" or "It's been a real pleasure learning more about [insert company]." You don't have to reinvent the wheel  just be yourself.

14. Ask questions
Piper Jaffray's Simmons & Company said "the industry was beginning to warm slightly to the U.S. frac sand story," in part "thanks to potential dunes sagebrush lizard litigation" in a research note on Wednesday.

To be sure, weak oil prices and fears of sand oversupply following a rush of miners into West Texas have also weighed on the stocks this year. But analysts say the lizard has had a material impact on the stocks as well.

Shares of sand miners have been roiled in recent months by concerns that a campaign to protect the lizard could disrupt surging mining activity in West Texas. The mining boom is being driven by demand for sand among "frackers"  drillers who extract oil and gas from underground rock formations by pummeling them with water, minerals and chemicals at high pressure.

The dunes sagebrush lizard grows to just a few inches long, but it's having an outsized impact on America's hottest oil-producing basin.

Brad Handler, equity analyst at investment bank Jefferies, confirmed that the cold-blooded critter is, in fact, impacting stocks.

"It's a cause of concern, and just because a company is up and running that doesn't automatically guarantee that it can continue to operate," he told CNBC. "They're concerned that there may be litigation to force operations to cease or change."

The Permian basin underlying West Texas and southeastern New Mexico is the epicenter of a rebound in U.S. drilling activity, thanks to its relatively low-cost production. Miners have piled into West Texas in order to produce sand close to the Permian demand center.

However, some of mining areas overlap with the dunes sagebrush lizard habitat, a tiny part of Texas and New Mexico, and there's lately been signs of renewed efforts to protect the reptile.

The lizard was once a candidate for the endangered species list, but the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service decided in 2012 not to designate the critter. It's reason: New Mexico and Texas had made "unprecedented commitments to voluntary conservation agreements," making an endangered listing unnecessary.

But that scheme is now under threat from the influx of sand miners, according to Robert Gulley, head of the Texas Comptroller's Division of Economic Growth and Endangered Species Management. In a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service sent last month, he warned that 15 so-called frac-sand companies are mining or have plans to mine in four countries with dune sagebrush lizard populations, and just four have taken measures protect them, the Texas Tribune reported.

On Monday, animal conservation group Defenders of Wildlife released a report concluding that mining plans could disturb or destroy 10 percent of the lizard's habitat and adjacent buffer zones.

"Our analysis of satellite images shows that the rush on frac sand mining in the Permian Basin threatens to push the dunes sagebrush lizard towards extinction," Ya-Wei Li, vice-president of endangered species conservation for the group said. "Unfortunately, if the sand mining companies do not refrain from developing in lizard habitat, we might see the extirpation of the Texas populations in the near future."

Investors and industry watchers are concerned about Hi-Crush Partners in particular, said Handler, the Jefferies analyst. That is in large part because the frac-sand firm has assets that overlap with habitats, he said.

Hi-Crush Partners 3-month stock performance, source: FactSet

However, he notes that Hi-Crush has documented its efforts to find the lizards and has not been able to find any significant populations around its mines. Jefferies finds Hi-Crush's arguments "compelling," he added.

Hi-Crush Partners did not immediately return a request for comment.

The lizard issue could be a net positive for some stocks. If it causes a slowdown in mining growth in West Texas, that could ease investors' concerns about rising supply and falling prices, which have weighed on frac-sand stocks, Handler explained. That would benefit miners like Smart Sand that primarily mine in Illinois and Wisconsin. They'd get all the benefits of price increases with none of the exposure to lizard habitats.

Ultimately, Handler says there's relatively low risk that a judge would put significant limits on mining, at least initially, should the issue go to court. A court would likely want a thorough examination of risks to the lizard's habitat before disrupting work on a large scale, he said.
A man walks past a house laying in flood water in Catano town, in Juana Matos, Puerto Rico, on September 21, 2017. Hector Retamal | AFP | Getty Images

The campaign to send a naval hospital ship succeeds

Trilsch, a finance administrator from Colorado, had heard about the USNS Comfort naval ship after reading about its humanitarian work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and in Haiti after the earthquake. The 1,000-bed naval ship has a trauma unit and X-ray machines. Trilsch said he had been waiting since the hurricane hit to hear news that the ship was headed to Puerto Rico. "I assumed the order would be given at any moment and that it would be on its way to help our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico," he said from his office in Boulder. That news didn't come. On Saturday, Trilsch decided to started a petition on Change.org, asking the Department of Defense to send the ship to the island, where hospitals are overwhelmed and barely functioning. He also created a Facebook page for the cause and launched the Twitter hashtag #SendtheComfort. The next day, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined the call: @HillaryClinton: President Trump, Sec. Mattis, and DOD should send the Navy, including the USNS Comfort, to Puerto Rico now. These are American citizens. On Wednesday, the Defense Department said the Comfort would depart Friday for Puerto Rico. There was no explanation about why it took so long to activate. The ship was sitting at the naval base in Norfolk, Virginia. The saga shows how frustrated the public has become with the basic FEMA disaster response in Puerto Rico: Americans are starting realize that only the military is equipped to handle a disaster of this magnitude. Members of Congress have also been pushing the White House to send more military support on the island. On Wednesday, Reps. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, requesting a meeting to discuss how to get the military more involved. "We believe the US Military is best positioned to save lives, meet the immediate needs of the people with food and water, set up a functioning telecommunications system and establish medical triage and emergency medical services," they wrote. In recent days, the DOD has promised to double the number of military personnel responding to the disaster and is sending more ships and planes. Without the public outcry, it's unclear whether the administration would have made the same decisions.

Pressure to lift shipping restrictions in Puerto Rico succeeds too

As the Defense Department announced that the USNS Comfort was headed to Puerto Rico, pressure was mounting for the administration to temporarily suspend a law that makes it expensive to ship goods to Puerto Rico. As Vox's Matt Yglesias explains, the Jones Act requires items shipped between American ports to be transported on a ship that is American-built, American-owned, and crewed by US citizens or permanent residents. The law makes everything Puerto Ricans buy unnecessarily expensive compared to goods purchased on the mainland or other Caribbean islands. It also drives up the cost of living. The law will create major problem for Puerto Rico as it rebuilds its wrecked infrastructure. Over the weekend, Jessica Penovich created a petition on Change.org asking the Department of Homeland Security to waive the law for 12 months. By Tuesday, it had garnered nearly 500,000 signatures. A spokesperson for Change.org said it was the eighth most popular petition of the year. "I never imagined it would generate so much support," said Penovich, a law student of Puerto Rican heritage who lives in the Tampa Bay area. She said she created the petition because she wanted to raise awareness about how the law exploits Puerto Rico. Another foe of the law is Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who also spent the past few days criticizing it and urging the White House to waive it: @SenJonMcCain: Shipping industry supports #JonesAct b/c it's protectionist. #PuertoRico deserves better than policy decisions driven by special interests. Then there was a searing op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. The editorial board lashed out at the administration's refusal to waive the law in the aftermath of Maria. They pointed out that Trump lifted it after Harvey in Texas and Irma in Florida. Not doing the same for Puerto Rico meant the president was treating islanders as "second-class" citizens: The aftermath of Hurricane Maria is an even more urgent emergency. The Category 4 storm shut down electricity, destroyed crops, and has residents scrambling to obtain food and potable water. Many of the island's 3.4 million residents may not have power restored for weeks. At least 10 people have died, and rescue operations will be needed for months. Allowing Puerto Ricans to import cheaper petroleum, equipment and bulk supplies would help. On Wednesday, the administration announced that it would suspend the law for 10 days. That's hardly long enough.

The White House needs to ask Congress for more relief money
Apple received its highest ever number of U.S. government national security requests for data in the first half of the year, the company revealed Thursday.

The U.S. technology giant said it received between 13,250 and 13,499 requests affecting between 9,000 and 9,249 accounts, according to its transparency report. Apple is not allowed to disclose the specific numbers of requests received so has to do so in a range.

In the July to December period of 2016, Apple received 5,750 to 5,999 government national security data requests. So the latest figures are more than double that, showing the rise in activity from U.S. authorities looking to obtain data from large technology firms.

The requests come in the form of so-called National Security Letters (NSLs) and requests under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Disclosing these requests are voluntary but many technology companies including Google and Facebook do so.

On Thursday, Google also released its transparency report. It received up to 499 NSLs affecting between 1,000 and 1,499 accounts.

It's unclear what could be behind the rise of the number of national security requests. But Apple is the second-largest smartphone maker by market share and has sold over 1.2 billion iPhones. It offers many features including secure messaging services.

Apple has had an uneasy relationship with law enforcement. Last year, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ordered Apple to unlock the iPhone of Syed Farook, who was responsible for the shootings in San Bernardino, California, in December 2015 that left 14 people dead. Apple refused saying that it would set a "dangerous precedent."
A decision by Japanese authorities is helping the country cement its place as a driving force for bitcoin , at a time when China is turning its back on virtual currencies.

On Friday, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) officially recognized 11 companies as registered cryptocurrency exchange operators. The registration places several requirements on the companies, such as building a strong computer system and checking the identity of users to prevent money laundering. These regulations are intended to protect investors from fraud and other abuse, while supporting financial technology innovation.

One of the registered companies is bitFlyer, which has more than 800,000 users, according to the firm. The company's CEO, Yuzo Kano, said the new rules cements Japan's position as the epicenter for bitcoin.

"Japan has been exploding with demand for both bitcoin trading as well as virtual currency services," Kano said in a press release Friday.

"The FSA's approval for bitFlyer to operate as a Registered Virtual Currency Exchange, and the agency's openness and forward thinking regulation could not come at a better time for the blockchain space."

Blockchain is a digital leger that is dispersed across networks. It is used in the cryptocurrency space to securely record every transaction between users.
Brexit officials for both the U.K. and the EU have claimed some progress in the latest round of talks  somewhat a change in tone, but only a small step in the right direction given the amount of work that lies ahead.

David Davis, the U.K.'s Brexit secretary, told reporters Thursday that negotiators had achieved "decisive steps forward" during the fourth round of talks, including on citizens' rights. EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier nodded in agreement, but added that they aren't yet in a position that allows the discussion of future trade arrangements  set to happen after October.

Another stumbling block is the exit bill that the U.K. has to pay. So far, the negotiations have not included this point.

"Until now, we have no paper from the United Kingdom about financial commitments that you can negotiate, we do not know a final figure," Elmar Brok, a member of the European Parliament told CNBC Friday.

According to Barnier, the talks could drag on for months if there is no agreement on how much the U.K. will have to pay before it leaves the EU. However, Barnier took two positive things from the speech that U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May gave last week in Italy.

"May said two things," Barnier told reporters Thursday  that no member state should pay more or receive less because of Brexit and that the U.K. will honor its commitments, he said.

Speaking to reporters Friday morning in Estonia, May welcomed the progress made. She added that she wants EU citizens living in the U.K. to remain, but she's also looking for guarantees for British citizens living in EU nations.
Dr. Lucy Jones, Senior Advisor for Risk Reduction, U.S. Geological Survey explains how P-waves and S-waves are created by an earthquake during a press conference in which Senator Alex Padilla announces at Caltech in Pasadena, Ca. that he is introducing legislation to create an earthquake early warning system in California on January 28, 2013.

Blaring sirens from a public warning system for incoming earthquakes in Mexico City may have helped save lives this month but the U.S. West Coast lacks a similar system and funding has been a challenge.

President didn't provide funding for the seismic warning system known as ShakeAlert in his 2018 budget proposal. But a bipartisan effort is underway in Congress to restore funding the West Coast earthquake early warning system, and it is now in the Senate's hands.

"We're really behind here in the U.S.," said Richard Allen, director of University of California-Berkeley's Seismological Laboratory. He notes that Mexico's quake warning system was installed in the 1990s and Japan's been running one since 2007.



Work on the earthquake early warning system started a decade ago as a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey and several universities on the West Coast that run the seismic sensor networks.

Today, the ShakeAlert system remains in the testing stage, although California is making preparations for a "limited public roll out" in 2018, according to Ryan Arba, branch chief of the earthquake and tsunami program at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.



Yet a wider roll out to the general public is still years away since current public alert infrastructure networks for things such as flash floods and hurricane weather alerts are considered too slow for effective warning on earthquakes. Existing cellular towers could be used to send alerts to smartphones, but consumers might need new handsets to support the added capabilities.

"There are challenges doing a full public roll out, such as the ability to link up with people's mobile phones in a way that doesn't compromise the system," said Arba. "So much data has to go through at one time in order to deliver this alert. It ends up becoming a bandwidth issue."



According to the California official, the state is working with cell communication providers and the handset developers to overcome the technology hurdles.

Depending on the location of a tremor, the earthquake warning time can range from seconds to minutes. It would send alerts to give people time to shelter under a desk or table, or hold onto something to potentially avoid injuries during the shaking.



Scientists estimate the public in L.A. could get about a minute warning if a major earthquake were to occur along the southern end of the 800-mile San Andreas fault. Similarly, if it starts in the northern end of the feared fault, the San Francisco Bay area would get about a minute's time of warning.



When the rupture starts closer to the city, though, that means there would be less warning.



In the case of Mexico City, the magnitude 7.1 quake on that killed more than 220 people was centered about 76 miles from the capital city and the warning sirens gave people about 15 to 20 seconds advance notice before the shaking started  enough time for some to flee buildings and get to safer spots. Some credit the warning sirens with saving lives.



"There's video of people evacuating with the sirens going and then the buildings collapsing, clearly demonstrating the utility of the warning system," said Allen.

The Berkeley seismologist pointed out he's traveling to Mexico City next week as part of a fact-finding team to talk with both the operators and the users of the early warning system. "We want to learn how it performed and how people used it so that we can hopefully learn some lessons that we can apply here in California," he said.

At present, about 200 beta testers in California receive earthquake early warning alerts from the prototype system, including researchers, scientists, key agencies, and companies such as Disneyland in Anaheim. Bay Area Rapid Transit, the commuter rail system in the San Francisco Bay area, uses the alerts to automatically slow or stop the trains prior to the shaking.



California has a goal of about 1,000 seismic sensors statewide for a complete build-out of its early warning system. The state is at the halfway point in terms of reaching that goal.



In April, the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, which operates from the University of Washington, announced it joined ShakeAlert and would be issuing warnings of incoming earthquakes to pilot users in Oregon and Washington. The list of participants invited for the Pacific Northwest testing includes large corporations such as Boeing , Microsoft , Intel as well as hospitals, utilities, transit agencies and emergency managers.



Funding for the early warning system has come from the federal government, the state of California, as well as other sources. The federal government has spent more than $23 million already to improve ShakeAlert. The USGS estimates it will cost another $38 million to completely build out the system on the West Coast, and roughly $16 million annually to run it and maintain it.



In May, the Trump administration submitted a fiscal 2018 budget request that targeted the USGS with cuts. And it didn't include $10.2 million, the amount provided by Congress in fiscal 2017, to support development of the agency's quake warning system.



However, Republican Rep. Ken Calvert, who chairs a subcommittee determining the spending levels for the USGS, led an effort in the House to restore funding. A bill that funds the USGS and other agencies was included in a package of spending measures that was approved by the House on Sept. 14. That bill is now pending in the Senate.

"Nothing is more important than the safety of our families and communities, and making strong investments in the right technology to detect natural disasters today could save countless lives and help prevent massive economic losses in the future," Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said in a statement to CNBC. "That's why I've long supported robust funding for Washington state's early warning system and fought back against President Trump's deep cuts to our disaster preparedness infrastructure."



Meantime, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) along with the senators from California and Oregon all signed a letter earlier this year to urge the subcommittee overseeing Interior Department appropriations to increase the USGS's earthquake-related programs. Specifically, they urged the panel include at least $16.1 million for development, operation and maintenance of the West Coast ShakeAlert system.



The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet debated its version of the bill that funds the earthquake early warning system. But one insider expressed confidence the committee would reject the president's proposed cut to the USGS quake warning program.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the first party committee meeting in Pyongyang, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) December 25, 2016.

President Donald Trump recently said Kim Jong Un is "obviously a madman."

He's painted the North Korean leader as having a blinding, suicidal hatred of the United States.

In Trump's world, the only reason Kim Jong Un wants to develop nuclear weapons is to destroy America and its allies. This is how he justifies his antagonistic, bombastic rhetoric toward the North Korean regime.

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@realDonaldTrump: Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn't mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!

But what if the president has it all wrong and is just making the situation worse? Does Kim Jong Un, aka "Rocket Man," really want war with the U.S.?

Experts who have dedicated their lives to this subject say noit's not so simple.

"I don't think [Kim Jong Un] wants war.... I think he recognizes North Korea's initiation of military force would be incredibly risky and likely to bring about the outcome he most wants to avoid, which is the end of his regime," Robert Einhorn of the Brookings Institution tells Newsweek.

The North Korean leader's belligerence is part of a "conscious strategy," according to Einhorn.

"I think all of these practical steps to improve technical deterrent capabilities as well as these verbal outburst[s] are designed toprotect [North Korea] from what [Kim Jong Un] sees as U.S. intention to end this regime," says Einhorn, who formerly advised the Obama administration on nonproliferation.

"Despite the appearance of irrationality, I think [Kim Jong Un] is a very rational actor," Einhorn adds.

In this sense, the North Korean regime isn't asking for war, it's simply letting the world (specifically the U.S.) know it's willing to put up a vicious fight to survive.

Making vague, exaggerated threats against the U.S. has long been part of North Korean strategy and predates Kim Jong Un, Scott Snyder, director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, tells Newsweek.

"The North Koreans are practiced at making statements that sound threatening that don't lock them into particular courses of action," he says. In other words, North Korea is well-versed in the art of the bluff.

Snyder is of the belief that North Korea's behavior, albeit subversive to the existing world order and destabilizing to the surrounding region, is logical.

"I think the primary objective for Kim is to sustain his own survival," he says. "Essentially, what Kim seems to be aiming for is reciprocity in the nuclear dimension after being exposed to the nuclear threat from the U.S."

To put it another way, it's estimated North Korea has around 60 nuclear weapons at most. It's also still open to debate whether it could successfully arm a long-range missile (ICBM) with a warhead and strike the U.S. mainland. Comparatively, the U.S. has 6,800 warheadsthe second-largest nuclear arsenal on the planet after Russiaand the most most powerful military in the world by far (with nuclear-capable ICBMs with a range of approximately 6,213 miles). North Korea, whose entire national identity is wrapped around portraying the U.S. as an evil, imperialistic entity, recognizes this and wants to catch up.

Moreover, even if North Korea has successfully developed a nuclear weapon that can reach the U.S., it's aware the consequences of using it would be total destruction. It's estimated the U.S. eliminated roughly 20 percent of the North Korean population during the Korean War (1950-53) via a relentless bombing campaign. This conflict might have faded from much of America's memory, but North Korea hasn't forgetten and it's not looking for a sequel.

Therefore, North Korea's recent behavior is part of a long, consistent trend linked to its natural desire to continue existing. There's no question the advancements it has made in terms of military technology are concerning and present a challenge to the U.S. and its allies, but much of this has also been quite predictable.

Trump's disposition, however, has left all parties involved quite dumbfounded. And it just might be what finally pushes North Korea to go beyond the point of no return.

"When Trump says 'Rocket Man' is on a suicide mission, that's completely contrary to the conventional assessment of what the North Korean leader is up to," says Snyder. "It's almost as though Trump is baiting Kim into being entrapped into having to take a retaliatory action."

Both Snyder and Einhorn agree Trump's threat of extinction toward North Korea at the U.N. was especially unhelpful in this regard.

@realDonaldTrump: The NoKo.

"This was unprecedented. This talk about totally destroying North Korea," Einhorn says. "This is the type of language the North Koreans usethe hyperbole. It's the type of language Iran uses when they talk about annihilating Israel. It's not the type of language a U.S. president uses."

It's also entirely possible Trump's combative statements could make things so tense that North Korea cracks under the pressure and agress to be more conciliatory, Snyder says. But this is the best-case scenario and not particularly likely.

The chances of North Korea giving up its nuclear program are "roughly the same of Elvis Presley walking in here right now," retired Navy Admiral James Stavridis, the former supreme allied commander of NATO, said during a discussion at the University of Pennsylvania on Tuesday.

Indeed, there is no simple solution to the current state of affairs between the U.S. and North Korea, but it is widely agreed Kim Jong Un is not looking for war and Trump's rhetoric is only exacerbating the situation and reinforcing the reclusive nation's paranoia. Trump seems to be daring North Korea to preemptively pull the trigger, and the chances of it obliging appear to be increasing day by day.

"Risk of accidental or unintended conflict since Trump took office and North Korea upped testing pace is higher than in my lifetime," Jon Wolfsthal, former senior director for arms control and nonproliferation at the National Security Council, recently tweeted. "[North Korea] knows they can't win a fair fight and have every incentive to strike hard first with a nuke if they believe an attack is coming.... Trump has to dial it back. Threats don't help."
Nine years ago, SpaceX almost went bankrupt.

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk recalled the event as he unveiled his updated Mars-voyage plan at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) conference in Adelaide, Australia, on Thursday. He opened up about when and how his now adored and very valuable (it was recently valued at around $21 billion) company SpaceX nearly failed itself out of existence.

"A lot of people really only heard of SpaceX relatively recently, they may think Falcon 9 and Dragon just instantly appeared and that's how it always was. But it wasn't," says Musk, referring to the current SpaceX rockets.

"We started off with just a few people who really didn't know how to make rockets," the CEO of SpaceX says. The Hawthorne, Calif.-based aeronautics company was founded in 2002 to "revolutionize space technology" and enable multiplanitary human existance.

"And the reason I ended up being the chief engineer or chief designer was not because I wanted to, it was because I couldn't hire anyone. Nobody good would join. So I ended up being that by default."
Elon Musk's biggest critics argue some of his larger than life ideas may be less than feasible, but on Friday the billionaire put his money where his mouth is.

The tech mogul started on his promise to build the world's largest lithium ion battery plant for South Australia, in less than 100 days  or it's free for the state government.

An agreement between the state of South Australia, Tesla and Neoen, a French wind farm developer, has been signed as of Friday, meaning, Tesla now has 100 working days to install and get the battery systems up and running. The system would store and intermittently release energy to the the region's electrical infrastructure. The storage could provide electricity to more than 30,000 homes.

Previously, Musk had said that if Tesla failed to meet the deadline, it could cost $50 million or more.
One year after the state of South Australia suffered a major blackout, construction has started on building the world's biggest battery to help keep the lights on in Australia's most wind-dependent state. Tesla won a bid in July to build a 129 megawatt hour battery and the state is counting on it to be ready by the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer in December when electricity demand begins to peak.

Elon Musk Scott Olson | Getty Images

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, currently visiting South Australia for a space conference, owed to install it within 100 days of signing a grid connection agreement or give it to the state for free. "Construction at the site is already well underway," South Australia Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis told Reuters. "The batteries are on track to be operational by Dec. 1." Last year's state-wide blackout was blamed by opponents of renewable energy on the state's rush to embrace wind and solar, and fueled a backlash that has split Australia's conservative federal government and led to renewed calls to support coal-fired power. South Australia hopes the Tesla battery will forestall further blackouts, but Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison says it is just a "Hollywood solution" that is not solving the bigger problem of how to supply power when the wind isn't blowing. Analysts have estimated the battery, which will be tied to a wind farm run by France's Neoen, should cost around $750 to $950 per kilowatt, or up to $95 million. Musk said in July the cost to Tesla would be "$50 million or more" if it failed to deliver the project on time. The Australian Energy Market Operator has warned the country faces a very tight power market this summer, following the closure of one Australia's biggest coal-fired power stations in the neighboring state of Victoria.

The sunrises over the Hazelwood Power Station is seen on February 27, 2017 in Hazelwood, Australia. The French owners of the station, Engie, announced plans to shut the brown coal fueled power station, which is located in Victoria, a state neighboring South Australia. Quinn Rooney | Getty Images
"A reliable and resilient electrical grid is critical not only to our national and economic security, but also to the everyday lives of American families," Perry said in a statement. "A diverse mix of power generation resources, including those with on-site reserves, is essential to the reliable delivery of electricity  particularly in times of supply stress such as recent natural disasters."

The rise of these energy sources, especially solar and wind power, has raised concerns in some circles about the reliability of U.S. power generation. Energy harvested by wind turbines and solar panels provides intermittent power, meaning it is only available when the wind blows and the sun shines.

The rule would require the organizations to factor in certain characteristics of coal-fired and nuclear power generation when they set prices for electricity. The sources, known as baseload, provide steady, uninterrupted power, but have lost market share to natural gas and renewable energy in recent years.

The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday proposed a rule that would change the way regional power markets price electricity, potentially bolstering ailing coal and nuclear plants.

"Rick Perry is trying to slam through an outrageous bailout of the coal and nuclear industries on the backs of American consumers," Kit Kennedy, director of energy and transportation at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement.

"This radical proposal would lead to higher energy bills for consumers and businesses, as well as dirtier air and increased health problems."

The proposed rule would allow power-generating units to recover certain costs, so long as they provide "essential energy and ancillary reliability services" and keep 90 days of fuel on site, which helps to mitigate supply disruptions. The typical coal-fired facility and nuclear plants would meet those criteria.

Natural gas-fired power plants rely on supplies shipped in by pipeline, and so would not qualify. The Energy Department last month concluded that natural gas's rising share of U.S. electricity generation, fueled by a boom in U.S. gas drilling, is the main cause of coal and nuclear plant retirements. The finding came in a study on grid reliability ordered by Perry.

New natural gas plants are also far cheaper to build than coal-fired and nuclear facilities.

Perry directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to take final action on the proposal in 60 days. FERC, which has authority to regulate interstate transmission and sales of electricity and natural gas, is not required to decide in favor of the rule, but must consider it.

In a recent FERC podcast, the commission's new chairman, Neil Chatterjee, said, "I believe that generation, including our existing coal and nuclear fleet, need to be properly compensated to recognize the value they provide to the system."

The rule fits with the Trump Administration's stated intention to support the coal industry. The White House has systematically dismantled President Barack Obama's actions aimed at reducing the nation's contribution to global warming, including by rolling back regulations on power plant emissions.

President Donald Trump has claimed that the growing use of renewable energy could plunge parts of the United States into darkness, but grid experts refute that claim. They say the bigger threat to the nation's grid comes from its aging transmission and distribution lines, not power plants.

That was the case during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which knocked down utility poles and flooded substations in some areas. Still, Perry cited these storms in his letter to FERC.

Energy is bought in wholesale markets in many parts of the United States following a wave of deregulation in the early 2000s. The markets were engineered to prioritize the lowest cost energy. That has pushed subsidized renewable plants, which have little marginal cost after they're built, and cheap natural gas to the front of the line.

The proposed rule is not entirely novel. The PJM-Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that operates the grid and electricity market in 13 states in the eastern U.S., has explored ways to value the attributes of baseload power in its pricing scheme.

Illinois and New York have also allowed nuclear plants to qualify for zero-emissions credits to keep the low-carbon source on the grid as the states attempt to mitigate the effects of climate change. Merchant power generators with nuclear plants in the area lobbied for the policy, while competitors with portfolios weighted to coal and fossil fuel facilities fought it.
Facebook may face growing trouble in Washington, but the company still enjoys a warm reception on Wall Street.

The company's stock outperformed the shares of the other largest U.S. internet companies in the third quarter, as investors shrugged off negative headlines about extremist content, Russian-bought political ads and even a large intended share sale by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Facebook shares rose 13 percent between the opening bell on July 3 and the open of markets Friday morning.

That outpaced the performance of its social media and online ad rivals Alphabet , Twitter and Snap , as well as those of online retailing giant Amazon .

During the quarter, Alphabet shares rose 5 percent, while Twitter's fell 5 percent and Snap shares dropped 18 percent. Amazon shares were flat.

The gains pushed Facebook's market value to $490 billion as the company maintained its position as the fifth-most valuable U.S. technology firm.

The stock surge came even though Facebook in Washington.

Committees in both houses of Congress and the Federal Election Commission are investigating how much fake news and propaganda on the social network influenced the 2016 presidential election.

The company earlier this month to buy targeted political ads, some of which promoted divisive issues, and said this week it turned the ads over to Congress and special prosecutor Robert Mueller.

Facebook executives will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee at a Nov. 1 hearing, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC on Thursday.

The controversy over foreign election meddling via Facebook ads came after ProPublica, a public interest journalism organization, reported it advertisements targeted at racists on the site.

The company had previously come under pressure in Europe, where leaders charged it was not removing terrorist-related content fast enough.

To round out the bearish headlines, Zuckerberg he will sell as many as 75 million shares of his holdings over the next 18 months.

Based on the latest stock price, those sales could put up to $12.6 billion worth of Facebook shares up for sale.

But all that wasn't enough to dampen enthusiasm among Facebook bulls, who are optimistic about the company's expected sales and profit growth.

Indeed, profit expectations for Facebook are significantly higher than they were at the start of the quarter.

The company is now expected to post an annual profit of $5.33 per share this year, up from expectations of $4.85 per share three months ago. Facebook's profit was $4.23 a share in 2016.

Third-quarter profit estimates have also gone up, to $1.27 a share from $1.15 three months ago.

Sales are seen rising 42 percent this year to $39.2 billion as Facebook benefits from a surge in digital advertising.
Facebook has shared some details about the Russian-operated profiles it discovered on its platform with Google, as the search giant  with the rest of the tech industry  continues to probe the extent to which Kremlin-backed misinformation spread through their websites during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

It is unclear if Google has found any suspicious ads or other content after evaluating Facebook's data, an exchange of intel confirmed to Recode today by three sources familiar with the matter. At the very least, Google's investigation appears to be much broader in scope than a similar one by Twitter, which had drawn the ire of Congress for appearing to be incomplete.

A Google spokesperson declined to comment for this story, as did a Facebook rep.

More from Recode:

For now, though, Google is slated to deliver a private briefing to U.S. lawmakers studying Russia's political tactics in the coming weeks, additional sources told Recode. A date does not appear to have been set.

And the search-and-advertising giant has been asked to join Facebook and Twitter at two upcoming hearings in the House and Senate where the industry will face questions  out in the open  about its safeguards against Russian political interference in the future.

Earlier this month, Facebook announced that it found 470 Russia-driven accounts that had purchased 3,000 ads on its social network. Those ads, sources told Recode at the time, sought to stoke racial, religious and other social tensions in the United States, including around issues like Black Lives Matter and gun control.

Beyond publishing its findings, Facebook shared more granular details with its peers  standard practice for many tech giants, which generally band together to address online threats, such as hackers. With the aid of that information, Twitter discovered about 200 Kremlin-aligned accountsdirectly tied to some of the profiles Facebook previously identified. None of those suspicious Twitter accounts had purchased sponsored tweets, the company told lawmakers.

Twitter still drew sharp rebukes from Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, one of two panels investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. In a press conference, Warner charged that Twitter's internal investigation was "frankly inadequate," as it relied too heavily on the data supplied by Facebook. And Warner and his counterpart on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, both encouraged Twitter to dig deeper.

Google's internal inquiry seems much broader than that, but nevertheless, the stakes are just as high. The company is the dominant search and advertising player in the United States. And a driver of Google's expected $35 billion in ad revenue in 2017 is politics, as candidates, campaigns and causes increasingly take their messages online.

Otherwise, Google has not commented publicly on any activity it might have discovered on its platforms, nor has it announced any changes to its ad practices.

By Tony Romm, Re/code.net.

CNBC's parent NBCUniversal is an investor in Recode's parent Vox, and the companies have a content-sharing arrangement.
As cities across the United States fight for a chance to be the home of Amazon' s second headquarters, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan contended Friday on CNBC that his city has the assets envisioned by Jeff Bezos, founder of the e-commerce and cloud-computing giant.

Although there's some great competition from other cities, the Motor City and Amazon's goals align, Duggan said on "Squawk Box."

"The vision that Amazon has outlined of building a headquarters woven into an urban area" would fit the transformation that's "happened here in the last few years," he added.

Earlier this month, Amazon said it plans to open another headquarters in North America, looking for pitches from cities and states for what it calls HQ2. Amazon's current home base is in Seattle.

Detroit was one of the areas hit hardest by the Great Recession, and its unemployment was running nearly three times as high as the national average in 2009 at a staggering 28 percent.

In 2010, Quicken Loans founder and billionaire Dan Gilbert moved the company's headquarters from outside Detroit in Michigan to the urban core of the city as a part of revitalization efforts.

"Dan Gilbert and Quicken have probably bought 12,000 to 15,000 employees down here over the last four or five years, filling in office buildings, weaving an integrated community," Duggan said.

The Democratic Detroit mayor also said the city lost many people throughout 1970s, '80s, and '90s so there's plenty of room "to build 8 million square feet of new office space, which is the ultimate goal and weave it into the downtown." Amazon said it initially wants half-a-million square feet with the ability to expand to 8 million.

"It's hard to believe that three years ago we were in bankruptcy but we restructured our balance sheet. We shed our debt and we put the money in the police, in fire, in park, in services. And the results over the last few years have been unbelievable," Duggan said.

Quicken's Gilbert also appeared Friday on "Squawk Box," saying Amazon could benefit from Detroit's proximity to Canada.

"You could have two countries right there," Gilbert said. "Amazon is a transportation company to some degree. They're about the movement of goods and maybe services."

Gilbert said he hasn't personally made a pitch to Amazon's Bezos for Detroit yet, but said going "down the checklist" it fits.
Honeywell is not expected to spin off its aerospace business, sources told CNBC's David Faber, and an announcement could be made within two weeks.

Earlier this year, activist investor Daniel Loeb pushed Honeywell to shed the business to boost shareholder value by an estimated $20 billion. He wants to make it an industrial growth company focused on automation and productivity.

Aerospace is the conglomerate's largest segment, representing 40 percent of annual sales. Shares are up 21 percent this year and were up slightly Friday morning.
Unnecessarily trade restrictions will hamper growth at U.S. ports by weighing on the automotive industry, Jim Newsome, CEO of South Carolina Ports Authority, told CNBC on Friday.

Ports in the southeastern U.S. are dependent on the automotive trade, which has "thrived from having free trade basically," Newsome told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Friday.

"The automotive trade is pretty balanced inbound and outbound. You bring engines and transmissions in, and you send parts out instead of vehicles," he said.

Some foreign car companies operating in the U.S., such as Germany-based BMW , also export much of their production, Newsome added.

President Donald Trump has claimed automakers were taking jobs away from Americans by building cars in Mexico and elsewhere before importing them to sell in the U.S., which is the world's second-largest auto market.

He has repeatedly threatened to impose trade restrictions and tariffs on foreign-built cars as well as other products manufactured overseas.

Earlier this year, Trump told German newspaper Bild, "You can build cars for the United States, but for every car that comes to the USA, you will pay a 35 percent tax."

His administration is currently working to renegotiate parts of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, with one aim of tightening rules of origin for cars and auto parts.

That's at odds with the modus operandi of the auto industry, which often shuttles parts across several borders multiple times before the completed vehicle reaches its destination market.

In March, BMW CEO Harald Krueger told Trump, "We are proud as we are the biggest net exporter of vehicles in the United States. We have an annual net bill of $10 billion in cars exported from South Carolina. Seventy percent of our production is being exported."

Krueger went on to point out that BMW now employs 9,000 people at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Two of Japan's key political opposition vehicles combined on Thursday in a bold attempt to win power from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party at upcoming lower house elections. It's a dramatic development for the world's third-largest economy, where a lack of strong resistance has characterized Abe's five-year reign.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a news conference to announce snap election at his official residence in Tokyo, Japan, September 25, 2017. Toru Hanai | Reuters

While many still believe the current coalition government will retain its parliamentary majority at the Oct. 22 snap vote, the newly beefed up opposition could mar the prime minister's image, which is already vulnerable from a string of political scandals. The Democratic Party, the LDP's main rival, disbanded on Thursday and united with newcomer Party of Hope in what marked "seismic tremors rippling through Japan's political scene," according to Scott Seaman, Asia director at political consultancy Eurasia Group. Helmed by popular Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, Party of Hope was formally launched on Wednesday. It now has less than a month to muster a campaign and form a policy platform that sets it apart from the LDP. That could be challenging: Both parties are essentially conservative in nature. That's triggered widespread doubt over whether Koike's faction will manage to upstage the LDP in next month's vote.

Hurting the LDP

But Koike's massive grassroots support base in Tokyo is likely to play to her advantage. Koike, a former defense minister, has been making waves with her goals of abandoning nuclear power and halting national sales tax increases, with many commentators anticipating she will eventually become Japan's first female prime minister. "Even if they don't get a big foothold across the country, they can really cut the LDP's number of seats and do Abe a lot of damage in Tokyo," Tobias Harris, Japan vice president at Teneo Intelligence, told CNBC on Friday. Around 18 percent of voters nationally said they planned to support Koike's party, compared with 29 percent for the LDP, according to a recent survey by the Mainichi newspaper. A separate poll by the Asahi newspaper showed Party of Hope notching 13 percent and the LDP hitting 32 percent. "The real threat that Koike poses to Abe is not that she might overthrow his coalition, but that her party might contribute to a large, embarrassing loss of the coalition's seats," said Seaman. "This, in turn, could fuel pressure on him to step down either immediately or derail his efforts to win a third term as LDP president next year."

Democratic Party weakness

The Party of Hope still faces pretty stiff headwinds. Its chances could be stymied by the questionable legacy of the Democratic Party, which was in power from 2009 to 2012. "Koike is relying on defectors, or essentially a big block of candidates coming from the Democratic Party. That is a vulnerability," said Teneo Intelligence's Harris said.

watch now

During the 2012 general election, "the public gave up on [the Democratic Party] because they betrayed their 2009 campaign promises and mishandled crises," he explained. At the time, Abe accused the party of mismanaging the economy, warning that it could not be trusted with power. Given the current risk-averse climate amid public fears over North Korean instability, the prime minister is expected to repeat that message, Harris said.

Lack of sufficient candidates
Peter Altmaier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff, will take over as acting finance minister from Wolfgang Schaeuble when he leaves office, German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on Friday.

It said, without citing its sources, that Merkel had made the decision.

On Wednesday 75-year-old veteran conservative Schaeuble agreed to become president of the parliament in a move seen as a key step towards forming a new government because it ultimately clears the way for someone from another party to take his job.

Merkel's conservatives, who won a national election on Sunday, look set to try and form a coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats and environmentalist Greens after the Social Democrats (SPD) said they would go into opposition.

Schaeuble is due to be nominated as the conservatives' candidate for president of the parliament at the next meeting of the conservatives' parliamentary group on Oct. 17.
The pressure big U.S. tech companies are now starting to feel might be just the beginning.



"The gross idolatry, or mother of all hall passes, that big tech has received from government and from regulators is coming to an end," NYU Stern School of Business professor Scott Galloway told CNBC's " " on Friday. "A perfect storm against big tech may be brewing."

Members of Congress said this week , and would be pulled into Senate hearings to testify on suspected Russian intervention in the 2016 election. On Thursday , and Facebook is expected to follow suit in the coming days.

"We are barreling towards regulation," Galloway said. "If you notice, a lot of senators and elected officials, their backbone is stiffening."

While U.S. officials have turned their attention to big tech in recent weeks, Europe has been at the forefront of regulation more broadly, and to up privacy measures.

Greater regulation remains the only threat to a company like Amazon posting a trillion-dollar market cap, Galloway said  but the current U.S. administration might not be successful in a fight against big tech.

"If you pit the U.S. administration against Amazon," Galloway said, Amazon comes out on top. "The collective IQ of the administration right now versus Amazon is woefully undermatched."
With their considerable height and large blades turning almost hypnotically, wind turbines have become an iconic symbol of the planet's shift to renewable sources of energy.

In Spain, however, one business is looking to design wind generators that produce renewable energy without blades.

"Our goal is to develop a new wind generator that minimize(s) the amount of mechanical elements to reduce the maintenance costs and environmental impact," David Yanez, co-founder of Spanish business Vortex Bladeless, told CNBC's Sustainable Energy.

The design of Vortex's generators offers a potentially revolutionary shift from today's traditional designs, blades and all. One key facet of the Vortex design is that it uses less material than conventional turbines, meaning less maintenance as well as less noise.

Vortex is not the only business looking to develop new ideas and technology in the field of wind energy. Kite Power Systems, for example, is a U.K.-based business that wants to use kites to harness wind energy. Earlier this year, CNBC spoke to researchers in the U.S. looking to develop vast wind turbines taller than the Eiffel Tower.

According to Vortex co-founder David Suriol, the business is targeting the residential market. "My vision, and I think it's the vision of the team, is to change the landscape," he said.

Looking at the bigger picture, the executive director of RenewableUK predicted a bright future when it came to both renewables in general and wind.

"We're in the middle of this fantastic industrial revolution, from more electric vehicles on our streets or smart technology in our homes through to different kinds of energy generation in our electricity system," Emma Pinchbeck said.

"Wind isn't just about a clean energy source  it's going to be the engine room of our future economy," she added.
Americans have been known shell out big on coffee  sometimes they spend even more on java than they save for retirement. Millennials in particular splurge for their coffees, with almost 30 percent admitting to buying a coffee at least three times a week according to a recent survey. But one brew is for fanatics only: an $18 cup of coffee at the Extraction Lab by Alpha Dominche in Brooklyn, N.Y., as seen on an upcoming episode of CNBC's "Secret Lives of the Super Rich."

CNBC
President Donald Trump will travel to Asia in November as he tries to curb North Korean aggression and potentially rework trade deals.

The president will go to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as Hawaii, during the Nov. 3-14 trip, the White House said in a statement Friday.

"The president's engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the statement said.

The White House said Trump will also "emphasize the importance of fair and reciprocal economic ties with America's trade partners."

The president, along with the leaders of Japan, South Korea and China, have looked to apply economic pressure on Pyongyang to get the communist dictatorship to abandon its nuclear and missile programs. The United States this week put new sanctions on banks and individuals tied to North Korea's financial system. Those measures follow multilateral sanctions unanimously applied by the United Nations Security Council, including China and Russia.

Trump has repeatedly pushed China, North Korea's only major ally, to do more to cut off the rogue regime financially. The country's central bank this month told its banks to more strictly enforce U.N. sanctions, earning praise from Trump.

Earlier this month, Trump said he considered pulling out of a trade deal with South Korea, a decision that could prove politically thorny as the countries try to cooperate on facing North Korea.

The president also threatened this month to stop "all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." That would include China, the largest American trading partner, making the effort hardly realistic.
watch now

Kaitlyn Johnson, a 7-year-old from outside Dallas who loves cheerleading, her science classes, and the color pink, and Justin Pritikin, a 17-year-old high school senior in New Jersey looking forward to starting college, have never met. But they've got one important thing in common: they were both among the courageous participants in clinical trials of a completely new way to treat cancer.



The medicine is called Kymriah, and is among a new wave of therapies that use a patient's own cells as medicine. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 30 and heralded as a historic event in the annals of cancer treatment. Kaitlyn's and Justin's are both stories of hope. But they also illustrate the early nature of understanding of this new technology, and of how society will pay for it.



The technology is CAR-T, for chimeric antigen-receptor T-cell therapy. It uses viruses to deliver genetic material to patients' immune cells, equipping them with homing devices to track down markers on cancer cells.



"That is, in this way, a living therapy," said Dr. Jay Bradner, president of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. Novartis markets Kymriah. "This growth of T-cells in the patient will allow these serial killers to take out millions of cancer cells."



The FDA cleared the medicine to treat patients up to 25 years old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia for whom other therapies have stopped working. It's a small number of patients, about 600 a year in the U.S., but a group with few other options.



The agency called the approval a "historic action ushering in a new approach to the treatment of cancer and other serious and life-threatening diseases."



Earlier that same week, biotechnology giant Gilead spent $11.9 billion to acquire Novartis's CAR-T competitor, Kite Pharma . Shares of Juno Therapeutics , third in line with CAR-T therapies in development, soared on news of the deal. CAR-T is the new darling of the drug industry.



It's a moment years in the making. Years that Kaitlyn and Justin contributed to. But here is where their stories diverge.



For Kaitlyn, the journey to CAR-T started in late 2011. She was just 18 months old when her parents, James and Mandy, noticed she had strange bruises. Then a fever. A bewildering trip to the hospital revealed the worst.



"I don't even remember the doctor's name," Mandy recalled last week. "I was like, 'So, does my daughter have cancer?' And she was like 'Has nobody told you yet? Yes, she does.'"



Then started the two and a half years of punishing chemotherapy that's the standard of care for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. For more than 80 percent of kids, that regimen  though grueling to get through  works.



Kaitlyn was among the unlucky few for whom it didn't. Just a few months after she finished treatment, the cancer came back.

Kaitlyn Johnson poses for a picture during the time she was undergoing chemotherapy. Source: Johnson family

"I said, so whatever she wants to do this weekend, we're gonna do it," Mandy said. "Because she's not going to be able to go back outside. She's not going to be able to play with her friends."

James said, "We were going to return back to our old normal."



But another month of chemotherapy failed Kaitlyn too. It was then that her doctor suggested they try something very few people had: CAR-T, still in clinical trials. They were nervous, but, fueled by the hope of success stories before them, they said yes.



"We were ready to throw that Hail Mary pass for treatment," James said. "We had no other options."



Just weeks after Kaitlyn received her modified T-cells, James and Mandy got a late-night call from Kaitlyn's doctor. They assumed it was bad news. But it was just the opposite.



"She says there's no detectable signs of cancer," James said. "And I think we just cried, you know?  Within six months, our pendulum had swung from, 'We're going to lose our child, potentially,' to: 'We beat cancer.'"



Three years later, Kaitlyn is still cancer free. For James and Mandy, seeing Kymriah approved was a joyful moment.



It was "very breathtaking for me," Mandy said. "You know, just thinking, 'Wow, we are a part of this, you know: to help hundreds, thousands of other kids.' And I'm always thinking, 'I almost chose not to do this.'"

Another Journey to CAR-T

Fifteen hundred miles away, in New Egypt, New Jersey, Justin Pritikin was going through the same thing. For him, the journey to CAR-T started when he was 12. The years of chemotherapy  an extra year for boys, said his mother, Jill  gave him 14 months free from cancer and toxic treatment before it failed him, too.

Justin Pritikin and his dog Source: Pritikin family

Justin enrolled in a clinical trial whose goal was to assess ways to tamp down a common, and potentially severe, side effect of CAR-T. Called cytokine release syndrome, it can result from overactivation of the immune system.



It's an "on-target risk," explained Dr. Gwen Nichols, chief medical officer of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which supports research into CAR-T. "Any time you activate the immune system, you activate a lot of chemicals in the body that help chew up the targets."



Cytokine release syndrome can lead to high fevers and organ damage, and can be life-threatening at its most serious. But researchers have found ways to control it using anti-inflammatory drugs, such as those used for rheumatoid arthritis.



Justin, though, didn't experience those side effects, Jill said.



"Just a little elevated temperature," she recalled in an interview this week.



A month later, a check on Justin's bone marrow revealed the therapeutic T-cells were still active, and there were no B-cells, the target of the treatment.



"This whole time he feels amazing, it was like he was back to normal," Jill said. "After years of chemotherapy, it was nice to see."



But his three-month checkup wasn't as positive. The T-cells were nowhere in sight. And B-cells had started to return.



It wasn't a relapse; the B-cells weren't leukemic, Jill said. But it appeared the CAR-T treatment had stopped working.

Mysteries of medicine

The outcomes for Kaitlyn and Justin are part of the mysteries of medicine: why a cutting-edge therapy works for years for one person, and just months for another. Notably, this situation has been worked into Kymriah's pricing. If the treatment is controlling patients' cancer after a month, its price tag is $475,000.



"The CAR-T therapy is administered to all patients who need it," Novartis' Bradner explained. "If the medicine is working at a fixed period of time, then Novartis is compensated. And if it doesn't, then we feel good at having provided this chance for that patient." Even so, the price has been a point of discussion in the industry.



The cost "definitively shattered oncology drug pricing norms," Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Dr. Peter Bach, Dr. Sergio Giralt, and Dr. Leonard Saltz wrote in an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association last week.



They point out, though, Kymriah's impressive response rate of 80 percent, with 25 percent of patients seeing their cancer recur within six months, and one-year survival of 80 percent.



"Alternative treatments do not achieve these types of results," they wrote. Still, had Justin not been accessing the drug through a clinical trial, but after it was on the market, his insurance would be on the hook for $475,000, even though the therapy appeared to stop working three months in.



"While this is a welcome innovation in reimbursement, Novartis under this arrangement would still be expected to be paid for 83% of cases (if clinical experience parallels the trial)," the Memorial Sloan-Kettering doctors wrote. "Alternative strategies could be used."



Jill Pritikin, though, says she still considers Justin's CAR-T therapy a success. Before he entered the trial, he wasn't well enough to attempt a stem cell transplant, another last-resort option for patients with ALL. The CAR-T helped him get well enough to try.



"The T-cells, in our minds, did exactly what we needed them to: got him into strong remission without chemotherapy. And still today he's technically in remission," Jill said. "That's kind of the best way to go into transplant anyway."



Justin was preparing to receive his stem cell transplant on Thursday.

Tip of the Iceberg
Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi will meet with London transport regulators next week after the ride hailing app was stripped of its operating license in the British capital.

Transport for London (TFL) said the last day of Uber's license will be September 30 and they will have 21 days to appeal the decision.

"Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications," TFL said in a statement last week.

Now the newly-hired CEO of Uber will travel to the city to try and resolve the situation. Khosrowshahi will meet with TFL Commissioner Mike Brown.

"Our new CEO is looking forward to meeting with the commissioner next week. As he said on Monday, we want to work with London to make things right," an Uber spokesperson told CNBC.
A popular provision that allows homeowners to deduct state and local property taxes is gone under the current reform proposal, White House economic advisor Gary Cohn said Friday.

Discussions over the tax exemption have indicated that one of the ways the Republican-backed plan would pay for itself is by eliminating the write-offs. Cohn confirmed that at least in its present form, that's how the new plan will work.

"You've seen our blueprint. You've seen our plan. Our plan at this point does not allow for deductions of state and local taxes," Cohn told Bloomberg News in a television interview.

The nine-page draft released earlier this week makes no mention of the exemptions either way. However, the GOP will have to find ways to pay for the cuts, which the plan's sponsors estimate to be $1.5 trillion.

Cohn told CNBC in a Thursday interview that economic growth would more than offset the reductions in corporate and personal tax rates. But there also will be tightening of deductions to help defray the cost as well.

"We set out to achieve a couple main goals: No. 1 was lower rates for everyone. No. 2 was simplification," the former Goldman Sachs chief operating officer said in the Friday interview. "By creating simplification, we were trying to get rid of all of the loopholes and all of the deductions that mostly wealthy people use."

However, the issue looks to be open for negotiation.

The White House has said the reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent is a "red line," meaning it is not open to negotiation. There have been no red-line proclamations about the property-tax deductions.

"That is not a red line. We've told you where our red lines are," Cohn said. "Our red lines are the business tax rate, both on the pass through entities and the corporate entities cannot go higher than it is in our initial proposal and that there has to be a tax cut for hard-working middle-income Americans. We are willing to work with the tax writers on the other dials we have in the system."

Cohn added Thursday that the plan is to give middle-class payers a break, though he acknowledged "you could find someone" who might have to pay more.

WATCH: Cohn discusses the ramifications of companies repatriating overseas profits.
Shares of Zogenix zoomed 180 percent higher in midday trading Friday after positive results from a study on its treatment of a rare form of epilepsy.

At one point in early premarket trading where volume is light the shares had tripled.

The biotechnology company reported significant results in a Phase 3 trial of its drug ZX008, which is a treatment for Dravet syndrome. Zogenix stock traded at $12.88 per share at market close on Thursday, according to FactSet. It was trading near $36 in the early afternoon.

"We remain on track to submit applications for regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Europe in the second half of 2018," Zogenix CEO Stephen Farr said in a statement.

Farr said his company was "extremely pleased" with the treatment's results in children and young adults. In total, 119 patients participated in the ZX008 trial. One of the three dosage groups saw an average 64 percent reduction in monthly convulsive seizures compared to placebo treatments.

The drug also saw "clinically meaningful reductions" in the frequency of seizures, Zogenix said, as well as an increase in time between seizures.

GW Pharmaceuticals stock fell over 8 percent Friday as investors feared competition from Zogenix. GW Pharmaceuticals manufactures cannabis-based treatment Epidiolex, which is in Phase 3 trials to treat Dravet syndrome.

Based in Emeryville, California, Zogenix expects results from a second trial in the first half of next year.

Correction: An earlier version misspelled Dravet.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Janet Finch-Saunders is the Shadow Member for Local Government and the Assembly Member for Aberconwy on the Welsh Assembly.

Councillors in Flintshire this week voted through a motion condemning The Sun newspaper. The vote was as pointless as it was spiteful, and tells you all you need to know about the radicalisation of the Labour Party.

Labour councillors had originally planned to vote on a proposal to ban people from entering council offices with a copy of the paper, as well as to ban Sun journalists from entering council owned buildings. But they were forced to climb down after learning that such a ban would be illegal under UK law.

The final motion called on the council to support retailers refusing to stock The Sun. It was a waste of everyones time and of precious council resources. But this is where the Left finds itself; radicalised and refusing to stand up for free speech  unable to support a free press.

It wont come as much of a surprise to say that I rarely (if ever) pick up a copy of The Guardian.

I find its analysis of politics deeply flawed, and its negativity on Brexit hugely unhelpful. But I would defend to my last breath its right to publish.

Wednesday nights vote and others in councils elsewhere in the UK represent an attempt at full-on state censorship of the media. Another bizarre own goal from a left which no longer has the courage to debate its opponents.

Its a problem which is having an unexpected effect on a younger generation thats starting to fight back across the country.

It comes to something when being right wing is seen as the new rock and roll. As darling of the left, Jonathan Pie, said: at Uni if you want to rebel you vote Tory.

But why is this fashion for stifling free speech coming from the left? What prompts this irrational fear of language?

Cllrs Attridge and Hughes say they want to show solidarity with the other authorities whove taken a stand against The Sun. But what does this ludicrous campaign against the paper say about us as a society if it succeeds?

That if we can get enough of a mob together we can muzzle free speech? How lovely.

Whilst we might not like certain newspapers  and we might question the impartiality of other platforms  we have a right to choose not to consume their output. Dont buy it, fine. But youve got no right to ban it.

Thats how dictatorships start. Something that Jeremy Corbyn supports, given his views on Venezuela.

There is a silver lining, however. A beautiful irony that ConservativeHome readers will very much enjoy.

That law which prevented Welsh Labour councillors from having their fun, and banning The Sun outright. It was passed in 1960 by no other than Margaret Thatcher.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has announced a partnership with All Hands Volunteers, and set a goal to raise $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program.

According to a statement, the company is committing to match up to $1.25 million of donations from its valued guests, team members, suppliers and partners in order to substantially help All Hands Volunteers and the Happy Hearts Fund deliver early relief response for the Florida Keys, and rebuild safe, resilient schools in the Caribbean islands impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

We are heartbroken to see the devastation that Hurricanes Irma and Maria have inflicted on the Florida Keys and several Caribbean islands, where our ships have been visiting since the beginning of our 50 years in business, said Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The Caribbean is part of our family, and we are grateful to work with All Hands Volunteers and Happy Hearts Fund to create the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program and do our part in giving back to these destinations. Were proud to start our campaign with a $600,000 donation to help begin the rebuilding efforts.

We are incredibly grateful for this support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and for our continued partnership with Happy Hearts Fund to provide their support and expertise, said David Campbell, Chairman and Founder of All Hands Volunteers. As the single largest donation in our organizations history, this funding could not have come at a more crucial time as we work to rebuild communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands after the destruction brought by recent natural disasters, Hurricanes Irma and Maria. All Hands Volunteers will work together with the local communities to meet their long-term needs and rebuild hope.

We are thrilled to receive this donation from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and to work in partnership with All Hands Volunteers with their hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean islands and the Florida Keys, said Petra Nemcova, Founder of Happy Hearts Fund. This funding will allow us to together rebuild safe, resilient schools in areas most impacted by recent natural disasters to keep children safe, but also to ensure that these communities are not forgotten when the emergency response efforts are complete. Children often wait four or more years for schools to be rebuilt, and I hope that more companies will take the same thoughtful actions for long-term recovery.

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Norwegian the deployed Norwegian Sky to St. Thomas, USVI to bring 35 pallets of much-needed supplies and assist in humanitarian efforts to evacuate residents and visitors.

Additionally, one of the companys newest ships, Norwegian Escape, also housed approximately 4,000 displaced guests who were unable to secure flights home due to hurricane closures.

The company is continuing to collect essential items, including medical supplies, diapers, baby formula, water, food, construction materials, blankets, sleeping pods and more, and is working with partners on the ground to support disaster relief efforts.
Viking Ocean Cruises is making its debut at Portsmouth International Port this Friday, Sept. 29, with staff ready to welcome one Viking passengers.

Matt Grimes, executive director, Viking Cruises, said; We are delighted to be visiting Portsmouth International Port for the first time. Its a great destination for our guests to explore with easy access to the best of Englands south coast and Portsmouths maritime history.

Viking Star arrives at Portsmouth International Port after a voyage from Le Havre, part of a 15-night cruise that traces the trade routes of the middles ages, according to a statement.

The cruise started in Viking Stars homeport of Bergen, Norway. After leaving Portsmouth on the seventh day of the journey it heads to Falmouth, and then south to Spain and Portugal.

Mike Sellers, port director, said: The whole industry has been watching the incredible success of Viking Ocean Cruises in such a short period of time and were delighted that Viking has chosen to bring its first ocean going vessel to Portsmouth International Port. Viking Star will feel right at home using our modern facilities at the heart of our historic maritime city. We look forward to seeing her again, and other Viking ocean cruise ships, in the near future.
It may come as no surprise that the cooperative structure and people helping people philosophy of credit unions thrive in the state of Hawaii, where the Aloha Spirit is not just a saying, but a way of life.

Hawaii has long embraced credit unions, and their success continues to grow. In 2016, credit unions controlled 18 percent of deposits in Hawaii, compared to 8.7 percent nationally. Membership increased by 1 percent last year to nearly 878,000 in 2017. In a state of 1.429 million residents, more than 61.4 percent are served by credit unions.

The success of credit unions is uniquely tied to the rise of two sweet crops that were once essential to Hawaiis economy. Long before Hawaii became a state, both pineapple and sugarcane became booming industries throughout the islands. In the early 1900s, laborers from Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines, and many other countries came to work in the fields.

Plantation workers had no credit and minimal income, so banks were quick to deny them loans. Groups of friends and neighbors formed financial co-ops based on the Japanese money-pooling concept of tanomoshi. Tanomoshi was an informal, word-of-mouth tradition in which plantation workers would meet monthly to contribute a predetermined amount. Members would take turns receiving their payout, until everyone had a chance to benefit.

While the first tanomoshi groups were bound by a shared ethnicity or culture, they soon evolved into circles of individuals that had common jobs or interests. From those groups, credit unions were born.

In 1936, a group of government employees chartered the first credit union on Oahu, the Hawaii Territorial Employees FCU. Today, we are known as the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, serving government workers, select employer groups and their families.

Credit unions continue to operate in the islands on the basis of helping every member succeed financially. Members, even those of modest means, know they can count on credit unions to be there for them  to offer fair rates, minimal fees and resources that help them reach their financial dreams.
Puerto Rico rejected an offer from Electric Power Authority bondholders to lend the utility $1 billion in the wake of Hurricane Maria, saying the deal would hamper the agencys recovery.

Investors holding about $3 billion of power utility bonds said the loan was made to help the island meet local matching requirements to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. They also proposed exchanging $1 billion of outstanding power utility debt for $850 million of new bonds.

Prepa, as the agencys known, is struggling to restore its power grid after the hurricane knocked out electricity across the island.

The bondholders proposal is not viable and would severely hamper and limit Prepas capacity to successfully manage its recovery, the islands Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority said in a statement. Such offers only distract from the governments stated focus and create the unfortunate appearance that such offers are being made for the purpose of favorably impacting the trading price of existing debt.
Pa. Dems could flip the House of Reps. Here's what that might mean
Trecora Resources manufactures and sells various specialty petrochemical products and synthetic waxes in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Petrochemical and Specialty Waxes. The Petrochemical segment offers hydrocarbons and other petroleum based products, including isopentane, normal pentane, isohexane, and hexane for use in the production of polyethylene, packaging, polypropylene, expandable polystyrene, poly-iso/urethane foams, and crude oil from the Canadian tar sands, as well as in the catalyst support industry. It also owns and operates pipelines. The Specialty Waxes segment provides specialty polyethylene for use in the paints and inks, adhesives, coatings, and PVC lubricants markets; and specialized synthetic poly alpha olefin waxes for use as toner in printers, as well as additives for candles. The company also provides custom processing services; and produces copper and zinc concentrates, and silver and gold dore. Trecora Resources was formerly known as Arabian American Development Company and changed its name to Trecora Resources in June 2014. Trecora Resources was founded in 1967 and is based in Sugar Land, Texas.
WABCO Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies electronic, mechanical, electro-mechanical, and aerodynamic products worldwide. The company engineers, develops, manufactures, and sells braking, stability, suspension, steering, transmission automation, and air management systems primarily for commercial vehicles. The company's products include pneumatic anti-lock braking systems, electronic braking systems, electronic stability control systems, brake controls, automated manual transmission systems, and air disc brakes; and various conventional mechanical products, such as actuators, air compressors, and air control valves for medium and heavy-duty trucks, buses, and trailers. It also offers pneumatic and hydraulic braking and control systems for off-highway vehicles; conventional braking systems; electronic and conventional air suspension systems; steering technologies; and vehicle electronic stability control and roll stability support products, and advanced driver assistance systems. In addition, the company supplies electronic suspension controls and vacuum pumps to the passenger car and SUV markets, as well as provides remanufacturing services. Further, it offers replacement parts, fleet management solutions, diagnostic tools, training, and other expert services for commercial vehicle aftermarket distributors and service partners, and fleet operators. The company sells its products primarily to truck and bus original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), trailer OEMs, and car manufacturers; and manufacturers of heavy duty and off-highway vehicles in agriculture, construction, mining, and other industries. WABCO Holdings Inc. was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology (IT) services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance; Consumer Goods, Retail, Life Sciences and Healthcare; and High Tech, Manufacturing and Services. The company offers CFO advisory services; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services, such as data management, carbon accounting, human rights assessment, sustainability diligence, and ESG reporting. It also provides finance and accounting services, which include accounts payable, such as document management, invoice processing, approval and resolution management, and travel and expense processing; invoice-to-cash services, including customer master data management, credit and contract management, fulfillment, billing, collections, and dispute management services; record to report services comprising accounting, treasury, tax, product cost accounting, and closing and reporting services; financial planning and analysis consisting of budgeting, forecasting, and business performance reporting; and enterprise risk and compliance services, including operational risks and controls. In addition, the company provides supply chain advisory services, and after-sales services; sourcing and procurement services comprising direct and indirect strategic sourcing, category management, spend analytics, procurement operation, and master data management; and sales and commercial services, including campaign, order, and dispute management, lead generation, pricing, and promotion optimization. Further, it offers IT services, which comprise end-user computing support, infrastructure management, application production support, and database management services; and transformation services that include digital solutions, consulting services, and analytics services and solutions. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.
Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (NYSE: HTA) is the largest dedicated owner and operator of MOBs in the United States, comprising approximately 25.1 million square feet of GLA, with $7.4 billion invested primarily in MOBs. HTA provides real estate infrastructure for the integrated delivery of healthcare services in highly-desirable locations. Investments are targeted to build critical mass in 20 to 25 leading gateway markets that generally have leading university and medical institutions, which translates to superior demographics, high-quality graduates, intellectual talent and job growth. The strategic markets HTA invests in support a strong, long-term demand for quality medical office space. HTA utilizes an integrated asset management platform consisting of on-site leasing, property management, engineering and building services, and development capabilities to create complete, state of the art facilities in each market. This drives efficiencies, strong tenant and health system relationships, and strategic partnerships that result in high levels of tenant retention, rental growth and long-term value creation. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, HTA has developed a national brand with dedicated relationships at the local level. Founded in 2006 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2012, HTA has produced attractive returns for its stockholders that have outperformed the US REIT index.
First BanCorp. operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico that provides various financial services for retail, commercial, and institutional clients. The company operates through six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Mortgage Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations. The Commercial and Corporate Banking segment offers commercial loans, including commercial real estate and construction loans and floor plan financings; and other products, such as cash management and business management services. The Mortgage Banking segment engages in the origination, sale, and servicing of various residential mortgage loans; acquisition and sale of mortgages in the secondary markets; and purchase of mortgage loans from other local banks and mortgage bankers. The Consumer (Retail) Banking segment provides auto, boat, credit card, and personal loans; lines of credit; deposit products comprising interest bearing and non-interest bearing checking and savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, and retail certificates of deposit (CDs); and finance leasing and insurance agency services. The Treasury and Investments segment offers funding and liquidity management services. The United States Operations segment provides checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as retail CDs; traditional commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loans; and internet banking, cash management, remote deposit capture, and automated clearing house, and transactions services. The Virgin Islands Operations segment is involved in consumer, commercial lending, and deposit-taking activities. The company operates 64 branches in Puerto Rico, 8 branches in the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands, and 11 branches in the state of Florida. First BanCorp. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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.
The following companies are subsidiares of Lithia Motors: 797 Valley Street LLC, Albany CJD Fiat, Baierl Auto Group, Baierl Auto Parts LLC, Baierl Automotive Corporation, Baierl Chevrolet Inc., Baierl Holding LLC, Broadway Ford, Buhler Ford Inc, Cadillac of Portland Lloyd Center LLC, Camp Automotive Inc., Carbone Auto Body LLC, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Morgantown, Cranberry Automotive Inc., Crater Lake Ford Lincoln, Crater Lake Mazda, DCH (Oxnard) Inc., DCH Auto Group, DCH Bloomfield LLC, DCH CA LLC, DCH Calabasas-A LLC, DCH California Investments LLC, DCH California Motors Inc., DCH DMS NJ LLC, DCH Del Norte Inc., DCH Essex Inc., DCH Financial NJ LLC, DCH Freehold - V LLC, DCH Freehold LLC, DCH Holdings LLC, DCH Investments Inc. (New Jersey), DCH Investments Inc. (New York), DCH Korean Imports LLC, DCH Mamaroneck LLC, DCH Mission Valley LLC, DCH Monmouth LLC, DCH Montclair LLC, DCH Motors LLC, DCH NY Motors LLC, DCH Nanuet LLC, DCH North America Inc., DCH Oxnard 1521 Imports Inc., DCH Riverside-S Inc., DCH Simi Valley Inc., DCH Support Services LLC, DCH TL Holdings LLC, DCH TL NY Holdings LLC, DCH Temecula Imports LLC, DCH Temecula Motors LLC, DCH Thousand Oaks-F Inc., DCH Torrance Imports Inc., Dah Chong Hong CA Trading LLC, Dah Chong Hong Trading Corporation, Daron Motors LLC, Day Auto Group, Downtown LA, Driveway Motors LLC, Elizabeth Collision LLC, Florida SS LLC, Ford Lincoln of Morgantown, Freehold Nissan LLC, Fuse Auto Sales LLC, Hamilton Honda, Hazleton Honda, Hutchins Eugene Nissan Inc., Hutchins Imported Motors Inc., Jaguar Landrover Mission Viejo, LA Motors Holding LLC, LAD Advertising Inc., LAD Carson-N LLC, LAD Mission Viejo-JLR Inc., LAD Mobu Inc., LAD-AU LLC, LAD-MB LLC, LAD-N LLC, LAD-P LLC, LAD-T LLC, LAD-V LLC, LBMP LLC, LFKF LLC, LGPAC Inc., LLL Sales Co LLC, LMBB LLC, LMBP LLC, LMOP LLC, LSTAR LLC, Lithia AcDM Inc., Lithia Aircraft Inc., Lithia Anchorage-C LLC, Lithia Anchorage-H LLC, Lithia Armory Garage LLC, Lithia Auction & Recon LLC, Lithia Auto Services Inc., Lithia Automotive Inc., Lithia BA Holding Inc., Lithia BNM Inc. (nonoperating), Lithia Baierl-S LLC, Lithia Bryan Texas Inc., Lithia Buffalo-A LLC, Lithia CCTF Inc., Lithia CDH Inc., Lithia CIMR Inc., Lithia CJDO Inc., Lithia CJDSA Inc., Lithia CJDSF Inc., Lithia CM Inc., Lithia CO Inc., Lithia CSA Inc., Lithia Community Development Company Inc., Lithia Crater Lake-F Inc., Lithia Crater Lake-M Inc., Lithia DE Inc., Lithia DM Inc., Lithia DMID Inc., Lithia Des Moines-VW LLC, Lithia Dodge of Tri-Cities Inc., Lithia Eatontown-F LLC, Lithia FLCC LLC, Lithia FMF Inc., Lithia Financial Corporation (previously Lithia Leasing Inc. and Lithia Credit Inc.), Lithia Florida Holding Inc., Lithia Ford of Boise Inc., Lithia Fresno Inc., Lithia HDM Inc., Lithia HGF Inc., Lithia HMID Inc., Lithia HPI Inc. (nonoperating), Lithia Hamilton-H LLC, Lithia Hazleton-H LLC, Lithia Idaho Falls-F Inc., Lithia Imports of Anchorage Inc., Lithia JEF Inc., Lithia Klamath Inc., Lithia Klamath-T Inc., Lithia LBGGF Inc., Lithia LHGF Inc., Lithia LSGF Inc., Lithia MBDM Inc., Lithia MMF Inc., Lithia MTLM Inc., Lithia McMurray-C LLC, Lithia Medford HON Inc., Lithia Middletown-L LLC, Lithia Monroeville-A LLC, Lithia Monroeville-C LLC, Lithia Monroeville-F LLC, Lithia Monroeville-V LLC, Lithia Moon-S LLC, Lithia Moon-V LLC, Lithia Morgantown-CJD LLC, Lithia Morgantown-F LLC, Lithia Morgantown-S LLC, Lithia Motors Support Services Inc., Lithia NA Inc., Lithia NC Inc., Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #1, Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #3, Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #4, Lithia NDM Inc., Lithia NF Inc., Lithia NSA Inc., Lithia Northeast Real Estate LLC, Lithia Orchard Park-H LLC, Lithia Paramus-M LLC, Lithia Pittsburgh-S LLC, Lithia Ramsey-B LLC, Lithia Ramsey-L LLC, Lithia Ramsey-M LLC, Lithia Ramsey-T LLC, Lithia Real Estate Inc., Lithia Reno Sub-HYUN Inc., Lithia Reno-CJ LLC, Lithia Reno-VW LLC, Lithia Rose-FT Inc., Lithia SOC Inc., Lithia SSP LLC, Lithia Salmir Inc., Lithia Sea P Inc., Lithia Seaside Inc., Lithia Spokane-B LLC, Lithia Spokane-S LLC, Lithia TA Inc., Lithia TO Inc., Lithia TR Inc., Lithia Uniontown-C LLC, Lithia VAuDM Inc., Lithia VF Inc., Lithia Wexford-H LLC, Lithia of Abilene Inc., Lithia of Anchorage Inc., Lithia of Bend #1 LLC, Lithia of Bend #2 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 1 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 2 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 3 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 4 LLC, Lithia of Billings II LLC, Lithia of Billings Inc., Lithia of Casper LLC, Lithia of Clear Lake LLC, Lithia of Concord I Inc., Lithia of Concord II Inc., Lithia of Corpus Christi Inc., Lithia of Des Moines Inc., Lithia of Eureka Inc., Lithia of Fairbanks Inc., Lithia of Great Falls Inc., Lithia of Helena Inc., Lithia of Honolulu-A Inc., Lithia of Honolulu-BGMCC LLC, Lithia of Honolulu-F LLC, Lithia of Honolulu-V LLC, Lithia of Killeen LLC, Lithia of Lodi Inc., Lithia of Maui-H LLC, Lithia of Missoula II LLC, Lithia of Missoula III Inc., Lithia of Missoula Inc., Lithia of Pocatello Inc., Lithia of Portland I LLC, Lithia of Portland LLC, Lithia of Robstown LLC, Lithia of Roseburg Inc., Lithia of Santa Rosa Inc., Lithia of Seattle Inc., Lithia of South Central AK Inc., Lithia of Spokane II Inc., Lithia of Spokane Inc., Lithia of Stockton Inc., Lithia of Stockton-V Inc., Lithia of TF Inc., Lithia of Troy LLC, Lithia of Utica - 1 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 2 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 3 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 4 LLC, Lithia of Walnut Creek Inc., Lithia of Wasilla LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 1 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 2 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 3 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 4 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 5 LLC, Medford Insurance LLC, Milford DCH Inc., Northland Ford Inc., PA Real Estate LLC, PA Support Services LLC, Paramus Collision LLC, Paramus World Motors LLC, Personalized Marketing LLC, Prestige Auto Group, RFA Holdings LLC, Ray Laks Acura, Ray Laks Honda, Sacramento-L Inc., Salem-B LLC, Salem-H LLC, Salem-V LLC, Sharlene Realty LLC, Shift Portland LLC, Southern Cascades Finance Corporation, Subaru of Morgantown, Tampa-H LLC, Tustin Motors Inc., Wesley Chapel-H LLC, Wesley Chapel-T LLC, Zelienople Real Estate I L.P., and Zelienople Real Estate L.L.C..

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Juniper Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers. It also provides switching products, including EX series Ethernet switches to address the access, aggregation, and core layer switching requirements of micro branch, branch office, and campus environments; QFX series of core, spine, and top-of-rack data center switches; and juniper access points, which provide Wi-Fi access and performance. In addition, the company offers security products comprising SRX series services gateways for the data center; Branch SRX family provides an integrated and next-generation firewall; virtual firewall that delivers various features of physical firewalls; and advanced malware protection, a cloud-based service and Juniper ATP. Further, it offers Junos OS, a network operating system; Contrail networking, which provides an open-source and standards-based platform for SDN; Mist AI-driven Wired, Wireless, and WAN assurance solutions to set and measure key metrics; Mist AI-driven Marvis Virtual Network Assistant, which identifies the root cause of issues; Juniper Paragon Automation, a modular portfolio of cloud-native software applications; and Juniper Apstra to automate the network lifecycle in a single system. Additionally, the company provides software-as-a-service, technical support, maintenance, and professional services, as well as education and training programs. It sells its products through direct sales, distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers to end-users in the cloud, service provider, and enterprise markets. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Limited, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Limited, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AFD.TECH, AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, AIG Shared Services Business Processing Inc, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co. Ltd., Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Accenture (UK) Limited, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Agencia Interativa Ltda, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture B.V., Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BPS Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A., Accenture Canada Holdings Inc, Accenture Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Limited, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co. Ltd, Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Pty Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SASU, Accenture Customer Services Ltd, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Delivery Poland S.p. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance II Limited, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services S.r.l., Accenture Financial Advanced Solution & Technology S.r.l., Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Global Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Global Engagements Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Limited, Accenture Global Services Limited, Accenture Global Solutions Limited, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc, Accenture Holding Brasil Ltda, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SASU, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services B.V., Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture International B.V., Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea B.V., Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Lithuania UAB, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Marketing Services LLC, Accenture Marketing Services Limited, Accenture Middle East B.V., Accenture Minority I B.V., Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi Pty Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations GmbH, Accenture Operations S.p. z o.o., Accenture Operations Services Private Limited, Accenture Operations Services Sdn Bhd, Accenture Outsourcing S.r.l., Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations B.V., Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru SRL, Accenture Post Trade Processing SASU, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture Qiyun Technology (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture S.p. z o.o., Accenture S.p.A., Accenture SASU, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sdn Bhd, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services and Technology S.r.l., Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Single Member S.A. Organization Information Technology & Business Development, Accenture Solutions Co. Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions S.p. z o.o, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc, Accenture Sub III Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions S.r.l., Accenture Technology Solutions SASU, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures B.V., Accenture Technology Ventures SPRL, Accenture Tecnologia Consultoria y Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co. Limited, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Ltda, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Advoco, Agilex Technologies Inc., Alfa Consulting, Allen International, AlphaBeta Advisors, Altevie Technologies S.r.l., Altima, Altima (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Altima Asia Ltd, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Altius Consulting Limited, Altius Data Solutions Private Limited, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Apis Group Pty Ltd, Appaloosa Technology SASU, AppsPro, AppsPro, Arca, Arca Ingenieros y Consultoria S.L., Arca Telecom S.L., Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Artio People (Payroll) Pty Ltd, Artio People Pty Ltd, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Automation Partners Pty Ltd, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc, Avanade Consulting Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Limited, Avanade Europe Services Limited, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SASU, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade Inc, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy S.r.l., Avanade Japan KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Middle East Limited, Avanade Netherlands B.V., Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain S.L., Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Limited, Avanade do Brasil Ltda , Avanade Osterreich GmbH, Avenai, Avieco, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCS Consulting, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BENEXT, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, BRIDGEi2i, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing Zhidao Future Consulting Co. Ltd, Benext, Berico Technologies LLC, Bionic, Bionic Solution LLC, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Bow & Arrow, Bow & Arrow Limited, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, Byte Prophecy Private Limited, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CS Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd, CS Technology (UK) Limited, CS Technology Group LLC, CS Technology LLC, CadenceQuest Inc., Callisto Integration Europe B.V., Callisto Integration Europe Limited, Callisto Integration LLC, Callisto Integration Ltd, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc, Certus Solutions Consulting Services Limited, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cirrus Connect Australia Pty Ltd, Cirrus Connect Limited, Cirruseo, Clarity Insights, ClearEdge Partners, Clearhead, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas Japan G.K., Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Limited, Cloudeasier SAS, Cloudpoint Limited, Cloudsherpas Inc, Cloudworks, Cloudworks Consulting Services Inc, Cloudworks Technology LLC, Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda, Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda, Context Information Security, Context Information Security LLC, Context Information Security Limited, CoreCompete LLC, CoreCompete Limited, CoreCompete Private Limited, Corliant Inc., Creative Drive LLC, Creative Drive US LLC, CreativeDrive, CreativeDrive Digital Content Services (Shenzhen) Co Ltd., CreativeDrive EMEA Limited, CreativeDrive Singapore Pte Ltd, CreativeDrive UK Group Limited, Cutting Edge Solutions Limited, Cygni AB, Cygni Norrsken AB, Cygni Stockholm AB, Cygni Syd AB, Cygni Vast AB, Cygni Ost AB, Cygni Ostersund AB, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Limited, DI Futures Corporation, Data Essential SARL, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings LLC, Decora Marketplace LLC, Decorado Marketplace Ltda-EPP, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digital Results Group LLC, Double Digit Limitada, Double Digit Pty SA, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Limited, Duck Creek Technologies, ESR Labs, ESR Labs AG, EdenOne Solutions Limited, Edenhouse ERP Holdings Limited, Edenhouse Solutions Limited, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting LP, End to End Analytics LLC, End-to-End Analytics, Endorphin Medici (M) Sdn Bhd, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Limited, EnergyQuote JHA, Enimbos, Enimbos Global Services S.L., Enkitec, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions LLC, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V., Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enthusian Pty Ltd, Entropia, Entropia (M) Sdn Bhd, Entropia Holdings Pte Ltd, Entropia Intercraft Sdn Bhd, Epylon, Ergo, Espedia S.r.l., Ethica Consulting Group, Ethica Consulting S.p.A., Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Experity, Exton Consulting, Exton Consulting Spain Strategy&Management S.L., Exton Germany GmbH, Exton International SAS, Exton Italia S.r.l., Exton SAS, FGM LLC, Fairway Technologies Inc, Farah BidCo Limited, Farah MidCo Limited, Farah Topco Limited, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Formicary, Founders Intelligence, Fruendo S.r.l., FusionX, Future State Consulting LLC, FutureMove (Beijing) Automotive Technology Co. Ltd., FutureMove Automotive, FutureMove Automotive Co. Ltd., GRA Supply Chain Pty Ltd, Gagel Group S de R.L. de C.V., Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gevity, Gren utvikling AS, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hahntel Ltda, Halo Partners LLC, Hamilton Holding Company S.A, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Happen GP Limited, Happen Limited, Headspring, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl A/S, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn Bhd, IBB Consulting, ICM.S S.r.l., IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INSITUM, IQSP Consulting LLC, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Icon Integration (NZ) Limited, Icon Integration Pty Ltd, Imagine Broadband (USA) Limited, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Imaginea Technologies LLC, Industrie IT (Hong Kong) Ltd, Industrie IT (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Industrie IT Group Pty Ltd, Industrie IT Pty Ltd, Industrie&Co, Infinity Works Consulting Limited, Infinity Works Holdings Limited, Infinity Works Management Limited, Infinity Works Midco Limited, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Innotec International EAD, Innotec International S.p. z.o.o., Innotec Marketing GmbH, Innotec Marketing International Ireland Limited, Innotec- Marketing Spain S.L, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., International Biometric Group LLC, International Biometric Group UK Limited, Intrepid, Intrepid Futureworks Sdn Bhd, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Technology Ltd, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, ItSafer Continuity Services S.L., JKD Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, K Comms Group Limited, KSC Studio LLC, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, King James Group, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Limited, Kogentix Singapore Pte Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LINKBYNET Indian Ocean (L.I.O) Ltd, LabAnswer, Lexta GmbH, Lexta UK Limited, Lien par le reseau Inc, Lien par le reseau infrastructures Inc, Lin Bo (Shanghai) Network Technology Co. Ltd., Link By Net SAS, Link By Net SRL, Link By Net Vietnam Company Limited, Linkbynet East Asia Ltd, Linkbynet Singapore Pte Ltd., Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, Lumenup S.A., MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision LLC, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte Ltd, Mackevision UK Limited, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd, Maihiro, Matter, Maud Corp Pty Ltd, Maxamine International, Measuretek LLC, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing LLC, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mistral Wind Operations  Servicos Empresariais Unipessoal Lda., MobGen, Mortgage Cadence LLC, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, Mudano Limited, Myrtle Consulting Group LLC, N3, N3 (Dalian) Business Consulting Co. Ltd., N3 Brazil Consultoria em Marketing Ltda, N3 Germany GmbH, N3 LLC, N3 North America LLC, N3 Results Australia Pty Ltd, N3 Results Ireland Limited, N3 Results Japan G.K., N3 Results Limited, N3 Results Malaysia Sdn Bhd, N3 Results Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., N3 Results S.A.S., N3 Results Singapore Pte Ltd, N3 Results Unipessoal Lda, NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Nell'Armonia Israel Ltd, Nell'Armonia SAS, Nell'Participation SAS, NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda, New Energy Group, News Imaging LLC, NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage Pte Ltd, Northstream, Novetta Holdings LLC, Novetta LLC, Novetta Solutions LLC, Novetta Topco LLC, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Olikka Pty Ltd, Olympus Systems Corporation, Openmind, Openmind S.r..l., Openminded, Openminded SAS, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium AG, Orbium Consulting Limited, Orbium Inc., Orbium Ltd, Orbium Pte Ltd, Orbium Pty Ltd, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PLM Systems S.r.l, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, PacificLink Group, Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production A/S, Pegasus Production K/S, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pollux Automation Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pollux Canada Inc, Pollux S.A.S., Pollux USA LLC, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Limited, Pramati Technologies Europe Limited, Pramati Technologies Private Limited, Presence of IT Workforce Management North America LLC, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Limited, Procurian Inc., Prof. Homburg GmbH, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co. Ltd., RBCP Fund 1-A Vapor Blocker LLC, RBCP Platform Vapor Blocker I LLC, REPL Consulting LLC, REPL Consulting Limited, REPL Digital Limited, REPL Group K.K., REPL Group Pty Ltd, REPL Group Worldwide Limited, REPL Pte Ltd, REPL Software Limited, REPL Technology Limited, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Root LLC, Rothco, Rothco Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Salt Solutions, Sandbox Studio LLC, Sapling Bidco Limited, Sapling Midco Limited, Sapling Topco Limited, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Search Technologies BPO Inc, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Securiview SAS, Sentelis, Sentor Managed Secuirty Services AB, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Seven Seas Business Ventures LLC, Shackleton, Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton S.L.U., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., SigInt Technologies LLC, Silveo, Silveo Consulting India Private Limited, Simian Pty Ltd, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., Sirvart S.A., Sistemes Consulting S.L., Skylink SAS, Soltians Limited, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Somers Ventures Ireland Limited, Somers Ventures LLC, Spacelink SAS, Storm Digital, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Synership LLC, Systor AG, T.A. Cook, TXF LLC, Tambourine, TargetST8, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Ltd, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Tquila, Trivadis, Trivadis AG, Trivadis Austria GmbH, Trivadis Denmark AS, Trivadis Germany GmbH, Trivadis Holding AG, Trivadis Partner AG, Trivadis Services AG, Trivadis Services SRL, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Vector Acquisition Company LLC, Vector Topco LLC, Verax Solutions, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd, Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, WaveStrike LLC, White Cliffs Consulting LLC, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wise Partners SAS, Wolox, Wolox Colombia S.A.S, Wolox LLC, Wolox Mexico S.R.L de C.V., Wolox S.A., Wolox SpA, Workforce Insight, Workforce Insight LLC, Yesler, Yesler LLC, Yesler Limited, Yesler Singapore Pte Ltd, Zag, Zag Australia Pty Ltd, Zag Limited, Zag USA LLC, Zebra Worldwide Australia Pty Ltd, Zebra Worldwide Group Limited, Zebra Worldwide Media Pty Ltd, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines Inc, Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc, Zestgroup, Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, solid-serVision.com GmbH, and umlaut.

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South Jersey Industries, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides energy-related products and services. The company engages in the purchase, transmission, and sale of natural gas. It also sells natural gas and pipeline transportation capacity on a wholesale basis to residential, commercial, and industrial customers on the interstate pipeline system, as well as transports natural gas purchased directly from producers or suppliers to customers. As of December 31, 2021, the company had approximately 147 miles of mains in the transmission system and 6,815 miles of mains in the distribution system; and served 384,062 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southern New Jersey. In addition, it markets natural gas storage, commodity, and transportation assets on a wholesale basis for energy marketers, electric and gas utilities, power plants, and natural gas producers in the mid-Atlantic, Appalachian, and southern regions of the United States. Further, the company owns and operates rooftop solar-generation sites. Additionally, it owns oil, gas, and mineral rights in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania; acquires and markets natural gas and electricity to retail end users, as well as provides total energy management, fuel management, and energy procurement and cost reduction services. The company was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Folsom, New Jersey.
The SpaceX founder is proposing inter-Earth travel in rocket ships at the cost of a full fare economy class air ticket.

Leave it to Elon Musk to surprise us with radical transportation ideas. The SpaceX founder who made it possible for rockets to be reused and made way for a new form of transportation with the Hyperloop, has now proposed another revolutionary way of commuting around planet Earth.

Speaking at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, Musk detailed revised plans for his companys mission to colonise Mars. However, what was most interesting in his presentation is the use of rockets to travel within planet Earth. Yes, Musk has proposed that people will be able to travel to any place in the world under 30 minutes at the cost of a full fare economy class ticket. Only this time, they will be hopping on to rocket ship instead of jet setting their way around on airplanes.

Musk plans to make this inter-Earth rocket travel possible using SpaceXs upcoming BFR rocket which will carry a passenger spaceship to orbit, from where it will land at various cities in the world on floating landing pads.

Space X has also posted a video of the proposed travel showing passengers being ferried on speedboats to the rocket ship. The proposed travel speed of the spaceship is around 27,000 Km/h and the video shows travel from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes, Hong Kong to Singapore in 22 minutes, Los Angeles to Toronto in 24 minutes, Bangkok to Dubai in 27 minutes, Tokyo to Singapore in 28 minutes and so on.

Sounds pretty ambitious, but we are keen to know how Musk plans to solve the g-force problem. Astronauts undergo years of special training for rocket travel and normally experience 3gs of g-force during a rocket launch, which is three times the force of gravity normal human beings are exposed to on Earth.

Travelling on a rocket, though, is definitely something to look forward to.
The DND app was previously rejected from being published on Apples app store. The company said it asks for too many permissions and data which violates its users privacy rights.

Apple had risked Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (TRAI) ire over not allowing their DND app on the Apple App Store. According to a report by PTI, Apple has dialed down on its aggressive stance and has written to TRAI on the issue.

Apple is willing to talk with TRAI over adding their Do-Not-Disturb (DND 2.0) app to the app store, said the report. "They (Apple) have written to us for a meeting on the issue saying that they have an approach on this which they want to discuss," TRAI Chairman R S Sharma on Thursday said in his response to query on the matter at the ongoing India Mobile Congress.

Apple had previously refused to include TRAIs DND app on the app store as it violates the companys user privacy policies. The Cupertino based company did so citing that the application asks for sharing personal information such as location, contacts, call logs, SMS and more along with permissions, which is against the companys privacy policy.

TRAIs DND app lets users know of any possible spam calls and texts, along with giving users an option to flag such calls as spam directly via the app. The network providers are then sent the call logs and SMS lists which are used to deactivate the spam connections. Apple had rejected the app due to above mentioned calls and SMS information requirements.
German software testing and quality control company SQS Software Quality Systems announced on Friday that it had agreed to acquire Italian firm Double Consulting for 10.5m to be entirely funded from its existing cash reserves.

SQS had previously reported strong demand for management consultancy (MC) services across a number of markets it operated in, and after securing new clients from several well-known technology brands it decided to enter the growing market by way of acquisition.

The firm said that as shifts towards digital systems takes hold in Europe, this puts the firm in a prime growth position by way of acquisition to add extra services where it already has strong existing customer relationships, especially in Banking, Financial services and Insurance (BFSI).

"This is particularly the case core geographies, including Italy, where SQS has made good progress, experiencing solid net organic growth."

It also noted that as the MC market had a much higher margin than its other revenue streams, the group would benefit from the growing revenue base.

SQS said it would acquire 51% of Double Consulting on 3 October, with an additional 39% to be acquired on 31 March 2018.

One of the selling shareholders was said to retain a 10% stake.

Dik Vos, chief executive officer of SQS, said, "At SQS, we have a clear strategy to offer our clients best-in-class digital transformation services, delivered on a truly global basis. We have made good progress across Europe, including good growth in Italy, so the acquisition of Double Consulting allows SQS to expedite our ambitions in the BFSI sector and in that key geography.

"The acquisition will also augment our continued shift toward higher margin MC projects, which will drive future growth and progress towards our target of at least 9% operating margins by 2019."

As of 0830 BST, shares had inched 1.05% higher to 579.00p.
Mkango Resources announced on Friday that it has commenced Phase II of its research and development programme with Metalysis , and has raised 0.5m at 3.5p per share in a placing.

The AIM-traded company said the successful Phase I production of a neodymium-iron-boron alloy powder had been achieved using Metalysis' solid-state technology.

It said NdFeB alloys are used to make permanent magnets, critical components of most electric vehicles, direct drive wind turbines and many other high-growth applications.

The Mkango board said the Phase I results supported the commencement of a Phase II R&D programme with Metalysis, and a binding joint venture principles and exclusivity agreement for advanced alloys using neodymium or praseodymium with other elements for magnet manufacturing had been signed as a result.

Neodymium and other rare earths used in permanent magnets were also key components of Mkango's advanced stage rare earths project in Malawi, the board reported, so the collaboration with Metalysis significantly enhanced the strategic value of that project.

It said neodymium oxide prices had also approximately doubled since the start of the year, and the supply - demand outlook for rare earths used in permanent magnets remained very positive.

Mkango is now uniquely positioned in the rare earths sector and these very promising developments provide a strong platform for moving into Phase II R&D, said Mkango chief executive Will Dawes.

Our collaboration with Metalysis enhances our ability to meet supply chain requirements for accelerating growth in the electric vehicle market, amongst other applications.

This programme is underpinned by our advanced stage Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi, where Mkango is spearheading the sustainable development of rare earths for the emerging, global low carbon economy.

Dion Vaughan, chief executive of Metalysis, said his company was very pleased to commence Phase II of the R&D programme with Mkango.

Producing a neodymium-iron-boron alloy illustrates the wide range of advanced alloys Metalysis' process can produce.

We look forward to collaborating with Mkango over the coming months on this exciting project.
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk hopes to conduct a mission to Mars by the year 2024 through his SpaceX company.

Australian Musk said during a speech at the International Aeronautical Congress on Friday that the companys BFR rocket system was being prepared to travel to the moon and Mars, as well as between cities on Earth.

Musk said the system would allow super-fast travel between several major cities in the world.

SpaceX will be refocused to work on just one type of test vehicle which could fulfil its travel plans both on the planet and in space.

"Most of what people consider to be long-distance trips could be completed in less than half-an-hour," Musk told the IAC.

Musk, who is also the CEO of carmaker Tesla Motors, said that the BFR would be financed by the replacement of its Falcon rockets with one flying system.

What we plan to do is to build ahead and have a stock of Falcon 9 and Dragon vehicles, so that customers can be comfortable if they want to use the old rocket, the old spacecraft - they can do that because we'll have a bunch in stock, Musk said.

"But all of our resources will then turn to building BFR."

During his speech at the IAC, Musk also showed a promotional video of a rocket flying from New York to Shanghai in less than 30 minutes.
Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar said on Friday that lessons must be learned from the US decision to slap trade tariffs on aerospace group Bombardier earlier this week.

Varadkar told European leaders during a summit in Tallinn that despite talks of a new trade deal between the US and the UK after Brexit, there was also a risk of a trade war developing between the two powers if they do not cooperate.

The US Department of Commerces decision this week to slap a 20% tariff on Bombardiers C jets puts over 4,000 jobs in Northern Ireland at risk, as Theresa May said she was disappointed with the decision.

"When the Brexit referendum went through and in the months since then, there's been a lot of talk about a new trade deal between the UK and the United States and how great that would be for the United Kingdom," Varadkar said.

"And yet, we're now talking about the possibility of a trade war between the UK and the United States. I think what it demonstrates is that every country in Europe is actually a small country."

The ruling was also said to potentially jeopardise a 4.15bn deal between Bombardier and US airline Delta that would see the former supply the latter with 125 new jets.

The firm said the decision was "divorced from the reality about the financing of multibillion-dollar aircraft programmes."
Japan has warned that provocation from North Korea should be expected on 10 October as the country's main anniversaries would coincide with the start of lower house election campaigns in Japan.

North Korea has often conducted weapon tests to mark significant events, such as its fifth nuclear test last year on 9 September, its founding anniversary.

Tensions have mounted on the Korean peninsula ever since Pyongyang conducted its sixth and most powerful test on 3 September, which led to a new round of sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.

Since that day, US President Donald Trump and North Korea have continued trading insults, making a reaction from the volatile Kim Jong Un all the more probable.

Earlier in the week North Korea's foreign ministry described Trump as an "old lunatic", saying he was exploiting the death of Otto Warmbier - an American student who died a week after returning to the US from captivity in a North Korean prison.

But Pyongyang is feeling ever lonelier among the international community, with long-time main trading partner Beijing on Thursday warning North Korean companies trading within Chinese borders that it was time to wrap-up operations, as it took the first steps in implementing the most recent set of UN sanctions.

Both North Korean and joint ventures between the two nations would be forced to close by early January 2018.

China, which had already banned textile trade and severely limited the flow of oil to North Korea, said its commerce ministry had set a self-imposed deadline of 120 days from the passing of the resolution to shut down any and all North Korean firms on its soil.
After years of talking about it, Sunday will finally see action in Catalonia as the region turns out to vote in a referendum on independence from Spain, even though it has been branded illegal by the government in Madrid.

Talks between Catalan parliament President Carles Puigdemont and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy have failed to yield any meaningful resolution ahead of the 1 October referendum, where residents will be asked to vote Si or No on independence for the region.

Tensions have been running high in the days and weeks leading up to the event, with several Catalan officials being arrested for organising the ballot.

Rajoy has consistently pointed to the fact the Constitutional Court in Madrid has ruled the referendum to be illegal, but Puigdemont and the local government have pushed ahead with plans.

United Nations human rights experts weighted into the debate by warning that Madrids worrying attempts to ban the referendum appeared to violate fundamental rights.

Droves of police have arrived in Barcelona and other areas of Catalonia from many parts of Spain in order to beef up security, but it is not yet known whether they will attempt to prevent people from voting.

AFTERMATH

Regardless of what result emerges on Sunday, the reaction of both sides in the days immediately following the vote is seen as more important, particularly whether Madrid may agree to provide the region with more autonomy.

Those behind the Catalan independence movement claim that the industrially-strong north-eastern zone of Spain provides a disproportionate amount of income for the country without adequate return from the central government.

Analysts at Citi have pointed out that the referendum is unlikely to lead to a so-called Catalexit, but may lead to further escalating tension in the area that could hamper markets.

Citi said: We continue to think the vote is unlikely to lead to Catalonias exit from Spain (Catalexit), and that snap regional elections in Catalonia will follow. We stress, however, that the risk of even larger confrontations between the two sides post-referendum is rising.

On Friday, Spain's economy minister Luis de Guindos denied that the government had made a financial offer to the Catalans similar to that paid to the Basque region.

The offer is not on the table and neither will it be... Theres no such thing as dialogue in a situation of illegality, outside of the constitution, de Guindos said.

IBEX FLOUNDERING

Spain's Ibex 35 stock index has been weighed down by the tension surrounding the referendum in recent weeks, most notably following the raids on the offices of the Catalan Generalitat last week.

Banks with strong ties to Catalonia such as Sabadell and CaixaBank have been particularly as the rhetoric has grown in the days leading up to the vote. Both were down over 1% in trading on Friday morning as investors consider their positions ahead of Sunday.

London Capital Groups Ipek Ozkardeskaya said investors should look out for volatility in euro markets on Monday.

If the referendum is held as planned, the outcome could trigger some price volatility in the euro markets on Monday. A vote in favour of Catalan independence could weigh on the European integrity sentiment and hit the euro at next weeks open, she said.

In addition, the governments reaction is important. Protests, a heavy-handed police intervention and political unrest could affect the euro-appetite in the aftermath of the Sundays referendum. On the other hand, a no vote should give a better colour to the single currency.

While opinion polls have been inconclusive in the run-up to the referendum, one thing that is clear is that the so-called Catalan question will not be answered unequivocally this Sunday.
Sanne , a provider of alternative asset and corporate administration services, has entered into an agreement to buy Luxembourg Investment Solutions (LIS) and Compliance Partners for up to 100m in a deal that is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.

Headquartered in Luxembourg with a branch in Dublin, LIS is a third party alternative investment fund manager with assets under administration in excess of 8.3.bn. Compliance Partners primarily provides unregulated services, including corporate services, for both LIS and external clients, enabling clients to have a physical presence in Luxembourg.

Sanne said the deal is consistent with its strategy to supplement strong organic growth with complementary acquisitions which enable the business to take advantage of a consolidating market and diversify its client base, geographic positioning and service offering. In addition, it will provide the group with a leading platform in Luxembourg, a globally significant market, from which to broaden its services to existing alternatives clients and improve its competitive positioning in attracting new clients.

The initial consideration payment of 55m will be 64% payable in cash and 36% payable in Sanne shares. The earn-out payment is expected to be paid in 2019 and is based on the acquired companies' performance in the year ended 31 December 2018. The total consideration payable is subject to an absolute cap of 100m.

Chief executive Dean Godwin said: The addition of LIS and CP into our existing Luxembourg operations is a significant development for us. The acquisition will add further quality and scale to our existing business whilst also deepening our alternative asset service offering with a market leading AIFM service in Luxembourg. LIS and CP are led by a highly experienced and respected team that has established a platform with a focus on providing its clients with the highest quality services. This closely aligns with our own philosophy. Luxembourg is an important jurisdiction for us as we continue to work with, and service, international alternative asset managers launching funds in Europe."
Three former Tesco directors appeared together at Southwark crown court in London on Friday on charges that suggest the supermarket giant's 'generals' had pressured staff members into massaging profits in order to mislead the stock market.

Carl Rogberg, the former finance director of Tesco UK; John Scouler, the former commercial director for food; and Christopher Bush, the grocer's ex-managing director in the UK, were all charged with a single count of fraud by abuse of position and an additional count of false accounting.

The three men maintained their innocence and denied any wrongdoing in the matter by entering a plea of not guilty, but if found otherwise the trio could face as much as ten years imprisonment for the fraud charge and a further seven on the accusations of false accounting.

Sasha Wass QC of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) told the jury, "This case amounts to what's called 'cooking the books'."

"The three defendants on trial are not the foot soldiers. The defendants in this case are the generals in a position of trust and had huge compensation packages to safeguard the financial health of Tesco," she continued.

Wass said the former directors "encouraged the manipulation of profits and pressured others under their control to misconduct themselves in such a way that was ultimately misleading".

The charges came as a result of an October 2014 probe launched into accounting practices at Tesco by the SFO which uncovered a 326m hole in the group's books, and eventually wiped almost 2bn off the chain's market value.

The SFO claimed the defendants had falsified Tesco's accounting records, and its interim reports, by "inputting of and/or reliance upon commercial income figures which gave a false account of the financial position of Tesco."

The trial was scheduled to last up to 12 weeks.

As of 1415 BST, Tesco shares were up 1.05% to 187.00p.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said that there would have to be miracles for Brexit talks to progress to trade issues in October.

Juncker reiterated comments from other senior leaders in the EU that there could be no progress in the negotiations until there was an agreement on the settling of financial obligations.

Discussions on UKs exit from the bloc have stalled in recent months, but a conciliatory speech from Theresa May in Florence last week has garnered hope that more progress can be made.

"At the end of this week I am saying that that there will be no sufficient progress from now until October unless miracles would happen, Juncker said in a speech.

Juncker dampened optimism espoused by chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday, who said that there had been a new dynamic to the talks this week since Mays speech.

Barnier said that while no deal could be agreed without closure on a financial settlement, there was renewed hope for progress.

Theresa Mays speech made it possible to unblock the situation, to some extent. But . . . it will take weeks, or maybe even months before we will be able to say . . . there has been sufficient progress," Barnier said.
Tropical forests may no longer be acting as carbon sinks and could be releasing more carbon than they store, according to troubling new research.

A study published Thursday in the journal Science finds that forests across Asia, Latin America and Africa release 425 metric tons of carbon per year, which is equivalent to nearly one-tenth of the U.S. annual carbon footprint.

Researchers found nearly 70 percent of this loss is caused by small-scale degradation, the result of selective logging, drought and wildfire. All is not lost for forests, however. Researchers say that policies to curb deforestation, reduce degradation and restore land could turn forests back into carbon sinks.

These findings provide the world with a wakeup call on forests, the studys lead author, Alessandro Baccini, a scientist with the U.S.-based Woods Hole Research Center, said in a statement.

If were to keep global temperatures from rising to dangerous levels, we need to drastically reduce emissions and greatly increase forests ability to absorb and store carbon.

For a deeper dive:

Washington Post, Reuters, The Guardian, PBS NewsHour

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for daily Hot News.
Tyson Foods, the nations largest chicken producer, has taken full responsibility for accidentally releasing an acidic chemical used in chicken feed into the city of Monett, Missouris wastewater treatment system that resulted in the deaths of more than 100,000 fish.

The poultry giant unit pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court in Springfield, Missouri on two criminal charges of violating the Clean Water Act that stemmed from discharges at its slaughter and processing facility in Monett, Missouri, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

The Arkansas-based company issued a statement taking responsibility of the 2014 incident. We deeply regret the mistake that was made and have taken corrective action to make sure it doesnt happen again. Were committed to doing better in all areas of our business, especially when it comes to protecting the environment.

According to the DOJ, one of the ingredients Tyson used in its chicken feed is a liquid food supplement called Alimet, which has a pH level of less than one. A tank that stored the chemical leaked and flowed into a containment area. The company then hired a contractor to remove the substance and take it to the Monett plant. However, the in-house treatment system was not designed to treat the substance. From there, the acidic chemical released into Monetts municipal waste water treatment plant, and killed bacteria used to reduce ammonia in discharges from the treatment plant into a nearby creek, resulting in the death of approximately 108,000 fish.

Tyson will have to pay a $2 million criminal fine and serve two years of probation, the DOJ said. The company must also pay $500,000 to maintain and restore waters in the Monett area, with a focus on Clear Creek and the adjoining waterways.

Prosecutors said that Tyson will also have to implement environmental compliance programs including: hiring an independent, third-party auditor to examine all Tyson poultry facilities throughout the country to assess their compliance with the Clean Water Act and hazardous waste laws; conducting specialized environmental training at its poultry processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills, rendering plants, and waste water treatment plants; and implementing improved policies and procedures to address the circumstances that gave rise to these violations.

Tysons admitted criminal conduct caused significant environmental damage, including a large-scale fish kill, Western District of Missouri Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Larson said in written statement. Todays plea agreement not only holds Tyson accountable for its actions in Missouri, but requires the company to take steps to insure compliance with the Clean Water Act at its poultry facilities throughout the United States.
Cyber crime seems to evolve and innovate as much as the tech industry it seeks to exploit. In recent times, ransomware has become an especially potent tool of cyber criminals looking to exploit compan...
WASHINGTON, DC - September 29, 2017 - At a swine farm with pigs carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, levels of MRSA among 95% of visitors became virtually undetectable only two hours after exposure. MRSA in the nasal passages was associated with exposure to airborne MRSA and not directly on physical contact with the animals. The research is published September 29th in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

The study was designed to measure how much MRSA volunteer subjects carried after spending time in contact with MRSA-carrying pigs on a farm. "Most Danish swine farms are now MRSA-positive and thousands of farmworkers are exposed to MRSA daily," said corresponding author ystein Angen, DVM,PhD, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark, explaining the rationale for the study.

In each of the four trials, the volunteers--most of them students of veterinary medicine or animal husbandry--spent an hour at a MRSA-positive swine farm. Each volunteer spent two trials as an "active" participant, catching and constraining the pigs, and taking samples from them. In the other two trials, as "passive" participants, volunteers simply stood around in the same room as the pigs. That structure is called "crossover;" this was the first crossover study to examine livestock to human transmission of MRSA.

"The volunteers in the active group had a significantly increased airborne exposure and nasal carriage level of MRSA compared to the passive volunteers," according to the report. Interestingly, "Direct physical transfer between the hands and the face could not explain the higher nasal carriage level in the active group."

"Transmission of livestock-associated MRSA to humans is of great concern in Europe, due to the implications for human health and the healthcare system," said Angen. A better understanding of transmission routes is needed to guide rational interventions to protect farm workers and visitors, and reduce the risk of transmission to society, he said.

Nonetheless, the authors concluded that the risk that farm visitors might transmit MRSA to others off the farm "is most likely negligible due to the observed decline to unquantifiable levels in 95% of the nasal samples" two hours post exposure.

Several investigations had previously tried to map transmission dynamics. These had used indirect measures for physical contact, including time spent working, and work location. But they had failed to present conclusive evidence of transmission routes.

MRSA was first described in humans in 1961, but was not discovered in pigs until 2005. But since then, there has been a steep increase in livestock associated MRSA in people in Denmark. Since 2012, patients with regular contact with livestock who are admitted to hospital for any reason have been tested for MRSA, and if positive, have been isolated until negative. However, one third of human cases of livestock associated MRSA in Denmark are not associated with contact with livestock.

###

The American Society for Microbiology is the largest single life science society, composed of over 50,000 scientists and health professionals. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.

ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications and educational opportunities. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to diverse audiences.
The first quantum-safe video conference was held between President Chunli Bai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and President Anton Zeilinger of the Austria Academy of Sciences in Vienna, as the first real-world demonstration of intercontinental quantum communication on September 29th.

Private and secure communications are fundamental human needs. In particular, with the exponential growth of Internet use and e-commerce, it is of paramount importance to establish a secure network with global protection of data. Traditional public key cryptography usually relies on the perceived computational intractability of certain mathematical functions. In contrast, quantum key distribution (QKD) uses individual light quanta (single photon) in quantum superposition states to guarantee unconditional security between distant parties. Previously, the quantum communication distance had been limited to a few hundred kilometers, due to the channel loss of fibers or terrestrial free space. A promising solution to this problem is exploiting satellite and space-based link, which can conveniently connect two remote points on the Earth with greatly reduced channel loss because most of the photons' propagation path is in empty space with negligible loss and decoherence.

A cross-disciplinary multi-institutional team of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Professor Jian-Wei Pan, has spent more than ten years in developing a sophisticated satellite, named Micius, dedicated for quantum science experiments (for the project timeline, see Appendix), which was successfully launched on 16th August 2016, from Jiuquan, China, orbiting at an altitude of ~500 km . The satellite is equipped with three payloads: a decoy-state QKD transmitter, an entangled-photon source, and a quantum teleportation receiver and analyzer. Five ground stations are built in China to cooperate with the Micius satellite, located in Xinglong (near Beijing, 4023'45.12''N, 11734'38.85''E, altitude 890m), Nanshan (near Urumqi, 4328'31.66''N, 8710'36.07''E, altitude 2028m), Delingha (3722'44.43''N, 9743'37.01"E, altitude 3153m), Lijiang (2641'38.15''N, 1001'45.55''E, altitude 3233m), and Ngari in Tibet (3219'30.07''N, 801'34.18''E, altitude 5047m).

Within a year after the launch, three key milestones that will be central to a global-scale quantum internet have been achieved: satellite-to-ground decoy-state QKD with kHz rate over a distance of ~1200 km (Liao et al. 2017, Nature 549, 43); satellite-based entanglement distribution to two locations on the Earth separated by ~1200 km and Bell test (Yin et al. 2017, Science 356, 1140), and ground-to-satellite quantum teleportation (Ren et al. 2017, Nature 549, 70). The effective link efficiencies in the satellite-based QKD were measured to be ~20 orders of magnitudes larger than direct transmission through optical fibers at the same length at 1200 km.

The satellite-based QKD has now been combined with metropolitan quantum networks, in which fibers are used to efficiently and conveniently to connect many users inside a city with a distance scale of ~100 km. For example, the Xinglong station has now been connected to the metropolitan multi-node quantum network in Beijing via optical fibers. Very recently, the largest fiber-based quantum communication backbone has been built in China by Professor Pan's team, linking Beijing to Shanghai (going through Jinan and Hefei, and 32 trustful relays) with a fiber length of 2000 km. The backbone uses decoy-state protocol QKD and achieves an all-pass secure key rate of 20 kbps. It is on trial for real-world applications by government, banks, securities and insurance companies.

The Micius satellite can be further exploited as a trustful relay to conveniently connect any two points on the earth for high-security key exchange. Early this year, the Chinese team has implemented satellite-to-ground QKD in Xinglong. After that, the secure keys were stored in the satellite for 2 hours until it reached Nanshan station near Urumqi, by a distance of ~2500 km from Beijing. By performing another QKD between the satellite and Nanshan station, and using one-time-pad encoding, secure key between Xinglong and Nanshan were then established. To test the robustness and versatility of the Micius, QKD from the satellite to Graz ground station near Vienna has also been carried out successfully this June, as a collaboration between Professor Pan and Professor Anton Zeilinger's group. Upon request, future similar experiments are also planned between China and Singapore, Italy, Germany, and Russia.

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Throughout the Northeast, lakes are popular destinations for recreation and often prized locations for second homes. However, as more people are moving to these areas, increases in housing density and other lakeshore development are placing new demands on lake water quality. A team of researchers from Dartmouth, the University of New Hampshire and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies has received a $1.47 million grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to study this very issue  how has lake water quality in the Northeasts temperate forests changed over the past three decades, what factors have influenced these changes and how may such patterns continue in a warmer, wetter and more crowded future?

Using new remote sensing and crowd-sourcing citizen-based technologies, researchers will also develop a method to monitor cyanobacterial blooms in real-time, providing invaluable context for freshwater management.

Cyanobacteria (also known as "blue-green algae") are photosynthetic bacteria found naturally in aquatic ecosystems. Under certain conditions, cyanobacteria can "bloom", forming mass aggregations that rise to the lake surface, reducing water clarity. Toxins associated with some blooms can be deadly to fish and hazardous to humans and other animals, resulting in lake closures. Both decreased water clarity and lake closures disrupt the economy, including the tourism industry and other sectors that rely on clean water.

Environmental scientist David Lutz, a research associate and lecturer in Dartmouths Environmental Studies Program, will serve as the principal investigator for the team from Dartmouth, the University of New Hampshire and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. The interdisciplinary research team has expertise in remote sensing, aquatic ecology, terrestrial ecology, demography and ecosystem science.

"To date, there has been a great deal of research focusing on cyanobacterial blooms in highly productive lakes in the Midwest and southern states, where nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant due to runoff from fertilizer applied to agricultural fields. Much less is known about the recent blooms taking place in the Northeast, where clear-water lakes with lower nutrient concentrations are very valuable, especially as recreational locations and vacation home sites that stimulate nearby economies," explained Lutz.

Under the three-year grant, the researchers will explore how human population growth, altered land use and land cover, climate change and lake-specific factors have affected water quality in approximately 2,000 lakes in N.Y., Vt., N.H. and Maine, especially in forested watersheds, many of which are located within "recreation counties." Satellite data will be used to compile lake-specific data and climate-related data to help examine how weather conditions and lake water temperature play into the mix.

The project will draw on the use of an unmanned aerial system or drone equipped with hyperspectral sensors, which are able to estimate water clarity and identify cyanobacterial blooms. The drone will be flown approximately four times a year around each of three focal lakes in the study: Lake Sunapee, N.H; Lake Auburn, Maine; and Great Pond, Maine. The project plans to utilize the mobile app, "Lake Observer," which will provide members of the public or citizen scientists, with the opportunity to take part in this project by recording their lake and water quality observations, including whether a bloom is present not only at one of the three lakes in the study, but at lakes across the Northeast. To engage citizen scientists, the research team will work closely with the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, a long-time partner and with other lake associations and management groups throughout the study region.

Kathleen Weathers, an ecosystem ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and a co-principal investigator, helped develop the Lake Observer app. NASA funding will allow us to tap into the power of both remote sensing and citizen science to better understand, predict and manage cyanobacterial blooms. They are becoming a real problem in the Northeasts lakes, and citizens, scientists and lake associations are eager to find solutions, explained Weathers.

By leveraging the expertise of scientists from the natural and social sciences in collaboration with citizen scientists, this research will investigate the complex set of social, natural and environmental conditions that have and may continue to affect the water quality in our lakes in the Northeast, added the University of New Hampshire research team members and co-principal investigators.

"I am very excited to tackle the issue of cyanobacterial blooms in low-nutrient lakes in collaboration with this talented team of interdisciplinary researchers," said Kathryn L. Cottingham, professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth, who has studied freshwater lakes for over 25 years and is one of the co-principal investigators of the project. "Our research team comes from diverse backgrounds but has a shared interest in understanding the long-term trends in water clarity and developing models to predict how lakes might change given future scenarios for human development, land-use change and climate."

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Available for comment are David Lutz at david.a.lutz@dartmouth.edu and Kathryn L. Cottingham at kathryn.l.cottingham@dartmouth.edu. In addition, Mark J. Ducey, Kenneth M. Johnson, and Michael W. Palace from the University of New Hampshire, and Kathleen C. Weathers from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, will serve as co-principal investigators of the project.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- New research from a team of Florida State University scientists and their collaborators is helping to explain the link between a changing global climate and a dramatic decline in bumble bee populations worldwide.

In a study published today in the journal Ecology Letters, researchers examining three subalpine bumble bee species in Colorado's Rocky Mountains found that, for some bumble bees, a changing climate means there just aren't enough good flowers to go around.

The team examined the bees' responses to direct and indirect climate change effects.

"Knowing whether climate variation most affects bumble bees directly or indirectly will allow us to better predict how bumble bee populations will cope with continued climate change," said FSU postdoctoral researcher Jane Ogilvie, the study's lead investigator. "We found that the abundances of all three bumble bee species were mostly affected by indirect effects of climate on flower distribution through a season."

As the global climate changes gradually over time, delicately poised seasonal cycles begin to shift. In the Rocky Mountains, this means earlier snowmelts and an extended flowering season.

On the surface, these climatic changes may seem like a boon to bumble bees -- a longer flowering season might suggest more opportunity for hungry bees to feed. However, Ogilvie and her collaborators found that as the snow melts earlier and the flowering season extends, the number of days with poor flower availability increases, resulting in overall food shortages that are associated with population decline.

"When researchers think about flower effects on bees, they typically consider floral abundance to be the most important factor, but we found that the distribution of flowers throughout a season was most important for bumble bees," Ogilvie said. "The more days with good flower availability, the more bees can forage and colonies can grow, and the bigger their populations become. We now have longer flowering seasons because of earlier snowmelt, but floral abundance has not changed overall. This means we have more days in a season with poor flower availability."

Declining bumble bee populations globally have long been cause for alarm among conservationists, who see the buzzy pollinators as a bellwether for the malign effects of a changing climate.

Ogilvie said these most recent findings contribute to a growing body of evidence for the grave ecological consequences of climate change.

"Declining bumble bee populations should be a warning about the expansive detrimental effects of climate change," Ogilvie said. "Bumble bees have annual life cycles, so their populations show responses to change quickly, and many species live in higher altitude and latitude areas where the change in climate is most dramatic. The effects of climate change on bumble bees should give us pause."

The damage inflicted by climate change on global pollinator populations is of particular concern for scientists, as these species are crucial to agricultural productivity and the propagation of natural plant communities.

As researchers work toward a better understanding of climate change and its ecological effects, the link between pollinator health and shifting climate processes is becoming impossible to ignore.

"Pollinator species around the world have been declining, but we are still learning about what might be causing declines," said FSU Professor of Biological Science Nora Underwood, a coauthor of the study. "Although not all species are influenced in the same way, I was excited to be part of this study because we now have long-term data that shows changing climate is influencing bumble bees."

While this research helps to confirm the long-presumed connection between climate change and bumble bee population decline, Ogilvie said that the findings indicate a more difficult path for conservationists than previously anticipated.

"I'm afraid that this research shows conservation will be even more complicated than expected," she said. "In addition to the response of the target species, our findings suggest that we should be considering how a species' food resources might be responding to climate change. For bumble bees in particular, we need to make sure that they have enough flowers available during the entire season."

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FSU Professor of Biological Science Brian Inouye also contributed to this research, along with Sean Griffin and Rebecca Irwin from North Carolina State University, Zachariah Gezon from Rollins College and David Inouye from the University of Maryland. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation.
NASA and NOAA satellite imagery show Hurricane Lee has been on a weakening trend as wind shear is battering the storm. The National Hurricane Center expects Lee to weaken quickly and its remnants to bring gusty winds to Ireland and the United Kingdom over the weekend of Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

NASA's Aqua satellite and NOAA's GOES satellite provided different views of Hurricane Lee that showed the storm was being adversely affected by wind shear and is not as strong and organized as it was earlier in the week.

The AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Maria on Sept. 28 at 1:05 p.m. EDT (17:05 UTC). The infrared data was showing the strongest storms being pushed southeast of the eye.

In a visible image from NOAA's GOES East satellite on Sept. 29 at 10:15 a.m. EDT (1415 UTC), wind shear's effect on the storm is evident. The National Hurricane Center said "Lee's low-level center is partially exposed along the northern edge of the convective canopy due to almost 40 knots of northerly shear." The image shows that the bulk of clouds associated with the hurricane have been pushed to the south and southeast of the eye.

At 5 a.m. EDT/AST (0900 UTC) on Sept. 29 the National Hurricane Center reported that the center of Hurricane Lee was located near 38.3 degrees north latitude and 52.4 degrees west longitude. That's about 810 miles (1,305 km) northeast of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the northeast near 25 mph (41 kph). An acceleration toward the northeast is forecast to continue through Saturday.

NHC said "Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 mph (120 kph) with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast, and Lee is expected to become a tropical storm later today. Lee will then dissipate by Saturday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 987 millibars."

NHC noted that global computer model guidance indicate Lee will dissipate in the fast flow ahead of an approaching cold front by 36 hours (on Sept.30 by 5 a.m. EDT). NHC said "Even after Lee's circulation opens up, a swath of strong winds will likely continue eastward toward Ireland and the United Kingdom by days 2 and 3."

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The U.K. Meteorological Office issued a yellow National Severe Weather Warning for rain and wind, highlighting parts of Wales, northwest England and southwest and central Scotland as most at risk of seeing some impacts from the weather during Saturday night into Sunday, Oct. 1. For updates on U.K. Warnings, visit: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings
A new review by John S. Lazo et al. (University of Virginia) in the October 2017 issue of SLAS Discovery (formerly the Journal of Biomolecular Screening) reflects on the nature of one rather large protein class that has been implicated in many human diseases - protein tyrosine phosphatases - and explores reasons why these enzymes have been eschewed by drug hunters, and how the landscape is beginning to change.

The authors place particular emphasis on how automation and innovative screens influence the search for inhibitors and activators of protein tyrosine phosphatases in the area of cancer. The resulting compounds are not only facilitating the exploration of the fundamental cellular processes controlled by phosphatases in cancers, but are creating an inflection point for new therapeutic paradigms. This is an important example of how a previously undrugged family of proteins has been approached and may be a template for other classes of protein that have the "undruggable" label.

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Visit SLAS Discovery Online at http://journals.sagepub.com/toc/jbxb/22/9 to read "New Approaches to Difficult Drug Targets: The Phosphatase Story." SLAS Discovery is one of two MEDLINE-indexed scientific journals published by SLAS. For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit www.slas.org/journals.

About our Society and Journals

SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international community of nearly 20,000 professionals and students dedicated to life sciences discovery and technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building.

SLAS DISCOVERY: 2016 Impact Factor 2.444. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN (USA). SLAS Discovery (Advancing Life Sciences R&D) was previously published (1996-2016) as the Journal of Biomolecular Screening (JBS).

SLAS TECHNOLOGY: 2016 Impact Factor 2.850. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore). SLAS Technology (Translating Life Sciences Innovation) was previously published (1996-2016) as the Journal of Laboratory Automation (JALA).

Follow SLAS on Twitter at @SLAS_Org.

Follow SLAS on Facebook at SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening.

Follow SLAS on YouTube at SLASvideo.

Follow SLAS Americas on LinkedIn at Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS Americas).

Follow SLAS Europe on LinkedIn at Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening Europe (SLAS Europe).
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed and demonstrated a promising new strategy for the discovery of novel anti-cancer therapies.

The TSRI scientists, collaborating with scientists at Pfizer, used their new approach to find small-molecule inhibitors of a protein that is important for the growth of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). These cancers represent about 85 percent of lung cancers and are relatively insensitive to drug treatment.

"This new approach shows promise for identifying previously unrecognized 'druggable' targets in cancers that lack effective treatments," said senior investigator Benjamin F. Cravatt, Professor and Co-chair of the Department of Molecular Medicine at TSRI.

The new approach, described this week in Cell, is based on a set of sophisticated proteomics methods developed by Cravatt and colleagues in recent years. At the core of these methods is the recognition that certain amino acids on proteins have a special chemical reactivity that allows them to form irreversible covalent bonds with suitably designed probe or "scout" molecules. Scientists can apply such molecules to a large collection of proteins, even the entire protein contents of a cluster of cells, to quickly identify proteins that have these reactive amino-acids--which would be considered potential drug targets.

For the study, Cravatt and colleagues, including co-first authors Liron Bar-Peled, a postdoctoral research associate, and Esther K. Kemper, a graduate student, sought to apply this proteomics strategy to the discovery of potential drug targets in NSCLCs that are supported by over-activity of the transcription factor NRF2.

NRF2 acts as an on-switch for a powerful antioxidant response. Some cancer cells use this response--forcing it to stay active always--to protect themselves from the cell-damaging oxidative byproducts of their unusual metabolic activity and runaway growth.

Pharmaceutical companies haven't yet developed a drug that can switch off NRF2 in the substantial portion of NSCLCs that depend on its over-activity. Part of the reason is that NRF2 regulates the activities of genes expressed in cell types throughout the body, so a powerful NRF2-blocking agent could have excessive side effects. The researchers therefore looked for "downstream" elements in the NRF2 pathway that might be more easily and safely targetable.

To start, they used their proteomics platform, including a probe molecule, to identify reactive cysteine amino-acids within proteins in NRF2-driven NSCLC cells. Knocking down the expression of NRF2 in the cells, they observed how the reactivity of those cysteines changed.

Most of these NRF2-related changes in reactivity, as expected, came from changes in the production of these proteins with NRF2's absence. But about 20 percent of these reactivity changes appeared to be due chiefly to oxidative modifications to the proteins as a result of the buildup of reactive oxygen molecules in the cells.

"Usually you think of a transcription factor such as NRF2 as regulating an enzyme's function simply by changing the level of that enzyme," said Bar-Peled. "In these cases, it appears that NRF2 is shaping the enzymes' environment to be more conducive to their proper function."

The team next used a pair of more selective cysteine-binding probes in NSCLC cells to identify potentially drug-targetable cysteines that met two criteria: first, their reactivity changed greatly with NRF2's activity, and second, their host proteins were primarily restricted in expression to NSCLCs driven by overactive NRF2.

One of the most promising targets meeting these criteria was in a protein called NR0B1. The scientists found that NR0B1 normally works in the nucleus in lung cancer cells as part of a larger protein complex to regulate gene expression. Screening a small-molecule compound library, they found two compounds that attach covalently to a reactive cysteine in NR0B1, resulting in disruption of its protein complexes.

The scientists used the compounds as probes for studying NR0B1's functions, and confirmed that the protein contributes to NRF2's program of gene activity. They also used the compounds to provide evidence that targeting NR0B1 could be therapeutic.

"We were able to block and disrupt NR0B1's functional output in these NRF2-activated lung cancers so that the cancers' abnormal growth was reduced," Bar-Peled said.

"More generally, our findings demonstrate the existence of novel druggable proteins in cancer cells. NR0B1 was not previously known to have an ability to bind small molecules and would have therefore been considered difficult to hit with drugs."

The researchers are now following up by investigating other potentially druggable proteins uncovered in the study. But they see the research above all as an initial demonstration of the power of their new approach to uncover new biology and new drug targets in hard-to-treat cancers.

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Other co-authors of the paper, "Mapping Druggable Vulnerabilities in a Genetically Defined Cancer," were Radu M. Suciu, Ekaterina V. Vinogradova, Keriann M. Backus, Benjamin D. Horning, Bernard P. Kok, Melissa M. Dix, and Enrique Saez, of TSRI; Robert U. Svensson and Reuben J. Shaw of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies; Max W. Chang of UC-San Diego; and Thomas A. Paul, Zhou Zhu, Nathan Ihle, Ping Jiang, and Matthew M. Hayward of Pfizer.

Support was provided by the National Institutes of Health (CA087660, CA132630, CA172229, CA215249-01, CA211526, CCSG P30 014195), the Chapman Foundation, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Life Sciences Research Foundation.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) may have found a way to help doctors diagnose diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's earlier in their progression. A special peptide probe being developed in Jeffery Kelly's lab at TSRI is showing promise as a tool for detecting the early signs of transthyretin (TTR) polyneuropathy, a progressive neurological disease. This probe could enable doctors to implement interventions before degeneration becomes too severe, allowing treatments to be more effective. This probe may also increase our understanding regarding which aggregate structure(s) disrupts the normal functions of neurons.

Misfolded proteins misassemble into amyloid in a defined insoluble 3D structure. Since amyloid deposits are a common feature of most neurodegenerative diseases, this structure is considered responsible for a variety of amyloid diseases, from cardiomyopathies to neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, without much direct evidence. Recent evidence suggests that soluble oligomeric aggregates rather than amyloid may, in fact, be the culprit.

This TSRI study, focused on making peptide probes for aggregates other than amyloid fibrils, was conducted by postdoctoral researcher Joseph D. Schonhoft and graduate student Cecilia Monteiro. Prior to joining the Kelly Lab as a graduate student, Monteiro was a practicing neurologist in Portugal, where she treated neurodegenerative disease patients, including TTR amyloid polyneuropathy patients. The TTR amyloidoses are amyloid diseases where misfolded TTR assemblies cause neurodegeneration or cardiomyopathy, depending on the sequence of TTR that aggregates.

"Cecilia is a physician scientist and came to TSRI with a clinical background, and I am a biophysicist and biochemist. Together we formed a unique interdisciplinary team for this research," said Schonhoft.

Some diagnostic strategies detect insoluble amyloids using antibodies designed to bind to them and make them visible to scientists. But before amyloid develops, the body may produce soluble misfolded oligomeric aggregates in a non-amyloid conformation. The TSRI team developed a peptide-based probe that can detect non-native TTR oligomers earlier in the disease progression, before amyloid is easily detected (the probe does not recognize amyloid).

The researchers used their peptide probe to detect non-native TTR oligomers in the plasma of a group of patients diagnosed with TTR amyloid polyneuropathy, alongside samples from a healthy control group and asymptomatic carriers of the mutation that causes the majority of TTR polyneuropathy cases. The study revealed that patients with the disease had higher levels of non-native TTR oligomers than either of the two control groups. In addition, a subset of patients who had been treated for the disease with the drug tafamidis (discovered by the Kelly Lab and sold by Pfizer), as well as liver transplant-mediated gene therapy showed lower levels of non-native TTR oligomers. These results demonstrate proof of concept for using the peptide probe for early diagnosis and as a response to therapy biomarker.

The researchers are now scrutinizing the utility of their peptide probe in larger numbers of patients in order to correlate the levels of the non-native TTR oligomers with disease initiation and progression. Little is known about which aggregate structure causes these degenerative diseases.

"One of the biggest questions in the field is whether the soluble oligomers are a driver of disease. Our approach may be able to answer that question," said Monteiro.

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In addition to Schonhoft and Monteiro, those working on the study include Lars Plate, Yvonne S. Eisele, John M. Kelly, Daniel Boland, Christopher G. Parker, Benjamin F. Cravatt, Jeffrey W. Kelly and Evan T. Powers of TSRI; Sergio Teruya, Stephen Helmke and Mathew Maurer of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; John Berk from the Boston University College of Medicine; Yoshiki Sekijima from the Shinshu University of Medicine; and Marta Novais and Teresa Coelho from the Unidade Corino de Andrade.

The study was supported by the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and by the National Institutes of Health (grants DK046335, UL1TR001114 and CA132630).

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs more than 2,500 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists -- including two Nobel laureates and 20 members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering or Medicine -- work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. In October 2016, TSRI announced a strategic affiliation with the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr), representing a renewed commitment to the discovery and development of new medicines to address unmet medical needs. For more information, see http://www.scripps.edu.
UA Center for Integrative Medicine sleep and dream specialist Dr. Rubin Naiman's comprehensive review of data about the causes, extent and consequences of dream loss includes recommendations for restoring healthy dreaming

TUCSON, Ariz. - A silent epidemic of dream loss is at the root of many of the health concerns attributed to sleep loss, according to Rubin Naiman, PhD, a sleep and dream specialist at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, who recently published a comprehensive review of data.

His review, "Dreamless: the silent epidemic of REM sleep loss" in the "Unlocking the Unconscious: Exploring the Undiscovered Self" issue of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, details the various factors that cause rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and dream loss. Typical sleep follows a pattern in which deeper, non-REM sleep is prioritized by the body. Only later in the night and into the early morning do people experience dreaming, during REM sleep.

"We are at least as dream-deprived as we are sleep-deprived," noted Dr. Naiman, UA clinical assistant professor of medicine. He sees REM/dream loss as an unrecognized public health hazard that silently wreaks havoc by contributing to illness, depression and an erosion of consciousness. "Many of our health concerns attributed to sleep loss actually result from REM sleep deprivation."

The review examines data about the causes and extent of REM/dream loss associated with medications, substance use disorders, sleep disorders and behavioral and lifestyle factors. Dr. Naiman further reviews the consequences of REM/dream loss and concludes with recommendations for restoring healthy REM sleep and dreaming.

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For more information about Dr. Naiman's research, please visit drnaiman.com

For more information about the Integrative Health and Lifestyle program (IHeLp) taught by Dr. Naiman at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, please visit azcim.org/ihelp

About the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine

The University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (UACIM) is leading the transformation of health care by creating, educating and actively supporting a community that embodies the philosophy and practice of healing-oriented medicine. UACIM is internationally recognized for its evidence-based clinical practice, innovative educational programs and research that substantiates the field of integrative medicine and influences public policy. Since its creation in 1994, the Center's vision of making integrative care available to all is being realized worldwide: Center graduates now are guiding more than 1 million patients to take a greater role in their health and healing. To learn more about UACIM, please visit azcim.org

About the University of Arizona Health Sciences

The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. The UA Health Sciences includes the UA Colleges of Medicine (Phoenix and Tucson), Nursing, Pharmacy and Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the growing Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, the UA Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona and the greater Southwest to provide cutting-edge health education, research, patient care and community outreach services. A major economic engine, the UA Health Sciences employs almost 5,000 people, has nearly 1,000 faculty members and garners more than $126 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: uahs.arizona.edu
5,000 years ago, the Yamnaya culture migrated into Europe from the Caspian steppe. In addition to innovations such as the wagon and dairy production, they brought a new language - Indo-European - that replaced most local languages the following millennia. But local cultures also influenced the new language, particularly in southern Scandinavia, where Neolithic farmers made lasting contributions to Indo-European vocabulary before their own language went extinct, new research shows.

Most historical linguists agree that words such as 'wheel', 'wagon', 'horse', 'sheep', 'cow', 'milk' and 'wool' can be attributed to the Yamnaya people who migrated into Europe from the Caspian steppe 5,000 years ago. The nomadic and pastoral Yamnayans introduced their material culture to the local peoples through a new language known as Proto-Indo-European, from which most European languages descend.

However, not all words in the European languages are of Proto-Indo-European origin, linguists say; there are words for flora and fauna, which must have been incorporated into Indo-European from local cultures. But where could such cultural exchange have taken place? According to a new study published in American Journal of Archaeology by archaeologist Rune Iversen and linguist Guus Kroonen from the University of Copenhagen, southern Scandinavia 2,800 BC provides an ideal setting for such an exchange:

"The archaeological evidence tells us that between 2,800 and 2,600 BC two very different cultures co-existed in southern Scandinavia: there was the local, Neolithic culture known as the Funnel Beaker Culture with its characteristic funnel-shaped ceramics and collective burial practices and the new Single Grave Culture influenced by the Yamnaya culture. The Funnel Beaker Culture was eventually superseded by the Single Grave Culture, but the transition took hundreds of years in the eastern part of southern Scandinavia, and the two cultures must have influenced each other during this time, "says archaeologist Rune Iversen, who has specialised in this particular transitional period.

Peas, beans, turnips and shrimps

Historical linguist Guus Kroonen points to a number of words for local flora and fauna and important plant domesticates that the incoming speakers of Indo-European could not have brought with them to southern Scandinavia.

"There is a cluster of words in European languages such as Danish, English, and German - the Germanic languages - which stand out because they do not conform to the established sound changes of Indo-European vocabulary. It is words like sturgeon, shrimp, pea, bean and turnip that cannot be reconstructed to the Proto-Indo-European ancestor," Guus Kroonen explains and adds:

"This tells us that these words must have entered Indo-European after it had spread from the Caspian steppe to the various parts of Europe. In other words: the new Single Grave Culture is likely to have adopted much farming and hunting terminology from the local Funnel Beaker Culture that inhabited southern Scandinavia and Denmark till around 2,600 BC. When Indo-European in Northern Europe developed into Proto-Germanic, the terminology for local flora and fauna was preserved, which is why we know and can study the terms today."

Guus Kroonen adds that this farming terminology may be vestiges of a now extinct language spoken by the people who initially brought farming to Europe from Anatolia 9,000-6,000 years ago.

###

Read Rune Iversen's and Guus Kroonen's paper Talking Neolithic: Linguistic and Archaeological Perspectives on How Indo-European Was Implemented in Southern Scandinavia in American Journal of Archaeology.

Contact

Archaeologist Rune Iversen

University of Copenhagen

Phone: + 45 26 74 54 78

Mail: runeiversen@hum.ku.dk

Linguist Guus Kroonen

Roots of Europe, University of Copenhagen

Phone: + 45 30 42 78 46

Mail: guus@hum.ku.dk
Law enforcement agencies and gun retailers can be resources to concerned families for storing guns to prevent suicide, according to a new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. It is the first to examine the extent to which these organizations are willing to offer voluntary, temporary storage - especially when a household member is in crisis - according to surveys conducted in eight mountain west states.

"Most people, including health providers, may not know what safe outside-the-home storage is available and what their options are," said Carol Runyan, lead investigator and professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health at CU Anschutz. "A suicide attempt by a gun is almost always fatal, and often the time between contemplating suicide by gun and acting is short. If medical advice to an at-risk patient is to remove guns from the household, where exactly should they be stored and where are those resources available?"

Researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health and the CU School of Medicine sought to understand how, and under what circumstances, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and retailers could be partners to gun-owning families and health care providers, particularly when concerned about the mental health of a household member, by safely and temporarily providing gun storage. They surveyed law enforcement agencies and gun retailers in Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming to gauge their willingness to provide storage under various conditions to both gun owners and non-owners.

"Friends don't let friends drive drunk," Runyan said. "When a friend who has guns is going through a tough time, we should ask them about safe storage. It's not about taking away guns or their gun rights, it's about trying to be safe and looking out for each other."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, gun ownership and gun-related suicides are more prevalent in these states than in the US overall, and that of 44,193 US suicides in 2015, half involved guns.

"It's not about taking guns away from people, it's about safe storage, especially in a home with a person in crisis," Runyan said. "A gun that is easily accessible to a person in crisis increases the chance that a person is going to die."

Law enforcement agencies already store guns under circumstances such as domestic abuse or confiscations, she said, but other resources might not be well known to the public.

Study authors received responses from 448 LEAs and 95 retailers to questioners sent beginning in April 2016. Three-fourths of LEAs indicated they would provide temporary storage compared to half of retail respondents. LEAs were most willing to provide storage when a gun owner was concerned about the mental health of a family member, as were about two thirds of retailers. Retailers were also willing to consider storage requests from a gun owner during a time of travel or when hosting family visitors.

Most, (97.3%) of LEAs were very or somewhat likely to recommend not having guns in the home when someone is in crisis - something Runyan said people working to prevent suicide agree with. Researchers excluded prisons, jails, airport police, conservation law enforcement, campus police, state police/highway patrols and tribal police from their sample.

Retailers, excluding pawn shops and large chain stores, recommended storage with a LEA (54.6%), in the gun store (61.4%) or with family and friends (67%). Of all surveyed, about two-thirds of LEAs and half the retailers reported having received requests for storage services in the previous year.

Runyan said storing guns in another household presented the risk that the gun might not be stored properly or might still be available to the individual experiencing a health crisis, indicating this option should be used cautiously.

Runyan said, "We have crime shows on TV that focus on homicide all the time, but not suicide. The general public may not be aware what a problem suicide is, and in this region suicide by gun is a higher problem than the country overall."

Runyan and her colleagues at CU Anschutz in Aurora, Colo., are working to produce more studies regarding lethal means counseling by health care providers and the connection to community resources for suicide prevention. According to their report, options for temporary, voluntary storage of guns away from the home are an important piece to inform future public health initiatives for suicide prevention.

The study, "Law enforcement and gun retailers as partners for safely storing guns to prevent suicide - a study in eight mountain west states," was published last week in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

###

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is the only comprehensive academic health sciences center in Colorado, the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region and one of the newest education, research and patient care facilities in the world. Home to 21,000 employees, more than 4,000 degree-seeking students and two nationally recognized hospitals that handle 1.7 million patient visits each year, CU Anschutz trains the health sciences workforce of the future and fuels the economy. CU Anschutz features schools of medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine and public health, a college of nursing and a graduate school. All interconnected, these organizations collaboratively improve the quality of patient care they deliver, research they conduct, and health professionals they train.
University of Tsukuba researcher discovers why we have the tendency to fall asleep in the absence of motivating stimuli, i.e., when bored.

Tsukuba, Japan - Losing yourself in your favorite things without sleeping, or falling asleep during boring lectures -- As humans, we often defy sleepiness and stay awake when attention is necessary, but also experience an inescapable desire to sleep in boring situations. The brain mechanisms governing the regulation of sleep by cognitive and emotional factors are not well understood. A new paper published in the journal Nature Communications finds that a part of the brain that is associated with motivation and pleasure - the nucleus accumbens - also can produce sleep. The new findings may explain why we have the tendency to fall asleep in the absence of motivating stimuli, i.e., when bored.

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba's International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS) and Fudan University's Department of Pharmacology in the School of Basic Medical Sciences used chemo-genetic and optical techniques to remotely control the activities of nucleus accumbens neurons and the behaviors they mediate. As a result, the Japanese-Chinese team discovered that nucleus accumbens neurons have an extremely strong ability to induce sleep that is indistinguishable from the major component of natural sleep, known as slow-wave sleep, as it is characterized by slow and high-voltage brain waves.

"The classic somnogen adenosine is a strong candidate for evoking the sleep effect in the nucleus accumbens," says Yo Oishi, the lead author on this project. Adenosine has long been known to represent a state of relative energy deficiency and to induce sleep via adenosine receptors. A specific subtype of adenosine receptors, the A2A receptors, are densely expressed in the nucleus accumbens. Caffeine, the most widely consumed psychostimulant in the world, produces its arousal effect also in the nucleus accumbens by blocking A2A receptors. Compounds that activate A2A receptors in the nucleus accumbens may open safe therapeutic avenues for treating insomnia, which is one of the most common sleep problems with an estimated prevalence of 10-15% in the general population and 30-60% in the older population.

###
WOOSTER, Ohio  A week of 90-degree weather helped push soybeans and corn to maturity across the state  and the soybean harvest is getting underway for many area farmers.

Only about 5 percent of Ohio soybeans had been harvested as of the Sept. 24 report by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, but that number increased to 24 percent harvested in todays report, Oct. 2.

Ohio corn harvested for grain stands at 8 percent.

Very dry

According to the most recent report by the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of northeast Ohio is considered abnormally dry, and some counties are experiencing moderate drought.

In Wayne County, Farm and Dairy caught up with Ben Rehm, of Rehm Farms, where soybeans have been as dry as 9 percent moisture.

He was seeing a yield range of 50-70 bushels per acre  averaging in the 60s. He said he was happy with the yield, given the moisture issues farmers battled in the spring, as well as the early fall dry-down.

Ben farms with his father, Phillip, and the family is also involved with poultry and goat production. Their farm will be on this years Wayne County Farm Tour, to be held Oct. 14-15.

Ashland County

In Ashland County, Jim McNaull was into his third day of harvest when Farm and Dairy visited Sept. 27. He was seeing moisture levels of about 13 percent  with lots of dust as he made his way across the field.

He was seeing yields in the 40-50 bushel-per-acre range, and said a couple more rains probably would have made a difference.

Jim farms with his son, Greg, and their families. Jims youngest son, Robert, works for Iowa State University and test-drives John Deere combines.

Although the weather has been good for harvest  the prices remain low. Corn is averaging about $3.50 a bushel, and soybeans are selling for about $9.50.
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MEPs have agreed that Monsato lobbyists should be barred from the European Parliament after the company refused to attend a hearing on allegations that it influenced studies on the safety of its products.

The US agrochemical company has been accused of refusing requests to participate in hearings about the corporation's alleged efforts to influence regulations of glyphosate, the active chemical in its product Roundup, within the 28-nation bloc.

The presidents of every party in the European Parliament voted to withdraw lobbying access for Monsanto.

It is the first time MEPs have used new rules to withdraw parliamentary access for firms that ignore a summons to attend parliamentary inquiries or hearings.

Monsanto officials will now be unable to meet MEPs, attend committee meetings or use digital resources on parliament premises in Brussels or Strasbourg.

The limitations come in the midst of a lengthy and controversial process to decide if glyphosate will be reapproved for use in the EU for the next decade.

NFU Vice President Guy Smith said 2017 looks like a "watershed year for classical chemistry" for arable farms with these three decisions on the horizon from Europe.

He said: A poor decision on endocrine disruptor definition could see an end to the availability of around 26 active ingredients; the European Commission is proposing a ban on the use of neonicotinoids on all outdoor crops; and a decision on the reauthorisation of glyphosate is due by the end of the year.

The NFU will continue to make the case for evidence-based decisions to be made in all three of these areas, and we will continue to work with our members to help them make the case to politicians and other decision makers about the importance of these products and to demonstrate the damage that bad decisions will have on farming and our food supply.

The European Commission is also examining Bayers $66bn acquisition of Monsanto.
Defra Secretary Michael Gove has visited Northern Ireland to discuss the future of the food and farming industries outside the EU amid increasing concern over a potential "collapse".

It comes as news that the Northern Irish meat industry could decline by 21%, with exports to the EU "collapsing" by over 90%, if the UK reverts to WTO trading conditions in the event of a failure to agree a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

Mr Gove has thus met with industry leaders to soothe these concerns.

Following the meeting with the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association, Northern Ireland Environment Link and Food and Drink Association amongst others in Stormont, Mr Gove visited a local farm hosted by members of the Ulster Farmers Union.

The visit was seen as an opportunity to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the sector ahead of EU exit, and for regional industry leaders to share their ambitions and expectations for future farming policy as the UK prepares to leave the European Union.

'Design a new approach'

Speaking after the meetings, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "Food and drink is the leading sector in the Northern Ireland economy, employing tens-of-thousands people and generating around 5 billion from food sales alone.

"As we prepare to leave the EU, we have the chance to design a new approach to food and farming that works for the whole of the UK, not least for Northern Ireland.

"Todays meeting with agricultural leaders was a chance to hear first-hand from them as we move towards life outside the EU. We will continue to work closely with industry to ensure we grasp the opportunities that leaving the EU presents."

The roundtables held are part of a series of ongoing Government engagements across all parts of the UK ahead of EU exit.

It comes as news that devolved administrations have told Westminster to "urgently stop any power grab" over policy areas as the UK leaves the EU, such as agricultural issues.
The Government has been urged not to put the rural economy at a disadvantage with its 25-year environment plan.

The Natural Capital Committee has published its advice to the Government on the 25-year environment plan on Thursday (28 September)

The 25-year-plan is a long-term management strategy for the environment that applies to England, which recognises the contribution that the environment plays in food, farming, well-being and the rural economy.

The strategy aims to ensure England's environment is healthy and that it is a beautiful place to live and work.

The plan will be underpinned by the concept of natural capital, meaning it will take account of the full range of natural assets that give benefits to society.

'Environmental enhancement'

In terms of agriculture, the proposals advocate an overhaul of funding to the farming sector so government procures only the provision of public goods and high animal welfare standards.

Farm minister George Eustice has in the past said the distribution of payments was 'unfair'.

The plan reads: "A large proportion of public funding goes to some of the richest farms in the country, whilst many smaller farms (including many that are vital elements of our environmental, landscape and rural community heritage) receive relatively little in income support.

"Support for larger, often high input/high output farms mean that the taxpaying consumer pays for food production twice, both via subsidies and through the shopping basket.

"Public funding should be closely targeted to the delivery of public goods. These include, but are not limited to: environmental conservation and enhancement, animal welfare, biosecurity, and rural development programmes (such as poverty reduction and the transfer of knowledge).

"At present such schemes account for a small proportion of agricultural subsidies, yet these are important benefits to society which farms currently provide for relatively modest (and arguably inadequate) reward."

'Disadvantage'

The Government has been seeking farmers' and rural businesses' views on a post-Brexit farming and environment policy.

In response, rural organisation the CLA said it 'welcomes the thrust' of the Committees advice to plan for the environmental future of the countryside, but said it must not leave the rural economy at a disadvantage.

President Ross Murray said: There are a number of concerns which we will follow up with Defra and the Committee to ensure the rural economy is not put at a disadvantage.

The Committee must acknowledge that delivery of the plan is highly reliant on a profitable and engaged land management community within the private sector.

The Committee makes much of the opportunity to reform agricultural support, something the CLA has long recognised and is working to achieve.

The overarching suggestion that farmers be rewarded for delivering a wide range of public benefits is consistent with a Land Management Contract we proposed earlier this year as part of a new food, farming and environmental plan.

New wave of investment

The CLA is hoping the Land Management Contract policy could also make it possible for a new wave of private and public investment to help the farming sector harness opportunity in a global market place.

Mr Ross continued: By ending the Basic Payment Scheme which pays farmers and landowners based on the amount of land they farm, a Land Management Contract would support those who choose to manage land in a way that delivers public benefits.

It would turn a system based on entitlement to one of business contracts for defined services under which the smallest hill farmer to the large estate owner, could choose to undertake in return for a financial reward based on what they contribute, not the amount of land they own.

The government has already said British farmers, who receive 3bn worth of farm subsidies from the EU every year, will continue to receive the same level until the end of at least 2022.
East Anglian farmers have been urged to plant new crops such as soya if they are to compete in a changing world.

Rural property specialists Savills hosted a business breakfast for farmers, amid increasing uncertainty in the largely agricultural region.

Peter Bennett, a Norfolk-born director of the company who now farms in Cambridgeshire, also said exploring machinery-sharing partnerships would be beneficial.

The main emphasis of the meeting was how farmers can grow different crops, such as soya. With a global rise in demand for protein-based animal feeds, this makes sense, he said.

The soya market has seen a continued rise as demand has begun to out-strip supply due to rapidly increasing demand from the Asian market.

He said it would make a viable alternative break crop for farmers as yields increased and margins became more competitive.

'Diversification'

I think there will be more diversification in growing crops, Mr Bennett explained.

Essex had a really bad year this year  their oilseed rape has been wiped out by cabbage stem flea beetle, so suddenly we see crops like soya and lentils coming in.

For the last three years I have been growing soya and I am seeing prices of 400 per tonne. It is quite a profitable and low-input crop to grow. The supermarkets want GM-free soya (free of genetic modification), and Soya UK want more seed, so the market is open.

It is about looking at all opportunities. We might see grain maize or even blueberries in the UK  they grow them in Poland, so why not the UK?

These crops are going to be needed, and we need to think outside the box.

Southern Britain

Soya is a sub-tropical crop grown mainly in North and South America, however it has recently seen a revival in UK agriculture due to improvements in varieties and the demand for GM free soya.

The UK imports 1 million tonnes as beans and a further 1 million tonnes as meal, all for animal feed.

The area of soya grown in the UK at the turn of the millennium was about 1,700 ha, however it is currently down to less than 100 ha.

The crop is best suited to the warmer areas of southern Britain, where yields can reach 3t/ha, although averages are nearer to 2.5t/ha.
New Holland, one of the UKs leading agricultural manufacturers, has announced that it has joined the fight to find solutions to the problems which are threatening and killing dramatically high numbers of Britains honeybees.

New Holland has formed a partnership with the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) which has led the campaign to raise funds for research to fully understand these problems which, in the winter of 2007/8 alone, wiped out a third of British bee colonies.

As well as providing essential funding, New Holland will use its extensive dealer network and customer base to support the aims of the BBKA. It will have stands at key agricultural shows and events  where it can raise awareness of the work of the BBKA amongst farmers, land-owners and contractors. LAMMA 2010 will mark the official launch of the link with the BBKA and New Hollands stand promises to create a buzz during the two days of the show.

New Holland also plans to help promote the BBKAs key aims to educate the public on the importance of bees in the environment and the impact they have on food security.

Honeybees are an essential element of agricultural production in the UK. It is estimated that their pollination activities contribute at least 200 million to the agricultural economy every year. Not only are they vital for horticulture, they are also necessary for the successful harvest of oil seed rape, borage and other crops. And their contribution to British wildlife pollinating wild berries and seeds is impossible to quantify.

Honeybees are the principal economic pollinators. Without honey bees pollination is compromised; without pollination, harvests could fail which in turn could trigger food shortages. In short, the crisis in the honeybee population could easily become another crisis for UK farming and have a serious impact on the livelihoods of Britains farmers.

New Hollands marketing manager Richard Spencer says this is a problem that New Holland, a key player in the British farming community, is taking very seriously:

"Becoming a corporate member of the BBKA is a logical step for New Holland. Our products are used to harvest crops such as oilseed rape: our specialist tractors are designed for orchards, for example. Its clear that the customers who use these machines also rely on honeybees for their livelihoods. Were excited about this opportunity to work with the BBKA."

The BBKAs President Tim Lovett is delighted that New Holland has joined the campaign:

"The BBKA welcomes the opportunity to work with a major player in the agriculture sector and to be able to raise awareness with key groups such as farmers, land-owners, fruit growers and contractors, all of whom can have a major influence on the future welfare and success of honeybees in the UK. We are very much looking forward to working with the New Holland team."
Politicians and delegates at the Conservative Party Conference will be able to smell, touch, hear and see British farming at the NFUs Sensory Barn in the secure zone this Sunday.

The Conservative Party conference underway in Manchester this weekend.

It will be the NFUs first stand at the annual conference. The Barn will bring all the elements of the British farmed countryside right into the city of Manchester.

The stand brings to life the environmental and economic importance of farming, as well as its crucial role in helping to deliver food security for Britain.

Each of the farming sectors  livestock, dairy, horticulture, poultry, sugar and arable  will be showcased within interactive displays in the barn to the 11,000 conference attendees expected.

Delegates will be able to see the economic value of farming and food production

Delegates will be able to see the economic value of farming and food production in their own area, and can support British farming by making a pledge on the 'pledge apple tree'.

'Prime location'

NFU President Meurig Raymond said the Conference will give the union the "perfect opportunity" to speak to thousands of delegates about the farming industry.

The Sensory Barn certainly grabs this opportunity and puts farming and the importance of farming at the forefront of peoples minds, Mr Raymond said.

In prime location, the Barn will celebrate all that British farming contributes to our nation, as well as offering the opportunity for people to learn about how farming impacts on their daily lives.

With the UK now entering an important political period, it is vital that the value of farming and its contribution to the economy  in terms of jobs in the sector and GDP  our beautiful landscape and the food we all eat every day, is fully recognised.

The NFU invites everyone at the Conservative Party Conference to experience the Sensory Barn and pledge their support for British farming.
The hugely popular TV series This Farming Life is looking for new farming families in Scotland willing to share their everyday stories of life on the farm.

The BAFTA-award winning programme, which is gearing towards the end of its second series tonight, took social media by storm.

The second series included new entrant farmers Janet and Alastair from the Isle of Mull, who took their lambs to auction.

In Dumfries and Galloway, three generations of the Roan dairy-farming family entered a cow and a young heifer into competition at the South West Scotland Dairy Show.

In Argyll, hill farmers David and Sandra prepared for autumn by gathering in their sheep for a mineral dose and spreading slurry.

It showed Scottish farming life experienced in all its authentic glory, and now producers are set to take on new farming families for series three.

A BBC spokesman said: "We would absolutely love to hear from hard working farmers and their families.

"Are you a farmer who works with animals every day, in an interesting, beautiful or remote part of Scotland?

"Do you work with family on the farm, and live in muddy wellies? Is there a new challenge every day?

"Do you have big changes or challenges coming up over the next few months?

"Would you like to share the most challenging and rewarding, difficult and uplifting moments of your daily life on the farm?

"Would you be happy to be filmed on your typical (and not-so-typical!) days on the farm?

If you are interested, or you know somebody who might fit the bill, get in touch with Kate Thomson on kate.thomson@bbc.co.uk or call on 0141 422 6029.
A new report has led the NFU to warn that tree planting is 'not the universal panacea' in combating flooding.

Calls for the inclusion of natural solutions in flood alleviation schemes were made following the severe floods in Cumbria, December 2015.

But the report warns that planting trees to combat floods is 'less clear' than what was once thought.

The review, by the UKs Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and conducted in collaboration with organisations such as the National Farmers Union (NFU) and National Trust, looked specifically at the influence of trees in a catchment on flood peak, which is the maximum river discharge recorded during a flood event.

Based on the 71 studies examined by the authors, there is "broad support" for the conclusion that increased tree cover in catchments results in decreasing flood peaks, while decreased tree cover results in increasing flood peaks.

Considering just observational studies (approximately half of the total number of studies), the authors note that the difference between the numbers of studies reporting an influence and those reporting no influence of trees on flood peak becomes less clear.

'No observable influence'

Analysis of the small number of observational studies that differentiate on the basis of flood magnitude suggests that whilst there is strong evidence of an influence during small floods, the majority of observational studies relating to large floods report that trees have "no observable influence" on flood peak.

The authors call for an examination of the role of key factors including those associated with characteristics of the forest, catchment and climate, which might explain the more mixed results from observational studies.

The report states that there is also a need for more empirical data and improved measurement of high flows, to better quantify the effects of woodland creation and evaluate flood risk model outputs.

'Not the universal panacea'

Lead author, Charlie Stratford, cautions against the expectation that tree planting is the "panacea" to all flooding.

He recommends further research to better understand optimal deployment of natural solutions, their likely downstream impacts on flows, and the role they play in an integrated approach to flood risk management.

Martin Rogers, NFU flood management adviser said: The NFU supports that natural flood management techniques, in the right location, have their place, but as this review outlines they are not the universal panacea and should be used as part of a cohesive and carefully planned package of measures, looking at upstream attenuation and downstream conveyance to address shorter and longer term flood risk.

Natural flood management implementation also requires active and full engagement and agreement with land managers, especially farmers, to ensure schemes can work alongside other land uses, including agriculture and food production.
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced that it has fined HSBC Holdings plc, London, United Kingdom, and HSBC North America Holdings Inc., New York, New York, $175 million for the firm's unsafe and unsound practices in its foreign exchange (FX) trading business.

The Board levied the fine for deficiencies in HSBC's oversight of, and internal controls over, FX traders who buy and sell U.S. dollars and foreign currencies for the firm's own accounts and for customers. The firm failed to detect and address its traders misusing confidential customer information, as well as using electronic chatrooms to communicate with competitors about their trading positions. The Board's order requires HSBC to improve its controls and compliance risk management concerning the firm's FX trading.

For media inquiries, call 202-452-2955.


Alia Bhatt recently wrapped up her shoot for her next film Raazi, directed by Meghna Gulzar. The film is based on a novel called Calling Sehmat. In the film, Alia Bhatt plays a Kashmiri girl who is an Indian spy and is married to a Pakistani official played by Vicky Kaushal.



Before the start of the shoot, Meghana Gulzar gave Alia Bhatt a few films to watch as a reference for his character in the film. After Alia had finished watching the films, she got back to Meghna and particularly praised the look and character of the actress in Kabhie Kabhie.



To Meghna's amusement, she realised that Alia did not know that Raakhee Gulzar is actually her mother. We are sure, it would have been a moment of quite a few laughs and ice breaking for the two ladies.


Italian beauty Monica Bellucci who has been often been celebrated for her captivating performances as an actor and her sheer jaw-dropping beauty will soon be visiting Mumbai. She will be here to receive an award at a popular film festival.



In her conversation with Mumbai Mirror, the 52 year old actress told about her first introduction with Shah Rukh Khan and that she would love to meet the actor during her visit. Interestingly, her list isn't stopping here. We hear that Monica is an admirer of Bollywood's queen D aka Deepika Padukone. In her interview, Bellucci mentioned, I also had the pleasure to have dinner with Deepika in Paris and I look forward to meeting her again in Mumbai. I find her stunning,



Sweet much!



Monica Bellucci recently won an award at the at 65th San Sebastian Film Festival in northern Spain.
Over the next decade, utilities will be facing more disruption than they've ever seen in their history. Customers with solar on their roofs and storage in their garage will be able to forgo electricity from the grid and potentially cut the cord altogether. Meanwhile, wholesale power markets are falling apart as natural gas kills coal and wind and solar plants eat up formerly high-margin peak electricity demand.

To adapt, utilities are spending billions to build or buy their own renewable energy power plants with contracts to sell electricity to other utilities for decades. These four companies are the utilities making the shift faster than competitors.

AES is leading the renewable charge

AES (AES -1.96%) operates in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia, so it already has a pretty diverse business. But it's really turning its focus to renewables, building or buying 3,602 MW of renewables between the start of 2017 and the end of 2020. At the end of 2015, 23% of its electricity capacity was renewable energy, and by the end of 2020, that figure will jump to 30%.

What may be even more consequential long term is AES's leadership position in energy storage. It formed a company called Fluence with Siemens to develop energy storage technology and services. As more renewable energy hits the grid, energy storage will be an important asset for utilities and businesses that are trying to control their energy consumption and use energy most efficiently. Taking a leadership role could be a lucrative position as the energy storage industry grows.

As AES increases its exposure to renewable energy and energy storage, it builds a utility that's built to last.

The biggest game in town

NextEra Energy's (NEE -1.98%) power-generation arm NextEra Energy Resources calls itself the "world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun." Between 2017 and 2020 alone, the company plans to build 10,100 MW to 16,500 MW of wind and solar projects. And its regulated utility Florida Power & Light plans to spend $2.8 billion by 2020 on solar energy. In total, renewable investment will exceed $10 billion by a wide margin.

On top of the assets within the utility, NextEra Energy also controls NextEra Energy Partners (NEP -0.62%), a yieldco that owns renewable energy assets and pays dividends based on annual cash flows. Currently, the yieldco has about 3,000 MW of renewable energy assets and will acquire projects from NextEra Energy Resources or third parties to fuel growth.

When it comes to utilities with the scale and willpower to grow their renewable energy investment, NextEra Energy is a company that investors shouldn't overlook.

A new renewable energy power

Duke Energy's (DUK 0.29%) power-generation business has long been dominated by coal, but that's beginning to change. The company has grown wind and solar assets from 239 MW in 2008 to 2,893 MW at the end of 2016. And over the next 10 years, it expects to grow renewables from 4% of its energy mix to 9% (a target I think it will exceed by a long shot).

In the next 10 years, Duke Energy plans to invest $11 billion in "cleaner generation," which includes natural gas. Over the next five years, it plans $1 billion in commercial renewables on top of $1.3 billion invested in carbon-free generation in its regulated utility business.

Duke Energy isn't a visionary utility like AES or NextEra when it comes to renewable energy, but it's quickly learning that there's more money to be made in renewables than dying coal plants or expensive nuclear power. And I wouldn't be surprised if management doubled down on renewables in the future.

Buffett's renewable energy star

No individual utility has done more to build a renewable energy future than Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A -0.52%) (BRK.B -0.26%) MidAmerican Energy. The company already gets 48% of its generation from wind, an abundant resource in Iowa, and has a goal of reaching 100% renewables. A big part of hitting that goal is a 2,000 MW project called Wind XI, which will cost $3.6 billion when completed.

MidAmerican's wind investments are just part of the 6,200 MW of wind and 1,300 MW of solar in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio. Warren Buffett is quietly one of the biggest renewable energy owners in the country, and it looks like his utilities will charge ahead, investing billions more in the future.

Utilities have to adopt renewables to survive

The drive to own renewable energy isn't part of a desire to reduce carbon emissions or have cleaner businesses -- it's all about economics. Coal plants are no longer profitable to build and are being shut down by the hundreds, while wind and solar are now the low-cost energy providers. That makes the decision to buy more renewable energy in the future an easy one, and these four utilities are leading the way.
Nokia 8 to receive Android 8.0 Oreo update by end of October News oi -Samden Sherpa It seems like Nokia 8 owners won't have to wait more than a month to upgrade to Oreo.

HMD just confirmed that its Nokia Android smartphones including Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 will be receiving the Android Oreo update by the end of this year. This information was confirmed by Mark Trundle, the General Manager for Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia at HMD Global in an interview at a separate launch event in Indonesia.

However, there is some good news for the Nokia fans. After India, HMD held a launch event for the Nokia 8 in Taiwan. Interestingly, there was a surprise announcement during the event and the information was picked up by VTechgraphy.

A manager from HMD has allegedly stated that Android Oreo update for Nokia 8 could start rolling out by end of October. He stated that the ETA was given as an early release prediction. Basically, it could also be that the update is rolled out only after few weeks. Everything will depend on how the testing of Oreo goes.

Nearly two weeks ago, HMD's CPO Juho Sarvikas in his Twitter post had revealed that HMD is beta testing Oreo on the Nokia 8 and that the update will be released once it's perfect. In any case, with the new piece of information, it seems that the update will be rolled out much sooner than expected since Nokia 8 has just been launched.

Meanwhile, as Nokia 8 was recently launched in India, there has been a new development regarding the smartphone's manufacturing case. The flagship device from HMD Global will be manufactured entirely in India. Pranav Shroff Director, Global Portfolio Strategy, and Planning at HMD Global in an interview confirmed the news stating, "All of the Nokia manufacturing is done by Foxconn for HMD Global. All of the phones are being manufactured in India from Nokia 3310 to Nokia 6, 5, 3 and the Nokia 8 as well."

Best Mobiles in India

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Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 28, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 44 strikes consisting of 66 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 35 strikes consisting of 39 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four ISIS supply routes and an ISIS headquarters.

-- Near Raqqa, 33 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 23 fighting positions, a vehicle and an ISIS headquarters and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 27 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Qaim, three strikes destroyed two weapons caches and an ISIS headquarters.

-- Near Huwijah, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six vehicles, an ISIS-held building, a command-and-control node, an ISIS staging area and a vehicle-borne bomb.

-- Near Ramadi, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six tactical vehicles and two vehicles.

Sept. 26 Strikes

Officials also provided details today on eight Sept. 26 strikes, consisting of 10 engagements conducted in Syria and Iraq, for which the information was not previously available:

-- Near Huwijah, Iraq, a strike destroyed 60 vehicles.

-- Near Raqqa, Syria, seven strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 16 vehicle-borne bombs, three vehicles, two ISIS supply routes and a fighting position and suppressed two other fighting positions.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said.

The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted.

Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect.

For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said.

The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

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ISIS 'Losing on All Fronts,' OIR Spokesman Says

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2017  Coalition and partner forces are making significant progress in defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today in Baghdad.

"ISIS is losing on all fronts, and they are losing their grip on their few remaining strongholds in both Iraq and Syria," Army Col. Ryan Dillon said in a videoconference with reporters at the Pentagon.

The coalition and its partners on the ground -- the Iraqi security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces -- remain committed to defeating the enemy, he said.

"But make no mistake," he added, "we fully expect fierce fighting in the days ahead. And while these terrorists remain a dangerous and desperate enemy, our ISF and SDF partners have proven they are up to the task."

The terrorists have committed inhumane actions and violated the laws of war, Dillon said, are responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. He called on the world to hold ISIS accountable for the violations.

Focus on Decisive Defeat in Iraq

Iraqi forces have made significant progress in the fight, Dillon said. "Our Iraqi partners have fought a long, bloody war and have sacrificed a great deal to liberate their people and clear terrorists from cities and villages," he told reporters.

More than 42,000 square kilometers in Iraq have been cleared and more than 4 million people are now free from ISIS control, the colonel said. "ISIS is on the run, and we must remain focused on delivering a decisive defeat in their few remaining holdouts in Iraq," he added.

In the past week, Iraqi security forces have continued fighting ISIS on multiple fronts, showing their capacity as a strong, unified fighting force, Dillon said, noting that they have made steady progress in defeating the enemy in the two and a half weeks since launching simultaneous operations in Hiwija, Sharqat and in the western part of Anbar province. The Iraqi forces completed the first phase of operations in Hiwija and Sharqat, clearing more than 1,300 square kilometers and liberating more than 100 villages, he said.

In western Anbar, the town of Ana is clear of ISIS fighters and improvised explosive devices, and operations are under way to clear the nearby town of Rayhanna.

ISIS Losing Grip on Raqqa

The Syrian Democratic Forces have made steady gains in liberating Raqqa, Dillon said.

"We are seeing the terrorist group begin to lose its grip on their self-declared capital in Raqqa," he said, adding that more than 75 percent of the city is now clear of ISIS with more than 50 city blocks cleared in the past week.

"ISIS is trying to control the remaining civilians in the city, holding them hostage as the terrorists cling to the final square kilometers they hold," he said.

The Syrian Democratic Forces provided safe passage for about 300 civilians seeking refuge from Raqqa this week, he said. "The singular mission of our combined joint task force is the annihilation of ISIS," he stressed. "In total, across Syria, about 2 million people are no longer under ISIS control, and more than 44,000 square kilometers have been cleared."

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Senate Confirms Dunford for Additional 2-Year Term as Chairman

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2017  The Senate yesterday agreed to Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford's reappointment for another two-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dunford will continue to serve as the principal military advisor to the president, the secretary of defense and the rest of the National Security Council through Sept. 30, 2019.

The general's reconfirmation as chairman came via voice vote.

Dunford was nominated as the highest-ranking U.S. military official in 2015. President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to renominate the general in June.

Vast Experience

Dunford has been on active duty for more than 40 years. A native of Boston, Dunford received his commission after graduating from St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vermont. He commanded at every level from platoon to Marine expeditionary force. He served as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul before being named commandant of the Marine Corps -- the job he held prior to his present position.

Legislation allows for the chairman to serve up to six years in the position, but tradition is generally to serve four years.

Dunford succeeded Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as chairman. In his time as chairman, he has promulgated a new National Military Strategy, worked with the strategy to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, helped formulate the South Asian strategy and established ways to lessen the chance of miscalculations between Russian and U.S. forces. He has also worked to better military-to-military relations with nations across the globe to include China, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

The chairman continues to deal with the growing threat from North Korea.

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The 'Year of Execution': U.S. Army Europe rotational forces in action

By Staff Sgt. Tamika Dillard September 28, 2017

WIESBADEN, Germany -- "This is all about deterrence," said Lt. Gen. Frederick "Ben" Hodges, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe. "To deter, you have to have real capability and demonstrate the will to use that capability."

Hodges declared 2017 as "Year of Execution" this past January during the annual U.S. Army Europe Commander's Conference in Weisbaden, Germany. He said the "Year of Execution" signified U.S. Army Europe's commitment to implementing the strategic decisions of the alliance.

Hodges will speak on this topic again during a Warriors' Corner presentation Oct. 11 at 10:55 a.m. at the Army Exhibit during the Annual Association of the Army Meeting and Exposition at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. He will present an overview on the critical mission along with brigade commanders, who led or are leading troops participating in Atlantic Resolve in Europe.

U.S. Army Europe demonstrated its deterrence capability earlier this year when more than 6,000 Regionally Allocated Forces rapidly deployed across 5,000 miles of ocean with approximately 3,800 pieces of their own equipment, ready to respond at a moment's notice in support of Atlantic Resolve and other joint and multinational efforts.

"This rotational force, deploying with its full complement of equipment, put U.S. armor and aviation back into Europe on a continuous basis for the first time since 2013," said Hodges. "Their forward presence is the bedrock of our country's ability to assure allies, deter adversaries and posture to act quickly if deterrence fails."

The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division's deployment in support of Atlantic Resolve marked the beginning of a continuous U.S. armored and aviation brigade presence in Europe. The start of heel-to-toe rotations, made possible by the European Reassurance Initiative, is a strong signal of the United States' ironclad commitment to strengthening the defensive and deterrence capabilities of the alliance.

In 2016, during the NATO Summit in Warsaw, the alliance made the decision to shift its posture and focus from assurance to deterrence. The United States followed NATO's lead in this transition with a new security stance in Europe through enhancing the capabilities of the U.S. Army in Europe, its NATO allies and partners.

REGIONALLY ALLOCATED FORCES

The Regionally Allocated Forces concept demonstrates commitment to improving the unit's overall mission readiness by providing resources needed to train as they fight, as well as develop future leaders, Hodges said. The rotational forces conducted more than 90 exercises in 2017 across the theater with allies and partners during the course of their nine-month rotation, routinely demonstrating speed of assembly and freedom of movement.

"We were very fortunate to be put in the middle of this type of environment," said Col. Christopher Norrie, commander of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. "Within 10 days of the first piece of equipment being offloaded from the ships in Germany, Iron Brigade tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles units were firing live ammunition rounds down range in Poland, demonstrating the ability to move and assemble Soldiers and equipment to be ready to fight if necessary."

In the first half of their nine-month rotation, the brigade completed eight large-scale movements (battalion-sized or larger). This included assembling the entire brigade in Poland upon arrival; moving three combined-arms battalions to Germany, the Baltics and Black Sea region from Poland; moving the brigade headquarters and three battalions to Germany for exercise Combined Resolve VIII in April; and relocating the brigade headquarters and five of seven battalions to Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary for exercise Saber Guardian in July.

The unit also conducted 19 Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercises, which further built their collective ability to "fight tonight," if the need ever arose. The brigade command post changed locations six times, demonstrating its ability to move to a new location in less than an hour.

An armored brigade wasn't the only capability that was part of the heel-to-toe rotations. In the spring, the first rotational combat aviation brigade deployed as well.

"The rotational OPTEMPO is appreciably fairly high," said Col. Clair Gill, commander of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. "This environment spreads your unit over hundreds and even thousands of miles  providing the RAF formations great opportunities to execute mission command -- empowering leaders at every echelon to accomplish the mission within the commander's intent."

Because of its high level of training and readiness, the brigade logged more than 10,000 flight hours to meet training requirements and unforeseen events such as the President of the United States' visit, shock exercises and expeditionary operations, Gill said.

"It really was both an awesome responsibility as well as a rewarding deployment," Gill said. "Because we were the RAF and here in a deployed status, U.S. Army Europe had a ready-now armored and aviation brigade available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

Both commanders agreed that their missions would not have been successful without the support of their NATO allies and partners.

"The shared interest of expressing the will of the alliance is a very powerful motivator," Norrie said. "Having liaison teams and putting troops in the headquarters of allied forces and having that reciprocated, created a solution for problems as they arose."

Gill added that unity among nations is a strong message to those that would threaten the alliance.

LOGISTICS AND SPEED OF ASSEMBLY

A combination of active duty, U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers arrived in Europe in early March to perform combat sustainment support battalion tasks under the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command. The units are based out of Poland and provide postal, military police, ammunition handling and other logistical support across eastern Europe to the rotational units participating in Atlantic Resolve.

"With the arrival of the regionally allocated forces, we've doubled our logistics capability for Atlantic Resolve to sustain a Strong Europe," said Col. Michelle Donahue, commander of the 16th Sustainment Brigade. "We have sustainment companies from six different states fused into one battalion and we have spread the battalion across four locations in eastern Europe."

Sustainment Task Force Rook is the first of many rotational, multi-component sustainment forces to support multi-national training exercises for Atlantic Resolve.

"Army Reserve and National Guard units have exceptionally cohesive units since their Soldiers often have years of experience working together," Donahue said. "These two components also hold the majority of the U.S. Army's logistics capabilities. Deploying a total Army sustainment force to Europe, a force that can solely focus on the mission, allows for uninterrupted combat power generation."

Conducting real-world support missions in Europe every day provides the task force with experiences not as easily accessible in the United States, Donahue said. European rotations of forces stationed in the United States raised the collective readiness for Army sustainment, she added.

Task Force Rook achieved its "Ready to Fight" status to conduct real-world support missions for regionally allocated forces and plans to continue to set the conditions for success for all future rotations of multi-component sustainment forces.

HEEL-TO-TOE ROTATION

As the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, prepared to close out their nine-month long deployment, the incoming heel-to-toe unit, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, began its arrival into Poland.

"We enthusiastically accept the challenges and opportunities of Atlantic Resolve, the way we have dutifully accepted our missions of the past," Col. David Gardner, commander of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, said. "We are always ready now, to be what America needs most, because no mission is too difficult and no sacrifice is too great."

The brigade has served most of its 100-year history in support of its European allies and will arrive after a year of training ready to do so again.

"This is what the deterrence looks like," said Hodges. "This is not just a training event, this is existentially about our survival if we're ever called upon to fight a conventional force."

---

U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51=country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships U.S. Army Europe builds during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.

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Secretary General wraps-up visit to Afghanistan, stresses NATO's enduring support

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

28 Sep. 2017

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg concluded a two-day visit to Afghanistan on Thursday (28 September 2017), following a visit to NATO's headquarters for southern Afghanistan. The Secretary General received operational briefings from senior military leaders at NATO's Train Advise and Assist Command in Kandahar, and addressed troops from Allied and partner countries together with General Nicholson, the Commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

During this visit to Afghanistan together with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, Secretary General Stoltenberg stressed NATO's support for the Afghan people, for the government's reforms, and for an Afghan-owned and led peace and reconciliation process. Speaking in Kabul on Wednesday (27 September 2017), Mr Stoltenberg acknowledged that NATO's presence in Afghanistan has come "at great human cost", but stressed that the costs of leaving would outweigh those of remaining. "If NATO leaves, we risk Afghanistan returning to a state of chaos: a safe haven for international terrorism."

Mr. Stoltenberg added that "NATO doesn't quit when the going gets tough", welcoming pledges by many nations to make further contributions to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and institutions. The Secretary General welcomed the fact that the Afghan forces "have come a very long way" with NATO's help, and that they now "lead the fight against the Taliban and international terrorist groups".

In their meetings, the Secretary General, President Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Secretary Mattis discussed the security situation in Afghanistan and reviewed the government's reforms. Mr. Stoltenberg underlined that "we count on the Afghan government to make good on its commitments", including reforms on rule of law, fighting corruption and protecting the rights of women and children. He further welcomed President Ghani's initiative for peace and reconciliation, encouraging "all countries in the region to support this process". Stoltenberg emphasised that NATO was committed to funding the Afghan security forces until at least 2020, and would continue to provide almost $1 billion in financial support each year.

The Secretary General and Secretary Mattis also held a meeting with senior Afghan officials, including Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak, National Directorate of Security Director Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, and National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar. The Secretary General also met separately with General John Nicholson, the Commander of the Resolute Support Mission and Ambassador Cornelius Zimmermann, NATO's Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, as well as with representatives of the Afghan civil society.

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FAST Company Europe Completes Exercise Lisa Azul

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170928-06

Release Date: 9/28/2017 8:40:00 AM

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class M. Jang, NAVSTA Rota Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Marines assigned to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Company Europe completed their final exercise as part of a two-week military operation training, Exercise Lisa Azul, Sept. 21.

FAST Company Europe Marines worked multilateral exercises with four other European and U.S. Marine units to promote partnership, improve interoperability and cultural understanding between the U.S., Spain and Italy. The three Marine units working together with FAST Company Europe included U.S. Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF) in Morn, Spain; Spanish Marines from Tercio del Sur, Brigada de Infanteria de Marina; and Italian Marines from the San Marco Regiment.

"The focus of Lisa Azul has been proficiency in infantry fundamentals and really trying to leverage the subject matter expertise of the different units that we have out here," said Capt. Edward Hickey, officer in charge of FAST Company Europe during Lisa Azul. "We're integrating the units so we can start to build working relationships and cohesion, so that when it's time to execute during the final exercise, they'll be well prepared to do that. The final exercise is going to be an application of all the skills that we've learned so far."

Exercise Lisa Azul was an opportune bi-lateral training exercise where Marines conducted live fire training at a Spanish range complex off base, performed fast rope and repelling exercises, practiced urban patrol operations and combat and building clearing procedures at various facilities on base.

"The significance of the drills are to enhance interoperability between units and increase a general understanding of different TTPs (techniques, tactics and procedures), skills sets and levels," said 1st Lt. Robert Zieser-Misenheimer, SPMAGTF-CR-AF 1st Platoon commander.

All units gathered to complete their final exercise early, Sept. 21, at 5 a.m. on a variety of tasks, which encompassed all of their training from the past two weeks.

"It's evaluating how well they've retained those skills to be able to do those things against an opposing force that we're going to be putting out there against them, and seeing how they react to that challenge of the thinking enemy going beyond the knowledge of it and more into the practical application of it," said Hickey.

Leadership from all units coordinated a barbeque the following day as a closure to the extensive training that the Marines received.

FAST Company Europe is a tenant command of Commander, Naval Expeditionary Task Force Europe and Africa. The task force is responsible for exercising tactical control and functional component command over assigned forces for the direction, control and approval of movements, maneuvers and operations necessary to accomplish Commander, 6th Fleet assigned missions and tasks.

Just as ship performs lines of operation that provide a capability, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet, joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations; port operations; safety; security; housing; Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Fleet and Family Services; and what is called the core: the fuels, water and power that keep the bases running. Through these lines of operation, the installations are force multipliers that maximize combat capability of operational units.

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USS Ponce Returns to Homeport

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170928-01

Release Date: 9/28/2017 7:10:00 AM

From Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Afloat forward staging base-interim USS Ponce (AFSB(I) 15) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 27, after being forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations for more than five years.

Nicknamed "Proud Lion," Ponce was reclassified from an amphibious transport dock ship to an interim afloat forward staging base with a hybrid crew of Navy and Military Sealift Command personnel. They deployed to the Navy's U.S. 5th Fleet and had been forward-deployed there since July 2012. The reclassification was experimental and based on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk's (CV 63) role as an afloat special operations staging base during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.

"The U.S. Navy's 'Proud Lion' is America's proof of concept of innovative warfighting operations and a testament to unmatched professionalism," said Brig. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander, Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Following a mandate from the Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, in cooperation with the Military Sealift Command, coordinated efforts to provide Ponce as a response to a U.S. Central Command request for an afloat forward staging base to conduct a variety of in-theater sea operations. After successful implementation, Ponce remained in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations providing a platform capable of completing a variety of missions including humanitarian relief, special operations, mine countermeasure operations and serving as a command and control asset.

"The high standard you demonstrated throughout the deployment in direct support of real-world operations was critical to national interests of the United States," Donovan said, addressing Ponce's combined Navy-civilian mariner's team prior to their return.

"It's simply not possible to recount the extraordinary things Ponce has accomplished in her 46 years of service, but it is sufficient to say that the durability, flexibility and clarity of design inherent in Ponce will be missed," he continued, highlighting the history of the ship and its unique longevity when compared to other platforms. "This is well-reflected by the fact that Ponce has outlived whole classes of ships that were commissioned when Ponce was already 10 years old."

The ship was commissioned July 10, 1971, in Norfolk, as an Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship (LPD). She became a workhorse of the Atlantic Fleet, completing 27 North Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf deployments over the next 42 years. In 2011, the ship was selected for decommissioning after her final deployment and began deactivation in November 2011 for a March 30 decommissioning. Refitted as an afloat forward staging base (interim), the ship gained new life and a hybrid crew.

In 2014, Ponce tested the laser weapons system, the first of its kind to be employed aboard a deployed U.S. Navy warship. This system provided unmatched capabilities, enabling combatant commanders the ability to employ a new weapons system at the speed of light, undetected and completely silent against a variety of air and surface targets at long distances and at a cost of about a dollar a shot. Ponce's participation in the development of this system was essential to defining a generation of directed energy weapons currently in development.

During her time in the 5th Fleet, Ponce deployed throughout the Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa, South Red Sea and Arabian Gulf to conduct expeditionary operations in support of diverse missions that included crisis response, airborne mine countermeasures, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions. The crew regularly participated in operations and exercises with up to six foreign countries and shared expertise that built upon partner nation capabilities in order to increase regional stability and improve interoperability.

AFSB(I) 15 was the first ship to be fully realized and dedicated as an afloat forward staging base. The lessons learned from Ponce's employment will be incorporated in future expeditionary sea bases to be built over the next 15 years. Its performance in this role will be used as a model for concepts and developments across the 30-year shipbuilding plan. Additionally, the ship and its crew provided unmatched UAV, mine sweeping, multinational aircraft and amphibious support during TF 51/5-led missions.

Ponce was relieved in U.S 5th Fleet by the expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), the first U.S. ship commissioned outside the United States and the first ship built specifically for the purpose of serving as an afloat, forward-staging base.

The ship is slated for decommissioning and dismantling later this year.

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Deadly car bombing kills seven in Mogadishu

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 07:13PM

A car bomb has exploded near a marketplace in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, killing at least seven people and wounding several others.

A spokesman for Mogadishu's mayor, Abdifatah Omar Halane, said the blast took place alongside a densely-populated road near Hamarweyne market in the capital on Thursday.

"The blast was caused by a luxurious car loaded with explosives, which was detonated at a civilian, densely-populated area, and seven people were killed and several others wounded," media outlets quoted the spokesman as saying.

Abdinasir Mohamed, a witness to the blast, gave a slightly higher death toll, saying, "There were eight people killed and most of them died in a civilian minibus which was passing by the area where the vehicle went off."

Al-Shabab, a Takfiri militant group linked to al-Qaeda, has a history of carrying out such attacks in Somalia, which has been hit by civil war since 1991, when clan-based warlords overthrew a dictator then turned against each other.

The militant group seeks to oust the Western-backed government in Mogadishu and drive out African Union peacekeeping troops.

The weak UN-backed government is now battling the ongoing insurgency, but many members of its security forces are badly trained and coordination is poor.

Al-Shabab was forced out of the capital by the African Union troops in 2011, but still controls parts of the countryside and carries out attacks against government, military and civilian targets.

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Uganda MPs brawl over presidential age limit bill for second day

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 09:45AM

Scuffles have broken out for a second day at Uganda's parliament during debates over a highly controversial bill that could potentially grant President Yoweri Museveni another term in office.

Ugandan lawmakers on Wednesday got engaged in physical violence while protesting a proposed age limit amendment bill that would scrap the presidential age limit.

Some MPs exchanged blows and kicks while others used microphone stands as weapons in the brawl; and at least two female lawmakers were carried out of the parliament after collapsing, according to Reuters.

Several lawmakers were forcibly evicted from the parliament following the chaos, which also saw objects being thrown across the legislative chamber.

Uganda's constitution bars anyone over the age of 75 from standing as a presidential candidate, making the 73-year-old Museveni  who has been in power for more than three decades  ineligible to seek re-election at the next polls in 2021.

Fisticuffs first erupted on Tuesday, prompting Uganda's communication regulator to ban live broadcasts of the events, which "are inciting the public, discriminating, stirring up hatred, promoting a culture of violence... and are likely to create public insecurity."

The ban, however, was viewed by critics as a deliberate blackout on opponents of the bill.

Robert Ssempala, with the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda), said banning live broadcasts would "shut out Ugandans and keep them in the dark on the age limit debate."

Anti-government protests were also staged by students and opposition activists in some parts of the country over the past days, and three local journalists were taken into custody while covering the rallies.

Museveni, who has been at the helm of the country since 1986 and is credited with restoring peace and stability to the African nation, won re-election last year in a poll marred by allegations of vote fraud and intimidation by security forces.

Although he has warned in the past that Africa's problem was the leaders "who want to overstay in power," he has lately said he was speaking about unelected African leaders.

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Catalonia Urges EU to Protect Fundamental Rights Under Siege by Spain

Sputnik News

17:48 28.09.2017(updated 17:52 28.09.2017)

Catalonia calls for the European Commission and the European Parliament to respond to the harassment of civil rights organizations, journalists and individuals by Spain ahead of the upcoming independence referendum in Catalonia.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  Catalan Foreign Minister Raul Romeva called for political support from the European Commission and the European Parliament on Thursday in light of the violation of fundamental democratic principles in Spain.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Romeva pointed out the "brutal crackdown" on Catalan advocating institutions, the rights of media outlets, the prosecution of "more than eight hundred mayors," the harassment of civil rights organizations, journalists and individuals.

"This is first and foremost about democratic standards and fundamental rights, that what we are having today in Spain is a serious damaging of the democratic tools, of the democratic structures. This is why we are making a call. We call to the EU institutions the European Commission and the Parliament in particular, to stand for values and principles which are in the pillars of the [EU] treaty," Romeva said.

The Catalan politician has also stressed that the quality of democracy in Spain "is eroding day after day."

"The European Commission can no longer argue that this is a domestic issue. They must defend the treaty of the European Union and stand for the general interests of Catalan citizens as the EU citizens they are, and I mean it," Romeva underlined.

Romeva stressed that the referendum on October 1 was a "legitimate act" and denied the claim that Catalonia was hasty in its decision to hold the vote.

"Well, you say it's a rush When you see your fundamental rights violated day after day with no reactions what you would do is try to solve that situation the sooner as possible," the Catalan foreign minister said.

Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau also callled for EU support by writing a letter to 27 European mayors. The European Commission should become a mediator in the resolution of the conflict between Spanish and Catalan authorities over the latter's plans to hold an independence referendum, he stated in the document.

"The Catalan question can no longer be considered merely an internal Spanish matter, it now needs to be approached from its proper European perspective I wish to inform you then that I shall be calling on the European Commission to open a mediation space for the Spanish government and the Catalan regional government to take part in and I would like you to convey this call for dialogue, as far as possible, to every authority you consider appropriate," Colau said in the letter released on her Twitter account on Thursday.

Colau indicated that there was a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms in Catalonia, where Spanish authorities were shutting down Catalan government's websites, organizations of civil society and arresting regional government officials.

Colau reiterated in her letter that the Catalan issue was no longer a problem relating only to Spain's internal affairs, as the developments in Barcelona had "direct effects on Madrid, Paris, London and Brussels."

In early September, Catalonia's Parliament passed a bill enabling an independence referendum to be held on October 1. Spain's Constitutional Court has suspended the law on the referendum approved by the Catalan government and parliament, which made all further preparations to the vote, scheduled for this Sunday, illegal.

 Sputnik

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False Caliphate faces collapse as UK marks three year tackling Daesh

28 September 2017

Royal Air Force strikes 1,340 times in Iraq and 262 times in Syria since 2014 as terror cult cowers in Raqqa

Daesh fighters are being pinned down by the Royal Air Force in their former stronghold of Raqqa as the UK marks three years of tackling the barbaric cult in Iraq and Syria.

Royal Air Force aircraft destroyed 17 targets in Syria in a single day last week as the air campaign intensifies, forcing Daesh to splinter and retreat from areas it ruled when the UK voted to begin air strikes in September 2014.

British aircraft have struck Daesh 1,340 times in Iraq and 262 times in Syria. In that time the group has lost territory, finances, leaders and fighters as the 73-member coalition has liberated cities in both countries.

Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said:

"Britain has made a major contribution to the campaign that has crippled Daesh since 2014, forcing this miserable cult from the gates of Baghdad to the brink of defeat in Raqqa. By air, land and sea UK personnel have played a tireless role in striking targets and training allies."

"As the second largest contributor to the Global Coalition's military campaign, the UK has flown more than 8,000 sorties with Tornado and Typhoon jets and Reaper drones, providing strikes, surveillance and reconnaissance, refuelling and transport."

Since 2014 the UK has hit Daesh with over 1,500 strikes, bombarding targets including heavy machine-gun positions, truck-bombs, mortar teams, snipers and weapons stores.

RAF Typhoons, Tornados and Reapers have hounded Daesh day and night, striking from Raqqa and Dayr az Zawr in Syria to Qayyarah and Al Qaim in Iraq.

Air Chief Marshal, Sir Stephen Hillier, said:

"This has been an immense effort by RAF airmen and airwomen over the last three years of continued operations, countering Da'esh in Iraq and Syria. However, the tempo continues with RAF aircraft destroying 17 targets in Syria in a single day last week."

Three years ago Daesh was barely an hour from the gates of Baghdad, but today it has lost more than 73 per cent of the territory it occupied in Iraq and 65 per cent of its former territory in Syria.

The Royal Air Force has played an essential role to allies, helping Syrian Democratic Forces engaged in ground close combat and the Iraqi Security Forces who continue their advance having liberated Mosul and Ninewah province.

More than 5.5 million people have been freed from Daesh's rule and over 2 million displaced Iraqi civilians have returned to their homes. In Mosul alone, it is estimated that over 265,000 people have returned.

On the ground, around 600 British soldiers are in Iraq, helping to train that country's forces. UK troops have so far helped train over 58,000 Iraqi Security Forces in battle winning infantry, counter-IED, engineering and combat medical skills.

Recognising the valuable contributions made by many serving military personnel, Sir Michael announced an Iraq and Syria Operational Service Medal during his recent visit to Iraq.

The UK's commitment from all three Services to the fight against Daesh across the region now numbers just over 1,400 military personnel, with the latest uplift of 44 Royal Engineers announced in September demonstrating the UKs contribution to the campaign.



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Lake Chad Basin: Vulnerable people 'a step away from starvation,' says UN aid chief

28 September 2017  The scale up of international assistance to the Lake Chad Basin this year has averted a famine in north-east Nigeria, even though millions of people are still suffering, according to the United Nations aid chief.

Having visited Niger and Nigeria earlier this month, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, told reporters today at UN Headquarters in New York: "There are still millions of people who have suffered a lot and continue to suffer, many of them just a step away from starvation."

He said that in field visits to Ngagam in Diffa  "the poorest region in the poorest country in the world"  and to Maiduguri, Pulka, and Gwoza in Borno state in Nigeria, he met "extremely vulnerable people" displaced by conflict.

"Those people want to go home, they want a chance to rebuild their lives. But they want to do that when it's safe to do so," stressed Mr. Lowcock.

About 1.8 million people in Niger are food-insecure. Some 800,000 children are affected by acute malnutrition and almost 250,000 people are either internally displaced persons, returnees or refugees from Nigeria, he highlighted.

In north-east Nigeria, around 6.5 million people need life-saving assistance. Nearly 5.2 million are severely food-insecure and 450,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition, this year.

The crisis in the Lake Chad Basin, which covers Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad, is complex as countries grapple with insecurity, climatic shocks, extreme poverty, the legacy of inadequate governance across vast parts of the region.

"But the way forward is also clear," he asserted, highlighting the need to sustain the effective humanitarian response, and to ensure see better protection for people.

"Access has improved in many towns, but there's also been a recent upsurge in horrific attacks on civilians in all four countries. In Niger, hostage-taking has increased, while in Nigeria children have been used as 'human bombs,'" he said.

Turning to other areas of the world, Mr. Lowcock said "so far in Somalia, famine has been averted" while in South Sudan, there was "a famine declaration in a couple of counties in Unity state, that affected about 50,000 people earlier in the year, but that situation was brought under control pretty quickly."

Calling it the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, Mr. Lowcock pointed out that in Yemen, "we have so far again averted formal famine declaration, but the levels of suffering in Yemen are really astronomical. I mean, there's a really dreadful situation."

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DR Congo: UN mission deploys 'blue helmets' to protect civilians and refugees

28 September 2017  Responding to the worsening security situation near a major town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations mission in the country has deployed peacekeepers to deter any attacks on the city and to prevent escalation in clashes.

According to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, known by its French acronym MONUSCO, clashes had occurred in the area of Uvira, in South Kivu province, between presumed armed groups and the Congolese national army (FARDC).

Noting that the response is guided by the Mission's mandate, Maman Sidikou, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO, said: "[We are] strongly committed to the protection of civilians, including vulnerable groups such as refugees and displaced people."

He called on the armed groups to immediately cease this hostility including all forms of violence against constituted authority and innocent civilians.

"All perpetrators, in particular those who sponsor armed groups as well as those who bear command responsibility, will be held accountable for human rights abuses," he added.

Uvira is the second largest town in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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US: Coalition Strikes Kill 3 Islamic State Drone Experts in Syria

By Carla Babb September 28, 2017

The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria said Thursday that three of the terror group's drone experts were killed in Syria this month.

U.S. Army Col. Ryan Dillon, the spokesman for the counter-Islamic State coalition, said Abu Muadh al-Tunisi was killed on September 12 and Sajid Farooq Babar was killed on September 13 by coalition airstrikes near Mayadin, Syria, in the Middle Euphrates River Valley.

Speaking to reporters via videoconference from Baghdad, Dillon said the two Islamic State fighters "were responsible for manufacturing and modifying commercially produced drones."

Separately, on September 14, two airstrikes in Syria targeted Islamic State drone developer Abu Salman near Mayadin and destroyed his research lab in Ashara, Syria.

Salman and "a terrorist associate" were killed while traveling in a vehicle from Mayadin to Ashara, according to Dillon.

"The removal of these three highly skilled ISIS officials disrupts and degrades ISIS's ability to modify and employ drone platforms as reconnaissance and direct-fire weapons on the battlefield," Dillon said, using an acronym for the terror group.

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US Defense Secretary Holds Talks with Qatari Leaders

By William Gallo September 28, 2017

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has made an unannounced visit to Qatar, holding talks with the country's emir and defense minister at the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East.

Mattis arrived at Al Udeid Air Base Thursday, days after Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani renewed a call for "unconditional dialogue" to end a crisis involving his country and four Arab states, during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates cut ties with Qatar in June over its close ties to Iran and its alleged support for extremists. Qatar has denied supporting extremism, saying the crisis is politically motivated.

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Qatar's emir on the sidelines of the General Assembly last week, telling reporters he had a "very strong feeling" the dispute would be solved "pretty quickly." Trump has offered to mediate the crisis.

Largest US base in Middle East

Qatar's Al-Udeid Air Base is the largest American air base in the Middle East, serving as the forward operational headquarters of U.S. Central Command and the host to about 10,000 American troops.

Defense Secretary Mattis arrived in Qatar after wrapping a trip to Afghanistan, where he met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

Earlier on Thursday, Mattis and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, where they held a town hall with 250 U.S. and NATO military personnel on the Kandahar air base.

Next week, the first group of Afghan pilots at the base will begin training to fly Blackhawk helicopters.

The United States is donating about 160 refurbished Blackhawks to the Afghan military over the next seven years as part of a new Afghan air force modernization program. In seven years, U.S. officials hope to expand the Afghan air force to twice its current size and increase its personnel by 50 percent.

New Taliban strategy

On Wednesday, Mattis said the United States, with its new strategy for breaking the deadlock with Taliban insurgents, is not going to give up the fight in Afghanistan.

"With our new conditions-based south Asia strategy we will be better postured to support [Afghanistan] as your forces turn the tide against the terrorists," Mattis said during a visit to Kabul Wednesday "We will not abandon Afghanistan to a merciless enemy trying to kill its way to power."

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Cameroon Seals Border as Fresh Violence Escalates in CAR

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka September 28, 2017

Business activity has come to a standstill as Cameroon has sealed its northern border with the troubled Central African Republic following escalating violence in the neighboring country. Cameroon says several of its citizens have been kidnapped and taken to C.A.R. by armed groups.

Hundreds of villagers in the Cameroon northern town of Mayo Rey celebrated the return home of three traders captured by armed groups from their town two weeks ago. They were taken across the border to the Central African Republic and their families asked to pay $10,000 each the hostages release.

Among the crowd was Julie Nelem, 25, whose uncle was kidnapped . She is very happy her uncle has returned, allowing her to continue to have money to fund her studies, Julie told VOA.

She is happy that her uncle is home and alive. It is as if he died and has been resurrected, she said.

The three former captives were freed by the Cameroon military after two days of cross fire battles with the rebels along the border.

The most senior government official in the Cameroon border locality, Etienne Mballa Samba, says several Cameroonians in his area have been kidnapped since violence escalated across the border two weeks ago. He says more troops have been deployed to stop the rebels.

He says the government of Cameroon has decided to seal its northern border with the Central African Republic to stop armed rebel groups from causing disorder. He says preserving lives is better than the negative economic consequences the closure will bring.

Etienne says the rebels are from the eastern province of Haute-Kotto where there have been clashes between armed groups since June.

Cameroon supplies most consumer goods and food to troubled C.A.R., and the border closure has stopped business activity. There are fears food shortages in C.A.R. will increase in the days ahead if the border remains closed.

The United Nations reports that since May 2017, fresh fighting between armed groups in C.A.R. has wrought new waves of destruction, bloodshed and displacement.

Last year, 11 Cameroonians, including Mama Abakai, mayor of the northern town of Ladgo, were freed from captivity after they were seized by a rebel group from the Central African Republic in 2015.

Last month, Cameroon handed over to C.A.R. war weapons they had seized from rebels hiding in Cameroon. Armed groups from the C.A.R. regularly cross into Cameroon to kidnap cattle ranchers and businessmen for ransom, or to steal their possessions.

Cameroon shares a 900-kilometer boundary with the Central African Republic and hosts 300,000 refugees from the neighboring country.

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Divisions Deepen Over Proposed Changes to Kenya's Electoral Law

By Mohammed Yusuf September 28, 2017

After two days of talks among members of Kenya's electoral commission, the ruling party and the opposition fell apart apart amid disagreements over how to conduct fresh presidential elections set for next month. There are fears Kenya is headed for a political and constitutional crisis.

The dispute centers in part on two proposed amendments to the electoral law ahead of the October 26 ballot. The ruling Jubilee Party wants the law changed so officials rely more on election results that are submitted via paper ballot, as opposed to those transmitted electronically. The second centers on mandating that the Kenyan Supreme Court order a recount if results are in dispute. The Kenyan Supreme Court struck down President Uhuru Kenyatta's August 8 electoral win, citing irregularities in the way the results were transmitted. The court said earlier this month that electronically transmitted results were neither transparent nor verifiable, as required by law.

The opposition says the ruling party's attempt to push the proposed changes through in the National Assembly should not be done during an election season. They argue that such an effort would 'tie the hands' of the electoral commissioner. In walking out of the discussions Thursday, the opposition said the talks did not address their issues nor those raised by the court.

Senator James Orengo, a lawyer and member of the opposition, expressed disillusionment.

"We came here in good spirit, and thinking that this consultative process was a good idea. And we were ready; we prepared our papers; we had a lot of groundwork that we have done; we have used the courts also to make sure that the law is clear...but it looks like this is an exercise in futility, and our participation in these deliberations makes no further sense," Orengo said.

The opposition also is demanding the resignation of members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, or IEBC, who were accused of bungling the August vote. Additionally, the opposition wants the government to cancel a contract with a Dubai-based firm Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing that printed the paper ballots used in the earlier election. The opposition alleges the company printing 1.2 million extra ballot papers, was part of a plan to rig the election. There was no response from the company.

The IEBC says it is too late to make such changes. Its chairman, Wafula Chebukati, also says the commission hopes the proposed laws will not affect the agency's operations.

"We don't need any more laws to give Kenyans on the 26th of October. But if parliament passes the laws, I've also said, I hope those laws will not change the framework we have put in place because if they do so, then they'll put us in a very precarious situation," Chebukati said.

Despite the dispute, Senator and Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki says parliament will go ahead with its plan to amend the laws. He is calling on the opposition to be part of the process.

"If parliamentarians want to amend even the existing law, it's up to them; but what we are not going to allow is the convolution of agenda, where an agenda which is taking place in the legislature is used to forestall a consultative meeting which has been called by an election manager, and which meeting doesn't have the mandate, anyway, to change anything. Change can only happen in the legislature where that bill is being discussed," Kindiki said.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who ran against Kenyatta in the August 8 poll, has called on his supporters to take to the streets starting Monday for a rally over the electoral process.

In 2016, a similar protest planned by the opposition turned deadly. After weeks of demonstrations, the electoral commissioners resigned, paving the way for new officers.

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Illinois ANG provides communications in Puerto Rico

By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Heaton, 127th Wing Public Affairs / Published September 28, 2017

MUNIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico (AFNS) -- The Illinois Air National Guard is helping to provide critical communications to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

The hurricane devastated many parts of the island, knocking out power across the entire island and rendering communications networks inoperable. The lack of reliable communications  no voice phone calls, no internet, no text messaging  has severely hampered the relief effort.

The Illinois ANG arrived on the island on Sept. 23, 2017. Within the day following, the eight-member team from the 126th Communications Flight set up a Joint Incident Site Communications Capability adjacent to the Puerto Rico ANG's 156th Wing operations building at Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico. This team of Airmen is now providing emergency communications capability to the wing's command post and 24-hour support.

"We have a satellite link that allows the local command to communicate with agencies back on the mainland," explained Capt. Chris Kruse, 126th Communications Flight commander. "This gives the wing commander and his senior leaders reliable connection with the outside world."

Across Puerto Rico, a total of three incident sites have been set up at military installations, providing essential communications capability. Since so many cell phone towers, telephone lines and other pieces of infrastructure were damaged or destroyed in the storm, intra-island communications is one of the greatest challenges facing the various agencies involved in the response.

"This is by far the most damaged area I have ever seen from a natural disaster," Kruse said.

At a hardened box full of radio circuitry inside a tent at one of the incident site, Staff Sgt. Michael Raatz works to ensure that the various connections made by the communication capability sites are constantly fine tuned.

"We know that people are really relying on this connection," Raatz said. "Right now, it is one of the few reliable systems available to the local command."

The 126th Communications Flight is based at Scott Air Force Base, in suburban St. Louis, Missouri.

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DoD Provides Update on Hurricane Relief Efforts

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2017  The Defense Department continues ongoing relief operations in Puerto Rico and is leaning forward to rapidly deploy additional response capacity, expanding airfield throughput and positioning key leaders forward in support of Federal Emergency Management Agency efforts to stabilize the situation and sustain life, Defense Department spokesman Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis said today.

DoD continues to support FEMA's immediate objectives to complete hospital assessments in Puerto Rico and establish an island-wide commodities distribution plan, Davis said.

The situation in the U.S. Virgin Islands continues to improve, he said, noting operations there are shifting from response to recovery.

Puerto Rico Situational Update

-- Assessments are complete at 47 of 69 hospitals, with many facilitated by DoD helicopter lift support.

-- Fuel and commodities distribution remains top priorities, with priority to hospitals. DoD delivered fuel to nine hospitals and supported establishment of over 100 points of distribution, including 12 Puerto Rico National Guard armories.

-- The Army Corps of Engineers is providing 900 super sand bags to shore up the Guajataca Dam spillway. The Civil Authority Information Support Element is supporting efforts by the territorial government to reach out to the 78 municipalities.

-- Eight airports are open, and one airport remains closed. Five of six FEMA-priority sea ports are open or open with restrictions, including, as of last night, the key port of Mayaguez (west side), daylight only, with a 28-foot draft restriction.

U.S. Virgin Islands Situational Update

-- Incident support bases are being established on St. Thomas and St. Croix to distribute commodities.

DoD Response Details: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

-- Army Brig. Gen. Richard C. Kim, the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army North, arrived in Puerto Rico yesterday to establish a forward headquarters. Kim is coordinating relief operations in Puerto Rico and will ascertain if additional assistance is required. Kim is working with Puerto Rico's authorities and all components of the federal response effort.

-- U.S. Northern Command is deploying medical capabilities and ambulances. The USNS Comfort hospital ship is expected to depart Norfolk, Virginia, tomorrow and arrive in Puerto Rico in the middle of next week.

-- U.S. Transportation Command is transporting, via C-5C Galaxy cargo aircraft, a large generator to power the critical Combined/Center Radar Approach Control facility in Puerto Rico. This generator will enhance air traffic control capacity and help improve operations at San Juan and other airports.

-- The Army National Guard and the Marine Corps contingent continue to provide first responder movement, commodities and fuel distribution and route clearance capabilities. Marine helicopters are supporting movement of Department of Health and Human Services' hospital assessment teams.

-- The Defense Logistics Agency's initial shipment of 100 trucks carrying diesel and gasoline fuel will arrive by barge to San Juan by Oct. 2. DLA is continuing meal distribution efforts and working future requirements to support up to 160 million meals for a 30-day period.

-- The Department of Homeland Security has issued a 10-day waiver of the Jones Act, allowing the shipment of relief supplies by foreign vessels, from the continental United States to Puerto Rico.

Foreign Disaster Assistance: Caribbean Region

-- U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force Leeward Islands continues to support State Department humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the Leeward and Windward Islands, conducting search and rescue operations and evacuating U.S. citizens.

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Pennsylvania National Guard Joins Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Efforts

By Army Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart, Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa., Sept. 28, 2017  The Pennsylvania National Guard sent 14 crew members and two CH-47 Chinooks yesterday to assist Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

The heavy lift helicopters will be used to support relief and recovery missions throughout the island and assist in efforts to strengthen the badly damaged dam.

Sling-Load Operations

Crews will perform sling-load operations to place extremely large sand bags to reinforce the dam structure. Sling-loading refers to suspending cargo under a helicopter and moving the item from one location to another.

The aircraft and crew are flying multiple missions over the next few days en route to Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, they will integrate with thousands of other National Guard members and first responders.

Additional Pennsylvania National Guard members are on duty in the Pennsylvania National Guard's joint emergency operations center here. The center maintains continuous communications with the National Guard Bureau and PEMA in order to anticipate future requirements that could be assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

'Our Thoughts are With the People of Puerto Rico'

"Our thoughts are with the people of Puerto Rico as they recover from this storm," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general. "As always, the Pennsylvania National Guard is proud to assist those in need whenever and wherever we are called."

Earlier this month the Pennsylvania National Guard sent troops and equipment to support Texas after the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and to Florida after the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

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Service Members Work With Puerto Rican, Federal Agencies to Help Island Recover

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2017  The Puerto Rican government is working closely with federal agencies -- including the Defense Department -- to recover from the catastrophe that was Hurricane Maria, officials on the island said via teleconference today.

DoD personnel were working with Puerto Rican authorities before the storm hit, and they have continued the efforts.

In a phone call with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello today, Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan told the governor that DoD will stay aligned with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's plan to stabilize the situation and sustain life in Puerto Rico, Navy Cmdr. Sarah Higgins, a spokesperson for Shanahan, said.

Shanahan made clear that supporting the territory's citizens is a top priority, and that DoD will deploy all needed resources to do so, Higgins said in a statement summarizing the call. The leaders discussed the rapid deployment of additional response capacity, expanding airfield throughput, and positioning key DoD leaders in Puerto Rico, she added. U.S. Northern Command officials announced today that Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Northcom's land forces component commander, was on his way to Puerto Rico to serve as the DoD liaison to the FEMA effort.

Amphibious Ready Group

A Navy amphibious ready group built around the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and containing the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit were among the first to arrive at the island after the storm and immediately fell in with 2,500 members of the Puerto Rico National Guard and members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Acting under the guidance of FEMA -- the lead federal agency for the disaster -- the sailors and Marines used onboard capabilities to launch search and rescue missions, Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes, the group's commander.

The ships arrived on a devastated island. Maria has been blamed for 16 deaths, and there were no usable seaports or airports when the ships arrived. All electricity was down on the island, and all roads were blocked. There was no way to get water, food or medicines to the 3.5 million people on the island.

The Marines used their air-cushioned boats to come over the beach to begin the process of opening the air and sea ports. Soon after, Air Force transports were able to land to bring needed supplies and equipment to the island.

Roughly 4,500 service members are aiding the recovery effort in Puerto Rico.

The situation has improved, but there is still a long way to go, federal officials said. FEMA and DoD officials -- working side by side with Puerto Rican government leaders -- have reopened airports and seaports. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers electrical generators have been delivered, and food and water are getting to all the municipalities on the island.

Deliveries of food and water remain the highest priorities, officials said.

Army medical evacuation helicopters are arriving on the island, and DoD doctors are working with Puerto Rican medical officials to ensure the hospitals are safe to use. As of 3 p.m. today, 47 of the 69 hospitals on the island have been assessed. The Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort is sailing from Norfolk to provide aid and should arrive next week.

John Rabin, the FEMA coordinator, stressed that federal and commonwealth officials are working closely together. He said today was better than yesterday and that he hopes tomorrow will be better than today. All efforts are focused on the people of Puerto Rico and "saving lives, sustaining lives and protecting lives," Rabin said.

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Pennsylvania National Guard sends aircraft, crews to assist in Puerto Rico's relief

By Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart September 28, 2017

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania National Guard sent 14 crew members and two CH-47 Chinooks yesterday to assist Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

The heavy lift helicopters will be used to support relief and recovery missions throughout the island and assist in efforts to strengthen the badly damaged dam. Crews will perform sling-load operations to place extremely large sand bags to reinforce the dam structure. Sling loading refers to suspending cargo under a helicopter and moving the item from one location to another.

The aircraft and crew are flying multiple missions over the next few days enroute to Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, they will integrate with thousands of other National Guard members and first responder's onsite.

Additional Pennsylvania National Guard members are on-duty in the Pennsylvania National Guard's joint emergency operations center at Ft. Indiantown Gap. The center maintains continuous communications with National Guard Bureau and PEMA in order to anticipate future requirements that could be assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Puerto Rico as they recover from this storm," said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general, "as always, the Pennsylvania National Guard is proud to assist those in need, whenever and wherever we are called."

Earlier this month the Pennsylvania National Guard sent a variety of both troops and equipment to support Texas after the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and to Florida after the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Release

Release No: NR-340-17 September 28, 2017

Readout of Deputy Secretary Shanahan's Call with Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello

Deputy Secretary of Defense spokesperson Cmdr. Sarah Higgins provided the following readout:

Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan spoke by phone with Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello today from the Pentagon.

Deputy Secretary Shanahan pledged the Department of Defense will stay aligned with FEMA's plan to stabilize the situation and sustain life in Puerto Rico. He made clear supporting the territory's citizens is a top priority, and DOD will deploy all needed resources to do so.

The leaders discussed the rapid deployment of additional response capacity, expanding airfield throughput, and positioning key DOD leaders in Puerto Rico. DOD also continues to support FEMA's immediate objectives to complete hospital assessments and establish an island-wide commodities distribution plan.

Both leaders agreed that collaboration is key to success in this situation and look forward to Puerto Rican and DOD officials working together with FEMA at all levels of command.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1328855/

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At Security Council, top counter-terrorism officials stress 'All of UN' approach to tackle scourge

28 September 2017  Addressing the Security Council, the head of the newly-created United Nations counter-terrorism office today outlined a framework to devise a cohesive, well-coordinated programme to support Member States as well as the priority areas of such work.

"We must recognize that there are four important spheres of UN activity that need to be aligned if we are to effectively develop a coherent and well-coordinated 'All of UN' framework for our future counter-terrorism efforts," Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT), said at a briefing to the 15-member body on the threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

These four spheres are the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies; the General Assembly; the UN Secretariat headed the Secretary-General; and the 38 UN entities that directly or indirectly contribute to counter-terrorism efforts, Mr. Voronkov said.

Today's meeting marked the 16th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1373, which was adopted on this day in 2001, following the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States.

He said that he had more than 50 high-level meetings with Member States and international and regional organizations last week in the margins of the General Assembly's annual debate and that he listened carefully to the statements delivered in the Assembly, in which counter-terrorism was clearly a priority for many UN Member States.

An effective, future-oriented and balanced counter-terrorism programme to support Member States would be built on six key areas; strengthening international counter-terrorism cooperation; preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism; addressing the terrorist use of the Internet; enhancing the foreign terrorist fighters' threat; and increasing the sharing of information and good practices.

Also briefing the Council was David Scharia, Officer-in-Charge of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), who discussed how CTED's work can contribute to the "All of UN" approach to combating terrorism.

He said that CTED provides the Counter-Terrorism Committee, a subsidiary body of the Security Council, with neutral and independent expert assessments of Member States' implementation of Council resolutions on terrorism. To date, CTED has conducted 133 visits to 96 Member States, including 16 this year.

This process, Mr. Scharia said, helped these countries to enact new laws, establish new institutions and strengthen capacities.

"Yet, many States still do not have all counter-terrorism measures in place," he added, expressing an expectation that the establishment of the Office of Counter-Terrorism will shorten the time period between CTED assessments and the delivery of assistance.

He noted that the entire UN system should benefit from CTED analysis, "which is probably the most updated and comprehensive research-based analysis in the UN system on counter-terrorism trends and developments."

"Together, we have achieved a great deal since the adoption of resolution 1373 in 2001," he said. "However, the terrorist threat continues to evolve at an alarming pace."

CTED recently updated the Technical Guide to the implementation of Council resolutions on terrorism.

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China orders North Korean companies to close over UN sanctions

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 01:59PM

China has ordered North Korean companies operating in the country to close down as Beijing begins to implement the United Nations sanctions adopted against Pyongyang over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test earlier this month.

China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday that companies representing North Korea in China, either owned by Pyongyang or operating as joint ventures, would have 120 days from the UN's September 11 resolution to cease their activities in China.

China said a few days ago that it would enforce other sanctions adopted by the UN after North Korea's nuclear test on September 3. The punitive measures include imposing a cap on the exports of refined petroleum products to North Korea as of October 1 and banning imports of textiles from Pyongyang.

North Korean officials have yet to comment on China's new bans, which are expected to be biting as Pyongyang relies significantly on Beijing as an ally in economic and security issues. China is North Korea's biggest trading partner as it accounts for around 90 percent of the country's commerce.

The bans also come against a backdrop of claims by US President Donald Trump that China has failed to pile up enough pressure on North Korea to force it to abandon its nuclear and missile programs. Beijing has rejected the claims, saying the US is wrong about China's level of influence over North Korea.

Some Chinese banks have even gone beyond the new UN sanctions by declaring that they have suspended financial transactions for North Koreans.

However, China is hugely worried that an increasingly bellicose rhetoric between North Korea and the US could spark a full-fledged confrontation in the region. While Beijing has imposed sanctions on Pyongyang, it has repeatedly called on the two sides of the conflict to avoid provocations and has sought to engage North Korea in dialogue.

"Sanctions and the promoting of talks are both the requirements of the UN Security Council. We should not overemphasize one aspect while ignoring the other," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday, adding, "We are opposed to any war on the Korean Peninsula, and the international community will never allow a war (which would) plunge people into an abyss of misery."

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S Korea says 'more provocation' expected of North soon

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 10:51AM

South Korea says it worries that North Korea would take more "provocative action" in the Korean Peninsula region next month, when the anniversary of the establishment of its communist party arrives.

South Korea's National Security Council chief Chung Eui-yong told President Moon Jae-in in a meeting on Thursday that he expected Pyongyang to likely "act around October 10 and 18" without giving further details, according to Park Wan-ju, a legislator and the chief spokesperson of the ruling Democratic Party.

Chung "also said there are worries over military conflict being sparked by accidental incidents," Park added.

North Korea is expected to hold the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Central Organizing Committee of the Communist Party of North Korea on October 10, a highly important public holiday with extravagant festivities.

Pyongyang caused an uproar when it conducted its sixth and biggest nuclear test on September 3. The nuclear test significantly raised already high tensions with the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

The North also recently fired two missiles over Japanese airspace, causing further tensions.

An exchange of threats and counter-threats ensued, which together with reported increased military posturing by both sides, has raised the risk of a potential armed confrontation.

North Korea is under growing international pressure over its missile and military nuclear programs and has been subjected to an array of sanctions by the United Nations. However, Pyongyang says it needs to continue and develop the programs as a deterrent against hostility by the US and its regional allies, including Japan and South Korea, where the US has installed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in open defiance of North Korea and also China and Russia.

The two Koreas have since the early 1950s been in a state of hostility  war, to be precise. From 1950 to 1953, a UN force led by the United States fought for the South, and China fought for the North in a series of battles known as the Korean War. The fighting ended when 1953 Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed. However, no peace treaty has been signed since then, meaning that South Korea is technically still at war with North Korea.

Russia and China have repeatedly warned that the escalating crisis on the Korean Peninsula has no military solution.

In the Thursday meeting, President Moon "said the United States speaks of military and diplomatic options, but South Korea can't go through war again," Park further said.

North Korea has said that recent remarks by President Trump at the UN General Assembly constituted a declaration of war against Pyongyang. There, Trump said the US would "totally destroy" North Korea if necessary.

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US to Send More Nuke-Capable Submarines, Bombers to Korean Peninsula

Sputnik News

22:01 28.09.2017(updated 01:35 29.09.2017)

South Korean lawmakers have been wondering whether fault lines might emerge in US-South Korean military ties as tensions on the Korean Peninsula grow, but have been reassured that the US actually plans to increase the number of its "strategic" military assets in their region by the end of the year.

"The US has pledged to expand the rotational deployment of its strategic assets near the Korean Peninsula," Chung Eiu-young, chief of South Korea's National Security Office, told lawmakers Wednesday, according to Yonhap.

A document has been signed by US personnel stating the US would make good on its promise, the South Korean news agency said.

The "strategic" assets would comprise an aircraft carrier, nuclear Ohio-class submarines, B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, and F-22 Raptors, the US military's de facto air superiority fighter, reports Chosun, a South Korean newspaper. Each Ohio-class sub carries 20 D-5 Trident ballistic missiles; one Trident can carry up to 12 nuclear warheads.

Each B-2, meanwhile, can pack 16 nukes in its bomb bay in addition to "bunker busters," a signal to North Korea that underground caves cannot be considered secure hiding places.

Harald Malmgren, former aide to US presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, said Wednesday via Twitter "when [US President Donald] Trump called for one-air drop of MOAB [the Massive Ordnance Air Blast or so-called 'mother of all bombs']" the point was to send "a message" to North Korea: "no tunnels or deep underground facilities" are safe.

Two squadrons of US F-35s have already deployed to both South Korea and Japan. And in February, supersonic B-1B Lancer bombers, by treaty not nuclear-capable, arrived at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. At least a dozen F-22s have been stationed in Japan since 2016.

Bringing some of those chess pieces directly to the Korean Peninsula would signal a more assertive US posture toward Pyongyang.

Over the weekend, a pair of Lancers and accompanying South Korean F-15s flew north of the demilitarized zone along North Korea's east coast, as the US president used Twitter to condemn the North Korean foreign minister's speech before the UN and suggest the country's leadership wasn't long for this world. Speaking to reporters outside a New York hotel Monday, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho said, "Trump claimed our leadership would not be around much longer  he declared a war on our country."

The US State Department and White House dismissed reports that the US had declared war against North Korea's Kim Jong-un.

"Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to take counter-measures, including the right to shoot down US strategic bombers even when they are not yet inside the airspace border of our country," Ri said September 25.

South Korea's spy agency told Yonhap Tuesday that North Korean warplanes and other defense assets had been mobilized to the nation's east coast following the B-1Bs' flyby. The US published the flight group's path after the flights because North Korea had evidently not recognized they flew past, the Yonhap report said.

 Sputnik

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Indian Defense Minister Sanctions $125 Mln for Russian-Made Klub Missiles

Sputnik News

13:57 28.09.2017(updated 14:39 28.09.2017)

The Klub missiles would be fitted onto the Indian Navy's older warships including the Kora class missile corvettes and the Delhi class frigates.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  The Indian Navy is poised to further augment its strike capability with the defense ministry clearing funds for two much-anticipated purchases. Wednesday's meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) sanctioned $125 million for the purchase of Klub supersonic cruise missiles from Russia. The decision was taken by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday.

The 6.2 meter long Klub missile is capable of carrying warheads of up to 450 kilograms and would be retrofitted onto the Indian Navy's older warships. The Klub missile can blow up large enemy warships at a range of 300 kilometers and can engage both static and moving targets.

The apex body for defense purchases has also given its nod to equip Indian Navy's frigates and destroyers with underwater sensor HUMSA-UG which is the upgraded version of the locally developed hull-mounted sonar array at a cost of $30 million to augment anti-submarine warfare capability.

"These Sonars are designed, developed and manufactured indigenously by the DRDO and the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi and will provide a significant boost to the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The DAC additionally cleared procurement of missiles for replenishing the naval inventory," JP Mattu, spokesperson, India's Ministry of Defense said.

Seven systems of HUMSA-UG will be installed on the Teg Class, Godavari- Class frigates and R-Class destroyers. HUMSA UG enables the smooth upgrade of the capabilities of the indigenously-developed legacy Sonar System HUMSA, by drastically minimizing the existing hardware and addressing technology obsolescence issues. It is currently operational onboard 18 ships.

Nirmala Sitharaman has also directed officials to expedite the procurement of ongoing capital acquisition schemes so that it can be brought to maturity within stipulated timelines. This was Sitharaman's maiden DAC meeting after taking charge as Defense Minister. She has chosen to break older traditions and hold DAC meetings once every fortnight in order to accelerate the government's armed forces capacity augmentation mission.

 Sputnik

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Zarif: If US leaves nuclear deal, Iran may quit or take other options

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sep 28, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday that if the US withdraws the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran will also opt for quitting the deal or taking other options.

The US will be in a better position if it remains committed to the nuclear deal, Zarif said in an interview with the Qatari-based satellite network, Aljazeera.

"If the US quits the JCPOA, Iran will have other options available," Zarif said.

As for the Iran-Saudi Arabia relations, the Iranian top diplomat said, "Tehran is ready for dialogue with Riyadh on regional disagreements."

Iran has always endeavored to establish stability in the region but Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have undermined it, he said, noting that Saudi Arabia should stop exporting terrorism and extremism.

Touching upon the crisis in Qatar, Zarif said that Saudi Arabia's policies vis-a-vis Qatar are not positive. He reiterated Iran's support for Kuwait's mediation.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain cut off their relations with Qatar in June, alleging that the tiny Arab kingdom is supporting terrorism, but Doha has categorically rejected the accusation.

Later, the countries set 13 conditions for resuming ties with Doha including cutting off its relations with Iran but Doha dismissed all the allegations, noting the preconditions contravene the country's sovereignty.

8072**1394

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Iran may abandon nuclear deal if US withdraws: FM Zarif

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 06:57PM

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran may walk away from the 2015 nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of countries if the US withdraws from the agreement.

"If Washington decides to pull out of the deal, Iran has the option of withdrawal and other options," the Twitter feed of the Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera quoted Zarif as saying in an exclusive interview on Thursday.

The remarks came amid repeated threats by Washington to quit the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council  the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China  plus Germany signed the JCPOA in July 2015 and started implementing it in January 2016.

Under the deal, Iran applied some limits to its nuclear program in exchange for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against it.

The administration of US President Donald Trump, which took over in January 2017, one year after the JCPOA came into force, has been actively seeking a pretext to unilaterally withdraw from the deal or undermine it.

All the other parties to the deal have, in contrast, have stressed that the nuclear accord must be sustained.

Earlier this month, Trump said the JCPOA was "an embarrassment to the United States" and "one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into."

The Trump administration has twice certified Iran's compliance with the deal in notifications to the US Congress under an American law. But it has signaled that a third verification  due in mid-October  would not be forthcoming.

Elsewhere in his interview, Zarif said, "Washington will be in a better position if it remains committed to the deal."

Last week, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned that any US move to scrap Iran's nuclear deal would discourage other countries from going to the negotiating table to discuss their nuclear activities.

European Union's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, also said last week that the nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries worked fine and belonged to the entire world, not just the United States.

"I have said many times that the agreement is working fine, [and] the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) [has] confirmed several times that Iran is fulfilling its obligations," Mogherini said.

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Almost all Iranian missiles capable of pinpoint strikes: IRGC chief

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 04:07PM

The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says nearly all Iranian missiles are now capable of pinpoint strikes and that the Islamic Republic will use them whenever necessary.

Iranian missiles hit Daesh headquarters in Syria's Dayr al-Zawr province on June 18 in the first such attack on targets outside Iran, in which more than 170 Takfiri terrorists were killed and their heavy weapons and communication equipment destroyed.

In a televised interview aired Wednesday night, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari said, "I think the biggest message was that the missiles of the Islamic Republic of Iran could fly over a second country like Iraq and enter a third country like Syria and land in a very tight area of 50 x 100 meters."

"No one believed that the Islamic Republic's missiles and the IRGC's missiles could strike with pinpoint precision," he added.

"It is now several years since we announced that we have achieved this technology. Now, we promise to all Iranian people that almost all IRGC missiles are equipped with this technology," Jafari said.

The missile attack came in response to a terrorist assault on June 7 when Daesh terrorists opened fire at ordinary people in Tehran, leaving 18 people dead and over 50 others wounded.

Jafari said the IRGC took the retaliation plan to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who gave his blessing provided that it did not harm civilians.

Asked about the possibility of launching further such attacks, the commander said, "We will use them whenever necessary, especially for those who should understand and feel the threat from this capability of the Islamic Republic, [even though] they have already felt it."

Jafari also emphasized that Iran's missile and defensive capability was not negotiable, apparently referring to US pressures on the UN to bring Tehran's missile program under inspections similar to the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities.

"No one can bargain over this (missile capability) and the enemy will definitely take this wish to the grave," he said.

No inspection of military sites

Jafari said "no authority in Iran, whether political or military, would allow outsiders to visit military sites under the pretext of the nuclear issue," adding any pressure to this effect would further unite Iranian authorities and political currents.

In August, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley traveled to Vienna, where the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is headquartered, to press the agency on access to Iranian military sites.

The move was regarded as an attempt by Washington to undermine the multilateral nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The JCPOA was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, including US, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany, in July 2015 and took effect in January 2016. Under the deal, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran.

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Iran urges strong support for Baghdad

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sep 28, IRNA -- Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said Thursday that Tehran remains to be against any attempts threatening Iraq's territorial integrity.

'We should strongly support Baghdad in managing the situation,' Jahangiri said during a telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yldrm.

He also described as instrumental holding trilateral high-level ministerial talks between Iran, Turkey and Iraq and called for consensus among the three regional nations to address the issue of the Kurdistan region in Iraq.

Tehran is continuing its consultations with Baghdad and it will try to manage the situation after the referendum in the Iraqi region on 25 September.

The Iranian official said that our principle remains to be upholding the Iraqi parliaments ratifications and decisions made by the country's government as well as the Iraqi constitution.

Calling Iraq as an important Arab nation, the Iranian First Vice President stressed that Iran will support territorial integrity of both Iraq and Syria and that Tehran will not accept any change in the international geographical borders.

In the meantime, Binali Yldrm said that holding a referendum in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region was a strategic mistake.

The referendum was the result of the greed of some parties and is going to disturb peace in the region.

The Turkish Prime Minister also emphasized that Iran, Turkey and Iraq, as neighbors, undertake more initiatives and enhance their cooperation.

Jahangiri and Yldrm also talked about the visit to Tehran by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan which is expected to take place on Wednesday next week.

2044**

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Turkey agrees to 'only deal with Baghdad' over oil exports

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 09:55AM

In a major U-turn, Turkey has agreed to solely deal with the central Iraqi government over crude oil exports, following a contentious secession referendum held by Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, the Baghdad government says.

The office of the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reported Ankara's change of mode on Thursday, following a phone call between Abadi and his Turkish counterpart, Binali Yildirim.

Yildirim "confirmed the support of his country on all decisions" taken by the Iraqi government, said the statement.

As part of the measures, Turkey would restrict oil export operations to the Baghdad government, it added.

The Turkish PM also emphasized Ankara's "commitment to cooperate and coordinate fully with the Iraqi government to implement all necessary steps for imposing of federal authorities at land and air ports," according to the statement.

Ankara has long been buying oil from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in defiance of Baghdad's stiff opposition.

Oil exports serve as the KRG's main source of income. The Kurdistan region exports an estimated 650,000 barrels of oil per day through Turkey's Ceyhan pipeline.

Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdag also said Thursday that Ankara is set to conduct its dealings in Iraq with the central government, and that the two premiers will sit down down for talks soon.

Turkey is furious at the Monday referendum, which saw over 90 percent of the voters say 'Yes' to secession from Iraq, according to regional Kurdish officials.

The unconstitutional referendum, which went ahead despite Baghdad's objections, has sparked angry reactions from the international community and Iraq's neighbors, particularly Turkey.

The regime in Israel is the only voice supporting the plebiscite.

In a strong-worded speech on Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said Ankara will seal its border with the Kurdistan region and threatened the Kurdish leaders with blocking their key oil exports to other buyers.

Turkey, which is home to the largest Kurdish population in the region, fears that the Kurdistan plebiscite would embolden the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in its push for autonomy in southeastern areas at home.

In the aftermath of the vote, pressure has been building on officials in Erbil, Kurdistan's regional capital, over the referendum, with regional carriers, including Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir and Lebanon's Middle East Airlines submitting to Baghdad's request to suspend their flights serving Iraqi Kurdistan.

Qatar Airways also said Thursday that it is cancelling flights to Iraqi Kurdistan from September 29 to Oct 1 at the request of Iraq's Civil Aviation Authority.

Meanwhile, Erbil airport director Talar Faiq Salih told AFP that "all international flights without exception to and from Erbil will stop from 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Friday following a decision" by the Abadi cabinet.

A large number of foreigners working in Erbil were leaving the city on Thursday for fear of being stranded with only a visa issued by the Kurdish authorities and not recognized by Baghdad.

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Iraqi PM's Office Says Turkey Agrees To Deal Only With Baghdad On Oil Exports

RFE/RL September 28, 2017

Turkey told Iraq it would deal only with the Iraqi government on crude-oil exports, the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said on September 28.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed in a telephone conversation with Abadi the "support of his country for all decisions" made or sought by the Iraqi government after the independence referendum held in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on September 25, Abadi's office said in a statement.

Among these measures, the statement mentioned "restricting oil export (operations) to the Iraqi government."

It didn't give more details or say how Ankara would deal with current crude exports from Iraq's Kurdish region.

On September 27, the Iraqi parliament asked Abadi to send troops to the Kurdish-held Kirkuk region and take control of its oil fields.

"The government has to bring the oil fields of Kirkuk back under the control of the Oil Ministry," said a resolution voted on by parliament and seen by Reuters.

Kirkuk, a multiethnic oil-rich region, has been under the control of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters since 2014, when the Iraqi Army fled in the face of Islamic State militants.

The Kurdish presence in the region prevented the oil fields from being captured by the militants.

The resolution called on Abadi to "issue orders for the security forces to deploy in the disputed areas, including Kirkuk."

The Kurdish regional government (KRG) included Kirkuk, an area which is also home to Turkoman and Arab communities but has been historically claimed by the Kurds, in the independence referendum.

Abadi, meanwhile, demanded that the referendum be annulled.

"The referendum must be annulled and dialogue initiated in the framework of the constitution. We will never hold talks on the results of the referendum," Abadi told Iraqi lawmakers.

The autonomous region's election authorities say the independence referendum passed with 92.7 percent support and turnout of more than 72 percent.

While Kurdish leaders continued to call for talks with Baghdad over the independence vote, a powerful Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia in Iran backed Abadi in refusing dialogue and taking a tough line against Kurdish leaders, including possibly using force to assert Baghdad's control over the region.

"We will not allow the division of Iraq," said Ahmed al-Asadi, a spokesman for the Shi'ite Popular Mobilization Forces. But he said his fighters would not target the Kurdish people as a whole.

"Those who held the referendum and divided Iraq, those are our targets," he said.

The Shi'ite militia has units near Kirkuk, which Asadi said are awaiting orders "to go to any city or disputed area to impose government control according to the constitution."

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iraq-turkey-kurdish -region-oil-exports-referendum -abadi/28762062.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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Iraqi Forces Wait for Abadi's Order to Move to Disputed Kurdistan Regions

Sputnik News

19:19 28.09.2017

According to a military source, the Iraqi troops are waiting for the Prime Minister's order to deploy into the regions contested by both Baghdad and Erbil, particularly, the oil-rich Kirkuk province after a mandate given by the country's parliament.

BAGHDAD (Sputnik)  The Iraqi troops are waiting for Prime Minister Haider Abadi's order to deploy troops to the disputed with Iraqi Kurdistan regions, a military source told Sputnik on Thursday.

The Iraqi parliament ruled on Wednesday to give a mandate to Abadi to deploy the armed forces into the regions contested by both Baghdad and Erbil, particularly, the oil-rich Kirkuk province, which has been under the control of the Kurdish Peshmerga militia for three years.

"The Iraqi military forces have completed their preparations and are located in the vicinity, waiting for the order of Prime Minister, Supreme Commander Haider Abadi on Friday to head to the disputed areas and defend the residents," the source said.

On Monday, Kurdistan held a referendum on the independence of the region. According to the official results of Kurdistan's Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission, the overwhelming majority, or 92.7 percent of the voters, backed independence. The independence referendum was opposed by Baghdad as well as a number of other countries, including Iran and Turkey, which also have Kurdish minorities.

 Sputnik

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Turkish Prime Minister Voices Support for Iraqi Steps Over Kurdish Referendum

Sputnik News

17:49 28.09.2017

The Iraqi prime minister's press service said Thursday that the Turkish prime minister supported the measures taken by the Iraqi government in view of the Kurdish referendum.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Thursday expressed support for the measures taken by the Iraqi government after the independence referendum in Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan, the Iraqi prime minister's office said Thursday in a statement.

Following the independence referendum on Monday, the Iraqi Council of Ministers took a number of counter-measures, including the suspension of all international flights to the airports located in the autonomous region, and announced plans to start legal proceedings against the organizers of the vote.

"His Excellency Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi received a phone call from Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. Mr. Yildirim stressed the Turkish stance in supporting of all measures adopted by the Council of Ministers and Representatives in Iraq to preserve the unity of the country," the press service said.

Yildirim also indicated Turkey's commitment to cooperate with the Iraqi authorities to implement all necessary steps to establish Baghdad's control over the Iraqi land and air borders as well as supported the idea that "the export of oil should be through the federal authorities," according to the press service.

The independence vote took place in Iraqi Kurdistan as well as in the disputed areas officially controlled by Baghdad but de facto under the control of the Kurdish authorities. According to the Kurdish Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission, the independence bid was supported by 92.7 percent of the voters. The referendum has been criticized by Iraq's neighbors, the United States and the United Nations.

 Sputnik

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Turkish President Considers Independence Vote in Iraqi Kurdistan Illegitimate

Sputnik News

00:33 29.09.2017

According to the official results of Kurdistan's Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission, 92.7 percent of the voters backed independence of Iraqi Kurdistan. Following the referendum, Turkish authorities said that they were ready to support Iraq's territorial integrity.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that he regarded the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan as being illegitimate.

"The referendum has no legal grounds. The authorities of Northern Iraq have made a major mistake. Nobody has a right to turn our region into a hotspot," Erdogan said after the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ankara.

Erdogan added that they agreed with Putin on the necessity to preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria.

Huseyin Muftuoglu, the spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, expressed hope that the international community would support the territorial integrity of Iraq against the backdrop of the recent independence referendum held in Iraqi Kurdistan.

In response to the independence referendum Turkish authorities said that they were ready to support Iraq's territorial integrity not in word but in deed, while US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said that Ankara's statement "certainly sounds like a threat."

"Turkey has clearly and openly specified its position in regards to the referendum both before it and after it has been held. At this stage the international community should express its position as for Iraq's territorial integrity and unity without hesitation, in a prudent and clear way," Muftuoglu said in a statement obtained by Sputnik, commenting on Nauert's words.

On Monday, Kurdistan held a referendum on the independence of the region. According to the official results of Kurdistan's Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission, the overwhelming majority, or 92.7 percent of the voters, backed independence. The referendum was opposed by Baghdad as well as a number of other countries, including Iran and Turkey, which also have Kurdish minorities.

 Sputnik

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Rival Governments, Armed Militias Threaten Stability in Libya

By Lisa Schlein September 28, 2017

The U.N. Human Rights Office warns rival governments and armed militias in Libya are in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws and their abusive actions threaten the stability of the country. The U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva is reviewing a report on the situation.

The report makes for grim reading. Six years after former Libyan dictator, Moammar Gadhafi was toppled, it finds armed groups including the internationally recognized Government of National Accord and the opposition Libyan National Army and its allies are creating havoc in the country.

U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore says these armed groups are committing widespread, gross violations of human rights, including hostage holding, torturing and killing men, women and children with impunity. She says they are operating outside any rule of law or system of accountability.

"The people in Libya are quite simply sick and tired of the situation. Its impact is felt daily by children, women and men across the country. It is civilians who are being hurt, abducted, raped, tortured and killed," she said.

Violations, abuses continue

Gilmore says it is the people of Libya who are demanding decisive action to bring this dangerous situation to an end. But, she adds nothing is being done. Violations and abuses continue unabated.

She says criminal violence and impunity have worsened into a humanitarian crisis in parts of the country. She says increased disappearances, targeted killings and hostage taking of children, gender based violence, and the detention of migrants under abysmal conditions in official and unofficial centers comprise today's reality in Libya.

"The cases we have documented reveal a fundamental lack of protection for civilians in Libya and starkly illustrate the desperate situation of people in the most vulnerable settings, all of whom have little or no recourse to redress," he said.

The U.N. is calling for perpetrators who have committed criminal actions to be brought before the International Criminal Court. Gilmore notes the rampant impunity afflicting the people of Libya is destroying the lives of people today. At the same time, she says it is eroding prospects for peace tomorrow.

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Amnesty urges UNSC to impose arms embargo on Myanmar

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 06:36AM

Amnesty International has called on the United Nations Security Council to spare no efforts to end the brutal crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, suggesting the imposition of a "comprehensive arms embargo" on the Southeast Asian country.

The London-based rights group made the plea on Wednesday, a day before the Council is to hold a public session in which UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will brief members on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

"The Myanmar military is forcibly displacing and killing Rohingya, a campaign of crimes against humanity that amounts to ethnic cleansing," said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty's crisis response director. "When they meet on Thursday, UN member states must ask themselves what side of history they want to be on and do everything they can do end this nightmare. Together, they do have the power to pressure Myanmar to end the violence."

She said the Council should "put an immediate end to the transfer of all arms, munitions and related equipment to Myanmar by imposing a comprehensive arms embargo." Hassan said any indirect arms supply to Myanmar and "training and other assistance" to the country also had to end.

The meeting will come as more than 400,000 people, mostly Rohingya Muslims, have fled a campaign of government-sanctioned violence in Rakhine over the past weeks and crossed into Bangladesh.

The de facto leader of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi, whose stance on the violence being carried out under her watch has earned her a reputation as an apologist for the abusive forces, recently claimed that no violence had taken place since September 5.

Hassan, the Amnesty official, refuted that claim.

"This crisis is far from over, and there is no question that violations are continuing unabated inside Rakhine State. More than ever, the world needs to take a strong stand and push Myanmar and its security forces to end the horrors they are inflicting on the Rohingya population," the Amnesty official said.

She said a Security Council condemnation of the violence in Myanmar was warranted.

The Council has already held two meetings behind closed doors since the fresh wave of violence began against the Rohingya on August 25. In an informal statement issued earlier this month, the 15-member body condemned the situation in Myanmar and called for "immediate steps" to end the violence there.

Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine have been subject to systematic persecution and violence at the hands of the military and Buddhist mobs for decades.

The minority group has been facing an escalated campaign of horrific violence since late last year, when the military laid siege to Rakhine. There have been widespread reports and eyewitness accounts of killings, rapings, indiscriminate shootings at fleeing civilians, and the burning down of houses.

Myanmar's government claims it is fighting militants in the area, but the UN says the situation is better described as the "ethnic cleansing" of the Rohingya Muslims, whom the government refuses to recognize as citizens despite the fact that the Rohingya have been living in the area for centuries.

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Rohingya refugee crisis a 'human rights nightmare,' UN chief tells Security Council

28 September 2017  Noting that the humanitarian crisis that has resulted in displacement of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from Myanmar not only provides a "breeding ground" for radicalization, but also puts vulnerable people  including young children  at grave risk, United Nations Secretary-General called for "swift action" to prevent further instability and find a durable solution.

"The situation has spiralled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency and a humanitarian and human rights nightmare," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today at a Security Council meeting on the situation in Myanmar.

At least 500,000 civilians have fled their homes in the country's northern Rakhine state since late August and sought refuge in Bangladesh. According to estimates, some 94 per cent among them are members of the minority Muslim Rohingya community.

There have also been reports of burning of Muslim villages, as well as looting and acts of intimidation. Authorities in Myanmar have indicated that at least 176 of 471 Muslim villages in northern Rakhine have been totally abandoned.

"We have received bone-chilling accounts from those who fled  mainly women, children and the elderly," added the UN chief, noting that testimonies pointed to serious violations of human rights, including indiscriminate firing of weapons, the presence of landmines and sexual violence.

"This is unacceptable and must end immediately."

Failure to address the violence could result in a spill-over into central Rakhine  where an additional 250,000 Muslims could potentially face displacement  Mr. Guterres warned, stressing that Government must ensure the safety and security of all communities and uphold rule of law without discrimination.

In his briefing, the Secretary-General also underscored that UN agencies and their non-governmental partners must be granted immediate and safe access to all affected communities.

Speaking also on the need to ensure safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin, Mr. Guterres noted that the 1993 Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh and Myanmar could be a useful starting point, but it is not sufficient in the present circumstances, in particular as it does not refer to resolving the root cause of displacement as well as because it requires documents that the refugee Rohingya may not be able to provide.

"Ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees to Rakhine  in line with international refugee law  will require the restoration of mutual trust among the communities," he said, noting that improved inter-communal relations forms a critical part of a sustainable solution to the crisis.

Mt. Guterres further noted that the issue of protracted statelessness must be resolved.

"The Muslims of Rakhine state should be granted nationality," he stated, adding that while the present Myanmar citizenship legislation only allows it partially, an effective verification exercise should be conducted in the interim to allow those entitled be granted citizenship based on the present laws.

"All others must be able to obtain a legal status that allows them to lead a normal life, including freedom of movement and access to labour markets, education and health services," he added.

In his remarks, the UN chief also spoke of a donor conference to be convened by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as well as noted efforts by regional actors to help address the crisis.

"I look forward to effective and credible follow-up to the authorities' stated commitment to greater access, including for the international community, the media and humanitarian actors," he said, noting: "The regional cooperation with Myanmar will also be essential, and the United Nations fully stands behind this."

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China and Pakistan Demonstrate Alliance, Flex Muscles During Joint Exercise

Sputnik News

23:40 28.09.2017(updated 01:34 29.09.2017)

For the first time ever, a Pakistani fighter pilot has flown a Chinese warplane during joint combat exercises between the two Asian nations. The exercises, which lasted through most of September, took place in Xinjiang, the westernmost province of China that borders Pakistan.

The Shaheen-VI exercises, the latest in a series of annual joint drills between the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) that started in 2011, happened this year between September 5 and 25. They included many firsts, according to Chinese military sources, such as live-fire target practice, night warfare, and close support operations.

But the biggest news from the exercise came when Air Vice Marshal Haseeb Paracha, head of PAF's Southern Air Command, climbed into a Chinese J-11B fighter and flew a sortie as part of the exercises. This was the first time in history that a PAF pilot flew a PLAAF plane, a symbolic gesture of the tight bonds between Beijing and Islamabad.

The air vice marshal was accompanied by Xin Xin, a vice-chief of staff of the PLA Air Force. This marks the first time that a Pakistani top military official has flown in China's new fighter jet," reported the Chinese military in a statement. "The Chinese warplane performed acrobatic maneuvers during the flight, drawing praise from Haseeb."

The exercises included Shenyang J-11 jet fighters (a modification of the Soviet Sukhoi Su-27,) Xian JH-7 fighter-bombers, and KJ-200 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems from China, and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. JF-17's are a joint project between two state-owned companies: the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China.

Speaking on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Col Wu Qian praised the PAF and the strong alliance the exercises emblematized. "Speaking of Pakistan, the first word that comes to my mind is 'Iron Pak'," the Colonel said in a press release, using a nickname for Pakistan that refers to the "ironclad" friendship between the two powers.

"If we characterize Pakistan-China military-to-military relations," said Wu, then the three key concepts are "all-weather brotherhood, high-level mutual assistance and support, and deep-rooted strategic mutual trust."

The strong expression of support comes just days after a strict condemnation of Pakistan by India, a mutual rival, during the United Nations General Assembly. Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj called Pakistan a nation whose main exports are "terrorists and terrorist camps."

Swaraj specifically mentioned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM), a Kashmir-separatist and jihadi group with close ties to al-Qaeda and the Taliban. JEM is suspected of being the culprits behind an attack against an Indian military base in Kashmir in September 2016 that left 19 soldiers dead.

China has used their Security Council veto to prevent India from classifying Masood Azhar, the leader of JEM, as the leader of a terrorist group, later compromising and allowing JEM itself to be classified as a terror organization as of the BRICS summit earlier in September.

However, Beijing reassured Islamabad that this did not signify any "change in Chinese policy regarding Pakistan."

 Sputnik

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South Korea Wants Wartime Control of its Military

By Brian Padden September 28, 2017

South Korean President Moon Jae-in says his government has stepped up efforts to take back wartime operational control (OPCON) of its forces from the U.S.-led command structure, at a time when North Korea and the U.S. are both threatening war.

In an address to commemorate the nation's 69th Armed Forces Day Thursday, President Moon said that by increasing defense capabilities and reducing its reliance on American military might, South Korea would project more power in the region and better deter a North Korean attack.

"When the South has wartime operational control, the North will fear us more, and our armed forces will be trusted more," Moon said.

The liberal government in Seoul may also be trying to send a political message that it does not support U.S. President Donald Trump's strong "fire and fury" rhetoric and threats to respond with overwhelming force to North Korean provocations.

"I think this might be a way for Moon to separate himself somewhat from the behavior of Donald Trump in the last month," said Robert Kelly, a professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea.

Veto power

After becoming a democracy in the 1990s, the South Korean government assumed peacetime command of its 655,000 active military personnel.

The South Korean military coordinates closely with the Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command led by U.S. General Vincent Brooks, who is also commander of the 28,500-plus member U.S. military force in Korea.

In wartime, the U.S. commander would assume control of South Korean forces as well, but it is not an automatic transfer of command. The South Korean president has to first agree to cede that control.

"In a way President Moon (already) has control and he has a veto over giving control to the U.S. and giving control to the combined forces command," said regional security analyst Daniel Pinkston with Troy University in Seoul.

Divisive issue

Moon and other South Korean liberals have long advocated for wartime OPCON in large part as a sovereignty issue, and it is associated with anti-American sentiment in the country.

Conservatives have long opposed taking on independent wartime control, out of concern that it might weaken the U.S. commitment to help defend South Korea.

Hong Jun-pyo, the head of the Liberty Korea Party, recently said the "Return of OPCON is basically disbanding the Korea-US military alliance."

And it could be seen by enemies and allies alike as a sign of growing friction between Seoul and Washington.

"This is what the North Koreans have wanted for a long time. Sort of drive the two of them apart. And they will be getting what they want, if this goes through," Kelly said.

Defense spending

In 2014, Seoul and Washington decided to postpone the wartime OPCON transfer until at least 2020, but made the deal contingent on South Korea gaining the necessary operational capabilities.

Making the OPCON transfer decision based on capability can produce a positive outcome for the U.S.-South Korea alliance, as it puts the obligation on Seoul to take more responsibility for its own defense.

"If there is no discussion and no sense at all that there would ever be any kind OPCON transition, then there is kind of a moral hazard problem. South Korea will think we don't have to worry about it because the U.S. will always have OPCON, they will always take care of us so why should we spend more on our defense budget," Pinkston said.

To that end, President Moon is promising to implement reforms to create a more professional military, and to increase national defense spending to develop its own missile defense system, and launch five military satellites to provide needed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

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Syria writes to UN again to urge end to US 'war crimes'

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 05:22PM

Syria has written to the UN again, urging the world body to take immediate action against a US-led bombing campaign, which is taking a heavy toll on civilians and devastating the country's infrastructure.

In two letters addressed to the UN chief and the Security Council chairman, the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry has denounced repeated US attacks on civilians and the country's infrastructure.

The letters cited a deadly US airstrike on al-Suwar town in eastern Dayr al-Zawr Province on Wednesday and a similar air raid on Markadah town in the northwestern Hasakah Province, which killed a number of civilians.

The ministry accused the US of being engaged in "war crimes and crimes against humanity" in Syria under the pretext of fighting Daesh.

Damascus also regretted that some countries, which claim to respect human rights and international law, are members of the US-led coalition, urging them to leave an alliance that has marred their reputation and "shed plenty of the Syrians' blood in their name."

In the letters, Syria demanded a swift action by the UN Security Council to stop "barbarous crimes" and "gross violations" of international humanitarian law by the US and its allies.

The US and its allies have been bombing Syria since September 2014. The strikes have resulted in many civilian casualties and failed to fulfill their declared aim of countering terrorism.

'Dayr al-Zawr to be retaken in a week'

On Thursday, fighting raged on in Dayr al-Zawr, with one Syrian army officer saying the strategic city will be recaptured from Daesh in a week.

Terrorists, he said, were using heavy weapons, explosive-laden vests and car bombs to slow army advances, which have gained momentum in recent months.

"The city of Dayr al-Zawr will be liberated in a week at the most and we'll free some of the suburbs too," the officer identified only as Ibrahim added.

"The cost will undoubtedly be high It's a challenging battleground. From dense urban areas to lush river banks and even trenches," he said.

Earlier this month, Syrian government forces broke the three-year-long Daesh siege on Dayr al-Zawr.

With Daesh's defense lines broken, a ragtag grouping of mostly Kurdish militants supported by the US has also been on the march in a bid to carve out a foothold in the oil- and gas-rich province.

The convergence of the two rival operations has increased tensions in Dayr al-Zawr and raised the possibility of a confrontation between them.

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Putin, Erdogan Pledge To Closely Cooperate On Syria

RFE/RL September 28, 2017

Following talks in Ankara, the Turkish and Russian presidents said they agreed to closely cooperate on ending Syria's civil war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in the Turkish capital on September 28 that Moscow and Ankara will work to "deepen coordination" on ending the six-year-old war, adding the "necessary conditions" now existed for the conflict to end.

Putin spoke at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said that Turkey "will continue close cooperation with Russia for reaching a political solution to the crisis in Syria."

Erdogan said that the pair agreed to "pursue more intensely" the creation of a "de-escalation zone" in Idlib Province, in comments echoed by his Russian counterpart.

"Readiness was confirmed to comply with the final agreements on creating four de-escalation zones, including the biggest of them in Idlib Province," Putin said.

Moscow and Ankara support different sides in Syria's war. Russia and Iran are backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the conflict, while Turkey and the United States are supporting various rebel groups opposed to Assad's rule.

But Russia, Turkey, and Iran earlier this month agreed to create a "de-escalation zone" in Idlib, an area under the control of opposition forces in northern regions. Three other "de-escalation zones" have come into effect in different parts of Syria since July.

Islamic State (IS) fighters, who captured large swathes of Syrian territory in 2014, are opposed by all sides and are being driven from most of their strongholds by the separate government and rebel campaigns.

Putin's one-day working visit to Ankara comes three days after the two leaders spoke by telephone in a call that included a discussion of the controversial independence referendum in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region.

Erdogan said after meeting Putin on September 28 that Ankara and Moscow agree that the territorial integrity of both Iraq and neighboring Syria must be preserved.

He added that the September 25 nonbinding referendum in Iraq's Kurdish region had no legitimacy and that the regional leaders must be prevented from making "bigger mistakes."

Election authorities in the Kurdistan region say the independence referendum passed with 92 percent support.

Ankara sees the vote, which was also fiercely opposed by the Baghdad government and much of the international community, as a threat to its national security and fears it will inflame separatism among its own Kurdish population.

However, the Kremlin has not explicitly condemned the referendum, stressing instead the importance of maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity.

Relations between Moscow and Ankara soured after a Turkish fighter jet shot down a Russian warplane on the Syrian border in late 2015.

The two sides, however, have since established closer ties amid mounting tension in U.S.-Turkish ties on a range of issues, including Washington's support for Syrian Kurdish fighters considered terrorists by Ankara.

Earlier this month, Turkey signed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 antiaircraft missile systems in its first major weapons purchase from Moscow.

The deal, Turkey's most significant weapons purchase from a non-NATO supplier, has raised concerns in the West over technical compatibility with NATO equipment.

Both Moscow and Ankara have brushed off those concerns, with Erdogan saying on September 12 that Turkey "makes the decisions about our own independence ourselves."

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, AP, dpa, Interfax, TASS, and RIA Novosti

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin- erdogan-syria-iraq-talks- ankara/28761044.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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US-Led Coalition Continues to Assess if Daesh Leader al-Baghdadi Alive

Sputnik News

19:52 28.09.2017(updated 20:39 28.09.2017)

The anti-Daesh coalition continues to assume Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is alive given no verifiable evidence of his death.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US-led coalition continues to assess whether Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Daesh terror group (banned in numerous countries), is still alive, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Ryan Dillon said in a briefing on Thursday.

"Without verifiable evidence of his death, we have continued to assume that he is alive," Dillon said when asked about the coalition's assessment as to whether Baghdadi is alive or dead.

The coalition has "professionals" specifically looking for Baghdadi and other high-value targets, Dillon said.

Between September 12-14, coalition forces killed three drone developers with ties to Daesh, Dillon said.

"In a Pentagon press briefing early this month I announced the coalition successful strikes on high-value individuals all tied to ISIS's [Daesh] unmanned surveillance network, today we'll add three more to that list," Dillon said.

Dillon noted that the three targets were killed September 12-14 in coalition airstrikes.

Two of the targets killed were responsible for manufacturing and modifying commercially-produced drones while the third target operated a drone research lab, Dillon said.

The removal of the three IS officials disrupts the group's ability to use drones for reconnaissance or as a weapon, he added.

Daesh has around 400 to 800 fighters left in the Syrian city of Raqqa, and more than 75 percent of the city has been cleared, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Ryan Dillon also stated.

"We had estimated between 400 and 800 ISIS fighters remain in Raqqa, and we're talking about a 4 square kilometer area," Dillon told reporters.

The spokesman said more than 75 percent of Raqqa has been cleared of Daesh terrorists, after gnificant progress was made by the coalition last week.

He added, however, that the majority of Daesh fighters who remain in the city are "foreign fighters and hardcore fighters that will fight to the death."

The fighters are holed up in multi-story buildings in the city and still hold the stadium and national hospital compound, which the terrorists have turned into a headquarters, Dillon said.

In previous statements, Pentagon claimed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was likely alive and is hiding in the Middle Euphrates River Valley between Iraq and Syria.

The whereabouts of the Daesh top militant have been unknown for a quite long time. The Russian Defense Ministry in June said Baghdadi had been likely eliminated as a result of a Russian Aerospace Forces strike in Raqqa in late May. It noted that it was in the process of confirming the information through various channels.

Syria's Al Sumaria News broadcaster also reported earlier in the summer that Daesh confirmed Baghdadi's death.

However, the US National Counterterrorism Center director has put the claims into a question, saying there were no indications of Baghdadi's death.

Al-Baghdadi appeared in the media for the first time in 2014 when he declared the creation of a caliphate in the Middle East. Since then, the media several times reported about the death of Daesh leader, though the information has never been confirmed.

Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Ryan Dillon also commented on the recent coalition actions against Daesh in Iraq, saying that the focus has been lost in the wake of a Kurdish referendum on independence.

"There are plenty of things that have been said and things that are drawing attention away from defeating ISIS [Daesh]. The focus is not on ISIS as it was prior to the referendum," Dillon said.

 Sputnik

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Syria's Armed Opposition Not Interested in New Astana Peace Talks

Sputnik News

15:49 28.09.2017(updated 15:58 28.09.2017)

Syria's armed opposition accuses Russia of making the rebels participate in peace talks.

GENEVA (Sputnik)  Thus the opposition is not interested in holding another round of the negotiations, spokesman for the military opposition delegation at the latest round of Astana talks Yahya Aridi told Sputnik.

"It is not about participation or non-participation. This is about someone using their power to force others to participate in the talks We are deeply disappointed, we have expected something different from a great power," Aridi said.

According to the spokesman, the members of Syrian armed opposition are not ready to put their trust in Russia and feel that the opposition is being forced to participate in Astana meetings.

Meanwhile, seven militant field commanders and more than 1,000 fighters in Syria agreed to side with the government troops. Russia continues its efforts to facilitate the implementation of the ceasefire regime in Syria, with Russian military police units paving the way for stabilization in the country.

Last week, the Russian military said that 35 units had confirmed their readiness to side with the government troops after the talks with the leaders of the formations. The same day the group of militants from the internationally-condemned terrorist organization Daesh surrendered to Syrian government forces in Deir ez-Zor in the east of the country.

The sixth round of Astana talks on Syrian reconciliation was held in the Kazakh city of Astana on September 13-15 and the delegation of the Syrian armed opposition was present. The three Syrian ceasefire guarantor states, Russia, Turkey and Iran, have agreed on all four de-escalation zones as a result of the talks.

 Sputnik

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Turkey and Russia Agree on Need for De-escalation Zone in Syria

By Dorian Jones September 28, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday agreed to push for the creation of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's key northern province of Idlib to help end the civil war.

Erdogan said after talks in Ankara the pair agreed to "pursue more intensely" the implementation of a de-escalation zone in Idlib, which currently is under jihadist control.

The agreement is seen as a key step toward ending the civil war and ushering in the start of a peace process.

"All conditions are now created to stop the war in the Syria," Putin declared at the joint press conference.

Civilian deaths concern Erdogan

According to reports, Erdogan raised concerns with Putin over the numbers of civilians being killed by the Russian bombing in Syria. Ankara and Moscow back rival sides in the Syrian civil war. Relations were plunged into a deep freeze following the 2015 downing of a Russian bomber by a Turkish jets. However, relations have recovered since rapprochement efforts began last year.

But analysts warns these ties are not binding.

"There will be always be a limit as to how significant and how convergent that relationship can be," warned Sinan Ulgen, a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Institute in Brussels. "There is history, there are differences how the two countries look at regional developments. So there will always be a limit."

After several hours of talks over dinner, the two leaders underlined the importance of the deepening relationship between the two countries.

"The bilateral relations is getting stronger and stronger, and it's very pleasing to both parties. We hope they prove to be much better in the future," Erdogan said at the press conference, describing Putin as a "valuable friend."

"The meeting was a good opportunity to exchange ideas," Putin added. Both leaders described the talks as "fruitful."

Missile system discussed

Putin stressed the importance of increasing bilateral trade. Ankara's purchase of Russia's sophisticated S400 missile system reportedly featured prominently in talks. The deal has irked Ankara's NATO allies adding to fears over Turkey's possible drift toward Russia

The rising tensions over Iraqi Kurds' independence referendum vote also were featured in deliberations. Erdogan is taking a tough stance over the vote, fearing it could fuel secessionist demands among its own Kurdish minority.

No change on PKK

Moscow continues to resist Ankara's calls to designate as a terrorist group the Kurdish rebel group the PKK which is fighting the Turkish state. Moscow supports the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG in its fight against Islamic State, despite Ankara accusing the group of being linked to the PKK.

"Turkish policymakers are well aware of the ambiguities of the Russia position that is the case in Russia's relationship with the PKK. That has been the case of Russia's backing of the YPG. There is no romantic expectation with Russia. It's about hard politics," according to analyst Ulgen.

But with Ankara currently continuing to have strained ties with some of its traditional western partners, in particular Washington, Erdogan appears ready to continue deepening ties with Moscow, with the implicit message to its NATO partners that Turkey always has alternatives.

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Ukraine rules out sabotage after blasts at ammo depot

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 28, 2017 04:51PM

Ukraine's military officials have described blasts at an ammunition depot as a "huge blow," but dismissed reports of foreign sabotage in the incident that forced the evacuation of thousands of people.

A fire started on Tuesday at a warehouse in a military base in Ukraine's central Vinnytsia, setting off a series of explosions which forced 30,000 people to evacuate the premises.

About 188,000 tons of munitions were kept at the depot in the town of Kalynivka, 190 kilometers southwest of capital Kiev, including rockets for the Grad multiple grenade launchers, according to local sources.

Firefighters on Thursday morning were still unable to put out the blaze because there were still periodic explosions at the site, said Mykola Chechotkin, chief of the Ukrainian State Service for Emergency Situations.

"Explosions are still happening as you can hear," he told reporters in Kalynivka. "It's too dangerous for firefighters to access the area even though four fire tanks are working there."

Anatoliy Matios, the country's chief military prosecutor, denied earlier statements from authorities suggesting that a group of foreign saboteurs may have set the depot on fire.

Matios said investigators were looking into possible negligence, abuse of power or sabotage by those who were authorized to handle the munitions.

He also said investigators discovered that the fire alarm at the depot was not working and that its security force was understaffed.

"Neither did the investigators, nor the Security Service, nor any law enforcement agencies find any groups of saboteurs in the Vinnytsia region that people are talking about on Facebook," Matios said.

He was apparently referring to comments made by several senior Ukrainian officials on social media Wednesday, blaming Russian saboteurs for the fire.

Media sources have reported four large fires at ammunition and weapons depots in Ukraine since 2015.

Matios said it will be hard for the government to restore the military reserves that have been destroyed by explosions over the past two years.

Huge blow

Kiev officials said the destruction of two ammunition depots this year have dealt the biggest blow to the country's combat capability since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

"The country has suffered the biggest blow to our fighting capacity since the start of the war," the secretary of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, told journalists.

"There are many violations of fire and air safety at our arsenals. And these are the consequences," Turchynov said. "We've shown that we're not capable of protecting our strategic arsenals."

Both Matios and Turchynov said Ukraine's General Staff, which is responsible for the military's day-to-day operations, should be held accountable for security failings at the depots.

In a post on Facebook, Chief of the General Staff Viktor Muzhenko denied accusations that his institution was incompetent.

The comments, he said, were intended to sow doubt about the armed forces' ability to protect the country, and undermine trust in the army.

The explosions come as Ukraine's military is engaged in a grueling war with pro-Russia fighters seeking greater autonomy in eastern regions, which has been going on for more than three years now.

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Ukraine Security Chief Says Depot Blasts Dealt 'Big Blow' To Combat Capability

September 28, 2017

Explosions at two large Ukrainian military depots this year have caused losses of ammunition so high that they represent the biggest blow to Ukraine's combat capability since the start of the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in 2014, a senior security official said on September 28 in Kyiv.

Massive blasts followed by a blaze at a military depot near Kalynivka in the Vinnytsya region, 270 kilometers west of Kyiv, forced the evacuation of 30,000 people on September 27. Another depot in the eastern city of Kharkiv was destroyed in March. That blast was blamed on sabotage.

Electricity and gas supplies were cut off in the Vinnytsya area, and trains were severely delayed across the country.

In Kalynivka, firefighters on September 28 were still unable to put out the blaze because there were still periodic explosions at the site, said Mykola Chechotkin, chief of the State Service for Emergency Situations.

"The country has suffered the biggest blow to our fighting capacity since the start of the war," the secretary of the Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, told journalists.

However, the country's chief military prosecutor ruled out the possibility that the blast had been caused by foreign saboteurs.

According to local media reports, about 188,000 tons of munitions were kept at the depot, including shells for Grad multiple-rocket launchers.

Chief military prosecutor Anatoliy Matios on September 28 rejected earlier statements from authorities suggesting that foreign saboteurs may have set the depot on fire.

Matios said investigators were looking into possible negligence, abuse of power, or sabotage by those who were authorized to handle the ammunition.

He added that the investigation found that the fire alarm at the depot wasn't functioning and that its security team was understaffed.

"Neither the investigators, nor the Security Service, nor any law enforcement agencies found any groups of saboteurs in the Vinnytsya region that people are talking about on Facebook," Matios said, an apparent reference to comments made by several senior Ukrainian officials on social media on September 27 blaming Russian saboteurs for the fire.

In the aftermath of the blast, authorities said they launched checks at military bases across Ukraine and discovered serious violations.

Investigators found a colonel and a lieutenant colonel in charge of security at a military depot holding Soviet-era ballistic missiles who were "completely drunk," Matios said.

"I think such cases are not unique," he said, quoted by the Interfax news agency.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-ammunition-depot-blasts- combat-capability/28762247.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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Combat veteran looks forward to Honor Flight

After he graduated from high school in Bronxville, N.Y., Frank Spehr tried a semester of college. He didnt care for it. College was neither his lineage nor his destiny.

Related Stories

He joined the Marine Corps, the fourth generation of his family to do so.

I was used to PTSD, you might say, he says of his upbringing. I was raised with a strict dad so the Marine Corps was nothing to me. It was just like home.

His father had been an infantry Marine in World War II, fighting in the tough and deadly island-hopping campaigns of the Pacific. Post-traumatic stress was known as combat fatigue back then. Looking back, with the benefit of his own war experience, Spehr is sure his father suffered psychologically and emotionally from the scars of war.

At age 73, Spehr, who has lived in Mills River for 30 years, admits he is taking a risk by joining his first HonorAir flight this weekend.

I saw the moving wall down in Florida in the early 80s and that was first time I cried, he says. Probably the only time I cried since I was a kid. I never cried in Vietnam. Both my parents are dead. I never shed a tear for them. The only thing that bothers me now is if a child or an animal is unnecessarily hurt. Everybody in here could drop dead and Id just walk out.

When Spehr says things like that it belies his own record during a year of tough duty in Vietnam. He cared, deeply, about the men who served under him.

The Vietnam wall brought tears because it brought a lot of feelings back I didnt know I had, he says. But one thing the old platoon sergeant knew he would not find was the name of a soldier who served under him.

Everybody I was responsible for  theres not one of them thats got a name on that wall. Thats a good feeling, he says. Not one of my men.

He looks forward to the HonorAir flight, which will carry veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam to Washington on Saturday. Cofounded by Jeff Miller, the Hendersonville dry cleaning store owner and City Council member, HonorAir has expanded to add veterans of more recent wars.

Ive known Jeff Miller for years, Spehr says. I thank God that he didnt get elected to Congress. He is serving the community in such a better capacity than Congress because its hands on.



War and combat are two different things

After boot camp at Parris Island, Spehr took 16 weeks of radio-telegraph training in California, then returned to the East Coast and deployed from Camp Lejeune with the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines to hot spots.

He evacuated Americans from the Dominican Republican when there were some problems there, went to Cuba as a communications chief on the fence line, deployed to Panama to put down the communist Sandinistas. I didnt fire at anybody, he says. I was just operating radios at that time.

All the while, the young Marine wanted to go to Vietnam.

He got his chance in 1968 and would spend the next year in some of the deadliest combat of the war. The Marines shipped him to the DMZ, out of Dong Ha, with the 12th Marines. A sergeant by then, he was assigned to the 1st Searchlight Battery, a unit reactivated from World War II.

We had 60-inch lights that could bounce off the ceiling and light up Khe Sanh 30 miles away, he said.

Like many Vietnam veterans, he recalls with some bitterness the political constraints that handicapped the effort to liberate South Vietnam from the communist North Vietnam.

War and combat are two different things, he says. War is what generals do. Combat is what we do. The Marines fought alongside Army draftees. These guys didnt know what they were getting into or why they were there necessarily, he says. We had a lot of difficulty with the enemy. Im going to be very vague with this because I have a problem reliving these things.



Here to be a door gunner

His job would change when he received orders to report to the 1st Marine Air Wing. He ran into a fresh-faced lieutenant colonel and pitched himself for a job.

He had never seen combat before, he says. I just BSd him. I said, Look, Im the only one on the orders here. Im here at the wing because Im such a good shot with the M60. Im here to be a door gunner. Medevac.

Armed with the powerful machine gun, Spehr spent months aboard Huey helicopters into combat zones to rescue wounded soldiers and Marines. He flew 350 missions and came home with 18 air medals.

In the spring and summer of 1968 was when more people got killed as far as my reckoning than any other period, he says. We were flying day and night.

The blood and death and harrowing flights into enemy fire to save men took its toll.

I had one Marine that got hit by a bouncing betty, he says quietly. He was a half a man. I was holding his intestines inside of him. He died in my arms. When I got to the hospital, the corpsman came out to pick him up and the damn corpsman dropped him.

I pulled my .38 out and I was going to shoot the corpsman. I mean I was wound up. It was a bad night. We had received a lot of fire. We had holes in the helicopter. Fortunately, the crew chief grabbed my arm and said, Settle down. The Marines dead. Hes not going to hurt him anymore. But that stays with me.

When he left Vietman, he did not go home.

I spent 9 months in the hospital, he says.

What for?

Vietnam. Thats all Im going to say.

As has been documented in countless books, movies and documentaries, homecoming for Vietnam veterans was not the welcoming experience as it had been for WWII soldiers.

We hated the hippies, Spehr says. Still do, to this day. If I see tie-dye shirt or somebody with a peace sign my stomach just knots up like this. When I came back to the States I never knew where I came back to. I thought I was on a different planet. It was not the United States I left four years before.

If he left Vietnam, Vietnam never left him, not completely.

I didnt find out about that (PTSD) until 1998. I thought I was fine and everybody else was screwed up, he says. During a visit to the V.A. Hospital in Asheville, a nurse recognized him. He said, You medevaced me out. Then we got talking, and he said you got a problem. I didnt think I had it but it turned out I did.

Counseling from doctors or psychologists who have never seen combat doesnt help much, he says. Hes a member of the VFW and Disabled American Veterans, organizations of combat veterans who would rather not talk about combat.

Even today, Im hypervigilant, Spehr says. I dont sleep much. Im up every hour.

He describes his wife, Susan, as his savior and his rock. She and Frank feed 25 deer. At first light, rabbits stand at his back door, peering hopefully into his face like something out of a Disney movie. This time of year Susan picks up bushels of culled apples from growers and she and Frank spend time every day cutting up the fruit for their deer friends.

Its something safe he can do. Take care of innocent life. Gaze into the forest at dawn.

On Saturday hell be with veterans from wars spanning three decades. He says he looks forward to being among kindred spirits.
Rachel Carson's expose shocked the world. And we're better for it
How IU women's basketball beat Tennessee for a signature win

No. 12-ranked IU controlled the game and pace from start to finish and didn't blink when the 11th-ranked Volunteers made a late charge, winning 79-67.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world"s leading hotel companies, announced the opening of Holiday Inn Doha - The Business Park in partnership with the Trans Orient Group. The opening marks the brand"s debut in the country and will be the 24th Holiday Inn in the Middle East region.

The newly-built, 307-room hotel is situated right in the centre of the business and financial district in Doha. The site is adjacent to the existing Crowne Plaza Doha - The Business Park, located on Al Matar Street and is a part of The Business Park complex that hosts financial, medical, government and commercial offices.

Strategically located, the hotel is only a 15-minute drive from Hamad International Airport, which makes it ideal for both business and leisure travellers.

Holiday Inn Doha - The Business Park features quality amenities and top service standards that reflect the Holiday Inn brand identity. The hotel has a broad range of meeting and event facilities, including a 907- square meter pillar-less ballroom, seven meeting and function rooms, a private bridal room, and a multi-purpose business centre. Given its proximity to the international airport, the Crowne Plaza Doha - The Business Park as well as other commercial facilities, the hotel is expected to attract a healthy share of MICE and business travellers.

Additionally, the hotel offers several amenities such as such a gym, an outdoor swimming pool and a pool lounge and signature dining concepts including an Italian restaurant, Sirocco and the popular burger-centric franchise, Stock Burger & Co. Which will make it a popular choice for leisure and family travellers as well.

Hotel website
Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB, bringing the brand one step closer to its 200th property milestone. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 99 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB caters to the booming tourism sector in Oklahoma, which is the state's third largest industry.*

Owned and managed by K.A.R.S. Investments, LLC, Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB offers all-suite accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and modular furniture, providing guests the flexibility to customize their suite to their style and preference. The hotel also features complimentary Internet, inviting communal spaces, and trademark Home2 Suites amenities such as Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area, Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, and the Inspired Table, a complimentary daily breakfast that includes more than 400 potential combinations. Guests can also enjoy an indoor heated saline pool, fire pit and grill area. Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB is pet-friendly. The property also offers 1,000 square feet of flexible space that is ideal for meetings and social events.

Located at 1820 Center Drive, Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB offers guests convenient access to Tinker Air Force Base, Rose State College, historic Bricktown and nearby restaurants and shops. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Will Rogers World Airport.

Hotel website
Industry practitioners and academic scholars are invited to submit proposals for presentations related to the theme of the conference for the 4th Cornell Hospitality Research Summit (CHRS). While we are open to submissions covering diverse perspectives, approaches, and topics, the focus of the 2017 summit will be Opportunities in the Era of Disruption.

For more information please contact Cornell Hospitality Research Summit (CHRS)
Washington, DC  Historic Hotels of Americaand Historic Hotels Worldwideare pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Awards of Excellence. Recipients were honored at a special ceremony and gala at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) in Hot Springs, Virginia on Thursday, September 28. Awards were presented before an audience of more than 200 invited media, industry leaders, owners, senior management, and representatives of the finest historic hotels from across America and from around the world. Honors were given in multiple categories ranging from Hotelier of the Year and Hotel Historian of the Year to Best Historic Resort, Historic Hotelier of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and others.

Each year, these Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence honor, encourage, and recognize the most exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and leadership practices. The Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence are presented to historic hotels and hoteliers demonstrating innovative leadership, stewardship, and contribution to furthering the recognition, preservation, and celebration of these preeminent historic hotels and their histories.

From more than 200 nominees, the following Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide hotels and hoteliers were honored with these prestigious annual awards for 2017:

Historic Hotels of America New Member of the Year

The Georges (1789) Lexington, Virginia

Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California

Sustainability Champion

Inn at the Presidio (1903) San Francisco, California

Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel (Under 75 Guestrooms)

The Dunhill Hotel (1929) Charlotte, North Carolina

Best Historic Hotel (76-200 Guestrooms)

Mayflower Park Hotel (1927) Seattle, Washington

Best Historic Hotel (201-400 Guestrooms)

West Baden Springs Hotel (1902) West Baden Springs, Indiana

Best Historic Hotel (Over 400 Guestrooms)

Amway Grand Plaza (1913) Grand Rapids, Michigan

Best City Center Historic Hotel

Marriott Syracuse Downtown (1924) Syracuse, New York

Best Historic Resort

The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado

Best Historic Restaurant in Conjunction with a Historic Hotel

Penrose Room at The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado

Hotel Historian of the Year

Jim Hewes at The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC (1847) Washington, DC

Ambassador of the Year (Quarter Century of Service)

Woodrow "Woody" Pettus at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) Hot Springs, Virginia

Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in Europe

Hotel Waldhaus Sils (1908) Sils Maria, Switzerland

Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in Asia/Pacific

Alsisar Haveli (1892) Jaipur, India

Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in the Americas

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (1893) Quebec City, Canada

Historian of the Year

Chef Walter Staib, author, twelve time EmmyAward winning TV host of A Taste of History, and chef and proprietor of City Tavern Restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stewards of History and Historic Preservation Award

R.D. (Dan) Musser III at Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan

Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year

The Smiley Family at Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York

Historic Hotelier of the Year

Philip Wood at The Jefferson, Washington, DC (1923) Washington, DC

Lifetime Achievement Award

Duane and Kelly Roberts at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California

"The winners of the 2017 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence represent more than 231 years of history and include the finest iconic and legendary historic hotels from across the United States of America and from around the world," said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. "We applaud these magnificent historic hotels and their hoteliers for their dedication, passion, stewardship and success in preserving these treasures and their stories for future generations of travelers."

Award recipients are selected from nominees received from historic hotels, historic preservation supporters, prior award recipients, and leadership from Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. As official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide provide the recognition to travelers, civic leaders, and the global cultural, heritage, and historic travel market that member hotels are among the finest historic hotels across

America and around the world. The Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence program recognizes the pinnacle of this distinct group of nominees in a range of categories.

About Historic Hotels of America

Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States of America. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their sense of authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, please visit HistoricHotels.org

Heather Taylor

Manager, Marketing Communications

+1 202 772 8333

Historic Hotels of America
Hotels in the Middle East & Africa recorded a 6.6% year-on-year GOPPAR increase in August, which was only the third month this year in which profit growth has been achieved, providing a welcome respite from a challenging trading period, according to the latest worldwide poll of full-service hotels from HotStats.

Although hotels in the region suffered a 1.0 percentage point decrease in room occupancy, this was more than offset by the 5.8% increase in achieved average room rate to $152.85 this month, which fuelled the 4.2% year-on-year increase in RevPAR, to $98.72.

In addition to the growth in Rooms Revenue, hotels in the Middle East & Africa recorded an increase in non-rooms revenue, which included a 0.9% increase in Food and Beverage revenue, to $53.96 per available room. As a result, TrevPAR in the region increased by 2.4% year-on-year to $164.76.

Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators  Middle East & Africa (in USD)

August 2017 v August 2016

RevPAR: +4.2% to $98.72

TrevPAR: +2.4% to $164.76

Payroll: -0.3 pts to 30.7%

GOPPAR: +6.6% to $48.40

A 0.3 percentage point saving in Payroll topped a positive month of performance for hotels in the region and contributed to the 6.6% year-on-year increase in GOPPAR to $48.40. This is equivalent to a profit conversion of 29.3% of total revenue.

"Further to recording a low in both top and bottom line performance in July and a tough period of trading so far in 2017, hotels in the Middle East & Africa were looking to bounce back in August, which they did.

And although the profit levels recorded this month were more than a third lower than the year-to-date figure, these small victories will keep Middle East & Africa hoteliers going until the fundamentals of the hotel market begin to improve," said Pablo Alonso, CEO of HotStats.

One of the markets which helped to drive the positive performance for the region this month was Makkah, where profit levels soared as a result of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Whilst hotels in the holy city always benefit from the demand associated with the religious festival, with almost two million people descending on Makkah to observe the fifth pillar of Islam, the timing this year, for which the peak day was on 30 August, meant the premium performance was pushed into August.

Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators  Makkah (in USD)

August 2017 v August 2016

RevPAR: +124.8% to $228.76

TrevPAR: +128.1% to $303.34

Payroll: -12.0 pts to 14.3%

GOPPAR: +291.3% to $196.69

As a result of the demand for hotel accommodation significantly outstripping supply, room occupancy at hotels in Makkah increased by 16.7-percentage points to 76.8%, with achieved average room rate increasing by 75.9% to $297.83.

As a result of the movement in volume and price, RevPAR at hotels in Makkah was recorded at $228.76, 24.5% above the year-to-date average of $172.66.

The market mix in Makkah this month was dominated by the group leisure segment, which accounted for 69.6% of total demand, with the rate recorded in this segment soaring by 103.5% to $323.26.

The significant uplift in revenue, with no real consequent increase in costs meant that profit per room at hotels in Makkah increased by 291.3% for the month, to $196.69. With payroll levels dropping to just 14.3% of total revenue, profit conversion at hotels in Makkah was recorded at 64.8% of total revenue.

In contrast to the performance in Makkah, hotels in Doha are struggling as they start to feel the impact of the economic and diplomatic sanctions which have rocked the nation.

Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators  Doha (in USD)

August 2017 v August 2016

RevPAR: -14.7% to $80.77

TrevPAR: -11.5% to $208.25

Payroll: +2.7 pts to 35.6%

GOPPAR: -29.6% to $44.71

This month, year-on-year room occupancy levels in Doha plummeted by 6.8-percentage points to 50.6%, with a 3.2% decline recorded in achieved average room rate to $159.59, which is the lowest level recorded in recent years.

As a result of the movement in volume and price, RevPAR at hotels in Doha fell by 14.7%. Additionally, declines were recorded in non-rooms revenues, including Food and Beverage (-7.1%) and Conference & Banqueting (-31.3%), which contributed to the 11.5% drop in TrevPAR to $208.25.

"With ties now severed between nine Arab states and Qatar, demand for hotel accommodation is being hit hard and so are costs, as Qatar produces very little of its own food. A double whammy on the bottom line," added Pablo.

Escalating costs, which included a 2.7-percentage point increase in Payroll to 35.6% of total revenue, added further woe for hoteliers in the Qatari capital and added to the 29.6% decline in profit per room, to just $44.71.

About HotStats

HotStats provides monthly P&L benchmarking and market insight for the global hotel industry, collecting monthly detailed financial data from more than 8,500 hotels worldwide and over 100 different brands and independent hotels. HotStats provides more than 550 different KPIs covering all operating revenues, payroll, expenses, cost of sales and departmental and total hotel profitability.

David Bailey

Deputy Managing Director

HotStats Limited
The past few months, weve seen a resurgence of reggaeton and Latin music in North America. Despacito was the pretty much the biggest song this summer and is continuing to bump. J Balvin and Willy Williams Mi Gente has been killing it as well. The song is currently looking at over 890 million views on YouTube and counting. And it has every reason to, the song has an infectious beat and catchy melodies. It looks like the song is about to reach another level because Beyonce just hopped on the remix.

Beyonce is the queen for a reason. We may have not gotten any new music from her recently but she also delivered a pair of twins, so its fair to say shes had more important things to deal with. However, she returns with a remix of Mi Gente. Beyonce hits the track with singing in both English and Spanish. With Beyonce being from Houston, J Balvin from Colombia and Willy Williams from France, the song is a global connect. Beyonce does make sure to send love on the track to places affected by natural disasters. Lift up your people/ From Texas, Puerto Rico/ Dem islands to Mexico.

Beyonce will be using the money she makes off of the song for a good cause. On her website it says, I am donating my proceeds from this song to hurricane and earthquake relief charities for Puerto Rico, Mexico and other affected Caribbean islands. The proceeds will go to CEMA, UNICEF and Somos Una Voz so make sure you stream the hell out of it.

Quotable Lyrics

I been giving birth on these haters cause im fertile

See these double Cs on this bag, murda

Want my double Ds in his bed, serta

If you really love me make an album about me, word up
A couple weeks ago, Tory Lane announced that he would be kicking off the campaign for his upcoming album on September 22, which he did last week when he released the single Shooters. While the song is fresh in rotation and being well-received by fans, Tory decides to waste little time in sharing its follow up. In fact, at the stroke of midnight, seven days after hitting us with Shooters, the Toronto crooner decides to release another song called Skrt Skrt, which the ladies will most certainly appreciate.

Switching things up from last weeks lyrical heat, Tory decides to deliver a more freaky, baby-making slow jam that finds him stimulating his girl with some sexual wordplay. I like freakin, you like sex on the weekend, me too, Tory sings laced with auto-tuned. So give me the work, you gon make me skrt skrt. Highlighted by its Caribbean dance vibes & provocative lyrics, Skrt Skrt is another strong addition to Torys steady growing catalogue of hits, and all the more reason to look forward to his upcoming album.

Its unclear at the moment if this record will see life on his upcoming album or not, but Im guessing it will be. And if this isnt enough for yall, Tory just confirmed that his highly anticipated single with Future called Real Thing will be dropping next Friday as well. So stay tuned, theres more on the way too.

For now though, take a listen to this seductive new single and let us know what you think. If youre a fan be sure to show your support on iTunes. (Included below is our latest interview with Tory where he reflects on I Told You versus and what to expect from his upcoming sophomore album, among other things. Check that out as well)

Quotable Lyrics:

I think its time we made

Time to fuck around off this patron

If you got time, Ill wait

Just give it to me any way you want

Cuz you and me dont need anybody else

Just you on me cuz I dont need no help no
In case you dont know, XXXTentacion was supposed to stand trial on October 5th, for charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery, false imprisonment, and witness-tampering. The charges were filed by the rappers ex-girlfriend, and some of the extremely disturbing case details were revealed in a gruesome summary of the deposition. Since the initial charges were filed last October, the rapper has experienced an undeniable burst in success and stardom. With his official debut album 17 garnering critical acclaim, even securing a co-sign from Kendrick Lamar, Xs musical career was undeniably on the rise, in spite of his impending legal issues.

Now, the initial court date has gone the way of the rappers eyebrows, with Pitchfork reporting that there is no longer any trial date currently scheduled. There is, however, a hearing, which will find both parties discussing the matter in a court of law. According to a spokesperson from the Miami-Dade state attorneys offices Xs lawyer is responsible for the delay. The spokesperson elaborates on the process below:

The prosecutor is ready to go to trial at any point. I cannot speak for the defense counselHowever, at this point, the defense attorney has not yet made the defense witnesses available for us to depose. The defense attorney is now indicating hes not free for the taking of the depositions until late October or early November.

As of now, Xs camp has yet to respond to Pitchfork. After the initial details broke, X was quick to laugh off the haters, issuing a cold response via social media. If the allegations are true, its certainly a bad look for the young rapper, who recently has been rising in stardom and notoriety. The trial, when it does eventually happen, will certainly be a big one for X, as the details of the deposition dont exactly paint him in the most positive light.

Either way, the truth will soon come out.

XXXTentacion
Young Dolph is currently laid up in a hospital bed out in Los Angeles, after an argument that occurred outside a famous Hollywood intersection turned violent, leaving Dolph with multiple gunshot wounds, and three suspects fleeing the scene. Young Dolph had enough stamina to get into a nearby establishment and call for help, where he was then rushed to the hospital, and underwent surgery, successfully.

The shooting occurred three days ago, on September 26, and immediately rumors flooded in that counted Yo Gotti as a person of interest. However when the LAPD announced theyd made an arrest the following day, they simultaneously discounted reports that singled out Yo Gotti as a suspect. Still, the suspect they did arrest a man by the name of Corey McClendon, 43-years old  has been reported as a Yo Gotti affiliate, although investigators will not confirm whether Gotti himself is a suspect, and whether or not there is any video footage of the incident. The initial report on McClendons arrest claimed that he fled the scene in a gold Cadillac Escalade, while two other men fled on foot.

USA Today reports that McClendon was released early Friday morning after being booked Wednesday afternoon on suspicsion of attempted murder. A spokesman for the Los Angeles District Attorneys office, Greg Risling, stated that the prosecutors asked for further investigation, leading to McClendons release.

Under California law, if you are arrested and booked and no charges are filed within 48 hours, you have to be released, Risling said, leaving it up to the police to gather more evidence before theyre able to return to the district attorney and determine if they will press charges. Thus, for the time being, McClendon is free to go without any charges attached to his name.

It should be noted, in terms of McClendons familiarity with Yo Gotti  both men were among those charged in November 2010, when a shooting occurred outside a Memphis night club, leaving six people with wounds. This particular shooting did not involve Dolph though, rather, it stemmed from beef with OG Boo Dirty. All charges against both men were eventually dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Dolph remains in stable condition since the shooting, keep him in your prayers.

Well update you as the case unfolds. The police are still looking for the two other suspects involved in the shooting.

Young Dolph
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A lesbian asylum seeker attempted to take her own life in order to stop herself being deported from the UK.

Nneka Obazee, 34, was meant to be flown on a charter flight to her home country of Nigeria but she overdosed on pain medication which led to her hospitalisation, according to activist group Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants.

Ms Obazee was set to be deported back to her home country along with her 19-year-old stepson on an 11pm flight on Wednesday. Despite fearing for her life, causing outrage from the LGBTQ community.

When Nneka was made aware that she would be returned to Nigeria she was so frightened that she attempted suicide and took an overdose which demonstrates how dire the situation would be for her if she was returned to Nigeria a spokesperson for LGSM, who are in direct contact with Ms Obazee, told The Independent.

Recommended Judge orders Home Office to bring deported Afghan man back to UK

Her step-son was deported and is now arriving in Nigeria without his mother or a support network.

Ms Obazee came to the UK in March 2013 on a visit with her abusive husband and stepson and took the opportunity to run away for him while in the UK. It was only once in the country that she says she felt she was able to reveal her sexuality.

For the past four years Nneka has been living in Manchester and is an active member of the city's LGBT+ community and a grass roots LGBT asylum group.

Ms Obazee has had her case rejected by the Home Office and failed two appeals tribunals. She is currently undergoing a judicial review.

Sexual identity is a very difficult thing to have to prove, not least when it has been the cause of significant trauma in the past, LGBTIQ specialist senior caseworker at Asylum Aid, Rajiv Bera, told The Independent.

Mr Bera added that he continually represents people who have exhausted their refugee status determination and appeals process without success but with adequate representation and proper support, the same people have gone on to eventually win their cases.

It is also not uncommon for the same LGBTQ+ asylum seekers to suffer from mental health problems:

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images

By the time they are recognised as refugees, they have experienced the effects of disbelief, destitution and detention, often at a huge cost to their mental health he said.

Ms Obazee has experienced severe mental health issues, including depression according to LGSM, which she says have been exacerbated by the asylum process. The group have said that since being detained her mental health has worsened and she has suffered a nervous breakdown which has included thoughts of suicide.

Last year a report by LGBT charity STONEWALL and UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group found that UK detention centres were poorly equipped to deal with the needs of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

It detailed how LGBT detainees were denied access to HIV and anti-depression medication as well as being bullied, harassed or physically attacked by other detainees, and victims said they did not feel protected by detention staff.

 Stansted Airport runway closed after activists stage protest against Home Office deportation flight

Leila Zadeh, director of UKLGIG, told The Independent that the organisation was concerned about Ms Obazees deportation: We are concerned that too often peoples sexuality is disbelieved and asylum claims incorrectly refused. Its also concerning that somebody can be removed from the country when there is a judicial review outstanding.

A spokesperson for Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants told The Independent: Only two months ago we joyfully celebrated with our friend Nneka at London LGBT+ Pride and now all we can do is watch powerlessly as she is railroaded through an unjust and inhumane immigration system to face certain danger in Nigeria.

In 2013 Nigeria made same-sex marriage illegal and according to a report from Human Rights Watch the law is used by some police officers and members of the public to legitimise abuses against LGBT people.

Anti-gay laws in Nigeria can lead to punishments including 14 years in prison to death by stoning and LGBTQ people are frequently faced with violence due to their orientation and gender identity.

Ms Obazee is currently in Yarls Wood.

A spokesperson for the Home Office told The Independent: We do not routinely comment on operational activity.
New Delhi, Sep 29 (IBNS) NDTV India journalist Ravish Kumar, who earlier was trolled and issued threats for his anti-establishment views on television, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not give encouragement to rabid communal forces by following them on social media.

In an open letter published on NDTV website titled "PM Modi, Will I Lose My Job?" Kumar said "that such people should be able to claim or have any affiliation to you [PM Modi] does not behoove either you or the dignity of your office."

"The sad part is that you happen to follow some of these people on Twitter who use grotesque language and indiscriminately dole out threats," he said.

The letter is reproduced here as published on NDTV which however claimed that the opinion expressed in the letter is not of NDTV but of the author's own.

The letter:



Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji:

I'm not only hopeful but certain that this will find you hale and hearty. I always pray for your good health and wish that your limitless energy remains intact.

The scope of this letter is very limited. It is common knowledge that social media today is fertile ground for trampling all over the decency of language. This is done not just by members of your party and your supporters but also those from the opposition. And their numbers are increasing every day.

The sad part is that you happen to follow some of these people on Twitter who use grotesque language and indiscriminately dole out threats. And you have continued to subscribe to their accounts even after their malevolence was highlighted in public and sparked controversies. That such people should be able to claim or have any affiliation to you does not behoove either you or the dignity of your office.

You must have chosen to track their accounts because of some special abilities that these people have. But I hope that the abilities to intimidate, abuse and incite communalism are not among them.

I can understand that you may be too busy to deal with this, but at least your team can ensure that you do not follow such people on Twitter. These people undermine your dignity. The people of India have showered immense love upon you; if they have fallen short anywhere, you can ask them and they will gladly give you much more. But it is not becoming for the Prime Minister of India to follow people who express grief at his critics being alive.

I have to admit that I have been a little scared since I read on AltNews that you happen to follow some of the members of a WhatsApp group called 'Om Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah' who have been hurling the choicest abuses, making communal stabs and describing as terrorists some journalists including me, though we are proud patriots. I cannot even read out aloud some of the language used against me and other journalists. It is my duty to respect you even in the face of the shrillest of criticism, so I say this without bitterness. It is absolutely shameful, the kind of language that is used for women journalists by these groups.

It really saddens me that on social media, even you are not spared from impolite language. But I am raising for now the case of those who claim to be in your camp who threaten lone journalists like me. Whenever I've tried to distance myself from the WhatsApp group, they strike again with language like "Catch him, he's getting away, beat him".



This crowd that politics has cultivated on social media and the streets will one day become a huge problem for our society, especially women. Most of this lot's preferred invective is misogynistic. They are so communal that you, who want to erase all communalism from India by 2022, would not tolerate their sentiments. But even your speech on August 15 had no effect on them and they keep abusing me.

I have a question for you. Do you really follow Niraj Dave and Nikhil Dadhich? Why? A few days ago, I shared a couple of screenshots from their WhatsApp group on my Facebook page @RavishKaPage. An investigation by Pratik Sinha and Neelesh Purohit of AltNews shows that Niraj Dave is a resident of Rajkot and is the Managing Director of an export company. You follow Niraj Dave. When I asked him not to use abusive language, he replied that he is sad that I am alive.

Much has been written about Nikhil Dadhich, the other member of the same WhatsApp group. Whatever he said about Gauri Lankesh after her death, you may not like it and I am sure you do not sanction it, but the fact is that you still happen to follow him if my information is correct. Recently, Amit Malviya, chief of the BJP's IT Cell, shared a distorted video of my speech designed for misrepresentation. Even after AltNews revealed the truth, Amit Malviya expressed no regret.

Sir, I really did not know that this Nikhil Dadhich has latched on to my phone as well. He is a member of the exceptionally communal group into which I am added by force and threatened with violence. I had never imagined that there could be any line, however dotted, between the members of this toxic assembly and you. I wish that the findings by AltNews were untrue. But Nikhil Dadhich even has photographs with your ministers.

Not only this, but some of the administrators of the 'Om Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah' WhatsApp group have names like RSS-1 and RSS-2. One is called Akash Soni. He is seen in photographs with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Health Minister JP Nadda, and Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari. One can, of course, feature in photographs with anybody, but this man runs a group that threatens and fans communal discord. Should that not be considered alarming by your team?

If someone writes anything about you, the administrator of the WhatsApp group is arrested - I have read several such news stories.

Is Akash Soni an official of the RSS? Along with me, he has put up the phone numbers of Abhisar Sharma, Rajdeep Sardesai and Barkha Dutt on the group, says the report by AltNews.

Leaders of the organisation chaired by you have publicised my number, earning me threats in the past as well. I was worried but I did not write to you. I am writing to you this time because I want to know if you could have this investigated: can members of this group really kill me. Is my life in danger?

I am an ordinary citizen and quite insignificant, but I am also a vigilant and committed journalist. They say any day now, at your discretion, I will find myself on the streets, out of a job. A few days ago, there was even a celebration of sorts of social media centred on the theory that I am about to lose my job. Many say the government is going for me. Recently I read a report on The Wire that the editor of Hindustan Times Bobby Ghosh was sacked because you didn't approve of him. They say it's my turn next. I laugh at these reports but I also worry. I don't like to think that the powerful Prime Minister of India can have a journalist sacked. But people say it is only a matter of days before even I am axed. Is it so, Sir?

If so, it'll be a matter of privilege for me. But you shouldn't let it happen. Not for me, but for the great democracy of India. Otherwise, people will be forced to think that if their voice is different from others, more critical than others, there is no place for them even in this large democracy. Should the job of a journalist be decided at the level of a Prime Minister and Finance Minister? I see such speculation in line with the threats that I get on that WhatsApp group. If you did not follow them, I really wouldn't have written this letter.

I have an aluminium trunk that I came to Delhi with. God has given me a lot in the last 27 years, but that trunk remains with me. I can return to Motihari with that trunk but I have my family to support. Who doesn't think about making a living? Huge stars keep doing commercials even at the age of 70 or 75 to make money. When such people seek employment to run their homes, will far lesser people like me be exempt from this concern? Surely, you wouldn't want to see my kids on the street? Would you? So much hatred for me? My kids will still pray for you and I love the streets. So even there, I will still keep asking questions. This is what Bapu had said when he visited Champaran: that no matter how unfamiliar the place, anyone can stand tall on the strength of their morality. I am a meagre part of that great soil.

I don't tell the truth to scare anybody. Bapu used to say that truth with arrogance is not truth at all. I speak to make myself even more humble, to learn, and atone for my contradictions.

If I cannot speak or write about it, I struggle with the truth. When I speak out in an effort to process what I observe and attempt to stretch myself beyond my many inadequacies, people ask me am I not afraid of the government? I am scared of my inadequacies. I speak and write to fight my inadequacies. And I lose many times. Then I tell myself, I may have failed this time, but I will make it next time. To speak truth to power is the display of the courage that our Constitution gives us. You are the guardian of this Constitution.

I am posting this publicly and sending a copy to you through the mail as well. If you know Nikhil Dadhich, Niraj Dave and Akash Soni, please ask them if they or if any of their groups have a plan to kill me. I'll also attach the link to the AltNews story. If I have disrespected you in any way in the course of writing this letter, I apologise.

Your well-wisher,

Ravish Kumar

Journalist

NDTV India

(Ravish Kumar is Senior Executive Editor, NDTV India)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

The letter ends
Mumbai, Sep 29 (IBNS): Railway Minister Piyush Goyal arrived in Mumbai on Friday afternoon to monitor the situation and rescue operations following the stampede on a railway footbridge, which left 22 people dead,, according to media reports.

The Western Railway official tweet said, "32 persons are injured in unfortunate incidence of Stampede at North FOB at Elphinstone Road while there are 22 casualties confirmed @drmbct."

The incident occurred on Friday morning during peak rush hour on a footbridge near the Elphinstone and Parel railway stations on the city's suburban railway route.

"Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge," tweeted the Railway minister soon after his arrival in the city.

The Railways have ordered an inquiry into the cause of the stampede, which many have said was due to the heavy rain, according to media reports.

The Western Railway too said on its official Twitter handle, "During heavy rains, due to stampede like situation on North Foot Over Bridge at Elphinsten Road station at about 10.30 am @drmbct."

"Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways," tweeted Piyush Goyal.

The Railway expressed his sorrow over the incident. "My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured persons, " he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have sent out requests for blood. They tweeted, "A -ve, B -ve and AB -ve blood is required in KEM hospital for those injured in #Elphinstone stampede . Please contact the blood bank at KEM."

President Ram Nath Kovind has expressed anguish over the loss of lives at the stampede.

"Anguished by the loss of lives in the stampede in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families; prayers with injured  #PresidentKovind" read the tweet from Rahstrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured."

"Situation in Mumbai is being continuously monitored. @PiyushGoyal is in Mumbai taking stock of the situation & ensuring all assistance," said Modi.
Srinagar, Sep 29 (IBNS): Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reached Srinagar on Friday for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, according to media reports.

The minister was received by the Northern Army Commander and Chinar Corps Commander at the Old Airfield, Srinagar.

Accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, she visited one of the forward area posts in the state on Friday and interacted with the troops.

Defence minister Sitharaman is scheduled to visit forward posts on the line of control (LoC), the line of actual control (LAC) between India and China in the Ladakh region and the Siachen Glacier during the visit, media reported.



Image: PIB and DefenceMinIndia/Twitter
Mumbai, Sep 29 (IBNS): The Shiv Sena has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government for the Mumbai stampede at Elphinstone railway station, which claimed 22 lives on Friday morning, calling it a "public massacre", media reports said.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told media: "The stampede on the foot overbridge at Elphinstone Road railway station is a public massacre of the people by the government."

He also attacked the BJP, its ally partner in Maharashtra, over the recently launched bullet train, and said the safety and security should be given top priority.

In one of the worst tragedies in Mumbai in recent times, at least 22 people died and 32 seriously injured in a rush-hour stampede in a narrow railway bridge between two railway stations after a heavy rain.

The incident occurred in Prabhadevi Railway Station which was earlier known as the Elphinstone Road railway station. The tragedy struck at around 10.30 am on the bridge connecting Prabhadevi ( Elphinstone Road earlier) station with Parel station.

Several daily commuters died after they were trapped at the railway station and the footbridge as disturbing footage of bodies on the bridge, some against the railing, left everyone shocked.

Reports said some were seen jumping off the bridge to escaped the stampede.

According to a news18 report, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant had written to former Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu more than two years ago seeking a new foot overbridge at the Elphinstone Railway station in Mumbai.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal arrived in Mumbai on Friday afternoon to monitor the situation and rescue operations following the stampede..

The Western Railway official tweet said, "32 persons are injured in unfortunate incidence of Stampede at North FOB at Elphinstone Road while there are 22 casualties confirmed @drmbct."

The incident occurred on Friday morning during peak rush hour on the city's suburban railway route.

"Just landed in Mumbai. Deeply grieved at tragic loss of innocent lives due to an unfortunate stampede at Elphinstone Road foot over bridge," tweeted the Railway minister soon after his arrival in the city.

The Railways have ordered an inquiry into the cause of the stampede, which many have said was due to the heavy rain, according to media reports.

The Western Railway too said on its official Twitter handle, "During heavy rains, due to stampede like situation on North Foot Over Bridge at Elphinsten Road station at about 10.30 am @drmbct."

"Have ordered a high level enquiry headed by the Chief Safety Officer, Western Railways," tweeted Piyush Goyal.

The Railway minister expressed his sorrow over the incident. "My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured persons, " he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have sent out requests for blood. They tweeted, "A -ve, B -ve and AB -ve blood is required in KEM hospital for those injured in #Elphinstone stampede . Please contact the blood bank at KEM."
New York, Sept 29(Just Earth News): The world has every interest in managing migration better, given the expanding global population and the huge increase in people on the move.



This message was underlined by Louise Arbour, the United Nations Special Representative for International Migration, who was in Beirut, Lebanon, to address pressing issues related to the movement of people in the Arab region.



Experts gathered midweek at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) to identify ways of supporting the most vulnerable migrants.



This information will feed into a new compact for migration to improve the situation of millions who have chosen  or felt forced  to leave their homes.



We know there are a lot of differences around the world but when you see such striking differences even within a region it brings home the idea that the compact is going to have to be very smart to have appeal and to be implementable, Arbour underlined.



As the world continues to experience unprecedented waves of migration, United Nations experts are highlighting the importance of regional solutions to ensure that people and societies can benefit from this global phenomenon.



Migration is a reality that crosses walls and barbed wire, said Mohamed Ali Alhakim, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).



Speaking at its headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon at the opening of a two-day meeting on international migration, Alhakim stressed that to manage this transboundary reality, regional and international cooperation must also cross borders.



As one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, ESCWA serves as a think tank for its 18 Member States; it brings together experts who work at the regional level to tackle global challenges, while still considering different national realities. Helping countries achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has been at the heart of its focus.



Is immigration not the oldest poverty reduction plan? continued Mr Alhakim, noting that remittances in the Arab region amount to more than $50 billion a year, more than four times the official development assistance (ODA) received by Arab countries.



Alongside its partners such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), ESCWA is facilitating discussions on what should be prioritized for the Arab region in the Global Compact for Migration. This agreement, the first of its kind, is expected to offer solutions to better manage human mobility.



The Arab region is particularly important because it's at the centre of much of the conflict, it's a major labour migration area, and it's also an area that has sent a lot of people elsewhere in the world particularly to Europe, many of whom encountered difficulties along the way, explained William Lacy Swing, the Director General of IOM.



In his address to the forum, he recalled that 3.5 per cent of the world population are international migrants who produce 9 per cent of the world's global domestic product. That's reportedly 4 per cent more than they would have produced if they had stayed at home.



Meanwhile, Louise Arbour, the UN Special Representative for International Migration, highlighted how much of a challenge it will be for the global compact on migration to be relevant to everyone; in the Arab region alone, countries have very different economic, social and environmental profiles.



We know there are a lot of differences around the world but when you see such striking differences even within a region it brings home the idea that the compact is going to have to be very smart to have appeal and to be implementable, she underlined.



The next regional consultations on the global compact will be held in October in Addis Abba at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and then in November in Bangkok at the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).



Photo: UNICEF/Alessio Romenzi







Source: www.justearthnews.com








New York, Sept 29(Just Earth News): Noting that the humanitarian crisis that has resulted in displacement of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from Myanmar not only provides a abreeding grounda for radicalization, but also puts vulnerable people a including young children a at grave risk, United Nations Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres called for aswift actiona to prevent further instability and find a durable solution.

The situation has spiralled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency and a humanitarian and human rights nightmare, the Secretary-General said on Thursday at a Security Council meeting on the situation in Myanmar.

At least 500,000 civilians have fled their homes in the countrys northern Rakhine state since late August and sought refuge in Bangladesh. According to estimates, some 94 per cent among them are members of the minority Muslim Rohingya community.

There have also been reports of burning of Muslim villages, as well as looting and acts of intimidation. Authorities in Myanmar have indicated that at least 176 of 471 Muslim villages in northern Rakhine have been totally abandoned.

We have received bone-chilling accounts from those who fled  mainly women, children and the elderly, added the UN chief, noting that testimonies pointed to serious violations of human rights, including indiscriminate firing of weapons, the presence of landmines and sexual violence.

This is unacceptable and must end immediately.

Failure to address the violence could result in a spill-over into central Rakhine  where an additional 250,000 Muslims could potentially face displacement  Guterres warned, stressing that Government must ensure the safety and security of all communities and uphold rule of law without discrimination.

In his briefing, the Secretary-General also underscored that UN agencies and their non-governmental partners must be granted immediate and safe access to all affected communities.

Speaking also on the need to ensure safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin, Guterres noted that the 1993 Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh and Myanmar could be a useful starting point, but it is not sufficient in the present circumstances, in particular as it does not refer to resolving the root cause of displacement as well as because it requires documents that the refugee Rohingya may not be able to provide.

Ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees to Rakhine  in line with international refugee law  will require the restoration of mutual trust among the communities, he said, noting that improved inter-communal relations forms a critical part of a sustainable solution to the crisis.

Guterres further noted that the issue of protracted statelessness must be resolved.

The Muslims of Rakhine state should be granted nationality, he stated, adding that while the present Myanmar citizenship legislation only allows it partially, an effective verification exercise should be conducted in the interim to allow those entitled be granted citizenship based on the present laws.

All others must be able to obtain a legal status that allows them to lead a normal life, including freedom of movement and access to labour markets, education and health services, he added.

In his remarks, the UN chief also spoke of a donor conference to be convened by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as well as noted efforts by regional actors to help address the crisis.

I look forward to effective and credible follow-up to the authorities stated commitment to greater access, including for the international community, the media and humanitarian actors, he said, noting: The regional cooperation with Myanmar will also be essential, and the United Nations fully stands behind this.

Photo: UNHCR/Vivian Tan

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Beijing, Sep 29 (IBNS): Following up on its textile ban and limiting oil exports, China has ordered North Korean companies plying trade in the mainland to close, reports said.

The order is in sync with the latest UN sanctions.

All North Korean companies in China will be shut by January, a BBC report added.

Earlier this month, Beijing, Pyongyang's main ally, limited its oil export to the latter and placed a ban on textile trade between the two nations.

Thus far, Beijing remained the only country which was a source of hard cash for Pyongyang.

China decision comes after the UN decided to levy sanctions on the reclusive nation, following its hydrogen bomb test earlier this month.

North Korea also stand accused of launching two projectiles over Japan and threatening the latter.

The projectile was launched over northern Japan's Hokkaido island.

Following the launch, Pyongyang said through its state news agency KCNA that 'the four islands of the (Japanese) archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche'.

The test was condemned by world leaders, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who said, "I condemn the latest North Koreanmissile launch and call for DPRK to stop tests, abide by UN resolutions & begin dialogue immediately."

However, the latest turn of events, which unfolded earlier this week, between US President Donald Trump and North Korea supremo Kim Jong-un, has kept other surrounding nations on their toes.

Attending the UN General Assembly, Trump came down severely on Kim, terming the latter as 'rocket man' on a 'suicide mission'.

Kim reportedly took it to heart, as he made a rare speech, promising to make 'dotard' Trump pay dearly.

He ever said that his choice of developing nuclear weapons for his country was right, as he accessed Trump's speech as a 'war threat'.

Meanwhile, China's ban will come into effect from Oct 1.

Earlier, Trump had urged China to stop fuel supply to North Korea, a move that would have stalled Kim's ambitious nuclear project.

Along with oil and textile, other sanctions faced by North Korea are:

Last month, the UN slapped North Korea with several sanctions.

Importing coal, seafood, iron and iron ore, lead and lead ore from North Korea is banned.

No country can hire or receive North Korean workers.
New York, Sept 29(Just Earth News): Warning that the horrific accounts of rape and sexual assault against Rohingya women and girls fleeing unrest in Myanmar could be ajust the tip of the iceberg,a the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) underscored the need to ensure that such violence is prevented and called for additional resources so that it can reach all those in need of assistance.

Gender-based violence, including rape and sexual assault, is a key concern that has emerged from the ongoing humanitarian crisis, said UNFPA in a news release on Thursday.

The UN agency noted that it has already provided a range of services, including medical and psychosocial counselling assistance, to more than 7,000 Rohingya women refugees.

However, many victims have not reported their ordeal out of concerns over safety, confidentiality, shame and stigma, it added.

This is what makes it challenging to come up with accurate numbers of gender-based violence survivors.

According to UNFPA, the lead UN agency on addressing gender-based violence in humanitarian crisis and emergencies, more than 480,000 Rohingya refugees  over half of them women and girls  have poured into Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar since August 25, having fled their homes since violence erupted in Myanmars northern Rakhine province.

Some 120,000 among them are women of reproductive age and 24,000 are either pregnant or breastfeeding.

UNFPA has set up five Women Friendly Spaces  areas which women can access at anytime for safety or to access information, education, support or other services  and plans to scale it up to fifteen by the end of the year.

It has also helped set up community watch groups and medical camps with psychosocial counselling assistance amid what it noted are incredibly challenging circumstances.

However, given the scale of the crisis, UNFPA and other UN agencies as well as partners, are struggling in need of resources. UNFPA alone needs an additional $13 million to meet the demand for services over the next six months.

Humanitarian crises across the world suffering the blight

The scourge of sexual and gender violence, unfortunately, is not only limited to the Rohingyas who fled Myanmar. Humanitarian crises globally are affected, with women and girls disproportionately affected, their specific needs not addressed adequately.

And it is therefore of paramount importance, underscored UNFPA, that each and every survivor of gender-based violence who needs such services must receive them in an environment that respects their right to self-determination, privacy and confidentiality, ensuring safety and, in so doing, helping them regain or strengthen their sense of dignity.

All women and girls, regardless of their ethnicity or religious affiliations, must have access to health care and other essential services without discrimination, and they must be protected from all forms of violence, including sexual assault, emphasized Natalia Kanem, the Acting Executive Director of UNFPA.

The health and safety of women and girls must be protected.

IRIN/David Longstreath

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Seasonal Trend Alert: Soybeans Blue Line Futures - 39 minutes ago March soybean futures have trended higher for 14 of the last 15 years from November 16th to January 9th. The average profit has been roughly 65 cents, while the one loss (highlighted below, 2018) was...

MacKenzie Scott acknowledges another $2B in donations AP - 1 hour ago Megadonor and novelist MacKenzie Scott announced almost $2 billion in donations in a short blog post Monday that emphasized her interest in supporting people from underserved communities $SPX : 3,957.25 (-0.89%) $DOWI : 33,536.70 (-0.63%) $IUXX : 11,700.94 (-0.98%)

Hogs Close in Black to Start the Week Barchart - Mon Nov 14, 4:23PM CST Lean hog futures closed the Monday session with 27 to 57 cent gains. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price for Monday afternoon was $2.47 lower to $85.23. The CME Lean Hog Index was $88.63 on 11/10,... HEZ22 : 84.875s (+0.62%) HEJ23 : 94.375s (+0.29%) KMZ22 : 95.675s (+0.82%)

Cotton Futures Fall Triple Digits Barchart - Mon Nov 14, 4:23PM CST Mondays cotton trade pulled prices 242 to 330 points lower, which erased all of last weeks gains. New crop Dec cotton closed at 77.06 cents per pound, a 8.22 cent discount to spot Dec. Stock market... CTZ22 : 85.28s (-3.31%) CTH23 : 83.62s (-3.14%) CTK23 : 82.50s (-3.58%)

Cattle Close Monday Mixed Barchart - Mon Nov 14, 4:23PM CST Fat cattle futures were mostly 42 to 75 cents lower on Monday, save for a 5 cent gain in the Dec contract. Feeder cattle traded higher, past the Nov contract, to end the day with 22 to 87 cent gains. USDA... LEZ22 : 151.575s (+0.03%) LEG23 : 152.550s (-0.46%) LEJ23 : 156.425s (-0.40%) GFX22 : 176.950s (unch) GFF23 : 179.450s (+0.49%)

Soy Futures Fade on Monday Barchart - Mon Nov 14, 4:23PM CST November soybean futures expired at $14.41 3/4 on Monday, a net 1 1/4 cent premium to the now lead month Jan. The other futures faded 5 1/4 to 9 1/2 cents on the day. New crop Nov beans ended the day at... ZSX22 : 1441-6s (-0.94%) ZSPAUS.CM : 14.1160 (-0.65%) ZSF23 : 1442-2 (+0.12%) ZSH23 : 1447-2 (+0.17%)

Corn Closed Monday Red Barchart - Mon Nov 14, 4:23PM CST The first trade day of the week ended with futures fractionally to 4 1/2 cents lower. December stayed the firmest, and after a morning rally ultimately closed mid ranged. New crop December ended at $6.07... ZCZ22 : 656-6 (unch) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.5665 (unch) ZCH23 : 658-6 (unch) ZCK23 : 658-0 (unch)
Burma Hindus Cremated in Rakhine States Maungdaw

Relatives of missing Hindus at a camp in Sittwe. / Min Aung Khaing / The Irrawaddy

MAUNGDAW, Rakhine State  A funeral service was held on Thursday to cremate the remains of 45 Hindu villagersincluding six childrenof Ye Baw Kya village in northern Maungdaw Township unearthed on Sunday and Monday.

A mass grave of 28 missing Hindu villagers was found on Sunday, and 17 others were discovered on Monday afternoon.

More than 70 people, including Hindu spiritual leaders and relatives of the victims, attended the funeral, which was held according to Hindu rituals, Police Colonel Okkar Ko of the border guard police force told The Irrawaddy.

All of the bodies were cremated and the funeral service was conducted by Hindu religious leaders. The funeral was held near the place where the bodies were discovered, said the police colonel.

The retrieval of the remains of Hindu villagers came after a Hindu woman of Ye Baw Kya village who fled to Bangladesh following the attacks of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in August phoned and informed a Hindu community leader, who had fled to state capital Sittwe, about the killings.

The governments statementbased on Hindu community leader U Ni Mals testimonyon Sunday said ARSA arrested some 100 men and women from several Hindu villages in Kha Maung Seik village tract on Aug. 25 and killed the majority of abductees.

On Wednesday, authorities showed local and international journalists the unearthed bodies.

The governments Information Committee released a statement on Wednesday saying 163 people from Maungdaw District were killed and 91 people went missing from October 2016 to September 2017, following attacks by Muslim militants on border police posts.
Burma Mandalay Blast Injures 1

The motorbike damaged in Thursdays blast. / The Irrawaddy

MANDALAY  One man was injured in a blast outside a festival in Mandalay Regions Chanayethazan Township on Thursday in an incident that was labelled a threat to the stability of the region by the local government.

Ko Zaw Hein, 28, was taken to Mandalay General Hospital with injuries to his left arm and a motorcycle was destroyed after a suspected improvised exploding device was set off at 9:50 p.m. outside a Nyeint Pwe festival, according to local police.

Police later seized the two mobile phones found near the motorcycle which were believed to be used as detonators for the blast, secretary for the Mandalay regional government U Myint Tin told reporters on Friday, adding that it was too early to identify the culprit and police had opened an investigation into the incident.

The blast was not large so there was no huge impact but it is clear someone is trying to threaten regional stability, he said.

Security in Mandalay Region had been bolstered following government warnings earlier this month with joint patrols by police and local organizations and residents, but security forces will be put on alert to ensure the safety of locals, he said.
Burma NLD Central Womens Committee to Support Kachin IDPs

Camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) at Shait Yang village in Laiza District, an area controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), on Jan. 21. These IDPs came from the Zai Awng and Hkau Shau camps in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  The National League for Democracys (NLD) new-formed Central Womens Committee plans to visit Kachin internally displaced peoples (IDP) camps as the committees first mission on October 4, said chairperson Dr. May Win Myint.

The NLDs new-formed Central Womens Committee Team will donate rice and oil, sanitary products, and provide medical services to 1,350 IDPs in Kachin State during their one-week trip, said Daw Zin Mar Aung, a secretary on the committee.

In Kachin State, more than 120,000 people have been displaced from their original lands and forced to seek refuge in IDP camps since June 2011, due to renewed fighting between Myanmars military and the Kachin Independence Army following the breakdown of a 17-year ceasefire.

Dr. May Win Myint will led the team which of 10  15 participants.

The NLD Health Networks members will also join the trip. The doctors from the health network and the chair, Dr. May Win Myint, will give medical check-ups to the IDPs, Daw Zin Mar Aung said.

The team will visit eight camps in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Mohnyin, and Mogaung townships.

We decided to go and support Kachin IDPs because they are in a forgotten situation, Daw Zin Mar Aung told The Irrawaddy on Friday, when asked why the committee choice Kachin State over Rakhine State, where there is also a refugee crisis.

She explained that the UN, and NGOs and INGOs are focusing on meeting the needs of IDPs in Rakhine State, and that the government is also working to support the victims of the conflict there.

Kachin civil society organizations and humanitarian groups have continuously called on the government to provide proper support to the IDPs who are struggling for their livelihoods and unable to meet basic needs due to long-term displacement.

The NLDs Central Womens Committee was formed in early August, and discussed work at the state, regional, township, and ward and village tract levels, with the aim to promote womens empowerment and capacity building, Daw Zin Mar Aung said.
Burma Ten Years On, Family Still Demands Answers in Slain Japanese Journalists Death

Kenji Nagai of the APF Tokyo lies dying after police and military officials fired on him in Yangon on Sept. 27, 2007. / Reuters

YANGON  For nearly a decade, Noriko Ogawa relentlessly lobbied for the truth about the death of her brother who was killed by security forces in Yangon.

Kenji Nagai, 50, a reporter for Tokyos APF News, was in downtown Yangon on Sept. 27, 2007, covering the monk-led Saffron Revolution. He was hit when soldiers opened fire on the crowd. The then military government announced that he was among 11 protesters killed due to warning shots. But forensic evidence showed that he was shot at point-blank range.

Since then, Mr. Nagais family members have demanded the Myanmar government open an official investigation into his killing and return his camera via the Japanese government.

His sister Noriko Ogawa has advocated through the media for answers regarding the death of her brother every year. She sent plenty of emails to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and also took several hours-long trips to the MOFA office in Tokyo from her home in Imabari city in Ehime prefecture.

But nothing happened.

So, on the 10th anniversary of her brothers death this month, the sister of the slain Japanese video journalist sent a letter directly to Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to demand acknowledgement from the Myanmar government that her brothers death was the result of an intended shot and that there would be concrete action taken on the issue.

I expect a sincere reaction [from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] to my letter, she told The Irrawaddy.

Noriko Ogawa said she sent the letter with all of her emotion and thoughts she has pondered for 10 years to the State Counselor because nothing happened when she contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan to transfer her message to the Nobel laureate.

The only thing I want is acknowledgement that my brothers death was the result of an intended shot. I am eager for your humanitarian decision and concrete action on this issue, writes the video journalists sister in her letter to Myanmars State Counselor.

Honestly speaking, I want to take down the militants who brutally shot my brother, Noriko Ogawa writes in the letter that was viewed by The Irrawaddy.

However, this is not realistic under the current circumstances. What is realistic is to please, please reveal what happened, and acknowledge that my brother was killed. In addition, I want to get back his camera, which he had held tightly in his hands [when he was shot], the sister wrote.

She told The Irrawaddy that the prime minister, deputy minister, minister of foreign affairs, and police chief had tried to convince the Myanmar government to admit the truth in the past.

According to an announcement on Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the then Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda discussed the investigation and return of Mr. Nagais camera with then President U Thein Sein at 2011 Asean-related summit meetings.

The statement read that President Thein Sein said the government had been striving for investigation and cooperation with Japan but had not found Nagais belongings, adding that he was pained by Mr. Nagais death.

About the comment from the former President, Thein Sein, the fundamental recognition about Kenjis case is completely different from ours. We cannot accept it, Noriko Ogawa told The Irrawaddy.

Death in Yangon

Kenji Nagai arrived in Yangon on Sept. 25, 2007, when Buddhist monk-led protests against the then military regime were underway.

Toru Yamaji, president of the Tokyo APF, remembered that Nagai had been covering a story in Bangkok when the situation in Myanmar escalated.

He told RFA in 2007 that he and Nagai had talked about the trip on the telephone, and Nagai had felt the protests in Myanmar would gradually grow to huge proportions and it would be a good opportunity to tell the world about the situation there.

So I gave him permission to go, he said.

Adrees Latif, a Reuters photographer who captured the moment of Nagais death on his camera, recalled that soon after the shooting started his eye caught the Japanese photographer flying backwards through the air. Instinctively, he started photographing, capturing four frames of the man on his back.

The entry point of the bullet is clear in the first frame, with a soldier wearing flip-flops standing over the man and pointing a rifle.

More shots rang out. I flinched before getting off two more framesone of the man pointing the camera at the soldier, and one of his face contorted in pain. Beyond him, the crowd scattered before the advancing soldier, wrote Adrees Latif, who won a Pulitzer Prize for the picture.

Noriko Ogawa recalled that she couldnt help shuddering and her heart froze when she saw her brother on the TV news upon the notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In her letter she told Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that despite more and more Japanese corporations making inroads in Myanmar, there has been no progress for the bereaved family, and time has been passing in vain for 10 years now.

My parents died four years ago, without any word from the army, she said in the letter.

I continue to go every month to the temple where he sleeps. I hope you will not overlook my sincere emotions, she added.
Burma US Envoy to UN Demands Myanmar Prosecutions, Weapon Curbs

Self-identifying Rohingya refugees queue for aid at Cox's Bazar. / Reuters

UNITED NATIONS and YANGON  US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Thursday called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against self-identifying Rohingya Muslims until the military puts sufficient accountability measures in place.

It was the first time the United States called for punishment of military leaders behind the repression, but stopped short of threatening to re-impose US sanctions which were suspended under the Obama administration.

We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese authorities what they appear to bea brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority, Haley told the UN Security Council, the first time Washington has echoed the UNs accusation that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State was ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar rejects the accusations and has denounced rights abuses.

The Burmese military must respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Those who have been accused of committing abuses should be removed from command responsibilities immediately and prosecuted for wrongdoing, Haley said.

And any country that is currently providing weapons to the Burmese military should suspend these activities until sufficient accountability measures are in place, Haley said.

Myanmar national security adviser Thaung Tun said at the United Nations on Thursday there was no ethnic cleansing or genocide happening in Myanmar. He told the Security Council that Myanmar had invited U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres to visit. A UNofficial said Guterres would consider visiting Myanmar under the right conditions.

China and Russia both expressed support for the Myanmar government. Myanmar said earlier this month it was negotiating with China and Russia, which have veto powers in the Security Council, to protect it from any possible action by the council.

The Trump administration has mostly hewed to former President Barack Obamas approach of forging warmer relations with Myanmar, partly aimed at countering Chinas influence in the resource-rich Southeast Asian country.

Meanwhile, international aid groups in Myanmar have urged the government to allow free access to Rakhine, where an army offensive has sent more than 500,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh, but hundreds of thousands remain cut off from food, shelter and medical care.

Refugees are still leaving Myanmar, more than a month after Muslim insurgents attacked security posts near the border, triggering fierce Myanmar military retaliation.

Aid groups said on Thursday the total number of refugees in Bangladesh was now 502,000.

The Myanmar government has stopped international aid groups and U.N. agencies from carrying out most of their work in the north of Rakhine state, citing insecurity since the Aug. 25 insurgent attacks.

Aid groups said in a joint statement they were: increasingly concerned about severe restrictions on humanitarian access and impediments to the delivery of critically needed humanitarian assistance throughout Rakhine State.

We urge the government and authorities of Myanmar to ensure that all people in need in Rakhine State have full, free and unimpeded access to life-saving humanitarian assistance.

The government has put the Myanmar Red Cross in charge of aid to the state, with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross. But the groups said they feared insufficient aid was getting through.

Relations between the government and aid agencies had been difficult for months, with some officials accusing the groups of helping the insurgents.

Aid groups dismissed the accusations, which they said had inflamed anger towards them among Buddhists in the communally divided state, and called for an end to misinformation and unfounded accusations.

Rights groups have accused the army of trying to push self-identifying Rohingya Muslims out of Myanmar, and of committing crimes against humanity. They have called for sanctions, in particular an arms embargo.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the violence against self-identifying Rohingya Muslims in the northern part of Rakhine could spread to central Rakhine, where 250,000 more people were at risk of displacement.

Guterres told the UN Security Council during its first public meeting on Myanmar in eight years, that the violence had spiraled into the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency, a humanitarian and human rights nightmare.

A group of Republican and Democratic senators urged the Trump administration on Thursday to use the full weight of its influence to help resolve the crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

A letter seen by Reuters and signed by four Republican and 17 Democratic members of the 100-seat Senate also calls on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green to provide more humanitarian aid.

The British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field, described the situation as an unacceptable tragedy after visiting Myanmar and meeting leaders including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has faced scathing criticism and calls for her Nobel prize to be withdrawn.

Drownings

Police in Bangladesh said they recovered the bodies of 14 refugees, including nine children, who drowned when their boat capsized off the coast in bad weather. A Reuters photographer said he saw several babies among the victims.

The UN International Organization for Migration later put the toll at 15.

Police officer Afrajul Hoque Tutu said three boats had capsized in heavy seas.

Myanmar was getting ready to verify refugees who want to return, the government minister charged with putting into effect recommendations to solve problems in Rakhine said.

Myanmar would conduct a national verification process at two points on its border with Bangladesh under terms agreed during a repatriation effort in 1993, state media quoted Win Myat Aye, the minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement, as saying.

Myanmar authorities do not recognize Rohingya as an indigenous ethnic group, instead regarding them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

The government hates us, said refugee Zafar Alam, 55, sheltering from rain near a refugee settlement in Bangladesh, referring to the Myanmar government.

I dont think Id be safe there. Theres no justice.
Friday, Sep 29th, 2017 (7:01 am) - Score 7,335

Cable network Virgin Media has today cut the prices of their 50Mbps to 300Mbps range of standalone broadband packages for the first 12 months of service (new customers). At the same time theyve also increased the prices on some of their bundles (i.e. broadband, phone and /or TV).

All new customers are subject to a 12 month contract (a 30 day contract option does exist but the discounts dont apply) and receive an included Hub wireless router, unlimited usage, access to Virgins WiFi hotspots (e.g. London Underground Stations), internet security / parental controls and free email. On top of that a 20 one-off activation applies and some people may also be charged 40 for a standard installation.

VIVID 50Mbps

Price: 27 per month for 12 months (33 thereafter) VIVID 100Mbps

Price: 32 per month for 12 months (38 thereafter) VIVID 200Mbps

Price: 37 per month for 12 months (43 thereafter) VIVID 300Mbps

Price: 42 per month for 12 months (48 thereafter)

Elsewhere the operator has also tweaked their existing 12 month discounts on dual (broadband and phone) and triple-play (broadband, TV and phone) bundles. For example, the dual 50Mbps package with free UK weekend calls has gone from 27 a month for 12 months (40 thereafter) to 29 a month for 12 months (40 thereafter) and the same increase is seen on their faster options.

However theres better news for those opting to take a triple-play bundle because the post-discount price has been reduced, although its worth remembering that by the time you finish your contract the post discount price may have been hiked again. For example, the 50Mbps triple-play Player bundle was 33 a month for 12 months (56 thereafter) but this is now 35 a month for 12 months and then 48 thereafter.

Take note that Virgin Medias cable (EuroDOCSIS) network currently covers a little over half of UK premises, albeit mostly in urban areas. However their network is expected to reach around 60-65% of the UK by 2019, which reflects their on-going expansion to a further 4 million premises (2 million of which will be served via full fibre FTTP).
Two executives of the Commonwealth Bank have been indicted by a US federal grand jury in a case of alleged bribery involving IT services company ServiceMesh which was based in Santa Monica, California.

The indictment alleges that Eric Pulier, founder and chief executive of ServiceMesh, was behind the fraud and paying US$2.5 million to two executives at Commonwealth Bank.

In exchange for this amount, the US Department of Justice alleges that the two bank executives facilitated US$10.4 million in contracts for software sales to CBA in late 2013 and January 2014.

The bank's contracts triggered what is known as an "earnout" payment as part of a sale deal with IT giant Computer Services Corporation, which led to it paying an additional US$98 million to shareholders of ServiceMesh. Of this, about US$30 million went to Pulier.

Also charged was former CBA IT manager John Waldron for allegedly helping approve contracts with ServiceMesh in exchange for approximately US$1.9 million in bribes which was paid to him mostly through a shell company in New Zealand.

"Warrants for the arrest of Pulier, 50, of Los Angeles, and Waldron, 47, of Sydney have been issued," the announcement by the US Department of Justice said. "Pulier is expected to surrender to authorities in the coming days. Waldron remains in Australia facing related charges brought by Australian authorities."

The indictment describes a complicated scheme. Pulier allegedly agreed to pay bribes to Waldron and another CBA IT executive, Keith Hunter, for their assistance in obtaining contracts to help boost the revenue earned by ServiceMesh.

The contracts were needed to push ServiceMesh revenues over US$20 million  the threshold that triggered CSC paying the incentive bonus. CSC paid ServiceMesh shareholders, of which Pulier was the largest, an Earnout payment of US$98 million in March 2014.

Some part of Puliers ServiceMesh shares were held by a company called TechAdvisors. The indictment alleges that after TechAdvisors received its earnout payment, Pulier caused TechAdvisors to transfer US$4.8 million to a purported non-profit company named Ace which was later renamed The Ace Foundation.

Ace was headed by a childhood friend of Pulier, who transferred US$2.5 million to accounts held by Waldron and Hunter in Australia, New Zealand and the US.

ServiceMesh was sold to NASDAQ-listed CSC in 2013.

Update, 2 October: A spokesman for Pulier issued the following statement: "Eric Pulier has been wrongly accused of crimes he did not commit. The evidence will show that Pulier did not bribe anyone for contracts to increase the earnout payment to ServiceMesh shareholders.

"To the contrary, the contracts ServiceMesh signed with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 2013 and 2014 were legitimate. CSC touted ServiceMeshs work for CBA as a 'success story' even long after false allegations were made about bribery.

"Indeed, far from being defrauded in its acquisition of ServiceMesh, CSCs chief executive publicly acknowledged that the ServiceMesh acquisition 'really paid off' for CSC. We are confident that Pulier will be vindicated.
Airline technology supplier Amadeus says a failure of its flight bookings system worldwide, which led to flight delays, was caused by a network issue.

An Amadeus spokesperson told iTWire in response to queries that the systems had now recovered and were functioning normally.

Carriers like Qantas, British Airways, Lufthansa and Cathay Pacific were among the airlines affected. KLM had to delay the departure of at least 24 flights, according to a Bloomberg report.

Amadeus' Altea passenger-service system, which helps manage flight reservations, inventory and departure control, is used by more than 130 airlines globally.

Singapore's Changi Airport said in a tweet that it had to issue boarding passes manually due to the problem.

"Due to a technical issue affecting check-in systems of some airlines, the check-in process may take longer than usual," the airport said.

#ADVISORY: Due to a technical issue affecting check-in systems of some airlines, the check-in process may take longer than usual...  Changi Airport (@ChangiAirport) September 28, 2017

#ADVISORY: ... Manual boarding passes have to be issued. We appreciate your patience in this matter. Thank you.  Changi Airport (@ChangiAirport) September 28, 2017

The Amadeus spokesperson said: "We experienced a network issue that caused disruption to some of our systems. As a result of the incident, customers experienced disruption to certain services.

"The incident was related to our internal infrastructure. It was triggered by an issue in a faulty switch during network maintenance. The incident was not related to any security issue."

The spokesperson said Amadeus technical teams had taken immediate action to identify the cause of the issue and mitigate against the impact on customers.

"Amadeus regrets any inconvenience caused to customers," the spokesperson added.

Amadeus has about 43% of the booking systems market, with Sabre and Travelport Worldwide being the other big players.

iTWire also contacted Qantas for comment but the airline has yet to respond.
Vodafone has "taken the next steps in the advancement of its mobile network performance by successfully conducting its first field demonstration of Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) using a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) band".



Vodafone's demo, in concert with Huawei, took place on 28 September at Cronulla in Sydneys south, and was successful in demonstrating "the viability of Massive MIMO over Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) bands", with these bands "the most commonly used in 4G networks".

Using 20MHz of Vodafones FDD 1800 MHz spectrum and Huaweis Active Antenna Unit (AAU), we're told that "the demonstration achieved a cell throughput speed of 717 Mbps across eight devices".

Vodafones general manager of Technology Strategy Easwaren Siva claimed the demonstration was "a huge leap in the evolution of the companys 4G mobile network".

Siva added: This weeks demonstration is another significant step towards 5G, following our live 5G trial last year which saw speeds of up to 5Gbps.

When it is rolled out in an area, FDD Massive MIMO will give the Vodafone network multiple-fold increase in capacity, delivering a consistently high quality network experience, even in times of high usage. It will enable Vodafone to maximise the efficiency of our current spectrum to deliver a better network experience to our customers.

To carry out the demonstration of FDD Massive MIMO, Vodafone said it used Huaweis AAU solution "which incorporates 32 small internal radio frequency transceivers that in combination allow 3D control or beam-forming of the signals. Beam-forming allows radio signals to be shaped and simultaneously directed toward users in both vertical and horizontal directions, creating an increase in network coverage and improved user data speeds".

Siva said: The data usage habits of Australians have changed dramatically in recent years with the rise of features such as mobile video and music streaming, with data usage increasing more than 60% year-on-year.

We expect to see the change continue as features such as Augmented Reality and 4K video become more mainstream. To meet this challenge we need to ensure our network is continually evolving. Thats what the FDD Massive MIMO demonstration has shown  that Vodafone is committed to developing and enhancing its network as Australian data usage habits and expectations change.

Vodafone "plans to roll out its FDD Massive MIMO technology to selected mobile sites during 2018".
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The Kurdistan Regional Government on Thursday rejected the decisions of the Iraqi parliament and government. It nevertheless expressed a willingness to conduct a dialogue in order to resolve the problems. It will at the same time launch legal challenges to the sanctions imposed on it.

The office of KRG president Massoud Barzani issued a statement after a cabinet meeting of the Iraqi super-province, saying, The cabinet of the KRG rejects all the decisions that were announced against it by the parliament and government of Iraq on yesterday, Wednesday. He denounced the measures as collective punishment of the people of Kurdistan.

The KRG parliament said that the referendum does not threaten anyone.

I had written yesterday, The Iraqi parliament on Wednesday passed a resolution demanding that the Iraqi army take control of the province of Kirkuk and reclaim the Kirkuk oil fields as a national patrimony. The parliament also demanded that the government arrest and try Kurdistan president Massoud Barzani for treason.

Iraqi political circles on Thursday despaired of finding a solution for the standoff between Baghdad and Erbil, after Barzanis rejection of the demands of the Iraqi parliament.

Baghdad is rejecting any dialogue or negotiations until the Kurdistan Regional Government abrogates the referendum on independence and renounces an attempt to secede.

Iraqi vice president Ayad Allawi called President Barzani in an attempt to mediate the crisis. Barzani, however, declined to renounce the referendum, in which he said 92% of Iraqs 8 million Kurds voted to establish an independent state. He did say that the referendum did not have to be implemented on the second day.

Iraqi parliamentarian Faiq al-Shaykh said that the best resolution would be the one suggested by Prime Minister al-Abadi, to allow the Iraqi constitution to be the basis for a decision.

Another MP, Abbas al-Bayati, said the thought that Iraqis were moving to implement the decrees.

Yet another MP, Raad al-Dahlaki, said he opposed putting sanctions on Iraqi Kurdistan that could end up harming our siblings, the Kurdish people.

With no resolution in sight, this issue is likely to continue to roil the politic sof the region.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

TRT World: Northern Iraq Referendum: Turkey backs Iraq central government
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Tom Brocket | (The Conversation) |  

It is a wet and dreary February afternoon in Union City, the compact and densely populated township sitting on the New Jersey bank of the Hudson River. The rain leaves the streets deserted. Outside the North Bergen mayors office, a group of some 50 people cower under their umbrellas and crowd around the flagpoles to the left of the main entrance. The American flag is already raised atop the most prominent pole on the small patch of grass.

A new flag runs up the post behind immediately behind it. The crowd cheer and clap. When it reaches the summit, some climb onto the elevated bank and take selfies with their friends or children. The low wind takes some time to coax the flag from its entanglement, but eventually, the white, green and black stripes and the red triangle of the Palestinian flag are revealed.

Over the past five years, these Palestinian flag-raising ceremonies have become an annual fixture in several New Jersey towns with prominent Palestinian-American communities, such as North Bergen, Clifton and Paterson. I spent the majority of my time between these towns while conducting research on second-generation Palestinians living in the state.

When these events are reported on via news articles and Facebook posts, they are usually met with angry comments from the wider community. Many criticise the town halls for flying a non-American flag; some voice concern that flying the Palestinian flag endorses a nation of terrorists, or even fret that raising the flag of a majority-Muslim nation implies America is losing parts of its territory to religious and ethnic enclaves.

At the heart of these reactions is a belief that retaining such ties to countries of origin is antithetical to becoming American  an analysis upheld for many decades by literature on migrant assimilation in the US. But it is not simply an affiliation to an elsewhere that can explain the incensed reaction. After all, St Patricks day celebrations just across the Hudson pass without critical commentary, and the claiming of Irish, Scottish or Italian heritage by post-immigrant generations rarely leads to an accusation of being un-American, at least not today.

The point is that unlike those white European nations, the elsewhere to which Palestinian-Americans belong is an Arabic and majority-Muslim nation  and one that has for several decades been painted as a terrorist enemy of the US and its values.

Refuge and opportunity

In my own research, I argue that these flag-raising ceremonies are occasions for Palestinian-Americans to pay homage to their dual national loyalties and their transnational, diasporic identities, while making a bid for belonging and recognition in the US. As one community leader who organised the largest ceremony in 2016 told me emphatically:

[These days] arent political  they arent about the city of Clifton recognising the State of Palestine or Palestinian Authority. They are about recognising the contribution of the Palestinian community to that town. It could be Palestinians, or people from South American, European or Asian countries. All these different groups raise their flags here, like us. I want to thank the town of North Bergen for this event recognising the Palestinian community. We are both proud Americans and proud Palestinians. Our fathers came here and found refuge and opportunity, and for that we are grateful. Later generations were born in and nurtured by this country, and woven into its fabric, and for that, we love it.

A local school teacher speaking next offered a similar sentiment:

We as Palestinians  all of us, from the halls of Congress to the halls of academia, we have contributed in substantial positive ways to this country, we are able to flourish as a community in America, here in North Bergen and across this great country. And todays raising of the flag is a clear reflection of all we have accomplished today. God bless North Bergen, God bless America and God bless Palestine and its amazing people.

These events are ultimately less about the raising of the Palestinian flag, but raising it alongside the American flag. Packed with second and third-generation Palestinian-Americans who have grown up between both of these worlds, flag-raisings are rare opportunities to reconcile two seemingly incompatible identities.

Side-by-side

There is a storied tradition of American thought that sees dual identities not as a threat to a cohesive national identity or antithetical to the process of assimilation, but as the very definition of America itself. As the progressive intellectual Randolph S. Bourne wrote in 1916: America is  not a nationality but a trans-nationality, a weaving back and forth, with the other lands, of many threads of all sizes and colours.

Today, the raising of the Palestinian flag is a way to celebrate the contributions of an immigrant Muslim and Arab community against, as one speaker at the Union City flag-raising put it, a backdrop of pervasive Islamophobia and discrimination in America. His words rang true after Donald Trumps first Muslim ban, the suddenly imposed travel restrictions that rocked Palestinians in New Jersey only a couple of months before, and the atmosphere of racialised nationalism that has hung in the air ever since Trump began his campaign in the summer of 2015.

To borrow a term from the anthropologist Thea Abu El-Haj, flag-raisings are also bids for citizenship  a way for Palestinian-Americans to demand inclusion and recognition in a country whose politics and culture have long positioned them as outsiders. To see the Palestinian flag raised alongside the American flag is to receive affirmation and recognition from their American towns  and to pay homage to the dual loyalties that have shaped Palestinian-American generations from the day they were born.

Tom Brocket, PhD Candidate in Geography, UCL

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Scoop Empire: Q&A: Palestinian-American NFL Player Oday Aboushi
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by Sam Pizzigati | ( Inequality.org ) |  

Our free market health care system gives CEOs the freedom to squeeze us.

Blogging Our Great Divide.

Our current health care system in the United States works just fine  for the corporate executives who run it. Take, for instance, Michael Mussallem. This eminent power suit has been the CEO at Edwards Lifesciences, a California-based company that makes heart valves and assorted other medical devices, ever since 2000. Since 2010, Mussallem has pocketed an astounding $246 million in compensation.

Actually, astounding might not be the right word here. In the health care industry, colossally large paychecks for top executives have become standard operating procedure. In fact, four health industry CEOs have made more than Musselman since 2010.

One made much more. John Martin, the former top exec of the pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences, has collected $863 million over the past seven years.

Overall, the CEOs at 70 major American health care companies have grabbed, just since 2010, a combined $9.8 billion. That comes to an average annual take-home of $20 million per exec.

All these numbers come from researchers at Axios, an online news media outlet. Two top corporate watchdogs  University of Massachusetts Lowell economist William Lazonick and Matthew Hopkins of the Academic-Industry Research Network  have confirmed the Axios pay figures.

The health care industry, for its part, is doing its best to ignore and dismiss these new executive pay totals. The national outlay for health care last year hit $3.35 trillion, goes the industrys reasoning. Next to those trillions, the mere billions that go to health care execs amount to no more than a drop in the bucket, a tiny drip from an IV.

But this glib defense of executive excess in health care totally ignores the real danger in the big bucks cascading into corporate CEO pockets: Outrageous pay gives CEOs an incentive to behave outrageously  at the expense of our health.

How so? The vast bulk of corporate executive pay today comes in the form of stock awards. The higher a companys share price, the heftier the CEOs compensation. This stock connection encourages CEOs to single-mindedly focus on raising their company share prices by any means necessary.

Among those any means: Pharmaceutical CEOs will jack up prices on prescription drugs and do whatever they can to get doctors to prescribe more pills. Health providers will push unnecessary tests and procedures. Hospital chiefs will downsize support staffs for patients. All these decisions fatten corporate bottom lines, pump up corporate share prices, and leave our health care downgraded.

How could health care get better? Blue-ribbon commissions have all sorts of suggestions. They urge us to eliminate unnecessary procedures, tests, and devices. We need to better coordinate care, they add, and lower prices.

Corporate CEOs in the health industry have no incentive to take any of these steps. They want to keep the health care industry a free market Wild, Wild West where the biggest corporate players get to keep whatever they have the power to grab.

We need to break that power. And that brings us to the good news: Prospects for real change in health care are rapidly moving onto Americas political center stage. We now have 16 United States senators on the record supporting an overhaul of the U.S. health care system  introduced by Vermont senator Bernie Sanders  that places people first, not CEO paychecks.

This single payer Medicare for all overhaul would both guarantee every American access to health care and give the American public the bargaining power to blunt the greed grabs of the corporate health care industry.

Just a few short years ago, this industry had both our major political parties too cowed to even discuss a move to Medicare for all. That discussion has now begun.

Sam Pizzigati, an Institute for Policy Studies associate fellow, co-edits Inequality.org. His latest book  The Rich Dont Always Win: The Forgotten Triumph over Plutocracy that Created the American Middle Class, 1900-1970  traces how average Americans ended the nations original Gilded Age. Follow him at @Too_Much_Online.

-

Related video added by Juan Cole:

Wochit News: Trump Insists Republicans Have The Votes On Healthcare
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Wellingtons mayor is pulling the plug on the citys 22-year-old Guy Fawkes festival in favour of the Maori New Year festival, Matariki. Mayor Justin Lester said Matariki ought to be a cornerstone celebration, rather than the long-running November tradition, which marked the anniversary of an attempt to blow up British parliament more than 400 years ago.

Score one for the political correctness police. Bye bye to a wonderful 400 year old tradition.

No problem at all with celebrating Matariki, but who says it has to be either/or. Having fireworks for Guy Fawkes is a wonderful tradition that the Mayor is unilaterally killing.

Lester said he had canvassed councillors and had strong support, however councillor Iona Pannett said she did not agree. The move would be risky because people may gather in public parks with their own fireworks, she said. She supported celebrating Matariki  but not at the expense of Guy Fawkes and would like to see fireworks at both events. Its been a long part of our history and despite what it represents, we live in a multicultural environment and its about celebrating traditions.

In a rare move I agree 100% with Iona.

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Guy Williams is a comedian. He thought it would be funny to mock John Armstrong for his appearance. Why? Presumably because John dares to write columns that sometimes criticise Labour and Greens. Incidentally he wrotes heaps of columns criticising National also.

Now it is widely known John as Parkinsons Disease, a long-term degenerative disorder. Hes had it for over 20 years yet kept up full-time journalism during that time. Finally it forced him to retire last year. but since then he has still managed to write occasional columns for One News and The Herald.

Now Williams has now said his tweet was not about his disease. That is probably true. But that still means he was mocking his appearance  again because John has written things he doesnt like. He says it was because the photo didnt look like other photos of John. Yeah that is because he has decided to use an up to date photo which reflects who he is today.

Now Guy of course is not just a comedian. He is an active campaigner for Labour and the Greens. In fact he was the MC for the combined Labor/Green State of the National launch earlier this year. Yet to hear a single word from any of their MPs about the behaviour of their MC.

In response to my inadvertently insensitive tweet, Ive donated $100 to Parkinsons New Zealand. Sorry, I stuffed up. pic.twitter.com/r0RXn4I6fZ  Guy Williams (@guywilliamsguy) September 29, 2017

Williams is now in damage control and donating money to Parkinsons New Zealand. But that isnt the real issue. Even if John didnt have Parkinsons, why did Williams think it was appropriate or funny to mock his appearance?

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By Ko Dong-hwan

While China is closely linked to South Korea in many fields, a somewhat puzzling fact has been revealed  that Chinese nationals rate poorly when it comes to being recommended by the Korean government for state honors.

China was one of the lowest-ranked among countries whose nationals were nominated by Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as candidates for honors, according to Rep. Lee Seok-hyun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Wednesday. Rep. Lee is a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

It reflects that the Sino-Korean relationship, despite consistently functional ties, is perceived rather coldly in Korea compared with other nations like the United States and Japan.

There were 148 candidates from over 50 countries recommended for state honors from 2008 until this year and the U.S. topped the list with 22. Japan ranked second with 18, France third with 12 and Russia fourth with seven.

China was even behind countries from regions like Central America (20), the Middle East (12) and Africa (9).

There is only one Chinese who was awarded an honor: former president of Liaoning University Feng Yuzhong, who in 1993 established China's first undergraduate program and research center dedicated to studying the Korean language and history. He was awarded in December 2015.

Conferring a state honor on a foreigner is considered a diplomatic act, partly mirroring how deeply ingrained the giver country considers its political ties with the other country.

But the finding is not surprising because China is involved in several national security and economic issues involving South Korea.

China is seen as having a critical role in pressuring North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile programs that are threatening the security of East Asia and the United States.

But it wants South Korea to give up deploying the Terminal High Altitude Aerial Defense (THAAD) battery against the North's possible missile attacks. To this end, Beijing has taken crippling economic retaliation against Korean firms in China, including major retailer Lotte Mart and auto part manufacturers, as part of a campaign the companies have described as unfair.

"This (honors) finding shows that even 25 years after South Korea and China established their diplomatic relationship, their network is still like a dry land in reality," the Hankook Ilbo said Wednesday.

The finding also raised questions over whether Korea's diplomatic efforts are inadvertently concentrated on the U.S. and Japan, which has left the diplomatic ground with China nearly barren.

"It symbolically reflected that, although we say we consider China importantly, our diplomatic agendas are still tilted towards the U.S. and Japan," said Prof. Kim Heung-gyu from the Chinese policy research group of Ajou University in Suwon. "It has affected Korea making policies without taking China into account enough. It also means that there are not enough Chinese allies whom our government can trust."
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Ick, what's that smell? If the stench is of rotten eggs, it might just be the fault of sulfur. This bright yellow element, known in the Bible as "brimstone," is abundant in nature, and was used for a variety of purposes in ancient times.

A nonmetal, sulfur is the 10th most abundant element in the universe, according to the Jefferson National Linear Accelerator Laboratory. Today, it's most common use is in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, which in turn goes into fertilizers, batteries and cleaners. It's also used to refine oil and in processing ores.

Pure sulfur has no smell. The stink associated with the element comes from many of its compounds, according to Chemicool. For example, sulfur compounds called mercaptans give skunks their defensive odor. Rotten eggs and stink bombs get their distinctive aroma because of hydrogen sulfide.

Just the facts

According to the Jefferson Lab, the properties of sulfur are:

Atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus): 16

Atomic symbol (on the Periodic Table of Elements): S

Atomic weight (average mass of the atom): 32.065

Density: 2.067 grams per cubic centimeter

Phase at room temperature: Solid

Melting point: 239.38 degrees Fahrenheit (115.21 degrees Celsius)

Boiling point: 832.28 degrees F (444.6 degrees C)

Number of isotopes (atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons): 23

Most common isotopes: S-32 (94.99 percent natural abundance), S-33 (0.75 percent natural abundance), S-34 (4.25 percent natural abundance), S-36 (0.01 percent natural abundance)

(opens in new tab) Shutterstock (opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: Greg Robson/Creative Commons, Andrei Marincas

An element of biblical proportions

"On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot."  Psalm 11:6

Few elements are high profile enough to get a mention in the Bible, much less 15 separate call-outs. But sulfur occurs frequently in compounds in nature, usually as a stinky, yellow mineral associated with hot springs and volcanoes, perhaps explaining why the authors of the Bible associated it with hellfire and wrath.

The element itself was not isolated until 1809, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry, when French chemists Louis-Josef Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jacques Thenard created a pure sample. (Gay-Lussac was known for his research on gases, which involved him flying in hydrogen-filled balloons more than 22,900 feet (7,000 meters) above sea level, according to the Chemical Heritage Foundation.)

When burned, sulfur produces a blue flame and sulfur dioxide gas  a common pollutant, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere comes mostly from fossil-fuel power plants and is one of the primary causes of acid rain. The gas is also a lung irritant. The EPA regulates sulfur dioxide emissions along with five other so-called "criteria pollutants," including lead and carbon monoxide.

Who knew?

Sulfur makes up almost 3 percent of the Earth's mass, according to Chemicool. That is enough sulfur to make two additional moons.

Sulfur (as sulfur dioxide) has been used to preserve wine for millennia, and remains an ingredient in wine today, according to the Practical Winery & Vineyard Journal.

It's not clear where the name "sulfur" comes from. It could be derived from "sufra," or "yellow" in Arabic. Or it could be from the Sanskrit "shulbari," which means "enemy of copper." The second possibility is intriguing, according to Chemicool, because sulfur does react strongly with copper. Did ancient people know about this property of sulfur and name it accordingly?

Sulfur dioxide was used to fumigate homes from ancient times, a practice which continued well into the 19th century. One 1889 paper by the New York City chief health inspector described how officials burned sulfur and alcohol in homes afflicted with smallpox, scarlet fever, diphtheria and measles.

Ah, relaxation! Hot springs full of dissolved sulfur compounds may have a questionable smell, but they've long been prized for their supposed medicinal qualities. The town of Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, for example, sprang up in 1860 after white settlers discovered sulfur springs that Ute Indians had been soaking in for centuries.

Wait, what's up with that spelling, anyway? "Sulphur" is the common spelling in the United Kingdom, while "sulfur" is preferred in America. But scientifically speaking, "sulfur" is correct, according to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, the organization whose job it is to determine these things. Thus, even British journals like Nature Chemistry (opens in new tab) use the "f" spelling.

use the "f" spelling. Sulfur can do a number on shipwrecks. A 2008 study of a Swedish warship that sank in 1628 found more than 2 tons of sulfur impregnating the timbers of the salvaged vessel.

Excuse you! The main reason that intestinal gas has that nasty odor is that the large intestine is full of bacteria that release sulfur compounds as waste.

Current research

Today, sulfur is a byproduct of the refinement of fossil fuels into usable energy sources like gasoline. This refinement is a good thing for preventing sulfur compounds from heading skyward when the fuel is burned, causing acid rain. But it leads to hills of elemental sulfur piling up in refineries.

About 90 percent of this elemental sulfur goes to make sulfuric acid, said Jeff Pyun, a biochemist at the University of Arizona. But "since we go through millions of barrels of oil a day, a few percent [sulfur] a barrel just piles up quickly," Pyun said. With nearly 100 million tons of waste sulfur produced a year, the 10 percent not used in sulfuric acid production comes out to a not-insignificant 10 million tons a year.

What to do with this yellow mess? Pyun and his colleagues think they have an answer. They've found a way to turn waste sulfur into plastic, which in turn can be used in thermal imaging devices and lithium-sulfur batteries.

"It was a tremendous challenge, and we were the first crazy people to get really serious about it," Pyun told Live Science.

Sulfur is tough to work with because it doesn't dissolve in other chemicals easily. That was the first frustration Pyun and his team of researchers from Korea, Germany and the United States had to face.

"It didn't want to dissolve," Pyun said. "It just made yellow stuff everywhere, all over my lab."

At the end of their ropes, the researchers decided just to melt the stuff. It turns out that sulfur becomes a polymer  a long chain of linked molecules that is the basis for plastics  automatically when heated above 320 F (160 C). That reaction has been known for more than a century, Pyun said. But the polymer falls apart almost as easily as it forms, making it useless for practical applications.

But this polymer phase gave the researchers a window to "throw in something, potentially, that it would react with" to stabilize the plastic, Pyun said. Fortunately for the team, one of the first chemicals they tried turned out to be a winner: 1 3-diisopropylbenzene, easier known as "DIB."

"DIB works so nicely because it had reactive groups that could react with sulfur when it was polymerizing," Pyun said. "It was completely soluble in liquid sulfur."

The result, as the researchers reported in April in the journal Nature Chemistry, was a red plastic that doesn't even smell like rotten eggs  the polymerizing sulfur is not volatile, Pyun said, and thus doesn't reek like the volatile sulfur compounds one might find at a hot springs.

Even better, the process is so simple that Pyun and his colleagues call it "cave man chemistry." The simplicity and low cost make it an attractive option for industry, Pyun said. The team has been approached by several companies interested in taking the sulfur polymerization process commercial.

Which could be good news for the environment. Conventional oil and gas reservoirs are about 1 to 5 percent sulfur, Pyun said. More and more, however, oil and gas exploration is tapping into unconventional reservoirs filled with nastier stuff: The oil from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, is 20 percent sulfur. Some new fields in the Middle East produce oil that is up to 40 percent sulfur, Pyun added.

"We're only going to produce more sulfur," he said, adding that they refer to sulfur as the garbage of transportation because it is the byproduct of petroleum refining. With any luck, his team's process can turn that garbage into something useful.

Sulfur-based pesticide

Elemental sulfur is a commonly used pesticide on many American and European farms. It is approved for use on both conventional and organic crops to help control fungus and other pests. In California alone, more than 21 million kilograms (46.2 million pounds) of elemental sulfur was used for agriculture in 2013, according to Berkeley News.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled elemental sulfur as generally safe, studies have shown that this type of pesticide is a respiratory irritant to farmworkers.

Now, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has gone a step further and looked at the respiratory health of residents living near treated fields  specifically, hundreds of children living in the agricultural community of Salinas Valley, California. Their findings were published in August 2017 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

The researchers found that children living within a half-mile from recent elemental sulfur applications had reduced lung function, higher levels of asthma-related symptoms and greater asthma medication use, compared to unexposed children.

Specifically, they found that a 10-fold increase in applied sulfur within 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) of the child's residence during the year before the respiratory evaluation was associated with a 3.5-fold increased risk for asthma medication use and double the risk for respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath, according to Berkeley News.

The study authors urgently call for more research to confirm these findings in the hope that it will lead to changes in regulations and application methods to limit respiratory harm on nearby residents. According to the researchers, one idea is to switch to "wettable" powders.

Additional reporting by Traci Pedersen, Live Science contributor. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+.

Additional resources
Whether you're lucky enough to have visited Paris or have only ever dreamed of going there, chances are you know of the French capital's most beloved landmark: the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower, La Tour Eiffel in French, was the main exhibit of the Paris Exposition  or World's Fair  of 1889. It was constructed to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution and to demonstrate France's industrial prowess to the world.

"Although at the beginning it was seen as 'the ugliest building in Paris,' soon it became the symbol of the city," said Tea Gudek Snajdar, an Amsterdam-based art historian, museum docent and a blogger at Culture Tourist.

World's Fair centerpiece

Gustave Eiffel, a French civil engineer (opens in new tab), is usually credited with designing the tower that bears his name. However, it was actually two lesser-known men, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, who came up with the original drawings for the monument.

Kochlin and Nouguier were the chief engineers for the Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel  Gustave Eiffel's engineering firm. Together with Eiffel and a French architect, Stephen Sauvestre, the engineers submitted their plans to a contest that would determine the centerpiece for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris.

The Eiffel company's design won, and construction of the wrought-iron tower began in July 1887. But not everyone in Paris was thrilled with the idea of a giant metal monument looming over the city.

Even to contemporary eyes, the Eiffel Tower is unique. But in the late 19th century, nothing had been seen like it. "Modern architecture was emerging slightly in Paris before the Eiffel Tower. But it was doing it in a very shy way," said Gudek Snajdar. Iron, which was newly popular as a building material because of the Industrial Revolution, became a cornerstone of modern architecture. But in 1887, it had only appeared internally, as support structures, or in unimportant buildings like hothouses, factories and bridges.

"The biggest problem was that they still didn't know how to make something aesthetically appealing with the new material. When they were using it, they would try to repeat historic stone structures. It's very visible on  for example, pillars in the Bibliotheque Ste.-Genevieve in Paris," explained Gudek Snajdar. "However, with the Eiffel Tower they changed completely the way they were using the new material. The structure, its appearance is completely new and modern."

When construction of the tower began on the Champs de Mars, a group of 300 artists, sculptors, writers and architects sent a petition to the commissioner of the Paris Exposition, pleading him to halt construction of the "ridiculous tower" that would dominate Paris like a "gigantic black smokestack."

But the protests of Paris' artistic community fell on deaf ears. Construction of the tower was completed in just over two years, on March 31, 1889.

A 2011 light show at the Eiffel Tower used 20,000 bulbs. Overall, the tower is lined with 5 billion lights. (opens in new tab) / Shutterstock.com (opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: Nick K.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower

Each of the 18,000 pieces used to build the tower was calculated specifically for the project and prepared in Eiffel's factory on the outskirts of Paris. The wrought-iron structure is composed of four immense arched legs, set on masonry piers that curve inward until joining in a single, tapered tower.

Building the tower required 2.5 million thermally assembled rivets and 7,300 tons of iron. To protect the tower from the elements, workers painted every inch of the structure, a feat that required 60 tons of paint. The tower has since been repainted 18 times.

Eiffel Tower fun facts

Gustave Eiffel used latticed wrought iron to construct the tower to demonstrate that the metal could be as strong as stone while being lighter.

Eiffel also created the internal frame for the Statue of Liberty.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower cost 7,799,401.31 French gold francs in 1889, or about $1.5 million.

The Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet (324 meters) tall, including the antenna at the top. Without the antenna, it is 984 feet (300 m).

It was the world's tallest structure until the Chrysler Building was built in New York in 1930.

The tower was built to sway slightly in the wind, but the sun affects the tower more. As the sun-facing side of the tower heats up, the top moves as much as 7 inches (18 centimeters) away from the sun.

The sun also causes the tower to grow about 6 inches.

The Eiffel Tower weighs 10,000 tons.

There are 5 billion lights on the Eiffel Tower.

The French have a nickname for the tower: La Dame de Fer, "the Iron Lady."

The first platform is 190 feet above the ground; the second platform is 376 feet, and the third platform is almost 900 feet up.

The Eiffel Tower has 108 stories, with 1,710 steps. However, visitors can only climb stairs to the first platform. There are two elevators.

One elevator travels a total distance of 64,001 miles (103,000 kilometers) a year.

A hallmark of modern architecture

The Eiffel Tower is unquestionably modern in its shape, which is distinct from the Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque styles that were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, according to Gudek Snajdar. But its material truly made it stand out.

"The Eiffel Tower was one of the first examples of the modern architecture because of the iron," said Gudek Snajdar. "And the fact that the building didn't have any purpose in particular." It existed purely to demonstrate French architectural creativity and skill with materials to the world; it was imbued with meaning but not utility.

The Eiffel Tower is also a more democratic, and therefore modern, structure than other monuments of the time, according to Gudek Snajdar. Gustave Eiffel insisted that elevators be included in the tower, but they had to be imported from an American company because no French company could meet the quality standards, Gudek Snajdar said. "Because of the escalators, the building could be used as a tower from which Parisians and their visitors could enjoy a view on their city. That was something that was before only accessible to a few wealthy people that could afford flying in a hot air balloon. But now, it was rather cheap and anyone could enjoy the view on a city from it," she explained.

"That's why it's a great example of a modern architecture. It's democratic and not only available to a few of a wealthy people. But people of a different social background could use it and enjoy it."

Uses of the tower

The tower was intended as a temporary structure that was to be removed after 20 years. But as time passed, people no longer wanted to see the tower go.

"After seeing the success of the tower during and after the World Exhibition, many of the former enemies of the project publicly apologized. By the time the Exhibition was over, most Parisians were proud of the structure," said Iva Polansky, a Calgary-based novelist and historian at Victorian Paris. "Although there remained a few die-hards like the novelist Guy de Maupassant, who continued to loathe the sight of it."

Gustave Eiffel was also not keen on seeing his favorite project dismantled, and so he set about making the tower an indispensable tool for the scientific community.

Just days after its opening, Eiffel installed a meteorology laboratory on the third floor of the tower. He invited scientists to use the lab for their studies on everything from gravity to electricity. Ultimately, however, it was the tower's looming height, not its laboratory, that saved it from extinction.

In 1910, the city of Paris renewed Eiffel's concession for the tower because of the structure's usefulness as a wireless telegraph transmitter. The French military used the tower to communicate wirelessly with ships in the Atlantic Ocean and intercept enemy messages during World War I.

The tower is still home to more than 120 antennas, broadcasting both radio and television signals throughout the capital city and beyond.

View of the Paris skyline from the Eiffel Tower. (opens in new tab) / Shutterstock.com (opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: imantsu

The tower today

The Eiffel Tower is still the centerpiece of Paris' cityscape. More than 7 million people visit this iconic tower every year, according to the attraction's official website. Since the tower's 1889 opening, 250 million people from around the world have enjoyed all that the Eiffel Tower has to offer.

And it has a lot to offer. The tower's three platforms are home to two restaurants, several buffets, a banquet hall, a champagne bar and many unique gift shops. Educational tours of the tower are available for children and tourist groups.

The tower is open to visitors 365 days a year, with visiting times varying by season. From June to September, the tower remains open until after midnight. Rates vary, but visitors can expect to pay between $13 (10 euros) and $19 (14.5 euros) per person for access to the tower's three public lifts and 704 stairs. Tickets, including group-discounted tickets, can be purchased online or at the ticket office at the foot of the tower.

Legacy

The Eiffel Tower "provided Paris with the most distinguishable silhouette," said Polansky. Its distinct look has made it an enduring symbol of Paris.

But according to Gudek Snajdar, more than just its striking shape makes it an icon of the city. "Paris was a center of modern art and painting at the time [late 1800s], home to democracy, and hosting the first world exhibition," she said. "It was meant to be a birthplace of modern architecture, too."

Additional reporting by Jessie Szalay, Live Science contributor.
Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador, or conqueror, who is best remembered for conquering the Aztec Empire in 1521 and claiming Mexico for Spain. He also helped colonize Cuba and became a governor of New Spain, a vast area that included large parts of North, Central and South America, as well as several Pacific island archipelagos.

"Like many explorers we know about today, Hernan (also known as Hernando) Cortes's role in the Age of Exploration was influential but controversial," said Erika Cosme, formerly the administrative coordinator of education and digital services at The Mariners' Museum and Park (opens in new tab) in Newport News, Virginia. "He was a smart, ambitious man who wanted to appropriate new land for the Spanish crown, convert Native inhabitants to Catholicism and plunder the lands for gold and riches."

Early life

Cortes was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain. He was the only son of noble parents, though his family was not wealthy. He was apparently a clever but difficult child and was the source of much anxiety to his parents, according to Britannica (opens in new tab). Cortes' secretary, who wrote a history of Cortes' New World expedition that contained some biographical information, described the conquistador, in general, as ruthless, haughty, mischievous and quarrelsome.

At age 14, Cortes was sent to study law at the University of Salamanca in Spain, but he was unhappy and craved a life of action, so he dropped out after two years. Cortes became fascinated with tales of Christopher Columbus' New World explorations.

Columbus and his expedition members were the first Europeans to see the West Indies when they landed at San Salvador Island in the Bahamas and explored other islands in 1492. Columbus had set sail hoping to find a route to Asia or India. He wanted to profit from and hasten trade for nutmeg, cloves and pomander (a ball of fragrant spices) from the Indonesian "Spice Islands," and pepper and cinnamon from India, which were in high demand, Cosme told Live Science.

Map with the route of Hernan Cortes exploration of Central America. (Image credit: Dimitrios Karamitros via Shutterstock)

However, Columbus' expedition failed to reach its intended destination and instead stumbled upon the Americas, which were completely unknown to Europeans at the time. (Columbus was initially convinced he'd reached Asia, which is why the region is called the "West Indies," according to Britannica.) Reports of Columbus' journey caused a wave of excitement in Spain and Europe, and several more expeditions set out to explore this "New World" in the following years.

Cortes was eager to be part of the dynamic movement. "For individual explorers, gaining public fame could potentially make them rich," Cosme said. According to the Thought Company (opens in new tab), a website that covers history and science, many of these explorers were ambitious men who had been professional soldiers or were mercenaries and often acted on their own initiative rather than seeking funding from the Spanish Crown. Consequently, their expeditions were often privately funded. At the same time, they could not simply decide to mount an expedition without official sanction; they had to seek authorization from colonial officials.

Cortes decided to seek fortune and adventure in Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic and Haiti). In 1504, at age 19, Cortes set sail for the New World.

In the Caribbean

Cortes spent seven years on Hispaniola, living in the town of Azua and working as a notary and farmer. In 1511, he joined Diego Velazquez de Cuellar's expedition to conquer Cuba, which was occupied by at least two major Native American groups, the Taino and the Guanahatabey. After the conquest, Cortes served as a clerk to the treasurer and later as mayor of Santiago, a town which had been established after the conquest and served as the island's capital for a brief time until the establishment of Havana in 1515. Cortes' time in Cuba made him wealthy because he was able to buy enslaved people and have them work the land he had acquired. He was able to purchase a house in Santiago and gain considerable influence among the colonists, according to Britannica (opens in new tab).

Despite his success, Cortes was hungry for more power. In 1518, he convinced Velazquez, who was by that time the governor of Cuba, to grant him permission to lead an expedition to Mexico , which the Spanish had come into contact with earlier that year. Velazquez appointed Cortes' captain-general of the expedition, according to Britannica (opens in new tab), but soon grew increasingly jealous of Cortes' power and influence. Velazquez canceled the voyage at the last minute, but Cortes ignored his orders and set sail with 11 ships and more than 500 men.

Arrival in Mexico

In February 1519, Cortes' ships reached the Mexican coast at Yucatan, which was the domain of Mayan-speaking peoples. The Spanish were eager to settle in the region, and Cortes was also interested in converting Native Americans to Christianity. "His view on the Indigenous people was similar to the majority of Europeans of that day  they were inferior culturally, technologically and religiously," Cosme said. In Cozumel, an island off the Yucatan coast that was one of the first places the Spaniards landed, Cortes learned of various rituals, "including human sacrifice of the Natives to their many gods," Cosme said. "He and his men removed and destroyed the pagan idols, and replaced them with crosses and figures of the Virgin Mary."

Cortes' force then continued sailing west to Tabasco, where it encountered resistance from Native warriors. The Spanish force overpowered them, and the Natives surrendered. Not only did the Spaniards' armaments  steel weapons, arquebuses and crossbows  prove superior in the clash, but so did Cortes' horses . He brought 16 horses along on the expedition; the Indigenous people were not familiar with them and were reportedly terrified of the beasts. Bernal Diaz del Castillo (opens in new tab), a soldier who marched with Cortes and later wrote a history of the expedition called " The True History of the Conquest of New Spain (opens in new tab)," described the Natives' encounter with the horses: "The Indians, who had never seen any horses before, could not think otherwise than that horse and rider were one body. Quite astounded at this to them so novel a sight, they quitted the plain and retreated to a rising ground."

The Natives provided the Europeans with food, supplies and 20 women, including an interpreter called Malintzin (also known as La Malinche or Dona Marina). La Malinche became an important figure in Cortes' life and legacy.

"She became bilingual, speaking Aztec and Mayan languages, which made her very useful to Cortes," Cosme said. "She eventually learned Spanish and became Cortes' personal interpreter, guide and mistress. She actually had a pretty high status for both a woman and a Native during this time and place among the Spaniards."

The remains of the house of Hernan Cortes in Veracruz, Mexico. (Image credit: Shuldyakov Studio via Shutterstock)

Diaz described La Malinche as (opens in new tab) "an excellent woman and fine interpreter throughout the wars in New Spain, Tlaxcala and Mexico  This woman was a valuable instrument to us in the conquest of New Spain. It was, through her only, under the protection of the Almighty, that many things were accomplished by us: without her we never should have understood the Mexican language, and, upon the whole, have been unable to surmount many difficulties."

Cortes and La Malinche had a child together named Martin, who is sometimes called "El Mestizo." He was one of the first children of mixed Indigenous and Spanish heritage. Eventually, in 1522, Cortes' Spanish wife, Catalina Suarez, came to Mexico. After her arrival, historians are unsure if Cortes continued to acknowledge La Malinche or Martin, Cosme said. "It would seem his desire to maintain his reputation and standing among the Spanish community was stronger than his need to be a husband and father to Malinche and Martin." Nonetheless, Catalina died under mysterious circumstances soon after arriving, and eventually Cortes took another Spanish wife when he returned briefly to Spain in 1528, according to Britannica.

After a few months in Yucatan, Cortes sailed west again. On the southeastern coast of what is now Mexico, he founded Veracruz, where he dismissed the authority of Velazquez and declared himself under orders from King Charles I of Spain. He disciplined his men and trained them to act as a cohesive unit of soldiers, and prepared them for the long march to Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. And in an act that signified his fierce determination, he burned his ships to make retreat impossible, though some scholars have disputed this story. (opens in new tab)

Diaz related how Cortes exhorted his soldiers on the eve of their long march. "Cortes then adduced many beautiful comparisons from history, and mentioned several heroic deeds of the Romans , Diaz wrote "We answered him, one and all, that we would implicitly follow his orders, as the die had been cast, and we, with Caesar , when he had passed the Rubicon, had now no choice left; besides which, everything we did was for the glory of God and his majesty the emperor."

Conquering the Aztecs

Cortes had heard of the Aztecs (also known as the Mexica) and knew that they, and their leader Montezuma II (also spelled Moctezuma), were a primary force in Mexico. According to Britannica, the Aztec Empire ruled a large swath of what is today modern Mexico and parts of central America during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Aztecs were accomplished warriors, engineers, artisans and agriculturalists known for creating a thriving society that ruled over a surrounding, often hostile amalgam of various Native Americans with different languages and cultures. Although the Aztecs had been one of many small groups in the Valley of Mexico, they had expanded aggressively during the 15th century by conquering their neighbors, according to World History Encyclopedia (opens in new tab). At first, the Aztecs had ruled with the help of two other cities in the region, Texcoco and Tlacopan, a confederation known as the Triple Alliance. Eventually, however, the Aztecs came to dominate the Triple Alliance and ruled alone.

"Cortes arrived in the great Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan [on Nov. 8] in 1519," Cosme said. "Although he was kindly received by the Aztec emperor Montezuma, Cortes' intentions were less benevolent." He set out to rule them.

Tenochtitlan was the religious and political center of the Aztec Empire. It was much larger than many European cities of the time and hosted a population of about 400,000 people, according to Britannica (opens in new tab). (By comparison, the city of Paris in the 16th century had an estimated population of 225,000, according to the website Statista (opens in new tab).) It had been founded in A.D. 1325 on two small islands in the middle of Lake Texcoco and was connected to the mainland by several broad causeways. In the heart of the city was the temple district, which boasted the Great Temple, or Hueteocalli as the Aztecs called it. This imposing structure, which loomed above the surrounding city, was dedicated to two Aztec gods: Huitzilopochtli, the war god, and Tlaloc, the rain god. Other prominent buildings included the pyramid of Tezcatlipoca, a creator god, and the temple of Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" and the god of art and learning who was associated with the planet Venus .

Diaz described the awe Tenochtitlan inspired among the Spaniards upon arriving: "When we gazed upon all this splendor at once, we scarcely knew what to think, and we doubted whether all that we beheld was real. A series of large towns stretched themselves along the banks of the lake, out of which still larger ones rose magnificently above the waters. Innumerable crowds of canoes were plying everywhere around us; at regular distances we continually passed over new bridges, and before us lay the great city of Mexico in all its splendor."

A painting of Hernan Cortes with Aztec Emperor Montezuma II. (Image credit: Photos.com via Getty Images)

In some accounts, Cortes' arrival coincided with an important Aztec prophecy. The Aztec god Quetzalcoatl was set to return to Earth . In this interpretation, Montezuma was hesitant to confront the Spanish for fear of angering the returned god. However, this interpretation has been disputed by many modern scholars who have argued that it is essentially a myth that was propagated many years after the conquest (opens in new tab) as a way for Europeans to justify their actions and foster the notion that the Aztecs saw the Spanish as superior.

Montezuma sent out envoys to meet the conquistador as he neared the capital. The Spanish fired shots from their arquebuses and cannons, which stunned the Natives and further intimidated them.

Cortes entered the city, and at first the meeting between the two leaders, though tense, was peaceful. Montezuma gave the conquistador gifts of gold . But things changed quickly. Cortes took Montezuma hostage and sacked the city. La Malinche helped Cortes manipulate Montezuma and rule Tenochtitlan through him. "It is also said that she informed Cortes of an Aztec plot to destroy his army," Cosme said.

The Spanish army had help sacking the city. Though Cortes enslaved much of the Native population, other Indigenous groups were fundamental to his success, according to Cosme. Among them were the people of Tlaxcala, who helped him regroup and take Tenochtitlan. "The Aztecs were not always popular rulers among their subjected cities. When Cortes learned of this, he was able to use this to his advantage," Cosme said. "Xicotencatl, a ruler in the city Tlaxcala, saw an ally in Cortes and an opportunity to destroy the Aztec Empire. They formed an allegiance, and Cortes was given several thousand warriors to add to his ranks. While the Spaniards still had superior weaponry  cannons, guns, swords  the additional knowledge on Aztec fighting styles and defenses given by Xicotencatl, plus the additional men, gave Cortes a helpful edge."

The siege of Tenochtitlan

While Cortes held Tenochtitlan through Montezuma, a Spanish force from Cuba landed on the coast of Mexico in the spring of 1520. It had been sent by Velazquez to unseat Cortes. When Cortes heard of this, he took a force of Spanish and Tlaxcalan soldiers and marched on the new Spanish force, according to World History Encyclopedia. Cortes defeated the Spanish force, but when he returned to Tenochtitlan he found the Aztecs had launched a major attack on the Spanish garrison.

At first, Cortes tried to quell the attack by forcing Montezuma to address the Aztec forces that had gathered. But, by now, the Aztecs were distrustful of their king. In an event that is still debated by scholars, Montezuma was killed. It is unclear whether he was killed by his own forces  some accounts have him being stoned by his warriors  or by the Spanish, according to the Thought Company (opens in new tab). In the Aztec accounts, Montezuma survives the attack by his warriors but is later strangled to death by the Spanish.

Cortes and his men fled the city. But their retreat was costly and they suffered significant losses, including most of the plunder they had stolen from the city.

However, the Spanish were there long enough to start a smallpox epidemic in Tenochtitlan. One of Cortes' men contracted smallpox from a member of the force from Cuba. That soldier died during the Aztec rebellion, and when his body was looted, an Aztec caught the disease, which spread like wildfire because the Aztec people had no immunity to it, according to History.com (opens in new tab). Between one-quarter and one-half of the inhabitants of the Valley of Mexico, including Aztecs and other Native Americans, succumbed to the disease, according to Suzanne Alchon, a historian and author of the book A Pest in the Land, New World Epidemics in a Global Perspective (opens in new tab) (University of New Mexico Press, 2003).

A statue of Hernan Cortes in Medellin, Spain. (Image credit: KarSol via Getty Images)

With help from the people of Tlaxcala, Cortes' army regrouped and returned to Tenochtitlan on June 25, 1520. They found that the city's society had crumbled. Nonetheless, the Aztec warriors, under their new leader Cuauhtemoc, resisted the Spanish and a long siege ensued. Finally, after 93 days of siege, the Aztecs, weakened by disease, hunger and having incurred significant losses following many pitched battles, surrendered, according to World History Encyclopedia. This surrender unleashed a storm of violence, looting, rape and carnage as the Spanish and their Tlaxacalan allies descended on the city.

Once the city fell, Cortes began building Mexico City on the ruins. It quickly became a pre-eminent city in the Spanish colonies, and many Europeans came to live there. To reward his success, King Charles I of Spain appointed Cortes governor of New Spain.

The conquest of Mexico by the Spanish ended in 1525, though some Aztecs and their allies continued to resist the Spanish according to World History Encyclopedia (opens in new tab). Nonetheless, the change to Spanish rule had massive and long-lasting consequences. Many of the Indigenous people were now forced into the role of subservience and a new, almost caste-like social order was created with the Spanish occupying the highest positions of power and the Indigenous people the lowest. This social dynamic would characterize Mexico for centuries.

Later years

In 1524, Cortes organized an expedition to Honduras, a part of central America that had not yet been conquered by the Spanish. He stayed for two years, establishing a city and appointing a governor, but when he returned to Mexico, he found that the allies he had left in Mexico City had turned against him, according to Britannica. He found himself removed from power, and accused of illegally enriching himself. Cortes traveled to Spain to plead with the king, but he was never again appointed to governorship. In Spain, he married for a second time, to a Spanish noblewoman named Dona Juana de Zuniga, a union that produced three children.

The king did allow him to return to Mexico, albeit with much less authority. Cortes explored the northern part of Mexico and discovered Baja California for Spain in the late 1530s. In 1540, he retired to Spain and spent much of his last years seeking recognition and rewards for his achievements.

Frustrated and embittered, Cortes decided to return to Mexico. Before he could go, however, he died in 1547 of pleurisy, an inflammation of the tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity.

Legacy

Cortes is a controversial figure, especially in Mexico, because of his treatment of Natives. Unfortunately, "when it came to the Indigenous people, Cortes was not unique in his treatment and mindset," Cosme said. "He enslaved much of the Native population, and many of the Indigenous people were wiped out from European diseases such as smallpox. Both scenarios would unfortunately become a common theme among many explorers' interactions with Natives."

Nevertheless, Cortes was important in reshaping the world. "Cortes' victory secured new and profitable land and opportunities for the Spanish monarch. He helped oversee the building of Mexico City, which is still Mexico's capital today," Cosme said. "He opened the door for further exploration and conquest of Central America to the south, and eventually led to the acquisition of California toward the north."

Originally published on Live Science on Sept. 28, 2017 and updated on July 5, 2022.
The ballplayer in Monument 3 is wearing an elaborate belt and holding an object with streamers (likely a fan).

The long-lost Maya ruins of Tipan Chen Uitz in Belize are only beginning to give up their secrets, with the latest discovery being something of a home run: Archaeologists found two table-size stone panels, depicting elite ballplayers, that likely would have greeted subjects walking by the palace, according to a new study.

The discovery of these two panels reinforces the idea that the Maya people would have placed a lot of importance on the ballgame, and suggests that it helped the Maya connect with different communities in their vast network, the researchers said.

"[These monuments] speak to the extent to which Tipan was embedded in these very complex political relationships between ruling elites across the Maya area," said study senior researcher Christopher Andres, an adjunct research associate at Michigan State University who specializes in Maya archaeology. [Photos: See the Maya Ballplayers Carved into the Stone Panels]

Andres and his colleagues learned about the Tipan site while working on another archaeological project in Belize, in 2009. Some locals said they knew about an undocumented Maya site in the jungle and agreed to take them there.

Once they arrived, they were "blown away," Andres told Live Science. "We were all pinching ourselves," he said, "because we were not expecting to be taken to a site that was so large."

Thousands of Maya likely once lived in Tipan, Andres said. The site has the ruins of a ball court and "a very impressive palatial complex, which is part of what we were excavating when we discovered these [ballplayer] monuments," Andres said. "The monuments essentially seem to have been part of the facade to the entrance to the palatial complex, where presumably the ruling elites of Tipan would have lived."

Ballplayer carvings

Discovered in 2015, the two ballplayer panels are the first of their kind to be found in Belize, the researchers said. Both have carvings depicting ballplayers and hieroglyphic captions, and they are thought to date to between about A.D. 600 and A.D. 800, Andres said.

One monument (dubbed Monument 3) was found cracked in two and lying facedown. It would have measured about 4.7 feet long, 2.1 feet tall and 0.6 feet wide (1.4 by 0.7 by 0.2 meters). It had only "minor damage and moderate weathering," allowing the archaeologists a good view of its carving  a large ball next to a ballplayer who is wearing a protective belt and holding a staff-like object with streamers (possibly a fan), the researchers said.

"The panel may depict a ballgame that was celebrated within the ballcourt at Tipan Chen Uitz, or commemorates such a game played at an allied site," the researchers wrote in the study.

This photograph and drawling of Monument 3 show a ballplayer wearing an elaborate belt and holding an object with streamers, possibly a fan. (Image credit: Photo and drawing by Christophe Helmke; Copyright Antiquity)

The hieroglyphics say, "nine-hand-span ball," but it's unclear if this length refers to the length of the latex strip used to make the ball, or to the circumference of the ball itself, the researchers said. There is also a calendar date that may translate to A.D. May 18, 716, and glyphs for the verb "grasp" and the ballplayer's name; this ballplayer may have sported the nickname "Waterscroll Ocelot," they added. [Prince's Tomb: Images from a Mayan Excavation]

The second panel (Monument 4) was discovered faceup, but about one-third of it is missing. It measures about 2.6 feet long, 1.8 feet tall and 0.6 feet wide (0.8 by 0.6 by 0.2 m), and shows a man wearing a distinctive ballplayer belt. This action-figure-like carving shows a moment when "this figure lunges forward and braces his left knee, leaning on his left hand as though attempting to strike a ball," the researchers wrote in the paper.

The carving on Monument 4, a limestone rock, shows a ballplayer wearing a large belt who is lunging forward. The ballplayer leans on his left hand, "as though attempting to strike a ball," the researchers wrote in the study. (Image credit: Photo and drawing by Christophe Helmke; Copyright Antiquity)

Curiously, part of the ballplayer's name  translated from hieroglyphics as "bird of prey is the mouth of celestial fire"  is also seen at a ball court in Naranjo, a major Maya site in modern-day Guatemala. It's possible these carvings refer to the same person, which would provide a connection between the two sites, the researchers said. Moreover, there is also architectural evidence hinting that Tipan had connections with Naranjo, Andres said.

Political permeation

At its peak, the Maya civilization encompassed all of modern-day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and parts of Honduras, Andres said. But it wasn't ruled as an empire. Rather, there were different areas that had hierarchal communities: a central, powerful community on top, and smaller secondary and tertiary communities beneath it, Andres said.

"Tipan was likely at the center of a polity," but it wasn't the largest polity on the map, he said.

The ballplayer monuments reveal that "Tipan was the seat of an influential royal court" that could afford to commission scribes to create monuments, the researchers wrote in the study. The panels also suggest that, like other Maya centers, Tipan had "public performances involving vassals and overlords participating in the ballgame," the researchers wrote in the study.

Perhaps Tipan was part of a vassalage tied to Naranjo, the researchers said. Naranjo's Late Classic kings gave their fealty to their overlords at Calakmul  an even larger Maya site located in modern-day Mexico  so this might have put the people of Tipan indirectly in touch with those at Calakmul, too, the researchers said.

"[But] we're not sure, exactly, what the level of interaction would have been," Andres said.

The study is published in the October issue of the journal Antiquity.

Original article on Live Science.
Keeping a journal can help people suffering from some types of memory loss to forge stronger connections to events in their past.

Amnesia  the loss of memories, or the inability to form new ones  is typically triggered by damage to structures in the memory-forming part of the brain, called the limbic system. And it's usually associated with causes such as a severe blow to the head, oxygen deprivation, drug or alcohol abuse, or degenerative brain disease.

However, there is another rare type of memory loss, called psychogenic amnesia, that appears independent of a brain disorder or injury and is linked to psychological factors. Far less is known about it than is known about neurological amnesia.

But a new study of psychogenic amnesia, also known as "dissociative amnesia" or "functional amnesia," could change that. In the study  one of the largest and most comprehensive to date of this unusual condition  researchers described this type of memory loss more clearly than ever before, and found that people who suffered from it were more likely to recover than once thought. [10 Things You Didn't Know About the Brain]

Prior studies noted that certain conditions could predispose a person to develop functional amnesia: severe stress or crisis, a history of depression or suicidal tendencies, or a history of neurological amnesia.

However, the authors of the new study pointed out that most of the existing research describing functional amnesia consisted of individual case studies.

Functional amnesia is uncommon, affecting about 1 percent of men and nearly 3 percent of women, according to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Because it is so rare, there were no large studies that compared cases, and there was little published data about shared characteristics between cases that could help experts assess and manage this type of memory loss, study co-author Michael Kopelman, a professor with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King's College London, told Live Science in an email.

Forget me not

For their new investigation, the scientists looked at 53 patients, ages 21 to 66, who were seen at St Thomas' Hospital in London between 1990 and 2008, and who were diagnosed with psychogenic amnesia. The researchers also included 21 people with neurological memory disorders and 14 people who had no history of memory trouble.

After analyzing the people suffering from functional amnesia, the researchers created the first-ever groupings for this condition, defining four diagnostic states describing different aspects of short-term and long-term loss of autobiographical information or sense of personal identity.

Within the four groupings, patients in two of the groups were more likely to not know who they were, while patients in the two other groups more commonly failed to recognize members of their families, the researchers found. Compared with people who suffered from neurological amnesia, individuals with functional amnesia (across all four groups) were more likely to have experienced depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or problems with drugs or alcohol, or to have struggled with employment issues or family conflicts, the study authors wrote.

Experiencing a mild head injury in the past  one not severe enough to be the cause of memory loss  was also more common among people with functional amnesia, a finding that surprised the researchers, they reported in the study.

Their findings revealed indicators that could help health practitioners more readily distinguish functional amnesia from neurological amnesia, enabling earlier and more targeted treatment for underlying causes such as depression, Kopelman told Live Science. With early treatment, the prognosis for this type of amnesia is "better than the previous literature suggests," the study authors concluded.

The findings were published online Aug. 24 in Brain: A Journal of Neurology.

Original article on Live Science.
Opioids relieve pain and create a sense of euphoria, but they also bind to opioid receptors in the brain stem that help coordinate breathing.

In January 1889, The British Journal of Psychiatry published a letter said to have been written by a "young lady laudanum-drinker" to her doctor. The writer tells of taking laudanum, a tincture of opium, to cure her insomnia, then of her resulting torpor, desperation for more doses and (horrifying, by Victorian standards) indifference to housework. Finally, she describes quitting ("I don't like owning to bodily suffering, but will not deny that I suffered") before chastising the doctor and his colleagues for allowing this to happen.

"You doctors know all the harm those drugs do, as well as the 'victims' of them, and yet you do precious little to prevent it," she wrote.

It's a letter that could have been written about the opioid epidemic of today. Driven by a massive overprescription of opioid painkillers that is only now being reined in, the opioid epidemic claims 91 American lives each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It's the deadliest drug epidemic in history, thanks to the potency and the type of drugs involved. But the epidemic today parallels the laudanum and morphine overuse outbreak of the late 1800s in many important ways, even sharing some of the same causes and racial disparities  and perhaps offering lessons on how to rein in addiction. [America's Opioid-Use Epidemic: 5 Startling Facts]

Opioids today

Opioids are any drug that acts on the opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and digestive tract. Natural opioids, like morphine or heroin, come from the gum of the poppy (Papaver somniferum). There are also synthetic opioids, molecules assembled in laboratories, like the powerful drug fentanyl.

Opioids relieve pain while creating a pleasant sense of euphoria. Unfortunately, they also bind to opioid receptors in the brain stem that help coordinate breathing.

"Opioids are very dangerous because they operate on the part of your brain that tells you to breathe," said Jonathan Caulkins, a drug policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College in Pittsburgh. "And if they tell you to turn off that part of your brain, you die."

The only treatment for an opioid overdose is a medication called naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, which blocks the binding of opioid drugs to opioid receptors in the brain stem, reversing the respiratory depression.

The deadly action and ubiquity of these drugs have created an epidemic of opioid deaths. According to the CDC, 64,070 Americans died of drug overdose in 2016. Heroin was responsible for 15,446 of those deaths, while synthetic opioids like fentanyl claimed 20,145 lives. Other natural and semisynthetic opioids killed 14,427. A recent report issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that in 2016, 11.8 million Americans misused opioids, including both street drugs like heroin and prescription drugs, such as hydromorphone (brand name Dilaudid), oxycodone (brand names OxyContin, Percocet and Percodan) and morphine.

The root of this epidemic rests in the overprescription of opioid pain medications. According to the CDC, prescriptions for opioid painkillers quadrupled in the United States between 1999 and 2014, despite no increase in reported prevalence of pain. Between 2010 and 2012, there were up to 81.2 opioid prescriptions issued per every 100 people in the United States, according to a July 2017 report in the CDC publication Mortality and Morbidity Weekly.

The problem was more severe in some states than in others. In 2012, Californians had an opioid prescription rate of less than 64 prescriptions per 100 people. That same year, Tennessee's rate was a whopping 136.1 prescriptions for every 100 people. In Alabama, there were 143.8 prescriptions per 100 people in the population.

The rate of new prescriptions has declined from its peak, to an average of 66.5 prescriptions per 100 people nationally, as of 2016. The tightening of the prescription pill supply, however, has sent some addicts into the arms of street dealers selling heroin, according to Caulkins. Prescription pills provided an on-ramp to heroin addiction for many people who would never have imagined they'd end up sticking needles in their veins, Caulkins told Live Science.

"Once you become dependent on pills, then you might do something you wouldn't do otherwise," he said.

Making matters worse, many opioid prescriptions were for chronic pain, even though research suggests that opioids aren't a very effective treatment for long-term pain. Some studies even suggest that using opioids for long periods of time can increase pain by altering the activity of glial cells in the nervous system.

The ease of swapping and trading prescription pills has also hit young people hard. In a 2017 study presented at the annual American Academy of Pediatrics conference in Chicago, doctors found that 135 individuals under age 21 test positive for opioid use or dependency in emergency rooms across the country every day. That was up from 88 youths a day in 2008, the researchers reported.

"We thought that we would probably see a handful of kids," study author Veerajalandhar Allareddy, the director of pediatric intensive care at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, told Live Science. "But to have these kind of numbers is very surprising."

Eighty-eight of the youth who tested positive for dependence were between ages 18 and 21, and 8 percent were between 16 and 17, Allareddy said. The vast majority, 92 percent, had no additional health conditions, indicating that they weren't using opioids as medications and were thus abusing the drugs. The late teen years are one of the most vulnerable times for falling into substance abuse, Allareddy said.

Flashbacks to laudanum

In many ways, this story has played out before. In the 1700s and 1800s in Europe and North America, the laudanum tincture became a go-to treatment for all sorts of conditions. As with chronic pain today, doctors had few other options for dealing with many patient complaints, so they prescribed laudanum for problems ranging from cough to epilepsy to insomnia to "hysteria," according to a 1979 article in the British Journal of Addiction.

Laudanum did have some real benefits: Like other opioids, it is constipating, so it was prescribed for the frequent outbreaks of diarrheal disease that haunted communities before the availability of clean, treated water. It also reduced coughing and helped relieve pain. [The 27 Oddest Medical Case Reports]

But laudanum's overuse had deadly effects. Dosing fussy infants with homespun medicines made with opium became so common in England in the 1800s that the Registrar-General Reports, which recorded annual population statistics, had to add new age categories to its "narcotic deaths" section, according to 2015 article in the Journal of Human Lactation. Between 1863 and 1867, that section recorded 236 deaths in infants younger than a year, a number that may have been underreported. Many other infants suffered. In 1816, Edinburgh physician Marshal Hall wrote about seeing a 6-month-old infant whose mother had dosed him with laudanum nightly.

"The infant is thin, emaciated, sickly, and puny, and is said to be less in bulk than on the day of its birth," Hall wrote. "He is apt to be very restless and cross, frequently cries for a long time together unappeased, and sometimes appears to be affected with griping [abdominal pain]."

Statistics on laudanum addiction in the 19th century are hard to come by. According to "Heroin: Its History, Pharmacology and Treatment" (Hazeldon, 2011), the number of opioid addicts per capita in the late 1800s was three times that of the mid-1990s in the United States, which would put the epidemic on a similar footing to today.

Some research suggests the opioid epidemic of the late 1800s had similar dynamics to the crisis of today. According to the book "Heroin," between half and two-thirds of addicts in the late 1800s were female. Today, women are also more likely to use prescription opioids than men, according to the CDC. And a report released Sept. 26 by the firm QuintilesIMS found that women between ages 40 and 59 received twice as many opioid pills after surgery than men in the same age group. This age group has the highest opioid death rate among women, according to the report. (Though men do have higher overall opioid overdose rates in general.)

Today, opioid addiction hits white Americans harder than black Americans. A 2015 analysis by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation of CDC data found that 10 times more white, non-Hispanic Americans died of opioid overdose that year than either black non-Hispanic or Hispanic Americans. Research has found that black patients are less likely than white patients to be prescribed opioid painkillers for tooth, back or abdominal pain in emergency rooms. All of these conditions rely on the patient's description of the pain for a diagnosis, so the findings could indicate a subtle bias against black patients. An earlier study, published in 2008 in the journal JAMA, found disparities in emergency-room care in all types of pain, with 40 percent of white patients complaining of pain receiving an opioid prescription in 2005, compared with 32 percent for all other races.

Diseases of despair

Likewise, the morphine and laudanum epidemic of the late 1800s was apparently more severe among white Americans than black Americans, and for similar reasons. According to a 1983 paper published in the University of North Florida's journal History Faculty Publications, the post-Civil War South saw an epidemic of morphine and other opioid abuse among whites. Black Southerners made up a tiny proportion of addicts seen in clinics in the South, wrote historian David Courtwright. The main reason, he wrote, was likely that blacks had less access to doctors than whites: They were poor, they were discriminated against, and few had the opportunity to become doctors themselves.

A possible second reason for the racial disparity also parallels today's epidemic. The post-Civil War South was a region in defeat, which had suffered high casualties in the conflict. Many people became hooked on morphine while trying to cope with war injuries, Courtwright wrote. An opium dealer in 1877 wrote that once-wealthy Southerners were turning to opium to "drown their sorrows." Newly freed black Southerners, on the other hand, had nothing to mourn.

"Confederate defeat was, for most of them, an occasion of rejoicing rather than profound depression," Courtwright wrote.

Similarly, many experts today attribute some of the opioid epidemic to despair. The states with the highest rates of prescriptions and overdose deaths also tend to be the states where the economy is struggling and the loss of stable working-class jobs has hit hard. According to a 2015 report by Princeton researchers Anne Case and Angus Deaton, disparities in death rates between college-educated and high-school-educated middle-age white Americans tell the tale: While deaths from overdose, suicide and alcohol in this 50-to-54 age group have risen 44 percent since 1998 among men with college educations, they've skyrocketed 130 percent in white men with only a high-school education or less. For women with a college education, the death rate from these causes in middle age is up 70 percent, but for women with a high-school degree or less, they're up 381 percent. Case and Deaton call these deaths the result of "diseases of despair."

End of an epidemic

The epidemic of laudanum and morphine use in the post-Civil War era came to an end, in part, because these opium-based drugs became harder to get. In 1906, after massive public outrage surrounding a Collier's magazine series on the deceitful and harmful practices of the patent medicine industry, Congress passed the Food and Drug Act. For the first time, according to a Food and Drug Administration history, medications had to be sold according to standards of purity and strength, and ingredients like opium had to be clearly listed on the label.

From there, the supply of opium and medications made with the drug became increasingly tight. The 1914 Harrison Act required anyone selling opiates or cocaine to register with the federal government, and in 1924, heroin was made entirely illegal for the first time. The drug remained in the background, particularly in jazz and Beatnik subcultures, according to Frontline, before erupting into epidemic proportions again in the 1970s. That epidemic, Caulkins said, was again disrupted by a restriction in supply.

But there's more to the dynamics of an epidemic than how hard it is to get a drug. Caulkins and his colleagues have found that drug use spreads in a similar way that a new brand of shoes or a new style of cellphone might take hold as a trend. Early adopters try it first. In any epidemic, some proportion of these early adopters will dislike a new drug, Caulkins said. They might act as a brake on the drug's spread by telling friends to stay away, but their influence isn't as long-lasting as the influence of those who did enjoy the drug.

"When you're happy with a product, you like to tell your friends about it," Caulkins said.

But there's a natural endpoint to the spread. Over the years, as the negative effects of a drug become more obvious, people see users as an advertisement against the drug, not for it. In that sense, the widely publicized deaths from heroin or pills adulterated with fentanyl and other powerful additives could be a deterrent, Caulkins said. [10 Interesting Facts About Heroin]

"If this trend of adulterated, counterfeit pills that have fentanyl in them continues, pills may develop a bad reputation as something that's actually quite dangerous," Caulkins said.

The silver lining of opioids is that, unlike cocaine or methamphetamines, there is a medical treatment for opioid addiction. Drugs like methadone and buprenorphine can dampen cravings for opioids without causing a high, so that addicts can function on a daily basis, Caulkins said. These treatments have been shown to extend the life span of addicts and to help them hold down jobs, he said. That's "a very powerful tool" that hasn't been available for other epidemics, like the cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, he said.

However, no treatment can fully restore an opioid addict to the level of health they had before becoming addicted, Caulkins said. That's why preventing new users from starting the drugs is such a driving goal for public health officials. Part of that process is raising the alarm about the pitfalls of these drugs, just as the young laudanum-drinking woman did in the pages of The British Journal of Psychiatry 128 years ago.

"There are roughly the same number of opioid prescriptions in the U.S. as there are guns, and opioid prescriptions kill more people than guns. That includes accidents or suicides," Caulkins said. "If you or someone you know brings an opioid prescription into the house, you should think of it as bringing a gun into the house. That is the level of dangerousness."

Original article on Live Science.
A woman in Houston contracted "flesh-eating bacteria" from water that flooded her home during Hurricane Harvey, and she ultimately died of this serious skin infection.

The 77-year-old woman, Nancy Reed, was initially injured when she fell in her home, which had been flooded by the hurricane, according to the New York Times. In addition to breaking her arm, she also sustained cuts during the fall, which allowed bacteria to enter her body. She died from her infection on Sept. 15, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science.

Although commonly referred to as "flesh-eating bacteria," this condition is known to doctors as "necrotizing fasciitis." It is a serious bacterial infection that destroys skin and muscle tissue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Several types of bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis: group A Streptococcus (group A strep), Klebsiella, Clostridium, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, according to the CDC. In rare cases, the ocean-dwelling bacterium Vibrio vulnificus can also cause necrotizing fasciitis. There are about 700 to 1,100 reported cases of necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A strep (the most common cause) in the U.S. each year, the CDC said.

The most common way for people to get necrotizing fasciitis is when the bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin, the CDC said. The bacteria can spread quickly once they enter the body, and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can start within hours of an injury. The skin may become red or purplish from the infection, and some people get ulcers, blisters or black spots on their skin, the CDC said.

The condition is treated with antibiotics, but many people also need immediate surgery to remove dead tissue and help stop the infection, the CDC said.

Reed's death is the 36th fatality tied to Hurricane Harvey, according to the Harris County officials.

Original article on Live Science.
A convention of polar bears chowed down on this whale carcass off the coast of Wrangel Island, in Russia, on Sept. 19.

Hundreds of hungry polar bears were treated to a whale of a buffet last week when the carnivores descended on a whale carcass on the coast of Russia's Wrangel Island.

The incredible sight was photographed by tourists on a boating expedition that was traveling through the Northeast Passage.

"We were cruising down the coast and saw a 'herd' or 'convention' of polar bears on/near the beach," on Sept. 19, Rodney Russ, the expedition leader, wrote on his blog. Russ is the owner and founder of Heritage Expeditions, the New Zealand-based company that co-led the trip. [In Images: Polar Bears on Google Street View]

Russ immediately realized why the polar bears (Ursus maritimus) "of all ages, sexes and sizes" had congregated there: They were feasting on a dead bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), he wrote in the blog post. Russ counted more than 150 polar bears, although a statement issued by the Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve put that estimate at closer to 230 bears.

Intrigued, the tour group left their boat, the Akademik Shokalskiy (the same vessel that got stuck in Antarctic sea ice in December 2013) and boarded smaller vessels known as zodiacs to get a closer look at the seemingly ravenous bears.

"That is the memory we will all carry with us," Russ wrote. "There are no words to describe it."

It's possible so many bears attended the impromptu picnic because they smelled the rotting whale. Polar bears can smell seals up to 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, according to the San Diego Zoo. When they're not eating beached whales, the bears are known to eat ringed seals, walrus, caribou, grass and seaweed, the San Diego Zoo says.

These polar bears got a whale of a meal. (Image credit: Alexander Gruzdev/Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve)

Polar bears are listed as vulnerable to extinction, largely because human-made climate change is melting the Arctic sea ice where they live, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

It's unclear, however, whether climate change had made these particular bears hungrier than usual. The frequency of starving polar bears is expected to increase as the climate warms and sea ice declines  not just because of climate change directly, but because ice loss is taking away seals, their main food source, Steven Amstrup, chief scientist at Polar Bears International, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to studying polar bears, told Live Science in 2015.

The bowhead whale is listed as an "animal of least concern," meaning it is not at risk, the IUCN says.

This isn't the only bear-on-whale banquet in the books. In June 2016, a naturalist guide for a lodge in Alaska spotted a brown bear snacking on a sperm-whale carcass in the southeastern part of the state.

If you want to glimpse a polar bear on your own, watch the polar bear cam at the San Diego Zoo  just know these bears won't be eating any whales.

Original article on Live Science.
At Greentrees Country Day School and Camp our programs are designed for toddlers through pre-Kindergarten. Since 1988, this family owned, and operated school and summer program has been welcoming the youngest members of our community.

Greentrees fosters a love of learning in a warm and nurturing environment. Here children are encouraged to grow socially, emotionally and intellectually.

The curriculum, based on New York State standards and the High Scope philosophy, encourages the use of critical thinking, expressive language and the development of a sense of self-worth and independence.

The summer program for ages 2-6 focuses on the younger camper. This program on our private, park like grounds offers exciting activities such as: daily swim lessons (in our own heated pool), arts & crafts, edible art, music and dance, science & nature, special visitors, events and much more. Our camp staff is mature, trained individuals that are eager to make your childs summer rewarding as well as the best time ever!

Greentrees will help build your childs confidence. Wait till you see what your child can achieve!
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Bay Shore High School Teachers Assistant Arrested for Rape, According to Police

Local News, Crime

By Long Island News & PR Published: September 29 2017

Marcus Johnson of Bay Shore, 27, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old student from the school, officials say.

SCPD have arrested Marcus Johnson of Bay Shore, 27, a Bay Shore High School teachers assistant, for allegedly raping a student from the school.

Bay Shore, NY - September 29, 2017 - Suffolk County Police on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at approximately 6:30 p.m. arrested a Suffolk County Police on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at approximately 6:30 p.m. arrested a Bay Shore High School teachers assistant for raping a student from the school.

Marcus Johnson was arrested this evening by detectives from the Special Victims Section for having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old student from the school. The abuse started when the victim was 14-years-old.

Johnson works as a teachers assistant for children with autism. The victim was not one of his students.

Johnson, 27, of Bay Shore, New York, was charged with Rape 2nd Degree, Rape 3rd Degree, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6531.

Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on September 29.
Food, Wine, & Dining, Local News, Business & Finance, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: September 29 2017

State's Wine Trails Help Promote 182 New York Wineries; $214.8 Million Invested Since 2012 to Improve Access to Wine Trails.

Albany, NY - September 29, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today encouraged New Yorkers to visit the State's wine and craft beverage trails during the fall harvest season. There are currently 13 wine trails across the State that support New York's vital agricultural, craft beverage and tourism industries. To enhance the current wine trail system, the State Department of Transportation has invested $214.8 million in significant upgrades to the region's roadways, bridges and culverts, improving access to wineries throughout the State. To further support the wine trail system and tourism across New York, Governor Cuomo signed legislation on August 21 designating the Upper Hudson Wine Trail across the Capital Region.

"In virtually every corner of the state, New York's world-class wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries are key drivers of tourism, job creation and economic development," Governor Cuomo said. "Investing in local infrastructure enhances access to these businesses, ensuring their momentum and growth continues strong. I encourage New Yorkers from near and far to get out and experience the state's beverage trails this fall to sample products from these innovative local businesses."

There are 182 wineries participating in New York's wine trails, which are part of a robust system of more than 20 craft beverage and cuisine trails located in nearly every region of the State. Together, these trails drive tourism and strengthen the booming craft beverage and food industry. The Empire State's wine industry alone generates more than $4.8 billion in economic benefits annually, including $408 million in State and local taxes. New York produces nearly 200 million bottles of wine each year, making it the third largest wine producing state in the country. An estimated 5.3 million people participate in wine-related tourism opportunities each year across New York.

To support the continued success of wineries and wine trails in New York, the State Department of Transportation has invested $214.8 million to support 103 projects - including highway resurfacing, bridge rehabilitations and replacements, and culvert repairs and replacements - that will ensure continued access to wineries along New York's wine trails. To see a list of state projects undertaken to enhance New York State's wine trails, click here

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Cathy Calhoun said, "I was born and raised in the heart of New York's wine country and am proud of the critical role that our Department plays in promoting the growth of our craft beverage industry. The Department of Transportation has invested tens of millions of dollars to support our wine trails across the state, in the process enhancing tourism and strengthening economic development."

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "Since Governor Cuomo took office, we have seen a tremendous spike in craft beverage manufacturing in New York State, and a greater demand for local agricultural products as a result. Our exceptional beverage trail system is key to highlighting these businesses and their unique, high-quality products. Once visitors get a taste, they keep coming back for more."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "New York State's wine and craft beverage industries have experienced tremendous growth during Governor Cuomo's administration. The beverage trails run throughout the state and I encourage everyone to plan a trip this fall to experience the foliage and enjoy our world-class food and beverages."

New York State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley said, "New York State is quickly becoming one of the most popular wine destinations in the country. Our exceptional beverage trails make it easy for New Yorkers and tourists alike to experience all of the top-notch wines the Empire state has to offer. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, investments like these have significantly bolstered the tourism industry and the state's economy overall."

New York Wine and Grape Foundation Executive Director Samuel Filler said, "As the third largest wine producing state in the country, New York's wineries attract millions of visitors every year. The fall harvest is the perfect time to explore the State's wine trails to discover the diversity of New York's wine offerings and learn how these award-winning varieties are made. The New York Wine and Grape Foundation thanks the State for its support of New York's wine industrythrough both its financial and technical assistance to boost our local businessesand is proud to contribute more than $250,000 in matching marketing funds to the wine trails annually."

Seneca Lake Wine Trail Executive Director Paul Thomas said, "Wine trails have for over 30 years proven to be a remarkably effective way to draw more visitors to our region, and tasting rooms. The elected and appointed officials of NYS have consistently provided both strong support of our industry through a variety of programs managed by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and ILoveNY, and by persistently evolving the State Liquor Authority's regulations to help reduce resource draining policies. Under Governor Cuomo's visionary administration, support for the state's entire craft beverage industry, including wine, have enabled amazing growth across all sectors, dramatically increasing the amount of product sold throughout the state, as well as the number of good paying jobs created by these industries."

Dave Peterson, Cayuga Lake Wine Trail President and Co-owner of Swedish Hill and Goose Watch Wineries, said, "The Cayuga Wine Trail, through its collective marketing efforts, has helped bring us many new customers over the years. When we started our winery 31 years ago, we produced only 1,200 cases of wine. Today, our production exceeds 50,000 cases annually. Visitors to the winery also enhance our sales in liquor stores and restaurants, as customers seek out our wines closer to their homes. Without the State funding that the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail has received through the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and other channels, the marketing effort by the Trail would have been greatly diminished. The investment from the State has been returned many times over as the growth of the wineries has also fueled many other related industries including tourism, agriculture and manufacturing."

Senator Joseph Robach said, "Some of the world's very best wine and craft beverages call New York and the Finger Lakes region home. I have been proud to work alongside the Governor to ensure that New York State is investing in our roads, bridges and infrastructure to make it easier and safer for people to visit all the great amenities that New York has to offer."

Senator Patty Ritchie Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee said, "From the Finger Lakes to the North Country, the Hudson Valley to Long Island, New York's wine trails are helping to introduce growing numbers of enthusiasts to world-class wines produced by hardworking farmers and wine makers. Fall is the perfect time to experience the unique variety and taste of New York wine and I am pleased to join with the governor in urging New Yorkers to go out and discover their next favorite."

Senator Rich Funke said, "New York's wineries are some of the finest in the country. The investments made by the Department of Transportation to improve roadways and make New York's craft beverage market more accessible will encourage tourism and bolster our small businesses across the state. Infrastructure enhancements are vital to supporting small businesses like the wine and craft beverage industries. Fall is a great time to enjoy New York's wine, cider and craft beer."

Assemblymember Bill Magee, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee said, "The wine and craft beverage trails across New York are attractions that blend agriculture, one of our biggest industries, with tourism, one of our most promising assets, to promote the best of upstate including our unique shops, restaurants, farms, and hospitality. I heartily encourage and support the development and improvement of the wine and craft beverage and food trails."

Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said, "The vineyards in the Upper Hudson Wine Trail are great places to visit in the Fall. I thank Governor Cuomo for his support of the wine industry in our region, and across the state."

Under the Governor's leadership, there has been a 228 percent increase in the number of licensed craft beverage producers in New York, including a 72 percent increase in the number of farm wineries. The State has implemented significant policy changes to streamline and simplify regulations for beverage manufacturers, modernized the Alcohol and Beverage Control Laws, introduced new licenses, and leveraged opportunities to promote this growing sector of the economy. There are now nearly 1,000 licensed breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries across New York, compared to just 342 six years ago.

The Governor's Taste NY initiative has also been key to growing the Empire State's craft beverage industry through strategic promotional efforts at large public events and retail locations. New York products sold under Taste NY branding are available in more than 60 locations throughout the State, including a store in Grand Central Terminal dedicated exclusively to New York wines and craft beverages.

Twitter, Launched by the Governor in 2013 to promote New York's food and beverage industries, Taste NY has seen steady growth. Last year, more than $13 million in New York products were sold at Taste NY stores, concessions, and events. For more information about Taste NY, please visit www.taste.ny.gov . Connect with Taste NY through Facebook Instagram and Pinterest
NCPD: Third Arrest Made in Connection with Homicide Victim Discovered in Massapequa Preserve

Local News, Crime

By Long Island News & PR Published: September 29 2017

Laura Christina Campos of Maryland, 28, is charged with Murder 2nd degree, cops say.

NCPD reports the arrest of Laura Christina Campos of Maryland, 28, in connection with a Homicide that was discovered on Thursday, March 23, 2017 in Massapequa.

Massapequa, NY - September 29, 2017 - The Homicide Squad reports the arrest of Laura Christina Campos, 28, of Bladensburg, Maryland, in connection with a Homicide that was discovered on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 2:07 pm in The Homicide Squad reports the arrest of Laura Christina Campos, 28, of Bladensburg, Maryland, in connection with a Homicide that was discovered on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 2:07 pm in Massapequa

According to detectives, the body of Julio Cesar Gonzales-Espantzay, 19, of Valley Stream was discovered in the Massapequa Preserve near Seaview Avenue and Ocean Avenue. The death, according to detectives, appeared to be suspicious in nature.

Defendant Campos is charged with Murder 2nd degree. She will be arraigned on Friday, September 29, 2017 at First District Court, Hempstead

Previously, police had also arrested Carlos Portillo, 22, of Hempstead, on Saturday, 07/29/17 and Kevin Granados-Coreas, 19, of Rosedale, on Tuesday, 08/15/17, in connection with the above listed homicide as well. Both defendants were charged with Murder 2nd Degree. Portillo was arraigned on Sunday, 07/30/17 and Granados-Coreas was arraigned on Wednesday, 08/16/17, both in First District Court, Hempstead.

Detectives, who continue to investigate this incident, request anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
Local News, Crime, Health & Wellness, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: September 29 2017

Reimbursement for Increased Narcan Doses and Reclassification of Fentanyl are Key Changes.

Massapequa, NY - September 29, 2017 - Senator John E. Brooks, who has focused on the nations drug epidemic that has taken an especially high toll on Long Islanders, met with recovery and treatment advocates today at Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos press conference on solutions for the fatal drug scourge. Brooks district office, located in Senator John E. Brooks, who has focused on the nations drug epidemic that has taken an especially high toll on Long Islanders, met with recovery and treatment advocates today at Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos press conference on solutions for the fatal drug scourge. Brooks district office, located in Massapequa , has been the venue for meetings of his Opioid Policy Work Group that brings advocates, resources and concerned residents together to share solutions to this crisis.

Senator Brooks applauded the Governors proposals to add eleven forms of fentanyl, the powerful and deadly opioid, to New York States controlled substance list, in order to give law enforcement agencies tools to target the drugs manufacture, sale and distribution.

Brooks supports Governor Cuomos proposal requiring insurance companies doing business in New York to pay for higher doses of naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan.
Shakespeare's magical and final play will be brought to life using traditional Malawian music at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts next week.

Bilimankhwe Arts have brought actors, dancers and musicians from the African country and worked with British actors, musicians and visual artists to perform The Tempest.

The story follows sorcerer Prospero and his daughter Miranda as they are exiled on a strange island.

After Prospero uses magic to start a storm and sets in motion a chance for him to score revenge on his usurper brother and plan an escape from the island.

Featuring African dance choreography, the soundtrack contains both electronic beats and traditional Malawian music, using instruments such as the mbira, a thumb piano, and the mazimba, a wooden xylophone.

The music is played live as the drama unfolds on stage.
At the 2017 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) in Vancouver, Canada this week, researchers from the University of Minnesota are presenting a system that 3D prints objects directly onto a moving human body. Its intended to put down layers of biomaterials that have been developed in the recent years, but which have been limited due to having to be made on a printer and then somehow transferred to the skin. As seen in the video below, the U of Minnesota system continuously tracks the hand while its under the printer, and adjusts the position of the nozzle to guarantee the correct position of every drop of bio-ink.

This paper establishes the feasibility of robotically 3D printing biomaterials such as alginate hydrogels onto moving human anatomy and a stationary plane. The alginate hydrogels used are in-vivo compatible and a proven biomaterial for tissue scaffolds. We developed a control scheme for precision material deposition via piezo microjetting while tracking in real-time to continuously sense anatomy location and deposits material in a predefined trajectory derived from two pre-selected target geometries. We show that multilayer 3D structures can be created on a moving human hand with 1.6 mm average error and 87.8% overall accuracy.

Link: IROS 2017

hat tip: SurgRob
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, September 28, 2017

Greg Stern, founding partner of BSSP, has been named chairman of the board of the 4As, effective October 1.

Stern succeeds Bill Koenigsberg, founder and chief executive of Horizon Media, who has been 4As chairman since 2014. He will now step into a vice chair role.

Stern previously served as a director and vice chair on the 4As board, which he joined 13 years ago. The agency veteran has more than 30 years of advertising and marketing experience, both domestically and internationally.

Earlier in his career, Stern was recruited by Ogilvy, for whom he worked in New York and Southeast Asia for 10 years, managing clients including Unilever, Nestle, American Express and Seagram. He then returned to the United States in 1992 with Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, and in 1993, joined John Butler and Mike Shine to start the Sausalito, California-based agency.

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At BSSP, Stern leads the strategic direction of the independent agency, including key acquisitions. In its 23 years, BSSP has grown from a three-person startup to a full-service advertising agency with 120 people. Stern is also an adviser to, and investor in, a range of startups.

Stern will work closely with the board and 4As president and CEO Marla Kaplowitz on industry issues and 4As strategic initiatives.

Commenting on Koenigsbergs contributions, Kaplowitz stated: Bill has demonstrated passionate and dedicated leadership during his time as our board chair. We are thankful for the support hes given us over the years and for the guidance hell continue to offer as vice chair for the next year.

Kaplowitiz continued: We are excited to have Greg take on this esteemed role, and we look forward to having him help us lead the 4As successfully into the future. Greg has extensive experience in the field and has been an inspirational leader who has disrupted the status quo in our industry.
by Jess Nelson , September 28, 2017

Enterprise companies can expect millions in fines next year if they continue to ignore the looming implementation of GDPR.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an EU data privacy act, will be executed on May 25, 2018 -- fewer than eight months away. GDPR strengthens the data protection and privacy rights of citizens living in the European Union, and affects any company utilizing European residents data in any way.

A majority of privacy professionals have not begun GDPR implementation, according to a new study from privacy compliance company TrustArc. The report addresses the readiness of UK- and U.S.-based organizations with a minimum of 500 employees to comply with the May 2018 GDPR regulations.

The study suggests that 61% of U.S. respondents had not begun GDPR implementation as of May 2017, while 64% of UK respondents had not begun GDPR implementation as of August 2017. Four percent of U.S. respondents had not begun the process of becoming compliant at all.

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Most companies will be turning to outside resources such as consultants and technology over the next eight months, with 98% of U.S. respondents and 92% of UK respondents acknowledging the need to invest in resources to help prepare for the May deadline.

Darren Abernethy, senior global privacy at TrustArc, explains how email marketers will also be affected by the new data regulation.

GDPR regulates the very data that email marketers use to fine tune their messaging for more personalized experiences, he says. Many large companies also likely communicate with EU residents if they have a market presence in Europe.

Abernethy highlights two key areas of the GDPR legislation that will have major implications for email marketers: the right to know and the right to be forgotten.

Once GDPR is implemented in May, EU residents can request to know all of the data a company has on them. The brand in question then must provide a readable list of all the information they have collected on the individual with a certain time frame, and the resident has the right to edit the information if its incorrect. They also have the right to ask for a company to delete all of the information they have on them.

In the U.S., every email marketer is required to have a way for a subscriber to opt-out of communication. But there is no format yet where companies can securely share all of the data they have on an individual.
Following Facebooks lead, Twitter is finally addressing the presence of Russian agents on its platform  and their efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

We are concerned about violations of our Terms of Service and U.S. law with respect to interference in the exercise of voting rights, the companys public policy team explains in a new blog post.

Of the roughly 450 accounts that Facebook recently shared as a part of their review, Twitter has concluded that 22 had corresponding accounts on Twitter.

In addition, the team said it found another 179 related or linked accounts  none of which were registered as advertisers on Twitter. Russian entities have also used Twitters ad network to reach U.S. citizens, the company revealed.

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Specifically, Twitter said it sold ads for accounts connected to RT (Russia Today), which it acknowledges has strong links to the Russian government.

Based on our findings thus far, RT spent $274,100 in U.S. ads in 2016, the public policy team stated.

That year, RT-affiliated accounts  including @RT_com and @RT_America  promoted 1,823 Tweets, which definitely or potentially targeted the U.S. market, Twitter found.

Twitter said it is too early to estimate the breadth of Russian-backed operations on its network, but it is taking active measures to combat the problem.

Like Facebook, the tech titan says it is cooperating with congressional committees with respect to investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Specifically, on Thursday, Colin Crowell, Twitter vice president for public policy, met with staffers from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

In addition, Twitter is preparing additional measures to combat misinformation, including new and escalating enforcements for suspicious logins, tweets and engagements. The company is also trying to shorten the time it takes to catch suspicious accounts, tweets and engagements.

Earlier in the month, Facebook finally admitted that Russian disinformation operatives had placed around 3,000 paid ads on its platform over the past two years.

In reviewing the ads buys, we have found approximately $100,000 in ad spending from June of 2015 to May of 2017 -- associated with roughly 3,000 ads -- that was connected to about 470 inauthentic accounts and pages in violation of our policies, Facebook Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos wrote at the time.

Like Twitter, Facebook is working with congressional investigators, as part of their probe of Russia's interference in the U.S. election.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 29, 2017

The Federal Communications Commission exceeded its authority by passing net neutrality rules that re-classified broadband access as a utility service, AT&T argues in a petition to the Supreme Court.

The company is asking the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the D.C. Circuit Court's recent decision upholding the 2015 net neutrality rules. Those regulations classified broadband as a "telecommunications" service and imposed some common carrier rules, including prohibitions on blocking and throttling service, and on charging higher fees for prioritized delivery of material.

AT&T now argues to the Supreme Court that the Communications Act requires the FCC to treat broadband as an "information" service, which isn't subject to utility-style regulations.

"Any broadband Internet access service -- fixed or mobile -- is an information service and is thus immune from common carrier regulation under the general definitional provisions of the Communications Act," AT&T argues in papers submitted Thursday.

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The net neutrality rules are supported by many Silicon Valley companies as well as consumer advocates, who argue that Internet service providers shouldn't serve as gatekeepers to the web. But Internet service providers argue that they shouldn't be subject to utility-style regulations.

Current FCC Chair Ajit Pai, a vocal critic of the 2015 net neutrality rules, recently proposed rolling them back by re-classifying broadband as an information service. AT&T says in its legal papers that even if Pai's proposal is accepted, it will ask the Supreme Court to vacate the Court of Appeals' decision.

The net neutrality rules are supported by many Silicon Valley companies as well as consumer advocates, who argue that Internet service providers shouldn't serve as gatekeepers to the web. But Internet service providers argue that they shouldn't be subject to utility-style regulations.

The group TechFreedom, which also opposed the net neutrality order, argues in a separate friend-of-the-court petition that the Supreme Court should accept the case in order to resolve questions about the FCC's power to regulate the web.

"This Court should take this opportunity to address ... whether the FCC may impose common carriage regulation upon broadband services," TechFreedom writes. The group adds that a decision to accept the case "could resolve an issue of immense economic and political significance to the nation, finally affording businesses and consumers with the regulatory stability necessary to deploying broadband."
In a world of equal rights, pay gaps, and gender-specific toys, one question remains central to our understanding of the two biological sexes: are mens and womens brains wired differently? If so, how, and how is that relevant? Share on Pinterest How might differences in the brains of men and women affect their behavior and cognition? We investigate. There are many studies that aim to explore the question of underlying differences between the brains of men and women. But the results seem to vary wildly, or the interpretations given to the main findings are in disagreement. In existing studies, researchers have looked at any physiological differences between the brains of men and women. They then studied patterns of activation in the brains of participants of both sexes to see if men and women relate to the same external stimuli and cognitive or motor tasks in the same way. Finally, the question that emerges is: do any of these differences affect the way in which men and women perform the same tasks? And do such differences affect men versus womens susceptibility to different brain disorders? Often, there are no clear-cut answers, and scientists tend to disagree on some of the most basic aspects  such as whether there are any notable physiological differences between the brains of men and women. In this article, we look at some of the more recent studies dealing with these questions and give you an overview of where current research stands.

Are there hardwired differences? Increasingly, online articles and popular science books appeal to new scientific studies to deliver quick and easy explanations of why men are from Mars and women come from Venus, to paraphrase a well-known bestseller about heterosexual relationship management. One such example is a book from the Gurian Institute, which emphasizes that baby girls and boys should be treated differently because of their underlying neurological differences. Non-differentiated child-rearing, the authors suggest, may ultimately be unhealthy. Cars for boys, teddies for girls? Dr. Nirao Shah, who is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University in California, also suggests that there are some basic behaviors [that] are essential for survival and propagation, related to reproduction and self-preservation, that are different in men and women. These, he adds, are innate rather than learned [] [in animals] so the circuitry involved ought to be developmentally hardwired into the brain. These circuits should differ depending on which sex youre looking at. Share on Pinterest A study on rhesus monkeys showed that males preferred wheeled toys, whereas females leaned toward plush toys. Some examples brought to bear on these innate differences often come from studies on different primates, such as rhesus monkeys . One experiment offered male and female monkeys traditionally girly (plush) or boyish (wheeled) toys and observed which kinds of toys each would prefer. This team of researchers found that male rhesus monkeys appeared to naturally favor wheeled toys, whereas the females played predominantly with plush toys. This, they argued, was a sign that boys and girls [may] prefer different physical activities with different types of behaviors and different levels of energy expenditure. Similar findings have been reported by researchers from the United Kingdom about boys and girls between 9 and 32 months old  a period when, some researchers suggest, the children are too young to form gender stereotypes. Apparent differences in preferences have been explained through a differential hardwiring in the female versus male brain. Yet, criticisms of this perspective also abound. Refuting studies in monkeys, some specialists argue that, no matter how similar to human beings from a biological point of view, monkeys and other animals are still not human, and guiding our understanding of men and women by the instincts of male and female animals is erroneous. As for studies on infants and young children, researchers often identify pitfalls. Boys and girls, some argue, can already develop gender stereotypes by age 2, and their taste for girly or boyish toys may be influenced by how their parents socialize them, even if the parents themselves are not always aware of perpetuating stereotypes. The perspective that gendered preferences can be explained through hormonal activity and differences in the brains of men and women remains, therefore, controversial.

Different brain activation patterns Still, there are a number of studies that pinpoint different patterns of activation in the brains of men versus women given the same task, or exposed to the same stimuli. Navigation One such study evaluated sex-specific brain activity in the context of visuospatial navigation . The researchers used functional MRI (fMRI) to monitor how mens and womens brains responded to a maze task. In their given activity, participants of both sexes had to find their way out of a complex virtual labyrinth. Share on Pinterest Different areas in the brains of men and women light up during visuospatial navigation tasks. It was noted that in men, the left hippocampus  which has been associated with context-dependent memory  lit up preferentially. In women, however, the areas activated during this task were the right posterior parietal cortex , which is associated with spatial perception, motor control, and attention, and the right prefrontal cortex, which has been linked to episodic memory. Another study discovered rather robust differences between resting brain activity in men and in women. When the brain is in a resting state, it means that it is not responding to any direct tasks  but that doesnt mean it isnt active. Scanning a brain  at rest  is meant to reveal any activity that is intrinsic to that brain, and which happens spontaneously. When looking at the differences between male and female brains at rest, the scientists saw a complex pattern, suggesting that several differences between males and females in behavior might have their sources in the activity of the resting brain. What those differences in behaviour might amount to, however, is a matter of debate. Social cues An experiment targeting mens and womens response to perceived threat, for instance, highlighted a better evaluation of threat on the part of women. The study, which used fMRI to scan the brain activity of teenagers and adults of both sexes, found that adult women had a strong neural response to unambiguous visual threat signals, whereas adult men  and adolescents of both sexes  exhibited a much weaker response. Last year, Medical News Today also reported on a study that pointed to different patterns of cooperation in men and women, with possible underlying neural explanations. Groups of male-male, female-female, and female-male couples were observed as they performed the same simple task involving cooperation and synchronization. Overall, same-sex pairs did better than opposite sex pairs. But interbrain coherence  that is, the relative synchronization of neural activity in the brains of a pair performing a cooperative task  was observed in different locations in the brains of male-male versus female-female subjects. Another study using fMRI also emphasized significant differences between how the brains of men and women organize their activity. There are different activation patterns in the brain networks of males and females, the researchers explain, which correlate with substantial differences in the behavior of men and of women. Different activation patterns, but what does that mean? A more recent study, however, disagrees that there are any fundamental functional differences, though the methodology of this research has been questioned. The authors of this work analyzed the MRI scans of more than 1,400 human brains, sourced from four different datasets. Share on Pinterest Some studies suggest that, despite some physiological differences, brains cannot be divided into male and female. Their findings suggest that, whatever physiological differences may exist between the brain of men and of women, they do not indicate underlying, sex-specific patterns of behaviour and socialization. The volumes of white and gray matter in brains of people pertaining to both sexes do not differ significantly, the study found. Also, the scientists pointed out that most humans possess a mosaic of personality traits, attitudes, interests, and behaviors, consistent with individual physiological traits, and inconsistent with a dualistic view of maleness and femaleness. The lack of internal consistency in human brain and gender characteristics undermines the dimorphic [dualistic] view of human brain and behavior [] Specifically, we should shift from thinking of brains as falling into two classes, one typical of males and the other typical of females, to appreciating the variability of the human brain mosaic.
Vaginal vs. clitoral orgasm, the G-spot, the vulva, and the clitoris: the female sex organs and their involvement in arousal and orgasm are shrouded in mystery. Share on Pinterest Controversy surrounds the existence of the G-spot and the routes to orgasm. In our increasingly digital world, sex and female body image are often misrepresented. Yet, sex makes people happy and plays an important role in social bonding as well as mental and physical health. So, its time to demystify common misconceptions about the female sex organs and their role in sexual pleasure. We shine a spotlight on how the vagina, vulva, and clitoris work, as well as on what is currently known about the elusive G-spot and the female orgasm.

Inside and out: The vagina and the vulva The vagina is the muscular tube that links to the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. Also called the birth canal, the vagina allows for the passage of blood and cells in menstruation, the introduction of sperm during sex, and the delivery of the baby and placenta at the end of pregnancy. The vagina only has a limited number of nerve endings, which is thought to be important to help women cope with the pain of childbirth. The external part of the female genitals is the vulva. It consists of the labia majora, or the outer fold, the labia minora, or the inner fold, the urethra, and the clitoris. The shape and size of the vulva is unique to every single woman. In a study involving 32 women, Dr. Haim Krissi  from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Soroka University Medical Centre in the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel  and team found a considerable range in the length and width of the different parts of the vulva.

The clitoris: The gateway to sexual arousal While many people think that the clitoris is a small spot just above the vaginal opening, it is, in fact, a much larger complex. The part most visible is the glans, which is 16 millimeters in length, on average. This is the part that most people will be familiar with. The glans is covered by the prepuce, which is a skin formed from the vaginal labia. Some people liken the prepuce to foreskin. Hidden inside the pubic bone is the rest of the clitoris, and the entire complex is similar in shape to the penis, with a total length of between 9 and 11 centimeters. The clitoris is an erectile organ and is thought to be at the heart of female sexual arousal. In a 2015 review published in the journal Clinical Anatomy, Dr. Rachel N. Pauls  from the Divisions of Female Pelvic Floor Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at TriHealth/Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, OH  describes the clitoris as [] the centre for orgasmic response. The clitoris is highly innervated, with the densest concentration of nerve fibres found in the glans. These nerve fibres respond to stimulation by causing swelling of the erectile tissues of the clitoris. As Dr. Pauls explains, It is important to note that indirect stimulation of the glans is central to female sexual arousal, but the dense innervation of the glans may lead to extreme sensitivity upon direct stimulation. That being said, the clitoris is not the only part of the female sex organs that can lead to arousal, according to some. The mysterious G-spot, said to be located inside the vagina, has been equally credited.

Does the G-spot exist? The so-called Grafenberg spot, or G-spot  which is named after the German-born physician Ernst Grafenberg  is a topic of much contention. While Grafenberg has been widely credited with finding the purported spot guaranteed to produce sexual arousal, the name was in fact coined by Dr. Frank Addiego and colleagues in a 1981 paper published in the Journal of Sex Research. The hunt for this elusive structure that promised unlimited pleasure has been on since then. A study in An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology by Dr. Adam Ostrenski  from the Institute of Gynecology in St Petersburg, FL  and colleagues describes it as a collection of nerve bundles in the front, or anterior, wall of the vagina. Using MRI scans, Anastasios Mpotsaris  from University Hospital of Cologne in Germany  and colleagues found a distinct morphological entity in 62 percent of study subjects in the same location. Does this mean that the search is over? No; not all experts agree. Dr. Vincenzo Puppo  from the Centro Italiano Sessuologica in Bologna, Italy  states in an article in the journal Clinical Anatomy that there is no scientific or medical evidence that supports the existence of the G-spot. Instead, he writes, The G-spot has become in the centre of a multimillion dollar business: G-spot amplification, also called G-spot augmentation, G-Spotplasty, or the G-shot, is a cosmetic surgery procedure for temporarily increasing the size and sensitivity of what some believe to be the G-spot []. This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Pauls, who summarizes that there is no scientific or anatomical evidence that supports the existence of the G-spot. So, the jury on the G-spot is still out. Whether by G-spot stimulation or not, the female orgasm remains a mysterious and controversial topic.

What happens during orgasm? The debate about the purpose and routes that lead to women experiencing an orgasm is probably as old as medical science. Although the male orgasm has a clear role from an evolutionary standpoint, in that it is central to the propagation of the human species, experts have not been able to agree on a similar purpose for the female orgasm. From a physiological point of view, the path to sexual arousal is straightforward. Dr. Pauls explains, In simplistic terms, genital arousal is characterized by increased blood flow to the pelvic region. In females, this vascular flow results in clitoral engorgement and erection and accompanying vulvar swelling and vaginal [secretion] of fluid. If a threshold is reached, orgasm can follow arousal. Activation of [nerve pathways] triggers pelvic floor skeletal muscle contractions that accompany sexual satisfaction, she adds. So, should we view orgasms as simply being the result of reflex produced by our nerves? As so often in biology, things are more complicated. Our nerves, of course, transmit sensory signals to our brain, where studies have shown that sexual pleasure is processed similarly to other types of pleasure. [] the mind may be the ultimate sexual organ, which in combination with anatomy can augment sexual enjoyment. Dr. Pauls

The vaginal vs. clitoral orgasm The ultimate center that causes the greatest female pleasure remains a topic of debate. Two competing theories exist: the vaginal and the clitoral orgasm. According to Dr. Puppo, the term vaginal orgasm is misleading. He says that the vagina has no anatomical structure that can cause an orgasm. Instead, the vaginal orgasm that some women report is always caused by the surrounding erectile organs, he explains. Dr. Puppo further highlights, Orgasms with a finger in the vagina are possible in all women, but the partner must also move the hand in a circle to stimulate all the female erectile organs. On the other side of the argument is psychologist Prof. Stuart Brody, who argues that penile-vaginal intercourse is the route to vaginal orgasm, which he says plays a greater role in sexual satisfaction. In a review published in the journal Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology, Prof. James G. Pfaus  from the Department of Psychology at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada  writes it is likely that women have an enormous capability to experience orgasms of many different types [] the subjective experience of it is not necessarily the same for each woman, and can even be different each time a woman has one. Dr. Pauls also highlights that [] pressure on the vagina during sexual activity can result in traction, vibration, and clitoral stimulation. It is therefore problematical at best to define a clitoral orgasm as a phenomenon distinct from a vaginal orgasm, she adds. Because the individual parts of the female sex organs are located very close to each other, it is difficult to identify one particular spot as the ultimate route to pleasure. One question that remains is whether or not it is necessary to have a definition of different types of orgasms.
If you have fallen asleep during a meeting, dont blame yourself: blame your neurons. Specifically, a set of neurons in a brain area known as the nucleus accumbens, which is a region known to play a role in motivation and reward.

Share on Pinterest In the absence of motivational stimuli, our brains are designed to fall asleep.

This is what a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications seems to suggest.

The findings may open new therapeutic avenues for treating insomnia and other sleep disorders.

For the new study, researchers based in China and Japan used cutting-edge technology to monitor the brain circuits involved in sleep control.

When we are not exposed to interesting, stimulating experiences  or, simply put, when we get bored  we tend to fall asleep, despite our best efforts to stay awake.

Sleep control is influenced by a variety of cognitive and emotional factors, but, as the authors of the new study explain, the neurological underpinnings of this process are less known.

This is why Yo Oishi, of the International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and his colleagues set out to explore this research topic further.

The scientists were also prompted by existing research that suggested that the brain area known as the nucleus accumbens might also play a role in triggering sleep.

The brains nucleus accumbens is known to be key for reward processing, as well as motivation and pleasure. The brain area has been linked to drug use, as it is involved in positive reinforcement, which may sometimes lead to addictive behavior.
As the White Sox prepare for the second season of a dramatic rebuilding of the franchise, the biggest questions facing general manager Rick Hahn and his front-office team will be the futures of Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia. As I noted last week when taking a look at some of the upcoming offseason needs for the Sox, both are controlled only through 2019, making it questionable as to whether theyll be part of the next contending team or whether either is more of a trade piece than a building block. Abreu will earn a raise on this years $10.825MM in arbitration this offseason, while Garcia will get a bump on his own $3MM salary.

Hahn address both players futures at an end-of-season press conference yesterday, expanding a bit on the difficult nature of the decision at hand. Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago and Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune were among the reporters on hand for Hahns media address and has numerous quotes from the Chicago exec as well as from Abreu himself. Abreu hasnt been shy about his desire to stick with the Sox through their rebuild in the past, and he was as blunt as ever yesterday in telling Hayes that he hopes to spend his entire career in a White Sox uniform. Whether that happens is largely up to Hahn and his staff, and the decision unsurprisingly isnt an easy one for that group.

Both Avi and Abreu are under control for the next two years, through 2019, said Hahn (via Hayes). I think even under the most optimistic projections of our ability to contend, certainly 18 and 19 dont include the bulk of the time when we anticipate having a window open to us, so obviously with any player who isnt controllable through the bulk of that window, we have to make an assessment.

Hahn spoke about the possibility of extending one or both players but also the chance of marketing each in trades this offseason as a means of further amassing young talent with timelines that fall more into the 2020 and beyond target to which he alluded above.

Theyre both special cases, and there are very strong arguments for them playing roles in 2020 and beyond, he continued, going on to stress the value they place on Abreus on-field contributions as well as his role as the teams clubhouse leader. Garcia is still very young in this game said Hahn, adding that theres some reason to believe that his 2017 breakout could very well become the norm for the 26-year-old moving forward.

Certainly, the Sox dont have to make a definitive call on either player this winter. Hahn points to the teams handling of Jose Quintana last offseason as an example of a players market not coming together in the winter but more strongly forming at the July non-waiver deadline.

Its not me just dancing around or being cute, said Hahn. There isnt a firm answer right now. We dont know what the options are. One of them conceivably is extending, and we have to wait and see what that cost entails.

One thing that does seem clear, especially in the wake of a shoulder operation that could sideline Carlos Rodon for as much as the first two months of the 2018 season, is that the Sox will need some veteran rotation reinforcements. Chicago also decimated its Major League bullpen on the trade market, and while theyve received solid contributions from unexpected sources such as Gregory Infante and Juan Minaya, theyll still have some work to do on that front.

Its going to be about being opportunistic, Hahn said of his offseason search for bullpen arms (via Kane), and perhaps theres another arm to fill into the rotation that makes some sense for us. Hahn spoke specifically about veteran additions being able to provide some cushion to allow younger arms to further develop. While Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito and possibly Carson Fulmer could all be in the rotation early next year, the Sox seemingly could benefit from another veteran to pair with James Shields as they wait for Michael Kopech, Spencer Adams, Alec Hansen and/or Tyler Danish to prove ready for an extended look at the big league level.

There are quite a few more quotes from Hahn within each column from Hayes and Kane, so readers are encouraged to check out each in full.
29.09.2017 LISTEN

TNR Music front liner, Olisa Franklin, has in an exclusive interview with Africanhitz.com said Ghanaian musicians are not growing in the international market.

The afrobeat head made this revelation saying Most musicians in Ghana arent playing the right tactics when it comes to promoting their music and brand.

There are a lot of good musicians in Ghana but I feel their management and PR team arent doing them much good because even in Nigeria there are lot of songs from Ghana played all over the place but, yet those artist dont know how big they are in Nigeria and even not known.

Olisa Franklin went ahead to disclose a few names who are making major moves in promoting themselves in the international market and in Nigeria, which are Sarkodie, VVIP, Stonebwoy, and D-Black.

He said these musicians are going as far as doing international collaboration and travelling to get their music heard in other countries but to no avail.

Formerly known as Plus Franklin, Olisa Franklin lived and performed in Ghana and has recently released his latest visuals to song Dark Chocolate, ahead of the release of his collaboration with Afrobeat artiste, Seun Kuti and jazz sensation, Etuk Ubong.

Olisa Franklin hails from Anambra State in Nigeria, signed unto TNR Music and currently in Ghana to promote his music and looking forward to having some collaboration with some heavy weight musicians in Ghana.

Watch his recent video to Dark Chocolate beneath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNoslZ41ggg
Actor Chris Attoh has disclosed that he never cheated on his ex-wife, Damilola Adegbite, during their two-year marriage.

This has laid to rest speculations that cheating may have played a role in their recent divorce.

According to the screen 'bad boy' who was speaking in an interview with Bola Ray on Starr FM on Wednesday, he found no reason to cheat on the Nigerian screen goddess who he was featured with in movies such as '6 hours To Christmas', 'Flower Girl' and 'Tinsel'.

I can gladly say that I never cheated because I didn't find a reason to. When you find yourself busy it helps, he said.

Chris won't open up on the full details of the divorce. However, he had to quickly defend himself after a message sent into the interview by a lady who gave her name as Sandra from London accused him of infidelity.

But Sandra I also want to say thank you for your opinion. If I speak deeper then I will be getting into my marriage. Like I said, I am here to respect my family, he added.

Chris and Damilola got married in 2015 after months of courtship. Prior to their encounter, Chris reportedly dated Andrea Manuela Giaccaglia, while Damilola also dated Banky W.

Interestingly within the same time Chris and Damilola started hanging out, there were reports of Banky W and Andrea also seeing each other.

However, Chris and Damilola went ahead to seal their relationship with a wedding. Two years after, they could not sustain it and have gone their separate ways.

It is readily not known what caused the divorce or when it happened. Chris won't talk about that or further details of the divorce though he was the one who started talking. He first confirmed the divorce in an interview with Bellanaija.com and now Starr FM.

On different occasions in the interview on Starr FM, he ignored questions to why the divorce. He insisted he wanted to respect his family.

However, he was ready to share with listeners some solutions to a long lasting marriage. He stated that the reason most marriages don't work is that we have forgotten what the fundamentals of marriage are.

When you love someone, it is important to be able to forgive, to be able to respect, to be able to submit. As a woman, you need to trust the captain of the ship. It's really important if you want peace in your home, he said but won't indicate if whether he or Damilola over looked that in their marriage.

Chris added that it is amazing the number of lessons married people can draw from the Bible. However, he does not regret ever getting married to Nigerian actress Damilola.

I believe that life is too short for regrets and everything happens for a reason. I have a beautiful baby boy. I have a wealth of experience and I have a lot of work to do, he added.

Meanwhile, Chris also denied allegations of being bi-sexual, which some have also speculated could be the reason for the divorce.
Award-winning Ghanaian fashion house, Le Bon Collections, will be celebrating its clients as part of its fifth anniversary celebrations.

The fashion house which has been in operation since 2012 has contributed to Ghana's fashion industry in various ways.

It will be celebrating its milestone with a number of fashion activities, and that include a fashion event which is scheduled for Friday, September 29 at Le Bon's shop located at Dzorwulu opposite the Mediferm Hospital, not far from Sid Theatre in Accra from 4:00pm to 9:00pm.

According to CEO Bridget Osei Nyarko, the ceremony is being held in honour of its clients because they have kept the fashion house in business in the last five years.

We are expecting our clients because the occasion is to celebrate them, she told NEWS-ONE on Thursday.

Le Bon Collections is one of the influential fashion brands in Ghana and known for its feats on Ghanas runways. Its most recent runway events include showcasing at Rhythms On Da Runway and another by the American Embassy in Accra.

Le Bon Collections are predominantly silk and soft fabrics and also have special stones in them. The brand is also known for its bespoke services. It combines pattern drafting and free-hand-cutting techniques in making designs to suit its comprehensive style.

Located at Dzorwulu, Le Bon Collections is not just being celebrated as one of the favourite and finest female clothing lines, but it also makes clothing with an exceptional taste. Le Bon is affordable and also has different levels of clienteles.
The Minority in Parliament is accusing the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of deception following the hike in petroleum prices.

The opposition lawmakers said governments promise to whittle down prices of petroleum products has been dishonoured.

Ranking Member on Parliaments Mines and Energy Committee, Adam Mutawakilu said the current regime has to fulfil its promise to Ghanaians in line with the ethics of governance.

Related Article: Reduction in electricity tariff will take effect in 2018  Boakye Agyarko

As a matter of principle and consistency, all the taxes you opposed first of all you have to remove them, he told journalists at a news conference in Accra Thursday.

Mr Mutawakilu was reacting to the increase in prices of petroleum products across the country.

Related Article: Petroleum prices projected to increase by 14%

The energy sector had its major shock in decades after prices of petroleum products were increased by 14 percent.

A gallon of petrol is now sold at 20.07 pesewas and a gallon of diesel at the various pumps is sold at 18.58 pesewas.

Related Article: External forces to blame for petroleum price hikes- gov't

Government has blamed the development on external factors, which it said is beyond its control.

But the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) said there is a lot government can do to bring relief to consumers.

Mr Mutawakilu said government can eliminate the Energy Sector Levy (ESLA), which it opposed when it was in opposition, to bring petroleum prices down.

You dont just get up and speakwalk the talk, he told Evans Mensah on Joy FMs Top Story in an interview and challenged the government to scrap all the taxes it opposed whilst in opposition.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | [email protected] | Instagram: @Realbrakopowers
The embattled Deputy Police CID boss caught in a leaked audio recording, will at the right time, take on controversial hip life artiste A plus, the police administration has said.

Deputy PRO at the Police CID Olivia Turkson gave the assurance in an interview on Joy News on behalf of ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa, Addo Danquah, the officer alleged to be covering up allegations of misconduct against two chiefs of staff.

Turkson said her outfit will do whatever it takes to clear the name of ACP Addo Danquah.

A voice said to be that of the police Deputy CID is heard on a controversial audio tape recording asking A Plus to manage a situation she was supposed to investigate.

She went further to assert in the audio that the president has good intentions but will not be able to achieve his objectives because of the people around him.

The audio has since gone viral with A Plus daring the police to arrest him if they have evidence he has doctored a tape.

ACP Addo Danquah had been tasked by the administration to investigation allegations A Plus made against the two Chiefs of Staff- John Jinapor and Boakye Asenso.

Boakye Asenso (L) Abu Jinapor (R)

The hip-life musician, among other things accused the two of abusing their office by collecting bribes from people who wish to see the president.

The president who had promised to investigate every single corruption allegation against his men instructed the CID to subject the allegations made by A Plus to critical scrutiny.

The CID after weeks of investigation released a statement claiming there was no evidence to substantiate the claims made by A Plus.

Just when the dust on the allegation was about to settle, a new twist, this time, a leaked tape emerges in which ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa, Addo Danquah is heard having a not too convinent chat with A Plus, the man she and her colleagues were supposed to investigate.

Critics have been quick to describe the earlier report issued by the CID as a cover up. But the police administration has dismissed the content of the audio tape recording.

Olivia Turkson is convinced the audio was pieced together to tarnish the image of her boss and that of the police administration.

When she was asked if the voice in the recording was that of ACP Addo Danquah, Turkson confirmed it was but added the content of the audio had been doctored.

It is her voice but she never told A plus to drop the case, she stated.

"She [ACP Addo Danquah] is affirming she never made such a statementThe audio is doctored and no one should attach any importance to it, Turkson said.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
Like you, when I heard that a man at Ehi, in the Volta Region of Ghana was going to give his dog a grand funeral, after keeping it in the mortuary for weeks  the same mortuary where they keep human corpses - I was appalled. What a foolish thing to do, was my initial reaction. Ghanaians have gone really crazy, I said. My curiosity made me search for and listen to an interview the man, Mr. Stephen Atatsithe gave, giving his reasons. I then took a few days to reflect and actually watch a video of the funeral. Now my conclusion is: Mr. Atatsithe is a genius and has pulled off a brilliant coup which even the great American entertainer, P.T. Barnum would be proud of.

As P.T. Barnum said: There is nothing like bad publicity. Mr. Atatsithe explained that animals, like humans get sick and need a hospital but there is no veterinary hospital in the Volta Region. His motivation for the grand funeral was to raise funds for a veterinary hospital. If Mr. Atatsithe had dug a hole behind his house and buried the dog, no one would have heard of him. The grand spectacle of a funeral has made his story circulate all over the world, making it likely, with proper follow up, that the necessary funds will be raised and the hospital built. If I were advising him, I will tell him to create a website with photos of the dog and videos of the funeral with a go fund me or donation portal where people all over the world can go and make donations towards the veterinary hospital. He will then be the one having the last laugh.

On further reflection, I think it is insincere for us to mock this dogs funeral when we spend huge amounts of unnecessary and sometimes borrowed money to organize grand funerals  or is it parties?- for our departed ones. Even those in the family we do not care about when they are alive, are assured of a grand funeral when they die. This is not to equate a dog with a human being. We have even reached the point of absurdity where we hire pall bearers, at exorbitant fees to dance with our corpses! We forsake simple coffins for elaborate ones which we then dump into the ground. Maybe Mr. Atatsithe was trying to prove to us how absurd our human funerals are. Ewes have a song which goes: A human being is nothing, a pig which roams the garbage dump has more value than a human being. This song is sung at funerals to show that the human body has no value after death, whereas a dead pig, at least, becomes food. This is to encourage all to live their lives to the fullest and to seek to do their best in life.

Most people will consider a dog a mere animal that does not deserve to be mourned. However, for some, dogs are heroic creatures that have aided in bettering or saving lives. The story is told of adults going to the farm and leaving a dog home alone with a young child sleeping in a hut. When the hut caught fire, the dog dragged the child outside, saving its life. There are stories of dogs placing themselves between their masters and venomous snakes, getting bitten in the process, and dying in place of their masters. We all know of seeing-eye dogs that help the blind and St. Bernards in Switzerland rescuing people lost in the Alps. There are dogs that can sense epileptic feats several minutes before they occur, giving the person time to move to a safe place before the seizure. Without the dog, such a person may have a seizure in the street and be hit by a car, or in a body of water and drown, or in a fire. There are dogs that detect cancer cells and are used for diagnoses. There are also family dogs that have seen small children being attacked by vicious dogs and thrown themselves between the child and the dog, saving the childs life. In all these situations where a dog may have saved a persons life, who will say that a funeral for such a dog is out of place? Mr. Atatsithe explained how useful the dog was to him and his mother and has every right to mourn any way he sees fit  especially if the whole act was for a good cause.

John K. Akpalu, Esq., LL.M. (Harvard)
Party supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manhandled and prevented Multimedia Journalists from entering the partys Greater Accra Regional office Thursday.

This was after the journalists received tip-off that some police officers had stormed the premises ostensibly to restore law and order after the peace was breached.

The cause for the breach of peace was sketchy but the supporters said they did not want any intrusion.

According to Joy News Joseph Ackay-Blay when they arrived at the premises they saw the police vehicle leaving the scene which they captured on camera.

It was at that point that five gentlemen who were part of about 15 others on the compound approached us and one of them held the trousers of the camera guys and tried to take his camera away from him.

There were lots of back and forth and they wanted the footage recorded of the police deleted shouting you were not invited here, he said.

The cameraman said the exchanges got heated so they handed the camera over to a man who said he knew how to operate the camera to delete the said footage but ended up admitting he could not operate the camera.

It is unclear why the police stormed the largest opposition partys premises but inscription on the walls read This property is on the Nii Osu family land. Produce documents [with contact of two persons to send the documents or any concerns to] before September 30.

However, Joy FM checks with the family revealed that they only requested for documentation from those who have bought land from them and do not see any connection between that and the police visit to the premises.

The Greater Accra Chairman of the party told Joy News there is nothing happening at the party office arguing that it is the police's duty to protect lives and property so there was nothing wrong with police being there to protect the property.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline
Washington (AFP) - The US military has carried out more air strikes against the Islamic State group in Libya, killing several fighters, the US Africa Command said Thursday.

The strikes hit Tuesday about 160 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of the Mediterranean city of Sirte, AFRICOM said in a statement.

On Sunday, the Pentagon announced the first air strikes in Libya since President Donald Trump took power in January.

Prior to that, the last known US air strikes were carried out in early January under then-president Barack Obama, targeting two IS camps where militants were suspected of actively planning operations in Europe.

IS "and Al-Qaeda have taken advantage of ungoverned spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting, inspiring, and directing terror attacks; recruiting and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorist fighters; and raising and moving funds to support their operations," AFRICOM said Thursday.

Libya has been rocked by chaos since the 2011 fall and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed revolution.

Jihadists, arms dealers and human traffickers have gained a foothold in the North African country as multiple authorities and dozens of militias vie for power.
Kparatao (Togo) (AFP) - The cow belonging to the butcher in Kparatao, northern Togo, was tied to a tree and minding its own business when the soldiers pumped it full of bullets.

Within days, the stricken animal became a symbol of the popular protests against President Faure Gnassingbe which have seen mounting calls for him to step down.

A photo of the white, long-horned beast sprawled in a pool of blood was shared widely on social media and sparked fevered reactions online for more than a week.

Its fate was even featured on national television's main evening news programme.

But despite sparking a slew of online jokes, the killing is more than just a story and no laughing matter for the 6,000 or so inhabitants of Kparatao.

The village, some 340 kilometres (about 200 miles) due north of the capital, Lome, is where opposition leader Tikpi Atchadam grew up.

Military raids

On September 19, the day before the last big nationwide demonstrations, Togo's military and police turned up in force in Kparatao.

They surrounded the village with pick-up trucks as an elite unit -- the red berets -- spread out conducting raids, asking questions and looking for "weapons of war".

No stone was left unturned. They even checked under the bed of the traditional leader.

"We thought they'd come to kill us," village elder Agoro Wakilou said of the soldiers who stormed Kparatao in northern Togo

"Some of them wore balaclavas. They were very nervous," said one local elder, Agoro Wakilou. "We thought they'd come to kill us."

Two people have been killed since the first protest took place in the neighbouring city of Sokode in late August and the situation remains tense.

Police chief Abalo Yao claimed troops found "three Korean assault rifles", bows and arrows, charms and 18 million CFA francs ($32,365, 27,500 euros) in counterfeit notes.

Villagers dispute the claim.

The soldiers were about to leave when shots rang out, creating panic. The butcher's cow had been shot at point blank range.

"It was threatening the defence and security forces," said the police.

Inevitably, news of the incident caused amusement online.

"Even animals want Togo's 1992 constitution," wrote one user on Twitter, referring to the issue at the heart of the opposition protests.

Others paid tribute to what they said was "the latest victim of repression of Gnassingbe's dictatorial regime".

The news site Togomedias.com called the death a "political assassination".

The wall of the butcher's house near where the animal was killed is riddled with bullet holes.

The butcher's wife, who was inside the house at the time of the shooting, was grazed by a bullet and spent three days in hospital.

"After the raids, the intimidation, it was the final straw. The village chief went to see the prefect to get compensation for the butcher," said Wakilou.

Elders in Kparatao, where Atchadam thought was the best place to hide his family, now say they live in fear.

"They (the government) are threatening us because the opposition leader is from here," said one old man, dressed in a long white tunic, his eyes clouded by cataracts.

A symbolic killing?

Comi Toulabor, head of research at the Institute of Political Studies in Bordeaux, has another theory about why the cow had to die.

For the military, Atchadam's spirit may have been in it, he said, adding: "Animist beliefs are still very common in Togo."

Local people sit outside a thatched house after troops and police raided the opposition fiefdom a day prior to a big nationwide demonstration

He drew parallels between the shooting and a well-known story that has circulated in Lome since the time of Gnassingbe's father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema.

He was president from 1967 until his death in 2005.

"Every January 13 on the stroke of midnight since 1963, Eyadema used to assemble his officers at RIT camp in Lome and shot a cow to mark the assassination of Sylvanus Olympio, the first president of independent Togo," said Toulabor.

The general claimed to have personally fired the shot that killed Olympio.

Toulabor said the story may sound outlandish but several senior army officers had confirmed it to him.

With neighbouring Benin, Togo is one of the birthplaces of voodoo and the former president "was always surrounded by all sorts of charm-makers and holy men", he added.

"Faure is carrying on this ritual even today."

For Toulabor, the message was clear with pressure mounting for an end to Africa's longest-ruling political dynasty.

"The military wanted to symbolically kill Tikpi Atchadam," he said.
The Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu Ekuful has asked the Broadband Communications Chamber (BBCC) to initiate public discussion on how to revamp the countrys five-year-old broadband policy to give proper direction to the digital Ghana agenda.

The Minister gave the charge when the leadership of the BBCC, led by its Chairman Dr. Yaw Akoto and Chief Executive Gustav Tamakloe called on her to introduce the chamber formally.

Government is embarking on national digitization drive dubbed its digi-time in Ghana, but the main ICT industry policies  the 2012 National Broadband Policy and Implementation Strategy and the Telecoms Policy do not appear to be relevant to the times.

Industry players have pointed out that the broadband policy, for instance, does not capture Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) operations, Wireless Applications Services and other key emerging technologies, and it does not also address the issue of consolidations, which has started happening in the industry.

The broadband policy does not even mention 4G LTE and yet that technology is here and the world is already moving on the 5G.

The telecom operators have also pointed out that the key targets in the telecoms policy have long been met and so the policy has long become irrelevant. They mentioned the voice and data subscriber base targets for instance, which were met years before the deadline.

So it has become necessary for a complete overhaul of the policies, and possibly to consolidate them into one unified policy as government seeks to pursue one national ICT agenda.

The Minister therefore asked the BBCC to start regular industry forums that will generate the needed insights for the review of the national policy to serve as a relevant guide for the digital Ghana agenda.

She also pointed out her vision to spread broadband connectivity nationwide, particularly to the tourists destinations mainly located in deprived communities that lack broadband connectivity.

Part of the process has begun with the authorization of telcos to use their 900MHz 2G spectrum already in the unserved and underserved area, to deploy 3G technology and provide data services in those areas.

The Minister also assured the Chamber of her commitment to ensure the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) was applied to driver widespread broadband connectivity to ensure no one is left out of the national digitization process.

Indeed, at the just-ended International Telecoms Union (ITU) World Conference in Busan, South Korea, Deputy Minister of Communications, Nenyi George Kojo Andah made the point that even the pursuit of digital terrestrial television (DTT) calls for a review of the national ICT policies.

BBCC has therefore taken the challenge to lead the way through regular national broadband forums, beginning November this year to generate the needed guidance for the review and revamp of the national broadband and telecoms policies.

BBCC CEO Gustav Tamakloe noted, for instance, that the policy needs to state clearly how to measure and report on the countrys broadband status because that is good for investor decisions.

He noted that consolidation and alliance within the industry is the way to go and the players are willing to go that direction but the policies and the regulatory framework do not exist for that to happen smoothly.

That is one key area we will be looking at in our series of broadband forums, he said.

Tamakloe said the annual Broadband Forum series would primarily engage industry players including policy makers, regulators, operators, content providers, consultants and other stakeholders in frank discussions about what direction the countrys ICT development should be going.

We believe the focus should be on how to strengthen and mainstream local players because they are more likely to develop country-specific services and initiatives that will propel the country to achieve it development goals, he said.

Tamakloe said the Chamber would also be focusing on challenging the young content makers through app and ICT product/service development competition that would afford participants the opportunity to popularize their apps through the platforms of all BBCC member organizations.

Currently the members of BBCC are the three BWAs  Surfline, Blu and Broadband Home plus K-Net; and steps are underway to bring in Google, MainOne, Nokia, Huawei, all ISPs and even telcos and wireless applications service providers.
Musician and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Asare (A Plus), has said the Deputy Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, called him stupid for secretly recording her.

His comments follow claims of the CID boss that A-Plus mischievously doctored her voice in a recorded phone conversation between the two in connection with investigations by the police into allegations of graft against Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye.

He admitted speaking to ACP Addo-Danquah several times over and over during the investigations and admitted that the male voice on the tape is his, but added that he could not be sure if any part of the tape had been doctored.

It is my voice on the tape. I cant tell whether my voice was doctored. I was under a lot of pressure during the investigations so a lot of things are blank in my mind, he told Kwadwo Asare-Barfuor Acheampong (KABA) on the Ekossii Sen programme on Asempa FM on Thursday, September 28 adding that: You cant tell me I doctored your voice.

ACP Appiah-Danquah has said: After the report was released on Monday, 18th September 2017, A Plus called on me Tuesday, 19th September to disagree with our findings. After that he sent me a text message and threatened to put my voice in the public domain because the team had insulted him by saying the allegation was baseless.

I was, and remain fully in agreement with the conclusion reached by the investigative team which is that, the allegations of corruption levelled against the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff were completely baseless and without merit and also lacked credibility.

But when asked by KABA if he ever threatened ACP Addo-Danquah that he was going to leak the audiotape after the CID report said it found his allegations as baseless, A-Plus said: Shes a liar. I never threatened to leak any audio conversations I had with her. I will not accept it.

According to A-Plus, ACP Addo-Danquah rather called him up and described him as a stupid man for recording their conversations.

She called me to tell me that she knew I recorded every conversation we had. I didnt leak the audiotape. If she says Ive doctored her voice she should come and arrest me, A-Plus added.
Mogadishu (AFP) - Shabaab jihadists attacked a Somali army base early Friday in the southern town of Barire, killing at least eight soldiers and stealing equipment, officials and witnesses said.

The assault on the Somali National Army military camp in Barire, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the capital Mogadishu, began with two suicide attackers detonating their car bombs before gunmen overran the base.

"There was heavy fighting this morning," said Mohamed Haji Ali, a Somali military commander, confirming the attack to local media without providing details of casualties.

Residents said the attack left bodies of government soldiers scattered on the ground while Shabaab fighters looted the base stealing vehicles and weapons.

"There were dead bodies around the military camp and I counted about eight of them from the Somali military but it could be more than that," said Abdulahi Muktar.

Another resident described hearing two large blasts followed by heavy gunfire.

"This attack was very sophisticated with the militants raiding the base from three directions, there were two huge blasts presumably suicide bombs," said Mohamed Malim.

SNA forces had only established the military outpost at Barire recently after taking control of the town in August with the help of African Union troops.

The Shabaab claimed the raid in a statement, confirming the use of suicide bombers.

"The attack started with two suicide bombings," the militants said. "The Mujahedeen fighters forcefully took control of Barire, they destroyed the military base and confiscated about 11 vehicles, five of them mounted with machine guns.

The Al-Qaeda aligned group has been fighting to overthrow successive internationally-backed governments in Somalia for the last decade and carries out frequent attacks on military, government and civilian targets.
Lagos (AFP) - Most schools in the state worst-hit by the Boko Haram conflict remain shut, the UN said on Friday, blaming the jihadists for deliberating targeting education.

Unicef, the UN children's agency, said at least 57 percent of schools in Borno state were closed as the new academic year began this month, with teacher numbers as well as buildings badly hit by the violence.

More than 2,295 teachers have been killed and 19,000 displaced, while nearly 1,400 schools have been destroyed in eight years of fighting, it added in a statement.

Schools were shut because they were too badly damaged or were located in areas still deemed unsafe despite a sustained military fight-back against the Islamist militants since 2015.

Unicef warned the situation threatened to create "a lost generation of children, threatening their and the country's future" if nothing was done.

The agency's deputy executive director Justin Forsyth said on a visit to the northeast that the effect of the insurgency on education was "no accident".

"This was a deliberate strategy (by Boko Haram) to destroy opportunity for children to go to school," he told AFP in a telephone interview from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

Boko Haram's name roughly translates from the Hausa language spoken widely across northern Nigerian to "Western education is sin".

Its fighters have repeatedly targeted schools teaching a secular curriculum.

Children made homeless by fighting

In March last year, the Borno state government said 5,335 classrooms and school buildings in 512 primary, 38 secondary and two tertiary institutions had been damaged or destroyed.

Boko Haram's kidnapping of more than 200 girls from their school in the Borno town of Chibok in April 2014 brought global attention to the conflict.

Forsyth said some three million children needed emergency education support but there was a huge shortfall to fund Unicef's programmes in the region, he added.

Some 750,000 children have been enrolled in school this year in Borno and neighbouring Yobe and Adamawa, which have also been badly hit by the fighting.

For some, such as those in camps for those made homeless by the conflict, it is the first time they have received formal teaching.

Overall, at least 20,000 people have been killed in the fighting and more than 2.6 million made homeless.

Nigeria's military and government claim the Islamic State group affiliate is a spent force but attacks, including suicide bombings, remain a constant threat.
29.09.2017 LISTEN

Hohoe (V/R), Sept. 27, GNA - The African Development Bank (AfDB) has joined partners from the African Union Commission, African governments, key United Nations agencies and development finance institutions to renew support for the continent's industrialisation.

The partners also agreed to undertake and implement joint programmes for increased development impact, especially in the mobilization of adequate resources to enable the full implementation of the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III), according to a release.

The commitments were made at a high-level event, 'Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (2016-2025): From political commitment to actions on the ground', held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

It said in 2016, the AfDB developed, together with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), an ambitious Industrialise Africa strategy that aims at more than doubling the continent's industrial GDP.

'We believe it is about time for Africa's industrialisation. Let me restate that the 'Africa rising' story is still alive and well,' said Amadou Hott, AfDB's Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, in remarks he delivered on behalf of the Bank President.

The partners in this new deal include the African Development Bank, African governments, the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Under Secretary General, Special Advisor on Africa (OSAA), ECA, UNIDO, private sector organizations and development finance institutions.

On July 29, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming the period 2016-2025 as the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III). By the terms of the resolution, the General Assembly called on the AU Commission, NEPAD, ECA and specifically UNIDO 'to develop, operationalise and lead the implementation of the programme for the Third Decade, in accordance with its mandate and through voluntary contributions.'

The UN General Assembly then highlighted the need for the continent to take 'urgent action to advance sustainable industrialisation as a key element of furthering economic diversification and value addition, creating jobs and thus reducing poverty and contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.'

To ensure successful implementation of the proclamation, the AfDB and partners used the side event to work towards effective mobilization of adequate resources to enable full implementation of IDDA III.

Li Yong, Director General of UNIDO, said there is the need to translate the promises into concrete action in which responsibility is shared by all stakeholders.

'Africa's industrialization is of great importance to the international community. Successful implementation is key,' he said. 'It is in the world's best interest.'

Miroslav LajcAk, the President of the UN General Assembly, said the new deal offers a great opportunity to lead to improvement industrialization, leading ultimately to poverty reduction. 'Africa needs to industrialise more, and at a faster rate,' he said, stressing how industrialisation is critical to Africa's realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

'Renewed partnerships are important to drive Africa out of poverty,' he added.

Deputy United Nations Secretary General Amina Mohammed stressed the need to move from political declarations to implementation, especially in the individual countries.

Mohammed, who represented the UN Secretary General, said Africa and its partners need to find funding for the initiatives.

'Greater regional integration is critical to industrialization,' she said.

She also spoke on why education and skills acquisition should play a key role in industrialisation.

The Commissioner of Trade and Industry at the African Union Commission, Albert Muchanga, stressed the importance of industrialization and charged partners to ensure the benefits reach Africans at the lowest level.

He commended the AfDB for its planned African Investment Forum and pledged to work with the Bank to promote investment on the continent.

The partners commended the innovative approach by UNIDO through the Performance for Country Partnership (PCP) and support of strengthening private-sector engagement and pledged to devise the necessary governance mechanisms to guide the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the Roadmap for the implementation of the Decade.

This, they say, is necessary to ensure that development interventions produce the desired development impact.

The meeting reaffirmed the need for a partnership approach. To maximize resource efficiency and the footprint of the initiative, IDDA III is implemented with partners such as the African Development Bank though the Bank's Industrialise Africa Strategy, which was developed in collaboration with UNIDO and ECA.

Speaking on behalf of the private sector, the Executive Director and CEO of Sahara Group, Tonye Cole stressed why the partners and governments should move from talking to working. 'Without the implementation of the IDDA III, there is no way the world can meet the SDGs,' he said.

'It is time for us to take action.'

Cole called for the development of an effective digital infrastructure or digital highway for Africa.

The Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, JosA Graziano Da Silva, pledged FAO's commitment to the industrialisation of Africa, and pledged his organisation's support for the partnership.

GNA

By Maxwell Awumah, GNA
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - For allegedly slashing the right wrist of an unemployed before robbing her off a mobile phone, Solomon Sowah Anum has appeared before a Circuit Court, in Accra, which has remanded him into lawful custody.

Anum, a driver's mate, allegedly attacked the complainant, Janet Williams Addo, with a kitchen knife, while she was returning from church to her house.

He has, however, denied the charge of robbery before the Court, presided over by Ms. Eva Bannerman-Williams.

Anum is expected to reappear on 16 October 2017.

The facts, as narrated by Superintendent of Police, Mr Kweku Bempah, were that Ms. Addo, the complainant resided at Nungua; while Anum lived at Teshie, in Accra.

Supt. Bempah said on September 2, this year, at about 2000 hours, Ms. Addo was returning from church and on reaching a spot about 50 metres to her house, she realised that Anum was following her.

According to Prosecution, Anum suddenly attacked her with a kitchen knife and slashed right wrist, from which the complainant, who sustained deep cut on her wrist, began bleeding.

The Prosecution said Anum then robbed Ms. Addo of her Blackberry mobile phone valued at GH 850.00.

Ms Addo shouted for help and she was rescued by the people around.

While she was being rushed to a hospital, Anum escaped from the scene.

However, on September 17, this year, at about 2030 hours, Anum and another person were seen loitering at the crime scene, where he was apprehended.

Supt. Baah said when Anum was searched, two kitchen knives were found in his pocket so he was handed over to the Police.

At the Police Station, the Prosecution said Ms. Addo was invited and she identified Anum as the one who robbed her.

GNA

By Joyce Danso, GNA
The Headmistress of Prestea Senior High Technical School in the Prestea Huni-Valley District of the Western Region, Madam Kay Oppong Ankomah has appealed to the government of Ghana as a matter of urgency to construct some facilities at the school to meet the increased intake of the students population.

The Free SHS program was officially launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, to enrol over 400,000 first-year students for the 2017/2018 academic year.

The implementation of the free SHS policy has been characterized with some challenges such as inadequate dormitories, dining halls, classrooms and alleged unapproved fees been charged by some heads of the schools from parents since its started.

In view of these, Hon. Mozart Kwaku Owuh, DCE for Prestea Huni-Valley District and his team visited schools in the District on September 26, 2017, to assess some of the challenges the schools and students.

At the Prestea Senior High Technical School, the Headmistress, Madam Kay Oppong Ankomah revealed that, due to the population of the first year students, the school had converted two big classrooms into dormitories which have helped in accommodating a large number of students.

She appealed to the government to build structures for the school as even the school's dining hall is unable to accommodate all the students at a time, a situation that has forced the school to make students eat in batches.

On the part of the government, Hon Mozart Kwaku, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley commended the headmistress of Prestea Senior High Technical School, Madam Kay Ankomah for been able to manage situation regardless of challenges with the limited facilities at the school and enrolled 200 first-year students.

He also assured the school authorities that by the end of the year, the Assembly will embark on infrastructure projects to help accommodate students and to help promote government's agenda of ensuring quality education.

Source: Daniel Kaku /Ghana /Modernghana.com
If we are to remain a tolerant people practising a democratic system of government, it is vital that the media understands the importance of keeping the spotlight on the agent/principal concept as it applies to governance in Ghana.

The media must ensure that all those elected by a majority of voters in the last elections that took place on 7th December, 2016, who were given the mandate to govern Ghana for four years from 7th January, 2017, to midnight 6th January 2021, don't abuse the power given them by enriching themselves at the expense of the ordinary people of Ghana - in whom sovereignty resides we must never forget - and the nation to which they bear allegiance, the Republic of Ghana.

Above all, the media ought to encourage the leaderships of the security agencies to work hard to root out corrupt elements in their midst - for there is nothing more dangerous to democratic societies than security agency personnel who are unethical in their work and in their every day dealings with ordinary people.

President Akufo-Addo has reiterated time and again that professionalism ought to be the hallmark of the men and women who serve in our country's security agencies.

Their loyalty is to the Constitution and the sovereign people of Ghana not the person of whoever happens to be Ghana's president at any given point in time in our history.

As a peole we have definitely gone past the kind of nauseating sychophancy that leads to the unlawful arrest of uncouth and ill-mannered individuals who are so foolish as to insult their elders publicly. Arresting that Appiah Stadium character was needless embarrassment for a president who has been dedicated to fighting for the right to freedom of expression for Ghanaians virtually all his adult life.

President Akufo-Addo has also made it absolutely clear that he wants the security agencies to enforce all the laws of our country in relentless and rigorous fashion - without fear or favour: and regardless of the positions held by those against whom such allegations of high-level corruption are made.

In light of that the more responsible sections of the media must endeavour to take note of and learn useful lessons from the claims and counterclaims of not being totally transparent in the matter of investigations into allegations of corruption made against two deputy chiefs of staff at the presidency involving a senior police officer (a Deputy Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service no less) and a popular and controversial musician who is also a staunch supporter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Appointees of the president were appointed to serve their country and work for the benefit of the people of Ghana. None of them is supposed to be in office to further their personal wealth-creation agendas at Ghanaian society's expense. That is why it is a crime against Ghanaians for investigators to shield such individuals who might or might not be sheep-in-wolves-clothing rogues when allegations are levelled against them.

Did the president not make the point several times during the 2016 election campaign that those NPP members who wanted to amass wealth had to look to the private sector to do so legitimately - as he was not prepared to tolerate corruption amongst his appointees? Ebeeii.

The Ghanaian media's responsibility is to ensure that only those with a moral compass whose work is underpinned by an ethical ethos - as regards the agent/principal relationship they have with the citizens of Ghana that underpins the public service they are supposed to render to all strata of Ghanaian society - continue to remain in office at all material times.

That is why all responsible journalists in Ghana have a moral obligation to always ensure that those investigating suspected wrongdoers in high positions in society are not themselves amoral and corrupt individuals.

With respect, we did not elect our leaders to come to power to rip our nation off - and aid and abet those engaging in sundry white-collar crimes (mostly to do with egregious profiteering in public procurement contracts) that deplete the nation's treasury.

DThe time has now come for the more responsible sections of the Ghanaian media to ensure that all corrupt and dishonest individuals are rooted out from the security ag encies - and from the government too. Some of us are coming out of retirement to contribute our quota to this particular media anti-corruption campaign. Enough is enough.

Haaba.z
Rome (AFP) - Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar asked Europe for helicopters and drones to fight rampant migration on the southern border of the war-wracked country.

The request came after the commander, who backs a Tobruk-based administration that controls much of the east and south of Libya, travelled to Rome and Paris to bolster his stature as a key player in international efforts to stabilise the country.

"When it comes to controlling the southern border, my forces can supply the personnel but you Europeans must send help: drones, helicopters, night vision and vehicles," Haftar said in an interview published Friday in Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Former colonial power Italy has been the strongest backer among Western allies for the UN-recognised Government of National Unity, which is based in Tripoli and sees Haftar as an arch foe.

The unity government has struggled to establish its authority beyond the capital in a country scarred by conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of late dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Amid the chaos, Libya has become a launchpad for hundreds of thousands of migrants trying to reach Europe and a base for militants aligned with the Islamic State group.

"I have presented a plan based on the principle that Libya is not the arrival point but only a corridor for migrants who want to get to Europe," Haftar said in the interview.

Of the United Nations arms embargo imposed on Libya since 2011, Haftar said "all European countries interested in stopping migration should revoke it".

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar has moved to bolster his stature as a key player in international efforts to stabilise the country

He also said that Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti had "already accepted a training programme for our soldiers in Italy".

But Pinotti told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that Italy did not take sides in the dispute between the rival governments.

"We want a united and peaceful Libya and we are ready to work with all those who intend to intend to work peacefully for the unity of the country", she said.
Cement manufacturing companies have expressed dissatisfaction with the valuation cost of clinker by the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana, George Dawson-Ahmoah, said several petitions have been forwarded since March 2017 with all relevant documentation and evidence to show that the current custom's valuation of $44.00 per ton was far above the current international pricing of about $34 per ton.

He said the huge difference has had adverse effect on the production of cement, as clinker constitutes about 80 percent of the raw material used in the production of cement.

He expressed appreciation with efforts by the acting commissioner of customs to deal with the matter, but bemoaned the undue delay that has characterized the work of the committee investigating the petition.

This attitude is very injurious to the local industry, he said.

The Association has therefore given ultimatum to customs to come out with a firm decision to review the valuation cost of clinker to save the local cement industry from collapse.

Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah appealed to the Ag Commissioner to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the matter, stressing that the unfavorable economic environment has made business in Ghana difficult, as the cement industry and other local established industries are already struggling with the high cost of production, energy and various taxes.

Touching on the importation of bagged cement into the country, he said various unfair trade practices have characterized the trade and pray that the Ghana international Trade Commission comes into force to check the injurious trade practices.
29.09.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Sept. 29, CDA Consult - The African Court on Human and Peoples Rights has unanimously, ruled that the United Republic of Tanzania has violated Articles 1 and 7(1) (a), (c) and (d) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The African Court also held that the United Republic of Tanzania has violated Article 14(3) (d) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The African Court therefore directed the Government of Tanzania to take all necessary measures within a reasonable time to remedy the violations found, specifically precluding the reopening of the defence case and the retrial of the Applicant, and to inform the Court, within six months, from the date of this judgment - September 28 of the measures taken.

African Court in a Judgment document made available to the CDA Consult in Accra in reference to application no. 001/2017 for interpretation of judgment of 20 November 2015 Alex Thomas verses the United Republic of Tanzania.

The African Court composed of: Sylvain ORE, President, Ben KIOKO, Vice-President; Gerard NIYUNGEKO, El Hadji GUISSE, Rafaa BEN ACHOUR, Solomy B. BOSSA, Ntyam S. O. MENGUE, Marie-Therese MUKAMULISA, Tujilane R. CHIZUMILA and Chafika BENSAOULA, Judges; and Dr Robert ENO, Registrar.

After deliberation, the African Court renders the following Judgment: that the Tanzania filed, pursuant to Article 28(4) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples Rights (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) and Rule 66(1) of the Rules an Application dated 24 January 2017 and received at the Registry of the Court on 30 January 2017, for interpretation of the Judgment rendered on 20 November 2015 in the above - mentioned matter. The United Republic of Tanzania also filed, pursuant to Practice Direction No. 38 of the Practice Directions of the Court, an application for extension of time to file the Application for interpretation of the Judgment.

2. By a notice dated 3 February 2017, the Registry transmitted a copy of the Application for extension of time to file the Application for Interpretation of Judgment to Mr. Alex Thomas, who was invited to file observations within fifteen (15) days of receipt. He filed the observations on 17 February 2017 and these were transmitted to the United Republic of Tanzania, for information, by a letter dated 21 February 2017. In the said observations, Mr. Thomas opposed the granting of the extension of time to file the application, maintaining that, the time limit for doing so had expired by 10 months and that there are measures that the United Republic of Tanzania can take to implement the judgment.

3. On 14 March 2017, during the Courts 44th Ordinary Session held from 6 to 24 March 2017, the Court decided to grant, in the interest of justice, the United Republic of Tanzanias request to file the Application for Interpretation of Judgment out of time.

4. The Application for interpretation of Judgment was served on Mr. Thomas by a notice dated 14 March 2017. By the same notice, and pursuant to the provisions of Rule 66(3) of the Rules, Mr. Thomas was invited to submit written observations within 30 days from receipt thereof, which he filed on 18 April 2017.

5. At its 45th Ordinary Session held from 8 to 26 May 2017, the Court, pursuant to Rule 59(1) of the Rules decided to close the proceedings in the matter. In accordance with Rule 66(3) of the Rules, the Court decided not to hold a public hearing in the matter.

II. THE REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION

6. As indicated above, the instant Application concerns the Judgment rendered by the Court on 20 November 2015 (the Matter of Alex Thomas v. Tanzania (Application 005/2013), the relevant paragraphs of which are worded as follows in the operative provisions:

7. Referring to Rule 66 (1) of the Rules, Tanzania, avers that it is encountering difficulties in the implementation of the judgment due to varied interpretations by the actors involved in the administration of criminal justice at the national level, who are required to implement the judgment.

8. Consequently, Tanzania prays the Court to clarify the meaning of the expression all necessary measures used in point ix of the operative provisions of the Judgment. More specifically, Tanzania requests clarification on the measures it is required to implement and what the benchmarks for all and for necessary are, to enable it take tangible and definitive action.

9. Tanzania asserts that the violations found have not been highlighted in the operative provisions of the Judgment therefore they are seeking guidance on whether they relate to what is stated in the text of the judgment or whether the violation to be remedied should be on the aspect of specifically precluding the reopening of the defence case and the retrial of the Applicant. Tanzania also seeks to understand how to remedy the violation.

10. Tanzania is seeking an interpretation of the word precluding, stating that it had initially interpreted the word precluding to mean excluding but that discussions with stakeholders have brought to light another interpretation to mean to perform or to include. In this regard, Tanzania wishes to have clarification on whether the order of the Court is to re-open the trial and if so, the Court should clarify at what stage the trial should be reopened, whether from the beginning or for the defences case only.

III. OBSERVATIONS OF MR. ALEX THOMAS

11. Mr. Thomas notes that the Application for interpretation of Judgment has been filed out of time without any explanation and also that it has failed to meet the provisions of Rule 66 of the Rules. He maintains that Tanzania has continuously failed to implement the Courts Orders by not reporting on the measures taken to remedy his situation within six (6) months of the Judgment and by failing to respond to his submissions on reparations.

12. Mr. Thomas emphasises that the Application for interpretation of Judgment should have preceded the filing of the report on implementation of the Judgment, which he notes has been filed almost eight (8) months out of time. He urges the Court, when considering the admissibility of the Application, to take into consideration the prejudice occasioned to him by Tanzanias failure to adhere to the Courts Orders and the filing of the Application for interpretation.

13. Mr. Thomas states that Tanzania has misinterpreted the meaning of the word precluding to mean that the Court ordered a re-opening of the defence case and a retrial at the same time.

14. He also contends that there are various options, either taken alone or in combination, which the United Republic of Tanzania can effect in compliance with the Courts Order to take all appropriate measures within a reasonable time frame, to remedy all the violations established; that Tanzanias legislation provides for many possible remedies for wrongfully convicted persons such as himself; that these remedies include, but are not limited to, the following:

a) Remission of sentence, provided for under the Penal Code Chapter 16, which at Section 27 (2) provides for the remission of a prison sentence in respect of which Tanzania could have filed an application at the Court of Appeal for the remission of the Applicants thirty (30) years prison sentence.

b) Outright or conditional discharge provided for under Section 38 of the Penal Code which confers powers on the Court which convicted an offender to order his absolute or conditional discharge, provided that the offender does not commit another offence during the period of conditional discharge, and such period must not exceed 12 months.

In this regard, since the Applicant has served twenty (20) years of his thirty (30) years sentence and considering the favourable Judgment of this Court and his conduct during his imprisonment, Tanzania could have taken this measure.

c) Presidential pardon, provided for under Section 45 of the Constitution Tanzania, pursuant to which the President of Tanzania may grant pardon, with or without condition, to any person convicted of an offence by a court.

15. Mr. Thomas submits that the delay in implementing the Courts Orders and in submitting the relevant report on compliance thereof has aggravated and unduly prolonged the violation of his rights and in light of this, the Court should set him free to ensure there are no further infringements of his rights.

16. Mr. Thomas prays for:

1. A Declaration that the Respondent is in default of this Honourable Courts

Orders by failing to file a Report within six months of delivery of

Judgment.

2. A Declaration that the Respondent is in further default of Orders by failing to file a Response to the Applicants Submissions on Reparations on time or at all.

3. A Declaration that the instant Application is, in any case, frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of this Honourable Court.

4. An Order to set the Applicant free pending the Judgment on reparations."

IV. JURISDICTION OF THE COURT

17. The instant Application for interpretation concerns the Judgment rendered by the Court on 20 November 2015.

18. In terms of Article 28 (4) of the Protocol  the Court may interpret its own decision.

19. The Court consequently finds that it has jurisdiction to interpret the said Judgment.

V. ADMISSIBILITY OF THE APPLICATION

20. Rule 66(1) and ( 2)of the Rules provide as follows:

1. Pursuant to Article 28 (4) of the Protocol, any party may, for the purpose of executing a judgment, apply to the Court for interpretation of the judgment within twelve months from the date the judgment was delivered unless the Court, in the interest of justice, decides otherwise.

2. The application shall be filed in the Registry. It shall state clearly the point or points in the operative provisions of the judgment on which interpretation is required.

21. It is clear from these provisions that an Application for interpretation of a Judgment can be declared admissible only when it fulfills three conditions:

a) its objective must be to facilitate the execution of the Judgment;

b) it must be filed within twelve (12) months following the date of the delivery of the Judgment unless the Court, in the interest of justice decides otherwise; and

c) it must clearly state the point or points of the operative provision of the Judgment on which interpretation is required.

22. As regards the purpose of the instant Application, the Court wishes to clarify an aspect of the operative part of the judgment in order to facilitate the execution of the Judgment rendered by the Court on 20 November 2015.

23. The Court notes that the instant Application actually aims to clarify a point in the operative provisions of the Judgment rendered by the Court on 20 November 2015 and thus facilitate its execution.

24. Consequently, it finds that the Application fulfills the first condition provided under Rule 66(1) of the Rules.

25. With regard to the time limit within which such an Application should be filed, the Court notes that the Judgment in respect of which interpretation is requested was rendered on 20 November 2015 and that Tanzania filed its Application for interpretation on 30 January 2017, just over two (2) months after the twelve (12) month period provided under Rule 66(1) of the Rules.

However, Rule 66(1) allows the Court to accept such applications even after the twelve (12) month period specified, if this is in the interest of justice. The Court considered the circumstances of the matter and decided to allow the application on this basis.

26. Lastly, the Court notes that Tanzania clearly stated the points in the operative provisions of the Judgment on which interpretation is required, namely, the terms and expressions used in point (ix) of the operative provisions of the Judgment.

27. In view of the aforesaid, the Court finds that the instant Application for interpretation fulfills all the conditions of admissibility.

VI. INTERPRETATION OF THE JUDGMENT

28. In its judgment of 20 November 2015, the Court ordered the United Republic of Tanzania to take all necessary measures to remedy the violations found.

29. On the first question, Tanzania prays the Court to interpret the expression all necessary measures used in point ix of the operative provisions of the Judgment.

30. The Court notes that in examining an Application for interpretation, it does not complete or modify the decision it rendered-t being a final decision with the effect of res judicata  but clarifies the meaning and scope thereof.

31. Court wishes to recall the principle generally applied by international jurisdictions that reparation should, as far as possible, erase the consequences of an unlawful act and restore the state which would have presumably existed if the act had not been committed.

32. In this regard, Article 27(1) of the Protocol provides that: if the Court finds that there has been violation of a human or peoples rights, it shall make appropriate orders to remedy the violation, including the payment of fair compensation for reparation.

33. As has been stated above the most appropriate form of remedy for violation of the right to a fair trial is to act in such a way that the victim finds himself or herself in the situation that he or she would have been had the violation found not been committed.

To attain this objective, Tanzania has two alternatives: it should either reopen the case in compliance with the rules of a fair trial or take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Applicant finds himself in the situation preceding the violations.

34. As regards the first option, the Court is of the view that reopening the case would not be a just measure, in as much as the Applicant has already spent twenty one (21) years in prison, more than half of the prison sentence, and given that a fresh judicial procedure could be long. Accordingly, the Court has excluded such a measure.

35. Concerning second option, the Court intended to offer Tanzania State room for evaluation to enable it to identify and activate all the measures that would enable it eliminate the effects of the violations established by the Court.

36. The Court specifies at this juncture that in its Judgment of 20 November 2015, it did not state that the Applicants request was unfounded. It merely indicated that it could order such a measure directly, only in specific and compelling circumstances which have not been established in the instant case.

37. The second question for which Tanzania is seeking clarification is, on whether the violations found are what is stated in the text of the judgment or whether the violation to be remedied should be on the aspect of specifically precluding the reopening of the defence case and the retrial of the Applicant. Tanzania also seeks to understand how to remedy the violation.

38. The Court notes that point vii of the operative provisions of the Judgment specified the provisions that Tanzania was found to have violated, that is, Articles 1 and 7(1) (a), (c) and (d) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and Article 14(3) (d) of the ICCPR and consequently it should take all necessary measures to remedy these violations.

39. The Court clarifies that the expression all necessary measures includes the release of the Applicant and any other measure that would help erase the consequences of the violations established and restore the pre-existing situation and re-establish the rights of the Applicant.

40. The Court further clarifies that the expression remedy all violations found should therefore mean to erase the effects of the violations established through adoption of the measures indicated in the preceding paragraph.

41. The third question for which Tanzania is seeking an interpretation is on the word precluding.

42. The word precluding means preventing, banning or forbidding. It is therefore clear that the Court is prohibiting certain action, specifically that Tanzania should not retry the Applicant or re-open the defence case. As mentioned before, this is because doing so would result in prejudice to the Applicant who has already served twenty one (21) years of his thirty (30) years prison sentence.

VII. COSTS

43. In terms of Rule 30 of the Rules, unless otherwise decided by the Court, each party shall bear its own costs.

44. Taking into account the circumstances of this matter the Court decides that each party should bear its own costs.

45. For these reasons,

The Court, Unanimously:

(i) Declares that it has jurisdiction to hear the instant Application;

(ii) Declares that the Application is admissible;

(iii) Rules that by the expression all necessary measures, the Court was referring to the release of the Applicant or any other measure that would help erase the consequences of the violations established, restore the pre-existing situation and re-establish the rights of the Applicant;

(iv) Rules that the expression remedy the violations found means erase the effects of the violations found through the adoption of the measures indicated in point iii above;

(v) Rules that the term precluding means, rule out or prohibit, which, when read together with the expression reopening of the defence case and the retrial of the Applicant means that the reopening of the defence case and the retrial of the Applicant is ruled out;

(vi) Rules that each Party shall bear its own costs.

Signed:

Sylvain ORE, President

Ben KIOKO, Vice-President

Gerard NIYUNGEKO, Judge

El Hadji GUISSE, Judge

Rafaa BEN ACHOUR, Judge

Solomy B. BOSSA, Judge

Ntyam S. O. MENGUE, Judge

Marie-Therese MUKAMULISA, Judge

Tujilane R. CHIZUMILA, Judge

Chafika BENSAOULA, Judge

Robert ENO, Registrar

Done at Arusha: 28 September 2017.
Potchefstroom (South Africa) (AFP) - Dean Elgar was dismissed for 199 to provide a rare moment of respite for Bangladesh as South Africa continued to pile on the runs on the second day of the first Test at Senwes Park on Friday.

South Africa made 496 for three before declaring during the tea break.

Opening batsman Elgar and Hashim Amla (137) put on 215 for the second wicket as South Africa again gave Bangladesh cause to regret their decision to send the hosts in to bat.

Amla became the first batsman to fall to a bowler when he slashed a wide ball from Mustafizur Rahman to backward point in the first over after lunch.

The left-handed Elgar, who had gone past his previous highest Test score of 140, looked set for a double century until an attempted pull shot against Shafiul Islam looped off a top edge to short midwicket.

He had batted for more than nine hours and faced 388 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes.

Amla went to his 27th Test century in fluent style. He joined former captain Graeme Smith as the country's second-highest century-maker, behind only Jacques Kallis, who made 45. Amla scored his runs off 200 balls with 17 fours and a six.

Temba Bavuma (31 not out) and Faf du Plessis (26 not out) added an unbeaten 51 for the fourth wicket but were made to work for their runs as Bangladesh set defensive fields, with their seam bowlers often bowling wide of the stumps.
29.09.2017 LISTEN

Yamfo (B/A), Sept. 27, GNA - Beneficiaries of the government's free Senior High School (SHS) programme have been urged to learn hard to justify the investment the nation is making in them.

Mrs Freda Prempeh, a Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, who gave the advice, explained that repeated students would not enjoy the programme.

She was addressing the staff and students of the Yamfo Anglican SHS, Serwaa Kesse SHS and Boakye Tromo SH/ Technical School at Duayaw-Nkwanta and Bomaa SHS during a separate visit to the schools on Monday.

Mrs Prempeh, who is the Member of Parliament for Tano North, said it would not only be a disgrace on the beneficiary students, if they failed their examinations but it would take a toll on government as well.

She said though government has put in place interventions for the sustainability of the programme, the students also had roles to play by concentrating on their books to achieve high academic laurels.

Mrs Prempeh reminded the students that the government had already paid for their tuition, feeding and all other expenses under the programme and what was left was for them to study their books.

She said government has several incentives for teachers under the programme and asked them to redouble their efforts to improve on the academic performance of the students.

At Bomaa SHS, Mr Dorsa Kawaanuoo, the Assistant Headmaster of the School, expressed concern about the institution's inadequate physical infrastructural facilities and appealed for support.

He said the free SHS programme has helped to increase enrollment at the school adding that the school admitted only 30 students in the last academic year.

Mr Kawaanuoo said with the implementation of the free SHS, the school had admitted about 500 fresh students.

He said sanitary facilities for boys and girls as well as classroom blocks and dormitories must be improved and expanded.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the free SHS programme have expressed their appreciation to the government for the programme.

They told the Ghana News Agency in a random interview that the programme had brought a great relief to their parents and they pledged to study hard.

GNA

By Dennis Peprah, GNA
29.09.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - The Ghana Chamber of Shipping says it welcomes with satisfaction the judgement delivered by the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea in the maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.

A statement signed by Ben Owusu Mensah Chairman of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping and copied to the GNA commended the patriotic zeal that characterized the efforts of the previous and current administrations in pursuing the matter to its conclusion despite the inherent risks.

The Chamber noted that the decision of the Special Chamber of the International tribunal of the law of the sea was unanimous and emphatic.

The Chamber further noted that in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), there is no appeal to the decision delivered by the Special Chamber.

'It is the hope of The Chamber that in view of the clarity that attended to the jurisprudential issues so adeptly dealt with by the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea, no occasion would arise to necessitate a call for clarity by either party even though such a vent is provided by UNCLOS,' it said.

Without doubt, the decision of the tribunal went in favour of Ghana, the statement said.

CAte d'Ivoire however was not left bereft of its claims and certainly made gains in respect of the decision, thus leading to the attainment of the end of maritime boundary delimitation - an equitable result.

The Chamber called upon government to manage any post judgement sensitivities so as to keep intact the bonds of fraternity and cooperation that have for a very long time been a cherished and preserved hallmark in the relationship between the two countries.

The Chamber commended the Legal and technical team composed by Ghana, both foreign and local, for the demonstration of commitment and the exhibition of dexterity in the handling of the case.

In view of the time already lost, The Chamber entreated Tullow Oil and its partners to work expeditiously and assiduously towards meeting its targets.

'It is the hope of The Chamber that this landmark decision would not cement further the strong bonds of friendship and partnership between the two countries but also be a fillip towards the social and economic

development of the two countries for the benefit of their teeming populations,' the statement added.

GNA
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Stanbic Bank Ghana in collaboration with Markit, one of the world's leading financial information services providers, have launched a monthly survey of business conditions in the Ghanaian private sector.

Dubbed the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), the survey will provide an early and accurate indication of business trends in the country.

They provide an advance signal of what is really happening in the private sector economy, by tracking variables such as output, new orders, employment and prices across key sectors.

The Ghana PMI structure included data from agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transparent, information and communication, consumer services, finance and insurance, real estate and business services.

Data, in which companies answer standard sector-specific questionnaire on a monthly basis, are collected either by an in-house panel manager at Markit or by a country local agency.

Speaking at the launch of the PMI in Ghana, Mr Alhassan Andani, Chief Executive Stanbic Bank Ghana, said the index was premised on providing the earliest, most accurate and most comprehensive economic indicators that would allow policy- makers and businesses to make well- informed decisions.

Besides, the indicators would provide a solid basis for investment strategies and asset allocation.

'Ghanaian companies stand to benefit tremendously from the survey because the information complied is current and has been gathered first hand by a team of experts working in partnership with 400 of the country's leading companies,' he added.

He said the PMI provided an indication of actual happenings in the private sector and it is one of the most consistent and recognised economic indicators in the world.

'The changing habits of consumers across sectors make it necessary for periodic assessments of the market environment. To this end, it is important for purchasing managers to accurately plan and critically define their purchasing focus to meet these changing habits,' Mr. Andani said.

'The PMI, which is a comprehensive source of data, provides indicators for government, central banks, financial institutions, investors and corporate in making critical purchasing and economic decisions,' he said.

Mr Richard Willis, the Director, Economics Indices, Markit, said the PMI was widely accepted globally by leading economies because it was accurate, timely and had a wide sector coverage, which included agriculture, manufacturing, services, construction, and retail services.

'The PMI surveys are based on facts, not opinion, and are the first indicators of economic conditions to be published each month. Moreover, the same methodology is applied across all PMI surveys to facilitate international comparisons in the over 30 economies which the PMI covers, including the United States, the Eurozone, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany,' Mr Willis said.

Presenting the inaugural PMI report for August 2017, Ayomide Mejabi, West Africa Regional Research Lead Standard Bank, said purchasing output in Ghana recorded its highest increase in August.

He said that after experiencing slow growth in 2015 caused by erratic power supply, the economy showed good prospects and improvement in 2016 according to the report.

The improvement in 2016 was sharply accompanied with a rise in purchasing orders across sectors, resulting in an increase in purchasing activity, supporting record inventory accumulation in August 2017.

'This record is reflected in the overall performance of the Ghanaian economy as the economy advanced 6.6 per cent year-on-year in the first three months of 2017, following a 4.1 percent expansion in the previous period,' he said.

This is the highest growth rate since the third quarter of 2014 as manufacturing recovered, oil and gas output jumped and agriculture rose the most in nearly three years, he added.

Mr. Asuo Afram, the Director of Economics Statistics at the Ghana Statistical Service, commended Stanbic Bank for the contribution to the development of economic indicators, saying it would help complement the efforts of the Service.

The HIS Markit PMI is supported by the Standard Bank Group, which is the parent company of Stanbic Bank, with presence in 20 African countries.

Stanbic Bank will release the PMI on a monthly basis.

GNA
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA- The government of Ghana, in its efforts to implement the one district, one factory policy has established a District Center for Agriculture, Commerce and Technology (DCACT).

The DCACT, which would be implemented in all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies across the country, is expected to identify and develop at least two major food crops, cash crops, or livestock into exportable commodity.

At a sensitisation programme to enlighten Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Greater Accra Region, Mr Robert Ahomka Lindsey, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry urged the MMDCEs to collaborate with the government to implement the policy.

He said the Assemblies were the main implementers of the policy because they would have provided land for agriculture purpose and industrial parks to facilitate the manufacturing of produce.

He urged the MMDCEs to ensure that the economic plans were in line with job creation, saying "in each district, identify 200acres of land that can be used for industrial parks'.

Mr Lindsey said the vast majority of companies were looking for land for manufacturing purposes.

The Deputy Sector Minister said "any plans we put together will not work if we do not involve the MMDCEs"

Speaking at the programme, Madam Gifty Ohene-Konadu, the National Coordinator for the One District One Factory Policy, noted that three things were considered before investors were allowed to invest in an area as part of the policy.

She said the source of raw material, community acceptance of the factory and the market availability of the final product, were critical considerations for the establishment of a factory in a district.

She indicated that the sensitisation programme had been held for all MMDCEs across the country and that the Greater Accra Region's was the completion of the sensitisation programme.

On his part, Mr Collins Ntim, the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, said the government has a plan to develop six other crops to the level akin to that of Cocoa.

Mr Ntim, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Offinso North Constituency said the six crops government intended to develop were cashew, shea, mango, citrus, coconut, rubber, and oil palm.

He noted that DCACT also had the objective of attracting investment in agro processing at the Districts to add value to agricultural produce for domestic industrialisation.

He added that the center would establish and maintain electronic database on all commercial entrepreneurial and agriculture initiatives.

GNA

By Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Mr Roland Ato Quainoo, the Chief Executive Officer, Run on Time Engineering, Ghana, has called for a national policy on industrial attachment as most students are losing out on the needed skills.

He said this was important as these skills, knowledge and analysis would help inform student's competency base.

To this end, he has called for a strong cohesion between academia and industry players towards building the skills gap among the youth.

Mr Quainoo was speaking at the maiden skills gap summit organized by Dreamoval Foundation on the theme: "Bridging the Skills Gap, Creating Enabling Synergies between Industry and Academia".

He called on stakeholders to reform the education curriculum so as to meet the needs of industries.

"Doing so there is also the need for industry players to be an integral part of the governing and academic board for students to be exposed to the practicalities of the theories they learn throughout their stay in school and campuses," he stated.

Mr Francis Ahene-Affoh, the Vice President, Dreamoval Foundation, said skills gap was a major global challenge for emerging economies and the summit was aimed at creating the platform where industry players and government officials can have a place to discuss pressing issues associated with the prevalent skills gap.

This according to him would encourage vain talk but create an avenue for commitment and points of collaboration for a successful implementation and growth of the economy.

Mr Ahene-Affoh said to ensure a future with a robust and continuous growth in the economy; a critical look must be given to the teething issue of skills gap in the country.

Ms Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, the Country Director and General Manager IBM, also noted that for Ghana to address the skills challenge there was the need for people to start thinking and acting differently at tender ages, have a mind shift and believe that Africans can do it.

"The time has come for Africans to stand up and address the challenges because nobody knows and understands our situation better than we do," she added.

Dr Fred Asamoah Kyei, the Executive Director, Council of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) called for a sense of patriotism by owing the problem and see how best they could contribute to it.

Mr Patrick Awuah, the President and Founder of Ashesi University, explained that to bridge the skills gap there must be room for discipline, building rapport with industries, continuous assessment and accreditation systems to ensure the transformation of the country.

Mr Olu Familusi, the Executive Director of SAP, called for the understanding of academia and businesses to ensure that challenges associated with skills development were tackled.

Stakeholders were engaged in discussions on the need to identify the skills gaps and how to bridge it for total transformation.

GNA

By Samira Larbie/Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - A training programme that seeks to empower young women through the use of technology such as App development for Android, website and Web development has been launched in Accra.

Dubbed: "Young Women in Programming"(YWIP), the training programme scheduled to last for two months with beneficiaries undergoing two different classes twice every week is slated to start on October 9 and expected to end in first week of December.

Speaking at the launch on Monday, Ms Roxanne Mawunyo Akorley, the Chief Executive Officer of YWIP, the organisers of the training, explained that, the primary reason for such a move was to bridge the technology gap in the country.

She said: "Women are seen as late adopters when it comes to technology whilst software development has been seen as a male dominated world.

"YWIP therefore seeks to train female tertiary students in this area to be abreast with technological skills and knowledge".

She noted that the first training would be a class for students who would choose to develop android phones with the latter going to be for students who would choose to create website.

Ms Akorley, who is a 21 year old level 200 Bachelor of Science Administration student at the University of Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that YWIP would empower young ladies in order for them to be abreast with technology.

On the choice of school, Ms Akorley said the team chose the University of Professional Studies campus for the start of the programme because it was her dream school.

"UPSA was my dream school but since I couldn't be here to pursue my dreams, am giving back to society by starting this free of charge training here for my colleague female students who are on the land of UPSA to benefit," she said.

She urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity given them and excel in the technology world as the world is now only a click away.

Ms Akorley therefore called for sponsorship to make the programme a success especially in the area of building the interest of women in Information Technology (IT).

Addressing students on the topic: "How to Empower Young Women to Innovate using Technology", Madam Victoria Lakshmi Hamah, the Executive Director of Progressive Organisation for Women Advancement, urged them to be innovative and find innovative solutions to their problems around them adding that "With your smartphone you can make a choice".

Madam Kajsa Hallberg Adu, a Lecturer at Ashesi University, said the misconception of women being tagged as late adopters to technology was not acceptable but it could be explained that women had no access to technology and the space.

And to break the misconception, she advised students to take the responsibility of creating things and not just consumer.

Madam Farida Nana Efua Bedwei, the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Logicel Ghana Limited, urged the youth especially ladies to claim the IT world by venturing into the sector and looking for problems to be solved with IT.

YWIP has the mission of facilitating, encouraging and enabling a significant increase in the participation of young women in higher education in computer programming.

GNA

By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
29.09.2017 LISTEN

Bolgatanga Sept. 27, GNA - Though the Birth Registration Certificate is a major tool for reducing poverty, fighting defilement and child marriage, many parents in Ghana particularly in the rural settings do not make it a priority for their newborn babies.

According to the UNICEF and the Birth and Death Registry, more than four in 10 children in Ghana are not registered at birth. And even when children are registered, many still do not have birth certificates accounting for about 15 per cent of registered children below the age of five. Birth registration rates in Ghana have stagnated over the past years, consistently leaving out about 35 per cent of all new-born babies.

For instance, a research conducted by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in 2014 indicates that only 58.3 per cent children in the Upper East Region (UER) have their births registered.

Also a baseline survey conducted by the Rural Initiatives for Self -Empowerment-Ghana (RISE-Ghana), a local non-governmental organization (NGO) in the year 2015 in the UER, revealed that many parents are not paying attention to the birth registration making it difficult prosecute defilement and child marriage cases as Judges often find it difficult to determine the ages victims.

In an attempt to find the cause, the important development component was not patronised, most community members said they were not aware of the need. At separate durbars at the communities in the Kassena-Nankana West and the Garu Districts of the Region, the community members said they did not know the relevance of birth registration and were also not aware that it was an offense to give out their underage daughters for marriage. Accessibility of the Registry was also a hindrance.

The durbars were organized by RISE-Ghana with support from UNICEF Ghana, to help address the set of 12 behaviours which include birth certificates, child protection, child marriage, early enrollment, hand washing among others things through strong community mobilisation efforts.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview about the non- registered babies, the Deputy Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, ASP Veronica Obese, explained that it makes it very difficult to handle defilement and child marriage cases in the courts.

'We cannot prosecute many perpetrators of such cases because the ages of majority of the victims cannot be determined as they have no birth certificates. As at now we have forwarded a number of such cases to the Attorney General Department for legal advice', the Deputy Regional Coordinator of DOVVSU told the GNA.

The non-registration of children to determine their actual ages is a major challenge confronting the justice system since the Judges presiding over those cases often find it difficult to determine the ages of the victims. This is not isolated in the Region but cut across the other Regions and calls for a radical approach to confront the issue.

It should be noted that birth registration exercise remains a major tool for fighting defilement and child marriage cases and also the legal acknowledgement of a child's existence. It is also a weapon that influences policy formulation and the implementation programmes relating to the better growth of the child.

It is fundamental to the realisation of a number of rights including the access to health care, school enrolment, child labour, forced marriages before girls eligibility for marriage, enforcement of laws relating to minimum age for employment, child labour and hazardous work.

Additionally, it also ensures that children in conflict with the law are given special protection and not treated as adults, protects young people from under-age military service or conscription, protects children from harassment by police or other law enforcement officials, secures the child's right to a nationality at the time of birth or later, protects trafficked children who are eventually repatriated and reunited with family.

Research has shown that where individuals have not been provided with adequate citizenship rights through birth registration, they are not able to fully asset their civic, political, legal and social identities are constrained. The absence of civic citizenship right has positive association with inability of individuals to claim full fundamental human rights. In the same vein, political participation such as voting cannot be fully ascertained or granted to non-citizens whilst social rights, which validate access to health care, education, pension and poverty reduction benefits, could also be compromised.

It should also to be noted that in the broad framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs) availability of quality data to monitor progress is cardinal. The goals, which directly affect children are universal primary education and improved child mortality. However, without reliable data on children, it would be difficult for countries to monitor, plan and intervene to achieve the goals. Data on births and deaths is one of the best demographic tools for gathering information for population health monitoring.

At best, the desire to improve development through health, education, social security among others things may 'remain a political rhetoric of human rights and academic discourse of entitlements'

Another significant point that calls for the seriousness to be attached to the exercise is that Article 24(2) of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states 'every child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have a name'.

Ironically at the international front, Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa that ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. After more than a decade, coverage of birth registration in the country is still low.

In Ghana the Birth and Death Registry under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has the core mandate to conduct the exercise by providing accurate and reliable information on all births and deaths, in the country for socio-economic development through the registration and certification.

In conclusion whilst commending the UNICEF for supporting other Organisations like RISE-Ghana to engage in sensitisation programmes in communities in the UER on the need to register newborn babies, the effort should be extended to the rural communities to enable to patronize the exercise.

Families and communities need to be made aware of the importance of birth registration, and registration should be compulsory. Sometimes parents and communities either fail to appreciate how important it is for their child to be registered or are suspicious about the motives behind it. The media can play an important role in encouraging parents to register their children.

To improve birth registration, the financial cost has been scrapped to encourage registration within the first 12 months after birth. There is the need for Government to commit more resources to register every child without discrimination. Birth registration should be universal and free.

GNA

GNA Feature by Samuel Adadi Akapule
Accra, Sept 27, GNA - Ghana must intensify efforts to get the maximum yields from existing farmlands under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, experts have advised.

This is because wanton cultivation of new lands would lead to degradation of the environment, depletion of the soil nutrients and loss of biodiversity, which would not be in the interest of future generations.

Mr Foster Mensah, the Executive Director of the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services, at the University of Ghana, Wednesday, cautioned: 'For the next 10 years or 15 years, if we do not manage what we have, we will still be depleting and extending,' he cautioned.

Mr Mensah was speaking at a workshop to disseminate information on how to utilise an Atlas on Land Cover and Land Use, developed by the USAID, and its partners for West African countries.

'This is the time for us, using these data sets to see how we can begin to use our land and natural resources better,' Mr Mensah said.

Mr Alexander Deprez, USAID's West Africa Mission Director, said instead of expanding the land cover of agricultural lands to the detriment of other land uses, they should promote the efficient use of current lands to increase yields, while preserving the fertility of the soil.

Speaking to the GNA on the sidelines of the workshop, Mr Deprez said the expansion of agriculture in West Africa, including Ghana, over the years, had yet to deliver significant gains in productivity, though it had led to a loss of forests, woodland and soils; as farmers expanded their farmlands in other land covers.

'Without doubt, the productivity and performance of the Agricultural sector across West Africa is seriously challenged, and the governments and people of the region still live with the threat of a food crisis,' he stated.

This expansion of agricultural land was one of the most obvious land cover changes in Ghana, as shown by the Atlas developed by USAID and its partners.

It is titled, 'Landscapes of West Africa: A Window on a Changing World", with the largest increases seen in the Northeast, East-central and South-western parts of Ghana; and followed by the degradation of the forest.

From 1975 to 2000, agricultural lands expanded from 13 per cent to 28 per cent of Ghana's total area, and continued rapidly, reaching 32 per cent of land area in 2013.

Forest degradation showed a slight decline in area from about 1,400 square (sq) kilometres (km) in 1975 to 15,500 sq km in 2000.

It, however, accelerated sharply between 2000 and 2013 with forests reducing by an additional 20 per cent in 2013.

Mr Deprez said there should be more support by governments, donors and private sector to increase productivity, especially for small scale farmers.

The aim, he noted, must be on increasing yields on current farms by the use of inputs such as fertilisers; either chemical or organic, and improved seeds, better use of water and land cover, as well as other elements like access to markets, investments in processing among others.

It was also important, he said, for governments, donors and private to look at ways of adapting the technologies used of large commercial farms to intensify agricultural production at the small-scale level.

Professor Sanoussi Atta, the Head of Training and Research Department, CILSS/ARC, said continuing on the same trend on farm land expansion, as revealed in the time series observed in the Atlas, would mean increased forest degradation and extinction of some animal species in the future.

This, he said, called for decision makers to conscientise their populations, especially the younger generation, on the issues of degradation to preserve the environment for future generations.

'It is important for the country to make better policies on how to preserve and conserve the land,' he stated.

Prof. Atta urged national governments and other stakeholders to widely disseminate the Atlas, which he said, was also available for free online, so that people could use it in solving the problems as well as for advocacy.

GNA

By Belinda Ayamgha, GNA
29.09.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Mr Edmund Kofi Yeboah, an aspirant for the General Secretary position of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has pledged willingness to work with anyone elected alongside him into office.

'I have always been a team player,' he declared, in a statement to the Ghana News Agency.

'Fortunately for me, I have had very close working relationships with almost all the candidates contesting for the national elections, particularly, those contesting for the presidential slot.

'So I have no difficulty whatsoever working with any of them, and I will do my utmost best to support a team effort to lift the GJA to a higher level.'

More than 600 Members of the GJA will go to the polls on Friday, September 29, to elect executives nationwide to steer the affairs of the Association for the next three-years.

However, if the members should decide otherwise, he would readily accept their choice.

'I make this pledge after sober reflections on, and thorough appreciation of, the fact that the outcome of Friday's election will not be the end of the world to me,' he said.

'Indeed, it should not be the end of the world to anybody. Rather, it should be the beginning of healing wounds, forging unity and building consensus within the inky fraternity.'

He, therefore, encouraged all the other candidates to be similarly committed, and urged all members of the GJA, who were in good standing, to cast their ballot on Friday, to make their voices count.

He said although the date for the elections were postponed following months of controversy; 'I respectfully urge members to vote in the best interest of the GJA'.

Mr Yeboah urged members to elect him as their General Secretary because he was respectful, respectable, humble, hard-working, a visionary leader and an achiever.

He said we wanted to serve them with the other executives they would choose, to leave a positive legacy for the good and progress of the Association.

'The GJA is bigger than any individual member, and it is important that of us all endeavour to uphold the utmost interest of the Association at all times.

GNA

By Christabel Addo-GNA
Victims of the recent flooding in parts of Kumasi, are appealing to government to help them relocate with their families to safer areas.

Over 500 residents in areas such as; Abuakwa, Aboabo, Atonsu and Kronom Abouhiaa, are still struggling to cope after the flood caused havoc to their abodes.

The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), is yet to provide relief items for the victims after it sent personnel to assess the situation.

A downpour in Kumasi a week ago, left residents in parts of the metropolis displaced. The four-hour downpour cost victims their properties, some of whom are still counting their losses.

A visit to a family, which was among the worst affected, at Kronom Abouhiaa, revealed destruction to their properties.

47-year old Mohammed Ibrahim, a tanker welder at the Suame Magazine, is still trying to cope with the disaster that brought pain onto his family.

The father of ten is yet to come to terms with how the flood waters wreaked havoc leading to his 3-bedroom house being submerged. Major parts of his building collapsed after it submerged.

Recounting the incident to Citi News, Ibrahim said The flood was massive. It was very serious and anyone who attempted to go into it would have drowned. Cars that were using the road were all stuck in the water. It was later the NADMO officials came to rescue some of the victims. The boys in the area also helped in the rescue efforts.

He indicated that, he was forced to buy the land close to the drain that usually overflows in times of a downpour because of pressure from his former landlord.

It has not been easy for me financially. My former landlord had given me a lot of pressure. I could not bear it any longer, so I had to move out with my ten children. A friend showed me this land and I gave him some money and put up this building to live in with my family. I cannot begrudge Government if it asks me to move out from here. I will only need Government's help.

He has therefore appealed for Government's help to move his family from what he now called a danger zone.

Ramatu has been married to her husband for the past 15 years. She was preparing supper for the family at the time of the visit.

With her one year old child strapped to her back as she pounded Fufu, she was equally not happy about the recent disaster.

When there is a downpour, there is always flood. But it has not been like this until this recent incident. I was confused and praying that the water reduces so I could move out with my kids.

Ten-year old Aisha Mohammed, Ramatu's daughter, had been absent from school for two days because of the flood.

She lamented that she was unable to go to school with her other siblings in times of a downpour.

She has pleaded with Government to help the family.

Although officials of the NADMO blamed the flooding on people building on waterways, and described the incident as man-made, victims like Ibrahim maintain the floods are as a result of poor construction of the bridge over the drain.

The water that passes through the drain takes its source from the Owabi River. According to him, whenever there is a downpour, the drain overflows rendering even commuters vulnerable.

For Mohammed Ibrahim's family, relief items are not an immediate need. They are appealing to Government and other philanthropists to help them relocate to a safe area.



By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwean activist pastor Evan Mawarire said Friday he had been acquitted of inciting public violence, but he remains on trial for allegedly trying to subvert President Robert Mugabe's government.

The violence charge arose from a June meeting at Zimbabwe's main university where he was addressing student doctors who were on strike over a fees hike.

"I have just been acquitted of charges of inciting public violence and disorderly conduct at the University of Zimbabwe," Mawarire said in a Facebook video post.

"No citizen should ever be afraid of exercising their constitutional right to build Zimbabwe. We march on to a better nation."

An outspoken opponent of Mugabe, Mawarire became popular with his #ThisFlag movement that has challenged Mugabe's government over the economic crisis.

But the 40-year-old cleric is still being prosecuted on charges of trying to remove Mugabe's government in a trial which began at the High Court on Monday.

If he is found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

The charges stem from his involvement in organising a crippling strike in July 2016 that shut down major cities and paralysed public transport, prompting the government to ban public protests.

Mawarire's trial opened a day after he was arrested in church for posting a video online that criticised the dire economic situation and showed long queues at petrol stations where supplies are running short.

But two days later, a magistrate ordered his release after the prosecution missed a 48-hour deadline to take him to court.
As part of efforts to promote the sustainable growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country, OmniBank has held its 3rd SME Clinic in Accra.

The 3rd SME clinic, on the topic Innovative Financing Options for Businesses, is aimed at educating SMEs on financing options.

The programme offered free of charge to equip and strengthen the SMEs to be an engine of growth for the economy.

The event held at the British Council in Accra brought together seasoned professionals who engaged participants on the various funding opportunities available for them.

Head of SME Clinic and Research at Omni Bank, Godwin Ansah said the SME clinic which forms part of the Banks SME Education activities is to equip small and medium enterprises with the knowledge they need to effectively compete in the marketplace.

He indicated that they realized knowledge on capital budgeting and capital structure decisions have always been challenging for most SMEs thus wait till they have urgent need before they start thinking of financing options and opportunities.

Based on this backdrop, Godwin Ansah they instituted the SME Clinic to help managers of SME companies make informed decisions.

He said after every SME clinic, the bank conducts follow-up checks on participants to ascertain if they are applying what they learned and the effect of that on their businesses.

We measure the success of what we do through the results that our participants are able to garner so at the end of the day we expect that they will be able to expand their knowledge and skills in this area he added.

Aside from the clinic, the bank also launched three new products dubbed for health institutions, churches and schools.

Head of Business and Personal Banking at OmniBank, Ekow Quayson is to help these institutions with assets finance and capital for expansion product at a very affordable rate.

The move by OmniBank, Mr Quayson added is part of their drive to develop products and packages to meet the needs of the target group.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline | JoyBusiness
29.09.2017 LISTEN

Folks, as the jostling for attention and possible endorsement by prospective candidates seeking to lead the NDC to Election 2020 continues and gathers steam, it is clear that "things are knocking things" that we must comment on.

We have already made it clear that at this point in the life of the NDC, more needs to be done to revamp it than what is happening. We will explain this claim later.

What the NDC needs now, especially after the shocking defeat at Election 2016, is not a mad "rat race" for a flagbearer but a consistent and all-embracing political mobilization effort to rebuild its base and energize its grassroots campaigners to win public confidence and support. In short, to mobilize support for the party's cause.

In this context, then, I unreservedly condemn all those running around and proclaiming their ambitions toward Election 2020, which further deepens the cracks in the party. Some of these ambitious characters have openly declared their aspirations while others have used surrogates and various media platforms to do so. Some names come to mind: Sylvester Mensah, Alban Bagbin, Nii Amasa namoale, and Joshua Alabi.

Although ex-President Mahama hasn't personally declared his interest in the flagbearership, a lot has emerged from his surrogates to suggest that he is looking forward to it. He has been urged to be bold in declaring that interest, but he hasn't done so, which is thorny, considering the extent to which his ventriloquists are singing his song.

I am not really bothered about who is personally trumpeting his interest in the race or not. What turns my crank is the manner in which priorities are being misplaced. What the NDC needs now is rejuvenation, not the choice of a flagbearer for an election that it cannot win without strengthening its base and undoing the negative factors that doomed it at Election 2016.

Truth be told, the NDC lost grounds at that election because its own internal wranglings and dissension among its followers detracted from its efforts, regardless of whatever accomplishments the government might have made.

Tit-bits from the ground indicated long before the polls that apathy among the NDC followers and a calculated move to tilt the table against the party would be its bane. Nothing definitive was done by the party's leaders to solve problems; thus, low turn-out in many parts of the country and betrayal in the polling booth served the purposes of the NPP to put Akufo-Addo in power.

The decision by the NDC to form the Kwesi Botchwey Committee to look into factors causing its defeat and the controversies surrounding this committee's findings (report) have further deepened the party's woes. What exactly is being done to rectify the situation is difficult to fathom. Yet, those emerging as interested in the flagbearership are talking as if they can win Election 2020 by just being endorsed.

Let me repeat here that the NDC cannot defeat the NPP at Election 2020 if it doesn't put its house in order. And it has a lot more to do to prove to the voters that it has a better agenda for solving national problems than what Ghanaians have seen under its previous administrations led by Rawlings, Mills, and Mahama.

Although evidence exists to prove what those administrations did, especially by way of infrastructural development, the reality is that Ghanaians need more than such development projects to be persuaded into returning the NDC to power. That explains why anybody wishing to lead the NDC must concentrate on party-building and outreach programmes instead of locking horns with supposed competitors or opponents.

It stands to reason that anybody interested in leading the NDC to Election 2020 must be widely accepted within the ranks of the party nationally and within the party's international branches. Which of the names popping up so far can hit this mark? None!!

It stands to reason again that winning the hearts of the party's delegates must start from the individual candidate's ability to connect with the party members. Which of those airing their desire to lead the party has any national appeal? None!!

Let's tear them apart now.

i. JOSHUA ALABI

He is touted by his surrogates as someone who did marvellously in turning around the former Institute of professional Studies, implying that he has the administrative acumen to make Ghana better if given the nod. I don't get it. He is a complete washout. If you doubt it, go and find out from his own people in the Krowor constituency why they rejected him as an MP. He has no national appeal in the NDC either. The negative publicity against him in the SSNIT case has further dimmed his light.

Who knows him? What appeal does he have to make him outshine Akufo-Addo, Dr. Bawumia, or any other in the NPP? None!!

II. ALBAN BAGBIN

This Nadowli MP has been in the public domain for many years but cannot be fingered as the best candidate for the NDC. He is carrying a huge baggage that the NPP will easily tear apart. No more about him from becauwse all that he represents is already known. But can he honestly say that NDC supporters in the country will readily support him? I don't think so.

iii. SYLVESTER MENSAH AND NII AMASA NAMOALE

These are characters who don't even have any support in their own constituencies, let alone other parts of the country. Little is known about them; and the earlier they abandon their scurrilous ambitions, the better it will be for the NDC. Could they even win back their own constituencies Parliamentary seats to get goodwill for the NDC?

iv. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA

Whatever he is to the NDC and Ghana (Africa and the world inclusive) cannot be disputed; but he has a huge barrier ahead of him, especially if he decides to rebound to challenge the NPP's Akufo-Addo or anybody else. What new thing will he bring to the table to solve national problems that he hadn't used since he entered Ghanaian politics as an MP and rose through the ranks to become the President? He has a tough call.

OTHERS

Speculation may be rife about others (such as Goosie Tanoh of the National Reform Party kind) lining themselves up for similar purposes. My advice to them is simple: that they had better think twice.

CONCLUSION

For now, folks, let me wind everything down to say that the NDC's main challenge now is not about who leads it to Election 2020 but who will help rebuild it. That is why all those making noise to grab attention as possible flagbearers don't turn my crank.

Invariably, those who connect with the party's members and come across as reliable will win the day. It must first begin with party-building. All other things will fall in place thereafter. No acrimony; no rancour, no enmity, no bitterness. Only oneness, peace, and love for party and motherland. My take for now. Good day.

I shall return
Potchefstroom (South Africa) (AFP) - South Africa were in a strong position at the end of the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Friday, but top-scorer Dean Elgar wasn't satisfied with his team's performance at the start of Bangladesh's innings.

Bangladesh were 127 for three at the close, still trailing by 369 runs after South Africa declared their first innings on 496 for three.

Elgar, who made 199, said: 'We are in quite a strong position but our bowlers didn't really hit their straps, especially with the new ball.'

Although opening bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel both took a wicket, Elgar said they had wasted too many deliveries.

'The new ball doesn't last very long on this wicket as we've seen over the last two days.'

Elgar admitted culpability for twice dropping Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Mushfiqur was dropped on six and 15 before eventually being caught at short leg off Maharaj for 44.

'With the chances that Kesh created they might have been in more trouble. I was standing too close,' he said.

Elgar said the target had been to take three wickets before the close. 'We got our three but they got too many runs towards the end.'

Elgar and and Hashim Amla, who was in sublime form in scoring 137, put on 215 for the second wicket to build on the opening stand of 196 between Elgar and new cap Aiden Markram on Thursday.

South Africa batted on remorselessly until tea before captain Faf du Plessis declared.

The declaration caused a problem for Bangladesh because regular opener Tamim Iqbal had been off the field towards the end of South Africa's innings, which meant he had to wait for 48 minutes before he could bat.

Anti-climax for Elgar

Two wickets fell before Tamim's enforced absence came to an end and he eventually batted at number five.

It was the first time in his 52-Test career that he had not faced the first ball of an innings.

He and Mominul Haque (28 not out) batted through to the close, with Tamim dancing down the wicket to Maharaj to hit the last ball of the day for six to finish on 22 not out.

Elgar made his highest Test score before falling one short of a double century when a short ball from Shafiul Islam 'stuck in the pitch' and he spooned a catch to short midwicket.

'I should have hit it for four,' said Elgar who still had regrets about the run-out of Markram, who fell three runs short of a century on debut after a mix-up on Thursday.

'I was bitterly disappointed. I would have loved to see Aiden get a hundred in his first Test innings and I am still angry about it.'

He described his own dismissal as a second anti-climax.

'It would have been great for me to get a double hundred. It's what you play for and it's a massive milestone for me. But our batting unit has failed quite a bit lately and it was important for the senior guys to stand up. So I'll take 199.'

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed said he was surprised by the 'flat' pitch.

'It's the first time I'm playing here and I thought I would be bowling on a greenish pitch. But it's slow and your loose balls get punished. We didn't bowl very well," he said.

"But there was some tight bowling which was definitely a positive, otherwise if you bowl badly they can get 600. The negative is that we didn't get enough wickets.'
'The big truck is still on ...
Nigerian education system problems have been talked about for decades. Despite the constant transformation of the curriculum, the quality doesnt seem to be improving. The most recent change to the 9-3-4 format did not make any difference. It created a lot of confusion and arguments, but the schools themselves were mostly left untouched. If you want to learn more about the education system in Nigeria, continue reading below!

Top problems of 9-3-4 system of education

The last significant changes in the Nigerian education system happened in 2006 and 2009 when the country switched from the 6-3-3-4 to the 9-3-4 format. The new system dictated that every kid should sit through nine consecutive years of primary school. Next, he would spend the next three years in a secondary educational establishment and the last four years receiving higher education. The 3 and 4 parts of the 9-3-4 are not mandatory.

The primary reason for this change was the new inclusion of basic, technical and vocational aspects of study that were added to the first nine years of school. In theory, these should have given the students a more solid foundation, before they start studying towards a career in the next three years. The 9-3-4 system was also meant to make the primary education level more streamlined, removing some subjects that only cluttered the curriculum.

However, to the admission of hundreds of teachers and parents, whose children became the test subjects of this new system, not much has changed. One of the biggest criticisms that the government received was the gaping inconsistency in the implementation of the newly-transformed curriculum. Add to that the insufficient funding, which is always was a painful aspect of the Nigerian education, and the result doesnt look too optimistic.

While there are a lot of primary schools that are doing just fine, theres no shortage of schools that are in very poor condition. Young Nigerians still cant rely on the knowledge they receive in schools. Educational establishments continue to lack essential components, such as books or professional teaching staff.

How can a pupil be prepared for the junior WAEC if he didnt have an English teacher? What hope does he have for the future? Depending on the school, the same goes for other subjects. Sadly, we have students that dont know the basics of the English language or struggle with the easiest arithmetic tasks.

After finishing the first nine years, students move on to secondary schools. Here, they are being prepared to take tests such as WAEC, NECO, UME and numerous others. However, the same trend continues here, as the understaffed, underprepared establishments cant provide the necessary information for students. What we have discovered instead is that some people are forced to cheat, while others simply fail without ever receiving a fair chance of getting into a university.

The students that actually make it to higher institutions fair a bit better. However, if you speak to people that graduated from a university and made a successful career, youll rarely hear them sounding grateful to their Alma maters. Most of the time, they gain the knowledge they need on their own.

In conclusion, we can state the following  a simple change of numbers in a system will not solve any problems. If anything, it will only create more.

Problems of education in Nigeria and their solutions

READ ALSO: Gender inequality in Nigeria - Educational system

Despite the efforts of dozens of politicians, hundreds of teachers and thousands of parents, Nigerian schools continue to produce under-qualified students. People who studied Health education for years dont know the importance of a clean environment, others who were taught Business classes never think about starting their own company in the future.

A large number of pupils continue to see their school and the world outside of it as completely different realities. They struggle while trying to use the knowledge gained at their desk in everyday situations.

The government needs to stop focusing on making changes that are doomed to remain on paper only. Theres no point in making promises like Every school will teach modern-day computer technology, knowing full well that most schools cant afford to supply computers to their students.

Nigeria, as a country, needs to invest deeply into education. The saying goes that Rome wasnt built in a day, but if we keep adding only one brick per year, it wont be built in a hundred years either. Here are the aspects that need the most funding:

Books

It doesnt matter whether pupils study for three years or twenty if they dont have anything to study from. Books are one of the most efficient ways to keep a student interested in a subject.

More teachers

Old teachers are retiring, but not enough of new ones are hired. And with how poor the job conditions are in some public schools, you cant really blame them.

Better teachers

In order to provide high-quality education, Nigeria has to have high-quality teaching staff. The government has to make the profession of teaching as important as that of a company executive. To achieve this, the salary and work environment have to be on a similar level.

Our pupils need to be taught practical knowledge and technological skills. They need to know how to take leadership role both in life and on the job. If they have to survive in the outside world, we need to prepare them accordingly.

It would serve our country well to look into the achievements that countries like Singapore and Finland gained when they transformed their educational systems. Nigeria shouldnt try to copy them, but not to learn from their best practices would be foolish.

Now you know all of the problems that Nigerian education system suffers from. But its not all that bad. There are a lot of good establishments in our country. However, until we can claim that the majority of our schools are on a high level, we still have a lot of work to do.

READ ALSO: Education in Nigeria: old and new curriculum

Source: Legit.ng
- The Kaduna state government says it has obtained a bench warrant from the court to arrest the members of the group that asked Igbos to vacate the northern region before October 1

- The media aide to Governor El-Rufai, Samuel Aruwan, assures residents of the state that they have nothing to fear irrespective of their tribe

- The government states that a court has directed the commissioner of police of the Kaduna state command to act on the criminal complaint against the group

The Kaduna state government has asked anybody to inform the police if they sight members of the coalition of northern youths that issued a quit notice to Igbo people residing in the north.

The government said it had obtained a bench warrant from the court to arrest members of the group that asked Igbos to vacate the region before October 1, 2017.

READ ALSO: IPOB has shown it is a terrorist group - Lai Mohammed

This was disclosed by Governor El-Rufais senior special assistant on media and publicity, Samuel Aruwan, in an address at the government house in Kaduna on Thursday, September 28, The Punch reports.

The Kaduna state government also assured residents that they had nothing to fear irrespective of their tribe, adding that law enforcement and security agencies are taking necessary action to prevent any threat to peace.

The government has obtained bench warrants for their arrest, after filing a formal criminal complaint, Aruwan said.

The Kaduna State Government notes with commendation the efforts of the residents of our diverse state to uphold peace in their communities.

The government and the security agencies are working to prevent any threat to this cherished harmony.

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Vigorous security patrols will continue as part of concrete action to reassure residents and demonstrate that bad behaviour is unwelcome and will not be tolerated.

When some elements barged into our state capital to deliver an illegal ultimatum to a section of our community, the government condemned it and ordered the arrest of those concerned.

The Kaduna State Government followed up with a formal criminal complaint to the police, and has obtained a bench warrant against them. Therefore, anybody that sights them or is aware of their location should proudly discharge the civic duty of informing the police."

The government listed sections of the updated Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017 which it said the coalition violated by issuing the ultimatum.

These include:

1. Inciting Disturbance: Section 78

2. Disturbing Public Peace: Section 77

3. Injurious Falsehood: Section 373

4. Unlawful Assembly: Section 66

5. Criminal Conspiracy: Section 59

The government said a court had directed the commissioner of police of the Kaduna state command to act on the criminal complaint against the group.

It advised anybody contemplating unlawful action to know that such will invite strong law-enforcement response.

Meanwhile, Nigerias Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has reportedly placed officers of the organisation on red alert ahead of the October 1 quit notice given to the Igbos as fear grows over what could happen as the date draws close.

Part of the plan is to flood the entire country with police officers ahead of the date and beyond it.

According to The Nation, the strategy adopted by IGP Idris is to ensure that the quit notice and counter threats from the various groups in the country are not actualised.

In the Legit.ng TV video below, Nigerians speak of the Biafra struggle

Source: Legit.ng
Nigeria is often referred to "Giant of Africa." This is due to the how large the population is. Nigeria is the most diverse country on the continent with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. However, the most relevant aspect of the country is its landscape, natural resources, and geography. It is believed that every type of vegetation can be found in Nigeria. Lets see if there is a desert anywhere in the country and where is it located?

Nigeria is situated between Benin and Cameroon and has very interesting climate and topography. In the south, the land is hilly and in the central part is all flat. In the southeast, there are mostly only mountains and in the north of the country, all you see is mainly plain surfaces.

READ ALSO: North central states in Nigeria

Nigeria is a mix of different and distinctive regions, including mountains, deserts, swamps, plains, and even steamy jungles. With one of the largest river systems in the world, Nigeria has all the natural resources needed to thrive. Most of the regions in Nigeria are covered with savannas. But there are also a lot of tropical grasslands spread out, separated in some places by trees. Although Nigeria has a variety of distinctive regions, it seems that the north of the country is connected to one of the biggest world deserts.

The Sahara desert is closer

While there are no actual desert areas in Nigeria, the northern part of Nigeria borders with a region known as the Sahel. Sahel in Arabic means "shore." The 5,000-kilometer stretch of Savannah, which forms the edge of the Sahara Desert next to Nigeria has been a problem for Nigerian government and citizens. The Sahel stretch keeps on spreading and in future it may even occupy all of Nigeria, Mauritania and Senegal territories.

In the past, Sahara desert used to be the place with wide variety of plant and animal life. But then due to environmental changes and landscape transformation, it became the biggest desert on Earth. Those who live in Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states have already become the victims of Sahara desert widening process.

The sand and dryness do not let people plant crops and earn a living. Volunteers and international organizations have visited the Sahel region to help fight the drought. These days, the fact that the northern region of Nigeria may become an extension of the Saharas territory bothers a lot of people.

Sahara desert is not stopping its journey and has already reached the northern parts of Nigeria. Can it move any further? Only time will tell. We shall also discover if peoples efforts to put a stop to this will be fruitful.

READ ALSO: Geopolitical zones in Nigeria and their states

Source: Legit.ng
- The federal government has been chided by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for designating the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra as a terrorist group

- Abaribe stated that the governments action was tantamount to killing a fly with a sledgehammer and stated that senators from the southeast caucus disagreed with the decision

- He chided the government for ignoring groups that were actually working against the unity of Nigeria, groups that were killing people and choosing rather to go after IPOB

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia South), has chided the federal government for designating the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group, New Telegraph reports.

Abaribe was one of the individuals who stood as surety for bail for the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who has since gone missing.

READ ALSO: Emir of Katsina endorses Peace Corps, asks President Buhari to assent to bill

Legit.ng notes that the senator insisted that the government was wrong to label IPOB as a terrorist movement and stated that senators from the southeast would not agree with the decree.

Abaribe made his comments on an Aba radio programme on Thursday, September 28.

He stated: The Southeast Senate Caucus disagree with the Nigerian government in saying that IPOB is a terrorist organisation.

"We feel it is too strong a gambit to use. We feel that you cannot kill a fly with a sledge-hammer.

"You cannot proscribe a group of people; you cannot leave glaring evidence of those who actually work against the unity of this country, those who are actually killing people, those who are actually taken up arms against this country and then you turn around and say that these people have a potential to do so, therefore you now go ahead to declare them a terrorist organization with the implications for this country that are very glaring.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was queried by his colleagues, mostly from the northern part of the country, for standing as surety for IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The heated meeting reportedly took place when the Senate went into an executive session, minutes after resumption.

Reacting to the report, Abaribe denied that he was queried by the Senate for standing surety for Kanu.

He said what was discussed at the Senate on the matter was private and no newspaper has the information. He faulted a newspaper, Daily Trust, for misleading the public with a headline that claims he was queried by the northern senators for standing surety for Kanu.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video asking Nigerians if the struggle for Biafra ends with the dissolution of IPOB:

Source: Legit.ng
- Former First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, has gone to court against Skye Bank Plc

- She filed a N200 million fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos

- Mrs Jonathan filed the suit in protest against the No Debit Order placed by the EFCC on her accounts

The tussle between former First Lady Patience Jonathan, the EFCC and Skye Bank Plc is still ongoing. Mrs Jonathan has now filed a suit against the bank and the commission over the 'No Debit Order' placed on her accounts.

The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, September 28, fixed November 2, 2017 for hearing the N200 million fundamental rights enforcement suit she filed.

The order was placed by the EFCC on the bank accounts of the four companies domiciled in Skye Bank, which have a total of $15.5 million in them since July 2016.

Mrs Jonathan claimed that the funds in the companies accounts belonged to her though she was not a signatory to any of the accounts.

Other defendants joined in the suit are the EFCC and the four firms linked to Mr Dudafa.

READ ALSO: Patience Jonathan recovers N2bn hotel from EFCC, removes all their notices

They are Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd; Seagate Property Development and Investment Co. Ltd; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd; and Globus Integrated Service Ltd.

According to Premium Times, the affidavit filed in support of the suit, which was sworn by one Sammie Somiari, deposed that Mrs Jonathan had asked Dudafa to help her open five bank accounts.

Somiari averred that Dudafa opened only one account in Mrs Jonathans name and four others in the names of the four companies linked to him.

According to Somiari, Dudafa had on March 22, 2010, brought two Skye Bank officers, Demola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi, to meet Mrs Jonathan at home to open the five accounts.

He, however, claimed that after the five accounts were opened, Mrs Jonathan later discovered that Dudafa opened only one of the accounts in her name.

Somiari added that the applicant (Mrs Jonathan) complained to Dudafa and the bank officials, who promised to change the accounts to the applicants name but did not do so.

According to the affidavit: The applicant is not a director, shareholder or participant in the companies named in the aforementioned four accounts.

Besides, the ATM credit cards bearing the said companies names were given to the applicant by the bank official, Mr. Oshodi, who promised to replace the cards but he never did.

However, from 2010 until 2014 and thereafter, the applicant used the cards and operated the said accounts without any hindrance.

Even when the applicant travelled overseas for medical treatment sometime in 2016, she used the cards till they stopped functioning."

READ ALSO: 6 choice assets in Abuja allegedly traced to former first lady Patience Jonathan

Therefore, Mrs Jonathan, through her lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe, is seeking N200 million damages against Skye Bank for denying her access to the $15.5 million in the four accounts.

She also asked the court to lift the No Debit Order placed on the accounts by the EFCC.

Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions directed six commercial banks to unblock accounts operated by former first lady, Patience Jonathan.

Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, a PDP senator from Abia, who chaired the committee reportedly gave the directive on Tuesday, September 19, in Abuja.

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Legit.ng however gathered that the leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, stated through his twitter handle on Wednesday, September 20, that the House is yet to approve the committee's ruling.

Contrary to reports, the House has not made a decision on freezing of bank accts. The cttee report will be debated on resumption, he tweeted.

Watch this Legit.ng video as Nigerians speak on Jonathan's presidency:

Source: Legit.ng
- The US advises the Buhari administration to explore possible options beyond military operations in resolving Nigerias internal crisis

- Thomas Hushek, acting assistant secretary, bureau of conflict and stabilisation operations, US department of state says durable peace in Nigeria will require a painstaking dialogue

- Lai Mohammed insists IPOB is a terrorist group

The United States has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to explore the option of dialogue when resolving internal crisis in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: S/East senatorial caucus disagrees with FG for labeling IPOB as a terrorist group - Abaribe

The advice was given on Thursday, September 28, in Washington DC when the US institute of peace (USIP) convened a conference titled - Peace in Nigeria: How to build it, and Americas role.

The gathering which had in attendance US officials, diplomats and Nigerian leaders, explored possible options beyond military operations in resolving Nigerias internal crisis, the Guardian reports.

The speakers at the symposium advised the Nigerian government to strengthen the responsiveness of state institutions, address grievances and perceptions before they escalate.

Thomas Hushek, the acting assistant secretary, bureau of conflict and stabilisation operations, US department of state, said durable peace in Nigeria will require a painstaking dialogue.

The diplomat stated that Nigeria is a very critical US partner on the continent, but added that the Buhari government must in its pursuit of peace first identify the options that citizens want implemented.

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He said: "Achieving stability or building political peace is a political endeavor."

Hushek noted that the Nigerian governments responsiveness to peoples needs would build trust and encourage durable peace in the country.

Meanwhile, Lai Mohammed who is the minister of information and culture has expressed disappointment that the United States does not agree that the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) is a terrorist organisation.

In an interview on BBC Focus Africa on Wednesday, September 27, the minister said the utterances and acts of IPOB showed they were terrorists.

He said the federal government does not agree with the US stance that the separatist group was not a terrorist orgamnisation.

When asked about what he thought concerning the position of the US that IPOB was not a terrorist group, Mohammed described it as unfortunate.

In the video below, Legit.ng TV asked some Nigerians if they want the Operation Python Dance in southeast canceled

Source: Legit.ng
- Igbos residing in the north have been advised by a trio of concerned lawyers to return back home, as the deadline for the October 1 quit notice issued by Arewa youths approaches

- The lawyers advised Igbos to vacate the north, whether the threat would be carried out or not

- They stated that instead of being at risk in a foreign land, Ndigbo should return to the southeast which has more comfortable homes for them

Ahead of the October 1 quit notice deadline previously issued by the Arewa youths, Igbo indigenes resident in northern Nigeria have been advised to return back to the southeast, by some concerned lawyers in Onitsha, Anambra state, Vanguard reports.

The lawyers - Samuel Chukwukelu, Ben Okoko and Maurice Efobi - made their comments while speaking to newsmen in Onitsha on Thursday, September 28.

READ ALSO: Suspension: Abdulmumin Jibrin must apologize - House of Reps insists

Legit.ng gathers that the lawyers advised Igbos to vacate the north, whether the threat would be carried out or not and despite the fact that the quit notice had been revoked by the Arewa youths.

While advising Igbos not be trapped like they were in 1966, the lawyers advised that instead of being at risk in a foreign land, Ndigbo should return to the southeast which has more comfortable homes for them.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously that the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups (CNYG) withdrew the quit notice issued to Nigerians of Igbo extraction to leave the 19 northern states by October 1.

The CNYGs decision to withdraw the quit notice followed series of meetings with numerous stakeholders.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video about Nasir El-Rufai's response to the quit notice issued to Igbos:

Source: Legit.ng
- Nigerian politicians continue to be mentioned as owners of secret assets and accounts domiciled in foreign countries

- The latest name to be mentioned is that of Niger state governor, Abubakar Bello

- The governor is said to have at least two offshore companies abroad

A report by Premium Times indicates that secret assets belonging to the current governor of Niger state, Abubakar Bello, have been uncovered in offshore tax havens abroad.

The discoveries were made in the notorious Mossack Fonseca documents now known worldwide as the Panama Papers.

According to the report, at least two offshore companies were traced to the governor, one of which was used to acquire a property in London.

To his credit, Governor Bello was a vast international business man before he became the Niger state governor. Photo credit: facesinternationalmagazine.org.ng

One of the companies, Best International Holding Limited, was said to have been registered in the British Virg*n Islands on May 26, 1999 with $50,000 as shares capital.

READ ALSO: N200m suit: Patience Jonathan goes to court against bank, EFCC

The company, with registration number 314717, has the governor and his son, Shehu Bello, as directors.

While the two directors of Best International Holding Limited gave their Nigerian address as 17A Wurno Road, Off Katuna Road, Kaduna, Nigeria; a Lagos address was used for the registration of a second offshore company.

Another set of Mossack Fonseca documents seen showed that Governor Bello is the sole shareholder of a secret offshore entity by the name Eyre Investments Incorporated.

Documents showing Governor Bello's assets abroad. Photo credit: Premium Times

Located in Hitchin, Herts, the company was incorporated on September 3, 2007 and had Ajibola Raphael Oluyede as director with Abubakar Sani Bello as sole shareholder.

Further probe into the documents revealed that for all his offshore dealings, the governor was using the services of Oluyede, the principal partner at TRLP LAW, as his legal front.

In one of the documents, it is stated that the registers of Best International Holding Limited are kept at D96 Landbridge Ave, Victoria Island Extension, Lagos, Nigeria. An online search of this address leads directly to TRLP Law office.

TRLP law office are the legal representatives of the governor. Photo credit: Premium Times

Reacting to the report, the spokesman of Governor Bello, Jibrin Ndace, said that before his principal became the governor of Niger state, he had been for years an international businessman of repute doing legitimate businesses across the world.

His words: The governor was a well-known international businessman just like Donald Trump was before he became the President of America. It is like if Dangote becomes president tomorrow; you would see their footprints everywhere because they were once international businessmen, he said.

The difference between this governor and others is that he is a professional in politics not a professional businessman.

This revelation makes Governor Bello the sixth serving Nigerian official who has been shown to own shell companies in offshore tax havens.

The others include President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; former Senate President, David Mark; Senator Ibrahim Gobir (All Progressives Congress, Sokoto East); Senator David Umaru (APC  Niger East); Senator Andy Uba (APC, Anambra South).

Governor Bello is the son of Sani Bello, a retired colonel and military governor of Kano state between 1975 and 1978.

The Bellos are involved in various kinds of business activities including construction, oil and gas, and communications. Governor Bello's father is said to own 40% of MTN Nigeria.

The governor is married to Dr Amina Abubakar, daughter of Nigerias former head of state Abdussalami Abubakar and former first lady Justice Fati Abubakar.

READ ALSO: How beneficial ownership transparency will help Liberia tackle illicit financial flows - Buharis aide

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of a Nigerian man suggesting mass burial for Nigeria's corrupt past leaders:

Source: Legit.ng
- Top military sources say Nnamdi Kanu is not in army custody

- They insisted that Operation Python Dance is still on

- Kanu's brother had said only the IPOB leader could disclose his whereabouts

Top military sources from the army headquarters have spoken about the disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu saying the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra is not in their custody.

Kanus lawyers led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor had filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, September 27 asking for an order for Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to produce him in court.

READ ALSO: S/East senators disagrees with FG for labeling IPOB as a terrorist group - Abaribe

The Punch however reports that a top military source said Kanus whereabouts was not known to the army and that it would have been revealed if he was in their custody.

He said: If you follow the trends of things, the army has not been talking about a proscribed group. If someone says he does not know where Kanu is, who gave him the authority to file a motion against the army?

We dont want to be drawn into this propaganda. For goodness sake, if we have Kanu, of what use is it if we keep quiet? We have never been secretive. Nobody prompted us before we came out to talk about Egwu Eke II starting in the South-East. Nobody prompted us before we came out to say that despite all the pressures, we were not withdrawing the operation. The exercise is still ongoing.

Another source from 82 Division headquarters, Enugu said: Kanu is not with us. And I am not aware of his whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Kanus brother simply identified as Fine Boy who spoke with The Punch on Sunday, September 17, had said only Kanu could disclose his own location.

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He said: Only my brother can tell Nigerians where he is, I cant. I dont know why the Army should call IPOB a terrorist organisation, it is out of their desperation to arrest Nnamdi and frustrate the Biafran struggle. We have petitioned the United Nations and the European Union.

Nnamdi will soon disclose his current location and IPOB will also react to the proscription of the group by the South-East Governors Forum.

Legit.ng previously reported that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was queried by his colleagues, mostly from the northern part of the country, for standing as surety for Kanu.

The heated meeting reportedly took place when the Senate went into an executive session, minutes after resumption.

Reacting to the report, Abaribe denied that he was queried by the Senate for standing surety for Kanu.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video asking Nigerians if the struggle for Biafra ends with the dissolution of IPOB:

Source: Legit.ng
- Nigeria National Summit Group (NNSG) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure Nigeria on time

- NNSG said it is a pity that the National Assembly pretends that Nigerians are bound together in a non-negotiable unity while there is a loud secessionist agitations in the country

- The group, however, noted that the country must stop sticking our heads in the sand and pretense that all is well

Nigeria National Summit Group (NNSG) said there is lurking danger if President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) fail to address the issue of restructuring.

According to Guardian, NNSG on Thursday, September 28, warned that Nigeria stands the risk of failing if not restructured on time.

Legit.ng gathered this in a statement signed by Tony I Uranta, the executive secretary of NNSG.

READ ALSO: S/East senatorial caucus disagrees with FG for labeling IPOB as a terrorist group - Abaribe

The group said: ''It is a pity that even the National Assembly pretends that Nigerians are bound together in a non-negotiable unity, when we have very loud secessionist agitations ongoing in at least three of Nigerias six zones.

''At this stage, this country must stop sticking our heads in the sand, pretending that all is well with Nigeria.

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''We must all agree that there is a need to restructure Nigeria, that we will have a necessary devolution of powers, fiscal federalism and review of the many unjust laws that hold the country from attaining its maximum potentials economically, politically and socially''.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it would support restructuring if such a move would strengthen the unity of Nigeria with equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.

In the video below, Legit.ng TV asked some Nigerians if they prefer restructuring of Nigeria or separation of the country:

Source: Legit.ng
Over the years, many have wondered and argued about walking down the aisle with a military officer especially those that go to the war front.

These military officers have despite their tedious work found love and are set to walk down the aisle. They have taken to social media to release their pre-wedding photoshoot.

They posted the pictures with the caption: Beautiful military couples pre-wedding pics.

Military couple releases pre-wedding photos

READ ALSO: Man cries out after he mistakenly transferred N30,000 to ladys account twice

Looking at the pictures the couples were seen wearing a camouflage top with black trouser. In another picture the groom was seen carrying his bride on his neck while she too tried to carry him in a photo.

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See post below:

Military couple

Congratulations!

Watch Legit.ng video below:

Source: Legit.ng
- The good work of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is not going unnoticed

- The Inter-Governmental Action against Money Laundering in West Africa has pledged support for the EFCC

- Their aim is to assist Nigeria get its suspension from the Egmont Group lifted

The Inter-Governmental Action against Money Laundering in West Africa has pledged support for efforts by the EFCC and the Nigerian government to ensure the lifting of the suspension of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from the Egmont Group in the shortest time possible.

The director-general of GIABA, Adama Coulibaly, made the pledge on Wednesday, September 27 when he lead a delegation on a courtesy visit to the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, at the commission's headquarters in Abuja.

While commending the EFCC for championing the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria, Coulibaly said that the agencys achievements were not only for the country, but for the African continent.

READ ALSO: N200m suit: Patience Jonathan goes to court against bank, EFCC

According to him, the EFCC was a key player to GIABA, adding that if this suspension is not lifted early, it is going to have a negative impact not only on Nigeria, but the West African region.

We are here to express our support to Nigeria on this noble objective of fighting corruption, he added.

He used the opportunity to inform the EFCC management that Nigeria will host GIABAs plenary between November 13 and 19, 2017.

Responding, EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu, noted that the suspension of the NFIU from the Egmont Group was based on misinformation, by those who are hell-bent on handicapping the EFCC.

According to him, politicians are behind the NFIU crisis, because they want to destroy the achievements recorded by the EFCC.

He lamented that the move by the Nigerian parliament to take the NFIU out of the EFCC was suspicious and borne out of an ulterior motive.

There is a complete misunderstanding about the workings of the NFIU, and it is surprising that the new bill by the legislators pushing for removal of the NFIU from the EFCC was passed in seven days, he said.

Magu however stressed that the EFCC was not at loggerheads with the NFIU, stressing that their relationship is very cordial and professional.

He further noted that the African continent should consider the establishment of an association of African Financial Intelligence Units.

Meanwhile, the Liberian government's intention to implement beneficial ownership transparency in their country has been hailed by the Nigerian federal government.

The commendation was made by the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on justice reforms and coordinator of the Open Government Partnership in Nigeria, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku- Nwagwu.

Mrs Ibekaku-Nwagwu made the statement at a peer learning workshop in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, on beneficial ownership transparency under the auspices of the Open Government Partnership.

READ ALSO: Governor Bello's assets uncovered in offshore tax havens

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of a Nigerian man suggesting mass burial for Nigeria's corrupt past leaders:

Source: Legit.ng
- Nigerian cows produce far less milk than their counterparts in other countries, the minister of agriculture and rural development has said

- The minister said a cow in the Unitd States of America drinks an average of 100 litres of water per day

- He said some cows produce about 100 litres of milk on a daily basis

The minister of agriculture and rural development, Audu Ogbeh, has said that Nigerian cows are the worst producers of milk across the world.

Ogbeh while speaking in Lagos at the 79th anniversary of the Ikoyi Club 1938 on Thursday, September 28, said the cows raised in Nigeria produce far less quantity of milk than others in other parts of the world.

READ ALSO: Top military sources speak about Nnamdi Kanus disappearance

The minister said while cows in some countries produce 100 litres of milk daily, an average Nigerian cow produces less than one litre of milk in a day.

He also said that the cows in countries like Holland produce 50 litres per day on the average while the US cows have more production.

Ogbeh said: An average cow in the US drinks an average of 100 litres of water per day; but in Nigeria, I doubt whether a cow can get two liters of water per week.

READ ALSO: Explore dialogue in resolving Nigerias conflicts - US tells President Buhari

The earlier farmers started developing ranches for cows, the better it would be for the cow market and its entire value chain.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Ogbeh reassured Nigerians that there would be food security in the country.

The minister also said the government had taken measures to ensure there would not be famine in Nigeria.

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Ogbeh said the federal government was also ensuring that there would be enough food in the next harvest.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of prices of food stuff in the market after President Buhari's return:

Source: Legit.ng
The Chinese government has reportedly issued orders asking Muslims to surrender their Qurans, stating that failure to do that will result in 'harsh punishment'.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Chinese government made a move to control religious activities in the country by banning children from attending church activities.

According to new reports from Radio Free Asia, the Christians are not the only ones affected as Muslims have also been asked to hand over their religious items.

The Muslim faithfuls in Xinjiang, northwestern China, were reportedly asked to hand in their Qurans and prayer mats or face severe punishments.

READ ALSO: China reportedly bans children from attending church

A spokesman World Uyghur Congress, Dilxat Raxit, said people in Kashgar, Hotan and other regions were not left out as notifications were reportedly sent via WeChat, asking them to hand over their own religious items.

The Uyghur human rights project said they were alarmed at how the government's regulations were intruding into its citizens' religious lives, adding that people of faith don't need to be treated as 'state suspects'.

READ ALSO: Public functions: FG may ban Christian and Muslim prayers

A director of the project identified as Omer Kanat said:

"The new religious regulations demonstrate how Xi Jinpings administration is founded on division. In Xis China loyalty is demanded and not earned. Ethnic minorities, dissidents and people of faith present a challenge to Beijings vision of unquestioned allegiance to the state. If these groups do not fall into line, their vilification creates a convenient scapegoat for a morally compromised government."

Na wa!

Meanwhile, watch this video to see how Nigerians responded to 'can you give up your religion for $5m?'

Source: Legit.ng
- The president of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima has warned former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar against calling northern leaders lazy

- Atiku had called some northern leaders lazy for speaking against restructuring of Nigeria

- He also said that Atikus comment was informed by his ambition to become Nigerias president

The president of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima has warned the former Nigerias Vice President, Atiku Abubakar not to be blindfolded by his 2019 presidential ambition.

New Telegraph reports that Shettima made the comments in reaction to statement credited to the ex-vice president that northern leaders were lazy for speaking against restructuring of Nigeria.

READ ALSO: I dont believe in true federalism - Obasanjo, says governors are more powerful than president

Legit.ng gathered that Shettima noted that the region would be watching Igbo would make Atiku president in 2019.

He said: Northern leaders are not lazy and the north is not lazy. We are known to be hardworking people. We are known to be people, who are patient and cultured. We are cultured by training, religion and the way we see things in our belief and quest for one nation does not mean that we are lazy.

Atiku Abubakar should not be blindfolded by his ambition and desperation. When the time comes, he will know that we are people who cannot accept any insult or abuse on our collective sensibility. Nobody should play politics or use his ambition to overrule his sense of reasoning.

"It is uncalled for and terrible for him to make that statement and generalise it. We are watching; let us see if the Igbo will make him president.

He has come out to call us all sorts of names and we are watching; maybe he is doing that because he is sure that when the Igbo back him; he will get what he wants. We are watching; 2019 is around the corner.

Atikus statement was basically because of his political aspiration and ambition. We are watching him. And if he calls us lazy people, we would also remind him that he had opportunity to make north better, when he was vice president for eight years, but he cannot show anything on ground he did for us.

Atiku failed the north; he has not empowered people as regards to our collective agenda and collective interest, but only succeeded in making few individuals. That he supported few individuals and made them whom they are is not enough to assume that he has done things in the collective interest of the North.

The north is not against restructuring but we are saying that dont because of politics and personal interest drag us into an unnecessary arrangement. We are even more in need of restructuring but we are saying it is ill timed.

The unity of the country is being threatened and a lot of things are not normal as we are running from one trouble and challenges to another. We are saying that we should wait after the next elections and see whether the manifesto of those who want to contest will include restructuring.

How can we embark on any restructuring now when the tenure of the incumbent government is about to end? Why cant we wait after the election? With a new government, we can start thinking about restructuring and it will be our priority and agenda to get it right.

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Even though we are going to embark on restructuring, is it the same men of yesteryears who were at the helms of affairs in the 60s that took us from regional government to the federal system of government, who will lead us to restructuring. Are they the same people that will determine our future for us?

Even if there is going to be any restructuring; it should not be by men of yesteryears. It should be by the younger generation. The men of yesteryears have failed their generation and they still want to come again and put our generation into another trouble. This is unacceptable and we will not accept it. It is purely the business of the younger generation and we will do it.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Junaid Mohammed who is a second republic lawmaker lashed out at Atiku Abubakar and described him as a nonentity who is not genuinely interested in restructuring.

Watch Comrade Timi Frank give his perspective on the crisis in the APC on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng
- Speakers of the 36 states House of Assembly spoke about the agitation in the country

- They called on the president to use security operatives to check it

- The Ondo speaker however expressed contrary opinion saying the government needs to look into the reason for the agitations

Speakers of the 36 states House of Assembly have passed a resolution calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to use security agencies to checkmate activities of agitators.

Vanguard reports that the session held in Imo on Thursday, September 28, where they agreed that the government must checkmate agitators.

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu is not in our custody - Army

Read the motion adopted below:

The President is urged to direct all security agencies to monitor the activities of the groups and ensure that perpetrators of violence and breach of peace are promptly and decisively dealt with in accordance with the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The violent approach adopted by the members of the various ethnic, political and religious groups whose actions are threatening the unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria is hereby condemned.

Any ethnic group or persons that have complaints or grievances should channel such complaints or grievances through their elected representatives at the Federal or state levels.

All ethnic, political and religious groups, herdsmen, farmers, aggrieved ethnic groups and agitators are urged to stop all hostilities and any act that is capable of triggering crisis.

The Ondo state speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, however expressed contrary opinion saying the government must look into the reasons for the agitations.

He said: Why dont we ask why those people agitating are doing so? We must know their reasons, especially now that we are talking about power devolution.

Meanwhile, the United States called on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to explore the option of dialogue when resolving internal crisis in Nigeria.

The advice was given on Thursday, September 28, in Washington DC when the US institute of peace (USIP) convened a conference titled - Peace in Nigeria: How to build it, and Americas role.

The gathering which had in attendance US officials, diplomats and Nigerian leaders, explored possible options beyond military operations in resolving Nigerias internal crisis

In the video below, Legit.ng TV asked some Nigerians if they want the Operation Python Dance in southeast canceled:

Source: Legit.ng
- Lawyers have stormed the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja

- They called on the US government to withdraw its support for the Indigenous People of Biafra and its leaders

- The lawyers also said the US support for the IPOB is aimed at destabilising Nigeria's democracy

Some lawyers and human rights activists have stormed the United States of America Embassy in protest of the government's remarks on Nigeria's proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The protesters under the aegis of League of African Democratic Lawyers (LADL) said the US is working towards destabilizing Nigeria's democracy by openly supporting secessionists agitations led by IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The protesters led by LADL country representatives, John Oboh, in a letter delivered to the US ambassador to Nigeria urged the US government to urgently withdraw its endorsement of IPOB.

READ ALSO: Top military sources speak about Nnamdi Kanus disappearance

Oboh also called on the US government to respect decisions taken by the Nigerian government in accordance with its laws.

He said the lawyers and human rights activists will be forced to carry out civil disobedience in tandem with democratic practices if the support for IPOB by the US is not withdrawn within 72 hours.

Lawyers have stormed the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja. Source: Chris Oko

"Considering that the recognition of IPOB will simultaneously reignite all these separatist movements while encouraging even the politically oriented ones among them to turn violent, the various international organizations are not equipped to deal with continent-wide pockets of violent insurrections that will result.

READ ALSO: Muslims reportedly ordered to hand over all copies of the Quran or face punishment

"The remaining stable countries of the world must then be prepared to host the portion of Africas 1.2 billion people that will pour over their borders," Oboh said.

Lawyers have stormed the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja. Source: Chris Oko

Oboh added that Kanu and other leaders of the commanders have repeatedly insisted on referendum or violent breakup of Nigeria."

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Legit.ng earlier reported that the US advised the Nigerian government to explore possible options beyond the use of military force to address conflict situations in the country.

The acting assistant secretary, bureau of conflict and stabilisation operations, US department of state, Thomas Hushek, said durable peace in Nigeria will require a painstaking dialogue.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer speaking of his trial:

Source: Legit.ng
In an attempt to draw the international community to the agitation in the southeastern part of Nigeria, some supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have staged a protest to the British embassy in Vienna.

The protesters said they were not happy with the alleged recent killing of some Igbo people by the Nigerian security operatives under the Operation Python Dance 2.

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu is not in our custody - Army

They also kicked against the invasion of Nnamdi Kanus home in Abia by security officials which led to the disappearance of the leader of IPOB.

The IPOB members protesting. Credit: Abia Breaking News

Legit.ng earlier reported that members of IPOB and their supporters protested in Israel.

Some of the protesters marching towards the British Embassy in Vienna. Credit: Abia Breaking News

Watch this video as Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer speaks:

Source: Legit.ng
- Nigeria is still lagging behind in terms of available and constant water supply for its citizens

- Clean portable water for human consumption is still a challenge in major parts of Nigeria

- Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has tasked government at all levels to address the issue

Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said that government at all levels need to redouble their efforts to ensure Nigeria meets its water supply and sanitation demands.

Osinbajo made the statement at the National Retreat on Revitalizating Urban Water Supply and Sanitation, on Thursday, September 28 in Abuja.

According to him, the water demand-supply gap in the urban areas should not be allowed to continue as the population increases.

He stated that clean portable water for human consumption and other uses together with adequate sanitation was critical to Nigeria's socio-economic development.

Vice President Osinbajo flanked by the minister, Engineer Sulieman Adamu, World Bank Country Director; Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud and permanent secretary; Dr Musa Ibrahim. Photo credit: Novo Isioro

READ ALSO: South Africa offers to help Nigeria build military industry

He informed his audience that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari placed priority on infrastructure development including those of water supply and sanitation towards ensuring better life for our people.

His words: From the inception of this administration, we have demonstrated serious commitment to the development of the water sector by first of all preserving the ministry of water resources and appointing a seasoned engineer as the minister.

Our country is vast with increasing rate of urbanisation, recent indices for water supply and sanitation access calls on government at all levels to redouble their efforts and work in synergy towards meeting the nations water supply and sanitation demands.

He urged the participants at the retreat to think outside the box and come out with practical solutions that will rapidly improve access to pipe-borne water and adequate sanitation in urban areas.

He also praised the efforts of the World Bank and other development partners for their support to the Nigerian water sector.

In his keynote address at the retreat, the minister of water resources, Engineer Sulieman Adamu, noted that the Nigeria constitution allowed the issues of water supply and sanitation services to be handled by the three tiers of government.

He added that in pursuance of this, the Federal Executive Council as well as the National Economic Council approved the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in 2000.

He lamented that the laudable objectives of the Water Sanitation Policy had not been met since the policy came on stream 17 years go.

He therefore called for a serious review of the policy with a view of fashioning out a model that will enhance more collaborative efforts of all the three tiers of government and to promote private sector participation and access to other sources of funding the urban water supply and sanitation.

On his part, the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, said Improving management of water resources is key to the water security of Nigeria and to the countrys economic and social development.

We hope todays retreat can trigger a call for urgent remobilization and action of all stakeholders to address the water and sanitation sector emergency in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the immediate past governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has advised the federal government to pay critical attention to the high rate of maternal mortality in the country.

Mimiko gave the advise while speaking to journalists, on Friday, September 22, at the Chatham House in London.

The former governor delivered a paper on Improving Access to Health Services for All using his administration's achievement in maternal and child health as a case study.

READ ALSO: Group seeks government intervention in shutting down Ogwashi Uku prison in Delta state

Watch Nigerians speak on the federal government's health plan for the citizens on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng
- A group has accused Nnamdi Kanu of inciting IPOB members to kill Yorubas

- The group said Kanu and IPOB members speeches against the Yorubas is enough to tag IPOB a terrorist organisation

- They accused the IPOB group of trying to recruit some Yoruba youths into their group

The Defence of Nigeria Sovereignty (DNS) has said the federal government's declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group is justified.

The group accused Kanu of hate speech and trying to incite the IPOB members to kill the Yorubas.

They alleged that Kanu, in his numerous video, lumped the Yoruba with the marauding herdsmen and call for ethnic cleansing.

They also accused the IPOB of trying to lure Yoruba youths to join the group so as to create a version of the IPOB in the south-east, Daily Post reports.

READ ALSO: Again, protesters storm US Embassy over proscription of IPOB (photos)

The group leader, Otunba Bolaji Alabi, while speaking in Lagos on Friday, said: The hate speech hurled at Yoruba by IPOB members online alone qualify as terrorism. They have repeatedly referred to us as yorobastards yoropigs yaribadsand other derogatory appellations.

The disdain with which this terrorist organization hold us as a people was deplorable to the extent that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, directed his members to kill Yoruba after branding us as colluding with the Hausa/Fulani.

Below are a few instances of him threatening us as a people:

'No Igbo man should attend any church where the pastor is a Yoruba man, they are criminals and fools." Any Igbo Person who attends any church Pastored by a Yoruba man is an Imbecile; Pastor Kumuyi should be stoned and dealt with thoroughly if he comes to Aba for his planned crusade; Nigeria is a zoo and everybody living in that Godforsaken zoo deserves to die; Nigeria should prepare for war, we are coming to annihilate you, my secret service are already studying the zoo and strategising.'

Alabi added that Kanu tried to brainwash some Yoruba youths and those he succeeded in brainwashing were the ones agitating for Oduduwa Republic.

He said: IPOB has also been attempting to recruit and radicalize Yoruba youths to create a version of the terror group in the south-west of Nigeria oblivious to our nationalistic spirit and staunch belief in the unity of Nigeria. It was these brainwashed youths that had unsuccessfully attempted making demands for Oodua Republic, which does not enjoy any backing among us.

The culture of hate speech being promoted by IPOB, which it is teaching these youths is alien to us as we are taught to be respectful and considerate of other humans.

Alabi added that the IPOB's activities has affected the economy of Nigeria negatively and unleashed hardship on Nigerians.

We wonder what would be the fate of anyone that repeatedly incite others to violence through the promotion of hate speech and go the extra mile to actualize the threats as we witnessed in Rivers state when IPOB terrorists were stopping commercial buses and singling out non-Igbo passengers, including Yoruba, for attacks.

These IPOBs activities have already negatively affected the economy and unleashed hardship on the population from which Yoruba are not immune," he added.

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Meanwhile, some lawyers and human rights activists have stormed the United States of America Embassy in protest of the government's remarks on Nigeria's proscription of the IPOB.

The protesters under the aegis of League of African Democratic Lawyers (LADL) said the US is working towards destabilizing Nigeria's democracy by openly supporting secessionists agitations led by IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The protesters led by LADL country representatives, John Oboh, in a letter delivered to the US ambassador to Nigeria urged the US government to urgently withdraw its endorsement of IPOB.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer speaking of his trial:

Source: Legit.ng
- Defence Headquarters says ongoing military operations across the country would be sustained

- According to the DHQ, the various military exercise are not only to deal with the various security challenges, but also to train personnel

- Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche said IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu is not in the military's custody as being insinuated

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the various military operations going on across the country to deal with the various security challenges would be sustained.

Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Enenche also said that the exercises were being carried out by the armed forces not only to tackle the challenges but to train personnel, adding that they were being done in line with best international practices.

READ ALSO: IPOB supporters march with coffin to British embassy in Australia

He declared the unalloyed loyalty of the military to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Responding to questions, Enenche urged the citizens not to be alarmed in the face of the presence of the military in almost all parts of the country.

He explained that they were assisting civil authorities to tackle emerging security threats.

The defence spokesman noted that the emerging threats were not unexpected as the nation passes through various stages of development.

According to him, some of the advanced countries have also passed these stages where their armed forces are called in to assist civil authorities to tackle security challenges.

On the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Enenche maintained he was not in custody of the military as being insinuated in some quarters.

On the quit notice issued to the Igbo by Arewa youths to leave the Northern part of the country on or before October 1, he said that the issue had been addressed by the political leadership.

According to an earlier report by Legit.ng, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, said that the ongoing military show of force in the southeast region of the country, is capable of putting the country on fire if not checked.

Comrade Frank's position was made known in a statement he sent to Legit.ng on Thursday, September 14.

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He stated that the current approach of the military in the region need to be checked, even as he called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the political implications of unleashing the military on an entire region.

Watch Legit.ng TV interview with IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer, about the military invasion:

Source: Legit.ng
- Top dignitaries from all over Africa were present at an event organised in honour of Rochas Okorocha's 55th birthday anniversary

- Okorocha, at the event, talked about his love for education and his passion for promoting free education

- Others at the event are Olusegun Obasanjo, Ghana's president, Nana Akuffo Ado and Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme

An event on free education, organised in honour of the 55th birthday anniversary of the Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, by the Rochas foundation was held today, September 29.

Okorocha, who clocked 55th on September 22, spoke on his passion for education and his plan to make free education available for all children.

The Imo state governor said: "I won't live forever, when I die, I want the beneficiaries of my free education to keep the candle burning."

READ ALSO: DHQ speaks on IPOB leader's whereabouts and ongoing military operations

The president of Ghana, Nana Akuffo Ado, who was also present at the event, praised Okorocha for his dedication to providing good education for children.

He said: "I am president of Ghana today because of education, Governor Rochas is a gift to humanity."

President Nana Akuffo Ado speaking at the event. Photo credit: Project55555

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Others present at the event include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former vice president, Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, and the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isah Mustapha-Agwai.

Olusegun Obasanjo at the event. Photo credit: Project55555

Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that Okorocha stated that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would affect the chances of Igbos to produce Nigerias president in 2023.

Okorocha told newsmen on Thursday, September 21 that IPOB was not good for the southeast, and it was not the best way for them to complain about marginalisation to the federal republic of Nigeria.

Watch video of what Nigerians have to say about exam malpractice and the quality of education in Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng
- The police have warned Nigerians against buying used phones popularly dubbed as 'London used'

- Some Nigerians prefer 'London used' phones because it is relatively cheaper than new ones

- Rapid Response squad, however, urged Nigerians not to buy such phones without knowing its source

Nigerians have been warned against buying used phones which are popularly known as 'London used' without knowing sources of such phones.

The Rapid Response squad (RRS) gave this warning on Friday, September 29 on their Facebook page.

To drive home their point, the RRS shared a story of 30-year-old Jamiu Adebayo who was arrested after buying a supposed 'London used' phone that was in actual sense stolen from a banker.

The police in their statement said: "Please, whenever you want to buy a fairly used phone, try to know the source. Avoid using your money to buy trouble for yourself. Some of these so-called London Used Phones might actually be stolen phones.

"If there are no buyers, there would be low demand for stolen phones and robbers would cease to be interested in other peoples phones".

Going further, the RRS narrated the story of Adebayo for other Nigerians to learn from his story.

The RRS wrote: "Jamiu Adebayo, 30 was arrested in Lagos state last week by the operatives of Rapid Response Squad for buying phones from armed robbers and one chance gangs and repackaging them as London Used Phones.

"Adebayo was tracked and found in possession of an iphone 7 belonging to one Kolade Johnson, a banker working in Lagos Island.

"Johnson, had on August 23 boarded a one chance commercial bus around 5:45 a.m. on his way to work. The robbers, operating with the commercial bus dispossessed him of a laptop and 2 phones, one of which was traced to Adebayo while trying to sell it to a customer in Lagos Island as a London used phone.

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu is not in our custody - Army

"Also found in the possession of Adebayo were 6 additional iphones, 4 assorted phones and three MTN SIM packs, which he stated he collected from some of the robbers.

"The suspect in his confession to the police stated that he regularly bought stolen phones from three people who he is aware are members of an armed robbery and one chance gang.

"Uche, Alubi and Pinheiro are three major guys I collect these phones from. Five out of the 11 phones traced to me were bought from Uche.

"If I tell you that I dont know these phones are stolen phones and that some of those I get the phones from are robbers, I would be lying to you. I know some of these phones were forcefully collected from people, he explained.

'I buy iphone 7 with icloud at N45,000 and sell for N55,000. Those without icloud, I buy at N150,000 and sell for N180,000. I buy iphone 6 at N65,000. I buy Samsung phones at N22,000 and sell for N27,000. I sell other phones too. I work on the phones and disguise them as London used phones.

"Adebayo also confessed that he works with a phone technician to unlock iphones with active icloud. what we do is talk the owner to unlock it.

"Our source disclosed that Uche, Pinheiro and Aluba have been on the run since the arrest of Adebayo last week Tuesday," the police said.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Zamfara state police command on Wednesday, September 27, intercepted two vehicles carrying arms in different parts of the state.

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The spokesman of the command, Muhammad Shehu, confirmed the development to journalists in Gusau.

He told newsmen that items recovered from the vehicles were three AK47 riffles, an automatic pistol, locally-made pistol, magazines and live ammunitions.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video asking if the police is truly your friend:

Source: Legit.ng
In our last chapter of the shaggy dog tale of CalPERS election fiasco, we recounted how board candidate Margaret Brown had made a field trip to CalPERS election vendor, Integrity Voting Systems, a division of K&H Printing, to see what they were doing with the ballots in the CalPERS election. The majority of ballots are mailed in; CalPERS also allows for voting online and by phone.

Background on CalPERS Unconstitutional, Non-Secret, Insecure, Unauditable Election

As weve discussed, CalPERS new election procedures have fundamental flaws. Among other things, CalPERS violated the California law by making it possible to identify how individuals voted. The ballots proper have to be signed for the vote to be deemed countable, plus every ballot has a bar code linked to a specific individual. CalPERS is also using online voting, which California election statutes prohibit.

Browns site visit uncovered even more problems. The ballots are not being held securely (they were in a room with the door propped open and were not locked up overnight). They are being processed before the election has concluded, which is a violation of CalPERS own regulation (the rule it passed, supposedly in accordance with California law, except it isnt since it explicitly provided that the paper ballots themselves be signed).

The fact that IVS is scanning ballots on a daily basis and deciding what to do with ballots that get mangled or are marked in a way that the scanners dont register means that votes are not being tabulated in public at the end of the election as CalPERS regulation stipulates. Remember the hanging chads in Florida in the 2000 Presidential election? One of the most important parts of election monitoring is to have third parties review how ballots that arent cleanly marked to see if the voter intent can be inferred and the vote included in the tally. Processing ballots daily makes public tabulation impossible. That is presumably a feature, not a bug.

Brown wrote a letter to CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost and board describing some of the violations of law and procedural problems she had found. CalPERS then held a meeting with the election subcontractors and the candidates, supposedly to assuage the candidates concerns. As we described, not only were there way many embarrassed silences but CalPERS and the vendors also told several obvious lies, from which they had to retreat.

After the meeting, another board candidate, Michael Flaherman, wrote a letter to Marcie Frost describing in detail why CalPERS election procedures violated the state constitution, election laws, and CalPERS own regulation. Weve embedded his letter below and strongly encourage you to read it in full.

Flaherman also explained why the changes in election procedure, which were just implemented, look like vote suppression, aimed most of all at active employees who are union members. They would have reason to fear retaliation if they voted against the candidate their union recommended and union supervisors could find out how they had voted.

Why is this line of thought plausible? Consider this section of a transcript from a CalPERS board meeting in August 2016, when the first version of the change in CalPERS voting procedures was presented to the board (emphasis ours):

Operations Support Services Division Chief Kim Malm: At this time, Id like to take a minute of personal privilege, Mr. Chair. Is like to thank the staff that have worked really hard on this over the last couple of years. Anthony Martin, Christina Nutley, Nina Dinsdale, and Dallas Stone from my staff. Also Erin Lopez and Renee Salazar from the Legal Office, and also Public Affairs. We would not have been able to do this without them, in addition to the constituents that have been extremely supportive over the last couple of years. And especially Dave Low and Terry Brennand who kind of got this in front of some people  important people to help us push this forward. So Id like to say thank you to all of them, in addition, of course, to my Executive, Doug Hoffner and the Board.

David Low is the executive of California School Employees Association. Terry Brennand is the pension director for SEIU. Pray tell, why are senior union officials permitted to have behind-the-scenes influence on how CalPERS runs elections? And worse, why did David Low think he had the right to participate in the meeting with the candidates on September 20 about the election procedures? The union backed candidates, David Miller and incumbent Michael Bilbrey, blew that meeting off. But Low tried to dial in. He wasnt allowed to participate but CalPERS head of media relations, Brad Pacheco, said hed brief him later. Rest assured that no ordinary CalPERS beneficiary whod tried to join the meeting would have been extended that courtesy.

In the interest of not taxing reader patience, we have omitted some other glaring problems. For instance, the fact that Everyone Counts, the vendor for online voting (which remember is illegal in California) has run elections for mere neighborhood councils in Los Angeles that were fiascos and that Everyone Counts phone number for the CalPERS election (for phone voting, getting replacement ballots, and other questions) is manned by people working out of their homes who have access to the full CalPERS election database.and some, perhaps all, are contractors, not employees. Please read our earlier post or Flahermans letter below for more unsavory details.

CalPERS Cant Get Its Act Together on Ballot Counting Now That It Has Been Caught Out

Recall that Candidate Brown visited IVS in Everett, Washington, which is where CalPERS beneficiaries are mailing completed ballots. IVS has been opening the envelopes as they come in, scanning them, and adjudicating them every business day. IVS told Brown then that they were not counting votes, that that would be done by Everyone Counts at the end of the election. The IVS employees also stated that Everyone Counts did everything online and had no equipment for processing paper ballots.

Consider how this conflicts with CalPERS own regulation:

On the date specified in the Notice of Election at the location designated by CalPERS, the validated paper ballots shall be tabulated publicly by an independent, neutral agent appointed by CalPERS for that purpose.

It is clear that:

1. The paper ballots are to be tabulated. That means the ballots proper, not scanned images. 2. The date is a date specified, meaning one and only one date in the the Notice of Election. And that means all at once, at the end of the election. And that date must be October 2.

But CalPERS and its vendors have given four stories so far, and a new story is due out at 9 AM on Friday.

First story: images would be sent to Everyone Counts to be tabulated. This is what IVS told Candidate Brown and her witness during her site visit in Everett, Washington. The IVS representatives were quite insistent that they werent counting the votes, even though the equipment they were using for processing the ballots was not only capable of recording the votes, that was clearly its main use and the image retention was for audit purposes.

Note that this procedure obviously does not comply with the regulation.

Second story: ballots would be counted at IVS in Washington. In the meeting among CalPERS, its election contractors, and the candidates on September 20, Brown asked where she should go to view the ballots being counted. She was then told in Washington. She pointed out that that wasnt what she was told earlier, that shed been informed that the images would be sent to Everyone Counts, tabulated there, and those results combined with the phone and online totals. She got a long silence. CalPERS general counsel Matt Jacobs then said hed have to get back to the candidates.

The candidates had to ask repeatedly for information as to where they should go at the end of the elections to view the tabulation of the paper ballots. It took a whole week to pry an answer out of CalPERS.

Third story:

Revised third story: Two and a half hours later, the election coordinator sent a revised memo with a different suite number.

Brown sent this e-mail to CalPERS CEO later that day:

Marcie, I just received this notice from the election coordinators office. The Notice of Election approved by the CalPERS Board of Administration stated that ballots would be tabulated on October 2nd. Further, your regulations require the physical ballots be tabulated in public. I know that the ballots are located in Evertt Washington. How are the physical ballots being transported to Everyone Counts for tabulation? Ive also never heard of a nine hour delay in the tabulation of votes. Any such delay calls into question the election results. Please be advised that if your vendors do not tabulate the physical ballots in public, and/or do not start the tabulation process immediately after the close of voting, I will consider CalPERS to be out of conformance with its Notice of Election and regulations. Sincerely, Margaret Brown

If you read the notice, you will see it does not say that the candidates will view the tabulation of the votes, but the ballot tabulation process. That suggests that all the candidates will see is a tidy demo, not the actual count, which we suspect has been done daily, in violation of the election rules.

If the IVS employees told Brown the truth when she visited their facility, that Everyone Counts does not have any vote counting equipment, the only way ballot tabulation could comply with the CalPERS regulation would be for all the ballots to be transported to La Jolla, and for either IVS tabulation machines to be shipped as well or for Everyone Counts to gear up for a manual count.

To add insult to injury, the election coordinators message is dishonest by depicting Integrity Voting Systems and Everyone Counts as one business. They arent. They have not formed a joint venture and when pressed by Mike Flaherman in the September 20 meeting, they said instead that they had entered into an operating agreement for the CalPERS election. Consistent with that, the embedded Notice to Award Contract clearly shows that the contract was awarded to two companies, not one, and that Everyone Counts, and not IVS, is in Ja Jolla. A web search also returns no hits for addresses for IVS or its parent, K&H Printing, in Ja Jolla. CalPERS apparently thinks this obfuscation is necessary since it told the board that only IVS was its new election vendor, and also falsely said that IVS was certified by the Secretary of State. In fact, K&H Printing is certified only to do printing and finishing of certain types of election ballots. IVS does not have any certifications in California.

Fourth story in progress: CalPERS realizes it still has a problem. CEO Frost to candidate Brown at 12:09 PM yesterday:

Margaret, Were updating the Fact Sheet to answer your questions on vote tabulation. Ill get that out to you and the board candidates by the end of today. Marcie

And then at 3:04 PM:

Hello Margaret, Were going to need a little longer to get the elections sheet updated. Ill have it to you by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. Marcie

As those of you who have been paying close attention have probably figured out, the only way CalPERS can comply with its own regulation is to count the paper ballots (or at least start counting them) where CalPERS voters were instructed to mail them and where Brown saw them being processed, in Everett, Washington. Any other procedure introduces a time lag that was never contemplated in the regulation, and for good reason, as Brown insinuates. A delay between the close of voting and the processing of votes creates the opportunity for meddling.

So well know in a little while whether CalPERS is prepared to adhere to its own regulation, or just tries to bulldoze its way through. One of the annoyances in dealing with CalPERS is that its general counsel Matt Jacobs doesnt even bother covering up the fact that he is making stuff up. Even propagandists take far more pride in their tradecraft.
By Zsolt Darvas, a Senior Fellow at Bruegel, and formerly Research Advisor of the Argenta Financial Research Group in Budapest and Deputy Head of the research unit of the Central Bank of Hungary and David Pichler. Originally published at Bruegel

The common narrative that the US labour market outperforms the EU is not as trustworthy as overall unemployment figures imply. There is a complex interaction between job creation, labour force participation and unemployment. Jobseekers leaving the labour market altogether was an important factor behind the reduction in US unemployment, while Europes job growth has been accompanied by increased labour force participation.

The global financial crash had a lasting impact in Europe. Most EU countries faced long recessions and labour market weakness after 2008. In contrast, recovery in the US economy and job market started much earlier. Much has been said about the reasons for this discrepancy between the two regions, and in our view some of the pain of post-2008 Europe could have been avoided.

However, beyond the doom and gloom, comparing the EU and US is a not as simple as it seems. And the balance is not monolithically favourable to the US. In fact, it is worth emphasising a few bits of good news regarding EU labour markets:

Before the crisis, the rate of job creation was faster in the EU than in the United States;

In recent years, the rate of job creation in the EU was the same as in the US;

While labour force participation has been falling in the US, it has increased in Europe.

Job Creation: Is the US a Clear Champion?

There is a wide assumption that the US economy is more effective than Europe at creating jobs, which should be reflected in a more rapid increase in total employment. However, as we see in Figure 1, the EU was actually creating jobs faster than the US in the years before the crisis. From 2000Q1 to 2008Q1, the number of jobs in the EU expanded by 10%, but only by 6% in the United States. Note that this chart compares each region to its own level of employment in 2008Q1; it does not display the percentage employment rate.

When the global financial crisis hit, US employment fell faster and to a larger extent than European employment. Within two years over 5% of US jobs disappeared, versus 3% in the EU  partly because the US has a more flexible labour market. But, thanks to a more effective policy response to the crisis, US output started to recover already in the second half of 2009. This was followed by renewed job creation since early 2010, with employment regaining its 2008Q1 level by the end of 2014.

In contrast, the EUs employment crisis was less deep but lasted much longer. A broad-based recovery started only after 2013, when the euro crisis was finally contained. However, since then, job creation has been picking up and total employment is now back at pre-crisis levels. On average, the rate of job growth is now the same in the EU and the US: 2.7% in total in the past two years. Even Greece, a hard-hit euro-area country, is seeing a broad-based labour market recovery, as we highlighted in this earlier post.

The OECD reports data for 22 EU countries but not for the EU as a whole. We calculated the EU22 aggregate data using country-specific data. Source: https://data.oecd.org/youthinac/youth-not-in-employment-education-or-training-neet.htm

Beyond the general positive trend of job creation, youth inactivity remains a problem. But this is true on both sides of the Atlantic. The share of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) in the 15-29 age cohort group was at 15.3% in the EU and 14.1% in the US in 2017Q1, according to OECD data[1]. These are high rates, even if both fell from 17% at the crisis peak. Youth inactivity can have lasting negative effects, as skills are undermined for a workers whole lifetime, with knock-on effects on fertility rates and the ability to provide for ones children.

There is also a significant degree of intra-EU heterogeneity in terms of job creation (see the charts in the annex below). The countries with the fastest job creation are Malta, Ireland, Hungary, Spain, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Greece. Meanwhile Latvia recorded job losses in the past two years, and Finland, Croatia, Belgium, France, Lithuania and Bulgaria have been able to create very few new jobs.

As Americans Flee the Labour Market, Can We Trust Falling Unemployment Figures?

Looking at the labour market from another perspective, we also see an impressive fall in unemployment rates (the percentage of jobseekers within those who either work or are looking for a job). This is the case in both the US and, more recently, in Europe  although the overall rate is still much lower in the US than in Europe (4.7% versus 8.1% in 2017Q1). Of course, the fall in unemployment rates is partly thanks to the job creation shown in Figure 1. But there are other factors in play which mean we must treat the headline-grabbing unemployment numbers with caution.

Another important reason behind the fall in US unemployment rate was the falling labour force participation rate (Figure 2). More and more people have become disenchanted with labour markets and have given up looking for a job altogether. This means they are no longer counted amongst the unemployed, even if they would ideally have wanted a job. In the US, young people (of both genders) and middle-aged men have displayed a significant fall in labour force participation. This drop was offset only to a small degree by increased labour force participation among older men. Overall US labour force participation has turned slightly upwards only since late 2015, by which time, incidentally, it had fallen to the level of the EU average.

In contrast, from a low level in 2000, labour force participation in the EU has been increasing continuously. Even the crisis-related increase in unemployment did not cause a break in the trend. A steadily higher percentage of Europeans are participating in work, or trying to do so. Even in hard-hit Greece and Spain, labour force participation continued to go up after 2008. The increase is driven largely by higher participation of middle-age women and older age cohorts (of both genders), while the participation of the youth further declined.

The convergence of US and EU labour force participation rates is not just an interesting economic and social trend in its own right. It has an important statistical corollary: unemployment rates are now more comparable between the US as a whole and the EU as a whole. If the same percentage of people in both regions is actively trying to work, then we can now meaningfully compare the percentage of that group which cannot find work. In earlier periods we were comparing the unsuccessful subset of two very different groups.

However, better comparability with the US does not always apply to individual EU countries. There is a large degree of heterogeneity within the EU, as our country-specific charts in the annex show. In particular, labour force participation in the Scandinavian countries, Germany, Netherlands and the United Kingdom is well above the EU and US averages, while Italy, Croatia and Romania report rather low values.

So, just how great was the impact of changes in labour market participation on unemployment rates? In order to answer this question, we calculate a hypothetical counter-factual scenario for the unemployment rates in the EU and US. To do this we assume that labour force participation stayed at its 2008Q1 level throughout the whole period, while maintaining the trends in total employment presented in Figure 1.

Under this scenario, the unemployment rate in the US would have increased to a much higher level in 2010 and the current 2017Q1 rate would be 7.3% instead of 4.7%, because we consider as unemployed all those people who have since left the labour force altogether (Figure 3). In contrast, the unemployment rate in the EU would have increased less after 2008 and the current 2017Q1 rate would be 4.6% instead of 8.1%, because we presume that none has joined the labour force and there would thereby be a lower number of unemployed people.

Thus we can see that the dramatic changes in labour force participation have indeed had a sizeable impact on unemployment rate developments in the US and EU since 2008. Moreover, they paint a more nuanced picture than the often-quoted unemployment rate, which implies that the US labour is undoubtedly outperforming the EU. In fact the story is a little more complex.

Annex: Country Specific Charts


Yves here. It was painful to read the encomiums for Wolfgang Schauble yesterday as he is about to leave his post as German finance minister and become speaker of the Bundestag. The New York Times and Financial Times, among others, praised for his role as austerity enforcer and depicted him as the truest defender of European unity. In fact, the neoliberal policies that Schauble backed increased the centrifugal forces in the Eurozone, weakened an already anemic recovery, and provided powerful evidence that Europeans are anti-democratic, which in turn helped fuel Brexit and the rise of nationalist parties, particularly in France and Germany. These accounts also either failed to mention or greatly underplayed the fact that Schauble took bribes from an arms merchant, which put an end to his aspirations to become Chancellor.

By Yanis Varoufakis. Originally published at his website

Wolfgang Schauble may heave left the finance ministry but his policy for turning the eurozone into an iron cage of austerity, that is the very antithesis of a democratic federation, lives on.

What is remarkable about Dr Schaubles tenure was how he invested heavily in maintaining the fragility of the monetary union, rather than eradicating it in order to render the eurozone macro-economically sustainable and resilient. Why did Dr Schauble aim at maintaining the eurozones fragility? Why was he, in this context, ever so keen to maintain the threat of Grexit? The simple answer is: Because a state of permanent fragility was instrumental to his strategy for using the threat of expulsion from the euro (or even of Germanys withdrawal from it) to discipline the deficit countries  chiefly France.

Deep in Dr Schauble thinking there was the belief that, as a federation is infeasible, the euro is a glorified fixed exchange rate regime. And the only way of maintaining discipline within such a regime was to keep alive the threat of expulsion or exit. But to keep that threat alive, the eurozone could not be allowed to develop the instruments and institutions that would stop it from being fragile. Thus, the eurozones permanent fragility was, from Dr Schaubles perspective an end-in-itself, rather than a failure.

The Free Democratic Partys ascension will see to it that Wolfgang Schaubles departure will not alter the policy of doing whatever it takes to prevent the eurozone s evolution into a sustainable macroeconomy. The FDPs sole promise to its voters was to prevent any of Emmanuel Macrons plans, for some federation-lite, from being agreed to, and for pursuing Grexit. Even worse, whereas Wolfgang Schauble understood that austerity plus new loans were catastrophic for countries like Greece (but insisted on them as part of his campaign to discipline France and Italy), his FDP successors at the finance ministry will probably be less enlightened believing that the tough medicine is fit for purpose.

And so the never ending crisis of Europes social economy, that feeds the xenophobic political monsters, continues.
(Natural News) Michigan-based dairy farmer Denis Burke filed a guilty plea for harboring more than 100 illegal immigrant workers, and is to settle $1.38 million in penalties to the federal government.

Burke, an Irish immigrant himself, owns and operates both the Dunganstown Dairy and Parisville Dairy farms located in the Michigan Thumb region. The dairy farmer agreed to sign a plea agreement admitting that he did not seek legal permission to employ more than 100 illegal immigrants that worked in his two farms.

[Burke] gave the illegal aliens free housing on or next to his farms so the illegal aliens would be readily available for work and less accessible to immigration authorities. By keeping the illegal workers on his farms and his farms in operation, Burke benefited financially and gained a commercial advantage over other dairy farmers who employed only legal workers, Burkes plea agreement read.

The plea agreement also stated that the illegal immigrants lack of valid documentation hindered them from obtaining drivers licenses and registering vehicles with the the Michigan Secretary of State. Likewise, the illegal immigrants status prevented them from opening financial accounts to cash paychecks themselves.

This is a classic case of harboring illegal aliens, and must not be tolerated, especially on such a scale. Not only is it unfair to Americans and legal immigrants who might have needed those jobs, it is likely that the illegal workers were exploitedCases like these illustrate the need for a mandate for all employers to use E-Verify, to prevent egregious illegal hiring like this, and so that law-abiding employers dont face unfair competition. In addition, more [Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE] efforts to investigate these rogue employers should be supported with funding from Congress, Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, told LifeZette online.

Data from the Pew Research Center revealed that there were 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2015, which equated to about 3.4 percent of the total U.S. population.

The center also found that there were 5.4 million Mexican unauthorized immigrants and 5.7 million non-Mexican illegal immigrants living in the country in 2015 and 2016. Furthermore, Pew data showed that the U.S. civilian workforce included up to eight million illegal immigrants.

The specifics of Burkes legal dilemma

Burke could be faced with a verdict of 35 months in prison when he is sentenced on January 4. His wife, Madeline has also pleaded guilty to one count of hiring employees without checking their eligibility to work in the U.S.

The Burkes and their farms are slated to settle a total of $1.38 million for their crimes. Likewise, Burke is set to pay $187,000 dollars in fines, while his wife agreed to pay a penalty of $3,000. (Related: The real cost of illegal immigration: Eight people COOKED to death in the back of a trailer in a Texas Wal-Mart parking lot.)

Aside from the Burkes, another person of interest by the name of Yolanda Stewart has also been implicated in the legal dispute. According to reports, a police officer caught Stewart red-handed as she ferried five of Burkes illegal immigrant employees in her car in 2013.

It was also reported that Yolanda admitted to plotting with the Burkes and other farms in the area to help the illegal immigrants in purchasing their groceries, cashing their checks and remitting some of the money back to Mexico.

The biggest consideration here is sending a message to other employers that ICE is paying attentionAnd that will change the behavior of employers. When employers behaviors change, then the behavior of people who are contemplating coming to the United States illegally will change also, said Ira Mehlman, Media Director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Sources include:

LifeZette.com

Freep.com

PewResearch.org
(Natural News) Weve heard a lot about the crime and deaths caused by the opioid crisis, but what about the financial impact of it? Many small towns are struggling to cover the costs associated with the epidemic, whether its emergency calls, coroner bills, courtrooms, or overcrowded prisons.

Reuters recently examined the case of Ross County, Ohio, which has seen its budget for child services doubling from $1.3 million to $2.4 million in just five years. Three fourths of the children placed into protection there come from parents with opioid addictions; that proportion stood at just 40 percent five years ago. The countys general fund is only $23 million to begin with, so now they are considering places they can make cuts to foot the bill, and it appears that economic development schemes and youth programs could be axed as a result.

Meanwhile, the toxicology and autopsy costs in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, have gone from $89,000 in 2010 to $165,0000 in 2016, and prosecuting crimes related to opioids and providing public defenders to the accused is sending court costs through the roof. Mercer County, West Virginia, meanwhile, expects its county jail expenses to rise by $100,000 this year, with 90 percent of the extra costs said to be related to opioids. West Virginia led the nation in the number of drug overdoses for the third year in a row in 2015.

According to a 2011 study published in Pain Medicine, healthcare costs associated with prescription opioid abuse were $25 billion, while criminal justice system expenses were $5.1 billion. Workplaces, however, had the biggest cost, with lost earnings and employment amounting to $25.6 billion. The total cost of the crisis to the economy was estimated at the time to be $55.7 billion, and its only growing.

How did the situation become so dire?

Opioids  which include prescription painkillers as well as heroin and fentanyl  are 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, and theyre highly addictive. Many of those who find themselves caught up in their web started out with prescription painkillers and then moved on to drugs like heroin, and some pharmaceutical companies have been spending a lot of money encouraging doctors to prescribe these drugs through kickbacks and other incentives to create new addicts.

Their encouragements are clearly working; the National Survey of Drug Use and Health indicates that 97.5 million Americas took prescription painkillers in 2015. Opioid abuse is responsible for the deaths of more than 100 Americans each day, and drug overdose deaths have tripled since 2000.

Will Big Pharma ever be held accountable?

The city of Everett, Washington is one of many launching lawsuits against the makers of opioids. Everett is suing the makers of OxyContin for their role in the epidemic after experiencing unusually high numbers of overdose deaths. They are suing Purdue for negligence, saying they placed profits over the welfare of people and caused substantial damages to the city. The company already pleaded guilty in 2007 to charges it misled patients and doctors about the drugs addictive properties.

Meanwhile, the attorneys general from 41 states are widening their investigation into the sales and marketing practices of the opioid industry. Five Big Pharma firms have been served subpoenas requesting information as investigators seek to find out if their actions exacerbated the epidemic. Its about time they are held accountable for their contribution to this crisis, which is bankrupting our nation city by city and state by state, prompting fears that if nothing is done, American could collapse into a narco-pharma state.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

NewYorker.com

Reuters.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Weve all seen those photos of hunters proudly parading their latest trophy kill with a smug look of satisfaction on their face, but there is one animal youre less likely to see in these stomach-churning photos: Female elk. The reason for this may surprise you: it turns out that female elk have actually gotten so smart that theyve learned exactly what to do to evade those not-so-superior-after-all humans who hunt them.

After studying female elk over a period of seven years, researchers from the University of Alberta found that they adapt to become bulletproof to hunters as they get older in a remarkable illustration of survival of the fittest in action.

University of Alberta biologist Mark Boyce remarked that the elk learn to be shy, hunkering down deep in the forest and staying in terrain that is more rugged. Such behaviors have proven to be very effective ways to survive in areas where there is a lot of hunting. The researchers found that the elk grow increasingly adept at avoiding hunters as each hunting season progresses, and they believe they learn from their mistakes when an elk in their group is killed in front of them.

Together with two former post-doctoral fellows, Boyce used GPS radio collars to keep track of the elk in southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta. They chose the area because human hunting is considered the biggest source of elk mortality by a wide margin there, and hunting is generally allowed throughout the region. The scientists kept track of data including distance traveled, the ruggedness of the terrain, and the forest cover.

Boyce noted that the elk that move the most and act the most aggressively tend to bolt out into the open, thereby causing them to get killed at higher rates. However, elk tend to grow more timid and savvier as they age. Boyce identified 10 as a magical age because the female elk tend to become essentially bulletproof at this point and are invulnerable to hunting.

He said that conservation strategies and wildlife management appear to be effective as elk have gone from being nearly eradicated a century ago to being abundant right now.

In Alberta, most male elk dont see past their fifth birthday thanks to their bold behavior and a preference among hunters there for bull elk. However, some of the elk in the study lived to be 20, while one was even 23 years old.

Elk act differently depending on whether its bow or rifle hunting season

In addition to becoming adept at avoiding hunters in general, the elk were even smart enough to know the difference between rifle and bow hunting season and adapt their behavior accordingly. For example, they used rugged terrain more often during bow hunting season, likely because bow hunters must stalk them closely and being on slopes makes this more challenging. The older female elk even starting using safer grounds like rugged terrain more often when they were near streets and therefore far more likely to be spotted by hunters.

Among the elk that were studied, nearly half of the males and a fifth of the females were shot by hunters, while less than five percent died at the hands of natural predators like wolves or cougars.

The intelligent adaption of these female elk is a great example of nature attempting to protect itself when humans interfere with it, and its great to see this type of adaptation in a world where humans are increasingly meddling with the natural course of our world. As we continue to try to outsmart nature by genetically modifying crops and genetically engineering babies, its good to see animals outsmarting people who want to kill them for sport.

Sources include:

EdmontonJournal.com

GlobalNews.ca

DailyMail.co.uk
(Natural News) Pharmaceutical companies are becoming increasingly greedy and conniving when it comes to recruiting new victims for their drug offerings, as evidenced by a new online tool being released by search engine giant Google. Known as Dr. Google, the deceptive program is the brainchild of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a pro-psychiatric drug front group that wants more people to believe that they suffer from mental illnesses that require interventions with mind-altering psychiatric medications.

According to reports, users will be able to log onto Dr. Google and take a nine-step quiz that will assess whether or not they suffer from mental illness. Available only to Google users in the United States, which are apparently the perfect targets due to lax American drug advertising laws, Dr. Google claims to be able to determine whether or not a person is sick in the head based on just a few generic answers, to which users will be advised for further treatment.

How do users find Dr. Google, you might be asking yourself? They dont, technically. It automatically pops up in the knowledge panel on the right-hand side of the screen when American users search for the term depression. In other words, potential sufferers of clinical depression are targeted based on their search queries with a crafty form of drug advertising thats speciously disguised as an online quiz  because who doesnt like a quiz; theyre fun, right?

In essence, Dr. Google is designed to pop up on the screen as a quiz with the words, check if youre clinically depressed. Curious users will click it, take the quiz, and nine times out of ten be told that theyre mentally ill and in need of a drug-based intervention. These same users will then presumably call their doctors to make an appointment for a drug evaluation, just as Big Pharma intends.

More than 16 million Americans  7 percent of the country  suffer from some form of depression, with that rate steadily climbing, one report claims, apparently in support of this latest psychological affront on Americans by the drug industry. And yet, studies show it takes around six years for a person to be diagnosed with the mental illness, and only 50 percent of sufferers receive treatment.

Facebook and Instagram to launch their own mental illness detectors to further fill drug company coffers with cash

Some of the questions included in the quiz include things like Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem? followed by, Little interest or pleasure in doing things. Among the multiple-choice answers are Not at all, Several says, More than half the days, and Nearly every day.

Both the question and the answers are intentionally vague so as to rally as many people behind the idea that they must be mentally ill if they dont feel in tip-top shape on a daily basis. Nevermind all the calamitous world events politically, socially, and even those related to the climate  if youre feeling bad, it must be because youre suffering from a deficiency in antidepressant drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Thats the goal, after all: To sign as many people up for SSRIs as is possible to further enrich Big Pharma at the expense of the publics sanity. Anyone whos looked into SSRIs independent of what the drug-pushers claim about their alleged worth already knows that SSRIs dont exactly work and are far from safe.

But that isnt stopping Google and other technocratic organizations from partnering with Big Pharma to push them on the populace. Even Facebook and Instagram are reportedly getting involved, as both companies are planning to release their own antidepressant quiz modules in the very near future. Every possible platform that people use to communicate with one another or access news will apparently be littered with this pro-drug propaganda, and the NAMI is very proud of the direction this endeavor is going.

We believe that awareness of depression can help empower and educate you, enabling quicker access to treatment, NAMI CEO Mary Giliberti is quoted as saying, spinning the true purpose of these pro-drug modules, which is to greatly increase revenues for pharmaceutical companies at the expense of public health.

Google claims that part of the reason why it decided to partner with NAMI, despite the obvious financial windfall that it stands to bring in, is that an increasing number of people are searching for words like suicide and how to commit suicide. A recent report by San Diego University attributes this increase to a television show on Netflix entitled 13 Reasons Why, which tells the story of a suicidal teenage girl. In the 19 days following the shows release, there was reportedly 1.5 million more suicide-related searches on Google than prior to its release, especially as the show has been accused of glamorizing suicide.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
Captain Marvel and the X-Men crossover for Revenge of the Brood and Lord of the Brood

Captain Marvel and the X-Men are about to embroiled in a two-part Brood-centric story
The New York Pass is highly rated, but don't just take our word for it.
The French President called for the introduction of EU identity cards, a shared defense budget and a European military intervention force.

Speaking at Paris-Sorbonne University, he also proposed a shared budget for eurozone countries and an EU-wide asylum agency to help tackle the migration crisis.

He said: What Europe is missing today is a common strategic culture. Our incapacity to act together in a convincing way undermines our credibility as Europeans.

Europe as we know it is too weak, too slow and too inefficient.

But only Europe can give us the means to act on the world stage as we tackle the great challenges of the day.

Mr Macron called for the creation of an EU defence force by 2020 that would give the bloc autonomous capacity for action and proposed creating an European security training academy.

His plans were dealt a blow when the Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party emerged as the third biggest in last weeks German elections. The result means Angela Merkel is likely to have to form a coalition with the Free Democrats, who are opposed to many elements of deeper EU integration.
A new species of rat was discovered on the Solomon islands and it can weigh up to 1 kg (2.2 lb) and measures about 45.7 cm (1.5 ft) from its nose to the tip of its tail. A typical adult male north american brown rat weighs on average 350 g (12 oz), while a typical adult male black rat weighs between 75 and 230 g (2.6 to 8 oz).

The Solomon Island rat can eat coconuts.

In 2010, a Papau New Guinea Bosavi woolly rat weighing a whopping three and a half pounds and measuring an incredible 32 inches from nose to tail was found. It is the largest living rat.

Above is a picture of the largest known living rat species the Papau New Guinea Bosavi woolly

East Indonesia is a primary location for rodent evolution. The giant rat expedition uncovered the remains of 13 rodent species, 11 of which were unknown to science. Given the dense forest and difficult terrain of East Timor, it is possible that new, even larger specimens are waiting to be discovered. No one knows what is out there. Archeologists in East Timor unearthed the bones of a rat three times larger than the Bosavi specimen dating from about 1000 years ago. These extinct giants weighed up to 6 kilograms (13 lb).

The Cape porcupine of southern Africa is the largest of its prickly brethren. These beasts can grow up to 27 kilograms (60 lb), making them the third-largest living rodents. Only the capybara and beaver outweigh these monsters.

The capybara is the largest living rodent. These semi-aquatic beasts from South America can top out over 45 kilograms (100 lb), about the size of labrador retrievers.

In Sweden there were large rats that were 16-24 inches in size that would chew through concrete to get into houses.
Announcement

Address by Anders Osterling, Member of the Swedish Academy

This year the Nobel Prize in Literature has been granted by the Swedish Academy to the French writer Jean-Paul Sartre for his work which, rich in ideas and filled with the spirit of freedom and the quest for truth, has exerted a far-reaching influence on our age.

It will be recalled that the laureate has made it known that he did not wish to accept the prize. The fact that he has declined this distinction does not in the least modify the validity of the award. Under the circumstances, however, the Academy can only state that the presentation of the prize cannot take place.

Refusal

In a public announcement, printed in Le Figaro of October 23, 1964, Mr. Sartre expressed his regret that his refusal of the prize had given rise to scandal, and wished it to be known that, unaware of the irrevocability of the Swedish Academys decisions, he had sought by letter to prevent their choice falling upon him. In this letter, he specified that his refusal was not meant to slight the Swedish Academy but was rather based on personal and objective reasons of his own.

As to personal reasons, Mr. Sartre pointed out that due to his conception of the writers task he had always declined official honours and thus his present act was not unprecedented. He had similarly refused membership in the Legion of Honour and had not desired to enter the College de France, and he would refuse the Lenin Prize if it were offered to him. He stated that a writers accepting such an honour would be to associate his personal commitments with the awarding institution, and that, above all, a writer should not allow himself to be turned into an institution.

Among his objective reasons, Mr. Sartre listed his belief that interchange between East and West must take place between men and between cultures without the intervention of institutions. Furthermore, since the conferment of past prizes did not, in his opinion, represent equally writers of all ideologies and nations, he felt that his acceptance might be undesirably and unjustly interpreted.

Mr. Sartre closed his remarks with a message of affection for the Swedish public.

At the banquet, S. Friberg, Rector of the Caroline Institute, made the following remarks: Mr. Sartre found himself unable to accept this years Prize in Literature. There is always discussion about this prize, which every one considers himself capable of judging, or which he does not understand and consequently criticizes. But I believe that Nobel would have had a great understanding of this years choice. The betterment of the world is the dream of every generation, and this applies particularly to the true poet and scientist. This was Nobels dream. This is one measure of the scientists significance. And this is the source and strength of Sartres inspiration. As an author and philosopher, Sartre has been a central figure in postwar literary and intellectual discussion  admired, debated, criticized. His explosive production, in its entirety, has the impress of a message; it has been sustained by a profoundly serious endeavour to improve the reader, the world at large. The philosophy, which his writings have served, has been hailed by youth as a liberation. Sartres existentialism may be understood in the sense that the degree of happiness which an individual can hope to attain is governed by his willingness to take his stand in accordance with his ethos and to accept the consequences thereof; this is a more austere interpretation of a philosophy admirably expressed by Nobels contemporary, Ralph Waldo Emerson: Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.'

The quality of human life depends not only on external conditions but also on individual happiness. In our age of standardization and complex social systems, awareness of the meaning of life for the individual has perhaps not been lost, but it has certainly been dulled; and it is as urgent for us today as it was in Nobels time to uphold the ideals which were his.

From Nobel Lectures, Literature 1901-1967, Editor Horst Frenz, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1969

Copyright  The Nobel Foundation 1964

To cite this section

MLA style: Announcement. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2022. Tue. 15 Nov 2022. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1964/press-release/>
Living standards have to improve

The NAC which is scheduled to meet next month would take into consideration the living standards of the CG employees. The feedback the NAC is getting is that the employees will not be able to manage with the existing pay. The prices are rising and with this minimum pay, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make two ends meet.

NAC would have two choices

Central government employees have been demanding that their basic pay is hiked. Within the NAC, the thinking is that the basic pay should be hiked from Rs 18,000 to Rs 21,000. The CG employees however feel that the hike should be at Rs 26,000. The NAC however would have two choices. It could either hike the basic pay to Rs 26,000 or grant Rs 21,000 with arrears.

Will arrears be given

If the basic pay is hiked to Rs 21,000, then the employees would demand arrears from January 2016 onwards. For now, the government feels that the pay hike would be effective starting January 2017 and there would be no arrears. With the unions pushing hard, the NAC would be compelled to give one of the following.

7th Pay Commission report before DoE

Sources say that once the NAC gives its report, then it would be placed before the Department of Expenditure. The DoE would then prepare a report and place it before the Union Cabinet in January. The Cabinet which had cleared the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission is unlikely to interfere with what the NAC or DoE would submit.
What GST has got to do with Kautilya, globalisation with Manu? A lot for BHU

Varanasi: Student shot at in BHU, condition said to be critical

9 BHU students detained en route PM's residence, released

India

oi-PTI

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New Delhi, September 28: Nine students of the Banaras Hindu University, who were on their way from Jantar Mantar to the prime minister's official residence, were detained by the Delhi Police. The students wanted to submit a memorandum.

The students -- eight boys and and a girl -- were released later. The Chanakyapuri Police said the girl was asked to to leave soon after her detention while the others were let off late in the night. The girl, Mineshi Mishra, however, refused to leave without her friends.

The students had plans to meet HRD minister Prakash Javadekar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to submit a memorandum. However, they could not get an appointment.

Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal tweeted, "Just heard dat BHU girls have been detained at PS Chanakyapuri.

Speaking to Police to immediately release them. DCW team on its way to assist them.(sic)"

On a delay in release of the students, she tweeted, "Really unfortunate that despite requests @DelhiPolice is yet to release the girls. They should be immediately released."

The girl student, Mishra, alleged that during the detention period her friends were threatened by police and some of them were "deported out of Delhi".

"We are not going to encounter you. We will just drop you off Delhi, just like Teesta Setalwad," she said quoting the police in a complaint to the DCP Chanakyapuri Police Station.

"I put on record if it weren't for the media personnel, the police was fully prepared to manhandle us, just like they did in BHU. My request is not only to take action against your intimidating officers but also ensure safety and liberty of me and my friends," she said in the complaint.

Two days back, the students staged a demonstration in Jantar Mantar against the lathi charge on girl students who were protesting the molestation of a girl at the BHU campus. They also demanded the resignation of Vice Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 9:35 [IST]
Attack on NSCN-K left 30 dead: Indian Armys zero toleration policy towards infiltration

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The encounter carried out by the Indian Army against the NSCN-K shows that the forces have adopted a zero tolerance policy towards insurgency. The aggression with which the strike was carried out shows that the Army is not prepared to go easy on infiltrations. The NSCN-K has been on the downward swing since the Army hit its based two years back following the Manipur attack, the outfit carried out. Moreover the death of its chief S Khaplang has also demoralised the outfit a great deal.

The Army was informed by the Intelligence Bureau about the movement of the NSCN-K cadres. They were attempting a major infiltration bid and had even set up camps at the border. The Army waited for them to cross over before launching a major attack on them in which 30 cadres were killed.

The Army made it clear that it was not a surgical strike.

There were hideouts that were set up over the past month and the plan was to cross the border and carry out big strikes. Attempts were even made to divert the attention of the Army which is busy handling the Rohingya crisis along the same border.

The strike was carried out by a team of the India Para Commandos and severe damage was inflicted on the Naga insurgent group.

Heavy casualties had been inflicted on the cadres of the dreaded terrorist group, NSCN-K, officials also said. Officials however clarified that this was an operation and not a surgical strike. The operation was carried out close to the Langkhu village near the Indo-Myanmar border.

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Officials also said that the attack was carried out at around 4.45 am today. Further reports of casualties on the Indian side is wrong, the Army also clarified. Officials also said that it was a firefight that occurred and the specific intention of the attack was to target the hideouts.

The Army reiterated that it had not crossed the international border to carry out this operation. A couple of days back there were concrete intelligence inputs regarding the building up of hideouts along the border. Officials said that the hideouts had begun to mushroom since the past week and there was a concrete plan by the NSCN-K cadres to carry out a strike in India.

Army officials had been keeping a track on these hideouts and also the movements of the cadres and struck this morning. Severe damage and heavy casualty has been inflicted and many may have been pushed back, sources also say.

This is the second such strike that India has carried out along the same border. In June 2015, the Army had targeted the NSCN-K group days after it had killed 18 Indian soldiers in Manipur.

Officials say that they swooped in on the camps before dawn and sprung a surprise. At least 30 hideouts were destroyed in the operation, officials also said.

OneIndia News
On camera: Varanasi folks in panic as 'ghost in white' goes for a walk on rooftops

Varanasi to light up for Deep Deepavali, a festival of lights that is not Diwali

BHU violence: Crime Branch begins probe, issues notice to former chief proctor

India

oi-PTI

Varanasi, September 29: Twenty members of the proctorial board, including the former chief proctor, have been issued notice asking them to record their statements as the Crime Branch has begun a probe in the violence in the BHU campus.

A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a baton-charge by the police in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus where a protest last week against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent.

SP (Crime) Gyanendra Prasad said the investigation into the violence had begun and they are perusing the CCTV footage.

He said a cyber team had also been engaged in the case and a dozen mobile numbers that were active near the incident spot, when the alleged eve-teasing took place, had been put on surveillance.

He said notice has been served to nearly 20 proctorial board members, including former chief proctor O N Singh, who were on duty on the day of incident. They have been asked to record their oral or written statement before the Crime Branch within three days.

Any person having information regarding the incident can also give details to the Crime Branch in its office or on phone, he said adding, their identity would be kept secret.

He said information is also being collected about anti- social elements residing in and around the campus and those who frequently visit there.

Senior Superintendent of Police R K Bhardwaj had transferred the investigation of all cases related to the violence in the BHU campus to the Crime Branch and the Lanka Police was also assisting in the probe. BHU is one of the 43 central universities in the country.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 15:42 [IST]
BJP finds a way around the 'Narayan Rane paradox' in Maharashtra

India

oi-Anusha

The Bharatiya Janata Party's central leadership may have found a fix to all problems arising out of inducting former Congress leader Narayan Rane. While he is unlikely to be part of the party in Maharashtra, he is likely to find a place in the Devendra Fadnavis' cabinet.

With Shiv Sena seeing red over the possibility to Rane and his sons being inducted into the BJP, the senior leadership of the party seems to have worked out a strategy that will help them keep their ally as well as the Konkan strongman closer. Instead of inducting Rane into the party, the BJP is set to allow him to announce his own party but pledge support to the BJP.

Rane is expected to float his own party and an announcement to this effect is expected in October, according to a report in the Hindustan Times. All eyes were on Rane's meeting with Amit Shah earlier this week in Delhi when BJP's NAtional Executive meet was underway. A consensus seems to have been arrived at post the meeting about Rane supporting the government from outside and in exchange get a cabinet berth in the Fadnavis government.

A reshuffle of the Maharashtra cabinet is expected to take place in mid-October and Rane is likely to be inducted as BJP's new ally and not a member. With this move, the BJP will succeed not just in keeping Rane, infamous for his tantrums and temperament at a distance but also close enough to counter the Shiv Sena, a problematic partner.

Careful acceptance of Rane is BJP's step closer towards keeping Shiv Sena at bay in the Konkan region- currently a bastion of Uddhav Thackeray's party.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 12:09 [IST]
Mark Zuckerberg says 'sorry' as Meta fires over 11,000 employees in one go | Full statement

By blocking man for posting 'Kamal ka phool hamari bhool', FB looks like BJPs mouthpiece

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Sep 29: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a great bonhomie. How could one forget the tight hug with which Modi embraced Zuckerberg during their hugely publicised Townhall meeting in the fall of 2015?

Modi's "love" for the social networking giant is no secret as he had several engagements with Facebook since the time he became the PM.

Earlier this year, the PM found a special mention as Zuckerberg put forth Facebook's vision for the coming years.

Talking about how citizens are engaging with their government beyond the ballot box, Zuckerberg said, "Beyond voting, the greatest opportunity is helping people stay engaged with the issues that matter to them every day, not just every few years at the ballot box. We can help establish direct dialogue and accountability between people and our elected leaders. In India, Prime Minister Modi has asked his ministers to share their meetings and information on Facebook so they can hear direct feedback from citizens."

So, we know Modi and Zuckerberg belong to the mutual admiration club. Amid all these showering of love and admiration, when Facebook decided to block the account of freelance journalist Mohammad Anas from posting anything for 30 days on the social networking site after he posted "Kamal ka phool hamari bhool", many felt that it was "unjustified" and condemned the "ban" in strong words.

The phrase, "Kamal ka phool hamari bhool", can be loosely translated into English as "Lotus flower is our mistake", indicating that those who have voted for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (party's symbol is lotus flower) in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 have committed a mistake.

Those who opposed the ban on Anas said that the freelancer journalist did not violate any laws and his post was not at all offensive.

On Tuesday, Anas (29) on Facebook posted this message: "Vyapari apne cash memo par print karva kar janta se bata rahe hain ki BJP ko vote dekar galti ho gayi (Traders are admitting their mistake of voting for the BJP by printing this on their cash memo)", along with a photo of a receipt.

The photo is said to have originated in Surat, Gujarat, and has been in circulation online since a few days. Many say, the small traders of Gujarat, who have protested against the Modi government over the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as it badly affected their businesses are behind the creation of the receipt.

The receipt with the anti-BJP message is seen by many as a bad publicity for the saffron party, especially at a time when the home state of Modi, Gujarat, will host Assembly elections soon.

Anas told Hindustan Times that hours after he posted the "controversial" message he received a message from Facebook that they have removed his post as it "did not follow the community standards".

Later, he got another notification stating that his account has been blocked from posting anything for 30 days.

"I did not say anything on my own. I just shared a photograph and quoted what was mentioned in it. There was nothing objectionable in it," Anas said.

This is the fourth time Anas' account has been suspended from Facebook. "I have never used any abusive language, nor have I abused anyone, but similar posts that were critical of the government are being removed. This is Facebook fascism," he added.

Many have criticised Facebook for taking a "harsh and illogical" decision by targeting a man's "freedom of speech".

After Anas' account was blocked many in solidarity with the freelance journalist posted the message "Kamal ka phool hamari bhool". "We are with you Mohammad Anas bhai (brother)," read a Facebook post.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 12:44 [IST]
Conscience made me write article disputing fathers view: Jayant Sinha

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Yashwant Sinha's son and Union Minister Jayant Sinha rejected suggestions that he wrote an article in an English daily disputing his father and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha's contentions on the state of India's economy at anybody's bidding, insisting it was "absolutely out of his own conscience".

Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, also said his difference of opinion with his father was "very serious discussion" and that it should not be seen "in a personal way".

"It was absolutely my own conscience... I reject any such charge that I was asked to write the article. I wanted to write the article," he told a television channel, a day after Sinha Sr. Kicked up a storm by criticising Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the economic "mess" in the country in an article in another national English daily.

"It is a very serious discussion about the future of the economy and it should not be seen in a personal way," Jayant said, adding the economy is shifting gears, and that it has slowed down a little bit so it can accelerate further.

On Thursday, Jayant offered a stout defence of the government's economic policies in another national daily which many saw as an attempt by the Modi dispensation to have Sinha Sr. Cornered by his own son.

"The discussion we are having through newspapers and television is a discussion I have been having with my father for many many weeks and months in the meetings I have with him. He asks difficult and tough questions as he should as somebody who knows the economy well," Jayant said.

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Yashwant Sinha, who was finance minister in the first NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, while sticking to his guns about his criticism of Jaitley and the government, had earlier in the day said a response to his article should have come from the minister concerned or a spokesperson for the government.

Referring to his son's defence of the government, seen as a counter to his criticism of the Centre's handling of the economy, Sinha sought to know why Jayant was shifted from the finance ministry "if he was so competent" to address the concerns raised by him.

Jayant got a lot of stick from his father, who spoke to several TV channels, over his defence of the economic policies of the government.

Sinha, however, said both he and his son were doing their "dharma" (duty). He insisted that the issue should not be seen as one between "father and son".

"If someone has asked him (Jayant) to write the piece, then it is a cheap trick to play...I have not spoken to him (on the issue). Will do it some time to find out (what exactly happened)," Sinha said.

Jayant was shifted out of the finance ministry in July last year.

"It is the prime minister's prerogative to decide (where) is it that you can make the most important contribution. Certainly, at the civil aviation ministry, we have an important set of things to do," Jayant said.

About the article, Jayant said, "We welcome all opinions, suggestions, criticisms whether they come from my father, (former finance minister) Chidambaram or anyone else... I welcome my father's suggestion".

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 7:30 [IST]
D-Gangs land empire comes under ED scanner

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Thane police which is probing an extortion case has learnt that a matka operator had been investing in land on behalf of Dawood Ibrahim. This came to light during the questioning of Iqbal Kaskar, brother of the Dawood.

The interrogation of Kaskar led up to the arrest of one Pankaj Gangar who runs a gambling racket. It was learnt that he had been investing in land on the outskirts of Mumbai on behalf of the don who is also the mastermind of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

Probing further into the extortion racket, the Thane police also closed in on two hitmen from Bihar. Identified as Shammi and Guddu, the police found that they would come to Mumbai and threaten builders on behalf of the D-Gang. These men were also tasked with the responsibility of collecting the money in cash from the builders and then handing them over to Kaskar.

The lands that were purchased by the gang is now under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate which was roped in to probe the financial angle. The ED is looking into the movement of money made through hawala channels and also with the help of the angadias.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 5:54 [IST]
Digvijay Singh worried over absence of mobile toilets on Narmada Parikrama

India

pti-PTI

Jabalpur, Sep 29: Absence of mobile toilets along the 3,300 km long Narmada Parikrama (circumambulation) route has left senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who is starting his Yatra from Saturday, worried.

"I don't want the dhotis (lungis) of my colleagues or mine taken off during our yatra," said Singh in an apparent reference to Ranchi Municipal Corporation's (RMC) unique idea of punishing people defecating in the open by taking away their lungis.

Singh (70) was speaking to reporters here last evening. When he was asked about reports that the state government has not properly responded to his plea seeking mobile toilets for his 3,300 km long yatra, Singh said, "I wrote a letter to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and chief secretary seeking mobile toilets among other things during my yatra (6-months), but an under secretary has replied to me stating that issues raised by me have been sent to departments concerned." "This is how the protocol is being followed in the state," Singh, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said. "I had been cold shouldered over hygiene issue," he added. "Nowadays anything can happen. Political hounding is going on in the country," Singh said.

"Arbitrary orders (Tughlaki Farmaan) are being issued under Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (SBA)," he added. Singh is going to start his Narmada Parikrama, a walk along the banks of the river Narmada, from the holy Barman Ghat after seeking the blessings of his Guru Dwarka-Sharda Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, at Narsinghpur tomorrow.

Congress sources said Singh is undertaking this arduous exercise on the advice of Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati. The Congress leader will pass through 110 assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh and 20 assembly constituencies in Gujarat during his journey.

Assembly elections are due in the BJP-ruled state next year. Singh, descendant of the erstwhile royal family of Raghogarh, would be missing Dussehra festival -- falling on September 30 -- celebrations at the Raghogarh fort in Guna district for the first time this year. His family's tradition of celebrating Dussehra in a grand way dates backs to over three centuries.

PTI
'Do not follow those who undermine your dignity': journalist Ravish Kumar urges PM Modi

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in recent times drawn a lot of flak for following certain Twitter accounts that spew venom and issue threats at will in the social media.

The issue made headlines soon after renowned journalist Gauri Lankesh's assassination. One Nikhil Dadhich, from Surat, posted a seriously offensive and insensitive tweet after Lankesh's murder. Not only was the language of the tweet derogatory, he seemed to approve Lankesh's killing. PM Modi follows Dadhich on Twitter.

There are many other people whose tweets reek of intolerance and PM Modi happens to follow them.

NDTV's senior journalist Ravish Kumar expressed disappointment over this and posted a letter on media channel's website saying that following such people does not behoove the dignity of PM's office.

The sad part is that you happen to follow some of these people on Twitter who use grotesque language and indiscriminately dole out threats. And you have continued to subscribe to their accounts even after their malevolence was highlighted in public and sparked controversies. That such people should be able to claim or have any affiliation to you does not behoove either you or the

dignity of your office, his appeal to PM said.

Kumar has also cited examples of him being at the receiving end of such tweets or rather threats. The senior journalist has also said that some of these people have been seen in photographs with certain

Union Ministers.

I have a question for you. Do you really follow Niraj Dave and Nikhil Dadhich? Why? A few days ago, I shared a couple of screenshots from their WhatsApp group on my Facebook page @RavishKaPage. An investigation by Pratik Sinha and Neelesh Purohit of AltNews shows that Niraj Dave is a resident of Rajkot and is the Managing Director of an export company. You follow Niraj Dave. When I asked him not to use abusive language, he replied that he is sad that I am alive, Ravish Kumar wrote.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress MP Ashok Chavan on Thursday raised concerns over threats to senior journalists Rajdeep Sardesai and Ravish Kumar. The MP from Nanded wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking protection to both scribes in the wake of attacks on rationalists.

Deeming the trend 'extremely dangerous' Chavan has asked Rajnath Singh to intervene and stop the 'attack on the fought pillar of democracy'. The Congress leader claimed that the two senior journalists were doing their jobs in a democratic manner and threats attempting to silence their voices was not acceptable.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 11:33 [IST]
Artists dressed as Lord Rama, Sita and Laksmana during a Dussehra procession

Legend says that Dussehra is the day when Rama defeated Ravana and started his journey towards Ayodhya.Ravana was the demon king of Lanka and Lord Rama defeated him to rescue his wife Sita after a long battle. Lord Rama was helped in the battle by Vanar Sena.

Ravana effigies are burnt in several parts of the country

Effigies of demon king Ravana are burnt as a symbol of the victory of good over evil across the country.One of the most famous plays is hosted in Delhi's Ramlila ground. Three massive effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath are set ablaze at Ramlila ground every year on Vijay Dashami.

Kumari Puja

Kumari Puja is celebrated on the eighth and ninth day of Navaratri festival. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga) are worshipped.The kanyas or the little girls are bathed in the holy Ganga water, dressed in a crimson red or bright orange saree and are adorned with jewellries, are worshipped.

Recommended Video Dussehra 2017: All the reasons that you should visit Mysuru this Dussehra | Oneindia News

Maha Asthami puja at Dakhheneswar Temple in Kolkata

Weapons of the Goddess were also worshipped as per the ritual of the Maha Ashtami day called Astra Puja'.Devotees made beelines at puja pandals and shrines to perform the rituals on Thursday. In Karnataka, vehicles, tools and machines are worshipped as part of Ayudha Pooje.

Mysuru Palace illuminated for Dusshera

Dussehra celebration in Karnataka is of a flavour different from the rest of the country, especially in royal city of Mysuru. The Mysore Dasara is a celebration that lasts throughout Navratri, and it is actually the state festival or Nada Habba of Karnataka. The ten-day festival actually ends on the day of Vijayadashami, when it is said that the goddess Chamundeshwari, a manifestation of Durga, destroyed the demon Mahishasura.

Mysuru gets its name from the vanquished demon. It is a shortened version of Mahishasurana Ooru, or the abode of Mahishasura, and is closely associated with the mythological tale.
Elphinstone stampede came on the day Piyush Goyal was to flag off 60 new trains

India

oi-Anusha

The Elphinstone stampede ironically struck on the day Union Minister Piyush Goyal was all set to flag off 60 new suburban trains in Mumbai. In a cruel twist of fate, the Union minister who was in Mumbai to introduce new services had to attend to the tragedy at Elphinstone station.

In a statement on Thursday, the Western Railway said that the Central Railway would introduce 14 additional suburban services on its harbor line and trans-harbor line each. This while the Western Railway would introduce 32 new services on its corridor, which will be effective from October 1. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was to flag off 60 new suburban train services on Friday.

The statement added that Goyal was scheduled to release the new suburban time-table at Friday's event. Starting October 1, the increase in additional services on the Western Railway was to be effective with 17 services in UP (towards Churchgate) direction and 15 services in Down (towards Virar) direction. The fifth line from Andheri to Virar was also to be thrown open for the suburban train on Friday by the Union Railway minister.

Elphinstone Road station stampede: 22 dead, 30 injured, high level probe ordered

22 people lost their lives in a stampede at a foot over bridge in Mumbai's Elphinstone station on Friday. The freak tragedy has taken place when Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in on a three South Korea-Singapore tour forcing Mumbaikars to fend for themselves.

While Fadnavis took to Twitter to express sympathies and well as connect with the people on what his government was doing about the incident, many Mumbaikars questioned why the Chief Minister was unwilling to return from the tour to tend to the situation. Hours after the incident, Devendra Fadnavis tweeted an audio, his message to the people of Mumbai.

While the government of Maharashtra has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh, questions over what truly is the real tragedy continues. Is it the death of 22 innocent citizens or the apathy of administration that refuses to provide infrastructure to its people putting them in jeopardy.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 15:03 [IST]
Elphinstone stampede: Govt orders capacity audit of foot over bridges in Mumbai

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

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The death of 22 people in a stampede at Elphinstone railway station in Mumbai has prompted the government to order a capacity audit of the foot over bridges in the city.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who earlier ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, said that high priority would be given to widening the bridges where there is congestion.

"Have also issued directions for safety and capacity audit of the foot over bridges in Mumbai where there is congestion," he said after visiting the Elphinstone station in Mumbai.

Goyal also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those who lost their lives in the tragedy, in addition to Rs 5 lakh already announced by the state government.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha urged political parties to refrain from politicising the issue.

"None should do politics on such an unfortunate incident, there are people who always seek opportunity. We are above politics on the issue," he told news agency ANI.

Shiv Sena and Congress took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for lack of basic facilities at railway stations.

[Sena, Congress slam BJP for stampede at Elphinstone]

Shiv Sena MLA Ajay Choudhary said that government not able to provide basic facilities and services at stations but 'dreams of bullet trains'.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hit out at the government after the stampede.

"Terrible tragedy at Elphinstone. My condolences to the family of the deceased. Government talking of Bullet Trains but basic facilities missing," he said in a tweet.

[Elphinstone Road station stampede: 22 dead, 39 injured, high level probe ordered]

Piyush Goyal earlier ordered a high-level inquiry into the stampede incident at Elphinstone railway station in which 22 people were killed, including four women. Also, 39 people have been injured.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 15:41 [IST]
Jaitley statue at Kotla: Angry Bedi asks DDCA to remove his name from stands, quits membership

Reforms in India being done by conviction, not compulsion: PM Narendra Modi

BJP leaders pay tribute to former minister Arun Jaitley on his third death anniversary

Finance Minister Jaitley to speak at Harvard

India

oi-PTI

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address students of the prestigious Harvard University on a visit to the US next month, the varsity said on Friday.

Jaitley is scheduled to travel to the US in October to attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington.

At Harvard on October 12, the Finance Minister would deliver the 'Mahindra Lecture' in honour of the late Harish C Mahindra, a distinguished alumnus of Harvard College and a visionary leader of business and industry in India, the South Asia Institute of Harvard University said in its latest newsletter.

A day earlier in Boston, Jaitley will be hosted by the US India Strategic Partnership Forum along with National Infrastructure Investment Fund, and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, for a round table with the industry.

Jaitley's trip to the US has not been officially announced yet.

While in Washington, in addition to addressing the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank, Jaitley is likely to participate in several bilateral and multilateral meetings.

He is also scheduled to visit New York and Boston to interact with the business community and think-tanks.

PTI
Rushdie attack a reminder of how big a threat Iran is to the US, others

RSS chief on nationalism: Says it is not a threat to others

"Freedom of expression doesn't give right to insult: KTR's message to Dalit writer

India

oi-Anusha

While celebrated Dalit writer Kancha Ilaiah has been alleging threat to life over his new controversial book, Telangana's IT minister K T Rama Rao has reminded the writer how freedom of expression does not give him the right to insult anyone. In a series of tweets on the raging controversy over Ilaiah's book and the reaction it has elicited among Arya Vysya community, Rao lashed out at the writer for 'abusing freedom of expression.

The minister reacted to the controversy after being tagged on a tweet by a journalist over threats to Ilaiah over his book 'Komatollu Samajika Smagglarlu' that translates to Komatollu-Arya Vysyas- are social smugglers. Saharika Ghosh asked why no protection was being extended to the writer in the face of threats by the community that he had targetted in his book.

"Freedom of expression doesn't confer upon anyone the right to insult as they wish," K T Rama Rao tweeted in response. He, however, also added that if the threat perception was real, the state police would review the need to provide protection to the writer. Ilaiah has already registered a complaint with the police about threat calls and messages he has been receiving from unknown persons for his comments about the community in his book.

Rama Rao stood his ground when asked about the violent nature of threats being issued to the writer.

No differing with you on the death threats but abuse of freedom of expression to deride, insult & target specific community is reprehensible https://t.co/MOm1VInOs8  KTR (@KTRTRS) September 28, 2017

Members of the Ary Vysya community have been holding protests against Kancha Ilaiah for his remarks, burning effigies of the writer and seeking a ban on his book. Meanwhile, Ilaiah has agreed to change the title of his book if the community makes reservations for backward classes, Dalits in their establishments. The power community is generally the business class in the state.

Ilaiah claimed that he was attacked with stones and sticks that were hurled at him while attending an event in Bhupalpally.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 11:50 [IST]
Gap between rich and poor has widened, needs to be bridged: Gadkari

Have to take temporary pain for long-term gain: Naidu on economy

India

oi-PTI

The country has to face temporary pain for long term gain, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said on Friday on the current economic scenario.

He said the global economy has slowed down and even China is witnessing a slack in its economy, but in the midst of this, India is looked upon as a favourable destination for investments.

Naidu's comments come in the backdrop of senior BJP leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha launching an attack on the government over handling of the economy.

The vice president said as a former minister, he can comment with "authority" that people were willing to invest in India.

"I was taking care of Smart Cities (project). Investment was coming. 35-40 ambassadors came and met me. They all wanted to invest in India even in spite of the present situation," Naidu said.

Before getting elected as the vice president, Naidu was a senior BJP leader and served as the urban development and information broadcasting minister.

"The temporary things... there will be some problem. Of course, you have to take temporary pain for long term gain. I am not getting into this arena. There are other people who are debating, using their skills, forgetting what they have done, what has to be done, what needs to be done," Naidu said at a book launch here.

He added that there has to be a broader consensus as far as security, foreign and economic policies are concerned.

Naidu asserted that India is a peace leaving country and it has never been an aggressor.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu said he reached out to all important countries, their leaders and the Indian diaspora who had influence over the decision-making of those nations.

Without naming Pakistan, Naidu hoped that the United Nations takes a categorical stand against countries aiding, abetting, funding and training terrorists.

"They should discouraged, identified and the world should isolate them. Only then peace is possible. Because if there is a tension on the border, there can be no attention on development," he said.

Naidu said the country and the leadership should take firm and bold steps to secure its nation and surgical strike was one such step.

PTI
How Indian Army is ensuring terror groups in Myanmar never raise their ugly head

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

In the year 2015, 20 soldiers of the Dogra Regiment were martyred at Manipur. It was termed as one of the deadliest attacks on the Indian Army in the past two decades. National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval took stock of the situation and during that meeting, he said the time had come to hit back hard.

The NSCN-K led by S S Khaplang had refused to join the peace accord that was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He wanted to prove a point to the Indian administration and ordered this hit on the Dogra Regiment.

The first step was to analyse the manner in which these terror groups were operating. It was found that the NSCN-K had regrouped under an umbrella called the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia.

The new outfit comprising NSCN (K), Ulfa (I), Kamatapur Liberation Organization and NDFB (Songbijit) had been operating largely out of Myanmar with a deadly agenda for North East.

The newly formed group comprising four outfits trained and also launched attacks from Myanmar. The IB has been picking up alerts since long suggesting that many North Eastern terrorist groups have been re-grouping in Myanmar.

There has been a large influx of people from Mynamar recently. Most of them infiltrating are Rohingya Muslims and this has become a major concern for India. Intelligence reports state that while many have come to get away from the fighting with the Buddhists, there are others who could have joined with terrorist groups.

Ties with Myanmar are extremely crucial for India. We saw recently an attack on tribals at Assam and investigations showed that the same was planned in Myanmar. The cadres were sent down from there to carry out the ghastly attack.

In Myanmar the problem is not restricted to just groups such as the ULFA or the NFDB(S). There are signs of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba too setting up camp over there. Intelligence Bureau officials say that groups especially from the North Eastern states have been re-grouping.

The primary agenda is to stall any sort of peace talks that factions have been trying to hold with the government.

Militants have found a safe hiding spot in the very dense forests in Myanmar's Kachin state and the Saigang division which is bordering the North Eastern states of India.

This is an area which is completely under the control of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) which has been accused of training the ULFA.

This particular area is considered to be a no man's land and is completely out of the control of Myanmar. The country has not managed to gain control over these areas which has made it a safe haven for the NFDB (S).

While the Indian government says that it is positive about the support that is getting from Myanmar, there are various other issues on hand which need to be dealt with. How effective will the Myanmar government be when it comes to acting against terrorist groups taking shelter in Kachin state and the Saigang division.

The government in Myanmar has not been effective in dealing with the KIA. In order to get into these dense forests and carry out an operation the army needs the logistic support from locals which is complete absent in these areas thanks to it being controlled by the KIA.

The KIA and the ULFA joined hands in the first place since they have a common agenda and that is to defy India. In fact the first batch of the ULFA was trained by the KIA and since then their ties are extremely strong.

Moreover the ULFA also managed to break the Bodo movement and helped the creation of the NFDB (S) which is an anti talks faction.

The massacre of the tribals in Assam and also the killing of the soldiers have a common agenda. While the army has been breaking the backs of these terrorists, the tribals have been playing a key role in helping out with local intelligence. The area that the ULFA and NFDB (S) have chosen to hide is considered to be no man's land.

The forests are dense and the terrain so difficult that it would need more than just military might to undertake an operation. With the assistance of the KIA and the ULFA the NFDB (S) militants can move around the forests with ease and not get caught.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 10:30 [IST]
In BJP parivar, father, son fight over economy, FM looks jittery and Modis silence continues

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Sep 29: Finally, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is talking about "business" (yes, the saffron party's politics over cow and Hindutva seem to have taken a backstage), albeit the notes are ominous as it's about country's ailing economy.

All the noises emanating in the last two days from the corridors of BJP parivar (family) are too incoherent for the public (voters) to understand whether the party leaders really mean "business" and serious about conducting a surgical strike (remember surgical strike is one of the BJP's favourite words) to recover the nation's economy from a state of comatose or they are too busy washing dirty linen of each other in full public view.

On the one hand is senior BJP leader and former finance minister, Yashwant Sinha. After the suave and articulate leader, who like other BJP veterans, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, have been "benched" by the Narendra Modi government, decided to "break his silence" and rip apart finance minister Arun Jaitley over the "mess" he has created in the last three years, the saffron party entrusted Sinha's son and Union minister Jayant Sinha to counter the criticism over a failed economy accelerated by twin blows of demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

So, a day after senior Sinha's "targeted missile" attack solely against Jaitley (yes, the former FM did not hold Modi responsible for any of our financial woes, except for one line accusing the PM of making Indians poor) over the deceleration in economic growth in a scathing article in the popular English daily, The Indian Express, on Wednesday, his son wrote a rebuttal in another English daily, The Economic Times, totally contradicting all the economic concerns raised by his father on Thursday.

As the father-son duo fight over divergent views on India's current economic status, one thing comes out clear how well the BJP can use even a son against his father to keep the image of some of its most powerful men (read Modi and Jaitley) clean.

This is a systematic trend in the Indian political space, as our rulers, irrespective of political parties, only know to take credit over "good" things, but whenever something goes wrong they duck for cover and try to save their skin from any criticism.

But the BJP's calculation to pit father and son against each other failed miserably, as senior Sinha proved to be a better and nuanced financial analyst than his son, who seems to be in a denial about the reality like his party.

Recommended Video

Yashwant Sinha comes hard of Modi government for economic slow down, 5 reasons | Oneindia News

"So, what is the picture of the Indian economy today? Private investment has shrunk as never before in two decades, industrial production has all but collapsed, agriculture is in distress, construction industry, a big employer of the work force, is in the doldrums, the rest of the service sector is also in the slow lane, exports have dwindled, sector after sector of the economy is in distress, demonetisation has proved to be an unmitigated economic disaster, a badly conceived and poorly implemented GST has played havoc with businesses and sunk many of them and countless millions have lost their jobs with hardly any new opportunities coming the way of the new entrants to the labour market.

"For quarter after quarter, the growth rate of the economy has been declining until it reached the low of 5.7 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal, the lowest in three years. The spokespersons of the government say that demonetisation is not responsible for this deceleration. They are right. The deceleration had started much earlier. Demonetisation only added fuel to fire," wrote the former FM.

In reply to his father's attack on Jaitley, junior Sinha wrote, "GST, demonetisation and digital payments are game-changing efforts to formalise India's economy. Transactions that were taking place outside of the tax net and in the informal sector are now being brought into the formal sector.

"In the long term, formalisation will mean (a) tax collections go up and more resources are available to the state; (b) friction in the economy is reduced and GDP goes up; and (c) citizens are able to establish credit more effectively as transaction records are digitised."

In an analysis of the father-son's fight, Firstpost wrote, "Sinha's (Jayant) piece largely repeats the government's line of listing out the positives and potential gains of policy moves, as against Yashwant Sinha's pointed criticism on the faulty management of economy by the government."

It is not just junior Sinha who decided to go against his father (a practice totally divergent from the sanskari BJP which follows India's tradition where a son hardly speaks against his father), but incumbent and angry finance minister Jaitley decided to personally attack his predecessor for showing "courage" to speak truth to power (as he has nothing to lose at the ripe age of 84 and has long left electoral politics).

On Thursday, Jaitley hit out at senior Sinha by suggesting that the former FM is eyeing his chair and a "job applicant at 80" and thus he lambasted him over the "failed" economy.

Jaitley, looking desperate to save his chair (although nowhere in the article the former FM asked the incumbent FM to resign), defended his track record and repeatedly claimed that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has been taking decisive steps, in contrast to the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's "policy paralysis".

A fearless senior Sinha, who is hell-bent to expose the rot in the economy, told The Indian Express that "Jaitley wouldn't be there if I had been a job applicant." The former bureaucrat-turned-politician told NDTV that it was a "cheap trick" if son Jayant was told to write the rebuttal.

In the midst of all these pari'war', it is the Congress leaders like former FM P Chidambaram and of course a few disgruntled BJP leaders like actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha who looked the "happiest" over the infighting and came out in defence of senior Sinha, who has been dubbed as a "frustrated man".

Now, if you want to know what the most powerful man in India, who is holding the reigns of the country, has to say about the doldrums in economy, courtesy the much-publicised demonetisation and GST, expect total "silence" and nothing else.

Yes, this is what PM Modi's stand has been in regard to all the country's problems, the growing economic crisis is no different.

OneIndia News
India's stand on Rohingyas gracious so far but housing them would be risky

India reaffirms humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Friday said that India is focusing on providing humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh and extending support in handling the situation emerging out of Rohingya crisis.

Raveesh Kumar said that India had so far sent three sorties of relief material to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, and the two countries were in close touch to resolve the situation arising out of arrival of displaced persons there.

On reports of discovering mass graves of Hindus, he said "We condemn terrorism in all forms. We emphasise that there is no justification for any kind of terrorism which targets civilians in this conflict. "We hope authorities will be able to bring perpetrators of the crime to justice and that families of victims would be provided all possible assistance and normalcy would be restored," he added.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday claimed that it is a mistake to consider Rohingyas entering India as refugees as they did not follow due procedure.

"We need to understand that Rohingyas who have infiltrated India are not refugees," Singh said during an NHRC programme.

The Minister argued that there is a set procedure to follow in order to acquire refugee status, hence the Rohingyas currently in India are illegal immigrants. Thus, human rights argument does not apply, he told media.

"India won't be violating any international law by deporting Rohingyas from India, as it isn't a signatory to 1951 UN Refugee Convention," the home minister added. "Principle of non-refoulement applies on those who have taken asylum in India. No Rohingya has applied for asylum in India till today."

OneIndia News
Kashmir terror funding: A rock solid probe thanks to zero political interference

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The summoning of Rashid Engineer in the Kashmir terror funding case is a major development. The independent MLA will have to appear before the NIA in October and he can be prepared for some very tough questions.

NIA officers say that the case is at a very crucial stage. We took it step by step and did not want to rush through things. In the past the rush has cost investigators dear and cases had to be closed. This time around the evidence is rock solid and there is no political interference what so ever, an officer also added.

Even a probe ordered in 2016 had to be dropped for want of evidence. However the fresh probe ordered by the Modi government in 2017 is probably one of the best and most water-tight cases against the Kashmir seperatists.

The very fact that there has been a drop in violence is an indicator that the funds have been choked and have dried up. The separatists have either run out of money are too scared to pull it out and fund the violence.

There have been probes in the past as well, but these leaders have never taken it seriously. This time around the documents seized and the huge number of arrests carried out suggests that the NIA is going for the big guns next.

NIA sources suggest that next in line could be Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq. The details against the two Hurriyat hawks is very strong in nature. Moreover these two separatists have been desperately looking for a good lawyer to defend them in court.

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Indian Army conducts surgical strike along the Myanmar border | Oneindia News

The NIA says that it is confident that this case would be taken to the logical end. The cases of the past have not been as strong. In fact the NIA had to drop a 2016 case on the same issue.

The probe this time is different for a variety of reasons. First and foremost the NIA has been given a free hand to probe the cases and there is no political compulsion on the agency on who to arrest and who not to. The probe was carried out in multiple directions.

Moreover if one looks at the manner in which Kashmir is being handled, it is text book Ajit Doval doctrine in which it says that the policy of non-appeasement must be shunned.

The NIA began with the foreign funding which came in from Pakistan, Dubai, London and Saudi Arabia. The agency then studied thousands of documents relating to the cross border trade. It was suspected that this route through the Line of Control was used to pump in the funds.

While these dimensions were already know, the NIA decided that it would actually act upon it and hence carried out the arrests. It was the arrests that became the turning point for the NIA. The questioning of these separatists and their associates only added weight to the evidence that the NIA had already sourced.

The arrests and this hectic probe by the NIA had its ripple effects in Kashmir as well. The unrest is dying a slow death and the funds are gradually drying up. Earlier separatists used to dole out money at will to fund stone pelters and terrorists. However this time they are careful, watchful as they are fully aware that a full-fledged probe with all its seriousness and minus the appeasement is on.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 7:57 [IST]
India's stand on Rohingyas gracious so far but housing them would be risky

The Rohingya influx continues as Tripura police nets seven of them

Mass graves of Hindus: India asks Myanmar to punish guilty

India

oi-PTI

Amid reports of bodies of Hindus being found in mass graves in Myanmar, India on Friday hoped that the country will bring justice to those involved in the crime.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said as per the statement of the office of Myanmar's state counsellor, all the bodies found in these graves are of Hindus.

Stating that India has seen the press reports about these graves and looked at the official statement by the Myanmarese government, Kumar said the country condemns terrorism in all forms.

"We emphasise that there is no justification to any act of terrorism which targets civilians in this conflict. We hope authorities will be able to bring to justice perpetrators of the crime. We hope the families of the victims will be provided all possible assistance so as to instill a sense of security and return of normalcy," he said.

As per reports, these mass graves were found in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

"We have conveyed our concerns about the affected people to Myanmar. The affected families should be given appropriate compensation," said Kumar.
Woman, her two children mowed down by train; Suicide not ruled out

Noida: BTech student commits suicide, parents blame ragging by senior

India

oi-Madhuri

Failing to cope up with an alleged ragging at an engineering college in Delhi, a first-year Btech student has committed suicide on Thursday night. The victim committed suicide after allegedly being harassed by a senior of the Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology.

The victim reportedly ended life in the hostel room. The incident took place in Delhi's Noida city.

The parents of the victim have lodged a complaint with the police alleging that it was due to constant ragging by seniors which forced to take this extreme step.

A case of ragging and abetment to suicide case has been registered. Jitendra Shrivastav, ASP said that the investigation is on and if any student/faculty is found to be responsible then strict action will be taken against them.

Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology is the engineering college which is located in the vicinity of NCR. This is an institution which has established itself as among the best in technical education in the UP Technical University.

Ragging has been one of the most troublesome issues in India. Ragging has become more of a norm than an exception in a number of educational institutes across the country, which has led to lives being shattered and young people being rendered helpless. Some develop mental disorders, some choose to end their lives while many others are also murdered by the force of ragging.

OneIndia News
In UP 166 criminals killed in encounters in past five years: Yogi

This Diwali, UP CM Yogi asks govt employees to celebrate festival with needy, deprived families

Modernisation of police force helped in controlling crime in UP: CM Yogi

Yogi govt orders demotion of DySP to inspector for taking bribes in rape case

People want construction of Ram Temple: Yogi Adityanath

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

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Yogi Adityanath says people want construction of Ram Mandir | Oneindia News

The issue of Ram Mandir is seeming to be gaining momentum again as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that the significance of Ayodhya issue cannot be overlooked, adding that people 'want construction of Ram Temple'.

Ppl want construction of Ram Temple but matter is sub-judice. Must wait for verdict. However can't overlook significance of Ayodhya: UP CM pic.twitter.com/dOdgmCXCOe  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 29, 2017

After meeting an astrologer, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh had on Thursday exuded the confidence of construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya before 2019.

Singh said, "Swami Brahma Yogananda had predicted Modi ji will become Prime Minister and he now predicted a grand Ram Temple before 2019...Also, now a situation in the country is changing. People who were earlier opposed to it now want a grand Ram temple".

Last week two additional district judges were appointed as observers at the Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi site in Ayodhya by the Allahabad High Court.

The observers are Additional District Judge, Basti, Irfan Ahmad and Additional District Judge, Faizabad, Amarjeet Tripathi.

They will submit fortnightly reports to the Supreme Court on the disputed site's status quo and the adjacent excess area that was acquired.

The apex court had on August 11 said it would commence the final hearing in the longstanding dispute from December 5, the eve of 25th anniversary of the Barbi Masjid's demolition.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 11:52 [IST]
Fact Check: Before swearing in ceremony did Ram Nath Kovind and Draupadi Murmu perform verdict rituals

President Kovind set to visit Ethiopia on maiden trip abroad

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to visit Djibouti and Ethiopia from October 3 to attend a business event and an interaction with Indian community.

This is the first overseas visit of President Kovind and the first visit to Ethiopia by an Indian President in 45 years.

The visit assumes significance as India plans to restart its engagement with Africa and Indian Ocean littoral states.

While Ethiopia has been a traditional focus country for India in East Africa, Djibouti is growing in importance with China setting up its first military base there.

Kovind's visit comes even as Chinese troops conducted the first ever combat exercise in Djibouti last week. Chinese troops have been stationed in Djibouti since August, but according to Chinese reports this is the first time China has conducted live fire exercises in a foreign base.

"Ethiopia is the largest recipient of concession by India. We have given $ 1 Bn concession to Ethiopia in three sugar projects," said MEA General Secretary.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its nod for signing an agreement with Ethiopia on "cooperation in the field of information, communication and media".

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 18:17 [IST]
Ind Vs Aus 3rd T20: Several injured after stampede breaks out at Hyderabad's Gymkhana ground over tickets

At least 125 dead after violence at football match in Indonesia

Sena, Congress slam BJP for stampede at Elphinstone

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

After the tragic stampede at Elphinstone Road station which claimed 22 lives, Shiv Sena and Congress took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for lack of basic facilities at railway stations.

Shiv Sena MLA Ajay Choudhary said that government not able to provide basic facilities and services at stations but 'dreams of bullet trains'.

Govt not able to provide basic facilities&services at stations but dreams of bullet trains: Ajay Choudhary,Shiv Sena MLA on Mumbai stampede pic.twitter.com/qkVYfBbt1t  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017

"This incident is a public massacre for which the government and railways are responsible. We have time and again demanded that the old and dilapidated foot overbridges be redeveloped but no action has been taken yet," Sena MP Sanjay Raut told PTI.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hit out at the government after the stampede. "Terrible tragedy at Elphinstone. My condolences to the family of the deceased. Government talking of Bullet Trains but basic facilities missing," he said in a tweet.

Terrible tragedy at #Elphinstone.My condolences to the family of the deceased.Govt talking of Bullet Trains but basic facilities missing. pic.twitter.com/ecV641GQiI  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) September 29, 2017

Also, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said the Elphinstone stampede was "a man-made disaster". Expressing her concerns over rail safety, Sonia Gandhi said "such accidents could have been avoided had there been proper planning and concern for safety."

She has also asked the Regional and Pradesh Congress Committee and Congress workers to contribute in providing assistance to the families of the bereaved.

OneIndia News
Subramanian Swamy seeks re-examination of Aircel-Maxis report by CAG

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy while expressing concern over the non-tabling of the CAG Aircel-Maxis report asked the new Comptroller and Auditor General, Rajiv Mehrishi, for its re-examination by a special team.

In a letter to Mehrishi under the heading "Non tabling of the Aircel-Maxis report of CAG in Parliament", Swamy claimed the report had been pending in his office for three years. Swamy also called for re-examining audit reports on Rajya Sabha TV expenses and defence and telecom audits.

"I request you to kindly get all these cases re-examined by a special team of competent officers so as to ensure that the CAG defence audit reports do not remain compromised," he said in the letter.

Swamy said the final audit report of CAG on the Aircel- Maxis case was pending in its office for the last three years.

"I understand that the draft Audit report of the office of Director General of Audit, Post & Telecommunications on the Aircel-Maxis case received in your office in January 2015 was kept in suspended animation...," he said, alleging it was done at the behest of some CAG officials.

The Aircel-Maxis case pertains to serious irregularities in the approval given to the Malaysia-based Maxis group of companies for FDI in Aircel limited in 2006. Former Finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram is being investigated in the case.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 6:09 [IST]
Surgical Strikes: A year on, the Indian Army is now doubly aggressive

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

It has been one year since India carried out a surgical strike across the Line of Control and targeted Pakistan sponsored terrorist groups. The strikes were carried out on the intervening night of September 28-29 2016.

The morale of the Indian Army was down following the Uri attack in which it lost 19 of its brave soldiers. Questions were being asked as to why the Army was not hitting back. There was a relatively muted response even after the Pathankot attack.

However the attack at Uri changed everything and the Indian Army decided that it was not going to sit quiet and let Pakistan strike. The surgical strike was a successful one and the Army inflicted considerable damage on the terror launch pads. Scores of terrorists were even pushed back during that strike.

Today the stand of the Indian Army has become very aggressive. Pakistan continues to resort to cross border fire, but the response by India has been very strong.

Quick punitive action is taken in case Pakistanis violate ceasefire by firing at our posts, often to provide cover for terrorists trying to infiltrate. The action is so severe that it becomes difficult for the opposite posts to operate for a long time to come. Due to the newly-adopted aggressive posture on the LoC, the morale of troops seems to be very high.

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 5:41 [IST]
UP TET: Written test compulsory for primary teachers appointment

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

For the UP TET, written examination is compulsory for aspirants. The exam can be given by only those candidates who have cleared Teacher's Eligibility Test (TET).

The Cabinet in a meeting presided by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved an amendment in the UP Basic Shiksha Adhyapak Sewa Niyamawali (rules), said state government spokesperson and minister for power Shrikant Sharma.

Therefore, an aspirant will now to pass a written examination of 60 marks. Rest 40 marks will be for educational qualifications, the minister said. The Shiksha Mitras will get an opportunity as per court directives. They will a get weightage of 2.5 marks for each year of service upto a maximum of 25 marks.

Minister for Basic Education Anupama Jaiswal said 1.37 lakh primary teachers will be appointed through this new process. Among other key decisions, the cabinet eased norms related to felling of trees other than mango, neem, sal and mahua on private land with some riders, the minister said.

The government has, however, urged farmers to plant 10 trees for each tree cut by them, he added. The cabinet decided to amend the rules pertaining to the Right to Education check the arbitrary functioning of private schools. This has been done to ensure strict compliance of the provision providing free education to 25 per cent poor children, the minister said.

The cabinet decided to amend the rules pertaining to the Right to Education check the arbitrary functioning of private schools. This has been done to ensure strict compliance of the provision providing free education to 25 per cent poor children, the minister said.

To a question on when children of administrative officers and leaders will start taking admissions in government schools, the other spokesman of the government Siddharth Nath Singh said that efforts were on in this direction.

Facilities and quality of education in government schools are being improved, Singh, who also is a state minister, said.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 6:55 [IST]
West Bengal Group D Result 2017, check interview date, download call letter

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

After the West Bengal Group D Result 2017 were declared, the interview call letter has been released. The results are available on the official website.

The interviews would be held from October 16 2017 onwards. There are WBGDRB has selected candidates three times the total number of 6,000 vacancies. The provisionally qualified aspirants, according to the official results statement published by WBGDRB, will be informed about the West Bengal Group D Recruitment Interview schedule either through sms or email in their registered Mobile number or email Id.

The OMR sheets of the candidates, who appeared in the West Bengal Group D written examination have been scanned and evaluated electronically, said a statement from the organisors. Approximately, three times the total number of 6000 Group D vacancies will be intimated for the interviews. The candidates who are selected after the West Bengal Group D written exam, on the basis of the provisional Merit list will be called for Interview in a phased manner.

The West Bengal group D interviews are proposed to start from October 16, 2017, said a statement.

The recruitment of group D employees is being organised in West Bengal after a long interval. The last Group D recruitment was done during the erstwhile Left Front regime. The results are available on wbgdrb.in.

West Bengal Group D Result 2017, download call letter:

Click on download your interview call letter

Enter nine-digit application number and date of birth on the next page

Submit the details and download your call letter

Take a printout

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 7:41 [IST]
Will the Tamil Nadu farmers get the attention of the Centre?

India

oi-Shreya

By Shreya

The first thing to catch anybody's attention in the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, is the numerous protests that are held in the place. The most interesting aspect of Jantar Mantar is that some of these protesters have been sitting at the same place over years now, but the lucky ones or the 'more significant' ones get the attention of the media and are smeared overs newspapers, and TV screens as headlines and breaking news.

Case in point, the Tamil Nadu farmers, who have been protesting in the national capital's hub for protest - Jantar Mantar, for over 100 days now, are yet to receive any response despite the media coverage. The protest led by the farmers was not any ordinary protest, starting from March 2017, and initially led by 143 farmers, the protest saw various 'innovative' measures to draw the attention of the Centre.

Speaking to Oneindia the farmers revealed their future plans. Along with farmers from all over the country, the Tamil Nadu farmers are going to protest in Telengana on September 16th, in Andhra Pradesh on 17th and 18th, in Tamil Nadu on 19th and 20th, in Kerala on 21st, and in Karnataka on 22nd and 23rd. Apart from this, the farmers are going to conduct a Kisan Parliament starting from the first day of the winter session of the Parliament at Jantar Mantar, where 542 farmers will discuss agricultural issues and policies.

The farmers walked naked in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, held dead rats in their mouths, drank urine and human waste, wore masks of the Prime Minister and kneeled at the Jantar Mantar. To highlight the depravity of the situation, they also included the dead farmers in their protest - by using skulls and femur bones of the debt-ridden farmers who committed suicide.

While only 23 farmers are left in the capital, as most of them had to go back to Tamil Nadu due to deteriorating health condition, the ones who are left have still not gone easy on the protest. Four of the remaining farmers have resorted to indefinite hunger strike to get a response from the Government.

What makes the protest even more special is the fact that these farmers are not merely protesting for their issues, but also stand in solidarity with others. The President of the Association spoke at a protest held by students and professors in Delhi against the violence unleashed on the female students of Banaras Hindu University. They say they will protest against anything that goes against the freedom and rights of any citizen of the country.

In spite of having no arrangement to save themselves from the harsh climate of the capital and the spread of vector-borne diseases common in this part of the country, the farmers have not leg gone of their protest. They stayed in a make-shift tent during the heavy rains. Daily food is being sent by Bangla Sahib Gurdwara.

Feeling dejected at receiving no response to their cry for help, the farmers said that the Government does not care about the woes of the farmers. They said mere necessities are not being fulfilled by whatever they are being able to earn at present. Ayyakkammu said, "We are not asking for luxury, but at least we need profitable prices for our produce so that we can make ends meet, we are also human beings, we work to produce food, but what about us? We have to take to the streets so that we also have food in our plates,"

Here is a list of their demands:

Profitable price for agricultural products

Implementation of National Water Ways Project of Engineer A.C Kamaraj

Crop Insurance Scheme for individual farmers

Waiving off of Farmer's Nationalised Bank Loan

Prevention of Tamil Nadu into turning to desert by formation of Cauvery River Management Board

Monthly pension of Rs 5000 for farmers above the age of 60 years even if they have children and land

OneIndia News
Woman cop thrashes female bus conductor for being asked to pay for bus ticket

India

pti-PTI

Hyderabad, Sep 29: A video purportedly showing a woman police constable assaulting a female bus conductor inside a bus in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana, has gone viral on social media, prompting the police to order an inquiry into the incident. The incident had occurred on September 27.

The woman police constable, G Rajitha Kumari, was travelling in a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus from Mahabubnagar depot, when the conductor asked her to buy a ticket for the journey. When the constable showed her a photocopy of her ID card, the conductor asked for her original ID card, the RTC staff said.

The video clip of the incident, filmed by a passenger, was aired by some TV news channels. It shows that after a brief argument between the two, the woman constable pushed aside the conductor and hit her several times, even as fellow passengers intervened.

Condemning the incident, a group of employees of the TSRTC held a demonstration and later took out a protest rally in Mahabubnagar town yesterday. They further demanded suspension and stern action against the police woman at the earliest. "When the conductor asked the woman constable for a ticket she refused to buy," they alleged.

Reacting on the incident, Mahabubnagar District Superintendent of Police B Anuradha said, a detailed inquiry has been ordered into the matter and stringent disciplinary action will be initiated against her once they receive the inquiry report. "The constable has been attached to the Mahabubnagar police headquarters," the SP said.

PTI
India's stand on Rohingyas gracious so far but housing them would be risky

The Rohingya influx continues as Tripura police nets seven of them

5 lakh Rohingyas flee Myanmar, take shelter in Bangladesh since Aug 25, says UN

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Dhaka, Sep 29: The latest figure released by the United Nations (UN) in terms of the number of Rohingyas escaping violence-hit Myanmar and taking shelter in Bangladesh has gone up to more than 500,000 lakh.

The number of Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh since violence broke out in Myanmar's Rakhine state on August 25 has exceeded half a million, the UN said on Thursday.

The new figure of 501,800 -- up from around 480,000 -- was due mainly to the counting of refugees not previously included in the tally rather than a dramatic increase in arrivals.

The International Organisation for Migration has estimated that there are more than 800,000 Rohingya currently in Bangladesh, including those who fled Myanmar before the latest crisis.

The nearly half a million Rohingya refugees who have entered Bangladesh since August will likely not be leaving soon, the UN said on Wednesday, calling for longer- term plans to manage the influx.

The head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, called the current camp set up "a recipe for disaster", with overcrowding and unhygienic conditions creating a breeding ground for "possible epidemics."

"The important thing is to get people in places where they can be assisted more easily," Grandi told reporters in Geneva.

"It is most likely that return will take time, if it happens, if the violence stops. It will be important also to find in the medium term suitable solutions for the people that are in Bangladesh." "The first challenge is to get people out of the mud and the despair which they are finding themselves in", he added.

Recommended Video

Rohingya Crisis: Bangladesh says it's both a humanitarian

Grandi said he was in talks with Dhaka about forming a "technical committee" with the UN to look at options for longer-term Rohingya settlements.

"There are in reality many different options that the Bangladesh government is studying, and understandably they are not easy", he said, noting the strain placed on local communities in the Cox's Bazar area on the Myanmar border.

Aid agencies say that the largely makeshift camps in Cox's Bazar are bursting at the seams, amid struggles to bring in adequate food and shelter. Impoverished Bangladesh has earned praise for its response so far. Rohingyas have been fleeing Rakhine state in northeast Myanmar for decades.

The new exodus began on August 25 when deadly attacks by Rohingya militants on Myanmar police posts prompted a military crackdown. Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said the country was ready to verify the refugee status of those who have fled, but has not guaranteed the right of return for all.

Meanwhile, India's latest stand to deport around 40,000 Rohingyas staying in various parts of the country has been heavily criticised by several national and international groups.

In an opinion piece for Hindustan Times, Colin Gonsalves, senior Supreme Court advocate and founder, Human Rights Law Network, said that the law is clear that India can't deport Rohingyas.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 6:47 [IST]
Former Senator says Indo-US nuke agreement is an arms deal

International

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Sep 29: Asserting that focus of the India-US bilateral partnership should be on "agriculture, technology and health care", former US Senator Larry Pressler has said the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement is more of an "arms deal".

Pressler, who has served as chairman of the US Senate's Arms Control Subcommittee, yesterday also had a word of caution for Pakistan. He said if Pakistan did not act on terrorism, the Donald Trump administration could declare it "a terror state".

"I would love to see peaceful use of nuclear energy, but I am worried that so far it (Indo-US nuke agreement) has mostly been an arms deal. It seems to me that much of the new agreement is a large arms sale to Indians," Pressler said.

The former US Senator was speaking during the launch of his book 'Unveiling Neighbours in Arms'. The Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement was signed in October 2008, ending India's isolation by the West in the nuclear and space arena.

The deal has given a significant boost to India's nuclear energy production. Pressler claimed the then US president Barack Obama's visit to New Delhi was "largely an arms sale trip". When asked whether the United States could declare Pakistan a "terror state", he said,

"Unless Pakistan does not change certain things, it may happen. Moreover, the Donald Trump administration is making sounds that they are getting near this. And I hope they do". Pressler is known for advocating amendments in the 1990s which banned most of the economic and military assistance to Pakistan, unless the US president certified on an annual basis that Islamabad did not possess nuclear explosive devices.

PTI
Pakistans UN gaffe questioned ducked, India blamed instead

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Instead of owing up to the gaffe by its top diplomat at the UN General Assembly, Pakistan decided to blame India. Pakistan dodged a question on the recent photograph gaffe by its top diplomat in the UN General Assembly, saying the incident cannot be used to deny an "indisputable fact" that Indian security forces were using pellet guns in Kashmir.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, held up a photograph of an injured Gaza girl whose face was peppered with alleged pellets and portrayed it as a Kashmiri pellet gun victim.

Asked about his reaction to the gaffe, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafess Zakaria side-stepped the question at the weekly briefing here and instead blamed Indian security forces for blinding Kashmiris.

"India cannot deny around 80 Kashmiris completely blinded deliberately by its forces and blinding of over 200 innocent Kashmiris in one eye," he claimed.

"India cannot deny injuring thousands of Kashmiris using pellet guns... It is an indisputable fact," Zakaria claimed.

He also accused India of playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan and under the garb of development assistance using the country's soil to carry out subversive activities inside Pakistan.

"We have evidence to this effect, which was shared with the US, the Secretary General of the UN and also with the Afghan authorities," Zakaria said.

OneIndia News
From hijab to Kashmir, Zawahiri was Al-Qaeda's voice for everything anti-India

For the dark rule in Afghanistan, blame is on the US

Kabul: 12 killed, several wounded in suicide bomb attack near Shiite mosque

International

oi-Madhuri

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Shiite mosque in Kabul on Friday, killing at least 12 people, wounding 10, and the death toll could rise, an Interior Ministry spokesman.

The blast hit the Qala-e Fatehullah area of the city, near the Hussainya mosque, and occurred as security forces were on alert for possible attacks during Ashura, the holiest celebration in the Shi'ite religious calendar.

The explosion happened as worshippers were leaving a Shia mosque in the north of the city after Friday prayers. However, there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The local affiliate of Islamic State has claimed several attacks on Shi'ite targets in Kabul in recent years and the government has allowed the Shi'ite community to place armed guards near mosques.

OneIndia News
US President Trump congratulates Angela Merkel on election win

International

oi-PTI

Washington, September 29: In a telephone conversation, US President Donald Trump has congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her election victory and wished her well in the formation of her fourth government. Also, they discussed the Iran nuclear deal, the WH officials said.

He underscored the deep ties that bind the two nations, their joint efforts to promote peace and prosperity, and US commitment to their longstanding, strong alliance with the German government and its people.

Among other things, they discussed how to counter Iran's 'malign' activities in the Middle East.

Trump and Merkel also addressed the nuclear deal and Iran's missile program, and its non-compliance with the UN. They also affirmed the importance of achieving the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the White House said.

Trump and Merkel frequently talk to each other on a wide range of bilateral and global issues. Trump had called her before the elections to wish her. Over the weekend, Merkel, 63, won her fourth consecutive election. The win solidifies her position as the defacto leader of Europe.

Before joining politics, she was a scientist in East Germany. She has a PhD in quantum chemistry.

PTI

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Story first published: Friday, September 29, 2017, 14:12 [IST]


India Pakistan Border Wagha

(Image by Koshyk) Details DMCA



Former US Senator Larry Pressler says that both India and the US need to conduct pre-emptive strikes to destroy Pakistan's nuclear assets.

Pressler was speaking in Mumbai, India, at the launching of his new book - "Neighbors in Arms: An American Senator's Quest for Disarmament in a Nuclear Sub-Continent".

Pressler, 75, authored the famous Pressler Amendment, which banned most economic and military assistance to Pakistan unless the President certified on an annual basis that "Pakistan does not possess a nuclear-explosive device and that the proposed United States assistance program will reduce significantly the risk that Pakistan will possess a nuclear-explosive device."

Interestingly, President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and 1988 and President George Bush in 1989 continued to certify that Pakistan does not have a nuclear weapon, a condition of continuing aid to Pakistan under the law. These certifications were thought to be important because Pakistan was a key base for the CIA-backed Afghan mujaheddin, and cutting off aid to Pakistan might curtail CIA support for the anti-Soviet forces.

The Times of India said as the delivery of close to 30 F-16 aircraft to Islamabad was barred, Pressler, then head of the Senate's arms control subcommittee, became something of a hero in India and, in his own words, "a devil in Pakistan."

His new book, Neighbors in Arms, engagingly tells the story of the amendment and of the US foreign policy towards Pakistan and casts a severe spotlight on the culture of lobbying in Washington and the grip of the military-industrial state ("the Octopus") inside the U.S.

"US must declare Pakistan a terrorist state, cut off all aid and must not treat India and Pakistan as equals. India is a democracy, Pakistan isn't. And Pakistan and especially the ISI have lied to us for decades," he said.

Pressler was of the view that Donald Trump may turn out to be the best American president yet for India as he had recently put Pakistan on notice for 'harboring' terrorists.

Meanwhile, a Chinese daily has slammed India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj for her strong criticism of Pakistan for harboring terrorists, saying it is "politically imbecilic and unsophisticated" to think that Islamabad exports terrorism.

The editorial in Global Times said Sushma Swaraj's speech at the UN reflected India's arrogance and "bigotry" towards Pakistan.

Sushma in her address last week at the UN General Assembly accused Pakistan for what she called sheltering terrorists.

"Why is it that today India is a recognized IT superpower in the world and Pakistan is recognized only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?" Sushma had said.

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(This is a reprint from NewsBred.)



Why 'Jumla_Man' branding against Modi is not working

(Image by pixabay.com) Details DMCA



Attempts to burn Narendra Modi at the stake are not new.

Those who call him "Tughlaqi" and "Feku"--such as Congress' Digvijaya Singh--apparently don't see the contradiction. You can't be the two at the same time.

Then there are those who lie freely. Remember when Sagarika Ghose pooh-poohed Narendra Modi's pro-poor image by pointing out his Louis Vuitton shawl --only to be told by the company that they don't make such shawls!

Rajdeep Sardesai, in an HT Summit, called Modi on stage a "mass murderer" and "hero of hatred." (Watch this video ). He took a call that lawfully is one of investigating agencies and courts and who, incidentally, have ruled in Modi's favour.

Rahul Gandhi calls Modi a peddler of lies. He cites the Rs 15 lakh-in-each-bank account li e that has been attributed to Modi ad nauseam. There is this exact video on 15-lakh and viewers can see it for themselves how Modi's speech has been twisted by the Left-Liberal ecosystem.

(It's the same that this shameless mafia had spread about Atal Bihari Vajpayee calling Indira Gandhi a "Durga". View Vajpayee's denial and judge it for yourself.)

Rahul once termed Modi's dispensation as "khool ki dalali"; this was similar to the spin his mother Sonia Gandhi once used for Modi, namely "Maut Ka Saudagar."

Sitaram Yechury, CPI (M) general secretary, called Modi no better than a "pick-pocket" of people's money in January this year. Nobody asked him--nor he was decent enough to apologize--when such "cheated" people brought BJP to power in UP by a historic mandate in a matter of few weeks.

Arvind Kejriwal has no compunction in calling Modi a "coward and a psychopath." An Imam in this country announces fatwa and a Rs 25 lakh cash award for anyone who could blacken Modi's face.

It is this same set of people who call Modi anti-farmers. Those in search of truth could easily make up this mind by knowing how transformative this government has been to farms and farmers.

Never ever a public figure has been subjected to so vile lies and propaganda as Modi. The filth by Digvijaya Singh, Manish Tewari and Mrinal Pande is fit for Huns and barbarians.

Lately, there has been a particular surge in branding Modi as a "jumla_Man". Twitter abounds in hashtags such as Jumla, Feku, Jumlanomics, JumlaMan, Jumla Diwas, Jumla Maharaj, National Pheku Diwas and National Jumla Day. Everyday on WhatsApp you come across an image portraying Modi as a "feku."

Let's examine whether this (a) "Jumla_Man" image fits PM Modi; (b) and whether it's an image that people have come to accept or reject at large.

Jumla_Man: Propaganda and Reality:

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This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.

From Counterpunch

This year's Labour Party conference, held in the seaside resort town of Brighton on the south coast of England, left no doubt that after decades spent in a neoliberal, free market wilderness, the Labour Party has been returned to its founding values as a mass party of the working class, advocating an unalterable shift in power in British society from those who own the nation's wealth to those who produce it.

Jeremy Corbyn entered the conference as the man of the moment, his every appearance and utterance greeted with rapturous applause, accompanied by the now ubiquitous chant of "Oh-oh Jeremy Corbyn! Oh-oh Jeremy Corbyn!" Considering where things were a year ago, when Corbyn entered the same conference as the party's leader in name only, regarded as an impostor in the eyes of most of its MPs, who were actively engaged undermining and destabilizing his leadership, his popularity now is staggering to behold.

What a difference a year makes, especially one that includes a general election out of which Corbyn emerged the clear moral if not political victor. From then to now he has driven the political agenda, scoring blow after blow against a Tory government that continues to be mired in a Brexit swamp.

What has not changed over the past year, however, is the attempt to associate Corbyn's Labour Party with antisemitism.

The latest salvo in what has been a ceaseless campaign of smear and character assassination waged by apologists and supporters of the world's favorite apartheid state, came in response to a fringe meeting that was held at the Labour Party conference on Palestine, at which guest speaker Miko Peled said that the Holocaust should be open to discussion on the grounds of free speech, leading to him being splashed across the UK media as a Holocaust denier.

Peled, it should be pointed out, is an Israeli-born Jew and son of a former general in the IDF. He himself was a member of the Israeli Special Forces until Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982 left him disgusted, whereupon he turned his back on Israel and became a champion of Palestinian human rights, travelling the world to make the case in support of BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) against the State of Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians.

The notion that such a man could be smeared as a Holocaust denier is about as absurd as it gets -- though as most with experience of such people know well enough by now, when it comes to this rotten pro-Israel apartheid crew, nothing is off limits.

The danger with the campaign to delegitimize supporters of the Palestinian cause in the West is not so much over whether it succeeds or not but more with the fact it distracts from the actual suffering of the Palestinians themselves. It reduces the issue to the credibility of supporters of the Palestinian cause, such as Peled, who can easily find themselves being bogged down in defending themselves against such spurious charges of Holocaust denial instead of championing the inarguable rights of a people struggling to maintain a semblance of humanity and dignity in the face of the most prolonged and systematic system of apartheid, military occupation, and ethnic cleansing of any in modern history.

Miko Peled: "There is no Palestine; there are no Palestinians in Israeli consciousness. It's the land of Israel. As long as we kill more of them than they kill of us, we're going to be fine. There is no vision beyond that."

Former Labour mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, who has been a member of the party for over four decades, is still under suspension over allegations of antisemitism concerning remarks he made in 2016 on the history of collaboration between German Zionists and the Nazis in the 1930s, while Jackie Walker was expelled from the Labour Party on the same basis over comments she made concerning Holocaust Memorial Day, again last year.

Returning to this year's Labour Party Conference, lifelong socialist and critically acclaimed British filmmaker, Ken Loach, also incurred the wrath of the antisemitism police, when during a BBC TV interview he dared opine that the attempt to smear the party with antisemitism is part of an attempt to undermine Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

The wrath directed at Loach over his remarks came most prominently from Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland, doughty and dependable defender of the apartheid state, in his column titled, "Labour's denial of antisemitism in its ranks leaves the party in a dark place."

Freedland's main line of attack was over the issue of who has the right to decide what constitutes antisemitism and who does not, claiming that only people of Jewish persuasion have this right and that people such as Loach, in denying that antisemitism exists within the Labour Party, are akin to men denying that bias against women exists within the party, or straight people denying that bias against LGBT people exists within the party.

Here Mr Freedland conveniently overlooks the open letter to his own newspaper, The Guardian, written and signed by Jewish members of Labour in 2016, denying the party had a problem with antisemitism while alleging that the claim is part of an attempt to undermine Corbyn's leadership, as Loach maintained in his BBC interview.

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I can't imagine any sane person disputing the claim that Donald Trump is a narcissist. Experts characterize him as a malignant narcissist-- the worst kind. I would go further and say that he is also a brutal, murderous psychopath.

All narcissists are predators. All psychopaths are narcissists and predators.

If you can, listen to this video song as you read on.

We're seeing the strange fruits produced by the most despicable, corrupt, indescribably horrific substitute for a president the world has ever seen. Look to Tom Price to see a former congressman who'd been accused of profiting off of inside congressional knowledge on stock investments, who in just months, has racked up over a million dollars in flight costs between private jets and abuse of miitary resources. He's not alone At least three other Trump appointees, all people purportedly brought in to drain the swamp, have also exploited their power to power suck off the public teat.

It's reasonable to assume that we are seeing a tiny fraction, the tip of the iceberg, of what Trump and his appointees and nepotist surrogates are perpetrating. If Price has stolen a million dollars worth of services from us, assume that he's stolen at least ten million over all. If we know of four of Trump's appointees who are abusing their privilege and power for personal gain, assume that there are at least forty or fifty. Throw in the hundreds of millions of expenses Trump and his retinue have cost-- that we know about. Assume that the real total runs into the billions. Assume that when you add in the contracts Trump is authorizing for people, companies and countries that hold events at his properties the totals could run into the tens or even hundreds of billions. Trump and his criminal cronies are on the path to becoming the biggest theft ring in the history of the planet.

Assume that the Puerto Rico disaster that Trump's policies, responses and non-responses have exacerbated is part of a plan. It's a disaster capitalism plan that will disgustingly exploit the tragedy and suffering of the millions of American citizens in Puerto Rico. Trump will force Puerto Rico to accept loans and deals that privatize utilities, privatize infrastructure and almost outright steal assets from the people of Puerto Rico. Assume that the path to achieve such thievery will be laid by the purported swamp clearers Trump has appointed. This is predation at its worse. Assume that hundreds of thousands will lose their homes and small business properties. Assume that those properties will be bought up, perhaps under the duplicitous guise of emergency recovery, to be re-sold to friends of Trump or his GOP cronies-- perhaps shell corporations owned by current or former congress-people like Tom Price.

Since Trump also controls most of the federal criminal investigatory resources, it will to the remaining states where honest state's attorneys operate for any investigation of criminal predation and exploitation. Don't assume the Democrats will do much better than rotten, dishonest Trump appointees like Jeff Sessions.

In times like we face to day, it is legitimate, rational, and our responsibility to assume the worst, to assume that thievery is rampant and our commons assets are under great threat. Let's not forget that Trump wants to shrink the size of many national parks and open them to commercial exploitation, all while decreasing their availability to we-the-people.

At this point, the way to identify bad, predatory people in government is to find the ones appointed by Trump. Assume that if a person took a Trump appointment that he or she is a Trump comrade in narcissism, exploitation and predation, and probably psychopathy. These are not the dumb psychopaths you see in prisons. These are the smart ones who run corporations, mega-churches, armies and hedge funds. And they are legion.
Some leftists and rightists agree that our country has been hijacked by the CIA. According to Kevin Shipp, ex-CIA member and author of the book From the Company of Shadows, the CIA and the NSA represent the Shadow Government, which is at the top of the pyramid, and the military-industrial-congressional complex represents the Deep State that is below the Shadow Government. Kevin Shipp has made several YouTube videos. The two I list here and here show him speaking to audiences that could be described as conservative constitutionalists, but some progressive and leftist websites are also encouraging readers to watch these videos.

There are both leftists and rightists who agree that JFK was killed in 1963 because he was a threat to the Shadow Government. Many on the left and the right agree that 9/11 was an inside job, and they agree that most Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate do not represent the will of the people. Many from both groups believe that Russia is now being demonized in the mainstream media mostly because it is considered the biggest threat to the neoliberal or neoconservative foreign-policy agenda.

There are both leftists and rightists who are critical of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Federal Reserve. There are both leftists and rightists who oppose the globalist agenda of billionaire financiers such as George Soros. Many leftists and rightists think that individuals like the Bushes, the Clintons, Obama, Chuck Schumer, and John McCain are sympathetic to the military-industrial complex.

In Kevin Shipp's videos, he claims that the Council on Foreign Relations in connection with Wall Street created the Federal Reserve central-banking system. Corporations like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics, and Raytheon contribute $700,000 a year to each of the 48 members of the Congressional Armed Service Committee. Our government pays out one trillion dollars a year to the military-industrial complex. The United States is the biggest arms dealer in the world; many of us already knew that.

Kevin Shipp says there are now 10,000 secret government sites in the United States, and even select members of Congress do not know about all of them. There are 1,271 government organizations and 1,931 private companies that are involved in secrecy. There are 4.8 million Americans that we know of that have government security clearances; 854,000 have top secret clearances.

There really is no more privacy; there is now massive domestic surveillance. An enormous NSA Utah data bank has email and phone information on every U.S. citizen. According to several articles dated July 31, 2014, John Brennan admitted that the CIA improperly hacked into Senate computers.

Trump once said he was going to investigate 9/11 and the CIA. After Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC show recently shared with Chuck Schumer one of Trump's tweets, Schumer then said, "If you cross the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you."

Why don't more members of the CIA come out and expose its illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional actions? Every CIA employee signs a secrecy agreement when first hired, which means that he or she is not allowed to testify in a court of law or before Congress about any classified information, even if it breaks the law or goes against the constitution. If the CIA does not want the public to know about any of its covert activities, all it has to do is identify the information as classified or top secret, using the state-secrets privilege.

Kevin Shipp states that 9/11 was labeled a terrorist event, which stopped any criminal investigation right in its tracks. When CIA director Allen Dulles was fired by JFK for not informing JFK ahead of time of the failed Cuban Bay of Pigs invasion, later it was Allen Dulles who was appointed by Lyndon Johnson to be a member of the Warren Commission, which investigated JFK's assassination. Shipp and others too have said that this was like putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

How do leftists and rightists differ? Many rightists are climate-change deniers. They do not believe in the U.N. Sustainable Development goals. Some believe that vaccines cause autism. Some rightists believe that some of the globalists are Satanists and are into child pornography. Some believe that the government is interfering with the weather with sinister intentions. Most rightists believe in capitalism. Many believe that the Rapture or Second Coming of Jesus is imminent. Many rightists believe that the U.S. Constitution, first implemented in 1789 with the presidency of George Washington, is a sacred document that largely does not need to be changed. Many rightists still support Donald Trump. Rightists tend to be fearful of Islam.

Many leftists, on the other hand, believe that climate change is caused by human behavior. They believe that alternatives to fossil fuels are urgently needed. Many don't believe that vaccines cause autism, or that the government is interfering with the weather for sinister purposes. Many support the U.N. Sustainable Development goals.

True leftists, as opposed to neoliberal "progressive" Democrats, often advocate socialism. Some Greens support capitalism, but the Left Greens don't. Most socialists would tolerate the small capitalistic mom and pop grocery store on the corner. Many liberals and progressives and a few leftists have shown interest in Eastern religions and mindfulness meditation. Leftists are more likely to believe that the U.S. Constitution should be rewritten periodically to change with the times, and they believe that a distinction must be made between Islam and radical Islam.

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There is much speculation about President Trump's mental state. Crazy? Personality disorder? Or crazy like a fox? I hold to the latter view. As I said then: "I think that this man is not out-of-control, ever. I think that he only appears to be, on occasion, and I think that that is planned." I make one exception to that observation. (I am a physician, but not a psychiatrist, and therefore I am not limited by the "Goldwater Rule" in commenting on Trump's mentation.) Low self-esteem is a common problem. NO self-esteem at all, not-so-much.



Trumped

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I do think that Trump suffers from the latter. Otherwise, why would he spend so much time telling us how good he is, and why would he have had his cabinet officers lined up for that cringeworthy (it's such a privilege to work FOR you) session that occurred some months ago. It's possible that the primary reason he withholds his income-tax returns, Russia connections or no, is that they would reveal how really bad a businessman and deal-maker he really is. But, as my favorite New York Times columnist Gail Collins (and Charles Blow, Paul Krugman, David Leonhardt, and Nick Kristof do run close seconds) likes to say --- but I digress.

Trump is rather a great dissembler, a great liar, and an absolute master of the WMD: Weapons of Mass Distraction (nothing new there). But case in point, the whole "NFL thing," while certainly being done to confirm his racist cred. with his racist base also has served, for some days at least, to distract from the absolutely awful job his government has been doing in re Puerto Rico. (After all, the Puerto Ricans may be US citizens, but they are predominately Latino and Trump's policy of choice towards them would be to "Build a Wall".) At the rate he is going there, this one may turn out to be a humanitarian disaster that will make Bush's Katrina pale in comparison.

So, if one takes a step back to look at Trump in the context of where he really wants to get to, he is indeed consistent in pursuit of his basic policies and programs: racist, misogynist, xenophobic, homophobic, Islamophobic, eviscerating the Federal government Executive Branch functions, returning the Federal Courts to their most Scalia-est form, massively cutting taxes for himself and the rest of the rich, maintaining an aggressive foreign policy so as to further bolster the Military-Industrial Complex, and so on and so forth. Most supposed mis-steps have a purpose, and those that don't, like the Access Hollywood tape, can be easily covered up by some grandstand move, which may appear to be from an out-of-control place, but really isn't. A major part of this is the supposed "change of positions" thing, which if you look at what his central policies really are, is actually a mirage. Which brings us to Roy Moore.



Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore Impedes Marriage Equality

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Trump supposedly supported Big (and he is) Luther Strange in that one, although he did allow in at least one speech that he would be OK with the Alabama Cowboy, the Dominionist Roy Moore, too. Steve Bannon, supposedly separated from Trump but really not (they talk on the phone on a regular basis), made that clear when, in speaking for Moore, said that he, Moore, is Trump's kind of guy. (As I have said elsewhere, when Trump resigns the Presidency because Bob Mueller has gotten the goods on him, family, and staff, and Trump then proceeds to set up an outright fascist party, Bannon will be its CEO.) So let's see about Roy.

Moore is indeed a racist, a violent homophobe (homosexual acts should be against the law [as they are in, say, Saudi Arabia and Uganda), and an Islamophobe (the self-proclaimed of "Constitutionalist" apparently never got to the "no religious test for office" part of the Constitution, you know, like in "Heller" that other "originalist" Scalia excised the first clause of the Second Amendment). Moore holds that "God" stands above the Constitution (and of course he would be the interpreters of what "God" is). Which makes him, like Mike Pence (a and Ted Cruz, a Dominionist. Which also makes it OK for him, as a state Judge, to tell court officers in Alabama that they don't have to obey a US Supreme Court ruling if they disagree with it (which got him bounced from the bench a second time).

Moore thinks that the Declaration of independence, especially the "Nature's God" phrase, is part of the Constitution. It isn't, for if the Framers, some of whom wrote the Declaration, wanted it to be, they would have included it. As for his position that peoples' rights are granted by God, in referring to "Rights" the Declaration states that we are all "endowed by our Creator" with them. If the writers of the Declaration had wanted to state that it is/was "God" who did that, they would have said so. Indeed, as an atheist, I am perfectly happy with "our Creator," for I read it as the sum of the laws of physics, chemist, and biology. And of course, if the Framers wanted "God" to be in the Constitutions they would have included him, her, it or they. Oh yes, as for the "Christian Nation" thing, the word "Christian" doesn't appear either. He also thinks that the 9/11 tragedy was God's punishment for a wayward nation (wayward in Moore's sense, of course).

Which brings us to the Republican Rightward Imperative thing, about which I have writing for years, most recently at: https://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Right-wing-Imperative-by-Steven-Jonas-African-americans_Islamophobia_Misogyny_Republican-Hate-170825-443.html. With his views on the Constitution and specific issues as outlined above, Moore is to the Right of most currently elected Republicans. BUT, Luther Strange is no "liberal" Republican. He was right down the line with Trump and Mitch McConnell. Yet Moore, waving his little pistol around and riding a horse as if he were out on the range somewhere, went to his Right and beat him. Moore and his people, starting with Bannon and his number one money pot, the Mercer Family, have seen the Rightward imperative working for Republicans for years, as indeed it did for Trump himself, and just went right down that path, to victory (in a Republican primary, at least).

Well, one might say, criminalizing homosexual conduct and calling 9/11 a product of the wrath of God might be crossing a bridge too far even for what now passes as "mainstream" in the current Republican Party. Surely, many elected Republicans will stand up against that, won't they? Well, no. At least on the first day, most Republican Senators who I saw interviewed said that the "really had to delve into the issues and judge Moore's positions 'fairly.' " "Not that familiar with them," they said. Oh really? What are they not reading or seeing? Even the "sensible Republican" Congressman Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, who will not be seeking re-election, refused to come out and condemn Moore.

This, folks, is the Republican Rightward Imperative in action. My-oh-my. What will we be seeing, when in a couple of years, Moore himself is the object of it?
From Alon Ben-Meir Website

Dear Mr. President,

I have been in your country scores of times and developed close and friendly relations with many Turks from all walks of life, who all took pride in the incredible progress Turkey made under your leadership. During your first 10 years as prime minister, you transformed Turkey economically, socially, and politically, and put the country on the path to greatness as an emerging regional and global power. This is why, Mr. Erdogan, it pains me to witness a once-great reformer destroying his own impressive achievements that any leader would have sustained with all their might. You have chosen this destructive path at the pinnacle of your career, when you could have left an historic mark on Turkey's future that rivals even Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The list of your transgressions is painful but necessary to numerate because their magnitude has far-reaching implications on Turkey and may well doom its prospect of capturing its rightful place on the world's stage. My hope is that Turkey can still be saved from your tyrannical reign that has transformed Turkey into a police state, divided its citizenry, and wrecked what's left of its democracy.

You had an historic opportunity to offer a model of Islamic democracy to the Arab world in the wake of the Arab Spring. Instead, you froze all political reforms and pushed Islam deeper into the country's secular education by expanding religious education in learning institutions to cultivate a new observant Islamic generation. This is not what the Turkish people aspire for; they want a true Western-style democracy with Islamic values as was envisioned by Ataturk.

You came close to fulfilling your people's dream when you adopted the Accession Partnership with the EU that provided Ankara with a roadmap to make Turkey an active member of the European community, using its vast human and natural resources to make it a constructive powerhouse on the global stage. But then you abandoned European social and political ideals, destroying Turkey's prospective EU membership while flirting with Russia to the utter dismay of the Turkish people and Western allies.

What a noble idea it was to pursue a sound foreign policy doctrine based on "zero problems with neighbors," that you proudly advocated. But then you alienated both traditional and new friends of Turkey, and sadly today Turkey has problems with just about every neighbor -- Cyprus, Greece, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Armenia, and the Caucasus are all estranged from Turkey, not to mention your tense relations with the EU and the United States.

And how could you reverse course with your own Kurdish community? They are Turkish citizens -- why deny them their inherent right to live in accordance with their cultural heritage? You went on a rampage to discriminate against them as if they were your sworn enemies. No, Mr. Erdogan. When you clamp down on the legal pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party and arrest Kurdish notables and intellectuals for presumed links with the PKK, don't expect loyalty -- you are merely inviting increasing violence. You openly threaten the Iraqi Kurds with retaliation as they pursue independence, fearing your own Kurds would follow in their footsteps -- yet you fail to realize your belligerent policies are only exacerbating the separatism you fear.

You cynically claim that Turkey is a democracy, but you restrict peaceful public demonstrations, which is the hallmark of a democracy. The Taksim Square unrest and your harsh treatment of demonstrators only reaffirms that Turkey under your rule has become a one-man government. Following the demonstration, you initiated a brutal campaign against those who participated in the demonstration to spread fear and suppress the people's voice.

I know you take pride -- and for good reason -- in growing the economy by nearly tripling Turkey's GNP during your first years as prime minister. But then, the poverty rate of the population in Turkey is at a high of 22.4 percent -- a staggering one quarter (20 million) of the Turkish population. This is not a reality that you care to recognize; you deny it to suit your inflated ego about the wonder of Turkey's economic miracle.

You flagrantly abolished the State Security Courts, violated the rights of defenders and detainees, restored police brutality, and put civil and political rights in free play. Have you glanced at Human Rights Watch's World Report documenting that under your watch the government unjustifiably prosecuted alleged speech crimes and used arbitrary terrorism laws? Ordinary Turks are terrified that someone is listening to their conversations, and they can't even tweet without fear of being investigated for their thoughts.

You emasculated the military, which has served as the custodian of a secular and democratic country, using NATO's demand to subordinate the military to the civilian authority as an excuse. With no compunction, you discharged nearly 3,000 officers while assuming the prerogative to issue direct orders to the heads of all military branches, to prevent the military from ousting you from power and prosecuting you for pursuing an Islamic agenda, the way they prosecuted three of your predecessors.

You display unbridled arrogance to the West, accusing Germany of using "Nazi measures" for their refusal to allow your supporters to hold rallies in Germany to demonstrate your sway and outreach, just so you can feed your oversized ego. You exhibited naked satisfaction as you watched your bodyguards shamelessly beat peaceful protesters in Washington and New York, because the concept of dissent and protest is completely alien to you, even in foreign lands.

Under the cover of fighting ISIS, you focused instead over the past three years on fighting the Syrian Kurds. Several credible reports suggest that you have been buying oil from ISIS, thereby aiding them financially as well as in their recruitment efforts by allowing thousands of volunteers to cross the Turkish border into Syria to join their ranks. You turned a blind eye to ISIS' heinous crimes because their Islamic credentials mattered more to you than the lives of thousands of innocent people.

Corruption? It is rampant on your watch. Bribery charges have implicated municipal employees, businessmen, the sons of three of your ministers, and your own son. Rather than taking these charges seriously, you dismissed high-ranking officials who are pursuing the investigation. Your obstruction of justice was so obtrusive, it evoked criticism even from members of your own AK Party.

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While Trump's insults aimed at the mainstream media are often referred to as outrageous the fact of the matter is that this media is most certainly not above criticism, not by any means. Here are some of the reasons why it falls short of representing the best of journalism.

Take CNN or MSNBC cable news, and let's just forget Fox News as it is more than boring and painful to watch. On any given day tune into most any one of these news shows and what you will likely see and hear is the very same news repeated over and over. That's understandable to a point but you would think that in the evening, when they have the most viewers, that their programming would vary between the individual shows and hosts to a larger extent; that's hardly the case.

One show looks and sounds like the other. Only the hosts and the panelists are different.

Recently I was checking to see what might be happening on CNN and MSNBC and the subject of the day was Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager. All I heard time and again was how he apparently has been informed by the Mueller investigative group that he will be indicted for some crime, possibly money laundering and/or tax evasion.

It might be said that the media is not well-rounded for it often beats the same subject almost to death. We see the same experts come on board the shows; former generals or admirals, so-called terrorism experts, reporters from the NY Times, Washington Post, other news organizations and a wide array of websites. Of the many panelists there is a steady stream of former prosecutors, former FBI officials, or former national security advisers.

These TV news organizations simply do not cover critically important issues in the depth required by objective journalism; to a great extent they do not go below the surface and initiate in-depth discussions of the major aspects of any given issue using experts in the field in question who know it inside and out.

Watching these shows on a daily basis, as some people most certainly do, is like watching the same movie consistently throughout the year.

You can watch these news shows 24/7 and you will not increase your knowledge about the monumental healthcare problem that is plaguing this country. You won't hear the details relative to its greatest shortcomings and how they can be alleviated; details on the massive wastes of taxpayer money, the failure to include all Americans.

If these cable news organizations were doing a real service to this country and its people they would include the best minds in the medical field, from hospital administrators to medical specialists, the American Medical Association and other medical organizations, to discuss all the facets of this problem and put forth solutions. They are doing no such thing and that's clearly journalistic deficiency.

Here is a list of critically important issues that the American people rarely. if ever, see or hear about from this mainstream media.

*America's endless wars.

*Deadly drone attacks on Somalia and Yemen.

*The growing, powerful alliance of Russia and China.

*North Korea: the background of how this crisis has developed over many decades.

*The extent of our festering national infrastructure problem

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From Consortium News



Russian President Vladimir Putin, following his address to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 28, 2015.

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The "Field of Dreams" slogan for America's NGOs should be: "If you pay for it, we will come." And right now, tens of millions of dollars are flowing to non-governmental organizations if they will buttress the thesis of Russian "meddling" in the U.S. democratic process no matter how sloppy the "research" or how absurd the "findings."

And, if you think the pillars of the U.S. mainstream media -- The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN and others -- will apply some quality controls, you haven't been paying attention for the past year or so. The MSM is just as unethical as the NGOs are.

So, we are now in a phase of Russia-gate in which NGO "scholars" produce deeply biased reports and their nonsense is treated as front-page news and items for serious discussion across the MSM.

Yet, there's even an implicit confession about how pathetic some of this "scholarship" is in the hazy phrasing that gets applied to the "findings," although the weasel words will slip past most unsuspecting Americans and will be dropped for more definitive language when the narrative is summarized in the next day's newspaper or in a cable-news "crawl."

For example, a Times front-page story on Thursday reported that "a network of Twitter accounts suspected of links to Russia seized on both sides of the [NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem] issue with hashtags, such as #boycottnfl, #standforouranthem and #takeaknee."

The story, which fits neatly into the current U.S. propaganda meme that the Russian government somehow is undermining American democracy by stirring up dissent inside the U.S., quickly spread to other news outlets and became the latest "proof" of a Russian "war" against America.

However, before we empty the nuclear silos and exterminate life on the planet, we might take a second to look at the Times phrasing: "a network of Twitter accounts suspected of links to Russia."

The vague wording doesn't even say the Russian government was involved but rather presents an unsupported claim that some Twitter accounts are "suspected" of being part of some "network" and that this "network" may have some ill-defined connection -- or "links" -- to "Russia," a country of 144 million people.

"Six Degrees from Kevin Bacon"

It's like the old game of "six degrees of separation" from Kevin Bacon. Yes, perhaps we are all "linked" to Kevin Bacon somehow but that doesn't prove that we know Kevin Bacon or are part of a Kevin Bacon "network" that is executing a grand conspiracy to sow discontent by taking opposite sides of issues and then tweeting.



The New York Times building in Manhattan.

(Image by (Photo credit: Robert Parry)) Details DMCA



Yet that is the underlying absurdity of the Times article by Daisuke Wakabayashi and Scott Shane. Still, as silly as the article may be that doesn't mean it's not dangerous. The Times' high-profile treatment of these gauzy allegations represents a grave danger to the world by fueling a growing hysteria inside the United States about being "at war" with nuclear-armed Russia. At some point, someone might begin to take this alarmist rhetoric seriously.

Yes, I understand that lots of people hate President Trump and see Russia-gate as the golden ticket to his impeachment. But that doesn't justify making serious allegations with next to no proof, especially when the outcome could be thermonuclear war.

However, with all those millions of dollars sloshing around the NGO world and Western academia -- all looking for some "study" to fund that makes Russia look bad -- you are sure to get plenty of takers. And, we should now expect that new "findings" like these will fill in for the so-far evidence-free suspicions about Russia and Trump colluding to steal the presidency from Hillary Clinton.

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Today is September 28, 2017, which is the final day of Tribal and Religous leadership in Kurdistan. Sahoz Hesen and Ayse Hiso have been elected new co-chairs of the PYD Kurdish party in place of Saleh Moslem and Asya Abdullah.



Indeed, Kurdish people must celebrate the death of Tribal and Religous leadership in Kurdistan.



Thanks to the Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan philosophies today for the first time Kurdish people in Rojava (former north of Syria) changed PYD Kurdish political parties leadership peacefully without the fight. PYD used the true democratic system by allowing PYD-party representative to vote and elect new leadership.



It is the process made Barzani, Talabani, and others to be shameful forever. Kurdish people are not different from other people in the world; they have right to vote in the true democratic system to elect leadership.




What Will It Take to Open Our Eyes?

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For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbours hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. Zachariah 11:6.We are living in a solemn hour of earths history. What more proof do we need to see this? We are witnessing the end-time disasters and the distress of nations which Jesus warned about in the books of Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13.Weve seen the rare lunar eclipse that cut across America, the 3 historic hurricanes that destroyed Southeast Texas, the Florida Keys and Puerto Rico, the historic rainfall and flooding, the 2 deadly, historic earthquakes back-to-back in Mexico, the non-stop terrorist attacks in Europe, the historic wild fires all over the West, the threat of nuclear Armageddon by North Korea and the unprecedented violent civil unrest in our major cities.If this does not get our attention, what will? We have always had natural and man-made disasters, some may say, but these were always occurring over a given period of time  months, years and decades. However, the disasters that we are seeing today are taking place within days of each other. This is the fulfillment of the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8) described in Scripture about the last days.This is a time for soul-searching, for repentance and for seeking God with purity and holiness. This is a time for reflection and for a turning away from wickedness because people have died and souls are in anguish at this very moment. There are millions and millions of people in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and people throughout the Caribbean who have no home, no food, no drinking water, the gas, no utilities (water, light, sewer, heating, cooling) no jobs, no money and no HOPE! So many are in great need and want. This is a time of international mourning.The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Psalms 9:16, 17.Gods word tells us that judgments will fall upon this world and that the wicked are bringing about their own destruction. Its a time to plead to God for mercy and forgiveness and a time to recognize that our personal and national sins are the reasons for what is taking place today.We need to realize that we as a nation have rejected both God and His truth and have embraced the gods of greed, pleasure and selfishness. We live in a culture that promotes sin, violence and evil as something good and worthy to be exalted. Others are worshipping idols, angels, the dead, pastors, prophets, popes and other men above the true and living God. We are witnessing in our day the righteous judgments of Jehovah because the nations have truly forgotten Him and His word.Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Psalm 50:22.Judgments are the consequences of our decisions, just like drug addicts, alcoholics, gangbangers and the sexually promiscuous are killing themselves by their lifestyle decisions. They bring mischief upon themselves and the consequences and sorrow that follows can be seen as a punishment for their choices. This is the same path that comes upon all who continue in sin and disobedience towards God. Those who continue to despise God and His word bring destruction upon themselves. The same is true for the nations that forget the Lord God of Hosts.So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrites hope shall perish. Job 8:13.Retribution will surely be meted out, sooner or later. This is a solemn warning for all of us. Those who dont have time for God, who dont have time to read their Bibles, who dont have time for repentance or for instruction in righteousness and who dont have time for prayer will sooner or later have their portion when Gods judgments are poured out.And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. Isaiah 22:12-14.The Lord is very merciful and longsuffering, but there is a limit to His patience and grace. And even though Gods love pleads with all mankind, sinners make no good use of the probationary time given to them. Many will not see the error of their ways until it is too late.In every age there is given to men their day of light and privilege, a probationary time in which they may become reconciled to God. But there is a limit to this grace. Mercy may plead for years and be slighted and rejected; but there comes a time when mercy makes her last plea. The heart becomes so hardened that it ceases to respond to the Spirit of God. Then the sweet, winning voice entreats the sinner no longer, and reproofs and warnings cease (Desire of Ages, p. 587).Gods mercy is ever ready to do her work and bring us to repentance, even while the judgments of God are upon us. The devil tries to tell people that while they are being tried and afflicted that there is no hope. Yet we have the divine assurance that God is ready to heal, forgive and restore  only if we are willing.The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Exodus 34:6, 7.There is no sin too great or no judgment too near to death that God cannot raise us up from it. God can forgive and save us from spiritual and eternal death, so it is a light matter for Him to heal us from our pain, fears and distresses.Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied; no human relationship is too strained for God to bring aboaut reconciliation and understanding; no habit so deep-rooted that it cannot be overcome; no one is so weak that he cannot be strong; no one is so ill that he cannoth be healed. No mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant. Whatever we need, if we trust God, He will supply it. If anything is causing worry or anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power (Review and Herald, October 7, 1965, p. 10).About: Advent Messenger provides news and commentary on current events, top stories, social trends and political and religious events. For more news visitContact: Andy Roman, PublisherAddress: Advent Messenger, PO Box 96, Dover, OK 73734Phone: (888) 299-2119Website:Email: info@adventmessenger.org
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Algae is a diverse group of organisms ranging from unicellular to multicellular. The complex and largest marine algae are called seaweeds. The algae consist of chloroplast, which is similar to cyanobacteria in structure. Algae has its wide application in agar, alginates, fertilizer, energy source, nutrition, pigments, and bioremediation. Algae has wide range of usage in terms of pollution control. It is used as an alternative for toxic chemicals to treat sewers, to capture fertilizer runoff in farms, and to treat water in ponds and aquaria.Request Sample of Algae Market:Algae has the ability to offer higher yield as compared to biofuel feedstock containing sorghum, corn Stover, beet, and corn. Thus, creating immense opportunities for growth of the algae market. Growing research and development activities among manufacturers is expected to fuel the market growth. Increasing demand for reliable, sustainable, and low cost sources of energy to ease the petroleum supply chain and to meet the increasing demand from aviation and automotive sector, are major factors expected to drive growth of the global algae market during the forecast period. Moreover, the demand for algae in the plastic industry to manufacture biodegradable plastic, is another factor boosting market growth.Algae Market Taxonomy:On the basis of cultivation technology, the global algae market can be segmented into:Raceway Ponds CultivationOpen Ponds Cultivation TechnologyClosed Fermenter Systems Cultivation TechnologyClosed Photo Bioreactor Cultivation TechnologyOn the basis of application, the global algae market can be segmented into:Marine SectorRoad TransportBio plasticAviation SectorDHA production( Protein sales)DHA production( Pharmaceutical applications)OthersAlgae Market outlook:North America accounts for the largest market share in the global algae market due to favorable government support related to renewable energy coupled with high investment by manufacturers. Also, DHA has various health benefits such as improving eye, brain, heart and immunity system hence it is a major component of pharmaceutical and healthcare products. These factors are expected to augment the growth of algae market in this region.Increasing demand for biofuels due to government regulations and high adoption rate in the European countries are expected to propel demand for algae, in turn, boosting growth of the algae market. Furthermore, various regulations laid down by the European Union such as biofuels directives, target to achieve 6% reduction of GHG in transport fuel by 2020, Renewable Energy Directives (RED) initiative of replacing 10% of transport fuels with biofuels are the major factors driving the algae market in Europe. The need for a clean energy source in the region has further surged the demand for algae in the region. Germany, Russia, and UK are extensively using and commercializing various solar powered technology for the production of algae.Check the trending Report of Algae Market:The usage of algae in the pharmaceutical industries has substantially increased over the recent past. Companies are investing in R&D activities to develop treatments for Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and dementia using algae. East Asia and South Asia have the highest number of people suffering from dementia in the world, accounting for above 9 million in East Asia and around 5 million in South Asia.Key players are adopting various organic and inorganic growth strategies. For instance, a Belgian-based company, Tomalgea, has launched a new product in 2017 for oyster cultivators in Asia and Algae Systems LLC merged with IHI Corporation in 2014 for the development of a new production process for biofuel from algae. Pond biofuels Inc., DSM Nutritional Products, Kai BioEnergy Corp., Diversified Energy Corporation, Algenol, Dao Energy LLC, Kent BioEnergy Co., Sapphire Energy Inc., Algaetech International, Aurora Algae, BlueBioTech International, and Alltech Algae are some of the key players in the global algae 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:
Resin Capsules Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

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Resin, catalyst, and other additives are packed in polythene tubes to form resin capsules. They are widely used as an anchoring medium in tunnel construction, civil engineering, and mining industries. The advantages of using resin capsules are fast anchorage to the surrounding strata, immediate transfer of high load, resistance from the lateral and horizontal strata movements by full column bonded bolts, provide rigidity and strength, seals dripping holes, wet and elimination of deterioration of hole, remains unaffected by fresh or sea water, mild alkalis, and mild acids, provides resistance to anchoring failure due to vibration or blasting, and are easy to install. The rapid industrialization and urbanization has increased the demand for resin capsules. The increasing use of resin capsules in construction and mining industry are the growth drivers for resin capsules market. Shorter shelf life and health hazard are some of the factors hindering the growth of the resin capsule market.Request Sample of Resin Capsules Market:Resin Capsules-Market TaxonomyOn the basis of catalyst type, the global resin capsules market is segmented into:Oil-BasedWater basedOrganic peroxidesOn the basis of resin type, the global resin capsules market is segmented into:AcrylicEpoxyPolyesterOthersOn the basis of end user, the global resin capsules market is segmented into:ConstructionMiningManufacturingOthersPolyester resin has the largest demand, owing to its superior properties such as UV resistance. The demand for resin capsule is largest in mining sector, however the demand in construction industry is rapidly increasing due to various infrastructure development programs.Resin Capsules -Market OutlookAsia Pacific is the leading market for resin capsules, owing to high investments in construction and mining industries. Regions such as India, China, and Australia have mineral resources of zinc, copper, aluminum, coal, limestone, and other precious metals which boost the resin capsules market. The plan of Indian government to auction 280 mines in 2017-18 with expected mineral value of US$ 153.64, will further boost the market for resin capsules. Moreover, various investment plans such as US$ 83.2 million by Hindustan Zinc by 2018 and US$3.72 billion by NALCO by 2020 in India, will benefit the resin capsules market. The rapid infrastructure development in China, is also propelling the growth of the market.U.S. has a lucrative demand for resin capsules in mining and construction industry. The investments of around US$ 33 billion by Canada and US$ 1 trillion by USA on infrastructure development in 2017, will be contributing towards the growth of resin capsules market.The demand for resin capsules in Europe is expected to increase, owing to the infrastructure development and increasing mining industries.In Middle East and Latin America, the infrastructure projects such as US$ 200 billion as part of 2030 development plan in Qatar and US$ 70 million infrastructure development in Columbia will rise the demand for resin capsules. Furthermore, the mining activities in this region will cause the growth of the demand for resin capsules.Check the Trending Report of Resin Capsules Market:Africa has rich mineral resource. The investments done by the African government and mining companies in mining sector, will propel the growth of resin capsules market.Key Players in the Global Resins Capsules MarketThe companies are adopting various growth strategies such as mergers and acquisitions to sustain their market positions. Some key players operating in the resin capsule market include Arkema SA, Barnes Group Inc., Bohle AG, DYWIDAG-Systems International, Fischer Holding GmbH & CO., Hexion Inc., Rawlplug, Orica Limited, Sika AG, and Sormat OY.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:
Narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) chipset Market - Global Forecast to 2025

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Narrowband internet of things is a low power wide area network technology specially developed for IOT devices, which requires small amount of data for long time. According to International Energy Agency (IEA), which works to ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy for its 29 member countries estimated that, 14 billion network devices will be enabled globally by 2020. These devices are connected for cost saving, remote control, and many more. Moreover, increasing innovation in IOT services and hardware offers an opportunity to generate a new revenue. For instance, internet connected wearable glasses are used for industrial application, control of IOT application from smart phones, and tablets etc. Hence, this increasing IOT devices and rising IOT innovation are some of the key factors, which drives the narrowband IOT chipset market globally.Request Sample of Narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) chipset Market:Narrowband Internet of Things Chipset Market TaxonomyOn the basis of devices, the global narrowband internet of things chipset market is classified into:TrackersWearable DevicesSmart AppliancesSmart MeteringSmart ElectricSmart GasSmart WaterAlarms and DetectorsOthersAlarm and detectors device segment held the dominating position in 2016 and is projected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. Moreover, the tracker device segment is expected to grow with largest CAGR in the forecast period. Due to increasing fraudulent activities, the companies have adopted tracking devices, which provides real-time location of the vehicle and shipments.On the basis of deployment type, the global narrowband internet of things chipset market is classified into:Guard BandIn-bandStandaloneOn the basis of end-use industry, the global narrowband internet of things chipset market is classified into:AgricultureAutomotive & TransportationBuilding AutomationEnergyHealthcareInfrastructureRetailSafety & SecurityOthersInfrastructure segment held the dominating position in 2016 and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Increasing safety concern has become one of the major factors for the growth of the market in infrastructure segment. Adoption of alarm and detector by various industries fuels the market of narrowband IOT chipset globally. Moreover, the automotive and transportation segment is expected to grow with largest CAGR over the forecast period. Increasing installation of vehicle infotainment and telematics application has increased the narrowband IOT chipset market in automotive and transportation segment.Check the Trending Report of Narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) chipset Market:Narrowband Internet of Things Chipset Market Outlook  Asia Pacific holds significant market shareOn the basis of geography, global narrowband internet of things chipset market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. North America narrowband internet of things chipset market held the dominant position in 2016 and is projected to retain dominance over the forecast period. The U.S and Canada are some of the major countries which drive the market in North America region. According to the SmartAmerica Challenge, increasing support of the U.S government and investment for the adoption of IOT technology in various industries such as utilities, manufacturing, and healthcare are providing a key growth opportunities for narrowband internet of things market in the U.S. The Asia Pacific narrowband IOT chipset market is projected to increase with largest CAGR in the forecast period. India, china, and Japan are some of the major countries driving the market in Asia Pacific region. The investment for smart city projects by the Asia Pacific countries has become one of the major driving factors for growth of the market in the region.Key Players in the Global Narrowband Internet of Things Chipset MarketKey players operating global narrowband internet of things chipset market include Vodafone Group PLC, Verizon Communications, U-Blox Holding AG, Samsung Electronics, Qualcomm Incorporated, Nokia Corporation, Mistase Communication System, Intel Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., and Ericsson.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:
AUTOMOTIVE SHEET METAL COMPONENTS MARKET- GLOBAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, TRENDS, OUTLOOK AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS, 2017-2025

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Automotive Sheet Metal Components are made from steel or aluminum. These are mainly made by the processes such as cutting, bending, and drawing. Various type of dies and press are used for manufacturing of automotive sheet metal components.Rise in demand of the passenger vehicles, increase in manufacture of light weight automobiles, and rise in demand of hybrid and electric vehicle are some of the major factors driving the growth of the automotive sheet metal components market. However, intermittent price of metals is one of the major factor restraining the growth of the automotive sheet metal components market. According to World Steel Association, which is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, approximately 30% of the total steel produced in the world is used in automotive sector and mechanical equipment manufacturing.Request Sample of Automotive Sheet Metal Components Market:Automotive sheet metal component market taxonomy:On the basis of material type, the global automotive sheet metal components market is classified asAluminumSteelOn the basis of application, the global automotive sheet metal components market is classified asInteriorDrivetrainEngineExteriorChassisOn the basis of distribution channel, the global automotive sheet metal components market is classified asWholesalerRetailerOnlineAutomotive sheet metal component market outlook:Asia Pacific is the largest region for the automotive metal sheet components market. China is a leading market for aluminum and steel sheet components followed by Japan and India. According to World Steel Association, China is accounted as a number one in steel production. In 2016, China produces approximately 808 million tonnes of steel, which is nearly a half of total steel production of the world. Also, in August 2017, high demand for trucks and passenger cars in China led to the rise in it sales to around 5.3%.Automotive Steel metal sheets are more widely used as compare to aluminum sheets owing to its strength and durability. Therefore demand for steel sheets will remain dominant in the forecast period. However, increase in demand of light weight and hybrid vehicles will rise the demand for aluminum metal sheet components in the forecast period.According to World Steel Association, in 2015, European Union was estimated as the second largest region for steel production, with a projected 166 million metric tonnes of global steel production. Countries of European Union such as Germany, Italy, France, and Belgium are the top importer and exporter of steel products. Germany is projected to have exported around 24.7 million metric tonnes of steel and imported around 25 million metric tonnes. Also, in UK, support from government for the automotive research and development and the funding of around US$ 1.63 billion in R&D in car industry for the manufacturing of lightweight material, low-carbon propulsion, and autonomous vehicles has augmented the growth of automotive sheet metal components market in this region.North Americas automotive industry is the largest automotive manufacturing sector in the world. U.S., Canada, and Mexico are the top manufacturers of automotive parts. According to International Trade Administration, Canada is the top exporter of automotive parts followed by Mexico. Exports of automotive parts of U.S to European Union shows steady growths since 2012 to 2015, which increases approximately from US$ 5 billion to US$ 7.2 billion. The demand for automobiles and rise in technology in automobile manufacturing increases the demand for automotive sheet metal components in the market over the forecast period,In March 2017, Motherson Sumi Systems Limited (MSSL) successfully acquired 93% shares of Finlands PKC Group Plc. PKC group is global commercial vehicle industry and MSSL is the leading manufacturer of many automotive parts which provides significant presence in the Europe and American commercial vehicle segment.Check the trending Report of Automotive Sheet Metal Components Market:Key players in the Global Automotive Sheet Metal Components MarketSome of the key players operating in automotive sheet metal component market include Larsen Manufacturing, LLC, General Stamping and Metal Works, Aleris International, Inc., Mayville Engineering Company, Inc., Paul Craemer GmbH, O'Neal Manufacturing Services, Omax Autos Ltd., Novelis, Inc., and Frank Dudley Ltd.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:
The 5th ASEAN Energy Outlook: ASEAN is on Track to Reach Their Energy Intensity Target Manila,

ACE Executive Director, Dr. Sanjayan Velautham, shares the publication with the Philippine Secretary of Energy, Alfonso G. Cusi

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Manila, 28 September 2017  During the press conference for the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and Associated Meetings today, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) announced the launch of the 5th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO5). The Philippine Secretary of Energy, Alfonso G. Cusi, stated, The Outlook provides us with pathway to address our long-term goals of achieving energy security, accessibility and affordability within the framework of sustainable development, as guided by our policy document, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025.The AEO5 was developed based on the energy policies and targets of 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS). The final results of AEO5 are in-line with AMS expectations of their future energy landscape, in particular with their national expectations of future economic and population growth.ASEAN energy demand continues to surpass global growth, mainly driven by its targeted economic growth of 5.4% per year into 2025. The Total Primary Energy Supply is expected to increase by a factor of 2.3 times over the period of 2015 to 2040. However, through a combination of energy efficiency (EE) efforts and renewable energy (RE) contributions, energy savings of about 25 % could be realised. Electric power capacity in the region is projected to triple over the period to cope with the strongly rising electricity demand in ASEAN, which contributes to a considerable reduction of traditional biomass usage in the region.Overall, the AEO5 indicates that ASEAN is well on track to reach the APAEC energy intensity reduction target of 20% by 2020 and 30% by 2025 based on the 2005 level. The regions aspirational target to increase the share of RE to 23% by 2025 in the energy mix will require further enhanced efforts from all stakeholders. As ASEAN is strongly committed to reduce carbon emissions from the energy sector intervention over the long-term, substantial reductions of 16% carbon intensity levels from the present value are projected to be realised in 2040.We believe that AEO5 will contribute to broad appreciation of the challenges of energy security, accessibility and affordability in driving economic prosperity, social development and environment sustainability within the framework of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Dr. Sanjayan Velautham, ACE Executive Director, stated during the press conference. The AEO5 was presented to the Ministers during the 35th AMEM, and the Ministers acknowledged that the AEO5 outlines the feasibility of achieving substantial energy savings through significant EE and RE injections, as demonstrated in the advanced scenarios.The AEO5 is a joint output of ACE with the active involvement of all 10 AMS under the directive of the Regional Energy Policy and Planning Sub-sector Network, and is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the ASEAN-German Energy Programme (AGEP). Maria-Jose Poddey, Principal Advisor for AGEP, GIZ mentioned, We trust that the AEO5 will be of benefit to policymakers and stakeholders to develop policy frameworks that ensure sustainable energy security in each AMS and the region.The 5th ASEAN Energy Outlook is available on###About ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)Established on 1 January 1999, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an independent intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) interests in the energy sector. The Centre accelerates the integration of energy strategies within ASEAN by providing relevant information and expertise to ensure the necessary energy policies and programmes are in-line with its policy blueprint the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC). It is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, ACEs office is located in Jakarta. More information, visit:About the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) applies the guiding principles of Germany's development cooperation which is protecting human rights and fostering the developing countries' sense of ownership and ability to help themselves. German development cooperation in Asia has two overriding objectives in the environmental sector: mitigating climate change and conserving biological diversity. In its work, Germany is mindful of the close connection between climate change and species loss, and has opted for integrated approaches designed to impact positively on both areas.German expertise in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energies is in strong demand in Asia. As part of development cooperation, Germany is supporting technical modernisation, and providing advisory services and training (among other things). More information, visit:About ASEAN-German Energy Programme (AGEP)ASEAN-German Energy Programme (AGEP) is a joint cooperation implemented by ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). AGEP aims to support the ASEAN Member States (AMS) in improving regional coordination for the promotion of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) towards sustainable energy for all AMS. In concept and implementation, AGEP refers to the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) that serves as a blueprint for better cooperation towards enhancing energy security, accessibility, affordability and sustainability under the framework of the ASEAN Economic Community for the designated period.Contacts:Nanda F. Moenandar, ACE, +62 (0) 21 527 8027 or nandafebriani@aseanenergy.orgIntan Cinditiara, GIZ, + 62 (0) 21 527 8025, or intan.cinditiara@giz.de
Global Haitian Vetiver Oil Market-Analysis and In-depth Research on Size, Trends, Emerging Growth Factors and Forecasts 2024

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The global market for Haitian vetiver oil is witnessing a healthy rise in its production volume, prompted significantly by the decline in the cost. Over the period from 2016 to 2024, the market will witness a surge in volume at a CAGR of 1.50%; however in revenues, it is expected to downplay, declining from a US$32.4 mn in 2016 to a value of US$29.7 mn by 2024 at a CAGR of -1.10% during the same time period.Vetiver oil is one of the essential raw materials widely used in the global fragrance industry, and Haiti is known for producing the best quality of vetiver oil. The increasing usage of vetiver oil in aromatherapy, thanks to its popularity as historical therapeutic oil in eastern countries on account of its convenient, safe, and customary application, is the key factor behind the rising production for vetiver oil. Furthermore, the rising awareness about the therapeutic properties of Haitian vetiver oil, such as its efficient usage as tonic, nervine, and sedative to benefit patients suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscular aches, dryness, and cracking of the skin, is also expected to influence its demand and, eventually, its production volume over the next few years.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Haitian Vetiver Oil to Remain in High Demand for Making Perfumes and ScentsHaitian vetiver oil finds a widespread application in perfumes and scents, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and various other products, such as personal care products. The demand for this oil has been significantly greater in the perfumes and scents segment and the scenario is anticipated to remain so over the next few years. Apart from this, Haitian vetiver oil is also expected to witness significant increase in demand for applications in food and beverage products as it is plant-derived, and is considered natural and healthy.Among other application areas, the usage of Haitian vetiver oil is likely to increase in personal care products in the near future due to its natural ingredient status, beneficial cleansing properties, and pleasant aroma. This essential oil is heavily utilized in creams and lotions for moisturizing and nourishing skin as it especially benefits dry, irritated and dehydrated skin, and helps reduce wrinkles and stretch marks.Obtain Report Details @Europe to Maintain Lead on Global Haitian Vetiver Oil MarketGeographically, the worldwide market for Haitian vetiver oil reports its presence across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and North America. With a share of nearly 75%, Europe dominated the overall market in 2016 and is expected to retain its position over the forthcoming years.North America acquired the second position in this market in 2016. Researchers predict the regional market to maintain it in the near future; however, with a decline in its market share due to higher dependency on outer sources for growing vetiver. The increasing interest of consumers in product quality and safety, which is projected to shift their focus towards the origin and traceability of raw materials on account of the high usage of synthetic chemicals in the agriculture sector, is also anticipated to reflect negatively on the North America market for Haitian Vetiver oil over the years to come.Haiti Essential Oil Co. SA, Fleurchem Inc., Floracopeia Inc., Ernesto Ventos SA., Robertet Groupe, Frager S.A., UniKode S.A., Lluch Essence Sl., and International Fragrance and Flavor Inc. are some of the key players functional in the market for Haitian vetiver oil across the world.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.coWebsite:
Global Billing Invoicing Software Market 2017 by Top Manufacturers, Price, Software Makers - SalesIn, ProWorkflow, Blinksale, SnapBill, CDG

Billing and Invoicing Software

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https://goo.gl/TWQmuF

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Global Billing Invoicing Software Market Research Report 2017 to 2022 presents an in-depth assessment of the Billing and Invoicing Software including enabling technologies, key trends, market drivers, challenges, standardization, regulatory landscape, deployment models, operator case studies, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. Whats more, the Billing Invoicing Software industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Request for Sample Report @Primary sources are mainly industry experts from core and related industries, and suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and organizations related to all segments of the industrys supply chain.The report Primarily Focused on introduction of the Billing Invoicing Software Market basics: Concept, Objectives, Types & applications and industry Supply chain Outlook; industry policies and plans; product details; manufacturing Techniques; cost structures and much more. Also it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, size, share with future trends, production process, capacity utilization, supply revenue, growing demand and industry growth rate etc.The Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers Of The Billing Invoicing Software in Market include: Invoice - TopicHousecall ProProWorkflowMarketcircleBlinksaleInovawareBQE BillQuickNutcacheBahaQuoteSnapBillTungsten NetworkSalesInBillChimp1ClickBusinessInaInvoicesPayDC ChiropracticPaySimpleAccumulusAradialBillbooksGreenerbillingDTH SoftwareCDGOn the basis of product Billing Invoicing Software market divided intoAPP TypeWeb TypeGet complete report with Table of Content @On the basis on the end users/applications,FamilyBusinessAn exhaustive qualitative review of the factors accelerating and restraining the growth of the Billing Invoicing Software market and approaching opportunities has been deployed. The Billing Invoicing Software market has been analyzed based on applications, geographic distribution, and the substantial factors accountable for the rising demand of the Billing Invoicing Software market globaly have been detailed in this report.The Question and Answer asking for Billing Invoicing Software Market report:What will be the market size and the growth rate in 2022?Who are the key market players and what are their strategies in the Global Billing Invoicing Software market?What are the key factors driving the Global Billing Invoicing Software market?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Billing Invoicing Software market?What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Billing Invoicing Software market?The bottom-up approach was used to estimate the global market size of Billing Invoicing Software - Software Grouping based on end-use industry and region, in terms of value. With the data triangulation procedure and validation of data through primary interviews, the exact values of the overall parent market, and individual market sizes were determined and confirmed in this study.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Market Deeper is a well-versed platform that offers precisely crafted market reports. With the integration of expert teams efficiency and reliable data sources, we produce some finest reports of infinite industries and companies. We make reports that cover critical business parameters such as production rate, manufacturing trends, supply chain management, and expansion of distribution network.Market Deeper is also associated with various leading publishers and persistently upgrades the data to provide enhanced access to our work for the client's betterment. We offer our clients with diverse customization options. No matter what statistics you need, our proficiency in the field will help to fetch minuscule information of the specific industry and company.Our aim is to deliver detailed picture of the market trends and forecasts for precise business executions.Contact Us3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138, Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442.Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketdeeper.comWeb:
Global Food Safety Testing Market-Advanced technologies & growth opportunities in global Industry

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The global food safety testing market has witnessed impressive growth over the last few years due to rising incidence of food contamination there is a growing demand for food safety testing by food manufacturers. Owing to increasing awareness about foodborne diseases and various technologically advanced techniques and equipment deployed for food safety testing, the market for food safety testing has been treading along a healthy growth path over the past few years and the market is expected to continue to exhibit strong growth over the next few years as well. The vast expansion of the global food and beverages industry, coupled with the growth of the food service industry, has also been a key factor driving the growth of the global food safety testing market.Transparency Market Research estimates that the revenue generated from food safety testing will value at US$658.5 mn by the end of 2017. The market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.9% from 2017 to 2025, rising to a valuation of US$1304.5 mn by the end of 2025.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Food Testing Services for Testing Pathogens to Gain Maximum TractionIn terms of contaminants, the report segments the global food safety testing market into pathogens, genetically modified organisms, chemicals, and toxins. Of these, the segment of pathogens is estimated to account for a massive 42.5% of the global market in 2017. The segment is expected to witness promising growth prospects over the reports forecast period chiefly owing to value the increasing demand for testing bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli in food products. Increasing incidences of food contamination-related illnesses is the key factor driving this trend.The segment of the genetically modified organisms segment is also anticipated to exhibit promising growth over the reports forecast period, charting a CAGR of 8.9% in terms of value.The vast rise in awareness regarding genetically modified fruits and vegetables among consumers and the stringent regulatory restrictions on GMO-derived foods are the key factors expected to drive growth of this segment over the reports forecast period.Obtain Report Details @Market to Continue Thriving in Developed EconomiesAn exhaustive analysis and geographic assessment of the global food testing safety market has demonstrated that the global food safety testing market is largely dominated by developed economies across regions such as North America and Europe. Collectively, North America and Europe are expected to account for a massive 64.6% of the global market by the end of 2017 and account for a slightly larger share in the global market by the end of the forecast period. Europe is presently the leading contributor of revenue to the global market, and is estimated to hold about 36.3% of the market by the end of 2017.Rising incidences of food contamination, technologically highly advanced food testing laboratories, and stringent regulations related to food safety in most countries in these regions contribute to the strong positions of North America and Europe in the global food testing safety market. While Europe holds the top spot in the global food safety testing market, the most promising growth rate is expected to be seen in the APAC region over the reports forecast period. APAC market is expected to exhibit a promising CAGR of 8.6%, attributed chiefly to the growing food trade in this region. Furthermore, companies are focusing on making major investments in R&D activities, which is further driving growth of the food safety testing sector in the region.Some of the leading companies operating in the global food safety testing market are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Intertek Group Plc, SGS SA, Eurofins Scientific SE, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., ALS Limited. Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, AsureQuality Limited, Bureau Veritas SA, and Scientific Analysis Laboratories Limited.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.coWebsite:
Antaira Technologies Introduces 12-Port Industrial Gigabit PoE+ Managed Ethernet Switch, LMP-1204G-SFP series

New Taipei City, Taiwan, September 13, 2017Advanced technology of ITS has been broadly applied in many kinds of transportation systems. Take highway and tunnel systems for example- to maintain a secure and safe systems, building robust tunnel monitoring and control systems is of great significance. Among the systems, Industrial Managed Ethernet Switch is used to bridge the effective communication within a variety of devices and systems for better management.To provide the reliability for ITS management, Antairas LMP-1204G-SFP(-T), industrial managed PoE+ gigabit switches series, playing an indispensable role in an efficient Ethernet infrastructure, connect the field equipments and systems together, such as CCTV cameras, monitors, HMIS (Highway Management Information System), GIS( Geographic Information Systems) , GPS, and monitoring stations. Through network management, users can check the working status in real time and give immediate and appropriate responses when any situation arises.LMP-1204G-SFP series are fully manageable Layer 2 Ethernet switches, compliant with Modbus/TCP Protocol and the configuration of Web Console, Telnet and CLI Command. With interoperability and friendly UI, users can easily monitor and manage the field devices on a real-time basis. Besides, to meet users demands for efficient data transmission, LMP-1204G-SFP series support IGMP v1/v2 and QoS (IEEE802.1P/1Q), CoS/ToS, which improves the quality of network service and reduce the bandwidth wastage to enhance the performance of data transmission.In terms of network redundancy, LMP-1204G-SFP products series support STP/RSTP/MSTP and G.8032 ERPS to avoid long-time network failure due to disconnection. Regarding to the most-concerned information security issue, the units support IEEE802.1Q VLAN and are compliant with IEEE802.1X, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, and SSH/SSL protocol, which assure the connection's security.Apart from the network management, LMP-1204G-SFP products series also fulfill PoE ( Power over Ethernet ) function. Each Ethernet port is IEEE 802.3af/at compliant, which can supply up to 30W power output to PoE PD while transmitting data on the same time. This helps users spare efforts on extra circuit planning which saves not only extra cabling cost but also labor cost.To ensure industrial-grade reliability, Antairas LMP-1204G-SFP industrial managed PoE+ gigabit switches series, are manufactured with 100 % industrial-grade design and components. This series has an extended operating temperature range from -40C to 75C, being able to endure the harsh environments and provide reliable data communication. To improve for a reliable Ethernet infrastructure, having high-quality industrial Ethernet switches is not to be neglected to bridge efficient and reliable communication among systems. With the assistance of industrial managed Ethernet switches, users can carry out management easily and immediately, ensuring public, road and transportation safety eventually.FeatureFlexible Deployment: 8*10/100/1000Tx IEEE 802.3at/af compliant with 30W/Port, and 4*100/1000Fx SFP Fiber SlotsPing Alarm Function for PoE Ports Power RecycleNetwork Redundancy: STP/RSTP/MSTP, and G.8032 ERPS (Recovery TimeAntaira Technologies is a leading developer and manufacturer that provides high-quality industrial networking and communication product solutions. Since 2005, Antaira has offered a full spectrum of product lines that feature reliable Ethernet infrastructures, extended temperature tolerance, and rugged enclosure designs. Our product lines range from industrial Ethernet switches, industrial wireless devices, Ethernet media converters, and serial communication devices. Our vast professional experience allows us to deploy a wide array of products worldwide in mission-critical applications across various markets, such as, automation, transportation, security, oil & gas, power/utility, and medical. Antaira is ISO9001 certified.8F-2, No.43, Fuxing Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City, 231 TaiwanTel : +886-2-2218-9733 Fax : +886-2-2218-7391
Automotive Turbocharger Market Is Expected To Reach USD 24,223.3 Million By 2023

Automotive Turbocharger Market

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-turbocharger-market-4352

Market Highlights:Automotive turbocharger is a turbine, which is driven by the energy of exhaust gas generated by the internal combustion engine. Typically, a turbocharger consists of two parts and they are a turbine and a compressor, which run parallel with the help of a shared shaft. A turbocharger improves the fuel efficiency of the engine by pushing more clean air in the engines to burn fuel and deliver greater power. The factor that are responsible for the growth of automotive turbocharger market are continuous growth in global automotive industry and stringent vehicle emission regulations.With the global economy undergoing an unprecedented level shift, major emerging countries such as China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia, are becoming manufacturing hubs for global automotive players. The total vehicle sales for the year 2015 was almost 90 million units and is expected to witness further boost and reach more than 100 million units by the year 2023. Another factor responsible for the increase in vehicle sales, is the macroeconomic development and the rise in the global middle class consumers. According to OICA, the sales of new vehicles have been increased from 2013 to 2016. In 2013, the number of vehicle sold were 85.6 million while in 2016 it was 93.8 million.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players of Automotive Turbocharger Market: Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.) BorgWarner Inc. (U.S) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd (Japan) IHI Corporation (Japan) Continental AG (Germany) Cummins, Inc.( U.S.) Bosch Mahle (Germany) Bullseye Power, LLC (U.S.) Precision Turbo and Engine(U.S.) Fengcheng Xindongli Turbocharger Co., Ltd.( China)Market Research Analysis:Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the automotive turbocharger market due to the increase in the production of vehicles in emerging countries such as India and China. The growing vehicle production will indirectly boost the demand for turbocharger. Other factors that are responsible for the growth of Asia-Pacific region are large population base, growing demand for diesel vehicles, upcoming emission norms, and economic shifts. Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest market share of 40.75% in 2016 and is projected to grow at CAGR 9.16% during the forecast period. North America accounted for the second largest region in the automotive turbocharger market due to growing demand for new vehicles.Scope of the Report:This study provides an overview of the global automotive turbocharger market, tracking two market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the World (ROW). The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the global automotive turbocharger market by its type, application, and by region.By Type Gasoline Engine Diesel Engine New Energy EngineBy Application Passenger Vehicle Commercial Vehicle OthersBy Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the WorldBrowse Full Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Automotive Bumper Market Is Expected To Reach USD 14,489.0 Million By 2023

Automotive Bumper Market

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-bumper-market-3774

Market Highlights:Bumpers help in minimizing the impact of accidents, thereby improving the safety of occupants. With the surge of automobile customization, bumpers now, are not used as add-ons, to enhance the look of one's automobile, but also as protection. Recently, preference for plastic bumpers has been more than that of traditional metal. Automobile manufacturers currently prefer using plastic bumpers as they can be used to increase the aesthetic appeal of an automobile. Auto bumper market is growing in Asia-Pacific region with China and India expected to be the most promising markets. Costs associated with the repair or replacing of Auto bumper, acts as a major barrier in the market.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players of Automotive Bumper Market: Toyota Boshoku Corporation (Japan) Plastic Omnium (France) Magna International, Inc. (Ontario) Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd (Japan) SMP Deutschland GmbH (Germany) Yanfeng Plastic Omnium automotive Exterior Systems Co. Ltd (Shanghai) JiangNan Mould & Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. (Japan) Venture Otto SA (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa) NTF (India) Private Ltd (India) Fab Fours, Inc. (U.S.)Market Research Future Analysis:On the basis material, it includes composite plastic, metal and fiber. Composite plastic holds the largest market share by material types in global automotive bumpers market with a market share of 55.60% in 2016. Based on positioning, the market is segmented into front ends and rear ends. Among these, front end positioning has augmented the largest market in terms of value.Currently, Asia-Pacific is dominating the market with increasing vehicle production in countries such as India and China and the increasing production capacity. The market in the developing countries is largely driven by economic growth and ongoing industrialization, which is likely to lead to considerable production of motor vehicles and other manufacturing output. North America accounted for the second-largest share in 2016, owing to factors such as large customer base and high disposable income of end-users which fueled the demand for vehicles in the country, thereby positively impacting the automotive bumper market.Scope of the Report:This study provides an overview of the market, tracking three market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World (ROW). The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the market by its material, by positioning, by end market and regions.By Material Composite Plastic Metal FiberBy Positioning Front ends Rear endsBy End Market OEM AftermarketBy Region Asia Pacific North America Europe Rest of WorldAccess Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
CRISSCROSS Intimates Achieves ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485 Quality Management Certification

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New York manufacturer of intimate apparel for cancer survivors recognized for its commitment to quality and customer service.New York, NY (USA), Sep 28th, 2017 -- G-PMC Group, LLC announced it has approved CRISSCROSS Intimates () for the quality management certifications of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485. G-PMC Group is federally recognized and accredited by the American Board of Accredited Certifications (ABAC), the leading independent accreditation body in the United States with association members, signatories, regional accreditation groups, and international observer organizations. ABAC accredits certifications based on the fundamental principles of accountability, ethical conduct, and commitment to quality as indicated on its website atG-PMC Group determined that the quality management system of CRISSCROSS Intimates meets customer requirements, and its management and employees have clearly demonstrated a commitment to the success and sustainability of the company while meeting the quality standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).CRISSCORSS is a certified woman-owned business specializing in the innovative design and manufacture of intimate apparel for those during any stage or phase of post-operative surgeries, including single or bi-lateral lumpectomy, mastectomy, augmentation or reconstructive surgeries for women and men and Gynecomastia surgery for men. ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 162 national standards bodies. Through its members, it brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges. Companies worldwide, particularly manufacturers certified to ISO standards are considered to be among the highest quality organizations in the world, and recognized as leaders in their respective industry."While there are various undergarments on the market today sold as "Mastectomy" Bras, what I found over the years thru research, blogging and talking with other Survivors is that many garments are called that but do not offer sufficient support for the needs of post-op Breast Cancer Survivors at large," said Jean Criss, Founder and President of CRISSCROSS Intimates and a breast cancer survivor. She added, We are proud to have met the quality standards of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485 and to be certified by the leading independent registrar in the United States fully accredited by ABAC which focuses specifically on helping American manufacturers compete internationally.About CRISSCROSS Intimates:CRISSCROSS Intimates () offers a luxury intimate apparel line specializing in post-surgical undergarments for women and men. The New York based woman-owned company is certified to the quality standards of ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 overseen by the nation's leading accreditation body. CRISSCROSS operates an e-commerce site showcasing the company's innovative bras, panties, leggings and accessories. The company is owned by cancer survivor Jean Criss, who has appeared frequently on radio blog shows and in local and national press for client work and for her long-standing efforts to raise Breast Cancer awareness. Ms Criss was recently awarded FABC Certification, an honorary recognition for organizations that have shown an ongoing commitment in the fight against breast cancer.Press & Media Contact:Jean CrissJean Criss Media, LLCNew York, NY - USA+1 908-247-8443info@JeanCrissMedia.com
Global Sailboat Propellers Market Research Report 2017

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This report studies Sailboat Propellers in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringMichigan Wheel CorporationMaucour FranceFrance HlicesEris PropellersEliche RadiceEWOLHlices y Suministros NavalesSPWMartecMichigan Marine PropulsionAustral PropellerSample of this report is available upon request @Table of ContentsGlobal Sailboat Propellers Market Research Report 20171 Sailboat Propellers Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Sailboat Propellers1.2 Sailboat Propellers Segment by Type2 Global Sailboat Propellers Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Sailboat Propellers Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Sailboat Propellers Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Sailboat Propellers Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)3 Global Sailboat Propellers Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global Sailboat Propellers Production and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global Sailboat Propellers Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global Sailboat Propellers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Gas Meters Market Size to Witness Sustained Growth throughout the Forecast 2024

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Most of the companies in the global market for gas meters operate at regional level. Led by Elster Group GmbH, Itron Inc., and Dandong Dongfa Co. Ltd., this market demonstrates a highly competitive nature, states a new study by Transparency Market Research (TMR). In 2015, these three companies collectively accounted for 33.4% of the overall market.View Full Report:These gas meters manufacturers are striving to improve in regional and the global markets and are aggressively focusing on product innovation. Analysts at TMR expect the degree of competition within this market to remain high over the next few years.Request to view Sample Report:According to the research report, the global market for gas meters presented an opportunity worth US$2.3 bn in 2015. Increasing at a CAGR of 8.10% during the period from 2016 to 2024, the market is likely to reach a value of US$4.7 bn by the end of the forecast period. The demand for diaphragm gas meters is higher than other products and is expected to remain so over the years to come, states the market study.Increasing Industrialization to Boost Asia Pacific Gas Meters MarketThe report also presents a regional analysis of the worldwide market for gas meters. As per the report, Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa are the prime regional markets for gas meters across the world. Among these, Asia Pacific has acquired the leading position in the overall market and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period, thanks to the increasing industrialization in this region. China, Japan, Australia, India, and the ASEAN countries have surfaced as the leading domestic markets for gas meters in Asia Pacific. The rising consumption of natural gas in Asia Pacific is projected to propel this regional market substantially in the years to come.Request to download and view full ToC -Europe is also expected to witness healthy growth in the demand for gas meters over the next few years on account of the rising enforcement of stringent regulations regarding the usage of smart meters and the increasing uptake of natural gas as primary fuel. The U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and Russia are expected to lead the Europe market for gas meters, states the report.Increasing Enforcement of Favorable Regulations to Propel Global Gas Meters MarketThe growing usage of natural gas as a primary energy source is the key factor behind the growth of the global gas meters market, states the author of this report. With natural gas replacing crude oil in a number of applications, its consumption across the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors has increased tremendously, which is reflecting on the growth of this market greatly.Global Gas Meters Market Report is available at US$ 5795 -On the flip side, the incompetence of gas meters in managing large data volumes generated from smart gas meters, high initial and switching costs, and the rising uptake of hybrid metering systems may restrict the rise of this market to some extent over the forthcoming years. However, the rising enforcement of favorable regulations and laws regarding adoption of smart meters is anticipated to boost this market considerably in the years to come, notes the study.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Gas Turbine Market Key Profile- General Electric, Siemens AG, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Alstom S.A, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ansaldo Energia

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3265

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/emulsion-polymers-market-2206

Market HighlightsThe need for uninterrupted electric supply is growing because of the worldwide rise in population and rapid industrialization. The increasing need of reliable electric supply and subsequent investment in producing new generating capacity, high productivity & low carbon discharge features of natural gas-fired power plants, and new shale gas exploration will drive the growth of gas turbine market.The gas turbine market in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.The rapid industrialization, urbanization, and fast economic growth in the countries such as India and China will drive the market for gas turbines. Gas Turbine market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 4% during the period 2017 to 2023Key PlayersThe key players of global gas turbine markets are General Electric (U.S.), Siemens AG (Germany), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (Japan), Alstom S.A (France), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. (India), Ansaldo Energia, (Italy), Rolls-Royce Holdings plc. (U.K), Harbin Electric Company Limited. (China), MAN Diesel & Turbo. (Germany), Vericor Power Systems. (Georgia) Solar Turbines Incorporated. (U.S.A).Request a Sample Copy @Scope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the global gas turbine market, tracking four market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the World (ROW). The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the global gas turbine market by its product type, capacity, by application, technology and by regions.By Product Type Heavy Duty AeroderivativeBy Capacity  70MW 70-300 MW  300 MWBy Technology Open Cycle Combined CycleBy Application Industrial Marine Gas & Oil Power Generation AviationBy Regions North America Asia Pacific Europe Rest of the WorldThe market has been analyzed based on product type, capacity, technology, application and regions. On the basis of product type, the heavy duty segment is expected to dominate the market for gas turbines. The rise in the number of large gas-fired power plants that utilize heavy duty gas turbines drives the growth of heavy duty gas turbine. The heavy duty gas turbine coupled with combined cycle operation provides an optimum output of around 300MW.Industrial applications market is growing at the highest rate in the Gas Turbines market from 2017-2023.Industrial gas turbine market currently holds more than half of the total share of volume of gas turbine and is expected to dominate the market in forecast period and the growing attention towards the replacement of conventional coal-fired power plant with viable natural gas-fired power plants will enhance the industrial gas turbine market in forecast period.For further information on this report, visit @Key questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2023 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Automotive Telematics Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2025

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Transparency Market Research projects that the global automotive telematics market will exhibit an exponential 22.1% CAGR over the period between 2017 and 2025, rising from an opportunity of US$10.15 bn in 2016 to US$75.79 bn in 2025.Vehicle Tracking Systems Remain Most In-demand Automotive Telematics FeatureOn the basis of application, the global automotive telematics market witnessed the dominance of the vehicle tracking segment, which accounted for over 30% of the global market in 2016. The segment is envisaged to continue being the most in-demand feature of automotive telematics systems over the forecast period, gaining a large share in the market over the forecast period as well. However, segments such as satellite navigation and fleet management are expected to lead the way in terms of growth rate.View and Download TOC of Automotive Telematics Market Research Report@From a geographical standpoint, the market in Asia Pacific, which accounted for over 33% of the global market in 2016, is expected to continue to hold a commanding position in the global market over the forecast period as well. Home to a booming automotive sector and strong automotive manufacturing countries such as South Korea and Russia, Asia Pacific will play a key role in determining the overall success of the global automotive telematics market in the near future.Rising Scope of Usage in Passenger Vehicles to Remain Key to GrowthThe vast rise in the global demand for passenger vehicles has proved to be highly beneficial for the global automotive telematics market. Rising sales figures, especially in emerging economies with rising disposable incomes and the mounting population of affluent middle-class in countries such as India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia, are transforming into ample growth opportunities for technologically advanced accessories in vehicles. These factors, combined with the rising connectivity of internet and improved state of network infrastructure in these countries are leading to the increased demand for telematics and multimedia solutions in passenger cars, driving, in turn, the market for automotive telematics.Stringent Regulatory Scenario Could Negatively Impact Market GrowthThe market, however, could suffer the brunt of stringent regulations concerning a number of factors of automobiles across several countries. These regulations could inhibit the growth of the global automotive telematics market to a certain extent in the next few years. These regulations, vastly different across different geographical locations, require original equipment manufacturers to spend vast funds for approvals before they could begin marketing and sales. These factors also impact smaller companies, restricting them from entering large marketplaces.Request and Download Sample Report@The global automotive telematics market features a largely fragmented competitive landscape with the leading four companies holding a collective share of nearly 38% in 2016, states Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a recent report. These leading vendors, namely I.D. Systems, Inc., TomTom International B.V., Airbiquity, Inc., and Agero, Inc., focus on expanding their product portfolios to include innovative products in their arsenal, increasing investments aimed at technological developments to foster development of new product varieties, and geographical expansion to strengthen their positions in the market.Strategic collaborations with leading automotive companies, and mergers and acquisitions with the aim of technological enrichment of core competencies are also rising in the market. These factors are expected to make the market intensely competitive in the next few years, accentuating the pace of development but also intensifying price- and product features-based competition.Buy Full Automotive Telematics Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Automotive Turbochargers Market Estimated to Flourish by 2024

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A predominantly consolidated global automotive turbochargers market was present in 2015, where the five leading players took up over 66% of the markets value. BorgWarner Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., IHI Corporation, and Cummins, Inc. have been well-known names within the global automotive turbochargers market and are likely to remain as that for the coming years.However, according to a research report released by Transparency Market Research, the global automotive turbochargers market will witness the stiffening of several challenges and maturation of top regions which will lead to the moderation of shares held by the top players, allowing a greater scope of entry for newer names. Players such as Continental AG, Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems, Eaton Corporation PLC, and Turbo Energy Pvt. Ltd. are likely to show a steady gain in value over the coming years. The global automotive turbochargers market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.1% within a forecast period from 2016 to 2024, in terms of revenue. This revenue is expected to reach US$20.35 bn by the end of 2024, after ending at US$8.56 bn in 2015.View and Download TOC of Automotive Turbochargers Market Research Report@Demand for Electric Vehicles Escalates, Hampers Turbocharger SalesElectric vehicles are growing stronger in terms of speed, efficiency, and overall utility. They have already begun being comparable to high end gasoline and diesel vehicles and are steadily gaining popularity across the world for being zero-emission vehicles. These factors are directly driving the sales of electric vehicles, and are hindering the sales of conventional ones. As a result, the demand for turbochargers is also taking a hit. As a greater percentage of vehicle users resort to the constantly evolving electric vehicles to stick to the ever-strengthening emission norms, manufacturers of turbochargers are expected to receive a cutback in overall production numbers.Other factors hindering the global automotive turbochargers market include the increasing cost of non-renewable fuel which is pressurizing several consumers to change to electric vehicles, bicycles, and public transport. At the same time, manufacturers of turbochargers have consistently faced a negative impact from turbo lag. The greater time taken to build up exhaust pressure required to turn the turbine is becoming more of an issue in comparison to other, more evolved emission-reducing technologies.A great field of opportunity that manufacturers of turbochargers can look into is the development of electric turbochargers. These can help reduce turbo lag to a negligible level, while also allowing the negation of the kicking effect at lower RPMs. The evolution of electric turbochargers is a highly positive opportunity for all manufacturers and should be researched, adds the analyst.Request and Download Sample Report@Intense Demand for Lighter Vehicles Pushes Sales of TurbochargersMaking vehicles lighter has always been a highly popular trend in the global automotive turbochargers market. Lighter cars, for instance, hold the advantages of reduced volume of metal, lesser maintenance, better fuel efficiency, and faster speeds. The automotive industry has lately been chasing fuel efficiency targets owing to the growing number of emission restrictions being imposed across the world. Europe, the leading region in the global automotive turbochargers market for 2015, has been especially strict when it comes to controlling fuel consumption and vehicular emissions. This is a definite driver for the global automotive turbochargers market, which has so far been a very efficient method to reduce weight of a vehicle as well as emissions, states a TMR analyst.Other factors driving the global automotive turbochargers market at the moment include the growing penetration of turbochargers in gasoline vehicles. Although they are primarily intended to be used in diesel engines, manufacturers have already begun developing turbochargers aimed at gasoline vehicles. The growing use of turbochargers in gasoline vehicles could possibly elevate their demand by a staggering amount from the Asia Pacific region, which holds a greater volume of gasoline vehicles.Buy Full Automotive Turbochargers Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Size, Share  Industry Report 2022

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"The Latest Research Report Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Research Report 2017 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Dry Whole Milk Powder MarketIn this report, the global Dry Whole Milk Powder market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Dry Whole Milk Powder in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGet Sample copy of this Report @Global Dry Whole Milk Powder market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingNestleLactalis GroupFonterraFrieslandCampinaDanoneBelgomilkDana DairySaputo IngredientsAlimraAmulOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoRegularInstantUHTCaramelizedOrganicOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Dry Whole Milk Powder for each application, includingDairy BlendsDairy WhitenersBakery and ConfectioneryDessertsIce-creamOthersView Sample PDF @Table of ContentsGlobal Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Research Report 20171 Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Dry Whole Milk Powder1.2 Dry Whole Milk Powder Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Regular1.2.4 Instant1.2.5 UHT1.2.6 Caramelized1.2.7 Organic1.3 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Segment by Application1.3.1 Dry Whole Milk Powder Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Dairy Blends1.3.3 Dairy Whiteners1.3.4 Bakery and Confectionery1.3.5 Desserts1.3.6 Ice-cream1.3.7 Others1.4 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Dry Whole Milk Powder (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Dry Whole Milk Powder Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Dry Whole Milk Powder Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionSend An Enquiry Request @3 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Dry Whole Milk Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Dry Whole Milk Powder Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Dry Whole Milk Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Dry Whole Milk Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Dry Whole Milk Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Dry Whole Milk Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Dry Whole Milk Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Dry Whole Milk Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Infection Surveillance Solution Market to Reflect a Modest CAGR of 14.4% by 2025

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Key players identified in PMRs report include Becton Dickson & Company, Baxter International, Premier, Inc., Truven Health Analytics Inc. (IBM Watson), Gojo Industries, Inc., RL Solutions, Wolters Kluwer N.V., Vigilanz Corporation, Atlas Medical Software (Rpoer Technologies), Quantros, Inc., BD Diagnostics, ICNet Systems, Inc. (Baxter International), Vecna Technologies, Inc., bioMerieux, Inc., Hygreen Inc., Emerald Health Information Systems Ltd, DEB Group Ltd., Iatric Systems, Inc., PeraHealth Inc., and Cerner Corporation.Infection surveillance solution helps healthcare facilities in reporting patient-associated data to the state and federal authorities. Integration of infection surveillance software with already existing networks of medical facilities and hospitals is an easy process. A recent report published by Persistence Market Research (PMR) estimates the global infection surveillance solution market to register a staggering 14.04% CAGR during the forecast- 2017 to 2025. The US$ 316.67 Mn market is likely to surpass US$ 900 Mn in revenues by 2025-end.A sample of this report is available upon request @Contamination of devices & equipment, patient clothing, and bed linens have led to various hospital-associated infections including pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and surgical site infection. To identify the possible healthcare associated infections, hospitals and healthcare professionals are being impelled to adopt infection surveillance systems. Healthcare institutes are incorporating infection surveillance systems to seek accurate, real-time information related to medical records, surgical database, employees health and patient health. The aforementioned factors are driving the growth of the global infection surveillance solution market.Governments of various economies are encouraging health communication programs within health institutes. These governments are coming up with initiatives for building a reliable data source. This further would help in exchanging information within healthcare systems. In addition, the capacity of IT systems is witnessing a surge in performing analytic processing. These factors are expected to aid in the development of analytical and infection surveillance solutions. However, improper data management, soaring volume of data for analysis coupled with altering regulatory requirements, and rising trend of healthcare staff migration on international level are key restrains expected to inhibit the market growth over the forecast period.Request to view table of content @Among end users, hospitals will be the most lucrative in the global infection surveillance solution market. Revenues amassed from hospitals would reach around US$ 500 Mn by 2025-end. Clinics, the second largest end-user, are expected to exhibit 14.19% CAGR through 2025. Although software component is projected to be most lucrative over the global infection surveillance solution market, the services component is projected to register a comparatively faster growth during the forecast period. Infection and surveillance software enables clinics and hospitals to minimize and control healthcare-associated infections in real-time.PMRs report projects North America to remain dominant in the market during the forecast period, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC). The United States (U.S.) is expected to be the most lucrative country in North America infection surveillance solution market. Federal regulation in North America have driven the adoption of infection surveillance solutions by hospitals and other healthcare settings. Europe and APAC are anticipated to exhibit 13.86% and 13.10% CAGRs respectively through 2025. Government initiatives and programs in Europe, for example- European Influenza Surveillance Scheme by European Center for Disease and Prevention Control, are fuelling the growth of the market in this region.Buy Full Infection Surveillance Solutions Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
High-Speed Tool Steel Market Segmentation by Regions, Types, Application and Growth Opportunities to 2022

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High-Speed Tool Steel Market Report by Material, Application, and Geography  Global Forecast to 2021 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions and the main countries.The report firstly introduced the High-Speed Tool Steel Market basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on.High-Speed Tool Steel Market split by Application -Application 1, Application 2, Application 3. High-Speed Tool Steel Industry Segment by Regions- (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).Get PDF Sample of High-Speed Tool Steel Market Report @Through the statistical analysis, the High-Speed Tool Steel Market report depicts the global Industry Analysis, Manufacturers Analysis, High-Speed Tool Steel Industry Development Trend, Sales Demand and Forecast to 2022.Table of Contents:Chapter 1 High-Speed Tool Steel Market Overview1.1 Definition1.2 Classification Analysis1.3 Application Analysis1.4 High-Speed Tool Steel Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 High-Speed Tool Steel Market Development Overview1.6 Global High-Speed Tool Steel Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter 2 High-Speed Tool Steel Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis of High-Speed Tool Steel Market2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis of High-Speed Tool Steel Market2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisInquire for further detailed information about High-Speed Tool Steel Market Report @Chapter 3 High-Speed Tool Steel Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast3.1 2012-2017 High-Speed Tool Steel Market Capacity Production Overview3.2 2012-2017 High-Speed Tool Steel Production Market Share Analysis3.3 2012-2017 High-Speed Tool Steel Market Demand Overview3.4 2012-2017 Supply Demand and Shortage of High-Speed Tool Steel Industry3.5 2012-2017 High-Speed Tool Steel Import Export Consumption3.6 2012-2017 High-Speed Tool Steel Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginIn the end High-Speed Tool Steel Market report provides the main region, market conditions with the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. High-Speed Tool Steel Market report also Present new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.About UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. The prime focus is to get reliable data, Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.com
White Cement Market research Report showing Compound annual growth rate and forecast till 2022

White Cement Market

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ReportsMonitor.com has added a new report to its database United States White Cement Market Report 2017.This report identifies the White Cement market size for the years 2012-2017, and forecast of the same till the year 2022. It also highlights the market drivers, restraints, growth indicators, challenges, and other key aspects with respect to the White Cement market.White Cement Market tracks the major market events including product launches, technological developments, mergers and acquisitions, and the innovative business strategies opted by key market players. Along with strategically analyzing the key micro markets, the report also focuses on industry-specific drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges in the Copper Strips market. This research report offers in-depth analysis of the market size (revenue), market share, major market segments, and different geographic regions, forecast for the next five years, key market players, and premium industry trends. It also focuses on the key drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges.For Requesting a Sample Copy of This Report, Please Visit @This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringCementir HoldingJKCLCimsaCemexLafargeSotacibRas AI-KhaimahItalcementiAditya BirlaFederal White CementShargh WhiteSastobe(Basel Cement)Adana CimentoGhadir InvestmentBoralCementos Portland ValderrivasBank Melli Iran InvestmentSaudi White CementHolcimSECILKuwait Cement CompanyDycherhoff ?Buzzi Unlcem?Cementos TudelaVegufnRoyal Cement CoCBR Heidelberg CementUnion CorpFars and Khuestan CementThe competitive landscape of the global market for White Cement is determined by evaluating the various market participants, production capacity, White Cement markets production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the White Cement market worldwide.This report segments the White Cement marketWhite Portland CementWhite Masonry CementWhite PLC CementOn the basis of application:Exterior wall decorationComponentOtherFor comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, the White Cement market is analyzed across key geographies namely:The WestSouthwestThe Middle AtlanticNew EnglandThe SouthThe MidwestEach of these regions is analyzed on basis of market findings across major countries in these regions for a macro-level understanding of the market.Browse Full Table of Contents and Report Description @Some points from TOC:United States White Cement Market Report 20171 White Cement Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of White Cement1.2 Classification of White Cement by Product Category1.2.1 United States White Cement Market Size (Sales Volume) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)7 White Cement Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 White Cement Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of White CementReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Office C & D - 4th Floor,Siddhi Towers,Above Rupee Bank,Kondhwa Road,Pune 411048,Maharashtra,IndiaIndia: +91 2069535353Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Market Insight : Aerospace Nanotechnology Market Globally Grow at a CAGR of 5.75% by Revenue During the Forecast Period 2017-2021

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Albany, NY, 29th September : ResearchMoz presents professional and in-depth study of "Global Aerospace Nanotechnology Market 2017-2021".Nanostructure, a part of nanotechnology, is a wide and interdisciplinary area requiring R&D, which gained traction in the last two decades. Nanotechnology is defined as the study and the use of structures smaller than 100 nanometers. This technology is capable of transforming the ways in which materials are produced, and the functionalities of the same can be retained or augmented. Primarily, there are three types of nanomaterials employed in aerospace manufacturing; nanostructured metals, polymer nanocomposites, and anti-corrosion coatings. The use of nanotechnology or nanomaterial ensures that an airborne platform retains its operational superiority, enhances the physical properties of structural and non-structural polymers used in the construction of an aircraft, and deliver efficient nano and micro sensors used in spacecraft. The resultant components also prevent corrosions, thereby increasing the longevity of the platform. Technavio anticipates that the use of nanotechnology will reflect long-term sustainability and ensure enhancement in the overall performance of an aircraft/spacecraft.Technavios analysts forecast the global aerospace nanotechnology market to grow at a CAGR of 5.75% during the period 2017-2021.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global aerospace nanotechnology market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated in the overall market from the procurement of commercial and military aircraft components and subsystems (airframe structures, aero-engine parts, and aircraft-electro communication systems) that are manufactured using nanotechnology.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Aerospace Nanotechnology Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAirbusGlonatechFlight ShieldLockheed MartinLufthansa TechniktripleO Performance SolutionZyvex TechnologiesMake an Enquiry about TOC @Other prominent vendorsCHOOSE NanoTechGeneral NanoHR TOUGHGUARDMetamaterial TechnologiesMarket driverEmergence of carbon nanotube nanocomposites in airframe manufacturingFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeManufacturing and procedural constraintsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendAdvancements in stealth technology used in airborne platformsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportBrowse Report @Key questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Tokenization Market is accounted for $698M & expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.8%to reach $2.4B by 2023

Tokenization Market Analysis

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A new research document with title 'Tokenization - Global Market Outlook (2017-2023)' covering detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. The study covers geographic analysis that includes regions like United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, North & South America and important players/vendors such as Fiserv, Inc., Futurex, Gemalto NV, Hewlett Packard Enterprise .The report will help user gain market insights, future trends and growth prospects for forecast period of 2023Request a sample report @According to Research, the Tokenization market is expected to grow from $697.68 million in 2016 to reach $2,466.48 million by 2023 with a CAGR of 19.8%. The increasing amount of data and growing need to manage sensitive data of customers coupled with stringent compliances is forcing organizations to adopt tokenization solutions. Compliance management and payment security among applications are some of the major factors supporting market growth due to growing eCommerce sector and digitization in the healthcare industry.Cloud deployment segment is estimated to hold the largest market share owing to more deployment of cloud infrastructure among the Small & Medium sized enterprises making them focus on their core competencies. Payment security application segment is estimated to be the largest market holder, the increasing complexitites in paymane across the globe had made this change vast and countable. North American market is holding tha largest share in the regional market due to the presence of large number of tokenization vendors in the market.Some of the key players in the Tokenization market include 3delta Systems, Inc., Cardconnect Corp., Ciphercloud, Cybersource, First Data Corporation, Fiserv, Inc., Futurex, Gemalto NV, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Liaison Technologies, Inc., Paymetric, Inc., Protegrity Usa, Inc., Symantec Corporation, Thales E-Security, Inc. and Tokenex, LLC.View Detailed Content @Applications Covered: Compliance Management  Payment Security User AuthenticationEnd-Users Covered: Automotive Banking Financial Services and Insurance Education Energy & Utilities Government Healthcare IT & Telecom Retail Other End-UsersOrganization Sizes Covered: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Large EnterprisesComponents Covered: Services SolutionDeployment Types Covered: Cloud On-PremisesRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germany o UK o France o Italy o Spain o Rest of Europe  Asia Pacifico Japan o China o India o Australia o New Zealand o South Korea o Rest of Asia Pacific South Americao Argentina o Brazil o Chile o Rest of South America Middle East & Africao Saudi Arabia o UAE o Qatar o South Africa o Rest of Middle East & AfricaBuy this report @What our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsGet customization & check discount for report @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Polymerase Chain Reaction Market to Remain Lucrative During 2020

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According to a report, recently published by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global polymerase chain reaction (PCR) market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 6.60% between 2014 and 2020. Analysts expect its register a rise from US$6.1 bn in 2013 to US$9.6 bn by 2020.The research report is titled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique of producing a number of replicas of a particular DNA sequence, which involves recurrent reactions with a polymerase. This method is highly efficient in the detection and the monitoring of genetic diseases and is extremely useful in studying the operation of targeted segment and forensic examinations.View and Download TOC of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market Research Report@The growing demand for innovative molecular diagnostic techniques in the accurate identification of several diseases is boosting the global PCR market significantly. Constant advancements in diagnostic techniques are also driving the growth of this market. In addition to this, the growing need for automated devices and the increasing production of customized medicines are expected to propel this market over the forecast period, states the report.In this study, the global PCR market has been assessed on four fronts: Product, application, end user, and the region. On the basis of product, the market has been categorized into the instruments segments and the reagents and consumables segments. In 2013, the global market was dominated by the reagents and consumables segment with a share of 67%.Based on application, the market has been classified into life sciences, clinical diagnostics, and other application. The life sciences segment led the worldwide market for PCR in 2013 with a share of 48%.By end user, the market has been segmented into pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, hospitals and clinical diagnostics labs, academic and research organizations. The academics and research organizations segment acquired the leading position among the end users of PCR across the world in 2013, states the report.Request and Download Sample Report@Geographically, the report segments the worldwide market for PCR into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World. North America led the global market in 2013. It attained a value of US$2,614 mn that year and is likely to reach US$3,944.6 mn by the end of the forecast period. On the flip side, the Asia Pacific PCR market is anticipated to record the highest growth rate among all the regional markets over the forecast period, notes the study.The report also provides a competitive analysis of the worldwide PCR market. According to the assessment, the market has a consolidated structure. The leading participants in this market mentioned in the report are GE Healthcare, Affymetrix Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Becton, Dickinson & Co., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., QIAGEN, Beckman Coulter Inc., Abbott Laboratories, and Sigma-Aldrich Co.Buy Full Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Chipless RFID Market : Adoption Of RFID Tags Is Expected To Increase Over The Forecast Period Owing To Rising Demand For Asset Tracking

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The US$ 477.7 Million chipless RFID market is estimated to reach US$ 3,058.2 Million by 2024-end, reflecting a robust CAGR of 26.1% during the forecast period (2016-2024). The retail sector will play a crucial role in driving the market growth globally over the next couple of years. Adoption of chipless RFID is expected to remain high in stores for smart shelves and item-level tagging. --- Persistence Market Research (PMR)Global Chipless RFID Market: Key StakeholdersUS-based chipless RFID manufacturers will continue their dominance with companies such as Xerox Corporation and Zebra technologies leading the pack on a global level. PMRs analysis reveals that strategic partnerships amongst players will remain a key trend throughout the forecast period in order to penetrate narrower channels of the market. Thin Film Electronics ASA, Spectra System, Tag Sense, Politronica, and Molex are some of the other companies who have significantly increased their footprints in the global chipless RFID market in recent years.Browse The Report:According to PMRs latest report on the global market for chipless RFID, issues associated with data characteristics is likely to inhibit the overall growth of the market during the assessment period. Further, technological stringency is translating into operational restrictions of chipless RFID. Tags developed using chipless RFID technology are susceptible to various physical and virtual attacks, which increases the possibilities of data misuse. These tags are easily accessible making any private information stored in them prone to malignant threats. On the other hand, factors such as cost effective manufacturing technology, rapid adoption in sectors such as banking and healthcare and growing need for efficient supply chain management are expected to define the market growth over the next couple of years.Request to download and view full ToC @Sturdy Consumption of Chipless RFID TagAs per the projection, demand for chipless RFID tag will gain maximum traction, while chipless RFID reader will emerge as the second largest segment of the market over 2024 on the basis of component type. In terms of revenue, the RFID tag segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 31.4% over the forecast period, followed by RFID reader segment.Usage of Chipless RFID Will Remain High In Retail & Consumer Goods IndustryBased on industry type, the retail & consumer goods segment is set to expand at a significant CAGR of 29.3% in terms of value over the forecast period. In 2016, the segment stood at a market valuation of US$ 194.2 Million and is expected to remain dominant in terms of revenue share throughout the forecast period. The logistics & manufacturing is expected to remain the second largest segment of the market, surpassing a market valuation of US$ 984 Million by 2024 end.View Report Table of Contents, Figures, and TablesMake an Enquiry @Global Chipless RFID Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of revenue, North America is projected to be the most attractive market for chipless RFID market during the forecast period. In 2016, the region dominated the overall global chipless RFID market and is expected to reach US$ 1,217.5 Million by 2024 end, reflecting a CAGR of 27.3%. The chipless RFID market in Asia Pacific (APAC) is foreseen to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period, followed by North America and Europe respectively. The growth of the market in APAC is primarily attributed to the growing investment by various industries in modernizing data maintenance technology in order to improve their business efficiency.Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel:+1-646-568-7751Email:sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Electron Beam Lithography System Industry Trends, Analysis and Research Report by Radiant Insights

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In this report, the global Electron Beam Lithography System market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Electron Beam Lithography System in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering North America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaFor further inquiries, about - Electron Beam Lithography System Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast to 2022, click on this link -Global Electron Beam Lithography System market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including Raith Elionix JEOL Vistec Crestec NanoBeamRequest a Free Sample Copy of this Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Thermionic Sources Field Electron Emission SourcesOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Electron Beam Lithography System for each application, including Research Institute Industrial Field Electronic Field OtherRead more related reports by Radiant Insights: Spring Dampers Market Air Damper MarketAbout Radiant Insights, IncRadiant Insights is a market research and consulting company offering syndicated research studies, customized reports, and consulting services. Market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights. Using a patented and robust research methodology, we publish exhaustive research reports covering a host of industries such as Technology, Chemicals, Materials, and Energy. Radiant Insights has a strong base of analysts, consultants and domain experts, with global experience help for delivering excellence in all research projects.Media Contact:Michelle Thoras201 Spear Street 1100,Suite 3036,San Francisco,CA 94105, United StatesTel: 1-415-349-0054Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744Mail: sale@radiantinsights.com
Smart Locks Market: Rising Trend of Smart Homes to Drive Growth

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The global smart locks market is highly fragmented in structure, finds a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). Innovation and product development is primary strategy adopted by key players, namely, Panasonic, AugustHome, Honeywell, and Kwikset to remain competitive in the market. However, their focus is likely to shift towards mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships in the near future for business expansion.As per TMR, the worldwide market for smart locks was worth US$226.7 mn in 2015. Researchers expect the opportunity in this market to increase at a CAGR of 18.30% during the period from 2016 to 2024 and reach US$1.01 bn by the end of the forecast period. The commercial sector emerged as the key application area of smart locks in 2015. On the grounds of the advancements in the technology ant the rising crime rate across the world, the adoption of these locks is likely to swell in this sector over the forthcoming years, states the report.Request Sample:North America to Retain LeadA geographical assessment of the worldwide market for smart locks has also been presented in this research study. According to it, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific (APAC), and South America are the primary regional markets for smart locks across the world. North America led the global market in 2015 with a share of 33.6%, and is expected to remain doing so over the forecast period, thanks to the increasing concerns of people over the rising crime and various security issues. The U.S. and Canada have surfaced as the main domestic markets for market locks in North America due to the recent upswing in the trend of smart homes, increasing penetration of internet-based services, and the presence of a large pool of smart lock vendors.Among others, Asia Pacific is likely to witness strong growth in its smart lock market in the near future, thanks to its fast-growing economies and the improving standard of living of people in this region. Predominantly, China and India have been driving the Asia Pacific market for smart locks and the scenario is anticipated to remain more or less the same over the forecast period. The ongoing infrastructure projects are expected to boost the uptake of smart locks in the commercial and the industrial sectors in Asia Pacific, propelling this regional market in the years to come, states the report.Increasing Uptake of Smart City Infrastructure to Boost DemandThe advancement in the telephony hardware and the communication technology from 2G to 4G, and now 5G devices, is having the most prominent influence on the global smart locks market, says an analyst at TMR. The increasing uptake of the smart city infrastructure across the world, rapid urbanization, rising disposable income of consumers, frequent amendments government norms for energy conservation, and the expanding penetration of Internet and IoT in the remote areas are the key factors behind the substantial growth of this market.Download TOC:Going forward, the rising trend of smart homes is likely to propel this market significantly over the forecast period. The growing uptake of smart locks in the residential and the commercial segments and the increasing demand for these locks in other sectors as well is also projected to drive this market in the next few years. However, the security threat from hacking and system compromise may hamper the market from growing steadily in the near future, notes the study.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Home Care Chemical Market to Register a CAGR Growth of 4.6% by 2020

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Persistence Market Research (PMR) announces the release of its latest report titled, Global Market Study on Home Care Chemicals: Asia Pacific to Witness Highest Growth by 2020. According to the report, the global home care chemicals market was valued at US$ 16.1billionin 2014. The global home care chemicals market is expected to reach US$ 21.1billionby 2020, registering a compounded annual growth rate of 4.6% through the forecast period.The global home care chemicals market is primarily driven by factors such as mass urbanization, expanding the middle class population, broadened product applications, growing demand for home care products in institutional and foodservice sectors and increasing awareness about health and hygiene. However, restraints faced by the global home care chemicals market are stringent government regulations and limitations on input costs and prices. Moreover, increasing use of green products and eco-friendly formulations is set to gain pace in global home care chemicals market.View and Download TOC of Home Care Chemicals Market Research Report@The global home care chemicals market is valued at US$ 16.1 billion in 2014 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period and reach a value of US$ 21.1 billion by 2020. The global home care chemicals market is segmented on the basis of region, by product type, and by the end use application.By product type, the global home care chemicals market is segmented into surfactants, solvents, pigments, other additives and other chemicals. Among these, surfactants accounted for approximately 62.0% of revenue market share in 2014. Surfactants segment is expected to dominate the global home care chemicals market and accounts for US$ 13.4billion by 2020, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.1% between 2015 and 2020, followed by solvents and pigments. Solvents segment is the second-largest product type in terms of revenue and is expected to retain its position at a CAGR of 4.4% through the forecast period.By end-use application, the global home care chemicals market is segmented as Laundry/Fabric care, hard surface cleaning, dishwashing and other end use applications such as air care, auto care and so on. Among all the aforementioned segments, Laundry/Fabric care is expected to dominate the home care chemicals market with over 53% market share through the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rising awareness about cleanliness and increasing income levels. Hard surface cleaning application is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.3% between 2015 and 2020.Region-wise, Asia Pacific dominated the global home care chemicals market and accounted for US$ 6.1 billion in 2014 and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period, followed by Europe and North America. Asia pacific owing to its population explosion is projected to witness a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period.Request and Download Sample Report@Currently, key focus of the major players in the global Home Care Chemicals market is on mergers and acquisitions to expand their geographical presence. Key players in the global home care chemicals market includeBASF SE, Solvay S.A., Clariant AG, Evonik Industries, Croda International Plc., Ashland Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, Lubrizol Corporation, Huntsman Corporation and Akzo Nobel N.V.Buy Full Home Care Chemicals MarketReport@About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Kidney Cancer Drugs Market to Flourish with an Impressive CAGR During 2020

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A report by Transparency Market Research predicts the global market for kidney cancer drugs to expand at a 6.6% CAGR during the period between 2014 and 2020.North America Market Leads on the Back of Commercial Availability of Drugs from Prominent BrandsDepending upon the prominent brands of drugs, the global market for kidney cancer drugs can be segmented into Avastin (Bevacizumab), Afinitor (Everolimus), Inlyta (Axitinib), Torisel (Temsirolimus), Nexavar (Sorafenib), Sutent (Sunitinib), Proleukin (Aldesleukin/Interleukin-2), and Votrient (Pazopanib). Of them, Sutent, which is the marketed version of Sunitinib  Pfizers drug in the global kidney cancer drugs market, raked in maximum revenue in 2013. This is because Sutent is mainly prescribed as the first-line of treatment against kidney cancer. Sutent is also among the most studied drugs in its class for multiple indications, as it targets multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs).View and Download TOC of Kidney Cancer Drugs Market Research Report@Geography-wise, the key segments of the global market for kidney cancer drugs are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). North America, among them, accounts for maximum market share owing to most prominent brands of kidney cancer treatment drugs being commercially available. In addition, a substantial number of patients and a solid healthcare system tailor-made for the pharmaceutical industry is also majorly fuelling the market in the region. North America accounted for 45% of market share in 2013.Rising Population of Geriatrics Highly Susceptible to Kidney Cancer Driving MarketThe global market for kidney cancer drugs is predicted to clock steady growth in the upcoming years because of an increasing geriatric population and higher prevalence of kidney cancer. As per the American Cancer Society, those afflicted with kidney cancer are mostly in the higher age bracket. The average age of people diagnosed with the malady is 64. Kidney cancer is very uncommon in people under the age of 45. The organization also finds that kidney cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in both men and women.Request and Download Sample Report@Approval of novel drug molecules is also serving to catalyze growth in the global kidney cancer drugs market. Posing a challenge to the market, on the contrary, is the growing sales of generic drug variants on account of expensiveness of branded cancer drugs.A trend noticed in the global market for kidney cancer drugs is the manufacturers shifting their gaze towards developing economies to bring about sales growth.The global kidney cancer drugs market is dominated by a few global giants, namely F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Bayer AG, Novartis AG, GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Pfizer, Inc. This makes the competitive landscape highly consolidated in nature. Competition among the players is stiff too.Biopharmaceutical behemoth Pfizer, Inc., among them, led the global market for kidney cancer drugs with maximum share in 2013 on the back of Sunitinib and Axitinib, two of the main drugs used for treating kidney cancer. Other big names in the industry, such as Novartis and GSK too are adopting other strategies to increase their geographical outreach. They are focusing on bolstering their distribution networks in the relatively underserved markets in the emerging nations that are seeing an increasing prevalence of kidney cancer cases.Buy Full Kidney Cancer Drugs Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Minimally Invasive Surgery Market to Reap Excessive Revenues by 2019

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With patient comfort taking precedence in surgical procedures, the demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures is bound to show an increase. This high-impact growth driver will lead the global minimally invasive surgery market to notch a valuation of US$50.60 bn by 2019, says Transparency Market Research in its new study. According to the report, the market had a valuation of US$25.03 bn in 2012 and will register a compounded annual growth rate of 10.5% from 2013 through 2019. These findings are discussed in detail in TMRs report, titled Minimally Invasive Surgery Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019.The remarkable rise in the number of aged people worldwide is yet another growth enabler in the global minimally invasive surgery market, finds the report. Moreover, the rising prevalence of target diseases  of which cancer is one  requires patients to undergo multiple surgeries during the course of treatment. In most such cases, minimally invasive surgery is the preferred option.View and Download TOC of Minimally Invasive Surgery Market Research Report@Notwithstanding these growth drivers, companies in the global minimally invasive surgery market will have to face headwinds in the form of the high cost of such surgeries as compared to conventional procedures. Furthermore, in countries such as the United States, the sale of medical devices is subjected to excise duty, which adds to the final cost of minimally invasive surgery. According to TMRs analysts, this could stand in the way of the overall growth of the minimally invasive surgery market. Some of these losses can be assuaged if companies explore expansion opportunities in densely populated countries in Asia Pacific and Latin America, where people are spending progressively more on healthcare.For a complete coverage of the global minimally invasive surgery market, the report segments the market on the basis of device type, surgery type, and geography. Thus, basis surgery type, the market for minimally invasive surgery is split into orthopedic, spinal, breast, cardiac, vascular, joint replacement, bariatric, urological, gastrointestinal, and gynecological surgery. As more and more consumers across the world place a greater emphasis on appearance and aesthetics, the demand for minimally invasive surgeries for cosmetic procedures will show the highest CAGR. This trend is mainly supported by the growing spending power of people in many developing economies. The second fastest growing market in terms of surgery type is for orthopedics. Conditions such as arthritis and lower bone density are being treated with minimally invasive surgery. In terms of revenue, however, the cardiac surgery segment was in the leading position in 2012.Similarly, by product type, the market is segmented into endoscopy devices, monitoring and visualization devices, and surgical devices. The surgical devices segment is sub-segmented into medical robotic systems, ablation devices, and electrosurgical devices. Of these, surgical devices constituted the largest market within the minimally invasive surgery market and raked in the highest revenue in the market 2012. In the coming years, this market is expected to register the highest rate of growth because of their continued use in performing minimally invasive surgery, especially among cancer patients. The second-largest share in the minimally invasive surgery devices market was held by endoscopy devices, thanks largely to their use in locating surgical sites and to guide surgeons during surgery.Request and Download Sample Report@From the standpoint of region, the report studies the minimally invasive surgery markets in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Of these, North America contributed the highest revenue. The future evidently lies in Asia Pacific with the region expected to show a CAGR of 13.3% from 2013 to 2019 in the minimally invasive surgery market.Buy Full Minimally Invasive Surgery Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
India Coronary Stents Market projects to increase at 14% CAGR through 2026

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India coronary stents market, valued at US$ 481 Mn in 2015, is expected to reach US$ 531 Mn in revenues by 2016-end, according to a new research report by Future Market Insights. The report titled, Coronary Stents Market: India Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026 projects the market to increase at 14% CAGR through 2026 and surpass US$ 1.8 Bn in revenues.Demand for coronary stents is expected to be driven by government initiatives to offer better healthcare amenities. Capping of coronary stents prices, increase in geriatric population, and increasing number of PCI procedure to treat CHD are other key factors anticipated to fuel demand for coronary stents during the forecast period.View and Download TOC of India Coronary Stents Market Research Report@Easing of norms such as exemptions in direct taxes, while allowing 100 percent FDI in medical devices segment under the automatic route is expected to encourage entry of foreign players in the healthcare sector in the near future.Increasing prevalence of diabetes is high among the ageing population in the country. In 2014, 43.2% of the sampled population in the country was aware about diabetes and related treatment options. Over the last few years, number of PCI procedures have increased in India due to increase in prevalence of CHD.Request and Download Sample Report@India coronary stents market is segmented on the basis of product type, raw material and end-use.On the basis of product type, the market has been segmented into Drug Eluting Stent (DES), Bare Metal Stent (BMS) and Bioresorbable Vascular Stent (BVS). Drug Eluting Stent segment is expected to register impressive CAGR of 14.0% during the forecast period.On the basis of raw material, the market is segmented into cobalt-chromium, stainless steel, platinum-chromium, nickel-titanium and polymer. Currently, demand for cobalt-chromium is the highest, followed by platinum-chromium.On the basis of end use, India coronary stents market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centres and cardiac catheterization laboratories. By end use, hospitals segment is expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period.The key players profiled in FMIs report include Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, Inc., Biosensors Inc., and Boston Scientific Inc. The report also identifies company-specific strategies related to product development, market consolidation initiatives and analysis of their specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.Buy Full India Coronary Stents Market Report@Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Pressure Relief Devices Market is Estimated to Represent US$ 3,600 Mn by 2025-End

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Demand for pressure relief devices is on a surge in developing economies including Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & Africa (MEA). With the advent of medical tourism in various APAC countries such as Vietnam Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Philippines, the market in this region is expected to witness considerable growth. Provision of after sales will be the key focus area of the global pressure relief devices market. Various global players have signed strategic partnerships & collaborations with regional players for offering sales and aftersales services in developing markets.Persistence Market Research (PMR), in its report, projects the global pressure relief devices market to register 5.3% CAGR during the forecast period 2017 to 2025. In 2016, the market was evaluated at revenues worth US$ 2,280.4 Mn; by 2025 this number is estimated to reach nearly US$ 3,600 Mn.View and Download TOC of Pressure Relief Devices Market Research Report@Growing Number of Patients with Hospital-acquired Ulcer Poised to drive Market Growth in North AmericaAccording to a study by Hill-Rom, growing number of patients with hospital-acquired pressure ulcer has led to a robust adoption of pressure ulcer devices in North America. In addition, rising prevalence of obesity and growing geriatric population has also driven the demand for pressure ulcer devices. These factors are expected to drive growth of the market in this region. However, reimbursement stands as a critical factor, considering the fact that products are highly priced. Private insurers in North America are adopting reimbursement restrictions for pressure ulcer treatment, which in turn will restrain market growth in this region.Increasing out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure is current trend in both developed and developing countries of APAC. This is expected fuel demand for medical devices including pressure relief devices in this region. In addition, provision of government initiatives is expected to offer better healthcare facilities across developing economies, which is further expected to fuel demand for pressure relief devices in APAC. In contrast, affordability of purchasing new pressure relief devices is a major challenge for large number of population across this region. This is because of limited support from government policies covering pressure ulcer treatment in developing economies, and lack of health insurance. These factors are expected to impede market growth in Asia Pacific.Sales of Pressure Relief Devices to Long-term Care Centers to Reach Nearly US$ 1,700 Mn by 2025-EndLong-term care centres will continue to remain most lucrative end-users of pressure relief devices, with revenues estimated to reach nearly US$ 1,700 Mn by 2025. Demand for pressure relief devices from long-term care centres is expected to witness expansion at 6% CAGR through 2025. In addition, hospitals are estimated to be second largest end-users of pressure relief devices. Revenue garnered by demand for pressure relief devices from hospitals is expected to surpass US$ 800 Mn in 2017.By product type, specialty beds will remain sought-after in the market. Sales of specialty beds is expected to exhibit 5.8% CAGR through 2025. Specialty beds are expected to account for over 50% market share by 2025-end. In addition, sales of pressure relief mattress is projected to reach nearly US$ 600 Mn in 2017. In contrast, mattress overlays are expected to witness a comparatively low CAGR in the market.To View sample Report @North America to Remain the Largest Market for Pressure Relief DevicesNorth America will remain the largest market for pressure relief devices. Sales of pressure relief devices in this region will reach nearly US$ 800 Mn in 2017; by 2025 this number is estimated to surpass US$ 1,000 Mn. In addition, APAC is expected to witness fastest growth in the market. Sales of pressure relief devices in APAC is projected to expand at 6% CAGR through 2025. In contrast, MEA is expected to exhibit sluggish expansion in the market during the forecast period.Key players identified in PMRs report include Arjohuntleigh AB, Hill-Rom Global Holdings B.V., INVACARE CORP, PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD., Talley Group Limited, STRYKER CORPORATION, SIDHIL LIMITED, MEDTRONIC PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY, SMITH & NEPHEW PLC, Apex Medical Corp, Proma Reha, s. r. o., Besco Medical Co., Ltd., Hirtz & Co. KG, GF Health Products, Inc., ADL GmbH., Linet spol. s r.o.Buy Full Pressure Relief Devices Market Report@About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Directional Drilling Market Size, Analysis, and Forecast Report 2017-2027

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/directional-drilling-market

Market Synopsis of Directional drillingMarket ScenarioThere has been a significant increase in on shore and off shore exploration drilling activities in recent times to cope with the increasing demand for Oil and Natural Gas. Considering high efficiency of directional drilling, in recent times it has garnered immense popularity among market players. With the existing reserves not fulfilling the increasing demand the directional drilling market has tremendous growth potential in the forecast period.directional drilling Market is expected to grow at XX% CAGR (2016-2027).On the other had strict government regulations and environmental concerns might hold back the marketSegmentsThe Directional drilling market has been segmented on the basis of land as onshore and offshore. On the basis of type as Directional boring, Horizontal directional drilling, oilfield directional drilling. On the basis of services the market has been segmented as Rotary Steerable Systems, LWD, MWD and Motors.Request a Sample Copy @Regional Analysis of Directional drilling Market:With significant investments being made in the North American region in the Directional drilling market, this region has become one of the leading regions. Asia-Pacific is another region with immense scope mainly due to the increasing demand for oil and gas and favorable government norms.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 50 market data tables and figures spread in 110 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Directional Drilling Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027Access Report Detail @Study Objectives of Directional drilling Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Directional Drilling market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Directional Drilling market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters five force analysis. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to six main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Horse Power, by End User by Propulsion, and by region as well as its sub segments To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and new product developments in the global Directional Drilling marketThe report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Adult Malignant Glioma Therapeutics Market Intelligence with Competitive Landscape 2024

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Adult Malignant Glioma Therapeutics Market: OverviewGlioma is a type of tumor that occurs in brain or spine. It is a group of brain tumor that includes oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas. Gliomas include all types of brain tumors arising from supportive tissue of the brain. Malignant glioma is the most common type of brain tumor observed in adults globally. Collectively they contribute around 40% of the total cases diagnosed with brain tumor. In the last decade, there has been a consistent rise in the number of people diagnosed with malignant glioma. The American Brain Tumor Association has estimated around 69,720 new cases of brain tumor in 2013. Thus, rising number of people diagnosed with malignant glioma supports the growth of the global adult malignant glioma therapeutics market. Headache, physical weakness, memory loss and seizures are some of the common symptoms of malignant glioma. Thus, with symptoms getting worse size of tumor increases that destroys brain cells, creates swelling in the brain and increases the pressure on skull.'Cancer Research U.K. estimated that around 45% of the total primary brain tumor cases are gliomas. There are majorly four types of gliomas such as astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma and unspecified glioma. Astrocytoms is the most common type of glioma diagnosed globally, more than 30% of the total cases diagnosed with brain tumors are astrocytomas. These types of tumors are not curable as they spread easily through normal brain tissue. Astrocytomas are primarily classified on the basis of grades from one to four as per the speed of their growth in brain cells. American Brain Tumor Association have analyzed that around 7% of all the primary brain tumors represent astrocytomas.Hence, a rising number of people diagnosed with astrocytomas accentuates the uptake of therapeutics for the treatment of the same. Currently, majority of the therapeutics for the treatment of malignant glioma is under clinical trials, key players are engaged in research and development activities.Request for Report TOC @Adult Malignant Glioma Therapeutics Market: Region-wise InsightGeographically, North America and Europe accounted for the largest share in the global adult malignant glioma therapeutics market. This dominance was mainly attributed to key players domiciled in these regions coupled with increasing incidences of brain tumor. Brain tumor is the third most common type of cancer in adults in North America. According to North America Brain Tumor Coalition over 44,500 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with primary tumor in the brain in 2014. Thus, rising incidences of primary brain tumor supports the growth of malignant glioma therapeutics market in North America. In addition, increasing healthcare awareness also supported the growth of malignant glioma therapeutics market in North America and European market.Similarly, Asia Pacific is considered as the most lucrative market for the growth of malignant glioma therapeutics. The growth in Asian market is fueled by the presence of untapped market opportunities due to increasing and expanding healthcare infrastructure in this region. Asia Pacific is considered as an emerging market owing to growing market penetration coupled with increasing number of manufacturers expanding their geographic presence in this region. Thus, all the mentioned factors collectively propel the growth of malignant glioma therapeutics market during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020.Request for Report Brochure @Adult Malignant Glioma Therapeutics Market: Key PlayersMajor players and universities engaged in the development of therapeutics for the treatment of malignant glioma include Eli Lilly and Company, Insys Therapeutics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Amgen, Inc., Duke University, Shinshu University, Medical Research Council, Osaka University and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700,Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Proteinase K Market to Expand at a CAGR of 6.1% Through 2016-2026

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Proteinase K is a million dollar market accounting for a small portion in reagents and enzymes. Proteinase K is mainly used in contract research organisations, biotechnology companies, academic institutes, and diagnostics laboratories. In terms of revenue, the global Proteinase K market is expected to reach US$ 33.4 Mn by the end of 2026, witnessing a CAGR of 6.1%.A plethora of factors are expected to impact the growth of the global Proteinase K market. A significant rise in research and development activities, lesser production costs, broader application of Proteinase K and good product stability and specificity of Proteinase K will give a massive push to the revenue growth of the global Proteinase K market by the end of the forecast period. A steady rise of chronic diseases and better government backed investment channels to fund advanced research and development are expected to boost the expansion of the global Proteinase K market over the period of assessment. An increasing number of research activities, soaring expenditure on personal healthcare and increasing adoption of gene therapy has been significantly high in the U.S. market in the recent years, making North America the most lucrative regional market for Proteinase K.View and Download TOC of Proteinase K Market Research Report@Global Proteinase K Market: Segmental ForecastBy form, the lyophilized powder form segment is anticipated to account for higher revenue share in the global Proteinase K as compared to the liquid form segment. Lyophilized powder from segment is expected to reach a market value of US$ 19.2 Mn by 2026, reflecting a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period. The growth in lyophilized powder form can be attributed to the increasing advantages of powder form over liquid form in case of storage and preservation of samples.By application, purification of DNA & RNA segment will account for the highest revenue share in the global Proteinase K market as compared to other applications of Proteinase K. Purification of DNA & RNA segment is expected to reach a value of US$ 19.2 Mn by 2026, reflecting a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period.By end user, the biotechnology companies segment is expected to project higher demand for Proteinase K as compared to other end user segments such as academic institutes and diagnostics laboratories. The strong growth in biotechnology companies can be attributed to an increasing use of Proteinase K in research and development and new drug discovery. The cost effectiveness of Proteinase K over other reagents is the key factor responsible for its increasing use in biotechnology companies. The biotechnology companies segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period.Request and Download Sample Report@Global Proteinase K Market: Regional Market ProjectionsDemand for research in academics and funding facilities provided by the U.S government to support gene therapy and other activities for drug development is anticipated to boost the North America Proteinase K market. Followed by North America, Western Europe and APEJ are the most lucrative regions in the global Proteinase K market and are anticipated to grow by 5.7% and 6.1% respectively over the forecast period. Increasing demand for drug development, rising hereditary diseases due to changing lifestyles and growing disposable income are some of the factors expected to contribute to the growth of the global Proteinase K market.Global Proteinase K Market: Vendor InsightsTop companies profiled in the global Proteinase K market report include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Merck KGaA, Qiagen N.V., Worthington Biochemical Corporation, Sisco Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, Promega Corporation, Bioline and F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG among others. Leading market players are adopting different strategies such as product launches and acquisitions to maintain their market share. For instance, in November 2015, Merck KGaA acquired Sigma-Aldrich to strengthen and expand its consumable and reagent portfolio.Buy Full Proteinase K Market Report@ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite :
Asia-Pacific Camellia Oil Market Analysis & Forecast with Upcoming Trends 2022

Camellia Oil

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Camellia Oil is an edible, pale amber-green fixed (nonvolatile) oil with a sweet, herbal aroma. It is cold-pressed mainly from the seeds of Camellia oleifera.Get a Sample of Camellia Oil Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Camellia Oil in Asia-Pacific market, especially in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, India and Australia. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries/Regions, type and application.Major Players Included in Camellia Oil Market:JinhaoWilmar International LimitedGreen-seaGuitaitaiRunxinoilDeerleAcemeliaiWaltt Products Co.,LtdShanrunLaozhiqin (Fujian) Oil Co., LtdAnd Many OthersScope of the Camellia Oil Industry on the basis of region:ChinaJapanKoreaTaiwanSoutheast AsiaIndiaAustraliaBrowse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Camellia Oil Market Report @Market Segment by Type, coversExtra Virgin camellia OilPure camellia OilPomace camellia OilMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFoodCosmeticsOthersAbout Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs-
Malaysia Defense Industry Future Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts 2017 to 2022

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To Understand the Defense and Security Industry Status worldwide, Market Research Hub (MRH) has included the latest Forecast report titled Malaysia Defense Industry Future Market 2017-2022, to its vast database. The Future of the Malaysia Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022, published by Strategic Defence Intelligence, provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key news.Request For Free Sample Report:This report offers detailed analysis of the Malaysian defense industry with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants.In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following -- The Malaysian defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of the Malaysian defense industry during 2018-2022, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the countrys expenditure and modernization patterns- Budget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget with respect to capital expenditure and revenue expenditure. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the country- Porters Five Force analysis of the Malaysian defense industry: analysis of the market characteristics by determining the bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitution, intensity of rivalry, and barriers to entry- Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the countrys imports and exports over the last five years- Market opportunities: details of the top five defense investment opportunities over the next 10 years- Competitive landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of the Malaysian defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysisBrowse Full Report with TOC:Scope- The defense budget of Malaysia for the year 2017 is US$3.5 billion, which reflected a drop of 17.6% from the previous year. For the historic period, 2013-2017, the defense budget of the country registered a CAGR of -8.58%. One of the major causes of this falling defense budget over the years is the lower percentage allocation of GDP towards defense sector. Malaysia has also postponed some of its new procurement programs and is increasingly favoring the modernization of its current equipment to cut costs. This is part of attempts by the Malaysian government to bring in economic reforms and stabilize the economy. Malaysia has also released the 11th growth plan, wherein plans for achieving economic growth have been well drafted. It is expected that with the implementation of the plans the countrys GDP will rise.- During the historic period, the Malaysian MoD allocated an average of 21.1% of the total defense budget to capital expenditure, while an average of 78.9% was reserved for revenue expenditure. Over the forecast period, allocation towards capital expenditure is forecasted to remain at an average of 23.2%. For the next couple of years, allocation towards capital expenditure is expected to reduce slightly due to the postponement of some procurement programs.- The MoD is expected to invest in multi-role aircraft and Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).Reasons to buy- This report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of the Malaysian defense industry market trends for the coming five years- The market opportunity section will inform the user about the various military requirements that are expected to generate revenues during the forecast period. The description includes technical specifications, recent orders, and the expected investment pattern by the country during the forecast period- Detailed profiles of the top domestic and foreign defense manufacturers with information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins, and financial analysis wherever available. This will provide the user with a total competitive landscape of the sector- A deep qualitative analysis of the Malaysian defense industry covering sections including demand drivers, Porters Five Forces Analysis, Key Trends and Growth Stimulators, and latest industry contractsEnquire About This Report:About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of defense and security market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market 2017 - Ito En, Tingyi, Unilever, AriZona Beverages

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The market research publication about offers a select once-over of the variables that are probably going to have an enduring or here and now have an impact on the development of the Ready-To-Drink Green Tea market amid the figure time frame. The report impeccably investigates components that are probably going to have a jolt or deferred impact on the Ready-To-Drink Green Tea market in the short or long run. The development direction of the market has additionally been minutely examined with uncommon consideration on the drivers, restrictions, and prospects display in the Ready-To-Drink Green Tea market for the players and financial specialists to look on to. A few aspects, for example, inflow of crude materials and outpouring of final results, imports and fares, arrangements and controls of governments, execution of the market in the worldwide and territorial level, items circulated and sold, and industrialized limit of the mechanical unit have additionally been accentuated upon in the investigation.For Free Sample Copy of Report visit @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Europe Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure India Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue (Million UDS) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Table Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Production of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)Table Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Production Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)Figure 2015 Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Production Share by ManufacturersFigure 2016 Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Production Share by ManufacturersTable Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue (Million USD) by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)Table Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)Table 2015 Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable 2016 Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable Global Market Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Average Price of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact usBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Asia-Pacific Moissanite Market Expected Major Development to be Observed across the by 2022

Moissanite

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Moissanite is a gemstone born from the stars. It was first discovered in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan, who later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He discovered microscopic particles of the gem that would eventually bear his name in Arizona, in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. He initially thought that he had discovered diamonds, but later determined that the crystals were composed of silicon carbide.Get a Sample of Moissanite Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Moissanite in Asia-Pacific market, especially in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, India and Australia. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries/Regions, type and application.Major Players Included in Moissanite Market:Charles & ColvardMoissanite InternationalAmoraHRB ExportsViktor KmmerlingStars GemWuzhou Changsheng GemsUnimossAnd Many OthersScope of the Moissanite Industry on the basis of region:ChinaJapanKoreaTaiwanSoutheast AsiaIndiaAustraliaBrowse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Moissanite Market Report @Market Segment by Type, coversAirborne PlatformShipborne PlatformLand PlatformUnderwater Platform`Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoISRCommunicationsCombatCommand & ControlOtherAbout Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs-
Embedded Systems Industry Key Manufacturers Analysis 2022

ReportsWeb

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http://www.reportsweb.com/global-embedded-systems-detailed-analysis-report-2017-2022

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Embedded Systems Detailed Analysis Report 2017-2022 The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.This report mainly introduces volume and value market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also their price change details. As a Detailed Analysis report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinion in Embedded Systems industry.This report splits Embedded Systems market by Hardware, by Software, which covers the history data information from 2012 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2022.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Major CompaniesIntel Corporation (US)Infineon Technologies AG (Germany)Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan)Texas Instruments Incorporated (US)Microchip Technology Incorporated (US)STMicroelectronics N.V. (Switzerland)Qualcomm Technologies Incorporated (US)Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (US)Analog Devices Inc. (US)Broadcom Limited (US)Fujitsu Limited (Japan)NXP Semiconductors N.V. (Netherlands)Toshiba Corporation (Japan)MPL AG (Switzerland)Shenzhen Xinzhixi Enterprise Development Co., LTD (China)Request a Sample copy atMain RegionsNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia & PacificAfrica & Middle EastComplete report is available atMain Product TypeEmbedded Systems Market, by HardwareASIP/ASSPPower Management IC (PMIC)Digital Signal Processors (DSP)Field Processing Gate Arrays (FPGA)OthersEmbedded Systems Market, by SoftwareMiddlewareOperating SystemMain ApplicationsCommunicationsConsumer ElectronicsEnergyHealthcareAutomotiveIndustrialAerospace & DefenseGet Discount atChapter One Embedded Systems Market OverviewChapter Two, Embedded Systems by Regions 2012-2022Chapter Three, Embedded Systems by Brands 2012-2022Chapter Four, Embedded Systems by Consumer 2012-2022Chapter Five Global Top Players Profile5.1 Intel Corporation (US)5.1.1 Intel Corporation (US) Company Details and Competitors5.1.2 Intel Corporation (US) Key Embedded Systems Models and Performance5.1.3 Intel Corporation (US) Embedded Systems Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.1.4 Intel Corporation (US) Embedded Systems Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.2 Infineon Technologies AG (Germany)5.2.1 Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) Company Details and Competitors5.2.2 Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) Key Embedded Systems Models and Performance5.2.3 Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) Embedded Systems Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.2.4 Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) Embedded Systems Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.3 Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan)5.3.1 Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan) Company Details and Competitors5.3.2 Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan) Key Embedded Systems Models and Performance5.3.3 Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan) Embedded Systems Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.3.4 Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan) Embedded Systems Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross MarginChapter Six, Industry Chain and Supply ChainChapter Seven, Development Trend and Research Conclusion7.1 Development Trend7.2 Research ConclusionMethodology and Data SourceMethodology/Research ApproachResearch Programs/DesignMarket Size EstimationMarket Breakdown and Data TriangulationData SourcePurchase complete report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support OTR Tiresm is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Transfection Technology Market Expansion During 2019

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A new Transparency Market Research report states that the global transfection technology market was valued at US$386.4 mn in 2012 and is poised to reach US$768.2 mn by 2019, logging a CAGR of 9.70% from 2013 to 2019. The title of the report is Transfection Technology Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019.Transfection is a type of process in which genetic materials including double stranded RNA and DNA are introduced into mammalian cells by non-viral means. The introduction of DNA into cells starts the production or expression of proteins; cells use their own machinery during this. When RNA is transfected, it acts on the cytoplasm and helps down-regulate protein expression by blocking translation.View and Download TOC of Transfection Technology Market Research Report@Transfection technology helps cells in the regulation of gene therapy, protein metabolism, and mutation of cancer cells by impacting the nuclear genes. Transfection technology is majorly utilized in applications such as therapeutic delivery, protein production, and bio-medical research. Biomedical research is further segmented into cancer research, transgenic models, cell-based microarrays for drug delivery and development, and gene and protein expression studies.According to the report, the increasing obesity and the rising occurrence of cancers of the breast, lung, and prostate globally are amongst the top factors stimulating the growth of the market for transfection technology. In addition, the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease and arrhythmias and the increasing production of mass protein are also amongst the chief factors augmenting the growth of the market for transfection technology.On the other hand, as per the report, the cytotoxic impacts and technological complications associated with the use of instrument-based and virus-based methods utilized in transfection technology may inhibit the development of the market to some extent in forthcoming years.On the basis of method, the report segments the transfection technology market into reagent-based, virus-based, and instrument-based methods. Reagent-based methods are further sub-segmented into calcium phosphate, lipid mediated transfection (lipfection), DEAE-dextran, catonic polymers, magnetic beads, and activated dendrimers. On the other hand, instrument-based methods are further segmented into biolistic technology, electroporation, laserfection, and microinjection.Amongst the main segments, reagent-based transfection technology is witnessing exponential development due to it being a simpler and cost-effective method for carrying out transfection. On the other hand, instrument-based transfection technology is also gaining demand owing to this technology being more accurate and less time consuming.Request and Download Sample Report@By geography, the report segments the market into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Amongst these, in 2012, North America led the market and held a share of more than 45% owing to the increasing initiatives taken by the governments of North American nations. In addition, the rising awareness amongst individuals on the various applications of transfection technology has also positively impacted the growth of the North America transfection technology market. Europe trailed North America and constituted the second-largest share in the market in the same year. This was owing to the increasing drug development initiatives and the use of nanomedicine in diagnostics within this region. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is poised to experience the swiftest growth rate of over 10% in the forecast period owing to the use of biopharmaceuticals in drug development and discovery here.The key players dominant in the market are Lonza Group Ltd, Life Technologies Corporation, Polypus Transfection S.A, Mirus Bio LLC, and Promega Corporation, among others.Buy Full Transfection Technology Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global 4G Modem Chips Market 2017 - Rockwell, USR, Texas Instruments, ITEX, Globespan

4G Modem Chips Market

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Apex Research, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "4G Modem Chips Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "4G Modem Chips Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global 4G Modem Chips industry, and estimates the future trend of 4G Modem Chips market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "4G Modem Chips Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportRockwellUSRTexas InstrumentsITEXGlobespanAlcatel-LucentQualcommInfineonSTMicroelectronicsIntelBroadcomThe market research report explores the 4G Modem Chips market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "4G Modem Chips Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the 4G Modem Chips market based on major product types, application and end users industries of 4G Modem Chips. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for 4G Modem Chips market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for 4G Modem Chips is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, 4G Modem Chips market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the 4G Modem Chips market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The Global 4G Modem Chips market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, 4G Modem Chips production volume, data pertaining to demand and 4G Modem Chips supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of 4G Modem Chips along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for 4G Modem Chips across the world.About UsApexResearch offer reports from top publishers and update to serve you with immediate on-line access to professional insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development Executive| sales@apexresearch.biz
Digital Photograph In-Depth Study on Global Market Outlook 2023

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A new research document with title 'Digital Photograph - Global Market Outlook (2017-2023)' covering detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. The study covers geographic analysis that includes regions like United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, North & South America and important players/vendors such as , Canon, Kodak, Panasonic, Fujifilm .The report will help user gain market insights, future trends and growth prospects for forecast period of 2023Request for sample pages @According to Research, The Global Digital Photograph Market is accounted for $42.1 billion in 2016 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% to reach $54.01 billion by 2023. The market is driven by innovation in technologies for creating videos and photographs, innovative sensors such as charged couple devices (CCD) and rising demand for ancillary equipment. On the other hand, high initial cost to acquire the camera and need of excellent skills to operate it are inhibiting the market growth.Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate market share due to higher product penetration, rising disposable income, especially in developing countries as well as Japanese corporations are expected to spend on research and development. North America and Europe contribute significantly to the market growth, because of high purchasing potential of people in the countries of the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France, and Germany.View Detailed Content @The key players in global Digital Photograph market are Sony, Canon, Kodak, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Samsung Electronics, Toshiba, Olympus, Epson, Nikon, PENTAX and Hewlett-Packard.Products Covered: Photo Processing Equipment Interchangeable Lenses Camera Cell Phones Non Reflex Photo Editing Software Photo Quality Printers Digital Card Storage Other ProductsApplications Covered: Photo Processing Photography Software Photo Looks Other ApplicationsRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germany o UK o France o Italy o Spain o Rest of Europe  Asia Pacifico Japan o China o India o Australia o New Zealand o South Korea o Rest of Asia Pacific South Americao Argentina o Brazil o Chile o Rest of South America Middle East & Africao Saudi Arabia o UAE o Qatar o South Africa o Rest of Middle East & AfricaBuy this report @What our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsGet customization & check discount for report @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Contact Lenses Market Size 2016-2021 Menicon, Weicon, Bescon, Novartis

Contact Lenses

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/2016-market-research-report-on-global-contact-lenses-industry/

Contact Lenses Market Research 2017A market study  Global Contact Lenses Market  will help you understand, formulate and implement strategic decisions by offering critical data, insights and analysis from technology as well as commercial perspective on the Contact Lenses market. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Contact Lenses market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report consist of comprehensive market data, on a granular level, providing a holistic picture of the Contact Lenses market for maximum clarity and understanding.The Global Contact Lenses Market 2017 report includes Contact Lenses market Revenue, market Share, Contact Lenses industry volume, market Trends, Contact Lenses Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Contact Lenses Market Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Contact Lenses Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Sample Report Of Contact Lenses Market:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Players of Global Contact Lenses Market 2017 :1. Johnson &Johnson Vision Care2. Novartis3. CooperVision4. Bausch + Lomb5. St.Shine Optical6. Menicon7. Hydron8. Weicon9. Bescon10. NEO VisionFirstly, the report covers the top Contact Lenses manufacturing industry players worldwide. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions like United States, Europe, Japan, China, Southeast Asia and Middle East and Africa. Furthermore the report covers Contact Lenses market on the basis of product types and its applications.The Contact Lenses report gives information on the top company profiles, market share, contact details and manufacturing cost analysis along with value chain analysis of Contact Lenses industry, Contact Lenses industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Contact Lenses Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Access Report With TOC :The Contact Lenses research report splits on the basis product types that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme, production and contribution to the Contact Lenses market revenue worldwide.Finally, Contact Lenses market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We have a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of the technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA
Global Holter Monitoring Systems Market to Register a CAGR Growth of 4.5 % between 2016 and 2026

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ECG monitoring devices are experiencing a paradigm technological shift from resting ECG systems to portable Holter monitoring systems. According to a new report by Persistence Market Research (PMR), titled, Holter Monitoring Systems Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2016-2024, this is attributed to advantages such as patient mobility, low prices, and longer period of patient monitoring. Holter monitoring systems are proving to be more efficient in ECG monitoring due to advancements in technology, thereby allowing healthcare providers to monitor recorded data remotely, and enhancements in Holter monitoring software, which enable better analysis of data. These factors are expected to promote drive growth of the global Holter monitoring systems market at a CAGR of 4.5 % between 2016 and 2026.View and Download TOC of Holter Monitoring Systems Market Research Report@PMRs report offers market forecast and analysis on the global Holter monitoring systems market. The global market has been segmented on the basis of product, enduser, and region. On the basis of region, the market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC). As per regional analysis, North America (the U.S. and Canada) is the most lucrative market for Holter monitoring systems globally. This region is expected to hold highest market share over the forecast period (20162026) and is expected to exhibit more than average growth rate. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth owing to high population and increasing incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases. APAC market is estimated to account for around 27 % revenue share by end of 2016 in the global Holter monitoring systems market. The market in MEA is also expected to expand significantly in revenue terms over the forecast period, owing to high public healthcare expenditure in countries in the region. Revenue from the market in the region is expected to expand at CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period.On the basis of product, the global Holter monitoring systems market has been segmented into Holter monitoring devices, event monitoring devices, and Holter monitoring software segments. Holter monitoring devices segment is expected to remain the dominant segment in the global market throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to high adoption rate of these devices globally.On the basis of end user, the Holter monitoring systems market has been segmented into hospitals, diagnostic centers, clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). PMR estimated the hospitals segment to account for highest revenue share among other end user segments, and it is expected to witness fastest growth over the forecast period. Factors such as increasing number of private hospitals in developing countries is expected to boost revenue share of the hospitals segment. Diagnostic centers segment is also expected to gain significant market share during the forecast period.Request and Download Sample Report@The report discusses various factors positively impacting growth of the global Holter monitoring systems market such as increasing healthcare expenditure, key strategies of market players, regional reimbursement policies, and others.Some key market participants included in the report are GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V, Welch Allyn (Hill-rom Company, Inc.), Schiller AG, Fukuda Denshi Co. Ltd., Nihon Kohden Corporation, Mortara Instrument Inc., and Spacelabs Healthcare Inc.Buy Full Holter Monitoring Systems Market Report@About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Middleoffice BPO Services Market: Estimated to account for nearly US$ 437,000 Mn revenues by 2022-end

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Middleoffice BPO services are services outsourced to the BPO companies. These services include managing risk, calculating profits & losses of a financial services company. The group of employees in middleoffice are usually in charge of the information technology.Middleoffice BPO Services have Gained Immense Popularity among Asset ManagersWith robust expansion of data, compliance requirements, cost pressure, and demand from external as well as internal stakeholders, the middleoffice is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. The phenomenon of outsourcing, earlier reserved for back-office functions, has therefore extended to middle-office functions. Data privacy & regulation are key aspects of success for middleoffice BPO services. The middleoffice BPO services have gained immense popularity among asset managers, who maximize the investments returns for their clients. As the middleoffice BPO services involve multiple stakeholders, including custodians, brokers, and several other third parties, they are experiencing an increased manual intervention. This further results into demand for automating the workflow process, which can be fulfilled with the help of middleoffice BPO services.Download TOC for Research Report@Middleoffice BPO Services Gaining Momentum WorldwideIncreasing investments worldwide have fuelled demand for the middleoffice BPO services, for managing the rapid flow of data coming from the functions of middleoffice. Any error in the data might lead towards wrong investment decisions, or delays in reporting, affecting the asset managers reputation. On the back of operating compulsions, and demand for asset managers to concentrate on investment managements core competency, the middleoffice BPO services are gaining momentum across the globe. Asset managers can gain several operational benefits through the middleoffice BPO services, including higher predictability in costing, and cost savings. For asset managers and administrators, establishing a single data source with a seamless process flow is imperative. This necessitates the middleoffice administrator to communicate effectively with front office, and make specialist staff expertise and robust workflow technology a high priority.According to a latest study by Persistence Market Research (PMR), the global middleoffice BPO services market is projected to exhibit a high single-digit CAGR throughout the forecast period (2017-2022). The global market for middleoffice BPO services is estimated to account for nearly US$ 437,000 Mn revenues by 2022-end.North America to Remain Largest Market for Middleoffice BPO ServicesNorth America is anticipated to remain the largest market for middleoffice BPO services, in terms of revenues. The market in North America will register a robust expansion to reach approximately US$ 160,000 Mn in revenues by 2022-end. In contrast, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Japan will remain the least lucrative regions for growth of the middleoffice BPO services market.On the basis of service type, insurance BPO and Government segments are expected to witness the fastest expansion in the market through 2022. These two service type segments are projected to register approximately similar CAGRs, to collectively account for over one-fourth share of the market during the forecast period. Knowledge process outsourcing service segment will continue to witness a sluggish expansion in the global middleoffice BPO services market.Based on vertical, retail & consumer goods and healthcare & pharmaceuticals segments are projected to register the highest and nearly equal CAGRs in the global middleoffice BPO services market through 2022. Aerospace & defense and Education are expected to remain the least lucrative verticals for the middleoffice BPO services across the globe.Browse Report@Company ProfilesLeading players in the global middleoffice BPO services market are now focusing on replacement of unscalable & offline solutions, and development of a highly advanced middle-to-back office platform. Key companies actively contributing to growth of the global middleoffice BPO services market are Accenture PLC, International Business Machines Corporation, Capgemini, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, Mphasis Ltd., Capita PLC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, HCL Technologies, State Street Corporation, and ADP LLC.About Us:-Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:-305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesT: +1-646-568-7751
Global Industrial Valve Market: Oil & Gas End Use Industry Segment to Hold Maximum Revenue Share Throughout the Forecast Period (2017-2027)

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A latest research report titled as Global Industrial Valve Market: Oil & Gas End Use Industry Segment to Hold Maximum Revenue Share Throughout the Forecast Period (2017-2027) has been recently added to the vast portfolio of Market Research Report Search Engine (MRRSE) online research offerings. This report is a professional and in-depth analysis on the present state and future prospect for the global market. It provides valuable information to the industry insiders, potential entrants or investors. The demand for petroleum products has skyrocketed across the globe, both in developed and emerging economies. With the introduction of newer technologies, there has been growth in subsea oil and shale gas extraction in diverse regions such as North America and Europe. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's International Energy Outlook 2016 (IEO2016) and Annual Energy Outlook 2016, shale gas production comprised more than 50% of natural gas production in the country and it is anticipated to double by the year 2040 to 79 bcf/d by the year 2040. An increasing number of projects in the global Oil & Gas industry should bring about rapid momentum in the pipeline installation and construction industry. These pipelines are laid down over extremely long distances and fitted with a number of valves from the industrial valve market to regulate hydrocarbon flow.Request For Free Sample Report:Increased exploration activities for new sources of Oil & Gas to boost sector growthThere has been a noticeable spike in oil & gas exploration activities both offshore and onshore to cater to the ever-increasing need for oil & gas production. New refineries have been built while existing ones have been upgraded or modernised and this is expected to boost demand in the global industrial valve market. Countries in Latin America such as Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, in particular, have seen a massive boost in offshore O&G exploration activities. The industrial valve market growth is directly connected to these upstream and downstream activities. For e.g., Total SA has pledged to spend half a billion dollars over a period of 4 years to develop a shale gas field in Argentina as the national government has promised investors a minimum price.Greater subsea activities to be a major driver of the industrial valve marketEuropean nations such as Russia and Poland have been investing substantially in subsea exploration. Russia has also looked to the Arctic Circle to extract precious natural resources. The installation of such subsea stations and the processing of minerals along with the installation of temporary setups is predicted to fuel the growth of the global industrial valve market. According to a PennWell Corporation report, Nord Stream 2 AG contracted Allseas in 2016 for the Nord Stream 2 natural gas offshore pipeline in the Baltic Sea. These pipelines are forecast to expand the capacity along the Baltic route from Germany to Russia.Browse Full Report With TOC:Decline in oil prices to be a key challenge for the Oil & Gas industryThe glut in oil prices has brought about an element of uncertainty in the Oil & Gas industry, leading to a pause in innovations and R&D activities. This directly impacts the industrial valve market, as Oil & Gas is the largest end-user of the industrial valve market. For the next few years, the chance of new projects being approved across different countries appears quite slim. This will likely hamper the profitable growth of the global industrial valve market.China and India to drive the APEJ boom in the Oil & Gas industryRapid economic growth and rising disposable income has led to improved infrastructure and the need for personal mobility in the APEJ region. This should definitely help the APEJ industrial valve market. The Oil & Gas end use industry segment in the APEJ industrial valve market is anticipated to grow 1.6X over the forecast period. From a market valuation of around US$ 7.6 Bn in 2016, the Oil & Gas end use industry segment in the APEJ industrial valve market is forecast to rise to nearly US$ 12.7 Bn by the end of 2027, registering a CAGR of 4.7%. In terms of volume, it should be just below 89,000,000 pieces by the end of the forecast period from approximately 54,550,000 pieces in 2016 with a CAGR of 4.5%.Enquire About this Report:About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Related News:
Immune Repertoire Sequencing Market to Rear Excessive Growth During 2017 - 2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/14911

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Immune Repertoire is the collection of B and T cells with functional diversity in the body that reflects the immune selectivity. Immune Repertoire Sequencing means to sequence the complimentary determining region of both B-cell receptor and T-cell receptor. Immune receptor repertoire profiling portrays as the antigen-specific information within lymphocytes and has become increasingly significant to understand bodys autoimmunity and healthy immunity. This also propose novel ways to tackle cancer and development of personalized medicine by understanding the genetic makeup of a person. Since the last two decades, the technical advancements in the high throughput sequencing techniques along with the development in the bioinformatics and statistical tools have made the immune repertoire sequencing to be analyzed at single sequence level. This technology has potential to explore for the novel infectious agents and also offers new approaches for vaccine or antibody development.A sample of this report is available upon request @Clinical immune repertoire sequencing has a large awaiting market because multiplexing all possible V (D) J combinations into a single assay significantly decreases material and labor costs. Nowadays, next generation sequencing techniques overcomes the traditional strategies for studying the immune repertoire. The most commonly used platforms for immune repertoire sequencing is Illumina and Roche 454. However, the clinical use applications of immune repertoire sequence studies is massive, still more work remains to be completed to integrate the experiential dynamic changes with clinical features and outcomes.Immune Repertoire Sequencing Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe growth in the high throughput sequencing techniques, new statistical and bioinformatics tools drives the Immune Repertoire Sequencing market. Increasing innovation and technology, extensive research, government funding, various applications of the technique is going to fuel the market. However, expensive machinery, algorithmic challenges, non-availability in every region, professional expertise are some of the challenges that restraints the market of DNA sequencing from growing. Real time monitoring, high accuracy and sensitivity is the demand in this industry.Immune Repertoire Sequencing Market: SegmentationBy Sequencing Platforms:Pyro-SequencingDye-Terminating SequencingSemiconductor Sequencing and othersBy Applications:Biomarker DiscoveryInfectious DiseasesVaccine Development and efficacyCancer ImmunotherapyAutoimmune DiseaseTransplant Rejection and Tolerance and othersBy End Users:Diagnostic LabsResearch CentersBy GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaAsia-PacificMEAAdaptive Bio, one of the key player in Immune Repertoire Sequencing estimated that the research market for immune profiling in blood-based cancers could reach $390 million by 2018, while the diagnostic market could be $850 million. Recently in 2016, Immuno-oncology firm Argos Therapeutics has announced a research agreement with Seattle-based Adaptive Biotechnologies to study patient response to investigational immunotherapies. ArcherDX, one of the leader in NGS-based fusion assays, released the Archer Immunoverse immune repertoire sequencing assays. Recently in 2016, Seattle-based Juno Therapeutics has acquired AbVitro, an immune repertoire analysis company for $125 million. These trends directly shows a future probability of growth in this sector.Based on geography, DNA Sequencing market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the market followed by Europe in the use of high-throughput sequencers owing to the availability of skilled professionals and developing innovations in the sequencing technology. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow in the future because of the increasing government funds in the research sector, growing focus on cancer research by CROs and biopharmaceutical companies.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the key market players in the DNA sequencing market are Siemens AG, Pacific Biosciences, Eppendorf, Perkin Elmer, Agilent Technologies Inc., Illumina, Genia Corporation, Oxford Nanopore technologies, Roche Holdings AG, ThermoFisher Scientific and many others .Some of the key players in the Immune Repertoire Sequencing market includes ArcherDX, Inc., Junom Therapeutics, Roche Holding AG, Illumina Inc., ThermoFisher Scietific, Pacific Biosciences, CD Genomics, Atreca, Inc., Adaptive Biotechnologies and many more.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Immune Repertoire Sequencing Market Segments.Immune Repertoire Sequencing Market Dynamics.Historical Actual Market Size, 2015  2016.Immune Repertoire Sequencing Market Size & Forecast 2017 to 2025.Immune Repertoire Sequencing Market Current Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedImmune Repertoire Sequencing Market Drivers and RestraintsRegional analysis includes:North AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East & AfricaReport Highlights:Shifting Industry dynamicsIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected industry size Recent industry trendsKey Competition landscapeStrategies of key players and product offeringsPotential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective towards market performanceAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Automotive Cylinder Head Market to Significant Growth Foreseen by 2025

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Automotive Cylinder Head Market: IntroductionThe Internal combustion engine is an important component in any kind of automobile. The IC engine can be divided into two parts, the cylinder head and the cylinder block. The cylinder head, often abbreviated as head, is fitted or installed above the cylinder block and this complete installation forms the internal combustion chamber - the joint is sealed by the head gasket. The cylinder head is a significant component essential for the complete combustion of fuel and economical discharge of exhaust gases into the environment. In automobile engines, the head is the part where space is left for openings that are utilized for the supply of air and fuel to the cylinder, and for the exhaust gases to escape the cylinder chamber. The mounting of valves, fuel injectors and spark plugs is also placed on the cylinder head.A sample of this report is available upon request @The cylinder head can be single unit for straight or inline combustion engines, and there are double cylinder heads for boxer and V-shaped engines  each one installed on the cylinder banks. The material of construction for the cylinder head is usually aluminium or cast iron. The cylinder head houses rocker arms, spark plugs and intake and exhaust valves. Also, for the engines with overhead cams, the camshafts are inside the head. Additionally, it contains the opening that permits the flow of coolant from the radiator and the flow of the oil throughout the engine. Cylinder heads differ in make depending on the design of engine, and their material can also differ as per the application and the size and weight of the vehicle.Automotive cylinder heads should be manufactured and designed with utmost quality and precision, as even a small engineering flaw can danger human life, or result in the total loss of the automobile. Hence, cylinder chambers, including the cylinder head, are produced with high quality and accuracy to avoid mechanical disasters during the functioning of the engine. Increasing manufacturing ability and recent advancement have enabled the automotive industry to manufacture and design immaculate cylinder head systems.Automotive Cylinder Head Market: DynamicsThe automotive cylinder head market has a lot of scope in the research, development, and innovation department, as new approaches and technologies are being discovered for the manufacturing of upright and reliable engine parts and components. Additionally, new manufacturing technologies have enabled manufacturers to produce complex and difficult parts and components, such as cylinder heads with ease and in very less manufacturing time. Moreover, the overall market for automotive cylinder heads has been inflating, owing to the overall global growth of the automotive industry. Present-day consumers are more attracted and fascinated towards performance-orientated vehicles with luxurious driving comfort. This will be a prominent driver for internal combustion components over the forecast period. For example, manufacturers strive to produce cylinder heads with added precision, which will in turn drive growth of the market. Growing disposable income and high standard of living have enabled consumers to use vehicles that are more powerful with the full capability of the engine, for high driving performance. Furthermore, the use of the light aluminium cylinder heads that help reduce the overall weight of the vehicle is expected to fuel growth of the overall automotive cylinder head market in the coming future.The market for automotive cylinder heads is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period. Growing application of automotive cylinder heads in motorcycles and cars is expected to propel growth of the overall automotive cylinder head market in the near future.Automotive Cylinder Head Market: SegmentationThe automotive cylinder head market can be segmented by product type, sales channel, and vehicle type.By engine type, the automotive cylinder head market can be segmented as:Straight or Inline EngineV-type EnginesBy material type, the automotive cylinder head market can be segmented as:Cast IronAluminiumOther (Titanium)By sales channels, the automotive cylinder head market can be segmented as:Original Equipment ManufacturersIndependent SuppliersBy motorcycle type, the automotive cylinder head market can be segmented as:Two WheelersPassenger CarsLight Commercial VehiclesHeavy Commercial VehiclesAutomotive Cylinder Head Market: Regional OutlookEurope and North America have a high lifestyle with comfortable standards of living and an increasing potential for spending; this has led to the development of high quality automotive cylinder heads in these respective regions. Consumers are conscious and equip their vehicles with high-end automotive components, due to the augmented fondness for a smooth driving experience, coupled with the raw power of the engine. These conditions are expected to act as catalysts for the growth of the overall automotive cylinder head market in the coming future. Automotive cylinder heads are essential for the effective operation of any vehicle, and have a good maintenance and service rate in all automobiles. Thus, the automotive cylinder head aftermarket is expected see rapid growth in all developed and developing countries in the future. Evolving markets in the Asia Pacific region, especially China, India and Japan, will play a vital role in the expansion of the automotive cylinder head market in the near future. In countries, such as India, China, South Korea and Japan, automobiles are the primary mode of transportation and hence, there is huge growth prospective for the automotive cylinder head market over the coming years.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @The automotive cylinder head market is projected to mature with a prominent CAGR over the forecast period, owing to the growing installation of cylinder head systems in all automobiles globally.Automotive Cylinder Head Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global automotive cylinder head market, identified across the value chain include:Sandvik CoromantNemakLinamarThyssenKruppAll-heads ServicesBrodixElringklingerFederal-MogulParker HannifinThe research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types and applications.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedValue ChainRegional analysis includes:North AmericaLatin AmericaAsia PacificJapanWestern EuropeEastern EuropeMiddle East & AfricaThe report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts, and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators and governing factors, along with market attractiveness within the segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and various geographies.Report highlights:Detailed overview of parent marketChanging market dynamics in the industryIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and valueRecent industry trends and developmentsCompetitive landscapeStrategies of key players and products offeredPotential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective on market performanceMust-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
United States Aluminum Alloy Wheel Market, 2017-2022 - Industry Trends, Market Size, Segments, Growth Prospects: Radiant Insights, Inc

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In this report, the United States Aluminum Alloy Wheel 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.Browse full report with TOC @Geographically, this report splits the United States market into seven regions:The WestSouthwestThe Middle AtlanticNew EnglandThe SouthThe Midwestwith sales (volume), revenue (value), market share and growth rate of Aluminum Alloy Wheel in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast).United States Aluminum Alloy Wheel market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Aluminum Alloy Wheel sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingBorbetRonal WheelsEnkei WheelsSuperior IndustriesAlcoaIochpe-MaxionUniwheel GroupAccurideYHI International LimitedTopy GroupCITIC DicastalLizhong GroupWanfeng AutoKunshan LiufengZhejiang JinfeiYueling WheelsZhongnan Aluminum WheelsAnchi Aluminum WheelGuangdong Dcenti Auto-PartsOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoCastingForgingOtherDownload request sample @On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Aluminum Alloy Wheel for each application, includingPassenger VehicleCommercial VehicleAbout Us:Radiant Insights is a market research and consulting company offering syndicated research studies, customized reports, and consulting services. Our market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights.GET IN TOUCH201 Spear Street 1100, Suite 3036, San Francisco, CA 94105, United StatesTel : 1-415-349-0054Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744Mail: sales@radiantinsights.com
Comprehensive Industry Report Offers Forecast and Analysis on Conveyor Systems Market 2014 - 2020

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Automation in every industrial segment has become an integral part of industrial operations. Conveyor systems are mechanically-operated material handling equipment, which are used to transport material within premises. They provide a quick and effective transportation solution with a high degree of safety. Therefore, due to effectiveness of conveyance, a considerable amount of cycle time is reduced in the industrial process. The same factor helps in reducing the errors in handling manual material. Early commercialisation of the conveyor system took place for transportation of heavy materials in the industrial sector.On the basis of their end user applications, conveyor systems can broadly be categorised as automotive, airport, retail, mail logistics,and food and beverage.Assembly line, body shop, paint shop and few others are key application areas of conveyor systemsin the automotive sector. Nevertheless, the retail sector utilises these systems for distribution and warehousing, sorting, cross-docking, and distribution. Conveyor systems are an integral part of airport facilities for baggagehandling. Usage of the conveyer system in airport facilities is likely to increase due to growing air traffic across the globe, and the development of new airport locations. Moreover, the growing demand for food and beverage is propelling the adoption of conveyor systems to boost production rates.Request For Report Sample@On the basis of their design modification, conveyor systems can be categorized as roller conveyor, belt conveyor, crescent conveyor, palletconveyor, overhead conveyor and others.In order to meet the needs and demands of customers, manufacturers provide highly customized products.Growing demand for cost-effective material handling systems and increasing automation in the industrial sector are two of the major driving factors of global conveyor systems market. It is expected that, global conveyor systems market will witness a steady CAGR of around 3%-4% for the period of 2014-2020. The developing automotive, retail, and food and beverage industriesare also likely to fuel the growth inAsia-Pacificconveyor systems market. Europe is dominating the overall conveyor systems market at present and has a large conveyor system supply network with broad distribution channel. Nevertheless, Europe is likely to hold its dominance over the global conveyor systems marketat the end of forecast period. Latin America region is expected to be the fastest growing conveyor systems marketespecially in the emerging economies such as Mexico and Brazil where the industrial sector is booming. Increasedsophistication of conveyor system along with advanced technology are major trends in this market.Visit For TOC@A few of the most prominent market players in global conveyor systems market areDaifuku, Dematic Group, Emerson Electric, Siemens AG, Allied Conveyor Systems, Caterpillar, Dorner Conveyors, Dynamic Conveyors, Fives Group, FMC technologies, Interroll and Intelligrated. One of the key market strategies is the development of patented products with high customisations. In addition, acquisitions and strategic alliances to share technologies, can be seen in the market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Automotive Tire Market Size to Escalate at the Healthy CAGR during 2015  2021

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As per TMR, the overall opportunity in the worldwide market for automotive tire was US$188.3 bn in 2014. Researchers estimate the rise of the global market at a CAGR of 6.80% over the period from 2015 to 2021, reaching US$298.1 bn by the end of the period of the forecast. Currently, radial tires enjoy a strong demand across the world and is anticipated to remain witnessing high demand in the near future, states the report.Passenger Cars to Remain High on DemandThe research report identifies light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and motor bikes as the key application areas of automotive tires. Thanks to the increasing production of passenger cars, the demand for automotive tires is significantly high in this segment. Researchers project the trend to continue in the near future with the soaring demand for passenger vehicles in Europe and Asia Pacific.Request to view Sample Report:The report also offers a regional analysis of the worldwide market for automotive tires, in which, it has bifurcated the global market into Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), North America, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2014, Asia Pacific led the overall market for automotive tires with a total value of US$81.4 bn. The regional market is projected to retain its position throughout the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand for luxury vehicles, fueled by the augmenting disposable income of consumers. Apart from this, the rising investment in the market for automotive tire in Asia Pacific for extensive research and development is also projected to boost this regional market in the near future.Continual Expansion in Automotive Industry to Boost Demand for Automotive TireThe significant rise of the automotive industry in the global arena is the main factor behind the substantial growth of the global market for automotive tire, says an analyst at TMR. The continuous increase in the disposable incomes of the average consumer across a number of developing countries has enabled them to spend on luxury items, of which automobiles hold the leading position. This, resultantly, is reflecting on the sales of auto parts, including automotive tires, leading to a remarkable growth in this market.Request to download and view full ToC:Overall, the future of this market looks impressive; however, the high cost of raw materials may result in slow production, leading to a slowdown in the market over the next few years, states the research report.The intense rivalry between Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli, MRF Tyre, Michelin, and Yokohama characterizes the competitive landscape of the global automotive tire market states a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The market demonstrates an extremely concentrated structure and the scenario is anticipated to remain so over the forthcoming years.Global Automotive Tire Market Report is available @ US$ 5795Technological advancements is the main parameter, on which, the leading vendors of automotive tires are competing with each other. Over the years to come, a shift in the focus of these companies towards mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations can be seen, notes the research study.About us:Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
How Cyber Security Market will Grow in Future? FMI Research Offers Insights 2014 - 2020

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Cyber security is related to information technology security, which focuses on protecting networks, computers programs and data from unauthorized access. Defense and military, government, financial institutions and corporation etc. collect and store confidential information on computers and transfer that data across networks. In order to protect this data and information from cyber attack cyber security becomes necessary. Increasing threats such computer intrusion (hacking), virus deployment and denial of services are increasing the demand for cyber security solutions and services. The governments of various countries such as U.S., Canada, Germany and China etc. are increasing their investment in cyber security due to expansion in computer interconnectivity and dramatic in computing power of government network.The cyber security market report contains the global scenario of this market discussing detailed overview and market figures. The research report analyses the industry growth rate, industry capacity, and industry structure. The report analyses the historical data and forecasts the cyber security market size along with key factors driving and restraining the market growth.Request For Report Sample@The Cyber security market can be segmented into four major types into security, services, solutions and applications. The Cyber security market is segmented on the basis of types of security which includes six major categories namely network security, application security, endpoint security, cloud security, content security and wireless security. The services segment includes consulting services, risk assessment services, designing and integration services and training services. On the basis of solutions, ten major categories namely risk and compliance management, identity and access management, data loss protection, firewall, IDS, Unified threat management, encryption, antimalware and antivirus, web filtering and others (security and vulnerability management, DDOS mitigation and disaster recovery). The cyber security market can be segmented on the basis of applications into six categories namely defense and military, BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), public utilities, healthcare, telecom and IT and others (retail and manufacturing). The market can also be segmented geographically into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (Latin America, Middle East and Africa).The cyber security market across the globe is a multi billion market and is expected to show a substantial growth in CAGR, from 2013 to 2019. There is a significant increase in the cyber security market because cyber security solutions increase cyber speed and offers number of options to save data.The key drivers of this market include Government regulation on data privacy, increasing cyber threats and increasing number of data centers, which are the biggest revenue generators for Cyber Security Market. The key restraints to this market are lack of awareness and availability of pirated security software.Visit For TOC@Some of the key players in the Cyber Security Market are IBM International, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, McAfee, CA Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Trend Micro, Symantec and SOPHOS among others.Cyber security market offers various benefits such as improved security of cyberspaces, increased cyber-defense and faster response time to national crisis. These benefits of cyber security market automatically increase value of service to the end-users.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Lead Acid Battery Market is Anticipated to Register US$ 31,708.4 Million by 2020

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Future Market Insights, in its latest report titled,Lead Acid Battery Market: Asia Pacific, Latin America, Japan, Middle East & Africa Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 - 2020, states that the target regions lead acid battery market accounted for US$ 24,210.5 Million in 2014, and is expected to reach US$ 31,708.4 Million at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific, which accounted for the major chunk in the target regions lead acid battery market, is expected to expand at an estimated CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period.By application type, the target regions lead acid battery market is segmented as transportation, stationary industrial, motive industrial, commercial, residential, and grid storage. Transportation and stationary industrial collectively contributed to around 82.4% of market revenue in 2014. Transportation was the largest end-use application in the target regions lead acid battery market in 2014, and is anticipated to continue its dominance through 2020. Stationary industrial is the second largest contributor to the target regions lead acid battery market, and is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period.View and Download TOC of Lead Acid Battery Market Research Report @The report finds that grid storage is one of the smallest end-use application segments in the target regions lead acid battery market, but is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period.Lead acid batteries are predominantly used in passenger cars, commercial vehicles and two wheelers. In addition to that, demand for lead acid battery has also surged due to the increasing adoption of UPS, owing to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. Adoption of grid storage technology in developing countries such as India and China is expected to fuel the target regions lead acid battery market. In addition to that, an increase in the demand for electric vehicles is expected to further accelerate the expansion of the lead acid battery market globally.Moreover, key challenges in the lead acid battery market are raw material price volatility and stringent emission regulations. Lead is the essential raw material used in the manufacturing of lead acid batteries. Lead prices account for approximately 49% of the overall cost of the lead acid batteries. Any fluctuations in lead prices affect the overall profitability of lead acid battery manufacturers.Request and Download Sample Report @Region-wise, Asia Pacific is the largest contributor in the target regions lead acid battery market, and is expected to continue its dominance till 2020. Currently, the Asia Pacific lead acid battery market is valued at US$ 15,995 Million and is expected to reach US$ 19,881 Million by 2020. Latin America and Japan are other major markets contributing 14.4% and 14.1% respectively, to the target regions lead acid battery revenue. Middle East & Africa accounted for the lowest contribution in terms of revenue in 2014, but is expected to register a significant growth at a CAGR of 4.9% over the forecast period.The degree of competition in the target regions lead acid battery market has been analysed in the report, which also presents the comparative view of the key strategies and financial outlook of major companies operating in target regions lead acid battery market. These include Johnson Controls INC, Exide Technologies, GS Yuasa Corporation, EnerSys and Yokohama Industries.Buy Full Lead Acid Battery Market Report @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global OTT Devices and Services Market 2022 - Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Hulu, Netflix, Google

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global OTT Devices and Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its huge collection of research reports.The market report considers on various components identifying with the overall OTT Devices and Services market which clarifies the present data and future open entryways show in the market suggesting the components at play. The key purpose of the examination report is to offer an unequivocal gestalt to the readers about the overall OTT Devices and Services market and present then with profitable information and data. The measurable studying report besides deals in points, for instance, drivers, confinements, and openings in to evaluate the aftereffect of these components on the overall OTT Devices and Services market over the guess time period said in the report. The report also shows a brief yet prohibitive system of the individual market, which contains a couple of records of the noteworthy points of view which are predicted to trigger advancement in the market or have a negative impact.To Download Free Sample Report With TOC:List of Tables and FiguresFigure OTT Devices and Services Product ScopeFigure Global OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global OTT Devices and Services Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure India OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Southeast Asia OTT Devices and Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global OTT Devices and Services Market Share by Type in 2016Figure Video Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact usBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Government Support will boost Latin America Mining Equipments Market size During Forecast Period 2014 - 2020

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The mining industry is expected to witness growth with a single digit CAGR over the next six years on account of the further expanding demand for metal and mineral commodities. Latin America accounted for about 8% of the global mining equipment demand in 2013 and its contribution towards global mining equipment sales was registered at 15% for the same year. The region serves as the prime destination for mining exploration and investment at a global level.The key reason which has accelerated the growth of the Latin American mining equipment market is the enhanced demand for the consumption of natural resources. Presently, the region produces about 45% of the global copper, 21% of the global zinc, 50% of the global silver and 26% of the global molybdenumproduction. In addition, foreign investment, especially from China, US, Canada and Australia, plays a significant role in the growth of the Latin American mining equipment market. Further, other operations such as the Panama Stock Operation (PSO), CSR activities, and introduction of next generation mining equipment such as Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) also serve as driving factors for the growth of the mining equipment market in Latin America. Among these, CSR activities primarily focus on rehabilitation and support programmes, promotion of healthy lifestyle and awareness programmes for the adoption of green technology.Request For Report Sample@However, in the past few years, the mining industry and hence the mining equipment industry has been facing an economic crisis on account of the requirement for budget allocation in the maintenance of the mining industry and equipment, etc. Illegal mining operations at some locations and the risk associated with the mining industry serve as further constraints for the Latin American mining equipment industry.Surging demand and abundant availability of natural resources(including the worlds top three metal and mineral reserves of copper, zinc and silver rapid technological advancement, modernization of mining plants, stable legislations with a motivating legal environment, and the efficient budget allocation with aftermarket revenue generation will serve as opportunities for the development of the Latin America mining equipment market.Market segmentation of Latin American mining equipment can be done on the basis of equipment, application and countries. On the basis of equipment, the Latin American mining equipment market includes mineral processing equipment, surface mining equipment, underground mining equipment, mining drills and breakers, crushing and screening equipment, etc. On the basis of applications, the Latin American mining equipment market segmentation includes metal ore mining, coal mining and mineral mining. Chile, being the largest producer of copper, serves as a lucrative market for copper-based mining equipment. Colombia is an active exporter,and is the first Latin American coal-producing country alongwith the production of metals such as gold, silver and platinum and hence is the opportunistic market for the associated mining equipment market. On the basis of countries, the Latin American mining equipment market includes Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Venezuela. Chile is known for the adoption and introduction of advanced technologies such as autonomous haulage system. Peru is the reserve of key minerals and has been witnessing a surging demand for copper and hence the expansion of the associated mining equipment market. Brazil has an integrated approach for the production and sale of mining equipment. Panama has an active stock operation (PSO) for the support of the mining industry. In line with the positive future of the Latin American mining equipment industry, Peru and Chile are expected to receive double digit foreign investment in $ Bn in the next six years.Visit For TOC@Some of the prominent players of the global mining equipment market include Sandvik AB, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Komatsu Limited, Atlas Copco Ab Joy Global Inc. Breaker Technology, Astec Industries, Bucyrus International, Caterpillar Incorporated, China Coal Energy Company Limited, Tecpalsa, Tecmap, Tiesa and Igaretta. Among these, Komatsu Limited in the whole of Latin America, Tecpalsa in Colombia, Tecmap and Tiesa in Panama and Igaretta in Argentina are active players in the Latin American mining equipment market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market to Exhibit a Healthy Growth of CAGR Of 4.5% CAGR Over 2025

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An active pharmaceutical ingredient is used in a finished pharmaceutical product (FPP), intended to carry certain pharmacological actions or otherwise have a direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, treatment, mitigation or prevention of various diseases, or in some cases in restoring, correcting or modifying human physiological functions. Sales of pharmaceutical ingredient are on the rise due to a substantial increase in high-potency API (HPAPI) and peptide API manufacturing. A new study conducted by Persistence Market Research reveals that the US$ 151.9 Bn global active pharmaceutical ingredient market will grow to US$ 158.3 Bn by 2017 end, reflecting a Y-o-Y growth rate of 4.2%. This market is estimated to further increase to US$ 225.2 Bn, expanding at a CAGR of 4.5% over the forecast period (2016  2025)View and Download TOC of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Research Report@PMR in its report, titled Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market  Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2016  2025 has cited some of the key factors prompting the global sales of API, which include:Higher emphases on the development of novel therapeutics that contain high-potency active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs).Ramped-up investments from large-scale API manufacturers and contract manufacturers in production of high potency API.The lower cost of labor cost and abundance of raw materials continue to facilitate the growth of API market in the Asia region.Faster approvals of API based peptide and diabetes management drugs. Over the recent past, a range of peptide drugs has been approved treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus including Albiglutide (GSK), Dulaglutide (Eli Lilly), Exenatide (Amylin Pharmaceuticals) and Glucagon (Xeris Pharmaceuticals).According to the report, small molecule API type segment holds promising investment opportunities for market participants on account of the numerous off-patent events incurred in the last five years coupled with a strong penetration of small scale manufacturers in Asia. On the basis region, APACs API market was valued at US$ 61.4 Bn in 2016 and is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 5.1 % during the forecast period to reach a valuation of US$ 95.6 Bn. This is primarily owing to the leadership of China and India in SMEs as well as their strong distribution network in overseas markets especially in US, South Africa, and Europe. Asian pharmaceuticals CMOs are competing on the basis of cost and timeline for API manufacturing and are attracting U.S.-based pharmaceuticals companies that are willing to outsource manufacturing requirements. Meanwhile, Europe is projected to be the second fastest growing market for API and is expected to reach US$ 42.5 Bn by 2025-end. Manufacturers in Europe are prioritizing high-quality standards, advanced manufacturing installations, and high purity of intermediates (API).Request and Download Sample Report@Johnson Matthey, Siegfried, Almac, PolyPeptide Laboratories, AmbioPharm, Inc., Corden Pharma, Pepscan, BCN peptide, Provence Technologies Groups, SennChemicals AG, Avecia OligoMedicines, Santaris Pharma - acquired by Roche in 2014, ST Pharm Oligo Center, Cepia Sanofi, Biospring, Pfizer CenterSource, Symbiotec Pharma Lab Pvt. Ltd., Gadea Grupo Farmaceutico, STEROID S.p.A., Dolder AG, Dalton Pharma Services, FarmaBios Spa, Dextra Laboratories Limited, GlycoSyn, Inalco Pharma, Sussex Research, Pfanstiehl, Inc., Noramco, Inc., Johnson Matthey, Siegfried, Rhodes Technologies, Ash Stevens, Fermion (public), FARMHISPANIA GROUP, Olon SpA, Lonza Group are some of the leading companies operating in the global active pharmaceutical ingredient market. Currently, many of the pharmaceutical companies are focused on outsourcing of API manufacturing to avoid large capital investments in setting up of API manufacturing facilities. This has accelerated the demand for CMOs in API manufacturing industry, which is dominated by small to medium manufacturers.Buy Full Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Report@About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Membrane Separation Market to Register a CAGR Growth of 10.8% from 2013 to 2019

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Persistence Market Research Released New Market Report on Global Market Study on Membrane Separation: Water & Waste Water Segment to Witness Highest Growth by 2019, the global membrane separation market was valued at USD 19.0 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% from 2013 to 2019, to reach an estimated value of USD 39.2 billion in 2019.Mandatory government regulation and increasing demand for clean processed drinking water is propelling the water processing industry to provide the public with clean processed drinking water free of impurity. Providing growth opportunity for water treatment industry among which, Membrane separation technology is one of the most popular methods used for cleaning water. Mandatory adherence of certain environmental standards by the national government such as the Clean Water Act especially in areas with water scarcity have influenced the demand for better water treatment technology, including membrane separation technology. Shifting from chemical to physical treatments of water is also a major driver as chemical treatments are perceived as an environmentally unclean technology with associated disposal costs. Additional awareness of water scarcity has influenced the demand for water reuse in water stressed areas.View and Download TOC of Membrane Separation Market Research Report@Governments and municipal authorities are increasingly waking up to the effects of environmental degradation on the economy. Worldwide industrial expansion and growing population are propelling the demand for better water treatment technology, providing growth opportunity for the global market of membrane separation technology. Additionally, the oil and petroleum industry is well established in the gulf and European countries such as Italy and Germany which involve membrane separation technology for liquid separation. Expansion of such industry is expected to increase the overall demand for membrane separation technology. Membrane separation technology is bifurcated into four major processes, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. Microfiltration dominates the market with more than 35% global market share in 2012. Whereas water & wastewater dominates the end-user market with 36% global market shares in 2012. The global membrane separation market grew from USD 19.0 billion in 2010 to USD 21.2 billion in 2013.Request and Download Sample Report@European membrane market (largest in 2013) is expected to reach USD 13.8 billion in 2019, growing at a CAGR of 9.6%. In 2012 water & wastewater sector was the major end-user of membrane separation technology and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 11.1% during 2013-19. The membrane separation market is fragmented with several players in the market supplying membrane separation products to the end-users (water and wastewater, industrial and healthcare) in the market. Most of the companies produce different types of membrane products such as microfiltration, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis and sell them globally. Major companies operating globally and manufacturing all four products are Evoqua Water Technologies, Pall Corporation, Koch Membrane Systems Inc., Merck Millipore, Degremont SA, Dow Chemical Company, GEA Filtration, 3M Company, Nitto Denko Corporation and Veolia Environnement.Buy Full Membrane Separation Market Report@About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Revenue Growth Predicted for Digital Pathology Systems Market by 2020

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The global market for digital pathology systems is dominated by Leica Biosystems, Ventana, and Olympus Corporation, which collectively held a dominant 81.8% of the market in 2013. According to Transparency Market Research, both Leica and Ventana have crucial acquisitions to thank for their dominant hold over the digital pathology systems market, with Ventana acquiring Bioimagine, Inc. in 2010 and Leica Biosystems acquiring Aperio Technologies, Inc. in 2012.This points to a notable trend in the global digital pathology systems market, where the leading players are likely to emphasize on mergers and acquisitions to broaden their product catalog and geographical reach in the coming years, said TMRs lead analyst.View and Download TOC of Digital Pathology Systems Market Research Report@Enhanced Precision, Lowered Workload Drive Demand for Digital Pathology SystemsThe prime driver for the global digital pathology systems market is the increased sophistication and efficiency it brings about it pathology processes. Digitization of labwork reduces the chances of manual error, making the process highly accurate. Digital pathology systems are also much faster at analyzing samples than human technicians, which results in an easier workload for pathologists. The shortage of skilled pathologists is thus a key driver for the digital pathology systems market.The increasing prevalence of cancer across the world has also encouraged the adoption of digital pathology systems. Digital pathology systems are used for the detection/diagnosis of several types of cancer, including breast, esophageal, and non-small-cell lung cancer. The high precision of digital pathology systems is crucial in dealing with progressive diseases such as cancer, since early diagnosis can significantly improve the chances of survival.While developed parts of the world house widespread digital pathology infrastructure, developing regions such as Asia Pacific are still lagging behind. This presents a crucial opportunity for manufacturers of digital pathology systems, as the incidence of cancer is increasing rapidly in countries such as China, Japan, and India. The steady economic development of such countries has also made it easier for healthcare agencies to introduce advanced solutions such as digital pathology systems.Request and Download Sample Report@Virtual Microscopy to Exhibit Rapid Growth in Demand 2014-2020By technology, digital pathology systems are segmented into virtual microscopy and telepathology. While the latter is likely to retain its dominance in the market over the coming years, the virtual microscopy is expected to exhibit a higher growth rate in the 2014-2020 forecast period.Among the various applications of digital pathology systems, drug discovery/development and disease diagnosis were the leading contributors to the global market in 2013. While these two segments are likely to remain in the lead in the market, the application of digital pathology systems in academic research is likely to increase at a rapid 14% CAGR from 2014 to 2020.Geographically, North America is likely to remain the leading contributor to the global digital pathology systems market in the coming years, with the regional markets revenue expected to reach US$212.4 mn by 2020. The extensive drug development activities and presence of key players in the region are responsible for the regions dominant share in the global market. Europes contribution to the global digital pathology systems market is expected to be overtaken by Asia Pacific in the coming years, with the lucrative opportunities in India, China, Japan, and some ASEAN countries convincing many companies to expand their operations in Asia Pacific.Buy Full Digital Pathology Systems Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Optical Imaging Market to Witness Steady Expansion During 2020

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Transparency Market Research has published a new report on the global optical imaging market. As per the report, the global optical imaging market stood at US$1.06 bn in 2013 and is expected to reach US$2.19 bn by 2020. The report, titled Optical Imaging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020, states that the global market is expected to expand at a 10.8% CAGR from 2014 to 2020 owing to factures such as the rising prevalence of various disorders, the increasing adoption rate of optical imaging technologies, and the growing aging population.View and Download TOC of Optical Imaging Market Research Report@Optical imaging is an evolving medical imaging technology, which uses light spectrum for measuring the optical properties of various body tissues. Optical imaging possesses the ability to improve disease prevention, treatment, and medical diagnosis. Optical imaging also possesses a huge potential in clinical research and life science. The first optical imaging solution was introduced in 1996 by Carl Zeiss Meditic AG, in the form of optical coherence tomography based imaging devices. Since the introduction of the first optical imaging technology, there have been many technological advancements in the global market.The global optical imaging market is segmented on the basis of technology, region, and application. By application, the global optical imaging market is classified into ophthalmology, dentistry, oncology, dermatology, neurology, cardiology, and biotechnology and research. Currently, the oncology application segment dominates the global optical imaging market and is expected to expand at a 15.10% CAGR from 2014 to 2020.By the type of technology used, the global optical imaging market is classified into optical coherence tomography, hyperspectral imaging, photoacoustic tomography, and near infrared spectroscopy. The optical coherence tomography (OCT) segment is sub-segmented into time-domain OCT, full-field OCT, and Fourier-domain OCT. The increasing occurrence of various disorders related to the teeth, skin, eyes, and other organs has led to the growth of the global optical imaging market. The availability of various optical imaging technologies is expected to benefit the global optical imaging market. The OCT technology segment dominated the global optical imaging market in 2013, accounting for 75.7% and is predicted to expand at a 9.70% CAGR from 2014 to 2020.Request and Download Sample Report@Lack of reimbursement facilities and shortage of clinical data validation are the two top factors expected to restrict the growth of the global optical imaging market in the years to come. However, the increasing application of optical imaging and large unmet demands of the population are predicted to benefit the global optical imaging market in the near future. Further, the rising awareness about different optical imaging technologies among people is predicted to propel the global optical imaging market in the near future.Based on region, the global optical imaging market is divided into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. At present, North America dominates the global optical imaging market, followed by Europe. Some of the prominent companies in the global optical imaging market are Bioptigen, Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Michelson Diagnostics Ltd., Topcon Medical Systems, Inc., and Canon, Inc.Buy Full Optical Imaging Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Home Security Products and Solutions Market - North America to Lead in Terms of Revenue Generation Through 2025

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Regional markets of Latin America and Middle East & Africa to emerge key markets for sustainable revenue generation from home security products and solutionsWhile the global home security products and solutions market remained concentrated in North America and Asia Pacific in 2016, the coming years will witness good growth potential in developing economies where there is limited penetration of home security products and solutions. This is likely to present lucrative market opportunities for key players operating in the global home security products and solutions market. As a case in point, the adoption of home security products and solutions in Latin America is limited to the real estate sector, where developers are installing home security products and solutions in high-end housing projects across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. This is a significant opportunity to tap into for companies providing home security products and solutions, as several other critical industry sectors remain to be explored.Download TOC of Home Security Products And Solutions Market@The global home security products and solutions market will expand 2.8X between 2017 and 2025The global market for home security products and solutions is estimated to be valued in excess of US$ 12 Bn by the end of 2025, owing to exponential growth in the countries in North America. A CAGR of 11.9% in terms of value presents a lucrative scenario of the global market that is largely centralized in the developing economies of the world.North America will remain the most attractive regional marketThe North America home security products and solutions market will outpace the other regions in terms of revenue growth, registering a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period to reach a market valuation of US$ 3,738.9 Mn by the end of 2025. The market in Asia Pacific will register high Y-o-Y growth rates and expand at a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period. The market in APAC is expected to represent incremental opportunity of US$ 1,630.0 Mn between 2017 and 2025 while the North America regional market will represent incremental opportunity of US$ 2204.3 Mn during the period of forecast.Factors fueling global market revenue growthIncreasing rate of crime in most of the countries across the globe is driving the demand for advanced home security systems such as CCTV cameras and electronic alarm sensors.A rise in disposable income at a global level permits consumers to invest in high-end home security products and solutions. Consumers are technologically inclined and prefer solutions that come with advanced features. There is also a noticeable surge in the purchasing power of consumers especially in emerging economies, and this is fueling market growth.Home security solutions such as video surveillance, access management systems, and fire control systems help in monitoring traffic details in several countries. This is another factor driving the adoption of home security products and solutions with the latest features.The integration of smart home security solutions with smartphones is another revenue impacting factor. Rapid urbanization and advancements in technology have led to consumers relying on smartphones for most of their day-to-day activities. The need for better security systems that can be monitored through smartphones is driving the growth of the market, especially in regions such as Europe.An increase in construction activity in the Asia Pacific region is likely to boost the demand for integrated home security solutions such as video surveillance systems.Browse Report@Trends likely to be observed in the global market in the near futureA growth in adoption of smart homes and gadgets is likely to be witnessed in developed regions such as North America. Smart homes will call for increased residential security backed by advanced products and solutions such as security alarms, sensors, electronics locks, and smart home device control systems.Home security solutions with remote access and control will gain prominence in the coming years. Increasing machine-to-machine communication has facilitated the deployment of home security systems that communicate with each other and with a central monitoring system controlled by the user. Manufacturers are catering to an increasing demand from consumers for these advanced security systems, which are gaining traction in the residential sector.There is a steadily growing demand for access control systems with NFC technology. Consumers are preferring smart card / smartphone based device control and companies operating in the home security products and solutions market are designing and developing innovative software and applications for access control solutions that can be accessed through smart cards / smartphones in a bid to widen their customer base.About Us:-Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:-305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesT: +1-646-568-7751
Global Zipper Pouch Market IS Expected To Grow At 6.4% CAGR By 2027

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The global zipper pouch market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2.1 Bn in the year 2017 and is forecasted to touch a value of US$ 3.9 Bn at the end of the forecast period in 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.4% during the assessment period.Request Free Sample Report :Asia Pacific region witnessing a burgeoning growth in the retail marketThe APEJ retail market was estimated to be valued at US$ 1 Trillion in 2001, and has witnessed a surge over the years, being valued at US$ 6.6 Trillion in 2016. Several unorganised players extensively dominate the APEJ retail market. With the growing ease of convenience of packaging, the demand for packaged food is fast growing in the food and beverages industry. This industry segment mainly uses flexible material that enhances the product brand name and also increases the shelf life of the product. In addition, retail e-commerce sales are surging over the years and accounted for US$ 877.6 Billion in the year 2016. The increasing usage of the mobile internet is one of the key influencing growth factors for the increase in online sales. China alone accounts for 40% of the retail e-commerce consumption in the global market, which is estimated to surpass 50% by the end of the year 2019. With such a forceful growth in the retail market in APEJ, the demand for zipper pouches is set to rise over the assessment period.Implementation of stringent environmental regulationsA majority of materials used for zipper pouch packaging comprise PE and PVC materials, which are hazardous to the environment. Stringent regulations imposed by the regional governments and the FDA restrict the use of harmful chemical substances such as PVC. This has led to an increase in the demand for environmentally sustainable products. Due to such factors, most of the companies are focussing on the development of bio-based materials for zipper pouch packaging products. Comparatively, high capital investment for the development of such type of products could prove to be a major challenge for small-scale players in the zipper pouch market in the near future. To underscore this point, it is worth mentioning that the government in China imposed a total ban on the production, distribution and use of ultrathin HDPE plastic materials for pouch packaging.Browse Full Report With TOC :Bio-degradable material emerging as an attractive alternative to oil based filmsOil based packaging films are largely preferred for the manufacturing of pouches used in the packaging of food. However, the rising trend of using eco-friendly packaging has made both consumers and manufacturers realise the need for environmentally friendly packaging films, especially for the packaging of food products. One such green material that renders high tensile strength and provides a barrier to oxygen and moisture is MFC films. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is a material consisting of cellulose microfibrils that are derived from wood pulp. MFC films are biodegradable in nature, but the cost of manufacturing MFC films is very high, which is hampering the revenue of packaging films manufacturers. However, with the advancements in technology and the coming of new machinery, the cost of manufacturing MFC films has drastically reduced. This bio based material is potentially more compatible than traditional petroleum based polymers. Pouch manufacturers operating in the APEJ market are escalating the use of MFC films, which is also rapidly gaining traction across the globe.Global Zipper Pouch Market Forecast, by End UseThe global zipper pouch market by food sub-segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,630 Mn in 2017, which is forecasted to rise to US$ 3,014.3 Mn by the end of 2027. In terms of volume, the food segment is projected to reach 59,437.1 Mn units by the end of 2027. The global zipper pouch market by pharmaceutical sub-segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 265 Mn in 2017, which is forecast to rise to US$ 498.1 Mn by the end of 2027. The pharmaceutical sub-segment is estimated to create an incremental dollar opportunity of US$ 248.42 Mn over the forecast period. The global zipper pouch market by cosmetics & personal care sub-segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 131.2 Mn in 2017, which is forecast to increase to US$ 243.2 Mn by the end of 2027. The cosmetics & personal care sub-segment is estimated to create an incremental dollar opportunity of US$ 84.23 Mn over the forecast period.`Enquire About This Report :marketMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comGoogle+:Linked in:
Medical Image Analysis Software Industrial Trend and Market Demand - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Volume, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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"Medical Image Analysis Software Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Volume, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: OverviewMedical imaging is a process and technique for creating visual representations of the anatomical and physiological functions taking place inside the human body. Depending on the technique used the analysis of bones, muscles and organs. Along with the anatomical and physiological functions of the body the study of tumor growth, its movement and other abnormalities can also be detected with the help of medical imaging. The software used in these devices for analyzing and creating an image is of utmost important.Get Sample Report With TOC @The research is a combination of primary and secondary research, conducted for understanding and arriving at trends, used to forecast the expected revenue of the medical image analysis software market in the near future. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts with information collected from in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry experts and opinion leaders. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, investor presentations, analyst presentation and various international and national databases.The report provides estimated market size in terms of US$ Mn for each by software type, imaging type, modality, application, end user, and geography for the period 2014 to 2024, considering the macro and micro environmental factors. The revenue generated from each product was calculated by considering number of products used in the procedures and their market demand as per their use, prevalence rate of disease, number of product launched, annual revenue generated by products of each sub segment, trends in industry, end user trend, and adoption rate across all the geographies.Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: SegmentationThe global medical image analysis software market is segmented by software type, imaging type, modality, application, end users and geography. By software type the medical image analysis software market is segmented into integrated software and standalone software, by imaging type the medical image analysis software market is segmented into 2D imaging, 3D imaging and 4D imaging. In terms of modality the medical image analysis software market is segmented into CT, MRI, PET, SPECT, Ultrasound, Radiographic imaging and other modalities.By application the medical image analysis software market is segmented into cardiology, orthopedic, oncology, neurology, nephrology, dental, gynecology and others. In terms of end users the medical image analysis software market is segmented into hospitals, clinics, research and academic institutions, diagnostic centers and ambulatory surgical centers. According to geography the medical image analysis software market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa.The market report comprises an elaborated executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. It also provides information and data analysis of the market with respect to market segments based on modality, technology, end-user, and geography. The market overview section of the report analyzes market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influences the medical image analysis software market in the current and future scenario.Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: Competitive AnalysisMarket share analysis among the market players is analyzed to signify the contribution of these players in the market in terms of percentage share. All these factors will help the market players to decide about the business strategies and plans to strengthen their positions in the global market. Based on geography, the market has been analyzed for major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. The study also covers detailed country analysis contributing majorly in the medical image analysis software market.The report also profiles the major players in the market and provides various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, and recent developments. Major companies profiled in the medical image analysis software market are GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Hologic Inc., Pie Medical Imaging, Media Cybernetics, Inc., AQUILAB, MIM Software Inc., Merge Healthcare Incorporated., ScienceSoft USA Corp., and others.The medical image analysis software market has been segmented as follows:By Software TypeIntegratedStandaloneBy Imaging Type2D imaging3D imaging4D imagingBy ModalityCTMRIPETSPECTUltrasoundRadiographic imagingOther ModalitiesBy ApplicationCardiologyOrthopedicOncologyNeurologyNephrologyDentalGynecologyOthersBy End UsersHospitalsClinicsResearch and academic institutesDiagnostic centersAmbulatory Surgical CentersBy GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaEuropeU.K.GermanySpainItalyFranceRest of EuropeAsia PacificIndiaJapanChinaAustraliaNew ZealandRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaSouth AfricaSaudi ArabiaU.A.E.Full Report @ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
Global Market Study on Weather Information Technologies: Industry Analysis 2012-2016 and Opportunity Assessment 2017-2027 -MRRSE

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Albany, New York, September 29, 2017: A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine, Weather Information Technologies Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012-2016 and Opportunity Assessment 2017-2027 is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Request for Sample Report:Global Weather Information Technologies Market  Key Regional Findings The APEJ weather information technologies market is expected to register high Y-o-Y growth rates throughout the forecast period. The market in APEJ is also expected to exhibit a significant value CAGR during the forecast period. Within the APEJ region, revenue from the China weather information technologies market is projected to account for more than 28% share of the APEJ weather information technologies market by the end of 2027. The weather information technologies market in India is expected to represent incremental opportunity of more than US$ 15 Mn between 2017 and 2027. The weather information technologies market in APEJ is expected to be valued at more than US$ 120 Mn in 2017 and is projected to reach more than US$ 200 Mn by the end of 2027. The market in APEJ is expected to represent incremental opportunity of more than US$ 80 Mn between 2017 and 2027.Increasing expenditure on sea, road and railway transport and increasing demand from defence and agriculture verticals to boost the weather information technologies market in APEJIncreasing expenditure of APEJ countries in improving sea, road and railway transport is expected to drive demand for weather information technologies in the region. The demand is expected to be high as governments have to know accurate weather forecasts during the construction process to avoid any adverse scenarios. Also, after the development of such routes, it is necessary to know the weather conditions to ensure smooth trade between countries. For instance, through the One Belt and One Road (OBOR) project, China has planned to invest US$ 800 Bn in order to connect Asian countries through the Silk Road Economic Belt connecting via road and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road connecting via sea route. In 2016, India and Iran signed a deal worth US$ 500 Mn to develop Irans Chabahar port so as to transport goods via sea to Afghanistan and Central Asia.Browse Full Report with TOC:Increasing demand from defence and agriculture verticals is expected to provide support to the growth of the weather information technologies market in APEJ. The economy of South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh is primarily an agro-based economy with a large portion of the population relying on the agriculture sector, which is dependent upon rain from the monsoon. Anomalies occurring during the monsoon season affect the entire region and thus there is a need for better forecasting methods and equipment, which eventually aids in driving demand for weather information technologies. Also, military operations require constant weather updates in order to successfully implement critical operations, which is why the vertical is witnessing increasing demand for weather information technologies and this rising demand is supported by increasing expenditure on defence budgets by APEJ countries such as China, India and Vietnam.In 2016, North America was the largest regional market for weather information technologies and is anticipated to dominate the global market throughout the forecast period. Increasing demand from the aerospace & defence, oil & gas and railways sectors coupled with improved accuracy in terms of weather forecasting are factors expected to drive growth of the global weather information technologies market. In terms of value, the North America weather information technologies market registered a CAGR of 3.9% from 20122016 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.1% from 20172027. The APEJ weather information technologies market registered a CAGR of 4.0% from 20122016 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.4% in terms of value from 20172027. The weather information technologies market in MEA is expected to represent incremental opportunity of US$ 37.8 Mn between 2017 and 2027Make an Enquiry:About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY  12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comFollow Us on LinkedIn-Follow Us On Twitter-
Cosmetic Ingredients Industrial Trend and Market Demand - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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"Cosmetic Ingredients Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-Global Cosmetic Ingredients Market: OverviewCosmetic Ingredients market is forecast to witness a stable growth rate over the forecast period. With increased demand of various end use products, the global market for cosmetic ingredients is increasing substantially. Various types of ingredients both natural and synthetic are used in various end use products such as skin care, hair care and make up among others. By type the market has been segmented into surfactants, polymers, emollients rheology modifiers and others which include absorbers and antimicrobials. By function the market has been segmented into cleansing agent, moisturizing agent and coloring agent and others which includes fragrances and toners. The market is further segmented into end use namely skin care, hair care; make up, oral care and others which include perfumes and deodorants.Get Sample Report With TOC @Consumers over the years has become excessive conscious about the well-being of the skin and is more focused in attaining perfect flawless skin without any blemishes, marks or dark spots. Manufacturers through continuous research and development capture the existing skin care industry with the introduction of new products with unique ingredients, thus triggering the global cosmetic ingredients market. In addition, major skin concerns among consumers include, premature ageing, wrinkles, dry skin, pigmentation, age spots, and uneven skin tone. Therefore, anti-ageing products are in great demand which in turn boosts the global cosmetic ingredients market. Major restraint hindering the global market includes stringent government rules and regulations on several ingredients.Global Cosmetic Ingredients Market: Scope of the StudyThe cosmetic ingredients market is seeing dramatic changes over the years. There are several regulatory bodies that have their own regulations regarding the use of different ingredients in order to provide safety to consumers. Thus, this has resulted in restraining the global cosmetic ingredients market. Major opportunities of the global cosmetic ingredients market include constant change in consumer preference. Changing lifestyle and rising disposable income coupled with growing consciousness about physical appearance has resulted in continuous demand for cosmetic products which in turn has fuel the demand for cosmetic ingredient market. A stable and continuous growth of the economy in the Asia Pacific region has resulted in rise in disposable income over the years. This has generated opportunities for the global cosmetic ingredients market.Moreover, in this report the study provides different countries included in different regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is the most dominant region in the global market as well as the most rapid growing region. North America includes the U.S. and Rest of North America. The U.S. held the most dominant market share and it is also the most rapid growing country. Europe includes U.K., Germany, France, Russia, Italy and Rest of Europe. France held the most dominant share in the European market. U.K is the most rapid growing country over the forecast period. Asia Pacific includes countries such as India, China, Japan and Rest of Asia Pacific. In addition, Middle East and Africa includes country such as UAE, South Africa and Rest of Middle East and Africa. Latin America comprise of countries such as Brazil and Rest of Latin America.Companies Mentioned in the ReportA competitive analysis of all the leading players is included in the report. The leading players include Ashland Inc. (U.S.), BASF SE (Germany), Croda International Plc. (U.K.), Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Lonza Group (Switzerland), Solvay SA (Belgium), Clariant AG (Switzerland) and Innospec Inc. (U.S.) among others.The report provides an exhaustive study of the Cosmetic Ingredients market along with offering the market estimates, in terms of revenue (USD billion) for the forecast period from 2017-2025. Further, the global market is classified on the basis of type, function and end use.The global cosmetic ingredients market can be segmented as follows:-By TypeSurfactantsPolymersEmollientsAntioxidants and PreservativesRheology ModifiersOthersBy FunctionCleansing agentMoisturizing AgentColoring AgentOthersBy End UserSkin CareHair CareMake UpOral CareOthersBy GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.Rest of North AmericaEuropeU.KGermanyFranceItalyRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanRest of APACMiddle East and AfricaUAESouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilFull Report @ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
Automotive Engine Valves Market 2022 Technology, Growth, Type and Application Analysis

Automotive Engine Valves Market

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QY Research Groups has released a latest report based on thorough research on Automotive Engine Valves Market. This in-depth report discusses this industrys market in forms of overview/definition, application, classification, predictions pertaining value and volume, and future predictions. It also prominently attributes the current situation and outlooks with industrial and financial aspect.Furthermore, it comprises of current events, latest market trends, schematic representation of the global companies with their prime developments, mergers & acquisitions, deals and agreements, expansions and investments, etc. Additionally, it talks about the vital prospects such as market restrains growth drivers, challenges and potential opportunities that may affect the overall Automotive Engine Valves market.Request for sample of Automotive Engine Valves Market research report @Due to the constant altering business landscape, enhancements in the technology, the process of communication in several organizations have become intricate. Moreover, nowadays, customers demands have increased and expanded, this in return expects efficient and effective communication inside an organization. Escalated use of social networking websites, increased use of smartphones, and ascending demand for improved enterprise efficiency are the prime growth factors of the Automotive Engine Valves market. Enhanced technologies and several Information technology tools better the productivity of the business and escalate functional efficiency. Additionally, many services and solutions are put to use in various industrial verticals which includes banks, insurance (BFSI), public sector, travel & hospitality, healthcare, energy & utilities, education, IT & telecom, transportations and logistics, retail, many other industry sectors such as media and communications.Report Includes:-The methodological analysis which is used to approximate and forecast the Automotive Engine Valves Market starts with gathering data on vital vendors with the help of secondary research through various trusted sources that include news articles, presentations, journals and paid database. In addition, information which the vendors provide is also taken into consideration to analyze the segmentation of the market.This extensive professional market research report renders an in-depth study of this markets industry along with growth prospects for the forecast period with exclusive focus on the size and characteristics of the market, major market manufacturers, present trends, growth forecasts, competitive landscape for the predicted frame of time coupled with market restrains and prime success. Besides, this exclusive report cloaks the global Automotive Engine Valves Market based on applications, regions, competitive landscape and products. The report enlists profiles of several companies of prime market players, market share, financial metrics, business strategies, and forecasts and predictions.Detailed TOC and Charts & Tables of Automotive Engine Valves Market Research Report available @The Automotive Engine Valves Market report wraps: Industry summary with market definition, key elements such as market restrains, drivers, potential opportunities, challenges, trends in the market, etc. Market sectioning depending on product, application, geographical region, competitive market share Market size, approximates, forecasts for the said frame of time Distribution channel assessment Competitive analysis of crucial market manufacturers, trends, company profiles, strategies, etc. Factors accountable for the growth of the market Thorough assessment of prime market geographically Factual information, insights, market date backed by statistics and industryThe top players including Federal-Mogul LLC, Eaton, Severe Service Valve Inc. (SSV), MAHLE GmbH, FUJI OOZX Inc., SINUS Ltd., Rane Group, Nittan Valve, Ferrea, PT. Astra, Knorr-Bremse AG, Hitachi LtdOn the basis of product By Product Type Mono Metallic Valves, Bimetallic Valves, Hollow Valves, Others By Material Type Steel, Titanium, Nickel Alloy, OthersBy Application, the market can be split into Passenger Cars, Commercial VehiclesThe report is worth a buy because:This report on Automotive Engine Valves Market assists in analyzing the condition and situation of the market in primary regions of the world. Apart from rendering an overview of product manufacturing processes, the research report also renders impeded strategy of the industry, latest technological developments, cost structures, product specifications, etc. Future predictions based on the development of this industry are also covered. The report also reviews micro and macro factors vital for the new entrants along with the current market players.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-2 Global Automotive Engine Valves Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Automotive Engine Valves Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Automotive Engine Valves Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Automotive Engine Valves Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Automotive Engine Valves Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Automotive Engine Valves Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Automotive Engine Valves Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Automotive Engine Valves Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Automotive Engine Valves Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Automotive Engine Valves Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionAbout us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market Size will Grow US$ 788.4 Mn by 2020

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www.futuremarketinsights.com

Future Market Insights (FMI) announces the release of its latest report titled, Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2020. According to the report, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market was valued at US$ 402.0 Mn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$ 788.4 Mn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period, 2015 to 2020.View and Download TOC of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market Research Report @Global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is driven by increasing number of diabetic patients and growing number of geriatric people across the world. Moreover, usage of advanced technologies such as artificial pancreas in continuous glucose monitors and increasing awareness of people towards diabetes are driving growth of the continuous glucose monitoring systems market. However, high prices of continuous glucose monitors and inadequate reimbursement policies pose a challenge for growth of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market.The global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is segmented on the basis of end use sector, components and geography. Moreover, company wise market share has also been indicated in the report. By end use sector, global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into household and hospital & diagnostic centers. Household is a larger segment as compared to hospital & diagnostic centers and is expected to dominate the continuous glucose monitoring systems market throughout the forecast period exhibiting a CAGR of 11.9%. The household segment held 68.5% market share in 2014 and expected to account for US$ 538 Mn by 2020, owing to the convenience and ease of use offered by continuous glucose monitors at home. Hospitals & diagnostic centers sub-segment accounted for approximately 31.5% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market value share in 2014, and is expected to gain market share to account for 31.8% of the global market by 2020.Request and Download Sample Report @On the basis of component, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into transmitter & monitors, sensors and insulin pumps. Among the aforementioned sub-segments, transmitter & monitors is expected to dominate the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market with over 39% market share throughout the forecast period. Owing increasing trend of sedentary lifestyle in some developing and developed economies such as India, China and Japan, and increasing obesity rate globally, demand for continuous glucose monitoring is expected to increase significantly in the near future.Value wise share in the report has been provided for key players in the market, which includes Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott and cumulative share of other players. Medtronic dominated the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period, expanding at a CAGR of 11.2%.Geography-wise, North America was dominant, accounting for over 50% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 in terms of revenue. However, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) is foreseen to witness a relatively high CAGR during the forecast period.Competitive LandscapeKey players considered in the continuous glucose monitoring systems market include Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott, OmniPod, Animas, Glysens, Roche, Ypsomed and Bayer.Buy Full Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market Report @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global PCB & PCBA Market: Flourishing Consumer Electronics Industry to Drive Growth Prospects of Market

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QYResearchReports has added a report, titled Global PCB & PCBA Market Research Report 2017, to its expansive database of market research reports. A PCB or printed circuit board electrically connects and mechanically supports electronic components. Some of the components soldered on printed circuit board include, resistors, capacitors, and active devices. It makes use of conductive pads, tracks, and other features etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. A PCBA stands for Printed Circuit Board Assembly, wherein the bare board is stuffed with electronic components to form a PCA or printed circuit assembly.Some of the growth factors boosting the global PCA and PCBA market are the thriving electronics industry and communication sector. The demand for PCA and PCBA is also high from the military and aerospace sector. The automotive industry is witnessing tremendous growth owing to a rise in population and with it, an increase in the demand for transportation. This in turn is spelling growth for the global PCB and PCBA market. The medical industry is another application area for printed circuit assembly and printed circuit board assembly. As there is an alarming rise in the incidences of chronic diseases, there is an increasing investment in the development of medical devices. Moreover, technological advancements have also fueled the development of many new medical devices. This is creating a heightened demand for printed circuit assembly and printed circuit board assembly, boosting the market across the globe.Get free sample copy of the report at:Rapid industrialization is being witnessed, especially across the developing nations in Asia Pacific. This is fueling the growth prospects for the global printed circuit assembly and printed circuit board assembly market. The increasing penetration of laptops and computers is another important growth driver for this market. The manufacturing of laptops and computers require PCB and PCBA and thus, the market is anticipated to witness a high growth within the forecast period, states the lead author of this report.On the basis of product type, the global printed circuit assembly and printed circuit board assembly market is segmented into Standard Multilayer, Rigid 1-2Sided, HDI, Flexible Circuits, IC Substrate, and Rigid Flex. On the basis of application, the market is segmented into consumer electronics, industrial/medical, computer, military/aerospace, communications, and automotive.To check avail discount on this report, visit at:The report profiles key players operating within the global PCB and PCBA industry for the purpose of study. The business and financial overview of these companies along with their recent developments have been studied in the report. The business strategies employed by these companies to stay in the competitive market have also been discussed in the report. Some of the players in the market are: CCTC, Wuzhou Group, Shinko Electric Ind, Redboard, Kinwong, Shennan Circuits, and Aoshikang.List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of PCB & PCBAFigure Global Production Market Share of PCB & PCBA by Type in 2015Figure Product Picture of Rigid 1-2SidedTable Major Manufacturers of Rigid 1-2SidedFigure Product Picture of Standard MultilayerTable Major Manufacturers of Standard MultilayerFigure Product Picture of HDITable Major Manufacturers of HDIFigure Product Picture of IC SubstrateTable Major Manufacturers of IC SubstrateFigure Product Picture of Flexible CircuitsTable Major Manufacturers of Flexible CircuitsFigure Product Picture of Rigid FlexTable Major Manufacturers of Rigid FlexFigure Product Picture of OthersTable Major Manufacturers of OthersTable PCB & PCBA Consumption Market Share by Application in 2015Figure Consumer Electronics Examples...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact US:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Motorized Quadricycle Market in Europe to Rise at 4.8% CAGR By 2027

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The report expects that Europes motorized quadricycles market will witness sizeable growth in France, Germany and Russia. Among European countries, France is estimated to remain dominant over the forecast period owing to increasing demand for eco-friendly small size vehicles and stringent government regulations. U.K.s motorized quadricycle market, meanwhile, is estimated witness high growth opportunities, owing to rising efforts taken by domestic manufacturers and low penetration of motorized quadricycles in its auto-markets.In Europe, motorized quadricycles continue to be an attractive vehicle segment, especially among urbanites. Many consumers in European countries such as Germany, France and the UK, among others, are opting for electric quadricycle over compact cars. In addition to this, car rental companies in Europe are providing motorized quadricycles on rent and promoting their use in the regions automobile market. Persistence Market Researchs latest report on Europes motorized quadricycle market reveals that such factors will bolster the markets growth, which is expected to reach US$ 456.9 Mn by registering global sales of over 37,000 units towards the end of 2027.A sample of this report is available upon request @The report, titled Motorized Quadricycles Market: Europe Industry Analysis 20122016 and Forecast 20172027, also projects that the European market for motorized quadricycles, which is likely to be valued at US$ 268.3 Mn by 2017-end, will soar at a steady CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. However, the markets growth in terms of volume is expected to subpar, representing a 3.9% CAGR over the forecast period. Key factors restraining the growth of Europes motorized quadricycle market include:Technical and economic limitations: Despite the various advantages that the motorized quadricycles offer, many customers feel reluctant to buy a motorized quadricycle due to their high costs.High emission levels: With regards to transition to higher emission levels, the existing regulatory scenario in European countries creates a point of concern for quadricycle manufacturers, who are already combating at the pricing front.Sub-A segment cars: Demand for low cost, Sub-A segment cars  micro cars that are filling the space between a quadricycle and a compact passenger car  is gaining traction in countries such as France.Request to view table of content @By product-type, the light quadricycles segment is estimated to represent dominant market share through 2027. Around 88% of Europes motorized quadricycle revenues in 2017 are expected to be accounted by light-weight quadricycles. Demand for electric motorized quadricycles, however, is expected to be lesser than that of motorized quadricycles equipped with conventional fuel motors. By the end of 2027, over 68% of Europes motorized quadricycles revenues will be accounted by quadricycles operating on conventional fuels. The report also profiles leading players in Europes motorized quadricycle market, which include Renault SA, Bajaj Auto Ltd., Automobile CHATNET, Ligier Group, Aixam-Mega, Tecno Meccanica Imola SpA, Grecav Auto Srl.Buy Full Europe Motorized Quadricycles Market Report@About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
4WD Tractor Market Analysis- Size, Share, Growth and Application Analysis To 2022

4WD Tractor Market

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The Global 4WD Tractor Market Research Report 2017 to 2022 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the 4WD Tractor Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Analysis of 4WD Tractor Industry Key Manufacturers:John Deere, New Holland, Kubota, Mahindra, Kioti, CHALLENGER, AGCO, Claas, Case IH, JCB, AgriArgo, Same Deutz-Fahr, Zetor, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Balwan Tractors (Force Motors Ltd.), Indofarm Tractors, Sonalika International, YTO Group, LOVOL, Zoomlion, Shifeng, Dongfeng farm, Wuzheng, Jinma.The potential of this industry segment has been rigorously investigated in conjunction with primary market challenges. The present market condition and future prospects of the segment has also been examined. Moreover, key strategies in the market that includes product developments, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, etc., are discussed. Besides, upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also conducted.Browse Complete Report with TOC @The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the 4WD Tractor industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development. Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations.Market segment by Type:Below 100 Engine Horsepower100-470 Engine HorsepowerAbove 470 Engine HorsepowerMarket segment by Application:Agriculture ApplicationIndustrial ApplicationOtherEvery regions market has been studied thoroughly in this report which deals with the precise information pertaining to the Marketing Channels and novel project investments so that the new entrants as well as the established market players conduct intricate research of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the status of the environment and products up gradation, the market report foretells each and every detail.So as to fabricate this report, complete key details, strategies and variables are examined so that entire useful information is amalgamated together for the understanding and studying the key facts pertaining the global 4WD Tractor Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-2 Global 4WD Tractor Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global 4WD Tractor Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global 4WD Tractor Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global 4WD Tractor Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global 4WD Tractor Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers 4WD Tractor Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 4WD Tractor Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 4WD Tractor Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 4WD Tractor Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global 4WD Tractor Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global 4WD Tractor Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global 4WD Tractor Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 United States 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 EU 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 South Korea 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India 4WD Tractor Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)...About Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-
4G Smart Device Chip Industry 2017 Market Expected To Experience The Highest Growth In The Upcoming Future

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https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/report-detail/4G-Smart-Device-Chip-Industry-2017-Market

The Global 4G Smart Device Chip Industry 2015 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the 4G Smart Device Chip industry.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.The 4G Smart Device Chip market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.Request For Free Sample Of The Report @Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report focuses on global major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out.The 4G Smart Device Chip industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.Obtain Report Details @With 165 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.About UsAlltake Market Research is division of the Alltake LLC. that offers premium quality market intelligence, market research, industry analysis reports & forecast data for different domains across the business industry.Alltake Market Research understands the importance of market analysis for any strategy that is implemented in any organization or association. In order to provide the best solution, Alltake Market Research have associated with major organizations within market research and consultancy firm. This portfolio offers market analysis report at one place for different business verticals. Alltake Market Research ensures to offer you with the most reliable and quality market research available.Contact UsAlltake Market Research16192, Coastal Highway Lewes,DE 19958, United StatesUS - 188 8587 9717UK - 4480 0680 0195Email sales@alltakemarketresearch.com
How the Global Order Management Applications Software Market is Projected to Grow During 2017-2025?

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The management of accounts and orders manually, with the increasing volume, is now a difficulty faced by many organisations. In addition to that, the increase in the growth of companies globally, also demands the need for the management of the companys accounts and order.A sample of this report is available upon request @The orders can be come from businesses or consumers or may be from both. As a result to that, Order management applications software provides a platform for efficiently managing the accounts and orders of the organisations. Order management applications software eliminates the need of entering the data and orders manually reducing the scope for error as well. In addition to that, order management applications software very efficiently maintains the updated records of vendors, consumers, refunds and information regarding the billings and payments.Order management applications software has thus been adopted in many domains like healthcare, financials etc. The Order management applications software results into an improved sales visibility, customer relation and order processing.Order Management Applications Software Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing number of transactions globally is the major driver for the order management application software market. The user friendly interface of order management applications software has increased its adoption globally. The growth of various companies results into the need of management of their data and orders, acting as a driver for order management applications software market. Order management applications software market sees its growth due to its efficient functioning as well as less operational cost.The inconsistencies in the performances of order management applications software and changing regulations related to the same acts as a restraint in the growth of the s order management applications software market.Global Order Management Applications Software Market: Market SegmentationGlobal Order Management Applications Software Market can be divided into the following segments - based on Deployment type and End-user.Segmentation on basis of Deployment type for Order Management Applications Software Market:The major segments of Order Management Applications Software market on basis of Deployment type include:On-premises: In on-premise order management applications software the ERP systems are installed locally on the computer systems or server by the companys own IT staffCloud: In cloud based order management applications software the software is accessed on a common server or a web browserSegmentation on basis of End User for Order Management Applications Software Market:The major segments of Order Management Applications Software market on basis of End user include:Retail IndustryTelecommunicationsHealthcarePharmaceuticalFinancialSecurityRegional OverviewThe order management applications software market is sub-segmented into 7 key regions- North America, Latin America, East Europe, West Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa.The APAC region is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the order management applications software market. The major reason being the increasing orders from different locations and for various products and services across the globe.In the developed economies of the US and Canada, there is a high focus on order management applications software to streamline their order book processThe North American is expected to have highest market share, followed by Europe in order management applications software market.Global Order Management Applications Software Market Technology TrendsThe focus on improving the preciseness and accuracy of the order management applications software is what the companies are looking after for increasing their sales. Inventor visibility is the most important technology enabler of the order management applications software.Global Order Management Applications Software Competitive LandscapeKey PartnershipJDA Software Group, Inc. and IBM Corporation partnered to improve the order management software. An enhanced order management applications software was produced because of the integration of JDAs intelligence with IBMs order management software.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Key PlayersSome of the major Order Management Applications Software global players include Epicor Software Corporation, Oracle, Microsoft, JDA Software Group, Inc., Sage Software Australia Pty Ltd, Fishbowl, IBM Corporation, GT Nexus, Kinaxis and Logility.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Market Analysis on Industrial Silica -Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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Albany, New York, September 29, 2017: A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine, Industrial Silica Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025 is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Request for Sample Report:Demand for fiberglass is high, due to its excellent functional and mechanical properties such as low weight and resistance to corrosion and heat. Thus, these resins are used in a wide range of end-user industries such as automotive. Usage of fiberglass in wind turbines is the fastest-growing application segment due to high demand for renewable energy and fast installation rate of wind turbines across the globe. Besides this, the fiberglass industry in China obtains subsidies from the government, enabling it to export fiberglass at a low cost to Europe and North America. Therefore, rising demand for industrial silica from fiberglass application is expected to drive the industrial silica market during the forecast period. Oil well cementing is one of the key operations in the oil & gas industry. A blend of amorphous, spherical, micro-silica in combination with industrial silica provides higher temperature sustainability. The blended mixture increases temperature resistance to a large extent. Therefore, rising demand for high temperature cementing in oil wells is anticipated to provide lucrative opportunities for the industrial Silica market during the forecast period.This study analyzes, estimates, and forecasts the global industrial silica market in terms of volume (Kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) from 2016 to 2025. The report also analyzes several driving and restraining factors and their impact on the market during the forecast period. The report provides a detailed view of the industrial silica market based on applications. Key applications included in the report are sodium silicate, fiberglass, cultured marble, additive, reinforcing filler, foundry work, ceramic frits & glaze, oilwell cements, glass & clay production, and others (pharmaceutical, etc.). Furthermore, the report segments the market based on key geographies such as North America (the U.S., Canada), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, U.K, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, ASEAN, Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America), and Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa). It also provides market volume and revenue for each application under every regional segment. The industrial silica market is further analyzed into major countries of each region.Global Industrial Silica Market: Research MethodologyPrimary research represents the bulk of our research efforts, supplemented by an extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research includes a search of recent trade, technical writing, internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data, capturing industry participants insights, and recognizing business opportunities.Secondary research sources that are typically referred to include company websites, annual reports, financial reports, broker reports, investor presentations, and SEC filings, internal and external proprietary databases, and relevant patent and regulatory databases. Other sources include national government documents, statistical databases, and market reports, news articles, and press releases and webcasts specific to the companies operating in the market.Make an Enquiry:Based on applications and countries, the report analyzes the attractiveness of each segment with the help of an attractiveness tool. The study includes value chain analysis, which provides a better understanding of key players in the supply chain (from raw material manufacturers to end-users). Additionally, the study analyzes market competition and industry players using Porters five forces analysis.Global Industrial Silica Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report includes an overview of the market share of key companies in the global industrial silica market. Key players profiled in the industrial silica study include Premier Silica LLC, International Silica Industries Company PLC, U.S. Silica Holdings Inc., Sil Industrial Minerals Inc., Adwan Chemical Industries Co. Ltd, Delmon Group of Companies, Opta Minerals Inc., Al Marbaie Est., Saudi Emirates Pulverization Industries Company, Short Mountain Silica, AGSCO Corporation, Al-Rushaid Group, and FINETON Industrial Minerals Limited.The report segments the global industrial silica market into:Industrial Silica Market  By ApplicationSodium SilicateFiberglassCultured MarbleAdditive (Paints, etc.)Reinforcing filler (plastics, rubber, etc.)Foundry work (metal alloy, etc.)Ceramic frits & glazeOilwell CementGlass & Clay ProductionOthersIndustrial Silica Market  Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaS.CanadaEuropeFranceK.GermanyItalyRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East and AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East and AfricaContinueBrowse Full Report with TOC:About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY  12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comFollow Us on LinkedIn-Follow Us On Twitter-
Blood Bank Information Management System Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022

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The Global Blood Bank Information Management System Market Research Report 2017 to 2022 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Blood Bank Information Management System Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Analysis of Blood Bank Information Management System Industry Key Manufacturers:Roper Industries, Haemonetics, Cerner Corporation, McKesson, Mak-System, Integrated Medical Systems, Mediware, Compugroup, SCC Soft Computer, Zhongde Gaoye, Blood Bank Computer Systems, Jinfeng Yitong, Fengde, IT Synergistics, Psyche Systems.The potential of this industry segment has been rigorously investigated in conjunction with primary market challenges. The present market condition and future prospects of the segment has also been examined. Moreover, key strategies in the market that includes product developments, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, etc., are discussed. Besides, upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also conducted.Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Blood Bank Information Management System Market on a regional as well as global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain.The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market. In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment.Browse Complete Report with TOC @The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Blood Bank Information Management System industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development. Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations.Every regions market has been studied thoroughly in this report which deals with the precise information pertaining to the Marketing Channels and novel project investments so that the new entrants as well as the established market players conduct intricate research of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the status of the environment and products up gradation, the market report foretells each and every detail.So as to fabricate this report, complete key details, strategies and variables are examined so that entire useful information is amalgamated together for the understanding and studying the key facts pertaining the global Blood Bank Information Management System Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.Check for Discount @About Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-
Impact of Key Factors on the Growth of Global Vibration Meter Market During 2017-2025

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Vibration Meter Market: OverviewVibration Meter is equipment which is being used for measuring the velocity, displacement, and acceleration of any vibrating object. A vibration meter is a device that measures the vibrations and oscillations originating from machines and components. Vibration meters are especially design for measuring the vibration risk management, machine monitoring and vibration analysis of rotatory machines.A sample of this report is available upon request @Vibration meters are being applied in manufacturing, maintenance and in the laboratory also.Vibration meter is mainly used in the machines and in the installation of tools, as well as it is used in the development of various components and to measure their vibrations and oscillations.Vibration Meter Market: DynamicsThe major driving factors of the vibration meter market are such as, transportation industry, electrical equipment industry, agriculture industry, electrical tool industry and power industry. In transportation industry vibration meters is being used for making of transportation equipment. In electrical equipments industry, it is used in making fans, tachometers and in various motors. The agriculture industry is also a major driving factor due to the great usage of vibration meters in various pumps and in the water supplying motors. Vibration meters are also used in power industry in making of power tools. Some restraining factors of vibration meters are such as, it requires external power for operating high capacity tools, and it also requires electronic integration for the displacement. Another major restraining factor is electrical and mechanical noise. Some opportunities in the vibration meter are such as.The automotive industry, in this industry vibration meters, can be used for controlling the gear movement and engagement. Vibration meters can be used for monitoring turbines and compressors. There is also great opportunity in equipment shock, pulsation check and in conveyors. Some latest trends in the vibration market are such as, vibration meters come with an option for internal or external accelerometer, automatic power off, four-level scale indicates the severity of problems for overall vibration and bearing condition, large screen with high resolution for easy navigation and viewing and flashlight for viewing measurement locations in dark areas.Vibration Meter Market: SegmentationBased on the type vibration meter market is segmented into:AnalogDigitalBased on the Industrial application vibration meter market is segmented into:ManufacturingChemical processingOil and gasAgricultural industryPower industryElectrical equipment industryBased on the end use vibration meter market is segmented into:Motors and cam analysisBearing checksGear movement and engagementFansPumpsMonitoring turbinesMachinery comparative studiesVibration Meter Market: Regional OverviewRegarding geography, vibration meter market has been categorized into seven key regions including North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Vibration meter market is expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period due to high demand of electric equipments, in chemical processing, in an automotive and in various other industries. In terms of regions, North America accounts for the significant share of vibration meter market, owing to the high growth and demand for motors and turbines in the region as compared to other developed regions and it holds the major share in the global vibration meter market in terms of production and revenue sharing. Followed by North America, APEJ and Latin America are expected to grow relatively at a higher CAGR during the forecast period since the use of, vibration meter improves the various operations in many industries. The global vibration meter market in Japan is well established and expected to grow at average CAGR over the forecast period. Europe and MEA are expected to expand at sluggish growth rate due to very high population in this region.Vibration Meter Market: Regional SegmentationIn Asia-Pacific, the growth of the vibration meter is significantly high and with comparatively high CAGR in forecast period owed to factors such as such as rapid economic development, globalization and increasing demand of the vibration meter in power industry and its sub-verticals, and high usage of the vibration meter in oil &gas and automotive industry. Also, Over the forecast period, Asia-Pacific market for is anticipated to grow significantly owing to the growth of vibration meter industry in the region. Overall, the global market for vibration meter is expected to grow significantly by the end of forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Vibration Meter Market: Key PlayersDavis InstrumentsExtechFlukeBlamacCastle GroupCole-ParmerHansfordLutron Electronic EnterpriseMCM instrumentsPCE instrumentsReed instruments.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
3D cell culture market by Technology, Application Global Industry Analysis Forecast 2025

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A research study titled, 3D Cell Culture Market by Technology, Application, and End User - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 published by Crystal Market Research, states that the 3D cell culture market is projected to be around $1.8 billion by 2025.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @:3D cell culture is synthetically-created environment in which cells are allowed to grow in all three dimensions unlike 2D cells. 3D cell culture is one of the fastest growing segments in life sciences industry, due to its wide range of applications in cancer research, regenerative medicines, and in-vitro cell assays. This can be attributed to the fact that these cell culture systems have replaced animal models in certain clinical experiments as these cells closely resemble cells in vivo. These 3D cells form natural cell-to-cell interactions as well as facilitate exchange of ions and electrical signals resembling those occurring in vivo. 3D cell cultures are increasingly replacing 2D cell culture as they help to overcome problems associated with the use of 2D cell cultures. However, 3D cell culture is emerging field providing tremendous opportunities for the market growth. High demand for organ transplantation and tissue regeneration, and increasing need of regenerative medicines for diseases such as cancer and diabetes will play vital role in the market growth.Scaffold-based cell cultures have unique property of adjusting biochemical and mechanical property due to which these are widely used in regenerative medicine and 3D printing. Micro patterned surfaces are expected to witness highest growth during the forecast period owing to its high drug reactivity and enzyme activity.Stem cell-based culture systems are expected to witness highest growth in the forecast period, due to their application in tissue and organ regeneration. This leads to large scale adoption of 3D cell culture systems by biotech & pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and diagnostic centers, which further contributes to the market growth. Besides, rise in prevalence of cancer will increase need for cancer research and development of regenerative medicines that will drive the market during forecast period.Browse Market Research Report @:North America accounted for almost two-fifth of the global share of 3D cell cultures market in 2016. This is primarily attributed to a number of factors such as large number of research laboratories, collaboration of biotech and pharma companies for developing advance technology, and various government initiatives to support research and development of 3D cell culture systems in North America.Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period, due to increase in stem cell research in countries such as India, China, and Japan. Many key players are focusing on Asia-Pacific regions due to low cost of operations in this region. Companies are focusing on developing technologies tailored for particular research activity. For instance, in 2014, Japan based company, Reprocell acquired Human Tissue supplier Bioserve for integrating pluripotent stem cell technology and 3D cell culture technology to enhance efficiency of drug testing and cancer research.Some of the major companies include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Nano 3D Biosciences, Promocell GmbH, Corning Inc., Biomatrix, Lonza, VWR International, LLC, Tecan Trading AG., 3D Biotek LLC., Global Cell Solutions, Inc., and InSphero AG.About Crystal Market ResearchCrystal Market Research is a U.S. based market research and business intelligence company. Crystal offers one stop solution for market research, business intelligence, and consulting services to help clients make more informed decisions. It provides both syndicated as well as customized research studies for its customers spread across the globe. The company offers market intelligence reports across a broad range of industries including healthcare, chemicals & materials, technology, automotive, and energy.Contact:304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesToll Free: +1-888-213-4282Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.comWebsite:
Health Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market by Technology, Application & Geography  Analysis & Forecast to 2024

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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, OthersFor More Details on this Report: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:
Top companies like Luyang Energy-Saving Materials Co., Ltd., RHI AG, Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. Are Dominating Global High Temperature Insulation Materials Market

Global High Temperature Insulation Materials Market ? Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024

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Global High Temperature Insulation Materials Market By Type (Ceramic Fiber, Insulating Firebrick, Calcium Silicate, Other); By Temperature Range (600C-1100C, 1100C-1500C, 1500C-1700C, 1700C & Above) By Application (Petrochemicals, Ceramics, Glass, Cement, Iron & Steel, Refractory, Powder metallurgy, Aluminum, Others)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Customize Report of Global High Temperature Insulation Materials Market Also Available On RequestAsk for Free Sample Report @This report consists of below pages:No of pages : 350No of Figures: 60No of Tables: 220The Global High Temperature Insulation Materials Market accounted for USD 3.54 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Market Definition:High temperature insulation materials are used in places where the temperature usually remains high. The latest trend in this market is high demand for energy saving, government regulations for emission controls and emerging economies in Asia-Pacific. There is growing demand of high temperature insulation materials for industries such as petrochemicals, ceramics, glass, cement, iron & steel, refractory, powder metallurgy, and aluminum which is, expected to be a major driver of the market over the forecast period.Competitive Analysis:The Global High Temperature Insulation Materials Market is consolidated due to the presence of a limited number of players concentrated in few countries. These major players have adopted various organic as well as inorganic growth strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, and others to strengthen their position in this market.Questions? Well Put You On The Right Path Request Analyst Call @Major Market Drivers: Growing need for energy savings Emission control regulations by governments Rapid industrialization in emerging economies of Asia-PacificMarket Restraint: Carcinogenic nature of ceramic fibersRequest for Detail TOC@Market Segmentation:The high temperature insulation materials market is segmented on the basis of type into ceramic fiber, insulating firebrick, and calcium silicate and other.On the basis of temperature range, the market is segmented into 600C-1100C, 1100C-1500C, 1500C-1700C, 1700C & above.On the basis of application, the market is segmented into petrochemicals, ceramics, glass, cement, iron & steel, refractory, powder metallurgy, aluminum and others.On the basis of geography, the high temperature insulation materials market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others. In 2017, Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the market.Major Market Competitors:Some of the major players in high temperature insulation materials market include Morgan Thermal Ceramics, Luyang Energy-Saving Materials Co., Ltd., RHI AG, Mitsubishi Plastics Inc., 3M Company, Isolite Insulating Products Co. Ltd., Etex Group, Dyson Group PLC, Unifrax I LLC, Almatis GmbH, Bnz Materials Inc., Pyrotek Inc., Hi-Temp Insulation Inc., Cotronics Corporation,5 Adl Insulflex Inc., Insulcon Group, M.E Schupp Industriekeramik GmbH & Co., Skamol A/S, Ibiden Co., Ltd., Cellaris Ltd., ETS Schaefer Corp., Pacor Inc., Par Group, Prairie Ceramic Corp., Rath AG and many more.Read more about This Report @About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit Blog:Follow us on LinkedIn:Data Bridge is an organization lead by well versed forecasters, analysts and researchers who indulge in detailed and diligent research on different markets, trends and emerging opportunities in the successive direction to cater to your business needs. Data Bridge aims to make your organization well acquainted with profound knowledge of the global and local market statistics.Data Bridge Market ResearchOffice Number 402 & 317,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road, HadapsarPune  411028Maharashtra, India
Healthcare assistive robots market NextGen Technological Advancements, Professional Survey & Industry Trends - 2025

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A research study titled, Healthcare Assistive Robots Market by Type - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 published by Crystal Market Research, states that the healthcare assistive robots market is projected to be around $1 billion by 2025.Browse Market Research Report @:Healthcare assistive robots are revolutionizing the eldercare industry. These robots perform physical tasks for the well-being of a people with disability. They can sense, process sensory information and perform actions that benefit older people and people with disabilities.The geriatric population, i.e. people aged 65 and older, is on a rise globally due to the developments in healthcare leading to increase in longetivity. According to the National Institute on Aging, the geriatric population worldwide is expected to grow from 524 million in 2010 to approximately 1.5 billion in 2050. This increase will primarily be driven by falling fertility rates and tremendous improvement in life expectancy. With these trends of global aging statistics, eldercare has gained remarkable importance in recent times. The current healthcare workforce worldwide is not sufficient to meet older patients needs. According to a study conducted by the Eldercare Workforce Alliance, by 2030, an estimated 3.5 million additional direct-care workers and healthcare professional will be needed for treating elderly patients.Rehabilitative robots segment dominated the overall market in 2016, with nearly two-fifth share of the market. These robots considerably reduce the time spent by a therapist on supervision. They are used as treatment aids and can assist a large number of patients under the supervision of a single therapist. Surveillance and security robots market is expected to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period, as the demand for skilled care takers and homecare services is growing due to rising geriatric population.Stroke application segment held the major share of the overall market in 2016, due to increasing incidence of neurological disorders, rising geriatric population, andtechnological advancements in rehabilitative robots. Orthopedics segment will witness a rapid growth during the forecast period due to increased usage of assistive robots in physiotherapy and rising number of injuries related to traffic accidents.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @:North America held the largest share in 2016 and is expected to dominate market for healthcare assistive robots over the forecast period. This substantial market share can be attributed to favorable government funding for research and development and rapid acceptance of technologically advanced robots for healthcare industry. For instance, in 2015, the National Institute of Health announced a $2.2 million funding for the development of three advanced co-robots, which assist the elderly and physically disabled people to improve their mobility. Europe represented the second largest market for rehabilitative and assistive robots in 2016 mainly due to the presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure in the region.The competition in healthcare assistive robots market is intense with large number of players rapidly innovating advanced robotic applications. For instance, in early 2017, Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in minimally invasive robotic assisted surgery, received the CE mark for its latest da Vinci X Surgical system in Europe. Some of the key players in healthcare assistive robots market are Intuitive Surgical, Barrett Technology, ReWalk Robotics Ltd, Interactive Motion Technologies, Inc., KUKA Robot Group, HONDA Motor Co. Ltd., Kinova Robotics, Hansen Medical, Inc., Accuray Incorporated, Hocoma, Omnicell, Inc., Cyberdyne, Inc. and Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc.About Crystal Market ResearchCrystal Market Research is a U.S. based market research and business intelligence company. Crystal offers one stop solution for market research, business intelligence, and consulting services to help clients make more informed decisions. It provides both syndicated as well as customized research studies for its customers spread across the globe. The company offers market intelligence reports across a broad range of industries including healthcare, chemicals & materials, technology, automotive, and energy.Contact:304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesToll Free: +1-888-213-4282Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.comWebsite:
Latin America Peripheral Vascular Device Market Analysis and Forecast Report 2021

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http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-peripheral-vascular-device-market-2104/

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According to the report Latin America peripheral vascular device market, published by Market Data Forecast, the Market was worth USD 868.75 million in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 7.6%, to reach USD 1253.02 million by 2021. Peripheral vascular device is utilized as a part of the treatment of blood vessels outside of the heart and brain.The basic peripheral vascular disease incorporates the plaque developments which causes deficient blood flow because of the narrowing of the arteries. The people who have peripheral artery occlusive disease is consistently increasing globally and in this manner the peripheral vascular device market is venture to develop.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Latin America peripheral vascular device Industry to 2021 @The Latin America peripheral vascular device market will be driven by the rising interest for minimally invasive strategies, upsurge of peripheral vascular diseases, change in way of life and maturing population and the innovative technology in the development of new devices. Be that as it may, the market is limited by stringent administrative framework, repayment issues in many developing nations and highly fragmented market.Free sample of the report is available @The Latin America peripheral vascular device market is segmented on the basis of product types into, stents, embolic protection devices, angioplasty balloons, aortic stent grafts, inferior vena cava filters, synthetic surgical grafts, peripheral vascular accessory devices, vascular closure devices, chronic total occlusion (CTO) devices, PTA balloon catheters. The angioplasty balloon is further divided on the basis of items (ordinary, cutting, scoring and medication covered) and on the material utilized (resistant and semi consistent sorts). In view of stents the market is further segmented as balloon expandable stent, self-expandable stents and secured stents. On the basis of geography, the Latin America market is analyzed under various regions namely Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.Inquire before buying @Major market players include Abbot Laboratories, Angioscore, Boston Scientific Corporation, Bayer AG, Emboline INC among numerous others.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.Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.com
Asia Pacific Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices Market by Product, by Type, by End User

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According to the report Asia Pacific Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices market, published by Market Data Forecast, the Market has been estimated at USD 204.60 Million in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 267.66 Million by 2021, at a CAGR of 5.52% during the forecast period from 2016 to 2021. Critically ill patients require continuous monitoring of their vital parameters. This is done by direct pressure monitoring systems, which are also known as hemodynamic systems. The main function of these systems is to monitor the cardiac activity. The hemodynamic systems give information about blood pressure, blood volume and fluid balance.The market for Hemodynamic Monitoring devices is mainly driven due to technological advancements, growth in the number of people suffering from hypertension, growing diabetes population, and rapid growth in the aging population. However, risks associated with invasive hemodynamic monitoring, such as sepsis, bleeding, hemorrhage, thrombosis, air embolism, and pulmonary capillary necrosis, are challenging the growth of the hemodynamic monitoring systems market in Asia-Pacific region.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Asia Pacific Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices Industry to 2021 @Asia-Pacific market for Hemodynamic Monitoring devices is segmented based on Product and Monitoring Market. By Product, the market is further sub-segmented into Systems and Disposables. By Monitoring type, the market is further sub-segmented into Invasive, Minimally invasive, Non-invasive. By end-users, the market is further sub-segmented into Hospitals, Cath labs, Home and Ambulatory Care. Based on products, disposables segment is estimated to account for the largest share. Based on types, the invasive monitoring systems segment is estimated to account for the largest share. Based on end users, hospitals segment is estimated to account for the largest share. All of these three segments are projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Free sample of the report is available @Geographically, Asia-Pacific market for Hemodynamic Monitoring devices is segmented into China, India, Japan, South Korea and Australia. The Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices market in the Asia-Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR. Growth in aging population and the number of people suffering from diseases in populous countries such as India and China are the factors that are expected to offer significant growth opportunities for Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems.Inquire before buying @Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, PULSION Medical Systems SE, LiDCO Group plc., Cheetah Medical Inc., Deltex Medical Group plc., Hemo Sapiens, Inc., ICU Medical, Inc., Osypka Medical GmbH, Schwarzer Cardiotek GmbH, and Tensys Medical, Inc. are the major players of Asia-Pacific Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices market.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.Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.com
Global and United States Food Robotics Market By players, Regions, Product Type, Consumers Forecast 2017-2022

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"The Report Global and United States Food Robotics In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About United States Food Robotics MarketThis report focuses on the U.S. market and presents volume and value of market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also changes in prices. As an in-depth report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinions in Food Robotics industry.Get Sample copy of this Report @Major CompaniesMitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan)ABB Group (Switzerland)Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (Japan)Rockwell Automation Incorporated (U.S.)FANUC Corporation (Japan)KUKA AG (Germany)Seiko Epson Corporation (Japan)Yaskawa Electric Corporation (Japan)Staubli International Corporation (Switzerland)Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Japan)Universal Robots A/S (Denmark)Bastian Solutions Inc. (U.S.)Johnson-smart (China)Jiangsu Huanyu Robot Technology Co Ltd. (China)Triowin (China)View Sample PDF @Key RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StateCaliforniaTexasNew YorkOthersCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain types of productsFood Robotics Market, by Robotics TypeArticulatedCartesianParallelCylindricalOthersFood Robotics Market, by PayloadLow (10 Kg?100 Kg)Heavy (>100 Kg)Food Robotics Market, by Key ConsumersPalletizingPick & placePackagingRepackagngProcessingOthersView Report @Table of ContentsGlobal and United States Food Robotics In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022Chapter One Global Food Robotics Market Overview1.1 Global Food Robotics Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20171.2 Food Robotics, by Robotics Type 2012-20171.2.1 Global Food Robotics Sales Market Share by Robotics Type 2012-20171.2.2 Global Food Robotics Revenue Market Share by Robotics Type 2012-20171.2.3 Global Food Robotics Price by Robotics Type 2012-20171.2.4 Articulated1.2.5 Cartesian1.2.6 Parallel1.2.7 Cylindrical1.2.8 Others1.3 Food Robotics, by Payload 2012-20171.3.1 Global Food Robotics Sales Market Share by Payload 2012-20171.3.2 Global Food Robotics Revenue Market Share by Payload 2012-20171.3.3 Global Food Robotics Price by Payload 2012-20171.3.4 Low (10 Kg?100 Kg)1.3.6 Heavy (>100 Kg)Chapter Two United States Food Robotics Market Overview2.1 United States Food Robotics Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20172.2 Food Robotics, by Robotics Type 2012-20172.2.1 United States Food Robotics Sales Market Share by Robotics Type 2012-20172.2.2 United States Food Robotics Revenue Market Share by Robotics Type 2012-20172.2.3 United States Food Robotics Price by Robotics Type 2012-20172.2.4 Articulated2.2.5 Cartesian2.2.6 Parallel2.2.7 Cylindrical2.2.8 Others2.3 Food Robotics, by Payload 2012-20172.3.1 United States Food Robotics Sales Market Share by Payload 2012-20172.3.2 United States Food Robotics Revenue Market Share by Payload 2012-20172.3.3 United States Food Robotics Price by Payload 2012-20172.3.4 Low (10 Kg?100 Kg)2.3.6 Heavy (>100 Kg)Chapter Three Food Robotics by Regions 2012-20173.1 Global Food Robotics Sales Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.2 Global Food Robotics Revenue Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.3 Global Food Robotics Price by Regions 2012-20173.4 North America3.4.1 United States3.4.1.1 California3.4.1.2 Texas3.4.1.3 New York3.4.1.4 Others in United States3.4.2 Canada3.5 Latin America3.5.1 Mexico3.5.2 Brazil3.5.3 Argentina3.5.4 Others in Latin America3.6 Europe3.6.1 Germany3.6.2 United Kingdom3.6.3 France3.6.4 Italy3.6.5 Spain3.6.6 Russia3.6.7 Netherland3.6.8 Others in Europe3.7 Asia & Pacific3.7.1 China3.7.2 Japan3.7.3 India3.7.4 Korea3.7.5 Australia3.7.6 Southeast Asia3.7.6.1 Indonesia3.7.6.2 Thailand3.7.6.3 Philippines3.7.6.4 Vietnam3.7.6.5 Singapore3.7.6.6 Malaysia3.7.6.7 Others in Southeast Asia3.8 Africa & Middle East3.8.1 South Africa3.8.2 Egypt3.8.3 Turkey3.8.4 Saudi Arabia3.8.5 Iran3.8.6 Others in Africa & Middle EastChapter Four Global Food Robotics by Companies 2012-20174.1 Global Food Robotics Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20174.2 Global Food Robotics Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20174.3 Global Top Companies Food Robotics Key Product Model and Market Performance4.4 Global Top Companies Food Robotics Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Five United States Food Robotics by Companies 2012-20175.1 United States Food Robotics Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20175.2 United States Food Robotics Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20175.3 United States Top Companies Food Robotics Key Product Model and Market Performance5.4 United States Top Companies Food Robotics Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceSend An Enquiry Request @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
2017-2022 Wine Packaging Container Report on United States and Global Market

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https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/2017-2022-wine-packaging-container-report-on-united-states-and-global-market-status-and-forecast-by-players-types-and-applications.htm

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "2017-2022 Wine Packaging Container Report on United States and Global Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications" to its huge collection of research reports.The new market report details in-depth current and past analytics and statistics about the global Wine Packaging Container market. The report elaborates upon the global Wine Packaging Container market in detail in terms of the factors that are currently shaping the markets growth trajectory, the segmentation of the global Wine Packaging Container market by key relevant criteria, and an analysis of the markets value and supply chains.The study presents an analysis of data gathered and collated through primary and secondary research exploring the various aspects of the global Wine Packaging Container market. The analytical data given in this report has been collated by experienced market experts and is supplemented by visual representation of the information in the form of helpful infographics. The detailed analysis provided in the report and the standard and reliable analytical tools used to analyze it make this report a vital tool for all participants in the global Wine Packaging Container industry. It thus fulfills a need that not many companies can satisfy on their own: detailed and accurate analysis of the market they are operating in.The major players in United States Wine Packaging Container market include Amcor Ltd., Ardagh Group, Gerresheimer AG, Owens-Illinois Inc., Rexam plc, Smurfit Kappa Group, Acorn Paper, Bormioli Rocco, Brick Packaging, Consol Glass, Hindusthan National Glass & Industries, Koa Glass, Piramal Glass, Saint-Gobain, Scholle, Stolzle Glass, Vetropack Holding, Victory Paper and Packaging, Vidrala, Vitro Packaging.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Micro- and macroeconomic factors affecting the growth trajectory of the United States Wine Packaging Container market both positively and negatively have been studied in the report. The impact of these key factors on the global Wine Packaging Container market in the forecast period is explained and, with the help of this qualitative and quantitative analysis, accurate forecasts are presented for the United States Wine Packaging Container markets development in the given forecast period. The changing trends and dynamics of the global Wine Packaging Container market, following on from those observed in the historical study period, are charted from 2017 to 2022.Segmentation of the United States Wine Packaging Container market by various relevant criteria is elaborated upon in the report; each segment is examined in terms of its historical performance and the growth potential it offers in the coming years to provide a detailed analytical view of the market to the reader. The rigorous analysis of the global Wine Packaging Container market will help emerging and established market players devise beneficial plans for the forecast period based on their current position in the market hierarchy.Browse full table of contents and data tables of Report @Table of Contents2017-2022 Wine Packaging Container Report on United States and Global Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications1 Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation2 Wine Packaging Container Market Overview2.1 Wine Packaging Container Product Overview2.2 Wine Packaging Container Segment by Types (Product Category)2.2.1 United States Wine Packaging Container Sales and Growth (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)2.2.2 United States Wine Packaging Container Sales Market Share (%) by Types (Product Category) in 20162.2.3 Glass PackagingEnquiry For Discount Visit @List of Tables and FiguresTable Research Programs/Design for This ReportFigure Bottom-up and Top-down Approaches for This ReportFigure Data TriangulationTable Key Data Information from Secondary SourcesTable Global Wine Packaging Container Market Size Comparison and Growth (%) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure North America Wine Packaging Container Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2022)Figure Asia-Pacific Wine Packaging Container Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2022)Figure Europe Wine Packaging Container Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2022)Figure South America Wine Packaging Container Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2022)Figure Middle East and Africa Wine Packaging Container Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2022)Figure Global Wine Packaging Container Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Wine Packaging Container Sales (K Pieces) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Torque Sensor Market: Industry Analysis and Detailed Profiles of top Industry Players

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/torque-sensors-market.asp

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According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research, titled Global Market Study on Torque Sensor: Rotary Torque Sensor Expected To Be the Most Valuable Product Type Segment throughout the Forecast Period, the global torque sensor market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,105.9 Mn by the end of 2015, and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2015 to 2021 to reach US$ 1,889.9 Mn by 2021.The torque sensor is a device used for measuring the torque of rotating systems such as electric motors, engine, gearbox, draft shaft, etc. Torque measurement and monitoring are an important parameter in all machines and engines.Obtain Report Details @The global torque sensor market is expected to witness a significant growth during the forecast period (2015-2021). Various factors, such as emerging applications of torque sensors, rising demand for precise torque measurement technology, and high demand from the automotive application segment, are driving the growth of the global torque sensor market currently. Furthermore, trends that follow with the growth of torque sensor market include: development of non-contact & wireless sensors, growing adoption of quality standard specifications (such as ISO 9000), and imposition of strict government regulations related to machine safety in developed countries.The global torque sensor market is segmented on the basis of product type, mechanical configuration, application, and region. On the basis of product type, the global torque sensor market is segmented into different types of torque sensor products. The rotary torque sensor segment is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period, with high revenue contribution. By the end of 2015, the rotary torque sensor segment is expected to hold more than 53% share of the global torque sensor market. However, by 2021, the segment is expected to lose its market share to other product types segments.Download Table Of Content @In terms of mechanical configuration, the flange style segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period. However, in 2014, revenue generated by the flange segment was low as compared to the other segments.On the basis of application, the automotive & transportation application segment held the largest share of the global torque sensor market in 2014, and it is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period. Factors which are driving the growth of the global torque sensor market in the automotive & transportation application segment include increasing adoption of torque sensors in various automotive systems, the introduction of new types of torque sensors by key players, and increasing demand for electric-powered steering systems in vehicles.Get Sample copy of the Report @The report provides in-depth information about various factors and trends affecting each market segment and provides analysis and insights about the potential of the torque sensor market in specific regions. On the basis of region, the global torque sensor market is segmented into five regions. Among these, APAC is expected to dominate the market, accounting for 31.9% value share of the market by the end of 2015, and it is expected to remain dominant till 2021. However, the Middle East & Africa market is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Key market players in the global torque sensor market include ABB Ltd., ATI Industrial Automation, Inc., FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc., Interface Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Crane Electronics Ltd., Kistler Holding AG, HBM GmBH, Sensor Technology Ltd., and Datum Electronics Limited. Key market players are focusing on product innovations and launch of new products to cater to the emerging needs of the customers. For example, in June 2013, ATI Industrial Automation, Inc. launched Wireless F/T, for up to six ATI multi-axis force/torque transducers, which can be powered by internal battery as well as an external power source. In April 2015, Crane Electronics Ltd. launched RFm, which enables reading of torque and angle values in real time and converts them into digital values.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.ContactPersistence Market ResearchU.S. Sales Office:305 Broadway, 7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesUSA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353
Global Bakery & Cereals in Singapore At a CAGR 6.5% - Opportunity Analysis and Forecast to 2021

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"The Report Top Growth Opportunities: Bakery & Cereals in Singapore provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Bakery & Cereals in Singapore Market"Top Growth Opportunities: Bakery & Cereals in Singapore", provides an overview of the Bakery & Cereal market, analyzing market data, demographic consumption patterns within the category, and the key consumer trends driving consumption. GlobalDatas propriety Risk vs Reward Opportunity model pinpoints the best growth opportunities for Bakery & Cereal producers, suppliers and retailers by combining robust, granular data and expert insight. The report uses this framework to identify the best opportunities, analyze white spaces in the market, and outline new product development that will effectively target the most pertinent consumer need states. These are combined to offer strategic recommendations to capitalize on evolving consumer landscapes.Get Sample copy of this Report @This report provides recommended actions and detailed analysis of how to target the best growth opportunities for Bakery & Cereal producers and retailers. Readers can understand what categories, channels, companies, and consumers will drive the success of Bakery & Cereal markets in Singapore through GlobalDatas detailed and robust data, expert insight, and case studies.GlobalDatas Top Growth Opportunity reports use a risk versus reward opportunity model to identify the best growth markets for Bakery & Cereal producers. Through this in-depth study of market and category dynamics, readers are able to identify key opportunities, and what they need to do in order to target them.Get access to -- Key consumer demographic groups driving consumption within Singapore market. Improve your consumer targeting by understand whos driving the market, what they want, and why- A study of market value and volumes over 2011-2016 for Singapore, supplemented with category, brand and packaging analysis that shows the current state of the market, and how it will evolve over the 2016-2021 period- White space analysis, to pinpoint attractive spaces in the market and the key actions to take- Insight into the implications behind the data, and analysis of how the consumer needs will evolve in the short-to-medium term future- Examples of international and US-specific product innovation targeting key consumer needsView Sample PDF @Scope- Despite having the smallest market value among the countries studied, Singapores Bakery & Cereals market is stable and growing steadily, with a forecast CAGR of 6.5% over 2016-2021. This growth is underpinned by a number of factors, including the countrys economy, developed retail market, and favorable import conditions.- Singapore ranks seventh amongst the top ten Bakery & Cereals markets in terms of per capita expenditure (in US$ terms), larger than the UAE, Malaysia, and China.- The Singaporean Bakery & Cereals market is led by the Bread & Rolls and Cookies (Sweet Biscuits) categories in value terms, which grew at a CAGR of 5.8% and 2.7% respectively, during 2011-2016 and are expected to grow at CAGRs of 7.2% and 4.9% respectively, in the next five years.Reasons to buy- This report brings together consumer analysis and market data to provide actionable insight into the behavior of Singapore Bakery & Cereal consumers.- This is based on GlobalDatas unique consumer data, developed from extensive consumption surveys and consumer group tracking, which quantifies the influence of 20 consumption motivations in the Baekry & Cereal sector.- Category, brand, and packaging dynamics are also examined. This allows product and marketing strategies to be better aligned with the leading trends in the market.View Report @Table of Contents1. Introducing a top growth market for Bakery & CerealsTop 10 global growth opportunities scoresTop global issuesAssessment against global strategic issuesGlobalDatas strategic issues mapPredicted future issues for the global sectorReward and risk assessmentOpportunity score overviewConsumer spending trends peer group comparisonsPolitical, Economic, Social, and Technological AnalysisEnablers and inhibitors of growthRewards and opportunities for growthSummary of the market2. Market insight identifying the opportunities to move intoMarket growth by categoryValue growth of the marketVolume growth of the marketLevel of premiumization by categoryCategory analysis key drivers of change3. Retail and distribution insight key channels and retailers driving growthBakery & Cereals retail channel shareKey Retail Channel trendsRoutes to marketDrivers of change in the sector4. Company and brand insight the competitive landscape definedCategory fragmentationCompany and brand strengthPrivate label penetrationBrand share by leading supplierInternational and domestic brand analysisCompany and brand strength summary5. Consumer insight who, what, when, where and whyStrategic issues mapKey consumer driver implicationsKey consumers trendsConsumer groupsKey Health & Wellness trendsHow Health &Wellness benefits will contribute to growthPenetration of Health and Wellness claims by categoryConsumer trends summary6. Product and packaging insightsKey Product InsightsTrends and strategic issues other notable product trendsProduct & Packaging insights Key product innovation case studiesKey product innovation case studiesKey Packaging InsightsTrends and strategic issuesProduct launch key takeoutsSend An Enquiry Request @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
2012-2022 Global and Regional Vector Network Analyzer Market Demand, Solutions, SWOT Analysis- Keysight Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "2012-2022 Global and Regional Vector Network Analyzer Demand, Consumption by Type, Application Market Report" to its huge collection of research reports.Considering the dynamic business environment within the global Vector Network Analyzer market, companies are in favor of keeping strategies enabling competitive advantage right up their sleeves. This is however difficult achieve without exhaustive and accurate information on the market. The report serves this very purpose and is intended to help companies gain a holistic overview of the global Vector Network Analyzer market. It provides refined outlook for the Vector Network Analyzer market between 2017 and 2022. Exhaustive information provided in the report is substantiated with relevant statistics, tables, graphs, and infographs.The major players in global Vector Network Analyzer market include Keysight Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu, Advantest, The 41st Institute of CETC, Transcom Instruments, Copper Mountain Technologies, National Instrument, GS Instrument, OMICRON Lab, AWT Global, Chengdu Tianda Instrument, Nanjing PNA InstrumentsTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Information thus included is obtained via proven methodologies of research and from trusted industrial sources. For the purpose of the study, the report has segmented the global Vector Network Analyzer market based on various criteria. Factors enabling growth in the market across these segments are studied in detail and potential threats are identified. For a more comprehensive perspective, the leading segments are identified. Besides this the report on the global Vector Network Analyzer market also provides data such as growth figures of various segments.The market study is compiled to support the market players in their decision making and help them look beyond competition to emerge at the Vector Network Analyzer markets fore. Hence evaluation of the prevailing competition constitutes a significant chapter provided toward the end of the report. In this section the most prominent enterprises within the global Vector Network Analyzer industry are profiled and studied on the basis of their product portfolio, strategies adopted in the recent past and their impact on the overall Vector Network Analyzer market, financial overview, and the overall development status. In addition, the strengths and weaknesses of the leading players and opportunities and threats that could influence their trajectory in the forthcoming years are studied in detail.Browse full table of contents and data tables of Report @Table of Contents1 Vector Network Analyzer Market Overview11.1 Product Overview and Scope of Vector Network Analyzer11.1.1 Definition of Vector Network Analyzer11.1.2 Specifications of Vector Network Analyzer11.2 Vector Network Analyzer Segment by Types (Product Category)22 Global Vector Network Analyzer Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis (0-10GHz)82.1 Keysight Technologies (E5061A/ E5063A/ E5080A 38K USD/Unit)82.1.1 Company Profile82.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications82.1.2.1 E5061A Vector Network Analyzer Overview83 Global Vector Network Analyzer Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis (10-50GHz)243.1 Keysight Technologies (PNA-L/PNA-X 72K USD/Unit)243.2 Rohde & Schwarz (R&S?ZNB20/R&S?ZNB40/ R&S?ZVT 76K USD/Unit)243.3 Anritsu (MS46122B 69K USD/Unit)24To Get Discount Of This Report Click here @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Vector Network Analyzer1Table Comparison of Main Models from Vector Network Analyzer Major Manufacturers2Figure Physical Measurement Ecosystem3Table Global Vector Network Analyzer Production (Units) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (2012-2022F)3Figure Global Vector Network Analyzer Production Market Share (%) by Types in 20164Figure Europe Vector Network Analyzer Market Size by Value (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)12Figure Japan Vector Network Analyzer Market Size by Value (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)13Figure Southeast Asia Vector Network Analyzer Market Size by Value (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)14Figure India Vector Network Analyzer Market Size by Value (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)15Figure South America Vector Network Analyzer Market Size by Value (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)16Figure Middle East and Africa Vector Network Analyzer Market Size by Value (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)17About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Kao CuCute Foam Spray - Dishwashing Innovation Offering a New Spray-and-rinse Concept Distribution Share Data And Analysis

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"The Report Success Case Study: Kao CuCute Foam Spray - Dishwashing innovation offering a new spray-and-rinse concept provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Dishwashing innovation offering a new spray-and-rinse Market"Success Case Study: Kao CuCute Foam Spray", is part of GlobalDatas Successes and Failures research. It examines the details of and reasons behind the success of the dishwashing innovation in Japan. It delivers the critical "what?", "why?", and "so what?" analysis to teach you crucial lessons that increase your chances of launching successful products as well as avoid the risk.Get Sample copy of this Report @In response to the conventional notion that a sponge is used with dishwashing detergent, Kao CuCute Clear foam spray aims to create a new market with the new concept of "spraying away residue from places a sponge cannot reach." The concept has appealed to consumers in Japan and over 4.2 million bottles were sold between October 2016 and March 2017, twice Kaos original sales target for the product.View Sample PDF @Scope- Consumers in Japan generally do not enjoy cleaning at home, and offering a new benefit in dishwashing appeals to performance-driven consumers in the country.- Kao CuCute is a well-established washing-up liquid brand in Japan, and the spray has not eroded the sales of other items in the line-up, being recommended to be used with the brands core products.- Innovative household cleaning products offering time-saving benefits have opportunities, as consumers are prepared to pay more for household cleaning products with these benefits.View Report @Reasons to buy- Reduce the risk of failure by learning from brands/products that have under-performed: failed innovation can severely impact profit and reputation.- Understand the relevant consumer trends and attitudes that drive and support innovation success so you can tap into what is really impacting the industry.- Gain a broader appreciation of the fast-moving consumer goods industry by gaining insights from both within and outside of your sector.- Access valuable strategic take-outs to help direct future decision-making and inform new product development.Table of ContentsAbout Successes & Failures Case StudiesSummaryWhat?Why?Take-outAppendixSend An Enquiry Request @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Christmas Decoration Market Overview, Environmental Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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The Christmas Decoration Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2022 is a valuable source of insightful data for business strategists. It provides the Christmas Decoration industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable). The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis.For this report, the Christmas Decoration market value is provided for 2016 in USD millions, an expected CAGR % as well as USD million worth of industry in 2022. Regionally, the globe is segmented into United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia and India to study their market size and local analysis. End user applications of Christmas Decoration market covering Residential Decoration and Commercial Decoration are studied in this research. Share of Christmas Decoration market is covered by applications as well supported with potential applications in the future.Buy the complete Christmas Decoration report with Comprehensive table of contents @The research methodology used to estimate and forecast the Christmas Decoration market involves a primary and a secondary research. A systematic procedure has been used to arrive at the global size of the Christmas Decoration market and present revenue of key players in the market. Accurate data has been collected by conducting extensive interviews with people holding key decision making positions in the industry such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and executives.Inquire for discount for this report @Industry chain analysis covering upstream raw materials and equipments of Christmas Decoration market, their suppliers' information as well as analysis of downstream major consumers for Christmas Decoration is provided to understand the complete industry chain structure. Overall market analyzed in this report is divided by regions, types and manufacturers/companies. The research estimates 2017-2022 Christmas Decoration market development trends covering capacity, production and revenue forecasts as well as regional supply consumption forecasts.Towards the end, this report includes a feasibility analysis of New Project Investment covering SWOT analysis of Christmas Decoration OR marketing strategy analysis and market effect factor analysis. Overall, the report provides factual insights collected and analyzed with detailed primary and secondary research on Christmas Decoration market.The research compiles profiles of small and big Christmas Decoration market companies covering their product details as well as important statistics on production, capacity, price and more. These active companies' numbers are supported with information on marketing traders and/or distributors of the Christmas Decoration industry along with their contact information. This data gives valuable industry insights and direction to individuals and/or companies that are new entrants, eyeing to enter or grow in the Christmas Decoration market. Some of the Key vendors profiled in this research include:AmscanBalsam BrandsBarcanaRomanCrab Pot TreesCrystal ValleyTree ClassicsHilltopXiamen Duowang TradeXiamen JianyiPartial list of Tables and Figures for this report include:Table Global Christmas Decoration Capacity Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Christmas Decoration Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Figure Global Christmas Decoration Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2017Figure Global Christmas Decoration Major Players Product Production (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Christmas Decoration Production (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Christmas Decoration Production Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure 2016 Christmas Decoration Production Share by ManufacturersFigure 2017 Christmas Decoration Production Share by ManufacturersFigure Global Christmas Decoration Major Players Product Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Christmas Decoration Revenue (Million USD) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Christmas Decoration Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table 2016 Global Christmas Decoration Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable 2017 Global Christmas Decoration Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable Global Market Christmas Decoration Average Price (USD/Unit) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)About Us:eMarketOrg.com aims to provide businesses and organizations market intelligence products and services that help in making smart, instant and crucial decisions. Our database offers access to insights from industry leaders, experts and influencers on global and regional sectors, market trends, user behaviour, for companies as well as products. With data and information from reputable and trusted private and public sources, our clients are never short of statistics and analysis that are up to date.Contact Details:Ronald Aldensales@emarketorg.cominfo@emarketorg.comeMarketOrg.com aims to provide businesses and organizations market intelligence products and services that help in making smart, instant and crucial decisions. Our database offers access to insights from industry leaders, experts and influencers on global and regional sectors, market trends, user behaviour, for companies as well as products. 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Urothelial Carcinoma Diagnostics Market to Undertake Strapping Growth During 2017 - 2025

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Urothelial Carcinoma or Transitional Cell Carcinoma encompasses cancer in different parts of urinary tract like kidney, bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis. Bladder tumors account for 90-95% of urothelial carcinoma. Urothelial Carcinoma occur more commonly in men than in women with the ratio of 3:1. Tobacco smoking, Coffee drinking, analgesic abuse, some occupational exposures are the factors that promote urothelial carcinoma. The urothelial carcinoma diagnosis involves the tests that are used to examine abdomen and ureter. The initial evaluation of a patient consists of excretory urography using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or intravenous pyelogram. Cystoscopy and brush biopsy are the further diagnostics which significantly increases the diagnostics yield. These diagnostics tests determine the stage and grade of tumor, tumor location and invasiveness of tumor. Early urothelial carcinoma diagnosis improve the chances of patients survival.A sample of this report is available upon request @Urothelial carcinoma of bladder is considered as the 9th most cause of cancer worldwide and 13th most numerous cause of death from cancer. Increases in the incidences of cancer worldwide is fuelling the diagnostics and treatment market. Developed countries are predominantly affected by urothelial cancer than developing countries. New innovative techniques for diagnosis and treatment analysis are coming up these days. Recently, last year Roche receives FDA approval for novel VENTANA PD-L1 biomarker assay as a complementary diagnostic for urothelial cancer patients with PD-L1 status.Urothelial Carcinoma Diagnostics Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe increasing trends of cigarette smoking is increasing the chances of urothelial carcinoma manifold. Occupational exposures are also increasing these days because of industrialization and agents like aromatic amines, arsenic and other chemicals in glass, paint, petroleum, rubber and textile industry etc. are increasing chances of carcinoma. This factors are going to drive the diagnostic market. Moreover, every cancer treatment requires side by side continuous assessment of treatment, this also increase the more usage of diagnostic machines. Technologically advancement, cost-effectiveness, non-invasive procedures, and increased point-of-care diagnostics, identification of new biomarkers are some of the driving factors for the industry. Some factors restraining this industry from growing include sensitivity issues in instruments, increasing carcinogenic mutations, less reimbursement scenario and others.Urothelial Carcinoma Diagnostics Market: SegmentationBy Product Type:Instruments UsedReagents and kitsBy Diagnostic tests:Urine CytologyCystoscopyUltrasound ImagingMagnetic Resonance ImagingComputer Tomography ScanningBiopsyUreteroscopyBy End User:Contract Research OrganizationsAcademic InstitutionsHospitalsDiagnostic centresBy GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaAsia-PacificMiddle East and AfricaUrothelial carcinoma is most seen in older patients and according to United Nations world population is expected to increase by 2.5 billion over the next 40 years and about half of this increase is reflected by the aged people, so high chances of growth of market in this sector would be there. Development of less costly and more non-invasive techniques for diagnosis would be the cutting edge for competitors as better instruments and early detection lowers the mortality rate in urothelial carcinoma cases. One of the example is the innovative technology used by Olympus Corporation in its narrow band imaging technique for better urothelial carcinoma diagnosis and visualization of during cystoscopy.A geographic condition regarding the Urothelial Carcinoma Diagnostics market, it has been segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. Better awareness, new technology and more reimbursement scenario in developed countries like North America and Europe shows the growth of Urothelial Carcinoma Diagnostics Market. In Europe, there were estimated 118,000 cases of bladder cancer and Belgium reports are highest in number worldwide in the scenario of bladder cancer. Currently, lowest incidences of urothelial carcinoma are reported in Asia-Pacific, Latin American and African countries. But according to WHO report, trend of tobacco usage is increasing more in developing countries consequently and due to rapid industrialization more exposure to harmful agents would be there, thus chances of increasing urothelial carcinoma in less developed countries might increase in future further rising the demand for urothelial carcinoma diagnostic equipment and kits.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the global key players in the Urothelial Carcinoma Diagnostics market for manufacturing equipments, kits and reagents for diagnosis are Roche Holding AG, Illumina, IDL Biotech, Pacific edge ltd., Agilent technologies, Olympus Corporation, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare and others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Flue Gas Desulphurization Market Assessment and Forecast Report by Future Market Insights 2015  2025

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Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions are caused by combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Waste materials including tires, municipal solid wastes, industrial process waste, etc. are the other major contributors of sulphur dioxide emissions. All the prominent industrialized nations around the globe have formulated regulations concerning mitigation of carbon and sulphur dioxide emissions. Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) is a technology which removes sulphur dioxide (SO2) from the flue gas emitted from fossil-fuel power plants prior to its release into the atmosphere.Flue gas desulphurization market report assesses the market opportunity for flue gas desulphurization devices, equipment, or machinery. FGD technology is based on the chemical reaction between the warm exhaust gases and limestone which reduces up to 92% of sulphur dioxide from the flue gas. FGD technology is mainly used in coal-fired power stations to remove sulphur dioxide in the flue gases. FGD technology is also referred as sulphur dioxide scrubbing process.Request For Report Sample@Flue Gas Desulphurization Market SegmentsFlue gas desulphurization market can be segmented by method, by type and by application. On the basis of methods of treatment, the flue gas desulphurization market can be segmented into scrubber, SNOX and wet sulphuric acid process. Scrubber method can be further bifurcated into dry and semi-dry process. Based on the solid or flue gases generated by the industry processes, FGD technology can be classified by type as once through and regenerable. Once through system disposes the waste sorbent and regenerable system recycles the sorbent. Regenerable systems are costlier than the once through systems. Both the systems can be further categorized as wet, dry and semi-dry. Cost of maintenance and operation is higher in dry FGD as compared to wet FGD. However, dry FGDs are available at cheaper rate than wet FGDs. FGD technology segmentation by application are cement manufacturing plants, chemical industries, iron and steel industries, power generation and others. Major benefits of FGD Technology are SO2 removal efficiencies from 50-90%, reusable reactive products and inexpensive reagents.Flue Gas Desulphurization Market: Key DriversThe key market drivers of FGD technology is the government regulations in emission control, increase in electricity demand, growth in reagent and equipment replacement market and increase in the number of coal-fired power plants, particularly in APAC countries due to increase in energy demand. Installation coal-fired power plants is a major trend in China and is anticipated to have an increasing demand in India also, in the coming years due to increase in industrialization. Existing and old systems in industrial processes are the key drivers of reagent and equipment replacement market.Visit For TOC@Regional Outlook on Flue Gas Desulphurization MarketAPAC is expected to exhibit a steady growth during the forecast period. Due to the regulatory programs such as Clean Air Interstate rule (CAIR), various state programs such as North Carolina Clean Smokestacks Act will have a positive impact on the demand for FDG installations in electricity utility boilers. Europe and other developing nations are into a decision of reducing nuclear power due to its negative impact on environment which will in turn increase the construction of coal-fired power plants increasing the demand of FDGs. The key market players in FGD market are Alstom S.A., Ducon Technology Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Marsulex Environmental Technologies, Siemens Energy, Babcock and Wilcox.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACTFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Government Support will boost Cardiac Assist Devices market size During Forecast Period 2015  2025

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Heart Failure (HF) is a potentially life-threatening condition that weakens the heart muscle, reduces its ability to pump enough blood throughout the body. Even without a heart transplant, patients' lives can be extended and improved with the use of small, implantable devices called Cardiac Assist Devices.Cardiac Assist Devices (CAD) are type of mechanical pumps that work along with the heart to improve its pumping efficiency and maintain the optimum blood flow throughout the body. The devices are typically employed in patients suffering from End-Stage Congestive Heart Failure, where the chances of survival through oral medications alone become minimal. The scarcity of donor organs has led to the development of these devices.Request For Report Sample@Globally, there are around 23 million cases of HF and around 5.8 million people in United States have HF. About half of the people who develop heart failure die within 5 years of diagnosis.Cardiac Assist Devices Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe Cardiac Assist Devices market is driven by aging population, increasing prevalence of HF, high adaptation rates of these devices, and new technology innovations.Increasing rates of cardiovascular diseases and aging population has boosted the cardiac assist devices market globally. The shortage of donor hearts for transplantation is also leading to an increase in adoption of cardiac assist devices in patients with end-stage heart failure.Cardiac assist devices are also being used as a Bridge-To-Transplantation (BTT), Bridge-To-Recovery (BTR) or Destination Therapy (DT), depending on the requirement of the patient and the severity of the disease. Technological advancements that make the devices more efficient and minimally invasive are expected to further drive the demand for cardiac assist devices in the future.Presence of alternative treatment like heart transplantation, pacemaker and etc. and the few risk which are associated with the device implantation, such as development of blood clots, respiratory failure and device failure and other surgical complications such as bleeding, kidney failure, stroke and infection. Such complication are acting as a barrier in the adoption of such treatment and devices.Cardiac Assist Devices Market: SegmentationThe global market of cardiac assist devices is segmented into following types:Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD)Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps (IABP)Total Artificial Heart (TAH)Further, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) are segmented into the following types based on the defect and placement of the device.Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)Right Ventricular Assist Device (RVAD)Bi-Ventricular Assist Device (Bi-VAD)External Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)Cardiac Assist Devices Market: OverviewWith rapid technological advancement and wide acceptance of cardiac surgery procedures among patients with heart problem, the global cardiac assist devices market is expected to exhibit a double-digit growth in the forecast period (2015-2025).With FDA approving SynCardia Systems Total Artificial Heart to conduct clinical studies on destination therapy, more and more end stage heart failure patient will be benefit from this nature of therapy and the market is expected to expand significantly in the forecast period.Cardiac Assist Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global cardiac assist devices market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.North America is the leading markets for cardiac assist devices with highest prevalent cases with heart failure, technological development, high patient awareness and reimbursement coverage for CAD implantation procedures. Europe is the second largest market followed by Asia Pacific and Japan.Visit For TOC@Cardiac Assist Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in global cardiac assist devices market are Thoratec Corporation, MAQUET GmbH & Co., Teleflex Incorporated, Heart Ware International, Berlin Heart GmbH, ABIOMED and SynCardia Systems, Inc.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACTFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Secretes Of Global Womens Health Diagnostics Market & Industry Analysis to 2024

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The Global Womens Health Diagnostics Market accounted to USD 25.03 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of around 7.9% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Customize Report of Global Womens Health Diagnostics Market Also Available On Request (As per Requirement)Ask for Free Sample Report @This report consists of below pages:No of pages : 350No of Figures: 60No of Tables: 220Global Womens Health Diagnostics Market By Application (Osteoporosis Testing {Bone Densitometry, in Vitro Blood Tests}), Breast Cancer Testing {Mammography, Breast Cancer Tumor Marker Tests, Blood Chemistries and Blood Cell Count Tests, Biopsies}, Ovarian Cancer Test {Ovarian Cancer Tumor Marker Test, Diagnostic Imaging Test}, Cervical Cancer Test {PAP Smear, HPV Test}, Pregnancy and Fertility Test {Lab-Based Test, Pregnancy Testing and Ovulation Prediction Kits, Fertility Monitors}, Prenatal Genetic Screening and Carrier Test {Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome, Torch Infections}, Infectious Disease Test {MRSA Test, Urinary Tract Infection Test, Hepatitis Test, Tuberculosis Test}, Sexually Transmitted Disease Test {Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Test, HIV Test}, Ultrasound Test {Breast Imaging, Obstetrics or Gynecology Imaging}), By End User (Hospitals, Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories), By Geography  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Market Definition:Womens health issues are increasing day by day. Diseases such as cancers of ovarian, cervical, breasts, infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis are prevalent nowadays in women. Rise in geriatric population and lifestyle disorders are the factors which drive the market whereas lack of skilled surgeons or physicians restrain the market.Competitive Analysis:The Global Womens Health Diagnostics Market is highly fragmented and is based on new product launches and clinical results of products. Hence the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, clinical trials, market initiatives, high expense on research and development, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of global womens health diagnostics market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Questions? Well Put You On The Right Path Request Analyst Call @Major Market Drivers: Rise in prevalence of infectious diseases in women. Risingin the number of chronic and lifestyle-related disorders in women. Initiatives taken by government and health organizations. Increased Adoption of Point-Of-Care and Rapid Diagnostic Tests High price of diagnostic imaging systems and procedures hampers the market. Lack skilled physicians or surgeons. Increased regulatory approvals for immunoassay diagnostic techniques.Request for Detail TOC@Market Segmentation:The Global Womens Health Diagnostics Market is segmented by Application into Osteoporosis Testing, Breast Cancer Testing, Ovarian Cancer Test, Cervical Cancer Test, Pregnancy and Fertility Test, Prenatal Genetic Screening and Carrier Test, Infectious Disease Test, Sexually Transmitted Disease Test, Ultrasound Test.Osteoporosis testing is further segmented into bone densitometry and In Vitro blood tests. Breast cancer testing is further segmented into mammography, breast cancer tumor marker tests, blood chemistries and blood cell count tests, biopsies and others. Ovarian cancer testing is further segmented into ovarian cancer tumor marker test, diagnostic imaging test and other tests.Cervical cancer test is further segmented into PAPsmear and HPV test.Pregnancy and fertility test is further segmented into lab-based test, pregnancy testing & ovulation prediction kits and fertility monitors.Prenatal Genetic Screening and Carrier Test arefurther segmented into cystic fibrosis, Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome, torch infections and other diseases.Infectious Disease Test is further segmented into MRSA Test, urinary tract infection test, hepatitis test, tuberculosis test and other tests.Sexually Transmitted Disease Test is further segmented into Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT/NG testing), HIV Test and other STDs.Ultrasound Test is further segmented into breast imaging, obstetrics or gynecology imaging.By End User the market is segmented into hospitals, clinics and diagnostic laboratories.On the basis of geography, global womens health diagnostics market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America & South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, andBrazil among others. In 2017, North America is expected to dominate the market.Major Market Competitors:Some of the major players operating in Global womens health diagnostics market are Siemens AG , Quest Diagnostics Inc., Hologic, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, PerkinElmer Inc., GE Company, BD,bioMerieux SA, Koninklijke Philips N.V., DIALAB GmbH, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, GE Company, GenMark Diagnostics, Inc., Trinity Biotech, Luminex Corporation, Nova Biomedical, PerkinElmer Inc., Toshiba Medical System Corporation, Carestream Health and Hitachi, Ltd. among others.Read more about This Report @About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit Blog:Follow us on LinkedIn:Data Bridge is an organization lead by well versed forecasters, analysts and researchers who indulge in detailed and diligent research on different markets, trends and emerging opportunities in the successive direction to cater to your business needs. Data Bridge aims to make your organization well acquainted with profound knowledge of the global and local market statistics.Data Bridge Market ResearchOffice Number 402 & 317,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road, HadapsarPune  411028Maharashtra, India
Innovative Study of "Global Augmented Reality Software Market" focusing on Major Players like Atheer Inc., Augmate Corporation, Catchoom and among others

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Global Augmented Reality Software Market, By Geography; Software Function (Remote Collaboration, Workflow Optimization, Visualization, Documentation, 3D Modelling, Navigation);Vertical (Consumer,Commercial,Enterprise,Medical,Aerospace & Defense,Oil & Gas,Mining,Telecom and It/Data Centers)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Customize report of "Global Augmented Reality Software Market" as per customers requirment also available.Get Sample Copy of this Report @This report consists of below pages: No of pages : 350 No of Figures: 60 No of Tables:220The Global Augmented Reality Software Market accounted for USD 3.4 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 58.2% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Some of the major players operating in this market are Some of the major players in methyl ester ethoxylates market include Atheer, Inc. Augmate Corporation Hewlett-Packard Development Company. L.P. Blippar Catchoom DAQRI EON Reality Inc. Immerseport Infinity Augmented Reality Inglobe Technologies Jbknowledge, Inc. (US) Kudan (U.K.) Magic Leap, Inc. Marxent Labs LLC Mortar Studios (Australia) PTC, Inc. Pristine Inc. Reflekt GmbH (Germany) Scope AR (Canada) Ubimax GmbH Upskill Viewar GmbH (Austria) Wear S.R.L. (Italy) Wikitude GmbH Zugara, Inc.Major Market Drivers & Restraints: Increased demand for augmented reality in e-commerce and retail stores Growing demand for augmented reality software in consumer electronics Increasing demand for AR-based applications in medical sectors Lack of interaction with physical products Limited processing power and inadequate storageGlobal Augmented Reality Software Market is segmented on the software function, vertical, and geography.For more insightful information visit@On the basis of software function into remote collaboration, workflow optimization, visualization, documentation, and 3d modelling, navigation.On the basis of vertical, the global augmented reality software market is segmented into consumer, commercial,enterprise, medical, aerospace and defense, oil and gas, mining, telecom and IT/data centers.Request for TOC:On the basis of Geography, the global augmented reality software market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others. In 2017, North America is expected to dominate the market.Questions? Well Put You On The Right Path :The Global Augmented Reality Software Market include detailed vendor level analysis for market shares in 2016 for Global, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America specifically. Also impact and development analysis of key vendors is registered in the market and factored on the basis of Vendor Positioning Grid Analysis which measures the vendors strengths and opportunities against present market challenges, measure providers ability to identify or satisfy present market needs, map providers market vision to current and upcoming market dynamics among others. The report also measures technology life line curve and market time line to analyze and do more affective investments.Inquiry before Buying @Other ReportGlobal Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Market, By Geography; Offering (Hardware, Software, Services); Structure (Tunnels Bridges, Buildings Utilities, Dams); Technology (Wired Networking Technology, Wireless Technology); Application (Pore Water Pressure, Soil Stresses, Lateral Deformation, Vertical Deformation), End-Users (Building, Infrastructure, Energy, Power, Oil, Gas, Mining)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogFollow us on LinkedIn:
Perfusion Bioreactors Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2025

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Biopharmaceutical industry is striving to drive the product yield yet reducing the operational cost and perfusion bioreactors offer legacy of cost saving, increase productivity & efficiency of protein production. Unlike traditional fed-batch bioreactors, perfusion bioreactors culture cells for a long period of time and by continuously feeding fresh media to cell culture and remove the used media while keeping the cells in culture. Continuous replacement of culture media keeps the nutrients level high and maintain the optimum conditions for proper cell growth. Use of perfusion bioreactors also eliminates chances of protein degradation due to toxic effects produced by accumulation of cellular waste products in the culture media. Other advantages of perfusion bioreactors over traditional fed-batch reactors is that they are smaller in size and provide easy scalability in case of increased demand. Perfusion bioreactor technology is thus expected to be a dominant single-use bioreactor technology over the forecast period of 20172025. Some of the applications of perfusion bioreactors include manufacturing of hybridoma-based monoclonal antibodies, stem cell culturing, protein production, in vitro cell based drug screening, production of cell based assays, CHO-based biopharmaceutical manufacturing and many other. Perfusion bioreactors require cell retention or filtration devices during the continuous feed and removal of exhausted culture media. Perfusion bioreactors can be used at small scale as well as large scale bioproduction. For instance, Remicade  blockbuster antibody preparation by Janssen Biotech, Inc. employs perfusion bioreactor technology for production.A sample of this report is available upon request @Primary factors driving the growth of global perfusion bioreactors market are size advantage, cost-effective, requirement of less capital investment, reduced operating cost, improvement in equipment reliability etc. Several other factors influencing the global market for perfusion bioreactors are increasing budget of biopharmaceutical companies in all areas related to bioprocessing, investment in adoption of new technologies, continuous discovery of numerous cost and performance advantages of perfusion technology, technological advances such as 3Dperfusion technology etc. As per 12th Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production report, industry demands more innovations in bioreactor technology with single-use bioreactors requiring most needed innovation area. However, the global market for perfusion bioreactors is expected to be deter by apparent lack of innovation in bioprocessing equipment, reliability of cell retention devices when used on industrial plant scale, etc.The global market for perfusion bioreactors is segmented on basis of product type, end user and geography:Segmentation by Product TypeSmall Scale Perfusion Bioreactors (50 liters to 1,000 liters)Large Scale Perfusion Bioreactors (>1,000 liters)Segmentation by End UserBiopharmaceutical CompaniesBiotechnology CompaniesContract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs)Based on product type, the global perfusion bioreactors market has been classified as small scale (50 liters to 1,000 liters capacity) perfusion bioreactors and Large Scale (>1,000 liters) perfusion bioreactors. Small scale perfusion bioreactors are more often used by biopharmaceutical companies. However, demand for large scale perfusion bioreactors is increasing with increasing efforts to expand the production capacity by the companies.Based on end user, the global perfusion bioreactors market has been segmented into biopharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and contract manufacturing organizations. Biopharmaceutical companies are expected to contribute highest share in the global perfusion bioreactors market over the forecast period.On the basis of regional presence, global perfusion bioreactors market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to lead the global market due to increasing number of R&D activities by the biopharmaceutical companies in the region, while Europe is expected to hold second largest market share in global market. For instance, as per 12th Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production report, 51.2% biopharmaceutical companies in the U.S. reported their biopharmaceutical products in R&D phase while 41% of European companies reported their biopharmaceutical products in R&D phase, in 2015.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the players operating in global perfusion bioreactors market are Sigma Aldrich Co. LLC (Merck & Co. Inc.), FiberCell Systems Inc., Zellwerk GmbH, Cell Culture Company, ATMI Incorporated, PBS Biotech, Inc., GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Applikon Biotechnology, WAVE Life Sciences etc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
CNG and LPG Vehicles Market will be Massively Influenced by Macroeconomic Factors 2015  2025

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The increasing environmental concerns and escalating prices for gasoline and diesel have upturned the economies (especially the developing ones) attention towards alternative fuel such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and global CNG and LPG vehicles market. The Dual Fuel options offered by these substitute fuel vehicles have convinced the consumers as noble substitutes when compared to the traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles.The major governmental mandates such as Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), California Air Resources Board Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate, and Federal Emissions Standards are turning the automotive industry towards more and more technological advancements so as to attain fuel economy and reduce emissions which are directly increasing the demand for CNG and LPG vehicles, thereby raising the global CNG and LPG vehicles market. The global CNG and LPG vehicles market is yet in its developing stage which requires a conjoint efforts of the government, people, and the manufacturers (OEMs).Request For Report Sample@CNG and LPG Vehicle Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe increasing importance of clean economy and balance of the ecosystem is accompanied by governmental protocols, and is driving the global CNG and LPG vehicles market. Along with the environmental concerns, the cost saving factor (comparative to the petrol and Diesel) will also subsidize to the global CNG and LPG vehicle market.Despite of being the most striking subject matter of the economy in recent times there is a lack of awareness about the benefits of LPG/CNG amongst the people that is preventing the global CNG and LPG vehicles market from growing. Some of the other growth restraining factors of the global CNG and LPG vehicles market can be deficiency in the service stations of CNG and LPG, poor networks of CNG and LPG Stations, and increasing awareness of upcoming LNG vehicles.The global CNG and LPG vehicle market is also is challenged due to its higher cost of initial equipment installation.CNG and LPG Vehicles Market: SegmentationBy product/fuel type, the global market for CNG and LPG vehicles is segmented as CNG and LPG.On the basis of applications the global CNG and LPG vehicles market is segmented as Passenger Car Vehicles and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV).CNG and LPG Vehicles Market: Region-wise OutlookThe CNG and LPG Vehicles market is expected to register a favourable growth for the forecast period, 2015?2025. The Asia-Pacific is projected to endure its control on the global CNG and LPG vehicles market followed by Europe and North America. The developing regions such as India and China are projected to be potentially growing in global CNG and LPG vehicles market with reference to the increasing demand for commercial vehicles and passenger cars accompanied by the escalating gasoline prices and price conscious consumers. South Korea being the developed nation in automotives market will also show a remarkable growth into the global CNG and LPG vehicles market.European market is undergoing some stringent norms by the European Union (EU) that is accelerating the demand for CNG vehicles. Not only CNG vehicles but also LPG will be at a competitive advantage situation in response to the European incentives for the oil companies.Visit For TOC@CNG and LPG Vehicles Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market participants in global CNG and LPG vehicles market are Ford, Fiat Group, General Motors Group, Volkswagen, Renault, Hyundai, Suzuki, and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACTFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Encryption Software Market major Growth drivers are the Increased Data Security Expenditure of Organizations, Increasing Cyber-Threats and Governing Compliance

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Software-based encryption uses software to encrypt and decrypt data-at-rest as well as data-in-transit. By rendering the unreadable data for unauthorized people, encryption software ensures the security and safety of the confidential data stored in files, folders or disks. Under the encryption process, plain text is converted into a coded message or cipher texts, thus restricting their access only to the authorized parties. The data travelling over wireless networks can be hacked by other organizations and needs to be protected according to the security requirements of particular network organization. Threats to delicate data can evolve within days or even hours, as well-funded, persistent attackers continuously develop new ways to penetrate evidently secure systems. Steady advances in computing and in the field of cryptography have made it necessary to adopt stronger, newer algorithms and larger key sizes. With increase in the number and intensity of threats, the need for stronger encryption algorithms is also arising. The current effective encryption systems will become progressively less secure in coming years as older algorithms and key sizes no longer provide adequate protection from modern threats. Over the next generation, new and stronger encryption technologies are needed to continue to secure data for the future.Explore Report description @The global encryption software market can be categorized on the basis of user type, application, deployment type, industry verticals, and regions. Based on user type, the global encryption software market can be categorized into enterprises and server message block (SMBs). Based on applications, the global encryption software market can be categorized into disk encryption, file or folder encryption, communication encryption, database encryption and cloud encryption. Based on deployment type, the global encryption software market can be categorized into cloud based deployment and premises deployment. Based on industry verticals, the global encryption software market can be divided into banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), healthcare, government and public sector, retail, telecom, aerospace, defense and others.Click Here For Enquiry Form:One of the major drivers for global encryption software market is the increased data security expenditure of organizations. With the increasing cyber-threats and governing compliance, the adoption of encryption software has been on the rise. The advancement in technology, such as end-to-end encryption, is encouraging more number of organizations to adopt encryption software. Increasing adoption of new technologies such as cloud, mobility and virtualization has also been driving the need for encryption.Download Free Report Sample @The developing countries such as India, Japan and China are expected to offer high growth opportunities for encryption software market. The stringent export regulations in the U.S. regarding the export of encryption products for law enforcement and national security reasons had been a key restraint for the encryption software market in the past. However, changing regulatory environment over past few years has increased the scope of encryption software products.Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Symantec, TrueCrypt, OpenPuff, Cryptocat, KeePass, winmagic data security are some of the major competitors operating in the global encryption software market.P&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.KundanManager  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Wood Preservative Coatings Market will Register a CAGR of 6.2% through 2027

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Increasing investment in the furniture industry is cited as a key factor driving the sales of wood preservative coatings. Moreover, rise in construction activities across the globe has also been influencing the demand for wood preservative coatings of late. Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers such vital information in its latest report on the global wood preservative coatings market. Over the years, application of wood preservative coatings has significantly increased in general industries, decorative, aerospace, coil packaging, auto refinish and special wood coating. The coatings industry is experiencing a shift towards adoption of new technologies such as UV and water-borne, thermosetting emulsion, powder coatings, high-solids, two component systems and colloidal dispersion. The arrival of eco-wood coating products is expected to further boost the global coatings market that was valued at US$ 125 Bn in 2016.As per the FMI report titled Wood Preservative Coatings: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2017-2027 the global wood preservative coatings market is predominantly contingent upon the performance of the construction and furniture industry. Currently, the market is at a stable position and is set to witness a healthy CAGR of 6.2% between 2017 and 2027 to reach a valuation of US$ 6,433,194 Mn. The report also cites that in future, preference for water-borne coatings will be higher due to their environmental advantages and adherence to VOC emission regulations.View and Download TOC of Market Research Report@During this ten years of the forecast, the market for wood preservative coatings in Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) is expected to present lucrative opportunities for players. In addition, the regions market is expected to witness an impressive CAGR over 2027. This growth is primarily attributed to the ongoing urbanisation in the APEJ region. Countries such as China and India are the major contributors to the regions market both in terms of production and consumption. Availability of low-cost resource coupled with increasing investments in furniture industry propels the wood preservative coatings market in the region. In terms of market size, North America will continue to hold the top position through 2027.Companies are looking to capitalise on opportunities in APEJ by offering cost effective and high solids type of wood coatings. Also, players who have recently entered or planning to initiate operations in the Asia region is likely to receive better consumer response if they offer wood preservative coatings with higher flexibility in application. FMI in its report has profiled some of leading companies operating in the global wood preservative market, which include Akzo Nobel N.V., BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, The Sherwin-Williams Company, PPG Industries, Inc, Valspar Corporation,Industrias Quimicas Kupsa S.L., RPM International Inc., Lonza Group Ltd, KMGFluoropolymer Market:Chemicals, Inc.Request and Download Sample Report@Additional Highlights of the Report Include:Based on system type, around 5,759,652 tons of solvent-borne wood preservative coatings is expected to be produced towards the end of the forecast period.By 2017-end, nearly US$ 2,873.8 Mn worth wood preservative coatings will be used only for preservative purposes.On the basis of end-use, coatings for furniture account for more than one-third share of the market and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast periodBuy Full Market Report@About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Nano Chemotherapy Market 2017 - 2022 Overview by Market Size, Status, Key Players and Forecast

Nano Chemotherapy Market

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A new research study from HTF MI with title Global Nano Chemotherapy Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 provides an in-depth assessment of the Nano Chemotherapy including key market trends, upcoming technologies, industry drivers, challenges, regulatory policies and issues, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The research study provides forecasts for Nano Chemotherapy investments till 2022.This study answers several questions for stakeholders, primarily which market segments or Region or Country they should focus in coming years to channelize their efforts and investments to maximize growth and profitability. These stakeholders include Nano Chemotherapy manufacturers such as Amgen, Celgene, MagForce AG, Nanotherapeutics, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, etc.Primary sources are mainly industry experts from core and related industries, and suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and organizations related to all segments of the industrys supply chain. The bottom-up approach is being utilized to project the global market size of Nano Chemotherapy based on end-user industry and region, in terms of value. With the data triangulation procedure and validation of data through primary interviews, the exact values of the overall primary market, and individual market share & sizes are determined and confirmed with this study.Request a sample report @Global Nano Chemotherapy (K Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Medicine Therapy, Physical Therapy, OtherMarket Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Medicine Therapy xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Physical Therapy xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%The research study is segmented by Application as well such as Hospitals, Clinics, Other with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global Nano Chemotherapy Sales (K Units) by Application (2016-2022)Market Segmentby Application 2012 2016 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CGAR (%)(2016-2022)Hospitals xx xx xx xx% xx%Clinics xx xx xx xx% xx%Other xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Get customization & check discount for report @The research provides answers to the following key questions: What will be the market size and the growth rate in 2022? What are the key factors driving the Global Nano Chemotherapy market? Who are the key market players and what are their strategies in the Global Nano Chemotherapy market? Trending factors influencing the market shares of the United States, EU, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia. What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Nano Chemotherapy market? What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing Markets growth? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Nano Chemotherapy market? What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Nano Chemotherapy market?Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions such as United States, EU, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Global Nano Chemotherapy in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2016 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2016-2022)United States xx xx xx xx% xx%Europe xx xx xx xx% xx %China xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx %Southeast Asia xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%The report provides a basic overview of the Nano Chemotherapy industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. And development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and capital expenditures.Further it focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. Whats more, the Nano Chemotherapy industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.The study is organized with the help of primary and secondary data collection including valuable information from key vendors and participants in the industry. It includes historical data from 2012 to 2016 and projected forecasts till 2022 which makes the research study a valuable resource for industry executives, marketing, sales and product managers, consultants, analysts, and other people looking for key industry related data in readily accessible documents with easy to analyze visuals, graphs and tables. The report answers future development trend of Nano Chemotherapy on the basis of stating current situation of the industry in 2017 to assist manufacturers and investment organization to better analyze the development course of Nano Chemotherapy Market.View Detailed Table of Content @There are 15 chapters to deeply display the Global Nano Chemotherapy market.Chapter 1, to describe Nano Chemotherapy Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Nano Chemotherapy, with sales, revenue, and price of Nano Chemotherapy, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Nano Chemotherapy, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries / regions United States, EU, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application [Hospitals, Clinics, Other], from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Nano Chemotherapy market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Nano Chemotherapy sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Buy this report @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Global Depression Drugs Market 2017 - Viibryd, Celexa, Lexapro, Fetzima, Zoloft, Pristiq

Depression Drugs Market

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Global Depression Drugs Market 2017 Survival Strategies explore Economic Impact in Global Industries Manufactures, Growth, Size, Share, Trends, Development Challenges and Opportunities till 2022A Research study on " Global Depression Drugs Market 2017-2022 " represent the market share and size of Depression Drugs in international Industry. MRS Research Group added latest market research report by QY Research. Research Report provides an essential information and statistically evaluated data about the Depression Drugs. The research report provides a detailed study of the Depression Drugs market, enlightening the major areas such as future market scenario, market growth factors, market growth restraints, and others. The advanced technological trends and various new opportunities are also provided in this research report.Detail Information of Research Report Available @Report Focuses on Some Important Manufacturers in Global Market Includes :Viibryd, Celexa, Lexapro, Fetzima, Zoloft, Pristiq, Effexor, Abilify, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Symbyax, ProzacReport Covers by Some Importatnt Regions/Countries as Following :United States, EU, Japan, China, India, Southeast AsiaThe research report provides the Depression Drugs markets classification in detail. The Depression Drugs market is bifurcated into a number of segments on the basis of materials,types,applications,and end-users. The geographical analysis of the global Depression Drugs market is also coveredin the report. The vital information mentioned in the research report helps in significantly predicting the future scope of the global market.Get Free Sample Copy Of Report @The various segmentation of the global market is based on the overall product profit, costing, global market growth, and manufacturing processes. The report covers a region-wise analysis which provides the customer with different market studies that give a detailed analysis of the product and its impact on the global market. The Depression Drugs report also highlights the growth statistics depending on the supply and demand in the different regions.Features of our report:1. The market analysis of the global market share, position, and size from the different regions are done.2. The admired players in the market and their share in the global market are discussed.3. Suggestions and the strategic plans that will help the new market players to maintain the competitive edge are also included.4. Several other major points that are included in the Depression Drugs Market report are growth factors, limiting factors, challenges that are faced, new upcoming opportunities, the technological advancements, and much more.5. On the basis of the estimations of the global market, the recommendations and the observations are included in the business segments.6. The current trends that are being followed in the market are included along with examples.7. How the technological advancements and the research and development activities are impacting the market are further explained in detail.Read Complete Report with TOC @The Depression Drugs report covers the precisely studied and evaluated data of the global market players and their scope in the market using a number of analytical tools. The analytical tools such as investment return analysis, SWOT analysis and feasibility study are used to analyze the key global market players growth in the Depression Drugs industry.About Us: MRS Research Group provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Prof Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United States
USD 8 Bn Drug of Abuse Testing Market Size Set to forecasted by 2022: Acumen Research and Consulting

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Acumen Research and Consulting, a global provider of market research studies, in a recently published report titled Drug of Abuse Testing Market (Product Type: Equipment, Consumables; Sample: Urine, Saliva, Hair, Others; End-user: Hospital, Laboratory, Workplace, At Home, Others)  Global Industry Analysis, Market Size, Opportunities and Forecast, 2012-2022, forecasts that the global drug of abuse testing market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 9.6% from 2016 to 2022 and reach the market value of over $8 billion by 2022. Globally, North America accounted for the largest share in 2015 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This is due to the increasing availability of illegitimate drugs, growth in drug trafficking, and increase in workplace checking for the consumption of barred drugs. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period, at a CAGR of around 10% from 2016-2022.View Report atThe global drug of abuse testing market is growing at a significant rate due to increased usage of drug of abuse testing at organizational levels and increased production and trade of illicit drugs worldwide. In addition, global increase in road accidents and death rates, increase in the consumption of illegal drugs and technological advancements in drug of abuse testing further drives the market. The increased production and trafficking of illegal drugs is expected to increase the demand for drugs of abuse testing. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), area under opium cultivation increased from approximately 209,000 hectare in 2013 to 224,000 hectare in 2014, which is approximately 7% increase. The extent of drug seizure can be used as an indirect measure of increased trade of illicit drugs worldwide. For instance, according to UNODC, since 2002 Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan have accounted for more than 90% opium seized across the globe, and this pattern also continued in 2013. Similarly, according to UNODC, approximately 40 tons of cocaine was seized in 2013 in Brazil. The increase in production and trade of illicit drugs across the globe leads to increased demand for drug of abuse testing.The global drug of abuse testing market is segmented on the basis of product type, sample, end-user, and geography. Depending on product type, the market is divided into equipment and consumables. Consumables was the largest segment and accounted for more than 50% share in 2015. It is also expected to be the fastest growing product segment during the forecast period. Equipment segment is further divided into immunoassay analyzer, chromatography instrument, and breath analyzers while consumables segment is further divided into rapid test kit, assay kit & reagents, and others. Based on sample, the market is segmented into urine, saliva, hair, and others. The end-user segments of drug of abuse testing market include hospital, laboratory, workplace, at home, and others. The regional markets analyzed in the report include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World.Download Sample Pages -The market players profiled in the report include Siemens AG, Danaher Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, MilliporeSigma, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGAA, Express Diagnostics Int'l, Inc, Psychemedics Corporation, Waters Corporation, BioMerieux SA, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Quest Diagnostics Inc, Alere Inc, Randox Laboratories Ltd, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Sonic Healthcare Ltd, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. among others. Mergers and acquisitions for innovation and new product development and partnership for enhancing product quality are some of the major strategies followed by leading players in this market to sustain market competition.Table Of ContentChapter 1. Research Scope & Methodology1.1 Market Definition1.2 Market Scope1.2.1 Global Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Product1.2.2 Global Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Sample1.2.3 Global Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By End-User1.2.4 Global Hospital Bed Market, By Geography1.3 Research Methodology And SourcesChapter 2. Executive Summary2.1 Key Findings2.2 Research SummaryChapter 3. Market Outlook3.1 Introduction3.2 Market Drivers And Their Impact3.2.1 Growing Use Of Drug Of Abuse Testing At Organizational Levels3.2.2 Growing Production And Trade Of Illicit Drugs Worldwide3.2.3 Rise In Road Accidents And Related Deaths3.2.4 Rising Consumption Of Illegal Drugs3.2.5 Technological Advancements3.2.6 Impact Analysis Of Drivers3.3 Factors Hindering Market Growth And Its Impact3.3.1 Legalization Of Drugs3.3.2 Social Issues Associated With Drug Of Abuse Testing3.3.3 Inability To Detect Low-Dose Designer Drugs3.3.4 Impact Analysis Of RestraintsChapter 4. Global Drug Of Abuse Testing Market Analysis4.1 Global Drug of Abuse Testing Market, By Product4.2 Global Drug of Abuse Testing Market, By Sample4.3 Global Drug of Abuse Testing Market, By End-User4.4 Global Drug of Abuse Testing Market, By RegionChapter 5. Global Drug of Abuse Testing Market, By Product5.1 Drug of Abuse Testing Equipment Market5.1.1 Drug Of Abuse Testing Equipment Market, By Type5.1.1.1 Immunoassay Analyzer Market5.1.1.2 Chromatography Instrument Market5.1.1.3 Breath Analyzer Market5.1.2 Drug Of Abuse Testing Equipment Market, By Region5.2 Drug of Abuse Testing Consumable Market5.2.1 Drug Of Abuse Testing Consumable Market, By Type5.2.1.1 Assay Kits And Reagent Market5.2.1.2 Rapid Test Kits Market5.2.2 Drug Of Abuse Testing Consumable Market, By RegionChapter 6. Global Drug of Abuse Testing Market, By Sample6.1 Urine Based Drug of Abuse Testing Market6.2 Saliva Based Drug of Abuse Testing Market6.3 Hair Based Drug of Abuse Testing MarketChapter 7. Global Drug of Abuse Testing Market, By End-User7.1 Hospital Based Drug Of Abuse Testing Market7.2 Laboratory Based Drug Of Abuse Testing Market7.3 Workplace Based Drug Of Abuse Testing Market7.4 At Home Drug Of Abuse Testing MarketChapter 8. Global Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Geography8.1 North America Drug Of Abuse Testing Market8.1.1 North America Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Product8.1.1.1 North America Drug Of Abuse Testing Equipment Market, By Type8.1.1.2 North America Drug Of Abuse Testing Consumable Market, By Type8.1.2 North America Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Sample8.1.3 North America Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By End-User8.1.4 North America Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Country8.2 Europe Drug of Abuse Testing Market8.2.1.1 Europe Drug Of Abuse Testing Equipment Market, By Type8.2.1.2 Europe Drug Of Abuse Testing Consumable Market, By Type8.2.2 Europe Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Sample8.2.3 Europe Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By End-User8.2.4 Europe Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Country8.3 Asia-Pacific Drug Of Abuse Testing Market8.3.1 Asia-Pacific Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Product8.3.1.1 Asia-Pacific Drug Of Abuse Testing Equipment Market, By Type8.3.1.2 Asia-Pacific Drug Of Abuse Testing Consumable Market, By Type8.3.2 Asia-Pacific Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Sample8.3.3 Asia-Pacific Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By End-User8.3.4 Asia-Pacific Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Country8.4 Rest of the World (RoW) Drug of Abuse Testing Market8.4.1 Row Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Product8.4.1.1 Row Drug Of Abuse Testing Equipment Market, By Type8.4.1.2 Row Drug Of Abuse Testing Consumable Market, By Type8.4.2 Row Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By Sample8.4.3 Row Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By End-User8.4.4 Row Drug Of Abuse Testing Market, By CountryChapter 9. Competitive Positioning And Market Share Analysis9.1 Porter's Five Forces Of Competitive Position Analysis9.1.1 Bargaining Power Of Buyers9.1.2 Bargaining Power Of Suppliers9.1.3 Threat Of New Entrants9.1.4 Intensity Of Rivalry9.1.5 Threat Of Substitutes9.2 Competitive Positioning Of Key Players, 2015Chapter 10. Company Profiles and Strategic Developments10.1 Company Profiles10.1.1 Danaher Corporation10.1.1.1 Business Overview10.1.1.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.2 Siemens AG10.1.2.1 Business Overview10.1.2.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.3 MilliporeSigma10.1.3.1 Business Overview10.1.3.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.4 Shimadzu Corporation10.1.4.1 Business Overview10.1.4.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.5 Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA10.1.5.1 Business Overview10.1.5.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.6 Express Diagnostics Int'l, Inc.10.1.6.1 Business Overview10.1.6.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.7 bioMerieux SA10.1.7.1 Business Overview10.1.7.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.8 Waters Corporation10.1.8.1 Business Overview10.1.8.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.9 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd10.1.9.1 Business Overview10.1.9.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.10 Quest Diagnostics Inc.10.1.10.1 Business Overview10.1.10.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.11 Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings10.1.11.1 Business Overview10.1.11.2 Products And Service Offerings10.1.12 Alere Inc.10.1.12.1 Business Overview10.1.12.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.13 Abbott Laboratories10.1.13.1 Business Overview10.1.13.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.14 Randox Laboratories Ltd10.1.14.1 Business Overview10.1.14.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.15 Psychemedics Corporation10.1.15.1 Business Overview10.1.15.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.16 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.10.1.16.1 Business Overview10.1.16.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.17 Sonic Healthcare Ltd.10.1.17.1 Business Overview10.1.17.2 Product And Service Offerings10.1.18 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.10.1.18.1 Business Overview10.1.18.2 Product And Service Offerings10.2 Strategic Developments: Drug of Abuse Testing Market10.2.1 Mergers & Acquisitions10.2.2 Partnerships10.2.3 Product Launch And Approvals10.2.4 OthersChapter 11. Appendix11.1 List of AbbreviationsBuy now this premium study -About UsAcumen Research and Consulting (ARC) is a global provider of market intelligence and consulting services to information technology, investment, telecommunication, manufacturing, and consumer technology markets. ARC helps investment communities, IT professionals, and business executives to make fact based decisions on technology purchases and develop firm growth strategies to sustain market competition. With the team size of 100+ Analysts and collective industry experience of more than 200 years, Acumen Research and Consulting assures to deliver a combination of industry knowledge along with global and country level expertise.Contact US: +1-716-240-831India: +912065600384Email  sales@acumenresearchandconsulting.com
Process Liquid Analyzer Market Forecast Report by Future Market Insights Offers Key Insights 2015  2025

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Process Analyzers are engineering precision equipment used for incessant monitoring of parameters such as gas and liquid content during the manufacturing process. It has redefined the way by which companies carry out their production and improve the overall efficiency of the products by its accurate analysis and intelligence.They are widely used to analyze and identify the physical, chemical, molecular, and elemental properties of a sample of the products. These instruments are majorly being used in Chemical and Petrochemical, Oil and Gas, and Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries.Request For Report Sample@Process liquid analyzer include monitoring of sulfur, water, olefins, aromatics, BTX, calorific value, many of which are crucial in the refining, processing and treatment of oils, fuels and petrochemicals.Process Liquid Analyzer Market: Drivers and RestraintsProcess liquid analyzer market is globally driven by the developing countries, increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions, huge development and advanced in global industries, and intense competition in the global market with the presence of many international and local vendors. However, shortage of skilled process technicians, and need for continuous support and maintenance act as a major barrier for this market.Process Liquid Analyzer Market: SegmentationThe global market of process liquid analyzer is segmented into following types:PH/ORP analyzersConductivity analyzersNear infrared analyzersTurbidity analyzersDissolved oxygen analyzersChlorine analyzers.Process Liquid Analyzer Market: OverviewWith the rapid technological advancement and intense competition in the global market between international and local vendors. The global process liquid analyzer market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecasted period (2015-2025).Process liquid analyzers are used extensively in the chemical process, food & beverage, power, mineral processing, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical, primary metals, pulp and paper, semiconductor, textile, water and wastewater industries which helps to boost the growth of this market globally.Process Liquid Analyzer Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, process liquid analyzer market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.North Americais the largest region in terms of market revenue for this market followed by Japan. However, Asia Pacific and European countries represent emerging markets, due to a rise of pharmaceutical giants and biotechnology industries, and growing industry demand for standardization and accreditation.Visit For TOC@Process Liquid Analyzer Market: Key PlayersSome of the key participating players in global process liquid analyzer market are Yokogawa Electric Corporation (Japan), Emerson Electric Co. (U.S), Cemtrex Inc. (U.S), AMETEK Process Instruments (U.S.), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland) and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACTFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Foam Blowing Agents Market - Evolving Industry Trends and key Insights by 2020

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Transparency Market Research (TMR) has released a new market study on foam blowing agents. The report discusses the existing market development and how it will influence future markets for foam blowing agents and insulating foams globally. The report states that the global foam blowing agents market will register a 4.4% CAGR between 2014 and 2020, and will grow from US$ 631.3 million in 2013 to US$ 843.8 million by the end of 2020. The report is titled Foam Blowing Agents Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020.The market research report on foam blowing agents provides a detailed and complete study analysis of the historic market performance, current market trends, and future outlook on a global scale. The report categorizes and describes the market drivers, restraints, market segments and forecasts future market opportunities for foam blowing agents.Request to view Sample Report:According to the report, growth in construction industry worldwide has contributed to the increased demand for insulating foams. This factor has proven to be a market driver and led to the rise in end-user applications for foams in the construction field. The application of polyurethane foams is among the motivating growth drivers for the insulating foams market.The market report states that due to the volatile pricing of feedstock petroleum-based foam blowing agents, and stringent regulations against harmful chemicals that adversely affect the environment could hinder market growth during the next few years. But, the report also observes that there is anticipation of growth opportunities in the future markets due to the introduction of ecological foam blowing agents such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFO). Eco-friendly and low priced foam blowing agents such as hydrazine, azodicarbonamide, CO2 and water are increasingly adopted and this will contribute to market growth according to the report.Request to download and view full ToC @The foam blowing agents market analyzes the market segments by products, application, and regions. Product segments include hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), hydrocarbons (HC), and others which has hydrazine, azodicarbonamide, water, and CO2 etc.) Among these the market report says that Hydrocarbon (HC) foam blowing agent is the rapidly growing segment over the forecast. HFCs are also an important segment due to increased demand in emerging nations. HCFCs are witnessing declining use due to their ozone harming properties and are being substituted by HFCs in developing nations. According to the market study PU foams gained global market share of 50% in 2013 and the report anticipates this segment as the fastest developing market for foam blowing agents in the forecast period. PU applications are anticipated at the quickest pace during 2014 to 2020. This is due to the demand increase in construction and automotive industries. The report forecasts that foam blowing agents will be used in furniture and footwear and this will drive the market demand in Asia Pacific region.The geographical segments as described in the market study for foam blowing agents are North America, Europe, Rest of the World (RoW) and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is forecast as the most rapidly growing market for foam blowing agents and accounted for 24% of the foam blowing agents worldwide market in 2013. Europe is forecast to have an average growth rate during the next few years.The report concludes with a list of major players in the market. Among these are Honeywell International Inc. ZEON Corporation, Haltermann GmBH, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Sinochem Group, Daikin Industries Ltd., Exxon Mobil Corporation, AkzoNobel N.V. and Arkema S.A.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Periodontal Therapeutics Market Research Report by Key Players Analysis 2024

Periodontal Therapeutics Market

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A report by Transparency Market Research predicts the global periodontal therapeutics market to register a CAGR of 8.7% during the period between 2016 and 2024 to attain a value of US$537.2 mn by 2024.Based on the type of products, the global market for periodontal therapeutics can be divided into systemic antibiotics and local antibiotics. Among the two, the systemic antibiotics segment dominated the market in 2016 with a lions share for more than 94%. In the years ahead, the segment is slated to continue to rake in maximum revenue, although reducing its share slightly because of its affordability and availability.Geographically, the key segments of the global market for periodontal therapeutics are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. North America, of them, led the market in 2015 with a dominant share of more than 40.0%. This is primarily on account of the rising occurrence of periodontal diseases, product innovation, helpful reimbursement policies, and a growing pool of elderly. As per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of adults 30 years and above is afflicted with some type of periodontal disease. This, along with increasing awareness about the ailment is expected to drive the market.At the forefront of driving demand in the global periodontal therapeutics market is the rising consumption of tobacco which leads to periodontal disorders. Besides, the growing number of diabetics, increasing thrust on research, and technological progress is also proving beneficial to the market. Colgate-Palmolive, a multinational consumer products company, estimates that about 300 million will be afflicted with diabetes by 2025 and most of them will be from India and China.Request to view Sample Report:The American Academy of Periodontology finds that the occurrence of periodontal disease is maximum among ethnic minorities. Almost 63.5 percent of Hispanic-Americans, 50 percent of Non-Hispanic Asian Americans, and 59.1 percent of Non-Hispanic Blacks suffer from the disease.Posing a roadblock to the global periodontal market, on the other hand, is the growing number of preventive care for dental and gum problems and dearth of supportive reimbursement policies in many countries, explains the lead analyst of the report.Request to Download TOC of the Report:The global periodontal therapeutics market is highly consolidated in nature on account of a few players holding most of the share in the market. Some of the key players in the market are Den-Mat Holdings, Valeant Pharmaceuticals international, Inc., 3M, Galderma S.A., and LLC Dexcel Pharma. In 2015, 3M, Valeant Pharmaceuticals Int. Inc., and Den-Mat Holdings emerged as the top three players in the market and together they accounted for a mammoth share of 77.7%.A key trend noticed in the global market for periodontal therapeutics is the investment into research and development of more effective therapies by prominent participants. This, coupled with the focus on strategic mergers and acquisitions and partnerships by players seeking to expand their outreach, is serving to heat up competition in the market.Global Periodontal Therapeutics Market Report is available @ US$ 5795 :About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
VCO Market Global Trends & Technology Development 2017

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global VCO Industry 2017 Market Research Report The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.In this report, the global VCO market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD) , market share and growth rate of VCO in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast) , coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanGet a Sample copy atGlobal VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingSiTimeEpsonTXCKDS DaishinkuKyoceraSilicon LabsFox EnterprisesInterquipFronter ElectronicsJTCSJKON SemiconductorZ-CommunicationsMACOMCrystekMaruwaFujitsuAnalog DevicesSemtechLinear TechnologyRFMDSynergy MicrowaveBOWEISeekon MicrowaveNew Chengshi ElectronicOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoQuartz OscillatorSilicon OscillatorOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales) , market share and growth rate of VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) for each application, includingConsumer ElectronicsNetworking & TelecomIndustrialOtherComplete report is available atTable of Contents:1 VCO Market Overview2 Global VCO Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global VCO Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global VCO Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)5 Global VCO Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global VCO Market Analysis by Application7 Global VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 SiTime7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 SiTime VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Epson7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Epson VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 TXC7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 TXC VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview8 VCO Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global VCO Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and ConclusionGet Discount atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email:sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support OTR Tiresm is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Interactive Robots Industry Key Manufacturers Analysis 2022

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Interactive Robots Industry 2017 Market Research Report The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.In this report, the global Interactive Robots market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD) , market share and growth rate of Interactive Robots in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast) , coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGet a Sample copy atGlobal Interactive Robots market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingPal RoboticsBlue Frog RoboticsSoftbank RoboticsVstoneSaviokeEcovacs RoboticsAvatarMindRobot Care SystemBossa Nova RoboticsFuture RoboticsASUSFellow RobotsHondaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoMobileStationaryOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales) , market share and growth rate of Interactive Robots for each application, includingMultimediaEducationResearchHotel AssistanceGuidance and MarketingCompanionAssistanceOthersComplete report is available atTable of Contents:1 Interactive Robots Market Overview2 Global Interactive Robots Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Interactive Robots Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Interactive Robots Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)5 Global Interactive Robots Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Interactive Robots Market Analysis by Application7 Global Interactive Robots Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Pal Robotics7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Interactive Robots Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Pal Robotics Interactive Robots Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Blue Frog Robotics7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Interactive Robots Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Blue Frog Robotics Interactive Robots Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Softbank Robotics7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Interactive Robots Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Softbank Robotics Interactive Robots Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview8 Interactive Robots Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Interactive Robots Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and ConclusionGet Discount atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email:sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support OTR Tiresm is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
United States Dehydrated Culture Media Market Dynamics 2017: Opportunities, Risks and Driving Factors to 2022

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ReportsMonitor.Com Adds United States Dehydrated Culture Media Market Report 2017 to Its Database.Geographically, this report splits the United States market into seven regions:The WestSouthwestThe Middle AtlanticNew EnglandThe SouthThe Midwestwith sales (volume), revenue (value), market share and growth rate of Dehydrated Culture Media in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast).GET SAMPLE REPORT @United States Dehydrated Culture Media market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Dehydrated Culture Media sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingThermo Fisher ScientificMerck KGaABio-Rad LaboratoriesbioMerieux SABectonOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBy ChemistryNatural MediumCombination MediumSemi Composite MediumBy PhysicsLiquid MediumSolid MediumSemisolid MediumDehydrated MediumTo Enquire about report @On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Dehydrated Culture Media for each application, includingHospitalsDiagnostic CentersAcademic and Research InstitutesTable of Contents1 Dehydrated Culture Media Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Dehydrated Culture Media1.2 Classification of Dehydrated Culture Media by Product Category1.2.1 United States Dehydrated Culture Media Market Size (Sales Volume) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 United States Dehydrated Culture Media Market Size (Sales Volume) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Natural Medium1.2.4 Combination Medium1.2.5 Semi Composite Medium1.3 United States Dehydrated Culture Media Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 United States Dehydrated Culture Media Market Size (Consumption) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospitals1.3.3 Diagnostic Centers8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 Dehydrated Culture Media Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of Dehydrated Culture Media Major Manufacturers in 20168.4 Downstream BuyersBROWSE FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS and REPORT DESCRIPTION @About Us:Reports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact Us:Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Mobile Payment Technologies Market : Development Insight and Manufacturers Challenge Competitors

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Mobile payment technology (MPT) makes use of cell phones, smart phones or tablets to make instant payments for purchased services and/or products. Depending on the type of payments made, the mobile payment technologies market is divided into remote payments and proximity payments. Furthermore, the remote mobile payment technology market is categorized into USSD/STK, digital wallets, SMS based, and direct operator billing (debit/credit cards).On the other hand, the proximity mobile payment technology market is further categorized into QR code payments and near field communication (NFC). Among the proximity type of payments, NFC segment is expected to lead due to large scale technological developments across the world.Obtain Report Details @Geographically the global MPT market is divided into four key regions  Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America and North America. Some of the key players in the global mobile payment technology market are Visa Inc., MasterCard International Inc., American Express Co., Fortumo, Boku Inc., PayPal Inc., Vodafone Ltd., Bharti Airtel Ltd., AT & T Inc., Apple Inc., Google Inc., and Microsoft Corporation.The total valuation of the global mobile payment technology market stood at US$338.72 bn in 2015 is expected to reach around US$1,773.17 bn by the end of 2024. This estimated growth of the market is expected to be achieved with a healthy CAGR of 20.5% during the forecast period.Download Table of Content @The mobile payment technology market is expected to grow at an astounding pace in the near future mainly due to the ever-increasing use of smart devices that work on mobile internet. Also, rising popularity of using wearable devices, use of near field communication (NFC) and mobile point-of-sale (m-POS) are proving to be major driving factors for the growth of the mobile payment technology market.The number of people opting for using smart devices are growing exponentially in emerging countries of the Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific region. Governments of these emerging economies are encouraging cashless payments and thus, significantly augmenting the growth of the mobile payment technology market. It is also expected that more payments will be made through digital wallets with the help of Internet of Things (IoT) helping the market growth.Get Sample copy of the Report @Geographically, industry analyst expect Asia Pacific to dominate the global mobile payment technology market in the forecast period and is expected to contribute 42.5% of the total market share by the end of 2024.Even though the mobile payment technology market is flourishing, there is a disinterest among customers about accepting the new technology. It is one of the big restraining factors for the growth of the market. Consumers are also put off by the delays in transaction and some still prefer to conduct the transaction in the old fashioned ways. Both the customers and merchants are not fully aware of the working infrastructure of the mobile payment technology and that is a cause of concern for the overall growth of the market.On the flip side, there are plenty of opportunities in market to boost up the growth. Top-end security features, faster and safer transactions, integration of conventional transaction methods in the current working system will attract more users.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Adult Diapers Market Growth with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2023

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Global Adult Diapers Market: OverviewOver 19 million people in the U.S. have some form of incontinence or other, and almost 85% of them are women. Incontinence is a common condition, which can treated by suitable medication or surgery in some special cases. However, those unwilling to undergo intrusive procedures have the option of choosing adult incontinence products. An adult diaper can be classified as incontinence care products and those meant to be worn if suffering from severe diarrhea, incontinence, mobility impairment, or dementia. The growing aging population, urbanization, greater affordability, and improved awareness are the chief factors driving the global adult diapers market.By product, the global adult diapers market can be segmented in terms of product, application, and geography. By product, the market constitute reusable and disposable adult diapers. The market can be further classified into pad type diapers, pant type diapers, and flat type diapers. The report provides a detailed analysis of the various factors supporting the markets growth across the aforementioned segments. It also lists the restraints that could inhibit the markets expansion. It compiles exhaustive information sourced through proven research mythologies to help stakeholders get a better perspective of the global adult diapers market.View TOC for this Market Report @Global Adult Diapers Market: Trends and OpportunitiesSlow growth in personal income, lingering unemployment, and high cost of living have continued to weigh on the spending habits of consumers and their decisions to expand families. As per information shared by the Census Bureau, the retiring baby boomers have resulted in the surge of geriatric population (65 years of age and older) in the U.S., which is expected to nearly double itself from that in 2012 and reach nearly 83.7 million in 2050. The rapidly growing aging population, improvement in the healthcare system, and economic affluence are the chief factors driving the global adult diapers market.The geriatric care takers and parents are commonly educated and trained through media regarding the importance of hygiene when using baby or adult diapers. Some of the branded manufacturers are consciously focusing on creating awareness regarding the same, which is projected to have a positive influence on the market.Despite the favorable opportunities, lack of awareness and social stigma often attached with incontinence especially in underdeveloped economies are hindering the growth of the market. Nevertheless, with efforts by governments and big brands to eradicate such social stigma, in future the market will witness considerable growth for raking in higher profit.Global Adult Diapers Market: Regional OutlookRegionally, the global adult diapers market can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, MENA, and Rest of the World. As China, trailed by India, has the largest population of aged people, these countries are also expected to demonstrate the fastest growth in terms of the demand for adult diapers through the course of the forecast period. Market trends suggest, a majority of new entrants will focus on expanding their business in emerging economies to capitalize on the opportunities prevalent therein.For more information on this report, fill the form @Global Adult Diapers Market: Vendor LandscapeSome of the most prominent companies operating in the global adult diapers market are DSG International, Covidien, First Quality Enterprises, Inc., Daio Paper, Hengan Group, Fu Burg Industrial, Medline Industires, Kao Corp., Nippon Paper Industries, Kimberly Clark, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), P&G, Ontex International, Unicharm., and Tranquility. In the forthcoming years Procter & Gamble (P&G) is projected to strengthen its market position as compared to other leading brands in the market.As incontinence is shrouded by social taboos in many parts of the world, is it very important to spread awareness about the diseases and the importance of accepting the disease to enhance the quality of life. It is due to the same reason that a few market players such as SCA are putting in efforts to educate consumers through innovative marketing strategies, thus helping them to break out of taboo.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Sonobuoy Market Anticipated to Grow to US$ 844.9 Mn by 2024; Detection & Tracking Segment

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Sonobuoys are acoustic sensors built on the principle of Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) system, for detecting the presence of submarines, sunken ships, oil and gas deposits, etc. They are carried in a Sonobuoy Launch Container (SLC) in ships and aircraft for pneumatic or free-fall launch. They are built with hydrophones or transducers for converting sound signal to an electrical signal and transmitting it to the patrolling aircraft or ship. On the basis of operation, they are classified into passive and active sonobuoys. Sonobuoys are manufactured in sizes A and B. Size A sonobuoys have dimensions of 4.75 x 36, whereas size B sonobuoys have dimensions of 6.875 x 60.Revenue generated by the global sonobuoy market is estimated to reach US$ 518.4 Mn by 2016, witnessing an increase of 5.8% over 2015. Passive sonobuoy segment is estimated to hold the largest share among the type of sonobuoys available, accounting for US$ 362.6 Mn by 2016, up from US$ 342.4 Mn in 2015. The global sonobuoy market is forecasted to register 6.3% CAGR during the period 2016-2024, and reach US$ 844.9 Mn in revenues by 2024 end.Download TOC of Sonobuoy Market@Market dynamicsSonobuoys are acoustic sensing systems, released in the ocean from an aircraft or ship, for detecting sound signals underwater. These anti-submarine warfare systems consist of hydrophones, which are used for listening and recording acoustic signals emitted from other submarines. These signals are sent back to the aircraft or ship using radio transmitters in the sonobuoys. Early detection of enemy submarines can help prevent potential attacks and loss of resources. These factors are driving naval forces around the world to deploy sonobuoys, and hence driving the growth of the global sonobuoy market.Some sonobuoys are used for echo sounding, to measure the depth of a water body. Sonobuoy transmits a sound wave that gets reflected back from the seafloor. The time it takes for the wave to travel back to the ship is recorded and used for calculating depth and thickness of the seabed, identifying composition of the layers in the seabed, and detecting salt domes and seeps. Overtime, salt accumulates to form a dome from where oil and gas can be extracted. As oil and gas are valuable resources, various governments are making major investments for installation of sonobuoys to locate sand domes and seeps, thereby driving the growth of the global sonobuoys market.Sonobuoys detect presence of enemy submarines, and transmit the signal back to aircraft or ship. For locating accurate position of the submarine, sonobuoys are launched in a particular pattern. Hence, each sonobuoy is required to be assigned a different radio frequency for transmitting signals. These sonobuoys can only be launched by ships and aircrafts that have sonobuoy launchers. Technicians on these aircrafts and ships need to continuously monitor these received signals to prevent potential threats. Monitoring and analysis of acoustic signals transmitted by these sonobuoys needs employment of skilled technicians. Thus, various additional costs are associated with sonobuoys, apart from initial purchase costs. Most governments of underdeveloped economies are unable to afford such expenses, which adversely affects deployment of sonobuoys.Governments of various countries have laid down certain regulations for deployment of sonobuoys. These regulations are set to limit the use of sonobuoys in areas where marine life exists and this is expected to act as a restraint for the global sonobuoy market.Segment analysisAmong all the types of sonobuoys, passive sonobuoy segment is estimated to account for maximum market revenue share by 2024, owing to the fact that passive sonobuoys can perform detection without revealing their presence to the target. Active sonobuoys segment is estimated to account for the second largest market revenue share by 2024, owing to the fact that active sonobuoys are used for localization and tracking of targets.In the application segment, detection and tracking segment is estimated to increase at the highest growth rate in the forecast period, followed by safety and security segment. Detection and tracking the presence of adversary submarines is a major factor expected to drive demand for this application segment.Regional analysisThe sonobuoy market in North America region is expected to be the largest revenue generator by 2024, and is expected to account for a revenue share of 70.4% by 2024, owing to the presence of established sonobuoy manufacturers and increased defense spending by respective governments. The market in Europe is estimated to be the second largest in the global sonobuoy market with market revenues expected to be worth US$ 103.4 Mn by 2024.Browse Report@Key market playersSome key vendors such as ERAPSCO, Radixon, and Thales Group focus on collaborating with naval forces to provide enhanced product offerings specifically suited for defense applications, to consolidate their position in the market. ERAPSCO is a joint venture between Sparton Corporation and Ultra Electronics USSI, focused on manufacturing sonobuoys and related products for antisubmarine operations.About Us:-Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:-305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesT: +1-646-568-7751
Automated CPR Devices Market Poised to Register US$ 159 Mn by 2025

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Demand for automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) devices will surpass US$ 60 million by the end of 2016, up from US$ 50.7 million in 2014. Strong demand for automated CPR devices from EMS and hospitals is expected to fuel the market in the future.Favourable government support is driving the adoption of automated CPR devices, especially in developed economies. For instance, Harris County Emergency Ambulance Authority in the US approved purchase of 10 automated CPR units to be carried on-board ambulances.View and Download TOC of Automated CPR Devices Market Research Report @Rising awareness on survival strategies during a cardiac arrest have also brought automated CPR devices in the limelight. The recent study by Institute of Medicines (IOM), titled, Strategies to Improve Cardiac Arrest Survival: A Time to Act has provided an impetus to the use of CPR devices in emergency situations. Increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidences is also fuelling the adoption of automated CPR devices.High Cost Remains a Key Challenge for Widespread AdoptionAlthough FMI maintains a positive outlook on the global automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) devices market, high cost remains a key challenge for adoption. The average cost of a CPR device is nearly US$ 10,000, making it difficult for healthcare institutions to adopt them en masse.Europe and North America Most Lucrative MarketsEurope and North America are the largest markets for automated CPR devices. Demand for automated CPR devices in Europe was to the tune of US$ 18.3 million in 2014; FMI expects it to reach US$ 22.5 million by the end of 2016. Europes share in the global automated CPR devices market is expected to reach 38% by 2025, gaining 180 BPS between 2014 and 2025.The automated CPR devices market in Europe is fuelled by strong demand from Germany and U.K. Demand for automated CPR devices in Germany is expected to reach US$ 5 million by 2016 end, whereas U.K.s market is anticipated to be worth US$ 3.5 million.Request and Download Sample Report @The U.S. remains a lucrative market for automated CPR devices, accounting for over 80% market value share in North America. In contrast, demand for automated CPR devices in Canada was worth US$ 2.3 million in 2014; FMI expects it to reach US$ 2.8 million by 2016.ZOll Medical Corporation will Surpass Physio-Control, Inc. by 2016 to become the Leading PlayerZOLL Medical Corporation, Physio-Control, Inc., Brunswick Biomedical Technologies, Michigan Instruments, and SunLife Science Inc. are the key players in the global automated CPR devices market. Physio-Control, Inc. and ZOLL Medical Corporation collectively hold nearly two-thirds of the market share currently. North America remains the most lucrative market for all the key players, except SunLife Science Inc., which has a strong presence in Asia Pacific.Physio-Control is the dominant player in the automated CPR devices market, accounting for nearly 40% market share. The company offers LUCAS, a pneumatically-driven piston CPR device. FMI forecasts Physio-Control to lose market share to ZOLL Medical Corporation on account of gradual decrement in the use of piston-driven devices.ZOLL Medical Corporations flagship offering AutoPulse is fast gaining popularity owing to its thoracic compression theory. FMI expects ZOLL Medical Corporation to surpass Physio-Control by 2016, holding a 38.6% market share vis-a-vis 36% share of Physio-Control.Michigan Instruments, SunLife Science Inc., and Brunswick Biomedical Technologies will account for less than 10% share of the global market by 2020, owing to consolidation by ZOLL Medical Corporation and Physio-Control.Buy Full Automated CPR Devices Market Report @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Market,Trends, Growth, Production, Consumption Outlook 2017-2022

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The market for chemicals industry sector is growing with the expansion of this Industry Sector Worldwide. Market Research Hub (MRH) has added a new report titled Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Market Outlook 2017-2022, which offer details about the current trends as well as scope for the coming future. This research study also covers information about the production and market share based on different active regions. Furthermore, an anticipated growth at a double-digit CAGR for the concerned sector is highlighted in the report which indicates a prosperous future.Request free Sample Report:4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline is a derivative of fluorobenzene with the formula of C9H12FN. The compound is used for preparation of agrochemical and pharmaceutical intermediates. The report covers forecast and analysis for the 4-fluoro-N-isopropylaniline market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both volumes and revenue. The study includes drivers and restraints for the 4-fluoro-N-isopropylaniline market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the 4-fluoro-N-isopropylaniline market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global 4-fluoro-N-isopropylaniline market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.The study provides a decisive view on the 4-fluoro-N-isopropylaniline market by segmenting the market based on applications. All the application segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022.Key ApplicationsAgrochemicalPharmaceuticalKey RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificChinaKey VendorsLanxessNeoAgroYongtaiQi Chemrequest free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this ReportWhat will the market size be in 2022?What are the key factors driving the global 4-fluoro-N-isopropylaniline market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key players in the 4-fluoro-N-isopropylaniline market?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Browse Full Report With TOC:Part 1. Exclusive SummaryPart 2. Methodology2.1 Research Methodology2.2 Geographic Scope2.3 Years ConsideredPart 3. Introduction3.1 Product Overview3.2 Properties3.3 Applications of 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline3.4 Manufacturing Process3.4.1 Raw Materials3.4.2 Cost AnalysisPart 4. Competitive Landscape4.1 Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Market, by Volume 2012-20174.1.1 Overview4.1.2 Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Market, by Volume, by Company4.1.3 Top 3 Companies by Volume Share4.2 Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Market, by Revenue 2012-20174.2.1 Overview4.2.2 Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Market, by Revenue, by Company4.2.3 Top 3 Companies by Revenue SharePart 5. Market Dynamics5.1 Market Drivers5.2 Challenges5.3 Market TrendsPart 6. Segmentation by Application6.1 Overview6.2 Agrochemical6.3 PharmaceuticalPart 7. Segmentation by Region7.1 Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Volume by Region7.1.1 North America7.1.2 Europe7.1.3 Asia-Pacific7.1.4 China7.2 Global 4-Fluoro-N-isopropylaniline Revenue by Region7.2.1 North America7.2.2 Europe7.2.3 Asia-Pacific7.2.4 ChinaContinuedEnquire About this Report:About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of chemicals industry reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Resilient Flooring Market Segments and Key Trends 2015 - 2023

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Global Resilient Flooring Market: OverviewResilient flooring is a blend of synthetic and natural materials which is employed in the primary replacement for traditional hardwood flooring. It conglomerates the characteristics of esthetic flooring. It offers enhanced strength properties due to the mix of the polymer materials used in the several manufacturing processes. Resilient flooring is classified into four type on the basis of raw materials such as linoleum, cork, rubber, and vinyl. Other different types of resilient flooring comprise asphalt and wood. Vinyl resilient flooring is anticipated to retain a lead over the next couple of years owing to its feasible nature and substantial longevity as compared to traditional flooring. It is further durable and can be produced using several raw materials. As a result of its flexibility with different raw materials, vinyl resilient flooring can be used in several applications.View TOC for this Market Report @This industry research report is a brief review of the growth trail in terms of current, historical, and future scenarios of the global resilient flooring market. It offers an evaluation of the aspects that are expected to influence the development of the market and the primary trends have also been specified in the research study. The research study also offers a broad lookout on the vendor landscape of the market through Porters five forces analysis. The research publication provides references of mergers and acquisitions, the research and development activities, specifics on licensing and collaborations. The report probes into the strategies related to marketing, shares, and product portfolio of the key participants in the global resilient flooring market.Global Resilient Flooring Market: Trends and ProspectsThe growing construction industry is likely to bolster the growth of the resilient flooring market due to its high demand in the construction industry. A significant rise in the commercial and residential construction activities is also expected to drive the demand for resilient flooring over the next couple of years. The global market is also expected to be benefitted by the rising demand in Europe and Asia Pacific. The growing demand for inclusive flooring for installing in commercial complexes is further expected to the fuel the growth of the resilient flooring market in the near future. This trend is expected to gain traction in the next couple of years.The employment of cork flooring is also gaining prominence owing to its easy installation feature. Owing to the growing environmental concerns across the globe, the deployment of linoleum flooring is intensifying as it is naturally sourced. Hence, resilient flooring has the capacity to imitate textures of wood and stone along with other advantages.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Global Resilient Flooring Market: Key RegionsBased on volume, the global resilient flooring market is projected to be dominated by Asia Pacific in the next couple of years. This growth can be primarily attributed to the growing building and construction industry of the region. The incessantly rising number of construction activities in Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand, and India is another factor that is likely to bode well for the market growth in the region. The market for resilient flooring in Europe is likely to be driven by the rising replacement to resilient flooring from hardwood flooring.Global Resilient Flooring Market: Competitive LandscapeThe chief players in the market are AWI Licensing Company, Mohawk Industries, Shaw Industries Group Inc., Gerflor Group, Forbo Flooring Systems, Domco Tarkett Inc., American Biltrite Inc., and Mannington Mills Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Biological DrugsMarket is Projected to Record US$ 287 Billion in 2020

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Global Market Study on Biological Drugs: North America to Witness Highest Growth By 2020, the global biological drugs market was valued at US$ 161,056.5 Mn in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% from 2014 to 2020, to reach US$ 287,139.7 Mn by 2020.Biological drugs are typically derived from living cells and are used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases such as cancer, blood disorders, auto-immune diseases, and other medical disorders. Biological drugs have more complex structures compared to that of conventional drugs.View and Download TOC of Biological Drugs Market Research Report @Globally, the biological drugs market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and growing geriatric population. In addition, health and awareness initiatives by various government associations are also supporting the growth of the biological drugs market. However, high costs of biological drugs and patent expiry of blockbuster drugs impede the growth of the biological drugs market. Moreover, risks of adverse effects associated with biologic injectable drugs also inhibit the growth of the market.The global biological drugs market is anticipated to grow from an estimated US$ 161,056.5 Mn in 2014 to US$ 287,139.7 Mn by 2020 at a CAGR 10.1% during the forecast period.Request and Download Sample Report @North America dominates the global biological drugs market. This is due to increasing use of biological drugs in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases in the region. In addition, several clinics in the region are focusing on biological drugs for the treatment of various diseases.The biological drugs market in Europe is growing due to increasing aging population in the region. For instance, according to a UN report, elderly people accounted for 23.2% of the total population in Germany in 2000, and the number is expected to reach 33.2% by 2025. Aging can lead to certain disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, which require effective biological drugs for their treatment.Low manufacturing costs in Asia are attracting biopharmaceutical companies to invest in the region, supporting the growth of the biological drugs market. Moreover, governments of some Asian countries are also supporting the growth of the biological drugs market by providing funds to life sciences research institutes and biotech companies for the construction of R&D and manufacturing facilities.Buy Full Biological Drugs Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Neurostimulation Devices Market is Expected to Represent US$ 10,445.7 million by 2020

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Global Market Study on Neurostimulation Devices - Deep Brain Stimulation Devices to Witness Highest Growth by 2020, the global neurostimulation devices market was valued at US$ 5,088.9 Mn in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% from 2014 to 2020, to reach US$ 10,445.7 Mn by 2020.Neurostimulation technology involves the use of microelectrodes to activate elements of the nervous system. It involves the use of a neurostimulation device - a battery-powered stopwatch-sized device - which is surgically implanted in the brain and delivers electric signals at scheduled time intervals to the nervous system. These electric signals develop tingling sensations (paresthesia) in the damaged nerve and helps chronic pain and neurological disorders. In chronic pain conditions, these electric signals block the pain messages from the damaged nerve from reaching the brain. These devices are gaining importance in the management of chronic conditions such neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, Parkinsons disease, epilepsy, and depression. Neuropathic pain occurs due to nerve damage, while nociceptive pain arises from diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. These devices are mostly used in cases where systemic drug therapies are not effective.View and Download TOC of Neurostimulation Devices Market Research Report @The global neurostimulation devices market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing prevalence of chronic pain and rising incidences of neurological diseases. Moreover, rising awareness about various neurological diseases, growing geriatric population, and increasing investments in research and development of innovative neurostimulation devices are also driving the market. However, availability of alternative treatment therapies for neurological diseases and side-effects of neurostimulation therapy inhibit the growth of the market. The global neurostimulation devices market is anticipated to grow from an estimated US$ 5,088.9 Mn in 2014 to US$ 10,445.7 Mn by 2020 at a CAGR of 12.7% during the forecast period.In North America, the neurostimulation devices market is growing due to increasing incidence of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinsons disease. Moreover, initiatives taken by various government and private associations for increasing awareness about various chronic pain and neurological disorders and rising investments in the research and development of novel neurostimulation devices in North America is driving the market in the region.Request and Download Sample Report @The neurostimulation devices market in Europe is growing due to initiatives taken by various governments to improve healthcare facilities in the region. Furthermore, increasing incidences of chronic pain and neurological diseases and growing aging population are also boosting the growth of the Europe neurostimulation devices market. According to WHO, every year, neurological disorders affect one-third of the population in Europe, and approximately 1% to 2% of the population is diagnosed with psychotic disorders. According to the NHS England - a government organization primarily involved in the improvement of healthcare services in England - approximately 8 million people suffered from chronic pain in the U.K. in 2010, and the number reached 14 million in 2012.Asia Pacific represents the fastest-growing region in the neurostimulation devices market. This is primarily due to growing aging population in various countries such as India and China. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - an organization involved in biomedical and health related research activities - approximately 110 million people in China were aged 65 years and above in 2011 and the number is expected to reach 330 million by 2050. In India, approximately 60 million people were aged 65 years and above in 2011 and the number is expected to reach 227 million by 2050.Medtronic, plc, St. Jude Medical, Inc, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Cyberonics, Inc. are some of the leading players in the neurostimulation devices market. Other major players of neurostimulation devices market include Cochlear, Ltd., NDI Medical, LLC, NeuroPace, Inc., NeuroSigma, Inc., and MED-EL.Buy Full Neurostimulation Devices Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
South Korea Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024

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GlobalDatas new report, South Korea Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024, provides key market data on the South Korea Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (USD) within market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of these market segments, and global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants. Based on the availability of data for the particular market and country, information related to pipeline products, news and deals is available in the report.view Report @Extensive interviews are conducted with key opinion leaders (KOLs), physicians and industry experts to validate the market size, company share and distribution share data and analysis.Scope- Market size and company share data for Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.- Annualized market revenues (USD million) and volume (units) data for each of the market segments. Data is provided from 2010 to 2017 and forecast to 2024.- 2017 company shares and distribution shares data for each of the market segments.- Global corporate-level profiles of key companies operating within the South Korea Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market.- Key players covered include Ethicon US LLC, Baxter International Inc and B. Braun Melsungen AG.Get Sample Report here :Reasons to buy- Develop business strategies by identifying the key market segments poised for strong growth in the future.- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies.- Design competition strategies by identifying who-stands-where in the market.- Develop investment strategies by identifying the key market segments expected to register strong growth in the near future.- What are the key distribution channels and whats the most preferred mode of product distribution - Identify, understand and capitalize.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
2017 Global Dental Burnisher Market by Key Players, Type, Application and Region

Global Dental Burnisher Market

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Global Dental Burnisher Market Report illustrates the present development status of Dental Burnisher along with the growth of Dental Burnisher expected during the forecast period during 2017-2022. Dental Burnisher Market analyses the industry based on different factors like growth trends, consumer volume, Dental Burnisher market size and demand and supply status. Dental Burnisher Market is a beneficial research material which conducts a competitive analysis of the Dental Burnisher market. This report also portrays the Dental Burnisher industry structure based on the product cost, major industry players, product applications, import/export details and Dental Burnisher market competition.A complete study of Dental Burnisher based on emerging and dominant market segments, major geographical regions, supply chain analysis, Dental Burnisher revenue analysis will drive important business decisions. This research also lists covers the details related to the downstream buyer analysis, supply chain scenario, distributor scenario, labor cost and the cost of raw materials.More regarding Global Dental Burnisher Market 2017 Report at:Complete details of Dental Burnisher are listed in the below TOC, Figures, Charts, Graphs. The major Companies leading to the growth of Dental Burnisher are covered in this report with their consumer base, company profile, and Dental Burnisher revenue share.A thorough analysis of Dental Burnisher based on the primary market segments, sub-segments, emerging market sectors, Dental Burnisher development trends, opportunities and threats to the market development has been evaluated. Comprehensive details related to Dental Burnisher market development during the forecast period, investment return analysis, technological advancement taking place in Dental Burnisher will assist all the market players for planning development strategies.Request A Sample Copy Here:Complete Manufacturer study of Dental Burnisher Market:DENTSPLY InternationalA.Titan InstrumentsDEPPELERAmerican Eagle InstrumentsHu-FriedyDental USAAllSeasGuilin Woodpecker Medical InstrumentMajor regions and their revenue analysis covered in Dental Burnisher include North America,Europe,Japan,China,India,South East Asia. This report also covers the marketing strategies followed by Dental Burnisher players, distributors analysis, marketing channels, potential buyers and Dental Burnisher development history.Dental Burnisher Market analysis based on top players, Dental Burnisher market gains, sales, product type, production capacity and gross margin analysis will favor the market development.Based on the dynamic market trends, developments taking place in Dental Burnisher, competitive study, growth opportunities, Dental Burnisher market will reflect huge development in coming years. All the crucial Dental Burnisher market factors leading to growth has been covered in this report.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.
2017 Global Strain Reliefs Market by Key Players, Type, Application and Region

Global Strain Reliefs Market

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Global Strain Reliefs Market Report illustrates the present development status of Strain Reliefs along with the growth of Strain Reliefs expected during the forecast period during 2017-2022. Strain Reliefs Market analyses the industry based on different factors like growth trends, consumer volume, Strain Reliefs market size and demand and supply status. Strain Reliefs Market is a beneficial research material which conducts a competitive analysis of the Strain Reliefs market. This report also portrays the Strain Reliefs industry structure based on the product cost, major industry players, product applications, import/export details and Strain Reliefs market competition.A complete study of Strain Reliefs based on emerging and dominant market segments, major geographical regions, supply chain analysis, Strain Reliefs revenue analysis will drive important business decisions. This research also lists covers the details related to the downstream buyer analysis, supply chain scenario, distributor scenario, labor cost and the cost of raw materials.More regarding Global Strain Reliefs Market 2017 Report at:Complete details of Strain Reliefs are listed in the below TOC, Figures, Charts, Graphs. The major Companies leading to the growth of Strain Reliefs are covered in this report with their consumer base, company profile, and Strain Reliefs revenue share.A thorough analysis of Strain Reliefs based on the primary market segments, sub-segments, emerging market sectors, Strain Reliefs development trends, opportunities and threats to the market development has been evaluated. Comprehensive details related to Strain Reliefs market development during the forecast period, investment return analysis, technological advancement taking place in Strain Reliefs will assist all the market players for planning development strategies.Request A Sample Copy Here:Complete Manufacturer study of Strain Reliefs Market:AmphenolGlenairSouriau3MAim CambridgeOmronDeutschDuratoolBulginMajor regions and their revenue analysis covered in Strain Reliefs include North America,Europe,Japan,China,India,South East Asia. This report also covers the marketing strategies followed by Strain Reliefs players, distributors analysis, marketing channels, potential buyers and Strain Reliefs development history.Strain Reliefs Market analysis based on top players, Strain Reliefs market gains, sales, product type, production capacity and gross margin analysis will favor the market development.Based on the dynamic market trends, developments taking place in Strain Reliefs, competitive study, growth opportunities, Strain Reliefs market will reflect huge development in coming years. All the crucial Strain Reliefs market factors leading to growth has been covered in this report.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Mexico Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024

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GlobalDatas new report, Mexico Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024, provides key market data on the Mexico Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (USD) within market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of these market segments, and global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants. Based on the availability of data for the particular market and country, information related to pipeline products, news and deals is available in the report.View Report @Extensive interviews are conducted with key opinion leaders (KOLs), physicians and industry experts to validate the market size, company share and distribution share data and analysis.Scope- Market size and company share data for Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.- Annualized market revenues (USD million) and volume (units) data for each of the market segments. Data is provided from 2010 to 2017 and forecast to 2024.- 2017 company shares and distribution shares data for each of the market segments.- Global corporate-level profiles of key companies operating within the Mexico Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market.- Key players covered include Ethicon US LLC, Baxter International Inc and B. Braun Melsungen AG.Get Sample Copy here :Reasons to buy- Develop business strategies by identifying the key market segments poised for strong growth in the future.- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies.- Design competition strategies by identifying who-stands-where in the market.- Develop investment strategies by identifying the key market segments expected to register strong growth in the near future.- What are the key distribution channels and whats the most preferred mode of product distribution - Identify, understand and capitalize.Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 31.2 List of Figures 32 Introduction 42.1 What Is This Report About? 42.2 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Segmentation 42.3 Definitions of Markets Covered in the Report 53 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico 63.1 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Revenue ($m), 2010-2017 63.2 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Revenue ($m), 2017-2024 83.2.1 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Revenue ($m), by Segment, 2010-2017 103.2.2 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Revenue ($m), by Segment, 2017-2024 123.3 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Volume (Units), 2010-2017 143.4 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Volume (Units), 2017-2024 163.4.1 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Volume (Units), by Segment, 2010-2017 183.4.2 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Volume (Units), by Segment, 2017-2024 203.5 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Average Price ($), 2010-2024 223.6 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Distribution Share by Revenue ($m), 2017 233.7 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Mexico, Company Share by Revenue ($m), 2017 244 Overview of Key Companies in Mexico, Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market 254.1 Ethicon US LLC 254.1.1 Company Overview 254.2 Baxter International Inc 254.2.1 Company Overview 254.3 Integra LifeSciences Corp 254.3.1 Company Overview 255 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Pipeline Products 266 Financial Deals Landscape 276.1 Partnerships 276.1.1 Progenerative Medical Enters into Licensing Agreement with Kinetic Concepts 277 Appendix 287.1 Research Methodology 297.1.1 Coverage 297.1.2 Secondary Research 297.1.3 Primary Research 307.1.4 Market Modeling and Forecasting 317.1.5 Company Share Analysis 327.1.6 Distribution Share Analysis 337.1.7 Benchmarking 337.2 GlobalData Consulting 347.3 Contact Us 347.4 Disclaimer 34About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
HoneyComb Packaging - Global Market pegged at over $9.41 million in 2016 and is expected to reach $15.05 million by 2023

HoneyComb Packaging Market Report

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A new research document with title 'HoneyComb Packaging - Global Market Outlook (2017-2023)' covering detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. The study covers geographic analysis that includes regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa and important players/vendors such as Packaging Corporation of America and Lsquare Eco-Products Pvt. Ltd, etc The report will help user gain market insights, future trends and growth prospects for forecast period of 2017-2023Request for sample pages @According to Research, the Global Honeycomb Packaging market is expected to grow from $ 9.41 billion in 2016 to reach $ 15.05 billion by 2023 with a CAGR of 6.9%. Rising demand for ensuring glass items, consumer electronic products to be safe, growing demand for the development of e-commerce are propelling the market. On the other hand, customers rising preferences for flexible packaging over honeycomb packaging due to its lightweight is hindering the market.Depending on packaging type, exterior packaging segment lead the market globally and the growth is due to growing need for boxes, containers, cartons. By end user, furniture and automotive industry has acquired the largest market share and the growth is attributed to the increasing use of foolproof packaging. North America is dominating the honeycomb market and the packaging in this region is growing due to increasing need for automotive, furniture and consumer goods.Some of the key players in global honeycomb packaging market include Sealed Air Corporation, DS Smith, Sonoco Products Company, ACH Foam Technologies, Inc, BASF SE, WestRock Company, Huhtamaki Group, Smurfit Kappa Group, Packaging Corporation of America and Lsquare Eco-Products Pvt. Ltd.End Users Covered: Consumer Goods Automotive Goods Furniture Industrial Goods Food & Beverage Other End Userso Logistics PackagingPackaging Types Covered: Exterior Packaging Pallets Interior Packaging Other Packaging TypesRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsGet customization & check discount for report @1 Executive Summary2 Preface2.1 Abstract2.2 Stake Holders2.3 Research Scope2.4 Research Methodology2.4.1 Data Mining2.4.2 Data Analysis2.4.3 Data Validation2.4.4 Research Approach2.5 Research Sources2.5.1 Primary Research Sources2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources2.5.3 Assumptions3 Market Trend Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Drivers3.3 Restraints3.4 Opportunities3.5 Threats....ContinuedView Detailed Table of Content @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.Buy this report @HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
2017 Global CAT Scanner Market by Key Players, Type, Application and Region

Global CAT Scanner Market

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Global CAT Scanner Market Report illustrates the present development status of CAT Scanner along with the growth of CAT Scanner expected during the forecast period during 2017-2022. CAT Scanner Market analyses the industry based on different factors like growth trends, consumer volume, CAT Scanner market size and demand and supply status. CAT Scanner Market is a beneficial research material which conducts a competitive analysis of the CAT Scanner market. This report also portrays the CAT Scanner industry structure based on the product cost, major industry players, product applications, import/export details and CAT Scanner market competition.A complete study of CAT Scanner based on emerging and dominant market segments, major geographical regions, supply chain analysis, CAT Scanner revenue analysis will drive important business decisions. This research also lists covers the details related to the downstream buyer analysis, supply chain scenario, distributor scenario, labor cost and the cost of raw materials.More regarding Global CAT Scanner Market 2017 Report at:Complete details of CAT Scanner are listed in the below TOC, Figures, Charts, Graphs. The major Companies leading to the growth of CAT Scanner are covered in this report with their consumer base, company profile, and CAT Scanner revenue share.A thorough analysis of CAT Scanner based on the primary market segments, sub-segments, emerging market sectors, CAT Scanner development trends, opportunities and threats to the market development has been evaluated. Comprehensive details related to CAT Scanner market development during the forecast period, investment return analysis, technological advancement taking place in CAT Scanner will assist all the market players for planning development strategies.Request A Sample Copy Here:Complete Manufacturer study of CAT Scanner Market:SiemensPhilipsGETrivitronToshibaHitachiNeusoftNeuro LogicaAnkeMajor regions and their revenue analysis covered in CAT Scanner include North America,Europe,Japan,China,India,South East Asia. This report also covers the marketing strategies followed by CAT Scanner players, distributors analysis, marketing channels, potential buyers and CAT Scanner development history.CAT Scanner Market analysis based on top players, CAT Scanner market gains, sales, product type, production capacity and gross margin analysis will favor the market development.Based on the dynamic market trends, developments taking place in CAT Scanner, competitive study, growth opportunities, CAT Scanner market will reflect huge development in coming years. All the crucial CAT Scanner market factors leading to growth has been covered in this report.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
2017 Global PET-CT Scanners Market by Key Players, Type, Application and Region

Global PET-CT Scanners Market

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Global PET-CT Scanners Market Report illustrates the present development status of PET-CT Scanners along with the growth of PET-CT Scanners expected during the forecast period during 2017-2022. PET-CT Scanners Market analyses the industry based on different factors like growth trends, consumer volume, PET-CT Scanners market size and demand and supply status. PET-CT Scanners Market is a beneficial research material which conducts a competitive analysis of the PET-CT Scanners market. This report also portrays the PET-CT Scanners industry structure based on the product cost, major industry players, product applications, import/export details and PET-CT Scanners market competition.A complete study of PET-CT Scanners based on emerging and dominant market segments, major geographical regions, supply chain analysis, PET-CT Scanners revenue analysis will drive important business decisions. This research also lists covers the details related to the downstream buyer analysis, supply chain scenario, distributor scenario, labor cost and the cost of raw materials.More regarding Global PET-CT Scanners Market 2017 Report at:Complete details of PET-CT Scanners are listed in the below TOC, Figures, Charts, Graphs. The major Companies leading to the growth of PET-CT Scanners are covered in this report with their consumer base, company profile, and PET-CT Scanners revenue share.A thorough analysis of PET-CT Scanners based on the primary market segments, sub-segments, emerging market sectors, PET-CT Scanners development trends, opportunities and threats to the market development has been evaluated. Comprehensive details related to PET-CT Scanners market development during the forecast period, investment return analysis, technological advancement taking place in PET-CT Scanners will assist all the market players for planning development strategies.Request A Sample Copy Here:Complete Manufacturer study of PET-CT Scanners Market:Siemens HealthcarePhilips HealthcareGE HealthcareNeusoft MedicalHitachiNeuroLogicaMajor regions and their revenue analysis covered in PET-CT Scanners include North America,Europe,Japan,China,India,South East Asia. This report also covers the marketing strategies followed by PET-CT Scanners players, distributors analysis, marketing channels, potential buyers and PET-CT Scanners development history.PET-CT Scanners Market analysis based on top players, PET-CT Scanners market gains, sales, product type, production capacity and gross margin analysis will favor the market development.Based on the dynamic market trends, developments taking place in PET-CT Scanners, competitive study, growth opportunities, PET-CT Scanners market will reflect huge development in coming years. All the crucial PET-CT Scanners market factors leading to growth has been covered in this report.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
2024 Brazil Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Analysis And Forecast

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"The Report Brazil Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"GlobalDatas new report, Brazil Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024, provides key market data on the Brazil Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (USD) within market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of these market segments, and global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants. Based on the availability of data for the particular market and country, information related to pipeline products, news and deals is available in the report.Extensive interviews are conducted with key opinion leaders (KOLs), physicians and industry experts to validate the market size, company share and distribution share data and analysis.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Scope- Market size and company share data for Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.- Annualized market revenues (USD million) and volume (units) data for each of the market segments. Data is provided from 2010 to 2017 and forecast to 2024.- 2017 company shares and distribution shares data for each of the market segments.- Global corporate-level profiles of key companies operating within the Brazil Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market.- Key players covered include Ethicon US LLC, Baxter International Inc and B. Braun Melsungen AG.View Report @Reasons to buy- Develop business strategies by identifying the key market segments poised for strong growth in the future.- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies.- Design competition strategies by identifying who-stands-where in the market.- Develop investment strategies by identifying the key market segments expected to register strong growth in the near future.- What are the key distribution channels and whats the most preferred mode of product distribution - Identify, understand and capitalize.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
2017 Global Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market by Key Players, Type, Application and Region

Global Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market

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Global Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market Report illustrates the present development status of Orthopedic 3D Scanners along with the growth of Orthopedic 3D Scanners expected during the forecast period during 2017-2022. Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market analyses the industry based on different factors like growth trends, consumer volume, Orthopedic 3D Scanners market size and demand and supply status. Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market is a beneficial research material which conducts a competitive analysis of the Orthopedic 3D Scanners market. This report also portrays the Orthopedic 3D Scanners industry structure based on the product cost, major industry players, product applications, import/export details and Orthopedic 3D Scanners market competition.A complete study of Orthopedic 3D Scanners based on emerging and dominant market segments, major geographical regions, supply chain analysis, Orthopedic 3D Scanners revenue analysis will drive important business decisions. This research also lists covers the details related to the downstream buyer analysis, supply chain scenario, distributor scenario, labor cost and the cost of raw materials.More regarding Global Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market 2017 Report at:Complete details of Orthopedic 3D Scanners are listed in the below TOC, Figures, Charts, Graphs. The major Companies leading to the growth of Orthopedic 3D Scanners are covered in this report with their consumer base, company profile, and Orthopedic 3D Scanners revenue share.A thorough analysis of Orthopedic 3D Scanners based on the primary market segments, sub-segments, emerging market sectors, Orthopedic 3D Scanners development trends, opportunities and threats to the market development has been evaluated. Comprehensive details related to Orthopedic 3D Scanners market development during the forecast period, investment return analysis, technological advancement taking place in Orthopedic 3D Scanners will assist all the market players for planning development strategies.Request A Sample Copy Here:Complete Manufacturer study of Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market:Allied OSI LabsDelcam PlcDiasu Health TechnologiesEuroprotesicaMile High Orthotics LabsVorumWillow WoodMajor regions and their revenue analysis covered in Orthopedic 3D Scanners include North America,Europe,Japan,China,India,South East Asia. This report also covers the marketing strategies followed by Orthopedic 3D Scanners players, distributors analysis, marketing channels, potential buyers and Orthopedic 3D Scanners development history.Orthopedic 3D Scanners Market analysis based on top players, Orthopedic 3D Scanners market gains, sales, product type, production capacity and gross margin analysis will favor the market development.Based on the dynamic market trends, developments taking place in Orthopedic 3D Scanners, competitive study, growth opportunities, Orthopedic 3D Scanners market will reflect huge development in coming years. All the crucial Orthopedic 3D Scanners market factors leading to growth has been covered in this report.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Canada Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024

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GlobalDatas new report, Canada Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Outlook to 2024, provides key market data on the Canada Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (USD) within market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of these market segments, and global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants. Based on the availability of data for the particular market and country, information related to pipeline products, news and deals is available in the report.Extensive interviews are conducted with key opinion leaders (KOLs), physicians and industry experts to validate the market size, company share and distribution share data and analysis.View Report @Scope- Market size and company share data for Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market segments - Biologic Skin Substitutes, Biosynthetic Skin Substitutes and Synthetic Skin Substitutes.- Annualized market revenues (USD million) and volume (units) data for each of the market segments. Data is provided from 2010 to 2017 and forecast to 2024.- 2017 company shares and distribution shares data for each of the market segments.- Global corporate-level profiles of key companies operating within the Canada Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes market.- Key players covered include Ethicon US LLC, Baxter International Inc and B. Braun Melsungen AG.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Reasons to buy- Develop business strategies by identifying the key market segments poised for strong growth in the future.- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies.- Design competition strategies by identifying who-stands-where in the market.- Develop investment strategies by identifying the key market segments expected to register strong growth in the near future.- What are the key distribution channels and whats the most preferred mode of product distribution - Identify, understand and capitalize.Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 31.2 List of Figures 32 Introduction 42.1 What Is This Report About? 42.2 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Segmentation 42.3 Definitions of Markets Covered in the Report 53 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada 63.1 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Revenue ($m), 2010-2017 63.2 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Revenue ($m), 2017-2024 83.2.1 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Revenue ($m), by Segment, 2010-2017 103.2.2 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Revenue ($m), by Segment, 2017-2024 123.3 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Volume (Units), 2010-2017 143.4 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Volume (Units), 2017-2024 163.4.1 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Volume (Units), by Segment, 2010-2017 183.4.2 Biologic Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Volume (Units), by Segment, 2017-2024 203.5 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Average Price ($), 2010-2024 223.6 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Distribution Share by Revenue ($m), 2017 233.7 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market, Canada, Company Share by Revenue ($m), 2017 244 Overview of Key Companies in Canada, Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market 264.1 Ethicon US LLC 264.1.1 Company Overview 264.2 Baxter International Inc 264.2.1 Company Overview 264.3 C. R. Bard Inc 264.3.1 Company Overview 264.4 CryoLife Inc 274.4.1 Company Overview 274.5 Integra LifeSciences Corp 274.5.1 Company Overview 275 Tissue Engineered - Skin Substitutes Market Pipeline Products 286 Financial Deals Landscape 296.1 Asset Transactions 296.1.1 Boston Scientific Acquires Tissue Processing Technology and Facility from Neovasc for USD68 Million 296.2 Partnerships 316.2.1 Progenerative Medical Enters into Licensing Agreement with Kinetic Concepts 317 Appendix 327.1 Research Methodology 337.1.1 Coverage 337.1.2 Secondary Research 337.1.3 Primary Research 347.1.4 Market Modeling and Forecasting 357.1.5 Company Share Analysis 367.1.6 Distribution Share Analysis 377.1.7 Benchmarking 377.2 GlobalData Consulting 387.3 Contact Us 387.4 Disclaimer 38About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
In Cloud ERP Market ERP Solutions are expected to open up New Space in Developing Regions

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Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is an important and heavy investment for all successful running businesses. Almost all medium and big size companies rely on ERP solutions for their business management services. ERP system is an important part of development in corporate information technology, which helps in reshaping an organisations structure to change the distribution of powers, processes and rights within the organisation. Conventional ERP software has extensively been used for major back office operations such as product planning, inventory control and marketing & sales management. The traditional ERP systems take longer time to be implemented in business architecture with high cost and low reliability.Explore Report Description at:With advancement in technology and enterprise management solutions, cloud ERP technology has received increased attention from industries across the globe as it focuses on major areas of business process such as accounting & finance, human resource management and marketing, transforming them into easy tasks. Cloud ERP services are developed according to the requirement of company, including faster deployment and easy access to software by end users. Moreover, cloud ERP solutions manage resources effectively and seamlessly integrate into organizational activities. With increase in operational efficiency of business, providing competitive edge to organisations in their product and service management, and reducing business complexities, the global cloud ERP market is expected to witness positive growth during the forecast period.Click Here For Enquiry Form:Major demand for cloud ERP is generated with need of on demand access to computing services, availability of large storage space, automated resource management and industry specific functions such as sales and customer support. Low cost, greater reliability, adoption of cloud based services with integrated business management are also some other factors driving the demand for the global cloud ERP solutions. The rapid growth in demand for cloud ERP in industries such as healthcare, retail, education and telecom are set to derive the cloud ERP market. Increased penetration of new technology solutions within organisations, low demographic barriers such as mobility, and availability of advanced open source applications with greater efficiency & transparency is also driving the growth of the global cloud ERP market.Download Free Report Sample At:Providing more flexibility to businesses, cloud ERP solutions are expected to open up new space for the cloud ERP market in developing regions. With more advanced and robust technological environment, North America and Europe has greater adoption rate of cloud ERP services. In addition, transforming businesses, regional expansions and emergence of many small medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies, such as Asia-Pacific, cloud ERP market has further growth potential in these regions.Increased competitive intelligence by prominent manufacturers of ERP software have developed key strategies such as streamlining distribution channels globally to roll out their offerings and gain significant share in the cloud global ERP market. Some of the major player in the global cloud ERP market includes Ramco Systems, Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, Intacct Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Netsuite Inc and Infor.P&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.KundanManager  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Membrane Separation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2013 - 2019

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The global membrane separation market is estimated to expand positively at a CAGR of 10.8% during the period between 2013 and 2019. Projects market to be worth US$39.2 bn by the end of 2019. The overall market stood at a valuation of US$19.0 bn in 2012.In the membrane separation technology, a semipermeable barrier controls the rate of movement of various molecules between two gaseous phases or two liquid phases or a gas and a liquid phase. The widely used membrane separation processes include ultrafiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, dialysis, electrolysis, membrane distillation, and others. In the recent times, the membrane separation technology has gained popularity amid rapid industrialization and water pollution.The report points out that the growing demand for clean water from the municipal sector is driving the growth of the global membrane separation market. The rising interest in water reuse and wastewater treatment, coupled with stringent environmental regulations regarding water pollution, has boosted the demand for membrane separation. The rapid industrialization across the developing economies and the growing population in water stressed areas are expected to augment the growth of the market during the forecast horizon. However, high operational and installation costs and the lack of funds in the developing countries will restrict the growth of the market. Nevertheless, the global membrane separation market has a huge opportunity to grow with the shift towards chemical free water treatment process across industries.Request to view Sample Report:In terms of process, the report broadly segments the global membrane separation market into microfiltration, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and ultrafiltration. Microfiltration holds more than 35% of the market. On the basis of end users, the report categorizes the market into industrial, healthcare, and water and wastewater treatment. Water and wastewater treatment is the largest end user segment and accounts for over 36% of the market.The report studies the membrane separation market across four key regions: Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. Owing to the growing demand from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, India, and China, Asia Pacific is expected to contribute significantly towards the growth of the global market for membrane separation during the forecast horizon. The growth of the market in this region can be attributed to the rapid industrialization which is leading to water pollution. The increasing population in Asia Pacific and growing scarcity of potable water have compelled authorities to focus on waste water treatment measures.Request to Download TOC of the Report:Describing the competitive landscape, the report profiles some of the key players in the global membrane separation market such as Hyflux, Kubota, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Pentair X-Flow, Pall Corporation, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, GE Water & Process Technologies, IDE Technologies, TriSep Corporation, 3M Company, The Dow Chemical Company, Koch Membrane Systems Inc., and Sartorius AG. The report further provides insightful information about the key players including their product segments, financial performance, and strategic developments.Global Membrane Separation Market Report is available @ US$ 5795 :About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
North And Latin America Water Pumps Market is projected to Reflect 4% CAGR throughout 2016-2024

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The demand for water pumps across North America and Latin America continues to grow in parallel with the growth in the regions population. More households emerging in countries such as the US, Canada, Brazil or Mexico will certainly require water pumps for domestic purposes.Concurrently, agricultural, administrative and industrial sector in these regions will also adopt such pumps to keep up with the surging demands of consumers. Water pumps being deployed in the residential sector of North America and Latin America are projected to grow as municipalities & county authorities from this region will strive to improve their drinking water facilitation and upgrade the wastewater treatment plants.View and Download TOC of Water Pumps Market Research Report @Nevertheless, a recent study developed by Persistence Market Research projects that revenues garnered from sales of water pumps across Latin America and North America will soar at a moderate CAGR of 4% over an eight-year forecast period. After amassing an estimated US$ 9,422.9 million revenues in 2016, the water pumps market in North America and Latin America is anticipated to reach a valuation of US$ 13,412 .8 million by the end of 2024.In the report, titled Water Pumps Market: North & Latin America Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2016-2024, Persistence Market Research predicts that more than 90% of water pump revenues in Latin America and North America will be accounted by sales of centrifugal pumps.While over 936 thousand units of positive displacement pumps are estimated to be sold in the Americas during the forecast period, sales of centrifugal pumps will be raking in revenues worth over US$ 12 billion by the end of 2024. In 2016, centrifugal pumps worth nearly US$ 3 billion were estimated to be consumed by wastewater and water treatment plants across North America and Latin America.Request and Download Sample Report @Oil and gas industries in this region have been predicted to have consumed over 200 thousand units of positive displacement pumps in 2016.Compared to Latin America, North America will continue to have a large share in their collective regional market for water pumps. In 2016, the US water pumps market accounted for more than two-third of North Americas water pump revenues, while Brazil and Mexico attributed to more than 50% growth in Latin Americas water pumps revenues.US-based companies Xylem Inc. and Flowserve Corporation are the leading native players in North America and Latin Americas water pumps market. The market will continue to witness higher participation from European water pump manufacturers such as KSB AG, Weir Group Plc., Grundfos, and Sulzer AG. Japanese water pump manufacturer, Ebara Corp is also observed to be a key participant as the company has established two manufacturing plants in North America and one in Latin America.Buy Full Water Pumps Market Research Market Report @Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA,Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Exterior Architectural Coating Market : Outlook by Product Overview, Application and Regions 2025

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Global Exterior Architectural Coating Market: SnapshotThe global exterior architectural coating market is anticipated to rise at a telling level of growth in the foreseeable future due to increasing construction assignments in developing countries such as Brazil, India, Singapore, and China. In 2015, the market had demonstrated a decent growth. Moving further, the market could ride its growth on the surge in industrial expansion and high demand for residential architectural coating. Bitter weather conditions, storm, foreign particles, extreme temperatures, and UV radiations are some of the primary reasons for the increasing application of exterior architectural coating on building surfaces.Another key factor predicted to augment the demand in the global exterior architectural coating market is the growing requirement of developing infrastructure in evolving economies such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia apart from the aforementioned ones. This had attracted several public-private partnerships, foreign direct investment (FDI), and increasing government spending, totaling an additional boost to the growth of the overall market.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Novel technologies with different formulations, for instance, waterborne, developed by businesses such as AkzoNobel, PPG Industries, and Sherwin-Williams are prophesied to raise the expectations of growth in the global exterior architectural coating market. Most of these technologies are prognosticated to possess anti-odor and antibacterial properties. Environment-friendly products offering top-quality finishes could unveil new avenues in the market. This could be brought about by increasing research and development investments by leading players such as Nippon Paint. In 2015, in order to meet the demands in China, Axalta Coating Systems had built a new waterborne coatings plant in Shanghai.Global Exterior Architectural Coating Market: SummaryIn order to protect architectural designs from corrosion, impact and abrasion, exterior architectural coating is a must. These coatings offer longevity to buildings and provide desired protection from harsh environmental conditions.Based on resin type, the market can be segmented into acrylic, alkyd, epoxy, polyurethane, polyester, and other. In terms of technology, water based and solvent based are the two segments of the market. On the basis of application, the market can be further classified into non-residential and residential.Request TOC of the Report @The report offers an in-depth analysis of market segments and competitive landscape. It also provides drivers and restraints of the global exterior architectural coating. It also profiles key players in the market based on various attributes such as business strategies, company overview, financial overview, and recent developments.Global Exterior Architectural Coating Market: Trends and ProspectsShifting preference of consumers towards eco-friendly waterborne architectural coating, easy availability, and a wide variety of paints formulations are factors that will drive demand growth of the global exterior architectural coating market. These coatings are known to offer protection to buildings from extreme temperatures, severe weather conditions, UV radiations, foreign particles and storms, which is expected to supplement the demand. Fluctuating prices of raw materials such as pigments, titanium dioxide, and resins will limit the growth of the said market during the forecast period.Get Discount @Based on application, the residential segment of the market is set to witness a high growth over the forecast period. The factors such as increase in disposable income, strong economic growth, improved standard of living coupled with rapid urbanizations is expected to supplement the demand growth of the market over the forecast period. Whereas, based on technology, water based segment is the chief contributor to the market. The demand for this segment is high in comparison due to its easier blending, higher opacity, accurate mixing, superior metallic control, easier application, and cleaning properties. Acrylic segment based on resin type is expected to account for a large market share in the forecast period. Improved flow, superior aesthetics, high UV resistance, durability, weather ability, stain resistance performance, and low cost are some of the factors that increase the demand growth of this segment.Global Exterior Architectural Coating Market: Regional AnalysisThe global exterior architectural coating market can be classified on the basis of geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is the key contributor to the market share, and is expected to drive the market growth in the forecast period. Due to the presence of manufacturing giants in the region, Asia Pacific is deemed to grow. In addition, key companies of North America and Europe are moving their production facility to this region, thereby supplementing the market growth.Though, the Middle East and Africa and Latin America have not shown a considerable rise in the market overall in given past, but on account of significant development of infrastructural facilities and rising construction of residential and commercial spaces to cater to the increasing demand for houses and offices, these regions are expected to drive the growth of the industry in the said period.Global Exterior Architectural Coating Market: Competitive LandscapeRPM International, Arkema SA, Kansai Paint, BASF, Nippon Paint, Benjamin Moore, Cromology, Diamond Vogel, Cabot Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, AkzoNobel, PPG Industries, Sherwin-Williams, Berger Paints, DAW SE, Valspar Corporation, Axalta Coating Systems, and Jotun are some of the prominent players in the global exterior architectural coating market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
2017 Global Baby Disposable Diaper Market by Key Players, Type, Application and Region

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Global Baby Disposable Diaper Market Report illustrates the present development status of Baby Disposable Diaper along with the growth of Baby Disposable Diaper expected during the forecast period during 2017-2022. Baby Disposable Diaper Market analyses the industry based on different factors like growth trends, consumer volume, Baby Disposable Diaper market size and demand and supply status. Baby Disposable Diaper Market is a beneficial research material which conducts a competitive analysis of the Baby Disposable Diaper market. This report also portrays the Baby Disposable Diaper industry structure based on the product cost, major industry players, product applications, import/export details and Baby Disposable Diaper market competition.A complete study of Baby Disposable Diaper based on emerging and dominant market segments, major geographical regions, supply chain analysis, Baby Disposable Diaper revenue analysis will drive important business decisions. This research also lists covers the details related to the downstream buyer analysis, supply chain scenario, distributor scenario, labor cost and the cost of raw materials.More regarding Global Baby Disposable Diaper Market 2017 Report at:Complete details of Baby Disposable Diaper are listed in the below TOC, Figures, Charts, Graphs. The major Companies leading to the growth of Baby Disposable Diaper are covered in this report with their consumer base, company profile, and Baby Disposable Diaper revenue share.A thorough analysis of Baby Disposable Diaper based on the primary market segments, sub-segments, emerging market sectors, Baby Disposable Diaper development trends, opportunities and threats to the market development has been evaluated. Comprehensive details related to Baby Disposable Diaper market development during the forecast period, investment return analysis, technological advancement taking place in Baby Disposable Diaper will assist all the market players for planning development strategies.Request A Sample Copy Here:Complete Manufacturer study of Baby Disposable Diaper Market:Domtar Corporation (USA)First Quality Enterprises Inc (USA)Kao Corporation (Japan)Ontex International N.V. (Belgium)The Procter & Gamble Company (USA)Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) (Sweden)The Procter & Gamble Company (USA)Major regions and their revenue analysis covered in Baby Disposable Diaper include North America,Europe,Japan,China,India,South East Asia. This report also covers the marketing strategies followed by Baby Disposable Diaper players, distributors analysis, marketing channels, potential buyers and Baby Disposable Diaper development history.Baby Disposable Diaper Market analysis based on top players, Baby Disposable Diaper market gains, sales, product type, production capacity and gross margin analysis will favor the market development.Based on the dynamic market trends, developments taking place in Baby Disposable Diaper, competitive study, growth opportunities, Baby Disposable Diaper market will reflect huge development in coming years. All the crucial Baby Disposable Diaper market factors leading to growth has been covered in this report.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
2017 Global Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor Market by Key Players, Type, Application and Region

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Global Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor Market Report illustrates the present development status of Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor along with the growth of Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor expected during the forecast period during 2017-2022. Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor Market analyses the industry based on different factors like growth trends, consumer volume, Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor market size and demand and supply status. Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor Market is a beneficial research material which conducts a competitive analysis of the Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor market. This report also portrays the Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor industry structure based on the product cost, major industry players, product applications, import/export details and Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor market competition.A complete study of Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor based on emerging and dominant market segments, major geographical regions, supply chain analysis, Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor revenue analysis will drive important business decisions. This research also lists covers the details related to the downstream buyer analysis, supply chain scenario, distributor scenario, labor cost and the cost of raw materials.More regarding Global Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor Market 2017 Report at:Complete details of Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor are listed in the below TOC, Figures, Charts, Graphs. The major Companies leading to the growth of Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor are covered in this report with their consumer base, company profile, and Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor revenue share.A thorough analysis of Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor based on the primary market segments, sub-segments, emerging market sectors, Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor development trends, opportunities and threats to the market development has been evaluated. Comprehensive details related to Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor market development during the forecast period, investment return analysis, technological advancement taking place in Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor will assist all the market players for planning development strategies.Request A Sample Copy Here:Complete Manufacturer study of Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor Market:Autoliv Inc (Sweden)Bourns Inc (US)CASCO (US)Continental AG (Germany)CTS Corporation (US)Denso Corporation (Japan)Freescale Semiconductor Inc. (US)General Electric Company (US)Hamamatsu Photonics KK (Japan)Major regions and their revenue analysis covered in Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor include North America,Europe,Japan,China,India,South East Asia. This report also covers the marketing strategies followed by Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor players, distributors analysis, marketing channels, potential buyers and Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor development history.Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor Market analysis based on top players, Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor market gains, sales, product type, production capacity and gross margin analysis will favor the market development.Based on the dynamic market trends, developments taking place in Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor, competitive study, growth opportunities, Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor market will reflect huge development in coming years. All the crucial Vehicle Occupant Detection Sensor market factors leading to growth has been covered in this report.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Hydrogen Storage Materials Market 2022- Industry Survey, Market Size, Competitive Trends, Outlook and Forecasts

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The Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Aircraft Insulating Panels Industry on a Global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of regions like The West, Southwest, The Middle Atlantic, New England, The South and The Midwest.Request For Sample Of Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market Research Report @Global Hydrogen Storage Materials market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including Japan Metals & Chemicals (JMC) Chou Denki Kogyo (CDK) Santoku Mitsui GFE Treibacher Xiamen Tungsten...The report on Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market is a professional report which provides thorough knowledge along with complete information pertaining to the Aircraft Insulating Panels industry a propos classifications, definitions, applications, industry chain summary, industry policies in addition to plans, product specifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures, etc.The potential of this industry segment has been rigorously investigated in conjunction with primary market challenges. The present market condition and future prospects of the segment has also been examined. Moreover, key strategies in the market that includes product developments, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, etc., are discussed. Besides, upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also conducted.Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market on a regional as well as Global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain.The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market. In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment. Furthermore, the report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market.Detailed TOC And Charts & Tables Of Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market Research Report Available @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Hydrogen Storage Metal & Alloy Nanomaterials Zeolite OthersOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Hydrogen Storage Materials for each application, including Automotive Power Generation OthersThe report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development. Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations.The fact that this market report renders details about the major market players along with their product development and current trends proves to be very beneficial for fresh entrants to comprehend and recognize the industry in an improved manner. The report also enlightens the productions, sales, supply, market condition, demand, growth, and forecast of the Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market industry in the Global markets.Every region market has been studied thoroughly in this report which deals with the precise information pertaining to the Marketing Channels and novel project investments so that the new entrants as well as the established market players conduct intricate research of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the status of the environment and products up gradation, the market report foretells each and every detail.So as to fabricate this report, complete key details, strategies and variables are examined so that entire useful information is amalgamated together for the understanding and studying the key facts pertaining the Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.Check For Discount @Some Points From TOC:-1 Hydrogen Storage Materials Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Hydrogen Storage Materials1.2 Hydrogen Storage Materials Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Hydrogen Storage Metal & Alloy1.2.4 Nanomaterials1.2.5 Zeolite1.2.6 Others1.3 Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Segment by Application1.3.1 Hydrogen Storage Materials Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Automotive1.3.3 Power Generation1.3.4 Others1.4 Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Hydrogen Storage Materials (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Hydrogen Storage Materials Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)....Enquiry Before Buying @About Us:QY Research is your exclusive destination for the entire spectrum of Market Research and Business Solutions. 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Latin America Capnography Equipment Market to Account for US$ 30.2 Million by 2021

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Latin America Capnography Equipment Market: Brazil to Witness Highest Growth by 2021, the capnography equipment market for Latin America was valued at USD 9.7 million in 2014 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 17.5 % from 2014 to 2021, to reach USD 30.2 million by 2021.The capnography equipment market is growing rapidly in Latin America majorly due to the recommendations to use capnography in routine hospital settings by esteemed organizations and government bodies. The World Health Organization (WHO), in its 2009 report on safe surgery, recommended the use of capnography monitoring during endotracheal tube placement, hypoventilation, and esophageal intubation for better outcome. The Uruguayan Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended capnography monitoring in routine-use during procedural sedation and anesthetics. These guidelines substantiate the importance of capnography equipment in hospital use. Moreover, high impact of the U.S. health care system on the health care market in Latin America is augmenting the capnography equipment market in this region.View and Download TOC of Latin America Capnography Equipment Market Research Report @Based on types of capnograph, the sidestream capnograph segment dominated the capnography equipment market in 2014, with a share of around 52.9%. Easy-to-use and capability to monitor the patient in non-intubated condition are the major factors that contributed to the high demand for sidestream capnograph. Additionally, presence of large number of players including local companies offering sidestream capnograph in their portfolio has increased the awareness and demand for sidestream capnograph in Latin America. The microstream capnograph segment has been projected to witness high growth during the forecast period in Latin America as these are cost-effective and offer several advantages in all hospital settings. The device could also be used for monitoring both non-intubated patients and neonates. However, sidestream capnograph cannot be used to monitor neonatal patients and mainstream capnograph lack the capability to monitor non-intubated patients.Request and Download Sample Report @Based on countries, Brazil held the largest share of around 31.4% of the capnography equipment market in Latin America in 2014. High demand for plastic surgery, rising medical tourism for various types of dental surgeries, cosmetic surgeries and cardiac procedure, and large proportion of GDP expenditure on health care in Brazil are the major factors propelling the capnography equipment market in the region. Brazil is anticipated to be the fastest growing market for capnography equipment in Latin America during the forecast period.Key players operating in the capnography equipment market in Latin America include Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Masimo Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION, Nonin Medical, Inc., Philips Healthcare, Smiths Medical, and Welch Allyn, Inc. Market players are continuously engaged in developing new and advanced capnography equipment along with additional features to strengthen their position in the capnography equipment market.Buy Full Latin America Capnography Equipment Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Solar Thermal Power in United Arab Emirates, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Power Plants, Regulations and Company Profiles

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"The Report Solar Thermal Power in United Arab Emirates, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Power Plants, Regulations and Company Profiles provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Solar Thermal Power in United Arab Emirates, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Power Plants, Regulations and Company ProfilesGet Sample copy of this Report @ Summary"Solar Thermal Power in United Arab Emirates, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Power Plants, Regulations and Company Profiles", is the latest report from GlobalData, the industry analysis specialists that offer comprehensive information and understanding of the Solar Thermal market in United Arab Emirates.The report provides an in-depth analysis on global renewable power market and global Solar Thermal market with forecasts up to 2030. The report analyzes the power market scenario in United Arab Emirates (includes conventional Hydro, nuclear and renewable energy sources) and provides future outlook with forecasts up to 2030. The research details renewable power market outlook in the country (includes Wind, small hydro, Solar Thermal and renewable) and provides forecasts up to 2030. The report highlights installed capacity and power generation trends from 2006 to 2030 in United Arab Emirates Solar Thermal market. A detailed coverage of energy policy framework governing the market with specific policies pertaining to Solar Thermal market development is provided in the report. The research also provides company snapshots of some of the major market participants.The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalDatas team of industry experts.View Report @ ScopeThe report analyses global renewable power market, global Solar Thermal market, United Arab Emirates power market, United Arab Emirates renewable power market and United Arab Emirates Solar Thermal market. The scope of the research includes -- A brief introduction on global carbon emissions and global primary energy consumption.- An overview on global renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends, generation trends and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources. The information is covered for the historical period 2006-2016 (unless specified) and forecast period 2017-2030.- Renewable power sources include wind (both onshore and offshore), solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), small hydropower (SHP), biomass, biogas and geothermal.- Detailed overview of the global Solar Thermal market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity split by major Solar Thermal countries in 2016 and key owners information of various regions.- Power market scenario in United Arab Emirates and provides detailed market overview, installed capacity and power generation trends by various fuel types (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro and renewable energy sources) with forecasts up to 2030.- An overview on United Arab Emirates renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends (2006-2030), generation trends(2006-2030) and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources in 2016.- Detailed overview of United Arab Emirates Solar Thermal market with installed capacity and generation trends and major active and upcoming Solar Thermal projects.- Deal analysis of United Arab Emirates Solar Thermal market. Deals are analyzed on the basis of mergers, acquisitions, partnership, asset finance, debt offering, equity offering, private equity (PE) and venture capitalists (VC).- Key policies and regulatory framework supporting the development of renewable power sources in general and Solar Thermal in particular.- Company snapshots of some of the major market participants in the country.Reasons to buy- The report will enhance your decision making capability in a more rapid and time sensitive manner.- Identify key growth and investment opportunities in United Arab Emirates Solar Thermal market.- Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data for wind power market.- Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential.- Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events.- Identify key partners and business development avenues.- Understand and respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects.Browse more Energy Alternative Sources Market Research Reports @ Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 41.2 List of Figures 52 Executive Summary 62.1 Global Carbon Emissions to Increase at a Lower rate During the Forecast Period 62.2 Technological Advancements and Government Support Driving Global Renewable Power Installations 62.3 Thermal Power Dominates Power Mix in UAE 72.4 Renewable Source to be Fastest Growing Segment in UAEs Power Sector 73 Introduction 83.1 Carbon Emissions, Global, 2001-2016 83.2 Primary Energy Consumption, Global, 2001-2030 103.3 Solar Thermal Power, Global, Technology Definition and Classification 133.3.1 Solar Thermal Power, Technology Definition 133.3.2 Parabolic Trough System 133.3.3 Central Receiver or Solar Tower System 133.3.4 Parabolic Dish or Concentrating Dish System 133.3.5 Linear Fresnel Reflectors 143.4 Report Guidance 14Request for Enquiry @ 4 Renewable Power Market, Global, 2006-2030 154.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Overview 154.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 164.2.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Cumulative Installed Capacity by Source Type, 2006-2030 164.2.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Cumulative Installed Capacity Split by Source Type, 2016 and 2030 184.2.3 Renewable Power Market, Global, Net Capacity Additions by Source Type, 2016-2030 204.2.4 Renewable Power Market, Global, Comparison by Cumulative Installed Capacity of Technology, 2016-2030 224.3 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation, 2006-2030 244.3.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation by Source Type, 2006-2030 244.3.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation, Source Comparison Based on Power Generation, 2016-2030 264.4 Renewable Power Market, Global, LCOE Comparison of Power Generating Sources, 2016 28About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Soy Protein Ingredient Market Size Estimated to Observe Significant Growth During 2015 - 2025

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Soybean is processed primarily into three forms which includes soy protein isolates comprise ~90% protein, soy protein concentrates with ~70% protein, and soy flour with ~50% protein. Soy protein ingredient is considered to be the best substitute for animal protein. Soy protein ingredient comprises amino acids and are also rich in fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, polyunsaturated fats and lecithin, magnesium and vitamin B. Thus it contains high health-related benefits and functional properties. Due to its characteristics it primarily used as emulsifier, gel, tenderizer, binder, stabilizer, and thickener by food and beverages processing industry. Soy protein ingredients are also environmental friendly as they require less amount of water while processing.Soy Protein Ingredient Market SegmentationOn the basis of type soy protein ingredient can be segmented as soy protein isolates, soy protein concentrates and soy flour. Among all these product type soy protein isolates is expected to account for the potential market share followed by soy protein concentrates. Due to high percentage of protein content in soy protein isolates is supporting the demand for the same during the forecast period. Soy flour is also expected to show a substantial growth in the near future. However due to less protein content in the soy flour is expected to restrain its growth in the near future.Request For Report Sample@Furthermore the soy protein ingredient market is segmented on the basis of application which includes bakery and confectionary, processed meat products, functional foods, dairy replacers, infant foods and others. Among all these segment functional food is expected to be the major contributor in supporting the growth soy protein ingredient followed by processed meat products. Rising awareness among the consumer for health beneficiary products is supporting the demand for soy protein ingredient market during the forecast period. Moreover, infant food is also expected to support the demand of soy protein ingredient market. This is due to the increasing parental concern for providing the nutritious and healthy food to their child.Geographically Europe and North America is expected to account for the major market share in the forecast period. However these region is expected to record moderate growth. In North America, U.S. is expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue followed by Canada. Moreover Asia pacific is expected to show the double digit CAGR growth during the forecast period followed by Latin America. In Asia pacific region China and India is expected to account for the substantial growth due to increased demand for nutritional food among the consumers. Moreover in Latin America, Brazil is expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue followed by Mexico.Soy Protein Ingredient Market DriversHigh functional properties of the soy protein ingredient coupled with ecofriendly and natural health benefits is driving the demand of soy protein during the forecast period. Moreover it is cost effective than the animal protein and reflects the same protein content. This is expected to enhance adoption of soy protein across various end-use industries resulting in increasing the shelf life of the processed food, so it is also considered as the most sustainable protein ingredients which is favoring its growth in alternate way.Soy Protein Ingredient Restraining FactorsHowever, its anti-nutrients and allergic nature of soy protein ingredients is restraining its growth during the forecast period. Moreover, negative impact of genetically modified (GM) soy coupled with the availability of various alternatives such as milk proteins, pea proteins and other animal proteins are also effecting the growth of soy protein ingredient in the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Soy Protein Ingredient Market: Key PlayersKey international players operating in the soy protein ingredient market are, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company, Dean Foods Company, Armor Proteins, Gelita Group, Bunge Alimentos SA, Kerry Ingredients Inc., Burcon NutraScience, Cargill Health & Food Technologies, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Kellogg Company, Doves Farm Foods, Kraft Foods Group Inc., Manildra Group, MGP Ingredients, Omega Protein Corporation, George Weston Foods and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Metal-matrix Composites Market 2017 Global Developments, Research & Application

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This report studies Metal-matrix Composites in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringMaterion Corporation (U.S.)3M (U.S.)CPS Technologies Corporation (U.S.)Metal Cast Technologies (U.S.)GKN Sinter Metals (U.K.)Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH (Germany)By types, the market can be split intoAluminum MMCMagnesium MMCRefractory MMCFor more info, get a Free Sample PDF with TOC:List of Tables and FiguresFigure North America Metal-matrix Composites Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure China Metal-matrix Composites Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure Europe Metal-matrix Composites Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Metal-matrix Composites Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure Japan Metal-matrix Composites Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure India Metal-matrix Composites Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Table Metal-matrix Composites Raw Material and SuppliersTable Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Metal-matrix Composites in 2016Figure Manufacturing Process Analysis of Metal-matrix CompositesFigure Industry Chain Structure of Metal-matrix CompositesTable Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Metal-matrix Composites Major Manufacturers in 2016Table Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Metal-matrix Composites Major Manufacturers in 2016About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact usBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
New Research on Global IoT Healthcare Market by focusing on Top Companies like IBM, Microsoft, GE Healthcare, Honeywell, Philips N.V., Qualcomm Life, Inc

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Global IoT Healthcare Market, By Geography, Component (Medical Device, Systems & Software, Service, Connectivity Technology), Application (Telemedicine, Work Flow Management, Connected Imaging, Medication Management), End User (Healthcare Providers, Patients, Healthcare Payers, Research Laboratories, Government Authority)- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Customize report of "Global IoT Healthcare Market" as per customers requirement also available.Get Sample Copy of this Report @This report consists of below pages: No of pages : 350 No of Figures: 60 No of Tables:220Global IoT Healthcare Market accounted for USD 40.6 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 31.4% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Some of the major players operating in this market areSome of the major players of the global IoT healthcare market are IBM, Microsoft, SAP SE, GE Healthcare (General Electric Company) Cisco Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medtronic, Proteus Digital Health Honeywell, Qualcomm Life, Inc Diabetizer GmbH & Co. KG, STANLEY HealthcareMajor Market Drivers & Restraints: Increased demand for augmented reality in e-commerce and retail stores Growing demand for augmented reality software in consumer electronics Increasing demand for AR-based applications in medical sectors Lack of interaction with physical products Limited processing power and inadequate storageGlobal IoT Healthcare Market is segmented on the component, application, end user, connectivity type, application and geography.For more insightful information visit@on the basis of component into medical device, systems& software, service and connectivity technology.On the basis of application, the global IoT healthcare market is segmented into telemedicine, work flow management, connected imaging and medication management.On the basis of end user, the global IoT healthcare market is segmented into healthcare providers, patients, healthcare payers, research laboratories and government authority.Request for TOC:On the basis of geography, global IoT healthcare market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others. In 2017, North America is expected to dominate the market.Questions? Well Put You On The Right Path :The Global IoT Healthcare Market include detailed vendor level analysis for market shares in 2016 for Global, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America specifically. Also impact and development analysis of key vendors is registered in the market and factored on the basis of Vendor Positioning Grid Analysis which measures the vendors strengths and opportunities against present market challenges, measure providers ability to identify or satisfy present market needs, map providers market vision to current and upcoming market dynamics among others. The report also measures technology life line curve and market time line to analyze and do more affective investments.Inquiry before Buying @Other ReportGlobal Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Market, By Geography; Offering (Hardware, Software, Services); Structure (Tunnels Bridges, Buildings Utilities, Dams); Technology (Wired Networking Technology, Wireless Technology); Application (Pore Water Pressure, Soil Stresses, Lateral Deformation, Vertical Deformation), End-Users (Building, Infrastructure, Energy, Power, Oil, Gas, Mining)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogFollow us on LinkedIn:
Global Continuous Renal Replacement Market Worth US$ 1656.1 Mn by 2027

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Rising prevalence of acute kidney disorders and associated risk factors such as diabetes continue to escalate the popularity of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Additional factors such as the globally increasing geriatric population, greater R&D initiatives and technological advancement in dialysis procedures are expected to further boost the demand for CRRT over the course of time. CRRT has proven to be quite an effective dialysis procedure and hence being rapidly adopted by a number of healthcare organisations. A new study conducted by Future Market Insights projects that revenue of the global market for continuous renal replacement therapy is set to increase at an impressive CAGR of 7.7 % during the forecast period (2017-2027). Moreover, robust marketing and product innovation from CRRT dialysis equipment manufacturers are favourably impacting the markets revenue growth.FMIs report titled Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 20172027 reveals that in 2016, North America accounted for the largest revenue share of the global CRRT market. The presence of an advanced healthcare infrastructure and widespread awareness about the availability of latest dialysis treatments is supporting the growth of the CRRT market in North America. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) is expected to emerge as the most lucrative market for CRRT over the forecast period, reflecting a CAGR of 8.8%. Towards the end of 2027, the regions market is estimated to surpass a valuation of US$ 333 Mn.View and Download TOC of Continuous Renal Replacement Market Research Report@The report mentions that many of the leading market players are actively focusing on introducing new technologies as well as upgrading their existing products in order to expand their market presence. At the same time, some of the bigger companies are going into strategic alliances to leverage the opportunities present in regions such as North America and APEJ.Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, Baxter International Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Nikkiso Co., Ltd, NxStage Medical, Inc., Asahi Kasei Corp, NIPRO Corporation, Medica spa., Toray Medical Co., Ltd, Medtronic plc., Bain Medical Equipment (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., INFOMED SA., Medical Components, Inc., Medites Pharma, S.R.O., Jihua Medical Apparatus & Instruments Co., Central Admixture Pharmacy Services Inc., Haidylina for Advanced Medical Industries, Hemoclean Co. Ltd., FARMASOL Medical Products Ind. and Trd. Co. are among the top companies that operate in the global market for continuous renal replacement therapy.Request and Download Sample Report@Global Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Key OpportunitiesA strong product pipeline likely to benefit the global CRRT market in the years to come. Owing to the integration of extracorporeal technology, CRRT products are now catering a broader patient base.Companies are investing in future growth by purchasing expertise and relevant technologies.Novelty in dialysis treatment is facilitating interventional procedures with minimal patient discomfort. Based on product, the consumables segment is projected to account for the largest value share of the market during the forecast period. This segment is gaining traction primarily due to an expanding pool of patients suffering from acute kidney disease and increasing demand for dialysis in renal replacement therapy.By end user, both dialysis centre and hospitals currently account for sizeable revenue shares of the market. The rising healthcare spending in the emerging economies is anticipated to result in the establishment of more hospitals and new multi-specialty dialysis centres in the near future.Buy Full Continuous Renal Replacement Market Report@About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Bromine Market Trends, Forecast, and Analysis by Future Market Insights 2015 - 2025

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The Global bromine market has made remarkable growth over the past few decades. This market has largely been driven by the increased usage of bromine in various applications such as flame retardant, photographic chemical, bleaching & oxidizing chemical, precision cleaning, monomers for specialty polymers, organic intermediates and lot more. The growing demand for flame retardants by textile and electronic industries is anticipated to offer outstanding opportunities for bromine market.Bromine belongs to halogen group and is the only liquid nonmetallic element. It is volatile element that is reddish-brown in color and is extracted from seawater, salt lakes, and brine wells. In seawater bromine appears in very small amount and it is recovered through the treatment of seawater with chlorine gas. There is no need to produce the bromine in laboratory as it is present commercially in the market. The bromine vapor may cause throat and eye irritation so maximum precautions are taken while handling it.Request For Report Sample@The growing consumption of bromine in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, Pesticides and water treatment industry is poised to show an impressive growth for global bromine market during the forecast period 2015-2020.Bromine Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe demand for global bromine market is anticipated to show considerable growth during the forecast period 2015-2020 due to its increased demand in several applications such as biocides, flame retardants, oil & gas drilling, plasma etching, and PTA synthesis. The growth in Bromine consumption by numerous industries such as cosmetic industry, textile industry, pharmaceuticals and Agro-Fumigants is set to fuel the demand for bromine market. Though bromine is very vital element for various industries and used in large scale, it has some negative effects also. Brominated flame retardant are considered toxic in nature. Thus, rising environmental concern such as water and soil pollution due to bromine may affect the demand for global bromine market.Bromine Market: Market SegmentationThe global bromine market is broadly classified into six segments by applicationsFlame retardantsBiocidesOrganic IntermediatesPTA synthesisPlasma etchingOil & Gas drillingFlame retardants is the biggest application among all other bromine applications and expected to show tremendous growth during the forecast period.The global bromine market is broadly classified into five segments by end user industryPharmaceuticalsCosmeticsTextilePesticidesAutomotiveOthersThe global bromine market is broadly classified into five segments by derivativesClear brine fluidsHydrogen bromideOrganobrominesAmong all Organobromines is the largest derivative for bromine.Bromine Market: Regional OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global endoscopy visualization systems and components market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. As of 2015, Asia-pacific is the largest market in global bromine industry followed by North America and Western Europe. In Asia Pacific region China is the largest market for bromine and it is the worlds third largest producer of Bromine after U.S. and Israel. Growing automotive and construction industries in Asia Pacific region and their increasing consumption of bromine are the major drivers for Asia Pacific bromine market.Visit For TOC@Bromine Market: Market PlayersMajor players operating in Global bromine market are, Israel Chemicals Limited (Israel), Albemarle Corporation (U.S.), Tosoh Corporation (Japan), , Tata Chemicals Limited (India), Chemtura Corporation (U.S.), Jordan Bromine Company Limited (Jordan), Gulf Resources Inc. (China), and Hindustan Salts Limited (India), Tetra Technologies Inc. (U.S.), are some of the major manufacturers of bromine in the world.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Clinical Microbiology Market Report Now Available at Top Global Research Firm of 2025

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Global Clinical Microbiology Market: SnapshotClinical microbiology, the adaptation of microbiological techniques to analyze the etiological agents that lead to the development of infectious disease, is the medical sub-specialty that explores the nature of the infectious condition and studies the ability of antibiotics to kill or inhibit the isolated microorganisms. The sector is gaining increased focus across the globe owing chiefly to the vast rise in infectious conditions, the alarming adaptability of microbes to changing environments, and the rising threat of contracting bacterial pathogens that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics.The rising number of diseases caused by pathogenic infections is fueling research and development activities in the field of clinical microbiology. The trend is expected to remain strong over the next few years as well, with an increasing number of medicine companies already entering or willing to enter the field with the help of their clinical solutions for use across numerous sectors of clinical microbiology. Automation is increasingly gaining a larger and more prominent role in the sector and is expected to help reduce the time required to undertake a number of processes and improve the efficiency of results.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Technological advancements in monitoring equipment are allowing more exhaustive analysis of microbes and leading the field of clinical microbiology towards a healthy growth path. This report includes the most current market data related to clinical diagnosis of animal and human infections and the present and potential future role of laboratories in both the management of infectious diseases and analysis of the epidemiology of infections.Global Clinical Microbiology Market: OverviewThe intercontinental clinical microbiology market is envisioned to be pampered by a wide spectrum of opportunities in different applications such as the identification of diseases caused by pathogens with the help of laboratory services. Class A carbapenemase, a group of causative agents of clinical infections, is proliferating rapidly and has augmented the need for determining carbapenemase genes through clinical microbiology. In order to address this need, Cepheid, Inc. introduced Xpert Carba-R, a diagnostic assay, which was sanctioned by the U.S. FDA in 2016.The global clinical microbiology market could be segmented considering disease, application, and product as significant parameters. With the rise in targeted diseases and swelling geriatric population, the disease segment could see a handsome growth.Request TOC of the Report @This report on the world clinical microbiology market can be used as a guideline to operate in the industry as a winning player. Vital aspects of the market such as opportunities, restraints, and growth factors are analyzed in a radical manner to help gain a paramount insight into the clinical microbiology industry.Global Clinical Microbiology Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe world clinical microbiology market could acquire growth at a stallion pace in the wake of the need to keep a tight rein on human errors during the manual processing of samples in research projects. In this regard, the automation of clinical systems could be demanded at a brisk rate. This demand is foretold to also gain increased support from the need to maintain constancy in manual processing.Having pulled in a kings share in the global clinical microbiology market in 2015, reagents are foreseen to earn more revenue while riding on the hike in purchases and aggravating penetration due to the demand from therapeutic and analytic research projects.The towering degree of the prevalence of respiratory maladies in emerging as well as developed nations could intensify the demand in the international clinical microbiology market. This can be attributed to the soaring levels of air pollution because of meteoric industrialization.Get Discount @Global Clinical Microbiology Market: Regional OutlookThe North America clinical microbiology market is prognosticated to get help from the existence of leviathan companies and hard and fast regulatory structures. An interesting part of the geographical analysis is the expectation on the part of the Europe market to maintain a close proximity with North America in terms of growth. However, North America secured a stupendous share in the global clinical microbiology market in 2015. The region is anticipated to stimulate high adoption of clinical microbial methodologies with the higher development of healthcare and industrial domains in countries such as the U.S.Besides China, Japan is expected to promise a faster growth in the Asia Pacific clinical microbiology market on the back of aggressive microbial testing application in a variety of fields. The august technological buildout in Japan cannot be sidelined when considering this market on the basis of demand. A countable number of top companies in the market are looking to relocate their major manufacturing outlets to Asia Pacific. This is due to the quantum leaps in building sophisticated manufacturing infrastructure and large availability of skilled labor at low cost in the region.Global Clinical Microbiology Market: Companies MentionedAs a result of their pacey progress in research and development and introduction of automated laboratory systems, the giant players in the international clinical microbiology market have won the trump card of being the first movers. There are only a few names competing at worldwide level, viz. Bruker Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Cepheid Inc., and bioMerieux S.A. Howbeit, the contest is predicted to be escalated by the entry of new faces in the global market. Of these are Hologic Inc., Becton Dickinson & Company, Alere Inc., and Roche Diagnostics.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
U.S. Lighting Products Market, 2016 - 2024: Recent Strategies Aimed at Boosting Use of Solar Power to Create Lucrative Opportunities

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "U.S. Lighting Products Market, 2016 - 2024: Recent Strategies Aimed at Boosting Use of Solar Power to Create Lucrative Opportunities" to its huge collection of research reports.The U.S. lighting products market report provides analysis for the period 20142024, wherein the period from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast and 2015 is the base year. The report highlights the major trends and developments playing influential role in the U.S. lighting product markets growth over the forecast period. It also highlights the driver, restraint, and opportunity expected to impact markets growth during the said period. The study provides a complete perspective on the U.S. lighting product markets evolution throughout the mentioned forecast period in terms of revenue and volume (in US$ Bn and Bn Units).This report provides all the essential information required to understand the key developments in in the U.S., growth trend of each segment and companies strategies to efficiently compete in the market. Also, the report provides insights related to volume of lighting fixtures and bulbs sold in the U.S. (in Bn units) and the estimated volume of the lighting products in the forecast period. Furthermore, Porters Five Forces analysis explains the factors which are currently affecting the lighting product market This report also provides the value chain analysis for the lighting product market which explains the participants of the value chain and the shift in how these interact with changing dynamism.U.S. Lighting Products Market: Scope of the ReportThe market overview section of the report demonstrates the market dynamics such as the driver, restraint, and opportunity that influence the current nature and future status of this market, key indicators and trends. An attractiveness analysis has also been provided for every segment in the report, in order to give a thorough understanding of the overall scenario for the U.S. lighting product market. Moreover, the report provides an overview of the various strategies adopted by key players present in the market. Key market indicators included in the report provide significance of the factors which are capable of changing the market scenario. These indicators are expected to define the market growth during the forecast period.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @U.S. Lighting Product Market: Key SegmentsThe report segments the market on the basis of standalone type that includes LED Tubes & Bulbs, T8 LED tubes & bulbs and Others (Incandescent, High Intensity Discharge). The market is also segmented on the basis of lighting fixture to include ceiling fixtures, recessed lighting fixture, strip light fixture and others (chandeliers, pendants, etc.). The application of these lighting products are considered in various areas such as residential, commercial, industrial and outdoor. The outdoor application of lighting includes garage parking, landscape and streetlight. The report provides in-depth segment analysis of the U.S. market, thereby providing valuable insights at the macro as well as micro levels.U.S. Lighting Product Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also highlights the competitive landscape of the U.S. product lighting market, thereby positioning all the major players according to their presence in the U.S. and recent key developments initiated by them in lighting product market. The comprehensive lighting product market estimates are the result of our in-depth secondary research, primary interviews, and in-house expert panel reviews. These market estimates have been analyzed by taking into account the impact of different political, social, economic, technological, and legal factors along with the current market dynamics affecting the U.S. lighting product market growth.The Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Wal-Mart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sam's Club, Costco, Menards are some of the major players operating within the U.S. lighting product market profiled in this study. Details such as financials, SWOT analysis, business strategies, recent developments, and other such strategic information pertaining to these players have been duly provided as part of the company profiling.The U.S. Lighting Product MarketBy ProductBy Standalone TypeLED Tubes & BulbsT8 LED tubes & bulbsOthers(Incandescent, High Intensity Discharge)By Lighting FixtureCeiling FixturesRecessed Lighting FixtureStrip Light FixtureOthers (Chandeliers, Pendants, etc.)By ApplicationResidential LightingTable LampFloor LampDesk LampOthersCommercial LightingIndustrial LightingOutdoor Lighting (Street Lights, Parking Garage, Landscape, etc.)By RetailersThe Home DepotLowesTargetWal-MartBed Bath & BeyondSam's ClubCostcoMenardsBrowse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Volume, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Volume, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Ophthalmic lasers find applications in the treatment of various ophthalmic diseases that cause blindness, such as glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and age related macular degeneration (AMD), among others. Various types of lasers are employed for the treatment of these diseases, including diode lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, argon lasers and SLT, among others.Femtosecond lasers and excimer lasers are majorly employed for refractive error correction procedures. However, technological advances have enhanced the applications of femtosecond lasers, including femtosecond cataract surgeries, among others. This report analyzes the current and future prospects of the ophthalmic lasers market based on product, application, end user and geography.Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market: Research MethodologyThe research is a combination of primary and secondary research, conducted for understanding and arriving at trends, used to forecast the expected revenue of ophthalmic lasers employed in the treatment of various ophthalmic diseases in the near future. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts with information collected from in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry experts and opinion leaders. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, investor presentations, analyst presentation and various international and national databases.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report provides estimated market size in terms of US$ Mn for product, application, end user, and geography for the period 2014 to 2024, considering the macro and micro environmental factors. The revenue generated from product type was calculated by considering the adoption rate of ophthalmic lasers across all geographies, regulatory scenario, number of product launched, average cost of products, trends in industry, and end user trends, among others. In addition, the number of laser procedures being performed across geographies for various ophthalmic disease was also considered to derive the market share for application segments.Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market: Scope of the StudyThe market report comprises an elaborated executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. It also provides information and data analysis of the market with respect to market segments based on product, application, end user, and geography. The market overview section of the report analyzes market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influences the ophthalmic lasers market in the current and future scenario. The report also provides value chain analysis of the market that describes the sequence of activities involved, from identification of the market need to their final reach to the end users. Furthermore, the report provides Porters five force analysis that studies five factors and their impact on the ophthalmic lasers market.Market share analysis among the market players is analyzed to signify the contribution of these players in the market in terms of percentage share. All these factors will help the market players to decide about the business strategies and plans to strengthen their positions in the global market. Based on geography, the market has been analyzed for major regions: North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. The study also covers detailed country analysis contributing majorly in the ophthalmic lasers market.Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market: Competitive AnalysisThe report also profiles the major players in the market and provides various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, and recent developments. Major companies profiled in the ophthalmic lasers market include Lumenis Ltd., IRIDEX Corporation, Ellex Medical Lasers Limited, Novartis AG, Topcon Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG, NIDEK CO., LTD, Quantel Group, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, and SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH & Co. KG, among others. Acquisitions was the primary strategy adopted by the pharmaceutical drugs market players to enter into the ophthalmic lasers market. For instance, Novartis entered the ophthalmic lasers market through the acquisition of Alcon in 2010.The global ophthalmic lasers market has been segmented as follows:By ProductDiode LasersFemtosecond LasersExcimer LasersNd:YAG LasersArgon LasersSLT LasersBy ApplicationGlaucomaCataractRefractive Error CorrectionsDiabetic RetinopathyAMDBy End UserHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersOphthalmic ClinicsBy GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeU.K.GermanySpainFranceItalyRest of EuropeLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoBrowse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Next Generation Processors Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Next Generation Processors Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Next Generation Processors are high end processors that are extensively used in smartphones, intelligent cars and intelligent buildings among others. These processors are extremely low heat generating and highly energy efficient. There is an increasing utilization of internet of things (IoT) owing to higher penetration of internet that augmenting the market for intelligent buildings to a larger extent. Application of next generation processors are widely utilized in HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system and that finally enlarges the market for next generation processor.The report also provides assessment of different drivers that is impacting the global market, along with the restraints and opportunities that have also been covered under the scope of this report. All these factors helps in determining different trends that has been impacting the overall market growth. Moreover, after taking into consideration all this factors, an extensive analysis of the region wise growth parameters of next generation processor market along with the overall assessment for the forecast period of 2016-2024 has been also been provided within this report.Global Next Generation Processors Market: Drivers and RestraintsOne of the important driving factors of this market is the growing market share of consumer electronics. Smartphones, smart televisions and various other smart electronic gadgets require these high-end processors and thus, stimulate growth prospect of this market. Technically advanced and highly industrialized nations such as Japan, Germany, the U.S.A, the U.K etc. have emphasized on smart manufacturing since the last decade thereby driving this market. Furthermore, growing automation of the automotive segment in these developed nations have been largely responsible for the increasing demand of next generation processors in these countries. Emphasis on smart manufacturing.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @However, high cost of raw materials is restraining the growth trajectory of this market. Next Generation Processors are mostly made of silicon, aluminum and rising prices of these components actually increase the cost of production of this product. Another major restraint of this market is that the market is highly fragmented and there is a number of large, medium and small sized firms in this market. Due to lower amount of concentration, initial set up cost of this market is too high to earn significant profit for small and medium sized firms. These restraint the growth prospect of this market as well. Furthermore, many softwares are not incompatible with these processors as they are very high-end, thereby hindering the growth of this market.Global Next Generation Processors Market: Key SegmentsThe market for next generation processor is segmented on the basis of end user and the segments are consumer electronics, information and communication technology, automotive and manufacturing and others. The market for next generation processor is segmented on the basis of machine type such as handheld, computers and others. The market for next generation processor is segmented on the basis of geographical locations and the regional segments are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America. The market for next generation processor has been provided in (USD Billion) in terms of revenue and (Billion Units) in terms of volume as well as the CAGR for the forecast period of 2016 to 2024.Global Next Generation Processors Market: Vendor LandscapeThe key players in the next generation processor market have been competitively profiled across the five broad geographic regions. This competitive landscape is inclusive of the various business strategies adopted by these major players and their recent developments in the field of next generation processor. Further, the report includes the market attractiveness analysis of and insight into the major application area of the next generation processor.Some of the leading players operating in the market are Intel Corporation (US), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (the U.S), VIA Technologies Inc. (Taiwan), Fujitsu Ltd (Japan), Acer Group (Taiwan) among others.The global next generation processors device market has been segmented into:Global Next Generation Processor Market by End UsersConsumer ElectronicsInformation and Communication TechnologyAutomotiveManufacturingOthersGlobal Next Generation Processor Market by Machine TypeHandheldComputersOthersGlobal Next Generation Processor Market by RegionNorth AmericaThe U.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeU.KGermanyFranceRest of EuropeAsia PacificBrowse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Voice Assistant Market Size, Competitors Strategy, Regional Analysis and Growth by Forecast to 2023

Voice Assistant Market

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Market Highlights:In this rapidly changing world of technology, Voice assistant market is projected to show major growth prospects during the forecast period. Voice assistant technology provides unrivaled convenience and that is the major factor driving the growth of voice assistant market.As compared to other regions, the Voice Assistant Market in North America is expected to witness significant growth and hold the largest market share during the forecast period. U.S and Canada are anticipated to drive the growth of voice assistant market. This is owing to the presence of large number of established key players and increasing popularity of voice-first technology in that region. In addition to this, the region also has a well-established infrastructure which allows higher penetration of devices which ultimately provides high speed connectivity and is expected to be a major factor for the growth of voice assistant market.The voice assistant market is growing rapidly over 34% of CAGR and is expected to reach at approx. USD 7 Billion by the end of forecast period.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Voice Assistant Market - Forecast to 2023.Major Key Players: Apple, Inc. (U.S.) Amazon, Inc. (U.S.) Google, Inc. (U.S.) Microsoft Corporation (U.S.) Samsung Group (South Korea) Orange S.A. (France) Sony Corporation (Japan) Alibaba Group Holding Limited (China) Motorola Solutions, Inc. (U.S.) And Next IT Corporation (U.K.)Request a Sample Report @Voice Assistant Market Segmentation:The voice assistant market has been segmented on the basis of technology, application and end user. The end user segment is further bifurcated into individual users, SMEs and large enterprises. Individual users segment is more drawn towards the voice assistant applications like Apples Siri and Amazons Alexa. Artificial intelligence improvements and other infrastructure oriented advancements are basically driving the growth of voice assistant market.Market Research Analysis:The global voice assistant market, by geography, has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. In the global voice assistant market, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness relatively faster adoption and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period as compared to other regions. Within Asia Pacific, voice assistant market is projected to contribute faster to the growth of revenue backed by increasing demand for innovative products and growing demand for voice-first technology in countries such as Japan, China and India. The growing need for customer relationship management is triggering the voice assistant market in the region.Across Europe, countries including Germany, France and the U.K. are anticipated to drive the growth of voice assistant market. In Europe, the high standards of living of people have led to an increase in investments in IoT by vendors and hence is the major driving factor for the growth of voice assistant market. The presence of advanced infrastructure and with the increasing adoption of technology and technological advancements in numerous countries are other factors driving the market growth of voice assistant market.Voice assistant market in the South America region is anticipated to witness relatively slower market growth. However, Brazil and Argentina among other countries are projected to witness slow yet steady growth. Voice assistant market in Middle East and Africa occupies a relatively smaller pie of the global voice assistant market.Regional Analysis:Regionally, North-America accounted for the largest market share from countries such U.S. among others. The reason is attributed to the increase in investments for these technological solutions, adoption of these smart temperature management solutions by various domains and low operational cost.However, Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow over the forecast period, 2017-2023. The reason is attributed to presence of large number of electronic manufacturers, increasing government initiatives and the increasing adoption of these solutions by various sectors.Access Report Details @Intended Audience Device manufacturers Network Operators Distributors Suppliers Research firms Software Developers Commercial Banks Vendors Semiconductor Manufacturers End-user sectors Technology InvestorsTable of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope of Study1.2.1 Research objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market Structure2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Type2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Voice Assistant Market, By TechnologyTable 2 Voice Assistant Market, By ApplicationTable 3 Voice Assistant Market, By End UserContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Research TypeFigure 2 Voice Assistant Market, By Technology (%)Figure 3 Voice Assistant Market, By Application (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Food Service Equipment Market Is Expected To Grow At A CAGR Of 5.16% By 2023

Food Service Equipment Market

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Market Highlights:Food service equipment are mostly used in full service restaurants. However they are also gaining popularity in quick service restaurants. One of the major drivers of global food service equipment market is the increasing demand for energy efficient products. With various government regulations making it mandatory to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, the adoption of energy efficient products has increased.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players of Food Service Equipment Market: Meiko (Germany) Hobart Corporation (U.S.) Ali Group S.p.A (Italy) Fujimak Corporation (Japan) Manitowoc Company Inc. (U.S.) Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd. (Japan) Dover Corporation (U.S.) Duke Manufacturing Co. Inc. (U.S.) Tupperware Brands Corporation (U.S.) Electrolux AB (Sweden)Market Research Analysis:The global food service equipment market has been analyzed based on the three segments, namely product, end-user and regions. On the basis of product, the global food service equipment market is segmented as cooking equipment, storage & handling equipment, warewashing equipment, food holding & serving equipment and others. Warewashing equipment segment is expected to dominate, as they are used in maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen and also in automatic cleaning of the used utensils.Based on end-users, the global food service equipment market is bifurcated as full service restaurants, quick service restaurants, caterers, hotels & clubs and others. Among these, full service restaurants segment is projected to lead, owing to growth in hotel industry in developing nations.Scope of the Report:This study provides an overview of the global food service equipment market, tracking two market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World (ROW). The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the global food service equipment market by its product, by end-user and regions.By Product Cooking Equipment Storage & Handling Equipment Warewashing Equipment Food Holding & Serving Equipment OthersBy End-User Full Service Restaurants Quick Service Restaurants Caterers Hotels & Clubs OthersBy Region Asia Pacific North America Europe Rest of WorldBrief TOC:1 Executive Summary2 Research Methodology2.1 Scope of the Study2.1.1 Definition2.1.2 Research Objective2.1.3 Assumptions2.1.4 Limitations2.2 Research Process2.2.1 Primary Research2.2.2 Secondary Research2.3 Market size Estimation2.4 Forecast Model3 Market Dynamics3.1 Market Drivers3.2 Market Inhibitors3.3 Supply/Value Chain Analysis3.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis4 Global Food Service Equipment Market, By Product4.1 Introduction4.2 Cooking Equipment4.3 Storage & Handling Equipment4.4 Warewashing Equipment4.5 Food Holding & Serving Equipment4.6 Others5 Global Food Service Equipment Market, By End-User5.1 Introduction5.2 Full Service Restaurants5.3 Quick Service Restaurants5.4 Caterers5.5 Hotels & Clubs5.6 OthersContinueAccess Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Live Chat Market: Size, Revenue, Trends & Forecasts during 2017- 2022

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A fresh report has been added to the wide database of Market Research Hub (MRH). The research study is titled Global Live Chat Market which encloses important data about the production, consumption, revenue and market share, merged with information related to the market scope and product overview. The report anticipates that the sector for technology would rise at a positive CAGR during the period 2017-2022.Request For Free Sample -The report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall global live chat market has also been forecasted for the period 2017-2021, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.The global live chat market is underpenetrated. The competition in the global live chat market is fragmented with several players thriving the market.Further, key players of the Live Chat Market LiveChat Software SA, LivePerson, Inc. Zendesk, Inc. and Atlassian are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.Company CoverageLiveChat Software SALivePerson, Inc.Zendesk, Inc.AtlassianExecutive SummaryCustomer Relationship Management (CRM) refers to the practices, strategies and technical know-how adopted by the companies to manage, analyze, understand customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle, with the aim of improving business relations with customers, increasing customer experiences and satisfaction, customer retention and driving high sales. CRM technology market includes Classic Model and SaaS model. The functioning of CRM includes Company Website, Live Chat, Direct Mail, Telephone, etc.Live chat is basically a customer relationship management (CRM) product used by businesses to communicate with their customers, who are browsing their websites in real time. Through live chat, customer services can reach potential customers directly, who receive a message in a chat window while they are browsing.The global live chat market is expected to increase at a significant CAGR during the years 2017-2021. The live chat market is expected to increase due to growth in retail e-commerce industry, increase in tourism industry, growth in the global gambling industry, etc. Yet the market faces some challenges such as, possibility of a price war and risk of cyber-attacks, etc.Browse Full Report With TOC -Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Customer Relationship Management (CRM): An Overview2.1.1 CRM Technology Market2.1.2 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Functioning2.1.3 CRM Through Cloud Based or SaaS Model2.2 Cloud Computing: An Overview2.2.1 Cloud Computing on the Basis of Service2.2.2 Software-as-a Service (SaaS) Software2.3 Live Chat: An Overview3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Cloud Market: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Cloud Computing Market by Value3.1.2 Global Cloud Market Value by Segments3.1.3 Global Cloud Application Services (SaaS) Market by Value3.1.3 Global Live Chat Market by Penetration in the SaaS Market3.2 Global Live Chat Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global Live Chat Market by Value3.2.2 Global Live Chat Market by Addressable Volume4. Market Dynamics4.1 Growth Drivers4.1.1 Increasing Retail E-commerce Sales Worldwide4.1.2 Rising Global Number of Smartphone Users4.1.3 Growing Number of Internet Users Worldwide4.1.4 Soaring Global Online Gambling Market by Value4.1.5 Increasing International Tourism & Global Passengers Carried Through Air TransportContinue.Enquire About this Report -About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Details:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :Read Industry News at -
Anti-aging Market Opportunity Assessment and Forecast up to 2019

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The Global Anti-aging Market is growing at a CAGR of 7.8% between 2013 and 2019. With the markets value being 122.3 billion in 2013, it is expected to reach US$191.7 billion by the end of 2019. Statistics regarding the same have been provided in a research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), titled Anti-aging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019, on sale on TMRs website.The report displays data gathered about the global anti-aging market with regard to market trends, geography, revenue streams, and others.According to the report, the global anti-aging market is being driven primarily by the rise in the aging population in the world, especially the nations that hold majorities of the baby boomer population. The population comprises individuals that have, for long periods, been concerned with physical health and beauty.Request to Download and View Full ToC -The report states that individuals born between 1946 and 1964 are the biggest consumers of anti-aging services and products. Other statistics show that more than 8,000 individuals are added per day to the count of people above 65. This is expected to continue for the next 18 years. A large portion of this aging population includes citizens from the baby boomer era. Their requirement from the global anti-aging market as well as the availability of funds to do so continues to drive the market.The report segregates the global anti-aging market using its various products and services. It states that the majority of the products in the global anti-aging market can be purchased without any prescription. Some services and most devices in the global anti-aging market, however, require special attention and a prescription in most cases.Request to view Sample Report -Overall, the segment of anti-aging products is expected to dominate the global anti-aging market, according to the report by Transparency Market Research. The report also states that the global anti-aging market is currently in a highly developmental stage, and as such is led by experimental studies and customer reception.One of the market restraints mentioned in the report is the skepticism portrayed by consumers towards the global anti-aging markets services and products. One of the factors that could resolve this is the proven advancement in technologies that help create better services and products. Another factor presented in the report is the growing governmental restriction to safeguard consumer health and maintain product quality.The key players mentioned in the report on the global anti-aging market include Photomedex Inc., Lumenis Ltd, Personal Microderm, Coty Inc., Beiersdorf AG, Solta Medical Inc., Alma Lasers Ltd, Cynosure Inc., LOreal, SA, and Allergan Inc.In terms of geography, the report projects Asia Pacific to become a major player in the global anti-aging market owing to increasing awareness of innovations and new services, products, and devices, along with the growing disposable income of individuals and families.Anti-aging Market Report is available @ US$ 5795About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Suture Button Market Analysis by Arthrex, Biomet, IMEX Veterinary & Others with Capital Expenditure & Market Attractiveness

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A new research study from HTF MI with title Global Suture Button Sales Market Report 2017 provides an in-depth assessment of the Suture Button including key market trends, upcoming technologies, industry drivers, challenges, regulatory policies and issues, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The research study provides forecasts for Suture Button investments till 2022.This study answers several questions for stakeholders, primarily which market segments or Region or Country they should focus in coming years to channelize their efforts and investments to maximize growth and profitability. These stakeholders include Suture Button manufacturers such as Arthrex, Biomet, IMEX Veterinary, Medtronic, Boston Medical, Parcus Medical, B.Braun, Gore Medical, Thomas Medical, Surgi-Care Inc, Terumo, etc.Primary sources are mainly industry experts from core and related industries, and suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and organizations related to all segments of the industrys supply chain. The bottom-up approach is being utilized to project the global market size of Suture Button based on end-user industry and region, in terms of value. With the data triangulation procedure and validation of data through primary interviews, the exact values of the overall primary market, and individual market share & sizes are determined and confirmed with this study.Get Access to sample pages @Global Suture Button (K Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Absorbable, Non-absorbableMarket Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Absorbable xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Non-absorbable xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Others xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%The research study is segmented by Application as well such as Hospital, Clinic, Medical Center with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global Suture Button Sales (K Units) by Application (2016-2022)Market Segmentby Application 2012 2016 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CGAR (%)(2016-2022)Hospital xx xx xx xx% xx%Clinic xx xx xx xx% xx%Medical Center xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%The research provides answers to the following key questions: What will be the market size and the growth rate in 2022? What are the key factors driving the Global Suture Button market? Who are the key market players and what are their strategies in the Global Suture Button market? Trending factors influencing the market shares of the Hospital, Clinic, Medical Center. What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Suture Button market? What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing Markets growth? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Suture Button market? What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Suture Button market?This independent 119 page research with title Global Suture Button Sales Market Report 2017 guarantees you will remain better informed than your competition. The study covers geographic analysis that includes regions/countries like Hospital, Clinic, Medical Center and important players/vendors such as Arthrex, Biomet, IMEX Veterinary, Medtronic, Boston Medical, Parcus Medical, B.Braun, Gore Medical, Thomas Medical, Surgi-Care Inc, Terumo. With n-number of tables and figures examining the Suture Button, the research gives you a visual, one-stop breakdown of the leading products, submarkets and market leaders market revenue forecasts as well as analysis to 2022Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions such as Hospital, Clinic, Medical Center, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Storage Area Network Switch in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2016 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2016-2022)United States xx xx xx xx% xx%Europe xx xx xx xx% xx %China xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx %Southeast Asia xx xx xx xx% xx%India xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%Get customization & check discount for report @The report provides a basic overview of the Suture Button industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. And development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. Whats more, the Suture Button industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.The research includes historical data from 2012 to 2016 and forecasts is projected till 2022 which makes the research study a valuable resource for industry executives, marketing, sales and product managers, consultants, analysts, and other people looking for key industry related data in readily accessible documents with easy to analyze graphs and tables. The report will make detailed analysis mainly on above questions and in-depth research on the development environment, market size, development trend, operation situation and future development trend of Suture Button on the basis of stating current situation of the industry in 2017 so as to make comprehensive organization and judgment on the competition situation and development trend of Suture Button Market and assist manufacturers and investment organization to better analyze the development course of Suture Button Market.The study is organized with the help of primary and secondary data collection including valuable information from key vendors and participants in the industry making a comprehensive resultant output of market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at:There are 15 chapters to deeply display the Global Suture Button market.Chapter 1, to describe Suture Button Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Suture Button, with sales, revenue, and price of Suture Button, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Suture Button, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in regions Hospital, Clinic, Medical Center;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application [Hospital, Clinic, Medical Center], from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Suture Button market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Suture Button sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Buy this research report @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Turbines Market Segmentation and Company Analysis to 2020

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A new Transparency Market Research report states that the global turbines market stood at US$135.7 bn in 2013 and is predicted to reach US$191.8 bn by 2020. It is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 4.89% from 2014 to 2020. The title of the report is Turbines Market - Global Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020.View Full Report:As per the report, the increasing requirement for power generation, especially in emerging economies, and the reduced risk of technology failure, resulting in increased demand from investors, are amongst the chief factors propelling the growth of the turbines market. Furthermore, the rising global demand for heat owing to the increasing global population is also a prime factor augmenting the market for turbines. In addition, the introduction of new components in turbine technology resulting in cost saving has emerged as a key opportunity in the market. On the other hand, the soaring initial costs of investments and turbines being climate-dependent systems are amongst the major factors that may inhibit the growth of the turbines market in the coming years. In addition, a number of project site issues owing to the low noise tolerance as well as emission impact of turbines may also have a negative impact on the growth of the market for turbines. The report segments the market on the basis of product type, end use, and geographyThe report, on the basis of product type, segments the market into steam, hydropower, wind, gas-based, and nuclear. Amongst these, the segment of steam turbines emerged as the prime source of power generation in 2014 and is predicted to rise exponentially in the coming years. On the basis of end use, the turbines market is segmented into power storage, power generation, aeronautics, and marine.Request to view Sample Report:In terms of geography, the report segments the market into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Amongst these, in 2013, on the basis of installed turbine capacity, Asia Pacific constituted a share of over 40% in the market. The region of Asia Pacific was valued at US$42.9 bn in 2013 and is predicted to reach US$68.5 bn by 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 5.81% between 2014 and 2020. This is owing to the swift development of oilfield projects within the region of Asia Pacific.Request to download and view full ToC -As per this study, the major players operating in the turbines market are General Electric Energy, Alstom S.A., Siemens Energy, Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc., Ballard Power Systems Inc., Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Kirloskar Brothers Limited, and Sinovel Wind Group Co., Ltd., among others.Global Turbines Market Report is available at US$ 5795 -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Automotive Interior Materials Market Opportunity Assessment and Forecast up to 2023

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According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research Automotive Interior Materials Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023, the automotive interior materials market was valued at US$111.61 bn in 2014, and exhibiting a CAGR of 2.7% from 2015 to 2023, will account for US$137.06 bn by 2023.Private Equity (PE) firms across the globe are becoming increasingly active in the automotive interior materials sector. Such firms are pursuing the buy and build strategy for small manufacturers or new start ups. In recent years, PE firms in U.S., UK. and Germany had invested heavily in automotive interior material manufacturing companies due to the huge success of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in these countries. Currently, increasing research and development in the automotive sector has brought a transition in the mature automotive interior materials market.Application of green technology in automotive leather materials and use of nano materials in fabrics used in the interior of vehicles are expected to drive the market of automotive interior materials. However, in past few years there has been a declining trend in the production of overall vehicles, which in turn affected the growth of automotive interior materials market globally. Fluctuating percentage change in the production of vehicles is influencing the demand for automotive interior materials across the globe.Request to download and view full ToC -By material, market is divided into five segments: leather, thermoplastic polymers, fabric, vinyl and wood. In 2014, leather was the largest contributor in global automotive interior materials market, accounting for a market share of 30%. The leather segment includes: artificial or PU leather, PVC leather, synthetic leather and genuine leather.By application, market is divided into three segments: heavy commercial vehicle, light commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle. In 2014, passenger vehicle segment was the largest contributor in automotive interior materials market, accounting for a market share of around 60% because of the increasing demand for passenger vehicles across the globe.Request to view Sample Report -In 2014, Europe was the largest market of automotive interior materials in the world, followed by North America. However, automotive interior materials market has huge scope and opportunity in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific and Rest of the world (RoW). Countries such as India, China, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Australia among others are the major users of these materials. Increasing demand of automotives in emerging markets and rising production is helping the market to grow at a considerable rate in coming years.Some of the leading players mentioned in the report are: Faurecia SA (France), Johnson Controls, Inc. (U.S.), Grammer AG (Germany), Lear Corporation (U.S.) and BASF SE (Germany) among others. The report provides company market share analysis of the various industry participants. Key players have also been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments in the field of automotive interior materials.Automotive Interior Materials Market Report is available @ US$ 5795About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Live Chat Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021) Company Coverage - LiveChat Software SA, LivePerson, Inc., Zendesk, Inc., Atlassian

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Live Chat Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021)" to its huge collection of research reports.The report titled Global Live Chat Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021), provides an in-depth analysis of the global live chat market by value and by volume. The report also gives an insight of the global cloud computing market and global SaaS market, etc.The report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall global live chat market has also been forecasted for the period 2017-2021, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The global live chat market is underpenetrated. The competition in the global live chat market is fragmented with several players thriving the market.Further, key players of the Live Chat Market LiveChat Software SA, LivePerson, Inc. Zendesk, Inc. and Atlassian are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.Company CoverageLiveChat Software SALivePerson, Inc.Zendesk, Inc.AtlassianBrowse Detail Report With Full TOC @Executive SummaryCustomer Relationship Management (CRM) refers to the practices, strategies and technical know-how adopted by the companies to manage, analyze, understand customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle, with the aim of improving business relations with customers, increasing customer experiences and satisfaction, customer retention and driving high sales. CRM technology market includes Classic Model and SaaS model. The functioning of CRM includes Company Website, Live Chat, Direct Mail, Telephone, etc.Live chat is basically a customer relationship management (CRM) product used by businesses to communicate with their customers, who are browsing their websites in real time. Through live chat, customer services can reach potential customers directly, who receive a message in a chat window while they are browsing.The global live chat market is expected to increase at a significant CAGR during the years 2017-2021. The live chat market is expected to increase due to growth in retail e-commerce industry, increase in tourism industry, growth in the global gambling industry, etc. Yet the market faces some challenges such as, possibility of a price war and risk of cyber-attacks, etc.Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074For More Reports Visit @
Heart Valve Devices Market Opportunity Assessment and Forecast up to 2025

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The Global Heart Valves Devices Market is a fragmented one on account of the presence of numerous manufacturers. While some have a diverse product portfolio, there are others who are focused on particular products. In the years ahead, the market is slated to see the entry of more players making the competition stiff, which in turn will lead to strategic collaborations and acquisitions.Some of the prominent participants in the global heart valve devices market are Abbott, CryoLife, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Edward Lifesciences Corporation, TTK HealthCare, JenaValve Technology, Inc., Medtronic, Neovasc, Inc., Sorin Group, Micro Interventional Devices, Inc., and Lepu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. Some of the rising promising players include XELTIS, SYMETIS, Auto Tissue Berlin GmbH, and Novostia SA, among others.A report by Transparency Market Research predicts the global heart valve devices market to progress impressively by registering a CAGR of 12.4% during the period from 2017 to 2025. Rising at this pace, the market which was worth US$5.8 bn in 2016 will likely become worth US$16.2 bn in 2025.Request to download and view full ToC -The different types of heart valve devices available in the market can be broadly segmented into mechanical heart valves, biological heart valves, and transcatheter heart valves. Of them, the segment of transcatheter heart valve devices dominate the market at present and will likely continue to retain its leading share in the near future as well. This is because of the increasing uptake of technologically advanced products in developed regions, more than average selling prices, and considerably lower mortality rate achieved by the devices.Geographically, the key segments of the global heart valve devices market are North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Of them, Asia Pacific is slated to surpass all other regions vis-a-vis growth in the next couple of years on account of the growing instances of cardiovascular diseases and a large pool of heart patients. As per the TMR report, the region will likely expand at a CAGR of 13.3% in the forecast period.Request to view Sample Report -Rising Prevalence of Obesity Stokes Growth in MarketAt the forefront of driving the global market for heart valve devices is the increasing instances of obesity and unhealthy lifestyle of people worldwide, leading to cardiac diseases and pathological disorders. Besides, the rising demand for minimally invasive procedures which lowers the need for blood transfusions, infections, and even hospital stays by speeding the healing procedure, is also serving to up demand for the devices. In addition, continued product modifications brought about by incorporating latest technologies leading to more advanced heart valve devices is also proving beneficial to the market.The innovations in the overall structure and design of valve have borne promising results in valve replacement surgeries. The use of regenerative medicine and in-situ tissue engineering for the development of bio absorbable heart valves is the main area of focus of major market players, who are trying to foray into the global heart valve devices market in the near future, explains the lead analyst of the TMR report.Heart Valve Devices Market Report is available @ US$ 5795About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Data Analysis Market - Industry Size, Share, Analysis and Trading Growth 2025

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Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Data Analysis Market: SnapshotNGS is the term which is used to describe a number of different modern sequencing technologies and is also known as high throughput sequencing. Researchers are allowed to examine the biological systems, deeply due to exceptional throughput, scalability of systems, and speed by the next generation sequencing (NGS). In present times, a greater level of understanding is demanded due to the complexities involved in genomic research, than those offered by old-style DNA sequencing methods. Thus, next generation sequencing has filled the gaps to cater to these greater levels of understanding needs and has become an everyday research tool. A digital alternative to sequence based gene expression, the scalability of next generation sequencing allows altering of the level of resolution to meet experimental needs.Due to constant developments in data integration and cloud computing solutions, data handling bottlenecks are effectively being addressed, involving a sizeable volume analysis of high throughput sequence data. The introduction of NGS methods in combination with increasing clinical diagnosis for personalized treatment of many diseases, and genomic research are in need of fast and precise algorithms and sequencing interpretation tools which can analyze data faster. Concurrent drop in prices and high genetic data output are few of the main causes behind the rise in the scope of sequencing projects. This, in turn, is leading to an increase in the demand for advanced and efficient solutions for elaborate bioinformatics pipeline.Request Sample Copy of the Report@When seen from a geographical aspect, due to the presence of some established market players in North America, it is likely to surface as one of the lucrative regions supplementing the growth of the global next generation sequencing data analysis market. In Canadian universities, increasing number of next generation sequencing research activities is further leading to growth of the market in that region.Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Data Analysis Market: OverviewNext generation sequencing allows researchers to examine biological systems deeply due to the unprecedented throughput, speed, and scalability of these systems.Today, complexities involved in genomic research demands a higher level of understanding than what is offered by traditional DNA sequencing methodologies. Next-generation sequencing has become an everyday research tool and filled the gap to cater to these needs.NGS is the digital alternative for sequence-based gene expression. Moreover, the scalability of NGS allows to tune the resolution level to meet specific experimental needs.Request TOC of the Report @The report analyzes the various segments and sub-segments at length and offers a detailed assessment of their current, past, and future performance. The factor propelling and challenging the global next generation sequencing data analysis market and recommendations on how to overcome the challenges have also been presented in this study. Using industry-centric tools, such as SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces analysis, readers are given a 360-degree overview of where the NGS data analysis market will stand in the near future.Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Data Analysis Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe continuous advancements in cloud computing and data integration solutions are effectively addressing data handling bottlenecks, which involves analyzing a sizeable volume of high-throughput sequence data. Technological advancements in bioinformatics are anticipated to provide lucrative opportunities to this vertical and hence propel growth of the global NGS data analysis market in the near future.The introduction of NGS methods combined with their increasing adoption in clinical diagnosis, genomic research, and for personalized treatment of several diseases are bolstering the demand for precise and rapid sequencing interpretation tools and algorithms that can expedite data analysis. Moreover, the scope of sequencing projects is expected to rise due to the high genetic data output and concurrent drop in the prices of sequencing. This has led to an increased demand for elaborate bioinformatics pipeline with advanced and efficient solutions.Get Discount @However, infrastructural cost for the development of algorithms and software is anticipated to hold back the markets growth to some extent. Moreover, time-consuming nature of NGS data analysis is also hampering the markets growth. This, however, will provide lucrative opportunities for commercial service providers to design and develop newer solutions with faster turnaround times.Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Data Analysis Market: Geographical OutlookThe NGS data analysis market can be analyzed with respect to the regional segments of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America is the leading market for NGS data analysis due to the presence of some of the established market players in this region. Moreover, the increasing number of NGS research undertakings carried out in Canadian universities is leading to the growth of the NGS data analysis market in this region.However, Asia Pacific is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in this market in the coming years. This is mainly due to the increasing number of grants received for sequencing projects in the developing countries of this region. Moreover, positive R&D outcomes that are encouraging the inclusion of high-throughput sequencing in clinical diagnosis is anticipated to boost the growth of the NGS data sequencing market in Asia Pacific.Major Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the leading companies in the global NGS data analysis market includes Illumina Inc., Ingenuity, Station X Inc., DNAnexus SevenBridges Genomics, Genalice, Congenica, Omicia Inc., WuXiNextCODE, Bluebee, and Edico Genome.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Global Sleep Apnea Market: Top Key Players are RESMED, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., FISHER & PAYKEL

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Global Sleep Apnea Market is expected to reach USD 14,119.5 million by 2024 from USD 7,800.0 million in 2016, at a CAGR of 7.7% in the forecast period 2017 to 2024. The new market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Request For Sample:The global sleep apnea devices market is highly concentrated to a few big players and rest to local players who cater to domestic markets only. Resmed dominated the sleep apnea devices market accounting for a highest market share in 2016, followed by Philips Respironics, and Fisher Paykel, Somnetics, Inc. Other players in this market include Somnetics, Inc., Apex Medical, DeVilbiss and SomnoMedSomnetics International, Inc, Nox Medical, Natus Medical, SomnoMedics GmbH, Philips Respironics and Cadwell Industries, Inc., Nihon Kohden, Compumedics Limited.(Australia), Contec Medical System Co.Ltd.(China) and Becton Dickinson & Company (Carefusion) among others holds 29.7% of the global sleep apnea devices market in 2016.This report consists of below pages: No of pages: 400 No of Figures: 20 No of Tables: 341Browse Full Report:RESMED:ResMed was founded in 1989 and is headquartered at California, USA. It focuses on manufacturing devices that can be used for diagnosing, treating and managing sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic diseases.Recent developments:In January, 2017, ResMed launched Sleep Score Labs is a joint venture between renowned surgeon and television host Dr. Mehmet Oz; ResMed, the global leader in medical devices and digital connected care; and private equity firm Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P., which invests in companies focused on sustainability and wellness.In November, 2016, ResMed introduced two masks named the AirFit N20 nasal mask and AirFit F20 full face mask for positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment of sleep apnea. The masks are innovatively designed to improve mask fit, comfort and ease of use, the new-generation ResMed masks are the result of more than three years of research and development.In November, 2016, ResMed announced two enhancements to AirView, the worlds largest cloud-based remote patient monitoring platform that enables care teams to securely access therapy data from three million sleep apnea and respiratory care patients every day. AirView Action Groups automatically filters a clinicians sleep apnea patients on positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy into actionable groups based on adherence status or a specific therapy issue they may be having. This will help in reducing time of clinicians and also help patients in getting more responsive and quality treatment.KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.:Koninklijke Philips N.V. was founded in 1976 and headquartered in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, U.S. Koninklijke Philips N.V. focuses on developing, manufacturing and distributing products for personal health, diagnosis & treatment, connected care & health informatics, health tech and many more. For sleep apnea devices, Koninklijke Philips N.V.has devices in diagnosis and treatment segmentRecent developments:In January, 2017, Philips and Bon Secours Charity Health System announce USD180 million, long-term strategic partnership to support transformation of patient care and build healthier communitiesIn February, 2017, Philips announced about partnering with the Mackenzie Innovation Institute (Mi2) in Canada on opportunities to develop, test and evaluate technological solutions and innovations intended to improve patient care across the healthcare system.In March, 2017, Koninklijke Philips N.V. announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Australian Pharmacy SleepServices (APSS). It will help Philips to provide better access to home sleep testing for those who need it, where and when they need it.FISHER & PAYKEL:Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Limited was founded in 1971 and is headquartered at Auckland, New Zealand. The company is focused in designing innovative medical products and therapies which meet the needs of patients and their caregivers. The company entered the respiratory care market by developing the unique respiratory humidifier system. The company now offers a broad range of products and systems for the use in respiratory care and acute care and thus in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Recent Developments:In August, 2016, Fisher &Paykel Healthcare Limited launched a new hospital mask named F&P Nivairo, for non-invasive ventilation therapy. The key features of the new mask include unique, world-first TubeFit zones, and an advanced seal for ease of set up and patient comfort.In August 2016, Fisher &Paykel Healthcare Limited announced about updation in its earnings guidance for financial year ending 31 March 2017.The company also announced about the commencement of a new building programme in New Zealand and Mexico.In August, 2016, Fisher &Paykel Healthcare Limited announced the introduction of an innovative new mask anmed, F&P Brevida. This is a nasal pillows mask designed for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It features an AirPillow seal which inflates to form a pillow of air in and around the nose for a gentle and effective seal. It also incorporates VisiBlue highlights, which are subtle colour cues to help patients with mask orientation, use and assembly.Inquiry before buying:Table OF Content:1. INTRODUCTION1.1. OVERVIEW OF THE SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET1.2. MARKET SEGMENTATION & COVERAGE1.2.1. CURRENCY AND PRICING1.2.2. LIMITATION2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2.1. KEY TAKEAWAYS2.2. ARRIVING AT THE GLOBAL SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET SIZE2.2.1. MARKET CRACKDOWN APPROACH2.2.2. COMPANY REVENUE AND MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS2.2.3. DATA TRIANGULATION2.2.4. KEY DATA POINTS FROM PRIMARY SOURCES2.2.5. KEY DATA POINTS FROM SECONDARY SOURCES2.2.6. PORTERS FIVE FORCES MATRIX2.2.7. PEST ANALYSIS2.3. ASSUMPTIONS2.4. GLOBAL SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET: RESEARCH SNAPSHOT3. MARKET LANDSCAPE SUMMARY4. PREMIUM INSIGHTS4.1. OVERVIEW4.2. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET: KEY PRIMARY INSIGHTS4.3. MARKET OVERVIEW4.3.1. DRIVERS4.3.2. RESTRAINTS4.3.3. OPPURTUNITIES4.3.4. THREATS4.4. KEY MARKET TRENDS AND UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES5. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET, BY TYPE5.1. OVERVIEW5.2. SLEEP APNEA THERAPEUTIC DEVICES5.3. SLEEP APNEA DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES6. SLEEP APNEA THERAPEUTIC DEVICES MARKET, BY PRODUCT TYPE6.1. OVERVIEW6.2. POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE DEVICES MARKET (PAP)6.2.1. CONTINUOUS AIRWAY PRESSURE DEVICES MARKET (CPAP)6.2.2. BI-LEVEL AIRWAY PRESSURE DEVICES MARKET (BIPAP)6.2.3. VARIABLE POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (VPAP)6.2.4. AUTOMATICALLY-ADJUSTING POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (APAP)6.3. MASKS6.3.1. NON-VENTED MASKS6.3.2. NASAL MASKS6.3.3. NASAL PILLOWS6.3.4. FULL FACE MASKS6.3.5. PAEDIATRIC MASKS6.3.6. OTHERS6.4. ADAPTIVE SERVO-VENTILATION (ASV)6.5. AIRWAY CLEARANCE SYSTEMS6.6. OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS6.6.1. STATIONARY CONCENTRATORS6.6.2. PORTABLE CONCENTRATORS6.7. ORAL SLEEP APNEA DEVICES6.7.1. MANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT DEVICES (MAD)6.7.2. TONGUE RETAINING DEVICE (TRD)6.8. ACCESSORIES7. SLEEP APNEA DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET, BY PRODUCT TYPE7.1. OVERVIEW7.2. PULSE OXIMETERS7.2.1. HANDHELD PULSE OXIMETERS7.2.2. FINGERTIP PULSE OXIMETERS7.2.3. TABLETOP PULSE OXIMETERS7.2.4. WRIST-WORN PULSE OXIMETERS7.3. POLYSOMNOGRAPH (PSG)7.3.1. CLINICAL PSG7.3.2. AMBULATORY PSG DEVICES7.4. RESPIRATORY POLYGRAPH7.5. ACTIGRAPH8. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET, BY END USER8.1. OVERVIEW8.2. HOSPITALS8.3. HOME HEALTHCARE8.4. SLEEP CLINICS8.5. COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE9. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET, BY APNEA TYPE9.1. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA9.1.1. PATIENT VOLUME9.1.2. MARKET SIZE9.2. CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA9.2.1. PATIENT VOLUME9.2.2. MARKET SIZE9.3. COMPLEX SLEEP APNEA9.3.1. PATIENT VOLUME9.3.2. MARKET SIZE10. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY10.1. COUNTRYWISE SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET, (ALL SEGMENTATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS REPRESENTED IN THIS CHAPTER BY COUNTRY)10.1.1. NORTH AMERICA10.1.1.1. U.S.10.1.1.2. CANADA10.1.1.3. MEXICO10.1.2. EUROPE10.1.2.1. GERMANY10.1.2.2. FRANCE10.1.2.3. U.K.10.1.2.4. ITALY10.1.2.5. SPAIN10.1.2.6. RUSSIA10.1.2.7. TURKEY10.1.2.8. BELGIUM10.1.2.9. NETHERLANDS10.1.2.10. SWITZERLAND10.1.2.11. REST OF EUROPE10.1.3. ASIA-PACIFIC (APAC)10.1.3.1. JAPAN10.1.3.2. CHINA10.1.3.3. SOUTH KOREA10.1.3.4. INDIA10.1.3.5. AUSTRALIA10.1.3.6. SINGAPORE10.1.3.7. THAILAND10.1.3.8. MALAYSIA10.1.3.9. INDONESIA10.1.3.10. PHILIPPINES10.1.3.11. REST OF APAC10.1.4. SOUTH AMERICA10.1.4.1. BRAZIL10.1.4.2. REST OF LATIN AMERICA10.1.5. MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA10.1.5.1. SAUDI ARABIA10.1.5.2. REST OF MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA10.2. KEY PRIMARY INSIGHTS: BY MAJOR COUNTRIES11. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET: COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE11.1. GLOBAL SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET: COMPANY SHARE ANALYSIS11.2. U.S. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET: COMPANY SHARE ANALYSIS11.3. EUROPE SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET: COMPANY SHARE ANALYSIS11.4. APAC SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET: COMPANY SHARE ANALYSIS11.5. MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS11.6. NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & APPROVALS11.7. EXPANSIONS11.8. REGULATORY CHANGES11.9. PARTNERSHIP AND OTHER STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS12. SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET, COMPANY PROFILES12.1. PHILIPS RESPIRONICS12.1.1. OVERVIEW12.1.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.1.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.1.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.1.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.2. RESMED12.2.1. OVERVIEW12.2.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.2.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.2.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.2.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.3. FISHER AND PAYKEL HEALTHCARE, LTD.12.3.1. OVERVIEW12.3.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.3.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.3.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.3.5. ANALYST VIEW12.4. COMPUMEDICS LIMITED12.4.1. OVERVIEW12.4.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.4.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.4.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.4.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.5. SOMNOMED12.5.1. OVERVIEW12.5.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.5.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.5.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.5.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.6. CAREFUSION CORPORATION12.6.1. OVERVIEW12.6.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.6.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.6.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.6.5. NALYSTS VIEW12.7. CURATIVE MEDICAL, INC.12.7.1. OVERVIEW12.7.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.7.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.7.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.7.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.8. BMC MEDICAL, CO. LTD.12.8.1. OVERVIEW12.8.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.8.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.8.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.8.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.9. NATUS MEDICAL, INC.12.9.1. OVERVIEW12.9.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.9.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.9.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.9.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.10. DEVILBISS HEALTHCARE12.10.1. OVERVIEW12.10.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.10.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.10.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.10.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.11. GLOBAL MEDICAL HOLDINGS, LLC12.11.1. OVERVIEW12.11.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.11.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.11.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.11.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.12. ITAMAR MEDICAL, LTD.12.12.1. OVERVIEW12.12.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.12.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.12.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.12.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.13. WEINMANN MEDICAL DEVICES GMBH & CO. KG12.13.1. OVERVIEW12.13.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.13.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.13.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.13.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.14. SIBELGROUP12.14.1. OVERVIEW12.14.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.14.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.14.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.14.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.15. AMBULATORY MONITORING, INC.12.15.1. OVERVIEW12.15.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.15.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.15.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.15.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.16. MEDICOM MTD, LTD.12.16.1. OVERVIEW12.16.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.16.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.16.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.16.5. NALYSTS VIEW12.17. CUSTO MED GMBH12.17.1. OVERVIEW12.17.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.17.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.17.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.17.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.18. HEINEN LOWENSTEIN GMBH & CO. KG12.18.1. OVERVIEW12.18.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.18.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.18.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.18.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.19. ERGOLINE GMBH12.19.1. OVERVIEW12.19.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.19.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.19.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.19.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.20. NEUROVIRTUAL12.20.1. OVERVIEW12.20.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.20.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.20.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.20.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.21. BMC MEDICAL CO., LTD.12.21.1. OVERVIEW12.21.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.21.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.21.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.21.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.22. SOMNOMEDICS GMBH12.22.1. OVERVIEW12.22.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.22.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.22.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.22.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.23. CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO.,LTD.12.23.1. OVERVIEW12.23.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.23.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.23.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.23.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.24. CLEVELAND MEDICAL DEVICES INC.12.24.1. OVERVIEW12.24.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.24.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.24.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.24.5. ANALYSTS VIEW12.25. SOMNETICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.12.25.1. OVERVIEW12.25.2. SWOT ANALYSIS12.25.3. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO12.25.4. REVENUE ANALYSIS12.24.5. ANALYSTS VIEW13. APPENDIX13.1. RELATED REPORTS13.2. CUSTOMIZABLE OPTIONS13.3. SOURCE SHEET13.4. BIBLIOGRAPHY14. ABOUT DATA BRIDGE MARKET RESEARCHOther ReportGlobal Drug Delivery Devices Market  Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Drug Delivery Devices Market, By Route of Administration (Oral, Injectable, Topical, Pulmonary, Nasal, Ocular, Implantable, Transmucosal), End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, Home Care Settings), Distribution Channel (Direct Tenders,Hospital Pharmacies), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East Africa)  Trends and Forecast To 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. 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New Research Report Focusing on Global Orthopedic Braces and Supports Market Business Growth Opportunities, Industry Outlook & Investment Forecast 2017-2024

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Global Orthopedic Braces and Supports Market is expected to reach USD 5.91 billion by 2024 from USD 3.62 billion in 2016, at a CAGR of 6.6% in the forecast period 2017 to 2024. The new market report contains data for historic years 2014 & 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Request for Sample Report @The Orthopedic Braces and supports market is segmented on the basis of product type, usability, end-user, distribution channel and geography.Browse Full Report @On the basis of product, the orthopedic braces and supports market is segmented into upper extremity, lower extremity, spine and neck and pelvis-hip and femur braces and supports.On the basis of application, the orthopedic braces and supports market is segmented into injury rehabilitation, injury prevention, osteoarthritis care, post-operative care and more.The market is also segmented on the basis of end-user into hospitals, Clinics, home health care and other end-users.Request For TOC:Based on geography, the market is segmented into five geographical regions: North America Europe APAC South America Rest of the WorldThe geographical regions are further segmented into major countries such as U.S. Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Japan, China, Singapore, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and many others.Some of the major players operating in this market are DJO global Zimmer Biomet Medtronic Smith and Nephew Stryker Ossur NuVasive Integra LifeSciences Globus Medical DePuy Synthes Ottobock. AC Mould Johnson&Johnson Weber Orthopedic Inc. Bledsoe Brace Systems FLA Orthopedics Bauerfeind USA Inc. OPPO Medical Inc. Langer Biomechanics BSN medicalInquiry before Buying @Related ReportGlobal Dermatology Treatment Devices Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogFollow us on LinkedIn:
Global Pyraclostrobin Market, Research, Analysis, Strategies, Trends, Growth, Outlook, Reports 2017-2022

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https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-pyraclostrobin-market-outlook-2017-2022-report.html

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The market for agrochemicals industry sector is growing with the expansion of this Industry Sector Worldwide. Market Research Hub (MRH) has added a new report titled Global Pyraclostrobin Market Outlook 2017-2022, which offer details about the current trends as well as scope for the coming future. This research study also covers information about the production and market share based on different active regions. Furthermore, an anticipated growth at a double-digit CAGR for the concerned sector is highlighted in the report which indicates a prosperous future.Request free Sample Report:Pyraclostrobin is a broad-spectrum fungicide, controlling major plant pathogens from the ascomycete, basidiomycete, deuteromycete and oomycete classes of fungi. The product has protective, curative, eradicative, translaminar and locosystemic propertiesThe report covers forecast and analysis for the pyraclostrobin market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both volumes and revenue. The study includes drivers and restraints for the pyraclostrobin market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the pyraclostrobin market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global pyraclostrobin market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.The study provides a decisive view on the pyraclostrobin market by segmenting the market based on applications. All the application segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022.Key ApplicationsAgrochemicalKey RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificChinaKey VendorsBASFRufong ZhongyiShandong KangqiaoHebenrequest free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this ReportWhat will the market size be in 2022?What are the key factors driving the global pyraclostrobin market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key players in the pyraclostrobin market?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Browse Full Report With TOC:Part 1. Exclusive SummaryPart 2. Methodology2.1 Research Methodology2.2 Geographic Scope2.3 Years ConsideredPart 3. Introduction3.1 Product Overview3.2 Properties3.3 Applications of Pyraclostrobin3.4 Manufacturing Process3.4.1 Raw Materials3.4.2 Cost AnalysisPart 4. Competitive Landscape4.1 Global Pyraclostrobin Market, by Volume 2012-20174.1.1 Overview4.1.2 Global Pyraclostrobin Market, by Volume, by Company4.1.3 Top 3 Companies by Volume Share4.2 Global Pyraclostrobin Market, by Revenue 2012-20174.2.1 Overview4.2.2 Global Pyraclostrobin Market, by Revenue, by Company4.2.3 Top 3 Companies by Revenue SharePart 5. Market Dynamics5.1 Market Drivers5.2 Challenges5.3 Market TrendsPart 6. Segmentation by Application6.1 Overview6.2 Agrochemical MarketPart 7. Segmentation by Region7.1 Global Pyraclostrobin Volume by Region7.1.1 North America7.1.2 Europe7.1.3 Asia-Pacific7.1.4 China7.2 Global Pyraclostrobin Revenue by Region7.2.1 North America7.2.2 Europe7.2.3 Asia-Pacific7.2.4 China7.3 Global Pyraclostrobin Consumption by Region7.3.1 North America7.3.2 Europe7.3.3 Asia-Pacific7.3.4 ChinaPart 8. Consumption Pattern8.1 North America8.1.1 Overview8.1.2 by Application8.1.3 by Country (U.S., Canada, etc.)8.2 Europe8.2.1 Overview8.2.2 by Application8.2.3 by country (Germany, UK, France, etc.)8.3 Asia-Pacific8.3.1 Overview8.3.2 by Application8.3.3 by Country (China, Japan, India, etc.)Continued..Enquire About this Report:About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of Agrochemicals industry reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Africa Medical Devices Market to Exceed USD 7069.61 Million by 2023

Africa Medical Devices Market

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/africa-medical-devices-market-2845

Market Research Future adds new report of Africa Medical Devices Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023 it contains Company information, geographical data and Table of ContentCompetitive Analysis:Some of the key players in this market are: Mindray Medical International Limited Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV. Siemens Ltd Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation GE Healthcare Medtronic Johnson & JohnsonMarket Segments:Africa medical devices market has been segmented On the basis of Product Type which comprises monitoring devices, diagnostic devices, diagnostic molecular devices, drug delivery devices, surgical devices, bio implants and stimulation devices, automation and robotics On the basis of Therapeutic Application; market is segmented into general surgery, diagnostic imaging, respiratory, orthopedics, cardiovascular, dental, neurology, ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat (ENT), nephrology and urology On the basis of End Users; market is segmented hospitals, ambulatory and homeGet a Sample Report @Market Highlight:A medical device is any instrument, appliance including any software, biologic or non-biologic material, to be used for the diagnostic or therapeutic use for management of diseases and disorders. Africa presents both opportunities and challenges which are very different from the rest of world. The socioeconomic drivers include a guaranteed customer base as Africa has a disproportionate number of young people. It is estimated that 62% of the population in Africa is under 25 years as compared to Europe whose workforce is expected to shrink from 63% in 2010 to 51% in 2050. The second factor is the rising middle class of Africa. The regions with the greatest middle class population are South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco.However there exists huge barriers too. The most formidable barrier is the low per capita income and the poor connectivity and infrastructure of Africa. Although Africa has a large middle class consumer base there exists the reality that approx. 60% of population survives on less than USD 2 a day. Thus two things should be noted African medical devices market is very price sensitive and opportunities lie at the lower end with devices with lower cost and features to dominate the segment. The first mover advantage is everything, as it is extremely difficult to dislodge the market leader due to lower profit margin on low cost devices and the smaller customer base. Thus the company which will dominate the market first will have a stranglehold on the market due to high switching costs and low competitors.The other market barriers include high cost of imported medical devices and high sales tariffs, challenging and dynamic regulatory framework, low penetration of medical devices in Africa and differential connectivity in regions of Africa are factors restraining the growth of the market. Further political turmoil, the weak African currencies and their dependence on primary exports particularly mining are economic threats to the market. While technology and product development remain strong market strategies for medical devices the cost sensitivities of African market needs to be considered. Development of stronger biocompatible materials, growth of healthcare mobile applications, cloud integration are the leading themes. The other drivers of medical device market are rising cost of healthcare which stimulated development of innovative connected products such as wearable medical devices, demand for early detection and noninvasive therapies, growing awareness and spread of information technology, development ofuser friendly devices etc.Taking all factors into consideration, we expect the Africa medical devices market to reach around $ 7069.61 million from $ 4900 million in 2017, by the end of the forecast period at a CAGR of ~ 6.3 %.Intended Audience: Medical Devices Manufacturers Medical Devices Suppliers Private Research Laboratories Research and Development (R&D) Companies Market Research and Consulting Service Providers Government Research Laboratories Contract Manufacturing OrganizationsBrowse Report Details @Regional Analysis of Africa Medical Devices Market:The healthcare sector of Africa is divided between private and state. The public healthcare expenditure accounts for approximately 48 % of total health expenditure in 2014 with variation in different countries. Local manufacturing represents a poor outlook which is limited to consumables and ordinary articles and there are a handful of high tech devices manufacturers. Africa is extremely dependent on imports for medical devices and imports account for approximately 90 % of total market for medical devices and Chinese medical device suppliers dominate the scenario. Among the regions of Africa, South Africa and Egypt account for 40 % of market. Other important nations are Nigeria, Morocco and Algeria. Collaboration with large global companies and technical transfer will remain the key strategy for developing the regional African market as can be seen by the example of China.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Cancer Biological Therapy Market Share, Revenue and Cost Analysis with Key Companys Profiles-Forecast to 2021

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cancer-biological-therapy-market

Market Research Future published a research report on Cancer Biological Therapy Market Research Report- EMEA Forecast To 2021  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2021.Cancer Biological Therapy market information, by type (monoclonal antibodies, interferons, interleukins, cancer growth inhibitors, gene therapy, colony-stimulating factors, targeted therapy, cancer vaccines and others) by end users (hospitals & clinics, cancer research centers, laboratories) - Forecast to 2021Market Synopsis of Cancer Biological Therapy Market:Market Scenario:Cancer is the leading and second largest cause of death across the globe. The disease is characterized by disordered and deregulated cellular and stromal explosion along with reduced cell death and growth factor deprivation, and such other factors.At the molecular level, cancer is a genetic disease that develops due to mutation of genes in somatic cells. The phenotype includes genomic instability and chromosomal aneuploidy that allows for acceleration of genetic change. Metastasis of any cell requires immortalization, loss of checkpoint control, deregulation of growth, and survival. Lots of research has been performed to understand cellular and molecular genetic changes and the host-tumor interactions which is responsible for tumor development and progression. It was found that; molecular oncology helped to understand cancer pathogenesis and drug action, as well as helped to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cancer. This includes preventative strategies as well as approaches to treat metastases. With the availability of the human genome sequence and genomic and proteomic approaches, a wealth of tools and resources are generating even more information. The challenge will be to make biological sense out of the information, to develop appropriate models and hypotheses and to translate information for the clinicians and the benefit of their patients.The EMEA market for Cancer Biological Therapy is growing steadily and has a bright futureGet a Copy of Sample Report @Key Players for Cancer Biological Therapy MarketSome of the key players in this market are:, Amgen Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly And Company, Engeneic Ltd, f. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis, Pfizer Inc., Seattle Genetics, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Others.Key Findings The Cancer Biological Therapy EMEA market and is expected to reach $29,776.3 million by 2021. Interferons segment holds the largest share in the market. Europe holds the largest market share of 77.2% of Cancer Biological Therapy market and is anticipated to reach $23,248.3 million by the end of forecast period. Monoclonal Antibodies is expected to be fastest growing segment and are anticipated to grow at the rate of 4% during the forecast period.Study objectives of Cancer Biological Therapy Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Cancer Biological Therapy market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to two main geographies and their countries- Europe and Middle East & Africa. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by type, by end user and its sub-segments. To provide overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the EMEA Cancer Biological Therapy market.Browse Full Report Details @Segments:Cancer Biological Therapy market has been segmented on the basis of types which comprises of monoclonal antibodies, interferons, interleukins, cancer growth inhibitors, gene therapy, colony-stimulating factors, targeted therapy, cancer vaccines and others. On the basis of end user, market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, cancer research centers, laboratories and others.Regional Analysis of Cancer Biological Therapy Market:Europe commands the largest market of EMEA Cancer biological therapies and is expected to reach $ 23,248.3 million by 2021. The European market for cancer biological therapies is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2%% by the end of the forecasted periodThe Middle East cancer biological therapy market is majorly divided into; Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and rest of Middle East. The market for Middle East is expected to reach $ 6528.0 million by 2021 which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3%.The report for Cancer Biological Therapy market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regionsContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Cancer Biological Therapy Market Research Report- EMEA Forecast To 2021 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Liquid Biopsy Market Current Trends, Business Opportunities, Challenges & Global Industry Analysis by 2022

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/liquid-biopsy-market

Market Research Future published a research report on Global Liquid Biopsy Market Research Report- Forecast to 2022  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Global Liquid Biopsy Market Information, by Biomarker Types (Circulating Tumor Cells (Ctcs), Circulating Tumor Dna (Ctdna), Extracellular Vesicles (Evs) and Other Biomarker (Circulating Rna And Proteins), by Application (Cancer Therapeutic Application, Reproductive Health, Other Therapeutic Application), by Sample (Blood Sample, Urine Sample, Other) And End User (Hospitals and Laboratories, Academic And Research Centers, Other End Users) - Forecast to 2022Market Synopsis of Global Liquid Biopsy market:Market Scenario:A liquid biopsy is a largely non-invasive, sampling and analysis of liquid state biological tissue for diagnostic and monitoring diseases such as cancer. Liquid biopsy is the direct clinical application of two advances in medical science namely human genome sequencing and rising sensitivity of detecting techniques and assays.The growth factors responsible for this explosive growth are liquid biopsy is a comparatively painless and non-invasive technique which provides early real time high precision detection of diseases which could be used for monitoring and designing effective treatment strategies based on the real time molecular assessment for the progression of the disease. Other factors driving the liquid biopsy market are lifestyle changes and environmental factors such as rising investment in research and development and collaborations between companies and public organizations, rise in population particularly geriatric population, rising expenditure on health etc. The technique also has other advantages over traditional tissue biopsy such as potential applications to cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases etc. The global Liquid Biopsy market is currently valued at $ 3950 million and will reach $ 17,372.28 million growing at a CAGR of 28%.Get a Copy of Sample Report @The restraints include the prohibitive costs associated with liquid biopsy and the differential awareness and availability between developing and the developed world. Also not all cancer patients benefit from early detection as some cancers such as brain cancer and prostate cancer may lie dormant for many years. Further liquid biopsy is not all non-invasive as can be seen in case of using spinal fluid as sample.Key Players for Global Liquid Biopsy market: Guardant Health, Inc. Trovagene, Inc. RainDance Technologies, Inc. Agena Bioscience Inc. Admera Health Biocept, Inc. Circulogene Theranostics Inivata Ltd. SAGA Diagnostics AB Exosome DiagnosticsIntended Audience Global Liquid Biopsy test kit manufacturers Global Liquid Biopsy test kit suppliers Research and development Laboratories Market Research and Consulting Service ProvidersKey findings Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) segment dominates both in terms of market share as well as revenues, contributing approx. 55.48% of the revenue share of the liquid biopsy market. On the basis of the therapeutic application, the segment for Cancer will reflect the highest growth potential, with over 82.83% of the market share by revenues. However, the urine sample segment is anticipated to witness noticeable growth. The market for liquid biopsy is dominated by North America and Europe and this trend will continue. Asia-Pacific market is the fastest growing market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 29.7% during forecasted periodSegments:Global Liquid Biopsy market has been segmented on the basis of biomarker type which comprises of circulating tumor cells (Ctcs), circulating tumor DNA (Ctdna), extracellular vesicles (Evs) and other biomarker. On the basis of application; market is segmented into cancer therapeutic application, reproductive health, and other therapeutic application. On the basis of sample; market is segmented into blood, urine and others. On the basis of end-users; market is segmented into hospitals and laboratories, academic and research centers and others.Browse Full Report Details @Regional Analysis of Global Liquid Biopsy market:Globally North America is the largest market for Global Liquid Biopsy market. Europe is the second-largest market for Global Liquid Biopsy market. However the developing regions market particularly Asia Pacific will be the fastest growing and will be the key to the future. North America accounted for the largest market share of 37.95% in 2016 accounting for a market value of 1,499.10 million in 2016. Asia pacific is the fastest growing market which is growing at a CAGR of 28.8%.The report for Global Liquid Biopsy market of Market Research Future comprises extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regions.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Liquid Biopsy Market Research Report- Forecast to 2022 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
North America Plant Growth Regulators Market 2021: Growth Factors, Trends, and Top Companies Analysis for Business Development

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/north-america-plant-growth-regulators-market

Market Research Future published a research report on North America Plant Growth Regulators Market Research Report - Forecast to 2021  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2021.North America: Plant Growth Regulators Market Research Report, By types, By crop types-, By region - Forecast to 2021The Market research future delivers a detailed analysis of 5 years forecast between year 2016 to 2021 and it is expected that North America Plant Growth Regulators Market will register the CAGR of more than 3.4% during the forecast period.The Plant Growth Regulators are chemical compounds, other than nutrients, that help in modifying plant physiological processes. As new products are coming from the R&D centers of companies in order for better growth in agriculture sector and higher productivity, demand for plant growth regulators are also increasing with same pace. Plant growth regulator helps to prevent the diseases of plants as well as in better and effective growth. This market has huge opportunities in the upcoming years as new developments for effective farming is coming.Get a Sample Copy @Going ahead to product segmentation, in the year 2012 Cytokinin was accounted for more than 30% of market share followed by the Gibberellins. Europe is the leading player in the market of Plant growth regulators due to demand for organic foods and new revolutionary technologies in the field of agriculture. North America is also a big player due to technological advancement in their countries. The US which is the most high-tech country on the globe is helping in the advancement for plant growth market products. Countries located in APAC region like China and India which is the two biggest populated countries in the world. The most of population of these countries are dependent on agriculture which creates the enormous opportunities for the new players.Furthermore the report comprises the detailed analysis of the leading players including- BASF SE, Bayer, The Dow Chemical, Nufarm Ltd, FMC Corporation, Syngenta AG, Marrone Bio, Tata Chemicals and others with respect to their strategies, SWOT analysis, financials, and key developments.Moving forwards, the report comprises broad analysis of industry overview of Plant growth regulators Market which includes market drivers, restrains, opportunities, burning issues, winning imperatives on scale.This report also covers geographical analysis. Furthermore, the report has been segmented on the basis By types (Cytokinins, Gibberellins, Ethylene, Abscisic Acid), By crop types- (Pulses & Oilseeds, Grains & Cereals, Fruits & Vegetables, Turf & ornamentals and others), By regions (North America). The Plant Growth Regulators market research report provides detail analysis of market in terms of value market. The report also gives the future outlook of the market till 2021. Moreover, on whole region as well as market share in different countries. Lastly, the report provides company profiles of major players in the market.Research MethodologyTo calculate Plant Growth Regulators market size, we have considered top players in the market and to offer accuracy, our research is supported by industry experts who offer insight on industry structure and technology assessment, competitive landscape, penetration, emerging products and trends. Their analysis is based (80 to 85%) on primary & (15 to 20%) on secondary research as well as years of professional expertise in their respective industries. In addition to analyze current and historical trends, our analysts predict where the market is headed over the next five to ten years. It varies by segment for these categories geographically presented in the list of market tables. Top-down and bottom-up are important strategies of processing the information and knowledge ordering, used in a variety of fields including humanistic, software and scientific theories and management and organization. In practice, they can be seen as a style of thinking, teaching, or leadership.Browse Full Report Details @LIST OF TABLESTable 1: executive summary: overviewTable 2: plant growth regulators: classificationTable 3: north america plant growth regulators: agricultural biological seed appliedTable 4: auxins pricing scenario- 2016Table 5: cytokinins pricing scenario- 2016Table 6: gibberellins pricing scenario- 2016Table 7: ethylene pricing scenario- 2016Table 8: abscisic acid pricing scenario- 2016Table 9: market: market size forecast by country level: 2016-2021Table 10: year over year growth forecastTable 11: market share growth forecast by country level: 2016-2021Table 12: plant growth regulators: north america market size in usTable 13: year over year growth - by typesTable 14: market share  by typesTable 15: market size by typesTable 16: year over growth by typesTables 17: market share by typesContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from North America Plant Growth Regulators Market Research Report - Forecast to 2021chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Telemedicine Market to Witness Widespread Expansion of 16.5% by 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2216

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/telemedicine-market-2216

Market Research Future adds new report of Global Telemedicine Market Research Report - Forecast To 2022 it contains Company information, geographical data and Table of ContentCompetitive Analysis:Key players profiled in the report are Koninklijke Philips N.V. (The Netherlands) Medtronic (Ireland) AMD Telemedicine Technologies (U.S.) General Electric Company (U.K.) Neusoft Corporation (China) McKesson Corporation (US) Intel (US) IBM (US)Get a Sample Report @Market Segmentation:The global telemedicine market is segmented on the basis of type, which includes store and forward, remote monitoring, and real time interactive. On the basis of Technology, the market is segmented into hardware, software, and services. The hardware technology is further segmented into on-site kiosks, telephone, and webcams. The Software technology is further segmented into mobiles apps. The Services are further segmented into consultation, online video conferencing, and academics. On the basis of Application, the market is classified into telecardiology, telepsychiatry, teleradiology, telepathology, teledermatology, teleaudiology, teleopthalmology On the basis of End Users, the market is segmented into hospitals, clinical, medical institutesMarket Highlights:The global telemedicine market is experiencing massive growth across the globe on account of extensive use of healthcare IT solutions, improved telecommunication infrastructure, and high demand for primary care services across the globe. Furthermore, rising prevalence of chronic diseases and technological advancement in the healthcare fuel the market growth. High installation cost of telemedicine solutions and availability of internet services in rural areas may restrain the market growth.The Global telemedicine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% during the forecast period.Study objectives: To provide detail analysis of the market structure along with estimated future growth forecast for the next 5 years about various segments and sub-segments of the global telemedicine market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the global telemedicine market based on various factors - price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters Five Force Analysis etc. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future growth prospect. To provide country level analysis of the markets segments which includes by type and by application.Intended Audience Global telemedicine software manufacturers & suppliers Contract research organizations (CROs) Research and development (R&D) companies Government research laboratories Independent research laboratories Government and independent regulatory authorities Market research and consulting service providers Academic institutes and universitiesBrowse Report Details @Regional AnalysisThe global telemedicine market is segmented on the basis of regions: The Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The Americas accounts is the leading player in the global telemedicine market owing to an increasing demand for healthcare IT solutions, concentration of prominent market players, and availability of infrastructure for telemedicine.Europe is experiencing a significant growth in the telemedicine market owing to the availability of funds from the Europe Union (EU) for telemedicine projects.Asia Pacific shows phenomenal growth in telemedicine market and is expected to the fastest growing region as result of rising geriatric population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.The Middle East & Africa also show a steady rise in the telemedicine market.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Live Attenuated Vaccines Market Global Professional Survey and In-depth Analysis Research Report Forecast to 2027

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/live-attenuated-vaccines-market

Market Research Future published a research report on Global Live Attenuated Vaccines Market Research Report- Forecast To 2027  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2027.Global Live Attenuated Vaccines Market Information by types (Measles, Polio, Smallpox, Rotavirus, Tuberculosis, Yellow fever, Varicella zoster, others) by end users (Hospitals, clinics, healthcare research institutes) - Forecast to 2027Market Synopsis of Live Attenuated Vaccines Market:Market Scenario:Live, attenuated vaccines contain an adaptation of the living microorganism that has been weakened in the lab so it can't bring about disease. Since a live, constricted immunization is the nearest thing to a characteristic contamination, these vaccines are great "tutors" of the invulnerable framework: They elicit solid cell and antibody reactions and frequently long lasting safety with one or two dosages. The market for Live Attenuated Vaccines is expected to reach Significant Market Size by the end of the forecasted period and is expected to grow at a Lucrative CAGR.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Key Players for Live Attenuated Vaccines Market: Pfizer Inc. (US) Sanofi Pasteur (US) Merck & Co., Inc. (US) Virbac (France) Bayer Healthcare (US) Barr Labs Inc.(US) Emergent BioSolutions (US) GlaxoSmithKline (US) Protein Sciences Corp .(US) PaxVax (US) Medimmune (US)Study Objectives of Live Attenuated Vaccines Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Live Attenuated Vaccines Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Global Live Attenuated Vaccines Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- Americas, Europe, Asia, and RoW To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by type, by end users and sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Live Attenuated Vaccines MarketBrowse Full Report Details @Segments:Global Live Attenuated Vaccines market has been segmented on the basis of types which consist of Measles, Polio, Smallpox, Rotavirus, Tuberculosis, Yellow fever, Varicella zoster and others. On the basis of end users which includes hospitals clinics and healthcare research institutes.The report for Global Live Attenuated Vaccines market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regionsContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Live Attenuated Vaccines Market Research Report- Forecast To 2027 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global SMIA Market, Trends, Production, Consumption, Growth, Size, Outlook 2017-2022

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The market for agrochemicals industry sector is growing with the expansion of this Industry Sector Worldwide. Market Research Hub (MRH) has added a new report titled Global Pyraclostrobin Market Outlook 2017-2022, which offer details about the current trends as well as scope for the coming future. This research study also covers information about the production and market share based on different active regions. Furthermore, an anticipated growth at a double-digit CAGR for the concerned sector is highlighted in the report which indicates a prosperous future.Request free Sample Report:Syn-2-Methoxy-imino-2-(2-furyl)-acetic acid ammonium salt (SMIA) is an important intermediate for production of Cefuroxime. Cefuroxime is an enteral second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It was discovered by Glaxo, now GlaxoSmithKline, and first marketed in 1978 as Zinacef.The report covers forecast and analysis for the syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both volumes and revenue. The study includes drivers and restraints for the syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.The study provides a decisive view on the syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid market by segmenting the market based on applications. All the application segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022.Key ApplicationsCefuroximeKey RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificChinaKey VendorsJiangsu QingquanFudaJincheng PharmBaiqi Corprequest free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this ReportWhat will the market size be in 2022?What are the key factors driving the global syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key players in the syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid market?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Browse Full Report With TOC:Part 1. Exclusive SummaryPart 2. Methodology2.1 Research Methodology2.2 Geographic Scope2.3 Years ConsideredPart 3. Introduction3.1 Product Overview3.2 Properties3.3 Applications of Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid3.4 Manufacturing Process3.4.1 Raw Materials3.4.2 Cost AnalysisPart 4. Competitive Landscape4.1 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market, by Volume 2012-20174.1.1 Overview4.1.2 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market, by Volume, by Company4.1.3 Top 3 Companies by Volume Share4.2 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market, by Revenue 2012-20174.2.1 Overview4.2.2 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market, by Revenue, by Company4.2.3 Top 3 Companies by Revenue SharePart 5. Market Dynamics5.1 Market Drivers5.2 Challenges5.3 Market TrendsPart 6. Segmentation by Application6.1 Overview6.2 Cefuroxime MarketPart 7. Segmentation by Region7.1 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Volume by Region7.1.1 North America7.1.2 Europe7.1.3 Asia-Pacific7.1.4 China7.2 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Revenue by Region7.2.1 North America7.2.2 Europe7.2.3 Asia-Pacific7.2.4 ChinaPart 8. Consumption Pattern8.1 North America8.1.1 Overview8.1.2 by Application8.1.3 by Country (U.S., Canada, etc.)8.2 Europe8.2.1 Overview8.2.2 by Application8.2.3 by country (Germany, UK, France, etc.)8.3 Asia-Pacific8.3.1 Overview8.3.2 by Application8.3.3 by Country (China, Japan, India, etc.)Part 9. Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market Forecast9.1 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market Size 2017-20229.2 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market by Region 2017-20229.2.1 North America9.2.2 Europe9.2.3 Asia-Pacific9.2.4 China9.3 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Consumption 2017-20229.4 Global Syn-methoxyimino-a-furanyl-acetic acid Market by Application 2017-2022Continued..Enquire About this Report:About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of chemicals industry reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Analysis on Brazil Makeup Sector with Detailed Forecast on Market Revenues during 2017  2022

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Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Brazil have a large population keenly aware of latest trends in the fashion industry. The proliferation of smartphones and social media along with the emergence of affordable, multi-functional products that claim to be both natural and organic are driving the Brazil Makeup Sector. Market Research Hub has recently added the Country Profile: Make-Up Sector in Brazil to its repository hub.The report on the Brazil Makeup Sector is comprehensive and provides an overall market value with the growth analysis for the decade from 2011 ending in 2021. All the important categories such as Face Make-Up, Eye Make-Up, Lip Make-Up, and Nail Make-Up are covered with specific inputs on each category share within that particular market and the projected change in the market share from 2016 to 2021. The market share of the leading private labels and brands in the Brazil Makeup Sector market have been highlighted with a spotlight on the private label growth analysis from 2011 to 2016. Some of the key stakeholders profiled include Risque Cosmetics L.L.C., Natura Cosmeticos S A, and Avon Products.Request Free Sample Report@The percentage of sales for every market through various distribution networks such as Department Stores, Health & Beauty Stores, Drug Stores & Pharmacies, and Hypermarkets & Supermarkets are mentioned in the Brazil Makeup Sector report. Lastly, the consumption breakdown by way of pack types and package materials percentage share for each unit sold, and material data for Paper & Board, Glass, Flexible Packaging, Rigid Plastics are what readers can extract from the report.HighlightsThe makeup sector in Brazil is estimated to witness a robust CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period and the per-capita consumption of Makeup in Brazil is much higher than the global level. Of the four markets studied, Eye Makeup is anticipated to be the largest in terms of value and Nail Makeup should record the fastest growth during the five-year forecast period from 2016-2021. Companies are advised to focus their attention on Hypermarkets and Supermarkets as they are the largest distribution channel with Health & Beauty Stores following thereafter. Private labels have the maximum penetration within the Lip Makeup market.Browse Full Report with TOC@Why Buy This Report?The Brazil Makeup Sector report explores all the market opportunities and identifies high potential categories in the Brazil makeup sector on the basis of an exhaustive volume and value analysis. The report can be useful for both existing and new entrants in the Brazil makeup sector to assess market trends and dynamics. Readers can gain a thorough understanding of the competitive landscape that exists in the Brazil makeup sector and plan their market positioning and long-term business strategies effectively. It is possible to evaluate the most influential consumer trends that impact makeup consumption patterns and how they influence consumer behavior thereby making it easy to determine the audiences to target in the Brazil makeup sector. The analyst team has given their opinion on the likely market changes over the next five years to present readers a clear picture of the potential that exists in the Brazil makeup sector. Lastly, the report comprises key macroeconomic indicators such as consumer price index, population, and GDP per capita with a PEST analysis conducted for 50 nations.Enquire About this Report@About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: - 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email:- press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:-Read Industry News at :-
United States Digital Wound Measurement Devices Industry Size, Company Share And Distribution Share Data And Analysis 2020

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"The Report United States Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market Outlook to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"GlobalDatas new report, "United States Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market Outlook to 2020", provides key market data on the United States Digital Wound Measurement Devices market.Get Sample copy of this Report @ The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (in US dollars).The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of these market categories, and global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants, pipeline products, and news and deals related to the Digital Wound Measurement Devices market wherever available.The data in the report is derived from dynamic market forecast models. GlobalData uses epidemiology and capital equipment-based models to estimate and forecast the market size. The objective is to provide information that represents the most up-to-date data of the industry possible.The epidemiology-based forecasting model makes use of epidemiology data gathered from research publications and primary interviews with physicians to establish the target patient population and treatment flow patterns for individual diseases and therapies. Using prevalence and incidence data and diagnosed and treated population, the epidemiology-based forecasting model arrives at the final numbers.Capital equipment-based forecasting models are done based on the installed base, replacements and new sales of a specific device/equipment in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. Data for average number of units per facility is used to arrive at the installed base of the capital equipment. Sales for a particular year are arrived at by calculating the replacement units and new units (additional and first-time purchases).Extensive interviews are conducted with key opinion leaders (KOLs), physicians and industry experts to validate the market size, company share and distribution share data and analysis.View Report @ ScopeMarket size data for Digital Wound Measurement Devices market.Annualized market revenues (USD million), volume (units) and average prices (in US dollars) data for each of the market segments. Data is provided from 2005 to 2013 and forecast to 2020.2013 company shares and distribution shares data for Digital Wound Measurement Devices market.Global corporate-level profiles of key companies operating within the United States Digital Wound Measurement Devices.Key players covered include ARANZ Medical Limited and Wound Zoom Inc.Reasons to buyDevelop business strategies by identifying the key market categories and segments poised for strong growth in the future.Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies.Design competition strategies by identifying who-stands-where in the market.Develop investment strategies by identifying the key market segments expected to register strong growth in the near future.What are the key distribution channels and whats the most preferred mode of product distribution Identify, understand and capitalize.Browse more Medical Equipments Market Research Reports @Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 31.2 List of Figures 32 Introduction 42.1 What Is This Report About? 42.2 Definitions of Markets Covered in the Report 43 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States 53.1 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States, Revenue ($m), 2005-2013 53.2 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States, Revenue ($m), 2013-2020 63.3 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States, Volume (Units), 2005-2013 73.4 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States, Volume (Units), 2013-2020 83.5 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States, Average Price ($), 2005-2020 93.6 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States, Distribution Share by Revenue ($m), 2012-2013 103.7 Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market, United States, Company Share by Revenue ($m), 2012-2013 11Request for Enquiry @ 4 Overview of Key Companies in United States, Digital Wound Measurement Devices Market 134.1 ARANZ Medical Limited 134.1.1 Company Overview 134.2 Wound Zoom Inc. 134.2.1 Company Overview 135 Appendix 145.1 Research Methodology 155.1.1 Coverage 155.1.2 Secondary Research 155.1.3 Primary Research 165.1.4 Market Modeling and Forecasting 175.1.5 Company Share Analysis 205.1.6 Distribution Share Analysis 215.2 Expert Panel 215.3 GlobalData Consulting 225.4 Contact Us 225.5 Disclaimer 22About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Solar Control Films Market Dynamics, Forecast, Analysis and Supply Demand 2016-2024

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Solar Control Films Market: OverviewA solar control film is a thin laminate designed to adhere to windows, doors, or other transparent building surfaces to reflect sunlight and regulate the internal temperature of a building. This temperature regulation is achieved by reflecting ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light that would otherwise directly stream through a transparent surface. Solar control films are mostly available in the metallized form. In some cases, they may be dyed to achieve the desired color in keeping with the facade of the building or any other surface where their use is intended.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Their greatest advantage, however, is that solar control films help save substantial amounts of energy on cooling a building. This factor has drawn home owners and building managers alike toward solar control films. Their growing preference for using solar control films over conventional window film has proven immensely beneficial for the market.With temperatures worldwide showing a gradual increase, companies in the solar control films market stand to gain from massive opportunities. The use of solar films has now become commonplace in urban areas in tropical countries and in other regions that experience warm temperatures.This report examines the trends that are governing the current growth of the global solar control films market. Among the many facets of the market that the report touches upon, the key ones are: Growth drivers, opportunities, threats, and competitive landscape.Solar Control Films Market: Trends and DriversThe global solar control films market is already a multimillion-dollar market globally. In the next few years, it is expected that this market will cross the billion-dollar mark. The key trends that will usher in a new phase for the global solar control film market are the spiraling interest in green buildings and a wider acceptance of energy efficiency standards.However, it is the automotive sector that will lend the greatest support to the growth of the global solar control film market. With the sales of vehicles growing by leaps and bounds across the world, especially in emerging countries that are racing toward urbanization, solar control film makers have lucrative opportunities to profit from.Since vehicles spend the better part of their lives outdoors, direct sunlight streaming into the interiors of a vehicle could cause the upholstery and decorative components to fade over time. Solar control films help prevent that by regulating the amount of light that passes through. This also reduces the need to keep air conditioning systems constantly on, ultimately allowing for greater fuel efficiency. All of these factors will combine to create strong demand for solar control films in the automotive sector.Other positive trends that are at play in the global solar control films market are: the need for more privacy and safety in homes and vehicles, an upswing in the real estate sector in developing Asian countries, and consumers looking for films that can help reduce infrared emissivity.Solar Control Films Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global market for solar control films by geography can be split into: Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. Of these, the warm temperatures in Asian countries with a tropical climate have proven to be conducive for the sales of solar control films as well. This has put the Asia Pacific region at the forefront of the global solar control films market. The use of solar control films is most commonly seen in commercial buildings (such as malls, offices, and industrial facilities) and automobiles.Among the top companies in the global solar control films market are: 3M Company, Garware Polyester Ltd., Eastman Chemicals Company (LLumar), SunTek Window Films, Decorative Films LLC, and Saint-Gobain.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Request TOC of the Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Vehicle Intelligence System Market Value Share, Supply Demand, share and Value Chain 2016-2024

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Vehicle intelligence systems comprise of electromagnetic, electronic and electromechanical devices such as silicon micro-machined components operating with radio transceivers and computer controlled devices. This allows precise repeatability functions such as artificial intelligence function and emergency warning functions. Vehicle intelligence systems communicate with the surroundings of the vehicle and assists the driver for a better driving experience. The communication is carried out with the help of sensors fitted in vehicles.Get a Copy of Sample Report @The major types of vehicle intelligence systems are anti-lock braking system (ABS), blind spot monitoring system, adaptive head lights, electronic stability program (ESP), lane departure warning system, emergency call system, obstacle and collision warning system, real time traffic and travel information system. ABS is a braking system which automatically prevents the locking of wheels while braking and allows the car to stay on track. Blind spot monitoring system alerts the driver for any obstacles coming in the blind spot zone of the vehicle. Adaptive headlights or smart lamps has the capability of automatically adjusting the intensity of light in corners and dark conditions. Such lights also help to avoid dazzling. ESP is a system which stabilizes the movement of vehicles and helps in the avoidance of skidding under critical scenarios. Lane departure warning system alerts the driver and co-passengers during unintentional switching of lanes. In a case of accident, emergency call system, automatically calls the local emergency authorities and provides them the vehicle position and accident related data on real time basis. Obstacle and collision warning systems alerts the driver of any potential collision with any vehicle or objects. Real time traffic and travel information provides data and information to the driver relating to traffic, weather conditions, speed cameras and navigation. On having received such data, the driver makes a route plan and selects the best alternative route to the destination.The vehicle intelligence system market can be classified by system, by application and by geography. The system segment can be classified into anti-lock braking system (ABS), blind spot monitoring system, adaptive head lights, electronic stability program (ESP), lane departure warning system, emergency call system, obstacle and collision warning system, real time traffic and travel information system, and others. By application, the market can be segregated as passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. By geography, the market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.The need for higher safety of passengers and drivers in vehicles coupled with strict automobile standards set by governments and the rising rate of road accidents are the major factors influencing the growth of global vehicle intelligence systems market. Demand for infotainment in vehicles for better navigation, driving assistance and emergency alarm systems is also set to drive the market of vehicle intelligence systems globally. In addition, economic reforms in the Asia Pacific and Europe and rising private equity investments in vehicle intelligence system manufacturing companies across the world is set to influence the growth of this market positively. In terms of market revenue share, Europe is expected to hold the largest share by the end of forecast period followed by North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America and, Middle East and Africa.The report also provides company market share analysis of the various industry participants. Acquisition is the main strategy being widely followed by leading market players. In case of an acquisition, the acquirer takes advantage of existing synergies. As a result, both companies are expected to emerge more profitable and stronger than before. Key players in the global vehicle intelligence system market have been profiled and their company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments have been covered in the report. Major market participants profiled in this report include: Denso Corporation (Japan), Continental AG (Germany), Delphi Automotive PLC (U.K.), Autoliv Inc. (Sweden), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Magna International Inc. (Canada), Wabco Holdings, Inc. (Belgium), Valeo SA (France), Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) and Mobileye NV (Israel) among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Request TOC of the Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
5 Key Takeaways from Fact.MRs Report on Portable Generators Market for Forecast Period 2017-2022

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Powered by diesel or gas, portable generators provide temporary electricity up to certain level of wattage. These generators are generally used by residents and businesses to keep the vital appliances operating during a power cut. Stringent regulations by government in various countries to reduce toxic emissions is encouraging manufacturers to focus on developing gas generators instead of diesel generators. As compared to diesel generators, gas generators emit very less amount of pollution and also operate silently. Manufacturers have also started focusing on developing bi-fuel portable generators. As these generators lead to low gas emission and save cost. Meanwhile, tri-fuel portable generators are also being developed as they can run on gasoline, natural gas as well as liquid propane.Request Free Sample Report-Manufacturers are offering better options including lighter and more compact designs. Undergoing technological advancements, smart portable generators are also being developed with advanced features. Residential sector being the largest user of portable generators is facing the problem of deadly carbon monoxide emissions from portable gasoline-powered generators. Hence, this is resulting in the development of technology or method by manufacturers to reduce carbon monoxide emissions from portable generators.According to the latest report by Fact.MR, the global portable generators market is expected to witness steady growth, registering 5.1% CAGR during 2017-2022. Owing to the low-cost and providing power supply in an emergency, portable generators are gaining popularity among residents and businesses. Meanwhile, manufacturers are also focusing on various technologies to develop eco-friendly generators and to save fuel cost.5 Forecast Highlights on Global Portable Generators Market- North America is expected to remain dominant in the global portable generators market. North America is projected to reach close to US$ 300 million by the end of 2022. North America portable generator market is witnessing a growth, due to increasing number of residents opting for portable generators to keep essential appliances at home working during power cut owing to the bad weather conditions.- Japan portable generators market is expected to experience moderate growth during the forecast period, 2017-2022.- Portable generators with a power output of 1.0 to 3.0 KW are expected to experience above-average growth during the forecast period. Towards the end of 2022, 1.0 to 3.0 KW portable generators are estimated to reach just above US$ 450 million revenues. Meanwhile, 3.0 to 5.0 KW portable generators are expected to gain more than one-fourth of the revenue share by 2017 end.- Residents are expected to emerge as the largest users of portable generators during 2017-2022. By the end of 2017, the residential sector is projected to account for nearly three-fifth of the revenue share on global revenues. Meanwhile, the commercial sector will show moderate growth during the forecast period.- Portable generators offering standby backup power are expected to witness above-average growth. Accounting for more than three-fourth of the revenue share by 2017 end, the standby backup power application is projected to surpass US$ 750 million revenue by the end of 2022.Browse Full Report with TOC-The report has also profiled leading players in the global market for portable generators, which will remain active through 2022. These include companies such as Briggs & Stratton Corp, Champion Power Equipment, Generac Power Systems, Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Kohler Co. Inc., NIDEC Corp, STEPHILL GENERATORS LTD, and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.Check Discount on this Report-About UsFact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; thats why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFact.MROffice: Dublin 2Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandTel: +353-1-6111-593Email: sales@factmr.comWeb:
Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market Growth Rate, Business Strategy and CAGR 7.7% during 2017-2023

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Market Research Future published a research report on Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market Research Report- Global Forecast 2023  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market Synopsis of Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment MarketMarket ScenarioSemiconductor production equipment is a complex manufacturing process in the production of semiconductor devices. This semiconductor products including memory devices and microprocessors used for the devices namely, personal computers, consumer electronics and telecommunications equipment. As per the regional analysis, Japan is leading country in 2017 with the billing of USD $ 1.25 billion followed by North America and Europe.Get Sample of Report @The study indicates that the Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market is boosted by the front-end equipment specially the wafer which has the processing equipment leads to the largest market share of global semiconductor production equipment market as the Silicon wafer manufacturing equipment is primarily employed to manufacture pure silicon. This equipment comprises of saws, lasers, and polishing and grinding equipment. The North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment is contributing $2.27 billion in billings worldwide in May 2017 (three-month average basis) while Japan has reported US$13.08 billion in the first quarter of 2017. It represents an all-time market high for the semiconductor equipment market.The global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market is expected to grow at USD ~$62.97 Billion by 2023, at ~7.7% of CAGR between 2017 and 2023.Key PlayersThe prominent players in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market are ASML Holdings N.V. (Netherlands), Applied Materials Inc. (US), KLA-Tencor (U.S), Advantest Corporation (Japan), Tokyo Electron Limited (Japan), LAM Research Corporation (US), AlsilMaterial (US) and Atecom Technology Co., Ltd (Taiwan) among others.Study Objectives of Global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment:To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market.To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth.To analyze the global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market based porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW).To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective.To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Components, Type, Grid, Power Source and Geography.To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market.To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market.Segments:The global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market has been segmented on the basis of Front-end Equipment, Backend Equipment, Fab-facility, Dimension, End-Users and region.Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market by Front-end Equipment:LithographyCleaning processesWafer surface conditioning equipmentOthersSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market by Backend Equipment:Dicing equipmentBonding equipmentAssembly & packaging equipmentMetrology equipmentTest equipmentOthersSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market by Fab-facility:Chemical control equipmentGas control equipmentAutomationOthersSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market by Dimension:2D5D3DOthersSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market by End-Users:FoundrySemiconductor Electronics ManufacturerTesting HouseOthersSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market by Regions:North AmericaEuropeAPACRest of WorldRegional Analysis:The regional analysis of Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market is being studied for region such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. It has been observed that APAC region is the leading in terms of CAGR in Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market followed by North America due to the high usage of Internet of Things. Moreover, IoT is also utilized for boosting the demand for semiconductor production equipment that includes the growth of smart cities, smart grids, and automated smart manufacturing. Europe region is showing a rapid growth in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market. Asia-Pacific countries like China, Japan and India is projected to be the fastest growing region in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market.Get Complete Report @Intended AudienceSoftware investorsSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment ManufacturersAssociations, ForumsSystem IntegratorsSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Panel TechniciansResearch OrganizationsAlliances Related to Grow Lights InvestorsConsulting CompaniesSemiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Panel TechnologistsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Air Condition Report 2017: Based on its Key Element, Segmentation, Region

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Air Condition (AC) Market Research ReportThe categories have variety of applications like commercial, residential, institutional, industries and othersThe market for air conditioning (AC) has been one of the rapidly developing and growing markets in the past few decades, but in this era the air conditioning market has reached the maturity stage of the PLC (Product Life Cycle) and is expected to be in the maturity stage for a long period.Request a Sample Report @About Air Condition Market:The dynamic state of this industry can largely attribute to increasing development, unpredicted population growth in the developed and the developing countries.Air conditioning which is regularly referred to as A/C is the process of modifying the properties of air essentially humidity and temperature to more comforting conditions, normally with the aim of dispensing the conditioned air to a space such as a vehicle or a building to enhance the thermal comfort and indoor air quality. In common use, an air conditioner is a device that produces lowers the air temperature.Air Condition Market Applications:There are different types and varieties of cooling classification which are available in the air condition AC market. Among these classifications the most popular two categories are ductless AC and ducted AC. Both of these categories have variety of applications like commercial, residential, institutional, industries and othersAir Condition Market Segmentation:Air Condition Market Segmentation by types: Split air conditioner Rooftop air conditioner Indoor packaged air conditioner Other air conditionersAir Condition Market Segmentation by Duct type: Ductless DuctedAir Condition Market Segmentation by Application Commercial Residential Institutional Industrial OtherMarket growth driverThere are many market growth drivers for air condition (AC) market but few of the prominent reasons for the market to grow are growing population and increasing level of lifestyle. The market for air conditioners will be highly influenced by the growth of population, as the amount of population will grow globally, the population will face increasing level in the lifestyle of the population leading to the growth of demand in air condition market.Major Market PlayersThe major market players for the global air condition AC market are Carrier Corporation, Daikin Industries Ltd, LG, Samsung Ac, Videocon, Johnson Controls, Lennox, International, Panasonic Corporation, Petra Engineering Industries Co, Siemens ACRegional AnalysisNorth AmericaThe North American market is expected to be one of the major markets for air conditions AC. The conventional residents and commercial markets of American countries like US and Canada are the major customers of the air conditions AC market. It is predictable that the market for air conditions will have a huge level of demand in the commercial sector as it has become a common necessity in all of the commercial chains like restaurants, malls, retail sector etc. The air condition market for residential use in North America has major demand and will play a major in the growth of the market. However the North American market is facing a shift towards more energy efficient and air conditions which are easy to install for example split AC units and variable refrigeration flow (VRF) system. With the high level of demand from the commercial and residential market the North American market for air conditions will face huge growth and will have a tremendous growth rate.Asia PacificThe air condition AC market for Asia Pacific is also one of the major markets as it has high level of demand. The Asia Pacific market is facing a huge shift towards the adoption of latest technologies and energy saving cooling solutions. This demand is increased basically due to the rapid growth of population in the Asia Pacific region and also with developing countries like China and India with large amount of populations and has huge scope for development in the countries and increasing level of lifestyles will create demand for air conditions in the Asia Pacific region. Climate factor will also be a huge factor in this region as the Asia Pacific region, as it is expected to have one of the most scorching and humid environment, air conditions AC has become a basic requirement in the residential and commercial markets. Thus by analyzing the demand the Asia Pacific market for air conditions AC is expected to have huge growth rates and will be an established market.The reports also cover brief analysis of Geographical Region includes:Americas North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Latin AmericaEurope Western Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo Spaino U.Ko Rest of Western Europe Eastern EuropeAsia Pacific Asia China India Japan South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific CountriesTable of Content:1 INTRODUCTION1.1 DEFINITION1.2 SCOPE OF THE STUDY1.2.1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE1.2.2 ASSUMPTIONS1.2.3 LIMITATIONS1.3 MARKET STRUCTURE2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2.1 RESEARCH PROCESS2.2 PRIMARY RESEARCH2.3 SECONDARY RESEARCH2.4 MARKET SIZE ESTIMATION2.5 FORECAST MODEL3 GLOBAL AIR CONDITION AC MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 INTRODUCTION3.1.1 DEFINITION3.1.2 MARKET SEGMENTATION3.1.2.1 MARKET SEGMENTATION ON THE BASIS OF TYPES3.1.2.2 MARKET SEGMENTATION ON THE BASIS OF DUCT TYPES3.1.2.3 MARKET SEGMENTATION ON THE BASIS OF APPLICATION4 MARKET DYNAMICS4.1 DRIVERS4.2 RESTRAINTS4.3 OPPORTUNITIES4.4 MEGA TRENDS4.5 MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS4.6 IMPORTANT POINTERS BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS5 AIR CONDITION AC MARKET ANALYSIS5.1 Value Chain/Supply Chain Analysis5.2 Porters' Five Forces Analysis5.3 Pricing Analysis In (2014-2024)5.4 Historical Market Analysis (2010-2015)The Middle East& AfricaEvery report of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Browse Complete reportAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Office No. 524/528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar
Telecom Power System Market Growth Factors and 10% CAGR throughout the calculation period 2017-2022

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Market Research Future published a research report on Global Telecom Power System Market Research Report- Forecast to 2022  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Market Synopsis of Telecom Power System MarketMarket ScenarioTelecom power systems protected telecommunication services in case of network power disruptions and variations, the telecom power system power systems are designed for wireless broadband access and secure line applications as well as for Internet support and data centers. The important parts of a system are rectifiers, power system controller and batteries. In direct current power systems, a rectifier translates alternating current to direct current and provides the power necessary to charge batteries. The basic outlines of the telecom power system are the need for high class power supplies is highlighted. Some techniques to achieve high performance AC-to-DC conversion and DC-to-DC conversion are evaluated and compared. The broadband capacity demand is increasing very rapidly in cycle with the increasing number of Internet handlers, mobile device users and mobile applications. The increased deployment for the small cell power system for LTE is the major driver for the telecom power market, another factor which is driving the market for the telecom power system is the penetration of telecom towers in rural and off grid areas. The major challenge faced by the telecom power system market is the high associated cost to manage business operations.Get Sample of Report @The Telecom Power System Market size is projected to raise USD ~5 Billion in 2022 at a CAGR of ~10% throughout the calculation period.Key PlayersThe prominent players in the market of Telecom Power System market are Eaton (Ireland),Huawei Technologies Co. (China), Schneider Electric (France), Delta Electronics (Taiwan), GE Industrial Solutions (U.S.), Emerson Network Power(U.S.),Microtek International Inc.(U.S.),Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.(Japan),AEG Power Solution B.V.(Netherlands) and among the others.Study Objectives of Global Telecom Power System:To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Telecom Power System market.To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth.To analyze the global Telecom Power System market based porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW).To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective.To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Components, Type, Grid, Power Source and Geography.To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market.To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Telecom Power System Market.Segments:The Global Telecom Power Network market has been segmented on the basis of, Components, Type, Grid and geography. On the basis of Components the Telecom Power System market is segmented as Converter, Inverter, Rectifier, Head Management system. Telecom Power System Segmented on the basis Type High Pressure, Atmospheric Pressure and low pressure. Telecom Power Network segmented on the basis of Grid such as On Grid, Off Grid. On the basis of power Source Solar, Wind, and Battery. On the basis of geography it has been segmented in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.Regional Analysis:APAC is projected to hold the largest market share and lead the Telecom Power System market in the forecast period owing to the dispersion of telecom towers in rural areas to enlarge the mobile network to the rising mobile subscriber base and also to advance connectivity. The APAC region has seen 3G network growth, and LTE networks have been tossed in the APAC states. North American market will also raise quicker due to large scale positioning of small cell nodes for LTE and the up gradation of heritage power systems to high productivity power systemsGet Complete Report @Intended AudienceTelecom Tower CompaniesMobile Network OperatorsTelecom Infrastructure ProviderResearch Consulting CompaniesPower System ProvidersPower System DistributorsOriginal Equipment ManufacturersComponent Manufacturer of Power SystemGovernmentAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Research Report 2017 : DAQRI, Intellinium, Human Condition, Safety Seebo

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The constantly changing dynamics of the consumer behavior is influencing the global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) market substantially. This report on the global market for Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)an in-depth assessment of this market on the basis of the key factors that shape its performance. Taking numerous factors into consideration, the size and the valuation of this market over the next few years have also been estimated in this research report.The value chain of the global market for Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been extensively examined in this research study, which further evaluates the upstream and downstream components. The trends related to the demand and supply of the products and services available in this market have also been analyzed, together with the factors prompting the rise in the demand from the end users.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Researchers have taken the products, applications, and geographical segments as the main parameters for the study of the performance of the worldwide market for Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in this research report. The performance of every geographical segment has been evaluated on the basis of sales and the profit margins. The dynamics of demand and supply and export and import have also been recognized as prime factors influencing the sales of Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in each of the geographical segments.The research study concludes with an exhaustive assessment of the nature of the worldwide Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)market in terms of the players operating in this market. The profiles of the leading participants have been thoroughly reviewed by performing a detailed SWOT analysis of each of the key companies in the market.Table of ContentsGlobal Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Research Report 20171 Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)1.2 Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Protective Clothing1.3 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Segment by Application1.3.1 Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Construction1.3.3 Oil and Gas1.3.4 Mining1.3.5 Firefighting1.3.6 Manufacturing1.3.7 Labtory1.4 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)Browse Complete Report with TOC @2 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)Please click the link to avail discount on this report @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Figure Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of Protective ClothingTable Major Manufacturers of Protective ClothingFigure Product Picture of Hand ProtectionTable Major Manufacturers of Hand ProtectionFigure Product Picture of Protective FootwearTable Major Manufacturers of Protective FootwearQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Learn details of the Global and China Immune system drugs Industry Professional Market Report 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global and China Immune system drugs Industry Professional Market Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The report on the Immune system drugs market is prepared with the help of a wide array of primary and secondary research incorporating inputs from leading market experts, industry strategists, research organizations, and business executives. The report titled Immune system drugsmarket research report offers in-depth insights into the current market status, share and size of major segments, notable trends, emerging business risks, and competitive landscape. The Immune system drugsmarket dynamics is undergoing several interesting shifts invigorated by constant technological advances and favorable changes in government policies in some regions. The report takes a closer look at the emergent strategic and tactical risks driven by changes in regulatory framework in key regions. In addition, it covers major research and development activities in recent decades expected to unlock exciting opportunities for market players.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Gleaning through the report, market participants can get clear indications of various trends anticipated to gain traction and those that are likely to lose their sheen in the coming years. The report employs a host of industry-wide quantitative tools to assess the strategic landscape. Based on the volumes of data collected over the historic period and insights offered by the vast current statistics, the study presents a 360 degree view of the growth dynamics of the Immune system drugs market over the forecast period. Using Porters five forces analysis and SWOT analysis, the report offers a holistic overview of the vendor landscape. The study is unique in its approach as it offers crystal clear view of the factors likely to tilt in favor of new entrants, thereby altering the intensity of competition in the Immune system drugsin the not-so-distant future.Table of ContentsGlobal and China Immune system drugs Industry Professional Market Report 2017Chapter One Global and China Immune system drugs Market Overview1.1 China Immune system drugs Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20171.2 Global Immune system drugs Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20171.3 Global and China Immune system drugs, by Immunosuppressive drugs 2012-20171.3.1 China Immune system drugs Sales Market Share by Immunosuppressive drugs 2012-20171.3.2 Global Immune system drugs Sales Market Share by Immunosuppressive drugs 2012-20171.3.3 China Immune system drugs Revenue Market Share by Immunosuppressive drugs 2012-20171.3.4 Global Immune system drugs Revenue Market Share by Immunosuppressive drugs 2012-20171.3.5 China Immune system drugs Price by Immunosuppressive drugs 2012-20171.3.6 Global Immune system drugs Price by Immunosuppressive drugs 2012-20171.3.7 Azathioprine1.3.8 Tripterygium Glycosides1.3.9 Cyclosporine1.3.10 Sandimmune1.3.11 CiclosporinCyclosporineNeoralTacrolimusRapamycinMycophenolateBrowse Complete Report with TOC @Chapter Two China Immune system drugs Market by Regions 2012-20172.1 China Immune system drugs Sales Market Share by Regions 2012-20172.2 China Immune system drugs Revenue Market Share by Regions 2012-20172.3 China Immune system drugs Price by Regions 2012-20172.4 First-tier Cities2.5 Second-tier Cities2.6 Third-tier Cities2.7 Other RegionsChapter Three Global Immune system drugs Market by Regions 2012-20173.1 Global Immune system drugs Sales Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.2 Global Immune system drugs Revenue Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.3 Global Immune system drugs Price by Regions 2012-20173.4 Asia Pacific3.4.1 China3.4.2 Japan3.4.3 Korea3.4.4 India3.4.5 Others3.5 Europe3.5.1 Germany3.5.2 United Kingdom3.5.3 France3.5.4 Italy3.5.5 RussiaChapter Four Immune system drugs by Players 2012-20174.1 China Immune system drugs Sales Volume Market Share by Players 2012-20174.2 China Immune system drugs Revenue Share by Players 2012-20174.3 China Top Players Immune system drugs Key Product Model and Market Performance4.4 China Top Players Immune system drugs Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceRequest A Discount on This report @List of Tables and FiguresTable China Immune system drugs Sales Volume (), Revenue (Million USD) and Price ()(2012-2017)Figure China Immune system drugs Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Figure China Immune system drugs Sales Volume () and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Table Global Immune system drugs Sales Volume (), Revenue (Million USD) and Price ()(2012-2017)Figure Global Immune system drugs Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Figure Global Immune system drugs Sales Volume () and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Table China Immune system drugs Sales () by Immunosuppressive drugs (2012-2017)Table China Immune system drugs Sales Market Share by Immunosuppressive drugs (2012-2017)Figure China Immune system drugs Sales Market Share by Immunosuppressive drugs in 2016Table Global Immune system drugs Sales () by Immunosuppressive drugs (2012-2017)QYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Baby Infant Formula Market 2017 Industry Trends, Growth, Analysis and Overview: QYResearchReports

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Baby Infant Formula Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The global Baby Infant Formula market trajectory is influenced by a variety of factors and trends, an elaborate assessment of which is covered in the report Baby Infant Formula research report. The research presents in-depth investigation of notable drivers and restraining factors, major challenges, recent technological advances, winning strategies, and lucrative avenues. The study offers a comprehensive analysis of key business risks emerging in key regions and major changes in governments regulations impacting the players response to them. The study takes a closer look at recent technological advancements and models of service delivery likely to gain traction in the next few years. The research employs industry-leading quantitative and qualitative tools to ascertain the overall market competitiveness in emerging regions.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report is prepared with the aid of inputs from industry experts and mirrors projections from a wide spectrum of primary sources. The study filters reliable and relevant information from a plethora of industry-wide data, to provide growth estimations of key segments. The findings offered in the report help investors and new entrant players gain reliable insights into imminent investment pockets in the Baby Infant Formula market. The key takeaways of the report include the share and size of various application or end-user segments and include the revenue sizing of major regional markets. The study offers valuable insights into strategic landscape by using tools, such as competitive profile matrix, and presents them in easy-to-comprehend format. Furthermore, the advent of disruptive technologies and innovative offerings, which is expected to alter the course of the Baby Infant Formula market growth trajectory, is evaluated in detail.Table of ContentsGlobal Baby Infant Formula Market Research Report 20171 Baby Infant Formula Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Baby Infant Formula1.2 Baby Infant Formula Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Baby Infant Formula Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Baby Infant Formula Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Ready-To-Use Formula1.2.4 Powdered Formula1.2.5 Liquid Concentrate1.3 Global Baby Infant Formula Segment by Application1.3.1 Baby Infant Formula Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Less than 6 Months Baby (First Class)1.3.3 6-12 months Baby (Second Class)1.3.4 12-36 months Baby (Third Class)1.4 Global Baby Infant Formula Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Baby Infant Formula Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)Browse Complete Report with TOC @2 Global Baby Infant Formula Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Baby Infant Formula Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Baby Infant Formula Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Baby Infant Formula Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Baby Infant Formula Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Baby Infant Formula Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Baby Infant Formula Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Baby Infant Formula Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Baby Infant Formula Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Baby Infant Formula Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Baby Infant Formula Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Baby Infant Formula Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Baby Infant Formula Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Baby Infant Formula Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Baby Infant Formula Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Baby Infant Formula Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Baby Infant Formula Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Baby Infant Formula Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Baby Infant Formula Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Baby Infant Formula Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Baby Infant Formula Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Baby Infant Formula Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Baby Infant Formula Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Baby Infant Formula Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Baby Infant Formula Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Baby Infant Formula Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)Request A Discount on This report @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Baby Infant FormulaFigure Global Baby Infant Formula Production (K MT) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Baby Infant Formula Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of Ready-To-Use FormulaTable Major Manufacturers of Ready-To-Use FormulaFigure Product Picture of Powdered FormulaTable Major Manufacturers of Powdered FormulaFigure Product Picture of Liquid ConcentrateTable Major Manufacturers of Liquid ConcentrateFigure Global Baby Infant Formula Consumption (K MT) by Applications (2012-2022)Figure Global Baby Infant Formula Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2016QYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. 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Lecithin Market : Analysis and Forecast by 2024

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Lecithin Market OverviewLecithin is type of substance which is obtained from many commercial sources like egg yolks, soybeans, sunflower etc. Lecithin has application in different industries which includes food and beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Lecithin is generally used because of its unique characteristics like smoothening textures of food, for dissolving powders, to repel the sticky material, for homogenizing mixtures in liquid and also it is used as an emulsifier and stabilizing agent. North America and Asia-Pacific region is the largest producer of lecithin in the world. Globally, organic and Non-GMO lecithin are in demand.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Lecithin Market: Market SegmentationMarket of lecithin is segmented on the basis of by types, form, grade and by application. On the basis of by types, it is segmented as unrefined lecithin, refined lecithin and chemically modified lecithin. Difference between unrefined or natural lecithin is that, unrefined lecithin is extracted from the oil seeds such as soybeans, sunflower etc. and refined lecithin is unified with phospholipids, alcohol etc. On the other side, chemically modified lecithin is modified through chemical treatments. Lecithin market is segmented on the basis of forms such as liquid and powder & granule. Liquid lecithin is used in majorly in bakery & confectionery & industrial applications. Whereas powder lecithin is used in instant dry mixes, beverage premixes, etc.Lecithin market is segmented on the basis of grade such as food grade, feed grade and pharma grade. Pharma grade lecithin is used because of its functional, nutritional and therapeutic properties. Another segment is on the basis of application of lecithin which includes food and beverage, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic, animal feed and for industrial purpose. Further the market of food and beverage is segmented into sub-segment. It is sub-segmented into bakery & confectionery, beverages, convenience foods, meat & seafood and dairy products.Majority of the demand of lecithin is from the food and pharmaceutical industry as in food industry it is used as food additive because of its functional property of anti-spatter and emulsifier. On the other side, in pharmaceutical industry it is used as dispersing agent and also helps in encapsulation and also it has application in form of nutritional supplement. Lecithin also has demand as industrial element where it is used as a release agent, antisludge additive, emulsifier, spreading agent and for many other purposes. Plastic, textile, rubber and paint are some of the major industries where lecithin is used for industrial purpose. On analyzing the overall demand of lecithin in global level market, it is assessed that food industry accounts to majority of share in terms of value and volume followed by pharmaceutical industry and industrial purpose.Lecithin Market: Growth DriversMajor drivers which influence the demand of lecithin is from the food manufacturing industry as it is used as food additive and where it has usage in form of natural emulsifier, lubricant stabilizer, realizing agent and for many other purposes. On the other side, lecithin is also trending its demands from the pharmaceutical manufacturers as they use this product for treatments related to neurological conditions, liver and cholesterol effects and for cardiovascular diseases. Increasing health awareness among consumers has also leads to increase in demand of pharmaceutical as one of the product which is also used for preventive purpose as it helps in treatment of for diseases related to neurological disorder, liver, cholesterol level and also used as a therapeutic purpose.Lecithin Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of regional outlook, market of lecithin market is segmented in seven regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. As per production, major lecithin market producing regions are North America and Western Europe and also contributes majority of market share in the world. In terms of consumption North America and Western European countries are expected to be the largest consumer of lecithin in the world.Request TOC of the Report@Lecithin Market: PlayersSome of the major players which are operating the business in lecithin market are: Archer Daniels Midland Company, "Sodrugestvo" Group of Companies, Cargill Incorporated, Thew Arnott Group, AMERICAN LECITHIN COMPANY, Swanson Health Products, NOW Foods, Lipoid GmbH, Lucas Meyer GMBH, DuPont and Bunge Limited.The Report covers exhaustive analysis on:Lecithin Market SegmentsMarket Dynamics of Lecithin MarketHistorical Actual Market Size, 2013-2015Lecithin Market Size & Forecast 2016 to 2026Value ChainLecithin Market Current Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition and Companies involved in Lecithin MarketLecithin Market Drivers and RestraintAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market Dynamics, Major Companies Analysis and Forecast 2023

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The Global Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market is growing with the rapid pace; mainly due the burgeoning Healthcare Sector. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, The global Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period.Global Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market, by types (Archiving and eDiscovery), by deployment ( On-premise system and Cloud system) and by application ( Revenue cycle management, Electronic health record, Practice Management System, laboratory Information System, Radiology Information System, Picture Archiving System and others)- Forecast to 2023Market Scenario:Healthcare is a highly litigious and regulated industry. Many organizations are unprepared with the right systems to cost effectively address these requirements. In the healthcare industry, organizations have to comply with numerous regulations and rules. They therefore need an intelligent information governance solution with a purpose-built eDiscovery platform. Structured data can be referred as alphabets, numbers and can be easily processed and stored whereas unstructured data can be referred as email, images, audio and video files. In healthcare structured data refers to patients unique identification number and patients billing information. While instructed data refers to radiological images which required same format of image i.e. jpeg. for exchange of images between healthcare providers. Large amount of data is to be managed by the healthcare providers to follow all the rules and regulations. Data classification is important in order to immediately access it whenever required. Globally Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery market are been driven by need of data storage regarding patients billing, radiological images, and medical history and management of healthcare data.The global market of Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery market is blooming due to increase in awareness of using Information Management System and importance of medical data archiving system among healthcare providers.The global Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery market of is expected to reach US$ 8.4 billion in 2023 from US$ 4.25 billion in 2016 with a CAGR of approximately 9.5% during the forecast period from 2017-2023.Key Players for Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market:Some of the key players in this market are: Actiance Incorporation, Barracuda Networks Incorporation, Bloomberg L.P., Commvault Systems Inc., Global Relay Communications Inc., Google Incorporation, International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation and Microsoft Corporation, Allscripts and Siemens.Request a Sample Report @Segments:Global Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market is segmented by types including Archiving and eDiscovery, by deployment including On-premise system and Cloud system, by application including Revenue cycle management, Electronic health record, Practice Management System, laboratory Information System, Radiology Information System, Picture Archiving System and other systems and by regions consisting of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and Africa.Study Objectives of Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market:To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next six years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery marketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo analyze the Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and Africa.To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segments by type, by deployment, by data storage and its sub-segmentsTo provide overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery market.Regional Analysis of Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market:Globally, Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery Market consists of four regions North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and Africa. North America is the largest market for Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2017-2023. The market is expected to reach at US$ 2.25 billion by 2023 from 4.25 billion in 2016. This is due to increase in demand and awareness for storage and archival of healthcare data. Healthcare archiving is gaining importance as it is important to decide how much data to be archived. Most of the software are concentrated in North America. Europe is the second largest market. Increasing expenditure on R&D in Electronic Health Records drives the market in Europe. In Asia-Pacific, increasing patient pool and data security responsible for the use of archiving system. Increased use of radiology management system is seen in India. Middle East and Africa show steady growth in this market.The report for Healthcare Archiving and eDiscovery market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regionsTable of Content1 Report Prologue2 Market Introduction3 Research Methodology4 Market Dynamics5 Market Factor Analysis6 Global Healthcare Archiving And EDiscovery Market, By Type7 Global Healthcare Archiving And EDiscovery Market, By Deployment8 Global Healthcare Archiving And EDiscovery Market, By Application9 Global Healthcare Archiving And EDiscovery Market, By Region10 Company ProfileAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Pune, India
Nerve Regeneration Market Scope and World Trend with 2027 Forecast

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Global Nerve Regeneration Market Information by Product (Biomaterials, Nerve Conduits, Nerve Protectors, others), By Application (Surgery, Prognosis, Autologous nerve grafting, others) By Methods (stem cell therapy, direct nerve repair, nerve grafting, others) - Forecast to 2027Study Objectives of Nerve Regeneration- To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Nerve Regeneration market- To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth- To Analyze the Urinary incontinence market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.- To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- Americas, Europe, Asia, and Middle East & Africa.- To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective- To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by product, by application, by methods and its sub-segments.- To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market- To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global nerve regeneration marketGet a Sample report atRegeneration of the nervous system requires either the repair or substitution of nerve cells that have been harmed by damage or infection. The major factors contributing to the market growth are; increasing number of geriatric individuals alongside developing interest for holding youthful and beauty and the advantages of Reconstructive surgery such as reduction from possibly harmful surgical methods, reduce the surgical danger for elderly patients are also growing the market for nerve reconstructiveSegmentsThe market for nerve regeneration is segmented into mainly three; by products, by methods, by applications and its various sub-segments. By product include biomaterials, neurostimulation and neuromodulation devices. Whereas by methods include stem cell therapy, direct nerve repair, nerve grafting and others. Furthermore by applications include Surgery, Prognosis, Autologous nerve grafting, Allografts and xenografts, Immunisation.Key PlayersThe key players that are involved in Global nerve regeneration market AxoGen Inc. (U.S.), Xcelthera, INC. (U.S), Orthomed S.A.S. (France), Baxter International Inc (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), Integra LifeSciences Corporation (U.S.), Cyberonics Inc. (U.S.), Medtronic (U.S.), Polyganics (Netherlands), Stryker Corporation (U.S.),.St. Jude Medical (U.S.), Neurotex Limited (U.K) and othersAmericasNorth America US CanadaLatin AmericaEurope Western Europe Germany France Italy Spain U.K Rest of Western Europe Eastern EuropeAsia Pacific Asia China India Japan South Korea Rest of Asia PacificThe Middle East & AfricaGet a discount atThe report for Nerve Regeneration of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Browse Complete Report atTable Of Contents1 Report Prologue2 Market Introduction2.1 Introduction2.2 Scope Of Study2.3 Research Objective2.4 Assumptions & Limitations2.4.1 AssumptionsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Market Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: Akash.Anand@Marketresearchfuture.Com
"Coating Equipment Market" with Top Key Players Buhler AG, PVD Products, Inc., BCI Blosch Group, Applied Materials

Coating Equipment Market Grow at a CAGR of +6.0% by 2024

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New research report of Global Coating Equipment Market provides you in-depth analysis of emerging industry By Type, Application and Top Key Players  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024The Global Coating Equipment Market accounted for USD 14.70 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Request for Sample Report @Market Definition: Coating Equipment MarketCoating equipment is used for the precision application and curing of powder coatings, liquid paint, adhesives and sealants, and container coatings. The latest trend in this market is rapid industrialization across the Asia-Pacific region and growing construction sector. There is a growing demand for coating equipment in applications such as automotive & transportation, aerospace, industrial, and building & construction which is expected to drive market over the forecasted years.Major Market Drivers: Growing construction sector due to increasing population and urbanization Rapid industrialization across Asia PacificMarket Restraint: High cost of coating equipment Fluctuating raw material pricesBrowse Full Report @Global coating equipment market is segmented on the basis of Type Architecture Application GeographyThe coating equipment market is segmented on the basis of type into liquid coating equipment, powder coating equipment, and specialty coating equipment.Request for TOC:On the basis of application, the market is segmented into automotive & transportation, aerospace, industrial, building & construction and others.On the basis of geography, the coating equipment market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others. In 2017, Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the market.Speak to Analyst:Top Key Players are:Some of the major players in coating equipment market include Buhler AG, PVD Products, Inc., BCI Blosch Group, Applied Materials, Inc., IHI Corporation, Singulus Technologies AG, Kolzer SRL, Scientific Vacuum Systems Ltd. (SVS), T-M Vacuum Products, Inc., ULVAC, Inc., CVD Equipment Corporation, AJA International, Semicore, OC Oerlikon, Miba Coating Group and many more.Inquiry before Buying @Related ReportGlobal Emergency Lighting Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Emergency Lighting Market By Geography; Power System (Self-Contained Power System, Central Power System, Hybrid Power System); Battery Type (NICD, NIMH, Lifepo4, LeadAcid); Light Source (Fluorescent Lighting, LED, Incandescent, Induction); Offering (Hardware, Software, Services); Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogFollow us on LinkedIn:
President Yoweri Museveni has asked European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to address the concerns raised by East African Community (EAC) member states on the Economic Partnership Agreements.

Leading a delegation of EA trade ministers to the meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, President Museveni, who is also Chairperson of the EAC, noted that the bloc sought several clarifications before making a final decision on the EPAs.

Key among the concerns is the question of strategic industrial development, the denunciation process, development agenda, the rendezvous, joint declaration and domestic support.

On strategic industrial development, President Museveni noted that once the trade pact is signed, up-to 65% of imports (mainly machinery and raw materials for industrialization) from the EU to EAC will come in at zero rate, which is similar to a current policy position East Africa already has with the EU.

President Museveni said that also of concern to EAC, is the clause that commits the EU to remove export subsidies on EAC-destined exports only but does not address other forms of domestic support that equally distort the market.
World Fertility Testing Market Current and Future Scope 2024

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Global Fertility Testing Market Research Report by Application (Animals, Men, Women) By Types (Ovulation Kits, Fertility Monitors) By Tests (Blood test, Cervical smear test, urine test, Sperm test, microscopic Analysis) - Forecast to 2024About Fertility Testing:Fertility testing is a process in which fertility or infertility is checked or assessed.Infertility is inability in a person to reproduce in natural means. It is diagnosed when the natural state of a healthy adult organism is imbalanced or when a couple hasnt been successful at achieving pregnancy after one year. In this the couple needs to go through comprehensive physical and medical assessment. People with such conditions are tended to go for fertility testing.Through fertility testing people are able to find the cause and how they should go forward with the treatment.Fertility Testing- Process & ApplicationsThe practitioner studies the concerns and medical history of the patients and performs the physical examination. Fertility tests for women are cervical smear test, urine test, blood test to check ovulating, German measles, and period check for hormonal imbalances and fertility test for men includes sperm test and urine test.In animal fertility testing involves examination of internal and external genitalia, microscopic analysis and semen sampling. By types we can examine fertility by using Ovulations kits and Fertility monitorsGet a Sample report atForecast IndicatorsApart from natural causes lower fertility can also be the style of living and with the present life style of the youth, Men and Women it is possible that their fertility may decrease in them. Fertility tests and fertility testing products have gained a demand due to low fertility. People are curious to know about their problems and are willing to take treatments to solve their fertile problems. Hence growth is seen in the fertility market and it is an opportunity for players to establish a growing market.Fertility Testing Regional Market Analysis:The Fertility Testing market is vivacious owing to it wide range of products & scope of applications.North America (U.S., Canada)North America is one of the largest markets for fertility testing. As per the National Center of Health Statistics the US fertility rate in 2009 was 2.0 births per women. But the preliminary shows a drop on 1.9 in 2011. Hence, there is sense of urge building in the overall population and people are getting aware of fertility testing. In present scenario the awareness about the fertility testing and the devices for fertility testing has been increased among the people. Hence, the use of ovulation kits and fertility monitors is increasing which leads to demand for fertility testing and an increasing trend can be expected in the North American market.EuropeEurope is one of the growing markets in fertility testing and as per Euro Stats in 2014 the average fertility rate of 2014 is 1.58 per woman which has drastically dropped since 2002. An AMH test which measures how much Anti mullerian harmone a woman produces in her ovarian follicles which is fast becoming the pre-eminent tool for fertility specialists in Europe to determine the chances of their patients getting pregnant.With the evolvement of AMH tests in the European market which shows a growing trend for fertility testing in Europe, the AMH test would add more value to the existing European market leading to further growth of the market in Europe.Get a discount atThe reports also covers brief analysis of Geographical Region includes:AmericasNorth AmericaUSCanadaMexicoLatin AmericaEuropeWestern EuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainU.KRest of Western EuropeEastern EuropePolandRussiaAsia PacificAsiaChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaRest of AsiaPacific CountriesAustraliaNew ZealandThe Middle East& AfricaBrowse Complete Report atEvery report of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact usMarket Research FutureMaharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@Marketresearchfuture.Com
World Contrast Media Market Scope with Major Key Players GE Healthcare, Daiichi, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, AMAG Pharmaceuticals

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Global contrast media market research report by type (Intravenous Contrast Materials, Iodine-based), by procedure (X-ray, computed tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, ultrasound), by application (cardiovasculardisorders, oncology, nephrological disorders), by route of administration (Rectal, Oral, Injectable) - Forecast till 2023Study objectives global contrast media research reportComplete analysis of the parent market.Detail overview of various driver and restrains of the market.Present, past and projected size of the market from standpoints of value and volume.Detail overview of key players and their current market share and strategy.SWOT analysis of major segments of the market.Porters five forces framework incorporating the factors influencing each force to determine the intensity of competitionSegment and sub-segment level analysis of the market over the forecast periodIdentification of key factors responsible for changing the market scenario, exploiting new opportunities and gaining competitive edgeGet a Sample report atMarket Scenario:Contrast media is a substances which is used to enhance the contrast of fluids in the body during medical imaging. It is basically used to enhance the visibility of blood vessels and GI tract. Global contrast media market is growing continuously due to increasing prevalence of different diseases like GIT diseases and cardiac diseases, increasing cancer population are the major factor for the growth of the market. Introduction of innovative techniques and development in medical imaging techniques has provided fuel for the growth of the market. While risk of side effects and adverse effects of the contrast media may hinder the growth of the market.Global contrast media market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3 % during forecasted period 2017-2023.SegmentationGlobal contrast media market is segmented on the basis of type into intravenous contrast materials, iodine-based and other. On the basis of procedures they are segmented into X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and other. On the basis of application they are cardiovascular disorders, oncology, nephrological disorders and by route of administration they are rectal, oral, injectable and other.Regional AnalysisOn regional basis, contrast media market is dominated by North America which is followed by Europe. Presence of major players in North America and Europe and increasing prevalence of GI disease are the major factor for the growth of the market in this region. Asia Pacific is the third largest market and the fastest growing contrast media market. Rising awareness regarding product benefits among consumers and a huge population base in this region is the major factor for the growth of the market.Key players for global contrast media marketGE Healthcare (US), Daiichi (Japan), Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals (Germany), AMAG Pharmaceuticals (US), NanoScan Imaging (US), Medrad Inc (US), Targeson (US), Guerbet (Japan), Bracco Diagnostic Inc. (Italy), Guerbet Group (France), Covidien (Ireland), Lantheus Medical Imaging (U.S.), ), Bracco Imaging S.p.A. (Italy), Subhra Pharma Private Limited (India), nanoPET Pharma GmbH (Germany), CMC Contrast AB (Sweden), Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals (UK)Get a discount atThe report for global contrast media market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regions.Browse Complete Report at1 INTRODUCTION1.1 DEFINITION1.2 SCOPE OF STUDY1.2.1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE1.2.2 ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITATIONS1.2.2.1 ASSUMPTIONS1.2.2.2 LIMITATIONS1.3 MARKET STRUCTURE:2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2.1 RESEARCH PROCESS:2.2 PRIMARY RESEARCH2.3 SECONDARY RESEARCH:3 MARKET DYNAMICS3.1 DRIVERS3.2 RESTRAINTS3.3 OPPORTUNITIES3.4 MACROECONOMIC INDICATORSAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact usMarket Research FutureMaharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@Marketresearchfuture.Com
Cups and Lids Global Market 2017: Key Players  Georgia-Pacific, Clondalkin Group Holdings, Greiner Holding AG, Huhtamaki Oyj, Reynolds Group Holdings Limited, PrintPack Inc.

Cups and Lids Market 2017

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Cups and Lids Market 2017Summary:MarketResearchFuture adds Cups and Lids Market 2017: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, Forecast to 2021reports to its Database.Key PlayersThe key players of global Cups And Lids market report include-Georgia-PacificClondalkin Group HoldingsGreiner Holding AGHuhtamaki OyjReynolds Group Holdings LimitedPrintPack Inc.Solo Cup Operating CorporationBemis Company, Inc.WinCupInternational Paper CompanyAirlite Plastics CompanyBerry Plastics Group IncorporatedChengdu Anbao Paper Group Company LimitedConstantia Flexibles Group GmbHDart Container Corporation.Study Objectives of Global Cups and Lids Market- To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of various segments and sub-segments of the global cups and lids Market- To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth- To analyze the global cups and lids market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.- To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (RoW)- To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective- To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by product type, by material type, by application and by region- To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market- To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global cups and lids marketSynopsis of the Global Cups and Lids MarketMarket ScenarioThe market for cups and lids has been growing due to a rapid growth in the food & beverage packaging industry and foodservice industry. There has been a change in the preferences of the common people from regular to western food & beverage joints focusing on specialty beverages. This is backed by the increased investment in new technologies in global cups & lids market and increased awareness for health and fitness which has led to the growth of the global cups and lids market.Request For Sample Report @SegmentsGlobal cups and lids market is segmented on the basis of product type, material type, application and Region. On the basis of product type it is segmented as cups, lids and others. On the basis of Material type it is segmented as paper & paperboard, plastic, metal and others. On the basis of application it is segmented as food & beverage, foodservice, retail and others. Additionally on the basis of region, it is segmented as North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.North AmericaUSCanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyFranceItalyU.K.Rest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanAustraliaRest of Asia-PacificRoW:Latin AmericaMiddle EastAfricaThe report for Global Cups and Lids Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Complete Report Details @Table of ContentsRequest for Table of Contents.Continued.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Solutions, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.CONTACT US:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Glass Packaging Global Market 2017: Key Players  Owens Illinois Inc., Saint-Gobain, Ardagh Group, Gerresheimer AG, and Vetropack Holding AG, Amcor Ltd, Nihon Yamamura Glass Co. Ltd.

Glass Packaging Market 2017

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Glass Packaging Market 2017Summary:MarketResearchFuture adds Glass Packaging Market 2017: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, Forecast to 2021reports to its Database.Key PlayersThe key players of Global Glass Packaging Market report include-Owens Illinois Inc.Saint-GobainArdagh GroupGerresheimer AG, and Vetropack Holding AGAmcor LtdNihon Yamamura Glass Co. LtdTamron Co.Ltd., and Piramal Glass LimitedHindustan National Glass & Industries LtdStolzle-Oberglas GmbHVidrala SAWiegand GlasBerk Company LLCShandong Pharmaceutical Glass Co., Ltd.Synopsis of the Global Glass Packaging MarketMarket ScenarioGlobally there is an increase in demand for alcoholic beverages and beer which has augmented the market for glass packaging. The non-reactive nature of glass makes it a suitable packaging material in pharmaceutical and alcoholic beverages industry. This is backed by the increased awareness for eco-friendly packaging and increase in investments by packaging companies which has led to the growth of the global glass packaging market.SegmentsGlobal glass packaging market is segmented on the basis of Application and Region. On the basis of application it is segmented as alcoholic beverages, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals and others. Additionally on the basis of region, it is segmented as North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.Request For Sample Report @Study Objectives of Global Glass Packaging MarketTo provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of various segments and sub-segments of the global glass packaging marketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo analyze the global glass packaging Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (RoW)To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segment by application and region.To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global glass packaging marketRegional Analysis of Global Packaging Machinery MarketAPAC dominates the global glass packaging market with its fast growing market worldwide. The region is expected to grow in coming years due to increasing glass packaging consumption, particularly in China and India. The demand is dominated by the alcoholic beverages and pharmaceuticals industry.The report for Global Glass Packaging Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Complete Report Details @Table of ContentsRequest for Table of Contents.Continued.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Solutions, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.CONTACT US:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
A-Share Listed Pharmaceutical Companies - Profiles and Financial Data 201

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With growing Chinese economy and increasing residents' income, people's purchasing power of pharmaceuticals has been enhanced. China's aging population also promotes demand for pharmaceuticals. In 2016, revenues from main businesses of China's pharmaceutical industry reached CNY 2,963.59 billion, up by 9.9% YOY; profits were CNY 321.64 billion, up by 15.6% YOY. Among sub-industries, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) , pharmaceutical preparations and medical devices maintained strong profitability, witnessing their profits grow by 25.9%, 16.8% and 32.3%, respectively. The revenues from main businesses of pharmaceutical preparations, TCM decoction pieces processing, sanitary materials & medical products and medical devices industries were higher than average and grew by 10.8%, 12.7%, 11.5% and 13.3%, respectively.For more information about this report atIn 2016, the revenue of the chemical pharmaceutical industry reached CNY 1,256.96 billion, up by 9.9% YOY; profits were CNY 139.57 billion, up by 19.6% YOY; export delivery value was CNY 79.26 billion, up by 4.5% YOY. The operating revenue of API manufacturers totaled to CNY 503.49 billion, up by 8.4% YOY; profits were CNY 44.53 billion, up by 25.9% YOY; export delivery value was CNY 64.87 billion, up by 7.4% YOY.CRI expects that in the next few years, demand for pharmaceuticals will rise with increasing residents' income, upgrading consumption, aging population, accelerating urbanization and improving healthcare system, promoting the development of China's pharmaceutical industry.In this report, CRI analyzes 161 pharmaceutical enterprises listed in A-share market in China.Request a sample copy atThe report is composed of two parts: the first part is enterprise profiles and the second part is the operation status of these enterprises in the recent decade (presently 2006 to 2016, we will update it to the latest as time goes by).The operation status is demonstrated from the following perspectives: (1) financial indexes, such as earnings per share, book value per share (BPS) , sales per share, net cash flow per share, return on net worth and debt to asset ratio; (2) indexes on the income statement, such as revenue, operating profit, net profit and EBIT; (3) indexes on the income statement, such as revenue, operating profit, net profit and EBIT; (4) indexes on the balance sheet, such as liquid asset, fixed asset, current liability, non-current liability, capital reserve and shareholders' equity.1) Financial Indexes- Earnings per Share- Book Value per Share (BPS)- Sales per Share (SPS)- Net Cash Flow per Share from Operations- Net Cash Flow per Share (CNY)- Return on Net Worth- Net Profit Margin on Total Assets- Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) (%)- Gross Profit Margin on Sales (%)- Net Profit Margin on Sales (%)- EBIT Margin (%)- EBITDA Margin (%)- Debt to Asset Ratio (%)- Total Asset Turnover (times)- Cash/Operating Income Received from Sales of Goods or Services- YOY Growth Rate of Operating Revenue (%)- YOY Growth Rate of Operating Profit (%)- YOY Growth Rate of Net Profit Attributable to Shareholders of Parent Company (%)Ask for Discount at(2) Summary of Income Statement- Gross Revenue (CNY, million)- Total Operating Costs (CNY, million)- Revenue (CNY, million)- Operating Profit (CNY, million)- Total Profit (CNY, million)(3) Summary of Balance Sheet- Liquid Asset (CNY, million)- Fixed Asset (CNY, million)- Long-term Equity Investment- Total Assets (CNY, million)- Liquid Liability (CNY, million)- Non-current Liability (CNY, million)(4) Summary of Cash Flow Statement- Cash Received from Sales of Goods and Services (CNY, million)- Cash Flow from Operations (CNY, million)- Cash Paid to Purchase Fixed Assets, Intangible Assets and Other Long-term Assets (CNY, million)- Cash Paid for Investments (CNY, million)- Cash Flow from Investments (CNY, million)- Cash Received from Investors (CNY, million)Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Pune:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Cancer Pain Global Clinical Trials Review H2 2017

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ReportsWeb.com published Cancer Pain Global Clinical Trials from its database. The report reviews top companies involved and enlists all trials pertaining to the company. Report provides latest news for the past three months.Original Content:"Cancer Pain Industry Outlook to 2022-Market Forecasts for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Oil Storage, Pipelines and Gas Processing", is a comprehensive report on midstream oil and gas industry in Algeria. The report provides details such as name, type, operational status and operator for all active and planned (new build) LNG terminals, oil storage terminals, major trunk pipelines and gas processing plants in Algeria till 2022. Further, the report also offers recent developments, financial deals as well as latest contracts awarded in the country's midstream sector.For more information about this report:Report Scope-Updated information related to all active and planned LNG terminals, oil storage terminals, major trunk pipelines and gas processing plants in the country, including operator and equity details-Key mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, private equity and initial public offerings in the country's midstream oil and gas industry, where available-Latest developments, financial deals and awarded contracts related to midstream oil and gas industry in the country.Request Sample Copy atReasons to buy-Gain a strong understanding of the country's midstream oil and gas industry-Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of capacity data-Assess your competitor's major LNG terminals, oil storage terminals, major trunk pipelines and gas processing plants in the country-Analyze the latest developments, financial deals and awarded contracts related to the country's midstream oil and gas industry-Understand the country's financial deals landscape by analyzing how competitors are financed, and the mergers and partnerships that have shaped the marketTable of Contents1.1. List of Tables 41.2. List of Figures 52. Introduction 62.1. What is This Report About-62.2. Market Definition 63. Algeria LNG Industry 83.1. Algeria LNG Industry, Liquefaction 83.1.1. Algeria LNG Industry, Liquefaction, Key Data 83.1.2. Algeria LNG Industry, Liquefaction, Overview 83.1.3. Algeria LNG Industry, Total Liquefaction Capacity 83.2. Algeria LNG Industry, Liquefaction Capacity by Company 103.3. Algeria LNG Industry, Liquefaction Capacity by Terminal 103.4. Algeria LNG Industry, Asset Details 113.4.1. Algeria LNG Industry, Liquefaction Active Asset Details 114. Algeria Oil Storage Industry 184.1. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Key Data 184.2. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Overview 184.3. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Storage Operations 184.3.1. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Total Storage Capacity 184.4. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Storage Capacity Share by Area 204.5. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Storage Capacity by Company 214.6. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Storage Capacity by Terminal 214.7. Algeria Oil Storage Industry, Asset Details 22Inquire before Buying atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Fruit Vinegar Industry in 2017: Authentic Services by our Key Players

Fruit Vinegar Market, Fruit Vinegar Industry, Best Fruit Vinegar

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Global Fruit Vinegar Market Research ReportGlobal Fruit Vinegar Market Information- by Source (Berries, Citrus Fruits, Drupes, Melons, Pomes, Tropical Fruits), by Form (Liquid & Gel), by Application (Food, Beverages, Cosmetic & Personal Care and others), by Distribution Channel (Store Based & Non- Store Based) and Region -Forecast to 2023Request a Sample Report @Market Synopsis of Fruit Vinegar:Market Scenario:Vinegar is a liquid consisting of about 520% acetic acid, water, other trace chemicals. Vinegar also comes in a variety of flavors but fruit vinegar is one of the important types. Fruit vinegars are made from various fruits which attributes to its availability in various flavors such as apple, blackcurrant, raspberry, quince, and tomato. The demand of the fruit vinegar is increasing widely due to its various nutritional benefits.The global fruit vinegar market is anticipated to be driven by the increasing massive growth of food service industry in the developed and developing economies. Organized foodservice includes chain and licensed standalone players operating across quick service restaurants, full service casual & fine dining restaurants, hotels, bars, lounges, and cafes that majorly relies on fruit vinegar as an integral ingredient to prepare the final dish. Also, organized retail sector has been growing strongly over the last decade and the fruit vinegar manufacturers are promoting their products in the supermarkets & hypermarkets in order to attract maximum customers which will positively influence the sales of fruit vinegar during the forecast period.Study Objectives of Fruit Vinegar Market:In depth analysis of the markets segments and sub-segmentsTo estimate and forecast market size by source, form, application, distribution channel, and regionTo analyze the key driving forces influencing the marketRegion level market analysis and market estimation of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world (ROW) and their countriesValue chain analysis & supply chain analysis of the marketCompany profiling of major players in the marketCompetitive strategy analysis and mapping key stakeholders in the marketAnalysis of historical market trends and technologies along with the current government regulatory requirementsKey Findings:Asia Pacific dominates the fruit vinegar market followed by EuropeAmong the Asia Pacific, Japan is projected to witness a massive growth during the forecast period of 2017-2023SegmentsFruit Vinegar market has been segmented on the basis of source which comprises of berries, citrus fruits, drupes, melons, pomes, and tropical fruits. Berries account for the maximum market proportion of global fruit vinegar market during the forecast period. However citrus fruit vinegar is projected to grow at a higher pace in the near future. Fruit vinegar market has been segmented on the basis of form which comprises of liquid & gel. Fruit vinegar market has been segmented on the basis of application which comprises of food, beverages, cosmetic & personal care and others. Fruit vinegar market has been segmented on the basis of distribution channel which comprises of store based and non-store based. Store based comprises of supermarkets & hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty retailers, and others.Regional AnalysisThe Global Fruit Vinegar Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world (ROW). Among these, Asia Pacific is estimated to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period of 2017-2023. This is attributed to the increasing awareness of the healthy food habits and increasing disposable income of consumers. Also, various new and innovative flavor vinegars are launched by the key manufacturers in the Asia Pacific countries which is anticipated to intensify the sales of fruit vinegar in the upcoming decade. Europe region is estimated to account for a generous market proportion during the review period of 2017-2023.Browse Complete Report @Key PlayersThe key players profiled in the fruit vinegar market are Bragg Live Food Products, Inc. (U.S.), Fleischmann's Vinegar Company, Inc. (U.S.), Vitacost, Inc. (U.S.), Australian Vinegar, Inc. (Australia), Mizkan Group (Japan), Acetificio Marcello De Nigris (U.K.), ACETUM SRL (Italy)The fruit vinegar market is segmented under the following regions:North AmericaUSCanadaEuropeEuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainUKRest of EuropeAsia-PacificChinaIndiaAustraliaSingaporeRest of Asia PacificRest of the worldBrazilArgentinaSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaOthersAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Office No. 524/528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar
Charcoal Market Report for Period 2017 till 2022 Ignite Products, Carbon Roots International, Sichuan Shuangli Yonghui Tanye and Others

Charcoal Market

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Global Charcoal Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Ignite Products, Carbon Roots International, Sichuan Shuangli Yonghui Tanye and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Charcoal is a woodfuel consumed in cities and towns. Some of the factors influencing the choice of using charcoal instead of firewood in urban areas include Charcoal has a higher calorific value per unit weight that firewood, it is therefore more economical to transport charcoal over longer distances as compared to firewood Storage of charcoal takes less room as compared to firewood Charcoal is not liable to deterioration by insects and fungi which attack firewood Charcoal is almost smokeless and sulphur  free, as such it is ideal fuel for towns and cities.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Charcoal Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Plantar GroupCarv?o S?o ManoelGryfskandBlackwood CharcoalMatsuri InternationalParaguay CharcoalJumbo CharcoalVIET GLOBAL IMEXSagar Charcoal DepotNamco CCIgnite ProductsCarbon Roots InternationalSichuan Shuangli Yonghui TanyeBRICAPAR SAECloroxOxford Charcoal CompanyOthersGlobal Charcoal Market: Key Product TypeCharcoal BriquetteHardwood CharcoalOthersGlobal Charcoal Market: Key ApplicationMetallurgical IndustryIndustrial FieldCooking FuelOthersGlobal Charcoal Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Charcoal Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Charcoal Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Charcoal Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Charcoal Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Charcoal Briquette1.2.2 Hardwood Charcoal1.2.3 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Metallurgical Industry1.3.2 Industrial Field1.3.3 Cooking Fuel1.3.4 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions......................Continue (Global WiFi Wireless Speakers Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market Report for Period 2017 till 2022 Methode Electronics, CFC Carbon, Kunshan JianTong and Others

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Global Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namelyMethode Electronics, CFC Carbon, Kunshan JianTong and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.A wide variety of industrial applications require heating solutions that are reliable as well as efficient. Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element are ideal for providing such accommodative heating and immense thermal recovery. They can conform to suit the surface that is to be heated and hence they are versatile in nature.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:SGL GroupFlexelMethode ElectronicsCFC CarbonKunshan JianTongIR TechnikaO-YateYukangHongkangGuoqiangCheung HingGMEOthersGlobal Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market : Key Product TypeCarbon Fiber Composite Heating TubeCarbon Fiber Composite Heating PlateCarbon Fiber Composite Heating WireOther Carbon Fiber Composite Heating ElementOthersGlobal Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market : Key ApplicationIndustrial ApplicationCommercial ApplicationHousehold ApplicationOthersGlobal Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market : Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market . The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Tube1.2.2 Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Plate1.2.3 Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Wire1.2.4 Other Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Industrial Application1.3.2 Commercial Application1.3.3 Household Application1.4 Market Analysis by Regions......................Continue (Global Carbon Fiber Composite Heating Element Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
Car Care Products Market Report for Period 2011 till 2023 Armored AutoGroup, SOFT99, SONAX, Tetrosyl and Others

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Global Car Care Products Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Armored AutoGroup, SOFT99, SONAX, Tetrosyl and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Car care products are high performance chemicals used to improve shine, gloss, and durability of vehicles. These chemicals also protect and retain the visual appeal of vehicles. There are different types of automotive appearance chemicals available in the market which includes wheel care, tyre shine, interior-exterior care, glass cleaner, paint cleaning and protection, paint restoration and many more.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Car Care Products Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:3MTurtle WaxIllinois Tool WorksArmored AutoGroupSOFT99SONAXTetrosylNorthern LabsLiqui MolySimonizAutoglymBotnyBullsoneBiaoBangCHIEFRainbowMothersAuto MagicOthersGlobal Car Care Products Market: Key Product TypeCleaning ProductsRepair ProductsProtection ProductsOther ProductsGlobal Car Care Products Market: Key ApplicationAuto Beauty ShopAuto 4S ShopIndividual ConsumersOthersGlobal Car Care Products Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East AfricaThe Global Car Care Products Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Car Care Products Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Car Care Products Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Objectives of Research1.1.1 Definition1.1.2 Specifications1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 by Type1.2.1.1 Cleaning Products1.2.1.2 Repair Products1.2.1.3 Protection Products1.2.1.4 Other Products1.2.2 by Application1.2.2.1 Auto Beauty Shop1.2.2.2 Auto 4S Shop1.2.2.3 Individual Consumers1.2.3 by Regions.......................Continue (Global Car Care Products Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
By Benjamin Jumbe:

The Democratic Party is calling for national prayers for the Ugandan parliament.

This follows Wednesdays fracas the erupted in parliament that saw legislators flexing with security agents who had been called in to evict them from the chamber

Speaking to Kfm the Partys president Nobert Mao has said having strangers access the chamber of parliament was most regrettable, noting that it defiled the sanctity of parliament, independence and prestige.

He also says the speaker did not play her role in defending parliament from the defilement, hence the need for prayers to cleanse it.

However during yesterdays plenary session NRM law makers applauded the speaker for the manner she handled the situation accusing opposition legislators of causing the chaos.

They also thanked the speaker for what they termed as a bold decision to throw out opposition MPs over their alleged acts of indiscipline.
In 1927, the Daughters of the Confederacy, a group dedicated to historical revisionism and reminding black people that white people thought they were superior to them, were dedicating something called the Dixie Highway. The Highway was just a bunch of backroads that connected the South to the Midwest, but see, actual historical importance didnt matter to the Daughters. They just wanted to rehabilitate the image of Confederate leaders in the eyes of white America.

So when they dedicated a patch of this insignificant road near Franklin, Ohio, they asked if they could commemorate it with a statue of Robert E. Lee. Town leaders said yes, for some godforsaken reason. And there the statue stood (mostly forgotten) for nearly a century, until it was taken down by the township this past summer.

Now, WKYC reports the city has decided to reinstall the statue, because hundreds of Robert E. Lee stans swarmed the town and protested its removal. Franklin, Ohio, a town whose only connection to General Lee is its graveyard filled with soldiers who fought against him, would not allow the statue to come down.

Its important to remember that states like Ohio were instrumental in Trumps victory in the presidential election. In a USA Today article from August about the protests of the removal, nearly every quoted protestor talks about how they agree with Trump. Many of them blame Black Lives Matter for the removal, even though BLM has zero presence in the town. A woman named Jo Ann held up a sign that said Honk if All Lives Matter during the protests.

This small town is one of many, filled with ignorant, racially insensitive people who are absolutely unwilling to listen when people call them racially insensitive. They have no clue that these Confederate monuments were put up primarily out of nostalgia for an Old South that never existed and a desire to keep black people oppressed. They think these depictions of a heroic, compassionate Lee show him as he really was, when nothing could be further from the truth. These towns dont realize theyre the victims of historical revisionism.

Statues of Lee, like the one pictured above in Fort Myers, Fla., have a way of popping up in towns like these.

To reiterate, because it bears repeating: Lee had no connection to Franklin. The town is hundreds of miles away from the nearest Confederate state. The only reason the statue was put up in the first place was because some racist Southern women named a road. The city even paid $2,000 to fix the plaque that was damaged during the removal process, a plaque that imparts this valuable historical information: In loving memory of Robert E. Lee, And to mark the route of the Dixie Highway.

See, that historical information bit is important, because thats what a lot of the protestors cling to when defending the statue. They think taking down a historically revisionist statue erases history. They dont realize that statues like these already rewrote it.
Every kid wants their own phone. Even if they dont know how to text or make calls yet, they all want to play games or watch videos just like mom and dad, and any parent will tell you how hard it is to monitor their kids screen time. Googles new Family Link service isnt the first tool to help with this, but its easily the best, and it could quickly become the indispensable tool in a parents arsenal.

Previously available by invitation only, Family Link is now available for all parents, and it was clearly developed by Google engineers who have children (or at least spend a lot of time around them). Theres nothing too overbearing about it, but it gives parents an excellent set of resources to monitor and manage their kids phone time.

Initial set-up

Youll need three things to get Family Link set up:

An Android phone, tablet, iPhone, or iPad (for you) An Android phone or tablet running Nougat (for your kid) A Google account

As long as you have those three things, its pretty easy to get started. First, youll need to head over to the Play Store or the App Store to download it. After it installs, youll be asked to start a family group, which allows you to link your account with your childs. You can invite up to four family members to join your group.

Greenbot Setting up a family group allows your Google account to link with your kids.

Then youll create the most important part of Family Link: your kids Google account. Previously Google accounts were limited to users 13 years or older, but Family Link fills that gap, giving parents control over the childs account until they become a teenager. Youll be asked to input your childs first and last names, and then choose a username. (To be honest, that will probably be the hardest part of the process for most parents.) Parents will need to link a credit card to complete the process and will be charged a 30-cent fee per child to prove they have given consent. (Dont worry about losing the money, the transaction will be canceled once the process is completed.)

Greenbot Youll need to create a new Google account for your child to set up Family Link, but good luck finding a username that hasnt been taken.

Set up your kids Android phone

Once thats done youre ready to set up your kids device. Their phone/tablet needs to be 1) an Android device, and 2) on Nougat, so the pool to choose from is relatively small. Assuming youre using one of your older devices, youll need to create a new user for them before you can log in. Then youll install the Family Link app on their device and sign in with their Google account. Your phone will automatically recognize when the set-up process is complete on their end, and the two will be linked.

Greenbot The two phones will automatically detect when the Family Link has been established.

To add a second child to the family group, just open Family Link app on your phone and start the process over (youll need to set up a separate user for the new kid). Once the whole family is set up, you can start digging into the settings. While both devices have the Family Link app installed, however, they operate quite differently.

Greenbot Both phones have the Family Link app installed, but only the parents phone has permission to change things.

Block apps and approve downloads

On the parents side, youll be able to set up location services (the only area of the app that I had connection issues with), see app activity and installs, and ring the device, as well as dive into a slew of settings for things like app permissions, purchasing, blocking sites in Chrome, and filtering search results. Youll also be able to block your kid from using certain apps on their phone, which removes them entirely. Kids also get a snapshot of their usage dashboard, but they arent able to change any of the settings.

When your child tries to download an app from the Play Store, youll receive a notification, and you can either approve or reject the request. Parents will also need to enter their password to launch when launching the app for the first time. Then, the app will appear in the Family Link app, where you can manage settings and block access. Some apps, like YouTube Kids for example, have additional settings available in the parents Family Link app.

Limit screen time

All of the settings are very easy to find and understand, and offer tremendous control over the trouble your kid can get into. But the killer feature in Family Link is screen time.

Greenbot The Screen time settings let you set time limits and a bedtime schedule to keep your kids phone habits in check.

Inside the dedicated tab, youll be able to set a daily limit on the amount of time your child spends on their phone as well as a bedtime schedule so they dont sneak in some gaming in the middle of the night. Once it activates, your child wont be able to see notifications or access their phone for any reason other than making or receiving calls (in the event of an emergency).

Greenbot Even when locked, you child will still be able to make and receive emergency calls.

When locked, your childs phone will display a purple screen with a lock a symbol and the time that it will unlock. If for some reason a locked device doesnt respond, parents can enter a code that will override the screen lock. And of course, they can instantly lock a phone when their child is misbehaving.

Family Link may be an overdue feature, but its one that Google took the time to get right. Everything from the simple set-up to the granular settings speaks to busy parents who need a little help monitoring their kids internet habits. Its powerful without being overly intrusive and it gives parents an opportunity to explain why its important to limit their time online and how to stay safe doing it.
With its Office compatibility and excellent collaboration features, Googles productivity suite is a great option for road warriors, teams, and else who needs the flexibility to work from anywhere.

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Price: Free, or $5-$25 per user per year as part of GSuite for businesses.

Platform: Online

Once considered merely a lightweight web-based alternative to Microsoft Office, Googles trio of office apps has grown into a worthwhile productivity suite in its own right. Though its capabilities still arent quite as robust as most desktop office suites, its tight ties to other Google products and extendability through a growing market of Chrome extensions make it a powerful, cost-effective option for students and workers.

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are free to use by anyone with a web browser, a Google account, and an internet connection. The subscription-based G Suite, which adds more business-oriented features, is available in three pricing tiers for organizations.

This review is part of our roundup of best Microsoft Office alternatives. Go there for details on competing products and buying advice.

Hands on

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides maintains a consistent look across its three component apps. Elegant and unadorned, the interface has clearly labeled menus with intuitive toolbar icons. All three apps also have a healthy set of hotkeysaccessible by typing Ctrl+/ on a PC or +/ on a Macfor those who prefer to keep their fingers on the keyboard.

Michael Ansaldo/IDG Google Docs collaborative editing features tower above all other suites.

Any files you work on in the suite have to be stored in Google Drive, the search giants popular cloud storage. New Docs, Sheets, and Slides files are automatically created in your Drive account, and you can also upload Microsoft Office files for editing. All your changes are saved to Drive as long as youre online; you can install a Chrome browser extension to edit files offline, but it requires some configuring and it only works with native Docs, Sheets, and Slides files.

The respective apps do an admirable job of importing Word and PowerPoint files, though you sometimes have to tweak elements in the latter. Importing Excel files to Sheets is more of a mixed bag, with spreadsheets containing basic functions translating more faithfully than larger, more complex ones.

The suite still shines brightest as a collaborative tool for written documents, thanks to features like real-time commenting, revision tracking, and deep integration with Google Drive cloud storage. Its also intimately connected to Google search, allowing you to search for information relative to what youre working on from within the individual apps.

Standout features

Excellent collaboration tools

Tight integration with other Google products

Simple, fast interface

Missing features

Extensive formatting options

Offline editing capabilities

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides is best for:

Road warriors, collaborative teams, and anyone else who needs the flexibility to work from multiple locations will get the most out of Googles office suite. If your needs run to creating large, intricate documents; mail merges; or serious number crunching, youll likely find the suites capabilities limited and should look elsewhere.
Deer numbers look good in Northern Lower Peninsula, spotty in Eastern U.P.

The annual statewide firearm season for white-tailed deer will begin just before sunrise on Nov. 15 and end on Nov. 30.
GRACE-HUIZEN WINS AGAIN

For now, they remain perfect.

Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace continued their amazing dynamic as a team on the opening day of the Presidents Cup with the South Africans providing the ray of light needed for the International Team.

The South African duo took out Presidents Cup rookies Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger 3 and 1 and improved their record to 5-0-0 as a team after their unbeaten efforts in Korea two years ago.

The record we have after the last one gives us a lot of confidence coming into this one. I know you can't ride on past success but it is nice knowing that you have done it and you can do it again. And it reflected today, Grace said.



It was a very much needed point as the underdogs had already lost the opening three matches and the win put the Internationals on the board.

Our point was really important, and hopefully we inspire a little bit of the team, Grace continued.

Hopefully we can all just get in there tomorrow and get the win. We definitely need as much points as possible tomorrow.

Their unbeaten run goes on the line against Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas on Friday in Four-ball. The Americans were 6 and 4 runaway winners in Foursomes over Hideki Matsuyama and Charl Schwartzel.
Batten Disease Treatment Market

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Batten disease is a rare, inherent, and fatal autosomal recessive neural disorder that begins in the childhood but may take a few years to show symptoms. Batten disease is one of the approximately 50 diseases that fall under the category of lysosome shortage disorders. The batten disease also referred as Neuronal ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs), which is a class of life-limiting genetic neurogenerative diseases that are caused due to abnormality of genes resulting in their inability to synthesize required protein. This disease is characterized by malfunctioning of body, which usually appears around the age of 2-10 with symptoms, such as seizures or gradual onset of vision problem. The early signs may show subtle changes in behavior and learning, however over time, the child suffers from mental impairment, progressive loss of sight, speech and motor reactions, worsening seizures, eventually leading to blindness dementia, and finally death. These disease is diagnosed with the help of certain tests, such as blood or urine tests, skin or tissue dampening, brain scans, and imaging techniques, which includes, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The batten disease is characterized into four types as follows:Infantile NCL: more than 2 yearsLate Infantile NCL: 2-4 years (Life span of child varies between 8-12 years)Juvenile NCL: 5-8 years (Life span varies between teens to early 20s)Adult NCL: more than 40 years (Variable lifespan)Request a sample copy of this report: http://bit.ly/2xPLlQw European countries facing rising prevalence and incidence of batten diseaseAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Batten disease is observed in 2-4 per 100,000 live births in the United States on an average. The Batten disease although is rare but has high incidence rates in Finland, Sweden, and other parts of the Europe as compared to rest of the world. According to the Batten Disease Support and Research Association, the batten disease has often been encountered in more than one children of the same family. The Daily News and Analysis article published in June 2016 suggests that, over 20 million children in India suffer from rare diseases, having expensive treatments. This creates opportunities for the sustaining as well as upcoming market players by understanding the potential held by the global batten disease treatment market.The global batten disease treatment market is segmented on the basis of therapy and geographical regions.On the basis of therapy, the global batten disease treatment market is segmented asOccupational TherapiesPhysical TherapiesAs of now, there are no established drugs and treatments to cure and prevent the disease. However, the severity of disease can be reduced and controlled by certain therapies. Few clinical trials and studies are being carried out in the North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific to identify therapies that would help reducing the disease outcome.Ask for customization: http://bit.ly/2xCXvg9 Attempts by collaborations of research bodies for introduction to reliable treatment options for batten disease giving hopes to commonersThe batten disease treatment market is not dense on the global level, however the developed economies of North America and Europe are expected to contribute to the growth of the market. This attributes to the increasing incidence of batten disease and high prevalence rates in American as well as European countries. For instance, a joint study between Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Childrens Hospital, and Kings College London have discovered a treatment that has helped to improve the neurological symptoms in the mouse model of juvenile batten disease. This research held a novel approach of counteracting the accumulation of the cellular waste in Batten disease by acting on TFEB, which is a master transcription factor that stimulates the production of lysosomes by the cell body and directs cellular apoptosis. This has brought a ray of hope to patients and families affected by battens disease.Improper treatment facility for batten disease responsible to attract the attention of various players to enter the untapped potential batten disease treatment marketThe rising incidence of the batten disease without effective treatment option for the prevention and cure of the disease is the primary driver for batten disease market, due to which several companies are vying to enter into the untapped global batten disease treatment market. However, the lack of awareness among manufacturers and patient population as well as unavailability of treatment for this disease are greatly hampering the growth of the global batten disease treatment market.Although, the global batten disease treatment market is very scarce, few key players offering cell regeneration therapies and few other forms of medication include Seneb BioSciences, Inc., BioMarin Pharmaceuticals and ReGenX Biosciences LLC. The U.S. FDA has recently approved BioMarins first ever drug to treat batten disease known as Brineura in 2017.Click here to know more about this report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/batten-disease-treatment-market-831 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.
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for BeWhere Holdings Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - BeWhere Holdings Inc. (TSX Venture:BEW). has issued a press release with the following headline:BeWhere Holdings Inc. Announces an Increase to Its Previously Announced Non-Brokered Private PlacementTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on BeWhere Holdings Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/BeWhere Holdings Inc.Source: BeWhere Holdings Inc. (TSX Venture: BEW, OTCQB: BEWFF)Date: September 29, 2017Time: 11:54 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of BeWhere Holdings Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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Packaging industry, with technological advancement, have continuously been upgrading its packaging types across various industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer goods. Among the wide range of industries, the food industry has witnessed the maximum packaging transformations with time. Packaging industry, considering the busy routines of the consumers and the time limitations, have introduced the cook in bag pack facility for the customers. Cook in bag pack enables cooking of the ready-made foods either by steam or oven at appropriate temperatures which take maximum 10-15 minutes. The heat-safe bags cooks the food by trapping the heat around the food with moist and hot air that results in a moist and delicious food. Cook in the bag pack market is expected to witness an escalating demand among the consumers.Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15305 Cook in Bag Pack: Market DynamicsCook in bag pack market is mainly driven by the consumers increasing demand for organized cooking in their hectic daily life. Cook in bag pack market witness high demand in the food industry due to its ability to provide the consumers with restaurant quality food, quick and simple meals, extended shelf life and less or no chances of undercooked food. Another factor that fuels up the growth of the cook in bag pack market is that the affordable prices of the ready to eat food packets. Cook in bag pack serves best for the purpose of cooking for a large group of people wherein, it consumes less time and provides organized cooking. Hence, cook in bag pack market is expected to grow during the forecast period due to its versatile benefits.However, cook in bag pack comes along with some restraints. Cook in bag packs includes bag packs manufactured from vast and dense plastics that serves the purpose of storing, eating and cooking food. Hence, when disposed of, these plastic bags compounds the problem of environmental contamination. Cook in bag pack food contains food ingredients that are highly processed and have high preservative content which is required to extend the shelf life of the food content. The high content of preservatives can be injurious to health.Bag pack market has an opportunity to manufacture the food bags out of biodegradable plastics which would thereby reduce the environmental contamination. The cook in bag pack market can also produce reusable cook in bag pack food packets which would serve the consumer for other purposes.Cook in Bag Pack: Market SegmentationCook in bag pack market can be segmented on the basis of bag pack sizes, which include:Small Bags (5x 8x 3)Medium Bags (6 x9.37x3.25) Large Bags (6.69x11 x3.5) Cook in bag pack market can be segmented on the basis of types of bag packs, which include:Boil-in- BagsSolid BagsPorous BagsSteamer BagsOven BagsCook in bag pack market can be segmented on the basis of types of food packed in the bag packs, which include:Meat productsSoupsBakeryVegetablesOthersCook in Bag Pack: Segment OutlookCook in bag pack market can be segmented by sizes which include small, medium and large sized bags depending on the food quantity. Cook in bag pack market can be segmented as bag packs used which include boil-in- bags and steamer bags. Boil-in-bags are further segmented into solid and porous bags. Food in such bags is cooked in boiling water. Steamer bags are vented plastics food bags that are cooked in the microwave with the help of heat buildup around the food. It is a quick method of preparing food and is widely preferred by the consumers. Oven bags are almost similar to steamer bags except that they are large and are not prevented. These cook in bag packs are used mainly for roasting large sized meats. Cook in bag pack market can be further segmented on the basis of types of food which include various meat products such as chicken, pork, beef, turkey and others, the ready to eat soups, bakery like cakes, vegetables and others.Cook in Bag Pack: Regional OutlookRegional coverage for the cook in bag pack market includes North Americas Cook in bag pack market, Latin Americas Cook in bag pack market, Europes Cook in bag pack market, Asia-Pacifics Cook in bag pack market and Chinas Cook in bag pack market and the Middle East and Africas Cook in bag pack market. Cook in bag pack market witnesses a high demand in North America, Latin America, and Europe because of the busy consumer lifestyle. However, the cook in bag pack market is expected to grow significantly in APAC region as consumers have widely adopted this method of organized cooking to save up time and energy.Cook in Bag Pack: Market PlayersThe market players in cook in bag pack market are Plascon, M & Q Packaging, Extra Packaging Corp., Sirane Food Packaging, Paper Chef and others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=15305
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Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.comHead Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

Closures/Caps add to an essential part in the packaging industry. Whether its twisting the cap, or a screw top, closures form the doorway to product experience. With the changing consumer lifestyles and preferences and technological advancement, the packaging industry continuously upgrades its packaging trends in terms of closures/capping. Keeping in mind the re-usability factor, packaging industry has been developing flip-top closures also known as snap on closures for product packaging. Flip-top packaging are convenient as compared to convention sealed caps owing to its re-usability, easy-to-use and multi-use characteristics. Flip-top packaging is prominently used in food and beverage industry. Its convenient features have resulted in the wide adoption by other industries including pharmaceuticals, health and personal care, automotive and other consumer goods. Flip-top packaging market is expected to grow during the forecast period attributed to its convenient features that extends shelf life of the product.Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15257 Flip-Top Packaging Market: Market DynamicsFlip-top packaging market is witnessing a growing demand in order to cater to changing consumer requirements for reclosing fasteners. The increasing demand for portability by the workforce who are constantly on a move has driven the flip-top packaging market. Flip-top packaging method is especially suited for liquid products that help in pouring the liquids as and when needed. Flip-top packaging market has gained an increased adoption across industries for its easy to use features. The flip-top packaging market adds value to beverage industry which has driven the manufacturers to widely adopt this packaging method for liquid product packaging.Flip-top packaging market opportunities in the food industry is expected to benefit from the industrys demand for easy to open closure types especially for food items such as ketchups, jellies and jams. Boosted by the convenience, flip-top packaging market is expected to witness a continuous growth across industries.Flip-Top Packaging Market: Market SegmentationFlip-top packaging market can be segmented on the basis of application, which include:Food & BeverageJams and JelliesKetchupsJuicesWaterSodaHealth DrinkOthersDairy ProductsMilkPharmaceuticalsSyrupsTabletsHealth & HygieneShampooLotionsCreamsOilOthersAutomotiveOther Consumer GoodsFlip-top packaging market can be segmented on the basis of raw material, which include:LDPELLDPEPPPVCOthersFlip-top packaging can be segmented on the basis of application including food and beverage industry which includes flip-top packaging for products categories like jellies and jams, ketchups, juices, water, health drinks, soda and others, dairy products such as milk bottles, pharmaceuticals wherein, flip-top packaging is used for syrups and small sized tablets, health and hygiene products which includes a wide range of products such as creams, lotions, oil, shampoo. It is also widely applied in the automotive industry for products like diesel, engine oil and others. Flip-top packaging method includes plastic caps that can be segmented on the basis of plastic materials such as LDPE, LLDPE, PP, PVC and others.Flip-Top Packaging Market: Regional OutlookRegional coverage for flip-top packaging include North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and China (APAC) and Middle East and Africa (MEA). APAC is expected to witness a rapid growth in the flip-top packaging market owing to the presence and continuous development in food and beverage industries. Developing countries such as India and China are expected to have a robust demand for flip-top packaging market. MEA is expected to grow significantly in terms of global flip-top packaging market. Matured markets such as North America, Europe and Latin America are expected to contribute moderately to flip-top packaging market.Flip-Top Packaging Market: Market PlayersThe market players in flip-top packaging include Amcor Limited, Bericap Holding GmBH, Berry Plastics Corporation, Crown Holdings Inc., Nampak Limited, Hangzhou Xinye Bottle Cap Company Ltd., Shanghai Zijiang Enterprise Group Company td., Tetra Pak and others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=15257
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Friday Night Inc--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, B.C. (FSCWire) - Friday Night Inc (CSE:TGIF). has issued a press release with the following headline:Friday Night Inc. Signs Exclusive License with KuruptTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Friday Night Inc, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Friday Night IncSource: Friday Night Inc (CSE: TGIF, OTC Pink: VPGDF, FWB: 1QF, ISIN: CA74840V1004, WKN: A2ABE2)Date: September 29, 2017Time: 9:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Friday Night Inc and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
Increasing inclination of the populace towards renewable energy to replace fossil resources is a major factor driving growth of the furfural market.

Furfural Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 13:50:02

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#3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Tel: +1-206-701-6702CEO+1-206-701-6702Pareesh Phulkar08087996871

Furfural Market overview:Furfural is an organic compound derived from plant materials such as corncobs, oat, wheat bran, rice husk, bagasse, and saw dust. It is usually produced from agricultural wastes rich in pentosans that are hydroysed to produce furfural and its byproducts. Furfural is a colorless oil that readily dissolves in various organic solvents and is slightly soluble in water. It exhibits chemically similar properties as that of other aldehydes and aromatic compounds. It can be readily hydrogenated to tetrahydrofurans derivatives, which when are heated with acids results into solidified polymer or thermosetting polymer. Hence, it is commercially considered as a renewable, non-petroleum based chemical feedstock. Due to these properties, it is widely used in application industries such as petroleum, agriculture, paints & coatings, and pharmaceuticals. Increasing environmental concerns of fossil resources has led to rise in production of renewable alternatives as suitable biomass-based platform chemicals. The U.S. Department of Energy has also selected furfural as one of the top 30 platform chemicals derived from biomass. Furfural production was pioneered in 1921 by the Quaker Oats Company using oat hulls, corncobs, and bagasse. In 2014, around 300 to 700 kilotons of furfural was produced worldwide, of which China contributed a major share. Significant improvements in the production methods of furfural and its increasing incorporation in a wide range of applications have resulted into furfural emerging as a widely used biomass-based chemical.Request Sample of Furfural Market: https://goo.gl/7RFRkZ Global Furfural TaxonomyThe global furfural market is classified on the basis of the following segments:By applicationFurfural alcoholSolventsOthersBy raw materialsCorn cobRice huskBagasseOthersBy end-use industryPetroleumAgriculturePaints & coatingsPharmaceuticalOthersPrevalent Scenario in Furfural MarketIncreasing inclination of the populace towards renewable energy to replace fossil resources is a major factor driving growth of the furfural market. Due to its key attributes of thermosetting properties, physical strength, and corrosion resistance, furfural has emerged as an immediate alternative to furan-based chemicals. Also, it is derived from abundantly available biomass, which makes it a highly preferred biomass-based chemical. Furfural is mainly used to produce furfuryl alcohol, which is widely used in manufacturing polymers, textiles, and construction materials. The raw materials for furfural production are the agricultural wastes which are widely available in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The abundant availability of raw materials and low cost labor available in these countries is another factor driving the furfural market in Asia Pacific. Hence, it is also widely used in production of agricultural formulations such as herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and other synthetic chemical compounds. The rising trend of incorporation of natural or bio-based chemicals into pharmaceutical industry has led the manufacturers to invest in technologies to broaden the furfural application into pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. However, inefficient technology resulting in low yields and complex production process of furfural restrains the growth of the market. However, increasing government initiatives for use of bio-chemicals into different applications create opportunities for the furfural manufacturers to invest into research and development of the furfural products and their applications. For instance, the government of Alberta has taken initiatives to link the consumer facing brands with biochemicals and conventional petrochemical industries, which has resulted in increase in investments in the biochemical sector in Alberta. Various research studies are being conducted for low costs production of furfural, though they are not commercially operational processes. Moreover, changing prices of raw materials pose threat to the growth of the market. Asia-Pacific region dominates the furfural market due to abundantly availability of raw materials and rapidly growing infrastructure industry. Europe records for fastest growth rate due to increasing incorporation of bio-based chemicals in petroleum refineries and pharmaceutical industries in the region.Request To View The Table of content: https://goo.gl/w3YPBR Fragmented MarketThe global furfural market is highly fragmented due to the presence of many established and local players across the world. Major players involved in the market include Hongye Holding Group Corporation Ltd., Arcoy Biorefinery Pvt. Ltd., Corporation, Ltd., Central Romana, KRBL Ltd., Illovo Sugar Ltd., Lenzing AG, Penn A Kem LLC, Tanin Sevnica d.d., Linzi Organic Chemicals Inc. Ltd., Tieling North Furfural (Group) Co., Ltd., Silvateam S.p.A., and Xingtai Chunlei Furfuryl Alcohol Co., Ltd.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
The Global Truck-Bus Tires Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Truck-Bus Tires Market.

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September Offer -Flat 20% discount on purchase of this report from 15th to 30th September @ https://www.researchtrades.com/discount/1246596 For more offers post 30th September, kindly contact us.Contact No. : +16269994607 (US)/ +91 7507349866 (IND)Email: sales@ researchtrades.com Report Overview:The Global Truck-Bus Tires Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Truck-Bus Tires Market. The study offers an insight into current and future market trends, key drivers and restraints, market strategies of key market players along with detailed segmentation and forecast. The study offers industry overview by covering basic aspects such as product definition and classification, market size and share of segments and sub-segments. This report offers market insights into the changing dynamics by analysis the elements of industry chain structure, key marketing channels and the innovative strategies adopted by key market players to gain a competitive advantage in the market.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Truck-Bus Tires in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea, IndiaGet Exclusive sample copy @ https://www.researchtrades.com/request-sample/1246596 Global Truck-Bus Tires market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, and revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including Bridgestone, Continental, MICHELIN, Sumitomo, Firestone, Hankook Tires, Goodyear, Pirelli.On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Truck-Bus Tires for each application, including Truck, Bus, OtherTable of Contents1 Truck-Bus Tires Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Truck-Bus Tires1.2 Truck-Bus Tires Segment by Type (Product Category)1.3 Global Truck-Bus Tires Segment by Application2 Global Truck-Bus Tires Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Truck-Bus Tires Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Truck-Bus Tires Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Truck-Bus Tires Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)3 Global Truck-Bus Tires Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Truck-Bus Tires Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Truck-Bus Tires Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Truck-Bus Tires Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017).Browse This Report @ https://www.researchtrades.com/report/global-truck-bus-tires-market-research-report-2017/1246596 Who we areResearch Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Luminar Media Group Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Luminar Media Group Inc. (OTC Pink:LRGR). has issued a press release with the following headline:Luminar Media Group Inc., and the Jenex Corporation Terminate Exclusive License AgreementTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Luminar Media Group Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Luminar Media Group Inc.Source: Luminar Media Group Inc. (OTC Pink: LRGR)Date: September 29, 2017Time: 4:15 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Luminar Media Group Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 18:52:00

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Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.comHead Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

Microelectronics packaging is used to protect the chip so that it is not affected or less influenced by the outside sources and to provide decent working conditions for normal functioning. To keep pace with the growing demands imposed by high performing chips and by end-use system applications the microelectronics packaging market is experiencing a significant growth. Microelectronics packaging involves the use of various engineering and other technologies to incorporate protective features and in built security in the packaging of products. This microelectronics packaging market is gaining importance as it reduces wastage and enhances safety and security, convenience and product differentiation. Globally the acceptance of microelectronics packaging is increasing with rising awareness among the manufacturers. Influence of customer demand on packaging is one of the prime driver for microelectronics packaging market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15281 Technological advancements in printed electronics is a common trend observed in recent years. High cost of microelectronics packaging is one of the major challenge faced by the microelectronics packaging market. Manufacturers around the world are all in the effort to research and improvement of the microelectronic packaging industry in order to get leading position in technology. Market for microelectronics packaging material like metals, ceramics, glass, polymer, etc. is also expected to increase during forecast period. Single chip to chip development and planer to 3D packaging development are some of the future key development trends for the microelectronics packaging market anticipated to be observed during forecast period.Based on the number of package combination circuit chip the microelectronics packaging market is segmented into:Single chip packaging (SCP)Multi-chip package (MCP)Based on the seal material the microelectronics packaging market is segmented into:High polymer material (plastic)CeramicBased on the device and circuit board interconnect the microelectronics packaging market is segmented into:Pin insertion (PTH)Surface mount (SMT)In terms of geography, the microelectronics packaging market has been divided in to five key regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. The microelectronics packaging market is expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period. Currently North America is on the lead for this technology followed by Asia Pacific and Europe. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to experience higher growth for microelectronics packaging market. In countries like China and Japan the domestic microelectronics packaging market is in a rapid growth phaseSome of the key players in the Microelectronics Packaging Market are AMETEK ECP, Teledyne Microelectronics etc.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections done using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, type, machine size and end use.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedTechnologyValue ChainRegional analysis includesNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East and AfricaThe report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators, and governing factors, along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various factors on market segments and geographies.Report Highlights:Detailed overview of parent marketChanging market dynamics in the industryIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and valueRecent industry trends and developmentsCompetitive landscapeStrategies of key players and products offeredPotential and niche segments, and regional markets exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective on market performanceMust-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=15281
Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Device Market by Type (Automated BP Monitors, Ambulatory BP Monitors, Sphygmomanometers (Mercury, Aneroid, Digital), BP Transducers and BP instruments accessories) and by Region

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PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 11:35:30

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According to the report Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market, published by Market Data Forecast, the Middle East and Africa market is projected to reach USD 320 million by 2021, at a CAGR of 7.58% from 2016 to 2021.Blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate and body temperature in a normal range are vital for the humans to survive. However variations in blood pressure are rapid specifically in the aged people and regular monitoring is necessary. High blood pressure is referred as hypertension which is a chronic condition and a very common cause of death and cardiovascular diseases along with heart attacks worldwide. Devices used to monitor blood pressure are called blood pressure monitoring devices which check blood pressures at regular intervals.Get a comprehensive overview of the Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-blood-pressure-monitoring-device-market-906/ Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: Drivers & RestraintsRising prevalence of cardiovascular disorders is the primary driver of this market. Furthermore the advent of advanced handheld and automated blood pressure monitors in the market is the secondary factor driving the growth of this market. They offer features such as safety, efficacy, and portability, thereby boosting market growth. In addition, technological advancements for example mobile-based BP monitoring systems are likely to drive the demand up further.High cost of these devices along with slow approvals for new and better patent designs are the primary restraints of this market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market. Request a sample to stay up-to-date on the main trends affecting this market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-blood-pressure-monitoring-device-market-906/request-sample Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: SegmentationBy Type Automated BP Monitors Ambulatory BP Monitors Sphygmomanometerso Mercuryo Aneroido Digital BP Transducers BP instruments accessoriesMiddle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: OverviewPulse-oximeters are the fastest growing market segment because of their rising demand in emergency medical care. In terms of revenue share, sphygmomanometer segment dominated the product type and is expected to show lucrative growth over the forecast period.Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookThe market in the region can be divided based on geography broadly into Middle East and Africa regions. The rising prevalence of blood pressure and hypertension in Middle East and Africa will propel demand for blood pressure monitoring devices in the region. Furthermore, the rising awareness about these diseases, Technological advancements and availability of various monitoring and therapeutic devices is also growing, thereby accelerating the growth of market.Middle East and Africa Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the major companies dominating the market, by their products and services include GE Healthcare, Welch Allyn, Inc., A&D Medical Inc., SunTech Medical, Rossmax International Ltd., Spacelabs Healthcare Inc., Panasonic Corporation, Philips Healthcare, Contec Medical Systems Co.,Ltd , Omron Healthcare and Microlife 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 information, kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com
Middle-East and Africa Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices Market by Product (Systems, Disposables), by Type (Invasive, Minimally invasive, Non-invasive), by End User (Hospitals, Cath labs, Home and Ambulatory Care) and by Region

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PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 11:44:18

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According to the report Middle East and Africa Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices Market, published by Market Data Forecast the Market has been estimated at USD 74.40 Million in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 91.49 Million by 2021, at a CAGR of 4.22% during the forecast period from 2016 to 2021. Hemodynamic Monitoring Device is used in cases where a patients cardiovascular health needs to be assessed, especially among those patients that have undergone a cardiac surgery. These products perform the function of assessing the blood volume and oxygen perfusion rate along with restricting the incidence of adverse effects due to the administration of excess fluids.The market for Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices in Middle-East and Africa is mainly driven due to technological advancements, growth in the number of people suffering from hypertension, growing diabetes population, and rapid growth in the aging population. But, the market growth can be restrained due to less awareness among people regarding different treatment techniques and high treatment costs.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Middle East & Africa Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices Industry to 2021 @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-hemodynamic-monitoring-devices-market-1557/ Middle-East and Africa market for Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices is segmented based on Product and Monitoring type. By Product, the market is further sub-segmented into Systems and Disposables. By Monitoring type, the market is further sub-segmented into Invasive, Minimally invasive, Non-invasive. By end-users, the market is further sub-segmented into Hospitals, Cath labs, Home and Ambulatory Care. Based on products, disposables segment is estimated to account for the largest share. Based on types, the invasive Monitoring Devices segment is estimated to account for the largest share. Based on end users, hospitals segment is estimated to account for the largest share. All of these three segments are projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Free sample of the report is available @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-hemodynamic-monitoring-devices-market-1557/request-sample Geographically, Middle-East and Africa market for Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices is segmented into Middle-East region and Africa region. The Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices market in the Middle-East and Africa is escalating with high CAGR, which is greatly due to incidences of cardiovascular diseases and increasing geriatric population.Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, PULSION Medical Systems SE, LiDCO Group plc., Cheetah Medical Inc., Deltex Medical Group plc., Hemo Sapiens, Inc., ICU Medical, Inc., Osypka Medical GmbH, Schwarzer Cardiotek GmbH, and Tensys Medical, Inc. are the major players of Middle-East and Africa Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices market.Inquire before buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-hemodynamic-monitoring-devices-market-1557/inquire 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.
Middle-East and Africa Safety Syringes Market by Technology (Retractable and Non-Retractable safety syringes), by Therapy (Insulin, GLP-1, Tuberculosis and Growth Hormones), by End Users (Hospitals and Home Care) and by Region

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According to the report Middle East and Africa Safety Syringes Market, published by Market Data Forecast the Market is estimated at USD 369 million in 2016 and is predicted to reach USD 645 million by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 11.78%. Injection practices worldwide and especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) include multiple, avoidable unsafe practices that ultimately lead to large scale transmission of blood-borne viruses among patients, health-care providers and the community at large. Over the past decade, there has been a considerable growth in usage of safety syringes over the conventional syringes. Safety syringes consist of an integrated safety that help to guard healthcare workers from inadvertent needle stick injuries.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Middle East and Africa Safety Syringes Industry to 2021 @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-safety-syringes-market-353/ With the rise in incidence of needlestick injuries, new initiatives and legislations by governments to incorporate the practice of safety syringes, favourable reimbursement policies, and upgraded safety mechanisms for syringes are boosting the growth of Middle-East and Africa safety syringes market. At present, quite a few countries have enforced regulations to ensure the compulsory use of safety syringes with an intention of preventing needle stick injuries and confine needle re-use. These regulations are expected to increase the common usage of safety syringes as compared to conventional syringes. However, availability of alternate drug delivery methods, high price of safety syringes and their ignorance in developing countries due to lack of proper awareness about healthcare and safety issues are few factors off-putting the growth of Middle-East and Africa safety syringes market.Free sample of the report is available @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-safety-syringes-market-353/request-sample The Middle-East and Africa safety syringes market can be categorized on the basis of technology into Retractable and Non-Retractable safety syringes. The retractable syringes market is sub-segmented into Automatic or Manual syringes. And the non-retractable safety syringes are sub-segmented into sliding needle cover syringes, sheathing tube syringes, and hinged needle cover syringes. Non-retractable safety syringes hold the major share of sales in the Middle-East and Africa regions while the retractable safety syringes segment is anticipated to rise at a higher CAGR within the forecast period. Furthermore, on the basis of therapy, the safety syringes market can be categorized under Insulin, Tuberculosis, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Growth Hormones. Moreover, taking into account end users, the Middle-East and Africa safety syringe market is branded under hospitals and home care segments.Inquire before buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/middle-east-and-africa-safety-syringes-market-353/inquire On the basis of geography, the Middle-East and Africa safety syringe market is segmented and analysed under various countries namely, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Qatar. Middle-East and Africa regions are showing high potential for growth mainly owing to the populace strength. African countries have the high incidence of diseases duo to unsafe injection practices. With proper organization of awareness programs about safety syringes in these regions can create an ample opportunity for the companies to capitalize on, provided they come in affordable prices.Some of the major companies operating in the Middle-East and Africa safety syringes market are Retractable Technologies, Inc, Covidien plc, Terumo Corporation, Unilife Corporation, Revolutions Medical Corporation, Becton, Dickinson & Company, Smiths Medical, Axel Bio Corporation, Sol-Millennum and Ultimed, Inc.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.
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Global Mycotoxin Testing Market: OverviewAccording to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), nearly 25% of food produced in the world contains mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites of moulds and toxic in nature. There are roughly 400 known species of mycotoxins of different chemical compound classes, out of which 25 are quite common due to their frequency in occurrence. With the rising population across the globe, the demand for food is escalating, which as a result makes it mandatory to emphasize more on mycotoxin testing. Consequently, the global market for mycotoxin testing is estimated to expand at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period of 2016 to 2024.Request Sample Copy of the Report@This report on global market for mycotoxin testing is a comprehensive inspection of the factors that are expected to influence the demand over the course of next few years. It also notes some of the trends and opportunities that may prove to be a boon for the market in the near future. One of the key feature of the report is the section on company profiles, wherein some of the key vendors have been analyzed for their market share, geographical presence, product portfolio, and recent strategic developments. The global mycotoxin testing market can be segmented on the basis of type into aflatoxins, fusarium toxins, patulin, ochratoxins, and other toxins including alternaria, citrinin, ergot alkaloids, sterigmatocystin, and cyclopiazonic acid, on the basis of technology into high pressure liquid chramoatography (HPLC), LC-MC or GC-MS, and Immunoassay-based or Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Request TOC of the Report@Global Mycotoxin Testing Market: Trends and OpportunitiesApart from growing need for food safety, this market is driven by humid atmospheric conditions, which is leading to mycotoxins productions in food products such as cereals, bread and cookies, dried fruits, herbs and species, milk and dairy products, beverages such as beer and wine, and meat and poultry products. Several governments across the globe have taken a note of the issues caused by mycotoxins and have introduced stringent regulations for the players in the food and beverage industry to follow. Moreover, consumer awareness regarding the presence of mycotoxins has increased multiple folds in the recent past, which is further propelling the demand. Increased international trade mandates, food recalls, and advanced technologies to rapidly and effectively test the presence of mycotoxins are other factors favoring the growth of the market. However, the lack of food control systems, infrastructure, and technology in the emerging economies is expected to hinder the growth rate of the global mycotoxins market.Currently, fusarium toxin segment has the maximum demand, and is expected to remain prominent throughout the forecast period, due to a vast number of fusarium toxin prevalence in several kinds of foods and increasing food trade which requires proper contamination check before being shifted from two locations of different climates. By technology, HPLC remains most common method as it is economical and effective in detecting mycotoxins.Global Mycotoxin Testing Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, the report studies the opportunities available in the regions of North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Currently, Europe serves the maximum demand, with the U.K. dominating the country-wide market. This is a reflection of food safety policies in this region by National Reference Laboratories (NRLs), Control Laboratories (CLs), Euroepan Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and EU Reference Laboratories (EURLs).Companies mentioned in the research reportSome of the prominent players in global mycotoxin testing market are Bureau Veritas S.A., ALS Ltd., Asurequality Ltd., Eurofins Scientific SE, Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Intertek Group PLC., Romer Labs Diagnostic GmbH, Silliker, Inc., SGS S.A., and Symbio Laboratories.Major regions analyzed under this research report are:EuropeNorth AmericaAsia PacificRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming years
Alessandra Corso, financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc., Princeton

PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 17:46:51

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The Central Region of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) is hosting a Networking Luncheon for entrepreneurs and business owners from 11:30am to 1:30pm on October 3 at Ecco Bistro, 458 Elizabeth Avenue, Somerset, New Jersey 08873. The speaker is Alessandra Corso, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc., Princeton. Her presentation, Investing in Your Childs FutureWays to Pursue Your Education Planning Goals, will explain why integrating education planning into your overall financial strategy makes sense. For those who want to fund their childrens or grandchildrens education, the key to developing an education funding strategy is to understand the options available.There will be plenty of time to exchange business cards and enjoy networking over lunch. Register online by 10/1/17 at http://www.njawbo.org/event/CentralRegion2017-10-3 . The event fee is $30 for NJAWBO members and $40 for others who register in advance, and $45 (check or cash) for all at the door.NJAWBO hosts monthly networking events in each of its six regions. The Central Region is generally comprised of business owners from Somerset, Hunterdon, and Mercer Counties. The regions events are open to members and other entrepreneurs and business owners from across the state. For more information about this event, contact Silvia Papini, 908-342-1550, silvia.papini@doc-events.com NJAWBO provides women business owners the opportunity to develop as leaders while serving on committees and boards, interacting with business owners at region and state levels, and ultimately putting their well-honed leadership skills to use in their businesses as well as within the organization.Founded in 1978, the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) is the longest-standing, statewide organization of women business owners in New Jersey. Its primary objective is to encourage and support business ownership by women, provide a legislative voice for the interests of women-owned businesses, and offer leadership, professional development, and networking opportunities for business owners. For further information about NJAWBO, visit www.njawbo.org or email njawbo@ njawbo.org
North America Anatomy Pathology Market by products (instruments and accessories), by application (lymphoma, breast, lung, colorectal, cervical and prostate), by end-user (diagnostic lab, hospitals, and physicians' office lab), and by Region - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (20162021)

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North America Anatomy Pathology Market was worth USD 6.16 billion in 2016 and is estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 5.51%, to reach USD 8.05 billion by 2021. The market is having the highest share among all the regions. Anatomy Pathology is the branch of medicine that deals with diagnosis of diseases based on the various levels of examinations of organs and tissues.Browse Full Report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-anatomy-pathology-market-3338/ Anatomy Pathology features the diagnosis of disease based on the macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, immunologic and molecular examination of organs and tissues. The data generated by Anatomy Pathology is further analysed and is used by doctors for a better health management. Anatomy Pathology is basically one of the branch of the pathology stream, other being the Clinical Pathology.Download Free Sample Report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-anatomy-pathology-market-3338/request-sample As the time has progressed, lifestyle of people has changed. With time, people have become more prone to the diseases. It is one of the driving factors of this market. This market is facing challenges mainly competing with the Physician Groups, like speciality physicians merging or adding ancillary services and large commercial labs. There is a constant significant reimbursement pressure. These factors may act as growth hurdles for the Anatomy Pathology Market in this region.Inquire before buying report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-anatomy-pathology-market-3338/inquire Market Segmentation Producto Instrumentso Accessorieso Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Producto Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Producto Market Share Analysis, By Product End-Usero Diagnostics Labo Hospitalso Physicians' Office Labo Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By End-Usero Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Typeo Market Share Analysis, By End-User Applicationo Lymphomao Breasto Lungo Cervicalo Colorectalo Prostateo Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Applicationo Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Applicationo Market Share Analysis, By ApplicationThe North America market has been geographically segmented into segmented into Canada and USA. As of 2016, North America is the global leader in Anatomy Pathology market, accounting for 38% of the entire global market share. The increased concern of people about their health is the main driving factor for this market in this region.Market is extremely incoherent and many big players exist in this region. Key Players of this market in the North America region include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, NeoGenomics Laboratories, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Agilent Technologies.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, www.marketdataforecast.com Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@ marketdataforecast.com Visit MarketDataForecast Blog @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/blog/ View latest Press Releases of MDF @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/press-releases
North America Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics Market by diagnostics test (Pap smear test, HPV testing, colposcopy, cervical cancer biopsy), by methods, by end-users, and by Region - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (20162021)

North America Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics Market

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The North America Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics market has been estimated at USD 1168.20 Million in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 1414.47 Million by 2021, at a CAGR of 3.90% during the forecast period from 2016 to 2021. Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. But over the last 40 years, the cervical cancer death rate has gone down by more than 50%. The main reason for this change was the increased use of the Pap test. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find cervical cancer early  in its most curable stage.The North American market for Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics is mainly driven due to increasing prevalence of human papillomavirus infected patients and increasing awareness in people about cancer and cancer treatments. However, high costs of tests and uncertain reimbursement rates are constraining the market growth in this region.View Full Report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-cervical-cancer-diagnostics-and-therapeutics-market-830/ North America market for Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics is segmented based on diagnostics test, methods, end-users and therapies. By Diagnostics test, the market is further sub-segmented into Pap smear test, HPV testing, colposcopy, cervical cancer biopsy. By methods, the market is further sub-segmented into molecular method, cytopathological method, physical method. By therapies, the market is further sub-segmented into surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and others. By end-users, the market is further sub-segmented into hospitals, laboratories, independent physicians, clinics, and others. Pap smear test segment dominated the market by Diagnostic test, holding a 45% share in the global market for cervical cancer diagnostic tests. The high growth rate of this segment can be attributed to the high efficiency of the test, low cost of the test in comparison with other tests available in the market, and rising awareness regarding cancer diagnosis.Geographically, North America market for Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics is segmented into U.S. and Canada. A number of factors such as rising prevalence of cervical cancer, growing awareness of cervical cancer screening programs, and government support are driving the growth of the HPV testing market in the North American region.Free sample of the report is available @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-cervical-cancer-diagnostics-and-therapeutics-market-830/request-sample Abbott Diagnostics, Alere, Beckman Coulter, Clinical Genomics, Companion Dx, EDP Biotech, Epigenomics AG, Exact Sciences, Fujirebio, Genomic Tree, Metabiomics, Oncocyte (Biotime), Quest Diagnostics, Randox Laboratories, Siemens Healthcare, Volition Rx, are the major players of North America Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics market.The North America Cervical Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics Market study offers the following deliverables: 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 marketInquire before Buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-cervical-cancer-diagnostics-and-therapeutics-market-830/inquire 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.Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail:abhishek@ marketdataforecast.com Visit Market Data Forecast Blog @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/blog/ View latest Press Releases of MDF @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/press-releases
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Oral cancer is one of the largest group of cancers, which comes under category of Head and Neck cancer. It includes lips, tongue, throat, sinuses, and floor of the mouth. About 90% of the oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). According to oral cancer foundation in 2016, around 48,250 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.S. and has relatively low survival rates. The death rates due to oral cancer are relatively higher due to lack of proper diagnosis test, which can detect oral cancer at the early stage. Hence, early stage diagnosis is an alternative solution that helps prevent the deaths of people infected by oral cancer. The Conventional diagnostic tests available in the market are time-consuming and costly. Currently, very few technologies are available in the market for routine screening of the oral cancers. Hence, companies are trying to develop the Oral Cancer Rapid Testing Kit (OCRTK), which can detect the stage of cancer effectively in less time to perform test at home/clinic. Vigilant biosciences developed OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test, which is accurate, cost effective, and uses non-invasive technology. This technology also got the CE mark in Europe that enables this product to sell all over Europe. Various companies and universities are trying to develop the rapid detection technology for oral cancer kits to detect oral cancerRequest Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15272 The increase in usage of tobacco, which includes smokeless tobacco, HPV-induced cancers, and consumption of alcohol are major factors that drive the growth of the Oral Cancer Rapid Test Kit market. Furthermore, increase in awareness and aging population also contribute to the prevalence the oral cancers. According to the cancer research center in U.K, globally over 3, 00,000 persons were diagnosed with oral cancer. Smoking is a major factor that is turning many men and women into victims of Oral cancer. In U.S., black males are having high incidence rate than their whiter counterparts because of cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Lack of new diagnostic technologies in the market is a major factors that is limiting the growth of the OCRTK market.Segmentation by ProductOncAlert Oral Cancer LABLab on ChipInsilixa testPrevo-CheckSegmentation by PrincipleSensor basedColorimetryImmunoassayOthersSegmentation by End UserHospitalsDiagnostic centersResearch centersConsumerOCRTK will have higher impact in the Oral cancer diagnosis market because currently there very few rapid test kits available in the market to diagnose the Oral cancer. Government organizations are actively funding companies that are operating in OCRTK. This highlights the importance of this domain. Factors like low cost, easy process, and instant results are expected to drive the growth of the market.On the basis of product segmentation, OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB is expected to hold major market shares of the Oral Cancer Rapid Test Kit market as it is the only available product in the market with clinical effectiveness. On the basis of principle, sensor-based devices will have a relatively higher share due to its highly sensitive nature and precision results.On the basis of End User, hospitals, and diagnostic centers hold major market share comparatively than the research centers and consumers as mainly all the operations are carried out in hospitals and diagnostic centers. However, in future the end user is expected to shift their preference towards the consumer as companies are developing techniques to perform tests easily at home.Oral Cancer Rapid Test Kit market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold relatively high market share due to factors such as growing awareness about the disease and rise in the aging population. However, Asia Pacific region and European regions also might have good market due to increase in incidence of oral cancer.Some key players in the market are Vigilant Biosciences, Abviris Deutschland GmbH, Insilixa, and University of Sheffield.On the basis of development of the OCRTK market, startups and universities are more actively working on this domain as compared to the major market players. Hence, there are possibilities of acquisitions and collaborations to take place within these companies/institutes in the near future.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Oral Cancer Testing Market SegmentsOral Cancer Testing Market DynamicsHistorical Actual Market Size, 2013 - 2015Oral Cancer Testing Market Size & Forecast 2016 to 2024Oral Cancer Testing Market Current Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedOral Cancer Testing Market Drivers and RestraintsRegional analysis includesNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East & AfricaReport Highlights:Shifting Industry dynamicsIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected industry size Recent industry trendsKey Competition landscapeStrategies of key players and product offeringsPotential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective towards market performanceNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=15272
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Peekaboo Beans Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Peekaboo Beans Inc. (TSX Venture:BEAN). has issued a press release with the following headline:Peekaboo Beans Completes Shares for Debt TransactionTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Peekaboo Beans Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Peekaboo Beans Inc.Source: Peekaboo Beans Inc. (TSX Venture: BEAN, OTC Bulletin Board: PBBSF)Date: September 28, 2017Time: 8:55 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Peekaboo Beans Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.comHead Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

Global PTFE Fabric Market: OverviewPolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fabric market has been witnessing an exponential rise over the past few years as it has become an integral material in the production of several industrial goods. It is largely being used for coating non-woven and flexible-woven materials such as woven wire, glass fiber cloth, and aramid fabrics as it offers excellence resistance to fire. Properties such as non-stick, friction-free, and non-brittle are also expected to win the global PTFE fabric market a definite consumer base between the forecast years of 2016 and 2024.Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18833 The research report by Transparency Market Research provides a detailed outlook of the global PTFE market. The publication has been compiled using primary and secondary research methodologies to offer its readers an accurate evaluation of the market dynamics impacting the demand and supply of PTFE fabric. Furthermore, the research report also includes a SWOT and a Porters five forces analysis for a comprehensive scrutiny of the global market.Global PTFE Fabric Market: Drivers and TrendsThe PTFE fabric has been designed to be chemically inert and are known to remain intact under extreme temperatures up to 73 degrees Celsius to 232 degrees Celsius. This has been the underlying reason for the swift uptake of PTFE fabric in a wide range of industry starting from construction and stretching up to packaging. The self-cleaning properties of PTFE fabric has proven to be an asset to builders, ensuring consistent usage of these fabrics in the building and construction industry.The global market will also be driven by adoption of PTFE fabrics for the production of gaskets, seals, and bearings for chemicals, gases, oils, chutes, hoppers, hot platens, and troughs as they are known to be non-sticky. The chemical industry will also be a loyal consumer of PTFE fabric as they are being used for making lining materials for piping compensators in the near future.Global PTFE Fabric Market: SegmentationThe types of PTFE fabric available in the global market are glass mesh fabric and glass fiber fabric. The report indicates that glass fiber fabric will witness a stupendous rise in the coming years as it is known to have terrific resistance to water, alkali, aging, and excellent softness. In addition, its superior tensile strength and flex life are also likely make a popularly used option over the forecast period. Currently, glass fiber fabric is extensively used in artificial stone materials, natural marble, plaster board, reinforcing walls, and exterior insulation finishing systems.Among the end-user industries, the building and construction segment is segment be the key consumer of PTFE fabric during the forecast period. These will be predominantly used through industrial goods such as pipe and line fittings, tubes, and rods especially in emerging economies of Latin America and Asia Pacific where construction industry is flourishing. The ability to this fabric to weather harsh climatic conditions and environmental changes will win the market a wide consumer base.Global PTFE Fabric Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of geography, the global PTFE fabric is segmented into Latin America, North America, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The research report states that the Asia Pacific PTFE fabric market will dominate the global market, closely followed by Europe and North. The dominance of this region will be attributable to the growing number of end-user industries such as construction, chemical, food and beverages, packaging, and textile. The emerging economies of Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea are expected to be key contributors to the soaring revenue of the Asia Pacific PTFE fabric market. Analysts project that Australia and New Zealand will also be pivotal to the regional market.On the other hand, North America and Europe PTFE fabric market will show a slow-paced growth pattern as the markets experience saturation. However, ongoing technological advancements and launch of new products will boost the demand for PTFE fabric in the regions over the forecast period.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:Some of the leading players operating in the global PTFE fabric market are Urja Fabrics, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation, Daikin industries Ltd, Fiberflon GmbH & Co. KG, Birdair Inc, Fothergill Group, and W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=18833
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 18:34:48

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Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: www.transparencymarketresearch.com/Internet Marketing Head5186181030

Global Release Coatings Market: OverviewOwing to its several favorable characteristics such as chemical and corrosion resistance, durability, anti-stick, dielectric and chemical insolation, heat resistance, dry lubrication, and abrasion, release coatings have been used for several purposes including baking, food packaging, and other industrial applications. After approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the demand for release coatings has escalated. Consequently, the global release coatings market is projected for a healthy growth rate during the forecast period of 2016 to 2024.Request Sample Copy of the Report@This report on the global market for release coatings is an in-depth analysis of the all the major factors that are expected to influence the demand over the course of next few years, positively or negatively. The report is aimed at providing quantitative and qualitative insights on the market for release coatings to the buyers, aspiring to help them make more informed choices. One of the key feature of the report is the section on company profiles, wherein several key players have been analyzed for their market shares, product portfolio, geographical presence, and recent strategic developments. The global release coatings market can be segmented on the basis material, formulation, application, and region. By material, the market can be divided into silicone and non-silicone. By formulation, it can be categorized into solvent-based, water-based, and oil emulsions. On the basis of application, the market can be segmented into labels, tapes, hygiene, industrial, medical, food and bakery, and others. Geographically, the report studies the opportunities available in the regions of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.Global Release Coatings Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe flourishing packaging industry, in which release coatings find applications in the fields of labels, industrial, medical, and food and bakery, is the primary driver for this market. This is owing to the reason that release coatings can be applied as well as peeled off on paper or film quite easily. The demand for water-based coatings, in particular, is escalating at a rapid rate, backed up by the emergence of digital printing technology. Moreover, medical is anticipated to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period, as release coatings are now widely applicable in surgical and analytical instruments besides packaging of healthcare products. The healthcare industry is at an all-time peak and release coating market is gaining from it. Owing to their properties of low friction and ease of insertion, release coatings are highly useful with implantable instruments, such as respiratory and orthopedic devices. By material, silicone is fastest growing segment, as they are inexpensive as additives and provides resistance to slip, abrasion, and moisture. Conversely, difference in release control, which can result in the failure of release coatings, is expected hinder the growth rate during the forecast period.Global Release Coatings Market: Region-wise OutlookCurrently, Asia Pacific serves the maximum demand for release coatings, with China, Japan, India, and Taiwan as the dominant country-wide markets. This is a reflection of the growth of several progressive industries such as packaging, consumer durables, and manufacturing, wherein release coating is frequently used. Vast population base in India and China also contribute towards making Asia Pacific a highly lucrative region. North America and Europe are next two important regions in the global release coatings market.Request TOC of the Report@Companies mentioned in the research reportDow Corning Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Wacker Chemie AG, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Shin-Etsu Chemicals Co., Ltd., Mayzo Inc., OMNOVA Solutions Inc., Product Release Europe Ltd., and Rayven, Inc.Major regions analyzed under this research report are:EuropeNorth AmericaAsia PacificRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming years
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 18:35:09

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Bonded abrasives are natural abrasives which are fused to form a solid in the shape of a wheel. They are usually a combination of abrasive grains, bonding material, and fillers. Examples of Bonded abrasives are flat reinforced cutting-off wheel, depressed center reinforced cutting off wheel, depressed center reinforced grinding wheel, coolie hat for grinding, flat reinforced for grinding wheel, flat unreinforced grinding wheel, rubber bond mounted points, vitrified bond mounted points, resinoid grinding cups, and resinoid bond mounted points. The bonding material could be resin, rubber, shellac, epoxy, or magnesite. An important raw material used in the production of rubber-bonded abrasives is an abrasive grain such as aluminum oxide, zirconia, and silicon carbide. Rubber-bonded abrasives are available in two types: natural and synthetic. They can be used via two different technologies: grinding and polishing wheels.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Aluminum oxide is a major abrasive used in the manufacture of grinding wheels, obtained by refining bauxite ores in an electric furnace. First, the bauxite is heated to remove moisture and then mix it with coke and iron borings to form the furnace charge. Next, the mixture is cooled and fused which results in a rock-like mass crushed into different sizes. Iron oxide, titanium oxide, and silica are the impurities which determine the color and toughness of the abrasives. Zirconia aluminum oxide or specialized alumina is a fused mixture of zirconium oxide and aluminum oxide used for high production snagging or foul hooking. For high stock removal snagging, sintered alumina is used, which is extremely tough. Silicon carbide is produced by fusing a mixture of white sand and petroleum coke in an electric furnace. The crystalline mass formed is crushed and graded. Silicon carbide is also a major abrasive employed in the manufacture of grinding wheels. Silicon carbide abrasives are harder than aluminum oxide abrasives and can be easily crumbled.Rubber-bonded abrasives can be segmented on the basis of application into the following categories: heavy industries, transportation components, electrical & electronic equipment, medical equipment, aerospace, household, and printing. These abrasives can also be employed for cutting and grinding tools such as plumbing tools and screwdrivers. They exhibit various advantages over other abrasives as they are softer and can be extensively used in grinding, off-hand tool grinding, fabrication, and floor polishing applications. Rubber-bonded abrasives do not destroy the quality of the metal. Due to the increasing demand from the metal, steel, and heavy industries, this market is expected to develop during the forecast period. Rising demand from various industries and the flexible properties of rubber-bonded abrasives are the propellants of this market. A major restraining factor is that rubber-bonded abrasives are heavier than other bonded abrasives which leads to machine constraints, causing environmental pollution.On the basis of region, Asia Pacific is leading the market due to the high demand for rubber-bonded abrasives in countries such as China, Japan, India, and South Korea. China is the dominant country, followed by India, Japan, and South Korea. North America and Europe are also displaying steady growth. The rest of the world is also anticipated to witness positive growth due to the products application in various industries.Key players operating in the rubber-bonded abrasive market are Tyrolit Group, PFERD INC, Saint Gobain, 3M Company, and Buffalo Abrasives Inc.Request TOC of the Report@The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 18:38:53

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Semiconductor micro components form an integral part of any electronic devices such as smart phones, laptop, automated door locks, coffee maker, wearable devices, GPS-enabled pet trackers, mobile phones and other devices that are forming a network of connected devices. Demand for electronic devices across the globe directly affects the demand of semiconductor micro components. The global semiconductor micro components market is predicted to experience a steady growth during the forecast period owing to increasing popularity of internet of thing (IoT) devices during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.Request Sample Copy of the Report@For the purpose of providing detailed analysis of the market, the semiconductor micro components market is segmented on the basis of application, end use industry and geography. Based on application, semiconductor micro components are majorly used in digital signal processors (DSP), microprocessor and microcontroller. Semiconductor micro components are also used extensively across various sectors including consumer electronics, defense, automotive and industrial sector among others. In addition, in-depth cross sectional analysis of the above mentioned application and end use industry segment across different region such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle-East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America is also provided in this report.Increasing adoption of embedded DSP (digital signal processors) in the manufacturing process of high performing smart phones in order to process more MIPS (million instructions per second) while consuming less power is one of the primary factor anticipated to boost the demand of semiconductor micro components in the coming years. In addition, the emergence of VLSI (very large scale integration) technology in order to satisfy the rising demand for technologically advanced DSPs required for power efficient smart gadgets, television and air conditioners among others is also anticipated to fuel the demand for semiconductor micro components market from 2016 to 2024. Moreover, increasing demand for microprocessors that can fetch and process various information within a short span of time in order to satisfy the rising demand for cellular standards and various IoT components is also expected to accelerate the demand of semiconductor micro components during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.However, declining average selling price of the semiconductor micro components results in lower revenue inflow of the semiconductor micro components manufacturers. This in turn limits many semiconductor manufacturers to enter into the market and is anticipated to affect the market growth negatively during the forecast period.Among the different applications, the microprocessor segment held the largest market share in 2015 and is expected to maintain its leading position in the coming eight years. Rising demand for advanced microprocessors from various electronic device manufacturers across the globe in order to cope up with the growing demand of smart phones, tablets and IoT devices, is the most important factor behind this segments dominance. In addition, increasing demand for microprocessors from various automotive components manufacturers is also predicted to create a better opportunity for various semiconductor micro component manufacturers in the coming years.Geographically, Asia Pacific region generated the highest revenue across the different region in 2015. This region is also predicted to witness the highest growth in terms of revenue during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. Majority of the revenue in Asia Pacific region is generated from the foundries in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. In addition, large consumer base of various semiconductor devices in Asia pacific region also contribute towards the growing demand of semiconductor micro components during the forecast period.The global semiconductor micro component market is competitive in nature and is characterized by the presence of large number of semiconductor micro component manufacturers. Presence of large number of manufacturers coupled with increasing investment in research and development activities in the field of semiconductor components by various leading manufacturers in turn is anticipated to bring enhanced quality of semiconductor micro components having improved durability and superior performing features in the coming years. Some of the major players operating in the semiconductor micro components market includes Analog Devices Inc. (US), Intel Corporation (US), Qualcomm Technologies (U.S) and Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions Co. Ltd. (Japan) among others.Request TOC of the Report@The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 18:52:45

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Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.comHead Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

Single port surgical platform (SPSP) is a minimal invasive laparoscopy technique in which, a single incision is made on the body through single trocar which have multiple ports or single skin incision site with multiple facial incisions that have an individual trocar, are used to conduct the surgery. Single port surgical platforms are also called Single Port Access Surgery (SPA), Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS), and Laparo-endoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS). Normally, in abdominal surgeries, large incisions are made to conduct the surgery. Although, they are effective but they usually cause postoperative pain, wound infections, and prolonged hospitalization. Current rate of incisional hernia is 4-18% and wound infections are 2-25% in the U.S whereas, in case of conventional laparoscopic surgeries, multiple incisions are made on the body to conduct the surgery. To overcome the above challenges, companies are focusing on developing the novel single-port surgical platform, which creates single incision on the body. This surgical platform also helps in speedy recovery, small incisions, and are less prone to infections and pain conditions. In addition to these, it does not leave any scars on the body after the surgery.Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15263 The market is driven mainly by factors such as technological innovations, increase in adoption of SPSP, growing preference towards minimally invasive surgery process, and exploration of their utility in other applications Ex: General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Urology, Gynecology and Bariatric Surgery. Increasing preference towards scar-less slimming surgeries is a major factor responsible for boosting the market growth. This platform allows surgeons to conduct surgeries in the abdominal cavity by accessing through small holes. Furthermore, SPSP reduces treatment costs by reducing hospital stay of the patients. Hence, patients and surgeons are prefer SPSP as compared to others. The major constraints of this market are high cost, lack of skilled professionals, and triangulation problems. The single port surgical platform (SPSP) is segmented based on its application and technology.Segmentation by ApplicationGeneral SurgeryGastroenterologyUrologicalGynecologicalBariatricSegmentation by TechnologyRobot/ Remote controlled AssistedManual  AssistedNew products are being launched into the market to alleviate the disadvantages of the current SPSP platforms. SPSP is a lucrative segment in the laparoscopic surgeries, due to its technical aspects and patient benefits. On the basis of application, SPSP is mainly used in Bariatric surgeries. However, they are gaining traction of the other application areas such as gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, and general surgery due to its advantages.On the basis of its technology, the manual assisted SPSP holds major market share as compared to robot-assisted. In future, robot/ remote controlled technology is expected to dominate the market because surgeons can perform the complex surgeries in a more accurate and flexible way than the conventional surgery process by using the robot/ remote controlled technologyRecently, Intuitive surgical, a U.S.-based company, received FDA approval for its da Vinci Sp single port robot-assisted surgical system.SPSP is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America is holds a major market share on the basis of application of the SPSP owing to factors such as spending power of the people and introduction of new technologies into the market. Asia-Pacific markets are growing relatively fast due to cost effective surgeries and advancements in healthcare infrastructure.Key players in this market are Covidien, Applied Medical, Ethicon, Olympus Gyrus-ACMI, Novare Surgical, Cambridge Endo, Karl Storz, Intutive surgical, Fortmedix Surgical, and Trans Enterix. The market is relatively dominated by major players however, new players are trying to hold a major part of the market share by developing innovative products.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Single Port Surgical Platform Market SegmentsSingle Port Surgical Platform Market DynamicsHistorical Actual Market Size, 2013 - 2015Single Port Surgical Platform Market Size & Forecast 2016 to 2024Single Port Surgical Platform Market Current Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedSingle Port Surgical Platform Market Drivers and RestraintsRegional analysis includesNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East & AfricaReport Highlights:Shifting Industry dynamicsIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected industry size Recent industry trendsKey Competition landscapeStrategies of key players and product offeringsPotential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective towards market performanceNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=15263
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 19:39:05

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Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.comHead Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

Sodium hydrogen sulphide, also known as sodium bisulfide, sodium hydrosulfide, or sodium sulfhydrate, is a highly alkaline solution with a pH of 11.5 to 12.5. It is yellow to dark green in colour. Sodium hydrosulfide is manufactured by scrubbing hydrogen sulfide from outlet streams with sodium hydroxide. The NaSH solution is filtered and sold as a 44% to 46% solution. It is concentrated through evaporation to form a flake material of 70% to 72% sodium hydrogen sulphide. It reacts with all acids by releasing a highly toxic hydro sulphide gas. The NaSH solution reacts with oxidizing agents which helps precipitate the elemental sulphur. It is stable under ambient pressure and temperature conditions. It is used in various applications such as kraft pulping, copper minerals flotation, chemicals and dyes, leather processing, and rayon & cellophane desulfurizationRequest Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18836 Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Market: Drivers and RestraintsSodium hydrogen sulfide is a low-cost alternative to chemicals such as sodium sulphate when it comes to kraft pulping. Low grade sodium hydrogen sulphide is preferably used for this purpose since it is a by-product from refineries and requires no prior treatment. Therefore, the emerging pulping industry is expected to drive the sodium hydrogen sulfide market. However, due to the low pricing and an oversupply situation in copper mineral flotation, the demand for sodium hydrogen sulfide in this sector is estimated to diminish. Also, the usage of sodium hydrogen sulphide in leather tanning been continually declining in the last few years owing to the relocation of tanneries outside the U.S. Environmental concerns associated with sodium hydrogen sulphide are predicted to hamper the expansion of this market too.Sodium hydrogen sulfide is mainly solid in nature but is preferred to be used as an aqueous solution due to its hygroscopic nature. Since it is more stable in its solution form, it is also transported as a liquid. In its solid fused form, it is packed and transported in iron drums, whereas the flakes are packed in polyethylene bags. The liquid solution (up to 72%) is delivered in tank wagons.Sodium hydrogen sulphide is used a chemical intermediate in the manufacturing of thio-compounds such as sodium thiosulfate, thio & dithio benzoic acids, and thioamides. It is also employed as a finishing agent in leather tanning and glass making applications.Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global sodium hydrogen sulfide market is geographically distributed over North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific holds the maximum share in this market, which is ascribed to the presence of a large number of secondary processed product industries such as paper & pulp, textiles, and leather processing in this region. Local manufacturers expanding their respective production facilities are also projected to drive this market. The overall demand for sodium hydrogen sulphide in North America is likely to decline on account of stringent regulatory policies on the use of toxic products in this region.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=18836
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 18:37:57

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Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: www.transparencymarketresearch.com/Internet Marketing Head5186181030

Solar Control Window Films Market: OverviewWindow film is a highly thin film made from vinyl, polyester, plastic or any other material that allows the light to pass through. Window films are usually installed on the inner side of glass surfaces of windows in homes, offices, hospitals, boats, cars, and airplanes. Among the materials used for window films, polyester is a commonly used material, due to its dimensional stability, tensile strength, clarity, and ability to sustain a number of surface-applied or embedded treatments. Window films come in different colors, thicknesses, grades, and applications such as thermal insulation, heat and glare reduction, UV filtration, privacy, safety and security, and decoration.Solar control window films primarily offer thermal insulation, heat and glare reduction, and UV filtration. These films can be applied on any glass surface by professional service companies or through DIY kits available. Solar control window films are used in automobiles, commercial and residential buildings, commercial and private boats, and for decorative purposes.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Solar control window films with heat rejection as a primary feature usually provide reduced amount of visible, infrared, and UV radiations entering the windows. These films are usually dyed or metalized (with a metal that can be transparent to visible light), which converts the incoming solar radiations into infrared radiations and send them back to the exterior through the glass. Modern technology has enabled production of ceramic window films that are non-metallic and without dyes that can cause discoloration of the film. Spectrally selective films function by blocking certain wavelengths of infrared radiations from the sun and reject heat without reducing the natural light.Solar control window films with heat insulation feature are designed in such a way that they restrict the amount of heat transferred through the window glass. A low-emissivity coating is applied to the external surface of windows of a house to prevent the solar heat from entering the house. On the other hand, the inner surface of windows is coated when they are designed to provide heat energy to the inside of the house.Solar Control Window Films Market: TrendsRegular window films are inexpensive in comparison with ceramic and metallic window films. However, the latter have an advantage of reduced energy transmission by as much as 80% over regular window films. Ceramic window films may cost higher, but they provide better service in terms of blocking of UV-rays and controlled heat transfer.Solar control window films, as compared to generic window films, are not a subject to rigorous testing. However, standards have been formulated to maintain a quality level in the market. ANSI Standards ASTM D1044-93 and ASTM E903 relate to abrasion resistance and UV/solar transmission property, respectively. Major players operating in the solar control window films market follow these standards so as to ensure the quality of their raw materials and finished products.Not all films are suitable for all glasses. Several factors are considered along with the type of glass where the film is to be applied before the selection and subsequent application of the window film.In the recent past, there has been an increased demand for sun control films. It is observed that the demand increased exponentially, due to requirement for these films for architectural purposes in the construction industry (residential and commercial buildings). Development of infrastructure is a major driver for the global solar control window films market. Growing trend of energy-efficient houses is a major factor that has increased the demand for solar control window films, as the use of glass in the construction industry has risen (for example, the number and size of windows is large in open-plan houses).Solar Control Window Films Market: SegmentationBased on product types, the solar control window films market can be segmented into ceramic, metallic, and others.Based on applications, the market can be divided into automotive, architectural (commercial and residential), marine, decorative, and others.Solar Control Window Films Market: Region-wise OutlookAsia Pacific is expected to be the leading market for solar control window films, owing to population size in the region. Increasing demand from the construction industry in the region is also expected to boost the market in the region. The market in Middle East & Africa is likely to witness decent growth, due to rise in construction activities. The global market for solar control window films is projected to witness exponential growth in the near future, due to increasing demand from key industries such as construction, automotive, marine, and aviation.Solar Control Window Films Market: Key PlayersKey players operating in the solar control window films market include 3M, The Window Film Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Garware Suncontrol, SOLAR CONTROL FILMS INC., Purlfrost Ltd., Saint-Gobain, Sun Control, Madico Inc., Polytronix Inc., and Solyx Films SA Pty Ltd.Request TOC of the Report@The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-29 18:36:08

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Global Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: OverviewThe world stationary catalytic systems market is prophesied to achieve impetus from the need to control the emission of pollution. For instance, oxidation catalysts can be adopted to reduce the pollutant emission due to the operation of gas turbine power generators. Countries such as the U.S. are taking to strict norms such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for managing the emission of industrial pollutants and greenhouse gases. In the wake of the surging demand for electricity in residential, commercial, and industrial industries, power plant stationary catalytic systems have been commonly adopted.With a view to offer a decisive insight into the international stationary catalytic systems market, the report offers a comprehensive study of segmentation on the basis of different classifications. The global market could be segmented according to technology and application.Request Sample Copy of the Report@The authors of the report have compiled conclusive information on the global stationary catalytic systems market with a perfect blend of trends analysis and quantitative forecasting. Our seasoned research team have put in painstaking efforts and quality skills to offer the most reliable data that is vitally important for sustaining an enduring business growth.Global Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: TrendsWith a bossing nitrogen oxide reduction capability, the selective catalytic reduction technology is anticipated to exhibit a powerful growth in the near future as it had dominated in the recent past. With the help of ammonia, this technology is capable of metamorphosing nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen gas and water.The catalytic oxidation segment by technology is also predicted to showcase dominance with a substantial advancement during the course of the forecast period 20162024. It can be said that the global stationary catalytic systems market can gain traction on the back of the progress of catalytic oxidation. Metal oxides such as manganese dioxide, nickel oxide, chromium oxide, and copper oxide can be used during the application of solvent evaporation for oxidizing volatile organic compounds with the help of catalytic oxidation. This technology also finds a number of applications in polymers and rubber production, organic chemicals production, and resin production.Global Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: GeographyNorth America is foretold to receive assistance from the plans to replace aging infrastructure in the years to come. In order to better the socioeconomic outcomes and bolster the middle-income population, the Canada government has made a considerable amount of investment in green and social infrastructure. These efforts are deemed to optimistically impact the business growth in North America.Europe could invite a decent growth as it looks to ride on the steady rise of the France market due to rigorous industrial emission standards chalked down by the government.Amongst the emerging nations of Asia Pacific, India will to take advantage of its over the top investment in the infrastructure industry. The government has already reserved a sizable amount of funds for the development of roads on a large scale. Owing to the presence of a significant number of power plants, China could hold its leading position in the global stationary catalytic systems market for a stronger growth. A coal fired power plant of almost 200,000 MW is under construction in China since 2016.Request TOC of the Report@Global Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: CompetitionSome of the top industry players in the world stationary catalytic systems market are Hamon Corporation, Air Clean LLC, APC Technologies, Ducon Technologies, MECA, Amec Foster Wheeler, CORMETECH, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, BASF, DCL International Inc., and Johnson Matthey. Companies will look to leverage the elevating demand for steel and spiraling purchasing power in the construction and automotive industries. In this regard, the metal applications have attained strong focus. Likewise, the chemicals and petrochemicals applications could attract eyeballs as a result of the swelling focus on infrastructure development in emerging economies.Market segmentation based on geography:North AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report gives access to decisive data, such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming years
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Callitas Health Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Cincinnati, OH (FSCWire) - Callitas Health Inc. (CSE:LILY). has issued a press release with the following headline:ToConceive Launches New Paraben-Free Formula to Promote Natural ConceptionTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Callitas Health Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Callitas Health Inc.Source: Callitas Health Inc. (CSE: LILY, OTCQB: MPHMF, FWB: T3F2.F, ISIN: A14RWC, WKN: CA55346E2050)Date: September 29, 2017Time: 6:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Callitas Health Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.comHead Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

Ventilators are critical life-support devices that provide respiratory therapy to millions of patients every single day. The ventilator accessories market unveils the characteristics of an increasingly mature market with innovative brands & unique product differentiation in order to secure competitive advantage. The ventilation accessories segment includes flow sensors, breathing sets, expiratory valves, endotracheal tubes, breathing circuits, humidifiers, interfaces, masks & lot more. The relatively inclusive range of end use sectors and specialist applications for innovative ventilator accessories represents a supportive factor in terms of the long term market growth. Large medical device manufacturers are majorly focused on launching novel products in order to accomplish development in the global ventilators market. Companies are also more attentive on collaboration by acquiring domestic and international players to expand their product portfolios and boost their distribution channels in emerging markets. High-tech advancement is another key factor for manufacturers to improve technologies and thus prevent respiratory illness and reduce the time spent on other ventilation procedures.Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15299 Drivers & RestraintsRising elderly population, growing prevalence of respiratory disorders, and rising number of preterm births are predictable to fuel the growth of ventilators accessories market in the forecast period. Ventilator accessories market growth has been driven by increasing in sales of portable and mechanical ventilators. Furthermore there is also an increase in the relevance of hospitals, medical emergency services and rehabilitation centers can be expected to rise in the demand for ventilators. Industry experts design these accessories utilizing the high grade standard material with high-end technology. Manufacturers are mainly focused for the highest possible patient safety and ease of use. Growing per capita income, extensive R&D investments in the healthcare industry by top market players, rising demand for advanced front-line technologies, and expansion of private hospitals and rehab-centers in remote areas are the major factors driving growth of the ventilators accessories market globally. Also, lack of access to primary care in developing regions is comparatively driving sensitive demand for urgent respiratory care utilization. Patient safety and operator control safety is the prime concern which has been regulated by the few official authorities which has executed huge challenges for the medical device manufacturers. New materials may bring together biocompatibility and circuitry issues.Global Ventilators Market: SegmentationThe Global Ventilators Market market can be segmented as follows:Global ventilator accessories market by Product TypeFlow sensorsBreathing setsExpiratory valvesEndotracheal tubesBreathing circuitsHumidifiersInterfaces and masksOthersGlobal Ventilators Market, by End UserHospitalsAmbulatory Surgery CentresClinicsEmergency Medical ServicesLong term care centresGlobal Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global ventilator accessories market is segmented into five regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific & the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America (U.S) is the largest regional segment of the overall ventilator market, followed by Europe region. Currently Asia-Pacific region has also enhanced the growth rate during the forecast period. The rate of efficiency is mainly attributed to the geriatric population worldwide, rising incidences of cardio-vascular & respiratory diseases, extensive growth in healthcare expenditure, and rapidly growing healthcare industry worldwide. These regions are expected to generate the fastest growth rates potentially.Global Ventilators Market: Key PlayersThe key players in the Ventilators market areDragerwerk AG & Co. KGaAGE Healthcare Ltd.Siemens HealthcareResMed Inc.Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.Hamilton Medical AGInvacare Corp.CAS Medical Systems Inc.Nihon Kohden Corp.Nonin Medical Inc.Criticare Systems Inc.Spacelabs Healthcare Inc.Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLCALARIS Medical Systems Inc.Criticare Systems Inc.Masimo Corp.Welch Allyn Inc.The global market for ventilator accessories market is further expected to witness significant growth over the reports forecast period owing to the rapid and consistent technological innovation in these medical devices and the rising cases of chronic respiratory disorders among people worldwide.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedTechnologyValue ChainRegional analysis includeNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East and AfricaThe report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=15299
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.




The American Library Association has announced that copyright attorney Jonathan Band has been awarded the 2017 the L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award. The award recognizes contributions of an individual or group that pursues and supports the Constitutional purpose of the U.S. copyright law, fair use and the public domain.

Band, a copyright attorney at policybandwidth and an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law School, has been a longtime advisor and representative for the library community. In 2012, when a number of issues were in play (the GSU e-reserves case, the Google Books Litigation, the library e-book impasse, and the Kirtsaeng case, to name a few) PW did a lengthy feature interview with Band, who helped librarians navigate those choppy waters.

ALA officials note that Band has written public comments, testimony, amicus briefs, and countless statements supporting balanced copyright, his amicus brief on behalf of the Library Copyright Alliance was quoted in the landmark Kirstaeng v. Wiley case, before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The award is named for L. Ray Patterson, Pope Brock Professor of Law at the University of Georgia, considered one of the giants in scholarship on copyright law and known across disciplines for his work on the history and nature of copyright.

Jonathan Band has guided the library community over two decades through the challenges of the copyright legal and legislative battles, said ALA President James Neal in a statement. His deep understanding of our community and the needs of our users, in combination with his remarkable knowledge and supportive style, has raised our understanding of copyright and our commitment to balanced interpretations and applications of the law. The 2017 L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award appropriately celebrates Jonathans leadership, counsel and dedication.

The Patterson Award will be presented to Band by ALA President Jim Neal at a reception in Washington, D.C., in October.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  A group of 25 young African leaders learned about how to use social entrepreneurship to try to solve challenges their nations face during a six-week intensive executive-style leadership training program at Purdue University and Purdue Foundry.

Ten social entrepreneurs and researchers from Purdue presented their new technology and business ideas to members of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, which empowers African leaders between the ages of 25 and 35 through academic coursework, leadership training and networking opportunities, and embodies the U.S commitment to invest in the future of Africa.

The Mandela Global Challenge was a fun way for the participants to apply what they had learned about starting a successful business and use those skills to evaluate new technologies being developed by Purdue, said Ron Ellis, general manager of social innovation for Purdue World a social entrepreneurship program at the Purdue Foundry.

The Purdue Foundry is an entrepreneurship accelerator in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship.

The technologies covered a wide range of issues, including low-cost rapid diagnostics to detect infectious disease, fortified corn to provide essential nutrients, community water systems and new therapies to treat malaria.

Leaders taking part in the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Purdue, which took place June 19-July 28, were given Monopoly money to invest in as many of the technologies as they wanted. They could invest all the money in one technology or spread the money across a variety of technologies. The Mandela Fellows also scored the technologies on a variety of investment criteria. A new treatment for drug-resistant malaria presented by Panae Noomuna received the most investment among the student-presented technology.

The faculty-presented technology winner was low-cost diagnostics for detection of infectious disease by Tamara Kinzer-Ursem, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Purdue.

We want to thank everyone at Purdue who presented at the Global Challenge, Ellis said, It was a great learning experience for Mandela Fellows and an opportunity for feedback on research.

The program also allowed Purdue to further its international mission. Officials at Purdue and the Purdue Research Foundation announced in August the launch of Purdue World, a global project to accelerate its social entrepreneurship programs that can contribute to the welfare and advancement of human societies throughout the world.

The Mandela Fellows took part in the Firestarter program in the Purdue Foundry. The goal was to work through ideation and market discovery to prove out their ideas and determine a path forward to commercialize their ideas.

Kangoma Turay, a Mandela Fellow from Liberia, who developed a business plan to expand his computer training business in his home country, said the Firestarter program inspired him.

It has helped me a lot, I mean, with the issue of planning, how to take care of people that are working with me and a whole lot of things, he said.

Turay, who was born into a family of nine children whose parents were subsistence farmers, founded the Lofa Young Farmers Association to teach computer and agricultural skills to youth and underserved women in Voinjama, the provincial capital of Lofa County in northern Liberia.

He returned home with 10 laptop computers donated by a local business so he could expand his business. He said there remains a great need.

We need people to partner with us so we can get more training to be able to help create more jobs for young people in our area, he said.

The program at Purdue is a campus-wide collaboration, co-sponsored by Discovery Parks Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship and the colleges of Engineering and Agriculture, and with support from Krannert School of Management, Center for Global Food Security, Office of Engagement, and the Office of Corporate and Global Partnerships.

Here is a list of all the Mandela Fellows who took part in the program at Purdue, their home country and their goals. Click on their names to see videos of them:

* Atinuke Bodunde Lebile, Nigeria, a farmer, works with rural communities to mentor young, out-of-school girls on various entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

* Ben Wokorach, Uganda, an architect and social innovator, is seeking to increase accessibility to nutritious foods from small farmers by using solar-power refrigerated carts for distribution.

* Daliwa Joseph Bainamndi, Cameroon, is production manager of a company that specializes in rice production, where he implements new production techniques in trying to make nutritious food more available.

* Diabangouya Delia Carmen, Togo, quality control manager at a cooperative, is working to help cocoa farmers by producing top-quality chocolate at her business, part of her effort to improve enterprises to produce safe foods.

* Dina Kikuli, Tanzania, a nutritionist and an agribusiness entrepreneur, is working to connect rice farmers, especially female rice farmers, to the market through her work with rice processing and distribution. She also wants to help women achieve their potential.

* Efe Anthony Omudu, Nigeria, experience in animal farming and machine fabrication, is focused on helping farmers making their businesses more profitable by acquiring modern agricultural skills.

* Gounou Bachirou Sariki Imorou, Benin, an accountant and an executive director of a nongovernmental agency involved with peacekeeping and local development, is working to reduce joblessness by creating jobs and job training programs.

* Grace Ngosa Musonda, Zambia, started a farming and food processing business, is working to solve food insecurity, to improve nutrition for children and to reduce youth unemployment.

* Issa Konate, Ivory Coast, general manager of a global agribusiness, is working on improving farmer training so farmers get better yield for their production and working on connecting them with exporters.

* Jacob Paarechuga Anankware, Ghana, founder and CEO of a company that focuses on insect rearing for food and nutrition, is working to solve the problems of malnutrition, food insecurity and poverty.

* Joel Reagan Siamito, Kenya, is a youth leader at an initiative where he focuses on solving youth unemployment by equipping people with business skills and trying to instill them with an entrepreneurial spirit.

* Jona Ambuga Ambuga, Namibia, project manager for an investment company that specializes in fundraising for nongovernmental organizations and other business activities, is seeking to help poor families obtain affordable cars.

* Kangoma Turay, Liberia, is the founder and CEO of a young farmers association that focuses on offering agricultural extension services to local farmers as he seeks to reduce youth unemployment.

* Marc Nkaya Passongo Severin, Congo-Brazzaville, mechanical technician in the field of oil drilling and a computer programmer, wants to bring modern farming practices to Congo-Brazzaville, where farmers currently depend heavily on hand tools.

* Zaina Banda, Malawi, is a chartered accountant and founder of an agricultural enterprise that aims at becoming a world-class entity that participates in the end-to-end agricultural value chain, creating jobs and wealth for the community.

* Miora Harifetra Rajaonasitera, Madagascar, head of operations at a company that promotes agricultural products, wants to expand and empower the community of farmers to build sustainable supply chains.

* Naomi Mohammed Said, Ethiopia, a chemical engineer, hopes to build an agro-industry enterprise that will allow the country to reduce imports and create more jobs.

* Eluwole Olaniyi, Nigeria, an entrepreneur and agricultural extension officer with experience running farms as a social enterprise, is working to create jobs and seeking ways to support women and young people in agriculture.

* Sabriino Clair, Mauritius, is a project manager/food technologist, wants to increase poultry production and improve innovation in the industry.

* Sebastien Roger Ayimambenwe, Gabon, founder and CEO of an agricultural company that focuses on creating and developing plantations of cocoa tree and corn for local and international markets, is trying to improve the quality of cocoa beans for farmers.

* Sylvie Sangwa, Rwanda, managing director of a business, is working to improve agricultural productivity, especially healthy foods, through sustainable agricultural practices.

* Tanyada Maluwa, Botswana, is managing director and lead facilitator of an organization that formulates and implements workshops and programs to educate people on various aspects of nutrition, wellness, and food businesses. She is seeking to reduce Botswanas reliance on horticulture imports.

* Temwananani Phiri, Malawi, is an agricultural entrepreneur involved in general farming who is seeking to improve food security through practical farming and getting more young people involved in agriculture.

* Japi Yemisrach Mesfin Bogale, Ethiopia, CEO of a startup, is trying to create a way for farmers displaced by urban sprawl to earn money through aquaponics, which combines growing vegetables and fish.

* Zena Afework Demissie, Ethiopia, agriculture communication and extension expert, wants to create a community that provides farmers information on the best agricultural practices, market information and nutrition education.

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.

About Purdue Research Foundation

The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; protects Purdue's intellectual property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park and Purdue Technology Centers. The foundation received the 2016 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Innovation from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org.

Purdue Research Foundation contact: Tom Coyne, 765-588-1044, tjcoyne@prf.org

Source: Ron Ellis, 765-588-5253, prellis@prf.org
As of June, women in Saudi Arabia will have freedom of movement and a new level of independence simply because they will be allowed to drive.

Saudi Arabia, the last country in the world to prohibit women from driving, announced the impending change this week. Neighboring countries, such as Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, granted women the right to drive decades ago.

Allowing women to get behind the wheel will likely lead to significant long-term changes in Saudi Arabia's economy and the participation of women in the labor force.

More women should be able to drive to work, conceivably increasing the number of Saudi women who are employed. Women who aren't allowed to drive require a male to drive them, such as a guardian (typically a father, husband, brother or even a son) or a household servant.

When women are able to drive themselves, it will free up time for their male family members (who spend time driving women to school, work, shopping and elsewhere) to be more productive. One survey found that more than 87 percent of Saudi households employ a household driver, often a person brought to Saudi Arabia from an Asian country specifically for this purpose.

Many households may not need to employ family drivers once women can drive, freeing up family income for other purposes. But if fewer families need drivers, it could also mean fewer job opportunities for foreign drivers in Saudi Arabia, with some losing their jobs as of June and fewer being hired in the future.

Perhaps the biggest area of impact may be on what is called the Middle East and North Africa paradox. This confounding set of statistics shows that girls and women have higher educational attainment than boys and men in the Middle East, but this does not translate to the workplace.

As a group, Middle Eastern countries have the lowest female labor force participation rate in the world. In Saudi Arabia, girls score better ( PDF ) than boys in math on international tests, and 62 percent of Saudi university students are women.

Yet, Saudi Arabia ranks sixth from the bottom in terms of female labor force participation, with 21 percent of Saudi women working.

The right to drive removes one important obstacle to bringing more women into the workforce. But other countries in the Middle East allow women to drive and still have low female labor force participation rates.

While transportation rights are important, the number of women in the workplace will not change overnight.

So, while transportation rights are important, the number of women in the workplace will not change overnight. Other factors presenting challenges to women's employment in the Middle East include longstanding tradition, family responsibilities, generous state subsidies that enable families to live on one salary, weak private sectors and youth unemployment that verges on 20 percent for men and 56 percent for women in Saudi Arabia.

Women's roles and rights are evolving in the Middle East. Women now have the right to vote in every country in the Middle East that holds elections. But this is a recent development in Saudi Arabia. Saudi women voted in municipal elections for the first time in 2015.

Women across the region have been gaining additional legal rights within the family and economically, for example, with many countries removing requirements that women must obtain permission to travel from a male guardian and allowing women equal rights to divorce. Yet, Saudi Arabia still requires a woman to secure permission from a male guardian before she can travel.

I worked in the Middle East for the better part of a decade. Among my colleagues were many strong, smart, capable and determined Middle-Eastern women who drove themselves to work. They took their right to drive for granted and found the idea of not being allowed to drive unsettling.

Freedom of mobility for women in Saudi Arabia, a country of 28 million citizens, can't help but reshape the social and economic landscape. Young women in Saudi Arabia will now have opportunities their mothers and grandmothers never had, thanks to increased education, freedom of movement and changing expectations and social norms.

Shelly Culbertson is a senior policy researcher at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation; she is the author of The Fires of Spring: A Post-Arab Spring Journey Through the Turbulent New Middle East (2016).

This commentary originally appeared on The Hill on September 29, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Europes first daily Christian television network, God TV, is commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luthers 95 Theses by airing a series of historic live broadcasts from Germany, the cradle of The Reformation.





Coverage will be centred on Holy Spirit Nights, Reformatio (the Reformation), which will air live from Stuttgart on 2930 September with Peter and Markus Wenz of Gospel Forum and international speakers Joseph Prince, Reinhard Bonnke and Ben Fitzgerald. God TV is pleased to mark this historic anniversary by reaching further than ever before, said the networks president, Ward Simpson. We are committed to the Great Commission and helping to bring revival, renewal and reformation into the Church worldwide.In order to maximise its impact across Germany, the network will also be launching on leading cable operator, Unitymedia in three German states. The Liberty Global subsidiary currently serves 12.8 million homes and claims to be positioned for future growth at the forefront of Europes media services industry. the new move means that God TV will now be available to 6.4 million more viewers. It is also available worldwide via satellite, on cable and via streaming on smartphone, the God TV app, PC, or TV ( Apple TV and Roku).Speaking about the new launch, God TV regional director for the UK & Europe, Fergus Scarfe said: We want to enable more viewers to experience God in fresh and meaningful ways, bringing a powerful message of hope through media to people of all walks of life.
Body cameras for the Mooresville Police Department have arrived. Find out when they will be used.
Afghan authorities say suicide attackers detonated a bomb near a large Shiite mosque in Kabul on September 29, killing at least six people and wounding more than 20 as worshippers prepared to commemorate Ashura, the holiest celebration in the Shiite religious calendar.

The attack targeted Kabuls northern Qala-e Fatehullah neighborhood near the Hassainya mosque as worshippers were observing Friday Prayers.

The extremist group Islamic State claimed responsibilty for the attack on its Amaq news site.

Security officials said at least two attackers were killed as they carried out an operation that appeared to be aimed at hitting the mosque just a month after 20 people were killed during prayers at another Shiite mosque in Kabul.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the violence, saying the attackers cannot shake the unity of the Afghan people with their inhumane and irreligious attacks.

A local affiliate of IS has claimed several previous attacks against Shiite targets in Kabul in recent years.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP


The Ukrainian military's chief of staff says Russia left troops behind in Belarus after staging military exercises there, despite Moscow's pledge not to do so, Reuters reports.

Viktor Muzhenko's comments in an interview with the news agency on September 29 could heighten tensions further between Moscow and Kyiv, which have been locked in a standoff over Russia's 2014 seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The claim also contradicts a statement by the Belarusian Defense Ministry, which said that the last train of Russian troops who participated in the Zapad (West) 2017 military drills left Belarus on September 28.

"We had information that they had withdrawn only a few units of the declared 12,500 troops, of which 3,000 were Russians, but there were significantly more of them there," Reuters quoted Muzhenko as saying.

The September 14-20 war games in Belarus and parts of western Russia triggered concerns in neighboring NATO member states already wary of Moscow's intentions after its seizure of Crimea and military interference in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow and Minsk said the maneuvers involved some 12,700 troops in the two countries combined, but Western officials have said the true number may have been around 100,000.

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on the final day of the exercises that all Russian troops involved in the drills would leave Belarus.

There was no immediate comment from Russia on Muzhenko's claim.

Based on reporting by Reuters and RFE/RL's Belarus Service
On September 27, one day after members of his administration had rejected rumors of his imminent resignation as unfounded, Ramazan Abdulatipov told a Moscow radio station that he had decided to step down as Republic of Daghestan head on account of his age. (He turned 71 last month.)

A medic by training, Abdulatipov is a former academic, State Duma deputy, and Russian deputy prime minister who also served from 2005-09 as Russian ambassador to Tajikistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin first named him as acting head of his native Daghestan in January 2013 following the preterm resignation of Magomedsalam Magomedov, who was subsequently offered a senior post in Moscow as a deputy presidential administration head. Abdulatipov was confirmed as republic head by Daghestan's parliament in September 2013 with 86 of a possible 90 votes.

Although Abdulatipov explained his decision to step down in terms of his age, in light of misfortunes that have dogged his tenure it might be that Putin simply lost patience with him.

What is puzzling is why Putin waited so long -- unless National Guard first deputy head Sergei Melikov, who has long been regarded as the most likely successor to Abdulatipov but has reportedly refused the post three times, has now been prevailed upon to change his mind.

Fighting The 'Ministate'

Abdulatipov initially defined his remit as republic head as transforming what he described as a feudal ministate in which powerful clans or interest groups vied with each other for control of potential sources of revenue and local administrators milked their fiefdoms for personal gain for years on end while ignoring the needs and grievances of the local population.

From the outset, those powerful interest groups appear to have systematically sought to block or sabotage any major initiative launched by Abdulatipov -- such as cracking down on the shadow economy -- that they perceived as a direct threat. It was reportedly the influence they wield that Melikov cited as the reason for not wanting Abdulatipov's job.

Abdulatipov argued in 2013 that as a result of that lethal combination of corruption, indifference, and personal greed, entire sectors of the economy -- specifically agriculture and industry -- had collapsed to the point that they needed rebuilding from scratch. Meanwhile, the shadow economy reportedly had expanded to account for 40-60 percent of all economic activity, while tax revenues were the lowest in Russia. In 2010, they stood at just 5.4 percent of GDP, compared with the all-Russian average of 13.4 percent.

Abdulatipov hoped to revitalize the republic's government by bringing in new people brimming with energy and new ideas but found himself constrained, partly by the unwritten law on the fair distribution of ministerial posts among the region's various ethnic groups, to rely primarily on rotating existing personnel. Consequently, although he has replaced most local administration heads, in most cases economic performance has not improved and corruption levels have not fallen.

'Catastrophic' Situation

Scarcely a week goes by without a new case of embezzlement surfacing. But the Russian-language publication Novoye Delo reported last week that of 83 corruption trials so far this year, only two ended with the accused being sentenced to a prison term.

As for the republic's economy, the independent daily Chernovik regularly highlights the discrepancy between actual economic data and the glowing progress vaunted by Abdulatipov and members of the republic's government. In February 2017, a session in Moscow of the NGO Caucasus Civil Forum adopted a resolution declaring that "the social, economic, and political situation in Daghestan is close to catastrophic...[and] the people are getting poorer and the bosses richer," and appealing to Putin to fire the republic's entire leadership and bring back direct elections for the post of republic head.

Corruption was said to be a major contributing factor to one of the most serious political scandals of Abdulatipov's tenure as republic head -- the government's failure, despite repeated injunctions from Moscow and massive subsidies, to complete on schedule the restoration of the southern town of Derbent to mark the 2,000th anniversary of its foundation.

Arguably even more serious from Moscow's point of view was the Daghestani leadership's purportedly heavy-handed efforts to influence the outcome of the September 2016 elections to the Russian State Duma and the new Daghestani parliament.

A new political party, The People Against Corruption, was said to have been pressured into withdrawing its candidates, and an audio clip was posted online in which a speaker tentatively identified as first deputy presidential-administration head Aleksei Gasanov (others present addressed him as Aleksei Petrovich) impressed on local mayors the need to do everything in their power to ensure that the opposition party Rodina's candidates did likewise.

The actual vote was reportedly marred by egregious procedural violations such as ballot stuffing and the theft of ballot boxes, apparently resulting in a far higher proportion of the vote being cast for the ruling United Russia party than in most of the other 855 federation subjects. Dispatched by Putin in January to evaluate numerous complaints of blatant malpractice, Russian Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova was quoted as asking Abdulatipov to his face, "Does the president really need some obsequious fool to inflate [Unified Russia's] percentage [of the vote] for him?"

No Successes Here

Despite his extensive publications on the hot-button issue of relations between Russia's various ethnic groups, Abdulatipov has shown remarkably little sensitivity to or sympathy for the justifiable grievances expressed by some of Daghestan's smaller nationalities. His indifference to mass protests in June in the predominantly Nogai-populated northern Kizlyar district at a government directive that would have deprived many villagers of access to agricultural land so outraged the Nogais that they convened a pan-national congress and adopted a formal appeal to Putin to intervene.

Critics say Abdulatipov has shown himself equally indifferent to pressing social issues, including the nationwide campaign to resettle families living in derelict housing in line with a directive Putin issued personally. Visiting Daghestan in late May, presidential envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District Oleg Belaventsev warned Abdulatipov that he would be held personally responsible if the deadline for completion of that resettlement was not met.

Citing lack of budget funds, the Daghestani leadership was constrained in August to beg Moscow to extend from September 1 to October 16 the date for completion of resettling 502 households in Derbent.

Finally, Abdulatipov cannot even take personal credit for what might be the lone positive trend in Daghestan over the past four years: the demise of the North Caucasus insurgency. Fatalities in clashes between the insurgency and the law enforcement bodies have fallen from 341 in 2013 to 127 in 2016. That decline might well be primarily due to the exodus, starting in late 2013, of many fighters to Syria, and partly also to the killing in 2015 of the last two identified commanders of the virtual North Caucasus Emirate, Aliaskhab Kebekov and Magomed Suleymanov, both Avars from Daghestan.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL
After nine months of embittered public debate, the majority Georgian Dream parliament faction adopted on September 26 in the third and final reading controversial constitutional amendments that opposition parties across the political spectrum are convinced are unfair and intended to enable Georgian Dream to remain in power indefinitely.

The vote has not, however, put a stop to the political maneuvering surrounding the amendments.

Parliament speaker Irakli Kobakhidze, the young constitutional lawyer who chaired the commission that drafted them, suggested that President Giorgi Margvelashvili veto two provisions of the draft bill, which Georgian Dream had last week signaled its readiness to tweak in line with recommendations made in June by the Council of Europe's Venice Commission of legal experts.

Margvelashvili for his part responded by convening on September 28 a meeting with representatives of the 20 opposition parties who participated in the drafting earlier this month of five provisions they insist should be incorporated into the amended basic law. Georgian Dream ignored Margvelashvili's invitation to participate in those talks.

Margvelashvili had boycotted the drafting of the amendments from the outset, apparently out of pique in light of the proposal to abolish direct presidential elections. On September 19, he and representatives of 20 opposition parties unveiled alternative provisions, several of which were clearly intended to enhance the role of the president.

'Profoundly Disappointed'

One of these proposed provisions also focused on the major point of disagreement between Georgian Dream on the one hand and Margvelashvili, the parliamentary and extraparliamentary opposition, and many NGOs on the other, namely the timing of the planned transition from the current mixed majoritarian-proportional system of parliamentary elections to a fully proportional model.

In the initial draft of the amendments, that transition was due to take effect for the parliamentary elections due in 2020. But days after the Venice Commission voiced overall approval of that draft, some Georgian Dream lawmakers elected from single-mandate constituencies came out categorically against the abolition of the mixed majoritarian-proportional system, citing the problems Moldova encountered after similarly switching to the fully proportional system.

Georgian Dream therefore tweaked the draft to postpone the transition until 2024, after which its parliament faction passed the amended draft in the first and second readings in late June. The three opposition parliament factions boycotted that vote in protest.

Venice Commission President Gianni Buquicchio professed himself "profoundly disappointed" by Georgian Dream's U-turn on what in the commission's Draft Opinion unveiled last week was described as "the most important aspect of the [constitutional] reform and the key to reaching consensus."

Georgian Dream responded to last week's "Margvelashvili + 20" initiative by announcing two minor concessions on points about which the Venice Commission had earlier expressed concern. The first was the proposed abolition of electoral blocs; the second the provision that those parliament mandates left unallocated due to votes cast for parties that failed to garner the minimum 5 percent of the vote required to qualify for parliamentary representation be given as a "bonus" to the party that polled the highest percentage.

'To The Detriment Of Pluralism'

The Venice Commission had opined in June that together, those provisions "limit the influence of the proportional system to the detriment of pluralism and the smaller parties."

On September 21, Kobakhidze announced that forming electoral blocs would be allowed, exceptionally, for the parliamentary election due in 2020, and the threshold to qualify for parliamentary representation would be lowered from 5 to 3 percent for that election.

In addition, in 2024 when the transition to the fully proportional electoral system takes place, the "bonus" provision will no longer apply; instead, the unallocated mandates will be distributed among all parties that garner the 5 percent of the vote required to qualify for parliamentary representation.

Kobakhidze later explained that these changes necessitate a new legal initiative, given that only editorial changes could be made to the existing draft between the second and final readings. He predicted that the necessary new draft legal initiative could be passed in the first and second readings by the end of the year, and in the third reading in March 2018.

If, however, Margvelashvili were to agree to Kobakhidze's suggestion that he veto the relevant articles of the draft, Georgian Dream could amend them within weeks to yield a constitution that takes into account virtually all the Venice Commission's criticisms (except for the timing of the transition to the fully proportional system).

Georgian Dream's proposed concessions failed, however, to mollify the opposition. The September 26 parliament session proved tempestuous, with several opposition lawmakers declaring that the draft changes are intended solely for Georgian Dream's benefit.

'Destructive Consequences'

Nika Melia of the former ruling United National Movement (ENM) accused Georgian Dream of seeking "to legalize a dictatorial and clan-based constitution" and then walked out in protest.

The European Georgia faction, which split from the ENM in January, also quit the parliament chamber prior to the vote, the website civil.ge reported. One of its parliamentarians, Sergo Ratiani, predicted that "this constitution will have destructive consequences."

Even before the September 26 vote, opposition parties decided to form a Council of Leaders to continue their campaign to have the amended constitution branded illegal, the news portal Caucasian Knot reported on September 25.

Following the September 28 talks, ENM lawmaker Nika Rurua told InterpressNews that Margvelashvili and the 20 opposition parties would not give ground on their five demands. The opposition also asked Margvelashvili to veto the entire amended constitution, Caucasian Knot reported.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.


Human rights groups have voiced severe concern and sought ways to help after activists said dozens of gay people had been jailed following raids by the authorities in Azerbaijan in recent weeks.

Javid Nabiyev, president of Nefes LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance, said in a Facebook video that police had held detainees for up to 30 days and forced them to give the names and addresses of gay and transgender acquaintances.

"Everybody have fear that they might be arrested anytime on the street," Nabiyev said in English, referring to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the tightly controlled South Caucasus country.

"People are confused," he said in the video, which was published on Facebook on September 22.

Nabiyev, who is based in Germany, said some right-wing political leaders had called for a crackdown on LGBT people, contending that they were "sources of immorality and dangerous diseases" and "have been cursed by God."

Local activists said at least 50 gay and transsexual people had been detained in police raids of private homes, subway stations, and LGBT-friendly clubs, pubs, and bars in Baku over the past two weeks.

'Beatings' And 'Verbal Abuse'

Civil Rights Defenders, a human rights group based in Sweden, said the number of arrests could run into the hundreds. It said many of those detained were released only after giving up the addresses of gay and transsexual acquaintances.

Lawyers for some of those arrested said their clients had been subjected to beatings, verbal abuse, and forced medical examinations, rights groups said. The reports could not be independently verified.

Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry denied that police targeted or discriminated against "sexual minorities," and said the arrests were part of a crackdown on prostitution.

"In our country, representatives of sex minorities have never been persecuted. However, this does not mean that they are exempt from liability for illegal actions," the ministry said in a statement.

"The police had to take measures in connection with the fact that recently people of nontraditional sexual orientation engaged in prostitution."

Interior Ministry spokesman Ehsan Zahidov was quoted by the Associated Press on September 29 as saying the arrests were sparked by citizens' complaints of "disrespect to others."

AP quoted Samed Rahimli, a lawyer it said was helping coordinate legal representation for detainees, as saying that at least 46 people had been sentenced to between 10 to 30 days in jail for resisting police.

"Of the detained sexual minorities, 16 [had] AIDS or syphilis," said Rahimli, who asserted that detainees were providing "sexual services" to multiple partners and "spreading the infection."

But the Nefes LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance posted a statement on September 29 from one of those detained, saying, "I am not a sex worker."

"They were beating me. The police told me I'm doing prostitution work and I must give them information about clients," the man, identified only as Hasan, said on the group's Facebook page.

Khadija Ismayilova, an RFE/RL contributor known for investigative reporting on high-level corruption in Azerbaijan, said that she knew of 16 recent cases in which people believed to be from the LGBT community were detained and sentenced to short jail terms.

"And not a single one of the cases that I studied is related to sex-industry workers. So this is not a raid against sex-industry workers," Ismayilova told Current Time TV, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America, on September 29.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will investigate the reports, Stefan Schennach, a co-rapporteur for the monitoring of Azerbaijan by PACE, said in a tweet on September 28.

Azerbaijan legalized homosexual activity in 2000, but the former Soviet country was still ranked the worst in Europe for gay people in a 2016 survey by the international advocacy group ILGA.

In 2015, the European Parliament voted to condemn the "intimidation and repression" of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people in Azerbaijan after a string of homophobic incidents.

ILGA's executive director in Europe, Evelyne Paradis, accused Azerbaijani police of "indiscriminate targeting of people perceived to be members of the LGBTI community."

"[We] are worried about the fate of the victims of these raids, and are calling for the immediate release of anyone still in detention," she said in a statement.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said its staff was trying to contact victims to get more details and assist them. "Obviously, we are extremely concerned about those serious allegations of detentions, abuse, and forced medical testing, and they need to be thoroughly investigated," said HRW's South Caucasus director, Giorgi Gogia.

"Understandably the victims are terrified and vulnerable to further abuses," he added.

ILGA was working "to make links with activists and lawyers on the ground, and try to facilitate as many conversations with our partners in other human rights organizations," ILGA spokeswoman Emma Cassidy said.

She added the group had launched a fundraising appeal for Azerbaijan, with a dedicated webpage providing information on the situation.

British gay-rights group Stonewall also contended that the authorities had singled out gay and transsexual people, and said that some transsexual women had their heads forcibly shaven.

Azerbaijani officials told the Caucasian Knot news agency that the raids were part of a campaign to fight prostitution and "protect national moral values" in response to citizens' complaints.

The arrests followed a crackdown on LGBT people in the nearby Russian republic of Chechnya, where media reports and activists say more than 100 gay men are believed to have been detained and tortured, and in some cases killed, earlier this year.

With reporting by NBC News, Reuters, AP, Current Time TV, and Eurasianet
The White House says U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has encouraged Kosovo to ratify a border-demarcation deal with Montenegro.

Pence met with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in Washington on September 29, two days after Kosovo's new prime minister said the Balkan state had no deadline for resolving the border standoff, which the European Union insists Pristina must approve before its citizens can travel visa-free within the Schengen zone.

In addition to calling for a resolution to this "long-standing issue," Pence reaffirmed U.S. support "for a sovereign, democratic, and prosperous Kosovo," the White House said in a statement.

It added that Pence expressed appreciation for efforts by Thaci and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to advance normalization between Belgrade and Pristina under an EU-facilitated dialogue.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by 115 countries, but not by Belgrade.

The European Union has urged Pristina and Belgrade -- both seeking to join the EU -- to normalize relations and is sponsoring talks aimed at ending years of hostility.

In a Facebook post following the White House meeting, Thaci called the United States a "guarantor of independence" for Kosovo and a "powerful" advocate for Kosovo's accession to the EU and NATO.

Thaci in March backed away from a controversial vow to push through a law turning the country's security force into a national army after meeting resistance from the United States and NATO.

The White House said in its statement that Pence expressed support for the transformation of NATO-trained security forces "via constitutional means."

Kosovo has a substantial ethnic Serb minority, and the draft law Thaci had sent to parliament -- unlike constitutional amendments -- would not have required voting approval from Kosovo's ethnic minorities.

The United States and NATO warned earlier that they would reduce military cooperation if Kosovo transformed its NATO-trained security forces into a regular army without consulting all groups.

The White House added that Pence and Thaci "agreed on the importance of advancing reforms to strengthen the rule of law, fight corruption, and boost economic growth."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, AP, and RTK
A court in Bishkek has freed a Kyrgyz journalist who had been sentenced to four years in prison for a book he wrote.

The Bishkek City Court on September 29 changed Zulpukar Sapanov's sentence to a suspended one, allowing the journalist to leave the courtroom.

The ruling came 17 days after a district court in Bishkek ruled that Sapanov's book, Kydyr Sanjrasy (Kydyr's Name Origin), contains content that "diminishes the role of Islam as a religion and creates a negative attitude toward Muslims."

The four-year sentence issued against Sapanov on September 12 sparked an outcry by rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan and abroad.

Kyrgyz Ombudsman Kubat Otorbaev called the September 12 ruling "a return to the time of inquisition."

Sapanov insists that his book aimed to compare traditional faiths and beliefs in Kyrgyzstan with pre-Islamic religions in other Turkic-speaking Central Asian countries.

Sapanovs supporters say he should be protected by the Kyrgyz constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of faith.


Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny vowed to keep holding rallies that have drawn thousands of people across Russia after Moscow police released him from detention late on September 29.

After being held for about 10 hours in a move that prevented him from speaking at a rally in Nizhny Novgorod, Navalny was ordered to appear at an administrative hearing on October 2 on charges of repeatedly organizing illegal demonstrations.

"We are not going to stop what we do, whatever the obstacles," Navalny told journalists waiting for him outside the Moscow police station, adding that he plans to attend demonstrations in Orenburg in the Urals on September 30 and the northern city of Archangelsk on October 1.

Since announcing last year that he will run in the March 2018 presidential election, Navalny, 41, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, has opened more than 60 campaign offices in different regions of Russia.

In June, however, Russia's Central Election Commission said that Navalny is ineligible to run for public office because of a financial-crimes conviction that he said was politically motivated.

"A plan to block regional rallies won't work," Navalny said on Twitter after his release.

"The Kremlin sees my meetings with voters as a huge threat and even an insult -- after all no one comes to their [pro-government] meetings unless they are paid," he wrote. "They were saying for so long that opposition has no support in the regions, and it now pains them to even look at our rallies."

Navalny and his staff have been repeatedly detained by police, as have many of his supporters at rallies, and some of his backers have been attacked or faced prosecution and other pressure from the authorities in recent months.

Human Rights Watch in a statement earlier this month said that Russian authorities are "systematically" interfering with Navalny's attempts to run for president, including by raiding his campaign offices, "arbitrarily" detaining campaign volunteers, and carrying out "other actions that unjustifiably interfere with campaigning."

Earlier in the day Navalny recorded his arrest and detention in Moscow through Instagram posts, writing that he was detained by police as he left his apartment building to catch a train for the Volga River city.

"Oh, how old man Putin doesn't want me to make it to the demonstration," he wrote. "It was like in the movies, a car pulled up and police came out."

He posted footage of the incident on Instagram and, in a video filmed at a Moscow police precinct house, appealed to supporters in Nizhny Novgorod to proceed with the rally despite his absence.

"Hi, this is Navalny from a police station," he said, apologizing that he could not make it "because the Kremlin is terribly afraid" of the demonstration.

The Interior Ministry said Navalny was detained by Moscow police for what it said were "repeated calls" for people to take part in unauthorized demonstrations.

If a court rules at the October 2 hearing that Navalny violated regulations on protests and public gatherings, he could be sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Navalny and his staff contend that the Nizhny Novgorod protest was legal. The calls for unauthorized protests he is alleged by police to have made could be a reference to his efforts to hold a rally in St. Petersburg on October 7.

In a blog post on September 27, Navalny said he had submitted repeated requests to city authorities to allow him to stage the rally in St. Petersburg, Putin's home town, but had not been offered a satisfactory location.

He wrote that he would make one more request to hold the rally in a park in the center of the city and threatened to call on supporters to protest on Palace Square -- the iconic heart of the Imperial-era capital -- if that is rejected.

Putin, who has been in power as president or prime minister since 1999, is widely expected to seek and secure a fourth term in the March election, though he has not announced that he will run.

Putin would be constitutionally barred from seeking another six-year term in 2024 -- a fact that analysts say has led to concern in the Kremlin about how to maintain a tight a grip on the country in the future.

With reporting by RFE/RL Correspondent Tom Balmforth in Moscow, Dozhd, TASS, Interfax, Meduza, AP, AFP, and Reuters


Who doesnt love an island, am I right?

For the last 18 years I have been working at the Onalaska location of the La Crosse County Library. I will surely miss Onalaska Public Library and all the patrons Ive served over the years, but now you will see me at the F.J. Robers Library, also known as the Campbell Library on French Island, also operated by La Crosse County Library.

After more than 30 years, Sarah Stuber has retired and is starting a new chapter in her life. I know she will be missed by so many of the folks she served on the Island over the years, and she left some pretty big shoes for me to fill! I have just started my duties at Campbell the first week of September and I am excited to get into the swing of Island life. Currently you can find me there on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and every other Saturday. The lovely Mary Horton will be there on Thursdays, Fridays and her Saturdays.

I am so pleased to have met many fine Island residents already, and I appreciate the warm welcome Ive received. I have listened to your feedback regarding the hours of operation, and other ideas that will enhance the library and this feedback will be passed on to the appropriate person as I receive it.

I have had the pleasure of meeting most of the members of the Beautification Committee, all lovely and talented patrons. And if youre curious about their role at the library, you must stop in and see for yourself. Be sure to check out the beautiful shrubs and plantings around the building, and you will quickly see why their committee is named as it is! And Im told this committee really does it up in the fall.

Campbell has a Friends of the Library group and I have met some of those members as well. The Friends have a perpetual mini book sale in the lobby that they run, and I know they do many other fine things for your library, all on volunteer time. I am anxious to meet the entire Friends group to congratulate them personally for taking an interest in their gem of a library. As a beautiful tribute to Sarah, the Friends hosted an open house for her on her last day, and presented her with books that were purchased by them for use by all library patrons. After the books are cataloged, stop to see the display and do a checkout!

Campbell is also making a strong effort to get a book club going and there is a poster hung in the library that lists the books they will read over the coming months. Naturally, if you are interested in joining the Friends, Beautification group, or the book club, stop in the library and express your interest and Ill hook you up.

If it has been a while since youve stopped at the library on the Island, or perhaps youve never been there, I urge you to stop in and take a look around. Libraries are one of the best values around and they enhance communities in more ways than you may be aware. Libraries support literacy development, provide safe, comfortable spaces for folks, and they raise house values, just to name a few of the great benefits of having a library right in your community.

The Campbell Library is located right on the corner of Fanta Reed Road and Lakeshore Drive, no longer in the town hall. Campbell is one of the five libraries operated by La Crosse County. The others are Bangor, Onalaska, Holmen and West Salem. Your Winding Rivers library card will work at all of the 38 libraries in the Winding Rivers system, no matter which location you first received your card from. If youve lost your card, allow me to give you a replacement.

Since Campbell is a smaller neighborhood library location we cant possibly hold all of the materials you might be looking for on our shelves, but you can always place holds from any of the libraries in our Winding Rivers Library system to have items picked up at right at Campbell. If youve never done that before, allow me to assist you with that. Teachers, if you need books on a special upcoming unit, allow me to have a stack ready for pickup when you need them. Lets not forget audio books, magazines, newspapers, electronic books for your tablet, music CDs, DVDs, free internet access and computer usage along with affordable printing. Lets say you would like to check out (for free!) an e-reader, also called a Nook. We can certainly do that for you as well. The Nooks come preloaded with several books to please many interests. Perhaps you need a fax, photocopies or even an exam proctored, those are things we can assist you with. Libraries are not the libraries of yesteryear  stop by and see the future!

Please check out our website at ww.lacrossecountylibrary.org for open hours, catalog resources, book lists and book groups or for upcoming programming schedules. Please visit and Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lacrossecountylibrary. And stop by the Campbell Library so we can meet.
Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) says a Russian soldier has been detained, along with a "female acquaintance," on suspicion of spying for Kyiv in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Ministry has confirmed that the soldier, Dmitry Dolgopolov, had been a Ukrainian citizen who served in Ukraines military in Crimea until Russia seized and illegally annexed of the Ukrainian territory in 2014.

The Ukrainian ministry said Dolgopolov took on Russian citizenship after the annexation and joined Russias military.

The FSB said on September 29 that Dolgopolov and the detained woman, Anna Sukhonosova, are suspected of sending information to Ukraine's main intelligence directorate about Russia's Black Sea fleet, which is based in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

The FSB said Dolgopolov currently is a member of Russia's military forces in Crimea, adding that he and Sukhonosova were detained together on September 29 at an apartment in the region's capital, Simferopol.

The suspects were later brought to Moscow, where a court sanctioned their arrests. The FSB said the two are facing charges of high treason against Russia, and could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

With reporting by AP, TASS, and Interfax
The head of the local election coordinating committee and about a dozen activists have been detained by police in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod while attempting to hold a rally in support of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

Police detained campaign coordinator Anna Yudina on September 29 at the site of an unsanctioned rally for Navalny's would-be campaign for the March 2018 presidential election. They also seized campaign property and materials.

Earlier in the day, Navalny was detained by police in Moscow and prevented from boarding a train to Nizhny Novgorod. Also, Navalny's national campaign coordinator, Leonid Volkov, was detained in Nizhny Novgorod.

Both Navalny and Volkov were released late on September 29 and ordered to appear at a court hearing on October 2 on charges of repeatedly violating the rules of organizing a rally.

Navalny vowed that the arrests would not deter him from holding more rallies around the country in coming weeks.

An RFE/RL Russian Service correspondent estimated there were about 1,000 people at the site of the rally.

Earlier, local officials refused to give permission for the rally, a decision that Navalny denounced as illegal. Navalny called on supporters to come to the rally despite the official rejection.

Russian election officials have said Navalny, a popular anticorruption activist who received 27 percent of the vote in the 2013 Moscow mayoral election, is not eligible to participate in the election because of a felony embezzlement conviction that he says was politically motivated.

Earlier this month, the New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch issued a statement saying that Navalny's campaign supporters were being "systematically" harassed and attacked by nationalists, supporters of President Vladimir Putin, and law enforcement officials.

On September 15, the head of Navalny's Moscow office, Nikolai Lyaskin, was attacked by an unknown assailant wielding a metal pipe. Navalny himself suffered a chemical burn to his eye in April when an assailant splashed green antiseptic into his face.

In a social-media post on September 27, Navalny accused authorities in St. Petersburg of refusing to agree to a suitable location for a campaign rally in that city.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters
Russia says it is ready to work with Pyongyang to peacefully resolve the standoff over North Koreas missile and nuclear-weapons programs.

The Russian Foreign Ministry made the comments in a September 29 statement following a meeting between Oleg Burmistrov, a Russian ambassador-at-large, and Choe Son Hui, director-general of the North American department at North Korea's Foreign Ministry.

"The Russian side confirmed that it is prepared for joint efforts in the interest of finding ways to resolve the current problems in the region through peaceful, political, and diplomatic means," the ministry said.

The ministry added that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov had also met with Choe.

Tensions have escalated recently over North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, which have triggered increasingly charged rhetoric between Pyongyang and Washington.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on September 25, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho accused U.S. President Donald Trump of declaring war on his country and said Pyongyang had the right to shoot down U.S. bombers, even if the warplanes were not in North Korea's airspace.

Washington called the accusation "absurd" and warned Pyongyang to stop provocations.

After North Koreas latest and most powerful nuclear test earlier this month, the UN Security Council approved new sanctions on the country.

With reporting by Reuters
Russian authorities say a soldier shot and killed three fellow servicemen with an automatic weapon during target practice in the country's Far East and fled the scene with his weapon.

Two other soldiers were injured in the incident at a military firing range in the Amur region, Russia's federal Investigative Committee said in a September 29 statement, adding that the suspected shooter remained at large.

The committee's military investigations department has opened a murder case, the statement said.

The suspect fired his weapon at a group of soldiers "waiting to leave the firing line," the Investigative Committee said.

The local administration of the city of Belogorsk, where the shooting range is located, identified the suspect as Gasan Abdulakhadov, a 23-year-old native of Russia's Daghestan region in the North Caucasus.

Belogorsk Mayor Stanislav Melyukov said on September 29 that police were searching for a suspect in military uniform who was armed with an automatic weapon and four magazines of ammunition.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has dispatched a commission to the scene in connection with the killings, his ministry said in a statement.

The Investigative Committee did not indicate a possible motive. The Defense Ministry statement said that "all versions" were being examined, including the possibility that the shooter had a "nervous breakdown."

The Belogorsk mayor's office said Abdulakhadov had joined the unit on September 21.

With reporting by Interfax, TASS, and RIA Novosti
Russia's media-regulatory agency, Roskomnadzor, has accused the U.S.-based broadcaster CNN of unspecified legal violations that breach the terms of its broadcast license in Russia.

In a statement released on September 29, Roskomnadzor said it had summoned CNN officials to a meeting at which "the matter of issuing a warning to the broadcaster for violating the law on the mass media will be settled."

Roskomnadzor head Aleksandr Zharov was quoted by Russia's Interfax news agency as denying that the statement was politically motivated.

"I don't work in a political agency," Zharov was quoted as saying. "I work in a regulatory service."

Also on September 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a Security Council meeting that Russian media outlets abroad were facing increasing and "unacceptable" pressure.

That statement followed an accusation the previous day by the Russian Foreign Ministry that the United States was placing "unwarranted pressure" on Russia's RT television network by compelling it to register as a foreign agent.

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the United States of "the selective and clearly politically motivated application of the law." She added the move would be met "with a corresponding response."

RT editor in chief Margarita Simonyan said on September 29 that such registration "may entail restrictions that will simply not allow us to work in" the United States. She said that Russia would take steps to retaliate.

Officials in the United States are conducting several investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. In January, the U.S. intelligence community issued a determination Moscow orchestrated a hacking-and-propaganda campaign to influence the campaign to benefit the eventual winner of the election, Donald Trump.

Both RT and the Russian state Sputnik news agency were named in the U.S. intelligence assessment as part of the campaign and as "subservient to a corrupt political establishment" in Russia.

Russia has denied any involvement in the U.S. presidential campaign.
BRUSSELS -- The European Parliament is scheduled to debate and vote on a resolution highlighting what European lawmakers say are human rights abuses by Russian-installed authorities in Ukraine's occupied Crimean Peninsula.

The October 5 session in Strasbourg will focus on the arrests and trials of figures like RFE/RL journalist Mykola Semena and Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz and Ilmi Umerov since the Ukrainian peninsula was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.

Semena is a very important person in terms for free journalism and his court trial [on separatism charges] should be condemned by the free world because, first of all, his activity was clearly, purely noble -- fulfilling his professional obligations," said Anna Fotyga, Poland's former foreign minister and a current member of the European Parliament.

The drafting of the resolution was expected to take place during the next week.

Lawmakers who are expected to take part in drafting the resolution told RFE/RL that they expect it will accuse Russia of violating the rights of Semena and others in Crimea who have publicly opposed Russia's military seizure and annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula.

They said they expect the resolution will call on Russia to annul the 2 1/2-year suspended sentence and ban on future journalistic activity that Russian-installed judges issued against Semena earlier this month.

Nils Muiznieks, the human rights commissioner of the Council of Europe, told RFE/RL on September 26 that Russia is the only member of the 47-country Council of Europe that has not cooperated with his office in the last few years.

The UN Human Rights Office on September 25 said the situation in Crimea "has significantly deteriorated" under Russian occupation.

It said "grave human rights violations, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, ill-treatment and torture, and at least one extra-judicial execution were documented."

Russia seized Crimea in March 2014, sending in troops and staging a referendum denounced as illegal by dozens of countries, after Ukraine's pro-Russia former president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted from power by mass protests in Kyiv.

The European Union, along with the United States and other Western countries, have imposed sanctions against Russia in response to the takeover of the Ukrainian territory.


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia destroyed "all critical infrastructure" in the parts of Kherson recaptured by the Ukrainian army over the past week.



Zelenskiy said there is no electricity, no communication, and no television in Kherson, adding that withdrawing Russian troops destroyed everything intentionally.



"This is what the Russian flag means -- complete devastation," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address after visiting liberated Kherson on November 14, adding all-important facilities in the city and the region are mined.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Earlier on November 14, Ukrainian national energy company Ukrenergo said Russia had destroyed key energy infrastructure supplying the entire right bank of the Kherson region and a significant part of the Mykolayiv region.



"Most of the liberated Kherson region has been without electricity since November 6," Ukrenergo chief Volodymyr Kudrytskiy said. "We are doing our best to supply people with electricity as soon as possible."



The liberation of Kherson at the weekend was one of Ukraines biggest successes in nearly nine months since the start of the Russian invasion.



During his visit to Kherson, Zelenskiy said the liberation of the city was "the beginning of the end of the war."



Ukrainian army chief Valeriy Zaluzhniy said he spoke with U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on November 14 and told him that the Ukrainian military will not accept any negotiations, agreements, or compromise decisions regarding the end of the war.

"I assured that we will fight as long as we have the strength. Our goal is to liberate all Ukrainian land from Russian occupation, Zaluzhniy said on Facebook. There is only one condition for the negotiations: Russia must leave all captured territories," he said in the social media post.



Zaluzhniy said he also informed Milley about the operational situation and the priority needs of the defense forces.



"The situation at the front is stable and under control. We are closely monitoring the enemy's actions on the border with Belarus and are building a reliable shield to protect Ukraine from the north, Zaluzhniy said. The defense forces, despite the fierce resistance of the occupation forces, continue their offensive in the Kharkiv direction.



He said Russian forces are actively attacking areas in the east, including Bakhmut and Avdiyivka, but they are not succeeding.



We hold the defense thanks to the resilience of our advanced units and combat-ready reserves. In the Kherson direction, we are conducting stabilization actions and strengthening the defense lines," Zaluzhniy added.

U.S. President Joe Biden earlier on November 14 hailed Ukraine's retaking of the city of Kherson as a "significant victory."



Biden commented on the development during a press conference after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.



"I can do nothing but applaud the courage, determination and capacity of the Ukrainian people," he said. "I think you are going to see things slow down a bit because of the winter months.... I think it remains to be seen exactly what the outcome will be."

Biden also raised Russias "irresponsible threats of nuclear use," according to a White House readout on the meeting.

The White House announced separately that CIA Director Bill Burns would meet in Ankara, Turkey, with Russian intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).



Burns underscored the consequences if Russia were to deploy a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, according to a White House spokesperson.

The Kremlin confirmed a U.S.-Russia meeting had taken place in Ankara but declined to give details.

Russian officials have alarmed Western governments by raising the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons after suffering massive setbacks in Ukraine.

The official quoted said there had been no change in the U.S. intelligence assessment and declined to offer further detail on timing of the decision to send Burns to meet with Naryshkin.

The Burns-Naryshkin meeting was the highest-ranking face-to-face engagement between U.S. and Russian officials since before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion.

Burns was also expected to raise the cases of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, two Americans detained in Russia. Washington has pressed Moscow to release the two in a prisoner exchange.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
Twitter says it has suspended about 200 Russia-linked accounts and found nearly 2,000 ads placed by Russia's RT television group in its investigation of Moscow's alleged efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election through social media.

Twitter executives briefed the intelligence committees in the U.S. Congress on September 28 about the findings.

The company said in an online blog that it identified and removed 22 Twitter accounts which directly corresponded to some 450 fake Facebook accounts identified by Facebook as being tied to Russia's alleged election meddling.

"Of the roughly 450 accounts that Facebook recently shared as part of their review, we concluded that 22 had corresponding accounts on Twitter," the blog said.

It said the identified Twitter accounts were suspended mostly for breaking Twitter's rules against spam -- that is, flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message or links.

Twitter added that it unearthed an additional 179 "related or linked accounts" with ties to the fake Russian Facebook accounts. It said most of those suspect Twitter accounts were suspended for violating the company's rules.

Twitter said Russian media outlet RT, a state-funded broadcaster that is close to the Kremlin, spent $274,100 on Twitter advertisements and promoted 1,823 tweets aimed at the U.S. market during the election year.

Those ad buys topped the $100,000 that Facebook said it discovered on its network that were linked to a Russian propaganda operation during the 2016 election campaign, a revelation that prompted calls from U.S. legislators for more regulation of such social media advertising.

'Scratched The Surface'

RT editor in chief Margarita Simonyan defended RT's purchase of advertisements on Twitter, seemingly seeking to distance RT from suggestions that it may be linked to state-supported social media campaigns aimed at manipulating public opinion in the West.

Simonyan said on September 29 that RT's advertising purchases on Twitter were a standard commercial practice that was being falsely presented as Russian meddling in U.S. affairs, state-run news agency RIA reported.

"Now we have to go even further and admit sincerely," Simonyan said sarcastically. "We spent on ads in airports, taxis, on billboards, the Internet, TV, and radio as well. Our commercials were even broadcast on CNN."

But some U.S. lawmakers say Twitter's disclosures and the steps it took to address the potential problem with alleged Russian meddling efforts did not go far enough.

"I don't think we've more than scratched the surface in terms of our understanding of how the Russians may have used [the Twitter] platform," said Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

"Frankly I dont think they understand how serious this problem is," Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, tweeted.

Lawmakers in both parties have said they suspect social networks played a big role in what they describe as Moscow's attempts to spread propaganda, sow political discord in the United States, and help elect President Donald Trump. Moscow denies any such activity.

Warner is leading efforts in the Senate to introduce legislation requiring internet platforms to reveal who is purchasing online political ads, which would bring them in line with rules governing ads on radio or television.

Twitter said it wants to strengthen its disclosure rules on political advertising, as Facebook recently did.

With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and dpa


KYIV -- Ukraine has marked the 76th anniversary of a World War II-era massacre of 33,771 Jews by Nazi troops on the outskirts of occupied Kyiv.

The slaughter of Jewish men, women, and children on September 29-30, 1941, at the Babi Yar ravine was an early example of the industrial-scale murder the Nazis would employ in their quest to annihilate the Jews.

By the end of the war, some 100,000 people of various ethnic and religious groups were executed at Babi Yar.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his wife attended the commemoration ceremony and laid flowers at the memorial to Babi Yar victims.
A 21-year-old La Crosse man was still in Houston County Jail Wednesday after guns, including one reported lost and one reported stolen, drugs and paraphernalia were found in the vehicle he was driving Sept. 25.

The Houston County Sheriffs Office received information from the La Crosse Police Department that Bee Xiong, who had warrants out against him related to gang activity, was driving through La Crescent from the La Crosse area, according to a news release.

A Houston County Sheriffs Office deputy stopped the vehicle, which was occupied by four adult males, on Hwy. 44 near Indian Springs Road with help from the La Crescent Police Department.

Xiong was arrested on two Department of Correction warrants and one La Crosse County warrant. Law enforcement found multiple rounds of ammunition, eight handguns, .23 grams of methamphetamine, hypodermic needles, narcotics paraphernalia and alcohol. One of the handguns had been reported lost from Fort McCoy and another had been reported stolen from Vernon County, Wisconsin.

He was being held on charges of felon in possession of ammunition, controlled substance crime in the fifth degree, possession of hypodermic needles without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the news release.

Other weapons charges will likely be considered after further investigation, according to the Houston County Sheriffs Office. Xiong has convictions in Wisconsin for manufacturing/delivering amphetamines, possession of methamphetamine and carrying a concealed weapon.
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on September 28 said Russia is trying to "shield Iran" from inspections by the UN's nuclear watchdog of some activities that could contribute to developing a nuclear bomb.

Nikki Haley has been pushing to increase and broaden the inspections conducted by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is charged with monitoring compliance with restrictions on nuclear activities that Tehran agreed to in exchange for sanctions relief under the 2015 nuclear deal.

But while Haley has been urging the watchdog to broaden its inspections in Iran, UN diplomats say Russia has been trying to diminish the agency's role by arguing it has no authority to police one critical section of the deal.

That section, known as section T, bans "activities which could contribute to the development of a nuclear explosive device." It lists examples such as using computer models that simulate a nuclear bomb, or designing multi-point, explosive detonation systems.

Unlike many other parts of the deal, section T makes no mention of the IAEA and does not specify how compliance with the section will be verified.

UN diplomats said Russia is arguing that means the IAEA has no authority to monitor compliance with the section by conducting inspections. Russia is one of the six world powers that signed the deal with Iran.

The United States and its Western allies Britain, France, and Germany, which also signed the deal, disagree with Russia's interpretation, and Haley took their case public in a statement at the UN.

"If the Iran nuclear deal is to have any meaning, the parties must have a common understanding of its terms," Haley said.

"Iranian officials have already said they will refuse to allow inspections at military sites, even though the IAEA says there must be no distinction between military and non-military sites.

"Now it appears that some countries are attempting to shield Iran from even more inspections," Haley said. "Without inspections, the Iran deal is an empty promise."

The matter is particularly important to the United States right now because U.S. President Donald Trump faces a mid-October deadline for deciding whether to certify that Iran is in compliance with the deal.

Haley has said his certification is in doubt unless the IAEA is able to conduct broader and more vigorous inspections of Iran's sites and activities.

Iran and Russia have not commented publicly on the matter.

Earlier this month, the head of the Iranian nuclear program, Ali Akbar Salehi, accused Washington of trying to sabotage the agreement by demanding more inspections, and called on the IAEA to resist Washington's "unacceptable demands."

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jon Huntsman, a former U.S. envoy to China and governor of the state of Utah, as ambassador to Russia.

Also on September 28, the Senate confirmed John Bass as ambassador to Afghanistan and Wess Mitchell as assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, a job with a portfolio that encompasses the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Huntsman, 57, has extensive diplomatic experience as ambassador to China in 2009-2011, under President Barack Obama, and ambassador to Singapore in 1992-1993, under President George Bush.

The Senate's approval of his nomination on a unanimous voice vote without any prior debate showed the broad bipartisan support in Congress for putting Huntsman in the sensitive Moscow post.

It comes at a time when several congressional committees and the Justice Department are investigating allegations that Russia tried to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Huntsman said in testimony earlier this month that "there is no question, underline no question, that the Russian government interfered in the U.S. election last year.... And Moscow continues to meddle in the democratic processes of our friends and allies."

Huntsman also told lawmakers that he would not hesitate to remind Russian officials that they are accountable for their actions.

But he said Washington has no choice but to interact with Russia in trying to solve global crises in Syria, North Korea, and other areas.

Democratic and Republican senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in unanimously approving Huntsman's nomination earlier this week, praised his qualifications and experience.

Huntsman unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. presidency in 2012, and was a critic of Trump during the campaign last year.

Trump has called for improving Russian-U.S. relations, which have been badly strained by rancor over the election-meddling charges, Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, and other issues.

Russia denies meddling, despite ample evidence, and Trump denies any collusion with Russia by himself or his associates.

Senate approval for Huntsman came on the day that outgoing U.S. ambassador John Tefft left Moscow at the end of his tenure.

In an op-ed article in The Moscow Times on September 28, Tefft wrote that the U.S.-relationship has "reached another low point."



"Americans are concerned and angry about Russian interference in our elections and by the Russian authorities refusal to accept their responsibility for it," Tefft wrote.

He wrote that "we need to rebuild trust" and that "the American people want the two most powerful nuclear nations in the world to have a better relationship."

"From the earliest days of this Administration we have said time and again that we would prefer a constructive relationship with Russia based on cooperation on common interests," Tefft wrote. "We remain prepared to try to find a way forward."

With reporting by AP and Reuters


Nurullo Otahonov, a former editor whose religiously themed memoirs cast Uzbekistan's previous regime in a harsh light, this month became one of the country's first exiled dissidents to return home following the death last year of longtime President Islam Karimov.

But the homecoming from Istanbul was cut short by Otahonov's immediate arrest at Tashkent International Airport on September 27, raising questions about the new leadership's high-profile efforts to improve Uzbekistan's image and calls by President Shavkat Mirziyoev for Uzbeks abroad to come home.

Now, Otahonov's family has warned that Uzbek lawyers are afraid to represent the 63-year-old author, who remains in custody on sedition and extremism charges that reportedly stem from his two-year-old book, titled These Days.

"Two [or] three defense lawyers told me that the authorities could punish them for defending Nurullo Otahonov's case," the author's wife, Gulnara Otahonova, told RFE/RL from Tashkent on September 28.

Officials have said the charges against Otahonov (aka Nurulloh Muhammad Raufkhon) include public calls to overthrow Uzbekistan's government, producing or possessing extremist religious material, and possessing symbols of religious extremist and terrorist organizations.

His book, published from exile in Turkey in 2016, criticized decades of policies under Karimov, including his crackdown on Islam.

It was deemed extremist by the government's Committee for Religious Issues in May, eight months after Mirziyoev took the reins of government in one of post-Soviet Central Asia's more repressive systems amid outside calls for democratic reform and rule of law.

In August, Mirziyoev's government announced that thousands of names had been taken off a blacklist created under Karimov identifying Uzbeks whose presence in the country was deemed undesirable.

Never necessarily a household name among Uzbeks, Otahonov served as director of the Movarounnahr publishing house and chief editor of the moderate religious magazine Hidoyat until he was dismissed from both posts in 2013.

He left for Turkey in 2015, reportedly at the invitation of a publishing house there. But the pressure at home increased when Uzbek authorities raided Otahonov's home and put him on a blacklist of suspected extremists, prompting him to remain abroad.

Uzbek authorities said this week that the criminal case against Otahonov was only opened earlier this year, well after Karimov was out of the picture.

Deputy Tashkent police chief Doniyor Toshkhojaev told reporters on September 28 that Otahonov had been charged in absentia and put on a wanted list after the criminal investigation was launched on May 12.

Investigators have not received any documents suggesting that Otahonov requested an "amnesty" or told them he was returning to the country, Toshkhojaev added.

Before leaving Istanbul, Otahonov told RFE/RL that he decided to return to his homeland after Mirziyoev's recent public call for all Uzbek intellectuals living abroad to return despite the advice of "friends [who] advised me not to return to Uzbekistan for some time."

Otahonova said her husband had been handcuffed and taken to a police station, and was not allowed to speak to relatives waiting for him at the airport.

Police later informed her that her husband was detained because of a probe launched into the contents of his book.

If found guilty, Otahonov could face up to 13 years in prison.

Deputy police chief Toshkhojaev said that if Otahonov's innocence was demonstrated or his case fell within the scope of an amnesty, police would act accordingly.

With reporting by Gazeta.uz and Reuters


U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Litigation Release No. 23950 / September 29, 2017 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission v. Micheal A. Skerry, No. 17-civ-00415 (N.D. Ind. filed Sept. 28, 2017) SEC Charges Stock Promoter With Fraudulent Manipulation Scheme The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced fraud charges against a Canadian man behind an alleged scheme to manipulate the shares of a penny stock. The SEC's complaint alleges that Micheal A. Skerry, of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, illegally profited by manipulating the price and demand of Success Holding Group International, Inc., a penny stock whose securities were quoted on OTC Link, through a practice known as "scalping." The SEC alleges that he entered into agreements with Success Holdings to provide investor relations services and to purchase shares of Success Holdings stock at a discount. Skerry allegedly paid $36,000 to Success Holding in exchange for 360,000 shares of Success Holding stock and immediately began taking steps to generate interest in the company through a fraudulent campaign to drive up public demand for Success Holding stock. Among other things, the SEC's complaint alleges that Skerry posted misleading messages on public websites and sent blast emails to potential investors urging them to buy Success Holding stock without telling them that he owned the stock and intended to sell it at the earliest opportunity. The SEC alleges that Skerry sold all his shares of Success Holding stock to the public for a profit of over $950,000. Skerry's sales allegedly made up more than 60% of the trading volume during the period, including 100% of the trading volume on certain days. The SEC's complaint charges Skerry with violating Sections 5 and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The SEC seeks a permanent injunction, a penny stock bar, disgorgement, pre- and post-judgment interest, and a civil penalty. The SEC also charged Success Holding with selling shares of its stock in an unregistered transaction to Skerry while knowing that he planned to immediately resell the shares to the public, and with failing to file Forms 10-Q or Forms 10-K for any periods since the period ended June 30, 2015. The SEC's order ffinds that Success Holding violated Section 5 of the Securities Act, Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act and Rules 13a-1 and 13a-13 thereunder. Without admitting or denying the findings in the SEC's order, Success Holding agreed to a cease-and-desist order and to pay disgorgement of $36,000, prejudgment interest of $3,737 and civil penalties of $100,000, for a total of $139,737 in four installments. Success Holding also agreed to bring its filings with the SEC current. The SEC also instituted administrative proceedings under Section 12(j) of the Exchange Act to revoke Success Holding's registration in the event that Success Holding fails to bring its filings current. The SEC's order stays the revocation proceedings to provide Success Holding time to comply. The SEC's investigation was conducted by Jedediah B. Forkner and Wilburn Saylor, and was supervised by Anne C. McKinley in the Chicago Regional Office. The litigation against Skerry will be led by Michael Foster. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the British Columbia Securities Commission. SEC Complaint Order - Success Holding Group International, Inc. (33-10418) Order - Success Holding Group International, Inc. (34-81751) https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2017/lr23950.htm

Modified: 09/29/2017
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.
Blessed Sacrament School and West Salem Elementary are the cream of the crop.

The two were named to this years Blue Ribbon Schools list, an award given by the U.S Department of Education to only 342 schools in the nation. This honor recognizes K-12 schools with top academic performance or those schools that have shown great effort to reduce achievement gaps between minority and non-minority students over a five-year period.

Nine schools in Wisconsin were given blue ribbon honors this year as well as eight in Minnesota. As part of a celebration at Blessed Sacrament, the more than 200 students in grades three through six waved blue shakers, got their own blue ribbon stickers and partook in a snack of blue cupcakes, blueberry muffins and blue raspberry powder drink mix.

Out of the more than 33,600 private schools in the nation, only 50 were nominated this year for a Blue Ribbon award. Blessed Sacrament was awarded for exemplary high performance as a result of scoring in the top 15 percent of the nation on the Star Assessments in both reading and mathematics.

During the celebration, students watched a video of remarks from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos; she spoke of the dedication it takes from the community, students and staff to become a Blue Ribbon School, as well as the innovation that takes place to set these schools apart from their peers.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future, she said. You are visionaries, innovators and leaders.

The occasion marked the third Blue Ribbon Award for Aquinas Catholic Schools, which also received an award in 2008 for Aquinas High School and 2013 for Aquinas Middle School. This is the first award for a school in the West Salem School District, whose 895 students in pre-kindergarten through grade five who were recognized for their performance in state assessments.

This truly is a community award, Principal Ryan Reiber said. We would not be able to have the community that we have without our schools, and our schools are what they are because of the support throughout the West Salem community. This recognition is not solely reflective on the staff and students that are currently at West Salem Elementary, but this recognizes all of those that have worked here over the years.

Onalaska High School is the only other public school in La Crosse County to have received the award. It was honored for academic performance in 2015.
A commercial effort to get humans into orbit around Mars in the late 2020s now includes a sleek vehicle to send astronauts down to the surface of the Red Planet.

The aerospace company Lockheed Martin late Thursday (Sept. 28) revealed new details for its Mars Base Camp plan, an architecture aimed at building a crewed space station in orbit around the Red Planet that would support long-term exploration at Mars by astronautson 1,000-day missions. Among the updates unveiled was a tantalizing design for a reusable, single-stage surface lander called the Mars Ascent/Descent Vehicle (MADV). [In Pictures: Lockheed Martin's Mars Base Camp Plan]

The MADV would attach to the space station, and travel to and from the Martian surface via supersonic retropropulsion, which uses rocket engines to slow the lander from supersonic speeds during its descent, according to three Lockheed Martin engineers who discussed the lander in a presentation at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Adelaide, Australia. Supersonic retropropulsion is the same approach used by SpaceX in to land its reusable Falcon 9 rocket boosters.

The surface landing vehicle for Lockheed Martin's Mars Base Camp is shown to the left of the space station in this artist's illustration. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin)

A base camp for Mars

The initial crewed missions to the Martian surface would be "relatively short-duration, science-focused missions," according to a newly-released report from the company (which you can read and download here). Eventually, the reusable lander would allow up to four astronauts to take two-week missions to the ground. The report suggests sending two landers, mostly for redundancy purposes to ensure astronauts don't get stuck on the surface of the planet.

The lander would refuel on the space station, and would utilize liquid hydrogen fuel, which would come from water molecules broken into their composite oxygen and hydrogen atoms. (This requires energy that would be supplied by the solar panels on the station.)

The use of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellant is an integral part of the entire Mars Base Camp (MBC) architecture, the company representatives said. While that water could initially come from Earth, it could later come from water ice frozen on asteroids, in shadowed regions of the moon's surface, from possible sources on Mars' two moons, or from Mars itself. The water would be delivered to the station by a Water Delivery Vehicles (WDVs), which could be operated by a separate commercial entity, the Lockheed Martin engineers said.

The Mars Ascent/Descent Vehicle (MADV), shown in this artist's illustration, is part of Lockheed Martin's Mars Base Camp architecture. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin)

The crew quarters on the lander would be designed after NASA's Orion human crew capsule for deep-space exploration, which is still in development, but which NASA plans to use in its pursuit of a human Mars mission. Lockheed Martin is NASA's prime contractor for Orion.

Lockheed Martin is developing its Mars habitat design as part of NASA's Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) program. The company received $982,039 in funding from the first round of the program.

From the moon to Mars

The MBC also relies on the use of NASA's Deep Space Gateway at the moon, which is likely to be a small orbiting space station. This would serve as a waystation or in-space launching point for crewed missions on the way to Mars.

The MBC architecture would also use of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, currently in development, to get astronauts and components to Mars, the company has said. The MBC space station would consist of multiple separate components, some of which would be launched straight from Earth, while others might undergo some construction in cislunar space.

Mars Base Camp is named after the base camps set up for climbing expeditions to the tops of mountains like Everest. In this case, the "peak" is down on the surface, and the base camp is in orbit, and would serve a similar purpose to those mountain camps: a place for humans to prepare before making their way to the surface of the Red Planet.

"Base camps are not a destination unto themselves," said Rob Chambers, one of the Lockheed engineers who spoke at the conference. "They're a place from which you then set out  in this case, to descend to the surfaces of other worlds."

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
A new image reveals a distant newcomer to our solar system: the farthest active comet ever spotted, heading toward the sun for the first time.

The Hubble Space Telescope captured a view of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), called K2 for short, as it came in from out beyond Saturn's orbit, 1.5 billion miles from the sun. As it approaches the sun and the temperature rises from minus 440 degrees Fahrenheit, the comet is developing a fluffy cloud of dust, called a coma, which surrounds its frozen body. While the comet's nucleus appears to be just 12 miles across, the coma stretches 10 times Earth's diameter.

According to a statement from NASA, K2 likely began its journey in the spherical Oort Cloud surrounding the solar system, which hosts hundreds of billions of comets and stretches almost a light-year across. Because it's the comet's first trip into the solar system, its composition could reflect conditions in the early system, before planets formed. [Photos: Spectacular Comet Views from Earth and Space]

A newfound distant comet  1.5 billion miles from the sun  boasts the earliest signs of activity ever seen on a comet entering the solar system. (Image credit: D. Jewitt/NASA/ESA/UCLA)

The comet's fuzzy halo likely comes from substances such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide turning from solid to gas as the comet approaches the sun's warmth for the first time.

"I think these volatiles are spread all through K2, and in the beginning billions of years ago, they were probably all through every comet presently in the Oort Cloud," David Jewitt, lead author on the study and a researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in the statement. "But the volatiles on the surface are the ones that absorb the heat from the sun, so, in a sense, the comet is shedding its outer skin."

"Most comets are discovered much closer to the sun, near Jupiter's orbit, so by the time we see them, these surface volatiles have already been baked off," he added. "That's why I think K2 is the most primitive comet we've seen." Most comets' comas come from evaporating water and ice, but K2 is too far from the sun for that process to have begun.

Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), also known as K2, on its first journey into the Solar System. The comet was observed halfway between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus (Pluto is the furthest orbit visible in the image). (Image credit: A. Field/NASA/ESA/STScl)

Researchers first spotted K2 in May 2017 with data from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). The new Hubble view let Jewitt's team measure the size of K2's nucleus and confirm that it hasn't yet developed a comet's signature tail.

They also spotted K2 in earlier images, gathered in 2013 by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) in Hawaii; at the time, nobody had noticed the incredibly faint object, according to the statement, but Jewitt's team was able to identify the comet and its growing coma of material.

"We think the comet has been continuously active for at least four years," Jewitt said. "In the CFHT data, K2 had a coma already at 2 billion miles from the sun, when it was between the orbits of Uranus and Neptune. It was already active, and I think it has been continuously active coming in."

"As it approaches the sun, it's getting warmer and warmer, and the activity is ramping up," he added.

Over the next five years, the comet will travel closer to the sun, allowing researchers to follow its journey  it will approach closest to the sun in 2022, just outside Mars' orbit.

"We will be able to monitor for the first time the developing activity of a comet falling in from the Oort Cloud over an extraordinary range of distances," Jewitt said. "It should become more and more active as it nears the sun and presumably will form a tail."

The new work was detailed Sept. 28 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
NASA astronaut Joe Acaba beamed prayers and support for the people of Puerto Rico down from the International Space Station this week in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria's devastation to the U.S. territory.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico last week as a Category 4 storm and left widespread devastation in its wake. Most of the island is still without power eight days after the storm passed, and floods and debris from the hurricane have made it difficult to distribute supplies like food, water and fuel to the residents of Puerto Rico.

"From @Space_Station, thinking and praying for all families and friends in Puerto Rico," Acaba wrote on Twitter Sunday (Sept. 24). He also shared a photo of himself wearing a shirt with the Puerto Rican flag while floating in the space station's Cupola observatory. [In Photos: Hurricane Maria Seen from Space]

Acaba, who arrived at the International Space Station earlier this month, was the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to join NASA's astronaut corps. And this isn't the first time he has brought his Puerto Rican pride into space.

In 2009, Acaba took his maiden voyage into space on the space shuttle Discovery for mission STS-119. He brought a Puerto Rican flag along for the mission and requested that one of the crew's "wake-up songs" be a Puerto Rican folklore song titled "Que Bonita Bandera," which translates to "What a Beautiful Flag."

"No Puerto Rican can travel without their Puerto Rican flag, so I have my share of those," Acaba told the Associated Press during an in-flight interview on Sept. 20. "Pretty soon, the space station's going to start looking like Puerto Rico with all the flags, so sorry, gentlemen," he said to his Expedition 53 crewmates, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei and the European Space Agency's Paolo Nespoli.

Acaba wasn't born in Puerto Rico but rather Inglewood, California. However, his parents are from Puerto Rico. "I do still have a lot of family there," Acaba said. "I hope everyone's doing well and that you take care of yourselves."

Just three weeks before Acaba blasted off to the International Space Station, he had to deal with another catastrophic storm. When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, his home was flooded along with thousands of other homes in the area.

See more

"Luckily, there was an army of folks in the Houston area  a lot coming from the Johnson Space Center  that helped clean out my house, started yanking out walls and going through the drying process," Acaba said.

"It's certainly hard when people you care about are in a situation where you can't help them out and they need help," added Vande Hei, whose home is also located in Houston but wasn't flooded during Hurricane Harvey. "We're very fortunate, because there really are a lot of people in the community where our families live that are willing to go out of their way to look after our families, recognizing that we can't do it ourselves. So that's been hugely appreciated."

Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
NASA's Dawn spacecraft has now been exploring the final frontier for a decade.

Dawn launched on Sept. 27, 2007, kicking off a $467 million mission to study the two largest objects in the asteroid belt  the protoplanet Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres  up close. Vesta and Ceres are considered leftovers from the planet-formation period, so Dawn's work is designed to shed light on the solar system's early days (hence the mission's name).

The probe has done all that was asked of it and more, mission team members said. [How NASA's Dawn Mission Works (Infographic)]

"Our interplanetary spaceship has exceeded all expectations in the last decade, delivering amazing insights about these two fascinating bodies," Dawn principal investigator Chris Russell, of UCLA, said in a statement.

Dawn arrived at Vesta in July 2011 and circled the 330-mile-wide (530 kilometers) object for 14 months. The spacecraft's observations revealed, among other things, that Vesta's giant Rheasilvia Crater is even bigger than scientists had thought, with a diameter of 310 miles (500 km) and a depth of 12 miles (19 km).

And, if those dimensions weren't extreme enough for you, a mountain twice the height of Mount Everest rises from Rheasilvia's center.

In September 2012, Dawn departed Vesta for the 590-mile-wide (950 km) Ceres, the closest dwarf planet to the sun. The spacecraft arrived in March 2015, in the process becoming the first spacecraft ever to orbit two different bodies beyond the Earth-moon system, and the first to circle a dwarf planet.

Dawn has been studying Ceres from orbit ever since. This work has led to some surprising and intriguing discoveries. For example, Dawn has spotted mysterious bright deposits in multiple locations on Ceres  most notably, at the bottom of the dwarf planet's 57-mile-wide (92 km) Occator Crater.

Dawn also discovered the "lonely mountain" Ahuna Mons, an apparent ice volcano that towers 3 miles (5 km) above the rest of Ceres' cratered landscape.

"Though both Ahuna Mons and Occator appear dormant, they suggest that liquid water flowed once beneath the surface of Ceres, and may even still be there today, if it is enriched in salts that would lower its freezing point," NASA officials wrote in the same statement.

Three of Dawn's four orientation-maintaining reaction wheels have failed during the probe's time in space. But the mission team has powered through this issue, instead controlling Dawn's orientation using its hydrazine thrusters. Indeed, the spacecraft remains healthy overall, and is continuing to gather data from its 30-Earth-day-long elliptical orbit of Ceres, NASA officials said.

"This continues to be a mission for everyone who yearns for new knowledge, everyone who is curious about the cosmos, and everyone who is exhilarated by bold adventures into the unknown," said Marc Rayman, Dawn mission director and chief engineer, who's based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

The Virginia-based company Orbital ATK designed and built Dawn, and JPL manages the spacecraft's mission.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook, Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Japan's Akatsuki is a spacecraft that is orbiting Venus to study the planet's climate and atmosphere. The $300-million spacecraft began its science observations in 2016 and remained operational as of late 2017. During its mission, the spacecraft has made some unexpected observations.

Akatsuki  the name means "dawn" in Japanese  had a rocky start. Its first attempt to go into orbit around Venus in 2010 failed. However, a second try in 2015 was successful, and allowed investigators to do some of the science they had originally planned for the planet. However, two infrared cameras were disabled in December 2016 due to unstable power consumption.

Japanese space exploration history

Japan has enjoyed several successes in three decades of space exploration, first with the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and later with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). ISAS was previously its own agency, but became a division of JAXA in 2003).

Under ISAS, two probes, the Suisei and the Sagigake, flew by Halley's Comet in 1986. The two spacecraft were targeted to fly by other comets as well, but the missions did not complete either because of lack of fuel (Suisei) or lost contact (Sakigake). Under JAXA, the Hayabusa mission, from 2005 to 2010, returned samples from an asteroid, 25143 Itokawa.

JAXA also flew the Ikaros solar sail testing mission successfully in 2010, as well as Kaguya, a mission to the moon, from 2007 to 2009. Hayabusa 2 launched in 2014. Its mission is to return samples from another asteroid, 162173 Ryugu. The spacecraft is expected to arrive in 2018.

The only other Japanese planetary mission flown to date is Nozomi, which was supposed to go into orbit around Mars in 2004. The spacecraft failed to achieve orbit and did a flyby instead. However, JAXA is a partner with the European Space Agency on the BepiColombo mission, which is expected to launch in 2018 for Mercury. JAXA's contribution to the mission is the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, which will study the atmosphere, planetary magnetic field, solar wind and dust.

In crewed spaceflight, Mamoru Mohri was the first Japanese astronaut to fly in 1992, aboard the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour for mission STS-47. JAXA has an active astronaut corps and has flown approximately 20 missions to date. Since 2011, Japanese astronauts have done long-term missions aboard the International Space Station approximately once per year.

Akatsuki launch, failed flyby and recovery

Akatsuki, also known as Venus Climate Orbiter and Planet-C, launched from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center on May 20, 2010, a few days after its scheduled departure due to a weather delay. (The solar sailing mission Ikaros rode along on the same rocket.) On Dec. 7 of that year, Akatuski's main engine fired to start orbital insertion around Venus. The main engine only fired for three minutes, far less than the 12 minutes needed to achieve orbit. Officials were concerned when comparing Akatsuki to the failure of Nozomi, their only other planetary mission, just seven years before.

"Our score is zero wins, two losses," Takehiko Satoh, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), told Space.com at the 2010 fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union. "We have to be more conservative to plan our next planetary mission, so it will never fail in any aspect."

JAXA launched an investigation and concluded the engine likely shut off due to salt deposits in a check valve, which prevented fuel from circulating in the orbital maneuvering engine. The combustion chamber was also damaged because the deposits made the combustion more oxidizer-rich.

To buy time and save power, JAXA put the spacecraft into hibernation while figuring out a recovery plan. Managers decided to use smaller attitude thrusters to attempt another orbital insertion around Venus, rather than attempting another use of the damaged main engine. While the thrusters' weaker power wouldn't place Akatsuki in the planned orbit, the spacecraft could still do science from its modified trajectory.

Akatsuki drifted in an orbit around the sun for five years, until it got close enough to Venus in 2015 to attempt another orbital insertion at the planet. On Dec. 6  coincidentally, five years to the day after the last attempt  Akatsuki fired its attitude-control thrusters for 20 minutes and made it successfully into orbit.

The new plan inserted Akatsuki into a 13-day orbit with a maximum distance (apoapsis) of 273,000 miles (440,000 kilometers) from the surface of Venus. After some engine burns, the expected science orbit was a nine-day orbit with an apoapsis of 193,000 miles (310,000 kilometers). By comparison, the original plan in 2010 was to put Akatsuki into a 30-hour orbit with an apoapsis almost four times closer, or 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers).

Japan's Akatsuki spacecraft captured this image of Venus after its attitude control engine thrust ejection on Dec. 7, 2015, at a distance of 45,000 miles (72,000 km) from Venus. (Image credit: JAXA)

Science and current observations

The main goal of Akatsuki is to understand more about the climate of Venus. Venus is often described as a hellish planet because its surface temperatures are hot enough to melt lead, and the few Soviet Venera spacecraft that landed there in the 1970s and 1980s only survived minutes on the surface due to the extreme pressure and heat. The planet is volcanically active with a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.

While many spacecraft have flown by Venus, it has only been visited long term by a few orbiters, such as multiple Venera spacecraft (Soviet Union, 1970s and 1980s), NASA's Pioneer Venus 1 (1978-1992), NASA's Magellan (1989-1994), and the European Space Agency's Venus Express (2005-2015).

Akatsuki was expected to observe Venus in wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to long-wave infrared, through its six instruments. These included an ultraviolet imager, a 1-micrometer camera, a 2-micrometer camera, a long-wave infrared camera, a lightning and airglow camera, and an ultra-stable oscillator. (The latter instrument is used to look at radio waves between Akatsuki and Earth as they pass through the Venusian atmosphere, revealing information about temperature and sulphuric acid vapor.) However, the 1-m camera and 2-m camera were put offline in late 2016 due to unstable power consumption.

"Akatsuki takes advantage of the six instruments to observe meteorological phenomena on Venus in detail," ISAS said in a statement. "These findings are expected to lead to a better understanding of meteorological phenomena not only on Venus, but also on other planets and further help explicate why the Earth's atmosphere is the way it is, as well as how it may change in the future."

In May 2016, Akatsuki data helped produce a ghostly movie of Venus' night side, as seen in infrared wavelengths. JAXA observed that in just four hours, the super-rotating clouds captured on camera moved by about 10 degrees. "Deformation, appearance and disappearance of clouds are obvious in this movie," JAXA said.

In 2017, scientists released puzzling data showing a large stationary wave in the upper atmosphere of Venus, where clouds usually whip along at 100 meters (328 feet) a second. A related study in Nature suggested the wave might be due to atmospheric flow over a mountain, similar to how "gravity waves" are produced on Earth.

Later that year, Akatsuki scientists uncovered data suggesting varying wind speeds at the equator at altitudes of between 45 and 60 kilometers (28 and 37 miles). Previous studies suggested the wind speed is uniform at this altitude.

"Venus' whole atmosphere is rotating much faster than the surface below at the altitude of the cloud top (70 km), a unique situation called super-rotation," JAXA stated at the time. "Its mechanism is still largely unclear."

Additional resources
Image of the Day Archives

NASA, ESA and Orsola De Marco (Macquarie University)

For older Image of the Day pictures, please visit the Image of the Day archives. Pictured: NGC 2467.

Crescent Moon & Venus

ESO/Y. Beletsky

Thursday, June 1, 2017: A big, bright Venus dominates the sky beside a tiny sliver of a crescent moon in this photo by European Southern Observatory photographer Yuri Beletsky. The stunning celestial pair rose within just a few degrees of each other in the early morning sky on Monday, May 22.  Hanneke Weitering

Falcon 9 on Pad 39A

Glenn Benson/NASA

Friday, June 2, 2017: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and first refurbished Dragon spacecraft stand ready for launch on NASA's historic Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The two were set to blast off toward the International Space Station yesterday, but the flight was delayed due to lightning strikes in the area. Their next launch window opens on Saturday (June 3) at 5:07 p.m. EDT (2107 GMT).  Hanneke Weitering

SpaceX Sticks Another Landing

SpaceX

Monday, June 5, 2017: After launching its 11th cargo resupply mission toward the International Space Station on Saturday (June 3), SpaceX brought a Falcon 9 rocket booster back for another incredible upright landing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.  Hanneke Weitering

Drifting Down to Earth

Stephane Corvaja/ESA

Tuesday, June 6, 2017: A Russian Soyuz spacecraft parachutes down to Earth, bringing European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy back from a 196-day stay aboard the International Space Station. The two touched down in Kazakhstan on Friday (June 2) at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT or 8:10 p.m. local Kazakh time).  Hanneke Weitering

Venus & the Milky Way

Wednesday, June 7, 2017: A skywatcher gazes at the Milky Way with Venus shining brightly on the horizon in this photo taken at Gallagher Canyon near Lexington, Nebraska on Nov. 30, 2016. Amateur astrophotographer Oscar Vasquez told Space.com that this was "the first picture I have ever taken where you can actually appreciate the night sky."  Hanneke Weitering

Pence Welcomes New Astronauts

Bill Ingalls/NASA

Thursday, June 8, 2017: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence gave a warm welcome to NASA's newest astronaut class at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston yesterday after the space agency announced their latest recruits.  Hanneke Weitering

A Once-Watery Martian Crater

ESA/DLR/FU Berlin

Friday, June 9, 2017: This ancient Martian crater may have once been filled with water. The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter created this composite image of the scene, which is located in the Margaritifer Terra region of the planet's southern hemisphere. So-called "chaotic terrain" seen in and around the 44-mile-wide (70 km) crater suggests that there could have been a lake or large amounts of subsurface water in the region around 4 billion years ago.  Hanneke Weitering

Stellar Symbiosis

NASA/CXC/SAO/R. Montez et al./Adam Block/Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter/U. Arizona

Monday, June 12, 2017: R Aquarii looks like one star, but it actually consists of two so-called "symbiotic stars"  one small, dense white dwarf and a larger, cooler red giant. The white dwarf star is less massive than its red giant companion, but it's also more compact, which gives it a strong gravitational force. It pulls away the outer layers of the red giant, accumulating enough material to trigger thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen. This produces occasional nova explosions on its surface.  Hanneke Weitering

Saturn & Mimas

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Tuesday, June 13, 2017: Far out in the background of this image from NASA's Cassini spacecraft is Saturn's "Death Star" moon, Mimas. The little moon measures only 246 miles (396 kilometers across) across and has a large basin spanning roughly one-third its diameter. Cassini captured this photo while orbiting over Saturn's northern hemisphere on March 27.  Hanneke Weitering

Space Station Flyover

Gowrishankar L.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017: The International Space Station streaks across the New Jersey sky in this image by astrophotographer Gowrishankar L. It flew over an observatory at Jenny Jump State Forest for about five minutes on June 3, taking just enough time for the stars to leave small trails in the photo as they circle around the North Star.  Hanneke Weitering
The deluge of oil trains rolling through La Crosse three years ago has slowed to a trickle as the bulk of North Dakotas oil production now moves through pipelines, helping the rail industry comply with new federal safety regulations.

That has assuaged some concerns, though rail safety and environmental advocates remain vigilant over ongoing threats from other hazardous materials on the rails.

A new report from the federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows rail shippers are on track to meet a 2018 deadline to stop hauling crude oil in old, unprotected tank cars, but tens of thousands of those DOT-111 cars remain in service hauling ethanol and other flammable liquids.

Documents submitted this month to state authorities show BNSF Railway is now moving less than four fully-loaded oil trains per week along its tracks through western Wisconsin. Thats down from an average of 36 trains in 2014.

Canadian Pacific, which in 2014 was hauling 7 to 11 trains per week on its Wisconsin route, reported in 2016 that its weekly traffic was down to 1 to 3 trains.

Together that translates to a roughly 97 percent reduction in the number of oil trains passing through La Crosse County.

Its kind of a good thing, but there are still concerns, said Alan Stankevitz, a La Crescent-based wildlife photographer and editor of a rail safety watchdog blog.

Those concerns include ethanol, ammonia, benzene and other unknown hazardous materials that are transported by rail every day, about which the public -- and some first responders -- have little knowledge and that pose potential threats to thousands of people who live and work near railroad tracks as well as to the Mississippi River, flanked by two major rail carriers.

Theres still plenty of other hazardous materials that if they were to get into the river system would be catastrophic, said Stankevitz, who was one of nine plaintiffs who took the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to court in 2015 in an unsuccessful attempt to block BNSF Railway from expanding its capacity in Wisconsin.

Bill Davis, director for the Wisconsin chapter of the Sierra Club, shares that concern.

While the Sierra Club didnt like the idea of putting people at risk to move fossil fuels, the group also warned about the environmental dangers of hazardous materials moving over aging rails and bridges.

From our perspective it really is kind of sheer tonnage and lack of maintenance, Davis said. And its not getting any better.

Rail safety advocates are also concerned about the continued use of older tank cars, known as DOT-111s, that the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded are inadequately designed to prevent punctures and breaches in derailments.

Federal rules will prohibit the use of unmodified DOT-111s for crude oil starting in 2018. But those tank cars can legally be kept in service for ethanol and other flammable liquids for up to another 12 years.

Off the rails, into the pipes

North Dakota hasnt stopped producing oil. Its just being moved through different means.

Despite trailing off since the end of 2014, Bakken oil field production in July was 13 times what it was a decade earlier, according to state data.

The total amount of oil shipped out of the Midwest by rail in June was about 5.5 million barrels, a quarter what it was at the peak. Meanwhile, more than 78 million barrels were moved by pipelines, more than double what it was three years earlier. The Dakota Access Pipeline, which became operational in June, could carry another 15 million barrels a month.

The reasons are economic, said Lorne Stockman, research director for Oil Change International, a clean energy advocacy group.

Crude by rail really was one based on high oil prices, Stockman said. Its a more expensive way to move your oil around.

In the early part of the decade, oil was relatively cheap in North Dakota and expensive on the East Coast. There is no pipeline connecting the two regions, but producers could afford to pay $10 to $15 a barrel to have it shipped by rail.

Congress lifted the ban on exporting U.S. oil in 2015, bringing domestic oil prices more in line with imports. With prices hovering around $50 a barrel, Stockman said, its more cost-effective for the East Coast refineries to buy from overseas.

But if prices climb, those oil trains could return, said Ryan Kellogg, professor at the University of Chicago and author of a recent paper that found rail offers producers and shippers a flexibility that is valuable enough to discourage some investment in new pipelines.

Its not an overnight thing, but over a period of a few months they can ramp it back up, Kellogg said.

Lost revenue, furloughs

In 2014, BNSF Railway was moving up to 42 oil trains per month through La Crosse County and was looking to expand capacity on its line through western Wisconsin as part of a $6 billion investment in its network. The company also hired about 130 additional crew members in La Crosse, where roughly half its state workforce is based.

Now the Texas-based railroad  like the industry as a whole  is dealing with a different problem as crude, coal, and container shipments have declined.

Overall our volumes were down about 5 percent (in 2016), said spokeswoman Amy McBeth. Crude oil is part of that.

McBeth did not provide employment numbers but said the change had some impact on staffing levels. The railroads capital investment plan for this year is just $3.4 billion, which McBeth said is focused more on maintenance than expansion.

Rick Hauser, the local legislative rep for the BNSF conductors union, said 120 of his members are currently furloughed, some for up to two years, although the railroad is hiring out West.

We just dont have as many people working, Hauser said.

Canadian Pacific, a publicly traded company whose tracks run along the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River and cross into Wisconsin in La Crosse, had a smaller share of crude oil but has also seen an impact.

Between 2014 and 2016, Canadian Pacific's crude oil revenue dropped from $484 million to just $138 million, going from 7 percent of total revenue to just 2 percent, according to the company's annual report.

DOT-111s still in service

In accordance with a 2015 law known as the FAST Act, the federal government has ordered rail shippers to stop using older tank cars for crude oil starting next year. With the decline in crude shipments, the industry is on track to meet that target.

But those cars, known as DOT-111s, may still be used to carry ethanol for another 5 1/2 years, and can legally be kept in service for other flammable liquids until 2029.

As of 2016, there were just over 81,000 tank cars being used to transport flammable liquids, according to a Department of Transportation analysis of industry data.

More than 5,300 tank cars built or retrofitted to the new safety standards were added to the fleet in 2016, tripling the number in service. But the 7,181 DOT-117s in service still account for less than 10 percent of the total fleet used to haul flammable liquids.

Older, non-jacketed DOT-111s  which the NTSB has found are prone to catastrophic releases when involved in derailments  still account for about 53 percent of the fleet, though their share declined rapidly last year.

But there are still nearly 43,000 of those legacy cars used for flammable liquids, and they make up four out of every five cars hauling ethanol, which the Federal Railroad Administration determined can be even more explosive than oil in derailments that result in fires.

The Association of American Railroads declined interview requests but provided a report on progress that showed just 156 DOT-111s had been used in the first six months of the year to haul crude oil.

The industry trade group notes, however, that it will need to replace an average of 385 cars per month in order to meet 2023 mandates for ethanol.

We are committed to meeting those deadlines, said Tom Simpson, president of the Railway Supply Institute, whose members manufacture rail carfs and own about 70 percent of the fleet.

BNSF offers its crude oil and ethanol customers financial incentives to use safer tank cars, and McBeth the railroad now has virtually no DOT-111 cars moving crude oil. McBeth said the ethanol incentive will be increased this fall.

Capt. Jeff Schott, who heads the La Crosse Fire Departments Hazmat Team, said it makes him uneasy to see the old 111s on the tracks, though he thinks the industry is doing what it can to meet its deadlines.

Any time they have the technology to be better obviously our field would want to have those placed in service as fast as possible, he said. I also know its commerce. Thats the way things change, and it just takes a little bit of time.

Less oil, but more ethanol

While theyre not hauling as much crude oil, railroads are transporting more ethanol.

According to the Energy Information Administration, overall shipment of ethanol fuel from the Midwest  which accounts for 99 percent of all rail shipment  grew by about 27 percent since the end of 2014, with trains carrying an average of about 20.9 million barrels a month in the first half of this year.

Ethanol is more flammable than oil and is soluble, which makes it practically impossible to extinguish with water or contain when spilled into water, according to a 2017 report by the state of Minnesota, which has 21 ethanol plants, mostly in the southern part of the state, that produce more than a billion gallons a year.

The report found that more than a quarter of first responders surveyed said they were less prepared to deal with an ethanol spill than with other hazardous materials.

BNSF has given the La Crosse Fire Department a trailer with tools to combat a hazmat spill or fire, and offers training for firefighters. Schott said many smaller and volunteer-based fire departments have taken advantage of the training, though others have not done anything.

McBeth said BNSF is prepared to handle any type of derailment.

We take an all-hazards approach, she said. We have transported various kinds of hazardous materials for years.

Staying vigilant

La Crosse County Supervisor Maureen Freedland, a leader of the local group Citizens Acting for Rail Safety, worries the lack of visible oil trains could lull people into complacency even as other hazardous materials roll through while local officials and citizens have little access to information about what trains are hauling or the condition of the tracks.

It was never only about the oil trains, she said. We still have the same safety concerns about training of fire fighters, the lack of inspectors, and secrecy and not knowing about bridge inspections.

While not as dangerous as crude oil, Stankevitz said ethanol  and even non-hazardous liquids  present a threat to the ecosystem, and trains that derail in the Mississippi River valley corridor tend to end up in the water.

In November 2015, a BNSF ethanol train derailed near Alma, Wis., spilling more than 20,000 gallons of alcohol. Two months later a Canadian Pacific train derailed near Brownsville, Minn., sending six tank cars and about 660 gallons of vegetable oil into the river.

My question is why are we not phasing out all DOT-111s? Stankevitz said. Youre still rolling the dice every time a DOT-111 comes down the track.
Image of the Day Archives

NASA, ESA and Orsola De Marco (Macquarie University)

For older Image of the Day pictures, please visit the Image of the Day archives. Pictured: NGC 2467.

Hubble Spots a Seyfert Galaxy

NASA/ESA/Hubble

Monday, July 3, 2017: The Hubble Space Telescope peered deep into space to image this bright galaxy with a name that's quite a mouthful: 2XMM J143448.3+033749. Classified as a Seyfert galaxy, this radiant system of stars is thought to contain a supermassive black hole at its center. It lies nearly 400 million light-years away from Earth.  Hanneke Weitering

Messier 77

ESO

Wednesday, July 5, 2017: The active galactic nucleus at the core of the spiral galaxy Messier 77 (also known as NGC 1068) glows brightly in this image from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in northern Chile. This luminosity comes from a supermassive black hole that is spewing high-energy radiation into its surroundings.  Hanneke Weitering

Reflection of the Milky Way

Chirag Upreti

Thursday, July 6, 2017:Stars of the Milky Way reflect off of California's Lake Sabrina in this image by astrophotographer Chirag Upreti. To the left, a meteor streaks over a snow-capped mountain peak of the Eastern Sierra.  Hanneke Weitering

Sunset Launch

SpaceX

Friday, July 7, 2017:A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida just before sunset on Tuesday (July 5). It successfully deployed the Intelsat 35e communication satellite into geostationary transfer orbit after a 30-minute flight to space.  Hanneke Weitering

Chilean Night Sky

ESO

Monday, July 10, 2017: This fish-eye view of the night sky was taken at the Paranal Observatory in Chile's Atacama Desert. The Milky Way is sprawled out over the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope array, while the Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud are visible in the top left.  Hanneke Weitering

Active Region 12665

NASA/SDO

Tuesday, July 11, 2017: After the sun was spotless for two days last week, this lone, speckled group of sunspots rotated into view on Wednesday, July 5. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has been tracking the sunspot and watching it grow ever since. Now known as Active Region 12665, this blob of sunspots could produce solar flares in the near future, though it's too early to predict, NASA scientists said.  Hanneke Weitering

'Hanging Out' With JWST

NASA/Chris Gunn

Wednesday, July 12, 2017: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope hangs in a special spacecraft hammock inside a testing chamber at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Being suspended inside this chamber will protect it from the vibration of the chamber walls when cryogenic testing begins, turning the room into a giant spacecraft refrigerator.  Hanneke Weitering

Jupiter's Red Spot Up Close

NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstadt

Thursday, July 13, 2017: NASA's Juno spacecraft flew by Jupiter's Great Red Spot on Monday (July 10) and captured this incredible view of the iconic storm. At the time, Juno was about 6,130 miles (9,866 kilometers) above the planet's cloud tops. Citizen scientist Gerald Eichstadt created this enhanced-color image using data from the spacecraft's onboard JunoCam.  Hanneke Weitering

Orion Egress Test

Andrew Kendrick/US Coast Guard

Friday, July 14, 2017: NASA's Orion space capsule, which will one day carry astronauts beyond the moon and into deep space, floats in the Gulf of Mexico as crewmembers simulate an emergency escape procedure on July 13. If anything were to go wrong with the capsule during its reentry and splashdown, the astronauts will have to exit through the top hatch, jump in the water and deploy an inflatable raft.  Hanneke Weitering

A Colorful Cosmic Cloud

NASA/JPL-Caltech/CXC/PSU/L. Townsley et al.

Monday, July 17, 2017: Meet W51, a giant molecular cloud filled with cosmic gas and dust located about 17,000 light-years from Earth. This new composite image of the star-forming region combines X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory (in blue) and infrared light seen by the Spitzer Space Telescope (orange and yellow-green).  Hanneke Weitering
Image of the Day Archives

NASA, ESA and Orsola De Marco (Macquarie University)

For older Image of the Day pictures, please visit the Image of the Day archives. Pictured: NGC 2467.

A Windy Sculptor

NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from Ortiz, A. C., Roy, S., & Edmonds, D. A. (2017)

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017: Researchers analyzed around 10,000 satellite images taken between 1982 and 2016 to see how the land had changed near the Mississippi Delta, finding that winds had driven the growth of inland ponds. This false-color image was taken by the Landsat 8 satellite, which is a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey.  Sarah Lewin

Super Typhoon Swirls

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017: NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, newly arrived at the International Space Station, caught this epic view of Super Typhoon Noru swirling across Earth Aug. 1.  Sarah Lewin



See three space fliers' views of the storm here.

Plasma from the Sun

NASA/GSFC/Solar Dynamics Observatory

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017: NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory caught this view of a sheet of plasma blasting out from just behind the edge of the sun July 28. Over the course of 3.5 hours, some of the material flew off into space but some fell back onto the sun.  Sarah Lewin

Another Jupiter Storm

NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstadt/Sean Doran

Friday, Aug. 4, 2017: NASA's Juno spacecraft caught a a dynamic storm swirling at the southern edge of Jupiter's Northern polar region. It has been tracked since at least 1993, and it is known as the (not particularly catchy) North North Temperate Little Red Spot 1. It generally stretches 3,700 miles (6,000 km) across. The image was processed by citizen scientists Gerald Eichstadt and Sean Doran from JunoCam data; the bottom of the image is toward Jupiter's top, and the top is its equatorial regions.  Sarah Lewin

Chilean Milky Way

ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

Monday, August 7, 2017: The Milky Way glistens over the European Southern Observatory's guest house "Residencia" at Cerro Paranal, an astronomical observatory in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. Cerro Paranal is home to the Very Large Telescope, which is surrounded by four smaller Auxiliary Telescopes, one of which is shown here.  Hanneke Weitering

Full 'Sturgeon' Moon

Tuesday, August 8, 2017: NASA astronaut Jack Fischer captured this view of the full moon from his post at the International Space Station on Aug. 7, 2017. "Now thats what I call a full moon! Although it does resemble the Death Star," Fischer tweeted along with the photo. August's full moon is also known as the Sturgeon Moon.  Hanneke Weitering

Goodnight, Earth!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017: The International Space Station passes over the nighttime side of Earth in this photo taken by NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik. A little evening sunlight is seen reflecting off of the space station's robotic arm, Canadarm2. "From your 6 inhabitants that orbit you daily, Goodnight Earth," Bresnik tweeted Tuesday night.  Hanneke Weitering

Prometheus & the F ring

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Thursday, August 10, 2017: NASA's Cassini spacecraft captured this view of Saturn's little moon Prometheus, which orbits near the inner edge of the planet's faint F ring. Prometheus may be small, but it has enough gravity to clear a gap between Saturn's rings with its orbit. It's also responsible for many of the wispy features seen around the F ring.  Hanneke Weitering

Starburst Sun

Friday, August 11, 2017: NASA astronaut Jack Fischer snapped this photo of Earth and the sun through a window at the International Space Station. "Thats a cool starburst [and] a pretty planet we have," Fischer tweeted on Wednesday (Aug. 9).  Hanneke Weitering

A Coronal Hole

NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory

Monday, August 14, 2017:NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a huge, gaping coronal hole on the surface of the sun that rotated into view late last week. Coronal holes are openings in the sun's magnetic field where a sea of charged particles known as the solar wind flows into outer space.  Hanneke Weitering
I n Spain, the government is desperately trying to halt a referendum for independence in Catalonia this weekend. In Iraq, too, the central government is trying to nullify the effect of a huge vote for independence in a referendum in the Kurdish region last weekend.

The arguments of the governments in Baghdad and Madrid are remarkably similar. They both say the Kurdish and Catalan plebiscites are unconstitutional, divisive and threatening to the unity of the states of Iraq and Spain. Neither received significant international support.

A referendum is a tricky democratic device at the best of times. Yet across the world, the squalls developed by this kind of single popular plebiscite are becoming part of a pattern of the new weird weather of politics.

Both the Catalan and Kurdish votes threaten new twists, possibly violent instability, across the region.

The Catalan story really begins when the Bourbon army seized the province for Spain in 1714. From medieval times Catalonia had a separate realm, and empire even, language and culture. In Spains multiple civil wars of the past two-and-a-half centuries, Catalonia has battled for independence.

So it was again in 1936, when the Catalans took arms against Francos Falange for independence  the events at that time indelibly described by George Orwell in brilliant reportage in Homage to Catalonia. When Franco won that civil war, Catalonia was crushed, its language and culture outlawed, its people disenfranchised.

The resentment from the Franco years is a powerful ingredient in todays confrontation between the Catalan nationalists and Mariano Rajoys government in Madrid. The government has threatened to seize ballot papers, arrest officials and disbar some 750 out of 850 Catalan mayors from office  all on the grounds that Sundays proposed vote breaches the constitution in threatening the unity of Spain.

The Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont says the vote will go ahead. He has been backed by noisy street demonstrations all week.

We are facing the worst democratic regression since the death of Franco, he declared.

Since 1975, Catalonia has had quite a lot of autonomy, and was given further powers two years ago, only to have them withdrawn. The Catalan cause, like that of the Kurds of Iraq and Turkey, is an unfulfilled dream. The human and political rights of minorities are guaranteed by the UN Charter of 1945 and the Helsinki Final Act. But how can real autonomy be granted without communal strife, and conflict within and across borders?

This is dilemma is repeated across the world. Ignoring it as Madrid, Baghdad, and their backers, are trying right now, is no answer.
W hatever one thinks of Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party, the more they are attacked by the media, the stronger they seem to grow.

As demonstrated in Brighton, Corbyn is an inspirational speaker and presents himself as someone who can get the job done. Corbyn has attracted Remainers and Leavers, young and old, to the party but must continue to make good on Labours message of national unity if it is to win a strong majority.

Corbyn is becoming more popular at the same time as his chief rival is sinking under the weight of public unpopularity, with many Conservatives deeply concerned about the partys survival in government. Without question, Labour is now in the driving seat of British politics.

Adam Ray



I was struck by the images of Jeremy Corbyn with his arms outstretched as if he was some latter-day messiah, as he delivered his keynote speech to his audience at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

In his speech he referred to Prime Minister Theresa May as having found a magic money tree to fund her 1 billion deal with Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party. If Corbyn does get the keys to No 10, he would have to find a forest of money trees in order to deliver the financial promises he and his adoring sycophants have made.

Robert Readman



Even with the new energy within the Labour Party theres still a mountain to climb before a truly progressive government can come to power. A strong electoral coalition, involving Labour, the Greens and the Lib-Dems, must be created well before the next election and it must be strong afterwards too if there is to be any real hope of Corbyns vision being realised.

The Rev Andrew McLuskey



Jeremy Corbyn claims that Labour is mainstream nowadays but what about the alleged anti-Semitism within the party? Is it also mainstream for Laura Kuenssberg, the political editor of the BBC, to require a bodyguard to attend a party conference?

If this week is a taste of how Labour plans to run the country then I am not sure most people would agree that Corbyn has achieved the kinder politics he promised when first elected as leader.

Chris Key



Taxpayer should not fund the Royals

I am not a member of the Labour Party but I agree with Emma Dent Coad, the MP for Kensington, that we need to have a debate about taxpayers funding the royal family [September 27].

Even without the royals tourists will still flock to the UK, and if all the palaces were open to the public we could generate a lot more revenue.

The usual suspects will tell us that they work very hard, bring in trade and do so much for tourism. But should an archaic institution such as the monarchy really have any place in the 21st century?

P Stockbridge



Don't follow China on nationalisation

Anthony Hiltons defence of nationalisation is superficial [Comment, September 27]. China has grown from an economy with millions on the edge of starvation as a result of stable property rights and a permissive environment for entrepreneurs. It had nationalised industries in the days of the mass famines: they did not cause its growth.

It is also strange to see the old energy monopolies cited as a nationalisation success. Privatisation led to a 40 per cent fall in energy prices.

Philip Booth, Professor of finance, public policy and ethics, St Marys University



How Uber came to my father's rescue

My father relies on taxis with wheelchair access and, as black cabs offer this, I recently booked a taxi with Dial-a-Cab for him 24 hours in advance. However, just a few minutes before it was due to arrive I was told no car was available.

Luckily, Uber has a service that provides wheelchair-accessible cars and it came in 20 minutes. Whatever Ubers problems, black cabs need genuine competition.

Adam Minns



Bombardier tarriff is a genuine concern

As we say goodbye to easy EU trade which helps keep our aerospace industry alive, does the Americans 220 per cent tariff on Bombardier planes made in Belfast show a sign of things to come or is it the thin edge of a crippling wedge?

Peter Black
W ith its bright red legs and beak the black-headed gull is a distinctive winter visitor to London. It is one of the commonest over-wintering birds to grace the capital, found everywhere from central London to farms and reservoirs on the very fringes of the city.

Smaller and daintier than other London gulls, the black-headed gull is an agile flyer, capable of twisting and diving to catch a thrown crumb, and quick to flock to a potential food source, be that the churning, nutrient-rich waters behind a Thames barge or the ploughed soil behind a farm tractor, ripe with earthworms and other invertebrates.

They are sociable birds, often seen in small groups during the day, noisily squabbling if food is available. Come evening many fly to the large waterbodies of the Lee Valley, including the soon-to-open Walthamstow Wetlands, and to the expansive reservoirs near Heathrow. Here, in flocks of hundreds and even thousands of birds they spend the night, resting and sleeping on the water, safe from predators.

Each year, during the summer breeding season, the adults sport a characteristic chocolate-brown head, dark enough to give them their name, but come autumn this fades to two dark smudges behind each eye. They have a silvery-grey back, stylish black wingtips, and a milky white chest and tail.

Most of them will return to breeding sites in northern Europe, following the Thames before crossing the North Sea, but some will nest locally on saltmarshes along the Thames Estuary, and on islands in flooded gravel pits and reservoirs.

Numbers of black-headed gull in London have fallen in recent decades, perhaps because there are less landfill sites for them to forage on, but they are still common; a delightful reminder that cities can be just as important for wildlife as more rural or coastal locations.

The London Wildlife Trust campaigns to protect the capitals wildlife and wild spaces. Backed by Sir David Attenborough, President Emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts.
W ork created by artists including Tracey Emin and inspired by the wishes of seriously ill children will be auctioned off to raise money for charity.

The art can be seen at an exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery on Sunday before going under the hammer on Monday at a fundraising gala at the Dorchester Hotel ahead of the Frieze Art Fair.

The sale has been organised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation alongside French jewellery firm Cartier.

Emin has donated three watercolours inspired by a seriously ill six-year-old girl called Grace whose wish was to go on holiday in Wales with her pony after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Gillian Wearings sketches of a young dancer, done with pen and nail varnish on paper, are in response to an 18-year-old whose dream of going to ballet school was cut short after she was diagnosed with leukaemia. London art collector and Make-A-Wish patron Batia Ofer has organised the sale which is expected to raise more than 1.5 million.

She said: I have been involved with Make-A-Wish for many years and have seen first-hand, and on so many occasions, what a difference it has made to the lives of thousands of children around the world and to their families as well.

When the idea originally came to me of leveraging my art world connections for the benefit of this amazing charity, I had no idea how warm a response I would receive.

It has been truly overwhelming to receive the support of such acclaimed artists and galleries from around the world. This is unprecedented collaboration between auction houses and galleries. The charitys chief executive Jason Suckley said the childrens wishes provide hope, strength and happiness regardless of what the future holds and the exhibition and auction would assist our ambition of granting more than 1000 wishes in the UK this year.
H angover cures at the ready: London Cocktail Week is returning once again with a week of boozy brilliance.

After an opening knees up at Smithfields Oriole this Sunday, bottle tops officially pop on Monday October 2, with bartenders mixing things up until Sunday October 8.

As ever, the week offers special cocktails for 6 at more than 250 of the capitals best bars. Get involved by heading to drinkup.london and downloading the 10 digital pass: unlike previous years, there are no wristbands, fiddly maps and  hopefully  far fewer queues. Simply find a participating bar, show them your pass and enjoy the bargainous 6 cocktails.

With so many bars and an awful lot of drinks brands taking part, it can be hard to know where to start. Plan a little; you dont want to burn out too early on  after all, theres an entire week of drinking to be done. Ahead of Monday, you can start things this weekend, as theres an old black cab travelling about London serving up gin cocktails from Saturday morning. Hail it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by tagging @Sipsmith.

Otherwise, start things at the Cocktail Village in Old Spitalfields Market. Always busy and bustling, it acts as the LCW hub, opening daily at noon and running until 9.30pm. Its a hive of 30 different bars, all serving their 6 specials and plenty of bites to eat too. If youve got your pass, book up in advance  entry is 5 with a ticket, or 10 on the door.

Though the village is undoubtedly fun, get out, explore and pop-in to a pop-up takeover. This year sees bars from across the Globe doing their thing London; take advantage while theyre here, its cheaper than a flight. Highlights include New York bar Dante  one of the top 50 cocktail spots in the world  in residence at the Madison Rooftop bar. Singapores Operation Dagger is coming to Matt Whileys excellent Scout all week, which is particularly special as even if you were in Singapore, you might miss this hidden underground bar. Elsewhere, Athens' The Clumsies are spending a couple of nights at Greek restaurant Meraki, while the Sun Tavern is offering a chance to get a taste of New Yorks Dead Rabbit, which is arguably the best bar on the planet. Various drinks brands are also showing off the best of what theyve got; visit this page for details.

Taste of the world's best: New York's Dead Rabbit are popping up at Bethnal Green's Sun Tavern

Do something different and take the chance to learn something. There are a variety of masterclasses for aspiring mixologists (or just those who fancy upping their home drinking). Schweppes are hosting the intriguingly named Alchemy Bar, which boasts expert advice from Tony Conigliaro and Smith & Sinclair. Theyre hosting a Schweppes Laboratory Experience, where guests can magic up edible GnT-flavoured bubbles.

With tequila hotter than ever, swing by Nine Lives to learn everything you need to know from Don Julio master distiller Enrique De Colsa. Try Roka Mayfair, too, where theres a chance to get to grips with sake. Roka have a very decent sake list anyway  perfect to go with their heavenly black cod  so trust them and tuck in.

If youve more traditional tastes, get over to Bethnal Green for The Blend, a bar from scotch brand Chivas Regal, who are hosting their own Art of Blending classes, which, as the name suggests, offer a chance to blend your own scotch. Weve had a go ourselves  its harder than it looks but terrific fun. Alternatively, head to Shoreditch's Bull In A China Shop, where whisky expert Dave Broom is leading a tasting of six Japanese whiskies, all for 8. Similarly, over at Devil's Darling, owner Tom Aske and whisky expert Colin Dunn are leading a tasting of scotch and small plates. Dunn is a good laugh  youll have fun.

If whisky isnt your thing, get into brandy over at Joyeaux Bordel, which is running a cognac and coffee evening. If youre a brandy fan, dont miss New York artist JonOne, whos doing a live painting of a 20 feet high bottle of Hennessy in Shoreditch  or just pick up one of bottles JonOne has designed for the cognac giant. If wintery spirits aren't your thing, forget about the cold nights at Kingly Court's Pizza Pilgrims, which is mixing up summery serves from top flight limoncello Pococello.

Deserves a drink: JonOne will be painting in Shoreditch for Hennessy

Perhaps most usefully, at Searcys St. Pancras theres a lesson in pimping your GnT.

If learning seems a little too much like hard work, or a distraction from the drinking, take a tour instead. London Cocktail Week covers everywhere from Soho to Spitalfields, Fitzrovia to Farringdon, Canary Wharf to the City. Find the bars in your area here.

Those who cant spend the entire week indulging  all of us, then  should be selective. With that in mind, the World Class Edit isnt a bad place to start. All the details can be found here.

Alternatively, if youre looking to try something you havent before, jot down a list of LCW first-timers, found here.

Finally, the week neednt be a week of overindulgence. LCW can be done without mornings full of headaches and regret. This year, low alcohol cocktails are taking a starring role at plenty of bars taking part, including Hawksmoor and Ladies & Gentlemen.

However you do it, have fun. Cheers.

For more details, visit drinkup.london
S an Miguel has travelled the world for over 150 years. Its journey around the globe has taken it from East to West  Manila to New York, Hong Kong to London.

Follow in the footsteps of the world-famous beer to discover six top experiences in six fantastic cities.

Manila

Try out rockaoke at 12 Monkeys Music Hall

1890  Manila On the Feast Day of San Miguel the original brewery is founded

Chaotic, creative, cosmopolitan: Manila is perhaps one of Southeast Asias most underrated cities  which makes it one of the coolest. This Spanish colony has retained a Mediterranean party spirit, as well as a loyal allegiance to San Miguel beer, which was first brewed in 1890 in Southeast Asias very first brewery. Get a flavour for Manilas hip alternative side by trying out the rockaoke at 12 Monkeys Music Hall, in its new home in Artigas. Sing along with a live rock band, encouraged by an up-for-it crowd.

Hong Kong

Ride the world's longest elevator / UIG via Getty Images

1903  San Miguel s imported into the then British Colony

As one of Asias most buzzing cities, joining workers on a commute isnt something wed normally suggest, but the Central Mid-Levels escalator system,

completed in 1993, has nothing to do with congested streets or packed subway

trains. So step onto the worlds longest escalator  a network of 18 covered outdoor escalators and three inclined moving walkways  and join the 85,000 workers that use it every day, as you bisect 14 roads and glide up the citys steep hills.

New York

Discover Governors Island

1930  New York Americans get their first taste of San Miguel

New York has always been a city that looks upwards, but in recent years it has expanded out into the harbour  with dramatic results. The opening of Governors Island, a former military outpost that has been closed to the public for 200 years, has created a new playground for New Yorkers and visitors. The 172-acre site is packed with parks, interactive art installations and hills offering spectacular views of the city and even the longest slide in the state (57ft of fast-moving fun).

Spain

Eat at Sala de Despiece in the Chamberi neighbourhood

1967  Spain San Miguel returns to the country, brewery opens in Lleida

Creativity has long been at the heart of Madrids food scene  not surprising for a city thats home to 14 Michelin-starred establishments. Much of the innovation lies in quirkier venues, such as Sala de Despiece in the Chamberi neighbourhood. Behind an unassuming, metal exterior lies a modern, 10-metre long bar creating an open kitchen. Diners order dishes via tablet, and then watch as they are created. Its an experience that looks as good as it tastes.

Hollywood

Peruse art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art

1962  Tinseltown experiences San Miguel for the first time

Hollywood is firmly on the culture obsessed travellers bucket list but beyond the stellar shopping of The Grove and Melrose Avenue, the studio and theatre tours and the Hollywood Bowl, West Hollywood (aka WeHo) wears its cool credentials with pride, with hip eateries, stylish hotels and designer boutiques. A morning perusing art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art and wandering Museum Row, followed by brunch, is our idea of a perfect Sunday in WeHo.

London

1967  At the height of the Sixties, Londoners get to try San Miguel

Take a shortcut to Londons quirky underbelly by staying at the deliciously oddball Batty Langleys boutique hotel, an art and antiques crammed 29-room haven in a heritage listed building on an atmospheric cobbled street in the old market quarter of Spitalfields. As a bonus, youre right next door to Dennis Severs House. This original Huguenot home is the perfect setting for an evening wander.

San Miguel has been exploring the world for more than 125 years. Throughout its journey it has discovered inspirational people who share a thirst for exploration, creativity and new experiences. Together they form the San Miguel Rich List  coming 12 October 2017.
S ocial activist and model Munroe Bergdorf wishes she could be a full-time vegan but, she says with an apologetic smile, the past few weeks have been so stressful that I needed chicken.

This month, Bergdorf, who is 31 and identifies as a black, queer, trans woman, was dropped by LOreal as the face of its True Match campaign. She was the the brands first trans model. The company objected to a Facebook post that Bergdorf wrote in reaction to the rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where an anti-racist protestor was killed by a white supremacist.

I dont have the energy to talk about the racial violence of white people, she wrote. Yes ALL white people... racism isnt learned, its inherited and passed down through privilege.

LOreal released a statement saying it supports diversity and tolerance towards all people irrespective of their race, background, gender and religion...We believe that the comments by Bergdorf are at odds with those values.

I had to shut myself away for a month when it happened because I was afraid to leave the house, says Bergdorf, stirring sugar into her (soya milk) latte. I had abusive messages from people I had thought were friends but who had given information about me to the far- Right party Britain First. The worst was an email from a stranger using a fake name saying they wanted to decapitate me and then f*** my skull. Others said I deserved to be lynched.

Wearing a Bun the Tories badge that refers to a Left-wing movement, a flowery minidress, chunky boots and impressive false eyelashes, Bergdorf says she has no regrets.

That post was genuinely a stream of consciousness, which was good because when we overthink, the message gets diluted. It was seeing this thing happen over and over, black men being shot, black, transgender women murdered. It wasnt just anger, it was frustration that nothings being done. It feels like weve gone backwards. Donald Trump, Theresa May. Im disappointed with how society approaches racism and that we dont want to talk about it.

Her message was nothing out of the blue. Ive always stood up for what I believe in and been vocal about speaking up about white supremacy, thats who I am, so I thought LOreal would be more clued up about who they were employing.

Munroe Bergdorf at the 'W7 End Of The Summer Glow Out' at The Mondrian Hotel in London. / Andy Barnes / Flynet - SplashNew

LOreals campaign is part of a trend towards more diversity but some companies are more cynical than others, says Bergdorf. We are seeing a lot of empowerment campaigns but its telling when those brands shut down the people they are employing. It can be tokenism. Its not a bad thing to employ a diverse workforce but you need to be giving these people a voice too.

So what is Bergdorfs message? Intersectional feminism. We need to listen to each other. At the moment we arent acknowledging that society is hierarchical and built on white supremacy. White supremacy isnt this other thing, its not Nazis, it is the basis of our society and we need to acknowledge what the empire did.

Im not saying all white people are racist, Im talking about the racist society that all white people are born into, the privileges that come with being white that are invisible and you wouldnt notice unless you one day happen to be black youd be like, Whats happening?

Bergdorf has always been outspoken. I saw my mum as a strong breadwinner and never thought women should be any different. She lives in Stockwell now but grew up in Essex. Her mother, who is from Birmingham, worked hard to get a senior job in financial PR, and her father is a carpenter from Jamaica. This month her mother worried about her. But I tell her I believe in it and would be willing to die for it. All I want is for people to be able to walk down the street and not feel self-conscious or fear for their safety.

When Bergdorf was at primary school she remembers hearing her father tell her mother that hed been called a n*****. Its hurtful to see your dad go through that. My Dad still experiences problems. A colleague bought everyone in the school he was working at a Christmas present apart from him and he was made to feel he didnt belong there.

As the only non-white child at school, Bergdorf was referred to as the black boy. Instantly I felt singled out, like I was causing trouble. Where does she think it comes from? Xenophobia.

It was compounded by her sexuality. At 14 she came out as gay and in her early twenties began taking female hormones. She had a boyfriend but is now going out with a woman. Her mother was confused: They say when one person in a family transitions everyone goes through a transition period. She acclimatised but now she doesnt understand why Im going out with a girl, though she is fine with it.

One day, Bergdorf maybe would like to have children but it depends who Im with. Not right now, though, I have so much I want to do and its such a turbulent topic to be with someone even, its difficult to maintain a relationship and have this tension.

Bergdorfs schedule has been relentless. She is working on a campaign with make-up brand Ilamasqua, which has been amazing. Other supporters include the trans Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox, who sent her a message. I fan-girled. She said that Ive handled myself with grace and dignity. Shes a great source of strength.

Theres also a docu-reality series that Bergdorf is shooting with the Huffington Post about pushing things forward. It shows activists are people, not just angry all the time.

Brexit has been horrendous. Its highlighted that whiteness is a human construct. Weve seen it in the US, where at one point Jews and Irish people were not considered white. We can see that now with Eastern European people  they are white but they are not worthy of being in this country. Weve seen a rise in hate disguised as patriotism.

How can we improve matters? Education is a start. I dont have answers to solve the entire world  dont put me in charge, she laughs.

Bergdorf doesnt shy away from putting her message out in blunt terms, even if it risks alienating people. You need to get angry sometimes. I am always mindful to get my message across in the most palatable manner, but its a difficult situation and an emotional topic. White people are applauded when they talk about racism but when a black person speaks up its playing the race card.

Would she like to go into politics? Absolutely. I dont think Id want to be an MP, though. Id be happy to work for a campaign.

Theresa May made an appearance at Pride in London this year to overwhelming boos. You cant backtrack because it looks good for your image and now gay rights are in vogue. Corbyn has always fought for the underdog.

But surely anti-Semitism in the Labour party is also a problem? Labours not perfect. I dont share Corbyns views on Brexit but in terms of fighting for minorities hes the politician that has been most in line with my views.

The new faces of LGBTQ+ London: in pictures 1 /17 The new faces of LGBTQ+ London: in pictures TeTe Bang, 26 Club personality, drag artist, DJ, professional fun producer Johnny Cochrane Tayylor Made, 26 DJ and club promoter Johnny Cochrane Lyall Hakaraia, 49 Creative director, designer, owner of VFD and fairy godperson to the LGBTQ+ scene Johnny Cochrane Sadie Sinner, 26 Founder and curator of Cocoa Butter Club Johnny Cochrane Charlie Craggs, 25 Writer and activist Johnny Cochrane Whiskey Chow, 27 Artist and drag king Johnny Cochrane Lasana Shabazz, 30 Performance artist, actor and writer Johnny Cochrane Drelle Khan, 29 Creative director Johnny Cochrane Alexandre Simoes, 22 Artist, muse, nightclub promoter Johnny Cochrane Bishi, 34 Singer, composer, co-founder of WITCiH, label boss at Gryphon Records Johnny Cochrane Krishna Istha, 23 Performance artist and actor Johnny Cochrane Dolly Pawton, 2 Instagram star Lucy London, 40 Fashion lecturer Stella Clements, 34 Writer Johnny Cochrane Umber Ghauri, 25 Make-up artist Johnny Cochrane

Bergdorf is positive about the future. Vogue is becoming more diverse with its first black editor, Edward Enninful. I have a feeling that Vogue is going to be highlighting the struggles of people of colour and minority groups.

Trans rights are improving too, although the media is still obsessed with our bodies when in fact they need to move the conversation forwards to discuss experience. She is angry about TERFS (trans-exclusionary radical feminists). Theyre relentless, its a pitfall of feminism in times gone by that doesnt include trans women. Just because you have a womb it doesnt make you more or less of a woman.

"I dont understand how you can fight against patriarchy if you are doing the same thing to trans women. There is this argument that trans people benefit from male privilege but the reality is that trans women will never enjoy that privilege because we are living a lie, in a body thats not our own. Thats mentally damaging.

She is reading Reni Eddo-Lodges book about race to brush up on modern thought and is tired of black people in popular culture either being slaves or maids. I posted a video about Marsha P Johnson yesterday, how it was a black trans woman who started the gay rights movement yet trans women have the least rights. The rights of these minority groups should be in the interests of everybody.

HuffPost UKs new docu-reality series The New Activists is out now.
O n Thursday, alternative news website The Canary posted an article with the headline: We need to talk about Laura Kuenssberg. Because shes listed as a speaker at the Tory conference.

The article was shared on Twitter, where Jim Waterson, political editor at Buzzfeed, saw it. He made some calls and quickly discovered that Kuenssberg, the political editor of the BBC, was not scheduled to make any talks at the event.

The article is still on The Canary, which was set up in October 2015 on a tide of pro-Jeremy Corbyn Momentum feeling. It has been retweeted more than a thousand times.

The original headline has been amended to read invited speaker and there is a correction underneath saying: This article did not state that Kuenssberg would be speaking at the event, merely that she had been invited and if she were to accept that it would raise concerns about the impartiality of the BBC.

The Canary says it tried to check with the BBC but received no response. Steve Topple, who wrote the article, went to lunch after tweeting it and says he didnt realise Id kicked a hornets nest. Topple describes himself on Twitter as an irresponsible so-called journalist & troublemaker at The Canary, ultra-Left/sectarian (Owen Jones).

The article came at the end of a week where Kuenssberg had, against her will, become the focus of a news story. The BBC assigned her a bodyguard at the Labour Party conference, which inflamed people on Twitter who assumed that the bodyguard had been hired because of threats from the Left. She was called a snowflake, not exactly Kate Adie in a war zone and the story was dubbed fake news.

Kuenssbergs colleagues have rallied around, saying she is upset and that it is a sad indictment of the current political climate that she is not able to do her job without protection.

The BBC Political Editor at the Labour party conference centre, Brighton, with her BBC assigned bodyguard after abuse was directed at her online.

The bodyguard was the latest development in a progressive building of animosity between the mainstream media and a proliferation of websites and commentators known as the alt-Left.

A search for Kuenssberg on The Canary leads to a list of articles four pages long, with headlines including: Laura Kuenssberg pens love letter to Theresa May, masquerading as news and BBCs Kuenssberg makes a claim so ludicrous about her impartiality that youll splutter your coffee.

A female colleague of Kuenssbergs who asked not to be named says: I definitely get this torrent of online abuse every time we do (or dont) interview Corbyn etc. Meanwhile, Nick Cohen, who writes for The Observer and The Spectator, says The Canary labelled him a trustafarian whose family have a villa abroad.

This is untrue. And yesterday the BBCs Nick Robinson identified a guerrilla war being waged by alternative news sites against the BBC in a bid to promote their own agenda.

The BBC is at a difficult juncture. Martin Moore, who heads the Centre for the Study of Media, Communication and Power at Kings College London, researched criticism of the broadcaster during the last general election and found that the BBC was being attacked from both Right and Left  and that is a difference from the past.

He adds: The continued allegations of bias undermine the principle of journalistic impartiality and will make it more difficult not just for the BBC, but for any news organisation to persuade the public of its objectivity in future elections. Robert Peston, ITVs political editor, identifies more extremism on the Right and the Left.

The phrase mainstream media, or MSM is part of this climate, used pejoratively by those on the left, including The Canary. One of The Canarys stated values is to challenge the status quo. A search on the site brings up 18 pages of articles about the MSM.

In his speech to the Labour conference on Wednesday, Jeremy Corbyn criticised the MSM and the way it led to online abuse, namely of Diane Abbott. Ed Miliband objected to The Canarys article, saying: Jeremy said today we dont tolerate abuse. Can you now withdraw/delete/correct. So what is underlying this tension and how is it impacting politics?

Labour Conference: Diversity Night 2017 - In pictures 1 /16 Labour Conference: Diversity Night 2017 - In pictures Keith Vaz and Karen Cummings Jeremy Selwyn Yvette Cooper and Keith Vaz and Karen Cummings Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Corbyn and Keith Vaz Jeremy Selwyn Keith Vaz and Karen Cummings Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Selwyn Yvette Cooper and Keith Vaz and Karen Cummings Jeremy Selwyn Keith Vaz and Karen Cummings Jeremy Selwyn Keith Vaz and Yvette Cooper Jeremy Selwyn Keith Vaz Jeremy Selwyn Keith Vaz and Yvette Cooper Jeremy Selwyn Keith Vaz and Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Selwyn

When I spoke to The Canarys editor-in-chief Kerry-Anne Mendoza for an article in June we discussed Kuenssberg and she said we punch up not down. I dont personally target Laura Kuenssberg, I speak about her as the most senior journalist at the BBC. She is not beyond reproach. I have never made a personal comment about her.

"I dont think political reporters at the BBC with influence or the Daily Mail have the same right of free speech as we do because their ability to act on it is greater. The Canary has said its most popular stories attract around half a million views each, giving it the same reach as many established sites.

Mendoza said: The idea that someone would be misinformed by our site keeps me up at night. If we make a mistake we give the piece more prominence, which the mainstream media doesnt. We update the original piece and repost it. They did this with the Kuenssberg article, where it was shared again more than 100 times.

The Canary, which is based in Bristol, has a staff of three directors, five editors and employs 17 writers on a freelance basis. Expansion is planned, in the form of podcasts, video and events.

Contributors receive a flat rate funded by members and advertising followed by a top-up payment based on web traffic. Robert Colvile, editor of the politics website CapX and author of The Great Acceleration says this model has its pitfalls: What disturbs me is that The Canary marries quite an extreme political viewpoint to a clickbait economic model where you are rewarded for your story being sensationalist. Online communities tend to move to extremes quickly.

The Canarys editor-in-chief Kerry-Anne Mendoza

Mendoza said in June: The only reason hits matter is that they are a sign of the conversation we are having.

The Canary is part of a group of new media outlets referred to as the alt-Left. The name is drawn from parallels with Right-wing websites such as Breitbart, which saw their popularity soar in the lead-up to President Trumps election. While alt-Left sites like The Canary, Evolve Politics and Skwawkbox say they verify all stories they, like Breitbart, are also challenging the MSM and amassing record traffic.

Some members of the centre-Left are making a concerted effort to improve their social media strategy in response to the alt-Lefts popularity, while others see it as a joke; a spoof version of The Canary was circulated around Parliament recently.

Mendoza rejects the label alt-Left: The term is as absurd as calling a fire fighter an alt-arsonist. The fire starter and the person who puts them out are not both extremists. The term came from a comfortable liberal middle-class persuasion  I call them Rioja liberals because they weep over the plight of the working class on weekends but recoil in horror should working-class campaigns see the spotlight. Its a hysterical reaction from people who are used to being the voice of the working class being fired.

And yet The Canarys strident tone is divisive. Mendoza makes no apology for this: Softly softly is the liberal middle-class view.

Drew Rose, director of operations at The Canary responded to Nick Robinsons article yesterday, saying: Were doing that by helping to build a more diverse media operating outside of the establishment. And building informed consent, which democracy depends on, requires a healthy and diverse media that isnt afraid to hold power to account.

Last night, Robinson suggested that the BBC publish guidelines in real time so people understand why were saying what were saying (& not). He added, normal service from the BBC means youll hear people you disagree with saying things you dont like (thats our job).

As next weeks Conservative Party conference approaches, without any talks from Kuenssberg, all eyes will be on how the relationship between the traditional media and the new vanguard plays out.
N orwegian has launched the world's longest low-cost flight  and it'll only cost you 149.90.

The route runs from London Gatwick to Singapore Changi Airport, and departs for the first time on Thursday.

The route takes 12 hours and 45 minutes and will cover 6,764 miles (10,885 km)  making it the longest non-stop flight operated by a low-cost carrier.

The route  announced in April  is scheduled to run four times per week.

Thursday's flight is due to depart at 10.30 a.m. and land in Singapore at 6.15 a.m Friday morning local time.

The flights use brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, and start at 149.90 for a one-way ticket.

All seats on the Dreamliner have personal 11-inch seat-back screens and USB ports.

Singapore - In pictures 1 /18 Singapore - In pictures Landscape of the Singapore financial district Shutterstock Fireworks explode during Singapore's Golden Jubilee celebrations David Loh/Reuters A fish monger fillets a mackerel at the Singapore Chinatown Complex Wet Market Getty Images Marina Bay Sands Pedestrians walk along the Orchard Road shopping district in Singapore AFP/Getty Images People take photographs on a suspension bridge along the Supertree at Garden by the Bay in Singapore AFP/Getty Images Devotees visit Kwan Im Temple in Singapore AFP/Getty Images A female Bornean orangutan named Dam is seen with her newborn son Veera at the Singapore Zoo AFP/Getty Images A vendor shows a customer the fruits at a market in Singapore AFP/Getty Images A couple with their pet dog ride on a tri-scooter along the street in Singapore AFP/Getty Images Workers barbeque on grills the "Bak kwa", a Chinese salty-sweet dried meat product, outside a shop in Singapore AFP/Getty Images The roof of the National Stadium is lighted up during the Barclays Asia Trophy post match conference between Arsenal and Everton at National Stadium on July 18, 2015 in Singapore Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images Sentosa Island, Singapore Rex Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB12 TAG Heuer on track during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 16, 2016 in Singapore Mark Thompson/Getty Images

A higher price of 699.90 one way will get passengers "Premium" status. That means "spacious cradle seating" with more than a metre of legroom, and free lounge access at Gatwick.

The Singapore route is part of the airline's continued global expansion.

In February, it announced that it will launch flights from the US Northeast to Europe for as little as $65 (50). Then, in July, it announced direct flights from London to Chicago and Austin from 179.

In February 2018, Norwegian will also start flying to Buenos Aires.

Bjrn Kjos, CEO of Norwegian, said in a press release: "Im delighted to build upon our popular USA flights and give leisure and business customers more affordable access to Singapore and the Asia-Pacific like never before.

"The 787 Dreamliner has the range to allow us to expand our long-haul services to other parts of the world while keeping fares affordable for all.

"This is just the start of Norwegians UK expansion into new markets as we will continue connecting destinations where fares have been too high for too long."
T hree frigatebirds glide in circles above the Pacific Ocean, their black outlines as elegant as Batmans, their eyes peeled for fish.

From nowhere, a huge brown pelican shoots past them, divebombing into the water at a right angle and resurfacing with its catch seconds later. On the white sandy shore lie sea lions, languid and sleepy, mothers swatting away whelping pups, alpha males patrolling the shoreline and barking loudly.

Time has stood still here on San Espagnola, the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago. The island, one of 19 formed out of molten lava spewed up by underwater volcanoes some four million years ago, looks barren from a distance  but up close its teeming with species of wildlife you wont see anywhere else in the world, as Charles Darwin famously observed when he came here in 1835.

The islands may be ancient but our five-day itinerary aboard the La Pinta cruise ship is new. Blending the best of the pre-existing three- and seven-night cruises, its an intense programme of island-hopping, wildlife-watching and adventure, with a choice of excursions each morning and afternoon to four of the most beautiful islands: Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Espagnola and Santa Cruz.

Holidaymakers swimming and snorkelling near the shore at Moreno Point / Alamy Stock Photo

Highlights include marine iguanas baking themselves in utter stillness on black lava rocks polished smooth by an eternity of wind and crashing waves, their scaly black skin speckled red from coral algae. Then there are the armies of red and blue Sally Lightfoot crabs, pictured below, scuttling sideways and just avoiding flumes of water that burst through cracks between the rocks.

Look to the skies and the birdlife is abundant. Yellow-beaked waved albatrosses nest along a rocky trail on Espagnola in apparent tranquillity, quite unbothered by our intrusion, while a beady-eyed Galapagos hawk surveys us from a distant rock.

A pair of blue-footed boobies perform a mating ritual together in front of us, the male stamping his vivid turquoise feet, whistling and ruffling his feathers, while the female cranes her neck towards him; some things never change. We discover an entirely different world of iridescent colour beneath the clear waters at Punta Pitt on San Cristobal when we go snorkelling.

Strike a pose: A pair of blue-footed boobies

King angelfish, cabrilla, shoals of black striped salema and manta rays are all on display, while sea lions swim alongside us, playfully weaving in and out of the rocks underwater. Later we explore the extraordinary jagged rock formations around the edge of the island in kayaks (for the less adventurous theres the option of doing it in a glass-bottomed boat instead).

A stop-off at Santa Fe, home of the endemic pale yellow land iguana, reveals some impressively prickly opuntia cacti, which can grow up to 33ft tall; meanwhile, walking barefoot in the sand along a stretch of beach at Cerro Brujo feels soft as white velvet.

The Galapagos National Park Service controls the islands rigorously in terms of both visitor numbers and what can and cant be brought on to them. You wont see a discarded plastic bag, a cigarette butt or a banana skin anywhere.

Only five of the islands are inhabited, and every piece of luggage that comes in and out of Baltra airport  where flights arrive from mainland Ecuador  is checked by sniffer dogs. Beware bringing in seeds and fruit or trying to smuggle out lava rock.

Sea Lion pair, also known as Zalophus wollebaeki, playing with snorkeling tourist / Alamy Stock Photo

Thanks to a programme using warfarin as poison, the goats and rats that once threatened to destroy some of the endemic species have themselves now been almost entirely eradicated, while baby tortoises are being bred at La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado  a visit to which is included on the itinerary.

This is not a holiday for slouchers. The day starts with a 6.30am wake-up blast of Boccherinis Minuet or the Brandenburg Concerto on the Tannoy and a call to breakfast at 7am. Expeditions start an hour later and we are back on board for lunch at 12.30. Evening talks  including a fascinating one about Charles Darwin  are optional but enjoyable preludes to dinner, especially when sipping an ice-cold Ecuadorian Pilsner.

Each of the 48 cabins is generously proportioned with a full-length window, sofa, comfortable beds and good hot showers. Two tumble dryers on deck help get wet swimming costumes dry, while the observation deck allows us to watch frigate birds by day and the sharks and stars by night.

Still, to be back on dry land is welcome, especially for a two-night stay at the luxurious Finch Bay Hotel on Santa Cruz  its perfect for relaxing by the pool overlooking a secluded bay, and watching pelicans fish, herons hop and the sun set. Its a short walk to Las Grietas, a water-filled crevice between almost-vertical rock, where the brave swim and the fearless dive. Its also worth the $1 five-minute water taxi ride back to Porto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos.

Here, shops selling tacky souvenirs, cold beers and delicious, cheap seafood are dotted along the seafront  and are a perfect antidote to all that healthy wildlife.

Details: Galapagos

Katie Law travelled with Cox & Kings (coxandkings.co.uk) to Ecuador. A nine-day/six-night trip costs from 4,995 pp including flights, transfers, excursions, two nights B&B at Casa Gangotena in Quito and a four-night Galapagos cruise on La Pinta. Two extra nights at the Finch Bay Hotel from 455 pp.
T his is the dramatic moment police aimed Tasers at a man after he was spotted allegedly brandishing a samurai sword on a packed Tube train.

District line services were held underground for up to 20 minutes as armed police searched carriages in response to a 999 call from a worried commuter.

Officers traced the suspect to Court Street, Whitechapel, at around 5.40pm last night and arrested him in front of shoppers.

Dramatic footage posted on Twitter showed police aiming Tasers at the 39-year-old man before placing him handcuffs.

Drama: Police arrest a man in front of horrified shoppers / Twitter

A British Transport Police spokesman said he had been arrested on suspicion of possession of two offensive weapons.

There were no reported injuries and police said the incident was not believed to be terror related.
A disabled Londoner has urged business-owners to give him a reason to wake up in the morning amid fears of a disability employment crisis in the capital.

The call comes as new figures show disabled job seekers across the UK are forced to apply for 80 per cent more jobs than their able-bodied competitors.

Josh Dennis, from West Ealing, suffers from Cerebral Palsy, and says he has applied for countless jobs since finishing a temporary post at Transport for London in 2015.

He told the Standard that while he is not forced to declare his disability on job applications he feels it is an important factor to tell potential employers.

The 33-year-old said he, and many others like him, are lucky to hear anything back at all.

Frustrated: Josh Dennis / Josh Dennis

He said: I have sent out countless job applications and nine times out of ten you dont hear anything more than thank you for your application, we will get back to you.

I am able to work, and am frustrated that Im not getting the chance to interview.

Mr Dennis, who volunteers in disabled advocacy for charities like Scope, said despite the fact he has never been turned down because of his disability, he believes that employers are put off by his additional needs.

Cerebral Palsy is a life-long brain defect which affects movement and co-ordination.

Mr Dennis, who has a degree in Politics and International Relations from Oxford Brookes University, explained how his illness means he is unable to work regular 9am to 5pm hours due to low energy levels and long commutes.

But, he called on employers to open up opportunities to handicapped people, and said they would get the faith of employment back tenfold.

He added: If you are an employer looking for real commitment, and if you are looking for extra heart and soul, then a disabled person will be able to give it to you  precisely because they understand how hard they have had to work.

I want to say to employers that if you are able to give extra time and thought to hiring a disabled person then you will get that faith back tenfold. I need to have a reason to get up in the morning, London is my city with my people, and I need to contribute too.

Mr Denniss calls came as disability awareness charity Scope and Virgin Media launched a three-year Work With Me campaign in a bid to find work for a million disabled people across the UK.

Figures showed that out of 2,000 disabled job seekers just half of applications led to an interview compared to 60 per cent for non-disabled people.

According to Scope, disabled people apply for 60 per cent more jobs than those without a disability.

Some 37 per cent of disabled people said they dont feel confident about finding employment.

Scopes chief executive Mark Atkinson said: We have a huge amount of work to do to tackle the disability employment gap. At the current pace of change, the government is set to fail on its pledge to get a million more-disabled people into work.

Disabled people with all the skills to do the job are being repeatedly passed over for roles, while others are being forced to apply for jobs which they know they are overqualified for.

Employers are missing out on the talent they badly need because they dont have the right support in place or because of outdated attitudes towards disability.

This is the reality faced by disabled people in all parts of the UK, including thousands who are looking for work in the capital.

Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media CEO, said: Working with Scope has been eye-opening and weve had to face some hard truths to better understand and address the challenges disabled people face.

Its inspired us to launch the Work With Me campaign with Scope. Together, were asking industry, Government and the public to join us and support more disabled people get into and stay in work.
T he Mayor of London's move to ban trendy wood burning stoves has been met with an angry backlash by businesses who say they are likely to go bust if the plans go ahead.

Businesses in the capital immediately raised fears they would be unable to continue trading after Sadiq Khan requested the new powers in a bid to improve London's air quality.

One fireplace shop owner said his industry was being "scapegoated" by a policy that could cost him his business.

Pizzerias using wood-fired ovens also hit back and said the move risked costing jobs if restaurants had to close down, saying switching to modern ovens would cost them their authenticity.

Mr Khan today wrote to environment secretary Michael Gove demanding more muscle to tackle air pollution after the level was raised 24 hours ago to "high" amid a spike in fumes.

Pizzerias using wood-fired ovens could end up being affected

His proposals form part of a raft of measures to combat non-road pollution, such as that produced by diggers and wood fires, and include a call for the creation of zones where burning solid fuel such as wood is outlawed.

This would mean homeowners with wood-burning stoves could face fines if they were caught using the fashionable heaters in restricted areas.

Environmental activists meanwhile welcomed the move, with Clean Air in London saying it was "excellent" to see Sadiq Khan taking a lead and the Green Party backing the effort to tackle "all sources of air pollution".

But businesses spoke of disastrous consequences.

Stonewoods fireplace shop, which has been in Wandsworth for 26 years, expressed grave concerns.

Showroom manager Steve Welch, whose stoves are all Government-approved, said: It would definitely affect the business if we werent able to sell and fit stoves. It would be disastrous.

The problem with air quality is not really to do with wood burning stoves so much. The newer ones are much more efficient and clean-burning than they used to be.

The store sells in the range of 200-300 wood-burning stoves a year, he said, and in recent decades their popularity has increased.

Today in the south-east of England, some 16 per cent of households have one. They are responsible for between a quarter and a third of all Londons deadly fine particle pollution, according to Kings College research.

Charlie McCalla, owner of Natural Fires (London) said the stoves he stocked were efficient and produced very little in the way of emissions.

He said: "It's unfair, we're being scapegoated. If this happens it would pretty much destroy the wood-burning stove business."

Huw Williams, sales director of fireplace firm Chesneys, said: "The biggest issue in relation to pollution is the burning of wood in an open basket or fire, which is illegal in a smoke control zone.

"This burning of wood is not policed or enforced and causes significant pollution into the atmosphere."

Mr Khan's proposed ban could theoretically also affect Italian restaurants which use wood-fired ovens.

Jim Winship, director of the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Assocation, said: "Removing wood fired ovens from pizza and Italian restaurants in the capital would damage the businesses which run them.

"Theyd lose their USP  it undermines the authenticity of their products and could eventually lead to job losses.

"The smoke from wood ovens in commercial restaurants are also extremely well filtered so they do little harm to the environment."

Pizzeria Basilico boss Geoff Parsons added: A woodfired oven is an integral part of the authentic pizza experience.

"Its a part of the flavour profile of the food, its central to our brand identity and there is a minimal number of authentic wood-fired pizza ovens in London. If theres 50, Id be surprised."

Others praised Mr Khan's leadership and welcomed the move to do more to tackle air pollution.

Simon Birkett, of Clean Air in London, said: Its excellent to see Sadiq Khan taking a lead.

We need a new Clean Air Act that closes loopholes in the current Act and gives the Mayor and local councils practical powers to tackle new fuels, technologies and sources of particles such as construction equipment.

And Caroline Russell, Green Party London Assembly Member, said: "Polluted air is damaging Londoners' health and affecting their everyday lives.

We have to tackle all sources of air pollution, including wood burning, if we want to trust the air we breathe."

Mr Khan said in a statement: Non-transport sources contribute half of the deadly emissions in London, so we need a hard-hitting plan of action to combat them similar to moves I am taking to reduce pollution from road vehicles.

With more than 400 schools located in areas exceeding legal pollution levels, and such significant health impacts on our most vulnerable communities, we cannot wait any longer, and I am calling on government to provide the capital with the necessary powers to effectively tackle harmful emissions from a variety of sources.
A record number of people were prosecuted for slavery offences in Britain last year, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service reveals today.

Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said 349 people had been prosecuted in 2016, but admitted this was only the tip of the iceberg with thousands of people now living in servitude. Writing in the Standard, she highlights the importance of UK and EU co-operation in tackling slave trafficking gangs.

She says investigations had become more complex, often spanning several countries and now typically involving three times more victims and witnesses than in 2011.

Ms Saunders says: Our participation in joint investigation teams with police and prosecutors from EU countries ... is a highly effective way to tackle organised criminal networks.

She says the CPS is involved in 20 joint investigations with EU countries into trafficking. One saw eight defendants arrested in the UK while three were held in Hungary. They were jailed.

Ms Saunders says: Central to this successful prosecution was our work with the Hungarian authorities following the setting up of a joint team.

It enabled the police and the CPS to build the strongest possible case, leading to all defendants being convicted.

The DPP praises the Standard for giving a voice to those who so often suffer in silence within the shadows of our society. She says: The uncomfortable truth is that victims of modern slavery can be hidden in plain sight, and are not all forced to engage in illicit activity.

The CPS will host a summit of prosecutors in the UK next year where experts from key countries will discuss how to bring slave traffickers to justice.

Ms Saunders says the organisation has about 30 specialist prosecutors based overseas who are in the front line of this international battle against slavery. She adds: Crucially, they also help their host countries to improve their approaches to tackling modern slavery with the ultimate beneficiaries being all countries affected by the trade.
J ean-Claude Juncker warned it will take a miracle for EU leaders to agree to post-Brexit trade talks with Britain next month.

His comment came as Theresa May went into private talks with Angela Merkel with a plea for the EU to reciprocate the warmth of her recent speech in Florence.

Speaking in Estonias capital, Tallinn, Mrs May said her speech signalling concessions had been intended to create momentum.

I set out what I thought was the future deep and special partnership that we can build with the EU, she said.

And I look for the speech ... being reciprocated in proposals that the EU will come forward with.

Earlier, Mrs May offered another olive branch with an unconditional commitment to help defend Europe against Russian aggression and terrorism.

But EU officials say too little progress has been made so far for trade negotiations to begin.

One source called the latest talks a clearing of the throats but not the finishing line. Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar said there was definitely a better vibe and a better mood. But Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite said both sides must admit that negotiations are out of schedule.

Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliaments Brexit co-ordinator, mocked Mrs Mays decision to choose Florence for her speech last Friday as surreal in a speech at the London School of Economics last night.

He joked: I think she chose Florence because Florentine politics in the 15th century made her feel at home.

Speaking to UK troops in Estonia, Mrs May said: Russias continued aggression represents a growing danger to our friends here. The United Kingdom is unconditionally committed to maintaining Europes security.

The words contrasted with her Article 50 letter that appeared to threaten to reduce military and counter-terror help with the EU unless she won a free trade deal.

British hopes of a breakthrough were buoyed when Mrs Merkel agreed to a bilateral meeting about Brexit on the margins of the Tallinn summit.

She had previously declined, ruling that Brexit matters were for Michel Barnier, the top EU negotiator. EU officials have growing expectations that Mrs May will make further concessions after the Conservative conference, just ahead of an EU summit on October 19.

These could include spelling out what cash obligations she is willing to pay in an exit deal. She is also under pressure to concede that the European Court of Justice will rule on the rights of EU citizens here.

Mrs May is beefing up a Brexit unit at No 10, with 20 civil servants.
A cabinet minister today warned it would be a mistake to cap immigration rigidly at 100,000 a year.

In a challenge to Theresa Mays most controversial pledge, Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke said the target should be relaxed at times when the economy needed more workers.

All other things being equal, we should get it down to below 100,000, he said in an interview with the Evening Standard.

But if you found yourself in circumstances where we had a very buoyant jobs market and other parts of Europe didnt, trying to go hell for leather to meet that target would be a mistake.

The Government faced rebellions on two fronts ahead of the Tory conference, which starts this weekend in Manchester. A dozen Conservatives

David Gauke said the target should be relaxed at times when the economy needed more workers / Rex Features

MPs signed a cross-party protest letter to Mr Gauke demanding a pause in the roll-out of Universal Credit, the controversial benefits reform. If all 12 names joined a Commons revolt over the reform, it could wipe out the Governments working majority.

Responding to this, Mr Gauke hinted that he would address critics in his conference speech on Monday and offer assurances that people affected could get prompt help.

I will be saying more about our plans for the roll-out in the near future, he said. Separately, 76 Conservatives called on Mrs May, facing a gruelling test at conference, to deliver her manifesto pledge of an energy price cap.

The policy, worth some 100 a year for 17 million families, was shelved after she lost her majority.

In the exclusive interview, Mr Gauke also:

Predicted that Theresa May may well lead the Conservatives into the next general election but stopped short of fully backing her to run for another term in office.

Said the Government should consider new anti-strike laws for the railways if unions caused more widespread disruption for commuters.

Scoffed at claims by Brexiters that leaving the EU would allow savings in welfare paid to European citizens, saying: I wouldnt bank on it.

Rejected calls for concessions for two million women born in the Fifties who have to work an extra six years before retiring. I have no intention of reviewing the position we have got, he said.

Called for EU citizens in the UK to be stopped from claiming child benefit for some 34,000 children who do not live in this country.

Cast doubt on claims by black cab drivers that Uber was effectively subsidised by the welfare system.

Signalled that the pensions triple-lock guaranteeing rises of at least 2.5 per cent should be dropped at the next election.

Mr Gaukes immigration call was the latest sign of divisions over Mrs Mays target of holding net immigration to the tens of thousands after Brexit.

Last month her deputy Damian Green slapped down Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson for suggesting the cap should be scrapped altogether. Asked if he backed the target, Mr Gauke said: Thats the commitment we have.

He said much higher levels of immigration could not be tolerated perpetually because they were creating pressures which can be hard to absorb. I think it is reasonable to say we will bring that down, he said, adding: We have to take into account the needs of business, and not put unreasonable deadlines on it that dont reflect what is going elsewhere in the economy.

Responding to the revolt over Universal Credit, Mr Gauke stressed that the payment of advances to claimants who would otherwise face hardship was happening more widely and quickly.

Recent numbers show almost half of claimants take up advances.

The rebels say the gradual roll-out of the move from traditional benefits to the single-payment system has left some waiting up to six weeks for money. There is also concern about mistakes and delays. Mr Gauke said: There are improvements all the time.
O ne of the alleged kidnappers of British model Chloe Ayling is to be extradited to Italy to face trial, a judge has ruled.

Ms Ayling, 20, claims she was drugged and held hostage for six days by a group named Black Death after being lured to a fake modelling shoot in Milan.

Michal Herbas lawyers have suggested the entire case may be a sham invented as a publicity stunt to boost the models career.

But, at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, District Judge Paul Goldspring said the 36-year-old should be extradited to Italy.

There he will join his brother, Lukasz Herba, 30, to face allegations they kidnapped the model before demanding a 300,000 euro (264,000) ransom.

"I have decided you should be surrendered to Italy to face trial for the kidnap," the judge told Herba.

Following the judgment, Herba's barrister, George Hepburne Scott, announced he would appeal against the decision, meaning his client will remain in custody in the UK until the result.

He said: "I will continue to support my client throughout these proceedings and in Italy, if necessary. He continues to protest his innocence in the strongest possible terms."

Italian police claim the Polish-born brothers are part of the group, which says it sells women as sex slaves on the dark web to buyers in the Middle East.

Ms Ayling, of Coulsdon, south London, claims she was sedated and bundled into the boot of a car after being tricked into attending a bogus photoshoot in Milan on July 11, then held captive in a remote farmhouse.

Her alleged captor, Lukasz Herba, is in custody in Milan, having been arrested after delivering Ms Ayling to the British embassy on July 17.

He has said he did not knowingly take part in any crime.

Michal Herba was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Italian authorities last month.

He was apprehended in the Tividale area of Sandwell in the West Midlands, and has been requested by the court of Milan for a single offence of kidnapping between July 11 and 17.

Fighting the extradition earlier this week, Mr Scott: said: "There is a real risk that the entire case is a sham."

He pointed to a "unique set of anomalies", including claims that Ms Ayling went shoe shopping with her captor and had breakfast with him before her release.

He also highlighted the model's string of television appearances and plans to release a book, arguing the extradition would amount to an abuse of process if the kidnapping had been a "publicity stunt".

But on Friday, the judge said the 89 pages of "open source" material relied upon by Mr Scott came entirely from reports in the media.

"I make clear that is not evidence to support it being a sham," he added.

Handing down his ruling, the judge said: "Firstly, the 89 pages of open source material consists almost entirely of press reports expressing opinion and theories about the veracity of Miss Ayling's account, that is not evidence to support it is a sham, and moreover it does not assist in showing that the Italian authorities will deny the RP (Herba) justice.... Secondly, and more importantly, such issues are evidential issues for the Italian court to determine."

He added: "The constant and weighty public interest in the UK honouring its extradition treaties is high. The autonomy of the Italian courts' decision to prosecute must be respected.

The judge agreed to release documents to the media, including a copy of a statement made by Herba while he was being held in Wandsworth prison fighting extradition.

In the statement, he claims to have driven to Milan from Poland to meet his brother on July 10.

Herba said he went back to Poland the following day, returning to England on July 15, only finding out about the kidnapping from reading about it in newspapers.

He added: "The entire thing seems to be a scam. If I did something illegal, I would not return to England to continue working and to live openly."

His lawyers say Herba has offered to speak to Italian authorities by video link, but the offer was refused.

Mr Scott said: "He was confident that once he told the Italian authorities the whole truth behind this case, they would drop their extradition request. However, they refused this offer. They may be seeking to 'save face' rather than drop the case against him."


P rince Harry is not your usual HRH. He is special.

As he mingles with former servicemen and women at the Invictus Games in Toronto, where he is greeted with bright eyes and warmth, perhaps the Highness should be replaced by Hugness.

For Harrys standard greeting when meeting his injured comrades, unlike other royals or foreign dignitaries, is a hug not a handshake.

To those former serving military personnel he has helped inspire with the Invictus Games  the Paralympic style competition for injured allied servicemen and women  he is one of them.

He has served twice on the front line in Afghanistan. Like them, he has stared down the barrel of a gun and shaken with fear as shrapnel flew overhead. He is their champion and has vowed to use his celebrity to promote their cause. There is no doubt Harry feels most at home when he is with the military family he served alongside.

So it came as no surprise when Labour MP for Kensington Emma Dent Coad doubted his credentials as an army officer and helicopter pilot that she got it so wrong.

Labour's MP for Kensington, Emma Dent Coad slammed Prince Harry's Army credentials / PA

At a fringe meeting Ms Dent Coad said Harry cannot fly helicopters and just sits there going vroom vroom.

In fact, he has served in the Army for a decade, completed two tours of Afghanistan and rose to the rank of captain. The royals are relaxed about criticism from republicans. But when their comments are factually incorrect it can be an irritation. Harry, however, would prefer to let his actions speak for him.

The Kensington MP later insisted that her comments were just poking fun  but admitted they had caused a backlash.

Ms Dent Coad said later: If we cant have a debate, are we living in a democracy? I live in a democracy and think I should be able to say something.

But the academic, who put her PhD on hold after winning the Kensington seat by 20 votes, apparently seemed unconcerned about the accuracy of her statement.

The former Head of Apache Operational Training, who cannot be named for security reasons, described the Labour MPs remarks as bias and accused her of slander.

Speaking to Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, the military veteran said: I have written to her this morning, describing to her what I have stated above and requesting that she do what is morally right now she is in possession of the true facts: to publicly retract her comments and apologise to the prince.

Prince Harry has a natural ability to operate controls in a helicopter cockpit / AFP/Getty Images

The military expert told of the Princes superb natural ability in a helicopter cockpit.

Harrys former superior also revealed that the royal won an award for best co-pilot gunner during his service.

The truth is Harry is an inspiring character: self-effacing, modest and very likeable. He has always been a self-deprecating man, playing down his own abilities.

Ms Dent Coad also claimed, with no evidence, that Prince Philip had been unfaithful and that Prince William and Kate were ridiculous. She claimed David and Victoria Beckham would have made more suitable royals as they have earned their own money.

I am not surprised by the backlash over her comments. She picked a fight with the wrong royal. Harry, more than any member of his family, has the common touch.

The young Royal shows his soft side to Emily Henson, daughter of Hayley Henson, at Invictus Games / PA

Since the wrench of quitting the Army, spearheading the Invictus Games has helped give Harry renewed focus.

This week in Canada he has appeared with his girlfriend Meghan Markle cheering on the competitors. He also held bilateral meetings with the Governor General of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US First Lady, Melania Trump.

He has found personal happiness too. People are genuinely pleased for him and the joint appearance of Harry and Meghan  coming amid talk that the actress is ready to make the UK her home  shows that this is a much more significant relationship than his past serious girlfriends Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy.

Prince Harry and girlfriend Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto (Getty Images for the Invictus Ga) / Getty Images

Despite admitting in the past that he wanted out of the royal family, he stayed out of loyalty to the Queen and added more work engagements.

Next month, representing Her Majesty at the behest of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, he will make a two-day official visit to Copenhagen. It will include an audience with Denmarks Queen Margrethe II and is part of the Governments soft power diplomacy in Europe after last years Brexit vote.

There has been a subtle change in his character too. He is a little more serious in public. There is less of the joker  especially when rubbing shoulders with politicians. He seems at one with what is expected of him, willing to accept his job as a senior member of the royal family.

Ms Dent Coad has been on the defensive ever since her claims about Harry.

The next time she decides to slam the royals it might be best to choose her subject more wisely  and get her facts straight.
B rits who voted Leave in the EU referendum are more likely to describe themselves as "racially prejudiced" than those who voted Remain, according to new research.

A survey of 2,220 people found that 34% of Leave voters admitted holding racist attitudes compared to 18% of Remain voters.

The study, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, found 26% of Britons still described themselves as "very" or "a little" prejudiced towards people of other races.

The study has been conducted annually since 1983 and the number of people saying they are racially prejudiced has never fallen below a quarter.

David Davis: Brexit talks have taken 'decisive steps' forward

The figure peaked at 39% in 1987 and hit a second peak of 37% in 2011, the report Racial Prejudice In Britain Today said.

Also published in the report was new data from the European Social Survey conducted in 2014 revealing that 18% of Britons agreed that "some races or ethnic groups are born less intelligent".

A total of 44% of the 3,000 Britons involved in the European Social Survey said that some ethnic groups were naturally harder working.

Men were more likely than women to say they were racially prejudiced, at 29% compared to 23%.

The population was also divided along party lines, with 33% of Conservative party supporters admitting racial prejudice compared to 18% of Labour supporters.

Nancy Kelley, deputy chief executive at the National Centre for Social Research, said: "These numbers provide clear evidence that a significant minority of people in Britain feel prejudiced towards people of other races.

"The findings seem to buck the trend of growing tolerance we have seen in the British Social Attitudes survey.

Brexit a waste of time and energy, European Parliament co-ordinator claims

"Prejudice on this scale is something we as a society should be concerned about, not least as there is a significant body of evidence that even subtle racial prejudices contribute to racial inequality in areas such as education, employment and in the criminal justice system."

Dr Omar Khan, director of racial equality think tank Runnymede, said: "We have been far too complacent about a rising wave of tolerance leading to a less prejudiced society.

"We need new ways of talking about race to tackle the stereotypes and fears of difference that give rise to unfairness.

"But even more importantly, we need policies that tackle racial inequality and enable greater social interaction between people from different backgrounds."

Reporting by PA
R yanair has snubbed a meeting with the UKs flight watchdog over the treatment of hundreds of thousands of passengers hit by mass flight cancellations.

The budget airline has failed to respond to the Civil Aviation Authoritys request for a meeting amid calls for the company to properly inform passengers about their rights by 5pm today.

On Wednesday, the CAA published a letter inviting Ryanair to attend a meeting or take part in a conference call to explain how it will stop breaching consumer law.

The regulator issued a statement today which said: "As part of our enforcement action we have requested a meeting with Ryanair to discuss our ongoing concerns around passenger rights.

"As yet we have received no response to this request, nor has Ryanair proposed any other meetings, whether in person or via telephone."

Michael O'Leary has described the fiasco with Ryanair flights as a 'major boo boo'

The regulator has told the airline it must stop misleading passengers about the option to be re-routed with another airline.

The company must publicly announce how it plans to re-route customers affected by its huge number of cancelled flights by 5pm today, the CAA said.

Referring to the Ryanair website, which must also be changed by the deadline, the CAA said this morning: "There is still no information here about how expenses will be treated where passengers are re-routed to and/or from other airports or where they otherwise incur additional out-of-pocket expenses as a result of the cancellations."

Grounded: Tens of thousands of passengers have been affected / PA

"Further changes are therefore required to make it clear that any such expenses will be reimbursed by Ryanair.

It comes after the CAA said on Wednesday it would take the airline to court if it did not fully comply with EU rules on providing compensation.

Passengers flying to and from the UK who have been affected by the flight cancellations must be re-contacted by email, giving them "accurate and comprehensive information on their rights and options".

Passengers who feel they have been misled but have accepted a refund must be offered a reimbursement of the difference with any higher fare.

And those who have been misled into accepting an unsatisfactory re-routing must be offered the option to change it.

It comes after Ryanair extended its period of flight disruption to March, with 400,000 passengers now affected.

Around 18,000 more flights have been cancelled, resulting in the temporary suspension of 34 routes.

A Ryanair spokesman said on Friday morning: "We will be meeting with the CAA and will comply fully with whatever requirements they ask us to."
W ith less than two days before Catalonias independence vote, supporters of the disputed poll are preparing to bunker down in polling centres to prevent police from closing them.

In local schools where votes are planned to be cast, neighborhood groups were planning to move in after classes today equipped with sleeping bags, ham sandwiches and, curiously, the odd xylophone.

Ruled illegal by Spains Supreme Court, the vote is now a fast-moving case of legal cat-and-mouse that has left the Catalan capital, Barcelona, a place of two faces.

On one hand, life continues. Other than the ubiquitos independence flags hanging from balconies, the downtown Ramblas, site of last months terrorist attack, remains a bustling boulevard of tourists quaffing overpriced sangria.

But blocks away, in the workaday neighborhoods, supporters of the poll are mobilising against a judicial order prohibiting even the placing of ballot boxes.

The main tactic appears to be focused on schools, many of which the local Catalan leadership announced as polling stations earlier this week.

Last night, parents groups in Barcelona began organising seemingly innocent school events like International Music Day, a holiday never before seen in these parts, as an excuse to occupy the sites over the weekend.

Thinly-coded instructions circulated in a widely-seen WhatsApp message yesterday.

7am, everyone gather and get ready to play their instrument (Occupy the polling centre in numbers overwhelming to local police)

8am Begin preparing the chorus as shown on the sheet music. (Get the ballot papers ready.)

9am Start the concert2. (Voting begins).

Will it work? Even people planning to participate in the poll centre takeovers say they dont know what to expect. We dont know where the ballots are. We have no idea where the boxes are. But if we have enough people, Im confident they wont be able to stop us, said Pau Soler, 21, after attending a planning meeting at his polling station, an elementary school a mile from the Ramblas, late last night.

Catalonias local police, the Mossos, widely admired in the region for their response to last months terrorist attack, announced earlier this week they would not order officers to stop polling if doing so would disrupt public order.

Supporters of the poll are betting on this promise.

National Guard, whose officers are brought from outside Catalonia, has not said what it will do in the event supporters place themselves between polling station doors and the ballot boxes.

The National Police, the National Guard, what will they do? Thats the question, said Mr Soler.
M ost young actors might have a list of major filmmakers they want to work with  Barry Keoghan is already ticking his off.

The 24-year-old Dubliner, below, starred in Christopher Nolans Dunkirk and will soon be at the London Film Festival with The Killing Of A Sacred Deer.

The thriller, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, stars Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman as a couple whose lives are torn apart when Farrell befriends Keoghans character.

He said: I had this list of directors on my iPhone that I wanted to work with when I signed with my agent.

I had nothing behind me but I had this list with Yorgos on it and Chris Nolan and I said, These are the people I want to work with.

So when this film came up it is a success to me already, because Im getting to tick these directors off. Theres about 34 now and I keep adding to it.

Dunkirk London Premiere - in pictures 1 /18 Dunkirk London Premiere - in pictures Harry Styles makes his film debut in Dunkirk Tristan Fewings/Getty Images Cillian Murphy poses with fans Dave Benett Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley Tim Whitby/Getty Images Prince Harry meets Harry Styles on inside the foyer Warner/YouTube Harry Styles waves to the sea of cameras Getty Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley share a hug on the red carpet Getty PrinceHarry meets the cast inside the cinema Warner/YouTube Harry Styles chats to James D'Arcy on the red carpet YouTube Tom Hardy poses for the cameras ahead of the screening Tim Whitby/Getty Images Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas Harry Styles meets fans outside the cinema Tim Whitby/Getty Images Kenneth Branagh arrives in Leicester Square Tim Whitby/Getty Images Mark Rylance wears his trademark hat for the premiere Dave Benett Aneurin Barnard

The Killing Of A Sacred Deer is slated for UK cinema release on November 3.
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Changes that Gov. Scott Walker made to the state budget before he signed it last week will require the University of Wisconsin System to double the number of courses offered through its online Flexible Option program over the next two years.

But the budget does not include new funding to expand the program, which currently includes eight degree and certificate courses through which non-traditional adult students earn credentials by demonstrating their mastery of subjects such as nursing or business administration.

And one higher education expert is questioning the Flexible Options rapid growth, saying it has not been subject to rigorous evaluation and that UW officials have produced little data to show the program is effective.

The budget requires UW to increase Flexible Option offerings to 16 programs by December 2019, less than six years after its founding.

Theyve created entire new systems, lots of personnel  and for what? Whats the rate of return? said Noel Radomski, managing director of the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education. Is this really addressing the real needs of adult learners?

UW Colleges and Extension Chancellor Cathy Sandeen said officials are constantly evaluating the Flexible Option initiative.

A UW Extension spokeswoman acknowledged that officials dont yet have data on student graduation rates in Flexible Option  the program, which was launched in 2014, is too young, she said. They do track retention rates and survey students to gauge their satisfaction with the program, however.

As for the expansion, Sandeen acknowledged that it will be a challenge to launch eight new programs without new state funding to pay for their development but said the change reflects well on the initiative.

We really see this as a huge vote of confidence in University of Wisconsin Extension and the Flexible Option program, Sandeen said.

No money to expand

Walker first called for UW to expand the Flexible Option in his executive budget, with a provision that required a 50 percent increase in its number of degree and credential courses.

The Legislature reduced that to a 25 percent increase, but Walker used his broad partial veto power to expand the program even further than he had originally proposed, mandating a 100 percent increase.

Walker is challenging the UW System to make the Flexible Option and college affordability higher priorities as we continue our work to help meet workforce needs, said Tom Evenson, a spokesman for the governor.

Flexible Option is aimed primarily at working adults, many of whom attended college but did not earn a degree, who are seeking professional credentials, UW officials say.

Its an example of competency-based education, an approach to learning that is growing in popularity across the country because it prioritizes the skills students can demonstrate in given fields over their time in classrooms.

None of the proposals to increase the size of Flexible Option  which cost UW $2.8 million in the most recent fiscal year while bringing in $2.5 million worth of revenue  included more money.

A separate budget provision extended new financial aid funding to Flexible Option students. And the budget does include more money overall for the System.

Sandeen did not provide an estimate for how much starting the new programs would cost but said it will require a substantial investment.

A UW System spokeswoman did not respond to a question about whether the System would provide more money to Extension to pay for the growth.

Evenson said the programs start-up costs amount to an incredibly small percentage of the UW Systems overall budget.

UW officials plan to work with the Department of Workforce Development and other advisers to determine the fields in which Flexible Option will add programs, Sandeen said, which will likely include information technology management, biomedical sciences and geographic information systems.

Only one Flexible Option program  a certificate course on substance use disorders  generated net revenue in the most recent fiscal year, according to a report UW Extension provided to the Systems Board of Regents in June. Two others are expected to start producing net revenue over the next two years.

Radomski said it has been hard to find detailed statistics about student outcomes in Flexible Option, or the money and staff time that has gone into building up the program and its support services, which include advising, financial aid and course development.

He attributed the growth more to the political appeal of competency-based education than the merits of Flexible Option itself.

It was a political decision and they just keep putting money into it, Radomski said.

David Bergeron, a senior fellow in the left-leaning Center for American Progress and former assistant secretary for post-secondary education in the U.S. Department of Education, said competency-based programs hold tremendous potential, but must show they are delivering on that promise for students.

I dont think its appropriate to be dramatically expanding programs that are not rigorously evaluated, Bergeron said.

Flat fee for 3-month

subscription period

Students who enroll in Flexible Option pay a flat fee of $2,250 for a three-month subscription period, which allows them to take as many online courses and assessments as they want.

Students who demonstrate mastery of the courses can earn a certificate or degree.

UW Extension officials say 1,430 students have enrolled in Flexible Options courses since its inception; 197 have completed either a certificate or a degree, while UW calculates it has 912 active students based on the percentage of program participants who start a new subscription period within six months of finishing another without a degree.

Extension officials cautioned that students who had not earned a credential and werent active hadnt necessarily dropped out without finishing their program, since students can stop and start programs at their own pace.

Flexible Options retention rate  defined as the students who re-enroll within six months of the end of a subscription period  varies between 71 and 77 percent among the courses, according to UW Extension.

Evenson cited demand for Flexible Option programs among students and employers as a metric that led Walker to push for the expansion.

Sandeen said Flexible Options retention rates, number of graduates and rising enrollment  as well as anecdotal evidence she has heard from alumni who landed jobs or promotions  point to a successful program.

Its intended to provide one more important pathway for the citizens of Wisconsin to engage with the University of Wisconsin, and earn their degree, Sandeen said.
The U.S. Air Force retired its last C-5A transport in early September. The C-5 is still in service as a much modernized C-5M. The first production version of the C-5M transport entered service in late 2010 while the last of the 52 refurbished C-5Ms arrived in 2017. These are expected to service until 2040. About the same number of older C-5s were retired to the air force bone yard where they were used for spare parts or scrap.

The C-5M upgrades (new engines, cockpit and electronics) proved to be more successful than expected. The refurb also replaced any worn structural components, replaced existing engines with more powerful and fuel efficient ones, and installed new electronics. This included digital controls, a much nicer looking cockpit, all-weather capability and better communications. The C-5M is easier to handle than the older models, and costs a third less to fly as well. The upgrade costs about $120 million per aircraft. While the M model can carry more weight over longer distances, that was not the main goal of the upgrade. The primary objective was to create an aircraft that was cheaper to fly and operate, and was more reliable and easier to maintain. The new engines are not only cheaper to operate but also much quieter (max sound is 105 decibels, versus 120 with the old engines.) The C-5As were notable for the distinct engine sound, which is now gone forever.

The C-5A entered service in 1970 and production ended in 1973 with 81 delivered. It was a 380 ton aircraft that could carry up to 122 tons (but usually 100 tons or less, to reduce metal fatigue.) Max speed was 930 kilometers an hour. It could fly 4,400 kilometers on internal fuel, and refuel in the air. The C-5M refurbishment program is considered the last one and is actually a culmination of an upgrade program that began in the 1980s when C-5 production was resumed as the C-5B with 50 delivered by 1989. Thus the total production of C-5s was 131 aircraft.

While the C-5 had many technical problems that were addressed in numerous upgrades, there were also political problems. In 2009 the U.S. Congress finally agreed to let the U.S. Air Force retire its oldest air transports. The air force had 59 elderly C-5As, that were introduced in the early 1970s, and Congress insisted they be kept flying because otherwise some key legislators would lose jobs in their districts. Keeping these old aircraft in the air was getting so expensive, that it became embarrassing to Congress, and the air force was allowed to retire them. There were still 52 C-5Bs models, built in the 1980s, that had some (economically) useful life left in them. Congress agreed to have these upgraded to C-5Ms. Before the latest decision, the air force was going to spend a lot of money upgrading the C-5As. But now the air force could build more C-17s instead.

Before 2009 the air force looked into a replacement for the C-5. The most attractive proposal was a military version of the already planned freighter version of the new Airbus 380. While the C-5 can carry up to 122 tons of cargo on one deck the 380F could carry up to 150 tons of cargo on three decks. At that point (2007) Airbus already has 25 orders for the freighter version. The first passenger version of the 380 had just entered service. Boeing offered the latest version of the 747, the 747 8F, as a C-5 replacement. This aircraft can carry 140 tons in 854 cubic meters of cargo space. Neither of these proposals worked. The 380 freighter was never built because it turned out it was not economical to operate. The passenger version of the 380 entered service but demand was not what Airbus expected. The Boeing 747 8F was more successful commercially and entered service in 2011 and is still in production with 71 in service by 2017. The 747 8F can carry 132 tons on a single deck. But the 787 8F needed some modifications for military service and it was feared these would drive the cost per aircraft to nearly half a billion dollars each. As it is the 747 8F already cost $380 million each and the experience with militarizing commercial transport for military use indicated the process could be time-consuming as well as expensive.

Meanwhile it turned out there was a market for larger air transports, just not for a lot of them. This was demonstrated with the Russian (now Ukrainian) An-124. The An-124 is the world's largest production aircraft and can carry a payload of 120 tons and had a lot more interior volume than any other transport. It first flew in 1986 and only 55 have been built so far. New ones will cost over $100 million each. Russia has been trying to get it back into production for over a decade but needed to work out a deal with Ukraine, where the An-124 is built. In 2103 Russia and Ukraine had worked out a deal to build 20 new commercial An-124s but the contract had not been signed yet. Apparently a contract to build ten new An-124s for the Russian Air Force was closer to signing but that deal was cancelled when Russia went to war with Ukraine in 2014, a conflict that is still unresolved. The Ukrainian manufacturer wanted to build new aircraft as An-124-150s and upgrade some existing ones to that standard. That would reduce crew size from six to four and increase carrying capacity to 150 tons. The An-124 has been very successful as a commercial transport, especially for military purposes. Even NATO leases An-124s for moving military cargo. Ukraine needs the work and Russia needs the An-124s but until the current conflict is resolved that will all have to wait.
U.S. Army procurement bureaucrats have been, once more, caught deliberately providing inferior equipment to the troops. This is nothing new, except for the fact that the army is providing the inferior gear while forbidding troops from using superior stuff from the same American firm (Magpul) that has been embarrassing army leadership for over a decade. The latest scandal was revealed when test results from a 2015 report were made public. The report detailed the performance of twelve different assault rifle magazines for 5.56mm weapons (M-16, M4 and M27) were tested. While the results were not released to the public all the military services got to see it. The army proceeded to develop and issue a new Enhanced Performance Magazine in 2016 but the air force tried the new army magazine and in July 2017 ordered it, and other magazines to be withdrawn from service and replaced with the latest Magpul design which, it was later revealed, was the best performer in the 2015 evaluation.

This was not a trivial issue as the air force actually has a large force of security troops who are armed and trained to perform as light infantry. When the air force makes a decision like this soldiers and marines take notice because the air force has done so before and turned out to have selected the better product. This was most notable back in the 1960s when it was the air force security troops who were the first to receive what became the M16. The army had been resisting such a 5.56mm infantry weapon since the 1930s. But by the 1960s the air force had thousands of its light infantry protecting air bases in Vietnam and realized the AR-15 was a superior infantry weapon. The AR-15 was designed by an army veteran who had served in the predecessor of the air force (The Army Air Corps) as a weapons technician and after the war developed the AR-15, which, with a few tweaks (automatic fire, a larger magazine) became the M-16.

Military veterans are still developing better weapons and equipment when they return to civilian life and Magpul has become famous for developing superior accessories for army weapons, especially the 5.56mm ones. But the army procurement bureaucracy has always had a less welcoming attitude to this sort of competition than the air force. In fact the army procurement officials will sometimes go to great (and often questionable, legally and ethically) lengths to avoid letting the troops use the better equipment. For combat troops that is a matter of life or death but that sort of bad behavior has been going on for centuries and at least in the West, especially the United States, the guilty officials are frequently caught and called out on this misbehavior. Few are punished so the bad behavior continues. What is interesting about the latest incident, involving the Magpul Gen 3 PMAG (polymer magazine) is that this is not the first time this has happened to Magpul, and the troops who depend on this stuff in combat.

For example in 2012, just before Memorial Day and without any warning, the U.S. Army ordered its troops to only use the army designed aluminum magazines for their M16s and M4s. This came as a surprise to combat troops, who for years have preferred polymer magazines designed and manufactured outside the army supply system. So popular had these polymer magazines become that the army allowed them to be bought through the army supply system, using government funds, if a unit commanders wanted them. Most infantry commanders, and their troops, preferred the polymer magazines. This included SOCOM (Special Operations Command) troops and its Ranger Regiment. The 2012 decision was mainly aimed at Magpul and the army procurement officials got embarrassed once more.

In 2008, after years of being shown up by superior M16 magazines from commercial firms, the U.S. Army began issuing an improved magazine of their own. By the end of 2010, over half a million of the new magazines had been issued, mostly to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and those headed there. The older army issue magazines were turned and discarded and replaced by the new model. The new army magazine was mainly designed to prevent jams when the round comes up from the magazine and into the firing chamber. This is accomplished with a new follower (a tab at the top of the magazine) design, as well as a new, corrosion resistant, spring. The army was apparently upset that their new and improved design was ignored by most troops, who preferred the civilian (usually Magpul) polymer magazines. The army tried to buy the Magpul patents, but Magpul wasn't selling. The army would not explain itself and the troops accused the army procurement bureaucrats of playing games with the lives of soldiers in combat.

The 008 army magazine design was still inferior to most commercial designs, which are built mainly to keep the crud out. A big problem with the M16 type rifle is that the fine sand and dust found in Iraq and Afghanistan can slip past the magazine and into the magazine and lead to a malfunction. Commercial firms have come out with several generations of magazines that try to seal the magazine well to keep the talcum powder like dust out of the rifle. For example, there is the Advanced Reliability Combat magazine that includes a soft gasket that creates a dust proof seal when the magazine is inserted in an M-4, or similar weapon (like the SOCOM SCAR). These magazines cost $30 each (about 70 percent more than a standard magazine). These high end magazines also, like the new army magazine, have better springs and a follower that minimizes jams. Troops will still buy commercial magazines, with their own money, just to be on the safe side. In 2012 the army tried to compel the troops to stop using Magpul and similar magazines.

It wasnt just the superior reliability of Magpul magazines that embarrassed army leadership. In 2010 Magpul also introduced a larger 40 round magazine for M16 type weapons. The standard army issue magazine holds 30 rounds. The $23 polymer Magpul magazine had a larger transparent window strip to show how many rounds you have left. Many troops preferred the 40 round magazine but the army procurement officials did not.

Combat troops and their commanders contacted Congress about the polymer magazine and the army and marines position was these were sometimes unreliable. There were cases of troops buying cheaper, and less effective polymer magazines from other vendors. By 2010 the Internet was widely available to the troops, even in combat zones, Congress was unable to ignore the detailed complaints from soldiers and marines who were at risk from decisions like this on a daily basis. The military was forced to relent and the dispute led to the 2015 evaluation study. The army did not like the results of that evaluation and tried to keep the results from the troops, as well as the public. But the air force would not go along and now there is another Magpul mess as some procurement bureaucrats like to call it, but not for public distribution.
Elon Musk is presenting at the International Astronautical Congress in Australia an update for his plan to colonize Mars. The SpaceX CEO has dropped a few hints since speaking at last year's conference but most of the scheme has remained a mystery. You can watch the livestream of the presentation above.

We can expect to hear updates on the spaceship that Musk calls the Interplanetary Transport System, new missions and applications for SpaceX, and logistics details of funding the travel and surviving in a martian habitat.

Calling the Interplanetary Transport System a big rocket is an understatement of astronomic proportions. It measures 400 feet high, has a 40-foot diameter and features 42 rocket engines in its first stage. It is the largest rocket ever made and even surpasses NASA's Saturn V by 40 feet in height.

In space travel, bigger isn't always better though and Musk will likely unveil a scaled-down 30-foot diameter version in his talk. While it won't be able to carry as much or travel as far, this will significantly reduce the price and allow for more versatile missions.

One of the biggest issues SpaceX is faced with is financing the mission. The company has a plan to send colonists to Mars by 2024 but hasn't said how they will pay for it. Many with ties to the industry believe the Mars missions will be financed with funds from Earth-orbit missions.

NASA under the Obama Administration was focusing on a mission to Mars. Now, under the Trump Administration, they are pushing for a return to the Moon. This could mean more business (and profits) for SpaceX should they choose to take up these missions.

The event is set to take place at 2pm Australian Central Standard Time (00:30 Eastern). Musk has said that "certain aspects of the new design and its applications will be unexpected," so expect an eventful presentation.
Levi Strauss & Co. recently announced that its oft-teased Commuter Trucker smart jacket would go on sale in select boutiques this week before finding its way online on October 2.

For those contemplating a purchase, there's some very important fine print that you'll want to be aware of before making a decision.

As clearly outlined on Google's support page, users must remove the Jacquard snap tag - the "brains" of the wearable - before washing the jacket. Even still, the Commuter Trucker jacket is only designed to withstand up to 10 washes although Google concedes that your experience may vary based on usage and wash conditions.

The search giant adds that it's alright to tumble dry the jacket on low heat but says air drying is preferred. Owners should also avoid dry-cleaning and ironing the jacket's left cuff (where the tag plugs into).

For a garment designed to be worn by bikers, limiting the number of washes to under a dozen over its lifespan doesn't seem very sanitary. But, what do the experts think?

According to GQ, most jackets and coats should be laundered once a season but if you live in a city, spend a lot of time outside or wear said article every day, a mid-season rinse might be in order. Then again, the publication also notes that jeans can go an entire season without needing a wash so I'm not sure how much stock I'd personally invest into their advice.

Levi's Commuter Trucker smart jacket will set you back $350.
Facebook has been under the spotlight for its role in Russia's US election interference for a long time, so the social network might be relieved to find it's now Twitter's turn to come under scrutiny. In the wake of a meeting with Senate Intelligence Committee investigators, the microblogging site has publicly revealed details of Russia's attempted meddling.

In a public blog post, Twitter says it checked 450 Russia-linked Facebook accounts and found 22 had corresponding accounts on its own service, which, if not already banned, were immediately suspended. It also found 179 additional related or linked accounts and took action against those that violated the platform's terms of service.

Twitter also shared details of three accounts linked to news site RT, formerly Russia Today. The organization has strong ties to the Russian government and was found to have spent $274,100 in US ads in 2016. These included advertisements "that definitely or potentially targeted the U.S. market. These campaigns were directed at followers of mainstream media and primarily promoted RT Tweets regarding news stories."

Last week, Facebook announced it would be turning over more than 3000 ads it believes were bought by a Russian "troll farm" to congressional investigators.

It was Twitter's vice-president of public policy, Colin Crowell, who spoke before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees on Thursday. It seems his performance wasn't well received, CBS reports.

"The presentation that the Twitter team made to the Senate Intel staff today was deeply disappointing," said Senator Mark Warner, D-Virginia. "The notion that their work was basically derivative, based upon accounts that Facebook had identified, showed [an] enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is, the threat it poses to democratic institutions, and again begs many more questions than they offered."

Twitter also added that Russia and other post-Soviet states have been responsible for the majority of automated and spammy content on the site for many years. And while there is no silver bullet, Twitter's improved detection systems now catch 3.2 million suspicious accounts globally per week.
Brazil's vice-president-elect and coordinator of the transition team of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government, Geraldo Alckmin, asked Jair Bolsonaro's government for access to complete... | Read More
Presales start for new Audi A8

INGOLSTADT - September 29, 2017: At the Audi Summit in Barcelona the brand with the Four Rings celebrated the world premiere of the new Audi A8. Customers in Germany will be able to order the luxury sedan from October 5. With strikingly stylish design, first-class chassis solutions, a touch operating concept and the electrification of all drive units, the fourth generation of the A8 provides the latest reference for Vorsprung durch Technik. The basic price in Germany for the flagship is 90,600 euros ($106,940); the long-wheelbase version starts at 94,100 euros ($111,070).

The Audi A8 starts out in the German market with two V6 turbo engines: a 3.0 TDI and a 3.0 TFSI. The diesel unit with a displacement of 2,967 cc produces 210 kW (286 hp) and develops 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque. It propels the A8 with its standard-fit quattro drive from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.9 seconds and on up to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). Its NEDC fuel consumption is just 5.8 to 5.6 liters* per 100 kilometers (40.6-42.0 US mpg). This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 152 to 145* grams per kilometer (244.6-233.4 g/mi). The 3.0-liter turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine delivers output of 250 kW (340 hp) with torque of 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft). As a result, the A8 takes 5.6 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph), and the A8 L takes 5.7 seconds. Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is between 7.8 and 7.5 liters* (30.2-31.4 US mpg) for both body variants; CO2 emissions are between 178 and 171* grams per kilometer (286.5-275.2 g/mi.

Both engines use a belt alternator starter, which lies at the heart of the 48-volt main electrical system. This mild-hybrid technology enables coasting with the engine switched off and a smooth restart. It also has an extended start/stop function and a high recuperation output of up to 12 kW thanks to energy recovered during braking. The combined effect of these measures is to bring down the fuel consumption of the efficient engines even further  by as much as 0.7 liters (0.2 US gal) per 100 kilometers (62.1 mi) in real driving conditions.

The luxury sedan comes with a three-liter diesel unit in the Audi A8 50 TDI quattro, while the Audi A8 55 TFSI quattro features a V6 gasoline engine. The A8 is the first production model to feature the brands new type designation clearly at the rear. The reference value for the double-digit number combination is the power output of the individual model in kilowatts. The numeral combinations increase in increments comprising five designations each, and they represent the hierarchy within both the respective model ranges and the brands overall model portfolio. Thus the numeral combination 50 will in future appear on the back of those models which deliver between 210 and 230 kW of power; 55 stands for the power output range between 245 and 275 kW. This new system will allow Audi to standardize the type designations for its worldwide range of automobiles.

The Audi A8 signals the dawning of a new design era for the entire brand. It stands for sporty elegance, progressive status and sophistication. The front-end with its broad, upright Singleframe grille, the fluidly muscular vehicle body, and the rear with the continuous light strip exude a strong presence. The interior has a deliberate minimalist feel. Audi carries its high quality standards into the digital age with a revolutionary operating concept. Two touch displays located in the center slot almost seamlessly into the high-gloss black surface thanks to black-panel technology. When the driver activates a function on these displays with a finger, they hear and feel a click by way of confirmation. The combination of acoustic and haptic feedback along with common touch gestures such as swiping make the new MMI touch response safe, intuitive and quick to use.

With more than 40 driver assistance systems, the A8 becomes the new gold standard among the competition. It is the worlds first production automobile to have been developed specially for conditional automated driving. The Audi AI traffic jam pilot will take charge of driving in slow-moving traffic at up to 60 km/h (37.3 mph) on highways and multi-lane motorways with a physical barrier separating the two directions of traffic. From 2018, Audi will gradually be taking piloted driving functions such as parking pilot, garage pilot and traffic jam pilot into production, depending on the legal situation in the particular country. During piloted driving, a central driver assistance controller now permanently computes an image of the surroundings by merging the sensor data. In addition to the radar sensors, a front camera and the ultrasonic sensors, Audi is the first car manufacturer also to use a laser scanner.

The new Audi A8 will be produced at the Neckarsulm plant in purpose-built production facilities and will be launched onto the German market at the end of November 2017. Customers can order the luxury sedan beginning Thursday, October 5.
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Thumbnail Technavio has published a new report on the global biodiesel market from 2017-2021. (Photo: Business Wire)

Technavio has published a new report on the global biodiesel market from 2017-2021. (Photo: Business Wire) Full Size Small Preview Thumbnail

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LONDONThe global biodiesel market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5% during the forecast period, according to Technavios latest report.

In this report, Technavio covers the market outlook and growth prospects of the global biodiesel market for 2017-2021. The market is segmented based on type, which includes vegetable oil and animal fat, and application, which includes transport fuel and power generation.

Biodiesel products are used in many end-user industries such as automotive, power generation, marine, railway, agriculture, and mining. These end-users are heavily dependent on biodiesel, which make it more useful in the global market. Some of the major applications of biodiesel are fuel, power generation, industrial solvent, and lubricating agent. Biodiesel is being used to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases. The increasing use of biodiesel across these industries is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

Technavios chemicals and materials research analysts categorize the global biodiesel market into the following segments by regions:

Europe

North America

South America

APAC

ROW

Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report

Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Europe: largest biodiesel market

Europe is the largest producer and consumer of biodiesel in the global market. The EU is regarded as the highest market for biodiesel because of its need in major end-user industries, including automotive, power generation, marine, railway, and agriculture. Major imports of biodiesel are from Argentina and Indonesia, which is expected to grow during the forecast period.

Major consumer markets of biodiesel in the EU are Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. These countries are utilizing biodiesel much more than other countries in the Americas, APAC, and MEA. In Germany, the biodiesel demand is increasing because of the increase in the number of diesel vehicles, which is driving the growth of the global biodiesel market, says Hitesh Bhatia, a lead analyst at Technavio for research on bio-chemicals and bio-materials.

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.

Biodiesel market in North America

In North America, the US, Mexico, and Canada are the major biodiesel markets. The major end-user industries for biodiesel in this region are automotive, mining, agriculture, power generation, marine, and railway. The market in this region is expected to grow at a moderate rate due to trade impact of the US such as tariff change and import-export regulations on its biodiesel import from countries such as Argentina, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The Canadian government is promoting the use of biodiesel to encourage the reduction of carbon emissions from automotive vehicles. The country is focusing on the expansion of biodiesel manufacturing plants, which is expected to increase the demand for biodiesel during the forecast period. The Mexican biodiesel market has a great growth potential, which is attributed to its intensive agriculture activity, high biodiversity, and waste biomass resources, adds Hitesh.

Biodiesel market in South America

Argentina and Brazil are the major producers of biodiesel this region. The market for biodiesel in South America is expected to grow at a moderate rate because of the high demand for environment-friendly fuel that can reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Argentina, Brazil, and Chile are the major exporters of biodiesel to various other regions, especially in Europe and North America. Countries like Germany, the US, the UK, and France import biodiesel from South American countries. The increasing use of non-food feedstock as an alternative for expensive first-generation feedstocks, including soy, rapeseed, and palm oil, is expected to propel the demand for biodiesel in the region during the forecast period.

The top vendors in the global biodiesel market highlighted in the report are:

Archer Daniels Midland

BIOX

Bunge

Cargill

Wilmar International

Browse Related Reports:

Global Humic Acid Market 2017-2021

Global Bioceramics Market 2017-2021

Global Bioresorbable Polymers 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, Technavios 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 Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/09/2017 (1877 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As Jake Epp stood next to his old tuxedo, the newest addition to a Mennonite Heritage Village display on Mennonites in Canadian politics, it was apparent he still maintains a fondness for red pocket squares.

The colourful cloth in the chest pocket of his dark blazer matched the one accenting the tuxedo, which was discovered last month by volunteers sorting through donations at the Steinbach MCC Thrift Shop.

Epp, a former federal cabinet minister and MP for Provencher from 1972-1993, returned to Steinbach last Friday to attend a high school reunion with his fellow graduates from Steinbach Collegiate Institutes class of 1957. According to reunion organizers Hildi Braun and Ernie Peters, 30 students graduated from SCI in 1957. Five have since passed away, but 15 attended the reunion.

JORDAN ROSS | THE CARILLON Jake Epp, former Provencher MP and federal cabinet minister, stands beside a tuxedo worn during his parliamentarian days, now on display at Mennonite Heritage Village. The tuxedo came into MHVs possession after volunteers at the Steinbach MCC Thrift Shop spotted it in a donations pile.

After reminiscing with his classmates, Epp located his old tuxedo and reflected on the memorable moments he had while wearing itlike the time he and his wife, Lydia, spent a day touring Manitoba with Queen Elizabeth.

We were with them the entire day, and at the end of the day, she invited us to her suite, he recalled. She and Philip were very informal and she gave us an autographed framed picture of both the prince and the queen. Thats a happy memory.

The black suit is now displayed beside Epps upholstered green chair from the House of Commons, which he donated it to the museum following his retirement from politics in 1993.

How the suit wound up in a donations pile, however, remains somewhat of a mystery.

Obviously, some clothes that you used as a parliamentarian might not be used quite as much in another life, he said. Lydia typically packed it all up, made sure it was cleanand donated it to a thrift store.

The Epps reside in Calgary, but are unsure how the clothing made the journey across two provinces.

It was totally a surprise to us, he said.

A note in one of the garment bags helped thrift shop volunteers identify the original owner of the two suits that were donated. MHVs curators later confirmed the suits belonged to Epp.

While Epp said he did not write the note, he explained it was common for an MPs staff to label garment bags and clothing for travel.

The arrival of television cameras in the House of Commons during Epps tenure as an MP meant clothing played an increasingly important role in politics.

There was a great debate and controversy whether or not televisions should be allowed in the House, and those of us who were young at the time thought thatpeople had the right to see and to know, he said.

As part of their television training, MPs were instructed to wear longer socks and avoid dark glasses, he recalled.

You got a bit of a seminar on what was expected and what wasnt, he said. Dark suits were the order of the day.

For Epp, the tuxedos curatorial value today lies not in who it belonged to, but in what it points toward.

If people can learnhow people lived and the contribution they made, they have the same opportunity to make their contribution, he said.

It also holds personal value, he said, as clothing belonging to his grandmother was once donated to MHV.

Alexandra Kroeger, MHVs assistant curator, said Epps grandmother, Sarah Klassen (1863-1947), married Peter J. Epp and arrived in Canada in 1930.

She was a refugee from Russia. They made a contribution in another way, Epp noted.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/09/2017 (1872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The RM of Tache has adopted a municipal-wide bilingual language policy.

A Tuesday vote on the new bylaw was carried 7-1. Ward 2 councillor George McGregor cast the lone opposing vote.

Mayor Robert Rivard later explained McGregor did not dislike the bylaw, but merely did not see its relevance for the LUD of Landmark. If any language policy was to be of practical benefit there, Rivard said, it would likely need to be German-English, rather than French-English.

This is a French bilingual bylaw, Rivard said. Hes not opposed to it, hes just wondering why one instead of the other.

The bylaw received first and second reading in August, following a June delegation from Louis Tetrault, executive director of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM), and Yann Boissonneault, chair of the Tache Development Corporation.

The bylaw will allow Tache as a whole to become an AMBM member, opening up translation services and grant opportunities that were previously only available to the LUD of Lorette, which had been an AMBM member for some time.

The wording of the bylaw leaves signage, hiring, and public service changes to the discretion of council and administration, to avoid costly switchovers and exclusionary rules.

We wanted to make sure thatits not going to impose anything, Rivard said. The municipality in general will go bilingual where people want it.

Thus, the measures contained in the bylaw will be implemented inasmuch as reasonably possible. Moving forward, CAO Christine Hutlet will ensure at least one administrative employee is bilingual, and hire bilingual employees where practical. Municipal council and LUD of Lorette meeting minutes will be posted in French and English, with translation of other documents available upon request.

Any unilingual Tache road and office signage will be made bilingual only when in need of replacement.

The municipality will also ask the Province of Manitoba to install bilingual signs on its roadways and properties within Taches municipal boundaries.

As per an amendment to the bylaw, all signage shall be bilingual within the LUD of Lorette.

The bylaws preamble noted Tache has a tradition of more than a century of equitable service to the citizens of both official language communities.
Playboy, May, 1963

Much will be said about Hugh Hefners legacy, the polarizing man who created Playboy in 1953 and who died Tuesday at age 91, but a largely unknown story is Hefners critical role in the fight for womens reproductive rights. Playboy was the first major national consumer magazine to advocate for legal abortion on demand. Its coverage began in April of 1963 (before even Planned Parenthood joined the abortion-rights movement) when Sex and the Single Girl author Helen Gurley Brown responded to a question about abortion in an interview. Its outrageous that girls cant be aborted here, she said. Abortion is just surrounded by all this hush-hush and horror, like insanity used to be.

Youd assume that Playboy supported abortion rights only to mitigate the consequences of sexual freedom for men. But Playboy first wrote about abortion from a public-health standpoint, publishing letters from women that detailed the emotional and physical pain caused by botched and illegal abortions. Readers debated the issue of abortion in the Playboy Forum, the magazines current-events section. Over 350 letters about abortion appeared from 1963 to 1973; women wrote about a third. Many chose to remain nameless as they shared their gruesome stories.

Heres one from the September 1966 issue, titled Abortion Butchery:

The horror stories about illegal abortion in The Playboy Forum are certainly typical of the butchery that goes on. I was forced to seek an abortion from the first butcher I could find Consequently, I wound up in the hospital as a result of the bloody job that was done on me.  Name withheld by request

And another from the January 1967 issue, An Easy Abortion:

The operation was simple. It took exactly 12 minutes. I had no aftereffects other than normal cramps. Again, I say that I was lucky. But how about the girls less lucky than me, who must go to the butchers and risk their lives? When will this cruel and senseless law be changed?  Name withheld by request, Coral Gables, Florida

From 1965 to Roe v. Wade in 1973, Playboy covered abortion in almost every single issue, and advocated for the legalization of abortion on demand with no restrictions. This same year, the American Law Institute recommended that a woman be entitled to an abortion if her physical or mental health were endangered, if she had been the victim of rape or incest, or if there were fetal deformities. The restrictive idea of therapeutic abortion gained force. In its December 1965 issue, Playboy published its first official editorial response on the topic, in response to an anti-abortion letter from a reader:

A pregnant woman is faced with choicesand we think she should be allowed to decide which alternative is preferable under the circumstanceswhatever the circumstances happen to be  If the pregnant woman decides to have an abortion in America at the present time  and over 1,500,000 did this year  she must, in most cases, resort to an illicit operation, performed under circumstances conducive to both physical and emotional pain.

Abortion was a tricky subject for any magazine to take on in the 1960s. Yet the decision was an easy one for the Playboy editorial staff. There was no heated office discussion. No dramatic proclamation by Hefner. The decision to cover such a disruptive topic happened very quietly. At that time, abortion was controversial, but we all felt the same way and forged ahead, former Playboy editor Nat Lehrman told me when I interviewed him while studying Playboy at Northwestern in 2011. (He died in 2014.) Lehrman joined the staff of Playboy in 1963 and edited the Forum. I never really talked about it with Hef, to tell you the truth, but Im quite sure he was receptive. He would have raised hell if he wasnt.

In 1970, Playboy published an in-depth story on abortion written by Dr. Robert Hall.

Abortion advocacy was a natural extension of Playboys antiorganized religion, proindividual rights, liberal agenda.

Abortion advocacy was a natural extension of Playboys antiorganized religion, proindividual rights, liberal agenda. Lehrman was just doing his job. And that job entailed employing all different kinds of frameworks to discuss abortion. Doctors debated abortion ethics in the pages of the magazine, and one, named Robert Hall, chronicled the history of abortion in a six-page feature story in the September 1970 issue. Playboy, which often railed against organized religion, went after the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. The magazine raised the points of abortion as a social good, a form of population control, an essential part of the womens-liberation movement, and as a clear civil liberty. One letter, published in January 1969 by a woman named Aubrey Dale Tussing, highlighted the racial inequity in the abortion debate:

Abortion laws are inadequately enforced and there are an estimated 1,000,000 or more illegal abortions each year. Virtually all of them are middle-class, white pregnancies. Unwanted pregnancies among the black poor typically result in illegitimacy. Elementary justice requires then that we enforce abortion laws for all persons or that we permit abortion for all.

In that same magazine issue, the Playboy editorial board proclaimed abortion should be legal on the ground that women have the same rights as men to control their own bodies to choose whether or not to bear children. Hefner said this again and again. In an issue four months later: We believe a womans right to control her own body, in sexuality and in reproduction, is an essential step toward greater personal freedom.

Hefner went beyond publishing letters and editorials; Playboy provided the phone numbers of congressmen and the Clergy Consultation Service, which linked women with abortion providers. It also shared the information of free referral services in New York; women from different states could legally travel to obtain abortions in the state. And it supported the mission of Bill Baird, a controversial activist who once described himself as the sexually incorrect Joan of Arc. He became involved in the movement after witnessing a woman die in a Harlem hospital after a self-inflicted coat-hanger abortion.

In 1967, Baird, who worked for a birth-control manufacturer, deliberately broke the Massachusetts state law that barred distribution of contraception to unmarried people. He handed contraceptive foam to a 19-year-old woman during a speech at Boston University and police rushed the stage  all part of his provocative plan to go to prison, infiltrate the court system, and fight to change the law. Bairds extreme methods led feminists to see him as unhinged. The ACLU took his case but then dropped it. Planned Parenthood called Baird an embarrassment. In a 1971 New York Post interview, Betty Friedan suggested that Baird was a CIA agent. Gloria Steinem refused to shake his hand. Robin Morgan wrote in her book that Bairds mission was an effort to get women to sleep with him. But he wasnt too controversial for Playboy.

Bill Baird at a rally, New York, New York, June 24, 1973 Photo: Fred W. McDarrah/Getty Images

There has got to be an easier way to take women to bed than being jailed eight times in five different states, losing my first wife and children, being firebombed at my clinic with 50 people inside, and having my children be threatened with death, Baird told me (also in 2011). If they praise me, they have to praise a male. If men are the enemy, what do you do with me?

Hefner gave money to Baird through his nonprofit, the Playboy Foundation, and covered Bairds case in the magazine through 1972, when the Supreme Court established the right of unmarried people to possess contraception on the same basis as married couples in Eisenstadt v. Baird. By implication, Bairds case famously recognized the right of single people to have sex. Hefner had inadvertently helped officially legalize premarital sex, the essence of the Playboy philosophy.

But you could argue that Playboy philosophy, instead, centers on sexism and the patriarchy. Its troubling for many women, then and now, to accept Hefners abortion-advocacy efforts, and for good reason. In 1970, he sent a memo to his staff asking for a devastating piece that takes the militant feminists apart. In recent years, his ex-girlfriend Holly Madison has painted Hefner as a manipulative sleaze. Its easy to doubt his intentions regarding abortion; Hefner promoted an elongated (or in his own case, eternal) bachelorhood, that men should take the time be single and promiscuous before settling into marriage. Unplanned pregnancies obviously hinder that.

Playboy is a magazine that is making a profit off of the idea that womens bodies are objects to be looked at and exist for the satisfaction of men, said Erin Matson, then the action vice-president of the National Organization for Women. It objectifies and sexualizes women. That has not changed throughout the magazines history. That Playboy has published articles in support of abortion rights is not surprising. She let out a sigh of annoyance. The issue here is that you can be good on an issue and bad on another. We see that with politicians and elected officials. Thats simply a normal part of life. Playboy is certainly not a feminist organization by any stretch of the imagination.

In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2010, Hefner directly acknowledged this conflict. When writer John Heilpern said, Feminists still oppose you for treating women as objects, Hefner responded, They are objects! He then continued to explain, in the same breath, Playboy fought for what became womens issues, including birth control. We were the amicus curiae, friend of the court, in Roe v. Wade, which gave women the right to choose.

Hefners legacy is that hes forever polarizing  the empire he created has major, inherent contradictions. But the keywords in his quote to Vanity Fair are what became. Hefner was undoubtedly ahead of the curve in advocating for womens right to abortion. Even Ruth Bader Ginsburg, then working for the ACLU, wrote to the magazine in 1973 to thank the Playboy Foundation for its generous support to the Womens Rights Project and request additional funds. Now we advocate abortions and birth control for minors without parental consent, she said, acknowledging that even after Roe v. Wade, the work wasnt done. Clearly, that holds true today.
Photo: Courtesy of E! Entertainment

A very necessary part of enjoying reality TV is the suspension of disbelief. You cant get hung up on stuff like wardrobe inconsistencies, obviously dubbed voices, or spontaneous vacations that somehow manage to get every star of a show on a remote island where drama ensues. Its part of the fun. And this is never more true than for Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Though the shows stars grew up with cameras on them 24/7, there have been some pretty egregious slip ups in the last 14 seasons of the show. In fact, there have been enough mishaps for people like me to make a career out of tracking them. Sometimes it feels like the inconsistencies are so apparent, that they might as well pull a hammer out of their purses and literally break down the fourth wall. In honor of 10 years and ahead of the 14th season premiere on Sunday, lets take a look back at some of the questionably real scenes in Keeping Up with the Kardashians history.

Khloes Arrest: Season 1, Episode 5

In March of 2007, Khloe Kardashian was arrested in the wee hours of a Calabasas morning for driving while under the influence. This was one of the first story lines of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and the episode aired on November 11, 2007.

Heres the problem: According to Wikipedia, Keeping Up wasnt greenlit until August 2007 (5 months after Khloes arrest in March), and filming began shortly after so theres no way they could have actually filmed Khloe getting arrested. So theres that  and then theres the so-called reason for her arrest. In the show, the drunken night out that led to Khloes arrest is said to be directly tied to her the anniversary of her father, Robert Kardashians death. The episode is titled Remembering Dad, and even Hulus description of the episode states Khloe has trouble coping with the anniversary of her fathers death. But, the anniversary of his death would would have been on September 30, 2007, 6 months after Khloe was arrested. I cant be too mad at them because it gave us Kimberly Kardashian taking selfies in a car while accompanying Khloe to jail.

Kim and Kris talk about Kim and Kris: Kourtney and Kim Take New York, Season 2, Episode 7

On October 31, 2011, Kim Kardashian announced that she was divorcing Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage. The demise of the marriage is chronicled on Kourtney and Kim Take New York and one of the most pivotal conversations that Kim had about her marriage takes place between Kim and her Mom on a business trip to Dubai in early October (Kims seen here entering her hotel on October 11, 2011). In the scene, Kim tells Kris that shes not eager to leave Dubai and return to New York to see her husband. Kim asks Kris if her feelings are normal, and Kris tells her that they arent.

Heres the problem: This scene is made to look like it was filmed in Dubai, but was actually filmed on December 6, 2011 in Los Angeles. On December 6, Kim and Kris were seen leaving a studio in Hollywood, wearing the exact same outfits they were wearing during their episode 7 conversation about Kris Humphries, as they prepared to leave Dubai and head back to New York. Thats over a month after Kim filed for divorce from Kris Humphries. It seems as though Kim and Kris had to take to a studio to reshoot some scenes (which coincidentally turn out to make it seem like divorce is the best option for Kim).

Kris Humpriess Proposal: Season 6, Episode 13

During his divorce proceedings, Kris Humphries testified that his proposal to Kim was made-for-TV. I remember, like, Kim  she didnt know he was going to propose at that moment, and she came in and she was completely surprised, and I think she had a bad reaction or something and she was embarrassed, Humphries said. Humphries told the court that Kim wasnt satisfied with her initial reaction to his proposal in Season 6 Episode 13, so she asked to reshoot the scene so that they could get a better take. She said can we just, like, have me come back in one more time and be, like, really surprised. Because she had no idea it was going to happen. It was in her bedroom. Humphriess claim was substantiated by a Keeping Up producer, Russell Jay, who confirmed, in a 165-page deposition, that this scene was reshot. To my knowledge, Kim has never publicly commented on the matter.

Kylies Lips: Season 10, Episode 9

Back in 2014, everyone was talking about Kylies lips (and this was before she launched her lip kits). An entire episode of Season 10 was centered around Kylies suspected injections. In it, she spends a good amount of time trying to avoid answering questions about whether her lips are enhanced.

Heres the problem: In her first interview of the episode, Kylie tells a New Zealand magazine, Remix, that her lips are au naturale, and and the fullness is due to, like, six different colors. She doesnt admit to the fillers in this interview because shes just not comfortable talking to reporters about her lips just yet. However, in the last scene of the episode Kylie finally tells Teen Vogue that she has in fact had her lips enhanced with temporary fillers. The catch is that Kylie was interviewed by Teen Vogue (the interview where she admitted to fillers) on February 6, 2015, 4 days before her interview on February 10, 2015 with Remix (where she lied about not having fillers). The episode was edited to look like Kylie was building up to feeling comfortable enough to admit to getting lip injections, when it seems as though she just wanted to break the news to the most popular source.

Kris Jenner and Corey Gambles Relationship: Season 10, Episode 2

In the winter of 2014, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Scott Disick chat around Kris Jenners kitchen island to break down whats really going on between Kris and her new man Corey Gamble. They filmed this scene on December 17, 2014 (as evidenced by Khloes gram that day), and in it they ask one another who exactly Corey is, and if anyone has any details on him (other than what Scott, Kendall, and Kylie found on him in texts on Kriss phone in October 2014).

Heres the problem: Unfortunately, for the Kontinuity of their show, we know the family met Corey  latest  in October of that same year when he went with the family to Vegas. This scene was filmed almost three months later.

Missing Cuba: Season 12, Episode 13

In season 12 episodes 12 and 13, our beloved Kardashian dolls, Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe took a trip to Cuba with their families and Everybodys Favorite Best Friend Malika. Scott Disick and Kris Jenner miss them so badly they hatch a plan to bring Cuba to Calabasas. They rent a brightly colored convertible, stock up on cigars, put on fedoras, and invite Kylie Jenner and French Montana to ride around Southern California with them, while pretending to be in Havana.

Heres the problem: the scene of Scott and Kris bringing Cuba to Los Angeles is inconsistent, because it was filmed on May 26, 2016. For proof, you can take a look at Kris and her crew in their car on May 26, 2016, here. Thats 20 days after the ladies returned to California from Cuba on May 6. This means they werent experiencing FOMO in real time, since the ladies had already returned from Cuba.
Big Ben's chimes will be silenced for four years during renovation works, except on special occasions. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)

Big Ben Renovation Costs Double to $81.7 Million

The cost of renovating Big Ben over the next four years has doubled to 61 million ($81.7 million), parliamentary authorities have revealed.

Repair costs for the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster that houses the bell, known as Big Ben, were originally set at 29 million ($38.9 million) in the spring 2016.

Authorities admitted that the works were more complex and more expensive than originally thought and expressed their disappointment at the cost increase.

The amount of contingency money set aside for the project was raised from 5.8 million to 17.2 million.

The projects cost increase was revealed as authorities announced that the contract was given to construction company Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd.

The 96-meter (315 feet) tall tower will have scaffolding that will gradually be dismantled from the top as the work progresses. At least one clock face will be on show at all times, officials said.

In a joint statement, the clerk of the House of Commons, the clerk of the Parliaments and the director general said: We acknowledge that there have been estimating failures and we understand the concern of the Commissions. In advance of tendering contracts, the initial high level estimates were set at a lower level to avoid cost escalation from the market.

This project will enable us to give one of Britains most famous landmarks the TLC it so desperately needs and deserves, said Steve Jaggs, keeper of the clock.

Big Bens chimes were silenced this August for four yearsa move that was criticized by many MPs and Prime Minister Theresa May.

Of course we want to ensure that people are safe at work, but it cant be right for Big Ben to be silent for four years, she said to reporters.

Conservative Member of Parliament James Gray called the project entirely bonkers while Brexit Secretary David Davis called it mad and told renovation workers to just get on with it.

The pause of Big Bens bongs even brought tears to the eyes of Labour MP Steve Pound, tears that he insists were real.

Lab MP Steve Pound wipes a tear (real he insist) as he hears last Big Ben bongs for 4 years. pic.twitter.com/6JBc6ZJ2WO  Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) August 21, 2017

Big Ben will chime only on special occasions, including New Years Eve and Remembrance Sunday, during renovation works.
British Models Alleged Kidnapper Should Be Extradited, Judge Rules

A man who allegedy conspired to kidnap British glamor model Chloe Ayling should be extradited to Italy, a judge has ruled.

The man, Polish-born Michal Herba, is accused of conspiring with his brother Lukasz Herba to kidnap the 20-year-old model.

At a hearing in Westminster Magistrates Court, District Judge Paul Goldspring said he should be extradited to join his brother who is in custody in Italy, according to reports.

I have decided you should be surrendered to Italy to face trial for the kidnap, the judge said to Herba.

The pair face allegations of kidnapping the model before demanding 300,000 euros (264,00 pounds or US$355,00o) in ransom.

Michal has been in custody since his arrest in the West Midlands, U.K., over his alleged involvement.

His barrister is planning to appeal against the decision, per the Independent.

He continues to protest his innocence in the strongest possible terms, his barrister, George Hepburne Scott said.

Ayling said she was drugged, kidnapped, and stuffed in a suitcase in July after being lured to a bogus photoshoot.

Lukasz Herba, 30, was arrested in Italy after taking Ayling to the British Embassy on July 17, Sky News reports. She was allegedly kept captive until the brothers found out she was a mother.

Her captors claimed to belong to a group called Black Death, according to The Telegraph

On Monday, Michal Herbas barrister, George Hepburne Scott, said the entire case could be a sham and a publicity stunt.

This case has a unique set of anomalies which might lead to the conclusion that the Italian authorities have been duped and that their process has been abused, Scott said, per the BBC.

But Goldspring said the open source material, that Scott had referred to were from media reports and was not substantial evidence.

Some believe it to be a sham, he said, according to Reuters. This material doesnt prove that.
Lacey Tiara Wilcox listened to her baby girls heartbeat again. It had been almost two years she had held her daughters heart so close. Only now the heart beats in a body of a 2-year-old boy.

Lacey prayed for this moment, but often wondered if the great gift she and her husband Brandon made on behalf of their daughter was met with appreciation from the recipient family.

Now she knows.

The Wilcoxes, of Avon, Indiana, endured a lot of pain in recent years. On Dec. 26, 2015, their 2-year-old Alaiya died of bacterial meningitis, a dangerous disease affecting the brain and spinal cord.

[W]e were pulled aside and asked about donating her organs, Lacey said. My husband and I did not hesitate as we both replied with YES!.

Alaiya was such a giving child that we knew it was the right thing to do, she said. We knew that she would be saving others lives.

Alaiyas organs went to seven recipients. Her heart saved the life of a 10-month-old boy, Mason Perkins.

A year later, the Wilcox family photographer, Nikki Myers, contacted the family. She said someone special wanted to write to them and asked for a permission to share their contact.

I told her yes. But I was so curious who it possibly could be, Lacey said. She finally broke down and told me it was the mother of the heart recipient.

Lacey was relieved. She had wondered if the recipient family appreciated the gift of her daughters heart. When the family reached out to her it gave her great comfort.

On Dec. 28, 2016the one-year anniversary of the transplant operationMasons mother Angela contacted Lacey on Facebook.

Lacey wanted to meet.

Angela had mixed feelings about the meeting. She wanted to show Lacey how well Mason was doing. But she thought it could also reopen painful memories for the Wilcox family.

In the end, they decided to meet in Nashville, where Mason went for a health appointment.

On Monday, Sept. 25, they met at Centennial Park. Wilcox couldnt put into words the deluge of emotion she went through upon seeing Mason.

He was all smiles, couldnt stay in one place, and even showed off for them. We definitely saw Alaiya in him, Lacey said.

Angela believes that is so.

I am a firm believer that a parents love is forever woven into our hearts, Angela said.

Indeed, Mason, always reluctant to approach strangers, quickly took to the Wilcoxes.

[T]heres no doubt that the heart that beats inside of Mason knows the familiarity of Brandon and Lacey, Angela said.

Lacey was relieved and happy to see how grateful Perkins was for the gift of life to her son. She was happy to see Mason doing well. Still, it was a bittersweet moment.

In a perfect world, Alaiya and Mason could have both been saved and Angela and I could have met in the baby aisle of Target, but that isnt our story, she said.

I was happy and sad all in one.

The families spend hours together, sharing stories about Alaiya and Mason.

Its important to Lacey for her two daughters (age one and five) to grow up knowing Mason. She believes theres a connection.

We are forever bonded as a unit! Lacey said.

The families plan to attend an organ donation fundraiser together in October and keep in touch from now on.

I am forever grateful for the gift of life, Angela said. I will always make sure that Mason lives a life big enough for two.

All photos were taken by Suha Dabit, the photographer who runs the World of Broken Hearts, a program with Project Heart nonprofit to raise awareness about congenital heart defects and organ donation.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine General Joseph Dunford Jr. at the Pentagon in Washington on May 19, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Gen. Dunford: We Should Assume North Korea Can Hit US With Nuclear Weapon

Frankly, I think we should assume today that North Korea has that capability

Americas highest-ranking military officer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., said that it should be assumed that North Korea has the ability to strike the United States. with a nuclear-armed missile.

Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 26, Gen. Dunford said it is only a matter of time before the North Korean regime solves the final technical hurdles in its nuclear and missile programs.

Frankly, I think we should assume today that North Korea has that capability and has the will to use that capability, Dunford said.

Whether its three months, or six months or 18 months, it is soon. And we ought to conduct ourselves as though its just a matter of time and a matter of a very short time before North Korea has that capability.

North Korea has conducted six underground nuclear tests so far, and has threatened to conduct its next test by exploding a nuclear weapon over the Pacific Ocean.

President Donald Trump warned North Koreas dictator, Kim Jong Un, against such action in a speech in Alabama last Friday, warning that the radioactive fallout of such a test would cause tremendous health problems.

Gen. Dunford said that the fallout of such a test would be similar to what happened with the Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union in 1986 when a nuclear reactor at the power plant exploded. Thousands were killed and a large area was contaminated with radioactivity.

We had significant health challenges for many years and obviously the loss of life, Dunford said.

Working With China

China announced on Thursday that it gave North Korean companies operating in its country 120 days to close down.

Chinas central bank had also recently told banks to implement the United Nations sanctions against North Korea. Banks were told to deny services to new North Korean customers, and to wind down loans to existing North Korean customers.

The moves came after months of pressure from the Trump administration on China to take action against North Korea. China is a vital lifeline for the communist regime and its biggest trading partner.

China also started implementing sanctions from a U.N. Security Council resolution which was passed earlier this month which prohibits the sale of natural gas and limits the amount of oil that can be sold to the North.

The new sanctions came after North Korea conducted a sixth underground nuclear test. The Trump administration announced additional sanctions mainly focused on businesses and financial institutions doing business with the North.

Purpose of North Koreas Nuclear Program

North Korean state media published several articles this week threatening that its state nuclear program was near completion, and that under no circumstances would it end it.

Gen. Dunford said that the nuclear program are linked to survival in North Korea. The Kim regime sees it as a vital tool to remain in power.

He said that while military force is an option for the U.S. it would be devastating. And instead the United States has worked tirelessly to push China to put pressure on the North. According to Dunford there is still hope for a peaceful solution to the conflict if the new sanctions work.

However, Dunford said we are also making it clear there are military options available to the President.

Defense Secretary James Mattis said earlier this month that the United States is capable of completely destroying North Korea in the scenario of an armed conflict.

Missile Defense

In response to the increased threat from North Korea, the United States is building up its missile defense systems.

The U.S. military successfully tested a missile defense system, which intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile off the coast of Hawaii.

President Trump said in his speech in Alabama that the United States is spending billions to improve its missile defense systems. He thanked the people of Huntsville, Alabama, where a large amount of defense equipment is manufactured.

How important are those words now, when you hear missile defense, Trump said.
First lady Melania Trump looks on as US President Donald Trump talks to members of the media. (Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

Melania Trump Responds to Librarian Who Rejected Her Gift of Dr. Seuss Books

A representative for Melania Trump responded to the librarian who described Melanias books gift as containing racist propaganda, among other comments.

Stephanie Grisham, director of communications for the first lady, responded to the librarians displeasure with the gift of 10 Dr. Seuss books sent to her school.

To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the first lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere, said Grisham in a statement, via USA Today.

Liz Phipps Soeiro is a librarian at Cambridgeport Elementary School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her school was one of the gift recipients for Sept. 6s National Read a Book Day. One exceptional school in each state received the gift package from the first lady, accompanied by an inspirational letter.

Soeiro responded by sending a letter back to the first lady rejecting the books, and then the letter was published on The Horn Book, a website that describes itself as a blog for Publications about books for children and young adults.

My students were interested in reading your enclosed letter and impressed with the beautiful bookplates with your name and the indelible White House stamp, however, we will not be keeping the titles for our collection. Id like to respectfully offer my explanation, wrote Soeiro.

My school and my library are indeed award-winning. I work in a district that has plenty of resources, which contributes directly to excellence, wrote Soeiro as her reasoning for not wanting the books.

My students have access to a school library with over nine thousand volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science, she continued.

She then goes on a rant about the policies of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, white supremacy, and said illustrations in Dr. Seuss books are based on racist propaganda.

So, my school doesnt have a NEED for these books, is how Soeiro sums up her feelings.

Commenters on the post suggest she wouldnt be reacting that way if the gift was received from previous first lady Michelle Obama, who was known for reading Dr. Seuss books to children. She wasnt the only first lady who took a liking to his work.

Here's D.C. librarian who rejected Melania's Dr. Seuss book donation "steeped in racist propaganda" as Cat in Hat. pic.twitter.com/pek3pT5q2W  Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 29, 2017

Even Soeiro herself celebrated Dr. Seuss. Photos of her in full Dr. Seuss celebratory gear, and hugging a Dr. Seuss book, were uncovered, Twitchy reported. A hashtag exposing Soeiro called #RacistSeuss is making the rounds on Twitter.

A spokeswoman for Cambridge Public Schools told The Boston Globe that the district received emails and phone calls from people offended by Soeiros stance.

The Cambridge school system released a statement via CBS Boston.

In this instance, the employee was not authorized to accept or reject donated books on behalf of the school or school district. We have counseled the employee on all relevant policies, including the policy against public resources being used for political purposes.

From NTD.tv
Jordyn Cleverly shares a moment with her grandmother Penny Jenson after revealing her wedding dress. (Kortney Peterson/KORTNEY J PHOTOGRAPHY)

Tears Flow as Bride Surprises Grandmother With Secret Wedding Dress

Jordyn Cleverly set her widowed grandmother to tears when she revealed the dress she would wear when she married her high school sweetheart.

It was the dress grandmother Penny Jenson had been married in 55 years earlier, to her own high school sweetheart, a man known only to her granddaughter by stories and photographs, like the one of her in her wedding dress on that special day so long ago.

A first look unlike any other Ive done before, wrote photographer Kortney Peterson on her Facebook post.

Since Jordyns grandma had no idea about her even having her wedding dress in her possession, it made for an extremely emotional moment, Peterson told The Epoch Times.

When Jordyn walked out of the house in her dress, Tears were shed by not only Jordyn and her grandma, but also anyone else around watching. Not a dry eye in sight.

Her grandma was so in shock. It was one of the most beautiful and emotional moments Ive gotten to capture, she said.

Petersons Facebook post on the moment went viral, garnering headlines from around the world. The photographers pictures show a deeply moved grandmother seeing something old become something new.

Her reaction was one of the sweetest reactions Ive ever seen. Tears were automatically brought to her eyes, and she kept repeating 1962  Your grandfather would have loved to see this  I married my high school sweetheart in this  and now so will you,' Peterson told ABC.

Jenson had no idea her granddaughter would be walking down the aisle in the heirloom gown.

Cleverly, a makeup artist, married her childhood sweetheart, Dakota Cleverly, in Boise, Idaho, last week.

We actually started dating in middle school, Cleverly told ABC News, describing her wedding as the most spiritual and emotional moment of her life.

No better way to pay tribute to the legacy of my widowed grandmother. I couldnt be happier or more blessed.
Brayan Martinez Juarez, 18, was crushed while searching for victims trapped inside a collapsed building in Mexico City on Sept. 20, 2017, after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck the day before. (Family handout)

Teenager Crushed While Rescuing Others After Mexico Quake Remains in Coma

MEXICO CITYBrayan Martinez Juarez, 18, knew his parents would not let him crawl through collapsed and crumbling buildings to save victims of the magnitude-7.1 earthquake that struck Mexico City on Sept. 19.

It was a terribly dangerous thing to do, a type of bravery that has confounded Mexico City as authorities balance the effort to save those trapped under the mountains of rubble with the safety of those that would rescue them.

Juarez is one of the unfortunates among Mexico Citys countless heroes. He lives, but just barely and the road ahead looks to be difficult.

At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 20, Juarez quietly, quietly slipped past his brother Jonathan who was resting before going to his job at VIPS, a Mexican chain of restaurants.

It was unlike Juarez to sneak out, said his mother Maria Elvira. He would never leave the house without telling her where he was going and what he was going to do. Neither would his two brothers.

They always ask permission, she said.

When Juarez did not return home that evening, the family started to worry.

The quake that rocked the city the day before had struck exactly 32 years to the day of the devastating magnitude-8.0 earthquake that claimed over 5,000 lives on Sept. 19, 1985.

Juarez, like so many others, felt the need to search for people trapped beneath the piles of rubble among 44 collapsed buildings around the city.

He is a self-sacrificing boy, said his mother.

What happened when Juarez left home that morning is known only to himself, but some pieces of what he had been doing that day are known.

He made his way to the Enrique Rebsamen School with hundreds of other volunteers. Media had swarmed the area. The school would claim the lives of at least 21 children and four adults as the death toll became known. Surrounding the tragedy were concerns about faulty construction, which some suspect worsened the building collapse.

The school was also the birthplace of the myth of Frida Sofia, the girl who never existed, a scandal that has been heavily publicized in the media.

In the day after the quake, rescue efforts were chaotic and unorganized. While some sites required volunteers to register with identification and protective gear like hard hats and boots, Brayan joined in wearing only his regular clothing, with no ID, and without registering.

Sometime during the day, as Juarez crawled through ruined buildings seeking those trapped within, a buildings canopy collapsed on him, crushing his back.

Juarez was listed as a John Doe when he arrived at Hospital Regional 2 Villa Coapa del IMSS. Fortunately, a photo of his unconscious body made the rounds on Facebook and appeared before his brother Jonathan.

When the family arrived at the hospital, the young man could not be found. In the chaos after the quake, the John Doe had disappeared. The family eventually found him by identifying his sleeping form.

Nobody can say exactly what will come next for the young man.

Juarez is in stable condition but doctors have kept him in an induced coma and say he may never walk again. Jonathan said that when doctors tried to wake his brother, he struggled to breathe due to a punctured lung and began to suffer cardiac strain.

He is still in the hospital, still unconscious, his head swollen while the induced coma gives his body rest it needs to recover.

With Juarez found, now the family has a new worrymedical bills.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced on the day of the earthquake that all hospitals must open their doors and offer treatment to all those in need.

Juarez is receiving good care but his mother and brother said they are nervous that Nieto will not be able to keep his promise. Mother Maria is a cook. She makes 200 Mexican pesos per day, about US$11 in a comida corrida, a kind of small restaurant that serves meals at economical prices.

Even if Juarezs medical costs are covered, the months of recovery will likely demand a wheelchair, physiotherapy, and accessibility renovations to the family home. Maria said she cannot afford to stay home with her son as he heals.

The family has set up a YouCaring page in hopes help may come from friends and strangers moved by Juarezs story.

All proceeds will go directly to the family to aid in Juarezs recovery.
NEW YORKHeaven may be just a concept for some or a remote reality for others, but that insurmountable separation between heaven and earth may be bridged, on occasion, through the arts. Inspired by myths, legends, and Chinas 5,000 years of civilization, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra presents a vivid storytelling experience, exuding a cinematic quality that transports the audience to a panoply of destinations, both cultural and spiritual.

Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra is, by all accounts, the No. 1 orchestra in the world combining Eastern and Western cultural traditions.

For those who have seen the phenomenally successful dance productions of Shen Yun Performing Arts on its annual world tours, listening to the companys orchestra in concert gives the opportunity to enjoy the music in a whole new way. Without dancers on the stage, the music seems to magically conjure a different set of dancers, one arising from the imagination of the audience. Formed of your own mental images, memories, and inspired ideas, these dancers spring upon the open air full of vigor, creating a masterwork of imagination. To put it another way, as the music flourishes, so do you.

Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra is the most successful orchestra in the world to harness the precision and power of Western orchestration and animate it with the authentic instruments and rich melodies of ancient China. Before the 19th century, China was the most advanced civilization on earth for thousands of years. This brilliant cultural reawakening is highlighted by the fact that Shen Yun performs mostly original compositions and punctuates them with celebrated Western classical works. A great new frontier in music is opening up, and Shen Yun is leading the way.

This years program begins with Descent from Heaven: A Renewal. Although this years program notes have not yet been revealed, a similar piece in last years program is described thusly: The sound of the gong opens up the scene of divinities answering a call from the Creator to descend to Earth. Descending lines signal multitudes of beings coming down from the heavens to the world, incarnating into the grand imperial court of Chinas Han Dynasty. The delicate melodies of the ancient Chinese string instruments contrast with strong percussive rhythms and the brass section.

Other highlights of this years program include new pieces, such as The Great Khan, which tells the story of Kublai Khan, the great Mongol leader and grandson of Genghis Khan who founded Chinas Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century; Tibetan Drums, replete with the sound of horns conveying the majesty of the Himalayan peaks; and A Passage in Time, based on a romantic fairy tale about a young mans sojourn through a Taoist abode.

Tales recorded in Chinese history tell of wanderers chancing upon hidden worlds. Some have been described as secret abodes of Taoist immortals living in a parallel dimension. The audience feels like one of those wanderers while listening to Shen Yun. The time passes swiftly as if floating upon the harmonious enchantment. When the conductor and orchestra bow at the end of the performance, you wish it would never end.

Milen Nachev will conduct the compositions by Jing Xian, Gao Yuan, Junyi Tan, and the artistic director of Shen Yun, D.F. The orchestra will also perform the third movement of Tchaikovskys Violin Concerto, Op. 35; Suppes Light Cavalry Overture; and Dvoraks Slavonic Dance No. 7, Op. 72.

After Shen Yuns performance at Carnegie Hall, the orchestra will continue its tour across North America and Asia.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, along with their son Barron, walk in their inaugural parade in Washington on Jan. 20, 2017. (Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images)

Trumps Presidential Inaugural Committee to Donate $3 Million for Hurricane Relief

President Donald Trumps inaugural committee is donating $3 million of its remaining funds to aid organizations working on hurricane relief efforts.

The money will be donated to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Samaritans Purse.

The announcement comes after Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and the Caribbean suffered severe damage as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

Federal authorities announced on Thursday that 10,000 personnel have been deployed to Puerto Rico to help with relief efforts following category 4 Hurricane Maria.

Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert said large amounts of supplies have been sent to the island and are now being distributed.

Bossert said 4 ports and 8 airports are now open again, as well as 67 hospitals operating, and 200 gas stations. Puerto Ricos outdated electrical power grid suffered severe damage and most of the island remains without power.

Thank you to FEMA, our great Military & all First Responders who are working so hard,against terrible odds,in Puerto Rico. See you Tuesday!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2017

The surplus of these privately donated funds will be put to great substantive use for relief victims throughout the heartbreaking regions of America impacted by the recent catastrophic disasters, Thomas J. Barrack Jr., chairman of the private Presidential Inaugural Committee, told The New York Times.

The presidential inaugural committee raised $106.7 million, an unprecedented amount. President Barack Obama raised $53 million for his inauguration in 2009.

Barrack Jr. said earlier this year that the funds left over from Trumps inauguration would be donated to charity.

The committee will continue to curate worthwhile causes and make further contributions that serve Americas agenda and will conclude in accordance with its charter in the next few months, Barrack Jr. said.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump donated $1 million in personal funds earlier this month in response to Hurricane Harvey, which for Texas has become the most costly natural disaster in history. They donated to 12 organizations, with over half of the funds going to Reach Out America, Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.

Local residents react while they look at the water flowing over the road at the dam of the Guajataca lake.

(Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)

An aerial view shows the damage to the Guajataca dam in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico on Sept. 23, 2017. (Reuters/Alvin Baez)

Damaged boats are seen after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Salinas, Puerto Rico on Sept. 21, 2017. (REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)

A severely damaged school is seen from a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey surveying the aftermath from Hurricane Maria in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands on Sept. 21, 2017. (REUTERS/Jonathan Drake)
People wait at a gas station to fill up their fuel containers, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 27, 2017. (REUTERS/Alvin Baez)

US Appoints General to Oversee Military Response to Puerto Rico Disaster

SAN JUAN, Puerto RicoThe Pentagon named a senior general to command military relief operations in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico on Thursday and the Trump administration sent a Cabinet emissary to the island as U.S. lawmakers called for a more robust response to the crisis.

The U.S. territory of 3.4 million people struggled through a ninth day with virtually no electricity, patchy communications and shortages of fuel, clean water and other essentials in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the most powerful storm to hit the island in nearly 90 years.

The storm struck on Sept. 20 with lethal, roof-ripping force and torrential rains that caused widespread flooding and heavily damaged homes, roads and other infrastructure.

The storm killed more than 30 people across the Caribbean, including at least 16 in Puerto Rico. Governor Ricardo Rossello has called the islands devastation unprecedented.

The U.S. military, which has poured thousands of troops into the relief effort, named Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan on Thursday to oversee its response on the island.

Buchanan, Army chief for the militarys U.S. Northern Command, was expected to arrive in Puerto Rico later on Thursday. He will be the Pentagons main liaison with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. governments lead agency on the island, and focus on aid distribution, the Pentagon said in a statement.

FEMA has already placed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in charge of rebuilding the islands crippled power grid, which has posed one of the islands biggest challenges after the storm.

In yet another move raising the administrations profile in the crisis, acting U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke, whose department includes FEMA, will visit Puerto Rico on Friday with other senior government officials to meet the governor, Puerto Rican authorities and federal relief workers, her office announced.

President Donald Trump again praised the governments performance, saying on Twitter FEMA and other first responders were doing a GREAT job, but he complained about media coverage, adding: Wish press would treat fairly!

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, like Trump a Republican, had earlier called for the appointment of a single authority to oversee all hurricane relief efforts, and said the Defense Department should mostly be in charge.

Disaster Becoming Man Made

Democratic U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said the crisis was shifting from a natural disaster to a man-made one. The governments response had been shamefully slow and undersized and should be vastly upgraded and increased, he told the Senate.

Blumenthal called for as many as 50,000 troops to better coordinate logistics and the delivery of aid and basic necessities.

Even as FEMA and the U.S. military have stepped up relief efforts, many residents in Puerto Rico voiced frustration at the pace of relief efforts.

Its chaos, total chaos, said Radamez Montanez, a building administrator from Carolina, east of capital city San Juan, who has been without water and electricity at home since Hurricane Irma grazed the island two weeks before Maria.

In one sign of the prevailing sense of desperation, thousands lined up at San Juan harbor on Thursday to board a cruise ship bound for Florida in what was believed to be the largest mass evacuation since Maria struck the island.

The humanitarian mission, offered free of charge, was arranged between Royal Caribbean International and Puerto Rican authorities on a largely ad-hoc, first-come basis that sought to give some priority to those facing special hardships.

Defending the relief effort, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said 10,000 federal relief workers had arrived in Puerto Rico, including troops, and that 44 of the islands 69 hospitals were now operational.

The full weight of the United States government is engaged to ensure that food, water, healthcare and other life-saving resources are making it to the people in need, Sanders told reporters.

Army Brigadier General Richard Kim told reporters that the total military force on the island, including the Puerto Rico National Guard, numbered about 4,400 troops.

Shipping Restriction Lifted

The Trump administration earlier lifted restrictions known as the Jones Act for 10 days on foreign shipping from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico. While that measure might help speed cargo shipments, Puerto Rico is struggling to move supplies around the island once they arrive.

The U.S. government has temporarily lifted the Jones Act following severe storms in the past, but critics had charged the government was slow to do this for Puerto Rico.

Overall, the island is likely to need far more than $30 billion in long-term aid from the U.S. government for disaster relief and rebuilding efforts following Maria, a senior Republican congressional aide said on Thursday.

The immediate relief effort was still badly hampered by the damage to infrastructure.

Clearing cargo deliveries at the San Juan port remained slow, and several newly arrived tankers were waiting for a chance to unload their fuel, according to Thomson Reuters shipping data.

Really our biggest challenge has been the logistical assets to try to get some of the food and some of the water to different areas of Puerto Rico, Governor Rossello told MSNBC on Thursday. He has staunchly defended the Trump administration for its relief response, which Trump noted in one of his Thursday night Twitter posts.

The military has delivered fuel to nine hospitals and helped establish more than 100 distribution centers for food and water on the island, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Brock Long, the FEMA administrator, told CNN he was dissatisfied with the federal response to Maria, saying operations had been hindered by damage to the islands air traffic control system, airports and seaports.

FEMA said full air traffic control services had been restored to the main international airport in San Juan, allowing for more than a dozen commercial flights a day, although that figure represented a fraction of the airports normal business.

The island has also seen the gradual reopening of hundreds of gasoline stations during the past few days, while a number of supermarket chains were also returning to business, FEMA officials said.

By Robin Respaut and Dave Graham
UKs Largest Supplier of Chicken Investigated

The U.K.s largest supplier of chicken is being investigated after reports the company breached food safety rules.

Workers at a West Midlands factory were found changing the dates on chickens to artificially extend its shelf life.

Footage from an undercover investigation by ITV News and the Guardian reveals how workers at the plant were changing the slaughter dates of poultry and mixing chickens slaughtered on different dates on the production line. Changing the slaughter dates means the use-by dates on the poultry would be incorrectmaking the products hard to find if there was an outbreak of food poisoning.

The 2 Sisters Food Group supplies a third of all chicken products in the U.K., according to the report, including to Tesco, Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, and Lidl.

The Food Standards Agency has launched an investigation into the 2 Sisters Food Group. Its inspectors found no evidence of breaches, but the FSA said it will continue to review the evidence and have called for anyone with additional information relating to the investigation to contact it.

Heather Hancock, chairman of the FSA said: It is the responsibility of a food business to ensure that the food it sells is safe and what it says it is. We take any allegations of inaccurate labelling and breaches in hygiene regulations very seriously,

She added, Should we find any evidence of any risk to public health, any products on the market, which we believe to be a cause of concern will be urgently removed from sale.

The investigation also found that workers put the chicken on the production line after it had fallen on the floor, and filmed Tescos exclusive Willow Farms range being packaged with drumsticks that were originally packaged for Lidl.

Around 20 workers spoke with ITV News and the Guardian, confirming that such practices were taking place.

All affected retailers said they would launch an immediate investigation, reports said. Marks & Spencer, Aldi, and Lidl have dropped chickens supplied by 2 Sisters from their stores.

Ranjit Boparan and his wife Baljinder,own 2 Sisters. They are worth 544m according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

Their factories also produce food for other brands, including Foxs biscuits and Goodfellas pizza.

The company issued a statement writing they are viewing the allegations extremely seriously.

If, on presentation of further evidence, it comes to light any verifiable transgressions have been made at any of our sites, we will leave no stone unturned in investigating and remedying the situation immediately, the statement said.
A paramilitary guard stands in front of a crowd at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 20, 2017. (Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images)

Increase in Arrests, Censorship, Ahead of Chinas 19th National Congress

As the days draw closer to Chinas twice-in-a-decade leadership transition event, the regime is clamping down with heightened security, arrests, and internet censorship.

Chinas 19th national congress will determine the countrys next round of ruling elite. The authorities are especially sensitive to anything that could cause controversy or threaten the event from going off without a hitch on Oct. 18.

Chinese media reported that this Tuesday, Beijing Party Secretary Cai Qi convened a meeting with local party officials to gain their commitment to maintaining safety and stability in the days leading up to the congress.

On Wednesday, the subway system in Guangzhou City, located on the southern tip of the country, announced that beginning in October, all subway stations will require riders to go through metal detectors. In nearby Shenzhen, police performed emergency response exercises at a local shopping mall.

The regime wishes to prevent any potential protests or expression of opposition. Voice of America reported that human rights lawyer Di Yanmin was brought to a local police station in Beijing on Monday and detained for 24 hours. His home was also searched, and his desktop and laptop computers have gone missing since then.

Guangzhou democracy activist Xu Lin, who was visiting his sick father in Hunan Province, was taken away by local authorities on Tuesday. His home in Guangzhou was searched and his electronics and books have been confiscated, according to the Weiquanwang website, which gives updates on dissidents and human rights activists in China.

Fellow Guangzhou activist Liu Sifang was also taken by authorities in Yichun City, Jiangxi Province. In recent years, Liu and Xu collaborated on writing songs about fighting for human rights in China.

Other crackdown measures have been aimed at the internet-using public.

On Tuesday, Weibo, Chinas equivalent to Twitter, announced via an online post that the company is recruiting 1,000 people to become monitoring agentseffectively an online censorwho will strengthen netizen monitoring, clean up Weibos social environment, and effectively penalize pornographic, illegal, and other harmful content.

Those who report 200 posts get 200 yuan (US$30) in return each month. The 10 agents with the most reported posts receive iPhones, laptops, and domestically made cell phones as reward.

Foreign travel is also restricted. Tibetans working in travel agencies here were told by authorities that foreigners will not be allowed to visit the region from Oct. 18 to 28, Radio Free Asia reported. The ban is also in place for Tibetans living in the nearby Amdo region of Qinghai Province. In recent years, Tibetan protests against Chinese rule have resulted in severe suppression.

Additional reporting by Yang Yifan and Annie Wu. Translation by Annie Wu
AMERICAN ESSENCE: Theres Only 51 of These Vintage Tucker Cars in the World, and Theyre Worth Millions Each
Vancouver Dad Fights for Right of Kids to Ride Bus Unsupervised

Single father of five prepares to launch court case after government ministry barred his children from riding the bus to school

In a case that has grabbed worldwide attention, a Vancouver father of five is planning to mount a legal challenge over the right of his children to take public transit unsupervised.

Adrian Crook says he spent over two years grooming his four oldest children, who range in age from 7 to 11, to ride the city bus from downtown Vancouver to their school in the North Shore, a total of 13 kilometres. He made sure the children always carried a cellphone equipped with a GPS tracker, and the bus rides went without incident.

So he was shocked when the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) informed him last spring that he could no longer allow his kids to ride without adult supervision after provincial child welfare officials conducted an investigation based on an anonymous complaint.

Were talking about daytime, commuter hours[the kids] even know the bus driver and even some of the passengers, Crook said. If we cant take this level of risk with our kids then we shouldnt be even putting them in cars.

The ministry also told Crook he couldnt allow any of his children under age 10 to be unsupervised at all, even when going to the corner store across the street or while he puts out the garbage, something he says as a single father of five has put him on edge worrying about custody repercussions.

His dilemma quickly gained attention from parents across the countryand also from media outlets around the globe, including the BBCsparking the helicopter-versus-free-range parenting debate and what role the state should have in raising children.

Crook, who works in the video game industry and also blogs on urban and sustainability issues, decided to launch a legal challenge and to that end has been raising funds through GoFundMe, to the tune of $40,000 so far.

He says every penny will be put to use to defend not just his own case but the freedom of kids of all ages to take public transit on their own.

I want to try and push back on the helicopter parenting as a standard that the government now enforces, he says.

I dont want this to just be another case in the cannon that the government uses to enforce other situations like this where they are just needlessly intervening with parenting decisions.

He has been gathering evidence and statistics from experts related to safety and child development to use in his case.

I do think statistically everything is better than it used to be; crime is lower than its ever been, and with the case with taking the public bus, its the safest way to travel by a long shot, he says. But it doesnt matterpeoples fear has been so heightened and their decisions are based on fear rather than evidence.

According to data collected by the University of British Columbia, riding the city bus is the least risky form of transportation by farabout 25 times safer than riding in motor vehicles. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14.

Nanny-state approach to parenting

Crook said the MCFD based its decision on a case in 2015 in Terrace, B.C., when a 9-year-old was left alone at home after school for a couple hours. The judge ruled this was not allowed based on evidence from experts showing that it is unfit for children under 10 to be without adult supervision because they lack cognitive development.

The Ministry told The Epoch Times it could not legally comment on specific cases but issued a statement in response to questions.

In B.C., there is no legislated age that is uniformly applied: Every circumstance is unique and treated on its own terms, and our ministry completely supports building independence in kids, the statement reads.

However, when the Ministry receives a child protection concern it is legislatively obligated to assess it.

But Crook said the government didnt look at his case on its own merit, or take into consideration all the work he did being a responsible parent in making sure his kids were safe and prepared to travel by bus. He said the ministry merely checked with their lawyers across the country and determined that children under 10 could not be left unsupervised in or outside the home for any amount of time.

Other child experts agree that the ministrys decision isnt based on logic and evidence, but rather a growing trend of fear and a nanny-state approach to parenting.

Suddenly the lawyers are being made to be the experts on child development, said Michael Ungar, a family therapist and an associate professor in the school of social work at Dalhousie University.

Ungar is the author of the book Too Safe for Their Own Good, in which he talks about the phenomenon of the bubble-wrapped kidchildren who are denied opportunities to experience risk and responsibility.

He said in Crooks case the government is doing his children a disservice by not allowing them to build confidence and independence, which can negatively impact their development in the long run.

What they dont put into their equation is the collective long-term harm that such policies are having on the well-being of our children, he said.

These decisions are causing our children to have low confidence and making them feel anxiousthe world is made to be viewed as something dangerousand they miss out on developing life skills that they actually need.

Ungar said it will be interesting to see on what point of law the government will argue that the children were in real danger, considering the extremely low probability of abduction in Canada, where violent crime rates have lowered significantly in the last two decades.

A similar case gained international headlines a decade ago when mother Lenore Skenazy from Queens, New York, was dubbed the worlds worst mom for allowing her son to ride the subway by himself at age 9.

You cant make your decision based on the worst-case scenarios; the government didnt give an example of how these kids were in danger, Skenazy said by phone from New York.

The government has taken away how to raise our children from the mom and dad and have taken it upon itself to decide what age the kids can do anything, with zero consideration with how they are raised.

Crook is currently deciding on a lawyer he feels comfortable with and says hes rolling up his sleeves for what he expects to be a long battle in the courts.

You have to be prepared for the long haul. Ive been told there could be a couple of appeals in the process, but we will have to stick with it, he said.

Jared Gnam is a freelance reporter based in Vancouver. He broke into the world of journalism covering the Stanley Cup Riot in 2011.
A man walks amid destruction in Roseau, the capital of Dominica, after Hurricane Maria damages the island, on September 23, 2017. (Cedrick Isham Calvados/AFP/Getty Images)

While the Caribbean Reels From Major Hurricanes, Chinas State-Run Media Score Propaganda Points

While the Caribbean region strives to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Chinese state media have exploited the disaster, using it to spread anti-U.S. propaganda.

On Sept. 24, the state newspaper Peoples Daily published an article claiming that U.S. military withdrew from the island of Dominica after Hurricane Maria hit, while the Chinese authorities rescued people right away.

The powerful motherland will never leave behind any compatriot, read a post on the Peoples Daily official Weibo account, Chinas equivalent to Twitter.

In fact, the U.S. military has been actively providing disaster relief to the region since Sept. 15, according to updates on the website of the Southern Command division, which is assigned to operations in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

The Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands, comprising 1,100 personnel, was established as a disaster relief team specifically to aid St. Martin and Dominica. It has provided drinking water and relief supplies, in addition to evacuating people by aircraft.

The task force began evacuating U.S. citizens from Dominica on Sept. 24.

In Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory that was heavily hit by Maria, 10,000 federal personnel have been deployed, including 7,200 troops.

And in the U.S. Virgin Islands, troops have been rescuing survivors, providing medical aid, and distributing food and water.

Meanwhile, the Chinese rescue effort mentioned in the state media report was a private vessel rented by China Railway Construction Corporation, which was building a gymnasium on Dominica. The ship mostly carried employees of the state-owned firm.

Annie Wu contributed to this report.